The ARRL Letter

> ***************
> The ARRL Letter (ARRLWeb)
> Vol. 22, No. 48
> December 5, 2003
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * +ARRL BPL engineering study ready to roll
> * +Logbook of the World tops a million QSL records
> * +Expedition 8 crew may be on for special event
> * +ARRL says cooperation best approach at 2390-2395 MHz
> * +New General question pool released
> * +Ham antennas no danger to migratory birds, ARRL says
> * +Michigan hams win antenna victory
> * +ARRL member turns 100!
> *  Solar Update
> *  IN BRIEF:
>      This weekend on the radio
>      ARRL Emergency Communications Course registration
>      ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
>      Survey seeks opinions on ARRL Continuing Education Course offerings
>      Stephen E. McCallum, W2ZBY, SK
>      Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award
>      W4B to commemorate Wright Brothers' flight centenary
>      Turtles vexing TO4E DXpedition
>      Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN, now active from Angola
>
> +Available on ARRL Audio News
>
> ===========================================================
>
> ==>ARRL'S BPL STUDY IMMINENT; LEAGUE TO SOLICIT BPL TRIAL INTERFERENCE
> REPORTS
>
> An ARRL-sponsored independent engineering study to accurately quantify the
> interference potential of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) is set to start
> in the very near future. In addition, the League soon will elicit
> interference reports from amateurs in communities where BPL trials are
> known to be under way.
>
> "We're contracting for an independent measurement of potential interaction
> between BPL and Amateur Radio," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. The
> study--to be conducted under the auspices of certified professional
> engineers--not only will examine and document how BPL might affect HF and
> low-VHF amateur operation but how Amateur Radio operation could affect BPL
> systems.
>
> The ARRL-sponsored engineering study should be completed within a couple
> of months, Sumner said. The ARRL anticipates that the FCC could issue a
> Notice of Proposed Rule Making in the proceeding (ET Docket 02-104) early
> in 2004. The FCC's Notice of Inquiry in the matter, released last April,
> has attracted more than 5100 comments--many of them from the amateur
> community.
>
> At this point, while some BPL system trials are operating under existing
> Part 15 rules for unlicensed devices, other systems have secured FCC Part
> 5 experimental licenses that permit them to use higher power levels. In
> either case, however, FCC rules require BPL operators to cease operation
> if their systems result in harmful interference.
>
> In a related initiative, the ARRL will be contacting amateurs in about a
> half-dozen US communities where BPL field trials now are in progress. The
> League will ask amateurs to listen on the air for any increase in noise
> level that might be related to the BPL trial. Sumner says it's most
> important that hams in trial areas who detect noise first verify that it
> is indeed caused by BPL before they document and report their observations
> to the FCC.
>
> "It is important that each interference complaint be a valid case of
> actual harmful interference," an attachment to Sumner's letter says. "It
> is possible to misidentify other noise sources as BPL." Sumner says
> amateurs must carefully avoid "crying wolf" by filing invalid reports of
> BPL interference. The League suggests amateurs receiving the solicitation
> letters enlist the support of "a technically qualified observer"--an ARRL
> Technical Coordinator, Technical Specialist or local club interference
> committee--then submit a recording of the interference to the ARRL
> Laboratory for review and analysis.
>
> The ARRL's solicitation includes a form to document suspected instances of
> harmful interference from BPL. Sumner says the League hopes the effort
> will result in a "body of technical evidence that will protect the Amateur
> Service from this source of potential interference."
>
> In a related development, a California technology company this month wrote
> the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology to refute ARRL assertions
> that BPL necessarily poses a severe interference potential. Corridor
> Systems http://www.corridor.biz says its "breakthrough" BPL system,
> operated under existing Part 15 rules, uses frequencies in the 2 to 20 GHz
> range, will not interfere with HF and low-VHF reception and can provide up
> to 216 MB per second throughput.
>
> "Corridor Systems has demonstrated a BPL technology which is completely
> compatible with the Amateur Radio Service and, indeed, with all users of
> the HF-VHF spectrum," Corridor's Chief Technology Officer Glenn Elmore,
> N6GN, said in the "open letter"
> http://www.corridor.biz/031201-fcc-letter.pdf that was copied to ARRL.
>
> Sumner pointed out in responding to Elmore that ARRL only first became
> aware of Corridor's work in mid-October and that the League's comments
> were appropriate within the context of the FCC's definition of BPL systems
> operating in the 2 to 80 MHz HF and low-VHF spectrum. "The Corridor
> Systems approach deserves to be distinguished from the spectrum-polluting
> HF and low VHF systems, not only because of its much lower interference
> potential but also because of the higher data rates it can support,"
> Sumner said.
>
> Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web site
> http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/.
>
> ==>LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD CONTINUES TO GROW
>
> The ARRL's Logbook of the World secure contact-verification database
> continues to grow. So far, reports ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne
> Mills, N7NG, nearly 5000 users have uploaded logs containing some 25.4
> million Amateur Radio contacts. This has resulted in more than 1 million
> QSL records.
>
> "The key is participation, and it doesn't cost a thing to get the software
> and upload logs," Mills pointed out. "We're encouraging all hams to
> participate in Logbook, whether the ham is a casual operator, contester,
> ragchewer or DXer." To further expand the database and generate more
> confirmed contacts for all LoTW users, Mills is calling on everyone to
> sign aboard and submit as many logs as possible.
>
> Once LoTW programming is complete, users will be able to redeem credits
> for ARRL awards without having to go through the expense and trouble of
> obtaining hard-copy QSL cards. Mills emphasizes that LoTW is not meant to
> replace paper QSL cards but supplements traditional QSLing.
>
> Signing up as a new LoTW user is simple. Visit the Logbook of The World
> Web site http://www.arrl.org/lotw and read the "Getting Started"
> document, Mills said. He advises new users to print it out to have the
> instructions handy.
>
> The "Getting Started" page offers step-by-step instructions for getting a
> secure digital certificate from ARRL and preparing and uploading logs.
> Mills noted that most new user problems result from failing to
> specifically follow the instructions outlined on the "Getting Started"
> page.
>
> Amateur Radio software developers are starting to include direct support
> for Logbook of The World in their programs. Most logging software allow
> users to export a log in ADIF format, which LoTW will accept. A few
> programs incorporate the ARRL's TQSL file-generation and digital
> certificate code, which simplifies the process of digitally signing logs
> and exporting them in a separate e-mail.
>
> For more information, visit the Logbook of The World Web site
> http://www.arrl.org/lotw.
>
> ==>EXPEDITION 8 CREW MIGHT BE ON THE AIR FOR ARISS ROY NEAL, K6DUE, EVENT
>
> Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International
> Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, says a "very challenging schedule" kept the
> Expedition 8 crew from getting on the air November 29-30 for the ARISS Roy
> Neal, K6DUE, commemorative special event. Bauer says Crew Commander Mike
> Foale, KB5UAC, may attempt to be on the air from NA1SS on Saturday,
> December 6.
>
> "He requested that we make it clear that he would like to try again this
> weekend--on Saturday only--but not to get your hopes too high that he will
> be there," Bauer said. "He requested a single pass over North America and
> over Europe." Also onboard the ISS is cosmonaut Sasha Kaleri, U8MIR. Foale
> and Kaleri both were active on Amateur Radio during their tours of duty
> aboard the Russian Mir space station.
>
> ARISS has provided pass information (ISS pass times, below) to NASA to
> communicate to the crew. Bauer said ARISS put its list of passes in
> priority order starting with those offering the greatest ground coverage.
> He noted, however, that the top-priority North American pass occurs just
> about the time the crew typically retires for the day. "So it is not clear
> if this is a viable pass," he added. "We included it because it was a
> superior pass for North America."
>
> Among other distractions last week was a peculiar "crushing" noise heard
> November 24 in the Zvezda Service Module--the crew's quarters. Another
> onboard problem involved what Bauer called "serious issues" with the
> treadmill the crew uses to keep fit in zero gravity.
>
> Bauer expressed hopes that the crew would be able to be on the air from
> NA1SS this weekend as part of a month-long special event in memory of
> Neal, who served as SAREX/ARISS Working Group Chairman. Neal died in
> August.
>
> ARISS has requested that special event participants keep all contacts
> short to give as many stations as possible a chance to work NA1SS. Those
> contacting the ISS by voice (NA1SS) or packet (RS0ISS) through the end of
> December will be eligible for a special anniversary event certificate.
>
> Bauer advised those working NA1SS for the event to not request a
> certificate until ARISS releases QSL instructions. ARISS
> http://www.rac.ca/ariss/ is an international project with participation
> and support from ARRL, NASA and AMSAT.
>
> ISS PASS TIMES IN PRIORITY ORDER: Saturday, December 6, (all times
> UTC)--North America: 1. 2128-2150, 2. 1953-2014, 3. 1818-1839 and 4.
> 1646-1703. Europe: 1. 1348-1415, 2. 1525-1554, 3. 1701-1726, 4. 1836-1854,
> 5. 2012-2026 and 6 1213-1235.
>
> ==>COOPERATION, NOT CONTENTION, THE BEST APPROACH AT 2390-2395 MHZ, ARRL
> SAYS
>
> The ARRL has told the FCC that it can support Amateur Radio sharing of
> 2390 to 2395 MHz on a co-primary basis with flight test telemetry
> stations. The Amateur Service has 2390 to 2400 MHz on a primary basis.
> Earlier this year, in a Fourth Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in ET
> Docket 00-258, the FCC proposed permitting federal government aeronautical
> mobile and non-government aeronautical flight test telemetry to operate in
> the first 5 megahertz of the band. In reply comments in the proceeding
> filed December 1, the League told the FCC that it's agreed in principle
> with the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC)
> http://www.aftrcc.org/ to develop coordination procedures.
>
> "ARRL believes and continues to believe that this will result in a
> harmonious arrangement that will not significantly disrupt ongoing and
> developing amateur operations," the League's reply comments said. The
> allocation shift is part of the FCC's efforts to accommodate users
> displaced from other bands reallocated for Advanced Wireless Systems.
> AFTRCC initially had called on the FCC to preclude "any new amateur use"
> of the 2390 to 2395 MHz segment and grandfather any existing usage on a
> secondary basis. At the time it commented, however, AFTRCC was acting on
> the presumption that amateur use consisted only of ATV. The ARRL noted
> that amateurs also are developing wideband data systems for the spectrum.
>
> In its comments filed November 3, the ARRL expressed confidence that the
> co-primary allocations envisioned for 2390-2395 MHz will, in the end,
> prove compatible, provided the FCC affirms the need for cooperative
> frequency coordination. The ARRL reiterated that position in this week's
> reply comments.
>
> "The need for active frequency coordination is especially compelling with
> respect to non-government flight test telemetry," the League said. The
> ARRL asserted, however, that 2395 to 2400 MHz "must remain an exclusive
> amateur primary allocation.
>
> ==>NEW GENERAL CLASS QUESTION POOL RELEASED
>
> The Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the National Conference of Volunteer
> Examiner Coordinators has released a revised and expanded Amateur Radio
> General class (Element 3) question pool into the public domain. The new
> question pool becomes effective July 1, 2004, and must be used to generate
> all General written examinations administered on or after that date.
>
> "The pool has been expanded to 432 questions," said ARRL VEC Manager Bart
> Jahnke, W9JJ, a member of the Question Pool Committee, who notes that all
> subelements grew slightly. "The largest increase in questions this time
> around was in our Operating Procedures and Amateur Radio Practices
> subelements," he said. The General class question pool does not contain
> any diagrams or symbols.
>
> The new Element 3 question pool is available on the ARRL Amateur Exam
> Question Pools Web page http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/pools.html in Adobe
> PDF and ASCII text format. It includes all questions and answers relating
> to Element 3.
>
> The Question Pool Committee now is turning its attention to developing an
> outline for an updated Amateur Extra class (Element 4) question pool,
> which will be revised over the next 24 months, Jahnke said. It will go
> into effect July 1, 2006. The deadline to submit input to the Amateur
> Extra question pool syllabus is May 1, 2004.
>
> In addition to Jahnke, members of the Question Pool Committee are Chairman
> Scotty Neustadter, W4WW, Fred Maia, W5YI, and John Johnston, W3BE.
> Commenters may address specific Element 3 questions as well as inputs to
> the Element 3 syllabus and question pool to the Question Pool Committee
> via e-mail qpc@arrl.org.
>
> ==>HAM ANTENNA SUPPORT STRUCTURES NOT MIGRATORY BIRD HAZARD, ARRL SAYS
>
> The ARRL has asked the FCC to specifically exempt Amateur Radio antennas
> and support structures less than 400 feet tall from routine environmental
> processing relative to their impact on migratory birds. In reply comments
> filed December 1, the League said there is no scientific evidence that
> antenna structures below that height contribute significantly to migratory
> bird mortality. An FCC Notice of Inquiry, WT Docket 03-187, released in
> August seeking information on the effects of communications towers on
> migratory birds, drew more than 250 comments. The League told the FCC that
> the migratory bird issue often arises at municipal land use hearings and
> in the drafting of ordinances regulating antenna structures.
>
> "At public hearings before city, town and county authorities, those who
> are opposed to communications antennas for aesthetic reasons typically
> raise issues such as migratory bird mortality as one of several arguments"
> against permitting antennas or limiting their placement," the ARRL
> comments said. "ARRL's research into the scientific literature reveals
> that communications towers below 400 feet are almost universally
> considered not to be contributors to bird mortality."
>
> The League said typical ham radio fixed antennas and support structures
> are located mostly in residential areas and range from 50 to 120
> feet--although some may go as high as 200 feet. The ARRL said amateur
> antenna installations rarely go any higher than that because of FAA
> approval, painting and lighting requirements, not to mention cost and
> siting restrictions.
>
> "The comments in this proceeding to date support the conclusion that
> communications towers less than approximately 400 feet do not contribute
> substantially to migratory bird kills," the ARRL said, adding that no
> regulatory action is justified beyond what's already in place for aviation
> safety.
>
> The ARRL also pointed to FWS guidelines released in 2000 that urge
> communications service providers to utilize towers less than 199 feet
> above ground level. The FWS concedes, however, that "tower height alone
> may not necessarily be a critical issue that results in mortality" and
> that bird kills documented at tall TV towers might be due to the effects
> of tower lighting rather than height.
>
> Based on the record, the League concluded, "unlit Amateur Radio antennas
> cannot be considered candidates for regulation under any circumstances."
>
> ==>MICHIGAN HAMS WIN ANTENNA EXEMPTION VICTORY
>
> Amateurs in Troy, Michigan, scored a major victory for that community's
> hams November 24 after convincing the Troy City Council to reject the city
> planning commission's restrictions on the height of Amateur Radio antennas
> and antenna support structures. A Detroit suburb of some 70,000
> inhabitants, Troy boasts an amateur population of more than 225.
>
> "When the time came for a vote, the original proposal of the planning
> commission was not even considered," reported Hazel Park Amateur Radio
> Club Director of Instruction Jeff Albrecht, N8WR. Instead, the council
> voted unanimously to accept the proposal drafted by Mayor Matt Pryor and
> HPARC President Phil Ode, AA8KR, that calls for an exemption of city
> regulation for structures up to 75 feet and compliance with federal
> preemptions regarding Amateur Radio.
>
> The planning commission had proposed to increase allowable antenna and
> antenna support structure height from 20 to 25 feet but wanted to impose
> additional requirements and final say on any application.
>
> Local hams originally banded together in August 2002 after HPARC First
> Vice President Murray Scott, KE8UM, was denied a variance to construct an
> antenna support structure. The amateurs convinced city council that the
> planning commission's restrictions would violate PRB-1, the limited
> federal preemption of local statutes that directs municipalities to
> "reasonably accommodate" Amateur Radio communication with respect to
> ordinances regulating antennas and antenna support structures.
>
> In their presentation, 10 hams from HPARC and the Utica-Shelby Emergency
> Communications Association used ARRL's "Antenna Height and Communications
> Effectiveness" study
> http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/local/antplnr.pdf and
> ARRL's Amateur Radio Today CD presentation as part of its testimony. Troy
> Fire Chief Bill Nelson, KC8IWQ, also testified to the importance of
> Amateur Radio to his department's preparedness plans.
>
> Council ordered the city manager and city attorney to report back at the
> December 15 council meeting with an ordinance that would codify Pryor and
> Ode's proposal. Council further ordered that the ordinance not be subject
> to planning commission review or alteration.
>
> ==>ARRL MEMBER TURNS 100!
>
> The ARRL has conveyed its congratulations and best wishes to League member
> Cliff Fay, K7BQ, of Peoria, Arizona, who turned 100 this week. Arden
> Nelson, KA9WAR, reports that K7BQ still is active and recently checked
> into the Door County (Wisconsin) Amateur Radio Club net on 10 meters.
>
> "He belongs to the DCARC, and for many years has spent his summers on
> Washington Island," Nelson said. Although the big day was December 2,
> Fay's family reportedly celebrated the event November 29--the Saturday
> after Thanksgiving.
>
> NBC Today show weatherman Willard Scott included Fay among his list of
> centenarians December 2 and mentioned the fact that Fay was a ham radio
> operator and considered himself an active DXer. He's also a regular
> participant in the Lions Club's annual Hunting Lions in the Air contest.
>
> First licensed as 9ARG in 1919 when he was 16 and living in St Louis, Fay
> has held his ham ticket continuously since then. That means he's been an
> Amateur Radio licensee for 84 years! He's been an ARRL member for more
> than 35 years.--ARRL thanks Arden Nelson, KA9WAR, and Bob Reed, W2CE, for
> this information.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Solar sage Tad "That Lucky Ol' Sun" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
> reports: Geomagnetic conditions have been quite stable this week. As a
> result, HF propagation has been good. Right now Earth is entering a solar
> windstream, and that could trigger auroras. The interplanetary magnetic
> field is currently pointing south, which means Earth is vulnerable to the
> effects of solar wind.
>
> The current forecast is for geomagnetic indices to rise over the next few
> days. Predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, December 5-8
> is 20, 35, 25 and 20. Predicted solar flux for those same days is 115,
> 110, 105 and 105. Solar flux values are predicted to run between 105 and
> 110 and then reach a slightly lower minimum around December 12, then rise
> again toward a short-term peak around December 18-22.
>
> Petr Kolman, OK6MGW, is predicting active geomagnetic conditions for
> December 10-11, unsettled to active on December 5 and 9, unsettled
> conditions on December 6 and quiet to unsettled conditions on December
> 7-8.
>
> Conditions this weekend during the ARRL 160-Meter CW contest will be
> affected by any geomagnetic disturbance. Check WWV at 18 minutes after the
> hour (or check the WWV text on the Internet
> http://sec.noaa.gov/ftpdir/latest/wwv.txt) at 0018, 0318, 0618, 0918,
> 1218, 1518, 1818, and 2118 UTC for the latest mid-latitude K index. If the
> value is 3 or less, conditions should be good.
>
> Sunspot numbers for November 27 through December 3 were 154, 185, 177,
> 178, 159, 119 and 100, with a mean of 153.1. The 10.7 cm flux was 174.7,
> 167.7, 165.9, 152.8, 143.3, 139.3 and 123.8, with a mean of 152.5.
> Estimated planetary A indices were 10, 10, 9, 10, 10, 9 and 7, with a mean
> of 9.3.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This weekend on the radio: The ARRL 160-Meter Contest, the QRP ARCI
> Holiday Spirits Sprint, the PSK31 Death Match, the TARA RTTY Melee and the
> TOPS Activity 80-Meter Contest are the weekend of December 6-7. JUST
> AHEAD: The ARRL 10-Meter Contest and the Great Colorado Snowshoe Run are
> the weekend of December 13-14. See the ARRL Contest Page
> http://www.arrl.org/contests and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
> http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html for more info.
>
> * ARRL Emergency Communications Course registration: Registration opens
> Monday, December 8, 12:01 AM Eastern Time (0501 UTC), for the Level II
> Emergency Communications on-line course (EC-002). Registration remains
> open through the December 13-14 weekend or until all seats are
> filled--whichever occurs first. Class begins Tuesday, December 23. Thanks
> to our grant sponsors--the Corporation for National and Community Service
> and the United Technologies Corporation--the $45 registration fee paid
> upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the
> course. During this registration period, approximately 50 seats are being
> offered to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn
> more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE)
> http://www.arrl.org/cce/ Web page and the C-CE Links found there. For
> more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan
> Miller, K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org, 860-594-0340.
>
> * ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
> Registration for the ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004) course opens Monday,
> December 8, 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time (0501 UTC). Registration will
> remain open through Sunday, December 14. Classes begin Tuesday December
> 16. Those interested in taking an ARRL Certification and Continuing
> Education (C-CE) course in the future can sign up to receive advance
> notification of registration opportunities. To take advantage, send an
> e-mail to prereg@arrl.org. On the subject line, indicate the course name
> or number (eg, EC-00#) and the month you want to start the course. In the
> message body, provide your name, call sign, and e-mail address. Please do
> not send inquiries to this mailbox. To learn more, visit the ARRL
> Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) http://www.arrl.org/cce/
> Web page. For more information, contact Certification and Continuing
> Education Program Department cce@arrl.org.
>
> * Survey seeks opinions on ARRL Continuing Education Course offerings:
> ARRL's Certification and Continuing Education program (C-CE) is asking
> members' opinions on a variety of new course topics via a members-only
> survey http://www.arrl.org/members-only/cce/ccesurv.html. The course
> topics in the survey are based on suggestions from members and
> participants in the current courses. Possible topics for future courses
> include troubleshooting, test equipment, basic electronics, computer
> software, Morse code proficiency, station grounding, radio design, APRS
> and operating procedures and etiquette. A short description of each course
> is offered, and survey takers can rate the likelihood that they would take
> the course. "As a result of input from members in a similar survey conduct
> ed in late 2002, Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009) and RF
> Propagation (EC-011) will soon be available for student registration,"
> said C-CE Coordinator Howard Robins, W1HSR. Courses on RF Interference and
> an operating course called VHF/UHF: Beyond the Local Repeater were added
> to the catalog of available courses this past year, he said. Beta testing
> for EC-009 has been concluded, and EC-011 beta testing will begin early in
> 2004. An on-line Technician Licensing course (EC-010) is currently being
> tested. "The survey is very important as it provides us with direction
> from our members," Robins said. "It guides us into developing courses our
> membership wants and helps us prioritize our efforts, making the new
> course development process as efficient and responsive as possible." The
> survey will be available for 30 days. Information on all C-CE offerings
> can be found on the Web http://www.arrl.org/cce/.
>
> * Stephen E. McCallum, W2ZBY, SK: Former ARRL Kentucky Public Information
> Coordinator Steve McCallum, W2ZBY (ex-K4URX), of Lexington died November
> 30. He was 91. An ARRL Life Member, McCallum was first licensed in 1947
> following a stint as a US Coast Guard radio officer. Following graduation
> from the University of Missouri, McCallum worked mostly as a journalist
> for newspapers in Missouri and New Jersey. During his years with General
> Electric, he edited the bi-monthly GE HAM NEWS. Former ARRL Southeastern
> Division Vice Director Evelyn Gauzens, W4WYR, said that when McCallum was
> K4URX and living in Key West, Florida, he always made himself available to
> help the League. "When he departed the area, he left large shoes to be
> filled," she added. Said ARRL Media Relations Manager Jennifer Hagy,
> N1TDY, "Steve was very enthusiastic about Amateur Radio public relations,
> and nothing seemed to slow him down. The League has lost a very dedicated
> volunteer." There's more information on McCallum on the Kentucky Amateur
> Radio Web site http://www.qsl.net/kyham/news/w2zby/w2zbysk.html.
>
> * Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award
> for November is Ron D'Eau Claire, AC7AC, for his article "The Simple
> Superhet." Congratulations, Ron! 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. Voting takes place each
> month 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 December issue of QST. Voting ends December 31.
>
> * W4B to commemorate Wright Brothers' flight centenary: The North Carolina
> Special Events Group is operating special event station W4B December 12-17
> (UTC) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first
> flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. One station will be on 14.260 MHz
> continuously as propagation permits, while a second station will alternate
> between SSB and CW. For more information, visit the NCSEG Web site
> http://www.ncseg.org or contact Robert Hamrick, WA4RH wa4rh@ncseg.org.
> The North Carolina Special Events group is a nonprofit organization that
> promotes historical and other events via Amateur Radio to increase public
> awareness of ham radio. Orville Wright was at the controls for the first
> successful flight December 17, 1903. The 120-foot flight lasted just 12
> seconds.
>
> * Turtles vexing TO4E DXpedition: The Daily DX http://www.dailydx.com
> reports the Europa Island DXpedition team was "a bit tired" after taking
> part in the CQ World Wide DX Contest (CW) the weekend of November 29-30.
> Operating as TO4WW for the contest, the crew put some 5 million points
> (and 4000 QSOs) in the log. DXpedition Co-organizer Rafik Djandji, F5CQ,
> reports that protected sea turtles have been a nuisance for the TO4E
> operation. Lowband antennas are installed on the beach, and each night,
> the turtles knock them over and destroy the radials on their way from the
> ocean to the top of the beach to rest during the night. This means the
> team then must repair and reinstall the antenna systems on a daily basis.
> The Clipperton DX Club is sponsoring the Europa operation. There's more
> information on the Europa 2003 DXpedition Web site
> http://europa2003.free.fr/.
>
> * Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN, now active from Angola: Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN--who
> made ham radio history with his P5/4L4FN operation from North Korea now is
> active from Angola as D2PFN on RTTY and SSB. QSL manager for D2PFN and
> P5/4L4FN is Bruce Paige, KK5DO. More information and an on-line log will
> be available on Paige's Web site http://www.amsatnet.com (click on D2
> Angola).
>
> ===========================================================
> The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American
> Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main
> St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259;
> http://www.arrl.org. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President.
>
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