From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Fri Aug  1 02:38:40 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Chris Brewer)
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 20:38:40 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Net Notes
Message-ID: <AEEFKPNDEMCJCCOAADKLEEHMCDAA.chris@brewersolutions.net>

Checkins:

KZ5RR  Roy    Just Checking In.  Just bought a new 706MKIIG.
KB5YLG David  Tower Project Status:  102ft.  Top section and Rotor.  He may
need some help getting his beam back on it.
K5PSB  Mark   Mars training coming up.   Reminder about meeting this
Saturday.
N5WLA  Fred   Announced the Austin Hamfest this weekend
KD5RYB Jeremy Comment about the SWL listener email that was on reflector.
KD5USO Dan    No Traffic.  Just Checking In.
KB5YLG David  Test session this weekend in Azle at Ash Creek Baptist Church,
300 S Stewart St.
              At the church office.  9AM.  Bring a picture ID, and
Certificates, Original Ham License,
              and a photocopy of your ham license.
              Also announced that Radio Shack currently is having a
clearance sale for HTX420 144/440 Handie Talkie.  $150

Announcements:

This Saturday - Meeting at Checkers Pizza in Springtown
Aug 9 - Hardin's Sidewalk Sale - Get There Early
Aug 23 - Gainesville Hamfest (I verified the date!)

Net Start Time: 8:00PM CDT (1:00UTC)
  Net End Time: 8:24PM CDT (1:24UTC)

Thanks to everyone for checking in.

73  N5GMJ    Chris


From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Sat Aug  2 15:22:06 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Gerald Buxton)
Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2003 09:22:06 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Fwd: ARLB052 FCC Turns Away ARRL Challenge over Part 15 Authority
Message-ID: <E19ixHI-0002vz-00@covert.iadfw.net>

==================BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE==================
SB QST @ ARL $ARLB052
ARLB052 FCC Turns Away ARRL Challenge over Part 15 Authority

ZCZC AG52
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 52  ARLB052
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  August 1, 2003
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB052
ARLB052 FCC Turns Away ARRL Challenge over Part 15 Authority

The FCC has denied the ARRL's Petition for Reconsideration of a
Commission decision to allow fixed point-to-point transmitters in
the 24.05 to 24.25 GHz band to operate at field strengths 10 times
the level Part 15 rules now permit. The ARRL had asked the FCC to
reconsider and reverse a portion of its December 2001 Report and
Order (R&O) in ET-98-156. The League's reconsideration petition
contested the FCC's jurisdiction to authorize unlicensed operation
of RF devices that pose significant interference potential to
licensed services. It also asserted that such devices should be
licensed. The FCC did not agree on either count.

''We reject the assertion that there is a significant interference
potential from the unlicensed operation authorized in the Report and
Order,'' the FCC concluded in a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O)
released July 21. The FCC also said the League failed to support its
argument that the devices it authorized should be disqualified from
Part 15 unlicensed operation because they may serve a similar
function as those in licensed services.

The FCC MO&O reaffirmed its authorization to permit the Part 15
devices at field strengths of up to 2500 mV per meter and noted its
requirement to use directional antennas. The ARRL had called the
proposed power levels and antenna gain figures--33 dBi--''entirely
inappropriate for Part 15 unlicensed facilities.''

The Commission turned away the ARRL's contention that the FCC's RO
had expanded the concept of unlicensed devices far beyond its
original concept and what is permissible under Section 301 of the
Communications Act of 1934. In its denial of the League's
reconsideration petition, the FCC repeatedly made the point that
ARRL had ''conceded'' the FCC's jurisdiction to make reasonable
regulations regarding the interference potential of RF devices.

In its February 2002 reconsideration petition, however, the ARRL had
said the issue was not whether the FCC had jurisdiction to enact
reasonable regulations concerning RF devices. ''Rather,'' the League
said, ''it is whether or not a device which has substantial
interference potential to licensed radio services must be licensed.''
The limit of the FCC's jurisdiction to permit unlicensed operation
of RF devices, the ARRL had argued, ''is reached when it is concluded
that the operation of such devices has a substantial interference
potential to licensed services.''

The ARRL has raised similar arguments regarding the FCC's Part 15
authority as part of its efforts to combat a proposal by SAVI
Technology--in ET Docket 01-278--to permit RF identification tags to
operate as unlicensed Part 15 devices between 425 and 435 MHz. In
that case, the ARRL has said the FCC lacks authority to permit the
RFIDs to operate under Part 15 at the proposed field strengths and
duty cycles.

Amateur Radio is primary at 24.0 to 24.05 GHz and secondary on the
rest of the band. The AO-40 satellite includes beacon, digital and
analog transmitters in the vicinity of 24.048 GHz.

A copy of the FCC's MO&O is available on the FCC's Web site
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-175A1.doc.
NNNN
/EX

===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE===================




From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Sun Aug  3 23:10:31 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2003 17:10:31 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Test session postponed
Message-ID: <000201c35a0c$15c475d0$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

KM5TT, the contact VE, has postponed the test session due to job
requirements.  The test session will now be Sunday, 2 PM, 820 Wood Lane,
in Azle (QTH KB5YLG).  For information call 817-829-2564.

=[J u s t  C a l l  D a v i d]=========
Computer and Internet Services
David Johnson
(817)444-6163
(817)829-2564 ** note my new mobile number!

david@justcalldavid.com
www.justcalldavid.com
 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Sun Aug  3 23:50:18 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2003 17:50:18 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Free TECH Course Sat Aug 9
Message-ID: <004f01c35a11$a0272650$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

Hi,

N5QU Jim and KB5YLG David, along with the Tri-County Amateur Radio Club
WC5C, and the KM5TT W5YI test team are giving a free TECHNICIAN CLASS
license prep cram session on Saturday Aug 9.

This class is being hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints at 5001 Altamesa Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76133-6001.  This class
will not address any religious content, the facility is just being
provided by the church as courtesy.  All interested amateur radio
candidates are invited!  Yes, if you want to attend you are invited,
until we fill the available space!  No charge!

Bring note taking equipment (notebook, paper, pencils, maybe a
calculator).

The class stats at 9am and goes straight thru 5pm.  Bring your sack
lunch.  At 5pm a test session will commence for those feeling
comfortable enough to take the test.  Tests are $12.

If you intend to take any test (tech, general, extra, morse) please
bring any license you may already have original and a photo copy, photo
government ID (drivers license, etc)with photocopy and any previous csce
you may have.

The exam starts at 5pm, so if you don't come for the class you are still
invited for the exam session.  All area W5YI VEs are requested to
attend.  Other amateur operators interested in assisting as elmers or
observers for the day are requested to attend.

The exam will be a W5YI VEC team coordinated exam.

We strongly recommend you take multiple practice tests before Saturday
(for instance on www.qrz.com), to help insure your success.

For last minute info, contact Jim Aiello N5QU at telephone
(817)247-9110.

73 de David KB5YLG
Tri-County Amateur Radio Club of North Texas WC5C

=[J u s t  C a l l  D a v i d]=========
Computer and Internet Services
David Johnson
(817)444-6163
(817)829-2564 ** note my new mobile number!

david@justcalldavid.com
www.justcalldavid.com
 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Mon Aug  4 19:48:45 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Roger Hyham)
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 13:48:45 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Hardin Sale
Message-ID: <007a01c35ab9$0b876ca0$ea4d010a@Roger>

Hello all.  I am planning to sell some old stuff and some not so lod
stuff at the Hardin sale this weekend.  
Would someone please give me driving directions via I-35W.  Also would
like to know what time they set up and who collects any fees for using
the area.


For you club members I am selling:

OLD stuff:
Rcvr  NC-98                 1950's vintage
Xmtr  Viking Adventurer          "     "
      Globe Chief                "     "

Newer Stuff

Trancvr   ICOM 761  

Some Computer stuff
Epson Stylus Pro printer

It all works...at least it did last time I tried them!!

Regards Roger   KD5FDE



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Mon Aug  4 21:31:58 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Terry Henderson)
Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:31:58 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Hardin Sale
Message-ID: <200308041531.AA564331368@mail.cowtown.net>



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Roger Hyham" <rogerh@dtnspeed.net>
Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 13:48:45 -0500

>Hello all.  I am planning to sell some old stuff and some not so 
lod
>stuff at the Hardin sale this weekend.  
>Would someone please give me driving directions via I-35W. 

I-20 East to 820
820 South to Lancaster
Turn Right [West] on Lancaster
Turn Left at first light [Tension St. or something like that]
Veer to the right and you'll see the parking lot on your right just 
before you get to Rosedale St.

> Also would
>like to know what time they set up and who collects any fees for 
using
>the area.

No fee.     (It's Free.)

>
>
>For you club members I am selling:
>
>OLD stuff:
>Rcvr  NC-98                 1950's vintage
>Xmtr  Viking Adventurer          "     "
>      Globe Chief                "     "
>
>Newer Stuff
>
>Trancvr   ICOM 761  
>
>Some Computer stuff
>Epson Stylus Pro printer
>
>It all works...at least it did last time I tried them!!
>
>Regards Roger   KD5FDE
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>TCARC-NTx mailing list
>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>
 

_______________________________________
Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
 
                   

From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Mon Aug  4 21:36:39 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Terry Henderson)
Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:36:39 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Hardin Sale
Message-ID: <200308041536.AA295829736@mail.cowtown.net>



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:31:58 -0500

>
>
>
>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
>From: "Roger Hyham" <rogerh@dtnspeed.net>
>Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
>Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 13:48:45 -0500
>
>>Hello all.  I am planning to sell some old stuff and some not so 
>lod
>>stuff at the Hardin sale this weekend.  
>>Would someone please give me driving directions via I-35W. 
>
>I-20 East to 820

That's a mistake.  I ment I-30 not I-20

I-20 East to 820
>820 South to Lancaster
>Turn Right [West] on Lancaster
>Turn Left at first light [Tension St. or something like that]
>Veer to the right and you'll see the parking lot on your right 
just 
>before you get to Rosedale St.
>
>> Also would
>>like to know what time they set up and who collects any fees for 
>using
>>the area.
>
>No fee.     (It's Free.)
>
>>
>>
>>For you club members I am selling:
>>
>>OLD stuff:
>>Rcvr  NC-98                 1950's vintage
>>Xmtr  Viking Adventurer          "     "
>>      Globe Chief                "     "
>>
>>Newer Stuff
>>
>>Trancvr   ICOM 761  
>>
>>Some Computer stuff
>>Epson Stylus Pro printer
>>
>>It all works...at least it did last time I tried them!!
>>
>>Regards Roger   KD5FDE
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>TCARC-NTx mailing list
>>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>>
> 
>
>_______________________________________
>Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
> 
>                   
>_______________________________________________
>TCARC-NTx mailing list
>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>
 

_______________________________________
Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
 
                   

From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Mon Aug  4 21:44:34 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Terry Henderson)
Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:44:34 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Hardin Sale
Message-ID: <200308041544.AA259785552@mail.cowtown.net>



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:36:39 -0500

>
>
>
>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
>From: "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
>Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
>Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:31:58 -0500
>
>>
>>
>>
>>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
>>From: "Roger Hyham" <rogerh@dtnspeed.net>
>>Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
>>Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 13:48:45 -0500
>>
>>>Hello all.  I am planning to sell some old stuff and some not so 
>>lod
>>>stuff at the Hardin sale this weekend.  
>>>Would someone please give me driving directions via I-35W. 
>>
>>I-20 East to 820
>
>That's a mistake.  I ment I-30 not I-20
>
Dogonit!  I did it again!

I-30 East to 820
>>820 South to Lancaster
>>Turn Right [West] on Lancaster
>>Turn Left at first light [Tension St. or something like that]
>>Veer to the right and you'll see the parking lot on your right 
>just 
>>before you get to Rosedale St.
>>
>>> Also would
>>>like to know what time they set up and who collects any fees for 
>>using
>>>the area.
>>
>>No fee.     (It's Free.)
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>For you club members I am selling:
>>>
>>>OLD stuff:
>>>Rcvr  NC-98                 1950's vintage
>>>Xmtr  Viking Adventurer          "     "
>>>      Globe Chief                "     "
>>>
>>>Newer Stuff
>>>
>>>Trancvr   ICOM 761  
>>>
>>>Some Computer stuff
>>>Epson Stylus Pro printer
>>>
>>>It all works...at least it did last time I tried them!!
>>>
>>>Regards Roger   KD5FDE
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>TCARC-NTx mailing list
>>>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
>>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>>>
>> 
>>
>>_______________________________________
>>Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
>> 
>>                   
>>_______________________________________________
>>TCARC-NTx mailing list
>>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>>
> 
>
>_______________________________________
>Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
> 
>                   
>_______________________________________________
>TCARC-NTx mailing list
>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>
 

_______________________________________
Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
 
                   

From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Tue Aug  5 01:18:38 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Joan M Bartay)
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 19:18:38 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Hardin Sale
Message-ID: <20030804.224858.-482771.1.jmbartay@juno.com>

How are you feeling these days? I hope you got all of the way over your
operation. I had mine done on Saturday morning and went back to work on
Monday.  It was just a little hole. Cost the insurance company
$10,000.00.  Come by some day.
Joan  n5mrj
 
On Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:44:34 -0500 "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
writes:
> 
> 
> 
> ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> From: "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
> Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:36:39 -0500
> 
> >
> >
> >
> >---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> >From: "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
> >Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
> >Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:31:58 -0500
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> >>From: "Roger Hyham" <rogerh@dtnspeed.net>
> >>Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
> >>Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 13:48:45 -0500
> >>
> >>>Hello all.  I am planning to sell some old stuff and some not so 
> 
> >>lod
> >>>stuff at the Hardin sale this weekend.  
> >>>Would someone please give me driving directions via I-35W. 
> >>
> >>I-20 East to 820
> >
> >That's a mistake.  I ment I-30 not I-20
> >
> Dogonit!  I did it again!
> 
> I-30 East to 820
> >>820 South to Lancaster
> >>Turn Right [West] on Lancaster
> >>Turn Left at first light [Tension St. or something like that]
> >>Veer to the right and you'll see the parking lot on your right 
> >just 
> >>before you get to Rosedale St.
> >>
> >>> Also would
> >>>like to know what time they set up and who collects any fees for 
> 
> >>using
> >>>the area.
> >>
> >>No fee.     (It's Free.)
> >>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>For you club members I am selling:
> >>>
> >>>OLD stuff:
> >>>Rcvr  NC-98                 1950's vintage
> >>>Xmtr  Viking Adventurer          "     "
> >>>      Globe Chief                "     "
> >>>
> >>>Newer Stuff
> >>>
> >>>Trancvr   ICOM 761  
> >>>
> >>>Some Computer stuff
> >>>Epson Stylus Pro printer
> >>>
> >>>It all works...at least it did last time I tried them!!
> >>>
> >>>Regards Roger   KD5FDE
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>_______________________________________________
> >>>TCARC-NTx mailing list
> 
> >>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
> >>>
> >> 
> >>
> >>_______________________________________
> >>Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
> >> 
> >>                   
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>TCARC-NTx mailing list
> >>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> >>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
> >>
> > 
> >
> >_______________________________________
> >Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
> > 
> >                   
> >_______________________________________________
> >TCARC-NTx mailing list
> >TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
> >
>  
> 
> _______________________________________
> Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
>  
>                    
> _______________________________________________
> TCARC-NTx mailing list
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
> 
> 


Joan Margaret (Melton) Bartay, Researching 418 last names, Melton,
Bartay, Cecil,
Witten, Colwell, Hughes, Inge, Allen, Barbee, White, Greenup, Miller,
etc.
http://www.flash.net/~jmbartay/  Web page #1
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jmbartay/index.htm Web page #2  
              
Database: http://www.flash.net/~jmbartay/database/database.htm

________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Tue Aug  5 05:03:13 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Paul Finch)
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 23:03:13 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Hardin Sale
In-Reply-To: <20030804.224858.-482771.1.jmbartay@juno.com>
Message-ID: <DLEDKBBKJCJILEOJEMGKOEOJECAA.paulfinch@techsplanet.net>

Joan,

I still have a Tee shirt from the Azle Lake Run to bring by, just been
swamped!  Guess your still having problems with the radio overheating???
Will try and get by sometime in near future.

Paul


-----Original Message-----
From: tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Joan M Bartay
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 7:19 PM
To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [TCARC-NTX] Hardin Sale


How are you feeling these days? I hope you got all of the way over your
operation. I had mine done on Saturday morning and went back to work on
Monday.  It was just a little hole. Cost the insurance company
$10,000.00.  Come by some day.
Joan  n5mrj

On Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:44:34 -0500 "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
writes:
>
>
>
> ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> From: "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
> Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:36:39 -0500
>
> >
> >
> >
> >---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> >From: "Terry Henderson" <kj5zr@cowtown.net>
> >Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
> >Date: Mon,  4 Aug 2003 15:31:58 -0500
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> >>From: "Roger Hyham" <rogerh@dtnspeed.net>
> >>Reply-To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
> >>Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 13:48:45 -0500
> >>
> >>>Hello all.  I am planning to sell some old stuff and some not so
>
> >>lod
> >>>stuff at the Hardin sale this weekend.
> >>>Would someone please give me driving directions via I-35W.
> >>
> >>I-20 East to 820
> >
> >That's a mistake.  I ment I-30 not I-20
> >
> Dogonit!  I did it again!
>
> I-30 East to 820
> >>820 South to Lancaster
> >>Turn Right [West] on Lancaster
> >>Turn Left at first light [Tension St. or something like that]
> >>Veer to the right and you'll see the parking lot on your right
> >just
> >>before you get to Rosedale St.
> >>
> >>> Also would
> >>>like to know what time they set up and who collects any fees for
>
> >>using
> >>>the area.
> >>
> >>No fee.     (It's Free.)
> >>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>For you club members I am selling:
> >>>
> >>>OLD stuff:
> >>>Rcvr  NC-98                 1950's vintage
> >>>Xmtr  Viking Adventurer          "     "
> >>>      Globe Chief                "     "
> >>>
> >>>Newer Stuff
> >>>
> >>>Trancvr   ICOM 761
> >>>
> >>>Some Computer stuff
> >>>Epson Stylus Pro printer
> >>>
> >>>It all works...at least it did last time I tried them!!
> >>>
> >>>Regards Roger   KD5FDE
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>_______________________________________________
> >>>TCARC-NTx mailing list
>
> >>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>_______________________________________
> >>Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
> >>
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>TCARC-NTx mailing list
> >>TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> >>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
> >>
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________
> >Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >TCARC-NTx mailing list
> >TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________
> Sent via the Cowtown Net WebMail system
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TCARC-NTx mailing list
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>
>


Joan Margaret (Melton) Bartay, Researching 418 last names, Melton,
Bartay, Cecil,
Witten, Colwell, Hughes, Inge, Allen, Barbee, White, Greenup, Miller,
etc.
http://www.flash.net/~jmbartay/  Web page #1
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jmbartay/index.htm Web page #2

Database: http://www.flash.net/~jmbartay/database/database.htm

________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
_______________________________________________
TCARC-NTx mailing list
TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx




From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug  6 07:06:02 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Daryl Pate)
Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2003 01:06:02 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] net control august
Message-ID: <BB5604FA.169%cqpate@charter.net>

aug 7        n5wla /  open

aug 14        kb5ylg / open

aug 21       n5gmj / open

aug 28 batt power wb5idm / kc5zuc

sept 4        k5psb / open


From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug  6 19:04:58 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 13:04:58 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] RE: CW requirement
In-Reply-To: <BAY1-F93yavTq0b0HX700021dbc@hotmail.com>
Message-ID: <007e01c35c45$436e5970$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

My own personal position on the matter is that we should not only
require morse code proficiency testing, but also other mode proficiency
testing.

We don't have enough proficiency testing as it is, and we should not get
rid of what we do have.  Let's keep requiring more, not less.  I'd
rather not be the world leading nation of radio wussies. 

What, besides memorizing answers for questions we don't necessarily
understand, sets Amateur Radio Operators apart from the CB operator?

Is that a good thing?

A rule of thumb I learned a long time ago, serving in the world's
greatest military.  "Don't expect what you don't inspect."  The US
Military is the greatest because they train train train train, and
because they test test test test.  Testing is part of the process for
all successes.

Test more.  It makes you better.

Keep CW.  Add more hands on testing.  Add required elmering.  Don't
lower the standards.  Every where we lowered the standards, foreigners
have kicked our behinds in the world market.  Never lower the standards.

Let's be better.

David KB5YLG





From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug  6 19:04:58 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 13:04:58 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] W5YI-VEC position on CW requirement
Message-ID: <007d01c35c45$43352100$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

====[ forwarded by KB5YLG ]=====[ Messeage from W5YI-VEC ]===========


The NCVEC (National Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators)
filed 
the petition with the FCC, NOT the W5YI-VEC.

Fred Maia, W5YI, is receiving a lot of heat for signing the NCVEC
Petition 
for Rule Making to eliminate the Element 1 Morse code exam requirement
for 
Amateur Radio licenses. Fred is a voluntary member of the National 
Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) and serves as 
Chairman of its Rules Committee. In that capacity, and on behalf of the 
NCVEC, he filed the Petition for Rule Making.

We would like everyone in the amateur radio community and industry 
commenting on this issue to please note the following information:

First, Fred sold his book distribution business in 2000 to Master 
Publishing, the folks who publish the Gordon West study manuals. Books
and 
other educational products are still sold and distributed under the name

The W5YI Group, but Fred no longer has any financial or operational 
interest in the company.
Second, Fred retired his FCC appointed VEC position and no longer has a 
financial or operational interest in the W5YI-VEC or the commercial 
licensing, COLEM business, National Radio Examiners. His associate,
Larry 
Pollock, NB5X, is head of the both of those operations.

This petition has and will create comments both positive and negative.
We 
appreciate everyone's position on the matter.  Until the petition is
opened for comment by the FCC the W5YI-VEC will refrain from posting any
position on this issue.

73,
Larry Pollock - NB5X
President
W5YI-VEC




From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Thu Aug  7 01:11:44 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (James E. Good)
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 19:11:44 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] RE: CW requirement
References: <007e01c35c45$436e5970$7a011dac@KB5YLG>
Message-ID: <000601c35c78$94f4adc0$5b969342@7>

David,

    I agree with you completely.  A few sayings come to mind:  "Use it or
loose it" and "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  On the other side of the
question, however, if CW is eliminated and amateur radio becomes little more
than high power CB radio someone will have to teach all the former CBers how
to use all the frequencies allowed with an amateur license.  If the new
operator is obnoxious, or has a "better-than-you" or "know-it-all" attitude,
let the new operator pay dearly for competent instruction on the one radio
system in use at his/her station.  I know that amateur radio is a hobby and
not-for-profit, but if someone first acts like I am ignorant or says as much
to my face then later wants or needs my help learning a new task I would
have no problem charging for the time teaching that one (or however many)
systems the same way as with computers.

    There is enough variance in the different makes of radios that if
someone did try to get an advanced license without learning any practical
theory and working experience on how to make repairs, the field known as
amateur radio would quickly be divided between those able to buy whatever
they want or need and those that can repair what they already have and build
something new.

    73
    Jim    KD5VXH

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Johnson" <kb5ylg@yahoo.com>
To: <txham@mailman.qth.net>; <tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 1:04 PM
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] RE: CW requirement


> My own personal position on the matter is that we should not only
> require morse code proficiency testing, but also other mode proficiency
> testing.
>
> We don't have enough proficiency testing as it is, and we should not get
> rid of what we do have.  Let's keep requiring more, not less.  I'd
> rather not be the world leading nation of radio wussies.
>
> What, besides memorizing answers for questions we don't necessarily
> understand, sets Amateur Radio Operators apart from the CB operator?
>
> Test more.  It makes you better.
>
> Keep CW.  Add more hands on testing.  Add required elmering.  Don't
> lower the standards.  Every where we lowered the standards, foreigners
> have kicked our behinds in the world market.  Never lower the standards.
>
> Let's be better.
>
> David KB5YLG
>
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>


From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Thu Aug  7 17:13:01 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2003 11:13:01 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Dues are missing...
Message-ID: <001b01c35cfe$ca7acd40$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

I'm about to update the voting-members roster on the website, but there
are a number of dedicated club members who haven't paid dues yet for
this year.  

If you want to make sure you're on that roster, please contact CJ at
sistercj1@ev1.net asap to update your dues status.

I'll wait for her update on the roster before I publish it.


73 de KB5YLG
David

=[J u s t  C a l l  D a v i d]=========
Get on AzleTexas.Net, your hometown ISP...
Computer and Internet Services
David Johnson
(817)444-6163
(817)829-2564 ** note my new mobile number!

david@justcalldavid.com
www.justcalldavid.com
 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Fri Aug  8 01:30:00 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Mark Clark)
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2003 19:30:00 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Dues are missing...
In-Reply-To: <001b01c35cfe$ca7acd40$7a011dac@KB5YLG>
Message-ID: <5.1.1.5.2.20030807192855.00ba0ba0@pop.sbcglobal.yahoo.com>

At 11:13 AM 8/7/2003 -0500, David Johnson wrote:
>I'm about to update the voting-members roster on the website, but there
>are a number of dedicated club members who haven't paid dues yet for
>this year.
>
>If you want to make sure you're on that roster, please contact CJ at
>sistercj1@ev1.net asap to update your dues status.
>
>I'll wait for her update on the roster before I publish it.
>

hihi

Yeah, all you deadbeats get with it.

mark-


---

Love is light no matter in what abode it dwelleth;
and hate is darkness, no matter where it may make its nest.
--`Abdu'l-Bah=E1


From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Fri Aug  8 03:37:13 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Fred & Kathy Muehlen)
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2003 21:37:13 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] TCARC net notes for 8/7/03
Message-ID: <002201c35d55$fc18e880$b20cd2d1@cueball1>

Net Control: N5WLA=20

Net opened: 0100 UTC

Checkins:

K5PSB (Mark) - Mark and David, KB5YLG, have been discussing starting up =
a local NTS traffic net.

KD5NR (Billy) - Self-proclaimed "Sexiest operator in ham radio".  =
Checking in from South Arlington with some advice: "Don't go outside."

KD5VXH (Jim) - Reiterates: Don't go out in the heat!  He has also come =
across a book available in PDF format on the net titled, "The Art & =
Skill of Radio Telegraphy", by N0HFF/SK.

KD5FDE (Roger) - Checked in from Runaway Bay.  He's planning to be at =
the Hardin's Sidewalk Sale this Saturday with some vintage equipment for =
sale.

KJ5ZR (Terry) - Checking in for the count and stayin' outta the heat.

Announcements:

-Hardin's Sidewalk Sale this Saturday
-Registration now open for ARRL Emergency Communications Course #1;  =
Registration for Course #2 will be open this coming Sunday.  (Thanks =
K5PSB)
-There's a neat website in Australia =
(http://www.radioelectronicschool.com/about_course.html) that has a =
great online course for Ham Radio.  It covers all the material needed =
for Australians to test thru their equivalent of Extra Class.  Check it =
out.  You may find something of interest.

Net closed: 0121 UTC

Thanks for everyone's participation.

N5WLA

--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
The reason this message is shown is because the post was in HTML
or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed.  To learn how
to post in Plain-Text go to: http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  ---

From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Fri Aug  8 15:18:25 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 09:18:25 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] TCARC net notes for 8/7/03
In-Reply-To: <002201c35d55$fc18e880$b20cd2d1@cueball1>
Message-ID: <000a01c35db7$ef32fb80$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

Sorry missed the net...was at the Azle Chamber of Commerce banquet...saw
at least two other local hams there too....

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Fred & 
> Kathy Muehlen
> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 9:37 PM
> To: tcarc reflector
> Subject: [TCARC-NTX] TCARC net notes for 8/7/03
> 
> 
> Net Control: N5WLA 
> 
> Net opened: 0100 UTC
> 
> Checkins:
> 
> K5PSB (Mark) - Mark and David, KB5YLG, have been discussing 
> starting up a local NTS traffic net.
> 
> KD5NR (Billy) - Self-proclaimed "Sexiest operator in ham 
> radio".  Checking in from South Arlington with some advice: 
> "Don't go outside."
> 
> KD5VXH (Jim) - Reiterates: Don't go out in the heat!  He has 
> also come across a book available in PDF format on the net 
> titled, "The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy", by N0HFF/SK.
> 
> KD5FDE (Roger) - Checked in from Runaway Bay.  He's planning 
> to be at the Hardin's Sidewalk Sale this Saturday with some 
> vintage equipment for sale.
> 
> KJ5ZR (Terry) - Checking in for the count and stayin' outta the heat.
> 
> Announcements:
> 
> -Hardin's Sidewalk Sale this Saturday
> -Registration now open for ARRL Emergency Communications 
> Course #1;  Registration for Course #2 will be open this 
> coming Sunday.  (Thanks K5PSB) -There's a neat website in 
> Australia 
> (http://www.radioelectronicschool.com/about> _course.html) that 
> has a great online course for Ham Radio.  
> It covers all the material needed for Australians to test 
> thru their equivalent of Extra Class.  Check it out.  You may 
> find something of interest.
> 
> Net closed: 0121 UTC
> 
> Thanks for everyone's participation.
> 
> N5WLA
> 
> --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts --- multipart/alternative
>   text/plain (text body -- kept)
>   text/html
> The reason this message is shown is because the post was in 
> HTML or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed.  To 
> learn how to post in Plain-Text go to: 
> http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  --- 
> _______________________________________________
> TCARC-NTx mailing list
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net 
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tca> rc-ntx
> 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Fri Aug  8 19:02:27 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Paul Finch)
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 13:02:27 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] TCARC net notes for 8/7/03
In-Reply-To: <000a01c35db7$ef32fb80$7a011dac@KB5YLG>
Message-ID: <DLEDKBBKJCJILEOJEMGKOEEJEDAA.paulfinch@techsplanet.net>

Sorry I missed the net also, CJ and I were also at the Chamber meeting.

Paul



-----Original Message-----
From: tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of David Johnson
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 9:18 AM
To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [TCARC-NTX] TCARC net notes for 8/7/03


Sorry missed the net...was at the Azle Chamber of Commerce banquet...saw
at least two other local hams there too....

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Fred &
> Kathy Muehlen
> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 9:37 PM
> To: tcarc reflector
> Subject: [TCARC-NTX] TCARC net notes for 8/7/03
>
>
> Net Control: N5WLA
>
> Net opened: 0100 UTC
>
> Checkins:
>
> K5PSB (Mark) - Mark and David, KB5YLG, have been discussing
> starting up a local NTS traffic net.
>
> KD5NR (Billy) - Self-proclaimed "Sexiest operator in ham
> radio".  Checking in from South Arlington with some advice:
> "Don't go outside."
>
> KD5VXH (Jim) - Reiterates: Don't go out in the heat!  He has
> also come across a book available in PDF format on the net
> titled, "The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy", by N0HFF/SK.
>
> KD5FDE (Roger) - Checked in from Runaway Bay.  He's planning
> to be at the Hardin's Sidewalk Sale this Saturday with some
> vintage equipment for sale.
>
> KJ5ZR (Terry) - Checking in for the count and stayin' outta the heat.
>
> Announcements:
>
> -Hardin's Sidewalk Sale this Saturday
> -Registration now open for ARRL Emergency Communications
> Course #1;  Registration for Course #2 will be open this
> coming Sunday.  (Thanks K5PSB) -There's a neat website in
> Australia
> (http://www.radioelectronicschool.com/about> _course.html) that
> has a great online course for Ham Radio.
> It covers all the material needed for Australians to test
> thru their equivalent of Extra Class.  Check it out.  You may
> find something of interest.
>
> Net closed: 0121 UTC
>
> Thanks for everyone's participation.
>
> N5WLA
>
> --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts --- multipart/alternative
>   text/plain (text body -- kept)
>   text/html
> The reason this message is shown is because the post was in
> HTML or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed.  To
> learn how to post in Plain-Text go to:
> http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  ---
> _______________________________________________
> TCARC-NTx mailing list
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tca> rc-ntx
>


_______________________________________________
TCARC-NTx mailing list
TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx




From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Fri Aug  8 23:17:21 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 17:17:21 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] NCTECH Meetings
Message-ID: <001a01c35dfa$da008460$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

Time to gear up with publicity!

Future NCTECH 2003 Committee meeting dates are set for
Aug 30, Sep 27, Oct 11, Oct 25 and Nov 1.  The Aug 30
meeting will be at 11:00am at the Hamfest site.

Anyone interested in serving on the NCTECH committee, please advise me
of your interest, and attend the meeting!

David KB5YLG

=[J u s t  C a l l  D a v i d]=========
Computer and Internet Services
David Johnson
(817)444-6163
(817)829-2564 ** note my new mobile number!

david@justcalldavid.com
www.justcalldavid.com
 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Mon Aug 11 02:34:45 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2003 20:34:45 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Class and Test Session report
Message-ID: <001c01c35fa8$bf1b07b0$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

The new ham study class put on by N5QU Jim Aiello and KB5YLG David
Johnson (both of Tri-County Amateur Radio Club) resulted in 48 students,
of which 40 were brave enough to attempt the test after 1 day of study
and 16 passed.

The others committed to self study and attempt the test again soon.

Thanks to the KM5TT W5I ve testing team.

Of the 16 passing, 14 got their tech requirement fulfilled, and 2 got
their General.  A 17th  passed the written requirements for Extra and
only has the code test remaining.

Next Tech study session/class is scheduled for September 13 9-5 Fort
Worth. please RSVP if interested.

Next KM5TT Tests sessions are Sep 6, 9am, Azle, with RSVP or Sep 13,
5pm, Fort Worth.

73 de KB5YLG


=[J u s t  C a l l  D a v i d]=========
Computer and Internet Services
David Johnson
(817)444-6163
(817)829-2564 ** note my new mobile number!

david@justcalldavid.com
www.justcalldavid.com
 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Mon Aug 11 08:16:32 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 02:16:32 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Online Emergency Course Registration reminder
Message-ID: <001901c35fd8$81311cc0$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

Just a courtesy reminder that the registration for EMERGENCY COM  II
course has opened.  If you already completed course I, then this course
will cost $45 which will be reimbursed when you complete it.

Register from the arrl.org website under the education/continuing
education area.

73 de KB5YLG



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Tue Aug 12 01:26:08 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 19:26:08 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] net control august
In-Reply-To: <BB5604FA.169%cqpate@charter.net>
Message-ID: <002201c36068$567b91f0$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

I'll be out of pocket August 14...can anyone take my place as net
control?

Thanks,

David kb5ylg

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Daryl Pate
> Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 1:06 AM
> To: tricounty
> Cc: t@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [TCARC-NTX] net control august
> 
> 
> aug 7        n5wla /  open
> 
> aug 14        kb5ylg / open
> 
> aug 21       n5gmj / open
> 
> aug 28 batt power wb5idm / kc5zuc
> 
> sept 4        k5psb / open
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TCARC-NTx mailing list
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net 
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tca> rc-ntx
> 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug 20 04:47:53 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 22:47:53 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] FW: Amber Alert Help Needed
Message-ID: <00ef01c366cd$e5e4c5d0$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

 

-----Original Message-----
From: WILLIAM ANDERSON [mailto:cherylandbill2@msn.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2003 9:35 PM
To: david@justcalldavid.com
Cc: Cheryl and Bill Anderson
Subject: Re: Amber Alert Help Needed


David,
 
We really appreciate your willingness to help.  In the event of an Amber
Alert, you will receive an email from our Assistant Director.  The email
address the message will be coming from is sheilaequusearch@aol.com.
How many members are in your club?  We would like to attend your October
4th meeting to explain to your members what Texas EquuSearch is all
about and to learn more about your club.  Would you put us on your
meeting agenda?  Thanks again.
 
Bill Anderson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: David Johnson <mailto:kb5ylg@yahoo.com>  
To: 'WILLIAM ANDERSON' <mailto:cherylandbill2@msn.com>  
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 7:32 PM
Subject: RE: Amber Alert Help Needed

Yes, we will help...
 
If you can identify the email address that the alerts will come from, I
can allow it to pass through to a total club notification system.
 
David KB5YLG
kb5ylg@arrl.net
david@justcalldavid.com
 

-----Original Message-----
From: WILLIAM ANDERSON [mailto:cherylandbill2@msn.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 4:32 PM
To: president@letarc.net; kb5ylg@yahoo.com; W5PC@ARRL.NET
Cc: CherylAndBillAnderson
Subject: Amber Alert Help Needed



My name is Bill Anderson and I am an Advisory Director with the
Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter of Texas EquuSearch.  We are a non-profit
organization involved in the search and recovery of lost or abducted
individuals.  We have chapters in Houston and DFW and will search for
individuals anyplace in Texas.  For more information about Texas
EquuSearch please visit our web site at
<http://www.texasequusearch.org/> www.texasequusearch.org.  

 

This message is requesting your Club's support in advising the public of
Amber Alerts.  We need a network of organizations that can broadcast
information on missing children and their abductors.  Spreading the word
quickly is extremely important.  In many cases, if an abducted child is
not found within 3 hours they are usually found dead.  This is sad when
you consider that the abductor is generally driving down highways in
full sight of us.  If we only knew what to look for, how many murdered
children would still be alive.

 

Can we put your club's name on our email listing to notify you in the
event of an Amber Alert.  We would ask that you, in turn, notify your
members of the Amber Alert along with all the information associated
with that alert and ask them to be on the look out for the individuals
and vehicles involved.  If you can also somehow notify truck drivers on
the highways and ask them to pass on the information, that would be of
tremendous help.

 

This message is being sent to:

Longview East Texas Amateur Radio Club;

Tri-County Amateur Radio Club; and

The Amateur Radio Club of Parker County.

 

If you know of other clubs in TX, OK and LA, whether they be Ham or CB,
please let me know.  The more eyes we have looking the better the
chances are to save a life.  Thank you.

 

Bill Anderson

Texas EquuSearch

Burleson, TX



--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
The reason this message is shown is because the post was in HTML
or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed.  To learn how
to post in Plain-Text go to: http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  ---

From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug 20 05:50:02 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 23:50:02 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help
Message-ID: <011201c366d6$8aa8f930$7a011dac@KB5YLG>


> -----Original Message-----
> From: ARRL Web site [mailto:memberlist@www.arrl.org] 
> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 11:25 AM
> To: kb5ylg@yahoo.com
> Subject: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help
> 
> 
> The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop is only weeks away. This is 
> shaping up to be an excellent event. And there are still 
> opportunities for APRS-knowledgeable people to contribute on  
> a number of levels and help to make the event a success.
> 
> The following announcement is from the event coordinator, 
> John Beadles, N5OOM. I hope you will consider attending the 
> APRS Workshop and if you're able, helping in some way.
> 
> 73,
> Roy Rabey - AD5KZ
> ARRL NTX SM
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Howdy!
> 
> Preparations continue for the 03 NTX APRS Workshop.  As we 
> come down to the wire, we're finding the gaps in our 
> presentation schedule. More volunteers are needed to help 
> make this a sucessful event.  People interested in 
> volunteering for any of these positions should send email to 
> me at n5oom@arrl.net or call me at 972-898-0843.
> 
> NEED PRESENTERS OR HELP BUILDING PRESENTATIONS
> 
> Introduction to Xaster
> Intro to MacAPRS 
> Intro to PocketAPRS
> Configuring TNCs
> Building and configuring the TinyTracker
> 
> If you want to present, but don't feel that you can build the 
> presentation, or are able to help build the presentation but 
> don't want to present, please let me know.
> 
> APRS for SPECIAL EVENTS PANEL
> 
> I'm also looking for hams who have either been a PSE 
> coordinator or been net controllers during events where APRS 
> has been present.  I'd like these individuals to participate 
> in a discussion panel regarding the deployment of APRS for 
> such events.
> 
> WORKSHOP VOLUNTEERS 
> 
> If you are willing to help out fellow hams get their APRS 
> stations together, please volunteer to work the open 
> workshop, being managed by Barry Goldblatt, WA5KXX.  All 
> manner of expertise is needed for this part of the event, including:
> 
> APRS Software configuration
> TNC configuration 
> Computer operating systems
> Radio configuration
> Transmission lines & antennas
> Data cables
> Power cables
> TNC <-> Radio cables
> 
> Volunteers should bring their own tools and supplies where possible.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL North Texas Section
> Section Manager: Roy C. Rabey, AD5KZ
> ad5kz@arrl.org
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> This message is being sent to you via the ARRL Members Only 
> Web site. If you do not want to receive further messages, go 
> to the site at: http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html?modify=1
> Log in with your username and password and change your email 
> options. Unchecking the "News and information from your 
> Division Director and Section Manager" box will prevent 
> messages such as this one from being sent to you.
> -- webmaster@arrl.org
> 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug 20 11:39:28 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Gerald Buxton)
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 05:39:28 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help
In-Reply-To: <011201c366d6$8aa8f930$7a011dac@KB5YLG>
Message-ID: <E19pQNq-0004bw-00@covert.iadfw.net>

So, who all wants to go?

On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 23:50:02 -0500, David Johnson wrote:

>
>
>> The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop is only weeks away. This is 
>> shaping up to be an excellent event. And there are still 
>> opportunities for APRS-knowledgeable people to contribute on  
>> a number of levels and help to make the event a success.
>> 
>> The following announcement is from the event coordinator, 
>> John Beadles, N5OOM. I hope you will consider attending the 
>> APRS Workshop and if you're able, helping in some way.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Roy Rabey - AD5KZ
>> ARRL NTX SM
>> 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug 20 13:12:13 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Chris Brewer)
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 07:12:13 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help
In-Reply-To: <E19pQNq-0004bw-00@covert.iadfw.net>
Message-ID: <AEEFKPNDEMCJCCOAADKLKENHCDAA.cbrewer@covad.net>

I'm going.

-----Original Message-----
From: tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Gerald Buxton
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:39 AM
To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help


So, who all wants to go?

On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 23:50:02 -0500, David Johnson wrote:

>
>
>> The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop is only weeks away. This is 
>> shaping up to be an excellent event. And there are still 
>> opportunities for APRS-knowledgeable people to contribute on  
>> a number of levels and help to make the event a success.
>> 
>> The following announcement is from the event coordinator, 
>> John Beadles, N5OOM. I hope you will consider attending the 
>> APRS Workshop and if you're able, helping in some way.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Roy Rabey - AD5KZ
>> ARRL NTX SM
>> 


_______________________________________________
TCARC-NTx mailing list
TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx


From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug 20 15:29:10 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 09:29:10 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help
In-Reply-To: <E19pQNq-0004bw-00@covert.iadfw.net>
Message-ID: <000201c36727$703828e0$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

I want to go...

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:tcarc-ntx-admin@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gerald Buxton
> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:39 AM
> To: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs 
> Your Help
> 
> 
> So, who all wants to go?
> 
> On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 23:50:02 -0500, David Johnson wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> >> The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop is only weeks away. This is
> >> shaping up to be an excellent event. And there are still 
> >> opportunities for APRS-knowledgeable people to contribute on  
> >> a number of levels and help to make the event a success.
> >> 
> >> The following announcement is from the event coordinator,
> >> John Beadles, N5OOM. I hope you will consider attending the 
> >> APRS Workshop and if you're able, helping in some way.
> >> 
> >> 73,
> >> Roy Rabey - AD5KZ
> >> ARRL NTX SM
> >> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TCARC-NTx mailing list
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net 
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tca> rc-ntx
> 



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Wed Aug 20 16:27:14 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (James E. Good)
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 10:27:14 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help
References: <E19pQNq-0004bw-00@covert.iadfw.net>
Message-ID: <001801c3672f$a4759900$80969342@7>

Exactly when is it scheduled and where would it be?  Also is there any cost
for the class (or course) and for books or other items?

73
Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald Buxton" <n0jy@amsat.org>
To: <tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:39 AM
Subject: Re: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help


> So, who all wants to go?
>
> On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 23:50:02 -0500, David Johnson wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >> The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop is only weeks away. This is
> >> shaping up to be an excellent event. And there are still
> >> opportunities for APRS-knowledgeable people to contribute on
> >> a number of levels and help to make the event a success.
> >>
> >> The following announcement is from the event coordinator,
> >> John Beadles, N5OOM. I hope you will consider attending the
> >> APRS Workshop and if you're able, helping in some way.
> >>
> >> 73,
> >> Roy Rabey - AD5KZ
> >> ARRL NTX SM
> >>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TCARC-NTx mailing list
> TCARC-NTx@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tcarc-ntx
>


From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Thu Aug 21 00:40:10 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Gerald Buxton)
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 18:40:10 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] FW: The 2003 NTX APRS Workshop Needs Your Help
In-Reply-To: <001801c3672f$a4759900$80969342@7>
Message-ID: <E19pcZO-0004An-00@covert.iadfw.net>

Jim,

It is September 6, 9AM to 6PM at the conference center of the University of
Texas at Dallas.  Check this web page for more info.

http://www.n5oom.org/2003_nt_aprs_workshop/ 

Jerry
N0JY

On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 10:27:14 -0500, James E. Good wrote:

>Exactly when is it scheduled and where would it be?  Also is there any cost
>for the class (or course) and for books or other items?
>
>73
>Jim
>



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Fri Aug 22 03:19:35 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Chris Brewer)
Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2003 21:19:35 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Net Notes
Message-ID: <AEEFKPNDEMCJCCOAADKLEENKCDAA.cbrewer@covad.net>

There was a lot tonight (or it seemed like it to me).  I hope I got
everything.

Checkins:

K5PSB  Mark   Passed traffic on the traffic net.  Working on mobile antenna
KB5YLG David  Commend Mark for active in NTS.
              Ham Radio Class two weeks ago sponsored by TCARC - 16 New
Operators!!
KE4HZC Glenn  NRH Just checking in
KB5JW  Hugh   No Traffic - Checking In.
KD5VXH Jim    No Traffic - Checking In.
WB5IDM Paul   Wondering if tonight was his night to do the net.
N5KEQ  Bill   Looking for N5WLA and found him!
N5WLA  Fred   Getting close to getting Tower finished up.
KB5UEP Tom    Just checking in (Sorry I messed the callsign up)
KC5SLQ Daryl  Needs a new antenna and microphone :)  Announced Balloon
Launch

Announcements:

Aug 23 - Gainesville Hamfest This Saturday 7:00 AM Talk-In is 147.34+ 100Hz
Tone Gainesville Civic Center
         Direction are to take 35 up to California.  Go right on California
to Weaver.  Right on Weaver and
         look for the antennas
Aug 30 - Balloon Launch
Sept 6 - APRS Workshop Conference Center at UT Dallas 9-6
Sept 6 - Meeting at Checkers Pizza in Springtown
Sept 6 - Test Session Ash Creek Baptist Church 9AM
Sept 13 - Hardins Sidewalk Sale

Dave,Fred and Mark looking to start a traffic net to link in with NTS in
Dallas.  Net will be on 147.16 and looking at a time of 7:30 each evening.
Thinking about covering NW Tarrant, Wise, Parker, Jack, and Palo Pinto
counties (hope I got them all)

  Net Start Time: 8:00PM CDT (1:00UTC)
  Net End Time:   8:34PM CDT (1:34UTC)

Thanks to everyone for checking in.

73  N5GMJ    Chris


From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Sat Aug 23 12:34:26 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 06:34:26 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Arrl letter
Message-ID: <006d01c3696a$852d1540$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 33
August 22, 2003
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +ARRL says BPL industry comments lack substance
* +NTIA weighs in on BPL
* +Concert pianist-ham finishes charity run
* +The list of codeless countries grows
* +Popular UO-14 satellite out of operation
* +At least two hams hurt in Baghdad blast
* +FCC designates former ham's GMRS application for hearing
* +Nominations open for 2003 Professional Media Award
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     Spam a result of virus e-mail spoofing, not from ARRL
     Kentucky ARES assists in search for missing aircraft
     2003 McGan Award nomination deadline looms

+Available on ARRL Audio News

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

==>BPL ADVOCATES' COMMENTS LACK TECHNICAL SUBSTANCE, ARRL REPLY COMMENTS
SAY

The ARRL says Broadband over Power Line (BPL) proponents failed in their
comments to the FCC to substantiate their claims that the technology
will not cause widespread interference. In reply comments filed August
20--the FCC's deadline to receive comments in the Notice of Inquiry, ET
Docket 03-104--the League said that if the FCC is going to rely on
industry statements in making decisions on BPL deployment, the industry
should back up its assertions with technical studies and hard data and
make these public.

"Unfounded assurances that BPL will not cause interference are no
substitute for real-world measurements," the League declared, "and the
FCC should rely on documented test results and an impact of interference
potential based on scientific, not marketing, criteria."

A form of power line carrier--or PLC--technology, BPL would use existing
low and medium-voltage power lines to deliver broadband services to
homes and businesses using frequencies between 2 and 80 MHz. Some BPL
proponents--primarily electric power utilities--already are testing BPL
systems in several markets and want the FCC to relax radiation limits.

"Power lines are ubiquitous, and attempts by the BPL industry to obtain
relaxed emission classifications based on operating environment are
obviously illogical and frivolous," the ARRL said. BPL would impact not
only hams but public safety low-band VHF systems and other mobile
systems, the League's comments added.

In contrast to the BPL advocates' "blanket statements" of no
interference from BPL field trial sites, the ARRL said its own field
tests "lead inescapably to the conclusion that BPL will, if deployed,
create widespread harmful interference." It predicted signal levels of
up to 30 dB over S9 on a typical amateur transceiver, "well beyond what
would preclude amateur HF communications entirely."

To dramatize its point, the League urged the Commission to view video
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/#video> shot during recent ARRL
test-and-measurement forays to BPL field trial communities in four
states. The ARRL said the type of degradation expected from BPL would
transform 20 meters from a band with worldwide communication
capabilities to one of limited regional communication capability.

"ARRL has, in fact, done what the BPL industry should have done--brought
an amateur station to the trial area," the League said. "When it did so,
the interference was manifest and widespread and would be so even to an
untrained observer."

The League also noted that comments in the proceeding so far have been
silent on the interference susceptibility of BPL to ham radio signal
ingress. The League predicted that even as little as 250 mW of signal
induced into overhead power lines some 100 feet from an amateur antenna
could degrade a BPL system or render it inoperative.

The ARRL called on the FCC to stop acting like a cheerleader for BPL.
"It is past time that the Commission acted in its proper role as a
steward of the radio spectrum and recognized the interference potential
of BPL to the sensitive incumbent licensed services in these bands," the
League concluded. "The Commission cannot stretch the Part 15 regulations
as far as would be required to accommodate BPL."

The League's complete reply comments are available on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et03-104/reply-comments-index.h
tm
l> along with more information
<http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2003/07/08/1/>. Additional
information and video clips are on the ARRL "Power Line Communications
(PLC) and Amateur Radio" page www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/.

To support the League's efforts in the BPL fight, visit the ARRL's
secure BPL Web site
<https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/>.

==>NTIA EXPRESSES "BROAD CONCERNS" IN BPL COMMENTS

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
has weighed in on the FCC's Broadband over Power Line (BPL) initiative.
While urging the FCC to "move forward expeditiously" with its inquiry
into BPL, the NTIA expressed "broad concerns" about interference to
government users. The NTIA also has launched an extensive modeling,
analysis and measurement program for BPL. A Commerce Department branch,
NTIA administers spectrum allocated to federal government users.

"Notwithstanding BPL's potential benefits, the Commission must ensure
that other communications services, especially government operations,
are adequately protected from unacceptable interference," the NTIA said
in late-filed comments in the BPL Notice of Inquiry. "In tailoring its
rules to promote BPL deployment, the Commission must be certain to
provide all communications stakeholders with adequate protections
against BPL emissions that may cause unacceptable radio frequency
interference."

Until releasing its comments this month, the NTIA has been largely
silent on the issue since last spring. In an April 24 letter, then-NTIA
administrator Nancy J. Victory applauded the FCC's decision to launch
its inquiry into BPL, but called on the Commission to make sure that BPL
does not cause harmful interference to other services.

In early July, Frederick R. Wentland, NTIA's associate administrator in
the Office of Spectrum Management, told the FCC that the NTIA did not
favor Current Technologies LLC's <http://www.currenttechnologies.com/>
request for a permanent waiver of the field strength limit specified for
Class B emissions under FCC Part 15 rules. A Maryland BPL developer,
Current Technologies already is field testing and marketing the
technology.

Wentland worried that the pole-mounted interfaces and outdoor power
lines used for BPL could interfere with public safety communication in
the 30 to 50 MHz range. He told FCC Office of Engineering and Technology
Chief Edmond J. Thomas that the "unobstructed and ubiquitous nature of
this BPL application, and perhaps other aspects of BPL, differs
considerably from the situations presently found in typical
unintentional radiators" operating under Part 15.

Wentland--named recently to succeed Victory as NTIA administrator on an
interim basis--also invited the FCC to coordinate its own BPL
measurement activities with those of the NTIA.

The NTIA's comments, which have not been posted on the FCC Web site, are
available on the NTIA Web site
<http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fccfilings/2003/bplcomments_08132003.h
tm
>

==>HAM-CONCERT PIANIST-JOGGER COMPLETES 880-MILE CHARITY RUN

Concert pianist and cancer survivor Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, has
completed his 880-mile "Celebrate Life Run"
<http://www.celebrateliferun.com> from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the Chicago
area. An ARRL member, Berkofsky set out jogging on April 9, his 60th
birthday, to celebrate his recovery from cancer and to raise money for
research into the disease. He concluded his marathon around midday
August 20 in Zion, Illinois. He performed a special concert August 21
for cancer patients, their families and staff members at Cancer
Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Midwestern Regional Medical Center.

"How grateful I am for all of the support and help from so many radio
amateurs," Berkofsky told ARRL. He singled out for special mention the
Tulsa Amateur Radio Club and its president, Gregg Wonderly, W5GGW, as
well as the Washington (Missouri) Zero Beaters, the Chicago FM Club, and
his QSL manager Murray Green, K3BEQ. He also acknowledged "the countless
radio amateurs who kept me company with on-the-road QSOs, many even
driving out to meet me personally and to help me with road directions
when my maps weren't clear."

Along the way, Berkofsky carried a quad-band ham radio handheld
transceiver to chat with locals as he passed through their communities.
He also marked his daily position using borrowed APRS gear and made some
QSOs via EchoLink.

Berkofsky says he set a daily record of 23.1 miles on July 16. "Went
through the wall, as runners would say," he said.

CTCA and the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation (CTRF)
<http://www.celebrateliferun.com/ctrf.cfm> sponsored Berkofsky's run and
are benefactors of the donations pledged on its behalf. CTCA says his
run raised more than $80,000 for cancer research.

"How proud I am to say that Amateur Radio played such a large part in
this," Berkofsky added. "I think it will take months to really
understand everything that has happened." The run also garnered
extensive media coverage along its route.

"What an incredible experience, what incredible lessons . . . what a
wonderful country we have" Berkofsky said. "I hope I come out of this as
a better person."

==>MORE COUNTRIES DROP MORSE CODE REQUIREMENT

Two more countries have joined the small, but growing, list of
administrations that no longer require Amateur Radio applicants to pass
a Morse code test to have access to HF. Others have indicated they will
do so soon. Affected countries also have granted HF privileges to their
amateurs who hold "no-code" VHF/UHF licenses.

Joining Switzerland, Belgium, the UK and Germany are Norway and the
Netherlands. Waiting in the wings are Austria and New Zealand.

The actions are in response to the World Radiocommunication Conference
2003 decision to delete the requirement to prove Morse code ability from
the international Radio Regulations, leaving individual administrations
to decide if they want to retain it or not.

The Norwegian Post and Telecommunication Authority <http://www.npt.no/>
reportedly has told the Norwegian Radio Relay League
<http://www.nrrl.no/> that the three former license classes--with LA, LB
and LC call sign prefixes--were combined into one class on August 19.
Those holding LC call signs have been issued new LA-prefix call signs,
and those holding LB-prefix call signs may apply for LA call signs if
they wish.

The Netherlands Radiocommunications Agency
<http://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/> announced this week that Morse
proficiency will cease to be a requirement for HF access as of September
1. The Netherlands' Class A and C licenses--which correspond to CEPT
Classes 1 and 2 respectively--will enjoy the same privileges, although
they'll retain their distinctive call sign prefixes for now. The change
does not affect the Class N license, which permits 2-meter and 70-cm
operation only. A letter to all amateurs was to go out this week to all
hams in the Netherlands.

Information from Austria's IARU member-society, the Austrian
Experimental Radio Transmitters Union (OeVSV) <http://www.oevsv.at/>,
indicates that country will grant provisional HF access to all CEPT
Class 2 licenses "sometime in September," pending formal changes.

New Zealand telecommunications authorities plan to remove the
requirement for Morse competency from the General class syllabus as part
of the next round of updates to that country's radiocommunications
regulations. The change is expected to go into effect later this year.

In the US, six unrelated petitioners have requested the FCC to delete
the requirement that applicants pass the 5 WPM Element 1 Morse code test
to gain HF access and make related changes in the Amateur Service rules
(Part 97). The FCC has not yet invited public comment on any of these
petitions.--some information from RSGB, No-Code International and Kees
Murre, PA2CHM

==>POPULAR SATELLITE SHUTS DOWN

The popular and heavily used UO-14 FM satellite has quit working, and
some in the amateur satellite community worry that the venerable
easy-sat could be down for the count. UO-14 (145.975 MHz up, 435.070 MHz
down for Mode J) failed to appear on August 5 over the western Americas,
but ground controller Chris Jackson, G7UPN, later was able to reset the
satellite from the UK.

The reason for that shutdown remains a mystery. "Since the flight
computer is not operating, we have no way of knowing why this event
occurred and can only hope that it is not a sign of more problems to
come," Jackson said at the time. His words turned prophetic a week or so
later when UO-14 again failed. It was still not back in operation at
week's end.

"It seems that there is a problem with the UO-14 power system--possibly
a battery cell has a fault," Jackson said after the second shutdown.
"This is causing the spacecraft to shut down during some eclipses."
Jackson said since this was shutting down the whole spacecraft, it was
impossible to implement an automatic routine to periodically cycle the
transmitter and keep it on.

Jackson said UO-14 had been changed over to a secondary power system
that does not shut down quite as easily, and he was running UO-14's
downlink in telemetry mode to find clues to the problem on board. One
possible fix was to make the satellite automatically switch its power
back on each time it passes over its Surrey, England, control point.

"UO-14 is getting on toward 14 years and has completed something on the
order of 74,000 charge/discharge cycles of its NiCd batteries--not bad
really," Jackson said. "Let's hope it can manage a few more."

AMSAT-NA Vice President for User Services Bruce Paige, KK5DO--a regular
satellite user--says many UO-14 users have migrated to another FM
satellite, SaudiSat SO-50 (145.800 MHz up, 436.800 MHz down, 67 Hz CTCSS
tone, for Mode J). "It is a bit more difficult to work as you have to
have a 67-Hz PL tone," he said. "The polarity of the satellite changes
many times during a pass." Paige notes that hams nonetheless have had
success with handheld transceivers and very modest antennas. He said
SO-50 is typically on over North America.--AMSAT News Service/AMSAT BB

==>HAMS INJURED IN BAGHDAD BLAST

The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com> reports that three Amateur Radio
operators were injured in the August 19 bombing of the UN Headquarters
at the former Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq.

The Daily DX Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, says he's received word from
Les Nouvelles DX <http://lesnouvellesdx.free.fr> Editor Jean-Michel
Duthilleul, F6AJA, that Ghis Penny, ON5NT, was at the UN Headquarters
when the bomb went off. He reportedly suffered a minor head injury and
was evacuated August 21 to Amman, Jordan. Penny expects to be back home
in Belgium in the next few days.

Robert Kasca, S53R, also was working at the UN offices when the
explosion occurred but apparently was not hurt. According to McClenny,
Kasca told Randy Hollier, WX5L, that he plans to continue working in
Iraq. Kasca also said that Michael Dirksen, PA5M (ex-PA5MD), was
hospitalized in Germany as a result of the bombing and was said to be
doing well.

The UN has indicated that it would move at least some of its personnel
outside Iraq as a result of the incident. At least 23 people were killed
in the bombing. The dead included widely respected UN envoy Sergio
Vieira de Mello, the UN's high commissioner for refugees who had taken
on an assignment in Iraq.

==>FCC DESIGNATES HEARING ON FORMER AMATEUR'S GMRS APPLICATION

The FCC has designated the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
application of Richard Allen Burton, ex-WB6JAC, of Harbor City,
California, for hearing. For more than two decades, Burton has had a
troubled relationship with the FCC, which revoked his General-class
Amateur Radio station license and suspended his operator license in 1981
for "willful and repeated violation" of the Amateur Service rules. Since
then, the FCC has stymied his every effort to return to ham radio.

"Based on the information before us, we believe that Burton's history of
repeated violations of the [Communications] Act and our rules raises a
substantial and material question of fact as to whether he possesses the
requisite character qualifications to be a Commission licensee," the FCC
asserted in a Hearing Designation Order released August 7. Burton filed
his GMRS application in June 2002. GMRS is a general-purpose UHF radio
service that operates under Part 95 of the FCC's rules.

In addition to Burton's 1981 license revocation, the HDO cites his four
separate convictions for alleged unlicensed operation of radio
transmitting equipment. As a result of his most recent conviction in
2000, Burton spent three months in a federal prison in Texas, received a
year's probation and was ordered to undergo psychological counseling.

In 1996, Burton was briefly successful in becoming relicensed when the
FCC issued him the call sign KF6GKS after he'd passed the Technician
examination. The FCC promptly set aside the grant as soon as it realized
the error.

Burton recently got a Warning Notice from FCC Special Counsel Riley
Hollingsworth citing monitoring information alleging that Burton had
operated on 2 meters "on numerous occasions" in the Los Angeles area
since January. Last year, the FCC warned a Los Angeles-area repeater
owner about allowing Burton to use his repeater.

The hearing will consider Burton's prior record as well as the more
recent allegations. Based on the evidence presented, the FCC will
determine Burton's qualifications to be an FCC licensee and whether to
grant his GMRS application.

The HDO is available on the FCC Web site
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2607A1.doc>.

==>NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR 2003 BILL LEONARD, W2SKE, PROFESSIONAL MEDIA
AWARD

The ARRL is accepting nominations for the annual Bill Leonard, W2SKE,
Professional Media Award, a tribute to the late CBS News President Bill
Leonard, W2SKE. The award goes to a professional journalist whose
outstanding coverage in TV, radio, print or multimedia best reflects the
enjoyment, importance and public service value of Amateur Radio. The
deadline to receive entries is December 5, 2003.

The ARRL Public Relations Committee will review all submissions and make
a recommendation to the Board of Directors at its January 2004 meeting.
The winner receives a plaque and a cash award of $500.

An avid Amateur Radio operator, Leonard was most active on the air
during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1958, an article he wrote for Sports
Illustrated, "The Battle of the Hams," covered the "sport" of DX
contesting. To this day, it remains one of the best Amateur Radio
feature stories ever published. Leonard, who died in 1994, was inducted
into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996.

Last year's Professional Media Award winner was Assistant News Director
Jill Valley and News Director Greg Schieferstein of KPAX-TV in Missoula,
Montana.

For more information or to obtain a nomination form and official entry
rules, contact Media Relations Manager Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY,
jhagy@arrl.org; 860-594-0328.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Solar overlord Tad "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" Cook, K7RA,
Seattle, Washington, reports: Sunspot numbers are down 19 percent, solar
flux is down 7 percent and the planetary A index is up 42 percent: Could
it be any worse for HF operators? Well yes, it could, but those
percentages reflect the change in average daily indices from last week
to this week. What could be worse, of course, are zero sunspots with
solar flux around 70 or lower--which is what we saw about seven years
ago at the bottom of the solar cycle.

The day most disturbed by geomagnetic storms this week was Monday,
August 18, when the planetary A index was 86. The planetary K index was
8 during one three-hour period, 7 during another, and 6 during three
other periods. This indicates a severe geomagnetic storm. The storm
began around 0100 UTC when the interplanetary magnetic field tipped to
the south near Earth. This makes Earth vulnerable to the effects of any
solar wind or flare activity. A solar flare erupted on August 19 at 2005
UTC, and this pushed a strong coronal mass ejection toward Earth.

The forecast from the US Air Force for planetary A index was adjusted
upward on Thursday, August 21, after the initial one at 2104 UTC. That
earlier one predicted a planetary A index of 30 for Friday, which is
quite high. Six hours and twenty minutes later a new forecast was
released that predicted Friday's planetary A index at 50. Saturday is
predicted at 30, and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday all show the same
planetary A index of 25.

Predicted solar flux for Friday, August 22 is 115, and 110 is the value
for Saturday through Tuesday, after which the number is expected to head
up.

Sunspot numbers for August 14 through 20 were 108, 86, 92, 113, 104, 77
and 62, with a mean of 91.7. The 10.7-cm flux was 129.7, 131.4, 126.9,
119.3, 115.9, 116.7 and 111.8, with a mean of 121.7. Estimated planetary
A indices were 18, 14, 11, 15, 86, 21 and 15, with a mean of 25.7.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The ALARA Contest, the Hawaii QSO and Ohio
QSO parties, the TOEC World Wide Grid Contest (CW), the NRRL 75th
Anniversary Contest and the CQC Summer QSO Party are the weekend of
August 23-24. JUST AHEAD: The ALARA Contest, the YO DX HF Contest, the
SARL HF CW Contest and the SCC RTTY Championship are the weekend of
August 30-31. 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, August 25, 12:01 AM EDT
(0401 UTC). Registration remains open through Sunday, August 31. Classes
begin Tuesday afternoon, September 2. Registration for the ARRL HF
Digital Communications (EC-005) and VHF/UHF--Life Beyond the Repeater
(EC-008) courses remains open through Sunday, August 24. 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.

* Spam a result of virus e-mail spoofing, not from ARRL: Spam that
appears to be coming from ARRL Headquarters e-mail addresses is a result
of computer worms capable of e-mail "spoofing" and is not coming from
ARRL. Complaints from the began arriving this week to ARRL Headquarters
about received spam that looked like it had come from ARRL's e-mail
system. Outside of routine correspondence, the ARRL only sends e-mail to
its members who request mailings, such as W1AW bulletins and The ARRL
Letter. ARRL Information Systems Department Manager Don Durand says
so-called worm programs are the culprit. "What happens is that this
worm--and many others--will infect someone's machine," he explained. The
worm takes addresses from the user's personal address book and uses them
on the "From:" line of a piece of e-mail. "The worm will then take the
rest of the personal address book and send notes to everyone in it,
varying the 'From:' line as it goes." Durand said the worm programs can
use arrl.org e-mail addresses it harvests from others' machines to
propagate and replicate itself. The latest SoBig.f variant began
circulating August 19. Durand said ARRL has been receiving dozens of
calls from victims of e-mail spoofing. "It's everywhere," he said of the
SoBig worm. "It's not slowing down." Network Associates has upped its
threat rating for SoBig to "high." NAI has more information on the worm
on its Web site <http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_100561.htm>.

* Kentucky ARES assists in search for missing aircraft: Amateur Radio
Emergency Service (ARES) members from Kentucky ARES districts 1 and 2
assisted in efforts to locate a private aircraft that was reported
missing June 14 with two men aboard. Responding to a request from the
emergency manager in Calloway County to Assistant ARES Coordinator Bill
Call, KJ4W, ARES members set up the county's mobile communication
trailer at the Murray Airport to support the search. Amateurs supported
the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in the search. Attempts to locate the missing
plane continued for several days and eventually involved responders from
four states. Calloway County ARES Coordinator Mark Garland, K4SDI, and
ARES District 1 Coordinator Bill Slayman, KY4NU, headed up the ham radio
support and recruited additional amateurs for duty. "We had a full
activation in communications support of the CAP mission and a total of
22 ARES members participated in various roles," Slayman said. CAP flew
some 280 missions. Watercraft also were involved after debris from the
plane was found June 23 in a lake in Tennessee. The Tennessee Emergency
Management Agency took over the incident at that point, and the ARES
activation ceased. Calloway County's Office of Emergency Management
extended "heartfelt appreciation" to ARES members from Calloway and
Hopkins County, Garland said. "Their support filled a gap that otherwise
would have delayed operations and cost in excess of $70,000." The
amateurs' effort gained wide media coverage, including a mention on
CNN.--Pat Spencer, KD4PWL/Kentucky Amateur Radio News

* 2003 McGan Award nomination deadline looms: The deadline is September
2 to receive nominations for the 2003 Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver
Antenna Award, which recognizes significant contributions in the area of
volunteer public relations on behalf of Amateur Radio. The ARRL Board of
Directors voted in July to re-solicit nominations for this year's award
after the Public Relations Committee determined that none of the
nominations submitted adequately fit the award criteria. Those planning
to nominate someone for the 2003 McGan Award are encouraged to read
"Announcing the 12th Annual McGan Award" (QST Feb 2003)
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/07/24/103/Award.pdf>. The article
highlights the significant differences between public relations and
public service. Public relations involves efforts specifically directed
at bringing Amateur Radio to the attention of the general public and the
news media in a positive light. Nomination forms are available on the
ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/pio/McGan-Nom-Form03.pdf>. Return
completed entry forms and supporting materials to Philip J. McGan
Memorial Silver Antenna Award, c/o Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY, ARRL, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111. Nominations must be received at ARRL
Headquarters by 5 PM Eastern Daylight Time on September 2, 2003.

===========================================================
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.



From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Mon Aug 25 11:39:39 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (Gerald Buxton)
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 05:39:39 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] Fwd: APRS Workshop Update & Survey
Message-ID: <E19rEll-0001TW-00@covert.iadfw.net>

==================BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE==================
Howdy!

Preparations continue for the 03 NTX APRS Workshop.  The 
workshop will be held on Saturday, September 6, at the Conference 
Center at the University of Texas at Dallas.  The workshop will 
a totally free event sponsored by the Comet Amateur Radio Club 
and the Plano Amateur Radio Klub. Up to date info will be available 
on www.n5oom.org.  

The University of Texas at Dallas is in Richardson, TX.  Directions 
to the university are available at: 
http://www.utdallas.edu/directionstoutd-index.html  


A campus map showing the Conference Center is available at:
http://www.utdallas.edu/campusmap.html (the Conference Center is
building 15 on the map).

PARKING

Because this is a University, parking is usually strictly controlled. 
However, we're told that there will be only minimum parking 
restrictions on Saturday.  There are parking lots to the west and 
south of the Conference Center.  If we find out any different, we'll 
send out another email with parking instructions.  

PLEASE RSVP!!!

Though there is no charge, your advanced registrations are 
appreciated.  At this time we have 94 advance registrations.  If you 
or someone you know is planning to attend, please send an RSVP 
to n5oom@arrl.net.  If you are receiving this email directly, then you 
are already registered, and thanks!  

WHAT TO BRING

Because this is a free event, there's no guarantee that we will have 
paper copies of notes.  Therefore, it will be beneficial for you to 
download copies of the presentations you want to attend.  Copies of 
all available presentations will be available on www.n5oom.org by 
Thursday, September 4.  In addition, you may want to bring you 
own paper, pens and pencils.  

EVENT FEATURES

Several APRS software vendors are offering price breaks for 
software registered during this event, thanks to Ken N5EQT.  Also, 
Ken has obtained a few copies as door prizes!  We'll have a station 
standing by to do these registrations at the Registration Desk if you 
are interested in purchasing any software.   

We'll also have a few TinyTrak units available for sale, thanks to 
Tony
W5ADC!

OPEN WORKSHOP

We will have an open workshop open for attendees to bring in their 
APRS equipment to be worked on by local experts.  Thanks to 
Barry, WA5KXX for managing the workshop.  If you know that you 
will be bringing some equipment to be worked on, please send a 
mail describing your problem to n5oom@arrl.net.  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you are willing to share your APRS, PC, radio, power or wiring 
expertise with others, the workshop needs you!  If you are willing to 
help out, please send a msg to Barry Goldblatt WA5KXX at 
wa5kxx@resource800.com  

In addition, we need volunteers to spend short periods of time 
manning the registration desk.  If you are interested in helping out 
with the registration desk, please send a msg to Robert Davis 
AD5NR at ad5nr@arrl.net  

I'm looking for Public Service Event coordinators, net controllers 
and county emergency coordinators who have worked with APRS to 
sit in on the PSE & Emergency Events panel.  If you have done this 
and are interested, please email n5oom@arrl.net.  

It looks as if we'll have some open presentation slots.  If you have 
an APRS related presentation you'd like to share, please email 
n5oom@arrl.net.  

ATTENDEE SURVEY

This week the event staff will go through the event schedule and 
reorder the presentations based on what you most want to see.  In 
order to identify the most popular presentations, please respond to 
this survey by filling out the following information and forwarding it 
back to n5oom@arrl.net no later than 10pm central time, Tuesday, 
August 26.  

1.	Software Track - Please put a 1 through 8 next to each 
presentation, with 1 being the one you most want to see.   

a.	UI-View
b.	WinAPRS
c.	MacAPRS
d.	APRSPoint
e.	APRS+SA
f.	Xastir
g.	PocketAPRS
h.	AGWPE
i.	Something else (please comment)

2.	Hardware Track - Please put a 1 through 8 next to each 
presentation, with 1 being the one you
most want to see.

a.	Building APRS Trackers
b.	APRS Tracker show & tell
c.	Configuring the TM-D700 & TH-D7
d.	Building & configuring the TinyTrak
e.	Configuring TNCs
f.	Intro to GPS Receivers
g.	Batteries
h.	Other (please comment)

3.	Operating Practice Track - Please put a 1 through 8 next to 
each presentation, with 1 being the one you most want to see.  

a.	APRS in North Texas
b.	Weather tracking & APRS
c.	APRS-IS (APRS over the Internet)
d.	APRS functions for  Public Service Events
e.	HSMM (802.11b in the ham bands)
f.	Map Data & APRS
g.	Panel - APRS in Public Service Events & Emergency 
Events
h.	Other (Please comment)

PRESENTATIONS IN JEOPARDY

At this time, we have nobody presenting on Xastir, MacAPRS or 
Configuring TNCs.  If you would be interested in picking up one of 
these, please let me know at n5oom@arrl.net.



===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE===================




From tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net  Sat Aug 30 21:07:20 2003
From: tcarc-ntx@mailman.qth.net (David Johnson)
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 15:07:20 -0500
Subject: [TCARC-NTX] ARRL Letter
Message-ID: <001f01c36f32$555c0dd0$7a011dac@KB5YLG>

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 34
August 29, 2003
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +FCC seeks comments on six Morse-related petitions
* +AMRAD suggests BPL putting FCC at regulatory crossroad
* +Wildfires have Montana hams in "heads-up" mode
* +ISS packet system still troublesome
* +The Big Project curriculum, lab handbook available
* +Two new ARRL Section Managers appointed
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Emergency Communications course registration
     Correction
     ARRL seeks clubs' support in BPL campaign
    +Past New Mexico SM Joe Knight, W5PDY, honored at convention
     Helen L. Grauer, N0BCI, SK

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================
NOTE: ARRL Headquarters will be closed Monday, September 1, for Labor
Day. There will be no W1AW code practice or bulletin transmissions that
day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen at 8 AM EDT Tuesday, September 2.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!
===========================================================

==>FCC INVITES COMMENTS ON SIX MORSE CODE-RELATED PETITIONS

The FCC has invited public comments on six separate Morse code-related
petitions for rule making, some of which would altogether eliminate
Element 1, the 5 WPM Morse test, from the Amateur Service rules (Part
97). World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03) made optional the
requirement to prove the ability to send and receive Morse signals to
operate below 30 MHz.

A petition from Peter M. Beauregard, KI1I, designated RM-10781, would
give all Technician licensees current Novice/Tech Plus CW privileges on
80, 40, 15 and 10 meters and limited phone and image privileges on 80,
40 and 10 meters. Beauregard said the CW privileges would "encourage
Technician class licensees to upgrade to General" by giving them a
"practice area." He has proposed new Tech phone/image privileges on
3850-3900 kHz and 7225-7300 kHz. His petition would not eliminate
Element 1, however.

Pete V. Coppola, KG4QDZ, and family--Tina Coppola, KG4YUM, and Pete A.
Coppola, KG4QDY--have asked the FCC to eliminate Element 1 from the
rules. The Coppolas' petition, designated RM-10782, would grant Tech
Plus HF privileges to current Technician licensees. It also would retain
the current CW-only subbands. The Coppolas asked the FCC to make the
change effective immediately on a provisional basis.

Kiernan K. Holliday, WA6BJH, has asked the FCC simply to "remove all
requirements for knowledge of Morse code" from the Amateur Service
rules. Holliday said there is less reason to require Morse code in the
Amateur Service today. In his petition, designated RM-10783, Holliday
also said the code requirement limits the ability of handicapped
individuals to get ham tickets. "The Commission's policy should be to
encourage the use of Amateur Radio," he said.

Dale Reich, K8AD, petitioned the FCC to delete Element 1 for General
class applicants but keep it in place for Extra class applicants. Under
Reich's scheme, "no-code" Techs wanting HF privileges would have to
upgrade to General first. Reich's petition is designated RM-10784.

Eric Ward, N0HHS, seeks immediate elimination of "proficiency in
telegraphy using Morse code." The "immediate removal of the telegraphy
requirement from Amateur Radio licensing is appropriate and clearly in
the public interest," Ward contended in his petition, designated
RM-10785.

In a detailed, nine-page petition, the National Conference of Volunteer
Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) is calling on the FCC to delete Element 1
and give "Tech Plus" privileges to current Technician licensees. The
NCVEC also asked the FCC to "take expedited action" to allow volunteer
examiner coordinators (VECs) to discontinue administering Element 1 "as
soon as possible."

"The Amateur Service community suffers from the loss to its ranks of a
large number of potentially excellent operators who are turned away
because of the CW requirement," the NCVEC petition said.

The organization, the umbrella group for the 14 VECs in the US, said
there's "no longer any reasonable justification for requiring an
applicant to demonstrate this antiquated skill," and that most
applicants never use Morse after they pass the test. The NCVEC petition
is designated RM-10787.

The ARRL-VEC abstained from voting on the NCVEC's petition question when
it came up during the NCVEC's July 25 meeting in Pennsylvania. At its
own July meeting in Connecticut, the ARRL Board of Directors affirmed
its interest in reviewing members' input on the Morse issue as well as
on other possible revisions to Part 97 arising from WRC-03. The Board's
current position is to retain the Morse requirement for HF access.

Two more recently filed petitions--one from No Code International and
another from two amateur licensees--are expected to be put on public
notice in the near future.

Interested parties may file comments on any or all of these petitions
using the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)
<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>, which also permits users to view the
petitions and all comments on file. There is a 30-day comment window.

To file a comment, click on "Submit a Filing" under "ECFS Main Links."
In the "Proceeding" field, type the full RM number, including the
hyphen, and complete the required fields. "RM" must be in capital
letters, and you must include the hyphen between "RM" and the five-digit
number. You may type your remarks into a form or attach a file. ECFS
also accepts comments in active proceedings via e-mail, per instructions
on the ECFS page.

While a Morse code exam element remains on the books in the US, Canada
and elsewhere, a handful of countries--including Switzerland, Belgium,
the UK, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands--already have moved to drop
their Morse requirements. Austria and New Zealand are expected to do so
soon.

==>BPL PLACES FCC AT REGULATORY CROSSROAD, AMRAD SUGGESTS

Encouraging Broadband over Power Line (BPL) technology puts the FCC at a
regulatory crossroad, the Amateur Radio Research and Development
Corporation (AMRAD) <http://www.amrad.org> has suggested. AMRAD's
remarks came August 20 in reply comments filed in response to the FCC's
BPL Notice of Inquiry (ET Docket 03-104). The Washington, DC-based
organization's comments also outlined its BPL testing and measurement
efforts, which included laboratory and real-world conditions. AMRAD said
any departure from the "current baseline" of Part 15 rules that govern
unlicensed services would invite "troublesome unintended consequences"
that could prove difficult to correct.

"The FCC is facing some serious decisions on whether to continue with
past rules and historical enforcement or to dispense with their
historical role and substitute rules which give the unlicensed Part 15
systems priority over the licensed systems such as the amateur radio
service," AMRAD said. "Such changes to Part 15 rules would tip the
responsibility of compliance so as to favor the unlicensed users and
leave the FCC facing a large number of harmful interference complaints
to resolve."

AMRAD recommended the FCC proceed "slowly and with caution" in advancing
BPL as a viable and economical alternative to existing high-speed
Internet technologies.

The non-profit scientific and educational organization expressed
concerns as to whether the FCC would be able to enforce Part 15 rules as
written in the face of neighborhood Internet service interruptions
caused by "a single radio amateur or other FCC-licensed radio
transmitter." It said its own testing has demonstrated that a 20-meter
amateur transmitter running as little as 10 W in the vicinity of an
in-house HomePlug standard BPL local network could seriously impair the
system's throughput. A 100 W signal would cause it to collapse
altogether.

Ironically, the HomePlug standard substantially notches out the amateur
bands--something ARRL convinced the HomePlug Powerline Alliance to do
after amateur complaints sparked a recall of HomePlug-standard devices.
The new 60-meter band is not notched out, however.

AMRAD said its observations and tests demonstrate that broadband BPL
signals that conform to Part 15 "are well above the ambient noise and
will interfere with many forms of reception." It said other
non-HomePlug-standard systems that don't notch out ham bands "could
cause more serious interference problems."

In the final analysis, AMRAD said, the FCC "must proceed with great care
and take actions now to conduct testing to gather critical information"
before making regulatory assessments. "The FCC efforts should remain
focused on providing broadband to the home and not focus on any specific
technology," AMRAD asserted.

AMRAD member Frank Gentges, K0BRA, recently assisted ARRL Lab Supervisor
Ed Hare, W1RFI, in the League's efforts to assess the impact of BPL on
HF. Gentges gave Hare a guided tour of "hot neighborhoods" in Manassas,
Virginia, where BPL is undergoing field trials.

Although the reply comment window closed August 20, the number of
comments in response to the FCC's BPL NOI was 4553 as of August 29 and
counting, with some 100 comments filed since the deadline. Many comments
in the BPL proceeding have come from the Amateur Radio community.

AMRAD's reply comments are available on the FCC Web site
<http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_do
cu
ment=6514683575>.

==>MONTANA HAMS IN "HEADS-UP" MODE IN WILDFIRES RESPONSE

As wildfires scorched an estimated 400,000 acres or more in Montana in
recent weeks, Amateur Radio Emergency Service/Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service teams in Big Sky country have assisted as needed,
primarily to supplement communication for authorities and relief
organizations. Right now, things are relatively quiet for the ARES/RACES
teams.

"At this time all units in the state are reporting in a stand-by mode,"
said Montana Section Emergency Coordinator Jim Fuller, N7VMR. "We have
been getting some cooler weather and minor moisture in various parts of
the state. This is helping slow the fire activity."

The most recent amateur support activity was in Lincoln, located in
Lewis and Clark County some 60 miles northwest of the state capital of
Helena. The Snow-Talon Fire, part of the so-called Lincoln Fire Complex,
caused the evacuation of dozens of residents. Lewis and Clark County
ARES Emergency Coordinator Bob Solomon, K7HLN, and ARES members Shawn
Horne, KD7OQU, and Wes Rowe, K7WES, were among nearly two dozen amateurs
who volunteered to assist the American Red Cross and fire officials in
responding to the emergency. Working from the Capital City Amateur Radio
Club (W7TCK) <http://www.w7tck.org> mobile communication unit, the
amateurs linked the Red Cross evacuation center in Lincoln with Helena.

"Lincoln is an extremely difficult area for any kind of radio
propagation," Solomon said. "We had a lot of trouble keeping links going
and utilized VHF and UHF repeaters as well as simplex."

The Lincoln Complex fires in Helena National Forest cover more than
36,000 acres and were considered nearly 60 percent contained as of
week's end, according to the National Fire Information Center
<http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html>.

Solomon reports the group stood down August 24, but that Horne stayed on
to assist law enforcement personnel with their communications. Amateur
Radio's efforts already have attracted attention from the Helena
Independent Record <http://www.helenair.com/helena>. One recent story
featured the activities of Jim Haslip, W7CK, of East Helena. The
70-year-old retired science teacher has been an aerial fire spotter for
four decades. The other article highlighted the ARES team's
fire-response activities.

Solomon said hams from the Lincoln area have been actively involved in
firefighting activities as fire service communicators and in other
roles. Others have been forced to leave.

"Many of the hams in the Lincoln area have had to evacuate their homes,"
Solomon said. "Some of them have been permitted back in on a
be-prepared-to-go-again basis." Solomon said his team in Lewis and Clark
County was maintaining a "heads-up" stance for possible evacuation. "We
are also replacing supplies, making minor repairs and adjustments and
preparing for the next request for assistance," he said.

Earlier this month, the Red Cross requested ARES members in Missoula
County to provide radio operators at a shelter for evacuees and at the
Red Cross office "just in case," said Missoula County EC Mike McCrackin,
K7DER. Missoula County authorities ordered mandatory evacuations August
16 from areas west of town due to the Black Mountain Fire. Six ARES
members from Missoula County also were deployed as radio operators for
the Wildland Fire Service. Hams also supported Red Cross operations in
Flathead County.

Yellowstone County ARES was activated August 20 to provide support for
the Hobble Fire, now considered contained. Fuller reported that seven
amateurs supplied communication needed to supplement or replace normal
systems. The Hobble Fire consumed some 40,000 acres.

On August 29, the NFIC said 23 fires continued to burn in Montana.

==>ISS PACKET SYSTEM FAILS AGAIN AFTER BRIEF RESTART

After being out of service for some time, the RS0ISS packet system
aboard the International Space Station reappeared briefly on August 24,
much to the delight of packet users. But it didn't stay in operation
very long. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, says he still hopes the
current crew of Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP, and Ed Lu, KC5WKJ, can get to
the bottom of what's wrong with the packet module before the Expedition
8 crew arrives in October.

Bauer says Malenchenko was able to reactivate the packet system on
August 24 at around 1200 UTC. "Over the next nine hours, many hams
around the world sent unproto digi signals through the packet system,"
he said, before the system abruptly quit. Bauer says the ARISS team has
had several discussions on what the next steps should be.

Complicating the debugging effort, he said, is Progress rocket undocking
and docking maneuvers that will occur over the next few days, leaving
little extra time for the crew to troubleshoot the problem. Bauer said
the current plan is to have Malenchenko provide a visual status report
of the packet module (ie, which switches are on, what LEDs are
illuminated).

Bauer says having Malenchenko recycle the power should bring the packet
system back up. "If the system abruptly shuts down after a few hours--as
we expect--we will then ask the crew to attach a computer to the packet
module, download the current parameters to the ground and reset the
module," he said.

Bauer has expressed confidence that the packet problems will be resolved
and that ARISS will move on to other challenges--including the
installation of the Phase 2 hardware in a couple of months. "Please keep
the faith," he said.

==>BIG PROJECT CURRICULUM, LAB HANDBOOK NOW ON-LINE

The ARRL Education and Technology Program--also known as "The Big
Project"--has posted an updated version of its Basic Curriculum and
Radio Lab Handbook to the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/Curriculum-Materials.html>. The revised
materials became available for downloading on August 27.

"This curriculum is a living document and requires active participation
to make it better," said ARRL Education and Technology Program
Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME. "Therefore, user input is very
important, not only to the quality of this curriculum, but to the
project as a whole."

In an effort to expedite delivery and reduce costs, the documents only
went through a cursory editing process rather than a more formal and
rigorous exercise, and Spencer noted that some typographical and other
errors may remain. "User assistance here would also be greatly
appreciated," he added.

The curriculum is divided into two sections, the Basic Curriculum and
the Radio Lab Handbook, all in packed ZIP files for the fastest possible
download. The materials also are available as individual files in
Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format (PDF files require Adobe Reader
software to view).

The Basic Curriculum ZIP file is 1.5 MB, while the Radio Lab
Handbook--which contains many figures and diagrams--is 5 MB. Spencer
said he'd make the materials available on a CD-ROM to those experiencing
problems downloading them from the Internet. He asked all downloading
any portion of the document to let him know via e-mail if they are using
the material.

"We want to be able to keep users informed of updates," he said. "The
major point is that the document needs active participation to keep it
alive, well and ever-improving."

Spencer invited comments, critiques, additions and recommendations via
telephone, 860-594-0396, or e-mail at mspencer@arrl.org.

==>NEW ARRL SECTION MANAGERS TAKING REINS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA,
ORANGE

ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, has
appointed Rich Beaver, N3SRJ, of Jeannette, as Western Pennsylvania
Section Manager, effective September 8, 2003. He will succeed John
Rodgers, N3MSE, who's stepping down for personal reasons but will remain
in office through the Western Pennsylvania Section Convention the
weekend of September 6-7.

Rodgers initially became SM in January 2000 when then-SM Bill Edgar,
N3LLR, was appointed Atlantic Division Vice Director. He was elected to
a two-year term in his own right last fall. Beaver will complete
Rodgers' current term, which ends December 31, 2004. An Assistant
Section Manager since June, Beaver has served as Western Pennsylvania
Section Emergency Coordinator since February, 1998. Members may contact
Rich Beaver via e-mail, n3srj@arrl.net.

White has appointed Carl H. Gardenias, WU6D, of Highland, California, to
replace Joe Brown, W6UBQ, as ARRL Orange Section Manager. Brown, who is
stepping down September 14 because he's moving out of the section,
recommended Gardenias for the position. White accepted Brown's
resignation "with regret," and she called Brown "a fine leader" who has
served his section well for more than 20 years. "Your dedication and
work will be greatly missed," she told Brown.

Gardenias has been an ARRL Life Member since 1979 and serves on the ARRL
Ad Hoc Committee for Strategic Planning. In addition, he's been a member
of the International DX Convention (Visalia) committee since 1983 and
chaired the committee for six years. He also has taught licensing
classes for many years and now coordinates other instructors. Members
may contact Carl Gardenias via e-mail, cgardeni@uci.edu.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation maven Tad "Hand me that bottle of SPF 100" Cook, K7RA,
Seattle, Washington, reports: Sunspot counts were up this week, but so
were geomagnetic indices. Average daily sunspot numbers rose 33 percent
over last week, and the average daily planetary A index was up 18
percent. Solar flux remained about the same. This week didn't have an
extremely stormy day--such as August 18 last week--but the higher A
indices were sustained through the week. Active geomagnetic conditions
declined through the week, with the most active days August 21-23 (our
reporting week runs Thursday through Wednesday). The active days started
August 21, because that is when Earth entered a high-speed solar wind
that continued over the next few days.

The moderate conditions should continue through this weekend. The latest
reading predicts a planetary A index of 12 for Friday through Sunday,
August 29-31. Monday, Labor Day, has a predicted planetary A index of
10, but Tuesday, September 2 may become active again, based upon
recurring conditions from the previous rotation of the sun. Solar flux
is expected to remain around 125 through September 1 and then rise
gradually to around 135 for September 3-4.

Sunspot numbers for August 21 through 27 were 86, 126, 125, 132, 146,
124 and 116, with a mean of 122.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 119.2, 120.9,
120.2, 116.4, 116.5, 120.8 and 125.7, with a mean of 120. Estimated
planetary A indices were 53, 43, 44, 24, 21, 14 and 13, with a mean of
30.3.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The ALARA Contest, the YO DX HF Contest,
the SARL HF CW Contest and the SCC RTTY Championship are the weekend of
August 30-31. The Michigan QRP Labor Day CW Sprint is September 1-2.
JUST AHEAD: The North American Sprint (CW), the All Asian DX Contest
(SSB), the Quick PSK63 Contest, the IARU Region 1 Field Day (SSB) and
the DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest are the weekend of September 6-7. 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, September 1, 12:01 AM EDT (0401 UTC), for the on-line Level I
Emergency Communications course (EC-001). Registration remains open
through the September 6-7 weekend or until all available seats have been
filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, September 16.
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. 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. 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 Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller,
K3UFG, <dmiller@arrl.org>; 860-594-0340.

* Correction: A story in The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 33, "Hams Injured
in Baghdad Blast" incorrectly identified the position of UN envoy Sergio
Vieira de Mello. Mr de Mello was the UN's High Commissioner for Human
Rights prior to taking a leave of absence to serve as the
secretary-general's special representative for Iraq.

* ARRL seeks clubs' support in BPL campaign: ARRL has asked some 2100
ARRL-affiliated clubs to consider donating to the Broadband over Power
Line (BPL) Special Spectrum Defense Campaign. "Your ARRL is at the
forefront of the campaign to defeat BPL and will continue to work
tirelessly to protect your Amateur Radio bands," says ARRL Chief
Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH. Hobart notes that individuals
and clubs have responded generously to fund ARRL's efforts to fight BPL
and many also have filed comments in response to the FCC's Notice of
Inquiry in ET Docket 03-104. "But we still need to raise an additional
$55,000 to fund the field measurements and document filings necessary to
defeat this threat," Hobart pointed out in urging clubs to give serious
thought to helping out. ARRL has received club contributions ranging
from $50 to $2000. She promised to post a list of contributing clubs on
the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org> this fall "as our way of saying
thank you." More information on BPL is available on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/BPL>, including a video--available for downloading
and showing at club meetings--that graphically demonstrates the
interference radio amateurs would experience from BPL. There's a
PowerPoint presentation too. To help, visit ARRL's secure BPL campaign
donation site <https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/> or
mail your contribution to BPL Special Spectrum Defense Campaign, ARRL,
225 Main St, Newington CT 06111.

* Past New Mexico SM Joe Knight, W5PDY, honored at convention: Former
New Mexico Section Manager Joe T. Knight, W5PDY, has received the Knight
Distinguished Service Award August 23 for his 27 years of outstanding
service as an SM. The ARRL Board of Directors created the award at its
July meeting and named it for Knight to recognize "exceptionally notable
contributions" to the "health and vitality" of the League by a section
manager. The presentation, by ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director Walt
Stinson, W0CP, occurred during the ARRL Forum at the New Mexico State
Convention in Albuquerque. ARRL Club and Educational Correspondent
Margie Bourgoin, KB1DCO, who represented ARRL Headquarters at the
convention, reported a full house at the forum and said Knight received
a standing ovation. In creating the Award, the ARRL Board said that
Knight "has distinguished himself as a leader among leaders" who often
has "gone above and beyond the call of duty" by volunteering to train
and orient new SMs. Knight, stepped down July 2 because of ill health.
He's one of only a few ARRL Field Organization volunteers to have served
as an SM for more than 20 years. For many years, Knight was a regular
participant in the annual ARRL Headquarters workshops for new section
managers, at which he shared his leadership perspectives and vast
experience with newcomers.

* Helen L. Grauer, N0BCI, SK: Helen Grauer, N0BCI, of Wilson, Kansas,
died August 24 after a period of failing health. She was 94 and the
widow of longtime ARRL Midwest Division Director Paul Grauer, W0FIR, SK,
whom she often accompanied to hamfests across the division. The W0FIR
call sign is now held by the couple's son, Charles. Helen Grauer was an
ARRL Life Member and had served on the board of the ARRL Foundation for
many years. Services will be held August 28, 10 AM, at the Wilson United
Methodist Church. The family invites memorial donations to the Wilson
United Methodist Church, Wilson, KS 67490, or to the Grauer Scholarship
Fund, c/o ARRL Foundation, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

===========================================================
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the
American Radio Relay League



