*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 23, No. 01 January 2, 2004 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * +Comments augment BPL alarm * +A BPL tale of two cities * +ISS commander debuts new ham gear * +California ARES/RACES teams respond following earthquake * +Joe Knight, W5PDY, SK * +Washington state lawmakers hear from ARRL SM on BPL threat * +Hamvention 2004 award nomination deadline looms * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This weekend on the radio Reminder: Kid's Day is Sunday, January 4! ARRL Emergency Communications course registration ARECC/ARES seminar set in New York City-Long Island Section Amateur Radio assists in Iran earthquake relief Emanuel G. "Manny" Papandreas, W4SS, SK Canadian hams may lose 220-222 MHz segment TO4E/TO4WW DXpedition racks up 34,000 Qs CQ names Floyd Gerald, N5FG, as Worked All Zones awards manager +Available on ARRL Audio News =========================================================== ==>ORGANIZATIONS' COMMENTS AUGMENT ALARM OVER BPL Two organizations have filed comments with the FCC that augment previously expressed worries about potential interference from and to Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems. Picking up on the "grave concerns" the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) <http://www.fema.gov/> expressed over BPL December 4, the nonprofit Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association (DERA) <http://www.disasters.org/> called on the FCC to require impartial BPL field testing as well as additional public comment and full and open public hearings. "DERA concludes that serious interference to and disruption of critical emergency communications systems in several licensed services throughout North America would almost certainly result from BPL implementation as currently proposed," DERA said. Endorsing the earlier FEMA remarks, DERA said proposed BPL systems don't just pose a risk of interference, they've already been shown to "actually cause harmful interference to licensed radio services." Meanwhile, the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) has filed additional test data with the FCC to support preliminary findings suggesting that BPL systems are susceptible to interference from even modest Amateur Radio HF signals. AMRAD said its newest data demonstrated that amateur operation in the test neighborhood would cause many homes to lose their Internet service. "At least an area out to a radius of 0.51 miles from the transmitting station could have their Internet connection interrupted," AMRAD said. "Closer-in homes would almost certainly have their Internet service interrupted." For its RF susceptibility experiment, AMRAD used the Potomac Electric Power Company system test site. It features a mid-1960s vintage home with unshielded interior electrical wiring and overhead power lines. AMRAD found that at a distance of just over one-half mile, data transfer ceased in the face of a 100-W signal on 3980 kHz from a mobile transmitter. Adjacent to the test property, AMRAD said data transfer ceased in all but one instance at a transmitter power of just 4 W in the BPL operating band of from 4 to 21 MHz. The ARRL hopes to complete an independent BPL engineering study early this year. It will explore how BPL might affect HF and low-VHF amateur operation as well as how Amateur Radio operation could affect BPL systems. In related news, BPL equipment manufacturer Amperion Inc recently announced an "industry first" by successfully testing its high-speed "Connect" system on 69 kV transmission lines. Typical BPL systems have employed medium and low-voltage lines to deliver broadband and Internet access. Amperion said its tests, performed in conjunction with American Electric Power, demonstrated multi-megabit data transmission to a distance of nearly one mile without the need for a repeater. There's more information on Amperion's Web site <http://www.amperion.com/press.asp?pid=89>. Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/>. To support the League's efforts in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site <https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/>. ==>A BPL TALE OF TWO CITIES A Virginia community is preparing to go forward with plans to deploy a city-owned BPL network, while a California city has decided against BPL for its own municipal broadband system. The city council in Lompoc, California <http://www.cityoflompoc.com/>--a community of some 42,000--opted December 16 to go with a wireless and fiber optic cable-based broadband network, rejecting BPL and other possible options. ARRL Santa Barbara Section Technical Coordinator Paul Andreasen, K1JAN, said he and other members of the local Amateur Radio community lobbied hard to ensure that Lompoc would not pick BPL. After contacting Lompoc Mayor Dick DeWesse to spell out the downside of BPL, Andreasen said he subsequently received assurances from City Manager Gary Keefe that Lompoc's consultants would not entertain technology that would radiate in the HF/low-VHF spectrum. The report from McKibben Consulting noted the "ongoing controversy" about BPL and cited a 2003 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) study that, McKibben said, "made it clear that there is very good reason to be concerned about RF interference." The consultant concluded that BPL's advantages failed to outweigh its disadvantages. The Washington, DC, suburb of Manassas, Virginia, meanwhile, indicates it will go ahead this month with plans to inaugurate BPL service in four subdivisions--a total of some 2100 homes. Manassas--with a population of nearly 35,000--hopes to be the first community in the US to deploy BPL citywide. Amateurs in the Manassas vicinity have pointed to FEMA's "grave concerns" that BPL could interfere with HF communications systems critical to national security and public safety. They've also cited Japan's banning of BPL deployment in the wake of Amateur Radio pressure as well as the BBC study, where the BPL system used the same Main.net technology Manassas plans to employ. City officials seem unimpressed. "Nobody has proven it's a problem," City Councilman Ulysses X. White told Potomac News <http://www.potomacnews.com/>. "If it is a problem, then we re-evaluate it. There's no reason not to go forward with it." The same article quotes City Utilities Director Allen Todd, W4VUB, as saying that the city will monitor the system and rectify any problems that crop up. No field testing for RF interference took place during the system's pilot program. Potomac News also quoted ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, saying that the risk of disrupting worldwide and emergency communications for BPL is shortsighted and, as FEMA aleady has noted, carries potential national security implications. ==>ISS COMMANDER GETS ON THE AIR WITH NEW HAM GEAR Astronaut Mike Foale, KB5UAC, fired up the new Phase 2 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) equipment December 21 to make a number of 2-meter contacts with amateurs around the world. The Expedition 8 commander completed QSOs with amateurs in Australia, Europe and North America from 1100 to approximately 1700 UTC. "I heard him at approximately 1100 UTC and also on the next pass." commented Ib Christofferson, OZ1MY, on the SAREX reflector. "He had a large pileup." A new Kenwood TM-D700E VHF-UHF dualband transceiver was installed late last fall in the ISS Zvezda Service Module--the crew's living quarters. ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said official permission to use the new gear came December 17. The RS0ISS packet system also is back in operation. "This equipment, including antennas, radios, hardware and software were developed and provided by a diverse set of team members located around the world," Bauer said in a year-end statement. "This was quite a challenge to make happen." Activation of the new gear means a power boost from 5 W to 25 W for the NA1SS downlink signal. It also means the ISS now has two functional ham stations. Additional Phase 2 equipment--which could go into space this month--is to include a slow-scan television (SSTV) system and a Yaesu FT-100 HF/VHF/UHF transceiver. "I was able to hear him from as far out as 1200 miles," reported Arthur Rowe, N1ORC, of Lawrence, Massachusetts. "I guess that the new output power was helping." Foale's operation was part of a special event to honor SAREX/ARISS Working Group Chairman Roy Neal, K6DUE, who died last August. Stations contacting or monitoring the ISS on voice (NA1SS) or packet (RS0ISS) through the end of 2003 are eligible for special event certificates. See "K6DUE ISS Commemorative Event Certificates" on the ARISS Web site <http://www.rac.ca/ariss> for details. ARISS is an international educational outreach program with participation by ARRL, NASA and AMSAT. ==>CENTRAL CALIFORNIA HAMS RESPOND TO EARTHQUAKE Amateur Radio operators aided the American Red Cross after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck California's Central Coast region Monday, December 22. Amateurs in San Luis Obispo County provided radio links between shelters and the Red Cross San Luis Obispo Chapter office. Santa Barbara Section Manager Robert Griffin, K6YR, said the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services requested the assistance of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) teams. Griffin said San Luis Obispo ARES/RACES operators helped staff the county emergency operations center and backed-up communication for the Red Cross after cell phone service proved unreliable. "About 24 operators were involved," Griffin said. "By 10 PM Monday night, the primary American Red Cross communication resources were again reliable, and the ARES net secured." Griffin says a few operators continued communications support at the EOC. Griffin said the American Red Cross quickly established three shelters for quake victims--one in hard-hit Paso Robles, another in Morro Bay and a third in the southern part of the county. Hams staffed shelters to maintain contact with the Red Cross chapter office. Two people died in Paso Robles, some 25 miles from the epicenter. Force 12 President Tom Schiller, N6BT, reports the antenna manufacturer--located in Paso Robles--suffered "minimal damage" from the December 22 quake. "Most of it was confined to the front office, with ceiling tiles falling down, books and computers being tossed around," Schiller said in an update on the company's Web site. "Those who had a view out the front glass doors watched the cars and trucks in the street leave the ground as the shock waves rolled through." He said the quake took out electric power, telephone and cell service within less than a minute, although the power returned and telephones became sporadically operative within a few hours. Schiller reports his own house--about a mile away--was "trashed," although his towers and the plumbing and electrical systems survived. Standing outside while checking the house, Schiller said he noticed that there was no wildlife at all. "No birds, no deer, no dogs barking. Not even a breeze," he said. "Thankfully, we made it through." ==>DEAN EMERITUS OF ARRL SECTION MANAGERS JOE T. KNIGHT, W5PDY, SK Former ARRL New Mexico Section Manager Joe Knight, W5PDY, of Albuquerque died December 28. He was 76. Until he stepped down last July after his health began to fail, Knight had provided leadership to the New Mexico Section for nearly 27 years--longer than any of his peers. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, called Knight an exemplary amateur and volunteer and said he was saddened to said to learn of his passing. "You couldn't ask for anybody who was more dedicated to Amateur Radio and to the League than Joe Knight," Haynie said. "He was the consummate ham." An ARRL Life Member, Knight had belonged to the League for 55 years. For several years through 2002, Knight was a regular participant at the New Section Manager workshops each fall, at which he would share the wealth of expertise derived from his many years of Field Organization leadership experience. Knight was the subject and chief narrator of an article, "The Luckiest Man Alive," which appeared in the January 2003 issue of QST. In it Knight said, "Amateur Radio will exist as long as there are people who love the art and science of communicating by radio." The article also outlined the vast emergency communication resources that Knight and hundreds of other dedicated volunteers built up over the years in New Mexico. During Knight's tenure as SM, New Mexico amateurs convinced state lawmakers to pass The Emergency Communication Preservation Act--an Amateur Radio antenna bill--signed into law in 2002. Knight also was at the helm as amateurs in New Mexico assisted in response and relief efforts during devastating wildfires in 2000 and in 2002. Last July, the ARRL Board of Directors created the Knight Distinguished Service Award and named Knight as its inaugural recipient. The award honors "exceptionally notable contributions" to the health and vitality of the League by an SM. With Knight's blessing, then-New Mexico Assistant SM Bill Weatherford, KM5FT, of Albuquerque, was appointed fill the remainder of Knight's term. Weatherford, who recently was elected to a new two-year term in his own right, appointed Knight in September as an Assistant SM. Official Observer (and former ARRL Web youth columnist) Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, said Knight "served as a great example that each of us should follow every day to keep our beloved hobby alive and healthy." In addition to his lengthy service as New Mexico's SM, Knight was a past president and long-time member of the Upper Rio FM Society. He also belonged to the Albuquerque Amateur Radio Club, the Albuquerque DX Association and the A1 Operator Club, and he served on the board of the Duke City Hamfest. He also was active in the Quarter Century Wireless Association. Survivors include his wife, Lois, KC5CXO, who often accompanied Knight on his hamfest and convention visits and was a tireless recruiter for new ARRL members. A memorial service was held January 2 in Albuquerque. The family has invited memorial contributions to the Knight Distinguished Service Award or to the ARRL Foundation Scholarship Fund. Memorials may be made to either fund on the ARRL Memorial Gifts Web page <http://www.arrl.org/development/memorial.html> or to ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington CT 006111-1494. ==>ARRL SECTION MANAGER REPRESENTS HAM RADIO IN STATE SENATE BPL INQUIRY ARRL Western Washington Section Manager Ed Bruette, N7NVP, testified December 9 before the Washington Senate Technology and Communications Committee during an informational inquiry on Broadband over Power Line (BPL). The committee invited Bruette to speak after Gloria Sharp, WA7GYD, of Ellensburg, contacted a senior committee staffer to ask if Amateur Radio would be represented at the hearing. As a result, the panel added Bruette to the list of spokespersons. "My presentation outlined the Part 15 device limitations, the interference issues both to and from Amateur Radio, BPL trials in Europe and Japan, and the other users of the HF and VHF spectrum who will be impacted by interference by BPL," Bruette said in summing up his 15-minute presentation. "I included the first 37 seconds of the BPL video made by ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, along with an NTIA spectrum allocation chart that I modified to show the potential loss of spectrum." Bruette followed remarks by two industry representatives. He said the committee's feedback was positive, as was the reaction from the four radio amateurs in the audience. Bruette said he was surprised to hear one industry representative characterize power lines as antennas. He also said he was pleased to learn that the Chelan County Public Utility District had received letters from local hams expressing concern about BPL. ==>HAMVENTION 2004 SEEKS AWARD NOMINEES Nominations close January 31 for the Hamvention 2004 Radio Amateur of the Year, Technical Excellence and Special Achievement awards. The Radio Amateur of the Year is an individual with a long term commitment to the advancement of Amateur Radio--a well-rounded amateur who has contributed in an exceptional manner to Amateur Radio. The Technical Excellence award goes to an amateur who has made an outstanding technical contribution to advance Amateur Radio. This could include, but is not limited to, a revolutionary equipment design or operational mode that has positively influenced the day-to-day operation of many amateurs. The Special Achievement award honors an outstanding contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio and typically recognizes an amateur who has spearheaded a significant project. All amateurs are eligible for any of these awards, and the Hamvention Awards Committee makes the final decision on recipients, based in part on the information submitted on the nominee's behalf (and not on the number of nominations). Documentation to support a nomination is essential. This could be in the form of magazine articles, newsletters, newspaper clippings or videos. All materials become the property of Hamvention and will not be returned. Submit nominations by mail to Awards Committee, Hamvention 2004, PO Box 964, Dayton OH 45401, or complete the on-line Nominating Form on the Hamvention 2004 Web site <http://www.hamvention.org/> (click on "Award Nominations"). Nominees are responsible for submitting substantiating documentation via mail by January 31, 2004. Hamvention 2004 is May 14-16. ==>SOLAR UPDATE Sun watcher Tad "I stayed up to watch that glittery ball drop" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: This is the first "Solar Update" for 2004--time to review averages from 2003 and compare them to previous years. From the third quarter of 2002 through the last quarter of 2003, the average daily sunspot numbers were 193.5, 152.7, 120.3, 107.3, 110.2 and 99.2. Average daily solar flux for the same six quarters were 178.1, 164.2, 134.3, 124.2, 120.8 and 137.4. Average daily sunspot numbers for 1997 through 2003 were 30.7, 88.7, 136.3, 173, 170.3, 176.6 and 109.2. Average daily solar flux for the same seven years was 81, 117.9, 153.7, 179.6, 181.6, 179.5 and 129.2. By averaging the daily numbers on an annual basis, we certainly can see a decline in the solar cycle over the past few years. Over the next week, expect solar flux numbers between 120 and 125. A geomagnetic forecast for January 1 predicted planetary A index values for January 2-8 of 20, 15, 35, 30, 35, 35 and 25. With the exception of this Saturday, January 3, those numbers portend rough conditions with geomagnetic storms--especially in those cases where the A index is above 30. This should be the result of a big blast of solar wind beginning on Sunday, January 4. Remember that the long winter nights are great for 160, 80, 60, 40 and 30 meters. The typically higher summertime noise is long gone, and long hours of darkness are great for the lower frequencies--at least when there isn't a major geomagnetic storm. Sunspot numbers for December 25 through 31 were 58, 65, 47, 47, 56, 15 and 25, with a mean of 44.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 139.1, 137.2, 161.5, 119, 114.5, 107.7 and 105.6, with a mean of 126.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 9, 12, 12, 6, 8 and 17, with a mean of 10. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: The ARRL RTTY Roundup, the EUCW 160-Meter Contest, and Kid's Day (Sunday, January 4--see below) are the weekend of January 3-4. JUST AHEAD: The North American QSO Party (CW), the Hunting Lions in the Air Contest, the East Asia 160/80 DX Contest, the UK DX Contest (SSB), the Midwinter Contest (CW), the NRAU-Baltic Contest (separate CW and SSB events), the Midwinter Contest (SSB) and the DARC 10-Meter Contest are the weekend of January 10-11. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. * Reminder: Kid's Day is Sunday, January 4! The first 2004 running of this popular operating event will be Sunday, January 4, 1800 to 2400 UTC, with no limit on operating time. This marks the first time this event will take place on a Sunday. Kid's Day offers a "mentoring opportunity" for experienced amateurs while giving youngsters--licensed or not--some firsthand hamming experience and perhaps sparking a lifelong interest. "Kid's Day is an opportunity to introduce your own youngsters, neighborhood kids and nieces and nephews to participate in the magic of ham radio," suggests Jean Wolfgang, WB3IOS, of ARRL Field and Educational Services. Now entering its tenth year, each running of Kid's Day typically attracts more than 1000 participants. The suggested exchange is name, age, location and favorite color. Stations may work the same station again if an operator has changed. Call "CQ Kid's Day." Suggested frequencies are 14.270-14.300, 21.380-21.400 and 28.350-28.400 MHz plus 2 meter repeater frequencies, with permission from the repeater's sponsor). Guidelines for this event are available on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html>. All participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate. Visit the ARRL Kid's Day Survey page <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kids-day-survey.html> to complete a short survey and post your comments. Kid's Day participants are invited to post logs and comments on the Internet <http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/kids/>. * ARRL Emergency Communications course registration: Registration opens Monday, January 5, 12:01 AM Eastern Time (0501 UTC), for the on-line ARRL Level I Emergency Communications course (EC-001). Registration remains open through the January 10-11 weekend or until all available seats have been filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, January 20. Thanks to our grant sponsors--the Corporation for National and Community Service and the United Technologies Corporation--the $45 registration fee paid upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the course. During this registration period, approximately 175 seats are being offered to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. Senior amateurs are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> and the C-CE Links found there. For more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, <dmiller@arrl.org>; 860-594-0340. [ARECC logo] * ARECC/ARES seminar set in New York City-Long Island Section: The ARRL will offer a condensed version of its free Amateur Radio Emergency Communications seminar Sunday, January 18, 8-10 AM, in conjunction with the New York City-Long Island Section Convention (Ham Radio University 2004) at East Woods School in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The seminar does not include the Level I course itself. This program is designed to explain in greater detail the duties of all Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course participants and how their volunteer efforts are essential to the ARES Field Organization. Senior Citizens are strongly encouraged to participate. "This seminar will explain the importance of every team player with emphasis on using lessons learned to effectively move Amateur Radio emergency communications to the next level," said ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG. The seminar is open to all interested hams. Field Organization leaders and course participants at every ARECC level--mentors, certification instructors, certification examiners and current students--are encouraged to attend and share their experiences. The seminar will focus on coordination between ARECC volunteers and students and their integration into the Field Organization. Seating may be limited. If planning to attend, contact Dan Miller, K3UFG, <k3ufg@arrl.org>; 860-594-0340; FAX 860-594-0259. Seminar attendance does not include admission to the convention. For convention information, visit the New York City-Long Island Web site <http://www.hudson.arrl.org/nli/hru2004.htm>. * Amateur Radio assists in Iran earthquake relief: Turkey Amateur Radio Club President Aziz Sasa,TA1E, reports that three Amateur Radio operators joined the Turkish Relief Team that departed for the incident location--the city of Bam, some 600 miles south of Tehran--from Istanbul December 27 aboard a military aircraft. Local communications will be carried out on 2-meter simplex with HF operation on 14.270 MHz during the day and on 7092 kHz or 3777 kHz during hours of darkness. Soyhan Erim, TA2IJ, will handle HF operations at the Turkish Incident Command Post. He is part of the Ministry of Health team. Erdinç Sarimusaoglu, TA2RJ, is part of the AKUT Search and Rescue Team, while Mustafa Yuceturk, TA1CAN, is a member of the Istanbul Civil Defense Search-and-Rescue team. Also on site is Serdar Demirel, TA2NO, a member of the Ankara Civil Defense SAR team, who arrived earlier. * Emanuel G. "Manny" Papandreas, W4SS, SK: Former long-time ARRL Southern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator Manny Papandreas, W4SS, of Lake Worth, died December 26. He was 80. Papandreas served as Southern Florida's SEC for 20 years--longer than any of his predecessors. He also was an ARRL Southeastern Division assistant director. During his tenure as SEC, he oversaw the Amateur Radio emergency communications in the wake of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. A life member of both the ARRL and the Quarter Century Wireless Association, Papandreas was first licensed in 1941 as W8VKS. After a career in appliance sales and service, he became operations coordinator for the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management. There he assisted in designing a new Emergency Operations Center. Papandreas also founded and led the Palm Beach Amateur Radio Council, which coordinated the county's ARES/RACES activities. Southern Florida Assistant Section Manager Jeff Beals, WA4AW, called Papandreas a good friend and mentor who was "a staunch supporter of the League and its programs." A service was set for Saturday, January 3, 10 AM until noon, at Dorsey Memorial Gardens, 10th Avenue N and Kirk Road, Lake Worth.--information supplied by Jeff Beals, WA4AW * Canadian hams may lose 220-222 MHz segment: After studying the spectrum needs of various services over the past 18 months, the Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC) plans to recommend to Industry Canada (IC) that the 220-222 MHz band segment be transferred from the Amateur Service to the Mobile Service. The RABC recommended allocating 219-220 MHz to amateurs in Canada on a secondary basis, in harmony with a similar allocation for US amateurs, who lost the 220-222 MHz band segment in 1991. In addition, the RABC asked that IC continue 222-225 MHz as a primary exclusive amateur allocation. It also recommended grandfathering amateur repeaters in the 220-222 MHz segment, to continue operation for a period of time that the IC would determine, and designating 150 kHz of spectrum for the Amateur and Mobile services to share for certain public safety and disaster communication applications. Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) has vigorously opposed the proposed changes without success. The RAC has posted additional information on its Web site <http://www.rac.ca/news/canada.htm>.--RAC bulletin * TO4E/TO4WW DXpedition racks up 34,000 Qs: TO4E/TO4WW Europa Island DXpedition member Dany Prevostat, F5CW, reports the team arrived safely back home December 24. "TO4E/TO4WW is over!" he declared in a message posted on the DXpedition Web site <http://europa2003.free.fr/>. He suggested that while the team's 34,000 QSO total was below expectations, it was greater than sporadic operations to Europa over the years had been able to generate. F5CW said the team was "very, very frustrated" by a lack of power on the island. As a result, he said, many stations were left waiting in vain for TO4E to show up on the low bands. The team also endured some severe weather from Tropical Storm Cela that took TO4E off the air and damaged equipment and antennas. "Even in such uncomfortable conditions, we managed to be on air as much as possible, and few hours were made barefoot on battery--an old battery found there--and a candlelight upon the FT-100D." At one point, he said, team member Pascal Roha, F5PTM, managed to work a pileup with the power output meter sitting at zero--an estimated 100 mW! The team had diesel generators but, because Europa is a wildlife preserve, available fuel supplies were limited. On-line logs for TO4E and TO4WW <http://europa2003.free.fr/searchlog.php> are available on the DXpedition's Web site. * CQ names Floyd Gerald, N5FG, as Worked All Zones awards manager: CQ has named Floyd Gerald, N5FG, as CQ Worked All Zones (WAZ) awards manager. He succeeds Paul Blumhardt, K5RT, who is stepping down after four years due to increased work and family commitments. Licensed since 1972, Gerald is an accomplished DXer and the holder of many Amateur Radio operating awards. An ARRL member, he also has served as a CQ awards and ARRL DXCC card checker. After February 1, WAZ applications and cards go to Floyd Gerald, N5FG, 17 Green Hollow Rd, Wiggins, MS 39577-8318. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President. The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise, and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest news, updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> offers access to news, informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast" compiled from The ARRL Letter. 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