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The ARRL Letter

June 1, 2017
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME

 *  Buildout of Nationwide First Responder Broadband Network Could Drive
    Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Changes
 *  Amateur Radio Provides Communication Link Following Sri Lanka Flooding
 *  The Doctor Will See You Now!
 *  Support ARRL and Earn 10,000 Bonus Points
 *  FCC Issues Amateur Radio Licensee a Notice of Violation for Pirate
    Broadcasting
 *  FCC Issues Notice of Unlicensed Operation in Public Safety Interference
    Complaint
 *  Another Successful WX4NHC Annual Station Test in Advance of Hurricane
    Season
 *  QB-50 Constellation Satellites Deployed from International Space Station
 *  Our Sun's 11-Year Magnetic Cycle Destined to Disappear
 *  Ham Radio Aviator Set to Depart on Round-the-World Flight
 *  The K7RA Solar Update
 *  Just Ahead in Radiosport
 *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions


Buildout of Nationwide First Responder Broadband Network Could Drive Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Changes

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) -- a nationwide wireless
broadband network for first responders -- could change the complexion of how
the Amateur Radio Emergency Service(R) (ARES(R)) functions to support
communication for responders during disasters and emergencies. As an
independent authority within the US Department of Commerce's National
Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA), FirstNet's mission is
to build out, deploy, and operate an interoperable nationwide broadband network
 dedicated to first responders. Ralph Haller, N4RH, the chairman of the
National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC), told ARRL that the
advent of FirstNet "will likely be as significant as when public safety first
began using radio."

"The nationwide network will be hardened, so that it will be more likely that
many of today's public safety systems remain operational in emergencies,"
Haller said, pointing out that Amateur Radio
should not expect to have access to FirstNet. He cautioned, "The endurance of
Amateur Radio systems in disasters has been a big selling point in the past for
 incorporating amateur operators in emergency plans, but perhaps not so much in
 the future."

NPSTC is a federation of organizations that work toward improving public safety
 communication and interoperability, and ARRL has a seat on NPSTC's Governing
Board. Haller predicted that Amateur Radio's role in emergencies will not
disappear. "There is no substitute for eyes and ears on the ground in an
emergency," he said, adding that radio amateurs "can and should continue to
play an important part" in supporting emergency communication.

"Amateur operators can continue to provide valuable information to emergency
operations centers in the recovery phase of disasters," he said. "Whether that
intelligence gathering is reporting on storm clouds, power outages, or road
closures, amateurs can help provide critical, real-time information about
conditions over a vast area. While first responders are treating the injured or
 protecting life and property, the amateur community can concentrate on
assessing the overall picture."

On March 30, FirstNet and the Commerce Department announced a 25-year
partnership with AT&T as the primary contractor to make FirstNet a reality.
"The ability to communicate seamlessly across jurisdictions is critical for law
 enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) when securing large
events or responding to emergencies and disasters," a Commerce Department news
release said. "In those instances, networks can become overloaded and
inaccessible, limiting responders' use of vital communication technologies,
such as smartphones and applications dedicated to public safety services."

Public safety agencies already use commercial wireless networks, such as AT&T
and Verizon, to supplement their own radio systems and networks, although such
communication is not point to point. FirstNet is initially targeted primarily
to provide video and data, with mission-critical voice communication at least a
 decade away. EMS is likely to become a heavy user of the network, which will
employ voice command functions a la Siri or Alexa.

Inevitably there will be coverage gaps, and the development of "deployables" is
 critical. These devices can expand the network to areas it doesn't cover but
where it may be needed for a specific incident. Deployables could include
satellites -- Inmarsat is a member of the AT&T team. Network security and
encryption is a high priority. The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) now
uses encryption on its data nets.

While images in the form of digital Amateur Radio television (DATV) and a
plethora of digital modes are available to ARES, FirstNet could nudge ARES to
more quickly adopt a similar approach. A new generation of radio amateurs
steeped in data, image, and video technology is likely to drive ARES to think
beyond analog.

Haller advised that the Amateur Radio community should continue to work closely
 with public safety organizations at all levels to assure that they remain a
part of emergency plans.

"The hype about broadband should not result in amateurs inadvertently being
swept under the rug," Haller stressed. "Be sure the public safety organizations
 never forget how valuable the amateurs are!"

FirstNet will use spectrum at 700 MHz -- no immediate threat to Amateur Radio
allocations, although there is no guarantee that this won't change as the
network approaches the shift to 5th generation (5G) technology. Amateur Radio
has access to significant spectrum above 700 MHz.

The expectation is that within a couple of years, a nationwide "core" network
will be ready to roll out, and the first public safety users will be on board.
Some regional networks have been set up for proof-of-concept purposes and to
work out wrinkles. -- Thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U, and Ralph Haller, N4RH



Amateur Radio Provides Communication Link Following Sri Lanka Flooding

Members of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) responded to an urgent call
for help in the wake of torrential monsoon rainfall in southwestern Sri Lanka
on May 28 that caused flooding and landslides. The Road Development Authority
(RDA) contacted RSSL President Jaliya Lokeshwara, 4S7JL, seeking communication
help from radio amateurs. The RSSL reports that emergency communication was
needed to link remote Kalawana, one of the worst hit areas, and Ratnapura. All
communication had failed due to heavy flooding, landslides, and damage to the
telecommunications infrastructure.

The RDA declared roads were impassable. Only air rescue by the Sri Lanka Air
Force helicopters was possible, and the lack of communication support made that
 task even more difficult. A plan was quickly put into place to airlift four
radio amateurs from the capital, Colombo, to both affected locations to form a
communications link.

Jaliya Lokeshwara, 4S7JL, and Nadika Hapuarachchi, 4S6NCH, were the first ready
 to go. A second team consisted of Victor Goonetilleke, 4S7VK, and Dimuthu
Wickramasinghe, 4S7DZ.

"We knew we could do it. We were self-sufficient and willing to rough it out,"
Goonetilleke said. "It was a hard task, but within 30 minutes of landing, the
high frequency link was established." They used 40 and 75 meters, as well as 2
meters. He said they spent 2 days coordinating rescue flights, the movement of
patients from Kalawana hospital to Ratnapura, and food drops.

The emergency link remained in place until mobile phone service was restored
and roadways cleared. "We are happy we could win the day for simple
high-frequency radio," Goonetilleke said.

The disaster recovery continues. Nearly 180 people died, and thousands were
displaced by the weather disaster. -- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman
IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee, with Jayant S. Bhide, VU2JAU,
National Coordinator for Disaster Communication in India (ARSI), and Victor
Goonetilleke, 4S7VK



The Doctor Will See You Now!

"Flea Market Tips" is the topic of the current episode of the "ARRL The Doctor
is In" podcast. Listen...and learn!

Sponsored by DX Engineering, "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative
discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or
smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!

Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor-in-Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and the
Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of technical
topics. You can also e-mail your questions to doctor@arrl.org, and the Doctor
may answer them in a future podcast.

Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes, or by using your iPhone or iPad
podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In". You can also listen
online at Blubrry, or at Stitcher (free registration required, or browse the
site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or Android
devices. If you've never listened to a podcast before, download our beginner's
guide.

Just ahead: "The Mystery of Sporadic E Propagation."

____________________________________________________________________________


Support ARRL and Earn 10,000 Bonus Points

You get more with the ARRL Visa Signature(R) Card. For starters, spend just
$2,000 in the first 90 days and you'll earn 10,000 BONUS POINTS1 -- plus you'll
 enjoy a long list of great everyday benefits, including:

 *  No annual fee (subject to creditworthiness)
 *  One reward point for every $1 spent in eligible net purchases2
 *  Merchant upgrades, special offers, savings, and more

In addition, part of every card purchase will be donated automatically to ARRL.
 So you can make a difference with every purchase, every day.

Don't wait. Special offer ends on June 30, 2017. Apply today!

There are two different ARRL Visa Cards: the ARRL Visa Signature Card and the
ARRL Select Rewards Visa Card. You will first be considered for the Signature
Card. If you do not qualify for the Signature Card, you will be considered for
the Select Rewards Card. These cards have different terms, as set forth here.
The Select Rewards Card may not offer the same Signature benefits.

We may change APRs, fees, and other Account terms in the future based on your
experience with U.S. Bank National Association and its affiliates as provided
under the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law.

Account must be open and in good standing to earn bonus points. Upon approval,
refer to your Rewards Program Rules for more information.

1To earn the bonus points, you must spend $2,000 on eligible net purchases
within 90 days of account open date. Subject to credit approval. Please wait
6-8 weeks for account to be credited.

2 Net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns.

(C) 2017 U.S. Bank National Association



FCC Issues Amateur Radio Licensee a Notice of Violation for Pirate Broadcasting

The FCC Enforcement Bureau has sent a California Amateur Radio licensee a
Notice of Violation (NoV) alleging that he engaged in unlicensed -- or "pirate"
 -- radio broadcasting -- on the FM band. The NoV to Lyle E. Hilden, KD6LUL, of
 Vista, was released on May 26. Depending on Hilden's responses, the NoV could
be a precursor to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (fine).

According to the FCC's Los Angeles Office, the Enforcement Bureau in March
received a complaint of an apparently unlicensed FM broadcasting station on
93.7 MHz in Vista. The NoV does not indicate the origin of the complaint, but
these sometimes come from legitimate broadcasters in the listening area. The
NoV also does not recount the nature of the alleged pirate broadcasts nor
indicate how long they had continued. The following month, FCC agents monitored
 the apparent unlicensed signal 93.7 MHz and used direction-finding techniques
"to positively locate" its source as Hilden's residence.

"Field strength measurements revealed that the signal transmitted by the
station greatly exceeded 250 ?V per meter at 3 meters -- the maximum permitted
on 93.7 [under Part 15 rules] without a Broadcast license," the FCC said in the
 NoV. Agents inspected Hilden's station and pointed out in the NoV that his
Amateur Radio license does not entitle him to transmit on the FM broadcast
band.

The FCC called on Hilden to provide additional information in writing within 20
 days of the NoV, fully explaining any violations and providing "all relevant
surrounding facts and circumstances." Hilden also must spell out and provide a
timeline for the actions he has taken to correct any violations and preclude
their recurrence.



FCC Issues Notice of Unlicensed Operation in Public Safety Interference
Complaint

The FCC has issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation (NUO) to a Texas man for
causing interference to a VHF public safety communications system in Dallas
County. The FCC Enforcement Bureau issued the Notice to Bradley C. Pike of
Dallas on May 17.

On April 3, agents from the FCC's Dallas Enforcement Bureau Office responded to
 a complaint from Dallas County Consolidated Services regarding interference to
 their VHF public safety communications system.

Agents confirmed by direction-finding techniques that VHF emissions coming from
 Pike's residence were causing the interference. Pike surrendered a radio
signal jammer after admitting to agents that he had used the device, the FCC
said. The Communications Act not only prohibits intentional interference, but
the manufacture, importation, marketing, sale, or operation of devices designed
 to jam or disrupt wireless communications deliberately.

Pike could face a substantial fine, seizure of radio equipment, and criminal
sanctions, including imprisonment, the FCC said. Pike was given 30 days to
respond to the Notice.



Another Successful WX4NHC Annual Station Test in Advance of Hurricane Season

Over the holiday weekend, WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in
Miami logged nearly 200 contacts throughout the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and
even Europe, during its annual station test, conducted ahead of the 2017
hurricane season, which begins on June 1 and continues through November 30. The
 annual exercise on May 27 served to check out Amateur Radio Station equipment,
 antennas, and computer systems.

"We had a very successful WX4NHC Radio Station Test," said Assistant WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. "All of our radio and computer
equipment and new main HF dipole antenna worked well. We feel that our
equipment will perform well if needed during this hurricane season."

WX4NHC was on the air for about 8 hours, Ripoll said, and utilized all
communication modes available at the station on HF, VHF, and UHF, including
EchoLink, IRLP, DMR, D-STAR, D-RATS, and digital HF messaging via Winlink.

WX4NHC also tested the Florida statewide SARNet, which links more than 26
VHF/UHF repeaters and emergency operating centers. "Our UHF repeater on the
Florida International University campus is part of SARNet, sponsored by the
State of Florida Department of Transportation. Several stations throughout
Florida, including the EOC in the state capital of Tallahassee went into the
WX4NHC log.

From the Canadian Hurricane Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bob Robichaud,
VE1MBR, reported that it was 50° F (and 93° F in Miami at the time). Robichaud
expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the Canadian and US
hurricane centers and WX4NHC during the storm season, Ripoll said.

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, served as net control station for the VoIP Hurricane Net
from WA1EMA at the Acushnet, Massachusetts, Emergency Management Agency. The
Assistant Director of the Acushnet EMA, Ed Caron, KA1RSY, "also took time to
make a contact and send his cool regards," Ripoll said.

WX4NHC also contacted the Lafayette, Louisians EOC, the Slidell National
Weather Service Office, the San Juan, Puerto Rico EOC, and stations in Germany
and in Israel.

"Many of our contacts were with individual Amateur Radio operators who
volunteer as SKYWARN spotters for their local NWS offices and also participate
in the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on HF during hurricanes," Ripoll said. "One of
 them -- Debbie Gray, WX9VOR, from Aurora, Illinois -- was very active relaying
 surface reports during Hurricane Matthew last year."

Ripoll thanked all who participated in the annual test. "We hope our services
are not needed during this hurricane season," he added, "but if needed, we are
ready to provide NHC backup communications and ready to receive those important
 surface reports from stations inside the hurricane. Your surface report or
your relay can make a big difference."



QB-50 Constellation Satellites Deployed from International Space Station

More than 2 dozen QB50 constellation CubeSats have been deployed from the
International Space Station (ISS), including three carrying Amateur Radio
transponders. Built by student groups from 23 countries, the "string-of-pearls"
 QB50 constellation aims to study the lower thermosphere 200-380 kilometers
above Earth. The satellites were launched to the ISS in March aboard an Atlas V
 rocket.

In all 28 QB50 2U and 3U CubeSats were released into orbit between May 16 and
May 25. These included LilacSat-1 (ON02CN), which includes an Amateur Radio
VHF/UHF FM to Codec2-BPSK digital voice transponder, APRS digipeater, and a
camera; X-CubeSat (ON01FR) and SpaceCube (ON05FR). LilacSat-1 now is
operational. Its transponder's FM uplink is 145.985 MHz (67 Hz CTCSS tone); the
 Codec2 9600 bps BPSK downlink is 436.510 MHz. The uplink frequency for both
X-CubeSat and SpaceCube is 145.860 MHz (210.7 Hz CTCSS tone). Downlinks are
437.020 MHz for X-CubeSat and 436.880 MHz for SpaceCube.

LilacSat-1 was developed at the Harbin Institute of Technology. Its primary
payload is an ion and neutral particle mass spectrometer, developed by the
University of London, to measure the mass and distribution of charged and
neutral atoms. Shortly after its deployment, LilacSat-1 took a picture of the
ISS solar panels, and the image was received by students on 70 centimeters,
using 9,600 bps BPSK.

Eight other QB50 CubeSats will be placed into orbit from India onboard Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs). No launch campaign has been announced for
another four QB50 CubeSats. All of the QB50 CubeSats have downlinks between
435.8 and 438 MHz, and reports from radio amateurs are welcome.

In 2014, two precursor QB50 CubeSats were launched -- QB50p1 (EO-79/FunCube-3)
and QB50p2 (EO-80). Both carried Amateur Radio transponders.



Our Sun's 11-Year Magnetic Cycle Destined to Disappear

The Sun's 11-year magnetic cycle appears to be ending, but that won't happen
anytime soon. In a paper submitted on May 26 to the journal Solar Physics, two
solar scientists are reinterpreting earlier evidence to hypothesize that the
Sun's rotation rate and magnetic field are in a transitional phase that could
lead to lengthening solar cycles, with the cycle ultimately disappearing
altogether between 800 million and 2.4 billion years from now. Travis S.
Metcalfe and Jennifer van Saders propose the scenario in their paper "Magnetic
Evolution and the Disappearance of Sun-like Activity Cycles."

"After decades of effort, the solar activity cycle is exceptionally well
characterized, but it remains poorly understood," the authors say in the
paper's abstract. "Pioneering work at the Mount Wilson Observatory demonstrated
 that other Sun-like stars also show regular activity cycles and suggested two
possible relationships between the rotation rate and the length of the cycle.
Neither of these relationships correctly describe the properties of the Sun, a
peculiarity that demands explanation."

The authors cite stellar evidence for the shutdown of "magnetic braking" in
stars similar to our Sun. "The new picture of rotational and magnetic evolution
 provides a framework for understanding some observational features of stellar
activity cycles that have until now been mysterious," they said.

Metcalfe explained their observations through a recent Forbes magazine article.
 "Our previous discoveries identified an unexpected transition in the rotation
and magnetism of middle-aged stars," Metcalfe is quoted in the article, "The
Sun's Magnetic Dynamo Is Weakening" by Bruce Dorminey. "We now have direct
evidence that the stellar dynamo -- the mechanism inside stars that sustains
their magnetic fields -- actually shuts down during this transition."

In their paper, the authors said that future observations with the Las Cumbres
Observatory global telescope network "promise to probe the onset and duration
of the magnetic transition that drives the evolution and eventual disappearance
 of Sun-like activity cycles."

A 2016 paper Travis co-authored -- "Stellar Evidence that the Solar Dynamo May
Be in Transition," published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, concluded,
"The Sun still exhibits a dipole component to its global field, particularly
near magnetic minimum, but the solar analogs also suggest a gradual
concentration of the field into smaller spatial scales, leading to weakened
magnetic braking,"

Metcalfe is listed on the paper as being associated with the Space Science
Institute and the White Dwarf Research Corp, both in Boulder, Colorado. Van
Saders is listed as being associated with the Observatories of the Carnegie
Institution for Science in Pasadena, California, and the Department of
Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University in New Jersey.



Ham Radio Aviator Set to Depart on Round-the-World Flight

Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN, took off from Miami, Florida, on June 1 on a solo,
round-the-world flight to commemorate Amelia Earhart's attempt to
circumnavigate the globe 80 years ago.

"Airborne!," he posted to his Facebook page, once aloft. "En route to St
Thomas!"

Lloyd will be on the air from Spirit, his single-engine Mooney 231 aircraft,
during the course of his journey, expected to take 2 months. He will follow
Earhart's historic route to fly around the globe at the equator, starting in
Miami, skirting the Caribbean islands, then passing along the coast of South
America before heading across the Atlantic.

"I am driven by the spirit of historic flights," Lloyd said before leaving his
Texas airstrip for Miami. "It is important to remember the aviation pioneers
like Amelia Earhart and their contributions to aviation. Their bold actions
made today's air travel possible for all of us."

In late May, severe weather on the Atlantic route and aircraft equipment
problems forced Lloyd to call off his New York-to-Paris speed flight. "There
was only a short window of time that the flight could have happened, and the
window has now closed," a May 22 announcement said.

Lloyd will be on the air using HF SSB on or about 14,210.0 kHz, 14,346.0 kHz,
18,117.5 kHz, or 7,130.0 kHz. On board, he has a Mobat Micom-3 transceiver,
which puts out about 125 W. His antenna is under the fuselage. He also will
utilize ALE (automatic link establishment) on the Amateur Radio HFLINK
frequencies.

"The flight route has some very long legs, so I will have plenty of
opportunities during June and July to talk with ham operators while flying over
 the world's oceans," said Lloyd, 62, who has been licensed since 1976 but has
been flying since 1968.

To give his 1979 Mooney aircraft additional range, he modified it to carry 150
gallons more fuel. He's also equipped it with modern navigation equipment,
long-range radio, and satellite communication gear. Because the flight involves
 some risk, special safety gear is part of his equipment ensemble.

In addition to being a pilot, Lloyd is a flight instructor and educator. He
lives near San Antonio. His commemorative flight is co-sponsored by The Classic
 Aircraft Aviation Museum, a non-profit in Texas, and by individual
contributions.



The K7RA Solar Update

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 * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)
SEEN-BY: 116/116 18 120/302 123/140 141 124/5014 128/187 130/20 210 510 803
SEEN-BY: 135/300 140/1 154/10 19/25 33 218/700 222/2 230/150 2320/100 105
SEEN-BY: 240/1120 249/303 250/1 261/100 38 266/404 267/155 280/1027 282/1031
SEEN-BY: 1056 292/908 31999/99 320/119 219 34/999 340/400 3634/12 15 22 24 27
SEEN-BY: 50 387/21 393/68 396/45 5020/1042 712/848 801/161 189 90/1