Compiled by S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL News Editor
[email protected]

This feature -- including convenient Web links to useful information -- is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of March.

ARRL members are writing to their Congressional representatives, speaking out against HR 607 as it is currently written. The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council agreed with the ARRL, saying the bill, as presented, needs to be amended. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, appeared in a video, explaining how HR 607 in its present form harms the Amateur Radio spectrum.

The ARRL filed a Petition for Rulemaking and a Request for Temporary Waiver with the FCC to authorize the use of single-time-slot Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) emissions in the amateur bands at and above 50 MHz, wherever multiple-time-slot TDMA is authorized. The FCC is seeking comments until April 22 on the Petition.

The ARRL Executive Committee met in Chicago. The minutes from that meeting are available on the ARRL website.

The FCC eliminated the requirement that amateur stations transmitting Spread Spectrum use Automatic Power Control (APC) to reduce transmitter power. At the same time, the Commission has reduced the maximum power of a Spread Spectrum emission from 100 to 10 W PEP. These new rules go into effect April 29, 2011.

W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, announced its spring operating schedule.

The ARRL released CD exam software, now included with license manuals for Technician, General and Amateur Extra exams.

Sterling Coffey, N0SCC -- a freshman at the Missouri University of Science and Technology -- is the new ARRL Youth Editor.

Two astronauts received their Technician licenses. Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, and Luca Parmitano, KF5KDP, will head to space in 2013.

In celebration of OSCAR’s 50th anniversary, W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, and ARRL Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, are working on resurrecting the ARRL’s backup OSCAR 1 satellite.

All test equipment in the ARRL Lab went through its annual calibration testing.

ARRL president Kay Craigie, N3KN -- along with Chris Walter, KI4CBF, and Carter Craigie, N3AO -- gave a presentation to a 5th grade science class on waves and how people use them. Using tin cans and string with student volunteers, the trio did experiments to apply the scientific method to ideas about sound waves and discussed electromagnetic waves and radio. Carter then demonstrated Amateur Radio on voice and CW, using an antenna that he and Chris set up in the school parking lot.

The May issue of QST was released to the printer. In addition, the seventh edition of The General Class License Manual and the fourth edition of The General Class Q&A were released to the printer.

Field Day merchandise is now available on the ARRL website. This year’s product line includes a polo-style shirt, a hat, a pin and a pack of posters.

The ARES® E-Letter is now available in an audio version.

New questions have been posted to the QuickStats page on the ARRL website.

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for March 2011 is Howard “Skip” Teller, KH6TY, for his article “Digital VOX Sound Card Interface.”

Official Observer Desk: ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, handled complaints concerning the Voice of Korea on 3.560 MHz, truckers observed using 28.085 MHz in Ohio, fishing boats in California using 2 meters, jammers on California and Long Island repeaters and an over-the-horizon radar in Cyprus on 10.126 MHz.

Member Contact: ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, and Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, attended the ARRL North Carolina Section Convention. Henderson also attended the ARRL Alabama Section Convention. ARRL Field Organization Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X, attended the ARRL Nebraska State Convention. ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, attended the ARRL South Texas Section Convention.