• Senator Blumenthal Supports Amateur Radio at Senate Confirmation Hearing
• Senate Confirms FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a New Term
• ARRL Executive Committee Meets
• ARRL Podcasts Schedule
• ARDC Grant Will Expand RMHAM's 5 GHz Microwave Network in the Rockies
• ARRL Learning Network Webinars
• November 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
• Amateur Radio in the News
• Replica Transmitter will be On the Air to Mark Transatlantic Test Success
• Announcements
• ARRL Seeks News Editor
• World's Smallest Moon Lander from Japan will Put Ham Radio Transmitter on the Moon
• WSJT-X Development Group Partner Bill Somerville, G4WJS, SK
• In Brief...
• The K7RA Solar Update
• Just Ahead in Radiosport
• Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) received an affirmative reply from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel when he asked her to commit to providing his office "an update on the steps that the FCC is taking to support amateur radio operators." The Senator posed the written

US Senator Richard Blumenthal

question as part of Rosenworcel's renomination hearing conducted by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

Blumenthal noted specifically that "Radio amateurs voluntarily provide an array of public services, especially emergency and disaster-related support communications when infrastructure has been destroyed by a hurricane or similar disaster. Their contributions in this area are regularly recognized by local and state authorities."

"ARRL is grateful to Senator Blumenthal for his support and recognition of radio amateurs," said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. Blumenthal has previously co-sponsored legislation supporting amateur radio, and his staff was recently briefed by ARRL on pending amateur radio matters at the FCC. Roderick added, "We need the partnership of the FCC and Congress to ensure our rules and spectrum continue to support the march of technological innovation in our vibrant Amateur Radio Service."

Multiple proceedings to update or change the FCC's Amateur Radio Service Part 97 rules to account for changes in technology and operating practices have been languishing at the FCC, some going back five or more years. ARRL is hopeful that these will be addressed soon.

On December 7, the US Senate confirmed FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a new term on the Commission with a vote of 68 - 31. President Joe Biden appointed Rosenworcel as Chair of the FCC in late October. For now, the FCC will continue with two Democrats and two Republicans led by Chairwoman Rosenworcel.

The chairwoman said in a statement after the Senate confirmed her nomination, "People across the country count on the FCC to support the connections they need for work, learning, healthcare, and access to the information we require to make decisions about our lives, our communities, and our country. I look forward to working with the Administration, my colleagues on the Commission and FCC staff, members of Congress, and the public to make the promise of modern communications a reality for everyone, everywhere."

The nomination of a fifth commissioner remains pending before the Senate. Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee conducted a hearing on President Biden's nominee, Gigi Sohn, for the remaining Democratic seat. Committee and full Senate votes on her nomination have not yet been scheduled. -- Thanks to ARRL Public Relations and Innovation Projects Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R

The ARRL Executive Committee met on October 25 in virtual session, with President Rick Roderick, K5UR, presiding.

In his report, CEO David Minster, NA2AA, noted that the revised ARRL Articles of Incorporation approved during the July 2021 Board meeting had been filed with the State of Connecticut. He also discussed the delayed timing of the delivery of the December issue of QST. He advised that Members should expect to receive their December issue about a week late. Minster also said ARRL is expecting an increase in the price it pays for paper, effective in February 2022. He said it's not yet clear whether the impact of the increase in paper costs would be short- or long-term.

CEO Minster reported he had met with ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, on October 22 at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut, to observe ARRL participation in an emergency management exercise that concluded on October 23. Walters, on behalf of ARRL, participated in all 3 days of the exercise.

ARRL FCC Counsel David Siddall, K3ZJ, discussed recent efforts at the FCC and on Capitol Hill advocating FCC action on long-pending proceedings that address Amateur Radio concerns. Siddall also addressed new legislation pending before Congress that would set deadlines for the allocation of additional spectrum below 3.45 GHz to commercial 5G providers. He described ARRL's efforts to obtain support for allowing continued sharing below 3.45 GHz on a non-interference basis.

FCC Counsel Siddall noted an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PS Docket 21-346) looking into ways of improving communications resiliency and recovery during hurricanes and other disasters. He said ARRL had submitted reports to FCC staff during and immediately following Hurricane Ida.

Siddall further noted the progress of the ARRL RF Safety Committee in addressing and clarifying issues concerning amateur compliance with FCC RF exposure rules and appropriate updates to the related FCC bulletin. He concluded that the work of the Committee, under the leadership of Greg Lapin, N9GL, will benefit every amateur in the future to more readily assess RF exposure compliance and to make any adjustments needed.

West Gulf Division Director, EC member, and Chairman of the Legislative Advocacy Committee, John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, updated the EC on the status of a resolution introduced in Congress by US Representative Debbie Lesko of Arizona to declare April 18, 2022 as National Amateur Radio Operators Day.

Director Stratton also advised the EC that the Legal Structure Review Committee was reviewing the Articles of Association, By-Laws, and Standing Orders with an eye toward recommending any needed changes at the January 2022 Board meeting.

The Executive Committee meets again on December 13.

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 24) features tips about how to improve the effective range of your handheld transceiver.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 48) of the Eclectic Tech podcast features a conversation about the technical aspects of the 1921 Transatlantic Tests with Clark Burgard, N1BCG. We also chat about on-air activities surrounding the upcoming anniversary.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android) as well as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

A grant of $374,233 from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) to Rocky Mountain Ham Radio (RMHAM) will go toward expanding a multistate 5 GHz microwave network and help to outfit communications trailers.

The microwave network enables partnering amateur radio clubs and groups to access, enable, or expand their repeater and other FCC Part 97-appropriate applications. The network provides 50 - 100+ Mbps of bandwidth and is managed and monitored by a dedicated network operations team.

In Colorado, RMHAM will be able to grow its microwave network by 23 new microwave sites and 20 new point-to-point spans to expand IP connectivity and future repeater coverage across the western slope of Colorado and along the I-70 and I-76 corridors in eastern Colorado.

In New Mexico, RMHAM will grow its microwave network by 16 sites and 15 new point-to-point spans to expand IP connectivity and

future repeater coverage south from Albuquerque to El Paso, Texas; along US Route 550 to Durango, Colorado, and across the Rio Grande Valley to Alamogordo, New Mexico. The club will also expand RMHAM digital repeater coverage (DMR or D-STAR, depending on coverage gaps) across New Mexico through the addition of seven repeaters co-located at their proposed new microwave sites.

As a result of the grant, RMHAM will also be able to upgrade its Colorado communications trailer, which offers both RF and IP connectivity, and to outfit a new trailer for service in New Mexico.

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register, check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Have an interesting topic you want to share? The ARRL Learning Network is a series of online webinars presented by member-volunteers for members. Presentations should be short -- 30 minutes plus an additional 15-minutes for Q&A.

Submission topics should be of interest to a broad audience of hams, particularly those either new to amateur radio or experienced hams looking to learn about a new way to get involved!

Selected presenters will be contacted and invited to schedule their webinar from a list of upcoming available date/time slots. An ARRL staff member will help coordinate the details with you, so you'll be ready for your presentation day. For more information, email ARRL Education and Learning.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings, mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

This is the November 2021 report of Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program activity. The VM program is a joint initiative between ARRL and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.

• Operators in Ardmore, Tennessee; Lithonia, Georgia; Coconut Creek and Miramar, Florida, and East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, were issued Advisory Notices regarding excessive bandwidth, contrary to FCC rules. The operators were transmitting on SSB with bandwidths of 8 to 9 kHz.

• Advisory Notices were issued to operators in Northridge (Los Angeles) and Hemet, California, for interference to repeaters. Both operators had been requested by the repeater trustees to cease using the repeaters. The Advisory Notice issued to the Northridge operator cited broadcasting and failure to identify, and it informed them that the FCC was requested not to grant their upcoming renewal application unless the case was resolved.

• An Advisory Notice was issued to an operator in Powell, Wyoming, for transmitting overdriven FT8 signals that resulted in spurious emissions. The operator has since corrected the problem.

• General-class operators in Bartonville, Illinois, and St. Clair, Michigan, were issued Advisory Notices for operation in the Amateur Extra-class portion of 40 meters. A Technician-class licensee in Windber, Pennsylvania, was issued an Advisory Notice for operating in the General-class portion of 75 meters.

• One case was referred to the FCC for enforcement action and review of a license renewal application. The FCC referred two cases to the VM Program.

Totals for VM monitoring during October were 2,939 hours on HF frequencies, and 3,282 hours on VHF frequencies and above, for a total of 6,221 hours. That is the highest number of hours monitoring since the inception of the VM Program. -- Thanks to Volunteer Monitor Program Administrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.

• "Making Contact with the Past: Operating Radios on USS North Carolina" SpectrumNews1, North Carolina (December 7, 2021)

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

A replica 1BCG transmitter will operate as W2AN/1BCG on ±1.820 MHz on CW, from The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut.

The 1BCG replica transmitter with room for additional 204-A tubes for more power.

"We're using type 204-A tubes," said Mark Erdle, AE2EA, of the Antique Wireless Association. "The original transmitter used type 204 tubes. The primary difference is that the 204-A tubes had a thoriated filament that reduced the filament current. Transmissions from W2AN/1BCG will be one way, just like the original transatlantic tests in 1921. An SWL certificate is available by emailing a copy of the transmitted message.

Transmissions start on December 11 at 2300 UTC continuing every 15 minutes until December 12 at 0400 UTC.

In a separate event on December 12 at 0252 UTC, The Radio Club of America's W2RCA will make a one-way transmission on 1825 kHz at 12 WPM CW, from Connecticut. RCA members constructed the original transmitter and "shack" used in Connecticut for the successful transatlantic transmissions. In addition to the original 1921 message, a new message will be transmitted that looks ahead to the next 100 years. Those who copy the message qualify for a certificate. -- Thanks to Mark Erdle, AE2EA, Antique Wireless Association, and to the Radio Club of America

ARRL and the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) have assembled a list of stations and groups that are organizing events and activities to celebrate 100 years of amateur radio transatlantic communication. Visit http://www.arrl.org/transatlantic and https://rsgb.org/transatlantic-tests. The sites also include links to many previously published articles and presentations covering the historic tests.

• The Hungarian Amateur Radio Association (MRASZ) has announced a program to lease radio equipment to beginning amateurs who cannot afford it. The loan period can be up to 2 and a half years. To be eligible, young operators must be MRASZ members, hold a valid license, and be able to install antennas. Supported applicants are expected to participate in club events and contests, and also report on their activities. -- Thanks to IRTS

• The results of the October ARRL School Club Roundup (SCR) are available on the ARRL Contests page. Click on "School Club Roundup, October" on the left side menu and then on "Scores" to view the results. The October event saw participation from 63 stations. The next SCR is February 14 - 18 2022.

• VD1M is on the air through the end of the December from the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA) from the Signal Hill National Historic Site, where Marconi heard the first transatlantic message on December 12, 1901.

• OH9SCL is again active from "Santa Claus Land" -- Finland's Lapland. Operation continues through December.

• The Italian Naval Old Rhythmers Club will have II1TCWC on the air (CW only) December 12 - 17 to mark 120 years since Marconi copied the first transatlantic message in Newfoundland on December 12, 1901.

• Paul Granger, F6EXV, reports that the official Crozet 2022 site is online.

ARRL is seeking a ham with a professional journalism background to handle ARRL's news function on a contract, remote basis. Candidates for ARRL News Editor should be plugged into the ham radio community, with a broad awareness of the major players (past and present) and the main issues (past, present, and potentially future) in the world of ham radio. Ideally, candidates will have professional journalism experience -- in particular, having a well-developed sense of knowing a potential news story when they see one, as well as how and where to research leads.

The News Editor creates news stories that are posted on ARRL's home page, and is responsible for publishing the weekly e-newsletter, The ARRL Letter, which is populated mainly by those stories and augmented by some special weekly material (a solar weather report, a contest calendar, a conventions calendar, etc.).

The News Editor is also responsible for creating the ARRL Audio News, a weekly audio show that presents stories from the home page and The ARRL Letter, and assembles the most relevant stories from ARRL home page into QST's monthly "Happenings" column.

For more information, contact ARRL Publications & Editorial Manager Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY.

Japan's OMOTENASHI, the world's smallest moon lander, will have an X-band and UHF communication system, although it will not carry an amateur band transponder. OMOTENASHI is a 6U CubeSat set for launch via a NASA SLS rocket as early as February 2022. It will have a mission period of from 4 to 5 days. The name is an acronym for Outstanding Moon Exploration Technologies demonstrated by Nano

Semi-Hard Impactor. Wataru Torii of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Ham Radio Club, JQ1ZVI, said radio amateurs can play a role in gathering data from the spacecraft.

The spacecraft is made up of two separable components, both having independent communication systems -- an orbiting module and a surface probe. The orbiting module will take the surface probe to the moon. It will transmit beacon or digital telemetry data on UHF (437.31 MHz). The surface probe -- the moon lander -- will transmit digital telemetry or three-axis acceleration analog-wave with FM modulation on UHF (437.41 MHz). Transmitter power will be 1 W in both cases.

"If we succeed in receiving the UHF signal from the surface probe, we could know the acceleration data on the impact on the moon and the success of the landing sequence," Torii explained.

"We already have a station for uplink and downlink at Wakayama in Japan -- used as an EME [moonbounce] station. However, if the satellite is invisible from Japan, we cannot receive the downlink signal. So, we need a lot of help from ham radio stations worldwide."

The orbiting module beacon will transmit on 437.31 MHz using PSK31. The surface probe beacon will transmit on 437.41 MHz using FM, PSK31, and PCM-PSK/PM.

Contact Torii for more information.

A key member of the WSJT-X Development Group -- where FT8 and other cutting-edge digital amateur radio technology has originated -- has died. Bill Somerville, G4WJS, was reported to have passed away earlier this week. He was in his mid-60s, and his death was unexpected. The development group founder, Joe Taylor, K1JT, called Somerville "a dear friend and very close colleague." Taylor said that

Bill Somerville, G4WJS (left), and Joe Taylor, K1JT (right), hold the RSGB Wortley-Talbot Trophy in 2018 for the most outstanding experimental work in amateur radio. RSGB President Nick Henwood, G3RWF (center), assists.

Somerville was the first to join with him in 2013 to form a core development group for WSJT-X, then in its digital infancy.

"Bill has been closely involved with WSJT-X and related software projects ever since," Taylor said. "Our free, open-source software could not have achieved its extensive worldwide popularity and influence in ham radio without Bill's essential contributions."

Somerville collaborated with Taylor and Steve Franke, K9AN -- the third member of the WSJT-X development group -- to author articles for QST and QEX about FT8 and other digital modes in the WSJT-X suite. The trio won the October 2017 QST Cover Plaque Award. They also received the Dayton Hamvention^® Technical Achievement Award in 2020, and the ARRL Doug DeMaw, W1FB, Technical Excellence Award in 2021.

Taylor said Somerville "devoted countless hours to program support, patiently answering user's questions on WSJT-related forums."

"I have only started to think about the many ways in which I will miss Bill -- not [to] mention how we all will miss his immense and positive impact on WSJT-X and related projects," Taylor said.

Professionally, Somerville was a software engineer who worked mainly as a C++ system software developer, as he explained on his QRZ profile. As an active radio amateur, he also applied his expertise to such projects as setting up an SO2R (single operator, two radio) station and enhancing his station's automated processes.

The ARRL 10-Meter Contest is an HF contesting opportunity for Technicians. The contest starts at 0000 UTC on December 11 (the evening of December 10 in North American time zones) and runs through 2359 UTC on December 12. Tad Cook, K7RA, says a modest increase in solar flux, and debris from asteroid Phaethon could possibly enhance propagation on 10 meters during the Geminid meteor shower, peaking on December 13 - 14. The ARRL 10-Meter Contest offers Technician class operators a shot at HF contesting. Participants may operate CW, phone, or mixed CW and phone. Participating stations should send a signal report. US stations, including Alaska and Hawaii, and Canadian stations send their state or province. The District of Columbia (DC) is one of those rare multipliers for this contest. Mexican stations send their state or province. DX stations send a serial number. Maritime mobile stations send ITU Region (1 - 3). -- Thanks to the ARRL Contest Update

Virginia Section Manager Joe Palsa, K3WRY, of North Chesterfield, Virginia, died on December 7. An ARRL Life Member, he was 80. Palsa was appointed Virginia Section Manager in February 2015, and had since won elections in his own right. A radio amateur for more than 50 years, he also served as the Virginia State Government Liaison. Palsa held a PhD in electronics technology and was a Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He enjoyed researching and designing ham equipment and building projects, including some specialized military applications on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), electromagnetic interference (EMI), and electromagnetic pulse (EMP). During 2014, he served as president of the Richmond Amateur Radio Club. In past years, he has held ARRL Field Organization positions as Official Bulletin Station (OBS), Official Observer (OO), and Official Emergency Station (OES). Active in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service^® (ARES^®), he received two ARRL public service awards. Palsa enjoyed DXing, contesting, and public service communication.

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: One new sunspot group appeared on December 4, but 4 days later it was gone. Average daily sunspot number declined from 46.1 to 24.6, and no sunspots were visible on December 8. Average daily solar flux went from 90.9 to 82.6.

Predicted solar flux over the next month does not seem promising. The December 8 forecast shows 78 and 80 on December 9 - 10; 82 on December 11 - 16; 85 on December 17 - 18; 87 on December 19 - 22; 86 on December 23 - 27; 84 on December 28; 82 on December 29 - January 2; 80 on January 3 - 5; 82 on January 6 - 8; 80 on January 9 - 10; 82 on January 11, and 85 on January 12 - 14.

Predicted planetary A index is 5, 10, 8, and 5 on December 9 - 12; 8 on December 13 - 14; 5 on December 15 - 16; 15, 12, 10, and 8 on December 17 - 20; 5 on December 21 - 26; 15, 18, and 12 on December 27 - 29; 8 on December 30 - January 3; 5 on January 4 - 5; 10, 8, 5, 12, and 10 on January 6 - 10; 5 on January 11 - 12, and 15, 12, 10, and 8 on January 13 - 16.

Sunspot numbers for December 2 - 8 were 45, 29, 35, 36, 14, 13, and 0, with a mean of 24.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 86.6, 85.3, 88.1, 82.7, 80, 78.9, and 76.9, with a mean of 82.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 10, 8, 9, 9, 7, 5, and 5, with a mean of 7.6. Middle latitude A index was 7, 4, 7, 6, 6, 3, and 4, with a mean of 5.3.

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.

• December 11 - 12 -- ARRL 10-Meter Contest (CW, phone)

• December 11 - 12 -- TRC Digi Contest

• December 11 - 12 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)

• December 11 - 12 -- ARI 40/80 Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• December 11 - 12 -- International Naval Contest (CW, phone)

• December 11 - 13 -- PODXS 070 Club Low Band Sprint

• December 12 -- QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew (CW)

• December 12 - 14 -- CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run (CW)

• December 13 -- 4 States QRP Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)

• December 16 - 17 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

• December 10 - 11 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention (Tampa Bay Hamfest), Plant City, Florida

• January 22, 2022 ARRL Midwest Division Convention (Winterfest), Collinsville, Illinois

• January 28 - 29, 2022 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention (Capital City Hamfest 2022), Jackson, Mississippi.

• Feburary 10 - 13, 2022 -- 2022 ARRL National Convention at Orlando HamCation^®, Orlando, Florida

• February 18 - 19, 2022 ARRL Southwestern Division Convention (Yuma Hamfest), Yuma, Arizona

Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database to find events in your area.

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