National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC Sets On-The-Air Station Test

The annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami takes place Saturday, May 31, 1300-2100 UTC. "The purpose of this annual Station Test is to test all of our radio equipment, computers and antennas using as many modes and frequencies as possible. This is not a contest or simulated hurricane exercise. New equipment and software will be tested, and some operator training will also be conducted," says WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. He adds that WX4NHC also will be testing new computers and software as well conducting operator training.

New Russian Satellite in Orbit

A Russian rocket launched from Plesetsk on May 23 carried a number of payloads to orbit, including a new Amateur Radio satellite named Yubileiny -- Russian for jubilee -- since christened Radio Sputnik 30 (RS-30). Operational details are vague at this time. Amateurs throughout the world report receiving signals at 435.315 and 435.215 MHz; some report reception of CW telemetry while others report what appear to be image transmissions from the satellite. RS-30 is orbiting at a maximum altitude of 1500 km, creating a substantial communications footprint below. The satellite will broadcast audio and video about the history of the Soviet and Russian space programs, as well as signals imitating those broadcast by Sputnik in 1957. According to the satellite's launch team, "The motive for development of the Yubileiny small spacecraft was the 50th anniversary of the first space satellite. With the help of that satellite, the new space systems and equipment are expected to get flight qualification, and radio-amateurs all over the world will be able to receive information on the history of space development and domestic cosmonautics achievements."

ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration

Registration remains open through Sunday, June 8, 2008 for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, June 20, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003R2); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). 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 or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator.

First ARRL Book Published in China

The first of several ARRL books has been translated and published by Posts and Telecomnunications Press (PTPress) of Beijing, People's Republic of China. Getting Started with Ham Radio by QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, will be available for purchase in China next month. Other ARRL books to be translated and published in the PRC include The ARRL Handbook, ARRL Antenna Book, Experimental Methods in RF Design, Understanding Basic Electronics and Ham Radio on the Move.

Hams Heed the Call When Tornadoes Sweep Through Colorado

On Thursday, May 22 at approximately noon MDT, a large tornado touched down in northern Colorado near the town of Windsor. Windsor, with a population of nearly 19,000, is located approximately 10 miles southeast of Fort Collins, and 50 miles north of Denver. According to ARRL Colorado Section Manager Jeff Ryan, K0RM, initial reports indicated that there was the possibility of extensive damage. Ryan said that Colorado ARES District 10 was activated and David Markham, W0CBI, the Colorado Section Emergency Coordinator, monitored the situation.

Chinese Officials Give Kudos to Amateur Radio Operators

As disaster recovery efforts continue following the earthquake in the Wenchuan area of China's Sichuan province on May 12, China's Information Office of the State Council reports that the death toll has reached 67,183 persons as of May 27. Communications in some of the surrounding areas were cut off, and communications in some other areas experienced network congestion due to drastically increased traffic. According to the Chinese Radio Sports Association (CRSA) -- the Chinese IARU Member-Society -- Chinese government officials and the news media have recognized that when communications failed after the earthquake, Amateur Radio operators stepped in to provide vital links.

More Information on Inverter Generators Available

The June issue of QST features a technical article by former QST Editor Kirk A. Kleinschmidt, NT0Z, on different ac generator options. As noted in that article, the inverter generator type power system currently provides the most suitable power for running radio gear at an ARRL Field Day or other remote operation. As promised in the article, more details on inverter generators are provided on the ARRL Web. Click here for the whole story.

Notes from the ARRL Contest Branch

ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X -- after receiving numerous requests -- has started an ARRL Blog called "Notes from the Contest Branch."

New Version of DX Summit Goes Live May 23

Since 1998, OH2AQ DX Summit, the Web-based spotting network portal, has been a tool for DX hunting and spotting. Ten years after its inception and introduction to Amateur Radio operators in search of that rare DX station once only dreamed about, a new DX Summit is being released on Friday, May 23 at 1600 UTC.

Surfin': You Too on YouTube and Star Wars

This week, scramble to assorted Web sites to view videos that are ham radio inspired and/or inspiring to ham radio.

Commerce’s NTIA Announces Consumer Alert About Microprose Converters

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, today issued the following consumer alert about the Microprose MPI-500 and MPI-500PT digital-to-analog converter boxes. Statements about the models were made in a May 20 press release by the Community Broadcasters Association and Microprose Systems LLC. NTIA is discussing the announcement with these organizations.

DTV NPRM: Households and Nursing Homes

NTIA published a Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule Making proposing changes affecting its Digital-To-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program rules such as waiving the "eligible household" application requirements for individuals residing in nursing homes or other senior care facilities.

Gutierrez: 300 Days to DTV Transition

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez noted that 300 days remain until the digital TV transition and urged Americans to redeem TV converter box coupons within required 90-Day timeframe.

1710-1755 MHz Spectrum Relocation Report

NTIA has released the First Annual Progress Report on the Relocation of Federal users from the 1710-1755 MHZ Spectrum Band, which details progress from the commencement of relocation activity in March 2007 through December 2007.

Spectrum Management Advisors to Meet

NTIA has published a notice announcing a public meeting of the Spectrum Management Advisory Committee on April 30, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the U.S. Department of Commerce Herbert C. Hoover Building, 1401 Constitution Avenue N.W., Room 1412, Washington, DC.

Commerce Announces 10 Millionth DTV Coupon

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced over 10 million coupons have been requested since the launch of the TV Converter Box Program on January 1, 2008. The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. 

NTIA Testimony: Oversight of the DTV Transition

On April 8, Meredith A. Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Acting Administrator, testified before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, regarding " Oversight of the DTV Transition."

NTIA "Digital TV: Experience the Benefits"

Commerce's NTIA Works with Local Community Groups to Educate Consumers About the Benefits of the Digital TV Transition and Coupon Program: NTIA today kicked off "Digital Television: Experience the Benefits", an effort with local organizations across the country to educate consumers about the benefits of the digital TV transition and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan Released

NTIA today released a comprehensive report on the use of the nation’s airwaves used by the U.S. federal government, based on submissions of spectrum plans from 15 Federal agencies. The report titled, The Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan, is a key component of President Bush’s 21st Century Spectrum Policy Initiative for improving the management of spectrum by federal agencies.

Free Software vs. Software-as-a-Service: Is the GPL Too Weak for the Web?