Subj : The Weekly ARRL Letter
To   : All
From : Sean Dennis
Date : Fri Mar 13 2020 09:05 am

  The ARRL Letter
  March 12, 2020

    * Visalia International DX Convention, Other Events, Canceled Due to
      Coronavirus Concerns
    * Nominations Invited for 2020 McGan Silver Antenna Award for
      Excellence in Public Relations
    * "Team Exuberance" Aims to Lower the Average Age of Contesters
    * ARRL Podcasts Schedule
    * Outer Space is Your Next Radio Frontier!
    * The K7RA Solar Update
    * Just Ahead in Radiosport
    * ARISS Celebrates Successful Launch Carrying Interoperable Radio
      System to ISS
    * International Group Reactivating the Legendary Yasme VP2VB Call
      Sign
    * In Brief...
    * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
  Visalia International DX Convention, Other Events, Canceled Due to
  Coronavirus Concerns

  Concern over COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of the 2020
  International DX Convention (IDXC) and of several other amateur
  radio-related events here and abroad. The IDXC was to be held April 24
  - 26 in Visalia, California.

  "We send out our apologies to all our prospective patrons of the 2020
  International DX Convention," IDXC Co-chairs Cathy Gardenias, K6VC, and
  Kris Jacob, K6TOD, said on behalf of the convention committee. "Due to
  concerns, health and well-being of our amateur radio family, our age
  group, and possible compromised health issues, we are taking the side
  of safety and canceling the convention." They conceded that, although
  the number of COVID-19 cases remains low, it only takes one person to
  pass the virus. IDXC is processing refunds.

  On March 11, the Dayton Hamvention^A(R) Executive Committee, said, "As
  of now we plan on holding Hamvention unless otherwise directed. It is
  our intention to follow the orders of the State of Ohio and the Greene
  County Health Department." On March 12, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
  issued an executive order barring public participation in sporting
  events and other large gatherings (defined as 100 or more attendees).
  Ohio has reported four confirmed COVID-19 cases.

  An in-person version of the HamSCI workshop, set for March 20 - 21 at
  the University of Scranton, has been canceled because of the
  coronavirus situation. HamSCI's Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, who's
  organizing the event, said alternative plans are in play to hold a
  virtual workshop.

  The Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club Spring Hamfest on March 14 and the
  Great Lakes Convention on March and the March 15 Toledo Hamfest in Ohio
  have been canceled. Also canceled: Communications Academy 2020, due to
  be held in Seattle, Washington, April 24 - 26.

  ARRL has created a URL that will search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention
  Database for canceled events.

  FCC Headquarters has barred the door to visitors, employees, and
  contractors who have been in any country subject to a COVID-19-related
  CDC Level 3 Travel Warning. It also has suspended until further notice
  any FCC involvement in large, non-critical gatherings involving
  national or international participants. Read more.
  Nominations Invited for 2020 McGan Silver Antenna Award for Excellence
  in Public Relations

  The ARRL Public Relations Committee invites nominations for the Philip
  J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award, presented annually to a radio
  amateur who has demonstrated success in public relations efforts on
  behalf of amateur radio and who best exemplifies the volunteer spirit
  of Philip McGan, WA2MBQ (SK).

  "ARRL Public Information Officers (PIOs) and other volunteers are
  working hard every day to create greater awareness of all that amateur
  radio has to offer," the Committee said in announcing the opening of
  nominations for the award. "They are publicizing special events,
  writing press releases, or doing interviews on radio and television or
  in newspapers to highlight the service that amateur radio provides."

  A journalist, McGan was the first chairman of ARRL's Public Relations
  Committee, which helped reinvigorate ARRL's commitment to public
  relations. To honor McGan, members of the New Hampshire Amateur Radio
  Association joined with the ARRL Board of Directors to establish an
  award that would pay lasting tribute to the important contributions he
  made on behalf of amateur radio.

  Activities for which the McGan Award is presented include those
  specifically directed at bringing amateur radio to the media's and the
  public's attention in a positive light. This may include such
  traditional methods as news releases or interviews, or less traditional
  methods, such as hosting a radio show or being an active public
  speaker.

  The ARRL Board of Directors will choose the award winner at its July
  2020 meeting, based on recommendations from the ARRL Public Relations
  Committee. The Committee has responsibility for reviewing the
  nominations and supporting material.

  Eligible nominees must be full ARRL members in good standing at the
  time of nomination. The award is given only to an individual, and
  nominees may not be current ARRL officers, directors, vice directors,
  paid staffers, or members of the ARRL Public Relations Committee.
  Nominees must not be compensated for any public relations work
  involving amateur radio -- including payment for articles.

  A nominee's efforts must fit the definition of public relations and
  recognize the promotion of amateur radio to the non-amateur radio
  community.

  Nominations must be received at ARRL Headquarters by the close of
  business on Friday, May 15, 2020. Nominations must be on an official
  entry form. Anyone may make a nomination.

  "Team Exuberance" Aims to Lower the Average Age of Contesters

  Seven of the world's top youth CW operators will convene at the western
  Pennsylvania superstation of Tim Duffy, K3LR, in late May, in an effort
  to lower the average age of contest operators -- especially CW
  operators. "Team Exuberance (TE)," comprised of teens and early
  20-somethings, gained a reputation during the CQ WPX phone event in
  2019. This year, they will tackle the CQ WPX CW contest on May 30 - 31.
  The young operators have been raising money to minimize the cost of the
  adventure for the participants and their families.

  "The average age of today's CW operator is 67," the group asserted.
  "Team Exuberance CW 2020 (TE CW 2020) is out once again to take a swing
  at the radiosport establishment, disprove the adage that old

                                         The 2019 Team Exuberance with
                                         K3LR in the center.

  age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance, and bring down
  the average age of the contesting community." They also want to prove
  "that youth contesters are legit contenders" in the radiosport arena.

  Violetta Latham, KK8AT, led the first Team Exuberance contest
  operation, which took first place in North America in the Multi-Two
  category, racking up a score of 22 million points and logging 5,700
  contacts. The team will stick to the Multi-Two format for the WPX CW
  this year.

  The TE CW 2020 team will include David Samu, VE7DZO; Marty Sullaway,
  NN1C; Philipp Springer, DK6SP; Bruce Yang, KN8U/BH4EPL; Tomi Varro,
  HA8RT; Mathias Acevedo, CE2LR, and Bryant Rascoll, KG5HVO.

  The team has mounted a GoFundMe campaign to raise the projected $8,000
  necessary to cover airfare, hotel, transportation, and meals for the
  duration of the contest. Any excess funds will be donated to the David
  Kalter Youth DX venture.

  "Your donation will not only help our team achieve the goal of
  participating in the CQ WPX CW 2020 but also keep the momentum of
  bringing more youth into the hobby and ultimately bring down the
  average age," the team said in its pitch.

  TE CW 2020 says its operators were handpicked for this contest and are
  all highly skilled and experienced. Varro, who is 21, was the 2014
  High-Speed Telegraphy (HST) competition champion, while Yang, also 21
  and a student at Georgia Tech, was the World Rookie champion for the
  2019 CQ WPX CW event.

  "While amateur radio is not a mainstream hobby for today's youth,
  finding skilled youth CW operators is even rarer," TE CW 2020 said in a
  news release. "They do [CW] because it's fun and challenging."
  ARRL Podcasts Schedule

  The latest (March 12) episode of the On the Air podcast focuses on how
  to calculate feed line loss, real-world examples of how digital and
  analog FM transceivers handle weak signals, and an interview with Rob
  Macedo, KD1CY, Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
  and SKYWARN Coordinator for the National Weather Service Boston/Norton
  office. Rob will offer information about how hams can get involved with
  SKYWARN.

  The latest episode of the Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 3) includes an
  interview with JS8Call creator Jason Sherer, KN4CRD, revisiting SSTV,
  and a discussion of arc-fault circuit breakers with Bob Allison,
  WB1GCM.

  Both podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android) as
  well as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

  Outer Space is Your Next Radio Frontier!

  You can make contacts through amateur radio satellites, and even with
  the International Space Station, using equipment you probably own right
  now! All it takes is the right information, which you'll find in ARRL's
  new book, Amateur Radio Satellites for Beginners.

  Dozens of spacecraft are in orbit just waiting for your signals, and
  more are being launched every year. This book is your guide to a whole
  new world of operating enjoyment. Inside you will be able to locate
  satellites and determine when they will be available in orbit, gain
  tips for building your own "satellite station, find a simple
  step-by-step guide to making your first contacts, and discover
  satellite antenna projects you can build at home.

  "Even with just a dual-band FM transceiver and a mobile antenna, you
  can make contacts through an amateur satellite!" said ARRL author and
  QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY.

  Building amateur radio satellites is difficult; communicating through
  amateur satellites is not. Amateur Radio Satellites for Beginners will
  introduce you to new experiences that you may have thought were out of
  your reach. Start reading and discover how easy it can be!

  Amateur Radio Satellites for Beginners is available from the ARRL Store
  or your ARRL Dealer. ARRL Item no. 1304, ISBN: 978-1-62595-130-4,
  $22.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $19.95. Call 860-594-0355 or,
  toll-free in the US, 888-277-5289. It will also be available as an
  e-book for the Amazon Kindle.
  The K7RA Solar Update

  Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: I felt cheated this week when a
  much-anticipated sunspot appeared only briefly, and after 2 days was
  gone. Sunspot region AR2758 only appeared on March 8 - 9, with daily
  sunspot numbers of 13 and 12, respectively. Some new activity is
  visible over the solar horizon -- a very active and bright spot, but
  this time in the sun's northern hemisphere.

  Average daily sunspot numbers for the week rose from zero to 3.6, while
  average daily solar flux barely increased, from 70 to 70.2. Average
  daily planetary A index declined from 6.7 to 4.4, and average middle
  latitude A index decreased from 4.6 to 3.6.

  Predicted solar flux over the next 45 days is 71 on March 12 - 14; 70
  on March 15 - 18; 72 on March 19 - 22; 70 on March 23 - April 4; 72 on
  April 5 - 18, and 70 on April 19 - 25.

  Predicted planetary A index is 5 on March 12 - 18; 12 and 8 on March 19
  - 20; 5 on March 21 - 26; 12 and 8 on March 27 - 28; 5 on March 29 -
  April 5; 10 and 8 on April 6 - 7; 5 on April 8 - 13; 8, 12, and 8 on
  April 14 - 16; 5 on April 17 - 22, and 12, 8, and 5 on April 23 - 25.

  Sunspot numbers for March 5 - 11 were 0, 0, 0, 13, 12, 0, and 0, with a
  mean of 3.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 69.5, 70, 69.9, 70.2, 70.8,
  70.8, and 70.5, with a mean of 70.2. Estimated planetary A indices were
  4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, and 3, with a mean of 4.4. Middle latitude A index
  was 3, 4, 5, 3, 5, 3, and 2, with a mean of 3.6.

  A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
  website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
  ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
  and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

  A propagation bulletin archive is available. Monthly charts offer
  propagation projections between the US and a dozen DX locations.

  Share your reports and observations.

  Just Ahead in Radiosport
    * March 14 -- AGCW QRP Contest (CW)
    * March 14 - 15 -- RSGB Commonwealth Contest (CW)
    * March 14 - 15 -- F9AA Cup, SSB
    * March 14 - 15 -- South America 10 Meter Contest (CW, phone)
    * March 14 - 15 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
    * March 14 - 15 -- Oklahoma QSO Party (CW, phone)
    * March 14 - 15 -- TESLA Memorial HF CW Contest
    * March 14 - 15 -- QCWA QSO Party (CW, phone)
    * March 14 - 15 -- Idaho QSO Party (CW, phone)
    * March 14 -- QRP ARCI Spring Thaw SSB Shootout
    * March 15 -- North American Sprint, RTTY
    * March 15 - 16 -- Wisconsin QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
    * March 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
    * March 17 -- CLARA Chatter Party (CW, phone)
    * March 19 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

  See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth
  reporting on amateur radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest
  Update via your ARRL member profile email preferences.
  ARISS Celebrates Successful Launch Carrying Interoperable Radio System
  to ISS

  Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is celebrating
  the successful launch and docking of the SpaceX-20 commercial resupply
  mission to the International Space Station (ISS). One payload on the
  flight is the ARISS Interoperable Radio System (IORS), which ARISS
  calls "the foundational element of the ARISS next-generation radio
  system" on the space station. Amateur radio has been an integral
  component of ISS missions since 2000. The Dragon cargo capsule docked
  successfully with the space station on March 9. ARISS-US Delegate for
  ARRL Rosalie White, K1STO, said hundreds of ARRL members contributed to
  make the IORS project happen, and ARISS is celebrating the 4-year-long
  project.

  "ARISS is truly grateful to ARRL and AMSAT for their co-sponsorship and
  support of ARISS since day one," White said. "ARISS greatly appreciates
  the hundreds of ham radio operators who have stood by ARISS, sending
  financial support and encouragement. A robust ham station is on its way
  to replace the broken radio on the ISS, and tens of thousands of hams
  will enjoy strong ARISS packet and ARISS SSTV signals as a result. In
  addition, thousands of students will discover and use ham radio to talk
  with a ham-astronaut. We hope to see the trend continue where more
  ARISS teachers and local clubs set up school ham clubs." The new system
  includes a higher-power radio, an enhanced voice repeater, updated
  digital packet radio (APRS), and slow-scan television (SSTV)
  capabilities for both the US and Russian space station segments.

  White called the March 7 launch, "beautiful, flawless." ARRL President
  Rick Roderick, K5UR, told ARISS that he had his fingers crossed for a
  successful launch.

  According to NASA Mission Control, it will take the three ISS crew
  members up to a month to unload and stow the 4,300 pounds of cargo on
  board the Dragon capsule, and the IORS is not a priority. The actual
  ham equipment will be installed in the ISS Columbus module. Another
  IORS unit is in line to be launched and installed in the Russian
  segment of the ISS later this year.

  The IORS consists of a custom-modified JVCKenwood TM-D710GA
  transceiver, a multi-voltage power supply, and interconnecting cables.
  The ARISS hardware team will assemble four flight units -- and 10 IORS
  units in all -- to support onboard flight operations, training,
  operations planning, and hardware testing. Future upgrades and
  enhancements to the next-generation system are in various stages of
  design and development. These include a repaired Ham Video system --
  currently planned for launch in mid-to-late 2020, an L-band (uplink)
  repeater, a microwave "Ham Communicator," and Lunar Gateway prototype
  experiment.

  International Group Reactivating the Legendary Yasme VP2VB Call Sign

  On Tuesday, March 10, an international group set sail to the British
  Virgin Islands and activated the VP2VB call sign of Yasme fame for 6
  days, focusing on the low bands with two stations. VP2VB was the call
  sign of the legendary Danny Weil, VP2VB, skipper of the Yasme series of
  sailing vessels that carried the peripatetic adventurer as he traveled
  from one DX location to another in the 1950s and early 1960s. His
  activities provided the impetus to create The Yasme Foundation. For the
  2020 "Yasme Memorial Expedition," operators will include rian
  Ciuperca, KO8SCA; Martti Laine, OH2BH; Niko Halminen, OH2GEK, and
  Sandro Nitoi, VE7NY. QSL via OH2BH.

  A Briton, Weil was a watch and clock maker by trade, and had a sense of
  adventure. His initial Yasme (often rendered as YASME) sailing voyage
  was to the British Virgin Islands. Yasme derives from the Japanese word
  "yasume," which means "to make tranquil." Another giant of ham radio
  history, the legendary DXer Dick Spencely, KV4AA, became aware of
  Weil's aspirations and suggested that he combine amateur radio with his
  ambitious travel itinerary. Spencely taught Weil Morse code and helped
  him secure the VP2VB call sign, which was to become famous around the
  globe. Spencely secured the initial ham radio gear for the Yasme and
  became a tireless fundraiser for The Yasme Foundation as well.

  Ultimately, there were three Yasmes. From 1955 until 1962, Weil
  operated from several ports of call in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
  This latter-day VP2VB DXpedition will count toward Yasme awards and
  marks the first activation of VP2VB in more than 60 years.

  This month's VP2VB DXpedition will trace Weil's original route in the
  British Virgin Islands under a special license authorization, to pay
  homage to those early years of DXing and to honor the spirit he
  embraced, which inspired a generation of DXers.

  Weil retired from DXpeditioning and settled in Texas in 1963, resuming
  his profession of a watch and clock maker and becoming a US citizen. He
  was not to be heard on the air again -- although he kept an ear on the
  bands. Weil died in 2003 at age 85.
  In Brief...

  The launch of the PSAT3 CubeSat, which was part of the DARPA Launch
  Challenge, has been canceled. The Challenge offered a $10 million prize
  for any launch provider that could deliver a rocket with only 30 days'
  notice of what payloads they would have and where they would launch
  from -- and then, to do it again only 30 days later. "We were on the
  second launch," said PSAT3's Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, of the US Naval
  Academy. "But on March 2, the third attempt by the launch provider was
  scrubbed at T-9 minutes and was not resolved until the launch window
  and DARPA Challenge deadline had passed. Therefore, the Challenge was
  over. There was no winner, and we lost the launch." The US Naval
  Academy project spacecraft remains available for a CubeSat
  Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) launch opportunity,
  Bruninga said. He described PSAT3 as a follow-on opportunity to
  duplicate the functionality of PSAT2 in a full-sized P-POD payload that
  remains attached to the upper stage rocket body. The launch was to take
  place from Kodiak, Alaska.

  The founder of the annual Ham Radio University in New York, Phil Lewis,
  N2MUN, of Lindenhurst, New York, died on March 5. An ARRL member, he
  was 72. Lewis grew up on Long Island, attended RCA Institute, and
  worked for Hazeltine and, later, BAE Systems in the aerospace industry.
  Licensed in 1991, he was a member of Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club
  (GSBARC), serving as a volunteer examiner and instructor and
  participating in Field Day and special events. Lewis was GSBARC
  President from 2000 to 2002. He was an active DXer and contester, and a
  member of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC).

  The Dominican Republic now has a 60-meter band. Following an Executive
  Branch vote, Dominican Republic telecommunications regulator Indotel
  has updated the country's National Frequency Allocation Plan, which

  kHz to amateur radio fixed and mobile stations (except for aeronautical
  mobile stations). Stations may not exceed a maximum radiated power of
  15 W EIRP. The Dominican Radio Club recommended adoption of the plan.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
    * March 13 - 14 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana
    * March 13 - 14 -- North Carolina Section Convention, Concord, North
      Carolina
    * March 14 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska
    * March 14 -- West Virginia Section Convention, Charleston, West
      Virginia
    * March 21 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
    * March 29 -- Virginia Section Convention, Annandale, Virginia
    * April 3 - 4 -- OzarkCon, Branson, Missouri
    * April 10 - 11 -- Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
    * April 10 - 11 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
    * April 11 -- Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
    * April 17-19 - Eastern VHF UHF Microwave Conference, Manchester,
      Connecticut
    * April 18 -- Louisiana Section Convention, West Monroe, Louisiana
    * April 18 -- Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware
    * April 25 - Aurora Conference , White Bear Lake, Minnesota
    * May 3 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Bristol,
      Pennsylvania
    * May 8 - 9 -- Arizona State Convention, Prescott Valley, Arizona
    * May 8 - 9 -- Utah State Convention, Orem, Utah
    * May 9 - MicroHAMS Digital Conference 2020, Woodinville, Washington
    * May 15 - 17 -- Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, Ohio
    * June 6 - 7 -- Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon
    * June 6 - 7 -- West Pennsylvania Section Convention, Prospect,
      Pennsylvania
    * June 6 -- Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia
    * June 12-13 -- Ham-Com, Plano, Texas
    * June 20 -- Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee

  Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  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, and On the Air, a new
      bimonthly magazine for beginner hams. ARRL members can choose which
      magazine to receive in print, and can view the digital editions of
      both magazines online.
    * Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

  Subscribe to...
    * NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
      articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
      Sprint, and QSO parties.
    * QEX  -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
      bimonthly, 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 (biweekly
      contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much
      more!
    * Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

  The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
  and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
  their profile.

  Copyright (c) 2020 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
  distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
  non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
  purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Limestone, TN, USA (1:18/200)