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

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

December 8, 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

- ARDC Awards Grant for New Amateur Radio Station
- Youth on the Air Camp 2023 Application Period Now Open
- A Christmas Message to the World
- New General Question Pool Released for Ham Radio Licensing Effective
July 1, 2023
- Amateur Radio Operators and National Weather Service Mark SKYWARN
Alliance
- Santa is On the Air Via Ham Radio
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts
- In Brief...
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

ARDC AWARDS GRANT FOR NEW AMATEUR RADIO STATION

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) has awarded a $16,495 grant
to fund a modern amateur radio station in the soon-to-open Museum of Information Explosion <https://mie-hsv.org/> (MIE) in Huntsville,
Alabama.

Dan Romanchik, KB6NU, ARDC Communications Manager, said the amateur
station will be staffed and maintained by members of local amateur
radio clubs, including the Radio Club of the MIE, who will install and
operate the equipment and serve as docents for the station. "Licensed
amateurs can use the station to try out new modes and techniques
without making a major financial commitment. Specialized tools and test equipment will be available to use on-site," said Romanchik.

The station will present a contrast between modern digital technology
and the historic, yet classic equipment found in the museum's other
exhibits. The juxtaposition of old and new is designed to illustrate
the accelerating evolution of amateur radio.

Dr. Marcus Bendickson, Executive Director of the museum, said they
expect to open in early fall 2023, and visitors will be able to explore
the history of communication, computing innovation, and how these
technologies have shaped our modern way of life.

YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP 2023 APPLICATION PERIOD NOW OPEN

Applications are now being accepted for campers interested in attending
Youth on the Air (YOTA) Camp 2023.

Licensed amateur radio operators ages 15 through 25 are encouraged to
apply online at YouthOnTheAir.org <https://youthontheair.org/>. The
Radio Amateurs of Canada will be the local host for the 2023 YOTA Camp.
It is scheduled to take place July 16 âˆ' 21, 2023, at the Carleton
University campus in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2023, but for the best
chance at being selected, applications should be submitted by 2359 UTC
on January 15, 2023.

The application process is free. However, a $100 deposit is required
upon acceptance. If a camper is unable to pay the deposit, they may be
able to apply for a scholarship or waiver. Camp Director, Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, said campers are responsible for their transportation to the
camp location, though some assistance may be available. Travel during
camp events is provided.

Campers will be selected by the working group and notified by February
1. To encourage attendance from across the Americas, allocations for
campers are being held open for various areas of North, Central, and
South America. If countries do not use their allocation, or should
someone within an allocation decline acceptance, those positions will
be filled from the remaining pool of applicants. As this will be an
ongoing process, everyone will not receive notification of acceptance
at the same time. Preference will be given to first-time attendees.

COVID-19 guidelines are still in effect and may have an impact on
offering the camp. Currently, the outlook on offering the camp in July
2023 is positive. If the camp cannot be hosted, or would need to
reschedule, all applicants will be notified as soon as possible.
Appropriate requirements on masking and vaccination statuses will be
announced as needed.

A YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7nJn6QFxF0> video is now
available about the 2023 YOTA Camp. For details and additional
information, contact the Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, at director@youthontheair.org.

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

On Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2022, the Alexander Grimeton
Friendship Association
<https://alexander.n.se/en/the-alexander-association/>, in southern
Sweden will be on the air sending out a special Christmas message <https://alexander.n.se/en/saq-transmission-scheduled-for-christmas-eve-morning-dec-24th/>

to the world.

The event will begin at 08:30 CET (07:30 UTC) with the startup and
tuning of the Alexanderson alternator transmitter through Grimeton
Radio Station, call sign SAQ. The transmission will begin at 09:00 CET
(08:00 UTC) with the 98-year-old 200 kW Alexanderson alternator on 17.2
kHz CW.

Grimeton Radio Station, SK6SAQ, will be QRV (ready) on the following frequencies:

3.535 MHz CW
7.035 MHz CW
14.035 MHz CW
3.755 MHz SSB
7.140 MHz SSB

QSL reports can be sent to SK6SAQ via email at info@alexander.n.se.

The event will also be live streamed on the Alexander SAQ Grimeton
Friendship Association YouTube Channel <https://youtu.be/MJXhbE1bDOk>.

The Alexanderson alternator transmitter is the only remaining example
of early pre-electronic radio transmitter technology. The station,
built in 1922 - 1924, has been preserved as a historical site. From the
1920s through the 1940s, it was used to transmit telegram traffic by
Morse code to North America and throughout the world during World War
II.

More information about the December 24 Christmas Eve event and the
transmitter can be found at the Grimeton Radio Station <https://alexander.n.se/en/> website.

NEW GENERAL QUESTION POOL RELEASED FOR HAM RADIO LICENSING

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023

The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators' (NCVEC <http://www.ncvec.org/>) Question Pool Committee (QPC <http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=333>) has released the 2023 - 2027
General Class FCC Element 3 Syllabus and Question Pool <http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=369> to the public. The new General
Question Pool is effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

The new pool incorporates some significant changes compared to the 2019
- 2023 version. Its 432 questions were modified slightly to improve
wording and to replace distractors; 51 new questions were generated,
and 73 questions were eliminated. This resulted in a reduction of 22
questions, bringing the total number of questions in the pool down from
454. The level of difficulty of questions is more balanced, and the
techniques and practices addressed have been updated.

The pool <http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=369> is available as a
Microsoft Word document and PDF. The single graphic required for the
new General Question Pool is available within the documents, or
separately as PDF and JPG file formats.

"The newly revised pool must be used for General-class license exams
starting July 1, 2023," said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, who
is a member of the NCVEC Question Pool Committee. "New test designs
will be available to ARRL Volunteer Examiners <http://www.arrl.org/volunteer-examiners> on that date. The ARRL VEC
will supply its officially appointed, field-stocked VE teams with new
General exam booklet designs around mid-June."

General class examination candidates preparing for their exams using
the 9th edition of The General Class License Manual <https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/114241>,
and/or the 6th edition of ARRL's General Q & A <https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/114242>
are encouraged to test by, or before, June 30, 2023. New editions of
ARRL licensing publications will be available in May, for exams taken
on, or after, July 1, 2023.

AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARK SKYWARN

ALLIANCE

Saturday December 3, 2022 was SKYWARN® Recognition Day (SRD), an event
that recognizes SKYWARN volunteers for their contribution to public
safety. SRD was observed by several National Weather Service (NWS)
locations across the United States. Amateur radio volunteers set up
temporary operations from forecasting headquarters to make contacts
with other stations to demonstrate their readiness to operate in
emergency conditions and to act as observers for the NWS. As of the
last count there were over 4,700 SKYWARN spotters taking part in SRD.

Near Los Angeles, California, at the NWS office located in Oxnard, volunteers set up six stations on different radio frequencies and
operated through the day under simulated emergency conditions. Several
members of the general public visited the NWS office during the
exercise.

ARRL Headquarters, participating as WX1AW, was activated by ARRL
Emergency Management Assistant Ken Bailey, K1FUG, during SRD. WX1AW was
active on 40 - 10 meters using SSB and FT8 modes and monitored local
VHF and UHF repeaters.

Radio amateurs participating as SKYWARN volunteers assist the NWS with real-time observations of adverse weather conditions that pose an
imminent threat to life and property. Those alerts may include
tornadoes, waterspouts, damaging hail, blizzard conditions, sleet,
strong winds, heavy rainfalls and flooding, dust storms, damage
assessment, and other significant anomalies. NWS personnel can utilize information from ham radio operators to issue alerts or assess threat
levels to areas that may be affected by abnormal conditions.

The 2022 NWS Spotter of the Year Award was given to Bryan Loper,
WX5CSS, of Atlanta, Texas. The award noted that Loper is very active
with the amateur radio network and weather community within the
Ark-La-Tex region, and is always reliable in providing weather reports.
Loper is also an ARRL member.

Thanks to Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, Public Information Coordinator - ARRL
Santa Barbara Section for contributing to this story.

SANTA IS ON THE AIR VIA HAM RADIO

As Christmas approaches, many amateur radio clubs carry out an annual
tradition of helping kids talk directly to Santa Claus while he is
still at the North Pole before his big ride.

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the Wallingford Amateur Radio Group in Connecticut will connect kids to Santa and Mrs. Claus via amateur radio
during their Calling Santa <https://www.wallingfordct.gov/events/2022/12/10/radio-to-north-pole-talk-to-santa/>

event. The group organizes the event in cooperation with the
Wallingford Health Department, Youth & Social Services, and support
from an Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) grant to the
Meriden Amateur Radio Club <https://www.w1nrg.com/> (MARC).

MARC President Dr. Ed Snyder, W1YSM, said this will be the third year
for Calling Santa. "The location is ideal for this event," said Dr.
Snyder. "Our communications van will be there, and the kids go inside
and talk to Santa and Mrs. Claus on a real amateur radio. There will
also be a fire truck, coloring books, crayons, and allergy-safe
snacks." Each child will receive a full-color certificate signed by the Clauses.

Already in operation for the 16th consecutive year, The 3916 Nets are
hosting the Santa Net <https://www.cqsanta.com/> on 3.916 MHz. Kids can
talk to Santa Claus nightly via amateur radio at 7:00 PM CST now
through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022. The shortwave net welcomes
radio amateurs to help their children and grandchildren get on the air
to talk to Santa (third-party rules and regulations apply).

The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club <https://www.bigbendarc.com/>, covering
the Big Bend area of west Texas and based in Alpine, will have their
15th annual Santa Net ready to go on December 14, 2022. Local 2-meter
repeaters are used to make the connection to Santa. The club highlights
that "Santa Net introduces kids to ham radio." The event is promoted
through the local elementary school and its teachers. Participants get
a candy cane and a card commemorating the radio contact with Santa.

The ARRL Special Event Stations database is updated regularly and
includes other Christmas and holiday-themed on-the-air events. You can
search the database at www.arrl.org/special-event-stations <http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations>, and use keyword searches
such as "Christmas" or "holiday." Fill out the Special Events
application form at www.arrl.org/special-events-application <http://www.arrl.org/special-events-application> to add your event.

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>.

"Redding veterans use HAM radio to connect to people across the globe
on Veterans Day <https://krcrtv.com/news/local/redding-veterans-use-ham-radio-to-connect-to-people-across-the-globe-on-veterans-day>"

/ KRCR TV (California), November 11, 2022 -- Thanks to the CalVet
Redding, California Veterans Home and the Redding Veterans Amateur
Radio Club special event station, W6VET.

"Amateur radio-aided rescue highlights useful hobby <https://www.greenriverstar.com/story/2022/11/23/news/amateur-radio-aided-rescue-highlights-useful-hobby/9966.html>"

/ Green River Star (Wyoming), November 23, 2022 -- The Buffalo Amateur
Radio Klub is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"Pearl Harbor commemoration events to be hosted on the Battleship North Carolina <https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pearl-harbor-commemoration-events-to-be-hosted-on-the-battleship-north-carolina/ar-AA14YpbW>"

/ WECT-TV (North Carolina), December 6, 2022 -- The Azalea Coast
Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

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

ARRL PODCASTS

In the latest episode of the ARRL On the Air <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> podcast, Ginger Wilder, KI5TJE,
discusses her first time running an amateur radio net. Get ready to be
the next Net Control operator for your local net.

Listen to ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>,
available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top
news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with
interviews and other features.

The On the Air podcast is available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher
(Android). The On the Air podcast and ARRL Audio News are also on
blubrry -- On the Air <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> | ARRL Audio
News <https://blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/>.

IN BRIEF...

Rodney L. Linkous, W7OM, "a giant of Pacific Northwest (PNW) DXing and contesting," became a Silent Key on Wednesday, November 30, 2022,
reports Danny Eskenazi, K7SS. He was 88 years old. Linkous was first
licensed in 1949. For the recent CQ World Wide DX CW Contest on
November 26 - 27, 2022, Linkous had over 500 QSOs running low power. In
2014 John Miller, K6MM, interviewed Linkous for the National Contest
Journal; https://ncjweb.com/features/novdec14feat.pdf. The Daily DX
reports Linkous was "instrumental" in the Western Washington DX Club.
Linkous had 340/373 (current/total) confirmed contacts in the ARRL DXCC
Mixed Standings, and 2,732 in the ARRL DXCC Challenge Standings.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

There is no report this week. A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is
posted Fridays on the ARRL website <http://www.arrl.org>. 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.

JUST AHEAD IN RADIOSPORT

- December 8 -- RTTYops Weeksprint (digital)

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

- December 10 -- PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint (digital)

- December 10 - 11 -- TRC Digi Contest (digital)

- December 10 - 12 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)

- December 10 - 11 -- ARI 40/80 Contest (CW, phone, digital)

- December 10 - 11 -- International Naval Contest (CW, phone)

- December 11 -- QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Sprint (CW, phone)

- December 11 -- CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run (CW)

- December 12 -- Four State QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)

- December 14 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

- December 14 -- 432 VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest (digital)

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

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- December 9 - 10 | Tampa Bay Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tampa-bay-hamfest-arrl-west-central-florida-section-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,
Florida

- January 7 | Ham Radio University <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/online-ham-radio-university-arrl-new-york-city-long-island-section-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Convention, an
online event

- January 20 - 21 | Southwest Florida Regional Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southwest-florida-regional-hamfest-arrl-southern-florida-section-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers,
Florida

- January 27 - 28 | Capital City Hamfest 2023 <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/jackson-ms-capital-city-hamfest-2023-arrl-mississippi-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi

- January 28 | Winterfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/winterfest-arrl-midwest-division-convention-2>, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Collinsville, Illinois

- February 10 - 12 | Orlando HamCation <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/orlando-hamcation-arrl-southeastern-division-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, Florida

- February 25 | HAM-CON <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ham-con-arrl-vermont-state-convention-2>,
hosting the ARRL Vermont State Convention, Colchester, Vermont

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

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adaptive technology.

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Copyright (c) 2022 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated.
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