November 2015 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:24843] WRC-15 update and 5 MHz domestic implications
by Price, Brennan, N4QX 20 Nov '15

20 Nov '15

The substantive output of WRC-15 is slowing considerably as crunch time has been reached on the conference's most divisive issues, including new mobile service allocations for broadband and IMT (modern cellular telephony), spectrum issues related to command and control of unmanned aircraft, and, most notably for Amateur Radio, the agenda for WRC-19. The working group responsible for the future agenda is not progressing efficiently (nor is the rest of the conference), so predictions about the opportunities and challenges the next agenda will provide are premature. The best that I can report is that the following items are under consideration for WRC-19: 1) An effort to globally harmonize the 50 MHz allocation, 2) Consideration of new space operations service allocations for commercial small satellites at VHF and UHF (our 2 meter allocation seems to be safe, but 70 cm may be affected), 3) Consideration of spectrum above 6 GHz for "5G" IMT--it appears our 47 GHz allocation will be among the targets considered, and 10 GHz may yet be, and 4) Consideration of mobile allocations for radio local area networks near 5 GHz, perhaps including parts of the amateur secondary allocation there. Suffice to say the next cycle will almost certainly require substantial defensive efforts. It is reasonable to think that one of the above defensive issue may work itself out in the next week. It is within possibility that two of them might. If all three of them do, I will eat my hat (with glee). I have been asked (and have read message board posts asking) how the WRC-15 decision on 5 MHz will affect our access to the existing channels. In the short term, that's an easy question to answer; the FCC's rules remain valid until they are changed, and we all know they tend to change at a glacial pace. The longer term is harder to predict. While the final acts of WRC-15 will almost certainly come into force on January 1, 2017, it has historically taken the FCC considerably longer to implement them domestically. While we expect the FCC will eventually implement the WRC-15 result, the Commission would not be precluded from maintaining one or more of the existing channels--or authorizing more power within the new allocation--under provision No. 4.4 of the ITU Radio Regulations, which allows administrations to deviate from the international table of allocations on the express condition that harmful interference shall not be caused to services operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations. This is the same provision under which the various domestic arrangements for amateurs are accomplished today. While I tend to doubt that the FCC would be likely to apply No. 4.4 to increase the power within the new allocation, we may be able to build a case for some supplementary channel access with the support of at least FEMA on the government side. Both Ted Okada and Ross Merlin have suggested this possibility to me, and I know the issue has been broached to Mike Corey as well. We will try to further develop this idea so that the Board can consider it as it decides how and when (and perhaps even whether) to ask for the implementation of the WRC-15 allocation. One week remains in the conference, so we'll know how things have shaken out by Black Friday. 73 de Brennan HB9/N4QX Brennan T. Price, N4QX Chief Technology Officer American Radio Relay League PO Box 3470 Oakton VA 22124-9470 Tel +1 860 594-0247

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[arrl-odv:24842] Excitemount
by Northwestern Division Director - Jim K7CEX 19 Nov '15

19 Nov '15

What is Excitemount? It is the excitement that is mounting in Washington, especially the Olympia Amateur Radio Society (OARS). I spoke at their monthly club meeting last night and found that they are going full-speed-ahead and then some, on preparing for NPOTA. Already they have a planning team working on several 'mini-field days' for Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Parks. They are also looking into the newly announced the creation of the Manhattan Project National Park, of which the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Eastern Washington is a part of. I expect the Hanford activation to be a 'glowing event'. (sorry I couldn't resist) In addition to the national posting of the event on the ARRL Website, OARS will be coordinating with other clubs, ARES groups and individuals via the ARRL Western Washington Section website. NPOTA is going to be a great event! I'm already calendaring dates that I can activate in the Olympic Nation Park, where I grew up. 73 and good Hamming Jim Pace, K7CEX ARRL the National Association for Amateur Radio Northwestern Division Director

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[arrl-odv:24841] Sen. Wicker's press release
by Kay Craigie 19 Nov '15

19 Nov '15

Here's the link to the Senator's press release about the committee vote today. http://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d2a0c8f3-73e d-4a70-9ee7-8d92fb0d4e2d 73, Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:24839] We Got Past the Senate Committee - AR Parity Act
by k9jf＠arrl.org 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

All: In a short time, we got a vast majority of votes on the Senate Committee. It appears CAI got to the two senators who voted no or they didn't listen or understand our message. This plus 113 co-sponsors in the House is a great step forward. At which part of the cycle do we begin focusing on the remaining Senators and the House committee? A great job by all. But...we are not finished. 73 Jim K9JF James E. Fenstermaker K9JF 2nd Vice President American Radio Relay League (206) 930-9372

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[arrl-odv:24825] FW: looks like we failed
by Doug Rehman 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

I received the below from a member in my Division. Can anyone provide a roll call of the Senators? Doug K4AC -----Original Message----- From: Barry Porter [mailto:barryp13@mac.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 11:40 AM To: Doug Rehman <doug(a)k4ac.com>; Jeff Beals <wa4aw(a)yahoo.com> Subject: looks like we failed >From Senator Nelson: I would also like to mention the Amateur Radio Parity Act. While I have great respect for Senators Blumenthal and Wicker, I must oppose this bill today. Amateur radio plays an important role in enhancing public safety communication, and I encourage communities to work with amateur radio operators to find ways to further these services. This bill before us, though, would effectively repeal parts of millions of private contracts and agreements relied upon by homeowners around the country. This committee would be overriding guidelines that were established – and agreed to – by residents of a community when they voluntarily choose to live in that community. This is a step too far.

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[arrl-odv:24824] Global 60 meter allocation approved at WRC-15
by Price, Brennan, N4QX 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

The WRC-15 Plenary Meeting has just approved, on two back-to-back readings, the Conference's decision on agenda item 1.4, allocating 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz to the amateur service on a secondary basis with a power limit of 15 W e.i.r.p. (with some Region 2 countries--not the United States--allowed up to 25 W e.i.r.p.). With this action, and despite conditions that are more restrictive than we had hoped at the start of the Conference, the amateur service has obtained its first new global HF allocation since 1979. The IARU team here in Geneva, supported by others monitoring remotely, is focusing our efforts on tweaking the agenda for WRC-19. It is likely, but not certain, that the agenda will include an effort to harmonize our allocation at 50 MHz. There will also likely be at least two items requiring substantial defensive efforts. At least the 47-47.2 GHz band, and possibly the 10-10.5 GHz band, will likely be identified for study for an allocation to the mobile service to accommodate "5G" IMT (future smartphones). And it is likely that part or all of the 420-450 MHz band may be considered for allocation to the space operations service for telemetry, tracking, and control of small satellites. (We appear to have successfully blocked the consideration of the two meter band, and that took a great deal of effort by those involved.) Beyond the WRC-19 agenda, we are monitoring several WRC-15 items that appear to be headed to at least acceptable, if not ideal, conclusions. We anticipate being busy through Thanksgiving morning. 73 de Brennan HB9/N4QX Brennan T. Price, N4QX Chief Technology Officer American Radio Relay League PO Box 3470 Oakton VA 22124-9470 Tel +1 860 594-0247

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[arrl-odv:24823] Senator Moran
by Kay Craigie 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas has become a cosponsor of S 1685. He's on the committee of jurisdiction, making his support especially helpful. Director Blocksome, please ask your members in Kansas to contact the Senator's office with their thanks. 73, Kay N3KN Sent from my iPhone

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[arrl-odv:24822] Reminder: Due December 18: ARRL Team and Hotel registration for National Convention at Orlando HamCation
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 17 Nov '15

17 Nov '15

Some important information from Bob Inderbitzen about the National Convention in February Harold Kramer, WJ1B ARRL Chief Operating Officer 860-594-0220 hkramer(a)arrl.org<mailto:hkramer@arrl.org> To: ARRL Officers, Directors and Vice Directors attending the 2016 ARRL National Convention at Orlando HamCation, Feb 12-14, 2016 The 2016 ARRL National Convention, hosted by Orlando HamCation, is February 12-14, 2016. ARRL Board officials may volunteer as part of the ARRL exhibit team. Volunteers will each receive an ARRL exhibitor's badge (in lieu of purchasing a HamCation ticket), and ARRL team shirts. Important Notes: * TRAVEL EXPENSES: ARRL Officers, Directors, and the Southeastern Division Vice Director may seek travel expense reimbursement, expensed to their respective ARRL budgets. * BANQUET: ARRL will host a National Convention Banquet on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the nearby Highland Manor in Apopka, Florida (transportation will be provided). Officers, Directors, and the Southeastern Division Vice Director will each receive 1 banquet reservation (expensed to their respective budget). Vice Directors interested in attending the banquet should purchase banquet tickets at www.arrl.org/expo<http://www.arrl.org/expo>. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete and submit the following online registration form by December 18: ARRL Team Registration Form - http://www.arrl.org/2016-national-convention-arrl-team-registration The online registration form will help us organize room reservations, badges, apparel and staffing for the event. Even if your plans are not entirely committed, please complete the form with your tentative information so we can develop counts for hotel bookings. The registration form should not be shared with anyone else. If you have a spouse, companion, or other family member accompanying you-and they're interested in volunteering with you-please have them complete a registration form, too (be sure they mention your participation, so we can associate their registration with your own). ARRL's hotel room block is at the Hyatt Place Orlando/Universal - 5895 Caravan Ct, Orlando, FL 32819. Both Single (King) and Double Rooms are $136 plus taxes (currently at 12.5%). Includes 1 hot breakfast per room and wireless internet. Thank you for your cooperation. Please contact me if you have any questions. 73 Bob NQ1R rinderbitzen(a)arrl.org<mailto:rinderbitzen@arrl.org> ARRL STAFF TEAM Allison, Bob, WB1GCM Bourgoin,Marjorie, KB1DCO Clarke, Lauren, KB1YDD Corey, Michael, KI1U Fusaro, Norm, W3IZ Gruber, Mike, W1MG Henderson, Dan, N1ND Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R Johnson, Debra, K1DMJ Kramer, Harold, WJ1B Kutzko, Sean, KX9X Lindquist, Rick, WW1ME McNeill, Kim, KB1WUX Patton, David, NN1N Petrilli, Diane, KB1RNF Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Vinci, Yvette, KC1AIM And, Education & Technology Program representative Larry Kendall, K6NDL. Exhibits/Booths and Activities * ARRL Store & Membership - Diane Petrilli, Yvette Vinci, Kim McNeill, Margie Bourgoin, Bob Inderbitzen * ARRL Radiosport (double-wide booth): Awards/DXCC/LoTW/Contests/National Parks on the Air - Norm Fusaro, Dave Patton, and Sean Kutzko * ARRL Public Service: Mike Corey * ARRL Laboratory Booth: Bob Allison, Mike Gruber * ARRL Education & Technology Program: Larry Kendall, Debra Johnson * ARRL Development and ARRL Foundation: Lauren Clarke * ARRL Legislative/Amateur Radio Parity Act: Dan Henderson * ARRL Southeastern Division * ARRL meet & greet area: Harold Kramer, Dave Sumner * ARRL News/event photography: Rick Lindquist --end--

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[arrl-odv:24821] # 114
by Kay Craigie 17 Nov '15

17 Nov '15

Sam Johnson of the 3rd Texas district has become a cosponsor. Director Woolweaver, you know what to do. 73, Kay N3KN Sent from my iPhone

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[arrl-odv:24810] Fall Issue of Radio Waves Newsletter
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 16 Nov '15

16 Nov '15

Hi, Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, our Education Services Manager just published this Radio Waves newsletter and asked me to pass it on to ODV. Please take a look at it. It is very well done. 73, Harold ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings! We've just published our Fall 2015 issue of Radio Waves. Click here<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Radio%20Waves%20Newsletter/Fall%202015%20Rad…> for direct access to the new issue. You'll find the current issue as well as past issues on our website at: www.arrl.org/radio-waves<http://www.arrl.org/radio-waves> Inside This Issue Feature Stories: Using Sensors to Explore Terraforming......1 STEM School and Academy ARC Builds Repeater..... 2 Community College's DIY Spirit Shines for ARISS Contact...... 3 Outreach: Amateur Radio Club Helps Boy Scouts Earn Radio Merit Badge..... 4 Education & Technology Program News....... 5 Instructor Corner - News, Ideas, Support: Getting New Hams on the Air: The Evolution of a Licensing Class.....5 Ham Radio Instruction for People with Disabilities....... 6 Licensing Updates: Amateur Extra Question Pool Being Revised for 2016..... 7 Licensing Statistics..... 7 Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Deadlines ..... 8 Debra Johnson, K1DMJ Education Services Manager ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio(r) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111-1494 Office:(860) 594-0296 Fax: (860) 594-0259 djohnson(a)arrl.org<mailto:djohnson@arrl.org>

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