‰ Now 18 WPM transition file follows ‰

The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order, NPRM, on
May 14 seeking to raise fees for Amateur Radio vanity call signs.
Currently, a vanity call sign costs 12 dollars 30 cents and is good
for 10 years.  The new fee, if the FCC plan goes through, will go up
to 13 dollars 40 cents for 10 years, an increase of 1 dollar 10
cents.  The FCC is authorized by the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, to collect vanity call sign fees to recover the costs
associated with that program. The vanity call sign regulatory fee is
payable not only when applying for a new vanity call sign, but also
upon renewing a vanity call sign for a new term.  Instructions on
how to comment on this NPRM are available on the FCC Web site.  The
links to the mentioned websites can be found on teleprinter and
packet versions of ARRL Bulletin ARLB022‚ The annual WX4NHC On the
Air Station Test from the National Hurricane Center, NHC, in Miami
takes place Saturday, May 30, 1300 to 2100 UTC. The purpose of this
annual Station Test is to test all of our radio equipment, computers
and antennas using as many modes and frequencies as possible. This
is not a contest or simulated hurricane exercise. New equipment and
software will be tested, and we will also conduct some operator
training, said WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator
Julio Ripoll, WD4R.  Ripoll said that WX4NHC also will be testing
new computers and software, as well as conducting operator training.
NHC Director Bill Read, KB5FYA, will be at WX4NHC, making contacts,
he said.  WX4NHC will be on the air on HF, VHF and UHF, plus 2 and
30 meter APRS. Suggested SSB frequencies are 3R950, 7R268, 14R325,
21R325 and 28R525 MHz, plus/minus QRM.  WX4NHC reports that they
will mostly be on 14R325 MHz and will make announcements when they
change frequencies.  WX4NHC also will be on the VoIP Hurricane Net
1700 to 1900 UTC, an IRLP node 9219/EchoLink WX TALK Conference, and
on South Florida area VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex.  APRS and e
mail will also be monitored.  Stations working WX4NHC exchange call
sign, signal report, location and name plus a brief weather report,
such as sunny, rain or cloudy.  Non hams may submit their actual
weather using the On Line Hurricane Report Form.  QSL to WD4R and
include a self addressed, stamped envelope. Do not send cards to the
NHC.  Due to security measures, no visitors will be allowed at NHC
during the test‚

‰ End of 18 WPM transition file ‰