FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15TH 8PM MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET *WASH_DC* Node 6154  

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 MDC Section News
 Vol. 15, No. 11
 Thursday, November 14, 2019
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 * MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15TH
 * YOUR SECTION MANAGER MOMENT
 * INTER-GOV ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO FCC & OTHER ACTIONS
 * UPCOMING HAMFESTS & CONVENTIONS
 * RADIO EVENTS, ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
 * T-MARC COORDINATION REPORT
 * MDC SECTION ARES REPORT
 * SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER'S REPORT  ==> MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15TH This month's MDC section-wide EchoLink® net will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET on the EchoLink® *WASH_DC* Node 6154. The MDC Section EchoLink® net is always held on the third Friday evening of every month at 8:00 PM eastern local time. Next MDC Section monthly EchoLink® Net is scheduled for December 20th. - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 EchoLink® Link Repeaters for Net
 If you would like to join in on RF, the following repeaters and IRLPs have linked in for EchoLink® nets:
- KA2JAI-R operates through the KB3CMA repeater 442.300(+), PL 107.2 Hz, in Annapolis, MD
- WB3GXW-R, 147.225(+), PL 156.7 Hz, located in Calverton, MD - boundary between Montgomery and Prince George's counties
- N3HF-L, 443.45(+), PL 151.4 Hz, located near Ocean City, MD – border of Worcester County at the Atlantic Ocean
- N3HF-R, 443.45(+), PL 156.7 Hz, located near Silver Spring, MD – northwest of D.C. and along southern portion of I-270 in Montgomery County near Rockville
- W3ICF-R, 146.73(-), PL 141.3 Hz, located near Frederick, MD – is near Frederick, MD in Frederick county.
- K3CAL-R, 146.985(-), PL 156.7, located near Sunderland, MD – in Calvert County is long eastern shores of the Chesapeake Bay
- N3RO-L, 145.545, Simplex, Frederick Co, MD
- W3SMD-L, 147.51, Simplex, St Mary's County, MD
- KB3JQQ-L Pikesville, MD – local proximity within 2m Line-of-Sight

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 Repeater owners are encouraged to join our MDC Section EchoLink® Net group and link your repeater - TU!

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 Everyone is encouraged to join in and give any updates on what is happening in your part of the ARRL Maryland-DC Section. If you do not have EchoLink® on your Computer, Tablet or Smartphone, you may download the free software from: http://echolink.org/register_data.jsp or your App Store online. As always, we thank John Creel, WB3GXW, for making the *WASH_DC* EchoLink® server and his WB3GXW-R repeater available for the EchoLink® nets.

 ==> SECTION MANAGER MOMENT The Holidays and Ham Radio - Spending time with our Amateur Radio family helps forms a life-long bond of friendship and camaraderie. Our families and friends support our endeavors and our support of communities needs when viable radio communication is gone - but our radio hobby fills our hearts and minds with fun, science, knowledge and hope.  Join us in thanking all those supporting our enthusiasm and dedication to the art of radio. Help enhance our service and enjoyment while furthering the opportunities and benefits for fellowship. Let’s thank our Ham Radio mentors, let's share our experiences, participate more, and lead our MDC Section members, ARCs and communities toward better preparedness. Let’s make this an annual tradition to thank all supporting Amateur Radio; tell our served agency representatives we appreciate their loyalty, for community leaders and neighbors to fill the increasing gaps of social ties and family bonds with the essence of interaction. Thank you and "Happy Holidays" to you all. 73,
 Marty, KB3MXM
 Maryland / DC Section Manager, ARRL

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 More Mentors Needed for New ARRL Emergency Communications Course Sessions.
 http://www.arrl.org/news/more-mentors-needed-for-new-arrl-emergency-communications-course-sessions
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 ==> INTER-GOV ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO FCC & OTHER ACTIONS FCC releases:
FCC Issues Advisory Committee Public Safety and Telehealth Reports
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A1.pdf Disaster Resiliency – The Committee issued recommendations on fine-tuning state, local, Tribal, and territorial coordination for disaster preparation, response, and restoration efforts, including best practices to promote resilient communications during and after an incident to help ensure first responders and the public have access to reliable communications. The full report is available at:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A4.pdf INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE to the FCC
ADVISORY RECOMMENDATION No: 2019-3
In the Matter of Intergovernmental Disaster Response Coordination
Section 2. Disaster Mitigation During the Event
Paragraph d. Disaster Recovery
p/o -
" . . . . HAM radio resources are available for emergency communications support to any public service agency and can bridge interoperability gaps between agencies on a local, Tribal, and/or state level. Potential HAM deployment locations include, but are not limited to, auxiliary command posts, emergency operations centers, emergency shelters, evacuation sites, fire stations, medical facilities, mobile disaster vehicles, police stations, public works sites, and volunteer intake centers . . . " Read the entire document at:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A4.pdf Also references:
James Careless, Emergency Communications Driving Increase in Amateur Radio Operators, GOVTECH.com
(Apr. 11, 2017), https://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/Emergency-Communications-Driving-Increase-in-Amateur-Radio-Operators.html. Steve Aberle, Ham Radio in Emergency Operations, DOMESTICPREPAREDNESS.COM
(Jun. 21, 2017), https://www.domesticpreparedness.com/preparedness/ham-radio-in-emergency-operations/.
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Paint or Not-to-Paint Towers The obligation to paint and light “short towers” (i.e. those between 50 and 200 feet above ground level (AGL) is unclear.  It is all about location-location, especially commercial towers in close proximity to airports/heliports and in rural or agricultural areas. Broadcast engineers may have to register short broadcast tower with FAA in the wake of agricultural aircraft collisions with meteorological evaluation towers (METs); the NTSB recommended in 2013 that States enact laws (e.g. crop-duster statutes) requiring marking and registration of METs. FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L concerning Obstruction Marking and Lighting, released Oct. 8, 2016, urged, on a voluntary basis, marking of METs (only) less than 200 feet or 61 meters in height. H.R. 636, the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Reauthorization Act) in July 2016, Section 2110: instructed FAA to enact rules by July of 2017, requiring painting and lighting of short radio towers that were located in rural areas The FAA has not yet developed its database, which will contain only the location and height of each covered tower. Covered tower operators or owners who elect to submit tower information to the FAA database must do so within one year of the availability of the FAA database.
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==> RADIO EVENTS, LICENSE EXAMS, ACTIVITIES, OPPORTUNITIES & SPECIAL RADIO EVENTS Each month our MDC SM adds On-Air Events for section members interested in other types of RF communication, events and activities related to the RF spectrum. Please send your upcoming ARC events, suggestions and comments - include our ARC Events, too. You may view upcoming Hamfests which are being held in the MDC Section and nearby in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and northern Virginia area by clicking on either: MDC SECTION Hamfests or the ARRL's Hamfest, Field Day and Convention Calendar. I, as the MDC Section Manager, Marty Pittinger, KB3MXM, and/or a designated ARRL representative(s) plan to attend your ARRL Maryland-DC Section events. We hope to see you there and bring a fellow Ham and friend. Starting in May 2019, the following Web-links will replace the Section New list of MDCs HAMFEST, EXAMS, & CLASSES announcements: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar
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Petition for Declaratory Ruling -
ARRL asked FCC to Clarify Amateur Rules Governing Encrypted or Encoded Messages. The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is soliciting comments on a Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed on behalf of New York University (NYU) seeking to clarify that Section 97.113(a)(4) of the Amateur Service rules prohibits the transmission of “effectively encrypted or encoded messages, including messages that cannot be readily decoded over-the-air for true meaning.” Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc's (ARSFI) letter in regards to Docket 16-239 (Amateur Radio Symbol Rate - NPRM). NYU explained its rationale for involvement in an amateur radio regulatory matter in a July 2019 ex parte filing from the university’s legal counsel. “As a major center of radio engineering research and scholarship and on whose faculty sat telegraph and Morse code pioneer Samuel Morse, NYU is committed to fostering innovation in, and attracting new entrants to, the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM),” the letter to FCC Secretary Marlene Dortch, signed by Ari Q. Fitzgerald of Hogan Lovells US LLP, said. “We can think of no better way for the FCC to promote these goals than to stand up for transparency and openness in amateur radio.” Comments are due by December 2, with reply comments (comments on comments already filed) due on December 17. The FCC has requested that all filings refer to WT Docket No. 16-239, which grew out of an ARRL Petition for Rule Making seeking elimination of symbol rate limitations on the amateur bands and is unrelated to the wider encryption issue.  So far, +890 comments on file.  Read more ARRL http://www.arrl.org/news/view/fcc-asked-to-clarify-amateur-rules-governing-encrypted-or-encoded-messages
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START your ARRL Ham radio library ~ Today! ARRL Antenna Book (Boxed Set) Limited Edition! Multi-Volume Boxed Set
Showcasing 80 Years of Antenna Know-How
Item No:1144
http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Antenna-Book-Boxed-Set/
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ARRL to Launch New on the Air Magazine in January
 ARRL is launching a new magazine, On the Air, in January 2020. To be published on a bimonthly basis, On the Air will offer new and beginner-to-intermediate-level radio amateurs a fresh approach to exploring radio communication. Each issue will include advice and insights on topics from the variety of Amateur Radio interests and activities: radio technology, operating, equipment, project building, and emergency communication. The goal of this new magazine is to be a vital resource in helping new and newer radio amateurs get active and involved in radio communications.
 http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-to-launch-new-on-the-air-magazine-in-january
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The Sun's Magnetic Field Flips for Cycle 25 –
The switch happens around the peak of solar activity or solar maximum and marks the sound-half beginning of the Solar Cycle. The appearance of Sunspot marks the beginning of the next Solar Cycle but what occurs before the beginning of the Sunspots? The change in the Sun’s yearly average total irradiance during an 11-year cycle is on the order of 0.1 percent or 1.4 watts per square meter. But is this measurement good-enough to predict the onset of the next Solar Cycle? Irradiance (also called insolation) is a measure of the amount of sunlight power that falls upon one square meter of exposed surface, usually measured at the 'top' of Earth's atmosphere. This energy increases and decreases with the season and with your latitude on Earth, being lower in the winter and higher in the summer, and also lower at the poles and higher at the equator. But the sun's energy output also changes during the sunspot cycle! The first sunspot appearance sun's hemisphere will herald in the beginning of a new 11-year solar cycle, researchers say.  Here on Earth, it's not obvious what that means to our everyday life but Solar activate of current Cycle 24 - nearing the lowest point of 11-yr means Solar Cycle-25 is forecasted to peak soon; ending by 2030.
See-
 http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation
 http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals
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ARRL Book - Radio Propagation Explained
 Understanding radio propagation is essential for anyone with an interest in radio communications who wants to know how signals travel from A to B.
 Item No. 0038
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ARRL Book - Propagation and Radio Science
 Explains the phenomena we observe on the amateur bands and invites you on the journey through the still-unknown radio propagation universe.
 Special Limited ARRL Member Discount
 Item No. 0277
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NET CONTROL OPERATORS NEEDED
 Contact Baltimore Traffic Net Manager, Chris AB3WG AB3WG@ARRL.net
 145.330 Daily 6:30 PM
 Contact Maryland Emergency Phone Net, Fr Al W3YVQ W3YVQ at ARRL dot Net
 3820 +/- LSB Daily 6:00 PM
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ARESMAT Zoom conferencing, initiated and continued through the dedication of Ken KG4USN MDC ASM PIC/EA will now shift leadership to Steven KC3DSO, AEC and continue the collaboration with our adjacent Sections.  Next Video Conf will be schedule with participates. Contact Steven KC3DSO MDC ASEC kc3dso@gmail.com to participate and learn more about ARESMAT Amateur Radio Mutual-Aid.
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Upcoming Hamfests, Amateur Radio and Radio Enthusiasts

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AARC Public Service Events 2019
Sun Nov 24 Cold Turkey 10k Arundel HS Mike Montrose KA2JAI
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AARC Kit-building, troubleshooting and repair, at 1 to 4 PM at the clubhouse
Sun, November 24, 1pm – 4pm. Anne Arundel Radio Club, 3801-3885 Queen Anne Bridge Rd, Davidsonville, MD 21035, USA Come build electronics kits, learn to solder, or fix radio equipment. Every 4th Sunday of the month at the Anne Arundel Radio Clubhouse.
(The Anne Arundel Radio Club is the largest Ham Radio Club in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, U.S.A. Our website is at http://w3vpr.org)
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American Foreign Service Amateur Radio Net - For over 48 years the American Foreign Service Amateur Radio Net has met every Sunday on the following frequencies:
 14.316.00 MHz USB 1500Z
 21.416.00 MHz USB 1530Z
 28.416.00 MHz USB 1600Z
This Net exists primarily to keep in touch with, support and render assistance to, those persons serving at post around the world.
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ARC HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
AARC Holiday Party (proposed) at Ford Hall - Sun, December 15, 4pm – 8pm
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BARC - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 — monthly club meeting 7:00 pm. Looking at making this into a holiday dinner meeting at a restaurant; details at December meeting
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The CCARC General Meeting is the 2nd Monday of the month, except December, at 7:30 pm in the Public Safety Training Center at 50 Kate Wagner Rd, just south of Westminster High School. 
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Nov 17th & 18th Sweepstakes - In 2018 ARRL received more than 1700 logs, previous year was +1670 logs, 2016 was only 1626, down from 1,826 logs in 2015 - more than a decade ago it was +2000 logs and during 2009 Solar Minimum. Here again, low Solar activity greets hardy radio contesters in their diversions to conquer the Aether Theories.
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Earlier in Nov the CW sweepstakes portion was the weekend of 2nd-4th. A recent Twitter Poll showed 50% of voters "Will Not" participate, 33% "May" and 17% said "Yes."  Contesting Bands for all - Technician to Extra on Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m The ARRL Contest Update is available to ARRL members via e-mail at no charge directly from ARRL. Not yet registered for an ARRL online account? Register Now. You'll have an opportunity during registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of the ARRL Contest Update, W1AW bulletins and other material. ARRL members get the latest updates - emailed to you x26 a year and at http://www.arrl.org/contest-update-issues?issue=current. The November Sweepstakes Logs must be submitted within seven (7) days after the event.  Read more at http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes .
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RAC Canada Winter Contest 2019
In December each year, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) sponsors the RAC Canada Winter Contest. Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6 and 2m; CW, & phone. Suggested frequencies: CW – 25 kHz up from the band edge and for SSB – 1850, 3775, 7075, 7225, 14175, 21250, 28500 kHz. Check for CW activity on the half-hour. Amateurs all over the world are invited to participate.
Contest Period: 0000 UTC to 2359 UTC December 28, 2019.
https://www.rac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Canada-Winter-Contest-Rules-2019.pdf
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FCC Technician Class Licensees have several Radiosport / Contesting opportunities <http://contests.arrl.org/>. First, sign-up "NOW" for Logbook of the World (LoTW), if you're not an ARRL member - join today. <http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world> LoTW helps gather, validate and certificate you for many QSO Awards, so get credit for you QSOs. Here are a few popular contests:
 * Ten-Ten & 10m Contests (Dec 14-15) <https://www.ten-ten.org/index.php>
 * VHF - January, June & September Contest (Above 50 MHz)
 <http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf, /june-vhf, and /september-vhf>
 * November CW Sweepstakes (Nov 2-4)
 * Straight Key Night (Jan 1st)
 * IARU HF Championship (Jul 13-14)
 * Rookie Roundup - CW (Dec 22nd)
. . . any HF Contest with CW:
  - 80m CW - No RTTY or Digital
  - 40m CW - No RTTY or Digital
  - 15m CW - No RTTY or Digital
<Digital Modes include, and others: FSK441, JT6M, JT65, JT9 and FT8>
The FCC Petition for Rule Making (RM-11828), Filing at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/1022823795806 and ARRL Petition: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1022823795806/201820Level20PRM%20FINAL.pdf
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Upcoming Popular Contests: 
December 6th – 8th ARRL 160 Meter Contest http://www.arrl.org
December 14th – 15th ARRL 10 Meter Contest http://www.arrl.org
December 22nd ARRL Rookie Roundup CW http://www.arrl.org
November 23 - 24 CQ WW Contest, starts 0000 UTC Saturday and ends 2359 UTC Sunday
Goal of making as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible. https://www.cqww.com/ See the CONTEST CALENDAR at https://www.contestcalendar.com/contestcal.html by WA7BNM
HFHN - HF Hospital Net
Wednesday following the third Sunday every month
Wed, November 20, 7:00pm – 7:30pm
LSB - 3820 kHz +/- for QRM
HFHN - HF Hospital Coalition Net
Net Control Station - KA3AHI Wanda
This Net is open to all ARES and RACES operators able to hear the Net.
This is a controlled net, follow instructions from Net Control.
This net is primarily to establish HF EmComm between the Maryland EOC's & Hospitals.
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Fourth Wednesday of each month (except December) at 7:30 p.m. Location: Applied Physics Lab, 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd, Laurel, MD 20723
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QST – Tuesday Night Net Time Change – QST
The check-in time for the Tuesday night KARS Net has changed.
New Time is 1900 on repeater 147.375+ PL 156.7
Ask a question; Share some news; Participate in the friendly discussion
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club (W3CU) MMARC traffic & info Net on Monday evening at 7:30 PM on Repeater 146.805- (PL 107.2) in Millersville.  You don't have to be a member to check in, all hams are welcome.  Feel free to bring a topic to discuss.  

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Mountain Amateur Radio Club (W3YMW) MARC 2-Meter Net on Monday evenings at 8:00 PM on Repeater 146.880- (PL 123.0) from Dan’s Mountain and linked to 444.500 MHz (PL 118.8) Dan’s Mountain, and also to 145.450 MHz (PL 123.0) Warrior Mountain. MARC serves the Greater Cumberland Maryland area, including bordering counties/states in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
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CONGRATS to PVRC Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC) wins the NAQP Challenge <http://naqpc.org/2019.htm> - qualifying Contests taken from the National Contest Journal http://ncjweb.com/naqp/. The NAQP Challenge is an annual competition between three of America’s premier ham radio contesting clubs: The Northern California Contest Club <http://nccc.cc/> 294 participates with 390 NAQPC pts., the Potomac Valley Radio Club <http://pvrc.org/> 647 participates with 550 NAQPC pts., and the Society of Midwest Contesters <http://www.ncjweb.com/> 630 participates with 500 NAQPC pts. Logs for individual club members who submit a log for any or all of the six North American QSO Parties (Jan CW, Jan SSB, Feb RY, July RY, Aug CW and Aug SSB) sponsored each year by the National Contest Journal are automatically included in the  NAQP Challenge scoring for their club. Scoring for the Challenge rewards both high participation and high personal scores, which means that both big guns and little pistols can contribute to the success of their club.
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ARES Connect at https://arrl.volunteerhub.com/
Sign up today or login and update your Account Profile
Contact your Maryland Section Emergency Coordinator or SEC, too.
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Is the "D" Type battery coming obsolete?
Some world counties don't have these and less-and-less electronics require "D" type batteries.  Some foreign-express shipping companies are now offering a "Convertor for 3 AA into one "D" Parallel Adapter.
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Fine-tuning your radio skills and station is easy with the ARRL W1AW Operating Schedule - Code, Digital, Voice. http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule
(Updated November 4, 2019)
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TRACKING SANT with OF9X Finland, Santa Claus World at Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland. The Hunt for Santa Claus (HSC) will start on Friday, December 21st at 1800 UTC. It will end at 2159 UTC on Monday, December 31st. More information at https://www.qrz.com/db/OF9X
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Region-1 in December is Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Month.  Region 1 comprises Europe, Africa, the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, and the Middle East west of the Persian Gulf, including Iraq. The western boundary is defined by Line B.  Remember to check your Region-2 Band Plan when working Region-1 Amateur Radio Stations.
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ShortWave Listening (SWL) - The winter season started the last Sunday in October 2019 and ends on the last Sunday in March 2020.  Designated "A" season for Summer and "B" for Winter. Since Shortwave has exceptional long-distance propagation and coverage - capable of reaching distances hundred and thousands of kilometers adjustment is made to reach CIRAF zones (Conferencia Internacional de Radiodifusión por Altas Frecuencias) - identified as world reception area. Coverage areas change between night and daylight hours and SWL stations are affected by the ionosphere, space weather, interference (jamming), atmospheric conditions, and Solar Cycle / Sun activity (a.k.a.) sun spot cycle.
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First published by The Society of Broadcast Engineers and FCC's NPRM adopted Oct. 25 and published in the Federal Register Nov. 6. Comments are due by Dec. 6 and reply comments must be filed on or before Dec. 23.
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-1161A1.pdf The 70-Year-Old Antenna Site Rules Up for Debate by FCC and all five commissioners approved the NPRM. Current rules of "Use of Common Antenna Site" Sections 73.239 and 73.635 and on Docket No. 19-282 issued on October 4, 2019 - prohibit FCC from granting or renewing TV or FM station license if the applicant/licensee controls an antenna site that is suitable for broadcasting in the area and does not make the site available for use by other similar licensees. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-1008A1.pdf Saturday, December 07
SantaFest at American Legion Youth Camp, 9201 Surratts Road, Cheltenham, MD
Website: http://www.pgares.org/
Flyer: http://www.pgares.org/santafest/SantaFestFlyer2019V2.pdf
Opens: 8:30 AM to Noon
VE Exam: 9AM to 11AM / Walk-in must sign in before 10:30 AM
Talk-In: 145.230 (PL 110.9)
Public Contact: Charles AA3WS
Phone: 301-535-1666 / Email: selbynet@hotmail.com Sunday, January 26

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Post-Holiday Hamfest at Odenton Volunteer Fire Department, 1425 Annapolis Road (Rt. 175) Odenton MD
Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/marylandmobileers/hamfests-1/hamfest-2
Flyer: https://sites.google.com/site/marylandmobileers/hamfests-1/hamfest-2 , HamfestFlyer2019.pdf
Opens: 7:30 AM until Noon 
VE Exam: 9AM and pre-registration is preferred & walk-ins are welcome
Card Checking: QSL Card checking will be available on site
Talk-In: 146.805 (PL 107.2)
Public Contact: Bruce AB3AC
Phone: 410-456-2500 / Email: bmcpherson73@verizon.net SATELLITE 2020 Conference & Exhibition
Website: www.2020.satshow.com
Conference: Monday - Thursday, March 9 to 12, 2020
Exhibition: March 10-12, 2020
Registration Required: Exhibit Hall Pass, FREE (end Dec12th)
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
Use WMATA Metro - Green/Yellow - Convention Center
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Get Upgraded with The Laurel VEC -
Find Schedule & Dates
https://www.laurelvec.com/ Plan for you next FCC License Upgrade:
 2019-2023 General Class Question Pool
 2018-2022 Technician Class Question Pool
 2016-2020 Extra Class Question Pool
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  KEEP IN TOUCH IN MDC SECTION -
 Daily posts via MDC Section:
 Twitter @MDCARRL https://twitter.com/MDCARRL
 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ARRLMDC/
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==> T-MARC COORDINATION REPORT October 2019
Applications in Process:
N3YMS – Cancelled application for narrow-band 2-meter pair in Trappe, MD. Received application for narrow-band UHF pair. Sent notice to neighboring coordination groups. Sent Construction Coordination for 442.5375+. Received on air confirmation. Sent Final Coordination
 
NW2M – Received application for VHF pair in Ocean Pines, MD. Sent notice to neighboring coordination groups. Sent Construction Coordination for 146.9550-. Received on air confirmation. Sent Final Coordination
 
N3RCN – Received application for UHF pair in Elkton, MD. Sent notice to neighboring coordination group. Sent Construction Coordination for 448.5750-
 
KD4ZUY – Received on air confirmation of 449.1750- at Herndon, VA. Sent Final Coordination.
 
N8RAT – Received application for change of location for 442.1125+. Sent notice to neighboring coordination group.
 
N8RAT – Received application for change of location for 224.7400- Sent notice to neighboring coordination group.
 
N8RAT – Received application for change of location for UHF Link Sent notice to neighboring coordination group.
 
W4CIA – Received on air confirmation of 441.4500+ in Arlington, VA.
 
K4GTF – Received on air confirmation of 145.1500-. Sent Final Coordination
 
Coordination Cancelled:
443.9000      WA3YOO     Germantown, MD. (Secondary location). Rockville On T-MARC
The Mid-Atlantic Repeater Council
www.tmarc.org  

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 ==> MDC SECTION ARES® REPORT 2019 September MDC SEC Narrative Report Monthly Section Emergency Coordinator Report to ARRL Headquarters
ARRL Section: Maryland-DC, October, Year: 2019 AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
Total number of ARES members: 379
Change since last month:   -8
Number of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 7
Number of ARES nets active: 24
Number with NTS liaison: 13 Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: KA2JAI, N3AE, KB3LJB, WA33OQ, W3YR, WB3KAS, NI2W Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 22 / Person hours: 272
Number of public service events this month: 3/ Person hours: 145
Number of emergency operations this month: 2 / Person hours: 76
Number of Skywarn operations this month: 1 / Person hours: 1
Total number of ARES operations this month: 27 / Total Person hours: 494 EmComm Events and Comments from around the Section de Section Emergency Coordinator WB3KAS: Reporting Seven of the 17 appointed ECs submitted their monthly ARES County reports this month. How can we improve the desire to provide what is requested by the League regarding you sphere of influence? Use the fillable pdf ARES-002 (1/17) monthly report form to send me your county activities every month.  Download it at: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/2017%20Forms/Monthly_DEC-EC_Report.pdf Save the file in the form as follows: YYYY-MM<4-ltr cnty code> EC Report.pdf and sent it to me. It is important that you follow this convention. This makes it extremely fast and easy for me to do my work.  We have a few who are not using the format requested, thus making more work for me; and now have one county that still needs to convert over to the fillable form. It's extremely important that your constituents hear what is going on relative to EmComm in their community. If nothing more, tell us what meetings you hold, when, where and what repeaters you can be found on.  I'd like to hear from the rest of you. At a minimum, tell us the details of where you hold the ARES meetings; nets you hold, VHF/UHF or HF; any weekend breakfasts or other social gathering. Two MDC DEC positions (Western, and Central) are now are now vacant and would like to have some one step forward and consider heading up the Western or Central DEC position.  If interested let me know and I will send you the DEC Position Description. There are eight counties that do not having an Emergency Coordinator.  They are ALLE, BACI, DORC, KENT, QACO, SOME and WORC. As you can see 6 out of the 7 are on the Eastern Shore and is a grave concern from a Wx perspective.  They dodged a bullet this time with Florence, but what about the next one? CARO County has a new EC, Cathy Jones, KB3TVF. She can be reached at KB3TVF@gmail.com. Welcome aboard Cathy. I say this every month because this is gravely important this time of year. If you live in any of these counties, please consider getting involved with emergency communications and sign up to assist the hospitals in your area.  Contact me for more information. In the future, selected County ECs will be dismissed due to inactive required monthly reporting and neglecting to respond to SEC emails.  It is important that we hear your commitment to supporting your community. SEC Presentations If your Group is interested in getting started with Winlink 2000, or perhaps a refresher session, please let me know. Wanda, KA3AHI, and I continue to schedule visit to as many ARES and club groups as possible. We have two presentations I think would be worth your while to hear.  One on Section Interoperability and the other is the Section Health Care EmComm Program.  If you have interest in this, and have room on your meeting agenda for us, please contact me.  I have an Introduction Winlink 2000 Lecture and a Winlink Class where we get you set up to run Winlink Telnet and obtain a Winlink account- - -all for free! MDC Section Reflectors - SEC Report We introduced a new MDC Section reflector, ARRL MDC Section Winlink Training Group for P2P and Hybrid networks, or MDCQRV for short.  Please make use of this tool to sharpen skills and fine tune your configuration files.  Located at: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MDCQRV/info. The new ARRLMDCSection Yahoo Reflector is now available.  If you are not a member. . .you should be!!  I encourage you to use this to stay informed or keep in touch with the rest of your fellow ARES members. With the wide distribution of this newsletter coming out only once a month, this Yahoo Site will keep you up to date with late breaking news, including a possible disaster call up.  There is very little traffic to clog your in box. I don't know if all the DECs and ECs are subscribing to the Yahoo Reflector.  If you are not, please do.  This is going to be the quickest way possible to inform MDC Section ARES of current incidents and impending disasters.  Please do it now. You can join at: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ARRLMDCSECTION/info.
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Meetings and Gatherings Family health issues in WNY prevented us from attending September meetings.  However, I was able to check into the Section Echo Link Net from WNY.  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Future Events: We have been invited to speak to emergency management personnel at Johns Hopkins Hospital on November 22 in Baltimore. If successful, we will be looking for radio operators in BACI, BACO, and surrounding counties to be part of the support effort. Stay tuned as we move forward on a new initiative.  

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de ANAR County KA2JAI Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Oct 5 simulated hurricane aftermath. Fully staffed the EOC radio room and 5 field locations. County participated exercising the ARES activation process. Also exercised ability to deploy-set up-communicate, knowledge of Emergency Ops & Mass Care Shelter plans, and WebEOC.  Modes of communication included VHF repeaters and simplex, Winlink, and HF/WINMOR.  ARES activated on a busy weekend providing back up communications between the EOC and Maryland Millions at Laurel Racetrack and the Renaissance Festival.  Several ARES members participated in JOTA.  Participated in county Training & Exercise meeting.  6 hams supported the Metric Marathon race.  EC taught the EMCOMM chapter at the Anne Arundel Radio Club Technician License class.  Section wide EchoLink Net made available on KA2JAI-R & Annapolis repeater 442.300+ 107.2, local participation. ARES meetings 3rd Sat 9 AM at EOC in Glen Burnie. Weekly nets Sun 8 PM 146.805- 107.2 repeater Millersville MD. For more ARES info email ka2jai@arrl.net.

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de CALV County N3AE Further updates were made to our membership list during October.   We currently have 10 active members and 4 inactive members, "inactive" meaning unable to deploy during an emergency but still capable of operations from the home QTH.  We definitely need an influx of younger members to our local amateur radio population. Our normal monthly meeting was not held since the EC was out of town. Our monthly meetings are on the third Tuesday at the Calvert County Services Building, Main Street, Prince Frederick.  We're still looking for an alternate venue at a local fire department or first responder organization.

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de CECI County KB3LJB This past month, October 2019, the CECI ARES operators participated in the weekly Sunday evening ARES Nets held at 2000 (8:00 pm) on the CBRA 146.850 repeater in Port Deposit, MD. CBRA monthly meetings are held at Mason-Dixon American Legion Post 194 in Rising Sun on the third Tuesday each month at 7:00 pm.  All are welcome to attend. After an audio problem, that cropped up for a couple of weeks, was fixed, The WA3SFJ-R EchoLink Node 585690 is up and working well.  The node was up and running however, the audio was really low. Our next VE test session will be on the morning of Saturday, December 7.  The VE test sessions are given at the Mason-Dixon American Legion Post 194 in Rising Sun, MD.  Check the listings on the ARRL web site or contact me at KB3LJB@ARRL.NET for details on upcoming test sessions.

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de GARR County WA3EOQ The next GCARES meeting will be held on Monday, November 11 at 7PM at the Southern Garrett Rescue Squad facility, Oakland, MD.  The meeting will cover directional wattmeter plus goodies which may be found rummaging thru piles at a Hamfest.  After this, there will be a winter break for meetings until March.  The nets (below) will continue. Net every Sunday evening at 8PM Local on 146.805, PL 123.  Linked to the TARGET System (Cacapon, WV on 146.745, etc.) and sometimes to a WAN system.  Checking into the MDD net most every evening.

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de HARF County W3YR -  Exercise and training sessions include: one meeting, two Harford County ARES nets, and the MEMA COMEX net.
-  Current projects include: installation of a 2m radio FM analog radio and 440 packet radio at the Upper Chesapeake hospital, replacement of the Harford County 2m FM analog repeater, addition of a dual P25/DSTAR 440 repeater, and maintenance on the go-kits including the installation of an updated code-plug.
-  Skywarn training is tentatively scheduled for this this fall.
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de PRGE County WB3KAS: PRGE ARES Web Page: http://www.pgares.org
PRGE ARES Internet Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PG-AresRaces/ Nets: Regularly scheduled monthly training VHF nets on the K3ERA Repeater, 145.23MHz pl 110.9 on Tuesdays at 1930L and EchoLink node KA3POX-L.  The monthly HF Hospital Net is held the Wednesday following the third Monday of the month on 3820kHz at 1900L. NCS rotates. Meetings: Monthly meeting held the 3rd Monday of the month at the Fire Services Building, 6820 Webster St, Landover Hills, MD at 1930. The new 440 repeater, K3ERA is now ready at Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham, MD. 447.325MHz 110.9 Continued with the ARES Connect Level 1 Training.  Organizing make-up sessions for those missing some of the lectures. PRGE ARES Christmas Gathering is now December 16 at the County Fire Services Building. K3ERA 2m Repeater EchoLink is now on the air via KA3POX-L Node 896210.  As Mikey would say, "Try it, you'll like it."

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de WASH County NI2W The monthly ARES analog net was held on Oct 31 and the monthly ARES Fusion net was also held on Oct. 31. Twenty stations participated. The annual Alsatia Mummers Parade was held in Hagerstown on October 26th. Seven individuals lent communication support to the Hagerstown Police Auxiliary and the parade. They were: KB3GBF, WB3FTQ, K3WJC, NR3H, KD3JK, N3VGS and NI2W. These amateurs were spread over the parade route and at the HPD Command HQ for the duration of the parade which lasted 3.25 hours.

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de KA3AHI MDC Section ASM for the Health Care EmComm Program: October HF Hospital Net had a good showing of check-ins, but the band folded big time as we went to the top of the list for comments!  Very few heard anyone else on the Net. HF Hospital Nets are conducted on Wednesday night following the third Monday of the month on 3820kHz +/- at 1900L.  So, give us a hollar!  If you don't hear us look downstream 5-8 kHz. I'd like to hear more check-ins from our MDC Section. Next HF Hospital Net is Nov 20.  NCS is TBD at the moment.  Dec HFHN is scheduled for the 18.  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Signature: Jim Montgomery
Call sign: WB3KAS
Maryland-DC SEC
Email: wb3kas@arrl.net
Please send to ARRL HQ, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 by 10th of the month
FSD-96 (1-04)
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Holiday Gifts - ARRL Amateur Radio 2020 Calendar
January 2020 - January 2021
13-Month Calendar
Item No.: 1236 for Price: $10.35
http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Calendar-2020
Includes:
• ARRL and other major contest dates
• National event dates: ARRL Field Day, Jamboree On The Air, and more
• Phases of the moon
• Major meteor showers
• Major religious and secular holidays
• 2020 Monthly Planner
• Bonus Month (January 2021)
• Guide to ARRL Member Services  

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==> SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER'S REPORT MDC 1909 STM REPORTS

==========

STM TRAFFIC REPORT FOR THE MDC WEB SITE 1910 MDC NTS NETS: MEPN 1910 W3YVQ QND/31 QNI/429 QTC/47 MINS/666 BTN 1910 AB3WG QND/31 QNI/321 QTC/30 MINS/480 MDD 1910 AA3SB QND/61 QNI/271 QTC/102 MINS/540 MSN 1910 N3AEA QND/28 QNI/121 QTC/27 MINS/537 PSHR: NI2W 162, KK3F 140, W3YVQ 135, K3IN 110, N3JET 100, AA3SB 100, WB3FTQ 100, AB3WG 79; TFC: KK3F 950, K3IN 231, AA3SB 83, WB3FTQ 69, W3YVQ 69, N3JET 57, NI2W 32, AB3WG 29

===============

HF PROPAGATION MEPN TIME CHANGE: On NOV 3rd the net moved one hour earlier to the winter schedule: Pre-net 1630L, formal call 1700L. MEPN: The net NVIS propagation was functional in October, 2019, with good signals after 1800L most evenings. Due to the low solar activity, the afternoon propagation suffered with less effective NVIS propagation between 1730L and 1800L, often with the residual E layer from the daytime sun angle obscuring the F1-F2 layers overhead, although this effect is diminishing as the days grow shorter. Signals tended to improve after 1800L. The MEPN DTS stations continue to provide liaison with the national digital messaging services including DTN and Winlink. MDD: October NVIS propagation for local MDC stations on MDD early was acceptable until late in the month. At that time the MUF had fallen below the frequency for the early net some nights. The MUF sometimes recovered for the Region nets and MDD late, but NOV is likely to see failed nets, both early and late, without help from the sun. Last winter we saw MUFs down to 2 MHz some nights. This is early to be seeing this, and no doubt represents the very low solar activity. It will be an interesting winter. John, WB3GXW-L, continues to make that EchoLink resource available for MDD use on nights when propagation fails. 160m may need to be used as winter progresses. Check out your antennas. Outbound traffic to 3RN may be handled by DTS representatives as needed for posting on the Digital Traffic Net (DTN) when prop permits. DTN stations operate 24/7 so traffic will flow across the country as prop permits, day or night. CW OPERATORS NEEDED Additional CW operators are needed for liaison from MEPN and BTN to MDD and to the higher nets, and Net Control Stations are also needed on MDD and 3RN/C4. The evening NTS and RRI nets in Cycle 4 nation-wide are conducted on CW. MEPN/BTN/MDD/3RN ECHOLINK MEPN representatives check for EchoLink check-ins starting at net call daily via the WB3GXW-L link node (or *WASH_DC* conference node backup if the -L node is not available). The conference bridge is available for MEPN, MDD, BTN, MSN, and 3RN stations during periods of failed propagation.
MSN CW TRAINING The MSN net continues to operate and serve nightly at 1930L on 3563 kHz. Ron, N3AEA, is stepping up to fill the Net Manager´s role. Thanks, Ron. Show your support by checking in even if you do not take training. MSN needs NCS stations and liaison stations to early and late MDD. Ron could use your help.

BTN LOCAL NTS TRAFFIC AND TRAINING NET The BTN continues to meet on 145.33/R (no tone) daily at 6:30PM local time. The BTN was established to provide a welcoming place for newcomers to the Amateur Service, and their first exposure to directed traffic nets and message handling. The NM, AB3WG, has initiated plans for broader cooperation between BTN and MSN to foster more awareness between operators using the respective modes. Instructive message swapping and liaison duties are in effect. A new cooperative effort has been launched between ANAR ARES(r) and the BTN as well. --- Thanks to all the Section traffic net NCS stations, RRI/DTN and WL2K stations, liaisons, and traffic handlers for the continuing effort to keep the nets running and traffic moving.
Thank you for your continued support of MDC integrated ARES(r), RRI, and NTS operations. 73, W3YVQ, MDC ASM, STM
w3yvq atsign arrl dot net
w3yvq atsign winlink dot org from WL2K /EX
 
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 The "Maryland-DC Section News" is published monthly by the ARRL Maryland-DC Section Manager Marty Pittinger, KB3MXM, 4 Pegram Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117-2116; landline 443-326-1783. You may also send an email to: KB3MXM@ARRL.org The "Maryland-DC Section News" offers a monthly digest of essential and general news of interest to all amateur radio operators. Please visit the MDC Section web page at, http://www.arrl-mdc.net and the "ARRL MDC Section News and Alerts" web page, http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/maryland-dc, for the latest MDC Section news, links and updates. You may also follow us on "Twitter" at: https://twitter.com/MDCARRL We are watching "Pinterest" at http://www.pinterest.com/arrlmdc Follow our "Tumblr" blog at https://www.tumblr.com/blog/arrlmdc
 And please 'like' us on "Facebook" at: https://www.facebook.com/ARRLMDC/ Material from the "MDC Section News" may be republished or reproduced, in whole or in part in any form, without additional permission. Please give credit to the "Maryland-DC Section News" or the original author of submission. The American Radio Relay League, ARRL, is the National Association for Amateur Radio.     FT83M7V2