The National Association of Amateur Radio

• ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration

  Registration remains open through Sunday, October 26, 2008, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, November 7, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001), Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006), Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009), Technician License Course (EC-010); Analog Electronics (EC-012), and Digital Electronics (EC-013). Each online course has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses are interactive, and some include direct communications with a Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on...

• Book on Amateur Radio's "Golden Age" Now Available from ARRL

  Many consider 1930 to 1980 as the "golden age" of American radio technology. A time of extraordinary innovation driven by pioneering engineers and entrepreneurs, this 50 year span saw the introduction of rigs that would become famous throughout the world. The newest addition to the ARRL Library, 50 Years of Amateur Radio Innovation -- Transmitters, Receivers and Transceivers: 1930-1980, highlights theses treasured favorites in a way that has never been seen before.

• The K7RA Solar Update

  The sunspot appearance reported last week seems to follow the pattern emerging for most of 2008. A spot will appear for one or two days and then suddenly it is gone. Last week's report mentioned the solar wind being at an all time low. This week, NASA announced that so far, 2008 is the "blankest year of the space age," with more than 200 spotless days. The minimum following Solar Cycle 18 in 1954 had 241 days without sunspots, and it preceded the solar max in 1959 for Solar Cycle 19 that had the highest sunspot numbers on record.

• Surfin': Going ATV Digitally

  This week's Surfin' considers Web sites where Amateur Television (ATV) is going digital.

• ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference: "Pretty Interesting!"

  Almost 150 aficionados of digital communications came to Chicago for the 27th annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) the weekend of September 26-28. This conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet, publish their work and present new ideas and techniques. Presenters and attendees had the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results, and practical applications. Not only was the conference technically stimulating, it was a weekend of fun for all who have more than a casual interest in any aspect of amateur digital electronics and communications; introductory sessions were...

• The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications -- 2009 (Eighty-Sixth Edition) Now Available

  The 2009 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications uniquely serves both amateur experimenters and industry practitioners, emphasizing connections between basic theory and application. The ARRL Handbook is simply the standard in applied electronics and communications. This 86th edition is both a useful introduction to radio communication and features the most current material on electronics and Amateur Radio.

• West Gulf Vice Director Appointed to Texas State Agency

  Texas Governor Rick Perry has appointed ARRL West Gulf Vice Director Dr David Woolweaver, K5RAV, of Harlingen, to the Council of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) formally known as the Texas Department of Health. The nine member council makes recommendations regarding management, operation, policies and rules for public health, mental health and substance abuse. DSHS has workforce of 12,000 and has an annual budget of $2.7 billion.

• Amateur Radio Quiz: Historically Speaking

  The ARRL is one of the world's oldest radio organizations with a storied history that continues into the 21st century. This month's quiz takes a look into past and presents people and events in the League's history -- some major and some minor. Do you know how your historical know-how stacks up?

• Jim Weit, KI8BV, Wins September QST Cover Plaque Award

  The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for September is Jim Weit, KI8BV, for his article "An All Band HF Dipole Antenna." Congratulations, Jim! 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 October issue by Friday, October 31.

• ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To Lately?

  This feature -- including convenient Web links to useful information -- is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of September.