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 Previous: The Ellwood City Amateur Radio Association |  Next: Canada Proposes Reduced Morse Requirement |
January 10, 2001
(In alphabetical order:)
Amateur with call sign domain deflects infringement challenge: Tony Peterson, N7QVC, of Oregon, this week was shocked to receive a sharply worded e-mail from an attorney representing the QVC cable TV sales folks accusing him of infringing on the QVC mark. The message was clear: Peterson would have to give up his N7QVC.com Web domain or risk a huge lawsuit. "Your unauthorized use of N7QVC.COM is an infringement of the QVC marks," wrote attorney Stanley C. Macel III. "That is, your use of N7QVC.COM is likely to cause the public to believe that you are sponsored or approved in some way by our client. In addition, your use of N7QVC.COM constitutes false advertising, because it misrepresents the nature, characteristics, qualities and origin of your commercial activities." The situation was complicated by the fact that someone hacked Peterson's Web domain and diverted it to a site containing material of, shall we say, a questionable nature. Peterson responded promptly, explaining that his call-sign-related domain name was purely noncommercial and had nothing to do with QVC. Attorney Macel quickly backtracked, although not without including some lawyerly caveats. "While we find nothing objectionable about the manner of use of the QVC mark in your domain name," he said, "nevertheless, as the owner of a highly distinctive radio call sign and domain name yourself, I am sure you can understand the care with which we monitor QVC's brand identity. In order to resolve this matter, relying upon your representation that your use of the letters QVC in your domain name are used only for your personal use, and not for commercial activities that would create the impression that you are affiliated or connected with QVC Inc in any way, we will take no further action." Peterson has expressed his gratitude to members of the amateur community who supported him during the recent "crisis." Visit the N7QVC site.
ARISS packet system to be activated: The ISS Expedition 1 crew was expected to turn on the packet system sometime this week. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station packet system will identify as RZ3DZR-1. It will uplink on 145.99 MHz and downlink on 145.80 MHz. When the system is activated and the ISS is within view, Earth stations can expect to hear a periodic beacon every two minutes. Earth stations may send unformatted informational (UI) packets to the ISS (ie, it should be operational for APRS beacons). Earth stations are asked to refrain from using the Packet Mailbox System at this time, however, since the crew does not have the computer hooked up to read messages. Do not transmit on the packet uplink until you have heard the packet beacon. If you copy the packet system, let ARISS know and save your information for a future QSL card. For more information on ARISS, visit the ARISS Web site.--Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARRL Foundation scholarships deadline is February 1: Through the generosity of many individuals and Amateur Radio clubs, the ARRL Foundation offers at least 26 academic scholarships ranging from $500 to $5000. Each of these scholarships is intended exclusively for educational use, to provide assistance with costs of tuition, room, board, books and/or other fees essential to the advanced education of the recipient. All ARRL Foundation scholarships are listed on ARRLWeb. The site includes information on eligibility requirements, award amounts, the sponsoring club/individual and more, plus an application form. Completed applications and transcripts are due to The ARRL Foundation Inc Scholarship Program, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 postmarked by February 1, 2001. There are no exceptions! For more information, contact the ARRL Foundation, foundation@arrl.org or 860-594-0230.
Bouvet 3Y0C update: Mac McIntire, WA4FFW, reports that a generator oil leak and bad weather have hampered the 3Y0C operation by Chuck Brady, N4BQW, on Bouvet. "The generator is usable, but it has to be limited," McIntire said. "Fortunately they can keep the batteries charged. He cannot operate the amp without the generator." WA4FFW says 3Y0C's absence from the bands the latter part of last week was because a storm blew down and broke up the vertical and beam. The beam is back up at 25 feet; the vertical has been repaired but not re-installed. Brady also has an 80-meter dipole at 20 feet that he's using on 80 and 40 meters. Efforts to fix the generator continue. QSL 3Y0C via Mark McIntyre, WA4FFW, 2903 Maple Ave, Burlington, NC 27215. McIntire says he will not have any logs until Brady returns in late March. Cards will be processed after his return.--Mac McIntire, WA4FFW
Colin Richards, VK6BPU/9M2CR, SK: AMSAT News Service reports that satellite veteran and AMSAT supporter Colin Richards, VK6BPU/9M2CR, of Perth, Australia, died recently. He was 85.--Sangat Singh, 9M2SS, via AMSAT News Service
Correction: A news item "New section managers take office January 1" that ran in The ARRL Letter, Vol 19, No 50, and on ARRLWeb, contained incorrect information about the South Carolina section manager election. Incumbent South Carolina Section Manager Patricia Hensley, N4ROS, was elected in November 2000 with opposition from two challengers.--Rosalie White, K1STO
Darlana D. Mayo, N2DB, SK: Darlana D. Mayo, N2DB, of Mt Vernon, New York, died December 16. She was 36. An ARRL member prominent and active in the Westchester Emergency Communications Association, Mayo was the SKYWARN coordinator for Westchester County, manager of the Southern District Net, an active RACES and ARES member, and involved with the Red Cross emergency communications program as well as other aspects of Red Cross relief programs. Alessandro Sicilia, N2TWN, manager of the Southern District Net and a close friend of Darlana Mayo's, wrote, "She was unique, a lady full of grace and wonderful harmony. She taught me so much, not just in traffic handling and radio operations."
FCC seeks additional spectrum for advanced wireless systems: The FCC has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order to explore the possible use of frequency bands below 3 GHz to support the introduction of new advanced wireless services, including so-called third-generation or 3G services as well as future generations of wireless services. This proceeding also will explore the possibility of introducing new advanced mobile and fixed services in frequency bands currently used for cellular, broadband PCS and Specialized Mobile Radio services, as well as in the following frequency bands: 1710-1755 MHz, 1755-1850 MHz, 2110-2150 MHz, 2160-2165 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz. The NPRM proposes to allocate for mobile and fixed services use the portion of the 1710-1755 MHz band that was designated for non-federal government use under two statutory directives; it also proposes to designate the 2100-2150 MHz and 2160-2165 MHz bands for advanced mobile and fixed service use. The notice also seeks comment on the issue of providing for mobile and fixed service allocations in the 1755-1850 MHz band, if spectrum in the band is made available for non-federal government use, and on the various approaches for use of the 2500-2690 MHz band, which is currently used for MMDS and ITFS service. In a related matter, the Commission also adopted an Order denying a petition filed by the Satellite Industry Association requesting that the 2500-2520 MHz and 2670-2690 MHz bands be reallocated to the Mobile-Satellite Service. The complete NPRM is on the FCC's Web site.--FCC
Generous AMSAT member offers matching funds in membership drive: AMSAT North America is looking for members, both new satellite enthusiasts and former members who have re-activated their interests. AMSAT NA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, is part of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. To help in attracting members, AMSAT member Mike Honer, W1BFN, has challenged his fellow satellite enthusiasts. Mike will match (up to $1,000) any amount earmarked for a new or lapsed membership received during the month of January! These matching funds will be used by AMSAT-NA to further advance both current and future projects. Simply mark the membership application with 'MH' at the bottom of the application. For more information, contact AMSAT Office Manager Martha Saragovitz, 301-589-6062, martha@amsat.org. Visit the AMSAT-NA Web site.--AMSAT News Service
Ham radio summons help at accident site: Matt Lawrence, KB1FPD, N Madison, Connecticut, reports that ham radio was a potential lifesaver when he came across a serious motor vehicle accident on January 5 in Killingworth, Connecticut. Lawrence said the head-on collision happened about 20 seconds before he drove up. Since he's also a volunteer firefighter, Lawrence stopped to assist the victims and secure hazards. Since no one else had called police, Lawrence signaled for help on the 145.29 repeater. "I don't know who answered my call since I wasn't really paying attention to call signs, but whoever did, thank you, as you are pretty much the only one who called 911!" he said. "Even if it isn't a statewide disaster, it is nice to know that ARES and other ham radio operators still care." He says both drivers were injured and were rushed to the hospital. The vehicles sustained very heavy damage and both drivers had to be extricated, he said.--Matt Lawrence, KB1FPD
In Union City, they just call him "Mr Mayor": Within the ARRL family Coy Day, N5OK, is best known as ARRL West Gulf Director (and as former Vice Director and Oklahoma Section Manager). But in Union City, Oklahoma, he's simply "Mr Mayor," an honor he's held since last July. "Yes, I get to bang the gavel," Day said in response to our request for more information for the inquiring minds. "I also get the 2:30 AM calls that say one of the ammonia tanks at the granary has sprung a leak and we have to evacuate the neighborhood . . ." But, on balance, Day concedes "it's been kind of fun." Day says that after he retired as Oklahoma Air National Guard Commander in 1995, he started looking for a nice quiet town to live that didn't have any antenna restrictions. He found Union City, about 40 miles west of Oklahoma City. "After moving to the area, I got involved in the local politics to keep an eye on things and make sure they didn't develop any antenna restrictions," he said. After serving in a few volunteer posts, including Emergency Management Director, he ran for the town Board of Trustees when the board "did some things that I really didn't like." Once on the board, he says, "they selected me as the mayor since I was retired and had time to do it." Day says holding the mayor's post, which pays nothing, gives him a chance to give back to the community for the years he couldn't be involved. But more important, he says, is that as long as he's mayor, "there will be no antenna height restrictions in Union City, OK!"
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an Iridium! During the New Year's weekend, a second satellite from the Iridium low-Earth-orbit constellation dropped out of orbit and burned up in the atmosphere. According to Space.com, US Space Command in Colorado Springs discovered the derelict Iridium bird No. 85 plunging to Earth on December 3--the second Iridium bird to do so. Recently, the entire Iridium constellation was spared a fiery death after a group of investors led by former airline executive Dan Colussy purchased the assets for $25 million. The purchase was approved in November by a Manhattan bankruptcy court. The new Iridium Satellite LLC owns all of the former assets of Iridium, originally founded by Motorola. Iridium filed for bankruptcy in 1999. Last year, it ceased operations.--reported by SkyREPORT.COM
J. W. McLeland, W9ATK, SK: Jack McLeland, W9ATK, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin died January 2, 2001. He was 63. McLeland was active in Milwaukee County ARES for 40 years, and pioneered ARES in that area by putting the first 2-meter FM repeater in Wisconsin on the air. W9ATK also held office in Navy-Marine Corps MARS, and engineered and oversaw the installation and operation of a five-repeater, linked VHF repeater system which covered the distance from Great Lakes, Illinois, to La Crosse, Wisconsin--about 220 miles. The repeaters had talkin/out at each site. McLeland also served on the board of the Milwaukee Radio Amateur Club and was active in the Wisconsin Association of repeaters. Fully dedicated to ARES, he was a regular member of the communications team on the Great Circus Train each July. He also was a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers.--Nels Harvey, WA9JOB, and Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ
Slain Irving, Texas, Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins, KC5USI. |
Monitoring for Texas prison escapees: We recently reported that Amateur Radio operators were being asked to monitor 2-meter, Family Radio Service, and Business Radio Service frequencies for possible communications among the seven Texas prison escapees. These fugitives are believed to have shot and killed Irving, Texas, police officer Aubrey Hawkins, KC5USI, during a robbery on Christmas Eve. They also are alleged to have stolen several portable transceivers. An official of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has requested that hams not publicize their monitoring activities to the general media, in order to avoid alerting the fugitives that their radio communications may be overheard. Amateurs contacted by the media should refer inquiries to the Texas DCJ. The Texas DCJ official was unaware that Hawkins was a ham, and said he was pleased to know that fellow amateurs would get involved in this effort. Monitors should report any suspicious radio communications immediately to their local authorities or to the Texas DCJ command center, 936-437-6735.--Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY
New charger uses air to recharge cellphone batteries: Electric Fuel Corp says its new Instant Power charger can recharge cellphone batteries without having to be plugged into an external power source. The Instant Power charger is described as a high-capacity disposable charger for your cellular telephone. The company says the charger is powered by air; it allows you to talk and charge your phone at the same time. Each PowerCartridge provides up to three charges and is disposable in the same manner as alkaline batteries. The unit consists of a disposable power pack, a "smart cord," an electronic adapter and an airtight storage pouch. The fuel inside the cartridge is activated by drawing oxygen from the air through holes in the case, and the charger begins delivering power within a minute, the company says. Pricing information was not available. Electric Fuel also offers disposable, high-capacity Instant Power batteries for cellular telephones. The company says its zinc-air battery technology is similar to alkaline battery technology, which also produces electrical energy through the controlled oxidation of zinc. In this case, the zinc-air batteries draw their oxygen from the atmosphere.
New Oscar numbers assigned: SaudiSat 1A and 1B are now officially OSCAR 41, or SO-41, and OSCAR 42, or SO-42. AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton,VE3FRH, has delegated to past president Bill Tynan W3XO, the task of assigning OSCAR numbers. In a letter to Turki Al Saud, director of Space Research at the King Abdullazziz City for Science and Technology--the sponsoring agency--Tynan congratulated all involved with the two spacecraft. "I am sure that the world's Amateur Radio community will very much appreciate having SO-41 and SO-42 available for use," he said. SaudiSat 1A and 1B were launched September 26, 2000, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile. Both satellites are in the commissioning stage, with initial housekeeping tasks under way. Each satellite will operate as a 9600-baud digital store-and-forward system as well as an analog FM (bent-pipe) repeater.--AMSAT News Service
New versions of PREDICT released: New versions of KD2BD's satellite tracking and orbital prediction program PREDICT have been released for both the DOS and Linux platforms. The new DOS version, ver 2.0.4d, corrects some minor bugs in the program but adds no new features. The new Linux version, ver 2.1.3, corrects some minor bugs and introduces much more in terms of the program's ability to act as a server by supplying real-time tracking information to client applications. Communication between the PREDICT server and client applications takes place using the UDP protocol, and allows the server and clients to be separated by a distance, provided a network connection is available between the client and server. Also included in the Linux version are three graphical tracking client applications written by three separate authors. More information on PREDICT software is available on the PREDICT pages.--John Maglicane, KD2BD, via SpaceNews
New, interactive newsletters for teachers and volunteer instructors: The ARRL will debut two new Web newsletters to support Amateur Radio educational activities. The first, Amateur Radio In the Classroom, is a forum for teachers who use Amateur Radio as a teaching tool. The second, Educational Activities Forum, is intended for instructors teaching Amateur Radio licensing courses. The forums are open to all who are interested, but contributions will be accepted only from ARRL Registered Teachers, and ARRL Registered Volunteer Instructors. To access these newsletters on ARRLWeb, visit the F&ES Interactive Newsletters page. To learn how to become an ARRL-registered teacher or volunteer instructor, visit the School Teacher Support Page on ARRLWeb.
Press report says Kennard to leave FCC: A January 8 report in The Mercury News says that FCC Chairman William Kennard will resign once the FCC approves the $82-billion AOL-Time-Warner merger. The FCC is expected to okay the mega-deal perhaps as early as this week.
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FCC Chairman William Kennard. | Commissioner Michael Powell. |
Kennard is the first African-American to serve at the helm of the FCC. It's considered likely that President-Elect George W. Bush will name FCC member Michael Powell, son of Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell, to replace Kennard. Using a "recess appointment," President Clinton has named Commissioner Susan Ness to continue on the five-member FCC. Her reappointment for the time being ensures a three to two margin in favor of the Democrats.
RAC announces ARISS school contact program: Following the recent ARISS meeting at Goddard Space Flight Center, Radio Amateurs of Canada now is encouraging Canadian amateurs to help set up radio contacts between school children and astronauts on the International Space Station. These contacts will be made when there are astronauts who are also radio amateurs on the ISS. For the time being, the astronauts will use 2-meter FM. To participate, amateurs and teachers must work together to prepare a proposal and fill out an application form. Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA, the RAC representative on the ARISS school selection committee, will collect the proposals and participate in the selection process. Similar contacts already have run in the US and are being set up for schools in Japan, Russia, and Europe. Details of how schools will be selected for the contacts can be found on the RAC ARISS Web page.--RAC
Radio talker Art Bell, W6OBB, to return to overnight airwaves: He's baaaack! Premiere Radio Networks has announced that Art Bell, W6OBB, has agreed to return to his overnight radio gig. Bell will again host Coast to Coast AM starting February 5. The program airs from 1 until 6 AM Eastern. Bell resigned last April citing legal and family issues that required his attention. "These have been resolved," Premiere Radio Networks said in a news release. Coast to Coast AM airs on more than 430 stations nationwide.--Premier Radio Networks news release
Solar Cycle 23 apparently peaked in 2000: ARRL propagation reporter Tad Cook, K7VVV, says it looks like the solar maximum for the current cycle occurred last year. The yearly average of daily sunspot numbers for 2000 was 174.4, and the yearly average of daily solar flux numbers for 2000 was 181.2. High points occurred on May 17, 2000, when the solar flux was 262 and the sunspot number was 342, and July 18-20, when sunspot numbers were 343, 342 and 401 and solar flux was 261.9, 249.9 and 252.9, respectively. Cook says there's been a general drop in solar activity since July. The monthly averages of daily sunspot numbers for last January through December were 140.8, 161.9, 203.6, 193.4, 188.8, 190.3, 236.7, 166.7, 169.9, 138.9, 149.9 and 146.4. "The 236.7 number for July was the highest for the year," he said. The monthly Average of daily solar flux for the year was 159, 174.1, 208.2, 184.2, 184.5, 179.8, 200.5, 163.1, 201.7, 167.7, 178.8 and 173.6. "This gives us three peaks, in March, July and September," he said. The quarterly daily sunspot averages were 168.9, 190.8, 193.1 and 145, and quarterly solar flux was 180.5, 182.9, 188.3 and 173.3. "These suggest a maximum in the third quarter, July through September," Cook noted. "Ultimately the solar physicists who represent the real scientific expertise will come up with an approximate date for the peak using a smoothed moving average, but the data are not all in yet."
Texas all-service MARS team heads off problems for stranded soldiers: It certainly wasn't among the more serious incidents during the year-end weather onslaught in the southwest, but this story does typify the ingenuity and dedication of ham radio operators in an emergency. MARS Public Awareness Coordinator Bill Sexton, N1IN/AAA9PC, says a number of soldiers on leave from Ft Hood in Texas found themselves among the 100,000 people cut off by ice storms during the Christmas holiday without transportation or communication. Army Military Affiliate Radio System member Jerry Keisler, WA5KZA/AAR6KR, took time out from relaying emergency situation reports to inform Fort Hood of the soldiers' predicament, saving them from being listed as "absent without official leave" or AWOL. Sexton reports that members of Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps and Army MARS worked with ARES and RACES operators to maintain communication in and out of the ice storm area. Sexton said that the MARS operators' access to a wide range of military frequencies took pressure off the available Amateur Radio nets and provided a direct channel to out-of-area federal agencies involved in relief operations. Army MARS Emergency Coordinator for Texas Charles Lassiter, AC5UZ/AAM6ETX, said MARS members coordinated traffic for the Texas Department of Public Safety, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and National Guard, and also handled health-and-welfare traffic. MARS operators coordinated their traffic with the Texas ARES net, and State Army MARS director Carl Houser K5CDR/AAA6TX, opened the Region 6 Army net and coordinated traffic with Arkansas and Oklahoma. Lassiter said moving traffic back and forth between MARS and ARES nets proved to be no problem. "Many of the net control stations on the ARES nets are MARS members," he said. Army MARS Chief Bob Sutton, N7UZY/AAA9A, said the event shows what can be accomplished by team cooperation during actual emergency conditions. For more information on MARS visit http://www.asc.army.mil/mars .--Bill Sexton, N1IN/AAA9PC
Unopposed section managers continue new terms: The following incumbent ARRL section managers ran unopposed in their respective races last spring, were declared elected and began new two-year terms on July 1, 2000. We apologize for the belated announcement of these facts and wish to recognize these ARRL section managers: Bruce Boston, KD9UL, Illinois; Peggy Coulter, W9JUJ, Indiana; William Woodhead, N1KAT, Maine; Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, Northern Florida; William Sawders, K7ZM, Oregon; Glenn Thomas, WB6W, Santa Clara Valley; Donald Michalski, W9IXG, Wisconsin. After nominating petitions were resolicited for the Vermont Section Manager election in July 2000, incumbent SM Bob DeVarney, WE1U, ran unopposed and was declared elected.
W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, checks out some of the new Heil gear donated recently to W1AW. [ARRL Photo] |
W1AW receives donations: ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW has received a number of products from Heil Sound as donations. The equipment includes two Goldline microphones, with support arms and balanced shock mounts, several Prosets, foot switches, external hand-held PTT switches and Proset adapter cables for various types of gear. These items now are installed in the visitor operating studios. W1AW also has received--as a donation--repairs on the Yaesu FT-1000 HF transceiver and the Yaesu FL-7000 amplifier. W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, has written both manufacturers to thank them for their generous gifts.
West Central Florida anniversary special event set: The ARRL West Central Florida Section celebrates its first anniversary January 14, 1700-2300 UTC, with a special event. Club station K4WCF will operate on five bands CW, SSB and PSK-31. A first anniversary QSL card will be available. For details, visit the WCF Web site.--Paul J. Toth, NA4AR
Winter SWL convention set for March: The 14th annual winter SWL convention of the North American Shortwave Association will be held March 9-10 in Kulpsville Pennsylvania. Founded in 1963, NASWA is North America's oldest shortwave broadcast-only radio club. Convention details are available. Further information is available on the NASWA Web site.--NASWA
LST-325 under way |
World War II LST with ham radio aboard docks in US after transatlantic trip: Tank Landing Ship LST-325 has completed its 4200-mile journey from the Greek island of Crete to Mobile, Alabama. Executive Officer Jack Carter, KC6WYX, using the WW2LST call sign of the USS LST Amateur Radio Club, has operated an onboard 100 W rig on 20-meter SSB throughout the voyage and worked several stations in the US and elsewhere along the way. According to a report in Stars and Stripes, 29 sailors--men in their 60s, 70s and older--signed on, determined to deliver this ship to a permanent berth in Mobile to be used as a floating museum. Most of the sailors are US Navy retirees.
WW2LST QSL card |
Each paid $2100 for the privilege of reliving some of the excitement of their Navy years. Carter, a 71-year-old retired electrical engineer, told Stars and Stripes he's feeling better now than he has in 12 years. He also expressed the hope that he and his crew might serve as a motivation for other seniors to embark on their own journeys. The group received more than $70,000 in private donations to repair the ship. British Petroleum and Phillips Oil Company donated a substantial amount of fuel and money toward the venture. Additional details of the voyage are on the US LST Memorial/Museum Ship Web site.
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