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<DIV>Here is information on JT-65 and the newer versions. Thought you might be
interested. Dan</DIV>
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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=memberlist@www.arrl.org
href="mailto:memberlist@www.arrl.org">ARRL Web site</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, January 12, 2017 4:01 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=dan@dandlfarms.com
href="mailto:dan@dandlfarms.com">dan@dandlfarms.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> The ARRL Letter for January 12, 2017</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%">If you are having trouble reading this
message, you can see the original at:<BR><A
href="http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2017-01-12">http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2017-01-12</A></SPAN>
<P><IMG border=0 alt="The ARRL Letter"
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/nlalhead.gif"></P>
<DIV class=issueblok>
<DIV style="FLOAT: right">January 12, 2017</DIV>Editor: <A
href="mailto:ww1me@arrl.org">Rick Lindquist, WW1ME</A></DIV>
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<TD class=tlt><A href="http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/"><I>ARRL
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<P> </P>
<UL>
<LI><A href="#toc01">Illegal Drone Transmitters Could Interfere with Air
Traffic Control, ARRL Complaint Asserts</A>
<LI><A href="#toc02">FCC Dismisses Two Petitions from Radio Amateurs</A>
<LI><A href="#toc03">President Obama Renominates FCC Commissioner
Jessica Rosenworcel</A>
<LI><A href="#toc04">Nevada ARES Stand Down as Flood Threat Abates</A>
<LI><A href="#toc05">The Doctor Will See You Now!</A>
<LI><A href="#toc06">New Digital Modes Gain Traction for Moonbounce, but
Occasionally Show Up on HF</A>
<LI><A href="#toc07">Radio Club of America Announces New "Wireless
Women" Section on Website</A>
<LI><A href="#toc08">The Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Awards,
Supporting Grants</A>
<LI><A href="#toc09">Warm Up with the January VHF Contest, January
21-23</A>
<LI><A href="#toc10">Winter Field Day is Just Ahead</A>
<LI><A href="#toc11">In Brief...</A>
<LI><A href="#toc12">The K7RA Solar Update</A>
<LI><A href="#toc13">Getting It Right!</A>
<LI><A href="#toc14">Just Ahead in Radiosport</A>
<LI><A href="#toc15">Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division
Conventions</A> </LI></UL><A name=toc01></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>Illegal Drone Transmitters Could Interfere with Air
Traffic Control, ARRL Complaint Asserts</DIV>
<P class=default>In what it calls an "<A
href="http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/Drone%20Video%20Transmitter%20Complaint%20FINAL-%2001%2011%202017.pdf"
target=_blank>extremely urgent complaint</A>" to the FCC, ARRL has
targeted the interference potential of a series of audio/video
transmitters used on unmanned aircraft and marketed as Amateur Radio
equipment. In a January 10 letter to the FCC Spectrum Enforcement
Division, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said the transmitters
use frequencies intended for navigational aids, air traffic control radar,
air route surveillance radars, and global positioning systems.
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/ARRL_Flag_wavy_large.JPG" width=220
align=right height=156>"This is, in ARRL's view, a potentially very
serious interference problem, and it is respectfully requested that the
products referenced...be investigated and removed from the marketplace
immediately and that the importers be subjected to normal sanctions,"
ARRL's letter said. Some of the transmitters operate on frequencies
between 1,010 and 1,280 MHz. "These video transmitters are being marketed
ostensibly as Amateur Radio equipment," the League said, "but of the
listed frequencies on which the devices operate, only one, 1,280 MHz,
would be within the Amateur Radio allocation at 1,240-1,300 MHz." Even
then, ARRL said, operation there would conflict with a channel used for
radio location.
<P class=default>ARRL said the use of 1,040 and 1,080 MHz, which would
directly conflict with air traffic control transponder frequencies,
represented the greatest threat to the safety of flight. The use of 1,010
MHz, employed for aeronautical guidance, could also be problematic.
<P class=default>ARRL cited the Lawmate transmitter and companion 6 W
amplifier as examples of problematic devices being marketed in the US.
Each costs less than $100 via the Internet. The device carries no FCC
identification number.
<P class=default>"[T]he target market for these devices is the drone
hobbyist, not licensed radio amateurs. The device, due to the channel
configuration, has no valid Amateur Radio application," ARRL told the FCC.
"While these transmitters are marked as appropriate for amateur use, they
cannot be used legally for Amateur Radio communications." In the hands of
unlicensed individuals, the transmitters could also cause interference to
Amateur Radio communication in the 1.2 GHz band, ARRL contended.
<P class=default>The League said it's obvious that the devices at issue
lack proper FCC equipment authorization under FCC Part 15 rules, which
require such low-power intentional radiators to be certified.
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<TD><IMG alt=""
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/Lawmate%20drone%20transmitter.JPG"
width=230 align=right height=184>
<P class=caption><B>ARRL cited the Lawmate transmitter as an example
of problematic devices.</B></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=default>"Of most concern is the capability of the devices to
cripple the operation of the [air traffic control] secondary
target/transponder systems," ARRL said. "These illegal transmitters
represent a significant hazard to public safety in general and the safety
of flight specifically."
<P class=default>The surge in sales of drones has been dramatic. The FAA
has predicted that combined commercial and hobby sales will increase from
2.5 million in 2016 to 7 million by 2020.
<P class=default>In Exhibit A of the January 10 letter, "Illegal Drones
Threaten Public Safety," the League noted that some of the drones and
associated equipment it has come across "are blatantly illegal at multiple
levels," with some drone TV transmitters described as "particularly
alarming."
<P class=default>"Rated at six times over the legal power limit, <I>and on
critical air navigation transponder frequencies</I>, these devices
represent a real and dangerous threat to the safety of flight, especially
when operated from a drone platform that can be hundreds of feet in the
air," the exhibit narrative asserted.<A name=toc02></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>FCC Dismisses Two Petitions from Radio Amateurs</DIV>
<P class=default>The FCC has turned down two petitions filed in 2016, each
seeking similar changes in the Part 97 Amateur Service rules. James Edwin
Whedbee, N0ECN, of Gladstone, Missouri, had asked the Commission to amend
the rules to reduce the number of Amateur Radio operator classes to
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra by merging remaining Novice class
licensees into the Technician class and all Advanced class licensees into
the Amateur Extra class. In a somewhat related petition, Jeffrey H.
Siegell, WB2YRL, of Burke, Virginia, had requested that the FCC grant
Advanced class license holders Morse code operating privileges equivalent
to those enjoyed by Amateur Extra class licensees.
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/FCC%20logo%20white-on-dk%20blue(1).jpg"
width=220 align=right height=202>"Thus, Mr. Siegell's proposed rule change
is subsumed within the changes Mr. Whedbee requests, so our analysis is
the same for both proposals," the FCC <A
href="https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-11A1.pdf"
target=_blank>said</A> in dismissing the two petitions on January 5.
<P class=default>The FCC streamlined the Amateur Radio licensing system
into three classes -- Technician, General, and Amateur Extra -- in 1999.
While it no longer issues new Novice or Advanced class licenses, existing
licenses can be renewed, and Novice and Advanced licensees retained their
operating privileges.
<P class=default>"The Commission concluded that the three-class structure
would streamline the licensing process, while still providing an incentive
for licensees to advance their communication and technical skills," the
FCC recounted in its dismissal letter to Whedbee and Siegell. It
specifically rejected suggestions that Novice and Advanced class licensees
be automatically upgraded to a higher class, concluding that it would be
inappropriate for these licensees to "receive additional privileges
without passing the required examination elements." The FCC cited the same
reason in 2005, when it denied requests to automatically upgrade
Technician licensees to General class and Advanced licensees to Amateur
Extra class, as part of a wide-ranging proceeding.
<P class=default>The FCC said the two petitions "do not demonstrate, or
even suggest, that any relevant circumstances have changed that would
merit reconsideration of those decisions." Read <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-dismisses-two-petitions-from-radio-amateurs"
target=_blank>more</A>.<A name=toc03></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>President Obama Renominates FCC Commissioner Jessica
Rosenworcel</DIV>
<P class=default>President Barack Obama has renominated FCC Commissioner
Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, for a new term. She joined the FCC in
2012, and her tenure ended on January 3. Rosenworcel's renomination last
fall failed to gain Senate approval before adjournment, and it had been
thought that Rosenworcel would depart the Commission by the end of 2016.
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<TD><IMG alt=""
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/Jessica%20Rosenworcel.jpg"
width=250 height=234>
<P class=caption><B>Jessica Rosenworcel</B></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=default>With FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler stepping down on January
20, the FCC will be left with two Republicans -- Ajit Pai and Michael
O'Rielly -- and, unless Rosenworcel is confirmed, one Democrat -- Mignon
Clyburn, whose term ends in mid-2017. The FCC can have up to five
commissioners, and no more than three may belong to the same political
party. Wheeler applauded Rosenworcel's reappointment and said he hoped
Congress would "act quickly to confirm her nomination." With President
Obama leaving on January 20, however, action on reconfirming Rosenworcel
for a new term is not expected until President-Elect Donald Trump takes
office.<A name=toc04></A>
<DIV class=addiv><A
href="http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2017-01-12&p=0"
target=_blank><IMG border=0 alt=Ad
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<DIV class=itemTitle>Nevada ARES Stand Down as Flood Threat Abates</DIV>
<P class=default>Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES<SUP>®</SUP>)
volunteers and emergency operations centers (EOCs) in Nevada stood down
this week as the threat of additional widespread flooding damage
diminished. Over the weekend, ARES members in Nevada stood ready to
support the disaster response effort. Recent heavy rainfall, sparked by a
weather system called the Pineapple Express, caused flooding along rivers
and forced evacuations in some areas of Nevada and neighboring California.
The flooding prompted Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval to declare a state of
emergency. In Reno, the Truckee River crested above 12 feet on January 9,
and at 19.5 feet in Sparks.
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/ares(1).jpg" width=220 align=right
height=222>Carrying moisture-laden warm air from Hawaii, the Pineapple
Express "atmospheric river" flowing across a narrow band of the Sierra
Nevadas brought snow followed by rainfall of up to 15 inches to northern
Nevada and California. While the rainfall may have broken the back of the
region's lengthy drought, it caused the snowpack in the Sierras to melt,
initiating avalanches and mudslides, washing out roadways, and causing
heavy flooding.
<P class=default>Because forecasters were able to detect and predict the
magnitude of the storm well in advance, the Reno area had time to prepare,
and sandbagging and other operations were in full force last Friday.
County EOCs such as the Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC), which
serves as a joint facility for Washoe County and the cities of Reno and
Sparks, began activating early on Friday morning.
<P class=default>ARES volunteers took up positions at the REOC as well as
in Storey, Lyon, and Douglas counties. Under the direction of Section
Emergency Coordinator Glenn Hale, KB7REO, ARES volunteers in the rest of
Nevada's counties began monitoring emergency activations on HF, Echolink,
IRLP, and DMR. Shelters were opened in two Reno high schools, and
voluntary evacuations were begun.
<P class=default>Throughout the weekend, ARES communicators remained on
duty. On Sunday, the fire station at Truckee Meadows experienced a power
failure and lost communication. Washoe County Emergency Coordinator Bob
Miller, WA6MTY, dispatched an ARES volunteer to the station to provide
communication.
<P class=default>A statewide ARES resource net supported the response,
with 60 meters and Winlink added to the toolbox. The statewide net
included the California counties of Alpine, Mono, and Inyo, which operate
by prior agreements within the Nevada Section as the Sierra East District
because the Sierra Nevada mountain range makes it impossible for them to
communicate with their own California sections. Read <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/news/nevada-ares-standing-down-as-flood-threat-abates"
target=_blank>more</A>. <I>-- Thanks to John Bigley, N7UR</I>/The Nevada
Amateur Radio Newswire
<HR>
<A name=toc05></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>The Doctor Will See You Now!</DIV>
<P class=default>"Long Delayed Echoes" is the topic of the latest (January
12) episode of the "<A href="http://www.arrl.org/doctor"
target=_blank>ARRL The Doctor is In</A>" podcast. Listen...and learn!
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/ARRL%20Doctor%20Podcast%20Logo%20with%20DX%20Engineering(1).jpg"
width=325 align=left height=161>Sponsored by <A
href="http://www.dxengineering.com/" target=_blank>DX Engineering</A>,
"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!
<P class=default>Every 2 weeks, your host, <I>QST</I> Editor-in-Chief
Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and the Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will
discuss a broad range of technical topics. You can also e-mail your
questions to <A href="mailto:doctor@arrl.org"
target=_blank>doctor@arrl.org</A>, and the Doctor may answer them in a
future podcast.
<P class=default>Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on <A
href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/arrl-the-doctor-is-in/id1096749595?mt=2"
target=_blank>Apple iTunes</A>, or by using your iPhone or iPad podcast
app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can also listen online
at <A href="https://www.blubrry.com/arrl_the_doctor_is_in/"
target=_blank>Blubrry</A>, or at <A href="https://www.stitcher.com/"
target=_blank>Stitcher</A> (free registration required, or browse the site
as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or Android
devices.
<P class=default>If you've never listened to a podcast before, download
our <A href="http://www.arrl.org/doctor" target=_blank>beginner's
guide</A>.<A name=toc06></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>New Digital Modes Gain Traction for Moonbounce, but
Occasionally Show Up on HF</DIV>
<P class=default>In December, Joe Taylor, K1JT, released the latest
version (1.7) of his <A
href="https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html"
target=_blank><I>WSJT-X</I></A> software suite, designed to facilitate
basic Amateur Radio communication using very weak signals ("WSJT" stands
for "Weak Signal communication by K1JT"). Version 1.7 included the new
modes MSK144 and QRA64, as well as ISCAT (ionospheric scatter). MSK144 and
QRA64 (and QRA64A) are finding a home within the VHF Earth-Moon-Earth
(EME, or moonbounce) and meteor-scatter communities, but QRA64A signals
also have turned up on 160 meters, which poses its own challenges to weak
signals.
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/WSJT%20Screen%202016.png" width=220
align=right height=221>"QRA64A QSOs are being made nightly on 160 meters,
of all places, and QRA64 activity on 2-meter EME is becoming significant,
especially on weekends," Taylor remarked in a January 9 update posted to
the Moon-Net reflector, pointing out that QRA64 is decoding signals down
to about -28 dB signal-to-noise.
<P class=default>But Taylor does not advise a wholesale shift to the use
of QRA64 on the HF bands -- at least just yet. "It's okay to play with and
test QRA64 at HF, if you wish," he commented recently on the <A
href="https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/" target=_blank>WSJT
Development</A> discussion group. "Some of our earliest tests of the mode
were done on the 20-meter and 30-meter bands." He suggested, though, that
HF operators stick with JT65, "not least because, at present, we have
included no 'multi-decode' capability for the QRA64 decoder. It's made to
decode just one signal in the passband."
<P class=default>In the WSJT-X Version 1.7 <A
href="https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-1.7.0.html"
target=_blank>User Guide</A>, Taylor pointed out QRA64's several
advantages over JT65, including better performance on the very weakest
signals. "We imagine that, over time, it may replace JT65 for EME use," he
wrote. "JT9 was originally designed for the LF, MF, and lower HF bands.
Its submode JT9A is 2 dB more sensitive than JT65, while using less than
10% of the bandwidth."
<P class=default>Taylor told ARRL that he expects JT65 and JT9 to remain
the preferred modes for making "minimal QSOs" at HF for some years to
come. "QRA64 is 1-3 dB more sensitive than JT65 or JT9; this is important
for EME, but much less so at HF, because one can usually run 20 W instead
of 10 W, when the going gets rough."
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<TR>
<TD><IMG alt=""
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/EME%20W2HRO-1%20in%20Stamford%20CT%2016l%20LFA.jpg"
width=292 height=164>
<P class=caption><B>The 16-element array that Paul Andrews, W2HRO,
used during a portable EME expedition to Connecticut targets the
Moon.</B></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=default>These modes use 1-minute timed sequences of alternating
transmission and reception, so a basic contact can take up to 6 minutes --
two or three transmissions by each station, one transmitting on odd UTC
minutes and the other on even. A typical contact uses canned message text
to exchange grid squares and signal reports.
<P class=default>Paul Andrews, W2HRO, said in a January 10 post to the
Moon-Net reflector that he develops "free-form" QRA64 messages to make his
contacts more like ragchews. "Tonight I was able to ragchew via 2-meter
EME," he said. "My QRA64 free-form messages actually confused monitoring
stations, because they have never seen ragchew free form." Andrews said he
likes the idea of taking advantage of good conditions to carry out a
conversation via EME, rather than just validating the exchange of signals.
Read <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/news/new-digital-modes-gain-traction-for-moonbounce-but-occasionally-show-up-on-hf"
target=_blank>more</A>.<A name=toc07></A>
<DIV class=addiv><A
href="http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2017-01-12&p=1"
target=_blank><IMG border=0 alt=Ad
src="http://www.arrl.org/nladredir.php?n=al&t=i&i=2017-01-12&p=1"></A></DIV>
<DIV class=itemTitle>Radio Club of America Announces New "Wireless Women"
Section on Website</DIV>
<P class=default>In an effort to encourage more participation of women and
girls in the wireless industry, the Radio Club of America (<A
href="http://www.radioclubofamerica.org" target=_blank>RCA</A>) has
created a new "Wireless Women" section on its website, designed to assist
women considering careers in wireless and encouraging them to get involved
in technology. Information includes resources such as "Notable Women in
Wireless," "RCA's Vivian Carr Award," and "Professional Wireless
Organizations for Women," as well as web resources for women and girls
interested in wireless. There's also a list of universities that have an
engineering focus and significant enrollment by women.
<P class=default><IMG alt=""
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/RCA%20logo-2016.JPG" width=171
align=right height=173>"RCA has a long history of recognizing the
achievements of women in wireless," RCA President Tim Duffy, K3LR, said.
"Three former RCA presidents are women, and we have many female officers,
directors, and committee members. We created the Vivian Carr award in 2014
to recognize women who have contributed significantly to the wireless
industry, and Director Carole Perry [WB2MGP] has led RCA's effort to
educate youth about wireless for decades."
<P class=default>Duffy credited the efforts of several female RCA members,
including Secretary Margaret Lyons P.E., Executive Committee member and
Marketing & Development Committee Chair Elaine Walsh, former RCA
president Mercy Contreras, and others, for assembling the information that
might be useful to women and girls who are interested in wireless. "We
welcome additional ideas or input from the wireless community to help this
section of our website become more useful," Duffy said.<A name=toc08></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>The Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Awards,
Supporting Grants</DIV>
<P class=default><A href="http://www.yasme.org" target=_blank>The Yasme
Foundation</A> has announced excellence awards to two individuals and
supporting grants to six organizations.
<P class=default>The Yasme <IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/YASME%20logo%202017.JPG" width=167
align=right height=300>Excellence Award honors individuals who have made
significant contributions to Amateur Radio in terms of technical,
operating, or organizational achievement. Recipients are:
<UL>
<LI>
<P class=default>Pekka Ketonen, OH1TV, in recognition of his many
innovations, such as the Opposite Voltage Feed concept for Amateur Radio
antennas, and for documenting his work in English to make it more widely
available.</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>Hani Raad, OD5TE, in recognition of his work in
advancing Amateur Radio in Lebanon and the Arab World, and his efforts
to reintroduce Amateur Radio examinations in Lebanon.</P></LI></UL>
<P class=default>The Yasme Excellence Award is in the form of a cash grant
and an engraved crystal globe.
<P class=default>The Yasme Foundation supporting grants recognize
furtherance of the Foundation's goal of supporting the development of
Amateur Radio. These organizations received grants:
<UL>
<LI>
<P class=default>Radio Club d'Haiti, to acquire radios for use in
emergency communication (further grant).</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>The Mongolian Radio Sport Federation, to acquire laptop
computers for use in the Federation's High Speed Telegraphy
competition.</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, to
acquire Amateur Radio equipment for the station at its new headquarters
in San Francisco, California.</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>The Amateur Radio Society of Dominica, to acquire
Amateur Radio training materials; the grant includes a transceiver,
power supply, antenna tuner, and headset.</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>World Radiosport Team Championship 2018, to sponsor the
event's "Ham Widows' Ball."</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand, to support its
HS0AC club station.</P></LI></UL>
<P class=default>For additional information about The Yasme Foundation, <A
href="http://www.yasme.org" target=_blank>visit</A> its newly updated
website. <I>-- Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX</I><A name=toc09></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>Warm Up with the January VHF Contest, January
21-23</DIV>
<P class=default>If you're feeling a chill in the air, it must be time for
the January VHF Contest! Those in the northern tier of the US (or in a
good part of the US this winter) are experiencing brisk winds,
temperatures dipping southward, piles of snow or ice, or heavy rain. This
means the <A href="http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf" target=_blank>ARRL
January VHF Contest</A> is near. What a great way to warm up for the 2017
VHF+ contest season, even if it's already warm where you live. This annual
event begins at 1900 UTC on Saturday, January 21, and it wraps up at 0359
UTC on Monday, January 23.
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src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/VHF%20Contest%20KM4KMU%20FM%20Only.jpg"
width=250 height=167>
<P class=caption><B>VHF contester John Young, KM4KMU, took his
FM-only operation on the road in 2015.</B></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=default>The objective is for amateurs in the US and Canada (and
territories) to work as many stations in as many different Maidenhead grid
squares as possible, using frequencies above 50 MHz -- often while trying
to stay warm. Contest contacts may be made using SSB, CW, digital modes,
and even FM simplex.
<P class=default>The January VHF Contest offers Single Operator and
Multioperator categories. What's really cool about this contest are the
three Single Operator categories, inviting to newcomers and seasoned
VHFers alike: FM-only, 3-Band (50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 440 MHz), and
Portable. The rules spell out the details for these as well as for other
Single Operator, Rover, and Multioperator entry categories.
<P class=default>"We've seen some very strong numbers of participants and
healthy scores recently in the FM-only category," said ARRL Contest Branch
Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ. "The number of Portable and Rover stations --
and their accomplishments -- has been amazing, even in the January event."
<P class=default>Getting on the VHF/UHF bands is not hard. Technician
licensees have access to <I>all</I> amateur bands above 50 MHz. Antennas
for VHF/UHF frequencies are available new or used, and you can even roll
your own. Kent Britain, WA5VJB, offers useful <A
href="http://www.wa5vjb.com/yagi-pdf/cheapyagi.pdf"
target=_blank>information</A> on his website on how to make your own
"cheap Yagis." Another approach is the Quagi antenna. Wayne Overbeck,
N6NB, provides an <A href="http://n6nb.com/quagi.htm"
target=_blank>overview</A> on his website. For UHF+, loop Yagis are
relatively simple to build, and designs are readily available. Even some
HF antennas will work on 6 meters.
<P class=default>All contest entries must be <A
href="http://contest-log-submission.arrl.org/" target=_blank>uploaded via
the web app</A> or <A href="mailto:%20januaryvhf@arrl.org"
target=_blank>e-mailed</A> to the contest robot by 0359 UTC on February
22. Mail paper logs to ARRL January VHF Contest, 225 Main St., Newington,
CT 06111. <A href="mailto:W9JJ@arrl.org" target=_blank>Contact</A> the
ARRL Contest Branch for more information.<A name=toc10></A>
<DIV class=addiv><A
href="http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2017-01-12&p=2"
target=_blank><IMG border=0 alt=Ad
src="http://www.arrl.org/nladredir.php?n=al&t=i&i=2017-01-12&p=2"></A></DIV>
<DIV class=itemTitle>Winter Field Day is Just Ahead</DIV>
<P class=default>Field Day is not just for summertime anymore. Winter
Field Day, sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association (<A
href="http://www.winterfieldday.com/" target=_blank>WFDA</A>), will take
place over the January 28-29 weekend, and it can be a terrific time to
prep for ARRL Field Day in June. The annual event's stated purpose is to
encourage emergency operating preparedness in the winter, but it's also an
excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors. According to
the WFDA, getting ready for emergency communication in a winter
environment is just as important as the preparations and practice that
take place each June during ARRL Field Day, and -- let's face it -- it's
not cold and snowy everywhere during the winter months. Your local climate
could be quite the opposite.
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/Winter%20Field%20Day%20I%20survived%20decal.JPG"
width=250 align=right height=150>"Don't let those winter doldrums keep you
locked up in the house," the WFDA says. "Get out and play some radio!" The
WFDA said it believes that maintaining operating skills should not be
limited to fair-weather scenarios.
<P class=default>The event, which got its start in 2007, is not restricted
to North America. All Amateur Radio operators around the world are invited
to participate, and there are three entry categories -- indoor, outdoor,
and home. The <A href="https://www.winterfieldday.com/rules/"
target=_blank>rules</A> are similar to those for ARRL Field Day. Operation
will take place on all HF bands except 12, 17, 30, and 60 meters, as well
as on VHF, UHF, and satellite. The event runs 24 hours. US and Canadian
stations exchange call sign, operating category, and ARRL or RAC section.
<P class=default>The WFDA encourages both group and solo operation, and if
you're not up for an outdoor winter adventure involving Amateur Radio, you
can operate from the comfort of your shack. As the WFDA says on its <A
href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/winterfieldday/"
target=_blank>Facebook page</A>, "The object is winter fun!"
<HR>
<A name=toc11></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>In Brief...</DIV>
<P class=default><B><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/ARRL%20Foundation%20logo.JPG"
width=150 align=left height=60>ARRL Foundation 2017-2018 Scholarship
Application Deadline Looms:</B> The deadline is Tuesday, January 31 (at
11:59 PM ET), to receive completed <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation" target=_blank>ARRL
Foundation</A> scholarship <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-application"
target=_blank>applications</A> from eligible radio amateurs pursuing
post-secondary education in the 2017-2018 academic year. Individuals and
clubs support many of the more than 80 <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions"
target=_blank>scholarships</A> that the ARRL Foundation manages, with
awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. Applicants for all scholarships must
be active radio amateurs and must complete and submit the online <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-application"
target=_blank>application</A>. Students applying for 2017-18 academic year
awards should review the <A href="http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program"
target=_blank>eligibility requirements</A> and <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions"
target=_blank>scholarship descriptions</A>. One application per applicant
is required, but applicants may ask to be considered for as many of the
scholarships for which they are eligible (some scholarships have <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/summary-of-scholarship-requirements"
target=_blank>geographic criteria or other requirements</A>).
<I>Applications without accompanying transcripts will not be considered.
</I>For more information, <A href="mailto:foundation@arrl.org"
target=_blank>contact</A> the ARRL Foundation (860-594-0348).
<P class=default><B><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/US%20Flags%20(Inauguration).JPG"
width=108 align=right height=134>Inauguration Special Event Set:</B> Radio
amateurs in the Washington, DC, area, will operate special event station
W3T January 19-21 to mark the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, Mike
Lonneke, W4AAW, of Round Hill, Virginia, has announced. A group of more
than 20 operators will staff the operation, and a commemorative QSL card
will be available. Jim Nitzberg, WX3B -- who participated in the 2009
inaugural commemorative station -- recalled the special event was swamped
by callers. Lonneke and Nitzberg are making their own stations available
for the operation, and teams of seasoned contesters will be taking the
helm for the W3T event. Richard Maylott, W2YE, will oversee the
distribution of the anticipated thousands of commemorative QSL card
requests. QSL direct with a self-addressed, stamped envelope ($2 for
non-US requests) to 20732 Furr Rd., Round Hill, VA 20141-1803 or via the
W3 QSL Bureau. <I>-- Thanks to Mike Lonneke, W4AAW</I><A name=toc12></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>The K7RA Solar Update</DIV>
<P class=default>Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: No sunspots are
currently visible, and none have been seen since January 3, when just one
sunspot appeared. There were none on January 1-2. The <A
href="ftp://ftp.swpc.noaa.gov/pub/indices/DSD.txt" target=_blank>Daily
Solar Data</A> from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center is full of
zeroes.
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/Solar%20Disk-2017-01-12.jpg"
width=200 align=left height=200>Average daily solar flux this week was
72.5, down from 73.1 a week earlier. The average planetary A index rose 5
points to 14.3, while the average mid-latitude A index increased from 6.3
to 10.6.
<P class=default>Predicted solar flux is 74, 73, and 75 on January 12-14;
78 on January 15-19; 76 on January 20-25; 74 on January 26-28; 73 on
January 29-February 1; 72 on February 2-7; 74 on February 8, and 76 on
February 9-21.
<P class=default>The predicted planetary A index is 10 on January 12; 8 on
January 13-14; 5, 8, and 16 on January 15-17; 12 on January 18-19; 18 on
January 20; 20 on January 21-22; 10 on January 23; 5 on January 24-26; 12,
15, 7, 10, and 12 on January 27-31; 16, 18, 20, 16, 12, and 5 on February
1-6; 12, 15, 10, and 8 on February 7-10; 5 on February 11-12; 25, 20, 25,
and 18 on February 13-16, and 20 on February 17-18.
<P class=default>
<P class=default>Sunspot numbers for January 5-11 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
and 0, with a mean of 0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.3, 72, 72, 71.5,
71.2, 72.7, and 74.5, with a mean of 72.5. The estimated planetary A
indices were 18, 16, 20, 16, 12, 10, and 8, with a mean of 14.3. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 15, 14, 14, 11, 8, 5, and 7, with a mean of
10.6.
<P><A href="mailto:k7ra@arrl.net" target=_blank>Send</A> me your reports
or observations.
<HR>
<P class=default><IMG hspace=3 alt="" vspace=3
src="http://www3.arrl.org/nl/al/image/DEBCO-REVISED-468-X-200-ARRL-Letter-Ad-V2.gif"
width=450 align=left height=193><SPAN
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<P class=default>
<HR>
<A name=toc13></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>Getting It Right!</DIV>
<P class=default>The story "Boy Scouts' Radio Merit Badge Requirements to
Include Amateur Radio Direction Finding Option," in the January 5 edition
of <I>The ARRL Letter</I>, included some errors. While requirements for
the Radio merit badge have been updated, ARDF is an <I>option</I>, not a
requirement. Cellular telephones and different types of radio modulation
are required topics, however. The new requirements became effective
January 1, 2017. ARDF activities already take place at Jamboree on the Air
(JOTA) events and at summer camps.
<HR>
<A name=toc14></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>Just Ahead in Radiosport</DIV>
<UL>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 14 -- Old New Year Contest (CW, phone)</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 14-15 -- UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 14-15 -- <A
href="http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf" target=_blank>North American
QSO Party (CW)</A></P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 15 -- NRAU-Baltic Contests (SSB and CW)</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 19 -- NAQCC CW Sprint</P></LI></UL>
<P class=default>See the <A href="http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar"
target=_blank>ARRL Contest Calendar</A> for more information. For in-depth
reporting on Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/contest-update-issues" target=_blank><I>The ARRL
Contest Update</I></A> via your ARRL member profile e-mail preferences.
<HR>
<A name=toc15></A>
<DIV class=itemTitle>Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division
Conventions</DIV>
<UL>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 14 -- <A href="http://www.techfest.info/"
target=_blank>TechFest 2017 Convention</A>, Lawrenceville, Georgia</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 20-21 -- <A href="http://cowtownhamfest.com/"
target=_blank>North Texas Section Convention</A>, Forest Hill, Texas</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 21 -- <A href="http://gaares.org/"
target=_blank>Georgia ARES Convention</A>, Forsyth, Georgia</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 22-28 -- <A href="http://quartzfest.org/"
target=_blank>QuartzFest Convention</A>, Quartzsite, Arizona</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 27-28 -- <A href="http://msham.org/"
target=_blank>Mississippi State Convention</A>, Jackson, Mississippi</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>January 27-29 -- <A href="http://www.arrlpr.org/"
target=_blank>Puerto Rico State Convention</A>, Hatillo, Puerto Rico</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 3-4 -- <A href="http://hamboree.org/"
target=_blank>Southern Florida Section Convention</A>, Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 4 -- <A href="http://wa4usn.org/"
target=_blank>South Carolina State Convention</A>, North Charleston,
South Carolina</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 4 -- <A href="http://www.frostfest.com/"
target=_blank>Virginia State Convention</A>, Richmond, Virginia</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 10-12 -- <A href="http://www.hamcation.com/"
target=_blank>Southeastern Division Convention</A> (HamCation), Orlando,
Florida</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 17-18 -- <A href="http://www.yumahamfest.org/"
target=_blank>Arizona Section Convention</A>, Yuma, Arizona</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 18 -- <A
href="http://w5wra.org/winterfest_2017.htm" target=_blank>Arkansas
Section Convention</A>, Hoxie, Arkansas</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 25 -- <A href="http://www.arrlwcf.org/"
target=_blank>West Central Florida Section Technical Conference</A>,
Sarasota, Florida</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 25 -- 2017 <A
href="http://www.rmham.org/wordpress/new-mexico-techfest"
target=_blank>New Mexico Tech Fest</A>, Albuquerque, New Mexico</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>February 25 -- <A href="http://www.ranv.org/"
target=_blank>Vermont State Convention</A>, South Burlington,
Vermont</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 3-4 -- Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham,
Alabama</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 4 -- <A href="http://www.arvarf.com"
target=_blank>Arkansas State Convention</A>, Russellville, Arkansas</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 10-11 -- <A
href="http://www.w5ddl.org/hamfest/index.ht" target=_blank>Louisiana
State Convention</A>, Rayne, Louisiana</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 11 -- <A href="http://www.k0kkv.org"
target=_blank>Nebraska State Convention</A>, Lincoln, Nebraska</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 18 -- <A href="http://www.w5qgg.org"
target=_blank>West Texas Section Convention</A>, Midland, Texas</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 18 -- <A href="http://www.microhams.com/mhdc"
target=_blank>MicroHAMS Digital Conference 2017</A>, Redmond,
Washington</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 24-25 -- <A href="http://houstonhamfest.org/"
target=_blank>Texas State Convention</A>, Rosenberg, Texas</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 31-Apr 1 -- <A
href="http://w1npp.org/pages/meconvention2017.html" target=_blank>Maine
State Convention</A>, Lewiston, Maine</P>
<LI>
<P class=default>March 31-Apr 2 -- <A href="http://www.nvcon.org"
target=_blank>Nevada State Convention</A>, Las Vegas, Nevada</P></LI></UL>
<P class=default>Find conventions and hamfests <A
href="http://www.arrl.org/hamfests" target=_blank>in your area</A>.
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to...
<UL>
<LI><A href="http://www.ncjweb.com/" target=_blank><I>NCJ </I><I>--
National Contest Journal</I></A>. Published bimonthly, features articles
by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and
QSO Parties.</LI></UL>
<UL>
<LI><A href="http://www.arrl.org/qex" target=_blank><I>QEX</I></A><A
href="http://www.arrl.org/qex" target=_blank><B><I> </I></B>--<I> A
Forum for Communications Experimenters</I></A>. Published bi-monthly,
features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other
items of interest to radio amateurs and communications
professionals.</LI></UL>
<P class=default>Free of charge to ARRL members...
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