[FPARC] The ARRL Letter

[W4kkw at aol.com]

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 24, No. 47
December 2,  2005
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +ARRL and FCC continue  sparring over BPL database
* +LA repeater loses automatic control  privileges
* +Spacewalks "an absolute delight," ISS commander says
*  +Holiday Toy Drive donation deadline draws nigh
* +Dayton Hamvention hoping  to please visitors in 2006
* +Al Oubre, K5DPG, SK
* +"Go Army!" ISS  commander exhorts during casual QSO with Naval Academy
*  Solar  Update
*  IN BRIEF:
This weekend on the radio:  Get on the air for the ARRL 160-Meter
Contest!
ARRL  Certification and Continuing Education course registration
+Ed  Marriner, W6XM, SK
December 2005 QST  Error

+Available on ARRL Audio News  <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>

===========================================================
==>Delivery  problems (ARRL member direct delivery  only!):
letter-dlvy at arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick  Lindquist, N1RL,  n1rl at arrl.org
===========================================================

==>ARRL,  FCC CONTINUE BPL INTERFERENCE RESOLUTION DATABASE DEBATE

The acting chief  of the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) is
standing foursquare  behind the recently opened Broadband over Power Line
(BPL) Interference  Resolution Web site <http://www.bpldatabase.org/>. The
deadline for BPL  operators to populate the database, provided by the United
Power Line Council  (UPLC) and the United Telecom Council (UTC), was November
19. In October, the  ARRL took strong exception to limitations UTC, the
site's administrator, has  imposed on the number of allowable licensee
searches and to the use of ZIP  codes as the only search key. Acting OET
Chief Bruce Franca defended the BPL  database November 22.

"Your concern, limiting access to the database,  does not constitute a
violation of the rules," said Franca, citing verse and  chapter of Part 15 to
back up his assertion. Franca said §15.615(d) "clearly  states" that the
database is intended to identify possible sources of harmful  interference
thought to emanate from a BPL system. "Permitting individuals  who are using
a licensed service that operates on the same frequencies as are  used by a
BPL system to query for pertinent information in the geographic  area of that
interference fully fulfills this function," he  concluded.

A note on the BPL database site cautions that users are  "allowed to search a
limited number of times each month." It further advises  users not to conduct
random database searches, lest their access to the  database be further
restricted. In his initial complaint, ARRL CEO David  Sumner, K1ZZ,
characterized the notice as an attempt to "ration access" to  the site.

Franca also defended the use of ZIP codes as the only means to  query the
database, saying they are easily understood and identifiable and  will
provide the information the rules require on BPL systems deployed within  a
ZIP code. Sumner had argued earlier that requiring users to enter a ZIP  code
before gaining access to the database was "clearly contrary" to  the
requirement that the database be available to the  public.

Responding November 30, Sumner gamely took another stab at  getting the
League's point across. Part 15 is unambiguous that the  information in the
database must be publicly accessible approximately 30 days  before a BPL
system begins operation, he said. Using a ZIP code to gain  entry, Sumner
continued, "renders the advance notification requirement  meaningless to the
public" unless someone were to regularly visit the Web  site and repeatedly
enter a particular ZIP code. But since that practice "is  specifically
discouraged by the UTC's notice," Sumner pointed out, it's  impossible for
the public to know about a BPL startup in advance, something  the BPL Report
and Order seems to require.

As a result, Sumner said,  the benefit of a prior notification requirement,
while limited as an  interference-prevention measure, is lost to BPL
operators as well as to  licensed radio services that may suffer harmful
interference that could have  been avoided.

Sumner said the UTC-administered database "provides less  than was promised"
in the FCC's October 2004 Report and Order. "For advance  notification to be
meaningful, the public must know when additions and  changes to the database
occur," he contended. "That is functionally  impossible if the 'publicly
accessible' database is actually maintained  behind an opaque curtain and is
only revealed one ZIP code at a  time."

One workaround, Sumner suggested, would be to require UTC to make  publicly
available a list of ZIP codes and the date of the most recent data  entry for
each. "This also would make it clear when a specific BPL system  serves more
than one ZIP code area, information that is required by  §15.615(a)(3) but
that is not available to the public at present except by  individual query of
each ZIP code."

Sumner said Franca failed to  respond to his point regarding the error
message that appears when a database  user enters a ZIP code where no BPL
system apparently has been deployed. At  that point, users are asked to
provide "written details" about the nature of  the interference and the
user's licensed operations as well as  location--"complete address and
coordinates"--operating frequencies, whether  mobile or fixed and a brief
description of the interference.

"Frankly,  UTC has no authority to require the submission of such information
from an  FCC licensee prior to sharing information that the public is
entitled to as a  matter of right," Sumner concluded--reiterating a point
made in his initial  correspondence. "If the database were appropriately
accessible the question  would never arise."

On November 23, the League told the FCC that the  Manassas, Virginia, BPL
system was not in compliance with FCC Part 15 rules  because its operator
failed to provide full information to the public BPL  database by the
November 19 deadline and the system should be shut down. The  letter came
barely six weeks after the ARRL called on the FCC to turn off the  Manassas
BPL system because of unresolved interference complaints to Amateur  Radio.

Since the League's letter, a search under ZIP code 20110 indicates  the
Manassas system has provided a contact name, address, telephone number  and
e-mail address. Its entry still lacks details about the equipment in  use,
however.

==>FCC LIFTS AUTOMATIC CONTROL PRIVILEGES OF BUSY  LA-AREA REPEATER

The call sign and owner have changed again, but the FCC  alleges that
problems persist on the Los Angeles area's 147.435 MHz repeater,  now
operated by Jeffrey Stieglitz, AE6NZ, of Torrance. The FCC Los  Angeles
District Office recently informed Stieglitz that it was suspending  automatic
control privileges for the repeater. That means the licensee or a  designated
control operator must be at the repeater's control point whenever  the
machine is operational.

"Your amateur station AE6NZ is under  review by the Enforcement Bureau for
numerous and continued apparent  violations of the Commissions rules," FCC LA
Office District Director  Catherine Deaton wrote Stieglitz November 18. The
Commission alleges  inadequate station control, deliberate interference,
failure of users to  identify and use by unlicensed operators.

Stieglitz told ARRL he  encourages users of the busy repeater to comply with
Part 97 rules and to  make a reasonable effort to identify unlicensed
operators. "I believe that  the 147.435 repeater attracts people to the hobby
and, overall, is consistent  with the purposes of Amateur Radio," he said.

"Sometimes the talk on the  repeater may resemble that of a boys locker
room," Stieglitz conceded, "but I  think we more than make up for it with
charitable activities and technical  sophistication."

Deaton says if AE6NZ is operated under automatic control  prior to
notification from her office, enforcement action up to and including  a
license revocation and suspension hearing, a fine or both could  follow.

Deaton also asked Stieglitz to submit in advance the names and  contact
numbers of other licensees who serve as control operators. "During  any times
that no control operator is available, the repeater must be shut  down,"
Deaton stated.

The odd-split 147.435 MHz repeater (the primary  input is 146.400 MHz) has
been a lightning rod for controversy. In 2001, the  FCC terminated the
automatic control privileges of the then-W6NUT repeater  while it was
reviewing its operation. Since then the repeater has changed  hands a few
times, and enforcement issues seem to have followed. Stieglitz  believes
"heat from the FCC" was behind the frequent ownership  changes.

"As the Jack Gerritsen case shows, there is very little the FCC  can actually
do against a determined bootlegger," Stieglitz said. Gerritsen  is set to
appear in federal court next week. "In my opinion, shutting down a  repeater
because a third party breaks the rules just penalizes the honest  operators."


FCC Enforcement Bureau Special Counsel Riley  Hollingsworth had another
perspective: "The repeater has been out of control  long enough, and we have
been too patient too long," he told  ARRL.

==>SPACEWALKS "THRILLING," ASTRONAUT TELLS STUDENTS DURING HAM  RADIO CHAT

International Space Station Expedition 12 Commander Bill  McArthur, KC5ACR,
told students gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, November 22,  that taking a
spacewalk is a thrilling experience. Speaking the following day  with middle
schoolers in upstate New York, McArthur described space  exploration as the
new frontier. Both contacts were arranged by the Amateur  Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) program. During the Geneva  contact--part
of the "Science on Stage" program for European science  teachers--McArthur
rhapsodized about the spacewalk experience.

"It's  an absolute delight, it's thrilling to be outside, it's being truly in
a  totally alien environment," McArthur said, "and you realize the only  thing
between you and vacuum is the small little spaceship that you call  your
spacesuit. And it is truly the most thrilling thing I've ever  done."

Responding to a question involving human physiology in space,  McArthur said
it's theorized that bone tissue is replaced more slowly in  space because it
does not get stressed in microgravity.

"On Earth,  when you walk, when you run, every time your foot strikes the
ground there is  stress on your skeletal system, and this aids in bone
development," McArthur  said. He told another student that getting used to
weightlessness was the  biggest adjustment for ISS crew members. He noted
that he and crewmate Valery  Tokarev will have spent some 182 days in space
by the time they return to  Earth next April. In the meantime, much of the
research conducted aboard the  ISS will help determine how well human beings
will be able to handle  long-term space travel beyond Earth orbit, McArthur
said.

Some 300  science teachers from 25 countries gathered at the European Nuclear
Research  Center (CERN) in Geneva for the conference. Eighteen students from
Belgium,  Denmark, Greece, Italy, Norway and Portugal took part in the  space
QSO.

NN1SS at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland served as  the Earth station
for the CERN event. MCI donated a two-way teleconferencing  link between
NN1SS in Maryland and the ISS. Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, was the  ARISS-Europe
mentor.

On November 23, youngsters at Central Park Middle  School in Schenectady, New
York--a NASA Explorer School--focused most of  their questions on spaceflight
training, preparation and safety. McArthur  told the youngsters that it was
hard to get into the space  program.

"It was very difficult because there simply are so few  astronauts--there are
only slightly more than 100 astronauts in the US space  program, and each
time we ask for new volunteers, we get thousands of  applications from very,
very qualified people," McArthur explained. "So, to  be quite honest, not
only do you have to have a good resume, you have to be  very, very lucky."

An astronaut for 15 years, McArthur said he trained  four and a half years
for his current mission onboard the ISS. The most  challenging aspect of his
job is "to be patient," he said in reply to another  question. "I've spent
much, much more time training and on the ground than  flying in orbit."

McArthur said he believes the most important thing  society can gain from
missions like his is a continued belief in and  commitment to space
exploration. "Humans by their very nature want to go to  the next frontier,"
he added, "and we think the next frontier is the one you  see when you look
straight up."

W6SRJ at Santa Rosa Junior College in  California served as the Earth station
for the Central Park contact, and MCI  donated a teleconferencing link
between W6SRJ and the school.

ARISS  <http://www.rac.ca/ariss> is an international educational outreach
with  US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.

==>2005 HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE ON  A ROLL!

Hams are finding even more ways to pitch in and boost the  ARRL/The Salvation
Army 2005 Holiday Toy Drive  <http://www.arrl.org/pio/#toy>. The League has
partnered with The  Salvation Army in an effort to bring some holiday cheer
to children along the  US Gulf Coast left homeless or displaced in the
aftermath of this year's  devastating hurricanes. Likewise, many individual
radio amateurs and ham  radio groups are partnering with others and even
providing some incentives to  spread the joy of giving.

Chiropractor Dr Frank Vesci, W1NK, has offered  free evaluations to any
patients who bring a toy with them to their  appointments. Joe Guvman,
KB1DVG, has been encouraging customers with a  special display at his Meineke
Muffler shop to bring in toys for the drive.  The Hampden County Radio
Association in Massachusetts has urged members to  bring toys to the club's
annual holiday party this week. The club already  collected and shipped off a
batch of toys gathered during its yearly auction  early this month. Many
others around the country are similarly  enthusiastic.

Charles Kosman, WB2NQV, reports that the toy drive's public  service
announcement featuring country music star Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ,  aired all
last week during the 5:30 PM time slot on KSWO-TV, which serves  southwestern
Oklahoma and northern Texas. "That's between the early local  news and ABC
Network news," Kosman enthused. "I guess we got some prime time  for it!"

Between "testing" the many toys, ARRL Delta Division Vice  Director Henry
Leggette, WD4Q, and the crew of ham radio volunteers have  otherwise been
busy at the Memphis, Tennessee, warehouse where the toys are  collecting for
delivery. Volunteer coordinator Joe Lowenthal, WA4OVO,  concedes that the
warehouse crew sometimes has to resist the temptation to  play with the toys.
He says the crew has inventoried close to 2800 toys  already, and more are in
the offing as the final weeks of the 2005 Holiday  Toy Drive approach.

"Things are definitely picking up," Lowenthal told  ARRL this week, noting
that some 500 toys arrived November 29 alone. While  many of the
toys--perhaps 1000 or more--are stuffed animals, he says there's  quite a
variety among the remaining donations, including a lot of athletic  gear.
"We've got soccer balls, we've got basketballs, we have footballs,"  he
reports. And there's more. "We have a number of dolls, doll sets,  jewelry,
makeup kits, we have a number of crayons and coloring books, we even  have
some computer programs, quite a few puzzles and games," Lowenthal added.  One
donor sent an educational toy that lets the youngster set up  various
electronic circuits. "He's probably hoping whoever gets it will  become a
ham," he said.

There's still a big need for toys suitable for  older children, Lowenthal
said. He suggested that ARRL members write a check  to help cover those needs
unless they have a specific donation in mind. One  individual has donated a
new bicycle. "That will probably be the biggest  item," he said.

Radio amateurs are invited to send new unwrapped toys for  boys and girls
aged 1 to 14 to: ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army, 1775  Moriah Woods
Blvd--Suite 12, Memphis, TN 38117-7125. Include a QSL card or a  card bearing
your call sign.

ARRL invites its members to send checks  if they prefer, made out to "ARRL
Toy Drive." Send these donations to: ARRL  Toy Drive, 225 Main St, Newington,
CT 06111.

At the warehouse,  volunteers log in each contribution, then sort the toys
and record the  donors, if known. Lowenthal notes that in some shipments QSL
cards have not  been attached to a particular toy. He advises donors to tape
cards to the  gifts. Many hams have indicated, however, that they're less
concerned about  getting credit or even a "thank you" for their contribution
as long as they  know the toys are going where they'll bring smiles.

Lowenthal says the  toys have been arriving via a number of carriers, but he
recommends FedEx,  UPS or DHL for the most expeditious delivery, although
shipments have been  arriving via the US Postal Service as well.

ARRL Media and Public  Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP--the League's
point man for the drive,  says the final two weeks are critical. "This is
when we make or break it," he  said. He encourages groups, clubs and
individuals to send their toy packages  by December 10.

==>DAYTON HAMVENTION® SAYS BETTER COMMUNICATION A KEY  GOAL FOR 2006

Well in advance of the 55th Dayton Hamvention next spring,  event organizers
report they're implementing strategies to improve  communication and provide
more and better information about the show. Part of  the plan is a complete
makeover of the Dayton Hamvention Web site  <http://www.hamvention.org>,
still a work in progress. Hamvention 2006  takes place May 19-21 at Hara
Arena in Trotwood, Ohio. Dayton Hamvention  volunteers this past spring asked
many vendors and visitors alike what they  could do to improve the world's
largest Amateur Radio gathering, and "better  communication" was the most
common response.

"People told us what they  wanted, and we are going to do our best to
deliver," says Dayton Hamvention  2006 General Chairman Jim Nies, WX8F. "We
have set several goals for this  year, and one of the most important is to
respond to requests more quickly  than we did during the 2005 show." Nies
took over the reins from Gary Des  Combes, N8EMO, who headed up the 2004 and
2005 events and brought back an  all-volunteer staff. The Dayton Amateur
Radio Association (DARA) has  sponsored Hamvention since the early 1950s.

The goal of the 2006 Dayton  Hamvention staff will be to at least acknowledge
all requests within 24 hours  and, if possible, provide the information or
assistance needed within the  same time frame, Nies said. "I know that we
won't be able to answer every  question or deal with every problem
immediately, but we will definitely make  every effort to do it as soon as
possible," he added.

Hamvention  organizers say that while feedback from those who attended the
2005 show  generally was very positive, a number indicated that more advance
information  would be helpful. For example, Hamvention will post information
on traffic  patterns and access points on its Web site well in advance of the
2006 show,  said Assistant General Chairman Carl Rose, K8CPR, who served as
security  chair for Dayton Hamvention 2004 and 2005.

"We tried some things with  traffic flow and vendor access in 2005, and some
worked very well and others  need improvement," Rose said. "We will use the
feedback we received,  particularly about vendor access, to see if we can
make it quicker and easier  to get into the arena for setup."

Rose urged Dayton Hamvention visitors  to check the Web site before leaving
to see if there are any last minute  changes due to construction or other
unforeseen events. Hamvention also will  continue golf cart shuttles and
benches in the flea market for the  convenience of attendees, Rose said.

Some things won't change for the  55th Hamvention. Tickets prices will remain
the same as the 2005 show, and so  will show hours. Dayton Hamvention 2006 is
expected to draw some 25,000  visitors from all over the US and around the
world. The Dayton/Montgomery  County Convention & Visitors Bureau has
estimated Dayton Hamvention's  annual economic impact at close to $4 million
for Montgomery County and  nearly $10 million regionally.

==>PAST ARRL DIRECTOR, VICE DIRECTOR,  SECTION MANAGER AL OUBRE, K5DPG, SK

Lionel A. "Al" Oubre, K5DPG, of New  Iberia, Louisiana, died November 25,
surrounded by his family. He was 64. An  ARRL Life Member and Diamond Club
member, Oubre served in the 1980s as ARRL  Delta Division Vice Director and
Director and from 1992 to 2000 as ARRL  Louisiana Section Manager. ARRL Delta
Division Director Rick Roderick, K5UR,  says he and Oubre were friends for
many years.

"He was always involved  in and doing things for ham radio," Roderick said.
"He left a strong record  of helping make things better. I will miss him
greatly."

Louisiana SM  Mickey Cox, K5MC, who succeeded Oubre as Section Manager,
recounted that  after stepping down as SM, Oubre continued to serve the
section as an  Assistant SM and was the Section's Webmaster. He also was an
ARRL Official  Relay Station.

"In addition to being an active traffic handler on NTS and  MARS nets, he was
a mentor for many of us over the years," said Cox. "He will  be truly
missed."

In 1979, Oubre won a contested election for Delta  Division Vice Director and
took office January 1, 1980. When the Board  elected then-Director Max
Arnold, W4WHN, to be a Vice President, Oubre moved  up to the Director's
position. He served on the Board for two years, but lost  a bid for a new
term. Subsequently re-elected as Delta Division Vice  Director, he held that
position from 1984 until 1986.

More recently,  Oubre was very active in the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications  online courses, mentoring more than 225 students since 2002.
In the aftermath  of Hurricane Katrina, Oubre filled in for several weeks as
Louisiana Section  Emergency Coordinator.

A US Air Force veteran, Oubre was a member of the  Disabled American
Veterans, the American Legion and the Civil Air Patrol.  Oubre held
bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of  Southwestern
Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette), and he worked  as a
dispatcher for the New Iberia Police Department.

Oubre was a  member of the A-1 Operator Club and the Acadiana Amateur Radio
Association  (AARA).

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, KA5IJU, sons Michael,  KC5HXL, and
Eugene, W5DBR, and daughters Alice, N5SYD, and Theresa. A service  was held
November 28 in New Iberia.

==>ISS COMMANDER CHEERS FOR  ARMY IN CONTACT WITH NAVAL ACADEMY'S W3ADO

During a brief 2-meter contact  November 26 between the US Naval Academy's
W3ADO and NA1SS, ISS Expedition 12  Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, cheered
for an Army win in the traditional  Army-Navy football game December 3.

"Thanks very much for the contact,  but I can't resist," said McArthur, a US
Army officer and veteran. "Go, Army.  Beat Navy!"

At W3ADO Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, said he and some midshipmen  were getting
ready for a pass of the Academy's PCSat2, which is attached to  the ISS. The
Academy planned to use PCSat2 to track the Army-Navy game  football run from
Annapolis to Philadelphia December 2. Bruninga took  advantage of the quick
contact to thank the ISS crew for installing and  maintaining PCSat2 and the
MISSE5 experiment. McArthur responded, "Gosh, sure  appreciate working with
you guys. Good luck. Hope it's a great game on  Saturday."

"Bill caught us by surprise, as it is very rare for them to  find time to get
on the radio," Bruninga said afterward. And at the very last  possible minute
too--just as the ISS was passing east over the Atlantic, he  added.

Just before contacting W3ADO, he worked the Experimenters' Group  Amateur
Radio Club's N4ISS, operated by ARISS aficionado Al Lark, KD4SFF, in  South
Carolina.

"After exchanging signal reports, I asked him what he  ate for Thanksgiving,"
Lark recounted. McArthur replied: "Al, we had a good  Thanksgiving, gosh . .
. turkey, corn, mashed potatoes, cranapple for  dessert. We ate almost a full
day of rations in one meal."

McArthur  reportedly made some three dozen casual contacts during
Thanksgiving week,  most over North America with a few over Europe and New
Zealand. The NA1SS  worldwide downlink frequency is 145.800 MHz. There's more
information on the  ARISS Web page <http://www.rac.ca/ariss>.

==>SOLAR  UPDATE

Sun watcher Tad "Who Let the Dogs Out!" Cook, K7RA, Seattle,  Washington,
reports: Average daily sunspot numbers were down nearly 15 points  to 33.7
this week, and average daily solar flux declined nearly 13 points to  84.2.

Currently sunspot and solar flux numbers are rising due to Sunspot  826,
which is growing rapidly and moving toward the center of the solar  disk,
giving it maximum influence here on Earth. It also could be a source  of
flares, which would not be good for the ARRL 160 Meter CW Contest  this
weekend.

Predicted solar flux for Friday through Monday, December  2-5, is 100, 105,
105 and 105. Predicted planetary A index for the same days  is 15, 12, 8 and
5, although those numbers will be higher if Sunspot 826  becomes especially
active.

Sunspot numbers for November 17 through 23  were 62, 51, 52, 56, 45, 36 and
35, with a mean of 48.1. The 10.7 cm flux was  100.5, 101.1, 102, 96.4, 94.7,
92.6, and 89.7, with a mean of 96.7. Estimated  planetary A indices were 3,
4, 10, 7, 3, 6 and 8, with a mean of 5.9.  Estimated mid-latitude A indices
were 1, 2, 6, 5, 2, 3 and 12, with a mean of  4.4.

Sunspot numbers for November 24 through 30 were 30, 39, 30, 26, 27,  27 and
57, with a mean of 33.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 86.6, 79.9, 80.8, 80.7,  81.9,
84.7, and 94.7, with a mean of 84.2. Estimated planetary A indices were  9,
10, 5, 2, 9, 5 and 10 with a mean of 7.1. Estimated mid-latitude A  indices
were 6, 8, 3, 2, 6, 6 and 9, with a mean of  5.7.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

*  This weekend on the radio: Get on the air for the ARRL 160-Meter  Contest
(CW), the ARCI Topband Sprint, the New Mexico QSO Party, the TARA  RTTY
Melee, the Wake-Up! QRP Sprint and the TOPS Activity Contest are the  weekend
of December 3-4. JUST AHEAD: The ARS Spartan Sprint is December 6.  The
EU-PSK-QRP Contest is December 9. The ARRL 10-Meter Contest and the  CQC
Great Colorado Snowshoe Run are the weekend of December 10-11. The NA  High
Speed Meteor Scatter Winter Rally is December 10-18. The NAQCC  80-Meter
Straight Key/Bug Sprint is December 14. The Russian 160-Meter  Contest is
December 16. See the ARRL Contest Branch  page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest  Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more  info.

* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course  registration:
Registration remains open through Sunday, December 4, for these  ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) Program on-line  courses:
Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002), Emergency Communications  Level 3
(EC-003), Antenna Modeling (EC-004), VHF/UHF Beyond the Repeater  (EC-008),
and Propagation (EC-011), HF Digital Communications (EC-005)  Classes begin
Friday, December 16. To learn more, visit the CCE Course  Listing page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the CCE  Department
<cce at arrl.org>.

* Ed Marriner, W6XM, SK: Well-known  Amateur Radio author Edmund H. "Ed"
Marriner, W6XM (ex-W6BLZ), of San Luis  Obispo, California, died November 20.
He was 90. A prolific writer, he  contributed to various Amateur Radio
publications, including QST, CQ, Ham  Radio and 73, from the 1950s until the
1990s. Marriner edited the "Ham  Notebook" column in Ham Radio for several
years and authored dozens of  construction project articles for CQ. He also
wrote about linear amplifiers  and the advent of SSB. Earlier this year,
Marriner--an ARRL member--was  inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of
Fame.

* December 2005 QST  Error: An error appears in the article "What's the Deal
About 'NVIS'?" by  Dean Straw, N6BV (page 39 of the December 2005 issue of
QST): Figures 1 and 9  depict the same graphic. The corrected article is
available in PDF format on  the ARRL Web  site
<http://www.arrl.org/files/qst-binaries/Straw1205.pdf>. This file  is nearly
10 MB in size, and a high-speed Internet connection is highly  recommended.
We regret any confusion this error may have caused QST  readers.

===========================================================
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Radio  Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main  St,
Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax  860-594-0259;
<http://www.arrl.org>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP,  President.

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updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site  <http://www.arrl.org/> offers
access to news, informative features and  columns. ARRL Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a  weekly "ham radio newscast"
compiled from The ARRL  Letter.