*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 24, No. 37 September 23, 2005 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * +Amateur Radio volunteers brace for Rita response * +The "CC&R bill" is back in play in 109th Congress * +New ham gear and SuitSat arrive at ISS * +Hurricane Ophelia prompts North Carolina hams into action * +FCC checking into repeater interference complaints * +Ham radio community contributes gear for Katrina relief * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This weekend on the radio +Bill Seabreeze, W3IY, SK +Short stories on most memorable contact due October 1 ARRL renewing memberships of those affected by Katrina New W0 QSL Bureau manager, address announced +Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> =========================================================== ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org ==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@arrl.org =========================================================== ==>AMATEUR RADIO RESOURCES READY FOR RITA As Hurricane Rita continues on course for landfall sometime early on the morning of September 24 along the Gulf Coast between Texas and Louisiana, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and other Amateur Radio groups are at the ready. The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz has announced plans to remain active until 0300 UTC or as long as the 20-meter band is available--whichever comes first. ARRL Headquarters is maintaining regular contact with Section Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators in the Gulf Coast region as they muster their own volunteer resources, some of whom already have been deployed to emergency operating centers and other strategic sites. "Once again, the entire ARRL organization--including our volunteers in the field, our Headquarters staff and our members--are gearing up as Hurricane Rita approaches to provide needed emergency communications when all else fails," said ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B. He has announced that Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be staffed throughout the September 24-25 weekend to monitor emergency nets and assist as needed. W1AW also remained available through the weekend after Hurricane Katrina struck the region in late August. As of 2300 UTC on September 23, Hurricane Rita was a strong Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of nearly 125 MPH with higher gusts. Although further weakening was anticipated, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Rita was still expected to come ashore as "a dangerous hurricane." The HWN announced plans to reactivate Saturday, September 24, at 1300 UTC and remain in session until Rita is downgraded to a tropical storm. "Obviously, among our priorities will be to listen for people in the affected area who might have emergency or priority needs," said HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP. "Otherwise, we seek observed and/or measured weather data which can be used to supplement other input for forecasters to create and/or validate their forecast projections." The HWN will work with WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center to relay the information to forecasters. The West Gulf ARES Emergency Net on 7.285 MHz (days) and 3.873 MHz (evenings) has activated for the latest weather threat. The net also will utilize 7.290 MHz (days) and 3.935 MHz (evenings) for health-and-welfare (H&W) traffic. Briefings on the West Gulf ARES Emergency Net are taking place daily at noon CDT (7.285 MHz) and at 7 PM CDT (3.873 MHz). Local resource nets are opening up on various VHF-UHF repeaters as well. The Harris County, Texas, emergency operations center (EOC) activated earlier in the week and already was receiving requests for Amateur Radio support. EOCs in other counties and cities in the potential strike zone will have Amateur Radio operators on site--some around the clock. The American Red Cross has established its headquarters for the Hurricane Rita emergency in the Texas capital of Austin, and the ARC's W5KA already has checked into the West Gulf ARES Emergency Net. ARRL South Texas Section Emergency Coordinator Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, reports the Red Cross opened nearly two dozen shelters and seeks Amateur Radio communication support. Reimer and his counterparts in the Gulf Coast region are currently recruiting Amateur Radio volunteers from within the region or from outside. One problem, Reimer noted this week, is that radio amateurs in coastal counties were under mandatory evacuation orders. Alabama SM Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, told ARRL Headquarters that he's holding some volunteers who reported for Hurricane Katrina duty for quick deployment in the wake of Hurricane Rita. He notes that the Montgomery, Alabama, American Red Cross volunteer marshaling center where he's been stationed for more than three weeks continues to supply Amateur Radio volunteers to hard-hit areas of Mississippi--especially Hancock and Harrison counties--where he expects they'll be needed at least until month's end. Louisiana SEC Gary Stratton, K5GLS, is maintaining a similar holding pattern, although he reports that most ham radio activity in his section associated with Hurricane Katrina has wound down for now. Prospective volunteers may sign up for possible deployment in the region via the Hurricane Rita Disaster Communications Volunteer Registration & Message Traffic Database <http://rita.ab2m.net/>. Only volunteers who are willing to travel into the disaster area should indicate their interest in this database. Prospective volunteers should not self-deploy. Elsewhere, The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) Net on 14.265 MHz announced plans to activate in emergency mode at 0000 UTC Saturday, September 24. "SATERN will run its two-pronged operation, handling as first priority emergency communication and as second priority health-and-welfare traffic," said SATERN National Director Pat McPherson, WW9E. The National Radio Emergency Net (NREN) will be working with SATERN during the Hurricane Rita response, maintaining liaison with SATERN's 14.265 MHz operation and providing alternate routes for operators handling emergency traffic on CW. NREN operations will be on 14.050 and 10.115 MHz days and 10.115 MHz and 7.050 MHz evenings. Amateur Radio stations not involved in the Hurricane Rita emergency are requested to give all HF emergency net frequencies a wide berth of at least 5 kHz on either side. The FCC is aware of all emergency frequencies in use during the Hurricane Rita emergency. ==>AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNA "CC&R BILL" REINTRODUCED IN CONGRESS New York Congressman Steve Israel has reintroduced legislation that could make it easier for radio amateurs living in communities with deed covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) to erect suitable antennas. Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross, WD5DVR, signed aboard as an original cosponsor of the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act" (HR 3876). ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, attended Israel's public announcement of the bill September 19 on Long Island. "Unfortunately if all new housing developments contain deed restrictions forbidding outside antennas there will probably come a time when there will not be enough ham radio operators to help their neighbors and countrymen," said Fallon. He believes Israel's bill will help to ensure that Amateur Radio will continue to be able to provide emergency communication should a disaster occur. Fallon, who heads up the League's grassroots lobbying initiative, noted the bill's introduction comes in the immediate aftermath of positive media coverage of Amateur Radio's response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. He was on hand for Israel's public announcement, which took place at the home of ARRL New York City-Long Island Emergency Coordinator Tom Carrubba, KA2D. The one-sentence measure is identical to the text of the CC&R bill that has been introduced in the last two sessions of Congress: "For purposes of the Federal Communications Commission's regulation relating to station antenna structures in the Amateur Radio Service (47 CFR 97.15), any private land use rules applicable to such structures shall be treated as a state or local regulation and shall be subject to the same requirements and limitations as a state or local regulation." The measure would put private land-use regulations, such as homeowners' association rules, on the same legal plane as state or local zoning regulations under the FCC's PRB-1 limited federal preemption. PRB-1 now applies only to states and municipalities. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, this week encouraged League members to write their elected representative and ask that they cosponsor and support the bill, especially given two hurricane emergencies in short order. "Amateur Radio is certainly a part of this nation's communications infrastructure," Haynie said. "What we're asking for is just a fair shake so we can put up antennas and help our fellow citizens." While the League has ramped up its efforts to educate members of Congress about Amateur Radio, Haynie said lawmakers respond best to individual members. HR 3876 has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Information about the bill and a sample letter to use when contacting your representative are available on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr3876/>. In his formal announcement this week, Israel said that "often unsung" Amateur Radio volunteers were instrumental in helping residents in the hardest hit areas in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, including saving stranded flood victims in Louisiana and Mississippi. "State and local governments, as well as disaster relief agencies, could not possibly afford to replace the services that radio amateurs dependably provide for free," said a statement from Israel's office. "However, the hundreds of thousands of Amateur Radio licensees face burdensome regulations that make it extremely difficult to provide their public services." ==>SUITSAT, NEW ARISS SSTV GEAR ARRIVES AT SPACE STATION An unpiloted Russian Progress cargo ship that docked with the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this month carried two new Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) systems among its 2.5-ton cargo of fuel, food and supplies. Onboard were the SuitSat Amateur Radio hardware and the Slow Scan Television (SSTV) hardware and software. "The successful docking of Progress to ISS on September 10 culminates the successful design, development, certification and delivery of these two ARISS Projects," said ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. The ISS Expedition 11 crew of John Phillips, KE5DRY, and Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, will unpack the gear and make it available for installation, use and deployment by the Expedition 12 crew of Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev. They're set to launch to the ISS October 1 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in a Soyuz transporter. The SuitSat Amateur Radio gear and a school artwork project are to be installed inside an outdated Russian Orlan spacesuit. SuitSat then will be deployed from the ISS during a spacewalk. During its limited lifetime, SuitSat will beam down special messages and an SSTV image as it floats in space. SuitSat's radio system will allow hams and students to track the suit and decode special international messages, spacesuit telemetry and a pre-programmed SSTV image through its specially-built digital voice messaging system and Amateur Radio transmitter. SuitSat will have transmit-only capability and will run on the spacesuit's battery power. As part of the SuitSat project, the payload will also include a CD with hundreds of school pictures, artwork, poems, and student signatures. Two identical CDs were flown into space, Bauer said. "One will go in the suit, and the other will be for the crew to review. Using the crew CD, we hope to downlink these images using the SSTV system that will be located inside the Zvezda Service Module once it is operational." The CD contains some 300 items from all over the world. The ARISS-Russia team headed by Sergei Samburov, RV3DR, first came up with the idea for SuitSat, and the concept came in for extensive discussion during the joint AMSAT Symposium/ARISS International Team meeting in October 2004. The project--called Radioskaf or Radio Sputnik in Russia--is being led by project manager A. P. Alexandrov and Deputy Project Manager A. Poleshuk from RSC Energia. On the US side, AMSAT member Lou McFadin, W5DID, has headed up the hardware project development. Due to the challenging development time constraints, the SuitSat design concept matured and evolved quickly in the past 11 months. "In a very short timeframe, the ARISS International Team designed, built and tested a simple, yet fully featured system that we hope will inspire hams and students around the world," Bauer said. The new SSTV system will be installed inside the Service Module as an integral part of the ARISS ham radio station, NA1SS/RS0ISS. It will transmit and receive JPEG still images from the ISS. When fully operational, the SSTV system will be able to send up to 480 images per day from the ISS as well as receive images from earthbound radio amateurs. "This system will utilize the already installed Kenwood D-700 radio and the ARISS antennas mounted on the Service Module," Bauer explained. He said the SSTV equipment flown on the Progress 19P flight includes the SpaceCam software, a radio/computer interface module and data cables. A dedicated laptop for SSTV operations will be launched on a subsequent Progress vehicle. "On behalf of the ARISS International team, I want to congratulate the SuitSat hardware development team and the SSTV development team on a job well done," Bauer said. "We look forward to future operation of these systems on ISS, inspiring the next generation of space explorers." ARISS <http://www.rac.ca/ariss> is an international educational outreach with US participation from ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. ==>NORTH CAROLINA HAMS RESPOND TO HURRICANE OPHELIA Amateur Radio Emergency Service/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (ARES/RACES) teams along the North Carolina coast took no chances September 14 when Hurricane Ophelia threatened. They went on alert as the meandering and undecided storm approached landfall, packing winds of from 80 to 85 MPH. North Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator Bernie Nobles, WA4MOK, said the Eastern Branch emergency operations center (EOC) in Kinston established radio contact with the counties likely to be the hardest hit by Ophelia--Brunswick and New Hanover. "All operations went smoothly, and the participation was great," Nobles said afterward. "We had more emergency coordinators (ECs) on HF than ever before, and I would like to stress the importance of having that capability. I would like to see all ECs become General class licensees for that reason." He also recommended that all National Weather Service field offices have HF Amateur Radio capability. The Eastern Branch EOC used 3.927/7.232 MHz on HF and the Brunswick County repeater on 147.315 MHz. ARES/RACES HF operation was on the Tarheel Emergency Net. Nobles said a lot of activity took place on North Carolina's coastal linking system, which permits communication with the Outer Banks. "Richard Marlin, K4HAT, at Cape Hatteras fed us information about the storm's effects, and several messages were given to the eastern branch EOC director," Nobles said. Along the Outer Banks, an evacuation order was issued for Hatteras Island, and visitors were told to leave Ocracoke Island. The National Park Service also closed Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. In addition, schools closed in coastal communities, and more than 100 residents took refuge in a shelter set up in Wilmington. Ophelia was the 15th named storm and the seventh hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends November 30.--Some information from The ARES E-Letter ==>INTERFERENCE COMPLAINTS PROMPT FCC QUERIES TO CALIFORNIA REPEATER OWNERS Following up on separate interference complaints, the FCC recently contacted two repeater owners in California to request additional information. Letters went out from FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth August 19 and September 1, respectively, to Jeffrey A. Stouffer, K6JSI, of Vista, and to H. R. Dixon, WB6NIL, of San Diego. The letters enclosed complaints that the two licensees were operating uncoordinated UHF repeaters said to be causing interference to coordinated machines on the same frequencies. "The complaint indicated that you have been made aware of the interference and the apparent lack of coordination but that you have declined to resolve the interference," Hollingsworth told both licensees in the separate letters. As he's done in past such cases, Hollingsworth pointed out that §97.205 of the Amateur Service rules says "the licensee of the uncoordinated repeater has primary responsibility to resolve the interference." Among other things, Hollingsworth asked Dixon and Stouffer to produce copies of their coordination documents and if either had received complaints regarding the operation of their repeaters. Copies of interference complaints accompanied both pieces of correspondence. Hollingsworth said the FCC's letter to Dixon was not deliverable to his address on record at the time in Oakhurst. He said the letter has been remailed to Dixon's current address in San Diego, which was updated in the FCC's database September 22. In other enforcement news, Hollingsworth wrote Gary A. Jaworske, KB8ZNS, and Zachary J. Jaworske, KB8YYG, both of Strongsville, Ohio, August 19 to tell both licensees that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) had referred their renewal applications to the Enforcement Bureau for review. "That action was taken based upon a complaint filed against you alleging that you are marketing non-certified radio transmitters and that you are modifying certified radio equipment to cause it to operate on unauthorized frequencies and at power limits that violate Commission rules," Hollingsworth told both licensees. The Jaworskes have the same address but their relationship is not known. Both Jaworskes are Technician licensees. Zachary Jaworske's license expired on April 19, while Gary Jaworske's ticket expired May 17, 2005. Since their renewal applications were timely filed, both will be permitted to continue to operate, despite the fact that their renewal applications now are in "pending" status. Hollingsworth said the complaint, if valid, "raised serious questions regarding your qualifications to retain an amateur license." He asked each to respond to the complaints within 30 days. Hollingsworth said that he's heard nothing from either licensee to date. The FCC also wrote Anthony J. Lomenzo, ex-KD4DVW, of Sunrise, Florida, on September 1 citing "monitoring information" indicating that Lomenzo had been transmitting on various 2-meter repeaters in the Sunrise area. Lomenzo did not renew his license before it expired in 2002. Hollingsworth noted that FCC records indicate that in 1999, Lomenzo received a Warning Notice regarding interference to repeaters in the Sunrise area. ==>AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNITY STEPS UP TO THE PLATE FOR KATRINA RELIEF Nearly three dozen members of the Amateur Radio industry and individual radio amateurs have contributed equipment for use in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The disaster wiped out the Amateur Radio infrastructure in many US Gulf Coast communities. The donations were made as gifts to ARRL, which is redirecting these resources as needed to the disaster zone. Some donors have offered valuable services and supplies. "The ARRL would like to thank everyone who has generously donated Amateur Radio equipment, accessories and supplies," said ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B. He said some of the equipment already on hand has been or soon will be deployed to assist relief agencies such as the American Red Cross as well as state and local emergency managers. The ARRL will hold in reserve equipment not needed in the Katrina response to aid volunteers in future disaster situations. Here's an a list in alphabetical order by contributors, as of September 23. Acom Antennas and amplifier Array Solutions Antennas Bushcomm Pty Ltd Antennas Gregory Boots, N4MKG Amplifier and antenna tuner Cable X-PERTS Inc Assembled coax and barrel connectors Degen Designs Offer to make antennas Tony Drake, KC4OBY AA batteries from Squad Technologies LLC Duracell AA batteries DX Engineering Vertical antennas and radial kits Ensinger Research Offer of Yagi antennas Handey's Electronic Ctr Coax cable Heil Sound Ltd Headsets ICOM America VHF and HF transceivers Innergy Power Portable solar panels Kenwood Communications VHF and HF transceivers LDG Electronics Antenna tuners Long's Electronics AA batteries M2 Antenna Systems Inc Yagi antennas McKesson Corporation AA batteries MFJ Enterprises Power supplies NCG Company Base antennas, masts, tripods Nifty! Ham Accessories Offer to supply quick reference guides OPEK Technologies Antennas R&L Electronics Antennas Samlex America Power supplies Sharp Mfg Co of America Offer to supply solar modules Squad Technologies LLC AA batteries Bob Wallace, K4YNT Amplifier and antenna tuner The Wireman Inc Assembled lengths of coax Timewave Technology Inc Offer of technical support and hardware West Mountain Radio DC power products Yaesu USA (Vertex-Standard) VHF mobile and handheld transceivers Cash donations are also being accepted by the ARRL to support hams in the field assisting with emergency communications and relief efforts in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina. These funds will be used to provide reimbursement for personal expenses incurred by hams as they volunteer in the field. To make a donation go to the secure ARRL general donation form <https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/basic/> and select "Ham Aid." ==>SOLAR UPDATE Astral aficionado Tad "I Live for the Sun" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity quieted down this week after a recent tumultuous period marked by aurora and geomagnetic storms. Average daily sunspot numbers dropped to 46--more than 25 points below the previous week. Average daily solar flux declined by more than 9 points to 100.3. Sunspot numbers are expected to stay low, rising again after October 3. Geomagnetic conditions should also stay low, with unsettled conditions possible around September 27-29. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet to unsettled conditions September 23-24, quiet September 25-26, active conditions September 27 and unsettled conditions September 28-29. Fall has now begun. Despite the low solar activity, conditions are more seasonally favorable for HF propagation. The lower geomagnetic activity is a plus for HF conditions. Sunspot numbers for September 15 through 21 were 77, 51, 59, 50, 43, 23 and 19, with a mean of 46. The 10.7 cm flux was 119.4, 112, 103.9, 102.2, 91.1, 87.8, and 86, with a mean of 100.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 43, 18, 12, 12, 8, 6 and 5, with a mean of 14.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 22, 11, 10, 8, 8, 3 and 3, with a mean of 9.3. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: The CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY), the Tesla Cup (SSB+CW), the Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB), the Texas QSO Party, the AGCW VHF/UHF Contest (144+432 MHz) and the UBA ON Contest (6 m) are the weekend of September 24-25. JUST AHEAD: The Fall QRP Homebrewer Sprint is September 26. The 222 MHz Fall Sprint is September 27. The California QSO Party, the TARA PSK Rumble Contest, the Oceania DX Contest (SSB), the International HELL-Contest, the EU Autumn Sprint (SSB), the PRO CW Contest, the UBA ON Contest (SSB) and the RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest (SSB) are the weekend of Oct 1-2. The German Telegraphy Contest is October 3. The YLRL Anniversary Party (CW) is October 5-7. the 432 MHz Fall Sprint is October 5 and the SARL 80-Meter QSO Party is October 6. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. * Bill Seabreeze, W3IY, SK: Well-known VHF-UHF and microwave enthusiast William B. "Bill" Seabreeze, W3IY, of Sterling, Virginia, died September 19 of cancer. He was 54. First licensed in 1965 as WN3EIY, Seabreeze soon gravitated into the realm of VHF and microwave operation, which became his lifelong passion. "Virtually every VHF operator on the East Coast knew Bill as a friend," James Ahlgren, W4RX, said in comments posted to several reflectors. "Throughout his life he Elmered up-and-coming VHF operators. His laboratory was always available to help solve our technical problems and to get our equipment working." Seabreeze was a member of the ARRL and of the Potomac Valley Radio Club, and he regularly participated as a "rover" station in VHF-UHF events. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, said Seabreeze was a good sounding board. "His wit and wisdom were always good to have when discussing VHF/UHF/SHF issues," Henderson said. "Even during his illness, Bill was committed to helping make the ARRL's VHF/UHF/SHF contest program an asset." Seabreeze contributed contest results articles for VHF-UHF-microwave events for QST and the ARRL Web site. Professionally, he was vice president for engineering of Microcube Corp in Leesburg, Virginia. Survivors include his wife Kathy and a son and daughter. * Short stories on most memorable contact due October 1: The deadline is Saturday, October 1, to submit short stories (150 words maximum) about your most memorable contact. Summaries should include who was involved, when it happened and why you haven't forgotten it. The events described must have actually happened, and you can include a photo if you wish. Details are in September 2005 QST, page 20. Send your story via e-mail to qst@arrl.org or via the USPS to 10 Best Stories, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. We'll publish the 10 best stories--according to the judges--in an upcoming issue of QST. Each winner will receive a copy of the latest ARRL Repeater Directory. * ARRL renewing memberships of those affected by Katrina: ARRL Circulation Manager Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, says ARRL is renewing, for one year, the memberships of those living in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. "For now, we are renewing the memberships for those whose memberships expire between now and the end of this year--a total of 80," she explains. Since the US Postal Service has suspended delivery for Periodical Class mail (the way QST is mailed) to a number of ZIP codes along the Gulf Coast, QST is not being mailed to those areas. "We are monitoring the postal suspensions very closely to determine when we can again mail issues to these areas," Capodicasa added. She asks that members changing their mailing address or requesting replacement copies of QST contact the Circulation Desk, 860-594-0338; <circulation@arrl.org>. * New W0 QSL Bureau manager, address announced: The W0 Incoming QSL Bureau has a new manager and a new address. Effective immediately, Norm McCourt, AC0N, will take over the volunteer position from Rick Barnett, KB0U. The new address is W0 QSL Bureau, PO Box 907, Florissant, MO 63032. ARRL Midwest Division Director Wade Walstrom, W0EJ, expressed thanks to Barnett, the Kansas City DX Club, and "the host of sorters" throughout the tenth district for their dedication and hard work in making the bureau a success for the past 15 years. "We wish Rick the best as he starts a new job in Washington state," Walstrom said. "Also, thank you to AC0N and the Mississippi Valley DX and Contest Club for stepping forward to take over the bureau operation." For more information on US QSL bureaus, visit the ARRL Incoming QSL Bureau System page <http://www.arrl.org/qsl/qslin.html>. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President. The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise, and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest news, updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> offers access to news, informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast" compiled from The ARRL Letter. 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 and The American Radio Relay League. ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org ==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@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). 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