[GVARC] September Newsletter

Wed, 24 Sep 2003 18:26:07 -0700

************************* Garlic Valley ******************************
Volume 18                                                     Sep 2003
******************* Amateur Radio Club Newsletter ********************
GVARC OFFICERS
   President                   Frank Fahrlander, N7FF
   Vice President              Ed Vines, KG6WU
   Secretary                   Mark Deger, KG6IFQ
   Treasurer                   Tony Armendariz, AD6ID
   Newsletter Editor           Tony Armendariz, AD6ID
   WEBster                     Claud Furnare, NA6W

   Web Site                    http://www.qsl.net/gvarc

FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE:
   NEXT CLUB MEETING
   GVARC MEMBERSHIP
   PACIFICON 2003 Oct 17,18,19
   HAMS INJURED IN BAGHDAD BLAST
   FCC: POWER COMPANY TO TRY HARDER
   HAM RADIO KEPT BERMUDA CONNECTED
   POLICE RADIO IN NEW YORK
   CONTESTS OCT 2003
   COMING EVENTS

***PACIFICON 2003 Oct 17,18,19
------------------------------
   PACIFICON 2003 will be at the Marriott Hotel in San Ramon California.
Note the new, closer location in San Ramon.

   Here are some highlights of what to expect. For specific details and
schedules, please see http://www.pacificon.org/.
---- Friday - October 17th ----
Antenna Seminar
DXpedition tapes
---- Saturday - October 18th ----
Expanded Swap Meet!
FORUMS
Exhibit Hall
VE Testing
Banquet Dinner
---- Sunday   October 19 ----
T Hunt
Exhibit Hall
VE Testing
FORUMS

***NEXT CLUB MEETING - Saturday, 27-Sep-03
--------------------
   GVARC usually meets on the LAST Saturday of each month, at the
Sunrise Restaurant in Gilroy on Monterey Avenue (near the car dealers in
front of Motel  6). From the North or South, take the Monterey St. exit
from highway 101 (south  end of Gilroy) and head north. We trickle in
about 8 a.m. and eat at 8:30ish.     The South County ARES net is held
each Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on W6GGF/R (147.825 -.600, no PL 100Hz).

***GVARC MEMBERSHIP
-------------------
   Dues for all members become payable each January. The annual cost is
only $20 per person and $10 for each family member in the same
household. Membership dues helps such things as the W6GGF/R repeater,
this newsletter, emergency readiness, etc. Membership, not required for
general use of the repeater, adds autopatch and autodial privileges.
   GVARC is a non-profit organization per IRS section 501(c)(4) - we
don't make any money, do service for the community, but are not a
charity.
   To join or for more information, please contact the treasurer:
   Tony Armendariz, AD6ID
   11950 New Avenue
   Gilroy, CA 95020
   408-683-2025 home
   email: [email protected]

***HAMS INJURED IN BAGHDAD BLAST
--------------------------------
The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com> reports that three Amateur Radio
operators were injured in the August 19 bombing of the UN Headquarters
at the former Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq.

The Daily DX Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, says he's received word from
Les Nouvelles DX <http://lesnouvellesdx.free.fr> Editor Jean-Michel
Duthilleul, F6AJA, that Ghis Penny, ON5NT, was at the UN Headquarters
when the bomb went off. He reportedly suffered a minor head injury and
was evacuated August 21 to Amman, Jordan. Penny expects to be back home
in Belgium in the next few days.

Robert Kasca, S53R, also was working at the UN offices when the
explosion occurred but apparently was not hurt. According to McClenny,
Kasca told Randy Hollier, WX5L, that he plans to continue working in
Iraq. Kasca also said that Michael Dirksen, PA5M (ex-PA5MD), was
hospitalized in Germany as a result of the bombing and was said to be
doing well.

The UN has indicated that it would move at least some of its personnel
outside Iraq as a result of the incident. At least 23 people were killed
in the bombing. The dead included widely respected UN envoy Sergio
Vieira de Mello, the UN's high commissioner for refugees who had taken
on an assignment in Iraq.
  -- ARRL

***FCC: POWER COMPANY TO TRY HARDER
-----------------------------------
The FCC has asked American Electric Power Company of Columbus, Ohio, to
take a closer look at several power line noise complaints and try harder
to resolve them. The cases involve complaints from four Amateur Radio
operators in Ohio, Indiana and Oklahoma.

"While we certainly appreciate the considerable effort that AEP afforded
this matter, we are puzzled by the lack of results," FCC Special Counsel
Riley Hollingsworth wrote August 26 in a letter to AEP Senior Vice
President Marsha P. Ryan. "In most cases, a noise source can be located
easily by trained personnel using the proper equipment."

AEP responded February 10 to the FCC's initial correspondence regarding
the four cases. Hollingsworth says, however, that follow-up reports from
the complainants suggest discrepancies exist between what AEP told the
FCC and what the complainants report. Hollingsworth said evidence to
date indicates that none of the cases has been satisfactorily resolved.

In one case, AEP erroneously identified the amateur's own antenna as the
source of the noise.

Jerry Daugherty, W9FS, of Indiana told the FCC that he's heard nothing
from AEP and was not even aware that the utility was considering his
case closed. "As of June 20, 2003, the noise was present at VHF and
coming from several different locations," Hollingsworth said, citing
information from Daugherty.

James Kiskis, W8PA, of Ohio reported to the Commission that, although
interference identified as coming from two utility poles was fixed, it
has since returned from one of them. Kiskis told Hollingsworth that an
AEP interference investigator showed up at his residence June 23
and--using a spectrum analyzer hooked up to Kiskis' antenna--found
strong noise on 20 and 10 meters. The investigator reportedly told
Kiskis that he was turning his findings over to a line crew to have the
problems repaired.

William Hannon, N8PW, of Ohio confirmed to the FCC that AEP had repaired
several suspect utility poles, "including one very significant noise
source," Hollingsworth said. But, he added in his letter to Ryan, Hannon
"continues to experience strong noise in dry weather conditions when his
antenna is pointed east."

Howard McCloud, KC5RGC, of Oklahoma reported power line noise last April
and identified its source for AEP as utility lines about a mile from his
station. McCloud was not aware that AEP had attempted to correct it,
Hollingsworth wrote. "AEP now apparently maintains that the source of
the noise is McCloud's antenna, even when it is disconnected and on the
ground," a conclusion Hollingsworth labeled "patently defective."
McCloud reports relatively strong noise on HF that continues 24/7.

Hollingsworth asked AEP to "revisit each of these cases" and to update
the FCC within 45 days of any progress in each case. He also referred
the power company to ARRL RFI Specialist Mike Gruber, W1MG, for
technical assistance in resolving the cases.

 -- ARRL

***HAM RADIO KEPT BERMUDA CONNECTED
-----------------------------------
Amateur Radio became a primary means of contact between Bermuda and the
rest of the world as Hurricane Fabian swept across the island September
5, claiming at least four lives and causing extensive property damage in
some areas. Authorities in Bermuda this week were assessing its extent.
A dangerous category 3 storm, Fabian took out power to some 25,000
homes--about two-thirds of the island--as well as all radio and TV
stations. Additionally, generator problems took the government's
emergency FM station off the air for a time. Tony Siese, VP9HK, reports
the police operations center was evacuated after the 120-MPH winds took
off part of its roof.

Siese said the only contact with the outside world for a couple of hours
was via hams like himself relaying information on 2 meters to HF
operators and getting weather reports from the National Hurricane Center
via the Hurricane Watch Net <http://www.hwn.org/> on 20 meters. He said
that when the government emergency station returned to the air,
amateurs provided it with updated National Hurricane Center reports from
the HWN.

Hurricane Watch Net Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP, reports his net on
14.325 MHz secured operations September 6 at 0300 UTC "after a very long
and busy day." Participating HWN volunteers feed ground-level weather
data to forecasters via WX4NHC <http://www.wx4nhc.org/> at the National
Hurricane Center. WX4NHC also operates with a volunteer staff. The
weather data and information help meteorologists to develop more
accurate storm forecasts.

"We had excellent assistance and vital communications from five VP9 hams
who, unfortunately, had to resort to makeshift antennas and back-up
battery power as the storm approached their locations," Pilgrim said.
WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4JR, said
that while news reporters on Bermuda found themselves
uncharacteristically out of touch, "old-fashioned" ham radio HF
technology got through. As he put it, "brave Bermuda hams, using car
batteries, basic wire antennas and only 50 W of power, were able to send
those valued 'surface reports' and receive vital hurricane advisories."
Decent conditions on 20 meters also helped.

Also pitching in were Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
(SATERN) volunteers. "The SATERN Net stood by two days at full alert
monitoring for information from Bermuda as Hurricane Fabian raged
through the island," said National SATERN Coordinator Pat McPherson,
WW9E. SATERN Territorial Coordinator Rick Shirran, VE3NUZ/VP9, said that
with power and telephone service down, "the only communication that held
up during the event was that of the members of the Radio Society of
Bermuda via 2 meters, and HF on the Hurricane Watch Net and the SATERN
Net." Shirran lost part of his own roof and the driven element to his
antenna. He got back on the air using a makeshift antenna and power from
a car battery.

Shirran said it could take more than two weeks to restore power to
Bermuda. Telephone service "remains tentative," he said at week's end.
The airport was only open to daylight flights as of September 11.

Amateur Radio reports gathered September 7 by Dick Montgomery, N3DV, on
the 20-meter Bermuda Net indicated many trees down, damage to docked
boats and amateur antennas blown away, but power slowly being restored.

National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield expressed his sincere
thanks to amateurs who supplied critical information during Fabian. "We
never would have known what was going on in Bermuda without your help,"
he said. "You are a part of the hurricane team, and it is a pleasure to
work with you."

***POLICE RADIO IN NEW YORK
---------------------------
   Court kicks New York ham's "police radio" case: A New York court has
dismissed a misdemeanor charge against ARRL member Richard C. "Dick"
Lalone, KC5GAX, for violating =A7397 of that state's Vehicle and Traffic
Law. That section prohibits individuals other than law officers from
equipping their vehicles with radios "capable of receiving signals on
the frequencies allocated for police use" without first securing a
permit. The section, which also prohibits knowingly interfering with
police transmissions, contains an explicit exemption for "any person who
holds a valid amateur radio operator's license . . . and who operates a
duly licensed portable mobile transmitter and in connection therewith a
receiver or receiving set on frequencies exclusively allocated . . . to
duly licensed radio amateurs." In a nearly 1300-word decision, Judge
John J. Hallet said it was clear the legislature never intended the
provisions of =A7397 from applying to licensed Amateur Radio operators,
and he dismissed the charge August 5. Susan Terry, KF4SUE, a former New
York assistant attorney general, represented Lalone. ARRL President Jim
Haynie, W5JBP, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and ARRL
Regulatory Information Specialist John Hennessee, N1KB, provided advice
or assistance to Lalone.

***CONTESTS  OCT 2003
---------------------
------- (From-to) --------  -------------------------------------------
DATE   WEEKDAY - TIME UTC   CONTEST NAME - MODE
-----  -------------------  -------------------------------------------
 2     Thu 1900 - 2200      SARL 80 m QSO Party - SSB
 3     Fri 0700 - 1000      German Telegraphy Contest - CW

 4     Sat 0000 - 2400      *?* The PSK31 Rumble - PSK
 4     Sat 0000 - 0800      UCWC Contest - CW
 4- 5  Sat 0800 - Sun 0800  OCEANIA DX Contest - Phone
 4- 5  Sat 1200 - Sun 1200  F9AA Cup Contest - CW/SSB
 4     Sat 1400 - 1600      International HELL-Contest (1) - HELL
 4     Sat 1500 - 1859      EU Sprint Autumn - SSB
 4- 5  Sat 1600 - Sun 2200  California QSO Party (CQP) - CW/Phone
 4- 5  Sat 1800 - Sun 1800  *?* QCWA QSO Party - CW/Phone
    5  Sun 0600 - 1000      *?* ON Contest - SSB
    5  Sun 0700 - 1900      *?* RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest - SSB
    5  Sun 0900 - 1100      International HELL-Contest (2) - HELL

 8-10  Wed 1400 - Fri 0200  *?* YL Anniversary Party (YL-AP) - CW
 9     Thu 1800 - 2000      International HELL-Contest (3) - HELL
10     Fri 0001 - 2400      10-10 International Day Sprint - All

11-12  Sat 0800 - Sun 0800  OCEANIA DX Contest - CW
11     Sat 1500 - 1859      EU Sprint Autumn - CW
11-12  Sat 1600 - Sun 0500  Pennsylvania QSO Party (1) - CW/SSB
11     Sat 1700 - 2100      FISTS Fall Sprint - CW
   12  Sun 0000 - 0400      *?* North American Sprint Contest - RTTY
   12  Sun 0600 - 1000      *?* ON Contest - CW
   12  Sun 1300 - 2200      Pennsylvania QSO Party (2) - CW/SSB
   12  Sun 1400 - 1500      SSA M=E5nadstest nr 10 - SSB
   12  Sun 1515 - 1615      SSA M=E5nadstest nr 10 - CW

15-17  Wed 1400 - Fri 0200  *?* YL Anniversary Party (YL-AP) - SSB

18-19  Sat 0000 - Sun 2400  JARTS WW RTTY Contest - RTTY
18-19  Sat 1200 - Sun 2400  *?* QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party - CW
18-19  Sat 1500 - Sun 1459  Worked All Germany Contest - CW/SSB
   19  Sun 0000 - 0200      Asia-Pacific Sprint Contest - CW
   19  Sun 0700 - 1900      *?* RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest - CW

19-20  Sun 1800 - Mon 0200  *?* Illinois QSO Party - CW/SSB
19-20  Sun 2100 - Mon 0100  *?* Texas Armadillo Chase - CW

25-26  Sat 0000 - Sun 2400  CQ WW DX Contest - SSB
25-26  Sat 0000 - Sun 2359  CQ WW SWL Challenge - SSB
25-26  Sat 0001 - Sun 2400  *?* 10-10 Intern. Fall QSO Party - CW/DIGI
 -- Jan-Eric Rehn - [email protected]
    http://www.sk3bg.se/contest/text/c2003Oct.txt
 =20

***COMING EVENTS
----------------
   - Livermore Swap Meet - 1st Sunday of each month at Las Positas
College in Livermore, 7:00 AM to noon, all year. Talk in 147.045 from
the west, 145.35 from the east. Contact Noel Anklam, KC6QZK, (510)
447-3857 eves.

   - Foothill Flea Market - 2nd Saturday of each month from March to
October at Foothill College, Los Altos Hills. FARS NET on 145.23
repeater Thursday nights at 8 PM.

***GVARC EMAIL LIST SUMMARY
---------------------------
   [email protected]   is the official list of GVARC members with
e-mail addresses. This is a closed list; Joining GVARC gets you on the
list. Anyone on the list can send to the list; no one else can.

   [email protected]   is a list of those interested in gvarc.
Anyone can join (with confirmation message) and any member may
unsubscribe freely. Members of the gvarc_cc list can send to the list.
No one else can send to the list.    List administrators, Tony, AD6ID,
and Frank, N7FF. The list's web site is http://www.qth.net.
______________________________________

To leave GVARC list, Contact Tony Armendariz, [email protected]. If you're
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