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 Previous: Teen Astronomers at Brussels Planetarium Speak via Ham Radio with ISS |  Next: FCC Upholds its Vanity Call Sign Fee Policy, Sets New Fee Start Date |
July 30, 2003
(In alphabetical order: )
 South Texas Section Emergency Coordinator Bob Ehrhardt, W5ZX, holds a copy of SR875 at Ham-Com 2003 in Arlington, Texas. |
ARES gets "thank you" in Texas Senate
resolution: The Texas Senate has approved a resolution
that includes an expression of gratitude to Amateur Radio operators for their
assistance in the search for debris from the shuttle Columbia. The spacecraft
broke apart February 1 over Texas and Louisiana while returning to Earth
following a 15-day science mission. All seven members of the crew, including
three Amateur Radio licensees, died. Senate Resolution 875 cited assistance
"generously provided by Amateur Radio Emergency Service" and others in the
search, which covered 40 Texas counties and involved numerous federal and state
agencies. "All those involved with these noteworthy agencies and organizations
are united in the effort to help find the answers to why this tragedy occurred,
and the members of this chamber wish to commend them for their outstanding
service in this regard," the Senate Resolution concluded in paying tribute to
those involved in the search. The text of
SR875 is available on the Texas Legislature Web site
ARRL Atlantic Division seeks volunteer training initiative leader, program developers: The ARRL Atlantic Division leadership wants to increase the quantity and quality of training materials available to individuals, clubs and organizations in the Division to learn about Amateur Radio. Topics may include--but are not limited to--recruitment, served agency recruitment, licensing, ARRL Field Day and contesting. Programs will be made available on the Atlantic Division Web site or by e-mail or CD-ROM as well as through ARRL Field and Educational Services. Programs and presentations will be available without cost except for applicable materials and postage reimbursement. Programs may be copyrighted by the author(s), but the right to distribute freely without royalty or payment to the author(s) must be granted. The Atlantic Division is looking for people to develop programs and help coordinate program development as well as for an individual to spearhead the program. This person will coordinate educational programs and presentations on Amateur Radio topics within the Atlantic Division, solicit educational programs of interest to amateurs and potential amateurs from within the Atlantic Division and make them available to interested parties, chair a Division-level committee to develop educational programs and presentations, note potential schools that may be encouraged to participate in the ARRL Education and Technology Program ("The Big Project"), network with clubs that sponsoring Big Project schools, encourage qualifying individuals to be nominated for national educational awards and report to the Atlantic Division Director on a regular basis on the program's status. To volunteer or to learn more, contact ARRL Atlantic Division Director Bernie Fuller, N3EFN and include your interests and qualifications.
ARRL CEO to help celebrate W9DXCC 50th anniversary: ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, will be the banquet speaker at the W9DXCC Convention's 50th anniversary gathering September 19-20 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, near Chicago. The annual event is sponsored by the Northern Illinois DX Association. Sumner will talk on World Radiocommunication Conference 2003, which concluded July 4 in Geneva. Convention details are on the W9DXCC Web site or e-mail contact Bill Smith, W9VA.
 Alex Mendelsohn, AI2Q, senior technology editor at ChipCenter, will be the guest speaker at DCC 2003. |
Digital Communications Conference 2003 taking shape: The 22nd annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference will take place September 19-22 in Hartford, Connecticut. At the heart of the conference are technical presentations by amateurs and experimenters. The conference continues to solicit technical papers until August 5 for presentation and/or publication in the conference Proceedings published by the ARRL. Amateurs and experimenters alike are highly encouraged to write about their projects and submit them for publication in the DCC Proceedings. Conference presentation is not required for publication. Submission guidelines are available on the DCC Web page. Guest speaker is Alex Mendelsohn, AI2Q, senior technology editor at ChipCenter and the author of "NASA, NORAD, Amateur Radio, and Me". His article notes how amateurs are the movers and shakers in many levels of industry, from top-level management to engineers and technicians. Introductory seminars will include "Intro to WSJT" by Del Schier, K1UHF; "Intro to EchoLink and VoIP" by Jon Taylor, K1RFD; "Intro to PSK31" by Steve Ford, WB8IMY; and "Intro to APRS" by Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, who also will moderate an APRS networking mini-seminar. Matt Ettus, N2MJI, will lead a four-hour Software Defined Radio Sunday Seminar. He'll explain what SDR is and offer demonstrations. He'll also talk about how you can design and develop your own SDR projects. Ettus is involved with the GNU Radio project, Hamlib and other groups. The DCC Web page has more information about the DCC.--Steven Bible, N7HPR
FCC levies fine on unlicensed broadcaster: The FCC has fined yet another unlicensed broadcaster for allegedly violating the Communications Act. In a Forfeiture Order released July 22 by the FCC Enforcement Bureau, the FCC affirmed the $10,000 levy against Everald Oliver Brown of Orlando, Florida, for "willful violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934 as amended." The FCC alleges that Brown operated a radio station on 95.9 MHz without Commission authorization. In March, the FCC's Tampa Field Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the case, and the FCC says Brown failed to respond to the NAL.
FCC proposes resolution to three-year-old licensing error: The FCC has proposed to correct the erroneous issuance of an Advanced class ticket to a Minnesota ham. In February 2000, the W5YI Volunteer Examiner Coordinator sent an electronic application to the FCC to upgrade the license of David L. Osterkamp, KB0WOT, of Oakdale, Minnesota, from Technician to Advanced [the FCC no longer issues the Advanced class license.--Ed] Almost three months later, the W5YI VEC notified the FCC that it had made a keystroke error in its earlier filing and that a licensee with a similar call sign--not Osterkamp--actually had qualified for Advanced. Osterkamp also notified the W5YI-VEC and the FCC about the error. A correction was filed, and the other operator--Jack Hanley, KB0VOT, of Kimberling City, Missouri--was appropriately upgraded, but Osterkamp's privileges were never returned to Technician, prompting the W5YI VEC to urge the FCC to modify his license to show the correct privileges. The FCC concluded in a Memorandum Opinion and Order released July 25, 2003, and signed by D'wana Terry, chief of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Bureau, that the 2000 grant of Advanced privileges to Osterkamp was improper. "Accordingly, we propose to modify the Amateur Service operator license for amateur station KB0WOT by replacing Advanced class operator privileges with Technician class operator privileges," the MO&O said. The FCC will not issue the modification order, however, until Osterkamp is notified of the proposed action and "has had an opportunity to file a protest." Osterkamp is not believed to have ever operated as an Advanced class licensee in the three years since his erroneous "upgrade."
 Charly Harpole, K4VUD, appears to be turning a keen ear toward a weak signal as he checks the band in his well-equipped Florida ham shack. |
First UK-US amateur QSOs logged on new band: The first transatlantic contact between the US and the United Kingdom on their overlapping 5-MHz channel--5405 kHz (5403.5 kHz)--has been reported. Charly Harpole, K4VUD, in Florida, worked Paul Widger, G0HNW, in W Yorkshire, England on July 4--the day after the band first became available to US amateurs. Harpole reports the QSO took place at 0345 UTC. John Easey, G4XBE, in Essex confirmed overhearing the contact. "Subsequently K4VUD and G0HNW worked a string of stations, and I worked N1WJ," said Easey, who also worked K4VUD and reported hearing NP4A/m and other stations on the US mainland. Harpole, who participated in the ARRL WA2XSY 5-MHz experimental operation, used a Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V reprogrammed for 60 meters and running 50 W into an inverted V with its apex at nearly 70 feet. "The dipole was oriented for broadside signals northeast and southwest--that is, toward England," Harpole said. In 2002, Harpole's WA2XSY signal on 5 MHz was received by Paul Gaskell, G4MWO. Harpole said several other US stations worked G0HNW and G4XBE on 60 meters on July 4 until propagation quit. While it is legal for US hams to work UK amateurs, US hams are advised that UK operators are on the air specifically as part of propagation and equipment experiments and not for the purpose of making routine contacts.
Good reasons to set up for AO-40: AMSAT's Bruce Paige, KK5DO, offers at least four good reasons to set up an AO-40 station: Lesotho, Sri Lanka, Rhodes and Swaziland. "Rare DX is becoming a reality on AO-40, now that more hams around the world are getting 2.4-GHz downconverters," says Paige, who's AMSAT's vice president for user services, award manager and a board member. Paige says 2.4 GHz is not difficult to get on if you have a 2-meter SSB-capable radio and a "pizza pan" dish satellite TV antenna or barbeque grill antenna that's anywhere from an 18 to 36 inches across. "Add a downconverter to the feed, and you are in business," he said, adding that the cost could be as little as $100. "Transmitting antennas are even easier," says Paige. "I designed a portable station using the Arrow 70-cm antenna, and it worked quite well." He said the cost was about $79, excluding the cost of his 70-cm SSB-capable transceiver.
Ham radio distress call yields help from next state: When 83-year-old Walter Siebert, K3KBR, of Valley Lee, Maryland, started suffering serious chest pains July 15, he called 911. For reasons yet to be determined, no one answered. So Siebert turned to ham radio and put out a cry for help on 75 meters, saying he was having chest pains and needed to go to the hospital. Larry Wheeler, KG4RGN, heard Siebert's plea in Williamsburg, Virginia. At the time, Wheeler was monitoring a net on 3947 kHz as part of Amateur Radio Emergency Service District 7's participation in a Surry Nuclear Power Plant VOPEX (Virginia Operations Plan EXercise) drill. He notified the net to clear the frequency and contacted Siebert to get the necessary details. Wheeler then got in touch with the 911 dispatcher in James City County, Virginia. The 911 dispatcher in turn was able to reach the proper authorities in Maryland and get medical help to Siebert, who was hospitalized. Siebert told his son Martin, with whom he lives, that ham radio saved his life. Wheeler told reporters that he was in the right place at the right time.
 Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, took time off in late June to enjoy Field Day with amateurs in Decatur, Illionois. |
Ham-pianist way ahead of schedule in marathon
run: Concert pianist and cancer survivor Martin
Berkofsky, KC3RE, is well ahead of schedule in his Celebrate Life Run from Tulsa to
Chicago to benefit cancer research. Berkofsky reached Chicago July 27 with a
final goal of Zion, Illinois. His initial schedule had called for him to
complete his cross-country jog on August 11. "What a beautiful view, and what a
wonderful sense of accomplishment," he said of running to the shore of Lake
Michigan. Berkofsky has some 35 miles left to finish up the trip and perform a
grand finale concert in Chicago as well as a private encore performance in
Zion. "Maybe," he mused in his journal, "there will be a chance to add a few
more miles (up to Wisconsin and back?)." This week, he needs to get in some
practice time for the two concerts. Berkofsky, who's been carrying ham radio
along on his run, reports he's met hundreds of amateurs along his route, and he
set a daily record of 23.1 miles on July 16. "Went through the wall, as runners
would say," he told ARRL. "Could have continued even longer had it not gotten
dark!" He's still planning on an August arrival in Zion and hopes some local
hams can run along or spot him during the last few miles. Berkofsky's QSL
manager, Murray Green, K3BEQ, says he talked to him via EchoLink through the Chicago
WA9ORC 146.760 and the Washington, DC, KD3VR 146.610 repeaters as he got into
the Windy City. "I cannot begin to tell you about the many e-mails I have
received from hams along the approximately 700-mile route who stated how much
they enjoyed meeting Martin, listening to his many experiences and piano
concert performances along the way," Green said. "I was also impressed with how
many hams helped Martin in providing directions, places to sleep, eat and, in
general, took him under their wing from town to town. It says a lot of good
things about the ham fraternity."
 A section of a Texas DEM map showing the affected counties. |
Hams continue help in Texas: The Texas Division of Emergency Management reports that Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) volunteers continue to provide communication support for relief organizations in the aftermath of Hurricane Claudette. The Texas DEM says the affected area covers 16 counties in the Gulf coast region with a population of nearly 867,000 residents. The Category 1 hurricane surprised the Texas coast July 15 by its earlier-than-predicted arrival and its unexpected ferocity. Winds were reported at 80 to 85 MPH, and two people died as a result of Claudette's fury. The storm destroyed nearly 200 homes and damaged almost 750 others, DEM says.
Iraq Provisional Authority ham licensing information available: Information on obtaining permission to operate Amateur Radio in Iraq now is available on the ARRL Web site, thanks to Assistant Affiliate MARS Coordinator for Europe (and ARRL Life Member) Daniel Wolff, KA7AGN, of the radio licensing management office. Applicants must obtain permission to operate from Iraq through the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Coalition Provisional Authority, which has been issuing amateur licenses. Applicants must have a valid Amateur Radio license issued by their home country and must complete and forward an application form with a copy of their Amateur Radio license. Details are on the Regulatory Information Branch page. US amateurs on military duty in Iraq need more than simply the permission of their commanding officer. See the guidance "US Military, Civilians and Their Dependants Under the Jurisdiction of the US Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA)" on the ARRL Web site.
Longtime Alaska QSL Bureau Manager John Bierman, KL7GNP, SK: Former Alaska QSL Bureau Manager John Bierman, KL7GNP, of Anchorage died July 27. He was 81. Bierman had managed the Alaska QSL Bureau for two decades before he retired in January 1998. "I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with John and his wife during my trip to Anchorage last September," said ARRL Outgoing QSL Service Manager Martin Cook, N1FOC. "His stories of running the Alaska bureau and his work with other amateur functions were some that I will always remember."
Michigan amateurs assist in manhunt: Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Emergency Service (RACES) assisted authorities earlier this month in tracking down an individual who was alleged to have shot a Michigan State Police officer to death on July 6. The officer was attempting to arrest the suspect, Scott Woodring, KC8JNG, on a warrant for solicitation of a minor. A tense standoff with law enforcement resulted, and Woodring--a reputed member of the Christian Identity movement--eluded police during a shift change. Michigan Section Emergency Coordinator and State RACES Officer James Wades, WB8SIW, says a nearly weeklong manhunt ensued throughout Western Michigan. Woodring requested the Newaygo County EC to establish an intercept operation in the area of Fremont to spot possible transmissions from the suspect. "This request was based on the fact that Mr. Woodring had utilized Amateur Radio frequencies and equipment to communicate with fellow members of the Christian Identity movement," Wades said, adding that it it was believed Woodring may have purchased 2-meter transceivers for use by his cohorts. "Operators were asked to monitor seldom-used frequencies both within and adjacent to the VHF Amateur Radio allocations," Wades said. The effort hit paydirt on July 11, when Bill Hubbard, WD8MKG, of Holton intercepted communications between Woodring and a ham in Fremont. Michigan State Police were promptly alerted, and MSP investigators subsequently requested assistance ARES/RACES. A radio-direction finding team from Kent County, under the supervision of District 6 EC Tom Vandermel, KB8VEE, was brought on scene. Subsequent assistance was obtained from RACES members in Ottawa and Muskegon Counties. The RDF activity continued until July 13, when Woodring was located on a tip from a local resident and shot to death after he reportedly leveled an assault rifle at officers and refused to comply with directives, Wades said. "Michigan State Police officials expressed genuine appreciation for the efforts of the Amateur Radio teams," he added. "Considerable positive feedback has been received from a variety of senior officers who now have an 'expanded' view of Amateur Radio capabilities."
New SATERN club station call sign: Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) volunteer Mel Goodwin, KI5WT, reports the Texas Mobile Command Post now has a vanity club station call sign. It's W5SAC, for "Salvation Army Command." Willard Duffey, K5QPL, is the trustee.--Pat McPherson, WW9E
 Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP, hopes to be enjoying some home-cooked meals this fall. [NASA Photo] |
Question mark hovers over wedding in space: Is the wedding-by-proxy of International Space Station Expedition 7 crew commander Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP, and his fiancée Ekaterina Dmitriev still on? The answer depends on whether you're listening to the bride or to Russian space officials, who apparently were caught off guard when they got wind of the nuptials planned for August 10. News reports quoting Russian space agency spokesman Sergei Gorbunov say Malenchenko canceled his plans after considering potential legal and technical complications. As a Russian military officer, he must get permission to marry. But the wedding plans are reported to be continuing apace on Earth. That side of the ceremony is set to take place in Clear Lake, Texas. Fort Bend, Texas, County Clerk Dianne Wilson, who issued a marriage license July 17 to Malenchenko and Ekaterina Dmitriev, says the wedding is a go. "Harry Noe, attorney and friend, spoke this morning [July 21] to Commander Yuri Malenchenko, and the wedding is on for August 10," she insisted. "Apparently, the Russian News Agency is putting out false information (so what else is new?)." If the on-orbit wedding does happen, it would be a space first. Wilson explained that Texas law permits one or both applicants to be absent for the issuance of the marriage license and one or both applicants to be absent from the marriage ceremony by having a proxy stand in. A recent Associated Press account quotes Dmitriev's wedding planner as saying the wedding would take place and that she had spoken with Malenchenko and described him as "excited." Dmitriev also has been telling Houston media that the wedding is still on. There's been no word in public from Malenchenko's crewmate, US astronaut Ed Lu, KC5WKJ. After Malenchenko returns from space in October, the couple will have a church wedding in Russia followed by a honeymoon in Australia. Malenchenko is 41; Dmitriev, a US citizen who lives in the Houston area, is 26. News accounts say Malenchenko popped the question in December before heading into space and did not want to wait until his return to get married. He reportedly carried coatails and a wedding ring into space for the occasion.
RSGB International HF and IOTA Convention set: The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has announced that the RSGB International HF and IOTA Convention will take place this year October 31-November 2 at the Britannia Country House Hotel, Didsbury, Manchester, England. The hotel is near Manchester International Airport and the Manchester United soccer ground. More information, including the program of presentations, is available on the RSGB Web site.
 The NZART Otago Branch club building. |
Special event to mark NZART branch anniversary: One of the oldest Amateur Radio clubs in New Zealand, the Otago Branch of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART), celebrates its 75th anniversary during August. Members will use the special event call sign ZM4A, and a commemorative QSL will be available. QSL via the bureau direct with an SASE (DX stations should include one International Reply Coupon) to ZM4A, PO Box 5485, Dunedin, New Zealand. There's more information on the NZART Otago Branch Web site.--The Daily DX
Turkmenistan takes hard line on doing anything else but driving: News Central Asia reports that the government of Turkmenistan has banned not only the use of cell phones while driving but other potential distractions. The prohibitions would be certain to take the fun out of driving for many Americans. According to the news report, a presidential order--"Rules of Traffic for Turkmenistan"--forbids drivers from eating, drinking smoking, listening to loud music or using their cell phones. That certainly leaves little room for operating ham gear while on the road. Penalties are aimed at encouraging compliance and must be paid within 12 hours--or by 8 AM the following day if the ticket was issued after 6 PM the previous day. Fines double if not paid on time. The rules were set forth by the Ministry of Defense.
 One quarter of the "full" WW2LST QSL card, which contains a brief history of the vessel. |
WW2LST/mm summer cruise 2003 QSL cards
available: QSLs for contacts with the USS LST-325
Amateur Radio Club's WW2LST/m during the vessel's 2003 Mississippi and Ohio
rivers summer cruise now are available. QSL to Bob Wilder, AF2HD, 6032
Idlemoore Ct, Theodore, AL 36582-4117 and include a No 10 SASE to accommodate
the special QSL card. Wilder says he has the WW2LST/mm logs through July 20 and
is current on requests received to date. The 78-day cruise began June 3 and
continues into August. An all-volunteer crew has been handling the vessel.
Amateur Radio operation using WW2LST/mm has been be on all HF bands, with Tom
Pendarvis, W0MTP, as the chief operator. The ham station operates from the
Jackson Carter Memorial Radio Room, dedicated to the late Jack Carter, KC6WYX,
who made history
when he and a crew of volunteers sailed the LST-325 from Crete to Alabama in
late 2000. Wilder says he will answer all QSL requests as soon as logs are
available. For more information, visit the "Motor Vessel USS LST Ship
Memorial" Web site.
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