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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2014-04-10   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   April 10, 2014   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Public Service: Amateur Radio-Developed Software Assisting in Search for   
       Missing Airliner   
    *  Regulatory: FCC Makes the First Move in 5 GHz U-NII Devices Proceeding   
    *  Technology: WWV's 25 MHz Signal Back on the Air   
    *  Legislative: Washington Aeronautic Safety Law Exempts Amateur Radio   
       "Guyed Towers"   
    *  Your League: ARRL Releases First Repeater Directory App for Android   
       Devices   
    *  ARRL Centennial: W1AW Centennial Operations Now in Massachusetts,   
       Virginia, and Puerto Rico   
    *  DX: Mellish Reef DXpedition Yields to Weather   
    *  International: UK Amateurs Losing Access to Part of 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz   
       Bands   
    *  On the Air: The ARRL Rookie Roundup SSB is Sunday, April 20!   
    *  On the Air: HI-SEAS Project Inaugural Ham Radio Event Will Commemorate   
       Yuri Gagarin's Space Flight   
    *  People: AMSAT-NA Names New Vice President of Engineering   
    *  Awards: Eric Hall, K9GY/T6MO, Named Intrepid Spirit Award Winner   
    *  Awards: Nominations Open for Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the   
       Year   
    *  Feature: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   Public Service: Amateur Radio-Developed Software Assisting in Search for   
   Missing Airliner   
      
   US Navy personnel helping to look for missing Malaysia Air Flight MH370 have   
   used the signal-processing and analysis package Spectrum Laboratory by Wolf   
   Buescher, DL4YHF, to analyze recently detected 37.5 kHz "pings" that may be   
   from the missing plane's "black box." Some Spectrum Laboratory screen shots   
   as seen aboard the Australian defense vessel Ocean Shield were shown on TV   
   in Australia and in the UK. The US Navy personnel are guests aboard the   
   Australian ship. VLF experimenter Warren Ziegler, K2ORS, said the software   
   is the same package Amateur Radio experimenters used recently to detect   
   transatlantic signals on 29 kHz.   
      
   TV video of an analyst looking at "pings" using Spectrum Laboratory, as seen   
   on Australian TV.   
      
   "Wolf's package is first-rate software, and I know that there have been   
   other professional uses, but this was quite an interesting one!" Ziegler   
   said.   
      
   The software began as a simple DOS-based FFT program, but it is now a   
   specialized audio analyzer, filter, frequency converter, hum filter, data   
   logger, and more. It's available for download from DL4YHF's Amateur Radio   
   Software site.   
      
   Buescher said he was skeptical about the initial "ping" detection by a   
   Chinese search vessel, but later called the spectrogram taken by the US team   
   aboard Ocean Shield "convincing." He said a screenshot from Australian TV   
   clearly shows the "bip-bip-bip" ultrasonic bursts or pings, "just as they   
   should look," he said, rather than a "just a wobbly carrier that comes and   
   goes."   
      
   A Spectrum Laboratory screen shot from British television.   
      
   "In slow-CW terms, it would be an 'outstanding signal.'" Buescher said. "Now   
   keeping fingers crossed that the ["black box"] batteries last a bit longer   
   than specified. The experts say the pinger's battery usually degrades   
   slowly, instead of going QRT abruptly."   
      
   At mid-week, searchers had detected additional, more promising pings that   
   appeared to conform to the pattern of those expected from an aircraft black   
   box.   
      
   Regulatory: FCC Makes the First Move in 5 GHz U-NII Devices Proceeding   
      
   The FCC has taken the opening steps on its proposal (ET Docket 13-49) to   
   make available another 195 MHz of spectrum at 5 GHz for Part 15 unlicensed   
   National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices.   
      
   U-NII devices use "wideband digital modulation techniques to provide a wide   
   array of high data rate mobile and fixed communications for individuals,   
   businesses, and institutions," the FCC has explained. In a First Report and   
   Order (R&O) in the proceeding released on April 1, the Commission affirmed   
   that Amateur Radio is entitled to protection from interference by such   
   unlicensed devices.   
      
   "The Amateur Service is an allocated service entitled to interference   
   protection within the 5 GHz spectrum," the FCC said, "whereas U-NII devices   
   operate under our Part 15 rules." Amateur Radio has a secondary allocation   
   at 5.65-5.925 GHz, including an Amateur Satellite Service uplink allocation   
   of 5.65-5.67 GHz, and a downlink allocation of 5.83-5.85 GHz.   
      
   In the R&O the FCC, among other things, extended the upper edge of the   
   5.725-5.825 GHz band to 5.85 GHz and consolidated the Part 15 rules   
   "applicable to all digitally modulated devices operating across this 125   
   megahertz of spectrum to ensure that all such devices comply with U-NII   
   requirements intended to protect authorized users from harmful   
   interference," the FCC said. The Commission did not address the use of U-NII   
   devices in the 5.35-5.47 GHz and 5.85-5.925 GHz bands, pending additional   
   technical analyses of those bands.   
      
   The FCC was obligated by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of   
   2012 (PL 112-96) to begin a proceeding to amend its Part 15 rules to allow   
   unlicensed U-NII devices to operate in the 5.35-5.47 GHz bands.   
      
   FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler called the R&O "a big win for consumers" that will   
   offer much-needed relief from growing congestion on Wi-Fi networks. "At the   
   same time," Wheeler continued, "it moves us another step closer to ending   
   the analog-era debate of licensed vs unlicensed spectrum. In 2014, licensed   
   and unlicensed spectrum are more complementary than competitive. They are   
   less oil and vinegar, and more peanut butter and jelly."   
      
   The FCC R&O turned away an ARRL suggestion that it require U-NII devices to   
   employ dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and transmit power control (TPC)   
   throughout the 5.650-5.925 GHz segment to minimize harmful interference to   
   Amateur Radio operations in the shared spectrum. The Commission said such a   
   requirement was unnecessary.   
      
   In 1999, the Commission allocated 5.85-5.925 GHz for direct   
   vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside, or "Dedicated Short Range   
   Communications" (DSRC). Amateurs may continue to operate in this segment,   
   but only to the extent that they do not interfere with DSRC operations. In   
   support of its argument that the introduction of U-NII into this segment   
   would be premature, the ARRL has observed that "a U-NII overlay at the   
   present time requires a good deal of compatibility analysis, none of which   
   has been completed to date."   
      
   ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ   
      
   In its comments last May, the League traced a history of "a continuing   
   series of overlays" to which the 5 GHz band has been subjected over the past   
   16 years, progressively reducing the utility of the amateur allocation   
   there. And the League asserted that "a decision in the near term with   
   respect to the addition of U-NII devices to the 5.85-5.925 GHz band would be   
   premature," a conclusion the FCC now has reached.   
      
   "Chairman Wheeler noted the need for careful study of technical analyses   
   prior to expanding unlicensed access into the 5.85-5.925 GHz band," ARRL   
   Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said. "We can only hope that he   
   will insist on this study being done before the other shoe drops in this   
   proceeding." Read more.   
      
   Technology: WWV's 25 MHz Signal Back on the Air   
      
   WWV silenced its 25 MHz signal in 1977, but it's back on the air "for old   
   times' sake" -- on an "experimental basis." Resurrecting the long-dormant   
   standard time outlet operated by the National Institute of Standards and   
   Technology (NIST) was Matt Deutch, N0RGT, the lead electrical engineer at   
   WWV.   
      
   The WWV complex in Fort Collins, Colorado. [NIST photo]   
      
   It all came about after Dean Lewis, W9WGV, lamented the loss of the 25 MHz   
   signal in an e-mail to Deutch, who surprised him by subsequently putting the   
   signal back on the air on April 4 for about 3-1/2 hours. A listener in   
   Scotland posted a reception report of the WWV 25 MHz signal on YouTube. WWV   
   ran another 25 MHz test starting on April 7. Initially it was only to stay   
   up for 24 hours or so, but Deutch told ARRL that WWV will remain on the air   
   probably for the rest of the week. "So hopefully a few more people will hear   
   it," he said.   
      
   Lewis said he'd told Deutch last week that 10 meter propagation has been   
   very good at this point in Cycle 24, and he uses the various WWV frequencies   
   as propagation beacons every day. "He responded that 'for old times' sake,'   
   they'd put the signal back on the air for a while. I assumed, of course,   
   that he was kidding, and so I didn't check. Matt wasn't kidding!"   
      
   NIST said the 25 MHz broadcast consists of the normal WWV signal heard on   
   all other WWV frequencies, at the same level of accuracy. The transmitter in   
   Fort Collins, Colorado, can deliver 2500 W into its "broadband monopole"   
   antenna, although Deutch told ARRL that he is running it at 1200 W. WWV has   
   invited listeners' comments and signal reports.   
      
   Legislative: Washington Aeronautic Safety Law Exempts Amateur Radio "Guyed   
   Towers"   
      
   Washington Governor Jay Inslee has signed into law legislation aimed at   
   providing a "safer flying environment" for pilots of aircraft engaged in   
   "low-flying activities," such as crop dusting and search-and-rescue   
   activity. The new law includes provisions to alert pilots to "guyed towers   
   that may be erected at short notice" that might be hard to see and pose an   
   air safety hazard, and it contains specific marking and lighting   
   requirements. Specifically exempted from the new law is, "Any structure for   
   which the primary purpose is to support telecommunications equipment, such   
   as equipment for Amateur Radio and broadcast radio and television services   
   regulated by the Federal Communications Commission."   
      
   ARRL Field Organization volunteers in Washington worked with lawmakers to   
   have the exemption included. Also exempted are self-supporting utility poles   
   and towers, and guyed towers that are used for military purposes, are within   
   50 feet of a structure or vegetation of equal or greater height, or are   
   attached to a "large mobile motorized machine" such as one used to yard   
   timber.   
      
   Impetus for the legislation -- similar to legislation being considered or   
   enacted in other Western states -- was a 2013 National Transportation Safety   
   Board recommendation that called upon states and territories to enact   
   legislation "requiring that meteorological evaluation towers erected in your   
   state or territory are marked and registered in a directory." The   
   recommendation came in the wake of fatal aircraft accidents involving   
   collisions with meteorological evaluation towers (METs), which often are   
   erected on short notice and lack markings or lighting to make them more   
   visible to pilots.   
      
   Your League: ARRL Releases First Repeater Directory App for Android Devices   
      
   ARRL has introduced its first Android app for locating Amateur Radio   
   repeater frequencies in the US and Canada -- The ARRL Repeater   
   Directoryr...Powered by Travel PlusT. Android phone and mobile device users   
   can download the app at no cost from Google PlayT (an Apple iOS version is   
   coming soon). The free app provides limited access to The ARRL Repeater   
   Directory database. Users may purchase a subscription to the complete   
   database of 23,000 repeaters, but the full version of the app is included in   
   the price of The ARRL Repeater Directory print editions.   
      
   "You're probably more likely to have your smartphone at your fingertips when   
   searching for a repeater while traveling," ARRL Marketing Manager Bob   
   Inderbitzen, NQ1R, pointed out. "The app can quickly locate you and deliver   
   a list of nearby repeaters to tune in." Inderbitzen says users can browse   
   the entire database by city and state too, even while offline.   
      
   The app's database contains the current list of frequencies included with   
   the 2014-2015 hard copy editions of The ARRL Repeater Directory and in the   
   TravelPlus for Repeaters software. "ARRL assembles this data each year from   
   frequency coordinators recognized by the National Frequency Coordinator's   
   Council and carefully vetted submissions from individual repeater owners,"   
   said ARRL Publication Manger Steve Ford, WB8IMY, who edits the directory.   
   The database includes repeaters from 28 MHz to 1240 MHz, and includes ATV,   
   D-Star, APCO-25, Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), EchoLink, and IRLP machines.   
      
   The RD app can display repeater locations on a map.   
      
   The ARRL Repeater Directory app can search for frequencies by city and   
   state, or by current location, if you've enabled location services on your   
   device. Selecting a listing reveals detailed information on the repeater and   
   its features. Users can filter searches to see only repeaters that match   
   certain attributes, and mapping is integrated.   
      
   Users may purchase an activation code from ARRL for 12 months of access to   
   the full version for $9.95. The hard copy 2014-2015 Repeater Directory, also   
   available from ARRL or from an ARRL publications dealer, includes an   
   activation code for access to the full version of The ARRL Repeater   
   Directory app. The pocket-sized edition is $12.95, and the desktop edition   
   is $17.95 -- both including the app (plus shipping). The activation code   
   permits single users to activate the full version of the app for 12 months   
   on up to three devices.   
      
   ARRL produced the app with DHF Systems, the developer of ARRL's Travel Plus   
   for RepeatersT software.   
      
   ARRL Centennial: W1AW Centennial Operations Now in Massachusetts, Virginia,   
   and Puerto Rico   
      
   The ARRL Centennial "W1AW WAS" operations taking place during 2014 from each   
   of the 50 states are now in Massachusetts (W1AW/1), Virginia (W1AW/4), and   
   Puerto Rico (W1AW/KP4). They will relocate at 0000 UTC on Wednesday, April   
   16 (the evening of April 15 in US time zones), to Mississippi (W1AW/5) and   
   North Dakota (W1AW/0). During 2014 W1AW will be on the air from every state   
   (at least twice) and from most US territories, and it will be easy to work   
   all states solely by contacting W1AW portable operations.   
      
   In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the ARRL, the ARRL Centennial   
   QSO Party kicked off January 1 for a year-long operating event in which   
   participants can accumulate points and win awards. The event is open to all,   
   although only ARRL members and appointees, elected officials, HQ staff, and   
   W1AW are worth ARRL Centennial QSO Party points. Working W1AW/x from each   
   state is worth 5 points per contact.   
      
   To earn the "Worked all States with W1AW Award," work W1AW operating   
   portable from all 50 states. (Working W1AW or W100AW in Connecticut does not   
   count for Connecticut, however. For award credit, participants must work   
   W1AW/1 in Connecticut.) A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will be available.   
      
   The ARRL has posted an ARRL Centennial QSO Party leader board that   
   participants can use to determine how many points they have accumulated in   
   the Centennial QSO Party and in the W1AW WAS operations. Log in using your   
   Logbook of The World (LoTW) user name and password, and your position will   
   appear at the top of the leader boards. Results are updated daily, based on   
   contacts entered into LoTW.   
      
   As of April 7, W1AW/x Centennial QSO Party stations have logged nearly   
   740,000 contacts. In May, W1AW will begin to revisit states already   
   activated, starting with Utah, Nebraska, and New York.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
   ARRL Centennial Station Giveaway!   
      
   The ARRL has announced a "Centennial Station Giveaway" as part of its   
   National Centennial Convention in Hartford, Connecticut, July 17-19, 2014.   
   Sponsored by the ARRL and R&L Electronics, the first-prize winner will   
   receive a Grand Prize voucher worth up to $5000 of equipment -- radio,   
   antenna, and accessories -- redeemable for products sold by R&L Electronics.   
   A second-prize winner will receive a $2500 prize voucher for products sold   
   by FlexRadio Systems, also co-sponsored by ARRL.   
      
   All paid convention registrants will be entered in the prize drawings (door   
   prizes). Winners will be drawn from among eligible registrants at the end of   
   the convention on Saturday, July 19, 2014. The winner does not need to be   
   present during the drawings.   
      
   Three-day convention tickets are $75 and include an all-day training   
   workshop and lunch on Thursday. Two-day tickets are $25 ($30 at the door),   
   good for admission on Friday and Saturday. Everyone who attends the   
   convention must register.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
   DX: Mellish Reef DXpedition Yields to Weather   
      
   After keeping the DX world on tenterhooks for a day or two, the VK9MT   
   DXpedition to Mellish Reef finally called it quits when severe weather   
   conditions made it "unsafe to continue operating." The team made its last   
   contact -- with JL1MTY on 30 meters on April 4 at 1353 UTC -- and pulled the   
   big switch. The DXpedition had planned to operate until April 9.   
      
   "Due to the ever-worsening weather associated with an impending tropical   
   storm, the team decided in the interest of safety to end the operation   
   early," the dreaded announcement came on April 5 in US time zones. "The last   
   night on the island was extremely difficult. With continued heavy rain and   
   wind, radio operations were nearly impossible. While the team is   
   disappointed, we realize that you are even more disappointed."   
      
   Once clear of the island, the team set sail for Australia, seeking a course   
   to keep them ahead of the storm that prompted their premature departure.   
      
   Team Mellish said that before shutting down, it was able to give an elderly   
   New Zealand radio amateur his last one for top of the DXCC Honor Roll. VK9MT   
   also was an all-time new one for many others.   
      
   Things started turning bad late last week, when the DXpedition was hit by   
   torrential rain and high winds. Although the operating tents held up and no   
   equipment was damaged, the team began dismantling some antennas and removing   
   non-essential gear from the atoll, while still keeping at least three   
   stations on the air.   
      
   The DXpedition team arrived safely in Mackay, Australia, a few days after   
   departing Mellish Reef. VK9MT recorded slightly more than 40,000 contacts   
   during its stay from March 30 to April 4 -- the lion's share with Europe and   
   Asia. Logs and statistics are available via ClubLog. -- Thanks to Team   
   Mellish and Tim Beaumont, M0URX   
      
   International: UK Amateurs Losing Access to Part of 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz   
   Bands   
      
   UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has announced that it's ending Amateur   
   Radio access to significant portions of the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands. The   
   action, announced on April 7, came in the wake of a year-long "consultation"   
   -- a rule-making proceeding -- that involved the release by the Ministry of   
   Defence of 40 MHz of spectrum at 2.3 GHz and 150 MHz of spectrum at 3.4 GHz.   
   Amateur Radio is secondary on the bands.   
      
   Amateur Radio will lose privileges on frequencies in the two bands that   
   overlap with spectrum that Ofcom plans to award for "new civil uses" -- 2350   
   to 2390 MHz and 3410 to 3475 MHz. The announcement gives radio amateurs at   
   least 12 months' notice, but radio amateurs must comply immediately with   
   procedures to avoid interfering with other users; ham radio occupants of   
   2310 to 2350 MHz will have to register their use and provide details to   
   Ofcom.   
      
   Amateur Radio will retain access to the adjacent bands, but Ofcom has put   
   procedures in place to remove even those frequencies from Amateur Radio   
   access, if necessary in the future. Ofcom said earlier this year that with   
   military and other government use of the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum ending,   
   "we believe an award of the spectrum for high power use is likely to deliver   
   greater benefit to UK consumers and citizens than continued amateur use."   
   Ofcom was required by the Ministry of Defence to adequately protect its   
   systems from Amateur Radio interference in both the released spectrum and in   
   adjacent bands.   
      
   "The MoD's plans are part of a government commitment to release 500 MHz of   
   spectrum by 2020," Ofcom explained in its order. "This commitment to opening   
   up spectrum for new civil uses is based on growing demand from UK consumers   
   for spectrum-hungry devices such as smartphones and tablets." Ofcom said   
   that use of mobile data devices more than doubled in the 18 months leading   
   up to January 2012. "Indeed, the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands are identified in   
   Ofcom's 'mobile data strategy' as having the potential to support even   
   better mobile data services for citizens and consumers in the coming years,"   
   the regulator said.   
      
   Ofcom said it was making 2300-2302 MHz available for amateur use, but   
   licensees first must obtain a Notice of Variation to their licenses. Hams in   
   the US have secondary access to 2300-2310 MHz, 2390-2450 MHz, and 3300-3500   
   MHz.   
      
   Neither the affected 2350-2390 MHz segment nor the 2310-2350 MHz that may be   
   removed down the road in the UK has been available to US amateurs for many   
   years. In the international Table of Frequency Allocations, the 3.4-3.6 GHz   
   band is designated for future mobile wireless broadband in many countries,   
   including the UK, but not in the US. Germany and Israel are the only ITU   
   Region 1 countries with amateur allocations at 3400-3475 MHz. -- Thanks to   
   RSGB, Ofcom   
      
   On the Air: The ARRL Rookie Roundup SSB is Sunday, April 20!   
      
   The Rookie Roundup returns to SSB on Sunday, April 20. The event gets   
   underway at 1800 UTC and continues through 2359 UTC. In the Rookie Roundup,   
   a "Rookie" is any radio amateur licensed within the current calendar year or   
   in the previous two calendar years, regardless of license class. Operators   
   exchange the call sign of the station they're working plus their own call   
   sign, first name, two-digit number of the year first licensed, and state,   
   Canadian province, Mexican call area, or "DX."   
      
   The goal of Rookie Roundup is to encourage newly licensed operators in North   
   America (including territories and possessions) to operate on the HF bands   
   and experience competitive Amateur Radio operating. Experienced operators   
   are encouraged to participate and help new operators -- either on the air or   
   in person.   
      
   This is a terrific opportunity for new operators to get on the air and gain   
   contesting skills. Old Timers may want to consider opening up their stations   
   to rookies and serving as contesting mentors. The more operators on the air,   
   the more fun the Roundup will be for everyone. Review the rules before the   
   event, and get familiar with logging and log submission processes too.   
   Rookies exchange information with as many other stations as possible on the   
   80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. Rookie entrants are encouraged to read "HF   
   Contesting - Good Practices, Interpretations and Suggestions."   
      
   The next Rookie Roundup is the RTTY event on August 17.   
      
   On the Air: HI-SEAS Project Inaugural Ham Radio Event Will Commemorate Yuri   
   Gagarin's Space Flight   
      
   The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation -- HI-SEAS "Mars   
   mission," recently underway in Hawaii, will launch its Amateur Radio special   
   event on April 12 -- the anniversary of Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's   
   historic spaceflight in 1961. Ron Williams, N9UIK, one of two radio amateurs   
   on the mission -- the other is Ross Lockwood, VA6RLW -- said this week that   
   the team's first Amateur Radio activity will begin Saturday, April 12, at   
   1900 UTC. Special event station K6B will explain the nature and purpose of   
   the event and solicit callers. Amateur Radio communication to and from the   
   "Martian" enclave will incorporate a 20 minute delay in each direction, to   
   emulate actual transmissions between the Red Planet and Earth.   
      
   Yuri Gagarin   
      
   USSR Cosmonaut Gagarin was the first human launched into space during the   
   US-Soviet "Cold War" space race. "The HI-SEAS crew will be celebrating in   
   our habitat and will recognize this human achievement on its anniversary,   
   during our first ham radio activity," Williams said. The HI-SEAS   
   "astronauts" will be spending the next 4 months in a self-contained,   
   solar-powered habitat at a remote site some 8000 feet up on the slopes of   
   Mauna Loa volcano.   
      
   Special event station K6B will call on the WH6FM 2 meter repeater, which is   
   connected to the AllStar VoIP system (node 27084) as well as to the Western   
   Intertie Network (WIN) linked repeaters (reflector 9101). K6B also will   
   transmit into local 2 meter and 70 centimeter repeaters. At 2000 UTC, K6B   
   will begin operation on 28.300 MHz.   
      
   Williams said that imposing the delay makes the K6B operation "unique to any   
   Amateur Radio special event ever conducted." He said that NASA is "very   
   interested" in learning how to deal with radio signal delay to and from   
   space. Read more.   
      
   People: AMSAT-NA Names New Vice President of Engineering   
      
   The AMSAT-NA Board of Directors has tapped Jerry Buxton, N0JY, to be AMSAT's   
   Vice President of Engineering. In a special AMSAT meeting held online on   
   April 1, the board unanimously approved the selection of Buxton, who lives   
   in Granbury, Texas. He replaces Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, who died on March 26.   
      
   "Given the significance of completing Fox-1 for delivery on time later this   
   year, the Board recognized that the Fox Program must continue under   
   leadership that is focused on completing AMSAT's latest satellite," AMSAT   
   announced. "Selecting a new VP-Engineering is an important step towards   
   maintaining the momentum that was developed under Tony's leadership and to   
   avoid creating an engineering leadership vacuum as work continues on the   
   satellite."   
      
   Steve Coy, K8UD, will assume Monteiro's seat on the AMSAT-NA Board of   
   Directors. Coy was elected by the AMSAT membership as a Board alternate in   
   2013; he will hold a voting seat through the next Board election later this   
   year. Read more. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service   
      
   Awards: Eric Hall, K9GY/T6MO, Named Intrepid Spirit Award Winner   
      
   The Intrepid-DX Group has announced that DXer and DXpeditioner Eric Hall,   
   K9GY/T6MO, is the recipient of its second annual Intrepid Spirit Award.   
      
   "This award is to recognize Eric's outstanding efforts to activate   
   Afghanistan during his tour of duty as a US Army reservist, making over   
   41,000 contacts," the group's award announcement said. "We acknowledge   
   Eric's pursuit of operating excellence and his quest to activate the rare   
   and often dangerous entities."   
      
   Hall will receive the award at the DX Dinner on May 16, held in conjunction   
   with Dayton Hamventionr. This Intrepid-Spirit Award was made in memory of   
   James McLaughlin, T6AF, who died in Afghanistan 3 years ago. -- Thanks to   
   Paul Ewing, N6PSE, President, The Intrepid-DX Group   
      
   Awards: Nominations Open for Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year   
      
   Nominations are being accepted for the 2014 Amateur Radio Newsline "Young   
   Ham of the Year Award" (YHOTY) Created in 1986, the award recognizes the   
   achievements of a radio amateur aged 19 or younger for his or her   
   accomplishments in service to the nation, the community, or the advancement   
   of the state of the art through Amateur Radio.   
      
   Nominees must reside in the US or its possessions, or in Canada. Details,   
   rules, and a nominating form (in MS Word format) are available on the   
   ARNewsline website. All nominating forms and support documentation become   
   the property of Amateur Radio Newsline and cannot be returned. Nominations   
   must be postmarked or electronically filed by May 30, 2014. -- Thanks to   
   ARNewsline   
      
   Feature: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL   
      
   During the war years, QST featured a number of articles on basic   
   cryptanalysis, an important wartime area. Other articles went back to radio   
   basics, to help hams still at home to brush up on their theory. Still others   
   reported on advances in the state of the radio art. Articles showed military   
   radio setups in use by the Signal Corps in the field during training   
   exercises, by the Army Air Corps, by the Navy on board ships, by the   
   Marines, and by the Coast Guard. The ARRL stood firmly behind the war   
   effort, and did everything it could to help it.   
      
   QST began listing the names of hams who were missing in action, and of those   
   confirmed by the Red Cross as being prisoners of war. Later in the war, QST   
   carried reports of "Gold Star" hams -- those who had died as a result of   
   military action.   
      
   The April 1944 issue of QST included plans for "A Workable WERS Battery   
   Transceiver."   
      
   The principles of radar were well known in the technical community, but this   
   was highly classified work during the war. The veil of military secrecy was   
   lifted just enough for the first "official" announcement of the existence of   
   radar in the military to be made on April 25, 1943.   
      
   Later in the war, US hams started receiving unusual German-language signals   
   in the vicinity of 10 meters. An investigation by the FCC and other   
   government agencies showed that what those hams were hearing were   
   transmissions from tank-borne tactical radios of the Afrika Korps, commanded   
   by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel -- "the Desert Fox" -- during battles in   
   North Africa. Hams who were fluent in German had a ringside seat to some   
   fierce action!   
      
   By 1944, stories of hams' experiences in military action began appearing in   
   QST. The magazine also included such tales as "Hamfest in North Africa"   
   (QST, Feb 1944), as hams got together here and there around the world.   
      
   In Brief...   
      
   Ivan Pastre, F3AT.   
      
   French Radio Amateur Still Active at 100 Years: Ivan Pastre, F3AT, of Saint   
   Georges sur Baulche, France, turned 100 years old on April 7. A ham since   
   1931, when he was licensed as F3AU, he remains very active on the air after   
   83 years, still chasing new band countries for the DXCC Challenge. F3AT is   
   at the top of the DXCC Honor Roll. He's a member of FOC, CDXC(F) and other   
   organizations. Pastre has also operated as FQ3AT (1947), FQ3AT/FE (1947),   
   FE8AB (1948), and FF8AG (1951). Joyeux anniversaire, Ivan! -- Thanks to   
   Maurice Charpentier, F5NQL; QRZ.com   
      
   2014 ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention Changes Venue Due to   
   extenuating circumstances, the 2014 ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention,   
   originally scheduled to be held July 11-13 in Laramie, Wyoming, will take   
   place instead August 8-10 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in conjunction with   
   the Duke City Hamfest. The Laramie event has been cancelled. Led by the   
   organizers of the 2011 Division Convention in Taos, the annual Duke City   
   Hamfest is a standing three-day Amateur Radio convention held in one of   
   Albuquerque's largest hotels. Details about the 2014 ARRL Rocky Mountain   
   Division Convention in Albuquerque will soon be available. -- Thanks to ARRL   
   Rocky Mountain Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT   
      
   Crimea is Not a New DXCC Entity: The ARRL Awards Committee has evaluated the   
   current situation in Crimea in light of the DXCC rules and has determined   
   that Crimea is not a DXCC entity. Neither Russia nor Ukraine is a rare   
   entity and the vast majority of confirmations used for DXCC credit for   
   either entity do not involve Crimea. DXCC Rule 4 reads: "Confirmation data   
   for two-way communications must include the call signs of both stations, the   
   entity name as shown in the DXCC List, mode, date, time and band. Except as   
   permitted in Rule 1, cross-mode contacts are not permitted for DXCC credits.   
   Confirmations not containing all required information may be rejected."   
   Bottom line: A QSL with a call sign issued by the administration of Ukraine   
   and showing the entity name as Ukraine counts as Ukraine. A QSL with a call   
   sign issued by the administration of Russia and showing the entity name as   
   Russia counts as Russia. A QSL that satisfies neither condition does not   
   count for either entity. -- Thanks to Bill Moore, NC1L, DXCC Administrator   
      
   German Team is Halfway to W1AW Centennial WAS: The German team of DH4JQ,   
   DL1EK, and DF9JS is halfway toward its goal of working W1AW in all states,   
   as it moves from state to state during the ARRL Centennial QSO Party. The   
   Deutscher Amateur Radio Club-affiliated trio has worked the first 25 of the   
   states active as W1AW portable operations this year, and they celebrated   
   with a commemorative cake. When the team works all 50 states, it's planning   
   "a big barbecue." -- Thanks to Peter Bruins, DH4JQ   
      
   ARTSAT1:INVADER Satellite Gets OSCAR Number: The ARTSAT1:INVADER satellite   
   (call sign JQ1ZKK) has been designated CubeSat OSCAR-77 or CO-77, according   
   to Bill Tynan, W3XO, AMSAT-NA OSCAR Number Administrator. INVADER, a 1U   
   CubeSat launched February 27, is an "Art Satellite" developed by students at   
   Japan's Tama Art University as a part of the "ARTSAT: Art and Satellite   
   Project," which aims at practical uses of a satellite for art and design. It   
   carries a CW beacon on 437.325 MHz, a 1200 bps FM AX.25 Packet Radio and FM   
   Digitalker on 437.200 MHz and a low-resolution camera. -- Thanks to AMSAT,   
   ARTSAT Project   
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Average daily solar flux weakened over the past week, and so did the outlook   
   for the near term. Average da