view this email in your browser [
https://arrl.informz.net/InformzDataService/OnlineVersion/Individual?mailingInstanceId=3128066&subscriberId=520533606]
The ARRL Letter
[
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter]
John E. Ross, KD8IDJ [ mailto:
jross@arrl.org ] , Editor | September 5, 2024
ARRL Home Page
http://www.arrl.orgARRL Letter Archive
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletterARRL Audio News
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/iCom ATNO Secret Weapon
[
https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/amateur/]
In this Issue:
�-�ARRL Utah Section Expanding Emergency Communication Capabilities
�-�Hams Respond as Hawaii Threatened by Three Major Storms
�-�National Preparedness Month: Have a Go Kit
�-�Amateur Radio in the News
�-�ARRL Podcasts
�-�Announcements
�-�The K7RA Solar Update
�-�Just Ahead in Radiosport
�-�Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Utah Section Expanding Emergency Communication Capabilities
ARES® Logo
[
https://www.arrl.org/ares]
A new and faster way to communicate during emergencies is being planned by
the Utah Section of the ARRL ARES® group, which serves Salt Lake County, the
most populous area in Utah.
ARRL Utah Section Public Information Coordinator Scott Rosenbush, K7HSR, said
that discussion and planning for mesh networks using AREDN [
https://www.arednmesh.org/#:~:text=New%20AREDN%20Production%20Release%20Available.%20AREDN%20production%20software%20version
] (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) technology is on the drawing board.
A recent meeting and presentation by Brett Pruitt, K7BDP, Utah Section
Emergency Coordinator, was attended by a large group of ARES amateur radio
operators. More than a dozen Salt Lake County hams have already invested in
AREDN technology with an interest in helping to create and support an
emergency mesh network in the county. Southern Utah ARES groups have already
created a five-county mesh network that can be used for emergency
communications.
Brett Pruitt, K7BDP, Utah Section Emergency Coordinator
[
https://www.arednmesh.org/#:~:text=New%20AREDN%20Production%20Release%20Available.%20AREDN%20production%20software%20version]
"We hope to ultimately connect to STARLINK [
https://www.starlink.com/ ] and
run the mesh network over that," said Pruitt. "On November 2, we will have an
exercise with hospitals in the northern and southern Utah ARES groups using
the regular internet. After that, if STARLINK is more readily available, we
will run the drill again without the internet to fully test the new
technology." Pruitt said the goal is to have everything working by early
2025.
"The needs of participating agencies have evolved to require more than analog
voice and low-speed data modes," said Rosenbush. High-speed mesh networks
using AREDN software will allow amateur radio to play a larger role in
supporting these agencies in emergencies."
The Utah Section is working to extend this technology, said Rosenbush. "Our
hope is to bring this technology to other parts of the state to increase the
communications capability and value of amateur radio to partner agencies."
KF7P Morgan Systems Coaxial Arrestors
[
https://surgestop.com/coaxial-arrestors/index.html]
Hams Respond as Hawaii Threatened by Three Major Storms
ARES® Logo
[
https://www.ready.gov/]
In late August, Hawaii's big island was threatened by three major tropical
storms and amateur radio operators were prepared to assist as the threat grew
more intense. Russell Roberts, KH6JRM, Public Information Officer, Hawaii
County, ARRL Pacific Section, said that beginning August 23, storm watches
and warnings were being issued for tropical storms Hone, Gilma, and Hector,
all churning off the island's southern coast.
By August 31 and September 1, Hone had become a Category 1 hurricane with
winds over 75 miles per hour (MPH), occasional gusts to 100 MPH and heavy
rain. Gilma was next as a Category 1, but later intensified to a Category 3
hurricane, dropping 28 inches of rain which flooded roads, along with high
winds that brought down trees, power and communications lines.
"We had 3 Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) operators on the net for
about 24 hours beginning August 30 and they handled 41 contacts," said
Roberts. "Some repeaters were out of fuel, so we switched to HF to pass
traffic and assess the damage."
The storms never made landfall and while there were no fatalities or
injuries, the damage was severe. Nearly 30,000 residents were affected. Power
is still out for over 200 customers, cleanup and road repair are active.
"We were very fortunate," said Roberts. "There was concern a fire warning
would need to be issued for several parts of the island. But the approaching
weather brought rain and lowered temperatures."
National Preparedness Month: Have a Go Kit
September is National Preparedness Month, and ARRL is working to help radio
amateurs have a plan for family resilience. Many hams enjoy public service as
part of their operating. Being ready to activate for a served agency through
the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) involves not only being
licensed and trained, but also prepared and equipped.
ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, suggests that
hams and their families have a "go-bag". He says there are a few things to
consider: "You need to be able to function while activated, so that means you
need a kit for your needs and a kit for your radio needs. If your family is
impacted by the situation, they also need to have some gear at the ready."
On the ARRL website, there's an Emergency Prep Kit Checklist [
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2012007374 ] .
It lists the common items such as food and water for several days, a first
aid kit, medications, chargers for your devices and other useful items.
ARES® Emergency Prep Kit Checklist
[
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2012007374]
ARRL Gray Canvas Backpack
[
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/133853]
Having a kit for your radio is useful as well. "Go kits will vary based on
function and need for the field," said Johnston. "Most kits should include a
dual band HT and/or mobile radio with antenna, a power supply and all
necessary cables and connectors. Every kit should include note pad or paper
of some type as well as pens or pencils. You should have a power source and
power cables. If you are working HF then you will need an HF radio and
antenna, and if you want digital capabilities, then a computer with software
preloaded will be desired."
Other things you may want will include tape and tools, spare batteries,
headphones, flashlights of some sort, cell phone chargers, and a multimeter.
Other items that won't fit in a bag but may be needed include a generator, a
working surface like a small folding table, a chair, and some type of
shelter.
Need a bag for your go kit? Consider the ARRL Gray Canvas Backpack [
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/133853 ] .
$30.00 in the ARRL Store.
Geochron Global Operational Awareness
[
http://www.geochron.com/ham-radio-4k/]
Amateur Radio in the News
"Registration is open for the 2024 Amateur Radio Technician licensing course
[
https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/in_todays_daily_sun/registration-is-open-for-the-2024-amateur-radio-technician-licensing-course/article_151be15c-68e2-11ef-8d4a-f3a676d3e45f.html#tncms-source=article-nav-next] " / The Villages Daily Sun (Florida) September 2, 2024 -- The Villages
Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.
"Amid wildfires and spotty cell service, Northstate residents turn to ham
radios [
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/amid-wildfires-and-spotty-cell-service-northstate-residents-turn-to-ham-radios/ar-AA1pWJtt?ocid=BingNewsVerp] " / KRTV (California) September 3, 2024 -- Western Amateur Radio Repeater
and Echolink Association.
ARRL Podcasts
ARRL On the Air
[
https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/]
On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
The podcast takes a field trip to W1AW, ARRL's Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial
Station, to hear from W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, about all the
ways to "Practice Code with W1AW," from daily code practice sessions at a
speed that suits you, to Qualifying Runs where you can earn certificates for
submitting accurate copy.
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/ ]
Announcements
The Hawaiian Islands Grid Madness 2024, a VHF/UHF simplex event, will take
place Sunday, September 22, from 1300 to 1700 HST. The four-hour event is
designed for EmComm practice and for fun. Amateur radio operators will have a
chance to test their equipment, coverage and operating skills using FM
simplex on 6 meters, 2 meters, 1.25 meters, and 70 centimeters. All licensed
amateur radio operators in the state of Hawaii may participate. Complete
rules and information are available at Grid Madness 2024 Info Packet [
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lVlqx8x9FGrhjCIVRn0D4G3NSJtDKVNW/view?usp=drive_link] . The Hawaiian Islands Grid Madness 2024 is sponsored by the Emergency
Amateur Radio Club [
https://earchi.org/ ] of Hawaii.
Pacificon, hosting the 2024 ARRL Pacific Division Convention, will be held on
October 18 - 20 at the San Ramon Marriott in San Ramon, California. The
three-day event, sponsored by the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club, features a
full slate of forum [
https://www.pacificon.org/schedule-forums ]
presentations on a wide range of amateur radio topics. ARRL National
Instructor Gordon West, WB6NOA, will be on hand. There will also be an
opportunity to hear about and discuss important national amateur radio issues
with ARRL officials and staff.
For more information, visit the Pacificon website at Pacificon 2024 [
https://www.pacificon.org/ ] .
The K7RA Solar Update
K7RA Solar Update - NASA SDO/HMI
For this Friday's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP036:
Eight new sunspot groups emerged over the past week.
Two appeared on August 30, three more on August 31, another two on September
2 and one more on September 4.
The average daily sunspot number declined from 177.1 to 155.3, while average
daily solar flux barely changed from 229 to 230.3.
Predicted solar flux is 260, 250, 240, and 250 on September 5 - 8; 255 on
September 9 - 10; 245 on September 11 - 12; 240, 250, 255, and 245 on
September 13 - 16; 240, 235, 240, and 245 on September 17 - 20; 240 on
September 21 - 22; 245 on September 23 - 24; 240, 235, 230, and 225 on
September 25 - 28.
Predicted planetary A index is 10 on September 5 - 6; 5 on September 7; 10 on
September 8 - 9; 8 on September 10 - 11; 5 on September 12 - 16; 8 on
September 17 - 18; 5 on September 19 - 25, and 25 on September 26 - 27.
Sunspot numbers for August 29 through September 4, 2024, were 124, 143, 180,
156, 200, 133, and 151, with a mean of 155.3. The 10.7-centimeter flux was
204, 214.2, 232.6, 231.6, 225.5, 242.1, and 261.8, with a mean of 230.3.
Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 23, 26, 16, 8, 7, and 13, with a mean
of 14. Middle latitude A index was 5, 16, 19, 16, 16, 16, 7, 10, and 16, with
a mean of 12.7.
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 [
http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals ] the ARRL Technical Information
Service, read [
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere ] "What the
Numbers Mean...," and check out [
http://k9la.us/ ] the Propagation Page of
Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.
A propagation bulletin archive [
http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation ] is available. For
customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio [
https://www.voacap.com/hf/ ] website.
Share [ mailto:
k7ra@arrl.net ] your reports and observations.
A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News [
http://www.arrl.org/news ] .
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/]
Just Ahead in Radiosport
�-�September 5 - 6 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
�-�September 5 -- NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
�-�September 7 - 8 -- All Asian DX Contest (phone)
�-�September 7 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)
�-�September 7 - 8 -- SARL VHF/UHF FM Contest (phone)
�-�September 7 - 8 -- SARL Field Day Contest (CW, phone, digital)
�-�September 7 - 8 -- IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB (phone)
�-�September 7 - 8 -- RSGB SSB Field Day (phone)
�-�September 7 -- Ohio State Parks on the Air (phone)
�-�September 7 - 8 -- IARU Region 1 145 MHz Contest (CW, phone, digital)
�-�September 7 -- AGCW Straight Key Party (CW)
�-�September 7 -- CWOps CW Open (CW)
�-�September 7 - 8 -- PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80m Sprint (digital)
�-�September 8 -- North American Sprint [
https://ncjweb.com/north-american-sprint/ ] (CW)
�-�September 8 -- WAB 144 MHz QRO (phone)
�-�September 9 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
�-�September 9 -- 144 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital)
�-�September 11 -- RSGB 80m Autumn Series (CW)
Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar [
http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar ] for
more events and information.
Schulman Auction Amateur Radio Equipment Specialists
[
https://www.schulmanauction.com/]
Rig Expert Take on the Air
[
https://rigexpert.com/]
PreppComm Complete HF Digital Station
[
http://tinyurl.com/2npjx68v]
Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
�-�September 8 | ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention [
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-southern-new-jersey-section-convention-and-hamfest-2?_zs=HPe1m&_zl=r6e23] , Mullica Hill, New Jersey
�-�September 20 - 22 | Duke City Hamfest [
https://www.dukecityhamfest.org/ ]
, sponsoring the ARRL New Mexico State Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico
�-�September 21 - 22 | Midwest Superfest [
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/midwest-superfest-arrl-illinois-section-convention?_zs=HPe1m&_zl=s6e23] , sponsoring the ARRL Illinois Section Convention, Chillicothe, Illinois
�-�September 28 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest [
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/red-river-radio-amateurs-hamfest-arrl-dakota-division-convention?_zs=HPe1m&_zl=t6e23] , sponsoring the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota
�-�October 5 | Wichita Area Hamfest [
https://www.vcarc.org/hamfest-info/ ] ,
sponsoring the ARRL Kansas State Convention, Wichita, Kansas
�-�October 5 | Northstar Radio Convention [
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-star-radio-convention-arrl-minnesota-state-convention] , sponsoring the ARRL Minnesota State Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
�-�October 12 | Rock Hill Hamfest [
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rock-hill-hamfest-arrl-south-carolina-section-convention-1?_zs=HPe1m&_zl=ov233] , sponsoring the ARRL South Carolina Section Convention, Rock Hill, South
Carolina.
�-�October 18 - 20 | Pacificon [
http://www.pacificon.org/ ] , sponsoring the
ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
�-�November 2 | Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference 2024 [
https://wi-arrl.org/ ]
, sponsoring the ARRL Wisconsin State Convention, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database [
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests ] 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
works harder to promote and protect amateur radio. Membership supports
benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help you get (and stay) active
and on the air. Membership includes access to digital editions of all four
ARRL magazines [
https://www.arrl.org/magazines ] : QST, On the Air, QEX, and
NCJ.
Listen to ARRL Audio News [
http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news ] , available
every Friday.
The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to the
Blind-hams Groups.io [
https://groups.io/g/blind-hams ] email group. The
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.
Free of charge to ARRL members...
Subscribe [
https://home.arrl.org/action/My-Account/Opt-In-Out ] to the ARES
Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL
Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news
alerts, and much more!
Find ARRL on Facebook [
https://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org/ ] ! Follow us on
Threads [
https://www.threads.net/arrlhq ] , X [
https://twitter.com/arrl ] ,
and Instagram [
https://www.instagram.com/arrlhq ] .
The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members may
subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile at
www.arrl.org/opt-in-out [
http://www.arrl.org/opt-in-out ] .
Copyright �(c) 2024 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes
require written permission.
ARRL Logo
[
https://www.arrl.org/]
ARRL
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400
www.arrl.org [
http://www.arrl.org ] - 860-594-0200
ARRL Facebook
[
https://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org]
ARRL Instagram
[
https://www.instagram.com/arrlhq/]
ARRL X
[
https://x.com/arrl]
ARRL YouTube
[
https://www.youtube.com/ARRLHQ]
ARRL LinkedIn
[
https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-radio-relay-league/]
ARRL Shop
[
http://www.arrl.org/shop]
ARRL Email
[mailto:
hq@arrl.org?subject=ARRL%20Email]
�(c) 2024 - ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®
Unsubscribe [
https://home.arrl.org/action/My-Account/Opt-In-Out ] from this
list.
The ARRL Letter for September 5, 2024