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N9PMO > LETTER 13.04.19 22:03z 567 Lines 26235 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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Sent: 190413/2155Z 19171@N9PMO.#SEWI.WI.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.18
World Amateur Radio Day 2019 Marks International Amateur Radio Union
Founding
Solar Cycle 25 Predicted to be Similar to Cycle 24
MIT Requests FCC Rules Waiver for Medical Monitoring Device
The K7RA Solar Update
Just Ahead in Radiosport
The Doctor Will See You Now!
AMSAT, ARRL Comment in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proceeding
ARRL Seeks Contest Program Manager
Florida ARES, State of Florida Considering Memorandum of Understanding
FCC Agrees to 90-Day Pause in Consideration of WT Docket 16-239
In Brief...
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
World Amateur Radio Day 2019 Marks International Amateur Radio Union
Founding
Thursday, April 18, is World Amateur Radio Day (WARD), this year marking the
94th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), which was
founded in Paris in 1925. Each year, WARD celebrates Amateur Radio's
contribution to society. Groups in the US and around the world will
celebrate WARD 2019 with on-air activities.
"I am pleased to extend my greetings for World Amateur Radio Day," IARU
President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, said. April 18 is the day for all of Amateur
Radio to celebrate and tell the world about the science we can help to
teach, the community service we can provide, and the fun we have. I would
encourage all radio amateurs to join in the celebrations and promote Amateur
Radio on the air or in your community."
Amateur Radio experimenters were the first to discover that the shortwave
spectrum was not the wasteland experts of the time considered it to be, but
a resource that could support worldwide propagation. In the rush to use
these shorter wavelengths, Amateur Radio was "in grave danger of being
pushed aside," the IARU's history notes. Amateur Radio pioneers met in Paris
in 1925 and created the IARU to support Amateur Radio around the globe.
Two years later, at the International Radiotelegraph Conference, Amateur
Radio gained allocations still recognized today -- 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10
meters. More bands have followed, and the IARU has been working to defend
and expand Amateur Radio frequency allocations ever since.
From the 25 countries that formed the IARU in 1925, the IARU has grown to
include 160 member-societies in three regions. IARU Region 1 includes
Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and northern Asia. Region 2 covers the
Americas, and Region 3 is comprised of Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific
island nations, and most of Asia.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized the IARU as
representing the interests of Amateur Radio.
Groups are encouraged to promote their WARD activity on social media by
using the hashtag #WorldAmateurRadioDay on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Visit the IARU World Amateur Radio Day web page for a listing of on-the-air
activities.
âÖ¦âÖ¦âÖ¦
Solar Cycle 25 Predicted to be Similar to Cycle 24
Scientists predicting the sun's activity for Solar Cycle 25 say it's likely
to be much like that of current Cycle 24, which is declining and predicted
to bottom out in 2019 or 2020. Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel experts said
Solar Cycle 25 may get off to a slow start, but is anticipated to peak
between 2023 and 2026 with a sunspot range of 95 to 130. This is well below
the typical average of 140 to 220 sunspots per solar cycle. The panel
expressed high confidence that the coming cycle should break the trend of
weakening solar activity seen over the past four cycles. The Solar Cycle
Prediction Panel forecasts the
A 2013 coronal mass ejection. [Photo courtesy of NOAA]
number of sunspots expected for solar maximum, along with the timing of the
peak and minimum solar activity levels for the cycle. The outlook was
presented on April 5 at the 2019 NOAA Space Weather Workshop in Boulder,
Colorado.
"We expect Solar Cycle 25 will be very similar to cycle 24: Another fairly
weak cycle, preceded by a long, deep minimum," said panel co-chair Lisa
Upton, a solar physicist with Space Systems Research Corp. "The expectation
that Cycle 25 will be comparable in size to Cycle 24 means that the steady
decline in solar cycle amplitude, seen from cycles 21 - 24, has come to an
end and that there is no indication that we are currently approaching a
Maunder-type minimum in solar activity."
The solar cycle prediction gives a rough idea of the frequency of space
weather storms of all types, from radio blackouts to geomagnetic storms and
solar radiation storms. In addition to its effects on Amateur Radio signal
propagation, space weather can affect power grids; critical military,
airline, and shipping communications; satellites and GPS signals, and can
even threaten astronauts through exposure to harmful radiation.
Solar Cycle 24 reached its maximum in April 2014, with a peak average of 82
sunspots. The sun's northern hemisphere led the sunspot cycle, peaking more
than 2 years ahead of the southern hemisphere sunspot peak. Given that the
sun takes 11 years to complete one solar cycle, this is only the fourth time
that US scientists have issued a solar cycle prediction. The first panel
convened in 1989 for cycle 22.
For Solar Cycle 25, the panel hopes for the first time to predict the
presence, amplitude, and timing of any differences between the northern and
southern hemispheres on the sun, known as hemispheric asymmetry. Later this
year, the panel will release an official sunspot number curve showing the
predicted number of sunspots during any given year and any expected
asymmetry. The panel will also look into the possibility of providing a
solar flare probability forecast.
"While we are not predicting a particularly active Solar Cycle 25, violent
eruptions from the sun can occur at any time," said Doug Biesecker, panel
co-chair and a solar physicist at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center
(SWPC).
Visit the SWPC to obtain the latest space weather forecast. Read more. --
Thanks to NOAA
MIT Requests FCC Rules Waiver for Medical Monitoring Device
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is seeking a waiver of some
Part 15 rules in order to obtain FCC certification of its WiTrack System, a
swept-frequency ultra-wide band (UWB) indoor medical monitoring device.
According to MIT, the WiTrack System uses an indoor swept signal of up to
2.5 GHz in the 6 - 8.5 GHz band to passively monitor mobility, breathing,
and other physiological signals in patients and senior adults. Because the
system would transmit an RF signal and receive its reflection from the
environment, it would not require the use of body-worn sensors. MIT has
indicated that different versions of the devices would sweep slightly
different frequencies within the 6 - 8.5 GHz range.
According to MIT publicity material, WiTrack tracks the 3D motion of a user
from the radio signals reflected off a person's body. It works even if the
person is occluded from the WiTrack device or in a different room. WiTrack
does not require the user to carry any wireless device.
"WiTrack localizes the center of a human body to within 10 to 13 centimeters
in the x and y dimensions (about the size of an adult hand), and 21
centimeters in the z dimension. It also provides coarse tracking of body
parts, identifying the direction of a pointing hand with a median of 11.2
degrees. It can also detect falls with 96.9% accuracy. WiTrack can be
incorporated into consumer electronics and has a wide set of applications,"
MIT says.
Section 15.503(d) of the FCC's rules defines a UWB transmitter as an
intentional radiator that, at any point in time, has a fractional bandwidth
equal to or greater than 0.20 or has a UWB bandwidth equal to or greater
than 500 MHz, regardless of the fractional bandwidth. The WiTrack System
would not satisfy this definition, because each frequency step is less than
500 MHz in bandwidth "at any point in time," MIT says, even though the total
bandwidth needed for optimal performance exceeds 500 MHz. MIT states that
the waiver it seeks is similar to those previously granted by the
Commission, and that grant of a waiver for the WiTrack System would be in
the public interest.
The waiver request has been folded into ET Docket 19-89, and interested
parties have until April 18 to comment and until May 3 to file reply
comments.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: The first 3 days of the reporting week
(Thursday through Saturday) had no visible sunspots, but sunspots returned
Sunday through Wednesday. The average daily sunspot number declined from 9.4
to 6.9, but average daily solar flux rose from 69.5 to 75.4. Geomagnetic
indicators were slightly more active, with the average daily planetary A
index increasing from 8.4 to 10.6, and average middle latitude A index
increasing from 7.3 to 9.
Predicted solar flux for the next 45 days is 78 on April 11 - 17; 76 and 74
on April 18 - 19; 70 on April 20 - 22; 69 on April 23; 70 on April 24 - 28;
71 on April 29 - May 1; 72 on May 2 - 3; 77 on May 4 - 6; 74 on May 7 - 16;
70 on May 17 - 19; 69, 68, 69, and 69 on May 20 - 23, and 70 on May 24 - 25.
The predicted planetary A index is 14, 12, and 8 on April 11 - 13; 5 on
April 14 - 23; 10, 8, 5, 10, 8, and 5 on April 24 - 29; 10 on April 30 - May
2; 7 on May 3; 5 on May 4 - 20, and 10, 8, 5, 10, and 8 on May 21 - 25.
Sunspot group 2738 appeared on April 7. It's the bright spot on this STEREO
spacecraft image. This view will move from left to right over time, until it
disappears off the right side.
Sunspot numbers for April 4 - 10 were 0, 0, 0, 11, 12, 12, and 13, with a
mean of 6.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 70.3, 71.7, 73.6, 76.5, 78.6, 79,
and 78.1, with a mean of 75.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 10, 14, 7,
5, 13, 11, and 14, with a mean of 10.6. Middle latitude A index was 8, 10,
7, 5, 12, 11, and 10, 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 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.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
April 13 -- QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party (CW)
April 13 - 14 -- JIDX CW Contest
April 13 - 14 -- OK/OM DX Contest (SSB)
April 13 - 14 -- F9AA Cup, PSK
April 13 - 14 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
April 13 - 14 -- New Mexico QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
April 13 - 14 -- Texas State Parks on the Air (CW, phone, digital)
April 13 - 14 -- North Dakota QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
April 13 - 14 -- Georgia QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
April 13 - 14 -- Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest (CW)
April 14 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB
April 14 -- WAB 3.5/7/14 MHz Data Modes
April 14 -- International Vintage Contest HF (CW and phone)
April 14 -- Hungarian Straight Key Contest (CW)
April 15 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW and phone)
April 16 -- 222 MHz Spring Sprint (CW, phone, digital)
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 Doctor Will See You Now!
"Listening Outside the Ham Bands" is the topic of the new (April 11) 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.
AMSAT, ARRL Comment in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proceeding
AMSAT has told the FCC that several proposed rule changes related to the
mitigation of orbital debris would have an extremely detrimental effect on
both the Amateur Satellite Service and AMSAT's ability to launch and operate
new satellites, including AMSAT's upcoming GOLF satellites. AMSAT filed
comments on April 5 on an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making in IB Docket
18-313. AMSAT argues that amateur satellites often have longer mission
lifespans than other small satellites and that the FCC should take a mission
duration of 5 to 10 years into account when determining whether or not an
amateur satellite will meet the orbital debris regulations, either by
transferring to a parking orbit or re-entering the atmosphere within 25
years of mission completion. Current practice is to assume a "zero-year"
mission and to require that amateur satellites meet the debris regulations.
AMSAT also urged the Commission to consider alternatives to a proposed rule
that would restrict to altitudes of 650 kilometers or less satellites in
low-Earth orbit that plan to meet the orbital debris mitigation guidelines
through atmospheric re-entry. AMSAT noted that, had this rule been in place,
it would not have been permissible to deploy AO-85 and AO-91 in their
current elliptical orbits with apogees of approximately 800 kilometers, even
though both will re-enter within 25 years due to their low perigees.
ditionally, AMSAT noted that current plans for the GOLF-1 satellite are to
meet orbital debris mitigation guidelines through atmospheric re-entry by
deploying a drag device that will ensure re-entry within 25 years, despite
deployment at an altitude higher than 1,000 kilometers. This proposed rule
would prohibit GOLF-1's deployment at that altitude.
The Commission's proposed rules would further require that Amateur Satellite
licensees indemnify the government against any claims made against the US
due to the operation of a satellite. AMSAT believes this proposal would end
the ability of AMSAT, or any other entity in the US, to launch and operate
amateur satellites and urged the FCC to consider alternatives.
In separate comments, ARRL said it supports "reasonable efforts to mitigate
orbital debris" but that the FCC "must tailor its regulations for the
Amateur Satellite service" and "not inadvertently impair the service's
continuing vitality by applying rules crafted for commercial satellite
services."
In this regard, ARRL supports AMSAT's positions, which suggest that "the
nature of the modifications needed [should] achieve the Commission's
expressed regulatory objectives without needlessly impairing the Amateur
Satellite service."
ARRL said the FCC should exempt amateur satellites or otherwise ameliorate
its proposed indemnification requirement and said that only telemetry "used
to command onboard propulsion systems" should be subject to encryption.
ARRL also said amateur satellites proposed for disposal by atmospheric
re-entry should not be restricted to orbital altitudes of 650 kilometers or
lower, and that the longer duration of amateur satellite missions should be
factored into the time required for a satellite to naturally de-orbit or be
transferred to "a parking orbit."
Interested parties may file reply comments by May 5 via the FCC Electronic
Comment Filing Service (ECFS). Read more. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service
ARRL Seeks Contest Program Manager
ARRL is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the position of Contest
Program Manager. This is a permanent, full-time position at ARRL
Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut.
The Contest Program Manager is responsible for all aspects of ARRL's Contest
Program, including receipt and processing of entries, quality of results,
awards fulfillment, public outreach, program development and promotion, and
volunteer coordination and management. Job duties include:
Promoting the ARRL contesting program in print, on the web, and in person.
Managing a team of approximately 20 volunteer log adjudicators, results
authors, and data entry assistants, both inside Headquarters and around the
country on a cost-efficient basis.
Ensuring an accurate listing of ARRL contest results, while meeting web and
print publishing deadlines.
Accurately distributing contest awards plaques, certificates, and other
awards in a cost-effective and timely manner.
Effectively interfacing with contractors and management as well as
cheerfully accommodating guests, members, visiting dignitaries, and industry
representatives.
Interacting with the Amateur Radio contesting community in person and via
electronic means. This individual will represent ARRL at conventions and
meetings, domestically and internationally.
Developing new on-air events that cater to a wide range of radio amateurs.
Conferring with the Contest visory Committee.
Applicants should have at least 5 years of experience managing personnel
and/or volunteers, software, and processes, plus a minimum of 5 years of
active participation in Amateur Radio contesting.
For more information on how to apply, visit the ARRL Employment
Opportunities web page. Read more.
Florida ARES, State of Florida Considering Memorandum of Understanding
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES®) Section Emergency Coordinators
(SEC) from the ARRL Northern, West Central, and Southern Florida sections
met recently with state Emergency Management Communication leaders to
discuss improved integration of Amateur Radio during emergencies. A draft
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ARES and the State of Florida was
presented for further consideration.
From left to right: Florida Telecommunications Specialist III Bob Little,
N4RGL; West Central Florida Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Ben Henley,
KI4IGX; Florida Department of Emergency Management Telecommunications
ministrator Ben Bass, KI4OEE; Northern Florida SEC Karl Martin, KG4HBN;
Southern Florida SEC John Wells, W4CMH; West Central Florida Assistant SEC
Brad Haag, KM4VRU, and FDLE Statewide Communications Coordinator Nick
Simoncini, KG4NJS.
If agreed upon, the MOU would make ARES and Amateur Radio a valid resource
that can be easily requested during an incident.
"For the first time ARES will be integrated into the state communication
team," said West Central Florida Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Ben
Henley, KI4IGX.
To facilitate deployment of communication resources more effectively, the
three Sections have previously agreed to work as a single entity during an
incident. Also discussed was the necessity of changing the way ARES
volunteers are credentialed, trained, and deployed.
"This is a team effort," said Northern Florida SEC Karl Martin, KG4HBN. SECs
and state leaders anticipate working together in the future to overcome
shortcomings in disaster and emergency preparation to ensure an effective
response when Amateur Radio support is requested.
FCC Agrees to 90-Day Pause in Consideration of WT Docket 16-239
It has been almost 6 years since the ARRL requested the FCC to consider
changes to the Amateur Radio digital rules in 11-708 and almost 3years since
ARRL filed comments in the resultant proceeding, identified by the FCC as
16-239.
The Commission's proposed changes differed from the ARRL's initial filing
and caused ARRL to be concerned about possible interference to current users
resulting from the deletion of ARRL's requested 2.8 MHz bandwidth
limitation. Due to those concerns, ARRL filed comments with the FCC opposing
the deletion of the requested bandwidth.
Since ARRL's initial filing, many individuals and groups have commented to
the FCC and publicly regarding issues and potential consequences they
passionately believe are implicated by the FCC's proposals embodied in
16-239/11-708. ditionally, in the six years since the initial filing of
11-708, new information has been presented by individuals and groups who
support and oppose the FCC's proposed adoption of 16-239.
Due to the time that has elapsed since ARRL's initial digital rules change
request, the new information that has become available and the extent of
both support and opposition to the proposed rules change, ARRL asked the FCC
to grant a delay in its consideration of the proposed rules change to
provide the League the opportunity to clarify the issues and determine
whether a consensus can be reached on some or all of the issues raised by
the FCC's proceeding.
At ARRL's request, the FCC Staff has agreed to a 90-day pause in the
consideration of WT Docket 16-239.
In Brief...
ARISS-Russia is planning to transmit more slow-scan television (SSTV) images
from the International Space Station. Transmissions will begin on April 11
at approximately 1800 UTC and run continuously until approximately 1800 UTC
on April 14, 2019. The transmissions will be on 145.800 MHz using PD-120
SSTV mode. All are invited to post received images. On request, ARISS SSTV
Award Manager Slawek Szymanowski, SQ3OOK, will provide an ARISS SSTV Award
to anyone posting an image. SSTV events are dependent on other activities,
schedules, and crew responsibilities on the ISS and subject to change at any
time. The most current information is on the AMSAT-NA and ARISS websites,
the AMSAT BB, the ARISS Facebook page, and the ARISS Twitter feed,
@ARISS_status. -- Thanks to Gaston Bertels, ON4WF
âÖ¦âÖ¦âÖ¦
The European FT8 Club is sponsoring an FT8 DX Contest. The event starts at
1200 UTC on April 13 and runs through 1200 UTC on April 14. Everyone works
everyone in this contest, and the maximum power is 100 W. The exchange is
the same as the ARRL RTTY Roundup, with state/province for US/Canada
stations, and serial number for DX participants.
âÖ¦âÖ¦âÖ¦
AMSAT-India has successfully launched an APRS satellite. The Automatic
Packet Reporting System (APRS) payload on AMSAT-India's AISAT-1 satellite is
operational on 145.825 MHz following a successful April 1 launch on the
PSLV-C45 mission. The payload was powered up on schedule over Europe, and
AMSAT-India announced that DK3WN was able to digipeat through the satellite.
AMSAT-India requests that radio amateurs use the payload and SatGates to
feed the traffic. The fourth stage of the PSLV rocket (PS4) will become an
orbital platform in a 485-kilometer orbit hosting an APRS digipeater, an
Automatic Identification System (AIS) from India's space agency, ISRO, and
an ionospheric analyzer from the Indian Institute of Space Science and
Technology (IIST). -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service
âÖ¦âÖ¦âÖ¦
Bidding in the Out of This World ARISS Auction wraps up on April 14 at 2200
UTC. A new JVC Kenwood TS-890S is attracting many bidders. Bids are also
coming in for a six-volume boxed set of the 2019 edition of The ARRL
Handbook. Both prizes, donated by JVC Kenwood and ARRL, are signed by an
astronaut. Proceeds from the online auction will benefit the ARISS
initiative to launch a new, custom-built, higher-power radio system in late
2019 with its voice repeater and improved packet, APRS, and SSTV capability
that thousands of hams can enjoy. ARISS also seeks to maintain the momentum
of introducing ham radio to thousands of students, teachers, parents, and
whole communities through Amateur Radio contacts with members of the
International Space Station (ISS) crew, inspiring students to get involved
with STEM and radio. -- Thanks to ARISS
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
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
May 5 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Bristol, Pennsylvania
May 17 - 19 -- Hamvention -- ARRL National Convention, Xenia, Ohio
May 31 - June 1 -- Arizona State Convention, Prescott, Arizona
May 31 - June 2 -- Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon
June 1 -- Georgia Section Convention, Marietta, Georgia
June 1 - 2 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, Prospect,
Pennsylvania
June 7 - 8 -- West Gulf Division Convention (HamCom), Plano, Texas
June 15 -- W8DXCC DX Convention, Owensville, Ohio
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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