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

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

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

October 5, 2023

John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, 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

- Comment Deadlines Set on Proposed 60 - Meter Band Changes
- ARRL Launches The NTS Letter
- WestFest STEM Event Offers Hands-On Experience
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts
- Announcements
- In Brief...
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

COMMENT DEADLINES SET ON PROPOSED 60 - METER BAND CHANGES

A public period is open until October 30, 2023 for radio amateurs to
comment on proposed changes to the 60 Meter band. ARRL
<http://www.arrl.org/> is asking all radio amateurs to join it in
urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to continue the
existing use of the band. ARRL is encouraging expressions of support to
the FCC for the current 100 watt ERP power limit (instead of reducing
the power limit to 15 watts EIRP) and continuing secondary access to
the current channels. An opportunity to reply to comments ends on
November 28, 2023. Comments should be submitted in FCC Docket No. WT
23-120. <https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/docket-detail/23-120>

Currently, radio amateurs in the US have use of five discrete channels
on a secondary basis on which they are permitted an effective radiated
power (ERP) of 100 watts ERP. In the Notice of Proposed Rule Making <https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-26A1.pdf> the FCC
solicits comment on reducing the secondary allocation to 15 kHz of
contiguous spectrum between 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz with a power limit of
15 watts EIRP (equivalent to 9.1 watts ERP). The lesser spectrum and
reduced power limit was adopted by the 2015 World Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC-15).

The federal government is the primary user of the 5 MHz spectrum. The
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the
federal government's spectrum regulator, has argued that the WRC-15
proposals should be implemented as written. Doing so would result in
amateurs losing four of the discrete channels they have been using on a secondary basis and having the maximum permissible power reduced by
more than 10 dB, from 100 watts ERP to 9.1 watts ERP.

In 2017, ARRL petitioned the FCC <http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Petition%20for%20Rule%20Making%205%20MHz%20FINAL%20January%2012,%202017.pdf>

to keep four of the current five 60-meter channels -- one would be
within the new band -- as well as the current limit of 100 watts ERP.
"Such implementation will allow radio amateurs engaged in emergency and disaster relief communications, and especially those between the United
States and the Caribbean basin, to more reliably, more flexibly and
more capably conduct those communications [and preparedness exercises],
before the next hurricane season ... ," ARRL said in its petition.

ARRL said that years of amateur radio experience using the five
discrete 5-MHz channels demonstrated that amateurs coexist well with
the primary users at 5 MHz. "Neither ARRL, nor, apparently, NTIA is
aware of a single reported instance of interference to a federal user
by a radio amateur operating at 5 MHz to date," ARRL said in its 2017
petition.

ARRL will continue to advocate to maintain the 100-watt limit for 60
meters, continued authorization for the four channels outside the WRC allocation that are being used today, and adoption of the new 15 kHz
allocation with the same 100-watt power limit.

In the NPRM, the FCC recognizes that Canada adopted rules equivalent to
those proposed by the ARRL. "Finally, we note that Canada has
essentially implemented the same rules as ARRL has requested," the
Commission wrote.

The FCC seeks comment on the proposed 15 kHz of contiguous spectrum,
but also on whether the existing channels should remain allocated to
amateur radio on a secondary basis, and whether the maximum power
limitations should be reduced from 100 to 9.1 watts ERP. The FCC also
requested comments on whether the power limitation should be expressed
as EIRP as the WRC-15 recommends or as ERP as in the current rules.

ARRL LAUNCHES THE NTS LETTER

There's a new newsletter in the ARRL repertoire as of this week. The
first issue of The NTS Letter <https://www.arrl.org/nts-letter?issue=2023-10-03> was published on
October 3, 2023. The NTS Letter is a monthly digest of all things
related to the ARRL National Traffic System®. It is edited by Marcia
Forde, KW1U, who is a veteran traffic handler and serves as the Section
Traffic Manager for the ARRL Eastern and Western Massachusetts and
Rhode Island Sections.

The NTS is network that allows for rapid movement of messages, referred
to as "traffic," from origin to destination, and for training amateur
operators to handle written traffic and to participate in directed
nets. The network consists of the layering and sequencing of both voice
and CW traffic nets, as well as a digital system that operates 24/7.
This nationwide system operates 365 days a year, generally relaying
routine message traffic for training purposes and for maintaining
readiness if called upon in an emergency. If called upon, these
operators stand ready to assist emergency communications personnel and served-agency partners in relaying welfare and other messages. It is
the modern continuation of the historic "radio relay" from ARRL's
founding in 1914.

Director of the ARRL New England Division, Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, said
the NTS is a great way to get involved in emergency communications.
"Newly licensed and experienced amateurs alike who participate in NTS
find satisfaction and enjoyment in learning the skills of sending and
receiving concise written voice and CW traffic in an organized, on-air
network. It's a natural complement to the skills and training one needs
to become an effective emergency communicator and Amateur Radio
Emergency Service® volunteer. Plus, it's an opportunity to meet new
friends, and it's fun!" said Kemmerer.

The NTS Letter <https://www.arrl.org/nts-letter> is published monthly
and is free of charge to ARRL members. Members can subscribe at arrl.org/opt-in-out <http://www.arrl.org/opt-in-out> by selecting
"edit" to view all of their subscription preferences (members need to
be logged in to their ARRL website account to do this).

WESTFEST STEM EVENT OFFERS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Amateur radio was represented at the seventh annual WestFest event at
The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, September 30,
2023. WestFest is a public engagement event that highlights science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research, sustainability initiatives, and outreach programs at The Ohio State University. The
event featured three behind-the-scenes tours and 39 activity booths.

The Amateur Radio and RF Club at The Ohio State University, W8LT <https://u.osu.edu/w8lt/>,

Members from W8LT and W8ATR outside the ATARA STEM trailer. [John Ross,
KD8IDJ, photo.]

and the All Things Amateur Radio Association
<https://atara-w8atr.fun/>, W8ATR, provided information and hands-on
STEM experiences for nearly 400 attendees. The W8ATR Mobile STEM
Trailer, funded by a grant from the ARRL Foundation, included a CW
oscillator, a display about the history of Morse code, and signage
explaining the history of wireless technology and radios. Three Snap
Circuits® stations were set up for visitors to build an FM radio, and
there was a working replica of a spark-gap transmitter. The trailer
also featured a complete amateur

Griffin, Eve, and Celeste try out some hands-on STEM activities at the
ATARA trailer. [ATARA photo.]

station with a telescoping mast and a quarter-wave vertical
ground-plane antenna.

"It's important to have amateur radio [be] a part of the STEM
experience," said Lawrence L. Feth, PhD, Professor Emeritus and Faculty
Advisor to W8LT.

ATARA Activities Director Diane Warner, KE8HLD, said throughout the day
the STEM trailer hosted 52 adults and 80 children. "Watching the
children's faces as they experience the sounds and sights of amateur
radio technology is aways rewarding," she said.

Additional information about WestFest is available at The Ohio State
University <https://u.osu.edu/stemimpact/westfest/> website.

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>.

"Ham radio more than a hobby for Hoosier Energy employees <https://www.hoosierenergy.com/news-resources/ham-radio-more-than-a-hobby-for-hoosier-energy-employees/>"

/ Hoosier Energy (Indiana) August 7, 2023 -- Hoosier Energy amateur
radio operators.

- "How to get started with a ham radio license <https://rjionline.org/news/how-to-get-started-with-a-ham-radio-license>"
/ Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (Missouri) October 5, 2023 -- Missouri School of Journalism.

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

ARRL PODCASTS

On the Air
Sponsored by Icom <http://www.icomamerica.com/en/>

The cover story of On the Air's September/October 2023 issue,
"Foxhunting Basics," doesn't have anything to do with chasing down a
woodland creature. Foxhunting is a radio direction-finding activity
that you can enjoy with a radio club or group, or even with just one
other friend -- and they don't even have to be a ham! Rob Zielfelder,
N1NUG, explains how to get started with a couple of handheld radios and
a directional antenna that you can make from inexpensive hardware store materials. One player hides somewhere with a radio, and sends
intermittent transmissions, while the other player tracks them with the
help of the radio's signal meter and a map. Listen to this month's
episode for more information on how to join the fun.

ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>,
available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top
news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with
interviews and other features.

The On the Air podcast is available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher
(Android). The On the Air podcast and ARRL Audio News are also on
blubrry -- On the Air <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> | ARRL Audio
News <https://blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/>.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Tamiami Amateur Radio Club <https://tamiamiarc.org/> (TARC) will
host Ham Radio Day at the William H. Jervey, Jr., Venice Public Library
in Venice, Florida, on October 14, 2023. The event will run from 10:00
AM to 3:00 PM ET, and it will feature special event call sign N4V and
two stations on CW and phone. These stations will be set up outside the
library entrance to demonstrate ham radio to the general public. A new partnership has been established between TARC and the Sarasota County
libraries to make 44 books, including 15 titles on amateur radio,
available to any patron of the 10-library system. A grant from the ARRL Foundation was combined with member donations to purchase the books.
Promotion for the event began in August with a display case in the
library lobby covering ham radio's past and present. "Making these
books available to the public is a natural extension of our club's
mission to encourage, teach, and assist people to explore a range of
interests in ham radio," said Brian Jacobson, W1JBD, TARC project
leader.

The ARRL Foundation is now accepting grant applications from amateur
radio organizations for eligible amateur radio-related projects and initiatives, particularly those focused on educating, licensing, and
supporting amateur radio activities. To grow amateur radio's future, youth-based projects and initiatives are especially encouraged. The
ARRL Foundation grants program accepts proposals on a cyclical basis
three times a year: in February, June, and October. Proposals for the
June grant period are accepted through October 31. Awardees will be
notified approximately 1 month after the closing of each cycle. The
ARRL Foundation is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. The
Foundation carefully manages a portfolio of endowments where donors
have provided specific goals for their gifts, and that portfolio is
invested and managed so that it can continue to support those goals for
many years to come.

Additional information and a link to the grant application form can be
found at http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-grants

IN BRIEF...

Amateur radio clubs and operators across the country are preparing for
the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on October 7 - 8, 2023. The SET
is ARRL's annual national emergency exercise designed to assess the
skills and preparedness of Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®)
volunteers, as well as those affiliated with other organizations
involved in emergency and disaster responses. The SET is open to all
radio amateurs and partner organizations, in addition to national,
state, and local officials. To get involved, contact your local ARRL
Emergency Coordinator or Net Manager. SET guidelines and report forms
can be found at ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Guidelines+. <https://www.arrl.org/simulated-emergency-test> Ahead of the exercise,
the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association (FHARA) recently acquired a 24-foot-long Disaster Action Response Trailer (DART). In conjunction
with the Herkimer County Public Health Office, the trailer will be used
in emergency situations, public service, and educational opportunities.
The DART trailer was recently on display at the Herkimer County Fair in Frankfort, New York, and it was well received by state, local, and
county officials. Meanwhile, members of the Calvert Amateur Radio
Association <https://k3cal.org/about-cara/join-cara/> (CARA) in
Maryland attended a presentation by Ron Startzel, KB5LNC, on the
Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) to prepare for the ARRL
Maryland-DC (MDC) Section SET exercise. Calvert County Emergency
Coordinator Shawn Donley, N3AE, recently configured one of CARA's
Kenwood TM-V71A radios in Barstow, Maryland, to be an APRS digipeater.
Last fall, the site was proven to cover nearly all the county's land
area. The APRS presentation helped give CARA members a greater
understanding of the system. The presentation will be posted on the
club's website for further reference. For more information on APRS,
please visit http://www.aprs.org/. The MDC Section's SET will evaluate communications between field teams by locating National Geodetic Survey benchmarks and using APRS data and location services. The local
Emergency Coordinator will pass the information to the MDC Section
Emergency Coordinator using Winlink or other means. The MDC Section SET
is part of ARRL's SET exercise.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP040:

Seven new sunspot groups emerged this past week, but overall solar
activity has declined.

It's great to see the sun covered in sunspots; see Spaceweather.com's
recent image of the sun at https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/04oct23/hmi1898.gif.

You can change the /04oct23/ field in the above URL to view a solar
image of any date. By loading images of consecutive dates, you can
initiate an animation using the back and forward buttons on your
browser.

We are currently enjoying improved HF propagation with the change of
seasons after the autumnal equinox. This is particularly noticeable on
12 and 10 meters.

Read an optimistic news story about the current solar cycle at https://cdapress.com/news/2023/oct/02/were-strong-solar-cycle/, and
another report at https://bit.ly/3RMPjT1.

One new sunspot group appeared on September 30, followed by three

Solar disk image taken October 5, 2023. [Photo courtesy of NASA
SDO/HMI]

more on October 1, and then one each on October 2, 3, and 4.

The average daily sunspot number declined from 170.6 to 128.6, while
the average daily solar flux went from 168.8 to 155.6.

Geomagnetic indicators were quieter. The average daily planetary A
index went from 17 to 9.1, and the average daily middle latitude A
index declined from 13.7 to 8.9.

The outlook for next month has the solar flux at 160 on October 5; 162
on October 6 - 8; 155 on October 9 - 10; 150 and 160 on October 11 -
12; 158 on October 13 - 14; 156 on October 15 - 17; 154 on October 18 -
20; 152 on October 21; 154 on October 22 - 23; 156 and 158 on October
24 - 25; 160 on October 26 - 28; 162 on October 29 - 31, and 164 on
November 1 - 3.

If we use this forecast as a guide, we can predict the solar flux
average for the next reporting week, October 5 - 11, to be 2.4 points
higher than that of this week.

Predicted planetary A index is 12 on October 5 - 6; 15, 8, and 5 on
October 7 - 9; 8 on October 10 - 11; 5 on October 12 - 21; 10 and 8 on
October 22 - 23; 5 on October 24 - 28, and then 15, 12, 8, 15, and 8 on
October 29 - November 2.

Sunspot numbers for September 28 - October 4, 2023, were 109, 102, 106,
136, 146, 150, and 151, with a mean of 128.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux
was 147.8, 155, 159.1, 161.1, 157.4, 153.7, and 155, with a mean of
155.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 12, 10, 9, 9, 8, and 10,
with a mean of 9.1. Middle latitude A index was 5, 13, 11, 9, 10, 6,
and 8, with a mean of 8.9.

Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7ra@arrl.net.

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

Yearlong -- ARRL Volunteers On the Air <https://vota.arrl.org/> (VOTA).
See the State Activations Schedule for weekly W1AW Portable Operations <https://vota.arrl.org/w1awPortable.php>, including:

- October 4 - 10 -- New Mexico W1AW/5

- October 4 - 10 -- Alaska W1AW/KL7

- October 4 - 10 -- Washington, DC W1AW/3

- October 11 - 17 -- Missouri W1AW/0

- October 11 - 17 -- Georgia W1AW/4

- October 11 - 17 -- California W1AW/6

UPCOMING CONTESTS:

- October 5 - 6 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

- October 5 -- SARL 80m QSO Party (phone)

- October 5 -- NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)

- October 7 - 8 -- WARC Collegiate QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

- October 7 - 8 -- Oceania DX Contest (phone)

- October 7 -- Microwave Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

- October 7 - 8 -- Russian WW Digital Contest (digital)

- October 7 - 8 -- IARU Region 1 UHF/Microwaves Contest (CW, phone,
digital)

- October 7 - 8 -- International HELL Contest (digital)

- October 7 - 8 -- California QSO Party (CW, phone)

- October 8 -- UBA ON Contest (CW)

- October 9 -- QRP Group 2nd Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)

- October 10 -- 10-10 Int'l 10-10 Day Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

- October 10 -- DARC RTTY Sprint (digital)

- October 11 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

- October 11 -- RSGB 80m Autumn Series, Data (digital)

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

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- October 6 - 7 | Slidell EOC Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/slidell-eoc-hamfest-arrl-louisiana-state-convention-1>,

sponsoring the ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Slidell, Louisiana

- October 7 | Wichita Area and Kansas State Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/wichita-area-and-kansas-state-hamfest-arrl-kansas-state-convention>,

sponsoring the ARRL Kansas State Convention, Wichita, Kansas

- October 7 | 71st Rock Hill Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/71st-rock-hill-hamfest-arrl-south-carolina-section-convention>,

sponsoring the ARRL South Carolina Section Convention, Rock Hill, South Carolina

- October 8 | Nutmeg Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nutmeg-hamfest-arrl-connecticut-state-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, North Haven, Connecticut

- October 13 - 14 | Melbourne Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/melbourne-hamfest-arrl-florida-state-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida

- October 14 | ARRL Minnesota State Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-minnesota-state-convention>,
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

- October 20 - 22 | Pacificon <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacificon-arrl-pacific-division-convention-1>, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California

- November 4 - 5 | Stone Mountain Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/stone-mountain-hamfest-arrl-georgia-state-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia

- November 4 | Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference 2023 <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/wisconsin-ares-races-conference-2023-arrl-wisconsin-section-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Wisconsin Section Convention, Wisconsin Rapids,
Wisconsin

- November 18 - 19 | Fort Wayne Hamfest and Computer Expo, <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/fort-wayne-hamfest-computer-expo-arrl-central-division-convention-1>

hosting the ARRL Central Division Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

- December 8 - 9 | Tampa Bay Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tampa-bay-hamfest-arrl-west-central-florida-section-convention-2>,

hosting the ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,
Florida

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. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor
<news@arrl.org>

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information

- Join or Renew Today!
<https://home.arrl.org/action/Membership/Join-ARRL> Eligible US-based
members can elect to receive QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst> or On the
Air <http://www.arrl.org/on-the-air-magazine> magazine in print when
they join ARRL or when they renew their membership. All members can
access digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air,
QEX, and NCJ.

- Listen to ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>,
available every Friday.

- The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly
to the Blind-hams Groups.io <https://groups.io/g/blind-hams> email
group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it
concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of
adaptive technology.

Subscribe to...

- NCJ -- National Contest Journal <http://www.ncjweb.com/>. Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints,
statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and QSO parties.

- QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters
<http://www.arrl.org/qex>. 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 <https://home.arrl.org/action/My-Account/Opt-In-Out> to the
ARES 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 <https://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org/>! Follow us
on Threads <https://www.threads.net/arrlhq>, X
<https://twitter.com/arrl>, and Instagram
<https://www.instagram.com/arrlhq>!

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 times each year. ARRL
members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member
Data Page at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out <https://home.arrl.org/action/My-Account/Opt-In-Out>.

Copyright (c) 2023 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.

<http://www.arrl.org/>

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)