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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2018-05-03   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   May 3, 2018   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  ARRL Counting Down to Hamvention(R) 2018   
    *  Amateur Radio Case Attracts Attention of FCC Commissioner   
    *  Collegiate Radio Amateur Wins Radio Club of America's "Young Achiever   
       Award"   
    *  Annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Communication Test Set for Saturday,   
       May 12   
    *  Third Public Test of FT8 "DXpedition Mode" Set for May 5   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  New Book, Portable Operating for Amateur Radio , is Now Shipping   
    *  Report: Former Hamvention(R) Home Hara Arena Getting a New Owner   
    *  Deadline Approaching to Submit Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna   
       Award Nominations   
    *  Former Orange Section Manager, Veteran ARRL Volunteer Sandi Heyn,   
       WA6WZN, SK   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   ARRL Counting Down to Hamvention(R) 2018   
      
   Hamvention(R) 2018, May 18-20 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center   
   in Xenia, Ohio, is largest annual Amateur Radio gathering in the US, and   
   sanctioned as the 2018 ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention. ARRL EXPO -- a   
   large exhibit area in Building 2 ("Tesla" Building) -- will serve as the hub   
   for ARRL activities, booths, and program representatives. More than 90 team   
   members will support ARRL EXPO, including 18 ARRL Headquarters staffers.   
   Recent additions to the ARRL EXPO guide include schedules for the ARRL Stage   
   and "Meet the Authors" table.   
      
   Hamvention's theme this year is "Amateur Radio...Serving the Community." ARRL   
   will reflect that spirit by sponsoring four forums on Friday and Saturday that   
   will comprise a Public Service Communications track. Convention goers   
   attending three or more ARRL-sponsored Public Service Communications forums   
   will earn an ARRL certificate in recognition of their commitment to ham radio   
   public service training and development.   
      
   At the always-popular ARRL Membership Forum at noon on Saturday in Room 3,   
   Great Lakes Division Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, will share an update on   
   proposed new guidelines for Amateur Radio Emergency Service(R) (ARES(R))   
   volunteers. He'll also discuss plans for a new volunteer management software   
   system, ARES Connect. Willams is leading a team that is seeking to upgrade   
   ARES training and ensure the service continues to be a valuable partner for   
   its served agencies into the future.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Amateur Radio Case Attracts Attention of FCC Commissioner   
      
   FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly has used the latest chapter of an Amateur   
   Radio proceeding to reiterate his call that the Commission abolish its   
   Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) system. The long-standing case involves efforts   
   by William F. Crowell, W6WBJ (ex-N6AYJ), of Diamond Spring, California, to   
   renew his license. Late last week, the FCC denied reconsideration of Crowell's   
   petition to have the Commission assign a new ALJ to his case, arguing that the   
   current ALJ, Richard L. Sippel, is biased against him. Attaching his own   
   comments to a Memorandum and Opinion Order (MO&O) released on April 26,   
   O'Rielly said he approved the Commission's opinion that Crowell's appeal was   
   justifiably denied, but he expressed concern that the ALJ "took unnecessary   
   actions" in Crowell's case and in another unrelated proceeding.   
      
   "On a larger scale, complaints about the ALJ process are not isolated   
   incidents, but paint a picture of questionable decisions coupled with an   
   elevated level of inefficiency," O'Rielly said in comments attached to the   
   MO&O. "It seems to me that, too often, the Commission has had to reverse the   
   decisions of the ALJ or address one ALJ decision or another. This reality only   
   reaffirms my call to consider eliminating the ALJ process altogether."   
      
   It has been 10 years since the FCC set Crowell's license renewal application   
   for hearing, and nearly as long since Crowell requested disqualification of   
   the ALJ assigned to his case. Crowell's license renewal hearing centered on   
   whether he had violated FCC Part 97 rules by intentionally interfering with   
   and/or otherwise interrupting radio communications, transmitting one-way   
   communications, indecent language, and music, and whether he is qualified to   
   be and remain a Commission licensee and have his renewal application granted.   
      
   In 2016, the FCC imposed a $25,000 fine on Crowell for intentionally   
   interfering with the transmissions of other radio amateurs and transmitting   
   prohibited communications, including music. The penalty included "an upward   
   adjustment reflecting Mr. Crowell's decision to continue his misconduct after   
   being warned that his actions violated the Communications Act and the   
   Commission's rules," the FCC said at the time.   
      
   "Mr. Crowell does not deny that he made the transmissions that prompted the   
   fine, but argued, in large part, that those transmissions were protected by   
   the First Amendment," the Forfeiture Order said.   
      
   The FCC concluded in this month's MO&O, "We have examined Crowell's claims of   
   bias in accordance with our precedent, a task made more difficult because   
   Crowell provides virtually no detailed factual support or references to the   
   record for his allegations."   
      
   Crowell's license, which expired in 2007, has not been renewed, but Crowell   
   may continue to operate while his renewal application is pending.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Collegiate Radio Amateur Wins Radio Club of America's "Young Achiever Award"   
      
   ARRL member Ruth Willet, KM4LAO, a 19-year-old student at Michigan's Kettering   
   University, has received the Radio Club of America's "Young Achiever Award."   
   The RCA Young Achiever Award is presented to students of high school age or   
   younger who have demonstrated excellence and creativity in wireless   
   communications, and who have delivered a presentation at the annual RCA   
   Technical Symposium. Receiving the award allowed her to attend the   
   International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) held in Orlando in early   
   March.   
      
   "I was shocked to have received this award. I never dreamed I would be able to   
   attend such a prestigious wireless event," Willet said in an article for   
   Kettering University News. "It was an honor be recognized by the Radio Club of   
   America and to be presented with this award. It was an eye-opening experience   
   for me to be exposed to the field of wireless communications and to be   
   introduced to the discussions taking place among first responders and the   
   government regarding emergency situation preparedness."   
      
   Willet, who is from Lawrenceville, Georgia, is the recipient of the ARRL Rocky   
   Mountain Division Scholarship. At Kettering, she is pursuing a double major in   
   mechanical engineering and engineering physics. She is president of her   
   school's recently revived Amateur Radio club, GMTE Amateur Radio & Electronics   
   Club, K8HPS.   
      
   "As an Amateur Radio operator, I've mostly only experienced the hobby side of   
   radio," Willet said. "This conference allowed me to see a broad range of   
   applications for radio and technology.... It was very energizing to attend all   
   sorts of workshops and seminars, and learn how much our daily lives are   
   touched by the field of wireless communications."   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Communication Test Set for Saturday, May 12   
      
   The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) will sponsor the traditional   
   military/Amateur Radio communication tests to mark the 67th annual Armed   
   Forces Day (AFD) on Saturday, May 12. Armed Forces Day is May 19, but the AFD   
   Crossband Military-Amateur Radio event traditionally takes place 1 week   
   earlier in order to avoid conflicting with Hamvention. Complete information,   
   including military stations, modes, and frequencies, is available on the US   
   Army MARS website.   
      
   The annual celebration is a unique opportunity to test two-way communication   
   between radio amateurs and military stations (authorized under ?97.111 of the   
   Amateur Service rules). It features traditional military-to-amateur crossband   
   SSB voice, CW, practice using legacy interoperability waveforms, and the   
   opportunity for participating hams to utilize more modern military modes, such   
   as MIL-STD Serial PSK and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE). Military   
   stations and Amateur Radio stations are authorized to communicate directly on   
   certain 60-meter interoperability channels.   
      
   These tests give Amateur Radio operators and shortwave listeners (SWLs) a   
   chance and a challenge to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly   
   controlled exercise scenario and to receive recognition from the appropriate   
   military radio station. QSL cards will be available for stations successfully   
   contacting participating military stations.   
      
   Military stations will transmit (USB, unless otherwise noted on the schedule)   
   on selected military frequencies and will announce the specific amateur   
   frequencies they are monitoring. MARS stressed that frequencies used for the   
   test will not impact any public or private communications and will not stray   
   outside the confines of the exercise.   
      
   An Armed Forces Day test message will be transmitted utilizing the Military   
   Standard (MIL-STD) Serial PSK waveform (M110) followed by MIL-STD Wide Shift   
   FSK (850 Hz RTTY), as described in MIL-STD 188-110A/B. Technical information   
   regarding these waveforms is available. The AFD test message will also be sent   
   at 0300 UTC in CW.   
      
   Those who want a QSL should complete the request form on the MARS website.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Third Public Test of FT8 "DXpedition Mode" Set for May 5   
      
   A third public test of the developing FT8 "DXpedition Mode" is set for   
   Saturday, May 5, the WSJT development group has announced. A fourth "release   
   candidate" is now available, and participants in the May 5 public test should   
   install WSJT-X version 1.9.0-rc4 beforehand.   
      
   "Once again, the goal is to simulate a rare DXpedition pileup by having many   
   stations ('Hounds') calling and trying to work a designated pseudo-DXpedition   
   station ('Fox'). Everyone participating in the test must use WSJT-X   
   v1.9.0-rc4," Joe Taylor, K1JT, said on behalf of the WSJT development team.   
   Taylor urged participants to "read, understand, and carefully follow" the FT8   
   DXpedition Mode User Guide, which contains some operating procedure details   
   that differ from earlier versions of the beta mode software.   
      
   "If you have legitimate access to more than one call sign (spouse, a club   
   call, or whatever), please feel free to call and work each Fox more than   
   once," Taylor said. "The more Hounds, the better; we want the test pileup to   
   be as deep as possible."   
      
   The third public test will include three 1-hour sessions.   
      
   UTC     Frequency     Fox Call Sign     Operator   
   1400    14.090 MHz    W1/KH7Z           N1DG   
   1500    14.090        W7/KH7Z           AA7A   
   1600    14.090        K1JT              K1JT   
      
   Any last-minute instructions will be announced on the Ping Jockey Relief chat   
   page.   
      
   Installation packages for WSJT-X v1.9.0-rc4 on Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and   
   Raspbian Jessie have been posted on the WSJT website.   
      
   Participants are asked to report their test results and any problems   
   encountered to the WSJT-X development lists on sourceforge.com or to the Yahoo   
   WSJT-X Development Group reflector. You must be a subscriber in order to post   
   to these lists.   
      
   The third beta release of the new DXpedition Mode has been tested over the   
   past several weeks, including during a public test on April 7. "A few   
   additional bugs were identified and corrected, and the -rc4 release also   
   includes some minor enhancements," Taylor said. "A general availability (GA)   
   release of WSJT-X version 1.9.0 will be announced at a suitable time, probably   
   in the near future. After that you should stop using any -rc# release   
   candidate."   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Kits and Kit Building" is the topic of the new (April 26) episode of the   
   "ARRL The Doctor is In" podcast. Listen...and learn!   
      
   Sponsored by DX Engineering, "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative   
   discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or   
   smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!   
      
   Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor-in-Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and the   
   Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of technical   
   topics. You can also e-mail your questions to doctor@arrl.org, and the Doctor   
   may answer them in a future podcast.   
      
   Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes, or by using your iPhone or iPad   
   podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can also listen   
   online at Blubrry, or at Stitcher (free registration required, or browse the   
   site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or Android   
   devices. If you've never listened to a podcast before, download our beginner's   
   guide.   
      
   Just ahead: "RF Loss."   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   New Book, Portable Operating for Amateur Radio, is Now Shipping   
      
   Grab your gear and head outdoors with this new book from ARRL, Portable   
   Operating for Amateur Radio by Stuart Thomas, KB1HQS.   
      
   Amateur Radio stations have traditionally been associated with a table full of   
   gear in a home station. In recent years, that has changed with the increasing   
   popularity of operating portable, away from home. A new generation of compact,   
   full-featured, portable radios combines with modern battery technology to make   
   it easier than ever to set up your station and enjoy Amateur Radio in the   
   great outdoors. Added to the increase in organized outdoor operating   
   activities, clubs, and programs, it's no wonder that ham radio operators are   
   inspired to venture into portable operations.   
      
   Anyone can give portable operating a try. Portable operators use HF and VHF   
   bands, as well as SSB, FM, CW, and digital modes. There's something for   
   everyone, no matter your license class or interests. Whether you want to   
   activate from a picnic table at a nearby park or a remote summit after a   
   backcountry hike, Portable Operating for Amateur Radio offers a wealth of   
   practical information to help make your portable Amateur Radio operations   
   successful.   
      
   Portable Operating for Amateur Radio is available from the ARRL Store or your   
   ARRL Dealer. (ARRL Item no. 0802), ISBN: 978-1-62595-080-2, $22.95 retail,   
   special ARRL Member Price $19.95). Call 860-594-0355 or, toll-free in the US,   
   888-277-5289. It will also be available as an e-book for the Amazon Kindle.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Report: Former Hamvention(R) Home Hara Arena Getting a New Owner   
      
   The Dayton Daily News reported this week that a Louisville, Kentucky-based   
   developer, Michael Heitz, of Garrett-Day LLC Properties, is in the process of   
   buying Hara Arena, which served as home to Dayton Hamvention(R) from 1964   
   until 2016.   
      
   Heitz told the Dayton Daily News that he bought out income tax liens on the   
   property from Montgomery County and is hoping to close on some bank liens   
   later this week. It's not known how much Heitz has invested in the property so   
   far. The purchase includes the six-building Hara Arena complex and some 120   
   acres of real estate, 25 of them devoted to parking. Heitz said his priority   
   is to "clean it up and secure the property." Since its closing in 2016, Hara   
   Arena has been visited by camera-carrying urban explorers as well as by   
   vandals who have trashed the building and its contents.   
      
   The IRS put the Hara Arena complex on the auction block last August to satisfy   
   a federal tax lien, but no successful bidder came forward. An IRS staff member   
   involved in the 2017 auction told ARRL early this year that the agency would   
   not try again to auction the parcel, but suggested that other lien holders,   
   including a mortgage lender and the Town of Trotwood, might go that route. At   
   one point, the asking price for Hara Arena was $775,000.   
      
   The Dayton Daily News reported in March that Hara property owner-trustees owed   
   back taxes plus around $350,000 to banks. Heitz is known for buying distressed   
   properties and getting them "shovel ready." He plans a Monday news conference   
   to discuss the purchase and his plans.   
      
   According to the Dayton Daily News, Heitz has purchased other properties in   
   the area by buying up tax and property liens, and his reputation for acquiring   
   derelict properties and turning them around goes back several years. A former   
   West Virginia University basketball player and distance cyclist, the   
   7-foot-tall Heitz is said to be a fearless investor.   
      
   The Wampler family had owned and operated Hara Arena since its humble origins   
   in the 1950s, when Wampler Ballarena -- then a dance hall and now an exhibit   
   hall familiar to Hamvention visitors -- was built in what had been a   
   family-owned orchard. When Hara closed in August 2016, the economic hit to the   
   Dayton area was estimated to be $36 million a year.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Deadline Approaching to Submit Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award   
   Nominations   
      
   Friday, May 18, is the deadline to submit nominations for ARRL's annual Philip   
   J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award. The award celebrates efforts on the   
   part of an individual ARRL member to boost awareness and understanding of   
   Amateur Radio's services and benefits to the public. The ARRL Public Relations   
   Committee will recommend a winner, if any, to the ARRL Board of Directors,   
   which will announce the Award recipient at its July meeting.   
      
   The Award's namesake, journalist Philip J. McGan, WA2MBQ (SK), served as the   
   first chairman of the ARRL's Public Relations Committee, and helped   
   reinvigorate the League's commitment to public relations. The McGan Award   
   recognizes a radio amateur who has demonstrated success in Amateur Radio   
   public relations and who best exemplifies McGan's volunteer spirit.   
      
   Activities for which the McGan Award may be presented include efforts   
   specifically directed at focusing the media's and the general public's   
   attention on the value of Amateur Radio. This may include such traditional   
   methods as generating media coverage of a specific event, or such   
   non-traditional methods as hosting a radio show or being an active public   
   speaker.   
      
   The award is given to an individual who must be an ARRL member in good   
   standing at the time of nomination. The nominee must not be compensated for   
   any public relations work involving Amateur Radio -- including payment for   
   articles -- and may not be a current ARRL Officer, Director, Vice Director,   
   paid staff member, or member of the selection committee.   
      
   Check out the specific criteria for nomination and nomination form, or contact   
   ARRL Communication Manager Dave Isgur, KC1JMX, to obtain a form. The names of   
   past McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award winners have been posted on the ARRL   
   website.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Former Orange Section Manager, Veteran ARRL Volunteer Sandi Heyn, WA6WZN, SK   
      
   Well-known ARRL stalwart and former Orange Section Manager Sandra Mae "Sandi"   
   Heyn, WA6WZN, of Costa Mesa, California, died on April 28 after a lengthy   
   illness. An ARRL Life Member, she was 75. Sandi Heyn was the wife of ARRL   
   Honorary Vice President and past ARRL Southwestern Division Director Fried   
   Heyn, WA6WZO, who relied on her as his trusted assistant. The couple often   
   appeared together at ARRL and other Amateur Radio functions, and Sandi Heyn   
   nearly always accompanied her husband to ARRL Headquarters for the ARRL   
   Board's twice-yearly meetings during his years as a Director. As Fried Heyn   
   said, "We were joined at the hip." Married for 57 years, the Heyns continued   
   as Amateur Radio ambassadors even after their official League service   
   concluded.   
      
   In addition to her service as Orange Section Manager from 1983 until 1985,   
   Sandi Heyn served as a member of the ARRL Planning Committee during ARRL   
   President Vic Clark's, W4KFC, administration, was Orange Section Emergency   
   Coordinator, and president of the Young Ladies Radio League in 1983. She was   
   Orange Section ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator from 1987 until 2003, and she   
   chaired the Orange County Council of Amateur Radio Organizations in 1991 and   
   the Los Angeles Area Council of Amateur Radio Clubs in 1992. Sandi Heyn   
   received the ARRL Southwestern Division Meritorious Service Award in 2001.   
      
   She was also a US Army Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS) volunteer, a   
   member of several Amateur Radio clubs in California, and was a Quarter Century   
   Wireless Association (QCWA) Life Member. She regularly volunteered at the ARRL   
   booth and in the Amateur Radio reception during the annual National   
   Association of Broadcasters conventions in Las Vegas. She played a significant   
   role in organizing the 1992 ARRL National Convention in Los Angeles.   
      
   In accordance with her wishes, Sandi Heyn's body will be donated to science.   
   Services are not planned at this time.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   A Puerto Rico radio amateur involved in hurricane recovery was among those who   
   died when a Hercules C-130 aircraft crashed on May 2, killing all aboard.   
   Among the nine fatalities was Eric Circuns,   
   WP4OXB, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The cargo plane, attached to the Puerto   
   Rico Air National Guard's 156th Airlift Wing, went down shortly after takeoff   
   from Georgia while on a routine mission. "Eric had been part of this unit, and   
   this aircraft had served during both Hurricane Irma and Maria," ARRL   
   Southeastern Division Assistant Director and Assistant Puerto Rico Section   
   Manager Jose "Otis" Vicens, NP4G, said in a statement. "The people of Puerto   
   Rico thank him for his service and ultimate sacrifice. He will be remembered."   
   According to media accounts, the more than 60-year-old aircraft underwent   
   repairs in Savannah in April. It had been used in several hurricane relief and   
   recovery efforts and was on its way to Arizona for decommissioning.   
      
      
   The Orange County (New York) Amateur Radio Club (OCARC) has been presented   
   with a Hiram Percy Maxim Society plaque. The plaque recognizes the club's   
   donations to the ARRL Legislative Issues Advocacy and Spectrum Defense funds,   
   ARRL Development Manager Lauren Clarke, KB1YDD, announced. ARRL Hudson   
   Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, presented the Maxim Society plaque to   
   OCARC President Bruce Baccaro, K2ULZ, on April 20. "The club is very proud to   
   be one of only 10 clubs nationwide to be inducted into the Maxim Society,"   
   Lisenco said.   
      
      
   ARRL has suspended registration for "Introduction to Emergency Communications"   
   (EC-001). Registration was halted on April 30, after ARRL learned that the   
   online platform provider for the course -- Connecticut Distance Learning   
   Consortium (CTDLC) -- is being dissolved, effective July 1, according to   
   CTDLC's parent, Charter Oak State College. CTDLC officials cited the fiscal   
   challenges that the Connecticut state college and university system and the   
   state as a whole are facing as the reason for shuttering CTDLC. As plans are   
   made to move the course content to a new delivery platform, ARRL decided to   
   halt registration. Anyone who signed up for the EC-001 session that starts on   
   May 30 will receive a refund. ARRL has been developing new EC-001 content and   
   will intensify the process of selecting a new platform to deliver it.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots disappeared again this week, with a   
   blank sun on April 28, and every day since. Average daily sunspot numbers   
   dropped from 20 to 3.6, while average daily solar flux decreased from 73.4 to   
   69.3.   
      
   Average daily planetary A index declined from 11.9 to 4.4, and average   
   mid-latitude A index went from 8.6 to 5.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 67 on May 3-4; 68 and 69 on May 5-6; 70 on May 7-10;   
   68 on May 11-13; 70 on May 14-28; 68 on May 29 - June 9, and 70 on June 10-16.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 5 on May 3-5; 16, 18, and 14 on May 6-8; 8 on   
   May 9-10; 5 on May 11-16; 42, 12, and 8 on May 17-19; 5 on May 20-June 1; 8,   
   15, 12, 10, and 8 on June 2-6; 5 on June 7-12, and 42, 12, 8, and 5 on June   
   13-16.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for April 26-May 2 were 14, 11, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a mean   
   of 3.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 69.4, 68.7, 70.2, 71.1, 70.2, 68.4, and   
   67.1, with a mean of 69.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 6, 4, 4, 6,   
   3, and 4, with a mean of 4.4. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 5, 5,   
   3, 10, 3, and 5, with a mean of 5.   
      
   Send me your reports or observations   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  May 5 -- FISTS Spring Slow Speed Sprint (CW)   
    *  May 5 -- 902 and up Microwave Spring Sprint (CW, phone)   
    *  May 5-6 -- Araucaria World Wide VHF Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  May 5-6 -- 10-10 International Spring Contest (CW)   
    *  May 5-6 -- SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  May 5-6 -- ARI International DX Contest (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  May 5-6 -- 7th Call Area QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  May 5-6 -- Indiana QSO Party (CW, phone)   
    *  May 5-6 -- Delaware QSO Party (CW, phone)   
    *  May 5-6 -- New England QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  May 7 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (SSB)   
    *  May 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on   
   Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your ARRL   
   member profile e-mail preferences.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
    *  May 4-5 -- Military Radio Collectors Group Convention, Paso Robles,   
       California (see announcement on location change)   
    *  May 5 -- Delta Division D-Star Day Convention, Lafayette, Louisiana   
    *  May 6 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Bristol, Pennsylvania   
    *  May 18-20 -- Great Lakes Division Convention (Hamvention(R)), Xenia, Ohio   
    *  June 1-2 -- Arizona State Convention, Prescott, Arizona   
    *  June 1-3 -- Northwestern Division Convention (SEA-PAC), Seaside, Oregon   
    *  June 2 -- Georgia State Convention (Atlanta Hamfest), Marietta, Georgia   
    *  June 2-3 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, Prospect,   
       Pennsylvania   
    *  June 8-10 -- West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com), Plano, Texas   
    *  July 13-14 -- Indiana State Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana   
    *  July 20-22 -- Nevada State Convention, Reno, Nevada   
    *  July 27-28 -- Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
   Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it   
   wrong...   
   ... Congestion on the roads is called intimacy in night clubs.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)