*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 24, No. 02 January 14, 2005 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * +League tells FCC interference persists at New York BPL trial * +ARES/RACES rally in rain-soaked California * +ISS crew restocks its larder, commander tells kids * +Ham radio antenna bills in play in New Jersey, Connecticut * +New York radio personality lends voice to ARRL radio spot * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This weekend on the radio ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration +ARRL Board of Directors January to meet +ARRL adds new scholarship to roster; 2005 application deadline looms +IARU Region 3 Chairman Peter Naish, VK2BPN, SK Ham-astronaut accepts WAC certificate AMSAT announces "51 on 51 Award" Wayne Long, K9YNF, wins December QST Cover Plaque Award +Available on ARRL Audio News =========================================================== ==>ARRL REBUTS DENIAL OF INTERFERENCE FROM BPL TRIAL, DECRIES FCC INACTION The ARRL has questioned the veracity and technical competence of the company operating a Westchester, New York, BPL field trial. It's also faulted the FCC for not shutting the system down. In December, after an on-site determination by ARRL Lab personnel and a local amateur that BPL interference on 14 MHz had reappeared, the League renewed its request that the FCC rescind its Part 5 Experimental license for Ambient Corporation's BPL pilot in Briarcliff Manor. Ambient told the FCC in October that it had addressed Amateur Radio interference complaints through improved software and notching, and it repeated that claim January 6, saying it was unable to detect the interference ARRL reported hearing. In a strongly worded rebuttal that cited "obvious and preclusive" interference along one BPL-active stretch of road, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, questioned Ambient's credibility and competence. "Ambient's claim that it was unable to find that noise in December is not credible," Imlay wrote January 7 on the League's behalf. "If they were in fact unable to find the noise, their technical staff is not competent." The League said that Ambient's October 12 representation to the FCC that it had corrected "all harmful interference" from the system "has proven most assuredly false." Additionally, the League noted, an FCC Enforcement Bureau staffer also has visited the site and could attest to the interference observed on 14 MHz. In its January 6 response, Ambient claimed it was "unable to confirm the high signal levels" and said 80, 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 meters "continue to be notched." Ambient also objected to ARRL's assertion that the signals constitute "harmful interference" and suggested the League was improperly using the FCC's complaint procedures. The League said its measurements on 20 meters along one stretch of BPL lines were "between 20 and 40 dB higher" than when the BPL signal was not present, and it invited FCC officials to review a video on the ARRL Web site (click on "Videos of interference in Briarcliff Manor, NY") documenting the interference. ARRL accused Ambient of not only failing to remedy the interference but of stonewalling by arguing that the signals ARRL detected ought not be considered "harmful interference" under FCC's Part 15 rules. Westchester County ARES Emergency Coordinator Alan Crosswell, N2YGK, routinely travels on the roads in question and has just as routinely experienced interference in those areas, the ARRL said. The League took strong exception to Ambient's attempt in its January 6 letter to minimize the issue of interference to mobile stations. "Ambient's flippant suggestion that interference to Mr. Croswell's mobile Amateur Radio communications is not an issue, and that he should merely 'drive away from it' is not well taken and is unacceptable to ARRL," Imlay wrote. "It should be unacceptable to the Commission as well." In any case, given that the ARRL measured interference-level BPL emissions up to three-quarters of a mile from a BPL modem at Briarcliff Manor, the League noted, driving away would not be a practical remedy. "The system needs to cease operating on all Amateur bands instead," The ARRL asserted. Crosswell, who's also Westchester County RACES Officer, has documented BPL interference, complaints and related information on his "BPL in Briarcliff Manor" Web site <http://www.columbia.edu/~alan/bpl/>. The League said the lingering Briarcliff Manor BPL situation underscores the "fundamental incompatibility" between Amateur Radio HF operation and "unlicensed (and apparently unregulated) operation of BPL systems." The ARRL also faulted the FCC for its "notable inaction over a period of many months in responding to complaints" regarding the Briarcliff Manor BPL project. "Ambient clearly is not in compliance [with FCC Part 5 Experimental rules], and the Office of Engineering and Technology needs to, in this most egregious case, finally do its job and shut this station down pending compliance determinations and a demonstration that the system can operate without causing harmful interference." It also demanded that the FCC rescind Ambient's Part 5 experimental authorization and "determine other appropriate sanctions" against the company. A copy of the ARRL's January 7 letter to the FCC is on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/01/11/2/BPL-BCM-ARRLresponse2Ambien t0105.pdf>. For more information on BPL, visit the "Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and Amateur Radio" page on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/bpl/>. ==>ARES/RACES AID IN CALIFORNIA FLOOD RESPONSE Flooding and a devastating mudslide in Southern California kept Ventura County ARES/RACES members on the move this week. Among other activities, ARES/RACES has supported communication at shelters housing La Conchita residents displaced by a massive and deadly mudslide January 10 that killed at least 10 people. A town of some 250 inhabitants, La Conchita is approximately 65 miles north of Los Angeles. "Several communities were cut off from access to the outside world during the flooding, including the Ojai area and the cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru," reports David Gilmore, AA6VH, ARES District Emergency Coordinator and Ventura County RACES Radio Officer. He said five shelters were opened during the course of the flooding, providing refuge to more than 700 evacuees. Gilmore said the hospital in Ojai also experienced flooding, but the community's flood-initiated isolation would have made it extremely difficult to transfer patients to other facilities. "An ARES/RACES member stood by at the radio communications room at the hospital during this crisis, while the flooding was dealt with," he said. "Fortunately, the effects of the flooding were able to be contained, and the hospital was able to continue operating." In the midst of dealing with the La Conchita mudslide and the subsequent rescue/recovery effort, Ventura County also faced a forecast of additional heavy rainfall plus a prediction that the Santa Felicia dam at Lake Piru might overflow January 11. "The integrity of the dam itself was never in doubt," Gilmore explained. "However the amount of water flowing into the reservoir was of sufficient volume that if an overflow occurred, the community of Piru--located at the very eastern part of Ventura County and below the dam--was expected to experience considerable damage." In light of the threat, authorities ordered residents to evacuate to higher ground, and requested Ventura County ARES/RACES to set up radio communications inside the community. Access to Piru was already difficult, Gilmore explained, and once flooding commenced the town was expected to become completely inaccessible. "We realized that any personnel who went to Piru could become stranded for several days, along with the Piru residents," he said. Nonetheless, Ventura County ARES/RACES members did not hesitate to volunteer for the assignment. "Steve King, KE6WEZ, immediately packed his vehicle with supplies and extra radio equipment, and headed out," Gilmore said. Although his trip was hampered by closed or flood-damaged roadways, the California Highway Patrol immediately let King through. "He drove the perilous journey along Highway 126 to Piru, navigating through flowing water and mudslides that already littered the road," Gilmore said. Although two more operators--Dan Halpert, WA6JQB, and Karl Baird, KG6KRN, had also prepared to go, King's vehicle was the last allowed in before nightfall, when the highway became too dangerous to travel. Once there King spent a busy--and uncomfortable--night supporting communication for the more than 500 flood refugees, who had little in the way of supplies. King was able to help coordinate the delivery of needed provisions. At one point, he also handled traffic for the emergency evacuation of a Piru resident who required medical treatment. The area lost electrical power around 3 AM, and Gilmore says King was instrumental in locating a small generator and getting it on line as dawn approached. Fortunately, the anticipated heavy rain did not materialize, and the release of water over the dam was held back enough to avoid affecting residential housing. Piru residents were allowed to return home the next morning, and King was able to get back home for a well-deserved rest, Gilmore said. As the severe weather wound down, so did the Ventura County ARES/RACES activation. Gilmore said the team remains on standby if additional communication problems arise. Heavy rainfall in California in recent days has resulted in mudslides that left at least two dozen people dead. California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger, who toured La Conchita January 12, has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County. The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are cooperating in meeting the needs of those displaced by the flooding and mudslides. ==>ISS CREW OFF DIET, ASTRONAUT TELLS JAPANESE YOUNGSTERS International Space Station Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, says he and his crewmate, Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov, are off their NASA-imposed diet. Chiao spoke via Amateur Radio January 7 with youngsters at Mori Elementary School in Hyogo, Japan. The contact between 8N3M in Japan and NA1SS aboard the space station was arranged via the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. "We received a Progress resupply ship on Christmas day, so now we have plenty of food and water, so we're no longer on our diet," Chiao reported in response to a "bonus" question, "Are you hungry now?" from 8N3M control operator Kazuyoshi "Kaz" Tanaka, JG3QZN. In early December, NASA had asked the Expedition 10 crew to trim 300 calories or so from its typical 3000 calorie daily intake to keep food supplies from running dangerously low before the Russian Progress supply rocket arrived Christmas Day. The unmanned spacecraft brought 2.5 tons of food, fuel, clothing, supplies and Christmas gifts to the complex. Chiao and Sharipov are now roughly halfway through their six-month mission. Replying to the "food question" that students typically ask, Chiao said the crew has a varied menu aboard the ISS, including, he noted, "some Japanese curry that I brought with me--curried rice--and also some tofu dishes." Chiao fielded a total of 20 questions from the school during the approximately 10-minute direct VHF contact. He told the youngsters that he and Sharipov underwent lengthy and extensive training for their current space mission. "In fact, my crewmate and I trained for the better part of three and a half years," Chiao said, "We were studying systems in both Russia and in the United States and we also practiced working in spacesuits and we also had to do physical exercise to stay in good shape." He urged a student who asked about becoming as astronaut to study lots of math and science. Chiao noted the crew will undertake a space walk later this month. On the task list is moving some Japanese experiments from one side of the ISS to the other, he said. Responding to another question about the convenience of living aboard the ISS, Chiao said the lack of gravity presents a mixed blessing. "Many things are inconvenient about living in space," Chiao said, "because in zero gravity it's very easy to lose things. They just float away." The upside, he noted, is that "floating makes it very easy for you to move around, so some things are convenient also." A dozen Mori pupils prepared 19 questions for the contact, and Chiao answered them all, plus the query from Tanaka just as the pass was coming to an end. Looking on were about 100 visitors. The event attracted news media coverage from five newspapers and a local TV cable channel. Founded in 1872, Mori Elementary School is located near the city of Kakogawa and has an enrollment of 363 pupils. ARISS is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.--thanks to Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ/AD6GZ, who provided information for this story ==>HAM RADIO ANTENNA BILLS INTRODUCED IN TWO NORTHEAST STATES Amateur Radio antenna legislation has been proposed in New Jersey and Connecticut. Introduced January 10, the New Jersey measure, Assembly Bill 3641 (A3641) is sponsored by District 22 Assemblywoman Linda Stender. It's virtually identical to a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Matthew Ahearn, KB2PNN, that failed to make it through the state's last legislative session. The new legislation would incorporate the essence of the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 into the Garden State's law books. Northern New Jersey ARRL Section Manager Bill Hudzik, W2UDT, said the state's PRB-1 group plans to meet with lawmakers this month in Trenton. "Please remember, the bill's passage is not a given, and we all must continue to put Amateur Radio in the best possible light--as many clubs did during this past Field Day--whenever we can," Hudzik exhorted members on the NNJ Section Web site. "And there will continue to be opposition from local governments who may view the bill as a threat to home rule." Hudzik thanked Bob Bednard, KA8SAF, with helping to coordinate the bill's introduction with Stender's office. ARRL Southern New Jersey SM Jean Priestley, KA2YKN, also alerted her section's members via the SNJ Section Web site. "We are back in business and need to work on developing cosponsors and supporters," she said. "There is lots of work to do on this in the coming year, so sharpen those pencils." A3641 has been referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee. The proposed law would keep municipalities from adopting zoning ordinances that prohibit construction or use of antenna structures by Amateur Radio operators. It also would require that any application fees be in line with those generally assessed for residential neighborhood variances. The New Jersey bill also would prevent localities assessing applicants for legal, technical or other consultation or advisory expenses incurred by any agency evaluating an antenna support structure application. In Connecticut's General Assembly, an antenna bill has been introduced in the Senate by 6th District Sen Donald J. DeFronzo. If approved by the Senate and House of Representatives, the measure, Senate Bill No 92 (SB 92), would require municipal regulation of Amateur Radio antenna structures to comply with the limitations on local regulation spelled out in PRB-1. "To allow amateur radio station antenna structures to be erected at proper heights and dimensions to accommodate amateur radio communication and otherwise reasonably accommodate amateur radio service communications," says the bill's Statement of Purpose. SB 92 has been referred to the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Energy and Technology. To date, 21 states have adopted PRB-1 bills, and laws in some of those states include a schedule of minimum regulatory heights for Amateur Radio antenna structures. A PRB-1 bill has also been introduced in Vermont, and ARRL anticipates similar measures to be introduced in other states as legislative sessions get under way around the US. For more information on PRB-1, visit the ARRL PRB-1 Package page <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/PRB-1_Pkg/index.html>. The FCC discusses PRB-1 on its Web site <http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/prb/index.html>. ==>BIG APPLE BROADCASTER AMPS UP ARRL RADIO SPOT FOR LIMBAUGH NETWORK FILL ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, says it's nice to have friends in high places. One of the friends of Amateur Radio public relations is Howard Price, KA2QPJ, of New York City's WABC-TV (Channel 7). Pitts says Price--acting president of the Broadcast Employees Amateur Radio Society (BEARS) <http://www.w2abc.org/>, the ham radio organization at ABC TV and Radio in New York City and an ARRL Special Service Club--heard the League's new radio public service announcement (PSA) and had an idea. "He passed it on to Johnny Donovan, production director at WABC Radio in New York City, who dressed it up in one night and made it available as 'network fill' on The Rush Limbaugh Show," heard on hundreds of radio stations across the US. While most larger stations cover program breaks with paid advertising, many smaller stations don't, "and their listeners will hear this wonderfully enhanced PSA for ham radio," Pitts says. Voicing the beefed-up PSA was Donovan himself, a WABC legend and also a radio amateur. "Folks all over America will recognize his voice from commercial radio," Pitts said. ARRL has obtained permission to make the 30-second version of the radio PSA <http://www.arrl.org/pio/HAMWORKS30.mp3> featuring Donovan's voice available on the League's Web site for audition and distribution to radio stations. A 60-second version of the PSA <http://www.arrl.org/pio/60HamRadioWorks0105.mp3>, voiced by ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, and produced by Dave Marthouse, N2AAM, also is available. ==>SOLAR UPDATE Sunspot seeker Tad "Sunshine On My Shoulders" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: For the second reporting week of 2005 (January 6-12) solar flux and sunspot numbers were down, as expressed in the weekly averages of the daily numbers. Average daily sunspot numbers declined more than 9 points to 31.6, and average daily solar flux was down more than 5 points to 89.9. These are not big point spreads, but at this low level of solar activity there isn't much room for decline. Over the next two years we eventually will see increasing periods of consecutive days with a sunspot count of zero and solar flux less than 70. Solar activity has been rising over the past week. Solar flux is predicted at 120 for January 14-15, and around 125 for January 16-20. This is a sharp increase over the average daily value of 89.9 for the past week and 95.4 for the previous week. Solar flux values around 120-125 suggest daily sunspot numbers rising toward (but not reaching) 100. Unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions are predicted for January 14, and quiet conditions for the following week. Sunspot numbers for January 6 through 12 were 14, 22, 34, 28, 40, 25 and 58, with a mean of 31.6. The 10.7 cm flux was 83.2, 83.5, 88.5, 87.5, 90.1, 94.2 and 102.1, with a mean of 89.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 37, 30, 4, 6, 14 and 30, with a mean of 17.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 21, 20, 3, 4, 9 and 18, with a mean of 11.3. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: The North American QSO Party (SSB), the Hunting Lions in the Air Contest, the LZ Open Contest, the Michigan QRP January CW Contest and the Hungarian DX Contest are the weekend of January 15-16. JUST AHEAD: The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (Data) is January 20. The ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes, the BARTG RTTY Sprint are the weekend of January 22-23. The CQ 160-Meter Contest (CW), the REF Contest (CW), the UK DX Contest (RTTY) and the UBA DX Contest (SSB) are the weekend of January 29-30. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. * ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration: Registration for the ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004) and Radio Propagation (EC-011) on-line courses remains open through Sunday, January 16. Classes begin Friday January 28. The Antenna Modeling course is an excellent way to learn the ins and outs of antenna modeling. Computer-modeling expert and noted author L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, has combined the expertise of his long career as a college professor with his love and antennas and antenna modeling to offer a comprehensive, yet practical, course of study. Propagation students will study the science of RF propagation, including the properties of electromagnetic waves, the atmosphere and the ionosphere, the sun and sunspots, ground waves and skywaves, and various propagation modes--including aurora and meteor scatter. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> or contact the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program Department <cce@arrl.org>. * Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration: Registration for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level III on-line course (EC-003) opens Monday, January 17, at 1201 AM EST and will remain open until all available seats have been filled or through the January 22-23 weekend. Radio amateurs 55 and up are strongly encouraged to participate. Class begins Friday, February 4. Thanks to our grant sponsors--the Corporation for National and Community Service and the United Technologies Corporation--the $45 registration fee paid upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the course. During this registration period, seats are being offered to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce>. For more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, <dmiller@arrl.org>; 860-594-0340. * ARRL Board of Directors January to meet: The ARRL Board of Directors will meet January 21-22 in Windsor, Connecticut. A variety of policy, regulatory and legislative issues is on the agenda for consideration. Likely to come up for discussion is the League's anticipated Petition for Reconsideration in response to the FCC's October 14 BPL Report and Order in ET Docket 04-37. The ARRL Administration and Finance and Programs and Services committees will meet prior to the board session at ARRL Headquarters. * ARRL adds new scholarship to roster; 2005 application deadline looms: The ARRL Foundation <http://www.arrl.org/arrl> has announced the availability of a new scholarship--the Jean Cebik Memorial Scholarship. Endowed through the generosity of Jean and L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, this $1000 scholarship--as are other ARRL Foundation Scholarships--is intended exclusively for educational expenses at an accredited four-year college or university, including tuition, room, board, books and other essential fees. Applicants must be US citizens and hold at least a Technician class Amateur Radio license. A reminder: The deadline to submit applications for this and other ARRL Foundation scholarships with transcripts and SAT/ACT scores affixed is Tuesday, February 1, 2005. There are no exceptions. Information on 2005 academic year scholarships, downloadable applications and instructions are on the ARRL Foundation Scholarship Programs Web page <http://www.arrl.org/arrlf/scholgen.html>. * IARU Region 3 Chairman Peter Naish, VK2BPN, SK: International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 Chairman Peter Naish, VK2BPN, died January 9 after suffering an apparent heart attack a few days earlier. Naish had been unanimously elected last February in Taiwan to succeed Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, as chairman of the IARU Region 3 Board. Naish previously served as federal president of the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) and was WIA's national secretary at the time of his death. IARU President Larry Price, W4RA, expressed condolences to IARU Region 3. "In the brief time that he was with the other members of the IARU Administrative Council, he exhibited a remarkable understanding of complex issues and a ready willingness to accept new challenges," Price said in a message to IARU Region 3 member-societies. "He will be sorely missed." ARRL CEO and IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, concurred. "He served both the Wireless Institute of Australia and the International Amateur Radio Union with skill and dedication," Sumner said. "Both his talents and his engaging personality will be sorely missed in both organizations." A native of the UK and originally licensed as G3EIX, Naish continued as an active radio amateur after relocating to Australia. Survivors include his wife, Monica. A service was held January 14. The WIA has invited tributes and thoughts via e-mail <tributes@wia.org.au>. * Ham-astronaut accepts WAC certificate: During his International Space Station Expedition 9 duty tour, astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, became the first ISS crew member to contact all seven of the world's continents via Amateur Radio. Now he has the International Amateur Radio Union's Worked All Continents (WAC) certificate for his wall. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Ham Radio Technical Coordinator Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO (right in photo) presented the award to Fincke recently at Johnson Space Center. Operating NA1SS Fincke worked KC4AAC at Antarctica's Palmer Research Station for his last contact--actually a "bonus continent" not required to earn WAC. During that QSO, Fincke and ARRL Life Member Chuck Kimball, N0NHJ, compared and contrasted life in their respective outposts. After returning to Earth in October, Fincke said he's not sure everyone in the NASA community understands and appreciates what Amateur Radio means for the rest of the world. "It promotes the space program very well," he said. "It is in NASA's interest to continue Amateur Radio operations onboard ISS." Fincke said he'd also like to do make the first Amateur Radio contact from the moon. His WAC is not the first such award from a ham station in space. In 1992, shuttle astronauts David Leestma, N5WQC, and Kathryn Sullivan also worked Palmer Station to complete their WAC list. * AMSAT announces "51 on 51 Award": AMSAT has announced its new 51 on 51 Award <http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/awards/#51on51>, given to a station making contact with 51 different stations on AMSAT's Echo satellite (AO-51) during 2005. "The award is designed to promote friendship, and encourage contact with handheld and first-time satellite users," says AMSAT Contests and Awards Director Bruce Paige, KK5DO. Contacts may be in any mode (Voice/Packet/PSK31) and on any band configuration (V/U, V/S, L/S, L/U, H/U). To receive the award, submit log entries electronically or in hard copy form. Entries must indicate date and time (UTC) of the contact, call sign and grid square of the contacted station and mode used. Only QSOs made in 2005 are eligible. The deadline to submit 51 on 51 logs is April 30, 2006. QSL cards are not required. The donation for this award is $5 for AMSAT-NA members and $10 for nonmembers. Since production costs for this award have been underwritten by an anonymous donor to honor Robin Haighton, VE3FRH--who served as AMSAT president during the construction and launch of AO-51--all fee receipts will be applied to the AMSAT Eagle launch fund. * Wayne Long, K9YNF, wins December QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for December is Wayne Long, K9YNF, for his article "The Christmas Tree." Congratulations, Wayne! 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, http://www.arrl.org/members-only/QSTvote.html. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the January issue by Monday, January 31. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President. The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise, and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest news, updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> offers access to news, informative features and columns. 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