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New ARRL Partnership will Benefit Members 65+ |
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ARRL is pleased to announce a partnership with Grouper. Grouper provides benefits to ARRL members aged 65+ for staying active in their communities and these benefits include covering costs associated with your social activity. According to the United States Surgeon General, staying socially active in group activities has proven health benefits and is critical for older Americans, who have above-average risks of social isolation and depression.
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For ARRL members with an eligible Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you’ll receive a $50 check from Grouper. In addition, if you continue to stay active in ARRL activities -- such as attending ARRL Affiliated Club meetings, getting on the air with friends, going to hamfests, or even just socializing with other members at the coffee shop -- Grouper will send you a $20 social wellness incentive every three months.
From ARRL contests to Field Day and radio club meetings, ARRL and amateur radio activities keep our members socially connected and promote a healthier, more fulfilling life. We know you value community and camaraderie. Let Grouper support those values.
To redeem your benefit, visit https://hellogrouper.com/arrl.
Questions?
Please contact Grouper’s Member Engagement Team at 833-445-2400 or info@hellogrouper.com.
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ARRL Philanthropist, Radar Detector Pioneer, Michael Valentine, W8MM, Silent Key |
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Michael “Mike” D. Valentine, W8MM, SK | 1949 - 2024 | | |
Michael “Mike” D. Valentine, W8MM, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024. He was 74. Mike and his wife of 51 years, Margaret “Peg” K. Valentine, have been the most generous individual supporters of ARRL® The National Association of Amateur Radio®. Valentine earned his amateur radio license as a teenager.
“I was first licensed as WN8MSF and WA8MSF, simultaneously in the spring of my freshman year in high school, 1964. I was a combo Novice and Technician, as was customary in those days for technically proficient beginners…,” he wrote in his biography for the Quarter Century Wireless Association.
His interests in amateur radio and electronics led Valentine to enter the electrical engineering program at the University of Cincinnati, where he met Peg.
He was selected by the R.
L. Drake Company as an engineering coop student.
He would go on to work for Drake and Cincinnati Electronics after graduation in 1973. He co-founded Cincinnati Microwave, maker of Escort radar detectors.
Mike and Peg founded Valentine Research in 1983. The company designs, manufactures, and sells electronic devices directly to users.
Their flagship model, the Valentine One®, and the Valentine One Gen2, brought many innovations in that space, including being the first radar detector to indicate the direction of the radar device relative to the vehicle.
Valentine and his products have been profiled many times in automotive enthusiast media.
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In 2023, ARRL awarded Michael, W8MM, and Margaret Valentine the inaugural Mary Hobart, K1MMH, Medal of Distinction. | | |
Together, the Valentines shared their success generously with many organizations including public television, higher education, the arts, and ARRL® The National Association for Amateur Radio®. The Valentines are the single biggest individual donors in ARRL history.
They are Millennium Class members of the ARRL Maxim Society.
Mike served on the ARRL Second Century Campaign Committee, which coincided with ARRL’s Centennial in 2014. The campaign, including the Valentine Challenge Fund which matched the dollar-for-dollar contributions of other donors, established an endowment to ensure ARRL’s ongoing commitment to amateur radio.
In 2023, ARRL awarded the Valentines the inaugural Mary Hobart, K1MMH, Medal of Distinction during a donor recognition event held in Dayton, Ohio.
“To say that the Valentines are great philanthropists is an understatement,” said ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, in remarks he made during the award presentation.
“Mike and Peg have invested significantly in supporting the future of amateur radio.
They have set the example for all our donors with their philanthropic leadership.”
In addition to his successful business pursuits and exceptional generosity to many organizations, Valentine could often be found cheering at University of Cincinnati Bearcats games, operating ham radio, and driving sports cars.
The Cincinnati Enquirer
has published a Life Story with these additional details: A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 9:30 AM until time of funeral service at 11:00 AM, at the Covenant First Presbyterian Church, 717 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. A reception will immediately follow in the Parish Hall.
Burial will be held privately at Spring Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mike's memory to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or The Matthew Mangine Jr.
One Shot Foundation.
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ARRL Section Managers Gather for Training at Headquarters |
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The ARRL Field Organization is divided geographically into 71 sections. A key volunteer that members in each section elect is the Section Manager. These ARRL member-volunteers take a critical role in being the front line of the organization to members.
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, 13 ARRL Section Managers gathered at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, for training.
ARRL staff members gave them a detailed overview of what the association does on a daily basis, and how the resources from HQ can serve members out in the sections.
ARRL Field Service Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, serves as the point of contact for Section Managers.
“These folks have taken on a tremendous responsibility to serve ARRL members and ham radio in general.
They’re the ones who facilitate the work of ARRL in the field, and we want to make sure they have every tool available to them,” said Walters.
After a day of hard work in the conference room, the group of volunteers activated W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station.
Section Managers in attendance include: Scott Bauer, W2LC, of Western New York; Matthew Crook, W1MRC, of Santa Clara Valley; Carmen Greene, KP4QVQ, of Puerto Rico; Steven Keller, KC3DSO, of Delaware; Bruce Kripton, AG6X, of San Diego; Alan Maenchen, AD6E, of Pacific; Jon McCombie, N1ILZ of Eastern Massachusetts; Antonis Papatsaras, AA6PP, of San Francisco; Houston Polson, N5YS, of Louisiana; Scott Rosenfeld, N7JI, of Oregon; Douglas Sharafonowich, WA1SFH, of Connecticut; and Chris Van Winkle, AB3WG, of Maryland-DC. Also in attendance was ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Scott Yonally, N8SY.
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A photo of the workshop attendees. | | | |
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National Preparedness Month - Station Readiness |
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As ARRL continues the September series on National Preparedness Month, we turn to a critical element for radio amateurs and especially Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®)
volunteers: their station.
Many hams have a home station from which we operate on a regular basis.
Is your station set up to operate or have the ability to operate off the grid or on alternate power sources? There are many ways to set this up to run on battery power and could even be done temporarily if you don’t have a permanent battery backup situation.
ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, says it is easier than ever to have a backup.
“With the new batteries out there, and solar technology both improving in quality and decreasing in price, building a resilient station is no longer difficult or expensive,” he said. Johnston encourages ham radio operators to think about powering more than just the radio on an alternate power source.
“Do you have lights that could run off the battery source? Do you have an alternate power source for your computer? What about your internet connection? Is there a backup for it?” he asked.
Johnston says backup generators are great but sometimes are only fed to certain circuits in your home.
Amateurs should test their ham station to ensure that it is powered by the generator.
If the whole house system does not power the station, a portable generator could be an option.
The key is to test the system under blue sky conditions to ensure it works, check for RF noise, and potential power drop.
Having backup antennas is also crucial.
“Especially if we are dealing with storms, it may be useful to have alternate antennas on hand, especially for HF and VHF,” said Johnston.
SEE PREVIOUS STORIES:
https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-ensuring-family-safety
https://www.arrl.org/news/resilience-through-amateur-radio-for-national-preparedness-month
https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-have-a-go-kit
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Jamboree On - The - Air (JOTA) and Jamboree On - The - Internet (JOTI)
is the world’s largest digital Scout event using amateur radio and the internet.
The event, to be held October 18 - 20, 2024, connects scouts worldwide for a full weekend of online activities that promote friendship and global citizenship.
Millions of scouts participate and during the 2014 event, worldwide Scouting participation included 1.1 million Boy Scouts and 200,000 Girl Guides/Girl Scouts, for a total participation of over 1.3 million--the largest Scouting event in the world.
Amateur radio operators use their stations to allow the scouts to make contracts.
While many scouts are licensed radio operators, the majority participate in JOTA/JOTI through stations operated by local radio clubs and individual radio amateurs.
Some operators use television or computer-linked communications.
Throughout the years, JOTA/JOTI amateur radio stations have been set up in unusual locations including the top of a mountain or on a boat.
The event also features a variety of informal education activities, including webinars, global campfires, talent shows, live shows, fun challenges and more through an interactive 3D campsite.
More information about JOTA/JOTI, including rules, regulations, callsigns and worldwide frequencies can be found at Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) (arrl.org). Additional information is available in the JOTA-JOTI Ham Radio Handbook.
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Amateur Radio in the News |
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“Our Treasures: Amateur radio club a portal to the world” / The Northern Advocate (New Zealand) September 4, 2024 -- The Whangārei Amateur Radio Club.
“Amid wildfires and spotty cell service, Northstate residents turn to ham radios” / KRCR Chico-Redding (California) September 9,2024 -- Western Amateur Radio Repeater and Echolink Association.
“Peoria area amateur radio operators announce annual Midwest Superfest gathering”/ News25 (Peoria, Illinois) September 16, 2024 -- The Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.
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On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
A Tour of 10 Meters
The 10-meter band offers something for hams of every license class, including Technicians, who can use voice, Morse code, and digital modes on this band. Scott Freeberg, WA9WFA, joins this episode of the podcast to take us on “A Tour of 10 Meters,” and to explain why right now is the best time to get on the band, thanks to the terrific radio wave propagation being generated by Solar Cycle 25.
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ARRL Audio News
Listen to 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
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There is time to plan participation in this year’s Amplitude Modulation International (AMI) Jamboree 2024, starting at dusk November 29 and ending at dawn on December 1. The event is open to all amateur radio operators who have equipment to operate on the designated amateur AM bands. John McGrath, N9AMI, AMI Executive Director, said the jamboree is not a contest. “I like to call this an AM rally or AM operating event promoting the use of AM, camaraderie, and friendship.” In the late 1980s, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new rules that would effectively lower the “legal limit” output power of homebrew and commercially manufactured amateur AM transmitters. The FCC adopted the new rules but added a ten-year grandfather clause to allow AM stations to continue operating at high power until the new power limit took effect. Dale Gagnon, KW1I, one of AMI’s founders, said the good news that came out of this change was a strong FCC statement in support of AM’s continuing importance in amateur radio in the United States. There are four categories for operation. Any rig or transmitter/receiver combo may be used except for broadcast transmitters, which have their own category. All information about operating power, bands, and certificates is available at the AMI
website.
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The Fall 2024 Classic Exchange (CX) event will take place October 13 - 16, 1300Z to 0700Z for phone contacts. CW contact days are October 20 - 23 from 1300Z to 0700Z. The CX is a twice-yearly operating event organized as a contest but is a low pressure activity, with many rag chews and mostly talk about equipment of the past... vacuum tube radios. Amateur radio operators will be reminded what it was like to tune the older radios and offers collectors of these memorable rigs an opportunity to use and enjoy them. Additionally, it gives owners of modern equipment an opportunity to hear how the old rigs sound on the air. CX began 50 years ago when Stu Stephens, K8SJ (SK), his brother Al, and Bob Morgan, K8RBV, were “waxing” nostalgic about their early 50s gear. Current CX organizers are Ron Pollack, N2RP, and Mark Bell, K3MSB. All rules and more information about CX can be found at the Classic Exchange Website.
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This image was taken on September 19, 2024. [Photo courtesy of NASA SDO/HMI] | | |
For this Friday’s ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP038:
Solar activity was quiet over the past week, but geomagnetic numbers were way, way up.
Average daily sunspot numbers dropped from 178.4 to 120, and average daily solar flux from 223.7 to 175.7.
The average daily planetary A index rocketed from 7.9 to 35.7, and middle latitude numbers from 11.1 to 23.4.
Six new sunspot groups emerged over the past week: one each on September 13 and 14, two on September 16, and two each on September 17 and 18.
Predicted solar flux is 162 on September 19; 155 on September 20 – 21; 158 on September 22 – 23; 150 and 153 on September 24 – 25; then a huge leap to 235, 230 and 225 on September 26 – 28; 240 on September 29 through October 2; 230 on October 3; 220 on October 4 - 5, then 215, 205 and 207 on October 6 - 8.
Predicted planetary A index is 8, 5, 10 and 8 on September 19 – 22; 5 on September 23 – 25; 25 on September 26 – 27; 15 and 10 on September 28 – 29; 5 on September 30 through October 4; 10 on October 5 - 6, and 5 on October 7 - 9.
Sunspot numbers for September 12 through 18, 2024, were 160, 127, 136, 68, 103, 140, and 106, with a mean of 120. The 10.7 -centimeter flux was 201.2, 185.8, 172.4, 172.8, 169.2, 165.4, and 163.3, with a mean of 175.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 67, 37, 21, 19, 23, 71, and 12, with a mean of 35.7. Middle latitude A index was 36, 22, 22, 16, 19, 39, and 10, with a mean of 23.4.
Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7ra@arrl.net.
A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
the ARRL Technical Information Service, read
"What the Numbers Mean...," and check out
the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.
A propagation bulletin archive
is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio
website.
Share
your reports and observations.
A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News.
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September 19 - 20 Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
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September 19 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)
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September 19 -- NTC QSO Party (CW)
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September 20 -- AGB NEMIGA Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 - 22 -- ARRL EME Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 - 23 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 - 22 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest (CW)
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September 21 - 22 -- New Jersey QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 - 22 -- Iowa QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 - 22 -- Texas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 -- Wisconsin Parks on the Air (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 - 22 -- New Hampshire QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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September 21 - 22 -- Washington State Salmon Run (CW, phone)
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September 25 - 432 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital)
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September 24 -- UKEICC 80m Contest (CW)
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September 26 -- RSGB 80m Autumn Series, Data (Dig)
Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar for more events and information.
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Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions |
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September 20 - 22 | Duke City Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL New Mexico State Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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September 21 - 22 | Midwest Superfest, sponsoring the ARRL Illinois Section Convention, Chillicothe, Illinois
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September 28 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota
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October 5 | Wichita Area Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Kansas State Convention, Wichita, Kansas
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October 5 | Northstar Radio Convention, sponsoring the ARRL Minnesota State Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
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October 12 | Rock Hill Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL South Carolina Section Convention, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
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October 13 | Nutmeg Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut
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October 18 - 20 | Pacificon, sponsoring the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
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November 2 | Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference 2024, sponsoring the ARRL Wisconsin State Convention, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
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November 2 -3 |Stone Mountain Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database
to find events in your area.
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Have News for ARRL?
Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor
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ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
Join ARRL or renew today!
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: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.
The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to the Blind-hams Groups.io
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. Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and QSO parties.
QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. 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
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!
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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.
Copyright © 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.
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