• ARRL Regular Bulletin

    From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Dec 22 13:53:03 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
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Dec 22 13:53:17 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Thu Dec 31 18:03:42 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Jan 8 17:54:19 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Jan 4 17:57:20 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Jan 4 17:57:33 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Mar 15 03:18:37 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Mar 17 14:16:08 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Mar 23 13:41:12 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Mar 23 13:41:16 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Mar 24 18:47:11 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Mar 26 10:50:49 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Apr 6 21:48:25 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Apr 13 17:32:45 2021

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB011
    ARLB011 Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on
    May 3

    ZCZC AG11
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 11 ARLB011
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 13, 2021
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB011

    ARLB011 Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on
    May 3

    The FCC has announced that rule changes detailed in a lengthy 2019
    Report and Order governing RF exposure standards go into effect on
    May 3, 2021. The new rules do not change existing RF exposure (RFE)
    limits but do require that stations in all services, including
    amateur radio, be evaluated against existing limits, unless they are
    exempted. For stations already in place, that evaluation must be
    completed by May 3, 2023. After May 3 of this year, any new station,
    or any existing station modified in a way that's likely to change
    its RFE profile - such as different antenna or placement or greater
    power - will need to conduct an evaluation by the date of activation
    or change.

    The Report and Order can be found online in PDF format at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-126A1.pdf .

    "In the RF Report and Order, the Commission anticipated that few
    parties would have to conduct reevaluations under the new rules and
    that such evaluations will be relatively straightforward," the FCC
    said in an April 2 Public Notice. "It nevertheless adopted a 2-year
    period for parties to verify and ensure compliance under the new
    rules."

    The Amateur Service is no longer categorically excluded from certain
    aspects of the rules, as amended, and licensees can no longer avoid
    performing an exposure assessment simply because they are
    transmitting below a given power level.

    "For most amateurs, the major difference is the removal of the
    categorical exclusion for amateur radio, which means that ham
    station owners must determine if they either qualify for an
    exemption or must perform a routine environmental evaluation," said
    Greg Lapin, N9GL, chair of the ARRL RF Safety Committee and a member
    of the FCC Technological Advisory Council (TAC).

    "Ham stations previously excluded from performing environmental
    evaluations will have until May 3, 2023, to perform these. After May
    3, 2021, any new stations or those modified in a way that affects RF
    exposure must comply before being put into service," Lapin said.

    The December 2019 RF Report and Order changes the methods that many
    radio services use to determine and achieve compliance with FCC
    limits on human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields. The FCC also
    modified the process for determining whether a particular device or
    deployment is exempt from a more thorough analysis by replacing a service-specific list of transmitters, facilities, and operations
    for which evaluation is required with new streamlined formula-based
    criteria. The R&O also addressed how to perform evaluations where
    the exemption does not apply, and how to mitigate exposure.

    Amateur radio licensees will have to determine whether any existing
    facilities previously excluded under the old rules now qualify for
    an exemption under the new rules. Most will, but some may not.

    "For amateurs, the major difference is the removal of the
    categorical exclusion," Lapin said, "which means that every ham will
    be required to perform some sort of calculation, either to determine
    if they qualify for an exemption or must perform a full-fledged
    exposure assessment. For hams who previously performed exposure
    assessments on their stations, there is nothing more to do."

    The ARRL Laboratory staff is available to help amateurs to make
    these determinations and, if needed, perform the necessary
    calculations to ensure their stations comply. ARRL Laboratory
    Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, who helped prepare ARRL's RF Exposure and
    You book, explained it this way. "The FCC did not change any of the
    underlying rules applicable to amateur station evaluations," he
    said. "The sections of the book on how to perform routine station
    evaluations are still valid and usable, especially the many charts
    of common antennas at different heights." Hare said ARRL Lab staff
    also would be available to help amateurs understand the rules and
    evaluate their stations."

    RF Exposure and You is available in PDF format for free download
    from ARRL at, http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/RFsafetyCommittee/28RFSafety.pdf
    .

    ARRL also has an RF Safety page on its website at, http://www.arrl.org/rf-exposure .

    The ARRL RF Safety Committee is working with the FCC to update the
    FCC's aids for following human exposure rules - OET Bulletin 65 and
    OET Bulletin 65 Supplement B for Radio Amateurs. In addition, ARRL
    is developing tools that all hams can use to perform exposure
    assessments.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Thu Sep 23 09:05:09 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Sep 29 09:23:23 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Aug 30 14:46:21 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Thu Sep 9 14:45:33 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Nov 19 17:40:12 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Dec 22 12:13:37 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Dec 28 11:10:02 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Jan 18 15:00:50 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Jan 19 15:28:22 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Thu Feb 24 16:24:32 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB006
    ARLB006 Section Manager Election Results Announced

    ZCZC AG06
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 6 ARLB006
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT February 24, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB006
    ARLB006 Section Manager Election Results Announced

    Two Section Manager elections were held during the winter season,
    and the ballots were counted at ARRL Headquarters on Tuesday,
    February 22.

    In Virginia, Jack R. Smith, KE4LWT, of Ruckersville received 889
    votes, and Terry Buzzard, KA8TNF, of Virginia Beach, received 412
    votes. Smith was declared elected and will begin his first 2-year
    term on April 1. Smith has served as an Assistant Section Emergency
    Coordinator for the last 2 years. He will take the reins of the
    Virginia Field Organization from Carl Clements, W4CAC. Clements was
    appointed in mid-December 2021 as interim Section Manager after the
    untimely and unfortunate death of Section Manager Joe Palsa, K3WRY.

    In North Carolina, Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC, of Boone, the incumbent
    Section Manager, received 1,235 votes, and Tony Jones, N4ATJ, of
    McAdenville, received 257 votes. Hoffman was declared re-elected and
    will begin his second term on April 1, 2022.

    These incumbent Section Managers faced no opposition and were
    declared re-elected and will begin new terms on April 1: George
    Miller, W3GWM (Eastern Pennsylvania); John Fritze, K2QY (Eastern New
    York); John Mark Robertson, K5JMR (Louisiana); Joe Speroni, AH0A
    (Pacific); Dave Kaltenborn, N8BKC (San Diego), and Chris Stallkamp,
    KI0D (South Dakota).
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Thu Feb 24 16:24:40 2022

    ZCZC AG07
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 7 ARLB007
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT February 24, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB007
    ARLB007 FCC: Amateur Service Licensees May Not Use Radio Equipment
    to Commit Criminal Acts

    The FCC Enforcement Bureau has re-issued an earlier reminder that
    licensees in the Amateur Radio Service, as well as licensees and
    operators in the Personal Radio Services are prohibited from using
    radios in those services to commit or facilitate criminal acts. The
    FCC did not indicate what, if anything, prompted the renewed
    Enforcement Advisory or if it was just a routine announcement.

    The Enforcement Advisory can be found in PDF format online at, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-181A1.pdf .

    "The Bureau recognizes that these services can be used for a wide
    range of permitted and socially beneficial purposes, including
    emergency communications and speech that is protected under the
    First Amendment of the US Constitution," the FCC said. "Amateur and
    Personal Radio Services, however, may not be used to commit or
    facilitate crimes."

    As it did in advisories in 2021, the Enforcement Bureau is reminding
    amateur licensees that they may not transmit, "communications
    intended to facilitate a criminal act" or "messages encoded for the
    purpose of obscuring their meaning."

    "Likewise, individuals operating radios in the Personal Radio
    Services, a category that includes Citizens Band radios, Family
    Radio Service walkie-talkies, and General Mobile Radio Service, are
    prohibited from using those radios "in connection with any activity
    which is against Federal, State or local law.

    "Individuals using radios in the Amateur or Personal Radio Services
    in this manner may be subject to severe penalties, including
    significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment, and, in some
    cases, criminal prosecution.

    "To report a crime, contact your local law enforcement office or the
    FBI," the FCC advised.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Mon Feb 28 15:37:50 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB008
    ARLB008 ARRL Seeks Exemption from Proposed US Forest Service
    Communication Facility Fees; Comment Period to be Re-Opened Through
    March 31

    ZCZC AG08
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 8 ARLB008
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT February 28, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB008
    ARLB008 ARRL Seeks Exemption from Proposed US Forest Service
    Communication Facility Fees; Comment Period to be Re-Opened Through
    March 31

    ARRL has filed comments with the US Forest Service (USFS) seeking an
    exemption for amateur radio facilities to a proposed new 1400 dollar
    annual administrative fee. The USFS proposal resulted from
    requirements in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka "the
    Farm Bill"), which directs the Forest Service to collect fees for
    issuing communications use authorizations based on the cost to the
    agency for processing the applications, maintenance, and other
    related activities. These fees would be in addition to annual rental
    and cost-recovery fees already being collected.

    ARRL's comments can be found online at, https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FS-2022-0001-0749 .

    On February 24, the Forest Service filed a Notice in the Federal
    Register that the comment filing window will be re-opened on March 1
    and additional comments will be accepted through March 31. Any radio
    amateurs missing the first comment period or wishing to add to their
    earlier comments are encouraged to do so during this additional
    period.

    "Although the discussion put forward by the Forest Service in its
    proposal focuses on commercial uses, the proposal would sweep within
    its requirements amateur radio uses that are solely noncommercial,"
    ARRL said in comments filed on February 22. "Radio amateurs
    establish and maintain facilities at certain locations for public
    service purposes with no remuneration or reimbursement. Unlike
    broadcasters and commercial wireless and fiber providers, radio
    amateurs are uniquely barred by the terms of their federal licenses
    from receiving compensation of any sort."

    "Non-commercial and uncompensated communication uses by radio
    amateurs within Forest Service areas long have served the public
    interest in many ways, among them by providing the means for
    otherwise unobtainable emergency communication capabilities in times
    of need," ARRL noted. "Amateurs perform this valuable public service
    without cost to taxpayers. The importance of these capabilities
    [has] been demonstrated repeatedly. The skills of amateur operators
    have served our country well with their carefully located equipment
    when enabling exchanges of possibly life-saving messages in
    difficult terrain during forest fires, extending communications
    assistance help during hurricanes, and providing communications
    capabilities during search-and-rescue missions in remote areas."

    ARRL stressed that equipment, maintenance, and other costs
    associated with amateur radio facilities on USFS lands "are borne
    solely by the volunteer radio amateurs themselves."

    ARRL continued, "Commercial applicants usually request more
    extensive use of the lands administered by the Forest Service, and
    these requests necessarily result in more complex issues having to
    be considered and resolved."

    "It is foreseeable that many radio amateurs providing these services
    would have to opt to withdraw and cease their work," if not exempted
    from the proposed fees, ARRL said. "In many cases the most useful
    locations for needed coverage from their stations is uniquely on
    Forest Service lands. In short, the proposal to include volunteer
    uncompensated amateur service applicants with the commercial
    wireless service and broadcast applicants is grossly inequitable.
    There is a disparity in the amount of resources necessary to
    consider applications from radio amateurs as compared to that
    required by commercial applicants."

    "[O]ur best estimate is that there are fewer than 100 covered
    amateur locations, but those likely are unique and essential to
    covering forested areas in times of need, such as forest fires or
    lost hikers," ARRL said. "These dissimilarities in complexity and
    scope should be recognized in this fees proposal and amateur radio
    applications exempted."
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Mon Mar 14 15:26:40 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB009
    ARLB009 W1AW 2022 Spring/Summer Operating Schedule

    ZCZC AG09
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 9 ARLB009
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 14, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB009
    ARLB009 W1AW 2022 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.

    The complete W1AW Operating Schedule may be found on page 77 in the
    March 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 (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Fri Mar 25 11:11:47 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB010
    ARLB010 New Amateur Radio License Applications Fee To Become
    Effective April 19, 2022

    ZCZC AG10
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 10 ARLB010
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT March 25, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB010
    ARLB010 New Amateur Radio License Applications Fee To Become
    Effective April 19, 2022

    A Public Notice released by the Federal Communications Commission
    (FCC) on March 23, 2022, in MD Docket No. 20-270, announced that new application fees for Wireless Telecommunications Bureau applications
    will become effective on April 19, 2022. The new fees, mandated by
    Congress, apply to applications for Amateur Radio licenses including
    those associated with filing Form 605, the Amateur Operator/Primary
    Station Licensee Application.

    The docket can be found online at, https://www.fcc.gov/document/effective-date-wireless-application-fee-rates
    .

    Effective April 19, 2022, a $35 fee will apply to applications for a
    new Amateur Radio license, modification (upgrade and sequential call
    sign change), renewal, and vanity call signs.

    Anticipating the implementation of the fee in 2022, the ARRL Board
    of Directors, at its July 2021 meeting, approved the "ARRL Youth
    Licensing Grant Program." Under the program, ARRL will cover a
    one-time $35 application fee for license candidates younger than 18
    years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL
    Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). Qualified candidates also
    would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC. ARRL is
    finalizing details for administering the program.

    ARRL had filed comments in opposition to imposing a fee on Amateur
    Radio license applications. The FCC initially proposed a higher, $50
    fee. In a Report and Order (R&O), released on December 29, 2020, the
    amount was reduced -- the FCC agreeing 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."

    ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC) Manager Maria Somma,
    AB1FM, explained that all fees are per application. "There will be
    no fee for administrative updates, such as a change of mailing or
    email address. The fees will be the responsibility of the applicant
    regardless of filing method and must be paid within 10 calendar days
    of FCC's receipt of the application. For applications filed by a
    VEC, the period does not begin until the application is received by
    the Commission, a ULS file number assigned, and an email sent by the
    FCC directly to the applicant."

    VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not collect the $35 fee
    at license exam sessions. New and upgrade candidates at an exam
    session will continue to pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE
    team as usual, and pay the new, $35 application fee directly to the
    FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system (CORES - Login).

    The CORES Login can be found at,
    https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do .

    When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it
    will email a link with payment instructions to each successful
    candidate who then will have 10 calendar days from the date of the
    email to pay. After the fee is paid and the FCC has processed an
    application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with
    a link to their official license or explanation of other action. The
    link will be good for 30 days.

    Somma also explained that applications that are processed and
    dismissed will not be entitled to a refund. This includes vanity
    call sign requests where the applicant does not receive the
    requested call sign. "The FCC staff has suggested that applicants
    for vanity call signs should first ensure the call signs requested
    are available and eligible for their operator class and area, and
    then request as many call signs as the form allows to maximize their
    chances of receiving a call sign."

    Further information and instructions about the FCC Application Fee
    are available from the ARRL VEC at www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee.
    Details for the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program will be similarly
    posted there, when available.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Apr 5 17:06:39 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB011
    ARLB011 New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply to Amateur Radio
    License Upgrades

    ZCZC AG11
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 11 ARLB011
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 5, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB011
    ARLB011 New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply to Amateur Radio
    License Upgrades

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in
    response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will
    not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade
    amateur radio licensee's operator class and changes to club station
    trustees. The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only
    to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new
    vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect
    on April 19, 2022.

    "We are pleased that the FCC will not charge licensees the FCC
    application fee for license upgrade applications," said ARRL
    Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM.
    "While applicants for a new license will need to pay the $35 FCC
    application fee, there will be no FCC charge for future upgrades and administrative updates, such as a change of mailing or email
    address. Most current licensees, therefore, will not be charged the
    new FCC application fee until they renew their license or apply for
    a new vanity call sign."

    ARRL previously reported that the new $35 application fee for
    amateur radio licenses will become effective on April 19, 2022.
    Further information and instructions about the FCC Application Fee
    are available from the ARRL VEC page at, https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee .
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Apr 22 14:12:40 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB012
    ARLB012 FCC Not Processing License Applications and Exam Session
    Files

    ZCZC AG12
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 12 ARLB012
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 22, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB012
    ARLB012 FCC Not Processing License Applications and Exam Session
    Files

    The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) reports that the FCC
    Universal Licensing System (ULS) electronic batch filing (EBF)
    system has been down since midday Tuesday, April 19, 2022, which is
    the day the FCC application fees became effective for amateur radio.

    On Wednesday, in a notice to all VECs, the FCC asked them to refrain
    from submitting any session or application files while they work to
    resolve the issue.

    ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said the FCC did not estimate
    how long the system would be down. Some applications were processed
    through the system before the FCC notice was released to the VECs.

    Applicants should expect delays with license and application
    processing.

    ARRL VEC will provide an update when the FCC communicates that the
    filing system is back online.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Sat Apr 23 11:50:12 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB013
    ARLB013 FCC Has Resumed Processing License Applications and Exam
    Session Files

    ZCZC AG13
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 13 ARLB013
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 23, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB013
    ARLB013 FCC Has Resumed Processing License Applications and Exam
    Session Files

    The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) reports that the FCC
    Universal Licensing System (ULS) electronic batch filing (EBF)
    system is back online and functioning normally. VECs may resume
    transmitting sessions and applications. The backlog of files will be
    processed through the system.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Apr 29 17:29:48 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB014
    ARLB014 A New Colorado Section Manager Begins July 1

    ZCZC AG14
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 14 ARLB014
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT April 29, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB014
    ARLB014 A New Colorado Section Manager Begins July 1

    ARRL Colorado Section Manager Robert Wareham, N0ESQ, has resigned
    from the position, effective June 30, 2022. ''I appreciate all the
    hard work that you have put in and wish you the best for the
    future,'' responded ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY.

    Wareham has a long history of leadership within ARRL, serving as
    State Government Liaison, Public Information Coordinator, Section
    Emergency Coordinator, Division Vice Director, and finally, Section
    Manager since 2006. Wareham told Walters he was stepping down
    because he didn't feel he could devote the time necessary to the
    Section Manager role for the remainder of his term.

    On the recommendation of Wareham and Rocky Mountain Division
    Director Jeff Ryan, K0RM, Walters has asked Amanda Alden, K1DDN, to
    serve the remainder of Wareham's term, which ends September 30,
    2023. Alden has served as an Assistant Section Manager, and Region
    Emergency Coordinator for the south and southeast All-Hazards
    Regions of Colorado.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri May 27 16:32:23 2022

    SB QST @ ARL $ARLB016
    ARLB016 Section Manager Spring Election Results

    ZCZC AG16
    QST de W1AW
    ARRL Bulletin 16 ARLB016
    From ARRL Headquarters
    Newington CT May 27, 2022
    To all radio amateurs

    SB QST ARL ARLB016
    ARLB016 Section Manager Spring Election Results

    The results of two Spring Section Manager (SM) elections were
    determined when the ballots were counted at ARRL Headquarters on
    Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

    Because no nominations were received by the original nomination
    deadline of September 10, 2021, it was necessary to re-solicit
    nominations for Delaware SM. Joseph Grib, KI3B, a resident of Bear,
    Delaware was appointed Interim Delaware SM in January 2022 until the
    election could be held. John Ferguson, K3PFW, a resident of
    Georgetown, received 162 votes and Grib received 96 votes. Ferguson
    will begin his 18-month term (instead of a 2-year term) as SM on
    July 1.

    In Indiana, Bob Burns, AK9R, received 625 votes, and incumbent
    Section Manager Jimmy Merry, KC9RPX, received 344 votes. Burns, a
    resident of Brownsville, will begin his 2-year term on July 1.
    Merry, a resident of Ellettsville, has served as SM for the past 4
    years.

    Wisconsin will have a new SM on July 1. Jason Spetz, KC9FXE, a
    resident of Menomonie, was the sole nominee. Spetz will take the
    reins of the Section's Field Organization from Patrick Moretti,
    KA1RB. Moretti, a resident of Dousman, decided not to run for a new
    term of office after serving as SM since 2016.

    Scott Roberts, KK4ECR, the only nominee for the Northern Florida
    Section, will become SM on July 1. He has been serving as the
    Assistant Section Manager and Public Information Coordinator for the
    Section. He'll succeed Kevin Bess, KK4BFN, who decided not to run
    for a new term. Bess, a resident of Edgewater, has been SM since
    2018.

    The following incumbent Section Managers, who did not face
    opposition, were declared re-elected and will begin new terms on
    July 1: Thomas Beebe, W9RY (Illinois); Philip Duggan, N1EP (Maine);
    David Kidd, KA7OZO (Oregon); James Armstrong, NV6W (Santa Clara
    Valley), and Paul Gayet, AA1SU (Vermont).

    ARRL extends its thanks to all incumbent SMs for their past valued
    service and congratulations to those who will take office on July 1.
    NNNN
    /EX
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Sep 28 10:04:05 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Oct 31 14:04:29 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Nov 7 15:59:07 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Dec 12 13:23:13 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Dec 16 10:42:30 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Dec 23 10:41:37 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Sat Dec 24 05:24:57 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Jan 9 15:21:41 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Tue Jan 3 11:44:36 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Fri Feb 3 11:41:24 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Mon Mar 13 12:43:17 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/20 to All on Wed Mar 29 16:12:34 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 (316:36/20)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Fri Apr 28 13:03:19 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 (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Tue May 30 15:23:25 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 (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Fri Jun 2 16:03:29 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 (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Mon Jun 5 14:39:36 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 (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Wed Jun 14 19:52:49 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 (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Wed Jun 14 19:53:00 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 (316:36/9)
  • From Daryl Stout@316:36/9 to All on Thu Jun 15 12:48:29 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 (316:36/9)