ARRL News
Important Notice to ARRL Members Using the Apple Digital QST App
A known bug with the Apple version of the digital QST app may prevent some users from downloading issues of the magazine. ARRL has confirmed with the developer that version 5.0 of the app, introduced in early February, may produce instances where the app crashes on some devices when the user tries to download an issue of QST for offline reading. We apologize for this inconvenience, and we are w...
More Mentors Needed for New ARRL Emergency Communications Course Sessions
High interest in the recently announced updated ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communications (EC-001) course is prompting a call for additional class mentors to help meet the demand, which ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, says “exceeded our projections.” As Bickell explains, the course is designed to be interactive, with volunteer mentors guiding each session.
“We appreciate ...
GQRP Club Founder the Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV, SK
The founder of the GQRP Club and Amateur Radio author the Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV, of Littleborough, England, died on March 11. He was 75. Dobbs was reported to have been in ill health for some time and had been living in a care facility, where his condition deteriorated quite rapidly over the past few days. He was the honorary secretary of the GQRP Club (G5LOW), which he founded in 1974 to ca...
Reminder: Daylight Saving Time Begins in Most of the US on March 10
In most of the US, Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins on Sunday, March 10, at 2 AM local time. Set clocks ahead by 1 hour. The start of DST does not affect Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or simply Zulu (Z), although some transceiver clocks generate UTC based on a specified difference from the local time setting. UTC is the generally recognized “standard...
The Latest Episode of ARRL Audio News is Available
Listen to the new episode of ARRL Audio News on your iOS or Android podcast app, or online at http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/. Audio News is also retransmitted on a number of FM repeaters. Click here and then scroll down to see the list.
New Book, Energy Choices for the Radio Amateur, Now Shipping
Revolutionary changes are taking place in the way we produce and consume power for our homes, transportation, and the technology that we use every day. A new book, Energy Choices for the Radio Amateur by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, who developed the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS), explores ongoing changes in the world of power and energy and takes a careful look at the choices we can make. ...
Amateur Radio Volunteers Activate Following California Flooding
Amateur Radio volunteers with the Sonoma County, California, Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) rallied to assist in February after heavy rain led to flooding in the region. San Francisco Section Manager Bill Hillendahl, KH6GJV, told ARRL that while no actual communication emergencies occurred during the weather event, Sonoma County ACS volunteers provided “needed eyes” and were available i...
The K7RA Solar Update
After no sunspots over the entire month of February, sunspot group 2734 appeared on March 5. So far, the new sunspot numbers are 14, 17, and 14 on March 5-7. I believe this was the longest consecutive period (33 days) with no sunspots on this declining side of Cycle 24. The polarity of the new sunspot group identifies it as being from Cycle 24, not the upcoming Cycle 25.
Frank Donovan, W3LPL sen...
Highest-Ever Summits on the Air Activation Reported
Tom Rudzinski, SQ9FVE, made Summits on the Air (SOTA) history on February 16 by activating Aconcagua in Mendoza, Argentina. At 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) above sea level, the mountain is the highest peak in both the Southern and Western hemispheres.
An experienced and skilled mountaineer, Rudzinski planned the expedition carefully, including all necessary support. He began his ascent to the summ...
FCC Takes a New Tack in Combatting Unlicensed Radio Broadcasting
In what may be a first in the effort to crack down on unlicensed broadcasters, the United States has filed a civil action to stop a church-related pirate radio station from operating in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Massachusetts US Attorney's Office is seeking an injunction to shut down the station, operating on 97.1 MHz.
“This groundbreaking step, for an injunction to stop a pirate radio oper...
New ARRL Podcast Geared Toward Newcomers to Amateur Radio Debuts on March 7
A new ARRL podcast aimed newcomers to Amateur Radio will launch on Thursday, March 7. “So Now What?” will alternate new-episode weeks with the “ARRL The Doctor is In” podcast.
“So Now What?” will focus on answering questions and providing support and encouragement for new licensees to get the most out of the hobby. Co-hosting “So Now What?” will be ARRL Communications Content Producer Michelle P...
W6RO aboard the Queen Mary to Celebrate 40th Anniversary in April
The 50-member volunteer crew of the Queen Mary W6RO Nate Brightman Wireless Room will mount a month-long special event in April to mark the 40th anniversary of the station’s opening on the museum ship in Long Beach, California. Launched April 22, W6RO was the first of what has grown to more than 100 Amateur Radio stations based on museum ships around the world. Crew members work tirelessly to k...
Demand High as New ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communications Courses Open
The ARRL Lifelong Learning Department has launched a revised and updated Introduction to Emergency Communications (EC-001) course, and demand to sign up is prompting the recruitment of additional course mentors to expand the schedule. Registration just opened for the first of four EC-001 online sessions, which will run from Monday, April 1, until Friday, May 31.
“The demand for this course has e...