| ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology Adds Third Level |
ARRL continues to develop the highly successful ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. Much as is done with new equipment in the amateur radio hobby, a prototype is being tinkered with this week: TI3. The third phase of the program is centered around space. Teachers who have each been through the previous versions of the program are at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, to test the program. |
Teachers from around the country gathered to help test the third level of ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. Photos by Eliza Croarkin, KC1TAP |
ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, said having the experienced educators on hand to test out the new training is invaluable. “This is really about taking it a step further – providing a highly specialized form of training. We’ve developed a good program, but you never know how well something is going to work in practice until you try it.” The educator-hams of this first cohort couldn’t be happier to experiment with it. “I like that it’s a small group and that it’s laid back and that we’re all in it knowing it is a beta group – so if something doesn't go exactly as planned, the people that are here are very flexible in changing what we’re doing,” said Megan Tucker, KQ4MAM, Dean of Curriculum/STEAM Specialist at Hillsborough Charter Academy in Hillsborough, Virginia. Tucker earned all three levels of amateur license since last October. “For me, as someone who has been very dialed in to aerospace, it’s nice to get into something that is a little more technical. I was petrified coming in and the best part about this is that, once you’re here and you’re with other people, you see that everyone had different strengths and that is possible.” The educators have built and released pico balloons, antennas for radio astronomy, and other more advanced projects within amateur radio. The cohort will cap off the week with a field trip to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory. The ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology is funded entirely by gifts to the ARRL Education Fund. |
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Generational Legacy Carried on in ARRL Teachers Institute |
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As ARRL continues to empower teachers to bring amateur radio and radio technology into their classrooms through the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, many generous donors have stepped up to enable the work. Parents can make all the difference in someone’s success. David Ginsberg, N3BKV, knows that well. His parents, Hy and Mimi Ginsberg, supported his passions, “Whether it was my mom driving me to the planetarium for weekend classes that allowed me to learn about the universe to my father taking me to my first hamfest and his support of this hobby, they saw my passion for amateur radio and how it gave me a focus to learn about science, computers, and electronics through it,” he wrote. David knew he wanted to pay that forward. To honor his parents’ dedication to fostering curious minds while also supporting the future of amateur radio, he chose to establish the Hy and Mimi Ginsberg Educator position within the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. The program equips teachers to incorporate amateur radio and wireless technology into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. The TI is funded entirely by donor contributions though the ARRL Education Fund. Teachers pay an application fee, but all other costs of transportation, lodging and course materials are covered. It costs $4,000 to send a teacher through the program. David Ginsberg wanted that to happen in the name of his parents. “They knew the power of knowledge and believed in supporting teachers when they were both alive through many charitable endeavors,” he said. The first Hy and Mimi Ginsberg Educator is Danielle Adler, Ed.D., K6FIN. She is the founder of San Diego Youth Science, an organization that partners with many schools to advance youth involvement in marine sciences. |
 | | ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, with Dr. Danielle Adler, K6FIN, the Hy and Mimi Ginsberg Educator, 2024 |
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Dr. Adler is excited to take the knowledge she gained in the TI back to the young people she impacts, so they may get hands on with radio. “Providing students with ways to participate in authentic science is incredibly impactful, and radio science can be a wonderful and relevant tool,” wrote Dr. Adler in a thank you letter to David Ginsberg, citing the impact his parents’ legacy will continue to have. In the last three years, 175 educators have attended the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. There are 7 cohorts of the program in 2024, but the goal is to scale it to 10 for 2025. “There’s demonstrated success with this program, and a great opportunity to continue growing,” said ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL. “By having the support of people like the Ginsburg Family, ARRL will continue to enable educators to grow ham radio in the generation that will likely take humanity to Mars and beyond,” said Beal. More information about the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology can be found at www.arrl.org/ti. |
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2024 USA and IARU Region 2 Radio Orienteering Championships Set for October |
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There is still time to register for the 2024 USA and IARU Region 2 Radio Orienteering Championships to be held in Chelsea, Michigan, on October 5 - 13. The regular registration deadline is August 15, and the late registration deadline is September 15. A direct link to registration is available here: EventReg | Radio Orienteering USA Championships 2024. All radio transmitter hunters, from beginners to experts, are invited to participate in a full week of radio orienteering (amateur radio direction finding) competition and other fun events. There will be competitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, and China. The schedule includes: • 2-day training camp coached by course designers Charles & Nadia Scharlau the weekend of October 5 - 6 • 2 practice days October 8 - 9 • Cultural / social outings to Henry Ford Museum & Ford F-150 factory on October 7, cider mill and German restaurant visit on October 10, among other opportunities • Informational meeting, guest speaker & casual dinner on Wednesday night October 9. • 4 days of challenging championship-level racing, including prior USA orienteering champs and team trials venues on October 10 - 13. • Sprint, Foxoring, and 2m & 80m Classics October 10 - 13. • A search and rescue exhibition team contest October 12. This year’s event director is Joseph Burkhead, KE8MKR. He is a 2018 World ARDF Championship bronze medalist, 2019 144 MHz Classic M40 national champion, and has competed as an athlete for the USA Radio Orienteering Team. He also competed on the Armed Forces USA Orienteering Team at the 2013 World Military Orienteering Championships in Eksjo, Sweden. Burkhead is a member of the Southern Michigan Orienteering Club. |
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Amateur Radio in the News |
“July Shines a Light on HAM Radio Teacher Tom Mattus” / KIVI /KSAW TV (Idaho) July 24, 2024 -- The Boise County Amateur Radio Club “Amateur radio operators, EMA collaborate to enhance safety” / Akron.Com (Ohio) July 25, 2024 -- Summit County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) “Valley kids talk live with NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station” / KPNX - TV (Arizona) July 28, 2024 -- The Arizona Science Center and the Ham Shack team using amateur radio to talk to the International Space Station. “Ham operators group using U.S. 127 Yard Sale as special event” / The Bryan Times (Ohio) July 30, 2024 -- The Williams County Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club. “Roanoke HamFest to support future amateur radio hobbyists” / WDBJ TV (Virigina) July 30, 2024 -- The Roanoke Virginia Amateur Radio Club. |
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On the Air Sponsored by Icom New Emergency Communication Courses from ARRL ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, joins the podcast to share details about ARRL's updated Emergency Communication courses, which have been broken into three successive levels — Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. The courses are available free of charge at the ARRL Learning Center. |
ARRL Audio News Listen to 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 and ARRL Audio News are available on blubrry, iTunes, and Apple Podcasts. On the Air | ARRL Audio News |
During the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, which runs through August 11, amateur radio operators can contact a special event Olympic station. Special callsign TM24PRS, from Chatillon, France, will be active by Franck Menard, F4DTO, and Patrick Menard, F4GFE, on all HF bands and special award QSL cards will be available in 4 categories: Bronze -- 3 bands QSO Silver -- 4 bands QSO Gold -- 5 bands QSO Platinum -- 6 bands QSO The awards are free, only by sending a request to f4dto.franck_f4gfe.patrick@orange.fr or via mail to Franck Menard, P. O. Box 61, Chatillon cedex 92321, France. Also, after the 2024 Olympic Games, there will be a special event station for the 2024 Paraylmpic Games, August 11 through September 8. TM2024JPP will be active on all bands from 0000Z - 2359Z. For additional information visit: https://log-et-qsl.associations-radioamateurs.org/wp. |
Sponsored by the New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club, special event station K0C will be active August 4 – 8, 2024, 0000Z - 2359Z. K0C will be in operation from various locations throughout the state of New Jersey, the United States, Europe, and in Quebec, Canada, the site of the Knights of Columbus 142nd Supreme Convention. Contacts can be made using 7.185, 14.250,18.140, and 21.350 MHz. Certificates and QSL cards are available from Thomas M. Perrotti, N2JIE, 785 Vineland Ave, Bridgeton, NJ 08302-4822. |
 | | This image was taken on August 1, 2024. [Photo courtesy of NASA SDO/HMI] |
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For this Friday’s ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP031: High solar activity continued this week, with the average daily sunspot number changing from 208.1 to 208.9 and average daily solar flux from 193 to 207.3. Average daily planetary A index shifted from 6 to 14, and average middle latitude A index rose from 7.3 to 13.1. The Penticton observatory in British Columbia reported a solar flux of 400.7 at noon on July 30, which we threw out due to obvious overload at the facility. We used values from the morning and afternoon to come up with our estimate instead. Nine new sunspot regions emerged. One appeared on July 25, two on July 26, another on July 28 and another on July 29, two more on July 30 and another two on July 31. Predicted solar flux is 230 on August 1; 220 August 2 – 3; 215 on August 4; 200 on August 5 – 7; 185 on August 8; 190 on August 9 -11; 195 on August 12 – 13; 190 on August 14 – 17; 185 on August 18, and 180 on August 19 - 24. The planetary A index prediction calls for 30 and 10 on August 1 - 2, 5 on August 3 - 21, then 10 and 8 on August 22 - 23. From the Bureau of Meteorology - Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC): “GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING ISSUED AT 2323 UTC/31 JULY 2024. A coronal mass ejection (CME) that was first seen on July 29 may impact Earth late on August 1, with effects possibly continuing into August 2. This CME is mostly expected to induce G0-G1 geomagnetic conditions. Increased geomagnetic activity expected due to CME from August 1 - 2 , 2024. Space Weather for Ham Nation July 31, 2024, report from Space Weather Woman Dr. Tamitha Skov: https://bit.ly/3A6XClU From KING 5 TV in Seattle, Washington: How current storm differs from May 11: https://bit.ly/46thuvr CHRON.com: Are we at solar max?: https://bit.ly/3yuxMYn (Thanks to Stephan Sacco, NN4X) Sunspot numbers for July 25 through 31, 2024 were 171, 181, 178, 189, 211, 261, and 271, with a mean of 208.9. The 10.7 -centimeter flux was 176.2, 176.3, 203.6, 214.4, 223.1, 222.3, and 235.1, with a mean of 207.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 9, 23, 13, 7, 6, 23, and 17, with a mean of 14. Middle latitude A Index was 9, 23, 14, 8, 7, 18, and 13, with a mean of 13.1. Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7ra@arrl.net. A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...," and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website. Share your reports and observations. A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News. |
- August 1 - 2 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
- August 1 -- NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
- August 2 -- NCCC FT4 Sprint (FT4)
- August 2 -- NCCC Sprint (CW)
- August 3 - 4 -- Batavia FT8 Contest (digital)
- August 3 - 4 -- 10-10 International Summer Contest, SSB (phone)
- August 3 -- European HF Championship (CW, phone)
- August 3 -- WAB 144 MHz Low Power Phone (phone)
- August 3 - 4 -- North American QSO Party (CW)
- August 3 - 4 -- ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest (CW, phone, digital)
- August 4 -- Hemus VHF Contest — 144 MHz (CW, phone)
- August 4 -- SARL HF Phone Contest (phone)
- August 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar for more events and information. |
Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions |
- August 3 | Kootenai Amateur Radio Society, sponsoring the ARRL Idaho State Convention, Post Falls, Idaho
- August 3 | Elkhart East Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Central Division Convention, Elkhart, Indiana
- August 4 | SVARC Berryville Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Virginia State Convention, Berryville, Virginia
- August 17 - 18 | Huntsville Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
- August 22 - 25 | Northeast HamXposition, sponsoring the ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts
- August 30 - September 1 | Shelby Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby, North Carolina
- August 31 | Summer Symposium, sponsoring the ARRL Santa Barbara Section Convention, Camarillo, California
- September 8 | ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
- September 20 - 22 | Duke City Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL New Mexico State Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- September 21 - 22 | Midwest Superfest, sponsoring the ARRL Illinois Section Convention, Chillicothe, Illinois
- September 28 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota
- October 5 | Wichita Area Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Kansas State Convention, Wichita, Kansas
- October 5 | Northstar Radio Convention, sponsoring the ARRL Minnesota State Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
- October 5 | Rock Hill Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL South Carolina Section Convention, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database 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 |
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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out. Copyright © 2024 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission. |
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