*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 26, No. 29 July 20, 2007 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * + ARRL Board of Directors Meets July 20-21 * + The 2007 ARRL National Convention Proudly Presents... * + Diamond Terrace Officially Opens Prior to Board Meeting * + The 2007 ARRL Public Relations Campaign - Where Are We Now? * + Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, Named QEX Editor * + FCC Enforcement Actions * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This Weekend on the Radio ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Course Registration + World Scout Jamboree On the Air from England + New Section Manager Appointed in San Diego US ARDF Championships Scheduled SimSat Balloon to Launch ARISS Report TAPR to Meet in September Let Us Know +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> =========================================================== ==> ARRL Board of Directors Meets July 20-21 The ARRL Board of Directors holds their second meeting of 2007 July 20-21 in Windsor, Connecticut. All Directors, Vice Directors and ARRL Board officers are in attendance. The meeting, which begins Friday and continues through Saturday, was preceded on Thursday with meetings of the Administration and Finance Committee and the Programs and Services Committee. The Administration and Finance Committee, chaired by New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, is responsible for all administration and financial matters of the League, including recommending the annual budget to the Board, making recommendations in regard to staff management and interfacing with the ARRL Foundation on fundraising issues. Frenaye said, "The first six months of 2007 have been extremely busy with the changes brought on by the FCC's dropping of Morse code as a licensing requirement. Staff and management have had a good plan and have managed well to handle the increased workload, such as in the VEC department, acquiring new memberships and advancing publication sales." The Programs and Services Committee, headed by Dakota Division Director Jay Bellows, K0QB, is responsible for all programs and services provided by the League, including Logbook of the World, W1AW and the incoming and outgoing QSL services. "We deal with the whole range of membership and volunteer services of the ARRL. We continue to keep the focus on the members and volunteers who are the heart and soul of this organization," Bellows said. ==> The 2007 ARRL National Convention Proudly Presents... The ARRL 2007 National Convention, to be held in conjunction with the Huntsville Hamfest August 18-19 in Huntsville, Alabama, is getting closer by the second. Along with the many convention activities, an exciting forums schedule is being planned. This is your chance to learn about contesting, emergency communications such as D-STAR, public service, education and many technical issues. Along with the presentations on the ARRL Stage in the ARRL EXPO area, the ARRL will also be presenting forums at the Hamfest. ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, will be moderating the ARRL Membership Forum. Come and learn more about the issues shaping Amateur Radio today. Meet ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, and other ARRL officials and staff. All are welcome! ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ will lead the two-part ARRL Education Forum. Part 1 is an overview of the ARRL's new Education Services Department. Topics will include the new ARRL mission statement on education, new licensing materials, enrichment courses and an update on ARRL outreach activities through the Education and Technology Program and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). Part 2 consists of a discussion about ARRL educational and instructional resources and ideas. What do you need? More educational kits? A better Web site resource center? An on-line collaboration site for instructors? More on-line courses? Instructors, teachers, on-line course mentors and others are all encouraged to participate. ARRL Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB will lead a virtual ARRL Headquarters tour. Amateur Radio entered a new era this year, and licensing changes have rekindled enthusiasm among many newcomers and inactive hams. Breen will lead you through a tour of ARRL's national headquarters. Along the way, she will share stories of ARRL special event activities aimed at encouraging on-air activity among new and newly active hams, including real-time Web blogs and videos, Hello-Live! and the W1AW HF Open House. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, will talk about ARES and the Media - How to get attention for our best stories. Emergencies often gain the attention of newspapers and television media, and yet the good works of volunteers in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service are often overlooked. Our best stories are never heard by the public. This ARRL forum will discuss ways to help your public service activities capture the attention of the media. ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, and ARRL Web/Software Development Manager Jon Bloom, KE3Z, will discuss DXCC and ARRL's Logbook of the World. Do you enjoy the lure of DX (long-distance radio operating)? The pinnacle of DXing success is the ARRL DX Century Club, or DXCC award. Find out everything you've ever wanted to know about the DXCC program and ARRL's Web-based Logbook of the World (LoTW). The Huntsville Hamfest's preliminary forums schedule is posted on the hamfest's Web site <http://www.hamfest.org/forums02b.htm>. ==> Diamond Terrace Officially Opens Prior to Board Meeting The ARRL Diamond Terrace, gracing the entrance to the ARRL HQ building, was formally opened July 19 with a ribbon cutting ceremony; ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, and ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, did the honors, while Directors, Officers, ARRL staff and visitors looked on under skies that threatened to open with a deluge of rain at any second. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, opened the ceremony by introducing Sumner. He gave kudos to Hobart, saying that the idea of the Terrace originated in the ARRL Development Office and they saw it through to fruition. "All of us who work here in Newington get to enjoy this every day when we come to work, we get to walk through a greatly enhanced entrance which sends the right message to staff and to our members, as well as visitors, about the character and tradition of our organization," Sumner said. Sumner then introduced Harrison, who began his remarks reiterating what he said at the donor's reception at this year's Dayton Hamvention: "When you talk to the average ham out on the street, and you ask him what's important to him in Amateur Radio, he will tell you, 'I want to go into my shack, I want to turn on my radio and I want to get on the air. I want to enjoy Amateur Radio. You take care of that for me. You are my organization, the ARRL; you handle that for me.'" Harrison continued that in order for that to happen, a lot of work takes place behind the scenes. "With all that we have going on in Washington, nationally, with all the attacks on Amateur Radio's resources, it takes people like you in Newington, it takes people like we have on the Board of Directors and most importantly, it takes people who donate to our development program to make that all happen. The Diamond Terrace is just one part of that, and it's a successful part. It adds a lot of meaning to Amateur Radio and to the ARRL. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say 'thank you' to everyone here and to every one of our donors." Hobart then handed Harrison the scissors, and he and Sumner together cut the ribbon amid much cheering. ARRL Publications Manager and QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, filmed the event <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hdPAhJGhYs>. Hobart later took the time to honor those who had helped with the conception and realization of the Diamond Terrace, including Robert Antonello Jr, who did all the concrete and brickwork on the Terrace, and Bob Boucher, who engraved the bricks and is doing all the personalization on the benches. She thanked Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, former Development Office Operations Manager who is now ARRL Education Services Manager, and current Development Associates Margie Bourgoin, KB1DCO, and Maryann MacDonald. Hobart thanked the ARRL graphics department, including Graphic Design Supervisor Sue Fagan, KB1OKW, and Senior Technical Illustrator David Pingree, N1NAS, for taking the concept of the Diamond Terrace and developing the plans and designs to make it a reality. She also extended her gratitude to ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, and QST Managing Editor Joel Kleinman, N1BKE. "These guys really came through in helping me promote this great tribute to our members." She continued, "I could not have done this project without the help of Greg Kwasowski, W1GJK, ARRL HQ Building Manager." "Everybody should have a brick!" she said in closing. The Terrace will host up to 5000 personalized, 4x8-inch laser-engraved bricks. Flanking the new entrance to ARRL Headquarters, the Diamond Terrace recognizes donors wishing to venerate their own call signs or to honor or memorialize the call sign of a family member, club or "Elmer" (mentor). "I have heard wonderful stories from donors who are honoring their Elmer or a family member, and clubs who are honoring a founder or influential leader. There is no limit to the reasons why bricks are placed to honor a call sign," Hobart said. There are also six benches of Vermont granite placed around the Terrace. "We already had plans to refurbish the Headquarters entrance area," Hobart continued, "so this was an ideal opportunity to invite our members to participate in the project and support League programs at the same time. We want to grow the Diamond Club, which enables the ARRL to continue programs that require revenue above and beyond what annual dues provide, ensuring their long-term health and enabling the League to do more on behalf of Amateur Radio." The Diamond Terrace is a project of the Diamond Club, which now has more than 2100 members. The unrestricted funds it takes in support such ARRL activities as spectrum defense, educational initiatives, field services, DXCC, publications, contesting and the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator program, among others. Hobart points out, "You pick an area that's near and dear to your heart, and Diamond Club revenue is very likely supporting it." Information on the Diamond Terrace and how to request a brick or bench is available at the Diamond Terrace Web page <https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/diamondclub/>. ==> The 2007 ARRL Public Relations Campaign - Where Are We Now? The ARRL has two Public Relations (PR) thrusts for 2007. The first one concerns ARES and Public Relations. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, said, "We lose many good media opportunities because ARES operations are not being covered by Public Information Officers (PIO). Far too often, anything provided to media about ARES activities in a crisis is not shared until long after the event, if at all. To correct this, encouragement is being given for PIOs not only to be media active during any ARES deployment, but also for Section Managers to appoint specific PIOs whose singular job is to work with the ARES Section Emergency Coordinator to talk with media during a crisis." The second thrust of the PR campaign is the 2007 EmComm Campaign. There was a short delay on this campaign, due to the FCC eliminating the Morse code license requirement. Pitts and the ARRL Public Relations Committee immediately launched the "30 Day Code Blitz" with custom made audio Public Service Announcements and news releases (including a wire release); many interviews were given for radio and newspapers, and special materials were sent to PIOs and clubs for publication. Most of these materials pointed the public to the new PR Web page <http://www.emergency-radio.org/>, which saw a spike of more than 857,000 hits in February alone. Pitts said after the "code blitz," the planned implementation of the 2007 EmComm campaign got underway. A collection of integrated PR materials was created and provided for PIOs and others to promote Amateur Radio's EmComm capabilities. "The value of the materials is presenting the non-ham with the benefits of Amateur Radio in providing communications for themselves and their families in a crisis," Pitts said. The EmComm campaign materials include: The 2007 EmComm brochure ("Getting the Message Through"); the 2007 edition of the Swiss Army Knife for PIOs reference CD; a Web site <http://www.emergency-radio.org/> based on emergency communications; Katrina - The Untold Story, a 5 minute DVD about hams providing assistance during and after Hurricane Katrina; a 30 second audio PSA; a 30 second video PSA, and the Talk on a Disk CD. The 2007 EmComm brochure was partially made possible by a $15,000 donation from Dayton Amateur Radio Association. Pitts said that the brochure has proved so successful that the initial printing of 100,000 copies was quickly used, and a second (unexpected) printing of an additional 60,000 copies was needed prior to Field Day last month. A third printing may even be needed before the end of the year. ARRL PR Committee Chairman Sherri Brower, W4STB, said, "These professional-looking brochures are even more popular with representatives of our served agencies than last year's "Hello" brochure. It gives a favorable and professional image to our Emergency Communications via Amateur Radio and says the only thing amateur is our name." The Swiss Army Knife CD for PIOs remains a highly desired reference. It provides basic computerized files and information, how-to hints and quick references for PIOs. Richard Lubash, N1VXW, produced the 5 minute video "Katrina - The Untold Story." "With his permission, we edited down the dramatic opening sequence, added in enhanced sound and created an excellent 30 second PSA. This video has shown great acceptance by television stations and has been aired thousands of times already in 2007," said Pitts. In addition, Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, completed "Hello - The Movie," a 5 minute general video introduction to Amateur Radio. Unlike "Amateur Radio Today," both of these videos can be broadcast. The newest item in the ARRL PR arsenal is "Talk on a Disk," created as a suite of presentation materials keyed to go with the EmComm brochure. Designed to be used in live speaking presentations to groups, Pitts said it gives the potential speaker all they need to do a first class presentation on Amateur Radio and EmComm work. "The 'Talk on a Disk' was definitely the hot item in the PR booth at Dayton Hamvention," according to Jim McDonald, KB9LEI, one of the booth volunteers. "We spent maybe three or four minutes explaining the concept to folks and their eyes lit up. Many told us it was something they had wished for to help them do presentations." North Carolina Section Public Information Coordinator Bill Morine, N2COP, commented: "We used both the EmComm brochure and the new EmComm Web site as tools to show North Carolina legislators the benefits of Amateur Radio in emergency situations. This approach helped with the unanimous passage of a PRB-1 type antenna bill in the North Carolina General Assembly which became law June 29 this year." Information on how to order PR materials can be found at the ARRL's PIO Web site <www.arrl.org/pio>. ==> Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, Named QEX Editor ARRL Publications Manager Steve Ford, WB8IMY, announced July 17 that he has named long-time ARRL Headquarters staffer Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, as QEX Editor. QEX is ARRL's forum for communications experimenters. Wolfgang takes over Editorial duties from Doug Smith, KF6DX. Smith had filled the position since the September/October 1998 issue, when he took over for Rudy Severns, N6LF. Ford said, "Larry has been QEX Managing Editor for the past year and a half, but as Editor, he will be responsible for the full scope of QEX editorial operations." Larry holds a BS in physics from Susquehanna University; he taught high school science prior to coming to ARRL in June 1981. First licensed at 15 as WN3JQM in 1968, Wolfgang also held WA3VIL for many years. Wolfgang said, "Being named QEX Editor is quite an honor, and also a huge challenge. When I reviewed the list of previous Editors, starting with Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, in 1981, I realized what an awesome responsibility it will be to guide QEX. The magazine is an experimenters' exchange, so I want to encourage more authors to write about projects on which they are working. While we like construction-type articles, this is also a place to share 'projects in the works' and exchange stories about successes and failures. I also want to find some ways to increase our readership." A video detailing Wolfgang's vision for QEX is available on YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnWasaN2UBw>. Readers can find more information about QEX, published six times a year, at the QEX Web site <http://www.arrl.org/qex/>. The site features cover images for the past two years, as well as the Table of Contents and Letters columns from those issues. A sample article from each of those issues is available for free download. ==> FCC Enforcement Actions On July 14, the FCC released information regarding enforcement actions against three radio amateurs: John C. Kimbrough, WR3S, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Anthony W. Cranston, WA2HYO, of East Brunswick, New Jersey, and Steve L. Wingate, K6TXH, of Eureka, California. Kimbrough was issued a Warning Notice and Notification of Removal of Automatic Control Privileges for his repeaters. The FCC said that it sent Kimbrough a letter on April 10 of this year, notifying him that monitoring information showed that on various dates in March 2007 his repeater stations operated without proper control and re-broadcast portions of commercial television programming and music. He was also accused having operators on his system fail to identify properly and using false call signs. The FCC's letter warned Kimbrough that repeaters must be under the supervision of a control operator "and not only expects, but requires, control operators to be responsible for the proper operation of the repeater system." When Kimbrough replied to the FCC's April letter, he informed the Commission that he is operating 12 repeaters under his call sign on the following frequencies: 145.170, 145.370; 146.955, 147.360, 223.960, 224.160, 224.360, 224.560, 224.620, 224.660, 224.760 and 224.980 MHz, using at least 10 control operators. The FCC replied in this Notification that "The rebroadcast of commercial programming, improper identification and lack of identification by end users, and your own transmissions over your repeater that can be reasonably be interpreted as threats to complainants, indicate your inability or unwillingness to control your own repeater stations." The FCC warned Kimbrough that he would soon be receiving a letter from the FCC's Atlanta office removing the automatic control privileges of his repeater systems. "This means that you may not operate ANY repeater stations under your call sign unless you are the control operator and at the control point at all times to make certain that Commission rules are being followed and that no interference is occurring. When you are unable to function as the control operator of the stations identifying with your call sign, they may not transmit." Finally, the FCC said, "failure to control stations bearing your call sign, or any communications over your repeaters not complying with Commission rules, will result in enforcement action against your license. That enforcement action may include a forfeiture (fine) or revocation and suspension of your Amateur license, or modification of your Amateur license to remove voice privileges. Any threats, direct or indirect, made to complainants or perceived complainants over your repeaters by your users, will result in revocation proceedings against your Amateur license." The FCC accused Cranston of operating his repeater without coordination and, as such, causing interference to WA3BXW on 147.345 MHz. Cranston was allegedly notified of this back in 2003 and contacted repeatedly since, but the matter remains "unresolved." The FCC notes that where there is interference between a coordinated and uncoordinated repeater, "the licensee of the uncoordinated repeater has primary responsibility to resolve the interference." The FCC asked Cranston if his repeater was coordinated for operation at 147.345 MHz, and if it is, asked him to furnish a copy of the coordination document and to "state the circumstances, if any, under which you are operating the repeater in a manner not consistent with the coordination, including changed location or power." If the repeater is not coordinated, the FCC asked Cranston for proof of any action he has undertaken to obtain coordination or to bring the station back into compliance with coordination. The FCC also wanted to know if he had received any complaints, either oral or written, and what steps he has taken to resolve them. The Commission also asked for Cranston to "describe in detail the configuration of the WA2HYO repeater system, including all sites, links and addresses, using diagrams where necessary. Detail any changes in location since the coordination, if any, was issued." The FCC sent Wingate a letter, letting him know about complaints alleging his "lack of station control and deliberate interference." The Commission said he had 20 days from receipt of his letter to respond to the complaints in detail: "You are 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." ==>SOLAR UPDATE Tad "House of the Rising Sun(spot)" Cook, K7RA, this week reports: This week saw an increase in average daily sunspot numbers, rising over 8 points to 29.3. Expect to see a lower average for next week, with perhaps some zero-sunspot days. Perhaps early August will have sunspot numbers back in the twenties at least. Currently, sunspot 963 is disappearing from view. Right now there is a solar wind stream headed toward Earth. This should only be a minor upset, with planetary A index around 15 for today and tomorrow, July 20-21. The IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) is currently pointing south, which makes us vulnerable. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts unsettled to active conditions for July 20, unsettled July 21, quiet to unsettled July 22, quiet for July 23-25 and unsettled July 26. Sunspot numbers for July 12-18 were 25, 38, 41, 41, 30, 17 and 13, with a mean of 29.3. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: This weekend, look for the NCCC Sprint Ladder on July 20 and the VK/Trans-Tasman 160 Meter Contest (CW) on July 21. The North American QSO Party (RTTY) and the CQ World Wide VHF Contest are July 21-22. On July 22, the SKCC Weekend Sprint and RSGB Low Power Field Day are on the air. Next weekend, NCCC Sprint Ladder is on July 27 and the ARD Flight of the Bumblebees is July 28. The RSGB IOTA Contest is July 28-29. 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 information. * ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Course Registration: Registration remains open through Sunday August 5 for these on-line courses that begin on Friday August 17: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003R2); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF - Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). 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>. * World Scout Jamboree On the Air from England: Worldwide Scouting celebrates 100 years of Scouting with the 21st World Jamboree in England July 27-August 7. Amateur Radio will be a significant part of the festivities, with participation in several events during the Jamboree. GB100J will operate around the clock for the duration of the Jamboree. There are plans for a contact with the International Space Station, including an EchoLink relay of the contact. The Scouting Sunrise Net marks the 100th anniversary with ceremonies around the world at 8 AM local time. This net will start at 1900 UTC July 31 and continue to 1900 UTC August 1, and will include GB100S and GB100BI. The BI station will be located on Brownsea Island, where Lord Baden Powell opened the very first Scout encampment at 8 AM August 1, 1907. The idea for Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) was formed at a World Jamboree in 1957. GB100J will celebrate JOTA's 50th birthday on August 4 with special on-the-air activities. This year's JOTA, always the third full weekend in October, will be a 50 hour around-the-world Scout happening. QST Assistant Technical Editor and active Scoutmaster Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, said, "Make plans now to spend some time with a local Scout Troop, Cub Pack or Venture Crew during the time of the Jamboree. Contact a local Scout camp and set up a station to have local Scouts participate in some of the World Jamboree festivities via Amateur Radio. Talk with Scouts at the Jamboree and other locations around the world. You and the Scouts will have so much fun you will want to do this again and again. For more information and updates during the Jamboree, see the GB100J Web page <http://gb100j.radio-scouting.org.uk/>. * New Section Manager Appointed in San Diego: Loren "Mitch" Mitchell, K6BK, of San Diego, California, has been appointed ARRL San Diego Section Manager to complete the term of office vacated by Pat Bunsold, WA6MHZ. Bunsold, who served as SM on two different occasions (April 2004-March 2006 and July 2006-July 2007), stepped down due to health concerns. Dave Patton, NN1N, Manager of ARRL's Membership and Volunteer Programs Department, made the new appointment effective July 12; Mitchell's term of office continues through March 2008. Mitchell has been the San Diego Section Emergency Coordinator since April 2006. He is active with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Scripps Ranch, is a weather spotter with WX6BX for SKYWARN and operates as an ARRL Official Emergency Station on D-STAR. He is also trustee of station KA6BSA for the Boy Scouts of America. First licensed in 1961 at age 14, Mitchell developed a lifelong interest in both electronics and engineering. His wife Nancy, N6NCY, and sons Brendan, K6BMK, and Wes, K6WES, also enjoy the world of Amateur Radio. * US ARDF Championships Scheduled for August: Registrations for the Seventh USA Championships of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) are still being accepted. The event is scheduled for September 14-16 at South Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Mountains, near the border between California and Nevada. Beginners and experts at on-foot radio-orienteering will test their skills and learn from one each other. As in recent odd-numbered years, our national championships are being combined with the ARDF championships for International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 2, which encompasses North and South America. Course operations are in accordance with IARU rules; these are uniform throughout the world. Early Bird registration (at a $25 savings) was scheduled to end on July 14, but that deadline has been extended to July 31. * SimSat Balloon to Launch: A high-altitude balloon carrying Amateur Radio is being prepared for launch July 24 and 25 that will offer hams and students in Maryland, Washington DC and a 20 state region a special opportunity to participate in the operations. "Balloon launches are being offered as part of a two-week science camp called 'Reach For The Stars!' at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore," said Pat Kilroy, N8PK, a long time space and near-space experimenter and engineer at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "Within minutes of release from UMES, the balloon's radio footprint will grow to cover all of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and many adjoining states. At its peak of about 100,000 feet, the signals from the balloon will be heard by all within a 400 mile radius, reaching northward to Maine, westward out to Detroit and Cincinnati, and south to Savannah," he added. Amateur Radio operators are invited to participate. There is a list of tasks that hams can do either on their own or in groups on Kilroy's Web page <http://www.patkilroy.com/simsat>. * ARISS Report: There were two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) meetings July 12 and 13 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. One meeting was with Johnson Space Center (JSC) Education Office; the agenda covered many topics such as NASA funding, a new NASA-sponsored Web site, ARISS lesson plans, NASA educational goals and other high-level topics. ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, prepared a paper that was presented at the second meeting with JSC Education Office and the ARISS SuitSat-2 Team. The paper discussed educational duties and public relations plans that have been completed for the future SuitSat-2, as well as future SuitSat-2 plans. The SuitSat-2 Technical Team, including Sergej Samburov, RV3DR, met on July 9-12 to make further progress on the development of the spacesuit satellite, and hammered out an agreement about what items the US will provide and work on, and what the Russians will provide and work on. The ARISS Team supported an Alaska QSO on July 7 with The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, and the Manitoba Space Adventure Camp held at the Canadian Air Force 17 Wing in Winnipeg on July 12. An ARISS contact was also scheduled with the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida on July 17. The next scheduled contact is with Challenger Learning Center of Lucas County, in Oregon, Ohio on July 25. White said that ARISS is fortunate to have gotten these schedules approved by NASA, as the crew is heavily overloaded with ISS-assembly work duties. "ARISS may not get any more crew time than we currently have (one QSO per week) until the ISS is completely put together with its new modules," she said. * TAPR to Meet in September: The ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet, publish their work and present new ideas and techniques. Presenters and attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results and practical applications at the three day conference to be held in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference is for all levels of technical experience, not just for the expert. Not only is the conference technically stimulating, it is a weekend of fun for all who have more than a casual interest in any aspect of amateur digital electronics and communications. The banquet speaker this year is Bruce Perens, K6BP, well-known open-source software advocate. Find out more at the TAPR Web page <https://www.tapr.org/dcc.html>. * Let Us Know: 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. 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