From n1ist@arrl.net  Sat Apr  5 02:36:51 2003
From: n1ist@arrl.net (Michael L. Ardai)
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2003 21:36:51 -0500
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 14
Message-ID: <03040421365106@maven.atb.teradyne.com>

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Subj:	The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 14

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 14
April 4, 2003
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +CC&R bill back in Congress
* +Spectrum Protection Act attracts major cosponsor
* +Astronauts share ARISS school QSO duties
* +Two ham-astronauts named as next ISS crew
* +ARRL inaugurates WRC-03 Web campaign
* +ARRL staffer Al Alvareztorres, AA1DO, SK
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Emergency Communications course registration
    +ST0RY Sudan operation is QRT
     Baghdad ham club station dismantled prior to bombing
     Cingular Wireless petition cites ARRL Part 15 position
     Number of grant-sponsored ARECC grads tops 1000
     When does a CSCE also confer HF operating authority?
     YHOTY nominations open
     International DX Convention set for May 2-4
     WQ4L is NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award winner
     Boston Marathon still needs ham radio volunteers

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================

==>HAM RADIO "CC&R BILL" REINTRODUCED IN CONGRESS

Another Congressional attempt is under way to provide relief to amateurs
prevented by private deed covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs)
from installing outdoor antennas. Rep Steve Israel (D-NY) has again
introduced the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act"
into the current session of Congress. The measure, designated HR 1478,
would require private land-use regulators such as homeowners' associations
to "reasonably accommodate" Amateur Radio antennas consistent with the
PRB-1 limited federal preemption. PRB-1 now applies only to states and
municipalities.

In remarks introducing HR 1478, Israel said passage of his bill not only
would assist Amateur Radio operators but society as a whole. "Organized
Amateur Radio operators--or "hams"--regularly provide emergency
communication when regular communications channels are disrupted by
disaster," Israel pointed out. The growth of developed communities has put
a growing number of hams under an "array of inconsistent regulations," he
said, that make it harder and harder--or altogether impossible--to erect
the necessary antennas.

"Not allowing hams the equipment they need could restrict communication to
the local community in similar situations in the future." Israel said his
bill "seeks to ensure the continued viability of Amateur Radio through
consistent application of federal regulations."

The one-sentence measure is identical to the text of the CC&R bill that
was introduced in the last Congress: "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."

HR 1478 has bipartisan support. Leading the list of 13 initial cosponsors
for the measure are Reps Greg Walden, WB7OCE, (R-OR) and Mike Ross,
WD5DVR, (D-AR)--believed to be the only Amateur Radio licensees in
Congress. Joining them are representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roscoe
Bartlett (R-MD), Marion Berry (D-AR), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Jo Ann Davis
(R-VA), Ralph Hall (D-TX), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Michael McNulty
(D-NY), Dennis Moore (D-KS), Charles Taylor (R-NC) and Patrick Tiberi
(R-OH).

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, said he was happy to see the bill back
before Congress. "Of course I am very pleased that Rep Israel has
reintroduced the bill," Haynie said. "The League can do the mechanics, but
it is now up to our members to write their elected representative and urge
support and ask that they cosponsor and support the bill." Haynie noted
that the League has recently ramped up its efforts to educate members of
Congress about Amateur Radio, but he said lawmakers respond best to
individual members.

HR 1478 has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Information about the bill and a sample letter to use when contacting your
representative are available on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr1478/>.

==>COMMUNICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR COSPONSORS SPECTRUM PROTECTION ACT

The chairman of the Senate Communications Subcommittee, Montana Republican
Conrad Burns, has signed on as a cosponsor of the Amateur Radio Spectrum
Protection Act, Senate Bill 537. The commitment by Burns, the expected
architect of the Senate's spectrum management legislation, indicates that
the measure--an ARRL initiative on its third attempt in Congress--now has
his attention. Burns' cosponsorship also could convince others to follow
suit.

The Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2003 has been introduced in
both chambers of Congress. Florida Rep Michael Bilirakis filed the House
version of the bill, HR 713, on February 12, while Idaho Sen Michael Crapo
introduced the Senate version, S 537, on March 6.

The legislation would amend the Communications Act to require the FCC to
provide "equivalent replacement spectrum" to Amateur Radio and the
Amateur-Satellite Service in the event of a reallocation of primary
amateur allocations, any reduction in secondary amateur allocations, or
additional allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce
their utility to amateurs. Bilirakis and Crapo, both Republicans, have
twice before sponsored similar legislation at the League's recommendation.

The bills point out Amateur Radio's volunteer role in providing emergency
communication "before, during, and after floods, hurricanes, tornadoes,
forest fires, earthquakes, blizzards, train accidents, chemical spills,
and other disasters." They also note that FCC actions "have resulted in
the loss of at least 107 MHz of spectrum to radio amateurs."

A Billings, Montana, amateur with a professional and personal relationship
with Burns--ARRL member Terry Whiteside, W7WWW--was instrumental in
calling the senator's attention to the measure. A transportation attorney,
Whiteside called the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act "a natural" for
inclusion in spectrum management and reform legislation expected to come
out of this session of Congress.

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has encouraged League members to urge
their senators and representatives and to cosponsor the bills.
Cosponsorhip lends support to legislation while it's in committee. The
House bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and
the Internet; the Senate bill will be considered by the Commerce, Science,
and Transportation Committee. "Letters and e-mails are the key to getting
legislation passed," Haynie says. So far, there are three Senate and 15
House cosponsors.

A sample letter is available on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/arspa.html>. Those writing their
lawmakers are asked to copy their correspondence to the League via e-mail
<specbill03@arrl.org>. The text of HR 713 and S 537 is available via the
Thomas Web site <http://thomas.loc.gov/>.

==>PETTIT, BOWERSOX SHARE ARISS SCHOOL QSO DUTIES

US astronauts Don Pettit, KD5MDT, and Ken Bowersox, KD5JBP, handled
separate Amateur Radio on the International Space Station school QSOs
March 26. In the morning (UTC), Pettit answered 20 questions put to him by
students at Japan's Higashi Kaneko Junior High School. Later that day,
Bowersox, the Expedition 6 crew commander, did the same for the Selnica
Primary School in Slovenia, where the control operator asked the
questions. The second contact marked the first ARISS QSO involving a
school in Slovenia.

"During the course of our mission, we will celebrate two birthdays in
space," Pettit informed one of the students in Japan who had asked if the
crew had planned any parties in space. "We have already celebrated the
birthday of our commander, and in April, we will be celebrating my
birthday." Actually, Bowersox turned 46 last November 14, just before the
crew launched on its journey to the ISS. Pettit will be 48 on April 20.
Pettit told the students that he was just 12 when he decided to become an
astronaut.

Pettit said he would be able to see Japan from space but there are no
windows in the Service Module, where the NA1SS ham gear is located. Pettit
said he spends his free time mostly doing science projects and catching up
on his notes on his computer.

The aurora borealis--the northern lights--is quite a sight when viewed
from space, Pettit said. "The northern aurora is most beautiful!" he
exclaimed. "It reminds me of a glowing cloud in the sky. I can't think of
any other natural event that is more beautiful than aurora." Seventeen
students participated in the contact from 8N1ISS.

Students at the Selnica Primary School in Slovenia enjoyed listening in on
an evening space chat with Bowersox during which they could also see the
spacecraft passing overhead. The ARISS QSO was a public event, with a
local Boy Scout club station, S59TTT, set up in a camping trailer in the
schoolyard. Scoutmaster Ivan Dobnik, S51DI, doubled as control operator
and quizmaster.

Bowersox said the most beautiful views from space are during the nighttime
portion of the space stations's orbit-- when the crew can see the
stars--and at times of sunrise and sunset. Bowersox--who's known by his
nickname "Sox" within the Astronaut Corps--said he sleeps very well in
microgravity. "It's almost like having the perfect bed," he declared. He
also was asked if any of the other astronauts snore. "I sleep so well,
I've never heard never heard anyone snore here," he said.

Bowersox said he really enjoyed the food aboard the ISS, but with such a
beautiful view out the window, "the food doesn't matter so much." The crew
is growing some bean plants and some herbs as part of its scientific
research, he explained in reply to another query.

Questions regarding personal hygiene have become more common. The contact
with Slovenia included one about shaving in space. "The actual process of
shaving doesn't feel that great," Bowersox said, adding that it's good to
have a clean face. He also told those gathered in Slovenia that he expects
construction of the remainder of the ISS to continue, although he noted
that NASA is re-evaluating those plans at present.

Some 130 schoolchildren, parents, teachers, the city mayor and several
radio amateurs turned out for the occasion.

ARISS is an international program with support from ARRL, NASA and AMSAT.

==>NASA NAMES EXPEDITION 7 CREW FOR ISS

As expected, NASA has named veteran Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko,
RK3DUP, and veteran NASA astronaut Ed Lu, KC5WKJ, as the International
Space Station's Expedition 7 primary crew. Malenchenko, 41--who will be
the crew commander--and Lu, 39, will be the first two-person ISS crew
increment and the first primary crew to travel to the space station on a
Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Plans call for an April 26 launch from
Kazakhstan.

Russian cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri, U8MIR--originally set to be the third
person on the new crew--and NASA astronaut Mike Foale, KB5UAC, are the
back-up crew members for Expedition 7. All four have been training in
Russia.

Originally scheduled to return in March aboard the space shuttle Atlantis
STS-114 mission, Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox, KD5JBP, Flight
Engineer Nikolai Budarin, RV3FB, and NASA Space Station Science Officer
Don Pettit, KD5MDT, will return to Earth aboard a Soyuz craft in May. They
have been in space since November 23. NASA's shuttle fleet remains on the
ground as the space agency continues to investigate the February 1
Columbia tragedy that claimed the lives of seven astronauts.

The fresh crew will remain in space until October, when a new crew will be
sent up. NASA has said that until the space shuttle returns to
flight-ready status pending the outcome of the Columbia accident
investigation, Russian Soyuz vehicles will handle ISS crew rotations.

ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, has said that despite
the reduction in crew size, NASA has told the ARISS team that it may
continue to schedule one or two ARISS school group contacts per week.
ARISS school contacts typically go on hiatus during a crew changeover,
however. The grounding of the shuttle fleet also means that plans to
transport new ham gear to the ISS will have to be put on hold.

==>ARRL KICKS OFF WRC-03 SPECTRUM DEFENSE CAMPAIGN ON WEB

As preparations for this summer's World Radiocommunication Conference 2003
(WRC-03) head into the home stretch, ARRL this week launched a special
WRC-03 campaign <http://www.arrl.org/defense> to help generate the funds
needed to continue the defense of Amateur Radio spectrum. Issues that
affect amateurs, such as the Amateur Radio/International Broadcasting
overlap on 40 meters and the desire of commercial interests to expand
their slices of spectrum are on the table and will be decided.

"While much of what happens at international conferences may seem very far
away to the average ham, the decisions made at WRC-03 will have a dramatic
impact on every ham in the country," said ARRL Chief Development Officer
Mary Hobart, K1MMH. "The totality of these issues is huge for Amateur
Radio."

Hobart said Amateur Radio needs to present "its best face and voice" to
the various parties and interests that gather for WRC-03 in Geneva. The
new WRC-03 campaign, which is aimed at making that possible, takes a
twofold tack. "We are reaching out to ARRL members by mail and on the Web
to contribute before May 30," she explained. The secure Web site features
a detailed letter <https://www.arrl.org/forms/fdefense/index.html> from
ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.

"A contribution toward a healthy future for ham radio is just a click or
two away," Hobart noted. Contributors also may mail in donations by check,
if they wish.

Hobart points out that over the last several years, the "relentless
efforts of ARRL in Washington, DC, and at international conferences" have
led to the fund's depletion on the eve of the most important international
radio conference in a decade. She stated that Amateur Radio must have
strength and resolve when ARRL and International Amateur Radio Union
(IARU) <http://www.iaru.org/> representatives go to the conference.

"It is only through the continuing efforts of all hams--ARRL members and
non-members alike--that a successful defense and promotion of Amateur
Radio can take place in the face of commercial and governmental parties,
which have very deep pockets," Hobart said.

In his letter, Sumner notes that close to 2000 delegates from nearly every
country in the world will take part in the conference. In addition to the
pressing problem of the overlap at 40 meters, international broadcasters
are claiming they need additional spectrum in the 4 to 10 MHz range--the
top end of 75 meters could be affected.

Sumner adds that satellite-borne radar systems and the so-called "Little
LEO" satellites are also on the WRC-03 agenda, and decisions on these
issues could affect amateur spectrum. In addition, broadband wireless
devices, third-party traffic and the extent to which amateur licensing
standards will be recognized in the international regulations also will be
discussed and adjudicated.

WRC-03 takes place in Geneva June 9 through July 4.

==>ARRL HEADQUARTERS TIS MANAGER AL ALVAREZTORRES, AA1DO, SK

ARRL Technical Information Service Manager Al Alvareztorres, AA1DO, died
unexpectedly March 26 after suffering a heart attack. He was 60.

Hired in 1994 as the weekend W1AW operator, Alvareztorres, an accomplished
Webmaster--moved over to the Lab in 1999 to oversee the TIS. "Al will be
missed in the ARRL Lab," said Lab Supervisor Ed Hare, W1RFI. Hare said
Alvareztorres literally rebuilt the TIS Web pages
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/> from the ground up. He also was the driving
force behind the "Doctor Online" Web feature, co-editor of the ARRL Ham
Radio FAQ book and author of a number of QST articles on mobile and
stealth operating.

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, recalled Alvareztorres as "a quiet, friendly
person who genuinely enjoyed being of service to our members and to his
fellow staff members." Lab colleague Mike Gruber, W1MG, said Alvareztorres
had a great sense of humor that helped make the lab a fun place to work.
"Al was universally well liked," Gruber said.

Born in New York, Alvareztorres grew up in River Edge, New Jersey, where
he was first licensed in 1959 as WV2FGD. As an Air Force recruit, he
traveled the world operating under various call signs. He subsequently
worked in sales, electronics and production control.

Survivors include his mother, Margaret, and a younger brother, Ray.
Memorial service arrangements are pending.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Solar sage Tad "(The Sun is Shining Like a) Red Rubber Ball" Cook, K7RA,
Seattle, Washington, reports: Unsettled geomagnetic conditions continued,
with the average daily planetary A index increasing over the previous
week. Only one day, April 1, was mildly unsettled with the planetary A
index at 12. All other days of the week were more active. But the K index
dropped all the way from five to one over the first six hours of that day
(UTC). You can see the relationship between K and A indices on this NOAA
Web site <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/GEOMAG/kp_ap.html>.

The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, April 7 is 10,
12, 12 and 15. Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be active again
April 10-15, with the rougher conditions toward the end of that period.
Solar flux is expected to drift below 150 over the next few days and may
go to a low of around 110 from April 17 until April 21.

Sunspot numbers for March 27 through April 2 were 156, 189, 155, 176, 165,
161 and 189, with a mean of 170.1. The 10.7 cm flux was 141.1, 146.9,
155.1, 154.5, 160.1, 153 and 157.5, with a mean of 152.6. Estimated
planetary A indices were 27, 24, 27, 26, 31, 12 and 20, with a mean of
23.9.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The MARAC County Hunters Contest (SSB), the
SP DX Contest, the EA RTTY Contest, the Missouri QSO Party and the QCWA
QSO Party are the weekend of April 5-6. JUST AHEAD: The YLRL DX to NA YL
Contest (CW) is April 9-11. The JIDX CW Contest, the QRP ARCI Spring QSO
Party, the EU Spring Sprint (SSB), the Georgia QSO Party, the 222 MHz
Spring Sprint and the UBA Spring Contest (SSB) are the weekend of April
12-13. 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: Registration opens
Monday, April 7, 12:01 AM Eastern Time (0500 UTC), for the on-line Level I
Emergency Communications course (EC-001). Registration remains open
through the April 12-13 weekend or until all available seats have been
filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, April 22. Thanks to
the federal homeland security grant from the Corporation for National and
Community Service, the $45 registration fee paid upon enrollment will be
reimbursed after successful completion of the course. During this
registration period, approximately 200 seats are being offered to ARRL
members on a first-come, first-served basis. Senior amateurs are strongly
encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. To learn more, visit the
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/> and the C-CE Links found there. For more
information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller,
K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org; 860-594-0340.

* ST0RY Sudan operation is QRT: The ST0RY Sudan DXpedition shut down this
week, a bit earlier than expected, after logging more than 49,000 QSOs.
Pilot station, Bernd Koch, DF3CB, says the last QSO was March 31 at 1745
UTC, a bit earlier than expected. "The last news and logs were sent from
an Internet cafe in Khartoum," he said. DF3CB has prepared an online QSL
request form for those seeking ST0RY cards via the bureau. It's available
on the ST0RY Sudan DXpedition Web site <http://www.df3cb.com/st0ry>, which
includes more information and photos. ST0RY was active in the CQ World
Wide WPX SSB contest over the March 29-30 weekend. Demand for ST0RY was
heavy. Most-wanted lists put Sudan in the top 20.--some information from
The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com>

* Baghdad ham club station dismantled prior to bombing: The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com> relays information from Diya Sayah, YI1DZ--one of
the primary operators at the Baghdad Radio Club YI1BGD station in Baghdad.
Sayah reported just prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Iraq that he
had dismantled the YI1BGD station equipment and stored it in a safe
place--if there can be such a location in the besieged capital city at
this point. The Daily DX Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, says he doubts
there will be any activity in the near future from YI1BGD "much less any
other YI stations." The YI1BGD club station went on the air in the 1970s.
The Iraqi Association for Radio Amateurs (IARA) remains an International
Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-society. Its president is Adnan M.
Aswad, YI1DX.

* Cingular Wireless petition cites ARRL Part 15 position: Cingular
Wireless has cited an ARRL position in a recently filed Supplement to
Petition for Reconsideration regarding the FCC's Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
proceeding, ET Docket 98-153. "The fatal flaw associated with unlicensed
operations has already been raised by the American Radio Relay League
(ARRL)," Cingular said. Cingular was referring to the League's February
2002 Petition for Reconsideration in ET Docket 98-156. In that docket, the
FCC proposed allowing Part 15 fixed point-to-point transmitters in the
24.05 to 24.25 GHz band to operate at field strengths of up to 2500 mV per
meter, in response to a Petition for Rule Making from Sierra Digital
Communications Inc. "It would be arbitrary and capricious for the
Commission to permit additional unlicensed operations--such as
UWB--without addressing the statutory basis for such operations," Cingular
continued. The ARRL has maintained that unlicensed devices that pose
likely risk of interference to licensed services should be licensed. The
wireless service provider asserted that under Section 301 of the
Communications Act, "UWB devices require licenses." Cingular argued in its
supplementary petition that operation of UWB devices is likely to be
widespread and unsupervised and that licensed operators will not be able
to identify interfering parties that are non-compliant with the Part 15
rules that regulate unlicensed devices. Concluded Cingular: "The
Commission's authority to permit unlicensed, intentional radiators such as
UWB is therefore non-existent."

* Number of grant-sponsored ARECC grads tops 1000: The number of Level I
ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) graduates who
have benefited from the Corporation for National and Community Service
(CNCS) homeland security grant topped 1000 by the end of March. ARRL
Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, reports that as
of March 28, 1014 amateurs had completed the Level I (EC-001) course and
qualified for fee reimbursement via the $180,000 CNCS grant to ARRL.
Nearly 1800 amateurs have enrolled for the CNCS-subsidized training.
Senior amateurs are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this
opportunity. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing
Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> and the C-CE Links found
there. For more information, contact Miller <dmiller@arrl.org>;
860-594-0340.

* When does a CSCE also confer HF operating authority? Despite the fact
that it expires 365 days after it's issued, a Certificate of Successful
Completion of Examination (CSCE) can confer permanent operating authority
under certain circumstances. When the FCC ceased issuing the Tech Plus
license in April 2000, the issue resurfaced. As most hams know, the FCC's
Amateur Radio Service database no longer distinguishes between Technicians
without code credit and those with code credit. A Tech Plus ticket returns
from renewal stamped simply "Technician," although the database does
indicate "Tech Plus" as the "previous license class" and the new license
document is stamped "License Class Converted per '97.21(a)(3)"--the
applicable rule--although this same legend does not appear in the FCC
licensee database. According to the FCC, the CSCE a volunteer examiner
team issues to a newer Technician licensee who passes Element 1 now
confers "Tech Plus" HF operating privilege purposes indefinitely and
should be retained as part of one's license document. But--and this is a
big but--the same CSCE cannot be used toward an upgrade beyond its 365-day
lifetime. Applicants who wait more than a year to go after General or
Extra would have to take Element 1 again. More specific information is
available on the ARRL VEC Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/grandfather.html>.

* YHOTY nominations open: Nominations are open for the Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award for 2003. All nominations must be
submitted before May 30 on an official application and accompanied by
verification materials. Created in 1986, the award recognizes one young
radio amateur under the age of 18 in the continental US for his or her
contributions to society through Amateur Radio. Nominating forms and
additional information are available at the Amateur Radio Newsline
<http://www.arnewsline.org/> Web site or by writing 2003 Young Ham of the
Year Award, c/o Newsline, 28197 Robin Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91350. A Web
site <http://www.yhoty.org/2003.htm> is available to file an application
on-line. Josh Abramowicz, KB3GWY, was the 2002 Young Ham of the Year. The
2003 winner will be honored during the Huntsville (Alabama) Hamfest in
August.

* International DX Convention set for May 2-4: The 54th annual
International DX Convention at Visalia, California, is scheduled for May
2-4. The Northern California DX Club will serve as host. QST "How's DX?"
Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR--publisher of The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com>--will be this year's banquet speaker. QSL card
checking for both DXCC and the CQ Worked All Zones (WAZ) programs will be
available. Full information on the International DX Convention is
available on the Web
<http://www.ncdxc.org/Ncdxc/Convention/index.htm>.--The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com>

* WQ4L is NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award winner: The National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced that ARRL member John
Reiser, WQ4L, of Mt Vernon, Virginia is the winner of its 2003 Radio
Engineering Achievement Award. According to NAB, Reiser, who retired in
2000 as a senior broadcast engineer with the FCC's International Bureau,
played a significant role in many landmark rulings during his 39 years
with the FCC, including the standardization of the FCC national program
for broadcast station inspections in the 1970s, the 1976 revision of the
broadcast rules and regulations and the reorganization of the Broadcast
Bureau into what is now the Media Bureau. "For many years, his extensive
knowledge of the FCC rules and hands-on experience and day-to-day contact
with broadcast stations made him a critical resource to the industry in
helping broadcasters comply with the FCC rules," the NAB said in
announcing the award. NAB award winners will be honored April 9 at the
NAB2003 convention in Las Vegas.

* Boston Marathon still needs ham radio volunteers: The Boston Marathon
still needs Amateur Radio volunteers to assist with communications for
this year's event. The 107th running of the Boston Marathon will take
place on Patriots' Day, Monday, April 21. To volunteer contact Paul
Topolski, W1SEX, <w1sex@arrl.net>; 978-632-9432 or Steve Schwarm, W3EVE,
<w3eve@arrl.net>; 508-384-7697.

===========================================================
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Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main
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From n1ist@arrl.net  Mon Apr 14 12:16:52 2003
From: n1ist@arrl.net (Michael L. Ardai)
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 07:16:52 -0400
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 15
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Subj:	The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 15

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 15
April 11, 2003
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +FCC seeks input on receiver interference immunity
* +California PRB-1 bill on its way to Senate
* +"Space is beautiful!" astronaut tells UK students via ham radio
* +FCC warns amateurs about unlicensed operation
* +ARISS spotlighted at science teachers' convention
* +Iraqi ham operation reported
* +Ham-astros complete final Expedition 6 spacewalk
*  League promotes membership at SuperFest 2003
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Classes to Start Tuesdays
     News story credits ham radio for aiding maritime rescue
     IARU admits three new member-societies
     Amateur Radio at the National Hurricane Conference
     World Amateur Radio Day Award available

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================
NOTE: ARRL Headquarters will be closed Friday, April 18, and there will be
no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions that day. Editions of The
ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News for April 18 will be distributed Thursday,
April 17. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Monday, April 21, at 8 AM EDT.
===========================================================

==>FCC OPENS RECEIVER INTERFERENCE IMMUNITY INQUIRY

The FCC wants to know how it can incorporate receiver interference
immunity specifications within its overall spectrum policy. In a Notice of
Inquiry (NOI) in ET Docket 03-65, released March 24, the FCC seeks public
comments on possible methods and means of improving receiver performance.
The Commission suggests that these could include incentives, guidelines or
regulatory requirements--or a combination of all three.

"From a technical standpoint, a radio receiver's susceptibility to
interference is largely dependent on the interference immunity of the
device, particularly with regard to its rejection of undesired radio
frequency (RF) energy and signals," the FCC said in its introduction to
the NOI. While expressing its reluctance "to implement a new regulatory
regime" of mandatory receiver standards, the Commission said it believes
incorporating receiver performance specifications could "promote more
efficient utilization of the spectrum and create opportunities for new and
additional use of radio communications."

The FCC said the NOI builds upon the recent work of its Spectrum Policy
Task Force, which looked at ways to improve overall radio spectrum
management. The ARRL commented on the Task Force report and plans to
comment in the receiver interference immunity NOI as well.

While the NOI does not specifically address interference from Amateur
Radio transmitters to consumer TV and radio receivers, the FCC does seek
information describing the interference immunity characteristics of
"receivers used in the various radio services." With respect to broadcast
sets, the FCC suggests in its NOI that set manufacturers have been doing a
pretty good job all along.

The FCC seeks comments on "the desirability of developing minimum
interference immunity performance specifications for broadcast receivers."
But it added that the Commission has no plans to reverse its "longstanding
practice of allowing the market to determine the performance of broadcast
receivers, with the Commission stepping in only where obvious deficiencies
appear" that could disrupt reception.

FCC Chairman Michael Powell said he'd prefer that the Commission "rely on
market incentives and voluntary industry programs to establish receiver
immunity guidelines."

The FCC Notice of Inquiry in ET Docket 03-65 is available on the FCC Web
site <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-54A6.doc>.
Although it has not formally been posted for the filing of comments via
the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), the system is accepting
comments. The formal comment period concludes 75 days from publication of
the NOI in the Federal Register, which has not yet happened. The FCC does
not post such dockets for electronic comments until publication occurs.

==>CALIFORNIA ANTENNA BILL ZIPS THROUGH ASSEMBLY

Just eight days after being voted out of committee, California's latest
effort to pass an Amateur Radio antenna bill--Assembly Bill 1228--this
week got the approval of the California Assembly on a 67-0 vote on April
10. The measure's had its first reading in the Senate. The next major step
will be a hearing--as yet unscheduled--before the Senate Local Government
Committee.

"Excellent news!" was the reaction of ARRL Southwestern Division Director
Art Goddard, W6XD. The bill, introduced February 21 by Assemblyman Bob
Dutton (R-63rd), got a unanimous 9-0 favorable vote at an April 2 hearing
of the Assembly Committee on Local Government at which ARRL staffer and
antenna expert Dean Straw, N6BV--a California resident--testified on
behalf of the measure. ARRL Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG,
also spoke at the hearing.

Mike Mitchell, W6RW, who's spearheading the Amateur Radio community's
effort to promote the bill says AB 1228, now is seeking witnesses for the
Senate committee hearing. Straw already has volunteered to appear. AB 1228
marks the first bill sponsored by Dutton--who was elected last
November--to reach the Assembly floor.

AB 1228 would incorporate the language of PRB-1 into the statutes of
California. The state is home to some 100,000 Amateur Radio licensees--by
far the greatest number of any other state and nearly 15 percent of total
US licensees. The measure would require any ordinance regulating Amateur
Radio antenna structures to not preclude but to "reasonably accommodate"
Amateur Radio communications, to allow amateur station antenna structures
"at heights and dimensions sufficient to accommodate Amateur Radio Service
communications" and to constitute "the minimum practicable regulation to
accomplish the legitimate purpose of the city or county."

The California legislature approved a nearly identical PRB-1 measure three
years ago, but Gov Gray Davis vetoed it. Davis said at the time that he
did so because funds for required studies were not included in his budget.
The new bill does not carry a price tag.

A copy of the proposed legislation is available on the California
Legislature Web site
<http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_1201-1250/ab_1228_bill_20030221
_introduced.html>. Utah recently became the latest of 17 states to
incorporate the essence of PRB-1 into their laws.

==>"SPACE IS BEAUTIFUL!" BOWERSOX TELLS UK YOUNGSTERS VIA HAM RADIO

Youngsters from Rushey Mead Secondary School in the United Kingdom
gathered at the National Space Centre in Leicester April 4 for a quick ham
radio chat with Ken Bowersox, KD5JBP. The contact was arranged via the
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Students
participating from the comprehensive secondary school ranged in age from
11 to 16. The school also has its own Amateur Radio Club. John Heath,
G7HIA, operated the National Space Centre's GB2NSC club station for the
occasion.

"Space is beautiful," Bowersox rhapsodized in response to one youngster's
question. "It's black with the stars dotting everywhere. It's gorgeous."
The Expedition 6 crew commander said the space station occupants don't
have TV to watch for entertainment. "We look out the window at the earth,"
he said. When the crew members tire of that, there are CDs and books
aboard.

Bowersox noted that he has wanted to be an astronaut since he was seven
years old and trained five years for his current mission. Answering an
oft-asked question about how the crew keeps clean in space, Bowersox
explained that the astronauts and cosmonauts use towels moistened with
soap and water to wash themselves.

In all, 12 youngsters put questions to Bowersox during the direct ARISS
contact that ran under five minutes compared to the usual 10 minutes,
although the ISS remained in nominal range for the full period. ARISS Vice
Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, speculated that the problem may have been
a result of having to arrange the contact on short notice and not having
optimal Earth-station antennas in place.

Howard Long, G6LVB, offers audio and video recordings of the event and
additional photos on his Web site <http://www.g6lvb.com/issmedia.htm>.

The crew's next Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
school group contact is scheduled for April 14 with Lounsberry Hollow
Middle School in New Jersey.

ARISS is an international project with support from ARRL, AMSAT and
NASA.--some information from Gaston Bertels, ON4WF

==>FCC WARNS AMATEURS: UNLICENSED OPERATION COULD COST YOUR HAM TICKET

The FCC has let a trio of Idaho amateurs know that unlicensed operation
outside Amateur Radio frequencies could lead to revocation of their ham
tickets. FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth recently wrote three
Boise amateurs, citing allegations that they had transmitted without a
license on several 11-meter frequencies.

"Information before the Commission indicates that you have transmitted
without a license on 26.350, 27.420 and 27.700 MHz using SSB and SSTV,"
Hollingsworth said. He pointed out that, in addition to revocation
proceedings, fines for unlicensed operation normally range from $7500 to
$10,000. Letters went out March 17 to Dave Every, KD7QAS; John F. Hail,
KD7QAW; and Tom M. Sjoberg, KD7RCS. Every holds a General ticket, while
Hail and Sjoberg are Technician licensees. Hollingsworth says he
understands that the unlicensed operations have ceased. The three
frequencies involved are below and above the Citizens Band.

An Ohio ham, Dave K. Childers, N8QGI, also heard from Hollingsworth March
18 in a case involving alleged obscene or indecent transmissions last
December on 27.115 MHz--CB channel 13. Hollingsworth did not raise the
issue of unlicensed operation in that case, but he did spell out the FCC's
position on the transmission of obscene or indecent words or language. He
also requested Childers, a Technician licensee, to respond to the
complaint within 20 days and indicated that a tape recording would be made
available to him upon request.

Although the alleged Idaho and Ohio operations occurred on 11 meters,
Hollingsworth said he contacted the four individuals only because it was
determined that they were FCC Amateur Radio Service licensees. Complaints
in the Idaho cases came from the amateur community, Hollingsworth
indicated.

The FCC also sent a Warning Notice March 24 to Anthony L. Basile, N3HFB,
of Pennsylvania, citing "monitoring information" indicating that the
licensee has been deliberately interfering with three 2-meter repeater
systems in his area. Hollingsworth warned of fines and revocation
proceedings and said that until the matter is resolved, the FCC would not
routinely renew Basile's Advanced class license, which expires in
September. A similar Warning Notice went out March 18 to Tech Plus
licensee Erin J. Rourke, N0KCN, of North Dakota, alleging deliberate
interference to a 2-meter repeater in the Fargo area.

In another enforcement case, Hollingsworth has notified Drew B. Feldman of
Los Angeles that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau had set aside his
Amateur Radio license KG6PFC. "That action is based upon complaints about
the operation of your station," Hollingsworth wrote March 18. In May 2000,
the FCC canceled Feldman's Tech Plus ticket, N3KSO, after he failed to
appear as requested for re-examination. Feldman subsequently retested for
the Technician license and was issued KG6PFC on February 20. Following the
complaints, the FCC canceled the grant a month later.

==>ARRL, NASA SPOTLIGHT ARISS AT SCIENCE TEACHERS' GATHERING

Student-to-astronaut communication via the ARISS program got a boost
recently from ARRL Education and Technology Project Coordinator Jerry
Hill, KH6HU, during the National Science Teachers Association national
conference. Hill helped to staff the NASA booth during the gathering March
27-30 in Philadelphia.

"My function at the conference was to sign up teachers for the Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, plus represent
the ARRL and talk up ham radio," Hill explained. "We signed up about 200
teachers and got them on the list. It can take over a year to get a
contact date, but it's well worth it."

Accompanying Hill at the Philadelphia Convention Center was ARRL Education
and Technology Program <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/> teacher Jim Kuhl,
N2STK. Kuhl is a "Big Project" pilot program teacher at Central Square
Middle School in New York. "Jim was a big help," Hill said. "He's made an
ARISS contact before and had Amateur Radio right in his classroom. Having
him there lent tremendous credibility to the program."

During the NSTA gathering, more than 14,000 secondary school instructors
had a chance to learn about ARISS
<http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html>, an international project with
participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. Among other benefits, ARISS
provides an opportunity for students to talk directly with crew members of
the International Space Station (ISS)--a unique educational experience.
ARISS also is responsible for the Amateur Radio equipment at NA1SS, the
first permanent ham radio station in space onboard the ISS.

Hill said teachers he spoke with were very enthusiastic about the ARISS
program, especially once they realized that direct contact with the ISS
was a real possibility. "They get pretty excited at that point," he said.
"It just blows their minds."

==>IRAQI AMATEUR OPERATION REPORTED

The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com> this week reported that Jim
Dunkerton, KT4CK, of Tennessee, has been active from the Middle East on 15
meters SSB. On April 6, he was giving his location as somewhere in the
desert of the Middle East, but the following day, he was identifying as
YI/KT4CK and saying he was in the desert of Southern Iraq. The Daily DX
says that John Shelton, K1XN, has confirmed that Dunkerton is--or has
been--with the 101st Airborne, reported by CNN this week as being near
Karbala in Central Iraq.

Several stations have reported working or hearing YI/KT4CK between 1400
and 1600 UTC. SV1GRH spotted YI/KT4CK at 1438 UTC on April 7 on 21.312.5
MHz and noted that he was looking for US stations but, The Daily DX quoted
SV1GRH as saying that YI/KT4CK was not getting many replies.

Meanwhile, The Daily DX says Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN, now is in the Middle
East after wrapping up his North Korean (P5) operation. He has been in
Turkey, very close to the Turkish/Iraqi border, for the last month and
awaits his next UN World Food Program assignment--which could be inside
war-torn Iraq.

==>HAM-ASTRONAUTS COMPLETE 6.5-HOUR SPACEWALK

US astronauts Ken Bowersox, KD5JBP, and Don Pettit, KD5MDT, this week
completed the second and final spacewalk of their International Space
Station duty tour. Cosmonaut and Flight engineer Nikolai Budarin, RV3FB,
assisted from inside the ISS during the "extra-vehicular activity" or EVA
on April 8.

NASA said the two Expedition 6 crew members were taking advantage of the
final days of a three-person presence on the ISS before a new, two-person
crew takes over. The Expedition 7 crew of cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko,
RK3DUP, and veteran NASA astronaut Ed Lu, KC5WKJ, is set to inhabit the
ISS starting next month.

During the spacewalk, which ran just under 6-1/2 hours, NASA says that
Bowersox, the Expedition 6 commander, and Pettit, the NASA ISS science
officer, "continued the external outfitting of the station and rerouted
power cables to two of the station's control moment gyros (CMGs)." The
CMGs provide orientation control for the ISS from the US segment. One CMG
failed almost a year ago, and the cable reconfiguration to the remaining
CMGs will prevent both from being disabled in the unlikely event a power
failure occurs.

NASA said the work included "a number of get-ahead tasks for future ISS
assembly." The grounding of the shuttle fleet is expected to affect the
ISS construction schedule. The EVA this week was the second for each
American, who managed separate and joint tasks.

Among other work during their EVA, Bowersox and Pettit finally
deployed--with some difficulty and the use of a hammer--a balky light
stanchion on the S1 truss that failed to unfurl during their previous
spacewalk in January. They installed a light on the stanchion to
illuminate the truss during future EVAs. With all of their scheduled tasks
completed, Bowersox and Pettit still had time left over to retrieve some
tools for future spacewalks from external locations before returning to
the ISS.

NASA reports that Malenchenko and Lu completed final mission preparations
before traveling to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan from their
training base in Star City, Russia. Once in Kazakhstan, they'll inspect
the Soyuz TMA-2 vehicle that will carry them into space April 26 to begin
a six-month ISS mission. It will mark the first time a primary ISS crew
has been transported to the space station using the Russian transporter.

Russian flight controllers were scheduled to fire the engines on a
Progress 10 cargo ship now docked to the ISS to raise the station's orbit
by 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles).

==>LEAGUE PROMOTES LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP AT SUPERFEST 2003

ARRL representatives to Amateur Electronic Supply's annual SuperFest, held
April 4 and 5 at the company's Milwaukee store, promoted League membership
to the nearly 900 attendees. The League also weighed in during an April 3
meeting of the American Association of Radio Enthusiasts AARE
<http://www.aaregroup.org>, with an offer to help the fledgling
organization to get off the ground.

ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, said General
Counsel Christopher Imlay, W3KD, would assist AARE in preparing legal
documents necessary to bring the AARE into formal existence. The AARE was
established during an informal annual meeting of Amateur Radio
manufacturers held in conjunction with last year's AES Superfest.

A ham radio industry group, AARE aims to promote Amateur Radio and
emergency communications outside traditional amateur circles. The
nonprofit corporation also hopes to serve as a conduit for ham radio
equipment dealers and manufacturers to exchange ideas and work together on
projects. Its stated goal is to help ham radio grow and to double the
number of hams in five years. It's anticipated that AARE will hold
elections once the legal paperwork is in order. Its current president,
ICOM National Sales Manager Ray Novak, N9JA, has expressed confidence that
the organization will grow rapidly.

During SuperFest 2003, ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R,
assembled a special League exhibit as a platform to test membership
promotion ideas that nearly doubled the number of new and renewing members
compared with 2002's event. Representing ARRL in addition to
Motschenbacher and Inderbitzen were ARRL Central Division Director Dick
Isely, W9GIG, and ARRL Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG.

The ARRL exhibit included a continuous showing of the Amateur Radio Today
video.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation prognosticator Tad "Moment in the Sun" Cook, K7RA, Seattle,
Washington, reports: Sunspots and solar flux values dropped this week
after rising the week before. Average daily sunspot numbers were down
nearly 72 points, while average daily solar flux values were down nearly
21 points.

Solar flux is expected to drop below 100 by April 13. It should reach a
minimum of around 85 April 16-17. A solar flux value of 85 is
approximately equivalent to a nominal sunspot number of 28.7. Solar flux
at 70 or below is generally what you see when the sunspot count is zero.
For instance, for more than a month--from September 13 to October 20,
1996--the sunspot number was zero every day. Solar flux during this period
ranged from 66.4 to 70.

This was another week with active geomagnetic conditions, although the
planetary A index never went above 26. April 8 brought a brief G1-level
geomagnetic storm caused by solar wind. On April 10 Earth entered another
solar wind stream. Predicted planetary A index value for April 11 is 20,
followed by 15 for every day through April 19.

Sunspot numbers for April 3 through 9 were 154, 148, 94, 75, 77, 52 and
88, with a mean of 98.3. The 10.7-cm flux was 155.7, 165.5, 137.4, 125.9,
115.6, 112.3 and 109.4, with a mean of 131.7. Estimated planetary A
indices were 14, 26, 23, 9, 6, 20 and 25, with a mean of 17.6.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The JIDX CW Contest, the QRP ARCI Spring QSO
Party, the EU Spring Sprint (SSB), the Georgia QSO Party, the 222 MHz
Spring Sprint and the UBA Spring Contest (SSB) are the weekend of April
12-13. JUST AHEAD: The YLRL DX to NA YL Contest (SSB) is April 16-18. The
Holyland DX Contest, the TARA Spring Wakeup PSK31 Rumble, the ES Open HF
Championship, the YU DX Contest, the GACW CW DX Contest, the EU Spring
Sprint (CW), the Michigan and Ontario QSO parties, and the 432 MHz Spring
Sprint are the weekend of April 19-20. The Low Power Spring Sprint is
April 21. The Harry Angel Memorial Sprint is April 25. 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 ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004)
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> course opens Monday, April 14,
12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time (0401 UTC). Registration will remain open
through Sunday, April 20. Class begins Tuesday, April 22. Those interested
in taking an ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) course in
the future can sign up to be advised via e-mail in advance of registration
opportunities. To take advantage, send an e-mail to prereg@arrl.org
<mailto:prereg@arrl.org>. On the subject line, indicate the course name or
number (eg, EC-00#) and the month you want to start the course. In the
message body, provide your name, call sign, and e-mail address. Please do
not send inquiries to this mailbox. To learn more, visit the ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education  <http://www.arrl.org/cce/>Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce> and the C-CE links found there. For more
information, contact Certification and Continuing Education Program
Coordinator Howard Robins, W1HSR, hrobins@arrl.org
<mailto:hrobins@arrl.org>.

* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Classes to Start Tuesdays:
Effective immediately, all ARRL Certification and Continuing Education
Program (C-CE) classes will start Tuesday afternoons. "This represents a
change for the Antenna Modeling (EC-004), HF Digital Communications
(EC-005), Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006), Satellite Communications
(EC-007), and our upcoming VHF/UHF--Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008)
courses," says ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program
Coordinator Howard Robins, W1HSR. The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Courses (ARECC) Levels I-III classes began starting on
Tuesdays several months ago after they became grant-funded. Robins says
course registration will continue to open Mondays at 12:01 AM Eastern
Time. For more information, contact Certification and Continuing Education
Program Coordinator Howard Robins, W1HSR, hrobins@arrl.org.

* News story credits ham radio for aiding maritime rescue: According to a
recent New York Times news item attributed to Agence France-Presse,
unidentified ham radio operators picked up distress signals April 6 from a
114-foot missionary vessel that had experienced engine trouble during a
2000-mile journey from Kiritimati Island (also known as Christmas Island)
to Kiribati in Micronesia. The ship, with 64 passengers, reportedly had
run out of water and food and had begun drifting south of the equator. In
response to the distress call report, a nearby US Coast Guard icebreaker,
Polar Sea--which was returning from Antarctica to Arctic duty--was
dispatched and succeeded in finding the drifting vessel. Coast Guard
engineers reportedly repaired the engines and provided food and water for
the passengers and crew. One passenger was taken off the vessel for
medical treatment. The boat later proceeded under its own power to Tarawa.

* IARU admits three new member-societies: By vote of its member-societies,
the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) <http://www.iaru.org/> has
admitted three new members. The National Association Radioamateurs of
Georgia (NARG), the Federation of Radiosport of the Republic of Armenia
(FRRA), and the Vietnam Amateur Radio Club (VARC) officially joined IARU
on April 4. NARG was founded September 21, 2000. It has 156 licensed
members out of a total of 485 amateurs in the country. The NARG's
president is Mamuka Kordzakhia, 4L2M. FRRA was founded January 14, 1999,
and counts 84 of Armenia's 128 radio amateurs as members. Its president is
George Badalian, EK6GB. VARC was founded as a national organization in
July 2002 under the Vietnam Radio-Electronics Association. From February
1996 until July 2002 the VARC was chartered in the Ho Chi Minh City area.
Five of its members participated as observers in the 1997 Region 3
Conference in Beijing. The president of VARC is Eng. Nguyen Bac Ai,
XV2A/3W6AR. The IARU, founded in 1925, is a worldwide federation of
national Amateur Radio societies with members in 156 countries and
separate territories. In addition to joining the worldwide IARU, NARG and
FRRA become members of IARU Region 1 and VARC becomes a member of IARU
Region 3.--IARU news release

* Amateur Radio at the National Hurricane Conference: The 25th annual
National Hurricane Conference will be held April 14-18 in New Orleans at
the Hyatt Regency. Through the coordination efforts of Mike Carter, N3PDK,
there will be an Amateur Radio session Tuesday, April 15, 1:30 to 5:00 PM,
in the room "Regency G" on the third floor. Amateur Radio operators are
invited to attend this session at no cost and without having to register
for the conference. A panel of speakers will present the role of Amateur
Radio in hurricane-related communication with a specific focus on last
fall's operations during Hurricane Lili and Tropical Storm Isidore. ARRL
section leaders from the Gulf Coast region, representatives of the
Hurricane Watch Net and ARRL Headquarters will be among the participants.

* World Amateur Radio Day Award available: MK QTC, the journal of PZK, the
Polish Amateur Radio Union, has announced its World Amateur Radio Day 2003
Award. The award commemorates World Amateur Radio Day, celebrated by the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) each year on April 18. The theme
of World Amateur Radio Day 2003 is "Amateur Radio supporting technology
education in the classroom." The award is available for making 10 HF QSOs
or 5 VHF QSOs on April 18 UTC. A standard application form including a
list of QSOs must be sent before May 31 to Redakcja MK QTC, ul. Wielmozy
5b, 82-337 Suchacz-Zamek, Poland. Enclose $5 US or 5 Euro. SWLs are
eligible for the award. For more information, contact MK QTC
<qtc@post.pl>.

===========================================================
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
interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely,
accurate, concise, and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org> for
the latest news, updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site
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From n1ist@arrl.net  Fri Apr 18 11:50:13 2003
From: n1ist@arrl.net (Michael L. Ardai)
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 06:50:13 -0400
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 16
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From:	SMTP%"letter-dlvy@arrl.org" 17-APR-2003 23:57:26.87
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CC:	
Subj:	The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 16

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 16
April 18, 2003
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +DXCC to accept approved portable operations from Iraq
* +FCC flames "enhanced SSB"
* +Astronaut answers 30 questions in 10 minutes during ARISS QSO
* +FCC revises repetitious applications rule
* +Haynie, volunteers represent ham radio at broadcasters' confab
* +The Big Project gets big boost from club's donation
* +Wisconsin to require ARRL EmComm classes for ARES/RACES officials
*  IARU World Amateur Radio Day marks 78th anniversary
   New ARRL Web page provides one-click access for donors
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     ARRL Emergency Communications course registration
     ARRL members benefit from Web site contest coverage
     KC3RE employing APRS during CelebrateLifeRun
     AMSAT-NA issues first call for annual symposium papers
     Ham named to FCC advisory panel

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================
NOTE: ARRL Headquarters is closed Friday, April 18, and there will be no
W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions that day. Editions of The
ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News for April 18 are being distributed
Thursday, April 17. ARRL Headquarters reopens Monday, April 21, at 8 AM
EDT.
===========================================================

==>DXCC TO ACCEPT IRAQ PORTABLE OPERATIONS APPROVED BY COMMANDING OFFICERS

ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says the League will
accept for DXCC credit YI/ operations from Iraq by US or British military
personnel provided the operator has written permission from his or her
commanding officer.

"There is precedent for this," Mills said, citing an operation during the
1991 Gulf War. "These operators will need written authorization to operate
from their commanding officers until an interim Iraqi civilian government
is in place," Mills said. After that point, operators would need
documented permission from Iraqi authorities.

The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com> has reported that several hams with
the US military in Iraq have been showing up on the air in recent days.
Mark Smith, NG5L, has been active from near Nasiriya as YI/NG5L on SSB,
usually around 0500 UTC near 14.195 MHz. He's also been spotted in Europe
and North America on other 20-meter frequencies and at other times of the
day. Smith is in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Jim Dunkerton, YI/KT4CK, has been active on 15-meter SSB between 1430 and
1600 UTC. Dunkerton is believed to be with the 101st Airborne. Bob Furzer,
9K2ZZ/K4CY, reportedly has been on the air from Iraq as K4CY/p or K4CY/m.
Other hams are known to be in Iraq but have not yet been reported on the
air.

Still not known is whether Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN--now in the Middle East
after wrapping up his North Korean (P5) operation last fall--will be on a
United Nations World Food Program assignment inside Iraq in the near
future. That could depend in part on how big a role the UN plays in
rebuilding Iraq.

==>"ENHANCED SSB" BANDWIDTHS "EXTREMELY INCONSIDERATE," FCC SAYS

The FCC has sent advisory notices to four enthusiasts of what's become
known as "enhanced SSB"--the practice of engineering transmitted
single-sideband audio to approach broadcast quality. Letters went out
earlier this month to amateurs in Illinois, Florida and New Jersey who are
aficionados of enhanced SSB, also known as "upper wideband" and "lower
wideband."

"The Commission has received numerous complaints regarding the operation
of your station," FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth wrote Paul
Christensen, W9AC, John Anning, NU9N, Anthony Latin, W4NSG, and Sareno
Salerno, W2ONV, on April 3. Hollingsworth said complaints to the FCC
alleged that the bandwidths of the stations' enhanced SSB emissions were
"wider than necessary and contrary to good engineering practice."

"Wideband overly-processed audio, especially when coupled with the high
intermodulation levels of certain amplifiers, results in the use of
bandwidths extremely inconsiderate of other operators," Hollingsworth
said. Such transmissions may violate FCC rules and may be at odds with
what Hollingsworth described as "the expectation that the Amateur Service
be largely self-regulated."

Occupying more bandwidth than necessary in a heavily used amateur band,
Hollingsworth wrote, not only could generate ill will among operators but
lead to petitions asking the FCC to establish bandwidth limits for amateur
emissions. At present, the FCC imposes no specific bandwidth limits on
various amateur modes.

Hollingsworth cited '97.307(a) of the Amateur Service rules that requires
the signal of an amateur station not occupy "more bandwidth than necessary
for the information rate and emission type being transmitted, in
accordance with good amateur practice." Some amateurs have complained that
enhanced SSB signals can take up 8 kHz or more of spectrum, cause splatter
and unnecessarily interfere with other stations.

"The Amateur Service is not a substitute for the Broadcast Service,"
Hollingsworth said, "and the frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service
were not allocated for a 'broadcast quality' audio emission or sound."
Hollingsworth suggested the enhanced SSBers operate when the bands are
less busy or on bands that are not heavily used.

The many complaints the FCC has been getting--20 or so per week--leads to
the conclusion that the stations' enhanced SSB operation is having "a
negative impact" on the Amateur Service, Hollingsworth said. He requested
that the four amateurs "fully review the rules" and make sure their
stations conform to them.

==>"SOX" BLASTS THROUGH 30 QUESTIONS FROM NEW JERSEY STUDENTS VIA HAM
RADIO

International Space Station Expedition 6 Crew Commander Ken Bowersox,
KD5JBP, deftly managed 30 questions put to him this week during a
10-minute Amateur Radio contact with 15 New Jersey students. The number of
questions answered could be a record for a school group contact. The April
14 QSO with youngsters at Lounsberry Hollow Middle School
<http://www.vtsd.com/lhms/> in Vernon was arranged by the Amateur Radio on
the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Bowersox--who's known as
"Sox" within NASA's Astronaut Corps--answered the obviously well-rehearsed
students' questions as quickly as they asked them.

Questions ranged from the usual, "What is your favorite space food?" to
the more arcane, "What did you learn from your favorite experiment?"
Another asked, "Do you have a telescope or binoculars on the ISS?" while a
third asked how carbon dioxide was removed from the air inside the ISS.

Control operator John Santillo, N2HMM, reports that teachers at the
northwestern New Jersey school were ecstatic about the smooth and speedy
banter between Bowersox and the students. Reporters from a New York City
TV station (WNBC-TV, channel 4), a local cable channel and two newspapers
covered the event.

ARISS is an international project, with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT
and NASA.

In related news, a Russian Soyuz vehicle will transport a new two-person
crew--Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP, and Ed Lu, KC5WKJ, to the International
Space Station April 25. Bowersox and his Expedition 6 crewmates, Don
Pettit, KD5MDT, and Nikolai Budarin, RV3FB, are scheduled to leave the ISS
aboard the Soyuz transporter in early May.

NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe told a congressional panel this week that
the nation's shuttle fleet could return to flight before the end of the
year. The space agency head thinks the independent investigation board
looking into the shuttle Columbia disaster is just weeks away from
recommending hardware and procedural improvements necessary to make the
remaining three space shuttles safe to fly.--Gene Chapline, K5YFL/ARISS;
AMSAT News Service; NASA

==>FCC ADOPTS CHANGES TO REPETITIOUS APPLICATIONS RULE

The FCC has amended its rules to prohibit the filing of repetitious
license applications in the wireless radio services--including the Amateur
Radio Service--within a year after it has denied or dismissed "a
substantially similar application" with prejudice. The FCC also has
streamlined '1.937 by combining the first two subsections of the rule into
a single paragraph. The FCC invited comments on the proposed changes more
than a year ago in ET Docket 02-57.

"Our amendment of '1.937 will simplify and clarify our prohibition against
repetitious applications," the FCC said in a Report and Order (R&O)
released April 16. The FCC said the new language reflects the rule's
applicability to all types of license applications. The revised rule also
"sufficiently distinguishes applications dismissed without prejudice from
those either dismissed with prejudice or denied," the Commission said.

While the change applies to the Amateur Service, it would prohibit only a
handful of applications filed by new and renewing hams. Most dismissed
amateur applications--such as vanity dismissals--are turned down without
prejudice because of procedural deficiencies. The FCC now allows such
rejected applicants to correct their mistakes and file again, and it will
continue to do so.

When it issued the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in the proceeding
in March 2002, the FCC cited the then-pending application of Herbert
Schoenbohm, KV4FZ, of the US Virgin Islands, as an example of a
repetitious application for the same service less than 12 months after the
final denial of a previous application. Schoenbohm had applied for a new
Amateur Radio license only weeks after his authority to operate had ended
following the Supreme Court's refusal to hear an appeal of the FCC's
denial of his license renewal application.

FCC rules already prohibited repetitious applications for new stations,
modifications of services or facilities, or for licenses that have been
revoked. The amended rule covers the filing of other repetitious
applications not specified within the old rule's language, including
renewal applications. It also applies the ban equally to "all dispositive
actions, including dismissals with prejudice, denials and revocations,"
the FCC said.

The FCC's R&O indirectly alludes to the Schoenbohm case, citing "at least
one instance" where a licensee had filed a repetitious application for the
same service less than 12 months after the denial of his renewal
application. "Such cases can consume significant resources to re-litigate
identical issues involving the same applicants very close in time," the
FCC said. The Commission subsequently designated Schoenbohm's application
for hearing and, following the hearing, granted it.

The rule changes become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register. A copy of the FCC Report and Order is available on the FCC Web
site <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-79A1.doc>.

==>ARRL PRESIDENT, VOLUNTEERS, PROMOTE LEAGUE TO BROADCASTERS

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, headed the League's contingent to the
2003 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas
April 5-10. Haynie said he was impressed to note the number of Amateur
Radio operators in the crowd of some 90,000. Among other benefits, Haynie
said, the huge gathering offered him an opportunity to pitch the ARRL
Education and Technology Program--The Big Project
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp>.

"I got a chance to meet with quite a number of Society of Broadcast
Engineers members and tell them about The Big Project," Haynie said. "My
job is to go to these things and develop closer ties with these folks and
let them know that Amateur Radio is a resource they can draw from when
they're looking for the next generation of engineers."

Haynie got to meet with FCC Chairman Michael Powell and National
Telecommunications and Information Administration Assistant Secretary
Nancy Victory. He also was introduced to the FCC's newest member, Jonathan
Adelstein.

Other League volunteers at the NAB gathering included Vice President Fried
Heyn, WA6WZO; Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, and Vice
Director Andy Oppel, N6AJO; Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy
Donahue, W4RU, and Nevada Section Manager Dick Flanagan, W6OLD.

In addition to meeting with groups and officials, all helped staff the
ARRL booth set up by Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club <http://www.lvrac.org/>
members Bill and Carolyn Cornelius, K8XC and K9XC. Seventeen Las
Vegas-area amateurs pitched in for booth duty. League materials on hand
included a special shipment of four cases of QSTs--always a popular
item--as well as membership applications, the Amateur Radio Today video,
QST reprints on ARRL services and the Field Organization, and the
kid-oriented Leap into Amateur Radio brochure.

On April 9, Haynie addressed the convention's annual Amateur Radio
Operator's Reception, cosponsored by Kenwood and CQ. Some 800 hams
attended the reception, which acknowledges the contributions of amateurs
to broadcasting. During the convention, the NAB honored ARRL member John
Reiser, WQ4L, as the winner of its 2003 Radio Engineering Achievement
Award.

==>THE BIG PROJECT GETS BIG BOOST FROM LAS VEGAS CLUB

The ARRL Education and Technology Project
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp>, also known as "The Big Project," got a
boost last week in the form of a $1000 check from the Las Vegas Radio
Amateur Club. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, received the check at the
club's April 8 meeting while he was in Vegas attending the National
Association of Broadcasters convention.

"It came as a total surprise to me," Haynie said. "We had no idea before
the meeting that they were going to do this. It's a wonderful gift for the
project."

Equally thrilled was ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH.
She said the LVRAC contribution was most welcome and hopes the gift will
spur others to similar action. "These are challenging times for all of us,
but our dedication to the future of Amateur Radio is now more important
than ever before," she commented. "Next to spectrum defense, the ARRL
Education and Technology Program is the most important thing we do."

Both Haynie and Hobart expressed their appreciation on behalf of the ARRL
for the generous gift from the LVRAC.

The Education and Technology Program <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp> puts
ham radio directly into schools, supplying equipment and Amateur
Radio-related curriculum materials. To date, 50 schools have been accepted
into the program. Hobart urged all interested in the future of Amateur
Radio to contribute to the fund by clicking on "Donate to ARRL" on the
ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org>.

==>WISCONSIN MANDATES ARRL EMCOMM CLASSES FOR ARES/RACES OFFICIALS

Wisconsin has become the first ARRL Section to make the basic ARRL Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications course (ARECC) an ARES/RACES leadership job
requirement. Wisconsin Section Emergency Coordinator Dr Stan Kaplan,
WB9RQR, has announced that Amateur Radio Emergency Service and Radio
Amateur Civil Emergency Service leadership personnel in the Badger State
must complete the Level I Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course
(EC-001) by June 30, 2004, and all three course levels by June 30, 2005.

"We are seeing the marked difference this training makes, both here in
Wisconsin and across the United States," Kaplan said in announcing the
upgraded requirements. "It is a 'Good Thing' and will help you be a much
better emergency communicator and a much better leader of communications
teams." Kaplan said there's "just no question" that completing the AREC
courses will help ARES/RACES leadership members to serve the public
better.

The change affects all Wisconsin district emergency coordinators,
emergency coordinators, assistant emergency coordinator, liaison emergency
coordinators and others in the state's ARES/RACES leadership. That even
includes Kaplan, who also serves as Wisconsin's RACES chief radio officer,
and Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG.

ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG,
<dmiller@arrl.org> said he was pleased to learn that Wisconsin ARES/RACES
values the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications courses so highly that
they've made them a requirement. "We have indeed been impressed with the
activities from that state," Miller remarked.

Still under discussion in Wisconsin is a proposal to require all
ARES/RACES members to pass the Level I Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications class.

==>IARU CELEBRATES WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

Friday, April 18, is World Amateur Radio Day, celebrated each year on the
anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union
(IARU). The IARU is the worldwide federation of national Amateur Radio
organizations representing radio amateurs in 158 countries. On this, the
78th anniversary of its inaugural meeting in Paris, the IARU dedicates
World Amateur Radio Day to the radio amateurs, educators, and
administrators who use Amateur Radio to support technology education in
the classroom.

Such programs are not confined to the developed countries. They are even
more valuable in countries where telecommunications technology is not yet
commonplace and where natural disasters and other calamaties can overload
or even disrupt regular communications circuits.

Radio technology offers a wide array of tools for teachers to use as they
integrate technology into the curriculum. In schools without an Internet
connection, Amateur Radio can fill that void through interactive
communications and shortwave reception. Elementary school teachers using
AM radios can interject fun while helping students learn basic electricity
and regional geography. Social studies teachers can use Amateur Radio and
shortwave receivers to teach about different cultures the world over, as
well as advancing deeper into geopolitics and geography. Earth science and
physics teachers can use radio to teach electricity and electronics, radio
wave propagation, weather and atmospheric science. Language arts teachers
may use radio to supplement writing, speaking and listening skills while
providing access to numerous foreign languages from the lips of native
speakers.

With almost three million licensees in nearly every country on Earth, the
amateur service provides an ample reservoir of expertise for use in
classrooms throughout the world.--IARU news release

==>NEW WEB PAGE LINK SIMPLIFIES DONATING TO ARRL

Now it's easier than ever to find out about the numerous ways ARRL works
to ensure a bright future for Amateur Radio and to become a part of it.
The ARRL Development Office has debuted one-button access on the ARRL Web
site to on-line information about the various fund-raising initiatives
that support ARRL programs not funded by member dues. From the ARRL Web
home page, clicking on either "Donate to ARRL" link will let you access
the "ARRL Development Overview," <http://www.arrl.org/development/> which
provides a central repository of development information.

"Before the Development Office consolidated this information on the ARRL
Web site, information on the Defense of Frequencies Fund, the Education
and Technology ("The Big Project") Fund, and numerous other funds appeared
as individual campaigns on the ARRL Web site," said Chief Development
Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH. "Now, we've integrated all of these campaigns
and additional information into a single Development Office section."

Information available via the consolidated page includes an overview of
what the Development Office is and does, plus specific links and detailed
information on all of the programs and initiatives ARRL has created to
engage its members in supporting ARRL and Amateur Radio.

Clicking on the yellow "Donate to ARRL" toolbar link drops down a menu
with additional links to a donation form, information on annual giving,
ARRL funds, estate planning, memorial gifts and corporate matching gifts.
There's also a link to contact the Development Office. Hobart said
visitors to the ARRL site now can more easily locate information on how to
donate to a particular campaign, leave a legacy gift or joint the Maxim
Society and the Diamond Club. Contact information and a secure Web page
for on-line donations also are provided. Information provided by donors is
not made available to any third parties.

"We want to make this site efficient and informative, so we're always
willing to hear from people who might have ideas about the site," Hobart
said.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation maven Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, is filling in for vacationing
Tad "Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail" Cook, K7RA: Geophysical activity during
the period ran the full gamut--from quiet early in the period to some
minor-to-major storminess later in the period. The minor-to-major
storminess was caused by high-speed solar wind that was induced by a
coronal hole.

Solar activity during the period was low to very low. The largest flare
was a C7 event Friday, April 11.

For the next several days, geophysical activity is forecast to decrease to
unsettled conditions. Thus propagation should generally improve as the
Easter weekend approaches. Additionally, solar activity is forecast to be
low for the next several days, so flares shouldn't cause any problems.

Your reporter noted many 6-meter spots posted early in the week. This is a
reminder that the summer Es (sporadic E) season is underway, and Es can
provide a link to transequatorial propagation (TEP) for stateside
stations.

Sunspot numbers for April 10 through 16 were 66, 49, 60, 61, 63, 54 and
40, with a mean of 56.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 103.7, 102.6, 102.1, 102.4,
102, 100.5 and 98.5 with a mean of 101.7. Estimated planetary A indices
were 26, 14, 7, 10, 16, 22 and 31, with a mean of 18.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The YLRL DX to NA YL Contest (SSB) is April
16-18. The Holyland DX Contest, the TARA Spring Wakeup PSK31 Rumble, the
ES Open HF Championship, the YU DX Contest, the GACW CW DX Contest, the EU
Spring Sprint (CW), the Michigan and Ontario QSO parties, and the 432 MHz
Spring Sprint are the weekend of April 19-20. JUST AHEAD: The Low Power
Spring Sprint is April 21. The Harry Angel Memorial Sprint is April 25.
The SP DX RTTY Contest, the Helvetia Contest, the QRP to the Field, and
the Florida and Nebraska QSO parties are the weekend of April 26-27. 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 ARRL HF Digital Communications (EC-005) course
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> opens Monday, April 21, 12:01 AM
Eastern Daylight Time (0401 UTC). Registration will remain open through
Sunday, April 27. Class begins Tuesday, April 29. Registration for the
ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004) course remains open through Sunday, April
20. Those interested in taking an ARRL Certification and Continuing
Education (C-CE) course in the future can sign up to be advised via e-mail
in advance of registration opportunities. To take advantage, send an
e-mail to prereg@arrl.org. On the subject line, indicate the course name
or number (eg, EC-00#) and the month you want to start the course. In the
message body, provide your name, call sign, and e-mail address. Do not
send inquiries to this mailbox. To learn more, visit the ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce>
and the C-CE links found there. For more information, contact
Certification and Continuing Education Program Coordinator Howard Robins,
W1HSR, hrobins@arrl.org.

* ARRL Emergency Communications course registration: Registration opens
Monday, April 21, 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time (0400 UTC), for the Level
III Emergency Communications on-line course (EC-003). Registration remains
open through the April 26-27 weekend or until all available seats have
been filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, May 6. Thanks to
a grant from United Technologies Corp, the $45 registration fee paid upon
enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the Level III
course. Approximately 50 seats are being offered to ARRL members on a
first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Emergency
Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org;
860-594-0340.

* ARRL members benefit from Web site contest coverage: ARRL publishes the
results of ARRL-sponsored contests on its Web site and in QST, although
only ARRL members enjoy the benefits of the more-detailed Web-based
contest coverage. Here's how it works. As soon as possible after an
operating event, an extensive post-contest writeup and searchable,
indexable detailed score listings--available only to ARRL members--go up
on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/>.
Subsequently, an article summarizing the contest appears in QST, usually
about a month later. The QST article typically is less extensive than the
Web writeup and QST contest reports no longer include detailed line
scores. Finally, at about the time members receive their issues of QST, a
PDF file will be posted on the ARRL Contest Results Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/> that includes the text of the QST
article as well as detailed line scores--although these are not
searchable. The PDF version is available to everyone--members and
nonmembers alike--along with the on-line "Soapbox" comments.--ARRL
Contester's Rate Sheet
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/index.html>

* KC3RE employing APRS during CelebrateLifeRun: Concert pianist Martin
Berkofsky, KC3RE, is equipped with Automatic Position Reporting System
(APRS) hardware, so APRS aficionados can track his progress on his
860-mile CelebrateLifeRun from Tulsa to Chicago on the Internet. Visit the
findu.com site <http://www.findu.com> to see how Berkofsky's doing. A
cancer survivor, Berkofsky, 60, is making the run to raise money for
cancer research. John Chamberlain, AC5CV, reports that he provided
Berkofsky with an APRS-GPS tracker. Berkofsky is not carrying the gear as
he runs, but he does send out his position at the end of each day's jog.
In getting APRS-ready, Berkofsky also had assistance from Gregg Wonderly,
W5GGW, and Larry Bush, W5NCD. All proceeds from Berkofsky's run and
benefit events go to the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation. Details are
on his CelebrateLifeRun Web site <http://www.celebrateliferun.com/>.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America <http://cancercenter.com/> is tracking
Berkofsky's progress on its Web site (scroll down and click on "CTCA
News").

* AMSAT-NA issues first call for annual symposium papers: AMSAT-NA has
issued the first call for papers for its 2003 Space Symposium and Annual
Meeting <http://www.barc.ca/amsat_ca/> October 17-19, 2003 in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. Papers may be presented by the author during the
symposium or submitted for inclusion in the symposium Proceedings
publication. Subject matter should be of general interest to Amateur Radio
operators involved in satellite communications. Suggested topics include
operating techniques, antenna design and construction, spacecraft design
and construction, current mission status, proposed satellite missions, and
telemetry acquisition and relay. Authors should submit brief abstracts as
soon as possible but in no case later than June 15. Publication-ready
manuscripts are due August 15, preferably in electronic form and in
MS-Word format. E-mail electronic submittals to Wayne Chandler, VE3WHC,
ve3whc@amsat.org.--AMSAT News Service [AMSAT logo]

* Ham named to FCC advisory panel: An Amateur Radio operator from
Mississippi has been named as one of 35 members to the FCC's Consumer
Advisory Committee (CAC). George M. "Mike" Duke, K5XU, of Jackson will
represent the interests of blind or visually impaired persons, Amateur
Radio amateur operators and management of audio information services for
the blind. FCC Chairman Michael Powell announced the appointees March 28.
Shirley Rooker, President of Call For Action
<http://www.callforaction.org/>, will chair the CAC, which meets for the
first time April 25. The CAC succeeds the Consumer/Disability
Telecommunications Advisory Committee (C/DTAC). The FCC says the panel was
rechartered as the Consumer Advisory Committee to reflect the broader
scope of its responsibilities. During its two-year term, the committee
will address a number of topics including consumer protection and
education, access by people with disabilities, impact upon consumers of
new and emerging technologies, and implementation of FCC rules and
consumer participation in the FCC rulemaking process. More information is
available in an FCC Public Notice
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-876A1.doc>.

===========================================================
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Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 17
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Subj:	The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 17

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 17
April 25, 2003
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +FCC "Broadband over Powerline" inquiry has ham interference
implications
* +UN World Food Program Iraq team includes several hams
* +New two-ham ISS crew ready to launch
* +FCC alleges Michigan ham deliberately interfered, made threats
* +Two states' ham antenna bills head for governors
* +Hamvention announces 2003 award winners
* +Former W1AW chief op Chuck Bender, W1WPR, SK
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     Ham-pianist looking for company, support during run
     Hams assist stranded sailboat
     Temporary permission granted for YA1CQ operation
     W1AA/MSC will be on the air for Marconi event
     K6KPH on the air for International Marconi Day
+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================

==>"BROADBAND OVER POWER LINE" POSES HF INTERFERENCE THREAT

The FCC soon will invite public comment on the concept of using existing
electrical power lines to deliver Internet and broadband service to homes
and offices. The Commission initiated a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) in ET
Docket 03-104 when it met April 23. What the FCC calls "Broadband over
Power Line" (BPL) is a form of carrier-current technology typically known
as power line communication (PLC). Whatever its name, the technology is
raising serious interference concerns within the Amateur Radio community,
since BPL would apply high-frequency RF to parts of the power grid. One
aspect of the NOI is to gather information on potential interference
effects on authorized spectrum users.

"Entire communities will be affected, so every amateur in that community
could have part of the radiating system 'next door' on the power wiring on
his or her street," cautioned ARRL Lab Supervisor Ed Hare, W1RFI. Hare
chairs the PLC Work Group of the IEEE C63 Accredited Standards Committee
on Electromagnetic Compatibility <http://c63.ieee.org/>.

The complete NOI has not yet been released, and until that happens, the
FCC will not formally accept comments in the proceeding. The ARRL will be
among those expected to submit detailed comments in ET 03-104.

So-called "access BPL" would use medium-voltage (1 kV to 40 kV) power
lines to deliver Internet and broadband applications. Hare says access BPL
is likely to be a more significant interference source  than in-building
PLC technology "because overhead electrical wiring is a much better
antenna than the electrical wiring within a building."

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, editorialized on the subject of PLC in "It
Seems to Us . . ." in the October issue of 2002 QST. "Is it possible to do
power line communications without causing interference to over-the-air
communications?" Sumner asked. "Count us among the skeptics. What may be a
fine transmission line at 60 Hz looks more like an antenna at HF." Hare
said his own computer analyses of interference potential from access
BPL/PLC suggest "a significant increase in noise levels" from deployed
systems.

The FCC appears enthusiastic about BPL, however, saying it has the
potential to "provide consumers with the freedom to access broadband
services from any room in the house without adding or paying for
additional connections." The Commission also touted BPL as "a competitive
alternative to digital subscriber line and cable modem services."

New digital power line designs use multiple carriers spread over a wide
frequency range--from 2 MHz up to 80 MHz--and capable of high data
rates--up to 20 MB/s, the FCC said.

In addition to viewpoints on interference potential, the FCC also has
requested comments on the current state of high-speed BPL technology, test
results from BPL experimental sites, appropriate measurement procedure for
testing emission characteristics for all types of carrier-current systems,
changes that may be needed in Part 15 technical rules, and the equipment
approval process to foster the development of BPL.

Tests of BPL are under way in several states, including Alabama, Maryland,
Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Hare says ARRL Lab
personnel will visit some of the test cities this spring to take field
measurements to quantify the potential for interference to Amateur Radio
operations.

BPL/PLC technology already has been deployed in some European countries,
and amateurs there have complained about interference. Japan--responding
in part to concerns expressed by its amateur community--decided last year
not to adopt the technology because of its interference potential.

==>HAMS ABOUND ON UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAM'S IRAQ "FAST INTERVENTION TEAM"

Several radio amateurs--including some of the world's top operators--are
among United Nations World Food Program (WFP) "Fast Intervention Team"
(FITTEST) personnel already in Iraq or poised nearby and expected to be
inside the war-ravaged country very soon. FITTEST is responsible for
building technical infrastructure to ensure WFP can move relief food
supplies rapidly and safely. Any ham radio operations would be secondary
to the WFP's efforts in Iraq, however.

Peter Casier, ON6TT--who's expected in Baghdad as early as next week--says
the WFP will have a critical role in the post-conflict era in Iraq "where
60 percent of the population is dependent on external food aid." In ham
radio circles, Casier may be better-known as a top contester and one the
operators of Afghanistan's YA5T after the US-led military action there in
2001.

Other YA5T alumni expected to soon be in Iraq as part of the WFP effort
include Robert Kasca, S53R--the last UN international staff person
evacuated from Iraq before the conflict--Mark Demeuleneere, ON4WW, and
Mats Persson, SM7PKK. Casier and Demeuleneere paired up at World
Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) events in 2000 and 2002. Kasca was
director of competition for WRTC 2000. Casier says he, Kasca and Dane
Novarlic, S57CQ, were on the air from Iraq until just before the war broke
out.

Casier reports that Diya Sayah, YI1DZ--one of the primary operators at the
Baghdad Radio Club's YI1BGD and the WFP's Baghdad telecommunications
officer--is safe and well in Iraq.

FITTEST also has a mandate to install or build basic technical networks,
Casier said, including such systems as VHF repeaters, satellite
communications and HF fixed and mobile stations. The team also will set up
radio rooms, rework administrative procedures, and assign call signs for
all UN humanitarian-aid workers and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs)--other international aid organizations.

Others ready to go include Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN, who's in Turkey. Until
last November Giorgadze had operated from North Korea as P5/4L4FN while on
a WFP assignment in Pyongyang. Patrick Pointu, F5ORF, and Mark Tell,
VK4KMT, among several other FITTEST team members who are radio amateurs.

The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com> reported this week that Willie
Mohney, YI/KV4EB, has been operating daily on 15 meters at or around
21.270 MHz, moving to 20 meters--perhaps around 14.255.

==>TWO-HAM CREW SET TO FLY TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

Space veterans Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP, and NASA
astronaut Ed Lu, KC5WKJ, were scheduled to head into space this weekend to
assume the reins of the International Space Station (ISS) as its
Expedition 7 crew. Crew commander Malenchenko, 41, and NASA Space Station
Science Officer Lu, 39, will be the first two-person ISS crew increment
and the first primary crew to travel to the space station on a Russian
Soyuz spacecraft. Their Soyuz TMA-2 vehicle is scheduled to launch April
26, at approximately 0354 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
They'll arrive aboard the ISS April 28. The two crews will spend six days
together on the ISS.

Originally scheduled to return in March aboard the space shuttle Atlantis
STS-114 mission, Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox, KD5JBP, Flight
Engineer Nikolai Budarin, RV3FB, and NASA Space Station Science Officer
Don Pettit, KD5MDT, will return to Earth aboard the Soyuz TMA-1 craft
that's now attached to the space station. They're scheduled to land on May
3 in Kazakhstan. Bowersox, Budarin and Pettit have been in space since
November 23.

NASA says that with the arrival of the Expedition 7 crew just days away,
the Expedition 6 crew has been preparing for "handover" activities this
week. On April 23, the crew conducted a motion control system test in the
Soyuz TMA-1 that Expedition 6 crew will use to return to Earth.

Malenchenko and Lu will remain in space until October. NASA has said that
until the space shuttle returns to flight-ready status pending the outcome
of the Columbia accident investigation, Russian Soyuz vehicles will handle
ISS crew rotations. NASA Chief Sean O'Keefe said this week, however, that
he expects the shuttle fleet to be space-ready by year's end. NASA
continues to investigate the February 1 shuttle Columbia tragedy that
claimed the lives of seven astronauts, three of them Amateur Radio
licensees.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Chairman Frank
Bauer, KA3HDO, says NASA has okayed a schedule of one or two ARISS school
group contacts per week, despite the reduction in crew size. The grounding
of the shuttle fleet could put a crimp in plans to deliver new ham radio
gear to the ISS this year, however.

==>FCC ALLEGES MICHIGAN HAM ENGAGED IN DELIBERATE INTERFERENCE, THREATS

The FCC alleges that a Michigan ham engaged in deliberate interference and
broadcasting and threatened other amateurs, and it's sending Michael
Guernsey Sr, ND8V, of Parchment a tape recording to back up those
assertions. Since late 1998, Guernsey has been the recipient of seven
letters from FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth, including two
warning notices. In 2000, the FCC threatened to designate Guernsey's
license for a revocation and suspension hearing. Guernsey subsequently
agreed to a nine-month suspension of his HF privileges in 2001.

"The operation of your station over the last several years raises
questions about your qualifications to remain a Commission licensee,"
Hollingsworth wrote Guernsey on April 7. The latest flap primarily
involves complaints from other amateurs of deliberate interference on 20
meters. The recorded transmissions were made on March 26, 2003.

In his letter, Hollingsworth noted that some of the interference
apparently sprang from on-the-air personal disputes or from what Guernsey
perceived as deliberate interference to his transmissions. Even so,
Hollingsworth said, Guernsey has apparently ignored the Commission's
written and verbal warnings to not retaliate with similar behavior.
Hollingsworth advised Guernsey that the alleged deliberate retaliatory
threats and transmissions on top of other QSOs are contrary to FCC rules
"and indicate that the numerous warnings to date have little, if any,
effect in regarding to bringing your operation into compliance with
Commission rules."

Hollingsworth requested that Guernsey review the tape recording and
respond in writing and in detail within 20 days. He said the FCC will use
the information Guernsey submits to decide whether to designate Guernsey's
license for a suspension and revocation proceeding or to lift voice
privileges from Guernsey's license for the remainder of his license term,
which ends in 2012.

In a related letter, Hollingsworth issued similar words of caution to
George Zardecki, N9VTB, of Chicago, with whom, he says, Guernsey has
squabbled on the air. While Hollingsworth indicated that he would review
and take action regarding Zardecki's deliberate interference complaints,
he advised Zardecki that "in several instances, your own conduct was as
bad or worse than the party about whom you complained." He cautioned
Zardecki against retaliatory interference, slander and name calling.

==>INDIANA, TENNESSEE AMATEUR ANTENNA BILLS HEADED FOR GOVERNORS' DESKS

Amateur Radio antenna bills in Indiana and Tennessee need only their
respective governors' signatures to eventually become law. In both cases,
the measures would incorporate the wording of the limited federal
preemption known as PRB-1 into the laws of each state.

"A stunning reversal of fortune" is how ARRL Central Division Director
Dick Isely, W9GIG, described the passage of Indiana's bill, SB 109, which
at one point had been shelved in committee. ARRL Indiana Section Manager
Jim Sellers, K9ZBM, and others convinced lawmakers to resurrect SB 109.
Isely and Sellers credited the efforts of former ARRL State Government
Liaison Dave Spoelstra, N9KT, in the successful passage of SB 109. "He was
able to provide Jim Sellers and me with a lot of valuable insight into the
various legislative moves," Isely said.

Favorably voted out of committee, the measure went on to pass the Indiana
House of Representatives April 14 on a 97-2 vote but without the 75-foot
minimum regulatory antenna structure height the Senate version of the bill
had contained. A House-Senate conference committee, convened to iron out
the differences, left out the 75-foot minimum, and the Senate passed the
stripped-down measure on a 39-9 roll-call vote. SB 109 now goes to Indiana
Gov Frank O'Bannon. If he signs the measure, it will become effective July
1.

In Tennessee, the Senate voted 31-0 on April 14 to accept a previously
passed House bill, HB 1010, to replace the Senate's PRB-1 measure, SB
0365. The House vote was 97-0. The bill now goes to Gov Phil Bredesen.

"Many thanks for this progress goes to the teamwork of our State
Government Liaison Ingrid Klose, KD4F, Local Government Liaison Jimmy
Floyd, NQ4U, and the many Tennessee hams who contacted their senators and
representatives to solicit their votes and support," said ARRL Tennessee
Section Manager Terry Cox, KB4KA.

At the request of Tennessee Section leadership, lawmakers eliminated
language from the original Senate bill that would have incorporated
minimum regulatory height limits, below which localities could not
regulate. The Senate bill had asked for an up to 200 foot minimum
regulatory height for low population density areas and either a 65 or
75-foot regulatory minimum in more densely populated areas, depending on
lot size.

"We realized there was a very slim chance of getting the original wording,
including height limitations, approved after the resistance we received
from the Tennessee Municipal League in last year's effort," Cox explained.

The bills approved in both states prohibit localities from enacting or
enforcing ordinances, resolutions or orders that do not comply with the
PRB-1 limited federal preemption ('97.15). Both measures also would
require ordinances involving the placement, screening or height of Amateur
Radio antennas based on health, safety or aesthetics to "reasonably
accommodate" Amateur Radio communications and represent the minimal
practicable regulation to accomplish a municipality's or county's
legitimate purpose.

The Indiana law also would permit municipalities or counties to act to
protect or preserve historical or architectural districts established
under local, state or federal law.

So far 17 states have incorporated the essence of PRB-1 into their laws,
but only a handful--Oregon, Virginia, Alaska and Wyoming--include minimum
regulatory height limits in their Amateur Radio antenna laws based on
PRB-1.

==>HAMVENTION ANNOUNCES 2003 AWARD WINNERS

Hamvention has named the winners of its 2003 Amateur of the Year, Special
Achievement and Technical Excellence awards. Well-known contester Larry
"Tree" Tyree, N6TR, will receive Hamvention's 2003 Amateur of the Year
Award. Tyree is the creator, organizer, and promoter of the successful
Kid's Day <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html>--now administered
by the ARRL. Kid's Day is an operating activity designed to give young
people a chance to experience Amateur Radio firsthand and possibly inspire
them to become licensees. Tyree also developed the popular TR-LOG contest
logging software. A ham since 1967, Tyree lives in Boring, Oregon, with
his wife and three daughters.

"I hope to be able to use this to help encourage others to encourage young
people to join our hobby," Tyree commented. "Obviously the help the ARRL
has given me by taking over the event has been part of the success that
enabled this [award]." The award to Tyree is in line with Hamvention's
2003 theme, "Year of the Youth." The show, May 16-18 at Hara Arena near
Dayton, Ohio, will be on young hams and on attracting 12 to 18-year olds
into Amateur Radio.

Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is the winner of
Hamvention's 2003 Special Achievement Award. Taylor developed the
Internet-linking program called EchoLink and the repeater-control program
called EchoStation. EchoLink allows amateur stations to connect with each
other via the Internet to expand repeater and simplex coverage and to
provide Amateur Radio operators with access from their PCs.

Hamvention's 2003 Technical Achievement Award goes to Dr Steve Dimse,
K4HG, of Cudjoe Key, Florida. Dimse was behind the development of the
global Automated Position Reporting System (APRS) Internet network
<http://www.aprs.net/> that links more than 20,000 APRS operators around
the world. Dimse also wrote the findU global database software
<http://www.findu.com>, and he helped form the Citizens Weather Service
(CWS).

Awards will be presented at an award winners' reception at Hara Arena May
17.

Hamvention 2003 also recognized the contributions of several Silent Keys
to Amateur Radio. Those recognized include the crew of the shuttle
Columbia STS-107 mission, which included three Amateur Radio licensees.
Other Silent Keys honored included ham radio author Joe Carr, K4IPV;
inventor Al Gross, W8PAL; ham radio author Bill Orr, W6SAI; and ham radio
volunteer and Elmer Ernie Hudson, KI8O.

==>FORMER W1AW CHIEF OPERATOR CHUCK BENDER, W1WPR, SK

Former W1AW staff member and chief operator Charles R. "Chuck" Bender,
W1WPR, of West Hartford, Connecticut, died April 17. He was 79. Bender
served as an operator at Maxim Memorial Station W1AW for more than 37
years--from 1952 until his retirement in 1989--the last 17 years as chief
operator.

"Chuck was a fixture at W1AW," said ARRL Chief Operating Officer Mark
Wilson, K1RO. "For many League members, he was the visible, human face of
ARRL Headquarters as he greeted visitors to the station during his
tenure." Bender's photo also graced W1AW's QSL card for a number of years,
making him probably one of the most recognized hams in the country.

ARRL Archivist Perry Williams, W1UED, was a long-time colleague of
Bender's. "He was a private man who liked to read, and he enjoyed playing
chess," Williams recalled. "He loved baseball, and he also bowled a lot
with his wife, Arline." The Benders met while both were on the
Headquarters staff and got married on Field Day in 1968. Arline Bender,
WA1VMC, died last December.

W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, remembered that Bender "was proud
of being the W1AW chief operator and that he really liked Amateur Radio."
A Pennsylvania native, Bender saw action during World War II. Before
moving to Connecticut in 1952, he held the call sign W3ODU.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan Lyhne. At Bender's request, no public
memorial service will be held.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Solar sage Tad "You Are My Sunshine" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
reports: -Sunspot numbers and solar flux rose over the past week. Average
daily sunspot numbers were up more than 44 points to 100.4, and solar flux
was nearly 17 points higher to 118.6. Solar wind and the resulting
geomagnetic instability that has been prevalent for the past few weeks
continued, and is expected to last at least through this weekend.

The current outlook has the Friday through Monday planetary A index for
April 25-28 at 20, 25, 25 and 20. Current projections forecast quiet
conditions for May 3-5, but higher just before that period and for nearly
two weeks following. The reason for the unsettled to active geomagnetic
forecast for this weekend is because of an ongoing solar wind, and an
active sunspot that released two solar flares on April 23.

Predicted solar flux is 128 and 130 for Friday and Saturday, April 25-26,
and then around 135 through the next week.

Sunspot numbers for April 17 through 23 were 37, 51, 69, 93, 154, 147 and
152, with a mean of 100.4. The 10.7-cm flux was 101, 107.8, 112.1, 118.5,
125.8, 132.4 and 132.8 with a mean of 118.6. Estimated planetary A indices
were 30, 20, 18, 16, 21, 22 and 18, with a mean of 20.7.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The SP DX RTTY Contest, the Helvetia Contest,
the QRP to the Field, and the Florida and Nebraska QSO parties are the
weekend of April 26-27. JUST AHEAD: The AGCW QRP/QRP Contest is May 1. The
New England QSO Party, the Indiana QSO Party, the MARAC County Hunters
Contest (CW), the IPA Contest (CW/SSB), the 10-10 International Spring
Contest (CW), the Microwave Spring Sprint, and the ARI International DX
Contest are the weekend of May 3-4. 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 Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006) and Satellite
Communications (EC-007) courses opens Monday, April 28, 12:01 AM EDT (0401
UTC). Registration will remain open through Sunday, May 4. Classes begin
Tuesday, May 6. Registration for the ARRL HF Digital Communications
(EC-005) course remains open through Sunday, April 27. Those interested in
taking an ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) course in the
future can sign up to be advised via e-mail in advance of registration
opportunities. To take advantage, send an e-mail to prereg@arrl.org. On
the subject line, indicate the course name or number (eg, EC-00#) and the
month you want to start the course. In the message body, provide your
name, call sign, and e-mail address. Please do not send inquiries to this
mailbox. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing
Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce> and the C-CE Links found
there. For more information, contact Certification and Continuing
Education Program Coordinator Howard Robins, W1HSR, hrobins@arrl.org.

* Ham-pianist looking for company, support during run: Internationally
known pianist Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, has made it into Kansas on his
860-mile run to Chicago. A cancer survivor, Berkofsky is celebrating his
recovery and raising money for Tulsa's Cancer Treatment Research
Foundation (CTRF) <http://www.ctrf.org/> with his CelebrateLifeRun
<http://www.celebrateliferun.com/>. Berkofsky left Tulsa April 8, his 60th
birthday. "Holding up wonderfully," Berkofsky reports. "The best day was
12.9 miles." He said he's now out of range of the Oklahoma UHF "Super
System," where he enjoyed many nice QSOs and had some stations checking in
with him daily as the run progressed. Joni Shulman, CTRF's director of
programs, said Berkofsky still needs places to stay and spotters to watch
out for him along his route. He also enjoys having others run with him.
Berkofsky is using APRS to radio his position at least on a daily basis,
and he can be tracked on the Web via the findu.com site
<http://www.findu.com>.

* Hams assist stranded sailboat: Amateur Radio operators on the
Intercontinental and Maritime Mobile Service nets (14.300 MHz) responded
to a call from a sailboat stranded between Key West and the Dry Tortugas.
Ed Petzolt, K1LNC, in Florida, reported that a power failure aboard the
42-foot sailing vessel Follie a Deux out of Toronto left the boat adrift
in calm winds and seas. "They did a pan pan on 14.300 MHz," Petzolt
reported April 22. He contacted the US Coast Guard in Key West, which
responded. "They attempted to repair the engine without success," Petzolt
said later. The sailboat, with two passengers aboard, was towed to Dry
Tortugas to await a commercial repair/towing vessel.

* Temporary permission granted for YA1CQ operation: The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com> reports that Hiro Nakanishi, JA1CQT, is back in
Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of the Basic Human Needs (BHN) contingent. He
has been granted temporary permission to operate as YA1CQ until the end of
May, although he expects to be in Afghanistan for 12 months. BHN is a
nongovernmental organization--or NGO--that's helping with humanitarian
relief efforts. Others associated with the BHN team include Ito "Dan"
Sadao, JA1PBV. YA1JA is the BHN club call sign.

* W1AA/MSC will be on the air for Marconi event: Members of the Marconi
Radio Club <http://www.qsl.net/w1aa/w1aa_1001.htm> will operate on
International Marconi Day, Saturday, April 26, as W1AA/MSC. "W1AA/MSC will
represent the 1901 Marconi Nantucket Station MSC," said club president
Whitey Doherty, K1VV, who explained that the actual W1AA/MSC operation
will take place on the mainland, not from Nantucket itself, since the
original MSC site is now a residential area. The station remained in
operation from 1904 until 1918. US stations QSL W1AA/MSC with a SASE to
Whitey Doherty, K1VV, PO Box 1193, Lakeville, MA 02347. DX QSL via the W1
QSL Bureau.

* K6KPH on the air for International Marconi Day: The Maritime Radio
Historical Society's K6KPH will participate Saturday, April 26, in the
annual International Marconi Day commemorative event. International
Marconi Day takes place each year on a weekend close to the birthday of
wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi. The event is organized by the Cornish
Amateur Radio Club, which will offer awards to stations in various
categories. Details are on the club's Web site <http://www.gb4imd.co.uk/>.
K6KPH uses the original transmitters, receivers and antennas of famous
former RCA coast station KPH on the West Coast. Operating frequencies will
be 7050, 14,050 and 21,050 kHz and possibly 3545 kHz. Operations begin
April 26 at 1700 UTC. QSL to Denise Stoops, PO Box 381, Bolinas, CA
94924-0381.

===========================================================
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