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The ARRL Letter, February 20, 2014

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 02:07 PM PST
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...4&goto=newpost


The ARRL Letter

February 20, 2014

Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, Editor



[Note: Clicking on the story links below will take you to the news article
as it appears in The ARRL Letter on the ARRL website.]





ARRL Centennial: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to Keynote ARRL
Centennial BanquetARRL Centennial: Orlando HamCation® "a Grand Success" as
First ARRL Regional Centennial ConventionARRL Centennial: W1AW Centennial
Operations in Michigan, Florida Until February 26Regulatory: FCC Proposes
to Fine Texas Radio Amateur $7000 for Malicious InterferenceRegulatory:
FCC, Manufacturer Conclude Consent Decree on Marketing of Noncompliant
DeviceRadiosport: Make Your Voice Heard During the ARRL International DX
Contest (Phone)!Clubs: Arecibo Observatory Club to Establish New Amateur
Radio StationClubs: ARRL Atlantic Division Adds Resources to Aid Amateur
Radio ClubsYour League: Two ARRL Sections Getting New Section Managers,
Virginia SM Re-ElectedPublic Service: Florida Panhandle County ARES
Activates for Winter StormTower Safety: Idaho Ham Seriously Injured in
Tower MishapRadio History: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRLThe K7RA
Solar UpdateIn Brief

Just Ahead in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL Section, State and Division
Conventions and Events



ARRL Centennial: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to Keynote ARRL
Centennial Banquet



Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator W. Craig Fugate,
KK4INZ, will be the keynote speaker at the ARRL Centennial Banquet on July
18 in Hartford, Connecticut. The event is among the highlights of the ARRL
Centennial Convention July 17-19 at the Connecticut Convention Center.



"We are fortunate that Director Fugate has agreed to serve as our keynote
speaker," said ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. "Not only does he bring
his wealth of experience in public service and emergency communications to
the table, but as a licensee he has a good understanding of the value that
the Amateur Radio Service can offer."



A native of Gainesville, Florida, Fugate has headed FEMA since 2009. Under
his leadership, FEMA has promoted a "whole community" approach to emergency
management to build sustainable and resilient communities. This tactic
emphasizes collaboration with all levels of government as well as with
external partners, including volunteer agencies, faith-based organizations,
the private sector, and individuals.



Prior to coming to FEMA, Fugate served as Director of the Florida Division
of Emergency Management. He was Florida's Coordinating Officer for 11
declared disasters that involved the management of some $4.5 billion in
federal disaster assistance. In 2004, Fugate managed the largest federal
disaster response in Florida history as four major hurricanes -- Charley,
Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne -- affected the state in quick succession.
Additional disasters arose in 2005, as three more hurricanes -- Dennis,
Katrina, and Wilma -- made landfall in the state. Fugate has been an
Amateur Radio licensee since 2012.



ARRL Centennial Banquet tickets and advance convention registration are
available through the ARRL Centennial Convention website
http://ARRL2014.org. Read more.



ARRL Centennial: Orlando HamCation® "a Grand Success" as First ARRL
Regional Centennial Convention



Orlando HamCation® -- the inaugural ARRL Regional Centennial Convention --
was "a grand success," according to ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. She
headed up the contingent representing the League at the February 7-9 event
in Florida. The 68th HamCation was the first of six such regional events
planned to mark the League's 100th anniversary celebration this year.



"There was a really good vibe among the people I met at this event, and it
was a fine kick-off to the series of regional centennial conventions," said
Craigie, who noted that this was her first visit to the Orlando ham radio
gathering. She deemed attendance excellent. "The crowd was so thick on
Saturday, especially, that I was reminded of my early visits to Dayton,
when you could walk around inside the building and not be able to see your
own feet for minutes at a time."



The ARRL President said the crowds around the ARRL both kept everyone busy.
On hand from ARRL Headquarters were Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart,
K1MMH; Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, and
Circulation/Member Services Manager Yvette Vinci, KC1AIM.



Hobart agreed with Craigie's attendance assessment. "The attendance seemed
very robust," she said, adding that the ARRL forum was packed. "I spent my
time in the meet-and-greet area with Kay and other dignitaries, mostly
handing out Centennial coins -- about 2000 of them! They are very much in
demand."



Craigie reported hearing "a lot of enthusiastic comments" regarding the
ongoing W1AW portable operations. "Also, I met a number of people whom I've
worked in the ARRL Centennial QSO Party," she added. Special event station
W100AW/4 was on the air from the event throughout the weekend. Both Craigie
and Hobart said that many visitors told them they planned to be at the ARRL
Centennial Convention in Hartford this July.



"The mood was very upbeat," Hobart said, "and I hope it will be duplicated
at the other regional conventions this year. As the first of the six, it
was certainly a success."



HamCation 2014 Chairman Peter Meijers, AI4KM, estimated that some 12,000
visitors attended the event, sponsored by the Orlando Amateur Radio Club
(OARC). "It was a great honor to host the first of the regional ARRL
Centennial Events at HamCation," Meijers said. "In spite of bad weather
throughout the US -- including Orlando -- attendance was nearly the same as
last year's HamCation." Meijers thanked everyone "who worked hard all year
to make HamCation 2014 a success."



The next ARRL Centennial Regional Convention will be at Dayton Hamvention®
May 16-18. Sanctioning the regional Centennial conventions was aimed in
part at taking the ARRL Centennial celebration to more radio amateurs
across the US, encouraging greater awareness of the anniversary as well as
participation by members who may not be able to attend the National
Centennial Convention. The events also give greater visibility to the
all-volunteer ARRL Field Organization, generating greater interest in
League membership, program, services and publications, and helping to
promote the ARRL's Second Century Campaign.



The other upcoming ARRL Centennial Regional Conventions a



SEA-PAC -- Seaside, Oregon, June 6-8, 2014



Ham-Com -- Plano, Texas, June 13-14, 2014



Huntsville Hamfest -- Huntsville, Alabama, August 16-17, 2014



Pacificon -- Santa Clara, California, October 10-12, 2014



ARRL Centennial: W1AW Centennial Operations in Michigan, Florida Until
February 26



The ARRL Centennial "W1AW WAS" operations that are taking place throughout
2014 from each of the 50 states are in Michigan (W1AW/8) and Florida
(W1AW/4). They will remain in those states until 0000 UTC on Wednesday,
February 26 (the evening of February 25 in US time zones), when they will
relocate to Washington (W1AW/7) and Kansas (W1AW/0).



During 2014 W1AW will be on the air from every state (at least twice) and
most US territories, and it will be easy to work all states solely by
contacting W1AW portable operations.



In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the ARRL, the ARRL Centennial
QSO Party kicked off January 1 for a year-long operating event in which
participants can accumulate points and win awards. The event is open to
all, although only ARRL members and appointees, elected officials, HQ staff
and W1AW are worth ARRL Centennial QSO Party points. Working W1AW/x from
each state is worth 5 points per contact.



To earn the "Worked all States with W1AW Award," work W1AW operating
portable from all 50 states. (Working W1AW or W100AW in Connecticut does
not count for Connecticut, however. For award credit, participants must
work W1AW/1 in Connecticut.) A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will be
available.



Regulatory: FCC Proposes to Fine Texas Radio Amateur $7000 for Malicious
Interference



The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) to
James R. Winstead, KD5OZY, of Coleman, Texas, after determining that
Winstead "apparently willfully violated" FCC rules by interfering with
Amateur Radio communications. The Commission proposed a $7000 fine. The
action was in response to complaints from other radio amateurs of
intentional interference on 7.195 MHz.



According to the NAL, released February 19, an agent from the Commission's
Dallas Office on January 21 used direction-finding techniques to positively
identify the source of the interfering transmissions as Winstead's address.
After monitoring the transmissions from the station for about a half-hour,
the agent heard Winstead, an Amateur Extra class licensee, "replay multiple
times short sentences or conversations that had just been transmitted, and
occasionally speak the word 'George.'"



"Mr Winstead replayed recorded conversations so frequently that other
licensees were unable to complete their conversations," the NAL stated. The
agent estimated that Winstead disrupted approximately 20 minutes of
conversation over a 30 minute period by making up to 15 minutes of short
transmissions. The agent subsequently inspected Winstead's station,
observing that his radio equipment was tuned to 7.195 Mhz.



"During the inspection, Mr Winstead showed the agent how he recorded and
retransmitted other amateur licensees' communications," the FCC said. "He
also admitted that he intentionally interfered with amateur communications
on 7.195 MHz and had an ongoing disagreement with another amateur licensee
named George."



The FCC said the evidence in the case was sufficient to establish that
Winstead had violated Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934 and
Section 97.101(d) of the FCC Amateur Service rules. Both sections prohibit
willful and malicious interference to radio communications. Citing its
Forfeiture Policy Statement and Section 1.80 of the rules, the FCC
determined that Winstead was liable for a $7000 forfeiture. "We caution Mr
Winstead, however, that future violations of this kind may result in
significantly higher forfeitures," the FCC stressed. Winstead has 30 days
to pay or contest the fine.



On his QRZ.com page, Winstead describes himself as "an electronics
technician for about 27 years" and a ham for about 12 years.



Regulatory: FCC, Manufacturer Conclude Consent Decree on Marketing of
Noncompliant Device



The FCC and the manufacturer of a device that wirelessly reports propane
tank levels have entered into a Consent Decree that concludes an
investigation into whether the company had been marketing a noncompliant RF
device. It also provides a window into how the Commission occasionally
resolves certain enforcement proceedings. The EnerTrac "Big Drops System"
operated as an unlicensed Part 15 intentional radiator on 433 MHz; the
manufacturer has since shifted to a licensed Part 90 frequency. According
to the terms of the arrangement, EnerTrac will admit no wrongdoing, agree
not to break the rules in the future, and make a "voluntary contribution"
of $13,000 to the US Treasury. In return the FCC will drop the entire
matter.



"After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree and evaluating the facts
before us," the FCC said, "we find that the public interest would be served
by adopting the Consent Decree and terminating the investigation.



As the FCC pointed out in the Consent Decree, intentional radiators must
first receive FCC certification before being marketed in the US. Part 15
rules prescribe the maximum field strength emission limits for "periodic
operation of intentional radiators that transmit at certain frequencies,
including frequencies in the 433 MHz band," the FCC explained. While the
Amateur Service enjoys privileges on 70 centimeters on a secondary basis,
many unlicensed Part 15 devices operate in the vicinity of 433 MHz on a
non-interference basis.



Prior to marketing the Big Drops System, EnerTrac submitted relevant
information and a sample device to the FCC's Office of Engineering and
Technology (OET). The OET certified the device as being in compliance with
Part 15 rules.



In July 2012, the FCC received a complaint that the Big Drops System was
not operating within the terms of its authorization. The Commission issued
a Letter of Inquiry to EnerTrac, which reminded the FCC that the 433 MHz
Big Drops System had been tested for compliance with Part 15 rules and had
been certified by the FCC. The OET tested the system, however, and
determined that it exceeded Part 15 emission limits, suggesting that there
may have been differences between the unit tested for certification
purposes and the version that EnerTrac marketed.



Subsequently EnerTrac told the FCC that the devices it was marketing "had
the same radio frequency characteristics as the device certified" and the
device the OET tested. EnerTrac further reported that it had ceased
marketing the 433 MHz Big Drops System in November 2012 and had begun
marketing a new Part 90 (Private Land Mobile Radio Services) device to
replace it.



In terminating its investigation, the FCC Enforcement Bureau agreed
that "in the absence of new material evidence," it would not use facts
developed in the investigation to institute a new proceeding or take action
against EnerTrac concerning matters that were at the heart of the
investigation. The bureau also said it would not use any of the findings of
its investigation in determining EnerTrac's basic qualifications to hold
FCC licenses or authorizations.



Among other stipulations, EnerTrac, in turn, agreed to pull its 433 MHz Big
Drops System devices out of service by the end of 2017. The company would
have to remove immediately any device that is the subject of a complaint of
unlawful interference, however. Read more.



Radiosport: Make Your Voice Heard During the ARRL International DX Contest
(Phone)!



The SSB weekend of the ARRL International DX Contest is March 1-2 (UTC),
and the DX will be looking for you! In this major event on the radiosport
calendar, operators in the US and Canada work stations everywhere else in
the world. It's not only an opportunity to pit your station and operating
skills against those of your peers but to expand your knowledge of
propagation on the HF and MF bands and tweak your contesting skills.



W/VE amateurs work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible
on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters, while DX stations work as many US
and Canadian stations in as many of the 48 contiguous US states and
Canadian provinces as possible. US and Canadian stations send a signal
report and their state or province abbreviation. DX stations send a signal
report and output power.



There are entry categories for individual operators and multioperator teams
as well as a choice of power levels in each category, from QRP to full
legal limit.



There's a place for Big Guns, Little Pistols and everyone in between in
this contest. The excitement and enthusiasm levels will be high, and it's a
terrific opportunity to boost DXCC totals too.



Clubs: Arecibo Observatory Club to Establish New Amateur Radio Station



The Arecibo Observatory Amateur Radio Club (KP4AO) is setting up a new
Amateur Radio station in the facility's Angel Ramos Visitor Center
exhibition hall. Club President Angel Vazquez, WP3R, said the new station
will offer an opportunity to showcase ham radio to the thousands who visit
the observatory each year.
[IMG]file:///C:\Users\Rick\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\c
lip_image001.gif[/IMG]The announcement came during a behind-the-scenes tour
of the deep-space radiotelescope campus, held in conjunction with the
recent ARRL Puerto Rico Section Convention in Hatillo.



On behalf of Yaesu, Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, donated a new FTdx1200
transceiver to the new KP4AO station, while the Caribbean Amateur Radio
Group presented the club with a banner for the new station.



Among those on hand to spin the dial on the new transceiver were ARRL
President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Southeastern Division Director Doug Rehman,
K4AC; Southeastern Division Assistant Director Jose Vicens, NP4G; Pacific
Division Assistant Director John Bigley, N7UR; Puerto Rico Section Manage
Rene Fonseca, NP3O, and others on the tour. The ARRL contingent presented
the observatory station with a Centennial edition of The ARRL Handbook for
Radio Communications.



As for the convention, "Wow, what a weekend we had!" was the reaction of
Angel Luis Santana, WP3GW, ARRL Public Information Coordinator for the
Puerto Rico Section. "A great success!"



The Arecibo Observatory recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and KP4AO
hosted a special event for the occasion. The new KP4AO station is expected
to be completed in about 3 months.



Clubs: ARRL Atlantic Division Adds Resources to Aid Amateur Radio Clubs



The ARRL Atlantic Division leadership has created additional resources to
assist clubs in such areas as growing and maintaining membership, club
management, club newsletters, and meeting presentations. ARRL Atlantic
Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR, said he'd heard from clubs in his
division who were seeking resources aside from "the excellent club
resources" the ARRL already offers.



"To that end, we have created a number of Amateur Radio discussion forums
and file libraries to help clubs with that process," Edgar said.



These forums are in the "Amateur Radio Forums" section of the BFDIN Forums
site. Current Amateur Radio discussion forums include:



Amateur Radio Emergency Communications -- Topics of interest to Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) members and to other emergency
communication/public service groups.



Amateur Radio Presentations -- A forum where participants may upload
programs on Amateur Radio-related topics to share with other clubs, who can
download and use these presentations for their own meeting programs.



Club Management -- Discussion of club management issues, such as meeting
topics, elections, recruiting, classes, etc.



Club Newsletters -- Discussion and sharing of club newsletter articles.



Digital Modes -- Discussion of digital-mode topics and the sharing of
macros and software.



Hamfest Management -- Discussion of hamfest management topics.



NTS -- Discussion of message handling and the National Traffic System
(NTS).



On each forum are individuals knowledgeable in the forum topic who will
help to moderate the discussion. Moderators also will assist in keeping the
conversation flowing and on topic.



These forums are open at no cost to all Amateur Radio operators --
regardless of ARRL Division -- who are club officers, club members, or
interested in starting an Amateur Radio club. The BFDIN Forums site also
includes an "Amateur Radio General Discussion" forum that is open to
prospective radio amateurs.



Participants will be asked to create a user account by registering your
first initial + last name or your call sign as your login. Once users
create an account, they will be asked by e-mail to confirm their e-mail
account and account setup.



Your League: Two ARRL Sections Getting New Section Managers, Virginia SM
Re-Elected



Karl Bowman, W4CHX, of Raleigh, is the new ARRL North Carolina Section
Manager, effective on February 20. Outgoing SM Bill Morine, N2COP, of
Wilmington, decided not to run for another term after serving since 2010.
Although his term did not end until April 1, Morine asked to step down
early, due to business and personal commitments, and let Bowman step in.
Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, reviewed
Morine's recommendation and consulted with Roanoke Division Director Dennis
Bodson, W4PWF, before making the appointment official.



In Louisiana, Jim Molan, KD5IGG, of Bunkie, will succeed Jim Coleman, AI5B,
as Section Manager on April 1. Coleman decided not to run again after
serving a 2 year term, and Molan was the only candidate. Molan brings to
the office his experience as Assistant Section Manager, Assistant Section
Emergency Coordinator, and District Emergency Coordinator.



In the only contested Section Manager race of this election cycle, Virginia
Section Manager Carl Clements, W4CAC, was re-elected to a new term. He
received 789 votes, and his opponent, Anthony Harbour, KG4YXP, of Ridgeway,
polled 568 votes. Ballots were counted on February 18 at ARRL Headquarters.



Clements, who lives in Portsmouth, has been Section Manager continuously
since 2008, and he served previously as SM from 2001 until 2006. His new 2
year term begins on April 1.



The following incumbent ARRL Section Managers did not face opposition and
were declared elected for new terms of office beginning on April 1: Pete
Cecere, N2YJZ, Eastern New York; Robert B. Famiglio, K3RF, Eastern
Pennsylvania; Bob Schneider, AH6J, Pacific; Steve Early, AD6VI, San Diego,
and Chris Stallkamp, W0ADZ, South Dakota.



Public Service: Florida Panhandle County ARES Activates for Winter Storm



Winter storms may be rare in Florida, but icy conditions in late January
prompted Escambia County Emergency Management to activate its emergency
operations center (EOC). ARES also was called out and remained activated
until January 30.



Rain on January 27 had turned to freezing rain, sleet, and snow, causing
icy conditions on roads and bridges. All Interstate highways, most bridges,
and many roads in the Pensacola area were closed due to hazardous icing.



Escambia County ARES was active for 61 hours during this weather event,
with 46 Amateur Radio operators volunteering. Nine ARES members staffed the
ARES room at the EOC at various times. Two shelters opened. An EMS need
request was handled via Amateur Radio, and reports on weather and road
conditions were sent in by operators in the affected area.



Amateurs also assisted motorists and truckers with road and bridge
condition reports and directions on both a 2 meter amateur repeater and on
CB radio. ARES operators submitted eight ARES situation reports.



ARES used HF voice via the Northern Florida ARES Net and Northern Florida
Phone Net, and set up a tactical net on a VHF repeater. ARES operators also
employed digital modes, including APRS, which was used to track at least
one ARES member during travel to and from the EOC. Radio e-mail on HF via
Winlink and D-STAR were tested. CB radio was also used to give directions
and reports to truckers navigating from Interstate 10 to US Route 90, which
was open. -- ARRL Northern Florida Section News via the ARES E-Letter



Tower Safety: Idaho Ham Seriously Injured in Tower Mishap



Robert "Bearpaw" Galindo, KE7ADT, of Athol, Idaho, was critically injured
February 13 when the winching cable of his 40 foot crank-up tower snapped
while he was working on the tower. Galindo, 52, a General class licensee
and ARRL member, was reported trapped and dangling 20 feet in the air when
rescue crews arrived at his home. His wife, Gail Perry, KE7ADN, witnessed
the accident and called 911. The mishap resulted in the loss of Galindo's
right hand and several fingers of his left hand.



Timberlake Fire Protection District officials reported that rescuers had to
raise the upper tower sections to extricate Galindo. He was transported by
helicopter to a hospital in Coeur d'Alene, where he underwent surgery.
Galindo was listed in critical condition following the surgery and was
expected to remain hospitalized for several days. -- Thanks to John Bigley,
N7UR, Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire



Radio History: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL



Following the resumption of Amateur Radio activities after World War I
ensued a thundering herd of advances in the state of the Amateur Radio art.
Here are some highlights from that period.



April 1922 -- The first contact was made between California and Hawaii.
September 1922 -- 1CCZ worked every US call district in one night, the
first time that had ever been accomplished. November 1922 -- Another
record-breaking relay was accomplished, from 1AW to 9AWM to Hawaiian 6ZAC
and back to 1AW in 4 minutes 18 seconds.



June 1923 -- The first expedition using Amateur Radio sailed. The schooner
Bowdoin (WNP) had Don Mix, 1TS, aboard as its operator. This and later
Bowdoin expeditions were searching for the land mass that was thought to
exist at the North Pole. September 1923 -- VK2CM contacted ZL4AA (a 1500
mile path), with VK2CM running 4 milliwatts on CW! November 1923 -- 1MO and
1XAM worked F8AB, the first transatlantic contact. December 1923 -- 1EH
made contacts with England, Italy, and Holland.



May 1924 -- The first contact was made between New Zealand and Argentina, a
new DX record of 6400 miles. The same month saw the first contact between
North and South America. July 1924 -- All previous shortwave work had
required "experimental" licenses. After considerable groundwork by the
ARRL, the government allowed shortwave work by all amateurs, with band
assignments of 1.5 to 2.0, 3.5 to 4.0, 7.0 to 8.0, 14.0 to 16.0, and 56.0
to 64.0 MHz. September 1924 -- The first confirmed contact was made between
California and New Zealand. December 1924 -- The first daylight
transcontinental signals were heard, from Connecticut to California, as
John Reinartz, 1QP, made experimental transmissions on the new 20 meter
band.



April 1925 -- The first published article on the theory of shortwave
propagation appeared in QST, authored by John Reinartz, 1QP. Also in April,
the International Amateur Radio Union was formed at a conference in Paris,
and Hiram Percy Maxim was elected as its first president. May 1925 -- The
first contact was made between Australia and England, during daylight hours
on 20 meters.



April 1926 -- The Worked All Continents award was first offered; it
garnered eight initial members.



May 1927 -- The first annual ARRL DX Contest was held.



March 1928 -- The 10 meter band was opened to Amateur Radio use.



These were just a few highlights from that wonderful era of advancement of
the radio art by amateurs. Next week: On to the 1930s. -- Al Brogdon, W1AB



The K7RA Solar Update



Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Earth's geomagnetic field has
been very active. On February 19 at 0234 UTC the Australian Space Forecast
Centre issued this warning: "Increased geomagnetic activity expected for
February 19." Then on February 20 at 0439 UTC, the Centre issued an
identical warning for February 20. This was the result of two coronal mass
ejections in 2 days.



The planetary A index went to 47 on February 19, the result of K index
readings of 5 and 6 over most of the day. The high latitude college A index
in Alaska was 57, and two of the 3 hour College K index readings were 7.



Average daily solar flux decreased from 171.9 to 158.7 on February 13-19,
when compared to the previous seven days, February 6-12.



Over the same periods average daily sunspot numbers declined from 184.3 to
140.4.



Predicted planetary A index is 10, 15 and 10 on February 20-22, 5 on
February 23-24, 7 on February 25-27, 5 on February 28 through March 8, 10
on March 9, then 5 and 8 on March 10-11, 5 on March 12-15, 12 on March 16,
and 5 on March 17-23.



Predicted solar flux is 160, 165 and 170 on February 20-22, 175 on February
23-27, 170 on February 28 through March 2, 175 on March 3-6, then 170, 165,
160, 155 and 150 on March 7-11, 145 on March 12-15, 150 and 145 on March
16-17, and 135 on March 18-20. Solar flux is expected to peak again at 175
on March 30 through April 7.



In Friday's bulletin we will have reader reports and observations from the
recent ARRL International CW DX Contest and more, including a look at a new
online tool from NOAA which does short term predictions of Northern
Hemisphere aurora, in vivid real-time graphic format.



Send me your reports and observations!



In Brief



Visalia International DX Convention to Include DX University The DX
University will conduct a DXing session Friday, April 4, at the
International DX Convention in Visalia, California. DX University faculty
members include well-known DX luminaries. This DX University session will
be in two parts. The morning session will consist of presentations aimed at
less-experienced DXers. The afternoon session will be a seminar on more
advanced DXing and DXpeditioning topics. Register for the morning or
afternoon session for $35 each or for the entire day for $55. -- Thanks to
Wayne Mills, N7NG



Central States VHF Society Issues Call for Papers, Presentations: The
Central States VHF Society (CSVHFS) is soliciting papers, presentations,
and poster displays for the 48th annual CSVHFS Conference, July 25-27,
2014. These may pertain to all aspects of VHF and above Amateur Radio
operating. Those submitting do not need to attend the conference nor
present their papers to have them included in the Conference Proceedings.
Posters will be displayed during the conference. For more information,
visit the CSVHFS website or e-mail the organization. -- Thanks to Tom Apel,
K5TRA



ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Dates Set The 33rd annual
ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) will take place in
Austin, Texas, September 5-7, at the Marriott South Hotel. More information
will be posted to the TAPR DCC web page. The ARRL and TAPR Digital
Communications Conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to
meet, publish their work, and present new ideas and techniques. -- Thanks
to Steve Bible, N7HPR, President, TAPR Conference Manager



CAPE-2 CubeSat Designated as OSCAR-75 The University of Louisiana CAPE-2
(Cajun Advanced Picosatellite Experiment) CubeSat has been designated
OSCAR-75 or LO-75, AMSAT OSCAR Number Administrator Bill Tynan, W3XO, has
announced. CAPE-2 operates on 145.825 MHz, with a CW beacon that identifies
with the call sign W5UL. It also includes a digipeater, text-to-speech
module, a simplex repeater, and e-mail and tweet functions. Ground station
software is available. FUNcube was recently designated OSCAR-73 or AO-73,
while CubeBug-2 (aka "Manolito") has been designated as LO-74 (see PE0SAT).
-- AMSAT News Service and Bill Tynan, W3XO



Special Belgian Call Signs Recognize Morse Code as Cultural Heritage A
special block of Belgian call signs has been designated for use from April
15 until May 14 to promote recognition of Morse Code as a cultural
heritage. The call signs OS10M to OS19M will be on the air from 10
locations on CW. Concentrated activity will occur on Heritage Day, April
27, from 0900 until 1700 UTC. -- The Daily DX



Polish Hams Gain Bands at Opposite Ends of the Amateur Radio Spectrum Hams
in Poland this month will gain access to two new Amateur Radio bands at
opposite ends of the spectrum -- 472 kHz and 122.25 GHz. The new 472-479
kHz and 122.250-123.000 GHz bands both are allocated to the Amateur Service
on a secondary basis. They became available on February 18. -- Paweł
Zakrzewski, SP7TEV, PZK IARU Liaison Office



New Amateur Radio Bands Allocated in Bulgaria: According to International
Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Bulgarian representative Panayot Danet, LZ1US,
radio amateurs in Bulgaria now have access to new bands: 472-479 kHz,
5250-5450 kHz, and 70.0-70.5 MHz. In addition the 160 meter band will be
extended to 2.0 MHz. All of these bands will be on a secondary basis. The
Daily DX reported February 19 that several Bulgarian stations have been
heard on 60 meters and worked by US stations. -- IARU Region 1



Canada Formalizes Amateur Radio Access to 137 kHz Band: Canada's
telecommunications regulator Industry Canada has included the 135.7-137.8
kHz sliver band in its newly updated RBR-4 Standards for the Operation of
Stations in the Amateur Radio Service. Canadian radio amateurs gained
access to the band, with conditions, in 2009, as a result of World
Radiocommunication Conference 2007. In announcing the RBR-4 update, Radio
Amateurs of Canada (RAC) reminded Canadian amateurs that the rules
stipulate that stations in the Amateur Service using 135.7 to 137.8
kHz "shall not exceed a maximum radiated power of 1 W (EIRP) and shall not
cause harmful interference to stations of the radionavigation service..."
RAC invited reports of activity as well as operating tips and propagation
information. In a 2012 Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ET Docket No.
12-338), the FCC proposed allocating the band to the Amateur Service in the
US on a secondary basis. -- George Gosline, VE3YV, RAC International Affairs



Three-Time WRTC Competitor Antal Hudanik, HA3OV, SK: Antal "Anti" Hudanik,
HA3OV, and his wife died February 13 as result of an auto accident. Hudanik
was one of the HG6N operators and participated in three WRTCs -- in
Slovenia, Finland, and Russia. He also was on the 1999 E44/HA1AG team. --
The Daily DX



Kenwood Buys E.F. Johnson: JVC Kenwood has purchased E.F. Johnson
Technologies. Johnson has been manufacturing radio gear for a long time and
was a major player in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, it's not unusual to see
hamfest vintage equipment tables loaded with Johnson Rangers, Vikings, and
Thunderbolts, and many E.F. Johnson "Matchbox" antenna tuners are still
doing the job. In more recent years, the company has become better known
for its VHF and UHF public safety communication gear. -- Thanks to The ARRL
Contest Update



ARDF Competitions to be Held in Kazakhstan, Ukraine The Kazakhstan
Federation of Radiosport and Radioamateur will host the 17th World Amateur
Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Championships, September 6-13 in Burabay,
Kazakhstan. Also, the Ukrainian Amateur Radio League (UARL) will host the
15th Youth IARU Region 1 ARDF Championships June 12-16, 2014. Competitors,
fans, and friends are welcome at both events. -- Kai Pastor, DG0YT, IARU
Region 1



Just Ahead in Radiosport



Feb 21-23 -- CQ World Wide 160 Meter Contest, SSB



Feb 22-23 -- REF Contest



Feb 22 -- SARL Youth Day Sprint



Feb 22-23 -- UBA Contest, CW



Feb 22-23 -- North American QSO Party, RTTY



Feb 23-24 -- North Carolina QSO Party



Feb 24 -- CQC Winter QSO Party



Mar 1-2 --ARRL International DX Contest, SSB



Mar 1 -- Open Ukraine RTTY Championship



Mar 2 -- OK1WC Memorial Contest



Mar 4 -- ARS Spartan Sprint



Mar 4 -- YL CW Party



Mar 5 -- John Rollins Memorial DX Contest, CW



Mar 7 -- NS Weekly Sprint



Visit the Contest Corral for details.



Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events



February 22 -- Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont



March 1-2 -- Alabama Section Convention (BirmingHAMfest 2014), Birmingham,
Alabama



March 7-8 -- North Carolina Section Convention (Charlotte Hamfest),
Concord, North Carolina



March 7-8 -- West Gulf Division Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma



March 14-15 -- Delta Division Convention, Rayne, Louisiana



March 15 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska



March 15 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas



March 22 -- South Texas Section Convention (Greater Houston Hamfest),
Rosenberg, Texas



March 22-23 -- Communications Academy, Seattle, Washington



March 28-29 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine



March 29 -- Microhams Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington



April 4-6 -- International DX Convention, Visalia, California



April 19 -- Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina



April 25-27 -- Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho



April 26 -- Aurora '14 Conference, White Bear Lake, Minnesota



May 3 -- South Carolina Section Convention, Spartanburg, South Carolina



May 16-18 -- Dayton Hamvention -- Regional ARRL Centennial Event, Dayton,
Ohio



Find conventions and hamfests in your area.



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///////////////////////////////////////////
Sun storm: Blast 20 times taller than Earth erupts from sun..

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:30 AM PST
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...n&goto=newpost


A huge magnetic filament shot out of the sun Monday, sending shockwaves
racing at 1.7 million miles per hour and a brief roar of static through
shortwave radios across the planet. And with a geomagnetic storm causing
Northern Lights to dance across the Canadian border and into North America,
the sun is clearly acting up.

According to a report on Spaceweather.com, MondayÂ’s massive blast shot off
the sun and into space, away from our planet, so it didnÂ’t have the same
effect on radio signals, power grids and communication satellites that an
Earth-facing eruption would have.

But it did cause a Type II radio burst, the site noted.

“The explosion sent shock waves rippling through the sun's atmosphere,.
“Those shock waves, in turn, triggered plasma instabilities in the solar
corona that emit strong radio emissions. The static-y 'roar' of the
explosion was picked up by solar observatories and ham radio stations
across the dayside of our planet.”

A "filament" is a feature of a magnetic loop on the sun: relatively cool,
dense gas suspended above the sun's surface. Tony Philips, the scientist
behind the Spaceweather.com site, told FoxNews.com the blast was at least
20 times taller than the Earth. The force from the blast rocketed from the
sun at around 1.7 million mph -- typical for this type of eruption.

Late Tuesday night, NASA issued a warning about a geomagnetic storm, which
coupled with a second solar eruption caused auroras here on Earth, and
trouble for spacecraft and satellites.

“Magnetic fields in the interplanetary medium have tipped south, opening a
crack in Earth's defenses against the solar wind. High-latitude
sky-watchers should be alert for auroras,” Spaceweather.com noted late
Wednesday.

Sure enough, auroras were seen across the Northern Hemisphere.

"The auroras were so bright, I could actually see a snowy owl on power pole
back lit by the green glow," Douglas Kiesling wrote from Sauk Rapids,
Minn. "The owl itself was illuminated by bright moonlight."