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Skriven 2021-07-16 09:05:02 av Sean Dennis (1:18/200.0)
Ärende: The Weekly ARRL Letter
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The ARRL Letter
July 15, 2021
* ARRL Headquarters Holds Rededication Ceremony
* Most 2021 Field Day Participants Entered in Class D
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Youth on the Air Campers Enjoy Successful ISS Contact, Busy with
Other Activities
* Announcements
* Next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo to Offer Nearly 100 Speakers, 18
Topic Tracks
* 40th Annual ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set
* Amateur Radio in the News
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Getting It Right!
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Headquarters Holds Rededication Ceremony
On Thursday, July 15, at 10 AM EDT, ARRL Headquarters in Newington,
Connecticut, hosted a rededication ceremony, recognizing ARRL's
commitment to all radio amateurs who enhance the communications
capability and security of the nation. The event
The ARRL ceremony was kicked off by
18-year-old Jacob Gionfriddo,
KC1LYP, a 2021 ARRL Foundation
Scholarship winner and recent
graduate of Newington High School.
He will be attending Central
Connecticut State University this
fall to study electronics and
technology.
coincided with the attendance of ARRL's all-volunteer Board of
Directors, who had traveled in from across the country for in-person
committee and Board meetings this week.
"Associations advance America," ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR,
said in his remarks. "Associations bring people together around a
common purpose. For ARRL and our members, that purpose is amateur
radio... Over the last year, I have witnessed the extraordinary
dedication of ARRL members, our staff, and our Board of Directors.
Without skipping a beat, we have worked together to equip our members
with the opportunities they need to serve an active and vibrant Amateur
Radio Service for our country." Roderick also recognized members of
ARRL's Amateur Radio Emergency Service^(R) (ARES^(R)) for serving their
communities with essential communications When All Else Fails^(R).
US Congressman John B. Larson (left)
presents ARRL CEO David Minster,
NA2AA, with a Congressional
Recognition for "the dedicated and
phenomenal service that the ARRL and
its members" provide.
In his remarks, ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, reflected on the
commitment made to maintain the organization's operations for the
benefit of its members during the pandemic. "That we were able to
continue proudly and passionately serving our members and our nation
through these challenges speaks to the resilience of our organization,
and the commitment of our volunteers and staff."
The event also included remarks by Connecticut District 1 US
Congressman John B. Larson; Connecticut State Senator Matt Lesser, and
Glenn A. Field, KB1GHX, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the
National Weather Service Boston/Norton office in Massachusetts. Also in
attendance were representatives of the American Red Cross; the
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU); Radio Amateurs of Canada;
Connecticut General Assembly; the Town of Newington, and ARRL Officers,
Board members, and staff.
A video of the rededication ceremony is posted on ARRL's YouTube
channel.
Most 2021 Field Day Participants Entered in Class D
In the second ARRL Field Day (FD) with rule waivers in place, some
4,815 entries were received at ARRL Headquarters by July 13 -- the
majority in Class D (Home Stations). Last year saw more than 10,213
entries and 18,886 participants. Before the pandemic, in 2019, 3,113
entries were submitted, with 36,420 total participants.
"It appears that larger groups were more the norm in pre-pandemic
times, as expected," ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE,
observed. "From the discussions I've been having with participants,
even though some groups gathered in larger numbers this year, many
participants chose either to gather in smaller groups or to operate
solo from home as Class D or Class E stations. Although I don't think
we'll see the number of entries that we did last year, we're close in
terms of the number of participants."
With about 2 weeks to go until the entry submission deadline, the tally
of participants reported is 16,166. They made just north of 1 million
Andy Goss, AA5JF, took part in
the first Field Day for the
Augusta University Amateur
Radio Club (WA4AUG), which set
up in the Georgia school's
Critical Event Preparedness
and Response (CEPaR) Center.
total contacts.
"FD was already a success on Saturday, with the stations working
smoothly, and lots of local visitors dropping by," said Andy Goss,
AA5JF, at Augusta University Amateur Radio Club's WA4AUG. "An hour
after sunrise on Sunday, we were counting our points, when Darby,
KK4PEQ, announced he had just worked a station on 6-meter phone -- just
playing around on 50 MHz using the 20/15/10 tribander," Goss said. "He
stayed on 6 [meters] for five QSOs, but we quickly [moved] to 10 and
15, finding those bands were open to just about everywhere, and we
doubled our score in just 3 hours. What a rush!"
FD Entries are Due Soon
There's still time to submit your 2021 Field Day entry. Most of this
year's Field Day entries have been submitted via the online web app
(worth 50 bonus points!), although some 50 paper logs have been mailed
in. Participants can check the Entries Received page to make sure their
entries were received and complete. If the entry status indicates
"Pending documents," either the required dupe sheet (or in lieu of
that, a Cabrillo log file), or supporting documentation of claimed
bonus points is missing. Bourque said some 250 entries fall into that
category right now. Participants can add documentation or edit their
entries by following the link provided in the confirmation email sent
to the email
Scott Hanley, WA9STI, operated in
the Los Padres National Forest from
a site at 7,400 feet elevation.
address provided upon entry, up until the entry submission deadline.
Field Day entries must be submitted online or postmarked no later than
2059 UTC on July 27, 2021.
The breakdown of Field Day entries by class, as of July 13, showed
4,815 total entries, with 613 in Class A, 582 in Class B, 57 in Class C
(Mobile), 2,619 in Class D, 858 in Class E, and 86 in Class F.
For his 2021 Field Day, Scott Hanley, WA9STI, took to the woods -- the
Los Padres National Forest -- at a site some 7,400 feet elevation in
the mountains overlooking California's Central Valley. He operated as
WA6LE in Class 1B. He put 358 contacts in the log on CW and phone --
short of his 400-contact goal. "Almost all activity was on 20, 40, and
75/80 meters to a G5RV or end-fed 20-meter dipole," Hanley said. "Six
meters did not open, so I only had two local SSB contacts and only
three contacts on 2-meter FM."
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 19) features a
discussion with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC,
about the launch of the new ARRL Learning Center later this month.
The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 38) features a discussion
with Dr. Brian Callahan, AD2BA, about his work in sending binary data
via Morse code. The episode also includes a brief discussion of the
pros and cons of leaving your station computer powered up for prolonged
periods.
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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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.
Learning with High-Altitude Balloons -- Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and
Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN / Thursday, July 22, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930
UTC)
Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, discuss their
experiences with high-altitude balloons and explain how others can
launch them successfully. The discussion will also focus on using
high-altitude balloons to engage youth in ham radio and create learning
experiences for students.
ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.
The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
Youth on the Air Campers Enjoy Successful ISS Contact, Busy with Other
Activities
The first Youth on the Air (YOTA) camp for young radio amateurs in the
Americas is under way in West Chester, Ohio. Among other activities,
the campers have been operating special event station W8Y from both
Opening ceremony of the Youth on
the Air (YOTA) camp.
the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting and from the camp
hotel. The camp wraps up with an hour-long closing ceremony on Friday,
July 16.
"Things are going really well," said Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.
The earlier launch of a balloon carrying a ham radio payload was
successful, he said, and -- after pinpointing where the payload landed
some 3 hours away -- the campers were able to retrieve the package,
thanks to some understanding landowners. Rapp said the balloon reached
approximately 100,000 feet.
Rapp said that campers have gotten along well from the first day, and
problems in general have been few and minor.
Several of the approximately two dozen campers got to ask questions of
ISS crew member Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI, during a Tuesday Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Responding to a
query posed by Graham, KO4FJK, Hoshide said the most interesting things
he's seen from space included flying through an aurora and looking down
at shooting stars from the ISS. He also said the ISS crew was able to
view a partial lunar eclipse from space.
Another camper, am, KD9KIS, wanted to know how often the ISS crew
members use the onboard ham station.
Leah, KD9LFZ, asks a question of
astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI,
at NA1SS on the ISS.
Hoshide said individual crew members may get on the radio every couple
of weeks or so, or as the opportunity arises.
"This ARISS contact is intended to inspire these young hams to learn
more about communication using amateur satellites and making ARISS
radio contacts," ARISS said in announcing the contact date. ARISS team
member John Sygo, ZS6JON, in South Africa, served as the telebridge
relay station for the late-morning event, which was streamed live via
YouTube.
Rapp said he's hoping this pilot camp venture will provide the
information needed to replicate the camp over multiple locations for
years to come. "We also hope this brings a more robust community of
young hams into amateur radio," he added.
The long-anticipated summer camp for up to 30 hams, aged 15 through 25,
was set for last June, but it had to be rescheduled until summer 2021
because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. The camp for young hams in the
Americas took its cue from the summer Youngsters on the Air camps held
for the past few years in various IARU Region 1 countries.
The Region 2 camp is aimed at helping participants to take their ham
radio experience to the next level by exposing them to a variety of
activities and providing the opportunity to meet other young hams.
Activities include kit building, antenna building, transmitter hunting
and
Kit building.
direction finding, operating with digital modes, and launching a
high-altitude balloon. Amateur satellite operation is one of the
workshops provided. Others include effective radio communication, local
ham radio history, and using amateur radio during emergencies. The
YouTube channel features daily highlight videos.
W8Y has been on the air as campers complete projects, between sessions,
and during free time, although some late-evening slots have been on the
schedule.
The camp's opening observance on Sunday featured keynote speaker Tim
Duffy, K3LR, who told the campers, "Amateur radio is the best hobby in
the world."
Campers also saw a video presentation by International Amateur Radio
Union Region 1 Youth Working Group chair Philipp Springer, DK6SP.
ARRL and The Yasme Foundation donated project kits for the campers.
XTronics provided temperature-controlled soldering stations. The
brochure on the Youth on the Air website includes more details about
the camp. -- Thanks to ARISS for some information
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcements
* [IMG]Fedor Konyukhov, R0FK, recently left Murmansk on an
icebreaker, and when he reaches the North Pole, he will be on a
drifting polar ice station for 10 days, conducting scientific
research. Listen for him on 14.333 MHz, starting at 0400 UTC.
* The Canadian American Net (CANAM) aims to unite hams in the eastern
US and Canada. Some 40 amateurs from Canada and the US typically
check in for each session, and the net accommodates CW and SSB. The
Canadian-American Net operates 7 days a week on 7.153 MHz, with
check-in starting at 1300 UTC.
* Rudy Bakalov, N2WQ, of Westport, Connecticut, has been appointed to
the ARRL Contest visory Committee (CAC). Licensed in his early
teens as LZ1KBD, Bakalov developed his enthusiasm for contesting at
LZ1V. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the
Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria). He attended the MBA
program at Wake Forest University.
* Roy Lewallen, W7EL, says that after 31 years of "developing,
selling, and supporting EZNEC and its predecessor, ELNEC," he is
retiring. Starting on January 1, 2022, EZNEC Pro/2 will be free,
and may be copied and distributed. He will no longer support the
software.
Next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo to Offer Nearly 100 Speakers, 18 Topic
Tracks
The third QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo is a month away. The live event
takes place over the August 14 - 15 weekend, and presentations will
remain available on demand for 30 days. Sponsors predict that the event
will be "a great experience" for those wanting to improve their
knowledge of amateur radio as well as of cutting-edge ham radio
technology and practical techniques. ARRL is a QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo partner.
"At the Expo, you can listen and engage with almost 100 internationally
recognized ham radio luminaries on approximately 18 different topic
areas -- there is something for everyone," the sponsors say. "Topics
include antennas and transmission lines; build-a-thons; contesting/DX;
controllers; digital voice mode; emergency communications; filters and
tuned circuits; the future of amateur radio; ham history; HF digital
modes; new licenses; power amplifiers; propagation; radio astronomy;
software and services; space and satellites; test and measurement, and
youth in amateur radio."
A complete list of speakers at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo is posted
on the event's website. These are some examples:
* In the "Antennas and Transmission Lines" presentation, August
Hansen, KB0YH, will focus on such topics as small transmitting loop
design and STLcalc, an open-source design aid for STL and magnetic
loop antennas that can respond to user's changing needs and design
goals.
* Geoffrey Mendenhall, W8GNM, will address the topic, "Compromise
Beverage Antennas Hear Better Than You Think." The presentation
focuses on overcoming non-ideal terrain and space limitations.
* "Fun with HF QRP Pedestrian Mobile," with Peter Parker, VK3YE, will
offer a look at two antennas for HF pedestrian mobile, and the
results possible with such an operation.
* Ham radio author Don Keith, N4KC, will present "Top 5
Get-On-The-Air-Quick Antennas," which offers recommendations for
the simplest, most effective antennas to consider.
* Within the "New License -- Now What" track, the presentation "HF
Noise Mitigation" will describe various noise sources and how to
mitigate noise using a variety of techniques.
* Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, will discuss "Technician Licensees, Life
Beyond Local Repeaters." Participants will explore the world of
activities, modes, and bands available outside of repeater
operation.
There's no limit on the number of topics and tracks that QSO Today
Virtual Ham Expo visitors may view. Return any time within 30 days to
(re)view any presentation, as well as to explore exhibitor offerings.
"Early bird" tickets are $10 ($12.50 "at the door"). Access to only the
exhibitor area is free.
40th Annual ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set
The 40th annual ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) will
be held online September 17 - 18. Registered DCC attendees
participating via Zoom will be able to interact with presenters and
other attendees via a chat room and have the option to "raise a virtual
hand" to ask questions. You may register to attend, but non-registered
participants can view the livestream on YouTube at no cost, as well as
chat and ask questions via the moderator monitoring the channel.
Registration is free for TAPR members and $30 for non-members. (Members
receive a 100% discount at checkout.) Non-members who would like to
join TAPR and receive the free DCC pass can add TAPR membership and DCC
registration to their shopping carts. After checkout, they will receive
the free DCC pass when their membership is processed.
The DCC is soliciting technical papers for presentation and for
publication in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to
participate in the conference to have their papers included in the
Proceedings. The submission deadline for papers is August 15. Submit
papers via email to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB. Papers will be published
exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights.
Conference papers will be distributed as PDFs to participants. Printed
copies of the papers will be available for sale at Lulu (URL to be
determined).
Speakers are invited to deliver presentations on topics of interest
without submitting papers for the Conference Proceedings.
All speakers and presenters should contact Steve Bible, N7HPR, to
reserve a slot for a presentation. Indicate whether you need a 15- or
30-minute slot, and whether you need to present on a specific day. A
pre-recorded presentation may be submitted in lieu of a live virtual
presentation.
Paper and presentation topic areas include, but are not limited to,
software-defined radio (SDR), digital voice, digital satellite
communication, digital signal processing (DSP), HF digital modes,
adapting IEEE 802.11 systems for amateur radio, Global Positioning
System (GPS), Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), Linux in
amateur radio, AX.25 updates, internet operability with amateur radio
networks, TCP/IP networking over amateur radio, mesh and peer-to-peer
wireless networking, emergency and homeland defense, and backup digital
communications using amateur radio.
hoc "lightning talks" on various topics of interest will be
announced throughout the conference, and registered attendees will be
able to participate in any lightning talk that interests them. Hardware
and software demonstrations will be conducted during the DCC by means
of Zoom's breakout room feature. -- Thanks to Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
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Amateur Radio in the News
ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Amateur (Ham) Radio Field Day: Testing Readiness for Emergencies /
Soundings Magazine (California) July 8, 2021
* 'Goal-oriented' 86-year-old Minnesota twin sisters have mastered
everything from computers to canoeing / StarTribune (Minnesota)
July 6, 2021
* American Radio Relay League is planning a Rededication of
Operations / New Britain Herald (Connecticut) July 1, 2021
* Poway amateur radio enthusiasts hold 24-hour event / San Diego
Union-Tribune (California) June 30, 2021
Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity declined this week --
by a lot. Average daily sunspot number plummeted from 55.6 to 21.3, and
average daily solar flux slid from 88.9 to 72.9.
Geomagnetic indicators were about the same, with average daily
planetary A index at 6.6, although the daily value increased to 14 on
Wednesday, July 14, due to increasing solar wind.
Predicted solar flux is 72 on July 15; 75 on July 16 - 21; 78 on July
22; 79 on July 23 - 28; 77 on July 29 - August 1; 75 on August 2; 74 on
August 3 - 9; 73 on August 10 - 11; 75 on August 12 - 15, and 79, 81,
and 79 on August 16 - 18.
Predicted planetary A index is 8 on July 15; 5 on July 16 - August 1; 8
on August 2; 5 on August 3 - 7; 12, 16, and 12 on August 8 - 10; 8 on
August 11 - 12, and 5 on August 13 - 31.
In Friday's bulletin, look for reports of sporadic-E openings on 10, 6,
and 2 meters.
Sunspot numbers for July 8 - 14 were 23, 23, 24, 23, 22, 11, and 23,
with a mean of 21.3. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.4, 73.8, 74, 73.6,
71.6, 72, and 72.1, with a mean of 72.9. Estimated planetary A indices
were 5, 5, 6, 4, 7, 5, and 14, with a mean of 6.6. Middle-latitude A
index was 5, 7, 8, 4, 7, 7, and 10, with a mean of 6.9.
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 this 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 next Youngsters on the Air Contest is July 18. Following the
success of the first Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Contest in May, the
second event is this Sunday, July 18, 1000 - 2200 UTC. Organizers say
100 YOTA logs showed up for the inaugural round from operators 25 years
old or younger. Including veteran hams, 700 logs were submitted by the
deadline. The scores are posted on the YOTA Contest website. YOTA
Contests are held three times a year, each lasting just 12 hours, with
the idea of increasing on-the-air activity and awareness of the YOTA
program. The contest exchange is operator age, with each age worked
counting as a different multiplier. The younger the operator you work,
the more points that contact is worth. Email for more information.
The Summer 2021 AM QSO Party is set for this weekend. The Amplitude
Modulation Amateur Radio Society and the AM Amateur Radio Europe
Facebook group have announced the Summer 2021 AM QSO Party will take
place from 1800 UTC on July 16 until 1800 UTC on July 18. While this is
primarily an event for European hams, all are welcome.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting It Right!
A sentence in the article "First X-Class Major Solar Flare of Solar
Cycle 25 Blacks Out HF on July 3," in the July 8 edition of The ARRL
Letter, incorrectly characterized the mechanism of the phenomenon. HF
propagation blackouts are caused when x-ray and extreme ultraviolet
radiation from X-class solar flares strongly ionizes the absorbing
D-region in Earth's sun-facing dense lower atmosphere. The top layer of
the atmosphere is not involved.
The article "Amateur Radio Volunteers Prepared for and Tracked Elsa,"
in the July 8 edition of The ARRL Letter, busted the title of Eastern
New York Section Emergency Coordinator Dave Galletly, KM2O.
The RV Braveheart is a better deal that we thought. The $250,000 price
tag cited in an "Announcements" item in the July 8 edition of The ARRL
Letter was in New Zealand dollars, which works out to about $175,000 in
US dollars. -- Thanks to Ned, KH7JJ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport
* July 17 -- Russian Radio Team Championship (CW, phone)
* July 17 -- Trans-Tasman Low-Bands Challenge (CW, phone)
* July 17 -- YOTA Contest (CW, phone)
* July 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* July 17 - 18 -- North American QSO Party, RTTY
* July 17 - 18 -- CQ Worldwide VHF Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* July 18 -- RSGB Low Power Contest (CW)
* July 18 -- CQC Great Colorado Gold Rush (CW)
* July 18 - 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* July 22 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (digital)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
* August 7 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention (Cedar Valley ARC Techfest),
Central City, Iowa
* August 14 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama
* September 10 - 12 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
(Northeast HamXposition), Marlborough, Massachusetts
* September 25 - ARRL Dakota Division Convention (RRRA Hamfest), West
Fargo, North Dakota
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...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
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Free of charge to ARRL members...
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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