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ARRL Letter

 

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 23, No. 26
June 25, 2004
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +ARRL says FCC has its mind made up about BPL
* +Contact is key to gaining visibility for ham radio
* +ISS astronaut uses packet system to announce daughter's birth
* +Short-term renewal closes out enforcement case
* +The FCC is 70!
* +Vintage station now on the air at W1AW
* +W3IZ is newest ARRL Headquarters staffer
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     W1AW Field Day message to be transmitted on both US coasts
    +Vanity call sign fee to rise
     Oklahoma ARES group assists in mass immunization drill
     Scott Redd, K0DQ, receives commendation
     Deadline looms for Young Ham of the Year nominations

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================

==>FCC TURNING BLIND EYE IN BPL PROCEEDING, ARRL CHARGES

The ARRL says the FCC apparently has already made up its mind about
broadband over power line (BPL) and "wants no bad news" about the
technology. In reply comments filed June 22 on the FCC's Notice of
Proposed Rule Making in ET Docket 03-47, the League called on the
Commission to take "a fresh look" at BPL before enabling its deployment.
Again asking the FCC to put the proceeding on hold for a year, the League
recommended that the Commission in the meantime require BPL providers to
conduct FCC-monitored interference testing with all stakeholders. The ARRL
charged that while an overwhelming majority of comments oppose BPL due to
interference concerns, the FCC continues to rely on what the League called
"vacuous assurances that BPL would not cause harmful interference." Test
data and a growing record of unresolved complaints indicate otherwise, the
ARRL said.

"ARRL is of the view that this proceeding has been prejudged and will, in
the end, be decided not on the technical issues that should control the
outcome of this proceeding, but on the politics of the matter," the League
commented. "Given the evidence on the Commission's table, it cannot now
authorize BPL at the radiated emission levels proposed, and without
substantial restrictions."

Among those restrictions, the League recommended keeping BPL altogether
away from all Amateur Radio allocations, should the FCC decide to
authorize BPL under its proposed rules. As an alternative, the FCC should
guarantee that an interfering BPL system can be shut down immediately in
the face of a valid complaint, "not after a BPL provider has taken months
to discover that the interference cannot be resolved."

To date, the ARRL contended, the FCC has seemingly ignored the League's
BPL technical studies as well as the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) Phase 1 BPL study that clearly
demonstrate BPL's interference potential. Five additional technical
evaluations accompanied the ARRL's reply comments.

"The Commission is obligated by the Administrative Procedure Act to look
for fire where it is shown a good deal of smoke," the League said. "Here
there is far more than smoke in the record." Any decision in the BPL
proceeding "must be supported by substantial evidence," the ARRL asserted.

The League said the results of both its studies and the NTIA's "are
entirely consistent." Referring to the NTIA Phase 1 analysis, the ARRL
said it's "quite reasonable to assume that the interference potential of
BPL systems to fixed HF Amateur Radio stations is on the order of 460
meters (approximately 1509 feet) from the nearest BPL device." No
proposals address BPL interference mitigation for mobile stations, the
ARRL noted.

While commenting extensively on--and in some instances agreeing with--the
NTIA's late-filed comments, however, the League said they depict an agency
that must "balance dual and, in this case, conflicting roles" as the White
House telecommunications policy advocate. The League questioned the NTIA's
contention that BPL is a "win-win" situation and its deployment would lead
to lower power line noise.

"Not so," the ARRL countered. "Licensed radio services operating in the
sensitive HF environment should not have foist upon them a substantial
interference risk from unlicensed devices or systems whatsoever." The
League said replacing one interference source with another in the same
bands is "not in any way beneficial."

The ARRL also faulted the FCC for neglecting to acknowledge or respond to
a mounting number of interference complaints, most from amateur licensees
living in BPL field trials areas. "The Commission has, as of this writing,
adjudicated not a single one and has ignored repeated requests from
licensed radio amateurs for even a confirmation of receipt of their
complaints!" the ARRL emphasized. The League also expressed little
confidence in utilities that have failed to resolve power line noise
complaints to do any better with BPL complaints.

Earlier this month, the ARRL filed a well-documented and supported
complaint on behalf of Jim Spencer, W0SR, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The
League suggested such BPL complaints deserved careful analysis, but not
the Commission's cold shoulder.

"What ARRL is unwilling to tolerate is the continuation of the
Commission's sweeping of these complaints 'under the rug,' which is
exactly what has happened in this proceeding," the League commented. The
Commission must put its zeal over BPL aside and "take a fair look at them
before any action is taken in this proceeding."

"The Commission has not proposed any rules which would predictably and
reliably protect HF and low-band VHF radio systems from interference,"
ARRL concluded. "The interference resolution mechanisms that are adopted
should be real, rather than merely illusory."

==>CONTACT KEY TO GETTING HAM RADIO ON CONGRESSIONAL RADAR SCREEN

If radio amateurs want to get their concerns on the congressional radar
screen, they need to let their elected senators and representatives know
about them, says the US Senate sponsor of the Amateur Radio Spectrum
Protection Act of 2003. Idaho Republican Michael Crapo notes that the
hundreds of topics lawmakers face each day--from the Iraq war to the
budget and health care--already make it an uphill battle to get ham radio
matters noticed. Amateurs, he suggests, have to take a little initiative.

"It's not Mount Everest, but it's very difficult to get the attention of a
senator or congressmen these days, unless their constituency engages them
on it," Crapo said. "Every Senator and every Member of Congress focuses on
those issues which their constituency tells them are of importance to
them." In turn, when radio amateurs write, e-mail or call their elected
officials, Crapo pointed out, it makes it a lot easier for him to gain
attention for Amateur Radio issues.

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says he couldn't agree more. He
maintains that a high level of membership constituent contact not only
puts ham radio on the map for lawmakers but paves the way for League
officials to follow up during their periodic visits on Capitol Hill.
Contacting Congress on Amateur Radio measures such as the Spectrum
Protection Act of 2003 and the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Consistency Act of 2003--HR 1478, the so-called CC&R bill--may not pay off
now, Haynie says. But, increased awareness of Amateur Radio in general
could prove important down the road.

"There are other issues that we have to deal with and other issues that
will come up in the future," Haynie said. "The better visibility we have
in Congress, the easier it will be to deal with them." That includes
broadband over power line (BPL). Haynie cautioned that if BPL deployment
becomes a major problem for amateurs, "we're going to have to have a lot
of muscle on the Hill and try to influence the FCC in other ways."

Taking 10 minutes to write a letter or e-mail or even to send a QSL card
that includes a brief message can go a long way toward lifting Amateur
Radio out of the noise level for senators and representatives, Haynie
said.

So far, 103 House members have signed on as HR 713 cosponsors. The Senate
version, S 537, has eight cosponsors. The CC&R bill, HR 1478, has 35
cosponsors.

Sample letters and additional information--including the bills' texts and
information on how to write members of Congress--is on the ARRL's "The
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2003" Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/arspa.html> and on the "HR 1478, The
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act of 2003" Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr1478/>. The sample letters cite
Amateur Radio's role in public safety and emergency communication, but the
League encourages members to adapt the substance of the sample letters to
their own style and emphasis.

Those writing their lawmakers on behalf of the Spectrum Protection Act are
asked to copy their correspondence to the League via e-mail
<specbill03@arrl.org>;. Those writing on behalf of the Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications Consistency Act, HR 1478, are asked to copy their
correspondence to <ccr-bill@arrl.org>;.

==>ASTRONAUT RADIOS BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT, CELEBRATES SPECIAL FATHER'S DAY IN
SPACE

International Space Station astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, and his wife
Renita became parents for the second time Friday, June 18. Unable to
contain his paternal pride, Fincke altered the beacon message on the
RS0ISS Amateur Radio packet system aboard the spacecraft to transmit "It's
a girl! Tarali Fincke" about once every minute as the ISS circled Earth.

"Sure beats a stork sign in the front yard," quipped ISS Ham Radio Project
Engineer Kenneth Ranson, N5VHO, at Johnson Space Center. Fincke is the
first US astronaut to celebrate the birth of a child from space. Father's
Day was Sunday, June 20. Tarali is the couple's second child. She'll join
a brother, Chandra, in the Fincke household.

Fincke said his childrens' names have astronomical significance. "Her name
is Tarali Paulina, and Tara is the Indian dialect meaning star," he
radioed Mission Control in Houston shortly after the birth. "Our first
boy, his name is Chandra, which means moon. So, my wife had already given
me the moon, and now she's given me a star, and it's a privilege to happen
aboard the International Space Station."

Of Indian heritage, Renita Fincke, an engineer for Wyle Laboratories,
works at Johnson Space Center. Until her husband returns to Earth in
October, she says she'll help him experience the first few months of their
daughter's life via teleconferences, video and e-mails.

"This is a wonderful, exciting adventure for both of us," she said. "I
hope that everything is successful for his mission, that he comes home
safely." The couple has been married since 1999.

NASA and Russian mission controllers extended congratulations to Fincke,
who is NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer. He and ISS Commander
Gennady Padalka, RN3DT, have been in space since April.

US and Russian flight controllers decided to end Expedition 9's first
spacewalk June 24 after about 14 minutes when it was observed that
Fincke's primary oxygen bottle was losing pressure faster than expected.
The crew will try again the week of June 28.

More info is available on the NASA Web site
<http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/features/fincke_baby.html>.

==>PENNSYLVANIA HAM AGREES TO SHORT-TERM RENEWAL

General class licensee Henry Schott Jr, KA3BMS, of Newtown Square,
Pennsylvania, has agreed to a short-term renewal of his license to settle
what the FCC called "enforcement issues related to the operation of your
station." Although Schott vigorously denied any wrongdoing, FCC Special
Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth says Schott signed the
deal--spelled out in a May 10 letter--in which the FCC will grant him a
two-year license renewal instead of the normal ten-year term.

"At the end of the two-year period, you may routinely renew your license
for a full term if there have been no valid complaints regarding the
operation of your station," Hollingsworth told Schott. Last December, the
FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau referred Schott's renewal
application to the Enforcement Bureau for review based upon enforcement
issues and "questions regarding your qualifications to be a licensee."

Complaints filed with the FCC regarding operations attributed to Schott
date back to 2000. In January, Hollingsworth wrote Schott to summarize the
litany of complaints and asked him to respond to each. Schott essentially
denied involvement or responsibility for all of them and expressed the
belief that someone else may have been pirating his call sign.

"Amateur Radio has provided me with enjoyment over the years," Schott told
the FCC. "I wish to retain my Amateur Radio license and will abide by all
of the laws, rules and regulations! The accusations filed against me are
wrong."

Nonetheless, Schott signed the voluntary short-term agreement, and the FCC
renewed his license May 20.

==>THE FCC TURNS 70!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) <http://www.fcc.gov/>, the
agency that regulates the Amateur Radio Service, turns 70 years old on
Thursday, July 1--the effective date of the Communications Act of 1934.
Passed by Congress on June 19 of that year, the Act established the FCC as
an independent US government agency.

Although amended since, the Act--all 333 pages of it--remains in effect
today and establishes the authority of the FCC to, among other things,
issue license grants. It also spells out the official definition of an
amateur station: "The term 'amateur station' means a radio station
operated by a duly authorized person interested in radio technique solely
with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest."

Upon its creation 70 years ago, the FCC directly inherited the personnel,
funds and records of the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), then just seven
years old. The FRC had shared regulatory duties with the Department of
Commerce and the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Communications Act of
1934 put all the responsibilities under one roof. Most of the significant
changes the Communications Act of 1934 introduced affected broadcasting.

Directly responsible to Congress and charged with regulating interstate
and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and
cable, today's FCC jurisdiction covers all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and US possessions.

When the FCC came into being in 1934, QST expended surprisingly little ink
announcing the regime change to the Amateur Radio community.

"The radio part of the law is almost exactly the same as before, and there
is no change in any amateur regulation," said a short article in the
August 1934 issue. "The League kept in close touch with this legislation
as it progressed, and is assured that nothing in the new law adversely
affects Amateur Radio."

The original FCC was authorized to have seven members and up to three
divisions. Today's FCC has five members--all appointed by the president
and confirmed by the Senate--and six bureaus.

==>W1AW NOW SPORTS VINTAGE AMATEUR STATION

At least one corner of Maxim Memorial Station W1AW has taken on a "retro"
look with the installation of a vintage AM-capable station--thanks to the
generosity of entertainer Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, and audio pro Bob Heil,
K9EID. The gear, which arrived June 18, consists of a National NC-303
receiver and Johnson Viking Valiant transmitter, along with a customized
Heil microphone and other accessories. Neither Walsh nor Heil were able to
be on hand for the installation.

The gear, which dates from the late 1950s, began its journey in Studio
City, California. It changed hands at Dayton Hamvention and then made a
stop at the radio repair and restoration shop of Larry Yaw, W9AMR, who
spiffed up and rigorously tested the units. Yaw, Jeff Wynegar, KA9TOC, and
Jeff Benedict, AA9JC, then accompanied the vintage station on a nonstop
drive from South Bend to Newington for the delivery.

The idea for the station arose during an early March visit to ARRL by
Walsh and Heil. Following the delivery and installation, W9AMR, KA9TOC and
AA9JC came back the next day to make some W1AW/90 contacts on 75 and 40
before heading back to Indiana.

The W1AW vintage/AM station is available for visitors to use.

==>ARRL WELCOMES W3IZ TO HEADQUARTERS STAFF

Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, is the newest member of the ARRL Headquarters family.
As ARRL Affiliated Club/Mentor Program Manager, Fusaro--who joined the
ARRL Field and Educational Services (F&ES) staff May 17--is responsible
for ARRL Affiliated Club support as well as for inaugurating a volunteer
mentor program and an enhanced volunteer instructor program. The position
is a new one at Headquarters, and Fusaro said he plans to make the most of
his past informal experience as an "Elmer"--or mentor--helping new
licensees to get up and running in Amateur Radio.

"Something I did on the local level was to be the guy to go out there and
extend a helping hand, offer some guidance, open the station up for
visitors," said Fusaro, who notes that he would have liked similar support
when he first got his ticket some 20 years ago. F&ES Manager Rosalie
White, K1STO, says the League created Fusaro's position after recent
survey results indicated that far too many new licensees either never get
on the air at all or don't remain active.

"We want people to enjoy Amateur Radio or to keep enjoying Amateur Radio,"
White said. She believes Fusaro's background in retail sales and customer
service will stand him in good stead in his new post. In addition to
Elmering many new hams in the past, Fusaro has also taught ham radio
licensing classes. In his new position, he'll work with both clubs and
individuals to establish a network of mentors. "The goal is to get the
newly licensed ham some practical guidance and maybe some hands-on
training," he said. He hopes to offer eventually a Web mentoring database
new licensees can use to find assistance in their localities.

In addition to contesting, Fusaro enjoys ragchewing and RTTY. His favorite
on-the-air events include the Pennsylvania QSO Party, the ARRL November
Sweepstakes and the ARRL International DX Contest. He's an active HF
mobile and portable operator too. His wife, Debbie, is N3ZXF.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Solar Seer Tad "Hey, Mister Sun" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports:
This is Field Day
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2004/rules-fd-2004.html> weekend!
Conditions don't look bad, although there is the chance of geomagnetic
conditions becoming unsettled.

This week the sunspot numbers have improved, while geomagnetic conditions
were quiet, which is a great combination. Average daily sunspot numbers
rose more than 50 points from last week to 116. Average daily solar flux
was up almost 18 points to 113.7. Sunspot numbers were the highest on June
20 and 21, Sunday and Monday, and both the planetary and mid-latitude A
indices were very low--in the lower single digits.

Sunspot groups 634 and 635 provided most of the activity. Today they are
moving out of view. The solar flux forecast for Friday through Monday,
June 25-28,is 100, 95, 95 and 90. Predicted planetary A index for the same
four days is 12, 12, 15 and 15.

For Field Day 2004, 20 meters will be your best band, and possibly 15 as
well. Ten meters may be good for some sporadic E skip. Forty and 80 meters
should be good after dark.

Sunspot numbers for June 17 through 23 were 106, 118, 90, 142, 139, 113
and 104, with a mean of 116. The 10.7 cm flux was 111.3, 107.8, 112.7,
119.1, 115.8, 116.7 and 112.5, with a mean of 113.7. Estimated planetary A
indices were 7, 8, 5, 3, 4, 4 and 5, with a mean of 5.1. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 7, 10, 4, 3, 3, 1 and 2, with a mean of 4.3.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: ARRL Field Day, the UK DX Contest (CW), the
Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest, the Marconi Memorial HF Contest, ARCI Milliwatt
Field Day and His Majesty the King of Spain Contest (SSB) are the weekend
of June 26-27. JUST AHEAD: The RAC Canada Day Contest is July 1. The
Venezuelan Independence Day Contest (SSB/CW), the World Lighthouse
Contest, the DL-DX RTTY Contest, the Original QRP Contest and the DARC
10-Meter Digital Contest are the weekend of July 3-4. The Michigan QRP
July 4th CW Sprint is July 4-5. The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW)
is July 5. The ARS Spartan Sprint is July 6. See the ARRL Contest Branch
page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info.

* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration for the ARRL HF Digital Communication (EC-005), ARRL
VHF/UHF--Beyond the Repeater (EC-008) and ARRL Technician Licensing
(EC-010) courses remains open through Sunday, June 27. Classes begin
Tuesday July 6. Students participating in VHF/UHF--Beyond the Repeater
(EC-008) will enjoy exploring some of the lesser-used and more intriguing
aspects of VHF/UHF operation. HF Digital Communication students will
become acquainted with and use a variety of HF digital modes. With the
assistance of mentor students in Technician Licensing (EC-010) will learn
everything they need to know to pass the FCC Technician class amateur
license test. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing
Education (C-CE) Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> or contact the ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education Program Department, cce@arrl.org.

* W1AW Field Day message to be transmitted on both US coasts: Correctly
copying the W1AW Field Day message is an easy way to earn bonus points for
Field Day 2004, Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27. For the first time, the
Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH will transmit the Field Day
message for the benefit of West Coast stations on 3581.5, 7047.5, 14,047.5
and 21,067.5 kHz, CW only. K6KPH will transmit the 2004 Field Day message
Saturday, June 26, at 1430 UTC, and Sunday, June 27, at 0030 and 1430 UTC.
The K6KPH club station in California is comprised of past operators of the
former commercial shore station KPH, now maintained--and occasionally
operated--as a historical site, with receiving station in Pt Reyes and
transmitters in Bolinas. The K6KPH transmissions will complement the
traditional W1AW Field Day message transmissions on CW, digital (including
PSK31) and phone. W1AW will transmit the Field Day bulletin Saturday, June
26 on CW at 0000, 0300, and 1400 UTC; on RTTY (teleprinter) at 0100 UTC;
and on phone at 0145 and 1500 UTC. The Field Day bulletin will air Sunday,
June 27, on CW at 0000 and 1400 UTC; on RTTY (teleprinter) at 0100 UTC; on
phone at 0145 and 1500 UTC; and on PSK31 at 1600 UTC. CW frequencies are
1.8175, 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975, 21.0675, 28.0675 and 147.555
MHz. Teleprinter frequencies are 3.625, 7.095, 14.095, 18.1025, 21.095,
28.095 and 147.555 MHz (includes PSK31). Phone frequencies are 1.855,
3.990, 7.290, 14.290, 18.160, 21.390, 28.590 and 147.555 MHz.

* Vanity call sign fee to rise: The FCC regulatory fee to obtain an
Amateur Radio vanity call sign will rise from $16.30 to $20.80 later this
year. The FCC announced the new fee in a Report and Order (R&O) in MD
Docket 04-73, "Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal
Year 2004." The FCC says it anticipates 7800 applications for FY2004--2000
fewer than the previous fiscal year. The FCC expects revenue collected
from the vanity call sign regulatory fees in FY2004 to rise by more than
$2100. The R&O becomes effective 30 days after it's published in The
Federal Register. ARRL will announce when the new, higher vanity fee
becomes effective.

* Oklahoma ARES group assists in mass immunization drill: The Southern
Oklahoma Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Club in Ardmore, Oklahoma,
recently participated in a mass inoculation drill. The Carter County
Health Department sponsored the exercise in association with the Oklahoma
Department of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The
drill scenario, a smallpox release, marked the third of its type in
Oklahoma this year. Although the local Amateur Radio community was not
included in planning the drill, ARES District Emergency Coordinator, Mike
Key, N5KEY, said health officials told the hams to show up during the
"walk-around" day, and "they would see if they needed us." When the hams
arrived, the incident commander presented them with a box of Family Radio
Service (FRS) transceivers from the state health department--units that
had not proven up to the task in the first two drills. The ARES group
determined the FRS units would work okay within a building but not between
buildings. At the officials' request, Key developed a plan to coordinate
communication between buildings and cleared it with the incident commander
and the primary communications manager. After checking in the morning of
the drill, the team set up stations in the command center and at strategic
locations, including the inoculation station and triage area. The VHF FM
simplex net had two or three operators at each station. Traffic passed
from the command center to the appropriate station via ham radio and to
its final destination via FRS. Key reports the net was very busy and ran
smoothly. Following the drill, Mindy Spohn, director of the Carter County
Health Department said, "I am now a firm believer in your group and your
abilities." A dozen amateur volunteers participated, and Key said Amateur
Radio definitely will take part in the planning of any future drills.

* Scott Redd, K0DQ, receives commendation: Iraq Coalition Provisional
Authority (CPA) Administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer recently presented
retired Vice Admiral Scott Redd, K0DQ, with the Secretary of Defense Medal
for Exceptional Public Service. Redd served as deputy administrator and
chief operating officer for CPA with responsibility for reconstruction
projects in Iraq. The award commends Redd's "extraordinary leadership and
vision" while serving in Baghdad as one of Bremer's two deputies. Redd has
returned to Washington to assume duties as executive director of the
Presidential Commission on Intelligence Capabilities of the United States
Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction. Redd said he left Baghdad with
mixed emotions but reiterated his strong belief that the "strategic course
we are pursuing is right and enduring."

* Deadline looms for Young Ham of the Year nominations: The deadline is
Wednesday June 30 to nominate a deserving young amateur for the 2004
Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award. A nomination form is
available on the Newsline Web site
<http://www.arnewsline.org/yhoty/yhfrm204.doc>. The YHOTY Award goes to an
amateur licensee aged 18 or younger and living in the contiguous 48 states
who has made a significant contribution to the community or the nation
through Amateur Radio. More information is available on the Newsline Web
site <http://www.arnewsline.org/>.

===========================================================
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American
Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259;
<http://www.arrl.org/>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President.

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of
interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely,
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the latest news, updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/> offers access to news, informative features and
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Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or
in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to
The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
letter-dlvy@arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@arrl.org
==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org/>
==>ARRL Audio News: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call
860-594-0384

==>How to Get The ARRL Letter
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The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to active amateurs that is available in advance of publication in QST, our official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise and readable.

Much of the ARRL Letter content is also available in audio form in ARRL Audio News.

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1. From the Inbox view, select the Tools menu and the Options selection.

2. Click the Read tab

3. Check the Read All Messages In Plain Text box.  When you open the e-mail, it will be in plain text without images. Other e-mail programs may be able to make a Mail Rule for e-mail received from the address memberlist@www.arrl.org so that the plain-text-only display is selected automatically.

Outlook 2007

Use the same procedure as for Outlook Express, although the global option is under "Tools/Trust Center/E-mail Security".

Thunderbird

Use the menu item "View/Message Body As/Plain Text" or "View/Message Source" options.

OS X Mail (Mac)

Use the "View/Message/Plain Text Alternative" menu item.

GMail

Use the "Message text garbled?" link in the drop-down menu at the upper right of the displayed message block. pine, alpine Set "prefer-plain-text" in your ~/.pinerc configuration file: feature-list=..., prefer-plain-text, ...

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