[LeArc] Fw: The ARRL Letter, Vol 21, No 38

[Joseph L. Rossmiller]

----- Original Message -----
From: "ARRL Letter Mailing List" <letter-dlvy@arrl.org>
To: <ag9y@macomb.com>
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2002 5:58 PM
Subject: The ARRL Letter, Vol 21, No 38


> ***************
> The ARRL Letter
> Vol. 21, No. 38
> September 27, 2002
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * +HR 4720 cosponsor list continues to grow
> * +Ham-Congressman tapped for key US House panel
> * +Astronaut, nieces chat via ham radio
> * +Amateurs assist as Isidore comes ashore
> * +Prose Walker, W4BW, SK
> * +W3ZZ to take reins of "World Above 50 MHz"
> * +Newest Handbook sports slightly different name
> *  Solar Update
> *  IN BRIEF:
>      This weekend on the radio
>      ARRL Emergency Communications course registration opens October 1
>      Correction/clarification
>      Job opening at ARRL Laboratory
>      ARRL requesting JOTA activity registration
>      ARRL International DX Contest phone results now available
>      Lester E. Kendall, W1ABE, SK
>      Paul Knupke Jr, N4PK, SK
>      Argentina to get 136-kHz band
>      Western States Weak Signal Society schedules VHF/UHF conference
>
> +Available on ARRL Audio News
>
> ===========================================================
>
> ==>COSPONSOR LIST FOR CC&R BILL, HR 4720, CONTINUES TO GROW
>
> Four new cosponsors have signed aboard HR 4720, the bill in Congress aimed
> at providing relief to amateurs faced with private deed covenants,
> conditions and restrictions--CC&Rs--in erecting antennas. The latest
> additions make a total of nine new cosponsors in the past month alone. HR
> 4720 has been referred to the House Telecommunications and Internet
> Subcommittee.
>
> To date, 27 members of the US House of Representatives have agreed to
> cosponsor the measure. The list includes two amateurs--Oregon Republican
> Greg Walden, WB7OCE--one of the two original cosponsors of HR 4720 with
> Texas Republican Pete Sessions--and Arkansas Democrat Mike Ross, WD5DVR.
> Walden and Ross are believed to be the only Amateur Radio licensees in the
> US House of Representatives.
>
> Arkansas Section Manager Bob Ideker, WB5VUH, credits the Fort Smith
> Amateur Radio Club with influencing one of the most recent
> cosponsors--Arkansas Republican John Boozman--to sign onto the bill as a
> cosponsor. A third Arkansas congressman, Democrat Marion Berry, also is
> new to the list. "Three congressmen from Arkansas down, one to go!"
> exclaimed Ideker.
>
> Other recent arrivals include representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Zoe
> Lofgren (D-CA), Constance Morella (R-MD), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Mike
> McIntyre (D-NC), Michael McNulty (D-NY), and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI).
>
> On Capitol Hill for a visit September 19, ARRL President Jim Haynie,
> W5JBP, said his meetings with members of Congress and their staff in
> general and with House Internet and Telecommunications Subcommittee
> members in particular were very favorable. "All my work on The Hill on HR
> 4720 was extremely encouraging," Haynie said. "I felt real good about it."
>
> New York Democrat Steve Israel introduced HR 4720--the "Amateur Radio
> Emergency Communications Consistency Act"--on May 14. The measure would
> require private land-use regulators--such as homeowners' associations--to
> "reasonably accommodate" Amateur Radio communication consistent with the
> PRB-1 limited federal preemption. PRB-1 now applies only to states and
> municipalities.
>
> For more information, visit the HR 4720, The Amateur Radio Emergency
> Communications Consistency Act of 2002 page on the ARRL Web site,
> www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr4720. The ARRL requests those writing or
> e-mailing members of Congress--whether or not they are supporting this
> legislation--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. Correspondents should include the bill number, HR
> 4720, as well as their name and address on all correspondence.
>
> ==>HAM-CONGRESSMAN APPOINTED TO KEY HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE
>
> Oregon Republican Congressman Greg Walden, WB7OCE, has been appointed to
> fill a vacancy on the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
> Internet. Walden is one of two amateurs in the US House of
> Representatives, and his appointment to the key House panel is considered
> good news for the amateur community. Walden's appointment was announced by
> House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin, a Republican
> from Louisiana.
>
> "With his extensive background in broadcasting, Greg has a world of
> experience and expertise in telecommunications issues," Tauzin said. "His
> knowledge of the issues will help the Subcommittee address digital
> television, spectrum management, broadband deployment and other
> telecommunications matters."
>
> For his part, Walden said he was elated to become a subcommittee member.
> "I intend to work diligently to help invigorate the economic engine in
> Oregon and across the country," he said. "I am anxious to roll up my
> sleeves for Chairman Tauzin and Chairman Upton and work hard under their
> very effective leadership." Walden, who represents Oregon's second
> congressional district, was elected to Congress in 1998.
>
> Within the amateur community, he's best known as one of the original
> cosponsors--with Texas Republican Pete Sessions--of HR 4720. That's the
> bill pending in Congress aimed at providing relief to amateurs faced with
> private deed covenants, conditions and restrictions--CC&Rs--in erecting
> antennas.
>
> ==>NIECES QUESTION "AUNT PEGGY" DURING ARISS SCHOOL CONTACT
>
> Two of astronaut Peggy Whitson's young nieces were among the youngsters at
> St Mary's School in Martensdale, Iowa, who got to ask questions of their
> Aunt Peggy via Amateur Radio on September 19. Kelsey and Megan Whitson
> each got a chance to ask two questions apiece during the contact, arranged
> via the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.
>
> At one point, Megan Whitson asked her aunt if she would return to space
> again if she had the chance. "Yes, Megan, in a heartbeat. I would go
> again," came back the reply from Peggy Whitson, KC5ZTD, who--as part of
> the Expedition 5 ISS crew--has been in space since early June. Whitson
> said she's most looking forward upon her return to seeing her husband and
> taking a shower. The reply drew laughter from the youngsters at the
> kindergarten through grade 6 school.
>
> Kelsey Whitson wanted to know how her aunt was going to get back to Earth.
> "Kelsey, I'm gonna come down on a shuttle in November, so I'll see you
> then," said Whitson, who that same week was named by NASA as the first
> International Space Station science officer. Whitson holds a doctorate in
> biochemistry from Rice University.
>
> Another youngster, Michaela McIlravy, asked about doing laundry and
> bathing aboard the ISS. "Once our clothes smell bad, we throw them in the
> trash," Whitson said. Blasts from the onboard Amateur Radio packet system
> punctuated the contact and covered an occasional word.
>
> Whitson saved what was perhaps her most eloquent reply for Dustin Loyd's
> question about what it was like to take a space walk.
>
> "As much it is absolutely phenomenal to be on the space station, going
> outside was even more impressive," Whitson responded. "Being in the
> spacesuit is like being in your own little space ship, and it's just
> around you and your body, and being outside made me feel like I was flying
> over the Earth like a bird. It made me feel like I had wings."
>
> The contact with St Mary's was handled via Nancy Rocheleau, WH6PN, in
> Hawaii. Two-way audio for the contact was provided courtesy of a WorldCom
> teleconferencing circuit.
>
> Earlier in the month, Whitson completed a successful ARISS contact with
> students at Glen Waverley Secondary College in Melbourne, Australia.
> Despite the evening hour of the September 12 QSO, more than 130 people
> turned out for the occasion.
>
> ARISS mentor Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, noted "a few antenna problems" in the
> hour before the contact, but Whitson managed to answer 13 questions put to
> her by the students. Their questions reflected concerns over the cost of
> the space program as well as curiosity about the physical effects of
> living in space and the prospects of space tourism.
>
> "The event was well followed by Amateur Radio operators in several states
> of Australia," said Joe Magee VK3BKI, of the Eastern and Mountain
> Districts Radio Club, which assisted with the contact. "Many were
> listening to the downlink, and the contact was the major point of
> discussion on the Melbourne VHF/UHF repeaters for many hours after the
> event and the next day."
>
> ARISS is an international project, with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT
> and NASA.
>
> ==>AMATEURS ASSIST IN ISIDORE RESPONSE
>
> Amateurs in Mississippi rallied to help deal with the effects of former
> tropical storm Isidore, which came ashore September 26. According to
> Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, Isidore dumped at least
> nine inches of rain on the state and caused power outages, tree damage and
> lowland flooding.
>
> Keown said Louisiana, Mississippi and South Texas joined forces according
> to a previous agreement and, earlier this week, activated the West Gulf
> Amateur Radio Emergency Service Net (7285 kHz in the daytime and 3873 kHz
> at night) in preparation for the storm's arrival. The net remained in
> operation all week.
>
> Jackson Metro Emergency Coordinator Ben Jones, AC5SU, organized an Amateur
> Radio Red Cross net, and all five Red Cross shelters in the area were
> equipped with ham radio communication and prepared to keep in touch with
> one another as well as with the Red Cross Emergency Operations Center in
> Jackson. "Red Cross officials were very excited about this" Keown said.
>
> At week's end, the FCC rescinded a general communications emergency that
> had included Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. "Amateurs
> may resume using the frequencies 3873, 3965, 7247 and 7285 kHz (plus or
> minus 3 kHz)," said Joe Casey, deputy chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau.
> "The Federal Communications Commission wishes to thank everyone for their
> cooperation and dedicated amateur service."
>
> On September 25, Jackson County Civil Defense/Emergency Management
> Director Todd Adams, KD5POK, requested activation of the local ARES/RACES
> team to support the American Red Cross and Jackson County government
> agencies. Jackson County EC and RACES Officer Ira Groff, NN5AF, says the
> Jackson County Emergency Net was called up on a local VHF repeater, and 24
> ARES/RACES members and 11 other operators checked in to provide support.
>
> Meanwhile, Sheryl Mathieu, KB5ZIB, Groff, and his wife, Evelyn, KB5ZIA,
> staffed the emergency operations center in Pascagoula. "We were in direct
> communications with the National Hurricane Center in Miami and the
> National Weather Service in Slidell, Louisiana, on HF," Groff said. Thanks
> to the fact that Adams is a certified meteorologist, Groff added, the
> Mississippi amateurs were able to provide vital weather data to the NHC
> and the NWS.
>
> The Red Cross opened four shelters in the county, and some 180 people took
> refuge during the emergency. Seven amateurs were deployed to support
> shelter communications, while two others maintained contact from at the
> American Red Cross building in Pascagoula, Groff said. The emergency
> activation wrapped up around 7:30 AM on September 26.
>
> Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator Nils Millergren, WA4NDA,
> reported this week that ARES members were activated in three counties and
> on standby in another. ARES members staffed both the EOC and two shelters
> in Okaloosa County and one shelter in Walton County. ARES was active in
> the EOC in Escambia County and remained on standby in Santa Rosa County.
>
> The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) <http://www.hwn.org> and W4EHW
> <http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/w4ehw/> at the National Hurricane Center in Miami
> secured September 26 after eight hours effort in support of tropical
> storms Isidore and Lili, neither of which developed into hurricane status
> as had been predicted but did produce heavy rains and serious flood
> threats.
>
> ==>FORMER FCC OFFICIAL A. PROSE WALKER, W4BW, SK
>
> Former FCC official A. Prose Walker, W4BW, the man some consider the
> godfather of the so-called "WARC bands"--30, 17 and 12 meters--died August
> 8 following a brief illness. He was 92. Word of his death reached ARRL
> Headquarters this month.
>
> Walker, who headed the FCC Amateur and Citizens Division from 1971 until
> 1975, made the initial proposal for three new amateur allocations at 10,
> 18 and 24 MHz during an International Amateur Radio Club (4U1ITU) meeting
> in Geneva in 1972. Later, he organized and chaired the US preparatory
> committee for the Amateur Service--the Advisory Committee of Amateur
> Radio--which took the initial steps to turn the idea into reality at the
> 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference. The committee also included
> former ARRL General Manager Richard L. Baldwin, W1RU, who said this week
> that he was greatly saddened to learn of Walker's passing.
>
> "One of my fondest memories of WARC 79 was the pleasure and the challenge
> of working with Prose in preparing for that conference," Baldwin said. "He
> was a stalwart supporter of the Amateur Service, and few amateurs realize
> how very much they owe to him."
>
> Walker's most recent recognition came at Dayton Hamvention 2000, when he
> was recognized with a special achievement award, an honor his daughter,
> Helen Herman, said he coveted among many other more prestigious awards.
> The award recognized his work in obtaining the new amateur allocations
> more than two decades earlier.
>
> An ARRL Life Member and a licensee since the 1920s, Walker was an
> enthusiastic amateur who remained quite active on the air until shortly
> before his death. Only a few months before he died, he bought a
> state-of-the-art transceiver and reveled in becoming acquainted with its
> many features. Walker's favorite operating mode was CW, and he was a
> frequent visitor on the bands he'd helped to create.
>
> A native of Ohio, Walker's career took a number of turns, including a
> stint as a high school teacher, but his primary contributions were in the
> fields of communications and engineering. He did two tour with the FCC and
> also worked for the National Association of Broadcasters  and Collins
> Radio Company.
>
> During his career, Walker earned a global reputation for participation and
> leadership within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He was
> the leading member of the US delegation at more than 20 international
> conferences.
>
> ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, knew Walker and
> occasionally encountered him on the air. "The careers of some radio
> amateurs are so long and so rich that they bridge generations," Sumner
> said. "Prose was among these."
>
> Walker retired to Florida, but after his wife Ellanie died in 1999, he
> moved to Rochester, New York, to be near his daughter, Helen. A memorial
> service will be held later this year.
>
> ==>W3ZZ, TO BECOME NEW "WORLD ABOVE 50 MHZ" EDITOR
>
> A venerable QST institution is getting a new editor. Starting with the
> December issue, Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, will take
> over the reins of "The World Above 50 MHz" from Emil Pocock, W3EP, who has
> handled the column for the past 10 years.
>
> "The VHF and above area has been an interest of mine since I was first
> licensed," says Zimmerman, a ham since 1956.
>
> Among other accomplishments, Zimmerman has logged several national top-10
> finishes in the ARRL November Sweepstakes (both modes) as well as a
> second-place North American finish in the CQ World Wide CW event (from
> VP2MDD). He's also bagged several national top-10 finishes in ARRL VHF
> parties and in the ARRL VHF Sweepstakes.
>
> After his forays into HF DXing and contesting, Zimmerman returned to VHF
> in the early 1980s. Operating from his home in Maryland, he's progressed
> to a setup that covers 6 meters through 70 cm with full legal limit amps
> plus gear for 903 MHz through 10 GHz--"when it all works," he quips.
>
> Even in "the world above 50 MHz," Zimmerman says he's more of a DXer than
> a contester. He holds VUCC on 50 through 1296 MHz with more than 800 grids
> confirmed on 6 meters alone and 250 on 2 meters. He's also a frequent
> participant on the VHF convention scene.
>
> A Life Member of ARRL, Zimmerman has served on the ARRL Contest Advisory
> Committee, edited the VHF contesting column for CQ Contest magazine during
> its five-year lifespan and was director from 2000 until 2002 of the CQ VHF
> Contest.
>
> QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, credited Pocock, the retiring editor, with
> popularizing VHF operating for the non-VHF community. "Emil used his
> column as a forum to encourage interest among beginners," Ford said. He
> also broadened the column's scope to embrace activities not often
> described in the amateur press and described propagation phenomena in a
> way that all hams could understand, he added.
>
> ==>NEWEST ARRL HANDBOOK EDITION SPORTS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT NAME
>
> Sharp-eyed QST readers will notice a slight difference in the title on the
> cover of the 80th edition of The ARRL Handbook. The 2003 edition of the
> famous reference book, dubbed "the most respected communications resource
> for hams, engineers and technicians since 1926," is advertised for the
> first time on page 7 of the October issue of QST and is now available for
> ordering. Starting with the 2003 edition, it's now officially called The
> ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications.
>
> "The name change from The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs epitomizes the
> Handbook's known appeal in non-amateur circles," says ARRL Marketing
> Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "The book remains largely written by radio
> amateurs for radio amateurs."
>
> Inderbitzen notes that for many years, the Handbook has enjoyed broad
> appeal among electronic technicians and engineers, instructors and
> students, and even government and private researchers, whether or not they
> also happened to be Amateur Radio licensees. "We hope the small name
> change will make it easier for users in our non-traditional markets to
> locate this excellent ARRL resource," Inderbitzen said.
>
> The cover of the 2003 Handbook sports a photograph of the high-power,
> automatic "EZ-Tuner" project by Jim Garland, W8ZR. The project, which also
> won the QST Cover Plaque Award for the April 2002 issue, is among those
> included in the 2003 edition.
>
> Among other things, the 2003 edition of the Handbook includes updated and
> comprehensive chapters on modulation sources--including digital voice--and
> on digital signal processing (DSP) technology. Other changes include a
> revised chapter on safety practices.
>
> The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications (2003) now is available for
> ordering via the ARRL Web catalog <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/>. The
> softcover edition <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=1921> is $34.95; the
> hardcover edition <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=1948> is $49.95 and
> available in limited supply. Orders are expected to ship in mid-October.
>
> The Handbook CD for Radio Communications (2003) Version 7.0
> <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=1956> is $39.95 and includes the entire
> 2003 edition of The ARRL Handbook as a fully searchable, easy-to-use
> CD-ROM. It will ship in November.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Solar seer Tad "Dancing in Sunshine" Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington,
> reports: Over the seven-day period September 19-25 conditions were quiet
> with no real geomagnetic activity except some unsettled conditions on the
> September 19. The sun has also been quiet.
>
> Average sunspot numbers were down slightly for the past week and average
> solar flux was down quite a lot. Solar flux over the past two weeks has
> declined from more than 200 toward 150. Over the next few days it is
> expected to go below 140. After October 3 sunspots and solar flux are
> expected to rise, based upon the previous solar rotation. Flux values are
> expected to reach 200 again in the second week of October. Currently
> holographic images show no substantial sunspots on the sun's far side.
>
> We are now in the fall season, a great time for HF DX. Openings are better
> and longer, particularly on the higher bands. Although solar activity is
> still fairly high, we have passed the peak of the sunspot cycle, and this
> fall will probably be far better for HF propagation than next fall.
>
> The 10 and 12-meter bands now are open to parts of the world that were
> unheard a couple of months back. For most of North America 10 and 12
> should be open in the middle of the day toward Europe, during all daylight
> hours toward South America, and to Asia and the Pacific late in the
> afternoon to early evening. Twelve meters will generally open earlier and
> close later than ten meters.
>
> For the CQ/RJ Worldwide RTTY Contest this weekend expect good conditions
> with no radio blackouts or solar flares likely.
>
> Sunspot numbers for September 19 through 25 were 206, 237, 217, 218, 209,
> 240 and 230, with a mean of 222.4. The 10.7-cm flux was 165.3, 164.4,
> 158.6, 160, 153.8, 157.9, and 153.4, with a mean of 159.1. Estimated
> planetary A indices were 13, 6, 9, 9, 5, 6, and 6, with a mean of 7.7.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This weekend on the radio: The CQ/RJ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY), the
> Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB). the Alabama, Louisiana and Texas QSO
> parties, and the Anatolian DX Contest are the weekend of September 28-29.
> JUST AHEAD: The SARL 80-Meter QSO Party is October 3. The TARA PSK31
> Rumble, the Oceania DX Contest (SSB), the EU Autumn Sprint (SSB), the
> California QSO Party, the QCWA QSO Party, the Pro CW Contest and the RSGB
> 21/28 MHz Contest (SSB) are the weekend of October 5-6. 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 Emergency Communications Course Registration Opens October 1:
> Registration opens Tuesday, October 1, 4 PM Eastern Daylight Time (2000
> UTC), for the ARRL Level I Emergency Communications course (EC-001)
> supported by the recent federal homeland security grant from the
> Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). This class is
> reserved for up to 200 ARRL members who now hold official ARRL field
> appointments (ie, ACC, ASM, BM, DEC, EC, LGL, NM, OBS, OES, OO, OOC, ORS,
> PIC, PIO, SEC, SGL, SM, STM, TC or TS). Members who hold an informal
> Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) appointment will be eligible if
> registered by their respective ARRL section managers or section emergency
> coordinators. Registration will remain open until Monday, October 14, or
> until all 200 seats have been filled--whichever comes first. Seating is on
> a first-come, first-served basis. Students taking advantage of Level I
> emergency communications training under the CNCS grant program will be
> asked to pay for the course via credit card during registration. Upon
> successfully completing the training and certification, students will be
> reimbursed the $45 fee. For more information, visit the ARRL Certification
> and Continuing Education Course Syllabi Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/cce/syllabus.html> or contact Emergency
> Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org;
> 860-594-0340.
>
> * Correction/clarification: The correct link to the ICOM Digital Voice
> system Web site mentioned in the article "Digital Aficionados Turn Out for
> 2002 ARRL/TAPR Conference" in The ARRL Letter, Vol 21, No 37, should be
> http://www.tapr.org/tapr/dv/DStar%20brochure.pdf>. The audio sample file
> mentioned is available on the ARRL Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/09/16/1/audio.m3u>.
>
> * Job opening at ARRL Laboratory: The ARRL Laboratory has a job opening
> for an RFI/EMC specialist. The successful candidate will work at ARRL
> Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, on a variety of technical projects
> and programs relating to radio-frequency interference and its effect on
> the Amateur Radio Service. An Amateur Radio license and experience is
> required for this position. This job is a unique opportunity to work with
> ARRL members, the FCC, industry groups and standards organizations to make
> a real difference in this critical area for Amateur Radio. Some additional
> duties of this position are: Works with amateurs to find solutions to RFI
> problems; maintains and improves ARRL's RFI information; writes articles,
> book material and papers about RFI; and develops and maintains a database
> for tracking and documenting RFI problems. Send a resume and salary
> expectations to Bob Boucher, Personnel Manager, ARRL, 225 Main St,
> Newington, CT 06111. Resumes may be sent via e-mail to rboucher@arrl.org.
> No telephone calls, please. ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.
>
> * ARRL requesting JOTA activity registration: Scouting's annual Jamboree
> On The Air (JOTA) takes place Saturday October 19 through Sunday October
> 20 (local time and always the third weekend of October). For the first
> time, ARRL is requesting that any club or individual planning to be active
> during the 2002 JOTA activity register on the "Youth Skeds" page on the
> ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/youthskeds/>. (Set the
> expiration for the day after JOTA, October 21.) The idea is to provide a
> database of scheduled JOTA activity in advance of the event to help more
> scouting groups to participate in JOTA 2002. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,
> Brownies and Venture Scouts soon will take to the airwaves in an effort to
> communicate with each other via Amateur Radio. As many as 400,000 Scouts,
> scouters and other youth have participated in JOTA in the past, and it's
> become the world's largest scouting event! JOTA provides another way to
> expose youth to Amateur Radio by showing them a great time as well as
> helping them to meet new friends, share stories of past scout experiences,
> and, ultimately, to light the spark that inspires them to pursue their own
> Amateur Radio licenses. For more information, visit the JOTA page on the
> ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/jota.html>.
>
> * ARRL International DX Contest phone results now available: The ARRL has
> posted the results of the 2002 ARRL International DX Contest (Phone)
> event, held last March 2-3. The results are now on the ARRL Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/>. Some of the information--such as
> an Adobe PDF document of the QST contest article and the search
> database--is accessible only by ARRL members, nonmembers are able to
> access the online Soapbox. The QST contest article will be available to
> all in about one month.
>
> * Lester E. Kendall, W1ABE, SK: One of the ARRL's oldest members has died.
> Lester Kendall, W1ABE, of Newport, Rhode Island, died September 1. He was
> 100 years old. Last March, The Newport County Radio Club honored Kendall
> on his 100th birthday. Kendall was licensed in 1927 and still held his
> original call sign 75 years later.
>
> * Paul Knupke Jr, N4PK, SK: Paul Knupke Jr, N4PK, of Largo, Florida, died
> unexpectedly September 24. He was 31. The cause of death has not been
> determined. An ARRL Life Member, Knupke was an Assistant Section Manager
> and Webmaster for the West Central Florida Section. He also was president
> of the Tampa Bay Hamfest, president of the Florida Gulf Coast Amateur
> Radio Council and District 4 Director for the Florida Repeater Council. He
> was a past president of the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society and served as
> its secretary, Webmaster and newsletter editor. "He was an active
> contester and had a real passion for Amateur Radio," said West Central
> Florida Section Manager Dave Armbrust, AE4MR, who called Knupke "one of
> Amateur Radio's shining stars." Survivors include his father, Paul E.
> Knupke, K4PEK. Knupke's family invites contributions in his memory to the
> Paul Knupke Jr Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Alan J. Pickering, 720 N
> Shore Boulevard NE, St Petersburg, FL 33701-2623. The James Reese Funeral
> Home <http://www.reesefuneral.com> is handling arrangements. A funeral
> mass will be said October 1.
>
> * Argentina to get 136-kHz band: Radio Club Argentino
> <http://www.lu4aa.org> President Roberto Beviglia, LU4BR, reports that
> Argentinian amateurs will be the next to gain access to the 136-kHz LF
> band. As a result of a rule proposal the club made to federal officials,
> he reports, a portion of the 136-kHz band has been allocated to the
> Amateur Service on a secondary basis in Argentina. The segment 135.7 to
> 137.8 kHz will be coordinated by the Radio Club Argentino until it is
> finally assigned on a primary basis within a year.
>
> * Western States Weak Signal Society schedules VHF/UHF conference: The
> Western States Weak Signal Society will host a VHF/UHF conference October
> 12 at the Cerritos Sheraton, 12725 Center Court Drive, Cerritos,
> California. Activities will include demonstrations of weak-signal
> operating on Friday, Oct 11, as well as a swap event on Sunday, Oct 13.
> The Saturday evening banquet will feature ARRL First Vice President Joel
> Harrison, W5ZN, a long-time VHF/UHF enthusiast. ARRL Southwestern Division
> Director Art Goddard, W6XD, also is scheduled to be on hand. More
> information and a registration form are available on the Western States
> Weak Signal Society Web site <http://www.wswss.org>. Proceedings will be
> available via the ARRL online catalog for $20. Order Item 8748.
>
> ===========================================================
> 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
>
> The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of
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>
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>