The ARRL Letter
April 23, 2020
* ARRL, AMSAT Seek "Relatively Minor Changes" In FCC Orbital Debris
Mitigation Proposals
* ARRL Suggests Taking a Creative Approach to Field Day 2020
* Ballot Counting Postponed in Four Section Manager Elections
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Nomination Deadline Extended for Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver
Antenna Award
* 2020 Youth on the Air in the Americas Camp is Canceled
* FCC Seeking World Radiocommunication Conference visory Committee
Members
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* NOAA Updates Solar Cycle 25 Prediction
* Japan's Radio Amateurs Gain Expanded Access to 160 and 80 Meters
* In Brief...
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
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COVID-19 Impact & News
Find the latest news and information on the impact of the coronavirus
pandemic to ARRL members and our global amateur radio community.
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ARRL, AMSAT Seek "Relatively Minor Changes" In FCC Orbital Debris
Mitigation Proposals
On April 8, ARRL Washington Counsel Dave Siddall, K3ZJ, and AMSAT-NA
Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, discussed with senior FCC
International Bureau staff by telephone the FCC's draft Report & Order
(R&O) on mitigation of orbital debris (IB Docket No. 18-313). The
amateur representatives told the FCC staff that "two aspects of the
draft regulations are of particular concern... and would seriously
hinder amateur radio's future operations in space, if adopted as
proposed without the relatively minor changes that we propose."
First, ARRL and AMSAT requested a revision to proposed language that
otherwise would allow only private individual licensees to indemnify
the US for the operations of an amateur space satellite. ARRL and AMSAT
requested that satellite owners be added to that provision. The amateur
representatives, noting that amateur radio licensees may only be
individuals under the amateur rules, stated that "[i]n no other service
would an individual be required to personally make a similar
indemnification" and that "it would be difficult to impossible to find
an individual amateur radio licensee willing to bear that risk."
Second, ARRL and AMSAT asked the FCC to delay by 3 years the proposed
effective date of April 23, 2022, for a rule that would require
satellite operators to certify that space stations "be designed with
the maneuvering capabilities sufficient to perform collision avoidance"
for spacecraft designed to operate above 400 kilometers in altitude.
Citing the long lead times to design and construct amateur satellites,
ARRL and AMSAT suggested that a more reasonable date would be April 23,
2025 and noted that, based on recent past years, only an estimated
threeamateur satellites likely would be launched during the extra
period.
"We do not disagree with the purpose of this requirement," they told
the FCC staff, but "the proposed effective date is unreasonable in the
case of amateur radio satellites." The new effective date "would allow
time for amateur spacecraft designers to adapt to this new
requirement," they said.
Citing the value of amateur satellites to the development of the
commercial small satellite industry, and student participation in such
projects, ARRL and AMSAT said a strong and robust Amateur Satellite
Service will help inspire future developments in satellite technology.
The requested changes to the draft R&O would help ensure that amateur
radio continues to have a future in space and contribute to the public
interest on an educational, non-pecuniary basis.
The FCC was expected to consider the R&O at its April 23 open meeting.
House Leaders Request that FCC Delay Action
Members of the US House Science, Space, and Technology Committee asked
the FCC to delay action on the "Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New
Space Age" rulemaking proceeding. Science Committee members raised
several concerns, including the timing of the action during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
"Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis,
the immense effort undertaken to recover from the pandemic, and the
potential for the FCC's proposal to exacerbate impacts on US industry
and international competitiveness at a critical period in our nation's
history, we hope that you will agree to postpone future action," the
letter reads.
The lawmakers' letter also raises concerns with the rule itself, with
the rulemaking process, and with the potential for regulatory and
legislative inconsistency, noting significant stakeholder concerns.
"The proposal contradicts Executive Branch policy and is inconsistent
with existing and proposed legislative action," the letter states.
"Regulatory action by the FCC at this time, without clear authority
from Congress, will at the very least create confusion and undermine
the Commission's work, and at worst, undermine US economic
competitiveness and leadership in space."
The letter also suggested that FCC action could duplicate efforts now
under way by the Department of Commerce.
ARRL Suggests Taking a Creative Approach to Field Day 2020
This year, ARRL Field Day promises to be a unique iteration of this
annual event, with many individuals and groups coming up with new and
interesting ways to adjust their approach. As an event, Field Day is
structured to be versatile and can be adapted for any situation.
Many groups have asked how they can adjust their Field Day planning to
address social-distancing guidelines that may be in effect in many
areas of the country, as gathering at their traditional Field Day site
may not be feasible or safe. Instead of participating in a group event
this year, consider operating as a Class B, C, D, or E station,
utilizing your own call sign.
ARRL will include club names for all participating stations in the
published results, so the efforts of your club's members can be
acknowledged. While we will not publish an aggregate club score, seeing
the name of your club associated with various individual member's
results is certainly a way to highlight your club's activity.
Myriad opportunities are possible in this year's Field Day setting. A
few options are as follows:
* Consider having an intra-club competition among members, seeing who
can make the most contacts during the event. You can award prizes
or distribute certificates at a club meeting. This can be a fun way
to bolster the activities of individual club members, even though
they cannot all gather together at the same location this year.
* Set up a Field Day Challenge with rival clubs in neighboring
communities. See how many members of each club get on the air from
their own stations and participate in the event. In addition to
"bragging rights," perhaps certificates to the top-scoring
individual entries in each category can be presented as part of
this inter-club camaraderie.
One club is planning to conduct its Field Day as a 4A club group, with
participants spaced to comply with social distancing guidelines within
the required 1,000-foot-diameter circle and operating individual
stations. This club also plans to set up a "Get on the Air" (GOTA)
station. The club's plan is to have the GOTA coach at the Field Day
site, while GOTA operators participate via remote link.
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ARRL invites your stories about the interesting and creative ways
you're planning to use to adapt your Field Day operation. Share these
on the ARRL Field Day Facebook page.
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Another club is planning to set up a remote-controlled station at its
usual Field Day site, with club members taking turns controlling the
station from their homes. The club is developing a schedule that
outlines when each member of the club will be at the helm via the
remote link.
Whatever approach you take to this year's Field Day, keep up to date
with the current guidelines issued by local and state health agencies
that may impact your proposed operation.
For the latest news and updates, visit the Field Day webpage. -- Thanks
to ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE
Ballot Counting Postponed in Four Section Manager Elections
During these unprecedented times of social distancing and staying at
home, the ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee (E&E) has postponed
ballot counting for four contested Section Manager elections.
Since March 23, ARRL Headquarters staff has been working remotely under
the Governor of Connecticut's mandate, which is currently in effect
through May 20 and may be extended into June. The ballots for the
Section Manager races in Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, and Maine were
scheduled to be counted on Tuesday, May 19 as directed by the ARRL
rules and regulations for Section Manager elections. Due to the
circumstances, ARRL Interim CEO Barry Shelley, N1VXY, asked the E&E
Committee for an extension that would allow ballot counting to happen
as soon as practicable before mid-June.
Although this extension was granted, it does not change the Friday, May
15, 2020 deadline for ballots to be received at ARRL HQ. Standard
operating practice dictates that any ballots received after this
deadline will not be counted. The Governor's mandate and social
distancing practices do not affect this section of the election rules.
Terms for election winners are scheduled to begin on July 1, 2020. ARRL
hopes to see the Governor's restrictions relaxed in time to have a team
of tellers inside HQ to count the ballots and publish the elections'
results in enough time that the terms of office will not change. The
E&E Committee will have to decide the course of action, should any
unforeseen circumstances not allow the ballots to be counted by
mid-June.
The safety of our staff and members remains the highest priority as we
work through these difficult times. Thank you for your understanding.
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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 6) includes an
interview with ARRL Assistant Laboratory Manager Bob Allison, WB1GCM,
about key clicks and a discussion with NCJ editor Scott Wright, K0MD,
about artificial intelligence software and amateur radio.
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.
Nomination Deadline Extended for Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver
Antenna Award
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the ARRL Public Relations
Committee has extended the nomination deadline for the Philip J. McGan
Memorial Silver Antenna Award until Monday, June 15, 2020.
The Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award is presented annually
to a radio amateur who has demonstrated success in his or her public
relations efforts on behalf of amateur radio and who best exemplifies
the volunteer spirit of the award's namesake, journalist Philip McGan,
WA2MBQ (SK). McGan was the first chairman of the ARRL Public Relations
Committee, which helped reinvigorate ARRL's commitment to public
relations. To honor McGan, members of the New Hampshire Amateur Radio
Association joined with the ARRL Board of Directors to establish an
award that would pay lasting tribute to the important contributions he
made on behalf of amateur radio.
Public relations activities for which the McGan Award is presented
include efforts specifically directed at depicting amateur radio in a
positive light in the media and for the general public. This may
include traditional methods, such as issuing news releases or arranging
interviews, or by less-traditional methods, such as hosting a radio
show or serving as an active public speaker.
The ARRL Board of Directors will choose the award winner at its July
2020 meeting, based on recommendations from the ARRL Public Relations
Committee. The Committee has responsibility for reviewing the
nominations and supporting material.
Eligible nominees must be full ARRL members in good standing at the
time of nomination. The award is given only to an individual, and
nominees may not be current ARRL officers, directors, vice directors,
paid staffers, or members of the ARRL Public Relations Committee.
Nominees must not be compensated for any public relations work
involving amateur radio -- including payment for articles.
A nominee's efforts must fit the definition of public relations and
recognize the promotion of amateur radio to the non-amateur radio
community.
Nominations must be received at ARRL Headquarters by the close of
business on Monday, June 15, 2020. Nominations must be on an official
entry form. Anyone may make a nomination.
For more information, contact ARRL Public Relations Committee Chair Sid
Caesar, NH7C, or send an email to the ARRL Headquarters Public
Relations mailbox.
2020 Youth on the Air in the Americas Camp is Canceled
The inaugural camp for radio amateurs in the Americas aged 15 through
25 has been put off until next year. It was set to take place June 21 -
26 at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West
Chester Township (North Cincinnati, Ohio). It has been rescheduled for
July 2021. Campers accepted to the 2020 camp will have the first chance
to register for next year's camp. The daily schedule and plan for the
2020 camp will be the same for the 2021 camp as much as possible. The
committee found that July was a more accessible date for the widest
range of campers to attend.
The committee is also looking at ideas for a shortened, virtual camp
this summer, so that campers can participate in limited activities from
home. The camp was meant to focus on building peer and mentor
relationships and taking amateur radio to the next level.
While many sponsors and donors have already expressed support for
holding over funds received for 2020 to use in 2021, refunds of
donations made to the camp are being offered. Groups or individuals
wishing to receive a refund should contact director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.
Less than $350 of the money spent thus far went to items that may not
be usable in 2021, Rapp said.
More information about YOTA in the Americas can be found at
YouthOnTheAir and on YOTAregion2 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
YouTube.
FCC Seeking World Radiocommunication Conference visory Committee
Members
The FCC has announced that it's looking for individuals or entities to
serve on its World Radiocommunication Conference visory Committee.
The committee will provide advice, technical support, and recommended
proposals in the run-up to World Radiocommunication Conference 2023
(WRC-23). In particular, the committee will focus on international
frequency spectrum issues identified on the WRC-23 agenda. The
committee will be charged with gathering data and information necessary
to formulate meaningful recommendations for these objectives.
The FCC seeks applications from interested individuals, organizations,
institutions, or other entities in both the public and private sectors.
Selection will be based on factors such as expertise and diversity of
viewpoints necessary to effectively address the questions before the
committee.
Applicants should describe both their specific interests and their
expertise or experience as it relates to the questions before the
committee, including such matters as wireless communications
infrastructure and equipment, telecommunications, fixed, mobile,
broadcasting, satellite, and other radiocommunication services,
consumer advocacy, and underserved populations. It's anticipated that
the committee will meet in Washington, DC, up to three times per year
in preparation for WRC-23.
Submit nominations, including contact information and the statement of
qualifications, by email no later than May 29, 2020.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: The last day with a visible sunspot
was April 4.
Over the April 16 - 22 reporting week, the average daily solar flux was
69, down 0.5 point from the previous week's average of 69.5.
Average daily planetary A index was 7.3, while the mid-latitude A index
was 7, up from 6.1 and 5, respectively, mainly due to the first
geomagnetic storm of 2020, which pushed the planetary A index to 18 on
April 19.
Recent solar flux numbers have been soft, with averages over recent
weeks of 71.1, 69.4, 70.2, 69.5, and now 69. Lower solar flux probably
means less radiation that might excite the ionosphere. Predicted solar
flux is 71 on April 23 - 30 and 69 on May 1 - June 6.
The predicted planetary A index is forecast at 10 on April 23; 5 on
April 24 - 29; 8 on April 30; 5 on May 1 - 4; 12 on May 5; 5 on May 6 -
16; 12, 10, 8, and 10 on May 17 - 20; 5 on May 21 - 23; 10, 5, 5, and 8
on May 24 - 27; 5 on May 28 - 31; 12 on June 1, and 5 on June 2 - 6.
Sunspot numbers for April 16 - 22 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a
mean of 0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 68.5, 67.9, 69.8, 68.6, 68.2,
69.1, and 70.7, with a mean of 69. Estimated planetary A indices were
5, 4, 4, 3, 18, 9, and 8, with a mean of 6.1. The middle latitude A
index was 5, 4, 4, 2, 16, 8, and 10, with a mean of 5.
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 25 - 26 -- 10-10 International Spring Contest, Digital
* April 25 - 26 -- SP DX RTTY Contest
* April 25 - 26 -- Helvetia Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* April 25 - 26 -- Florida QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 26 -- BARTG Sprint 75 (Digital)
* April 27 - 28 -- QCX Challenge (CW)
* April 29 -- UKEICC 80-Meter 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.
NOAA Updates Solar Cycle 25 Prediction
Frank Donovan, W3LPL, notes that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
ministration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has
published its official updated prediction of Solar Cycle 25 in new,
interactive Solar Cycle Progression graphs. The updated prediction is
based on the results of NOAA's Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel.
"SWPC forecasts a solar maximum between 105 and 125, with the peak
occurring between November 2024 and March 2026," Donovan said. "There
is broad consensus that solar minimum is ongoing this year -- or may
have already occurred -- and that Cycle 25 will have no major change in
the level of solar activity compared to Cycle 24."
As Donovan explained, for many years the SWPC's solar cycle predictions
have used the Royal Observatory of Belgium's International Sunspot
Number. SWPC's official solar cycle prediction now uses the SWPC
sunspot
--- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462
* Origin: Christian Fellowship | cfbbs.no-ip.com 856-933-7096 (1:266/512)
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