The ARRL Letter
October 14, 2021
* Students at UK School for Deaf Youngsters Enjoy Space Chat
* Scouting's Jamboree-on-the-Air Takes Place this Weekend, October 15
- 17
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARDC Grant to Benefit High School Computer Science Students
* September 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
* Amateur Radio in the News
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* New England Parks On The Air Event Set for Mid-October
* Announcements
* UN Day Transmission from Sweden's SAQ Set for October 24
* Author, QRP Enthusiast Rich Arland, K7SZ, SK
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
Students at UK School for Deaf Youngsters Enjoy Space Chat
Ten students at the Mary Hare School for deaf children in the UK took
part in what appears to have been a world-first event for Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS). Facilitating the
late-morning direct contact with astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, at
NA1SS were ARISS-UK volunteers and members of the Newbury and District
Amateur Radio Society (NADARS).
Mary Hare School student Jacob asks
his question during the Mary Hare
School contact with astronaut Mark
Vande Hei, KG5GNP, on the ISS.
The ground station used the call sign GB4MHN. ARISS-UK volunteers
handled the technical aspects, while NADARS members provided students
with the "amateur radio experience" through events and activities.
Students asked their questions orally, and the astronaut's replies --
as well as questions and answers posed by the audience before the
contact began -- were displayed in closed caption format beneath a huge
video screen.
The Mary Hare School is an aural school for the deaf that teaches
students to develop lip-reading skills and to make use of technology.
Students range in age from 5 through 19 years old. An enthusiastic
audience of some 250 individuals was in the auditorium, where the
contact took place, while another 600 students at other locations in
the school observed the contact via a web feed.
Leading up to the contact, students at the school learned about radio-
and space-related topics that touched on physics, chemistry, and
biology. Student activities have included designing and flying model
rockets, making astronomical observations, and observing authentic
spacesuits.
Students wanted to know if the astronauts used sign language in space
in case something goes wrong, how the ISS would be evacuated in the
event of a fire, and whether mobile devices such as cell phones work in
space.
"You made my day!" Vande Hei said after all the questions had been
asked and the students had applauded.
Thanks to ARISS, Amateur radio equipment has been on board the ISS for
more than 20 years, and most astronauts hold ham radio licenses. ARRL
The National Association for Amateur Radio is an ARISS sponsor.
A livestream was available and has been archived.
Scouting's Jamboree-on-the-Air Takes Place this Weekend, October 15 -
17
Scouting's largest event in the world -- Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) --
takes place October 15 - 17. During JOTA, Scouts and hams around the
world, around the nation, and in your own community meet on the air via
amateur radio. All types of Scouts may participate, from Cub Scouts to
Boy Scouts and Venturers. The participating Scouts often gather at a
station made available by a volunteer, or at one set up just for JOTA.
Communication typically involves SSB or FM voice, but it's also
possible that other modes, such as video or digital, will be employed
-- or even repeater or satellite communication.
Scouts typically exchange such information as name, location, Scout
rank, and hobbies, and it's expected that many participating Scouts
will be amateur radio licensees. Contacts may take place across town,
across the country, or even around the world. The World Scout Bureau
reported that more than 1.5 million Scouts from some 160 countries took
part in JOTA/JOTI (Jamboree-on-the-Internet) in 2017. With no
restrictions on age or on the number of participants, and at little or
no expense, JOTA allows Scouts to meet and become acquainted with each
other by ham radio.
JOTA officially starts on Friday evening during the JOTA Jump Start and
continues through Sunday evening. Any amateur mode of operation may be
used such, as CW, SSB, PSK, SSTV, FM, and satellite. JOTA is not a
contest.
Two Scouts take part in JOTA 2019
from WN7BSA in Arizona.
To learn what JOTA activity is planned for a given area, contact the
local or regional Scout council, a local ham radio operator, or a local
amateur radio club. Your local club may be able to direct you to
planned JOTA activities. These can include ham stations set up at
camporees or other events. If no activities are planned, work with them
to get something set up or arrange to visit a local radio operator's
ham shack at a scheduled time to participate in JOTA.
If nothing is currently planned, you can work with the council or a
local unit (pack, troop, crew) to set up a JOTA station or arrange for
visits to your ham shack. You can also participate just by making
contacts with the many JOTA stations that will be on the air. A good
resource for finding a local Scout unit is the Be-A-Scout website.
Since the first JOTA in 1958, millions of Scouts have become acquainted
with each other through this event. Many JOTA contacts have resulted in
relationships between Scout troops and individual Scouts that have
lasted many years.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 22) features a
discussion with Chris Plumblee, W4WF, about contesting and what this
activity has to offer new amateurs.
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.
ARDC Grant to Benefit High School Computer Science Students
Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is helping computer science
students at California High School in San Ramon, California, to become
makers by providing a grant to purchase Raspberry Pi computers and
Arduino microcontrollers. Computer science AP teacher Sean Raser said
he believes that a hands-on approach is the most effective way for
students to learn and retain knowledge. The class would aim to
accomplish this through encouraging students to invent their own
systems using the Raspberry Pis and Arduinos. By combining these
devices with sensors, motors, other electronics, and computer code,
students would have the opportunity to learn complex technical concepts
first hand.
Raser's challenge has been acquiring enough hardware for all students
in his class. With limited resources, his program has been limited to a
small number of students, however.
A $9,950 ARDC grant hopes to change that by allowing Raser to give all
of his students the opportunity to participate. The funds will allow
him to provide students with Raspberry Pi and micro:bit computers,
Arduinos, and the other components.
Raser plans to transform part of his classroom into a makerspace that
is accessible to all students at California High School, located in San
Ramon.
"The results have been extraordinary. The students' creativity and
passion for learning truly thrive as a result of being able to bring
their own ideas to life," Raser said. One student, for example, is
using a
California High School in San Ramon,
California. [California High School
photo]
Raspberry Pi Zero and a variety of sensors to record flight data during
a model rocket launch. Another has built an automated attendance taker
using a Raspberry Pi and RFID sensors. Raser's hope is that these
experiences will nudge these students into careers as engineers and
scientists.
ARDC is a California-based foundation with roots in amateur radio and
internet technology. In 2019, ARDC announced the sale of some 4 million
consecutive unused AMPRNet internet addresses, with the proceeds to
establish a program of grants and scholarships in support of
communications and networking research with a strong emphasis on
amateur radio. ARDC, which manages AMPRNet, said it planned to provide
monetary grants to organizations, groups, projects, and scholarships
that have significant potential to advance the state of the art of
amateur radio and of digital communications.
September 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between the
ARRL and FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service. This
is the VM Program report for September 2021.
* Technician-class operators in Mansfield, Ohio; Avon Park, Florida,
and Pulaski, Tennessee, received visory Notices after making
numerous FT8 contacts on 20 meters. Technician-class licensees do
not have operating privileges on 20 meters.
* A Volunteer Monitor in Mission Viejo, California, received a
Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard
Certificate of Appreciation for his efforts in locating a defective
transmitter on Marine Radio Channel 16 that was blocking emergency
communications on that channel.
* A former licensee in Durham, North Carolina, received an visory
Notice for operating under a call sign and license cancelled by the
FCC.
* An operator in White Pine, Tennessee, received an visory Notice
regarding operation on 7.137 MHz, a frequency not authorized under
his General-class license.
* Operators in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and New Albany, Indiana,
received Good Operator Notices for exemplary operation during 2021
and for regularly assisting other operators with transmitter
adjustments and amateur radio procedures.
* The VM Program made one recommendation to the FCC for case closure.
VM Program statistics for August showed 2,008 hours on HF frequencies
and 2,642 hours on VHF frequencies and above, for a total of 4,650
hours. -- Thanks to Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, ministrator,
Volunteer Monitor Program
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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.
* Amateur radio operators hear about their role in a major earthquake
/ West Kentucky Star, Kentucky, October 11, 2021
* Dialed In: Owensboro Amateur Radio Club going strong /
Messenger-Inquirer, Kentucky, October 11, 2021
* Hundreds take part in Burlingame's Drill. Residents joined by
police, fire and Ham radio operators / Patch, California, October
10, 2021
* Ham radio operators provide valuable community service in
emergencies / Palestine Herald-Press, Texas, September 9, 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.
New England Parks On The Air Event Set for Mid-October
The inaugural Autumn New England Parks On The Air (NE POTA) event will
take place on Saturday, October 16, 0000 - 2359 UTC, the K1USN Radio
Club has announced. The goal is to have one group or individual
operator at as many Parks On The Air^(R) as possible. The K1USN Radio
Club hopes this will become an annual event. This is a recreational
radio event, not a contest, so no logs will be required to participate.
Summaries of activity are encouraged, however, and a post-event link
will be available.
"This began as a reaction to the widespread local interest in the Parks
On The Air (POTA) program here in New England. Last year, Ohio had a
successful Ohio-wide POTA weekend, and Wisconsin is now doing something
similar," said K1USN Radio Club President Pi Pugh, K1RV. "Autumn is a
special time in New England, and I figured the event might generate
some extra interest before winter. Perhaps this can become an annual
New England event or, better yet, an annual nationwide or worldwide
event."
ARRL New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, is hoping
the event will give the public a chance to learn a bit more about
amateur radio. He encouraged those who plan to participate to promote
the event with informational handouts.
Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA), the largest Scouting event in the world,
also occurs during the weekend of October 15 - 17, and NE POTA
participants are encouraged to reach out to local Scouting groups.
A spreadsheet has been created to keep track of individuals and clubs
that register.
Contact Pugh for more information.
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Announcements
* [IMG]NEAR-Fest XXX begins at 9 AM EDT on Friday, October 15, as a
hybrid event. The live activity takes place at the Deerfield
Fairgrounds in New Hampshire. A Town Meeting will feature the
candidates for ARRL New England Division Director. NEAR-Fest
continues through Saturday, October 16. Thanks to Mike, W1RC, and
the New England Amateur Radio Festival, Inc.
* The government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has
proposed to delegate the administration of amateur radio licenses
to the Falkland Island regulator and to issue amateur radio call
signs with the prefix VP0, rather than VP8, with an initial suffix
letter of either an S or G, as appropriate. VP0 is also the prefix
of the British Antarctic Territories.
* After more than 2 years of inactivity, Robert, 3B9FR, is again
active from Rodrigues Island, an ARRL DXCC entity. He is mainly a
CW operator but does occasionally get on SSB and FT8.
* France's youngest ham is 10-year-old Florian Barret, FR4UG, who
lives on Reunion Island.
* On October 16, 0800 - 1600 UTC, HV0A in Vatican City (#112 on Club
Log's Most-Wanted DXCC list) station will be active OSCAR 100 in CW
and SSB. This will mark the first activation of a Vatican station
on the OSCAR 100 satellite.
* ARRL Audio News^(c) is available free each Friday, providing a look
at the week's ham radio news happenings. Contact ARRL Audio News
with questions and comments. The webcast is available on the ARRL
website as well as on Blubrry and may be transmitted freely via
repeater at no cost.
UN Day Transmission from Sweden's SAQ Set for October 24
On United Nations Day, Sunday, October 24, the vintage and historical
Alexanderson alternator in Grimeton, Sweden, with call sign SAQ, is
scheduled to send out a message to the world on 17.2 kHz CW. The events
of the day will be livestreamed on YouTube starting at 14:25 UTC.
Transmitter startup and tuning will begin at 1430 UTC, with the message
transmission to follow at 1500 UTC.
An operator at SAQ with the
Alexanderson Alternator in the
background.
This year's message was drafted by Swedish human rights lawyer and
sustainability expert Parul Sharma.
SAQ will conduct some test transmissions on October 22, 1100 UTC - 1400
UTC and will be on air for short periods during this interval. Comments
are welcome to info@alexander.n.se.
For a guaranteed e-QSL, use the online report form, which will be open
October 24 - November 14.
Dating from the 1920s, the Alexanderson alternator -- essentially an ac
generator run at extremely high speed -- can put out 200 kW but
typically is operated at less than one-half that power level. Once used
to provide reliable transatlantic communication, it is now a museum
piece and only put on the air on special occasions.
The transmitter was developed by Swedish engineer and radio pioneer
Ernst Alexanderson, who was employed at General Electric in
Schenectady, New York, and was chief engineer at the Radio Corporation
of America.
Six 400+ foot towers with 150 foot crossarms support a multi-wire
antenna for SAQ. The actual signal radiates from a vertical wire, one
from each tower.
Amateur radio station SK6SAQ will be active on these frequencies: 3.535
MHz CW, 7.035 MHz CW, 14.035 MHz CW, 3.755 MHz SSB, and 7.140 MHz SSB.
QSL SK6SAQ via email to info@alexander.n.se, via the bureau, or direct
to Alexander - GVV, Radiostationen Grimeton 72 SE-432 98, Grimeton,
Sweden. Two stations will be on the air most of the time.
For a guaranteed e-QSL, use the online report form, which will be open
October 24 - November 14.
Author, QRP Enthusiast Rich Arland, K7SZ, SK
Richard H. "Rich" Arland, K7SZ, of Dacula, Georgia, died on October 7.
An ARRL member, he was 75. In addition to other books, Arland was the
author of Low-Power Communication and other ARRL publications, and he
was an avid QRP enthusiast and experimenter. Arland had been a radio
amateur since 1963. He volunteered in the ARRL Field Organization as a
Technical visor and as an Official Emergency Station since 1990.
From 2000 until 2003, Arland contributed the "QRP Power" column for
QST. He has written for several other radio publications, including CQ,
Popular Communications, WorldRadio, and Monitoring Times.
He entered amateur radio as a broadcast band and shortwave listener. A
US Air Force veteran, Arland worked for 20 years in Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania. He and his wife Patricia, KB3MCT, relocated to Georgia in
2008.
In addition to QRP, Arland had an abiding interest in vintage "boat
anchor" gear and had been restoring a Drake 2B and a Heathkit HR-10
receiver. He had planned to install a Hallicrafters SR-160 transceiver
and matching power supply/speaker as his primary HF SSB radio.
Arland was also a collector and restorer of military communications
radio equipment. His collection included a TRC-77A special ops HF radio
and four ARC-5 Command Set receivers, complete with dynamotors. He
procured an AN/GRC-109 CIA/Special Forces portable HF "spy radio" used
extensi
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