The ARRL Letter
October 22, 2020
* Colorado ATV Group Transmits Images from CalWood Fire
* Nationwide Red Cross Emergency Communications Drill Set for
November 14
* Active LF Operator Offers vice on New FST4 and FST4W Protocols
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* FCC Headquarters Relocates
* IARU Official Challenges Member-Societies to Focus on "Tomorrow"
Issues
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements
* Robert Bankston, KE4AL, is New AMSAT President
* 2021 Hamvention^(R) Award Nominations Open on November 1
* WSJT-X Developer Expresses Puzzlement over FT8 Contest Use
* Japan's "Experience Stations" Enable Contacts Between Two
Unlicensed Girls
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Colorado ATV Group Transmits Images from CalWood Fire
Radio amateurs in Colorado took advantage of amateur television (ATV)
to observe recent forest fires. Boulder ATV repeater W0BTV has been
transmitting views of the CalWood fire, considered 26 percent contained
as of mid-week. The camera is at KH6HTV, southeast of Boulder and 13 -
15 miles from the fire. Using a telephoto lens, the KH6HTV TV camera
was able to view the fire along the Front Range as it approached the
first ridge of the Rocky Mountain foothills. TV images are being
received at the Boulder [IMG]County ARES (BCARES) command post in the
Boulder County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where they are
displayed on a large-screen monitor.
California and Oregon have been experiencing major forest fires for the
past couple of months. Fire hit Boulder County on October 17, when the
CalWood fire broke out northwest of Boulder. By mid-week, the fire had
consumed some 10,000 acres of forest, sparked a prairie fire outbreak,
and destroyed more than 2 dozen homes.
The W0BTV repeater video is being streamed live over the British
Amateur Television Club (BATC) server in the UK. The right audio
channel carries live audio from the BCARES 2-meter repeater, with the
emergency net traffic.
Not much was to be seen on the ATV repeater's video image at mid-week,
as a cold front had rolled in, bringing light rain and fog, helping to
suppress the fire.
The Boulder ATV club has installed a new 5.9 GHz FM-TV beacon
transmitter on a government building for the purposes of encouraging
microwave experimentation, to get hams to try ATV (especially with
low-cost FM-TV gear now available for drones), to use as a known signal
source for testing antennas and receivers, and to increase usage of the
microwave bands, which are under threat. -- Thanks to the Boulder
Amateur Television Club Repeater
Nationwide Red Cross Emergency Communications Drill Set for November 14
The nationwide American Red Cross Emergency Communications Fall Drill,
a joint exercise with ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R))
groups, is set to take place on November 14. This exercise evolved from
the highly successful spring drill that attracted hundreds of
participants from some 40 states and Puerto Rico.
The fall drill will be a Winlink-specific event with these goals: (1)
pass traditional American Red Cross (ARC) forms from as many states and
as many radio amateurs as possible to one of six division
clearinghouses, and (2), bring as many radio operators as possible up
to a "basic" level of Winlink proficiency. A series of Winlink
Workshops is held each Thursday at 0100 UTC on Zoom.
Winlink Proficiency Goals have been drafted, a Winlink technical
support team has been formed, and Metrics for Drill Success have been
developed. The proficiency goals are established as a training
guideline and references online training resources. Many hams new to
Winlink may find these resources helpful.
More than 300 radio amateurs have signed up for the event, and some 100
volunteers showed up for a pre-drill briefing call earlier this month.
Another briefing call will be held in early November.
This event is open to all radio amateurs.
For more information, contact Mike Walters, W8ZY, with ARES-related
questions, or Wayne Robertson, K4WK, with Red Cross-related topics. --
Thanks to The ARES Letter
Active LF Operator Offers vice on New FST4 and FST4W Protocols
The recent beta release WSJT-X version 2.3.0-rc1 (release candidate 1)
digital software suite includes two new protocols, FST4 and FST4W. FST4
is for two-way contacts, while FST4W is for "quasi-beacon" style
transmissions. Both modes offer a range of options for T/R-sequence
lengths and threshold decoding sensitivities extending well into the
-40 dB range, developers said, as well as a wide variety of parameters
that can be tweaked, such as transmission time, bandwidth, and so
forth. On the WSJT-X development reflector, Paul Kelley, N1BUG,
discussed whether the wide variety of options are really necessary or a
stumbling block to two uncoordinated stations attempting a contact.
Kelley said he understands the concern regarding the transmission
times, but, as a "very active" 2200-meter operator, he advises that the
new protocols were developed with the LF and MF bands in mind.
"LF and MF are not HF," Kelley said. "There is no one-size-fits-all for
these bands. On HF, you may be able to work the whole world with one
relatively fast speed. It is not so down here."
Kelley pointed out that MF operators are limited to 5 W EIRP on 630
meters and a mere 1 W EIRP on 2200 meters. Working "real DX" requires
some specialized modes, plus determination and patience.
"One would probably not want to use anything slower than 120 seconds
for QSOs with well-equipped stations at 1,000 kilometers (620 miles)
distance," he said. "It would be very boring and waste a lot of time.
But for some DX paths on 2200 meters, only 1,800- or 900-second periods
would offer any hope for success. It's not so boring when you are about
to set a new world record or make a personal best DX QSO. We need this
flexibility."
Kelley predicts that some new conventions will emerge over time -- for
example, 900- and 1,800-second periods might not see much use on 630
meters, while most of the faster choices probably will. "On 2200
meters, I think all four FST4W speeds will be quite useful," he said.
"It may be that the fastest FST4 options won't see a lot of use on 2200
meters, but it may be too early to know for sure." -- Thanks to the
ARRL Contest Update
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 10) includes an
interview with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC,
about ARRL's new "Learning Network" webinars.
The latest edition of the Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 19) will
discuss radiosondes and how hams can receive their telemetry, in
addition to a discussion about power supplies with Bob Allison, WB1GCM,
of the ARRL Lab.
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.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots appeared on every day of the
past reporting week, and the average daily sunspot number increased
from 13.1 to 15.1. Average daily solar flux rose from 73.1 to 74.5.
Geomagnetic indicators were up slightly, with average daily planetary A
index going from 2.7 to 5, and middle latitude A index from 1.9 to 4.1.
Predicted solar flux for the next 45 days is 75 on October 22 - 27; 72
on October 28 - 31; 70 on November 1 - 7; 73 on November 8 - 10; 72 on
November 11; 71 on November 12 - 13; 70 on November 14 - 23; 72 on
November 24 - 27, and 73 on November 28 - December 5.
Predicted planetary A index is 18 and 20 on October 22 - 23; 15 on
October 24 - 26; 12 on October 27; 10 on October 28 - 29; 5 on October
39 - November 6; 10 on November 7; 5 on November 8 - 15; 10, 15, and 18
on November 16 - 18; 20 on November 19 - 20; 24, 14, and 10 on November
21 - 23; 8 on November 24 - 25, and 5 on November 26 - December 5.
Sunspot numbers for October 15 - 21 were 14, 14, 15, 28, 12, 11, and
11, with a mean of 15. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.8, 75.3, 73.1,
75.9, 74.8, 74.7, and 73.7, with a mean of 74.5. Estimated planetary A
indices were 3, 4, 5, 3, 6, 4, and 10, with a mean of 5. Middle
latitude A index was 2, 4, 5, 3, 5, 3, and 7, with a mean of 4.1.
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. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.
Share your reports and observations.
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Just Ahead in Radiosport
* October 24 - 25 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB
* October 28 -- SKCC Sprint CW
* October 28 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest CW
* October 29 -- RSGB 80-Meter Autumn Series, SSB
* October 30 -- Zombie Shuffle (CW)
* October 31 - November 1 -- Russian WW MultiMode Contest (CW, phone,
digital)
* October 31 - November 1 -- UK/EI DX Contest, SSB
* November 1 -- North American SSB Sprint
* November 1 -- Silent Key Memorial Contest (CW)
* November 1 - 4 Classic Exchange, CW
* November 1 -- High Speed Club CW Contest
* November 2 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test CW
* November 2 -- RSGB 80-Meter Autumn Series, Data
* November 3 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
* November 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* November 4 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* November 4 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
* November 5 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* November 5 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
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FCC Headquarters Relocates
FCC Headquarters has moved. The new address is 45 L St. NE, Washington,
DC 20554. The change is effective immediately. The FCC announced plans
to move last spring, but the transition was delayed by the COVID-19
pandemic.
The FCC, like many federal agencies, has its own ZIP code, so there
will be no disruption in mail delivery sent by USPS to the former
address. The FCC still prohibits the delivery of hand-carried
documents, and all COVID-19 restrictions or instructions regarding
access to FCC facilities remain in place at the new location.
"The FCC continues to balance its efforts to be accessible to the
public with the need for heightened security and health and safety
measures and encourages the use of the Commission's Electronic Comment
Filing System (ECFS) to facilitate the filing of applications and other
documents when possible," the FCC said in an October 15 Public Notice.
Due to the pandemic, the move was accomplished by professional movers
without the presence of any employees, all of whom had been working
from home. An attempt was made during the summer to let employees back
into headquarters for a day to pack up their offices and remove
personal belongings, but that plan had to be scrapped after several
employees tested positive for COVID-19.
Most FCC staff continue to work from home and are not expected to be
physically present in their new offices before next June.
In anticipation of the planned move, the FCC last spring also announced
the adoption of a new FCC seal. The redesign is the product of an
agency-wide contest that solicited proposals from employees and
contractors.
IARU Official Challenges Member-Societies to Focus on "Tomorrow" Issues
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 President Don
Beattie, G3BJ, urged member-societies attending the virtual Region 1
General Conference on October 16 to keep an eye on future issues
affecting amateur radio and IARU Region 1 (Europe, Africa, and the
Mideast). In closing the 6-day meeting, Beattie said he looked forward
to the planned in-person workshop on the future of amateur radio, set
for next year, and expressed the hope that the COVID-19 situation would
allow the event to go forward as early as possible.
Beattie also challenged member-societies to increase their focus on
"'tomorrow' issues -- tomorrow's people, tomorrow's technologies,
tomorrow's activities, and tomorrow's ways of communicating with those
we represent." He also asked member-societies to communicate with their
younger members and "take account of their views to help reshape their
societies for the future."
The week-long virtual assembly included discussion of papers submitted
by member-societies, the Executive Committee, and other IARU
components. This resulted in some 50 recommendations to the Final
Plenary Meeting in areas of finance, HF, VHF, EMC, youth, and IARU
Region 1 governance. Some 120 delegates were present for the Plenary,
and heads of national delegations considered and voted on these
recommendations, which will result in actions and policy changes in
IARU Region 1.
Some new appointments were made in IARU Region 1, to succeed people who
were retiring from their roles. The new appointments were:
* Dick Harms, PA2DW, chair, IARU Region 1 VHF Committee
* Wolf Mahr, OE1MHZ, chair, IARU Region 1 EMC Committee
* Barry Lewis, G4SJH, chair, IARU Spectrum and Regulatory Liaison
Committee
* Philipp Springer, DK6SP, chair, IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group
* Gaspar Miró, EA6AMM, IARU Region 1 Monitoring System (IARUMS)
Coordinator
Beattie thanked those retiring and recognized their contributions.
"Looking back on our first Virtual General Conference, delegates agreed
that it was different from General Conferences held in the past,"
Beattie said. "Although we did not have opportunities for social
interaction between delegates, we can look back on a successful and
very effective meeting. We are already looking forward to our hopefully
in-person workshop in Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2021."
Papers discussed at the conference are available for download. --
Thanks to IARU Region 1.
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ARRL Learning Network Webinars
ARRL members may visit the Learning Network website to register for
upcoming sessions and to view previously recorded sessions. The
schedule is subject to change.
How to Get Started in Amateur Radio Contesting: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT
Why do hams contest? How would I benefit from contesting? What do I
need to get started in contesting? What are good contests for
beginners? Where can I learn more? This session will answer all of
these questions and more.
Tuesday, November 3, 2020, 10 AM PST/1 PM EST (1800 UTC)
Learn and Have Fun with Morse Code: Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, and Jim
Crites, W6JIM
Morse code, or "CW," is a popular ham radio operating mode. Learning CW
does not have to be an arduous or lonely experience. Learn, practice,
and enjoy CW with the methods used by the Long Island CW Club.
Thursday, December 17, 2020, 5 PM PST/8 PM EST (0100 UTC on Friday,
December 18)
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Announcements
* VLF Alexanderson alternator station SAQ at the Grimeton World
Heritage Site in Sweden will transmit a CW message to commemorate
United Nations Day on October 24, on 17.2 kHz at 1500 UTC. The
event and a following concert will be available via the SAQ YouTube
Channel. Reception reports are welcome via the SAQ online form.
Amateur radio station SK6SAQ will be active on 7.035 and 14.035 MHz
CW and on 3.755 MHz SSB. Reports are welcome via email or the QSL
Bureau.
* The 22nd Annual Wisconsin ARES/RACES Virtual Conference 2020 takes
place on Saturday, October 24. "Seating" is unlimited, and
registration is free, although you will be asked to create an
account.
* The Stillwater Amateur Radio Association (SARA) will commemorate
the sinking in Lake Superior of the Edmund Fitzgerald during a
storm on November 10, 1975. Listen for W0JH and W0F November 6 - 8.
More special events.
* Members of the Radio Club de Copiapo are active as XR33M until
November 13. The event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the
successful rescue of 33 miners from the San José mine in Chile.
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Robert Bankston, KE4AL, is New AMSAT President
Robert Bankston, KE4AL, of Dothan, Alabama, is the new president of
AMSAT. The AMSAT Board of Directors elected Bankston at its annual
meeting on October 18, to succeed Clayton Coleman, W5PFG. Bankston has
served as Treasurer and Vice President of User Services. He is a life
member of both ARRL and AMSAT. He volunteered to develop and launch
AMSAT's online member portal and chaired the 2018 AMSAT Space
Symposium.
Bankston is active on the satellites and enjoys operating portable from
remote grid squares.
For his part, Coleman said that it had been "both a joy and a
privilege" to serve as AMSAT president during 2020, which he called "a
rather difficult year" for many in amateur radio.
"With the talented and capable individuals sitting on AMSAT's new Board
and its officers, I am confident in a bright future ahead for AMSAT and
the Amateur Radio Satellite Service."
Other officers elected included Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, as Executive Vice
President; Jerry Buxton, N0JY, as Vice President of Engineering; Drew
Glasbrenner, KO4MA, as Vice President of Operations; Jeff Davis, KE9V,
as Secretary; Steve Belter, N9IP, as Treasurer; Martha Saragovitz as
Manager; Alan Johnston, KU2Y, as Vice President of Educational
Relations, and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, as Vice President of
Development. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service
2021 Hamvention^(R) Award Nominations Open on November 1
Nominations for the 2021 Hamvention Awards will open on November 1.
Dayton Hamvention^(R) will grant awards in the categories of technical
achievement, special achievement, amateur radio operator of the year,
and amateur radio club of the year.
* The Technical Achievement Award recognizes important contributions
toward technical excellence in the world of radio. Examples are
inventions, processes, discoveries, experiments, or any other
outstanding technical achievements that contributed to amateur
radio.
* The Special Achievement Award goes to a radio amateur who has made
an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the radio art
and/or science. This award is typically conferred upon a respected
amateur who has spearheaded a single, significant project.
* The Amateur of the Year Award honors a radio amateur who has made a
long-term commitment to the advancement of amateur radio. This
individual will usually have a history of giving back to ham radio
contributions and exhibits dedication to service, professionalism,
and a desire to advance amateur radio.
* The Club of the Year recognizes a club's involvement in varied
aspects of amateur radio for the greater good of the community
and/or the nation.
These awards are conferred annually. Nominations close on February 15,
2021. Nomination forms are available. ditional information may be
included as attachments. Provide a means to contact the nominee. Submit
for
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