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N9PMO > LETTER 08.03.19 02:32z 546 Lines 24746 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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Demand is High as New ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communications Courses
Open
New ARRL Podcast Geared Toward Newcomers to Amateur Radio Debuts Today
GPS Network May Experience Errors in "Week Number" Rollback
The Doctor Will See You Now!
Technical Paper Raises Visibility of Wireless Power Transmission
Interference Potential
Just Ahead in Radiosport
The K7RA Solar Update
ARISS to Auction HF/50 MHz Transceiver, ARRL Handbook Boxed Set
FCC Takes a New Tack in Combating Unlicensed Radio Broadcasting
NASA Science Live Program Takes Viewers Behind the Scenes
Some Stormy Seas for Competitive Sailors Using HF Amateur Radio
In Brief...
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Demand is High as New ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communications Courses
Open
The ARRL Lifelong Learning Department has launched a revised and updated
Introduction to Emergency Communications (EC-001) course, and demand to sign
up is prompting the recruitment of additional course mentors to expand the
schedule. Registration just opened for the first of four EC-001 online
sessions, which will run from Monday, April 1, until Friday, May 31.
"The demand for this course has exceeded our projections, and the four
sessions scheduled for 2019 are already filling quickly," ARRL Lifelong
Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, said. "This course is designed to be
interactive with mentors guiding each session, so we're seeking additional
mentors and will schedule more course sessions as quickly as possible.
Thanks for your patience as we expand capacity for this updated version of
EC-001." Bickell is developing a notification list to alert those who didn't
get into the first round of courses when a new round of sessions becomes
available.
The new EC-001 course has been beta-tested by course mentors and transferred
into a new online learning platform. With the closing last year of the
Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC), EC-001 lost its virtual
home and was taken offline. At that point, the ARRL Emergency Preparedness
and Lifelong Learning teams started exploring short- and long-term
alternatives to offer the course. After careful evaluation and review, a
decision was made to move the course to a more modern learning management
system called Canvas, which will be used while the new Lifelong Learning
Initiative program is under development. EC-001 will eventually become a
part of a comprehensive online learning environment.
EC-001 is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for emergency
communications volunteers. With the online format, students can access the
course at anytime from anywhere.
"We're very excited to be able to offer Introduction to Emergency
Communications EC-001 once again," Bickell said. "The Emergency Preparedness
staff here has been incredibly helpful as we've worked together to get the
course back up and running. Input from previous EC-001 mentors has been an
invaluable part of the testing phase. The timing is right to put the course
back online."
ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC. [Michelle Patnode,
W3MVP, photo]
EC-001 is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for emergency
communications volunteers. With the online format, students can access the
course at anytime from anywhere during the 9-week period and may work at
their own pace and on their own schedule. As in the past, students will be
able to register and take the course entirely online. The Canvas platform is
also mobile-responsive, meaning that students can view the course materials,
interact with fellow students, and complete assignments from any mobile
device.
Individual EC-001 sessions will serve up to 30 students, supported by an
experienced mentor. Courses are free of charge. To be eligible, students
must meet certain prerequisites, listed on the registration page. The
registration page includes the entire 2019 schedule of EC-001 sessions.
âÖ¦âÖ¦âÖ¦
New ARRL Podcast Geared Toward Newcomers to Amateur Radio Debuts Today
A new ARRL podcast aimed newcomers to Amateur Radio will launch on Thursday,
March 7. Called, "So Now What?," the podcast will alternate new-episode
weeks with the "ARRL The Doctor is In" podcast. "So Now What?" will focus on
answering questions and providing support and encouragement for new
licensees to get the most out of the hobby. Co-hosting "So Now What?" will
be ARRL Communications Content Producer Michelle Patnode, W3MVP, and W1AW
Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. The podcast will explore questions that
newer hams may have and the issues that keep newcomers from remaining
active.
"No other podcast is really aimed at this segment of the Amateur Radio
community... that is being underserved, that is not getting the answers to
the many questions they have," said ARRL Communications Manager David Isgur,
N1RSN, who will serve as the podcast's executive producer.
"So Now What?" will be sponsored by LDG Electronics.
Topics to be discussed in the first several episodes include getting
started, operating modes available to Technician licensees, VEC and
licensing issues, sunspots and propagation, mobile operating, contesting,
Amateur Radio in pop culture, and perceptions of Technician license holders.
As with "ARRL The Doctor is In," listeners will be able to find "So Now
What?" on Apple iTunes, Blubrry, or Stitcher (free registration required, or
browse the site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS,
Kindle, or Android devices...or wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes
will also be archived on the ARRL website.
GPS Network May Experience Errors in "Week Number" Rollback
The GPS network will encounter a small millennium bug of its own in April
when the network's "week number" rolls back to zero. This known issue
especially could affect those who use GPS to obtain accurate Coordinated
Universal Time (i.e., UTC). In the GPS network, the number of the current
week is encoded into the message the GPS receives using a 10-bit field. This
allows for weeks ranging from zero to 1023. The current period began on
August 1, 1999. On April 6, 2019, the week number rolls over to zero and
starts counting back up to 1023.
This should not affect later-model GPS receivers that conform to IS-GPS-200
and provide UTC, but testing carried out by the US Department for Homeland
Security (DHS) raised the possibility that some units may misinterpret the
rollover, shifting the date back to January 6, 1980, or possibly to another
incorrect date. An affected GPS not only may report the incorrect date, but
time accuracy that is critical to precise location data could be
compromised. A nanosecond error in GPS time can equate to 1 foot of position
(ranging) error, according to DHS-published guidelines that explain the
issue and suggest how to address it.
The Doctor Will See You Now!
"Meet the Raspberry Pi" is the topic of the current (February 28) episode of
the "ARRL The Doctor is In" podcast. Listen...and learn!
Sponsored by DX Engineering, "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative
discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or
smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!
Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor-in-Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and the
Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of technical
topics. You can also email your questions to doctor@arrl.org, and the Doctor
may answer them in a future podcast.
Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes, or by using your iPhone or
iPad podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can also
listen online at Blubrry, or at Stitcher (free registration required, or
browse the site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS,
Kindle, or Android devices. If you've never listened to a podcast before,
download our beginner's guide.
Just ahead: "SWR Simplified."
Technical Paper Raises Visibility of Wireless Power Transmission
Interference Potential
A technical paper drafted by International Amateur Radio Union Region 1
(IARU-R1) President Don Beattie, G3BJ, is the latest official step to
increase the visibility of wireless power transmission (WPT) systems'
interference threat to Amateur Radio. Submitted to the IARU-R1 Interim
Meeting, set for April 27 - 28 in Vienna, the paper will update relevant
committees on the topic. Beattie's paper offers an impact analysis of
WPT-electric vehicle (WPT-EV) systems on Amateur Radio communications, with
a primary focus on WPT systems operating in the 79 - 90 kHz range.
"IARU engaged with discussions in CEPT [the European Conference of Postal
and Telecommunications ministrations] and ITU [the International
Telecommunications Union] on WPT in 2017," Beattie's 20-page discussion
notes.
Beattie's paper warns of "a widespread and serious impact on radio
communications operating in the vicinity" of WPT systems if spurious
emissions measured at a distance of 10 meters are at current CEPT
Recommendation 74-01E and ITU Radiocommunication Sector Recommendation
SM.329-12 limits, "given the planned density of WPT-Electric Vehicle
Systems." Both the CEPT and ITU recommendations address "unwanted emissions
in the spurious domain."
An IARU study of WPT-EV and its potential impact on radiocommunications
services already has been submitted to the relevant ITU and CEPT study
committees. Broadcasters, land mobile services, and others have also
expressed concern about spurious WPT-EV emissions. The study stops short of
proposing any regulatory action. "This, therefore, is the next challenge --
to seek to bridge the divide between WPT manufacturers and the
radiocommunications services," the paper concluded. Read more.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
March 9 -- AGCW QRP Contest (CW)
March 9 -- QRP ARCI Spring Thaw SSB Shootout
March 9 -- YB DX RTTY Contest
March 9 - 10 -- SARL VHF/UHF Analog Contest (CW, phone)
March 9 - 10 -- RSGB Commonwealth Contest (CW)
March 9 - 10 -- F9AA Cup, SSB
March 9 - 10 -- South America 10 Meter Contest (CW, phone)
March 9 - 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
March 9 - 10 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
March 9 - 10 -- Oklahoma QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
March 9 - 10 -- EA PSK63 Contest
March 9 - 10 -- TESLA Memorial HF CW Contest
March 9 - 10 -- QCWA QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
March 9 - 10 -- Idaho QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
March 10 -- North American Sprint, RTTY
March 10 -- UBA Spring Contest, 2 Meters (CW, phone)
March 10 -- WAB 3.5 MHz Phone/CW
March 10 - 11 -- All Wisconsin QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
March 11 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
March 13 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, CW
March 13 - 17 -- AWA John Rollins Memorial DX Contest CW
See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting
on Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your
ARRL member profile email preferences.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: After no sunspots in February, sunspot
group 2734 appeared on March 5. The new sunspot numbers are 14 and 17. I
believe this was the longest consecutive period (33 days) with no sunspots
on this declining side of Cycle 24. The polarity of the new sunspot group
identifies it as being from Cycle 24, not Cycle 25.
Frank Donovan, W3LPL, shared a report from the Royal Observatory in Belgium
indicating brief sunspot appearances on February 13 and 21, but numbers from
NOAA do not show these.
Average daily sunspot numbers this past week increased from 0 to 4.4,
compared to the previous 7 days. Average daily solar flux was unchanged at
70.6
Average daily planetary A index rose from 4.9 to 12.6, and average
mid-latitude A index increased from 3.9 to 9.7, both higher due to the
effects of a solar wind stream on February 28 and March 1.
Predicted solar flux is 73 on March 7 - 9; 72 on March 10 - 13; 71 on March
14, and 70 on March 15 - April 20.
Predicted planetary A index is 10, 12, 10 and 8 on March 7 - 10; 5 on March
11 - 19; 10 on March 20; 5 on March 21 - 25; 12, 30, 28, 14, 8, and 10 on
March 26 - 31; 8, 5, 10, 15, 12, 12, and 8 on April 1 - 7, and 5 on April 8
- 20.
Sunspot numbers for February 28 - March 6 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 14, and 17,
with a mean of 4.4. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 70.1, 69.9, 69.4, 69.5,
70.9, 72, and 72.5, with a mean of 70.6. Estimated planetary A indices were
26, 24, 12, 6, 7, 5, and 8, with a mean of 12.6. Estimated mid-latitude A
indices were 17, 18, 9, 6, 7, 4, and 7, with a mean of 9.7.
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 K9LA's
Propagation Page.
A propagation bulletin archive is available. Monthly charts offer
propagation projections between the US and a dozen DX locations.
Share your reports and observations.
ARISS to Auction HF/50 MHz Transceiver, ARRL Handbook Boxed Set
The US Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team will
auction a new Kenwood TS-890S transceiver and a six-volume 2019 ARRL
Handbook boxed set -- both donated items made unique by bearing the
signatures of US astronauts. Bidding will begin on April 8 at 1200 UTC and
conclude on April 14 at 2200 UTC. Next month's fundraiser auction will mark
the first for ARISS.
The Kenwood TS-890S transceiver. [Photo courtesy of JVC Kenwood]
"Auction proceeds will help ARISS to launch its new custom-built,
higher-power radio system in 2019 that will offer a voice repeater as well
as improved packet, APRS, and SSTV capability for more ham operators to
enjoy," ARRL ARISS-US Delegate Rosalie White, K1STO, said. "The
next-generation system will carry on the ARISS mission of introducing
Amateur Radio to thousands of students, educators, and community members, in
the process inspiring youngsters in the fields of science, technology,
engineering, and math."
White pointed out that ARISS also serves a lot of individual radio amateurs,
in addition to the program's positive impact by supporting school and group
contacts with ISS crew members. She said some 10,000 SSTV images transmitted
in February were downloaded from the ISS via Amateur Radio, and
approximately 89,000 hams took advantage of the ARISS packet system during
2018.
The full-featured TS-890S came on the US market just last year. A long-time
ARISS supporter, JVC Kenwood came up with the idea to offer the
astronaut-signed transceiver as an exclusive item that just one radio
amateur could own.
A 100 W HF/50 MHz transceiver, the TS-890S features a high-speed independent
band scope, noise reduction, a 7-inch TFT color display, a built-in antenna
tuner, and CW, PSK, and RTTY encoding and decoding capabilities.
"We thank Kenwood and ARRL for their generous support and invite those who
don't 'do' auctions to donate toward the launch of the new ARISS space-bound
radio system," White said.
More auction details will soon be posted on the ARISS website. Winning
bidders will be responsible for the costs of shipping, handling, any
required customs paperwork.
FCC Takes a New Tack in Combatting Unlicensed Radio Broadcasting
In what may be a first in the effort to crack down on unlicensed
broadcasters, the United States has filed a civil action to stop a
church-related pirate radio station from operating in Worcester,
Massachusetts. The Massachusetts US Attorney's Office is seeking an
injunction to shut down the station, operating on 97.1 MHz.
"This groundbreaking step, for an injunction to stop a pirate radio
operator's illegal activities, is part of our continued efforts to combat
illegal broadcasting," FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Rosemary Harold said
this week. "As we work with our law enforcement colleagues to use every tool
in our toolbox to combat pirate radio, I welcome the Justice Department's
renewed use of its Section 401(a) injunction authority. Along with fines,
equipment seizures, and warnings, this action underlines our continued
interest in combatting this serious problem."
The FCC already has fined operator Vasco Oburoni and Christian Praise
International Church $15,000 for repeated violations of its rules against
unlicensed operation. The complaint recounts that Oburoni and the church
first began operating an unlicensed station in Worcester on 102.3 MHz. After
issuing multiple warnings, the FCC levied the $15,000 penalty, and Oburoni
agreed to a payment plan. But later, he began broadcasting again, this time
on 97.1 MHz. At least one licensed broadcaster has complained to the FCC,
citing interference concerns.
NASA Science Live Program Takes Viewers Behind the Scenes
NASA has premiered a new monthly television series that offers viewers a
behind-the-scenes look at how the space agency explores Earth and outer
space. NASA Science Live airs on NASA Television as well as on Facebook
Watch, YouTube, and Ustream. Viewers will be able to submit questions on
social media using the hashtag #askNASA or by leaving a comment in the chat
section on Facebook.
"I am personally very excited about how this new show will highlight the
interconnected nature of science from across the agency," said Thomas
Zurbuchen, the associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission
Directorate. "The series will find new ways to talk about science from
various disciplines, missions, and centers to show how each works together
in order to achieve our exploration goals."
The first episode, "To the Moon, and Beyond," debuted on February 27
(episodes are archived). It explores how science conducted on the lunar
surface in the past informs current missions. Episodes run about 30 minutes.
The second episode, "Going Interstellar," will be go live on March 27 at
2300 UTC.
Some Stormy Seas for Competitive Sailors Using HF Amateur Radio
The sorts of rules regulating the degree of outside assistance allowed in
ham radio contesting also apply in other endeavors. An Estonian skipper was
recently penalized in the Golden Globe Race (GGR) after seeking "weather
routing" -- the best route according to wind and weather conditions -- via
ham radio. Third-place skipper Uku Randmaa, ES1UKU, escaped disqualification
from the round-the-world race, however, getting a 72-hour penalty instead.
After encountering a storm, he was not expected to finish until this weekend
.
In a recording of the conversation provided to race headquarters, Randmaa
asks, "I'm heading 90°. Can I be sure that I can take the wind, if I'm
sailing east?" The other station, VP8LP, advises him to move northwest and
later tells Randmaa, "The more north you go, the quicker you get out of the
wind hole."
Race rules say, "Entrants are free to speak to media, family, friends, and
sponsors by radio at any time during the event, but must not be given any
form of weather routing." The approximately 30,000-mile GGR solo
circumnavigation starts and ends in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France.
Uku Randmaa, ES1UKU. [Photo courtesy of Golden Globe Race]
"This is a retro race with skippers restricted to using a sextant, paper
charts, and wind-up chronometers, just as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston used in
the first Sunday Times Golden Globe Race 50 years ago," Race Chairman Don
McIntyre explained to My Sailing magazine. Skippers can only communicate by
marine and/or amateur SSB HF radios and on an Amateur Radio net.
Meanwhile, according to a January report, some GGR sailors operating on
Amateur Radio frequencies using phony call signs were asked to stop.
Second-place skipper Mark Slats -- who was reported to have been using PI3MS
-- said on January 15 he was considering getting out of competitive sailing,
citing safety concerns, after being banned from the ham radio net for being
unlicensed. The GGR 2018 - 2019 winner, Jean Luc Van Den Heede, who finished
on January 29, had been using J6LJV, and that call sign appears under his
name on QRZ.com, although authorities in St. Lucia are reported to have said
they have no record of his license. Read more.
In Brief...
A known bug with the Apple version of the digital QST app may prevent some
users from downloading issues of the magazine. ARRL has confirmed with the
developer that version 5.0 of the app, introduced in early February, may
produce instances where the app crashes on some devices when the user tries
to download an issue of QST for offline reading. We apologize for this
inconvenience, and we are working with the developer to resolve this issue
as quickly as possible.
âÖ¦âÖ¦âÖ¦
Purchases via AmazonSmile pay dividends to ARRL. Those who use Amazon for
online purchases can automatically donate to ARRL by opting to use
AmazonSmile and designating American Radio Relay League (ARRL) as their
charity of choice. The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase
price of eligible AmazonSmile items to whichever charity you choose. Product
and Marketing Specialist Jackie Ferreira, KB1PWB, reports that the benefit
of AmazonSmile to ARRL for 2018 was $8,676, up from $8,022 in 2017. Family
and friends can select ARRL as their charity of choice too. There is no
difference between Amazon and AmazonSmile in terms of making purchases. More
information is available on the ARRL website. "We encourage member
participation in AmazonSmile," Ferreira said.
âÖ¦âÖ¦âÖ¦
Tom Rudzinski, SQ9FVE, made Summits on the Air (SOTA) history on February 16
by activating Aconcagua in Mendoza, Argentina. At 6,962 meters (22,841 feet)
above sea level, the mountain is the highest peak in both the Southern and
Western hemispheres. An experienced and skilled mountaineer, Rudzinski
planned the expedition carefully, including all necessary support. He began
his ascent to the summit nearly 2 weeks ahead of his activation, setting up
camps and acclimatizing to the elevation en route. He managed five contacts
on 2-meter FM, working Argentinian chasers some 90 kilometers (56 miles)
away. Rudzinski worked with a group of friends from the Cuyo Radio Club
(LU1MA) to activate Aconcagua.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
March 8 - 9 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana
March 8 - 9 -- North Carolina Section Convention, Concord, North Carolina
March 9 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska
March 16 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
March 22 - 23 -- Texas State Convention, Rosenberg, Texas
March 23 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington
March 23 -- West Virginia Section Convention, Charleston, West Virginia
March 24 -- SJRA 2019 Radio Conference, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
March 29 - 30 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
March 30 -- Tennessee Section Convention, Sevierville, Tennessee
April 5 - 6 -- OzarkCon, Branson, Missouri
April 12 - 13 -- Oklahoma Section Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
April 12 - 14 -- 70th International DX Convention, Visalia, California
April 13 -- Tennessee State Convention, Bartlett, Tennessee
April 13 - 14 -- Communications Academy, Seattle, Washington
April 20 -- North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
April 26 - 28 -- VHF Super Conference, Sterling, Virginia
April 27 -- Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware
April 27 -- Aurora '19 Conference, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
April 27 -- ARRL North Texas MentorFest, Garland, Texas
April 27 -- RV Radio Network Rally, Linwood, North Carolina
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting
on Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your
ARRL member profile email preferences.
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.
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of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
Free of charge to ARRL members...
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