ARRL News
- September 25, 2017
- Past QCWA General Manager, Former ARRL Staffer Jim LaPorta, N1CC, SK
James “Jim” LaPorta, N1CC, of Frankston, Texas, died on September 20. He was 76. He was an ARRL and Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) Life Member. LaPorta served as QCWA General Manager from March until December 2012.
First licensed in 1956 as KN6SXX, LaPorta joined the US Army after high school and then went to work for the Army as a civilian in 1968 in Texas. While in Texas, he serve...
- September 24, 2017
- American Red Cross Asks ARRL’s Assistance with Puerto Rico Relief Effort
The American Red Cross (ARC) has asked the ARRL for assistance with relief efforts in Puerto Rico. ARC needs up to 50 radio amateurs who can help record, enter, and submit disaster-survivor information into the ARC Safe and Well system. In the nearly 75-year relationship between ARRL and ARC, this is the first time such a request for assistance on this scale has been made. ARRL now is looking f...
- September 23, 2017
- Caribbean Situation Critical, Clear Frequencies Essential
- September 23, 2017
- Amateur Radio Reports: Arecibo Observatory Dish Sustained Serious Damage from Maria
Articles on the National Geographic and Space.com websites report that scientists and Amateur Radio operators have confirmed that Puerto Rico’s Arecibo Observatory came through Hurricane Maria largely intact but “with some significant damage.” Universities Space Research Association (USRA), which helps to operate the Observatory, said it learned via “short wave radio contact” that staff and fam...
- September 22, 2017
- W1AW Suspending Transmissions This Evening, Will Pass Health-and-Welfare Traffic from Puerto Rico
As part of the ongoing communications efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station W1AW has suspended its regular bulletin and code practice transmissions for the evening of Friday, September 22, to assist in handling outbound health-and-welfare traffic from Puerto Rico.
Radio amateurs are reminded to keep the SATERN frequency of 14.265 MHz clear at this time, to f...
- September 22, 2017
- SATERN Seeks Volunteers to Serve as Net Control or Relay Stations
The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) International SSB Net is seeking volunteers who can serve either as net control stations (NCS) or as relay stations. SATERN has been in daily operation (1400 UTC until at least 2300 UTC) since Tuesday, September 19 on 14.265 MHz (Note: SATERN shifted to 14.275 MHz on September 22 to avoid interference.)
“SATERN had initially planned on ter...
- September 22, 2017
- Colombian Radio Amateurs Asked to Assist in Reconnecting Family Members in Caribbean
The Colombia Amateur Radio League (LCRA) is asking the Amateur Radio community there to activate the national emergency network to support those seeking information about relatives in the Caribbean islands affected by the recent hurricanes.
To start, the frequencies 7.117 MHz for SSB and 7.085 MHz for digital modes as well as EchoLink COL_LCRA conference and the national VHF repeater system hav...
- September 21, 2017
- QCWA Honors William Orr, W8NPU, with its 80th Anniversary Award
The Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) has honored centenarian and ARRL member William (Bill) Orr, W8NPU, of Columbus, Ohio, with its 80th Anniversary Award. QCWA member Don Fuhr, K8KSM, presented Orr with the framed award certificate. Orr has been licensed for 82 years. While he is no relation to the Bill Orr, W6SAI, his story nonetheless is an interesting one.
According to the QCWA, ...
- September 21, 2017
- MCM Electronics Shutters Two Plants, Announces Merger with Newark element 14
MCM Electronics, in business for 40 years, will close two plants and its corporate headquarters in Ohio and lay off more than 90 workers, the Dayton Daily News reported earlier this summer. The company, which carries an electronics inventory of more than 300,000 items, including 3-D printers, tools, wire, cable, and other items, has been a Dayton Hamvention® vendor.
The layoffs will begin at mon...
- September 21, 2017
- Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP Hurricane Net, WX4NHC Stand Down from Maria Activations
The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) stood down on September 20 after 60 hours of activation for Hurricane Maria as did the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center. The International Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) SSB Net will be in extended monitoring mode through Friday.
“The latest storm track is very good news for the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic,”...
- September 21, 2017
- The Doctor Will See You Now!
“How High is High Enough” (a discussion of antenna height) is the topic of the current (September 7) episode of the “ARRL The Doctor is In” podcast. Listen...and learn!
Sponsored by DX Engineering, “ARRL The Doctor is In” is an informative discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!
Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor-in-C...
- September 20, 2017
- Caribbean Emergency Weather Net Requests Clear Frequency
The Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net (CEWN) has been providing round-the-clock coverage during the passage of Hurricane Maria and in the storm’s immediate wake on 7.188 and 3.815 MHz and is requesting a clear frequency. The CEWN is continuing to handle health-and-welfare traffic in and out of Dominica and is accepting inquiries via e-mail. (Indicate your name location as well as that of the ...
- September 20, 2017
- WX2S Wins the September QST Cover Plaque Award
The winning article for the September 2017 QST Cover Plaque award is “An Improved 160/80-Meter Matching Network for your 43-Foot Vertical” by Steve Masticola, WX2S. The QST Cover Plaque Award -- given to the author or authors of the most popular article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the ...