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   Message 1,910 of 3,036   
   mark lewis to all   
   The ARRL Letter for February 20, 2014   
   20 Feb 14 18:53:02   
   
   If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:   
   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2014-02-20   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   February 20, 2014   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  ARRL Centennial: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to Keynote   
       ARRL Centennial Banquet   
    *  ARRL Centennial: Orlando HamCationr "a Grand Success" as First ARRL   
       Regional Centennial Convention   
    *  ARRL Centennial: W1AW Centennial Operations in Michigan, Florida Until   
       February 26   
    *  Regulatory: FCC Proposes to Fine Texas Radio Amateur $7000 for Malicious   
       Interference   
    *  Regulatory: FCC, Manufacturer Conclude Consent Decree on Marketing of   
       Noncompliant Device   
    *  Radiosport: Make Your Voice Heard During the ARRL International DX   
       Contest (Phone)!   
    *  Clubs: Arecibo Observatory Club to Establish New Amateur Radio Station   
    *  Clubs: ARRL Atlantic Division Adds Resources to Aid Amateur Radio Clubs   
    *  Your League: Two ARRL Sections Getting New Section Managers, Virginia SM   
       Re-Elected   
    *  Public Service: Florida Panhandle County ARES Activates for Winter Storm   
    *  Tower Safety: Idaho Ham Seriously Injured in Tower Mishap   
    *  Radio History: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  In Brief   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   ARRL Centennial: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to Keynote ARRL   
   Centennial Banquet   
      
   Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator W. Craig Fugate,   
   KK4INZ, will be the keynote speaker at the ARRL Centennial Banquet on July   
   18 in Hartford, Connecticut. The event is among the highlights of the ARRL   
   Centennial Convention July 17-19 at the Connecticut Convention Center.   
      
   "We are fortunate that Director Fugate has agreed to serve as our keynote   
   speaker," said ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. "Not only does he bring his   
   wealth of experience in public service and emergency communications to the   
   table, but as a licensee he has a good understanding of the value that the   
   Amateur Radio Service can offer."   
      
   FEMA Adminstrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ   
      
   A native of Gainesville, Florida, Fugate has headed FEMA since 2009. Under   
   his leadership, FEMA has promoted a "whole community" approach to emergency   
   management to build sustainable and resilient communities. This tactic   
   emphasizes collaboration with all levels of government as well as with   
   external partners, including volunteer agencies, faith-based organizations,   
   the private sector, and individuals.   
      
   Prior to coming to FEMA, Fugate served as Director of the Florida Division   
   of Emergency Management. He was Florida's Coordinating Officer for 11   
   declared disasters that involved the management of some $4.5 billion in   
   federal disaster assistance. In 2004, Fugate managed the largest federal   
   disaster response in Florida history as four major hurricanes -- Charley,   
   Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne -- affected the state in quick succession.   
   Additional disasters arose in 2005, as three more hurricanes -- Dennis,   
   Katrina, and Wilma -- made landfall in the state. Fugate has been an Amateur   
   Radio licensee since 2012.   
      
   ARRL Centennial Banquet tickets and advance convention registration are   
   available through the ARRL Centennial Convention website   
   . Read more.   
      
   ARRL Centennial: Orlando HamCationr "a Grand Success" as First ARRL Regional   
   Centennial Convention   
      
   Orlando HamCationr -- the inaugural ARRL Regional Centennial Convention --   
   was "a grand success," according to ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. She   
   headed up the contingent representing the League at the February 7-9 event   
   in Florida. The 68th HamCation was the first of six such regional events   
   planned to mark the League's 100th anniversary celebration this year.   
      
   ARRL Circulation/Member Services Manager Yvette Vinci, KC1AIM (left), with   
   ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, at the Orlando HamCation.   
      
   "There was a really good vibe among the people I met at this event, and it   
   was a fine kick-off to the series of regional centennial conventions," said   
   Craigie, who noted that this was her first visit to the Orlando ham radio   
   gathering. She deemed attendance excellent. "The crowd was so thick on   
   Saturday, especially, that I was reminded of my early visits to Dayton, when   
   you could walk around inside the building and not be able to see your own   
   feet for minutes at a time."   
      
   The ARRL President said the crowds around the ARRL both kept everyone busy.   
   On hand from ARRL Headquarters were Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart,   
   K1MMH; Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, and   
   Circulation/Member Services Manager Yvette Vinci, KC1AIM.   
      
   Hobart agreed with Craigie's attendance assessment. "The attendance seemed   
   very robust," she said, adding that the ARRL forum was packed. "I spent my   
   time in the meet-and-greet area with Kay and other dignitaries, mostly   
   handing out Centennial coins -- about 2000 of them! They are very much in   
   demand."   
      
   W100AW/4 was on the air during the Orlando HamCation.   
      
   Craigie reported hearing "a lot of enthusiastic comments" regarding the   
   ongoing W1AW portable operations. "Also, I met a number of people whom I've   
   worked in the ARRL Centennial QSO Party," she added. Special event station   
   W100AW/4 was on the air from the event throughout the weekend. Both Craigie   
   and Hobart said that many visitors told them they planned to be at the ARRL   
   Centennial Convention in Hartford this July.   
      
   "The mood was very upbeat," Hobart said, "and I hope it will be duplicated   
   at the other regional conventions this year. As the first of the six, it was   
   certainly a success."   
      
   President Craigie greets some visitors to the ARRL booth at Orlando   
   HamCation.   
      
   HamCation 2014 Chairman Peter Meijers, AI4KM, estimated that some 12,000   
   visitors attended the event, sponsored by the Orlando Amateur Radio Club   
   (OARC). "It was a great honor to host the first of the regional ARRL   
   Centennial Events at HamCation," Meijers said. "In spite of bad weather   
   throughout the US -- including Orlando -- attendance was nearly the same as   
   last year's HamCation." Meijers thanked everyone "who worked hard all year   
   to make HamCation 2014 a success."   
      
   The next ARRL Centennial Regional Convention will be at Dayton Hamventionr   
   May 16-18. Sanctioning the regional Centennial conventions was aimed in part   
   at taking the ARRL Centennial celebration to more radio amateurs across the   
   US, encouraging greater awareness of the anniversary as well as   
   participation by members who may not be able to attend the National   
   Centennial Convention. The events also give greater visibility to the   
   all-volunteer ARRL Field Organization, generating greater interest in League   
   membership, program, services and publications, and helping to promote the   
   ARRL's Second Century Campaign.   
      
   The other upcoming ARRL Centennial Regional Conventions are:   
      
   SEA-PAC -- Seaside, Oregon, June 6-8, 2014   
      
   Ham-Com -- Plano, Texas, June 13-14, 2014   
      
   Huntsville Hamfest -- Huntsville, Alabama, August 16-17, 2014   
      
   Pacificon -- Santa Clara, California, October 10-12, 2014   
      
   ARRL Centennial: W1AW Centennial Operations in Michigan, Florida Until   
   February 26   
      
   The ARRL Centennial "W1AW WAS" operations that are taking place throughout   
   2014 from each of the 50 states are in Michigan (W1AW/8) and Florida   
   (W1AW/4). They will remain in those states until 0000 UTC on Wednesday,   
   February 26 (the evening of February 25 in US time zones), when they will   
   relocate to Washington (W1AW/7) and Kansas (W1AW/0).   
      
   During 2014 W1AW will be on the air from every state (at least twice) and   
   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.   
      
   Regulatory: FCC Proposes to Fine Texas Radio Amateur $7000 for Malicious   
   Interference   
      
   The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) to   
   James R. Winstead, KD5OZY, of Coleman, Texas, after determining that   
   Winstead "apparently willfully violated" FCC rules by interfering with   
   Amateur Radio communications. The Commission proposed a $7000 fine. The   
   action was in response to complaints from other radio amateurs of   
   intentional interference on 7.195 MHz.   
      
   According to the NAL, released February 19, an agent from the Commission's   
   Dallas Office on January 21 used direction-finding techniques to positively   
   identify the source of the interfering transmissions as Winstead's address.   
   After monitoring the transmissions from the station for about a half-hour,   
   the agent heard Winstead, an Amateur Extra class licensee, "replay multiple   
   times short sentences or conversations that had just been transmitted, and   
   occasionally speak the word 'George.'"   
      
   "Mr Winstead replayed recorded conversations so frequently that other   
   licensees were unable to complete their conversations," the NAL stated. The   
   agent estimated that Winstead disrupted approximately 20 minutes of   
   conversation over a 30 minute period by making up to 15 minutes of short   
   transmissions. The agent subsequently inspected Winstead's station,   
   observing that his radio equipment was tuned to 7.195 Mhz.   
      
   "During the inspection, Mr Winstead showed the agent how he recorded and   
   retransmitted other amateur licensees' communications," the FCC said. "He   
   also admitted that he intentionally interfered with amateur communications   
   on 7.195 MHz and had an ongoing disagreement with another amateur licensee   
   named George."   
      
   The FCC said the evidence in the case was sufficient to establish that   
   Winstead had violated Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934 and   
   Section 97.101(d) of the FCC Amateur Service rules. Both sections prohibit   
   willful and malicious interference to radio communications. Citing its   
   Forfeiture Policy Statement and Section 1.80 of the rules, the FCC   
   determined that Winstead was liable for a $7000 forfeiture. "We caution Mr   
   Winstead, however, that future violations of this kind may result in   
   significantly higher forfeitures," the FCC stressed. Winstead has 30 days to   
   pay or contest the fine.   
      
   On his QRZ.com page, Winstead describes himself as "an electronics   
   technician for about 27 years" and a ham for about 12 years.   
      
   Regulatory: FCC, Manufacturer Conclude Consent Decree on Marketing of   
   Noncompliant Device   
      
   The FCC and the manufacturer of a device that wirelessly reports propane   
   tank levels have entered into a Consent Decree that concludes an   
   investigation into whether the company had been marketing a noncompliant RF   
   device. It also provides a window into how the Commission occasionally   
   resolves certain enforcement proceedings. The EnerTrac "Big Drops System"   
   operated as an unlicensed Part 15 intentional radiator on 433 MHz; the   
   manufacturer has since shifted to a licensed Part 90 frequency. According to   
   the terms of the arrangement, EnerTrac will admit no wrongdoing, agree not   
   to break the rules in the future, and make a "voluntary contribution" of   
   $13,000 to the US Treasury. In return the FCC will drop the entire matter.   
      
   "After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree and evaluating the facts   
   before us," the FCC said, "we find that the public interest would be served   
   by adopting the Consent Decree and terminating the investigation.   
      
   As the FCC pointed out in the Consent Decree, intentional radiators must   
   first receive FCC certification before being marketed in the US. Part 15   
   rules prescribe the maximum field strength emission limits for "periodic   
   operation of intentional radiators that transmit at certain frequencies,   
   including frequencies in the 433 MHz band," the FCC explained. While the   
   Amateur Service enjoys privileges on 70 centimeters on a secondary basis,   
   many unlicensed Part 15 devices operate in the vicinity of 433 MHz on a   
   non-interference basis.   
      
   Prior to marketing the Big Drops System, EnerTrac submitted relevant   
   information and a sample device to the FCC's Office of Engineering and   
   Technology (OET). The OET certified the device as being in compliance with   
   Part 15 rules.   
      
   In July 2012, the FCC received a complaint that the Big Drops System was not   
   operating within the terms of its authorization. The Commission issued a   
   Letter of Inquiry to EnerTrac, which reminded the FCC that the 433 MHz Big   
   Drops System had been tested for compliance with Part 15 rules and had been   
   certified by the FCC. The OET tested the system, however, and determined   
   that it exceeded Part 15 emission limits, suggesting that there may have   
   been differences between the unit tested for certification purposes and the   
   version that EnerTrac marketed.   
      
   Subsequently EnerTrac told the FCC that the devices it was marketing "had   
   the same radio frequency characteristics as the device certified" and the   
   device the OET tested. EnerTrac further reported that it had ceased   
   marketing the 433 MHz Big Drops System in November 2012 and had begun   
   marketing a new Part 90 (Private Land Mobile Radio Services) device to   
   replace it.   
      
   In terminating its investigation, the FCC Enforcement Bureau agreed that "in   
   the absence of new material evidence," it would not use facts developed in   
   the investigation to institute a new proceeding or take action against   
   EnerTrac concerning matters that were at the heart of the investigation. The   
   bureau also said it would not use any of the findings of its investigation   
   in determining EnerTrac's basic qualifications to hold FCC licenses or   
   authorizations.   
      
   Among other stipulations, EnerTrac, in turn, agreed to pull its 433 MHz Big   
   Drops System devices out of service by the end of 2017. The company would   
   have to remove immediately any device that is the subject of a complaint of   
   unlawful interference, however. Read more.   
      
   Radiosport: Make Your Voice Heard During the ARRL International DX Contest   
   (Phone)!   
      
   The SSB weekend of the ARRL International DX Contest is March 1-2 (UTC), and   
   the DX will be looking for you! In this major event on the radiosport   
   calendar, operators in the US and Canada work stations everywhere else in   
   the world. It's not only an opportunity to pit your station and operating   
   skills against those of your peers but to expand your knowledge of   
   propagation on the HF and MF bands and tweak your contesting skills.   
      
   Bob Wood, W5AJ, was among the operators at P40P during the 2013 ARRL   
   International DX Contest (phone).   
      
   W/VE amateurs work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible   
   on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters, while DX stations work as many US and   
   Canadian stations in as many of the 48 contiguous US states and Canadian   
   provinces as possible. US and Canadian stations send a signal report and   
   their state or province abbreviation. DX stations send a signal report and   
   output power.   
      
   There are entry categories for individual operators and multioperator teams   
   as well as a choice of power levels in each category, from QRP to full legal   
   limit.   
      
   There's a place for Big Guns, Little Pistols and everyone in between in this   
   contest. The excitement and enthusiasm levels will be high, and it's a   
   terrific opportunity to boost DXCC totals too.   
      
   Clubs: Arecibo Observatory Club to Establish New Amateur Radio Station   
      
   The Arecibo Observatory Amateur Radio Club (KP4AO) is setting up a new   
   Amateur Radio station in the facility's Angel Ramos Visitor Center   
   exhibition hall. Club President Angel Vazquez, WP3R, said the new station   
   will offer an opportunity to showcase ham radio to the thousands who visit   
   the observatory each year. Picture The announcement came during a   
   behind-the-scenes tour of the deep-space radiotelescope campus, held in   
   conjunction with the recent ARRL Puerto Rico Section Convention in Hatillo.   
      
   On behalf of Yaesu, Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, donated a new FTdx1200   
   transceiver to the new KP4AO station, while the Caribbean Amateur Radio   
   Group presented the club with a banner for the new station.   
      
   (L-R) ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Southeastern Division Assistant   
   Director Jos‚ "Otis" Vic‚ns, NP4G; Jos‚ "Coki",Montijo, WP4OV, of the   
   Caribbean Amateur Radio Group; Angel V zquez, WP3R, Director of Operations   
   of the Arecibo Observatory and President of the KP4AO Amateur Radio Club,   
   and Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, of Yaesu, flank the new KP4AO banner.   
      
   Among those on hand to spin the dial on the new transceiver were ARRL   
   President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Southeastern Division Director Doug Rehman,   
   K4AC; Southeastern Division Assistant Director Jose Vicens, NP4G; Pacific   
   Division Assistant Director John Bigley, N7UR; Puerto Rico Section Manage   
   Rene Fonseca, NP3O, and others on the tour. The ARRL contingent presented   
   the observatory station with a Centennial edition of The ARRL Handbook for   
   Radio Communications.   
      
   As for the convention, "Wow, what a weekend we had!" was the reaction of   
   Angel Luis Santana, WP3GW, ARRL Public Information Coordinator for the   
   Puerto Rico Section. "A great success!"   
      
   The Arecibo Observatory recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and KP4AO   
   hosted a special event for the occasion. The new KP4AO station is expected   
   to be completed in about 3 months.   
      
   Clubs: ARRL Atlantic Division Adds Resources to Aid Amateur Radio Clubs   
      
   The ARRL Atlantic Division leadership has created additional resources to   
   assist clubs in such areas as growing and maintaining membership, club   
   management, club newsletters, and meeting presentations. ARRL Atlantic   
   Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR, said he'd heard from clubs in his   
   division who were seeking resources aside from "the excellent club   
   resources" the ARRL already offers.   
      
   "To that end, we have created a number of Amateur Radio discussion forums   
   and file libraries to help clubs with that process," Edgar said.   
      
   These forums are in the "Amateur Radio Forums" section of the BFDIN Forums   
   site. Current Amateur Radio discussion forums include:   
      
    Amateur Radio Emergency Communications -- Topics of interest to Amateur   
   Radio Emergency Service (ARESr) members and to other emergency   
   communication/public service groups.   
      
    Amateur Radio Presentations -- A forum where participants may upload   
   programs on Amateur Radio-related topics to share with other clubs, who can   
   download and use these presentations for their own meeting programs.   
      
    Club Management -- Discussion of club management issues, such as meeting   
   topics, elections, recruiting, classes, etc.   
      
    Club Newsletters -- Discussion and sharing of club newsletter articles.   
      
    Digital Modes -- Discussion of digital-mode topics and the sharing of   
   macros and software.   
      
    Hamfest Management -- Discussion of hamfest management topics.   
      
    NTS -- Discussion of message handling and the National Traffic System   
   (NTS).   
      
   On each forum are individuals knowledgeable in the forum topic who will help   
   to moderate the discussion. Moderators also will assist in keeping the   
   conversation flowing and on topic.   
      
   These forums are open at no cost to all Amateur Radio operators --   
   regardless of ARRL Division -- who are club officers, club members, or   
   interested in starting an Amateur Radio club. The BFDIN Forums site also   
   includes an "Amateur Radio General Discussion" forum that is open to   
   prospective radio amateurs.   
      
   Participants will be asked to create a user account by registering your   
   first initial + last name or your call sign as your login. Once users create   
   an account, they will be asked by e-mail to confirm their e-mail account and   
   account setup.   
      
   Your League: Two ARRL Sections Getting New Section Managers, Virginia SM   
   Re-Elected   
      
   Karl Bowman, W4CHX, of Raleigh, is the new ARRL North Carolina Section   
   Manager, effective on February 20. Outgoing SM Bill Morine, N2COP, of   
   Wilmington, decided not to run for another term after serving since 2010.   
   Although his term did not end until April 1, Morine asked to step down   
   early, due to business and personal commitments, and let Bowman step in.   
   Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, reviewed   
   Morine's recommendation and consulted with Roanoke Division Director Dennis   
   Bodson, W4PWF, before making the appointment official.   
      
   In Louisiana, Jim Molan, KD5IGG, of Bunkie, will succeed Jim Coleman, AI5B,   
   as Section Manager on April 1. Coleman decided not to run again after   
   serving a 2 year term, and Molan was the only candidate. Molan brings to the   
   office his experience as Assistant Section Manager, Assistant Section   
   Emergency Coordinator, and District Emergency Coordinator.   
      
   In the only contested Section Manager race of this election cycle, Virginia   
   Section Manager Carl Clements, W4CAC, was re-elected to a new term. He   
   received 789 votes, and his opponent, Anthony Harbour, KG4YXP, of Ridgeway,   
   polled 568 votes. Ballots were counted on February 18 at ARRL Headquarters.   
      
   Clements, who lives in Portsmouth, has been Section Manager continuously   
   since 2008, and he served previously as SM from 2001 until 2006. His new 2   
   year term begins on April 1.   
      
   The following incumbent ARRL Section Managers did not face opposition and   
   were declared elected for new terms of office beginning on April 1: Pete   
   Cecere, N2YJZ, Eastern New York; Robert B. Famiglio, K3RF, Eastern   
   Pennsylvania; Bob Schneider, AH6J, Pacific; Steve Early, AD6VI, San Diego,   
   and Chris Stallkamp, W0ADZ, South Dakota.   
      
   Public Service: Florida Panhandle County ARES Activates for Winter Storm   
      
   Winter storms may be rare in Florida, but icy conditions in late January   
   prompted Escambia County Emergency Management to activate its emergency   
   operations center (EOC). ARES also was called out and remained activated   
   until January 30.   
      
   Rain on January 27 had turned to freezing rain, sleet, and snow, causing icy   
   conditions on roads and bridges. All Interstate highways, most bridges, and   
   many roads in the Pensacola area were closed due to hazardous icing.   
      
   Escambia County ARES was active for 61 hours during this weather event, with   
   46 Amateur Radio operators volunteering. Nine ARES members staffed the ARES   
   room at the EOC at various times. Two shelters opened. An EMS need request   
   was handled via Amateur Radio, and reports on weather and road conditions   
   were sent in by operators in the affected area.   
      
   Amateurs also assisted motorists and truckers with road and bridge condition   
   reports and directions on both a 2 meter amateur repeater and on CB radio.   
   ARES operators submitted eight ARES situation reports.   
      
   ARES used HF voice via the Northern Florida ARES Net and Northern Florida   
   Phone Net, and set up a tactical net on a VHF repeater. ARES operators also   
   employed digital modes, including APRS, which was used to track at least one   
   ARES member during travel to and from the EOC. Radio e-mail on HF via   
   Winlink and D-STAR were tested. CB radio was also used to give directions   
   and reports to truckers navigating from Interstate 10 to US Route 90, which   
   was open. -- ARRL Northern Florida Section News via the ARES E-Letter   
      
   Tower Safety: Idaho Ham Seriously Injured in Tower Mishap   
      
   Robert "Bearpaw" Galindo, KE7ADT, of Athol, Idaho, was critically injured   
   February 13 when the winching cable of his 40 foot crank-up tower snapped   
   while he was working on the tower. Galindo, 52, a General class licensee and   
   ARRL member, was reported trapped and dangling 20 feet in the air when   
   rescue crews arrived at his home. His wife, Gail Perry, KE7ADN, witnessed   
   the accident and called 911. The mishap resulted in the loss of Galindo's   
   right hand and several fingers of his left hand.   
      
   Timberlake Fire Protection District officials reported that rescuers had to   
   raise the upper tower sections to extricate Galindo. He was transported by   
   helicopter to a hospital in Coeur d'Alene, where he underwent surgery.   
   Galindo was listed in critical condition following the surgery and was   
   expected to remain hospitalized for several days. -- Thanks to John Bigley,   
   N7UR, Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire   
      
   Radio History: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL   
      
   Following the resumption of Amateur Radio activities after World War I   
   ensued a thundering herd of advances in the state of the Amateur Radio art.   
   Here are some highlights from that period.   
      
   April 1922 -- The first contact was made between California and Hawaii.   
   September 1922 -- 1CCZ worked every US call district in one night, the first   
   time that had ever been accomplished. November 1922 -- Another   
   record-breaking relay was accomplished, from 1AW to 9AWM to Hawaiian 6ZAC   
   and back to 1AW in 4 minutes 18 seconds.   
      
   June 1923 -- The first expedition using Amateur Radio sailed. The schooner   
   Bowdoin (WNP) had Don Mix, 1TS, aboard as its operator. This and later   
   Bowdoin expeditions were searching for the land mass that was thought to   
   exist at the North Pole. September 1923 -- VK2CM contacted ZL4AA (a 1500   
   mile path), with VK2CM running 4 milliwatts on CW! November 1923 -- 1MO and   
   1XAM worked F8AB, the first transatlantic contact. December 1923 -- 1EH made   
   contacts with England, Italy, and Holland.   
      
   May 1924 -- The first contact was made between New Zealand and Argentina, a   
   new DX record of 6400 miles. The same month saw the first contact between   
   North and South America. July 1924 -- All previous shortwave work had   
   required "experimental" licenses. After considerable groundwork by the ARRL,   
   the government allowed shortwave work by all amateurs, with band assignments   
   of 1.5 to 2.0, 3.5 to 4.0, 7.0 to 8.0, 14.0 to 16.0, and 56.0 to 64.0 MHz.   
   September 1924 -- The first confirmed contact was made between California   
   and New Zealand. December 1924 -- The first daylight transcontinental   
   signals were heard, from Connecticut to California, as John Reinartz, 1QP,   
   made experimental transmissions on the new 20 meter band.   
      
   April 1925 -- The first published article on the theory of shortwave   
   propagation appeared in QST, authored by John Reinartz, 1QP. Also in April,   
   the International Amateur Radio Union was formed at a conference in Paris,   
   and Hiram Percy Maxim was elected as its first president. May 1925 -- The   
   first contact was made between Australia and England, during daylight hours   
   on 20 meters.   
      
   April 1926 -- The Worked All Continents award was first offered; it garnered   
   eight initial members.   
      
   May 1927 -- The first annual ARRL DX Contest was held.   
      
   March 1928 -- The 10 meter band was opened to Amateur Radio use.   
      
   These were just a few highlights from that wonderful era of advancement of   
   the radio art by amateurs. Next week: On to the 1930s. -- Al Brogdon, W1AB   
      
   Ad   
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Earth's geomagnetic field has   
   been very active. On February 19 at 0234 UTC the Australian Space Forecast   
   Centre issued this warning: "Increased geomagnetic activity expected for   
   February 19." Then on February 20 at 0439 UTC, the Centre issued an   
   identical warning for February 20. This was the result of two coronal mass   
   ejections in 2 days.   
      
   The planetary A index went to 47 on February 19, the result of K index   
   readings of 5 and 6 over most of the day. The high latitude college A index   
   in Alaska was 57, and two of the 3 hour College K index readings were 7.   
      
   Average daily solar flux decreased from 171.9 to 158.7 on February 13-19,   
   when compared to the previous seven days, February 6-12.   
      
   Over the same periods average daily sunspot numbers declined from 184.3 to   
   140.4.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 10, 15 and 10 on February 20-22, 5 on   
   February 23-24, 7 on February 25-27, 5 on February 28 through March 8, 10 on   
   March 9, then 5 and 8 on March 10-11, 5 on March 12-15, 12 on March 16, and   
   5 on March 17-23.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 160, 165 and 170 on February 20-22, 175 on February   
   23-27, 170 on February 28 through March 2, 175 on March 3-6, then 170, 165,   
   160, 155 and 150 on March 7-11, 145 on March 12-15, 150 and 145 on March   
   16-17, and 135 on March 18-20. Solar flux is expected to peak again at 175   
   on March 30 through April 7.   
      
   In Friday's bulletin we will have reader reports and observations from the   
   recent ARRL International CW DX Contest and more, including a look at a new   
   online tool from NOAA which does short term predictions of Northern   
   Hemisphere aurora, in vivid real-time graphic format.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations!   
      
   In Brief   
      
    Visalia International DX Convention to Include DX University The DX   
   University will conduct a DXing session Friday, April 4, at the   
   International DX Convention in Visalia, California. DX University faculty   
   members include well-known DX luminaries. This DX University session will be   
   in two parts. The morning session will consist of presentations aimed at   
   less-experienced DXers. The afternoon session will be a seminar on more   
   advanced DXing and DXpeditioning topics. Register for the morning or   
   afternoon session for $35 each or for the entire day for $55. -- Thanks to   
   Wayne Mills, N7NG   
      
    Central States VHF Society Issues Call for Papers, Presentations: The   
   Central States VHF Society (CSVHFS) is soliciting papers, presentations, and   
   poster displays for the 48th annual CSVHFS Conference, July 25-27, 2014.   
   These may pertain to all aspects of VHF and above Amateur Radio operating.   
   Those submitting do not need to attend the conference nor present their   
   papers to have them included in the Conference Proceedings. Posters will be   
   displayed during the conference. For more information, visit the CSVHFS   
   website or e-mail the organization. -- Thanks to Tom Apel, K5TRA   
      
    ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Dates Set The 33rd annual   
   ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) will take place in Austin,   
   Texas, September 5-7, at the Marriott South Hotel. More information will be   
   posted to the TAPR DCC web page. The ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications   
   Conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet, publish   
   their work, and present new ideas and techniques. -- Thanks to Steve Bible,   
   N7HPR, President, TAPR Conference Manager   
      
    CAPE-2 CubeSat Designated as OSCAR-75 The University of Louisiana CAPE-2   
   (Cajun Advanced Picosatellite Experiment) CubeSat has been designated   
   OSCAR-75 or LO-75, AMSAT OSCAR Number Administrator Bill Tynan, W3XO, has   
   announced. CAPE-2 operates on 145.825 MHz, with a CW beacon that identifies   
   with the call sign W5UL. It also includes a digipeater, text-to-speech   
   module, a simplex repeater, and e-mail and tweet functions. Ground station   
   software is available. FUNcube was recently designated OSCAR-73 or AO-73,   
   while CubeBug-2 (aka "Manolito") has been designated as LO-74 (see PE0SAT).   
   -- AMSAT News Service and Bill Tynan, W3XO   
      
    Special Belgian Call Signs Recognize Morse Code as Cultural Heritage A   
   special block of Belgian call signs has been designated for use from April   
   15 until May 14 to promote recognition of Morse Code as a cultural heritage.   
   The call signs OS10M to OS19M will be on the air from 10 locations on CW.   
   Concentrated activity will occur on Heritage Day, April 27, from 0900 until   
   1700 UTC. -- The Daily DX   
      
    Polish Hams Gain Bands at Opposite Ends of the Amateur Radio Spectrum   
   Hams in Poland this month will gain access to two new Amateur Radio bands at   
   opposite ends of the spectrum -- 472 kHz and 122.25 GHz. The new 472-479 kHz   
   and 122.250-123.000 GHz bands both are allocated to the Amateur Service on a   
   secondary basis. They became available on February 18. -- Pawe? Zakrzewski,   
   SP7TEV, PZK IARU Liaison Office   
      
    New Amateur Radio Bands Allocated in Bulgaria: According to International   
   Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Bulgarian representative Panayot Danet, LZ1US,   
   radio amateurs in Bulgaria now have access to new bands: 472-479 kHz,   
   5250-5450 kHz, and 70.0-70.5 MHz. In addition the 160 meter band will be   
   extended to 2.0 MHz. All of these bands will be on a secondary basis. The   
   Daily DX reported February 19 that several Bulgarian stations have been   
   heard on 60 meters and worked by US stations. -- IARU Region 1   
      
    Canada Formalizes Amateur Radio Access to 137 kHz Band: Canada's   
   telecommunications regulator Industry Canada has included the 135.7-137.8   
   kHz sliver band in its newly updated RBR-4 Standards for the Operation of   
   Stations in the Amateur Radio Service. Canadian radio amateurs gained access   
   to the band, with condi   
   --- D'Bridge 3.99   
    * Origin: FIDONet - The Positronium Repository (1:393/68)   

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