For many radio amateurs, the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) seems akin to the NSA (No Such Agency). Most of us have vaguely heard a few bits and pieces about the NTIA, but have no real idea what it is, or what it does. In reality, most radio amateurs have no official interaction with the NTIA, but many of us have dealings with the NTIA in our professional care…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
If you’re an ARRL Volunteer Examiner, take note: The ARRL has recently introduced new apparel and supply items just for you. Choose between a new black polo-style shirt (sizes S-4XL) or a white long-sleeved button down shirt (sizes S-3XL), each embroidered with the ARRL diamond logo and “Volunteer Examiner” on left chest. Wear your VE badge on the new ARRL VE lanyard. This stylish white lanyard…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
HAM RADIO 2012 in Friedrichshafen, Germany — held June 22-24 — is billed as Europe’s biggest Amateur Radio exhibition. Held annually in the Lake Constance region, this is the 37th international Amateur Radio exhibition and the 63nd Lake Constance Convention of Radio Amateurs, sponsored by the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC), which gave rise to the fair.
As part of the Lake Constance Conventi…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Richard “Dick” Baldwin, W1RU, of Damariscotta, Maine, passed away on Thursday, June 21, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 92. An ARRL Charter Life Member, Baldwin capped a long career on the ARRL staff with service as General Manager from 1975 until his retirement in 1982. He served as Secretary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) from 1976-1982. After retiremen…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor
This week, Surfin’ gets ready for ARRL Field Day and ISS pass-overs.
NASA introduced their all-new NASA app for iPhone and iPod Touch. It is the “first major redesign” of the app since 2009.
Being a long-time fan of what goes on in the outer space, I downloaded this free app as soon as I learned of its existence and I have not been disappointed.
For ham r…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Sunspot numbers seemed to be in a free-fall this week: The average daily sunspot numbers declined more than 29 points to 87, while the average daily solar flux fell 6.2 points to 126.2. Sunspot numbers for June 14-20 were 114, 113, 110, 96, 66, 64 and 46, with a mean of 87. The 10.7 cm flux was 148.6, 144.9, 134.5, 124, 118, 109.9 and 103.7, with a mean of 126.2. The estimated planetary A indic…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The former Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) series of three levels of emergency communications courses has been reconfigured into two new courses: An introductory course for radio amateurs who want to volunteer to provide services for public service and emergency communications, and a course for leaders and managers who are responsible for training and coordinating response efforts…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
You’ll have to work extra hard on this quiz because it’s not a “multiple guess.” Some answers may require a little calculation, some may require exercising the memory banks — and all will require a little head scratching.
1. Where would you tune for a signal that has the same numeric value of frequency in MHz and wavelength in meters?
2. In Hawaii, KH6, to whi…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The Yasme Foundation currently offers two awards. The Yasme Award, in the form of a handsome plaque, is offered to those radio amateurs who submit proof of 30 QSOs with Yasme officials and DXpeditions that have at least one Yasme official as a participant. The Yasme Supreme Award is in the form of a representation of the YASME boat used by Danny Weil in his around-the-world DXpedition. It is av…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Last winter, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked the Amateur Radio community about current, planned and projected uses of the Amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. The excellent level of response provided us with the basis to complete drafts of the 9 cm, 13 cm and 33 cm revised band plans for ARRL Board approval. The Committee has now prepared for your consideration a draft ba…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor
This week, Surfin’ demonstrates how ham radio can be a tricky, but well worth it.
Tricking Out A USB TV Tuner
I have been exploring the world of experimenters who have been combining inexpensive USB TV tuners with Software Designed Radio (SDR) technology to come up with inexpensive SDR receivers.
This is a hot subject. There is a lot of stuff on topic on …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Solar activity was lower this week, although for the past few days, both the sunspot numbers and solar flux were rising. The average daily sunspot numbers declined more than 14.3 points to 116.1, while the average daily solar flux was off by 14.5 points to 115.9. There were five new sunspot groups this week: two each on June 9-10, and one more on June 13. Sunspot numbers for June 7-13 were 98, …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By ARRL Youth Editor Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
n0ssc@arrl.net
As I wrote about in last month’s column, everyone finds his or her own niche in Amateur Radio. It can be as simple as having an mobile rig in the car that you might turn on every once in a while, doing nothing but listen to numbers stations or regularly working the Amateur Radio satellites, or “birds.” For me, I find fun in everything!
Som…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Logbook of the World (LoTW) is currently unavailable while the Logbook system undergoes unscheduled maintenance. This shutdown is in response to an issue that arose on late Tuesday afternoon with the Logbook database. The Logbook team expects service to be restored by 8 PM EDT this evening (0000 UTC, June 14). The ARRL apologizes for any inconvenience this outage may have caused.
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
On June 6, President Barack Obama announced that he will nominate Mignon Clyburn for a new term as one of five FCC Commissioners. Clyburn, a Democrat, came to the Commission in August 2009, filling the unexpired term of Republican Deborah Taylor Tate, whose tenure as a Commissioner came to a close in January 2009 when the Senate failed to confirm her nomination. Clyburn’s current term expires J…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The year 2012 represents One Hundred Years of the Wireless Institute being established in the State of Queensland, Australia. To celebrate this wonderful milestone, the Queensland Advisory Committee of Wireless Institute of Australia has organized a special Centenary call sign, VK100WIQ.
The Centenary call sign will be on air from June 1 through July 31, 2012, on all the HF bands as well as VH…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Merle G. Kachenmeister, WA8EWW, died May 29 at the age of 82 in the care of Hospice of NW Ohio. He had lived most recently in Blissfield, Michigan.
A Navy veteran, he began his career doing weather for the Navy, according to his obituary. He then worked for the US Weather Bureau, later renamed the National Weather Service, where he developed the SKYWARN weather warning system following the dea…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The average daily sunspot numbers increased about 60 percent during the past week (May 31-June 6), when compared to the previous seven days (May 24-30). The increase was 48.5 points, from 81.9 to 130.4. The average daily solar flux was also up: 18.6 points from 111.6 to 130.2. Sunspot numbers for May 31-June 6 were 76, 151, 113, 133, 155, 154 and 131, with a mean of 130.4. The 10.7 cm flux was …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, June 3. He was 71. Zimmerman wrote the popular QST column “The World Above 50 MHz” from 2002-2011. He also served on the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee, edited the VHF contesting column for CQ Contest magazine during its five-year lifespan and was director of the CQ VHF Contest from 2000-2002. An ARRL Life Member, Zimmerma…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The ARRL Board of Directors has unanimously voted to approve the 9 cm band plan, as presented by the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee. Earlier this year, the committee asked radio amateurs for comments on a proposed 9 cm band plan, explaining that the purpose of these band plans is to share information about how the amateur bands are being used and to suggest compatible frequency ranges f…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The average daily sunspot numbers sank more than 28 points this week (nearly 26 percent) to 81.9, while the average daily solar flux declined more than 16 points to 111.6. This is for the seven days of May 24-30, and is compared to the previous seven days, May 17-23. Sunspot numbers for May 24-30 were 96, 86, 70, 83, 87, 73 and 78, with a mean of 81.9. The 10.7 cm flux was 115.5, 117.2, 110, 11…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Compiled by S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL News Editor
k1sfa@arrl.org
This feature — including convenient Web links to useful information — is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of May.
The ARRL debuted the digital edition of QST, a new benefit available to League members at no additional cost.
With more than 115…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are calling for a “near-normal” Atlantic hurricane season for 2012. In its initial outlook for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season — which began Friday, June 1 and runs through November 30 — the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is calling for a 50 percent probability of a near-normal season, a 25 percent probability…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Amateurs are invited to submit technical papers for presentation at the 31st Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 21-23, 2012 at the Sheraton Gateway Airport Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. These papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do not need to attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings). The submission d…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster involved many commemorative events around the world, from Belfast, Ireland where the ship was constructed to the North Atlantic Ocean where it now lays to rest. As a former radio officer in the US Merchant Marine I hold a keen interest in all things Titanic. So my wife and I jumped at the opportunity to participate in commemorative ceremonies aboard…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The votes have been tallied for the 2012 QST video contest and the winners chosen!
First Place, Amateur: Erin King, AK4JG
Erin, along with her mentor and members of the Columbus Georgia Amateur Radio Club, sent a weather balloon and a high-definition video camera to an altitude of over 90,000 feet. They tracked the balloon across the Georgia countryside using APRS and managed to recover the paylo…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
This video shows a few ways that you can monitor your ham radio transmitter with an oscilloscope. Look at the RF carrier, the carrier envelope, the amplitude demodulated signal, as well as linearity “trapazoid” patterns (please see below). It shows a simple circuit I put together for a local ham radio club meeting and presentation. I put this circuit together to show the radio club members examples of a sampler and a amplitude demodulator. Of course, since these were built onto the same “demonstrator” board with a common RF input, the linearity can not be measured with this since any non-linearity in the output would appear in both sensors. This is indicated by the notes in the video. In order to truly measure the non-linearity of an amplifier or a modulator/exciter, the X-input would normally be driven by the baseband signal, or the demodulated input to an amplifier, etc., and the RF output would be sensed with the sampler and applied to the Y input of the scope.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
The club meeting was nearly over, but Charlie hadn’t uttered a single word all evening. He was sitting in the rear of the room, which was also unusual. After 15 years of attending Lakes-of-Utah Contest Club meetings with him, I knew he always arrived early and raced inside as soon as the doors opened to get a front-row seat. The unhappy frown on his face worried me the most because Charlie was …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Some recent Ham Radio auctions on eBay:
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”20″ ebcat=”-1″]
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”21″ ebcat=”-1″]
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”22″ ebcat=”-1″]
On May 18, the US House of Representatives approved HR 4310, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. This bill authorizes appropriations for military activities and prescribes military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2013. When the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) sent the bill to the House, it included language in support of the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MA…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
There will be lots of RF generated on 6 meters and up the weekend of June 9-11 during the 2012 ARRL June VHF QSO Party. While many amateurs think of the VHF+ bands as a “local” band for public service, emergency communications or even a bit of fun on FM repeaters, weak-signal VHF+ enthusiasts know better. Even with a modest station, it’s possible to work hundreds — or even thousands — of mile…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
My Answer to Portable, Take anywhere, Disaster proof amateur radio communications. This is a Yaesu 857 Radio set up with a pair of 12 volt motorcycle batteries and a solar or car charging controller. I can take this any where, if there is sun or a car battery I can use this HAM radio indefinitely.
There will be no ARRL Audio News on Thursday, May 31. The ARRL Letter will be distributed on its usual schedule. The Audio News will return on Thursday, June 7.
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Ham Radio on eBay:
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”18″ ebcat=”-1″]
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”19″ ebcat=”-1″]
ARNewsline Report 1815 — May 25 2012:
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1815 with a release date of May 25th, 2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. The 2012 Dayton Hamvention is in the history books, well take you there. Logbook Of The World logs an important milestone …
Read more on eHam.net
Take Amateur Radio to the public
16 June is National Amateur Radio Day in South Africa. The SARL (South African Radio League) invites young and old to celebrate the day by taking amateur radio to the public. Talk on the air, invite some into your radio room or be daring and set up …
Read more on Southgate Amateur Radio Club
Amateur radio essential tool
By Vaughan Elder on Sat, 26 May 2012 Otago Amateur Radio Emergency Communications team leader Lindsey Ross tests his radio as communications are set up for the Drivesouth Rally of Otago. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery. Behind the scenes at every Drivesouth …
Read more on Otago Daily Times
By Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor
This week, Surfin’s contributing editor recounts last week’s excellent adventure at the Dayton Hamvention.
I left home after rush hour Wednesday morning and drove 8 hours/466 miles (I-84, I-81 and I-80) in the general direction of the temporary QTH for thousands of hams every May: the Dayton Hamvention. Traffic was not bad, except for some highway constr…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Ham Radio eBay auctions you should keep an eye on:
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”15″ ebcat=”-1″]
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”16″ ebcat=”-1″]
[wprebay kw=”ham+radio” num=”17″ ebcat=”-1″]
The average daily sunspot numbers declined seven points over the past week to 110.3, while the average daily solar flux dropped 3.3 points to 131. Sunspot numbers for May 17-23 were 114, 118, 110, 124, 120, 95 and 91, with a mean of 110.3. The 10.7 cm flux was 136.3, 132.2, 130.9, 130.8, 125.1, 121.3 and 117.2, with a mean of 127.7. The estimated planetary A indices were 6, 8, 5, 13, 7, 16 and …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
If you’re an ARRL member, you now have access to the new digital edition of the June 2012 issue of QST. It is available to all ARRL members at no cost. All you need to do is log on to the ARRL website.
Also available: digital editions of the January through May 2012 issues. You will find links to all the digital editions on our website.
But wait — there’s more: All ARRL members now also have acc…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
ARRL Headquarters will be closed Monday, May 28 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. There will be no W1AW code practice or bulletin transmissions that day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, May 29 at 8 AM (EDT). We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
After a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, of Dumont, New Jersey, passed away May 23. He was 67. An ARRL Life Member, Mendelsohn began his time with ARRL in 1983 when he was elected as Vice Director of the Hudson Division. After two terms as Vice Director, he was elected as Hudson Division Director in 1987. In 1996, the ARRL Board of Directors elected Mendelsohn a…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
For the fourth time in six years, the FCC has rejected a Petition for Rulemaking filed by Glen Zook, K9STH. In each of his Petitions, (2006, April 2009, 2011 and a Petition for Reconsideration in December 2009), Zook has asked the FCC to change its station identification rules as set forth in Section 97.119(a). His 2011 Petition was no different: Zook told the FCC that since “[v]irtually every …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Of the nine Section Manager elections this spring, two were decided by member balloting. Ballots were counted on May 22 at ARRL Headquarters. Terms for these ARRL Field Organization officials begin July 1.
The incumbent Indiana Section Manager — John Poindexter, W3ML, of Knox, who has served as Section Manager since 2009 — decided not to run for a new term of office. Two radio amateurs vied fo…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
When Hara Arena — home of the Dayton Hamvention® for the past 48 years — opened its doors at 9 AM on Friday, May, 18, thousands of hams swarmed in, eager to see the latest and greatest that Amateur Radio has to offer. And they weren’t disappointed! With the introduction of three new transceivers this year, as well as hundreds of vendors — both new ones and old friends within the giant Hara c…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Have you ever wanted to see a photo of yours in QST, the annual ARRL Amateur Radio Calendar or another ARRL publication? Well, here’s your chance! If you’re among the winners, not only will your photographic skill be propagated far and wide, but we’re offering $ 100 as the First Prize. The winning photo and three runners-up will be published in QST. All submitted photos will also be considered f…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The average daily sunspot numbers for the past week rose nearly 25 points, or about 27 percent, to 117.3. The big day was Monday, May 14 when the daily sunspot number jumped to 156. This was the day after four new sunspot groups, numbered 1481 through 1484 arrived. Sunspot numbers for May 10-16 were 93, 102, 85, 138, 156, 125 and 122, with a mean of 117.3. The 10.7 cm flux was 130.7, 136.4, 129…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The Japanese HORYU-2 research satellite was launched May 17 at 1639 UTC as part of a mission that included the JAXA climate observation satellite Shizuku.
HORYU-2 was built by students at the Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) and it carries the call sign JG6YBW. The satellite will conduct a variety of experiments including high-voltage power generation and space debris measurements.
Amateurs h…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
On Monday, May 14, Jessica Rosenworcel, and Ajit Pai, were sworn in by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski as FCC Commissioners. For the first time in almost a year, the Commission is once again at full strength. Rosenworcel, a Democrat, fills the seat vacated by Michael Copps who retired from the Commission earlier this year; her term runs through June 30, 2015. Pai, a Republican, replaces Meredit…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Marconi has just built his third of a five circuit wireless network connecting America with Japan and Europe at Ryder’s Cove in Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Just imagine being transported back to this exciting time almost 100 years ago when Marconi was still building his reputation as a pioneer of wireless telegraphy.
Read More
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The ARRL is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award. This annual honor goes to a radio amateur who has demonstrated success in Amateur casino francais bonus Radio public relations and best exemplifies volunteer spirit of the award”s namesake, Phil McGan, WA2MBQ (SK). As the first chairman of the ARRL Public Relations Committee, McGan helped to reinvigorate the League’s co…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor
This week, Surfin’ reviews what you need for traveling well to the Dayton Hamvention®.
I don’t travel well because I don’t travel often enough to learn how to travel well (it’s a Catch-22). Because I don’t travel often enough to learn how to travel well, I make a list of things to take on my annual road trip to Hamvention. In fact, I save the list on my …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Due to staff travel to the Dayton Hamvention, there will be no ARRL Audio News on Thursday, May 17. The ARRL Audio News will return on May 24. The distribution of The ARRL Letter will not change, and will be sent out on its regular schedule.
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The average daily solar flux for the past week rose slightly, 116.2 to 119, but the average daily sunspot numbers declined more than 14 points (about 13 percent), to 92.6. Sunspot numbers for May 3-9 were 107, 101, 88, 104, 79, 90 and 79, with a mean of 92.6. The 10.7 cm flux was 114, 114, 116, 117.3, 121.7, 122.8 and 127.3, with a mean of 119. The estimated planetary A indices were 8, 4, 4, 5,…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The ARRL will celebrate its centennial in 2014, and is already making plans to commemorate the highlights of the League’s first century — and looking forward to what the second century may bring. This is your League and your centennial and ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, is inviting all ARRL members to provide suggestions to help make this once-in-a-lifetime event truly special.
“Centennial t…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
When the ARRL EXPO comes to the Dayton Hamvention® May 18-20, it will bring activities for almost every Amateur Radio activity under the Sun. From radiosport to card checking to scouting to the Youth Lounge, every radio amateur will definitely find something to suit his or her interests. This year — in addition to our popular kit building station — watch how “makers” and “hackers” are using A…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
For the second time since 1992, Heathkit Educational Services (HES) has shuttered its doors. Rumors of the legendary kit-building company’s demise were posted on QRZ.com, with several readers bringing the news to the attention of the ARRL. In August 2011, Heathkit announced it was returning to the kit building business, and in September, that it would once again be manufacturing Amateur Radio k…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
NASA will televise the launch and docking of the next mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for May 14. NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba, KE5DAR, and his two Russian crewmates, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, RN3DT, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, RN3BS, are completing their training as they undergo Soyuz spacecraft fit.
Live NASA TV coverage of the Soyuz TMA-04M spacec…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources