[South Florida DX Association] The ARRL Letter, Vol 24, No 10

[Bill Marx]

***************
> The ARRL Letter
> Vol. 24, No. 10
> March 11, 2005
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * +Court appeal probable in BPL proceeding, ARRL CEO says
> * +ARRL National Convention to offer forums, faces, fun
> * +Space litter, space station tilt are ISS QSO topics
> * +FCC denies reconsideration of $10,000 fine
> * +FCC warns Vermont amateur of possible fine
> * +New QST column to demystify today's ham equipment
> * +Germany, Spain update amateur regs
> *  Solar Update
> *  IN BRIEF:
>      This weekend on the radio
>      ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
>      Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration
>     +Authors wanted!
>     +New TrustedQSL software released for Logbook of the World:
>      Expedition 11 will put two hams aboard the ISS
>      Echo team establishes AO-51 Operations Group
>      Emergency communication volunteers watch over California marathon
>      Peter Lake, ZL2AZ, is new IARU Region 3 Director
>
> +Available on ARRL Audio News
>
> ===========================================================
> ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
> letter-dlvy at arrl.org
> ==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl at arrl.org
> ===========================================================
>
> ==>BPL RECONSIDERATION PETITIONS FILED; LEAGUE CEO SAYS COURT APPEAL
> PROBABLE
>
> More than a dozen petitions for reconsideration have been filed in the
wake
> of the FCC's October 14, 2004, Report and Order (R&O) adopting new Part 15
> rules governing broadband over power line (BPL) deployment. They include
the
> ARRL's February 7 Petition for Reconsideration
> <http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et04-37/recon_petition/>. ARRL
CEO
> David Sumner, K1ZZ, has expressed little confidence that the FCC will make
> any substantive rule changes in response to any arguments put forth in the
> petitions for reconsideration. In a March 1 interview with Marc Strassman
of
> Broadband over Power Line World (BPLW)
> <http://www.etopiamedia.net/bplw/audio/sumner2.0.wma>, Sumner predicted
that
> the BPL proceeding ultimately will wind up in court.
>
> "Realistically, do we expect dramatic changes in the Commission's rules as
a
> result of the reconsideration petitions?" Sumner asked in concluding the
> interview. "Probably not. So we're probably looking to the Court of
Appeals
> before all the dust settles."
>
> In his interview with Strassman, Sumner discussed the League's petition,
> which calls on the FCC to "reconsider, rescind and restudy" its unanimous
> adoption of the new Part 15 BPL rules last October.
>
> Strassman also interviewed Associate Counsel Brett Kilbourne of the United
> Power Line Council (UPLC), an organization promoting BPL development that
> also filed a reconsideration petition. Among other things, Kilbourne
> conceded to BPLW that Amateur Radio complaints and concerns raised about
RFI
> from BPL could hinder BPL rollouts.
>
> "Yeah, my concern is that you're going to have--whenever there's a
> deployment--people complaining automatically," Kilbourne said. "To the
> extent that does happen, that's going to discourage folks from getting
into
> this phase, I would think."
>
> In its reconsideration petition, the UPLC calls on the FCC to not require
> 30-day advance notice of BPL operations. It also wants the FCC to extend
the
> 18-month transition period that applies to marketing or installation of
> equipment.
>
> The various petitions for reconsideration came from BPL industry groups
and
> proponents as well as from the League and other organizations and
> individuals concerned about BPL's interference potential. All petitions
for
> reconsideration filed in the two BPL-related proceedings--ET Docket 03-104
> and ET Docket 04-37--are available for viewing via the FCC's Electronic
> Comment Filing System (ECFS) <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>.
>
> Interested parties must file opposition comments ("oppositions") to the
> petitions by March 23, which is 15 days of the March 8 public notice of
the
> petitions in the Federal Register. A 10-day period to file replies to
> oppositions follows. Those wishing to file oppositions to specific
petitions
> may use the ECFS to do so, but comments supporting one petition or another
> are not welcome, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, points out.
>
> "Individual radio amateurs are welcome to file oppositions on any petition
> with which they have specific issues," he said, adding that commenters
> should support their points with facts and statements. "All statements
> should be specific to one or more arguments in a reconsideration petition
> with which the person filing an opposition disagrees," Imlay explained.
> "They should not simply say, 'I oppose this petition.'"
>
> Among other reconsideration petitions were those filed on behalf of BPL
> manufacturers Amperion and Current Technologies; Donald G. Everist, a
> professional engineer; the National Antenna Consortium; Aeronautical Radio
> Inc; the American Petroleum Institute; the Association for Maximum Service
> Television; G. Scott Davis, N3FJP; W. Lee McVey, W6EM, a professional
> engineer; Steven E. Matda, KE4MOB, and Cortland E. Richmond, KA5S.
>
> Imlay says the ARRL is reviewing all petitions for reconsideration filed
in
> the BPL proceedings to see if any oppositions from the League will be
> required.
>
> ==>ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION IN DAYTON TO FEATURE FORUMS, FACES, FUN
>
> A slate of at least 10 ARRL-sponsored forums and activities will highlight
> the League's 2005 National Convention, held in conjunction with Dayton
> Hamvention® Friday through Sunday, May 20-22. Even more are in the
planning
> stages. In addition, ARRL EXPO 2005--a special area at Hara Arena where
> visitors can learn what the League means to Amateur Radio--will offer an
> opportunity to meet ARRL publication authors, view software
demonstrations,
> find out more about DXCC, ARES, clubs and mentoring, the ARRL Education
and
> Technology Program, youth activities, amateur licensing, product review
> testing, RFI, BPL and much more. ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen,
> NQ1R, now deeply engaged in planning activities, is eager to spread the
> enthusiasm about this year's ARRL National convention.
>
> "The level of excitement for the 2005 ARRL National Convention is
> contagious," Inderbitzen said. "Dayton Hamvention has really rolled out
the
> red carpet for ARRL, preparing the way for a top-notch show, and ARRL
> staffers and volunteers are pulling together loads of exhibits, displays
and
> presentations."
>
> The lion's share of ARRL's National Convention activity will take place at
> ARRL EXPO 2005 in the "Ballarena" at Hara Arena. Inderbitzen says visitors
> should come prepared not just to learn or be informed but to have some
fun.
>
> Cover of the Rolling Stone? Well, how about cover of the QST? Visitors
> dropping by ARRL EXPO 2005 can have their photo taken then digitally
> superimposed on a cover of QST. For a modest fee, they'll walk away with a
> souvenir to wow their friends--or at least to hang on the wall of the
shack.
>
> On the more serious or instructional side:
>
> * ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, will moderate the ARRL
> Grassroots Lobbying Forum, Friday, May 20, 9-10 AM, in Room 2. Here's a
> chance to network with fellow hams involved in shaping Amateur Radio's
> future in the arena of federal government planning and policy.
>
> * ARRL Club and Mentoring Coordinator Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, will host the
ARRL
> Clubs and Mentoring Forum, Friday, May 20, 9-10 AM, in Room 4. Learn some
> fresh and exciting ways to make your radio club a hub of activity, with a
> special emphasis on exploring the role of clubs in mentoring and
> instruction.
>
> * ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, presents "ARRL Goes to Washington For
> You," Friday, May 20, 10:15 AM-11:15 AM, in Room 2.
>
> * The forum Amateur Radio and The Law, "Getting it Up and Keeping it UP,"
is
> set for Friday, 12:45-2:15 PM, in Room 3. Led by Amateur Radio attorneys,
> the discussion will cover legal issues of interest to hams including
> restrictive covenants, antenna support structure permitting, and recent
> court decisions on RFI.
>
> * The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Forum is Friday, May 20,
> 2:30 PM-3:45 PM, in Room 3. The moderator is ARRL Public Service Team
> Manager Steve Ewald, WV1X.
>
> * Well-known DXer and contester Tim Duffy, K3LR, will share the podium
with
> ARRL antenna expert and ARRL Antenna Book editor Dean Straw, N6BV, for the
> Antenna Technology Forum, Friday, May 20, 2:45 PM-5 PM, in Room 1. Straw
> will discuss "Strategies Using Propagation Predictions for DXing and
> Contesting."
>
> * "What's Your Buzz in Amateur Radio?" Find out or offer your own
favorites
> Saturday, May 21, 8:15-9:30 AM, in Room 3. President Haynie and members of
> the ARRL Board of Directors will be your hosts. The focus will be on how
> ARRL works for what you enjoy most in Amateur Radio.
>
> * The ARRL Public Relations Forum takes place Sunday, May 22, 8:30
AM-10:00
> AM, in Room 1. Moderating is ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen
> Pitts, W1AGP. Highlighting the forum will be an interactive panel
> discussion.
>
> * The ARRL Technology Task Force Forum is Sunday, 10:15 AM-12 Noon, in
Room
> 1. ARRL Central Division Vice Director Howard Huntington, K9KM, will
> moderate.
>
> * Steve Ewald, WV1X will moderate the ARRL Section Managers and Section
> Leaders Forum, Sunday, May 22, 10:15 AM-11:15 AM, in Room 4.
>
> Visitors also will find ARRL staff members and volunteers at many other
> Hamvention forums. Sessions organized by individuals working directly with
> Dayton Hamvention include: Teacher's Workshop with Carole Perry, WB2MGP,
and
> Youth in Amateur Radio Program; DXing and Contesting forums and more! A
> complete slate of convention forums is available on the Dayton Hamvention
> Web site <http://www.hamvention.org>.
>
> In addition to the various forums and presentations, ARRL Ohio Section
> Manger Joe Phillips, K8QOE, is organizing an ARRL Wouff Hong ceremony
> Saturday, May 21, at 10:30 PM, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown
Dayton.
>
> The theme of Dayton Hamvention 2005 is "Bringing hams together from around
> the world." Upward of 25,000 visitors from the US and elsewhere on the
globe
> make the annual pilgrimage to Hamvention, where socializing is a big part
of
> the fun.
>
> For additional updates check the ARRL National Convention at Dayton
> Hamvention Web page <http://www.arrl.org/announce/nc/2005/>.
>
> ==>ISS CREW COMMANDER ADDRESSES LITTER, SPACE STATION "TILT" IN HAM
CONTACT
>
> Littering the galactic highway and a curious International Space Station
> (ISS) "tilt" phenomenon were among topics ISS Expedition 10 Commander
Leroy
> Chiao, KE5BRW, addressed in a ham radio contact with Bentley School in
> Oakland, California. The February 28 QSO with NA1SS was arranged by the
> Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Chiao
> opened the contact by greeting Bentley's students and teachers as well as
> his sister Sandy, who visited the school for the event. One Bentley
> youngster worried that space would becoming as polluted with trash as
Earth.
> Chiao acknowledged that rubbish is thrown from the ISS "every now and
then,"
> and even garbage went overboard from the now-defunct Russian Mir space
> station. But he assured the youngster that tossing trash into space can be
> an acceptable disposal method.
>
> "That's really not as big of a problem as you might think, because what
> happens is that over the course of a few days, the orbit decays, and it
> burns up in the atmosphere, so it's really not a long-term problem," Chiao
> explained. "But we do have to be careful to throw things off in the proper
> direction and at the right speed so that it won't come back and hit us."
>
> ISS crews also dispose of trash and unneeded items by stowing them in
> Progress supply rockets after they've unloaded the cargo, then sending the
> vehicles into Earth's atmosphere where they incinerate.
>
> Responding to other questions, Chiao told the students that the ISS can
> accommodate a maximum crew of six or seven people, although the current
crew
> increment is just two--Russian Cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov and himself. He
> said the ISS now weighs 200 tons, and it will tip the scales at more than
> 250 tons--Earth weight--when it's finally completed in a few years.
>
> Another youngster said he and his schoolmates had read that the ISS tilts
> when the astronauts go on space walks. He asked if Chiao knew why this
> happened.
>
> "That is kind of a mystery," the astronaut answered. "We're not really
sure
> why during some of the space walks we do--including the one that Salizhan
> and I took a few weeks ago--the space station ended up tilting a little
bit
> and we believe it's because of the forces we're putting into the station
> while we're working."
>
> Chiao said speculation is that when the crew members are outside the ISS
> holding onto handrails, every time they turn bolts or have to do something
> that applies some force on the spacecraft, it causes a physical reaction
by
> "tilting" the ISS.
>
> Chiao said he views the current ISS missions as a "stepping stone" to
> future, longer space missions to Mars and beyond, and he expressed the
hope
> that one of the Bentley Students could be on a future deep-space mission.
In
> all, students got in 15 questions before the ISS went out of radio range.
>
> Handling Earth-station duties for the event was Nancy Rocheleau, WH6PN, at
> Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu, Hawaii. Teleconferencing was
compliments
> of MCI. Contact audio went out to some 80 stations via EchoLink.
>
> Teacher Carol Roach coordinated the students at Bentley School, while
Kerry
> Banke, N6IZW, mentored the contact and Will Marchant, KC6ROL, served as
the
> moderator. ARISS is an international educational outreach with US
> participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.
>
> ==>FCC DECLINES TO RECONSIDER $10,000 FINE IN GERRITSEN CASE
>
> The FCC has denied a Petition for Reconsideration and upheld a $10,000
fine
> against briefly licensed radio amateur and alleged jammer Jack Gerritsen,
> ex-KG6IRO, of Bell, California. The FCC proposed the forfeiture last June
> after charging that Gerritsen had interfered with Amateur Radio
> communications. The Commission affirmed the fine in a Forfeiture Order
last
> October. The following month, Gerritsen, who claims he's still a
Commission
> licensee, wrote the FCC challenging the fine and its basis. The FCC turned
> away all of his arguments and suggested it was turning up the heat on
> Gerritsen, who now faces a total of $52,000 in FCC-imposed or proposed
fines
>
> "Despite repeated warnings that he holds no valid Commission
authorization,
> investigations by field agents in the Bureau's Western Region reveal that
> Gerritsen persists in his unauthorized operations in the Amateur Service,"
> the FCC said in a March 4 Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O). "Because of
> Gerritsen's ongoing illegal activity, we direct the Western Region to
> continue to coordinate with the United States Attorney for the Central
> District of California in pursuing additional sanctions against
Gerritsen."
> Signing the MO&O was FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief David H. Solomon.
>
> The FCC said Gerritsen raised one argument that it already had considered
> and rejected, but he also brought up two new ones in his November 2
> handwritten letter, which the FCC considered a Petition for
Reconsideration.
> The Commission turned away Gerritsen's contention that the federal
> government was attempting to deprive him of his constitutional right of
free
> speech. The FCC countered by noting that the right of free speech "does
not
> include the right to use radio facilities without a license and that the
> licensing system established by Congress in the [Communications] Act was a
> proper exercise of its power over commerce."
>
> Gerritsen also asserted that the Forfeiture Order deprived him of due
> process. The FCC pointed out that Sections 503 and 504 of the
Communications
> Act contain safeguards that legally satisfy due process requirements.
>
> The FCC said reconsideration "is appropriate only where the petitioner
> either demonstrates a material error or omission in the underlying order
or
> raises additional facts not known or not existing until after the
> petitioner's last opportunity to present such matters."
>
> In mid-December, the ARRL called upon Solomon to intervene with the US
> Attorney's office in the Gerritsen case, citing the urgency of the
situation
> and suggesting "that procedures other than monetary forfeitures be brought
> to bear." ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, suggested in the letter
> that the time for gathering additional evidence was past, since the
> malicious interference continues. Several hundred ARRL members from the
Los
> Angeles area have complained to the League about Gerritsen's alleged
> activities.
>
> ==>NEW QST COLUMN AIMS TO TAKE MYSTERY OUT OF MODERN HAM GEAR
>
> A new QST column, "Getting to Know Your Radio" debuts in the April edition
> of QST. Author and ARRL Product Review Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, says the
> column "basically talks about what all those knobs do" on modern
equipment.
>
> "The idea is to acquaint users with the typical features of modern
radios."
> Hallas says there was a time when radio receivers were pretty easy to
> understand--in some cases not all that much different from the broadcast
set
> in the kitchen or living room--so most new amateurs could quickly learn
> their way around the front panel. It's a new world now.
>
> "It's fair to say that modern transceivers have come a long way since the
> boat anchors of the 1950s and earlier," he says. "Many transceiver makers
> seem to sell their wares by claiming the most and newest features." As a
> result, modern ham transceivers can be pretty intimidating, making
operation
> daunting for newcomers and veterans alike.
>
> The first installment of "Getting to Know Your Radio" will cover the
> now-popular--and common--passband tuning feature. Hallas says a column on
> audio compression systems is in the works.
>
> ==>GERMANY, SPAIN ANNOUNCE CHANGES IN AMATEUR REGULATIONS
>
> Germany and Spain have recently announced changes in their Amateur Radio
> regulations. Some revisions stem from the outcome of World
> Radiocommunication Conference 2003, which essentially left it up to
> individual countries to decide if they wanted to continue to impose a
Morse
> code requirement for HF access.
>
> In Germany, the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) reports that,
effective
> February 19, there now are only two classes of Amateur Radio license:
Class
> A (formerly Class B and C) and Class E (formerly Class D). The new Class A
> works in accordance with the Harmonized Amateur Radio Examination
> Certificate (HAREC), T/R 61-02. It permits radio amateurs in participating
> European countries to go from one European nation to another and obtain a
> full license. (Note: The US does not participate in HAREC.)
>
> Longtime visitors or foreign residents with a CEPT license in Germany will
> be issued a German Class A license. The Class E license remains limited to
> VHF/UHF frequencies only, with the addition of 10 GHz, output limited to
10
> W EIRP. There also have been some changes to the spectrum allocation at
1.8
> MHz. The text of the new regulations, in German, is available on the DARC
> Web site <http://www.darc.de/aktuell/afuv.pdf>.
>
> In Spain, the Unión De Radioaficionados Españoles (URE) reports two
> significant changes in that country's Amateur Radio regulations, effective
> March 3: Spain has deleted the Morse code requirement to obtain a Class A
> (General) or Class C (Novice) license. Also, Class A (General) and Class B
> (Restricted) licensees now are allowed to use the band 50.0 to 51.0 MHz
> "under special and particular authorization."
>
> There's information on reciprocal licensing on the ARRL International
> Operating Web page,
> <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/recip-country.html>.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Ra the Sun god Tad "Good Day, Sunshine" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
> reports: The sun was quiet this week, but a new chain of sunspots is
> rotating into a geo-effective position. There were some active days for
> geomagnetic conditions. The most pronounced were March 6-8, due to a solar
> wind stream. The average daily planetary A index rose less than 11 points
to
> 20.1, and the average mid-latitude A index rose less than 6 points to 12.3
> Average daily sunspot numbers were up more than 21 points to 36.1, and the
> average daily solar flux rose less than 10 points to 85.9.
>
> Expect rising solar flux and increasing sunspots over the next week. Solar
> flux should peak near 115 around March 15-16, then drop below 100 around
> March 20. The most active predicted geomagnetic day in the near term is
> March 14, but conditions should be merely unsettled that day rather than
> stormy.
>
> Enjoy the next few weeks. The period around the equinox--the change from
> winter to spring--is a good time for HF propagation, even with the sunspot
> count so low.
>
> Sunspot numbers for March 3 through 9 were 24, 13, 22, 22, 43, 52 and 77
> with, a mean of 36.1. The 10.7 cm flux was 77, 78.9, 81.2, 83.6, 87, 93.5
> and 99.9, with a mean of 85.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 3,
10,
> 36, 42, 26 and 20, with a mean of 20.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
> were 2, 1, 8, 17, 28, 17 and 13, with a mean of 12.3.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This weekend on the radio: The North American Sprint (RTTY), the RSGB
> Commonwealth Contest (CW), the AGCW QRP Contest, the Oklahoma and
Wisconsin
> QSO parties, the UBA Spring Contest (CW) and the NSARA Contest are the
March
> 12-13 weekend. The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW) is March 16. JUST
> AHEAD: The 10-10 International Mobile Contest, the BARTG HF RTTY Contest,
> the SARL VHF/UHF Contest, the Russian DX Contest, the CLARA and Family HF
> Contest, the Virginia QSO Party, the UBA Spring Contest (6 meters) and the
> 9K Contest Club 15-Meter Contest are the weekend of March 19-20. The RSGB
> 80-Meter Club Championship (SSB) is March 24. 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 Technician Licensing course (EC-010) remains open
> through Sunday, March 13. Classes begin Friday, March 25. With the
> assistance of a mentor, EC-010 students learn everything they need to know
> to pass the FCC Technician class license examination. 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>.
>
> * Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration: Registration
> for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level II on-line
course
> (EC-002) opens Monday, March 14, at 1201 AM EST and will remain open until
> all available seats have been filled or through the March 19-20
> weekend--whichever comes first. Class begins Friday, April 1. Thanks to
our
> grant sponsors--the Corporation for National and Community Service and the
> United Technologies Corporation--the $45 registration fee paid upon
> enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the course.
Act
> now! This is the final year of the grant-subsidized classes! Radio
amateurs
> 55 and up are strongly encouraged to participate. During this registration
> period, seats are being offered to ARRL members on a first-come,
> first-served basis. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and
> Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce>. For more
> information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller,
> K3UFG, cce at arrl.org; 860-594-0340.
>
> * Authors wanted! Have you ever thought about writing for QST? If so, we'd
> like to hear from you! An informative Author's Guide is available on the
> ARRL Web site. We can mail you a hard copy in exchange for a
self-addressed,
> stamped envelope to QST Author's Guide, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT
> 06111. While we will consider all articles directly related to Amateur
> Radio, we are particularly looking for concise articles (no more than 2500
> words) written at a basic level that teach QST readers something
practical.
> A few examples: How to get involved with a net; how to hit the road for a
> county-hunting expedition; tips for operating HF mobile; how to use
beacons;
> how to select the best type of feed line, and how to organize a mini
> DXpedition. If you have some expertise in a particular area and a knack
for
> writing clearly at a basic level, we want to hear from you. You need not
be
> a published author to write for QST! Good quality color photos and
> illustrations are a plus. Interested? Send your article via e-mail
> <qst at arrl.org> or to QST Articles, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
> Authors of QST articles are compensated at the rate of $65 per published
> page.
>
> * New TrustedQSL software released for Logbook of the World: Version 1.11
of
> the TrustedQSL software used with ARRL's Logbook of the World system now
is
> available. Windows, Linux and Mac OS users are encouraged to update their
> systems. The new version fixes a serious bug that affected Linux and Mac
OS
> X versions of the software. This bug caused users' saved certificate
(.P12)
> files to be corrupted. Linux and Mac OS X users are strongly advised to
> install the new version of the TrustedQSL software and save all existing
> certificates into .P12 files. Older .P12 files saved from these systems
> should be discarded. Windows users of the TrustedQSL software should
update
> to the new version, in part because the updated Windows version of the
TQSL
> program now signs log data much faster. Instructions for downloading and
> installing the software are available on ARRL's LoTW Web page
> <http://www.arrl.org/lotw>.
>
> * Expedition 11 will put two hams aboard the ISS: The licensing in
February
> of US Astronaut John Phillips, KE5DRY, will put two radio amateurs aboard
> the International Space Station (ISS) this spring. Heading the Expedition
11
> crew will be space veteran and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR,
who
> will be doing his second tour of duty aboard the ISS. Phillips' licensing
> eliminates complications for Amateur Radio on the International Space
> Station (ARISS) school group contacts. The FCC granted Phillips' new
> Technician ticket February 2. Phillips and Krikalev were scheduled to
begin
> their six-month stay aboard the ISS in April. A seasoned space traveler,
> Phillips, who visited the ISS in 2001, will serve as flight engineer and
as
> NASA ISS science officer during Expedition 11. Krikalev served as flight
> engineer on the very first ISS crew and did duty tours aboard the Russian
> Mir space station in the late 1980s and early 1990s. By the time his
> Expedition 11 stay is over, he'll have spent more time in space than any
> other human
>
> * Echo team establishes AO-51 Operations Group: AMSAT-NA has announced
that
> the Echo (AO-51) Command Team has set up an AO-51 Operations Group to help
> monitor the satellite and develop operational schedules. Members were
> selected based on their interest and participation in the varied modes
> available via Echo and on their active membership in an AMSAT
organization.
> Current members are Mike Kingery, KE4AZN; Drew Glassbrenner, KO4MA; Clare
> Fowler, VE3NPC, and Roy Welch, W0SL. The AO-51 Operations Group invites
> users' requests or suggestions on the Echo schedule, preferably before the
> team begins work on the next schedule. The team typically starts setting
up
> the next schedule two weeks before the end of the previous month. Contact
> the AO-51 Operations Group via e-mail <ao51-modes at amsat.org>.--AMSAT News
> Service
>
> * Emergency communication volunteers watch over California marathon: While
> most of Huntington Beach, California slept early Sunday morning, February
6,
> a team of Huntington Beach Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
and
> Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) radio communications volunteers
> began to deploy along the 26.2 mile course of the Pacific Shoreline
> Marathon. The mission of the radio volunteers: To help ensure a safe and
fun
> event for all participants and spectators. For the fourth consecutive
year,
> RACES and CERT personnel were on-hand to provide instant communications to
> authorities in case an emergency happened during the marathon.
Improvements
> in the Amateur Radio "safety net" for this year's race included having a
> communications volunteer "shadowing" medical personnel in the medical aid
> tents. Huntington Beach RACES team member John Cerecedes, KE6OAQ, was
among
> the runners.
>
> * Peter Lake, ZL2AZ, is new IARU Region 3 Director: The International
> Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 Directors have named Peter Lake, ZL2AZ
> (ex-ZL1AIZ, 5W1BZ and ZL2AZI), to fill the vacancy on the board that
> resulted from the death in January of Chairman Peter Naish, VK2BPN. Lake
> took office February 2. On February 4 the Region 3 Directors agreed
> unanimously to appoint Young-Soon Park, HL1IFM, as chairman of the Region
3
> Directors.
>
> ===========================================================
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>
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