The ARRL Letter
December 3, 2020

* ARRL Announces Director, Vice Director, Section Manager Election
Results
* ARRL Asks FCC to Allow 3.4-GHz Operation until Spectrum is Occupied
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* December is YOTA Month
* Arecibo Observatory Suffers a Fatal Blow as Instrument Platform
Falls
* Announcements
* FCC to Require Email dresses on Applications
* WX1AW and WX4NHC will be On the Air for SKYWARN Recognition Day
2020
* Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Awards
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Announces Director, Vice Director, Section Manager Election
Results

The ARRL Dakota Division will have a new Director, and the Great Lakes
and Midwest Divisions will have new Vice Directors on January 1. The
results of four contested elections for Director and Vice Director in
three ARRL Divisions were announced on November 20, after ballots were
tallied at ARRL Headquarters.

In the Dakota Division, incumbent Matt Holden, K0BBC, lost his re-

Michelle Patnode, W3MVP, of the ARRL
Headquarters staff was among those
helping to count ballots on November
20. [Eric Casey, KC2ERC, photo]

election bid to challenger Vernon "Bill" Lippert, AC0W. The vote was
982 to 485. Holden had served as Director since 2018.

In the Great Lakes Division, incumbent Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK,
retained his seat in a challenge from Michael Kalter, W8CI. The vote
was 1,840 to 1,398. In a three-way contest for Great Lakes Division
Vice Director, Ohio Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY, received 1,670
votes to outpoll Jim Hessler, K8JH, with 975 votes, and Frank Piper,
KI8GW, who received 611 votes. Incumbent Vice Director Tom Delaney,
W8WTD, did not run for another term.

In the Midwest Division, Dave Propper, K2DP, will become the new Vice
Director in January. He received 1,164 votes to 623 votes for
challenger Lloyd Colston, KC5FM.

Declared Elected without Opposition

In the Atlantic Division, Director Tom Abernethy, W3TOM, who has held
the seat since 2015, and Vice Director Bob Famiglio, K3RF, elected to a
3-year term (2015 - 2018) and then appointed in 2019 to fill a vacancy
when the incumbent stepped down.
* In the Dakota Division, Vice Director Lynn Nelson, W0ND, in office
since 2018.
* In the Delta Division, Director David Norris, K5UZ, who's served
since 2012, and Vice Director Ed Hudgens, WB4RHQ, appointed in
2013.
* In the Midwest Division, current Vice Director Art Zygielbaum,
K0AIZ, will become the new Director in January. He was unopposed to
succeed incumbent Rod Blocksome, K0DAS, who is stepping down.
Zygielbaum has been Vice Director since 2014.

All newly elected officials take office at noon on January 1, 2021.

New York City-Long Island Section Manager Re-Elected

New York City-Long Island Section Manager Jim Mezey, W2KFV, has been
re-elected in the fall election cycle. Mezey, of Carle Place, received
527 votes to 136 for challenger Donnie Katzovicz, W2BRU. The race for
NYC-LI SM was the only contested election. Mezey begins a new 2-year
term of office on January 1, 2021. He has served as New York City-Long
Island Section Manager since 2013.

In the West Central Florida (WCF) Section, Michael Douglas, W4MDD, of
Wauchula, Florida, will become Section Manager starting on January 1,
2021. He was the only nominee for the post. Douglas is currently
Affiliated Club Coordinator, a Technical Specialist, and an Official
Emergency Station. Incumbent WCF Section Manager Darrell Davis, KT4WX,
did not run for a new term after serving for the past 6 years.

These incumbent Section Managers were the only candidates for
re-election and will begin new terms of office on January 1: Tom Walsh,
K1TW (Eastern Massachusetts); Cecil Higgins, AC0HA (Missouri); Matt
Anderson, KA0BOJ (Nebraska); Thomas Dick, KF2GC (Northern New York);
Marc Tarplee, N4UFP (South Carolina); Tom Preiser, N2XW (Southern New
Jersey), and Joe Shupienis, W3BC (Western Pennsylvania).
ARRL Asks FCC to Allow 3.4-GHz Operation until Spectrum is Occupied

In comments to the FCC, ARRL has argued that radio amateurs be allowed
to continue shared operation in the 3.4 GHz band until 5G licensees who
purchase the spectrum when the FCC puts it up for auction initiate
incompatible operations. In its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(FNPRM) in WT Docket 19-348, the FCC had proposed to sunset the band
for amateur radio in two phases, governed by when new licenses are
issued rather than when the new licensees begin to use the spectrum. In
the FNPRM, the FCC solicited comments on whether alternatives exist to
its proposal.

"Amateur activities further the public interest and should be permitted
to continue on a secondary basis unless and until a new primary
licensee is ready to occupy the spectrum in a preclusive manner," ARRL
told the FCC. "At a minimum, amateur operations should be permitted to
continue indefinitely in the 3.3 - 3.45 GHz spectrum, where no new
flexible licenses are under immediate consideration. The Commission
could consider whether a registration or other mechanism similar to
that found in Section 97.303(g) would facilitate avoiding
interference." Section 97.303(g) contains specific frequency-sharing
requirements for the 2200- and 630-meter amateur bands.

"Amateurs often select the 3.4-GHz spectrum precisely because other
spectrum choices are sub-optimum or simply not available. Amateurs also
are only secondary users on most of the other spectrum suitable for
similar purposes," ARRL said. "Links must be carefully engineered
because of that secondary status, which applies to most of the 2.4- and
all of the 5.8-GHz bands available to amateurs. ARRL emphasized the
importance of allowing amateurs to continue to use the 3.4 - 3.45 GHz
portion in particular.

ARRL pointed out that in many geographic areas it could be years before
the 3 GHz spectrum is actually put into use by commercial users, and
argued that amateur radio should be allowed to continue to operations
on a secondary, non-interference basis as it has done for decades with
federal primary users, until new uses actually begin, rather than when
licenses are issued. Read more.

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ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network web page to register for upcoming
sessions and to view previously recorded session. The schedule is
subject to change.

Amateur Radio's Role at the Boston Marathon Bombing: Steve Schwarm,
W3EVE

Amateur radio has played a significant role in public service
communications for the Boston Marathon for several decades. That role
was put to the test in 2013 when two bombs were exploded near the
finish line. This presentation will describe the role that ham radio
played at the Marathon and how that role changed due to the bombing.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Learn and Have Fun with Morse Code: Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, and Jim
Crites, W6JIM

Morse code or "CW" is a popular ham radio operating mode. Learning CW
does not have to be an arduous or lonely experience. Learn, practice,
and enjoy CW with the methods used by the Long Island CW Club.

Thursday, December 17, 2020, 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday,
December 18)

QSLing in an Online World: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Learn all about the changing methods of QSLing in Amateur Radio,
including traditional paper QSL cards, and electronic QSLing, such as
Logbook of The World and eQSL.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

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December is YOTA Month

The month of December has been designated as YOTA month. The annual
initiative sponsored by Youngsters On The Air (YOTA) initially focused
on International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 (Europe, the
Mideast, and Africa), with young radio amateurs taking to the air with
YOTA-suffix call signs.

YOTA (Youth on the Air) in Region 2 (the Americas) is following step,
and K8Y, K8O, K8T, and K8A will be on the air from the US. The
overarching idea is to demonstrate amateur radio to youth to encourage
them to get licensed and for younger radio amateurs to get active.

YOTA-suffix stations have been on the air from the annual summer camp
and other subregional camps in Region 1, but the COVID-19 pandemic
sidelined those gatherings in 2020. All radio amateurs can support this
effort by contacting participating stations. An awards program is
available.

During YOTA month 2019, 47 participating YOTA stations racked up nearly
130,000 contacts. Follow YOTA via Twitter: @hamyota and
@hamyota_official. All young radio amateurs (up to age 26) are
encouraged to participate. Direct questions via email to
info@ham-yota.com.

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Arecibo Observatory Suffers a Fatal Blow as Instrument Platform Falls

The 900-ton instrument platform of the 305-meter radio telescope at
Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico fell some 400 feet Tuesday morning,
crashing into the huge, already-damaged dish below, the National
Science Foundation (NSF) reported in a December 1 Tweet. "No injuries
were reported," NSF said, adding that it is still assessing the
situation. "Our top priority is maintaining safety." The calamity not
only was a final and fatal blow for the observatory but for the people
of Puerto Rico.

Before the fall: Arecibo Observatory
in better days.

Head of Telescope Operations Angel Vazquez, WP3R, called December 1
"indeed a sad day." Vazquez was in the Observatory's control room at
the time, salvaging important instruments when he heard a loud noise.

"At around 7:55 AM, the platform collapsed due to the extra stress on
the existing cables because of the main cable failure in November.
Strands were starting to pop all weekend long, and it was just a matter
of time," he told ARRL. "It came off the easternmost tower (T4) and
took about 15 seconds. The azimuth arm that housed the dome came off
the track, fell into the dish a little north of center and the triangle
was pulled by the other existing cables to the northwestern part of the
dish. The tops of the towers broke as well. This was a 900-ton
platform, and the dome was smashed like an eggshell."

Vazquez said the Observatory still has a 12-meter dish that will be
used for radio astronomy, as well as a LIDAR Lab and an Optical Lab
with photometers. "The site by no means is closed and it wasn't the
intent of NSF to close the facility, he said. "They did want us to
stabilize the platform, so it could be lowered safely. We are looking
into rebuild possibilities."

On August 10, an auxiliary cable that helped to support the platform
snapped and fell, causing a 100-foot gash in the reflector dish. After
an extensive evaluation, NSF announced on November 19 that the damaged
radio telescope -- in service for nearly 60 years -- was beyond repair
and would be decommissioned due to safety concerns.

The iconic dish has served as a backdrop for several science fiction
movies. The Arecibo Observatory Amateur Radio Club, KP4AO, is
headquartered at the Observatory, and several other radio amateurs are
employed there in addition to Vazquez. Read more.

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Announcements
* FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has announced that he intends to leave the
Commission on January 20, 2021, as the Biden ministration comes
into office. The FCC chairman is appointed by the president.
* AMSAT-EA President Felix Paez, EA4GQS, has announced that the
EASAT-2 and HADES nanosats, flying with SpaceX, are set to launch
on January 14, 2021. The satellites have been configured as FM
voice and FSK data repeaters, not as linear transponders initially
planned. They are believed to be the smallest satellites with these
functions.
* An IEEE Spectrum magazine article says, "For richness, drama, and
sheer brilliance, few technological timelines can match the
116-year (and counting) history of the vacuum tube," author and
"tube guy" Carter M. Armstrong wrote. The article lists vacuum tube
devices that, over the past 60 or 70 years, have changed the world.

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FCC to Require Email dresses on Applications

Amateur radio licensees and candidates will have to provide the FCC
with an email address on applications, effective in mid-2021. If no
email address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application as
defective. The FCC is fully transitioning to electronic correspondence
and will no longer print or provide wireless licensees with hard-copy
authorizations or registrations by mail. A Report and Order (R&O) on
"Completing the Transition to Electronic Filing, Licenses and
Authorizations, and Correspondence in the Wireless Radio Services" in
WT Docket 19-212 was adopted on September 16. The new rules will go
into effect 6 months after publication in the Federal Register, which
hasn't happened yet, but the FCC is already strongly encouraging
applicants to provide an email address. When an email address is
provided, licensees will receive an official electronic copy of their
licenses when the application is granted.

Under Section 97.21 of the new rules, a person holding a valid amateur
station license "must apply to the FCC for a modification of the
license grant as necessary to show the correct mailing and email
address, licensee name, club name, license trustee name, or license
custodian name." For a club or military recreation station license, the
application must be presented in document form to a club station call
sign administrator who must submit the information to the FCC in an
electronic batch file.

Under new Section 97.23, each license will have to show the grantee's
correct name, mailing address, and email address. "The email address
must be an address where the grantee can receive electronic
correspondence," the amended rule will state. "Revocation of the
station license or suspension of the operator license may result when
correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the
grantee failed to provide the correct email address."
WX1AW and WX4NHC will be On the Air for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020

The annual SKYWARN^â*¢ Recognition Day (SRD) takes place on Saturday,
December 5, 1300 - 2300 UTC. Cosponsored by ARRL and the National
Weather Service (NWS), SRD recognizes radio amateurs for the vital
public service they provide during severe weather. Amateur radio
operators comprise a large percentage of SKYWARN volunteers.

Begun in 1999, the event's purpose is to test amateur radio operations
and equipment between NWS Offices nationwide, and it is open to all
stations. Participants exchange signal reports and basic weather
information (e.g., "sunny," "cloudy," "rain") with stations at NWS
Offices and elsewhere. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions,
operation from NWS forecast offices is expected to be minimal, so the
focus will shift to contacting as many participating trained SKYWARN
spotters as possible.

WX1AW will be on the air for SRD 2020. Volunteers from the ARRL staff
will take part from their home stations as WX1AW/portable. WX1AW will
be available on various HF frequencies and modes.

As it has done in the past, WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) will be on the air for SRD, marking its 22nd year of
participation and its 40th year of public service at the NHC.

A SKYWARN Recognition Day Facebook page has been created and will host
a variety of live and recorded segments throughout the day. An SRD
resource page is on the ARRL website.

Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Awards

The Yasme Foundation has announced the latest recipients of the Yasme
Excellence Award. They are Brett Ruiz, PJ2BR, and Helena Ruiz, PJ2ZZ;
Bob Wilson, N6TV; Jari PerkiAP:mACURki, OH6BG, and Jim Brown, K9YC. The
Yasme Excellence Award recognizes individuals and groups who, through
their own service, creativity, effort, and dedication, have made a
significant contribution to amateur radio. This may be a technical,
operating, or organizational achievement.

Brett and Helena Ruiz have been active leaders of the VERONA Radio
Club, CuraAS:ao's International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
member-society, for more than 20 years. Their participation has
included technical activities, disaster preparedness and relief, and
training of potential radio amateurs. They serve as liaisons to
government and international organizations, and contribute to important
events, such as the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Conference (GAREC) and IARU conferences and meetings. Brett Ruiz is
also active in long-distance VHF propagation and digital communication.

Yasme recognized Bob Wilson, N6TV, for his technical support to
hundreds of hams through various radio manufacturers' user groups and
logging software communities, and for assistance to Reverse Beacon
Network (RBN) hosts in keeping their equipment configured and running.
He also provides invaluable support to traveling hams worldwide. "Along
with being technically talented, he is exceptionally selfless in using
that talent to help others; quick to encourage others in many areas,"
the Yasme Foundation said in announcing the awards.

Jari PerkiAP:mACURki, OH6BG, has volunteered to support the online
VOACAP software and website for nearly 20 years, making world-class HF
propagation prediction and modeling services available to any radio
amateur. "He believes in teamwork, acknowledging the contributions and
ideas from the ham community for further development of the service,
but especially from James Watson, M0DNS/HZ1JW, and Juho Juopperi,
OH8GLV," Yasme said. PerkiAP:mACURki estimates that VOACAP online
serves thousands of users from more than 100 countries every month,
including integration with the DX Summit and Club Log services.

Jim Brown, K9YC, was cited for his extensive contribution to amateur
radio regarding ferrite materials and their use in combating RF
interference, feed-line applications, and transformers. "His efforts to
improve transmitter performance and operating practices are also
greatly appreciated, as are the extensive set of personal publications
available to the public and performing reviews of technical material
for amateur radio publishers," Yasme said. Read more.

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The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot Cycle 25 is a year old, and
solar activity continues to increase. Last week, the average daily
sunspot number was 27.9. This week it's 57.6. The highest daily sunspot
number of the past week was 84 on November 29. Solar flux also peaked
that day at 116.3, pushing the week's average to 108.1, up from 90.1
the previous week.

Geomagnetic indicators were moderate. A solar flare on November 29 was
the most powerful solar flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) in the
new solar cycle -- a sure sign of increasing activity. It was not
Earth-directed, however.

Predicted solar flux over the next 45 days is 105 on December 3 - 4;
103, 95, and 90 on December 5 - 7; 85 on December 8 - 9; 80 on December
10; 85 on December 11 - 12; 82 on December 13 - 16; 85, 90, and 100 on
December 17 - 19; 105 on December 20 - 21; 108 on December 22; 110 on
December 23 - 25; 115 on December 26 - 27; 113 on December 28 - 30; 110
on December 31; 105 and 103 on January 1 - 2; 95 on January 3 - 4; 92
and 88 on January 5 - 6; 85 on January 7 - 8; 82 on January 9 - 12, and
85, 90, 100 and 105 on January 13 - 16.

Planetary A index is predicted at 5 on December 3 - 17; 12, 20, and 8
on December 18 - 20; 5 on December 21 - 22; 8, 10, and 8 on December 23
- 25; 5 on December 26 - January 13, and 12, 20, and 8 on January 14 -
16.

Sunspot numbers for November 26 - December 2 were 43, 60, 67, 84, 62,
46, and 41, with a mean of 57.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 105.8,
106.3, 109.6, 116.3, 109.4, 104.1, and 104.9, with a mean of 108.1.
Estimated planetary A indices were 7, 8, 10, 6, 8, 2, and 4, with a
mean of 6.4. Middle latitude A index was 5, 7, 9, 6, 6, 2, and 4, with
a mean of 5.6.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

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In Brief...

A new contest plaque has been announced for the ARRL 160-Meter Contest
taking place December 4 - 6 UTC. The ARRL Programs and Services
Committee -- on behalf of the ARRL Board of Directors -- will award a
new "John Devoldere, ON4UN, Memorial Plaque" each year to the
Single-Operator, High-Power (SOHP) winner. A giant in the field of
low-band DXing and contesting, Devoldere died on November 9. An ARRL
Life member, Devoldere may be best known outside of his 160-meter
activity as the author of the popular ON4UN's Low-Band DXing, published
by ARRL, as well as other books, including Ethics and Operating
Procedures for the Radio Amateur (co-authored with Mark Demeuleneere,
ON4WW). The initial award will be made for the 2020 edition of the ARRL
160-Meter Contest. This is a CW-only event.

"The Gathering" will be the theme for the 2021 Dayton Hamvention^A(R).
Hamvention General Chair Rick Allnutt, WS8G, said the theme reflects
what has been missing from our lives most of this year. "We have spent
the last 6 months being bound to our houses and small groups," he said.
"We are very optimistic that when May arrives, we will be allowed to
get together." Allnut, a medical doctor with a master's degree in
public health, said Hamvention management is closely following the
coronavirus situation and believes it will improve enough by May that
government restrictions on travel and large groups will be relaxed. The
Hamvention team will continue to follow developments. Hamvention 2021
will be held May 21 - 23 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo
Center in Xenia, Ohio.

[IMG]RadioShack^A(R) is back as an online retailer of electronics. It
is offering some parts in its inventory that largely consists of
radios, batteries, telephone gear, drones, computer accessories, and
even cameras. The iconic company was recently purchased from General
Wireless by Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV). No plans are in place to
reopen RadioShack-owned stores, although some 400 brick-and-mortar
outlets are operated by franchisees.

[IMG]Universal Radio closed on November 30. All existing orders will be
filled, and the Universal Radio website will remain open to sell off
remaining stock,. Owners Fred Osterman, N8EKU, and Barbara Osterman,
KC8VWI, are retiring. The new mailing address for Universal Radio is
752 N State St. Unit 222, Westerville, OH 43082, telephone (614)
866-4267.

Former West Virginia Section Manager Ann Rinehart, KA8ZGY, of South
Charleston died on November 20 of COVID-19 complications. An ARRL
Member, she was 85. ARRL Roanoke Division Vice Director Bill Morine,
N2COP, said, "She was one of our Division's pioneering women --
consistently gracious, yet firm in her efficient management of the
Section." Rinehart served as West Virginia Section Manager from 2005
until 2013. Read more.

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Just Ahead in Radiosport
* December 4 - 6 -- ARRL 160-Meter Contest (CW)
* December 5 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)
* December 5 - 6 -- UFT Meeting (CW)
* December 5 - 6 -- PRO CW Contest
* December 5 - 6 -- FT Roundup (Digital)
* December 5 - 6 -- EPC Ukraine DX Contest (Digital)
* December 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* December 9 -- NAQCC CW Sprint
* December 9 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* December 12 - 13 -- ARRL 10-Meter Contest (CW, phone)

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Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

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Note: Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due
to the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on
the ARRL website.

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* December 11 - 12 -- Florida State Convention, Plant City, Florida

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

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ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

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* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
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articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
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* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
December 10, 2020

* Launch Window for AMSAT's RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E CubeSat Opens on
December 19
* Nathan Simington Confirmed as Newest FCC Member
* Lee Finkel, KY7M, is New National Contest Journal Editor
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARRL Announces New Book Releases
* First Solar Image from Hawaii Observatory Shows Sunspot Close-Up
* ARRL 10-Meter Contest is this Weekend
* IARU Region 2 Executive Committee Approves Dues Reductions for
Member-Societies
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Announcements
* Australian Radio Amateurs Denied Access to 60 Meters
* Transatlantic Tests Mark 99th Anniversary
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Launch Window for AMSAT's RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E CubeSat Opens on December
19

The launch that will carry AMSAT's RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E CubeSat into orbit
could come as early as this month. Virgin Orbit has announced that the
launch window for its LauncherOne Launch Demo 2 mission, which will
carry the AMSAT spacecraft into orbit, opens on December 19. RadFxSat-2
is the fifth and final Fox-1 satellite built by AMSAT.

Like RadFxSat/Fox-1B (now AMSAT-OSCAR 91) the RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E CubeSat
is a partnership opportunity between Vanderbilt University and AMSAT
and will carry a similar radiation effects experiment, studying new
FinFET technology.

The RadFxSat-2 spacecraft bus is built on the Fox-1 series, but Fox-1E
features a linear transponder upgrade to replace the standard FM
transponder in the Fox-1A - Fox-1D projects. In addition, the uplink
and downlink bands are reversed from the previous Fox satellites in a
mode V/u (J) configuration using a 2-meter uplink and 70-centimeter
downlink.

The telemetry downlink will be 435.750 MHz. The inverting linear
transponder uplink will be 145.860 MHz - 145.890 MHz. The inverting
linear transponder downlink will be 435.760 MHz - 435.790 MHz.

The telemetry downlink features a 1,200 bps BPSK channel to carry the
Vanderbilt science data, in addition to a 30 kHz wide transponder for
amateur radio use. Telemetry and experiment data can be decoded using
FoxTelem version 1.09 or later.

"Participation in telemetry collection by as many stations in as many
parts of the world as possible is essential, as AMSAT Engineering looks
for successful startup and indications of the general health and
function of the satellite as it begins to acclimate to space," AMSAT
said in announcing the possible launch window. "AMSAT will send a
commemorative 3D-printed QSL card to the first station capturing
telemetry from RadFxSat-2." -- Thanks to AMSAT
Nathan Simington Confirmed as Newest FCC Member

On a 49 - 46 vote, the US Senate on December 9 confirmed Nathan
Simington to be a Commissioner at the FCC. Simington previously served
as a senior advisor at the US Department of Commerce. Earlier, he was a
legal associate at various law firms, often specializing in finance.

Upon being sworn in, he will take the seat of Commissioner Michael
O'Rielly, whose renomination was pulled by President Donald Trump last
summer, shortly before it was to go to the Senate floor.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has announced that he will step down on January
20, opening a seat for incoming President Joe Biden to appoint a new
commissioner to form a new 3 - 2 Democratic majority. Biden then could
either designate that new commissioner as chairman, or select one of
the two sitting Democrats already on the Commission, Jessica
Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. Biden could also designate one of the
two sitting Democrats as Acting Chairman to manage the FCC until his
new pick has been confirmed by the Senate and sworn in. Until that
happens, the FCC will have a 2 - 2 party split.
Lee Finkel, KY7M, is New National Contest Journal Editor

Lee Finkel, KY7M, of Phoenix, Arizona, will begin his tenure as Editor
of National Contest Journal (NCJ) with the magazine's January/February
issue. An ARRL publication, NCJ is in its 48th year. Finkel, the 17th
Editor, takes over the reins from Scott Wright, KO/MD, a noted and
regular amateur radio contester, who has helmed NCJ since January 2017.

"My hope is that I will be able to build on Scott Wright's hard work
and that of my other predecessors, the very supportive ARRL staff, and
the impressive cadre of columnists and other writers, to continue
making NCJ a valuable resource for the contesting community," Finkel
said. Most contesters will recognize his call sign from his regular
contest activity. He's also been a contributing writer for NCJ and
other publications. A retired lawyer, mediator, arbitrator, and
educator, he and his family have lived in Arizona since 1981.

Licensed as WN9EBT in 1962 in Chicago, Finkel said it wasn't long
before he discovered contesting. His participation in the now-defunct
ARRL Communications Department (CD) Parties whetted his appetite for
contesting. He also discovered DX contests and his "still-favorite CW
Sweepstakes."

Finkel is a member of the First-Class CW Operators' Club (FOC) and
CWops, past Central Arizona DX Association (CADXA) president, and a
member of the Arizona Outlaws Contest Club (AOCC). He serves on the
Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) Board of Directors. He
frequently operates the Top Band Club of Arizona remote station, NA7TB,
originally built by Milt Jensen, N5IA (SK). Read more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 12) will feature
a discussion about storm spotting and SKYWARN, with Mike Corey, KI1U,
co-author of Storm Spotting and Amateur Radio, now in its third
edition.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 22) describes how some
companies are experimenting with gravity as a means of generating
electricity. Then, a discussion with ARRL Assistant Laboratory Manager
Bob Allison, WB1GCM, about how modern transceivers compare to vintage
models.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Announces New Book Releases

ARRL has released new editions of two books, Antenna Physics, and Storm
Spotting and Amateur Radio.

The second edition of Antenna Physics: An Introduction bridges the gap
between basic theory and graduate-level engineering texts. This latest
edition includes new material to help readers to better understand the
complexities of antenna theory.

The author is world-recognized antenna technology authority Robert J.
Zavrel, Jr., W7SX. This edition provides a guide to grasping a deeper
understanding of how antenna systems function. Zavrel clearly
communicates the theory and mathematics that form the foundations upon
which all antenna designs depend.

The second edition of Antenna Physics: An Introduction is available
from the ARRL Store or your ARRL Dealer. (ARRL Item no. 1359, ISBN:
978-1-62595-135-9, $34.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $29.95.)
Call 860-594-0355 or, toll-free in the US, 888-277-5289. It will also
be available for the Amazon Kindle.

The third edition of Storm Spotting and Amateur Radio is also now
available from ARRL. Storm spotting gives radio amateurs another way to
offer a public service by using their skills as communicators. In an
average year, the US experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms,
5,000 floods, and more than 1,000 tornadoes. During these weather
events, ham radio volunteers provide real-time information to partners
such as emergency managers and National Weather Service forecasters.

New in this edition are lessons learned and response reports from the
2017 hurricane season, among other things. Co-authors are University of
Mississippi Professor of Emergency Management Michael Corey, KI1U, and
former Embry Riddle Aeronautical University meteorology professor
Victor Morris, AH6WX, with Contributing Editor Rob Macedo, KD1CY.

The third edition of Storm Spotting and Amateur Radio is available from
the ARRL Store or your ARRL Dealer. ARRL Item no. 1410, ISBN:
978-1-62595-135-9, $22.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $19.95.)
Call 860-594-0355 or, toll-free in the US, 888-277-5289. Also available
in Amazon Kindle format.
First Solar Image from Hawaii Observatory Shows Sunspot Close-Up

The world's largest solar observatory, National Science Foundation
(NSF) Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, has released its
first image of a sunspot, capturing the phenomenon in striking detail.
The image, taken last January, is among the first solar images of the
new Solar Cycle 25. The telescope's 4-meter primary mirror will give
the best views of the sun from Earth throughout Solar Cycle 25. The
image was released along with the first of a series of Inouye-related
articles featured in the Solar Physics journal. As radio amateurs know,
sunspots and other solar activity can affect HF radio

The first sunspot image taken on
January 28, 2020 by the NSF's Inouye
Solar Telescope's Wave Front
Correction context viewer. The
sunspot is sculpted by a convergence
of intense magnetic fields and hot
gas boiling up from below.
[NSO/AURA/NSF, photo]

propagation, among other things, and they are where coronal mass
ejections (CMEs) and solar flares originate. The Inouye telescope is in
its final stages of construction.

"While the start of telescope operations has been slightly delayed due
to the impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic, this image represents
an early preview of the unprecedented capabilities that the facility
will bring to bear on our understanding of the sun," said David
Boboltz, NSF Inouye Solar Telescope Program Director. Solar Cycle 25 is
predicted to peak in mid-2025.

"With this solar cycle just beginning, we also enter the era of the
Inouye Solar Telescope," said Matt Mountain, President of the
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), the
organization that manages the National Solar Observatory and the Inouye
Solar Telescope. "We can now point the world's most advanced solar
telescope at the sun to capture and share incredibly detailed images
and add to our scientific insights about the sun's activity."

During the peak of Solar Cycle 24, 120 sunspots were tracked. Some 115
sunspots are predicted for the peak of Solar Cycle 25.

The new image encompasses an area on the sun's surface of some 10,000
miles across -- just a tiny part of the sun, but large enough to fit
Earth inside, the Inouye Solar Telescope said in its statement. Read
more. -- Thanks to the National Solar Observatory and news media
reports

ARRL 10-Meter Contest is this Weekend

The 2020 ARRL 10-Meter Contest is just ahead, December 12 - 13. Whether
you're new to the hobby or a seasoned operator, this event offers
something for radio amateurs of all experience levels, from Technician
to Amateur Extra.

If you're a recently licensed ham or a Technician-class licensee who
wants to get their first taste of HF contesting, remember that
Technicians have CW privileges from 28.0 to 28.3 MHz and SSB phone
privileges from 28.3 to 28.5 MHz.

This contest relies in part on winter E-skip, so propagation may favor
higher activity during daylight hours. Be on the lookout for unexpected
band openings and favorable propagation. Many operators have noticed
improved conditions in recent months.

The contest runs from 0000 UTC on December 12 and concludes at 2359 UTC
on December 13. Contest logs are due by 2359 UTC on December 20.
Complete rules and more information are on the ARRL website.
IARU Region 2 Executive Committee Approves Dues Reductions for
Member-Societies

The International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU R2) Executive
Committee (EC) approved dues reductions and holidays for
member-societies in Region 2 (the Americas). The action came as the R2
EC held its fifth and final virtual meeting of the year on November 18
to complete outstanding business from its three October sessions and to
approve the 2021 operating budget.

"Recognizing that the pandemic created many hardships for
member-societies and all amateurs in the Americas, the R2 EC approved a
1-year dues reduction for 2021," the EC said. Member-societies with
annual dues lower than $150 will get a dues holiday next year, while
larger societies will get a 50% dues reduction. The R2 EC said it's
able to allow the discounts because 2021 expenses are expected to be
lower, "primarily as travel restrictions have moved meeting attendance
to being held virtually."

The other major item of business was to review the Future Committee's
proposal to the IARU ministrative Council (AC). The committee was
formed to study and propose how IARU should be structured "to become
far more nimble and able to respond quickly to changes in the
telecommunications ecosystem," the EC said. Representing Region 2 at
the Executive Committee session were Committee Chair Ramón Santoyo,
XE1KK, and Secretary George Gorsline, VE3YV.

The very popular R2 workshops will be given a reboot in the new year,
focusing more on the needs of member-societies as well as on emergency
communication. Read more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check for upcoming webinars, and view previously recorded sessions. The
schedule is subject to change.

HF, VHF, and UHF Antennas for SOTA: Brian Betz, W7JET

What antenna should you use for activations? We will discuss and show
the different types of antennas used by activators, and show the pros
and cons of each type. The goal of the presentation is to help
activators make a good, informed antenna choice that suits them best.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Learn and Have Fun with Morse Code: Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, and Jim
Crites, W6JIM

Morse code, or "CW," is a popular ham radio operating mode. Learning CW
does not have to be an arduous or lonely experience. Learn, practice,
and enjoy CW with the methods used by the Long Island CW Club.

Thursday, December 17, 2020, 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday,
December 18)

QSLing in an Online World: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Learn all about the changing methods of QSLing in amateur radio,
including traditional paper QSL cards, and electronic QSLing, such as
Logbook of The World and eQSL.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Amateur Radio Logging: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Discover the advantages of keeping an electronic amateur radio log.
Find out why you may need more than one software program for
logging-contesting, digital modes, special events, and so on. Learn
about using one full-featured logging program to pull everything
together, interface with outside databases, handle electronic QSLing,
and more. The discussion will include file formats, importing and
exporting data between programs, submitting contest logs online, and
safe backup of data.

Thursday, January 14, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity quieted this week. The
average daily sunspot number declined from 57.6 to 28.9, and average
daily solar flux from 108.1 to 91.9. Average daily planetary A index
went from 6.4 to 4.4, and average daily middle latitude A index went
from 5.6 to 3.1.

Predicted solar flux for the next month is 82 on December 10 - 11; 84
on December 12 - 13; 80 on December 14 - 16; 82 and 88 on December 17 -
18; 92 on December 19 - 24; 94 on December 25 - 28; 96, 94, and 92 on
December 29 - 31; 90 on January 1 - 4; 88 on January 5 - 7, and 86 on
January 8 - 11.

The forecast for planetary A index shows 40 and 25 on December 10 - 11;
8 on December 12 - 13; 5 on December 14 - 17; 12, 20, and 8 on December
18 - 20; 5 on December 21 - 22; 8, 10, and 8 on December 23 - 25; 5 on
December 26 - January 5; 10 and 8 on January 6 - 7, and 5 on January 8
- 13.

A coronal mass ejection on December 7 was expected to spark a
geomagnetic storm on December 10 -- 11, which explains why the
planetary A index is predicted at 40, 25, 8, and 8 on December 10 --
13.

The ARRL 10-Meter Contest this weekend is much anticipated because of
recent increased solar activity. I'm hoping for the best!

Sunspot numbers for December 3 - 9 were 40, 38, 42, 25, 35, 11, and 11,
with a mean of 28.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 102.9, 95.8, 99.9,
90.9, 89.5, 82.4, and 82.1, with a mean of 91.9. Estimated planetary A
indices were 3, 2, 5, 6, 3, 5, and 7, with a mean of 4.4. Middle
latitude A index was 1, 1, 4, 4, 2, 4, and 6, with a mean of 3.1.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has announced a Get on
the air for Christmas (GOTA4C) initiative, shared on social media
with the hashtag #GOTA4C, December 19 - January 9. "[I]t will
bring together a few activities that radio amateurs can participate
in over the holiday period," RSGB said.
* The FCC, in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission and the
US Postal Service, will host a webinar about current COVID-19 scams
on Wednesday, December 16, starting at 1 PM EST (1800 UTC). It will
be streamed live.
* ON5AU has created a web page devoted to the memory of John
Devoldere, ON4UN (SK), an icon of low-band DXing, who died on
November 9.
* Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) says its
InterOperable Radio System (IORS), launched in March, has now been
in space about 6,655 hours and traveled some 116.5 million miles,
according to the Arduino-based Space Radio clock by Kerry Banke,
N6IZW, of the ARISS Hardware Team.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Australian Radio Amateurs Denied Access to 60 Meters

After considering several options for a 5 MHz amateur allocation, the
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has come down in
favor of national government interests. Following a consultation, ACMA
decided not to permit ham operation on the 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz band.
The 15 kHz-wide band was allocated to the amateur service on a
secondary basis in 2017, ACMA says, "unresolved sharing issues" have
prevented ham radio use of the band, used by more than 500 other
licensed services as well as by the Australian military."

"The ACMA recognizes the high level of interest shown by the amateur
community in adding this band and understands there will be
disappointment," the agency said.

Australia's International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-society,
the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), argued for amateur access to
5351.5 - 5365 kHz as a compromise. The WIA pointed out that more than
80 countries have been granted access to the band.

Radio amateurs in New Zealand lost access to 60 meters in late October.
Use of this band by radio amateurs there was provisional, allowing hams
to use two frequencies in the band -- 5353.0 kHz and 5362.0 kHz -- as
part of a trial.

In the US, ARRL proposed amateur access to a new, contiguous secondary
band at 5 MHz in a 2017 Petition for Rule Making. ARRL also asked the
FCC to retain shared access to four of the current five 60-meter
channels (one would be within the new band) as well as current
operating rules, including the 100 W PEP effective radiated power (ERP)
limit. The federal government is the primary user of the 5 MHz spectrum
in the US. Read more. -- Thanks to The 5 MHz Newsletter Editor Paul
Gaskell, G4MWO, for some information.

Transatlantic Tests Mark 99th Anniversary

On December 11, 1921, radio history was made when a signal from amateur
station 1BCG in Greenwich, Connecticut, was heard in Ardrossan,
Scotland, marking the first successful transatlantic radio transmission
using shortwave frequencies. Between 1921 and 1924, radio amateurs
experimented with transmitting across the Atlantic. Sponsored by ARRL,
the Transatlantic Tests aimed to prove that shorter wavelength
frequencies could propagate long distances using transmitters running
less than 1 kW. The initial run of the Transatlantic Tests was a
failure. For the second Transatlantic Tests, ARRL dispatched receiver
designer Paul Godley, 2ZE, considered one of the best of operators the
day, to Europe to listen for participating stations. His nine-tube
receiver employed the latest superheterodyne technology.

In one of those historical coincidences, during his voyage to England,
Godley met Harold Beverage, who convinced him to use a specially
designed, highly sensitive, directional 1,300-foot antenna, still
referred to as the Beverage antenna.

During a pre-event dinner arranged by his British hosts, Godley also
met wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi.

Over the course of the test period, more than two dozen stations were
heard between 230 and 235 meters, roughly 1.3 MHz in what is now the AM
broadcast band. Some utilized spark-gap transmitters, others employed
vacuum-tube CW transmitters. The one heard most consistently was the
1BCG CW transmitter operated by six members of the Radio Club Of
America -- Ernest Amy, 2VK; Edwin Armstrong; George Burghard, 2SS;
Minton Cronkhite, 1BCG; John Grinan, NJ2PZ, and Walker Inman, 2BGM.
From 1BCG, they transmitted their message at 2152 UTC (then GMT) on
December 11, 1921:

"No.1 de 1BCG. W-12 [Words 12], New York, Date 11/12-21, To Paul
Godley, Ardrossan, Scotland, Hearty Congratulations, Burghard, Inman,
Grinan, Armstrong, Amy, Cronkhite"

Reporting on the accomplishment, ARRL Secretary Kenneth B. Warner, 1EH,
declared, "Excelsior!" Read more. -- Thanks to Clark Burgard, N1BCG,
and Mike Marinaro, WN1M
In Brief...

Tennessee Centenarian Receives ARRL Centurion Award Elizabeth "Betty"
Oakberg, N4LZL, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, recently received the ARRL
Centurion Award. Now 102, Oakberg started in radio as a shortwave
listener (SWL) and earned her Novice-class license in the late 1970s,
when she neared retirement as an elementary school teacher. She
subsequently upgraded to her Amateur Extra-class license. During her
more active hamming years, she earned Worked All States (WAS), made the
DXCC Honor Roll, received the Austrian OE-100 Award, and contacted the
Mir space station, among other achievements. A longtime member of the
Oak Ridge Amateur Radio Club, she served as an officer for several
years and regularly participated in ARRL Field Day. She was also a
frequent check-in with the American Foreign Service Net. Oakberg
received the ARRL Centurion Award plaque in November, and once pandemic
restrictions ease, a formal presentation will be arranged. -- Thanks to
John Oakberg, NK4N

Neutron-1 CubeSat Signals Received Following the 3U Neutron-1 CubeSat's
deployment from the ISS on November 5, no signals were initially
received, but thanks to SatNOGS and the efforts of the amateur radio
community, several beacons were eventually received and decoded, AMSAT
News Service reports. The Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL) team
has concluded that the satellite was in a normally charging deep-sleep
mode. The team is working to decode the .wav files it's received. The
satellite's payload includes a V/U FM repeater during available times
and according to the spacecraft's power budget. The Neutron-1 science
payload, a small neutron detector developed by Arizona State
University, will focus on measurements of low-energy secondary neutrons
-- a component of the low-Earth-orbit neutron environment. -- Thanks to
AMSAT News Service via the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* December 12 - 13 -- ARRL 10-Meter Contest (CW, phone)
* December 12 - 14 -- PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint
(Digital)
* December 12 - 13 -- TRC Digi Contest
* December 12 - 13 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* December 12 - 13 -- International Naval Contest (CW, phone)
* December 13 -- QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint (CW)
* December 13 -- CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run (CW)
* December 14 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* December 16 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due
to the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on
the ARRL website.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

* December 11 - 12 -- Florida State Convention, Plant City, Florida

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2020 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
December 17, 2020

* SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020 Deemed A Success
* SSTV Event to Help ARISS Mark 20 Years of Continuous Ham Radio
Operation in Space
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Oregon ARRL VEC Testing Group Offers Testing from the Comfort of
Your Car
* Announcements
* The ARRL RTTY Roundup is January 2 - 3
* SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Cancelled
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Reverse Beacon Network Leveraging Yasme Foundation Grant for
Expansion
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

-------------------------------------------------------------------

* Due to severe winter weather, ARRL Headquarters is closed on
Thursday, December 17 for the safety of our staff. Headquarters
management expects that things will be back to normal on Friday,
December 18.
* Because of the holidays, this will be the final edition of The ARRL
Letter for 2020. The ARRL Letter will return on January 7. ARRL
Audio News will be available on December 18, and then go on hiatus
until January 8.
* Logbook of The World (LoTW), ARRL's online QSO confirmation system,
will undergo scheduled maintenance beginning Monday, December 21,
at 2300 UTC (6 PM EST) for approximately 6 hours. LoTW will be
offline and unavailable while the system's server is upgraded to
new hardware. Thank you for your understanding.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020 Deemed A Success

Judging by the list of more than 700 registered participants,
SKYWARN^(R) Recognition Day (SRD) on December 5 was a success.
Cosponsored by ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS), SRD
recognizes radio amateurs for the vital public service they provide
during severe weather. Participants ranged from NWS offices, radio
amateurs, non-amateur radio spotters, and non-SKYWARN spotters. Radio
amateurs -- the first SKYWARN volunteers -- comprise a large percentage
of SKYWARN volunteers across the country, providing vital communication
between the NWS and emergency management in the event that
telecommunication systems are knocked out.

The NWS Milwaukee Forecast Office reported more than 150 contacts
logged across 35 states. The NWS office in Springfield, Missouri,
tweeted, "What would SKYWARN Recognition Day be without a special
thanks to the net control operators?" The NWS office in Chicago
tweeted, "SKYWARN Recognition Day has come to an end; thanking everyone
for attending and to all of our spotters across the nation."

SKYWARN Recognition Day planner and organizer Michael Lewis, KG4KJQ,
who is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist in the northern Indiana
NWS Forecast Office, expressed appreciation to the SRD Planning Team
and the Facebook livestream presenters for helping to make the event a
success. The NWS Forecast Office in northern Indiana registered 34
radio amateurs. The office serves 37 counties in northern Indiana,
southwest lower Michigan, and northwest Ohio.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, SRD was handled a little differently than
in the past. Normally, radio amateurs participate from their home
stations and from stations at NWS forecast offices, with the goal of
contacting as many NWS forecast offices as possible. This year,
participation from NWS forecast offices was minimal, and the focus
shifted to contacting as many SKYWARN trained spotters as possible. New
this year, SRD was opened to all SKYWARN spotters, and a SKYWARN
Recognition Day Facebook page was created, hosting a variety of live
and recorded segments throughout the day. -- Thanks to the ARRL ARES
Letter
SSTV Event to Help ARISS Mark 20 Years of Continuous Ham Radio
Operation in Space

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will continue
its year-long 20th anniversary celebration of continuous ham radio
operation from the ISS this month, with a slow-scan television (SSTV)
event over the holidays. The first ARISS school contact took place in
December 2000, not long after the first ISS crew arrived on station a
month earlier and had made test contacts. The commemorative
late-December SSTV event will be held December 24 through December 31,
although dates are subject to change. The frequency will be 145.800
MHz, using SSTV PD-120 mode. Over its 20 years, ARISS has supported
nearly 1,400 scheduled ham radio contacts with schools, student groups,
and other education organizations.

"ARISS would not be the complex and growing program of education,
operations, and hardware were it not for ARRL, AMSAT, NASA, and the ISS
National Lab (INL)," said Rosalie White, K1STO, ARISS-US Delegate
representing ARRL. "For these past 20 years and for the years to come,
when we grow into lunar ham radio opportunities and more, the ARISS
team will continue to be grateful to ARRL and all our sponsors. We
could not do it without you!"

The ARISS ham radio gear, for what would become NA1SS on board the
station, arrived ahead of the Expedition 1 crew, headed by Bill
Shepherd, KD5GSL. Shepherd made the first ARISS school contact with
students at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Illinois on December
21, 2000. NASA has marked the ARISS milestone with an infographic
highlighting the educational contacts via amateur radio between
astronaut crew members aboard the ISS and students.

ARISS will continue to sponsor various commemorative events through
November 2021, including more of the very popular ARISS SSTV sessions.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of ham radio on the space
station, ARISS took part in the ISS Research and Development Conference
(ISSRDC) panel session, "20 Years of STEM Experiments on the ISS." A
video developed for the session describes the program, conveys some key
lessons learned over the past 20 years, and describes the ARISS team's
vision for the future.

"Twenty years of continuous operations is a phenomenal accomplishment,"
said ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who's been with the
program from the start. "But what makes it even more extraordinary is
that ARISS has achieved this through hundreds of volunteers who are
passionate in paying it forward to our youth and ham radio community.
On behalf of the ARISS International team, I would like to express our
heartfelt thanks to every volunteer who has made ARISS such an amazing
success over the past 20 years. Your passion, drive, creativity, and
spirit made it happen."

In September, ARISS announced that the initial element of its
next-generation Interoperable Radio System (IORS) had been installed in
the ISS Columbus module, replacing outmoded and problematic station
gear.

A helpful addition to the ARISS website is a "Current Status of ISS
Stations," which reports the present or coming operating mode of ARISS
radios in the Columbus and Service modules. Click on "General Contacts"
and then "Current Status of ISS Stations" on the drop-down menu of the
ARISS website to access the reports.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 12) features a
discussion about storm spotting and SKYWARN, with Mike Corey, KI1U.

The latest episode of Eclectic Tech (Episode 23) includes a story about
6th-generation wireless networking, and a discussion with W1AW Station

Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, about the technology in use at W1AW.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Oregon ARRL VEC Testing Group Offers Testing from the Comfort of Your
Car

Volunteer Examiners in Grant County, Oregon, affiliated with the ARRL
Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC), put their heads together to
overcome adversity and hold a safe and secure drive-in exam session
that took pandemic precautions into account. Current health regulations
in Oregon precluded both indoor and outdoor gatherings, so the Grant
County Amateur Radio Club, the local ARES Group, and the Grant County
Emergency Radio Infrastructure Coalition (ERIC) combined forces to
offer five candidates the chance to obtain their first license or to
upgrade their existing license, all from the comfort of their vehicles.

"Many amateur radio clubs have experimented with exams via the
internet," said Steve Fletcher, K7AA, who is the ARES Emergency
Coordinator for Grant County. "In eastern Oregon, with the cooperation
of the County Roads Department, we chose to hold a 'drive-up' exam
session on Saturday, December 12. Under the circumstances, we used four
ARRL VEs for the exam instead of the required three." Wheeler County
ARES loaned Stuart Bottom, K7FG, to help as the third required Amateur
Extra-class Volunteer Examiner.

Fletcher reports three new Technician-class licensees and two new
General-class radio amateurs resulted from the session.

Required ARRL VEC forms contained pre-printed data -- including the FCC
Registration Number (FRN) -- were given to the candidates on a
clipboard. Each candidate took the exam in the front seat of their own
vehicle. Cell phones, papers, and anything not required for the exam
were removed.

"Everyone dressed warmly, and most candidates had their heaters
running," Fletcher reported. A camper owned by Ronda Metler, KB5LAX,
and a communications van owned by Fletcher served as sites to check
results and sign forms.

The Grant County Roads Department loaned its parking area for the exam
session. Thanks to Steve Fletcher, K7AA; photos courtesy of Thomas
Dekany

Announcements
* The summer/autumn edition (No. 25) of The 5 MHz Newsletter is now
available for download in PDF. A newsletter archive is maintained.
-- Thanks to editor Paul Gaskell, G4MWO
* CWops is accepting award nominations for the 2021 CWops Award for
vancing the Art of CW. The award recognizes individuals, groups,
or organizations that have made the greatest contribution toward
advancing the art or practice of radio communications by Morse
code. More details are on the ARRL website.
* As he has done each December for the past few years, Brian Justin,
WA1ZMS, of Forest, Virginia, will transmit a program on 486 kHz,
under authority of his FCC Part 5 Experimental License WI2XLQ, to
commemorate wireless pioneer Reginald Fessenden's accomplishments.
Justin will transmit for at least 24 hours starting at around 1800
UTC on December 24. Fessenden claimed to have made his first voice
-- and music -- broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1906 from Brant Rock,
Massachusetts, although his account is disputed.
* The WINTERHEAT VHF/UHF simplex event will take place during
January. The event is open to participants in Illinois, Michigan,
Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin. -- Thanks to
Jesse Hunter, W9ABS
* HamAlert will notify you when a desired station appears on the DX
cluster, the Reverse Beacon Network, or PSK Reporter. Alerts are
available via email, push notification, text message, or URL
GET/POST. Registration is free.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL RTTY Roundup is January 2 - 3

The 2021 ARRL RTTY Roundup on January 2 - 3 features two new
multioperator categories: multi-two (M2) and multi-multi (MM). Because
M2 and MM are new categories, there are no existing records, so the
high scores for these categories will, by default, become the new
records. High scores are kept by US call area, ARRL Division, ARRL
Section, Canadian Province, and DX entity. Visit the ARRL Contest web
page to see the current ARRL RTTY Roundup all-time records.

If you're new to RTTY or digital modes, in the RTTY Roundup, operators
worldwide contact and exchange QSO information with other amateurs
using Baudot RTTY, PSK, FT8/FT4, ASCII, AMTOR, and Packet. Automated
operation is not permitted; each claimed contact must include
contemporaneous direct initiation by the operator on both sides of the
contact.

If you have to look outside your immediate household for M2 or MM
operators and you're already set up for RTTY or FT8/FT4, consider
staying safe and letting other team members access your station
remotely via AnyDesk or another sharing technology. The key to making
this easy and frustration-free for all involved is that all aspects of
your station's operation be controllable from your logging computer's
desktop, and that the RTTY audio be audible to the remote operator (if
using RTTY) via the sharing software.

It is possible to do RTTY without listening to the receiver and just by
watching the decode and X - Y or waterfall, but it's not recommended.
Many, if not most, RTTY operators prefer low-level audio to signal when
other stations are transmitting. For those using FTx modes, all you
really need is the screen display.

Contacts must be made on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. Any station may
work any other station. Stations may be worked once per band,
regardless of mode. The ARRL RTTY Roundup begins at 1800 UTC on January
2 and wraps at 2359 UTC on January -- Thanks to Brian Moran, N9ADG, and
Paul Bourque, N1SFE

SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Cancelled

There will be no Christmas Eve transmission from SAQ, the Alexanderson
Alternator transmitting station in Sweden. The Grimeton World Heritage
Foundation and Alexander GVV Friends Association cited "prevailing
circumstances in our society" for the event cancellation.

"We find it sad to have to make this decision, but see it as a
necessary measure to protect everyone involved," the announcement
continued. Past SAQ transmission events are chronicled on YouTube. "We
truly regret this and hope for your understanding of the situation and
continued support for the business. We hope that 'our old lady' can
soon be heard on the air again," the announcement concluded.

The vintage Alexanderson Alternator provided an electromechanical means
of transmitting message traffic. It dates back to the early 1920s.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The schedule is subject to change.

Learn and Have Fun with Morse Code: Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, and Jim
Crites, W6JIM

Morse code, or "CW," is a popular ham radio operating mode. Learning CW
does not have to be an arduous or lonely experience. Learn, practice,
and enjoy CW with the methods used by the Long Island CW Club.

Thursday, December 17, 2020, 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday,
December 18)

QSLing in an Online World: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Learn all about the changing methods of QSLing in amateur radio,
including traditional paper QSL cards, and electronic QSLing methods,
such as Logbook of The World and eQSL.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Amateur Radio Logging: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Discover the advantages of keeping an electronic amateur radio log.
Find out why you may need more than one software program for
logging-contesting, digital modes, special events, and more. Learn
about using one full-featured logging program to pull everything
together, interface with outside databases, handle electronic QSLing,
and so on. The discussion will include file formats, importing and
exporting data between programs, submitting contest logs online, and
safe backup of data.

Thursday, January 7, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

VHF/UHF Contesting and SOTA; A Perfect Match: Brian Betz, W7JET

Explore the challenge of VHF UHF contesting and the success of the
large-scale participation of SOTA Summit activators in Arizona for the
January VHF contest.

Thursday, January 14, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Emergency Communications: Why Train? North Texas Section Emergency
Coordinator Greg Evans, K5GTX

Why should we train? Utilizing amateur radio operators in an emergency
communication situation is a key function that can save lives. We must
be able to respond to the needs of our served agencies quickly and
responsibly. Topics covered include: Incident Command System and its
relevance; building on consistent training; interoperability with
multiple communication providers; interoperability with VOAD and
partners, and Mission One: Get the information delivered.

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Reverse Beacon Network Leveraging Yasme Foundation Grant for Expansion

The Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) is taking advantage of a grant from
the Yasme Foundation, in cooperation with Amateur Radio Digital
Communications (ARDC), to add 15 more nodes. RBN is a global system of
software-defined radio receivers that monitor amateur radio bands and
report CW, RTTY, and FT4/FT8 signals to a central, searchable database.
In October, a Yasme-funded node was successfully installed in Tunisia,
bolstering RBN representation in northern Africa. ditional nodes are
planned for Algeria and Libya. The success of this small program led to
the global 15-node project to expand the RBN into such
under-represented areas as the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Central
Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Selections were guided by the
research community at HamSCI, whose website provides a forum for
researchers and amateurs to interact and conduct studies and
experiments.

"By adding stations in these areas, the network's data quality and
coverage are improved to allow better analysis of events and openings
beyond what was previously available," Yasme Foundation President Ward
Silver, N0AX, said. "This large and growing database of records
supports scientific research and allows hams to be more effective on
the air and in planning operations and station design."

Silver said researchers are particularly interested in the RBN data
because it covers such a wide area with so many stations, a capability
unusual in research. Silver also noted that the RBN project has
resulted in many volunteers working together around the globe. "The RBN
team deserves a lot of credit for creating an important asset that
combines amateur radio and science in the best traditions of both," he
said. "We look forward to helping keep that spirit alive and well." --
Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX, and DX Engineering

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity has declined recently,
with average daily sunspot numbers slipping in recent weeks from 57.6
to 28.9 and then 17.4 over this past week. Solar flux averages also
slipped from 108.1 to 91.9 to 82.1 over the past week.

The latest solar flux prediction also appears soft, with predicted
values over the next 45 days at 82 on December 17 - 23; 83 on December
24; 86 on December 25 - 28; 85, 84, and 83 on December 29 - 31; 82 on
January 1 - January 10; 83, 83, and 84 on January 11 - 13; 85 on
January 14 - 20; 86 on January 21 - 24; 85, 84, and 83 on January 25 -
27, and 82 on January 28 - 30.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on December 17; 5 on December 18 - 20;
12, 8, 8, 5, and 8 on December 21 - 25; 5 on December 26 - January 4;
10 on January 5 - 6; 5 on January 7 - 12; 8 on January 13; 5 on January
14 - 16; 10, 12, and 10 on January 17 - 19; 8 on January 20 - 21, and 5
on January 21 - 30.

The National Science Foundation has published an article, "New sunspot
cycle could be one of the strongest on record."

Sunspot numbers for December 10 through 16 were 11, 11, 24, 14, 25, 25,
and 12, with a mean of 17.4. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 81.5, 83.3,
81.8, 80.6, 83, 82.9, and 81.9, with a mean of 82.1. Estimated
planetary A indices were 8, 7, 4, 5, 3, 3, and 3, with a mean of 4.7.
Middle latitude A index was 6, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, and 3, with a mean of
3.3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit VOACAP Online for Ham Radio.

Share your reports and observations.
In Brief...

During the 3rd Quarter of 2020, ARRL Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program
volunteers spent more than 6,100 hours poring over the amateur bands.
The VM Program issued 15 Good Operator Letters. "Volunteers are in the
chair monitoring, recognizing exemplary operators and admonishing those
who need to pay closer attention to their operating practices," said
Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, the VM Program Coordinator. The VM Program
referred two cases to the FCC while accepting two cases from the FCC
for investigation. Developed in partnership with the FCC, the VM
Program routinely maintains contact with the FCC and took part in three
meetings during the 3rd Quarter with FCC Enforcement Bureau personnel.

You Shop, Amazon Gives! Thank you for shopping smile.amazon.com. With
your help, Amazon has donated more than $45,870 to ARRL since 2014,
helping ARRL to extend its reach in public service, advocacy,
education, technology, and membership. With just a few shopping days
left, as you shop for those final gifts, we invite you to continue to
choose ARRL as your charity of choice. Bookmark ARRL's link and support
amateur radio and ARRL the remainder of this holiday season and every
time you shop.

Contest University to Host Propagation Summit Several radio propagation
experts will share their knowledge during a Propagation Summit via
Zoom, sponsored by Contest University (CTU). The event is scheduled for
January 23, 2021. The presentation schedule includes: "Update on the
Personal Space Weather Station Project and HamSCI Activities for 2021"
with Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, at 11 AM EST (1600 UTC); "Solar Cycle
25 Predictions and Progress" with Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, at noon
(1700 UTC); "Maximizing Performance of HF Antennas with Irregular
Terrain" with Jim Breakall, WA3FET, at 1 PM EST (1800 UTC), and "HF
Ionospheric Propagation" with Frank Donovan, W3LPL, at 2 PM EST (1900
UTC). Registration is free. An Icom IC-705 will be raffled off as a
door prize. The winner must be present on Zoom to win. -- Thanks to CTU
Chair Tim Duffy, K3LR

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* December 18 -- AGB-Party Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* December 18 -- Russian 160-Meter Contest (CW, phone)
* December 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* December 19 -- OK DX RTTY Contest
* December 19 -- RAC Winter Contest (CW, phone)
* December 19 - 20 -- Croatian CW Contest
* December 20 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW
* December 20 - 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* December 23 -- SKCC Sprint CW
* December 26 -- Gedebage CW Contest
* December 26 -- DARC Christmas Contest (CW, phone)
* December 26 - 27 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
* December 27 -- RAEM Contest (CW)
* December 31 -- Bogor Old and New Contest (Phone)
* January 1 -- Straight Key Night
* January 1 -- AGB New Year Snowball Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* January 1 -- SARTG New Year RTTY Contest
* January 1 -- QRP ARCI New Years Sprint (CW)
* January 2 -- PODXS 070 Club PSKFest
* January 2 - 3 -- PMC Contest (CW, phone)
* January 2 - 3 -- Original QRP Contest (CW)
* January 2 -- ARRL Kids Day (Phone)
* January 2 - 3 -- ARRL RTTY Roundup
* January 2 - 3 -- EUCW 160-Meter Contest (CW)
* January 5 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* January 6 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 6 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* January 6 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 6 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
* January 6 - 10 -- AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest
* January 7 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 7 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* January 7 -- SKCC Sprint Europe

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* January 9 -- Ham Radio University NLI Section Convention (online)
* January 29 - 31 -- Puerto Rico State Convention
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2020 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
December 17, 2020

* SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020 Deemed A Success
* SSTV Event to Help ARISS Mark 20 Years of Continuous Ham Radio
Operation in Space
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Oregon ARRL VEC Testing Group Offers Testing from the Comfort of
Your Car
* Announcements
* The ARRL RTTY Roundup is January 2 - 3
* SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Cancelled
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Reverse Beacon Network Leveraging Yasme Foundation Grant for
Expansion
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

-------------------------------------------------------------------

* Due to severe winter weather, ARRL Headquarters is closed on
Thursday, December 17 for the safety of our staff. Headquarters
management expects that things will be back to normal on Friday,
December 18.
* Because of the holidays, this will be the final edition of The ARRL
Letter for 2020. The ARRL Letter will return on January 7. ARRL
Audio News will be available on December 18, and then go on hiatus
until January 8.
* Logbook of The World (LoTW), ARRL's online QSO confirmation system,
will undergo scheduled maintenance beginning Monday, December 21,
at 2300 UTC (6 PM EST) for approximately 6 hours. LoTW will be
offline and unavailable while the system's server is upgraded to
new hardware. Thank you for your understanding.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020 Deemed A Success

Judging by the list of more than 700 registered participants,
SKYWARN^(R) Recognition Day (SRD) on December 5 was a success.
Cosponsored by ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS), SRD
recognizes radio amateurs for the vital public service they provide
during severe weather. Participants ranged from NWS offices, radio
amateurs, non-amateur radio spotters, and non-SKYWARN spotters. Radio
amateurs -- the first SKYWARN volunteers -- comprise a large percentage
of SKYWARN volunteers across the country, providing vital communication
between the NWS and emergency management in the event that
telecommunication systems are knocked out.

The NWS Milwaukee Forecast Office reported more than 150 contacts
logged across 35 states. The NWS office in Springfield, Missouri,
tweeted, "What would SKYWARN Recognition Day be without a special
thanks to the net control operators?" The NWS office in Chicago
tweeted, "SKYWARN Recognition Day has come to an end; thanking everyone
for attending and to all of our spotters across the nation."

SKYWARN Recognition Day planner and organizer Michael Lewis, KG4KJQ,
who is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist in the northern Indiana
NWS Forecast Office, expressed appreciation to the SRD Planning Team
and the Facebook livestream presenters for helping to make the event a
success. The NWS Forecast Office in northern Indiana registered 34
radio amateurs. The office serves 37 counties in northern Indiana,
southwest lower Michigan, and northwest Ohio.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, SRD was handled a little differently than
in the past. Normally, radio amateurs participate from their home
stations and from stations at NWS forecast offices, with the goal of
contacting as many NWS forecast offices as possible. This year,
participation from NWS forecast offices was minimal, and the focus
shifted to contacting as many SKYWARN trained spotters as possible. New
this year, SRD was opened to all SKYWARN spotters, and a SKYWARN
Recognition Day Facebook page was created, hosting a variety of live
and recorded segments throughout the day. -- Thanks to the ARRL ARES
Letter
SSTV Event to Help ARISS Mark 20 Years of Continuous Ham Radio
Operation in Space

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will continue
its year-long 20th anniversary celebration of continuous ham radio
operation from the ISS this month, with a slow-scan television (SSTV)
event over the holidays. The first ARISS school contact took place in
December 2000, not long after the first ISS crew arrived on station a
month earlier and had made test contacts. The commemorative
late-December SSTV event will be held December 24 through December 31,
although dates are subject to change. The frequency will be 145.800
MHz, using SSTV PD-120 mode. Over its 20 years, ARISS has supported
nearly 1,400 scheduled ham radio contacts with schools, student groups,
and other education organizations.

"ARISS would not be the complex and growing program of education,
operations, and hardware were it not for ARRL, AMSAT, NASA, and the ISS
National Lab (INL)," said Rosalie White, K1STO, ARISS-US Delegate
representing ARRL. "For these past 20 years and for the years to come,
when we grow into lunar ham radio opportunities and more, the ARISS
team will continue to be grateful to ARRL and all our sponsors. We
could not do it without you!"

The ARISS ham radio gear, for what would become NA1SS on board the
station, arrived ahead of the Expedition 1 crew, headed by Bill
Shepherd, KD5GSL. Shepherd made the first ARISS school contact with
students at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Illinois on December
21, 2000. NASA has marked the ARISS milestone with an infographic
highlighting the educational contacts via amateur radio between
astronaut crew members aboard the ISS and students.

ARISS will continue to sponsor various commemorative events through
November 2021, including more of the very popular ARISS SSTV sessions.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of ham radio on the space
station, ARISS took part in the ISS Research and Development Conference
(ISSRDC) panel session, "20 Years of STEM Experiments on the ISS." A
video developed for the session describes the program, conveys some key
lessons learned over the past 20 years, and describes the ARISS team's
vision for the future.

"Twenty years of continuous operations is a phenomenal accomplishment,"
said ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who's been with the
program from the start. "But what makes it even more extraordinary is
that ARISS has achieved this through hundreds of volunteers who are
passionate in paying it forward to our youth and ham radio community.
On behalf of the ARISS International team, I would like to express our
heartfelt thanks to every volunteer who has made ARISS such an amazing
success over the past 20 years. Your passion, drive, creativity, and
spirit made it happen."

In September, ARISS announced that the initial element of its
next-generation Interoperable Radio System (IORS) had been installed in
the ISS Columbus module, replacing outmoded and problematic station
gear.

A helpful addition to the ARISS website is a "Current Status of ISS
Stations," which reports the present or coming operating mode of ARISS
radios in the Columbus and Service modules. Click on "General Contacts"
and then "Current Status of ISS Stations" on the drop-down menu of the
ARISS website to access the reports.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 12) features a
discussion about storm spotting and SKYWARN, with Mike Corey, KI1U.

The latest episode of Eclectic Tech (Episode 23) includes a story about
6th-generation wireless networking, and a discussion with W1AW Station

Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, about the technology in use at W1AW.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Oregon ARRL VEC Testing Group Offers Testing from the Comfort of Your
Car

Volunteer Examiners in Grant County, Oregon, affiliated with the ARRL
Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC), put their heads together to
overcome adversity and hold a safe and secure drive-in exam session
that took pandemic precautions into account. Current health regulations
in Oregon precluded both indoor and outdoor gatherings, so the Grant
County Amateur Radio Club, the local ARES Group, and the Grant County
Emergency Radio Infrastructure Coalition (ERIC) combined forces to
offer five candidates the chance to obtain their first license or to
upgrade their existing license, all from the comfort of their vehicles.

"Many amateur radio clubs have experimented with exams via the
internet," said Steve Fletcher, K7AA, who is the ARES Emergency
Coordinator for Grant County. "In eastern Oregon, with the cooperation
of the County Roads Department, we chose to hold a 'drive-up' exam
session on Saturday, December 12. Under the circumstances, we used four
ARRL VEs for the exam instead of the required three." Wheeler County
ARES loaned Stuart Bottom, K7FG, to help as the third required Amateur
Extra-class Volunteer Examiner.

Fletcher reports three new Technician-class licensees and two new
General-class radio amateurs resulted from the session.

Required ARRL VEC forms contained pre-printed data -- including the FCC
Registration Number (FRN) -- were given to the candidates on a
clipboard. Each candidate took the exam in the front seat of their own
vehicle. Cell phones, papers, and anything not required for the exam
were removed.

"Everyone dressed warmly, and most candidates had their heaters
running," Fletcher reported. A camper owned by Ronda Metler, KB5LAX,
and a communications van owned by Fletcher served as sites to check
results and sign forms.

The Grant County Roads Department loaned its parking area for the exam
session. Thanks to Steve Fletcher, K7AA; photos courtesy of Thomas
Dekany

Announcements
* The summer/autumn edition (No. 25) of The 5 MHz Newsletter is now
available for download in PDF. A newsletter archive is maintained.
-- Thanks to editor Paul Gaskell, G4MWO
* CWops is accepting award nominations for the 2021 CWops Award for
vancing the Art of CW. The award recognizes individuals, groups,
or organizations that have made the greatest contribution toward
advancing the art or practice of radio communications by Morse
code. More details are on the ARRL website.
* As he has done each December for the past few years, Brian Justin,
WA1ZMS, of Forest, Virginia, will transmit a program on 486 kHz,
under authority of his FCC Part 5 Experimental License WI2XLQ, to
commemorate wireless pioneer Reginald Fessenden's accomplishments.
Justin will transmit for at least 24 hours starting at around 1800
UTC on December 24. Fessenden claimed to have made his first voice
-- and music -- broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1906 from Brant Rock,
Massachusetts, although his account is disputed.
* The WINTERHEAT VHF/UHF simplex event will take place during
January. The event is open to participants in Illinois, Michigan,
Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin. -- Thanks to
Jesse Hunter, W9ABS
* HamAlert will notify you when a desired station appears on the DX
cluster, the Reverse Beacon Network, or PSK Reporter. Alerts are
available via email, push notification, text message, or URL
GET/POST. Registration is free.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL RTTY Roundup is January 2 - 3

The 2021 ARRL RTTY Roundup on January 2 - 3 features two new
multioperator categories: multi-two (M2) and multi-multi (MM). Because
M2 and MM are new categories, there are no existing records, so the
high scores for these categories will, by default, become the new
records. High scores are kept by US call area, ARRL Division, ARRL
Section, Canadian Province, and DX entity. Visit the ARRL Contest web
page to see the current ARRL RTTY Roundup all-time records.

If you're new to RTTY or digital modes, in the RTTY Roundup, operators
worldwide contact and exchange QSO information with other amateurs
using Baudot RTTY, PSK, FT8/FT4, ASCII, AMTOR, and Packet. Automated
operation is not permitted; each claimed contact must include
contemporaneous direct initiation by the operator on both sides of the
contact.

If you have to look outside your immediate household for M2 or MM
operators and you're already set up for RTTY or FT8/FT4, consider
staying safe and letting other team members access your station
remotely via AnyDesk or another sharing technology. The key to making
this easy and frustration-free for all involved is that all aspects of
your station's operation be controllable from your logging computer's
desktop, and that the RTTY audio be audible to the remote operator (if
using RTTY) via the sharing software.

It is possible to do RTTY without listening to the receiver and just by
watching the decode and X - Y or waterfall, but it's not recommended.
Many, if not most, RTTY operators prefer low-level audio to signal when
other stations are transmitting. For those using FTx modes, all you
really need is the screen display.

Contacts must be made on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. Any station may
work any other station. Stations may be worked once per band,
regardless of mode. The ARRL RTTY Roundup begins at 1800 UTC on January
2 and wraps at 2359 UTC on January -- Thanks to Brian Moran, N9ADG, and
Paul Bourque, N1SFE

SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Cancelled

There will be no Christmas Eve transmission from SAQ, the Alexanderson
Alternator transmitting station in Sweden. The Grimeton World Heritage
Foundation and Alexander GVV Friends Association cited "prevailing
circumstances in our society" for the event cancellation.

"We find it sad to have to make this decision, but see it as a
necessary measure to protect everyone involved," the announcement
continued. Past SAQ transmission events are chronicled on YouTube. "We
truly regret this and hope for your understanding of the situation and
continued support for the business. We hope that 'our old lady' can
soon be heard on the air again," the announcement concluded.

The vintage Alexanderson Alternator provided an electromechanical means
of transmitting message traffic. It dates back to the early 1920s.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The schedule is subject to change.

Learn and Have Fun with Morse Code: Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, and Jim
Crites, W6JIM

Morse code, or "CW," is a popular ham radio operating mode. Learning CW
does not have to be an arduous or lonely experience. Learn, practice,
and enjoy CW with the methods used by the Long Island CW Club.

Thursday, December 17, 2020, 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday,
December 18)

QSLing in an Online World: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Learn all about the changing methods of QSLing in amateur radio,
including traditional paper QSL cards, and electronic QSLing methods,
such as Logbook of The World and eQSL.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Amateur Radio Logging: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Discover the advantages of keeping an electronic amateur radio log.
Find out why you may need more than one software program for
logging-contesting, digital modes, special events, and more. Learn
about using one full-featured logging program to pull everything
together, interface with outside databases, handle electronic QSLing,
and so on. The discussion will include file formats, importing and
exporting data between programs, submitting contest logs online, and
safe backup of data.

Thursday, January 7, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

VHF/UHF Contesting and SOTA; A Perfect Match: Brian Betz, W7JET

Explore the challenge of VHF UHF contesting and the success of the
large-scale participation of SOTA Summit activators in Arizona for the
January VHF contest.

Thursday, January 14, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Emergency Communications: Why Train? North Texas Section Emergency
Coordinator Greg Evans, K5GTX

Why should we train? Utilizing amateur radio operators in an emergency
communication situation is a key function that can save lives. We must
be able to respond to the needs of our served agencies quickly and
responsibly. Topics covered include: Incident Command System and its
relevance; building on consistent training; interoperability with
multiple communication providers; interoperability with VOAD and
partners, and Mission One: Get the information delivered.

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Reverse Beacon Network Leveraging Yasme Foundation Grant for Expansion

The Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) is taking advantage of a grant from
the Yasme Foundation, in cooperation with Amateur Radio Digital
Communications (ARDC), to add 15 more nodes. RBN is a global system of
software-defined radio receivers that monitor amateur radio bands and
report CW, RTTY, and FT4/FT8 signals to a central, searchable database.
In October, a Yasme-funded node was successfully installed in Tunisia,
bolstering RBN representation in northern Africa. ditional nodes are
planned for Algeria and Libya. The success of this small program led to
the global 15-node project to expand the RBN into such
under-represented areas as the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Central
Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Selections were guided by the
research community at HamSCI, whose website provides a forum for
researchers and amateurs to interact and conduct studies and
experiments.

"By adding stations in these areas, the network's data quality and
coverage are improved to allow better analysis of events and openings
beyond what was previously available," Yasme Foundation President Ward
Silver, N0AX, said. "This large and growing database of records
supports scientific research and allows hams to be more effective on
the air and in planning operations and station design."

Silver said researchers are particularly interested in the RBN data
because it covers such a wide area with so many stations, a capability
unusual in research. Silver also noted that the RBN project has
resulted in many volunteers working together around the globe. "The RBN
team deserves a lot of credit for creating an important asset that
combines amateur radio and science in the best traditions of both," he
said. "We look forward to helping keep that spirit alive and well." --
Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX, and DX Engineering

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity has declined recently,
with average daily sunspot numbers slipping in recent weeks from 57.6
to 28.9 and then 17.4 over this past week. Solar flux averages also
slipped from 108.1 to 91.9 to 82.1 over the past week.

The latest solar flux prediction also appears soft, with predicted
values over the next 45 days at 82 on December 17 - 23; 83 on December
24; 86 on December 25 - 28; 85, 84, and 83 on December 29 - 31; 82 on
January 1 - January 10; 83, 83, and 84 on January 11 - 13; 85 on
January 14 - 20; 86 on January 21 - 24; 85, 84, and 83 on January 25 -
27, and 82 on January 28 - 30.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on December 17; 5 on December 18 - 20;
12, 8, 8, 5, and 8 on December 21 - 25; 5 on December 26 - January 4;
10 on January 5 - 6; 5 on January 7 - 12; 8 on January 13; 5 on January
14 - 16; 10, 12, and 10 on January 17 - 19; 8 on January 20 - 21, and 5
on January 21 - 30.

The National Science Foundation has published an article, "New sunspot
cycle could be one of the strongest on record."

Sunspot numbers for December 10 through 16 were 11, 11, 24, 14, 25, 25,
and 12, with a mean of 17.4. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 81.5, 83.3,
81.8, 80.6, 83, 82.9, and 81.9, with a mean of 82.1. Estimated
planetary A indices were 8, 7, 4, 5, 3, 3, and 3, with a mean of 4.7.
Middle latitude A index was 6, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, and 3, with a mean of
3.3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit VOACAP Online for Ham Radio.

Share your reports and observations.
In Brief...

During the 3rd Quarter of 2020, ARRL Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program
volunteers spent more than 6,100 hours poring over the amateur bands.
The VM Program issued 15 Good Operator Letters. "Volunteers are in the
chair monitoring, recognizing exemplary operators and admonishing those
who need to pay closer attention to their operating practices," said
Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, the VM Program Coordinator. The VM Program
referred two cases to the FCC while accepting two cases from the FCC
for investigation. Developed in partnership with the FCC, the VM
Program routinely maintains contact with the FCC and took part in three
meetings during the 3rd Quarter with FCC Enforcement Bureau personnel.

You Shop, Amazon Gives! Thank you for shopping smile.amazon.com. With
your help, Amazon has donated more than $45,870 to ARRL since 2014,
helping ARRL to extend its reach in public service, advocacy,
education, technology, and membership. With just a few shopping days
left, as you shop for those final gifts, we invite you to continue to
choose ARRL as your charity of choice. Bookmark ARRL's link and support
amateur radio and ARRL the remainder of this holiday season and every
time you shop.

Contest University to Host Propagation Summit Several radio propagation
experts will share their knowledge during a Propagation Summit via
Zoom, sponsored by Contest University (CTU). The event is scheduled for
January 23, 2021. The presentation schedule includes: "Update on the
Personal Space Weather Station Project and HamSCI Activities for 2021"
with Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, at 11 AM EST (1600 UTC); "Solar Cycle
25 Predictions and Progress" with Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, at noon
(1700 UTC); "Maximizing Performance of HF Antennas with Irregular
Terrain" with Jim Breakall, WA3FET, at 1 PM EST (1800 UTC), and "HF
Ionospheric Propagation" with Frank Donovan, W3LPL, at 2 PM EST (1900
UTC). Registration is free. An Icom IC-705 will be raffled off as a
door prize. The winner must be present on Zoom to win. -- Thanks to CTU
Chair Tim Duffy, K3LR

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* December 18 -- AGB-Party Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* December 18 -- Russian 160-Meter Contest (CW, phone)
* December 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* December 19 -- OK DX RTTY Contest
* December 19 -- RAC Winter Contest (CW, phone)
* December 19 - 20 -- Croatian CW Contest
* December 20 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW
* December 20 - 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* December 23 -- SKCC Sprint CW
* December 26 -- Gedebage CW Contest
* December 26 -- DARC Christmas Contest (CW, phone)
* December 26 - 27 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
* December 27 -- RAEM Contest (CW)
* December 31 -- Bogor Old and New Contest (Phone)
* January 1 -- Straight Key Night
* January 1 -- AGB New Year Snowball Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* January 1 -- SARTG New Year RTTY Contest
* January 1 -- QRP ARCI New Years Sprint (CW)
* January 2 -- PODXS 070 Club PSKFest
* January 2 - 3 -- PMC Contest (CW, phone)
* January 2 - 3 -- Original QRP Contest (CW)
* January 2 -- ARRL Kids Day (Phone)
* January 2 - 3 -- ARRL RTTY Roundup
* January 2 - 3 -- EUCW 160-Meter Contest (CW)
* January 5 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* January 6 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 6 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* January 6 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 6 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
* January 6 - 10 -- AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest
* January 7 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 7 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* January 7 -- SKCC Sprint Europe

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* January 9 -- Ham Radio University NLI Section Convention (online)
* January 29 - 31 -- Puerto Rico State Convention
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2020 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
December 17, 2020

* SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020 Deemed A Success
* SSTV Event to Help ARISS Mark 20 Years of Continuous Ham Radio
Operation in Space
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Oregon ARRL VEC Testing Group Offers Testing from the Comfort of
Your Car
* Announcements
* The ARRL RTTY Roundup is January 2 - 3
* SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Cancelled
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Reverse Beacon Network Leveraging Yasme Foundation Grant for
Expansion
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

-------------------------------------------------------------------

* Due to severe winter weather, ARRL Headquarters is closed on
Thursday, December 17 for the safety of our staff. Headquarters
management expects that things will be back to normal on Friday,
December 18.
* Because of the holidays, this will be the final edition of The ARRL
Letter for 2020. The ARRL Letter will return on January 7. ARRL
Audio News will be available on December 18, and then go on hiatus
until January 8.
* Logbook of The World (LoTW), ARRL's online QSO confirmation system,
will undergo scheduled maintenance beginning Monday, December 21,
at 2300 UTC (6 PM EST) for approximately 6 hours. LoTW will be
offline and unavailable while the system's server is upgraded to
new hardware. Thank you for your understanding.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020 Deemed A Success

Judging by the list of more than 700 registered participants,
SKYWARN^(R) Recognition Day (SRD) on December 5 was a success.
Cosponsored by ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS), SRD
recognizes radio amateurs for the vital public service they provide
during severe weather. Participants ranged from NWS offices, radio
amateurs, non-amateur radio spotters, and non-SKYWARN spotters. Radio
amateurs -- the first SKYWARN volunteers -- comprise a large percentage
of SKYWARN volunteers across the country, providing vital communication
between the NWS and emergency management in the event that
telecommunication systems are knocked out.

The NWS Milwaukee Forecast Office reported more than 150 contacts
logged across 35 states. The NWS office in Springfield, Missouri,
tweeted, "What would SKYWARN Recognition Day be without a special
thanks to the net control operators?" The NWS office in Chicago
tweeted, "SKYWARN Recognition Day has come to an end; thanking everyone
for attending and to all of our spotters across the nation."

SKYWARN Recognition Day planner and organizer Michael Lewis, KG4KJQ,
who is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist in the northern Indiana
NWS Forecast Office, expressed appreciation to the SRD Planning Team
and the Facebook livestream presenters for helping to make the event a
success. The NWS Forecast Office in northern Indiana registered 34
radio amateurs. The office serves 37 counties in northern Indiana,
southwest lower Michigan, and northwest Ohio.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, SRD was handled a little differently than
in the past. Normally, radio amateurs participate from their home
stations and from stations at NWS forecast offices, with the goal of
contacting as many NWS forecast offices as possible. This year,
participation from NWS forecast offices was minimal, and the focus
shifted to contacting as many SKYWARN trained spotters as possible. New
this year, SRD was opened to all SKYWARN spotters, and a SKYWARN
Recognition Day Facebook page was created, hosting a variety of live
and recorded segments throughout the day. -- Thanks to the ARRL ARES
Letter
SSTV Event to Help ARISS Mark 20 Years of Continuous Ham Radio
Operation in Space

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will continue
its year-long 20th anniversary celebration of continuous ham radio
operation from the ISS this month, with a slow-scan television (SSTV)
event over the holidays. The first ARISS school contact took place in
December 2000, not long after the first ISS crew arrived on station a
month earlier and had made test contacts. The commemorative
late-December SSTV event will be held December 24 through December 31,
although dates are subject to change. The frequency will be 145.800
MHz, using SSTV PD-120 mode. Over its 20 years, ARISS has supported
nearly 1,400 scheduled ham radio contacts with schools, student groups,
and other education organizations.

"ARISS would not be the complex and growing program of education,
operations, and hardware were it not for ARRL, AMSAT, NASA, and the ISS
National Lab (INL)," said Rosalie White, K1STO, ARISS-US Delegate
representing ARRL. "For these past 20 years and for the years to come,
when we grow into lunar ham radio opportunities and more, the ARISS
team will continue to be grateful to ARRL and all our sponsors. We
could not do it without you!"

The ARISS ham radio gear, for what would become NA1SS on board the
station, arrived ahead of the Expedition 1 crew, headed by Bill
Shepherd, KD5GSL. Shepherd made the first ARISS school contact with
students at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Illinois on December
21, 2000. NASA has marked the ARISS milestone with an infographic
highlighting the educational contacts via amateur radio between
astronaut crew members aboard the ISS and students.

ARISS will continue to sponsor various commemorative events through
November 2021, including more of the very popular ARISS SSTV sessions.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of ham radio on the space
station, ARISS took part in the ISS Research and Development Conference
(ISSRDC) panel session, "20 Years of STEM Experiments on the ISS." A
video developed for the session describes the program, conveys some key
lessons learned over the past 20 years, and describes the ARISS team's
vision for the future.

"Twenty years of continuous operations is a phenomenal accomplishment,"
said ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who's been with the
program from the start. "But what makes it even more extraordinary is
that ARISS has achieved this through hundreds of volunteers who are
passionate in paying it forward to our youth and ham radio community.
On behalf of the ARISS International team, I would like to express our
heartfelt thanks to every volunteer who has made ARISS such an amazing
success over the past 20 years. Your passion, drive, creativity, and
spirit made it happen."

In September, ARISS announced that the initial element of its
next-generation Interoperable Radio System (IORS) had been installed in
the ISS Columbus module, replacing outmoded and problematic station
gear.

A helpful addition to the ARISS website is a "Current Status of ISS
Stations," which reports the present or coming operating mode of ARISS
radios in the Columbus and Service modules. Click on "General Contacts"
and then "Current Status of ISS Stations" on the drop-down menu of the
ARISS website to access the reports.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 12) features a
discussion about storm spotting and SKYWARN, with Mike Corey, KI1U.

The latest episode of Eclectic Tech (Episode 23) includes a story about
6th-generation wireless networking, and a discussion with W1AW Station

Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, about the technology in use at W1AW.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Oregon ARRL VEC Testing Group Offers Testing from the Comfort of Your
Car

Volunteer Examiners in Grant County, Oregon, affiliated with the ARRL
Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC), put their heads together to
overcome adversity and hold a safe and secure drive-in exam session
that took pandemic precautions into account. Current health regulations
in Oregon precluded both indoor and outdoor gatherings, so the Grant
County Amateur Radio Club, the local ARES Group, and the Grant County
Emergency Radio Infrastructure Coalition (ERIC) combined forces to
offer five candidates the chance to obtain their first license or to
upgrade their existing license, all from the comfort of their vehicles.

"Many amateur radio clubs have experimented with exams via the
internet," said Steve Fletcher, K7AA, who is the ARES Emergency
Coordinator for Grant County. "In eastern Oregon, with the cooperation
of the County Roads Department, we chose to hold a 'drive-up' exam
session on Saturday, December 12. Under the circumstances, we used four
ARRL VEs for the exam instead of the required three." Wheeler County
ARES loaned Stuart Bottom, K7FG, to help as the third required Amateur
Extra-class Volunteer Examiner.

Fletcher reports three new Technician-class licensees and two new
General-class radio amateurs resulted from the session.

Required ARRL VEC forms contained pre-printed data -- including the FCC
Registration Number (FRN) -- were given to the candidates on a
clipboard. Each candidate took the exam in the front seat of their own
vehicle. Cell phones, papers, and anything not required for the exam
were removed.

"Everyone dressed warmly, and most candidates had their heaters
running," Fletcher reported. A camper owned by Ronda Metler, KB5LAX,
and a communications van owned by Fletcher served as sites to check
results and sign forms.

The Grant County Roads Department loaned its parking area for the exam
session. Thanks to Steve Fletcher, K7AA; photos courtesy of Thomas
Dekany

Announcements
* The summer/autumn edition (No. 25) of The 5 MHz Newsletter is now
available for download in PDF. A newsletter archive is maintained.
-- Thanks to editor Paul Gaskell, G4MWO
* CWops is accepting award nominations for the 2021 CWops Award for
vancing the Art of CW. The award recognizes individuals, groups,
or organizations that have made the greatest contribution toward
advancing the art or practice of radio communications by Morse
code. More details are on the ARRL website.
* As he has done each December for the past few years, Brian Justin,
WA1ZMS, of Forest, Virginia, will transmit a program on 486 kHz,
under authority of his FCC Part 5 Experimental License WI2XLQ, to
commemorate wireless pioneer Reginald Fessenden's accomplishments.
Justin will transmit for at least 24 hours starting at around 1800
UTC on December 24. Fessenden claimed to have made his first voice
-- and music -- broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1906 from Brant Rock,
Massachusetts, although his account is disputed.
* The WINTERHEAT VHF/UHF simplex event will take place during
January. The event is open to participants in Illinois, Michigan,
Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin. -- Thanks to
Jesse Hunter, W9ABS
* HamAlert will notify you when a desired station appears on the DX
cluster, the Reverse Beacon Network, or PSK Reporter. Alerts are
available via email, push notification, text message, or URL
GET/POST. Registration is free.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL RTTY Roundup is January 2 - 3

The 2021 ARRL RTTY Roundup on January 2 - 3 features two new
multioperator categories: multi-two (M2) and multi-multi (MM). Because
M2 and MM are new categories, there are no existing records, so the
high scores for these categories will, by default, become the new
records. High scores are kept by US call area, ARRL Division, ARRL
Section, Canadian Province, and DX entity. Visit the ARRL Contest web
page to see the current ARRL RTTY Roundup all-time records.

If you're new to RTTY or digital modes, in the RTTY Roundup, operators
worldwide contact and exchange QSO information with other amateurs
using Baudot RTTY, PSK, FT8/FT4, ASCII, AMTOR, and Packet. Automated
operation is not permitted; each claimed contact must include
contemporaneous direct initiation by the operator on both sides of the
contact.

If you have to look outside your immediate household for M2 or MM
operators and you're already set up for RTTY or FT8/FT4, consider
staying safe and letting other team members access your station
remotely via AnyDesk or another sharing technology. The key to making
this easy and frustration-free for all involved is that all aspects of
your station's operation be controllable from your logging computer's
desktop, and that the RTTY audio be audible to the remote operator (if
using RTTY) via the sharing software.

It is possible to do RTTY without listening to the receiver and just by
watching the decode and X - Y or waterfall, but it's not recommended.
Many, if not most, RTTY operators prefer low-level audio to signal when
other stations are transmitting. For those using FTx modes, all you
really need is the screen display.

Contacts must be made on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. Any station may
work any other station. Stations may be worked once per band,
regardless of mode. The ARRL RTTY Roundup begins at 1800 UTC on January
2 and wraps at 2359 UTC on January -- Thanks to Brian Moran, N9ADG, and
Paul Bourque, N1SFE

SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Cancelled

There will be no Christmas Eve transmission from SAQ, the Alexanderson
Alternator transmitting station in Sweden. The Grimeton World Heritage
Foundation and Alexander GVV Friends Association cited "prevailing
circumstances in our society" for the event cancellation.

"We find it sad to have to make this decision, but see it as a
necessary measure to protect everyone involved," the announcement
continued. Past SAQ transmission events are chronicled on YouTube. "We
truly regret this and hope for your understanding of the situation and
continued support for the business. We hope that 'our old lady' can
soon be heard on the air again," the announcement concluded.

The vintage Alexanderson Alternator provided an electromechanical means
of transmitting message traffic. It dates back to the early 1920s.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The schedule is subject to change.

Learn and Have Fun with Morse Code: Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, and Jim
Crites, W6JIM

Morse code, or "CW," is a popular ham radio operating mode. Learning CW
does not have to be an arduous or lonely experience. Learn, practice,
and enjoy CW with the methods used by the Long Island CW Club.

Thursday, December 17, 2020, 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday,
December 18)

QSLing in an Online World: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Learn all about the changing methods of QSLing in amateur radio,
including traditional paper QSL cards, and electronic QSLing methods,
such as Logbook of The World and eQSL.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Amateur Radio Logging: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Discover the advantages of keeping an electronic amateur radio log.
Find out why you may need more than one software program for
logging-contesting, digital modes, special events, and more. Learn
about using one full-featured logging program to pull everything
together, interface with outside databases, handle electronic QSLing,
and so on. The discussion will include file formats, importing and
exporting data between programs, submitting contest logs online, and
safe backup of data.

Thursday, January 7, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

VHF/UHF Contesting and SOTA; A Perfect Match: Brian Betz, W7JET

Explore the challenge of VHF UHF contesting and the success of the
large-scale participation of SOTA Summit activators in Arizona for the
January VHF contest.

Thursday, January 14, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Emergency Communications: Why Train? North Texas Section Emergency
Coordinator Greg Evans, K5GTX

Why should we train? Utilizing amateur radio operators in an emergency
communication situation is a key function that can save lives. We must
be able to respond to the needs of our served agencies quickly and
responsibly. Topics covered include: Incident Command System and its
relevance; building on consistent training; interoperability with
multiple communication providers; interoperability with VOAD and
partners, and Mission One: Get the information delivered.

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Reverse Beacon Network Leveraging Yasme Foundation Grant for Expansion

The Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) is taking advantage of a grant from
the Yasme Foundation, in cooperation with Amateur Radio Digital
Communications (ARDC), to add 15 more nodes. RBN is a global system of
software-defined radio receivers that monitor amateur radio bands and
report CW, RTTY, and FT4/FT8 signals to a central, searchable database.
In October, a Yasme-funded node was successfully installed in Tunisia,
bolstering RBN representation in northern Africa. ditional nodes are
planned for Algeria and Libya. The success of this small program led to
the global 15-node project to expand the RBN into such
under-represented areas as the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Central
Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Selections were guided by the
research community at HamSCI, whose website provides a forum for
researchers and amateurs to interact and conduct studies and
experiments.

"By adding stations in these areas, the network's data quality and
coverage are improved to allow better analysis of events and openings
beyond what was previously available," Yasme Foundation President Ward
Silver, N0AX, said. "This large and growing database of records
supports scientific research and allows hams to be more effective on
the air and in planning operations and station design."

Silver said researchers are particularly interested in the RBN data
because it covers such a wide area with so many stations, a capability
unusual in research. Silver also noted that the RBN project has
resulted in many volunteers working together around the globe. "The RBN
team deserves a lot of credit for creating an important asset that
combines amateur radio and science in the best traditions of both," he
said. "We look forward to helping keep that spirit alive and well." --
Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX, and DX Engineering

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity has declined recently,
with average daily sunspot numbers slipping in recent weeks from 57.6
to 28.9 and then 17.4 over this past week. Solar flux averages also
slipped from 108.1 to 91.9 to 82.1 over the past week.

The latest solar flux prediction also appears soft, with predicted
values over the next 45 days at 82 on December 17 - 23; 83 on December
24; 86 on December 25 - 28; 85, 84, and 83 on December 29 - 31; 82 on
January 1 - January 10; 83, 83, and 84 on January 11 - 13; 85 on
January 14 - 20; 86 on January 21 - 24; 85, 84, and 83 on January 25 -
27, and 82 on January 28 - 30.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on December 17; 5 on December 18 - 20;
12, 8, 8, 5, and 8 on December 21 - 25; 5 on December 26 - January 4;
10 on January 5 - 6; 5 on January 7 - 12; 8 on January 13; 5 on January
14 - 16; 10, 12, and 10 on January 17 - 19; 8 on January 20 - 21, and 5
on January 21 - 30.

The National Science Foundation has published an article, "New sunspot
cycle could be one of the strongest on record."

Sunspot numbers for December 10 through 16 were 11, 11, 24, 14, 25, 25,
and 12, with a mean of 17.4. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 81.5, 83.3,
81.8, 80.6, 83, 82.9, and 81.9, with a mean of 82.1. Estimated
planetary A indices were 8, 7, 4, 5, 3, 3, and 3, with a mean of 4.7.
Middle latitude A index was 6, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, and 3, with a mean of
3.3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit VOACAP Online for Ham Radio.

Share your reports and observations.
In Brief...

During the 3rd Quarter of 2020, ARRL Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program
volunteers spent more than 6,100 hours poring over the amateur bands.
The VM Program issued 15 Good Operator Letters. "Volunteers are in the
chair monitoring, recognizing exemplary operators and admonishing those
who need to pay closer attention to their operating practices," said
Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, the VM Program Coordinator. The VM Program
referred two cases to the FCC while accepting two cases from the FCC
for investigation. Developed in partnership with the FCC, the VM
Program routinely maintains contact with the FCC and took part in three
meetings during the 3rd Quarter with FCC Enforcement Bureau personnel.

You Shop, Amazon Gives! Thank you for shopping smile.amazon.com. With
your help, Amazon has donated more than $45,870 to ARRL since 2014,
helping ARRL to extend its reach in public service, advocacy,
education, technology, and membership. With just a few shopping days
left, as you shop for those final gifts, we invite you to continue to
choose ARRL as your charity of choice. Bookmark ARRL's link and support
amateur radio and ARRL the remainder of this holiday season and every
time you shop.

Contest University to Host Propagation Summit Several radio propagation
experts will share their knowledge during a Propagation Summit via
Zoom, sponsored by Contest University (CTU). The event is scheduled for
January 23, 2021. The presentation schedule includes: "Update on the
Personal Space Weather Station Project and HamSCI Activities for 2021"
with Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, at 11 AM EST (1600 UTC); "Solar Cycle
25 Predictions and Progress" with Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, at noon
(1700 UTC); "Maximizing Performance of HF Antennas with Irregular
Terrain" with Jim Breakall, WA3FET, at 1 PM EST (1800 UTC), and "HF
Ionospheric Propagation" with Frank Donovan, W3LPL, at 2 PM EST (1900
UTC). Registration is free. An Icom IC-705 will be raffled off as a
door prize. The winner must be present on Zoom to win. -- Thanks to CTU
Chair Tim Duffy, K3LR

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* December 18 -- AGB-Party Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* December 18 -- Russian 160-Meter Contest (CW, phone)
* December 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* December 19 -- OK DX RTTY Contest
* December 19 -- RAC Winter Contest (CW, phone)
* December 19 - 20 -- Croatian CW Contest
* December 20 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW
* December 20 - 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* December 23 -- SKCC Sprint CW
* December 26 -- Gedebage CW Contest
* December 26 -- DARC Christmas Contest (CW, phone)
* December 26 - 27 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
* December 27 -- RAEM Contest (CW)
* December 31 -- Bogor Old and New Contest (Phone)
* January 1 -- Straight Key Night
* January 1 -- AGB New Year Snowball Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* January 1 -- SARTG New Year RTTY Contest
* January 1 -- QRP ARCI New Years Sprint (CW)
* January 2 -- PODXS 070 Club PSKFest
* January 2 - 3 -- PMC Contest (CW, phone)
* January 2 - 3 -- Original QRP Contest (CW)
* January 2 -- ARRL Kids Day (Phone)
* January 2 - 3 -- ARRL RTTY Roundup
* January 2 - 3 -- EUCW 160-Meter Contest (CW)
* January 5 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* January 6 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 6 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* January 6 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 6 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
* January 6 - 10 -- AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest
* January 7 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* January 7 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* January 7 -- SKCC Sprint Europe

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* January 9 -- Ham Radio University NLI Section Convention (online)
* January 29 - 31 -- Puerto Rico State Convention
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2020 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
January 7, 2021

* FCC Reduces Proposed Amateur Radio Application Fee to $35
* FCC to Require Email dress with Applications and on File
* QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Returning in March
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARRL ARES Volunteers Were Ready to Assist in Wake of Nashville
Blast
* Christmas Eve Forecast Calls ARES/RACES/SKYWARN into Action
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements
* Amateur Radio in the News
* The K7RA Solar Update
* ARRL Member Designs New Ham Radio License Plate for Kentucky
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
FCC Reduces Proposed Amateur Radio Application Fee to $35

The FCC has agreed with ARRL and other commenters that its proposed $50
fee for certain amateur radio applications was "too high to account for
the minimal staff involvement in these applications." In a Report and
Order (R&O), released on December 29, the FCC scaled back to $35 the
fee for a new license application, a special temporary authority (STA)
request, a rule waiver request, a license renewal application, and a
vanity call sign application. All fees are per application.
ministrative updates, such as a change of mailing or email address,
are exempt.

ARRL had filed comments opposing the FCC's $50 fee and application fees
and urged its members to follow suit.

As the FCC noted in its R&O, although some commenters supported the
proposed $50 fee as reasonable and fair, "ARRL and many individual
commenters argued that there was no cost-based justification for
application fees in the Amateur Radio Service." The fee proposal was
contained in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in MD Docket
20-270, which was adopted to implement portions of the "Repack Airwaves
Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act" of 2018 -- the
so-called "Ray Baum's Act."

"After reviewing the record, including the extensive comments filed by
amateur radio licensees and based on our revised analysis of the cost
of processing mostly automated processes discussed in our methodology
section, we adopt a $35 application fee, a lower application fee than
the Commission proposed in the NPRM for personal licenses, in
recognition of the fact that the application process is mostly
automated," the FCC said in the R&O. "We adopt the proposal from the
NPRM to assess no additional application fee for minor modifications or
administrative updates, which also are highly automated."

The FCC turned away the arguments of some commenters that the FCC
should exempt amateur radio licensees. The FCC stated that it had no
authority to create an exemption "where none presently exists." The FCC
also disagreed with those who argued that amateur radio licensees
should be exempt from fees because of their public service contribution
during emergencies and disasters.

"[W]e are very much aware of these laudable and important services
amateur radio licensees provide to the American public," the FCC said,
but noted that specific exemptions provided under Section 8 of the
so-called "Ray Baum's Act" requiring the FCC to assess the fees do not
apply to amateur radio personal licenses. "Emergency communications,
for example, are voluntary and are not required by our rules," the FCC
noted. "[W]hile the value of the amateur service to the public as a
voluntary noncommercial communications service, particularly with
respect to providing emergency communications, is one of the underlying
principles of the amateur service, the amateur service is not an
emergency radio service.'"

The Act requires that the FCC switch from a Congressionally mandated
fee structure to a cost-based system of assessment. The FCC proposed
application fees for a broad range of services that use the FCC's
Universal Licensing System (ULS), including the Amateur Radio Service,
which had been excluded previously. The 2018 statute excludes the
Amateur Service from annual regulatory fees, but not from application
fees.

The effective date of the fee schedule has not been established. Read
more.
FCC to Require Email dress with Applications and on File

Effective on June 29, 2021, amateur radio licensees and candidates must
provide the FCC with an email address on all applications. If no email
address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application as
"defective." On September 16, the FCC adopted a Report and Order (R&O)
in WT Docket 19-212 on "Completing the Transition to Electronic Filing,
Licenses and Authorizations, and Correspondence in the Wireless Radio
Services," which appeared on December 29 in the Federal Register. The
FCC has already begun strongly encouraging applicants to provide an
email address and will email a link to an official electronic copy of
the license once it's granted.

While many, if not most, amateurs already have provided an email to the
FCC, this also will become a requirement. Under Section 97.21 of the
new rules, as amended, the holder of a valid amateur radio station
license "must apply to the FCC for a modification of the license grant
as necessary to show the correct mailing and email address, licensee
name, club name, license trustee name, or license custodian name." For
a club or military recreation station license, the application must be
presented in document form to a club station call sign administrator
who must submit the information to the FCC in an electronic batch file.

Under new Section 97.23, as amended, each license must show the
grantee's correct name, mailing address, and email address. "The email
address must be an address where the grantee can receive electronic
correspondence," the revised rule will state. "Revocation of the
station license or suspension of the operator license may result when
correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the
grantee failed to provide the correct email address."

Licensees can log into the ULS License Manager System with their FRN
and password to update their FCC license record, including adding an
email address. For questions or password issues, call the CORES/FRN
Help Line, (877) 480-3201 (Monday - Friday, 1300 - 2300 UTC) or reset
the password on the FCC website. Read more.

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Returning in March

The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo will return March 13 - 14 for a full 48
hours, QSO Today host Eric Guth, 4Z1UG/WA6IGR, announced this week.
ARRL is a QSO Today Expo Partner. Guth said the inaugural QSO Today
Expo last August attracted more than 16,000 attendees, and he
anticipates that the March 2021 event will be even more successful.

The upcoming QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo will feature new speakers and
presenters, panel discussions, and kit-building workshops among other
activities. Guth pointed out that attendees can log in from anywhere.
While he anticipates a good turnout by those who typically attend such
ham radio events, the virtual Expo also offers an opportunity for those
concerned about pandemic travel restrictions as well as for those who
don't typically attend in-person events.

"At our last Expo, we found that 60% of attendees don't go to in-person
national conferences, and 40% don't attend state or local events," Guth
said, noting that distance and the high cost of travel and lodging were
the most oft-cited reasons.

Registration is required, and to help cover the costs of staging this
event, there will be a charge to attend. vance tickets are $10
($12.50 at the "door") and include entry for the live, 2-day show as
well to the 30-day on-demand period. At the Expo, visitors can:
* Learn from a line-up of such well-known ham radio personalities as
Bob Allphin, K4UEE, on "My Favorite DXpeditions to DXCC Top 10 Most
Wanted;" Michael Foerster, W0IH, on "Using the Arduino in Your
Shack," and Ron Jones, K7RJ, on "3D Printer Basics."
* Take part in live virtual kit-building workshops. (Kits will be
available for purchase and delivered to attendees in time for the
Expo.)
* Walk through the virtual exhibit hall to visit an array of amateur
radio vendors and see live demonstrations of the latest equipment.
This show will leverage newer video technology to provide a better
experience for attendees to engage with exhibitors.

Those planning to attend the Expo may take advantage of new speaker
calendar technology to create their own calendar of presentations in
their time zones, which can be saved to a Google or Outlook calendar.

Registrants may return over the 30 days following the live event to
catch speakers and presentations missed during the live period, as well
as to explore and re-engage exhibitor offerings.

"The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo has all of the familiar hallmarks of an
in-person hamfest, including opportunities to connect and learn," ARRL
Product Development Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, said. Read more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 12) features a
discussion about storm spotting and SKYWARN, with Mike Corey, KI1U.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 24) discusses solid-state
hard drive failures and features a chat with Scott Tilley, VE7TIL,
about receiving signals from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android) as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

ARRL ARES Volunteers Were Ready to Assist in Wake of Nashville Blast

ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES(R)) volunteers went on
alert, ready to deploy in Williamson County, Tennessee, in the
aftermath of an apparently intentional explosion early on Christmas Day
in front of an AT&T switching facility in downtown Nashville. The blast
injured several people and killed the individual believed responsible
for the blast. It also damaged buildings, broke water mains, and
disrupted telecommunications.

ARRL Vice Director and Williamson County Emergency Coordinator Ed
Hudgens, WB4RHQ, who lives in Nashville, monitored the situation.

"The explosion did a lot more damage than was originally thought,"
Hudgens said in the immediate aftermath. "Since about 0730 yesterday,
we have had monitoring nets up and running on the local analog
repeaters and DMR repeaters. We have mainly been answering questions as
best we can." Hudgens said his ARES group was among those that stood
ready to deploy to the Williamson County PSC to assist with
communications for various county offices.

The Middle Tennessee Emergency Amateur Repeater System (MTEARS) held
nets on its DMR repeater system several times a day. The main repeater
at the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) site was affected
by the outage. Hudgens said it was fortunate that two DMR repeaters had
gone online recently in Williamson County, and all communications went
going through them.

WCARES held a continuous net on its five-repeater linked system to
assist hams as needed. The net also relayed news updates from AT&T and
county governments and assisted callers on AT&T to implement wireless
calling on their phones. In addition to the WCARES net, a net activated
in Davidson County in Middle Tennessee.

"A big thanks to those monitoring and providing updates!" Don Williams
said in a post to the MTEARS Facebook page. "I was able to turn on my
HT, locate a good frequency, and get up-to-date information. This was a
great help in keeping my house calm with updated info as to the AT&T
outage, as both our cell and internet were affected..."

ARRL Headquarters reached out to Tennessee Section Manager David
Thomas, KM4NYI, to offer assistance.
Christmas Eve Forecast Calls ARES/RACES/SKYWARN into Action

ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)), RACES, and SKYWARN
volunteers in Upstate New York were called upon on the morning of
December 24 to provide current snowpack amounts, future rainfall
amounts, and river and stream gauge levels to the National Weather
Service (NWS).

"Our ARES groups got a request from two local county emergency managers
in the Catskill District of New York -- Chenango and Otsego counties,"
said Otsego County Emergency Coordinator Cory Telarico, KD2HXE. "The
reason for concern and activation was the December 16 - 17 snowstorm
that dumped between 17 and 41 inches of snow on the area, compounded
with forecast rain for Christmas Eve into Christmas Day and the
potential for serious localized flooding."

Between the two county ARES groups, which included members of the
Chenango Valley Amateur Radio Association out of Norwich and the
Oneonta Amateur Radio Club in Otsego County, the volunteers were able
to run nets on December 24 at 10 AM with 10 check-ins and at 7 PM with
9 check-ins, as well as a Christmas morning net at 7 AM with 8
check-ins.

"I observed the Susquehanna River rise in the City of Oneonta between
4.5 and 5.5 feet in a matter of about 6 hours while on duty as a New
York State Park Police Officer, Telarico said. "All of our reports were
forwarded to the National Weather Service as well as the two county
emergency managers."

Telarico said the event demonstrated "the true dedication of our
members in the field in taking time away from their families during the
holiday for the goal of public service." The groups received a
complimentary email from Otsego County Emergency Services Coordinator
Arthur Klingler, Jr. "Your team's dedication is greatly appreciated,"
he said.

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The schedule is subject to change.

Amateur Radio Logging: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Discover the advantages of keeping an electronic amateur radio log.
Find out why you may need more than one software program for
logging-contesting, digital modes, special events, etc. Learn about
using one full-featured logging program to pull everything together,
interface with outside databases, handle electronic QSLing, and more.
The discussion will include file formats, importing and exporting data
between programs, submitting contest logs online, and safe backup of
data.

Thursday, January 14, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Emergency Communications: Why Train? -- North Texas Section Emergency
Coordinator Greg Evans, K5GTX

Why should we train? Utilizing amateur radio operators in an emergency
communication situation is a key function that can save lives. We must
be able to respond to the needs of our served agencies quickly and
responsibly. Topics covered include the Incident Command System and its
relevance; building on consistent training; interoperability with
multiple communication providers; interoperability with VOAD and
partners, and Mission One: Get the information delivered.

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Easy Helical Copper Tape and PVC 2-Meter Vertical Antenna -- John
Portune, W6NBC

Here's how to quickly build from hardware-store copper tape and PVC
pipe an 18-inch, continuously loaded, light weight portable or base
station 2-meter omnidirectional vertical with performance and
efficiency comparable to a 5-foot J-pole. The cost is roughly $10. It's
an easy afternoon project, ideal for the new ham but equal to the
serious ham's needs. It is great for events like bike-a-thons. It also
makes an excellent ham radio club hands-on building project, and the
design is adaptable to other bands.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* The agenda for the January 15 - 16, 2021, Annual Meeting of the
ARRL Board of Directors has been posted.

* The FCC has announced that the Technological visory Council (TAC)
January 14, 2021, 10 AM - 12 noon EST, videoconference will be
available to the public. TAC membership includes several radio
amateurs.

* Category 1 licensees in Uzbekistan now have permission to operate
on 60 meters in a secondary allocation of 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz, 100
W maximum power. -- Thanks to Paul Gaskell, G4MWO, Editor, The 5
MHz Newsletter
* AMSAT is transitioning to a virtual office and now will communicate
primarily via email via a contact form on the AMSAT website, or
direct email. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service
* ARRL Amateur Radio North America Map cartographer Curt Roseman,
K9AKS, of Moline, Illinois, died in December. He was 79. An active
VHFer, he once served as the "VHF-UHF Contesting!" editor for NCJ
* The RAC Canada Day Contest 2020 results and soapbox are now
available. The more than 735 participants counted among the best
turnouts in recent years.


Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with ARRL.
* Balloon Launched by Pella Students Makes 3rd Trip Around the Globe.
KNIA-KRLS Radio (Iowa), December 28, 2020.
* Living in space can get lonely. What helps? Talking to random
people over ham radio. Los Angeles Times, December 23, 2020.
* Amateur Radio Crews Celebrate Local Legend with Car Parade. WHEC-10
News (New York), December 21, 2020
* Tecumsuh Students Call Space Station. Countywide Sun (Oklahoma),
December 10, 2020
* Ramona Amateur Radio Club Links Elementary School Students to Space
Station Astronaut. Ramona Sentinel (California), December 9, 2020.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots disappeared after January 2,
so the average daily sunspot number dropped from 27.1 last week to 10
for the December 31 - January 6 reporting week. Of course, average
daily solar flux declined as well, from 86.4 to 78.6.

Geomagnetic indicators remain quiet, with planetary A index changing
from 6.9 to 5.1, and middle latitude numbers from 5 to 4.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days looks depressed -- far
different from the high 80s we saw around Christmas. Solar flux is
expected at 74 on January 7 - 13; 76 on January 14; 80 on January 15 -
16; 82 on January 17 - 27; 80 on January 28 - 31, and 78 on February 1
- 5. Flux values rise to 82 around mid - February.

Planetary A index is predicted at 8 on January 7; 5 on January 8 - 9; 8
on January 10 - 11; 5 on January 12 - 16; 10 on January 17 - 20; 5 on
January 21 - 24; 8 on January 25 - 26; 5 on January 27 - 31; 10, 10,
and 8 on February 1 - 3, and 5 on February 4 - 5. A index rises back to
10 on February 13 - 16.

Sunspot numbers for December 31 - January 6 were 25, 23, 22, 0, 0, 0,
and 0, with a mean of 10. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 81.2, 80.4,
81.5, 80.4, 77.6, 75.1, and 74.1, with a mean of 78.6. Estimated
planetary A indices were 3, 4, 2, 2, 3, 11, and 11, with a mean of 5.1.
Middle latitude A index was 2, 3, 1, 1, 3, 9, and 9, with a mean of 4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Member Designs New Ham Radio License Plate for Kentucky

A ham radio license plate designed by ARRL member Matt Makaveli,
KY4GPD, of Georgetown, Kentucky, has received the approval of the
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). His design was one of four
options, which included retaining the current license plate design. The
ham radio community in the Bluegrass State picked Makaveli's design
with a 41% plurality.

"It just hasn't sunk in," Makaveli told the Georgetown News-Graphic.
"I'm just amazed that it actually went. Somebody in the state
government must've liked the idea."

The lengthy approval process involved some footwork on the part of the
ARRL Field Organization in Kentucky. After the polling ended, ARRL
Kentucky Section State Government Liaison Jack Hedges, KY4TPR, met with
the KYTC for final approval on Makaveli's design.

"If there's ever an example of what the ARRL organization can do for
the ham radio community, this would be it," Hedges told the newspaper.

The new license plate will not available until the current stock of
plates is depleted, which is anticipated to be next summer.

ARRL Kentucky Section Manager Steve Morgan, W4NHO, told the newspaper
that a ham radio license plate is important to build awareness of
amateur radio. "The amateur radio license plate is sort of like a
billboard saying you're from Kentucky and you're a ham radio operator,"
Morgan said. Makaveli agreed, saying he thought the current design had
become stale and did not stand out.

A ham for 6 years, Makaveli is a certified SKYWARN storm spotter and an
assistant Emergency Coordinator for Scott County, Kentucky. "I heard
some people already said they like the new design and are going to
switch when it comes out," Makaveli told the newspaper.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

Tom Sly, WB8LCD, was named as Ohio Section Manager, effective on
January 1. He assumed the seat that Scott Yonally, N8SY, vacated when
he became Great Lakes Division Vice Director, after serving as Ohio's
SM since 2014. Sly was appointed by ARRL Radiosport and Field Services
Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, after consulting with Great Lakes Division
Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, to serve the remainder of Yonally's
term, which extends through September 30, 2022. A radio amateur since
1968, Sly is an ARRL Life Member and has served as Ohio Section
Affiliated Club Coordinator since 2017.

After 41 years, Ham-Com has decided to close its doors. Ham-Com
President Bill Nelson, AB5QZ, cited difficulties caused by the COVID-19
pandemic and the rising costs of putting on a show. "The decision was
not made lightly, but the safety and wellness of our volunteers,
vendors, clubs, presenters, and attendees is our paramount concern,"
Nelson said on the Ham-Com website. Ham-Com has been held each June at
the Plano Event Center in Plano, Texas. "We sincerely thank each and
every person for their support over the past years."

SEA-PAC Cancels In-Person Convention SEA-PAC, designated as the 2021
ARRL Northwestern Division Convention, will not take place as an
in-person gathering this June. "The SEA-PAC Executive Committee has
been closely monitoring the continuing COVID-19 pandemic situation and
has determined that the safest course of action for all is to cancel
the 2021 in-person event," SEA-PAC 2021 Chair John Bucsek, KE7WNB,
announced this week. "This decision was based on the uncertainties of
more COVID outbreaks, vaccine availability to all, and the probable
social distancing requirements. But most important, it is based on our
genuine concern for the health and safety of you, the attendees,
vendors, and presenters. We firmly believe that providing our ham radio
community with a safe and quality convention experience is paramount."
Bucsek said the SEA-PAC Committee is exploring alternative online and
on-air activities.

NA Contest Logging Software Developer Dave Pruett, K8CC, died on
December 29. An ARRL member, he was 66. After obtaining the source code
for the CT contest logger, Pruett wrote new code, and "his NA software
breathed new life into the program," expanding it to accommodate
multiple contests, said contester Jim Cain, K1TN. He was a log checker
for the ARRL 10-Meter and 160-Meter Contests, chaired the Michigan QSO
Party, and was a longtime member of the Mad River Radio Club. He served
as editor of National Contest Journal (NCJ) for several years when
contester Randy Thompson, K5ZD, was the publisher and later, after ARRL
assumed publication of the magazine. "He was a guy who got things
done," Thompson said in a post to the CQ-contest reflector. Pruett was
a participant in the 1996 World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC)
with Stan Stockton, K5GO, who called him "an inspiration."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* January 9 -- YB DX Contest (Phone)
* January 9 -- Old New Year Contest (CW, phone)
* January 9 - 10 -- UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest
* January 9 - 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* January 9 - 10 -- North American QSO Party, CW
* January 10 -- NRAU-Baltic Contest, SSB
* January 10 -- DARC 10-Meter Contest (CW, phone)
* January 10 -- NRAU-Baltic Contest, CW
* January 11 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test CW (20 WPM max)
* January 11 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* January 13 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* January 9 -- Ham Radio University NLI Section Convention (online)
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

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The ARRL Letter
January 14, 2021

* Dayton Hamvention Cancels 2021 Show
* FCC Invites Comments on Expanding the Number of Volunteer Examiner
Coordinators
* WSJT-X 2.4.0 to Introduce New Digital Protocol Q65
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARRL Seeks Nominations for Seven Awards
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements
* ARRL Life Member Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, is 2021 Carole Perry Educator
of the Year
* Seven US Schools Move Forward in ARISS Selection Process
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Dayton Hamvention Cancels 2021 Show

Dayton Hamvention^(R) has been canceled for the second year.

"Unfortunately, several setbacks in the recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic make necessary the difficult decision to cancel Hamvention
2021," a January 11 announcement from the Hamvention Executive
Committee said. Sponsored by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association
(DARA), Hamvention was set to take place May 21 - 23 in Xenia, Ohio.

"Hundreds of volunteers have been working to do everything necessary to
bring this Hamvention to the many amateur radio enthusiasts and vendors
who support the Dayton Hamvention," the committee continued. "Vaccine
distribution both in the United States and around the world is lagging
behind what was planned. In addition, the emergence of a more
communicable form of the COVID-19 virus increases the potential for
further public health problems in the next few months. We make this
difficult decision for the safety of our guests and vendors." Tickets
deferred last year will be deferred again until 2022.

The Hamvention Committee hinted at a QSO party for Hamvention weekend.
In November, Hamvention had announced that "The Gathering" would be the
theme for the 2021 show.

Hamvention is the largest annual amateur radio gathering in the US, and
was the host of the ARRL National Convention for its last event, held
in 2019. The ARRL Hamfest and Convention Calendar includes a searchable
database that includes other canceled in-person events.
FCC Invites Comments on Expanding the Number of Volunteer Examiner
Coordinators

In a January 5 Public Notice, the FCC requested comments on whether the
current 14 Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) are sufficient to
facilitate the efforts of their accredited Volunteer Examiners (VEs) in
administering amateur radio examinations, or whether it should
authorize up to five additional VECs. Comments are due by February 5,
and reply comments are due by February 19. After Congress authorized it
to do so, the FCC adopted rules in 1983 to allow volunteers to prepare
and administer amateur radio examinations, and it established the
system of VECs and VEs. The ARRL VEC is the largest of the 14 VECs in
the US.

"VECs introduced consistency into the volunteer examiner program by
centralizing accreditation of volunteer examiners, coordinating the
dates and times for scheduling examinations, and managing the various
administrative tasks arising from examinations," the FCC said.
Authorized VECs may operate in any of the 13 VEC regions, but must
service at least one region. The FCC pointed out that some VECs now
offer remote examinations.

"The Commission has long maintained 14 VECs and now seeks to consider
whether they continue to serve the evolving needs of the amateur
community, or whether there are unmet needs that warrant considering
expanding the number of VECs," the FCC said.

The FCC Public Notice provided questions for framing comments:
* Are the existing 14 VECs sufficient to coordinate the efforts of
Volunteer Examiners in preparing and administering examinations for
amateur radio operator licenses, or are additional VECs needed?
* What needs are currently being met, and which needs, if any, are
not?
* If the FCC were to allow additional VECs, how many more would be
needed to satisfy existing Amateur Radio Service license
examination needs? (The FCC indicated that it would likely cap the
number of additional VECs at five.)
* Given that VECs use a collaborative process to create examination
question pools and volunteer examination administration protocols,
would additional VECs enhance or hinder this process?
* How would increasing the number of VECs address the unmet needs, if
any, of the amateur radio community, and what obstacles or
complications could result from increasing the number of VECs?

Interested parties may file short comments on WT Docket No. 21-2 via
the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing Service (Express). Visit the FCC's
"How to Comment on FCC Proceedings" page for information on filing
extended comments.

WSJT-X 2.4.0 to Introduce New Digital Protocol Q65

WSJT-X version 2.4.0 will introduce a new digital protocol called Q65,
which, according to the Quick Start Guide, is designed for "minimal
two-way QSOs over especially difficult propagation paths." The Guide
said, "On paths with Doppler spread more than a few hertz, the
weak-signal performance of Q65 is the best among all WSJT-X modes. Q65
is particularly effective for tropospheric scatter, ionospheric
scatter, and EME on VHF and higher bands, as well as other types of
fast-fading signals."

The new protocol uses 65-tone frequency-shift keying and builds on the
demonstrated weak-signal strengths of QRA64, introduced in 2016. User
messages and sequencing are identical to those in FT4, FT8, FST4, and
MSK144. Q65 employs a "unique tone" to sync time and frequency. "As
with JT65, this 'sync tone' is readily visible on the waterfall
spectral display," the Guide said.

"Unlike JT65, synchronization and decoding are effective even when
meteor pings or other short signal enhancements are present.
Transmit/receive sequence lengths of 15, 30, 60, 120, and 300 seconds
are available. According to the Guide, "Q65 will enable stations with a
modest Yagi and 100 W or more and to work one another on 6 meters at
distances up to ~1,600 kilometers at most times, in dead-band
conditions."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On The Air podcast (Episode 13) features a
discussion with Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, about his success in boosting
activity at the University of Arizona amateur radio club.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 25) will discuss extreme
magnetic fields and also feature a chat with Bob Allison, WB1GCM, on
the topic of hunting down and resolving interference.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

ARRL Seeks Nominations for Seven Awards

ARRL invites nominations for awards that recognize excellence in
amateur radio educational, technological, and public relations
pursuits. Nominations are also open for the Hiram Percy Maxim Award,
ARRL's premier award to honor a young licensee.

The Hiram Percy Maxim Award

The Hiram Percy Maxim Award is the premier honor for a radio amateur
and ARRL member younger than 21 whose accomplishments and contributions
are of the most exemplary nature within the framework of amateur radio
activities. Nominations must be made through your ARRL Section Manager,
who will forward nominations to ARRL Headquarters by March 31, 2021.
Nomination forms and supporting information should document as
thoroughly as possible the nominee's amateur radio achievements and
contributions during the previous calendar year.

The ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award

This award honors an ARRL volunteer amateur radio instructor or
professional classroom teacher who uses creative instructional
approaches and reflects the highest values of the amateur radio
community. The award highlights quality of -- and commitment to --
licensing instruction. Nominations are due by March 15, 2021.

Technical Awards

The ARRL Microwave Development Award pays tribute to a radio amateur or
group of radio amateurs who contribute to the development of the
amateur radio microwave bands. The nomination deadline is March 31,
2021.

The ARRL Technical Service Award recognizes a radio amateur or group of
radio amateurs who provide amateur radio technical assistance or
training to others. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2021.

The ARRL Technical Innovation Award commends a radio amateur or group
of radio amateurs who develop and apply new technical ideas or
techniques in amateur radio. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2021.

The Knight Distinguished Service Award

The Knight Distinguished Service Award honors exceptional contributions
by an ARRL Section Manager to the health and vitality of ARRL. The
nomination deadline is April 30, 2021. It was named for Joe T. Knight,
W5PDY (SK), who was commended for his exemplary service not only as
ARRL New Mexico Section Manager for more than a quarter-century, but
for his willingness to share his knowledge and leadership skills.

The Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award

The ARRL Public Relations Committee invites nominations for the Philip
J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award. This award recognizes and
honors the efforts of an ARRL member-volunteer who demonstrates success
in amateur radio public relations and creates greater awareness and
understanding for amateur radio through efforts focused on the media
and general public. The nomination deadline is May 14, 2021.

The ARRL Board of Directors makes the final determination of award
recipients. Winners typically are announced following the Board's July
meeting. More information about these awards is on the ARRL website, or
contact Steve Ewald, WV1X, at ARRL Headquarters (telephone
860-594-0265).

-------------------------------------------------------------------

International Amateur Radio Union Preparing for WRC-23

Preparations are under way by the International Amateur Radio Union
(IARU) to represent the interests of the amateur and amateur-satellite
services at World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23). The
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) sponsors WRCs, typically
every 4 years, to consider revisions to the international Radio
Regulations that define frequency allocations for various radio
services.

"As an incumbent radio service with allocations at intervals throughout
the radio spectrum, the amateur service faces challenges at every WRC,"
IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, said. "Successfully defending our
existing access to the spectrum is a significant accomplishment at any
WRC, but sometimes it is possible also to improve our existing
allocations. WRC-19 resulted in major improvements in 50 MHz
allocations in Region 1. Without any doubt, this could not have
happened without the concerted efforts of dozens of IARU volunteers
over the course of several years."

The next WRC is expected to be held in 2023. Under the direction of
IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, 20 IARU volunteers have been
participating in virtual meetings of ITU working parties and
preparatory committees of regional telecommunications organizations
(RTOs) as they address WRC-23 agenda items of particular concern to
amateur radio. Potentially affected bands are 50 - 54 MHz (a new
service has been proposed in an adjacent band); 1240 - 1300 MHz; 3300 -
3400 MHz; 10.0 - 10.5 GHz, and 241 - 250 GHz. In addition, studies are
being conducted to identify protection requirements for space weather
sensors that operate in frequency bands from 13 kHz to at least 15 GHz.

The participation of IARU member-societies in preparations at the
national level is an important contribution to amateur radio's eventual
success at a WRC, Sumner said.

The IARU ministrative Council has chosen "Amateur Radio: Home but
Never Alone" as the theme for World Amateur Radio Day on Sunday, April
18, 2021. With the pandemic driving adoption of physical isolation to
reduce the spread of the virus, the worldwide amateur radio community
has responded positively to overcome the resulting social isolation.

On-air activity was at an unprecedented level throughout the remainder
of 2020, with record-breaking numbers of entries in the major contests,
Sumner said. "This theme offers the opportunity for our
member-societies to tailor meaningful messages to the general public
about the values of the global amateur radio community."
ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The schedule is subject to change.

Emergency Communications: Why Train? -- North Texas Section Emergency
Coordinator Greg Evans, K5GTX

Utilizing amateur radio operators in an emergency communication
situation is a key function that can save lives. We must be able to
respond to the needs of our served agencies quickly and responsibly.
Topics covered include the Incident Command System and its relevance;
building on consistent training; interoperability with multiple
communication providers; interoperability with VOAD and partners, and
Mission One: get the information delivered.

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Easy Helical Copper Tape and PVC 2-Meter Vertical Antenna -- John
Portune, W6NBC

Here's how to quickly build a tiny, 18-inch, continuously loaded
lightweight portable or base station 2-meter omnidirectional vertical
antenna with performance and efficiency comparable to a 5-foot J-pole.
The antenna is built from hardware store copper tape and PVC pipe, and
the cost is roughly $10. It's an easy afternoon's homebrew project,
ideal for the new ham but equal to the experienced ham's needs. It's
great for events like bike-a-thons. It also makes an excellent ham
radio club hands-on building project, and the design is adaptable to
other bands.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Interesting Stories about Ham Radio & Weather Spotting -- Rob Macedo,
KD1CY

One of the most critical ways amateur radio supports agencies such as
the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center (NHC),
and emergency management is through weather spotting via the NWS
SKYWARN program. This presentation reviews some interesting stories
about how amateurs involved in SKYWARN have saved lives and property
and why this is an important amateur radio activity.

Thursday February 11, 2021 @ 8 pm EST (0100 UTC on Friday, February 12)

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* The Reverse Beacon Network has announced some enhancements. Pete
Smith, N4ZR, said, "Thanks to Mark Glenn, K7MJG, the RBN beta
site's world map now displays currently and recently active RBN
nodes, along with spots. Red dots denote nodes that have made at
least one spot in the last 30 minutes."
* The Fédération des clubs radioamateurs du Québec (RAQI) is marking
the 70th anniversary of RAQI in 2021 with Quebec Parks On The Air
(QcPOTA). The event will take place from April 1 to December 31,
2021.
* The ebook, Capture the MAGIC of Six Meters, by Jim Wilson, K5ND, is
available for free download. It covers propagation, equipment,
software, antennas, awards, and contesting, as well as assistance
in finding the magic, Wilson says.
* Tom Roscoe, K8CX, has 149 "rare DX MP3 sound clips" on his
Hamgallery.com site. Some of the nearly 3,000 classic clips go back
to the 1960s.
* CQ has announced that Steve Molo, KI4KWR, of Madison, Alabama, is
the magazine's Awards Editor.
* The FCC's Enforcement Bureau has announced that it will target
property owners and managers who "knowingly tolerate pirate
broadcasting on their properties." The FCC said it would be
exercising its new authority under the recently enacted PIRATE Act.

ARRL Life Member Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, is 2021 Carole Perry Educator of
the Year

Orlando HamCation^(R) has announced that ARRL Life Member Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, of Bloomington, Indiana, is the 2021 recipient of the Carole
Perry Educator of the Year Award. The award recognizes an outstanding
individual contribution in educating and advancing youth in amateur
radio. It was first awarded in 2018 to its namesake, Carole Perry,
WB2MGP, in honor of her work as an educator teaching students about ham
radio. Rapp was ARRL 2004 Professional Educator of the Year. He's an
Assistant Central Division Director and an ARRL VEC certified examiner.

An educational professional for more than 28 years, Rapp currently
teaches chemistry at Bloomington High School South. He's also the
school's amateur radio club sponsor and has introduced 3,600 students
and parents to amateur radio through his involvement in the
organization. Among his educational achievements, he was able to send
an experiment involving protein crystallization to the International
Space Station (ISS). He also mentored 2013 Amateur Radio Newsline Young
Ham of the Year and ARRL William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship
recipient Padraig Lysandrou, KC9UUS.

Rapp got his license when he was 5 years old, and, at the time, was
touted as the world's youngest ham. Now 50, he's the host and founder
of the amateur radio podcast Ham Talk Live! He's also a member of AMSAT
and was the youngest person to both join and be eligible for membership
in the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA). He is the editor of
the "Next-Gen Contesters" column for NCJ.

Seven US Schools Move Forward in ARISS Selection Process

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has announced
that seven schools or host organizations selected for the July -
December 2021 contact window have moved forward in the processes of
planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with a space station
crew member. ARISS' primary goal is to engage young people in science,
technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) activities and raise
their awareness of space communications, radio communication, space
exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.

The schools/organizations are:
* Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University in
Nashville, Tennessee
* Tarwater Elementary School in Chandler, Arizona
* Museum of Science & Technology in Syracuse, New York
* SpaceKids Global and Girl Scouts of Citrus in Winter Park, Florida
* Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol in St. Charles, Illinois
* Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC
* Savannah River Academy in Grovetown, Georgia

ARISS is now working with hosts to complete acceptable equipment plans
that demonstrate their ability to carry out a ham radio contact. Once
their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the
final list of host schools/organizations will be scheduled as their
availability and flexibility match up with contact opportunities
offered by NASA.

This year, ARISS celebrates 20 years of continuous amateur radio
operations on the ISS.
The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar Cycle 25 seemed well under way,
but no new sunspots emerged since December 23. The last time any
sunspot was visible was January 2.

Average daily solar flux declined from 78.6 to 73.8. Geomagnetic A
index remained quiet. Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days is 73,
73, and 74 on January 14 - 16; 75 on January 17 - 19; 73 and 75 on
January 20 - 21; 78 on January 22 - 27; 77 on January 28 - 31; 75 on
February 1 - 6, and 74 on February 7 - 12. Solar flux is expected to
peak at 78 again after February 14.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on January 14 - 16; 10, 12, 10, and 8
on January 17 - 20; 5 on January 21 - 24; 8 on January 25 - 26; 5 on
January 27 - 31; 10 on February 1 - 2, and 5 on February 3 - 12.

Peering at the STEREO spacecraft, I see a promising bright spot a few
days from now in our sun's southern hemisphere, so perhaps that
indicates a new sunspot over the solar horizon.

Space Weather Woman Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW, has posted this video
discussing the lack of sunspots and the latest space weather news.

Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, gave an excellent talk on propagation for the
Madison DX Club on January 12. The video will be posted soon. Until
then, you can watch a presentation on Solar Cycle 25 by Douglas
Biesecker of NOAA via the same link.

Sunspot numbers for January 7 - 13 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a
mean of 0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 74.6, 75.2, 74.2, 73.1, 73.2,
72.8, and 73.2, with a mean of 73.8. Estimated planetary A indices were
6, 2, 3, 3, 14, 9, and 4, with a mean of 5.9. Middle latitude A index
was 4, 1, 2, 3, 10, 8, and 3, with a mean of 4.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

The ARRL January VHF Contest is on tap for the weekend of January 16 -
18. While using the FT modes, if the indicated dB signal level
approaches or exceeds 0 dB, conditions are likely good enough for CW or
SSB (FT4 mode can provide faster contacts than FT8). Contacts using
those modes can be made more quickly under those conditions. More fun:
The North American Collegiate Championship (NACC), sponsored by the
Society of Midwest Contesters, returns this year starting with the
North American QSO Party SSB (NAQP) on January 16. The NACC is a
competition between colleges and university amateur radio stations
using the "contest-within-a-contest" format during the NAQP SSB and
NAQP RTTY events. Teams must register in advance. Contest sponsors are
aware that spring terms may be delayed due to the pandemic. NACC will
use the Contest Online ScoreBoard. More information is on the NACC
page. -- Thanks to the ARRL Contest Update

The 2021 AM Rally is set for the first weekend in February. The popular
event takes place from 0000 UTC on Saturday, February 6 to 0700 UTC on
Monday, February 8. The annual AM Rally operating event encourages all
operators to explore amateur radio's original voice mode by showcasing
the various types of amplitude modulation equipment in use today,
ranging from early vacuum-tube radios to the latest SDR-based
transceivers. "Participation in the AM Rally has continued to grow over
the past 5 years, as more operators explore the mode," said Clark
Burgard, N1BCG. "The AM Rally is a great way to beat the winter and
COVID-19 blues." The AM Rally is open to all radio amateurs capable of
operating on AM using any type of radio equipment from vintage to
modern, vacuum tube to solid state. The AM Rally will use the 160-,
80-, 40-, 20-, 15-, 10-, and 6-meter bands. "Those who have never tried
AM mode will find plenty of help, if needed," Burgard assured. An AM
Rally 2021 promotional video is available. Contact Burgard for more
information.

Northernmost Reverse Beacon Net Node in Europe Launched Thanks to a
grant from the Yasme Foundation, the northernmost Reverse Beacon Net
(RBN) node in Europe went online on December 22. It was made possible
by a Yasme Foundation initiative to provide additional Reverse Beacon
Network nodes in underserved areas. The latest node to become active is
hosted by Radio Arcala, OH8X, very close to the Lapland region. At and
above the Arctic Circle during hours of darkness, polar path
propagation offers a footprint covering all of North America for many
hours, even for stations within the auroral oval, and stations in the
far north have been able to take advantage. The OH8X RBN node would
further help the study of the polar path mode, in which Radio Arcala
will be cooperating with the northern scientific community. The RBN
node receiver is currently located at the Radio Arcala station at
65-11-03N and 26-14-53E, but may later be moved even farther north to
be into the heart of the auroral region of the Arctic Circle. -- Thanks
to Radio Arcala

New Amateur VLF Transatlantic Record Set Very low frequency (VLF)
enthusiast Joe Craig, VO1NA, reports that Stefan Schaefer, DK7FC,
copied his 50-character message transmitted from Newfoundland on 8.271
kHz, with a radiated power of 10 mW. "This is a new record for amateur
transatlantic VLF," Craig told ARRL. "The mode used was EbNaut by Paul
Nicholson. EbNaut is a synchronous coherent BPSK mode for use at VLF
and LF. Craig's tower supports a VLF RL (rotated L) 10-meter (33 feet)
average height and 100 meters (328 feet) long. VLF is the ITU
designation for radio spectrum in the range of 3 - 30 kHz,
corresponding to wavelengths from 100 to 10 kilometers, respectively.
"Since VLF waves can penetrate at least 40 meters (131 feet) into
saltwater, they are used for military communication with submarines,"
Craig noted.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* January 16 -- WAB 1.8 MHz (CW, phone)
* January 16 - 17 -- Hungarian DX Contest (CW, phone)
* January 16 - 17 -- PRO Digi Contest
* January 16 - 17 -- North American QSO Party, SSB
* January 16 - 17 -- NA Collegiate Championship, SSB
* January 16 - 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* January 16 - 18 -- ARRL January VHF Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* January 17 - 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* January 18 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW -- 20 WPM max)
* January 21 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


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The ARRL Letter
January 21, 2021

* Orlando HamCation Announces QSO Party, Special Edition Virtual
Presentations
* Eastern Iowans Rely On Ham Radio When Severe Weather Strikes
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* HamSCI Issues Call for Abstracts for March Virtual Workshop
* Contest University to Host Propagation Summit on January 23
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Radio Amateur is Co-Leader of Just-Published Blood Plasma Research
Study
* Announcements: January 21
* Amateur Radio in the News
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Orlando HamCation Announces QSO Party, Special Edition Virtual
Presentations

Orlando HamCation has announced it will sponsor the HamCation QSO Party
over the February 13 - 14 weekend (UTC), "to create a fun way for
amateurs to celebrate the Orlando HamCation experience over the air."
The HamCation QSO Party will be a 12-hour event on HamCation weekend.
HamCation 2021 was to host the ARRL National Convention, which now will
take place in 2022.

"The QSO party will replicate the camaraderie and social experience of
attending HamCation and provide a way to have fun on the radio, since
HamCation 2021 will not be held due to COVID-19," the HamCation QSO
Party Committee said. The HamCation QSO Party will run from 1500 UTC on
February 13 until 0300 UTC on February 14. It will be a CW and SSB
operating event on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. Any station may work
any other station.

Categories will be High Power (more than 100 W output), Low Power (100
W output or less, but greater than 5 W), and QRP (5 W output or less).
All participants will be single operators; there is no multioperator
category. The exchange will be your name and state/province/country,
and the outside temperature at your location. "We are including
temperature at your QTH as a way of highlighting Orlando's mild
February weather," the committee said.

Nine HamCation special event stations with 1 * 1 call signs will be on
the air with combined suffixes spelling out HamCation (e.g., K4H, W4A,
K4M, etc). Each contact will count as one point, and stations may be
worked once on each band and mode. Entrants will report their scores on
www.3830Scores.com; no logs are required. Final results will be based
on the information submitted to the website.

Station guest operators must use their own call signs and submit their
scores individually. Plaques and certificates will be awarded.

Virtual HamCation Set

The Orlando HamCation Special Edition online event over the February 13
- 14 weekend will take the place of what would have been the HamCation
2021 in-person show.

The online event will include youth, technology, contesting, and vendor
webinar tracks. ARRL will also present two webinars on Saturday,
February 13. They are:
* ARRL Member Forum at 1 PM EST, moderated by ARRL Southeastern
Division Director Mickey Baker, N4MB.
* Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)) presentation at 3 PM
EST, moderated by ARRL Director of Emergency Management Paul
Gilbert, KE5ZW. The ARES presentation will include panelists from
ARRL Section Emergency Coordinators in Florida.

Live, online prize drawings are also scheduled during the HamCation
Special Edition online event.
Eastern Iowans Rely On Ham Radio When Severe Weather Strikes

A derecho with winds of 80 to 100 MPH struck eastern Iowa last August,
disrupting power and telecommunications for some 400,000 residents.
But, as ARRL member and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R))
volunteer Scott Haney, N0GUD, recently explained to The Gazette in
Cedar Rapids, that's when amateur radio shines.

Haney, the president of the Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC),
was the focus of the January 19 feature, "2nd-largest per-capita group
of amateur radio operators in the world calls Eastern Iowa home," by
Molly Rossiter.

"For some people, [amateur radio is] merely a hobby, but for a lot of
us, it's much more than that," Haney said. "Ham radio operators are
involved in emergency management, in large event management, in a large
variety of things. A lot of times people don't know we're there, but
we're actually a large part of planning and carrying out many events
and gatherings," he said. "People don't realize, especially in weather
events like hurricanes, [that] amateur radio is a huge part of getting
people in and out of dangerous areas. We've been doing that for
decades."

As the article notes, the fact that Collins Aerospace (formerly Collins
Radio and Rockwell Collins) calls Cedar Rapids home is believed to be
the reason that the second-highest population density of hams in the
world reside in Eastern Iowa.

Haney retired in 2019, after 30 years with Rockwell Collins and Collins
Aerospace. He's been licensed for more than 40 years.

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 13) features a
discussion with Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, about his success in boosting
activity at the University of Arizona amateur radio club.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 25) will discuss extreme
magnetic fields and also feature a chat with Bob Allison, WB1GCM, on
the topic of hunting down and resolving interference.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.
HamSCI Issues Call for Abstracts for March Virtual Workshop

HamSCI has issued a call for abstracts for its virtual workshop March
19 - 20, hosted by the University of Scranton and sponsored by the
National Science Foundation.

"The primary objective of the HamSCI workshop is to bring together the
amateur radio community and professional scientists," said HamSCI
founder Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF. The theme is midlatitude ionospheric
physics, "which is especially important to us because the vast majority
of hams live in the midlatitude regions," Frissell said.

Invited tutorial speakers will be Mike Ruohoniemi of the Virginia Tech
SuperDARN initiative and Joe Dzekevich, K1YOW. Elizabeth Bruton, of the
Science Museum in London, will be the keynote speaker.

Submit abstracts by February 15. The March conference will also serve
as a team meeting for the Personal Space Weather Station project.
Frissell said he will coordinate with respective teams for their
abstracts.

The HamSCI workshop welcomes abstracts related to development of the
Personal Weather Station, ionospheric science, atmospheric science,
radio science, spaceweather, radio astronomy, and any science topic
"that can be appropriately related to the amateur radio hobby."
Submissions related to the workshop theme of midlatitude ionospheric
physics are encouraged.

Abstracts will be reviewed by the Science/Program Committee, and
authors will be notified no later than March 1. Virtual poster
presentations are welcome, but due to time constraints, requests for
oral presentation slots may not be guaranteed.

Contest University to Host Propagation Summit on January 23

Contest University (CTU) is holding a Virtual Propagation Summit on
Saturday, January 23. The Zoom-platform event will get under way at
1600 UTC with introductory remarks from Tim Duffy, K3LR, and Ray Novak,
N9JA.
* At 1605 UTC, Scott Jones, N3RA, and George Fremin, K5TR, will
moderate a session titled "Update on the Personal Space Weather
Station Project & HamSCI activities for 2021" with Nathaniel
Frissell, W2NAF.
* At 1700 UTC, Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, will discuss "Solar Cycle 25
Predictions & Progress."
* At 1800 UTC, Bill Fehring, W9KKN, and Marty Sullaway, NN1C, will
moderate a session, "Maximizing Performance of HF Antennas with
Irregular Terrain," with Jim Breakall, WA3FET.
* At 1900, the pair will moderate a presentation, "HF Propagation:
What to Expect During the Rising Years of Solar Cycle 25," with
Frank Donovan, W3LPL.

A drawing for an Icom IC-705 transceiver will be held. The winner must
be present on Zoom in order to win. Visit the 2021 Propagation Summit
registration page to sign up. ditional information will be posted on
the CTU website. -- Thanks to CTU Chair Tim Duffy, K3LR
ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The schedule is subject to change.

Emergency Communications: Why Train? -- North Texas Section Emergency
Coordinator Greg Evans, K5GTX

Utilizing amateur radio operators in an emergency communication
situation is a key function that can save lives. We must be able to
respond to the needs of our served agencies quickly and responsibly.
Topics covered include the Incident Command System and its relevance;
building on consistent training; interoperability with multiple
communication providers; interoperability with VOAD and partners, and
mission one: get the information delivered.

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 12:30 PM PST / 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Easy Helical Copper Tape and PVC 2-Meter Vertical Antenna -- John
Portune, W6NBC

Learn how to quickly build a tiny, 18-inch continuously loaded
lightweight portable or base station 2-meter omnidirectional vertical
with performance and efficiency comparable to a 5-foot J-pole. All you
need is copper tape and PVC pipe from the hardware store, and the cost
is roughly $10. It's an easy afternoon's homebrew project, ideal for
the new ham but equal to the experienced ham's needs. It is great for
events like bike-a-thons. It also makes an excellent ham radio club
hands-on building project, and the design is adaptable to other bands.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Interesting Stories about Ham Radio & Weather Spotting -- Rob Macedo,
KD1CY

One of the most critical ways amateur radio supports agencies such as
the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center, and
emergency management is through weather spotting via the NWS SKYWARN
program. This presentation reviews some interesting stories about how
amateurs involved in SKYWARN have saved lives and property and why this
is an important amateur radio activity.

Thursday February 11, 2021 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday,
February 12)

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Radio Amateur is Co-Leader of Just-Published Blood Plasma Research
Study

Scott Wright, K0MD -- a well-known amateur radio contester and past
editor of the National Contest Journal (NCJ) -- was a co-principal
investigator of a research project into the use of convalescent plasma
to treat COVID-19 patients. The study, Convalescent Plasma Antibody
Levels and the Risk of Death from COVID-19, appeared in the January 13
edition of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

The study began early last April under the co-leadership of Wright and
Dr. Michael Joyner, MD, both of the Mayo Clinic; Dr. Peter Marks, MD,
PhD, Dr. Nicole Verdun, MD, of the US Food and Drug ministration, and
Dr. Arturo Casadevall, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Marks
is AB3XC. The Mayo Clinic was the lead institution for the program.
Initially heading up one segment of the study, the Mayo Clinic asked
him to formally step in as co-principal investigator and to assume the
forward face with the media.

"We report a 6.3% absolute reduction in mortality for those who
received high-titer convalescent plasma, and a 36% relative risk
reduction in mortality for those who received it while not on a
ventilator," Wright summarized briefly. "We are hopeful it will have an
impact globally where more advanced -- and expensive -- therapies may
not be available."

The US Convalescent Plasma Expanded Access Program was a collaborative
project between the US government and the Mayo Clinic to provide access
to convalescent plasma for patients in the US who were hospitalized
with COVID-19. The government-supported study collected and provided
blood plasma recovered from COVID-19 patients containing antibodies
that, it was theorized, could help these individuals fight the disease.

Wright said that in contrast with most studies, the investigators
designed and carried out the research without help from National
Institutes of Health (NIH). "It was an enormous project, not to mention
that over 105,000 people enrolled in the study," Wright said. "The NEJM
paper is a subset analysis of 3,000 or so subjects. We did a lot of
innovative things with the FDA's permission to make this a study that
quickly enrolled patients, physicians, and hospitals."

Wright said the study participants cooperated with all but five
hospital systems in the US and had sites in all US territories overseas
and military facilities. "Our physicians locally at the sites enrolled
twice as many minority subjects as any randomized clinical trial ever,"
Wright said, and we had about half men and half women as subjects --
something most trials struggle with."

The study has attracted some media attention. Wright was interviewed by
NBC News. "We were happy to have some media interest, especially given
the other news in Washington, DC, that overshadows this naturally," he
said. "It is just a great feeling to have it published and peer
reviewed."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements: January 21
* [IMG]Winter Field Day is January 30 - 31, sponsored by the Winter
Field Day Association (WFDA), "a dedicated group of amateur radio
operators who believe that emergency communications in a winter
environment is just as important as the preparations and practice
that is done each summer, but with some additional unique
operational concerns." CW and SSB only.
* Bob Witte, K0NR, has proposed that Summits on the Air (SOTA) and
similar programs designate 146.48 MHz as the "North America
venture Frequency" (NAAF) FM simplex channel on 2 meters. This is
to avoid the national calling frequency of 146.52, which can be
busy; those using 146.52 MHz are expected to move to another
frequency after making contact.
* Madison DX Club President Bob Urban, W9EWZ, has announced that the
presentation "Understanding and Applying Solar Indices," by Carl
Luetzelschwab, K9LA, is available on the Madison DX Club YouTube
channel.
* Radio amateurs in Australia may use the prefix AX on Australia Day,
January 26. The day commemorates the arrival of the first fleet in
1788, the raising of the British flag, and the establishment of
European settlements. The annual day celebrates Australian history
and culture.
* To celebrate Peru's 200 years as a republic, the Peruvian Radio
Club will field some special call signs throughout 2021. Listen for
OC200P, OC200E, OC200R, and OC200U. The single-letter suffixes
spell "PERU." Only one of the commemorative call signs will be on
the air at a time -- OC200P in January, May, and September; OC200E
in February, June, and October; OC200R in March, July, and
November, and OC200U in April, August, and December. QSL to OA4O.
* The free English-language AMSAT-EA January newsletter features an
article by Carlos Flores, EA3HAH, about his experiences using FT4
on the linear (SSB) amateur satellites. He reports good results
with 1 - 2 W and was able to decode without problems "on almost all
calls."

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

2nd-largest per-capita group of amateur radio operators in the world
call Eastern Iowa home

The Gazette, January 19, 2021

Irish Students Get to Chat with International Space Station

Euro Weekly News (online), December 9, 2020

Ham Radio Operators Honor Legacy of Mars Hill Company

The Citizen-Times (North Carolina), December 9, 2020

Happy SKYWARN Recognition Day

WDRB.com (Kentucky), December 5, 2020

Liftoff: Sea Road School Students to Chat with Space Station Astronaut

Kennebunk Post (Maine), December 4, 2020

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: We just witnessed 12 consecutive days
with no sunspots, which many of us found a bit unsettling. But
fortunately Solar Cycle 25 activity returned with a new sunspot on
January 15.

Average daily sunspot numbers increased from zero last week to 14.7 in
the January 14 - 20 reporting period.

Average daily solar flux rose from 73.8 to 76.1, and geomagnetic
indicators sank to very quiet levels. Average daily planetary A index
dropped from 5.9 to 4, and average daily middle latitude A index from
4.4 to 3.

The outlook for the next month looks good. Predicted daily solar flux
for the next 30 days is 80 on January 21 - 28; 75 on January 29 -
February 3; 76 for February 4 - 10; 77 for February 11 -17, and 76 on
February 18 - 19.

Predicted planetary A index is 14, 10, and 8 on January 21 - 23; 5 on
January 24 - 25; 8 on January 26 - 28; 5 on January 29 - 31; 10 on
February 1 - 2; 5 on February 3 - 13; 10, 10, 12, and 10 on February 14
- 17, and 5 on February 18 - 19.

Sunspot numbers for January 14 - 20 were 0, 13, 15, 23, 13, 14, and 25,
with a mean of 14.7. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.6, 73.4, 77.7,
77.2, 75.3, 78.1, and 77.2, with a mean of 76.1. Estimated planetary A
indices were 2, 3, 4, 3, 4, 6, and 6, with a mean of 4. Middle latitude
A index was 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 6, and 5, with a mean of 3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

Over-the-horizon radars (OTH-R) continue to clutter 40 and 20 meters.
The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Monitoring Service
(IARUMS) reports that OTH-Rs have increasingly been finding spectrum on
17 and 15 meters. "Above all, the Russian OTH-R 'Contayner,' as well as
OTH-Rs from China affect amateur radio more and more, sometimes quite
massively," said IARUMS newsletter Editor Peter Jost, HB9CET, said in
the December edition, with three or four such signals showing in the
same band. Significantly fewer FSK transmissions as well as the
characteristic CIS12 signals from the Commonwealth of Independent
States were to be found. "For some time now, a broadcast station is
active every day at 1100 - 1258 UTC at 7200 kHz," Jost said, adding
that the signal appears to be coming from Taiwan. "The broadcast
station 'Voice of Broad Masses' from Eritrea can be heard daily on 7140
kHz (VOBM1) and increasingly also on 7180 kHz (VOBM2)," he added.
Occasionally, better conditions during November 2020 revealed fishing
buoy signals and an Iranian OTH-R on 10 meters. The Chinese OTH-R
nicknamed "Foghorn" "was and is a daily troublemaker," Jost reported in
November.

The Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius plans to launch MIR-SAT1
(Mauritius Imagery and Radio - Satellite 1) in 2021. The project was
the first winner of the 2018 round of the United Nations Office for
Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA) KiboCUBE Program. The CubeSat will carry an amateur radio V/U
digipeater (a downlink of 436.925 MHz has been coordinated). It's
expected that JAXA will launch MIR-SAT1 to the International Space
Station (ISS) in February for deployment in May or June, according to
Space in Africa. The 1U nanosatellite was designed by a team of
Mauritian engineers and an experienced radio amateur from the Mauritius
Amateur Radio Society in collaboration with experts from AAC Clyde
Space UK.

Two new member-societies have been proposed for IARU membership. The
Amateur Radio Union of the Kyrgyz Republic (ARUKR) and the Bahrain
Amateur Radio Society (BARS) have been proposed for approval by the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) as member-societies. Before
taking up the BARS application, the status of Amateur Radio Association
of Bahrain (ARAB), whose membership rights were suspended in 2016, had
to be determined. "Following an investigation, both the Region 1
Executive Committee and the IARU ministrative Council are satisfied
that ARAB no longer exists," IARU said. Member-societies proposed for
membership are subject to a vote by current member-societies.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* January 23 - 24 -- BARTG RTTY Sprint
* January 23 - 24 -- UK/EI DX Contest (CW)
* January 25 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, 20 WPM max)
* January 27 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
* January 27 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest
* January 28 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
January 28, 2021

* QSO Today Expo to Include Speaker Track on Amateur Radio Satellites
* Ham Radio's SuitSat Returns in Short Horror Film
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* President Biden Taps Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting FCC
Chair
* CHESS CubeSat Constellation to Carry FUNcube Transponders
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* YOTA Month a Success in the Americas and Around the World
* Announcements
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Getting It Right
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
QSO Today Expo to Include Speaker Track on Amateur Radio Satellites

The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo on March 13 - 14 will devote a speaker
track to AMSAT and the world of amateur radio satellites.

The expo is in "full planning mode" and promises "many exciting new
things" for the upcoming event, which will include a world-class lineup
of more than 60 speakers and workshops for beginners to experts.
Presenters at nine AMSAT sessions will discuss the broad spectrum of
ham radio satellites, including:
* Introduction to Amateur Radio Satellites (Douglas Quagliana,
KA2UPW)
* Getting on the Air with Satellites (Clint Bradford, K6LCS)
* How to Enjoy Amateur Radio Contacts with the International Space
Station (Frank Bauer, KA3HDO)
* Implementation of LDPC Encoder on FPGA (Anshul Makkar)
* Debris Mitigation in Earth's Orbit (Anshul Makkar)
* Digital Multiplexing Transponder from the Open Research Institute
(Michelle Thompson, W5NYV)
* Solving the ITAR and EAR Problem for the Amateur Radio Satellite
Service (Michelle Thompson, W5NYV)
* Remote Labs for P4XT Engineering Development (Paul Williamson,
KB5MU)

Thompson, an AMSAT Board Member, said working satellites is one of the
most rewarding privileges of holding an amateur radio license.

"There has never been a better time to be involved in amateur radio
satellites, since some long-standing regulatory burdens have been
lifted and advanced technology has never been more affordable and
accessible," Thompson remarked. "We have opportunities now that were
not available as of even a few years ago. AMSAT is fortunate to
contribute to the expo by showcasing the truly amazing work going on
around the world in the amateur satellite scene. And the Expo is an
ideal partner to show it off to the wider ham audience."

AMSAT will have a booth at the expo, where attendees can talk to
experts, enthusiasts, operators, and technicians and obtain contact and
membership information for the 30 AMSAT societies around the world.

Early-bird tickets are $10 (to help cover the cost of this event) and
$12.50 "at the door." That includes entry for the live, 2-day event as
well as access during the 30-day on-demand period following the event.
Register on the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo website.

ARRL is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo partner.
Ham Radio's SuitSat Returns in Short Horror Film

SuitSat makes an appearance in a new video short sci-fi thriller,
called Decommissioned. "Inspired by true events," the video short
resurrects the 2006 spacesuit/satellite that transmitted messages on 2
meters as it circled Earth. The original SuitSat-1 project, conceived
by an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team,
repurposed a decommissioned Russian Orlan spacesuit to function as a
free-floating amateur radio transmit-only satellite.

"ARISS designed and built an antenna and radio gear that got approved
for installation into the suit, and cosmonaut Valeri Tokarev and
Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, put SuitSat-1 into orbit at the start
of a spacewalk," ARISS-US Delegate for ARRL Rosalie White, K1STO,
recounted. SuitSat-1 transmitted a voice message, "This is SuitSat-1
RS0RS!" in several languages, plus telemetry and a slow-scan TV image
on an 8-minute cycle as it orbited Earth.

In the 6-minute film, a SuitSat returns in the future to haunt
International Space Station Commander Diaz, played by Joey Vieira. Diaz
is seen taking photos from inside an observation dome on the ISS when
he spies some distant space debris and radios Houston to express
concern.

"If there was any cause for alarm, you know we'd see it too," Houston
assures him.

As the object closes in, an increasingly anxious Diaz recognizes the
"debris" as SuitSat. "This is SuitSat," comes a voice on the ham radio.

"Houston, you're not gonna believe this. We're picking up transmissions
on the ham radio that sound identical to the SuitSat experiment," he
tells a skeptical mission control. "It's SuitSat! I'm seeing SuitSat!"

"SuitSat re-entered the atmosphere and burned up years ago," mission
control responds. "It's impossible."

Decommissioned was produced by Perception Pictures and directed by
Australian filmmaker Josh Tanner. He told Gizmodo that he

The real SuitSat in 2006.
[NASA, photo]

produced the video "using the Unreal Engine technology that The
Mandalorian used, albeit old-school rear projection, as opposed to the
fancy LED wall tech they used."

A short video shows how Decommissioned was made.

SuitSat-1 -- called Radioskaf or Radio Sputnik in Russian -- was so
successful that another unneeded Orlan spacesuit was subsequently
refitted as SuitSat-2.

As an interesting sidebar with respect to the real SuitSat, White
explained, "After the ARISS engineers calculated SuitSat-1's orbit and
spin characteristics, they knew the legs and arms would have to be
filled with something, so they asked the crew to stuff dirty laundry
inside."

The original SuitSats were deorbited to burn up in Earth's atmosphere
after their useful lives ended.

ARRL is a partner in the ARISS program, which has kept amateur radio on
the air from the International Space Station for 20 years. A hallmark
of the ARISS program is the scheduled ham radio contacts between ISS
crew members and earthbound schools and student groups.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 13) features a
discussion with Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, about his success in boosting
activity at the University of Arizona amateur radio club.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 26) discusses synchronous
AM reception and includes an interview with Dave Tipping, NZ1J, about a
novel approach to boost foxhunt participation.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

President Biden Taps Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting FCC
Chair

This week, President Joseph Biden designated FCC Commissioner Jessica
Rosenworcel as acting chair of the FCC. She succeeds, at least
temporarily, former FCC chair Ajit Pai, who resigned effective on
January 20.

"I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal
Communications Commission by President Biden," Rosenworcel said in a
statement. "I thank the President for the opportunity to lead an agency
with such a vital mission and talented staff. It is a privilege to
serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach
of communications opportunity in the digital age."

Prior to joining the FCC, she served as Senior Communications Counsel
for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation. Before entering public service, she practiced
communications law in Washington, DC.

The newest FCC commissioner, Nathan Simington, a Republican appointee,
said Rosenworcel "brings deep knowledge and experience and highly
informed judgment to her new position." He expressed appreciation that
the Biden ministration acted promptly to establish FCC leadership by
"selecting such a distinguished public servant for this vital role."

Fellow Democrat Geoffrey Starks said Rosenworcel "has been a passionate
advocate for bringing the benefits of broadband to all Americans --
particularly our children." He said her designation as acting chair
"comes at a critical juncture for the Commission, as COVID-19 has made
bold action to end internet inequality more vital than ever."

The Commission's other Democratic appointee, Brendan Carr, called
Rosenworcel "a talented and dedicated public servant, as evidenced by
her 8 years of distinguished service on the FCC."

Rosenworcel has also been appointed as Defense Commissioner. Among
other duties and responsibilities, the Defense Commissioner represents
the FCC in interagency matters pertaining to public safety, homeland
security, national security, emergency preparedness, disaster
management, and defense and related matters, including those pertaining
to continuity of essential FCC functions under emergency conditions.

CHESS CubeSat Constellation to Carry FUNcube Transponders

In 2020, a project between AMSAT-UK, AMSAT-NL, and Swiss universities
got under way with the aim of equipping two Swiss satellites with
linear amateur radio transponders. Linear transponders permit several
CW or SSB contacts to take place simultaneously within a prescribed
passband. The satellites also include features for classroom
demonstrations and experiments.

The CHESS (Constellation of High Energy Swiss Satellites) project
includes two satellites, which will be built simultaneously and later
launched as a constellation.

"The main science objective is to improve the understanding of the
upper atmosphere by in-situ measurements...taking advantage of a
constellation of identical nanosatellites to study the composition of
the terrestrial atmosphere and its density," the CHESS website
explains. The first satellite will have a nearly circular orbit at an
altitude of 400 kilometers. The second will have an elliptical orbit
with an altitude of 350 * 1,000 kilometers.

The amateur radio payload is a joint project of AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL.
A successful review of system requirements was completed in December.
Launch will not take place until the fourth quarter of 2022. The
satellites themselves are a project of the École polytechnique fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), with support from several other schools. -- Thanks
to AMSAT News Service via AMSAT-UK

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ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and view previously recorded sessions. The
schedule is subject to change.

Easy Helical Copper Tape and PVC 2-Meter Vertical Antenna: John
Portune, W6NBC

Learn how to quickly build a tiny, 18-inch continuously loaded
lightweight portable or base station 2-meter omnidirectional vertical
with performance and efficiency comparable to a 5-foot J-pole. All you
need is some hardware-store copper tape and PVC pipe, and the cost is
roughly $10. It's an easy afternoon's homebrew project, ideal for the
new ham but equal to the experienced ham's needs. It is great for
events like bike-a-thons. It also makes an excellent ham radio club
hands-on building project, and the design is adaptable to other bands.

Tuesday February 2, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Interesting Stories About Ham Radio & Weather Spotting: Rob Macedo,
KD1CY

One of the most critical ways amateur radio supports agencies such as
the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center, and
emergency management is through weather spotting via the NWS SKYWARN
program. This presentation reviews some interesting stories about how
amateurs involved in SKYWARN have saved lives and property and why this
is an important amateur radio activity.

Thursday February 11, 2021 @ 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday, February 12)

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW Tour: Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, W1AW Station
Manager

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW, located in Newington, Connecticut, was
established to honor the memory of ARRL's co-founder and first
president, Hiram Percy Maxim. Although the first radio station of the
ARRL was actually located in Hartford, Connecticut and active as W1MK,
W1AW in Newington is known worldwide and considered the radio station
most associated with Hiram Percy Maxim. Formally established in 1938 -
nearly 2 years after the death of Hiram Percy Maxim - W1AW has
consistently been on the air, save for the time when the station was
ordered off the air by the FCC due to World War II. This guided tour
will provide an inside look at W1AW and will be led by Station Manager
Joe Carcia, NJ1Q.

Thursday February 18, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School's Exciting ARISS
Experience: Diane Warner, KE8HLD

This is a story about Tallmadge Elementary School's participation in a
once-in-a-lifetime ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station) school contact. You'll learn about their amazing journey
leading up to the amateur radio contact with an astronaut on the
International Space Station. The excitement of the entire experience
was shared not just by the students, but included faculty, parents, the
community, and local amateur radio operators. You will also learn how
to begin the process of submitting your own ARISS contact proposal.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Visit the ARRL Learning Network for more information.

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YOTA Month a Success in the Americas and Around the World

December YOTA Month 2020 was a great success in the Americas.
Youth-operated amateur radio stations, operating under the Youth on the
Air (YOTA) banner in the Western Hemisphere, contributed more than
14,600 contacts to the annual worldwide event, which celebrates youth
in amateur radio. Two dozen operators under the age of 26 used special
event call signs to promote youth in amateur radio in the Americas.

During December YOTA Month in the US, four 1 * 1 special event call
signs -- K8Y, K8O, K8T, and K8A -- were on the air, rotating among
participating operators. This marks an 11.3% increase in contacts from
the 2019 total of nearly 12,500. Some operators used the 1 * 1 call
signs during various operating events.

"My favorite part of YOTA Month was running five radios at once," said
Michael Lippert, W3MLJ, a Pennsylvania teenager. "They were all on
digital modes. Running the big FT8 pileups was very fun, and to see the
rate of the contacts being logged was really cool." Fifth-grader Calin
Rismiller, K8MTJ, commented, "In general, I liked making a bunch of
QSOs in a short period of time. In particular, I had a really nice
conversation with Erich, KC9CUK, on 40 meters. I also got a kick out of
working ZR1ADI in South Africa, on 20-meter FT8."

"Using lessons from YOTA Month 2019 made organizing more streamlined
and flexible for our operators this year," said Bryant Rascoll, KG5HVO,
who coordinated the efforts of the 24 operators and their logs. As part
of his responsibilities, he also managed Logbook of The World (LoTW)
accounts for US stations, the QRZ.com profiles for all the call signs,
maintained an operator schedule, worked with YOTA Month Manager Tomi
Varro, HA8RT, and reported to the YOTA camp committee in the Americas.

December YOTA Month served as a prelude for the first-ever youth ham
camp hosted in the Western Hemisphere. The event is tentatively
scheduled for July 11 - 16, 2021.

Globally, more than 137,000 YOTA Month contacts were logged under the
46 call signs that hams younger than 26 put on the air. That surpassed
last year's record number of 129,029. The US placed second, behind
Croatia, in the total number of contacts made during the event. More
than 2,100 operators of all ages received awards based on the number of
YOTA contacts made.

Unclaimed awards can be downloaded. ditional statistics are also
available. All YOTA Month QSL cards should be requested via OQRS on the
Club Log website (registration required). More information about YOTA
in the Americas can be found on the Youth on the Air website.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* The RadFXSat-2 Fox 1-E satellite beacon on 435.750 MHz has not been
heard, and AMSAT asks the worldwide amateur satellite community to
listen for the BPSK telemetry. Visit AMSAT for more information.
RadFXSat-2 was launched on January 17.
* Randy Payne, K4EZM, of Sebring, Florida, has been named the 2020
White Award recipient. Established in 2016 in honor of retired,
long-time ARRL Headquarters staffer and current Florida resident
Ellen White, W1YL, the White Award is given to the radio amateur
who has made the greatest contribution to amateur radio in the ARRL
West Central Florida Section.
* During the CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest, members of the Contest
Group Du Quebec will be operating XM2X as a
"multi-multi-distributed station." QSL via LoTW.
* Japanese Antarctica Research Expedition (JARL) station 8J1RL will
be active from February 2021 to January 2022 with Takumi, JG3PLH,
at the helm. 8J1RL is located at the Japanese Syowa Station on East
Ongul Island in eastern Antarctica. Activity will be on SSB, CW,
and FT8, 7 - 28 MHz.


Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

Reaching for the Stars: RSU 21 Students Contact Astronaut in Space

Portsmouth Herald (New Hampshire), January 22, 2021

In Quiet, Remote U.P., Ham Radio Helps Michiganders Connect From
Confines of Home

Detroit Free Press (Michigan), January 21, 2021

Ham on Hog 3: Icom IC-705 Transceiver Meets Harley-Davidson

Ultimate Motorcycling, January 12, 2021

Balloon Launched by Pella Students Makes 3rd Trip Around the Globe

KNIA-KRLS Radio (Iowa), December 28, 2020

Passion and Purpose featuring Toby Papas, KL0SS, President of the
Williamsburg Area Amateur Radio Club

Williamsburg's Next Door Neighbors (Virginia), February 2021

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Getting It Right

Due to a typographical error, the incorrect "North America venture
Frequency" (NAAF) FM simplex channel on 2 meters appeared among the
Announcements in the January 21 edition of The ARRL Letter. The correct
frequency is 146.58 MHz.

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In Brief...

YouTube recordings and PDF files from the 2021 Propagation Summit
hosted on January 23 by Contest University are available. More than
1,000 logged in for the sessions. Each presentation begins
approximately on the hour. You can advance the video to the
presentation you wish to view. 11 AM - "Update on the Personal Space
Weather Station Project and HamSCI Activities for 2021" by Dr.
Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF; 12 Noon - "Solar Cycle 25 Predictions and
Progress" by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA; 1 PM - "Maximizing Performance
of HF Antennas with Irregular Terrain" by Jim Breakall, WA3FET, and 2
PM - "HF Propagation: What to Expect During the Rising Years of Solar
Cycle 25," by Frank Donovan, W3LPL. Slides decks are available for each
presentation in PDF format: Frissell; Luetzelschwab; Breakall, and
Donovan.

2021 is the centennial of the Finnish Amateur Radio League (SRAL). The
special anniversary call sign OH100SRAL is being used throughout the
year. Working at least 100 Finnish stations during 2021 qualifies the
operator for an award. The SRAL's OH0W call sign will be on the air
from the Aland Islands from January 29 - February 3 for the CQ World
Wide 160-Meter Contest (CW) and a few days afterward. Operators will
include Niko Halminen, OH2GEK; Martti Laine, OH2BH, and Pertti
Simovaara, OH2PM.

The Intrepid-DX Group is seeking nominations for the individual or
group that most displayed their "Intrepid spirit" in 2020. For the
purposes of this award, "an Intrepid spirit is bold, courageous,
dedicated, innovative, fearless, generous, resolute, and visionary in
their approach to amateur radio," the organization says. "We want to
recognize those individuals or groups that activated the rare,
difficult, and dangerous places" in 2020, exhibiting "an unshakable
commitment to the amateur radio DX community." Submit nominations via
email by February 15, 2021. The Board of Directors of the Intrepid-DX
Group will evaluate the nominations, and the award will be presented in
May 2021. -- Thanks to Paul Ewing, N6PSE, president and founder of the
Intrepid-DX Group

The February 6 NCJ-sponsored North American Sprint (CW) and the March
13 RTTY Sprint will begin 1 hour earlier. The sprints will get under
way at 2300 UTC instead of 0000 UTC, and end at 0259 UTC. Moving the
start earlier will give participants in the north and east a larger
window for 20-meter activity. The new start times in February and March
are provisional and will be evaluated after the contests. The September
North American Sprint start times will not change. The log submission
deadline is 7 days from the end of the contest. Submit logs via the
uploader app. The North American Sprint web page includes rules,
results, team registration, and other information. A "how-to" article
by Jim George, N3BB, is available under "Tips" at the lower right-hand
side of the Sprint web page. -- Thanks to CW Sprint Manager Ward
Silver, N0AX

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The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity increased this week.
We saw no spotless days, and the average daily sunspot number rose from
14.7 to 28.1. Average daily solar flux was up from 76.1 to 77.2.

Average daily planetary A index rose from 4 to 9.4, due to a minor
geomagnetic storm on Monday. On that day, Alaska's High Latitude
College A index was 33.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days is 76 on January 28 - 29; 74
on January 30 - February 1; 72, 70, and 73 on February 2 - 4; 76 on
February 5 - 10; 77 on February 11 - 20; 76 on February 21 - 24, 75 on
February 25 - 26.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on January 28 - 31; 18, 12, and 8 on
February 1 - 3; 5 on February 4 - 6; 10 on February 7 - 8; 5 on
February 9 - 19; 8, 12 and, 12 on February 20 - 22, and 5 on February
23 - 26.

Sunspot numbers for January 21 - 27 were 26, 39, 34, 23, 26, 23, and
26, with a mean of 28.1. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 77.6, 78.2, 77.9,
77.6, 77.1, 75.7, and 76.3, with a mean of 77.2. Estimated planetary A
indices were 3, 4, 5, 5, 17, 21, and 11, with a mean of 9.4. Middle
latitude A index was 2, 3, 3, 4, 14, 9, and 9, with a mean of 6.3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* January 29 - 31 -- CQ 160-Meter Contest (CW)
* January 30 - 31 -- REF Contest (CW)
* January 30 - 31 -- UBA DX Contest, SSB
* January 30 - 31 -- Winter Field Day
* February 1 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, 20 WPM max)
* February 1 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, SSB
* February 2 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
* February 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* February 2 -- RTTY OPS Weeksprint
* February 3 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* February 3 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* February 3 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* February 3 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
* February 4 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* February 4 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone)
* February 4 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)

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Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

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ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
February 4, 2021

* ARRL Board Confers Awards on Skip Jackson, KS0J, and Josh Nass,
KI6NAZ
* ARRL Board of Directors to Reconsider the Use of Electronic
Balloting
* ARISS and Partners Investigating Ham Radio Anomaly Following
Spacewalk
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* RadFxSat-2 Satellite Signals Detected, AMSAT Engineering Continues
to Assess Status
* The K7RA Solar Update
* FT8 and the Other WSJT-X Digital Modes are "Tools," K1JT Says
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Plans to Retrieve Titanic Wireless Equipment Put on Indefinite Hold
* Announcements
* ARISS is Seeking Hosts for Ham Radio Contacts with the Space
Station
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Getting It Right
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Board Confers Awards on Skip Jackson, KS0J, and Josh Nass, KI6NAZ

During its Annual Meeting on January 14 - 15, the ARRL Board of
Directors announced recipients of the ARRL Knight Distinguished Service
Award and the 2020 ARRL Bill Leonard Professional Media Award. The
Board also recognized several ARRL-affiliated clubs.

Minnesota ARRL Section
Manager Skip Jackson,
KS0J.

ARRL Minnesota Section Manager Richard "Skip" Jackson, KS0J, is the
recipient of the ARRL Knight Distinguished Service Award. During his
16-year tenure, Jackson "has actively promoted ARRL activities in his
Section, including visiting hundreds of Field Day operations over the
years, represented the League at numerous hamfests, and attended
countless club meetings in his state, promoting the League," the
Board's resolution read. The Board credited Jackson's leadership for
developing "a strong working cadre of volunteers" in the Section,
calling him "a model to ARRL Section Managers across the country as a
strong supporter of ARRL and its activities."

The Award's namesake is longtime veteran New Mexico Section Manager Joe
T. Knight, W5PDY, who was the first recipient of the award in 2003. The
Award carries a $250 honorarium and a plaque.

The Board also approved, as recommended by the ARRL Public Relations
Committee, Josh B. Nass, KI6NAZ, as the winner of the 2020 Bill Leonard
Professional Media Award for Video Reporting. The

Josh Nass, KI6NAZ.

Board cited Nass "for his outstanding YouTube channel, 'Ham Radio Crash
Course,' which has garnered almost 170,000 subscribers." The Board
resolution observed that Nass generated "productions of high levels of
content -- and effective and entertaining instruction of that content."
The resolution also cited Nass for his use of "new modes of learning
and information conveyance that enhance further education of amateur
radio operators everywhere." The Leonard Award includes a $250
honorarium and a plaque.

The Board approved a change to the timing of the Philip J. McGan
Memorial Silver Antenna Award and the Bill Leonard Professional Media
Award. The nomination deadline for both awards has been changed to
March 31 each year. This brings the cycle of the two media awards into
alignment with five other prominent ARRL awards -- the Hiram Percy
Maxim Award; the ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award; the
ARRL Microwave Development Award; the ARRL Technical Service Award, and
the ARRL Technical Innovation Award. Nominations for these awards will
cover the previous calendar year. The change is effective with the
March 31, 2022 nomination application, covering the period January 1 -
December 31, 2021.

The Board also recognized:
* The 70th anniversary of the Garden State Amateur Radio Association
(W2GSA). The Board resolution cited the club's "outstanding record
of learning and education programs, including youth programs."
* The 105th anniversary of the Amateur Radio Club of the University
of Arkansas (ARCUA), W5YM, formed in 1916.
* The 50th anniversary of the Boeing Employees Amateur Radio
Society-St Louis, which became an ARRL affiliated club in 1971.
Read more.

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ARRL Board of Directors to Reconsider the Use of Electronic Balloting

The ARRL Board of Directors will look into the use of electronic
balloting systems "to augment paper balloting for ARRL elections." The
Board instituted a hybrid paper and electronic balloting process in the
fall of 2012, which was popular among those who took advantage of it,
but overall voter participation declined significantly. In 2015, the
Board's Ethics and Elections Committee decided to return to using
solely paper ballots. The Ethics and Elections Panel said continuing
changes in technology, the acceptance of remote meetings, and
significant advancements in voting processes since then have made
electronic balloting worth a second look.

"Electronic balloting is now in common use among professional
organizations," the Board said. "Using electronic balloting would be of
benefit to members who find paper ballots difficult to use. Providing
electronic balloting as an alternative to paper balloting may result in
a cost savings to the organization and decrease delays and potential
conflicts over delays of paper ballots. It is likely, also, that the
use of online balloting will be attractive to younger members who are
more accustomed to online transactions."

The Board directed its ministration & Finance Committee to
investigate the state, cost, and availability of commercial electronic
balloting services as a member-selected alternative to paper ballots
distributed and collected via the postal service. The committee will
report back to the Board within a year.
ARISS and Partners Investigating Ham Radio Anomaly Following Spacewalk

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) and its
partners are troubleshooting what's keeping the NA1SS amateur station
off the air. ARISS became aware of the problem after an attempted
contact with a school in Wyoming, between ON4ISS on Earth and astronaut
Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, at NA1SS, had to abort when no downlink signal
was heard. ARISS has determined that the problem is not with the radio
equipment on board the ISS Columbus module.

ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, explained that during a
January 27 spacewalk to install exterior cabling on the ISS Columbus
module, the coax feed line installed 11 years ago was replaced with
another built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus. It
included two additional RF connectors to support the Bartolomeo
payload-hosting platform installed last spring on Columbus.

"On January 26, prior to the EVA [extravehicular activity], our
Columbus next-generation radio system was shut off and the ISS-internal
coaxial cable to the antenna was disconnected from the ARISS radio as a
safety precaution for the EVA," Bauer said. During the spacewalk, an
external four-connector coax feed line replaced one with two RF
connections.

"This change was made to allow ESA to connect ARISS and three
additional customers to Bartolomeo, as compared to ARISS and one
additional RF customer," Bauer explained.

With the spacewalk completed, the ISS crew restarted the ISS ham radio
station on January 28, but no voice repeater or automatic packet
repeater system (APRS) downlink reports were heard, and no downlink
signal was heard during an attempted scheduled school contact either.

Bauer said that because the exterior cable is not an ARISS cable, ARISS
is working with ESA and NASA on a way forward. "NASA has opened a
Payload Anomaly Report on this issue. We have talked to both the NASA
and ESA representatives," Bauer said. Read more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 13) features a
discussion with Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, about his success in boosting
activity at the University of Arizona amateur radio club.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 26) discusses synchronous
AM reception and includes an interview with Dave Tipping, NZ1J, about a
novel approach to boost foxhunt participation.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

RadFxSat-2 Satellite Signals Detected, AMSAT Engineering Continues to
Assess Status

AMSAT reports that it's continuing to assess the status of the
RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E amateur radio CubeSat after a ham in Nevada
reported hearing his CW signal weakly via the spacecraft's transponder
on January 27. AMSAT Engineering and Operations was able to confirm the
reports from Brad Schumacher, W5SAT, and determined that RadFxSat-2 is
partially functioning, although signals are extremely weak.

"We also appreciate those who joined in determining whether they could
detect their own or other signals in recent passes today," AMSAT said
in a January 28 bulletin. "Please do not attempt to transmit through
the transponder until further notice. This is very important to the
next steps we are taking now."

AMSAT Vice President - Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, said on January
29 that the beacon still has not been heard, and AMSAT has enlisted the
aid of some "big gun" stations. "We have asked everybody to listen," he
said. The beacon transmits 1200 bps BPSK telemetry on 435.750 MHz, ±
Doppler, upper sideband (USB). Use FoxTelem to capture any telemetry,
and set FoxTelem to "Upload to Server" so that AMSAT will receive the
telemetry data. Recordings are welcome, with a detailed description.

AMSAT stressed that keeping the RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E transponder clear
"is essential to putting all power and attention to the beacon
telemetry." Read more.
The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: We just witnessed 5 days in a row
with zero sunspots, but on February 2 a small sunspot group (2801)
appeared in our sun's northwest limb. It should soon rotate off the
sun's visible area. Perhaps we will see a few more days of no sunspots,
but a return after February 11 is possible when increased solar flux is
forecast.

Average daily sunspot numbers declined from 28.1 last week to 3.3 this
week. Average daily solar flux dropped from 77.2 to 74.2.

Average daily planetary A index went from 9.4 to 6.7.

Solar flux over the next 30 days is predicted at 74 and 72 on February
4 - 5; 70 on February 6 - 11; 76 on February 12 - 16; 78 on February 17
- 22; 76 on February 23 - 25; 74 on February 26; 73 on February 27 -
March 1, and 72 on March 2 - 7.

Predicted planetary A index is 8, 5, and 5 on February 4 - 6; 16 and 10
on February 7 - 8; 5 on February 9 - 20; 20, 16, and 12 on February 21
- 23; 5 on February 24-27; 18, 12, and 8 on February 28 - March 2, and
5 on March 3 - 5.

Jon Jones, N0JK, reported, "Had some sporadic-E on 50 MHz the evening
of February 1 (February 2 UTC). XE2TT (DL44) in on 50.313 MHz, 0205
UTC. Was on Saturday night for a couple of hours January 31 UTC for the
CQ 160-Meter CW Contest. Band noisy due to snow and high winds in
eastern Kansas. Made over 50 contacts with 5 W and a rain gutter
antenna."

Sunspot numbers for January 28 - February 3 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 12, and
11, with a mean of 28.1. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 75.6, 75.5, 73.7,
73.4, 73.7, 72.9, and 74.3, with a mean of 77.2. Estimated planetary A
indices were 5, 3, 2, 1, 5, 17, and 14, with a mean of 9.4. Middle
latitude A index was 3, 2, 2, 0, 4, 11, and 10, with a mean of 6.3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

FT8 and the Other WSJT-X Digital Modes are "Tools," K1JT Says

According to WSJT-X software co-developer Joe Taylor, K1JT, the very
popular FT8 and the other digital modes in the software suite "are
tools, freely available to hams who want to use them. They are very
good at some things, not so good at others." Nonetheless, FT8 -- and,
by extension, its contest-mode variation, FT4 -- especially have become
game-changers on the HF bands, although, as Taylor has explained, FT8
"was explicitly designed" for making contacts during weak, multi-hop,
sporadic-E openings on 6 meters.

"It's extremely good at that," he added, and noted that
transcontinental and intercontinental DX on 6 meters has greatly
benefited from the use of FT8 over the past several years. Developed in
2017, FT8 is named after its developers -- Taylor, and Steven Franke,
K9AN. The numeral designates the mode's eight-frequency shift-keying
format.

Taylor said that while the development team knew that FT8 would be very
useful for weak-signal DXing on HF as well as on 6 meters, it did not
foresee that it would have the sort of impact it's had on HF operating.

Taylor agreed that FT8 is "a mature mode," with the protocol's details
published in QEX. "Details of message structure, in particular, will
not change in a way that is not backward compatible," he said.

Although some FT8 fans may feel the mode is running out of room on some
bands, Taylor said that as far as he and his fellow WSJT-X developers
are concerned, the 3 kHz slices of spectrum suggested for FT8 use are
just that -- suggestions.

"There is no reason why additional slices should not be used when
over-occupancy requires it," he told ARRL. "We don't attempt to dictate
such usage patterns; band planning is best done by committees created
for that purpose."

Many radio amateurs are taking advantage of the FT8 and FT4 modes all
the time. FT8 watering holes are sometimes the only places to find
signals on bands that otherwise might be considered dead.

The WSJT Development Group this week announced the general availability
release of WSJT-X Version 2.3.0. It includes a new Q65 mode but does
not involve any changes to the FT8 protocol. A summary of new features
can be found in the WSJT-X 2.3 User Guide. The Release Notes offer
additional information, including a list of important program changes
since the WSJT-X 2.2. Upgrading from earlier versions of WSJT-X should
be seamless. Installation packages for Windows, Linux, and Macintosh
are available.
ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Interesting Stories about Ham Radio & Weather Spotting -- Rob Macedo,
KD1CY

One of the most critical ways amateur radio supports agencies such as
the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center, and
emergency management is through weather spotting via the NWS SKYWARN
program. This presentation reviews some interesting stories about how
amateurs involved in SKYWARN have saved lives and property, and why
this is an important amateur radio activity.

Thursday, February 11, 2021 @ 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday, February
12)

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW Tour -- Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, W1AW Station
Manager

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW, located in Newington, Connecticut was
established to honor the memory of ARRL's co-founder and first
president, Hiram Percy Maxim. Although ARRL's first station was
actually located in Hartford, Connecticut and active as W1MK, W1AW in
Newington is known worldwide and considered the radio station most
associated with Hiram Percy Maxim. Formally established in 1938 --
nearly 2 years after the death of Hiram Percy Maxim -- W1AW has
consistently been on the air, save for the time when the station was
ordered off the air by the FCC because of World War II.

Thursday, February 18, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School's Exciting ARISS Experience
-- Diane Warner, KE8HLD

This is a story about Tallmadge Elementary School's participation in a
once-in-a-lifetime Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) school contact. Learn about their amazing journey leading up to
the amateur radio contact with an astronaut on the International Space
Station. The excitement of the entire experience was shared not just by
the students, but included faculty, parents, the community, and local
amateur radio operators. You will also learn how to begin the process
of submitting your own ARISS contact proposal.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Plans to Retrieve Titanic Wireless Equipment Put on Indefinite Hold

RMS Titanic, Inc., (RMST) the company that owns salvage rights to the
Titanic shipwreck, has indefinitely put off its plans to retrieve the
vessel's radio equipment for exhibit. The company cited the coronavirus
pandemic for the delay, according to a January 29 court filing. The
Atlanta-based company said its plans have faced "increasing difficulty
associated with international travel and logistics, and the associated
health risks to the expedition team." RMST's primary source of revenue
comes from its exhibits of its vast collection of Titanic relics, which
have been closed or seen only limited attendance due to virus-related
restrictions.

RMST -- a subsidiary of Premier Exhibitions and the
"salvor-in-possession" of the Titanic wreck site -- said its planned
expedition to recover the ship's wireless station equipment remains a
top priority, however, and will "take place as soon as reasonably
practicable." The Marconi-equipped station transmitted the distress
calls after the Titanic (on its maiden voyage) struck an iceberg some
370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in 1912 and began sinking. The
transmissions, heard by some nearby vessels, have been credited with
helping rescue some 700 passengers in lifeboats deployed from the
Titanic, but about 1,500 passengers were lost.

The bow of the Titanic on the
ocean's bottom. [NOAA/IFE/URI Photo]

RMST has been in an ongoing legal battle with the US government over
whether the recovery operation would be legal. In May 2020, a US
federal judge in Virginia gave permission to retrieve the wireless
gear, ruling that the company would be permitted "minimally to cut into
the wreck" to access the radio room.

RMST has said the radio room may be reachable via an already-open
skylight. But, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric ministration
(NOAA) has contended that the retrieval expedition is still prohibited
under US law and under an international agreement between the US and
the UK.

The wreck, some 2 1/2 miles beneath the surface, remained undiscovered
until 1985. Read more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* Students at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, New Jersey, launched
two picoballoons as a high school STEM project. Teacher Dave
Snyder, KD2VGT, said the students did all the work. The balloons'
APRS transmitters identify as KD2VGT-1 and KD2VGT-2.
* Jim Breakall, WA3FET, will speak at the February 5 meeting of the
Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA). His topic will be
Innovative Wideband Techniques in Antennas: A New OWA Concept and
Other Interesting Antenna Tidbits. The Zoom meeting begins at 6:45
PM EST (0400 UTC on February 6 UTC). The meeting ID is 817 3345
6763. The passcode is 088132.
* Opportunities that may appeal to AM enthusiasts are just ahead. The
annual AM Rally is February 6 - 8. The AM classic provides award
certificates, including one for "most clip leads used in the
transmitter" and "highest weight to power." The AWA Amplitude
Modulation QSO Party takes place over the February 13 - 14 weekend.
* The NCVEC Question Pool Committee (QPC) has announced the
withdrawal of one question from the General-class pool and two
questions from the Amateur Extra-class pool. Question G1E11 is
being removed from the 2019 General-Class Question Pool because it
does not have a correct answer. Questions E1C05 and E6B06 are being
removed from the 2020 Amateur Extra-Class Question Pool because
question E6B06 has two correct answer choices, and E1C05 has an
inaccurate question.
* A past DX editor at CQ Magazine, Urb LeJeune, W1UL (ex-W2DEC), of
Tuckerton, New Jersey, died on January 22. An ARRL member, he was
90. LeJeune served as CQ's DX editor for 6 years in the 1960s.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARISS is Seeking Hosts for Ham Radio Contacts with the Space Station

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is seeking
formal and informal educational institutions and organizations,
individually or working together, to host amateur radio contacts with
an International Space Station (ISS) crew member. Contacts would likely
be scheduled between January 1 and June 30, 2022. These voice radio
contacts are approximately 10 minutes long and in a question-and-answer
format.

Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact dates. ARISS is
looking for organizations that can draw large numbers of participants
and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
Organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in
dates and times of the radio contact. The deadline for proposals is
March 31, 2021.

Visit the ARISS website for more details and a proposal form.

ARISS has operated amateur radio from the ISS for 20 years, and
scheduled ham radio contacts between ISS crew members and schools and
student groups around the world are a hallmark of the ARISS program.
The ham radio stations onboard also are available for crew members to
use and serve as back-up communications capability.

In the US, ARISS is sponsored by NASA, the ISS National Laboratory,
ARRL, and AMSAT. Read more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

Passion and Purpose

Next Door Neighbors Magazine (Virginia), February 2021

McAuliffe's Legacy is Alive and Well in RSU 21

Portsmouth Herald (New Hampshire), January 28, 2021

Amateur Radio Operators Serve as Eyes and Ears

The Hoosier Responder (Indiana), February 2021

In Quiet, Remote U.P., Ham Radio Helps Michiganders Connect From
Confines of Home

Detroit Free Press (Michigan), January 21, 2021

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Getting It Right

An In Brief item in the January 14 edition of The ARRL Letter
incorrectly reported the power level that very low frequency (VLF)
enthusiast Joe Craig, VO1NA, used to transmit a 50-character message
from Newfoundland to Europe on 8.271 kHz. The radiated power was 10
microwatts.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

Organizers of the NCJ-Sponsored North American Sprint (CW and RTTY)
have leveraged the US Postal Service to drum up participation. "Some
'friends of sprint' have mailed postcards to stations in rare
multipliers on occasion in the past," said Ward Silver, N0AX. He
located a print-and-mail service that would send promotional cards to a
list of addresses the contest sponsors compiled. "I was hoping it would
get noticed [and] I guess it did!" Silver said. "There are a lot of
short contests these days, so we need to remind folks of the sprints
that started it all!" The mailing list was modified from a list of call
signs that included past sprinters and participants in the ARRL
November Sweepstakes (CW) and the North American QSO Party (NAQP), also
sponsored by NCJ. The postcard calls attention to the earlier 2300 UTC
start times for the February 6 - 7 CW and March 13 - 14 RTTY sprints.
First-time sprinters would be wise to consult the rules. The time shift
is to encourage more 20-meter activity in the east and north.

IARU has received the gift of the hamradio.org domain. Andrew J.
Wolfram, KI7RYC, has donated the hamradio.org domain to the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) for non-profit educational use
to promote the amateur and amateur satellite services. In accepting
this gift, IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, said, "The hamradio.org
domain offers a unique opportunity for which we are deeply grateful to
Andrew. It is our intention to develop a website that can serve as a
focal point for anyone, anywhere, who may be seeking information on
amateur radio, which is better known as 'ham radio' by the general
public." The IARU is the global federation of national amateur radio
organizations with member-societies in more than 160 countries and
separate territories. Since its founding in 1925, the IARU has
successfully defended and expanded access to the radio spectrum by
radio amateurs internationally.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* February 5 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
* February 5 -- NCCC CW Sprint
* February 6 -- Mexico RTTY International Contest
* February 6 -- Minnesota QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* February 6 -- FYBO Winter QRP Sprint (CW, phone)
* February 6 -- FISTS Saturday Sprint (CW)
* February 6 -- AGCW Straight Key Party (CW)
* February 6 -- EurAsia HF Championship (CW, phone)
* February 6 - 7 -- Vermont QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* February 6 - 7 -- 10-10 International Winter Contest, SSB
* February 6 - 7 -- KCJ Topband Contest (CW)
* February 6 - 7 -- F9AA Cup, CW
* February 6 - 7 -- British Columbia QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* February 6 - 7 -- North American Sprint (CW)
* February 8 - 12 -- ARRL School Club Roundup (CW, phone, digital)
* February 10 -- NAQCC CW Sprint
* February 10 -- FT8 Activity Contest
* February 10 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, Data

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
February 11, 2021

* ARRL to Extend Field Day Rule Waivers from 2020, d Class D and E
Power Limit
* Orlando HamCation Special Edition Online Event and QSO Party Set
for February 13 - 14
* ARRL to FCC: ditional Volunteer Examiner Coordinators Not Needed
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E Designated AMSAT-OSCAR 109 as Troubleshooting
Continues
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* IARU Agrees On Preliminary WRC-23 Positions
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Article: Ham Radio Forms a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor
Network
* Announcements
* A "Perfect Coronal Mass Ejection" Could Be a Nightmare
* Club Gets Double Duty from Minnesota QSO Party 2021 Operation
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Headquarters will be closed on Monday, February 15, for Presidents
Day and will re-open on Tuesday, February 16, at 8 AM EST.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL to Extend Field Day Rule Waivers from 2020, d Class D and E
Power Limit

The COVID-19 pandemic-modified ARRL Field Day rules from 2020 will
continue this June with the addition of a power limit imposed on Class
D (Home Stations) and Class E (Home Stations-Emergency Power)
participants. The news from the ARRL Board's Programs and Services
Committee comes as many clubs and groups are starting preparations for
Field Day in earnest. Field Day 2021 will take place June 26 - 27.

"This early decision should alleviate any hesitancy that radio clubs
and individual Field Day participants may have with their planning for
the event," said ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE.

For Field Day 2021, Class D stations may work all other Field Day
stations, including other Class D stations, for points. This year,
however, Class D and Class E stations will be limited to 150 W PEP
output.

For Field Day 2021, an aggregate club score will be published -- just
as it was done last year. The aggregate score will be a sum of all
individual entries that attributed their score to that of a specific
club.

ARRL Field Day is one of the biggest events on the amateur radio
calendar. Last summer, a record 10,213 entries were received.

"With the greater flexibility afforded by the rules waivers,
individuals and groups will still be able to participate in Field Day,
while still staying within any public health recommendations and/or
requirements," Bourque said.

The ARRL Field Day web page contains complete rules and entry forms, as
well as any updated information as it becomes available. Join the ARRL
Field Day Facebook group. Read an expanded version.
Orlando HamCation Special Edition Online Event and QSO Party Set for
February 13 - 14

The Orlando HamCation Special Edition online event and QSO Party will
take place this weekend, February 13 - 14. The online event will
include youth, technology, contesting, and vendor webinar tracks via
Zoom. ARRL will also present two webinars on Saturday, February 13.

The ARRL Member Forum at 1 PM EST, will be moderated by ARRL
Southeastern Division Director Mickey Baker, N4MB. Presenters include
ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, and ARRL Director of Emergency
Management Paul Gilbert, KE5ZW.

Gilbert also will be the moderator for an Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES^(R)) presentation at 3 PM EST. The ARES presentation will
include ARRL Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator Karl
Martin, K4HBN, and Southern Florida SEC John Wells, W4CMH.

The HamCation QSO Party -- a 12-hour on-air event, will also take place
this weekend. Nine HamCation special event stations with 1 * 1 call
signs will be on the air with combined suffixes spelling out HamCation
(e.g., K4H, W4A, K4M, etc). Scores will be posted on www.3830Scores.com
-- no logs are required.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL to Offer Weekend of Specials for Hams Missing Orlando
HamCation^(R) 2021. This weekend, February 13-14, was supposed to be
the ARRL National Convention at Orlando HamCation. While members will
have to wait until next year for our National Convention, ARRL will be
hosting a special "At Home Expo" this weekend. Enjoy a special video
from ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR; ARRL staff, and the HamCation
committee. Look for limited offers including membership premiums,
latest publications and products, 2021 Field Day gear, and our
exclusive sheet full of ARRL logo stickers. All who make a weekend
purchase or renew their membership will receive a free sticker sheet
with their order, while supplies last. Visit our ARRL at Home page to
check out all the offerings.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL to FCC: ditional Volunteer Examiner Coordinators Not Needed

ARRL has told the FCC that no additional Volunteer Examiner
Coordinators (VEC) are needed to oversee the administration of amateur
radio exams by Volunteer Examiners (VEs). Examination opportunities
have continued to be widely available throughout the US -- except for a
couple of months during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic -- and
adding VECs to the 14 now in place would "have no effect" on the number
of available exams, ARRL said. ARRL's comments on February 4 were in
response to a January 5 FCC Public Notice in WT Docket 21-2 seeking
input on possible expansion of the VEC pool.

"We found that even though 10 of the 12 months for calendar year 2020
were times of severe disruption throughout the nation, including for
FCC and ARRL Headquarters staff, amateur examination opportunities and
numbers were strong," ARRL told the FCC.

"Instead of increasing the number of VECs, we would encourage
volunteers to become accredited as VEs and to volunteer to help the
current VECs wherever possible," ARRL said. "Many of the VECs would
welcome help." ARRL said VEs, not VECs, are responsible for
administering amateur radio exams.

The number of new and upgraded licenses has been in line with earlier
years, "with noticeable increases in the 4 months following the
lockdown that occurred in many areas in the early spring," ARRL pointed
out.

ARRL said, "Increasing the number of VECs would expand the complexity
of VEC coordination and management, increase demand on FCC resources to
interface with additional organizations, and raise the potential for
abuse and fraud." Read an expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 14) takes a
deeper dive into the subject of HF antenna tuners, including some
shopping tips.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 27) features a discussion
of virtual audio cables, plus a chat with Clint Turner, KA7OEI, about
extremely slow CW, otherwise known as QRSS.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E Designated AMSAT-OSCAR 109 as Troubleshooting
Continues

Launched on January 17, the RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E CubeSat has been
designated as AMSAT-OSCAR 109 (AO-109). The satellite, which carries a
telemetry beacon and a linear transponder, along with radiation effects
experiments, is a joint mission of AMSAT and the Institute for Space
and Defense Electronics at Vanderbilt University. While the telemetry
beacon has not yet been heard, the transponder is partially operational
at reduced signal strength.

"Work continues to recover the telemetry beacon and characterize the
transponder with the goal of opening it for general use," AMSAT said
this week. "Testing and characterization of RadFxSat-2/AO-109
continues." On January 27, a ham in Nevada reported weakly hearing his
CW signal via the spacecraft's transponder.

AMSAT engineering and operations teams made the official AO-109
designation after confirmation that the linear transponder was
functional, although with a low-level downlink signal. Read an expanded
version. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service via Mark Hammond, N8MH

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Interesting Stories about Ham Radio & Weather Spotting -- Rob Macedo,
KD1CY

One of the most critical ways amateur radio supports agencies such as
the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center, and
emergency management is through weather spotting via the NWS SKYWARN
program. This presentation reviews some interesting stories about how
amateurs involved in SKYWARN have saved lives and property and why this
is an important amateur radio activity.

Thursday, February 11, 2021 @ 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday, February
12)

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW Tour -- Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, W1AW Station
Manager

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW, located in Newington, Connecticut, was
established to honor the memory of ARRL's co-founder and first
president, Hiram Percy Maxim. Although the first radio station of ARRL
was actually located in Hartford, Connecticut and active as W1MK, W1AW
in Newington is known worldwide and considered the radio station most
associated with Hiram Percy Maxim. Formally established in 1938 --
nearly 2 years after the death of Hiram Percy Maxim -- W1AW has
consistently been on the air, save for the time when the station was
ordered off the air by the FCC because of World War II.

Thursday, February 18, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)

Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School's Exciting ARISS Experience
-- Diane Warner, KE8HLD

This is a story about Tallmadge Elementary School's participation in a
once-in-a-lifetime ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station) school contact. Learn about their amazing journey leading up
to the amateur radio contact with an astronaut on the International
Space Station. The excitement of the entire experience was shared not
just by the students, but included faculty, parents, the community, and
local amateur radio operators. You will also learn how to begin the
process of submitting your own ARISS contact proposal.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


IARU Agrees On Preliminary WRC-23 Positions

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has agreed on its
preliminary positions for World Radiocommunication Conference 2023
(WRC-23), according to Barry Lewis, G4SJH, Chair of IARU Region 1
Spectrum Affairs.

"The preparatory work for WRC-23 has started across all [three] regions
in both the ITUâ**R [Radiocommunication Sector] and the Regional
Telecommunications Organizations (RTOs)," Lewis said. "The IARU has
representatives in these RTOs, and the ITUâ**R contributing to the
studies and helping to develop the regional positions on all the WRC
agenda items. It is vital that the amateur community presents its views
in a consolidated and consistent manner on each WRC agenda item across
all the regions."

Lewis said the IARU ministrative Council has agreed on initial
preliminary positions covering the six most important agenda items for
the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services.

The preliminary IARU positions:
* Agenda Item 1.2 -- oppose the identification of 10.0 - 10.5 GHz for
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in Region 2 (the
Americas), as well as the introduction of a mobile service
allocation in the region.
* Agenda Item 1.12 -- support studies that include the need to
protect the incumbent amateur service in the adjacent 50 - 54 MHz
band. The agenda item calls for studies to establish a possible new
secondary allocation for spaceborne radar sounders within a range
of frequencies around 45 MHz.
* Agenda Item 1.14 -- support retaining the 248 - 250 GHz primary and
the 241 - 248 GHz secondary Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services
allocations.
* Agenda Item 1.18 -- support retention of the amateur secondary
allocation of 3300 - 3400 MHz in Regions 2 and 3.
* Agenda Item 9.1, Topic A -- The IARU said, "In considering
potential new regulatory provisions for the recognition of space
weather systems, additional constraints on incumbent services
including the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services must be
avoided."
* Agenda Item 9.1 Topic B -- The IARU said, "Radio amateurs have
successfully co-existed and innovated in the frequency range of
1240 - 1300 MHz for many years, and IARU believes that the
regulatory status of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services in
this range is already clear."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.

Ham Radio Forms a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor Network

Eos, February 9, 2021

Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Holds Training in WXOW's Parking Lot

ABC News 19 (Minnesota/Wisconsin), February 6, 2021

When Scoutmasters Got Trained to be Amateur Radio Operators

Net News Ledger (Canada), February 5, 2021

Concord Student Wins Congressional App Challenge

Patch News (California), February 4, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Article: Ham Radio Forms a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor Network

The article "Ham Radio Forms a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor
Network," which appeared on February 9 in Eos, Earth & Space Science
News, sprang from a project by the Ham Radio Science Citizen
Investigation (HamSCI), founded by Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, of the
University of Scranton, one of the paper's authors. The other authors
are Kristina Collins, KD8OXT, who led the project, and David Kazdan,
AD8Y, both of Case Western Reserve University (W8EDU). The article
posits that, with their experience dealing with ionosphere-influenced
propagation, radio amateurs have an empirical knowledge of space
weather and offer a ready-made volunteer science community.

The article covers the methods and research being used to monitor the
effects of solar activity on Earth's atmosphere, telecommunications,
and electrical utilities -- and the valuable data being crowdsourced
from amateur radio signals.

"To fully understand variability on small spatial scales and short
timescales, the scientific community will require vastly larger and
denser sensing networks that collect data on continental and global
scales," the article asserts. "With open-source instrumentation cheaper
and more plentiful than ever before, the time is ripe for amateur
scientists to take distributed measurements of the ionosphere -- and
the amateur radio community is up for the challenge."

"The reach of these crowdsourced systems, and the support of the
amateur community, offers tremendous opportunities for scientific
measurements," the article notes.

The research acknowledges a handful of HamSCI collaborators -- from
organizations and universities -- and is supported by National Science
Foundation grants. HamSCI's Personal Space Weather Station initiative
aims to develop a network of specially equipped amateur stations that
will allow amateurs to collect useful data for space science
researchers. Ham radio operators and researchers, through HamSCI, are
designing hardware for a distributed network of personal space weather
stations, the article explains.

The 2021 HamSCI virtual workshop will take place March 19 - 20. Read an
expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* CQ has announced that Trent Fleming, N4DTF, of Germantown,
Tennessee, has been named CQ magazine's VHF-Plus Editor. He
succeeds Tony Emanuele, K8ZR. Fleming's first column will appear in
the April 2021 issue of CQ.
* Michel Godart, F8GGZ, plans to celebrate United Nations World Radio
Day, February 13, with special call sign TM23JMR (Journee Mondiale
de la Radio). Activity will be on 1.8 through 14 MHz, SSB and CW.
* Tom Callas, KC0W, has announced that he's activated Saipan (KH0)
for the first time on 60 and 160 meters FT8. "The 160-meter pileups
have been massive," he reports. Do not call on his transmit
frequency.
* Members of the West Bengal Radio Club (VU2WB) in India are
celebrating United Nations World Radio Day, February 13, with the
special call sign AT2WRD. Operation will continue until February
20.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

A "Perfect Coronal Mass Ejection" Could Be a Nightmare

A new study in the research journal Space Weather considers what might
happen if a worst-case coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth -- a
"perfect solar storm," if you will.

In 2014, Bruce Tsurutani of Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Gurbax
Lakhina of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism introduced the "perfect
CME." It could create a magnetic storm with intensity up to the
saturation limit, a value greater than the Carrington Event of 1859,
the researchers said. The interplanetary shock would arrive at Earth
within about 12 hours, the shock impingement onto the magnetosphere
would create a sudden impulse of around 234 nanoteslas (nT), and the
magnetic pulse duration in the magnetosphere would be about 22 seconds.
Orbiting satellites would be exposed to "extreme levels of flare and
interplanetary CME (ICME) shock-accelerated particle radiation," they
said. The event would follow an initial CME that would "clear the path
in front of it, allowing the storm cloud to hit Earth with maximum
force."

The CME's 12-hour travel time would allow little margin for
preparation. The CME would hit Earth's magnetosphere at 45 times the
local speed of sound, and the resulting geomagnetic storm could be as
much as twice as strong as the Carrington Event. Power grids, GPS, and
other services could experience significant outages.

More recent research led by physicist Dan Welling of the University of
Texas at Arlington took a fresh look at Tsurutani and Lakhina's
"perfect CME," and given improvements in spaceweather modeling, he was
able to reach new conclusions.

Welling's team found that geomagnetic disturbances in response to a
perfect CME could be 10 times stronger than Tsurutani and Lakhina had
calculated, especially at latitudes above 45 to 50°. Read an expanded
version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Club Gets Double Duty from Minnesota QSO Party 2021 Operation

The Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Association (MVARA) fielded a team
to the parking lot of a local TV station to take part in the Minnesota
QSO Party over the February 7 - 8 weekend. Not only did the group get
some emergency exercise training but garnered positive publicity for
amateur radio from the station's news team. Using special event call
sign W0M, 10 radio amateurs -- including one newly minted

Scott Neader, KA9FOX (left), and
Bill Kleinschmidt, N9FDE, on the
air.

General-class ham who's still awaiting his call sign -- pitched in. The
operation took place in an emergency communications bus, with
everything set up like a Field Day operation, although in the Minnesota
winter.

"MVARA recently acquired a full-sized emergency communications bus that
needed some TLC," said Scott Neader, KA9FOX -- one of the operators.
"The club has been refurbishing it over the last year and was looking
for an opportunity to operate from the bus to test out some of the
recent improvements, as well as to test our ability to set up a viable
HF communications center in less-than-ideal conditions."

"As a bonus to operating at the TV station, the news department
couldn't resist checking out what we were doing, and we wound up being
a part of the 10 PM news broadcast," Neader said.

Judging from the statistics the club posted on 3830.com, the operation
was a great success. "We had a blast and are looking forward to more
operations like this, as well as being able to use the communications
bus as a mobile tool to educate students and the general public about
amateur radio...and to support our communities with any emergency
communication needs, as they may arise," Neader said.

The W0M team claimed 203,392 points, with 908 (392 CW + 516 SSB)
contacts in 57 US states and Canadian provinces and 54 out of 87
Minnesota counties in 10 hours of operating. Read an expanded version.

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots are gone, with none seen
since February 2 and 3. Spaceweather.com reports that a small
proto-sunspot "is struggling to form" at the edge of the sun's
southeast quadrant near the eastern horizon. They also report that 56%
of the days so far in 2021 have been spotless. For all of 2020, 57% of
the days were spotless.

Average daily solar flux was 72.8 over this reporting week, down from
74.2 last week. Average planetary A index increased from 6.7 to 7.7,
and average daily middle latitude A index rose from 4.6 to 6. These are
still low, quiet numbers, quite favorable for conditions on 80 and 160
meters, particularly during winter.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days is 72 on February 11 - 18; 78
on February 19 - 22; 76 on February 23 - 25; 74 on February 26; 73 on
February 27 - March 1; 72 on March 2 - 7; 74 on March 8 - 10, and 76 on
March 11 - 12. Flux values may rise to 78 again after the middle of
March.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on February 11 - 15; 10 on February 16
- 18; 5 on February 19 - 20; 20, 16, and 12 on February 21 - 23; 5 on
February 24 - 28; 18 and 14 on March 1 - 2; 5 on March 3 - 4; 8, 20,
and 10 on March 5 - 7, and 5 on March 8 - 12.

Sunspot numbers for February 4 - 10, 2021 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0,
with a mean of 0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.9, 72.8, 72.5, 73.2,
73.6, 70, and 73.7, with a mean of 72.8. Estimated planetary A indices
were 7, 6, 7, 21, 6, 4, and 3, with a mean of 7.7. Middle latitude A
index was 7, 3, 4, 18, 6, 3, and 1, with a mean of 6.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.
In Brief...

ARRL Member Sean Donelan, KM6NGN, of Concord, California, is the winner
of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for California's 11th
District, according to an announcement from US Representative Mark
DeSaulnier (CA-11). Donelan, a 9th grader at Northgate High School,
designed and created NetHam: The Public Service Event Coordinator's
Third Hand. "My app is a radio that partially automates the more
arduous and monotonous tasks of being the main operator of an amateur
radio voice net. These tasks include automated sign-in of operators,
easy tracking of participants without lengthy radio conversations, and
an operator attention-keeper/attention-caller," Donelan told ARRL. "The
point of these features is to allow a radio net control station to
focus on the more important task of relaying pertinent information
around a radio network, rather than focusing on constantly reciting and
editing operator and event participant rosters."

A scientific paper has linked Jupiter with solar cycles. The paper,
published in Solar Physics, predicts that the Solar Cycle 25 maximum
will take place in 2026 and reach an amplitude similar to that of Solar
Cycle 24. "This article deals with the prediction of the upcoming solar
activity cycle, Solar Cycle 25. We propose that astronomical ephemeris,
specifically taken from the catalogs of aphelia of the four Jovian
planets, could be drivers of variations in solar activity, represented
by the series of sunspot numbers (SSN) from 1749 to 2020," the abstract
reads. "We conclude with a prediction of Solar Cycle 25 that can be
compared to a dozen predictions by other authors: The maximum would
occur in 2026.2 (± 1 year) and reach an amplitude of 97.6 (± 7.8),
similar to that of Solar Cycle 24."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* February 13 -- Asia-Pacific Spring Sprint, CW
* February 13 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* February 13 -- RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest (CW)
* February 13 - 14 -- The HamCation QSO Party
* February 13 - 14 -- CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest
* February 13 - 14 -- SARL Field Day Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* February 13 - 14 -- Dutch PACC Contest (CW, phone)
* February 13 - 14 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* February 13 - 15 -- YLRL YL-OM Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* February 13 - 14 -- OMISS QSO Party (Phone)
* February 13 - 14 -- AWA AM QSO Party
* February 14 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint
* February 14 -- Balkan HF Contest (CW, phone)
* February 15 -- CQC Winter QSO Party (CW)
* February 15 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* February 15 -- RSGB FT4 Contest Series
* February 17 -- AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening
* February 20 - 21 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW)

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* February 13 - 14 -- Orlando HamCation Special Edition (online)
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

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* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
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* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
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bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
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Free of charge to ARRL members...
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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
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Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
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--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
February 18, 2021

* ARES Volunteers Respond to Severe Weather
* ARRL Board Considers Plan to Cover New $35 FCC Fee for Some Young
Applicants
* Innovator Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, Donates Sophisticated Vector Signal
Generator to ARRL
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* South Coast ARES Joins South Coast CERT in California Evacuation
Operation
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements
* British Columbia Radio Amateur Copies Signal from Mars-Orbiting
Satellite
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Fatten Your DXCC Total in the ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
This Weekend
* Former ARRL Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, SK
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Getting It Right
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARES Volunteers Respond to Severe Weather

Weather gone wild might be an apt description of the conditions in many
parts of the US, with sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and ice in areas
not prepared for those sorts of thing. Aberrant weather is happening
across many US regions, causing power and telecommunication outages.
The National Weather Service (NWS) advised at mid-week, "Over 100
million Americans are under Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Storm
Watches, or Winter Weather visories as another round of impactful
winter weather tracks from the Southern Plains to the East Coast,"
adding that a developing winter storm is expected to produce heavy snow
and treacherous ice accumulations from the South Central US to the
Mid-Atlantic.

ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers in southern
Texas have been called up by served agencies to help fill the resulting
communication gap. ARRL Emergency Response Director Paul Gilbert,
KE5ZW, who lives in the Austin, Texas, area, reports that ARES members
"have been very, very, very busy" with storm-related traffic. "The
Williamson County ARES team has been activated by the Williamson County
Emergency Manager," he reported earlier in the week.

A net to address power outages, vehicle accidents, health and welfare,
power outages, and weather updates was running around the clock. Two
repeaters in Gilbert's area are down due to power and generator
outages, he said. Electrical power in his area has been up and down,
but his cell service has mostly been working.

Gilbert reported 4 - 8 inches of snow on the ground and "lots of ice,"
with temperatures dipping into record-setting single digits. "The roads
are very treacherous, and emergency services have not been able to
respond to all calls as a result," he said.

Volunteers with Williamson County ARES (Wilco ARES) were able to help
one ham who had no heat, a car out of gas, and 18° F in the house to
find shelter for him and his dog.

The ARES net is tracking the rolling blackouts as the local provider
grid becomes overwhelmed by increased demand. "Some water shortages
were reported, as pumping stations failed from lack of power," he said.

Elsewhere, North Texas SEC Greg Evans, K5GTX, reported that the Grayson
County ARES team has activated to staff warming shelters, and the
emergency operations center (EOC) in Hill County was activated on
February 15.

New Mexico Section Emergency Coordinator Jay Miller, W5WHN, reports
that southeastern New Mexico is experiencing rolling power blackouts
due to high demand. "The stations checking in via HF and repeaters are
having frozen water pipe problems," Miller said. "Most of the New
Mexico ARES stations have backup power."

Miller said the rest of New Mexico is digging out of three storms'
worth of snow accompanied by frigid temperatures and impassable roads,
especially in the mountains.

Jim Tucker, KB0QNW, reported from southeast New Mexico, "We continue to
experience rolling blackouts. I continue to monitor local and regional
repeaters and systems, as well as the 7290 Traffic Net, should any need
arise. I [passed] a message from Bowie, Texas, to Clovis, New Mexico."
Read an expanded version.
ARRL Board Considers Plan to Cover New $35 FCC Fee for Some Young
Applicants

At its Annual Meeting in January, the ARRL Board of Directors
considered a motion to offer a new service that would pay the new but
not-yet-implemented $35 FCC application fee for a limited number of new
radio amateurs younger than age 18 who, at the time of testing,
belonged to an ARRL-affiliated 501(c)(3) charitable organization and
passed their tests through an ARRL VEC-sponsored exam session. The
proposal called for reducing the VEC fee for these candidates to $5.
The initial proposal came from ARRL Southeastern Division Director
Mickey Baker, N4MB. Other Board members offered subsidiary motions.
Supporters said the purpose behind the motion was to ameliorate the
potential financial hardship the pending FCC application fee posed on
certain minors applying for their first license, and to encourage new
youth membership.

Consideration of the motion, which was subject to considerable
discussion, was deferred to an ad hoc committee composed of the members
of the ministration & Finance Committee, two Members of the Programs
& Services Committee, and ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA (or his
designated representative). The Board directed the panel to review and
more fully develop the proposal and report back to the Board by the end
of March with a recommendation as to whether such a program should be
adopted and, if adopted, how it should be implemented.

Supporters expressed the belief that recruitment and training of young
radio amateurs "is a necessary and proper mission of the ARRL" and that
subsidizing the $35 fee "will reduce the number of new amateurs that
otherwise would be lost from these groups."

In December, the FCC agreed with ARRL and other commenters that the
initially proposed $50 fee for certain amateur radio applications was
"too high to account for the minimal staff involvement in these
applications." In a Report and Order (R&O), the FCC scaled the fee back
to $35 for a new license application, a special temporary authority
(STA) request, a rule waiver request, a license renewal application,
and a vanity call sign application. All fees are per application. There
will be no fee for administrative updates, such as a change of mailing
or email address. Read an expanded version.
Innovator Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, Donates Sophisticated Vector Signal
Generator to ARRL

ARRL Life Member Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, has donated a Rohde & Schwarz
SMBV100A vector signal generator to the ARRL Laboratory. The device
offers internal signal generation for all major digital radio
standards. "That is absolutely fabulous news and extremely generous,"
ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, told Rohde.

ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, said the instrument will be a
valuable addition to the Lab's testing capabilities.

"We will be able to do more comprehensive tests on modern radios,
almost all of which use software-define radio technology," Hare said.
"We will also be able to add testing of receivers' digital capability.
The flexibility of this generator will serve the Laboratory for years
to come."

Hare said he was looking forward to learning more about the SMBV100A
once it's installed at the Lab. "The potential is really exciting," he
said. "As always, we appreciate the support that Ulrich Rohde has given
to the Lab over the past several decades."

Rohde said vector signal generators are the logical successors to the
older AM/FM modulation-capable signal generators and have practically
unlimited capability. "For some of the tests required to characterize a
software-defined radio (SDR), we need different test equipment," he
said. Rohde noted that the SMBV100A has a built-in arbitrary waveform
generator capable of operating up to 6 GHz, with "many complex signals
in it library, and also has the familiar AM/FM simple mode"

Ulrich Rohde, N1UL.

Going from analog to digital SDRs, large-signal behavior is best
determined with special multi-carrier signals, Rohde said. Instead of a
two-tone test signal for, say, measuring IF characteristics, the
SMBV100A can generate up to 30 discrete tones. Rohde said the SMBV100A
can produce any signal "as long as you can describe it mathematically,"
even an FT8 signal. The bottom line is a more realistic test result.

Rohde said that in 1982, while he headed the Department of Defense
Radio Division at RCA, he and his engineering group "invented what is
now called the software-defined radio," which was considered classified
military information at the time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 14) takes a
deeper dive into the subject of HF antenna tuners, including some
shopping tips.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 27) features a discussion
of virtual audio cables, plus a chat with Clint Turner, KA7OEI, about
extremely slow CW, otherwise known as QRSS.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

South Coast ARES Joins South Coast CERT in California Evacuation
Operation

In California, the SC4ARES group, part of the SC4 Amateur Radio Club of
La Honda, Loma Mar, Pescadero, San Gregorio, and South Skyline in the
ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section (south of San Francisco in northern
California), joined with South Coast CERT members in late January. The
groups performed a joint exercise to notify residents in the CZU
Lightning Complex fire areas of mandatory evacuations in front of a
moderate atmospheric river event that had the potential to cause debris
flows in those burn-scarred areas.

Atmospheric rivers are columns of vapor that move with the weather,
carrying an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average
flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. When atmospheric
rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form
of rain or snow.

Fire Chief Ari Delay of La Honda Volunteer Fire Brigade -- a SC4ARES
served agency -- called together ARES and CERT leaders on January 24 to
evaluate the areas to be evacuated and assess who hadn't already left
the area. Angelo Dragone, N6QAD; Bob Smith, W6RES, and Peter Chupity,
KI6FAO, used Radio Mobile to assess likely relay spots in the
mountainous terrain of the areas of Whitehouse Creek, Gazos Creek,
Butano Creek, Dearborn Park, and Loma Mar. They tested these areas
using UHF as a stand-in for the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
radios that CERT members would be using for the actual exercise.

On January 26, the CERT and SC4ARES members met at Pescadero High
School to deploy teams to warn evacuees and leave literature describing
the nature of the incoming weather. The CERT members communicated with
the ARES team, and the ARES team kept in contact with the temporary
operations center at the high school. In Whitehouse Creek canyon, all
CERT members were also hams, so no GMRS radios were needed. CERT/ARES
participants communicated with KI6FAO, perched on a hilltop to relay to
the operations center.

The operation was a success, and the hourly rainfall rate didn't reach
the threshold to trigger debris flows in any of the areas. -- Thanks to
Lisa Short Chupity, W6LSC, PIO, SC4ARC/ARES; ARRL Santa Clara Valley
Section News

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School's Exciting ARISS Experience
-- Diane Warner, KE8HLD

This is a story about Tallmadge Elementary School's participation in a
once-in-a-lifetime ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station) school contact. Learn about their amazing journey leading up
to the amateur radio contact with an astronaut on the International
Space Station. The excitement of the entire experience was shared not
just by the students, but included faculty, parents, the community, and
local amateur radio operators. You will also learn how to begin the
process of submitting your own ARISS contact proposal.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Technicians: Life Beyond Repeaters -- Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Maybe you just received your Technician-class license, or perhaps you
have had it for a while and burned out on sparse FM repeater contacts.
Take a new look at the possibilities available to you beyond repeaters.
Explore Tech HF and 6-meter privileges for SSB, CW, and digital modes
such as FT8, RTTY, and PSK31 to expand your operating modes and your
station's outreach. Explore other VHF/UHF uses, including SSB,
satellites, FM simplex, digital modes, contesting, and more.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE

Ultra-portable operation, or being able to carry your radio over
distances (e.g., in a backpack), is quickly growing in popularity.
Whether it's for SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending
time in nature, learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and
rewarding experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, will cover
the basics of ultra-portable operating for both the new and experienced
ham operator.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday, April 7)

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* Antarctic Activity Week (AAW), February 20 - 28, aims to promote
interest in Antarctica. Listen for OE18AAW, OE88WAP, OE89ANT,
OE90AAW, LZ18ANT, TM18AAW, IB2ANT, II2ANT, II3BOVE, II5ANT, II8WAP,
IR1ANT, PA6ANT, PF88ANT, EH8ANT, EM25VER, K0ANT, K4A, and K4C,
among others.
* S55ZMS is the call sign of the new 8-meter beacon from Slovenia. It
transmits both CW and PI4 -- a digital mode designed for beacons --
on 40.670 MHz, running 7 W into a dipole.
* "Mini-Visalia" organizers Jim Neiger, N6TJ, and Dick Norton, N6AA,
have announced that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event, set
for March 19 - 21 in Visalia, has been postponed. .
* Special call sign prefixes -- SX200, SY200, and SZ200 -- will be on
the air through 2021 to celebrate the bicentennial of the 1821
Greek Revolution. -- Thanks to RAAG

* The European Radio Amateurs' Organization (EURAO) has announced a
QSO party for February 20 - 21, 0000 - 2400 UTC, using the theme
"with a simple dipole" on all HF modes and bands. Call "CQ EURAO
Party."
* Plans for a DXpedition to Sable Island (CY0) have been reset, with
a target of October 2021. Sponsors say they are "cautiously
optimistic."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

British Columbia Radio Amateur Copies Signal from Mars-Orbiting
Satellite

As reported on Spaceweather.com, Canadian radio amateur Scott Tilley,
VE7TIL, of Roberts Creek, British Columbia, has snagged another signal
from deep space. His latest conquest has been to copy the signal from
China's Tianwen-1 (pronounced "tee-EN-ven") probe, which went into
orbit around Mars on February 10. Tilley told Spaceweather.com that the
probe's X-band signal was "loud and audible."

"It was a treasure hunt," Tilley told Spaceweather.com. He explained
that while the spacecraft did post its frequency with the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), it was too vague for precise tuning (X
band is between 8 GHz and 12 GHz).

Launched last July, Tianwen-1 represents China's first Mars mission. It
consists of an orbiter and a rover, which will land on the Martian
surface in May or June 2021. It is able to photograph the planet's
surface while in orbit.

Finding signals from deep space is a sub-hobby for Tilley, who seeks
what he calls "zombie satellites" among other signal sources. In 2020,
he tracked and identified signals from the experimental UHF military
communication satellite LES-5.

In 2018, while hunting for an undisclosed US government spacecraft lost
in a launch mishap, he spotted the signature of IMAGE (Imager for
Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration), a NASA spacecraft believed
to have died in December 2005.

Tilley has also picked up signals from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance
Orbiter, and the United Arab Emirates Hope probe, both orbiting Mars
some 124 million miles away.

He uses a homemade 60-centimeter dish and relies on software-defined
radios (SDRs) to accomplish the task.

Radio amateurs have been listening for signals from space since the
1957 launch of Sputnik 1, which transmitted at around 20 MHz. Read an
expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Ham Radio Signals from Mars -- Spaceweather.com, February 17, 2021
* FEMA on Twitter: A big #worldradioday shout out to Ham radio
operators! -- Twitter, February 13, 2021
* World Radio Day: How Heroic Ham Operators Use Radio Waves to Carry
Out Post-Disaster Rescue Ops -- The Weather Channel, February 12,
2021
* Students in Tustin Grill an Astronaut 254 Miles Over Their Heads --
Orange County Register (California), February 10, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Fatten Your DXCC Total in the ARRL International DX Contest (CW) This
Weekend

It's the US and Canada against the world in the 2021 ARRL International
DX Contest (CW), which takes place this weekend, February 20 - 21. Join
thousands of amateurs worldwide as they compete in this exciting
international event.

Whether you're a casual operator just looking for DX contacts, an
awards chaser, or working on your DXCC, this contest offers something
for everyone.

US and Canadian operators work as many DX stations in as many DXCC
entities as possible on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. DX stations
work as many US and Canadian stations in as many of the 48 contiguous
states and provinces as possible. This means the DX will be looking for
you!

For 2021, ARRL has issued temporary accommodations for multioperator
stations in the contest, allowing them to adhere to local social
distancing guidelines. This will open the door for many DX operators to
participate in the contest while keeping their team members safe.

Visit the ARRL Contests web page for rules and complete details.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Former ARRL Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, SK

Former ARRL Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, of Costa
Mesa, California, died on February 13. An ARRL Life Member, he was 78.

First licensed in 1956, Goddard was an electrical engineering graduate
of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Montana State University. He
worked for Collins Radio and later for Boeing, from which he retired as
an executive.

After several years working with local governments in southern
California on proposed antenna ordinances, he was elected ARRL
Southwestern Division Vice Director in 1995, serving two terms before
being elected Director in 2001. After retiring from the ARRL Board, he
continued to follow ARRL affairs and advocate for stronger public
relations on behalf of amateur radio.

Goddard was active on the air from HF through microwaves. A member of
the Southern California Contest Club, he took part in contest
DXpeditions to locations ranging from subarctic to tropical, operating
the CQ World Wide DX Contest in 26 of the 40 CQ zones. He also headed
teams of VHF/UHF/microwave contest rovers.

Goddard was heavily involved with the Costa Mesa Historical Society and
was co-author of two books on Costa Mesa history.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: This stretch of days with zero
sunspots has continued for 2 weeks now. Wednesday evening, though,
while viewing the STEREO spacecraft image, I saw a very bright spot on
the sun's northeast horizon. Spaceweather.com reported, "A new active
region is hiding just behind the sun's northeastern limb. It might be a
sunspot."

Average daily solar flux dipped from 72.8 to 72 this week. Average
daily planetary A index was unchanged from last week at 7.7.

Cracks reported on Tuesday in Earth's magnetic field allowed solar wind
to pour in, sparking aurora around the Arctic Circle. Alaska's College
A index jumped to 45, after the K index hit 7 at 0600 and 0900 UTC.
This is from a single magnetometer near Fairbanks, Alaska.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days is 72 on February 18 - 25;
74, 73, and 74 on February 26 - 28; 73, 74, and 74 on March 1 - 3; 73
on March 4 - 6; 74, 70, and 74 on March 7 - 9; 76, 72, and 71 on March
10 - 12, and 72 on March 13 - 19. Flux values may rise to 76 again on
March 23 - 24.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on February 18 - 19; 16, 12, 8, and 8
on February 20 - 23; 5 on February 24 - 28; 18, 15, and 8 on March 1 -
3; 5 on March 4 - 5; 15 on March 6; 5 on March 7 - 11; 18, 10, 8, and 8
on March 12 - 15, and 5 on March 16 - 19.

Sunspot numbers for February 11 through 17 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and
0, with a mean of 0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 75.8, 72.1, 71.3,
71.4, 69.6, 71.5, and 72.4, with a mean of 72. Estimated planetary A
indices were 4, 5, 13, 4, 5, 15, and 8, with a mean of 7.7. Middle
latitude A index was 2, 4, 10, 3, 3, 11, and 6, with a mean of 5.6.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

In Brief...

The latest issue of the free publication ITU News Magazine highlights
World Radio Day (observed each year on February 13). The issue features
two articles on amateur radio. Articles in the magazine include the
evolution of radio throughout the ages, ham radio and emergency
communications, and remarks by International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, regarding why World Amateur Radio Day
(celebrated each year on April 18) is important to highlight crucial
services.

Ham Radio in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is tentatively on for 2021. The
show was canceled last year because of the pandemic. Organizers for
Europe's International Amateur Radio Exhibition this week expressed
optimism that the 45th Ham Radio, sponsored by the Deutscher Amateur
Radio Club (DARC), will be able to take place June 25 - 27. "We are
watching the situation closely, of course," a message from
Friedrichshafen Fairgrounds CEO Klaus Wellmann said. "At the moment, we
are assuming that we will be able to hold Ham Radio in accordance with
an extensive, tried-and-proven safety and hygiene concept and are
looking forward to seeing everyone again at Europe's most important
trade fair for amateur radio."

The former president of Argentina, Carlos Menem, ex-LU1SM, died on
February 14. He was 90. Menem took office in 1989, serving for 10
years. Menem was active on the air in the 1980s and 1990s. He had
earlier served as regional governor. Menem served as a senator from
2005 until 2019. According to the New York Times, "Menem was
hospitalized in December with kidney failure and had been put in a
medically induced coma."
Getting It Right

The story "ARRL Board Confers Awards on Skip Jackson, KS0J, and Josh
Nass, KI6NAZ," in the February 4 edition of The ARRL Letter includes
incorrect information. The recipient of the Knight Award receives a
plaque. The recipient of the Leonard Award receives a plaque and a $250
contribution to a charity designated by the recipient.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* February 20 - 21 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
* February 20 - 21 --20 -- Russian PSK World Wide Contest
* February 21 -- FISTS Sunday Sprint (CW)
* February 21 - 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* February 24 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
* February 24 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (CW)
* February 22 - 25 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

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The ARRL Letter
February 25, 2021

* ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, to Keynote QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo
* ARES and Red Cross Cooperate to Assist Storm-Affected Residents in
Texas
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* "Whirlwind Boom" Emergency Communications Exercise Set
* Amateur Radio Helping to Fill Earthquake Report "Donut Holes"
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements: February 25
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Hams Participate in Winter Yellowstone VHF Radio Rally
* ARRL Interview Explains Background of Ham Radio in Space Film Short
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, to Keynote QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, will keynote the QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo March 13 - 14 weekend. Minster's talk -- part of an 80+ speaker
lineup -- will begin at 2000 UTC (3 PM EST) on March 13. His appearance
will highlight ARRL's featured role at the expo, which will also
include "Ask The ARRL Lab." ARRL is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
Partner.

Minster, who assumed the ARRL Headquarters leadership position last
September, has launched major projects and assembled teams to foster
innovation and individual skill development in radio technology and
communications. In his keynote, Minster will share his enthusiasm for
advancing amateur radio and highlight current ARRL initiatives to
engage and inspire the current generation of hams. His presentation
topics will include:
* ARRL's digital transformation, which promises to bring new value to
ARRL members. An all-in digital approach will improve the way
members access and engage with content, programs, and systems.
* The ARRL Learning Center, a hub for members to discover the many
facets of amateur radio and develop practical knowledge and skills.
* Increasing video content, opening opportunities for amateur radio
content creators and member-volunteers to learn, stay informed, and
keep connected.
* Improving training and tools to engage radio clubs, emergency
communication volunteers, and students.

The ARRL expo booth will feature "Ask The ARRL Lab," where Lab staffers
will answer questions live. Attendees can come into the booth lounge
and ask the Lab's technical wizards for tips about projects or
[IMG]suggestions to address various station installations and problems.
Attendees can also learn about Product Review equipment testing, see a
presentation on how the Lab can help hams with RFI problems, and tour
W1AW virtually.

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Chairman Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, also announced
four live group kit-building workshops. Workshop instructors will guide
participants through building a variety of kits, which will be
available for purchase and delivered prior to the expo so attendees can
build them at home. Early-bird discount tickets and links to purchase
kits can be found at the QSO Today Expo website. Read an expanded
version.
ARES and Red Cross Cooperate to Assist Storm-Affected Residents in
Texas

ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)) and American Red Cross
volunteers joined forces in Texas under the ARRL/Red Cross memorandum
of understanding in responding to the situation resulting from
unseasonably frigid weather. Kevin McCoy, KF5FUZ, said the Red Cross
formally requested an ARES activation in Texas to address the effects
of the natural disaster, which included a lack of drinking water, power
outages, fuel shortages, and frozen plumbing. Red Cross in Central
Texas supported more than 60 warming shelters at the request of
governmental agencies.

"We made a special effort to use Winlink email over radio to get
reports of infrastructure problems and unmet needs [and to] communicate
information about warming centers," McCoy said, adding that Winlink
operators provided the most valuable contribution in the disaster
response. Several teams deployed to support emergency operations
centers (EOCs) in Bexar, Brazos, Kerr, Travis, and Williamson counties,
he added.

"Our effort in the start of the activity was to focus on folks with
medical needs who required power, and to get those folks to safety,"
McCoy said. "Reports from operators were passed to Disaster Program

Power outages have dropped
considerably since the publication
of this February18 status map, and
damage assessment is under way.

Managers and Disaster Action Teams and to Red Cross Disaster Mental
Health personnel for evaluation. Government partners and citizens
provided transportation and Red Cross provided hotel rooms in areas
with reliable power to keep these citizens safe while following
COVID-19 protocols."

On February 20, the Red Cross made a formal stand-down request to Texas
ARES sections from the Central and South Texas Red Cross Region.
"Transportation, communication, and internet had restored sufficiently
to allow for that change of status," McCoy said. "We did let all
Winlink operators know that we would still monitor the tactical
addresses until the disaster recovery was over."

Key issues remaining include the prolonged power outage and the
freezing weather that left Texas with damaged water infrastructure.
"Things are improving rapidly," McCoy said on February 22. Read an
expanded version.

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 14) takes a
deeper dive into the subject of HF antenna tuners, including some
shopping tips.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 28) features a discussion
on grabbing NOAA weather satellite images at 137 MHz and a chat with
Nigel Vander Houwen, K7NVH, about how he has combined rockets and
high-altitude ballooning with amateur radio.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"Whirlwind Boom" Emergency Communications Exercise Set

The amateur radio communications team of Florida Baptist Disaster
Relief has created a multi-site radio communications exercise dubbed
"Whirlwind Boom," designed to bring together volunteers and local
agencies across northern Florida and throughout the southeastern US.
The 2-hour drill is set for Friday, March 19. Invitations have gone out
to Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)) groups, county-level
emergency managers, state communications experts, and federal SHARES HF
Radio Program volunteers, and volunteers taking part in the 2021
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief on-site training the following day.

The exercise scenario involves a swarm of tornadoes coupled with the
terrorist bombing of the telephone system, and large numbers of
displaced residents seeking shelter. Only radio remains. During the
exercise, volunteers will practice transmitting formal reports about
the utility, water, and safety situations in their counties (Incident
Action Plan). Many participants will communicate using portable radio
gear powered by battery or generator. Simulated outbound survivor
messages to friends and family will also be sent. Participating groups
will receive secret messages advising them of unexpected handicaps that
mimic what might happen during an actual disaster -- complicating their
tasks.

These exercises are structured in accordance with Department of
Homeland Security training guidelines. For more information, contact
Gordon Gibby, KX4Z. Read an expanded version.

Amateur Radio Helping to Fill Earthquake Report "Donut Holes"

An article describing how radio amateurs can help fill the information
"donut hole" by providing post-earthquake "Did You Feel It" (DYFI)
reports via Winlink HF radio email appeared on February 22 in the
American Geophysical Union (AGU) magazine Eos. As the article points
out, "Ham radio networks gear up to provide real-time, on-the-ground
information about earthquake shaking and damage when other
communication pathways are knocked out of commission." Authors of the
article were David J. Wald of the US Geological Survey (USGS), Vincent
Quitoriano, and Oliver Dully, K6OLI.

As the article explains, DYFI uses a questionnaire to gather
individuals' experiences and observations, and USGS uses the
information to evaluate the shaking intensity at that person's
location. DYFI has been in operation since 1999 in the US and 15 years
around the world, during which the USGS has gathered more than 5
million individual DYFI intensity reports.

The article notes that a potential problem is that "public access to it
may be compromised as a result of strong earthquake shaking," with
affected individuals experiencing power and communication outages or
may be distracted by more immediate priorities.

"USGS and other global seismic network operators have witnessed felt
report 'donut holes' in areas of strong shaking due to loss of internet
communication," the article said, "most recently during the
magnitude-5.7 earthquake that hit near Salt Lake City in March 2020."
The article suggested that "alternative pathways" of communication are
needed to "gather important ground-truth shaking data with minimal
delay." And this is where amateur radio groups come into play.

"We now expect to sample the donut hole with the help of amateur radio
groups worldwide," the article's authors said. "These groups can
mobilize a significant number of licensed radio operators after a
strong earthquake, especially near large population centers, ensuring a
baseline level of macroseismic intensity reporting even in heavily
affected areas."

As the article explains, USGS has partnered with Winlink, a radio email
platform with more than 28,000 users worldwide, and with ARRL Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)) members. Winlink adapted the USGS
DYFI questionnaire to its platform, and this version is now available
to all radio amateurs, the article said. Read an expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School's Exciting ARISS Experience
-- Diane Warner, KE8HLD

This is a story about Tallmadge Elementary School's participation in a
once-in-a-lifetime Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) school contact. The excitement of the entire experience was
shared not just by the students, but included faculty, parents, the
community, and local amateur radio operators. You will also learn how
to begin the process of submitting your own ARISS contact proposal.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Technicians: Life Beyond Repeaters -- Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

This presentation takes a new look at the possibilities available to
Technician-class operators beyond repeaters. Explore Tech HF and
6-meter privileges for SSB, CW, and digital modes such as FT8, RTTY,
and PSK31 to expand your operating modes and your station's outreach.
Explore other VHF/UHF uses, including SSB, satellites, FM simplex,
digital modes, contesting, and more.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE

Whether for SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in
nature, learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, will cover the basics
of ultra-portable operating for both the new and experienced ham radio
operator.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Friday, April 7)

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

Announcements: February 25
* The W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention is on for September 24 - 25 in
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
* Jerry Burke, the primary author of the antenna-modeling software
NEC, died on February 14. He had been suffering from cancer. NEC
(numerical electromagnetics code) evolved out of a program called
BRACT, which Burke and others developed in 1967. The most common
public version is NEC-2. -- Thanks to Jim Breakall, WA3FET
* The Board of Directors of The Yasme Foundation has announced grants
of $5,000 each to the ARRL Foundation and Foundation for Amateur
Radio (FAR) 2021 scholarship programs.
* Registration for official stations is open for the 2021
International Marconi Day (IMD), April 24 - 26, sponsored by the
Cornish Radio Amateur Club. The annual event commemorates the
birthday of wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi in 1874.
* 2Tone, the popular RTTY software by David Wicks, G3YYD, has been
updated and is available on the RTTY Contesting website.
* The 2021 Southeastern VHF Society Conference scheduled to be held
in April has been canceled due to the pandemic. The Southeastern
VHF Society Board of Directors will consider alternative solutions
for future conferences. SVHFS has published the 2020 Southeastern
VHF Society Technical Journal containing all the papers that had
been scheduled for presentation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
* Over Neighbors' Objections, Shelburne Operator Gets the Green Light
for Ham Radio Towers -- Burlington Free Press (Vermont), February
19, 2021
* Amateur Radio Users Want to Be of Service When Modern Technology
Fails -- Nashville Scene (Tennessee), February 18, 2021
* FEMA on Twitter: A big #worldradioday shout out to Ham radio
operators! -- Twitter, February 13, 2021
* World Radio Day: How Heroic Ham Operators Use Radio Waves to Carry
Out Post-Disaster Rescue Ops -- The Weather Channel, February 12,
2021


Hams Participate in Winter Yellowstone VHF Radio Rally

Wyoming and southern Montana hams belonging to the North Yellowstone
Amateur Radio Club and Park County (Montana) Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES^(R)) took to the wilderness in late January during heavy
snow to take part in an emergency preparedness exercise. The groups
have about 15 members in all; many more bison and elk roam the roads
than do hams.

The critical winter duty for North Yellowstone radio amateurs is

Electric Peak in Yellowstone.

deployment to remote locations of winter emergencies. To train for
these responses, the members devised the VHF Radio Relay, a radio
scavenger hunt designed to get members out to remote road locations
where winter emergencies may require radio communications support. The
group uses the Eagle's Nest repeater located at 8,000 feet on Electric
Peak southwest of Gardiner, Montana -- the north entrance to
Yellowstone National Park. The repeater covers the northern one-third
of the vast park and southern half of Park County, Montana.

Participants received two pages of instructions. The first contained
directions for completing their call-out assignment and listed 15
locations that required hams to deploy to the far reaches of the radio
coverage area. The second page consisted of a map. Only three roads are
in the area, and conditions on one dirt road are typically difficult.
Each route had five locations along the way to the terminal checkpoint.
The 15 widely spaced locations guaranteed that no operator could visit
all of them. Locations were chosen such that hams needed to plan their
route strategy -- ideally before leaving the starting point, where
odometer readings were recorded.

Bison on northern Yellowstone roads.
[Reve Susan Carberry, KX4LZ, photo]

Each location was assigned a tactical call sign, and communicators had
to use GPS to verify that they were in their precise positions. At all
locations, hams radioed net control to have their location verified
before moving to the next location.

At the last check-in point, participating hams had to call in and were
given instructions on how to find a code word hidden in an interpretive
sign to verify their location -- for example, the seventh word in the
third paragraph -- and relay it to net control. Each participant had a
different code word.

Directions included a safety warning about bison and elk on the road,
and bad driving conditions due to snow. All departed at 9 AM and were
to be back at the starting point at 11:30 AM. A prize was awarded to
the ham who visited the most locations with the lowest mileage. First
place went to Doug MacCartney, K7GRZ, and second place to Reve
Carberry, KX4LZ. Jim Halfpenny, K9YNP, served as net control. -- Thanks
to Park County Emergency Coordinator and ARRL PIO Jim Halfpenny, K9YNP
ARRL Interview Explains Background of Ham Radio in Space Film Short

Josh Tanner, the Australian filmmaker who produced the thriller
Decommissioned by Perception Pictures, has explained how he came up
with the idea to develop the movie short. In the approximately 6-minute
film, SuitSat returns in the future to haunt International Space
Station commander "Diaz," played by Joey Vieira, who spots SuitSat, the
surplus Russian Orlan spacesuit that Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station (ARISS) turned into an amateur radio satellite several
years ago .

An exclusive ARRL video interview premiering on Saturday, February 27,
brings together Tanner, who directed the sci-fi horror film about an
eerie ham-radio-in-space reencounter, and ARISS-International Chair
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. In the interview, conducted by ARRL volunteer Josh
Nass, KI6NAZ, of the popular YouTube channel Ham Radio Crash Course,
Tanner described the uniquely creative and technical aspects of the
filmmaking involved in Decommissioned and its connection with the
real-life SuitSat-1.

"My wife, Jade, who is also a co-writer of this short film, and I are
both really obsessed with space, and we discovered SuitSat on
Wikipedia," Tanner said in the interview. "It was an initial sort of
two-pronged reaction. One, this is genius. It's amazing that they did
this; I'd never heard this before. And the second one was, this is
kinda creepy...that they had what looks like a stranded, dead astronaut
floating around the Earth...and there were voices of children being
transmitted from it."

SuitSat-1 transmitted a voice message, "This is SuitSat-1 RS0RS!", in
several languages, plus telemetry and a slow-scan TV image on an
8-minute cycle as it orbited Earth.

Tanner said a lot of the films he produces involve "pieces of history
that are rather quite odd or interesting that maybe a lot of people
don't know about."

Bauer described the background of the 2006 SuitSat project, which
involved ARISS's relationship with Sergey Samburov, RV3DR. Samburov was
"the initial brainchild" behind the SuitSat-1 concept, and ARISS ran
with it, Bauer recounted.

"We had 3 weeks to pull it all together and get it ready for launch,"
Bauer said, and that included getting safety approvals. SuitSat-1
operated for about 2 weeks, and a contest of sorts evolved to guess
when it would burn up in the atmosphere, which wasn't until about 6
months later. A SuitSat-2 was launched from the ISS several years
later.

Tanner said the Decommissioned script was written about 3 years ago,
but creating the realistic atmosphere and sets involved a number of
complexities, which was "very expensive," he revealed. A big push
toward using video game engine technology in feature-film development
made it possible. Decommissioned was produced using a game engine
called Unreal Engine, which was also used to produce the TV show The
Mandalorian.

[IMG]Grab your popcorn and avoid a spoiler. ARRL recommends viewing the
short film before watching the 45-minute interview. The interview
premieres on ARRL's YouTube channel, Saturday, February 27, at 1600
UTC.

ARRL reminds interested schools and educational organizations in the US
that the latest window to submit proposals to host scheduled ham radio
contacts with an ISS crew member opened on February 15. Contacts would
be scheduled January 1 - June 30, 2022. Proposals are due to ARISS by
0759 UTC on April 1.

In the US, ARRL is a partner in the ARISS program, along with AMSAT,
NASA, and the ISS National Lab, which has kept amateur radio on the air
from the International Space Station for 20 years.
In Brief...

Plans remain up in the air for the Youth on the Air (YOTA) in the
Americas summer camp. The camp, tentatively set for July 11 - 16, would
take place in West Chester, Ohio. "We know that changes in the COVID-19
pandemic status between now and July will have an impact on our
decision to host the camp," 2021 YOTA Americas Camp Director Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, said. "At this time, we are still hopeful that hosting the camp
safely July 11 - 16, 2021 will be possible. Should we not be able to
host the camp, we will let everyone know with as much notice as
possible and postpone it to 2022. Our plan is to make the final
decision in the month of April." Registration will continue until
February 28 for campers accepted to the camp for the 2020 session to
attend in 2021. At that point, Rapp said, he will evaluate how many
positions remain for additional campers from across the Americas in
order to fill out the roster of 30 campers and take applications in
March for the remaining slots.

Former ARRL Teachers Institute instructor Miguel Enriquez, KD7RPP, of
Tucson, Arizona, died on February 7 as a result of COVID-19. His death
came just 3 weeks after that of his wife, Wendy, also a COVID-19
victim. Miguel was 72 years old. His wife was 68. Between 2001 and
2008, Miguel Enriquez taught sessions of the introductory TI-1 course
in Arizona. A February 14 Arizona Daily Star feature, "How Tucson
Schools are Helping Kids, Staff Cope with COVID-19 Deaths," includes a
photo of Miguel Enriquez when he was conducting an amateur radio
demonstration in 2006 at Pueblo High School, where he taught
mathematics. "He is a fitting example of our teachers who have braved
the pandemic to continue to teach our youth," said Frank Karnauskas,
N1UW, AMSAT Vice President-Development.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots have returned, and solar
activity increased on every day over this reporting week.

The average daily sunspot number shot up from zero to 19.6, while the
average daily solar flux rose from 72 to 75.7. Geomagnetic activity was
also higher, with average daily planetary A index increasing from 7.7
to 16, and average daily mid-latitude A index rose from 5.6 to 12.4.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days is 82 on February 25 - 28; 78
on March 1; 74 on March 2 - 4; 73 on March 5 - 6; 74, 70, 74, and 76 on
March 7 - 10; 72, 71, 72, and 70 on March 11 - 14; 71, 72, 71, 73, 76,
and 75 on March 15 - 20; 72 on March 21 - 22; 76 on March 23 - 24, and
74 and 73 on March 25 - 26.

Predicted planetary A index is 12 on February 25; 5 on February 26 -
March 1; 15 and 12 on March 2 - 3; 5 on March 4 - 5; 15 on March 6; 5
on March 7 - 11; 15, 10, and 5 on March 12 - 14; 15, 5, 8, and 18 on
March 15 - 18; 20 on March 19 - 20; 10 and 8 on March 21 - 22, and 5 on
March 23 - 26. Geomagnetic activity is expected to increase by March
28.

Sunspot numbers for February 18 through 24 were 12, 12, 12, 11, 26, 31,
and 33, with a mean of 19.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 71.1, 72.9,
76.4, 75.3, 75.9, 78.1, and 80.5, with a mean of 75.7. Estimated
planetary A indices were 5, 17, 20, 20, 17, 12, and 21, with a mean of
16. Middle latitude A index was 2, 13, 15, 18, 13, 10, and 16, with a
mean of 12.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* February 26 - 28 -- CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB
* February 27 - 28 -- REF Contest, SSB
* February 27 - 28 -- FTn DX Contest
* February 27 - 28 -- UBA DX Contest, CW
* February 27 - 28 -- South Carolina QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* February 27 - 28 -- North American QSO Party, RTTY
* February 27 - 28 -- NA Collegiate Championship, RTTY
* February 28 - March 3 -- Classic Exchange, CW
* February 28 -- High Speed Club CW Contest
* February 28 - March 1 -- North Carolina QSO Party (CW, phone,
digital)
* March 1 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, 20 WPM max)
* March 1 -- OK1WC Memorial (MWC) (CW)
* March 1 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (Digital)
* March 2 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
* March 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* March 2 -- RTTYOPS Weeksprint
* March 2 -- AGCW YL-CW Party
* March 3 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test (1300 - 1400 and 1900 - 2000 UTC)
* March 3 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* March 3 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
* March 4 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* March 4 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* March 4 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
* March 6 - 7 -- ARRL International DX Contest, SSB

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


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The ARRL Letter
March 4, 2021

* Approaches to Tackle Noise Problems Vary, Remedies Elusive
* ARISS, NASA, and ESA Continue to Probe Amateur Radio Problems on
ISS
* Quantum Receiver Can Detect Huge Swath of the RF Spectrum
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Moldova Peace Corps ARISS Contact is Successful
* North Carolina Radio Amateurs apt Tailgating Hamfest to the
COVID-19 Pandemic
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Army MARS Volunteers Recognized with Gold-Level President's
Volunteer Service Award
* Announcements
* AMSAT-DL Operators Track Mars Probes
* January 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
* Video Documents Removal, Preservation of 250 kW Voice of America
Transmitter
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Approaches to Tackle Noise Problems Vary, Remedies Elusive

RF noise is a frequent discussion topic among radio amateurs. A
proliferation of electronics has cluttered and complicated the noise
environment; it's not just power lines anymore. Unless isolated from
civilization, most hams experience RF interference (RFI) and spectrum
scopes on modern transceivers can make it much more apparent. Various
approaches to address the apparently worsening noise floor have been
taken around the world, some addressing lax regulation.

"We all want to enhance our ability to copy the weak ones by increasing
our signal-to-noise ratio," Alan Higbie, K0AV, said in his March/April
NCJ article, "Tracking RFI with an SDR One Source at a Time." He
suggests practical methods for individual radio amateurs to improve
their own noise environment. "We can do that by reducing the noise on
each band that we operate. Lowering the noise floor increases the
relative strength of weak signals. Those who live in typical
residential environments find that locating and eliminating RFI sources
is a never-ending process. It is much like weeding a garden."

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) warns against complacency.
"Radio amateurs cannot sit back, because even if the desired noise
limits are agreed, there are many rogue manufacturers

Small household "wall warts" are
typically noisy switching power
supplies.

and dealers who will happily sell noise-generating devices, leaving out
filter circuits to cut costs," IARU said. The IARU has urged
member-societies to get involved.

The FCC Technological visory Council (TAC) -- a Commission advisory
group -- initiated an inquiry in 2016 looking into changes and trends
to the radio spectrum noise floor to determine whether noise is
increasing and, if so, by how much. The TAC had encouraged the FCC to
undertake a comprehensive noise study in 1998, and cautioned the FCC
against implementing new spectrum management techniques or initiatives
without first concluding one. In 2017, the FCC Office of Engineering
and Technology (OET) invited comments on a series of (TAC)
spectrum-management questions. ARRL, in its comments, took the
opportunity to strongly urge the FCC to reinstate the 2016 TAC noise
floor study, which, ARRL asserted, was terminated before it even got
started. ARRL urged the FCC to "depart from the traditional regulatory
model" that placed limits only on transmitters and called for "a
'holistic' approach to transmitter and receiver performance."

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* ARRL offers a wide range of information on RFI on its website.
* Paul Giancolo, W1VLF, will offer "Finding and Fixing RFI" as part
of the ARRL Learning Network webinar series, on Tuesday, April 20,
at 1700 UTC.
* ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz, W7VO, will offer "HF
Noise Mitigation" as part of the ARRL Learning Network webinar
series, on Thursday, April 22, at 1930 UTC.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Greg Lapin, N9GL, represents ARRL on the TAC and chairs the ARRL RF
Safety Committee. "Perhaps the best result that we obtained was an
indication that illegal devices, mainly LED lights, were in
circulation, and the Enforcement Bureau agreed to look into it," he
told ARRL. "We never heard what they found out, but recently, I was
buying some LED bulbs over the internet from a site in Texas, and they
were selling non-FCC approved lights -- and didn't seem to care." Lapin
said his complaint went nowhere, and the TAC's focus has been nudged in
the direction of addressing 5G issues.

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) has been working on developing
a noise-measurement system that approximates methods used by the
International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector
(ITU-R). DARC reported that 35 of these electrical noise area
monitoring systems (ENAMS) have been delivered, and it's seeking
another 20 locations as part of the effort to monitor noise
interference on the HF bands. DARC said the ENAMS can help to make
scientifically reliable statements about interference levels.

IARU sees wireless power transmission (WPT) as an impending major noise
threat, especially from WPT electric vehicle (WPT-EV) charging systems.
"For the amateur service, given the planned density of WPT-EV systems,
it is calculated that there will be a widespread and serious impact in
the vicinity of WPT systems" from spurious emissions, said a 2019 EE
Publishers article, written by "Amateur radio societies concerned about
the HF noise floor." The article also said, "To ensure a low
probability of harmful interference to radiocommunication services,
further study is required." Read an expanded version.
ARISS, NASA, and ESA Continue to Probe Amateur Radio Problems on ISS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International
Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, reports that the ARISS team worked closely
with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) this week to identify
what may have caused what ARISS is calling a "radio anomaly" on January
27. The net result has been an inability to use the NA1SS ham station
gear in the ISS Columbus module. For the time being, ARISS school and
group contacts with crew members have been conducted using the ham
station in the ISS Service Module. The radio issues came in the wake of
a January 27 spacewalk, during which astronauts installed new cabling
to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached-payload
capability mounted on the Columbus module. The job involved re-routing
the antenna cabling to the ARISS radio system onboard Columbus.

Bauer said NASA, ESA, and ARISS would conduct a set of APRS (automatic
packet radio system) tests to determine the operational status of the
ARISS radio in Columbus through employment of three different cabling
configurations. The tests would use the station's APRS capability on
145.825 MHz, with the crew periodically shutting down the radio and
swapping cables. The tests were expected to wrap up by March 3. No
results had been reported by March 4.

"We cannot guarantee that these troubleshooting tests will resolve the
radio issue," Bauer said.

Bauer said that if the tests are unsuccessful, "a contingency task" has
been green-lighted for a March 5 spacewalk (EVA). "This EVA task would
return the ARISS cabling to the original configuration prior to the
January 27 EVA," he explained, noting that a contingency task will only
be performed if time allows.

"If you definitely hear the packet system working or are able to
connect through it, let us know the date, time, and grid square of the
occurrence," he added.
Quantum Receiver Can Detect Huge Swath of the RF Spectrum

US Army researchers have built a so-called "quantum sensor," which can
analyze the full RF spectrum and real-world signals, a report on
Physics.org says. The quantum sensor -- technically a Rydberg sensor --
can sample the RF spectrum from 0 to 20 GHz and is able to detect AM
and FM radio signals, as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other RF
communication protocols. The peer-reviewed Physical

A Rydberg receiver and spectrum
analyzer detects a wide range of
real-world radio frequency signals
above a microwave circuit including
AM radio, FM radio, Wi-Fi, and
Bluetooth. [US Army, illustration]

Review Applied published the researchers' findings, "Waveguide-coupled
Rydberg spectrum analyzer from 0 to 20 Gigaherz," coauthored by Army
researchers Drs. David Meyer, Paul Kunz, and Kevin Cox.

"The Rydberg sensor uses laser beams to create highly excited Rydberg
atoms directly above a microwave circuit, to boost and hone in on the
portion of the spectrum being measured," the article explains. "The
Rydberg atoms are sensitive to the circuit's voltage, enabling the
device to be used as a sensitive probe for the wide range of signals in
the RF spectrum."

Cox, a researcher at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development
Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory, called the development "a
really important step toward proving that quantum sensors can provide a
new and dominant set of capabilities for our soldiers, who are
operating in an increasingly complex electromagnetic battlespace."

Cox said earlier demonstrations of Rydberg atomic sensors were only
able to sense small and specific regions of the RF spectrum, but "our
sensor now operates continuously over a wide frequency range for the
first time." The technology uses rubidium atoms, which are excited to
high-energy Rydberg states. These interact strongly with the circuit's
electric fields, allowing detection and demodulation of any signal
received into the circuit.

Researchers use a Rydberg spectrum
analyzer experimental apparatus at
the DEVCOM Army Research Lab. [US
Army, illustration]

The report says the Rydberg spectrum analyzer has the potential "to
surpass fundamental limitations of traditional electronics in
sensitivity, bandwidth, and frequency range."

According to Meyer, "Devices that are based on quantum constituents are
one of the Army's top priorities to enable technical surprise in the
competitive future battlespace. Quantum sensors in general, including
the one demonstrated here, offer unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy
to detect a wide range of mission-critical signals." Read an expanded
version.

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ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 14) takes a
deeper dive into the subject of HF antenna tuners, including some
shopping tips.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 28) features a discussion
on grabbing NOAA weather satellite images at 137 MHz and a chat with
Nigel Vander Houwen, K7NVH, about how he has combined rockets and
high-altitude ballooning with amateur radio.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

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Moldova Peace Corps ARISS Contact is Successful

A March 3 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
contact between young people in Moldova with an International Space
Station (ISS) crew member was a success. The Moldova Peace Corps (MPC)
was the hosting organization, and 90 students (aged 10 - 18) from a
consortium of educational institutions, rural schools, and libraries
from nine Moldovan villages participated.

MPC promotes economic and civic development with a particular focus on
developing local resources in rural and suburban communities. Another
focus of MPC is to provide youth in Moldovan villages with access to
STEM opportunities and build capacity among local teachers/librarians
to implement STEM activities in their curricula.

During the multipoint telebridge contact, students took turns asking
questions of astronaut Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG. ARISS team member David
Payne, NA7V, in Oregon served as the relay amateur radio station.

In support of this contact, the MPC partnered with the staff at the
Centre of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies within the
Technical University of Moldova (UTM), the US Peace Corps Volunteer
Coordinator, and the participating schools and libraries. The contact
was livestreamed via the MPC and UTM Facebook pages.

ARRL is a partner in the ARISS program, which has kept amateur radio on
the air from the ISS for 20 years. A hallmark of the ARISS program is
the scheduled ham radio contacts made by ISS crew members with schools
and student groups around the world.
North Carolina Radio Amateurs apt Tailgating Hamfest to the COVID-19
Pandemic

With many in-person hamfests canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
some radio amateurs in Raleigh, North Carolina, have come up with a way
to adapt with a tailgate hamfest in an unused shopping center parking
area. The event grew out of the so-called Ham Radio Taco Thursdays,
begun many years ago by ARRL Life Member Alan Pitegoff, AB4OZ.

Pitegoff had to put his event on hold when the pandemic erupted. It was
suggested that hams could gather and socialize at a safe distance by
having a Taco Thursday with the taco truck outside in an adjacent empty
parking lot. That event was a success, with participants remaining at
their vehicles and bringing their own chairs. That success inspired
holding a tailgate hamfest in the same spot, and it's now turned into a
monthly event, called the AB4OZ Hamfest.

Pitegoff said Taco Thursday started collecting more people -- up to 15
or so -- and when Taco Bell closed due to the pandemic, the event moved
to a Thursday on-the-air net, with one requirement -- that participants
could not talk about COVID-19.

The tailgate hamfest was established at the new location and held once
a month on Saturday at 10 AM.

"I think this is a great, uplifting, and positive experience for all of
us hams to get out and socialize," participant Charles Murray, KI4DCR,
said. "We might not be able to have a big hamfest, but these micro
tailgate hamfests might be the future for a good while. I've met a lot
of good people. There's a lot of cool stuff out here. The weather's
great, you know, and there's plenty of space for everybody to be
socially distanced. I think it's fantastic." -- Thanks to Martin
Brossman, KI4CFS

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Technicians: Life Beyond Repeaters -- Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Maybe you just received your Technician-class license, or perhaps you
have had it for a while and are burned out waiting for sparse FM
repeater contacts. Take a new look at the possibilities available to
you beyond repeaters. Explore Tech HF and 6-meter privileges for SSB,
CW, and digital modes such as FT8, RTTY, and PSK31 to expand your
operating modes and your station's outreach. Explore other VHF/UHF
uses, including SSB, satellites, FM simplex, digital modes, contesting,
and more.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE

Ultra-portable operation, or being able to carry your radio over
distances (e.g., in a backpack), is quickly growing in popularity.
Whether for SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in
nature, learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, will cover the basics
of ultra-portable operating for both the new and experienced ham radio
operator.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Friday, April 7)

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Estes Park Elementary School Students Speak with Astronaut Aboard
ISS -- Yahoo News, February 28, 2021
* Craig Fugate on Twitter: @Wired Also Points Out the Role Amateur
Radio Can Play in Disasters -- Twitter, February 22, 2021
* Amateur Radio Operators Help Fill Earthquake Donut Holes -- Eos
Magazine, February 22, 2021
* Over Neighbors' Objections, Shelburne Operator Gets the Green Light
for Ham Radio Towers -- Burlington Free Press (Vermont), February
19, 2021

* Amateur Radio Users Want to Be of Service When Modern Technology
Fails -- Nashville Scene (Tennessee), February 18, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Army MARS Volunteers Recognized with Gold-Level President's Volunteer
Service Award

A dozen US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) volunteers have
been honored with gold-level recognition for the President's Volunteer
Service Award for 2020. They are:
* Bob Mims, WA1OEZ
* Ron Tomo, KE2UK
* Mark Bary, N4EOC
* Billy Pearson, KO4XT
* Dave Bock, W8OHS
* Bob Baker, K5LLF
* John Monson, WB0PLW
* Gary Geissinger, WA0SPM
* Brian Handy, W8JBT
* Bliss Wheeler, W7RUG
* Jim Hamilton, K4QDF
* Daniel Wolff, KA7AGN

Each award recipient receives a letter signed by the President of the
United States, a certificate of achievement, and a presidential
volunteer service lapel pin.

Volunteer awards are based on the certifying organization's
recommendation and the number of documented volunteer hours for the
year. Gold-level volunteers must accrue a minimum of 500 hours
volunteer time supporting the organization. Silver awardees must
achieve 300 hours and bronze must achieve a minimum of 100 hours
volunteer time.

Army MARS Chief Paul English, WD8DBY, was to conduct a virtual awards
presentation on Thursday, March 4. -- Thanks to Paul English, WD8DBY

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* The Amateur Radio Contest DX Club (ARCDXC) will activate the C7A
call sign during March, with activity SSB, CW, and digital modes on
all HF bands, 1.8 - 28 MHz. C7A counts for Austria for DXCC
purposes.
* The ARRL International DX Phone Contest is March 6 - 7 (UTC), and
the DX will abound. It's a chance even for modest stations to snag
a few new contacts. In this major event on the radiosport calendar,
the DX will be looking for you! 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.
* R125PR is a special event call sign to mark 125 years since the
reputed "world's first radiogram." Sponsors say that historic event
took place in 1896 when Alexander Popov at the Russian Physical and
Chemical Society of Saint-Petersburg Imperial University sent the
two words "Heinrich Hertz" a distance of 250 meters.
* The Radio Society of Kenya (RSK) and the South African Radio League
(SARL) have signed a formal memorandum of understanding. The SARL
will assist RSK with the amateur radio examinations and administer
the technical aspects of the examination on RSK's behalf and assist
with training materials.
* Members of the Northern Corridor Radio Group in Australia plan to
activate Cocos (Keeling) Island -- VK9C (not to be confused with
Cocos Island -- TI9). Cocos (Keeling) is #70 on the Club Log Most
Wanted DXCC List. The vacation-style operation will take place
March 16 - 23, using the call sign VK9CE. -- Thanks to The Daily DX
AMSAT-DL Operators Track Mars Probes

Members of Germany's AMSAT organization, AMSAT-DL, in cooperation with
the Sternwarte Bochum Institute in Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen,
Germany, have been using the institute's 20-meter (65.6-foot) diameter
dish antenna to listen directly to signals from probes in Mars orbit.
Signals have been copied from the Chinese Tianwen-1 and the Hope
Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) spacecraft now orbiting Mars and
transmitting in the 8.4 GHz band.

Recordings of the signals can be heard on YouTube with regular updates
by following @amsatdl on Twitter.

In 2003, radio amateurs added phase-locked receivers in the 2.3, 5.8,
and 10.4 GHz amateur bands, as well as an 8.4 GHz receiver. There is
also an S-band 2.4 GHz amateur transmitter running 250 W PEP (peak
envelope power).

In 2006, the dish was used to copy signals from Voyager 1 at a distance
of nearly 15 billion kilometers (9.3 billion miles). -- Thanks to AMSAT
News Service
January 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report

The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL
and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.

In January 2021, Volunteer Monitors reported 2,277 hours monitoring the
HF frequencies and 2,162 hours monitoring VHF frequencies and above.

The Volunteer Monitor Coordinator issued 11 visory Notices. An
visory Notice is an attempt to resolve rule violation issues
informally before FCC intervention:
* Operators in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Centralia, Washington; Edmond,
Oklahoma; Fontana, California, and Orleans, Massachusetts, received
advisories concerning operation outside their license class.
* An operator in Thorn Hill, Tennessee, received an advisory
concerning interference.
* An operator in Ridgely, Tennessee, received an advisory regarding
excessive bandwidth.
* Operators in Miami, Florida; Friendly, West Virginia; Collinsville,
Illinois, and Keansburg, New Jersey, received advisories concerning
station ID issues.
* An operator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received an advisory
regarding improper use of a linear amplifier.

ARRL had two meetings in January with FCC Enforcement Bureau personnel.
-- Thanks to Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, VM Program ministrator

Video Documents Removal, Preservation of 250 kW Voice of America
Transmitter

With the former Voice of America Delano relay site in Central
California scheduled for eventual demolition for resale, the Collins
Collectors Association (CCA), in association with the Antique Wireless
Association (AWA), came up with a plan in 2014 (working, among others,
with past ARRL Midwestern Division Director Rod Blocksome, K0DAS, a
former Collins engineer) to retrieve one of the Collins 821A-1 250 kW
HF transmitters from the site and put it on display at the AWA museum
in Bloomfield, New York.

The Delano site went on the air in 1944 with a 170-foot rhombic
antenna. The Collins 821 A-1 transmitter was autotuned and could shift
frequencies between 3.95 and 26.5 MHz in 20 seconds. The transmitter
and its associated components represent an era when equipment was large
and heavy.

The Delano site, now owned by the General Services ministration
(GSA), remains with antennas still standing and buildings in place and
demolition on hold, because it was discovered to be the habitat for an
endangered species of shrew.

A video presentation featuring Dennis Kidder, W6DQ, describes and
illustrates the entire removal and relocation effort, and offers some
background on the VOA. On the continental US, the only remaining VOA
site is the Edward R. Murrow Greenville Transmitting Site in North
Carolina.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Monday was the only day with no
sunspots over the reporting week, so average daily sunspot numbers
declined slightly from 19.6 to 18.9. Two new sunspot groups appeared on
the following day. Average daily solar flux edged up from 75.7 to 76.7.

Average daily planetary A index softened from 16 to 14.7, and the
middle latitude average went from 12.4 to 10.4. Geomagnetic indicators
remained somewhat active due to persistent solar wind. On Monday,
Alaska's high-latitude College A index reached 34.

Spaceweather.com reported a G2 class geomagnetic storm on March 1.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days appears anemic: 74 on March
4; 75 on March 5 -- 10; 73, 71, 72, and 70 on March 11 -- 14; 71, 72,
71, and 73 on March 15 -- 18; 76, 75, 76, and 78 on March 19 -- 22; 81,
80, 80, and 79 on March 23 -- 26; 78 and 73 on March 27 -- 28; 74 on
March 29 -- 30; 73 on March 31 - April 1, and 74 on April 2 -- 3.

Predicted planetary A index is 12, 8, 10, 20 and 15 on March 4 -- 8; 10
on March 9 -- 10; 8, 15, 10, and 5 on March 11 -- 14; 15, 8, 5, and 18
on March 15 -- 18; 20 on March 19 -- 20; 18, 12, and, 8 on March 21 --
23; 5 on March 24 -- 27; 20, 15, and 10 on March 28 -- 30; 5 on March
31 - April 1; 12 on April 2, and 5 on the following 5 days.

Sunspot numbers for February 25 - March 3 were 31, 16, 14, 13, 0, 28,
and 30, with a mean of 18.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 80.1, 80.1,
79.2, 77.7, 71, 74.7, and 74.2, with a mean of 76.7. Estimated
planetary A indices were 13, 11, 4, 6, 26, 20, and 23, with a mean of
14.7. Middle latitude A index was 13, 8, 3, 4, 16, 14, and 15, with a
mean of 10.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* March 5 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
* March 5 -- NCCC CW Sprint
* March 6 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)
* March 6 - 7 -- ARRL International DX Contest (Phone)
* March 6 - 7 -- Open Ukraine RTTY Championship
* March 7 -- UBA Spring Contest (CW)
* March 7 -- NSARA Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* March 7 -- WAB 3.5 MHz Phone
* March 10 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* March 10 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW)
* March 10 - 14 -- AWA John Rollins Memorial DX Contest (CW)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

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* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
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* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
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Free of charge to ARRL members...
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
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