Sorry for the lack of up-dates lately

As this article states, I had some recent computer problems and that's why there haven't been any up-dates as of late. Please try ans support the ARRL & QRZ.COM the Best You can. Their always there for us :

RECENT ARRL NEWS UPDATES:

ARRL Receives MARS Call Sign (Sep 22, 2007) -- The ARRL now has a new Emergency Communications tool in its toolbox -- MARS call sign AAN1ARL. According to W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, "The call sign was requested to reflect both the holder of the license (ARRL) and the various MARS services (Army, Air Force and Navy)."Full Story

Dayton ARA Looking to Honor Silent Keys (Sep 23, 2007) -- If you know of a ham who has died in service during the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq, the Dayton Amateur Radio Association would like to honor them. DARA is looking to publish a memorial page in the Hamvention 2008 program listing these SKs, with their name, call sign, branch of service, rank and unit. For more information, please contact Ed Collins, N8NUY.Link to this item

Oklahoma Hams Assist with Accident Scene (Sep 23, 2007) -- On September 8, Myrna Cobb, KE5IAD, of Bethany, Oklahoma, and Victor Stillman, KE5LQU, of Edmond, Oklahoma, were driving home from an ARES exercise and talking with friends on the K5EOK EARS repeater in Edmond. As they were talking, a car about 150 yards ahead of them on the highway started hydroplaning. The car skidded into a tractor-trailer, causing caused both vehicles to wreck. Still on the radio, Cobb and Stillman told Frankie Tassone, KE5KQL, about the accident, giving him the accident details. Tassone then contacted the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Cobb and Stillman were able to immediately respond when they pulled up on the scene. Stillman, a volunteer fire fighter and EMT, supplied first aid to the victims while Cobb directed traffic, keeping the scene clear for more than 20 minutes before the Highway Patrol arrived. -- Tnx Mark D. Conklin, N7XYOLink to this item

ICOM Returns as November Sweepstakes Principal Awards Sponsor (Sep 22, 2007) -- ICOM has generously agreed to serve for a third year as principal awards sponsor for the 2007 ARRL November Sweepstakes. The Amateur Radio equipment manufacturer's first such sponsorship was for the 2005 events. The 2007 CW Sweeps takes place November 3-4, while the phone Sweeps is November 17-18. Under its agreement with ARRL, ICOM will be the principal sponsor for nearly 150 unsponsored contest plaques that recognize various levels of operating achievement in the popular annual competition.Full Story

The K7RA Solar Update (Sep 21, 2007) -- Fifteen days in a row with no sunspots, but this may change soon. Take a look at sunspot numbers compared to solar flux for the current third quarter of 2007. Notice that when there are zero sunspots, the solar flux (the amount of energy we receive from the Sun at a wavelength of 10.7 cm or 2800 MHz) is always below 70. Recently, the flux value has been below 70, and for some time now the US Air Force has predicted a slight rise in solar flux to 70 for today, September 21. You can see those predictions here. If we examine predictions from early September on that page, note they show a return to 70 solar flux for September 17; later forecasts show it creeping out to September 18, then 19 and finally for yesterday, the prediction for today is 70.Full Story

North Carolina Ham Celebrates 100th Birthday (Sep 20, 2007) -- Harry Mills, K4HU, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, celebrated his 100th birthday September 19. In 1922, when Mills was first licensed, there was no Federal Communications Commission; communications were regulated under the Department of Commerce with Herbert Hoover as Secretary of Commerce. Mills has been a member of the League since February 1, 1936 - more than 71 years; he is also a member of QCWA. Still active on the air, Mills can be heard twice weekly checking into the AM net on 3810 kHz, as well as the Chapter 76 QCWA SSB net on Saturday mornings on 3930 kHz. Mills credits a crystal receiver project from the Boy Scout handbook in 1919 for his interest in wireless and radio. ARRL Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB, passed along birthday wishes: "On behalf of the Board, Staff and 152,000 members of ARRL -- we all wish a hearty Happy Birthday to Harry, K4HU. It's not too often that we have the opportunity to wish a Happy Birthday to someone who has been a member for 71 years -- yes, 71 years! I knew when I started here that we have thousands of dedicated members, but Harry exemplifies our long-time members. We are so pleased for Harry and wish him a very Happy 100th Birthday." -- Thx John Dilks, K2TQN, and Harold Kinley, WA4GIBFull Story

Tom Atkins, VE3CDM (SK) (Sep 20, 2007) -- Former ARRL Canadian Division Director and IARU Region 2 President Tom Atkins, VE3CDM, passed away Tuesday, September 18. He was 81. Atkins was the last Director of the ARRL's Canadian Division before the Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL), a predecessor to the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), began to operate independently in 1988. He served as ARRL Director from September 20, 1982-January 1, 1988.Full Story

ARRL Roanoke Division Director, Cronkite, QST Author, to be Feted by Radio Club of America (Sep 19, 2007) -- The Radio Club of America (RCA) has named ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, PhD, PE, W4PWF, of Arlington, Virginia, as the recipient of the Sarnoff Citation. The award is given to recognize significant contributions to the advancement of electronic communications. Barry Goldwater, K7UGA (SK), was the first recipient of the Sarnoff Citation in 1973.Full Story

ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration (Sep 19, 2007) -- Registration remains open through Sunday October 7, 2007 for these online courses beginning on Friday October 19, 2007: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003R2); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF - Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator.Link to this item

ARRL Dakota Division Vice Director to Resign as of October 1 (Sep 18, 2007) -- Dakota Division Vice Director Twila Greenheck, N0JPH, announced her resignation effective Monday, October 1, due to family responsibilities; her term expires in 2008. She plans to continue serving the League as an ARRL Education Advisor and consultant to the Board of Director's ad hoc Scouting Committee. "Being part of the ARRL Board Family has been an incredible experience that I will always remember and cherish. The opportunity to serve with Director Jay Bellows representing the amateurs in the Dakota Division has surely been an honor," Greenheck said. Bellows said, "Twila has been a joy to work with over the past eight years. From the first time I met her to the present she has been a tireless and effective advocate of increased ARRL efforts to reach out to youth and strengthen education in Amateur Radio. I look forward to her continued service to the League, especially as a member of the ARRL's Educational Advisory Group." ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, will appoint a replacement.Link to this item

L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, wins August QST Cover Plaque Award (Sep 18, 2007) -- The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for August is L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, for his article "A Short Boom, Wideband 3 Element Yagi for 6 Meters." Congratulations, L.B.! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best 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 September issue by Sunday, September 30.Link to this item

RECENT QRZ.COM NEWS UPDATES:

Announcing the new Amateur Radio Watch Sep. 23 2007,23:39 by g4tut
The ARRL Letter, Vol 26, No 38 Sep. 22 2007,14:15 by aa7bq
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1571 Sep. 21 2007,07:34 by aa7bq
NFCC votes to ask FCC to treat all repeaters Sep. 21 2007,05:19 by g4tut
Marconi's first commercial message Sep. 20 2007,20:29 by g4tut
Icom launch new D-STAR website Sep. 20 2007,19:07 by g4tut
Amateur Radio goes to the White House Sep. 20 2007,02:25 by g4tut
Icom gives D-Star repeater to the WIA Sep. 20 2007,02:16 by g4tut
Marconi Clifden Celebrations Sep. 17 2007,03:28 by g4tut
CQIR - only two weeks to go Sep. 17 2007,03:21 by g4tut