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 Previous: Michigan Hams Win Antenna Exemption Victory |  Next: Ham Radio Antenna Support Structures Not Migratory Bird Hazard, ARRL Says |
December 3, 2003
(In alphabetical order: )
AMSAT-NA announces appointments:
AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, has announced two volunteer
appointments within the satellite organization. Haighton has named Ed Long,
WA4SWJ, of Peoria, Arizona, as editor of The AMSAT Journal. "Ed is fully conversant
with the software which we use for the Journal. He is an electrical engineer and
has been a ham for over 30 years," Haighton said. Long holds a bachelor's
degree in electrical engineering from West Virginia University (he was formerly
WB8IKV) and an MBA from Duke University. An ARRL member, he is currently
employed by SPX Process Equipment. Articles for The AMSAT Journal can sent
to him via e-mail. Williams assumed
editorial duties as of the November/December issue. Haighton also announced the
appointment of Jim Jarvis, N2EA, of Pasadena, Maryland, as AMSAT manager of marketing.
An ARRL member and fluent in English, French and German, Jarvis has 20 years of
international business development experience and a formal background in
strategic marketing, much of it in the engineering field. Haighton said Jarvis
already has begun reviewing the ECHO Launch Fund Campaign.--AMSAT News Service
ARRL DXCC Desk approves DXpeditions for
credit: Upon receipt of necessary documentation, the
ARRL DXCC Desk has approved for credit the ZW0S (St Peter and St Paul Rocks)
operations of April 2001, February 2002, April 2003 and September 2003 as well
as the planned November 26-December 19, 2003, visit by PS7JN. Contact the DXCC Desk for more information.
 Centenarian Cliff Fay, K7BQ. |
ARRL member turns 100!
The ARRL has conveyed its congratulations and best wishes to League member Cliff Fay, K7BQ, of Peoria,
Arizona, who turned 100 this week. Arden Nelson, KA9WAR, reports that K7BQ still is active
and recently checked into the Door County (Wisconsin) Amateur Radio Club net on
10 meters. "He belongs to the DCARC, and for many years has spent his summers
on Washington Island," Nelson said. Although the big day was December 2, Fay's
family reportedly celebrated the event November 29--the Saturday after
Thanksgiving. NBC Today show weatherman Willard Scott included Fay among his
list of centenarians December 2 and mentioned the fact that he was a ham radio
operator and considered himself an active DXer. He's also a regular participant
in the Lions Club's annual Hunting Lions in the Air contest. First licensed as
9ARG in 1919 when he was 16 and living in St Louis, Fay has held his ham ticket
continuously since then. That means he's been an Amateur Radio licensee for 84
years! He's been an ARRL member for more than 35 years.--ARRL thanks Arden Nelson, KA9WAR, and
Bob Reed, W2CE, for this information.
 |
ARRL Web youth columnist invited to do youth column for YLRL: The Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) has invited ARRL Web Youth@HamRadio.Fun Contributing Editor Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, to pen a brief youth-oriented column for the bi-monthly YL Harmonics newsletter. In her debut column, the 14-year-old high school freshman relates how a female voice on the ham bands somehow tends to command attention. First organized in 1939, YLRL is the oldest and largest YL group in the world with members from over 40 countries.
Billy G. "Pick" Pickard, WA5PAE, SK:
Noted DXer Pick Pickard, WA5PAE, of West Chester, Ohio, died November 23 after
an extended illness. He was 68. Pickard represented the ARRL Great Lakes
Division on the ARRL DX Advisory Committee. He also was vice president of the
International DX Association (INDEXA). An accomplished CW operator, Pickard was
an avid DXer throughout his years as an Amateur Radio operator and was on the
DXCC Honor Roll. He also was a member of the Southwest Ohio DX Association, the
West Chester Amateur Radio Association and The Greater Cincinnati Amateur Radio
Association, where he wrote a DX column for The Mike and Key newsletter. Survivors
include his wife Ethel. The family is receiving condolences to 8063 Pepper
Pike, W Chester, OH, 45069.--information thanks to Judy Rousch, AA7UC/INDEXA
FCC announces "interference temperature" proceeding: The FCC has begun an inquiry and proposed rule making proceeding focusing on the concept of "interference temperature" as a means to quantify and manage interference among different services. The interference temperature model "takes into account the actual cumulative radio frequency energy from transmissions" and would "set a maximum cap on the aggregate of these transmissions," the FCC said in a public notice. The Commission's current primary approach to manage interference is to specify and limit the power output of individual devices. The FCC said the interference temperature approach "may facilitate more intensive use of the radio spectrum, creating the opportunities for new services and improving the predictability of any interference to existing services." The FCC released the combined Notice of Inquiry and Notice of Proposed Rule Making, ET Docket 03-237, on November 28. The Commission seeks comment on various technical rules that would establish procedures and use the interference temperature model on a limited basis in the 6525-6700 MHz band and portions of the 12.75-13.25 GHz band.--FCC
 Pedro Perez, EB4DKA. |
Ham in Spain works AO-40 while mobile: Pedro Perez, EB4DKA, reports he recently was successful in completing his first AO-40 QSO from his mobile station--although he was not in motion at the time. "On 15 November 2003 I worked AO-40 while mobile when the bird was 32,000 km from me and with 7.5-degree squint from IM78," Perez reports. His uplink gear was a Kenwood TM-455 with a Comet SBB-5 dualband mobile antenna on the roof of his car. The downlink station consisted of a Kenwood TH-F7E handheld with headphone plus a flat-panel antenna (33x33 cm) with a DB6NT converter. "The car was stopped in the side of the road, and I was seated in my car with the flat antenna behind the window, and the signals were very strong," EB4DKA reports. "I tried to uplink to the satellite, and I could hear my own downlink strong." He says he only was able to work one station because by the time he got on the air, AO-40 was near to MA-230 and he had only a few minutes. [Since this report, AO-40's transponders were shut down for a month due to poor sun angle.--Ed.] Perez says he'll try to work via AO-40 from his mobile again because he travels a lot.--AMSAT News Service
 Charly Harpole, K4VUD, and his wife Sumjit. [Dave Springer, K4VTY, Photo] |
Ham-author recognized for completing cinema history series: The University of Central Florida recognized one of its faculty members, Dr Charles "Charly" Harpole, K4VUD, November 20 upon the completion of a 10-volume Cinema History Project reference series documenting the history of American cinema. The one-of-a-kind series--which Harpole describes as "my life's work"--was begun while he was on the faculty of New York University. It took some 25 years to reach fruition. "I was the general editor and project director on an effort to research and write the first multi-volume scholarly history of American cinema," Harpole explains. "I raised over $300,000 in grant funds to do the work and recruited experts from all over the world to contribute essays and chapters to the books." Published by Charles Scribner's ($120 per volume in hardcover) and by University of California Press (about $20 each in softcover), all 10 volumes are available for college students, teachers and general readers, Harpole said. Each volume runs about 350 pages, and all are illustrated with photos and charts depicting the birth and growth of the American film industry and film art. "The books deal with the famous movie stars, studio heads, the technology of film making, and the famous and artistic theater films as well as documentaries," Harpole said. The series is available via Amazon.com and other similar outlets.--Dave Springer, K4VTY, provided some information for this report
High school program yields dozens of new hams: An program of Amateur Radio integrated into the physics curriculum at central Pennsylvania's Trinity High School has yielded more than four dozen new hams. The school is home to the Trinity High School Radio Club, KB3JAG, which now has 49 new members with call signs starting at KB3KLS and running through KB3KNO. Harrisburg Radio Amateurs Club President Pete DeVolpi, K3PD, credits the club's VE team, his "train the trainer" program and "a very good teacher named Sean Barnes, N3JQ" for the successful outcome. DeVolpi says the Harrisburg Radio Amateurs Club, an ARRL special service club, has adopted a proactive stance in getting new blood into Amateur Radio. He felt it would be more productive to teach a teacher about the hobby, then let the teacher train the students each year. According to Barnes, physics and Amateur Radio integrate well. The school's radio club, which Barnes began, offers underclass students an opportunity to get exposure to the hobby before attending his physics class. Teachers interested in his curriculum may contact him via e-mail. DeVolpi says the Harrisburg Radio Club has only 100 members, but its VE and train the trainer programs have resulted in more than 100 new licensees over the past couple of years. Applicants get one year free membership in the HRAC if they obtain their licenses through an HRAC VE session.
 (L-R) Hudson Division Vice Director Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML; Hudson Division Vice Director-elect Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF; ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI; ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH; ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, and 10-70 Repeater Association President Paul Beshlian, KC2CJW |
Hudson Division honors award winners at dinner: Bruce Lordi, N2XP, of Flanders, New Jersey, was chosen as Hudson Division Ham of the Year, while Jim Joyce, K2ZO, of Washington Twp, New Jersey, was named Grand Ole Ham, and Len Signoretti, N2LEN, received the Technical Achievement Award. The awards were announced November 8 during the fourth annual ARRL Hudson Division Awards Dinner, hosted by the 10-70 Repeater Association. More than 100 hams, family and friends attended the gathering for which 10-70 Club President Paul Beshlian, KC2CJW, served as master of ceremonies. ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, welcomed the crowd. Outgoing ARRL Hudson Division Vice Director Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, chaired the awards committee. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, spoke on the importance of the philanthropic support the League receives from individual hams to support program development, advocacy and ongoing operations. She outlined areas in which contributions from the amateur community supplement membership dues. ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, gave an audio-video presentation depicting the detrimental effects of Broadband over Power Line (BPL). Following a collection from those on hand, a check was presented to the Broadband over Power Line Defense Fund.--Michael Adams, WA2MWT
IARU Region 1 and CEPT Electronic Communications Committee to cooperate: International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 (IARU-R1) and the Electronic Communications Committee of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) this month signed a Letter of Understanding. The LoU sets out a number of areas for cooperation between Region 1 and CEPT whereby both entities "will work toward common European approaches on radio matters and will exchange information and hold meetings for this purpose," IARU-R1 said in a news release. Initially for a three year period, the LoU is renewable by mutual agreement. IARU Region 1 Chairman Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, said the Letter of Understanding "reinforces the already positive and constructive working relationship between IARU Region 1 and CEPT."--IARU
 [Rob Gardner, WJ5K, Photo] |
James D. Green, K5JG, SK: DXCC Honor Roll member and Mississippi broadcasting pioneer Jim Green, K5JG, of Tupelo died November 6. He was 76. An electrical engineer specializing in radio, television and long-distance microwave and satellite communications, he was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) with an honorary life membership. "He was a pioneer in radio and television communications in Mississippi," said ARRL Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX. "Jim truly exemplified the spirit of ham radio in Mississippi for many years in multiple ways." An ARRL member, Green was licensed for 44 years and served as an ARRL Technical Specialist for northern Mississippi. A nationally published technical writer, he authored three articles for the ARRL UHF/Microwave Projects Manual. Green achieved DXCC Honor Roll in 1994. At the time of his death he had 347 entities confirmed. He also was a founder of the Tupelo Amateur Radio Club. Survivors include his wife, Mary, and two sons. The family invites memorials to the Cornerstone United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1601 President St, Tupelo MS 38801; or to the Salvation Army.
League member awarded Congressional Order of Merit: ARRL member Arthur Greenberg, K1GBX, of Georgetown, Massachusetts, has been awarded the Congressional Order of Merit. In a letter to Greenberg, Rep Tom Reynolds (R-NY), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, described the award as "our Party's highest and most coveted civilian honor." Reynolds' letter said Greenberg was among those who have "unselfishly given time and again in support of President Bush and all our candidates." Greenberg reportedly has given generously to both political parties over the years, most recently to the GOP. He's also attended meetings in Washington to offer advice on using Amateur Radio during national emergencies. Greenberg has been an Amateur Radio operator since he was in high school. Today, he's involved in the Citizen Corps, an initiative within the Department of Homeland Security with which ARRL is a partner, that's aimed at enhancing public preparation and safety.
National Radio Emergency Network debuts:
The National Radio Emergency Network (NREN)
commenced operation December 1. A cooperative effort of several US CW net
managers, NREN hopes to provide an alternative public service network geared to
low-power, portable and mobile stations. "Because CW provides significantly
more reliability for stations operating at low power levels (QRP) or with
compromise antennas, this will be a CW-based program," said an announcement
from Chuck Mabbott, AA8VS. NREN will work on the "radio watch" principle, and
member stations will maintain a watch on one or more of three selected
frequencies in the 40, 30, and 20-meter bands. A detailed description of NREN,
along standard operating procedures is available on the NREN Web page.
 The 241-GHz dishes. [Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, Photo] |
New 241-GHz record claimed: Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, has bested his previous record on 241 GHz. The new claimed record is 61.8 km, which tops his previous 34.9 km claimed record of November 14. "We had some rather dry weather here in Virginia, and I just couldn't pass up trying to better our own DX record for the band," Justin said this week. "After shorting out a set of gel cell battery terminals while setting the gear up, I thought we'd never make the QSO!" The mishap melted a 1/4-inch plug on the cable end of the CW straight key, but it didn't prevent the contact from going forward. Operating W2SZ/4 in FM07fm, Justin worked W4WWQ in EM97xe. There's information on Justin's other microwave accomplishments on the Mount Greylock Expeditionary Force Web site.
 Rob Macedo, KD1CY, at the Taunton NWS office. |
Nor'easter is scenario for Massachusetts Simulated Emergency Test: An impending major winter snowstorm--a Nor'easter--was the scenario for November's Eastern Massachusetts Simulated Emergency Test--an annual test of emergency communications capabilities and procedures. In addition to Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and SKYWARN teams in both the Eastern and Western Massachusetts sections, the SET included ham radio volunteers working with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Some 20 communities responded by opening local emergency operation centers. Ham radio participants successfully sent several dozen pieces of traffic on HF and VHF. "I heard a lot of good on-air procedure throughout the morning," said ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI. "This SET underlined the importance of proper radiogram procedures. Knowing how to send written messages in a timely fashion that can be copied correctly the first time is crucial." In Western Massachusetts, the Worcester Emergency Communications Team (WECT) tested its "Send Word Now" system that notifies key emergency management personnel. Most on the roster responded within minutes. "One team member who was traveling in California actually called in when he received the notification," said Worcester RACES Officer Mark Rubin, WB1ARZ. "Now that's dedication!" ARRL Plymouth/Bristol County District Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY--who operates the SKYWARN ham gear at the Taunton National Weather Service (NWS) office--said a major gas leak and consequent evacuation occurred in his district during the SET. One amateur staffed a shelter while Emergency Coordinator Carl Aveni, N1FY, and Phil McNamara, N1XTB, went to the local EOC. The hams were able to stand down after a few hours. --Jim Duarte, N1IV
Richard G. Fuller, WD8KFN, SK: Well-known Ohio traffic handler and net manager Richard Fuller, WD8KFN, of Zanesville died November 9 following a lengthy illness. He was 80. "Fuller was Ohio's constant presence, both phone and CW, at the Eighth Region Network of the National Traffic System," said ARRL Ohio Section Manager Joe Phillips, K8QOE, who noted that Fuller honed his CW and traffic-handling skills during World War II in the US Army Signal Corps. For the last 11 years, he was manager of the Buckeye Net Early (BNE), one of two Ohio CW nets. Ohio Assistant Section Manager Connie Hamilton, N8IO, said it was Fuller's liaison work for over 20 years from the Ohio Single Side Band Net (OSSBN) to the Eighth Region Net (8RN), where Fuller made his mark. "Dick was so faithful in bringing 8RN traffic to and from OSSBN no matter how he felt," Hamilton said. "His liaison work in traffic handling was as constant a presence we ever had." A 1948 Rutgers University graduate with a degree in ceramics engineering, Fuller spent his career designing pottery works equipment in New Jersey and Ohio, and he continued as a consultant beyond his retirement in 1986. Survivors include his wife, Mary, and two sons. The family invites memorial donations to the American Lung Association. Condolences may be sent via e-mail.
 Eileen Collins, KD5EDS, will head the crew of seven astronauts when the space shuttle Atlantis returns to flight late next year. [NASA Photo] |
Six hams set to ride shuttle "Return to Flight" mission: Six Amateur Radio licensees will be aboard when the shuttle Atlantis returns to space late next year. The mission, STS-114--which NASA is calling the "Return to Flight" mission--will be the first since Columbia broke apart February 1, 2003, during reentry following a 15-day space flight. The mishap claimed the lives of seven astronauts--three of them Amateur Radio licensees. According to still-tentative NASA information, Atlantis will go into space no sooner than September 2004. NASA has announced the STS-114 crew members as Mission Commander Eileen Collins, KD5EDS; Pilot James Kelly, KC5ZSW; Mission Specialist Charles Camarda, KC5ZSY; Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence, KC5KII; Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP; Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson, and Mission Specialist Andy Thomas, KD5CHF/VK5MIR. A veteran of three space flights, Mission Commander Collins has logged more than 530 hours in space. During the Return to Flight mission, the crew will test and evaluate new procedures for flight safety and shuttle inspection and repair techniques.
Stein R. Barlaug, LA4ND, SK: Former Norwegian Radio Relay League President Stein Barlaug, LA4ND, of Fjerdingby died November 11. Barlaug served as NRRL president for four years and was an honorary member of NRRL since 1995. He took part in a number of International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 conferences and represented Amateur Radio at World Administrative Radio Conference 1997 (WARC 97). He also served as IARU Region 1 treasurer for six years and was awarded the Region 1 Medal for his devoted work on behalf of international Amateur Radio.--Ole Garpestad, LA2RR
Stephen E. McCallum, W2ZBY, SK: Former ARRL Kentucky Public Information Coordinator Steve McCallum, W2ZBY (ex-K4URX), of Lexington died November 30. He was 91. An ARRL Life Member, McCallum was first licensed in 1947 following a stint as a US Coast Guard radio officer. Following graduation from the University of Missouri, McCallum worked mostly as a journalist for newspapers in Missouri and New Jersey. During his years with General Electric, he edited the bi-monthly GE HAM NEWS. Former ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director Evelyn Gauzens, W4WYR, said that when McCallum was K4URX and living in Key West, Florida, he always made himself available to help the League. "When he departed the area, he left large shoes to be filled," she added. Said ARRL Media Relations Manager Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY, "Steve was very enthusiastic about Amateur Radio public relations, and nothing seemed to slow him down. The League has lost a very dedicated volunteer." There's more information on McCallum on the Kentucky Amateur Radio Web site.
 The TO4E team of (L-R) F5JKK, F5CW, F5IRO, F5NHJ and F5PTM. |
Turtles vexing TO4E DXpedition: The Daily DX reports the Europa Island DXpedition team was "a bit tired" after taking part in the CQ World Wide DX Contest (CW) the weekend of November 29-30. Operating as TO4WW for the contest, the crew put some 5 million points in the log as a result of 4000 QSOs. So far, the team has made more than 13,000 QSOs including the contest operation. During the contest, TO4E was active on 30, 17 and 12 meters, but there was some operation as TO4E during the contest as well. Meanwhile, DXpedition Co-organizer Rafik Djandji, F5CQ, reports that protected sea turtles have been a nuisance for the TO4E operation. Lowband antennas are installed on the beach, and each night, the turtles knock them over and destroy the radials on their way from the ocean to the top of the beach to rest during the night. This means the team then must repair and reinstall the antenna systems on a daily basis. The Clipperton DX Club is sponsoring the Europa operation. Europa Island is a French possession in the Indian Ocean, halfway between the east coast of Africa and the west coast of Madagascar. There's more information on the Europa 2003 DXpedition Web site.
Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for November is Ron D'Eau Claire, AC7AC, for his article "The Simple Superhet." Congratulations, Ron! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award--given to the author--or authors--of the best article in each issue--is determined by a vote of ARRL members. Voting takes place each month on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the December issue of QST. Voting ends December 31.
W4B to commemorate 100th anniversary of
Wright Brothers' first flight: The North Carolina Special Events Group is
operating special event station W4B December 12-17 (UTC) to commemorate the
100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight at Kitty Hawk, North
Carolina. Approximate frequencies will be 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.330 and
28.460 MHz on SSB and 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050 and 28.050 on CW. One
station will be on 14.260 MHz continuously as propagation permits, while a
second station will alternate between SSB and CW--depending on operator
availability. The event begins December 12 at 1700 UTC and ends December 17 at
2000 UTC. For more information, contact Robert
Hamrick, WA4RH. The North Carolina Special Events group is a nonprofit
organization that promotes historical and other events via Amateur Radio to
increase public awareness of ham radio. Orville Wright was at the controls for
the first successful flight December 17, 1903. The 120-foot flight lasted just
12 seconds.
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