*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 26, No. 44 November 2, 2007 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * + WRC-07 So Far * + ARRL Foundation Announces New Scholarship Opportunities * + Going, Going, Gone! The Second Annual ARRL Auction Comes to a Successful Close * + Are You Ready for ARRL Sweepstakes This Weekend? * + ARRL and MFJ Team Up to Offer 40 Meter Transceiver Kits * + FCC Enforcement Actions * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This Weekend on the Radio ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration + Hollingsworth to Stay Put at FCC + Special Offer ARRL for Diamond Club Members ARRL DXCC Desk Approves 9U0A Operation ARRL DXCC Desk Approves D2DX Operation Problems Receiving "The ARRL Letter"? Let Us Know What You Think +Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> =========================================================== ==>Delivery problems: First see FAQ <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery>, then e-mail <letter-dlvy@arrl.org> ==>Editorial questions or comments only: S. Khrystyne Keane, <k1sfa@arrl.org> =========================================================== ==> WRC-07 SO FAR The end of the second week of the four-week 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) is drawing near, but -- at least as far as the amateur services are concerned -- the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) WRC-07 team reports there is not much as of yet in the way of firm conclusions. Here is a report prepared by IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ. An unexpected highlight of the opening plenary was the announcement by Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure, at the end of his prepared remarks, that he had earned his Amateur Radio license. We seldom, if ever, have received such prominence during the opening ceremonies of a conference. Dr Toure's call sign is HB9EHT. He left for the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali immediately after the conference opening, but is expected to be back in Geneva next week. The Amateur Services have been quite visible at the conference in other ways: * The special WRC-07 issue of ITU News includes an article under Larry Price's byline setting out Amateur Radio's aspirations for the conference. * An Amateur Radio emergency communications trailer brought from Germany was on display during the first 10 days of the conference, parked strategically on the walkway between the conference center and the adjacent ITU building. A full-color explanation of Amateur Radio's emergency communications capabilities and an invitation to visit the trailer was distributed in the delegates' pigeonholes by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, as well as some additional information about the Amateur Services, resulting in a steady stream of visitors. * The IARU WRC-07 pin is a popular collectible and is being displayed on many lapels and lanyards around the conference center. * The IARU hosted a very successful reception for 200 key delegates on the evening of October 31 in the ITU cafeteria. * The International Amateur Radio Club (IARC) station, 4U1ITU, is operating under the special call sign 4U1WRC. The station is sporting new antennas that were erected especially for the conference; afterwards they have to be removed temporarily to make way for repairs to the roof of the building. * The IARC has invited delegates to take part, on the last Sunday of the conference, in an excursion to the Swiss National Museum of Sound and Image in Montreux. Progress on the agenda items of interest to the Amateur Services has been slow. The 4-10 MHz issue is bogged down, with opponents of HF broadcasting expansion holding fast to a position of "no change." HF BC proponents are not nearly as numerous as in 2003 and are mainly in Europe; they have backed off from an initial position of 350 kHz of expansion down to 200 kHz, but there has not yet been any movement from the other side. In the meantime work on the other 4-10 MHz issues, including the possibility of a 5-MHz secondary amateur allocation (which so far is supported by the European BC proponents), cannot progress. Even if the HF BC allocation could be settled quickly, which seems unlikely at this point, time is running out to complete work on the rest of these issues. Meetings will continue over the weekend and well into next week. Early this week it appeared that the issue of a 135.7-137.8 kHz secondary allocation to the Amateur Service had been settled favorably; however, it turned out that the concerns of some Arab administrations had not been fully satisfied and more work needed to be done. On Friday morning, November 2, the allocation was approved at the Working Group 4C level with two footnotes, one of which limits power to 1 W EIRP and a second that allows countries in Region 1 to opt out of the allocation if they wish. Saudi Arabia repeated its opposition to the allocation and requested that this be noted in the Working Group's report to Committee 4. The allocation still has to be approved by Committee 4 and the Plenary. The next meeting of Committee 4 is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, November 6. The process of identifying possible frequency bands for future international mobile telecommunications (cell phones and beyond) is very contentious. One frequency range being examined is 2.3-2.4 GHz, which of course is of concern to us although there is no immediate cause for alarm. Prior to every WRC we look for opportunities to clean up so-called "country footnotes" that allow individual administrations to depart from the regional or international allocations that are in the body of the Table of Frequency Allocations. It is gratifying that several countries have agreed to remove themselves from footnotes that apply to parts of 160 and 80 meters, 6 meters and (in some European countries) parts of 70 cm. With regard to agenda items for future WRCs, discussions will begin in earnest on Saturday, November 3. Proposals have been offered for agenda items dealing with possible amateur allocations around 500 kHz, 5 MHz and (in Region 1) 50 MHz; of course, 50 MHz is already allocated to the Amateur Service in Regions 2 and 3. There are more than 40 proposals for future agenda items, which is at least twice as many as are likely to be approved, so the fate of "our" future agenda items remains to be determined. The IARU team is following other proposed agenda items closely to determine (and minimize, to the extent we are able) their potential impact on the Amateur Services. The initial core IARU team consisted of IARU President Larry Price, W4RA; Ken Pulfer, VE3PU; IARU Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH, and Paul Rinaldo, W4RI. Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS, was here to help out with the German trailer. IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, arrived on October 24 and IARU Vice President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, arrived on October 30. Some team members will be leaving before the end of the conference. We also have considerable help from amateur representatives on other national delegations and from Tafa Diop, 6W1KI, who is here for the first half of the conference representing the African Telecommunications Union. National delegates, a few of whom are here part-time, include: Jim Dean, VE3IQ (Canada); Ole Garpestad, LA2RR (Norway); Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T (Netherlands); Jay Oka, JA1TRC (Japan); Peter Lake, ZL2AZ (New Zealand); Keith Malcolm, VK1ZKM (Australia); Colin Thomas, G3PSM (UK); Walt Ireland, WB7CSL (USA); Jonathan Siverling, WB3ERA (USA), and Joong-geun Rhee, HL1AQQ (Republic of Korea). Other members of national delegations, both licensed and unlicensed, are being of considerable assistance; their support and cooperation is deeply appreciated. ==> ARRL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES With 60 scholarships awarded in 2007, the ARRL Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two new scholarships for 2008. The scholarship application period runs from October 1, 2007 to February 1, 2008. Applicants for any ARRL Foundation scholarship must arrange for current transcripts to be provided as a part of the application process. The David W. Misek, N8NPX, Memorial Scholarship, endowed through the generosity of Nancy Makley, administrator of the David W. Misek Estate, honors Misek, a resident of Xenia, Ohio and long-time ARRL Life Member. Misek was a strong advocate of Amateur Radio education as highlighted by his many years of teaching licensing classes, mentoring new hams and actively participating in public service activities. His lifelong dedication to Amateur Radio was dedicated to building awareness of Amateur Radio and introducing the magic to new hams. Beginning in 2008, the Misek Scholarship will award a $1500 scholarship to a current resident of Greene, Montgomery, Champaign, Darke, Preble, Miami, Clark, Butler or Warren County in Ohio. The Scholarship of the Morris Radio Club of New Jersey is endowed by a $31,671 gift from the Morris Radio Club. Starting in 2008, a $1000 award will be made to a qualified candidate without regard to geographic area or course of study. Led by the efforts of Trustee Ron Levy, K2CD, the Morris Radio Club presented the gift to the ARRL Foundation at the Sussex Hamfest in New Jersey. Attending the presentation were ARRL Hudson Division Director and Foundation Trustee Frank Fallon, N2FF; Vice Director Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF, and ARRL Chief Development Officer and Foundation Secretary Mary Hobart, K1MMH. Information for each of the ARRL Foundation scholarships, including application instructions and forms, may be found on the ARRL Foundation Web site <http://www.arrl.org/arrlf/scholgen>. ==> GOING, GOING, GONE! THE SECOND ANNUAL ARRL AUCTION COMES TO A SUCCESSFUL CLOSE The Second Annual ARRL On-Line Auction <http://arrl.auctionanything.com/> came to a close today. This year's Auction had more than 180 items to gawk at, gaze on and drool over. ARRL Business Services Manager Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ, said that she was thrilled with the responses the Auction received during its 10 day run. The 181 items offered on the Auction received more than 1100 bids. She said she was surprised at "the vastly increased number of diverse donation items we've received from our members. These donations were greatly appreciated and added to the flavor of the event." Items in this year's Auction included a 1971 ARRL publication "Operating an Amateur Radio Station," which had an opening bid of $3 and went for $11, to an ICOM IC-7800 HF and 6 Meter Transceiver with an opening bid of $6865, eventually going for $8830 in 11 bids. There were many one-of-a-kind items in the auction. Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, guitarist for the rock band the Eagles, donated an autographed copy of the new Eagles album, "Long Road Out of Eden"; each member of the band will autograph the album cover. This is the Eagles' first album of all new material since 1979. The album had an opening bid of $50 -- 24 bids later, it sold for $980. Another rock-and-roll legend was part of this year's Auction: Peggy Sue Gerron, K5PSG, the "Peggy Sue" from the famous Buddy Holly song. This item, a framed 45 RPM record of "Peggy Sue," signed by the real Peggy Sue, had a starting price of $50, and sold for $477. One of the most popular items from last year's ARRL On-Line Auction made another appearance this year -- the famous ARRL Lab Junque Boxes. These boxes had a starting bid of $50 and have almost anything you could ever possibly imagine in them. No one except the ARRL Lab staff knows what exactly is inside each box, but each is guaranteed to be full of things that the Lab staff consider valuable (but keep in mind that they collect just about anything). Together, these five Junque Boxes raised $800 in the Auction. John Dilks, K2TQN, author of QST's "Old Radio" column, donated a Tuned-Grid Tuned-Plate 75 W Transmitter that eventually sold for $575. This is truly a collector's piece with its restored new knobs, new 52 tube, tube socket and new trim moldings -- even the transmitter has been restored. You can download the November 2007 "Old Radio" column <http://www.arrl.org/public/prodrev/pdf/oldrad.pdf> to read about this great piece of vintage equipment. If you are interested in Emergency Communications, then the ARRL On-Line Auction had a great deal for you: Emergency Starter Go Kits. These kits include an abundance of everything today's amateur needs when heading out to assist served agencies. Each kit contains an ICOM IC-V82 Sport handheld transceiver, package of six AA batteries, a black tote bag to hold all your gear, a reflective vest, an "ARRL Repeater Directory" and an "ARES Field Resources Manual." Opening bids for each of the 13 kits was $105, and together raised $1941. A lucky bidder won the chance for a little DX with the vacation spot on St Croix, donated by Vicky Thorland Oster and George Oster, NP2N (air and ground transportation not included). This premier Amateur Radio station is equipped with multiple transmitters/receivers, amplifiers, antennas and on-site electrical generation capability and is located about 100 meters above sea level with wonderful antenna views to EU, USA and Asia. There are three operating stations with a triband beam for 10, 15 and 20 meters, and a dipole on 40, 80 and 160 meters. Internet access is available, so feel free to bring your laptop. The "Pro Station" is a station for the serious operator and contesters; it features an ICOM 757 and Ameritron AL1280. The "DX Station" is a fun station for the operator who wants ease of operation, combined with the fun of operating as DX and features a Kenwood TS-440. The "Fun Station" features an Alinco DX70 and is the place to be if you just want to have fun, try out QRP from a DX location or spend as many hours as you wish rag chewing around the world. ==> ARE YOU READY FOR ARRL SWEEPSTAKES THIS WEEKEND? This weekend is the 74th running of the ARRL CW Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes, or "SS," is the premier domestic contest, bringing in thousands of amateurs throughout all 80 ARRL Sections in the United States and Canada. The object is to make as many two-way contacts in as many of the 80 ARRL Sections as possible, on 10, 15, 20, 40, 80 and 160 meters. Sweepstakes has the reputation of having the longest "exchange" of any other contest around: a consecutive serial number, power class, your call sign, the year you were first licensed and your ARRL section. This goes way back to the beginning of the event. Sweepstakes used to be a test of passing traffic; in order to get contest credit for working a station in "The January Contest," as it was called in the December 1929 QST, each station had to successfully pass a message consisting of 10 or more words to another station. The contest period was from January 18-31, a two full weeks. While that format has left us, the long exchange has stayed as a testament and tribute to the handling of traffic. Another aspect of "The January Contest" that remains is the overall strategy. F. E. Handy, the A.R.R.L. Communications Manager back then, wrote in the December 1929 QST that "[S]tations count, but this is primarily a question of operating skill. The best equipment made is only as useful as the ingenuity of the man behind the key can make it." Even then, contests were recognized as a sure-fire way to improve on-air operating skill. The 2007 ARRL CW Sweepstakes begins at 2100 UTC on Saturday, November 3 and will go until 0300 UTC Monday, November 5. Pins are available from the ARRL for making 100 contacts in the CW Sweepstakes; participants who work all 80 sections -- known as a Clean Sweep -- are eligible to purchase a Sweepstakes coffee mug highlighting their accomplishment. For complete rules and entry forms, please see the ARRL Sweepstakes Web site <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2007/novss.html>. ==> ARRL AND MFJ TEAM UP TO OFFER 40 METER TRANSCEIVER KITS Earlier this fall, ARRL introduced the third edition of its "Low Power Communication" book, written by Rich Arland, W3OSS. This new edition includes the complete assembly manual for a 40 meter transceiver kit produced by MFJ Enterprises. "ARRL has also bundled the book with the kit, giving readers a firsthand experience at project-building and operating," said ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. This is the first time ARRL has offered a publication bundled with a radio kit. Inderbitzen said orders for the kit have been brisk. "We're delighted that MFJ agreed to collaborate with us on this unique publication and product undertaking. The initial surge of interest exceeded our expectation, and we've already gone back to MFJ a couple of times for more units." With such a high demand for these kits, the ARRL has experienced a large number of orders and the League regrets any inconvenience with order delays. The kit selected for this offering is the MFJ 40 Meter CW Cub Transceiver Kit. The project includes some pre-assembled parts such as surface mounted components. Kit builders get to solder on connectors, inductors, trimmer capacitors and potentiometers. It takes only a few hours to complete the kit and get it on the air. "Building the kit is a natural application for someone enjoying this book," said Inderbitzen. "ARRL is committed to developing active radio amateurs. I can't think of a better way to encourage more hams to experience low-power operating, and to help grow the community of active QRPers." Visit the ARRL on-line catalog <http://www.arrl.org/catalog> for more information about "ARRL's Low Power Communication--third edition," the Cub Transceiver Kit and other new publications. ==> FCC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS On November 1, the FCC released information regarding enforcement actions against six radio amateurs: Stanley S. Gillette, W4TYW, of Comer, Georgia; Charles K. Caprio, AD8Q, of Bullhead City, Arizona; Todd E. Dougherty, N9OGL, of Taylorville, Illinois; Robert C. Moldenhauer, W9CQ, of Middleton, Wisconsin; James D. Ogden, N7KPU, of Prescott Valley, Arizona, and Anthony M. Amato, KR4UQ, of Chester, Virginia. Gillette was issued a "Request for Information" concerning alleged complaints "received by the Commission concerning the operation of your Amateur Radio station. The complaint alleges various rule violations on 3.843 MHz including broadcasting, music, failure to identify, deliberate interference and rebroadcast of police communications. The information contained in the complaint, if true, raises serious questions regarding your qualifications to retain an Amateur license," the Request said. Gillette was directed to "support your response with a signed and dated affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury, verifying the truth and accuracy of the information submitted in your response." He was given 20 days to respond to the FCC and warned that the information he provided would determine " what, if any, enforcement action is warranted in this matter. Such action may include license revocation, suspension of your operator privileges or monetary forfeiture (fine). Fines normally range from $7500 to $10,000." Caprio was issued a "Warning Notice" and a "Request for Information" by the Commission regarding complaints alleging "deliberate interference, recording and transmission of telephone calls, operation on unauthorized frequencies and threats made to licensees. The information contained in the complaints, if true, raises serious questions regarding your qualifications to retain an Amateur license." The FCC gave Caprio 20 days to answer 14 questions regarding his operating practices, including the make, model and serial number of all transmitting equipment he uses. Caprio was warned that the FCC "will use all relevant information before it, including information that you disclose in your reply, to determine what, if any, enforcement action is warranted in this matter. Such action may include license revocation, suspension of your operator privileges or monetary forfeiture (fine). Fines normally range from $7500 to $10,000." Dougherty received a "Warning Notice" and a "Request for Information" from the FCC, advising him of "[i]nformation before the Commission indicates that you are operating an unlicensed radio station on, among other frequencies, 6.950 and 13.556 MHz. The information indicates that the signal strength of these transmissions exceed the power limit of Part 15 of the Commission's rules for unlicensed transmitters. That limit is 30uV/M at 30 Meters." The letter also stated that "Commission radio direction finding signals indicate that such transmissions were made from your location on 13.556 MHz at various dates in November 2006. This information raises serious questions regarding your qualifications to retain an Amateur license." The FCC gave Dougherty 20 days to answer 8 questions regarding his operating practices, including wanting to know if he has used the name Todd O'Dochartaigh, N9OGL, and if so, asked him to describe the circumstances under which he used it and the dates. Dougherty was warned that the FCC "will use all relevant information before it, including information that you disclose in your reply, to determine what, if any, enforcement action is warranted in this matter. Such action may include license revocation, suspension of your operator privileges or monetary forfeiture (fine). Fines normally range from $7500 to $10,000." Moldenhauer received a "Warning Notice" from the FCC regarding his vanity call sign W9CQ. On April 21, 2007, Moldenhauer "requested and received the call sign W9CQ as a 'close relative' of the former holder of that call sign. We are unable to find documentation that you were a close relative of the former holder of W9CQ, Paul Kent," the Commission's letter read. In August and September 2007, the FCC asked Moldenhauer to respond to their inquiries regarding W9CQ, to "provid[e] documentation that you were a close relative of the former holder of W9CQ prior to your April 21, 2007 grant." As of October 3, 2007, Moldenhauer has not responded to the FCC. "Failure to respond to Commission correspondence is a separate violation of Commission rules and will lead to enforcement sanctions." Moldenhauer was advised to contact Riley Hollingsworth, Special Counsel for the FCC's Enforcement Bureau if he had any question in this matter. Ogden received notification from the FCC regarding his responsibility to coordinate his N7KPU repeater. "On August 8, 2007, we wrote you enclosing a complaint from the licensee of coordinated repeater KB7OBJ, with supporting documentation, alleging that your N7KPU repeater is operating without coordination on 447.350/442.350 MHz and causing harmful interference. The complaint indicates that you have been contacted numerous times about this problem but have declined to address it. In your response received September 25, 2007, you provided a copy of a coordination document that is unsigned and undated, but appears to be approximately 15 years old. You provided no current coordination document. Furthermore, your repeater N7KPU is not listed in the commonly used Repeater Directory published by the ARRL." The FCC advised Ogden that when there is interference between a coordinated and an uncoordinated repeater, "the licensee of the uncoordinated repeater has primary responsibility to resolve the interference. Therefore, since you cannot document coordination, you are primarily responsible for alleviating the interference to KB7OBJ." Ogden was given 20 days to respond to the Commission detailing a plan "to cure interference to KB7OBJ." Amato received notification that the FCC was closing out the inquiry to his 17 club call signs. "On February 16, 2005, we notified you that our licensing records indicate that you have at least 17 club call signs in your name as trustee, all licensed to Virginia RACES clubs. We requested information related to the club stations and have reviewed the information you provided in various responses over the past two years. Although the number of such club licenses appears more than necessary, we have accepted your responses." The FCC went on to warn Amato that "in view of the fact that the above licenses are for club stations listing you as trustee, and were granted as club stations, you are responsible for the proper control of each station, and each club must at all times be composed of at least four persons, have a name, document of organization, management and a primary purpose devoted to Amateur activities consistent with Section 97 of our rules," and that he may be "periodically requested to document that these club stations comply with the above rules." The FCC Enforcement Bureau now posts Amateur Radio enforcement-related correspondence and documents -- with some exceptions -- on its own Web site <http://www.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html>. Direct all questions concerning the Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions Web postings via e-mail only to Riley Hollingsworth <fccham@fcc.gov> in the FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division ==>SOLAR UPDATE Tad "Just Enjoy this Ride on My Trip around the Sun" Cook, K7RA, this week reports: The average for August, September and October (centered on September) at 5.4 is the lowest yet for this side of Cycle 23. This number was derived by adding together all the daily sunspot numbers for those three months, then dividing the sum (492) by the number of days, which is 92. The straight monthly sunspot number averages for this year, January through October, are 28.2, 17.3, 9.8, 6.9, 19.8, 20.7, 15.6, 9.9, 4.8 and 1.3. October's average is lower than September and October of 2006, during the minimum between Cycles 22 and 23. The monthly averages for August through November, 1996 were 20.7, 2.9, 2.3 and 25.6. Sunspot numbers for October 25 through 31 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 0. The 10.7 cm flux was 67.1, 67.5, 67.1, 67.5, 67.1, 67.2 and 67.1 with a mean of 67.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 20, 14, 10, 7, 14, 10 and 4 with a mean of 11.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 10, 10, 8, 4, 8, 10 and 3 with a mean of 7.6. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. To read this week's Solar Report in its entirety, check out the W1AW Propagation Bulletin page <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/>. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: This weekend, The ARRL Sweepstakes (CW) is November 3-5. The IPARC Contest (CW).The Ukrainian DX Contest and the NA Collegiate ARC Championship (CW) are November 3-5. The IPARC Contest (SSB), High Speed Club CW Contest and the DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest are November 4. The ARS Spartan Sprint is November 6. Next week, be sure to check out the WAE DX Contest (RTTY), the JIDX Phone Contest, the OK/OM DX Contest (CW) and the Kentucky QSO Party, all November 10-11. The CQ-WE Contest is November 10-12 and the SKCC Sprint is November 14. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. * ARRL Continuing Education course registration: Registration remains open through Sunday, November 18 for these online courses beginning on Friday, December 7: Technician License Course (EC-010), Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001), Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006), Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009), Analog Electronics (EC-012) and Digital Electronics (EC-013). To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator <cce@arrl.org>. * Hollingsworth to Stay Put at FCC: Riley Hollingsworth, Special Counsel for the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, has decided not to retire; he had announced last week that he would leave the FCC in January 2008. "After spending the entire weekend thinking about the decision [to retire], it became more and more clear to me that it just isn't the right decision for me right now. There are several issues on the table that I want to continue to work through with the amateur community." The Enforcement Bureau is the primary organizational unit within the Federal Communications Commission that is responsible for enforcement of provisions of the Communications Act, the Commission's rules, Commission orders and terms and conditions of station authorizations, as well as enforcement of Amateur Radio rules (Part 97). * Special Offer for ARRL Diamond Club Members: ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, reminds League members that now is a great time to join the Diamond Club or renew your Diamond Club membership. "For Diamond Club contributions of $100 or more before December 31, you will receive a 2008 ARRL calendar. This offer is good for new and renewing Diamond Club members. Please keep the Diamond Terrace in mind as you plan your year-end giving. There is still plenty of room for your personalized brick in the Terrace -- what a great legacy for yourself or a friend or loved one." Those who join the ARRL Diamond Club at the Brass level ($250) or higher, will receive a brick (with engraving up to three lines) placed in the ARRL Diamond Terrace. For more information, please be sure to check out the ARRL Diamond Club Web page. <https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/diamondclub/index.html > * ARRL DXCC Desk Approves 9U0A Operation: ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the 2007 9U0A DXpedition to Burundi has been approved for DXCC credit. "If you had cards rejected for this operation, please send an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk <DXCC@arrl.org> and you will be placed on the list for update," Moore said. * ARRL DXCC Desk Approves D2DX Operation: ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the 2007 D2DX DXpedition to Angola has been approved for DXCC credit. "If you had cards rejected for this operation, please send an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk <DXCC@arrl.org> and you will be placed on the list for update," Moore said. * Problems Receiving "The ARRL Letter"?: ARRL has been hearing from more and more members who are not receiving "The ARRL Letter," W1AW/ARRL bulletins, membership renewal reminders and other automatically delivered e-mail products they have subscribed to. More often than not, the problem is on the recipient's end, not at ARRL's. For example, members with new e-mail addresses must update this information via their Member Data Page <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html> (users must first be logged onto the ARRL Web site). Click on "Modify Membership Data." While on the Member Data Page, make sure you are subscribed to the e-mail products you want and that you have not inadvertently checked the box "Temporarily disable all automatically sent email." ARRL has determined that another culprit is spam filtering or software employed by the user's Internet Service Providers (ISP) or installed on the user's computer. Some ISPs have been known to block or trap all messages from ARRL as suspected spam. If you're no longer receiving e-mail products or notices from ARRL that you've signed up for, a call to the ISP's customer service department may reveal that the League's e-mail messages have indeed been delivered to the ISP's mail server but not to the member's mailbox. Request the ISP to permit your account to receive e-mail messages from ARRL. Subscribers to "The ARRL Letter" should e-mail ARRL at <letter-dlvy@arrl.org> if the problem persists. Report other e-mail delivery problems to ARRL Headquarters <webmaster@arrl.org>. * Let Us Know What You Think: What's your favorite part of The ARRL Letter? What kind of stories would you like to see in the Letter? Would you prefer the Letter in an HTML format? This is your Letter and your chance to let your voice be heard. Please send your suggestions to ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, at k1sfa@arrl.org, with the subject line "ARRL Letter Suggestions." All messages will be read and discussed, and we look forward to implementing positive suggestions into the ARRL Letter. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League: ARRL--the National Association for Amateur Radio, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President. The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential and general news of interest to active radio amateurs. Visit the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest Amateur Radio news and news updates. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> also offers informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast" compiled and edited from The ARRL Letter. It's also available as a podcast from our Web site. Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter/American Radio Relay League. ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org ==>Editorial questions or comments: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, k1sfa@arrl.org ==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org/> ==>ARRL Audio News: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call 860-594-0384 ==>How to Get The ARRL Letter The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly from ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for e-mail delivery: ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site <http://www.arrl.org/members/>. You'll have an opportunity during registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of The ARRL Letter, W1AW bulletins, and other material. To change these selections--including delivery of The ARRL Letter--registered members should click on the "Member Data Page" link (in the Members Only box). Click on "Modify membership data," check or uncheck the appropriate boxes and/or change your e-mail address if necessary. (Check "Temporarily disable all automatically sent email" to temporarily stop all e-mail deliveries.) Then, click on "Submit modification" to make selections effective. (NOTE: HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You must do this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.) The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these sources: * ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will be posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.) * The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur Radio Club: Visit Mailing Lists@QTH.Net <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this listserver.)