***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 27, No. 32
August 15, 2008
***************

IN THIS EDITION (our first ever back-to-school issue):

* + Educators Go "Back to School" at ARRL's Teachers Institutes
* + ARRL's "Big Project" Makes a Big Impact on Youth
* + FCC to Raise Vanity Call Sign Fees
* + The ARRL VC and VCE Programs: Hams Helping Hams
* + ARRL Executive Committee Approves Nine Education & Technology
Program Grants
* + ARISS Team Looking for Ground Stations
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This Weekend on the Radio
ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
+ No ARRL Audio News August 29
+ Harry Mills, K4HU (SK)
+ Nebraska Ham Couple Killed at Home
ARRL Lab Manager to Serve as Technical Session Chair at IEEE EMC
Conference
DXCC Yearbook Includes Corrected DXCC Honor Roll
Chinese Olympic Special Event Stations On the Air

+Available on ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/

================================================== =========
==Delivery problems: First see FAQ
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery, then e-mail

==Editorial questions or comments only: S. Khrystyne Keane,

================================================== =========

== EDUCATORS GO "BACK TO SCHOOL" AT ARRL'S TEACHERS INSTITUTES

During a record six ARRL Teachers Institutes this summer -- Tampa,
Florida; Rocklin, California; Tucson, Arizona; Dayton, Ohio, as well as
two sessions at ARRL HQ in Connecticut -- instructors and participants
found new ways to bring the excitement of wireless technology to
classrooms across the country http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ti.html.

The ARRL Teachers Institute is a four day, in-service training
opportunity for teachers to learn about wireless technology, including
the science of radio, space technology, microcontrollers and basic
robotics. It focuses on how to integrate these vital technologies into
their regular classrooms. For the first time, the number of Teachers
Institutes offered was expanded from four to six sessions that included
77 participants from 29 states. To help out with the expanded course
load and number of sessions, two additional instructors were brought on
board: Miguel Enriquez, KD7RPP, and Nathan McCray, K9CPO. According to
Education and Technology Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME,
"These new instructors will allow the program to continue to expand in
coming years. They also bring new perspectives and talent to the
instructional staff."

Enriquez was first licensed as a Novice in 1976 and learned about
electronics by building a Heathkit; he upgraded to an Amateur Extra
class license in 2002. He teaches mathematics, statistics and psychology
at Pueblo High School in Tucson, Arizona, and has 10 years of experience
teaching at the community college and university levels. In 2005,
Enriquez established an Amateur Radio club at Pueblo High School.
Through donations of equipment and support from individuals and the
ARRL, the club grew to 26 members and five licensed students exploring
satellite communications, ATV, robotics, HF, EchoLink and weather
satellite imagery.

McCray, a former sixth grade teacher in Zion, Illinois, starts the 2008
academic year as an assistant principal at West Elementary School in the
same town. As a teacher, he integrated Amateur Radio, electronics and
robotics into his science and math curriculum. He plans to start an
Amateur Radio club in his new school and is looking forward to
developing clubs in his district's junior high and high school. McCray's
knowledge areas include electronics, computer programming,
communications, Amateur Radio, computer systems, leadership and
teaching; his background includes instruction at the community college
level, as well experience as a senior instructor at a US Navy technical
school. McCray has been licensed for 24 years and holds an Amateur Extra
class license.

The teachers who participated in this year's Teachers Institutes came
from very diverse backgrounds: 63 percent were hams. The gender mix
included 64 percent males and 36 percent females. The participants came
from schools across the grade levels: 17 percent were elementary, 39
percent middle school/junior high, 40 percent high school and 4 percent
university level instructors. During the Institutes, 10 participants
studied for and obtained either their first ham license or upgraded
their existing ham tickets.

Spencer said that the Teachers Institute curriculum is always being
refined and improved: "This year, a new robotics instructor's activity
board was added to the robotics unit, and a 24-hour clock kit was added
to the Soldering 101 unit. We also added a new, more flexible
seismometer that can be used not only to study earthquakes, but also to
control the movements of the robot the participants build during the
class. This component was added to connect the Science of Radio unit to
the Robotics unit. A radio telescope and a sudden ionospheric
disturbance (SID) exploration resource were also added, expanding the
Space Technology unit. The 24-hour clock kit was a very popular
'homework' assignment that was completed during the first day of the
Institute."

Funding for the ARRL Teachers Institutes for Wireless Technology and for
the ham radio station grants for schools are supported solely by
contributions from ARRL members and others in the Amateur Radio
community. According to ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart,
K1MMH, in 2008 the educational mission of ARRL has expanded to provide
additional support for volunteer instructors and the development of
additional online courses, as well as curricula and tools for teachers.
"If you are one of the thousands of hams who has helped ARRL expand its
education horizons, thank you!" Hobart said. "You may wish to make your
contribution to ensure a bright future for the next generation of radio
amateurs. Please do so by phone or mail to ARRL Headquarters, or on the
Web http://www.arrl.org/education. Your generosity will make a big
difference."

== ARRL'S "BIG PROJECT" MAKES A BIG IMPACT ON YOUTH

Since 2001 when the Education & Technology Program -- also known as the
"Big Project" -- started, ARRL has expanded the scope of its educational
outreach programs by providing grants of station equipment and
instructional resources for professional development to more than 300
schools (with more schools added each year)
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/. The Education & Technology Program
has expanded the highly successful teacher development program in
electronics, robotics and space -- the Teachers Institute on Wireless
Technology http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ti.html.

From humble beginnings in 2003, a single gathering of 12 educators came
together at ARRL Headquarters to become the Teachers Institute, with the
goal to promote wireless technology literacy. Since then, the Teachers
Institute has provided teachers from elementary schools to the
university level with the basic tools and teaching strategies to
introduce the science of radio, space technology, weather,
microcontroller basics and robotics in their classrooms. In 2008, the
Teachers Institute program has expanded to six four-day sessions that
now include ATV and radio astronomy, more hands-on instruction of
project kits -- such as a seismometer, a 24-hour clock and A BOT
Instructor's Board -- to enhance the teachers' ability to instruct basic
robotics, a fox-hunt activity and satellite contacts.

Each year, the League receives gratifying reports from the schools that
participate in the Education & Technology Program. The schools tell us
that the resources we offer are bearing fruit -- both in terms of
licensing students and teachers and engaging them in wireless
technology, both in the classroom and in after-school activities.

"The Education & Technology Program is truly one of ARRL's most
significant projects," said ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart,
K1MMH. "The contributions of ARRL members make a direct connection to
teachers and their students, opening the door to Amateur Radio and other
exciting areas of science."

== FCC TO RAISE VANITY CALL SIGN FEES

On August 11, the FCC announced that the cost of an Amateur Radio vanity
call sign will increase 60 cents, from $11.70 to $12.30
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-182A1.pdf.
The fee will increase 30 days after notice of the increase is published
in the Federal Register http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html; no
date has yet been set for publication. The FCC is authorized by the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to collect vanity call sign fees
to recover the costs associated with that program. The vanity call sign
regulatory fee is payable not only when applying for a new vanity call
sign, but also upon renewing a vanity call sign for a new 10 year term.

The vanity call sign fee has fluctuated over the 12 years of the current
program -- from a low of $11.70 to a high of $50. The FCC said it
anticipates some 15,000 Amateur Radio vanity call sign "payment units"
-- or applications -- during Fiscal Year 2009, collecting $184,734 in
fees from the program.

The vanity call sign regulatory fee is payable not only when applying
for a new vanity call sign, but also upon renewing a vanity call sign
for a new term. The first vanity call sign licenses issued under the
current Amateur Radio vanity call sign program that began in 1996 came
up for renewal two years ago.

Those holding "personalized" call signs issued prior to 1996 are exempt
from having to pay the vanity call sign regulatory fee at renewal, as
Congress did not authorize the FCC to collect regulatory fees until
1993. Such "heritage" vanity call sign holders do not appear as vanity
licensees in the FCC Amateur Radio database.

Amateur Radio licensees may file for renewal only within 90 days of
their license expiration date. All radio amateurs must have an FCC
Registration Number (FRN) before filing any application with the
Commission. Applicants can obtain an FRN by going to the ULS and
clicking on the "New Users Register" link
http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/. You must supply your Social Security
Number to obtain an FRN.

The ARRL VEC will process license renewals for vanity call sign holders
for a modest fee. The service is available to ARRL members and
nonmembers, although League members pay less. Routine, non-vanity
renewals continue to be free for ARRL members. Trustees of club stations
with vanity call signs may renew either via the ULS or through a Club
Station Call Sign Administrator, such as ARRL VEC.

League members should visit the "ARRL Member Instructions for License
Renewals or Changes" page
http://www.arrl.org/fcc/memberlicenseinstructions.html, while the
"Instructions for License Renewals or Changes" page covers general
renewal procedures for nonmembers
http://www.arrl.org/fcc/licenseinstructions.html. There is additional
information on the "ARRL VEC's FCC License Renewals and ARRL License
Expiration Notices" page http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/renewals.html.

License application and renewal information and links to the required
forms are available on the "ARRL Amateur Application Filing FAQ" Web
page. The FCC's forms page also offers the required forms
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/reg...filing-faq.htm
l.

== THE ARRL VC AND VCE PROGRAMS: HAMS HELPING HAMS

Invariably, when an amateur wants to erect a tower and more antennas,
there will be questions about zoning and building ordinances. According
to ARRL Regulatory Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, some questions
are simple, while others may lead to a long battle with town officials.
"Rule number one in any of these cases," Henderson said, "is to make
sure you know the legal landscape you are facing before you start any
project."

Henderson said there are many tools to assist amateurs in navigating the
perils of zoning and restrictions: "Among the most important resources
are fellow amateurs who have stepped forward to serve as either an ARRL
Volunteer Counsel (VC) or an ARRL Volunteer Consulting Engineer (VCE)."

ARRL VCs are fellow amateurs who are attorneys. They have agreed to
provide a free initial consultation to hams facing town zoning issues
related to the erection of Amateur Radio towers and antennas. ARRL VCEs
are registered Professional Engineers (PE) who have likewise agreed to
give hams an initial consultation when facing antenna support
installation issues required by the town.

Henderson notes that VCs and VCEs provide their initial consult for
free: "If you do need to retain them further to help you navigate
through the 'red tape,' you need to be prepared to pay them for their
professional services, though many VCs and VCEs do provide discounted
rates if they assist long term."

The role of the VC and VCE is to assist amateurs with antenna and zoning
issues, but Henderson said that some provide advice on other topics,
such as helping a club through the process of incorporating, or a VCE
serving as an expert witness before a town zoning meeting. "When facing
an antenna fight, remember that VCs and VCEs -- along with other
resources -- are there to assist you, but their role is secondary to
yours," Henderson advised. "The amateur seeking to erect the tower has
to take the lead, making sure that all required information from the
town is provided promptly and as required. This includes bearing any
costs associated with the permitting process or legal fees. If you
follow the steps required by the city or town, and you don't take any
shortcuts and are reasonable in your approach, you should end up
prevailing in the end."

The ARRL is looking for qualified and interested attorneys and
registered Professional Engineers to step forward to serve as VCs and
VCEs. "There is no better time to consider serving in these important
but unsung volunteer positions than now," Henderson said. Right now, the
ARRL has VCs in only 44 states and VCEs in 33 states. Applications for
VCs http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/local/vcapp.html and
VCEs http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/local/vceapp.html
can be found online on the ARRL Web site. For more information on how
you can assist as a VC or VCE, contact Henderson via e-mail
.

If you need the services of a VC or VCE to help with your zoning
problem, contact the Regulatory Information desk via e-mail
. "We are happy to help you sort through the first
steps or try to hook you up with a nearby VC or VCE. The ARRL VC/VCE
programs are here to serve you, but we need your help."

== ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVES NINE EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM GRANTS

In May, the ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant applications for the
ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP), awarding nearly $14,000 to
nine schools http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/. More than 300 schools
across the country have received support from the ETP in the form of
grants for equipment, curriculum and resources, as well as teacher
in-service training through the Teachers Institute on Wireless
Technology http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ti.html. The Executive
Committee reviews applications for equipment and resource grants twice
each year, in December and May.

The following schools recently received equipment grants:

* Hamburg High School, Hamburg, New York: The lead teacher for this
program is a recent graduate of the ARRL Teachers Institute and has some
experience with practically applying ham radio in her classroom.

* Pioneer High School, Yorkshire, New York: The program articulated in
the grant application has an EmComm theme and is an extension of an
existing program.

* Pell City High School, Pell City, Alabama: The lead teachers for this
program were participants in this summer's Teachers Institute. The
program articulated in the grant application was thought to be
aggressive and far reaching, and is supported by the local ham
community, as well as by long term financial commitments on the part of
the State and local governments.

* Washington Technical Middle School, St Paul, Minnesota: The lead
teacher for this program attended the Teachers Institute this summer.
The program in the grant application is supported by the local ham
community, including a retired Vice Director, Twila Greenheck, N0JPH.
The school has already started on their program development by obtaining
and using the Soldering 101 24-hour Clock Kit that is part of the ETP
resource portfolio.

* Glenn Raymond School, Watseka, Illinois: The program suggested in this
application is more broad and general, and suggests using ham radio as a
support to other curricular areas. The Executive Committee felt this was
a healthy approach to the use of ham radio and indicates a well thought
out use of ham radio as a resource.

* Sayreville Memorial High School, Parlin, New Jersey: This application
articulates a program that is based on setting up a ham radio station in
the school that is part of an EmComm component of the school's county
Office of Emergency Management.

The following schools received Progress Grants. These grants consist of
resources, curriculum materials and instructional materials such as
software or building kits:

* Egg Harbor Township High School, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey: The
lead teacher for this program has taken a different approach to making
the connection between the science of radio and robotics fundamentals by
focusing on basic electronics. He requested the parts and pieces to make
a robotic arm resource for use in his class.

* Emanuel County Institute, Twin City, Georgia: The lead teacher for
this program is a recent Teachers Institute graduate. He wants to expand
the use of the activity board resources he learned about during the
Institute into his regular curriculum.

* Gateway Technical Community College, Sturtevant, Wisconsin: This
applicant is requesting assistance in obtaining licensing resource
materials for the college radio club. The resources obtained through
this grant will be housed in a club library for multiple users.

ETP participants continue to sing the praises of the ARRL and the
Education & Technology Program. Here is what a few of them had to say:

* The ARRL has made our year! Words cannot express the gratitude that we
feel because of the ARRL grant so generously provided to us. On behalf
of the Rambler Radio Club of LaFayette Middle School, thank you. By the
way, we are hosting Field Day for our sponsor club (Tri-State ARC). This
will be their first Field Day in three years. They plan to have a GOTA
station to encourage more people to get involved. Thanks to you and the
thousands of ARRL members who have made the entire year seem like
Christmas for us!
* Today, I received a phone call from our calculus teacher who
introduced me to one of our senior students. She has been accepted to
the University of Arizona and will be taking courses for electrical
engineering; her ultimate plan is to someday work for NASA and become
one of the astronauts. She was excited when I told her about being able
to talk to the space shuttle -- sounds like she came to the right place
for the "right stuff." I happened to have the "Hello Radio" pamphlet
available for her and also gave her an old copy of the Radio Amateurs
Astronomy book. I wanted you to know how grateful I am to you and the
ARRL for all you have done in helping Mohave High School get this off
the ground, and as always, thank you for the great satellite images you
send to us. One of the kids at school is using them to do an Independent
Study course on weather.

* I just demonstrated the BOE-BOT's telemetry powers to my math students
and BINGO! They were excited. One of them immediately demonstrated how
the data on the spreadsheet could be graphed using three dimensional
graphics, a lesson she had just had in her computer class last week.
Another student set up different barricades to test the BOT's ability to
get out of the maze. The BOT did it and then they started accusing each
other that the BOT was smarter than them. The radio club members in the
math class wanted to know what the schematic looked like for the design.


The goal of the Amateur Radio Education & Technology Program is to
improve the quality of education by providing an educationally sound
curriculum focused on wireless communications. The project emphasizes
integration of technology, math, science, geography, writing, speaking
and social responsibility within a global society.

== ARISS TEAM LOOKING FOR GROUND STATIONS

Do you want to be part of the international network of ground stations
that help support Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) operations? ARISS is looking to add numerous ground stations
capable of relaying ISS Amateur Radio sessions with schools and also
serve as back-up communications relays should they be needed. Locations
all over the world will be considered, but the greatest need for
stations is in Central America, South America, Falkland Islands, Western
Australia, Canada and Alaska.

The following are guidelines for stations wanting to be considered:
Third Party agreement with United States or waiver from their telecom
agency; ability to speak and understand English; minimal horizon
obstructions; 24/7 access and availability of station; operator(s)
willing to support scheduled contacts at various times; phone patch;
AZ/EL tracking satellite system, preferably an auto tracking system with
the capability for manual override; multi-element Yagis for 2 meters and
70 cm (circular polarization preferred); pre-amps and transmit output
greater than 70 W. If you can specify your station's EIRP and receive
sensitivity (thereby taking into account cable losses, pre-amps and
antenna gain), it would be greatly appreciated.

Stations that can support the following will be given special
consideration, but these items are not required: Auto Doppler adjustment
of frequencies; ability to speak and understand languages other than
English; 1.2 and 2.4 GHz satellite hardware; Packet; SSTV; Digital ATV;
redundant power system, and high-speed Internet.

If you or your club would like to be considered for selection as one of
the new ARISS ground stations, send an e-mail to ARISS with details
about your station and contact information .
-- Information provided by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International
Chairman

==SOLAR UPDATE

Tad "Under the light of five hundred Suns" Cook, K7RA, this week
reports: Our Sun is still not producing any sunspots. As mentioned in
previous bulletins, the peak of the last Solar Cycle was a double peak,
so perhaps we are in the midst of an extended bottom. Sunspot numbers
for August 7-13 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 0. The 10.7
cm flux was 66.1, 65.5, 65.5, 65.6, 65.7, 65.2 and 65.3 with a mean of
65.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 4, 18, 13, 7, 6 and 5 with a
mean of 8.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 3, 3, 16, 9, 6, 6 and
3 with a mean of 6.6. For more information concerning radio propagation,
visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html. To read this week's
Solar Report in its entirety, check out the W1AW Propagation Bulletin
page http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/. This week's "Tad Cookism" brought
to you by Allen Ginsberg's "America."

__________________________________

==IN BRIEF:

* This Weekend on the Radio: This weekend, be sure to check out the ARRL
10 GHz and Up Contest on August 16-17. The NCCC Sprint is August 15. The
Feld Hell Sprint and the ARCI Silent Key Memorial Sprint are August 16.
On the weekend of August 16-17, look for the SARTG WW RTTY Contest, the
Russian District Award Contest, the Keyman's Club of Japan Contest and
the North American QSO Party (SSB) to be on the air. The New Jersey QSO
Party is August 16, 17 and 18. The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is
August 18. Next weekend, the NCCC Sprint is August 22. The Hawaii QSO
Party and Ohio QSO Party are August 23-24. The SKCC Sprint is August 27.
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch
page http://www.arrl.org/contests/, the ARRL Contest Update
http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/ and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html for more info. Looking
for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event
Station Web page http://www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html.

* ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Registration remains
open through Sunday, August 24, 2008 for these online course sessions
beginning on Friday, September 5, 2008: Technician License Course
(EC-010); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001); Radio
Frequency Interference (EC-006); Antenna Design and Construction
(EC-009); Analog Electronics (EC-012), and Digital Electronics (EC-013).
Each online course has been developed in segments -- learning units with
objectives, informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses
are interactive, and some include direct communications with a
Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that may
be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) and they may access the
course at any time of day during the course period, completing lessons
and activities at times convenient for their personal schedule. Mentors
assist students by answering questions, reviewing assignments and
activities, as well as providing helpful feedback. Interaction with
mentors is conducted through e-mail; there is no appointed time the
student must be present -- allowing complete flexibility for the student
to work when and where it is convenient. To learn more, visit the CCE
Course Listing page http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html or contact
the Continuing Education Program Coordinator .

* No ARRL Audio News August 29: There will be no ARRL Audio News on
Friday, August 29; ARRL Audio News will resume production on Friday,
September 5. The ARRL Letter will be distributed as usual.

* Harry Mills, K4HU (SK): Harry Judd Mills, K4HU, passed away Saturday,
August 9 at the Cardinal Care Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina
after a period of declining health. He was 100
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/09/20/102/. Mills was a resident
of Hendersonville since his retirement in 1971 after a 30 year worldwide
career with RCA as an engineer and manager. First licensed in 1922 as
8VHX, he was a 72 year member of the ARRL, a founder and past president
of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) Chapter 76 of
Hendersonville and a fellow of the Radio Club of America (RCA). Mills
was active on the air up until his death. He could be heard twice weekly
checking into the AM net on 3810 kHz, as well as the Chapter 76 QCWA SSB
net on Saturday mornings on 3930 kHz. Mills credited a crystal receiver
project from "The Boy Scout Handbook," given to him by his parents when
he was 12, for his interest in wireless and radio. Featured on the NPR
program "All Things Considered" in 2001, Mills had this to say about the
magic of radio: "To me it is difficult to describe the fascination of
it. I know I use it all the time. How does it happen? Can't see the
fella. There are no wires going from here to there. But you can talk to
him. It was a phenomenon that interested me from the beginning. I
presume that it is safe to say I've never gotten over it"
http://www.radiodiaries.org/transcripts/OtherDocs/conrad.html.

ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, remembered
Mills fondly: "I can't remember a time in Amateur Radio when I didn't
know Harry. A visit to his shack was always a learning adventure. He
could regale you with stories of his own hands-on experiences from spark
gap to today's modern equipment. His shop was a veritable wonderland of
learning. If you needed work done on your radio, he was the man.
Whenever Harry was the speaker at a radio club meeting, the attendance
would always swell. You would never know what trinket or treasure he
would bring with him. I have frequently said that Harry had forgotten
more about radio and electronics than I ever knew. I will miss his
knowledge and friendship. He was the best of the best." No memorial
services are planned. An online register book is available for those
wishing to express condolences http://www.thosshepherd.com/.

* Nebraska Ham Couple Killed at Home: Carolyn, N0LAL, and Steven Baily,
N0US, were found dead in their home -- located in a rural area just
north of Lincoln, Nebraska -- on Sunday, August 9
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10403953. Police
believe the deaths occurred after a string of home invasions; a suspect,
Brandon Crago, is in custody on suspicion of murder. In a court
appearance on August 14, a judge set Crago's bail at $5 million for
robbery, use of a weapon to commit a felony and being a felon in
possession of a firearm; murder charges are pending
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10405594. According
to the "Omaha World-Herald," authorities believe Crago, a man with a
history of drug abuse, acted alone. The Bailys, who helped found the
Ashland Amateur Radio Club (AARC), served as storm spotters and helped
out with club events; Steven maintained the club's repeater. Neighbor
Linda Graham, KC0IOQ, told the ARRL, "We're going to be lost without
Steve. He was our repeater guy. He had just bought a new power supply
and ammeter for the repeater." The Bailys have two daughters, Jennifer
and Heather, KL2AK. A memorial service is still being planned.

* ARRL Lab Manager to Serve as Technical Session Chair at IEEE EMC
Conference: ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, will chair a Technical
Session at this year's Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
http://www.emc2008.org/. It will be held at the Cobo Center in
Detroit, Michigan, August 18-22. Mark Steffka, WW8MS, a member of the
ARRL EMC Committee http://www.arrl.org/announce/reports-2008/july/,
invited Hare to chair the session due to Hare's involvement with a
number of international committees on EMC standards. The session,
covering the topic of EMC emissions and immunity, will take place on
Thursday afternoon, August 21. Hare said he was pleased to receive the
invitation: "ARRL has been an active and regular participant in a number
of industry EMC committees, ensuring that Amateur Radio is represented
and has a seat at the table. I've helped at most of the Symposium events
held over the past few years, peer reviewing submitted papers and
providing support to the ham radio luncheon that is held there every
year." The IEEE EMC Society's Standards Development Committee (SDCom) is
also meeting at the event on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Hare serves
as the elected Secretary of SDCom. Hare said the event is not just
meetings -- "There is a fun part of the event, too. The Motor City Radio
Club http://www.w8mrm.org/ will activate W8MRM August 19-21, giving
Amateur Radio a special presence at this industry event. Look for them
starting at 1500 UTC on 7.040, 7.240, 14.040 and 14.240 MHz."

* DXCC Yearbook Includes Corrected DXCC Honor Roll: According to DXCC
Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, the 2007 Honor Roll list published in the
August 2008 issue of QST was inadvertently produced from a "corrupted
report feature" in the DXCC software. "Since the DXCC Honor Roll report
is too large for a line-by-line review, random samplings [of the list]
were checked and many[listings] were found to be okay," Moore said. "It
was not until the complete report was published that we found the report
had more errors than originally thought. Publishing a simple correction
in an upcoming issue of QST is not possible. We have expanded the 2007
DXCC Yearbook to accommodate a complete reprint of the 2007 Honor Roll
list. This is something many of you have suggested in previous years.
The 2007 Honor Roll list will also be published on the DXCC Web site and
this list will be separate from the current 'live' online Honor Roll
list. We regret any inconvenience caused by this and we appreciate your
patience and understanding." The 2007 DXCC Yearbook is the largest ever,
with an additional 16 pages, and features articles about the year's
DXing activities, the Clinton B. DeSoto Cup and DXCC Challenge
standings. The DXCC Yearbook is mailed free to all ARRL members who have
submitted a DXCC application between January 1 and December 31 of the
prior year or are current on the DXCC Honor Roll. Copies are also
available for $5 plus postage. To get your issue, please send an e-mail
to the ARRL DXCC desk .

* Chinese Olympic Special Event Stations On the Air: Special Event
stations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games began operating on May 18
and are scheduled to continue through September 17
http://www.bj2008ses.com.cn/. Five special calls -- representing the
five official mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games -- are on the
air: BT1OB, BT1OJ, BT1OH, BT1OY and BT1ON. The last letter of the call
sign corresponds to the first letter of the name of each mascot --
Beibei (fish), Jingjing (panda), Huanhuan (flame), Yingying (Tibetan
antelope) and Nini (swallow). A QSL card
http://www.bj2008ses.com.cn/bt1ox.jpg, reserved for special use
incorporating all five symbols, has also been designed. Zheng Feng,
BA4EG, will be the QSL manager for all stations. QSLs can be sent either
direct or via the bureau and will begin to be answered in October. A Web
site supporting the Special Event stations include an online log search
and QSL card received and sent status, as well as other information. An
award for contacting each of the five stations on 10-160 meters a
minimum of five times (using CW, SSB or RTTY, as well as SWL) is also
available. The Games of the XXIX Olympiad began Friday, August 8 and run
through Sunday, August 24. -- Thanks to Chris Parker, VE6PKR, and The
Daily DX for some information

================================================== =========
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