The ARRL Letter
January 27, 2022
* Amateur Radio Digital Communications Grants Continue
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Weak Signals Heard from Spanish Satellites EASAT-2 and HADES
* Puerto Rico Section and Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter Sign New MOU
* Announcements
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo set for Mid-March
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* QRP Operator Logs One Contact per Day for Nearly 30 Years
* Getting It Right!
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
Amateur Radio Digital Communications Grants Continue
Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) has continued its largesse,
funding a variety of projects through individual grants. Among the
latest is a nearly $900,000 award that will permit the Internet Archive
to build the Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications
(DLARC), "an online, open-access resource that preserves the vital
resources -- past, present, and future -- that document the history of
amateur radio and communications," as the project proposal explained.
Internet Archive is a nonprofit library of millions of free books,
movies, pieces of software, pieces of music, websites, and more.
"The DLARC will be both an education program building a unique and
unparalleled collection of primary and secondary resources, but also an
innovative technical project that will build a digital library that
combines both digitized print materials and [original] digital
content," Internet Archive said in its proposal.
It will incorporate three distinct areas: a large-scale scanning
program to digitize relevant print materials from institutions and
individuals; a large-scale digital archiving initiative that seeks to
curate, archive, and provide specialized access to such media as
digital photos and audio-video presentations, as well as websites and
web-published material, and a personal archiving campaign to ensure the
preservation and future access of notable individuals and stakeholders
involved in the founding and activities of ARDC and the broader
community.
The ARDC grant program stems from the proceeds of the July 2019 sale of
some 4 million unused consecutive AMPRNet internet addresses. Using
those funds, ARDC established a program of grants and scholarships in
support of communications and networking research, with a strong
emphasis on amateur radio.
The Fauquier 4-H Ham Radio Club
learning beginning circuitry skills
by building code practice
oscillators. [Dalyah Ronzio, photo]
Another ARDC grant for nearly $34,000 will permit the Fauquier 4-H Ham
Radio Club in Virginia to purchase and equip a 4-H Youth Station and
Outreach Trailer for the club's youth to use at regular meetings,
public demonstrations, and special events.
"A big thanks to Amateur Radio Digital Communications for awarding our
new Ham Radio Club a grant to build a ham radio trailer," the club
posted on its Facebook page. "Building out the trailer and using the
modern amateur radio equipment will be a fun STEAM [science,
technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics] project for our club
members. Once it is all built out, you can plan to see the trailer out
at some local events -- hopefully the Fauquier County Fair and the
Manassas HamFest in mid-June."
The Fauquier 4-H Ham Radio Club offers local youth ages 9 to 18
opportunities to explore STEAM through amateur radio communications and
electronics projects. "An amateur radio license is not required to
join, but the club strives to inspire and help members who are
interested in getting their license achieve that goal," the proposal
said.
A $318,000 grant to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), will fund 30
SWE global scholarships and "contribute to programs that will help
women in engineering excel professionally and showcase their
achievements." According to SWE, these programs include the High School
Leadership Academy, a virtual, year-round program aimed at building
self-confidence and resilience among high school students who are
interested in pursuing engineering and technology degrees; the
Community College Women of Color Pathways Research, a new year-long
program to encourage undergraduate women studying at Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions
(HSIs) to pursue STEM graduate degrees, and its Collegiate Leadership
Institute, a program designed to equip collegiate SWE members with the
skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities that will enable them to
become leaders in engineering and technology.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 25) features a
conversation with Michael Fluegemann, KE8AQW, about how to get started
with CW.
The latest edition of the Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 52) features a
chat with Sal DeFrancesco, K1RGO, about his 630-meter receiving loop
antenna design that appears in the February issue of QST. Also, there
is a brief discussion of the new YubiKey Bio password protection device
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.
Weak Signals Heard from Spanish Satellites EASAT-2 and HADES
AMSAT-EA (Spain) has said it appears that EASAT-2 and HADES are
transmitting, and that weak signals have been heard, but apparently the
satellites' antennas have not deployed.
"We confirm the reception of both EASAT-2 and HADES, as well as the
decoding of telemetry and the FM recorded voice beacon with the call
sign AM5SAT of the first one. EASAT-2 appears to be working well,
except for the deployment of the antennas -- something that apparently
has not yet occurred and causes weak signals," said AMSAT-EA Mission
Manager Felix Paez, EA4GQS. "However, the AMSAT-EA team confirms that,
based on the reception of FSK, CW, the FM voice beacon, and the
telemetry data that has been decoded, it can be said that the satellite
is working perfectly. In the event of low battery or system
malfunction, the onboard computer would not transmit CW messages or the
voice beacon call sign, as it would be in [safe mode] with only fast
and slow telemetry transmissions."
At the request of AMSAT-EA, EASAT-2 has been designated as Spain-OSCAR
114 (SO-114) and HADES as Spain-OSCAR 115 (SO-115).
"These signals that confirm the operation of both satellites were
received by Daniel Estévez, EA4GPZ, at 1807 UTC on Saturday, January
15, using two antennas from the Allen Telescope Array." Doppler
observations from the co-launched Delfi-PQ satellite and the amateur
radio community have been used to identify the satellites' orbits or
TLEs.
AMSAT-EA reports that Estévez performed a preliminary analysis using
just one polarization of one of the Allen Telescope Array satellite
dishes. EASAT-2 was detected with a relatively strong signal, close to
the Delfi-PQ signal, obtaining voice FM beacon transmissions and FSK,
FSK-CW at 50 baud, AMSAT-EA said.
"The CW beacon clearly shows the message VVV AM5SAT SOL Y PLAYA, which
is one of several that both satellites emit, although the call sign
AM5SAT confirms that it is EASAT-2," AMSAT-EA said. "In the recording
made by EA4GPZ, there is also a faint trace confirmed to be from HADES
and stronger packets probably from the IRIS-A satellite."
EASAT-2 and HADES were among other
satellites carried into space on a
SpaceX launcher. [Photo courtesy of
SpaceX]
AMSAT-EA reports that signals from HADES are weaker than those of
EASAT-2, "most likely because the onboard computer has not yet managed
to deploy the antennas either, although it will continue trying
regularly," AMSAT-EA said. "The reason the signals are suspected to be
weaker at HADES is that the antennas are more tightly folded than those
of EASAT-2. In any case, this is great news, since the transmission
pattern confirms the proper functioning of the satellite. In the
observations, you can see the FSK tones with a deviation of about 5 kHz
interspersed with the FM carrier corresponding to the voice beacon of
the satellite, which has call sign AM6SAT. The AMSAT-EA team is working
to try to decode the telemetry signals and obtain more detailed
information on the state of the satellite."
AMSAT is asking amateurs with "very high-gain antennas" to try to
receive them -- especially HADES. "If we could decode telemetry, it
would be very helpful for us." AMSAT-EA said. "Until antennas are
deployed, it will be very difficult to use their repeaters or to
receive any SSTV camera images from HADES, but we hope that this will
happen sooner or later, at least because, even if the computer doesn't
succeed applying heat to the resistor where the thread [retaining the
antennas] is attached, with time, the thread should break due to the
space environment conditions."
Puerto Rico Section and Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter Sign New MOU
The ARRL Puerto Rico Section and the American Red Cross Puerto Rico
Chapter signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on January 13.
The MOU calls on the ARRL Puerto Rico Section to offer any assistance
and emergency communication support to the American Red Cross, should
their communications systems fail or become disrupted. American Red
Cross Regional Executive Lee Vanessa Feliciano; Puerto Rico Section
Manager Rene Fonseca, NP3O, and Section Emergency Coordinator William
Planas-Montes, NP3WP, signed for their respective organizations.
(L - R) William Planas-Montes,
NP3WP, Puerto Rico Section Emergency
Coordinator; Lee Vanessa Feliciano,
Red Cross Regional Executive, and
Rene Fonseca, NP3O, Puerto Rico
Section Manager. [Photo courtesy of
Angel Santana, WP3GW]
Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 prompted renewal of the MOU.
Following Hurricane Maria, the American Red Cross asked ARRL to provide
amateur radio volunteers to assist on site for about 6 weeks.
Among other provisions, the MOU calls on both organizations to
encourage their units to engage in discussions with their field units
to develop plans for local response or disaster relief operations. It
also calls on each party to participate in community preparedness, as
well as in ARRL Field Day, the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET), and
other emergency exercises.
Also present for the signing, were Logistics Specialist Nory Bonilla
and Regional Disaster Officer Joseph Guzmán from the Puerto Rico Red
Cross. Puerto Rico Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator James Perez,
KP4WA, and Section Traffic Manager Emmanuel Cruz, NP4D, represented
ARRL. Perez arranged the signing ceremony.
The MOU is for a 3-year term and is renewable. An initial MOU was
signed in 2017, and a second one was signed in 2019. Since then, the
amateur radio population has grown to more than 4,900, indicating an
interest in maintaining communication in emergencies and disasters. --
Thanks to Angel Santana, WP3GW
Announcements
* Winter Field Day (WFDA) takes place over the January 29 - 30
weekend. It runs for 24 hours, from Saturday at 1900 UTC to Sunday
at 1900 UTC. The goal of the Winter Field Day association is to
enhance operating skills and prepare participants for all
environmental conditions found in the US and Canada.The RSGB
reports that Ofcom-licensed radio amateurs may celebrate Queen
Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee by adding the letter Q before the
numeral in their call signs. For example G4WQG in England could
identify as GQ4WQG throughout June. Stations throughout the UK can
apply to Ofcom for a Notice of Variation.
* The Boston Marathon is seeking amateur radio volunteers for its
Patriots Day event in April. New volunteers can sign up online. The
site includes a step-by-step guide on how to select amateur radio
volunteer positions during the registration process. Email with
questions. -- The Boston Marathon Communications Committee
* Nominations for the 2022 Amateur Radio Software Award are being
accepted until February 14, 2022. The Amateur Radio Software Award
is an annual international award to recognize software projects
that enhance amateur radio. The award aims to promote innovative,
free, and open amateur radio software development. A nomination
form is on the Award website.
* The non-competitive St. Patrick's Award on-the-air event will take
place March 16 -18. The St Patrick's Award encourages radio
amateurs worldwide to join the celebration by "going green for St
Patrick's day." Email for additional information. -- Thanks to
Bobby Wadey, MI0RYL
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Amateur Radio in the News
ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* "Radio to the rescue" / Georgetown Gazette (California), January
20, 2022
* "Tecumseh School Project Catches NASA's Attention" / Countywide &
Sun (Oklahoma), January 20, 2022
* "Networks of service" / The American Legion, January 20, 2022
* "How the huge volcanic eruption in Tonga was picked up by amateur
radio enthusiasts in Harborough -- over 10,000 miles away" /
Harborough Mail (United Kingdom), January 18, 2022
* "Inspiring Students through Volunteer Work" / Dakota State
University (South Dakota), January 17, 2022
Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
Next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo set for Mid-March
What's become a regular March event, the next QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo will be held live from March 12-13, and then on demand for 30 days
afterward. More than 60 speakers will deliver presentations on their
subject areas. "There's content for everyone whether a newly licensed
ham looking for next steps to using that license or a 30+ year
experienced ham looking for new projects," the QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo organizers promise.
Presentations will include "Core HF Communication Concepts:
Fundamentals of Shortwave Propagation;" "Deep Dive of an FPGA DVB-S2
Implementation;" "Fun With the NanoVNA," and "Helically Wound Vertical
for 160 Meters. The complete list of presentations is available from
the Virtual Ham Expo home page.
Virtual visitors may watch as many presentations as they want and
return any time within 30 days to view speakers and presentations they
may have miss as well as explore exhibitor offerings.
This Virtual Ham Expo will debut new technology that, organizers say,
will "further improve the live video interaction experience with
exhibitors and fellow operators." ARRL The national association for
Amateur Radio^(R), is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Partner. Early bird
tickets go on sale on February 1. Tickets are $10 through March 6.
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.
QRP Operator Logs One Contact per Day for Nearly 30 Years
From August 5, 1994, through December 20, 2021 -- a span of nearly
10,000 days -- ARRL member John Shannon, K3WWP, of Kittanning,
Pennsylvania, made at least one CW contact while running 5 W or less to
simple wire antennas. That includes one that's in his attic.
Over the course of said 10,000 days, Shannon made 72,190 contacts with
20,098 unique stations. For at least 2,099 of his contacts, his signal
traveled 1,000 or more miles per W, while another 24,098 were DX
(non-W/VE) contacts made in 224 DXCC entities. He contacted all 50
states "many times over" -- he made 3,819 contacts with stations in
Pennsylvania and 63 contacts with stations in Wyoming.
Shannon reports that the DX country he contacted most often was
Germany, with 1,934 contacts. By continent, his contact totals ranged
from 52,639 with stations in North America to 325 with stations in
Oceania, plus 18 with stations in Antarctica. The number of contacts he
made on each band used includes 19,279 on 40 meters; 15,459 on 20
meters; 28 on 60 meters, and 39 on 6 meters.
Within his first UTC hour of operation each day, Shannon logged nearly
73% of his daily contacts.
He also experienced a DX streak from March 1, 2013 through August 1,
2018, which was a total of 1,980 days. During this time, he contacted
at least one DX station per day.
Shannon said that the greatest satisfaction he's derived from his
operating streak is that other hams express that he inspired their
interest in, and enjoyment of, CW and/or QRP operating. Shannon said
that his greatest satisfaction derived from his lengthy operating
streak was having other hams express that he inspired their interest in
operating CW and/or QRP, and that they really enjoyed it.
In the early 2000s, he wrote for the "QRP with John Shannon, K3WWP"
column in The Key Note, the FISTS CW Club's newsletter. ditionally,
his article, "The Streak: 23 Years of Daily Contacts," was published in
the August 2017 issue of QST.
Shannon said his streak is not over. He intends to continue making
daily contacts for 11,000 or 12,000 days. View his website for more
information.
Getting It Right!
Regarding the story "Two Radio Amateurs Appointed to the FCC
Technological visory Council (TAC)" in the January 20 edition of The
ARRL Letter: Andy Clegg, W4JE, was also appointed to the TAC to
represent the Wireless Innovation Forum. Dale Hatfield, ex-W0IFO, was
another TAC appointee.
In Brief...
A February webinar will discuss amateur radio and AUXCOM support to the
US Department of Defense. On Thursday, February 18, at 0100 (the
evening of February 17 in North American time zones), the US Army
Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) will host a Zoom call to
discuss amateur radio and AUXCOM support to the US Department of
Defense. During this presentation, the NETCOM representative will
discuss the authorities for these operations; upcoming DOD exercise
opportunities for 2022 where outreach to the amateur radio/AUXCOM
community will be a primary training objective; use of the five
60-meter channels, and the concept for the types of amateur/AUXCOM
outreach. There will be an opportunity for Q&A throughout the
presentation. Use this Zoom link to attend. This is meeting ID 837 8115
4615, and the pass code is 670665. Dial in by location: (346) 248-7799
(Houston); (669) 900-6833 (San Jose); (253) 215-8782 (Tacoma); (929)
205-6099 (New York); (301) 715-8592 (Washington DC), and (312) 626-6799
(Chicago). One tap mobile: +13462487799,,83781154615#,,,,*670665# US
(Houston); +16699006833,,83781154615#,,,,*670665# US (San Jose)
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service^(R) (ARES^(R)) team of Centralia,
Washington, activated following an early morning bombing on December
19. Authorities say two men planted the bomb, which blew up the ATM at
a local bank. The Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad and the FBI
responded to assist the Centralia Police Department (CPD) in the
investigation. The Centralia ARES team staged its communications van
next to the scene. The 13 ARES team members who responded to a call for
assistance were paired with CPD detectives to assist in the evidence
search at the crime scene. ARES team members had been trained to
perform evidence searches for the police department and were able to
put those skills to work. Teams of three to five ARES members, led by a
detective, gloved up and slowly searched an estimated 10,000 square
feet around the bank, along nearby railroad tracks, and an adjoining
field, retrieving as many potential pieces of evidence as they could
find. The ARES team was released after about 1 hour. -- Thanks to Bob
Willey, KD7OWN, Centralia, Washington, ARES Emergency Coordinator
After an August storm damaged the satellite antenna that DP0GVN in
Ant
--- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462
* Origin: Christian Fellowship | cfbbs.no-ip.com 856-933-7096 (1:266/512)
|
