http://www.arrl.org/?artid=9182   ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Next Weekend (Sep 17, 2009) -- ARRL and the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Group (TAPR) will jointly host the 28th Annual Digital Communications Conference (DCC www.tapr.org/dcc) September 25-27 in Chicago. The DCC has something for everyone from those new to digital modes to those experienced with digital communications including technical and introductory forums. According to DCC Co-host Mark Thompson, WB9QZB, one of the highlights of this year's DCC will be Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, presenting "Universal Ham Radio Text Messaging." The Saturday night banquet speaker will be Bill Brown, WB8ELK, a pioneer in flying balloons with payloads including Amateur Radio digital communication technologies. Brown is the publisher and editor of Amateur Television Quarterly magazine. ARRL Technical Relations Manager Brennan Price, N4QX, will be on hand to discuss the upcoming World Radiocommunications Conference in his talk "WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.19: Shaping the International Regulatory Framework for Software Defined and Cognitive Radio Systems." QEX Editor Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, and ARRL Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, will also be in attendance. The 2009 DCC forum and speaker schedule is available online http://www.tapr.org/pdf/DCC_2009_Schedule_Preliminary2009-09-16.pdf. TAPR provides leadership and resources to radio amateurs for the purpose of advancing the radio art and is a research and development oriented group offering kits, assembled products and publications related to the intersection of Amateur Radio and digital technology.