The ARRL Letter
March 18, 2021
* QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Experiences Technical Issues, On-Demand
Access Opens
* Dayton Hamvention^(R) Announces 2021 Award Winners
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Incumbent Section Managers Begin New Terms in April
* ARISS Ham Station in Columbus Module Is Once Again Operational
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Amateur Radio in the News
* YOTA Region 1 Taking Cautious Approach to COVID-19 and YOTA Camps
* Plans Continue for In-Person Friedrichshafen HAM RADIO Event
* Ham Radio Satellite Returns from the Dead
* Announcements
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Getting It Right!
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Experiences Technical Issues, On-Demand
Access Opens
The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo attracted thousands of participants over
the March 13 - 14 weekend. Taking a different tack than it did for its
inaugural event last August, the expo leveraged the capabilities of two
virtual event platforms to increase interaction among attendees,
speakers, and exhibitors. All did not go smoothly, however.
"Unfortunately, we had many technical issues with the Airmeet
presentations and the integration of the vFairs and Airmeet platforms,"
expo chairman Eric Guth, 4Z1UG/WA6IGR, explained afterward in a message
to participants. All recorded presentations are available for attendees
during the expo's 30-day on-demand access period, which ends April 16.
ARRL, a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo partner, enjoyed virtual visits from
attendees to its two exhibits. One included staff representatives for
Member Services, Radiosport, ARRL Field Day, and Field Services. The
other exhibit highlighted the expertise of ARRL Laboratory personnel,
who offered technical and practical advice to those stopping by. On the
team were Senior Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, who streamed from
inside the Lab's screen room where QST "Product Review" testing is
conducted, and RFI Engineer Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF, who helped
participants deal with pesky noise and interference issues. W1AW
Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, conducted virtual tours of the Hiram
Percy Maxim Memorial Station all weekend.
All told, 16 staff members worked in rotating shifts at ARRL
Headquarters, greeting visitors through livestreaming video and audio.
Several members of the ARRL Board of Directors were on the platform
too.
CEO David Minster, NA2AA, delivered the event's keynote address.
Minster, who arrived in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic last year,
said ARRL would become a bigger player in the digital age.
"A major part of the digital transformation at ARRL has to do with
taking our excellence in content development and editing, and bringing
it to video," Minster said. "You are seeing more activity from us on
YouTube, the Learning Network (webinar series), and then later this
year the launch of our Learning Center." Video, Minster pointed out, is
always available and easy to pause and refer back to.
Amateur radio manufacturers and vendors including FlexRadio, Elecraft,
Connect Systems, and Quicksilver Radio Products welcomed visitors and
answered their questions on a one-to-one basis.
Guth apologized for the poor experience many participants had in
accessing and navigating the event.
"I attempted to integrate a number of systems together in order to make
a better user experience," he explained. "It was a noble idea, because
I wanted the convention like last August, with the lounge tables of
Airmeet to make it more interactive. We failed on this platform for
many of you. I am very sorry."
"One of the things that we've stressed in all of our communications is
that the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo team is committed to constantly
learning and improving what we do," Guth said in a statement. "Virtual
conventions of this magnitude are new territory. We believe that
there's a place for a virtual ham expo to serve the needs of the very
large amateur radio community, especially those that don't attend
in-person national or regional events (or even local events). We are
committed to making that happen."
The expo announced on Wednesday, March 17, that 80 presentations had
already been added to the platform for on-demand viewing.
Dayton Hamvention^(R) Announces 2021 Award Winners
Dayton Hamvention^(R) has announced its 2021 award winners. Hamvention
Awards Committee Co-Chairs Michael Kalter, W8CI, and Frank Beafore,
WS8B, said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hamvention committee
elected to go forward in announcing its selection of outstanding radio
amateurs and predicted that Hamvention will return in 2022.
Amateur of the Year
Angel M. Vazquez, Jr., WP3R, the head of telescope operations and
Puerto Rico Coordination Zone Spectrum Manager for Puerto Rico's famous
Arecibo Observatory, was cited as Amateur of the Year for "his
unswerving and diligent support of amateur radio throughout the entire
territory of Puerto Rico and worldwide."
Although he was born in Puerto Rico, Vazquez grew up in Brooklyn, New
York, and returned to Puerto Rico after college in 1977, taking a job
at the Arecibo Observatory. Vazquez earned his amateur radio license in
1993, and headed the 2010 moonbounce effort from the observatory, as
well as multiple special events using the KP4AO club call sign.
Vazquez helped to provide communication support in the wake of
Hurricane Maria. He was named Amateur of the Year in Puerto Rico in
2018 and received the Yasme Excellence Award in 2019. He's also a
Volunteer Examiner and inaugurated the first virtual/online bilingual
testing program as part of the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group
(GLAARG) VEC.
Technical Achievement
Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW, is well-known as the Space Weather Woman. Calling
her "a real space pioneer," the Awards Committee said those who have
seen her space weather forecasting shows will agree that she is
energetic and excited about her work.
A credentialed space weather forecaster, Skov's forecasting work is
widely known on social media and has been featured in publications and
on TV. Her weekly space weather video podcasts are frequently featured
on www.qrz.com. Skov said she specifically got her ham license in 2018
to better understand and serve the needs of the amateur radio
community.
Professionally, Skov is a research scientist for The Aerospace
Corporation. She also teaches the art of space weather forecasting to
meteorologists at Millersville University and is working with ARRL and
HamSCI to create educational materials.
Special Achievement
Wesley Lamboley, W3WL, was nominated by his peers for his lifelong,
high-energy support for the science and art of amateur radio. "Not only
has he supported youth coaching, membership recruiting, and technical
problem assistance, he always does it with a smile and great humor,"
the Awards Committee said. Lamboley spent 40 years in the aerospace
industry as a technical writer, electrical and systems engineer, and
manager. Introduced to amateur radio in 1955 when a friend invited him
to Field Day, Lamboley credits ham radio for much of his success.
"Many mentors helped me and I try to pay it forward as best I can,
especially for young people," he said. He's also participated in
several DXpeditions, and five SouthWest Ohio DX Association "DXpedition
of the Year" plaques adorn his ham shack.
Club of the Year
The Hamvention Awards Committee named the ARRL-affiliated Vienna
Wireless Society (VWS), K4HTA, in Virginia as the Club of the Year. The
committee noted that the club's 280 members focus on youth education
and public service, and promote the growth of ham radio. The club is
now the largest and most active in the Washington, DC, area.
The club offers licensing classes, workshops, and four educational
programs a month at its meetings, and these are archived for broader
use. Their annual Winterfest is host to the ARRL Virginia Section
Convention. The Vienna Wireless Society operates two repeaters in the
DC area, and actively supports public service communications. Read an
expanded version.
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ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 15) features a
conversation with propagation expert Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, about
what to expect in the new solar cycle.
The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 29) is a chat with
Kristina Collins, KD8OXT, about how amateurs have participated in
ionospheric research during recent solar eclipses.
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.
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Incumbent Section Managers Begin New Terms in April
Eight incumbent ARRL Section Managers who were unopposed for
re-election in the winter election cycle will begin new terms on April
1.
They are Rick Paquette, W7RAP (Arizona); James Ferguson, N5LKE
(Arkansas); Lelia Garner, WA0UIG (Iowa); Steve Morgan, W4NHO
(Kentucky); Malcolm Keown, W5XX (Mississippi); Paul Stiles, KF7SOJ
(Montana); Steven Lott Smith, KG5VK (North Texas), and Rick Breininger,
N1TEK (Wyoming).
Because no nominating petitions were received from the ARRL Orange
Section by the December 4, 2020 deadline, candidates for the office of
Orange Section Manager will be re-solicited. Notices will appear in the
April and May issues of QST to elicit candidates for an 18-month term
starting October 1, 2021.
Incumbent Orange Section Manager Carl Gardenias, WU6D, has decided not
to run for another term after serving since 2003.
ARISS Ham Station in Columbus Module Is Once Again Operational
Some 6 weeks after going silent following a spacewalk that installed
new antenna cabling, the Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) ham station in the Columbus module is once again
operational. The Columbus station, which typically uses the call sign
NA1SS, is the primary ARISS amateur radio station used for school
contacts and other activities. The problem arose after a January 27
spacewalk replaced a coax feed line installed 11 years ago with another
built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus.
While the specific cause of the problem has not yet been determined, a
March 13 spacewalk that restored the antenna cabling to its original
configuration provided the cure. The plan to return the ARISS cabling
to its original configuration had been a "contingency task" for a March
5 spacewalk, but the astronauts ran out of time. The ARISS work was
appended to the to-do list for astronauts Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, and
Victor Glover, KI5BKC, to complete a week later.
During the weekend spacewalk, Hopkins swapped out a cable for the
Bartolomeo commercial payload-handling platform that had been installed
in series with the ARISS VHF-UHF antenna feed line, returning the ARISS
system to its pre-January 27 configuration. Hopkins raised a question
concerning a sharp bend in the cable near a connector, but no further
adjustments were possible.
On March 14, ARISS was able to confirm the operation's success when
Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) signals on 145.825 MHz were
heard in California, Utah, and Idaho as the ISS passed overhead. ARISS
team member Christy Hunter, KB6LTY, was able to digipeat through NA1SS
during the pass. With additional confirmation from stations in South
America and the Middle East, ARISS declared the radio system
operational again.
Work during the March 13 spacewalk also made Bartolomeo operational.
"Yesterday was a great day for all!" Bauer said. " astra!" Read an
expanded version.
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ARRL Learning Network Webinars
Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Wednesday, April 7)
Ultra-portable operation is quickly growing in popularity. Whether for
SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in nature,
learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, covers the basics for
new and experienced ham radio operators.
Finding and Fixing RFI -- Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF
Tuesday, April 20, 2021 @ 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
RFI (radio frequency interference) -- from natural and manmade sources
-- has been a problem for hams and shortwave listeners since the radio
hobby began. Things have changed in the last 20 years with the advent
of widespread solar power, LED lighting, grow lights, and computers.
The technology boom has enhanced our daily lives, but at what price?
Learn all about finding and fixing RFI in today's world.
HF Noise Mitigation -- ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz,
W7VO
Thursday April 22, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)
An educational seminar to help new and experienced amateurs who are on
HF and finding themselves plagued with noise. We'll learn what "noise"
is, talk about the various noise sources, and discuss how to mitigate
those noises using a variety of techniques.
The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
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Amateur Radio in the News
* Inside the Summit-Obsessed World of Ham Radio Outside Magazine,
March 14, 2021
* Portland Man Connects Kids to International Space Station From His
Home KGW8 ABC (Oregon), March 5, 2021
* Radio Gaga The Star (Malaysia), March 6, 2021
* Separated by Distance -- and a Pandemic -- Puget Sound's Amateur
Radio Enthusiasts are Connecting with Even Greater Frequency
Seattle Times (Washington), March 3, 2021
ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
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YOTA Region 1 Taking Cautious Approach to COVID-19 and YOTA Camps
The IARU Region 1 (IARU-R1) Youth Working Group has said no youth
events will take place before mid-June, and that it will review those
scheduled for later in the year as the pandemic situation evolves. The
group said these events make social distancing difficult, and it
doesn't believe it would be possible for them to take place safely.
Other 2021 events will remain on the calendar for the time being.
"The position on the [COVID-19] pandemic remains serious and
unpredictable," the group said. "Governments everywhere struggle with
balancing the health of their economies with the health of their
populations. The vaccine rollout seems likely to take most of this year
and even then, the impact of mutant strains of the virus and national
quarantine requirements are difficult to predict."
IARU Region 1 has planned several in-person events for 2021 in the
Youth, amateur radio direction finding (ARDF), and high-speed
telegraphy competition (HST) areas. A workshop for member-societies is
also on the calendar. Whether these will take place as scheduled
remains up in the air.
IARU-R1 has said it will review the forecast evolution of the pandemic
sufficiently before each event to decide whether it will take place.
"Generally, this will be 4 months prior to the scheduled date," IARU-R1
said. "[That way,] those planning to attend should have sufficient time
to make the necessary travel arrangements."
IARU Region 1 said it wants to make sure that any events taking place
do so in an environment that respects national requirements for
pandemic control and does not place the health and well-being of
participants at risk.
Plans Continue for In-Person Friedrichshafen HAM RADIO Event
The 45th HAM RADIO event in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is still planned
for June 25 - 27, but the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) concedes
that the COVID-19 pandemic is making planning "exceedingly difficult."
The DARC is the event's sponsor, while the venue, the Friedrichshafen
Fairgrounds (Messe Friedrichshafen) and local authorities have the last
word. Planning under way includes appropriate hygienic and physical
distancing policies. "With all those measures in place, HAM RADIO 2021
will obviously be a much smaller and different event than usual," DARC
said.
Local authorities will follow the course set by the federal government,
but, DARC said, there is slow progress with Germany's vaccination
program and some uncertainty regarding virus mutations, and it's not
clear if and when approval will be given. Visitors from outside Germany
may be subject to quarantine or testing, DARC said. "The safety,
health, and comfort of our international visitors is our utmost
priority, and hence, we want to advise you to plan your trip to
Friedrichshafen bearing in mind that the in-person event still might
get canceled." DARC said it's planning a "state-of-the-art online
conference event" in parallel with the arrangements under way for the
in-person event. It's contacting international amateur radio
organizations to provide presentations in video or other formats.
Ham Radio Satellite Returns from the Dead
After 7 years of silence, the Delfi-n3Xt satellite is again
transmitting a signal. The 3U Delfi-n3Xt nanosat, launched by Delft
University of Technology (TU Delft), has not been heard since 2014, and
its sponsors were surprised to learn that it was transmitting again.
Delfi-n3Xt carries a linear amateur radio transponder. It was the
second satellite launched by TU Delft, as part of the Delfi Program,
which develops very small satellites. The first Delfi satellite,
Delfi-C3, is still working as well. Now that Delfi-n3Xt is transmitting
again, steps are being taken to further its mission. The Delfi-n3Xt
project started in 2007, and the satellite was launched in November
2013. The satellite operated successfully for 3 months, achieving
mission success. Contact with the satellite was lost in late 2014 after
an experiment with the linear transponder.
When functioning properly, the Delfi-n3Xt satellite transmits telemetry
on 145.870 MHz and 145.93 MHz, and high-speed data on 2405 MHz. The
inverting SSB/CW transponder has an uplink passband of 435.530 -
435.570 MHz LSB and a downlink passband of 145.880 - 145.920 MHz USB.
The ham transponder was a last-minute addition to the project.
On February 9, an automatic email notification was received from the
satellite's ground station, indicating that a signal from the
Delfi-n3Xt had been picked up. Student and ground station operator Nils
von Storch said he'd programmed the ground station software so that it
would continue to track Delfi-n3Xt and notify him if it ever came back
to life. Relevant checks and analysis of telemetry frames prove the
satellite is transmitting again. The reason it stopped transmitting has
not yet been determined, and the big question now is how it was able to
resume operation.
Hypotheses include a bit flip in the software or a short circuit, given
the extreme conditions in space.
--- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462
* Origin: Christian Fellowship | cfbbs.no-ip.com 856-933-7096 (1:266/512)
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