• ARRL Regular Bulletin

    From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Aug 20 17:34:39 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB019
    ARLB019 Rene Fonseca, NP3O, Elected as Puerto Rico Section Manager

    ZCZC AG19
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    ARRL Bulletin 19 ARLB019
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT August 20, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB019
    ARLB019 Rene Fonseca, NP3O, Elected as Puerto Rico Section Manager

    Challenger Rene Fonseca, NP3O, has been elected as ARRL Puerto Rico
    Section Manager, defeating two other candidates including incumbent
    Oscar Resto, KP4RF. Fonseca, of Fajardo, received 85 votes, Juan
    Sepulveda Mercado, KP3CR, garnered 48 votes, and incumbent Section
    Manager Oscar Resto, KP4RF, got 31 votes. Resto has been Puerto
    Rico's Section Manager since 2016. An ARRL Life Member, Fonseca is
    returning as SM, having served two previous terms from 2012 to 2016.
    His new term begins on October 1, 2020.

    The Puerto Rico Section Manager election was the only contested
    election in the Summer round of SM elections. Ballots were counted
    on August 18 at ARRL Headquarters.

    In Minnesota, Bill Mitchell, AE0EE, of Minneapolis, will become the
    new Section Manager this fall. Mitchell was the only nominee when
    the nomination deadline arrived in early June. Incumbent Skip
    Jackson, KS0J, chose not to run for a new term after a 16-year run
    that began in 2004.

    In North Dakota, Richard Budd, W0TF, will begin a full 2-year term
    of office after being appointed in June to succeed Nancy Yoshida,
    K0YL. She stepped down to become vice president of the YL
    International Single Sideband System.

    The following incumbent SMs ran unopposed and were considered
    elected. Chuck Motes, K1DFS (Connecticut); Dan Marler, K7REX
    (Idaho); Scott Yonally, N8SY (Ohio); Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW (Oklahoma);
    Barry Porter, KB1PA (Southern Florida); Fred Kleber, K9VV (Virgin
    Islands); Laura Mueller, N2LJM (Western New York).
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Sep 3 18:00:55 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB021
    ARLB021 FCC Application Fee Proposal Proceeding is Open for Comments

    ZCZC AG21
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    ARRL Bulletin 21 ARLB021
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 3, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB021
    ARLB021 FCC Application Fee Proposal Proceeding is Open for Comments

    Comments are being accepted on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    (NPRM) in MD Docket 20-270, which proposes application fees for
    radio amateurs. Formal deadlines for comments and reply comments
    will be determined once the NPRM appears in the Federal Register.
    Comments may be filed now, however, by using the FCC's Electronic
    Comment Filing System (ECFS), located at,
    https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings , and posting to MD Docket No.
    20-270. The docket is already open for accepting comments, even
    though deadlines have not yet been set.

    The NPRM can be found online in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-116A1.pdf .
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Sep 16 12:57:19 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB022
    ARLB022 5-MHz Interoperability Channels Designated for Wildfires and
    Hurricane Sally Response

    ZCZC AG22
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    ARRL Bulletin 22 ARLB022
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 16, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB022
    ARLB022 5-MHz Interoperability Channels Designated for Wildfires and
    Hurricane Sally Response

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that
    two 60-meter channels have been made available, as necessary, for interoperability between US Government stations and US amateur radio
    stations involved in emergency communications related to the
    wildland firefighting response in California, Oregon, and
    Washington, and to Hurricane Sally. These interoperability channels
    will remain active until the need for these channels no longer
    exists:

    * Channel 1 - primary voice traffic 5332 kHz channel center, 5330.5
    kHz USB voice.

    * Channel 2 - digital traffic 5348 kHz channel center, 5346.5 kHz
    USB with 1.5-kHz offset to center of digital waveform.

    Frequencies may be modified or added to by FEMA Region 10 for their
    area or operations due to existing 5-MHz/60-meter interoperability
    plans for their region.

    Amateur radio is secondary on the 5-MHz band and should yield to
    operational traffic related to wildland firefighting and hurricane
    response. Although the intended use for these channels is
    interoperability between federal government stations and licensed US
    amateur radio stations, federal government stations are primary
    users and amateurs are secondary users.

    The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS -
    https://netcom.army.mil/mars/ ) is following FEMA's lead on the interoperability channel designations for the wildfire and hurricane
    response. Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY, says he
    has alerted all MARS members of the FEMA channel designations and
    MARS members are prepared to support response efforts as needed.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Sep 16 19:32:09 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB023
    ARLB023 Northern Florida ARES Requests Clear Frequencies for HF Nets

    ZCZC AG23
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    ARRL Bulletin 23 ARLB023
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 16, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB023
    ARLB023 Northern Florida ARES Requests Clear Frequencies for HF Nets

    Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator Karl Martin, K4HBN,
    is requesting that stations not directly involved in the Amateur
    Radio Emergency Service (ARES) response to Hurricane Sally please
    avoid 3.950 MHz (primary) and 7.242 MHz (backup).

    ARES has activated in four Northern Florida counties. Shelters are
    open, and power and telecommunications outages are widespread,
    Martin reports.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Sep 18 01:23:44 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB024
    ARLB024 FCC Grants ARRL Rules Waiver Request for Fire Emergencies,
    Hurricanes

    ZCZC AG24
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    ARRL Bulletin 24 ARLB024
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 18, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB024
    ARLB024 FCC Grants ARRL Rules Waiver Request for Fire Emergencies,
    Hurricanes

    The FCC has granted ARRL's request for a temporary waiver to permit
    amateur data transmissions at a higher symbol rate than currently
    permitted by section 97.307(f) of the FCC Amateur Service rules. The
    FCC acted to facilitate hurricane and wildfire relief communications
    within the US and its territories.

    Section 97.307(f) limits the symbol rate - the rate at which the
    carrier waveform amplitude, frequency, and/or phase is varied to
    transmit information - for HF amateur radioteletype (RTTY)/data
    transmissions to 300 bauds for frequencies below 28 MHz (except for
    60 meters), and 1,200 bauds in the 10-meter (28 - 29.7 MHz) band.
    The digital signal must use one of the codes specified in section
    97.309(a) of the rules, but an amateur station transmitting a RTTY
    or data emission using one of the specified digital codes may use
    any technique whose technical characteristics have been publicly
    documented.

    In 2016, in response to an ARRL petition for rulemaking, the
    Commission proposed to remove the symbol rate limitations, which it
    tentatively concluded had become unnecessary due to advances in
    modulation techniques and no longer served a useful purpose.
    However, the FCC did not include the ARRL proposal to limit signal
    bandwidth to that which the Commission had said it intended when it
    originally adopted the 300-baud limit. The proceeding is currently
    pending.

    ARRL sought the waiver for amateur radio licensees directly involved
    with hurricane and wildfire relief via HF using PACTOR 4 modems for communication within the US and its territories, relative to several
    impending hurricane situations and wildfires in the western US.
    ARRL's petition noted that Section 97.307(f) of the amateur rules
    prevents the use of PACTOR 4, a data protocol that permits
    relatively high-speed data transmission. ARRL noted that past FCC
    temporary waivers have allowed this protocol during similar events.
    ARRL also stated that trained amateur radio operators with
    communications equipment are actively preparing to assist radio
    amateurs involved with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
    working with federal, state, and local emergency management
    officials to assist with disaster relief communications.

    "We conclude that ARRL's request should be granted," the FCC said.
    "ARRL stands ready to assist the area potentially impacted by the
    impending hurricanes and ongoing wildfires to conduct disaster
    relief communications. ARRL asserts that the higher data rates
    offered by PACTOR 3 and PACTOR 4 emissions are critical to sending
    relief communications. We conclude that granting the requested
    waiver is in the public interest." The waiver is limited to 60 days
    and applies only to stations in the continental US and Puerto Rico
    using PACTOR 3 and PACTOR 4 emissions and who are directly involved
    with HF hurricane and wildfire relief communications.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Sep 24 13:51:49 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB025
    ARLB025 Phil Temples, K9HI, Appointed as New England Division Vice
    Director

    ZCZC AG25
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    ARRL Bulletin 25 ARLB025
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 24, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB025
    ARLB025 Phil Temples, K9HI, Appointed as New England Division Vice
    Director

    ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Phil Temples,
    K9HI, of Watertown, Massachusetts, as New England Division Vice
    Director. He succeeds Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, who was elected earlier
    this year as ARRL First Vice President. President Roderick made the
    appointment after consulting with New England Director Fred
    Hopengarten, K1VR, and the region's Section Managers.

    "I want to thank all of those who forwarded their recommendations to
    Director Hopengarten," Temples said. "Mike Raisbeck left some big
    shoes to fill. I look forward to working with Fred, and to advise
    and assist him with various tasks and board committee assignments.
    One task I'm especially eager to tackle is launching a New England
    Division website."

    An ARRL Life Member, Temples has been licensed for 50 years,
    initially as WN9EAY in Indiana. He has written articles for QST and
    contributed articles for the ARRL website. He also recently
    co-authored a chapter in the Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook.

    Temples served three terms as Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager
    and now is an Assistant SM and an Assistant New England Division
    Director. He's also held ARRL field appointments as Affiliated Club
    Coordinator and Public Information Officer and currently serves as
    program chair for the ARRL New England Division Convention.

    Temples has been active in MARS, the National Traffic System, and as
    an Emergency Coordinator, and he enjoys CW. He holds a degree in
    electrical engineering from Purdue University.

    Temples has actively promoted instruction and licensing and is a
    Volunteer Examiner under the ARRL, W5YI, and Greater Los Angeles ARG
    Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. He's currently involved with New
    England Amateur Radio, Inc. in administering remote exam sessions
    during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Temples is employed at Boston College as a computer systems
    administrator.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Sep 28 12:51:47 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB026
    ARLB026 ARRL Seeks Changes in FCC Proposal to Delete 3.4 GHz Amateur
    Band

    ZCZC AG26
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    ARRL Bulletin 26 ARLB026
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 28, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB026
    ARLB026 ARRL Seeks Changes in FCC Proposal to Delete 3.4 GHz Amateur
    Band

    ARRL met via telephone with FCC staff members this week to emphasize
    its opposition to the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in
    Docket 19-348 to delete amateur radio from the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz band.

    The FCC will take final action in the proceeding when it meets on
    September 30.

    The NPRM can be found online in PDF format at, https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/121661888341/FCC-19-130A1.pdf .

    In comments filed earlier this year, ARRL urged that the secondary
    status for amateur radio in the band be continued. In a series of
    meetings with Commissioner legal advisors and staff members, ARRL
    explained how continued secondary use by radio amateurs will not
    impair or devalue use of this spectrum by future primary licensees,
    including those intending to provide 5G or other services. ARRL also
    stressed the various public-benefit uses of the spectrum by
    amateurs, including ongoing use of television and mesh networks on
    the west coast of the US as part of efforts to contain wildfires.

    With regard to interference potential, ARRL stated that amateur
    radio operators using these bands are technically proficient and
    have a long history of sharing with primary users in this and other
    bands without causing interference.

    FCC staff expressed concern that because amateur operations in the
    band are less clearly defined than those of other services also
    operating on a non-interference in the band, they would be difficult
    to locate should interference occur. ARRL Washington Counsel David
    Siddall, K3ZJ, noted that Section 97.303(g), an existing amateur
    rule, could be amended or used to craft a notification requirement,
    if the FCC concluded that relying on other methods would be
    insufficient.

    The FCC participants indicated that such a requirement, in place of
    deleting the secondary allocation, would be given serious
    consideration. (Section 97.303(g) contains specific
    frequency-sharing requirements for the 2200- and 630-meter amateur
    bands.)

    Siddall also pointed out that the Amateur Television Network (ATN)
    filed an email with the Commission that included a letter from the
    California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
    describing amateur radio's contributions, specifically calling out
    the need for 3.4 GHz access and explaining why other bands are not
    sufficient.

    ARRL also argued that, in any event, continued operation in the band
    should be permitted until and unless an actual potential for
    interference exists in a specific geographic area. ARRL said the FCC
    should not intentionally leave spectrum capacity unused during a
    build-out period that the Commission's own proposal indicates will
    last for at least 12 years in some areas.

    The record in the proceeding is now closed. Please be reminded that
    there can be no calls, emails, or filings to the FCC with regard to
    the issues under consideration until a final FCC Report and Order
    and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is released.

    Release is currently expected to be within a few days after the
    Commission's September 30 meeting. At that time, ARRL will evaluate
    the impact on amateur radio of the Commission's decisions and
    consider what further action, if any, may be merited.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Oct 1 18:44:38 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB027
    ARLB027 Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX, Appointed South Texas Section Manager

    ZCZC AG27
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 27 ARLB027
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT October 1, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB027
    ARLB027 Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX, Appointed South Texas Section Manager

    Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX, has been appointed ARRL South Texas Section
    Manager. He succeeds Paul Gilbert, KE5ZW, of Cedar Park, who has
    stepped down as Section Manager to become ARRL Director of Emergency Management.

    Wolfe, of Rockdale, Texas, will complete the remainder of Gilbert's
    term. Wolfe's appointment as Section Manager begins on October 1 and
    extends until September 30, 2021. ARRL Radiosport and Field Services
    Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, made the appointment after consulting
    with ARRL West Gulf Division Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS,
    and receiving recommendations from Gilbert, West Gulf Division Vice
    Director Lee Cooper, W5LHC, and others in the South Texas Section.

    Stuart Wolfe currently serves as South Texas ARRL Affiliated Club
    Coordinator and Emergency Coordinator. He is the founding member and
    President of the Milam Amateur Radio Club. He is also active as a
    Volunteer Examiner and teacher of amateur radio licensing classes.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Oct 8 19:06:05 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB028
    ARLB028 FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to "Sunset"

    ZCZC AG28
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 28 ARLB028
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT October 8, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB028
    ARLB028 FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to "Sunset"

    Despite vigorous and continuing opposition from ARRL and others, the
    FCC has ordered the "sunsetting" of the 3.3 - 3.5-GHz amateur radio
    secondary spectrum allocation. The decision allows current amateur
    activity on the band to continue, "grandfathering" the amateur
    operations subject to a later decision. The FCC proposed two
    deadlines for amateur operations to cease on the band. The first
    would apply to the 3.4 - 3.5 GHz segment, the second to 3.3 - 3.4
    GHz. The FCC will establish the dates once it reviews additional
    comments.

    "We adopt our proposal from the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to
    remove the amateur allocation from the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz band," the FCC
    said in its R&O. "[W]e adopt changes to our rules today that provide
    for the sunset of the secondary amateur allocation in the band, but
    allow continued use of the band for amateur operations, pending
    resolution of the issues raised in the Further Notice."

    The Report and Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    in WT Docket No. 19-348 adopted on September 30 followed a 2019 FCC
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in which the FCC proposed
    re-allocating 3.45 - 3.55 GHz for "flexible-use service" and
    auctioning the desirable "mid-band" spectrum (generally defined as
    between 1 GHz and 6 GHz) to 5G providers. These and other recent spectrum-repurposing actions stem from the MOBILE NOW Act, enacted
    in 2018, in which Congress directed the Commission to make
    additional spectrum available to auction for mobile and fixed
    wireless broadband. The FCC action is consistent with worldwide
    allocations adopted by the ITU for these frequencies.

    The Report and Order can be found online in PDF format at, https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1002214202488/FCC-20-138A1.pdf .

    In the run-up to the Commission's decision, ARRL met with the FCC's professional staff to explain its concerns and to answer questions. Subsequently, ARRL met with the wireless advisors to the FCC
    Chairman and two Commissioners. In those meetings, ARRL reiterated
    that continued secondary status for amateurs will not impair or
    devalue use of this spectrum by the primary licensees intending to
    provide 5G or other service. ARRL noted amateur radio's long history
    of successful coexistence with primary users of the 9 cm band,
    sharing this spectrum with the federal government users and
    secondary, non-federal occupants.

    ARRL pointed out that vital links in amateur television and amateur
    radio high-speed mesh networks using the band have been especially
    valuable during such emergency situations as the wildfires currently
    raging on the west coast. Deleting the amateur secondary allocation
    will result in lost opportunities for experimentation and public
    service with no public interest benefit to make up for that.

    ARRL argued that deleting the secondary allocation would waste the
    scarce spectrum resource, particularly in areas where commercial
    services often do not construct full facilities due to small
    populations. The FCC action means that amateur radio will lose
    access to the 3.5-GHz secondary allocation even where commercial
    operations do not exist. ARRL told the Commission that it should not intentionally allow this spectrum to be vacant and unused, wasting
    the public resource, when amateurs can use some portion of it in
    many geographic areas with no detriment to any other licensee, just
    as it has in the past. ARRL argues that amateur operations should be
    permitted until and unless an actual potential for interference
    exists.

    Deletion of the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz secondary amateur allocation will
    become effective on the effective date of the FCC's order, but
    amateur radio operation as of that date may continue while the FCC
    finalizes rules to license spectrum in the 3.45 - 3.55 GHz band and
    establishes deadlines for amateur operations to cease. The FCC
    proposed allowing amateur operation in the 3.3 - 3.4 GHz portion of
    the band to continue "pending further decisions about the future of
    this portion of the spectrum," the timing for which is unknown. The
    Commission proposed to mandate that operations cease in the 3.4 -
    3.5 GHz portion when commercial licensing commences for the new 3.45
    - 3.55 GHz "5G" band, which is predicted to begin in the first half
    of 2022.

    "[W]e seek comment on whether it is in the public interest to sunset
    amateur use in the 3.3 - 3.55 GHz band in two separate phases, e.g.,
    first above 3.4 GHz, which is the focus of [the R&O] and later in
    that portion of the band below 3.4 GHz," the FCC said.

    ARRL expressed gratitude to the many members and organizations that
    joined ARRL in challenging the FCC throughout this nearly year-long
    proceeding. They included multiple radio clubs, weak signal
    enthusiasts, moonbounce participants, and the Amateur Radio
    Emergency Data Network (AREDN), the Amateur Television Network
    (ATN), AMSAT, and Open Research Institute (ORI).

    ARRL will continue its efforts to preserve secondary amateur radio
    access to 3.3 - 3.5 GHz. Members are invited to share comments by
    visiting http://www.arrl.org/3-GHz-Band .

    "We recognize that any loss of our privileges will most directly
    impact radio amateurs who use the frequencies to operate and
    innovate," said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. "Such instances
    only embolden ARRL's role to protect and advocate for the Amateur
    Radio Service and Amateur Satellite Service. There will be continued
    threats to our spectrum. So I urge all amateurs, now more than ever,
    to strengthen our hold by being ceaseless in our public service,
    experimenting, and discovery throughout the radio spectrum."
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Oct 14 09:28:30 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB029
    ARLB029 Bob Buus, W2OD, Appointed as Northern New Jersey Section
    Manager

    ZCZC AG29
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 29 ARLB029
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT October 13, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB029
    ARLB029 Bob Buus, W2OD, Appointed as Northern New Jersey Section
    Manager

    Bob Buus, W2OD, of Holmdel, has been appointed as Northern New
    Jersey Section Manager to succeed Steve Ostrove, K2SO (SK), who
    stepped down on September 22 due to failing health. Buus will serve
    out the current term of office, which concludes on June 30, 2021.

    An ARRL Life Member, Buus had been serving as an Assistant SM and an
    Emergency Coordinator. He is also an ARRL Volunteer Examiner and
    Life Member of ARRL. Ostrove had recommended Buus to be appointed to
    replace him, and ARRL Hudson Division Director Ria Jairam, N2RJ,
    agreed with his choice. ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager
    Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, made the appointment, which is effective
    immediately.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Oct 14 09:28:39 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB030
    ARLB030 Mark Stillman, KA3JUJ, Appointed as New Delaware Section
    Manager

    ZCZC AG30
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 30 ARLB030
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT October 13, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB030
    ARLB030 Mark Stillman, KA3JUJ, Appointed as New Delaware Section
    Manager

    Mark Stillman, KA3JUJ, of Newark, Delaware, has been appointed as
    ARRL Delaware Section Manager. He succeeds Bill Duveneck, KB3KYH,
    who had served since 2014. Duveneck has moved out of the Delaware
    Section.

    ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ,
    appointed Stillman after consulting with ARRL Atlantic Division
    Director Tom Abernethy, W3TOM. The appointment is effective
    immediately and extends through the end of Duveneck's term on
    December 31, 2021.

    Stillman is a member of the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service
    (ARES), an ARRL Volunteer Examiner, and an American Red Cross
    volunteer. He serves as treasurer of the Delaware Repeater
    Association.
    NNNN
    /EX
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  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Oct 29 06:13:02 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB031
    ARLB031 ARRL Urges Members to Join in Strongly Opposing FCC's
    Application Fees Proposal

    ZCZC AG31
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 31 ARLB031
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT October 28, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB031
    ARLB031 ARRL Urges Members to Join in Strongly Opposing FCC's
    Application Fees Proposal

    ARRL will file comments in firm opposition to an FCC proposal to
    impose a $50 fee on amateur radio license and application fees. With
    the November 16 comment deadline fast approaching, ARRL urges
    members to add their voices to ARRL's by filing opposition comments
    of their own. The FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) MD Docket
    20-270 appeared in the October 15 edition of The Federal Register
    and sets deadlines of November 16 to comment and November 30 to post
    reply comments, which are comments on comments already filed.

    The NPRM can be found online at, https://tinyurl.com/yyk8f2yp .

    ARRL has prepared a Guide to Filing Comments with the FCC which
    includes tips for preparing comments and step-by-step filing
    instructions. File comments on MD Docket 20-270 using the FCC's
    Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). The instructions can be
    found online at, http://www.arrl.org/FCC-Fees-Proposal .

    Under the proposal, amateur radio licensees would pay a $50 fee for
    each amateur radio application for new licenses, license renewals,
    upgrades to existing licenses, and vanity call sign requests. The
    FCC also has proposed a $50 fee to obtain a printed copy of a
    license. Excluded are applications for administrative updates, such
    as changes of address, and annual regulatory fees. Amateur Service
    licensees have been exempt from application fees for several years.

    The FCC proposal is contained in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    (NPRM) in MD Docket 20-270, which was adopted to implement portions
    of the "Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern
    Services Act" of 2018 - the so-called "Ray Baum's Act." The Act
    requires that the FCC switch from a Congressionally-mandated fee
    structure to a cost-based system of assessment. In its NPRM, the FCC
    proposed application fees for a broad range of services that use the
    FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS), including the Amateur Radio
    Service. The 2018 statute excludes the Amateur Service from annual
    regulatory fees, but not from application fees. The FCC proposal
    affects all FCC services and does not single out amateur radio.

    ARRL is encouraging members to file comments that stress amateur
    radio's contributions to the country and communities. ARRL's Guide
    to Filing Comments includes "talking points" that may be helpful in
    preparing comments. These stress amateur radio's role in
    volunteering communication support during disasters and emergencies,
    and inspiring students to pursue education and careers in
    engineering, radio technology, and communications.

    As the FCC explained in its NPRM, Congress, through the Ray Baum's
    Act, is compelling regulatory agencies such as the FCC to recover
    from applicants the costs involved in filing and handling
    applications.

    In its NPRM the FCC encouraged licensees to update their own
    information online without charge. Many, if not most, Amateur
    Service applications may be handled via the largely automated
    Universal License Service (ULS). The Ray Baum's Act does not exempt
    filing fees in the Amateur Radio Service, and the FCC stopped
    assessing fees for vanity call signs several years ago.

    See also "FCC Proposes to Reinstate Amateur Radio Service Fees,"
    reported by ARRL in August, at, http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-proposes-to-reinstate-amateur-radio-service-fees
    .

    A summary page of the proceeding can also be found online at, http://www.arrl.org/FCC-Fees-Proposal .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Nov 2 11:46:22 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB032
    ARLB032 W1AW 2020/2021 Winter Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG32
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 32 ARLB032
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 2, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB032
    ARLB032 W1AW 2020/2021 Winter Operating Schedule

    Morning Schedule:

    Time Mode Days
    ------------------- ---- ---------
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWs Wed, Fri
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWf Tue, Thu

    Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

    1500 UTC to 1700 UTC - (10 AM to 12 PM EST)
    1800 UTC to 2045 UTC - (1 PM to 3:45 PM EST)

    (Station closed 1700 to 1800 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM EST))

    Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

    2100 UTC (4 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    2100 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    2200 " (5 PM EST) CWb Daily
    2300 " (6 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0000 " (7 PM EST) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri
    0000 " " CWf Tue, Thu
    0100 " (8 PM EST) CWb Daily
    0200 " (9 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0245 " (9:45 PM EST) VOICE Daily
    0300 " (10 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    0300 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    0400 " (11 PM EST) 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 2330 UTC (6:30 PM EST), 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
    0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Thursdays and 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Fridays.

    Audio from W1AW's CW code practices, CW/digital bulletins and phone
    bulletin is available using EchoLink via the W1AW Conference Server
    named "W1AWBDCT." The monthly W1AW Qualifying Runs are presented
    here as well. The 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.

    All licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1500 UTC to 1700
    UTC (10 AM to 12 PM EST), and then from 1800 UTC to 2045 UTC (1 PM
    to 3:45 PM EST) Monday through Friday. Be sure to bring your
    current FCC amateur radio license or a photocopy.

    However, please note that because of current COVID-19 restrictions,
    W1AW is not open for visitor operations at this time.

    The W1AW Operating Schedule may also be found on page 87 in the
    November 2020 issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Nov 9 17:46:53 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB033
    ARLB033 Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, is New ARRL Pacific Division
    Director

    ZCZC AG33
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 33 ARLB033
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 9, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB033
    ARLB033 Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, is New ARRL Pacific Division
    Director

    Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, of San Jose, California, has assumed the
    office of ARRL Pacific Division Director following the recent
    vacancy in the office. The ARRL Articles of Association stipulate
    she will serve as Director for the remainder of the current term,
    which expires on December 31, 2022. She will join the ARRL Board
    which is comprised of the organization's 15 Directors - each
    representing a geographical area.

    McIntyre was appointed as the Division's Vice Director in 2018, and
    was unopposed as a candidate for the position in 2019. She was first
    licensed in the late 1970s while a student at Massachusetts
    Institute of Technology. She holds an Amateur Extra class license.

    She has served as ARRL Technical Coordinator for the East Bay
    Section, and is a member of the Palo Alto Amateur Radio Club.
    McIntyre also is licensed in Japan, her second home, as JI1IZZ. She
    is a senior software engineer at Apple.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Nov 16 23:56:25 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB034
    ARLB034 Clear Frequencies Requested for Caribbean Hurricane
    Emergency Traffic

    ZCZC AG34
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 34 ARLB034
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 17, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB034
    ARLB034 Clear Frequencies Requested for Caribbean Hurricane
    Emergency Traffic

    Stations handling emergency traffic during the response to Category
    5 Hurricane Iota, just off the eastern coast of Nicaragua, are
    requesting clear frequencies.

    Radio amateurs not involved in the emergency response are asked to
    avoid (plus/minus 5 KHz) the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) and WX4NHC
    (National Hurricane Center) frequencies of 14.325 and 7.268 MHz, as
    well as a Honduran emergency net operation on 7.180 MHz (net control
    station is HR1JFA), and a Nicaraguan emergency net operating on
    7.098 MHz.

    With maximum sustained winds of 160 MPH, Hurricane Iota is expected
    to bring catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge, and
    torrential rainfall to Central America.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Nov 19 12:24:04 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB035
    ARLB035 ARRL Seeks Waiver of Proposed FCC Amateur Application Fees

    ZCZC AG35
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 35 ARLB035
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 19, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB035
    ARLB035 ARRL Seeks Waiver of Proposed FCC Amateur Application Fees

    ARRL has urged the FCC to waive its proposed $50 amateur radio
    application fee. The Commission proposal was made last month in a
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in MD 20-270. The proposal
    already has drawn more than 3,200 individual comments overwhelmingly
    opposed to the plan. The fees, directed by Congress and imposed on
    all FCC-regulated services, are to recover the FCC's costs of
    handling and processing applications.

    The NPRM can be found in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-116A1.pdf .

    "Amateur radio applications were not listed when the Congress
    adopted its 1985 fee schedule for applications, and therefore
    amateur license applications were excluded from the collection of
    fees," ARRL said on November 16 in its formal comments on the
    proposal. "Similarly, a decade later when regulatory fees were
    authorized, the Amateur Service was excluded, except for the costs
    associated with issuing vanity call signs." The new statutory
    provisions are similar. Amateur radio license applications are not
    addressed in the application fees section and explicitly excluded
    from regulatory fees," ARRL said, and there is "no evidence of any
    intent by Congress to change the exempt status of amateur
    applications and instead subject them to new fees."

    ARRL's formal comments can be found online at, https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/111762316365 .

    ARRL argued that the FCC has explicit authority to waive the fees if
    it would be in the public interest, and should do so for the Amateur
    Radio Service. Unlike other FCC services, the Amateur Radio Service
    is all volunteer and largely self-governing, with examination
    preparation, administration, and grading handled by volunteers, who
    submit licensing paperwork to the FCC, ARRL pointed out.

    "Increasingly, the required information is uploaded to the
    Commission's database, further freeing personnel from licensing
    paperwork as well as from day-to-day examination processes," ARRL
    said. "The addition of an application fee will greatly increase the
    complexity and requirements for volunteer examiners."

    The Communications Act, ARRL noted, also permits the FCC to accept
    the volunteer services of individual radio amateurs and
    organizations in monitoring for rules violations. In 2019, ARRL and
    the FCC signed a memorandum of understanding to renew and enhance
    the ARRL's Volunteer Monitor program, relieving the Commission of
    significant time-consuming aspects of enforcement.

    These volunteer services lessen the regulatory burden - including
    the application burden - on the Commission's resources and budget in
    ways that licensees in other services do not, ARRL said.

    Amateur radio's role in providing emergency and disaster
    communication, education, and other volunteer services also
    justifies exempting radio amateurs from FCC application fees. For
    example, ARRL noted, last year more than 31,000 participated as
    members of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), and
    local ARES teams reported taking part in more than 37,000 events,
    donating nearly 573,000 volunteer hours, providing a total value of
    more than $14.5 million.

    Amateur radio also has motivated many students to develop critical
    science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills.
    ARRL noted that the Amateur Radio Service contributes to the
    advancement of the radio art, advances skills in communication and
    technology, and expands the existing reservoir of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts - all expressed bases and
    purposes of the Amateur Radio Service.

    "Accomplishing these purposes entails working with young people,
    many of whom may have difficulty paying the proposed application
    fees of $50, $100, or $150," ARRL said. "The $150 fee would be the
    cost of passing the examinations for the three amateur license
    levels in three examination sessions," ARRL said. "Such multiple
    application fees to upgrade would dampen the incentive to study and
    demonstrate the greater proficiency needed to pass the examinations
    for the higher amateur classes."

    ARRL concluded that the FCC should exercise its authority to exempt
    amateur radio from application fees generally. If the FCC cannot see
    its way clear to waive fees for all amateur radio license
    applications, the fees should be waived for applicants age 26 years
    and younger. Such individuals, ARRL contended, have the most to
    contribute to the future of radio technology and other STEM-related
    activities and are the most likely to find the proposed application
    fees burdensome.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Nov 23 17:48:15 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB036
    ARLB036 ARRL Announces Director, Vice Director Election Results

    ZCZC AG36
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 36 ARLB036
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 23, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB036
    ARLB036 ARRL Announces Director, Vice Director Election Results

    The ARRL Dakota Division will have a new Director, and the Great
    Lakes and Midwest Divisions will have new Vice Directors on January
    1. The results of four contested elections for Director and Vice
    Director in three ARRL Divisions were announced on November 20,
    after ballots were tallied at ARRL Headquarters.

    In the Dakota Division, incumbent Matt Holden, K0BBC, lost his
    re-election bid to challenger Vernon ''Bill'' Lippert, AC0W. The vote
    was 982 to 485. Holden had served as Director since 2018.

    In the Great Lakes Division, incumbent Director Dale Williams,
    WA8EFK, retained his seat in a challenge from Michael Kalter, W8CI.
    The vote was 1,840 to 1,398. In a three-way contest for Great Lakes
    Division Vice Director, Ohio Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY,
    received 1,670 votes to outpoll Jim Hessler, K8JH, with 975 votes,
    and Frank Piper, KI8GW, who received 611 votes. Incumbent Vice
    Director Tom Delaney, W8WTD, did not run for another term.

    In the Midwest Division, Dave Propper, K2DP, will become the new
    Vice Director in January. He received 1,164 votes to 623 votes for
    challenger Lloyd Colston, KC5FM. Current Vice Director Art
    Zygielbaum, K0AIZ, will become the new Director in January. He was
    unopposed to succeed incumbent Director Rod Blocksome, K0DAS, who
    did not seek a new term.

    Declared Elected without Opposition:

    * In the Atlantic Division, Director Tom Abernethy, W3TOM, who has
    held the seat since 2015, and Vice Director Bob Famiglio, K3RF,
    elected to a 3-year term (2015 - 2018) and then appointed in 2019 to
    fill a vacancy when the incumbent stepped down.

    * In the Dakota Division, Vice Director Lynn Nelson, W0ND, in office
    since 2018.

    * In the Delta Division, Director David Norris, K5UZ, who's served
    in that office since 2012, and Vice Director Ed Hudgens, WB4RHQ,
    appointed in 2013.

    * In the Midwest Division, current Vice Director Art Zygielbaum,
    K0AIZ, will become the new Director in January, succeeding incumbent
    Rod Blocksome, K0DAS, who is stepping down. Zygielbaum has been Vice
    Director since 2014.

    All newly elected officials take office at noon on January 1, 2021.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Nov 25 17:48:03 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB037
    ARLB037 New York City-Long Island Section Manager Re-Elected in Fall
    Balloting

    ZCZC AG37
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 37 ARLB037
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 25, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB037
    ARLB037 New York City-Long Island Section Manager Re-Elected in Fall
    Balloting

    New York City-Long Island Section Manager Jim Mezey, W2KFV, has been
    re-elected in the Fall election cycle. Mezey, of Carle Place,
    received 527 votes to 136 for challenger Donnie Katzovicz, W2BRU.
    The race for NYC-LI SM was the only contested election. Mezey begins
    a new 2-year term of office on January 1, 2021. He has served as New
    York City-Long Island Section Manager since 2013.

    In the West Central Florida (WCF) Section, Michael Douglas, W4MDD,
    of Wauchula, Florida, will become Section Manager starting on
    January 1, 2021. He was the only nominee for the post. Douglas is
    currently Affiliated Club Coordinator, a Technical Specialist, and
    an Official Emergency Station. Incumbent WCF Section Manager Darrell
    Davis, KT4WX, did not run for a new term after serving for the past
    6 years.

    These incumbent Section Managers were the only candidates for
    re-election and will begin new terms of office on January 1: Tom
    Walsh, K1TW (Eastern Massachusetts); Cecil Higgins, AC0HA
    (Missouri); Matt Anderson, KA0BOJ (Nebraska); Thomas Dick, KF2GC
    (Northern New York); Marc Tarplee, N4UFP (South Carolina); Tom
    Preiser, N2XW (Southern New Jersey), and Joe Shupienis, W3BC
    (Western Pennsylvania).
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Dec 2 18:41:25 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB038
    ARLB038 FCC to Require Email Addresses on Applications

    ZCZC AG38
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 38 ARLB038
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 2, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB038
    ARLB038 FCC to Require Email Addresses on Applications

    Amateur radio licensees and candidates will have to provide the FCC
    with an email address on applications, effective sometime in
    mid-2021.

    If no email address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application
    as defective.

    The FCC is fully transitioning to electronic correspondence and will
    no longer print or provide wireless licensees with hard-copy
    authorizations or registrations by mail.

    A Report and Order (R&O) on "Completing the Transition to Electronic
    Filing, Licenses and Authorizations, and Correspondence in the
    Wireless Radio Services" in WT Docket 19-212 was adopted on
    September 16. The new rules will go into effect 6 months after
    publication in the Federal Register, which hasn't happened yet, but
    the FCC is already strongly encouraging applicants to provide an
    email address.

    When an email address is provided, licensees will receive an
    official electronic copy of their licenses when the application is
    granted.

    The Report and Order can be found in PDF format online at, https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-electronic-licensing-report-and-order
    .

    Under Section 97.21 of the new rules, a person holding a valid
    amateur station license "must apply to the FCC for a modification of
    the license grant as necessary to show the correct mailing and email
    address, licensee name, club name, license trustee name, or license
    custodian name." For a club or military recreation station license,
    the application must be presented in document form to a club station
    call sign administrator who must submit the information to the FCC
    in an electronic batch file.

    Under new Section 97.23, each license will have to show the
    grantee's correct name, mailing address, and email address. "The
    email address must be an address where the grantee can receive
    electronic correspondence," the amended rule will state. "Revocation
    of the station license or suspension of the operator license may
    result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable
    because the grantee failed to provide the correct email address."
    NNNN
    /EX
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    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Dec 22 13:53:06 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB039
    ARLB039 FCC Posts Email Address Reminder On ULS Landing Page

    ZCZC AG39
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 39 ARLB039
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 22, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB039
    ARLB039 FCC Posts Email Address Reminder On ULS Landing Page

    The FCC is encouraging users of the Universal Licensing Service
    (ULS) to have an email address on file with the FCC.

    The ULS Landing Page can be found at, https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/systems-utilities/universal-licensing-system
    .

    "Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide an email address on
    their license application(s), which will trigger the electronic
    issuance of an official copy of their license(s) to the email
    provided upon application grant. Per the timing specified in
    Rulemaking FCC 20-126, the FCC will no longer print, and licensees
    will no longer be able to request, hard copy license authorizations
    sent by mail."

    The Rulemaking can be found online in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-126A1.pdf .

    The FCC has not yet established the date by which an email address
    will be required on all applications. ARRL VEC already has begun
    including email addresses on FCC applications for as many applicants
    as possible.
    NNNN
    /EX
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    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Dec 22 13:53:23 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB040
    ARLB040 Tom Sly, WB8LCD, Appointed as Ohio Section Manager

    ZCZC AG40
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 40 ARLB040
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 22, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB040
    ARLB040 Tom Sly, WB8LCD, Appointed as Ohio Section Manager

    Tom Sly, WB8LCD, of Kent, has been appointed as the Ohio Section
    Manager, effective January 1, 2021. Sly will assume the seat that
    incumbent Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY, is vacating to become
    Great Lakes Division Vice Director, after serving as Ohio Section
    Manager since 2014.

    Sly was appointed by ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager Bart
    Jahnke, W9JJ, after consulting with Great Lakes Division Director
    Dale Williams, WA8EFK. The Section Manager appointment extends
    through September 30, 2022.

    Sly is an ARRL Life Member and has served as Ohio Section Affiliated
    Club Coordinator since 2017. He is past president of the Portage
    County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS) and has been a radio amateur
    since 1968.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Dec 31 18:03:45 2020

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB041
    ARLB041 FCC Reduces Proposed Amateur Radio Application Fee to $35

    ZCZC AG41
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 41 ARLB041
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 31, 2020
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB041
    ARLB041 FCC Reduces Proposed Amateur Radio Application Fee to $35

    The FCC has agreed with ARRL and other commenters that its proposed
    $50 fee for certain amateur radio applications was "too high to
    account for the minimal staff involvement in these applications."

    In a Report and Order (R&O), released on December 29, the FCC scaled
    back to $35 the fee for a new license application, a special
    temporary authority (STA) request, a rule waiver request, a license
    renewal application, and a vanity call sign application. All fees
    are per application. There will be no fee for administrative
    updates, such as a change of mailing or email address.

    The R&O can be found online in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-184A1.pdf .

    This fall, ARRL filed comments in firm opposition to the FCC
    proposal to impose a $50 fee on amateur radio license and
    application fees and urged its members to follow suit.

    As the FCC noted in its R&O, although some commenters supported the
    proposed $50 fee as reasonable and fair, "ARRL and many individual
    commenters argued that there was no cost-based justification for
    application fees in the Amateur Radio Service." The fee proposal was
    contained in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in MD Docket
    20-270, which was adopted to implement portions of the "Repack
    Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act" of
    2018 - the so-called "Ray Baum's Act."

    Information on Ray Baum's Act can be found online in PDF format at, https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ141/PLAW-115publ141.pdf .

    "After reviewing the record, including the extensive comments filed
    by amateur radio licensees and based on our revised analysis of the
    cost of processing mostly automated processes discussed in our
    methodology section, we adopt a $35 application fee, a lower
    application fee than the Commission proposed in the NPRM for
    personal licenses, in recognition of the fact that the application
    process is mostly automated," the FCC said in the R&O. "We adopt the
    proposal from the NPRM to assess no additional application fee for
    minor modifications or administrative updates, which also are highly automated."

    The FCC said it received more than 197,000 personal license
    applications in 2019, which includes not only ham radio license
    applications but commercial radio operator licenses and General
    Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) licenses.

    The FCC turned away the arguments of some commenters that the FCC
    should exempt amateur radio licensees. The FCC stated that it has no
    authority to create an exemption "where none presently exists."

    The FCC also disagreed with those who argued that amateur radio
    licensees should be exempt from fees because of their public service contribution during emergencies and disasters.

    "[W]e are very much aware of these laudable and important services
    amateur radio licensees provide to the American public," the FCC
    said, but noted that specific exemptions provided under Section 8 of
    the so-called "Ray Baum's Act" requiring the FCC to assess the fees
    do not apply to amateur radio personal licenses. "Emergency
    communications, for example, are voluntary and are not required by
    our rules," the FCC noted. "As we have noted previously, '[w]hile
    the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary
    noncommercial communications service, particularly with respect to
    providing emergency communications, is one of the underlying
    principles of the amateur service, the amateur service is not an
    emergency radio service.'"

    The Act requires that the FCC switch from a Congressionally-mandated
    fee structure to a cost-based system of assessment. The FCC proposed application fees for a broad range of services that use the FCC's
    Universal Licensing System (ULS), including the Amateur Radio
    Service, which had been excluded previously. The 2018 statute
    excludes the Amateur Service from annual regulatory fees, but not
    from application fees.

    "While the Ray Baum's Act amended Section 9 and retained the
    regulatory fee exemption for amateur radio station licensees,
    Congress did not include a comparable exemption among the amendments
    it made to Section 8 of the Act," the FCC R&O explained.

    The effective date of the fee schedule has not been established, but
    it will be announced at least 30 days in advance. The FCC has
    directed the Office of Managing Director, in consultation with
    relevant offices and bureaus, to draft a notice for publication in
    the Federal Register announcing when rule change(s) will become
    effective, "once the relevant databases, guides, and internal
    procedures have been updated."
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Jan 4 17:57:27 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB001
    ARLB001 W1AW 2021 Winter Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG01
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 1 ARLB001
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT January 4, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB001
    ARLB001 W1AW 2021 Winter Operating Schedule

    Morning Schedule:

    Time Mode Days
    ------------------- ---- ---------
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWs Wed, Fri
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWf Tue, Thu

    Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

    1500 UTC to 1700 UTC - (10 AM to 12 PM EST)
    1800 UTC to 2045 UTC - (1 PM to 3:45 PM EST)

    (Station closed 1700 to 1800 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM EST))

    Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

    2100 UTC (4 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    2100 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    2200 " (5 PM EST) CWb Daily
    2300 " (6 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0000 " (7 PM EST) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri
    0000 " " CWf Tue, Thu
    0100 " (8 PM EST) CWb Daily
    0200 " (9 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0245 " (9:45 PM EST) VOICE Daily
    0300 " (10 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    0300 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    0400 " (11 PM EST) 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 2330 UTC (6:30 PM EST), 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
    0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Thursdays and 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Fridays.

    Audio from W1AW's CW code practices, CW/digital bulletins and phone
    bulletin is available using EchoLink via the W1AW Conference Server
    named "W1AWBDCT." The monthly W1AW Qualifying Runs are presented
    here as well. The 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.

    All licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1500 UTC to 1700
    UTC (10 AM to 12 PM EST), and then from 1800 UTC to 2045 UTC (1 PM
    to 3:45 PM EST) 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.

    Please note that because of current COVID-19 restrictions, W1AW is
    not open for visitor operations at this time.

    The W1AW Operating Schedule may also be found on page 85 in the
    January 2021 issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Jan 4 17:57:36 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB002
    ARLB002 FCC to Require Email Address on Applications Starting on
    June 29, 2021

    ZCZC AG02
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 2 ARLB002
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT January 4, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB002
    ARLB002 FCC to Require Email Address on Applications Starting on
    June 29, 2021

    Effective on June 29, 2021, amateur radio licensees and candidates
    must provide the FCC with an email address on all applications. If
    no email address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application as "defective."

    On September 16, the FCC adopted a Report and Order (R&O) in WT
    Docket 19-212 on "Completing the Transition to Electronic Filing,
    Licenses and Authorizations, and Correspondence in the Wireless
    Radio Services." The R&O was published on December 29 in the Federal
    Register. The FCC has already begun strongly encouraging applicants
    to provide an email address. Once an email address is provided, the
    FCC will email a link to an official electronic copy of the license
    grant. An official copy will also be available at any time by
    accessing the licensee's password-protected Universal Licensing
    System (ULS) account.

    The R&O is available online in PDF format at, https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-electronic-licensing-report-and-order
    .

    Licensees can log into the ULS License Manager System with their FRN
    and password at any time and update anything in their FCC license
    record, including adding an email address. For questions or password
    issues, call the CORES/FRN Help Line, (877) 480-3201 (Monday -
    Friday, 1300 - 2300 UTC) or reset the password on the FCC website.

    The only way to refrain from providing an email address on an
    application would be to submit a request to waive the new rule,
    providing justification for the request. (The FCC would not be
    obliged to grant such a request.)

    Under Section 97.21 of the new rules, a person holding a valid
    amateur radio station license "must apply to the FCC for a
    modification of the license grant as necessary to show the correct
    mailing and email address, licensee name, club name, license trustee
    name, or license custodian name." For a club or military recreation
    station license, the application must be presented in document form
    to a club station call sign administrator who must submit the
    information to the FCC in an electronic batch file.

    Under new Section 97.23, each license must show the grantee's
    correct name, mailing address, and email address. "The email address
    must be an address where the grantee can receive electronic
    correspondence," the amended rule will state. "Revocation of the
    station license or suspension of the operator license may result
    when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable
    because the grantee failed to provide the correct email address."
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Jan 8 17:54:26 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB003
    ARLB003 FCC Invites Comments on Expanding the Number of Volunteer
    Examiner Coordinators

    ZCZC AG03
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 3 ARLB003
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT January 8, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB003
    ARLB003 FCC Invites Comments on Expanding the Number of Volunteer
    Examiner Coordinators

    In a January 5 Public Notice, the FCC requested comments on whether
    the current 14 Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) are sufficient
    to facilitate the efforts of their accredited Volunteer Examiners
    (VEs) in administering amateur radio examinations. The ARRL VEC is
    the largest of the 14 VECs in the US. Comments are due by February
    5, and reply comments are due by February 19. After Congress
    authorized it to do so, the FCC adopted rules in 1983 to allow
    volunteers to prepare and administer amateur radio examinations, and
    it established the system of VECs and VEs.

    The Public Notice can be found online in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-9A1.pdf .

    "VECs introduced consistency into the volunteer examiner program by centralizing accreditation of volunteer examiners, coordinating the
    dates and times for scheduling examinations, and managing the
    various administrative tasks arising from examinations," the FCC
    said. Authorized VECs may operate in any of the 13 VEC regions but
    must service at least one region. The FCC pointed out that some VECs
    now offer remote examinations.

    "The Commission has long maintained 14 VECs and now seeks to
    consider whether they continue to serve the evolving needs of the
    amateur community, or whether there are unmet needs that warrant
    considering expanding the number of VECs."

    The FCC Public Notice provided questions for framing comments:

    * Are the existing 14 VECs sufficient to coordinate the efforts of
    Volunteer Examiners in preparing and administering examinations for
    amateur radio operator licenses, or are additional VECs needed?

    * What needs are currently being met, and which needs, if any, are
    not?

    * If the FCC were to allow additional VECs, how many more would be
    needed to satisfy existing Amateur Radio Service license examination
    needs? (The FCC indicated that it will likely cap the number of
    additional VECs at five.)

    * Given that VECs use a collaborative process to create examination
    question pools and volunteer examination administration protocols,
    would additional VECs enhance or hinder this process?

    * How would increasing the number of VECs address the unmet needs,
    if any, of the amateur radio community, and what obstacles or
    complications could result from increasing the number of VECs?

    Interested parties may file short comments on WT Docket No. 21-2 via
    the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing Service (Express) at, https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express .

    Visit the FCC's "How to Comment on FCC Proceedings" page for
    information on filing extended comments at, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-comment .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Mar 15 03:18:38 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB004
    ARLB004 W1AW 2021 Spring/Summer Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG04
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 4 ARLB004
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 14, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB004
    ARLB004 W1AW 2021 Spring/Summer Operating Schedule

    Morning Schedule:

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

    Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

    1400 UTC to 1600 UTC - (10 AM to 12 PM ET)
    1700 UTC to 1945 UTC - (1 PM to 3:45 PM ET)

    (Station closed 1600 to 1700 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM ET))

    Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

    2000 UTC (4 PM ET) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    2000 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    2100 " (5 PM ET) CWb Daily
    2200 " (6 PM ET) DIGITAL Daily
    2300 " (7 PM ET) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri
    2300 " " CWf Tue, Thu
    0000 " (8 PM ET) CWb Daily
    0100 " (9 PM ET) DIGITAL Daily
    0145 " (9:45 PM ET) VOICE Daily
    0200 " (10 PM ET) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    0200 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    0300 " (11 PM ET) 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 ET), 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 ET) Thursdays and 0000 UTC (8 PM ET) 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 1600
    UTC (10 AM to 12 PM ET), and then from 1700 UTC to 1945 UTC (1 PM to
    3:45 PM ET) 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.

    Please note that because of current COVID-19 restrictions, W1AW is
    not open for visitor operations at this time.

    The complete W1AW Operating Schedule may be found on page 77 in the
    March 2021 issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Mar 17 14:16:11 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB005
    ARLB005 Incumbent Section Managers Begin New Terms in April

    ZCZC AG05
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 5 ARLB005
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 17, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB005
    ARLB005 Incumbent Section Managers Begin New Terms in April

    Eight incumbent ARRL Section Managers who were unopposed for
    re-election in the winter election cycle will begin new terms on
    April 1.

    They are Rick Paquette, W7RAP (Arizona); James Ferguson, N5LKE
    (Arkansas); Lelia Garner, WA0UIG (Iowa); Steve Morgan, W4NHO
    (Kentucky); Malcolm Keown, W5XX (Mississippi); Paul Stiles, KF7SOJ
    (Montana); Steven Lott Smith, KG5VK (North Texas), and Rick
    Breininger, N1TEK (Wyoming).

    Because no nominating petitions were received from the ARRL Orange
    Section by the December 4, 2020 deadline, candidates for the office
    of Orange Section Manager will be re-solicited. Notices will appear
    in the April and May issues of QST to elicit candidates for an
    18-month term starting October 1, 2021.

    Incumbent Orange Section Manager Carl Gardenias, WU6D, decided not
    to run for another term after serving since 2003.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Mar 23 13:41:14 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB006
    ARLB006 Amateur Radio Gets a Partial Reprieve on 3.5 GHz

    ZCZC AG06
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 6 ARLB006
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 23, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB006
    ARLB006 Amateur Radio Gets a Partial Reprieve on 3.5 GHz

    Pending future FCC action, amateur radio secondary use of the 3.3 -
    3.45 GHz band segment may continue indefinitely. The FCC, as part of
    a lengthy Second Report and Order (R&O) for commercial licensing of
    3.45 - 3.55 GHz adopted on March 17, agreed with ARRL that continued
    access by amateur radio to 3.3 - 3.45 GHz should be allowed until
    consideration of the 3.1 - 3.45 GHz spectrum in a later proceeding.

    The FCC action in WT Docket 19-348 represents a partial "and
    temporary" reprieve from the FCC's December 2019 proposal to remove
    amateur radio from the entire band, and it makes available an
    additional 50 Megahertz than an FCC proposal last fall to allow
    amateur temporary use of 3.3 - 3.4 GHz.

    The Second R&O can be found in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-32A1.pdf .

    Amateur secondary operation in the 3.45 - 3.50 GHz band must cease
    90 days after public notice that the spectrum auction has closed and
    licensing has begun. That is expected to happen early in 2022. The
    FCC announced the opening of 3.45 - 3.55 GHz for auction to
    commercial 5G interests on March 17.

    The FCC stated that "While we adopt our proposal to bifurcate the
    band, we adjust our proposal and set 3450 MHz as the frequency at
    which the band will be split." It agreed "with the ARRL's
    assessment that the guard band is not necessary from a technical
    standpoint. We also recognize that the nature of amateur equipment
    realities makes the 50 Megahertz at 3400 - 3450 MHz particularly
    valuable to amateur operators because it means existing equipment
    can continue to operate in the band for the time being."

    This allows "amateur operations to continue in the lower portion of
    the band while the FCC and federal government users continue to
    analyze whether that spectrum can be reallocated for flexible use,"
    the FCC said. The FCC had proposed splitting the band at 3.4 GHz,
    permitting amateur use in 100 Megahertz of spectrum "while also
    providing a buffer to protect flexible-use operations at the lower
    edge of the 3.45 GHz band."

    "We therefore allow secondary amateur operations to continue in the
    3.4 - 3.45 GHz portion of the band," the FCC said. "We emphasize,
    however, that amateur licensees remain secondary users, and those
    that operate on frequencies close to the 3450 MHz band edge must do
    so with particular caution to avoid causing harmful interference to flexible-use licensees in the 3.45 GHz Service, which hold primary
    status.

    "In light of these considerations, while amateur operations between
    3450 MHz and 3500 MHz must cease within 90 days of the public notice
    announcing the close of the auction for the 3.45 GHz Service, as
    specified in the Report and Order; amateur operations may continue
    between 3300 MHz and 3450 MHz while the Commission, NTIA, and the
    DoD continue to analyze whether that spectrum can be reallocated for
    commercial wireless use."

    "There is no expectation that such operations will be accommodated
    in future planning for commercial wireless operations in this
    spectrum, or that amateur operators will receive more than a short
    period of notice before their operations must cease," the FCC said.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Mar 23 13:41:17 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB007
    ARLB007 FCC Not Yet Collecting $35 Application Fee

    ZCZC AG07
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 7 ARLB007
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 23, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB007
    ARLB007 FCC Not Yet Collecting $35 Application Fee

    The FCC Part 97 rules establishing a new $35 amateur radio
    application fee go on the books on April 19, but the FCC won't start
    collecting the fee "until the requisite notice has been provided to
    Congress, the FCC's information technology systems and internal
    procedures have been updated, and the Commission publishes notice(s)
    in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of such
    rules."

    When effective, the fee will apply to new, modification (upgrade and
    sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign
    applications, as well as applications for a special temporary
    authority (STA) or a rule waiver. Fees will be collected per
    application. The FCC exempted from the fee applications for
    administrative updates, such as a change of mailing or email
    address. The FCC proposed a schedule of application and other fees
    for all services last year.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Mar 24 18:47:13 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB008
    ARLB008 Cooperative Effort Under Way to Resolve Potential
    70-Centimeter Interference Issue

    ZCZC AG08
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 8 ARLB008
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 24, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB008
    ARLB008 Cooperative Effort Under Way to Resolve Potential
    70-Centimeter Interference Issue

    ARRL, the FCC, and the US Department of Defense are cooperating in
    an effort to eliminate the possibility of amateur radio interference
    on 70 centimeters to critical systems at White Sands Missile Range
    (WSMR) in New Mexico. The Defense Department's Regional Spectrum
    Coordinator contacted the FCC in March, seeking information on whom
    to contact regarding detected amateur transmissions it believed
    could pose a threat to a critical WSMR system operating on 70
    centimeters. The FCC, in turn, asked ARRL to be involved in the
    discussion and any necessary remedial efforts. It is to be noted
    that the Amateur Radio Service is a secondary service on the band.

    Investigation revealed that the potential problem was not with
    individual operators or repeaters, but with RF control links at 420
    - 430 MHz used to establish a linked repeater system within New
    Mexico. "Based on the investigation, and with the support of the
    FCC, the owners of the RF control links being used in the 420 - 430
    MHz portion of the amateur allocation within a certain proximity to
    WSMR are being asked to re-coordinate the link frequency to a new
    one above 430 MHz," explained ARRL Regulatory Information Manager
    Dan Henderson, N1ND.

    ARRL enlisted the assistance of the state's designated repeater
    frequency coordinator for information on specific links in that part
    of the band. New Mexico Repeater Frequency Coordinator Bill
    Kauffman, W5YEJ, agreed to work with the control link operators to
    find new frequencies that will meet the needs of the link operators.

    "Time is a factor in this request," Henderson said. "The new systems
    at WSMR are in advanced testing now and will become fully
    operational by early summer 2021." The FCC-imposed deadline for the
    affected control links to change frequencies is set for May 31,
    2021.

    "It appears a total of 32 control links will have to be addressed,"
    Henderson said. ARRL has mailed letters to each of the RF control
    link operators, based on the recordkeeping of the frequency
    coordinator, to advise them of the DoD's request as the primary user
    on the band. "Any links with the potential to affect the identified
    systems at WSMR still in operation after May 31, 2021 will be
    subject to action by the FCC."

    Henderson said the changes should have no direct impact on the use
    of any local repeater, but until all the affected RF control links
    are transitioned to new frequencies, certain links may be
    temporarily inoperative. Links unable to be relocated by May 31 will
    have to be shut down until the situation can be resolved. ARRL will
    be in contact with the FCC after the May 31 deadline to advise it of
    the status of the remediation effort.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Mar 26 10:50:52 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB009
    ARLB009 NCVEC Question Pool Committee Seeks Input for Updated
    Technician Question Pool

    ZCZC AG09
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 9 ARLB009
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 26, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB009
    ARLB009 NCVEC Question Pool Committee Seeks Input for Updated
    Technician Question Pool

    The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC - http://www.ncvec.org/ ) Question Pool Committee (QPC - http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=333 ) is requesting input from the
    amateur radio community on new or modified questions for the 2022 -
    2026 FCC Element 2 Technician Pool, which goes into effect on July
    1, 2022. This may include suggestions for new questions, changes to
    current examination topic areas, or changes to existing questions in
    the current Technician Question Pool.

    The QPC offered guidelines that said it's seeking input that focuses
    on topics that enhance public interest, understanding, and use of
    amateur radio, or focus on STEM hands-on learning and education, as
    well as questions on new technology, digital modes, station setup
    and operation, antennas, and emergency and non-emergency operation.

    To submit suggested questions for QPC review, the committee asks
    that questions have no more than two 70-character lines, including
    spaces. Distractors should be no more than 70-character lines long,
    and shorter if possible. Each multiple-choice question must be
    accompanied by four possible distractors and only one correct
    answer. The answer choices may be in any order, but the correct
    answer must be indicated by the letters A, B, C, or D at the
    beginning of the question. Those submitting suggestions should
    provide the resource information that supports the correct answer or
    the FCC Part 97 rule.

    The QPC will accept question comments, revisions, and submissions
    from the amateur radio community via email through June 30, 2021.
    This email address is a bulk forwarding mailbox, so no
    acknowledgement will be sent by return email. The NCVEC QPC will
    take all comments into consideration as it updates the Technician
    Question Pool for 2022 - 2026.

    The email address is, QPCinput@ncvec.org .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Apr 6 21:48:27 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB010
    ARLB010 Oklahoma SM Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, Stepping Down; Mark Kleine,
    N5HZR, Appointed as OK SM

    ZCZC AG10
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 10 ARLB010
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 6, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB010
    ARLB010 Oklahoma SM Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, Stepping Down; Mark Kleine,
    N5HZR, Appointed as OK SM

    Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, Oklahoma's long-serving Section Manager (SM) -
    serving two terms from 2010 to 2014 and again serving since 2016 -
    has decided to step down effective April 9, 2021. Although he is
    stepping down as Oklahoma SM, O'Dell will continue to serve amateur
    radio and ARRL as a member of ARRL's Public Relations Committee.
    Prior to becoming SM, O'Dell served as both a Public Information
    Officer and as the Public Information Coordinator for the Oklahoma
    Section for many years.

    Mark P. Kleine, N5HZR, a resident of Norman, Oklahoma, has been
    appointed to replace O'Dell as Oklahoma Section Manager effective
    April 9, and will serve out the balance of O'Dell's term, which
    extends to September 30, 2022.

    Kleine has been a very active member of the Oklahoma amateur radio
    community for many years, currently serving as an Oklahoma Assistant
    Section Manager, a leader of the South Canadian Amateur Radio
    Society (SCARS), and as President of the Central Oklahoma Radio
    Amateurs (CORA), a group of nine amateur radio clubs that host the
    Oklahoma City Hamfest "Ham Holiday." An ARRL Life Member, Kleine is
    also an amateur radio license class instructor and Volunteer
    Examiner for three different Volunteer Examiner Coordinators.

    ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, made
    the appointment based on the recommendations of ARRL West Gulf
    Division Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS; O'Dell, N0IRW; West
    Gulf Vice Director Lee Cooper, W5LHC, and leaders of the Oklahoma
    Section.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Apr 21 10:16:27 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB012
    ARLB012 Clear Frequencies Requested for Net Providing 24/7 Coverage
    of Saint Vincent Volcanic Eruption

    ZCZC AG12
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 12 ARLB012
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 21, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB012
    ARLB012 Clear Frequencies Requested for Net Providing 24/7 Coverage
    of Saint Vincent Volcanic Eruption

    The Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net (CEWN) has been providing round-the-clock coverage during the La Soufriere volcanic eruption
    on the island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Several
    neighboring islands are also being affected by the disaster. When
    responding to disasters and emergencies such as this, the CEWN
    utilizes 3.185 MHz LSB and 7.188 MHz LSB. CEWN is requesting that
    radio amateurs not involved in the volcano response to keep these
    frequencies clear.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Apr 21 10:16:33 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB013
    ARLB013 FCC Issues Enforcement Advisory: Radio Users Again Reminded
    Not to Use Radios in Crimes

    ZCZC AG13
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 13 ARLB013
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 21, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB013
    ARLB013 FCC Issues Enforcement Advisory: Radio Users Again Reminded
    Not to Use Radios in Crimes

    On April 20, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau issued a new Enforcement
    Advisory, repeating the admonishments contained in a January
    Advisory that no licensee or user of the Amateur or Personal Radio
    Services may use any radio equipment in connection with unlawful
    activities of any nature.

    The Enforcement Advisory can be found online in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-453A1.pdf .

    The Commission specifically cautioned that individuals found to have
    used radios in connection with any illegal activity are "subject to
    severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of the
    offending equipment, and in some cases, criminal prosecution."

    In addition, licensees should be aware that illegal operation in any
    service or band, including completely outside the amateur
    allocations, could potentially disqualify a person from holding any
    FCC license in any service, not just the Amateur Service.

    Any amateur observing a suspicious infraction that might be of
    illegal or criminal nature should report it to their local law
    enforcement office or the FBI.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Apr 28 17:34:10 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB014
    ARLB014 FCC Auto-Registration Feature for Exam Applicants to be
    Discontinued

    ZCZC AG14
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 14 ARLB014
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 27, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB014
    ARLB014 FCC Auto-Registration Feature for Exam Applicants to be
    Discontinued

    Auto-registration in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES)
    amateur radio exam for candidates using a Social Security number
    will be discontinued on May 20, 2021. Applicants must use an FCC
    Registration Number (FRN) for all license transactions with the FCC.
    Examinees must register in CORES and receive an FRN before exam day.
    Starting on May 20, electronic batch filed applications that do not
    include a candidate's FRN will be rejected. The Social
    Security/Licensee ID Field will be disabled.

    The CORES website can be accessed at:

    https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do .

    An instructional video provides step-by-step instructions on how to
    establish a CORES account, which is necessary for licensees to make administrative updates and download electronic license
    authorizations.

    The instructional video can be found at, https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn .

    After June 29, all filers must provide an email address on all
    applications. When an email is provided, applicants will receive an
    official electronic copy of their licenses once granted (allow
    incoming email from authorizations@fcc.gov). If no email is provided
    when filing on or after June 29, applications will be rejected. ARRL
    VEC suggests that those without access to email to use the email
    address of a family member or friend.

    Further information about providing an email address can be found
    at,

    http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-to-require-email-address-on-applications- starting-on-june-29-2021

    (above URL all on one line).

    Licensees need to log in to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) to
    download their authorizations. The FCC no longer issues paper
    copies.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu May 20 19:27:46 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB016
    ARLB016 Amateurs' Email Addresses Will Continue to Be Kept Private,
    FCC Says

    ZCZC AG16
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 16 ARLB016
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT May 20, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB016
    ARLB016 Amateurs' Email Addresses Will Continue to Be Kept Private,
    FCC Says

    Starting on June 29, all applications filed with the FCC must
    include an email address for FCC correspondence. After receipt of
    the initial announcement that all future applications would require
    an email address, ARRL was concerned for the privacy of its members
    and requested that amateurs' email addresses not be made public.
    This week, the FCC agreed, stating in an email to ARRL counsel that
    it will continue to "mask" amateurs' email addresses from public
    view in the Universal Licensing System (ULS). The FCC will use the
    email address supplied by amateurs to correspond with applicants,
    including to send a link to the official electronic copy of the
    license when an application is granted.

    The FCC is transitioning to fully electronic correspondence and no
    longer mails hard-copy licenses. Amateurs are able to view,
    download, and print their official license grant, using the ULS.
    When a license is first granted, each applicant will receive an
    email with a direct link to the license. Although the link expires
    in 30 days, the license itself will remain available in the ULS and
    may be downloaded at any time by signing into the licensee's account
    using their FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password.

    On or after June 29, a valid email address must be provided with
    each application, and must be kept current by filing a modification
    application as necessary. Under the amended Section 97.23, "The
    email address must be an address where the grantee can receive
    electronic correspondence. Revocation of the station license or
    suspension of the operator license may result when correspondence
    from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed
    to provide the correct email address."

    Applicants lacking an email address should consider using the email
    address of a friend or family member on their FCC applications.

    Reminder: Due to changes the FCC has made to its licensing system,
    starting today, Thursday, May 20, all amateur exam applicants must
    provide their FRN to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) before taking an
    amateur exam. Prospective new FCC licensees will be required to
    obtain an FRN before the examination and provide that number to the
    VEs on the Form 605 license application. An FCC instructional video
    provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain an FRN through
    the FCC's COmmission REgistration System (CORES) can be found at, https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn .

    The FRN is used afterward by the applicant to download the official
    license document from the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS), to
    upgrade a license, apply for a vanity call sign, and to submit
    administrative updates (such as address and email changes) and
    renewal applications.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon May 24 15:29:57 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB017
    ARLB017 Spring ARRL Section Manager Election Results Announced

    ZCZC AG17
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 17 ARLB017
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT May 24, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB017
    ARLB017 Spring ARRL Section Manager Election Results Announced

    In the only contested election this spring, Utah ARRL members
    elected Pat Malan, N7PAT, as their new Section Manager (SM) for a
    2-year term commencing July 1. Malan, of South Jordan, received 419
    votes, while incumbent Mel Parkes, NM7P, garnered 339 votes. Parkes
    had served as Utah Section Manager for 22 years.

    ARRL Headquarters counted and verified the ballots on May 18.

    In New Hampshire, Pete Stohrer, K1PJS, of Concord, was the only
    nominee for Section Manager when nominations closed on March 4.
    Stohrer, having previously served as SM from 2013 until 2019, will
    succeed John Gotthardt, K1UAF, who decided not to seek a new term.

    Six incumbent Section Managers faced no opposition and were declared re-elected, effective July 1: Marty Pittinger, KB3MXM (Maryland-DC);
    John Bigley, N7UR (Nevada); Bob Buus, W2OD (Northern New Jersey);
    Bob Beaudet, W1YRC (Rhode Island); John Litz, NZ6Q (San Joaquin
    Valley), and Dale Durham, W5WI (West Texas).
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Jul 1 11:18:30 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB019
    ARLB019 New Section Managers Appointed in Orange and Eastern
    Washington

    ZCZC AG19
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 19 ARLB019
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT July 1, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB019
    ARLB019 New Section Managers Appointed in Orange and Eastern
    Washington

    Carl Gardenias, WU6D, of Perris, California, is retiring as ARRL
    Orange Section Manager after serving in the position since 2003. His
    term of office had expired at the end of March, but he agreed to
    continue serving as SM until a successor was chosen.

    A re-solicitation for Section Manager nominations in the Orange
    Section was issued this past spring. The only nominee responding by
    the June 4 deadline was Bob Turner, W6RHK, also of Perris,
    California. Turner's elected 2-year term of office does not
    officially begin until October 1, and Gardenias has said he wished
    to step down as Section Manager at the end of June.

    In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the ARRL Field
    Organization, ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, has
    appointed Turner to start his term of office as the Orange Section
    Manager earlier than scheduled, with the appointment effective July
    1. Walters made his decision after consulting with ARRL Southwestern
    Division Director Dick Norton, N6AA, and Gardenias. Turner has been
    the Section Emergency Coordinator for the past 10 years.

    ARRL Eastern Washington Section Manager Jack Tiley, AD7FO, will be
    stepping down early from his term of office that concludes on
    September 30, 2021. Tiley, of Spokane Valley, has been Section
    Manager for 2 and a half years.

    Jo Whitney, KA7LJQ, was the only nominee when the June 4 nomination
    deadline arrived, and she was declared elected. Whitney initially
    was scheduled to start her term of office on October 1, but because
    Tiley is stepping down before the end of his term, Walters, after
    consulting with ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz, W7VO,
    has appointed Whitney to start her term of office on July 1

    Whitney, of Yakima, has been an ARRL Emergency Coordinator since
    2003, and she served as a District Emergency Coordinator in 2018 and
    2019.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Aug 30 14:46:23 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB022
    ARLB022 FCC Grants Temporary Waiver to Permit Higher Symbol Rate
    Data Transmissions for Hurricane Ida Traffic

    ZCZC AG22
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 22 ARLB022
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT August 30, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB022
    ARLB022 FCC Grants Temporary Waiver to Permit Higher Symbol Rate
    Data Transmissions for Hurricane Ida Traffic

    The FCC has granted an ARRL emergency request for a temporary waiver
    intended to facilitate relief communications in the wake of
    Hurricane Ida. The waiver was orally granted on Saturday, August 28,
    and immediately permitted amateur data transmissions related to
    Hurricane Ida traffic to employ a higher symbol rate for data
    transmissions than the current limit of 300 baud.

    ARRL pointed out in its request that Amateur Radio Emergency Service
    (ARES) members are working with federal, state, and local emergency
    management officials to assist with disaster relief. Many use radio
    modems and personal computers capable of using digital protocols and
    modes that would permit faster messaging rates than normally
    permitted under the FCC's rules. ARRL pointed out that higher data
    rates can be critical to timely transmission of relief
    communications, such as lists of needed and distributed supplies.

    In 2016, in response to an ARRL petition for rulemaking, the FCC
    proposed to remove the symbol rate limitations, which it tentatively
    concluded had become unnecessary due to advances in modulation
    techniques and no longer served a useful purpose. That proceeding,
    WT Docket 16-239, is still pending. ARRL sought the waiver for radio
    amateurs directly involved with hurricane relief on HF using
    high-speed data transmissions, and the FCC orally granted the
    emergency temporary waiver for traffic related to Hurricane Ida. The
    temporary waiver is good until a written decision is made on ARRL's
    request that would cover the remainder of the hurricane season.

    Pursuant to ARRL's request and similar to written waivers granted by
    the FCC in earlier years, to qualify, a protocol or mode exceeding
    the 300 baud symbol rate limit must (1) be publicly documented, (2)
    use no more bandwidth than the currently permissible slower
    protocols (generally accepted to be the bandwidth of an SSB signal,
    or 2.8 kHz), and (3) be used solely for communications related to
    Hurricane Ida. ARRL is hopeful that the FCC will grant a longer-term
    waiver this week to enable planning and communications for any
    additional hurricanes this season.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Sep 9 14:45:35 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB023
    ARLB023 FCC Extends Filing Deadlines for Affected Louisiana Parishes
    and Mississippi Counties

    ZCZC AG23
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 23 ARLB023
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 9, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB023
    ARLB023 FCC Extends Filing Deadlines for Affected Louisiana Parishes
    and Mississippi Counties

    In the wake of the disruption caused after Hurricane Ida struck the
    Gulf Coast of the US as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, August 29, the
    FCC has announced that it is extending certain filing deadlines for
    those in Louisiana and Mississippi unable to meet them due to the
    storm. President Joseph Biden issued an emergency declaration for
    Mississippi on August 28 and a major disaster declaration for
    Louisiana on August 29.

    Pursuant to its authority to waive rules for good cause and to
    alleviate any additional burden that may be caused by FCC filing
    requirements and regulatory deadlines, the FCC has extended certain
    deadlines occurring August 29 - September 30, 2021, inclusive, for
    affected licensees and applicants in the affected areas.

    The FCC is defining "affected areas" as the Louisiana parishes and
    Mississippi counties that the Federal Emergency Management Agency
    (FEMA) has designated as eligible for Individual or Public
    Assistance for the purposes of federal disaster relief as of Friday,
    September 3, which includes all parishes and counties in those
    states. The deadline extension does not apply to individuals living
    elsewhere in the US.

    For affected licensees and applicants in Louisiana and Mississippi,
    the FCC has extended until October 1 any deadlines currently set
    within the period August 29 - September 30, 2021, inclusive, with
    respect to Wireless Radio Service applications, notifications, and
    reports pursuant to Parts 1 (Subpart F only), 13, 20, 22, 24, 27,
    30, 74 (excluding Subparts G, and L), 80, 87, 90, 95, 96, 97, or 101
    of the Commission's rules, including, but not limited to, filings
    regarding certain minor license modifications, license renewals, and notifications of construction.

    Licensees and applicants making delayed filings in accordance with
    this extension must include with those filings a certification made
    under penalty of perjury that the deadlines could not be met within
    the time otherwise provided in the Commission's rules because of
    Hurricane Ida.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Sep 23 09:05:11 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB024
    ARLB024 The 2021 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is Just Ahead

    ZCZC AG24
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 24 ARLB024
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 23, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB024
    ARLB024 The 2021 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is Just Ahead

    The weekend of October 2 - 3 is designated for holding the annual
    ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET), although local and
    Section-level exercises may take place throughout the Fall. The SET
    is ARRL's primary national emergency exercise and is designed to
    assess the skills and preparedness of Amateur Radio Emergency
    Service (ARES) volunteers, as well as those affiliated with other
    organizations involved in emergency and disaster response.

    The SET encourages maximum participation by all radio amateurs,
    partner organizations, and national, state, and local officials who
    typically engage in emergency or disaster response. In addition to
    ARES volunteers, those active in the National Traffic System (NTS),
    Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), National Weather
    Service (NWS) SKYWARN, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and
    a variety of other allied groups and public service-oriented radio
    amateurs are needed to fulfill important roles in this nationwide
    exercise.

    The SET offers volunteers an opportunity to test equipment, modes,
    and skills under simulated emergency conditions and scenarios.
    Individuals can use the time to update a "go-kit" for use during
    deployments and to ensure their home station's operational
    capability in an emergency or disaster. To get involved, contact
    your local ARRL Emergency Coordinator or Net Manager.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Sep 29 09:23:26 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB025
    ARLB025 Georgia Gets a New Section Manager; Re-Elected SMs Begin New
    Terms on October 1

    ZCZC AG25
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 25 ARLB025
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 29, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB025
    ARLB025 Georgia Gets a New Section Manager; Re-Elected SMs Begin New
    Terms on October 1

    Jim Millsap, K9APD, will become the ARRL Georgia Section Manager
    (SM) on Friday, October 1. Millsap, of Acworth, was the only
    candidate who applied by the June 4 nomination deadline. Millsap has
    been an ARRL Emergency Coordinator and District Emergency
    Coordinator. He also served as the ARRL Southeastern Division Vice
    Director from 2012 to 2014. Outgoing SM David Benoist, AG4ZR, of
    Senoia, decided not to run for a new term after serving since
    November 2016.

    These incumbent SMs faced no challengers in the Summer election
    cycle and will also begin new 2-year terms of office on October 1:
    Robert Wareham, N0ESQ (Colorado); Diana Feinberg, AI6DF (Los
    Angeles); Carol Milazzo, KP4MD (Sacramento Valley); Bill Hillendahl,
    KH6GJV (San Francisco); Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX (South Texas); Monte
    Simpson, W7FF (Western Washington), and Dan Ringer, K8WV (West
    Virginia).

    Eastern Washington Section Manager Jo Whitney, KA7LJQ, was also the
    only nominee when the June 4 nomination deadline arrived. Whitney,
    of Yakima, was initially scheduled to start her elected term of
    office on October 1. However, she was appointed to start her term of
    office on July 1, when outgoing SM Jack Tiley, AD7FO, stepped down
    before the completion of his term.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Nov 9 17:15:24 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB026
    ARLB026 W1AW 2021/2022 Winter Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG26
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 26 ARLB026
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 9, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB026
    ARLB026 W1AW 2021/2022 Winter Operating Schedule

    Morning Schedule:

    Time Mode Days
    ------------------- ---- ---------
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWs Wed, Fri
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWf Tue, Thu

    Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

    1500 UTC to 2045 UTC - (10 AM to 3:45 PM EST)

    Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

    2100 UTC (4 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    2100 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    2200 " (5 PM EST) CWb Daily
    2300 " (6 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0000 " (7 PM EST) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri
    0000 " " CWf Tue, Thu
    0100 " (8 PM EST) CWb Daily
    0200 " (9 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0245 " (9:45 PM EST) VOICE Daily
    0300 " (10 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    0300 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    0400 " (11 PM EST) 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 2330 UTC (6:30 PM EST), 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
    0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Thursdays and 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Fridays.

    Audio from W1AW's CW code practices, CW/digital bulletins and phone
    bulletin is available using EchoLink via the W1AW Conference Server
    named "W1AWBDCT." The monthly W1AW Qualifying Runs are presented
    here as well. The 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.

    All licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1500 UTC to 2045
    UTC (10 AM to 3:45 PM EST). 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 W1AW Operating Schedule may also be found on page 28 in the
    November 2021 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Nov 19 17:40:13 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB027
    ARLB027 ARRL Announces Director Election Results

    ZCZC AG27
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 27 ARLB027
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 19, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB027
    ARLB027 ARRL Announces Director Election Results

    The ARRL New England and Roanoke Divisions will have new Directors
    on January 1. The results of these three-way contested elections for
    Director were announced on November 19, after ballots were tallied
    at ARRL Headquarters.

    In the New England Division, incumbent Fred Hopengarten, K1VR,
    received 1,054 votes, past Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, received
    1,026 votes, and challenger Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, received 1,147
    votes. Mr. Kemmerer was declared the winner.

    In the Roanoke Division, incumbent George W. "Bud" Hippisley, W2RU,
    received 809 votes, past Director Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, received
    1,612 votes, and challenger Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC, received 1,294
    votes. Dr. Boehner was declared the winner.

    All newly elected officials take office at noon on January 1, 2022.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Nov 25 08:17:53 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB028
    ARLB028 Fall ARRL Section Manager Election Results

    ZCZC AG28
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 28 ARLB028
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 25, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB028
    ARLB028 Fall ARRL Section Manager Election Results

    The only contested seat for Section Manager (SM) in the Fall
    election cycle was in Kansas, where incumbent Ron Cowan, KB0DTI, of
    La Cygne, came out on top in the two-person race. Cowan outpolled
    challenger Lloyd Colston, of Arkansas City, 260 to 225. Ballots were
    counted on November 23 at ARRL Headquarters. Cowan has served as
    Kansas Section Manager since 2003. His new 2-year term will begin on
    January 1, 2022.

    In Alabama, Roger Parsons, KK4UDU, of Mulga, will become the new
    Section Manager on January 1. Parsons was the only nominee for the
    position. He has been an Assistant Section Manager and a District
    Emergency Coordinator. Incumbent SM JVann Martin, W4JVM, who has
    served as the Alabama Section Manager since 2016, decided not to run
    for a new term.

    In Michigan, Les Butler, W8MSP, of Gregory, will become the new
    Section Manager of Michigan when the new year arrives. He was the
    only nominee to submit a petition by the nomination deadline. Butler
    will succeed incumbent Michigan Section Manager Jim Kvochick, K8JK,
    whose job will take him out of the state early next year. Kvochick
    has been Michigan SM since 2018.

    In Delaware, the Section Manager position remains open and a
    re-solicitation for nominees will be issued this winter for an
    18-month term beginning on July 1, 2022. No nominating petitions
    were submitted before the deadline in September. Incumbent Section
    Manager Mark Stillman, KA3JUJ, is moving out of the Section early
    next year and could not run for another term after serving as
    Delaware SM since 2020.

    These incumbent Section Managers faced no opposition and were
    declared elected for new terms: David Stevens, KL7EB (Alaska); Mike
    Patterson, N6JGA (East Bay); Bill Mader, K8TE (New Mexico); John
    Kitchens, NS6X (Santa Barbara); David Thomas, KM4NYI (Tennessee),
    and Raymond Lajoie, AA1SE (Western Massachusetts).
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Dec 16 11:30:09 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB030
    ARLB030 Interim SM Appointment Made in Virginia; Georgia SM Post
    Becomes Vacant

    ZCZC AG30
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 30 ARLB030
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 16, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB030
    ARLB030 Interim SM Appointment Made in Virginia; Georgia SM Post
    Becomes Vacant

    The vacancy created by the untimely and unfortunate death of ARRL
    Virginia Section Manager (SM) Joseph Palsa, K3WRY, will be filled in
    the Virginia SM election scheduled to occur in January and February
    2022. The winner of the SM election will assume office on April 1,
    2022. Former Virginia SM Carl Clements, W4CAC, has been appointed by
    ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY to temporarily fill
    the position. Clements previously served as Virginia's SM from 2005
    to 2006 and 2008 to 2015. Clements' appointment is effective
    December 15, 2021.

    Georgia ARRL SM Jim Millsap, K9APD, has resigned for personal
    reasons, effective December 14. He has served since October 1. The
    position stands vacant as the search for a replacement continues.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Dec 22 12:13:40 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB031
    ARLB031 David Benoist, AG4ZR, Appointed as ARRL Georgia Section
    Manager

    ZCZC AG31
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 31 ARLB031
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 22, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB031
    ARLB031 David Benoist, AG4ZR, Appointed as ARRL Georgia Section
    Manager

    In consultation with ARRL Southeastern Division Director Mickey
    Baker, N4MB, ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, has
    appointed David Benoist, AG4ZR, to fill the vacant post of ARRL
    Georgia Section Manager (SM), starting immediately.

    Benoist, of Senoia, had previously served in the position from 2016
    to 2021. The former Georgia ARRL SM, Jim Millsap, K9APD, resigned
    for personal reasons, effective December 14, after serving since
    October 1.

    Benoist was the ARRL Georgia Section Emergency Coordinator from
    March 2014 to 2016.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Dec 28 11:10:05 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB032
    ARLB032 ARRL to Oppose Forest Service Administrative Fees for
    Amateur Facilities

    ZCZC AG32
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 32 ARLB032
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 28, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB032
    ARLB032 ARRL to Oppose Forest Service Administrative Fees for
    Amateur Facilities

    The US Forest Service is proposing to implement a statutorily
    required annual fee for new and existing communications use
    authorizations to cover the costs of administering its authorization
    program. ARRL plans to vigorously oppose the imposition of the
    proposed fees on Amateur Radio.

    The Forest Service proposal results from requirements set forth in
    the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka "the Farm Bill").
    Specifically, section 8705(c)(3)(b) of the Farm Bill directs the
    Forest Service to issue regulations that require fees for issuing communications use authorizations based on the cost to the Agency
    for maintenance or other activities to be performed by the Agency
    "as a result of the location or modification of a communications
    facility."

    The Forest Service is responsible for managing Federal lands and
    authorizes the use and occupancy of National Forest System (NFS)
    lands for communications facilities that provide communications
    services for adjacent rural and urban communities. The Agency said
    in its proposal that it administers more than 3,700 special use
    authorizations on NFS lands for infrastructure that supports more
    than 10,000 wireless communications uses at 1,367 communications
    sites.

    According to the Forest Service Notice published in the December 22,
    2021 issue of the Federal Register, revenues from the proposed fee,
    "would provide the funds necessary to support a more modernized,
    efficient, and enhanced communications use program," and will "cover
    the costs of administering the Agency's communications use program."
    Costs, as laid out in section 8705(f)(4) of the Farm Bill, may
    include expenditures for such things as "on-site reviews of
    communications sites, developing communications site management
    plans, hiring and training personnel for the communications use
    program, conducting internal and external outreach for and national
    oversight of the communications use program, and obtaining or
    improving access to communications sites on NFS lands."

    ARRL encourages Amateur Radio licensees to file comments opposing
    the imposition of the proposed administrative fee on Amateur Radio
    users. Comments must be received in writing by no later than
    February 22, 2022.

    Comments may be submitted online at the Federal Rulemaking Portal
    at, https://www.regulations.gov/ , or via USPS mail to Director,
    Lands & Realty Management Staff, 201 14th Street SW, Washington, DC
    20250-1124, and must include the identifier "RIN 0596-AD44."
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Jan 18 15:00:52 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB004
    ARLB004 New Section Manager Appointed for Northern New York

    ZCZC AG04
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 4 ARLB004
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT January 18, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB004
    ARLB004 New Section Manager Appointed for Northern New York

    Thomas Dick, KF2GC, Section Manager for the ARRL Northern New York
    Section, has stepped down after serving, first from 2000 - 2006 and
    again from 2009 - present.

    ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, has appointed Rocco
    Conte, WU2M, of Gloversville, New York, to succeed him on an interim
    basis. Conte has served as an Assistant Section Manager and District
    Emergency Coordinator for the last several years. His appointment
    became effective January 17, 2022.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Jan 19 15:28:25 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB005
    ARLB005 Amateur Operation in 3.45 - 3.5 GHz Segment Must Cease by
    April 14, 2022

    ZCZC AG05
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 5 ARLB005
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT January 19, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB005
    ARLB005 Amateur Operation in 3.45 - 3.5 GHz Segment Must Cease by
    April 14, 2022

    The FCC has established April 14, 2022, as the date by which amateur
    radio transmissions must stop in the upper 3.45 - 3.5 GHz segment of
    the amateur secondary 9-centimeter band. Secondary operations are
    permitted to continue indefinitely in the remainder of the band, 3.3
    - 3.45 GHz, pending future FCC proceedings.

    On January 14 the FCC released DA 22-39, which announces the results
    of Auction 110 for the 3.45 - 3.55 GHz band. Release of this notice
    triggered FCC rules adopted last year requiring that amateur radio
    operations between 3.45 GHz and 3.5 GHz cease within 90 days of the
    public notice.

    DA 22-39 can be found online at,

    https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-winning-bidders-345-ghz- service-auction/attachment-a

    (above URL all on one line).

    In October 2021, ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, urged Congress
    to direct the FCC to preserve Amateur Radio's secondary use of the 3
    GHz band in a written statement responding to H.R. 5378, the
    Spectrum Innovation Act of 2021, before the US House Commerce
    Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

    A chronology of actions responding to amateur access on the 3.5 GHz
    band can be found on the ARRL website at,
    http://www.arrl.org/3-ghz-band .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Sep 28 10:04:09 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB018
    ARLB018 FCC Grants an ARRL Emergency Request to Permit Higher Data
    Rate Transmissions for Hurricane Relief Communications

    ZCZC AG18
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 18 ARLB018
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT September 28, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB018
    ARLB018 FCC Grants an ARRL Emergency Request to Permit Higher Data
    Rate Transmissions for Hurricane Relief Communications

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted an ARRL
    emergency request for a 60-day temporary waiver intended to
    facilitate amateur radio emergency communications for hurricane
    relief. The waiver was adopted on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, and
    immediately permitted amateur radio operators supporting amateur
    data transmission for Hurricane Ian traffic to employ a higher
    symbol rate for data transmissions than the current limit of 300
    baud.

    In its Order (DA 22-1011), the FCC concluded "that granting the
    requested waiver is in the public interest. Puerto Rico was recently
    hit by Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian is predicted to cause
    significant damage, including disruption to electricity and
    communications services. Thus, to accommodate amateur radio
    operators assisting in the recovery efforts, we grant the ARRL's
    waiver request for the period of 60 days from the date of this Order
    to operate in any parts of the United States and its territories
    impacted by hurricanes. The waiver is limited to amateur radio
    operators in the United States and its territories using publicly
    documented data protocols that are compatible with FCC rules, with
    the exception of the data rate limit waived here, for those directly
    involved with HF hurricane relief communications."

    ARRL's request stated that trained amateur radio operators are
    working with emergency management officials and relief organizations
    to assist with disaster relief communications in anticipation of the
    arrival on the Gulf Coast of Hurricane Ian. ARRL sought the waiver
    for Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers, and other
    amateur radio support groups working with federal, state, and local
    emergency management officials to assist with disaster relief.

    Pursuant to ARRL's request and similar to written waivers granted by
    the FCC in earlier years, to qualify, a protocol or mode exceeding
    the 300 baud symbol rate limit must (1) be publicly documented, (2)
    use no more bandwidth than the currently permissible slower
    protocols (generally accepted to be the bandwidth of an SSB signal,
    or 2.8 kHz), and (3) be used solely for communications related to
    hurricane relief.

    Section 97.307(f) of the FCC's rules prevents the use of certain
    protocols capable of higher data rate emissions in the High
    Frequency (HF) bands that many amateur stations active in emergency communications preparedness are capable of using. ARRL described
    that equipment they plan to use exceeds the 300 baud symbol limit
    and that the higher data rates are critical in sending relief
    communications. Many use radio modems and personal computers capable
    of using digital protocols and modes that would permit faster
    messaging rates than normally permitted under the FCC's rules. ARRL
    pointed out that higher data rates can be critical to timely
    transmission of relief communications, such as lists of needed and
    distributed supplies.

    ARRL also explained that radio amateurs using higher-speed emissions
    for hurricane-related messages in the United States and its
    territories must be able to communicate with similar stations in the
    US, possibly with Caribbean-based stations that are directly
    involved with hurricane relief efforts, and also with Federal
    stations on the five channels in the 5 MHz band involved with the
    SHARES network and other interoperability partners on those
    frequencies.

    ARRL also pointed out that the past FCC temporary waivers have
    allowed such protocols in similar events including Hurricanes Maria,
    Dorian, Laura, and Ida, typhoon relief communications in Hawaii, and
    wildfires in the western areas of the US.

    In 2016, in response to an ARRL petition for rulemaking, the FCC
    proposed to remove the symbol rate limitations, which it tentatively
    concluded had become unnecessary due to advances in modulation
    techniques and no longer served a useful purpose. That proceeding,
    WT Docket 16-239, is still pending.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Oct 31 14:04:30 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB019
    ARLB019 New Wyoming Section Manager Appointed

    ZCZC AG19
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 19 ARLB019
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT October 31, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB019
    ARLB019 New Wyoming Section Manager Appointed

    Garth Crowe, WY7GC, was appointed as the new ARRL Wyoming Section
    Manager on October 12, 2022. He replaced Rick Breininger, N1TEK, who
    announced he was stepping down following the Rocky Mountain Division
    Convention held in early October. Breininger served as the Wyoming
    Section Manager since April 2019.

    ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, officially appointed
    Crowe after consultation with Rocky Mountain Division Director Jeff
    Ryan, K0RM. Crowe previously served as Wyoming Section Manager from
    2009 until 2015. He will now serve for the remaining portion of
    Breininger's term, which runs through March 31, 2023.

    Nominating petitions for the next Wyoming Section Manager term of
    office, beginning April 1, 2023, are due at ARRL Headquarters no
    later than December 9, 2022.

    Visit "Section Manager Terms & Nomination Information" on the ARRL
    website at http://www.arrl.org/section-terms-nomination-information
    for more details.

    The Wyoming Section is part of the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division,
    which includes Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Nov 7 15:59:09 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB020
    ARLB020 W1AW 2022 Winter Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG20
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 20 ARLB020
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 7, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB020
    ARLB020 W1AW 2022 Winter Operating Schedule

    Morning Schedule:

    Time Mode Days
    ------------------- ---- ---------
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWs Wed, Fri
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWf Tue, Thu

    Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

    1500 UTC to 2045 UTC - (10 AM to 3:45 PM EST)

    Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

    2100 UTC (4 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    2100 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    2200 " (5 PM EST) CWb Daily
    2300 " (6 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0000 " (7 PM EST) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri
    0000 " " CWf Tue, Thu
    0100 " (8 PM EST) CWb Daily
    0200 " (9 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0245 " (9:45 PM EST) VOICE Daily
    0300 " (10 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    0300 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    0400 " (11 PM EST) 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 2330 UTC (6:30 PM EST), 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
    0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Thursdays and 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Fridays.

    Audio from W1AW's CW code practices, CW/digital bulletins and phone
    bulletin is available using EchoLink via the W1AW Conference Server
    named "W1AWBDCT." The monthly W1AW Qualifying Runs are presented
    here as well. The 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.

    All licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1500 UTC to 2045
    UTC (10 AM to 3:45 PM EST). 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 W1AW Operating Schedule may also be found on page 28 in the
    November 2022 issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Nov 21 12:43:01 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB022
    ARLB022 Eastern Massachusetts Section to Welcome New Section
    Manager; Incumbent Section Managers were Reelected

    ZCZC AG22
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 22 ARLB022
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT November 21, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB022
    ARLB022 Eastern Massachusetts Section to Welcome New Section
    Manager; Incumbent Section Managers were Reelected

    Jon McCombie, N1ILZ, will become Section Manager (SM) of the ARRL
    Eastern Massachusetts Section on January 1, 2023. McCombie, of
    Eastham, was the only nominee to submit a petition to run for office
    when the nomination period closed in early September. As the sole
    nominee, he has been declared elected.

    This past year, McCombie has been Assistant SM to Tom Walsh, K1TW,
    who has been the SM of the Eastern Massachusetts Section for the
    last 8 years. Walsh, of Bedford, decided not to run for a fifth
    2-year term of office.

    There were no balloted elections during this Fall season's SM
    election cycle. The following incumbent SMs ran unopposed, and they
    were declared reelected, beginning their new 2-year terms of office
    on January 1: Cecil Higgins, AC0HA (Missouri); Matt Anderson, KA0BOJ (Nebraska); Jim Mezey, W2KFV (New York City-Long Island); Rocco
    Conte, WU2M (Northern New York); Marc Tarplee, N4UFP (South
    Carolina); Tom Preiser, N2XW (Southern New Jersey); Michael Douglas,
    W4MDD (West Central Florida), and Joe Shupienis, W3BC (Western
    Pennsylvania).
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Dec 12 13:23:14 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB023
    ARLB023 New General Question Pool Released for Ham Radio Licensing
    Effective July 1, 2023

    ZCZC AG23
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 23 ARLB023
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 12, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB023
    ARLB023 New General Question Pool Released for Ham Radio Licensing
    Effective July 1, 2023

    The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators' (NCVEC)
    Question Pool Committee (QPC) has released the 2023 - 2027 General
    Class FCC Element 3 Syllabus and Question Pool to the public. The
    new General Question Pool is effective July 1, 2023, through June
    30, 2027.

    The new pool incorporates some significant changes compared to the
    2019 - 2023 version. Its 432 questions were modified slightly to
    improve wording and to replace distractors; 51 new questions were
    generated, and 73 questions were eliminated. This resulted in a
    reduction of 22 questions, bringing the total number of questions in
    the pool down from 454. The level of difficulty of questions is more
    balanced, and the techniques and practices addressed have been
    updated.

    The pool is available as a Microsoft Word document and PDF online
    at, http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=369 . The single graphic
    required for the new General Question Pool is available within the
    documents, or separately as PDF and JPG file formats.

    "The newly revised pool must be used for General-class license exams
    starting July 1, 2023," said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM,
    who is a member of the NCVEC Question Pool Committee. "New test
    designs will be available to ARRL Volunteer Examiners on that date.
    The ARRL VEC will supply its officially appointed, field-stocked VE
    teams with new General exam booklet designs around mid-June."

    General class examination candidates preparing for their exams using
    the 9th edition of The General Class License Manual, and/or the 6th
    edition of ARRL's General Q & A are encouraged to test by, or
    before, June 30, 2023. New editions of ARRL licensing publications
    will be available in May, for exams taken on, or after, July 1,
    2023.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Dec 16 10:42:33 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB024
    ARLB024 New Section Managers Appointed -- Incumbent Section Managers
    to Continue New Terms in April 2023

    ZCZC AG24
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 24 ARLB024
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 16, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB024
    ARLB024 New Section Managers Appointed -- Incumbent Section Managers
    to Continue New Terms in April 2023

    Betsey Doane, K1EIC, has been appointed by ARRL Headquarters as the
    Connecticut Section Manager, as of November 23, 2022, to fulfill the
    role on a limited basis, while the search continues for a full-time
    Section Manager. Doane, of Shelton, was previously the Connecticut
    Section Manager for 25 years, from 1991 to 2016.

    Chuck Motes, K1DFS, of Plainville, has served as ARRL Connecticut
    Section Manager for the last 6 years. He decided not to run for a
    new term of office when his third term concluded on September 30,
    2022.

    Ralph Fettig, N0RDF, will become the ARRL North Dakota Section
    Manager on January 1, 2023.

    Fettig, of Minot, was the only nominee to submit a petition to run
    for office when the re-solicited nomination period closed on
    December 9, 2022. As the sole nominee, he has been declared elected.
    Although his elected 18-month term of office starts on April 1,
    2023, Fettig has been officially appointed by ARRL Field Services
    Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, to start early on New Year's Day.

    North Dakota Section Manager Richard Budd, W0TF, of York, decided
    not to run for a another 2-year term of office that began on October
    1. Budd, however, voluntarily extended his service as Section
    Manager until a new Section Manager could be installed.

    Charles O'Neal, KE4AIE will begin his term as ARRL Kentucky Section
    Manager on January 1, 2023.

    Charles O'Neal, KE4AIE, of Glasgow, Kentucky, has been appointed as
    the ARRL Kentucky Section Manager, starting January 1, 2023, after
    he was the only nominee for the position when the nomination
    deadline passed on December 9, 2022. Although O'Neal's elected
    2-year term of office officially begins on April 1, 2023, Field
    Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, appointed him to start on New
    Year's Day because the position has been open for the past few
    months.

    Kentucky Section Manager Steve Morgan, W4NHO, decided to step down
    this past July, before the current term of office concludes on March
    31, 2023. Morgan, of Owensboro, has served as Section Manager since
    2017. He has been serving simultaneously as the Section Traffic
    Manager and Affiliated Club Coordinator. Morgan was also the ARRL
    Kentucky Section Manager from 1991 to 1997.

    For the winter season Section Manager election cycle, there will not
    be balloted elections. The following incumbent ARRL Section Managers
    ran un-opposed, and they have been declared re-elected and will
    begin their new 2-year terms of office on April 1, 2023: Rick
    Paquette, W7RAP (Arizona); James Ferguson, N5LKE (Arkansas); Lelia
    Garner, WA0UIG (Iowa); Malcolm Keown, W5XX (Mississippi); Steven
    Lott Smith, KG5VK (North Texas); Bob Turner, W6RHK (Orange), and
    Garth Crowe, WY7GC (Wyoming).

    There were no Section Manager nominees from Montana for the next
    term of office. ARRL Montana Section Manager Paul Stiles, KF7SOJ, of
    Billings, decided not to run for a new term of office. Since no
    nominations from Montana were submitted, a re-solicitation for
    nominees will appear in the April and May 2023 issues of QST.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Dec 23 10:41:41 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB025
    ARLB025 Rep. Lesko Introduces Bill to Replace Symbol Rate Limit with
    Bandwidth Limit

    ZCZC AG25
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 25 ARLB025
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 23, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB025
    ARLB025 Rep. Lesko Introduces Bill to Replace Symbol Rate Limit with
    Bandwidth Limit

    Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced a bill in the U.S.
    House of Representatives (H.R. 9664) on December 21, 2022, to
    require that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replace the
    current HF digital symbol rate limit with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit.

    After being petitioned by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur
    Radio, in 2013 (RM-11708) for the same relief, in 2016 the
    Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WT Docket No.
    16-239) in which it agreed that the HF symbol rate limit was
    outmoded, served no purpose, and hampered experimentation. But the
    Commission questioned whether any bandwidth limit was needed in its
    place. Most amateurs, including the ARRL, objected to there being no
    signal bandwidth limit in the crowded HF bands given the possibility
    that unreasonably wide bandwidth digital protocols could be
    developed, and since 2016 there has been no further FCC action.

    In conjunction with introducing the legislation, Congresswoman Lesko
    stated that "With advances in our modern technology, increased
    amounts of data can be put on the spectrum, so there is less of a
    need for a regulatory limit on symbol rates. I am pleased to
    introduce this important piece of legislation to update the FCC's
    rules to support the critical role amateur radio operators play and
    better reflect the capabilities of our modern radio technology."

    ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, hailed introduction of the bill.
    Roderick stated that "the FCC's delay in removing this outdated
    restriction has been incomprehensible, given that the biggest effect
    of the delay is to require totally inefficient spectrum use on the already-crowded amateur HF bands. I hope that the Commission will
    act to remove this harmful limitation without waiting for the bill
    to be passed."

    ARRL Legislative Committee Chairman John Robert Stratton, N5AUS,
    added that "the symbol rate limit hampers experimentation and
    development of more efficient HF data protocols by U.S. amateurs.
    For all practical purposes the field has been ceded to amateurs
    outside the U.S., where there is no comparable limit. Removing the
    restriction not only will allow U.S. amateurs to use the most
    efficient data protocol suitable for their purpose, but it also will
    promote and incentivize U.S. amateurs to experiment with and develop
    even more efficient protocols."
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Sat Dec 24 05:24:59 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB026
    ARLB026 Rep. Bill Johnson Introduces Bill to Eliminate Private Land
    Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio

    ZCZC AG26
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 26 ARLB026
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT December 24, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB026
    ARLB026 Rep. Bill Johnson Introduces Bill to Eliminate Private Land
    Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio

    Congressman Bill Johnson (OH-6) introduced a bill in the U.S. House
    of Representatives (H.R.9670) on Thursday, December 22, 2022, to
    eliminate private land use restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or
    impair the ability of an Amateur Radio Operator from operating and
    installing amateur station antennas on property subject to the
    control of the Amateur Radio Operator.

    The exponential growth of communities subject to 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. These
    restrictions are pervasive in private common interest residential
    communities such as single-family subdivisions, condominiums,
    cooperatives, gated communities, master-planned communities, planned
    unit developments, and communities governed by community
    associations. The restrictions have particularly impacted the
    ability of Amateur Radio to fulfill its statutorily mandated duty of
    serving as a voluntary noncommercial emergency communications
    service.

    Congress in 1996 directed the Federal Communications Commission
    (FCC) to promulgate regulations (Public Law 104-104, title II,
    section 207, 110 Stat. 114; 47 U.S.C. 303 note) that have preempted
    all private land use restrictions applicable to exterior
    communications facilities that impair the ability of citizens to
    receive television broadcast signals, direct broadcast satellite
    services, or multichannel multipoint distribution services, or to
    transmit and receive wireless internet services. ARRL attempts to
    obtain similar relief for Amateur Radio were rejected by the FCC
    with a statement such relief would have to come from Congress.

    ARRL Legislative Advocacy Committee Chairman John Robert Stratton,
    N5AUS, noted that Congress, in 1994 by Joint Resolution, S.J.Res.90/H.J.Res.199, declared that regulations at all levels of
    government should facilitate and encourage the effective operation
    of Amateur Radio from residences as a public benefit. He continued
    by stating that "H.R.9670, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness
    Act, is intended to fulfill that mandate and preserve the ability of
    Amateur Radio Operators to continue to serve as a key component of
    American critical communications infrastructure."

    ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, and Mr. Stratton both extended
    on behalf of the ARRL, its Members, and the Amateur Radio community
    their thanks and appreciation for the leadership of Rep. Johnson in
    his tireless efforts to support and protect the rights of all
    Amateur Radio Operators.

    The full text of the bill in PDF format is available online at,

    https://www.arrl.org/files/file/HR9670/ HR9670-Amateur-Radio-Emergency-Preparedness-Act.pdf

    (Above URL all on one line).

    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Jan 3 11:44:38 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB001
    ARLB001 W1AW 2023 Winter Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG01
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 1 ARLB001
    From ARRL Headquarters 
    Newington CT January 3, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB001
    ARLB001 W1AW 2023 Winter Operating Schedule

    Morning Schedule:

    Time Mode Days
    ------------------- ---- ---------
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWs Wed, Fri
    1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWf Tue, Thu

    Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

    1500 UTC to 2045 UTC - (10 AM to 3:45 PM EST)

    Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

    2100 UTC (4 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    2100 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    2200 " (5 PM EST) CWb Daily
    2300 " (6 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0000 " (7 PM EST) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri
    0000 " " CWf Tue, Thu
    0100 " (8 PM EST) CWb Daily
    0200 " (9 PM EST) DIGITAL Daily
    0245 " (9:45 PM EST) VOICE Daily
    0300 " (10 PM EST) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
    0300 " " CWs Tue, Thu
    0400 " (11 PM EST) 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 2330 UTC (6:30 PM EST), 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
    0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Thursdays and 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Fridays.

    Audio from W1AW's CW code practices, CW/digital bulletins and phone
    bulletin is available using EchoLink via the W1AW Conference Server
    named "W1AWBDCT." The monthly W1AW Qualifying Runs are presented
    here as well. The 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.

    All licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1500 UTC to 2045
    UTC (10 AM to 3:45 PM EST). 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 W1AW Operating Schedule may also be found on page 96 in the
    January 2023 issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Jan 9 15:21:43 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB002
    ARLB002 Bud Kozloff, W1NSK, Appointed as ARRL Connecticut Section
    Manager

    ZCZC AG02
    QST de W1AW 
    ARRL Bulletin 2 ARLB002
    From ARRL Headquarters 
    Newington CT January 9, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB002
    ARLB002 Bud Kozloff, W1NSK, Appointed as ARRL Connecticut Section
    Manager

    Bud Kozloff, W1NSK, has been appointed as the ARRL Connecticut
    Section Manager starting on January 1, 2023.

    Kozloff, who lives in Redding, Connecticut, is currently the
    president of the Candlewood Amateur Radio Association and a member
    of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club. He was appointed by ARRL Field
    Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, after consulting with New
    England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC. His term of office
    continues through September 30, 2024.

    Kozloff takes the reins of the Connecticut Section Field
    Organization from Betsey Doane, K1EIC, who was appointed by ARRL
    Headquarters as the Connecticut Section Manager in November 2022 to
    fulfill the role on a temporary basis until a full-time Section
    Manager could be appointed.

    Doane, of Shelton, was previously the Connecticut Section Manager
    for 25 years from 1991 to 2016. Chuck Motes, K1DFS, of Plainville,
    served as Connecticut's Section Manager for the last 6 years. He
    decided not to run for a new term of office when his third term
    concluded on September 30, 2022.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Feb 3 11:41:26 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB003
    ARLB003 Leadership Changes in ARRL Atlantic Division

    ZCZC AG03
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 3 ARLB003
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT February 3, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB003
    ARLB003 Leadership Changes in ARRL Atlantic Division

    The ARRL Atlantic Division has new leadership. Tom Abernethy, W3TOM,
    who had served as an ARRL Director, representing the Atlantic
    Division since 2015, stepped down on January 6, 2023.

    Vice Director Robert "Bob" Famiglio, K3RF, of Media, Pennsylvania,
    is the new Division Director. ARRL Section Manager for Maryland/DC
    Marty Pittinger, KB3MXM, of Owings Mills, Maryland, has been
    appointed Vice Director by ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR.

    Famiglio was initially Atlantic Division Vice Director from 2015
    until 2017, appointed in 2019 to fill a vacancy, and then elected
    unopposed for a term beginning in 2021. A practicing lawyer, he has
    served as an ARRL Volunteer Council for decades. Famiglio is also an
    electrical engineer and former broadcast station owner and engineer.
    He is an FAA-certificated pilot. He is a Life Member of the
    Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He earned
    his amateur radio license in 1967, and is an ARRL Life Member.

    In an email to the Atlantic Division members in early January,
    Abernethy said he still plans to be involved, stating, "After having
    served for over 20 years in ARRL elected offices, it is my intention
    to remain very active in support of ARRL, and I wish everyone all
    the best as we head into the future of amateur radio and ARRL."

    Pittinger was the Section Manager for Maryland/DC, one of seven ARRL
    Sections that make up the Atlantic Division. He has an extensive
    background in radio, served in the US Navy on submarines, and works
    for a federal agency in his professional life.

    Assistant Section Manager and Affiliated Club Coordinator for
    Maryland/DC, Christopher D. Van Winkle, AB3WG, has been appointed
    Section Manager by ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY.

    Famiglio and Pittinger will each serve the remainder of 3 year terms
    ending December 31, 2023.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Mar 13 12:43:19 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Mar 29 16:12:37 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Apr 28 13:03:22 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue May 30 15:23:29 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Fri Jun 2 16:03:32 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Mon Jun 5 14:39:39 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Jun 14 19:52:53 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Jun 14 19:53:02 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Jun 15 12:48:32 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 (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Thu Jun 22 10:53:48 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB013
    ARLB013 FCC ULS Reopened, Except Electronic Batch Filing System

    ZCZC AG13
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 13 ARLB013
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT June 22, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB013
    ARLB013 FCC ULS Reopened, Except Electronic Batch Filing System

    On Wednesday morning, June 21, 2023, the FCC had reopened the
    Universal Licensing System (ULS) and supporting systems, according
    to an email distributed to VEC organizations. However, as of 4:00 PM
    on Wednesday, the Electronic Batch Filing (EBF) system, used by VEC organizations for filing exam sessions, individual applications, and
    club license applications, was still not available as promised.
    Unfortunately, this means applications for new and upgraded
    licenses, and individual and club license filings still cannot be
    uploaded in the system for issuance.

    When the EBF system becomes available, the Commission is requesting
    VECs to limit submissions into the filing system. In an email sent
    by the FCC, all EBF filers were asked to adhere to a restricted
    upload schedule in order to keep the EBF system stable and to avoid
    any potential technical problems. The FCC will be monitoring to
    ensure the EBF system is stable during this reopening period. If
    they assess that the upload volume is too high, they will send out
    another notice with directions to reduce the amount of uploads per
    hour.

    ARRL VEC will comply with the FCC directive, limiting our
    transmissions but sending as many backlogged sessions as possible
    without overloading their system. The files will be submitted to the
    FCC in the order in which they were received, starting with the
    files from Monday, June 12, and moving forward from there. ARRL VEC
    will begin submitting the backlogged applications as soon as the EBF
    system becomes available, and assuming all FCC systems remain
    stable.

    In an FCC notice published on June 21, 2023 (please see, https://www.fcc.gov/document/uls-tcns-e-106-and-asr-available), the
    Commission provided a deadline extension for filings in the ULS and
    the Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) system, explaining,
    "Because parties could not make electronic filings or view the
    contents of the affected systems while they were unavailable, we are
    extending the deadlines for all regulatory filings that were due in
    the affected systems between June 9, 2023, and June 29, 2023, until
    Friday, June 30, 2023.

    "We note that we have provided for a longer extension for these
    filings than initially contemplated in the June 13 Public Notice in anticipation of high traffic volumes on these systems in the coming
    days. In that regard, we encourage filers to consider deferring
    discretionary filings this week, and we encourage filers preparing
    large submissions to coordinate in advance with [the] staff of the
    Bureaus."
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Jun 27 16:13:47 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB014
    ARLB014 FCC ULS System Restored

    ZCZC AG14
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 14 ARLB014
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT June 27, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB014
    ARLB014 FCC ULS System Restored

    The FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) has resumed operations,
    including the Electronic Batch Filing system (EBF).

    As of June 27, 2023, all systems have been reported to be working.
    However, visitors to the website will see a message referring them
    to Public Notice DA 23-529 for additional information and guidance
    on filing deadline extensions.

    The systems were first reported unavailable on June 9, 2023. On
    Friday afternoon, June 23, the EBF system was restored. All VEC
    organizations use that system for filing exam sessions, individual applications, and club license applications. ARRL VEC staff worked
    late into Friday night to ensure all backlogged sessions and
    application files were transmitted to the FCC before the weekend.
    Approximately 350 backlogged files were successfully submitted to
    and processed by the FCC before the system's normal shutdown at 8
    PM.

    ARRL is still monitoring the ULS system, and any further updates
    will be available at ARRL News.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Wed Jul 12 10:36:15 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB015
    ARLB015 Commercial Interests Petition FCC for High Power Allocation
    on Shortwave Spectrum

    ZCZC AG15
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 15 ARLB015
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT July 12, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB015
    ARLB015 Commercial Interests Petition FCC for High Power Allocation
    on Shortwave Spectrum

    The ad hoc group "Shortwave Modernization Coalition" petitioned the
    Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow data communications
    on multiple bands within the HF 2 - 25 MHz range with up to 20 KW,
    including in bands immediately adjacent to spectrum allocated to the
    Amateur Radio Service. This group appears to represent high-speed
    stock trading interests.

    The FCC has assigned it RM-11953. Comments are due by July 31, 2023,
    and reply comments by August 15.

    While the petitioners exclude the amateur bands, high power
    operations on immediately adjacent bands are proposed. The ARRL is
    reviewing the petition.

    A copy of the petition can be found in PDF format at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1042840187330/1 .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
  • From Daryl Stout@432:1/112 to All on Tue Aug 1 11:17:03 2023

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB016
    ARLB016 Filers Seek Extension on Shortwave Petition. ARRL to File
    Comments.

    ZCZC AG16
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 16 ARLB016
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT August 1, 2023
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB016
    ARLB016 Filers Seek Extension on Shortwave Petition. ARRL to File
    Comments.

    Since May, ARRL has been reviewing the rules proposed in a petition
    before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from the
    "Shortwave Modernization Coalition" (SMC). The ARRL Laboratory has
    been studying the petition out of concern for potential interference
    to Amateur Radio communications.

    Comments on the petition, RM-11953, were due to FCC by July 31, 2023

    (see,
    https://www.arrl.org/news/commercial-interests-petition-fcc-for-high- power-allocation-on-shortwave-spectrum ) .

    (above URL all on one line)

    However, a 30-day extension of time was requested by both Skywave
    Networks LLC and FlexRadio Systems.

    The timely request from Skywave automatically triggered an extension
    to the filing deadline. Under FCC rules, when a request for
    extension is made within the appropriate timeframe, commenters may
    file comments until a date set by FCC when it rules on the extension
    request, or no earlier than two business days after the FCC
    decision. On Monday, July 31, the FCC denied the request for
    extension. Comments therefore may continue to be filed through
    Wednesday, August 2.

    In its petition, SMC, a group that appears to represent high-speed
    stock trading interests, has proposed amending the FCC Part 90 rules
    to allow introduction of high-power digital communications to the
    shortwave spectrum that in many instances is immediately adjacent to
    the amateur HF bands.

    ARRL's comments on the matter will be based on the analysis by its
    laboratory and guided by its experienced Washington, D.C. regulatory
    affairs counsel. ARRL will use the extension to best represent the
    interests of its members and the Amateur Radio Service.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)