February 2012 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:20593] Home from Geneva
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 23 Feb '12

23 Feb '12

I returned home yesterday evening after a most memorable and successful 33 days in Geneva for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference and the first Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-15. It will be a while before I can put together a comprehensive report and a QST article, but I wanted to express the following thoughts before descending into the accumulation of work back here in Newington. In my tenure as an ARRL staffer involved in the IARU, the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference will always stand out as an extraordinary success. We still sometimes hear 10, 18 and 24 MHz referred to as "the WARC bands" even though 30 years have passed. The 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference ranks second because we managed something that had never done before: to move HF broadcasting out of 100 kHz of spectrum and thereby greatly improve the usefulness of the 40 meter band. WRC-12 had so many highlights that it is difficult to decide which was the greatest: * Joe Taylor, K1JT's speech to the Plenary at the end of the second week of the conference * The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Club, 4U1ITU, in the magnificent Popov Room in the ITU Tower attended by past and present Secretaries General and Radiocommunication Bureau Directors * Our fending off HF oceanographic radars from being in or even adjacent to amateur bands * The new allocation at 472 kHz * An agenda item for WRC-15 to consider a possible secondary allocation to the amateur service in parts of the 5250-5450 kHz band * Successful handling of a potentially difficult agenda item concerning pico- and nano-satellites (this topic is too complex to get into in this memo) In addition there were: * The first 1296 MHz EME QSOs from 4U1ITU using K1JT's software, with K1JT himself at the controls * More than 13,600 QSOs made from 4U1WRC * More than 3,500 QSOs made during the ARRL CW DX Contest from 4U1ITU Amateur Radio is just a small part of the world's telecommunication community and is commercially insignificant compared to the satellite and mobile (wireless broadband) interests. Yet, we have achieved a position within the International Telecommunication Union as a respected radio service. One tiny measure of this is that Veena Rawat of Canada, the WRC-03 Chairman who pushed through the compromise that gave us our 40-meter improvement and was highly visible at WRC-12 on behalf of Research in Motion, has requested that her expired Canadian amateur license be reinstated with the call sign VA3ITU. Another is that Secretary General Touré, HB9EHT, was wearing just one lapel pin on the final day of the conference: the IARC-50 pin. This position was not achieved overnight or through the efforts of a single individual or small group. It was achieved through the shared passion and sense of purpose of an extraordinary band of people from many countries and diverse backgrounds, some with IARU titles and many not, nearly of them volunteers, who have worked through the IARU over the decades to present a highly professional visage and to ensure that the participation on behalf of the amateur and amateur-satellite services is of a quality that is equal to that of any other radio service, and better than some. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am to be a part of this team. 73, David Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:20592] Trip Report, Geneva
by Kay Craigie 22 Feb '12

22 Feb '12

Carter and I visited Geneva earlier this month, spending some time as tourists and some time as visitors at the WRC. My trip report is attached. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:20591] Google celebrates Heinrich Hertz's 155th Birthday
by Grant Hopper 22 Feb '12

22 Feb '12

Did anyone else notice the Google doodle that celebrates Heinrich Hertz's 155th Birthday? -- 73, Grant Hopper, KB7WSD Vice Director, Northwestern Division

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[arrl-odv:20590] Fwd: U.S. Transportation Agency Issues Guidelines for Gizmos in Cars
by G Widin 22 Feb '12

22 Feb '12

The debate continues on "distracted driving". I trimmed out a bunch of un-related advertising, etc. If this ends up munging the text, let me know and I will send as simple text. -- 73, Greg, K0GW ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: IEEE Spectrum ComputerWise Newsletter <computerwise(a)ieee.org> Date: Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 10:08 AM Subject: U.S. Transportation Agency Issues Guidelines for Gizmos in Cars To: gpwidin(a)comcast.net ** *February 22, 2012* U.S. Transportation Agency Issues Guidelines for Gizmos in Cars<http://www.mmsend10.com/link.cfm?r=132195681&sid=17728922&m=1819897&u=IEEEN…> *by Bob Charette, an IEEE Spectrum contributing editor, writes the Risk Factor blog. As a self-described "risk ecologist," he investigates the impact of the changing concept of risk on technology and societal development.* On 16 February, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new set of voluntary guidelines meant to “encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices.” The guidelines cover all devices that are not necessary for the safe operation of a vehicle by the driver—including those for communication, entertainment, information gathering, and navigation. It will be interesting to see how closely the automotive manufacturers follow these guidelines, considering that last year, for example, Volkswagen described its vehicles as “rolling computers” and said that connecting consumer electronics to its vehicles’ systems was a high priority. The DOT’s three-phase plan calls for electronics that a driver could see or access to be disabled when a car is in gear and the implementation of “voice-activated controls to further minimize distraction in factory-installed, aftermarket, and portable devices.” How do automakers see the guidelines? “Basically, any task behind the wheel that takes more than 2 seconds to complete or can’t be completed in a couple of brief chunks would be locked out or would be prohibited,” says a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. *Read more.<http://www.mmsend10.com/link.cfm?r=132195681&sid=17728923&m=1819897&u=IEEEN…> * ADVERTISEMENT

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[arrl-odv:20588] Press Release on Recon Robotics
by G Widin 22 Feb '12

22 Feb '12

This press release appears on Recon Robotics' web site-- http://www.reconrobotics.com/contact/press_news_2-15-12.cfm -- 73, Greg Widin, K0GW ARRL Dakota Division Director Army Orders 1,100 Recon Scout XT Robots From ReconRobotics *$13.9 million order is the largest in the company’s history * *EDINA, Minn. – (February 15, 2012*) ReconRobotics<http://www.reconrobotics.com/>, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a $13.9 million contract for 1,100 Recon Scout® XT<http://www.reconrobotics.com/products/military_recon-scout_XT.cfm>micro-robot kits from the U.S. Army Contracting Command on behalf of the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force. This is the largest order in the company’s history and, in terms of the number of units, it is also the largest micro-robot order ever issued by the U.S. Army. In addition, the company announced two accessory orders totaling nearly $1 million from the Rapid Equipping Force. ReconRobotics plans to complete deliveries on these orders by May 31, 2012. "We are honored that the U.S. Army has once again chosen our Recon Scout XT system for their dismounted troops,” said Ernest Langdon, Director of Military Programs for ReconRobotics. "Although these 1.2-lb robots are exceptionally small, they will play a big role in providing our warfighters with increased situational awareness and standoff distance as they conduct operations in active combat theaters." Over the last six months, ReconRobotics has received U.S. military orders for 1,800 Recon Scout XT kits. In addition, more than 350 law enforcement agencies, worldwide, rely on Recon Scout robots to conduct reconnaissance during high-risk tactical operations. Several characteristics make the Recon Scout XT ideally suited to military and police operations: the weight of the entire XT system (robot and handheld Operator Control Unit) is just 3 pounds (1.3kg), and the robot can be deployed in five seconds and thrown up to 120 feet (36m). The XT is also exceptionally quiet and is equipped with an infrared optical system that allows the operator to explore an environment in complete darkness.

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[arrl-odv:20587] Congress to Sell Public Airwaves to Pay Benefits
by jboehner 18 Feb '12

18 Feb '12

Sounds like they will give the FCC SOME authority in this matter. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/business/media/congress-to-sell-public-ai rwaves-to-pay-benefits.html?pagewanted=2 <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/business/media/congress-to-sell-public-ai rwaves-to-pay-benefits.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2> &_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2> '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT

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[arrl-odv:20586] Payroll tax bill includes study
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 17 Feb '12

17 Feb '12

Our long-sought study of impediments to amateur radio emergency communications is contained in the Conference Committee version of the payroll tax bill that is coming up for vote in the House this afternoon (and possibly in the Senate soon after that). See Sec. 6414 on page 212 of the attachment. I have reviewed the bill and see nothing in it that would impact amateur spectrum other than possibly 5850-5925 MHz. In particular, there are no references to 420-450 MHz. So, we'll have to see how it fares. 73, Dave HB9/K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:20585] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 17 Feb '12

17 Feb '12

<<021512.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 7 February 15, 2012 -- Covers the period February 5-11. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee: March 24 @ 8:30am - St. Louis, MO Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND Since the last report, we attended a very successful SC State Convention in Ladson, SC. Approximately 40 people attended the ARRL forum with a lively Q&A period that followed the usual presentations. Over the last two weeks, the 2012 ARRL Field Day packet was finalized and posted to the web. Thanks to Sean, KX9X, Steve, WB8IMY, Allen W1AGP, and MVP's Sharon Taratula for the work on portions of the packet. We also met with the Field Day logo-design team (Sean, KX9X, Jackie, KB1PWB, and Sue, KB1OKW) to finalize the logo and make final recommendations for the 2012 products. We have begun organizing and planning for a Volunteer Counsel webinar, which is scheduled for March 15 from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Thanks to Ken, K1FUG, for setting up the registration. Presenters will be General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, Midwest Division Director Cliff Ahrens, KØCA (as chair of the ARRL Amateur Radio Legal Defense and Assistance Committee), and the Regulatory Information Manager. The webinar is open to registered VC, ARRL section managers, and members on the ODV reflector. Thanks to the efforts of Illinois Section Manager Tom Ciciora, KA9QPN, and his section legislative team, an amendment exempting amateur radio was included in a current state proposal on the use of electronic devices while mobile. We also worked with Wisconsin SM Don Michalski, W9IXG, on a policy stating that when activated for ARES, responders should not carry firearms, even if they have a carry permit. (Thanks to General Counsel for assistance on this as well). The Regulatory Information Manager has begun working with General Counsel and President Craigie, N3KN, on an upcoming interview/story for QST and the web on where things stand with FCC amateur radio enforcement issues since Laura Smith began the job in 2009. For the article, Smith will respond to a series of questions provided by HQ staff. On Thursday February 9, Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, visited HQ and provided an interesting briefing and Q&A session with HQ staffers that at times provide information to the membership on antenna zoning issues. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The live webcast of W1AW went off almost without a hitch on Sunday. We are awaiting the video recordings made by Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, and will post a copy to the ARRL website when they are available. Meanwhile, "The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio" video has been entered in the Waterfront Film Festival and will also be in the Santa Clarita Film Festival. It appears to have a good chance of notice in these events. Winner of the PIO planning contest was Chris Tate, KJ4UBL, with Robert Webster, KD8OXJ, and Woody Woodward, K3VSA, as 2nd and 3rd. Prizes of the ARRL Handbook and Antenna Book have been mailed to them. I continue to recruit speakers to present DIY projects at the booth in Dayton and work on the Annual Report. Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has promised to work on an audio PSA for Field Day and Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, was recruited to work on animating the new Field Day logo. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH 2012 Spectrum Defense mugs, pins and certificates have been ordered. Through the middle of February the Spectrum Defense Fund has raised more than $31,900 from 219 donors. The first issues of Spectrum Defense Matters is planned for March 2012 when K1ZZ and N4QX return from WRC-12. The Diamond Club has reached $ 36,920 in contributions from 182 donors. The new Diamond Club logo will be added to all relevant pages on the ARRL website. The Education & Technology Program has received $ 7, 779 in contributions from 41 donors. In addition, two large contributions totaling $25,000 have been received for the Teachers Institutes. The Second Century Campaign (SCC)has received $210,000 in cash pledge payments as of mid-February. Total pledges to the SCC are $2,687,500. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Khrystyne, K1SFA, and Mike, K1MK, operated as K1SFA in the WPX RTTY Contest (February 10-12) from K1TTT in Peru, Massachusetts as multi/single. Their claimed score of 6,543,740 broke the North America multi-single record set in 2003 by TI5N by more than 600,000 points. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for February 9, 2012. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R The Hotel room block for the National Convention at Pacificon have been negotiated and confirmed at the Santa Clara Marriott. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to the event in October 2012. Work continues with implementing data entry and processes for Digital QST options into our current systems. IT has been proactive in helping create tools and updates to manage the data changes required. Buck slips with the Digital QST announcement began insertion into domestic renewals and the updated International renewal forms began distribution this week. The 2012 ARRL Field Day logo was completed (see www.arrl.org/FieldDay) The design planning team included Jackie Ferreira, Dan Henderson, Sean Kutzko, and Sue Fagan. A Presidents' Day themed email campaign is being prepared for distribution this week. The warehouse team shipped 687 fulfillment & dealer packages this week. 4 QST Supplements were processed along with 322 Free Books . Now Shipping: The ABCs of Software Defined Radio. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC Branch Credits Applications 2011 Carryover 190,627 1,511 2012 Received 91,171 661 Cumulative Total 281,798 2,172 2012 Processed 136,389 1,113 Remaining 145,409 1,059 Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time 7 Weeks LoTW Processing Time 3 Business Days Logbook of the World Category January 2012 QSO Records Entered Into System 402,043,826 QSL Record Matches 51,720,515 Logs Processed 2,888,543 Active Certificates 71,878 Registered Users in System 47,955 Logbook Inquiries January 2012 Emails 1,409 Phone Calls 136 Total 1,545 W1AW On Sunday, February 12, a live tour of W1AW was conducted and was also available off the ARRL web page. Joe Carcia "gave" the tour to local television station meteorologist Geoff Fox, K1GF. Thanks to Bob Allison, Mike Corey, Harold Kramer, Sean Kutzko, Jodi Morin and Allen Pitts for their participation. Joe updated the web code practice files. He began to re-label the entire Harris antenna patch panel. Joe also installed a new 2500 watt dummy-load - used for test purposes - in the Harris racks. He and Andy Shefrin also assisted with some heating issues for the back-half of ARRL HQ. Tuesday morning, Ken Bailey, Joe Carcia and Perry Green participated in a MARS training net on HF. Also on Tuesday, Joe and Sean participated in a PIC-based satellite tuning aid session with Mark Spencer. Field Organization/Public Service Team Illinois Section Manager Tom Ciciora, KA9QPN, and Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG, have been nominated to run for new terms of office in their respective sections. Leona Adams reminds us that nominating petitions for this particular election cycle are due at Headquarters on March 9. One radio amateur from Idaho successfully completed the requirements to become an Official Observer. The FCC is presently following up on a report of a repeater in California that appears to be locked in transmission mode. Also, another incident has been reported where an Official Observer is being taunted on the air regarding an advisory. The Eastern Pennsylvania OOC checked out a report of various incidents happening on a local repeater. Several more complaints were received about interference happening on two well known 20 meter frequencies. Chuck Skolaut passed along these items of information to the FCC to keep them aware of the current atmosphere on the bands. Questions addressed this week included Field Day, MCW, band privileges, antenna restrictions and operating overseas. Thanks to the effort of Digital Content Manager Katie Glass, ARRL Section Managers have been given the chance to preview and test the digital version of March QST. Steve Ewald shared Katie's invitation to the Section Managers via their e-mail reflector, and this generated a number of responses with positive comments, helpful feedback and some questions. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 2/20 Holiday Steve Ford 2/16-2/17 Vacation Scott Gee 3/21-3/23 Vacation Dan Henderson 3/2-3/5 Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, AL `` 4/19-4/22 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID Mary Hobart 2/22 Medical Leave Bob Inderbitzen 2/21-2/22 Vacation `` 3/1-3/5 Radiofest, Monterey, CA Khrystyne Keane 2/21 Vacation Joel Kleinman 3/13 Vacation Zack Lau 3/22-3/23 Vacation Monique Levesque 3/9-3/26 Vacation Diane Petrilli 3/22-3/28 Vacation/ASAE Conference, Colorado Springs, CO Dave Sumner 1/20-2/22 ITU WRC-12, Geneva

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[arrl-odv:20583] D Block info from "Urgent Communications"
by jboehner 17 Feb '12

17 Feb '12

Special bulletin: Public safety gets the D Block http://enews.penton.com/enews/mobileradiotech/today/2012_02_16_02162012/spec ial_bulletin_public/graphicSpecial bulletin: Public safety gets the D Block By Donny Jackson PSST Chairman Harlin McEwen provides the following particulars about the deal, which is expected to be approved by Congress tomorrow or Saturday: Public safety gets $7 billion, the D Block and will not have to return its 700 MHz narrowband spectrum (other airwaves return may still be possible). NTIA will oversee the network, but governance specifics - for instance, how much input public safety will have - are still not known. For more details, visit our Facebook page <http://link.urgentcomm.com/u.d?FYGoL6j-r2SpWI8wF2Rs=41> and stay tuned for our regular edition of UC Today this afternoon. '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT

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[arrl-odv:20581] Re: N2ZZ's query about govt use of 60M
by Chris 16 Feb '12

16 Feb '12

Bruce, I think that informal monitoring study could lead to inaccurate conclusions about Federal use of the band, which we can't really afford to underestimate. 73, Chris W3KD Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone Bruce Frahm <brucefrahmk0bj(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Jim, see below: > >On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 10:05 PM, James F. Boehner MD ><jboehner01(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > >> This may not be the proper forum to ask this question, but inquiring >> minds want to know….**** >> >> ** ** >> >> We know that the first 60m channel frequency was changed due to the >> frequent digital transmissions on that frequency, presumably government in >> origin. Other than that, how often do federal users use the 60 m >> frequencies we have been granted on a secondary basis?**** >> >> ** ** >> >> '73 de JIM N2ZZ**** >> >> ARRL Vice Director**** >> >> Roanoke Division**** >> >> *ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™* >> > >Jim, the sort of fuzzy answer is "not very often, other than on the old >channel 3" NJ1Q and WB8IMY recorded activity for ~3 weeks ending Feb. 7 >and had this to say about government activity: >*In terms of government activity, this consisted exclusively of digital >transmissions using unknown protocols. You can hear several recordings on ** >http://www.arrl.org/hf-digital* <http://www.arrl.org/hf-digital>* (scroll >to the bottom of the page). This activity was centered almost entirely on >Channel 1 (5330.5 kHz) and Channel 2 (5346.5 kHz).* >** >Our Zoomerang survey asked about how often people could not find ANY >channel available for QSOs, but didn't differentiate between amateur and >government users. More to the point in answering your question, we asked: > >*Have you ever had to stop a QSO in progress due to government usage of a >60 Meter channel?* >** >This drew 289 responses, 42 (15%) of which answered yes. > >There was a followup essay question: >** >*On which channels does the problem most often occur? How did you deal with >the problem?* >** >The answers are below. Unfortunately when I pasted in the answers the >records with blank fields create a line and I didn't discover how to >extricate them. You'll note that the busiest government channel is Channel >3, which will be replaced March 5. But all had at least a scattering of >reports. > >Have fun with your mouse wheel getting to the comments! 73 Bruce K0BJ > > 1, 3, 5. QSY to another channel 1 - Moved to another channel Seems like >1 and 2 as I recall but I don't know whether the interference was from a >government station or not. I change channels or QRT Channel 3 is the >worst. A few times on Channel 4. 5403.5 (Ch5) Move. >Channel 5 Link >11 transmission on channel 1 > >Move to another channel 3 walk away from 60 and go to >40. ch1, with Navy Link 11 transmissions Ch. 3. QSY'd > CODAR >was present on an adjacent freq. Quickly QSY'ed to another channel >which was not in use. 1,2,3 3 I >cannot recall which channel but when the digital transmissions occur >operators just have to wait. 5371.5 seems to be most active ... >usually I just go QRT. Sometimes switch to another clear frequency. 3 or 4. >Bursts of data quite regularly and strong. CODAR formerly made many >channels useless until the Rutgers agreement was reached CH 3 always has a >beaconing data transmission No, but on occassion I have needed to >stop a QSO because of "odd" digital signals on the band. It may have been >the government. Wait until the other signal stops. I have had QSOs >ended by data transmissions on 5366.5 and 5346.5. I Went QRT. 5366.5 >always has digital noise and is usless Though channel 3 has been >unusable for a long time. evening......chg freq. 5260 >went to be occupied by primary user Channel 1 and Channel 3...QSY to >another free channel. Ch3 mostly, ch4, ch5. >Waited until the frequency was clear and then continued. 3 Depends >greatly on time of day. Morning local has more than just after sunset. >(Arizona) do not recall. don't recall I go QRT. > 2,3,4 >I stop operating For government also read commercial. It occurred once, and >that was several years ago and it was on 5.371.50 Channel 3 ch. #1 >ch.#3 Stopped Trans. and looked for open channel. Channel 3 >always busy with digital transmissions. Occassional digital transmissions >on Channel 4 - Digital transmissions forced end to QSOs. I QRT'd or QSY'd >to another band. ch 1 move to channel 2 2,3,5, stop xmit 3 >& 4 >ch5 digital signals blocked out qso >10 percent time, just qrt 3 ch. 3 5366.5 > Ch. >3 4 and 5. Wait until it stopped. 6 Channel 4 & 5, ceased my >operations until channel was clear... usually a digital operation on the >gov't side. Three. QSY'd to 40M on channel 3 and I and other >moved to a different channel or stoped talking > >_______________________________________________ >arrl-odv mailing list >arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org >http://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

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