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ARRL Letter

 

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 23, No. 45
November 12, 2004
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +FCC unsnarls amateur application processing snafu
* +ARRL Community Education Project to visit a dozen communities
* +HF propagation fizzles, 6 meters explodes
* +Young award winners energize Georgia State Convention
* +This year's ARRL Frequency Measuring Test has a new twist
* +The US Coast Guard Auxiliary wants you!
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration
     ULS maintenance shutdown scheduled
    +AMSAT establishes Echo "Experimenters' Wednesday" suggestion box
     AMSAT auctioning Phase 3D artifact to help fund Eagle project
     Clinton Presidential Library special event set
     William Baker, W1BKR, inducted into Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame
     New 60-meter beacons on the air from the British Isles
    +Three North American LF signals received in UK

+Available on ARRL Audio News

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

==>FCC RESUMES PROCESSING AMATEUR SERVICE APPLICATIONS

The FCC is back in the business of issuing Amateur Service license grants
after a shutdown of several days. The Commission's Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) halted processing of Amateur Service
applications November 5 after a Universal Licensing System (ULS)
<http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/> computer programming problem caused
application grants to go awry. Besides creating an application backlog,
the glitch resulted in the issuance of nearly 130 out-of-sequence Group D
(2x3) amateur call signs. Those erroneous grants now have been set aside,
and licensees have been issued new, in-sequence call signs.

"The Commission appears to have corrected the earlier erroneous call sign
assignments," ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Manager Bart Jahnke,
W9JJ, said November 11. "In the past 24 hours, the FCC has issued 1915
Amateur Service grants, some of which were corrections for the earlier
call sign anomalies." Jahnke says the rest of the grants represented the
application backlog and an initial run of some 600 applications for
license renewal, license modification, vanity call signs and
administrative updates the WTB did November 10 to check out the system.

WTB personnel auditing the results of that initial run apparently were
satisfied that the trouble wouldn't resurface and removed the "alert"
posted on the ULS Web site five days earlier to announce the suspension of
Amateur Service grants.

Jahnke says that each of the 130 or so licensees issued out-of-sequence
call signs will get a set-aside letter from the FCC via Certified Mail,
pointing out the assignment error and listing the corrected call sign. The
problem seems to have affected only new 2x3 call sign grants.

The 130 affected licensees can learn their new call signs by searching the
ULS database by licensee name or by FCC Registration Number (FRN), if they
know it. Records of the erroneous call sign grants will be maintained in
the ULS archive.

The difficulties began in late October, when a ULS software change shunted
all amateur applications from the nation's VECs into "Pending 2" status
and flagged them for manual review without any justification. Attempts to
correct the error only seemed to make things worse, however.

After regrouping, the WTB thought it had things under control by November
2, and it reprocessed all the applications in the queue. That time, the
system not only failed to grant some routine requests for new sequential
call signs but erroneously began issuing out-of-sequence Group D call
signs from brand-new call sign blocks in several districts. At that point,
the WTB stopped amateur processing altogether.

Despite the processing error, Jahnke emphasized, the anomalous Group D
call sign grants, which included numerous WQ-prefixes, were legal to use
on the air.

==>COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROJECT PICKS PILOT COMMUNITIES

The new ARRL Community Education Project (CEP) has targeted a dozen
communities from Maine to Oregon to learn about the value of Amateur Radio
to community safety and security. Between now and next August, CEP
Coordinator Bill Barrett, W1WJB, will be visiting the 12 localities to
explore the best ways Amateur Radio can work with Citizen Corps councils.
Barrett wants to enlist local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) teams
and ham radio clubs to demonstrate Amateur Radio as a source of trained
communicators--equipped and ready to serve.

"We hope to leave behind new and durable working relationships between
Amateur Radio groups--as embodied in ARES, RACES and local ham clubs--and
Citizen Corps councils," Barrett says. In addition, he wants to share the
message about Amateur Radio and emergency communication with community
leaders and have ham radio written into local and state emergency plans.
The overall effort, he hopes, will result in ongoing relationships that
will "mutually educate and develop a well-integrated local emergency
communication capability" to serve the public--in line with the goals of
the grant funding the CEP.

At the same time, Barrett says, the scope of his project is limited out of
sheer necessity. "Since this is a developmental pilot program, we are not
attempting to go everywhere at once," he said. The 12 target locations
were chosen with guidance from Citizen Corps, a community volunteer
organization operating under the Department of Homeland Security umbrella.

Barrett also took pains to explain what the CEP is not trying to do. "Our
purpose is not to recruit a lot of local emergency workers--professional
or volunteer--to become licensed amateurs," he said. "Quite probably, some
will go this route, but that would be a desirable side effect and not a
main goal."

Barrett has been enlisting the assistance of ARRL Field Organization
officials and ARRL-affiliated clubs in the affected sections to coordinate
his visits. In addition to local Citizen Corps councils, Barrett wants to
reach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members as well as "other
interested parties, such as local educational system officials."

Barrett is filling a new one-year position at ARRL. The League received a
grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) of
nearly $90,000 to develop the pilot Community Education Project.

The 12 pilot communities are York County, Maine; Shenandoah Valley,
Virginia; Jefferson County, Alabama; Old Hickory, Tennessee; Galesburg,
Illinois; Humboldt County, Iowa; Bates County, Missouri; Arapahoe County,
Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; Clackamas County, Oregon; Grant County, New
Mexico, and Concord, New Hampshire.

==>HF PROPAGATION FALLS VICTIM TO STRONG SOLAR WINDS; VHFers EXULT

As HF radio conditions drifted in the doldrums over the past week, the
Space Environment Center (SEC) <http://www.sec.noaa.gov/SWN/index.html>
reports that geomagnetic storm activity spiked into the "extreme" (G5)
category November 9. A result of disturbances in Earth's geomagnetic field
caused by gusts of "solar wind" blowing past the planet, geomagnetic
storms adversely affected HF radio propagation during much of the week and
even resulted in limited radio blackouts. The SEC estimates that G5-scale
geomagnetic conditions will occur on just four days of each 11-year solar
cycle. Things calmed to "minor" (G1) by week's end, and the near-term
prediction was for geomagnetic storm activity to dwindle. Even at the G1
level, geomagnetic activity can cause weak power grid fluctuations,
possibly affect satellite operations and still generate aurora at higher
latitudes.

At the same time, HFers were suffering, however, VHF enthusiasts were
exulting in the propagation the space weather generated on 6 meters. Chip
Margelli, K7JA, in California says that as ARRL November Sweepstakes (CW)
was coming to a close, many HF signals exhibited auroral characteristics.
Six meters, however, was becoming a hotbed of DX. Early on November 8
(UTC), he says, KH6SX reported on the 50 MHz Propagation Logger
<http://www.dxworld.com/50prop.html> that he was hearing the K6FV beacon.

"I quickly rotated my beam in his direction, and with one call I had him
in the log," Margelli reported. "His signal was full of rapid aurora
flutter, which is astounding for a path to Hawaii!"

Margelli says the opening later shifted to the west and north, and
additional stations were able to add Hawaii to their 6 meter WAS list. A
path then opened between Hawaii and Alaska (BP51) and ultimately between
Hawaii and Japan.

"It's hard to imagine a 'normal' Es opening with such a wide distribution,
and the westward progression suggests an enhancement ahead of the
heliopause," Margelli said. "But I think the book may need some re-writing
on this one."

Among the lucky stations in the east was ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager
Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, who bagged his 50th state on 50 MHz by
working NL7Z in Alaska via aurora.

On HF, Junji Saito, JA7SSB, told ARRL propagation bulletin editor Tad
Cook, K7RA, that he was able to generate big 20 and 30-meter pileups on
November 8 around 1430-1500 UTC, late evening in Japan, when the bands
usually are closed. He noted deep fading and echoes on signals.

The recent space weather conditions resulted in auroral displays visible
as far south as the Middle Atlantic states.

In terms of radio blackouts--disturbances of the ionosphere caused by
X-ray emissions from the sun--the SEC reported conditions as moderate (R2)
at midweek but nil as week's end. Solar radiation storm activity dropped
from the "moderate" (S2) level at midweek to minor (S1) by week's end. At
the S1 level, solar radiation storms can have a minor effect on HF radio
propagation in the polar regions.

See this week's "Solar Update" (below) for additional details and the
current forecast.

==>YOUNG ARRL AWARD WINNERS ENERGIZE GEORGIA YOUTH FORUM

Those who fret about the future of Amateur Radio would have found reason
for optimism during the Georgia State Convention November 6-7 in
Lawrenceville. The popular hamfest this year played host to two of the
country's most-honored young radio amateurs: Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, a
2003 ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award winner (Jay Thompson, W6JAY,
was the other winner), and Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, an earlier HPM Award
recipient and soon to be the League's youngest-ever division vice
director.

"Amateur Radio is not just a hobby but can set you on a lifelong path of
enjoyment and even a career," Mileshosky told the convention's Youth Forum
November 6. He should know. Although barely 25, Mileshosky, who's from
Albuquerque, New Mexico, will assume the office of ARRL Rocky Mountain
Division Vice Director on January 1.

Currently completing graduate school at Georgia Tech, Mileshosky--the
featured speaker at the Youth Forum Hartlage organized--says it was his
interest in ham radio that guided his career path in electrical
engineering. He encouraged young radio amateurs to seek leadership
positions starting at the club level.

Mileshosky and Hartlage have quite a bit in common. Both are Amateur Extra
class licensees in addition to being HPM Award winners--Mileshosky was
honored with the 1999 award--as well as recipients of the Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award. Mileshosky was selected in 1997,
while Hartlage received the YHOTY award this year. In June 2003, Hartlage
succeeded Mileshosky as contributing editor of the "Youth@HamRadio.Fun";
Web column.

ARRL Senior News Editor Rick Lindquist, N1RL, invited Mileshosky to share
the stage as he presented Hartlage with the 2003 HPM Award plaque. The
award also carries a $1500 stipend.

"I often joke about having thousands of parents via ham radio," Hartlage
said in her Youth Forum presentation, referring to those who have mentored
her as well as to radio amateurs she's met on the air or worked with on
various projects. Hartlage also spoke of the "fun activities" she's
discovered through ham radio, including involvement in public service, and
of the "lifelong friendships" she's developed. Ham radio has even helped
her with school, she said.

She encouraged veteran radio amateurs to become mentors--or Elmers--and to
stay in touch with their younger charges after they're licensed to guide
them in getting on the air or becoming involved in the various aspects of
ham radio. Mutual respect was another point she stressed. "Adults should
deal with younger hams as peers," she suggested.

To her youthful audience, which included children as young as eight,
Hartlage exhorted, "Go forth and build a radioactive youth!"

The "youth lounge" Hartlage set up at the convention as a gathering spot
for younger attendees especially impressed Mileshosky. "I've personally
not seen a youth lounge at any other hamfest I've been to and have not
seen so many youth at a youth forum except for the last time I was at
Dayton," he remarked. The area included not only snacks, drinks, ham radio
presentations and information but served as the home of the W4Y ("Watch
for Youth") special event station.

In addition to helping to oversee the various youth activities, Hartlage
took time to guide several younger visitors to the youth lounge through
their first Amateur Radio HF contacts.

==>THE TONE'S THE THING FOR 2004 ARRL FREQUENCY MEASURING TEST

There's a new twist to the ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW Frequency
Measuring Test (FMT). The 2004 FMT takes place November 18 starting at
0245 UTC (the evening of Wednesday, November 17, in US time zones),
replacing the W1AW phone bulletin normally transmitted then. Rather than
measuring the transmission's carrier frequency, participants in this
year's FMT will attempt to accurately determine the frequency of an audio
tone. Engineer and ARRL Contributing Editor Ward Silver, N0AX, says
measuring an audio tone will reinforce understanding of the relationship
between carrier frequency and the components of a transmitted signal.

"The carrier is suppressed for SSB signals, leaving only the sideband
components," Silver explains in "The FMT Strikes a New Tone," in November
QST. "The frequency of components of the modulating audio signal is
preserved as the difference between the carrier frequency and the
transmitted component. A single modulating tone results in a single
transmitted component."

W1AW will make the 2004 FMT transmissions on 80, 40 and 20 meters. The FMT
will begin with a general W1AW "QST" starting at 0245 UTC sent
simultaneously on the three W1AW transmission frequencies. The test itself
will consist of three 60-second tone transmissions on each band, followed
by a station identification. The whole test will run for about 15 minutes
and will end with a station ID.

The tone frequency will be the same on all three bands.

During the 2004 FMT, W1AW will indicate the band on which participants
should measure. After the initial call-up, W1AW will begin the test by
announcing, "Now 80 meters." Except for the tone transmission, all
transmissions will be voice. Frequencies are 3990 kHz (LSB), 7290 kHz
(LSB) and 14,290 kHz (USB). All frequencies will be accurate to at least
0.1 ppm (eg, 3990 ±0.4 Hz).

Submitted reports should include name, call sign, location, time of
reception and, of course, the tone frequency. Those using an indirect
measurement method also should include calculations showing how they
arrived at the tone frequency. For additional details on indirect and
direct measurement methods, see Silver's article "The ARRL Frequency
Measuring Tests," on the ARRL Web site,
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/fmt/0210051.pdf>, or in Oct 2002 QST.

Send entries postmarked by Friday, December 17, 2004, to W1AW/FMT, ARRL,
225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Separate reports for each band are
welcome. All entrants qualify for a Certificate of Participation. Those
coming closest to the measured frequency will be listed in the test report
and get special recognition on their certificates.

==>US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY SEEKS RADIO AMATEURS

CQ, CQ CQ! The US Coast Guard Auxiliary <http://www.cgaux.org/> is looking
for Amateur Radio operators or prospective amateur licensees.

"Like every other emergency based service, the Coast Guard operates every
day, in good weather and in bad," says Wayne Spivak, KC2NJV, of the USCG's
National Public Affairs Department. "We, in the USCG Auxiliary operate
whether there is power to operate the normal modes of communication, such
as phones, or whether the weather is bad, and the normal means of
communications are out of service."

At times like these, the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary rely on the
Auxiliary Net (AuxNet), a backup radio network, to maintain communication
with both the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard. In areas where there is no
regular Coast Guard presence, the Auxiliary may rely solely on its AuxNet
for communication. In areas with a large USCG presence, the AuxNet
operates in both a support and backup capacity.

The USCG Auxiliary is seeking ham radio volunteers because amateurs "are
good communicators," Spivak says, in particular because of skills they've
developed both in everyday radio operation and participation during
emergencies in RACES, ARES and SKYWARN. He suggests Amateur Radio and the
US Coast Guard Auxiliary are an ideal fit.

To find out more, visit the USCG Auxiliary Public Service Articles Web
site. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is open to all US citizens over the age
of 17. A security background check, paid for by the US Coast Guard, is
required before an applicant is accepted. Visit the US Coast Guard
Auxiliary Web site <http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/getzip.html> to start
the process.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation maven Tad "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" Cook, K7RA,
Seattle, Washington, reports: This was a wild week for propagation,
fraught with radio blackouts, 6 meter auroral propagation, wild solar wind
and severe geomagnetic storms. The prediction for the next few days is for
continuing auroral displays and geomagnetic storms, but the storms should
subside. These geomagnetic storms accompanied unstable and often unusable
conditions on HF but produced interesting and exciting propagation on VHF.

This week's average daily planetary A index (indicating geomagnetic
instability) was up by nearly 70 points to 77.6, and the mid-latitude A
index increased more than 36 points to 41.9. Average daily sunspot numbers
and solar flux declined. Our reporting week runs from Thursday through
Wednesday.

Predicted planetary A index for November 12 is 100, dropping off to 30 on
November 13 and 10 on November 14. A possible geomagnetic storm is
predicted for November 12 because of a coronal mass ejection (CME) blown
into space November 10. But this blast is not aimed at Earth, so its
effect will not be as strong as if the CME were squarely in the middle of
the solar disk.

Predicted solar flux, which averaged below 130 this week, is expected to
decline over the next few days but then rise again, with predicted flux
values of 90, 85, 85, 90, 100 and 105 for November 12-17. Solar flux and
associated sunspot numbers for the short term are expected to peak
sometime around November 23-24.

Sunspot numbers for October 28 through November 3 were 150, 130, 153, 163,
144, 110 and 123 with a mean of 139. The 10.7 cm flux was 133.4, 128.8,
136.4, 139.2, 135.5, 133.1 and 135.9, with a mean of 134.6. Estimated
planetary A indices were 3, 7, 17, 10, 5, 4 and 10, with a mean of 8.
Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 6, 10, 7, 4, 2 and 7, with a mean
of 5.4.

Sunspot numbers for November 4 through 10 were 135, 83, 106, 94, 93, 90
and 50, with a mean of 93. The 10.7 cm flux was 136, 141.2, 128.8, 129.6,
124.1, 140.9 and 104.6, with a mean of 129.3. Estimated planetary A
indices were 7, 4, 3, 39, 189, 120 and 181, with a mean of 77.6. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 5, 1, 4, 19, 116, 47 and 101, with a mean of
41.9.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The Worked All Europe DX Contest (RTTY), the
JIDX Phone Contest, SARL Field Day and the OK/OM DX Contest (CW) are the
weekend of November 13-14. JUST AHEAD: The ARRL Sweepstakes Contest (SSB),
the North American Collegiate Amateur Radio Club Championship (SSB), the
RSGB Second 1.8 MHz Contest (CW), the LZ DX Contest, the EUCW Fraternizing
CW QSO Party and the All Austrian 160-Meter Contest are the weekend of
November 20-21. The CQ Worldwide DX Contest (CW) is the weekend of
November 27-28. See the ARRL Contest Branch page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/> for more info.

* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration for the ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004) and Radio Propagation
(EC-011) on-line courses remains open through Sunday, November 14. Classes
begin Friday November 26. The Antenna Modeling course is an excellent way
to learn the ins and outs of computerized modeling of antenna designs.
Computer-modeling expert and noted author L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, has combined
the expertise of his long career as a college professor with his love and
antennas and antenna modeling to offer a comprehensive, yet practical,
course of study. Propagation students will study the science of RF
propagation, including the properties of electromagnetic waves, the
atmosphere and the ionosphere, the sun and sunspots, ground waves and sky
waves, and various propagation modes--including aurora and meteor scatter.
To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web
page or contact the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program
Department cce@arrl.org.

* Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration: Registration
for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level III on-line
course (EC-003) opens Monday, November 15, 1201 AM EST, and remains open
through the November 20-21 weekend or until all available seats have been
filled. Class begins Friday, December 3. Radio amateurs age 55 and older
are strongly encouraged to participate. Thanks to our grant sponsors--the
Corporation for National and Community Service and the United Technologies
Corporation--the $45 registration fee paid upon enrollment will be
reimbursed after successful completion of the course. During this
registration period, seats are being offered to ARRL members on a
first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, visit the ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce>.
For more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan
Miller, K3UFG, cce@arrl.org; 860-594-0340.

* ULS maintenance shutdown scheduled: The FCC has announced that due to
"scheduled maintenance," the ULS on-line filing, application and license
search and several other non Amateur Radio-related functions will be
unavailable starting Friday, November 12, at 9 PM EST until Monday,
November 15, at 6 AM EST. Electronic batch file processing will stop
November 12 at 5 PM, and VECs will not be able to send and retrieve files
during the down period. This weekend's transaction files and Sunday's
database public access files will not be available until Monday morning,
the FCC says.

* AMSAT establishes Echo "Experimenters' Wednesday" suggestion box:
AMSAT-NA has set up an e-mail address <ao51-modes@amsat.org>; for Echo
satellite (AO-51) users to submit suggestions for "Experimenters'
Wednesday" operations. AMSAT invites users to let the AO-51 ground control
team know which modes they're interested in seeing on the satellite for
the weekly experimental period. The FM voice repeater is turned off on
Experimenters' Wednesdays. On November 17, Experimenters' Wednesday will
feature PSK31 operation. The AMSAT Echo Web page includes the planned
monthly Echo schedule and additional information. AO-51 ground controller
Mike Kingery, KE4AZN, says he will post details about operating mode,
updates to the operating plan and other timely information typically two
or three times each week.--AMSAT News Service

* AMSAT auctioning Phase 3D artifact to help fund Eagle project: Once
again, AMSAT-NA is going the auction route to raise money for a satellite
project. This time, the fundraiser is for Eagle, AMSAT-NA's next new
satellite. On the eBay auction block
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5730146069> is a
prototype of the mounts used to secure the AMSAT Phase 3D satellite--which
later became AO-40--to the Specific Bearing Structure and the Ariane 502
rocket. The auction of the amateur satellite memorabilia continues through
Sunday, November 14, at 1900 Pacific Time. The winning bid in the 10-day
auction will be recognized as a donation to the $600,000 Eagle launch
campaign. Four of the prototype mounts were discovered while relocating
the AMSAT Lab in Orlando after Hurricane Charley damaged the building
housing the Lab beyond repair. AMSAT says the next-generation Eagle
satellite will provide hemisphere-wide communication via amateur satellite
utilizing both familiar modes and new microwave and digital techniques.
Last January, AMSAT-NA auctioned off an original sculpture of the AO-40
satellite to help fund the successful launch of the Echo satellite, now
AO-51.--AMSAT News Service

* Clinton Presidential Library special event set: Special event W5C will
be on the air November 13-14 to mark the dedication of the Clinton
Presidential Library. Operation will be from the Historic Arkansas Museum
in Little Rock. Coordinated by N5TKG and KB5VJA, the event is sponsored by
the ARRL Arkansas Section, and the ARES and CAREN clubs. Frequencies will
be 14.040, 14.260, 21.360, 7.250, and 3.9875 MHz plus area repeaters. QSL
to Dennis Schaefer, W5RZ, 181 Schaefer Dr, Dover AR 72837.

* William Baker, W1BKR, inducted into Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame:
New York Public Television CEO William F. Baker, W1BKR, has been tapped to
be a member of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. An induction
ceremony took place November 8 in Manhattan. Baker has headed NYPTV since
1987. During his tenure, WNET/Thirteen established Charlie Rose, Wide
Angle, Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly, and the children's math mystery
series Cyberchase as syndicated public TV staples. He also established the
station's Educational Resources Center and developed its first cable
channel, MetroArts/Thirteen. Before joining NYPTV, Baker served as
president of Westinghouse Television. During his 10 years with the
company, the Discovery Channel and the Disney Channel were launched. He
also established the successful national P.M. Magazine program franchise
and introduced Oprah Winfrey as a talk show host. Among other awards,
Baker has won six Emmys as a TV producer.

* New 60-meter beacons on the air from the British Isles: The Daily DX
reports that new 60-meter beacons are on the air from England and
Scotland. GB3WES in Cumbria, England, and GB3ORK in Scotland's Orkney
Islands join GB3RAL in Oxfordshire, which has been on the air since
mid-2003. All transmit on 5290 kHz. Each beacon has a stepped transmit
power sequence and a 30-second sounder sequence of 0.5 ms pulses at 40 Hz.
All three beacons transmit at a nominal power of 10 W. There's more
information, including how to file reception reports, on the RSGB Beacon
Reporting Web page.

* Three North American LF signals received in UK: Jim Moritz, M0BMU, in
Hertfordshire, England, recently was able to receive LF signals
transmitted by three North American stations operating on 2200 meters--in
the vicinity of 137 kHz (137.777 kHz). Copied using a computer equipped
with ARGO software were the "QRSS120" very slow-speed CW signals from
WD2XES, operated by John Andrews, W1TAG, in Massachusetts; Joe Craig,
VO1NA, near St Johns, Newfoundland; and WD2XDW, operated by Laurence
Howell, KL1X/5, in Oklahoma. Moritz received the trio of signals October
29 at approximately 0300 UTC, reports Craig, who notes that Howell's LF CW
signals also were detected recently in New Zealand. "The CW speed is very
slow, taking two minutes to send a dit," Craig explained. "This
corresponds to a speed of 0.01 WPM."

===========================================================
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
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==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@arrl.org
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860-594-0384

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listserver.)


 

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.

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.

Back issues published since 2000 are available on this page. If you wish to subscribe via e-mail, simply log on to the ARRL Web site, click on Edit Your Profile at the top, then click on Edit Email Subscriptions. Check the box next to The ARRL email newsletter, the ARRL Letter and you will receive each weekly issue in HTML format. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org

Editorial questions or comments: John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, at news@arrl.org.

Plain-Text

The ARRL E-Letter e-mail is also available in plain-text version:

Outlook Express

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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