[South Florida DX Association] The ARRL Letter, Vol 23, No 34

[Bill Marx]

 ***************
> The ARRL Letter
> Vol. 23, No. 34
> August 27, 2004
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * +League seeks members' input on draft "bandwidth" petition
> * +ARRL will take part in National Preparedness Month
> * +Balloting to decide ARRL director, two vice directors
> * +Coordinator adopts "all tone, all the time" repeater policy
> * +On-air Maxim Birthday Anniversary celebration set
> * +New Section Manager elected for Minnesota
> * +Bruce Muscolino, W6TOY, SK
> *  Solar Update
> *  IN BRIEF:
>      This weekend on the radio
>      ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
>     +AMSAT Lab building is Hurricane Charley victim
>      Site, host sought for fifth USA ARDF Championships
>      Robert R. Adams, W8BKO, SK
>      Alexanderson SAQ station now on UNESCO World Heritage List
>      QCWA-suffix call sign to mark convention special event
>
> +Available on ARRL Audio News
>
> ===========================================================
>
> ==>ARRL SEEKS COMMENT ON DRAFT "BANDWIDTH" PETITION
>
> The ARRL wants members' comments on a planned petition to the FCC seeking
> to regulate amateur subbands by bandwidth rather than by mode. The ARRL
> Board of Directors adopted the petition's guiding principle--to create a
> regulatory environment more accommodating to newer technologies--two years
> ago, and it wrapped up its review of a draft petition in late July.
>
> "The main objective is to make appropriate provision for digital modes in
> the HF amateur bands, while preserving amateurs' prerogatives to use the
> traditional modes," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. "Regulation by
> Bandwidth" is the title of Sumner's "It Seems to Us . . ." editorial in
> September QST.
>
> The draft petition represents expert input from the ARRL Ad Hoc HF Digital
> Committee. ARRL staff also provided an interim report, and the Board
> reviewed a draft petition when it met last January. An ARRL Executive
> Committee review followed. The EC decided to make a synopsis and
> explanation of the petition available to ARRL members before it goes to
> the FCC.
>
> "The regulation of emission modes in Amateur Radio Service allocations is
> a limiting factor with respect to Amateur Radio experimentation," the
> petition synopsis concludes. "It leads to attempts to put new technology
> into a regulatory framework that was designed only to deal with older
> analog emissions." To implement digital technologies, an underlying
> assumption of the League's draft petition is to provide for an
> intermediate bandwidth--between what's needed for the legacy CW and phone
> modes--in the middle of certain bands.
>
> As drafted, the ARRL's bandwidth petition would preserve double-sideband
> AM unchanged, but it would stop short of opening the phone bands to
> digital and other modes of the same bandwidth.
>
> FCC rules now permit RTTY and data emissions throughout the HF CW
> subbands, although informal agreements typically keep RTTY and data
> signals out of those parts of the CW band generally used for CW. The
> ARRL's petition proposes to limit bandwidth in the CW subbands to 200 Hz,
> which also will accommodate data modes such as PSK31.
>
> In addition, the League's proposal would limit bandwidth in the existing
> "RTTY/data subbands" to either 500 Hz or 3 kHz, with phone emissions
> specifically prohibited in certain subbands where 3 kHz would be
> permitted. Under the proposal, these would include 3650-3725, 7100-7125,
> 14,100-14,150 and 21,150-21,200 kHz.
>
> "The reason for this is to encourage the development of higher-speed data
> communications in these subbands by preventing them from becoming de facto
> 'expanded phone bands.'" Sumner explained.
>
> The new proposals take into account the ARRL's prior "Novice refarming"
> petition to expand some HF phone bands, included in the FCC Notice of
> Proposed Rule Making in WT Docket 04-140.
>
> Amateurs typically won't have to be able to measure the bandwidth of their
> signals, Sumner says, since the bandwidths proposed are more than
> sufficient for "clean" signals using traditional HF modes.
>
> The ARRL proposal would eliminate bandwidth restrictions in the 222-225
> MHz band--beyond a requirement to keep signals confined within the band.
>
> Sumner encouraged ARRL members to review the synopsis of the petition and
> the specific rule changes the League plans to propose
> <http://www.arrl.org/announce/bandwidth.html>. Direct questions or
> comments--favorable or otherwise--via e-mail <bandwidth at arrl.org>. ARRL
> staff members will respond to any questions, while comments will be
> forwarded to your ARRL division director. Members also are welcome to
> comment directly to their ARRL directors <http://www.arrl.org/divisions/>,
> also listed on page 15 in QST.
>
> ==>ARRL TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
>
> During September, the ARRL will be among dozens of organizations and
> agencies participating in National Preparedness Month. "The Ready
> Campaign," produced by the Ad Council in partnership with the US
> Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is aimed at making citizen
> preparedness "a priority for every city, every neighborhood and every
> home" in the US. The League is an official affiliate of Citizen Corps, a
> DHS initiative to enhance public preparedness and safety. ARRL will
> combine its role in National Preparedness Month--which starts September
> 9--with its own "Amateur Radio Awareness Day" on September 18.
>
> "The two events offer great opportunities for Amateur Radio to showcase
> its valued service to the nation," said ARRL Field and Educational
> Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO. She encouraged ARRL-affiliated
> clubs and Field Organization volunteers to use the occasion to set up
> public demonstrations of Amateur Radio and to present or even
> demonstrate--under the banner of National Preparedness Month--the free
> services Amateur Radio provides to communities.
>
> ARRL Club/Mentor Program Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, suggests that while
> displays should be informative, they also need to be neat and simple.
> "This is also an excellent opportunity to recruit prospective hams for
> licensing classes that clubs may be forming for the fall," he added. In
> addition, ARRL encourages all Amateur Radio operators to have a family
> emergency communication plan in place in case of an emergency, such as a
> severe weather event. "Get Ready Now" brochures are available. Visit the
> Ready.gov Web site <http://www.ready.gov> for more information.
>
> On Amateur Radio Awareness Day, September 18, W1AW/90 will be on the air
> from 10 AM until 10 PM Eastern Time with ARRL staff members, new Section
> Managers in town for the annual Section Managers' Workshop and volunteers
> from the Newington Amateur Radio League as operators. White encourages
> amateur groups to invite public officials, representatives of served
> agencies and first responders to visit their public displays to discuss
> plans for their Simulated Emergency Test (SET), typically in early
> October, or other drills.
>
> Some clubs already have jumped on the National Preparedness Month/Amateur
> Radio Awareness Day bandwagon, Fusaro notes--in some cases by taking
> advantage of already scheduled events during September.
>
> The Middletown Amateur Radio Club--W2MAR--in New Jersey will take part in
> Middletown Day activities September 18 with a public ham radio display,
> information table, traffic handling and ARES/RACES displays. The club
> expects some 3000 visitors in town, including state and local officials.
>
> In Illinois, Amateur Radio Awareness Day falls on the same weekend as the
> three-day Peoria Superfest 2004 Amateur Radio and computer show. The
> Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club will have an all-day demonstration at the
> Exposition Garden Fairgrounds on September.
>
> The Space Park Employees Association Amateur Radio Club (W6TRW) in Redondo
> Beach, California, will have its emergency communications team (ECT) van
> at the Northrop Grumman Space Technology open house September 18.
>
> The ARRL has printed materials available for ARRL-affiliated clubs, ARES
> groups and others to use for public exhibits and ham radio demonstrations.
> Brochures may be downloaded free of charge from the ARRL Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/htdig/?method+and&words=brochure>. For a small
> shipping fee, exhibit kits also are available. Contact Linda Mullally,
> KB1HSV, <lmullally at arrl.org> to order.
>
> The League also offers a sample news release
> <http://www.arrl.org/pio/handbook/sample-news-release.html> that clubs and
> groups can customize to help spread the word. More information about
> National Preparedness Month or Amateur Radio demonstrations in general is
> available from ARRL <clubs at arrl.org>.
>
> ==>TWO DIRECTORS TO STEP ASIDE; BALLOTING SET IN THREE DIVISIONS
>
> Two members of the ARRL Board of Directors are not seeking new terms this
> fall, and there will be an election to fill one of the vacancies.
> Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, who's held the seat
> since 2002, announced earlier this year that he would not run for the
> 2005-2007 term. Rocky Mountain Division Director Walt Stinson, W0CP, also
> has decided not to seek another term after serving since 1998.
>
> "We will miss Art and Walt, who have contributed enormously to the
> League's success during their tenures," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ,
> who is secretary of the Board of Directors.
>
> Seeking to succeed Goddard is Southwestern Division Vice Director Tuck
> Miller, NZ6T, of National City, California, who will face off against Dick
> Norton, N6AA, of Topanga, California. A DXer and contester, Norton
> competed at the 2002 World Radiosport Team Championship and is a pioneer
> in computerized contest log checking.
>
> Rocky Mountain Division Vice Director Rev Morton, WS7W, of Casper,
> Wyoming, is unopposed to replace Stinson in the top job. Brian Mileshosky,
> N5ZGT, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, also had no competition in his bid to
> succeed Morton. Mileshosky, who turns 25 in October, will be the youngest
> person in recent memory to serve as an ARRL Vice Director. He was the 1999
> winner of the ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award.
>
> Edward J. Stearns, AA7A, of Scottsdale, Arizona--a DXCC Honor Roll member
> and past chair of the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee--is unopposed for
> the Southwestern Division Vice Director's seat that Miller is vacating to
> run for Director. Stearns and Miller faced off for the seat in 2001.
>
> In the Southeastern Division, while 25-year veteran Director Frank Butler,
> W4RH, faces no opposition for a new term, there is a contest for the
> division's second slot. Incumbent Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU, faces
> a challenge from Southern Florida Section Manager Sherri Brower, W4STB, of
> Vero Beach. Donahue, a former Georgia Section Manager who lives in
> Atlanta, was elected in 2001.
>
> In the West Gulf Division, Director Coy Day, N5OK, of Union City,
> Oklahoma, has no opposition for a new term. Vice Director Dr David
> Woolweaver, K5RAV, of Harlingen, Texas, faces a challenge from Doug
> Loughmiller, W5BL (ex-KO5I and W5DAL), of McKinney, Texas. A past AMSAT-NA
> Board chairman and the author of more than a dozen QST and QEX articles on
> amateur satellites, Loughmiller's interests include VHF-UHF work,
> moonbounce and low-power operating.
>
> In the Pacific Division incumbent Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, is unopposed
> in his bid for a new term in his own right. The Castro Valley, California,
> retiree took over the director's chair in February 2003 following the
> unexpected and untimely death of Jim Maxwell, W6CF. Vice Director Andy
> Oppel, N6AJO, of Alameda, California, also is running unopposed. He was
> appointed in 2003 to replace Vallio.
>
> Ballots in contested seats will be mailed by October 1 to all full ARRL
> members in good standing in the three affected divisions as of September
> 10. The votes will be tallied November 19 at ARRL Headquarters. Three-year
> terms for successful candidates begin January 1.
>
> ==>REPEATER COORDINATOR OKAYS MANDATORY REPEATER TONE POLICY
>
> The Southeast Repeater Association (SERA) Board of Directors has approved
> an "all tone, all the time" policy for the repeaters SERA coordinates.
> SERA provides voluntary frequency coordination for amateur repeaters in
> Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi
> and parts of Virginia and West Virginia. The Board okayed a motion to
> amend its coordination policy and guidelines to require CTCSS or DCS
> receive and transmit tones on all new FM voice repeaters. Existing voice
> repeaters will have until July 1, 2006, to comply. The SERA Repeater
> Journal reported the move in its August issue. Repeater Journal Editor
> Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, said a need to relieve interference complaints led to
> the Board's decision.
>
> "The point is to stop the ongoing complaints and skirmishes between
> co-channel neighbors running carrier-access repeaters," Pearce explained.
> "The vote was unanimous, but SERA recognizes that tone isn't universally
> popular nor is it a cure-all. And it causes new problems, particularly for
> travelers."
>
> South Carolina ARRL member Laurie Sansbury Jr, KV4C, would agree with
> Pearce on that score. He also has taken issue with SERA's new policy and
> with Pearce's Repeater Journal "SquelchTale" editorial, in which Pearce
> said he had "little sympathy for the ham whose radio doesn't have a tone
> encoder" and "Radios are cheap today."
>
> "Not for the senior on a fixed income they're not," Sansbury retorted in
> an e-mail copied to ARRL. "Not for a teenager--the future of ham
> radio--they're not."
>
> ARRL South Carolina Technical Coordinator Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, said he
> believes an important consideration of SERA's tone policy is its potential
> effect on emergency operations. "The Amateur Radio Service is expected to
> provide emergency communications," Tarplee said. "How does broad CTCSS
> implementation enhance or hinder our ability to deliver those
> communications?"
>
> SERA has no plans to automatically decoordinate repeaters that continue to
> operate without tones, but "SERA would not entertain an interference
> complaint from the owner of any repeater who chooses to remain carrier
> access," the Repeater Journal said. If a carrier-access repeater owner
> getting co-channel interference complains to the FCC, SERA would tell the
> Commission that the complaining repeater's owner was opting to operate
> outside the conditions of coordination. "SERA would expect that to be
> interpreted as a 'no,'" the Repeater Journal report said.
>
> "If a repeater owner wants to complain about interference, they'll have to
> incorporate tone first," Pearce said.
>
> ==>AMATEUR COMMUNITY INVITED TO CELEBRATE MAXIM BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
>
> Members of the amateur community are invited to help celebrate the 135th
> birthday anniversary of the League's co-founder and first president Hiram
> Percy Maxim, W1AW, who was born September 2, 1869. ARRL Life Members and
> the League's extended family of elected and appointed volunteers and
> officials are eligible to identify by appending /135 to their call signs.
> The complete eligibility list
> <http://www.arrl.org/qst/2004/09/field-positions-135.html>(or see Sep QST,
> p 40) also includes ARRL Headquarters staff members as well as past and
> present ARRL directors, presidents, vice presidents and honorary vice
> presidents.
>
> Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be on the air for the 135th birthday
> anniversary event. While W1AW has been appending "/90" to its call sign to
> mark the ARRL's 90th anniversary, it will go with the /135 identifier
> during the birthday celebration period.
>
> The object of the 10-day event is to work as many HPM/135 stations as you
> can. Putting at least 25 in the log will make you eligible for an
> attractive certificate, designed especially for this occasion and
> endorsable in increments of 25 contacts up to a maximum of 100 (but don't
> stop there).
>
> The HPM/135 event begins at 0000 UTC on Thursday, September 2, and
> concludes at 2400 UTC on Sunday, September 12. Stations may be contacted
> for credit on any band or mode--including repeaters. HPM/135 stations
> transmit signal report, appointment (or position) and name. All others
> transmit signal report and name.
>
> To obtain a certificate, submit a log extract including date, time, band,
> call sign worked and exchange for each /135 contact. HPM/135 stations are
> eligible for certificates too. Include your name, call sign and address
> and indicate how many HPM/135 stations you worked.
>
> Entries go to HPM/135 Celebration, c/o W1AW, 225 Main St, Newington, CT
> 06111-1494. Entries may be submitted on a floppy disk or CD in text
> format. Include a check or money order for US$5, payable to ARRL. Entries
> must be postmarked by October 16, 2004.
>
> ==>MINNESOTA ELECTS NEW SECTION MANAGER
>
> The ARRL Minnesota Section will be getting a new Section Manager. Richard
> H. "Skip" Jackson, KS0J, of Inver Grove Heights, received 646 votes to
> outpoll Chuck Gysi, N2DUP, of Rochester, who got 332 votes. Jackson will
> succeed SM Randy "Max" Wendel, KM0D, who has served as Minnesota's SM
> since 1993 and did not seek another term.
>
> First licensed in 1955, Jackson cites 40 years experience in technical
> management and electronics among his primary assets. In recent years, he
> says, his primary Amateur Radio focus has been on emergency communications
> and public service. Jackson pledged during his campaign to appoint a
> management team to help him to guide the section during his tenure.
>
> The Minnesota SM slot was the only contested race in the current SM
> election cycle. Incumbent SMs in eight other ARRL sections ran without
> opposition for new terms. They are Betsey Doane, K1EIC, Connecticut; Doug
> Rich, W7DVR, Idaho; Kent Olson, KA0LDG, North Dakota; Joe Phillips, K8QOE,
> Ohio; John Thomason, WB5SYT, Oklahoma; Sherri Brower, W4STB, Southern
> Florida; John Ellis, NP2B, Virgin Islands, and Scott Bauer, W2LC, Western
> New York.
>
> Two-year terms for all successful candidates begin October 1. Since there
> were no candidates for Puerto Rico SM, the League will resolicit
> nominations for that position.
>
> ==>WELL-KNOWN QRPer BRUCE MUSCOLINO, W6TOY, SK
>
> Bruce J. Muscolino, W6TOY, of Silver Spring, Maryland, died August 20. He
> was 64. First licensed in 1956 as K8BAL and well-known within the
> low-power operating (QRP) community, Muscolino was one of the founders in
> 1996 of the popular "Four Days in May" (FDIM) QRP convention and symposium
> sponsored by the QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI) each
> spring to coincide with Dayton Hamvention. He also was the first QRP
> contributing editor to the ARRL Web site. "QRP with W6TOY" ran for a year
> in 1999 and 2000. In its first installment Muscolino maintained that QRP
> was just part of the bigger picture of ham radio.
>
> "I don't see QRP as special, just another fun mode; however, it really
> makes you use the best parts of your equipment," he wrote.
>
> One legacy of Muscolino's Web column is the QRP Kit Matrix
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/features/1999/11/15/1/qrpkits.pdf> he developed
> to offer readers a snapshot view of the equipment available to low-power
> enthusiasts. He also authored a couple of antenna articles in QST and was
> a regular contributor to the QRP ARCI's QRP Quarterly. Unfortunately,
> chronic health problems often curtailed his ability to enjoy Amateur Radio
> and to attend hamfests and conventions.
>
> An ARRL Life Member, Muscolino played a significant role in the revival of
> the Tuna Tin 2 QRP transmitter. After ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare,
> W1RFI, had located the original Tuna Tin 2 built by the late Doug DeMaw,
> W1CER (later W1FB), at a hamfest, he called on Muscolino to restore it "to
> its former glory," as W6TOY put it in his Web column.
>
> Members of the QRP community--including some who had only corresponded
> with Muscolino via the QRP reflector and had never met him--this week
> offered words of praise.
>
> "He was always very helpful to me and graciously offered his knowledge and
> experience on a number of issues," said Ken Hoglund, KG4FGC, in a message
> to the QRP reflector. Hoglund suggested that friends remember W6TOY by
> making a memorial contribution to an ARRL fund
> <http://www.arrl.org/development/memorial.html>.
>
> Curt Milton, WB8YYY, who met Muscolino when he did a QRP presentation at a
> Maryland hamfest, praised Muscolino's enthusiastic make-do approach. "He
> also frequently reminded us, as a QRP subculture, not to distance
> ourselves from other amateurs," Milton said.
>
> Denny Payton, N9JXY, called W6TOY "a voice of experience who was always
> there and always willing to help."
>
> Well-known Cuban amateur Arnie Coro, CO2KK, said Muscolino several times
> mailed him information on how to build low-cost QRP gear, carefully
> limiting the required parts to what was available in Cuba. Coro said W6TOY
> helped many QRP newcomers.
>
> A service was held August 26 in Rockville, Maryland.
>
> The QRP ARCI will hold the QRP SK Memorial Sprint
> <http://2hams.net/ARCI/Memorial Sprint.htm> Saturday, September 4, from
> 1800 to 2100 UTC, CW only. The event will celebrate and honor "the QRP
> luminaries who no longer answer CQs," the club's announcement said.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Solar swami Carl "Seasons in the Sun" Luetzelschwab, K9LA, is subbing for
> Tad Cook, K7RA, this week: Solar activity was at very low to low levels
> throughout the entire August 20-26 reporting period. The largest X-ray
> flare observed was a C2.8 flare on August 20. Solar activity is forecast
> to remain at low levels over this weekend.
>
> Geophysical activity over the period ranged from quiet to minor storm.
> There were a couple of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) observed toward the
> end of the period, but these didn't appear to be Earth-directed.
> Geophysical activity is forecast to be quiet over the weekend.
>
> Based on the forecast solar activity and geophysical activity, we
> shouldn't have any major surprises in propagation over the weekend.
>
> Sunspot numbers for August 19 through 25 were 60, 85, 88, 102, 93, 55 and
> 60, with a mean of 77.6. The 10.7 cm flux was 120.6, 121.4, 120, 115.2,
> 109.5, 104.9 and 100.4, with a mean of 113.1. Estimated planetary A
> indices were 7, 14, 17, 13, 7, 5 and 7, with a mean of 10. Estimated
> mid-latitude A indices were 3, 9, 14, 8, 10, 3 and 3, with a mean of 7.1.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This weekend on the radio: The Ohio and Hawaii QSO parties, the ALARA
> Contest, the TOEC WW Grid Contest (CW), YO DX HF Contest, the SCC RTTY
> Championship and the SARL HF CW Contest are the weekend of August 28-29.
> JUST AHEAD: The All Asian DX Contest (SSB), the Russian RTTY World Wide
> Contest, the Wake-Up! QRP Sprint, IARU Region 1 Field Day (SSB), RSGB SSB
> Field Day, the AGCW Straight Key Party and the DARC 10-Meter Digital
> Contest are the weekend of September 4-5. The Michigan QRP Labor Day CW
> Sprint is September 6-7; the ARS Spartan Sprint is September 7 and YLRL
> Howdy Days are September 8-10. See the ARRL Contest Branch page
> <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
> <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/> for more info.
>
> * ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
> Registration for the ARRL RFI (EC-006) and Antenna Design and Construction
> (EC-009) courses remains open through Sunday, August 29. Classes begin
> Friday, September 10. Antenna Design and Construction students will, among
> other things, learn about basic dipoles and the ground planes and how to
> assemble combinations of these into more complex antennas. Students also
> will learn about transmission lines, standing wave ratio, phased arrays
> and Yagis. Students participating in the RFI course will learn to identify
> various interference sources. Prospective C-CE students, please note: As
> of September, the starting day for all C-CE classes, including Amateur
> Radio Emergency Communication courses, will move from Tuesday to Friday.
> To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web
> page <http://www.arrl.org/cce> or contact the ARRL Certification and
> Continuing Education Program Department <cce at arrl.org>.
>
> * AMSAT Lab building is Hurricane Charley victim: Structural damage to the
> airport hangar housing the AMSAT Laboratory in Orlando--caused when
> Hurricane Charley made its way across Florida August 13--has led
> authorities to condemn the building. The storm, with winds of 100 MPH or
> greater, passed directly over the Orlando Executive Airport, which is home
> to the Lab. AMSAT now must begin a search for a new facility to support
> development of the Eagle satellite project. On the plus side, the Lab's
> equipment and inventory are in good shape, and AMSAT members in the
> vicinity weathered the storm with relatively minor damage. On the minus
> side, AMSAT has little time to move out and find temporary storage for its
> belongings so the building can be razed, and its insurance does not cover
> the costs of temporary storage or moving to another facility. AMSAT--a
> 501(c)(3) organization--invites tax-deductible donations to its "Hurricane
> Fund" to get the AMSAT Lab back in operation as soon as possible
> <http://www.amsat.org>. Photos by Lou McFadin, W5DID, are on the AMSAT Web
> site <http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/lab/>.--Rick Hambly, W2GPS, via AMSAT
> News Service
>
> * Site, host sought for fifth USA ARDF Championships: ARRL Amateur Radio
> Direction Finding (ARDF) Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV, says the search is
> on for a location and an Amateur Radio club to play host for the fifth
> annual USA ARDF Championships next year. "If your club is interested in
> hosting this event in the summer of 2005, I need to hear from you by
> September 15," Moell said this week. "If your club has ever hosted a large
> hamfest or ARRL Division Convention, it probably has the necessary
> resources to host the USA ARDF Championships." He says it's also important
> that those heading up the event committee be knowledgeable about the rules
> of ARDF competitions. Beyond having suitable sites for 2-meter and
> 80-meter ARDF--or foxhunting--courses, there's a lot to consider,
> including insurance, a Web site, registration, housing, meeting rooms,
> handling and accounting for funds, awards, T-shirts, transportation,
> meals, and officiating. For more details about the USA ARDF Championships,
> visit Moell's Homing In Web site <www.homingin.com>. It has information on
> ARDF rules as well as reports on previous championships and links to their
> sites. Moell <k0ov at homingin.com> says he's also eager to hear from clubs
> that might consider hosting the USA Championships in 2006 and later.
>
> * Robert R. Adams, W8BKO, SK: Robert R. "Bob" Adams, of Columbus, Ohio,
> died August 10, He was 87. ARRL Ohio Section Manager Joe Phillips, K8QOE,
> said Adams made valuable contributions to emergency communications during
> his many years as a radio amateur. "Bob in his quiet manner was a powerful
> voice to emergency communications," said ARRL Ohio Section Manager Joe
> Phillips, K8QOE. "Bob rewrote emergency communications, and his program in
> the 1950s in Franklin County ARES served as model for the rest of Ohio."
> For his work, Adams was named the first Ohio Ham of the Year in 1992, an
> honor later renamed the Allan Severson, AB8P, Memorial Award. A well-known
> DXer and ARRL member, Adams was a leader in metallurgical and nuclear
> engineering projects for the US Department of Defense for 43 years.
> Survivors include his wife, Jane, a daughter and a son. A graveside
> service was held August 14.
>
> * Alexanderson SAQ station now on UNESCO World Heritage List: Varberg
> Radio SAQ at Grimeton, Sweden, has been added to the United Nations
> Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage
> List. The only remaining pre-electronic transmitter for transatlantic
> work, SAQ is maintained in perfect working order. On 2004 Alexanderson Day
> July 4, the 80-year-old 200 kW Alexanderson alternator--with its
> multiple-tuned antenna--transmitted a celebration message on 17.2 kHz. The
> message was copied in Europe and on the East Coast of the US. Return
> channels included Amateur Radio station SA6Q at the Grimeton site and the
> Internet. UNESCO said the 1920s-vintage radio station in southern Sweden
> is an exceptionally well-preserved monument to early transatlantic
> wireless communication. The site includes the transmitter equipment and
> its associated antenna system, comprised of six 127-meter (approximately
> 417 foot) steel towers and staff housing. There's more information on the
> SAQ Web site <http://www.alexander.n.se/>.--Carl Henrik Walde, SM5BF
>
> * QCWA-suffix call sign to mark convention special event: Industry Canada
> has authorized Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) National
> Capital Chapter 70 to use the special event call sign VE3QCWA from
> September 17 until October 17 in recognition of the QCWA International
> Convention October 15-17 in Ottawa. National Capital Chapter 70 is hosting
> the event, which is open to all radio amateurs. QSLs for VE3QCWA go to Jim
> Dean, VE3IQ.
>
> ===========================================================
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