ARRL

Register Account

Login Help

ARRL Letter

 

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 21, No. 19
May 10, 2002
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +A bonanza for ham radio!
* +FCC bumps back privileges after exam audit
* +Pennsylvania kids talk haute cuisine with astronaut
* +New Mexico ARES/RACES supports fire response
* +West Virginia amateurs help in flooding aftermath
* +Kenwood donates transceiver to W1AW
* +EMCOMM 2002 attendees eager to learn
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     On-line ARRL November Sweepstakes SSB results available
     ARRL joins AARE
     Tornado a reality check for ARRL Emergency Communications Course
student
     Ham radio could have role in Phenomenon sequel
     P5/4L4FN back in North Korea; QSLs are in the mail
     Panama amateurs recover lost bands
     Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================
NOTE: Because of Dayton Hamvention, the May 17 editions of The ARRL Letter
and ARRL Audio News will be distributed Wednesday, May 15. See you in
Dayton!--Rick Lindquist, N1RL
===========================================================

==>FCC PROPOSES TWO NEW AMATEUR BANDS!

Great news for ham radio this week! The FCC has proposed going along with
ARRL's request for a new domestic (US-only), secondary HF allocation at
5.25 to 5.4 MHz. The FCC also is ready to permit operation on a 136-kHz
"sliver band" in the low-frequency (LF) region. And, in response to a
third ARRL request, the FCC has proposed elevating Amateur Radio to
primary status at 2400 to 2402 MHz.

"I'm just as tickled as I can be," ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, said
upon hearing the news. "This is a classic example of our ARRL at work."

The FCC voted unanimously May 2 to adopt the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
in ET Docket 02-98. The Commission released a Public Notice May 9, and the
NPRM is expected to be released soon. A comment deadline will be announced
as soon as it's available.

The FCC said the new 5-MHz band would help amateurs "better match their
choice of frequency to existing propagation conditions." The band, if
approved, would be the first new amateur HF allocation since World
Administrative Radio Conference 1979 gave amateurs 30, 17 and 12
meters--the so-called "WARC Bands." Assuming the 5-MHz band eventually is
authorized, it could be a few years before it actually becomes available.

The League said its successful WA2XSY experiments demonstrated that
amateurs can coexist with current users and that the band is very suitable
for US-to-Caribbean paths. In comparisons with 80 and 40 meters, the
WA2XSY operation also showed the 60-meter band to be the most reliable of
the three. The ARRL also argued that a new 150-kHz allocation at 5 MHz
could relieve periodic overcrowding on 80 and 40.

If allocated to amateurs on a secondary basis, hams would have to avoid
interfering with--and accept interference from--current occupants of the
spectrum, as they already do on 30 meters. The band 5.250 to 5.450 MHz now
is allocated to Fixed and Mobile services on a co-primary basis in all
three ITU regions.

The ARRL asked the FCC for two LF allocations in October 1998--135.7 to
137.8 kHz and 160 to 190 kHz. The FCC said its action on one part of that
LF request "proposes changes that would enhance the ability of amateur
radio operators to conduct technical experiments, including propagation
and antenna design experiments, in the 'low frequency' (LF) range of the
radio spectrum."

Several countries in Europe and elsewhere already have 136-kHz amateur
allocations. The first amateur transatlantic contact on the band was
recorded in February 2001.

Hams would be secondary to the Fixed and Maritime Mobile services in the
136-kHz allocation. The League said its engineering surveys suggest that
hams could operate without causing problems to power line carrier (PLC)
systems already active in that vicinity or to government assignments.
Unallocated Part 15 PLC systems are used by electric utilities to send
control signals, data and voice.

The FCC said its proposal to upgrade the Amateur Service allocation at
2400 to 2402 MHz to primary "seeks to protect current amateur use of this
band." Hams have shared their other 2.4 GHz spectrum on a secondary basis
with government users.

Amateurs already are primary at 2390 to 2400 and from 2402 to 2417 MHz.
The ARRL has said primary status in the intervening spectrum slice was
needed "to provide some assurances of future occupancy of the band
segments for the next generation of amateur satellites."

The ARRL has expressed its belief that hams can continue to accommodate
Part 15 and Part 18 devices at 2.4 GHz.

ARRL's Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, was among those
welcoming the good news from the FCC. "This a wonderful example of the
work ARRL conducts in Washington on matters important to the Amateur Radio
community," Hobart said.

"Thanks to the 10,000 hams who contributed so generously to the 2002
Defense of Frequencies Fund. The success of that campaign helps to make
decisions like this possible."

==>FCC BUMPS BACK PRIVILEGES FOLLOWING EXAM SESSION AUDIT

The FCC has reduced the privileges of six Amateur Radio licensees after
they failed to appear for retesting in the wake of a Georgia FCC
examination session audit. Earlier this year, the FCC asked the six
applicants--all Technicians--to retake the Element 1 (5 WPM Morse code)
examination by April 15, 2002. The FCC request followed the discovery of
apparent irregularities in code test administration during a May 27, 2000,
ARRL-VEC test session in Statesboro.

"You did not appear for the code test," FCC Special Counsel Riley
Hollingsworth wrote all six in identically worded letters. "Accordingly,
your license privileges have been modified by the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau to those of a 'no-code' Technician licensee."

The "modification" is academic, however, since the FCC no longer
distinguishes in its database between Technicians who have Element 1
credit--formerly called "Technician Plus" licensees--and those who do not.
Technicians with Element 1 credit have limited privileges on HF, including
"Novice" CW privileges on 80, 40 and 15 meters and CW and SSB privileges
on 10 meters.

Licensees notified were Eugene Walker Jr, KG4HHT; James W. Brannen,
KG4HIS; Roxanne T. Brannen, KG4HSH; Joyce B. Martin, KG4EXG; Larry D.
Hagan, KG4IHE; and Thomas F. Evans, KF4YLF.

Hollingsworth told all six amateurs that the irregularities uncovered were
"in no way a reflection upon you or your qualifications to be an amateur
licensee." In response to the FCC's January 31 retesting request, two
other candidates did appear for retesting and passed Element 1.

The ARRL VEC called apparent irregularities to the FCC's attention last
June. Earlier this year, the FCC wrapped up an audit that was expanded to
include five examination sessions in Georgia during 2000 and 2001
conducted by the same ARRL VEC team. The ARRL VEC discontinued volunteer
examiner accreditation for all but two of the VEs involved.

Hollingsworth has said it appeared that some test candidates "had been
shown or had access to" the Morse code answer key used by the VEs to grade
the exam and that some VEs had taught classes and supplied sample tests to
the students using the same test editions later given at actual
examination sessions.

==>PENNSYLVANIA KIDS WANT THE SKINNY ON BUBBLE GUM, SODA POP IN SPACE

Food was never far from their minds as youngsters at Hambright Elementary
School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, quizzed astronaut Dan Bursch, KD5PNU,
via Amateur Radio about life in space. The questions came during an
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contact
May 9.

"Can you still blow bubbles with gum in space?" asked Hambright pupil
Molly Black. Bursch, who has two young children of his own, was able to
address this and other burning issues.

"Yes, we still can!" he confidently assured her, even going into detail to
explain that the bubbles form the same as they do on Earth.

As a follow-up, Kyle Black wanted to know what was Bursch's favorite meal.
Bursch said the food he misses the most in space is pizza. Among the meals
that he enjoys the most on the International Space Station is Japanese
rice and curry.

Nick Reaney then cut to the chase. "If you open a soda, will it fizz?" he
inquired.

"The bubbles won't float to the top of the soda," the astronautic gourmet
replied. "What you would see is all the bubbles collect inside the soda
itself."

Bursh managed to answer a total of 13 questions during the nearly
10-minute contact. James "Yogi" Bear, WB3FQY, operated the 2-meter station
set up on the campus of Hambright Elementary School for the direct
contact.

A crowd of students, teachers and parents applauded the successful QSO as
signals faded as the ISS went over the horizon. ARISS mentor Kerry Banke,
N6IZW, assisted with details of preparation.

ARISS is an international project, with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT
and NASA.--Gene Chapline, K5YFL/ARISS

==>NEW MEXICO AMATEURS SUPPORT FIRE RESPONSE

Amateur Radio Emergency Service/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
members this week assisted the American Red Cross in New Mexico following
yet another wildfire. Tinder-dry conditions have continued to keep New
Mexico ARES/RACES members busy in recent weeks.

"The fire hazard remains high throughout virtually all of New Mexico so
there is no doubt that ARES/RACES teams will be called out again--the only
question is, when?" said New Mexico Section Emergency Coordinator Bill
Kauffman, W5YEJ.

A dozen or so air tankers were ordered to battle the most recent fire near
Pecos--the so-called Dalton Fire in the Santa Fe National Forest. More
than 100 residents were evacuated in the Dalton Canyon and Pecos Canyon
areas.

Kauffman said the US Forest Service estimated the Dalton Fire was 70
percent contained by mid-week. "This fire, which is believed to have been
intentionally started, was hit hard with slurry bombers and hot shot
ground teams," Kauffman said.

As the fire emergency escalated earlier this week, Kauffman said hams
quickly set up at a Red Cross shelter and other facilities near Pecos. The
New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center in Santa Fe was not
activated, but EOC personnel had asked ARES/RACES to be ready if needed.

On May 2, ARES/RACES activated an HF net at the request of the state EOC
to provide possible communication support with Otero County EOC in
response to the so-called Peñasco Fire. That blaze near Mayhill, was
expected to be 100 percent contained by mid-week after burning more than
15,000 acres. Most residents of the James Canyon--including Douglas Ream,
AB5FG, and Reginald Duncan, W5UWY--were allowed to return to their homes
after being evacuated earlier last week.

The Peñasco Fire destroyed more than a dozen homes and more than two dozen
other structures. About 15 families were reported in Red Cross shelters as
of the end of last week. More than 1500 firefighters have been involved in
fighting the Peñasco fire.

ARRL New Mexico Section Manager Joe Knight, W5PDY, says the situation
"could change at any time." Little or no rain has fallen in New Mexico in
recent weeks, he said.

In Colorado, Jeff Ryan, K0RM, reports that El Paso County RACES supported
firefighters during the April 28 Black Forest fire, northeast of Colorado
Springs. Several homes were evacuated. A dozen RACES operators provided
continuous detailed weather data to the fire team command post until the
fire was brought under control. No one was injured, and no structures were
damaged as a result of the fire, Ryan said.

==>WEST VIRGINIA AMATEURS HELP STATE DEAL WITH FLOODING

Amateurs in West Virginia continue to assist in the wake of recent
flooding. The state has recorded nine deaths since severe thunderstorms
May 2 dumped more than five inches of rain over the southern West Virginia
coalfields within a few hours.

ARRL West Virginia Section Emergency Coordinator Mac McMillian, W8XF, says
several roads in the hardest-hit region in and around Welch and Webster
counties remain closed due to flood damage, and "uncounted" families have
been forced from their homes. Schools in McDowell County remain closed.
Gov Bob Wise has declared a state of emergency in several counties.

"Amateur Radio involvement has been done locally on battery-powered
repeaters in the affected areas." McMillian said this week. Amateurs from
the Charleston area volunteered to assist in Welch County. McMillian said
amateurs were able to handle a request from the state Emergency Operations
Center to provide back-up communication from Welch to the state EOC in
Charleston when a coal mine impound dam threatened to burst. The impound
was pumped down to safe levels before that could happen, however.

Raleigh County Emergency Coordinator Tim Zutaut, KC8PMI, said this week
that Raleigh County ARES/RACES was monitoring the Welch 145.45 MHz
repeater. A McDowell County ARES group has been using the repeater to
assist with communications into and out of the county, he said. "Our group
is set up at the Red Cross to assist them with any traffic and needs they
may have," he told McMillian. "From the reports I have received, the
damage there [McDowell County] is very extensive."

McMillian said the McDowell County 911 center was flooded, and more than
two-thirds of the telephones in the affected area were not functional in
the immediate aftermath of the flooding. Some cellular telephone sites
have remained operational, however.

In Virginia, flooding in Buchanan County affected more than 2500 residents
and caused damage estimated at $30 million. Two people drowned in the
community of Hurley. Flooding also affected Pike County, Kentucky, and one
person drowned in that state.

==>KENWOOD DONATES TS-2000X TRANSCEIVER TO W1AW

Kenwood Communications Corporation has donated a TS-2000X all-mode,
multiband transceiver to ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW. Kenwood
Assistant Sales Manager Phil Parton, N4DRO, made the presentation May 3.

"We're very grateful to Kenwood Communications Corporation for this useful
and attractive update to the W1AW satellite station," said ARRL Executive
Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, who accepted the gift on behalf of the
ARRL.

W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, had contacted Kenwood to see if the
company would be willing to donate its latest transceiver to replace an
aging TS-790 that has done yeoman's duty in the Studio B satellite
operating position at W1AW.

"We now have nine operating positions in three studios for the use of W1AW
visitors," Carcia said. "Because the TS-2000X is capable of handling
9600-baud operation, it will also be connected to an AEA DSP-2232
multimode controller to handle other aspects of digital satellite--and
HF--operation, such as 9600 baud FSK. W1AW thanks Kenwood for its
donation."

The Kenwood TS-2000X covers all Amateur Radio bands from 1.8 MHz through
1.2 GHz, with the exception of transmit capability on 222 MHz. It was
reviewed in the July 2001 issue of QST.

==>EMCOMM 2002 EXAMINES EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

The third year for EMCOMM was the charm! This year, nearly 150 amateurs,
non-amateurs and state and local government officials attended the two-day
emergency communications conference April 20-21 near Redding, California.
EMCOMM 2002 was sponsored by the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section.

"EMCOMM has grown each year it has been presented," said ARRL Sacramento
Valley Section Manager Jerry Boyd, K6BZ. "Seven states were represented as
the reputation of this event continues to spread."

A full schedule of sessions covered a variety of topics. Bill Pennington,
WA6SLA--an employee of the California State Office of Emergency Services
in Sacramento--provided an update on "mutual aid" policies and procedures.
Bill Frazier, W7ARC, talked about his experiences as a volunteer for the
American Red Cross in New York City after the World Trade Center attack
and highlighted the importance of "cross training" with served agencies,
such as The Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

ARRL Field Organization/Public Service Team Leader Steve Ewald, WV1X,
addressed the League's mission to provide support and guidance in public
service and emergency communication issues. The ARRL Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications course series <http://www.arrl.org/cce> also was
a featured topic. Ewald stressed the importance of working with other
responding organizations during an incident.

Sacramento Valley Section Emergency Coordinator Dave Thorne, K6SOJ--who
chaired the convention-provided a historical perspective on the role of
volunteer organizations in America. Paul Cavnar, NN7B, reported on Amateur
Radio involvement in the 2002 Winter Olympics. The American Red Cross
presented its "Introduction to Disaster Services" course for credit, and
the National Weather Service offered a weather-spotter class.

A highlight of EMCOMM 2002 was the mobile communication vehicle
competition. A panel of three judges scrutinized the entries to determine
which organization and individual had the best-equipped emergency
communication vehicles. The Humboldt County (California) Amateur Radio
Club won the group category; Mac McCulley, W6MAC, walked away with the
individual category trophy.

For more information, visit the EMCOMM 2002 Web site
<http://www.emcomm.org/emcomm2002/main.html>.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Solar seer Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, is filling in this week for Tad Cook,
K7VVV: Solar activity was at low levels for most of the period. May 7 did
see moderate activity due to an M1 flare. A full halo coronal mass
ejection (CME) was associated with this flare. Geophysical activity ranged
from quiet to unsettled over the period. The Ap index was below 11
throughout the period.

As we progress into summer in the northern hemisphere, expect seasonally
lower F2-region MUFs. But summer also brings the increased probability of
sporadic E, so keep your ears tuned for 6-meter openings.

Sunspot numbers for May 2 through 8 were 187, 242, 271, 317, 226, 217, and
249, with a mean of 244.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 169, 179.1, 189.5, 180,
190.8, 186.8, and 186.6, with a mean of 183.1. Estimated planetary A
indices were 7, 7, 8, 8, 11, 11, and 11, with a mean of 9.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The Armed Forces Day Communications Test; the
Nevada and Oregon QSO parties, the Volta WW RTTY Contest, the FISTS Spring
Sprint, the CQ-M International DX Contest and the 50 MHz Spring Sprint are
the weekend of May 11-12. JUST AHEAD: The Anatolian RTTY WW Contest, the
His Majesty the King of Spain Contest (CW) and the Baltic Contest are the
weekend of May 18-19. 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 Level I ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Course (EC-001) will remain open through the May 11-12 weekend.
Registration for the Level II Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Course (EC-002) and for the Antenna Modeling Course opens Monday, May 13;
registration for Level III (EC-003) opens Monday, May 20. Also,
registration for HF Digital Communications (EC-005) opens Monday, May 20.
All registrations open at 4 PM Eastern Time. ARRL Emergency Communications
courses must be completed in order, starting with Level I. To learn more,
visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce> and the C-CE Links found there. For more
information, contact Certification and Continuing Education Program
Coordinator Dan Miller, K3UFG, cce@arrl.org.

* On-line ARRL November Sweepstakes SSB results available: On-line results
for the 2001 ARRL November Sweepstakes (SSB) now are available on the ARRL
Web site <http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/>. Included with these are
an expanded contest writeup by Kelly Taylor, VE4XT; a searchable database
on the results of the Affiliated Club Competition for Sweepstakes; and
other interesting sidebars and photographs.

* ARRL joins AARE: The ARRL has joined the American Association of Radio
Enthusiasts (AARE), a nonprofit industry trade group formed to promote
Amateur Radio and emergency communications outside traditional amateur
circles. AARE says it will serve as "the voice of the manufacturers and
dealers in radio." Its stated goal is to help ham radio grow and to double
the number of hams in five years. ICOM's Ray Novak, KC7JPA, has been
chosen to serve as AARE's first president. Members of the Amateur Radio
industry created the group April 5 during an informal annual meeting of
Amateur Radio manufacturers in Milwaukee in conjunction with AES Superfest
2002. The AARE Web site, now under construction, will provide additional
information. The organization has scheduled a meeting for August 17 at the
Huntsville Hamfest. Dealers and manufacturers of radio products interested
in joining AARE may contact Evelyn Garrison, evelyn@aaregroup.org, for
details.

* Tornado a reality check for ARRL Emergency Communications Course
student: ARRL Emergency Communications Course student Charlie Crizer,
KF4MNE, of Alexandria, Virginia, says at least one course activity turned
into reality April 28. In one activity scenario in the course, the student
has been designated as chief liaison officer for a Simulated Emergency
Test in which a tornado will wipe out a neighboring community. The student
has to find VHF/UHF frequencies to monitor during the initial stages; a
repeater for use as a calling channel; a VHF simplex frequency for local
operations; and a UHF repeater for calling and coordination. Since he
wasn't up to that part of the course then, Crizer says, he decided to
worry about that exercise when the time came. "How wrong I was. On Sunday
evening, my neighboring community [La Plata, Maryland] was wiped out by a
tornado." Crizer said that evening he found himself--along with a lot of
others--doing the same things outlined in the course activity's scenario.
"While anyone can buy the course books, read them and gain a better
understanding of emergency communications, actually doing the activities
is the real 'meat' of this course," he said. "Do them well." To learn
more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page and
the C-CE Links found there. For more information, contact Certification
and Continuing Education Program Coordinator Dan Miller, K3UFG,
cce@arrl.org.

* Ham radio could have role in Phenomenon sequel: Amateur Radio is poised
to hit the big screen yet again in a movie tentatively titled Phenomenon
II. Phenomenon debuted in 1996 and featured John Travolta and his ham
operator friend Forest Whitaker. In one scene, Travolta's character
appears to be able to copy RTTY transmissions by ear. For the original
Phenomenon movie, ARRL provided several props for the ham radio shack. The
sequel is still in the very early stages of development. A researcher
working on checking facts in the script contacted ARRL to ask if operators
actually used the term "CQ" when initiating contacts. She also told ARRL
Media Relations Manager Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY, that the possibility exists
for the creation of a television series based on the Phenomenon movies.
Hagy offered further assistance if needed. No further details were
immediately available.

* P5/4L4FN back in North Korea; QSLs are in the mail: Ed Giorgadze,
P5/4L4FN, reports that he is back in Pyongyang, North Korea, after a short
recreational trip to other parts of Asia. And he returns with good news:
He now has an Ameritron AL-80A linear amp, donated by Martti Laine, OH2BH;
Bernie McClenny, W3UR; and Al Baker, W5IZ. Giorgadze expressed is
gratitude to the trio as well as to Jari Wirzenius, OH2BVE, and his staff
at the Nokia office in Beijing, who made a special effort to clear the
unit through complicated customs procedures in China. He says he's already
fired up the amp and obtained the expected result. "So the unit works well
and generates lot more RF power from the skylines of Pyongyang," he said
in a posting to QSL manager Bruce Paige, KK5DO. "Now I am ready for more
P5 QSOs, are you?" Meanwhile, Paige reports that he mailed some 4500
P5/4L4FN cards on May 4, representing replies to all cards he's received
to date. Paige said that from now on, he plans to process all cards on the
day he gets them. For his own part, Paige was the first station to get
DXCC credit for North Korean for working P5/4L4FN.

* Panama amateurs recover lost bands: Amateurs in Panama (HP) again have
access to 30 meters as well as to most UHF bands they'd lost two years
ago. The restrictions resulted from a revised National Plan of Frequency
Allocations put into place in March 2000 by the Public Services Regulatory
Entity--Panama's FCC. Enrique Preciado, HP1IBF, credited restoration of
the bands to the tenacious efforts of the Radio Club of Panama (HP1RCP)
and of many individual amateurs in the Central American nation. Preciada
said that after lengthy discussions, debates and public hearings, Panama's
amateurs convinced authorities to reconsider the value of amateur activity
to the community--as well as the importance of having Panama's regulations
conform to international conventions and agreements that it had already
signed. Only one was not restored to amateur use--33 cm (902-028 MHz). The
other bands restored included amateur allocations at 1.2 GHz and higher.
"We learned a lesson that we radio amateurs ought to use our space in the
spectrum, care for and protect it very jealously, if we want our hobby to
survive," Preciado told ARRL.--Jon Siverling, WB3ERA/ARRL

* Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award
for April was James C. Garland, W8ZR, for his article "The EZ-Tuner."
Congratulations, Jim! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award--given to
the author of the best article in each issue--is determined by a vote of
ARRL members. Voting takes place each month on the Cover Plaque Poll Web
page, <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/qstvote.html>. As soon as your
copy arrives, cast a ballot for your favorite article in the May 2002
issue of QST. Voting ends May 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 at http://www.arrl.org for
the latest news, updated as it happens. The ARRLWeb Extra at
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/extra offers ARRL members access to
informative features and columns.

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 and The American Radio Relay League.

==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
letter-dlvy@arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@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 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 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list.
(NOTE: The ARRL cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via
this listserver.)


 

The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to active amateurs that is available in advance of publication in QST, our official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise and readable.

Much of the ARRL Letter content is also available in audio form in ARRL Audio News.

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 and The American Radio Relay League.

Back issues published since 2000 are available on this page. If you wish to subscribe via e-mail, simply log on to the ARRL Web site, click on Edit Your Profile at the top, then click on Edit Email Subscriptions. Check the box next to The ARRL email newsletter, the ARRL Letter and you will receive each weekly issue in HTML format. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org

Editorial questions or comments: John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, at news@arrl.org.

Plain-Text

The ARRL E-Letter e-mail is also available in plain-text version:

Outlook Express

1. From the Inbox view, select the Tools menu and the Options selection.

2. Click the Read tab

3. Check the Read All Messages In Plain Text box.  When you open the e-mail, it will be in plain text without images. Other e-mail programs may be able to make a Mail Rule for e-mail received from the address memberlist@www.arrl.org so that the plain-text-only display is selected automatically.

Outlook 2007

Use the same procedure as for Outlook Express, although the global option is under "Tools/Trust Center/E-mail Security".

Thunderbird

Use the menu item "View/Message Body As/Plain Text" or "View/Message Source" options.

OS X Mail (Mac)

Use the "View/Message/Plain Text Alternative" menu item.

GMail

Use the "Message text garbled?" link in the drop-down menu at the upper right of the displayed message block. pine, alpine Set "prefer-plain-text" in your ~/.pinerc configuration file: feature-list=..., prefer-plain-text, ...

EXPLORE ARRL

Instragram     Facebook     Twitter     YouTube     LinkedIn