 February 3, 2011 John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor
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Scouting: Boy Scouts of America and ARRL Team Up to Help Scouts Learn Communications Skills After working together for nearly a century to provide Scouts with the ability to learn radio communication skills, Boy Scouts of America and the ARRL have officially teamed up by signing a memorandum of understanding. This MOU designates the ARRL as a key resource for K2BSA and Radio Merit Badge training at the BSA National Scout Jamboree and establishes the ARRL as the go-to source for Scouts interested in learning about and becoming involved in radio communication.
BSA Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca and ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, launched the partnership January 31 by holding a unique communications meeting. Mazzuca joined Craigie virtually during an Internet video conference and document-signing ceremony. From separate locations, the pair took the opportunity to talk about the importance of each organization to the ongoing development of the other. "Throughout the years, going all the way back to the Wireless Merit Badge in 1918, the ARRL has worked hand-in-hand with Boy Scouts of America to help teach Scouts the skills and joys of radio communication," said Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca. "Today, we are making official a relationship that has been beneficial for both of our organizations for nearly a century." [Read more here] Board of Directors: President Craigie Appoints Former SM William Hudzik as Hudson Division Vice Director After review of eligibility by the ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee, President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has appointed William W. Hudzik, W2UDT, of Gillette, New Jersey, to serve as Vice Director of the ARRL's Hudson Division for the remainder of the current term that expires January 1, 2013. Hudzik fills the vacancy created when Frank Fallon, N2FF, retired from the ARRL Board of Directors after more than 14 years of service and his Vice Director, Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF, assumed the Director position. Read more here. Legislative Matters: Amateur Radio Bill Introduced in the US Senate On January 26, Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), along with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), introduced Senate Bill 191, The Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Enhancement Act of 2011. Similar to HR 81, introduced in the US House by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) on January 5, the bill, if passed, would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake a study on emergency communications. S 191 has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Lieberman is the Chairman of the committee, while Collins is the Ranking Member. Read more here. ARRL Field Day: 2011 Field Day Packet Available It's that time of year again -- time to start gearing up for ARRL Field Day, June 25-26, 2011! ARRL's flagship operating event -- always held the fourth full weekend in June -- brings together new and experienced hams for 24 hours of operating fun. Field Day packets are now available for download and include the complete rules (including a change for 2011), as well as other reference items such as forms, ARRL Section abbreviation list, entry submission instructions, a Frequently Asked Questions section, guidelines for getting bonus points, instructions for GOTA stations and a kit to publicize your event with the local press.
There is one rule change for 2011. Starting this year, all stations operating in Class A may use a free VHF station without increasing their operating category. This is designed to encourage more activity on the VHF bands, especially 6 and 2 meters, during the best sporadic-E season of the year. We have also included in the FD packet a brief one-page flier with basic "What is Field Day" information that may be reproduced as a handout for your information table.
ARRL Audio News to Resume February 10 There will be no Audio News this week. It will resume next Thursday, February 10.
Take a (Video) Tour of W1AW Click here to watch a video tour of W1AW, conducted by Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. Scroll down the page until you come to VIDEO: W1AW. Vote for your Favorite Article in the February Issue of QST Now's the time to cast your vote for your favorite article in the February 2011 issue of QST. Just head to the Cover Plaque Award page and click on the article of your choice. The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for January is Jim Koehler, VE5FP, for his article "Reflow Soldering for the Radio Amateur." Congratulations Jim! Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: The past week had a single zero sunspot day, on Thursday, January 27. Activity came right back, but the average daily sunspot number for the week fell over 12 points to 20.1, and average daily solar flux declined 2.7 points to 80.8.
Predicted solar flux values for the next week are below the average for the previous seven days. Values forecast by NOAA/USAF for solar flux are 78 on February 3-8, 76 on February 9-10, then 80, 80 and 82 on February 11-13. Predicted A index on February 3-5 is 15, 8 and 8, followed by 5 for February 6-28. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, February 4. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This Week on the Radio This week:
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
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