*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 25, No. 21 May 26, 2006 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * +ARRL President Harrison says ham radio has not lost its magic * +Access to BPL database now unfettered * +DARA grant will rejuvenate League's Community Education Project * +"Lighten up," FCC's Riley Hollingsworth tells Dayton forum * +Three ARRL sections choose new Section Managers * +New England ARES/RACES/SKYWARN volunteers stand down after rough weather * +Guess when SuitSat-1 deorbits and win! * +National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC announces annual station test * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This weekend on the radio ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration ARRL EXPO 2006 Passport prize winners announced Handihams volunteer Rex Kiser, W0GLU, SK DXCC Desk approves operations for DXCC credit Correction +Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> =========================================================== ==>Delivery problems: First see FAQ <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery>, then e-mail <letter-dlvy@arrl.org> ==>Editorial questions or comments only: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, <n1rl@arrl.org> =========================================================== NOTE: ARRL Headquarters will be closed Monday, May 29, for the Memorial Day holiday. There will be no W1AW code practice or bulletin transmissions that day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, May 30, at 8 AM EDT. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend! =========================================================== ==>THE MAGIC OF AMATEUR RADIO IS STILL THERE, LEAGUE PRESIDENT SAYS Amateur Radio has not lost its magic, says ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN. Addressing the "ARRL: Main Street USA" forum at Dayton Hamvention, Harrison said the Amateur Radio community needs to recognize and acknowledge that "Main Street USA" has changed, and with it the pool of potential radio amateurs. "We have to keep that in mind as we're going out and recruiting people," Harrison suggested. During the ARRL forum, Harrison asserted that the "Average Joe" today has far less time to pursue avocational interests such as ham radio than 30 or 40 years ago, when many older Amateur Radio operators got their first tickets. As workers' productivity has increased, so has the number of hours one spends on the job. Youngsters today already have heavy activity schedules, he said. "We have a more competitive market for people's time," Harrison said. He conceded that while Amateur Radio might not possess the "gee whiz" factor it did decades ago, the "magic" is still there for today's hams. "I don't care how advanced we get, it all boils down to getting a signal from Point A to Point B magically," the League President told the audience. Even with today's plug-and-play transceivers, "people still have to put up an antenna." As an avid VHF/UHF and microwave operator, Harrison has considerable experience in that area. Attracting young people into Amateur Radio is a harder sell, Harrison allowed. "The more we integrate computer technology into Amateur Radio, it helps to attract [younger people,]" he said. Promoting Amateur Radio contesting to the younger generation could be another route, he suggested, given the increased interest in competitive sports. "How many times can a kid compete in an international tournament from home?" he asked rhetorically. "Every weekend," someone in the audience piped up. Harrison also pointed out that the current Technician ticket doesn't give newcomers the means to sample the HF spectrum. At the same time, the FCC has so far turned away proposals to create a new entry-level Amateur Radio license for the likely no-code environment of the future. But, Harrison maintained, giving new licensees "a little taste" of HF is important to attracting newcomers and maintaining their interest. He also predicted that the FCC would "take the path of least resistance" and eliminate the current 5 WPM Morse code requirement for HF access. Harrison's "Main Street USA" comments generated a lively discussion among forum participants who offered their own suggestions on how to ensure a bright future for Amateur Radio. One Virginia radio amateur suggested that public service has become a big draw for newcomers in his rural community. Val Rose, N8EXV, of Michigan said rude on-the-air behavior is a deterrent to attracting new hams. Deed covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) are another issue that more and more hams--newcomers and veterans alike--are facing, another radio amateur noted. "That's a serious, serious matter affecting Amateur Radio now," Harrison agreed. Bill Klykylo, WA8FOZ, of Cincinnati, agreed with Harrison's view of Main Street USA. He suggested that one answer to piquing interest in ham radio is to piggyback on other hobby activities and interests. Be he also stressed the need to follow up with newcomers once they're licensed. Harrison concurred on the importance of mentoring or "Elmering" newcomers. "We've stopped Elmering," he said. "Let's face it. We've stopped Elmering." Harrison said the League's interest is in getting Amateur Radio promoted. "I'll take ham radio operators from any age group," he said. "There are hundreds and hundreds of things we can do in ham radio." ==>PUBLIC BPL DATABASE ACCESS RESTRICTIONS REMOVED United Telecom Council (UTC) has removed all restrictions on access to the BPL Interference Resolution Web site. In cooperation with the United Power Line Council (UPLC), UTC administers the database, which FCC Part 15 rules mandate be "publicly available." Ever since the database debuted last October, the ARRL has taken strong exception to access constraints UTC had imposed. These included limiting searches solely on the basis of ZIP code and rationing the number of allowable searches. In February, the League filed a formal complaint with the FCC, demanding the Commission order UTC to "cease its arbitrary limits" on access to the database. ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said the League was happy to hear that UTC now has eliminated search limits and posted all BPL system information. "We are pleased that UTC finally has seen the merit of our arguments in favor of making the database truly accessible," Sumner commented. "This can't possibly hurt, and can only help everyone focus on the real issue: the avoidance and prompt correction of harmful interference to radiocommunications from BPL." The UTC BPL database still offers the ability to search by ZIP code. Somewhat less prominent is a link to the entire database in ZIP-code order. The League also has complained to the FCC that the BPL Interference Resolution Web Site database contains inaccuracies and is incomplete, although UTC has made some improvements since the ARRL raised the issues. That complaint is still pending. The UTC's decision to modify its BPL database came two days after its representatives and a representative from Duke Power met May 17 with FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) staff to address "changes to the database concerning the search limits." ARRL representatives recently further discussed the League's perspective on the same subject with OET staff. UTC Director of Regulatory Services/Associate Counsel Brett Kilbourne on May 19 informed Acting OET Chief Julius Knapp that it was revising the BPL database "in the interests of resolving the complaint without further dispute." UTC asked the FCC to dismiss the League's complaint "without further action." ==>ARRL TO REJUVENATE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROJECT, THANKS TO DAYTON ARA GIFT A generous $15,000 grant from the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) will enable the ARRL to rejuvenate its Community Education Project (CEP). The program, which ran for 12 months during 2004 and 2005, aims to educate community leaders about Amateur Radio as a public service and emergency communication resource. DARA President Michael Kalter, W8CI, presented a check to ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, during ARRL EXPO 2006 at Dayton Hamvention?, which DARA originated and sponsors. Kalter says DARA is concerned that word of Amateur Radio's commitment to public service in disasters and emergencies, the joy of experimentation and the development of new means of radiocommunication is not effectively reaching the general public. "In today's climate of possible terror attacks and natural disasters, DARA feels it is urgent to educate the public on the importance and relevance of the Amateur Radio Service," Kalter commented. "As Amateur Radio operators we not only need to educate others about Amateur Radio, we must set a high standard--operating with integrity and courtesy. We can draw talent to the service through example and education." DARA worries that today's younger generation views Amateur Radio as "an old person's hobby," Kalter said. "If we do not educate the general public and our youth, Amateur Radio will surely die, and this great national treasure will be gone forever." ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, says the program resurrected by DARA's support will address sectors of the community that are generally unaware of Amateur Radio's value. These could include local government and business leaders as well as such entities as food banks, homeless shelters, utility companies, faith-based groups, schools and the media. "In this renewed CEP effort, we want to further spread the word to the non-ham community that Amateur Radio can strengthen a community's ability to respond in an emergency or a disaster," Hobart said. "Many community resources remain unaware of what Amateur Radio can provide, and we hope the CEP can rectify that." Hobart says the new CEP plans to work through the ARRL Field Organization of volunteers to propagate its message. The League will refresh and supplement materials shown to be effective during the earlier CEP. Those for the new program will bear DARA's logo. A Power Point presentation plus print and CD-ROM "leave-behind" materials will cover the basics of Amateur Radio and its role during emergencies and disasters. The program also will provide resource information for local use. The CD-ROM will include recent Amateur Radio public service announcements targeting broadcast outlets as well as the Amateur Radio Today video narrated by Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD. ARRL will organize downloadable Amateur Radio video and other materials on a single area on the ARRL Web site bearing the DARA logo. Kalter says DARA views its contribution as "a first step" in getting out the word on Amateur Radio's value. "It's our opinion that the ARRL is best suited to lead this effort," he said, noting the enormity of the task ahead. "DARA is pleased to support the ARRL in this effort, and we hope that others will join in and assist," he said. Hobart expressed appreciation for DARA's vote of confidence. "Thanks to DARA, we hope to bolster the League's ability to support the ARRL Field Organization that's so crucial to disaster response," she said. A grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) funded the initial CEP. ==>RILEY HOLLINGSWORTH TO AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNITY: "LIGHTEN UP!" FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth advised those attending the FCC forum at Dayton Hamvention 2006 to try kindness instead of confrontation when problems arise on the bands. Hollingsworth spoke May 20 to a nearly full house at Hara Arena, and for the most part he praised the behavior of the majority of Amateur Radio operators, especially those who volunteered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina last year. But, he noted, radio amateurs still could be more courteous and less inclined to fly off the handle at some perceived on-the-air offense. "You need to lighten up and not embarrass the Amateur Radio Service," Hollingsworth advised. "All of us make mistakes, especially with the new features you have on radios today. It's very easy to make a mistake, to be on the wrong frequency or be operating split and not know it--there's a hundred ways to make mistakes." Hollingsworth said experience has shown him that at least 75 percent of the interference complained about is absolutely unintentional. In Hollingsworth's view, radio amateurs all too often are hypersensitive and rude. "We have a radar going to detect offenses at all times, we assume the worst in people, we rarely give people the benefit of the doubt," he said. He joked that if there were three amateurs in a town, there would be two Amateur Radio clubs. "And there'll be two hamfests with 20 people each, because they wouldn't dare consolidate them," he added. Hollingsworth acknowledged that "certain problem operators" remain, but the real troublemakers are rarely the newcomers to Amateur Radio. "If there's a downfall in Amateur Radio, it won't be caused by no-code Technicians or codeless anything else," he said. "It'll be caused by the microphone--no doubt in my mind." He advised his audience to ignore the troublesome operators and not give them the attention they crave by engaging them on the air. "Now, think about it: If what you're hearing annoys you, or angers you or is stupid, use the 'stupid filter,' which is that big knob--that VFO that will take you somewhere else," he quipped. "It's the largest knob on the radio." He recommended moving to another frequency or even another band altogether. Hollingsworth praised the Volunteer Examiner program as "outstanding" and noted there had not been a single complaint in the past year stemming from an examination session. He also said the Amateur Radio community should have a greater appreciation for what the ARRL is doing on its behalf. "Most of you have no idea how much work is done in Newington for you and the Amateur Radio Service generally," he said. "I see it every day, but I think you have no idea of the hard work and dedication that comes out of that office up there, and I don't think we would be there if it weren't for [the League]." "This country's communications infrastructure needs Amateur Radio," Hollingsworth emphasized, praising Amateur Radio's overall performance following Hurricane Katrina. "You have a tremendous amount to be proud of." He also suggested that radio amateurs have an obligation to stay informed about what's going on in Amateur Radio that might affect their activities. "You have to not only keep up, you have to lead the way, because it's in your charter," he said, pointing to §97.1 of the Amateur Service rules. Hollingsworth noted at the start of his talk that he could not address any questions dealing with the FCC's long-awaited decision on the Morse code requirement (Element 1), because he works in the Commission's Enforcement Bureau. "We don't meddle in rule making," he explained, but added that he didn't expect CW to decline if the FCC does drop the 5 WPM Morse requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes as it's proposed to do. The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) handles Amateur Radio rule makings, Hollingsworth noted, including the "Morse code" proceeding, WT Docket 05-235, and the so-called "omnibus" proceeding, WT Docket 04-140. The WTB has said it will rule first on the omnibus proceeding, then tackle the Morse code proceeding, but it has not indicated when to expect either Report and Order. No representative from the WTB was at Dayton Hamvention this year. ==>NEW SECTION MANAGERS ELECTED IN THREE ARRL SECTIONS The votes are in, and three ARRL sections will have new Section Managers starting in July. Ballots were counted May 23 at ARRL Headquarters in four contested races. Incumbent SMs in four other sections were re-elected without opposition. In the Illinois Section, Thomas Ciciora, KA9QPN, topped Ronald Morgan, KB9NW, 902 to 726 to succeed incumbent Sharon Harlan, N9SH, who did not run for another term. Ciciora, who resides in the Lake Holiday community near Sandwich, has been a radio amateur for nearly 25 years. He's spent more than 30 years in emergency management, the last four as director of his local emergency management agency. One of his stated goals during his campaign was to help lead the Amateur Radio community to become "an integral part of every emergency operations plan for every jurisdiction" in the Section. In the Northern Florida Section, incumbent SM Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, won another new term, outpolling challenger Dale Sewell, N4SGQ, 630 to 541. A resident of Milton, Hubbard has been SM since 1990. "The long success of Northern Florida Section objectives is primarily due to the excellent team effort," Hubbard says. "Our recent accomplishments include the administration of the State of Florida Tracker System to manage and deploy our operators for the hurricanes in 2004 and 2005." In the Oregon Section, ARRL members elected a new SM in a three-way race that included the current SM. Bonnie Altus, AB7ZQ, topped the field with 398 votes. She'll succeed incumbent SM Randy Stimson, KZ7T, who got 346 votes. A third candidate, Kevin Hunt, WA7VTD, picked up 315 votes. Licensed since 1997, Altus, of Sheridan, has been active in ARES and the National Traffic System and served as president of the McMinnville Amateur Radio Club in 2000 and 2001. She has professional management experience in the fields of information systems, telecommunications and medical records. In the Santa Clara Valley Section, ARRL members chose challenger Bill Dale, N2RHV, over incumbent Kit Blanke, WA6PWW. The tally was 353 to 302. Dale, who lives in Milpitas, has been an Amateur Radio operator since 1993 and is active in emergency communication. He's served as the ARES Emergency Coordinator and RACES Radio Officer for Milpitas, and in 2001 helped form the Milpitas Amateur Radio and Electronics Society. Incumbent SMs in four other ARRL sections faced no opposition this election cycle and were declared elected for new terms: Jim Sellers, K9ZBM, Indiana; Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, Maine; Paul Gayet, AA1SU, Vermont, and Don Michalski, W9IXG, Wisconsin. Two-year terms for all successful candidates begin on July 1. ==>NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR RADIO VOLUNTEERS WRAP UP AFTER FLOODING Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers this week began wrapping up response-phase operations in the wake of major flooding earlier this month in New England. They also assisted with damage assessment. The flooding in southeastern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts has been called the region's worst in 70 years. On May 18 and 19, the Massachusetts Bay Red Cross Chapter requested Amateur Radio communication support for damage assessment, and on May 20, the Northeast Massachusetts Red Cross Chapter requested ARES support for vehicle-to-vehicle communication to help facilitate distribution of clean-up and care kits to coastal communities north of Boston. Amateur Radio volunteers utilized repeaters in Gloucester and Danvers. Some 20 ham radio volunteers took part, under the leadership of North Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF, and North Shore ARES Emergency Coordinator Jim Palmer, KB1KQW. For portions of the operation, net control was established at the Bridgewater EOC. "We are lucky to have a strong relationship with the Bridgewater EMA and to have the EOC as a hub for Eastern Massachusetts ARES Emergency Communications when required," said Carl Aveni, N1FY, ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Assistant Section Manager and South Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator Aveni said. Herb Lemon, KC1ZW, is Bridgewater's emergency management director. Just as flood operations began winding down, the first widespread severe weather outbreak of 2006 began the evening of May 21. Recounted Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY: "The incident happened so quickly, we self-activated our nets and fed reports of damaging winds and large hail via the spotter line and the Web." Once things started happening, Macedo, who's also SKYWARN coordinator, said there wasn't time to activate the ham station at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Taunton, Massachusetts. SKYWARN nets took to the airwaves on almost a dozen repeaters in the region. Reports of downed trees and wires, including some that had fallen on cars and houses, were received in eastern and central Massachusetts. Penny to quarter-sized hail was reported in communities in northern Connecticut, Rhode Island and central and eastern Massachusetts along with scattered power outages. Waterspout were reported off Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and a over a lake in Hardwick, Massachusetts. A brief but intense F2 tornado was reported in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. Four injuries were reported in the NWS Taunton warning area as a result of the severe weather May 21. ==>SUITSAT-1: ROUND AND ROUND IT GOES, WHEN IT'LL DROP, NOBODY KNOWS The sky is falling! Well, not really, Chicken Little, but the now-silent SuitSat-1--the Russian Orlan spacesuit cum Amateur Radio satellite--is likely to fall into Earth's atmosphere and burn up in a few weeks. Launched February 3 from the International Space Station, SuitSat-1 was a project of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Identifying as RS0RS and transmitting voice greetings and an SSTV picture, SuitSat-1 remained operational for more than two weeks, easily outlasting initial predictions that it would transmit for about one week. The only rub was that its signal was far less robust than its sponsors had expected. "The orbit life is dependent on the atmospheric drag that the satellite experiences," ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, explained when SuitSat-1 was launched. An analysis done prior to its deployment predicted a 70 to 120-day orbital life for SuitSat-1, meaning the end should come sometime in early June on the outside. The mission continues to capture imaginations around the world as well as attention in the popular press. To keep the momentum going a bit longer ARISS and AMSAT are sponsoring a "Chicken Little Contest," <http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ariss/suitsatContest.php> in which participants pick the date on which they believe SuitSat-1 will drop out of orbit. The winner will be the individual who picks the date closest to SuitSat-1's actual re-entry. Enter by filling out the online entry form on the AMSAT Web site <http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ariss/contestEntry.php>. The SuitSat-1 "Chicken Little Contest" has three entry categories: Kindergarten through grade 8; high school (grades 9-12), and adult. Contest rules permit one entry per person. Certificates will go to winners of each group. ==>WX4NHC HURRICANE SEASON 2006 STATION TEST SET The National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC <http://www.wx4nhc.org/> will conduct its "Hurricane Season 2006 On-the-Air Station Test" Saturday, June 3, from 1300 until 2200 UTC. The annual station test provides an opportunity for WX4NHC to check out all of its radio equipment, computers and antennas using as many modes and frequencies as possible. It's also a chance for RFI monitoring of NHC equipment and to conduct some operator training. It is not a contest or simulated hurricane exercise. WX4NHC will operate on HF, VHF and UHF. Phone frequencies will be 7.268, 14.325, 21.325 and 28.525 MHz. CW frequencies will be 14.035, 21.035 and 28.035 MHz. PSK31 will be on 14.070 MHz. Look for WX4NHC on the DX spotting networks as well. WX4NHC also will be on the VoIP Hurricane Net <http://www.voipwx.net/> (IRLP node 9219; EchoLink WX-TALK Conference) from 1700 until 1900UTC. WX4NHC also will operate on South Florida area VHF and UHF repeaters and on FM simplex. When working WX4NHC, report your call sign, signal report, location, name and a brief description of current weather conditions (eg, "sunny," "rainy," "windy"). Nonhams may participate by submitting their actual weather conditions using the On-Line Hurricane Report Form <http://www.wx4nhc.org/WX-form1.html>. QSL cards are available for an SASE to WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, 14855 SW 67 Ln, Miami, FL 33193-2027. Do not QSL directly to the National Hurricane Center. Due to security measures, no visitors will be allowed at NHC during this test. ==>SOLAR UPDATE Substitute solar sage Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, Ft Wayne, Indiana, reports: The past week has been relatively quiet. Solar activity was very low, and geomagnetic field activity was quiet to unsettled, with the planetary A index staying below 10. There were some sunspots this week, but they weren't very active. The forecast for the next several days (Memorial Day weekend) is for continued low solar activity and quiet-to-unsettled geomagnetic field conditions. The probability of major flares or significantly elevated K indices is low. As a result, there shouldn't be any major propagation surprises. This weekend is the CQ World Wide WPX Contest (CW). The format for this contest is everyone works everyone, with prefixes as multipliers. Although the QSO point structure favors DX contacts, the fact that prefixes are multipliers means domestic contacts--and propagation--can play an important role. At this time of year, the probability of sporadic E on 10 and maybe even on 15 meters for domestic contacts is quite high. We've already had some good sporadic E propagation on 10 and 6 meters in the past week or two. Look for sporadic E openings around the late morning hours and early evening hours. For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. Sunspot numbers for May 18 through 24 were 0, 15, 29, 30, 32, 48 and 44, with a mean of 28.3. 10.7 cm flux was 73.3, 75.3, 76.2, 77.5, 83.1, 84.2, and 83.7, with a mean of 79. Estimated planetary A indices were 16, 8, 7, 7, 8, 7 and 4, with a mean of 8.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 11, 7, 5, 4, 6, 4 and 3, with a mean of 5.7. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: The CQ World Wide WPX Contest (CW), the VK/Trans-Tasman 80-Meter Contest (CW), the ARCI Hoot Owl Sprint and the Michigan QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint are the weekend of May 27-28. The Thursday NCCC Sprint Ladder is June 2. JUST AHEAD: The SEANET Contest, RSGB National Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day (CW) and the QRP TAC Sprint are the weekend of June 3-4. The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (Data) is June 5, the ARS Spartan Sprint is June 6, and the Thursday NCCC Sprint Ladder is Jun 9. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. * ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration: Registration remains open through Sunday, June 4, for these ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) Program on-line courses: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002), Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003), Antenna Modeling (EC-004), HF Digital Communications (EC-005), VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). Classes begin Friday, June 16. To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the CCE Department <cce@arrl.org>. * ARRL EXPO 2006 Passport prize winners announced: Congratulations to the six ARRL EXPO 2006 Passport prize winners! ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, drew the lucky tickets from more than 1000 entries during Dayton Hamvention. John Hudson, KO4XJ, won the "big prize," an Icom IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF all-mode transceiver, while Ward Kuhn, N8WK, took home an Icom IC-PCR1500 PC-controlled receiver. George Brown, N3IKO, is enjoying a new Kenwood TH-F6A 144/220/440 MHz handheld transceiver. Randy Love, WF5X, and Bonnie Viele, N8MCX, each picked up an AOR DS3000A wideband discone antenna, and Tony Fanska, KC0SJU, has a new Alinco DJ-C7T 144/440 MHz micro-transceiver to stick in his pocket. Dubbed "the ultimate convention scavenger hunt," Passport players had to record numbers from 15 of the 23 participating Hamvention exhibits and activities. ARRL thanks Icom America, Kenwood, AOR USA and Alinco for generously providing this years ARRL EXPO Passport prizes. Contact ARRL Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB <w1krb@arrl.org>, for prize redemption; tel 860-594-0297. * Handihams volunteer Rex Kiser, W0GLU, SK: Rex Kiser, W0GLU, of Edina, Minnesota, died April 1. He was 82. A World War II veteran paralyzed as the result of a combat-related injury in 1944, Kiser became a Courage Handihams <http://www.handiham.org/> volunteer in 1972. Unwilling to let his injury keep him from enjoying life and helping others, he contributed nearly 14,000 hours of his time over more than 30 years in the Handihams workshop repairing and adapting radios and related equipment for people with disabilities. An ARRL member, Kiser also served as net control station on the Wednesday PICONET and was active in the Disabled American Veterans and the Minneapolis Radio Club. Survivors include his wife Miriam and two daughters. A memorial service was held April 6. The family invites memorial donations to Courage Handihams or Disabled American Veterans Minneapolis Chapter #1. * DXCC Desk approves operations for DXCC credit: The ARRL DXCC Desk has approved these operations for DXCC credit: 4W6AAB – Timor-Leste, current operation effective May 22, 2006; ZV0F – Fernando de Noronha, operation March 30-April 4, 2006; 6O0M – Somalia, operation from April 7-24, 2006; S01R – Western Sahara, operation April 11-21, 2006; YI9NS – Iraq, operation January 5-March 28, 2006; YI9HU – Iraq, operation May 18-June 5, 2005; HN0Z – Iraq, operation March 27-28 and May 29-30, 2004; A6/OD5TX – United Arab Emirates, operation October 5-November 5, 2005; TT8WL – Chad, November 19, 1996-March 8, 1997; J5DOT Guinea-Bissau, operation April 25-May 5, 2006. For more information, visit the DXCC Web page <http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/>. "DXCC Frequently Asked Questions" can answer most questions about the DXCC program. * Correction: The story "ISS Astronaut Fields Questions from Elementary Schoolers In Japan" in The ARRL Letter, Vol 20, No 20 (May 19, 2006) contained an incorrect name for the control operator for the ARISS school contact. The control operator was Yoshio Maekawa, JG3RWX. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President. The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise, and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest news, updated as it happens. 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