[LeArc] The ARRL Letter Vol. 21, No. 20 May 17, 2002

[Joseph L. Rossmiller]

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 21, No. 20
May 17, 2002
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +CC&R bill filed in Washington
*  FCC releases details on new band proposals
* +ARRL has a full schedule of activities at Dayton Hamvention
* +It's a wrap: Expedition 4 crew completes ARISS school QSO schedule
* +ARRL says 2390-2400 MHz "unavailable" to relocate other services
* +ARRL contest log checking reports available on the Web
* +Past ARRL President Bob Denniston, W0DX/VP2VI, SK
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     FCC releases details of 5 MHz, 136kHz and 2400-2402 MHz proposals
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     Correction
    +On-line ARRL November Sweepstakes SSB results available
     Canada authorizes special amateur prefixes
     Migrating RV TV amplifiers bringing interference with them

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================
NOTE: Because of Dayton Hamvention, this week's editions of The ARRL
Letter and ARRL Audio News are being distributed Wednesday, May 15. The
Solar Update by Tad Cook, K7VVV, will be available on the ARRL Web site
and distributed to propagation bulletin subscribers Friday, May 17.
===========================================================

==>LANDMARK BILL COULD PROVIDE AMATEURS RELIEF FROM RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS

A bill introduced in Congress this week could provide relief to amateurs
prevented by private deed covenants, conditions and
restrictions--CC&Rs--from installing outdoor antennas. Rep Steve Israel
(D-NY) introduced the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Consistency Act" on May 14. The bill has been designated H.R. 4720. Rep
Greg Walden, WB7OCE (R-OR)--the only Amateur Radio operator in
Congress--and Rep Pete Sessions (R-TX) have signed on as original
cosponsors.

With respect to ham antennas, the measure would subject private land-use
regulations to the PRB-1 limited federal preemption that now applies
only to governmental zoning and land-use regulations. It contains but
one sentence: "For purposes of the Federal Communications Commission's
regulation relating to station antenna structures in the Amateur Radio
Service (47 CFR 97.15), any private land use rules applicable to such
structures shall be treated as a state or local regulation and shall be
subject to the same requirements and limitations as a state or local
regulation."

H.R. 4720 is expected to be assigned to the Telecommunications and
Internet Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Israel, whose father, Howard, is K2JCC, noted in a statement read into
the Congressional Record that the FCC does not now apply PRB-1
consistently. "My bill addresses this issue and provides amateur radio
licensees with the ability to negotiate reasonable accommodation
provisions with homeowners' associations, just as they do now with
public land-use regulators."

After the ARRL ran into a brick wall trying to convince the FCC to
include CC&Rs under PRB-1, the League's Board of Directors agreed to
pursue a congressional remedy. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and
other League officials met with Israel, Walden, Sessions and others on
Capitol Hill earlier this year to discuss the prospect of such a bill
and how it should be worded. With the proposal now in the legislative
hopper, Haynie urged ARRL members to write their members of Congress and
voice support for the measure.

Haynie said the important thing to point out is that the bill, if passed
by both houses of Congress and signed by the president, would give
amateurs living under CC&Rs an opportunity for reasonable accommodation
they don't have now.

Visit the US House of Representatives "Write Your Representative
Service" Web page <http://www.house.gov/writerep/> for information on
how to contact your representative. A sample letter is available on the
ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/05/14/102/sample-letter.html>.

ARRL requests those writing or e-mailing members of Congress to copy
ARRL on their correspondence--via e-mail to ccr-bill@arrl.org or via US
Mail to CC&R Bill, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Include the
bill number--H.R. 4720--your name and address on all correspondence.

==>FCC RELEASES DETAILS OF 5 MHz, 136 kHz AND 2400-2402 MHz PROPOSALS

The FCC has released the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in ET Docket
02-98, which proposes to create new amateur allocations at 5 MHz and 136
kHz and to elevate the status of Amateur Radio at 2400 to 2402 MHz from
secondary to primary. In response to separate petitions filed by the
ARRL, the FCC voted unanimously May 2 to adopt the NPRM in ET Docket
02-98.

The Commission announced in a Public Notice released May 9 that it would
propose a new, secondary, domestic (US-only) HF allocation at 5.25 to
5.4 MHz and a new LF allocation 135.7 to 137.8 kHz. If eventually
approved, the 5 MHz band would be the first new HF allocation since the
early 1980s, when amateurs got 30, 17 and 12 meters. The LF allocation
would be the first ever for US hams. The FCC said it received 87
comments on the 5 MHz proposal and 32 comments on the LF proposal.

"We agree with ARRL that propagation and interference conditions in the
3500 kHz and 7000 kHz bands could hinder effective amateur HF
communications," the FCC said in its NPRM. "In particular, as ARRL
indicates, the nature of the ionosphere prevents communications during
certain portions of the day because of increased atmospheric noise
levels at certain times on certain frequencies."

The FCC said ARRL's WA2XSY experimental operation "appears to support
its contention" that the band could supplement  80 and 40 meters at
certain times.

The FCC has proposed letting amateurs operate at full legal limit on a
new 5 MHz allocation, but it left open for further discussion whether to
restrict the band to Amateur Extra Class licensees or make it available
to General and higher class licensees. The FCC also invited further
comment on whether the band should be broken down into mode-specific
subbands. The ARRL had proposed opening the entire band to RTTY, data
(including CW), phone and image emission types.

Assuming the 5-MHz band eventually is authorized, it could be a few
years before it actually becomes available. The band 5.250 to 5.450 MHz
now is allocated to Fixed and Mobile services on a co-primary basis in
all three ITU regions.

On 136 kHz, the FCC has proposed mirroring technical limits suggested by
Canada during World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 preparations to 1
W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and with a transmission
bandwidth of only 100 Hz. The ARRL has asked for than 2 W EIRP and a
maximum transmitter power of 200 W PEP.

The FCC proposed no restrictions on antenna size or design, saying it
did not want to inhibit experimentation by hams. It proposed to limit
access to the band to General and higher-class licensees, as ARRL had
proposed.

The FCC said it was reluctant to also propose allocating an amateur band
at 160 to 190 kHz--as ARRL had requested--because of concerns about
possible interference to unlicensed power line carrier (PLC) systems in
that band. The FCC noted it had turned down a 1978 ARRL petition for the
same reason.

The FCC said ARRL's request to upgrade the 2400-2402 MHz band "has
merit." It did not propose any changes in service rules or operational
requirements.

The NPRM is available on the FCC Web site
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-136A1.doc>.
The FCC is expected to soon make this proceeding available for comments
filed via its Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Visit the ECFS
site <http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html>, click on "Search for Filed
Comments" and enter "02-98" in the "Proceeding" field.

==>FORUMS HIGHLIGHT ARRL'S 2002 DAYTON ACTIVITIES

Dayton Hamvention 2002 gets under way Friday, May 17 and continues
through Sunday, May 19. Again this year, ARRL will bring a significant
presence to Hamvention. In addition to the ARRL concession in North
Hall--where visitors can purchase ARRL publications and other products,
ask questions or pick up free informational material--League personnel,
officials and representatives of ARRL's extended family will be taking
part in several Dayton forums and activities.

ARRL Great Lakes Division Director George Race, WB8BGY, will moderate
the ARRL Forum on Saturday, 8:15-9:45 AM, in Room 3. Featured speakers
will include President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and Chief Executive Officer
David Sumner, K1ZZ, who will also take questions from the floor. Other
participants will include Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH;
Great Lakes Vice Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA; and Great Lakes Division
Assistant Director for Development Gary Des Combes, N8EMO.

ARRL Public Relations Committee member Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, will
moderate the ARRL Public Relations Forum Sunday, 8:30-10 AM, in Room 1.
The theme of this year's forum is "Emergency Response: Telling the
Amateur Radio Story." This informative session will cover the many
public relations issues hams face when emergency strikes--including how
one Public Information Coordinator handled the press after September 11
in New York City.

In addition:

* ARRL Dakota Division Director Jay Bellows, K0QB, will participate in
the Ham Radio and the Law Forum, Friday, noon-1:30 PM, in Room 3.

* ARRL RF Safety Committee Chairman Greg Lapin, N9GL, will moderate the
RF Safety Forum, Friday, 1:45-2:45 PM, in Room 4. Lapin will address the
question, "How do we know what is safe?" Lapin also will discuss RF
safety issues and the news media. ARRL Lab Supervisor Ed Hare, W1RFI,
will speak on the topic, "How do we keep our stations within the safety
limits?" Hare will demonstrate how to perform the required RF safety
assessment.

* QEX Editor Doug Smith, KF6DX, who chairs the ARRL Digital Voice
Working Group, will moderate the Digital Voice Forum, Sunday, 10:15
AM-noon, in Room 1. The session will feature discussions and live audio
demonstrations plus presentations from world-renowned authorities on
digital-audio hardware, software and other technical details.

* QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, will discuss "The Fascination of PSK31"
at the PSK31 Forum, Friday, 8:15-10 AM, in Room 1.

This year's Dayton Hamvention marks the event's 50th year and the 51st
show. For more information, visit the Dayton Hamvention Web site
<http://www.hamvention.org>.

==>EXPEDITION 4 CREW WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL STRING OF ARISS SCHOOL QSOS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contacts
will be taking a break of several weeks. Astronaut Dan Bursch, KD5PNU,
this week completed the last QSO in a string of largely successful ARISS
school contacts by Expedition 4 crew members. Taking the controls of
NA1SS on May 14, Bursch answered questions posed by 15 students from the
Bordertown School in Bordertown, Australia.

Bursch was able to answer all of the students questions. Near the end of
the contact, he told the students to make the most of their education in
order to achieve their dreams and goals.

Hundreds of excited students and parents gave Bursch a huge cheer as the
ISS went over the horizon and the contact ended. The event was covered
on Australian radio and TV in prime time--at 8:30 PM local time in
Bordertown.

Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, in South Australia was the school mentor and the
master of ceremonies for the event, which was made possible via a
WorldCom teleconferencing circuit with Gerald Klatzko, ZS6BTD, in South
Africa.

ARISS School Contacts Coordinator Tim Bosma, W6ISS, took advantage of
the occasion of the last Expedition 4 school contact to thank all
involved for helping to make it--and the ARISS school contacts
program--a success.

"I want to thank everyone involved; the folks at NASA who support this
program; the volunteer mentors who prepare the students and the schools;
the telebridge station operators who frequently have to get up in the
middle of the night to make these contacts; and the
organizations--WorldCom, AMSAT and the ARRL," Bosma said.

"Your support for this educational program makes it possible for
students to talk to the astronauts and get excited about careers in
science. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students,
teachers and the parents, and it does make a difference."

ARISS school contacts will resume in late June after the Expedition 5
crew of mission commander and US astronaut Peggy Whitson, KC5ZTD, and
Russian cosmonauts Valeri Korzun and Sergei Treschev settles in aboard
the ISS.--Tim Bosma, W6ISS/ARISS

==>ARRL ASKS FCC TO PULL 2390-2400 MHz OUT OF PLAY AS "REPLACEMENT
SPECTRUM"

The ARRL has asked the FCC to pull the 2390-2400 MHz amateur band out of
consideration as possible "replacement spectrum" for relocated 800-MHz
Public Safety band users. But the ARRL did leave the FCC some wiggle
room. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WT Docket 02-55)--released in
mid-March--invited comments on either sharing the band with displaced
Public Safety services or moving amateurs elsewhere.

"The band is unavailable for relocation of Nextel or other CMRS
services, and should not be under consideration in this proceeding," the
ARRL told the FCC in comments filed May 6. The FCC had referred to
2390-2400 MHz as an "Unlicensed PCS Band," but, as the League reminded
the Commission, "That band is allocated on a primary basis to the
Amateur Service domestically."

In 1995, the FCC accepted a proposal negotiated by ARRL and Apple
Computer that involved a compatible sharing proposal for 2390-2400 MHz.
Under the plan, the band was allocated on a primary basis to the Amateur
Service and made available for use by asynchronous unlicensed Personal
Communications Service (UPCS) devices regulated under Part 15. In the
current proceeding, the FCC also sought comments on whether existing
UPCS operations could continue in the band or be forced to cease.

The FCC has said that increasing incidents of harmful interference to
public safety systems in the 800-MHz band prompted the latest rulemaking
proceeding, "Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz
Band." The Commission said its discussion of 2390-2400 MHz and other
segments in terms of replacement spectrum was intended to be
"illustrative rather than exclusive" and that other bands "may also
merit consideration."

Last summer, the FCC invited comments on proposals to reallocate some
spectrum in the 2390 to 2400 MHz amateur segment--as well as in the
non-amateur 1.9 and 2.1 GHz bands--for possible use by unspecified
mobile and fixed services. The Commission has proposed 2390 to 2400 MHz
and other bands to support the introduction of advanced wireless
services, including so-called third-generation (3G) mobile systems.

The ARRL said it's not prepared to speculate on relocation spectrum for
amateurs if the primary amateur allocation is modified in either
proceeding and amateurs are displaced. The League suggested that "some
reaccommodation" might be made if the FCC allocates 2300-2305 MHz to the
Amateur Service on a primary basis.

"While that would be, at best, an incomplete solution for the Amateur
Service, it might contribute to the availability of some portion of the
2390-2400 MHz band for displaced 800 MHz licensees," the ARRL said. The
ARRL already has petitioned the FCC for primary status at 2300 to 2305
MHz. The petition faces competition from AeroAstro, which wants
co-primary status with the Amateur Service for its commercial
satellite-based location service.

The ARRL said it's "a simple matter" to conclude that there is no
compatibility between displaced 800 MHz incumbents and amateurs in the
band anymore than there would be to share it with advanced wireless
services, as earlier suggested.

"Sharing between the Amateur Service and commercial services, especially
mobile commercial services, is extremely difficult generally," the ARRL
concluded.

The FCC recently proposed upgrading the adjacent Amateur Radio 2400-2402
MHz allocation from secondary to primary, mainly to protect satellite
operations. The AO-40 satellite has been successfully using the band for
downlink telemetry and transponder operation, and AMSAT plans a similar
downlink for its next satellite project. The Amateur Service already is
primary at 2402-2417 MHz. There's a secondary amateur allocation at
2417-2450 MHz.

The complete NPRM and a copy of ARRL's comments are available via the
FCC Electronic Comment Filing System Web site
<http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html>. Click on "Search for Filed
Comments" and enter "02-55" in the "Proceeding" field.

==>LOG CHECKING REPORTS FOR ARRL CONTESTS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Log Checking Reports (LCRs) now are available for selected ARRL
contests. These documents provide a detailed error analysis of a contest
entry. LCRs will be available for selected events commencing with the
2001 ARRL November CW Sweepstakes. ARRL members may access the available
reports on the ARRL Web site
<www.arrl.org/members-only/contests/lcr.html>. To access your reports,
you must be registered on the ARRL Web site as a League member.

ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, said that while the
League recognizes that it's useful for participants to review errors
found in their contest logs, the ARRL has established firm guidelines
regarding how it will address inquiries.

"Simply put, we will not enter into discussions or debates over
individual QSOs," Henderson said. "All electronic log data is checked
using custom software. All logs are judged by the same criteria."
Henderson said the policy was dictated by the need to minimize staff
time and avoid any inequities in the treatment of individual contest
entries.

Henderson said the log-checking software can--and does--perform a good
job of impartially adjudicating the logs. While audio tapes or files of
particular QSOs, e-mail confirmations from others or other types of
"documentation" can be useful for a contester's research and learning,
they "usually are not definitive and will not be considered" in the
event of a dispute.

The only exception might be in the rare event that a log file was
corrupted during transmission to the ARRL. "We will deal with these
problems as necessary," Henderson said.

Reports may be accessed as soon as the results for the ARRL contest
become available. For single operators, your log-in username (call sign)
must be the same as the one that appears on the log submitted for the
event. If you were a guest operator at another station or part of a
multioperator entry, you may access the LCR for that entry if your call
sign appears as an operator in the Cabrillo header (summary) for that
log. ARRL members without Internet access may request their LCR free of
charge by sending a request and an SASE to LCR Request, ARRL, Contesting
Branch, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

Non-ARRL members may obtain LCRs by mailing a request along with $3 and
an SASE for each event (eg, the Phone and CW weekends of the ARRL
November Sweepstakes count as separate events). For each request,
include the name and year of the contest as well as the call sign of the
entry.

Henderson said the style and format for each LCR may differ from contest
to contest, since the various operating events are checked and processed
by different software. For more information, contact Henderson via
e-mail contests@arrl.org or by telephone 860-594-0232.

==>PAST ARRL, IARU PRESIDENT ROBERT W. DENNISTON, W0DX/VP2VI, SK

Past ARRL President and DXpedition pioneer Bob Denniston, VP2VI and
W0DX, of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, died unexpectedly in his sleep
May 12 or 13. He was 83. Denniston served as ARRL president from 1966
until 1972 and as International Amateur Radio Union president from 1966
until 1974. He later was elected an ARRL honorary vice president.

"He was an Amateur Radio icon, and he will be missed," said ARRL
President Jim Haynie, W5JBP. "Our condolences go out to his family and
many friends."

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said that Denniston
traveled extensively during his years as IARU president to promote IARU
membership and build support for Amateur Radio in anticipation of what
eventually became the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference. As a
result of WARC-79, Amateur Radio gained allocations at 30, 17 and 12
meters.

Denniston was a founding director of the IARU Region 3 Association in
1968 and served as chairman of the Second IARU Region 3 Conference in
Tokyo in 1971. In 1972, he went to Managua, Nicaragua, to deliver
equipment and to assist personally in providing communications in the
aftermath of a major earthquake.

Japan Amateur Radio League President Shozo Hara, JA1AN, called Denniston
"a great leader" of Amateur Radio who would be long remembered.

After heading up the "Gon-Waki" VP7NG DXpedition to the Bahamas during
the 1948 ARRL International DX Contest, Denniston--then W4NNN--was
credited with being the "father of the modern DXpedition." The
DXpedition's name was a spoof on Thor Heyerdahl's "Kon-Tiki" expedition
the previous year. (The full "Gon-Waki" story appeared in QST, Jul 1948,
page 80.)

Denniston has said he didn't realize at the time that he was inventing
the concept, and he credited CM9AA with coining the expression
"DXpedition." In recent years, he and a group of friends commemorated
the 1948 "Gon Waki" milestone each March, setting up vintage equipment
and using simple wire antennas and hand keys to replicate the flavor of
the original DXpedition from his Tortola QTH.

Long-time friend Jim Livengood, W0NB (ex-KP2L), operated with Denniston
during some of the "Gon-Waki" recreations. "Bob was a treasure,"
Livengood said. Livengood credited Denniston with "lighting the fire"
that led him into Amateur Radio and a career in broadcasting. "Bob was
coaching new hams in the British and US Virgin Islands as late as this
spring," he said."Bob loved our hobby, promoted its growth, and was an
ardent supporter of the League as long as I knew him."

Denniston's other firsts included Clipperton Island (FO8AJ) in 1954 and
Malpelo (HK0TU) in 1969. His strategy of visits to rare prefixes helped
earn him a world record ARRL International DX Contest score in 1960 from
VP1JH (now Belize).

"Bob Denniston was the operator's operator," said former ARRL staffer
John Nelson, K0IO (ex-W1GNC), who lives in Denniston's hometown of
Newton, Iowa. Nelson said Denniston promoted use of 160 meters years ago
and always encouraged newcomers to get on the air during Field Day. "It
was fascinating to watch him use a bug," Nelson said, "sending with an
easy-rolling motion of his wrist, and we beginner's took note of how the
rate went way up!"

Denniston was first licensed some 70 years ago as W9NWX at the age of 13
and later held W4NNN and W0NWX. He served for four years in the US Army
Signal Corps and was chief of the radio control section of radio station
WAR at the Pentagon. It was at WAR that he met his wife, Nell--a Women's
Army Corps CW operator. At the end of World War II, Denniston was the
radio operator aboard the presidential train.

Denniston was ARRL Midwest Division Director from 1956 until 1966, when
he was elected as the League's sixth president. While in Iowa, he had
been active in ARES and RACES. He was a Charter Life Member of the ARRL
as well as a charter member and past president of the Potomac Valley
Radio Club. He was the founder and president of the Virgin Islands
Amateur Radio Club.

In his professional life, Denniston was president of Denniston and
Partridge, a firm that operated more than two dozen lumberyards at one
point. When he retired to the British Virgin Islands, he ran Smugglers
Cove Hotel in Tortola.

Denniston's wife, Nell, died two years ago. A son, Matt, and daughter,
Carol, are among his survivors. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Denniston remained active on the ham bands until his death--including
operation on 6 meters during the tremendous openings last year and early
this year. VP2VI QSL Manager Rick Casey, W6RKC, says he will continue to
handle requests for VP2VI cards. Send cards via W6RKC, 10640 Tabeaud Rd,
Pine Grove, CA 95665.

_________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The Anatolian RTTY WW Contest, the His
Majesty the King of Spain Contest (CW) and the Baltic Contest are the
weekend of May 18-19. 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 for the Level III Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Course (EC-003) and for the HF Digital Communications Course (EC-005)
opens Monday, May 20, at 4 PM Eastern Daylight Time. Registration for
the Level II ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (EC-002)
and for the Antenna Modeling Course (EC-004) will remain open through
Sunday, May 19, or until all available seats are filled. Registration
for Level I opens Monday, June 3, at 4 PM EDT. Emergency Communications
courses must be completed in order, starting with Level I. To learn
more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce> and C-CE Links found there. For more
information, contact Certification and Continuing Education Coordinator
Dan Miller, K3UFG, cce@arrl.org.

* Correction: In The ARRL Letter, Vol 21, No 19 (May 10, 2002), a report
on Kenwood's donation of a TS-2000X transceiver contained some incorrect
information on the transceiver's capabilities. The TS-2000X covers all
Amateur Radio bands from 1.8 MHz through 1.2 GHz, with the exception of
902 MHz and transmit capability on 222 MHz. It was reviewed in the July
2001 issue of QST.

* On-line ARRL November Sweepstakes SSB results available: On-line
results for the 2001 ARRL November Sweepstakes (SSB) now are available
on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/>. Included
with these are an expanded contest writeup by Kelly Taylor, VE4XT; a
searchable database on the results of the Affiliated Club Competition
for Sweepstakes; and other interesting sidebars and photographs.

* Canada authorizes special amateur prefixes: All Canadian Radio
Amateurs have been authorized to use special prefixes to celebrate the
Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. From May 18 through July 18 2002,
the following special prefixes are authorized on a voluntary basis: XM1
for VE1; XM4 for VE4; XM8 for VE8; XL1 for VA1; XM5 for VE5; XM9 for
VE9; XM2 for VE2; XL5 for VA5; XN1 for VO1; XL2 for VA2; XM6 for VE6;
XN2 for VO2; XM3 for VE3; XL6 for VA6; XO0 for VY0; XL3 for VA3; XM7 for
VE7; XO0 for VY1; XL4 for VA4; XL7 for VA7; and XO2 for VY2.--Industry
Canada

* Migrating RV TV amplifiers bringing interference with them: As many
recreational vehicle owners make their seasonal trek northward,
unintentional radio interference may be hitchhiking. As reported in
February 2001 <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2001/02/14/3/>, certain
amplified TV antennas have been found to produce interference in the
400-500 MHz range that could cause problems for Public Safety and
Amateur Radio systems. Winegard has been replacing its offending Sensar
antenna units at no cost. See the Winegard Web site
<http://www.winegard.com/products/mobile/sensar_customers.html> for
details. The FCC's Dave Galosky in the Office of Engineering and
Technology says Winegard estimates there still may be thousands of
defective units in the field. Boat and RV owners using these antennas
may experience interference to onboard systems, such as GPS. According
to the FCC, similar antennas from three other manufacturers also produce
interference. The RadioShack RS 1624--made by TDP electronics--transmits
a spurious emission at 468 MHz and at its second harmonic, 936 MHz. The
Shakespeare Seawatch 2050 antenna and an unspecified antenna model made
by RCA/Thompson also have been reported to generate similar
interference, the FCC says.

===========================================================
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the
American 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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