***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 28, No. 19
May 15, 2009
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* ARRL Seeks Member Support for HR 2160
* FCC Resumes Enforcement Actions
* Scientists Predict Solar Cycle 24 to Peak in 2013
* PR-101 Course Introduced at ARRL National Convention
* Look for the June Issue of QST in Your Mailbox
* ARRL Public Relations Committee Honors PIOs
* Explore Radio Scouting at the 2009 ARRL National Convention
* National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC Sets on-the-air Station Test
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This Week on the Radio
ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
No ARRL Audio News on May 15
Former Kentucky Section Manager Dave Vest, KZ4G (SK)

Reminder: There is no ARRL Audio News for Friday, May 15.

================================================== =========
==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, K1SFA

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

== ARRL SEEKS MEMBER SUPPORT FOR HR 2160

To support HR 2160 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Enhancement Act of 2009 -- the ARRL is asking its membership to contact
their members of the US House of Representatives with a request to
become co-sponsors of this significant piece of legislation
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...e=111_cong_bil
l
s&docid=f:h2160ih.txt.pdf.

"Getting a bill successfully through Congress is a formidable task --
one that is going to require the involvement of every ARRL member,"
said
ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. "Working with
our Washington consulting firm Chwat & Co, we are laying a dynamic
approach that will allow us to make our case most effectively. We have
developed a strategy to maximize our impact when dealing with each
member of Congress."

Since the anthrax scare that followed the 9/11 attacks, all incoming
mail to Congress is delayed anywhere from four to six weeks while it is
screened. This means using normal US Mail is no longer an effective
method of letting Congress hear your voice. While e-mail is convenient,
it is also not effective, due to the large volume of e-mail that each
Congressional office receives.

"To ensure that ARRL members' letters are quickly and expediently
received by Congress, our strategy is to ask ARRL members send their
letters directly to Chwat & Co," said Henderson. "Chwat's staff will
sort the letters by Congressional district and hand-deliver them to the
appropriate House offices, providing a direct point of contact with the
Congressman and their staff. This personal contact gives us the chance
to provide not only letters from constituents, but information from the
ARRL on why this legislation is important."

The ARRL has provided a sample letter for League members to personalize
and send to their Congressional representative
http://www.arrl.org/news/files/DearMemberOfCongressHR2160.doc.
"Personalized letters make a better impression than a standard form
letter or petition," Henderson explained. You can find the name and
address for your member of Congress on the ARRL Members Only Web page
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/.

Once it has been personalized, ARRL members should send their letter to
Chwat & Co using one of three methods:
* As a signed attachment to an e-mail
* As a signed fax to 703-684-7594
* As a regular letter to John Chwat, Chwat & Co, 625 Slaters Ln, Suite
103, Alexandria, VA 22314

If you choose to e-mail your letter, please send it as an attachment to
the e-mail instead of having it be the text of the e-mail. This allows
the letter to be easily printed and delivered. Should you decide to
draft your own letter supporting HR 2160 instead of editing the sample,
Henderson asked that you please remember a couple of things:
* Identify the bill by number and title: HR 2160 -- The Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009
* Keep the letter brief and on topic -- one page at the most
* Ask your congressional representative to consider becoming a
cosponsor
* Thank them for their consideration

"Simple is better when making this kind of request to a
representative,"
said Henderson. "They and their staff are looking to gauge interest and
support for the bill. A lengthy letter that strays off-topic can
detract
from the focus of asking for support for the legislation."

Should you decide not to send your letter to Chwat & Co but directly to
your Representative, it is still important to send a copy of your
correspondence to Chwat & Co. This allows Chwat to discuss accurately
with the Congressman and their staff the amount of support for the bill
in each individual district. "There is strength in numbers," Henderson
added.

Aside from bill sponsor Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18), the
ARRL is fortunate to already have six additional members of Congress
who
have signed on as co-sponsors of HR 2160 -- Madeleine Bordallo (Guam),
Brett Guthrie (KY-2), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), Zoe Lofgren (CA-16),
Blaine Luetkemeyer, (MO-9) and Bennie Thompson (MS-2).

"We congratulate ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Jim Weaver, K8JE,
and his grassroots legislative action team in Kentucky for securing the
support of Representative Guthrie -- the first new co-sponsor of the
bill," Henderson said. "It shows that our grassroots effort can work!"

You may be asking yourself "What should I do if my Representative has
already signed on as a co-sponsor for HR 2160?" The answer is simple:
Thank them for their support. If your Congressman is one of those
listed
as a co-sponsor, please send them a letter thanking them for their
support. Use the same contact information for Chwat & Co. "It is
important to convey your appreciation to your Representative when they
sign on as a co-sponsor or support the bill," Henderson explained.
"That
simple 'thank you' may help open the door the next time their help is
needed."

Once you have prepared and sent your letter supporting HR 2160, your
job
is not over: Feedback is an important part of the process. "What your
Congressman has to say in regards to your contact can provide the ARRL
with important information as we try to push our bill forward,"
Henderson noted. "This feedback can possibly help us identify potential
new support for the bill or a weakness in the legislation we may need
to
address."

When you receive a response from your Congressman, please forward a
copy
to the Regulatory Information Office at ARRL Headquarters via e-mail
or hard copy to Regulatory Information, ARRL, 225
Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

"HR 2160 presents the Amateur Radio Service with a unique opportunity
--
but also carries with it the important responsibility of making your
voice heard," Henderson summarized. "HR 2160 stands as the first step
in
trying to address the long standing problem of extending the
protections
afforded Amateur Radio operators under PRB-1 to deed restrictions and
covenants
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/PRB-1_Pkg/prb-1.pdf. To
be clear, passing HR 2160 is not going to achieve that goal right away.
But it will help lay the ground work by assessing the impact such
restrictions have on our ability to train for and respond to disasters
and other emergencies."


== FCC RESUMES ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

On May 13, the FCC posted the first list of enforcement actions
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html since Laura Smith
took over as FCC Special Counsel. The 11 RFI-related letters to energy
providers were sent between February 18 and April 1, 2009, and the 7
warning letters to individuals were sent between February 18 and March
30, 2009.


== SCIENTISTS PREDICT SOLAR CYCLE 24 TO PEAK IN 2013

At the annual Space Weather Workshop held in Boulder, Colorado last
month http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sww/index.html, an international panel
of experts led by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC)
predicted that Solar Cycle 24 will peak in May 2013 with 90 sunspots
per
day on average. If the prediction proves true, Solar Cycle 24 will be
the weakest cycle since Solar Cycle 16, which peaked with 78 daily
sunspots in 1928, and ninth weakest since the 1750s, when numbered
cycles began.

The panel predicted that the lowest sunspot number between cycles --
the
solar minimum -- occurred in December 2008, marking the end of Solar
Cycle 23 and the start of Solar Cycle 24. If December's prediction
holds
up http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/01/07/100/, at 12 years and
seven months Solar Cycle 23 will be the longest since 1823 and the
third
longest since 1755. Solar cycles span 11 years on average, from minimum
to minimum.

An unusually long, deep lull in sunspots led the panel to revise its
2007 prediction that the next cycle of solar storms would start in
March
2008 and peak in late 2011 or mid-2012. The persistence of a quiet sun
also led the panel to a consensus that Solar Cycle 24 will be what they
called "moderately weak."

Although the peak is still four years away, a new active period of
Earth-threatening solar storms will be the weakest since 1928. Despite
the prediction, the scientists said that Earth is still vulnerable to a
severe solar storm. Solar storms are eruptions of energy and matter
that
escape from the Sun and may head toward Earth, where even a weak storm
can damage satellites and power grids, disrupting communications, the
electric power supply and GPS. A single strong blast of "solar wind"
can
threaten national security, transportation, financial services and
other
essential functions.

The most common measure of a solar cycle's intensity is the number of
sunspots -- Earth-sized blotches on the sun marking areas of heightened
magnetic activity. The more sunspots there are, the more likely it is
that solar storms will occur, but a major storm can occur at any time.

"As with hurricanes, whether a cycle is active or weak refers to the
number of storms, but everyone needs to remember it only takes one
powerful storm to cause huge problems," said NOAA scientist Doug
Biesecker, who chaired the panel. "The strongest solar storm on record
occurred in 1859 during another below-average cycle." The 1859 storm
shorted out telegraph wires, causing fires in North America and Europe
and sent readings of Earth's magnetic field soaring. It also produced
northern lights so bright that people read newspapers by their light,
he
said.

Biesecker cited a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences
that
found if a storm that severe occurred today, it could cause $1-2
trillion in damages the first year and require four to 10 years for
recovery, compared to the $80-125 billion of damage that resulted from
Hurricane Katrina
http://www.nap.edu/nap-cgi/report.cgi?record_id=12507&type=pdfxsum.

The Space Weather Prediction Center is part of the National Weather
Service and is one of the nine National Centers for Environmental
Prediction. It is the nation's official source of space weather alerts,
watches and warnings. SWPC provides real-time monitoring and
forecasting
of solar and geophysical events that impact satellites, power grids,
communications, navigation and many other technological systems.


== PR-101 COURSE INTRODUCED AT ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION

The ARRL Public Relations Committee unveiled the new ARRL's PR-101
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=0133 course today at the 2009 ARRL
National Convention at the Dayton Hamvention. The course -- designed to
give hams a quick course in public relations activities -- was quickly
snapped up by ARRL Section Managers, Public Information Coordinators
(PIC) and Public Information Officers (PIO) to bring back to their home
sections.

According to ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts,
W1AGP,
the ARRL Public Relations Committee conducted a formal survey in
December 2008 that confirmed what had long been suspected: Almost half
of the people acting as PIOs have no training at all; others had "some
training" or "very little training." Because of the importance of
public
relations to the future of Amateur Radio, Pitts said that the PR
Committee felt it needed to do something to raise the level of skills
and training of these volunteers.

Using the skills of experts in various aspects of public relations,
Pitts, assembled a team to create a basic course that will provide
volunteer PIOs with the basic skills and expectations that a PIO needs
to know. While remaining a basic level course, PR-101 covers everything
from the basic news release to Web sites and video work.

"This course is geared toward PIOs and others interested in Public
Relations," Pitts said. "While the course is voluntary, all ARRL PIOs
are strongly encouraged to take the course."

Overall goals for the course a
* To clarify the role of the PIO in the Field Organization.
* To establish a base set of expectations (job description) for a PIO
to
fulfill, and peer pressure to do the job well.
* To establish, teach and verify that course graduates have the common
basic skill set needed to accomplish expectations set forth in the PIO
job description.
* To create a pool of trained PIOs who can be confidently called upon
to
represent Amateur Radio in their region during breaking news events.
* To create a spirit of pride in being a trained and active PIO.
* To increase the productivity of PIOs and resultant positive media
coverage.

"There is a critical need to offer public relations training that
addresses the 21st century media landscape," said ARRL Public Relations
Committee Chairman Bill Morine, N2COP. "Since the last revision of the
"ARRL PIO Handbook" in the mid 1990s
http://www.arrl.org/pio/handbook/, domination of coverage has shifted
from newspapers, magazines and broadcast stations to cable, satellite
and Internet media outlets. The decentralization of media means there
are many more ways and formats from which the public can access
information. The PR-101 course will point ARRL PIOs in the direction
where they can best take advantage of opportunities in both traditional
and emerging media."

The course is available on CD-ROM. People can complete it on their own
schedule; when finished, it guides them to the Web for the final exam.
"Participants who successfully complete the exam will be directed to a
special area where they can create, print and save a certificate of
completion," Pitts said. "It also automatically notifies ARRL staff
with
the name and call sign of the graduating student, allowing a list to be
kept of PIOs with known skills."

PR-101 course contributors include Bill Morine, N2COP; Don Carlson,
KQ6FM; Walt Palmer, W4ALT; Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW; Jim McDonald, KB9LEI;
Ted Randall, WB8PUM; Harold Kramer, WJ1B; Jeff Beiermann, WB0M; Brennan
Price, N4QX; Pat Mullet, KC8RTW; Mike Langner, K5MGR, and Kent Sievers.

PR-101 http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=0133 is available on the
ARRL
Web site for a cost of $19.95.


== LOOK FOR THE JUNE ISSUE OF QST IN YOUR MAILBOX

The June issue of QST -- our annual Field Day issue -- is jam-packed
with all sorts of things today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From
product reviews to experiments to contesting, the upcoming issue of QST
has something for just about everyone.

Go ahead and experience the great outdoors this Field Day, June 27-28.
Make your Field Day a success -- have you registered with the Online
Field Day Locater Service yet? This great feature allows you to promote
your site so others looking for a Field Day site near them can find
you!Check it out on the ARRL Field Day Web page
http://www.arrl.org/fieldday. You might also want to take a look at
five tips that will let you get the most out of your Field Day. From
logging to safety to fun, make this your best Field Day ever!
Howard "Skip" Teller, KH6TY, says that digital modes aren't only for
SSB. He encourages readers to try one on FM in his article "A Sound
Card
Interface for FM Transceivers." Check out the article by Alan Bloom,
N1AL "A Lightweight Homemade Keyer Paddle," and make some Morse magic
with this light and easy-to build paddle. If you're looking to "hear"
the stars, why not "Build a Homebrew Radio Telescope" using
instructions
by ARRL Education and Technology Program Coordinator Mark Spencer,
WA8SME.

June is a great month for radiosport, with both the ARRL June VHF QSO
Party and Field Day. While Field Day is more of an operating event than
a contest, it is modeled after a contest in that points are earned for
making contacts. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, takes a
look at Field Day and points out that the annual event is a great
training ground for contesters. In "This Month in Contesting," Kutzko
gives pointers on how to maximize fun for both operators and clubs. The
results of the 2008 ARRL 160 Meter Contest and the 2008 ARRL November
Phone Sweepstakes are in. Did you top your score from last year? How
did
your closest rival do? Also, find out about upcoming contests in
Contest
Corral.

QST Assistant Editor Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK, reviews the ICOM IC-7200
HF and 6 meter transceiver. According to Sant Andrea, "The IC-7200 is a
compact, easy-to-operate HF and 6 meter transceiver that offers many
features for voice, CW and digital mode operating. Rugged,
water-resistant packaging makes it attractive for portable and
emergency
stations." Check out the review on the Micro-Node International
IRLP/EchoLink node, also in the June issue.

Of course, there are the usual columns you expect in the June QST:
Hints
& Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Vintage Radio, Hamspeak and more.
This month also features Amateur Radio World and the ARRL VEC Volunteer
Examiner Honor Roll. Look for your June issue of QST in your mailbox.
QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for
Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership.
To join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL Web page
http://www.arrl.org/join.


== ARRL PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE HONORS PIOS

When the ARRL Public Relations Committee, led by Bill Morine, N2COP,
met
in April 2009, they discussed the recognizing those ARRL Public
Information Officers (PIO) and Public Information Coordinators (PIC)
whose actions are exemplary. From that meeting, The PIO Excellence
Award
came into being. This award is given when the committee believes an
ARRL
PIO has gone above and beyond in ensuring that the role of Amateur
Radio
is explained to media and the public, especially in unanticipated
situations in the field.

"While not of the same level as other PIO awards such as the Leonard or
McGan Awards," said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen
Pitts,
W1AGP, "these recognitions are a way to say 'thank you' to people who
put in the extra effort to make us all look good in a bad situation."

Public Information Officer Joe Gadus, KD5KTX, of Porter, Texas, was
commended for taking the lead to ensure that the media knew about the
efforts of ARES and local amateurs who helped at Points of Distribution
(PODs) in the Houston area following Hurricane Ike last year
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/09/16/10338/?nc=1. Hams in
Harris County supported at least six PODs who provided communications
between the National Guard units at the PODs and the Harris County
Office of Emergency Management to coordinate the delivery and resupply
of food, water and MREs (meals ready to eat) to the victims of
Hurricane
Ike. Most of the participating amateurs were also victims of the
storm],
having suffered property losses and power outages.

ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Public Information Coordinator Bill
Moffitt, AE6GS, of San Jose, California, was recognized for reporting
to
the Emergency Operations Center in Santa Cruz
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/06/18/10166/. While there, he
worked with the Santa Cruz County PIO to clarify the role of Amateur
Radio. Volunteers from Santa Cruz ARES provided a vital layer of
communications to support firefighters, law enforcement, Red Cross and
even animal control during the Martin fire in the hills above Santa
Cruz
over Father's Day weekend in 2008. Pitts said that the committee took
into account that Moffitt took time away from his job to handle this
situation.

Public Information Officer Steve Sanders, KE7JSS, of Hillsboro, Oregon,
was praised for taking the lead to ensure that media in the Pacific
Northwest knew about the vital role Amateur Radio played in supplying
emergency communications
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/12/05/100/. After other forms
of
communications were compromised in December 2007 by fierce storms,
flooding and mudslides ravaged the area and shut down roads and
highways, including Interstate 5. Other infrastructure, such as
telephone lines and electricity, were obliterated.

Pitts said that due to the actions of these amateurs, many media
outlets
ran stories about the response of Amateur Radio operators in each
situation. "The role of the PIO is far more than club newsletters, or
even press releases. Being at the right place at the right time,
presenting our story to the media, is critical to the future of Amateur
Radio. These three hams went above and beyond to ensure that our story
was told in a way that was easy to understand in a critical situation."


== EXPLORE RADIO SCOUTING AT THE 2009 ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION

Of the many exciting displays in the ARRL EXPO
http://www.arrl.org/expo at the 2009 ARRL National Convention at the
Dayton Hamvention http://www.hamvention.org/, the Scout Radio Outpost
is eagerly anticipated by youth and adults alike. According to Brian
Walker, K9BKW, Scout Leaders will again be reaching out to ham radio
operators to encourage them to provide Amateur Radio opportunities to
Boy Scouts back in their home towns. Walker and a team of Scouters will
host the Outpost, answering questions and provide amateurs with
resources about Radio Scouting.

"Ham Radio has such a huge impact on the quality of a Scouting program.
From bringing Scouts around the world together, to providing event
communications and safety, to building a Scout's foundation to become
America's future technicians, engineers and scientists. You, the local
elmer willing to help out, can really make a difference by getting
involved with your local Scout organizations," said Walker, an Eagle
Scout, past Scoutmaster, District Commissioner and currently Venturing
Crew 272 Advisor (WB9SA).

At the Outpost, amateurs can learn how to teach the Radio merit badge
http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/ad...eritbadges/mb-
R
ADO.aspx and help their local Scouts participate in Scouting's largest
annual event, the Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)
http://www.arrl.org/scouts/jota/. "Each October, more than half a
million Scouts around the world talk to each other via Amateur Radio,"
Walker said. "We will show hams Tips on how they can let Scouts in
their
hometowns participate in this exciting on-the-air event."

Matthew Murphy, KC8BEW, of BSA's Muskingum Valley Council said that
hams
visiting the Outpost can also learn about a new program being developed
for 2010's 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America: "Scout Camps on
the Air (SCOTA) promises to be a fun way for hams to help encourage
Amateur Radio operations at Scout camps and other large Scouting
events.
Murphy is coordinating the SCOTA program
http://kc8bew.net/scota.html.

Walker said that last year's Radio Scouting booth was well received.
"Scouts and Scouters from around the world stopped by to share
experiences and exchange ideas," he said. "Ham Scouters involved in the
2008 effort are excited to be sharing space with the ARRL and are
hoping
to make this year's activity an even greater success. So stop by the
ARRL display area and visit the Scout Radio outpost to learn how you
can
help interested Scouts to become the next generation of hams."


==NATIONAL HUURICANE CENTER's WX4NHC SETS ON-THE-AIR STATION TEST

The annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test from the National Hurricane
Center (NHC) in Miami will take place Saturday, May 30, from 1300-2100
UTC. "The purpose of this annual Station Test is to test all of our
radio equipment, computers and antennas using as many modes and
frequencies as possible. This is not a contest or simulated hurricane
exercise. New equipment and software will be tested, and we will also
conduct some operator training," said WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio
Volunteer Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R.

Ripoll said that WX4NHC also will be testing new computers and
software,
as well as conducting operator training. "NHC Director Bill Read,
KB5FYA, will be at WX4NHC, making contacts," he said. WX4NHC will be on
the air on HF, VHF and UHF, plus 2 and 30 meter APRS. Suggested SSB
frequencies are 3.950, 7.268, 14.325, 21.325 and 28.525 MHz, +/-QRM;
WX4NHC reports that they will mostly be on 14.325 MHz and will make
announcements when they change frequencies. WX4NHC also will be on the
VoIP Hurricane Net 1700-1900 UTC (IRLP node 9219/EchoLink WX-TALK
Conference) and on South Florida area VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex;
APRS and e-mail will also be monitored.

Stations working WX4NHC exchange call sign, signal report, location and
name plus a brief weather report, such as "sunny," "rain" or "cloudy."
Non-hams may submit their actual weather using the On-Line Hurricane
Report Form. QSL to WD4R and include a self-addressed, stamped
envelope.
Do not send cards to the NHC. Due to security measures, no visitors
will
be allowed at NHC during the test.


==SOLAR UPDATE

Tad "The new leaves laugh in the Sun" Cook, K7RA, this week reports:
After weeks of little or no sunspots, it is nice to have something to
report. Following multiple false starts, quick-fading spots and knots
of
magnetic activity which never progressed into actual darkened sunspots,
new sunspot group 1017 emerged on Wednesday, May 13. The daily sunspot
number was 12, and the next day the size of the group approximately
doubled, raising the sunspot number to 18. This is a Cycle 24 sunspot
group. Sunspot numbers for May 7 through 13 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and
12 with a mean of 1.7. 10.7 cm flux was 69.5, 70.8, 72.3, 71.8, 71.9,
73.9, and 73.8 with a mean of 72. Estimated planetary A indices were
10,
13, 6, 4, 4, 2 and 3 with a mean of 6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
were 7, 12, 6, 3, 2, 0 and 2 with a mean of 4.6. 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 by Sara Teasdale's "May"
http://www.poetry.com/LovePoems/lovepoem.asp?id=206.

__________________________________

==IN BRIEF:

* This Week on the Radio: This week, the Feld Hell Sprint is on May 16.
The EU PSK DX Contest, His Majesty King of Spain Contest (CW) and the
Manchester Mineira All America CW Contest are May 16-17. The Run for
the
Bacon QRP Contest is May 18 and the NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint and
QRP Minimal Art Session are May 21. Next week is the NCCC Sprint on May
22. The MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint is May 25-May 26 and the SKCC
Sprint is May 27. All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the
ARRL Contest Branch page http://www.arrl.org/contests/, the ARRL
Contest Update http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/ and the WA7BNM
Contest Calendar http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html for
more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out
the
ARRL Special Event Station Web page
http://www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html.

* ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Registration remains
open through Sunday, May 24, 2009, for these online course sessions
beginning on Friday, June 5, 2009: Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Level 1; Radio Frequency Interference; Antenna Design
and
Construction; Ham Radio (Technician) License Course; Analog
Electronics,
and Digital Electronics. 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/cep/student or contact the Continuing Education
Program Coordinator .

* No ARRL Audio News on May 15: Due to staff attendance at the ARRL
National Convention and Dayton Hamvention, there will be no ARRL Audio
News on May 15. ARRL Audio News will resume regular distribution on May
22.

* Former Kentucky Section Manager Dave Vest, KZ4G (SK): Former Kentucky
Section Manager Dave Vest, KZ4G, of Ashland, passed away April 27,
2009.
He was 75. Vest served as Section Communications Manager/Section
Manager
from April 1981-March 1983. He also served as the first ARRL Section
Traffic Manager in Kentucky prior to serving as Section Manager.
According to current Kentucky Section Manager Jim Brooks, KY4Z, Vest
supported numerous Amateur Radio groups in the Kentucky-Virginia-West
Virginia area. He was a past president of the River Cities Amateur
Radio
Association and the Tri-State Amateur Radio Association and a founding
member of the Bluegrass Chapter of the Quarter Century Wireless
Association. "Dave promoted Amateur Radio throughout his life and
elmered countless newcomers into the hobby," Brooks said.

================================================== =========
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the
American Radio Relay League: ARRL--the national association for Amateur
Radio, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax
860-594-0259; http://www.arrl.org. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential and general
news of interest to active radio amateurs. Visit the ARRL Web site
http://www.arrl.org for the latest Amateur Radio news and news
updates. The ARRL Web site http://www.arrl.org/ also offers
informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/ is a weekly "ham radio
newscast"
compiled and edited from The ARRL Letter. It's also available as a
podcast from our Web site.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole
or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be
given to The ARRL Letter/American Radio Relay League.

==Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):

==Editorial questions or comments: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA,

==ARRL News on the Web: http://www.arrl.org
==ARRL Audio News: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/ or call
860-594-0384

==How to Get The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly
from ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for
e-mail delivery:
ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site
http://www.arrl.org/members/. You'll have an opportunity during
registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of The ARRL Letter, W1AW
bulletins, and other material. To change these selections--including
delivery of The ARRL Letter--registered members should click on the
"Member Data Page" link (in the Members Only box). Click on "Modify
membership data," check or uncheck the appropriate boxes and/or change
your e-mail address if necessary. (Check "Temporarily disable all
automatically sent email" to temporarily stop all e-mail deliveries.)
Then, click on "Submit modification" to make selections effective.
(NOTE: HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You
must do this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.)

The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
sources:

* ARRLWeb http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter
will
be posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)

* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur
Radio Club: Visit Mailing
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list. (NOTE: The ARRL
cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this
listserver.)

Copyright 2009 American Radio Relay League, Inc.
All Rights Reserved