The ARRL Letter
Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************
December 8, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL Home Page ARRL Letter Archive
Audio News
IN THIS ISSUE
- + FCC News: FCC Commissioner Michael Copps Announces Resignation
- + On the Air: New Rules for 60 Meters Have Yet to Take Effect
- + On the Air: Round Up Those CW QSOs in the ARRL CW Rookie Roundup
- + Warm Up this Winter with the January 2012 Issue of QST
- Support ARRL: Renewed IRA Provision on Charitable Giving Makes It
Easy to Support ARRL through 2012
- + Nomination Deadline Approaching for ARRL International Humanitarian
Award
- Amateur Radio in Space: FASTRAC-1 Satellite Digipeater Active
- + On the Air: Special Prefixes on Tap for Canadian Stations this
Month
- Solar Update
- + Silent Key: Space Pioneer Jack Townsend, W3PRB (SK)
- QRP Group Offers Free Kit Building Services to Hams with Physical
Limitations
- This Week on the Radio
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News .
The last ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News for 2011 will be published
Thursday, December 15. The ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News will resume
Thursday, January 5, 2012.
> + FCC NEWS: FCC COMMISSIONER MICHAEL COPPS ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION
On Monday, December 5, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps notified
President Obama that he would resign as Commissioner effective January
1, 2012. If the Senate does not confirm a successor prior to Copps'
departure, the FCC would be down to three commissioners: two Democrats
and one Republican. Only three sitting Commissioners may be members of
the same political party. At present, Chairman Julius Genachowski,
Copps and Mignon Clyburn are Democrats. Robert McDowell is the lone
Republican since Meredith Attwell Baker left the Commission in June
2010.
"Yesterday, I submitted to the President notice of my intention to
resign my post as Commissioner effective January 1, 2012," Copps said
in a press release
.
"Should the Senate confirm my successor prior to that date, or should
the Senate adjourn sine die
before January 1, I
would of course be leaving sooner."
Copps has served as a Commissioner since May 2001. In January 2009, he
took on the additional role of acting FCC Chairman, following the
resignation of then-FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin. Copps relinquished
the chairmanship to Julius Genachowski after Genachowski was confirmed
by the US Senate and sworn into office in June 2009. Read more here
.
> + ON THE AIR: NEW RULES FOR 60 METERS HAVE YET TO TAKE EFFECT
Last month, the FCC released
a
Report & Order (R&O) detailing new rules for the 5 MHz (60 meters)
Amateur Radio band. These rules have not been published in the Federal
Register. In order to be official, the rules must be published in the
Federal Register and will take effect 30 days after the publication
date. Any radio amateur who is operating under the new rules before
this time is in violation of the current rules. The official date for
these new rules will be announced on the ARRL website as soon as the
information is available.
> + ON THE AIR: ROUND UP THOSE CW QSOS IN THE ARRL CW ROOKIE ROUNDUP
The ARRL's Rookie Roundup comes around again on Sunday, December 18.
This time, the focus is on CW operation. The Rookie Roundup is an
on-the air event is designed to help newly licensed amateurs build
their HF and 6 meter operating skills. Similar to the ARRL Novice
Roundup that ran from 1952 until 1995, the Rookie Roundup combines a
competitive event with some on-the-air training, bringing fun and
Elmering into the 21st century. Three Rookie Roundups -- SSB, RTTY and
CW -- are held each calendar year: The CW running of the Rookie Roundup
will take place Sunday, December 18 from 1800-2359 UTC. Read more here
.
> + WARM UP THIS WINTER WITH THE JANUARY 2012 ISSUE OF QST
The January issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that
today's Amateur Radio operator needs. Our annual Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
issue has projects you can build this winter while you count down the
days to the warm summer months. You'll also find product reviews,
operating tips and upcoming on-the-air events that will start your new
year off right.
If you're in the market for an easy-to-build -- and easy-to use --
VHF/UHF portable antenna, then look no further. In his article "A 2
Meter and 70 cm Portable Tape Measure Beam," John Portune, W6NBC,
presents an antenna that will "measure up" when you want to work
satellites or go transmitter hunting. When it comes to the family car,
sometimes you need to be a bit discreet when installing your mobile
rig, at least in the name of marital harmony. Thomas E. Nolan, W3EX,
presents "A Low-Impact Mobile Installation," which offers a unobtrusive
way to go mobile -- without looking like you've packed your complete
shack in the car.
As you sit in front of the roaring fire, do your thoughts turn to your
Novice days and the excitement and joy of working those first stations?
Kim Johnson, KC0JQH, relives the memories in his article "Building a
Dream Novice Station." Kim built his transmitter, receiver and
voltmeter from plans in the 1963 ARRL Handbook. As hams, we have known
for a long time how much fun it can be to build your own equipment --
and then use it to get on the air. ARRL Media and Public Relations
Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, along with a slew of talented hams, has
produced a video to be released December 27 that tells non-ham DIYers
how Amateur Radio is the perfect activity for them. In his article "The
DIY Magic of Amateur Radio," Pitts explains how Amateur Radio and DIY
hobbyists make a wonderful fit.
QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, takes a look at the WiNRADiO WR-G31DDC
Excalibur software defined receiver in this month's Product Review. He
says this receiver "offers excellent performance. Despite the wealth of
features found in the accompanying software, it's easy to set up and
enjoy." ARRL Contributing Editor Howard Robins, W1HSR, checked out the
AvMap G6 APRS navigation system, saying that it "builds on the success
of the G4 and G5 [versions]. The new version is smaller and more
capable than previous models, yet it is still easy to hook up and use."
QST Technical Editor Joel R. Hallas, W1ZR, test drove the TE Systems
1410G 2 meter linear amplifier. "This is a very nice amplifier in terms
of construction and operation," he writes, although "there is some room
for further optimization of its preamp configuration and transmit IMD
levels."
Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the
January QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, Technical
Correspondence, How's DX, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your January
issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the
national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many
benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership,
please see the ARRL Web page
.
> SUPPORT ARRL: RENEWED IRA PROVISION ON CHARITABLE GIVING MAKES IT
EASY TO SUPPORT ARRL THROUGH 2012
In December 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief,
Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010
(HR 4853
)
into law as Public Law 111-312. This law provided sweeping changes to
the rules that govern federal estate taxes, gift taxes and
generation-skipping transfer taxes. The law authorized those
individuals who are at least 70.5 years old to donate up to $100,000
from their Individual Retirement Account directly to a qualified
charity -- such as the ARRL -- in a Trustee-to-Trustee transfer; this
charitable gift would not have to be reported on a tax return (no IRA
income is reported and no charity deduction is reported). This keeps
the giver's adjusted gross income lower and avoids any adjustments in
Medicare premiums. The provisions in HR 4853 have been extended for two
years and will expire on December 31, 2012.
Individuals who are interested in supporting the ARRL using this
vehicle should consult their tax and/or financial advisors to determine
the impact of such a gift. "This is the perfect time of year for
members who qualify and are in a position to consider a direct
contribution to the ARRL," said ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary
Hobart, K1MMH. "Such gifts may support the Spectrum Defense Fund
, the Education & Technology
Fund , the W1AW
Endowment Fund or one of the
other ARRL permanent funds
."
> + NOMINATION DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR ARRL INTERNATIONAL
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
The deadline to nominate an amateur or group of amateurs for the
2011 ARRL International Humanitarian Award is coming up -- December 31,
2011. This award is 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.
As one of the few telecommunication services that allows people
throughout the world from all walks of life to meet and talk with each
other, Amateur Radio spreads goodwill across political boundaries. The
ARRL International Humanitarian Award recognizes the Amateur Radio
Service's unique role in international communication and the assistance
amateurs regularly provide to people in need. Read more here
.
> AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: FASTRAC-1 SATELLITE DIGIPEATER ACTIVE
As of 1600 UTC December 2, the FASTRAC-1 satellite (FO-69) is open for
use as a packet radio digipeater. Anyone with a 1200 baud packet TNC
and a VHF/UHF FM transceiver can try it. If you own satellite tracking
software ,
you'll find the latest orbital elements on the FASTRAC Web site
.
FASTRAC-1 receives at 145.825 MHz and transmits at 437.345 MHz. The
digipeater alias is FAST1. To connect to ARRL Headquarters station W1AW
through FASTRAC-1, for example, you would send the following packet:
C W1AW VIA FAST1
Reports of your results are welcome via e-mail ,
or at the FASTRAC Facebook page .
> + ON THE AIR: SPECIAL PREFIXES ON TAP FOR CANADIAN STATIONS THIS
MONTH
If you are a prefix hunter, take note: Stations in Canada will be
sporting new prefixes
.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the CBC and Radio Canada, radio
amateurs in Canada have been granted permission to use special prefixes
for the month of December. Hams with call signs beginning with VA may
use the prefix VG; those call signs beginning with VE may use VX; hams
whose call signs with a VO prefix may use XJ, while call signs
beginning with VY may use XK. -- Thanks to The Daily DX
for the information
> SOLAR UPDATE
Tad "I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Eight new sunspot groups appeared over December 1-7, with the average
daily sunspot number for the week rising more than 9 points to 133.9.
The verage daily solar flux also rose exactly 19 points to 156.5. The
latest forecast from USAF/NOAA has solar flux at 150 on December 8, 155
on December 9-10, 150 on December 11-12, 145 on December 13-14, 150 on
December 15, 160 on December 16-18, and 155 on December 19-22. The
planetary A index for the same dates is expected to be 5 on December
8-10, 8 on December 11, and 5 on December 12-22. Geophysical Institute
Prague sees a quiet week ahead, with quiet conditions December 9-11,
quiet to unsettled December 12 and quiet again on December 13-15.
Conditions should be good for the ARRL 10 Meter Contest
this weekend. Look for more information
on the ARRL website on Friday, December 9. For more information
concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information
Service Propagation page
. This week's "Tad
Cookism" is brought to you by James Taylor's Fire and Rain
.
> + SILENT KEY: SPACE PIONEER JACK TOWNSEND, W3PRB (SK)
John W. "Jack" Townsend, Jr, W3PRB, of Cabin John, Maryland, passed
away October 29 due to complications from lung cancer. He was 87.
Townsend -- an ARRL member -- was a rocket and satellite pioneer who
was influential in creating the first meteorological, communications
and Earth viewing satellite systems. He joined NASA's Goddard Space
Flight Center in
1959 and later served as its Director from 1987-1990.
In 1949, Townsend joined the US Naval Research Laboratory as a research
physicist, instrumenting V-2 rockets
(captured from Germany at the end of World War II), Viking
and Aerobee
sounding rockets for upper air
research. When NASA was created in 1958, he transferred with his Branch
and the Vanguard Project
into the new agency,
becoming Chief of its Space Sciences Division. He helped form NASA's
Goddard Space Flight Center, and became the Assistant Director for
Space Science and Satellite Applications. Townsend was named Deputy
Director of Goddard Space Flight Center in 1965 and continued to serve
in that capacity until 1968. Read more here
.
> QRP GROUP OFFERS FREE KIT BUILDING SERVICES TO HAMS WITH PHYSICAL
LIMITATIONS
Members of the Four States QRP Group (4SQRPG
) -- a group of kit aficionados
centered in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas -- are offering kit
building services at no charge to hams who, due to physical
limitations, need assistance with building. Hams who wish to have kits
built for them need to visit the 4SQRP website and purchase one or more
of the six kits offered .
"This is a free service," 4SQRP Member Terry Fletcher, W0ITP, told the
ARRL. "The builders donate their time, skill and knowledge. Their only
motivation is to help needful hams."
> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO
This week:
- December 9 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- December 10-11 -- ARRL 10 Meter Contest
; CWops Mini-CWT Test; International
Naval Contest
- December 11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run
- December 11-18 -- NA High Speed Meteor Scatter Winter Rally
- December 14 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint
- December 14-15 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:
- December 16 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder; Russian 160 Meter Contest;
AGB-Party Contest
- December 17 -- OK DX RTTY Contest; RAC Winter Contest; Feld Hell
Sprint
- December 17, 2011-January 1, 2012 -- Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO
Party
- December 17-18 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge; Croatian CW Contest
- December 18 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW)
; QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew
Sprint
- December 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest
Branch page , the ARRL Contest Update
and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar for more
information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out
the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page
.
> UPCOMING ARRL SECTION, STATE AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS
- January 8, 2012 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention
,
Bethpage, New York
- January 27-28, 2012 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
,
Jackson, Mississippi
- February 4, 2012 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention
,
Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention
,
Ladson, South Carolina
- February 10-12, 2012 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention
,
Orlando, Florida
- February 17-18, 2012 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention
,
Yuma, Arizona
- February 18, 2012 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention
, Hoxie,
Arkansas
- February 25, 2012 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention
,
South Burlington, Vermont
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here
.
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