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Ärende: The Weekly ARRL Letter
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The ARRL Letter
November 4, 2021
* ARISS Receives Generous ARDC Grant for ARISS STEREO Education
Project
* Amateur Radio Emergency Service and SKYWARN Respond to Major
Nor'easter
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* The 2022 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications is Now Available
* ARRL November Sweepstakes VY1AAA Operation is On for this Year
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Effort Continues in IARU Region 1 to dress Coexistence of Ham
Radio and Navigation Satellites
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Announcements
* Crozet Islands DXpedition on the Far Horizon
* Job Openings at ARRL Headquarters
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARISS Receives Generous ARDC Grant for ARISS STEREO Education Project
Best known for arranging amateur radio contacts between students and
astronauts, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
has announced that it's received a generous grant to fund its "Student
and Teacher Education via Radio Experimentation and Operations"
(STEREO) project. The 5-year Amateur Radio Digital Communications
(ARDC) grant totaling nearly $1.3 million will fund three distinct
initiatives that will enable ARISS to sustain and improve science,
technology, electronics, arts, and technology (STEAM) educational
outcomes.
For Part 1 of the project, ARISS is developing a wireless electronics
technology kit called "SPARKI," or "Space Pioneers Amateur Radio Kit
Initiative," for use with middle and high school students. This ARDC
grant will take SPARKI from prototype to operational phase. ARISS would
then deploy these kits among a selected set of formal and informal
education organizations that are planning future ARISS radio contacts.
In Part 2 -- "Educate the Educator," ARISS will conduct educator
workshops for a selected set of educators to help them seamlessly
employ SPARKI in their education environment and allow ARISS to receive
their feedback and ideas. To be successful, ARISS must create awareness
of amateur radio, ARISS, and SPARKI among prospective formal and
informal educators.
ARISS-USA Executive
Director Frank Bauer,
KA3HDO.
For Part 3, over its 5-year lifetime, the grant will also support some
of the many costs involved with ARISS contact operations between
students and astronauts aboard the ISS.
ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said ARISS is
extremely excited about the new 5-year initiative. "It will be a STEAM
education game-changer and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0
vision," Bauer said. "Most importantly, it brings wireless technologies
and amateur radio into our ARISS formal and informal classrooms. We
thank ARDC for their interest and support and look forward to working
with them on this incredible initiative."
ARDC's mission is to support, promote, and enhance digital
communication and broader communication science and technology, to
promote amateur radio, scientific research, experimentation, education,
development, open access, and innovation in information and
communication technology. ARDC grants target projects and organizations
that follow amateur radio's practice and tradition of technical
experimentation that has led to broad advances for the
A young student asks her question
of an astronaut on board the ISS.
[Photo courtesy of ARISS]
benefit of the public. These include mobile phone and wireless internet
technology. ARDC envisions a world where technology is available
through open-source hardware and software, and where anyone has the
ability to innovate upon it.
In the last 2 decades, more than 1,400 ARISS ham radio contacts have
connected more than a million students using amateur radio with
millions of others watching, listening, and learning. ARISS is
constantly pursuing opportunities to enhance and sustain its
educational capabilities and outcomes.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service and SKYWARN Respond to Major Nor'easter
A major nor'easter struck eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island last
week, with ferocious winds stronger than those that Tropical Storm
Henri brought to the region in August.
Starting on the evening of October 26, eastern Massachusetts amateur
radio operators on the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^A(R)) and
National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN^ƒ*› storm spotter teams joined
forces to help emergency services provide a focused and effective
response as the powerful nor'easter caused widespread damage. Tree and
wire damage, trees falling on homes and cars, and a few cases of direct
structural damage to weakened structures were reported.
"We have handled several hundred reports of damage, and photos of
damage are streaming in from ARES and SKYWARN operators to support
damage assessment efforts and to keep the NWS in Norton apprised of the
severe weather conditions affecting the region," said Rob Macedo,
KD1CY, Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator and
ARES-SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton.
The recent nor'easter generated
winds capable of downing large
trees. [Mike Leger, N1YLQ, photo]
ARES-SKYWARN operators relayed reports of hurricane-force wind gusts
reaching 94 MPH in Edgartown, Massachusetts, at Chappy Ferry Point; 84
MPH in Dennis, Massachusetts; 79 MPH in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and 78
MPH in Rockport, Massachusetts. Amateur operators with WX1BOX, the
amateur radio station at NWS Boston/Norton; Cape Cod ARES and SKYWARN,
and South Coast SKYWARN completed overnight operations, when the peak
winds occurred.
"The dedication of our volunteers to provide this critical information
in a major storm like this one to the NWS, media, and emergency
managers during such a grueling stretch is very critical to inform
people what is happening during such a significant storm when they wake
up in the morning, so they will hopefully make safe decisions to avoid
being out in a significant severe wind situation," Macedo said.
Cape Cod ARES was activated by the Barnstable County Regional Emergency
Planning Committee (BCREPC) to staff the Multi-Agency Coordination
Center (MACC) at the Barnstable County Emergency Operations Center
(EOC). Cape Cod ARES MACC support concluded on October 29 after a
round-the-clock effort.
According to the Cape Cod and Islands ARES District Emergency
Coordinator Frank O'Laughlin, WQ1O, "Damage assessments in the region
will give us a better sense of how long it will take to restore power
and in some cases communication service to the Cape [Cod] and Islands
area, and that will determine how long Cape Cod ARES will be needed,
and if additional support from Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be
needed."
Macedo called the nor'easter "one of our more extraordinary weather
systems within the last few years, and the most severe of several other
major SKYWARN/ARES activations in this past year." SKYWARN damage
reports and meteorological data are shared with state emergency
management, NGOs, and the media. Meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz of
Boston 25 News said, "Thanks for all the effort! Great work as always!"
As many as 500,000 customers lost power in the ARRL Eastern
Massachusetts Section, with hardest-hit areas in southeastern
Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands, and the Cape Ann area north of
Boston, where near hurricane-force wind gusts pummeled the region for
several hours. Maximum winds were up to 65 MPH. Rhode Island reported
nearly 93,000 customers without power at the peak. These outages were
an order of magnitude greater than during Tropical Storm Henri in Rhode
Island, and about five orders of magnitude more severe than Henri in
Massachusetts.
Storm conditions wound down toward the evening of October 27, allowing
the process of more widespread power restoration to begin. All
operations secured and power was restored to most locations on October
30 and to all locations on October 31. -- Thanks to Rob Macedo, KD1CY.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 22) features a
discussion with Chris Plumblee, W4WF, about contesting and what this
activity has to offer new amateurs.
The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 46) features a discussion
about Beverage antennas with Ward Silver, N0AX.
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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The 2022 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications is Now Available
The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications for 2022 is a must-have for
every radio amateur's bookshelf. Whether you're an experienced ham or
new to the hobby, you'll find information you can use to advance your
amateur radio knowledge and skills. This current, comprehensive, and
complete reference is available in three formats -- traditional
softcover, a six-volume, shrink-wrapped book set (box not included),
and digital eBook.
The 2022 edition features new projects and tools, including 3D printing
techniques for ham radio construction, battery selection for portable
operation, analog-to-digital converter overload, solid-state amplifier
linearity, an update on Solar Cycle 25, and more.
The Handbook six-volume book set, ARRL Item No. 1519, ISBN
978-1-62595-151-9, is $59.95 retail. The Handbook softcover book, ARRL
Item No. 1502, ISBN 978-1-62595-150-2, is $49.95 retail.
More new books have also just been stocked in the ARRL Store, including
the second edition of Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur by
Ward Silver, N0AX. This new edition shows you how to make sure your
station follows current standards for lightning protection and RF
grounding. It details effective grounding and bonding techniques for
the home, portable or mobile station, as well as for towers and
antennas.
Also just out: More Arduino for Ham Radio by popular author and
experimenter Glen Popiel, KW5GP, introduces many of the new Arduino
boards and add-on modules, followed by an overview of the software,
tools, and techniques needed to bring projects to life. Practical
projects showcase a wide variety of applications and include how the
software sketches work.
Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur, ARRL Item No. 1496, ISBN
978-1-62595-149-6, is $25.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $22.95.
More Arduino for Ham Radio, ARRL Item No. 1472, ISBN 978-1-62595-147-2,
is $39.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $34.95.
Order from the ARRL Store, from your ARRL Dealer, or call (860)
594-0355 or toll-free in the US (888) 277-5289.
ARRL November Sweepstakes VY1AAA Operation is On for this Year
Gerry Hull, W1VE/VE1RM, reports that he is still hoping to be able to
operate remotely as VY1AAA from the Northern Territories (NT), a rare
multiplier in the ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) event. Hull said that
a family health emergency had kept J. "Jay" Allen, VY1JA, from working
on getting his station up and running again, but the situation has
brightened somewhat, and he is back at it. Hull has operated Allen's
station in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, remotely from the US to make
the multiplier available.
Allen had dismantled his station and antennas last year, but recently
decided to make the station usable again. He reported that work is
being done to repair a vertical antenna and expand its radial set to
include 20 and 80 meters. Allen told Hull that he would go over the
station computer setup to make sure that AnyDesk can operate the
station remotely from the VY1JA computer. Allen is also working on
primary and secondary wire antennas for the two SS events. Hull told
Allen that as far as he was concerned, 80 meters is a lower priority
for SS and that 40 and 20 are the "meat and potatoes" bands.
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.
Getting Started with AllStar / Presented by Jason Johnston, KC5HWB, of
Ham Radio 2.0, Thursday, November 11, 2021 @ 1830 UTC
AllStar is an internet-based connection network for linking repeaters
and nodes. It can be used by home operators or with large-area
repeaters. This presentation will cover the basics of AllStar, how to
get started with it, and how you can begin using it.
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.
Effort Continues in IARU Region 1 to dress Coexistence of Ham Radio
and Navigation Satellites
The issue of coexistence between amateur radio and satellite navigation
systems on 23 centimeters continues as a discussion topic in advance of
World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23). The issue primarily
involves interference potential to one satellite frequency in the
European Union's Galileo GPS system.
Agenda item 9.1b at WRC-23 calls for "Review of the Amateur Service and
the Amateur-Satellite Service allocations in the frequency band 1.240 -
1.300 MHz to determine if additional measures are required to ensure
protection of the radionavigation-satellite (space-to-Earth) service
operating in the same band in accordance with Resolution 774
(WRCA›A*A*19)."
In late October, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was
involved in preparatory work for WRC-23 agenda item 9.1b. These
discussions are occurring in ITU-R Working Party 4C (WP4C).
"The working party is considering simulations provided by two
administrations [countries] to estimate the interfered area that might
exist around a 23-centimeter band amateur service transmitter," IARU
said in a news release. "A number of amateur station configurations are
under consideration...based on characteristics developed and
contributed by the IARU. Both narrowband and wideband emissions are
considered."
Various representative station and antenna configurations are being
modeled.
IARU representatives contributed to a discussion to ensure that the
station parameters are more representative than those proposed in the
original contribution papers. The studies were revised based on these
negotiations during the meeting and are reflected in the draft working
document. The interim results show interference distances of up to
several kilometers, depending on antenna and power level. This work
will continue into the next WP4C meeting.
Other measurement campaigns are investigating the effect of offsetting
the transmission frequency of various amateur signals with respect to
the center frequency of the RNSS satellite navigation signal and the
impact of the RNSS receiver bandwidth.
The IARU is working to ensure the Amateur Services are realistically
represented in the studies as they move forward. A summary report from
the WP4C meeting is available on the IARU website. -- Thanks to the
IARU
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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.
* Estes Park 6th Graders Talk to Students in England via Ham Radio /
Estes Park Trail Gazette (Colorado), November 2, 2021
* Medford students take part in Great American Shake Out; learn to
use Emergency Radio / KTVL News 10 (Oregon), October 21, 2021
* Mary Hare pupils make contact with International Space Station in
world first for deaf children with Newbury Amateur Radio Society /
Newbury Weekly News, UK, October 13, 2021
Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
Announcements
* The RSGB reports the /2ZE suffix has been authorized to mark 100
years since wireless pioneers on both sides of the Atlantic,
including Paul Godley, 2ZE, from the US, succeeded in copying a
signal transmitted across the Atlantic and received in Scotland --
the "first successful reception of a personal message across the
Atlantic by amateur radio" -- on December 12, 1921. ARRL dispatched
Godley as part of the "Second Transatlantic Tests."
* VX3INSULIN will be on the air from Kingston, Ontario, during
December to mark 100 years since a team at the University of
Toronto discovered insulin in 1921. Operation will be mostly on FT8
and FT4. QSL to VE3NOO.
* An overview, "The Enigma of Japanese Call Sign System," by JG1VGX
and revised by Ryota "Roy" Motobayashi, JJ1WTL, is available. For
example, sequential call signs are based on the station address
(the transmitter location) only, not mailing address or license
class. Japan does not issue vanity call signs. Special event call
signs are available to organizations but not to individuals, and
the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issues such
call signs. The same goes for special prefix call signs. Read the
disclaimer at the end of the website.
* The London BBC Radio Group has been granted a year-long special
event call sign, GB100BBC, to commemorate the centenary of the BBC
in 2022. Operations will be carried out by individual members or
groups from home stations or BBC premises.
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Crozet Islands DXpedition on the Far Horizon
A radio amateur in France is planning a DXpedition to the Crozet
Islands (FT5/W) for mid-December 2022 to mid-March 2023 with the call
sign FT5WQ. Thierry Mazel, F6CUK, spent months getting permission to
operate from the third most-wanted DXCC entity. TAAF, the agency that
administers the French remote islands, is allowing a one-person
operation. The Crozet Islands archipelago is divided into east and
west. They once were the destination of seal hunters from the US and
elsewhere. The last ham radio activity from Crozet was in 2009 by
Florentin Bard, F4DYW, also as FT5WQ. The solo DXpedition is
anticipated to cost as much as $58,000.
The Twitter account is @Crozet2022, and a website is expected to be
online soon. When it's up and running, it will include details of how
donated funds will be used, and Thierry pledges that all contributions
will be refunded if the operation does not take place.
Crozet Islands, a subantarctic archipelago of small islands in the
southern Indian Ocean, form one of the five administrative districts of
the French Southern and Antarctic Territories. It consists of several
small uninhabited islands of volcanic origin. The islands cover an area
of some 195 square miles. The islands are now a national conservation
area. Radio amateurs are not the only ones hoping to visit.
According to a description Thierry posted on the website of the IARU
member society REF, "[T]he climate is particularly difficult, the
islands of Crozet are strongly committed to the protection of nature
(fauna and flora), and the prefect's offices are faced with a
significant solicitation of visitor requests."
"Many obstacles had to be overcome," Thierry said.
While people are scarce, the islands boast a broad array of wildlife,
including penguins, elephant seals, and giant albatross. In common with
other subantarctic islands, the inadvertent or intentional introduction
of alien species has proved a problem. Rats and mice arrived
accidentally, cats were brought in to control them, and rabbits were
introduced as food.
Mazel will release further details as they are available. -- Some
information from Discover France
Job Openings at ARRL Headquarters
ARRL is hiring for the following positions at its Headquarters in
Newington, Connecticut. Qualified candidates are invited to email their
cover letter and resume to ARRL Human Resources. Visit the ARRL
Employment Opportunities page for more information.
* Lab Engineer EMC/RFI Specialist
* ministrative Assistant
* Director of Information Technology
* Marketing Communications Associate
* Public Relations & Outreach Manager
* Social Media Strategist
To apply to any of these positions, submit your resume and cover letter
by mail, email, or fax to ARRL Human Resources, 225 Main St.,
Newington, CT 06111. Fax: 860-594-0298. ARRL is an equal opportunity
employer.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot numbers and the solar flux
index were both declining by the end of our October 28 - November 3
reporting week, but weekly averages for both numbers were higher than
reported last week. The average daily sunspot number increased from
54.9 to 67.6, while average daily solar flux jumped from 95.7 to 102.
Coronal mass ejection (CME) activity through the week drove geomagnetic
numbers much higher. Average daily planetary A indexincreased from 4.4
to 12, and average daily middle latitude A index went from 3.6 to 9.
Spaceweather.com reported that a CME struck Earth at 2000 UTC on
November 3, and that this would spark a strong geomagnetic storm.
I received several reports this week that "10 meters is back!"
According to a prediction issued by NOAA at 2127 UTC on November 3,
predicted solar flux is 90 on November 4 - 5; 85 on November 6 - 7; 80
on November 8 - 11; 88 on November 12 - 14; 89 on November 15; 92 on
November 16 - 19; 93 on November 20; 95 on November 21 - 27, then
jumping to 103, 102, 100 and 98 on November 28 -December 1; 96 on
December 2 - 4; 92 and 90 on December 5 - 6, and 88 on December 7 - 11.
Predicted planetary A index is 35, 22, 15, 10, and 8 on November 4 - 8;
5 on November 9 - 14; 10 and 8 on November 15 - 16; 5 on November 17 -
29; 8 on November 30 - December 1; 5 on December 2; 12, 10, and 8 on
December 3 - 5, and 5 on December 6 - 11.
Sunspot numbers for October 28 - November 3 were 96, 82, 76, 83, 53,
42, and 41, with a mean of 67.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 111.7,
108.4, 107.2, 102.7, 97.7, 97, and 89, with a mean of 102. Estimated
planetary A indices were 3, 3, 10, 20, 10, 17, and 21, with a mean of
12. Middle latitude A index was 3, 2, 8, 16, 8, 12, and 14, with a mean
of 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 the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.
A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.
Share your reports and observations.
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Just Ahead in Radiosport
* November 5 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
* November 5 -- NCCC Sprint (CW)
* November 5 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, 20 WPM maximum)
* November 6 -- IPARC Contest, CW
* November 6 - 7 -- Ukrainian DX Contest (CW, phone)
* November 6 -- Two-Meter Classic Sprint (CW, phone)
* November 6 - 8 -- ARRL November Sweepstakes (CW)
* November 7 -- IPARC Contest, SSB
* November 7 -- EANET Sprint (CW, phone, digital)
* November 7 -- High Speed Club CW Contest
* November 10 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* November 10 -- RSGB 80-Meter Autumn Series, SSB
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Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
* November 6 - 7 -- ARRL Georgia State Convention (Stone Mountain
Hamfest), Lawrenceville, Georgia
* November 13 -- ARRL Wisconsin State Convention (Wisconsin
ARES/RACES Conference) -- Online
* November 13 - 14 -- ARRL Central Division Convention (Fort Wayne
Hamfest and Computer Expo), Fort Wayne, Indiana
* December 10 - 11 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention
(Tampa Bay Hamfest), Plant City, Florida
Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database to find events in your
area.
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