ARMY MARS RESUMES USE OF WINLINK 2000

The Army’s Military Auxiliary Radio System better known simply as Army MARS is back using WinLink 2000. The ARRL reports that Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence has reversed the decision to phase out the use of the global radio e-mail system by Army MARS members that was issued late last year.

Lieutenant General Lawrence stated that the Army, after reviewing its capabilities, had decided that the continued use of WinLink 2000 would be in MARS best interest. She went on to call it a valuable asset to Army MARS members and agencies that were using the service.

On January 5, 2012, the Chief of Army MARS officially notified the membership that the phase out notice had been rescinded. Army MARS members and agencies who had been using the service hailed the decision by Lieutenant General Lawrence and have resumed use of the WinLink 2000 radio e-mail system.

More about WinLink 2000 is on the web at www.winlink.org.
source ARRL

Earth-directed CME to Impact on Jan. 21, 2012

Active sunspot 1401 erupted yesterday, Jan. 19th around 16:30 UT, producing an M3-class solar flare and a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME). The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory recorded the cloud expanding almost directly toward Earth:


Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab say strong geomagnetic storms are possible when the cloud arrives this weekend. Their animated forecast track predicts an impact on Jan. 21st at 22:30 UT (+/- 7 hrs).
The cloud is also heading for Mars, due to hit the Red Planet on Jan. 24th. NASA's Curiosity rover, en route to Mars now, is equipped to study solar storms and might be able to detect a change in the energetic particle environment when the CME passes by.

WINMOR--A New HF Digital Protocol for Winlink 2000

WINMOR stands for WINlink Message Over Radio and is a new HF radio transmission protocol by Rick Muething, KN6KB, of the Winlink Development Team. WINMOR was introduced at the 2008 ARRL / TAPR Digital Communications Conference in Chicago on September 26-28, 2008, and released from beta testing to production versions in 2010. Unlike PACTOR, only a simple computer soundcard-to-radio interface is required, and it runs as a “virtual TNC” (the WINMOR TNC application) together with host software. The protocol (not the software) is fully documented and is without restrictions or license issues which might prevent anyone from implementing the protocol in other software. The WINMOR TNC software is also fully documented as an API for developers. The software TNC can freely distributed when paired with a developer’s own host application software.

PACTOR vs. WINMOR

Users may employ either WINMOR or Pactor to transfer mail in the WL2K system, depending on their equipment. While WINMOR may not equal P2 and P3 in total performance, it provides a cost-effective means of using the system, and is more robust and faster than P1, and faster than P2 in favorable conditions. WINMOR is attractive to anyone who has trouble justifying the high cost and low utilization of a P2 and P3 modem. Cruisers, who daily use radio email for long-distance lifeline communications at sea, can usually justify the P3 modem purchase. EmComm agencies who fund equipment purchases usually are smart to opt for P3 modems for reliability and ease of use under the stress of emergency operations. Successful WINMOR soundcard operating requires skill in making multiple adjustments, and knowledge of the computer’s operating system, which often do not lend themselves to success under the pressure of an emergency situation.

RMS Express with WINMOR for Users

See the User Software page for more information and to download the RMS Express client software, which includes the virtual WINMOR TNC software, and additionally supports Pactor 1-3, AX.25 packet and Telnet protocols using a wide variety of TNCs and multimode controllers.

WINMOR TNC Software for Developers

WINMOR TNC is a Windows “helper application” that creates a virtual WINMOR HF MODEM (TNC) using a standard PC sound card. It is intended to be used by developers who create complete end user Client or Server host applications. Example of such programs are RMS Express (Radio client) and RMS WINMOR (Radio Server).

The WINMOR TNC software license is provided in the help files of the downloaded program, and is not in the public domain. Please see these files for details.

Use this link: Download WINMOR TNC

Documentation Link

RIGrunner 4005i

The RIGrunner 4005i enables amateur radio, emergency communications systems and repeater site operators to monitor and control their DC power distribution systems from any internet-ready mobile device or PC.
Features Provides internet based monitoring and control of 12 VDC power distribution
Delivers up to 40 amps total through 5 outlets while transmitting, 30 amps continuous duty
Each outlet features independent on/off control and user configurable current trip point, 1A to 40A
RJ45 Ethernet port standard, WiFi option available
Integrated web server for monitoring and control
Can be configured to issue alarm email when outlet trips off
Front mounted LCD display and indicator LEDs for local monitoring of status, input voltage and current draw from each outlet
Rear mounted Anderson Powerpole® connectors with locking clips
Low profile for 1U 19″ rack or horizontal shelf mounting option
Rack mounted version custom built to order, contact West Mountain Radio for details.
Includes in all Models

(4) Rubber Feet
(4) 3M Adhesive Pads
(1) 6-pair pack of 30A Powerpole connectors
(6) Retention Clips
RJ45 Ethernet Cable
Owner’s Manual

Rack Mounted Model

1U 19″ Rack Bracket and Faceplate
WiFi add-on module with antenna

Software

The integrated web server enables internet based monitoring and control of your DC power distribution system. It includes the following capabilities:

Input voltage monitor
Current draw monitoring through each outlet
Individual outlet on/off control with trip indication
Configuration of current limits for each outlet, 1 to 40 amps
Generation of alarm email in case of current limit trip

RIGrunner 4005i Owner’s Manual

Price: $279.95 USD

Link

Pure Michigan in January

Here's what's happening in Michigan next month.
Your trip begins at michigan.org.

Auto Showcase Takes Center Stage in Detroit
See the most innovative auto designs in the world as more than 500 vehicles debut at North America's largest and most prestigious automotive showcase. Read More

Culinary Destinations Make Great Winter Getaways
Escape into a world of wine, food and fun this winter with a delightful Michigan culinary excursion. From festivals to cooking classes, every foodie is sure to find something to satisfy their appetite. Read More

Snowshoe Hikes and Lantern-Lit Winter Fun
Looking for another great winter family adventure? Michigan state parks are groomed and ready--day and night--with fun activities at an affordable cost. Read More

UP Slope Patrol
Head to Michigan's western Upper Peninsula for your next ski getaway and experience top notch resorts with all of the amenities that cater to avid downhill ski enthusiasts. Read More

Winter Events Buzz
From concept cars to sled-dog races, from ice festivals to ski jumping competitions and great museum exhibits-- Michigan stages unforgettable events all through the month of January. Read More

source

Missouri Exempts Amateur Radio from Cell/ Texting Law

If you live in Missouri you might have heard, there is a new Senate Bill, SB 567, that has been introduced by State Senator Robin Write-Jones, a Democrat-St Louis to be considered in 2012 by the Missouri Senate. There is good news though in this bill if you’re a ham radio operator. The last line of the bill contains the following exemption language:

Exempt are the use of two-way radio transmitters or receivers by a licensee of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service.

That means that the mobile use of amateur transceivers is for now safe in Missouri.

OPERA Encoded Signal Travels 2000 Miles

Opera has made a big debuet on the ham radio bands. Using the new Opera data mode, Gary Taylor, G4WGT, in Lancanshire in the United Kingdom has successfully transmitted a signal on 137.5 kHz across the North Atlantic to Joe Craig, VO1NA, in Toebay, Canada. This over a distance of 3,500 kilometers or 2200 miles.

Taylor transmitted six full callsign frames in a two hour period, which is a big time saving over other slow digital modes like QRSS. Opera was created by Graham Brown, G0NBD with the actual code written by Jose Ros, EA5HVK. This as a way of providing data operations for stations that only had the CW capability. The most up to date information on this mode can be found at groups.yahoo.com.

source.
Southgate Amateur Radio News

FCC Rejects ARRL Partial Appeal on Club Callsigns

The FCC has rejected a motion for partial reconsideration of revised rules enacted by the FCC. These to limit the number of vanity calls that any individual or club can hold.

In its petition the League stated that it supports the Commission’s efforts to prevent club stations from obtaining an unfair share of desirable call signs. But it also expressed concern that the precise rule language adopted by the FCC did not preclude the abuses that the Report and Order intended to prohibit. Specifically, the ARRL believes that if a club has multiple station trustees, each of these trustees could obtain a vanity call sign for the club. That in turn could allow the club to obtain multiple vanity call signs.

But in denying the ARRL appeal the FCC said that the Leagues petition does not provide any grounds for reconsidering the Commission’s decision in the Report and Order. It said that the concerns expressed by ARRL about licensees attempting to evade the rules adopted in the Report and Order are already addressed by the Commission’s licensing rules and processes. It notes that Section 97.5(b)(2) of its rules states, in part, that a club station license grant may be held only by the person who is the license or trustee designated by an officer of the club. In simpler terms, only one vanity call sign per club. (FCC)

ARRL SEEKING INPUT ON A 60 METER BANDPLAN

The ARRL is seeking input on a proposed new bandplan for the 5 MHz or 60 meter band.

As previously reported, last November the FCC released a Report and Order detailing new rules for the 5 MHz Amateur Radio band. This announcement brought with it a number of changes for 60 meter operators.

Changes include substituting a channel at 5 point 358 point 5 MHz for 5 point 368 MHz previously authorized. The effective radiated limit in the 60 meter band will be raised by 3 dB to 100 W Peak Envelope Power relative to a half-wave dipole. Also, three additional emission types are authorized. These are Data, RTTY and CW will be authorized as soon as an effective date for a rules change is announced.

The ARRL says that considering the expected increase in 60 meter activity when the FCC’s Report and Order finally takes effect, the League is asking for feedback to assist in crafting a proposed band plan. If you’re a 60-meter operator, e-mail your suggestions to hf-band-plan (at) arrl (dot) org. You can also participate in an online survey at tinyurl.com/60-meter-plan.
ARRL http://www.arrl.org/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regarding new FCC rules for the US 60m amateur band:

The following URL:

http://tinyurl.com/60m-R-O-in-PR

redirects to a search of *all* US Gov't publications for FCC-11-171.
The first hit there was for the document sent from FCC to the Pres. of the Senate, which was

then sent to committee. Apparently, the new rules are being held up by the US Senate

Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation !

The Executive Communication, sent from FCC to the President of the US Senate, reads as follows:


EC–4237. A communication from the Chief
of the Policy and Rules Division, Office of
Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications
Commission, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled
‘‘Amendment of Parts 2 and 97 of the Commission’s
Rules to Facilitate Use by the
Amateur Radio Service of the Allocation at
5 MHz’’ (FCC 11–171) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on December 5,
2011; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.



To search only the Federal Register for same, I created the following Tinyurl :

http://tinyurl.com/Search-FR-only-FCC-11-171

Use either of the above URLs for up-to-the-minute notification of the publishing of

the new 60m rules in the Federal Register, straight from the horse's mouth !

72,
Bill, N4QA

Mitt Romney/ Against Amateur Radio Operators

I personally do not like or care for Mitt Romney. Never have and never will.
Here is another great reason;

Mitt Romney "No, we don't need to deal with ham radio operators..."

Romney "Disses" Amateur Radio In Televised Town Meeting

Read about it here
http://ema.arrl.org/node/802

The television program can be viewed at http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/5334306/detail.html.