XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.policy, rec.radio.info

********************************************
The ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League ********************************************

July 7, 2022

John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor <news@arrl.org>

ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Letter Archive <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> IN THIS ISSUE

- FCC Legacy CORES System to be Retired
- Hawaii Hurricane Emergency Communications Drill Set for July 16, 2022
- ARRL Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarship Awards
- ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference Returns in September
2022
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts Schedule
- Announcements
- In Brief...
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

FCC LEGACY CORES SYSTEM TO BE RETIRED

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will retire the Legacy
version <https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do> of its COmmission REgistration System (CORES) on July 15, 2022. CORES is the FCC's
public-facing database that enables and tracks certain types of FCC and
FCC applicant actions, including amateur radio applications and
licenses. Its implementation has enabled routine amateur applications
and licenses to be issued overnight instead of over weeks, as was the
case with earlier methods. ARRL The National Association for Amateur
Radio® advises the amateur radio community to transition to the updated
version of CORES <https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do> as soon as
possible.

In essence, CORES is designed to identify those who hold certain types
of FCC licenses and FCC authorizations, including amateur licenses, and organize them in an easily accessible manner under a common FCC
Registration Number (FRN) regardless of whether one holds a single such authority or thousands. The new CORES, in addition to assigning
individual FRNs, allows holders of multiple FRNs to aggregate them
under a single account where the licenses and authorization, fees and
payments, and related actions can be administered from within the same
account.

In effect, new CORES can be conceptualized as an electronic interactive
file folder. The updated version of CORES <https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do> has been available since
2016, and now its use will be mandatory for all amateur licensees when submitting amateur-related applications.

Starting on July 15, 2022, the Legacy CORES website will re-direct
users to the Commission's updated CORES <https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do> site. Although some
functionalities in the old system will continue to work for a short
time, the FCC has urged all users <https://www.fcc.gov/licensing-databases/commission-registration-system-fcc>
to transition to the updated CORES system to take advantage of its
enhanced security and functionality.

Register with the FCC

Licensees that do not already have an FCC CORES Username Account must
create one with a unique username (a valid email address) and password.
After creating the account, when logged in, users should associate
their existing FRN or FRNs with this account. Instructions for doing so
are on the FCC Registration Help <https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/publicHome.do?help=true> page. One's FRN is
printed on all current amateur applications and licenses, and will not
change. FRNs can also be found by looking up one's call sign in the Commission's ULS
(https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp) or by
using the FCC's advanced search <https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/advancedSearch.do?csfrToken=> page.

The FCC has posted Tutorial Videos <https://www.fcc.gov/licensing-databases/fcc-registration-system-cores/commission-registration-system-video-tutorials>

to assist with the transition. ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM,
recommends viewing the videos "Getting Started With the New CORES,"
which explains how to register for a CORES Username Account, and
"Associating an FRN to a Username," which instructs Legacy CORES users
on how to link one or more existing FRNs to a username. FCC CORES
Registration Instructions <https://www.arrl.org/fcc-cores-registration-instructions> can also be
found on the ARRL website.

Additional information is available on the FCC <https://www.fcc.gov/licensing-databases/commission-registration-system-fcc> website or by calling the FCC Licensing Support Center at (877)
480-3201, Option 4, and on the FCC's e-support <https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/available-support-services> page.

HAWAII HURRICANE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DRILL SET FOR JULY 16,

2022

Makani 'Ino is Hawaiian for "big wind" and the name of Hawaii's Amateur
Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) upcoming hurricane emergency
communications drill. The drill will assess the ability of amateur
radio operators to establish emergency radio communications in the
event of a severe infrastructure failure due to hurricane-like
conditions.

In addition to testing two-way radio communications, the drill will
also use Winlink Global Radio Email® to send and receive messages from surrounding islands and participating agencies. Radio operators will
first use radio, then they'll send simulated digital messages using
Winlink for reports and requests for assistance.

Hawaii ARES Public Information Officer Michael Miller, KH6ML, said,
"With this drill, we are also trying to increase the level of
participation, so that all operators have the chance to develop the
skill sets for real-world situations." Miller added, "It is important
for younger, or new, amateur radio operators to know they can use their
digital skills in emergency situations."

Miller also said they will be sending after-action reports to
participating agencies, such as the National Weather Service and the
American Red Cross, to help improve communications using amateur radio technology.

This is the second statewide drill conducted by Hawaii ARES in 2022.
Makani 'Ino begins Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 9 AM to noon Hawaii
Standard Time.

ARRL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2022 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

The ARRL Foundation Board of Directors has approved the recipients of
the 2022 ARRL Foundation Scholarships <http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-foundation-announces-2022-scholarship-awards>
as recommended by the Scholarship Committee. Foundation Scholarships
totaling $921,250 will be awarded to 139 deserving radio amateurs
pursuing higher education. Individual scholarship awards range from
$500 to $25,000.

Applications for 2023 ARRL Foundation Scholarships are expected to open
on October 1, 2022. More information about the ARRL Foundation
Scholarship Program is available at www.arrl.org/scholarship-program <http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program>.

The ARRL Foundation <http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation>
administers programs to support the amateur radio community, and was established in 1973 by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio <http://www.arrl.org/>®.

The full list of scholarship awards and recipients can be found in the
complete story on ARRL News <http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-foundation-announces-2022-scholarship-awards>.

ARRL AND TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE RETURNS IN

SEPTEMBER 2022

The 41st ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) will be
held this September 16 - 18, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Last
year's conference was held virtually due to COVID-19 concerns, but this
year's 3-day event will be held at the Hilton Charlotte Airport Hotel.

The DCC is for everyone, beginners and experts alike, with an interest
in all forms of digital communication.

The official call for technical papers has been issued and general
topic areas include, but are not limited to:

- Software-defined radio (SDR)

- Digital voice

- Digital satellite communications

- Digital signal processing (DSP)

- HF digital modes

- Adapting IEEE802.11 systems for amateur radio

- Global Positioning System (GPS)

- Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)

- Linux in amateur radio

- AX.25 updates

- Internet operability with amateur radio networks

- TCP/IP networking over amateur radio

- MESH and peer-to-peer wireless networking

- Emergency and homeland defense digital communications in amateur
radio

Authors can submit their papers for this year's conference, by email,
to ARRL Production Coordinator Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, at
mweinberg@arrl.org. The deadline is September 1, 2022. The conference
papers will be published exactly as submitted. The authors will retain
all rights and do not need to be present at the conference, and all
papers will be distributed to DCC attendees. Printed copies will be
available for sale at Lulu www.lulu.com <http://www.lulu.com/>.

More information about TAPR - Tomorrow's Ham Radio Technology Today <https://tapr.org/> can be found that their website.

AMATEUR RADIO IN THE NEWS

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news <http://www.arrl.org/media-hits>.

"Local amateur radio operators participate in the 2022 International
Amateur Radio Field Day <https://www.bladenjournal.com/news/43983/across-the-globe>" / Bladen
Journal (North Carolina), July 7, 2022 -- The Bladen Amateur Radio
Society is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"Hawaii amateur radio operators to participate in emergency
communications drill July 16, 2022 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLWoAFQjOe0>" / KITV (Hawaii), June
28, 2022 -- Thanks to the Hawaii Amateur Radio Emergency Service®.

Share <newsmedia@arrl.org> any amateur radio media hits you spot with
us.

ARRL PODCASTS SCHEDULE

The latest episode of the ARRL On the Air
<https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> podcast (Episode 30) features a
discussion with ARRL Contest Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, about ARRL
Field Day and off-the-grid operating.

The latest edition of the ARRL Eclectic Tech <https://blubrry.com/eclectictech/> podcast (Episode 63) features a
discussion with solar researcher and ARRL Central Division Director
Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, about the 1859 super flare, known as the
Carrington Event. Could it happen again during the peak of the current
solar cycle?

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 <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> |
Eclectic Tech <https://blubrry.com/eclectictech/>.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Get on the air for this weekend's IARU HF World Championship. Have fun searching for IARU member society headquarters stations on the 160-,
80-, 40-, 20-, 15- and 10-meter bands. The contest begins at 1200 UTC
(8 AM ET, 5 AM PT) on Saturday, July 9, and ends at 1159 UTC (7:59 AM
ET, 4:59 AM PT) on Sunday, July 10. Check out the rules and set a goal
now. IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, will operate from contest station
VE7UF as VE6SH/7. Look also for Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR,
and Secretary Joel Harrison, W5ZN, operating from their home stations.
See rules <https://www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-world-championship>.

Ducks on the Air, the University of Oregon's amateur radio club, will
operate a commemorative station to celebrate the 2022 World Athletics Championships.

The men's and women's track and field competition will be held on July
15 - 24 at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus and
features athletes from around the world. The event has been held for 18
years, except for 2021, when it was postponed due to COVID. This is the
first time the World Athletics Championships have ever been held on
American soil and more than 200,000 spectators are expected to attend.
The Ducks on the Air Radio Club
<https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ducksontheair>, using their callsign, N7DUX,
will be staffed by amateur radio operators from the state of Oregon
using all band and all modes. Organizers hope to make thousands of QSOs
during the 10-day run. The club is also celebrating 100 years of
amateur radio at the University of Oregon.

IN BRIEF...

The ARRL DX Advisory Committee (DXAC) recently appointed John Sweeney,
K9EL, as the new Central Division representative. Sweeney replaces Jim O'Connell, W9WU, who served for over 20 years on the Committee. The
committee also appointed Central Division Director Carl Luetzelschwab,
K9LA, to Board Liaison, who replaces Delta Division Director David
Norris, K5UZ. The ARRL DXAC addresses and advises the ARRL Board on
issues concerning the DXCC program, amateur radio's premier award that
hams can earn by confirming on-the-air contacts with a minimum of 100 countries. The DXAC is composed of a representative from each ARRL
Division, a representative from Radio Amateurs of Canada, an ARRL Board Liaison, a Staff Liaison, and an Administrative Liaison. To learn more
about the DXAC and representatives in each Division, visit http://www.arrl.org/dx-advisory-committee and click the Contact Us
button.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin ARLP027:

Sunspot activity increased this week, with average daily sunspot
numbers going from 49.1 to 62.6. But oddly, average daily solar flux
was down slightly from 105.3 to 103.5.

Taking a longer view, solar activity is stronger than it was a year
ago, when the average daily sunspot number was 34.7 and average solar
flux was 86.9.

Spaceweather.com <https://spaceweather.com/> reported that a Coronal
Mass Ejection (CME) missed Earth on July 1, but it pushed dense solar
wind plasma toward us, causing a G1-class geomagnetic storm. In the few
hours past midnight UTC, planetary K index was 4, then 5. Alaska's high latitude college A index was 25 on July 2.

Predicted solar flux for the next month is 120 on July 7 - 8, 130 on
July 9 - 11, then 120, 125, 110, and 108 on July 12 - 15, then 110,
100, 95 and 98 on July 16 - 19, 95 on July 20 - 21, 98 on July 22 - 23,
100 on July 24 - 25, 102 on July 26, 105 on July 27 - 28, 100 on July
29, 110 on July 30 - 31, 112 on August 1 - 2, 115 on August 3 - 6, 112
on August 7 - 8, 110 on August 9, and 108 on August 10 - 11.

Predicted planetary A index is 14 and 8 on July 7 - 8, 5 on July 9 -
12, 10 on July 13 - 14, then 15, 12, and 10 on July 14 - 17, 8 on July
18 - 21, then 12, 15, 10, and 8 on July 22 - 25, 5 on July 26 - 31,
then 8, 25, 12, and 8 on August 1 - 4, and 5 on August 5 - 9.

Sunspot numbers for June 30 through July 6, 2022, were 40, 30, 57, 42,
79, 92, and 98, with a mean of 62.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 95.7,
98, 100.2, 102.2, 104.4, 109.4, and 114.6, with a mean of 103.5.

Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 7, 19, 8, 21, 4, and 5, with a
mean of 9.8. Middle latitude A index was 5, 8, 17, 11, 18, 4, and 5,
with a mean of 9.7.

Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7ra@arrl.net.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit <http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals> the ARRL Technical
Information Service, read
<http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere> "What the Numbers
Mean...," and check out <http://k9la.us/> the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

A propagation bulletin archive <http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation> is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio <https://www.voacap.com/hf/> website.

Share <k7ra@arrl.net> your reports and observations.

A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News
<http://www.arrl.org/news>.

JUST AHEAD IN RADIOSPORT

- July 9 - 10 -- ARU HF World Championship (CW, phone)

- July 9 - 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)

- July 10 -- QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint (CW)

- July 11 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday (CW, phone)

- July 11 -- OK1WC Memorial (MWC) (CW)

- July 13 -- A1Club AWT (CW)

- July 13 -- 432 VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest (FT8)

- July 13 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (SSB, phone)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar>
for more events and information.

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- July 15 -17 | Glacier Waterton Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/glacier-waterton-hamfest-arrl-montana-state-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Montana State Convention, Essex, Montana

- July 22 - 23 | Ham Holiday 2022 <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ham-holiday-2022-arrl-oklahoma-section-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

- July 30 - 31 | ARRL West Virginia State Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-west-virginia-state-convention-and-ham-fest>,

Sutton, West Virginia

- August 6 - 7 | Cedar Valley ARC Techfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/cedar-valley-arc-techfest-arrl-iowa-state-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Iowa State Convention, Central City, Iowa

- August 13 | Tidewater Hamfest and Swap Meet <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tidewater-hamfest-and-swap-meet-arrl-virginia-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Virginia State Convention, Portsmouth, Virginia

- August 20 - 21 | Huntsville Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/huntsville-hamfest-arrl-southeastern-division-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Huntsville, Alabama

- August 26 - 28 | Northeast HamXposition <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northeast-hamxposition-arrl-new-england-and-hudson-division-convention>,

hosting the ARRL New England and Hudson Division Conventions,
Marlborough, Massachusetts

Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests> to find events in your area.

HAVE NEWS FOR ARRL?

Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to
news@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor
<news@arrl.org>

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information

- Join or Renew Today! <http://www.arrl.org/join> Eligible US-based
members can elect to receive QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst> or On the
Air <http://www.arrl.org/on-the-air-magazine> magazine in print when
they join ARRL or when they renew their membership. All members can
access digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air,
QEX, and NCJ.

- Listen to ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>,
available every Friday.

- The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly
to the Blind-hams Groups.io <https://groups.io/g/blind-hams> email
group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it
concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of
adaptive technology.

Subscribe to...

- NCJ -- National Contest Journal <http://www.ncjweb.com/>. Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints,
statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and QSO parties.

- QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters
<http://www.arrl.org/qex>. Published bimonthly, features technical
articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest
to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...

- Subscribe <http://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#%21/edit-info-email_subscriptions>

to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications
news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division
and Section news alerts, and much more!

- Find ARRL on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org/>! Follow us
on Twitter <https://twitter.com/arrl> and Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/arrlhq>!

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 times each year. ARRL
members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member
Data Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/.

Copyright (c) 2022 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated.
Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is
permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution.
All other purposes require written permission.

<http://www.arrl.org/>

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)