The ARRL Letter
Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************
September 27, 2012
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL Home Page ARRL Letter Archive
Audio News
IN THIS ISSUE
- + On the Air: Hams From Five Countries Help Put Kosovo On the Air for
the First Time
- + Former AMSAT President Bill Tynan, W3XO, to Receive RCA's Goldwater
Award
- + Silent Key: IARU Region 3 Chairman Michael Owen, VK3KI (SK)
- + ARRL Executive Committee to Meet in Colorado This Weekend
- Federal Employees Can Help Support ARRL through the 2012 Combined
Federal Campaign
- + At the Workbench: Attention Kit Builders -- The ARRL Wants to Hear
from You!
- Solar Update
- ARRL HQ Seeks Applicants for QST Technical Editor
- + Silent Key:Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society Chairman Sid T. May,
ET3SID (SK)
- Silent Key: Everett Gracey, WA6CBA (SK)
- + Last Man Standing Producer Cancels Special Event
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News .
> + ON THE AIR: HAMS FROM FIVE COUNTRIES HELP PUT KOSOVO ON THE AIR
FOR THE FIRST TIME
On September 12, the Autoriteti Rregullativ i Telekomunikacionit
(ART) -- Kosovo's telecommunications regulatory authority -- created
the necessary legal framework for the development of an Amateur Radio
Service in the Republic of Kosovo by approving its Regulation for
Amateur Radio Services. Although not formally assigned a prefix by the
International Telecommunication Union, Kosovo will use the Z6 prefix.
Currently, Kosovo does not count toward the ARRL's DXCC Award, as it
has not been assigned a prefix by the ITU (per DXCC rule II.1.a), nor
has it been recognized by the United Nations (per DXCC rule II.1.b).
Nigel Cawthorne, G3TXF, and Bob Barden, MD0CCE/N2BB -- members of the
Chiltern DX Club (CDXC) -- were part of a team of operators led by IARU
Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, that activated Z60K,
the first Amateur Radio station in the Republic of Kosovo. Along with
Cawthorne, Barden and Blondeel Timmerman, the team included the
following radio amateurs: Nik Percin, 9A5W; Emil Balen Zdravko, 9A9A;
Emir Mahmutovic, 9A6AA; Martti Laine, OH2BH; Jorma Saloranta, OH2KI,
and Pekka Holstila, OH2TA. Click here
for Cawthorne's and Barden's account of the Z60K activation.
> + FORMER AMSAT PRESIDENT BILL TYNAN, W3XO, TO RECEIVE RCA'S
GOLDWATER AWARD
The Radio Club of America (RCA) has announced that William A. Tynan,
W3XO, of Kerrville, Texas, will receive its 2012 Barry Goldwater
Amateur Radio Award. First given in 1994, the Goldwater Award is given
to an RCA member who is also a licensed amateur, in recognition of a
long record of service to the public through the use of Amateur Radio.
Tynan -- an RCA Fellow and an ARRL Life Member -- will receive the
award at the RCA's 103rd annual awards banquet, held in New York City
on November 16. ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, also
an RCA Fellow, will be the banquet's keynote speaker. Read more here
.
> + SILENT KEY: IARU REGION 3 CHAIRMAN MICHAEL OWEN, VK3KI (SK)
IARU Region 3 Chairman Michael Owen, VK3KI, passed away September 22.
He was 75. Owen, who was also President of the Wireless Institute of
Australia (WIA) -- that country's IARU Member Society -- was active in
the IARU and served as a member of the IARU Observer Team at a number
of World Radiocommunication Conferences. He is perhaps best remembered
for his work on Article 25 -- a package of revisions to the
international Radio Regulations that are specific to the Amateur and
Amateur-Satellite Services -- at WRC-03.
Amateur Radio societies around the world have benefited from Owen's
enthusiasm and experience; he was passionately involved with the
Amateur Radio Service since the 1960s, and served as IARU Vice
President from 1989-1999.
"I am very saddened to hear about Michael's sudden passing," IARU
President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, told the ARRL. "I was only speaking to him
a few days ago and he was very enthused about leading the IARU Region 3
Conference in Ho Chi Minh City in a few weeks. Michael was a good
friend and mentor to many of us in IARU. His drafting skills were
second to none, and his ability to clearly articulate his position on a
number of issues was of immeasurable help to us. The IARU is indebted
to his work at WRCs and at many regional Asia Pacific
Telecommunications meetings." Read more here
.
> + ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN COLORADO THIS WEEKEND
The ARRL Executive Committee will meet Saturday, September 29 in
Denver, Colorado. ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, serves as Chairman
of the Executive Committee. Five Division Directors who are elected by
the ARRL Board of Directors are also on the committee: Midwest Division
Director Cliff Ahrens, K0CA; Northwestern Division Director Jim
Fenstermaker, K9JF; Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG; Rocky
Mountain Division Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and West Gulf
Division Director David Woolweaver, K5RAV. ARRL Chief Executive Officer
David Sumner, K1ZZ, and ARRL First Vice President Rick Roderick, K5UR,
are non-voting members of the Executive Committee. ARRL General Counsel
Chris Imlay, W3KD, and Second Vice President Bruce Frahm, K0BJ, will
also attend the meeting. Click here
for the meeting's agenda.
> FEDERAL EMPLOYEES CAN HELP SUPPORT ARRL THROUGH THE 2012 COMBINED
FEDERAL CAMPAIGN
For the past 11 years, the US Office of Personnel Management has
designated the ARRL as a participant in the Combined Federal Campaign
(CFC). This campaign for federal government civilian employees, US
Postal Service workers and members of the military has generated almost
$192,000 for ARRL programs since it first became an option for federal
employees to donate to the League. The CFC provides an easy way to
support the ARRL's effort to represent its members and all radio
amateurs. Read more here
.
> + AT THE WORKBENCH: ATTENTION KIT BUILDERS -- THE ARRL WANTS TO
HEAR FROM YOU!
The ARRL wants to hear from kit builders about simple, useful,
educational and exciting kits. These kits should have a high
probability for success and would serve as stepping stones for more
advanced projects. We are looking all sorts of kits, but RF detector
kits that work in the 380 MHz-2.5 GHz range are of special interest.
The kits should also have a "Wow, I built this and it works!" factor.
If you know of such a kit, please let us know by filling out a simple
form here by October 31.
> SOLAR UPDATE
Tad "We all shine on, like the Moon and the stars and the Sun
" Cook, K7RA, reports: The
average daily sunspot numbers rose this week from 56 to 81.3, while the
average daily solar flux increased from 101.4 to 129.7. This increase
is expected to continue over the next few days, with the solar flux
peaking at 150 on September 28-29, then going to 145 on September
30-October 1, 140 and 135 on October 2-3, 130 on October 4-5, 125 on
October 6-7, 120 on October 8, 115 on October 9-10, 120 on October 11,
115 on October 12-13, and 120 on October 14-15. It is then expected to
rise to a peak of 150 on October 20 and 150 again on October 25-26,
with the average solar flux on October 21-24 around 141. The average
planetary A index declined from 7.4 last week to 4.3 this week. The
predicted planetary A index values are 5 on every day through October
2, then 10 on October 3, 8 on October 4-5, and 5 on October 6-11. Look
for more on the ARRL website on Friday, September 28. For more
information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical
Information Service Propagation page
. This week's "Tad
Cookism" is brought to you by John Lennon's Instant Karma!
> ARRL HQ SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR QST TECHNICAL EDITOR
The League is currently looking to fill the position of QST Technical
Editor at ARRL Headquarters in Newington. Connecticut residency or the
ability to relocate to Connecticut is required. The QST Technical
Editor will provide leadership to the technical Amateur Radio community
by developing and promulgating a vision of the state of the Amateur
Radio art through the pages of QST.
Qualifications:
- Broad knowledge of and experience with Amateur Radio and electronics.
- Broad knowledge of and experience with the design and construction of
Amateur Radio equipment, antennas and accessories.
- Broad knowledge of and experience with Amateur Radio software.
- A bachelor or graduate college degree, preferably in a technical
field. Exceptional related work history can be substituted for a
degree.
- A minimum of three years of writing or editing experience.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and productively with a
variety of people.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.
- An Amateur Extra class license.
Click here for more
information and an application. To apply, please send your cover letter
and resume via e-mail ,
or complete the application, print it out and mail it with your resume
and cover letter to Monique Levesque, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT
06111. You can also fax your application, cover letter and resume to
860-594-0298. Please include your salary history and salary
requirements. The ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.
> + SILENT KEY:ETHIOPIAN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY CHAIRMAN SID T. MAY,
ET3SID (SK)
Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society (EARS) Chairman Sid T. May,
ET3SID/G4CTQ/AB3OZ, passed away September 25. In 1993, May established
ET3AA, the first Amateur Radio club in Ethiopia. According to
Hailemelekot Negussie, AB3OX, of EARS (Ethiopia's IARU Member Society),
May taught Amateur Radio licensing classes in Ethiopia for more than 15
years. An accredited ARRL Volunteer Examiner, May administered the FCC
Amateur Radio license exam to prospective Ethiopian hams. He took part
in administering an FCC exam session in December 2011 where more than
50 Ethiopians received US call signs; May gave his last exam session on
September 10, with 18 sitting for the exam. "Sid was a teacher, a
mentor and a father to all of us at ET3AA," Negussie explained. "We
feel very saddened about the news, and extend our condolences to his
family and wish for his soul to rest in peace. Sid is survived by
hundreds of ambitious radio hams and engineers who will forever be
inspired by his humbleness and vision." Read more here
.
> SILENT KEY: EVERETT GRACEY, WA6CBA (SK)
Everett Gracey, WA6CBA, of Grass Valley, California, passed away on
August 26. He was 90. In 1979, Gracey -- along with Ken, K6HCP, and
Jacqui Holladay -- founded Mirage Communications in Gilroy, California.
After selling Mirage, Gracey founded RF Concepts in 1986. Both Mirage
and RF Concepts sold and manufactured VHF and UHF amplifiers. After
Gracey sold RF Concepts, he continued to lead the company's marketing
team for the next six years. In August 2000, Gracey joined forces with
LDG Electronics as its dealer representative and marking consultant.
Gracey was also responsible for bringing Alinco Electronics -- a radio
manufacturer in Osaka, Japan -- into the USA marketplace. Read more
here .
> + LAST MAN STANDING PRODUCER CANCELS SPECIAL EVENT
Due to concerns over perceived violations of Section 97.113(a)(3)
,
Last Man Standing Producer John Amodeo, NN6JA, has cancelled the Last
Man Standing Special Event Station planned for October 28
.
Amodeo had applied for and received a 1×1 call sign -- K6T -- to use
for the event that would have taken place on the show's set. Last Man
Standing stars Tim Allen as Mike Baxter, KA0XTT. "Although the intent
of the Special Event Station was to celebrate and promote ham radio, it
might be interpreted as promotion for the show and that cannot be
permitted," Amodeo explained. "While we are disappointed with the
cancelation of what would have been a fun, one-of-a-kind event, I know
that as a licensed amateur and producer of broadcast programs,
compliance with the FCC rules takes precedence. We will find other fun
ways to use our station and promote ham radio soon. Mike Baxter's
fictitious station, KA0XTT, will continue to appear on the set of Last
Man Standing, but the radios will remain silent." Last Man Standing
begins its second
season on Friday, November 2 at 8/7 Central.
> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT
This week:
- September 29 -- Microwave Fall Sprint (local time)
- September 29-30 -- Texas QSO Party; CQ WW RTTY Contest
- October 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
- October 3 -- German Telegraphy Contest
- October 3 -- 432 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)
Next week:
- October 5 -- NCCC Sprint
- October 5-7 -- YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest
- October 6 -- TARA PSK Rumble Contest; EU Autumn Sprint (SSB)
- October 6-7 -- ARRL EME Contest ;
California QSO Party; EPC Russia DX Contest; Oceania DX Contest (SSB);
WAB HF Phone Contest
- October 7 -- UBA ON Contest (SSB)
- October 10 -- 10-10 International 10-10 Day Sprint; NAQCC Straight
Key/Bug Sprint
- October 10-11 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
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
- September 28-29 -- SEDCO/W4DXCC VIII Convention
, Pigeon
Forge, Tennessee
- October 7 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention
,
Meriden, Connecticut
- October 12-14 -- ARRL National Convention
,
Santa Clara, California
- October 13 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention
,
Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
- October 13-14 -- ARRL Florida State Convention
,
Melbourne, Florida
- November 3-4 -- ARRL Georgia State Convention
,
Lawrenceville, Georgia
- November 4 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention
,
Davenport, Iowa
- November 10 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention
, Montgomery,
Alabama
- November 17-18 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention
,
Fort Wayne, Indiana
- December 1-2 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention
,
Palmetto, Florida
- January 18-19 -- ARRL North Texas Section Convention
,
Fort Worth, Texas
- January 19 -- ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
,
Fort Myers, Florida
- January 25-26 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
,
Jackson, Mississippi
- January 26-27 -- ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention
, Hatillo,
Puerto Rico
- February 2 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention
, North
Charleston, South Carolina
- February 8-10 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
,
Orlando, Florida
- February 15-16 -- ARRL Arizona State Convention
,
Yuma, Arizona
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here
.
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