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 Previous: Ariane 5 Schedule Delay Could Affect Phase 3D Launch |  Next: FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Log July 19, 2000 |
July 18, 2000
(In alphabetical order:)
Australia makes 5 WPM official: Australia officially has adopted a 5 WPM Morse code examination requirement for full access to the HF amateur bands. In an announcement in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on July 12, the Australian Communications Authority changed the amateur regulations for the VK Intermediate grade license that requires 5 WPM Morse code proficiency. By that action, the ACA lifted the previous HF band restrictions on Intermediate licensees, who now may use all bands below 30 MHz. The change had been anticipated following a submission to the ACA in March by the Wireless Institute of Australia seeking a lowering of the code speed. For the time being, Australia will maintain its Unrestricted license--which requires 10 WPM Morse proficiency--but only to satisfy the needs of reciprocal licensing agreements. The HF operating privileges and conditions for the Intermediate and Unrestricted licenses now are identical. WIA Victoria President Jim Linton, VP3PC, says that by adopting the lower Morse requirement, Australia joins Denmark, Sweden, the UK, the US, South Africa and Gibraltar. According to Linton, others including New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Kenya and countries in Europe are in various stages of seeking to lower the code speed to 5 WPM. For more information, visit Linton's "Morse code watch,".--Jim Linton, VK3PC/WIA
Coastie-ham gets prominent place in parade of ships: Ron Willson, N1IBQ--who's a rear commodore in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary--recently was honored as one of the dignitaries on board the USCG barque Eagle. Carrying Connecticut Gov John Rowland, Lt Gov Jodi Rell and Sen Christopher Dodd, the Eagle led the parade of tall ships up the Thames River into New London during OpSail 2000. In his current volunteer assignment, Willson is in charge of all US Coast Guard Auxiliary activities in Long Island Sound. The July 13 editions of The Danbury News-Times included a rundown of the Willson's involvement in the event. Willson serves as Emergency Coordinator for Bethel, Connecticut and is a member of the Bethel Educational Amateur Radio Society.--thanks to Pete Kemp, KZ1Z
College adds ham radio licensing class: After the Amateur Radio Club of Parker County (Texas) sponsored a continuing education class in Amateur Radio at Weatherford College, the school decided to add the class to its fall catalog. Students attending the class will qualify for continuing education units as well as a ham ticket. Lilburn Smith, W5KQJ, wrote the Technician study course after downloading the question pool and editing extensively to provide a student study guide. He also produced transparencies for each class that help to explain the study questions, and he generated five lessons in all. Smith reports that 19 people signed up for his initial course, 18 stuck with it through the examination, and 16 got their licenses. The Tech class will be complemented by a new General course. It will include Morse code instruction.--Lilburn Smith, W5KQJ
Cyprus okays anniversary prefixes: Amateurs on Cyprus have been granted permission use the special prefix 5B40 ("Five Bravo Forty") until November 30, 2000, to celebrate the 40 years of the Republic of Cyprus. Use of the special prefix is optional.--Spyros Stavrinides, 5B4MF/CARS
FCC reallocates 2-GHz broadcast auxiliary spectrum: The FCC has adopted a plan to reallocate spectrum in the 2-GHz band. The Commission previously had decided to reduce the spectrum for broadcast auxiliary services at 2 GHz by 35 MHz and to reallocate that spectrum to the Mobile Satellite Service. The FCC proposes to reduce the BAS spectrum in two phases. Phase I will reduce the spectrum 18 MHz for early MSS entrants. Phase II for the remaining spectrum will begin when MSS demand exceeds the 18 MHz of Phase I. MSS licensees are required to negotiate with broadcasters and provide compensation for retrofitting their equipment. (Contrary to reports published elsewhere, the FCC's action mandating compensation portends no implications for future FCC policy in the handling of Amateur Radio spectrum allocation issues.)
Jean Shepherd, K2ORS, during his radio broadcasting days. [from Bob Kaye's "The Jean Shepherd Page] |
K2ORS to become hall of famer: The late radio storyteller and talker Jean Shepherd, K2ORS, is among those scheduled to be inducted posthumously into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame this fall. The ceremony is set for November 13 in New York City. Shepherd died last October at the age of 78. Many remember him best for his late-night talk program on New York's WOR, where he sometimes spoke of his Amateur Radio activities. After his death, some hams wrote the ARRL to say they'd been inspired by Shepherd's monologues to pursue their own radio activities. Shepherd also wrote and produced several programs for public television and once was the banquet speaker at the Dayton Hamvention.--Broadcasting & Cable; Shop Talk
Gordon West, WB6NOA |
Kids and Internet vs Amateur Radio: Who says the Internet takes kids' interest away from Amateur Radio? During the ARRL-sponsored Kid's Day event in June, 77 youngsters took part in the youth Amateur Radio licensing class put on by Gordon West, WB6NOA. Once a year, West puts on a no-cost ham course for young people that runs on Friday and Saturday. He also invites kids to take advantage of ARRL's low-cost family membership rate or youth membership rate--depending on whether there's already a licensed ham in the youngster's household. He makes also different types of radio equipment available for the kids--this year's class ranged from 10 to 18 years old--to try out. Area hams are asked to stand by at their stations to give the newly licensed kids a chance to make QSOs. "One of the elements of the final test I give is to make contact with another radio station," West says. "That will also give them a chance to try out a variety of radio equipment." What better day for a young person to get licensed than on Kid's Day--when more than 1000 other kids already were out there on the airwaves?--thanks to Rosalie White, K1STO
Michigan club sponsors "Radio Days" for kids: Children at the Auburn Hills Summer Day Camp in Michigan will get acquainted with the world of Amateur Radio on July 20. That's when the local recreation department and the Utica Shelby Emergency Communications Association host the fourth annual "Radio Days" event. USECA volunteers will set up portable Amateur Radio exhibits, and youngsters will have a chance to talk with people across the country and even around the world via Amateur Radio. "Ham radio is hobby devoted to public service," event coordinator Paul Valko, W8KC, points out. "The children may be familiar with cellular phones and the Internet, but when those services are disrupted by weather or other disasters, the radio amateurs are still there to provide communications." Radio Days will use the special event call sign W8R.--thanks to Paul Valko, W8KC
N8GNJ named CQ digital editor: CQ magazine has named Steve Stroh, N8GNJ, as its new digital editor. CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, said Stroh will assume his new role effective with the September 2000 issue. The appointment of Stroh follows the resignation of Packet Editor Buck Rogers, K4ABT, and the conclusion of Rogers' Packet User's Notebook column. Stroh's new column, "Digital Wireless," will cover the full spectrum of amateur digital communications--from RTTY to spread spectrum and newly developing modes such as ultra wideband. Stroh has held a number of positions in TAPR and is chairman of the 2000 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held this fall in Florida.--CQ news release
Sidney A. Burnett, W6KSI, SK: Veteran amateur and wartime telegrapher Sid Burnett, W6KSI, of Imperial Beach, California, died July 10. He was 92. According to San Diego Section Manager Tuck Miller, NZ6T, Burnette was one of the longest-licensed hams in San Diego. First licensed in 1923, Burnett served in the US Navy. During World War II, he worked as a telegrapher, and one of his duties was to interpret the Japanese code. Burnett was an ARRL member and was very active with the Southbay Amateur Radio Society, where he presented a propagation report at each month's meeting.--Tuck Miller, NZ6T
VE7IO is new British Columbia SM: Fred Orsetti, VE7IO, was recently elected as Radio Amateurs of Canada Section Manager for British Columbia. He'll complete the term of Ralph Webb, VE7OM, who stepped down in order to seek the RAC First Vice President position. Orsetti ran unopposed.--RAC
W9DXCC bash set: The 48th annual W9DXCC Convention will be September 15-16 at the Holiday Inn, Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The program includes presentations on the A52A Bhutan DXpedition with Glenn Johnson, W0GJ; the 4W/W3UR operation in East Timor by QST "How's DX" Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR; the FO0AAA Clipperton DXpedition by Jim Mornar, N9TK; and the first Chesterfield operation--TX0DX--by ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG. There will be a special 160-meter presentation by DXing on the Edge author Jeff Briggs, K1ZM as well as a propagation program by NCJ and Worldradio columnist Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. On-site ARRL DXCC card checking will be available too. Program details and on-line registration is available at the W9DXCC home page, or via e-mail from W9DXCC 2000 Chairman Bill Smith, W9VA.
| Previous: Ariane 5 Schedule Delay Could Affect Phase 3D Launch | Next: FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Log July 19, 2000 |
