***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 27, No. 12
March 28, 2008
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* + ARRL EXPO Revving Up for the 2008 Dayton Hamvention
* + W1AW to Celebrate World Amateur Radio Day as NU1AW
* + W1AW Endowment Fund Drive
* + Two New Instructors Join the Teachers Institute Team
* + FCC Fines Colorado Company for Selling "Non-Certified Citizens Band
(CB) Transceivers"
* + Merle Glunt, W3OKN (SK)
* + ARRL President Appointed to Arkansas State Board
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This Weekend on the Radio
ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
+ "Hints and Kinks"
Communications Academy Set for April
Notes from the DXCC Desk
Corrections and Clarifications

+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

==Editorial questions or comments only: S. Khrystyne Keane,

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

== ARRL EXPO REVVING UP FOR THE 2008 DAYTON HAMVENTION

ARRL EXPO Coordinator Katie Breen, W1KRB, tells that plans for the ARRL
EXPO http://www.arrl.org/expo at this year's Dayton Hamvention
http://www.hamvention.org are coming together nicely. "Our current
focus is on the new look and feel of our space. In past Hamventions,
Forum Room 5 was located adjacent to the ARRL space. It is now moving to
the Silver Arena, giving us more room and the opportunity to spread out
a bit and do more creative things inside the EXPO."

Breen said that the ARRL EXPO team is looking at expanding the Field
Services area to accommodate more programs and activities, including a
larger meet-and-greet area for members to visit with ARRL President Joel
Harrison, W5ZN, as well as the many other League officials and staff who
will be on hand to answer any questions.

"The Field Services area will boast a large interactive display devoted
to Logbook of the World http://www.arrl.org/lotw for real time
demonstrations, as well as a question-and-answer session with ARRL Web
and Software Development Manager and LoTW developer Jon Bloom, KE3Z,"
Breen added.

Personnel from the ARRL DXCC Branch will be on hand to check DX cards
and applications for all ARRL awards; JARL personnel will check cards
and applications for JARL awards. All cards, including old cards, cards
from deleted countries and cards for 160 meters, will be eligible for
checking. Applications will be limited to 120 cards; more cards will be
checked as time and volunteer Card Checkers are available. See the DXCC
Web site http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc for the latest program
information and current forms.

The ARRL Bookstore and Membership area will continue to buzz with
activity, particularly with all of the new publications and products
being offered this year. QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, will be on hand
to sign your new copy of "ARRL's VHF Digital Handbook." QST Contributing
Editor and author of the popular QST column "Hands-On Radio" H. Ward
Silver, N0AX, will also be available to sign copies of his latest book,
"ARRL's Hands-on Radio Experiments." The new desktop and pocket-sized
versions of the "ARRL Repeater Directory" are sure to be a hit with
their new handy indexing tabs on the cover, easier-to-read listings and
"Key to Repeater Notes" located right up front.

Visit the Dayton Hamvention Web site
http://www.hamvention.org/hv2008/tickets/tickets.html to buy tickets
at the discounted rate. Hotel rooms are filling up, so don't think twice
-- if you've always wanted to attend Hamvention and have never had the
chance, make this year your year to go. Hotels in the Dayton area can be
found at the Dayton Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau Web
site http://www.daytoncvb.com/accommodations/. Keep updated with ARRL
EXPO activities on the ARRL Web site http://www.arrl.org/expo.

== W1AW TO CELEBRATE WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY AS NU1AW

Each year on the anniversary of its founding, April 18, the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) marks World Amateur Radio Day
http://www.iaru.org/rel030418.html. On this, the 83rd anniversary of
its inaugural meeting in Paris, the IARU dedicates World Amateur Radio
Day to the radio amateurs, educators and administrators who use Amateur
Radio to support technology education in the classroom.

To call attention to the occasion in advance, ARRL staffers will be
activating W1AW in the CQ WPX SSB Contest http://www.cqwpx.com this
weekend (March 29-30) using the IARU club call sign NU1AW. By
celebrating the event, staffers hope to provide an opportunity for hams
worldwide to put NU1AW in their logs, chase the WPX award
http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cqworldwidewpxawards.html and learn
about HF propagation as the world turns through day and night not once,
but twice! Springtime propagation near the equinox is enhanced on the HF
bands, even during the Solar Cycle minimum, so it's worth taking a
listen even if the HF bands have been quiet lately.

This year's theme for World Amateur Radio Day is "Amateur Radio: A
Foundation of Technical Knowledge." What better way to express the theme
than by engaging in one of the largest international radiosporting
events. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, said, "If you
haven't tried HF contesting or the WPX contest, the general format is to
exchange a signal report (a simple '59' will do nicely) and a serial
number (the number of the contact in the contest for you). The contest
Web site spells out the way to compute your score, but the fun of this
contest is to contact as many different prefixes as possible. For
example, NU1AW counts as the NU1 prefix and KX9X counts as KX9. If
you're new to HF, your prefix might be one sought after by those calling
CQ! The WPX contest also features a 'Rookie' category for new radiosport
folk, so be sure to send in your log as described by the rules -- it's
easy!"

World Amateur Radio Day is also an opportunity for publicizing Amateur
Radio to the interested public that may not be familiar with ham radio
activities. Radiosport is an excellent way to introduce our service to
teachers and students, as well. Competitive activities are an important
focus for students to take the opportunity to ask questions about how
signals get "from here to there" while watching hams make rapid-fire
contacts around the world or even making a contact or two themselves,
Kutzko said.

"NU1AW is not expected to be seriously competitive in the event," Kutzko
explained, "but will make every attempt to be on the air as propagation
warrants, so we hope to hear you marking the day and making World
Amateur Radio Day a part of your springtime ham radio operation."

== W1AW ENDOWMENT FUND DRIVE

It's an unimposing brick building, sitting on a small knoll in a
residential area, yet not out of place. Accented with unique detail, the
architecture of the building sets it back in time and apart from its
surroundings. Round windows grace the end walls of the rectangular
building and a formal entrance, reserved for special occasions, lies at
the top of steps leading down to Main Street in Newington, Connecticut.

This simple and graceful building represents far more history and
accomplishment than most passersby would imagine. Cross the threshold
and you enter another world, one in which the magic of radio
communication has spanned several generations. You can feel the spirit
of Hiram Percy Maxim, whose "Old Betsy" rotary spark gap transmitter
graces the vestibule. You can almost see HPM sitting at his desk in the
era of Amateur Radio when sparks flew and each contact was a rare event.
And his spirit of adventure and experimentation -- and above all,
service -- is still alive at W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial
station.

The days and nights spent at W1AW by generations of ham radio operators
have paved the way for all amateurs. They have left their mark and we
are bound to continue the traditions that define our history. While we
celebrate that history, W1AW embodies so much more. Through its round
windows you can glimpse the future as well as the past.

Today, W1AW is a showcase for an Amateur Radio Service with capabilities
that surpass what HPM, with one of the most imaginative minds of his
generation, could have envisioned. A vintage AM station sits gracefully
alongside D-STAR and other advanced digital technologies. A matrix of
antenna connections and a wall of transceivers and amplifiers for nearly
every band bring daily bulletins and Morse code practice to every corner
of the country and the world. The guest operating suites showcase the
most up-to-date equipment.

W1AW has come a long way since his Old Betsy ionized the air with every
dit and dah from Hiram Percy Maxim's fist! He would be glad to see the
station that W1AW has become. In recent years, since the ARRL launched
the W1AW Endowment Fund, the station has been modernized without
sacrificing its character and history. Income from the Endowment Fund
has contributed to the replacement of aging equipment and antennas. New
band pass filters, computers and cables have been installed.

The ARRL is continuing to build the permanent fund -- The W1AW Endowment
Fund -- to cover W1AW annual operations and capital needs. The next
steps to improve the station will be to upgrade software and continue to
replace equipment that is at or near the end of its reliable service. In
2008, new transceivers and amplifiers in the three operating suites will
be installed to enhance your experience when you visit and contact hams
back home, or even when you work W1AW from your own shack.

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said, "Your financial
commitment in 2008 will help ARRL maintain W1AW as America's Amateur
Radio station. Your generosity will send a strong message that you honor
the history of W1AW and are committed to a bright future for W1AW as the
heart of our service. ARRL will use your contribution to build a fund to
ensure that the flagship station, W1AW, will continue to represent the
best of all of us. If you haven't visited ARRL and W1AW recently, I hope
you'll plan a trip to Newington and arrange to operate W1AW and see for
yourself the magical role that W1AW plays for Amateur Radio."

If you you'd like to discuss your giving plans, please call the
Development Office at 860-594-0397 or contact ARRL Development Director
Mary Hobart, K1MMH, via e-mail .

== TWO NEW INSTRUCTORS JOIN THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE TEAM

The ARRL is pleased to announce the addition of two new instructors to
the ARRL Teachers Institute staff this year. "For the first time this
year, the ARRL Teachers Institute
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ti.html will offer 72 teachers the
opportunity to explore and experience wireless technology basics,
teaching of basic electronic concepts integral to micro controllers and
robotics, bringing space technology into the classroom, radio astronomy
basics, building a radio telescope, building and programming a robot and
more," said ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ. "In
past years, Mark Spencer, WA8SME, taught each course, but this year, he
will have a little help." In past years, the ARRL Teachers Institute was
limited to 48 teachers.

Miguel Enriquez, KD7RPP, was first licensed as a Novice in 1976 and
learned about electronics by building a Heathkit; he upgraded to an
Amateur Extra class license in 2002. Enriquez teaches mathematics,
statistics and psychology at Pueblo High School in Tucson, Arizona, and
has 10 years of experience teaching at the community college and
university levels. In 2005, Enriquez established an Amateur Radio club
at Pueblo High School. Through donations of equipment and support from
individuals and ARRL, the club grew to 26 members and five licensed
students exploring satellite communications, ATV, robotics, HF, EchoLink
and weather satellite imagery.

Nathan McCray, K9CPO, is a sixth grade teacher at East Elementary School
in Zion, Illinois where he has integrated Amateur Radio, electronics and
robotics into the his science and math curriculum. McCray's knowledge
areas include electronics, computer programming, communications, Amateur
Radio, computer systems, leadership and teaching. His background
includes instruction at the community college level, as well experience
as a senior instructor at a US Navy technical school. McCray has been
licensed for 24 years and holds an Amateur Extra class license.

Enriquez and McCray will each co-teach a Teachers Institute session this
summer with lead instructor Mark Spencer WA8SME. They are expected to
take on lead instruction responsibilities in 2009. Six Teachers
Institute sessions will be offered in 2008: April 7-10, Tampa, Florida,
Museum of Science & Industry; June 16-19, Rocklin, California, Parallax
Facility; June 25-28, Tucson, Arizona, Pueblo Magnet High School; July
14-17, Dayton, Ohio, P&R Communications; July 28-31 and August 4-7,
Newington, Connecticut, ARRL Headquarters.

== FCC FINES COLORADO COMPANY FOR SELLING "NON-CERTIFIED CITIZENS BAND
(CB) TRANSCEIVERS"

On Friday, March 21, the FCC released a "Forfeiture Order"
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-597A1.pdf in
the amount of $7000 to CB Shop and More in Loveland, Colorado for
"willful and repeated violations of Section 302(b) of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended (Act), and Section 2.803(a)(1) of the
Commission's Rules." According to the FCC, CB Shop and More was selling
a "non-certified Citizens Band ('CB') transceiver." According to the
Forfeiture Order, the CB Shop and More has been in the Commission's
sights since at least 2002.

Section 302(b) of the Act states: "No person shall manufacture, import,
sell, offer for sale, or ship devices or home electronic equipment and
systems, or use devices, which fail to comply with regulations
promulgated pursuant to this section." Section 2.803(a)(1) reads that
"Except as provided elsewhere in this section, no person shall sell or
lease, or offer for sale or lease (including advertising for sale or
lease), or import, ship, or distribute for the purpose of selling or
leasing or offering for sale or lease, any radio frequency device unless
in the case of a device subject to certification such device has been
authorized by the Commission."

On January 26, 2007, and March 8, 2007, the Denver Office received
complaints alleging that CB Shop and More was selling non-certified CB
transmitters and modified 10 meter band radios. On March 30, 2007, the
Denver agents again visited CB Shop and More and noted that one of the
CB transceivers offered for sale was a Galaxy Model DX99V and asked if
they could purchase the transceiver. "The Denver agents subsequently
identified themselves as FCC agents, and proceeded to interview the
owner of the CB Shop. The owner acknowledged that he once received a
Citation from the FCC, but he thought it was still legal for them to
sell the referenced CB transceivers."

On August 28, 2007, the Denver Office issued a "Notice of Apparent
Liability" (NAL) in the amount of $7000 to CB Shop and More. In the
"NAL," the Denver Office found that CB Shop and More "apparently
willfully and repeatedly violated Section 302(b) of the Act, and Section
2.803(a)(1) of the Rules by offering for sale a non-certified CB
transceiver." CB Shop and More filed a response on September 17, 2007
(Response). In its "Response," CB Shop argued that "Galaxy Model DX99V
does not require certification by the Commission because it is not a CB
transceiver." Consequently, CB Shop and More argued that the forfeiture
should be cancelled.

According to the FCC, the proposed forfeiture amount in this case was
assessed in accordance with Section 503(b) of the Act, Section 1.80 of
the Rules and "The Commission's Forfeiture Policy Statement and
Amendment of Section 1.80 of the Rules to Incorporate the Forfeiture
Guidelines." In examining CB Store and More's "Response," Section 503(b)
of the Act requires that "the Commission take into account the nature,
circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation and, with respect to
the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses,
ability to pay, and other such matters as justice may require."

CB radio transceivers are subject to the equipment certification process
and must be certified and properly labeled prior to being marketed or
sold in the United States. Unlike CB radio transceivers, radio
transmitting equipment that transmits solely on Amateur Radio Service
frequencies is not subject to equipment authorization requirements prior
to manufacture or marketing; however, some radio transmitters that
transmit in a portion of the 10 meter band of the Amateur Radio Service
(28.000-29.700 MHz) are equipped with rotary, toggle or pushbutton
switches mounted externally on the unit, allowing operation in the CB
bands after completion of minor and trivial internal modifications to
the equipment.

To address these radios, the Commission adopted changes to the CB-type
acceptance requirements by defining a CB transmitter as "a transmitter
that operates or is intended to operate at a station authorized in the
CB." Section 95.655(a) of the Rules also states that "no transmitter
will be certificated for use in the CB service if it is equipped with a
frequency capability not listed in Section 95.625 of the Rules" (CB
transmitter channel frequencies). Also, the Commission's Office of
General Counsel released a letter on the importation and marketing of
Amateur Radio transmitters, clarifying that transmitters that "have a
built-in capacity to operate on CB frequencies and can easily be altered
to activate that capacity, such as by moving or removing a jumper plug
or cutting a single wire" fall within the definition of a CB transmitter
under Section 95.603(c) of the Rules and therefore require certification
prior to marketing or importation. The Commission's Office of
Engineering and Technology "evaluated Galaxy Model DX99V here and
determined that it could easily be altered for use as a CB transceiver."

The FCC examined CB Shop and More's Response to the NAL "pursuant to the
statutory factors above," and in conjunction with the Forfeiture Policy
Statement. As a result of the review, the Commission concluded that CB
Shop and More "willfully and repeatedly violated Section 302(b) of the
Act, and Section 2.803(a)(1) of the Rules. Considering the entire record
and the factors listed above, we find that neither reduction nor
cancellation of the proposed $7,000 forfeiture is warranted." The
Commission ordered that, pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Act and
Sections 0.111, 0.311 and 1.80(f)(4) of the Commission's Rules, "CB Shop
and More is liable for a monetary forfeiture in the amount of $7,000 for
willfully and repeatedly violating Section 302(b) of the Act, and
Section 2.803(a)(1) of the Rules."

== MERLE GLUNT, W3OKN (SK)

Merle Glunt, W3OKN, of Mount Union, Pennsylvania, passed away March 16.
He was 90. Glunt served as the ARRL consultant for the World
Administrative Radio Conference 1979 (WARC-79), and through years of
hard work, was instrumental in gaining the 12, 17 and 30 meter bands for
the Amateur Service.

During World War II, Glunt was the senior radio intercept analyst in the
Radio Intelligence Division of the Federal Communications Commission,
specializing in worldwide German espionage radio communications and
Philippine guerrilla radio circuits. He served as the FCC Radio
Intelligence Division (RID) liaison with the Office of Strategic
Services (now the CIA) and the British Security Coordination. After the
war, he was in charge of US Naval communications security surveillance
and traffic analysis. He was a member on the US Navy task force charged
with the creation of the Armed Force Security Agency (now the National
Security Agency).

Returning to the FCC during the Korean conflict, Glunt later held such
positions as Chief of the Treaty Branch and Assistant Chief Engineer,
responsible for the Frequency Allocation and Treaty Division and
International and Operations Division. He was active in US preparation
for various national and international telecommunications conferences,
serving frequently as a US spokesman at NATO and the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), and international conferences in Canada,
Great Britain, Spain and Brazil. As a consequence, Glunt served as a
member of US delegations that were responsible for the development of
international radio terms and definitions, the Maritime Mobile and
Amateur Radio Services rules and regulations. Sponsored by the Agency
for International Development (USAID), he organized and participated in
a two-man team of experts, at the request of the prime minister of
Thailand, to study and make recommendations to reorganize the Thailand
Radio Communications Activity to facilitate communications in that area
during the Korean conflict.

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, remembered Glunt "as a
key figure in gaining allocations at 10, 18 and 24 MHz for the Amateur
Service at the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC-79).
Anyone who ever operated on what we used to call the 'WARC bands' owes
Merle a great debt. In 1973, as Assistant Chief Engineer of the FCC,
Merle participated in a four-member study group that developed a report
demonstrating the desirability of these amateur allocations. After
retiring from the FCC, Merle became a consultant to the ARRL and was the
most regular and most visible ARRL presence at dozens of Washington
meetings during domestic preparations for WARC-79. He earned a position
on the US delegation to the conference in Geneva specifically to
represent the Amateur Services, and he did so with great skill and
professionalism. It was my good fortune to have Merle as a mentor."

Richard L. Baldwin, W1RU, ARRL General Manager at the time of WARC-79,
said, "Merle believed that there was no limit to what you could
accomplish so long as you didn't worry about who got the credit for it
and Merle lived that philosophy. As a member of the FCC staff, as a
participant in many ITU meetings, as an advisor to ARRL and IARU, Merle
was influential in organizing quiet and effective support for the
Amateur Service. Those of us who worked with Merle know what a privilege
it was to benefit from his expertise. Speaking personally, Merle was a
good friend for many, many years and I shall miss him."

Glunt was a Life Member of the ARRL, the Quarter Century Wireless
Association, the Radio Intelligence Division Association, the Old Old
Timers Club, the Society of Wireless Pioneers and the Veterans Wireless
Operators Association. Also active in the National Traffic System, he
was also a member of the FISTS CW Club, the Association of Former
Intelligence Officers, the US Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association and
the US Naval Institute.

A funeral service was held March 21. Memorial contributions in
remembrance of Merle Glunt may be given to the Home Nursing Agency, 900
Bryan St, Huntingdon, PA 16652 or to the American Cancer Society, 10955
Raystown Rd, Ste B, Huntingdon, PA 16652.

== ARRL PRESIDENT APPOINTED TO ARKANSAS STATE BOARD

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has appointed ARRL President Joel Harrison,
W5ZN, to a four year term on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas
Science & Technology Authority
http://www.asta.arkansas.gov/index.html. Harrison's appointment was
approved by the Arkansas Senate. "It's an honor to be appointed by
Governor Beebe to serve the people of Arkansas in this area that
recognizes not only my professional accomplishments, but those related
to Amateur Radio as well," Harrison said. The Arkansas Science &
Technology Authority was created by statute in 1983 with the mission to
bring the benefits of science and advanced technology to the people and
state of Arkansas. This mission is addressed by strategies to promote
scientific research, technology development, business innovation, and
math, science and engineering education.

==SOLAR UPDATE

Tad "How the March Sun feels like May!" Cook, K7RA, this week reports:
It is exciting to see heightened solar activity one week into spring.
Currently, three sunspots are visible: 987, 988 and 989. The consensus
says that all seem to be old Solar Cycle 23 spots. But with the three
sunspot groups so close to the Sun's equator, it is hard to tell for
certain. We know that Cycle 24 spots should have magnetic polarity
opposing the magnetic signature of Cycle 23 sunspots, but this is also
true for sunspots below the equator relative to sunspots above. Average
sunspot numbers for the reporting week (Thursday through Wednesday) rose
more than 18 points from the previous week, to 23.4. The average daily
solar flux was up nearly six points to 75.4. The average geomagnetic
indicators were unchanged, but this is because they fell from the start
of last week and rose this week. Sunspot numbers for March 20 through 26
were 0, 0, 0, 14, 35, 52 and 63 with a mean of 23.4. The 10.7 cm flux
was 68.4, 68.2, 69.6, 72, 79.4, 88.6, and 81.6 with a mean of 75.4.
Estimated planetary A indices were 8, 5, 5, 8, 4, 4 and 27 with a mean
of 8.7. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 7, 4, 4, 7, 2, 3 and 16
with a mean of 6.1. For more information concerning radio propagation,
visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html. To read this week's
Solar Report in its entirety, check out the W1AW Propagation Bulletin
page http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/. This week's "Tad Cookism" brought
to you courtesy of Robert Browning.

__________________________________

==IN BRIEF:

* This Weekend on the Radio: This weekend, another running of the NCCC
Sprint is on March 28. The CQ WW WPX Contest (SSB) is March 29-30. Next
weekend, look for the YLRL DX-YL to NA-YL Contest (CW) on April 4-6. The
SP DX Contest, the EA RTTY Contest, the QCWA Spring QSO Party, the
Missouri QSO Party and the Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest are all
on April 5-6. The RSGB RoPoCo 1 is April 6, the RSGB 80 Meter Club
Championship (CW) is April 7, the ARS Spartan Sprint is April 8 and the
NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint is April 9. 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
info.

* ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Registration remains
open through Sunday, April 6, 2008, for these online course sessions
beginning on Friday, April 18, 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 CCE Course Listing page
http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html or contact the Continuing
Education Program Coordinator .

* "Hints and Kinks": Do you have an idea or a simple project that has
improved your operating? Maybe you've taken something commonly found
around the home and developed a ham radio use for it? Why not share your
hints with fellow hams in "Hints and Kinks," a monthly column in QST. If
we publish your hint, you will receive $20. Send your hints via e-mail
to or to ARRL Headquarters, Attn: "Hints and Kinks," 225
Main Street, Newington, CT 06111. Please include your name, call sign,
complete mailing address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address.
Items in "Hints and Kinks" have not been tested by QST or ARRL unless
otherwise stated. Although we can't guarantee that hints published will
work for every situation, QST makes every effort to screen for harmful
information.

* Communications Academy Set for April: The 10th Annual Communications
Academy will be April 5-6 at South Seattle Community College.
Communications Academy is a non-profit coalition of volunteer
communications teams put together to provide a high quality,
professional-grade training opportunity for the various emergency
communications teams around the Pacific Northwest. By providing a
once-a-year large-scale venue for training, volunteer communicators are
exposed to topics in emergency management, communications techniques and
protocols, real-life emergency responses, and other pertinent subjects,
that might not otherwise be available to them. The Communications
Academy is open to anyone with an interest in emergency communications,
volunteer or professional. The presentations are designed to promote the
development of knowledgeable, skilled emergency communicators who will
support their local communities during a disaster or emergency response.
There will be two keynote speakers on Saturday: King County Emergency
Management Coordinator Rich Tokarzewski, and Charles Simonyi, KE7KDP,
astronaut on the International Space Station. The Sunday 2008 keynote
speaker is ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura,
K2DCD. Registration for both days is $50; if participants can only
attend one day, the fee is reduced to $30. All fees include lunch. For
more information, please visit the Communications Academy Web site
http://www.commacademy.org/2008/index.php.

* Notes from the DXCC Desk: ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports
that the following operations have been approved for DXCC credit: the
2008 VP6DX DXpedition to Ducie Island; the 2008 TX5C DXpedition to
Clipperton Island, and the 2007 S05A operation to Western Sahara have
been approved for DXCC credit. If you have any questions about these
operations, please send an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk .


* Corrections and Clarifications: Last week, we reported that Emmett
Freitas, AE6Z (ex-W6OIA) (SK), participated in the first-ever VE testing
session. Freitas participated in the first-ever ARRL VE testing session.


================================================== =========
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
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Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole
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==Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):

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==ARRL News on the Web: http://www.arrl.org
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