ARRL Amateur Radio News

Reunion Island, South Africa Connect on 2 Meters

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:41:00 +0000

On Thursday, August 14, Phil Mondon, FR5DN, on Reunion Island had a successful QSO with Glen Kraut, ZS2GK, in South Africa on 2 meters. According to Dave Pedersen, N7BHC, this contact is "very likely the longest 2 meter QSO via tropospheric propagation for either country."

Antenna Go-kits

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:30:00 +0000

Are your portable antennas ready to go?

ARRL Director and Vice Director Elections Set for November

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:57:09 +0000

Responding to solicitations in the July and August issues of QST, ARRL members in the Atlantic, Dakota, Delta, Great Lakes and Midwest Divisions have nominated 14 candidates for the ten positions of Director and Vice Director of each of the five divisions. Seven incumbents have been re-elected without opposition, while there will be balloting for Director and Vice Director of the Delta Division and for Vice Director of the Great Lakes Division. Those elected will serve three-year terms beginning at noon on January 1, 2009.

ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:01:00 +0000

Registration remains open through Sunday, September 7, 2008 for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, September 19, 2008: 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). Each online course has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses are interactive, and some include direct communications with a Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) and they may access the course at any time of day during the course period, completing lessons and activities at times convenient for their personal schedule. Mentors assist students by answering questions, reviewing assignments and activities, as well as providing helpful feedback. Interaction with mentors is conducted through e-mail; there is no appointed time the student must be present -- allowing complete flexibility for the student to work when and where it is convenient. To learn more, visit the Continuing Education course listing page or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator.

New Idaho and North Dakota Section Managers to Take Office October 1

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:01:00 +0000

On August 19, members of the ARRL's Membership and Volunteer Programs Department counted ballots for contested Section Manager races in Idaho and Western New York. Section Managers serve two year terms.

New Tower, Antenna Modifications for W1HQ

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:06:00 +0000

On August 13, Matt Strelow, KC1XX, and Andrew Toth of XX Towers installed a new 40 foot tower on top of the ARRL Headquarters building for use at W1HQ, the Laird Campbell Memorial HQ Operators Club. This new tower supports the 3 element SteppIR 20-6 meter Yagi antenna that was moved from the old tower; the antenna was placed on the old tower in November 2007. The antenna also received modifications, allowing operations on 30 and 40 meters. Both the antenna and the 30-40 meter modification kit were donated by Mike Mertel, K7IR, of SteppIR.

Hams Ready for Fay

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:08:00 +0000

While Tropical Storm Fay made landfall over Key West, Florida at 3 PM EDT on August 18, Amateur Radio operators throughout Florida were prepared "just in case." As Fay crossed Key West, Florida Emergency Management officials noted that while "Fay is no Hurricane Charley," it is following the same general path as 2004's Charley, a Category 4 hurricane and one of the most destructive hurricanes in recent history for the area; at least 13 people were killed in that storm. A tropical storm warning is still in effect for the Florida Keys and the majority of Florida's Atlantic coast. All hurricane warnings have been discontinued.

ARRL Lab Manager to Serve as Technical Session Chair at IEEE EMC Conference

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:56:00 +0000

ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, will chair a Technical Session at this year's Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). It will be held at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, August 18-22. Mark Steffka, WW8MS, a member of the ARRL EMC Committee, invited Hare to chair the session due to Hare's involvement with a number of international committees on EMC standards. The session, covering the topic of EMC emissions and immunity, will take place on Thursday afternoon, August 21.

ARRL Executive Committee Approves Nine Education & Technology Program Grants

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:40:00 +0000

In May, the ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant applications for the ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP), awarding nearly $14,000 to nine schools. More than 300 schools across the country have received support from the ETP in the form of grants for equipment, curriculum and resources, as well as teacher in-service training through the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. The Executive Committee reviews applications for equipment and resource grants twice each year, in December and May.

Amateur Radio Exams, Licensing Return to Bangladesh

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:04:19 +0000

Since 2004, Amateur Radio operators in Bangladesh have not been able to get an Amateur Radio license or sit for an examination. But thanks to the efforts of the Bangladesh Amateur Radio League (BARL) -- that country's IARU Member-Society -- the Bangladeshi government will once again issue ham licenses; exams will also be given on a monthly basis beginning August 13, 2008.

ARRL Audio News: Aug 15, 2008; Vol 27 Number 32

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:58:04 GMT

ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; Educators Go "Back to School" at ARRL's Teachers Institutes; ARRL's "Big Project" Makes a Big Impact on Youth; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; FCC to Raise Vanity Call Sign Fees; The ARRL VC and VCE Programs: Hams Helping Hams; ARRL Executive Committee Approves Nine Education & Technology Program Grants; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE