***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 26, No. 38
September 21, 2007
***************
IN THIS EDITION:
* + Get Ready For the Second Annual ARRL On-Line Auction!
* + IARU Region 2 Conference Completes Its Work in Brasilia
* + ARRL Dakota Division Vice Director to Resign as of October 1
* + ARRL Roanoke Division Director to be Feted by Radio Club of America
* + ARRL Continues to Deal with Department of Defense over PAVE Paws
Sites
* + FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Correspondence Posted
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This Weekend on the Radio
ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
+ Carl Gardenias, WU6D, Files Appeal with ARRL Executive Committee
+ ICOM Returns as November Sweepstakes Principal Awards Sponsor
Tom Atkins, VE3CDM (SK)
ARRL Receives MARS Call Sign
North Carolina Ham Celebrates 100th Birthday
L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, Wins August QST Cover Plaque Award
Hams Named to Key NASA Positions
Oklahoma Hams Assist with Accident Scene
Dayton ARA Looking to Honor Silent Keys
Let Us Know What You Think
+Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>
===========================================================
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<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery>, then e-mail
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==>Editorial questions or comments only: S. Khrystyne Keane,
<k1sfa@arrl.org>;
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==> GET READY FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL ARRL ON-LINE AUCTION!
The Second Annual ARRL On-Line Auction kicks off October 24, running
until November 2 on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/auction>.
This is your chance to pick up one-of-a-kind Amateur Radio items. To see
what the Auction will offer this year, be sure to check out the Auction
preview that begins October 17. Last year, the Auction attracted more
than 4300 bidders from 36 countries. While the majority of buyers were
from the USA, Canada and the UK, there were buyers from Australia,
Malaysia, Grenada and Tanzania.
According to ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, "Last
year's on-line auction was our first and it was a great success. When
the bidding ended, we realized that we had sold 104 items and we had
raised just over $37,000." Proceeds from the auction benefit ARRL
education programs including activities to license new hams, strengthen
Amateur Radio's emergency service training, offer continuing technical
and operating education, as well as creating instructional materials.
This year's auction will include many products tested by the ARRL Lab
for QST Product Review. These items include an ICOM IC-7800, a Ten-Tec
Omni VII, a Palstar Auto Antenna Tuner, an MJF 974H Balanced Antenna
Tuner and a Heil Traveler Headset. There will be many vintage items
offered, including the antique transmitter featured in John Dilks' "Old
Radio" column in the November 2007 issue of QST. Also, returning by
popular demand will be five ARRL Lab unique "junque" boxes.
==> IARU REGION 2 CONFERENCE COMPLETES ITS WORK IN BRASILIA
Completing a week that included lengthy committee meetings and a
half-day tour of Brazil's capital city, the delegates to the 16th IARU
Region 2 General Assembly in Brasilia met in Plenary assembly on Friday,
September 14 to complete their work. Members of the ARRL's delegation
included President Joel Harrison, W5ZN; Vice President Kay Craigie,
N3KN; CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ; Southeastern Division
Director Frank Butler, W4RH; Chief Technology Officer Paul
Rinaldo, W4RI, and Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA.
Committee A, which deals with administrative matters, was chaired by
Norma Leiva, HR2NL, of Honduras; the ARRL's Siverling served as
secretary and interpreter. This committee presented the first report of
the Conference and made a number of recommendations for Conference
action, all of which were adopted. They include:
The establishment of a Region 2 Relief Fund with an initial transfer of
$5000 from the general reserve of Region 2; additional contributions
will be solicited. The Fund will be administered by the Executive
Committee and will be available solely to assist Region 2
Member-Societies whose club stations and buildings, including antenna
systems, are damaged by natural disaster.
The Executive Committee will develop a conference call process for
Region 2 that includes objectives, action plans, due dates and score
cards in order to improve communication among the Member-Societies and
the Executive Committee
An offer by Radio Club Argentino to be responsible for the Spanish
translation of the IARU Region 2 electronic bulletin was accepted.
Terms of reference for the Amateur Radio in Education Project that was
adopted by the 15th General Assembly in 2004 were revised slightly to
simplify the grant application process and encourage applications.
The Conference recognized Wolf Baron, TI2BY, of San Jose, Costa Rica,
for his outstanding service to Amateur Radio by conducting on-the-air
training on Sunday mornings for more than five years.
Several recommendations from the Region 2 Working Group on Emergency
Communications were adopted. These include establishing an Emergency
Communications Committee that will be responsible to the Executive
Committee for carrying out planning, training and the maintenance of
equipment and personnel inventories for emergency assistance deployment.
The Conference next received the report of Committee B/C, a combined
technical and operational committee dealing with both HF and VHF/UHF
matters. This committee was chaired by Ramon Santoyo, XE1KK, of Mexico
City, Mexico; the ARRL's Rinaldo, served as secretary. The Plenary
adopted all of the Committee's recommendations, including: A new Region
2 band plan for 160-10 meters was adopted, effective January 1, 2008.
The new plan is modeled on one adopted previously by IARU Region 1, with
regional differences taken into account; steps were taken to try to
reduce interference to national emergency Nets, including establishing
an inventory of such Nets and calling their importance to the attention
of the radio amateur community; and an IARU Region 2 Diploma was
approved, with some details remaining to be worked out by the Executive
Committee.
The next report was from the Finance Committee, Committee D, chaired by
Treasurer Noel Donawa, 9Y4NED, of Trinidad and Tobago. The Plenary
accepted two recommendations from Committee D. The first is an effort to
reach out to Member-Societies that have fallen behind in meeting their
dues obligations to Region 2; they will be offered the opportunity to
pay their back dues through 2006 at a 25 percent discount if they do so
by January 15, 2008. The Plenary also directed the Executive Committee
to study the existing dues structure, along with options and
alternatives, and to report to the next General Assembly.
The Conference accepted the offer of the Club de Radio Aficionados de El
Salvador (CRAS) to host the 17th General Assembly in 2010.
The Conference's last order of business was the election of officers and
other Executive Committee members for the next three years. Rod
Stafford, W6ROD, declined to stand for re-election as President but will
remain a Director. Moving to the office of President is Secretary
Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH, of Venezuela. Dario Jurado, HP1DJ, of Panama
was re-elected Vice President, and Donawa was re-elected Treasurer and
Director. Santoyo was newly elected as Secretary and joins the Executive
Committee for the first time. The other Directors were re-elected:
Daniel A. Lamoureux, VE2KA, of Canada; Pedro Rodriguez, CO2RP, of Cuba;
Marco Tulio Gudiel, TG9AGD, of Guatemala; Gustavo de Faria Franco,
PT2ADM, of Brazil, and Ron Szama, LU2AH, of Argentina. A provision of
the Bylaws was amended to permit the Executive Committee to consist of
10 members rather than the customary nine.
The conferees expressed their deep appreciation to LABRE, host of the
16th General Assembly, for its outstanding hospitality. Forty delegates
and observers representing 18 countries in the Americas -- 11 in person,
seven via proxy -- attended the Conference.
==> ARRL DAKOTA DIVISION VICE DIRECTOR TO RESIGN AS OF OCTOBER 1
Dakota Division Vice Director Twila Greenheck, N0JPH, announced her
resignation effective Monday, October 1, due to family responsibilities;
her term expires in 2008. She plans to continue serving the League as an
ARRL Education Advisor and consultant to the Board of Directors' ad hoc
Scouting Committee.
"Being part of the ARRL Board Family has been an incredible experience
that I will always remember and cherish. The opportunity to serve with
Director Jay Bellows representing the amateurs in the Dakota Division
has surely been an honor," Greenheck said.
Bellows said, "Twila has been a joy to work with over the past eight
years. From the first time I met her to the present she has been a
tireless and effective advocate of increased ARRL efforts to reach out
to youth and strengthen education in Amateur Radio. I look forward to
her continued service to the League, especially as a member of the
ARRL's Educational Advisory Group."
ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, will appoint a replacement.
==> ARRL ROANOKE DIVISION DIRECTOR TO BE FETED BY RADIO CLUB OF AMERICA
The Radio Club of America (RCA) has named ARRL Roanoke Division Director
Dennis Bodson, PhD, PE, W4PWF, of Arlington, Virginia, as the recipient
of the Sarnoff Citation. The award is given to recognize significant
contributions to the advancement of electronic communications. Barry
Goldwater, K7UGA (SK), was the first recipient of the Sarnoff Citation
in 1973.
"I was shocked when I heard that I would receive the Sarnoff Citation,"
Bodson said. "I find it difficult to believe that I'll be on the dais
with Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD." Bodson, Cronkite and QST and QEX author
John S. "Jack" Belrose, PhD, VE2CV, are to receive the RCA's Armstrong
Medal, the RCA's foremost achievement award and named for its first
recipient, Major Edwin Armstrong, at the RCA's Annual Awards Banquet and
Annual Meeting and Technical Symposium on November 16 in New York City.
Andy Rooney of CBS's "60 Minutes" will be the keynote speaker.
Bodson, who is retired -- "Retired means different things to different
people. I work, but on different things," he said -- displays an energy
level that hardly anyone can match. Bodson is retired as chief of the
Technology and Standards Division of the National Communications System
(NCS) in 1998. In October 2005, he became a member of the executive
staff of the Institute for Defense and Homeland Security where he is
director of Telecommunications and Sensor Systems. Bodson is an ARRL
Life Member and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE).
"Fifteen years ago, I had the opportunity [to serve on the ARRL Board of
Directors]. I knew the former Division Director, and he suggested, 'get
involved and run for Vice Director.' I was elected to that, and when he
retired, I moved up to Director. I have enjoyed it, but everything comes
to a change. I still have this year and two more years, and then I'll
decide whether to run for re-election," Bodson said. He also is Vice
President of the Arlington (Virginia) Amateur Radio Club (AARC).
Born in Washington, DC, Bodson always wanted to be an electrical
engineer. He earned a BEE in 1961 and an MEE in 1963, both from The
Catholic University of America in Washington. From 1963-1966, he served
as an officer in the US Air Force assigned to the National Security
Agency. From 1966-1969, he was with Vitro Laboratories, Atlantic
Research Corporation and the US Army Materiel Command where he was
engaged in research and development and systems engineering.
In 1970, Bodson began his long career with NCS, an interagency group of
23 federal departments and agencies managed by the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS). While at NCS, Bodson continued his formal
education and earned a Master's in public administration in 1976 from
the University of Southern California's Washington Center for Public
Affairs, and completed his PhD in electrical engineering in 1985 from
California Western University. In recognition of his accomplishments in
federal service, in 1999 Dennis received the IEEE's Charles Proteus
Steinmetz Award. According to the IEEE's Web site, the award is
"presented to an individual for exceptional contributions to the
development and/or advancement of standards in the field of electrical
and electronics engineering."
IEEE has seen a lot of Bodson since his beginning days as a student
engineer. "My major professor said, 'Become active in your professional
society.' I took him at heart and did so and never regretted it," he
said. After retiring from NCS, Bodson increased his IEEE involvement,
and by 2000, he was chairman of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society
(VTS) Standards Committee, reflecting his work on standards at NCS. He
was a senior editor for the VTS quarterly bulletin, "News Digest," and
later became its editor. "I became editor because we needed to do
something, but then we got a real editor, Dr James Irvine. We went from
a bulletin to a 60 page magazine," he said. Bodson is a Life Fellow of
IEEE, where new Fellowships are limited to no more than one-tenth of one
percent of the membership per year, making elevation to the status of
Fellow in IEEE a particularly high distinction.
Soon after his retirement from NCS, Bodson served as president of the
IEEE Engineering Management Society (EMS). For his service to EMS, he
was given the EMS Engineering Manager of the Year Award. The IEEE
Standards Association (IEEE-SA) bestowed on Bodson the IEEE-SA
Distinguished Service Award in 2002. Bodson was then was elected
President of VTS, where he continues on its board of governors as Junior
Past President.
Bodson has written more than 60 technical articles and has published
four books. He joined RCA in 1976, became a Fellow in 1981 and became an
RCA Life Member in 1996.
The RCA banquet is open to members, non-members and guests. Registration
is required; registration forms can be downloaded here
<http://homeeverestkc.net/dbishop13322/registration_form/registration_fo
rm.doc>. To learn more about the Radio Club of America and their awards,
please visit the RCA Web site <http://www.radioclubofamerica.org/>. The
ARRL thanks RCA Fellow and ARRL Life Member Don Bishop, W0WO, for this
information.
==> ARRL CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OVER PAVE PAWS
SITES
The ARRL participated in a teleconference call on Wednesday, September
19, with the Department of Defense (DoD) regarding Amateur Radio
repeaters interfering with the Air Force's PAVE Paws radar system.
According to ARRL Regulatory Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, "The
DoD acknowledges that it has seen changes at some repeater sites, but
not all of them." He said the DoD has revisited the Massachusetts
repeaters, located near Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, to "remeasure
the numbers. Some Massachusetts repeater owners have volunteered to
completely turn off their systems and some others have made changes, but
more is needed at both PAVE Paws radar sites."
The DoD, Henderson continued, has identified additional sources of
interference in Massachusetts. "This was not really unexpected and is
part of what has become an ongoing project. The ARRL will begin working
with these repeater owners as soon as the DoD provides us with specific
information," he said.
In California, where more than 100 repeaters are being scrutinized by
the DoD, Henderson said the majority of repeaters have not been
mitigated: "The Air Force has not had a chance to revisit Beale Air
Force Base for new measurements, but it will be happening soon."
Reports have circulated that a number of California repeater owners have
decided to take no further action about mitigating the interference
unless they receive official notice from the Federal Communications
Commission. "If these reports are true," Henderson said, "it is
unfortunate. The FCC has stayed abreast of the discussions between the
League and the DoD, and they are prepared to act appropriately if they
are contacted by the DoD."
He continued: "The DoD has indicated they are willing to allow the ARRL
to continue its attempts to mitigate the interference; however, they
have expressed a sense of urgency that this must come to a conclusion.
Those waiting for FCC action may find it coming sooner rather than
later."
==> FCC AMATEUR RADIO ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENCE POSTED
On August 23, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau released new Amateur Radio
enforcement actions. Todd C. Browne, KD0PA; Keith W. Coad, KW2C; Santos
J. Rodriguez Colon, KP4DC; Jerry L. Counsellor, WE5JC; Pablo
Diaz-Alequin, KP4MC, and Donald B. Flowers, NC4DF, all received letters
from the Commission concerning their vanity call signs. These amateurs
received their vanity call signs by stating they were former holders of
these call signs, but the FCC can find no documentation substantiating
their claims.
Robert C. Moldenhauer, W9CQ, also received a letter concerning his
vanity call sign that he requested as a "close relative" of the former
holder of that call sign. The FCC told Moldenhauer they can find no
documentation of his claim.
Steve L. Wingate, K6TXH, received notice from the Commission that the
recordings he had requested concerning complaints alleging his lack of
station control and deliberate interference had been sent to him.
Wingate was also granted an additional 30 days to respond to Commission
correspondence.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau now posts Amateur Radio enforcement-related
correspondence and documents -- with some exceptions -- on its own Web
site <http://www.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html>. Direct all
questions concerning the Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions Web
postings via e-mail only to Riley Hollingsworth <fccham@fcc.gov>; in the
FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division.
==>SOLAR UPDATE
Tad "All for the Love of Sun(spots)" Cook, K7RA, this week reports:
Fifteen days in a row with no sunspots, but this may change soon. Take a
look at sunspot numbers compared to solar flux for the current third
quarter of 2007 <http://www.sec.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/quar_DSD.txt>.
Notice that when there are zero sunspots, the solar flux (the amount of
energy we receive from the Sun at a wavelength of 10.7 cm or 2800 MHz)
is always below 70. Recently, the flux value has been below 70, and for
some time now the US Air Force has predicted a slight rise in solar flux
to 70 for today, September 21. You can see those predictions here
<http://sec.noaa.gov/ftpmenu/forecasts/45DF.html>. If we examine
predictions from early September on that page, note they show a return
to 70 solar flux for September 17; later forecasts show it creeping out
to September 18, then 19 and finally for yesterday, the prediction for
today is 70. We also see the return of sunspot group 970 set for
September 21-23 in September 21 Solar Region Summary
<http://www.sec.noaa.gov/ftpmenu/forecasts/SRS.html>. It would be great
to have at least one sunspot when fall returns. The official autumnal
equinox is this weekend, September 23 at 0951 UTC. Sunspot numbers for
September 13-19 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 0. The 10.7
cm flux was 66.4, 66.8, 67.7, 67, 66.9, 66.5 and 66.8 with a mean of
66.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 2, 4, 4, 2, 2, 3 and 4 with a
mean of 3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 2 and 2
with a mean of 2. For more information concerning radio propagation,
visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>.
__________________________________
==>IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: This weekend, the NCCC Sprint (CW) is
September 21, while the AGCW VHF/UHF Contest is September 22. The
Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB) and CIS DX Contest are September
22-23. The SKCC Weekend Sprint is September 23 and the 222 MHz Fall
Sprint is September 25. Next week, look for the ARRL EME Competition on
September 29-30. The NCCC Sprint (CW) is September 28. On September
29-30, look for the CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY), CQIR - Ireland
Calling, the Texas QSO Party, FISTS Coast to Coast Contest and the UBA
ON Contest (CW). The ARS Spartan Sprint is October 2. The YLRL
Anniversary Party (CW) is October 2-4, the German Telegraphy Contest and
the 432 MHz Fall Sprint are October 3. The SARL 80 Meter QSO Party is
October 4. See the ARRL Contest Branch page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/> and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more
info.
* ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Registration remains
open through Sunday, October 7, 2007 for these online courses beginning
on Friday October 19, 2007: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level
2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003R2);
Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF -
Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation
(EC-011). To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the Continuing
Education Program Coordinator <cce@arrl.org>;.
* Carl Gardenias, WU6D, Files Appeal with ARRL Executive Committee: Carl
Gardenias, WU6D, who was disqualified last week as a candidate in the
race for Director of the ARRL Southwestern Division, filed an appeal
with the ARRL Executive Committee on Monday, September 17. Gardenias was
disqualified by the League's Ethics and Elections Committee for not
acting promptly in response to communications from that committee
requesting he correct misinformation sent out on his behalf concerning
other candidates. The Executive Board is currently considering
Gardenias' appeal.
* ICOM Returns as November Sweepstakes Principal Awards Sponsor: ICOM
has generously agreed to serve for a third year as principal awards
sponsor for the 2007 ARRL November Sweepstakes. The Amateur Radio
equipment manufacturer's first such sponsorship was for the 2005 events.
The 2007 CW Sweeps takes place November 3-4, while the phone Sweeps is
November 17-18. Under its agreement with ARRL, ICOM will be the
principal sponsor for nearly 150 unsponsored contest plaques that
recognize various levels of operating achievement in the popular annual
competition. "Competitive operating events are the proving grounds for
equipment, operators and antenna systems," said ARRL Membership and
Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N. "ICOM Amateur Radio
Products National Sales Manager Ray Novak, N9JA, and ICOM recognize the
importance of these testing grounds, as well as the high levels of
achievement in contests that deserve to have 'some wood on the wall.'
The Amateur Radio industry has been terrific in supporting many contests
and activities run by ARRL, and we know first hand that participants
appreciate the attention and devotion shown to these pursuits." Patton
predicts nearly 3000 entries will be received for the November
Sweepstakes this fall.
* Thomas B. J. Atkins, VE3CDM (SK): Former ARRL Canadian Division
Director and IARU Region 2 President Tom Atkins, VE3CDM, passed away
Tuesday, September 18. He was 81. Atkins was the last Director of the
ARRL's Canadian Division before the Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL),
a predecessor to the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), began to operate
independently in 1988. He served as ARRL Director from September 20,
1982 to January 1, 1988. Atkins also served as President of IARU Region
2 for two three-year terms, 1995-2001, after holding every other office
in Region 2 -- Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President -- in succession
between 1983 and 1995. He also served on the IARU Administrative Council
and as an IARU Expert Consultant
* ARRL Receives MARS Call Sign: The ARRL now has a new Emergency
Communications tool in its toolbox -- MARS call sign AAN1ARL. According
to W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, "The call sign was requested
to reflect both the holder of the license (ARRL) and the various MARS
services (Army, Air Force and Navy)." The MARS station will be housed at
W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station. ARRL Emergency
Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, said, "The
establishment of an ARMY MARS call sign for W1AW begins a relationship
with the Military Affiliate Radio System and the ARRL. Our two
organizations are working toward the near-term establishment of a
Memorandum of Understanding. Additionally, the League and MARS will
utilize each other's personnel and technical capabilities to further
enhance our emergency preparedness and response capabilities." The MARS
program consists of licensed Amateur Radio operators who are interested
in military communications on a local, national and international basis
as an adjunct to normal communications. MARS has a long and proud
history of providing worldwide auxiliary emergency communications during
times of need. The combined three service MARS programs (Army, Air
Force, and Navy-Marine Corps) volunteer force of more than 5000
dedicated and skilled Amateur Radio operators is the backbone of the
MARS program. There are Army MARS stations in Japan, Korea, Hawaii,
Panama, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Central America,
Africa, Germany and the continental United States. MARS responders
operate on specially assigned military radio frequencies in voice,
teletype and packet modes of communications.
* North Carolina Ham Celebrates 100th Birthday: Harry Mills, K4HU, of
Hendersonville, North Carolina, celebrated his 100th birthday September
19. In 1922, when Mills was first licensed, there was no Federal
Communications Commission; communications were regulated under the
Department of Commerce with Herbert Hoover as Secretary of Commerce.
Mills has been a member of the League since February 1, 1936 - more than
71 years; he is also a member of QCWA. Still active on the air, Mills
can be heard twice weekly checking into the AM net on 3810 kHz, as well
as the Chapter 76 QCWA SSB net on Saturday mornings on 3930 kHz. Mills
credits a crystal receiver project from the Boy Scout handbook in 1919
for his interest in wireless and radio. ARRL Membership Manager Katie
Breen, W1KRB, passed along birthday wishes: "On behalf of the Board,
Staff and 152,000 members of ARRL -- we all wish a hearty Happy Birthday
to Harry, K4HU. It's not too often that we have the opportunity to wish
a Happy Birthday to someone who has been a member for 71 years -- yes,
71 years! I knew when I started here that we have thousands of dedicated
members, but Harry exemplifies our long-time members. We are so pleased
for Harry and wish him a very Happy 100th Birthday." -- Tnx John Dilks,
K2TQN, and Harold Kinley, WA4GIB
* L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, Wins August QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of
the QST Cover Plaque Award for August is L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, for his
article "A Short Boom, Wideband 3 Element Yagi for 6 Meters."
Congratulations, L. B.! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award --
given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is
determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web
page <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/qstvote.html>. Cast a ballot for
your favorite article in the September issue by Sunday, September 30.
* Hams Named to Key NASA Positions: Veteran astronaut Ellen Ochoa,
KB5TZZ, has been named Deputy Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center.
Ochoa has served as Director of Flight Crew Operations at Johnson. She
will succeed Bob Cabana, KC5HBV, who was named Director of NASA's
Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Ochoa and Cabana have each flown in
space four times. Ochoa flew on space shuttle missions STS-56 on
Discovery in 1993, STS-66 on Atlantis in 1994, STS-96 on Discovery in
1999 and STS-110 on Atlantis in 2002, logging a total of 978 hours in
space. She became Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations at Johnson
in December 2002 and Director of Flight Crew Operations in September
2006. Cabana has logged more than 1010 hours in space. He served as
pilot on STS-41 in 1990 and STS-53 in 1992, both on Discovery. He was
mission commander on STS-65 on Columbia in 1994 and STS-88 on Endeavour
in 1998, the first International Space Station assembly mission. "Having
friends in high places is always a good thing," said ARRL ARISS Program
Manager Rosalie White, K1STO. "It is a great thing for the Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station program to have Ellen and Bob in
these high-level positions at important NASA facilities. They are
familiar with Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) and ARISS;
recalling good experiences the two programs have provided students over
the years can be very helpful to the future of Amateur Radio in space."
* Oklahoma Hams Assist with Accident Scene: On September 8, Myrna Cobb,
KE5IAD, of Bethany, Oklahoma, and Victor Stillman, KE5LQU, of Edmond,
Oklahoma, were driving home from an ARES exercise and talking with
friends on the K5EOK EARS repeater in Edmond. As they were talking, a
car about 150 yards ahead of them on the highway started hydroplaning.
The car skidded into a tractor-trailer, causing caused both vehicles to
wreck. Still on the radio, Cobb and Stillman told Frankie Tassone,
KE5KQL, about the accident, giving him the accident details. Tassone
then contacted the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Cobb and Stillman were able
to immediately respond when they pulled up on the scene. Stillman, a
volunteer fire fighter and EMT, supplied first aid to the victims while
Cobb directed traffic, keeping the scene clear for more than 20 minutes
before the Highway Patrol arrived. - Tnx Mark D. Conklin, N7XYO
* Dayton ARA Looking to Honor Silent Keys: If you know of a ham who has
died in service during the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq, the Dayton
Amateur Radio Association would like to honor them. DARA is looking to
publish a memorial page in the Hamvention 2008 program listing these
SKs, with their name, call sign, branch of service, rank and unit. For
more information, please contact Ed Collins, N8NUY <n8nuy@arrl.net>;.
* Let Us Know What You Think: What's your favorite part of The ARRL
Letter? What kind of stories would you like to see in the Letter? Would
you prefer the Letter in an HTML format? This is your Letter and your
chance to let your voice be heard. Please send your suggestions to ARRL
News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, at k1sfa@arrl.org, with the
subject line "ARRL Letter Suggestions." All messages will be read and
discussed, and we look forward to implementing positive suggestions into
the ARRL Letter.
===========================================================
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the
American Radio Relay League: ARRL--the National Association for Amateur
Radio, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax
860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.
The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential and general
news of interest to active radio amateurs. Visit the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest Amateur Radio news and news
updates. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> also offers
informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast"
compiled and edited from The ARRL Letter. It's also available as a
podcast from our Web site.
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/American Radio Relay League.
==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
letter-dlvy@arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA,
k1sfa@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
The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly
from ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for
e-mail delivery:
ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site
<http://www.arrl.org/members/>. You'll have an opportunity during
registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of The ARRL Letter, W1AW
bulletins, and other material. To change these selections--including
delivery of The ARRL Letter--registered members should click on the
"Member Data Page" link (in the Members Only box). Click on "Modify
membership data," check or uncheck the appropriate boxes and/or change
your e-mail address if necessary. (Check "Temporarily disable all
automatically sent email" to temporarily stop all e-mail deliveries.)
Then, click on "Submit modification" to make selections effective.
(NOTE: HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You
must do this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.)
The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
sources:
* ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will
be posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)
* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur
Radio Club: Visit Mailing Lists@QTH.Net
<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL
cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this
listserver.)
