ARRL Messages

SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX005 ARLX005 National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC Sets On-The-Air Station Test ZCZC AX05 QST de W1AW Special Bulletin 5 ARLX005 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT May 29, 2008 To all radio amateurs SB SPCL ARL ARLX005 ARLX005 National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC Sets On-The-Air Station Test The annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami takes place Saturday, May 31, from 1300-2100 UTC. "The purpose of this annual Station Test is to test all of our radio equipment, computers and antennas using as many modes and frequencies as possible. This is not a contest or simulated hurricane exercise. New equipment and software will be tested, and some operator training will also be conducted," says WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. He adds that WX4NHC also will be testing new computers and software as well conducting operator training. WX4NHC will be on the air on HF, VHF and UHF, plus 2 and 30 meter APRS. Suggested SSB frequencies are 3.950, 7.268, 14.325, 21.325 and 28.525 MHz, +/-QRM; WX4NHC reports that they will mostly be on 14.325 MHz and will make announcements when they change frequencies. WX4NHC also will be on the VoIP Hurricane Net 1700-1900 UTC (IRLP node 9219/EchoLink WX-TALK Conference) and on South Florida area VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex. Stations working WX4NHC exchange call sign, signal report, location and name plus a brief weather report, such as "sunny," "rain" or "cloudy." Non-hams may submit their actual weather using the On-Line Hurricane Report Form. QSL to WD4R and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Do not send cards to the NHC. Due to security measures, no visitors will be allowed at NHC during the test. NNNN /EX
From: Pitts, Allen W1AGP [mailto:w1agp@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 6:11 AM To: pr list Subject: [pr:9178] New Ionosphere Tool for Ham Radio Operators/displays The following announcement should be shared with clubs and groups. While I have played with it and I am not so sure that it is really all that helpful to hams yet - but it will surely be refined. BUT - and here's the important part for PIOs - it is a GREAT WAY TO SHOW THE IONOSPHERE TO NON-HAMS in a display! Now, instead of trying to tell people about ricocheting signals off the sky, we have something we can show them too. Allen G Pitts, W1AGP Media &amp; PR Manager ARRL - the national association for Amateur Radio 225 Main St. Newington CT 06111 (860) 594-0328 apitts@arrl.org ________________________________ From: ariss-press-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:ariss-press-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bauer, Frank H. (GSFC-590.0) Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 6:58 AM To: ariss-press@amsat.org<br> Subject: [ARISS-press] New Ionosphere Tool for Ham Radio Operators All, I am pleased to announce that NASA has just released a new 4D ionosphere tool that can benefit the ham radio community. To explore the ionosphere and for more information on this outstanding modeling system, please go to the following web sites: The vodcast on the 4D ionosphere http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/4dions_feature.html A downloadable version that includes a sound bite on how ham radio operators will benefit from this model: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010200/a010208/ Enjoy! 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
==>; ASTRONAUTS WORK ON COLUMBUS LAB ON THE ISS Astronauts aboard the International Space Station complex are focusing on getting the new Columbus lab up and running. Columbus, the laboratory built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and host of two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) antennas, was launched into space on February 7 aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, arriving three days later. According to NASA, Columbus' activation process has been running a little behind because of computer problems, but flight directors believe they've fixed the glitch. In 2007, the ARISS antennas successfully passed electrical and SWR tests, with one of the two antennas, Antenna 42, going through a final test -- a thermal test under vacuum. Columbus will house an additional Amateur Radio station, including the first digital Amateur Radio TV (DATV) station in space, as well as a ham radio transponder. The yet-to-be-built Columbus amateur gear will facilitate operation on new frequencies that will make it possible for ARISS to establish wideband and video operations for the first time and allow continuous transponder operation. <br> According to ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, "The <br> ARISS-Europe Team has been holding meetings to determine what the ARISS International Team should have for a station in the Columbus module. The Europeans will need to begin fundraising for the multiple sets of equipment, such as the on-orbit equipment, the required back-up on-orbit equipment and the test equipment. Some portions of the equipment system can be purchased, but much of it would need to be built. Once the team purchases or builds the equipment, it will need to undergo special testing for space and getting the equipment certified (probably by ESA) and finally manifesting the system for launch. All of that will take many months and help from ARISS volunteers from many countries." The mission, STS-122, brought seven astronauts to the ISS: Commander Stephen N. Frick, KD5DZC; Pilot Alan G. Poindexter; Mission Specialist Rex J. Walheim; Mission Specialist Stanley G. Love; Mission Specialist Leland D. Melvin; Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel, DG1KIH, of Germany, and Mission Specialist/Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, KE5FNO, of France. Flight Engineer Dan Tani, KD5DXE, already on board the ISS, will depart when Atlantis returns to Earth; Eyharts will stay behind on the ISS and take his place. Atlantis will remain at the ISS until February 18; touchdown is set for February 20, making for a 13-day flight.
ARRL Southwestern Division e-Communicator Sat 2/9/2008 10:17 AM California License Plate Issue Resolved The California Department of Motor Vehicles has made it official that Amateur Radio callsign license plates will again be issued without spaces in the callsigns. Those who currently have plates with spaces can get them exchanged. Information is on the DMV web-site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ham/ham_plate.htm . Amateur Radio's case was made by a number of individuals including a number of individuals who contacted DMV and/or their elected representatives. DMV apparently has several lists of license plate numbers, such as regular automobile, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, and amateur radio. Therefore California law enforcement personnel have to search their DMV database computers for callsign plates under the "ham" designation. Several people have reported that certain policemen were unaware of this, and unpleasant confrontations have occurred. People are suggesting fixes for this, such as putting the words "Amateur Radio" on the plates. These suggestions are being politely passed on to DMV. In the meantime, remind any officer stopping you that he must search for ham plates. California - Use of Cellular Telephone While Driving Law After initial concern that California's law prohibiting use of a cell phone while driving might be misapplied to use of Amateur Radio mobile equipment, DMV's web-site clearly now states that the law, scheduled to begin on July 1, does not apply to two-way radios. See http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/ Antenna Zoning Issues The WB6X case in Palmdale continues to brew, and is in the early stages of court action. Stay tuned for reports on future developments. The city of Grand Terrace, in San Bernardino County, is apparently considering an antenna regulations that are very unfavorable to Amateur Radio. A hearing before the city council is planned for Tuesday, February 12. Vice Director Marty Woll, N6VI, is assembling a response team from the Amateur Radio community. We hope to stress the contributions of Amateur Radio to the public, particularly in times of disaster, and make the city aware of PRB-1 and California Government Code Section 65850.3. Hopefully they will exempt Amateur Radio antennas, or at least comply with PRB-1. If you are able to help, please contact Marty at n6vi@arrl.org
The ARRL Letter, Vol 26, No 39 (Friday, September 28, 2007)

==> AMATEUR RADIO GOES TO WASHINGTON

Army MARS Chief Stuart S. Carter, AAA9A, has invited the ARRL and Amateur Radio representatives to join a Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) demonstration outside the Capitol building in Washington, DC on October 3. Hams around the country are asked to aid in the demonstration by making HF contacts during the day. With help from Laura Abshire, Legislative Aide to Representative Mike Ross, WD5DVR (D-AR), Tricia Russell, Legislative Aide to Representative Steve Israel (D-NY), and coordination of the myriad details by "Pudge" Forrester, W4LTX, Systems Administrator for Representative Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), the "show" is set for next Wednesday, and hams around the country can help.

ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, said, "Thanks to a MARS invitation to join in a demonstration, and excellent coordination work by Forrester, the October 3 demonstration of Amateur Radio and MARS emergency communications will be front and center in the open space between the Capitol building and the Botanic Garden in Washington, DC." Pitts went on to say that the regional MARS organization is planning to conduct an exercise demonstrating emergency communications at the Capitol, as well.

The exercise assumes a Category 3 hurricane, Hurricane Quincy, will make landfall on October 2 over the coastal areas of Delaware, Maryland, DC and Virginia. Quincy will progress northward to New Jersey and Pennsylvania and then travel inland to the south, returning to the Atlantic Ocean on October 5 via the Carolinas and Georgia. During this time, MARS resources will be challenged by ongoing events in every part of the country, including ice storms, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and earthquakes.

There will be a communication trailer, tent type shelter, four HF transceivers -- voice, PSK, and Winlink -- and VHF equipment at the site. The local Voice of America (VOA) organization and MARS have local repeaters and digipeaters available. Power will come from solar panels and generators with battery backup. The emergency communications trailer, owned by the Blue Ridge Association, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, part of the Southern Baptist North American Missions Disaster Relief Ministries, will also be on hand.

Representatives from ARRL headquarters, including Pitts, will be there. They will have ARRL public relations materials as well as video that shows the negative impact of BPL if current FCC rules are not modified. In addition, there are special materials for Members of Congress and their staff advocating Amateur Radio's positions on several legislative issues, including information to solicit co-sponsorship of H.R. 462 and H.R. 2743.

While MARS will be conducting their drill on their frequencies, Amateur Radio operations are scheduled from 1400-2100 UTC. While there may be last minute changes, plans are to try to center HF voice contacts around 14.250 and 7.250 MHz, and on PSK at 14.070 MHz. "By showing Members of Congress our nationwide capabilities and potentials, we advance the Service in many ways," Pitts said.

Representatives Ross and Bartlett plan to stop by. Army MARS is sending their Chief of Operations Grant Hays from Arizona. Mike Barrett, K3MMB, of the Transportation Security Administration's Office of Security Operations is aiding with the operations and logistics.
The ARRL Letter, Vol 26, No 38 (Friday, September 21, 2007)

 * 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.
The ARRL Letter, Vol 26, No 32 (Friday, August 10, 2007)

* New Chief for Air Force Mars:

Allen Eiermann, K3LSR, has been named the new acting chief of Air Force MARS. Eiermann takes over for Don Poquette who recently retired form the Air Force. Eiermann holds a General class Amateur Radio license and is a former Navy/Marine Corps MARS member. "I am looking forward to serving the MARS community and will work closely with the Army and Navy-Marine Corps MARS Chiefs to bring the tri-service MARS programs closer to being just MARS. I fully support interoperability between the three services and the efforts to provide communications services to other federal agencies and civilian communities during times of need," Eiermann said.