*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 28, No. 35 September 4, 2009 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * + Get Set for the 2009 Simulated Emergency Test * + ARES Awaits Activation for LA-area Wildfires, Tropical Storms * + The Doctor Is IN the ARRL Letter ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately? * + Get Ready for the Upcoming ARRL September VHF QSO Party * + Happy Birthday, Hiram! * + September Is National Preparedness Month * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This Week on the Radio ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration + ARRL to Close in Observance of Labor Day + Allen Baker, KG4JJH, Wins August QST Cover Plaque Award W1AW Earns TPA #306 Manufacturer of Texas Bug Catcher Antenna to Cease Operations Den Connors, KD2S (SK) +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 <k1sfa@arrl.org> =========================================================== ==> GET SET FOR THE 2009 SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST It's time to get ready for the 2009 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test! ARRL Field Organization leaders are planning an event that will actively involve members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), the ARRL National Traffic System (NTS) and many other related groups that prepare for and respond to emergencies. Public service agencies and organizations in your community, ARRL Section or state will also be invited to participate. You, too, are invited to be a part of this ARRL sponsored nationwide exercise on October 3-4, 2009, or whenever it is held in your area. Although October 3-4 is the focal point weekend, ARRL Sections, ARES teams and nets may conduct their exercises anytime -- and especially during September through December. If you don't know who to contact, please touch base with your ARRL Section Manager and/or Section Emergency Coordinator or Section Traffic Manager for assistance. See page 16 of QST for Section Manager contact information or check the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/sections/>. From there, you'll find links to ARRL section pages with appropriate contact information. There can be a role for you no matter what your level of experience. After all, it is a training opportunity to try out something new under simulated emergency conditions, learn or practice useful skills in traffic handling and net operation, and observe emergency communications protocols and management. ARRL Field Organization officials in your area and Section are planning the simulated emergency scenarios that will be used during the SET event. These scenarios are designed to help you gain valuable operating experience, or to practice what you have learned previously or to put your Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course training into action. In any emergency -- real or simulated -- a number of public service or public safety agencies and organizations are often also involved in the response. ARRL Section Leaders and local or district-level leaders are encouraged to work closely with these served agencies, and the SET is a great chance to demonstrate the capabilities of Amateur Radio in the community and beyond. For more information on whom the ARRL maintains a National Memoranda of Understanding with, check this page <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/mou/>. Guidelines and specific SET reporting forms for ARRL Section and Field Leaders will be posted online <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms>. Please report your SET activities to your Section Leaders and to HQ. ==> ARES AWAITS ACTIVATION FOR WILDFIRES, TROPICAL STORMS Even as the Station fire threatens Los Angeles' communications infrastructure atop Mt Wilson and Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Jimena die down in the tropics, amateurs -- including ARES groups -- await being called to help. Mt Wilson houses many antennas for television and FM radio stations in the Los Angeles area, as well as antennas for pagers, cell phones and even Amateur Radio repeater systems. But even as the fire encroaches on these vital communications links, the infrastructure is still in place and working. "We have established coordination with Dennis Smith, KA6GSE, the Section Emergency Coordinator for the Los Angeles Section," said ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD. "As of the afternoon of Thursday, September 3, no ARES missions have been established. Of course, if the communications infrastructure at Mt Wilson is compromised in any way, area ARES groups will be ready to do whatever is needed to provide communications support." As of Friday afternoon, what was once Tropical Storm Erika has weakened and is now classified as a remnant over the northeastern Caribbean. Angel Santana-Diaz, WP3GW, an ARRL Public Information Officer in Puerto Rico, told the League that "at 8:10 AM [on Thursday, September 3], I made contact with Lionel Ellis, J69KZ, on St Lucia on 7.169 MHz, where he does a regular net. I asked him how were they doing, and he told me that there are thunderstorms and copious rain, but nothing serious at the moment. I am monitoring the band if something comes up. Over here in Puerto Rico, the government is finishing the preparations to be ready when Erika passes by, which is expected to be tomorrow, possibly as a tropical depression." The NWS said that unsettled weather will spread across the US and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later Thursday, continuing through Friday. It would then spread across Dominican Republic and Haiti this weekend and possibly into the Bahamas early next week. Pacific Hurricane Jimena -- a Category 1 storm -- made landfall near the southern Baja near San Buenaventura, Mexico on Wednesday, September 2. According to the NWS, there have been reports of damage to poorly constructed buildings, major beach erosion over the southern Baja and flash flooding; resorts along the southern tip of Baja California did not experience any major damage. Jimena has now weakened over land and has been downgraded to a tropical storm over the central Baja, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to 45 miles. The NWS said that Jimena will likely become a depression late Thursday and then drift slowly west and southwest as a remnant low on Friday. Heavy rains and flooding will be the primary impacts over the central Baja and adjacent portions of the western coast of Mexico. Some gusts to tropical storm strength are still possible. Dura said that WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center <http://www.wx4nhc.org/>, has also been monitoring Erika and Jimena, but did not activate for the storms. "There really aren't that many amateurs in the affected areas, which makes reporting conditions quite difficult," he said. "We here at ARRL HQ are keeping a close eye on everything." ==> THE DOCTOR IS IN THE ARRL LETTER This week, ARRL Letter readers are in luck! The ARRL's very own Doctor, author of the popular QST column "The Doctor Is IN," answers a question from his mailbag: Jim Walker, KN6TC, of Wiggins, Mississippi, asks: My repeater's PC controller to radio interface provider requires a "COS (Carrier Operated Signal) from the radio." The manufacturer states that this "greatly reduces drop out and falsing" that are sometimes experienced while using VOX receive/transmit control. It seems to be an alternate for VOX, but I have failed to receive an answer as to what it is in terms I can understand. Neither radio nor interface providers have responded to my e-mail questions. The Doctor answers: Early repeaters were generally switched to transmit by a carrier operated relay, or COR. The relay would be actuated if the repeater receiver detected a carrier on frequency, as indicated by the opening of the squelch. This was a much more reliable switching mechanism than if the repeater transmit switching responded to detected speech (VOX), since VOX could toggle back and forth due to gaps in speech. In the early days of repeaters, the equipment was constructed around vacuum tube and relay technology. Current technology is based on solid state devices -- including transistor switching -- that is more reliable than the earlier electromechanical relays. Thus, the more general term "COS" for Carrier Operated Signal, Carrier Operated Squelch or Carrier Operated Switch is often used instead of COR. For more information, check out this Web site <http://www.repeater-builder.com/tech-info/repeaterterm.html>. Do you have a question or a problem? Send your questions via e-mail <doctor@arrl.org> or to "The Doctor," ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 (no phone calls, please). Look for "The Doctor Is IN" every month in QST, the official journal of the ARRL. ==> ARRL IN ACTION: WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO LATELY? This feature -- including convenient Web links to useful information -- is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of August. The Central and Roanoke Divisions will hold elections for Vice Director on November 20. The incumbent Directors in the Central, Hudson, New England, Northwestern and Roanoke Divisions faced no opposition and were declared elected <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/26/11041/?nc=1>. The ARRL responded to the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rule Making, ET Docket 09-36, concerning implanted medical devices that operate on 413-457 MHz (70 cm) <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/12/11020/?nc=1>. ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, wrote a letter to the National Safety Council, highlighting issues regarding the use of Amateur Radio emergency communications devices in vehicles <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/09/11012/?nc=1>. The DXCC Desk approved the 2000 DXpedition to Yemen, 7O1YGF, for DXCC credit. Amateurs may also apply for DXCC credit for 7O1YGF via Logbook of The World <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/12/11022/?nc=1>. ARRL Technical Relations Manager Brennan Price, N4QX, attended meetings of United States Working Party 5A (the Land Mobile Service excluding IMT, plus the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services). He also worked on a proposal for the 500 kHz agenda item for WRC-12. ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA, attended meetings of US Study Group 1 (regulatory). He is preparing for ITU-R meetings, scheduled for later this month in Geneva. Come October 1, there will be new Section Managers in the Los Angeles, South Texas and Georgia Sections <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/19/11027/?nc=1>. The ARRL announced that it will honor the 140th birthday of co-founder Hiram Percy Maxim by authorizing eligible amateurs to add /140 to their call signs from September 2-9 <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/17/11025/?nc=1>. All 2009 Field Day logs that have been received have been posted to the Claimed Scores page on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/?artid=9141>. The ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant applications for the ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP), awarding nearly $9000 to eight schools <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/11/11016/?nc=1>. The ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology wrapped up. During 2009, 93 teachers from 29 states attended eight sessions -- including two at ARRL HQ -- and a new TI-2 for previous TI graduates <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/05/11003/?nc=1>. W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, changed over to new digital modes <http://www.arrl.org/?artid=9068>. The October issue of QST, the September/October issues of QEX and NCJ and the 2010 edition of The ARRL Handbook were released to the printer. The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for August is Allen Baker, KG4JJH, for his article "A 10 Meter Moxon Beam" <http://www.arrl.org/?artid=9153>. Staff Travel: Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, and Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, traveled to Tokyo for Ham-Fair and GAREC 2009; Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, represented the ARRL at the Kansas State Convention; Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, traveled to the New Mexico State Convention; Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, attended the West Virginia State Convention and the IEEE Electromagnetics Compatibility Society EMC Symposium in Texas; Field and Public Service Team Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X, represented the League at the National Conference on Community Preparedness, and Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, went to the Texas State Convention. ==> GET READY FOR THE UPCOMING ARRL SEPTEMBER VHF QSO PARTY September is here, and according to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, that means the VHF bands are getting a workout. "If you've never experienced the fun of VHF+ operating, the ARRL September VHF QSO Party <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/sepvhf.html> is a great place to start. "With many HF radios now offering at least 6 meter SSB/CW capabilities -- and some offering 2 meters and 70 cm as well -- any amateur with a Technician class license or higher can experience long-haul communication on the VHF bands," he said. "Getting on the VHF bands is simple," he said. "If you have a radio that can transmit on both CW and SSB, that's great, but you can operate on either mode." When operating on VHF, Kutzko explained that your Maidenhead grid square is the common geographical information exchanged <http://www.arrl.org/locate/gridinfo.html>. While there will be some contest activity on FM simplex (especially near large population centers), Kutzko said that most long-distance VHF+ QSOs are conducted on CW or SSB; that means horizontally polarized antennas: "A dipole for 6 meters is only 9 feet, 4 inches long and is an easy construction project," he explained. "Try to get the dipole in the air as high as possible, but even 15 feet off the ground will make some QSOs. If you have an antenna tuner that can handle 6 meters, you can try loading up another of your antennas on 6 meters with reasonable success. For 2 meters and 70 cm, a horizontal loop will work nicely for SSB and CW contacts." You can find plans for simple VHF antennas at the Technical Information Service area of the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/other-v.html>, in the Antennas chapter of The ARRL Handbook <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=NO-HB2009>, or in the VHF and UHF Antenna Systems chapter of The ARRL Antenna Book <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9876>. Kutzko advises that there are a few things to know about operating on 6 meters: In the US and Canada, there is a "calling frequency" on 50.125 MHz USB. Most SSB activity will take place between 50.125 MHz and 50.250 MHz. If conditions are exceptional, Kutzko said you may hear signals above 50.250: "CW signals can be found from 50.100 MHz to 50.080 or so. The frequencies between 50.100 and 50.125 MHz are a 'DX Window,' meaning it is reserved for QSOs between W/VE and DX stations. Please do not make stateside-to-stateside QSOs in the DX Window." Because VHF+ antennas are relatively small, Kutzko said that many amateurs operate from portable locations, such as a hilltop or a campground. Others operate the contest as a "rover," operating from their car or truck while transmitting from multiple grid squares over the contest period. "Tracking rovers during the contest is almost as much fun as the contest itself," he said. The ARRL September VHF QSO Party runs from 1800 UTC Saturday, September 12 through 0300 UTC Monday, September 14. Be sure to use those extra bands on your transceiver and get in on the fun you've been missing on 6 meters and up! <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/sepvhf.html> ==> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HIRAM! On Tuesday, September 2, the League celebrated the 140th anniversary of the birth of ARRL's co-founder and first President, Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW. Maxim -- born in 1869 -- decided a national organization for Amateur Radio was in order after he needed a "relay" station in Agawam, Massachusetts to pass a message he was sending from Hartford to Springfield, Massachusetts. In honor of The Old Man's (TOM) birthday, the ARRL is holding a week-long Special Event, where eligible amateurs may add /140 to their call signs. A complete list of who may add /140 can be found on page 20 of the September 2009 issue of QST. Hams who work at least 25 /140 stations can earn an attractive certificate; this certificate can be endorsed in increments of 25 QSOs, up to 100 <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/17/11025/?nc=1>. Maxim was no stranger to technology. He entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Class of 1886) and graduated at the tender age of 16. Through the activities of his son Hiram Hamilton Maxim, TOM became interested in Amateur Radio. In 1908, he filed for a patent for a firearms silencer <http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=dWJ-AAAAEBAJ>; the patent was granted the following year. Maxim used this technology to make silencers for guns, motor exhausts, safety valves and air releases. In all, Maxim received 59 patents, most of them in the field of mechanical engineering. In 1928, Maxim, along with other dignitaries of the day -- including Thomas Edison -- attended a party at the home of George Eastman, the founder of Kodak. TOM was an avid film buff and was even involved in the early days of motion pictures. Check out this video (available on YouTube) of a dapper Maxim at Eastman's party <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqjdVZDxCg>. "I hope everyone enjoys our Special Event honoring Hiram Percy Maxim," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "I know if TOM was alive today, he would be on the air, having a ball!" Maxim, together with Clarence Tuska, founded the ARRL in 1914. Maxim served as President of the ARRL from its inception until his death from complications stemming from a throat infection in 1936. -- Thanks to Howie Lash, AE0KU, for bringing the YouTube clip to our attention ==> SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH Once again this year, ARRL is a coalition member of the National Preparedness Month. This event is an annual nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. National Preparedness Month 2009 is sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security. The goal is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action. Throughout September and the months surrounding it, Homeland Security will work together with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of family and business emergency preparedness, as well as to promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation. More information can be found online <http://www.ready.gov/>. You are encouraged to consider this year's ARRL Simulated Emergency Test and all preparations as well as post exercise evaluations as a demonstration of your readiness and Amateur Radio's readiness. Be an active participant in SET, and join others nationwide in National Preparedness Month. ==>SOLAR UPDATE Tad "The Sun burns crimson bright" Cook, K7RA, this week reports: This week we saw another one of those fast-disappearing sunspots -- it lasted just two days, over the last day of August and the first of September. No other sunspots were observed during the month of August. Sunspot numbers for August 27-September 2 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 12, 12 and 0 with a mean of 3.4. The 10.7 cm flux was 67.7, 67.9, 68, 67.2, 68.3, 69.1 and 68.2 with a mean of 68.1. The estimated planetary A indices were 5, 2, 2, 19, 5, 4 and 3 with a mean of 5.7. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 2, 2, 12, 5, 2 and 2 with a mean of 4.1. 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/>. This week's "Tad Cookism" brought to you by Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/where-the-sidewalk-ends>. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This Week on the Radio: This week, the All Asia Contest and Colorado QSO Party are on September 5-6. The Tennessee QSO Party is September 6-7. Next week is the ARRL September VHF QSO Party September 12-14. There are two NCCC Sprints this week -- one on September 11 and another on September 12. The WAE DX Contest (SSB), the Arkansas QSO Party and the FISTS Get Your Feet Wet Weekend are September 12-13. The North American Sprint (CW) and the SKCC Weekend Sprint are both September 13. The NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint is September 17. All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the ARRL Contest Update <http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Station Web page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html>. * ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Registration remains open through Sunday, September 20, 2009, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, October 2, 2009: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1; Antenna Modeling; Radio Frequency Interference; Antenna Design and Construction; Ham Radio (Technician) License Course; Propagation; Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. 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/cep/student> or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator <cce@arrl.org>. * ARRL to Close in Observance of Labor Day: ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 7. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions that day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, September 8 at 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time. We wish everyone a safe and festive holiday weekend. * Allen Baker, KG4JJH, Wins August QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for August is Allen Baker, KG4JJH, for his article "A 10 Meter Moxon Beam." Congratulations, Allen! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/QSTvote.html>. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the September issue by Wednesday, September 30. * W1AW Earns TPA #306: On September 1 -- after W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, made contact #149 (CW) and #150 (RTTY) with Mark Stull, AB8WV, of Parkersburg, West Virginia -- W1AW received Triple Play Award #306 on September 2. "Finally, after eight months, W1AW can now boast the ARRL's newest award, the TPA," Carcia said. "What makes this so very cool is that we received this award on Hiram Percy Maxim's 140th birthday." The Triple Play Award is earned by hams who, after January 1, 2009, achieve Worked All States on three modes -- CW, SSB and Digital -- and upload their logs via Logbook of The World. Find out more about the Triple Play Award on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/12/05/10490/>. * Manufacturer of Texas Bug Catcher Antenna to Cease Operations: After October 31, 2009, GLA Systems -- the manufacturer of the Texas Bug Catcher antennas <http://www.texasbugcatcher.com/> -- will cease taking orders for new antennas; according to their Web site, all orders received before that date will be filled. "Effective November 1, only orders for items that are in stock at the time will be accepted. Effective December 31, 2009, the toll free line, 1-800-588-2841, will be discontinued." No reason was given for the closure, but on GLA's Web site, owner Henry Allen, K5BUG, said. "It has been a fun 30 years, but it is time to hang it up. I would like to thank everyone who has made this experience possible." * Den Connors, KD2S (SK): The first president of Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) <http://www.tapr.org/> Den Connors, KD2S, of Pepperell, Massachusetts, passed away September 3 from lymphoma. He was 58. Connors, an ARRL Life Member, conducted the first amateur packet radio contact with all-American hardware and software, using the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Terminal Node Controller (TNC) with Lyle Johnson, WA7GXD (now KK7P), at 9:12 PM (PST) on June 25, 1982. The tests were conducted at 146.55 MHz, with both stations sending plain-text ASCII messages. "Den was instrumental in the early PACSAT work, and as TAPR's first president, led that organization from a local club he co-founded into an international organization," Johnson said in an e-mail. "His was a very cheerful, positive, can-do influence." =========================================================== 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 2009 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved