 March 29, 2012 John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor
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+ Available on ARRL Audio News. + On the Air: NTIA -- No Objection to Additional Data Modes on 60 Meters
In response to requests for clarification from the ARRL, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has confirmed that it has no objection to the use of a broader range of data emissions by amateurs on the five 5 MHz frequencies on 60 meters. ARRL's original understanding was that the NTIA preferred that the use of 2K80J2D emission be limited to Pactor III. The NTIA now says that that is not the case. Read more here. + On the Air: Online DXCC Application to Debut April 2
Beginning April 2 at 12:01 AM EDT (0401 UTC), the ARRL's new Online DXCC tool will be ready to accept applications, allowing hams to supply the data from traditional paper QSLs in a digital form to apply for a new DXCC award or endorsement. Submitting a DXCC application using Online DXCC is easier than making a paper application, saving both time and money. Read more here. + Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, Is an Analog Man Grammy Award winning rock-and-roll legend Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, returns with Analog Man, set to be released June 5. This is Walsh's first solo album since 1992's Songs for a Dying Planet. According to Walsh's website, Analog Man is both modern and timelessly soulful, packed with Walsh's wit, charm and chops; it delivers an incredibly raw and intimate sound. "It's been 20 years and I have a lot to say," Walsh explained. "These songs [on Analog Man] come from the heart."
No stranger to the analog way of life, Walsh -- an ARRL Life Member -- enjoys operating on 75 meters AM. AM -- or amplitude modulation -- has been around the amateur bands since the 1930s. Its advocates say that AM offers a warm, rich audio quality that provides for more personal interaction and that AM's simplicity circuit design encourages hands-on restoration, modification and homebrew construction to an extent no longer found among contemporary radios. Many hams who operate AM say they enjoy the simple, roomy electrical and mechanical designs of the older radios, claiming that they can more easily be modified and tinkered with than their modern counterparts. Other enthusiasts claim that these vintage radios sound better than their silicon descendants, saying that the tube audio from vintage gear is "warmer" and more aesthetically pleasing than the audio produced by the typical modern transceiver. Read more here. + ARRL HQ: Two Positions Open at ARRL HQ
The League is currently looking to fill two open positions at ARRL Headquarters in Newington. One position is in the Membership and Volunteer Programs Department and the other is in the Education Services Department. Travel is required for these full-time positions. MVP Awards and Programs Assistant This person who fills this position will assist in all activities found within the MVP Department, with initial priority given to assisting with Logbook of The World (LoTW) support functions. Other duties include supporting the DXCC and other awards programs, W1AW station operations and contesting program support. Candidates should hold an Amateur Extra class license, participate in contests and DXCC, and be an experienced user of LoTW. A Bachelor's degree is preferred. Click here for a job description. Education Services Instruction and Resource Coordinator The person who fills this position will, among other duties, identify, review and organize resources needed by license instructors, teachers and Scout leaders, develop curricula/lesson plans, instructional media for instruction of ham radio license and other ham radio related topics (including radio science and basic electronics topics for use by classroom teachers) and develop an orientation course for license instructors and materials for instructor training. Candidates should hold an Amateur Extra class license (or be willing to achieve this within one year from date of hire) and a wide range of operating experience. Experience with instructional media is a plus. A Bachelor's degree, along with teacher certification (and/or experience as a teaching or training professional) with Amateur Radio, electronics, science or technology subjects is required. Click here for a job description. How to Apply To apply, please send your cover letter and resume via e-mail, or complete the application, print it out and mail it with your resume and cover letter to Monique Levesque, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. You can also fax your application, cover letter and resume to 860-594-0298. Please include your salary history and salary requirements. The ARRL is an equal opportunity employer. + QST Author Seriously Injured Commander Richard Paton, USCGR (Ret) -- author of "Radio's Role in the Titanic Disaster" in the April 2012 issue of QST -- was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Tolland, Connecticut on March 22. He is in the Intensive Care Unit at Hartford Hospital.
"It was a great shock to hear the news," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "Dick and his wife Carol live in the same town that I do and sit right behind me at church. I knew nothing about his article until it was in print, because I was in Geneva attending WRC-12 while the April QST was being put together. My congratulatory e-mail reached him while he and Carol were on a cruise in the Pacific. The accident occurred soon after they returned home." Commander Paton, 67, was injured when his motorcycle collided with an automobile. At last report the accident was still under investigation. "While Dick is not a radio amateur, his extensive maritime experience and inquiring mind combine to lead him to be curious about many of the things that intrigue us as hams," Sumner said. "I hope ARRL members who enjoyed his contribution to QST will join me in keeping Dick in their thoughts and prayers as he fights to recover." Solar Update
Tad "Never did Sun more beautifully steep" Cook, K7RA, reports: Eight new sunspot groups appeared this week, but the average daily sunspot number declined four points to 71.1, while the average daily solar flux rose by less than two points to 103.7. On March 22, three new sunspot groups appeared, numbered 1441, 1442 and 1443. Two more groups appeared on Friday, 1444 and 1445, while 1442 vanished from view. On March 24, group 1441 disappeared, and on March 25 new group 1446 emerged. On March 26, groups 1440, 1443 and 1446 faded away, but 1442 -- not seen since four days earlier -- re-emerged. On March 27, group 1444 disappeared and 1447 appeared, and on March 28 new group 1448 arrived. For the short term, planetary A index is predicted to be 10 on March 29, 5 on March 30-April 9, then 12 on April 10, and back to 5 on April 11-12, then 15 and 10 on April 13-14, followed by 5 on April 15-23. The solar flux prediction shows flux values of 110 and 115 on March 29-30, 120 on March 31-April 2, 125 on April 3-5, and a big jump to 140 on April 6. On April 7-11, the predicted solar flux is 130, 125, 120, 110 and 105. On April 12-15, the predicted solar flux is 100. It then goes to 105 and 110 on April 16-17, and back to 100 on April 18-21. Another broader peak of 140 is predicted for May 1-3. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, March 30. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by William Wordsworth's Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802. + ARRL to Close in Observance of Good Friday ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Good Friday on Friday, April 6. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions that day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Monday, April 9 at 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Luxembourg Issues Stamp to Celebrate 75 Years of Amateur Radio
Founded in 1937, the Réseau Luxembourgeois des Amateurs d'Ondes Courtes (RL) -- that country's IARU Member-Society -- is celebrating its 75th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, Luxembourg's Entreprise des Postes et Télécommunications (P&TLuxembourg) has issued a .60 ⬠postage stamp (about 80 cents in US currency); P&TLuxembourg is that country's government owned corporation for mail and telecommunications. This is one of three commemorative stamps issued by Luxembourg in 2012 . This Week in Radiosport This week:
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To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here. ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more! Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues! Click here to advertise in this newsletter. | ||||||||
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