Amateur Radio News
Attention All Amateurs...
Upcoming Special Events (Aug 13, 2007) -- Several upcoming Special Event operations were inadvertently left out of the September 2007 QST "Special Events" column. They appear below, as well as on the Special Events Web page.Full Story
ARRL San Francisco Section Manager Re-elected (Aug 21, 2007) -- In the only contested Section Manager race this summer, Bill Hillendahl, KH6GJV, was re-elected as the ARRL San Francisco Section Manager. He received 237 votes and his opponent, Warren "TR" Reese, WB6TMY, received 134 votes. Election ballots were counted today at ARRL Headquarters.Full Story
New England Ham Association Makes Scholarship Donation to ARRL Foundation (Aug 20, 2007) -- Earlier this summer, FEMARA made a $5000 donation to the ARRL Foundation to fund their New England FEMARA scholarships. Since 1990, FEMARA has awarded upwards of 10 scholarships per year; they currently award four $1000 scholarships annually through the ARRL Foundation. FEMARA is the organization that sponsors and runs the ARRL New England Division Convention. The group, which has been in existence for more than 30 years, began as a consortium of area radio clubs and is now a not-for-profit Massachusetts Corporation, and a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization (application pending). FEMARA's goals are twofold: To offer the richest and most diverse ARRL Convention in the country, and to support the ARRL Foundation's scholarship program. The first FEMARA scholarship recipient, awarded in 1990, was now-ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R.Full Story
Feature: Surfin': Huntsville Convention Web Cam (Aug 18, 2007) -- This week, get on the road again and take a virtual trip to the ARRL National Convention in Huntsville, Alabama.Full Story
Nets Active as Hurricane Dean Slams Caribbean Islands (Aug 17, 2007) -- The VoIP Hurricane Net activated Friday morning, August 17, at 2 AM EDT/0600 UTC in response to Hurricane Dean's impact on St Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and other surrounding Caribbean islands. Reports of damage along with wind estimates and measurements were relayed to WX4NHC, the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.Full Story
The 2007 ARRL Teachers Institutes Reach 45 Schools (Aug 17, 2007) -- Forty-eight teachers representing 45 schools from around the country attended the 2007 ARRL Teachers Institutes, held this summer in Rocklin, California, Spokane, Washington and at ARRL Headquarters in Newington. Each class of 12, ranging from pre-school teachers to college professors, got the opportunity to explore and experience firsthand wireless technology basics, how to teach basic electronics concepts integral to microcontrollers and robots, as well as how to bring space technology into the classroom. The four day course culminated with building and programming a robot.Full Story
Feature: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler (Aug 17, 2007) -- It's ElementaryFull Story
DirecTV Announces Plan to Provide Service via BPL (Aug 16, 2007) -- According to the August 15 edition of The Wall Street Journal, "Satellite-television provider DirecTV announced a wholesale agreement today with Current Group to provide high-speed Internet service over electric-power lines," otherwise known as broadband over powerlines (BPL). "Broadband over power line is a new technology that allows customers to plug a modem device the size of a cell phone into an electric outlet and connect a cable from their computer for Internet access that is capable of speeds that are faster than some popular Internet plans from cable and phone companies. Current is building out broadband networks in Cincinnati and Dallas-Fort Worth and is in talks with a number of utilities around the world about a commercial rollout," the Journal said.Full Story
ARISS Contact with Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (Aug 16, 2007) -- For 11 kids at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida, July 17, 2007 was quite a memorable day. These children had the unique opportunity of questioning astronaut Clay Anderson, KD5PLA, onboard the International Space Station (ISS) via ham radio as it made a 9 minute 30 second pass over the United States.Full Story
Hurricane Dean Moves toward Caribbean Islands (Aug 16, 2007) -- Hurricane Dean, currently a Category 1 hurricane and the first Atlantic hurricane this season, continues to intensify and now has sustained winds of 90 miles per hour. Its track is expected to take the system through the Netherland Antilles, with Dominica and Martinique bearing a potential direct hit from the hurricane. Dean should continue westward into the Caribbean and has the potential to continue to increase in strength and threaten Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Other surrounding islands will also feel Dean's impact. Hurricane warnings and watches have been posted for parts of the Lesser Antilles, where Dean is expected to hit sometime Friday morning.Full Story
Canadian Special Event Planned for September (Aug 16, 2007) -- A demonstration of cooperation in emergency communications preparedness between Canadian radio amateurs and those in the United States is planned for September 29-30 with a special event station VO1ARES. It will be located at the Marconi memorial station on historic Signal Hill, St John's, Newfoundland, where reception of the first trans-Atlantic wireless transmission occurred in 1901. Sponsored by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), the facilities are provided by Parks Canada and coordinated by the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA).Full Story
Hawaiian Hams Heed the Call of Hurricane Flossie (Aug 15, 2007) -- The VoIP Hurricane Net activated as Hurricane Flossie approached Hawaii. Flossie is a Category 2 hurricane that is expected to pass 75-100 miles offshore of the Big Island of Hawaii. While Flossie weakened late Tuesday and was downgraded to a tropical storm, tropical storm-force winds spread over Hawaii on Tuesday around mid-morning local time (1700-1900 UTC). If Flossie had deviated to the north, Hawaii was at risk for hurricane force conditions, with a change of as little as 50 miles north or south making a huge impact to the Big Island. The other islands in Hawaii were not seriously impacted.Full Story
BPL Industry Representative Appointed to ARRL EMC Committee (Aug 15, 2007) -- ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has appointed Brent Zitting, KB4SL, of Huntsville, Alabama, to serve on ARRL's ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Committee. Zitting, a 25-year ARRL member, is employed by IBEC, a BPL manufacturer and integrator located in Huntsville, Alabama. The EMC Committee, chaired by Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, consists of representatives from various industries that are interested in helping ARRL effectively and appropriately work with industry on interference issues. ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, said he is pleased to see Zitting serve on the committee. "Brent has carried his ham radio experience to the BPL industry, quietly working behind the scenes to help it better understand Amateur Radio. Having his industry occupy a seat at our table is a positive step that will improve communication significantly." Zitting said he is enthusiastic about serving as a member of the committee. "I look forward to helping the ARRL on this committee. BPL technology has made great progress in its ability to mitigate interference, which is good news for hams. I want to help the ARRL more fully understand the BPL industry so that both can be 'good neighbors.' I am pleased to be part of the solution."Link to this item
Field Day Logs Received are Posted (Aug 14, 2007) -- All 2007 Field Day logs have been received and posted to the Claimed Scores page on the ARRL Web site. They reflect all applications sent from the b4h Web applet, as well as those received via the US postal service and usable electronic submissions sent via regular e-mail (non-Web applet submissions). According to Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, "In some cases we did not receive sufficient information, and those entries are not allowed to be used at this time. A follow-up e-mail was sent to those concerned that included a blank summary sheet and a request to please complete the form and resubmit. In cases where we have not heard back from those requests, the entries are currently not on the list and can't be included until complete information is received back by the ARRL." Those with missing entries, who have questions or who find errors in their listing should contact Henderson via e-mail or by phone at 860-594-0236 after Tuesday, August 28 when he returns from vacation. If you call before that date, Henderson asks that you "please leave a message and please be patient. I will work with you to resolve any problems."Link to this item
The 2007 ARRL National Convention Is Here! (Aug 13, 2007 [REVISED Aug 18, 2007 08:31 ET]) -- ARRL is tying the ribbons on its planning for the 2007 ARRL National Convention, held in conjunction with the Huntsville Hamfest. The convention and hamfest will be held August 18-19 at the all-air-conditioned Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The event is preceded by the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference -- GAREC-07 -- held in the adjacent Embassy Suites Hotel, August 16-17.Full Story
Upcoming Special Events (Aug 13, 2007) -- Several upcoming Special Event operations were inadvertently left out of the September 2007 QST "Special Events" column. They appear below, as well as on the Special Events Web page.Full Story
ARRL San Francisco Section Manager Re-elected (Aug 21, 2007) -- In the only contested Section Manager race this summer, Bill Hillendahl, KH6GJV, was re-elected as the ARRL San Francisco Section Manager. He received 237 votes and his opponent, Warren "TR" Reese, WB6TMY, received 134 votes. Election ballots were counted today at ARRL Headquarters.Full Story
New England Ham Association Makes Scholarship Donation to ARRL Foundation (Aug 20, 2007) -- Earlier this summer, FEMARA made a $5000 donation to the ARRL Foundation to fund their New England FEMARA scholarships. Since 1990, FEMARA has awarded upwards of 10 scholarships per year; they currently award four $1000 scholarships annually through the ARRL Foundation. FEMARA is the organization that sponsors and runs the ARRL New England Division Convention. The group, which has been in existence for more than 30 years, began as a consortium of area radio clubs and is now a not-for-profit Massachusetts Corporation, and a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization (application pending). FEMARA's goals are twofold: To offer the richest and most diverse ARRL Convention in the country, and to support the ARRL Foundation's scholarship program. The first FEMARA scholarship recipient, awarded in 1990, was now-ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R.Full Story
Feature: Surfin': Huntsville Convention Web Cam (Aug 18, 2007) -- This week, get on the road again and take a virtual trip to the ARRL National Convention in Huntsville, Alabama.Full Story
Nets Active as Hurricane Dean Slams Caribbean Islands (Aug 17, 2007) -- The VoIP Hurricane Net activated Friday morning, August 17, at 2 AM EDT/0600 UTC in response to Hurricane Dean's impact on St Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and other surrounding Caribbean islands. Reports of damage along with wind estimates and measurements were relayed to WX4NHC, the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.Full Story
The 2007 ARRL Teachers Institutes Reach 45 Schools (Aug 17, 2007) -- Forty-eight teachers representing 45 schools from around the country attended the 2007 ARRL Teachers Institutes, held this summer in Rocklin, California, Spokane, Washington and at ARRL Headquarters in Newington. Each class of 12, ranging from pre-school teachers to college professors, got the opportunity to explore and experience firsthand wireless technology basics, how to teach basic electronics concepts integral to microcontrollers and robots, as well as how to bring space technology into the classroom. The four day course culminated with building and programming a robot.Full Story
Feature: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler (Aug 17, 2007) -- It's ElementaryFull Story
DirecTV Announces Plan to Provide Service via BPL (Aug 16, 2007) -- According to the August 15 edition of The Wall Street Journal, "Satellite-television provider DirecTV announced a wholesale agreement today with Current Group to provide high-speed Internet service over electric-power lines," otherwise known as broadband over powerlines (BPL). "Broadband over power line is a new technology that allows customers to plug a modem device the size of a cell phone into an electric outlet and connect a cable from their computer for Internet access that is capable of speeds that are faster than some popular Internet plans from cable and phone companies. Current is building out broadband networks in Cincinnati and Dallas-Fort Worth and is in talks with a number of utilities around the world about a commercial rollout," the Journal said.Full Story
ARISS Contact with Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (Aug 16, 2007) -- For 11 kids at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida, July 17, 2007 was quite a memorable day. These children had the unique opportunity of questioning astronaut Clay Anderson, KD5PLA, onboard the International Space Station (ISS) via ham radio as it made a 9 minute 30 second pass over the United States.Full Story
Hurricane Dean Moves toward Caribbean Islands (Aug 16, 2007) -- Hurricane Dean, currently a Category 1 hurricane and the first Atlantic hurricane this season, continues to intensify and now has sustained winds of 90 miles per hour. Its track is expected to take the system through the Netherland Antilles, with Dominica and Martinique bearing a potential direct hit from the hurricane. Dean should continue westward into the Caribbean and has the potential to continue to increase in strength and threaten Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Other surrounding islands will also feel Dean's impact. Hurricane warnings and watches have been posted for parts of the Lesser Antilles, where Dean is expected to hit sometime Friday morning.Full Story
Canadian Special Event Planned for September (Aug 16, 2007) -- A demonstration of cooperation in emergency communications preparedness between Canadian radio amateurs and those in the United States is planned for September 29-30 with a special event station VO1ARES. It will be located at the Marconi memorial station on historic Signal Hill, St John's, Newfoundland, where reception of the first trans-Atlantic wireless transmission occurred in 1901. Sponsored by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), the facilities are provided by Parks Canada and coordinated by the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA).Full Story
Hawaiian Hams Heed the Call of Hurricane Flossie (Aug 15, 2007) -- The VoIP Hurricane Net activated as Hurricane Flossie approached Hawaii. Flossie is a Category 2 hurricane that is expected to pass 75-100 miles offshore of the Big Island of Hawaii. While Flossie weakened late Tuesday and was downgraded to a tropical storm, tropical storm-force winds spread over Hawaii on Tuesday around mid-morning local time (1700-1900 UTC). If Flossie had deviated to the north, Hawaii was at risk for hurricane force conditions, with a change of as little as 50 miles north or south making a huge impact to the Big Island. The other islands in Hawaii were not seriously impacted.Full Story
BPL Industry Representative Appointed to ARRL EMC Committee (Aug 15, 2007) -- ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has appointed Brent Zitting, KB4SL, of Huntsville, Alabama, to serve on ARRL's ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Committee. Zitting, a 25-year ARRL member, is employed by IBEC, a BPL manufacturer and integrator located in Huntsville, Alabama. The EMC Committee, chaired by Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, consists of representatives from various industries that are interested in helping ARRL effectively and appropriately work with industry on interference issues. ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, said he is pleased to see Zitting serve on the committee. "Brent has carried his ham radio experience to the BPL industry, quietly working behind the scenes to help it better understand Amateur Radio. Having his industry occupy a seat at our table is a positive step that will improve communication significantly." Zitting said he is enthusiastic about serving as a member of the committee. "I look forward to helping the ARRL on this committee. BPL technology has made great progress in its ability to mitigate interference, which is good news for hams. I want to help the ARRL more fully understand the BPL industry so that both can be 'good neighbors.' I am pleased to be part of the solution."Link to this item
Field Day Logs Received are Posted (Aug 14, 2007) -- All 2007 Field Day logs have been received and posted to the Claimed Scores page on the ARRL Web site. They reflect all applications sent from the b4h Web applet, as well as those received via the US postal service and usable electronic submissions sent via regular e-mail (non-Web applet submissions). According to Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, "In some cases we did not receive sufficient information, and those entries are not allowed to be used at this time. A follow-up e-mail was sent to those concerned that included a blank summary sheet and a request to please complete the form and resubmit. In cases where we have not heard back from those requests, the entries are currently not on the list and can't be included until complete information is received back by the ARRL." Those with missing entries, who have questions or who find errors in their listing should contact Henderson via e-mail or by phone at 860-594-0236 after Tuesday, August 28 when he returns from vacation. If you call before that date, Henderson asks that you "please leave a message and please be patient. I will work with you to resolve any problems."Link to this item
The 2007 ARRL National Convention Is Here! (Aug 13, 2007 [REVISED Aug 18, 2007 08:31 ET]) -- ARRL is tying the ribbons on its planning for the 2007 ARRL National Convention, held in conjunction with the Huntsville Hamfest. The convention and hamfest will be held August 18-19 at the all-air-conditioned Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The event is preceded by the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference -- GAREC-07 -- held in the adjacent Embassy Suites Hotel, August 16-17.Full Story
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