ARRL Sacramento Valley Section

ARRL Sacramento Valley Section News


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ARRL Exhibit and Special Event Station N6M at  October 7 Rocklin Maker Faire

Attention Section Radio Amateurs, Clubs and Groups!

 The ARRL Sacramento Valley Section will host a  public outreach exhibit promoting Amateur Radio and our local clubs at the Rocklin Maker Faire at Sierra College in Rocklin, 5100 Rocklin Rd, Rocklin, CA 95677 on Saturday October 7 from 10 am - 2 pm.   Admission is free!  
Participating ARRL Section Clubs will host displays of amateur radio equipment, antenna and DIY projects, Morse Code practice stations, and offering opportunities for attendees to learn about the many facets of amateur radio and to communicate on the air with amateur radio operators via an operational on-site Special Event Station N6M.  We will offer literature and information on licensing, local clubs, the ARRL and amateur radio's role in community service and promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Link to flyer.

ARRL Sacramento Valley Nets - September 21

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, ARRL Sacramento Valley Section will hold a Section Wide Net, first on the WD6AXM FM repeater atop Sutter Buttes near Yuba City on 146.085 MHz, plus 600 kHz offset, tone 127.3 Hz.  Please wait for the call to the 2 meter ARRL Section Net after the 7 pm Yuba-Sutter ARES net has closed, usually around 7:20-7:30 pm Pacific Time.

For those who are unable to access the WD6AXM repeater, our HF net will commence IMMEDIATELY after the VHF SV net signs off, on the 60 meter Channel 1, 5330.5 USB dial frequency.  Those who check in to the VHF net are encouraged to join the HF net if they are able.  

Important:  If you do not hear net control over your radio, please check in anyway and listen for net control to acknowledge you via the Half Moon Bay WebSDR or the Northern Utah WebSDR.

All ARRL members, club presidents, Section appointees, and all appropriately licensed radio amateurs are encouraged to join us for the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section nets. Section News and items of regional and national interest to all radio amateurs will be the topics of discussion.

ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Wide Nets are conducted only on the third Thursday of such months as announced via official bulletin and on www.arrlsacvalley.org 

ARRL Sacramento Valley Section-Wide Nets

ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Nets are conducted only on months when announced, on the third Thursday of that month following the 7 pm Pacific Time Yuba-Sutter ARES net on the WD6AXM 146.085 MHz +0.6 MHz offset, CTCSS 127.3 Hz FM repeater, followed by the HF Section Net on 3880 kHz LSB +/- 3 kHz (or 5330.5 kHz USB as propagation permits).

All Sacramento Valley Section radio amateurs are welcome to check into our Section Nets. The nets carry announcements of interest to our section and test our section-wide station communication capabilities.

Don't have an HF radio or antenna? 
Click a link and Listen on a web receiver.

Hourly Northern California NVIS Observations

This chart shows colors that represent the recommended HF frequencies for contacting stations for a particular hour. 

Both stations should use the SAME frequency denoted by the color at the location of the target station. 

The chart is in Universal Time (UTC). 

More information at http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/HF_Systems/6/6

October 21 Special Forum at ARRL Pacificon:
"Dealing with Intentional Interference"

Intentional interference is increasingly reported in our section and elsewhere around the nation.  At the 4 pm October 21 ARRL Pacificon Convention forum entitled "Dealing with Intentional Interference" ARRL and other amateur radio leadership will present and discuss resources and strategies to assist radio amateurs, clubs, groups and repeater owners in controlling this problem.  


Radio amateurs are organizing direction finding (DF) teams in various localities to collect evidence of these incidents for further action. 
If you experience intentional interference, here below are several ways that you can immediately assist:


To report clear violations of FCC Part 97, particularly instances of unlicensed operation, repeated deliberate interference, and operation outside of a licensee’s authorized frequencies, send the report via email to Riley Hollingsworth (K4ZDH), ARRL Volunteer Monitor Administrator, at K4ZDH@arrl.net.

Important: include the following information in your report…

- Frequency (MHz) of incident:
- Time of incident (UTC):
- Date of incident:
- Call sign(s) of station(s) being reported:
  - If a repeater, call sign of repeater involved:
- Description of alleged incident being reported:
- Your full name (person submitting report)
- Your call sign:
- Your email address:
- Your phone number:

All reports will be acknowledged, reviewed, and the person submitting the report will receive a response as quickly as possible.

Coming ARRL Nets & Sanctioned Events

August News

From the Section Manager

Kudos to all Section clubs and individuals who participated in this year's ARRL Field Day event.



Girl Scouts Troop 1089 Selected for 2024 ARISS Contact

Congratulations to Sacramento Girl Scouts Troop 1089, sponsored by the River City ARCS, for being one of eight groups in the U.S. selected to participate in a 2024 ARISS Contact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.  This ARISS program involves STEM education sessions for young people, training in space communication station setup and communications, media outreach and publicity.  See https://www.ariss.org/about-ariss-contacts.html for more information or contact Jen Garland, KI1TTY.

ARRL ARES groups participate at August 11 "Hot RF Nights"

Many attendees enjoyed visiting mobile station installations and Go-kits on display at the "Hot RF Nights" event 7 pm, Friday, August 11 at the Auburn Crossroads Church in Auburn. 
ARES and other mutual aid groups participating included:
Nevada County ARES - a GoKit

Alameda County RACES - Mobile Coms Sprinter Van

Glenn County ARES - Mobile Coms Trailer

Placer County ARES (Scott Read) - FirstNet Portable AT&T Cell Tower

Sierra Foothills ARC - StarLink IP go kit & Verizon Wireless GoKit
More information is posted at https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hotrfnights

September 16 Western Placer ARC Hamfest

Mark your calendars to attend the Western Placer ARC Hamfest at McBean Park in Lincoln on Saturday, September 16.  The hamfest opens at 7 am and runs through 12 noon.  Stop by and say hello at our ARRL Section booth.  More information is posted at https://wparc.us/pdf/wparc-hamfest-23.pdf

October 20-22 ARRL Pacificon Division Convention

Register online at www.pacificon.org by October 1 for the discounted event to attend the October 20-22, 2023 ‪‎‪‎ARRL‬ PACIFICON Division Convention at the San Ramon Marriott.

Admission is free for Youths 17 years and under!

PACIFICON gives you three great days of activities for one low cost: 

 * A full slate of outstanding Forum presentations about a wide range of amateur radio topics

 * A large Vendor Expo filled with exciting products and exhibits

 * An outdoor Swap Meet

 * Youth Activities

 * Electronics kit building and soldering instruction

 * One Day License Prep Classes to prepare you to pass the amateur radio Technician license examination and get your first amateur radio license

 * Two days of License Testing

 * A W1AW/6 Special Event Station where you can operate and contact other hams worldwide, even if you don't have a General or Extra Class license

 * A wonderful Banquet

 * Our annual Wouff Hong Initiation ceremony

 * A chance to hear about and discuss important national amateur radio issues with top ARRL leaders

 * A chance to win radios and other great prizes throughout the convention

And perhaps the best part - a chance to interact and share information with lots of other amateur radio enthusiasts to further (or begin) your own knowledge and to advance the hobby.

PACIFICON is the annual ARRL Pacific Division convention, held each year in October. 


PACIFICON is THE Premier Amateur Radio Conference in the western U.S.

Section Appointments: 

Carl First, N6CKV, is newly appointed ARES District 3 District Emergency Coordinator replacing Mike Meighan, KD6ILC, who passed away on March 12.

James Goldstene, AE6JG, has been appointed as ARRL Sacramento Valley Affiliated Club Coordinator.  Our Section Amateur Radio Clubs should contact James at AE6JG@arrl.net for club resources.  Thanks to Max Soucia, N1KGS, for his past service in this position.

Ted Cochran, N6TBC, of Oroville is the new Butte County ARES Emergency Coordinator, replacing Dale Anderson, KK6EVX, who became a Silent Key in August.

Chad Linden, ARES District 1 Emergency Coordinator, has changed his call sign from N5BMU to AB6CL effective 10/12/2022.

Mike Sumersille, N7MSS has replaced Jay Harmor KE6GLA as El Dorado County Emergency Coordinator. 
Congratulations to Carl N6CKV and Mike N7MSS on your new appointments, and thanks to Jay KE6GLA and Mike KK6ZGB for your past service in those positions. 

ARES District 3 DEC Mike Meighan, KD6ILC, Silent Key

District Emergency Coordinator became a Silent Key on Sunday March 12, 2023 while hospitalized for sepsis.

Mike had been active for many years with Sacramento Valley ARES, Sacramento ARC, Sacramento Metro Fire CERT, Sacramento SHARP, as an instructor and a volunteer examiner with the Carmichael Elks Lodge VE Team.  Mike had requested that no memorial service be held.

Michael Joseph, KK6ZGB, Sacramento Valley SEC

Effective February 1, 2022, District 3 DEC Michael Joseph, KK6ZGB, will serve as ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC), taking over for our current SEC, Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT.  I have interviewed Michael and am confident that he is qualified and motivated for this position.  This leadership transition will be smooth as Greg will stay on as Assistant SEC.  Congratulations to Michael on his new appointment and thanks to Greg for his many years of leadership and service to our community!

Dr. Carol Milazzo, KP4MD, ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Manager

Greg writes, 

Michael has a strong background in emergency communications. He has worked in law enforcement, with the Red Cross, and the Sacramento Medical Reserve Corps. He has also served as the ARRL District 3 EC working closely with multiple counties.

I’m sure many of you already know Michael and have talked and interacted with him in the past few years. He has been working the Red Cross radio station during the major fires that we have experienced. He has handled this position admirably tracking teams and resources.

Michael is excited at the opportunity to inject new energy and enthusiasm into SV ARES.  I’m looking forward to his leadership.

It has been my privilege to serve as the Sacramento Valley Section SEC and have the opportunity to work with each of you. 

The Sacramento Valley Section ARES has accomplished so very much  and performed at a high level supporting emergency communications. I’m proud that the various counties worked closely together and provided mutual support to each other during the fire seasons.

I’m not going away, but my focus with emergency communications will increase working to support the Winlink Development team. Many of the new technologies being integrated in Winlink will add the value of ARES operators to served agencies and Emergency Managers during times of crisis.

For an example of how Winlink is adding value to Emergency managers, check out this Dashboard that was developed by Oregon Office of Emergency Management for an exercise of integrating Winlink SPOTREP reports.

This is just their first try at this integration.

—— FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED INFORMATION - -

Oregon Office of Emergency Management developed a Dashboard of SpotRep reports received from Winlink

https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/a29ec1cba18d45c09ba65bff97782517

I trust that ARES ability to utilize Winlink will increase our value to our served agencies.
Anyway, exciting things are coming to emergency communication  and I look forward to  the opportunity to be involved.
I will work closely to support Michael in his new appointment.
I have no doubts Michael will offer your and your members great support and leadership.
Please feel free to email or call me any time if I can be of help to you.
Please reach out to Michael and welcome him!

Greg KG6SJT

------

Michael’s Contact information:
Michael Joseph, KK6ZGB
Cell: 916-495-4010
kk6zgb@gmail.com 

American Radio Relay League

The National Association for Amateur Radio

American Radio Relay League is a 501(c)3 non profit organization.

Sacramento Valley Section

Serving Alpine, Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo & Yuba Counties in Northern California

Sacramento Valley Section is located in the ARRL Pacific Division.

Sacramento Valley Section Web Resources

ARRL National Page:
www.arrl.org/Groups/view/sacramento-valley

Organization, Clubs, Calendar, Nets

Sacramento Valley ARES:
www.sacvalleyares.org SV ARES Brochure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ARRLSacramentoValley

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARRL_SV

Thanks to Greg Kruckewitt KG6SJT for maintaining our Section ARES web page and for assisting with our Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Thanks to Les Cobb W6TEE for maintaining the Section Net list.

Submit Section News updates to kp4md(at)arrl.org

2023 ARRL Conventions/Hamfests & other Regional Events

Past Section News Archive

Amateur Radio License Classes and Volunteer Exam (VE) Information and Schedules

Remote Video Sessions:

If you cannot find an in-person exam session in your area or if you would rather take the test via a remote video-supervised online session, you can search for online examination dates here: https://hamstudy.org/sessions. Click on the box “Show online” to only display the list of upcoming remote video sessions.

Getting Your Amateur Radio License

Before you go on air, you need to be licensed and know the rules. In the United States the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants Amateur Radio licenses to individuals who successfully pass a multiple choice written exam at a Volunteer Exam (VE) session.  

The FCC currently issues three levels of amateur radio license: Technician, General and Amateur Extra.

The license exam contains multiple choice questions selected from lists that are published online at http://www.arrl.org/question-pools. Many individuals prepare for an exam session using self-study license manuals and online practice exams. From time to time, license preparation courses are offered that cover the exam material over several weeks. "Ham-Cram" sessions are also popular, where a several hours' review class of exam questions and answers is immediately followed by a license exam session.

Visit http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class to find a license class.

Visit http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session to find a license exam session.

For more information on testing, preparation and study materials, see:

"So Now What?" - podcast for new hams

License Courses

Pending Updates....

2021 Ham-Cram Sessions - New Location

Posted April 21, 2021

Section member Joe Cardoza, KA6ROM, announces that his Citrus Heights VE Team will conduct their amateur radio Ham-Cram Technician License training and examinations on the following dates every other month at Compudigital Industries, 4480 Yankee Hill Rd, Ste 150, Rocklin, CA 95677.

The Ham-Cram and Exam dates for 2021 are:

Meet at 9 am, exam at 10 am.  Preregistration is required.  Contact Joe Cardoza, KA6ROM, via email cardozas@comcast.net to pre-register.

Carmichael Elks VE Team 2021 Sessions

Posted April 21, 2021

The Carmichael Elks VE Team continue conducting in-person on the third Saturday of each month from 7:00 am - 8:30 am at the Carmichael Elks Lodge, 5631 Cypress Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608.  COVID precautions are iniplace.  Advance registration is advised but walk ins may be accommodated.  Contact Vas Vyvoda at (916) 956-9221 or vvyvoda@gmail.com

Upcoming dates are:

May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18.

California Emergency Volunteers Ham-Cram Sessions

Posted May 1, 2021

The California Emergency Volunteers, Inc. offers 6 hour long "Get Your License in One Day" Ham-Cram sessions followed by a Technician Class license exam session. Contact them via www.cevol.org for more information and to register.

Redding ARRL VE Schedule 2021

Posted May 1, 2021

The Redding ARRL VE Team will be hosting exams on the following Saturdays in 2021:

Our exam sessions are now being held at the City of Redding Parks Building, 20055 Viking Way, Bldg #4, Redding. Exams start at 10:00 AM and candidates must pre-register.

More information can be found at: www.reddingve.com or by contacting Steve K6KS at sjmosconi@gmail.com

SHINGLETOWN ARRL VE 2021 Schedule

Test Location:

Shingletown Area Resource Center, 31268 HWY 44, SHINGLETOWN, CA. 96088

Testing begins at 8:00 AM.

Candidates should arrive 15 to 30 minutes early.

Information at http://www.qrz/com/db/wo6p

Contact:

Dar Walker W6IO, Shingletown ARRL VE Liaison, w6iodar@gmail.com, 530-474-3087

TEST SCHEDULE:

2021: Feb 20, Apr 17, Jun 19, Aug 21, Oct 16, Dec 11

Dar Walker W6IO

Other VE Sessions - Schedule List (ARRL.org site)


Sacramento Valley ARES Responds to NorCal Floods

Kudos to Sacramento County ARES EC Jay Ballinger, N6SAC, for this media hit and to SV ARES SEC Michael Joseph, KK6ZGB, and to all Sacramento Valley ARES volunteers for their support and response to the January 2023 Northern California floods.

Sacramento County ARES Sacramento Valley ARES
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2360 for Friday January 20th, 2023 

ARRL Files Comments Against Seriously Flawed HF Rules Petition

8/02/2023 - ARRL News

ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio®, as part of its mission to protect Amateur Radio, has filed comments against a proposal that would introduce high-power digital communications to the shortwave spectrum that in many instances is immediately adjacent to the Amateur HF bands. 

The “Shortwave Modernization Coalition” (SMC), which represents certain high-frequency stock trading interests, filed the petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (Previous coverage can be found on ARRL News.) ARRL responded on behalf of its members and the 760,000 licensees of the Amateur Radio Service in the US. 

The ARRL Laboratory performed a detailed technical analysis over several months to determine if the proposed rules would affect operations on the bands allocated to Radio Amateurs that are inter-mixed with the Part 90 bands in the spectrum in question.

ARRL’s analysis determined that, if the proposed rules are adopted, the new operations inevitably will cause significant harmful interference to many users of adjacent and nearby spectrum, including Amateur Radio licensees. Ed Hare, W1RFI, a 37-year veteran of the ARRL Lab and internationally recognized expert on radio frequency interference, was the principal investigator on the study. Hare concluded the petition should not be granted. “This petition seeks to put 50 kHz wide, 20,000-watt signals immediately next to seven different amateur bands with weaker protections against interference than required in other services,” said Hare. 

Read the full story at https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-files-comments-against-seriously-flawed-hf-rules-petition

Job Posting: FCC Recruiting Field Agents

07/17/2023 - from ARRL News

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is looking for qualified applicants for Field Agents in five local offices across the United States. From the FCC posting:

The FCC has openings for Field Agents in the following FCC Field Offices: New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles & San Francisco.

Operates and understands all technical equipment typically used in the Field including RF spectrum analyzers, field strength meters, RF Field survey meters, and radio receivers.  Maintains contacts with and assists other Federal agencies, foreign counterparts, and local law enforcement organizations concerning interaction and utilization of the radio spectrum for both authorized and unauthorized activities.

Initiates Official Notices of Violation, Warnings, Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, and other orders to radio operators and licensees, to bring unsatisfactory or violative conditions to their attention as a result of monitoring, investigations and inspections.  Independently initiates correspondence or other communications with complainants and radio users concerning the enforcement functions of the office and region.

The Salary is $66,134 - $158,432 per year depending on qualifications and experience.  We are looking for degreed Electrical or Electronics Engineers with experience that includes tasks such as tests, measurements, calculations and other similar work involving radio frequency (RF) engineering, broadcast engineering, or telecommunications engineering.

For details see the job postings here:

New York, Boston, Chicago: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/736540500   

Los Angeles & San Francisco: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/736547300

Applications are being accepted through August 24, 2023.

Weekly NorCal WinLink Net Practices EmComm Messaging

NorCal Winlink Net Manager Michael Ellithorp, KF6OBI, conducts a weekly NorCal WinLink Net for EmComm messaging practice.  Please contact Mike if you wish to participate.

Watch WinLink author and developer Oliver Dully, K6OLI's, session on Vara FM for messaging via WinLink, a network of amateur radio and authorized government stations that provide worldwide email via radio.  The WinLink network extends global messaging capability to HF and VHF operators anywhere, even in the absence of internet access, and is ideally suited for routine and Emergency Communications (EmComm) message traffic.

Winlink  Global Radio Email

ARRL Advocates for Radio Amateurs as FCC Proposes Changes to 60-Meter Band
from the ARRL Letter, April 27, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments about changing the secondary allocation available to radio amateurs on 60 meters. The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on April 21, 2023, that deals with the band. In a prior petition, ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® urged protecting the existing use of the band by amateurs when adding a new allocation adopted internationally.

Currently, radio amateurs in the US have access to five discrete channels on a secondary basis: 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5358.5 kHz, 5373 kHz, and 5405 kHz. Users of these channels are limited to an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 W PEP.

The FCC proposes to allocate 15 kHz of contiguous bandwidth between 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz on a secondary basis with a maximum power of 15 W EIRP (equivalent to 9.15 W ERP). This allocation was adopted at the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).

The federal government is the primary user of the 5 MHz spectrum. The government's manager of spectrum use, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has expressed support for implementing the allocation as adopted at WRC-15. Doing so would result in amateurs losing access to four of the five discrete channels, and power limits would be reduced from 100 W ERP to 9.15 W ERP. However, it would provide access to a new contiguous 15 kHz band that includes one of the current five channels.

In 2017, ARRL petitioned the FCC to keep the four 60-meter channels that fall outside the new band, as well as the current operating rules, including the 100 W PEP ERP limit.

The ARRL petition stated, "Such implementation will allow radio amateurs engaged in emergency and disaster relief communications, and especially those between the United States and the Caribbean basin, to more reliably, more flexibly, and more capably conduct those communications."

ARRL said that years of amateur radio experience using the five discrete channels have shown that amateurs can coexist with primary users at 5 MHz while complying with the regulations established for their use. The petition also stated, "Neither ARRL, nor, apparently, NTIA, is aware of a single reported instance of interference to a federal user by a radio amateur operating at 5 MHz to date."

In the NPRM, the FCC recognizes that Canada has already adopted 60-meter allocations and related rules that align with those proposed by ARRL. The Commission wrote, "Finally, we note that Canada has essentially implemented the same rules as ARRL has requested."

The FCC proposed to allocate the 15 kHz bandwidth, but stopped short of making a proposal on whether the existing channels should remain allocated to amateur radio and what the power limitations should be. They requested comments on their proposal and the related channel and power issues.

Comments will be due 60 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register, which is expected within the next two weeks.

KUDOS FOR ARRL SET/ARMY MARS EXERCISE OCT 2022

TO ALL ARRL PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST DIVISION MEMBERS

"On behalf of the DOD and US Northern Command, I want to express my thanks to the more than 1,400 amateur radio operators who were a part of the SET-DOD interop exercise this past Oct/Nov.  Your willingness to support this effort is indicative of the amateur radio spirit of communications and interoperability towards achieving a common goal of providing communications during a time of need.  Thank you and well done.

Paul English
Dept Army Civilian
Chief of Army MARS"
Paul English
DA Civilian
U.S. Army NETCOM G3 Current Operations
HF/LMR Capability Manager and Chief Army MARS


To all of you I want to say a big Thank You.  Without your help we(Army and Air Force MARS) would not have been able to complete the assigned mission of delivering the Message from United States Northern Command to United States Amateur Radio Operators, Simulated Emergency Tests(SET).   Please pass this Thank You on the Amateur Radio Operators who were there in the background supporting you in the SET’S  coordinating with the MARS Operators who passed the Message to them because without them the Mission would not have been completed.

AGAIN THANKS TO ALL

DERRILL COFFMAN W7LTM
ARMY MARS REGION 9 LIASION

Redding Veterans ARC Special Event Station in the News

W6VET Club President, Michael Vancleemput, K6WK, during KRCR filming

November 11 - Redding television station KRCR prominently featured the Redding Veterans Amateur Radio Club's W6VET in its coverage of their Veteran's Day Special Event activity.  Club president Michael Vancleemput, K6WK, had worked for months to put together their Veterans Day special event where his club would connect with veterans across the globe.  Club members made contacts on 14.320, 21.383, and 146.55 MHz with people from all over the country, and the world, reaching as far as New Zealand.

“Our purpose is to unite with [amateur radios] all over the world,” VanCleemput said. “So we want to really have fun. You know this is our fun day, so it’s a celebration of Veterans Day, and, at the same time, creating goodwill.” 

See the full story, more photos and the KRCR video at
https://krcrtv.com/news/local/redding-veterans-use-ham-radio-to-connect-to-people-across-the-globe-on-veterans-day

Also check out W6VET's excellent QRZ page.

submitted by Michael Vancleemput, K6WK

50 W PEP Maximum Power Limit Area on 70 cm

A little recognized portion of FCC Part 97 regulations applies to 420-450 MHz operations in most counties in our Sacramento Valley section:

47 CFR §97.313 (f) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the UHF 70 cm band from an area specified in footnote US270 to §2.106 of part 2. The indicated affected areas are specified in http://www.arrl.org/us270, in the State of California within a 240-kilometer (150 mile) radius around locations at Beale Air Force Base, California (latitude 39°08' North, longitude 121°21' West).

More information on the additional impact on 70 cm repeater stations is at http://www.narcc.org/NARCC-ARRL-PAVE-PAWS-Update-2014a.pdf

The Amateur Radio Service shares the 70 cm band on a secondary basis with the US Government which has priority. The US Department of Defense routinely monitors and locates signal sources on these frequencies.  Our voluntary cooperation is mandatory to avoid interference with the Pave PAWS (Phased Array Warning System) radar at Beale AFB and thus to assure our continued access to these frequencies.

More information and videos on Pave PAWS

Incidental Radio Frequency/Electromagnetic Interference (RFI & EMI)

posted February 3, 2018

ARRL and the FCC have a cooperative agreement in radio frequency interference matters. You may submit interference reports together with your supporting documentation to ARRL EMC Engineer Mike Gruber W1MG who then files the report with the FCC Gettysburg office.

You may also contact our Section Technical Coordinator Bob Wortman, WB6VYH for assistance. More information is posted under the "From the Section Manager" notes in the November 2016 Section News - Carol KP4MD

Bob Hess, W1RH, shares this helpful web page by NK7Z for identifying sources of incidental Radio Frequency Interference http://www.nk7z.net/rfi-snapshots

Keep Our Digital Transmissions Legal on 60 Meters

Posted January 29, 2017

Interest in HF propagation phenomena and antennas has attracted increasing numbers of radio amateurs to operate CW and weak signal digital modes on our lower HF frequencies including 60 meters. The five frequency channels that US amateur radio operators share on a secondary basis with US federal government users on 60 meters (5 MHz) pose unique requirements for CW and digital operators. As explained on http://www.arrl.org/60m-channel-allocation, each US radio amateur emission on our 60m channels must be precisely centered in the center frequency of each assigned channel, that is, 5332.0, 5348.0, 5358.5, 5373.0 or 5405.0 kHz. Thus, for example, each CW or digital signal on channel 3 (USB Dial frequency 5357.0 kHz) must be precisely in the 5358.5 kHz channel center.

This may appear unreasonable to radio amateurs because a 2.8 kHz channel can accommodate many digital and CW transmissions simultaneously, and requiring multiple stations to operate on the same exact frequency would result in mutual interference. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)* explains this requirement in https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7021871884.pdf which states: "Allowing multiple emissions within the necessary bandwidth of the widest authorized modes (2.8 kHz) increases the possibility of harmful interference from secondary amateur stations to primary federal stations, and would make it more difficult for a federal station to identify an interfering amateur station. In addition, NTIA is concerned about the aggregate equivalent isotropically radiated power from multiple amateur stations transmitting within a single 2.8 kHz channel. Accordingly, NTIA requests that 47 C.F.R. Section 97.303(h) continue to require that amateur stations transmit only on the five center frequencies allocated to the amateur service."  (See http://www.arrl.org/what-the-fcc-rules-say-97-303-h)

Observed Violations of US 60 Meter Frequency Regulations

FT8/JT65

This screenshot photo shows digital signals received on 60 meter Channel 3 (5357 kHz USB dial frequency) from 0300-0309 UTC on January 29, 2017. In the photo, the 5357 kHz dial frequency is at 0 Hz on the left side of the waterfall and the 5358.5 kHz channel center is at the 1500 Hz mark. Decodes of several US radio amateurs are seen transmitting digital emissions simultaneously on various frequencies throughout the channel 3 frequency range 5357-5360 kHz. This is the familiar appearance of a digital waterfall display on all other amateur radio bands; however, it violates the NTIA requirement that each US radio amateur transmission be on the 1500 Hz center mark (the 5358.5 kHz channel center frequency).

WSPR

The link http://wsprnet.org/olddb?band=60&sort=callsign&reverse=on&unique=on lists WSPR mode emissions on the 60 meter band. One can scroll down that list and see how many A, K, N and W call signs have been transmitting WSPR mode on 5288 kHz or 5366 kHz, frequencies that are outside the authorized US 60 meter center channel frequencies.  

US WSPR transmissions continue to be observed on the WSPR software default 60 meter frequencies of 5288 kHz and 5366 kHz, completely unauthorized frequencies for US radio amateurs.

Each licensee has the final responsibility for the lawful operation of his or her station.  Unfortunately, the increasing automation in our radios has apparently accustomed some to falsely assume that the radio will correct for operator carelessness and ignorance of regulations.  Our cooperation with NTIA requirements is essential for our continued access to the 60m channels and for possible future access to the new ITU worldwide 60 meter allocation at 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz. (See http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-asks-fcc-to-allocate-new-5-mhz-band-retain-channels-and-current-power-limit and http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-invites-comments-on-arrl-petition-to-allocate-new-5-mhz-band). Please be aware of these requirements if you intend to or currently operate CW or digital modes on our shared 60m allocations. The ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program is documenting this matter and wishes to raise its awareness in the wider amateur radio community.

-Carol Milazzo, KP4MD

*The NTIA is the federal authority that coordinates radio spectrum use for the US military and federal government while the FCC serves in this capacity for US civilian radio spectrum users.

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