ARRL Amateur Radio News

One Mode Down, Two to Go!

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 16:23:00 +0000

With the advent of the ARRL's Triple Play Award, on-air participation has reached a level of excitement not seen in recent years. This new, exciting award is available to all amateurs who confirm contacts with each of the 50 states using three modes for each state: CW, phone and RTTY/digital. All 150 contacts must be made on or after the January 1, 2009 and must be confirmed via Logbook of The World (LoTW). All bands -- with the exception of 60 meters -- may be used in pursuit of the Triple Play Award.

Nominations Sought For 2009 Dayton Hamvention® Awards

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 16:20:00 +0000

The Dayton Hamvention® is accepting nominations for its 2009 awards. Do you know an outstanding amateur in your club, community or from on-the-air contacts? Does this person excel in some phase of Amateur Radio? Do you feel this person deserves worldwide recognition? All radio amateurs are eligible. The deadline for nominations is February 18, 2009. The winners will be recognized at the 2009 Hamvention, May 15-17.

The 2008 ARRL Periodicals on CD-ROM Now Shipping

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 17:48:14 +0000

The 2008 ARRL Periodicals on CD-ROM is now available and includes the complete 2008 fully searchable collection of three ARRL journals -- QST, QEX, and National Contest Journal (NCJ). In addition, the CD-ROM includes source code for software projects and PC board patterns, Section News, as well as the ever-popular Contest Soapbox and Contest Results. Search the full text of every article by entering titles, call signs or names. See every word, photo -- most in color -- drawing and table in technical and general-interest features, columns and product reviews, plus all advertisements. Print what you see, or copy it into other applications. System requirements: Microsoft Windows and Macintosh systems, using the industry standard Adobe Acrobat Reader software. CD-ROMs for other years are also available.

ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Registration remains open through Sunday, January 25, 2009, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, February 6, 2009: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1; Radio Frequency Interference; Antenna Design and Construction; Technician License Course; Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics.

ARRL DXCC Desk Approves T61AA Operation

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 15:10:00 +0000

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the license for the T61AA operation in Afghanistan has been updated. "If you had cards that were recently rejected for this operation, please send an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk and you will be placed on the list for update," Moore said.

DXpedition to Desecheo Gets Ready to Roll

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Six members of the February 2009 KP5 Desecheo DXpedition team met in Puerto Rico the week of December 17-21. According to team co-leader Bob Allphin, K4UEE, the team visited US Fish and Wildlife Headquarters in Boqueron and met with the Chief Refuge Manager and law enforcement personnel in preparation for the DXpedition, set to start February 12.

Youth@HamRadio.Fun: A Small Island, a Young Ham and a Whole Lot of Spirit!

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Mercer Island is a small island in Washington, located a few miles outside of Seattle; it has a population of approximately 22,000 people. The local radio club on the island is the Mercer Island Radio Operators (MIRO), W7MIR. MIRO is always prepared to aide with communications in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. Alex Banbury, KE7WUD, is proud to call himself the youngest member of MIRO, and possibly the youngest ham on the island!

Gary L. Robinson, WB8ROL, Wins December QST Cover Plaque Award

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 11:49:00 +0000

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for December is Gary L. Robinson, WB8ROL, for his article "Ghost QSOs -- Olivia Returns from the Noise." Congratulations, Gary! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the January issue by Saturday, January 31.

FCC Commissioners: Now There Are Four

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 21:55:00 +0000

The term of FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, a Republican from Tennessee, came to an end on January 3 as the 111th Congress convened for the first time. Originally selected by President Bush to fill the unexpired term of then-Chairman Michael Powell, Tate joined the Commission in 2005. In June 2007, Bush announced his intention to nominate Tate to a full five year term, but when the Senate failed to confirm her nomination by the close of the 110th Congress, Tate's tenure as a Commissioner came to a close.

Foundation for Amateur Radio Invites Scholarship Applications

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 19:32:00 +0000

The non-profit Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) is now accepting applications for 48 scholarships for the academic year 2009-2010 to assist radio amateurs pursuing higher education. FAR fully funds two of scholarships and administers 46 others without cost on behalf of various club and individual donors. Amateur Radio licensees pursuing a full-time course of study beyond high school and accepted by or enrolled in an accredited university, college or technical school are eligible to apply. Scholarship grants range from $500 to $5000, and preference in some cases goes to applicants living in particular geographical areas or pursuing certain studies. Non-US residents are eligible to apply for some of the scholarships. FAR encourages clubs -- especially those in California, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin -- to announce these scholarship opportunities at meetings, in newsletters, during training classes, on nets and on their Web sites. More information and an application form may be requested by letter via e-mail or by sending a QSL card postmarked prior to March 30, 2009, to FAR Scholarships, PO Box 831, Riverdale, MD 20738. The application deadline is May 1, 2009. Headquartered in Washington, DC, FAR consists of more than 75 area Amateur Radio Clubs. FAR is devoted to promoting the interests of Amateur Radio and those scientific, literary and educational pursuits that advance the purposes of the Amateur Radio Service.

ARRL Audio News: Dec 19, 2008; Vol 27 Number 50

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:34:29 GMT

ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; Restrictive Local Zoning Ordinance Proposed as Court Date in California Antenna Case Nears; Hams Stand By to Help as New England Recovers From Ice Storm and Prepares for More; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; 75th Sweepstakes Mug, Pin Orders Accepted Through January 31, 2009; ARISS Finalizes Plans for Silver Anniversary of Amateur Radio from Space; Frequency Change for Canadian Time Transmission Station CHU; ARRL Audio News--IN BRIEF/CLOSE