The ARRL Letter
October 7, 2021
* ARRL Continues Its Efforts to Preserve Amateur Radio Secondary Use
of the 3 GHz Band
* 16th Annual ARRL Online Auction Kicks Off on Friday, October 8
* ARDC Grant Provides ARESLAX with Sophisticated Noise Location
Capabilities
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* The Premiere of NIGHT, the Movie
* Radio Amateurs Invited to Participate in the Antarctic Eclipse
Festival in December
* Amateur Radio in the News
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements
* ARRL Seeks New Treasurer
* Microsoft Releases Windows Version 11
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Continues Its Efforts to Preserve Amateur Radio Secondary Use of
the 3 GHz Band
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, in a written statement on the newly
filed H.R.5378 before the US House Commerce Communications and
Technology Subcommittee on Wednesday, urged Congress to direct the FCC
to preserve amateur radio's secondary use of the 3-GHz band. President
Roderick's statement was the result of a quick, well-organized response
by ARRL to counter the continuing threat to amateur radio's secondary
use of the 3 GHz band.
Approximately 10 days ago, ARRL became aware of a provision in the $3.5
Billion Budget Reconciliation Bill that would have required that
approximately 200 MHz of the 3.1 - 3.45-GHz band be reallocated to the
use of 5G vendors. Moving swiftly, the ARRL Executive Committee
authorized ARRL's Washington Counsel to begin preparations to respond.
But, confronted with the probable delay of the Reconciliation Bill and
an uncertain future for the 3 GHz provisions, Subcommittee Chairman
Michael Doyle (D-PA-18) and Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-6)
introduced similar reallocation language on September 29 as H.R.5378
(117th Congress, 1st Session) and scheduled hearings on it and related
communications bills for October 6.
The Executive Committee and the Legislative vocacy Committee
immediately set efforts in motion in Washington to obtain support for
ARRL's position. Meetings were held on short notice to request support
with the offices of Subcommittee members including Representatives am
Kinzinger (R-IL-16) and Tim Walberg (R-MI-7), as well as with
Representatives John Larson (D-CT-1) and Joe Courtney (D-CT-2).
In addition, ARRL Atlantic Division Vice Director Bob Famiglio, K3RF,
and ARRL Washington Counsel David Siddall, K3ZJ, met with Chairman
Doyle's Chief of Staff on October 1, to explain why it's important that
amateur radio continue to be permitted to operate in the 3.3 - 3.45-GHz
band.
ARRL President Rick
Roderick, K5UR.
In his written statement to the Subcommittee in conjunction with the
hearing, President Roderick emphasized that permitting Amateur Radio to
continue to have use of the 3.3 - 3.45-GHz band on a strictly
secondary, non-interfering basis will provide full protection to
commercial licensees with exclusive licenses and further the public
interest in providing a means for continued technological innovation.
Despite vigorous opposition from ARRL and others, the FCC in 2020
ordered the "sunsetting" of the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz band in order to auction
the spectrum to commercial 5G providers. The Commission allowed amateur
operations to continue in the lower 150 megahertz of the band, 3.3 -
3.45 GHz, until it acts in a future rulemaking to address that
spectrum. Amateur operations were allowed to continue in the upper 50
megahertz, 3.45 - 3.5 GHz, only until 90 days after the auction
including that spectrum has closed. The auction began this week; it is
likely that operations will have to cease in February or March, 2022.
"A core standard of spectrum policy should be to maximize use of this
valuable but finite spectrum resource," President Roderick told the
panel. "The [FCC] in earlier proceedings adopted a variety of methods
to share and maximize use of the spectrum by radio amateurs and others,
but in its latest 3 GHz proceeding it did not do so, despite hundreds
of comments filed by radio amateurs."
President Roderick said that if the current policy continues, existing
spectrum at 3 GHz being addressed in H.R.5378 "will be cleared
indiscriminately," leaving "significant spectrum resources vacant into
the foreseeable future while radio amateur experimentation and
operation will be forced to cease for no reason except regulatory
myopia. It need not be so."
President Roderick pointed out that in earlier proceedings, the FCC
adopted methods to ensure unencumbered spectrum access by primary users
while accommodating secondary users on a non-interference basis. "These
methods work well and remain effective without complaint in other
frequency bands, and also should be applied to the 3 GHz band," he
said.
Primary commercial users "would rarely use all of their licensed
spectrum throughout their entire licensed service areas," President
Roderick said. In its recent 3 GHz proceeding, however, the FCC "went
beyond merely prohibiting amateur operations in areas and at times when
primary Commission licensees might use the spectrum," ruling instead
that all amateur operation in the subband being auctioned must
terminate within 90 days of the auction's close. President Roderick
told the FCC that it is not logical for the Commission to leave
spectrum unused before licensees start using it.
He said there is no technical basis for removing amateur secondary
operations from the 3 GHz band where radio amateurs "long have used the
bits and pieces of unused spectrum for technological innovation."
H.R.5378 is not yet law, and ARRL's efforts to preserve amateur radio
access to 3.3 - 3.45 on a secondary basis will continue. Read an
expanded version.
16th Annual ARRL Online Auction Kicks Off on Friday, October 8
Get ready to bid and support ARRL education programming when the 16th
Annual ARRL Online Auction begins on Friday, October 8, at 10 AM EDT
(1400 UTC). The auction continues through Thursday, October 14.
GigaParts is sponsoring this year's ARRL Online Auction. A preview of
the items that will be up for bid began on Tuesday, October 5. This
year's auction features ARRL Product Review and vintage equipment,
classic books, novelties, and the ever-popular ARRL Lab "Mystery"
boxes.
Visit the Auction website, register to bid, and check out details on
the items available, so you'll be ready to place a bid on your
favorites. Plus, keep an eye on the ARRL Facebook page for featured
products and auction highlights throughout the event.
Prospective bidders must register and create an account. Your arrl.org
user ID and password will not work on the auction site. Registration is
a one-time action. If you have previously registered for the ARRL
Online Auction, you can use the same username and password to sign into
this year's auction. (If you have forgotten your username or password,
click on the "Help" tab for assistance.)
It's not necessary to register to browse the items for sale on the
site, and you can register at any time during the auction.
[IMG]ARRL's Annual Online Auction is an important fundraiser and a
critical means of support for ARRL educational programming. Auction
proceeds ensure the continuation of programs that support the licensing
of new hams, as well as ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R))
training, and enhancements to technical and operating education for all
ARRL members and the greater amateur radio community.
If you don't want to bid but would still like to contribute to the ARRL
Education and Technology Fund, visit arrl.org/donate.
For more information about the ARRL Auction, contact Lisa Tardette,
KB1MOI.
ARDC Grant Provides ARESLAX with Sophisticated Noise Location
Capabilities
ARESLAX, an arm of the ARRL Los Angeles Section, has used a $23,600
grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) to purchase
equipment that will help Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R))
team members to locate and eliminate sources of radio frequency
interference (RFI) that could hinder their operations.
"ARESLAX is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting emergency
communication initiatives of the Los Angeles Section's ARES program,"
ARRL Los Angeles Section Manager Diana Feinberg, AI6DF, explained.
"Earthquakes and wildfires are the primary disaster threats this region
faces. Because these incidents occur without any advance warning,
disaster communication groups in the Los Angeles Section must maintain
a high degree of readiness."
Thanks to the grant, Feinberg said, last spring ARESLAX purchased a
Fluke ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager, which combines ultrasonic
detection with visual techniques to pinpoint an interference source,
such as power line noise, and produce photographic evidence. At the
same time, ARESLAX used its own funds to purchase a Radar Engineers 243
RFI Locator and spent the summer familiarizing itself with the
sophisticated equipment.
"By combining these two purchases with our preexisting equipment, ARRL
Los Angeles Section Technical Specialist Chris Parker, AF6PX, believes
the Los Angeles Section now has EMI/RFI locating capabilities exceeding
those of area utility companies and their contractors," Feinberg said.
This image from the Fluke ii910
pinpoints the source of power line
noise.
"For an increasing number of Los Angeles Section hams, EMI or RFI
issues have made the HF bands difficult or impossible to use for DXing,
contesting, emergency communication, or casual operating," Feinberg
said. She pointed out that the network of overhead power lines that
expanded with the county from 1940 through 2010 has now deteriorated,
resulting in arcing. "ditionally, our urban noise floor is rising
from the millions of electrical devices used by consumers and
businesses, including solar charging controllers and grow lights,"
Feinberg said.
RFI complaints can go unresolved for years, and tracking down
interference sources has been the focus of a corps of technical
volunteers. The new equipment makes that job far less time-consuming
and more successful, ARESLAX said. Read an expanded version.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 21) features a
discussion with Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, about the new edition of The
ARRL Handbook and how it can be useful to new hams.
The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 44) features Steve Allen,
KC1SA, and a discussion about the current electronics parts shortage
and what it may mean for amateurs.
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 Premiere of NIGHT, the Movie
During the Edmond (Oklahoma) Amateur Radio Society's ARRL Field Day
2021, Marcus Sutliff, N5ZY, spoke with visitors from John D'Aquino's
Young Actors Workshop (YAW) and learned of their plans to make a short
film in which amateur radio plays a role, and that they needed some
help. The filming was to take place in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and they
needed someone with film or video experience and someone who could
serve as a technical advisor. Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW -- a member of the
ARRL Public Relations Committee -- became involved in the project, and
in short order, he was able to assemble radios and props, consult on
the script, and get ready for a long day of filming.
Ham radio provides a tenuous link to
the outside world in the film
mystery. (Note Kevin O'Dell's,
N0IRW, QSL card at the upper left.)
The film's purpose is to give aspiring young actors a chance to hone
their craft in a real movie environment. Thanks to the Oklahoma Film
and Music Office, they were able to shoot three movie shorts in
Oklahoma. In the Camp Hollywood 2021 film NIGHT, the young actors
mature as the movie progresses.
The story begins on a day when the sun mysteriously has failed to rise.
One character mentions firing up grandpa's ham radio. His younger
brother reminds him that he once called ham radio "the dinosaur's
internet," but now it could be one source of help or information. The
actual internet is down, along with power, telephones, and apparently
satellites. All the adults are conveniently absent. The ending will
leave you hoping for NIGHT 2. The movie premiered recently and is now
available on YouTube as a 34-minute short.
O'Dell stars as the ham radio voice of Colonel. He and Sutliff appear
in the credits, so stay through the end.
O'Dell got a shout-out from ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager Mark Kleine,
N5HZR. "Thanks, Kevin, for putting a great light on amateur radio," he
said.
Radio Amateurs Invited to Participate in the Antarctic Eclipse Festival
in December
The HamSCI Antarctic Eclipse Festival in December is seeking amateur
radio participation. As the shadow of the moon passes across Antarctica
on December 4, it will generate traveling ionospheric disturbances that
will, in turn, affect radio propagation. The unusual geometry of this
year's eclipses will give researchers an opportunity to investigate
complicated ionospheric dynamics over the poles as the long daytime of
polar summer is briefly interrupted by the eclipse.
During this and other HamSCI eclipse festivals, hams and
citizen-scientists are asked to collect Doppler-shift data from
time-standard stations, such as WWV. All that's needed is an HF radio
connected to a computer. A GPS-disciplined oscillator is helpful for
collecting data, but it is not required. Data collection will run from
December 1 through December 10, and the results will be made available
for scientific analysis.
A QSL card image of the HamSCI
Antarctic Eclipse Festival. [Zo
Linker image]
All radio amateurs and shortwave listeners are invited to join in, even
those located far from the path of totality. In 2020, more than 100
individuals from 45 countries took part in eclipse festivals.The
instructions are available in multiple languages.
HamSCI is an initiative of ham radio operators and geospace scientists
dedicated to advancing scientific research and understanding through
amateur radio activities. Eclipse festivals are pilot campaigns for the
Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS), HamSCI's flagship project. The
PSWS team seeks to develop a global network of citizen-science
stations. Participants monitor the geospace environment to deepen
scientific understanding and enhance the radio art.
For more information on the Antarctic Eclipse Festival and how to
participate, visit the HamSCI website. -- Thanks to Kristina Collins,
KD8OXT
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Amateur Radio in the News
ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Midland sisters earn amateur radio licenses / Midland Daily News
(Michigan), October 5, 2021
* Radio operators demonstrate how to communicate when disaster
strikes / WEEK, Peoria County, Illinois, October, 2, 2021
* It takes a village; OC100 gets ready to support runners once again
/ The Titusville Herald (Pennsylvania), September 30, 2021
* Fremont first responders get hazardous material training experience
/ Pioneer Amateur Radio Club's ARES^(R) group is part of an
integrated agencies effort that supports local training for
hazardous incident scenarios. Fremont Tribune (Nebraska), September
24, 2021
* Student scientists tracking satellite in space / WVLT (Tennessee),
September 17, 2021
Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
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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.
Using the Raspberry Pi with Ham Radio / Presented by Jason Oleham,
KM4ACK, Tuesday, October 19, 2021 @ 1:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
Computers have become an important part of amateur radio. The Raspberry
Pi is a low-cost yet powerful computer that can be used for many
amateur radio tasks. Jason Oleham, KM4ACK, an avid YouTube content
creator, discusses how to use the Pi, why he started using it, and why
he developed Build-a-Pi, a script that gets hams up and running
quickly.
ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.
The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
Announcements
* The Nashua (NH) Area Radio Society (NARS) in New Hampshire will
again offer its popular Ham Bootcamp online on Saturday, November
13. Bootcamp is free and includes demonstrations and tutorials
designed to help newly licensed Technician-, General-, and Amateur
Extra-class hams get on the air. It is also a great opportunity for
prospective radio amateurs to be introduced to a variety of ham
radio activities. Bootcamp is free and includes demonstrations and
tutorials introducing a variety of ham radio activities. Email for
registration instructions.
* The Grayson County (Texis) Amateur Radio Club, K5GCC, will be
commemorating the birthday of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower
with a special event activity, October 9 - 17, using 10 1 * 1 call
signs W5E, W5I, W5S, K5E, W5N, W5H, W5O, W5W, N5E, and W5R.
Activity will be on 80 - 2 meters, CW, SSB, digital, and FM.
* The Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS) RADIOGRAM was the
winner of the Joseph Phillips, K8QOE, Newsletter Award in the ARRL
Great Lakes Division. The editor is Tom Parkinson, KB8UUZ.
* The overall winner of the 2021 Fox Mike Hotel Portable Operations
Challenge (POC) on September 4 - 5 was Jack Haefner, NG2E, of
Herndon, Virginia. Running 1 W on 20 meters, Haefner's most distant
contact was with F4WBN in France. That was also the most efficient
contact at 6,340 kilometers per watt.
ARRL Seeks New Treasurer
After 10 years of distinguished service to ARRL as its volunteer
Treasurer, Frederick "Rick" Niswander, K7GM, has decided to step down
when his current term expires in January 2022. ARRL is seeking
qualified candidates from among its membership. The Board of Directors
elects the Treasurer and other officers at its annual meeting in
even-numbered years.
The Treasurer is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and must
be a licensed radio amateur and a full member of the ARRL for 4
continuous years prior to nomination. The ARRL Bylaws define the role
of the Treasurer as follows:
* In consultation with and subject to the general supervision of the
ministration and Finance Committee, provides for the investment
and reinvestment of the surplus funds of the League in any bonds,
stocks, or other securities as would be selected by a trustee with
the care of a prudent investor.
* Provides reports to and attends all regular meetings of the Board
of Directors.
* Serves as a member of the ministration and Finance Committee and,
if assigned, subcommittees of the Board or ministrative and
Finance Committee.
The position is unpaid; however, necessary expenses including travel to
meetings are reimbursable. For further information see the full
position description.
--- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462
* Origin: Christian Fellowship | cfbbs.no-ip.com 856-933-7096 (1:266/512)
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