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 Previous: Kachina Exits the Amateur Radio, HF Market |  Next: Nevada Governor Signs Amateur Antenna Bill |
May 24, 2001
(In alphabetical order: )
AMSAT announces "The President's Club": AMSAT has announced formation of The President's Club to recognize contributors. Applicants may choose from two levels of membership--Gold, for donations of $100 per month, or Silver, for donations of $50 per month. Benefits include a unique gold or silver pin and certificate, an invitation to meet with directors, officers, project designers and satellite builders at a special reception at the AMSAT annual meeting, and an invitation to the AMSAT Dayton dinner. For more information and applications, contact Daniel James, NN0DJ, AMSAT Vice President-Public Affairs, PO Box 297, Warroad, MN 56763-0297, 218-386-1544.
 Back row, L-R: Sam Harte, KQ4MR (in scout uniform); Robert Cruz, KE4MCL; Robert Dalnes, AF4RK; and Chris Clulow, KG4BON. In the front row are scouts from Troop 49, Fireball District. [Jim McCarthy Photo] |
Boy Scouts--budding hams: The Boy Scouts of America's South Florida Council played host to more than 12,000 guests, including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and adults, at the annual Youth Expo on Saturday, April 28 at ProPlayer Stadium, Miami--home of the Miami Dolphins and Florida Marlins. Local Amateur Radio operators, in conjunction with the South Florida FM Association and the Dade Radio Club, provided hands-on fun for the visiting scouts and parents. The Radio merit badge, with its long history in scouting, and an Amateur Radio license, now are goals for these boys, thanks to their exposure to ham radio.
Canada makes 5 WPM official: Canadian Basic operators with 5 WPM credit now have full HF Amateur Radio privileges. Effective May 19, Industry Canada has amended the Technical Requirements set out in the Radiocommunication Information Circular 2, "Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service." The IC grants full operating privileges in all Amateur Radio frequency bands below 30 MHz to operators holding the Basic plus 5 WPM Morse code qualification. Copies of the revised RIC-2 are available from the Industry Canada Web site.--RAC
Correct call sign for cosmonaut Yuri Usachev: Boris Stepanov, RU3AX--a former SRR (Soyuz Radiolyubitelei Rossii) officer and the editor of various Soviet and Russian amateur publications over the years--advises that the correct call sign for ISS Expedition Two Crew Commander Yuri Usachev is RW3FU. Along with others in the Amateur Radio media, we had been reporting the call sign of another Russian amateur who has the same name.
FCC reiterates license renewal and modification basics: The FCC took advantage of the Dayton Hamvention FCC forum to remind Amateur Service licensees that license renewal and modification now is done via the Universal Licensing System--or ULS. The ULS is accessible via the FCC ULS Web site. Bill Cross, W3TN, of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau noted that Amateur Radio licenses may not be renewed any sooner than 90 days prior to license expiration. When only changing an address, he said, licensees should choose the "Administrative Update" (AU) option. When renewing only, he said, choose "Renewal Only" (RO). To change an address while renewing your license within the 90-day window, select the "Renewal/Modification" option. An application requesting renewal that's outside the 90-day window will be dismissed, Cross said. Modifications no longer automatically result in a new ten-year license term. Call sign changes are not made unless requested by the licensee. Cross said amateur applicants who need assistance or who believe they have made an error on an application they've filed should contact the ULS help desk.
Ham plates in Alaska--a clarification: ARRL Alaska Section Manager Kent Petty, KL5T, says information he released in April concerning call sign license plates Amateur Radio licensees in Alaska was not correct. Petty says he has since learned that there has been no change in the eligibility requirements for these plates. Following the disastrous 1964 Good Friday earthquake that devastated south-central Alaska, a law was enacted to make call sign plates available free-of-charge to hams holding at least a General class license who also maintain an HF rig in a vehicle. This is still the case. To qualify, hams must have a permanently mounted antenna and power wiring in their vehicle. For details, visit the State of Alaska Web site. For additional information, contact ARRL Alaska Section Manager Kent Petty, KL5T.--Kent Petty, KL5T
Ham-Com 2001 is June 8-10: Ham-Com 2001--the ARRL West Gulf Division Convention--will be held June 8-10, at the Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, Texas. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, will be the keynote speaker. Noted DXer and DXpeditioner Martti Laine, OH2BH, will talk at the DX luncheon. ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P, will describe "The Big Project" in a Saturday presentation. In addition, the ARRL will offer its first all-day classroom version of the Emergency Communications Certification Course. On Sunday, Gary Woodall, National Weather Service official, will conduct a SKYWARN training session. Meet John Devoldere, ON4UN, and Martti Laine, OH2BH, at the DXCC card checking booth. For the complete Ham-Com schedule, visit the Ham-Com Web site.
Jack E. Goforth, K4IBP, SK: Jack Goforth, K4IBP, of Knoxville, Tennessee, died April 17. He was 61. An ARRL member, Goforth was education director of the Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville and founder and former owner of Audio Visual Communications Inc. "Jack was a prominent and well-known amateur in east Tennessee and was instrumental in organizing the East Tennessee DX Association," said Scott Robbins, W4PA. "He suffered a minor heart attack two months age but appeared to have recovered." Robbins said Goforth had chaired the April ETDXA meeting and had recently been elected club president. Goforth is survived by his wife, Rose, as well as his mother, four daughters and eight grandchildren.--Scott Robbins, W4PA, and the Knoxville News-Sentinel
Joe C. "Pat" Patterson, W5VY, SK: VHF pioneer and ARRL member Joe C. "Pat" Patterson, W5VY, died May 9. He was 93. In the 1940s Patterson was active on 50-MHz and 144-MHz AM and achieved many firsts. Patterson made the first 50 MHz contacts from the US to Uruguay and France. In June 1950 he worked W8WXV on 144 MHz for the first known 2-meter contact via sporadic E, which also set a new distance record for that band. He was one of the first to work all states and more than 100 countries on 50 MHz. He also made some of the earliest contacts via satellite and was also active on 432 MHz.--Derwin King, W5LUU
 Marconi's kite. [Cradle Of Aviation Museum Image] |
Live-Wire group says go fly a kite: The Live-Wire Group, a "primarily portable" ham organization, is sponsoring a kite-lifted antenna celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Marconi's first transatlantic radio transmission. This first radio signal was transmitted from Poldhu, Cornwall, England, to St. John's, Newfoundland, on December 12, 1901. At the Newfoundland end a large kite held the antenna aloft. To allow for the uncertainty of an adequate breeze on one certain day, the kite-lifted antenna celebration will run from 0000 UTC Monday, December 10, through 2400 UTC Sunday, December 16, 2001. Stations are invited to operate from kites anytime during this week. Kite-lifted antennas can be both fun and deadly, and launching them requires knowledge of some very important safety regulations. Check here for further information, including suggested types of load lifting kites, a design for a static bleeder gadget, and links to sources for buying kites, or contact David H. Hatch, N9ZRT.
McGan Award nomination deadline extended: The ARRL Public Relations Committee has voted to extend the McGan Award nomination deadline. All nomination materials now must be received at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, by 5 PM Eastern Time on June 1, 2001. The ninth annual Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award will go to an Amateur Radio operator who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer public relations success on behalf of Amateur Radio. For more information on the award program, see QST, February 2000 (page 48). For a nomination form and official rules, visit the ARRL Web site Public Relations Department page. Submit all McGan nominations and supporting documents to Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award, c/o Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
 Mike Philipps, N8AXN |
N8AXN named editor of The Cincinnati Post: ARRL member Mike Philipps, N8AXN, has been named editor of The Cincinnati Post. He replaces long-time editor, Paul Knue. Philipps, 54, has been city editor since 1989. He started his new duties on May 1. "I believe there are few higher callings than that of a newspaper editor," he said. "I am both excited and awed by this opportunity." In addition to his interest in Amateur Radio he is also an avid boater and a private pilot. Before coming to The Post he was a reporter for The Lima News, where he met his wife, Carole, a former editor of The Post's Living section.--The Cincinnati Post.
Mississippi Governor proclaims June 17-24 Amateur Radio Week: Mississippi Gov Ronnie Musgrove has signed a proclamation designating June 17-24 as "Amateur Radio Week." The proclamation states that the more than 4000 licensed Amateur Radio operators in Mississippi have demonstrated their invaluable public assistance by providing emergency radio communications. The dates mentioned coincide with the week leading up to ARRL Field Day, June 23-24.--Ron Brown, AB5WF.
SATERN reports minimal damage from Arkansas storms: David Gilliam, N5GIL, reports the Jonesboro, Arkansas, Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) group was kept busy May 20 and May 21 as powerful thunderstorms stretched from the Gulf Coast of Texas to Michigan. "The Arkansas SKYWARN network was activated and very busy!" he said. "I monitored the goings on from the Craighead County EOC. All of the storms that passed this way either did no damage to anything but fields, or minor damage with no residential areas affected dramatically." Gilliam reports the only exception was in Weiner, Arkansas, a small town just south of Jonesboro, where a some homes were damaged. Tornado warnings were issued for numerous states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas , and West Virginia. Many states have reported downed trees and power lines but no significant damage to structures. More significant damage occurred further north as tornadoes touched down in lower Michigan.--SATERN
Special prefixes in effect for Quebec: Radio Amateurs of Canada announces that special event prefixes have been authorized for use from June 15 until July 15 by all Quebec radio amateurs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Radio Amateur du Quebec Inc (RAQI). Special Event Prefixes assigned to this special event will be CG2 for VE2s and CF2 for VA2s.--RAC
WRTC-2002 seeks donations: Donations are now being sought for the World Radiosport Team Championship 2002. Under the leadership of Organizing Committee Chairman Jouko Häyrynen, OH1RX, the Contest Club Finland and the Finnish Amateur Radio League have agreed to jointly host WRTC 2002 from July 9 through July 16, 2002. The on-the-air operating portion of the event will be held in conjunction with the 2002 IARU HF World Championship on July 14 and 15. Appointed as US representatives are Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, USA West; Bob Allphin, K4UEE, USA South and Jeff, Briggs, K1ZM, USA East. The Northern California DX Foundation has agreed to assist in processing US donations. Donations by credit card or by check (made out to "NCDXF [for WRTC Project]") are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law for US taxpayers. Send cash, check and VISA/MC/AMEX donations from the US to NCDXF, c/o Rusty Epps, W6OAT, 651 Handley Trail, Redwood City, CA 94062. Donations from outside the United States can be sent directly to a WRTC 2002 bank account. See the WRTC 2002 Web site for specific information. For event information, visit the WRTC 2002 home page.
| Previous: Kachina Exits the Amateur Radio, HF Market | Next: Nevada Governor Signs Amateur Antenna Bill |
