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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2014-09-25   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   September 25, 2014   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  List of "Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014" Co-Sponsors Swells Before   
       Congressional Recess   
    *  ARRL Presents Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, Achievement Award to Rep Greg   
       Walden, W7EQI   
    *  ARRL Deploying Ham Aid Kits to Hawaii to Assist in Possible Lava Flow   
       Response   
    *  FCC Turns Down Petition to Create a 4 Meter Band in the US   
    *  Wisconsin Ham Dies in Fall from Tower   
    *  W1AW Centennial Operations Going North to Alaska, West to California,   
       and East to DC   
    *  ARRL Invites Nominations for 2014 International Humanitarian Award   
    *  Amateur Radio is "Communications Superpower," IARU Region 1 Delegates   
       are Told   
    *  Dayton Hamvention Seeks 2015 Award Nominations   
    *  Space Symposium October 10-12 to Mark AMSAT's 45th Anniversary   
    *  Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio Payload Launched to International Space   
       Station   
    *  ARDF Team USA Takes Home a Silver Medal from World Championships   
    *  A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   List of "Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014" Co-Sponsors Swells Before   
   Congressional Recess   
      
   An intense effort during the few days in September that Congress was in   
   session has resulted in 47 co-sponsors for the Amateur Radio Parity Act of   
   2014 (H.R. 4969). Another half-dozen or so US House Members have indicated   
   that they will sign on when Congress returns, something they can do only   
   while Congress is in session. Congress went into recess on September 19.   
   ARRL President Kay Craigie,   
      
   N3KN, ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, Central Division   
   Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, and ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD,   
   visited dozens of congressional offices this month. Elsewhere, other ARRL   
   elected and appointed officials and members from across the US met with   
   members of Congress and with their staffers, wrote letters, and made phone   
   calls to urge co-sponsorship.   
      
   "This all-member effort is how we went from 17 co-sponsors on August 1 to 47   
   co-sponsors on September 18," President Craigie said this week. When   
   Congress reconvenes in November, League representatives plan to follow up   
   with US House members who did not have time to make their co-sponsorship   
   official before Congress left town.   
      
   The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014, introduced in the US House of   
   Representatives with bipartisan support in late June, calls on the FCC to   
   apply the "reasonable accommodation" three-part test of the PRB-1 federal   
   pre-emption policy to private land-use restrictions regarding antennas. The   
   limited PRB-1 pre-emption currently applies only to state and municipal   
   land-use ordinances. The FCC has indicated its reluctance to provide the   
   same legal protections from private land-use agreements -- often called   
   covenants, conditions, and restrictions or CC&Rs -- without direction from   
   Congress.   
      
   President Craigie stressed this week that H.R. 4969 is still very much   
   alive, and she urged League members to keep working to convince their   
   representatives to co-sponsor the bill. "These efforts will not be in vain,   
   whether or not the legislator eventually decides to sign onto the bill," she   
   said. "Realistically, we won't get support for H.R. 4969 from every member   
   of Congress who is contacted by amateurs," she said. At the same time,   
   members of Congress who were contacted now know that Amateur Radio exists in   
   their districts and that hams have interests that deserve notice.   
      
   "A lot of politics is based on relationships. Contacts made with members of   
   Congress about H.R. 4969 contribute to establishing relationships that can   
   be maintained and enhanced in the future," President Craigie said. "Does   
   your Congressman know how Amateur Radio makes your district a safer place to   
   live if disasters occur? Does your Congressman know how radio amateurs in   
   your district introduce young people to hands-on wireless communication,   
   laying the foundation for careers? What we certainly can do is to build   
   relationships that will serve our interests -- and the public interest -- if   
   not right now, then in the future."   
      
   President Craigie encouraged League members whose representatives have   
   become co-sponsors to thank their lawmakers, on the phone or in writing.   
   "It's good manners and a good relationship-building strategy," she pointed   
   out. "Members can also seek out opportunities during the current   
   congressional recess to make a case for the bill at their representatives'   
   district offices and at events. In short: Keep on!"   
      
   ARRL Presents Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, Achievement Award to Rep Greg Walden,   
   W7EQI   
      
   The ARRL Board of Directors created the Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, Achievement   
   Award last spring to recognize outstanding support of Amateur Radio by an   
   elected federal official. The recipient must be an official who has, in a   
   significant way, supported the well-being and continuity of the Amateur   
   Service in the US. Earlier this month, the Board voted to confer the first   
   such award upon US Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI, (OR-2), "in recognition of many   
   years of exceptional contributions to the strength and vitality of the   
   Amateur Radio Service in the United States."   
      
   ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco,   
   N2YBB, and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, presented the award to Walden   
   in Washington on September 18. In a letter accompanying the award plaque,   
   President Craigie wrote, "Your understanding of the importance of Amateur   
   Radio to the public interest and to the pursuit of scientific and technical   
   knowledge has led you to act in the spirit of Sen Goldwater, whose exemplary   
   support for Amateur Radio in Washington caused the ARRL Board to name this   
   award in his honor."   
      
   President Craigie called Walden "a great friend to Amateur Radio over the   
   last 12 years with regard to key issues including spectrum protection."   
   Walden chairs the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, the   
   panel to which "The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014" (H.R. 4969) was   
   referred for consideration.   
      
   In 2002 Walden was an original co-sponsor of H.R. 4720, the Amateur Radio   
   Emergency Communications Consistency Act, and sent a "Dear Colleague" letter   
   seeking additional cosponsors. In 2003 he was a co-sponsor of H.R. 713, the   
   Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act. During a hearing on the bill at which   
   then-ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, testified, Walden called for a halt   
   to the "astonishing" erosion of Amateur Radio spectrum.   
      
   In 2004, Walden wrote the FCC chairman seeking to have the Commission defer   
   action on the BPL rulemaking until the release of an NTIA study and an   
   opportunity for public comment. That same year, during a hearing on telecom   
   convergence, Walden grilled a BPL industry representative about   
   interference.   
      
   In 2010 Walden co-sponsored H.R. 2160, the Amateur Radio Emergency   
   Communications Enhancement Act. In May 2011, the ARRL was invited to testify   
   before Walden's subcommittee on "Creating an Interoperable Public Safety   
   Network," offering an opportunity to defend 420-440 MHz against   
   reallocation.   
      
   As President Craigie handed the award plaque to Rep Walden, she added,   
   "Senator Goldwater was a statesman for Amateur Radio, and so are you."   
      
   ARRL Deploying Ham Aid Kits to Hawaii to Assist in Possible Lava Flow   
   Response   
      
   ARRL Headquarters is deploying Ham Aid kits to Hawaii as ARES volunteers   
   stand ready to activate in the wake of the massive Puna   
   volcanic lava flow that has been threatening some   
   communities on the Big Island of Hawaii. The lava originated from new   
   "vents" in the Earth as a result of the Mt Kilauea volcano, which began   
   erupting more than 30 years ago. ARRL Pacific Section Manager Bob Schneider,   
   AH6J, said Tuesday that while he didn't believe an ARES activation was   
   imminent, lava flows can be unpredictable, and things can change rapidly.   
      
   "Lava is a slow-motion disaster," he said. "It's not like a volcano, where   
   the thing just blows up. It's like a pot of soup."   
      
   ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, said the Ham Aid kits   
   going out to Hawaii include HF gear as well as VHF and UHF equipment. "We're   
   deploying an HF kit -- an IC-718 transceiver, a tuner, and a dipole -- and a   
   VHF/UHF kit." The latter includes a mobile transceiver and power supply as   
   well as several handheld transceivers that have been preprogrammed with   
   local frequencies that may be needed. Corey said the Ham Aid kits are a   
   resource available to ARRL section leadership to add capacity during a   
   disaster or emergency response.   
      
   Schneider said that while there is no immediate need for the kits, "if they   
   have it out there, and this thing changes, we'll be prepared. It's better to   
   have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."   
      
   Hawaii Civil Defense said Kilauea continued to erupt at its summit as of   
   Monday, although the more than 10-mile lava flow -- or "tube" -- under the   
   greatest scrutiny halted its progress toward the sea on Tuesday -- at least   
   for the time being. Authorities also are monitoring so-called "breakout"   
   flows. No homes have been affected so far, although the molten rock is   
   causing vegetation to burn in its path. The front of the Puna lava flow is   
   estimated to be some 150 yards across at its widest point.   
      
   Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie has issued a disaster declaration for the   
   areas that are or may be affected by the lava flow. Schneider and ARES   
   members and officials have been keeping an eye on the situation.   
      
   "We anticipate lava may cross the main Highway 130 near Pahoa on the Island   
   of Hawaii in 1 to 3 weeks," Schneider announced on the Pacific Section   
   website over the weekend. He said a "best guess" would be within 10 days.   
   Schneider said Highway 130 is the primary commuter route for residents in   
   several residential subdivisions that might be affected, including one that   
   is home to some 20,000 people -- what he called, "a pretty good chunk of   
   population" overall. The governor's proclamation has permitted authorities   
   to open two alternative routes, in case Highway 130 has to be closed.   
      
   Hawaii Civil Defense authorities have deployed their remote emergency   
   operations center in the affected region, and Schneider visited there a few   
   days ago.   
      
   "The town of Pahoa is in kind of a slow panic," he reported. "If the lava   
   comes down and goes right to the ocean, probably the only thing that won't   
   be affected will be cell phones. Power and conventional telephone service   
   will be out." In that case, should ARES be activated, Schneider said the   
   volunteers' likely role would be to relay health-and-welfare traffic from   
   affected communities.   
      
   FCC Turns Down Petition to Create a 4 Meter Band in the US   
      
   It doesn't look like US radio amateurs will be gaining a new band at 70 MHz   
   anytime soon. The FCC has denied a Petition for Rule Making filed earlier   
   this year by Glen E. Zook, K9STH, of Richardson, Texas, seeking to add a 4   
   meter band to Amateur Radio's inventory of VHF allocations. Zook had floated   
   the proposal in 2010, and his petition was dated January 27, 2010, but the   
   FCC said it did not receive it until last May. Zook asked the Commission to   
   allocate 70.0 to 70.5 MHz to Amateur Radio because, Zook's Petition   
   asserted, "the recent migration of broadcast television stations to   
   primarily UHF frequencies basically eliminates any probable interference to   
   television channels 4 or 5." VHF TV channel 4 occupies 66 to 72 MHz.   
      
   "Because the Zook Petition is based   
   on a faulty premise -- that broadcasting use within the 70.0-70.5 MHz band   
   will diminish or cease -- its argument that amateur band users could operate   
   without causing harmful interference to any existing service lacks   
   sufficient support to warrant our further consideration, The FCC said in a   
   September 17 Order denying the Petition.   
      
   The FCC pointed out that three full-power TV stations, 110 low-power TV   
   stations and translators, and six Class A TV stations now occupy channel 4   
   in the US. In addition, the Commission, through an "ongoing incentive   
   auction proceeding," is attempting to "repurpose" a portion of television   
   broadcast spectrum for broadband operations and "repack the remaining TV   
   stations into a smaller frequency range." Under certain scenarios, the FCC   
   said, channel 4 could become even more heavily populated by broadcast users   
   in the future.   
      
   "Given the complexity of the of the incentive auction proceeding, we also   
   conclude that it would not serve the public interest to further complicate   
   that unique undertaking by proposing to introduce a new service into the   
   broadcasting frequencies at this time," the FCC said. The Order noted that   
   fixed and mobile services will continue to operate in the frequencies   
   between channels 4 and 5 (76 to 82 MHz).   
      
   As Zook noted in his petition, a 4 meter band has been authorized for   
   Amateur Radio use in the UK and in a number of other European and African   
   countries. The FCC said that since it wasn't planning to grant Zook's   
   petition, it declined to evaluate his claims "regarding the benefits that   
   amateurs would derive from use of the band." Read more.   
      
   Wisconsin Ham Dies in Fall from Tower   
      
   A Wisconsin radio amateur lost his life on September 16 as he was performing   
   maintenance on the 100 foot tower of a fellow ham. Killed in the fall was   
   59-year-old James G. Linstedt, W9ZUC, of Eau Claire, who succumbed to   
   injuries sustained after he fell 95 feet from a tower owned by Ronald   
   Anderson, W9RMA, in Eagle Point, just outside of Chippewa Falls, on the   
   shores of Lake Wissota. Linstedt was said to have been an experienced   
   climber. Although he had been wearing an over-the-shoulder safety harness,   
   he apparently had failed to secure himself to the tower before the mishap   
   occurred. Anderson, a former Chippewa County Sheriff, called authorities   
   promptly.   
      
   Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk told the Leader-Telegram newspaper   
   that Linstedt was wearing safety equipment, but did not use it. "When we use   
   it for years, we get a little lax...," the newspaper quoted Kowalczyk as   
   saying. "If he had used it, we wouldn't be investigating an accidental   
   death."   
      
   Kowalczyk said Linstedt had been strapped in before moving 10 feet up the   
   tower, apparently without securing himself.   
      
   An active radio amateur, Linstedt was a member of the Chippewa Valley   
   Amateur Radio Club and once served as the club's president. -- Thanks to   
   John Bigley, N7UR/Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire; media accounts   
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
   W1AW Centennial Operations Going North to Alaska, West to California, and   
   East to DC   
      
   The ARRL Centennial W1AW portable operations taking place throughout 2014   
   from each of the 50 states are now in New Mexico and Idaho. They will   
   transition starting at 0000 UTC on Wednesday, October 1 (the evening of   
   September 30 in US time zones), to Alaska (W1AW/KL7), California (W1AW/6),   
   and the District of Columbia (W1AW/3). W1AW has visited each of the 50   
   states for at least 1 week so far during 2014, and by year's end W1AW will   
   have been on the air from every state at least twice.   
      
   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 mode/contact, even when   
   working the same state during its second week of activity.   
      
   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. Participants must work W1AW/1 in Connecticut.) A W1AW   
   WAS certificate and plaque will be available.   
      
   An ARRL Centennial QSO Party leader board shows participants 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.   
      
   ARRL Invites Nominations for 2014 International Humanitarian Award   
      
   The ARRL is inviting nominations for its 2014 ARRL International   
   Humanitarian Award, conferred upon an amateur or amateurs who demonstrate   
   devotion to human welfare, peace, and international understanding through   
   Amateur Radio. The League established the annual prize to recognize Amateur   
   Radio operators who have used ham radio to provide extraordinary service to   
   others in times of crisis or disaster.   
      
   A committee appointed by the League's President   
   recommends the award recipient(s) to the ARRL Board, which makes the final   
   decision. The committee is now accepting nominations from Amateur Radio,   
   governmental, or other organizations that have benefited from extraordinary   
   service rendered by an Amateur Radio operator or group. The ARRL   
   International Humanitarian Award recognizes Amateur Radio's unique role in   
   international communication and goodwill, and the assistance radio amateurs   
   regularly provide to people in need.   
      
   Nominations should include a summary of the nominee's qualifying actions and   
   statements from at least two people having first-hand knowledge of the   
   events warranting the nomination. These verifying statements may be from an   
   official of a group (for example, the American Red Cross, The Salvation   
   Army, or emergency management agency) that benefited from the nominee's   
   particular Amateur Radio contribution. Nominations should include the names   
   and addresses of all references.   
      
   All nominations and supporting materials for the 2014 ARRL International   
   Humanitarian Award must be submitted in writing in English to ARRL   
   International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA.   
   Nomination submissions are due by December 31, 2014. In the event that no   
   nominations are received, the committee itself may determine a recipient or   
   decide to make no award.   
      
   The winner of the ARRL International Humanitarian Award receives an engraved   
   plaque and a profile in QST and other ARRL venues.   
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
   Amateur Radio is "Communications Superpower," IARU Region 1 Delegates are   
   Told   
      
   European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and   
   Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva told delegates to the International   
   Amateur Radio Union Region 1 (IARU Region 1) General Conference on September   
   22 that Amateur Radio is a reliable information tool that can save lives in   
   disasters. In a statement read to   
   the conference attendees on her behalf by the EC's Encho Gospidinov,   
   Georgieva laid out a scenario in which all modern telecommunications and   
   electrical power are knocked out, and no one can help the victims, because   
   no one knows what has happened.   
      
   "Luckily, there is a last resort: The radio amateurs, the people who are the   
   eyes and the ears of the world in time when all other information channels   
   are silent," she said. "In short, you are the last technical miracle, which   
   is an independent, reliable information channel, which can transmit an   
   important piece of news from any place in the world, anytime, by anyone who   
   knows how to operate this wonderful creature, called radio."   
      
   Georgieva said Amateur Radio's advantage is that it is independent of the   
   conventional communications infrastructure. "A well-trained radioman with   
   good equipment and ever-charged batteries can be a fantastic link between   
   two villages, two countries or two continents," she said. "When organized in   
   a Union, you are a communication superpower in times of total electronic   
   darkness."   
      
   The 24th IARU Region 1 General Conference, being held in Albena, Bulgaria,   
   officially concludes September 26. Delegates have elected Don Beattie, G3BJ,   
   as the next IARU Region 1 President, succeeding Hans Blondeel Timmerman,   
   PB2T. Elected as Vice President was Faisal Al-Ajmi, 9K2RR. Read more.   
      
   Dayton Hamvention Seeks 2015 Award Nominations   
      
   Dayton Hamventionr is seeking nominations for its 2015 awards for Amateur of   
   the Year, Special Achievement, Technical Excellence, and Club of the Year.   
   Completed nomination forms and supporting documentation are due by January   
   16, 2015. All Amateur Radio operators (and clubs) are eligible. Winners will   
   be recognized at the 2015 Hamventionr, which takes place May 15-17.   
      
   The Amateur of the Year Award goes to an   
   individual who has made a long-term, outstanding commitment to the   
   advancement of Amateur Radio. The Technical Excellence Award is given to an   
   individual who has made an outstanding technical advancement in the field of   
   Amateur Radio. The Special Achievement Award honors someone who has made an   
   outstanding contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio, typically by   
   spearheading a significant project. The Club of the Year award is presented   
   to a club that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of   
   Amateur Radio.   
      
   The Hamventionr Awards Committee makes its decisions on all awards based   
   upon the information it receives and not on the number of nominations   
   submitted.   
      
   Documentation that informs the Awards Committee of a nominee's   
   accomplishments may include magazine articles, newsletters, newspaper   
   clippings, and even videos. These materials become the property of   
   Hamventionr and will not be returned.   
      
   This year, two radio amateurs with close ARRL ties were among the Hamvention   
   award winners. Named Amateur of the Year was Larry E. Price, W4RA, a   
   President Emeritus of the ARRL and of the International Amateur Radio Union   
   (IARU). ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, received the Special Achievement Award.   
   Nearly 25,000 people attended the 2014 Dayton Hamvention.   
      
   Additional detail and a nomination form are available on the Dayton   
   Hamventionr website. Submit nominations via e-mail or mail them to Dayton   
   Hamvention Awards, PO Box 1446, Dayton, OH 45401-1446. -- Thanks to Dayton   
   Hamvention   
      
   Space Symposium October 10-12 to Mark AMSAT's 45th Anniversary   
      
   AMSAT reports that preparations for its Space Symposium in Baltimore October   
   10-12 are moving into high gear. The deadline to submit AMSAT Symposium   
   papers has been extended until September 30. Papers and presentations on any   
   subject of interest to the amateur satellite community are welcome. This   
   year's Space Symposium will, in part, celebrate AMSAT's 45th anniversary.   
   Registration remains open.   
      
   The AMSAT Space Symposium's keynote   
   speaker with be Jan King, W3GEY, a founding member of AMSAT and a former   
   member of the Board of Directors and vice president of engineering. He'll   
   deliver his talk, "Never, Never, Never Give Up!" during the Symposium   
   banquet on Saturday, October 11.   
      
   One of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Col Charles E. McGee, will attend on   
   Friday, October 10. He will talk about his experiences as a Tuskegee Airman   
   and as an Army Air Corps and Air Force Pilot. McGee holds a US Air Force   
   record of 409 fighter combat missions flown in World War II, Korea and   
   Vietnam and has received numerous awards for his service, including the   
   Congressional Gold Medal.   
      
   An evening reception Friday, October 10, will include a "space auction. "All   
   proceeds will support AMSAT's two major initiatives -- the development and   
   launch of the Fox satellite series and the Amateur Radio on the   
   International Space Station (ARISS) program. AMSAT is seeking donations of   
   "specialty items" with a minimum value of $100. Contact Frank Bauer, KA3HDO.   
      
   The ARISS Operations Team will meet Sunday, October 12, from 9-noon. A   
   number of ARISS team leaders and mentors will be on hand to discuss the   
   program. The team also plans to talk about improvements, changes, and   
   strategies to enhance ARISS operations.   
      
   Informal tours will be available for Symposium participants on Sunday,   
   October 12, of Baltimore Inner Harbor, including the Aquarium, the B&O   
   Railroad Museum, the Edgar Allan Poe House, or the National Electronics   
   Museum, which is opening exclusively for AMSAT on Sunday, 1-3 PM. Contact   
   Dan Schultz, N8FGV.   
      
   A tour of the Udvar Hazy National Air and Space Museum is planned for   
   Monday, October 13. -- Thanks to the AMSAT Symposium Committee via AMSAT   
   News Service   
      
   Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio Payload Launched to International Space   
   Station   
      
   When the commercial SpaceX Falcon 9 resupply vehicle lifted off from Cape   
   Canaveral to the International Space Station on September 21, it also   
   carried the SpinSat satellite, which includes an Amateur Radio payload. The   
   satellite will be stowed aboard the ISS until deployment later this fall   
   from the airlock of the Japanese Experiment Module.   
      
   Developed by the Naval Research Laboratory, the 125-pound SpinSat is a 22-   
   inch diameter sphere that carries a 2 W 9600 bps AX.25 packet radio   
   store-and-forward system on 437.230 MHz. The satellite's primary mission is   
   to demonstrate a new micro-thruster technology, from which SpinSat derives   
   its name; its 12 electronically controlled solid-propellant thrusters will   
   be fired in pairs to spin the spacecraft.   
      
   While in space, SpinSat will be used in a test to calibrate the Space   
   Surveillance Network. Lasers will be aimed at the spacecraft from Earth, and   
   the reflected light measured to determine the where the satellite is passing   
   overhead. SpinSat also will model the density of the atmosphere.   
      
   Equipped only with primary batteries and just 4.8 grams of fuel, the   
   satellite's working phase is expected to last up to 6 months. -- Thanks to   
   AMSAT News Service via Trevor, M5AKA; NASA, and SpaceX   
      
   ARDF Team USA Takes Home a Silver Medal from World Championships   
      
   A member of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Team USA medaled in the   
   17th ARDF World Championships earlier this month in Kazakhstan. Vadim   
   Afonkin, KB1RLI, of Boston, Massachusetts, took home a silver medal in the   
   men's age 40-49 category in the 2 meter [ARDF%202014%20World%20logo.png]   
   competition on September 8, the first day of competition. The Kazakhstan   
   Federation of Radiosport and Radioamateur (KFRR) hosted the championships,   
   which included formal competitions on 2 meters and 80 meters, plus sprints   
   and foxoring. Afonkin placed fourth in the 80 meter sprint competition on   
   September 11, with a time just 4 seconds greater than the bronze medalist   
   from Lithuania. He also finished among the top seven in the sprint and   
   foxoring competitions. This year's World Championships attracted 277   
   competitors from 25 nations, and it was the first time the competition was   
   held in Kazakhstan.   
      
   "Every 2 years, hams from around the world gather to see who is best at   
   on-foot hidden-transmitter hunting," said ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell,   
   K0OV. "USA has been represented at every one of these ARDF World   
   Championships since 1988." Moell said Team USA has taken home at least one   
   medal since 2006.   
      
   Moell said there were separate events on separate days for each competitor   
   on 80 meters and 2 meters, each involving up to five hidden transmitters   
   scattered in a forest of 1000 acres or more.   
      
   In addition to Afonkin, Team USA 2014 included Ruth Bromer, WB4QZG, of   
   Raleigh, North Carolina; Jennifer Harker, W5JEN, of Austin, Texas; Ken   
   Harker, WM5R, of Austin, Texas; Joseph Huberman, K5JGH, of Raleigh, North   
   Carolina, and Leszek Lechowicz, NI1L, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Veteran   
   ADRFer Marvin Johnston, KE6HTS, served as a member of the international jury   
   overseeing the competition. About 150 onlookers enjoyed the competition.   
      
   Each country may have up to three people per age/gender category on its   
   team. Team USA positions were filled based on performance in the 2013 and   
   2014 USA ARDF Championships. Preparations now are underway for the 2015   
   national championships in Colorado. Winners at that competition may be   
   eligible for a place on Team USA 2016 for the next World Championships in   
   Bulgaria.   
      
   Results of all competitions are available on the German ARDF site. More   
   information about Amateur Radio Direction Finding is on the Homing In   
   website. -- Thanks to ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV   
      
   A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL   
      
   In February 1973, the FCC proposed a new Amateur Radio license class that   
   would not require Morse code testing, and invited comments. At the time, the   
   ARRL opposed the proposal.   
      
   From 1965 to 1985, the FCC, ARRL, and US hams took note of what was called   
   the "JA Phenomenon." The number of Japanese hams grew from 70,000 in 1965 to   
   499,000 in 1975, and then to more than 1 million by 1985! A new Japanese   
   codeless license class helped spur that growth.   
      
   On June 16, 1983, the second attempt to launch a Phase III Amateur Radio   
   satellite (AMSAT-OSCAR 10) was successful. Articles in QST kept hams up to   
   date on its progress. OSCAR 10 was, by far, the most capable amateur   
   satellite to date.   
      
   Also in 1983, Amateur Radio in the US reached a new level of formal   
   governmental recognition of Amateur Radio's emergency communication   
   capabilities, when ARRL President Vic Clark, W4KFC, signed a Memorandum of   
   Understanding with National Communication System Deputy Manager John Grimes.   
      
   Articles began appearing in QST during 1983 explaining what personal   
   computers could do and how they might be put to use in the ham shack.   
      
   In October 1983, the US military invaded Grenada. Mark Barettella, KA2ORK   
   (now N2MD), then a medical student at St George's University School of   
   Medicine on Grenada, became the only non-military source of information from   
   the island, as he relayed messages between other Americans on Grenada and   
   their families in the US. This resulted in excellent media coverage for   
   Amateur Radio.   
      
   Amateurs throughout the world were saddened to learn of the unexpected death   
   of ARRL President Vic Clark, W4KFC, in November 1983. A well-known ham as   
   early as his teenage years, Clark won the first Hiram Percy Maxim Award in   
   1936. He also served the ARRL in various roles and offices and was   
   considered a first-rate operator. He was truly one of the giants of Amateur   
   Radio.   
      
   In November 1983, Owen Garriott, W5LFL, became the first ham to make   
   contacts from aboard the Shuttle Columbia. His first contact was with   
   WA1JXN. W5LFL operated his 2 meter FM transceiver during his non-duty hours   
   during the mission's 10 days in orbit.   
      
   In September 1984, phone privileges on 75, 15, and 10 meters were expanded.   
   In addition, US stations in Alaska and in the Pacific had their 40 meter   
   phone privileges expanded, so they could avoid the high-power international   
   broadcast stations. -- Al Brogdon, W1AB   
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity was down this   
   week (September 18-24), as compared to the week previous, but solar flux is   
   on a rising trend.   
      
   Average daily sunspot numbers dropped from 124.9 (for September 11-17) to   
   80.9, and average daily solar flux slipped from 139.8 to 128.3.   
      
   The latest predicted solar flux and   
   planetary A index has flux values at 150, 155, 160, and 165 on September   
   25-28, 170 on September 29 through October 2, 155 on October 3-4, 150 on   
   October 5-7, 145 on October 8-9, 140 on October 10-11, then 135 and 130 on   
   October 12-13, 125 on October 14-15, and 120 on October 16-18. Flux values   
   are then expected to rise to 155 for October 30-31.   
      
   The predicted planetary A index is 18 on September 25, 12 on September   
   26-27, 15 on September 28-29, 10 on September 30, 8 on October 1-2, 5 on   
   October 3-14, then 8, 15, and 8 on October 15-17, 5 on October 18-19, 8 on   
   October 20-21, 12 on October 22, and 15 on October 23-24.   
      
   Earth's geomagnetic field has been unsettled over the past couple of days,   
   with the planetary A index at 25 on September 24 and College A index (high   
   latitude) at 57. Spaceweather.com reported that this was not due to a CME or   
   solar flare but to a crack in Earth's magnetosphere, opening a spot for the   
   solar wind to pour in.   
      
   This weekly "Solar Update" in The ARRL Letter is a preview of the   
   "Propagation Bulletin" issued each Friday. The latest bulletin and an   
   archive of past propagation bulletins is on the ARRL website. In Friday's   
   bulletin look for an updated forecast and reports from readers.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *   
      
       September 27 -- Texas QSO Party   
    *   
      
       September 27-28 -- CQ WW RTTY Contest   
    *   
      
       September 27-28 -- Maine QSO Party   
    *   
      
       September 28 -- Peanut Power Sprint   
    *   
      
       September 30 -- 222 MHz Fall VHF Sprint   
    *   
      
       October 1 -- CWOps Weekly Mini-CWT Tests   
    *   
      
       October 3 --