The national association for
ARRL AMATEUR RADIO
www.arrl.org
ARRL EXHIBIT & ACTIVITIES GUIDE
October 12-14, 2012
Welcome!
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, welcomes members and friends to the 2012 ARRL National Convention, hosted by
Pacificon and sponsored by members of the Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club. Use this handy guide to find ARRL-sponsored activities
and exhibits throughout the event. ARRL EXPO is a large exhibit area located in the main convention hall.
Special Guest
Lee M.E. Morin, M.D., Ph.D. (Captain, USN), KF5DDB – NASA Astronaut
ARRL welcomes NASA astronaut, Captain Lee M. Morin, KF5DDB to the 2012 ARRL National
Convention at Pacificon. Lee served as a mission specialist on the space shuttle Atlantis crew,
STS-110, which launched April 8, 2002. During this 13th shuttle mission to visit the International Space
Station, Lee performed 2 spacewalks. It was the first time the station’s robotic arm was used to
maneuver spacewalkers around the station. You can meet and greet Lee in the ARRL exhibit area
(times and locations will be posted). Lee has also been confirmed as a Pacificon forum presenter and
Saturday night banquet speaker. Lee will share his experiences about spaceflight and his interests in
Amateur Radio with convention attendees. Lee, KF5DDB is an ARRL member.
Sponsored by ARRL
FCC Update
Saturday, 8:15 AM to 9:15 AM – Newport Beach Room
At the invitation of ARRL, Laura Smith, FCC Special Counsel for the Spectrum Enforcement Division,
will present an update on the latest Amateur Radio and enforcement news from the FCC and field
questions.
Pacificon Saturday Night Banquet
Saturday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Hall of Cities Ballroom
Advance tickets recommended (sold separately).
Speakers:
■ Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, ARRL Chief Executive Officer
■ Lee Morin, KF5DDB, NASA Astronaut
License Examinations
ARRL-accredited Volunteer Examiners will offer the Amateur Radio license exams on Saturday and
Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 12 noon. All examination levels will be offered: Technician, General and Extra
Class. The license exam fee is $15 (convention registration is not required). Candidates are required to
bring a photo ID, and will need to include their social security number on the application (including
minors). If currently licensed, bring your original and a copy of your current or expired FCC Amateur Radio license.
Also, if you have one, bring the original and copy of any CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam).
■ Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
■ Saturday (after all day class), 3 PM
■ Sunday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
For additional questions, please contact ARRL VE Team liaison George Tickner, K6NHY, k6nhy@arrl.net.
ARRL Store
Visit the HUGE ARRL bookstore to purchase popular ARRL publications, join or renew your ARRL membership, and pick up official
ARRL merchandise.
■ FREE Gift when you join ARRL or renew your membership at ARRL EXPO.
■ FREE ARRL Antenna Book when you join or renew for 3 years. Best Deal!
■ FREE ARRL National Convention 2012 Button!
W1AW/6 Special Event Station
Plan to get on-air using the world’s most recognized call sign. W1AW/6 will be located in a large tent in the outdoor display/swap area,
100 yards from the convention main entrance. Operating frequencies will be 3.870/3.550; 7.270/7.050; 10.110; 14.270/14.050;
21.370/21.050; 28.670/28.050 MHz; 146.49 MHz simplex. All frequencies are +/- QRM. QSL to ARRL W1AW/6, 225 Main Street,
Newington, CT 06111 (include a SASE). Special thanks to Steve Wagner, KA6SFT and Lauren Styles, WA6CIE for their help planning
the special event station.
Page 1 – ARRL Exhibit & Activities Guide
®
ARRL Wouff Hong Ceremony
Saturday 11:45 PM – Marriott Santa Clara (site of the convention)
All ARRL Members are invited to attend the traditional midnight ceremony of the Royal Order of the Wouff Hong. Gather at the
convention registration desk on Saturday at 11:45 PM (no admittance after midnight). The ceremony, steeped in mystery, will begin
at midnight--and lasts nearly one hour. Attendees receive a special keepsake. A fun activity for all ages.
Radiosport and DXCC
DXCC Card Checking – Personnel from the ARRL DXCC Branch will be on hand to check applications for all ARRL Award Programs. All
cards will be eligible for checking, including old cards, cards for deleted countries and cards for 160-Meters. Applications will be limited to
101 cards (more cards will be checked as time and volunteer Card Checkers are available). See www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc for the
latest program information and current forms. Use the new Online DXCC tool and save half on your application! Remember to bring with
you to the convention a printout of your application, card list, and your cards in the order in which they are entered into the Online DXCC.
ARRL Contests and Awards – On-air competitions and award-hunting are great activities of Amateur Radio. These are effective ways
to boost your technical knowledge and improve your radio operating skills—helping make you a better radio amateur. Ask us about the
ARRL Award Program and upcoming ARRL Contests. VHF/UHF Century club ( VUCC) and Worked All States (WAS) award applications
may also be checked at the convention.
QSL Bureau – ARRL members will be able to drop off their QSL cards to be sent through the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau. If you have
QSLs that you would like to send through the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau (your QSLs going to foreign stations -- no US-to-US QSLs,
please), you can save the shipping cost to ARRL by bringing them to the convention and ARRL will transport your cards to the Bureau in
Newington, Connecticut. In order to take advantage of this exciting benefit, all of the standard QSL Bureau rules must be followed: Cards
must be sorted by DXCC country, they must go to countries where a bureau exists and you must be an ARRL member to use the
Outgoing QSL Bureau. Cards do not have to be boxed, but should be wrapped with rubber bands.
Logbook of the World – Representatives from Logbook of the World will be giving demonstrations and answering your questions.
See www.arrl.org/lotw for the latest program information.
More ARRL Exhibits…
ARRL Laboratory – Does your Handie-Talkie meet FCC Emission Standards? Meet an ARRL Test Engineer who will measure the
spurious emission of your handie-talkie, using a state-of-the-art spectrum analyzer. Does your handheld have the potential to interfere
with other radio services? Find out here! The ARRL Lab is best known for serving the Amateur Radio community with technical
information services, trusted product-review testing, spectrum-protection engineering, and its RFI/EMC program.
Introducing the Digital Edition of QST – In May, all ARRL members were introduced to the new digital edition of QST—ARRL’s popular
membership journal. The new online format offers several advantages including enhanced content, convenient access, and a more
interactive experience. Drop by this exhibit to see a demonstration!
ARRL Development and ARRL Foundation – Learn how you can help strengthen ARRL’s work on behalf of Amateur Radio by
participating in the Diamond Club, earning your way to the prestigious ARRL Maxim Society, contributing to the Spectrum Defense Fund,
the Education & Technology Fund, the W1AW Endowment, the Historic Preservation Fund, and joining the Legacy Circle by including
ARRL in your estate plans. Information will be available about The ARRL Foundation and its more than 75 annual scholarships and
grants for Amateur Radio groups working to promote Amateur Radio and involve young people in Amateur Radio activities.
Emergency Communications & Public Service – Meet with program representatives for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(ARES®) and the National Traffic System (NTS). Learn about opportunities to volunteer, and explore resources and training. Network with
other public service volunteers.
ARRL Education Services – See displays of ARRL Education & Technology Program kits, projects, and other resources available to
schools and teachers. Obtain information about the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) and Amateur Radio licensing instruction.
ARRL Pacific Division – Visit with ARRL Pacific Division leadership, Section Managers and volunteers from East Bay, Nevada, Pacific,
Sacramento Valley, San Francisco, San Joaquin Valley, and Santa Clara Valley. Find out how you can support the extensive ARRL Field
Organization.
ARRL-Sponsored Insurance Program – ARRL has been providing opportunities for equipment insurance to its members for more than
25 years. A representative from Hays Affinity Group will be available to answer questions about the ARRL-sponsored Equipment
Insurance and Club Liability Insurance plans. Enroll online at ARRLinsurance.com.
ARRL Visa® Card (U.S. Bank) – Apply for the ARRL Visa card and earn a free gift. Earn benefits that Keep You on the Air!
THANK YOU!
ARRL expresses its gratitude to the 2012 Pacificon committee, members of the Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club and volunteers!
Upcoming Event
July 2014 – Hartford, Connecticut
ARRL National Centennial Convention www.arrl.org/expo
Got an idea for next time? Please
contact the office of the ARRL EXPO
Coordinator, email expo@arrl.org.
Page 2 – ARRL Exhibit & Activities Guide
ARRL-Sponsored Forums
The following ARRL-sponsored presentations will be hosted by Pacificon. Please see www.pacificon.org or the
Pacificon program for a complete listing of forums, times and locations. [Schedule revised September 11, 2012.]
Saturday October 13, 2012
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Sequoia Room
Law Seminar:
Communications Law and 2012 Regulatory Update for Interested Lawyers and the Radio Amateur
Presenters: Bart Lee, K6VK, (xKV6LEE), an ARRL Volunteer Counsel and Government Liaison (San Francisco Section), and
Chris Imlay, W3KD, ARRL General Counsel
This legal seminar is designed for both Amateur Radio operators facing zoning and other restrictions or interference issues, and
practicing attorneys especially those who serve as ARRL Volunteer Counsel (VC). Members of the general public may also attend.
The cost is $99 for attorneys seeking Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Accredited. Register via Bart Lee, K6VK,
email kv6lee@gmail.com.
8:15 AM to 9:15 AM – Newport Beach Room
FCC Update
Presenter: Laura Smith, FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Enforcement
At the invitation of ARRL, Laura Smith, FCC Special Counsel for the Spectrum Enforcement Division, will present an update on the
latest Amateur Radio and enforcement news from the FCC and field questions.
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Newport Beach Room
ARRL Emergency Preparedness Forum – Rethinking Emergency Communications
Moderator: Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager
Emergency communications, public service, disaster communications; so what is it we really do? This forum will present a way of
putting the role of the Amateur Radio operator who is interested in serving their community in perspective.
10:45 AM to 11:45 AM – Newport Beach Room
ARRL Wireless Technology Literacy in the Classroom
Moderator: Nathan McCray, K9CPO, ARRL Instruction and Resource Coordinator
The ARRL Education & Technology (ETP) Program supports resources to help integrate wireless technology into school curricula.
The program uses a multi-technology approach that includes Amateur Radio, other wireless technologies and robotics. ARRL
Instruction and Resource Coordinator Nathan McCray, K9CPO, will share his experiences of integrating wireless technology
education into the classroom curriculum. His approach helps inspire students to pursue careers in high-tech industries and beyond.
Learn also about the annually-sponsored ARRL Teachers Institute workshops.
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Newport Beach Room
ARRL Arduino Programming Workshop
Moderator: Leigh L. Klotz Jr., WA5ZNU, author of ARRL’s upcoming publication “The ARRL Arduino Ham Radio Cookbook.”
Have you heard about the Arduino microcontroller, but were unsure how to get started using it for ham radio projects? Bring an
Arduino, a laptop and maybe a friend to this hands-on workshop, and walk away an hour later able to write and use your own
programs in the shack. Limited to 28 one or two-person groups.
2:15 PM to 3:15 PM – Sedona Ballroom [time and location subject-to-change; watch for announcements during the convention]
ARRL Presents: NASA Astronaut, Captain Lee M. Morin, KF5DDB
Captain Lee M. Morin, KF5DDB served as a mission specialist on the space shuttle Atlantis crew, STS-110, which launched
April 8, 2002. During this 13th shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station, Lee performed 2 spacewalks. It was the
first time the station’s robotic arm was used to maneuver spacewalkers around the station. Lee will share his experiences about
spaceflight and his interests in Amateur Radio with convention attendees. Lee, KF5DDB is an ARRL member.
Continued >
ARRL Exhibit & Activities Guide – Page 3
ARRL-Sponsored Forums (Continued)
2:15 PM to 3:15 PM – Newport Beach Room
ARRL Radiosport: Budget Pileups -- Being rare DX without breaking the bank
Moderator Sean Kutzko, KX9X, ARRL Contest Branch Manager
You don’t need to go on a big DXpedition to work some great pileups. ARRL Contest Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X will talk about
participating in contests, awards programs and other operating events that will get you on the Other Side of the Pileup without
needing to take out a second mortgage.
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Newport Beach Room
Getting Started in PIC Microcontroller Programming
Moderator: Mark Spencer, WA8SME, ARRL Education and Technology Program Director and author of “ARRL’s PIC Programming
for Beginners”.
There has been an explosion if the number of articles highlighting the use of microcontrollers in ham radio and other DIY (do it
yourself) electronic hobby projects. With your interest peaked, the questions are “what is it all about; why should I be interested;
and, how do I get started?” This forum will give you some ideas about how microcontroller devices can enhance your operating
experience. A few different approaches will be presented that you might take to get involved in this important and evolving aspect
of our hobby from someone who has been there, done that, and continues to learn more and more each day…in a practical way.
Sunday October 14, 2012
8:15 AM to 9:15 AM – Newport Beach Room
Impedance Matching 101
Presenter: Ward Silver, NØAX, Lead Editor – The ARRL Antenna Book for Radio Communications
An overview of impedance matching at HF through UHF - what impedance matching is, why it is used, and common techniques for
circuits and antennas.
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Newport Beach Room
Exploring Our World through Remote Sensing and Ham Radio
Moderator: Mark Spencer, WA8SME, ARRL Education and Technology Program Director
Remote sensing, whether carried on high altitude balloons aloft, satellites in space, or afloat on water borne buoys, this is an
evolving and fascinating facet of our hobby. Hurricane warnings, Tsunami alerts, predicting global climate change, or day to day
weather observations for air traffic operations all have one thing in common; remote sensing from seaborne, air, or space borne
buoys…but how does that work? During this forum, the discussion will center on how you can learn more about remote sensing,
how you can do your own projects to study our environment, what others are doing, and the pivotal role that ham radio plays in
connecting the users to the remote sensing platforms aloft or in the water. This forum will be of particular interest for school
teachers and those interested in supporting STEM education in our schools (STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Mark Spencer, WA8SME uses his experience in engineering remote sensor systems for US Department of Defense programs to
support school STEM education efforts.
10:45 AM to 11:45 AM – Newport Beach Room
ARRL: Radio Clubs & Mentoring
Moderator: Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, Assistant Manager, ARRL Membership & Volunteer Programs Department
With all the new and exciting things going on in Amateur Radio, your local radio club should be the go-to place for mentoring. Learn
some of the things that are working for other clubs and be prepared to share your success stories from your radio club.
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Sedona Ballroom
ARRL Member Forum & Pacificon Awards, Prizes and Drawings
Moderator: Bob Vallio, W6RGG, ARRL Director--Pacific Division
ARRL is the largest national Amateur Radio association in the world. The organization has over 158,000 members worldwide,
publishes the popular monthly journal QST, and coordinates an extensive all-volunteer field organization. Hear from local and
national ARRL officials on key areas of membership interest. Find out how ARRL supports dozens of ways to get involved and get
on the air. Members and prospective members are all welcome!
Page 4 – ARRL Exhibit & Activities Guide