FW: ARRL Member Bulletin for August 21, 2024
ARRL Member Bulletin for August 21, 2024 FYI… From: ARRL <memberlist@...> Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 3:01 PM To: kspencer1@... Subject: ARRL Member Bulletin for August 21, 2024 August 21, 2024 ARRL IT Security Incident - Report to Members Sometime in early May 2024, ARRL’s systems network was compromised by threat actors (TAs) using information they had purchased on the dark web. The TAs accessed headquarters on-site systems and most cloud-based systems. They used a wide variety of payloads affecting everything from desktops and laptops to Windows-based and Linux-based servers. Despite the wide variety of target configurations, the TAs seemed to have a payload that would host and execute encryption or deletion of network-based IT assets, as well as launch demands for a ransom payment, for every system. This serious incident was an act of organized crime. The highly coordinated and executed attack took place during the early morning hours of May 15. That morning, as staff arrived, it was immediately apparent that ARRL had become the victim of an extensive and sophisticated ransomware attack. The FBI categorized the attack as “unique” as they had not seen this level of sophistication among the many other attacks, they have experience with. Within 3 hours a crisis management team had been constructed of ARRL management, an outside vendor with extensive resources and experience in the ransomware recovery space, attorneys experienced with managing the legal aspects of the attack including interfacing with the authorities, and our insurance carrier. The authorities were contacted immediately as was the ARRL President. The ransom demands by the TAs, in exchange for access to their decryption tools, were exorbitant. It was clear they didn’t know, and didn’t care, that they had attacked a small 501(c)(3) organization with limited resources. Their ransom demands were dramatically weakened by the fact that they did not have access to any compromising data. It was also clear that they believed ARRL had extensive insurance coverage that would cover a multi-million-dollar ransom payment. After days of tense negotiation and brinkmanship, ARRL agreed to pay a $1 million ransom. That payment, along with the cost of restoration, has been largely covered by our insurance policy. From the start of the incident, the ARRL board met weekly using a continuing special board meeting for full progress reports and to offer assistance. In the first few meetings there were significant details to cover, and the board was thoughtfully engaged, asked important questions, and was fully supportive of the team at HQ to keep the restoration efforts moving. Member updates were posted to a single page on the website and were posted across the internet in many forums and groups. ARRL worked closely with professionals deeply experienced in ransomware matters on every post. It is important to understand that the TAs had ARRL under a magnifying glass while we were negotiating. Based on the expert advice we were being given, we could not publicly communicate anything informative, useful, or potentially antagonistic to the TAs during this time frame. Today, most systems have been restored or are waiting for interfaces to come back online to interconnect them. While we have been in restoration mode, we have also been working to simplify the infrastructure to the extent possible. We anticipate that it may take another month or two to complete restoration under the new infrastructure guidelines and new standards. Most ARRL member benefits remained operational during the attack. One that wasn’t was Logbook of The World (LoTW), which is one of our most popular member benefits. LoTW data was not impacted by the attack and once the environment was ready to again permit public access to ARRL network-based servers, we returned LoTW into service. The fact that LoTW took less than 4 days to get through a backlog that at times exceeded over 60,000 logs was outstanding. The board at the ARRL Second Board Meeting in July voted to approve a new committee, the Information Te
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Expanded Technical privileges on HF
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/ODV/Second%20Board%20Meeting%20July%202020/Doc%2025A%20Band%20Plan%20Final-1b.pdf -- 73, Rod KN0WER
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Online Ham Radio License Exams
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An online license testing option and they make reasonable accommodations including for sight impaired individuals. Website is WM7X.net -- 73, Rod KN0WER
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Wood County ARC at Winnsboro Farmers Market
This Saturday your neighbor ham club is going to be at this market. FYI. H/T Sharon Neely
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Amateur radio estate sale
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: <w5ass@...> Date: Sun, Jul 14, 2024 at 10:14 PM Subject: Amateur radio estate sale To: <kg5svm@...> Greetings: if you have received this email with the attached amateur equipment estate list, then you have been identified as an amateur with significant contacts within your club or amateur acquaintances in the ArkLaTex area. Please share this correspondence with those that might have a genuine interest in purchasing any of this equipment. This estate is from a long time amateur friend in Utah that was an avid CW operator. Unless noted, all equipment is excellent to mint condition, fully operational, & comes from a non-smoking environment. The pricing is somewhat firm, based on pickup or delivery only options. Only the smaller items will be considered for shipping. Of course, discounted pricing will be considered for multiple purchases. Serious inquiries can be directed to me via email, whereas I can exchange my personal cell number to address purchase & exchange options. Thanks for your assistance with sharing this information, W5ASS Lake O' the Pines, Texas w5ass@... 1ea. Kenwood TS-590SG 100 watt, HF + 6 meter transceiver with matching SP-23M external speaker. Excellent condition. Packed in original boxes with manuals and standard accessories. ($1100) 1ea. Astron RS-70M AP, 12VDC output, 70 amp power supply with meters and original manual. ($250) 1ea. Palstar AT2K HF 2 kilowatt antenna tuner with original manual. ($475) 1ea. Ameritron AL-82 1500 watt HF amplifier with 2ea. Eimac 3-500Z tubes, excellent condition with original manual. ($2500) 1ea. Icom IC-208H VHF/UHF, 50 watt mobile transceiver, good condition with original manual. ($175) 1ea. Yaesu FTM-3200DR Digital/Analog C4FM/FM 65 watt, 2 meter transceiver, excellent condition with original manual. ($175) 1ea. Alinco DR-130T 2 meter, 50 watt, mobile transceiver, good condition with no microphone or manual. ($50) 1ea. Vibroplex Vibro Keyer, standard black base, original box. ($150) 1ea. N3ZN custom straight key, model ZN-HKII with ZN-USA finish in original box. ($225) 1ea. QSK, IIc TP-1 high speed capacitive touch keyer. ($100) 1ea. UR5CDX single paddle keyer, CT755MB-L, ($125) SOLD 1ea. R4N-885 single paddle Russian mini-keyer. ($75ea.) 1ea. Antique Japanese DK-741 straight key with chrome base and original box. ($60) 1ea. leg strap mounted straight key. ($25) -- 73 William Collier KG5SVM
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July 8th UAARC MEETING - - - - - CANCELLED - - - - - -
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Tony Munday <info@...> Date: Sun, Jul 7, 2024, 2:37 PM Subject: July 8th UAARC MEETING - - - - - CANCELLED - - - - - - To: Tony Munday (KI5OFD) <tonymunday@...> Due to potential for extreme rains and flooding... Monday's (July 8) UAARC Meeting is CANCELLED Please be safe and monitor your frequencies! I'll be looking forward to seeing everyone at the August UAARC meeting. Tony Munday (KI5OFD) - UAARC President -- 73 William Collier KG5SVM
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GRMS
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Is there anyone in the group that does GRMS? Gene Dolley is having some problems programming his radios and he wondering if someone could help him. He plans on being at the meeting Monday night. Thanks
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Mondays weather
Freedom Link posted on their Facebook page that the Freedom Link and ETEC may be linked together Monday
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Field Day Results
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Here;s a couple of visuals of our results from this weekend. Not everything was successfully logged. I know we had 3 contacts from Puerto Rico; only 1 in the log. Rats! Larry
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Field day breakfast
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Janette would like to have idea of how many may there for breakfast Sunday morning so she knows how many cinnamon rolls she needs to make. this is my guess me janette john jo ann tony larry jeff janice william debbie rod kuni if anyone else just add your name
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Yamboree
If anyone is interested you can go to yamboree.com and see a schedule of events, with times
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Home Brew submission
John, For this month's topic, I would like to submit my TICK, CW keyer. The original design is not mine, it is an 8-pin PIC with software designed to take an iambic paddle and turn it into a functional keyer. I had to take it a step further and make it compatible with vintage HF equipment that has a 130v B+ across the key when open, which would otherwise let the magic smoke out of the little PIC. (And I've done that several times before building my adaptation.) My Keyer features not only the PIC, but it also features a toggle to go back to a straight key, or to use the relay that closes the key circuit at any voltage. This rig will work on solid state or vintage hardware and is capable of up to 50wpm if you can paddle that fast. I'd be delighted to feature this project in with your home brew projects this month, if you'll have me. Thanks! 73's Jason - KE4CPC Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Tailgate Mini-Fest in New Boston
FYI… Texarkana Tailgate MiniFest May 11 @ The Pavilion in downtown New Boston Paved tailgate spaces… free. Booth spaces for tables available under roof. Door prizes every hour! Raffle - Radios given away every hour! Hamburgers and Hot Dogs too. _._,_._,_
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MFJ is Shutting Down
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This from the MFJ owner... Dear Fellow Hams and Friends, April 25, 2024 Dear Fellow Hams and Friends, It is with a sad heart as I write this letter. As many of you have heard by now, MFJ is ceasing its on-site production in Starkville, Mississippi on May 17, 2024. This is also the same for our sister companies’ Ameritron, Hygain, Cushcraft, Mirage and Vectronics. Times have changed since I started this business 52 years ago. Our product line grew and grew and prospered. Covid changed everything in businesses including ours. It was the hardest hit that we have ever had and we never fully recovered. I turned 80 this year. I had never really considered retirement but life is so short and my time with my family is so precious. I want to thank all of our employees who have helped build this company with me over the years. We have many employees who have made MFJ their career for 10, 20, 30, 40 and more years. We are going to continue to sell MFJ products past May 17, 2024. We have a lot of stock on hand. We will continue to offer repair service work for out-of-warranty and in-warranty units for the foreseeable future. Finally, a special thanks to all of our customers and our dealers who have made MFJ a worldwide name and a profitable business for so many years. You all are so much appreciated. Sincerely Yours, 73s Martin F. Jue, K5FLU -- 73 William Collier KG5SVM
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Kilgore 5K on Saturday Morning
Happy Tuesday everyone! If you are planning to help out on Saturday morning, I need everyone to fill out their volunteer form for the race! Since the event is not officially covered as a club event, this leaves the liability on the event itself and therefore they are asking all who participate to sign a waiver. If you do not sign the waiver, you will not be able to participate. Please use this form if you haven't done so already and choose the role of Flagger - ACTIVE | Volunteer ACTIVE | Volunteer We will be on the Kilgore Repeater - 147.300 +600kHz, 151.4 Hz PL - We will have an informal talk-in from 06:30 to 07:30. Planning to have an in-person safety meeting at the Start/Finish Line at 07:00 - We will open the net at 07:45 The race begins at 08:00 and is over when the last person crosses the finish line, which hopefully won't take more than an hour. If you have a safety vest and an ID badge please wear it. If you do not, I will have some available and I will ask that you please wear something that makes you visible where you stand (or sit) while the race is active. Bring a lawn chair with you as most of the race is spent waiting. I need someone who has experience to perform Net Control role for the event. If I do not get a volunteer, I will assign someone the role so please speak up! Here is the final plan for the 5k route. I will need a ham at every exclamation mark and smiley face. I would like to position a ham at every turn, but that may not be possible. Meanwhile Kayla is going to give me the priority post locations and I will assign them to you on Saturday morning at the safety meeting. Please direct your questions back to me at jasonturcyn@... or hold them for the safety meeting on Saturday morning! And with that, I'll see ya then! LETARC has invited all who participate (and even those who didn't) to join us for lunch afterwards! They have reserved a large room at the Backporch restaurant at 10:30 A.M. Back porch's website is The Back Porch Kilgore if you would like check out the menu and location. The Back Porch Kilgore The Back Porch Kilgore in Kilgore, TX. What makes a legend? Time, tradition, people - whatever the combination, ... 73's Jason - KE4CPC
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Fw: A request for Volunteers.....
I'm sure some of you got this email but I thought I'd forward it along anyway just to see if t here's an interest here. The event is less than 2 weeks out, but they are estimating between 1200 and 1500 participants. If you've ever wanted to take part in an epic radio exercise, the MS150 is definitely one of the bigger courses. I spoke with Jim a little earlier today and he said the need is dire for anyone who can work Sag or drive a rover, especially if you are motorcycle mobile. Please reach out to Jim Marple KB5ZDG at j.marple@... if you can help out, or use the sign-up app in the link at the bottom of his email here. The MS-150 is a sponsored volunteer-powered bicycle ride (not a race) with a 150-mile course and usually a 50-mile and another less intense course for the cyclists to cover. There are dozens of rides all over the US and about a dozen of them are here in Texas! I think this is the closest one to us, in the DFW area. Each of these rides brings in thousands of dollars to support Multiple Sclerosis patients, public awareness and maybe even a cure someday. And you as a ham radio operator can help just by participating with your radio. So if that interests you, give Jim a jingle and let him know where he can put you for the event! Thanks and 73s Jason - KE4CPC ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: ARRL Members Only Web site <memberlist@...> To: "jasonturcyn@..." <jasonturcyn@...> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 08:53:34 AM CDT Subject: A request for Volunteers..... Relay from the MS150 Bike Tour communications chairman James Marple, KB5ZDG. I am the Communications Chairman, KB5ZDG for this event. We would love to have you work with the team as radio operators! Our route starts in Mansfield, then overnights in Glenrose and finishes Sunday at the FW Botanical Gardens. I am dangerously thin on operators. Thought you would be a good contact as we will be south of the Metroplex for the most part. I really need help recruiting Radio Operators. By this time last year, I had roughly 60 radio operators, including SAGS. To date, I have 20. Please feel free to forward my email to your circle of hams and encourage them to come out to work the event. I think the new route will be an interesting change, with less "city traffic" to contend with and new geography. Note that the WEBSITE will not be updated for a few more days. I will receive updated route maps and all other documentation this week. The route maps and rest stop locations are about 95% complete, just a couple of minor tweaks coming on those. The route maps are attached. I would love to get feedback on the best 2m and 440 repeaters that are available along our route. I do have feedback from a few, so thanks for that. I am also looking for Hams on motorcycles! This is a fun event and we take pretty good care of our radio operators, premium pay and all (yeah.. about that). 73' DFW MSRide Comms - Sign Up https://sites.google.com/site/dfwmsridecomms/volunteering/sign-up?pli=1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL North Texas Section Section Manager: Steven Lott Smith, KG5VK kg5vk@... -------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from messages, go to: http://p1k.arrl.org/oo/dc68a427e6284cb2afe73c447632da65 Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Solar eclipse and the WWV atomic clock
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Found an interesting little article about how the solar eclipse affected the signal of the WWV atomic clock from Colorado. It makes sense that it would have that affect, but didn't think about it until reading this. https://www.spaceweather.com/ -- 73 William Collier KG5SVM
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Kilgore College 5K Fueling Fitness Run
Saturday April 27th, we are having a safety briefing at 07:00 at the Start/Finish line in the lot behind East Texas Oil Museum on KC campus. If you haven't already done so, please visit https://bit.ly/VolunteerKCFuelingFitness5K2024 and sign up as a Flagger. The site asks for a primary phone and a mobile phone. Put your ham radio callsign as your mobile phone so Kayla knows you are a ham. The race begins at 08:00 and is over when the last person crosses the finish line, which hopefully won't take more than an hour. We will plan on using the Kilgore Repeater N5VGQ 147.300 +600 / 151.4 Hz as Primary. LETARC as backup K5LET 147.340 +600 / 136.8 Hz. Instead of 146.52 Simplex, let's move up 30 kHz so we do not interfere with the Calling frequency. So 146.55 Simplex as our backup-backup. That being said, we will have an informal talk-in from 06:30 to 07:30. We will begin the net shortly after that. And as soon as every operator has secured and the race is over, the net will close. If you have a safety vest and an ID badge please wear it. If you do not, I will have some available and I will ask that you please wear something that makes you visible where you stand (or sit) while the race is active. You may also wish to bring a lawn chair with you as most of the race is spent waiting. Since we are just over a week away from event time, I would also like to start placing folks in specific positions. Do we have any volunteers for Net Control? Backup Net Control? Anyone willing to be a rover or sag? If you have worked events like this before and are comfortable with being net control, then you should give it a try. On the other hand, if you've never done an event like this before, being a rover / sag operator is going to be the best place for you! Message me off the list at jasonturcyn@... and share your interest in a specific position. LETARC has invited all who participate (and even those who didn't) to join us for lunch afterwards! They have reserved a large room at the Backporch restaurant at 10:30 A.M. Back porch's website is The Back Porch Kilgore if you would like check out the menu and location. The Back Porch Kilgore The Back Porch Kilgore in Kilgore, TX. What makes a legend? Time, tradition, people - whatever the combination, ... Thank you everyone who has volunteered! 73's - Jason KE4CPC Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Antenna cable
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Where do you buy your antenna coaxial cable. Is it cheaper to buy bulk and make your own or buy it in lengths you want? Can you use RG316 to run from you wall connector to your radio and can you use like 50ft of it for like POTA? I plan to do a lot of playing with different antenna setups in the yard thanks for any suggestions
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