American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources

Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:55:00 -0400

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.

Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai Sworn in As FCC Commissioners

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:33:00 -0400

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...

ARRL Microwave Band Planning Committee Releases Draft Band Plans

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:21:00 -0400

The ARRL UHF-Microwave Band Plan Committee has released for comment its draft band plan for 13 cm (2.3/2.4 GHz) and welcomes comments on it. The amended draft band plan for 902-928 MHz (33 cm) has also been released.

13 cm

This is the third of four draft band plans released for comment. The Committee appreciates the initial suggestions and reports of the current and proposed activities on the ban...

Nominations Invited for 2012 Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:38:00 -0400

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 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...

ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, Invites Input for 2014 ARRL Centennial

Fri, 11 May 2012 19:17:00 -0400

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...

QST Digital Edition Launch Approaching

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:56:00 -0400

The K7RA Solar Update

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:12:00 -0400

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,...

No ARRL Audio News on May 17, Will Return May 24

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:37:00 -0400

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.

Surfin’: Weekending at 39.8211°N, 84.2561°W

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:34:00 -0400

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 ...

ARRL EXPO Offers Activities for the DIYer

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:29:00 -0400

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...

Three Hams Venture to ISS Next Week

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:59:00 -0400

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...

Heathkit Educational Systems Closes Up Shop

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:17:00 -0400

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...

Senate Approves Two New FCC Commissioners, Commission to Be at Full Strength

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:59:00 -0400

Six months after President Barack Obama nominated Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Varadaraj Pai to the Federal Communications Commission, the Senate confirmed their appointments on Monday, May 7. 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 Meredith Attwell Baker,...

BSA to Offer Morse Code Interpreter Strip

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:51:00 -0400

For many years, Boy Scouts and Scouters have been able to earn an interpreter strip to wear on their uniforms. This strip -- worn on the uniform above the right pocket -- denotes proficiency in a foreign language or sign language. Each language has its own strip (with the name of the language embroidered in that language), and some Scouts and Scouters wear more than one strip. Now those hams in...

Coast Guard to Join Armed Forces Crossband Communications Test

Mon, 07 May 2012 16:56:00 -0400

The US Coast Guard will be joining the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines in the 2012 Armed Forces Crossband Test, scheduled for May 12. In addition to the Coast Guard station, five Army stations, three Air Force stations and six Navy/Marine Corps stations will be on the air to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFD).

Military-to-amateur crossband operations will take place on th...