*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 27, No. 6 February 15, 2008 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * + Astronauts Work on Columbus Lab on the ISS * + New ARRL Volunteer Examiner Manual Now Online * + W1HQ Comes "Back to Life" at ARRL HQ * + Florida Hams Help Out When NWS Goes Dark * + California Ham to Face Administrative Law Judge * + FCC Enforcement Actions * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This Weekend on the Radio ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration + FCC Changes "Lockbox Bank" for Vanity Call Sign Payments + Ducie Island Logs Now Online From the DXCC Desk Notes for Amateurs Visiting Australia Solar Report Contest Winners Announced ARRL Headquarters Closed in Observance of President's Day +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: S. Khrystyne Keane, <k1sfa@arrl.org> =========================================================== ==> ASTRONAUTS WORK ON COLUMBUS LAB ON THE ISS Astronauts aboard the International Space Station complex are focusing on getting the new Columbus lab up and running. Columbus, the laboratory built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and host of two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) antennas, was launched into space on February 7 aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, arriving three days later. According to NASA, Columbus' activation process has been running a little behind because of computer problems, but flight directors believe they've fixed the glitch. In 2007, the ARISS antennas successfully passed electrical and SWR tests, with one of the two antennas, Antenna 42, going through a final test -- a thermal test under vacuum. Columbus will house an additional Amateur Radio station, including the first digital Amateur Radio TV (DATV) station in space, as well as a ham radio transponder. The yet-to-be-built Columbus amateur gear will facilitate operation on new frequencies that will make it possible for ARISS to establish wideband and video operations for the first time and allow continuous transponder operation. According to ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, "The ARISS-Europe Team has been holding meetings to determine what the ARISS International Team should have for a station in the Columbus module. The Europeans will need to begin fundraising for the multiple sets of equipment, such as the on-orbit equipment, the required back-up on-orbit equipment and the test equipment. Some portions of the equipment system can be purchased, but much of it would need to be built. Once the team purchases or builds the equipment, it will need to undergo special testing for space and getting the equipment certified (probably by ESA) and finally manifesting the system for launch. All of that will take many months and help from ARISS volunteers from many countries." The mission, STS-122, brought seven astronauts to the ISS: Commander Stephen N. Frick, KD5DZC; Pilot Alan G. Poindexter; Mission Specialist Rex J. Walheim; Mission Specialist Stanley G. Love; Mission Specialist Leland D. Melvin; Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel, DG1KIH, of Germany, and Mission Specialist/Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, KE5FNO, of France. Flight Engineer Dan Tani, KD5DXE, already on board the ISS, will depart when Atlantis returns to Earth; Eyharts will stay behind on the ISS and take his place. Atlantis will remain at the ISS until February 18; touchdown is set for February 20, making for a 13-day flight. ==> NEW ARRL VOLUNTEER EXAMINER MANUAL NOW ONLINE The ninth edition of the ARRL VEC/VE Manual <http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/vemanual/> is now online on the ARRL Web site. The manual, the most complete source on the Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiner Program, has everything you need to know in order to be an ARRL Volunteer Examiner. "We're really excited about the new Manual," said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. "We've put a lot of work into it, taking suggestions from Volunteer Examiners all over the United States. It's very comprehensive, yet easy to understand." Somma said the manual is full of new and timely information, taking into account the licensing rule changes that went into effect last year. "One of the biggest changes to the ninth edition is the deletion of all the procedures having to do with Morse code testing," Somma said. As of February 23, 2007, the FCC no longer requires those upgrading their license to be tested on Morse code. Somma said that more than 80 percent of the Manual's content has been revised. The Manual, written to help guide amateurs through the VEC program, is also a guide for those aspiring to be Volunteer Examiners. "Any General, Advanced or Amateur Extra class license holder is eligible to be a Volunteer Examiner," Somma said. "It's a simple process to become a VE -- just complete the ARRL VE application form and pass a 40-question 'open book' test and you're set! If you're an active ham radio operator, you probably enjoy giving back to the Amateur Radio community, be it through public service or as a Volunteer Examiner. Many hams fondly remember their first license examination experience." Information in the Manual includes how to become an accredited Volunteer Examiner and how to participate in the Amateur Radio examination process, as well as real-life experiences from current Volunteer Examiners. "It's really a reference manual with tons of details. The real-life experiences in the Manual will help current and future Volunteer Examiners know how to deal with those pesky situations that sometimes pop up," Somma said. For more information on the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Program, please see the ARRL VE Web site <http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/index.html>. ==> W1HQ COMES "BACK TO LIFE" AT ARRL HQ Since the mid-1930s, W1INF, the ARRL HQ Operators Club, has been available to ARRL employees. During the flood of 1936, W1INF handled a great quantity of flood relief traffic after the headquarters station, W1MK, located at Hartford's Brainard Field, near the Connecticut River, was destroyed. At the time, W1INF was located at the League's West Hartford headquarters. In 2002, former QST Managing Editor Laird Campbell, W1HQ, became a Silent Key; with his family's blessing, W1HQ became the Laird Campbell Memorial HQ Operators Club, replacing W1INF as the employees' club station. According to ARRL Lab Supervisor Ed Hare, W1RFI, who serves as trustee for both W1INF and W1HQ, W1INF is now used by the ARRL Laboratory staff for on-the-air operations and tests, while W1HQ is for ARRL employees to enjoy during non-work hours. Both call signs are housed in a station adjacent to the ARRL Lab. "Employees are free to use their own call sign while operating W1HQ, or they may use W1HQ," he said. Of course, employees are not allowed to use the station during their working hours, but may use it on their free time, such as lunch hour and weekends. Breathing new life into W1HQ, ARRL Contest Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB, gave the room a much-needed coat of new paint. Hare put his woodworking skills to use and constructed all-new desks and cabinets. Building Manager Greg Kwasowski, W1GJK, installed new carpet and ceiling tiles and Test Engineer Mike Tracy, KC1SX, and Lab Assistant Anthony Nesta, AA1RZ, ran new antenna cables to the roof and rewired the entire room with a new antenna patch panel to accommodate all the new antenna feed lines. Lab Engineer Mike Gruber, W1MG, built a trap vertical. W1HQ provides ARRL employees who do not have an amateur station of their own a place to get on the air. "I'm thrilled to have this station here," said Kutzko. "I live in an apartment and can't put up antennas outside at home. W1HQ gives me a way to chase DX and be active in contests on both HF and VHF." Breen said, "I live in a condo and don't have a lot of availability to get on the air at home. With the revitalization of W1HQ, it's now a homey, comfortable place to get on the air. I've had my license nearly two years, but in the last two months I have finally been getting really active on the air, working on my Worked All States and chasing DX. It's inspired me to study more to upgrade my license and learn CW." W1HQ is equipped with transceivers that were brought over from W1AW. Mike Mertel, K7IR, of SteppIR, donated a 3-element 20-6 meter Yagi to W1HQ that was placed on the roof of the Headquarters building in November 2007. Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Sound donated two new Pro Set 4 mic/headsets, a PR781 Proline microphone and a topless boom to the station. Nemal Electronics Inc and Times Microwave Systems jointly donated two 500 foot rolls of LMR-400. ==> FLORIDA HAMS HELP OUT WHEN NWS GOES DARK On Tuesday, February 12, a tornado touched down in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Unfortunately, National Weather Service (NWS) alerts failed due to problems with phone circuits. Dennis Decker, Warning Coordinator Meteorologist with the NWS in Melbourne, said two of their four transmission lines went down that afternoon around 3:30, but were back up five hours later. Messages are carried to towers via telephone, he said. "That's a big issue when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather alerting radio is not working," said Brevard County Emergency Management Director Bob Lay. The county went into backup mode, using the volunteer emergency alert system. The NWS activated Amateur Radio operators to help get the word out about the tornado warning. "We have ham operators to tell us when they see something," Decker said. Dan Fisher, AI4GK, of Palm Bay, Florida, said he tried to tune into a weather frequency on his radio, but said, "I couldn't pick up anything. The [station out of] Melbourne has a loud hum on it and nothing else." Fisher and Emergency Coordinator for the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society John Weatherly, AB4ET, said the group participated in an emergency drill just last week that involved a tornado scenario. "We're there when we're needed," Weatherly said. "We give the meteorologists a warm and fuzzy feeling of what is really happening." Although Tuesday's storms were dwarfed by the massive 2005 hurricanes, transmitters were rendered useless in both situations. Dave Jacobs, Data Acquisitions Property Manager at the NWS office in Melbourne, said that when problems do occur, it is usually something to do with the telephone lines. "It's our Achilles' heel," he said. Jacobs oversees the radio system for Melbourne, checking its transmitters three times daily to ensure they are working. Weather Service officials in Melbourne know the alert announcing the first tornado watch at 2:25 PM went out across the radio system. At 3 PM, when another weather alert went out, officials determined they had a problem with the Melbourne and Orlando transmitters. Jacobs said he had just listened as the computer system read the entire message in the Melbourne office, a stage in the alert process that occurs before the message reaches phone lines. He then received a telephone call from a county official saying only half of the second weather alert was broadcast. -- Information provided by Floridatoday.com ==> CALIFORNIA HAM TO FACE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE On February 12, the FCC issued a Hearing Designation Order (HDO) <http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-361A1.pdf> to William F. Crowell, W6WBJ (ex-N6AYJ), of Diamond Springs, California to determine if his application for renewal of his Amateur Radio license should be granted. The HDO stated: "The record before [the FCC] indicates that Crowell has apparently willfully and repeatedly engaged in and continues to engage in unlawful Commission-related activities, including, but not limited to, intentionally causing interference and/or interruption, transmitting music and one-way communications, and using indecent language on amateur frequencies. Based on the information before us, we believe that Crowell's apparent past and continuing course of misconduct raises a substantial and material question of fact as to whether he possesses the requisite character qualifications to be and remain a Commission licensee. Accordingly, we hereby designate his application for hearing." Crowell initially filed his renewal application February 28, 2007. Pursuant to Section 309(e) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the FCC is required to "designate an application for evidentiary hearing if a substantial and material question of fact is presented regarding whether grant of the application would serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. The character of an applicant is among those factors that the Commission considers in determining whether the applicant has the requisite qualifications to be a Commission licensee. Violations of the Communications Act and/or the Commission's Rules are predictive of licensee behavior and directly relevant to the Commission's regulatory activities." The HDO informed Crowell that Section 333 of the Act and Section 97.101(d) of the Commission's Rules provide that "no person shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of licensed stations. Section 97.113(a)(4) and (b) of the Commission's Rules specifically prohibits transmission of music, obscene or indecent words, and one-way communications on amateur frequencies. Section 97.113(a)(4) of the Commission's Rules and Section 1464 of the Criminal Code also prohibit transmission of obscene, indecent, or profane language." Since 2000, Crowell has been warned by the FCC to refrain from intentionally interfering with and/or otherwise interrupting radio communications, transmitting one-way communications and music and using indecent language on the air. "Notwithstanding these warnings, the evidence before us indicates that Crowell has and continues to engage in such activities in flagrant and intentional disregard of the Act and the Commission's Rules. We find that Crowell's apparent past and continuing course of conduct raises questions as to whether he possesses the requisite character qualifications to remain a Commission licensee. Crowell's history of FCC-related transgressions and apparent contempt for the Commission's regulatory authority are patently inconsistent with his responsibilities as a licensee and belie any suggestion that he can be relied upon to comply with the Commission's rules and policies in the future. Consequently, we will commence a hearing proceeding before an administrative law judge to provide Crowell with an opportunity to demonstrate whether his above-captioned application should be granted," the HDO continued. The issues to be put before an Administrative Law Judge concerning Crowell include: * To determine whether Crowell willfully and/or repeatedly violated Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 97.101(d) of the Commission's Rules, by intentionally interfering with and/or otherwise interrupting radio communications. * To determine whether Crowell willfully and/or repeatedly violated Section 97.113(b) of the Commission's Rules by transmitting one-way communications on amateur frequencies. * To determine whether Crowell willfully and/or repeatedly violated Section 97.113(a)(4) of the Commission's Rules by transmitting indecent language. * To determine whether Crowell willfully and/or repeatedly violated Section 97.113(a)(4) of the Commission's Rules by transmitting music. * To determine, in light of the evidence adduced pursuant to the foregoing issues, whether Crowell is qualified to be and remain a Commission licensee. * To determine, in light of the evidence adduced pursuant to the foregoing issues, whether the Amateur Radio license renewal application filed by Crowell should be granted. Crowell has until March 3, 2008 (20 days from the mailing of the HDO) to respond to the HDO. "If he fails to file a written appearance within the twenty-day period, or has not filed prior to the expiration of the twenty-day period, a petition to dismiss without prejudice, or a petition to accept, for good cause shown, a written appearance beyond the expiration of the twenty-day period, the Presiding Administrative Law Judge SHALL DISMISS the captioned application with prejudice for failure to prosecute," the HDO states. ==> FCC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS Todd E. Daugherty, N9OGL, of Taylorville, Illinois, received a follow-up Warning Notice from the FCC, alleging Daugherty "operat[ed] an unlicensed radio station on, among other frequencies, 6.950 and 13.556 MHz. The information indicates that the signal strengths of these transmissions exceed the power limit of Part 15 of the Commission's rules for unlicensed transmitters." In November 2007, Daugherty received a Warning Notice from the Commission, giving him 20 days to respond to allegations regarding his operating practices. The FCC also wanted to know if he has used the name Todd O'Dochartaigh, N9OGL, and if so, asked him to describe the circumstances under which he used it and the dates. Dougherty was warned that the FCC "will use all relevant information before it, including information that you disclose in your reply, to determine what, if any, enforcement action is warranted in this matter. Such action may include license revocation, suspension of your operator privileges or monetary forfeiture (fine). Fines normally range from $7500 to $10,000." The FCC, in response to Daugherty's replies, said, "Your response to the Enforcement Bureau received on November 6, 2007 was insufficient and contradictory, and indicates a misunderstanding of the Part 15 power limits for unlicensed stations. For example, you stated that your power levels were in compliance with Part 15 of the Commission's rules, yet in statements made in 2006 and 2007 describing your shortwave station 'Omega One' you stated that you were operating at 5 watts, then 10 watts and later 50 and 100 watts." Daugherty was warned that "Such unlicensed operation would be a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 18 U.S.C. S: 301, and would subject you to a monetary forfeiture (fine) or imprisonment, or both." Travis L. Maltese, AD5CT, of Edna, Texas, received a Warning Notice from the FCC to stay off of the W5DSC and K5SOI repeaters, both licensed in Victoria, Texas. The Warning Notice stated, "The trustees of the W5DSC and K5SOI repeaters have requested in writing that you refrain from use of the repeaters. The letters were issued as a result of your failure to follow operational rules set forth by the licensee/control operators of the repeater systems for their users. You were previously requested verbally to refrain from using the system, but have apparently ignored both verbal and written requests." Maltese was told that he was expected to "abide by the requests to stay off the W5DSC and K5SOI systems and any other such requests by repeater licensees, control operators or trustees. If you use these repeaters again after receipt of this letter, we will initiate enforcement action against your license, which may include revocation, monetary forfeiture (fine) or a modification proceeding to restrict the frequencies on which you may operate AD5CT. Fines normally range from $7,500 to $10,000." Joseph Goldberg, MD, of Tavernier, Florida, received a Warning Notice from the FCC regarding his alleged unlicensed radio transmissions on the 20 meter amateur band. He was warned "that operation of such radio transmitting equipment without a license is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Section 301, and carries criminal penalties including monetary forfeiture (fine) and imprisonment. Monetary forfeitures normally range from $7,500 to $10,000. This is the last warning you will receive regarding such operation." ==>SOLAR UPDATE Tad "He who kisses the joy as it flies lives in eternity's sun rise" Cook, K7RA, this week reports: No sunspots appeared this week. Solar flux was about the same as last week. The 45-day outlook for solar flux and planetary A index from NOAA and the Air Force on February 10 was predicting a flat solar flux of 70; the following day, this was revised to show 72 for February 12-18, then 70 after that. On February 12, this changed to show 72 solar flux for February 13 through the rest of the 45 days. Sunspot numbers for February 7-13 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 0. The 10.7 cm flux was 70.8, 70.9, 72.2, 72.6, 72.1, 72.1 and 70.5 with a mean of 71.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 4, 2, 18, 17, 11 and 12 with a mean of 9.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 6, 3, 2, 13, 16, 6 and 10 with a mean of 8. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. To read this week's Solar Report in its entirety, check out the W1AW Propagation Bulletin page <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/>. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This Weekend on the Radio: The ARRL International DX Contest CW is February 16-17. Look for the NCCC Sprint on February 15 and the Feld Hell Sprint on February 16. The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is February 18, the AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening is February 20 and the RSGB 80 Meter Club Championship (CW) is February 21. Next weekend is the NCCC Sprint on February 22. The Russian PSK WW Contest is February 22-23. Look for the CQ 160 Meter Contest (SSB), the REF Contest (SSB), the UBA DX Contest (CW), the Mississippi QSO Party and the North American QSO Party (RTTY) on February 23-24. The High Speed Club CW Contest is February 24. The North Carolina QSO Party is February 24-25 and the SKCC Sprint is February 27. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. * ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Registration remains open through Sunday, February 24, 2008 for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, March 7, 2008: Technician License Course (EC-010); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001); Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006), Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009); Analog Electronics (EC-012), and Digital Electronics (EC-013). Each online course has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses are interactive, and some include direct communications with a Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) and they may access the course at any time of day during the course period, completing lessons and activities at times convenient for their personal schedule. Mentors assist students by answering questions, reviewing assignments and activities, as well as providing helpful feedback. Interaction with mentors is conducted through e-mail; there is no appointed time the student must be present -- allowing complete flexibility for the student to work when and where it is convenient. To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator <cce@arrl.org>. * FCC Changes "Lockbox Bank" for Vanity Call Sign Payments: As of February 14, 2008, U.S. Bank has replaced Mellon Bank as the lockbox bank for all FCC programs (with the exception of auction-related payments). Applicants who manually file FCC paper applications via mail -- usually for new vanity call signs or for renewal of vanity call signs -- will need to send payments to U.S. Bank. Amateurs filing paper applications for a new Vanity Call Sign Applications need to submit FCC Payment Form 159 and the FCC Regulatory Fee <http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/vanityfee.html>, along with the FCC Form 605 and FCC Form 605 Schedule D. After completing all required forms, mail them along with the payment to the address of the Commission's new lockbox bank: Federal Communications Commission, PO Box 979097, St Louis, MO 63197-9000. When submitting fees, payments or applications to the lockbox bank, filers should specifically reference the Government Lockbox number - 979097 -- on the 159 payment form. U.S. Bank will accept hand-delivered filings or courier deliveries at their office located at U.S. Bank, attn: FCC Government Lockbox Number 979097, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St Louis, MO 63101. According to ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, "The FCC has also established a 45-day transition period that began on February 14 to mitigate the transition's impact and to provide time to resolve any reconciliation and change-over discrepancies." The FCC strongly encourages the use of their electronic filing and payment options. Electronic payments can be submitted through their secure Web site <http://www.fcc.gov/fees/feefiler.html>. Electronic payments allow for faster processing of applications. Further info can be found on FCC Web Site <http://www.fcc.gov/fees/lockbox.html>. * Ducie Island Logs Now Online: The DXpedition to Ducie Island, VP6DX, is well underway and the DXpedition crew has now posted its logs online <http://ducie2008.dl1mgb.com/onlinelog/index.php>. Have you worked VP6DX yet? Check and make sure you are listed in their log. There are 21 band slots in three modes (CW, Phone and RTTY) that can be worked. Their Web page also lets you know when the optimum times for working VP6DX are. Depending on weather and other considerations, VP6DX will go off the air on or around February 27. For more information, please see the VP6DX information page <http://ducie2008.dl1mgb.com/index.php>. * From the DXCC Desk: ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the following operations have been approved for DXCC credit: the 2008 J5C DXpedition to Guinea-Bissau; the 2007 VK9WWI DXpedition to Willis Island, and the current YI9PT operations in Iraq. "If you had cards rejected for this operation, please send an e-mail <dxcc@arrl.org>to the ARRL DXCC Desk to have your DXCC record updated," Moore said. * Notes for Amateurs Visiting Australia: According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Amateur Radio operators traveling to Australia who wish to operate in that country do not need to apply for an Australian Amateur Radio license. This new policy, effective February 15, 2008, allows amateurs who hold a non-Australian Amateur Radio license to operate up to 90 days under a Class Licence <http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1311 >; licensees who will be in Australia for more than 90 days will need to apply for an Australian Amateur Radio license. -- Information provided by Roger Hickey, W6MSC * Solar Report Contest Winners Announced: In last week's ARRL Letter, we asked readers to identify the source of the quote that comes within author Tad Cook's, K7RA, name. If you are a regular reader of The ARRL Letter and the Solar Report within the Letter, you might notice that the quote, referred to as a "Tad Cookism," changes weekly. Last week, 23 readers correctly identified "Let not the Sun go down and disappear into darkness" as coming from Homer's Iliad and will receive an ARRL 2008 calendar. Congratulations to the first 10 hams who correctly identified the quote: W6LX, WB4FSV, AA1WZ, KG6ZI, K2PS, K9BZ, N9VO, KB7QFE, WA3ZBJ and WA0JLY. Look for this contest again in a future ARRL Letter. * ARRL Headquarters Closed in Observance of President's Day: ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of President's Day on Monday, February 18. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions that day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, February 19 at 8 AM Eastern Standard Time. We wish everyone a safe President's Day holiday. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League: ARRL--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 and general news of interest to active radio amateurs. Visit the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest Amateur Radio news and news updates. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> also offers informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast" compiled and edited from The ARRL Letter. It's also available as a podcast from our Web site. Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter/American Radio Relay League. ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org ==>Editorial questions or comments: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, k1sfa@arrl.org ==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org/> ==>ARRL Audio News: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call 860-594-0384 ==>How to Get The ARRL Letter The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly from ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for e-mail delivery: ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site <http://www.arrl.org/members/>. You'll have an opportunity during registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of The ARRL Letter, W1AW bulletins, and other material. To change these selections--including delivery of The ARRL Letter--registered members should click on the "Member Data Page" link (in the Members Only box). Click on "Modify membership data," check or uncheck the appropriate boxes and/or change your e-mail address if necessary. (Check "Temporarily disable all automatically sent email" to temporarily stop all e-mail deliveries.) Then, click on "Submit modification" to make selections effective. (NOTE: HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You must do this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.) The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these sources: * ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will be posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.) * The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur Radio Club: Visit Mailing Lists@QTH.Net <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this listserver.) Copyright 2008 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved