• ARRL Regular Bulletin

    From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Mar 13 12:43:17 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB004
    ARLB004 W1AW 2023 Spring/Summer Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG04
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 4 ARLB004
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 13, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB004
    ARLB004 W1AW 2023 Spring/Summer Operating Schedule

    Morning Schedule:

    Time Mode Days
    ------------------- ---- ---------
    1300 UTC (9 AM EDT) CWs Wed, Fri
    1300 UTC (9 AM EDT) CWf Tue, Thu

    Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

    1400 UTC to 1945 UTC - (10 AM to 3:45 PM EDT)

    Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

    2000 UTC (4 PM EDT) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    2000 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    2100 " (5 PM EDT) CWb Daily
    2200 " (6 PM EDT) DIGITAL Daily
    2300 " (7 PM EDT) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri
    2300 " " CWf Tue, Thu
    0000 " (8 PM EDT) CWb Daily
    0100 " (9 PM EDT) DIGITAL Daily
    0145 " (9:45 PM EDT) VOICE Daily
    0200 " (10 PM EDT) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    0200 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    0300 " (11 PM EDT) CWb Daily


    Frequencies (MHz)
    -----------------
    CW: 1.8025 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475 18.0975 21.0675 28.0675 50.350 147.555 DIGITAL: - 3.5975 7.095 14.095 18.1025 21.095 28.095 50.350 147.555
    VOICE: 1.855 3.990 7.290 14.290 18.160 21.390 28.590 50.350 147.555

    Notes:

    CWs = Morse Code practice (slow) = 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM
    CWf = Morse Code practice (fast) = 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 WPM
    CWb = Morse Code Bulletins = 18 WPM

    CW frequencies include code practices, Qualifying Runs and CW
    bulletins.

    DIGITAL = BAUDOT (45.45 baud), BPSK31 and MFSK16 in a revolving
    schedule.

    Code practice texts are from QST, and the source of each practice is
    given at the beginning of each practice and at the beginning of
    alternate speeds.

    On Tuesdays and Fridays at 2230 UTC (6:30 PM EDT), Keplerian
    Elements for active amateur satellites are sent on the regular
    digital frequencies.

    A DX bulletin replaces or is added to the regular bulletins between
    0000 UTC (8 PM EDT) Thursdays and 0000 UTC (8 PM EDT) Fridays.

    Audio from W1AW's CW code practices, and CW/digital/phone bulletins
    is available using EchoLink via the W1AW Conference Server named
    "W1AWBDCT." The monthly W1AW Qualifying Runs are presented here as
    well. The CW/digital/phone audio is sent in real-time and runs
    concurrently with W1AW's regular transmission schedule.

    All users who connect to the conference server are muted. Please
    note that any questions or comments about this server should not be
    sent via the "Text" window in EchoLink. Please direct any questions
    or comments to w1aw@arrl.org .

    In a communications emergency, monitor W1AW for special bulletins as
    follows: Voice on the hour, Digital at 15 minutes past the hour, and
    CW on the half hour.

    FCC licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1400 UTC to 1945
    UTC (10 AM to 3:45 PM EDT) Monday through Friday. Be sure to bring
    a reference copy of your current FCC amateur radio license.

    The weekly W1AW and monthly West Coast Qualifying Runs are sent on
    the normal CW frequencies used for both code practice and bulletin transmissions. West Coast Qualifying Run stations may also use 3590
    kHz.

    The complete W1AW Operating Schedule may be found on page 28 in the
    March 2023 issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Mar 29 16:12:34 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB005
    ARLB005 ARRL Announces Leadership Changes in the Hudson Division

    ZCZC AG05
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 5 ARLB005
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 29, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB005
    ARLB005 ARRL Announces Leadership Changes in the Hudson Division

    ARRL Director Ria Jairam, N2RJ, who has represented the Hudson
    Division since 2019, has stepped down, effective March 31, 2023, at
    5 PM Eastern.

    Vice Director Nomar Vizcarrondo, NP4H, of Englewood, New Jersey,
    will accede to the Director's chair. Vizcarrondo, who earned his
    amateur radio license in 1978 at the age of 11, will serve as
    Director for the remainder of a 3-year term ending December 31,
    2024. He was appointed as Vice Director of the Hudson Division in
    February 2022, following the retirement of previous Vice Director
    William Hudzik, W2UDT, who held the position from 2011 to 2022.

    ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, will announce a successor to
    Vizcarrondo to fill the vacant Vice Director's seat. The ARRL Hudson
    Division is comprised of the ARRL Sections of Eastern New York, New
    York City - Long Island, and Northern New Jersey.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Fri Apr 28 13:03:19 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB006
    ARLB006 ARRL Advocates for Radio Amateurs as FCC Proposes Changes to
    60-Meter Band

    ZCZC AG06
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 6 ARLB006
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 28, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB006
    ARLB006 ARRL Advocates for Radio Amateurs as FCC Proposes Changes to
    60-Meter Band

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments
    about changing the secondary allocation available to radio amateurs
    on 60 meters. The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
    on April 21, 2023, that deals with the band. In a prior petition,
    ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio, urged protecting
    the existing use of the band by amateurs when adding a new
    allocation adopted internationally.

    Currently, radio amateurs in the US have access to five discrete
    channels on a secondary basis: 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5358.5 kHz, 5373
    kHz, and 5405 kHz. Users of these channels are limited to an
    effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 W PEP.

    The FCC proposes to allocate 15 kHz of contiguous bandwidth between
    5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz on a secondary basis with a maximum power of 15
    W EIRP (equivalent to 9.15 W ERP). This allocation was adopted at
    the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).

    The federal government is the primary user of the 5 MHz spectrum.
    The government's manager of spectrum use, the National
    Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has
    expressed support for implementing the allocation as adopted at
    WRC-15. Doing so would result in amateurs losing access to four of
    the five discrete channels, and power limits would be reduced from
    100 W ERP to 9.15 W ERP. However, it would provide access to a new
    contiguous 15 kHz band that includes one of the current five
    channels.

    In 2017, ARRL petitioned the FCC to keep the four 60-meter channels
    that fall outside the new band, as well as the current operating
    rules, including the 100 W PEP ERP limit.

    The ARRL petition stated, "Such implementation will allow radio
    amateurs engaged in emergency and disaster relief communications,
    and especially those between the United States and the Caribbean
    basin, to more reliably, more flexibly, and more capably conduct
    those communications."

    ARRL said that years of amateur radio experience using the five
    discrete channels have shown that amateurs can coexist with primary
    users at 5 MHz while complying with the regulations established for
    their use. The petition also stated, "Neither ARRL, nor, apparently,
    NTIA, is aware of a single reported instance of interference to a
    federal user by a radio amateur operating at 5 MHz to date."

    In the NPRM, the FCC recognizes that Canada has already adopted
    60-meter allocations and related rules that align with those
    proposed by ARRL. The Commission wrote, "Finally, we note that
    Canada has essentially implemented the same rules as ARRL has
    requested." The NPRM can be found online at, https://www.fcc.gov/ .

    The FCC proposed to allocate the 15 kHz bandwidth but stopped short
    of making a proposal on whether the existing channels should remain
    allocated to amateur radio and what the power limitations should be.
    They requested comments on their proposal and the related channel
    and power issues.

    Comments will be due 60 days after the NPRM is published in the
    Federal Register, which is expected within the next two weeks.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Tue May 30 15:23:25 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB007
    ARLB007 Section Manager Update: Austin Elected, Bigley Re-elected,
    Gendron Appointed

    ZCZC AG07
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 7 ARLB007
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT May 30, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB007
    ARLB007 Section Manager Update: Austin Elected, Bigley Re-elected,
    Gendron Appointed

    The results of two balloted Section Manager elections held this
    spring were determined when the ballots were counted at ARRL
    Headquarters on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

    John Bigley, N7UR, incumbent Section Manager of the ARRL Nevada
    Section, was re-elected when he received 277 votes, and Jim
    Shepherd, W6US, of Sparks, received 177 votes. Bigley, of Las Vegas,
    has been serving as Section Manager since 2015 and has held other
    ARRL Field Organization and club leadership positions for more than
    20 years. Bigley's new 2-year term of office starts July 1.

    Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, was elected as ARRL Rhode Island Section
    Manager when she received 129 votes, and incumbent Section Manager
    Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, received 127 votes.

    Austin, of Middletown, is the President of the Newport County Radio
    Club, and she will begin a 2-year term of office on July 1.

    Beaudet, of Cumberland, has served as ARRL Rhode Island Section
    Manager for 21 years.

    The following incumbent Section Managers were the only nominees in
    their respective Sections when the nomination period closed on March
    10, and were declared re-elected. Their new 2-year terms of office
    begin July 1: Chris Van Winkle, AB3WG (Maryland-DC); Peter Stohrer,
    W1FEA (New Hampshire); Bob Buus, W2OD (Northern New Jersey); John
    Litz, NZ6Q (San Joaquin Valley); Pat Malan, N7PAT (Utah), and Dale
    Durham, W5WI (West Texas).

    ARRL has named John Gendron, NJ4Z, as the South Carolina Section
    Manager. He will complete the term of Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, who
    passed away after a brief illness.

    Gendron, an Amateur Extra-class operator, is President of the York
    County Amateur Radio Society (YCARS) and a member of the Swamp Fox
    Contest Group. In addition to being an avid contester and DX chaser,
    Gendron enjoys participating in Parks on the Air. He has earned
    numerous ARRL awards, including the Worked All States and Triple
    Play Worked All States awards, and is closing in on 5-Band DXCC.

    Gendron also hosts a YouTube channel, called "From the Hamshack." In
    2022, he became the 55th recipient of the Vic Clark Roanoke Division
    ARRL Service Award, the Division's highest honor.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Fri Jun 2 16:03:29 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB008
    ARLB008 ARRL Elected to Serve on SAFECOM

    ZCZC AG08
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 8 ARLB008
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT June 2, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB008
    ARLB008 ARRL Elected to Serve on SAFECOM

    ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio has been elected to
    serve on SAFECOM. SAFECOM is a group of national thought leaders and
    officials within the emergency communications and response space
    that works to set standards used at every level. The program is
    managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
    (CISA), an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security.

    SAFECOM sets the standards of interoperability procedures, and ARRL
    being a part of the group solidifies the Amateur Radio Service as a
    robust resource before and during times of crisis.

    In a letter from SAFECOM Chair, Chief Gerald R Reardon said "On
    behalf of the SAFECOM Executive Board, it is with great pleasure
    that I inform you of our offer to join SAFECOM as a member
    association. SAFECOM aims to improve multi-jurisdictional and
    intergovernmental communications interoperability through
    collaboration with emergency responders and policymakers across
    federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international
    partners. SAFECOM recognizes the organization's dedication to
    emergency communications and interoperability, and therefore is
    pleased to extend a membership offer."

    ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, said
    "Gaining a seat at the table is a major step in strengthening the
    role and capability of Amateur Radio with emergency communication
    agencies. This will give us the sounding board and resources we need
    to set standards and create training for our Amateur Radio Emergency
    Service (ARES) volunteers that will better suit AHJ's (Agencies
    Having Jurisdiction) and partner organizations." The opportunity
    for ARRL to provide a more comprehensive Emergency Communications
    program is part of the goal the Board and ARRL leadership has begun
    to emphasize over the past few years, and this is one more example
    of the commitment to do so. ARRL will provide premier resources for
    the served agencies to support them in all phases of Emergency
    Management.

    Johnston will serve as the Representative for ARRL on SAFECOM and
    will be meeting with that leadership over the coming days to begin
    the process of better understanding all the roles and
    responsibilities that come with being a member association. "I look
    forward to working with the SAFECOM leadership as we move forward
    and with the ARRL Leadership to better serve the Ham community and
    our Served Agencies and Partners." Johnston said.

    For more information about ARES and other ARRL Emergency Programs
    and training visit our web page at: http://arrl.org/public-service .

    For more information about SAFECOM go to:
    https://www.cisa.gov/safecom .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Mon Jun 5 14:39:36 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB009
    ARLB009 ARRL Hudson Division has New Vice Director

    ZCZC AG09
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 9 ARLB009
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT June 5, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB009
    ARLB009 ARRL Hudson Division has New Vice Director

    Ed Wilson, N2XDD, of Shirley, New York has been appointed Vice
    Director of the ARRL Hudson Division by ARRL President Rick
    Roderick, K5UR.

    Wilson succeeds Nomar Vizcarrondo, NP4H, who was appointed Director
    of the ARRL Hudson Division in March. Wilson will serve in the
    position for the remainder of the 3-year term that ends December 31,
    2024.

    Having developed an interest in radio as a child, Wilson has been
    active in projects that developed new digital protocols for amateur
    radio.

    Wilson has served as an Emergency Coordinator and Public Information
    Officer and is accredited as a Volunteer Examiner.

    The ARRL Hudson Division is comprised of the ARRL Sections of
    Eastern New York, New York City - Long Island, and Northern New
    Jersey.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Wed Jun 14 19:52:49 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB010
    ARLB010 FCC Universal Licensing System Applications Are Unavailable

    ZCZC AG10
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 10 ARLB010
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT June 14, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB010
    ARLB010 FCC Universal Licensing System Applications Are Unavailable

    The FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS), which includes Electronic
    Batch Filing (EBF) used by VECs for new and upgrade license
    submissions and club license applications, Application Search,
    License Search, License Manager system used for filing applications
    directly with the FCC, Tower Construction Notification System, E-106
    System, Antenna Structure Registration Online Filing and searches,
    TOWAIR and all ULS Specialized Searches, are currently down.

    The FCC's EBF and License Manager Filing systems have stopped
    accepting and processing all amateur radio exam session files and
    applications. The EBF system has not processed any VEC license
    applications and examination session files since Monday afternoon.
    The other systems have not been available since Friday June 9 at the
    close of business.

    ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said her office contacted the
    FCC staff, which said systems are down due to maintenance but did
    not estimate how long the systems would be down. "As soon as the FCC
    staff corrects the EBF system problem, we will immediately file the
    backlog via the automated system, which would take only a few hours
    or less to release," Somma estimated. When the License Manager
    system is again available, amateurs will be able to file license
    renewals, vanity call sign applications, and other license updates
    online directly with the FCC.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Wed Jun 14 19:53:00 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB011
    ARLB011 Legislation to Remove Private Land Use Restrictions on
    Amateur Radio Introduced in Congress

    ZCZC AG11
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 11 ARLB011
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT June 14, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB011
    ARLB011 Legislation to Remove Private Land Use Restrictions on
    Amateur Radio Introduced in Congress

    Congressmen Bill Johnson (OH-06) and Joe Courtney (CT-02)
    reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives on June 12 -
    H.R.4006 - to remove private land use restrictions that prohibit,
    restrict, or impair the ability of Amateur Radio operators from
    operating and installing reasonable antennas on property that they
    own or control. Similar legislation, H.R. 9670, was introduced by
    Congressman Johnson in 2022.

    The full text of the bill can be found in PDF format at, https://billjohnson.house.gov/uploadedfiles/amateur_radio_emergency_ preparedness_act_signed_bill_text.pdf

    (above URL all on one line)

    "I reintroduced the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act to
    remove barriers to disaster and emergency communications and
    training, and to promote education in STEM subjects related to
    critically needed wireless technology," Congressman Johnson said in
    a release. "Passage of this bill will promote developing and
    sustaining our nation's wireless future and facilitate and encourage
    amateur radio operations as a public benefit."

    "As their actions during recent natural disasters such as Hurricane
    Sandy proved, amateur radio operators in Connecticut can be a
    critical component of disaster response and emergency management. It
    is in our communities' best interest that we give them the
    capabilities to operate at the highest level, and with the
    re-introduction of this bill, we've taken a strong step in that
    direction," said Congressman Courtney.

    The exponential growth of communities bound by private land use
    restrictions that prohibit both the operation of Amateur Radio and
    the installation of amateur station antennas has significantly
    restricted the growth of the Amateur Radio Service.

    The ARRL continues its multi-year efforts to eliminate private land
    use restrictions that prevent Amateur Radio operations and has
    pledged to strongly support Congressman Johnson and Congressman
    Courtney in their efforts on behalf of Amateur Radio.

    Rick Roderick, K5UR, President of ARRL, on behalf its Members and
    America's Amateur Radio community extended his thanks and
    appreciation for the leadership of Congressman Johnson and
    Congressman Courtney in their tireless efforts to support and
    protect the rights of all Amateur Radio Operators and to further
    STEM education and the advancement of American expertise in wireless technology.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Thu Jun 15 12:48:29 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB012
    ARLB012 Updated: FCC ULS Unavailable, Filing Deadlines Extended

    ZCZC AG12
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 12 ARLB012
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT June 15, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB012
    ARLB012 Updated: FCC ULS Unavailable, Filing Deadlines Extended

    In an email to all VECs, the FCC indicated that a Public Notice was
    issued by the Commission on June 13, 2023:

    FCC Public Notice DA 23-506: UNIVERSAL LICENSING, TOWER
    CONSTRUCTION NOTIFICATION, E-106, AND ANTENNA STRUCTURE REGISTRATION
    SYSTEMS UNAVAILABLE; FILING DEADLINES EXTENDED

    The FCC Public Notice can be seen at: https://www.fcc.gov/document/uls-tcns-e-106-and-asr-unavailable-filing- deadlines-extended-0

    (above URL all on one line).

    The notice states that the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS),
    Tower Construction Notification System (TCNS), E-106 System, and
    Antenna Structure Registration System (ASR) have been unavailable
    since approximately 6:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 9, due to
    technical issues that the agency anticipates resolving in the near
    term.

    Further the FCC is extending deadlines for regulatory filings in ULS
    and ASR because parties have not and will not be able to make
    electronic filings or view the contents of the affected systems
    while they are unavailable. Therefore the FCC is extending the
    filing deadlines for all regulatory filings that needed to be or
    will need to be made in these systems starting June 9, 2023 and
    until the Commission announces ULS operations, for at least three
    business days after access to the systems resumes.

    The FCC's Commission Registration (CORES) System used to pay fees is
    unaffected and will remain operational and available to pay any
    regulatory fee or application fee payments during this period.

    The FCC ULS systems affected that are used by amateurs are the
    Electronic Batch Filing (EBF) used by VECs for new and upgrade
    license submissions and club license applications, Application
    Search, License Search, and the License Manager system used for
    filing applications directly with the FCC.

    At this time, the FCC has stated they do not have a target for the
    ULS systems to be back online.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)