The ARRL Letter for October 24, 2024

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The ARRL Letter
[http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter]


John E. Ross, KD8IDJ [ mailto:jross@arrl.org ] , Editor | October 24, 2024

ARRL Home Page
http://www.arrl.org

ARRL Letter Archive
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter

ARRL Audio News
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/

iCom 60th Anniversary
[https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/amateur/]


In this Issue:
�-�2024 Pacificon Inspires Next Generation of Radio Amateurs
�-�POTA Activation Video Highlights New ARRL Momobeam Antenna
�-�Handbook 101: A New Generation of Amateur Radio
�-�Dream Rig Contest Underway
�-�Amateur Radio in the News
�-�ARRL Podcasts
�-�In Brief...
�-�Announcements
�-�The K7RA Solar Update
�-�Just Ahead in Radiosport
�-�Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

2024 Pacificon Inspires Next Generation of Radio Amateurs

Contributed by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R - ARRL Director of Marketing and
Innovation


The Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club held its successful convention, Pacificon
[ https://www.pacificon.org/ ] 2024, in San Ramon, California, October 18 -
20. The convention drew radio amateurs from throughout the populous Bay Area
of California and beyond, and annually hosts the ARRL Pacific Division
Convention.


The organizing committee works all year on pulling together an impressive
program. This year included an exceptional lineup of forums, seminars,
hands-on activities, and exhibits. But the standout this year was the
tremendous effort to include and engage young hams and prospective hams.


Pacificon coincided with the largest scouting event in the world,
Jamboree-on-the-Air-Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTA-JOTI). As radio amateurs
and radio clubs around the world got scouts on the air to promote friendship
and global citizenship, Pacificon partnered with the Boy Scouts of America
Golden Gate Area Council to get dozens of scouts to attend the convention.
The scouts were led by their troop leaders in small groups to meet with ARRL
Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, and his wife Cyndi
Goodgame, K5CYN, for a short introduction to radio and wireless technology,
ham radio, and ARRL. The scouts also got on the air using the most recognized
call sign in the world, W1AW. Special Event Station W1AW/6 was sponsored by
the Palo Alto Amateur Radio Association (PAARA).


Many young hams also attended, including those accompanying parents and
grandparents. Among them was ARRL East Bay Section Youth Coordinator Alexia
Snethen, KM6LGG, a 17-year-old from Alameda County, and San Joaquin Valley
Youth Coordinator Shane Lewis, K5SML. Both Youth Coordinators are General
class licensees and are involved in a variety of activities throughout their
sections to attract and engage more young hams. For instance, Snethen runs a
youth net on a local repeater, and helps students in her section connect with
each other, even online, to discuss ham radio.


Read more on ARRL News [
https://www.arrl.org/news/2024-pacificon-inspires-next-generation-of-radio-amateurs
] .


Geochron Global Operational Awareness
[http://www.geochron.com/ham-radio-4k/]


POTA Activation Video Highlights New ARRL Momobeam Antenna

It was a sunny day with perfect weather and decent band conditions. Two ARRL
staffers took the new ARRL Momobeam Antenna outside for a Parks on The Air®
activation as W1AW. ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame,
K5ATA, is an experienced POTA activator, and he took the opportunity to show
ARRL Social Media Specialist Alex Norstrom, KC1RMO, the ropes. The pair show
how easy it is to set up the antenna, get on the air, and rack up a ton of
contacts.

 
See the video below or by clicking here [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-vezDvhFEU ] .


[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-vezDvhFEU]


The new ARRL Dual-band Momobeam 6/10 Antenna [
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2018039112 ]
features two innovative antennas �-" a 10-meter Moxon (28 MHz) and 6-meter
Yagi (50 MHz) �-" in one. The antenna was introduced at the 2024 ARRL
National Convention hosted at the Dayton Hamvention® in May.

 
The ARRL Dual-band Momobeam 6/10 Antenna is available from the ARRL Store at
www.arrl.org/shop [ http://www.arrl.org/shop ] (ARRL Item No. 0084, $299.95
retail plus shipping, handling, and sales tax where applicable. Available to
ship in the US only. Call 860-594-0200 or, toll-free in the US,
888-277-5289).


Handbook 101: A New Generation of Amateur Radio

[https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2018947704]


The ARRL Handbook is your complete guide to wireless technology,
experimentation, practice, and development - capturing the state of radio
science and technology in one authoritative work for nearly 100 years. Use
its more than 1,200 pages of amateur radio know-how to delve into radio
electronics, circuit design, digital modulation techniques, and equipment
construction.


The 101st edition proudly introduces a new editor, Gregory D. Lapin, Ph.D.,
PE, N9GL. Greg and his team of subject matter experts in the community bring
a fresh perspective and new outlook on the future of amateur radio. They have
revised entire chapters on radio fundamentals, transmission lines, general
safety, assembling a station, and more. Major updates to Handbook 101
include:


�-�Information on electromagnetic analysis and inexpensive tools for modeling
circuits, antennas, and propagation.

�-�New material on higher-level modeling of transmitters and receivers.
�-�A new section on preparing your station for emergency operations.
�-�Radio astronomy receiver and antenna design information.
�-�A new section on batteries and battery safety.
�-�A new section on NEC4 and the antenna modeling software built on it.
�-�New material on SWR meters and related tests.
�-�The latest on RF safety and compliance with FCC exposure regulations.

Handbook 101 comes with a bonus e-Book download. The download contains a
wealth of online content and includes the fully searchable digital edition of
the printed book, plus expanded supplemental content, software, PC board
templates, and other support files.

 
Whether you're an experienced ham or new to the hobby, you'll find
information you can use in The ARRL Handbook. Like Handbook editor Gregory
Lapin, N9GL, said about the first Handbook he owned, "That edition was half
the size of the current Handbook and I was never able to read it from cover
to cover. I have had many editions since then and ... have never read every
word in [it] until this year. Regardless, it has always been one of the great
references on my bookshelf; I refer to it often... I hope you enjoy the 101st
edition and gain lots of knowledge to help our hobby continue moving forward
into the next century and beyond."


The ARRL Handbook is available in a six-volume set [
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2018947717 ] and
softcover book [
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2018947704 ]
from the ARRL Store or your ARRL dealer. Handbook 101 six-volume book set,
ARRL Item No. 2073, ISBN 978-1-62595-207-3, is $69.95 retail. Handbook 101
softcover book, ARRL Item No. 2011, ISBN 978-1-62595-201-1, is $69.95 retail.
To order by phone, call (860) 594-0200 or, toll-free in the US, (888)
277-5289. Contact ARRL Publication Sales for more information.


Bonus e-book download with purchase: The download includes the fully
searchable digital edition of the printed book, plus expanded supplemental
content, software, PC board templates, and other support files.


[https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2018947704]


Dream Rig Contest Underway

[https://intrepid-dx.com/]


The 5th annual Youth "Dream Rig" Essay Contest has begun to accept
submissions.

 
The contest is sponsored by The Intrepid-DX Group [ https://intrepid-dx.com/
] , a U.S.-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that promotes amateur
radio activities around the world and recognizes the importance of including
youth in the amateur radio hobby.


Contestants must be USA or Canadian amateur radio license holders aged 19 or
younger. All contestants must be in the U.S. (including territories) or
Canada. They must write a two-page essay answering the following question:
"What do you see as ham radio's place in society? How can it benefit our
society, and at the same time, become attractive to others your age?"

 
The essay, in plain text, PDF or MS Word attachment, should be sent to
intrepiddxgroup@gmail.com [ mailto:intrepiddxgroup@gmail.com ] or mailed to:
The Intrepid-DX Group, 3052 Wetmore Dr, San Jose, CA 95148, USA. Entries must
be postmarked by November 30, 2024.

 
Those who have previously submitted an essay may still compete in this year's
contest as long as all other criteria are met.

 
The first place prize is an ICOM IC-7300 transceiver. Second place prize is
an ICOM ID5100AD dual-band mobile radio with D-Star, and the third place
prize is an ICOM IC-T10 dual-band handheld. All entrants and winners must
promise to keep the radios for one year, without flipping, trading, or
selling them, and to use the radios on the air.

 
The winners of the essay contest will be announced on the Intrepid-DX Group
website and Facebook page on December 15, 2024, and must agree to provide a
photo with their prize.

 
All submissions become the property of the Intrepid-DX Group, and the winners
authorize the Intrepid-DX Group to use their photographs to promote the
contest. For additional questions or information, email
intrepiddxgroup@gmail.com [ mailto:intrepiddxgroup@gmail.com ]


[https://surgestop.com/coaxial-arrestors/index.html]


Amateur Radio in the News

"Portland teenager completes 5-year quest to communicate with an astronaut on
the International Space Station [
https://www.kgw.com/article/tech/nasa-astronaut-iss-portland-teen-ham-radio/283-bc6ebdef-246b-4c16-b62c-b575179e7f10
] " / KGW8 - TV (Oregon) October 18, 2024 -- 13 year old makes contact with
International Space Station with the help of Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS).

 
"Amateur radio plays critical role in emergency management [
https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/amateur-radio-plays-critical-role-in-emergency-management/article_249f030c-8e58-11ef-9a61-0b0b5a224434.html
] " / Rocket Miner (Wyoming) October 23, 2024 -- The Sweetwater Amateur Radio
Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.


ARRL Podcasts

ARRL On the Air
[https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/]


On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
 
ARES® Task Book Updates
 
The ARES® Task Book, an important resource and reference for the Amateur
Radio Emergency Service®, is used by amateurs who want to be of service to
their communities. ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston,
KE5MHV, joins the podcast to talk about the task book's place in a ham's
training, as well as recent updates to the book.


ARRL Audio News
[https://blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/]


ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News [ http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news ] , available
every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top news stories in
the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews and other
features.


The On the Air podcast and ARRL Audio News are available on blubrry, iTunes,
and Apple Podcasts.

On the Air [ https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/ ] | ARRL Audio News [
https://blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ ]


In Brief...

The Nashua Area Radio Society [ https://www.n1fd.org/ ] in New Hampshire will
be holding an online Ham Bootcamp on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10:00
am to 6:00 pm ET. The Ham Bootcamp program includes a series of
demonstrations and tutorials designed to help new, inactive, and prospective
hams gain the skills and information needed to get on the air. It is open to
any interested ham or prospective ham in the U.S. and Canada and there is no
charge to attend. Ham Bootcamp activities are provided online via a series of
sessions geared towards Technician class licensees, prospective hams, General
class licensees and higher. Bootcamp participants will find all of the
material interesting and fun no matter what their focus or license level. The
online Bootcamp program is available to all licensed and prospective hams.
Click the link to register for the next Ham Bootcamp session [
https://www.n1fd.org/register-ham-bootcamp/ ] . For questions or additional
information, contact bootcamp@

 n1fd.org [ mailto:bootcamp@n1fd.org ] .

Dr. Duino
[https://drduino.com/SHArrl]


Announcements

The Delaware Valley Radio Association [ https://www.w2zq.com/ ] (DVRA) will
be marking the 86th anniversary of the Orson Welles broadcast of the "War of
the Worlds" on October 30, 1938, with special event station W0W. In the
broadcast, Martian invaders first landed in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. DVRA
will be operating special event station W0W on 7.225, 14.255, and 21.300 MHz,
Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 12:00 - 5:00 PM in Vant Nest Park located in
Grovers Mill. This will be a rain or shine event. Setup will be under the
picnic pavilion in the park. Stop by to help operate the station or just to
check out the action. DVRA also needs folks to help operate W0W as well as
setting up and taking down the station before and after the event. Two
amateurs will be operating the station, one on the microphone and the second
doing the logging, in half-hour shifts. If anyone wishes to operate CW,
please bring your own straight key/bug/paddles. CW ops will need to do your
own logging. A c

 ertificate & QSL card will be available. To sign up for the event go to:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4BA9AC2CA6FE3-45079730-w0w2023#/ [
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4BA9AC2CA6FE3-45079730-w0w2023#/ ]


RIGOL Oscilloscopes
[https://www.rigolna.com/dho/?utm_source=QST&utm_medium=eNews&utm_campaign=DHO89]

Radioddity Xiegu X6200 Multi-mode HF Radio
[https://www.radioddity.com/products/xiegu-g106?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=ARRL&utm_campaign=The%20ARRL%20Letter&utm_content=Xiegu_G106]

Flex Radio FT8
[https://www.flexradio.com/insider/articles/ft8-tipping-point-for-ham-radio/]


The K7RA Solar Update

K7RA Solar Update - NASA SDO/HMI
[https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/]


For this Friday's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP043

Key solar indicators were lower this week, with average daily solar flux down
from 194.3 to 170.5.


Predicted solar flux is 185 on October 24; 190 on October 25 - 26; then 200,
220, 230 and 210 on October 27 - 30; 175, 180, 185 and 190 on October 31
through November 3.


Predicted planetary A index is 10, 15 and 8 on October 24 - 26, then 5 on
October 27 through November 10.


Sunspot numbers for October 17- 23, 2024, were 146, 132, 101, 113, 168, 130,
and 104, with a mean of 127.7. The 10.7 - centimeter flux was 167.7, 173.5,
165.2, 161.7, 163.9, 176.1, and 185.7, with a mean of 170.5. Estimated
planetary A indices were 9, 14, 23, 7, 5, 8, and 9, with a mean of 10.7. The
middle latitude A index was 7, 10, 15, 6, 3, 7, and 7, with a mean of 7.9.


Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7ra@arrl.net [
mailto:k7ra@arrl.net ] .

 
A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL website. For
more information concerning radio propagation, visit [
https://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals?_zs=0CdMo&_zl=G2V63 ] the ARRL
Technical Information Service, read [
https://www.arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere?_zs=0CdMo&_zl=H2V63 ]
"What the Numbers Mean...," and check out [ https://k9la.us/ ] the
Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

 
A propagation bulletin archive [
https://www.arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation?_zs=0CdMo&_zl=K2V63 ]
is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online
for Ham Radio [
https://www.arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation?_zs=0CdMo&_zl=K2V63 ]
website.

 
Share [ mailto:k7ra@arrl.net ] your reports and observations.
 
A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News [
http://www.arrl.org/news?_zs=0CdMo&_zl=O2V63 ] .


Schulman Auction Amateur Radio Equipment Specialists
[https://www.schulmanauction.com/]
Rig Expert Take on the Air
[https://rigexpert.com/]
PreppComm
[https://tinyurl.com/522f5ecw]


Just Ahead in Radiosport

�-�October 24 -- RSGB 80m Autumn Series, SSB (phone)
�-�October 26 - 27 CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB (phone)
�-�October 28 -- RSGB FT4 Contest (digital)
�-�October 30 -- UKEICC 80m Contest (CW)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar [
https://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar?_zs=OV2xl&_zl=geQ73 ] for more events
and information.


Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

�-�November 2 | Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference 2024, sponsoring the ARRL
Wisconsin State Convention, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

�-�November 2 - 3 |Stone Mountain Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Georgia State
Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia

�-�December 13 - 14 | Tampa Bay Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL West Central
Florida Section Convention, Plant City, Florida


Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database [
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar?_zs=OV2xl&_zl=nww63 ]
to find events in your area.


Have News for ARRL?
Submissions for The ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org [
mailto:news@arrl.org ] . -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor [
mailto:news@arrl.org ]


[http://www.arrl.org]


ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
 
Join ARRL or renew today! [ https://www.arrl.org/join ] No other organization
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NCJ.

 
Listen to ARRL Audio News [ http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news ] , available
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The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to the
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group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it concerns blind
hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of adaptive technology.

 
NCJ -- National Contest Journal [ http://www.ncjweb.com/ ] . Published
bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics,
scores, NA Sprint, and QSO parties.

 
QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters [ http://www.arrl.org/qex ] .
Published bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications
professionals.

 
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