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Skriven 2021-12-10 09:05:20 av Sean Dennis (1:18/200.0)
Ärende: The Weekly ARRL Letter
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The ARRL Letter
December 9, 2021
* Senator Blumenthal Supports Amateur Radio at Senate Confirmation
Hearing
* Senate Confirms FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a New Term
* ARRL Executive Committee Meets
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARDC Grant Will Expand RMHAM's 5 GHz Microwave Network in the
Rockies
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* November 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Replica Transmitter will be On the Air to Mark Transatlantic Test
Success
* Announcements
* ARRL Seeks News Editor
* World's Smallest Moon Lander from Japan will Put Ham Radio
Transmitter on the Moon
* WSJT-X Development Group Partner Bill Somerville, G4WJS, SK
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
Senator Blumenthal Supports Amateur Radio at Senate Confirmation
Hearing
Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) received an affirmative reply from FCC
Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel when he asked her to commit to providing
his office "an update on the steps that the FCC is taking to support
amateur radio operators." The Senator posed the written
US Senator Richard
Blumenthal
question as part of Rosenworcel's renomination hearing conducted by the
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Blumenthal noted specifically that "Radio amateurs voluntarily provide
an array of public services, especially emergency and disaster-related
support communications when infrastructure has been destroyed by a
hurricane or similar disaster. Their contributions in this area are
regularly recognized by local and state authorities."
"ARRL is grateful to Senator Blumenthal for his support and recognition
of radio amateurs," said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. Blumenthal
has previously co-sponsored legislation supporting amateur radio, and
his staff was recently briefed by ARRL on pending amateur radio matters
at the FCC. Roderick added, "We need the partnership of the FCC and
Congress to ensure our rules and spectrum continue to support the march
of technological innovation in our vibrant Amateur Radio Service."
Multiple proceedings to update or change the FCC's Amateur Radio
Service Part 97 rules to account for changes in technology and
operating practices have been languishing at the FCC, some going back
five or more years. ARRL is hopeful that these will be addressed soon.
Senate Confirms FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a New Term
On December 7, the US Senate confirmed FCC Chairwoman Jessica
Rosenworcel for a new term on the Commission with a vote of 68 - 31.
President Joe Biden appointed Rosenworcel as Chair of the FCC in late
October. For now, the FCC will continue with two Democrats and two
Republicans led by Chairwoman Rosenworcel.
The chairwoman said in a statement after the Senate confirmed her
nomination, "People across the country count on the FCC to support the
connections they need for work, learning, healthcare, and access to the
information we require to make decisions about our lives, our
communities, and our country. I look forward to working with the
ministration, my colleagues on the Commission and FCC staff, members
of Congress, and the public to make the promise of modern
communications a reality for everyone, everywhere."
The nomination of a fifth commissioner remains pending before the
Senate. Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee conducted a hearing on President Biden's nominee, Gigi Sohn,
for the remaining Democratic seat. Committee and full Senate votes on
her nomination have not yet been scheduled. -- Thanks to ARRL Public
Relations and Innovation Projects Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R
ARRL Executive Committee Meets
The ARRL Executive Committee met on October 25 in virtual session, with
President Rick Roderick, K5UR, presiding.
In his report, CEO David Minster, NA2AA, noted that the revised ARRL
Articles of Incorporation approved during the July 2021 Board meeting
had been filed with the State of Connecticut. He also discussed the
delayed timing of the delivery of the December issue of QST. He advised
that Members should expect to receive their December issue about a week
late. Minster also said ARRL is expecting an increase in the price it
pays for paper, effective in February 2022. He said it's not yet clear
whether the impact of the increase in paper costs would be short- or
long-term.
CEO Minster reported he had met with ARRL Field Services Manager Mike
Walters, W8ZY, on October 22 at Bradley International Airport near
Hartford, Connecticut, to observe ARRL participation in an emergency
management exercise that concluded on October 23. Walters, on behalf of
ARRL, participated in all 3 days of the exercise.
ARRL FCC Counsel David Siddall, K3ZJ, discussed recent efforts at the
FCC and on Capitol Hill advocating FCC action on long-pending
proceedings that address Amateur Radio concerns. Siddall also addressed
new legislation pending before Congress that would set deadlines for
the allocation of additional spectrum below 3.45 GHz to commercial 5G
providers. He described ARRL's efforts to obtain support for allowing
continued sharing below 3.45 GHz on a non-interference basis.
FCC Counsel Siddall noted an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PS
Docket 21-346) looking into ways of improving communications resiliency
and recovery during hurricanes and other disasters. He said ARRL had
submitted reports to FCC staff during and immediately following
Hurricane Ida.
Siddall further noted the progress of the ARRL RF Safety Committee in
addressing and clarifying issues concerning amateur compliance with FCC
RF exposure rules and appropriate updates to the related FCC bulletin.
He concluded that the work of the Committee, under the leadership of
Greg Lapin, N9GL, will benefit every amateur in the future to more
readily assess RF exposure compliance and to make any adjustments
needed.
West Gulf Division Director, EC member, and Chairman of the Legislative
vocacy Committee, John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, updated the EC on the
status of a resolution introduced in Congress by US Representative
Debbie Lesko of Arizona to declare April 18, 2022 as National Amateur
Radio Operators Day.
Director Stratton also advised the EC that the Legal Structure Review
Committee was reviewing the Articles of Association, By-Laws, and
Standing Orders with an eye toward recommending any needed changes at
the January 2022 Board meeting.
The Executive Committee meets again on December 13.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 24) features tips
about how to improve the effective range of your handheld transceiver.
The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 48) of the Eclectic Tech
podcast features a conversation about the technical aspects of the 1921
Transatlantic Tests with Clark Burgard, N1BCG. We also chat about
on-air activities surrounding the upcoming anniversary.
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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ARDC Grant Will Expand RMHAM's 5 GHz Microwave Network in the Rockies
A grant of $374,233 from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) to
Rocky Mountain Ham Radio (RMHAM) will go toward expanding a multistate
5 GHz microwave network and help to outfit communications trailers.
The microwave network enables partnering amateur radio clubs and groups
to access, enable, or expand their repeater and other FCC Part
97-appropriate applications. The network provides 50 - 100+ Mbps of
bandwidth and is managed and monitored by a dedicated network
operations team.
In Colorado, RMHAM will be able to grow its microwave network by 23 new
microwave sites and 20 new point-to-point spans to expand IP
connectivity and future repeater coverage across the western slope of
Colorado and along the I-70 and I-76 corridors in eastern Colorado.
In New Mexico, RMHAM will grow its microwave network by 16 sites and 15
new point-to-point spans to expand IP connectivity and
future repeater coverage south from Albuquerque to El Paso, Texas;
along US Route 550 to Durango, Colorado, and across the Rio Grande
Valley to Alamogordo, New Mexico. The club will also expand RMHAM
digital repeater coverage (DMR or D-STAR, depending on coverage gaps)
across New Mexico through the addition of seven repeaters co-located at
their proposed new microwave sites.
As a result of the grant, RMHAM will also be able to upgrade its
Colorado communications trailer, which offers both RF and IP
connectivity, and to outfit a new trailer for service in New Mexico.
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.
Have an interesting topic you want to share? The ARRL Learning Network
is a series of online webinars presented by member-volunteers for
members. Presentations should be short -- 30 minutes plus an additional
15-minutes for Q&A.
Submission topics should be of interest to a broad audience of hams,
particularly those either new to amateur radio or experienced hams
looking to learn about a new way to get involved!
Selected presenters will be contacted and invited to schedule their
webinar from a list of upcoming available date/time slots. An ARRL
staff member will help coordinate the details with you, so you'll be
ready for your presentation day. For more information, email ARRL
Education and Learning.
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.
November 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
This is the November 2021 report of Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program
activity. The VM program is a joint initiative between ARRL and the FCC
to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.
* Operators in Ardmore, Tennessee; Lithonia, Georgia; Coconut Creek
and Miramar, Florida, and East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, were
issued visory Notices regarding excessive bandwidth, contrary to
FCC rules. The operators were transmitting on SSB with bandwidths
of 8 to 9 kHz.
* visory Notices were issued to operators in Northridge (Los
Angeles) and Hemet, California, for interference to repeaters. Both
operators had been requested by the repeater trustees to cease
using the repeaters. The visory Notice issued to the Northridge
operator cited broadcasting and failure to identify, and it
informed them that the FCC was requested not to grant their
upcoming renewal application unless the case was resolved.
* An visory Notice was issued to an operator in Powell, Wyoming,
for transmitting overdriven FT8 signals that resulted in spurious
emissions. The operator has since corrected the problem.
* General-class operators in Bartonville, Illinois, and St. Clair,
Michigan, were issued visory Notices for operation in the Amateur
Extra-class portion of 40 meters. A Technician-class licensee in
Windber, Pennsylvania, was issued an visory Notice for operating
in the General-class portion of 75 meters.
* One case was referred to the FCC for enforcement action and review
of a license renewal application. The FCC referred two cases to the
VM Program.
Totals for VM monitoring during October were 2,939 hours on HF
frequencies, and 3,282 hours on VHF frequencies and above, for a total
of 6,221 hours. That is the highest number of hours monitoring since
the inception of the VM Program. -- Thanks to Volunteer Monitor Program
ministrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH
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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.
* "Making Contact with the Past: Operating Radios on USS North
Carolina" SpectrumNews1, North Carolina (December 7, 2021)
Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
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Replica Transmitter will be On the Air to Mark Transatlantic Test
Success
A replica 1BCG transmitter will operate as W2AN/1BCG on ñ1.820 MHz on
CW, from The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut.
The 1BCG replica transmitter with
room for additional 204-A tubes for
more power.
"We're using type 204-A tubes," said Mark Erdle, AE2EA, of the Antique
Wireless Association. "The original transmitter used type 204 tubes.
The primary difference is that the 204-A tubes had a thoriated filament
that reduced the filament current. Transmissions from W2AN/1BCG will be
one way, just like the original transatlantic tests in 1921. An SWL
certificate is available by emailing a copy of the transmitted message.
Transmissions start on December 11 at 2300 UTC continuing every 15
minutes until December 12 at 0400 UTC.
In a separate event on December 12 at 0252 UTC, The Radio Club of
America's W2RCA will make a one-way transmission on 1825 kHz at 12 WPM
CW, from Connecticut. RCA members constructed the original transmitter
and "shack" used in Connecticut for the successful transatlantic
transmissions. In addition to the original 1921 message, a new message
will be transmitted that looks ahead to the next 100 years. Those who
copy the message qualify for a certificate. -- Thanks to Mark Erdle,
AE2EA, Antique Wireless Association, and to the Radio Club of America
ARRL and the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) have assembled a
list of stations and groups that are organizing events and activities
to celebrate 100 years of amateur radio transatlantic communication.
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