The ARRL Letter
April 9, 2020
* World Amateur Radio Day on April 18 Celebrates 95th Anniversary of
the IARU
* COVID-19 Guidelines Could Affect Some IARU HF World Championship
Participation
* Hamvention QSO Party Set for Saturday, May 16
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* New TQSL Version 2.5.2 Provides Better LoTW Rover Support, Other
Improvements
* Circuit Board for Bare-Bones Ventilator Moves Toward Production
with Radio Amateurs' Help
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Several Countries Authorize COVID-19 visory Suffixes
* In Brief...
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
World Amateur Radio Day on April 18 Celebrates 95th Anniversary of the
IARU
Saturday, April 18, is World Amateur Radio Day (WARD), this year
marking the 95th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union
(IARU). Around the world, amateur radio special event stations -- most
sponsored by IARU member-societies -- will mark the event on the air,
starting on April 18 at 0000 UTC and continuing until April 19 at 0000,
honing skills and capabilities while enjoying global friendship with
other amateurs worldwide. The theme for WARD is "Celebrating Amateur
Radio's Contribution to Society." IARU President Tim Ellam,
VE6SH/G4HUA, notes that the COVID-19 pandemic casts the event in a
different light than in years past.
"A few short weeks ago, many of us could not imagine the levels of
isolation that we are now dealing with and the sacrifices of many on
the front lines of the pandemic," Ellam said. "As we have done in past
challenges to our society, amateur radio will play a key part in
keeping people connected and assisting those who need support."
Ellam said he's coming off his own 14-day isolation after returning
from overseas. "I am touched by the kindness of strangers who assisted
me when I was unable to leave my house," he said. "It strikes me
amateur radio operators, who give so much during these times of crisis
are not limited to assisting over the air. Amateurs are true
volunteers, and I would encourage everyone to assist in the community
as they are able to."
On April 18, 1925, the IARU was formed in Paris, with ARRL cofounder
Hiram Percy Maxim, 1AW, in attendance. Radio amateurs were the first to
discover that shortwave spectrum could support worldwide propagation,
and in the rush to use these shorter wavelengths, amateur radio found
itself "in grave danger of being pushed aside," as IARU history puts
it. Two years later, at the International Radiotelegraph Conference,
amateur radio gained allocations still recognized todayâ**--â**160, 80,
40, 20, and 10 meters. From an initial 25 countries, the IARU has grown
to include 160 member-societies in three regions.
How to Participate
* Get on the air! WARD events are listed on the WARD web page. To
list a World Amateur Radio Day event, contact IARU Secretary David
Sumner, K1ZZ.
* Promote your personal World Amateur Radio Day activity on social
media by using the hashtag #WorldAmateurRadioDay on Twitter and
Facebook.
* Create and hold a special net on World Amateur Radio Day to draw
attention to the event and allow hams to start talking about our
hobby.
* Spread the word. If you're responsible for club publicity, send a
press release and do public relations outreach to highlight the
event. Use the poster and flyer that IARU provides in publicizing
the event, amateur radio, and your group or club.
World Amateur Radio Day is not a contest but an opportunity to talk
about the value of amateur radio to the public and our fellow amateurs.
It is also a great opportunity to talk about your club and amateur
radio in local media.
In this time of social isolation, amateur radio continues to remain
relevant in bringing people together through radio while providing
essential communication in the service of communities.
"My wish for this World Amateur Radio Day is for everyone to stay safe,
follow the advice of medical professionals, and use amateur radio and
your skills to help us through this crisis," Ellam said.
COVID-19 Guidelines Could Affect Some IARU HF World Championship
Participation
The IARU HF World Championship is just over 2 months away -- July 11 -
12. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) says that it's
essential to take the global COVID-19 pandemic into account when
planning participation, including by IARU member-society Headquarters
(HQ) station teams. Multioperator and IARU member-society HQ station
operations must adhere strictly to the regulations and
physical-distancing guidelines issued by the responsible health
authorities and the World Health Organization in effect at the time of
the event -- even if observing those guidelines is not legally required
at their locations. This requirement also applies to single-operator
stations, and especially to those hosting guest operators.
"This may reduce participation, but it is vital that the IARU, its
member-societies, and individual radio amateurs behave as responsible
members of the global community," the IARU said. "Radio amateurs should
always look for opportunities to address communications challenges
through the application of technology."
The IARU points out that a growing number of stations, including
multioperator stations, can be operated remotely, and it encourages
their participation in the HF World Championship wherever national
regulations permit.
The objective of the IARU HF World Championship is "to support amateur
self-training in radiocommunications including improving amateur
operating skills, conducting technical investigations, and
intercommunicating with other amateurs around the world, especially
IARU member-society headquarters stations." The event takes place on
160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.
The special rules governing IARU member-society HQ stations allow
multiple sites to be used, again subject to national regulations. HQ
stations will still be able to participate, but possibly not at their
usual level.
Plans are being developed for IARU Headquarters station NU1AW to be
operated entirely remotely. W1AW will also be on the air as an HQ
station, although arrangements are still being finalized.
Hamvention QSO Party Set for Saturday, May 16
The Hamvention QSO Party, a sort of virtual Dayton Hamvention^A(R),
will take place on the HF bands on May 16, which would be the Saturday
of the now-canceled event.
"Let's celebrate the many years we have all had at the Great Gathering
we call Hamvention," said an announcement over the signatures of Tim
Duffy, K3LR, and Michael Kalter, W8CI. "We also want to remember Ron
Moorefield, W8ILC, who never missed a Hamvention and contributed to our
club until his recent death. Let's light up the airwaves with our
remembrances of Hamventions of the past! See you on the air!"
The Hamvention QSO Party will be a 12-hour event, from 1200 UTC until
2400 UTC on May 16. Operate CW or SSB on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10
meters, exchanging signal reports and the first year you attended
Hamvention. If you have never attended Hamvention, send "2020."
Designated members of Hamvention's host, the Dayton Amateur Radio
Association (DARA), will activate DARA's W8BI. Participants can add 10
points for each band/mode contact with W8BI (12 available).
Post scores (number of contacts) to 3830scores.com within 5 days of the
event. An online certificate will be available to print. No logs will
be collected.
N1MM Logger+ has provided a user-defined contest module for the event.
More information is on the N1MM Logger+ website.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 4) focuses how to
create a family emergency communications plan and includes an interview
with Dino Papas, KL0S, about attaching coaxial connectors with crimping
tools.
The latest episode of the Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 5) includes an
interview with ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, about wireless
power transfer technology, as well as a discussion of digital meteor
scatter and an interview with Michael Lavelle, K6ML, about the new
distance record at 122 GHz.
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.
New TQSL Version 2.5.2 Provides Better LoTW Rover Support, Other
Improvements
The latest version of TrustedQSL (TQSL), version 2.5.2, offers improved
Logbook of The World (LoTW) support for operations from several
locations, as well as the ability to detect uploads that contain
incorrect location data. The primary new feature in TQSL 2.5.2 allows
logging programs, in conjunction with TQSL, to avoid incorrect contact
uploads, while adding mechanisms to allow easy uploading of logs for
roving stations. LoTW had required rovers to identify each location
used as a separate location in TQSL. The new version of TQSL allows
these operations to be handled much more smoothly by using information
from the station's logging program.
When a log is signed by TQSL, the station details -- call sign, DXCC
entity, grid square, and other location details provided by the
selected station location (and call sign certificate) -- are compared
with the details in the log. If the US state and station location in a
log do not agree, TQSL 2.5.2 will reject the contact, detecting errors
in instances when an incorrect station location has been chosen. This
feature will necessitate changes in many logging programs, because it
requires that the log provide station details previously not used by
TQSL. Once a logging program supplies these (MY_STATE, MY_DXCC,
MY_CQ_ZONE, etc.), then TQSL will validate them against the log.
Currently, Cabrillo logs use the CALLSIGN field to verify that the
contacts are for the correct call sign.
Optionally, a station performing roaming operations (e.g., from
multiple grid squares) can choose to have TQSL assume that the log is
correct. When call sign or home station are provided with the log, TQSL
will automatically update the details on the upload. Select "Override
Station Location with QTH Details from your Log" on the "Log Handling"
preference page to enable this feature.
This release also includes an update to the most recent TQSL
configuration file. -- Thanks to Rick Murphy, K1MU
Circuit Board for Bare-Bones Ventilator Moves Toward Production with
Radio Amateurs' Help
Radio amateurs continue to play key roles in developing the electronic
control system for an open-source/architecture, modular, low-cost human
patient ventilator. The device itself was designed by researcher Sem
Lampotang and his team at University of Florida Health -- the school's
academic health center -- using such commonly available components as
PVC pipe and lawn-sprinkler valves. The idea is to create a bare-bones
ventilator that could serve in the event of a ventilator shortage.
"The way I looked at it is, if you're going to run out of ventilators,
then we're not even trying to reproduce the sophisticated ventilators
out there," Lampotang said. "If we run out, you have to decide who gets
one and who doesn't. How do you decide that? The power of our approach
is that every well-intentioned volunteer who has access to Home Depot,
Ace, Lowe's, or their equivalent worldwide can build one."
His team is working on adding safety features to meet regulatory
guidelines, then they will run engineering tests to determine safety,
accuracy, and endurance of the machine, which can be built for as
little as $125 to $250.
Dr. Gordon Gibby, KX4Z -- a retired associate professor of
anesthesiology at the University of Florida and an electrical engineer
-- is among those involved in the project, developing control-system
prototypes. He reports that a trial printed circuit board is being
created, populated, and tested prior to large-scale fabrication. "This
should lead to a documented open-source design that can be replicated
or
Dr. Gordon Gibby, KX4Z.
[University of Florida
photo]
improved upon by any interested manufacturer," Gibby said, noting that
the board could be built anywhere in the world, based on the Arduino
Nano microcontroller.
"A huge amount of work has gone on in the design of the circuit
boards," Gibby told ARRL. "We have at least two, maybe three designs,
ready for fabrication." Current design specifications and a video of
prototypes have been posted online. The Arduino-based control software
will set the respiratory rate and other key parameters in treating
critically ill coronavirus victims. Other radio amateurs involved in
the control system aspect of the project include Jack Purdum, W8TEE,
and uBITX transceiver maker Ashhar Farhan, VU2ESE.
Using a Groups.io forum, up to 140 volunteers have been studying or
working to push the project to completion. Software is being created by
multiple volunteers, with amateur radio operators involved in that
phase as well.
The ventilator's valves will precisely time the flow of compressed
oxygen into a patient with lungs weakened by viral pneumonia in order
to extend life and allow time for the body to clear the infection. Read
more.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: After 5 days of new Solar Cycle 25
sunspot activity, sunspots vanished. The average daily sunspot number
rose from 3.6 last week to 5.1 this time. The average daily sunspot
number over the days sunspots were visible -- March 31 - April 4 -- was
12.2, but these observations straddle two reporting weeks.
Average daily solar flux rose from 69.4 to 70.2. Geomagnetic indicators
remain quiet, with the average planetary A index declining from 7.7 to
6.6, and the average mid-latitude A index slipping from 5.9 to 5.3.
Predicted solar flux for the next 45 days is 70 on April 9 - 13; 68 on
April 14 - 23; 70 on April 24 - May 7; 68 on May 8 - 20, and 70 on May
21 - 23.
Predicted planetary A index is 5, 8, and 8 on April 9 - 11; 5 on April
12 - 14; 10 on April 15; 8 on April 16 - 19; 5 on April 20 - 25; 10 on
April 26 - 27; 5 on April 28 - May 6; 8 on May 7-8; 5 on May 9 - 11; 10
on May 12; 8 on May 13 - 16; 5 on May 17 - 22, and 10 on May 23.
Sunspot numbers for April 2 - 8 were 12, 13, 11, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a
mean of 5.1. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 69.8, 69.9, 70.1, 71.2, 69.9,
69.9, and 70.4, with a mean of 70.2. Estimated planetary A indices were
7, 9, 5, 5, 3, 4, and 13, with a mean of 6.6. Middle latitude A index
was 7, 7, 4, 4, 2, 3, and 10, with a mean of 5.3.
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 11 -- QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party (CW)
* April 11 - 12 -- JIDX CW Contest
* April 11 - 12 -- OK/OM DX Contest, SSB
* April 11 - 12 -- F9AA Cup, PSK
* April 11 - 12 -- FTn DX Contest (Digital)
* April 11 - 12 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* April 11 - 12 -- New Mexico QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* April 11 - 12 -- North Dakota QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 11 - 12 -- Georgia QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 11 - 12 -- Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest (CW)
* April 12 -- WAB 3.5/7/14 MHz Data Modes
* April 12 -- International Vintage Contest HF (CW)
* April 12 -- Hungarian Straight Key Contest (CW)
* April 13 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* April 14 -- 222 MHz Spring Sprint (CW, phone)
* April 15 -- NAQCC CW Sprint
* April 15 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, SSB
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.
Several Countries Authorize COVID-19 visory Suffixes
A growing number of countries have authorized selected radio amateurs
or organizations to identify with suffixes that propagate the advice to
stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. A60STAYHOME/# call signs are
on the air from the United Arab Emirates, while the Kuwait Amateur
Radio Society's 9K9STAYHOME; TC1STAYHOME, in Turkey, and the Saudi
Amateur Radio Society's HZ1STAYHOME are among these stations spreading
the word from that part of the world.
In Canada, Michael Shamash, VE2MXU, is using VC2STAYHOM "to raise
awareness for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic." Canada
limits call sign suffixes to seven characters. On the air from
Indonesia is 8A1HOME; Indonesia limits suffixes to four characters.
Australia has permitted the Radio Amateur Society of Australia (RASA)
to use the special call sign VI2020STAYHOME, which, at 14 characters,
may set a record for world's longest call sign.
SRAL, Finland's IARU member-society, is sponsoring the Global Amateur
Radio Network special event, with "messenger stations" on the air with
STAYHOME suffixes, such as OH5STAYHOME. The event runs through July 8.
The Global Messenger Award and the Stay Home Award are available, with
credit for working "STAY HOME" stations in other countries and at least
five of the Finnish stations.
Also in Finland, the Amateur Radio Club of Lahti, OH3AC, has been
authorized to use OH0PYSYKOTONA and nine others in that series with a
different number in the prefix. "Pysy kotona" is Finnish for "stay
home." Contacts will be confirmed via LoTW with paper cards via OH3AC.
An award is available for working all 10 in the series.
CR2STAYHOME will be on the air from Sao Miguel, one of the nine islands
in the Azores, while operators in Bosnia and Herzegovina will transmit
the alert as E7STAYHOME (QSL via E77E and E73Y or LoTW). R3STAYHOME is
another special call sign (QSL via the bureau to R3KEE). Also, listen
for 5B4STAYHOME from Cyprus, operated by Norman Banks, 5B4AIE (no
QSLs).
Finland's SRAL has suggested the new Q signal QSH for "stay happy and
healthy," while N3ADF is encouraging the use of QWH for "wash hands."
FCC Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules do not provide for amateur call
sign suffixes longer than three characters, but a potential workaround
exists. As AS:97.119(c) of the FCC's Amateur Radio Service rules
states: "One or more indicators may be included with the call sign.
Each indicator must be separated from the call sign by the slant mark
(/) or by any suitable word that denotes the slant mark. If an
indicator is self-assigned, it must be included before, after, or both
before and after, the call sign. No self-assigned indicator may
conflict with any other indicator specified by the FCC Rules or with
any prefix assigned to another country."
While ARRL has no plans to sponsor or support a stay home related
event, US radio amateurs may do so as a one-off stay-at-home event.
In Brief...
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Edward J. "Ned"
Stearns, AA7A, of Scottsdale, Arizona, as ARRL Southwestern Division
Vice Director. He succeeds Mark Weiss, K6FG, who resigned. This will
mark the third time Stearns has held the post. He served as
Southwestern Division Vice Director for 2005 - 2006 and again for 2017
- 2019. A retired electrical engineer, Stearns has been licensed since
1963 and is active on all bands from 160 meters through 23 centimeters.
His principal interests are DXing, contesting, VHF, moonbounce, antenna
design, and homebrewing.
The
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