The ARRL Letter
January 6, 2022
* ARRL Surveying Field Day Participants
* ARRL Foundation Grants First-Year Funding for ARISS *STAR* Keith
Pugh Initiative
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARRL Welcomes New Director of Emergency Management
* Youth on the Air Camp to Return in June
* CAMSAT XW-3 (CAS-9) is Designated Hope-OSCAR-113 (HO-113)
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Amateur Radio in the News
* The Volunteer Monitor Program Report for December 2021
* Announcements
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Surveying Field Day Participants
The ARRL Programs and Services Committee is seeking input from stations
and groups that participated in ARRL Field Day 2020 and 2021 and has
posted a survey. The committee said the survey results may help shape
the development of Field Day rules for 2022 and beyond. The survey has
already been sent via email to some 13,000 Field Day participants, more
than 2,400 Affiliated Clubs, and to the CQ-Contest and VHF-Contesting
Reflectors.
"Specifically, as we look toward 2022 Field Day, health and
social-distancing concerns may continue in June 2022 during the ongoing
world pandemic," said ARRL Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ. "For
2023 and beyond, the assumption is made that the pandemic will be over,
and COVID-related restrictions will be relaxed."
Jahnke said the Programs and Services Committee invites participants'
insights, in advance of its January meeting, regarding what they
consider appropriate for operating ARRL Field Day 2022 during the
ongoing pandemic. The committee hopes to learn if participants prefer
to continue Field Day under the pandemic accommodations afforded in
2020 and 2021, which included limiting home stations to the Low Power
multiplier (150 W PEP), and whether stations in some classes or all
other classes should be limited to 150 W PEP as well. Field Day
stations operating at high power became the topic of some discussion in
the wake of Field Day 2021, when some stations were reported to be
running the legal limit on FT8 on crowded bands.
The committee is also interested in views on the 150 W versus 100 W
change in the Field Day Low Power category definition, which is being
implemented across all contest platforms.
During 2020 and 2021, ARRL permitted a couple of basic accommodations
in the Field Day rules during the COVID outbreak.
Participants who could not or did not want to be in a group were
allowed to operate from their home stations and contribute their
individual scores to their club's Field Day aggregate score. Members'
scores were combined to achieve an overall final club score, which then
appeared in the ARRL Field Day results summary in QST and on the ARRL
website.
In addition, Class D (Home, commercial power) stations were allowed to
contact other Class D stations for point credit.
In 2021, Class D and Class E (Home, emergency power) stations were
limited to a maximum transmitter output power of 150 W PEP (Low Power).
The idea here was to minimize the advantage of well-established home
stations with superior antenna systems and running up to the legal
1,500 W PEP limit.
Field Day participants may use this survey link or copy this URL into a
web browser:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022--ARRL-FIELD-DAY-SURVEY.
The survey will close on January 17, 2022. Direct any questions to the
ARRL Contest Department.
ARRL Foundation Grants First-Year Funding for ARISS *STAR* Keith Pugh
Initiative
A $47,533 ARRL Foundation grant will fund the initial phase of the
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISSâ**USA) *STAR*
Keith Pugh Memoriam Project. *STAR*, which stands for Space
Telerobotics using Amateur Radio, honors the memory of Keith Pugh,
W5IU, a highly respected member of the ARISS team who died in 2019.
ARISS arranges live question-and-answer sessions via ham radio between
International Space Station (ISS) crew members and students. A
long-time and enthusiastic supporter of ARISS, Pugh was a star ARISS
technical mentor, assisting schools with ARISS contacts, encouraging
interest in ARISS among educators, and visiting schools to teach
students about wireless radio technology. One goal of ARISS is to
engage students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and
mathematics (STEAM) subjects.
The ARISS *STAR* Project is a new educational initiative that will
enable US junior and senior high school groups to remotely control
robots via ham radio through digital APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting
System) commands. Year 1 will focus on systems development and initial
validation of ARISS *STAR*, and year 2 will focus on evaluation and
final validation.
Systems development and evaluation will be led by university staff and
students who will undertake hands-on wireless and telerobotics lesson
development, learn about amateur radio, and support *STAR* engineering
hardware and software development.
Next, youth teams will be selected to experiment and critique *STAR*
telerobotics scenarios in closed courses. In the process, ARISS will
encourage students to prepare for and earn an FCC amateur radio
license, enabling them to use ham radio to learn and practice concepts
in radio technology and radio communication.
ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, praised the ARRL
Foundation for its generosity. "ARISS team member Keith Pugh, W5IU,
poured his energy into inspiring, engaging, and educating youth in
space and in amateur radio endeavors," Bauer said. "What better way to
honor Keith than through the ARISS *STAR* initiative. We thank the ARRL
Foundation for its vision to move this initiative forward. Maybe
someday one of our ARISS *STAR* students will use their telerobotics
skills to control scientific rovers on the moon or Mars!"
Over the past 2 decades, more than 1,400 ARISS contacts have connected
more than 1 million youth with the ISS using amateur radio, with
millions more watching and learning.
The overarching goals for *STAR* are to improve and sustain ARISS STEAM
educational outcomes. Robotics is gaining popularity among youth and
adults alike, and telerobotics adds a wireless accent to robotic
control. This will expand ARISS's educational dimension to attract the
attention of more groups, students, and educators -- outreach that
promises to attract new audiences.
The ARRL Foundation was established in 1973, to advance the art,
science, and social benefits of the Amateur Radio Service by awarding
financial grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations that
support their charitable, educational, and scientific efforts.
ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies
and space agencies that support the ISS. US sponsors include ARRL, the
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the ISS National
Labâ**Space Station Explorers, and NASA's Space Communications and
Navigation program (SCaN). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote
exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and
mathematics topics. For more information, visit www.ariss-usa.org and
www.ariss.org.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 24) features tips
on how to improve the effective range of your handheld transceiver.
The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 50) of the Eclectic Tech
podcast -- the final edition for 2021 -- features a discussion with
Nelson Sollenberger, KA2C, about the filter he designed that allows two
nearby stations to operate on the same band during ARRL Field Day and
contests. The episode also offers a brief explanation of the so-called
POST beeps that many computers make, and what they mean.
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.
ARRL Welcomes New Director of Emergency Management
ARRL has announced the hiring of Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, into the role
of Director of Emergency Management. Johnston is from Ozone, Arkansas,
and comes to ARRL with 16 years of experience as the Director of
Johnson County (Arkansas) Department of Emergency Management. He holds
an Extra-class amateur radio license and is an ARES^(R) Emergency
Coordinator, Volunteer Examiner, and ARRL-registered Instructor.
Johnston is also certified in FEMA NIMS and is a Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) AUXCOMM Communications Unit
Leader. He holds a bachelor's degree in emergency administration and
management from Arkansas Tech University.
"I am happy to welcome Josh to the ARRL staff and to add his talent and
knowledge to our team," said ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. "His
contribution will help ARRL continue to support our dedicated
volunteers of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service^(R), improve
opportunities for training, and advance our relationships throughout
the EmComm community."
With extensive experience in inter-agency cooperation and planning,
Johnston is well versed in the different aspects of emergency
management and leading both professional and volunteer operators. He
has experience in communications planning and execution in the field
and at the local and state level. As an Arkansas Master Certified
Emergency Manager and past Board Member of Arkansas Emergency
Management Association, where he served as president for 2 years,
Johnston has experience working with government and agency
representatives as well as boots on the ground in the field.
Johnston will be based at ARRL's headquarters in Newington,
Connecticut, working with staff and member-volunteers, and coordinating
with the ARRL Board's new Emergency Communications and Field Services
Committee (EC-FSC).
Youth on the Air Camp to Return in June
After a successful pilot camp program in 2021, the next Youth on the
Air for the Americas camp has been set for June 12 - 17, 2022. The camp
will return to the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in
West Chester Township, Ohio.
The application period will open online February 11. Eligible
participants are amateur radio operators between ages 15 and 25. A
total of 30 campers will be accepted. Some of the 30 spots will be
reserved for campers who reside outside of the US but do reside in the
Americas. Priority will be given to first-time attendees. Returning
attendees will serve as camp leaders.
"We know that changes in the COVID-19 pandemic status between now and
June will have an impact on hosting the camp," said Youth on the Air
camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG. "Should we not be able to host the
camp or need to reschedule, we will let everyone know with as much
notice as possible.
Beginning in 2022, the camp will alternate as much as possible each
year between June and July. Rapp says the camp planning working group
acknowledges that avoiding all scheduling conflicts is not possible,
but hopes that alternating months will provide some diversity with
school schedules, extracurricular activities, and major ham radio
events.
Beginning in 2023, the location of the camp will rotate to various
locations within the Americas. A system will be announced in which IARU
member-societies and clubs will bid to serve as host of the region-wide
camp.
For details about the camp and/or to sign up for updates by email,
visit the YouthOnTheAir camp website. Contact Rapp for more
information.
CAMSAT XW-3 (CAS-9) is Designated Hope-OSCAR-113 (HO-113)
At the request of the Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT), AMSAT
Vice President of Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, has announced the
designation of the new Chinese XW-3 (CAS-9) satellite as Hope-OSCAR-113
(HO-113). Developed by CAMSAT, in cooperation with the Chinese
government's aerospace and education departments, XW-3 was launched on
December 26 at 0311 UTC on a CZ-4C Y39 vehicle from China's Taiyuan
Satellite Launch Center. CAMSAT completed the design and manufacture of
the amateur radio payload and manages the satellite's in-orbit
operation. Alan Kung, BA1DU, of CAMSAT announced the successful launch,
and reports of telemetry and contacts soon followed. XW-3 has a linear
transponder and a camera that can take photos of Earth.
The CW beacon frequency is 435.575 MHz at 22 WPM. GMSK telemetry is at
435.725 MHz. The amateur radio inverting V/U 100 mW linear transponder
uplink is 145.870 MHz, and the downlink is 435.180 MHz. The transponder
passband is 30 kHz.
Kung said, "A space camera carried on the satellite has undergone
preliminary engineering tests, and the download function of compressed
photos will be opened to amateur radio enthusiasts in the future."
On January 3, CAMSAT announced the release of the XW-3 (CAS-9) Amateur
Radio Satellite User's Manual, version 1.1 2022-1-3. The latest version
adds information on the satellite's test mode telemetry data format.
The satellite's test mode is used for in-orbit engineering monitoring,
diagnosis, and maintenance and is only used when the satellite passes
over China. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service and Alan Kung, BA1DU
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.
More webinars are coming soon!
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.
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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.
* Pandemic Project: Trailer renovation allows for extended emergency
radio assistance The Spokesman-Review (Washington) December 30,
2021
* Amateur Radio Club bands together during pandemic
OrilliaMatters.com (Ontario) December 26, 2021
Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
The Volunteer Monitor Program Report for December 2021
The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL
and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service. This is
the December 2021 activity report of the VM Program.
* Operators in Center Hill and Coconut Creek, Florida, were issued
notices for excessive signal bandwidth on 40 and 75 meters, in
violation of Section 97.307(a) of FCC rules. General-class
operators in Hudson, Florida; Winterville, Georgia; Provo, Utah,
and Bloomfield Hills, Jackson, and Howell, Michigan, received
notices for out-of-band SSB operation on frequencies not permitted
by their General-class licenses, in violation of Section 97.301 of
FCC rules.
* Technician-class operators in Baltimore, Maryland; Divernon,
Illinois; Moore, Oklahoma; Bradenton, Florida, and Roseville and
Rancho Cordova, California, received notices for FT8 operation on
unauthorized 20- and 40-meter frequencies, in violation of Section
97.301 of FCC rules.
* Commendations for exemplary amateur radio operation were issued to
licensees in these cities: Dahlonega, Georgia (for managing medical
and technical issues during the Six Gap Century bicycle race in
October); Riverside, California (for operation during the October
Earthquake Situational Emergency Test); Swansea, South Carolina
(for operation on the SC HF ARES Net); Springfield, Indiana (for
assistance to new operators in message handling); Mims, Florida
(for exceptional efforts in correcting wideband issues), and
Raymond, Mississippi (for exemplary operation during ARRL Field
Day, statewide HF and VHF nets, and assistance to new operators).
The totals for VM monitoring in November were 1,901 hours on HF
frequencies and 2,784 hours on VHF frequencies and above, for a total
of 4,685 hours.
There was one referral from the FCC for enforcement assistance. --
Thanks to VM Program ministrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH
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Announcements
[IMG]Tom Roscoe, K8CX, has updated his treasury of sound clips with 314
new ones from 2021, including DX sound clips. Tom now has a grand total
of 3,211 sound clips dating from the 1960s to the present. He's always
looking for good on-air recordings.
N3FJP Amateur Contact Log 7.0.3 and all N3FJP software now includes an
easily selectable, fully customizable "Dark Theme" option. "Being able
to quickly transition to Dark Theme during night time operating sure
helps give our eyes a rest, reduces fatigue, and helps keep us in the
chair longer," says developer Scott Davis, N3FJP. Colors may be
modified as well.
The agenda for the ARRL Board of Directors Annual Meeting, January 21 -
22, 2022 has been posted.
The Danish DX Group celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022. For that
occasion, special event station OZ50DDXG will be on the air, and radio
amateurs can apply for an anniversary award by working the station.
More information is in the OZ50DDXG QRZ.com profile.
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In Brief...
A new Technician Question Pool will become effective on July 1. The
National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) Question
Pool Committee (QPC) has released the 2022 - 2026 Technician Class FCC
Element 2 NCVEC Question Pool Syllabus & Question Pool into the public
domain. It's available as a Word document or PDF. The three graphics
required for the new Technician question pool are available within the
documents, or separately as PDF or JPG files. The new pool incorporates
some significant changes compared to the 2018 - 2022 pool. Its 257
questions were modified slightly to improve wording or to replace
distractors; 51 new questions were generated, and 62 questions were
eliminated. This resulted in a reduction of 11 questions, bringing the
total number of questions in the pool from 423 to 412. The difficulty
level of the questions is now more balanced, and the techniques and
practices addressed have been updated. The new 2022 - 2026 question
pool is effective July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2026, and must be used for
Technician-class license exams administered on or after July 1, 2022.
-- Thanks to NCVEC Question Pool Committee
The WSJT development group has released a "bug-fix" update of WSJT-X --
version 2.5.4. The primary fix repairs a defect that caused occasional
crashes when contacting stations with non-standard call signs. It also
allows MAP65's "best-fit Delta Phi (Dphi)" solution to be displayed to
the user. The WSJT development group has welcomed new members Chet
Fennell, KG4IYS, and Dr. Uwe Risse, DG2YCB. "Each brings important
skills and experience[s] to the project, after the loss of Bill
Somerville, G4WJS," said Joe Taylor, K1JT, on behalf of the group. "The
newly constituted group has been working to redefine standard operating
procedures for new releases." Installation packages for WSJT-X are
available for Windows and Linux. An installation package for macOS will
be added soon.
Radio Amateurs of Canada has a new President. The Radio Amateurs of
Canada (RAC) Board has elected Phil A. McBride, VA3QR/VA3KPJ, as the
new RAC President, effective January 1. He succeeds Glenn MacDonell,
VE3XRA, who served the maximum three consecutive 2-year terms as
President. McBride is the former RAC Ontario South Director. Former
Ontario North and East Director Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, is the new Vice
President, and former Member Services Officer and previous Atlantic
Director Dave Goodwin, VE3KG, is the new Regulatory Affairs Officer.
They succeed Doug Mercer, VO1DM, and Richard Ferch, VE3KI, who served
as Vice President and Regulatory Affairs Officer, respectively.
--- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462
* Origin: Christian Fellowship | cfbbs.no-ip.com 856-933-7096 (1:266/512)
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