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 Previous: Kansas Amateur is 2004 Goldfarb Scholarship Winner | ![Next (later) Story](/images/sty-up.gif "North Carolina Utility Draws "Line in the Sand" on BPL Interference Abatement"){kind=small} Next: North Carolina Utility Draws "Line in the Sand" on BPL Interference Abatement |
Apr 21, 2004
(In alphabetical order: )
"AmExpo" to spotlight
Amateur Radio at major airshow: Amateur Radio special event station N2M
will be on the air May 1 and 2 in conjunction with the annual Millville Wheels
& Wings Airshow in New Jersey. "AmExpo commemorates the advancement of
radio communications conducted at this location during World War II," says Hugh
McElroy, W2AVN, who's chairman of the board of directors for the Millville army
Air Field Museum. McElroy calls the special event "a celebration of radio and
technology" during the airshow, which annually attracts upward of 150,000
visitors. Vintage and modern radio gear will be available, and multiple Amateur
Radio clubs are providing operators. "We wish to invite all radio amateurs and
radio enthusiasts to attend and enjoy this thrilling event," McElroy said. "Our
goal is to foster Amateur Radio and to generate new radio amateurs." He says
the N2M will be an all-band Field Day-style operation that will include VoIP
modes such as EchoLink as well as
satellite communication. For more information, visit the Millville Wheels & Wings Airshow
Web site and the AmExpo
N2M Web page or e-mail McElroy.
AMSAT-UK Space
Symposium 2004 set: AMSAT-UK will hold its annual space symposium July
30-August 1 at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England. The three-day
event typically attracts radio amateurs from all over Europe as well as from
North America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. In addition to offering a range of
forums, it provides an opportunity to rub shoulders with the designers of the
latest Amateur satellites and learn the latest news. Beginners' sessions will
teach newcomers how to get started in Amateur Radio space communications. An
antenna testing range will be available too as well as microwave test gear. In
conjunction with the symposium will be guided tours of the Surrey Space Centre.
The Radio Society of Great Britain's GB4FUN van, which has a fully equipped
satellite station, will be available during the event for visitors to work the
satellites. For more information, contact Jim
Heck, G3WGM, (Tel +44 1258 453959) or visit the AMSAT-UK Web site.
ARRL Technology Task
Force forum set for Hamvention 2004: The ARRL's Technology Task Force (TTF)
will hold its third annual forum at Hamvention 2004, Sunday, May 16, 10:15 AM
until noon in Hara Arena. All Hamvention attendees are welcome. TTF Chair and
ARRL Central Division Vice Director Howard Huntington, K9KM, will moderate. All
three TTF working groups will be represented. At 10:30 AM, Mark Williams,
AB8LN, of the High-Speed Multimedia (HSMM) Working Group will update progress
on merging Amateur Radio and networking technology via Radio Metropolitan Area
Networks (RMANs) using various node-connection methods. At 11 AM, Yoshikazu
Nishimura, JA6UHL, AOR Japan and Matt Yellen, KB7TSE, of ICOM America, will
address the Digital Voice (DV) Working Group: Nishimura will discuss ARD-9800
DV technical development and operating, while Yellen will talk about Icom's
D-STAR DV development. At 11:30 AM, Gerald Youngblood, AC5OG, and Bob McGwier,
N4HY, will be featured during the Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Working Group
session. They will detail SDR advancements through open-source software
development on the Flex Radio Systems SDR-1000. Learn about the latest in
leading-edge Amateur Radio technology and what the League is planning for the
future. Audience interaction is encouraged.--Doug
Smith, KF6DX
FCC establishes Office of Intergovernmental Affairs: The FCC has established an Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) within its Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB). Sue McNeil, currently CGB's Special Counsel for Intergovernmental Affairs, has been named to head the new office. IGA will be a liaison to state, local, and tribal governments as well as to other federal regulatory agencies. Its aim will be to foster a better understanding of FCC programs, policies, rules and decisions. In addition, the IGA oversee the activities of the Commission's Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.--FCC
Florida club to expand
high-speed multimedia technology for Field Day: ARRL High-Speed Multimedia
(HSMM) Working Group member Paul Toth,
NA4AR, says the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society (CARS) is planning to expand
its use of a Wireless Local Area Network via Amateur Radio at this year's ARRL
Field Day operation. During last year's FD operation, Toth says, the club used
a 2.4-GHz link to monitor e-mail and NEXrad Weather Radar from the National
Weather Service. "We are planning a more extensive use of the technology for
this year's Field Day, including inter-station linking on the Field Day site
and a possible 5.7-GHz link to the Internet portal," Toth said. A club member
who lives not far from the FD site has offered to make an Internet connection
available. Toth pointed out that 2004 marks CARS' 50th anniversary as an ARRL
Affiliated Club, and the club will be using the special event call sign W5O for
the Florida QSO Party April 24-25 as well as for Field Day, June 26-27.
Gary Gordon, K6KV, wins QST
Cover Plaque Award: The
winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for March is Gary Gordon,
K6KV, for his article "Build a Puff-and-Sip Keyer." Congratulations, Gary! 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 April issue of QST. Voting ends April 30.
Ham radio emergency
communications symposium planned in Kansas: A day-long program on Amateur
Radio emergency communications will take place Saturday, July 24, 9 AM, at The
Salvation Army, 420 E Santa Fe, Olathe, Kansas (15 miles southwest of Kansas
City). The day begins with "New Ham Orientation," sponsored by Johnson County,
Kansas, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). This session will provide an
overview of ARES and explain how amateurs can get involved. After lunch--which
will be provided--the Kansas Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
(SATERN) will sponsor an ARRL Emergency Communications seminar. Geared to all
emergency communications volunteers, this four-hour interactive seminar will
cover the latest concepts and improvements in Amateur Radio emergency
communications, describe the ARRL on-line emergency communications courses,
utilize disaster scenarios for group discussions, and offer a self-preparedness
examination. Handouts and prizes will be given. Seats are limited. Those
planning to attend should contact Dan Miller,
K3UFG; 860 594-0340 to register. For additional information contact June Jeffers, KB0WEQ, 913-856-8674.
Historic
Westcott House ham radio special event: The Westcott Wireless Preservation
Association--an ARRL-affiliated club--will conduct a special event station and
house tours during Hamvention, from
May 13-16 at the historic Westcott House, 1340 E High Street, Springfield,
Ohio. Renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the structure,
built in 1907 by Burton and Orpha Westcott. The unique Prairie style house is
the only Wright-designed home from that era in Ohio. It is currently undergoing
restoration as a house museum. The Westcotts' son, John, became an early
Amateur Radio operator in this house in 1921 and operated there as W8AGA using
an 800-W spark gap transmitter. Attendance at the special event is open to all.
Construction site hard-hat tours of the house itself will cost $5 and
registration is required. Call 888-701-6300 or visit the Westcott House Web site, which
includes directions to the house and additional information. The special event
will take place in the garage section of the house, and visiting hams are
welcome to participate as operators. Vibroplex is sponsoring the special event
and will donate one of its quality keys to be raffled off as a fund-raiser.
Once the house is restored, a vintage spark gap transmitter will be installed
inside and a modern station will be available for use by visiting radio
amateurs. A special QSL card, operator cards, custom certificates and other
items will be available for guest operators and for those who work the special
event station. For more information, contact Matt Cline, KB8WFH.
 Guglielmo Marconi. |
International Marconi Day event set for
April 24-25 weekend: Dozens of stations are expected to be on the air the
weekend of April 24-25 to mark the 17th annual International Marconi Day (IMD).
The 24-hour event commemorates the birth of wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi,
who was born April 25, 1874. (IMD is usually held on the Saturday closest to
Marconi's birthday.) The event is an opportunity for amateurs around the world
to make contact with "Award Stations" on the air from various historic Marconi
sites, such as VO1IMD on Signal Hill in Newfoundland and W1AA/MSC on Nantucket
Island, Massachusetts. Members of the Cornish Radio Amateur Club (G4CRC) will
be among them, operating as GB4IMD. Awards are available. A complete list of
stations that will be on the air as well as additional information about IMD
are on the CRAC Web site.
IOTA Bearing List
site available: Tim Makins, EI8IC, has
made available a new Web resource for Islands on the Air (IOTA) enthusiasts.
Visit his HF Contesting Contest Resources IOTA Bearing List site, enter
your six-digit grid square, and the Web page will generate a list of short path
and long path bearings and distances from your QTH to each of the current IOTA
reference numbers on the continent(s) you select. Makins says he believes it's
a "first" for such a utility. A mirror site also is
available. Makins' main page
is the home of his Global Overlay Mapper
software, mentioned in December 2003 QST.
New Morse "@"
character official as of May 3: The International Morse code will officially
gain a new character on May 3. That's when the now-familiar "@" symbol is set
to join the Morse lexicon as the letters "AC" run together
New York City SATERN, ARES cooperate in major disaster drill: With the help of local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) operators, New York City Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) members on March 14 participated in the largest NYC Office Of Emergency Management drill in the city's history. "This was a multi-agency drill involving almost every agency in the metropolitan area, along with 50 hospitals," said SATERN Liaison for Greater New York Jeff Schneller, N2HPO. "The scenario was an explosion and fire in Shea Stadium while a ballgame was in progress, resulting in multiple casualties and a power failure." Schneller said some of the "injured" had been instructed to purposely obstruct rescuers to make the drill seem as realistic as possible. "The stadium parking lot looked like a used emergency vehicle lot with over 100 emergency vehicles, mostly large trucks," he said. Calling in ARES members as operators allowed SATERN and ARES teams to get to know each other better, Schneller explained. Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services was active with two canteens and two support vehicles throughout the day-long drill. "We always simulate a communications problem and use Amateur Radio for drills as the main source of communication," he said. Schneller thanked NYC ARES for its support and the Electchester VHF Club for the use of its repeater. Seven ARES and two SATERN operators participated in the drill.
QSL requests for
post-1999 3B9FR contacts must go direct: The DXCC Branch advises that it no
longer will issue 3B9FR credit for F6FNU-confirmed contacts made after 1999.
Robert Felicite, 3B9FR, indicates that he has not sent any logs to F6FNU since
1999. QSL requests for 3B9FR contacts should be sent direct: Robert Felicite,
PO Box 31, Citronelle, Rodrigues Island, Republic Of Mauritius, Indian Ocean.
Rodrigues Island DXpedition tops 150,000 contacts: The recent Project Star Reach 3B9C DXpedition to Rodrigues Island (AF-017) shut down April 12 at approximately 0300 UTC. The DXpedition was the recipient of an ARRL Colvin Award. 3B9C on-line logs remain available. The DXpedition was sponsored by the Five Star DXers Association (FSDXA), with assistance from many others. QSL direct to FSDXA, PO Box 73, Church Stretton SY6 6WF UK or via the RSGB QSL Bureau. Much more information plus a form to request bureau cards is available on the 3B9C Web page.--some information via The Daily DX.
Special call signs to
mark EU expansion: Eleven special call signs will be on the air from
Ireland to celebrate expansion of the European Union to 25 members. The May 1-2
operation will include EI25CY, EI25ES, EI25HA, EI25LY, EI25ML, EI25OK, EI25OM,
EI25SL, EI25SP and EI25YL, as well as EI25EU, the Irish Radio Transmitters
Society (IRTS) headquarters station. A special award is available to hams and
SWLs.--The
Daily DX
SWLs may file BPL interference complaints:
FCC Part 15 rules prohibit interference to licensed services from unlicensed
devices. This means that, with limited exceptions, short-wave listeners (SWLs)
may file formal complaints if broadband over power line (BPL) signals interfere
with their reception. "There is no doubt that international broadcast listeners
have standing to complain about interference to the reception of foreign
broadcast signals," says ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD. "One does not
have to be a licensee of a transmitter in order to receive harmful interference
from a United States-based RF source and have standing to complain about it."
Listeners to international short-wave broadcasts originating in the US, Imlay
explains, do not have standing to complain, however, because they are not the
target audience for such broadcasts. Imlay says that while FCC and court cases
involving standing to file are complex, "the cases are clear that the
allegation of suffering actual electromagnetic interference to reception of a
broadcast service, even one generated internationally, from a domestic RF
source, is sufficient in every case to demonstrate standing to file a
complaint." International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations require member nations to "take all practicable
and necessary steps to ensure that the operation of electrical apparatus or
installations of any kind, including power and telecommunication distribution
networks, but excluding equipment used for industrial, scientific and medical
applications, does not cause harmful interference to a radiocommunication
service."--Gary Pearce, KN4AQ
US Department of Commerce honors Maryland
amateur: The US Department of Commerce has honored Fredrick Matos,
W3ICM/YI3DX, of Annapolis, Maryland, with its Gold Medal Award for
Distinguished Achievement. An employee of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA), Matos received the award for his work to
help establish telecommunications in Iraq, where he was deployed for nine
months. In Iraq, he helped institute a central telecommunications authority
along with assigning frequencies to local law enforcement groups. He was also
responsible for issuing YI Amateur Radio licenses to both nationals and
visitors. In presenting the award April 13, Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans
(left in photo) welcomed Matos home and thanked him for his role in "expanding
freedom around the world." Matos is a member of the Potomac Valley Radio Club.--The Daily DX; PVRC
Young Ham of the Year nominations due by June 30: Amateur Radio Newsline says the deadline is June 30 to nominate a deserving young amateur for the 2004 Young Ham of the Year Award. A nomination form is available on the Newsline Web site. The YHOTY Award goes to an amateur licensee aged 18 or younger and living in the contiguous 48 states who has made a significant contribution to the community or the nation through Amateur Radio. More information is available on the Newsline Web site.
| Previous: Kansas Amateur is 2004 Goldfarb Scholarship Winner | Next: North Carolina Utility Draws "Line in the Sand" on BPL Interference Abatement |
