*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 24, No. 46 Nov 25, 2005 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * +BPL organization should embrace recent ARRL proposals, League tells FCC * +Maintaining a strong voice for ARRL is one goal of Spectrum Defense Fund * +ISS commander speaks with schools in Missouri, Japan via ham radio * +Kathleen Abernathy says she'll leave FCC December 9 * +SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 3 * +New section managers taking over in Western Massachusetts, Delaware * +Deadline near for International Humanitarian Award nominations * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This weekend on the radio ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration +Dave Patton, NN1N, to head ARRL Field and Educational Services Alabama club commended for Katrina response role Former ARRL HQ staffer Paul R. Shafer, KB1BE, SK "Silent Key" submission guidelines +Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> =========================================================== ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org ==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@arrl.org =========================================================== NOTE: ARRL Headquarters will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions on those days. This week's editions of The ARRL Letter, ARRL Audio News and the DX and propagation bulletins are being distributed early. ARRL Headquarters reopens Monday, November 28, at 8 AM Eastern Time. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday! =========================================================== ==>LEAGUE SAYS BPL GROUP SHOULD EMBRACE, NOT REJECT, RECENT ARRL PROPOSALS In a Reply to Opposition filed this week, the ARRL maintains that changes it recently proposed to the FCC's Part 15 BPL rules provide a golden opportunity for the BPL industry and the FCC. The League was responding to a November 2 United Power Line Council (UPLC) Motion opposing and seeking dismissal of the ARRL's Petition for a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, filed last month in the BPL proceeding, WT Docket 04-37. "As a general observation, it is difficult to understand the rationale for UPLC's knee-jerk response to ARRL's Petition," the League said in its Reply to Opposition. "On its face, the Petition does no more than to state a reasonable basis for a principled accommodation for all concerned with, or about, access BPL. This would include BPL operators." The ARRL contended that the UPLC "would better serve its members by embracing the ARRL Petition, rather than rejecting it" and said its proposals represent "the last clear chance to prevent substantial interference from BPL deployments." The League's October Petition suggested that incorporating three elements into the BPL rules the Commission adopted last year would essentially resolve all issues that the ARRL and the Amateur Service have with access BPL: * Prohibiting all access BPL systems from using Amateur Radio allocations--except the five channels at 5 MHz, which the current HomePlug system architecture does not notch. * Prohibiting access BPL systems from using HF bands on medium-voltage power lines. * Measuring signal decay from access BPL systems using a more accurate 20 dB/decade extrapolation factor rather than the 40 dB/decade factor the current rules support. Calling UPLC's opposition to its proposals "short sighted," the League said the UPLC "cannot in good faith" argue that the present BPL rules are in any way sufficient to prevent or mitigate interference to Amateur Radio. "They are not sufficient, as has been demonstrated time and time again in BPL test deployments," the ARRL contended this week. To punch up that point, the League called "pure sophistry" and "absurd and false" UPLC's claim in its Motion that BPL operators using HF on medium-voltage power lines "have been very effective in mitigating rare instances of interference to Amateur Radio users." In support of that assertion, UPLC cited a July 22, 2004, letter from Bruce Franca, then Deputy Chief of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology, to Tom Brown, N4TAB. Franca's letter claimed that Progress Energy's BPL pilot project in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area complied with FCC rules. Responding to Franca that same day, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, at the time noted the presence of ongoing interference and rebutted Franca's assertions. He specifically cautioned FCC to "not permit its conclusions to be erroneously represented as having given the Progress Energy trials a 'clean bill of health'"--precisely what UPLC is now attempting, he said. A copy of Sumner's letter was attached to this week's League filing. UPLC failed to mention that interference from the Raleigh system to numerous Amateur Radio operators "persisted and was not resolved until the system was shut down," the League pointed out this week. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, thinks it's ironic that UPLC chose that particular piece of FCC correspondence to buttress its case. "Mr Sumner rebutted Franca's letter in the Raleigh situation, and Franca never responded, despite repeated promises to do so," he said. "We are now a year and four months down the road." In this week's filing, the League said its Petition seeks to create additional rules governing BPL that, with those already on the books, would "be sufficient to allow ARRL to withdraw its pending Petition for Reconsideration" in the proceeding. In addition, the ARRL reiterated its position that certain BPL systems mentioned in the October Petition "present manageable interference potential" that "can be dealt with on a case-by-case basis." Its proposals, the League said, provide the BPL industry and the FCC with the opportunity to create an RF environment that's not substantially degraded for licensed radio services and that permits BPL to develop "without the competitive handicap of fundamental incompatibility with licensed services" and removes any remaining regulatory uncertainty. The ARRL concluded by urging the Commission to "proceed expeditiously to issue a further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, adopt the proposed rules, and remove the obstacles to a responsible rollout of access BPL that were either created, or not resolved, by the [BPL] Report and Order." A copy of the ARRL's Reply to Opposition is on the FCC Web site <http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_docume nt=6518181693> ==>SPECTRUM DEFENSE FUND 2006: KEEPING ARRL'S VOICE STRONG As its name implies, the primary focus of the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund is to help the League remain vigilant in guarding the range of frequencies Amateur Radio enjoys. The Fund, which kicked off its 2006 campaign October 10, also makes it possible for the League to forcefully advocate on behalf of the US amateur community at the FCC and on Capitol Hill and at international conferences. "A healthy Spectrum Defense Fund will ensure that ARRL's voice continues to be Q5 S9 in every corner of official Washington," said ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH. "As we ask others in official Washington to recognize the role of Amateur Radio and protect our spectrum, the strength of our voice comes in part from the generosity of all radio amateurs." Hobart added that it's crucial for the League to maintain the momentum of the increased visibility Amateur Radio has earned as a result of its role in disasters and emergencies, such as the Hurricane Katrina response. She pointed to the positive and well-received testimony offered in Congress by ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and ARRL COO Harold Kramer, WJ1B, on ham radio's Katrina effort. Haynie describes spectrum defense as an ongoing and all-encompassing activity that doesn't always involve a specific threat such as Little LEO satellites or broadband over power line. "It involves our advocating to be able to keep what we've got," he said. In his view, that means keeping ham radio in prominent view of elected officials as well as of the public at large. "It's by selling what we can do--and not what the League can do but what you can do as members," Haynie observed. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) grants to provide Amateur Radio emergency communications training and to help reimburse volunteers' out-of-pocket expenses are further evidence of Amateur Radio's enhanced visibility, Hobart said. "It's a matter of official record that this country cannot afford to be without Amateur Radio," she asserted. "We have visibility and recognition, and it's the ARRL's mission not to let anyone forget what we have done and are ready to do, anytime the need arises." Preparations already are under way for World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC 07), which will consider agenda items that could impact Amateur Radio. The ARRL, as the IARU International Secretariat, funds IARU observers as representatives of Amateur Radio at such conferences. While they don't have a vote, they can lobby the delegates. The Spectrum Defense Fund supports these activities too. Hobart thanked all who have contributed to the 2006 Spectrum Defense Fund, and she urged those who have not yet done so to take the opportunity to express their pride in the Amateur Service. "The care and feeding of our spectrum begins at home, with contributions from ARRL members," she concluded. Giving is easy. Radio amateurs may contribute online via the ARRL's secure donor Web site <https://www.arrl.org/forms/fdefense/fdefense.html>. The ARRL has been included in the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) <http://www.opm.gov/cfc/>. The League's CFC donor code is 9872. For more information about the 2006 Spectrum Defense Fund or to discuss other ways you can support the ARRL's continuing work on behalf of Amateur Radio, contact ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH <mhobart@arrl.org>; (860-594-0397). ==>LOST ITEMS USUALLY TURN UP EVENTUALLY ABOARD ISS, ASTRONAUT TELLS STUDENTS International Space Station Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, told middle schoolers in Missouri and elementary schoolers in Japan that he's enjoying his stay in space. McArthur spoke November 16 with youngsters at Hermann Middle School near St Louis, and the following day with students at Takatsuki Education Center in Japan. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program arranged both direct VHF contacts. McArthur told one youngster in Missouri that lost items typically turn up sooner or later. "I haven't lost any tools outside, but I have lost things inside the spaceship because it's so big and things float away," said McArthur, a veteran of three space walks. "So when they're lost inside, I just wait and always keep an eye out, and eventually I have found almost everything." McArthur told both groups of students that he did not consider becoming an astronaut until he was in the US Army flying helicopters. In Missouri, some 100 parents, teachers and fellow students were in the audience, while the rest of the school was able to monitor the proceedings between the school's KC0JYV and NA1SS via the public address system. Two St Louis TV stations also showed up for the occasion. Roy Welch, W0SL, and Mike Koenig, N0PFF, served as the control operators. MSNBC carried live video of the contact. On November 17, McArthur told youngsters at Takatsuki Education Center that he and crewmate Valery Tokarev will remain aboard the ISS for a total of 182 days--until next April. He also said he misses his family and friends while orbiting 220 miles above Earth's surface. "The hardest thing about living in space is not being with your family and friends on the earth," McArthur said in answer to one youngster's question. "Fortunately, my crewmate Valery and I are very good friends, and so we keep each other company." Eighteen questions were asked and answered during the contact between 8N3A at Hiyoshidai Elementary School and NA1SS. McArthur explained that size matters when it comes to being an astronaut. "We worry most about an astronaut being too large," said McArthur, who is 185 cm tall--just over six feet. "An astronaut cannot be any taller than I am and be on the space station, and we think maybe being a smaller person helps because then it takes less fuel to get you to space." ARISS-Japan mentor Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ, said reporters from two TV stations and three newspapers covered the event. The control operator was Tamotsu Ando, JK3NSD. Some 300 people, including parents, visitors and news media, were on hand for the contact. ARISS <http://www.rac.ca/ariss> is an international educational outreach, with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. ==>FCC COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY ANNOUNCES HER DEPARTURE FCC Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy has announced that she will exit the Commission December 9. Her tenure already was set to end when the current session of Congress adjourns. Appointed by President George W. Bush to fill an unexpired term, Abernathy, a Republican, has served on the FCC since May 2001 but never was nominated for a full term. In her announcement, Abernathy lauded the FCC's increasing reliance on competition rather than regulation. "Our largely market-driven approach to advanced services has helped create a vibrant market for new wired and wireless telecommunications products," she said, "and our spectrum reform initiatives have improved our ability to put this scarce resource to its most effective use." In 2003, the ARRL strongly objected to Abernathy's suggestion that broadband over power line (BPL) technology would contribute to what she described as "broadband Nirvana." Addressing the United Power Line Council's annual conference that year, Abernathy expressed unabashed enthusiasm for BPL and recommended a combination of regulatory restraint and the elimination or substantial modification of existing rules as steps along the "path to Enlightenment." Earlier this month, President Bush nominated Deborah T. Tate of Tennessee, a Republican, to serve out the remainder of the term of former FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell, which expires June 30, 2007. Under current FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, a Republican who succeeded Powell, the FCC has been operating with four members ever since, and it could be down to three if Tate is not confirmed by the US Senate before Abernathy's departure. In addition to her other FCC responsibilities, Abernathy chaired the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and participated in the 2002 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference and in World Radiocommunication Conference 2003. She also chaired the 2004 ITU Global Symposium for Regulators. Before her appointment to the FCC, Abernathy was director for government affairs at BroadBand Office Inc. She also previously served as legal advisor to FCC Commissioner Sherrie Marshall and Chairman James Quello. Martin thanked Abernathy for her "dedicated service" on the FCC and wished her well. "I have enjoyed working with Commissioner Abernathy since we joined the Commission together over four years ago," he said. "She has made valuable contributions to the agency during her tenure, and we have all benefited from her extensive knowledge of the communications industry." The White House this month also reappointed Commissioner Michael J. Copps, a Democrat, for a new five-year term, starting last July 1. That appointment also is subject to Senate confirmation. ==>ARRL-NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY IS DECEMBER 3 The seventh annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) <http://hamradio.noaa.gov/> special event will take place Saturday, December 3, from 0000 until 2400 UTC (ie, starting Friday, December 2 in US time zones). Cosponsored by the National Weather Service (NWS) and ARRL, SKYWARN Recognition Day is the Weather Service's way of expressing its appreciation to Amateur Radio operators for their commitment to helping keep communities safe. During this 24-hour special event, teams of radio amateurs set up stations at local NWS offices to contact other hams across the US and around the world. "Ham radio operators volunteering as storm spotters are an extremely valuable asset to National Weather Service operations since they are cross-trained in both communications and severe storm recognition," says SRD organizer Scott Mentzer, N0QE, the Meteorologist-In-Charge at the Goodland, Kansas, NWS office, home of WX0GLD. Last year, 114 NWS offices participated in SRD, logging more than 15,000 QSOs during the 24-hour event, says David Floyd, N5DBZ, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at Goodland. The object is for amateur stations to exchange QSO information with as many NWS stations as possible on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6 and 2 meters, and 70 cm. Contacts via repeaters and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) modes, such as EchoLink and IRLP also welcome. Operators exchange call sign, signal report, QTH, and a one or two word description of their weather, such as "sunny," "partly cloudy," "windy," etc. According to Floyd, in typical SKYWARN operations during severe weather, direct communication between mobile spotters and local NWS offices provides critical "ground truth" information for forecasters. "Spotter reports of hail size, wind damage and surface-based rotation in real time greatly assist the radar warning operator, since that information can be correlated with Doppler radar displays," he says. The result may be a more strongly worded statement to convey greater urgency or issue a tornado warning a few minutes earlier than would otherwise have been possible. "While NWS offices utilize the real-time reporting of severe weather events to assist in warning operations, hurricanes Katrina and Rita have shown us that ham radio operators are equally important during the recovery phase of natural disasters," Floyd points out. Floyd also cites the example of the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz. He notes that the HWN, which organized in 1965 during Hurricane Betsy, started out as an informal group of amateurs but has since developed a more formal relationship with the National Hurricane Center in Miami via its Amateur Radio station WX4NHC (formerly W4EHW). HWN ham radio members and volunteers at WX4NHC work together when hurricanes threaten to provide real-time weather data and damage reports to NHC forecasters. So far, some 75 NWS offices in the US are planning to participate along with the Prairie Storm Prediction Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. An official EchoLink/Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP) reflector is expected to be available for use during SRD. An 8.5 x 11-inch certificate is available in exchange for a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a list of NWS stations worked. Address requests to SKYWARN Recognition Day, 920 Armory Rd, Goodland, KS 67735. Separate stations also will issue individual QSL cards. For more information, contact Matthew Mehle, KC0TER <matthew.mehle@noaa.gov>. ==>WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, DELAWARE TO GET NEW SECTION MANAGERS New Section Managers start January 1 in the ARRL Western Massachusetts and Delaware sections. Ballots were counted and verified November 22 at ARRL Headquarters in the Western Massachusetts election--the only contested race in the current election cycle. The sole SM candidate in Delaware and incumbents in several other ARRL sections ran unopposed and have been declared elected. In Western Massachusetts Ed Emco, W1KT, of Worcester, will take over the reins from incumbent SM William "Bill" Voedisch Jr, W1UD. Emco outpolled Voedisch 187 to 120 votes. A radio amateur since age 13, Emco has been active as an ARRL Official Observer, Official Emergency Station, and Assistant Emergency Coordinator. He's involved in ARES, RACES and SKYWARN and is a member of the Worcester Emergency Communications Team (WECT). Emco also enjoys contesting, DXing and is a member of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club. Voedisch has been Western Massachusetts SM since 1996. He served previously as SM in 1988 and 1989. In Delaware, Frank T. Filipkowski Jr, AD3M, of Wilmington, was the only nominee to succeed current SM Randall Carlson, WB0JJX, who decided not to run for another term. Carlson has served in the Section's top leadership post since December 1992. A native of Delaware, Filipkowski has been licensed since 1968. Trained in all three levels of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course, Filipkowski is an ARES and National Weather Service SKYWARN volunteer. Incumbent SMs were unchallenged for new terms in eight other ARRL sections. They are Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Alabama; David Stevens, KL7EB, Alaska; Ti-Michelle Connelly, NJ6T, East Bay; Ron Cowan, KB0DTI, Kansas; Dale Williams, WA8EFK, Michigan; Bill Weatherford, KM5FT, New Mexico; Robert Griffin, K6YR, Santa Barbara, and Larry Marshall, WB4NCW, Tennessee. Two-year terms of office for all successful candidates begin January 1, 2006. ==>INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD NOMINATION DEADLINE LOOMS Nominations close December 31 for the 2005 ARRL International Humanitarian Award. The award honors an amateur or amateur group devoted to promoting human welfare, peace and international understanding through Amateur Radio. The annual prize recognizes Amateur Radio operators who have used ham radio in the US or abroad to provide extraordinary service to others in times of crisis or disaster. A committee appointed by League President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, will recommend an award recipient to the ARRL Board of Directors, which will make the final selection. The committee invites nominations from Amateur Radio, governmental or other organizations that have benefited from extraordinary service rendered by an Amateur Radio operator or group. Nominations must include a summary of the nominee's actions that qualify the individual or group for this award plus verifying statements from at least two individuals having firsthand knowledge of the events warranting the nomination. These statements may be from an official of a group (for example, the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, a local or state emergency management official) that benefited from the nominee's particular Amateur Radio contribution. Nominations should include the names and addresses of all references. All nominations and supporting materials for the 2005 ARRL International Humanitarian Award must be submitted in writing in English to ARRL International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA. The award recipient receives an engraved plaque and is profiled in QST and other ARRL venues. Complete information on how to nominate is available on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/awards/humanitarian.html>. ==>SOLAR UPDATE Solar sage Tad "Gobble Gobble!" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Geomagnetic indicators, the A and K indices, have remained low. This is good for HF propagation, and, with low sunspot numbers lowering the MUF (maximum usable frequency), perfect for long-range communication on 160 and 80 meters. Average sunspot numbers in the six days since the last bulletin were 50.3--nearly 30 points above the average reported in the previous report. The daily solar flux went just above 100 on November 17-19, the days when large Sunspot 822 was passing across the center of the visible solar disk and exerting maximum influence. Solar flux is expected to decline over the next week. Predicted solar flux over the next few days is 95, 90 and 85 for November 23-25, and 80 through the end of the month. Geomagnetic numbers (and disturbances) are expected to remain low. Expect a mid-latitude K index of 3 or less and an A index at 10 or lower until the end of the month, when we may see higher geomagnetic activity around November 30 to December 1. Because this report is early, the sunspot data that normally appear each week will be included in a separate bulletin Monday, November 28. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: The CQ World Wide DX Contest (CW) is the weekend of November 26-27. JUST AHEAD: The ARRL 160-Meter Contest, the TARA RTTY Melee and the Wake-Up! QRP Sprint are the weekend of December 3-4. The ARRL 10-Meter Contest is the weekend of December 10-11. 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 remains open through Sunday, December 4, for these ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) Program on-line courses: Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002), Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003), Antenna Modeling (EC-004), VHF/UHF Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Propagation (EC-011), HF Digital Communications (EC-005) Classes begin Friday, December 16. To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the CCE Department <cce@arrl.org>. * Dave Patton, NN1N, to head ARRL Field and Educational Services: ARRL COO Harold Kramer, WJ1B, has announced the appointment of Dave Patton, NN1N, as manager of ARRL Field and Educational Services, effective November 21. "Dave has been serving as acting head of this department since September, during which he led that department through the Katrina disaster relief efforts," Kramer noted in his announcement. A member of the ARRL Headquarters staff since 1999, Patton previously served as special assistant to ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. He also has been a key figure in the rollout of the League's successful Logbook of the World (LoTW) project. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in geography from Western Illinois University. Prior to attending college he served as a Navy radioman. A nearly lifelong, enthusiastic, and dedicated radio amateur, Patton was first licensed as WD9DCL in 1977 at age 12 and has held quite a long list of call signs since then--most recently W9QA and NT1N. As head of Field and Educational Services, Patton succeeds Rosalie White, K1STO, who departed ARRL Headquarters earlier this year. * Alabama club commended for Katrina response role: ARRL Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, has commended the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club for its assistance during the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. During the club's recent hamfest November 12, Sarratt presented club officials with two awards--the ARRL Public Service Commendation and the ARRL Emergency Communications Commendation. Accepting the honors on the club's behalf were MARC president Scott Pool, W4SPA, and vice president Rick Seeders, KG4PNL. "The Montgomery ARC provided superb help and public service for over a month during the Hurricane Katrina relief effort," said Sarratt, noting that the club's W4AP call sign was used for the ham station set up at the American Red Cross and ARRL marshaling center in Montgomery that handled intake for Gulf Coast-bound ham radio and Red Cross volunteers. "Over two dozen local amateurs helped in various capacities during the 37 days we were set up in Montgomery." * Former ARRL HQ staffer Paul R. Shafer, KB1BE, SK: Former ARRL Headquarters staff member Paul Shafer, KB1BE, of Bloomfield, Connecticut, died November 9. He was 81. Shafer worked at Headquarters for 12 years, starting out in 1983 as a DXCC aide. His service ended in 1995, when he was a DXCC assistant. A graduate of Temple University, Shafer was a professional photographer for most of his working years. While working for the Hartford Courant, Shafer contributed to the coverage of the tragic July 6, 1944, Hartford Circus Fire. During 1950s and 1960s, Shafer was in high demand as a wedding photographer, and in recent years, he worked high school sporting events and occasionally took photographs for the ARRL and assisted with League projects. An ARRL member, Shafer had achieved DXCC Honor Roll and 7-Band DXCC. He belonged to the Connecticut DX Association, served as the organization's first vice president in 1983 and was on the CTDXA Board at the time of his death. In addition to Amateur Radio, he enjoyed competitive pistol target shooting. A service was held November 20. The family invites memorial contributions to the Hartford Art School of the University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, W Hartford, CT 06117 to fund photography scholarships. * "Silent Key" submission guidelines: The ARRL accepts notifications regarding the deaths of radio amateurs or former radio amateurs (if the reporting individual can provide proof of past licensure, including call sign) for possible inclusion in the QST "Silent Keys" listing. Actual published obituaries or copies of death certificates are the preferred means of notification but are not absolutely necessary. The League also will accept notifications from family members or friends of the deceased or from other amateurs. The following information is required: name, call sign (or formerly held call sign) and last known address of the deceased radio amateur. Current or past ARRL membership is *not* a requirement for inclusion in QST "Silent Keys." Individuals reporting the Silent Key should provide name, address and call sign (if any). Mail, fax (860-594-0303) or e-mail information to Silent Key Administrator Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, <kcapodicasa@arrl.org>. Allow up to two weeks for acknowledgement via e-mail. =========================================================== 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. ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast" compiled from The ARRL Letter. 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/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.)