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The ARRL Letter

April 5, 2018
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME

 *  More than 30,000 New Ham Licensees and 7,000 Amateur Radio Exam Sessions
    in 2017
 *  LoTW Support for CQ Worked All Zones (WAZ) Award Goes Live
 *  The Doctor Will See You Now!
 *  ARRL Searching for its Next CEO
 *  2018 ARRL Field Day Gear is Here!
 *  ARRL Public Relations Committee Gets New Leadership, Updated Mission and
    Goals
 *  Second Public Test of FT8 "DXpedition Mode" Set for April 7
 *  Apparent First 2200-Meter Transatlantic Contact by US Radio Amateur
    Reported
 *  HAARP Facility to Resume Ionospheric Research this Week
 *  Hamvention Setting Space Aside to Spotlight Emergency Communication
    Vehicles
 *  In Brief...
 *  The K7RA Solar Update
 *  Just Ahead in Radiosport
 *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

____________________________________________________________________________


More than 30,000 New Ham Licensees and 7,000 Amateur Radio Exam Sessions in
2017

For the fourth year in a row, more than 30,000 new licensees joined the Amateur
 Radio ranks, and ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VEC) conducted more
than 7,000 Amateur Radio exam sessions, serving some 35,350 candidates for a
new or upgraded license. At the end of December 2017, the US Amateur Radio
population stood at 748,136.

The Amateur Radio population has grown steadily over the past decade.

____________________________________________________________________________


At nearly 378,000, Technician licensees represented the largest segment, with
General (174,206), Amateur Extra (145,034), Advanced (41,938), and Novice
(9,056) trailing. Licensee numbers showed continued growth across all classes
except Advanced and Novice, which the FCC no longer issues; those numbers
continue to drop.

"I'm hopeful that the number of new licensees will be more than 30,000 at the
end of this year," ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said. "I would love to
see this trend continue!"


New Licenses 2008 - 2017

2008     28,066
2009     30,144
2010     27,528
2011     24,072
2012     27,082
2013     28,886
2014     33,241
2015     32,077
2016     32,552
2017     32,196


Despite the optimistic influx of 32,196 newcomers last year, the net growth of
5,349 -- about 0.72% over December 2016 -- reflects some 27,000 expired or
cancelled licenses in the FCC database over the past year. In making the case
for changes to the entry-level license, the ARRL Board's Entry-Level License
Committee referred to "the large number of Baby Boomers (roughly born 1945 -
65) [who] will soon be aging off the licensee rolls." The committee predicted
the likelihood of "a significant decline in the number of hams, unless we take
steps to reverse it."

____________________________________________________________________________


LoTW Support for CQ Worked All Zones (WAZ) Award Goes Live

ARRL and CQ magazine have announced the launch of Logbook of The World (LoTW)
support for CQ's Worked All Zones (WAZ) Award program, effective immediately.
The goal of the project, under way since last year, has been to create the
proper technical support system so that radio amateurs can submit LoTW
confirmations for WAZ credit, and that has been accomplished, CQ and ARRL said
in a joint statement.

LoTW -- ARRL's electronic confirmation system for Amateur Radio contacts
--provides contact confirmation when both stations upload their logs to the
system, and a match between the logs is confirmed. LoTW has already supported
the CQ WPX Award program since 2012.

"We are very pleased that participants in CQ's WAZ award program will now be
able to use their LoTW confirmations for award credit," CQ Editor Rich Moseson,
 W2VU, said. "CQ WPX Award participants have found it very helpful, and we are
sure it will be equally helpful for those pursuing WAZ and its many
variations."

ARRL First Vice President Greg Widin, K0GW, concurred. "Users of LoTW have been
 telling us for some time that they would like to use QSLs from LoTW to apply
for the WAZ award," he said. "They will now be able to select confirmations to
be used for WAZ credit."

____________________________________________________________________________


The Doctor Will See You Now!

"Receive Filters" is the topic of the latest (March 29) 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: "Microphones."

____________________________________________________________________________


ARRL Searching for its Next CEO

ARRL is seeking a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Newington,
Connecticut, to direct its day-to-day activities. ARRL has 159,000 members, an
annual budget of $15 million, 90 paid employees, a nationwide network of
volunteers, and an elected board of 15 directors. ARRL publishes a monthly
membership journal, QST, as well as many publications on radio-related topics;
sponsors educational and membership programs across a wide array of Amateur
Radio activity, and represents Amateur Radio to the general public as well as
with the US Government and internationally.

The CEO will report to the President and the Board of Directors and work
collaboratively with them in leading ARRL in accordance with its Articles of
Association, Bylaws, and Board Policies. Specifically, he or she will ensure
the day-to-day management of ARRL and its fiscal operation. In addition, he or
she will oversee and make certain that ARRL's fundraising, marketing, human
resources, technology, advocacy, and governance strategies are effectively
implemented across all segments of the organization.

Additional information is on the ARRL website. The closing date for
applications is May 31, 2018.

____________________________________________________________________________


2018 ARRL Field Day Gear is Here!

ARRL Field Day -- the most popular on-the-air operating event in Amateur Radio
-- is June 23-24, and official gear and supplies are now available from ARRL.
Shirts, pins, patches, stickers, and -- of course -- coffee mugs are a great
way to acknowledge and commemorate your participation in this annual event.
There are two T-shirt color options -- navy blue and white. Order one, or one
of each! Pair it with an ARRL hat of your choice, in black, khaki, or red and
white.

Encourage club members, family, friends, and prospective hams to take part in
ARRL Field Day with recruitment posters and attractive "Get on the Air" (GOTA)
pins for those newcomers.

This year, many groups and participants may choose to combine 2018 Field Day
with our year-long operating event -- 2018 ARRL International Grid Chase (IGC)
-- working stations in as many grid squares as possible and uploading log data
to ARRL's Logbook of The World (LoTW).

Clubs are encouraged to order early. Place a group order and pay just $12.50
shipping for all orders over $50 (while supplies last). Get your 2018 ARRL
Field Day supplies from the ARRL Store online, or by calling 888-277-5289
before 5 PM Eastern Time. Outside the US, call (860) 594-0355.

The complete 2018 ARRL Field Day packet is online. ARRL encourages participants
 to register their Field Day operations using the FD Site Locator.

____________________________________________________________________________


Frequency Measuring Test Set for April 6 UTC

The April Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) will take place on Friday, April 6,
0100 until 0225 UTC (the evening of Thursday, April 5 in US time zones). The
format for the April FMT is a single-frequency exercise with one transmitting
station in eastern Oklahoma, K5CM. Measure the key-down transmitted frequency
and report your results. Submit your results by April 9 at 0300 UTC, at which
time the results will be published on the website. To make it into the "Green
Box" of the results, submit a measurement with an accuracy of better than 1
Hertz. Approximate frequencies will be 14,121 kHz (0100 UTC); 7,064 kHz (0200
UTC, and 3,958 kHz (0300 UTC).

____________________________________________________________________________


ARRL Public Relations Committee Gets New Leadership, Updated Mission and Goals

The ARRL Public Relations Committee is undergoing some changes under the
leadership of new committee chair Steve "Sid" Caesar, NH7C, with ARRL Board
Liaison and Roanoke Division Vice Director Bill Morine, N2COP, and ARRL
Communications Manager David Isgur. An ARRL Life Member who has served on the
PR Committee for about 3 years, Caesar succeeds Scott Westerman, W9WSW, as
chair.

The mission and goals for 2018 have been set. Caesar, Morine, and Isgur are
putting together a team that will focus on empowering ARRL Public Information
Officers (PIOs) and Public Information Coordinators (PICs) by giving them
better tools and resources to reach out to traditional media outlets and social
 media, and to continue to raise the visibility of Amateur Radio.

These will include a revamped Contact! e-newsletter that will offer tips,
suggestions, and best practices for PIOs and PICs; a re-energized PR reflector
to share success stories and examples of what works and what doesn't in
pitching media outlets, and a 2018 events calendar, to give PIOs and PICs a
hook for drawing media attention to Amateur Radio. In addition, social media
page guidelines are being developed to leverage coverage to communities both
within and outside of Amateur Radio.

Caesar, the new PR Committee chair, serves as the chief of Bureau of Indian
Affairs Emergency Management (BIA EM) in the US Department of the Interior.
Previously, Caesar served as the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT)
Emergency Manager at the Department of the Interior's Office of Emergency
Management (DOI OEM) in Washington, DC.

His 34-year public safety and emergency management career has also included
experience in various areas of public safety. He is an active SKYWARN volunteer
 in the Washington, DC, area and an active contester and member of the Potomac
Valley Radio Club (PVRC). During the run-up to ARRL's National Parks on the Air
 (NPOTA) operating event in 2016, Caesar assisted in coordinating with the
National Park Service.

Other PR Committee members include committee stalwart Angel Santana-Diaz,
WP3GW; Andy Milluzzi, KK4LWR; Northern New Jersey PIC Ed Efchak, WX2R, and Alan
 Griffin, who represents Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) on the Committee.

____________________________________________________________________________


Second Public Test of FT8 "DXpedition Mode" Set for April 7

The second public test of FT8 "DXpedition Mode" will take place on April 7, and
 all radio amateurs are invited to participate. WSJT-X Developer Joe Taylor,
K1JT, advises anyone planning to take part to download the latest "release
candidate" (beta) version of WSJT-X -- now called version 1.9.0-rc3 -- and to
read the latest revision of the FT8 DXpedition Mode User Guide, dated March 28,
 which includes changes and updates from previous User Guide editions.

Taylor specifically would like users to pay attention to the section on page 1
which reads, "Please note: DXpedition Mode is not yet ready for 'production'
use. Until WSJT-X version 1.9.0 is fully released, [FT8 DXpedition Mode] should
 be used only in controlled test situations. Please remember to send us your
test results."

Taylor said the WSJT-X development team is suggesting these temporary
frequencies for testing DXpedition Mode: 3.567, 7.066, 10.1405, 14.105, 18.095,
 21.067, 24.911, and 28.067 MHz.

Taylor said he stressed that FT8 DXpedition Mode is not ready for routine use
"because several operators or groups have been trying, against our advice, to
use the not-yet-complete DXpedition Mode in real pileup situations. This misuse
 of a WSJT-X beta release -- or of code taken from the WSJT-X development
branch -- has been counterproductive." Recently, one short DXpedition did
deploy FT8 DXpedition Mode, but users in the pileup were not necessarily fully
on board with how to use the new mode, or were using versions of FT8 that were
incompatible with the DXpedition Mode iteration.

Taylor said that posting FT8 DXpedition Mode operating frequencies for each HF
band was done in the hope that it might minimize interference with other
digital modes. "We will welcome thoughtful suggestions that might improve this
list of suggested frequencies," Taylor added. "We hope to see you in the
pileups calling W1/KH7Z and W7/KH7Z on 14.105 MHz, 1400 - 1600 UTC on April 7!"

The User Guide stresses that FT8 DXpedition Mode should only be used by
DXpedition stations and those trying to work them; in its beta form, the FT8
development team prefers to work in cooperation with a DXpedition that wants to
 use the new mode. The User Guide explains that in FT8 DXpedition Mode, the
transmit frequencies of Fox (the DXpedition) and Hounds (the pileup) "are
sometimes controlled by the program rather than by the operator, and this is
undesirable for general use."

"We hope to have a full 'green light' on usage in the fairly near future,"
Taylor told ARRL.

____________________________________________________________________________


Apparent First 2200-Meter Transatlantic Contact by US Radio Amateur Reported

In late March, Paul Kelley, N1BUG, of Milo, Maine, completed what may have been
 the first transatlantic 2200-meter contact by a US radio amateur under Amateur
 Radio rules. Signals in this part of the spectrum and lower previously have
spanned the Atlantic in one direction, and Canadian radio amateurs have
reported transatlantic contacts on the band dating back several years.

"To the best of my knowledge this is the first transatlantic two-way QSO from
the US on 2200 meters under Part 97 operation," said Kelley, who told ARRL that
 he gravitates toward the more challenging, "weak-signal" aspects of Amateur
Radio and has been experimenting and DXing for 37 years now.

"2200 meters is my new passion, and I am having a lot of fun with it!" he said.
 "I had been dreaming of -- and working toward -- a transatlantic QSO on 2200
meters for some time. Recently, I asked Chris Wilson, 2E0ILY, if he would be
interested in trying to work me on DFCW60 mode. Chris and I have heard each
other on WSPR, but he does not hear me well enough yet for a JT9 or other
digital QSO. Chris agreed to try DFCW60 -- dual-frequency CW, 60-second dit
length."

This was not a quick contact. It took four nights to complete, using
night-by-night sequencing. Kelley called that "the minimum possible time" for
such a contact, which included an exchange of complete call signs, signal
reports, and acknowledgements. Kelley said they used the TMOR reporting system,
 borrowed from the moonbounce world.

"The QSO was completed at 0020 UTC March 28, when I received 'R' from Chris,"
Kelley said.

____________________________________________________________________________


HAARP Facility to Resume Ionospheric Research this Week

Alaska's super-power High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP)
transmitters in Gakona, Alaska, will fire up again for the spring research
campaign April 6 - 14. University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Space Physics Group
 researcher and HAARP Chief Scientist Chris Fallen, KL3WX, told ARRL that more
than 40 hours of "externally funded" experiments are in the queue.

"Scientists from US universities and government labs will explore the physics
of scintillations, magnetic field-aligned plasma irregularities, artificial and
 natural atmospheric airglow, stimulated electromagnetic emissions, plasma
waves, and radio-enhanced ionization," Fallen said. "The HAARP transmitter is
still at 80% net power, but by summer we expect to have the final 'column' of
transmitters restored, bringing the array back to 100%."

For his part, Fallen said he still has some time remaining on his National
Science Foundation (NSF) grant to study artificial airglow, but added that this
 is "a tough time of year in a tough year of the solar cycle" for such
experiments. "It will not be dark enough in Gakona to observe artificial
airglow emissions until 10 PM at the beginning of the campaign and 10:30 PM at
the end of the campaign, due to the rapidly lengthening days in the Land of
Midnight Sun."

Fallen said that due to weakening solar activity, the critical frequency of the
 ionosphere's F2 layer (foF2) is relatively low during the day, peaking at a
little more than 4 MHz above Gakona in the late afternoon, and falling rapidly
in the evening, limiting the time available for experiments.

Fallen may continue his past practice of "bundling" amplitude modulated content
 of interest to hams in the airglow experiments. His previous airglow
experiments were accompanied by tones and music to illustrate the Luxembourg
effect and slow-scan television (SSTV) images in Scottie 1 format.

Fallen plans to tweet selected transmitter frequencies and other information
throughout the campaign from his personal Twitter page. HAARP's official
Twitter page will share photos and other information of general interest, "such
 as what the HAARP dog is up to," Fallen said.

Operation of the HAARP research facility was transferred from the US Air Force
to UAF in 2015.

____________________________________________________________________________


Hamvention Setting Space Aside to Spotlight Emergency Communication Vehicles

In keeping with its theme, "Serving the Community," Hamvention(R) 2018 is
offering an opportunity for Amateur Radio groups to display the communication
vehicles they use to serve their communities. A special area has been set aside
 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center for emergency communication
trailers, vans, trucks, and other vehicles. Hamvention organizers are hoping
that emergency response groups such as ARES, RACES, CERT, and others with an
interest in Amateur Radio emergency communication will take advantage.

"The displays will allow groups planning to develop their own units to get
suggestions and ideas and ask questions of those supporting the vehicles,"
Hamvention said in announcing the special display area. Groups planning to
display vehicles are encouraged to have them staffed, functional, and able to
demonstrate their capabilities during Hamvention.

Gary Hollenbaugh, NJ8BB, who has coordinated Hamvention emergency communication
 vehicle displays for 10 years, said that many groups thinking about building
units could gain some beneficial ideas from seeing what other organizations
have done. He encouraged teams to make information about their units available
to share with visitors.

Hollenbaugh, who also serves as an assistant to the ARES Section Emergency
Coordinator for Ohio, said he is looking for innovative solutions. Past
displays have ranged from a pop-up tent at the rear of a pickup truck to
complex RV-based vehicles. Groups that want to participate can obtain more
information on the Hamvention website's EmComm page.

During Hamvention, emergency communicators also will have an opportunity to
attend more than 10 forums dealing with public service. Those attending at
least three ARRL-sponsored public service forums will receive a certificate.
One session will offer attendees a chance to hear firsthand reports from radio
amateurs who served in Puerto Rico after the hurricanes this past year.

"Our theme recognizes the valuable service that Amateur Radio provides to our
communities," Hamvention General Chair Ron Cramer, KD8ENJ, said. "We hope the
EmComm display and forums provide valuable information we can all use to be
better prepared for that service."

Hamvention 2018 will take place May 18 - 20 at the Greene County Fairgrounds
and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio.

____________________________________________________________________________


In Brief...

2017 ARRL November Sweepstakes CW results are available. The results of the
2017 ARRL November Sweepstakes CW have been posted on the ARRL website. Go to
the Contest Results Articles page, and scroll down. Click on "2017 Contest
Results" and then to "November Sweepstakes (CW)." The full results database is
available.


The 2017 DXCC Yearbook is now available. The 2017 ARRL DXCC Yearbook is now
available for viewing and downloading. The DXCC Yearbook includes the 2017
Annual List, as well as the 2017 Clinton B. DeSoto Challenge top scorers. DXCC
is Amateur Radio's premier award that hams can earn by confirming on-the-air
contacts with 100 countries. You can begin with the basic DXCC award and work
your way up to the DXCC Honor Roll.


The Amateur Radio Slow-Scan Television (SSTV) system on the International Space
 Station (ISS) will be back worldwide April 11 - 14. The transmissions, using
the call sign RS0ISS, will mark Cosmonautics Day in Russia on April 12. Images
will be related to the Soviet Union's Interkosmos cooperative space ventures
project. SSTV images will be transmitted in PD-120 format on 145.800 MHz (FM)
using the Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver in the ISS Russian Service Module. The
free Windows application MMSSTV can be used to decode the signal. On Apple iOS
devices, the SSTV app is available for compatible modes. For Linux systems, try
 QSSTV. This event is dependent on other activities, schedules, and crew
responsibilities on the ISS and subject to change. Check for updates on the
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station's (ARISS) SSTV blog and
picture gallery.


An upcoming Wake Island operation will make a rare grid available. Starting
this month, Philip Gairson, N7NVK, will begin working on Wake Island, which is
in grid RK39 for those participating in the 2018 ARRL International Grid Chase
(IGC). His schedule calls for 3 months on the island, and then 1 month off -- a
 pattern that will repeat over the course of about a year. Wake is 12 hours
ahead of UTC. Gairson does not yet know what days or times he will be on the
air, but he plans to post his availability on his QRZ.com profile page and
notify ARRL to include it in its DX bulletin. Contacting him could prove
challenging. He's taking along an Elecraft KX3 along with a G5RV or Buddipole
for an antenna, running low power. He will operate split, and he asks for
patience because he's not used to being the focus of a pileup. Internet
connectivity on Wake will be limited, but he plans to use LoTW. -- Thanks to
The Daily DX


Two radio amateurs are now on the International Space Station. With the
addition of three new crew members, the International Space Station now has a
full complement of six. Astronauts Ricky Arnold, KE5DAU, and Drew Feustel, and
cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev headed into space on March 21 aboard a Soyuz MS-08
vehicle, launched from Kazakhstan. The new ISS residents were welcomed as part
of the Expedition 55 crew by station commander Anton Shkaplerov and crew --
Scott Tingle, KG5NZA, and Norishige Kanai. During his time in space, Arnold, a
former educator, will wrap up NASA's Year of Education on Station, an
initiative to engage students and educators in human spaceflight and science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. Arnold and Tingle will share
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts with schools
during April.

____________________________________________________________________________


The K7RA Solar Update

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