[South Florida DX Association] The ARRL Letter, Vol 23, No 29

[Bill Marx]

 ***************
> The ARRL Letter
> Vol. 23, No. 29
> July 23, 2004
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * +League to launch volunteer grassroots lobbying effort
> * +ARRL Board encourages enhanced ARES communication system development
> * +ARRL announces award winners
> * +Astronaut promotes international space cooperation
> * +Florida power blackout brings out best in hams
> * +John Kraus, W8JK, SK
> *  Solar Update
> *  IN BRIEF:
>      This weekend on the radio
>      ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
>      Correction
>      Dave Bowker, K1FK, wins QST Cover Plaque Award
>     +AMSAT asks patience as Echo AO-51 checkout continues
>      Wireless Institute of Australia pushes ahead on 5 MHz proposal
>      First western Canada LF QSO reported
>
> +Available on ARRL Audio News
>
> ===========================================================
>
> ==>ARRL BOARD OKAYS VOLUNTEER GRASSROOTS LOBBYING EFFORT
>
> The ARRL Board of Directors has formalized a grassroots congressional
> lobbying program with an initial focus on BPL. Acting July 16 during its
> second meeting of 2004 in Windsor, Connecticut, the Board acknowledged the
> need to "immediately begin a BPL grassroots lobbying campaign." Hudson
> Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, who headed the Ad Hoc Committee on
> Grassroots Lobbying, sees the creation of a national "political machine"
> as a practical way to protect Amateur Radio spectrum.
>
> "We're really, in essence, changing the culture of how we operate," Fallon
> said after the meeting. "We're going to use our members as constituents to
> talk to key legislators." While the campaign will zero in on BPL in the
> near term, it eventually could expand to support bills dealing with
> spectrum protection and with and deed covenants, conditions and
> restrictions (CC&Rs) and their impact on amateur antennas.
>
> "It can be more effective for two or three constituents to walk into a
> lawmaker's office to pitch their cause," Fallon said. Such contacts, he
> pointed out, also can pave the way for subsequent meetings between League
> officials and members of Congress or their staff members.
>
> To establish a coordinating structure, the Board created the positions of
> Division Congressional Action Chair, Congressional Action Coordinator and
> Congressional Action Assistant. The Board authorized the League's 15
> division directors to appoint qualified volunteers to these positions.
>
> Under the plan the Board adopted, the Division Congressional Action Chair,
> one in each ARRL division, would be a cabinet-level volunteer with some
> experience in lobbying activities. There would be at least one
> Congressional Action Coordinator in each state, ideally selected in
> consultation with section managers. These volunteers also would be members
> of the director's cabinet. Working with the director, the Congressional
> Action Coordinator will designate and develop a number of Congressional
> Action Assistants to "accomplish the mission of getting the ARRL message
> to legislators," the ad hoc committee's report explained.
>
> Fallon said the grassroots lobbying effort will fold into a comprehensive
> broadband over power line strategy, which the Board discussed at length
> but did not make public. The Board expressed the hope that the lobbying
> effort could be up and running by fall.
>
> In other business, the Board:
>
> * approved a system to automatically recognize long-term League membership
> and to express appreciation of that support through a system of awards.
>
> * designated the next Dayton Hamvention as ARRL National Convention 2005.
> Hamvention will take place May 20-22 at Hara Arena near Dayton, Ohio.
>
> * directed the filing of an application with the FCC for an experimental
> license authorizing low-frequency operation for specified Amateur Radio
> stations.
>
> * directed the filing of a petition with the FCC to permit security of
> data for computer-to-computer communications on domestic transmissions
> above 50 MHz.
>
> * established as policy that ARES groups and any group using the ARES logo
> shall formally acknowledge ARES as an ARRL program, including in their
> bylaws or other organizational documents, and agree to abide by all rules
> and guidelines the League establishes. Since both ARES and Amateur Radio
> Emergency Service are registered ARRL service marks, ARES groups are to
> utilize the R symbol in any printed or electronic media and note that the
> logo is used by permission. All ARES records, membership rosters and other
> data pertaining to the ARES program, wherever located, are the property of
> the ARRL.
>
> * resolved to have President Haynie appoint a study committee to recommend
> effective means of promoting "constructive relations and open lines of
> communication" between the League and the Amateur Radio industry. The
> committee will solicit input from the Industry Advisory Council and report
> to the Board at its January 2005 meeting.
>
> * recognized and thanked ARRL Chief Operating Officer Mark Wilson, K1RO,
> for his longstanding service and dedication to the League and wished him
> well in his future endeavors. Wilson has announced that he'll be leaving
> ARRL in September to move to New Hampshire. He's been a member of the ARRL
> Headquarters staff for 24 years.
>
> The official minutes of the July 2004 meeting of the ARRL Board of
> Directors are available on the ARRL Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/announce/board-0407/>.
>
> ==>"ARESCOM" PLAN TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY
>
> The ARRL Board of Directors has adopted a resolution encouraging further
> development and expansion of an inaugural network to enhance the emergency
> communications capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).
> The action came during the Board's meeting July 16-17. The Board had
> charged an ad hoc committee, dubbed "ARESCOM," with developing an
> augmented ARES telecommunications system that would include rapid and
> accurate handling of long-range emergency communications. ARESCOM
> recommended deployment of a digital e-mail system based on Winlink 2000
> software. The Board encouraged the deployment of e-mail via Amateur
> Radio--"as exemplified by Winlink 2000"--to meet the needs of served
> agencies and others involved in providing disaster communications.
>
> "The digital network will provide a value-added service for ARES and will
> continue to be viewed very positively by our served agencies," the
> committee said in its report to the Board. "This allows ARES to be viewed
> as modern and necessary instead of antiquated and invasive."
>
> The committee, chaired by Great Lakes Division Vice Director Dick Mondro,
> W8FQT, said situations arise when ARES must "pass message traffic across
> the nation quickly and accurately." It also said the need for such a
> nationwide ARES capability is likely to increase in light of the ARRL's
> Citizen Corps partnership with the Department of Homeland Security.
>
> Winlink 2000--a worldwide Amateur Radio digital radio e-mail
> system--already is widely used by the blue water boating and recreational
> vehicle communities. Members of the ARRL Programs and Services Committee
> witnessed a Winlink 2000 demonstration at ARRL Headquarters the day before
> the board meeting.
>
> The ARRL Board extended the committee's charter until its January 2005
> meeting so ARESCOM can complete an implementation plan that ensures that
> ARES has "the prominent role" in managing the national network and that
> ARES officials and appropriate ARRL Headquarters staffers have an chance
> to critique the network's operation to ensure it meets the requirements of
> ARES and its served agencies.
>
> A two-part series appearing in the August and September 2004 issues of
> QST, "Winlink for ARES," by ARRL South Texas Section Emergency Coordinator
> Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, outlines an enhanced ARES network that would include
> e-mail capability over HF links.
>
> ==>ARRL BOARD NAMES AWARD WINNERS
>
> For the first time ever, the ARRL Board of Directors named two young
> amateurs to receive the prestigious Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award for
> 2003. Selected as winners in equal standing were Andrea L. Hartlage,
> KG4IUM, and Jay Thompson, W6JAY. The Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award goes
> annually to an amateur under age 21 who has contributed in an exemplary
> manner to both the Amateur Radio community and the local community. Facing
> a difficult choice in deciding among several talented and dedicated
> nominees, the Board said Hartlage and Thompson stood out as the best of
> the best.
>
> Nominated by Georgia Section Manager Susan Swiderski, AF4FO--who has
> designated Hartlage as Assistant Section Manager/Youth, and Bill Carter,
> KG4FXG, Hartlage, 15, is well known to visitors of the ARRL Web site as
> the editor of the monthly column Youth at HamRadio.Fun
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/youth/>. "Andrea is one of ham radio's best
> ambassadors and a strong leader," the Board said. She's active in her
> community through her participation in Amateur Radio Emergency Service
> (ARES) activities, and she recently completed the ARRL Amateur Radio
> Emergency Communications Level II course. She also mentors aspiring young
> amateurs at a local middle school.
>
> Hartlage said she was honored to be selected. "Thank you to the American
> Radio Relay League and to the many hams who have taught, encouraged and
> helped me along the way," she said. She expressed special gratitude to her
> dad, Scott Hartlage, KF4PWI, for introducing her to ham radio.
>
> This has been an honor-filled week for Hartlage. In addition to the ARRL
> award, Amateur Radio Newsline this week named her as its 2004 Young Ham of
> the Year.
>
> Thompson, an ARRL Life Member who turns 19 this month, was nominated by
> his father, Richard Thompson, WA6NOL. The 2003 Amateur Radio Newsline
> Young Ham of the Year, Thompson is active in Amateur Radio direction
> finding and has won numerous ARDF medals, including three in the IARU
> Region 2 competition. He'll compete in September in the ARDF 12th World
> Championship in the Czech Republic. Thompson also has taught DFing to
> Scouts. In addition, he serves as a net control station for his local ARES
> net and for the Hospital Disaster Support Communications System.
>
> During numerous science fairs, Thompson has demonstrated his grasp of the
> technical side of ham radio. He designed and built a new type of quad
> antenna--the fractal quad--for a regional science fair, making him an
> "honored participant." He also mentors other youth through his active
> participation in the Boy Scouts' radio merit badge program.
>
> Thompson said he was surprised to be named the 2003 HPM Award winner. "I
> was thrilled that there were two winners, because it lets me know that
> there are other young hams with major accomplishments," he said. "I
> congratulate Andrea, KG4IUM, on winning this award also."
>
> Both are Amateur Extra class licensees. Each will receive a $1500 stipend
> and engraved plaques.
>
> There were multiple winners as well of the 2003 Doug DeMaw, W1FB,
> Technical Excellence Award. Created to honor the late Doug DeMaw, W1FB--a
> former ARRL staffer and one of the most widely published technical authors
> in Amateur Radio history--the award goes to the author or authors of the
> best QST or QEX technical article during the prior year.
>
> The 2003 Technical Excellence Award will go to two sets of authors. The
> Board recognized Bob Larkin, W7PUA, Larry Liljequist, W7SZ, and Ernest
> Manly, W7LHL, for their July/August 2003 QEX article, "Microwave
> Propagation in the Upper Troposphere." The Board also recognized ARRL Life
> Member Robert Sommer, N4UU, for his August 2003 QST article "Optimum
> Radial Ground Systems."
>
> Donald P. Wright Jr, AA2F, is the winner of the 2003 ARRL Herb S. Brier
> (W9AD) Instructor of the Year Award. Named for the late, long-time CQ
> "Novice" column editor, the award honors an individual who represents the
> spirit of Brier's effective and caring Amateur Radio instruction. The Lake
> County Amateur Radio Club of Crown Point, Indiana, cosponsors the award.
> Wright has been active in Amateur Radio education for more than 20 years
> and has taught hundreds of individuals to prepare for their license
> examinations.
>
> Nick Lance Jr, KC5KBO, is the recipient of the 2003 ARRL Professional
> Educator of the Year Award. This award goes to a teacher who uses Amateur
> Radio within the curriculum. The Lambda Amateur Radio Club of Philadelphia
> is the award cosponsor. Lance is solely responsible for assisting numerous
> members of the astronaut corps and 29 of NASA's aerospace education
> specialists to get their ham tickets. He also teaches a ham class to
> middle schoolers and inspires them to pursue careers in technology.
>
> Michael J. Duff, KG4SLH, is the recipient of the 2004 Philip J. McGan
> Memorial Silver Antenna Award, honoring an amateur who demonstrates
> outstanding Amateur Radio public relations success at the local, state or
> national level. An ARRL Life Member, Duff has helped build public
> awareness for Amateur Radio via radio, television and print and has
> reached out to the public through informational displays and speaking
> engagements, continually demonstrating his success as a public relations
> volunteer.
>
> "Mike has the uncanny ability of successfully obtaining media and
> community exposure," said Jack Jackson, N4JJ, who nominated Duff for the
> award. "He has reached the youth through Boy Scouts and school programs as
> well as the general community through library displays and public event
> information booths."
>
> The Board also honored two recipients with the 2003 ARRL Microwave
> Development Award, which recognizes contributions to microwave equipment
> design and development. Named were Brian D. Justin Jr, WA1ZMS, and John
> Champa, K8OCL.
>
> The Board recognized Justin for his pioneering work in developing the
> Amateur Radio microwave bands above 30 GHz. In February, the ARRL Life
> Member claimed a new world and North American DX record for the 241 GHz
> band--49.35 miles. Champa, also an ARRL Life Member, was honored for his
> leadership as chairman of the ARRL High Speed Multimedia Committee and for
> the development of practical IEEE 802.11 "WiFi" technology for Amateur
> Radio.
>
> ==>"WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER," ASTRONAUT TELLS STUDENTS IN JAPAN
>
> It was a truly international Earth-space Amateur Radio contact July 13
> when International Space Station astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, spoke with
> students at Meizen High School in Japan. Fincke, who's fluent in Japanese,
> answered most questions in both Japanese and English. During the Amateur
> Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact between NA1SS in
> space and 8N6A in Japan, one questioner wanted to know what Fincke saw for
> the future of space development.
>
> "The future of space development is very important to everyone on the
> planet," Fincke replied. "We need to work together, and we can go to the
> moon, we can go to Mars, we can go to the stars."
>
> Speaking of stars, Fincke told another student that he hasn't been able to
> view any of the constellations from space because the ISS ports face
> earthward. "The constellations are above us, and so far, I've only looked
> down on the Earth, and the Earth is very bright," Fincke said.
>
> The astronaut also noted that the ISS inhabitants could see pollution on
> Earth from space. "Yes, we can see a little bit of environmental
> pollution," Fincke said in response to a student's question. "We must keep
> our planet clean."
>
> Regarding his newborn daughter Tarali, Fincke said he's only seen her via
> a computer linkup.
>
> Ten elementary pupils and seven junior high and high schoolers
> participated in the event, which attracted attention from local and
> national news media. An audience of 50 elementary, 20 junior high and 250
> high school students plus some 80 parents also was on hand.
>
> The nearly nine-minute contact was marred by occasional signal dropout
> from NA1SS. In all, Fincke answered 16 of the students' questions before
> he got out of range. Osamu Nakamura, NH7TA, who attends Meizen High
> School, served as control operator for the direct 2-meter contact.
> Nakamura received his General class FCC license last November specifically
> for this event.
>
> "All preparations for this contact were made by the Meizen High School
> students themselves," said ARISS Japan mentor Satoshi Yasuda,
> 7M3TJZ/AD6GZ. "This was a first for Japan and a very successful event for
> all!"
>
> The next ARISS school group contact also will be with students in Japan.
> On Thursday, July 29, fifth and sixth graders attending Habikigaoka
> Elementary School in Habikino will have the opportunity to question
> Fincke.
>
> ARISS is an international educational outreach program with US
> participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.
>
> ==>HAMS MUSTER IN WAKE OF FLORIDA CAPITAL BLACKOUT
>
> Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) teams and local amateurs in the
> Tallahassee, Florida, area volunteered to assist after electrical power
> went out in about half of the capital city July 13. The region was
> affected for about three hours before power was restored. More than a
> dozen amateurs participated in the blackout response.
>
> "We have a very active ARES group here in the Capital District, and all
> the local hams as usual responded immediately," said Gadsden County
> Emergency Coordinator Bill Mapoles, KG4LFT. At the request of local
> authorities, hams helped during the blackout by reporting traffic
> difficulties, non-operating traffic signals and other power
> failure-related problems, he said. The 2 PM blackout during hot, humid
> weather, killed air conditioning, snarled traffic and led Florida A&M
> University to close for the rest of the afternoon.
>
> Former Capital District EC Kent Hutchinson, KC4TOC, started up an informal
> Tallahassee blackout net, subsequently picked up by Paul Eakins, KJ4G.
> Amateurs staffed the local emergency operations center and also assisted
> the American Red Cross, which opened a shelter and three aid stations.
>
> "I'm proud to be a part of our local ARES group," Mapoles said, "and I can
> say that we, in the Capital District, are prepared for anything."
>
> ==>JOHN D. KRAUS, W8JK, SK
>
> Radio astronomer, antenna designer, cosmic explorer and author John D.
> Kraus, W8JK, of Delaware, Ohio, died July 18. He was 94. While he enjoyed
> a worldwide reputation, Kraus is perhaps best known in Amateur Radio
> circles for his bi-directional wire beam antenna--often dubbed the '8JK
> array. Other important Kraus designs include the corner reflector and
> helix antennas.
>
> The Michigan native was a pioneer of radiotelescope design and the father
> of the "Big Ear" radiotelescope. Following an early fascination with
> radio, Kraus first became licensed as 8AFJ. He later was granted the
> now-famous W8JK call sign. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he
> joined the faculty of the Ohio State University 1946, serving as a
> professor of electrical engineering and astronomy and founding and
> directing the OSU Radio Observatory. In that capacity, Kraus designed and
> oversaw construction of the Big Ear on land owned by Ohio Wesleyan
> University.
>
> In 1978, after the "Big Ear" detected the still-unidentified "Wow!" signal
> that suggested the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the
> universe, Kraus launched Cosmic Search, a magazine devoted to the search
> for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Big Ear fell victim to development
> pressures and was torn down in 1998.
>
> Kraus's classic textbook Antennas, now in its third edition, has been an
> engineering school staple for decades. Among his other titles are
> Electromagnetics, Radio Astronomy, Big Ear, Big Ear Two and Our Cosmic
> Universe. Kraus also wrote several articles for QST. He did a "recap and
> update" of his W8JK antenna in the June 1982 issue. An article in the July
> 1970 edition describes a "W8JK 5-Band Rotary Beam Antenna." A 1934 QST
> article by Kraus highlights "Amateur Radio in the Soviet Union."
>
> Kraus was a fellow of the IEEE and a member of the National Academy of
> Engineering. In 1996, Dayton Hamvention honored Kraus as the recipient of
> its Special Achievement Award. In 2001, CQ named Kraus to the inaugural
> class of its Amateur Radio Hall of Fame.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Solar sage Tad "I Wear My Sunglasses At Night" Cook, K7RA, Seattle,
> Washington, reports: Rising solar activity is in the news this week.
> Sunspot 652--a really big one--is currently looking straight at Earth. We
> are also experiencing effects from a coronal mass ejection from this spot.
> Early Thursday, July 22 (Wednesday night in the Americas) geomagnetic K
> indices were at zero at all latitudes--even above the Arctic Circle. The
> effects of the coronal mass ejection itself were unimportant, but there
> was a strong solar wind behind it and the interplanetary magnetic field
> pointed south, which makes Earth vulnerable. By Thursday night K indices
> were at five and six.
>
> This week's average daily sunspot numbers, compared with the previous
> week's, rose more than 72 points. Average daily solar flux rose nearly 48
> points. When the daily sunspot number reached 176 on Monday July 19, it
> was the highest reading of this index since November 30, 2003. The solar
> flux at 175.2 on July 20 was the highest flux value since November 24 of
> last year.
>
> Of course, this doesn't signal any sort of upward trend in the solar
> cycle, but at this point there is still enough variation to provide some
> excitement and interest.
>
> For July 23-26, Friday through Monday, the predicted planetary A index is
> 25, 15, 10 and 10. Predicted solar flux for those same dates is 170, 160,
> 160 and 150. For HF, we generally want sunspot counts to be high for
> several days with stable geomagnetic conditions. Often the two don't
> arrive together.
>
> Sunspot numbers for July 15 through 21 were 146, 142, 165, 169, 176, 147
> and 162, with a mean of 158.1. The 10.7 cm flux was 145.7, 146.5, 149.2,
> 155.1, 170.2, 175.2 and 172.2, with a mean of 159.2. Estimated planetary A
> indices were 9, 12, 24, 9, 9, 9 and 6, with a mean of 11.1. Estimated
> mid-latitude A indices were 7, 8, 13, 6, 8, 6 and 5, with a mean of 7.6.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This weekend on the radio: The RSGB IOTA Contest and the ARS Flight of
> the Bumblebees are the weekend of July 24-25. JUST AHEAD: the RSGB RoPoCo
> 2 and the SARL HF Phone Contest are August 1. The ARS Spartan Sprint is
> August 3. The North American QSO Party (CW), the ARRL UHF Contest, theTARA
> Grid Dip Contest, the 10-10 International Summer Contest (SSB), National
> Lighthouse Weekend QSO Contest and the European HF Championship are the
> weekend of August 7-8. 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 HF Digital Communication (EC-005), ARRL
> VHF/UHF--Beyond the Repeater (EC-008) and ARRL Technician Licensing
> (EC-010) courses remains open through Sunday, July 25. Classes begin
> Tuesday August 3. Students participating in VHF/UHF--Beyond the Repeater
> will enjoy exploring some of the lesser-used and more intriguing aspects
> of VHF/UHF operation. HF Digital Communication students will learn to use
> a variety of HF digital modes. With the assistance of mentor students in
> Technician Licensing will learn everything they need to know to pass the
> FCC Technician class amateur license test. To learn more, visit the ARRL
> Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce>
> or contact the ARRL CCE department <cce at arrl.org>.
>
> * Correction: In the "In Brief" news item "Actor Marlon Brando,
> KE6PZH/FO8GJ, SK," appearing in The ARRL Letter, Vol 23, No 28 (Jul 16,
> 2004), we erred in a statement regarding Brando's real name. He was born
> Marlon Brando Jr, although he appears in the FCC database under the name
> "Martin Brandeaux," an apparent pseudonym. His FO8GJ listing indicates
> both names.
>
> * Dave Bowker, K1FK, wins QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST
> Cover Plaque Award for June is Dave Bowker, K1FK, for his article "A 75
> foot Top Loaded Vertical Antenna." Congratulations, Dave! The winner of
> the QST Cover Plaque award--given to the author or authors of the best
> article in each issue--is determined by a vote of ARRL members. Voting
> takes place each month on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page
> <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/qstvote.html>. Cast a ballot for your
> favorite article in the July issue of QST. Voting ends July 31
>
> * AMSAT asks patience as Echo AO-51 checkout continues: AMSAT-NA says
> "much more work and testing is yet to be done" before it can open the Echo
> AO-51 Amateur Radio satellite for general use by the amateur community.
> Commissioning continues for AO-51, with ground controllers checking out
> the satellite's software on the ground and reloading and testing software
> on the satellite, an AMSAT bulletin reported. When Echo is in the sun,
> telemetry data also are being collected to work on attitude determination.
> AMSAT says the command team also must ensure that the satellite's hardware
> is working properly before making it available for use. At some point in
> the AO-51 proveout, the satellite will become available for experimental
> operation. "At the present time it is anticipated that Echo will be opened
> initially in 9k6 digital mode, via the BBS system," AMSAT said. "After
> running a few days in that mode, the FM repeater may be enabled." AMSAT
> says all modes will start at low power and gather data while looking at
> the overall health of the satellite--specifically the power consumption in
> each configuration. Power will gradually be increased as ground
> controllers monitor the data. "The command team asks at the present time,
> that you continue to not transmit to Echo," AMSAT said. "Please continue
> to show restraint, and you will be making your first contacts through Echo
> soon." AMSAT-NA will issue a bulletin when AO-51 becomes available for
> use.--AMSAT News Service via Mike Kingery, KE4AZN
>
> * Wireless Institute of Australia pushes ahead on 5 MHz proposal: The
> Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) plans to soon ask the Australian
> Communications Authority (ACA) to consider establishing a set of Amateur
> Radio channels in the 60-meter (5 MHz) band. "We have put together a list
> of six proposed 5 MHz single-frequency allocations," said WIA Director
> Glenn Dunstan, VK4DU. He said the WIA came up with the proposed
> allocations--which WIA has not yet released--using the ACA's on-line
> frequency database and a database of Pacific 5 MHz channels. "The 5 MHz
> band is used heavily throughout the Pacific," Dunstan points out, "and
> this would restrict any amateur activity to a series of spot frequencies,
> with operation most probably confined to upper sideband, as is the case in
> the US and the UK." He said having frequencies available in the vicinity
> of 5 MHz would particularly enhance the capabilities of the Wireless
> Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN)--Australia's equivalent of the
> Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). The WIA, which has been undergoing
> a restructuring, now has a national Web site <http://www.wia.org.au>.
>
> * First western Canada LF QSO reported: British Columbia amateurs Steve
> McDonald, VE7SL, Mayne Island, and Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, Vancouver
> reportedly completed the first western Canadian contact on the 2200 meter
> band on July 10. McDonald said the contact between the two stations on
> 137.754 kHz spanned a distance of approximately 50 km (about 31 miles).
> "VE7TIL utilized slow-speed CW--QRSS3--mode, while VE7SL used normal CW,"
> McDonald said. VE7TIL was running a homebrew transmitter that ran about 1
> W output, while VE7SL was using a homebrew crystal-controlled exciter into
> a single FET amplifier at 100W output. "Both of us used similar antenna
> systems for transmitting--a loaded three-wire flattop T," McDonald said,
> and small loop antennas for receiving. McDonald said he hoped their
> efforts would stimulate more interest in LF in western Canada. For more
> information about 136 kHz activity and equipment, visit The VE7SL Radio
> Notebook <http://www.imagenisp.ca/jsm> and The Radio Beacon 'TIL' Web
> sites. <http://www.scottboxx.com/radio/>.
>
> ===========================================================
> The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American
> Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main
> St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259;
> <http://www.arrl.org>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President.
>
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>
> ==>How to Get The ARRL Letter
> The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly from
> ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for e-mail
> delivery:
> ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site
> <http://www.arrl.org/members/>. You'll have an opportunity during
> registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of The ARRL Letter, W1AW
> bulletins, and other material. To change these selections--including
> delivery of The ARRL Letter--registered members should click on the
> "Member Data Page" link (in the Members Only box). Click on "Modify
> membership data," check or uncheck the appropriate boxes and/or change
> your e-mail address if necessary. (Check "Temporarily disable all
> automatically sent email" to temporarily stop all e-mail deliveries.)
> Then, click on "Submit modification" to make selections effective. (NOTE:
> HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You must do
> this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.)
>
> The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
> sources:
>
> * ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will
> be posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)
>
> * The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur
> Radio Club: Visit Mailing Lists at QTH.Net
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL
> cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this
> listserver.)
>
>