XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.policy, rec.radio.info

********************************************
The ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League ********************************************

April 7, 2022

Editor <news@arrl.org>

ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Letter Archive <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> IN THIS ISSUE

- World Amateur Radio Day is April 18
- Canada's ISED Has Granted Hams the Right to Use Special Call Signs in
Honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee
- AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention -- Call for Volunteers
- Shane Siggins, G6WBS, Achieves SOTA Mountain Goat Status
- ARRL Employment Opportunities
- ARRL Podcasts Schedule
- Amateur Radio in the News
- Announcements
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY IS APRIL 18

World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) is April 18 and is celebrated worldwide
by radio amateurs and their national associations, which are organized
as member-societies of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

It was on this day in 1925 that the IARU was formed in Paris. American
Radio Relay League (today, ARRL The National Association for Amateur
Radio <http://www.arrl.org/>) co-founder Hiram Percy Maxim was its
first president.

"On World Amateur Radio Day, all radio amateurs are invited to take to
the airwaves to enjoy our global friendship with other amateurs, and to
promote our skills and capabilities to the public," said Bob
Inderbitzen, NQ1R, ARRL Director of Public Relations and Innovation.
"Use the backdrop of World Amateur Radio Day to describe and
demonstrate ham radio to family, friends, and co-workers." While WARD
falls on a Monday this year, Inderbitzen encourages amateurs and radio
clubs to extend the celebration to include the weekend, or even all
week. "Some radio clubs will even seek a proclamation from their town
or state government, designating the period to recognize the
contributions of radio amateurs to our communities, and the overall
importance of our Amateur Radio Service," he said.

ARRL reports that there are more than 775,000 hams in the US. ARRL also supports a nationwide network of 2,400 affiliated radio clubs. "Radio
clubs provide opportunities for newcomers to discover radio and to
become ham radio operators," said Inderbitzen. "Clubs develop the
personal radio communications capability of their members, operating
together or from their home stations, in portable settings, and from
nearly anywhere." Inderbitzen also highlighted that among the primary
purposes of the Amateur Radio Service is to enhance international
goodwill. "Radio amateurs use radio signals, which reach beyond
borders, to bring people together culturally while providing essential communication in service to their communities."

More information and resources for participating in and promoting World
Amateur Radio Day, can be found at:

- ARRL | www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day <http://www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day>

- IARU | www.iaru.org/on-the-air/world-amateur-radio-day <https://www.iaru.org/on-the-air/world-amateur-radio-day>

Use the ARRL Special Event Stations <https://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations> listing to find on-air
events by entering "World Amateur Radio Day" in the keyword search. On
social media, use the hashtags #WorldAmateurRadioDay, #hamradio, and
#ARRL.

CANADA'S ISED HAS GRANTED HAMS THE RIGHT TO USE SPECIAL CALL SIGNS

IN HONOR OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S PLATINUM JUBILEE

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne (her Platinum
Jubilee), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
has approved the use of special call signs for Canadian hams from May
15 to July 14, 2022. These dates correspond with the busy early summer operating season and will be available to all Canadian amateurs who
wish to use the special call signs on all occasions, including ARRL
Field Day, the June VHF Contest, the RAC Canada Day Contest, and the
IARU World Championship. See the Special Event Listing on the
Government of Canada website <https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/query_spev$.startup>.

AMSAT AT DAYTON HAMVENTION -- CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Dayton Hamvention <https://hamvention.org/>® is 6 weeks away! AMSAT has
issued a call for volunteers and could use another 10 - 15 people,
regardless of their experience level with satellite communications.
2022 Hamvention is May 20 - 22 in Xenia, Ohio. The interaction with
AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers, and builders make the
whole experience a lot of fun. You can meet or renew acquaintances,
exchange operating tips, and find out what antennas, software, and
equipment other AMSAT members use.

Please send an email to Phil Smith, W1EME <w1eme@amsat.org>, if you can
help.

SHANE SIGGINS, G6WBS, ACHIEVES SOTA MOUNTAIN GOAT STATUS

Shane Siggins, G6WBS, from Preston, Lancashire, has achieved
Mountain Goat status in the Summits on the Air (SOTA) award program,
reaching 1,000 activator points. He has made the vast majority of his
contacts on 2-meter FM. Siggins reports feeling "part of a very special community," with a loyal band of recognized chasers being contacted on
most activations, and expresses appreciation to the program for
encouraging him to explore lots of new hills and mountains.

Siggins has enjoyed the company of his partner on most activations, who
joins in with route planning, antenna assembly, and other activities.
They are now looking forward to some SOTA activations further afield,
including abroad.

For more information about SOTA, visit www.sota.org.uk <http://www.sota.org.uk/>.

ARRL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

ARRL is seeking candidates for job opportunities at its headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. Available positions include Director of
Information Technology, Public Relations & Outreach Manager, Social
Media Strategist, and others.

ARRL Human Resources Manager Luci Goodwin explained that some of the
jobs are brand-new positions, established to help advance the
association's ongoing digital transformation across membership
programs, services, and publishing. "Some of the positions are
responsible for increasing awareness and growth of amateur radio," said Goodwin. "A new program area will expand ARRL's visibility in promoting
ham radio to the public and through our outreach to like-minded
communities."

A list of open positions, including the responsibilities and
qualifications for each job, is posted at www.arrl.org/careers <http://www.arrl.org/careers>. Employment opportunities are available
for candidates with or without an amateur radio license. "We're always
on the lookout for experienced radio amateurs who want to contribute
their passion for ham radio to the ARRL HQ team," added Goodwin. To
apply, submit your resume to ARRL Human Resources <HR@arrl.org>. ARRL
is an equal opportunity employer.

ARRL PODCASTS SCHEDULE

The latest episode of the ARRL On the Air
<https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> podcast (Episode 27) features an
audio tour of the 10-meter band.

The latest edition (Episode 57) of the ARRL Eclectic Tech <https://blubrry.com/eclectictech/> podcast features an interview with
Carl Nord, WA1KPD, about experiments he has been doing with WSPR at
very low power levels.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> |
Eclectic Tech <https://blubrry.com/eclectictech/>.

AMATEUR RADIO IN THE NEWS

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news <http://www.arrl.org/media-hits>.

- "When all other communication systems fail, El Dorado County's
amateur radio groups step in <https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/wildfire/emergency-communications-amateur-radio-groups/103-9e6544c4-0731-4cad-a75f-e58c80ed42e5>"

/ ABC 10 (Arkansas), March 29, 2022

- "During a disaster, these amateur radio operators could offer a key
lifeline <https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/03/15/worst-case-scenario-these-amateur-radio-operators-could-offer-key-communication-lifeline/#:~:text=On%20April%2016%2C%20Hawaii%E2%80%99s%20ham%20radio%20enthusiasts%20will,wind%20event.%20All%20the%20power%20lines%
20are%20down.>"

/ HawaiiNewsNow (Hawaii), March 14, 2022

- "Ham radio is still connecting people around the world today <https://www.thv11.com/article/tech/ham-radio-still-connecting-people-today/91-0d55ec41-703f-4c91-82ba-0990122976ee>"

/ THV11 (Arkansas), February 28, 2022

Share <newsmedia@arrl.org> any amateur radio media hits you spot with
us.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Members of the Amateur Radio National Weather Service Boston/Norton
SKYWARN team will be presenting at the 2022 National Hurricane
Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop on Monday April 11, 2022,
from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT and 1:30 - 5:00 PM EDT. The workshop
topics, and Zoom information are available from the team website <http://wx1box.org/2022/04/02/special-announcement-2022-national-hurricane-conference-virtual-amateur-radio-workshop-monday-april-11th-2022-workshop-topics-and-zoom-information/>.

The workshop will also be recorded and posted to YouTube.

- US Army NETCOM will be utilizing 60 meters for amateur radio outreach
from April 29 - May 7 as part of DOD COMEX 22-2. On May 3 at 0200Z (May
2 at 2100 Central), there will be a high-power broadcast about the
information that will be requested during the exercise. US Army NETCOM
will also announce times for amateur radio and AUXCOMM to net with DOD
HF stations for the remainder of the week. Beginning on May 3 at noon
local for each US time zone (East, Central, Mountain, Pacific), there
will be a short net for amateur/AUXCOMM stations. In the evening, 2100
Central and noon local nets will conclude with the noon net on
Saturday, May 7. NETCOM will be requesting support for collecting
various types of information that may include road closure reports,
METAR weather reports, and electrical power service availability.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports:

A lot of solar activity livened up HF conditions over the past
reporting week, March 31 to April 6. Average daily sunspot number rose
from 90.1 to 94.6, and daily solar flux from 132.7 to 135.3.

A new sunspot group appeared on March 31, two more on April 1, another
on April 2, one more on April 3, and another on April 5.

Predicted solar flux is 116, 115, 118, 112, and 110 on April 7 - 11,
108 on April 12 - 14, 120 on April 15 - 17, 125 on April 18 - 19, 130
on April 20 - 23, 140 on April 24 - 28, 135 on April 29 - 30, 130 on
May 1, 120 on May 2 - 3, 125 on May 4 - 5, 120 on May 6, 115 on May 7 -
8, and 110 on May 8 - 9.

Predicted planetary A index is 25, 12, 15, 10, and 8 on April 7 - 11; 5
on April 12 - 19; 10 on April 29 - 21; 5, 15, 10, and 8 on April 22 -
25; 5 on April 26 - 28; 18, 12, 10, and 8 on April 29 through May 2; 5
on May 3 - 7, and 12 and 10 on May 8 - 9.

Sunspot numbers for March 31 through April 6, 2022 were 84, 109, 118,
129, 86, 75, and 61, with a mean of 94.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was
149, 3, 146.6, 143.3, 140.2, 128, 122.4, and 117, with a mean of 135.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 27, 17, 22, 10, 11, 6, and 8, with a
mean of 14.4. Middle latitude A index was 18, 12, 19, 7, 8, 6, and 6,
with a mean of 10.9.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit <http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals> the ARRL Technical
Information Service, read
<http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere> "What the Numbers
Mean...," and check out <http://k9la.us/> the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

A propagation bulletin archive <http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation> is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio <https://www.voacap.com/hf/> website.

Share <k7ra@arrl.net> your reports and observations.

A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News
<http://www.arrl.org/news>.

JUST AHEAD IN RADIOSPORT

- April 9 -- QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party (CW)

- April 9 - 10 -- JIDX CW Contest

- April 9 - 10 -- DIG QSO Party, CW

- April 9 - 10 -- OK/OM DX Contest, SSB

- April 9 - 10 -- FTn DX Contest (Dig)

- April 9 - 10 -- IG-RY World Wide RTTY Contest

- April 9 - 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)

- April 9 - 10 -- Nebraska QSO Party (CW, Ph)

- April 9 - 10 -- New Mexico QSO Party (CW, Ph, Dig)

- April 9 - 10 -- All Texas State Parks on the Air (CW, Ph, Dig)

- April 9 - 10 -- North Dakota QSO Party (CW, Ph)

- April 9 - 10 -- Georgia QSO Party (CW, Ph)

- April 9 - 10 -- Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest (CW)

- April 10 -- International Vintage Contest HF (CW, Ph)

- April 10 -- WAB 3.5/7/14 MHz Data Modes (Dig)

- April 10 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup <http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup>,
SSB

- April 10 -- RSGB RoLo SSB

- April 11 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday (CW, Ph)

- April 11 -- RSGB FT4 Contest (Dig)

- April 11 -- 144 MHz Spring Sprint (CW, Ph, Dig)

- April 13 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar>
for more events and information.

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- April 8 - 9 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention <http://www.greencountryhamfest.org/index.php> (Green Country Hamfest
2022), Claremore, Oklahoma

- April 16 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<https://www.rarsfest.org/> (Raleigh Hamfest), Raleigh, North Carolina

- April 23 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention <http://www.radioelectronicsexpo.com/> (Delmarva Amateur Radio and
Electronics Expo), Georgetown, Delaware

- May 1 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Convention
<http://www.k3dn.org/hamfest/> (Warminster Amateur Radio Club Hamfest), Bristol, Pennsylvania

- May 7 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention <http://www.ncihamfest.com/>
(North Central Indiana Hamfest), Peru, Indiana

- May 14 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.lincolnhamfest.org/>, Lincoln, Nebraska

- May 20 - 22 -- Dayton Hamvention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-7>®, Xenia, Ohio, and
featuring ARRL EXPO <http://www.arrl.org/expo>

Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests> to find events in your area.

HAVE NEWS FOR ARRL?

Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to
news@arrl.org.

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