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 Previous: Indiana Making Another Attempt to Enact Amateur Antenna Bill |  Next: Shuttle Loss Fallout Affecting Amateur Radio in Space |
Feb 6, 2003
(In alphabetical order: )
Dayton DX dinner announced: The Southwest Ohio DX Association has announced the 18th annual DX dinner, held in conjunction with the Dayton Hamvention, will take place Friday, May 16, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton. Tickets are $34 and must be purchased in advance. Groups wishing to sit together must order as a group. A table seats eight. Make checks or money orders payable to SWODXA and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for SWODXA to return your tickets. Seats will be assigned on March 16 in the order that requests are received. Seating is limited. Send ticket orders to Steve Bolia, N8BJQ, 7354 Thackery Rd, Springfield OH 45502. For information on the dinner, visit the SWODXA Web site.
Don Mackay, ZL3RW, SK:
The New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters (NZART) reports that past NZART President Don Mackay, ZL3RW,
of Christchurch, died January 14, after a long illness. Many amateurs joined
family and friends at a memorial service January 18. Licensed in 1953, Mackay
served as NZART's president from 1983 to 1985 and as a member of the NZART
Council from 1961 to 1965. He was a driving force in obtaining and developing
permanent club rooms, the growth of a VHF group, satellite interests and
emergency communications. He served as editor of Break-In--the NZART official
journal--from 1970 to 1976 and had a strong interest in technical matters. Mackay
also was involved in the development of the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps
(AREC) in New Zealand and was appointed AREC "Officer Commanding" in 1989.
Mackay also influenced the introduction of VHF/UHF repeaters in New Zealand at
a time when the licensing authority there was opposed to such operation. He
used his AREC experience to sway the decision in favor of repeaters.--NZART
DXCC Honor Roll deadline looms: The deadline for the next DXCC Honor Roll list is rapidly approaching. DXCC Honor Roll applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2003, for operators to appear in the next list, which will appear in August QST. The DXCC Honor Roll list includes only current entities; deleted entities do not count toward Honor Roll. With the addition of Ducie Island in 2002, the minimum number of entities required for Honor Roll is 326. For Number One Honor Roll, the total is 335 current entities. Plaques remain available for anyone currently or previously on the Honor Roll. Order forms are available on the DXCC Web site. On a related note, the DXCC Desk has finished entering September DXCC applications, and all but a handful (ones requiring special attention) are on their way back to members. "With the 75,000 cards postmarked September 30 out of the way, we expect to make a significant reduction in the processing time in the weeks ahead," said ARRL Membership Services Department Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG.
FCC reallocates spectrum for new wireless services: The FCC has reallocated spectrum for new wireless services, including so-called "advanced wireless services" (AWS), commonly referred to as 3G (third-generation) or IMT-2000. No Amateur Radio spectrum was affected. The FCC reallocated 30 MHz of spectrum from the 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Service to fixed and mobile services. The FCC also sought comment on potential uses of an additional 15 MHz of spectrum previously identified for new wireless services and on increased flexibility in the Unlicensed Personal Communications Service (UPCS) band. "These actions will facilitate more efficient use of existing spectrum and enable an expanded array of innovative products and services for consumers," the FCC said in announcing the move. In a Third Report and Order, the FCC allocated for fixed and mobile wireless services the 1990-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz and 2165-2180 MHz bands. In a Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the FCC sought further comment on use of the 1910-1920 MHz band, available for UPCS asynchronous applications but currently unused. In a Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Commission denied a petition for reconsideration seeking reallocation of the entire 2 GHz MSS band for terrestrial wireless use. The proceeding is ET Docket 00-258.--FCC
FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau gets
new chief: John Muleta has begun duties as the new
chief of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the bureau that
administers the Amateur Radio Service. Muleta takes over the reins from Thomas
Sugrue, who announced earlier this year that he was leaving the FCC. Muleta
previously was president and CEO of Source 1 Technologies LLC, a privately held
systems integration firm based in Washington, DC. He's also a former FCC
official. From 1994 until 1998 Muleta had held various positions in the Common
Carrier Bureau--including deputy bureau chief and chief of the enforcement
division--and in the Office of Plans and Policy. After leaving the FCC, Muleta
worked for PSINet. He holds degrees in systems engineering, business and law
from the University of Virginia. Sugrue had headed the WTB for four years. FCC
Chairman Michael Powell credited Sugrue with playing "an
integral role" in crafting the FCC's positions on spectrum policy and other
wireless issues.--FCC
Florida amateurs contribute to weather forecasting: Spotting severe weather and reporting it are long-standing Amateur Radio activities, but hams in Florida now are involved with forecasting the weather. Using the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), members of the APRSWXNET in southern Florida have been inputting data to the National Weather Service's Melbourne, Florida, Weather Forecast Office. Russ Chadwick, KB0TVJ, and Steve Dimse, K4HG, worked to get amateur weather data into the NWS database. In one recent example, NWS meteorologists at the Melbourne office used data provided during the late-January cold snap to monitor minimum temperatures in Florida and check the integrity of forecasts. Developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, APRS uses Amateur Radio to transmit geographical position and short text messages between users. A combination of APRS, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Internet-packet gateways allows real-time weather data to run through a quality assurance Web site before it's made available. Every 15 minutes, the findu.com server interrogates the database for data from registered Citizen Weather Observer Program (CWOP) stations, according to the CWOP Web site. Then, those data are sent to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Forecast Systems Lab to become part of the NOAA Mesonet (a network of automated weather monitoring stations) data set. The data set is checked for quality and redistributed to government agencies and universities.
House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet membership announced: The House Energy and Commerce Committee held its organizational meeting January 29. Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act sponsor Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) holds the number-two spot for the Republicans. In addition, Greg Walden, WB7OCE, (R-OR) once again serves on the subcommittee. New on the Republican side are Representatives Whitfield, Bass and Bono. The Democrats added five new members, Representatives Doyle, Wynn, Deutsch, Towns and Davis. Republican subcommittee members are Representatives Fred Upton, Michigan, (Chairman); Michael Bilirakis, Florida; Joe Barton, Texas; Cliff Stearns, Florida, (Vice Chairman); Paul Gillmor (Ohio); Christopher Cox (California); Nathan Deal, Georgia; Ed Whitfield , Kentucky; Barbara Cubin, Wyoming; John Shimkus, Illinois; Heather Wilson, New Mexico; Chip Pickering, Mississippi; Vito Fossella, New York; Charles Bass, New Hampshire; Mary Bono, California; Greg Walden, WB7OCE, Oregon; Lee Terry, Nebraska; and Billy Tauzin, Louisiana (ex officio). Democratic subcommittee members are Representatives Edward Markey, Massachusetts (ranking member); Bobby Rush, Illinois; Karen McCarthy, Missouri; Mike Doyle, Pennsylvania; Jim Davis, Florida; Rick Boucher, Virginia; Edolphus Towns, New York; Bart Gordon, Tennessee; Peter Deutsch, Florida; Anna Eshoo, California; Bart Stupak, Michigan; Eliot Engel, New York; Albert Wynn, Maryland; Gene Green, Texas; and John Dingell, Michigan (ex officio).
Israeli hams to plant trees in memory of hams lost on 9/11: The Israel Amateur Radio Club has announced it will plant 119 trees in the Silent Keys' Forest in memory of radio amateurs who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and in Western Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.--Hagal International
Jade Products closes shop: Dennis Blanchard, K1YPP, reports that Jade Products Inc of East Hampstead, New Hampshire, has closed its doors and is no longer in business. Jade had supplied small kits and portable antenna products to the amateur community.
Position opening at ARRL Headquarters: ARRL seeks a state-certified teacher with classroom experience--preferably several years at the middle-school level--to coordinate ARRL's Amateur Radio Education and Technology Program--"The Big Project"--and handle other duties as needed. The candidate should be an Amateur Radio operator, preferably with experience in a wide range of ham activities. The position is at ARRL Headquarters in Connecticut. For information on skills required and job responsibilities, contact ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, rwhite@arrl.org, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Please, no telephone calls. The ARRL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 J.M. Rowe, N5XFW, taught the weekend ham radio class. His regular job is Department of Emergency Management operations officer for Garland County--Hot Springs, Arkansas, and surrounding areas. |
Quickie Technician class session yields 19 new hams: Spa Amateur Radio Association of Hot Springs, Arkansas, reports its one-day Technician class January 27 yielded 19 new licensees. Held at the Hot Springs Police Department, the class was co-sponsored by the Garland County Department of Emergency Management. This particular training class was offered as part of a program to license and train public service (police, fire, emergency medical service) dispatchers as Amateur Radio operators. ARES District K Emergency Coordinator J.M. Rowe, N5XFW, presented the class. Rowe is also operations officer for the Garland County. Department of Emergency Management, vice president of the Spa Amateur Radio Association and president of Diamond Lakes Area SKYWARN. Attending the class were representatives from the Garland County Sheriff's Department, Hot Springs Police Department, Hot Springs Fire Department, Lifemobile EMS and several non-dispatch emergency personnel. Also attending was Joy Sanders, director/coordinator of the Garland County Department of Emergency Management. Participants spent the larger part of the day reviewing and discussing the Technician question pool. Other VE team members were Phil Gladden, WA5VRQ; Tony Cordiale, WB5BTZ; Lee Janis, KD5GQI; and Lanny Robbins, AC5WG. When the exam answer sheets were turned in, there were 19 new hams in Garland County. Another individual upgraded. Two out-of-town guests also tested. "As president of the Spa Amateur Radio Association and Garland County Department of Emergency Management communications officer, I am very proud of these communications operators for taking the time to see the importance of what Amateur Radio's role in our community could be," said Robert King, W5LVB. He also credited Rowe for for taking the initiative to put the training program together and to the VE team "for making it an effortless and relaxed experience."
 Leandra and Erica were among the more than 100 students at Central Square Middle School in New York who got a good taste of Amateur Radio during School Club Roundup 2002. [Jim Kuhl, N2STK, Photo] |
School Club Roundup 2003 is February 10-14: School Club Roundup (SCR) 2003 takes place February 10-14. The event is sponsored by the Council for the Advancement of Amateur Radio in the New York City Schools, the ARRL and its Hudson Division Education Task Force. The idea of SCR is to foster contacts with and among school radio clubs, and the annual operating event is a great way for new or inexperienced operators to get on the air in a low-pressure contest environment. Operators are encouraged to take some time to chat beyond the contest exchange. Award certificates will be issued for separate Elementary, Middle/Intermediate/Junior High School, High School and College/University levels for USA and DX entries. SCR rules are available on the ARRL Web site.
 [Michael A. Savell and Gayle R. Fullerton/NRL Photo] |
Starshine 3, SK: The Starshine 3 satellite--the 91-kg "disco ball" in space--burned up in Earth's upper atmosphere above northern Canada or southern Greenland around 0515 UTC on January 21. From the time of its September 29, 2001, launch, Starshine 3 (SO-43) had made 7434 revolutions around Earth. Starshine 3's highly reflective surface was designed to be easily seen as it passed overhead at dawn and dusk, providing students the opportunity to participate in its primary mission of satellite tracking. Amateur Radio operators also could monitor AX.25 9600-baud telemetry on 145.825 MHz. The Project Starshine Web site has more information.--Gil Moore, N7YTK, via AMSAT News Service
Viewing and commenting on petitions the FCC puts on public notice: Members of the amateur community (and the general public) may comment via the Web or e-mail on any Petition for Rulemaking that the FCC has put on public notice and assigned a rulemaking (RM) number. Visit the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) page, which includes detailed instructions. To view a petition and/or any comments filed, click on "Search for Filed Comments" on the right-hand side of the page and enter the RM number in the "Proceeding" field. You must enter "RM" in upper-case letters and include the hyphen followed by the appropriate five digits. To file comments, click on "Submit a Filing" on the right-hand side of the ECFS page or see the instructions on how to file comments via e-mail. A typical comment period runs 30 days from the date the FCC puts a petition on public notice.
Yugoslavia becomes Serbia and Montenegro:
Yugoslavia's parliament has voted to formally abolish that nation and replace
it with a new country called Serbia and Montenegro, which were the two
remaining Yugoslav republics. In accordance with a deal arranged by the
European Union and aimed at keeping the two republics together, Serbia and
Montenegro will continue to share a capital--Belgrade--and a joint administration
for defense and foreign affairs. The new arrangement will have little immediate
impact on Amateur Radio. For DXCC purposes, Serbia and Montenegro will be
considered a single entity--at least for the time being--and amateurs there are
expected to continue using YU/YT prefixes. The situation could change in three
years when residents of the two republics would be allowed to vote to stick
together or go their separate ways. Yugoslavia was established in 1918 as the
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. DXCC
criteria are available on the ARRL Web site.
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