IN THIS EDITION:

Editor's Note: The ARRL Letter will not be published Friday, December 27, 1996, because of the holidays. Please check W1AW bulletins (which also are posted on the ARRLWeb page, http://www.arrl.org) for any late-breaking news. The next edition of The ARRL Letter will be published January 3, 1997. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to making The ARRL Letter a success and to extend holiday and New Year's greetings to all of our readers. --Rick Lindquist, N1RL

PHASE 3D LAUNCH DELAYED

The European Space Agency has announced a launch delay for Ariane 502, the rocket that is supposed to carry Phase 3D. AMSAT-NA Executive Vice President Keith Baker, KB1SF, reports that the launch has been pushed back to "early July," but said a specific launch date was not yet available. ESA said the change resulted from the recent establishment of a "detailed timetable" that's required to permit launch.

A brief ESA news release said: "As each individual operation will require very close analysis, the 502 campaign is scheduled to begin on Wednesday 9 April 1997, the launch itself being planned for early July."

"We'll be ready," said Baker, adding that the new schedule will give AMSAT "a little more time to make things right." The Phase 3D satellite itself is under assembly in Orlando, Florida. Baker said there's still a lot of work to be done, but the project was on schedule for an April launch. The new launch schedule means that the Phase 3D satellite will not be operational until September or October.

"Obviously we would like to have the satellite in orbit a lot sooner," said Baker. "But we don't want anything to be launched if it's not ready."

AMSAT-NA President Bill Tynan, W3XO, welcomed the news. "It gives us a definite goal to shoot for in our preparations of the Phase 3D spacecraft," he said but added that "for every month the launch is pushed back means more funds are needed." Tynan noted that a request for additional contributions to the project will go out to all AMSAT members. "It is particularly important to the successful completion and launch of Phase 3D that recipients of this letter respond as generously as they can." he said.

WRC-99 COMMITTEE SUPPORTS MORSE CODE TREATY REQUIREMENT FOR HF

The special committee created by the ARRL to study issues relating to the 1999 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-99) has recommended that the ARRL Board of Directors not support changing the treaty requirement for Morse code testing to operate below 30 MHz. The committee submitted its final report to the ARRL Board this week.

The committee report contains recommended ARRL positions regarding possible changes in Article S25 of the international radio regulations. Consistent with the results of a survey of ARRL members, the committee recommended no change in the existing treaty obligation that administrations test prospective amateur licensees on their Morse code ability before authorizing them to operate below 30 MHz. The committee did support changes to Article S25 that would:

  • Eliminate the so-called "banned countries" list
  • Establish that providing communications in the event of natural disasters is a normal and desirable part of the international service provided by radio amateurs
  • Reduce restrictions on international communications on behalf of third parties
  • Aid in the establishment of an "International Amateur Permit."

The committee report also responded to the Board's request that it study possible changes to the amateur licensing structure in the United States. The committee offered some proposals for change, but recommended that the Board take no action on this part of its report until the committee's proposals are shared with the membership and there is an opportunity for member comment.

The Board will consider the committee's report and recommendations at its next regular meeting, January 17-18, 1997. If the Board accepts the report, it will be available for public release. An article giving the results of the survey will appear in February 1997 QST.

NTIA REPORT BULLISH ON ADDITIONAL HF ALLOCATIONS

High Frequency (3-30 MHz) Spectrum Planning Options, a planning document released December 13 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, says the HF spectrum is flexible enough "to accommodate most, if not all," demands for additional HF spectrum, including new and bigger HF ham bands. The NTIA is an Executive Branch agency in the Department of Commerce that's responsible for developing telecommunications policy and advising the President on telecommunications matters. The NTIA's latest report is a follow-on to an NTIA study released in March 1995 (see QST, Jun 1995, p 75).

The Options report addresses spectrum availability and long-range planning options for services that were identified in the earlier report as needing additional HF spectrum--including Amateur Radio. The report cites a potential 900 kHz or so of expanded or upgraded allocations for Amateur Radio in the HF spectrum, including:

  • An exclusive, worldwide allocation at 3500 to 3800 kHz
  • A new band at 4945 to 4995 kHz (additional technical studies would be required)
  • An "aligned worldwide" allocation at 6900 to 7200 kHz (replacing the current band at 7000 to 7300 kHz for the US and the rest of Region 2)
  • Expanded worldwide, primary allocations at 10100 to 10350 and 14000 to 14400 kHz
  • Expanded allocations at 18068 to 18318, 24740-24890, and 28000 to 30000 kHz.

Some of the potential expansions proposed for amateurs and broadcasting are mutually exclusive or could involve sharing by the two services. These include the potential expansions at 30, 20 and 17 meters. According to the report, ham radio allocations account for 13.1% of the HF spectrum (3 to 30 MHz). "There are no current plans to auction any HF spectrum," the NTIA report states, but notes that additional allocations for ham radio would come at the expense of other services--primarily fixed, fixed-mobile and broadcasting. "The expansion and upgrading of amateur allocations in the 10 MHz, 14 MHz, 18 MHz, and 24 MHz [bands] appear acceptable; however, this will depend on future decrease of requirements for the aeronautical mobile (R) or the fixed services internationally," the report said. Changes in the 80 and 40-meter bands "will require the inclusion of these proposals in US preparations for future WRCs," the report added. A requested allocation at 6900-7200 would serve "to reduce inter-regional sharing and interference from HF broadcasting in the 7100-7300 kHz band," the report said. The report called the requested upgraded allocation at 3500 to 3800 kHz "a good candidate for a common worldwide exclusive amateur allocation at the 3.5 MHz band." The additional allocation of 3800 to 4000 kHz to the Amateur Service in Region 2 would not be affected.

To help satisfy demand for additional HF spectrum access, the report suggests more efficient use of current allocations, moving current HF spectrum users to other portions of the HF spectrum, use of other non-spectrum technologies and use of higher frequencies. The report also said sharing--and removal of some "exclusive" allocations--might be another option.

Calling ham radio "the oldest radio service" and one that "pre-dates regulation," the NTIA report casts the hobby in a favorable light. "Radio amateurs have made significant contributions to the field of radio propagation, HF single-sideband radio, HF data communications systems, packet radio protocols and communications satellite design." The report goes on to say that ham radio "continues to play an important role in disaster-relief communications, where amateurs provide radiocommunications independent of the telephone network or other radio services."

To view the complete report, set your Web browser to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/reports/hfspo/contents.html.

LEAGUE "HEARTILY SUPPORTS" FCC PROPOSAL TO EASE INTERNATIONAL OPERATING

In comments filed in response to an FCC proposal that would make it easier for visiting foreign hams to temporarily operate in the US, the ARRL said it "heartily supports" the plan, but suggested some changes. Earlier this year, the FCC proposed amending the Amateur Radio rules to make it easier for hams holding a European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) radio-amateur license or an International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP) from certain countries in the Americas to operate during short visits to the US.

If finally approved, hams would be able to operate for short periods in participating countries without first obtaining another license or permit from the host country. The arrangement would make it easier for US hams to operate stations temporarily in several countries in Europe, Central and South America. Likewise, hams from those countries would be allowed to operate stations in places where the FCC regulates ham radio.

The principal change recommended by the ARRL involved the length of time CEPT or IARP holders would be allowed to operate in the US. The FCC had proposed extending operating authority for "up to 180 days within the preceding five years [sic]." In its comments, the League called the limitation "unnecessarily restrictive," and suggested a CEPT license or an IARP "be valid for use by the holder for a period up to one year" from the date of arrival in the US but not beyond the expiration date of the ham license issued by the visitor's home country.

The two classes of CEPT licenses would correspond either to Amateur Extra or Technician class. Resident aliens or US citizens could not operate in the US under a CEPT license or IARP.

In 1995, the ARRL petitioned the FCC to implement the CITEL/Amateur Convention. The League also asked the Commission to acknowledge arrangements to be made between the ARRL and the Department of State to issue IARP documents to US citizens for use in other CITEL countries. The FCC also has asked the State Department to apply for participation in the CEPT Agreement as a non-CEPT country.

VICE DIRECTOR JOHN THERNES, W4ZN, RESIGNS

Great Lakes Division Vice Director John Thernes, W4ZN, of Covington, Kentucky, has announced his resignation, effective December 17. In a letter to ARRL Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, Thernes, 48, said he was stepping down in order to attend graduate school.

"This is a decision that has been very difficult for me, but one I must make," Thernes said in his letter. He plans to pursue a full-time graduate program to obtain his MBA. Thernes said he'd like to set up an international consulting business eventually and believes the MBA and his skill in Japanese will turn out to be a successful combination.

"Amateur radio is a great public servant and a wonderful hobby," wrote Thernes in wishing his former Board colleagues Godspeed. ARRL President Rod Stafford, KB6ZV, will appoint a successor.

VANITY UPDATE

The FCC reported December 18 that it's processed vanity applications received through November, which means the FCC is less than three weeks away from being completely caught up with its current application backlog. However, a spokeswoman at the FCC office in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, said she didn't expect the FCC to get to the applications received during December until after the first of the year.

Gettysburg issued more than 700 new Vanity grants this past week. But, some 640 applications were set aside for special handling, including those for which the FCC was unable to grant any of the applicant's call sign choices. However, the FCC said many applicants failed to include their current call signs under Item 6 on the Form 610V application, and this also can delay issuance of a new call sign.

The FCC has not announced an opening date for Gate 3. --Bart Jahnke, W9JJ

SOLAR FLUX, SUNSPOT NUMBERS ON THE RISE!

Solar prognosticator Tad Cook, KT7H, in Seattle, Washington reports: Solar activity is up again with the return of region 7999. Average flux was up this week by 13 points, the sunspot numbers up over 17 points, and A index up 1 point. Flux is expected to rise up to around 96 on December 23, then drop below 80 on December 31, then up to the mid-80s again around January 5 and 6. Expect the A and K indices to be up again around January 6, 11 and 12.

Sunspot numbers for December 12 through 18 were 32, 31, 30, 25, 27, 38 and 33, respectively, with a mean of 30.9. The 10.7-cm flux was 81.1, 81.7, 82.5, 85, 86.2, 86.4 and 88.4, respectively, with a mean of 84.5. The planetary A indices for the same period were 8, 6, 5, 10, 10, 8, and 5, respectively, with a mean of 7.4.

SOLAR CYCLE 23 PROJECT: STELLAR CONCLUSIONS

The Solar Cycle 23 Project--carried out by the NOAA Space Environment Center (SEC) with the support of the NASA Office of Space Science--predicts big things for Cycle 23! The panel, which met earlier this fall in Boulder, Colorado, found "reasonable consensus" for "a large solar cycle with a smoothed sunspot maximum of 160." The panel says this is comparable to the last two cycles, but won't exceed Cycle 19, "the largest cycle on record."

"While the month of solar minimum is yet to be determined, recent low levels of activity imply that the minimum is at hand, and will occur during the final months of 1996," the panel found. "If so, Solar Cycle 23 will most likely peak in early 2000."

The panel said geomagnetic activity during the cycle would be comparable to that experienced in recent cycles, resulting in annual average levels among the highest in the 128-year record, and the probability of severe geomagnetic storms "will be the greatest during an extended period lasting from 1999 through 2005."

The goal of Solar Cycle 23 Project was to survey forecasts for the amplitude and phasing of the most common indicators of solar and geomagnetic activity and to recommend a forecast or group of forecasts for operational use. The Center recruited a scientific panel to assess prediction techniques and arrive at a reasoned consensus, including uncertainty, on how the solar cycle will develop. The panel of 12 scientists from 10 agencies included representatives from Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the US. Panel findings were authored by J. A. Joselyn, J. Anderson, H. Coffey, K. Harvey, D. Hathaway, G. Heckman, E. Hildner, W. Mende, K. Schatten, R. Thompson, A. W. P. Thomson, and O. R. White. See http://proton.sel.noaa.gov:80/info/Cycle23.html on the World Wide Web for a summary of the panel findings. A more detailed report will be available as a NOAA Technical Memorandum, and as an article in the open literature.

MORE BACK ISSUES OF QST ON CD-ROM AMONG NEW ARRL PRODUCTS

You don't need to keep a musty stack of back issues of QST in your basement anymore. The ARRL's QST View CD-ROM sets are now available! You can order 1990-94 or 1985-89--or both ($39.95 each). QST View CD-ROM includes back issues of QST in convenient, space-saving CD-ROM format. Each page--all the ads, articles, columns and covers--has been scanned to provide a black-and-white image you can either read from your screen or print. Easy-to-use software included on the CD lets you search for articles by title and author, select specific year and issue, and browse individual articles or columns. Each three-disk set has an index to aid in finding the page or section of the issue you want to view or print.

In addition, The ARRL Handbook CD 1.0, the electronic version of The 1997 ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs, now is available for immediate shipping. The ARRL Handbook CD 1.0 includes all the text, illustrations and software found in the printed version. Special features include versatile search capabilities to find the exact information you're looking for, audio simulations of a wide variety of Amateur Radio modes, and bookmarks that allow easy return to the topics you use most often. Pages or sections can be printed or saved to the clipboard for use in other Windows applications, plus zoom in and out capability allows you to see the drawings, photos and text enlarged or reduced. The ARRL Handbook CD 1.0 is $49.95 plus $4 shipping/handling.

But wait! There's more! You can order these and other products using the ARRLWeb on-line catalog, where you'll find lots of great gift ideas (set your browser to http://www.arrl.org/catalog/specials/holiday_special.html). And, if you order $50 or more (excluding shipping and handling charges and applicable taxes) on or before December 31, 1996, you'll receive a handsome ARRL W1AW ceramic coffee mug absolutely free. Check it out!

Shopping is simple with the ARRL on-line catalog. Just select the products you want by clicking on the "Add to shopping basket" links in the catalog. When you've selected everything you want, click on the catalog's "Finish order" link to complete your order.

Other new products include The ARRL Antenna Compendium 5 (latest edition) and the brand-new Increasing Your Code Speed: 15 to 22 WPM audio CD!

MAXIM MEMORIAL AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN

Headquarters is in the receive mode for nominations for the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award. The award is given annually to the licensed radio amateur under age 21 whose accomplishments and contributions are of the most exemplary nature within the framework of Amateur Radio activities, including, but not limited to:

  • Participation or leadership in organizational affairs at the local or national level;
  • Technical achievement;
  • Operating record;
  • Recruitment and training of new amateurs;
  • Public relations activities.

In keeping with the tradition of the award when it was first established in 1936, formal nominations are made by section managers. Supporting information, including the endorsement of ARRL-affiliated clubs and elected or appointed League leadership officials, should be submitted with the nomination. An award panel will review the nominations received and select the winner. The prize is a cash award of $1000, a suitably engraved plaque, and travel and accommodation expenses to enable the winner to attend an ARRL convention for a formal award presentation.

Nominations should document as thoroughly as possible the Amateur Radio achievements and contributions of the nominee during the previous calendar year. Additional information concerning the character of the nominee should be as complete as possible.

The award is intended to provide a tangible reward to those deserving young amateurs who contribute their time, skills and energies daily through their commitment to Amateur Radio. As models for their peers, and inspirations to us all, these fine young people are highly visible boosters of Amateur Radio awareness. We must continue to recognize and encourage their hard work and contributions at every opportunity.

Nominations must be sent to the section manager. Nominations must be received at Headquarters from section managers by March 31, 1997. There is no limit to the number of nominations one may make. For more information or an application form, contact Rick Palm, K1CE, Field Services Manager, at ARRL Headquarters. --Rick Palm, K1CE

TRANSATLANTIC ANNIVERSARY A SUCCESS

The W1BCG operation from Greenwich, Connecticut, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first successful transatlantic tests on ham radio made over 800 contacts with the replica transmitter--despite its being out of service for a short time late on the evening of December 14 because of a keying relay problem. Operators reported the noise level was high enough to cover many stations on 160 meters. "We could hear pileups of about S 5-6 signals, but the noise kept us from picking the pileup apart and working through it," said Al Brogdon, K3KMO, an ARRL staff member who volunteered to be one of the W1BCG operators over the weekend.

On December 11, 1921, the first shortwave transatlantic radio transmission was sent from Greenwich, Connecticut, to Paul Godley, 2ZE, an American amateur in Ardrossan, Scotland (see QST, Dec 1996, page 30, for details). The US station, 1BCG, was owned by Minton Cronkhite. One of the W1BCG operators was Mike Raide, W2ZE, who obtained the modern-day counterpart of Godley's old call sign via the vanity call sign program. W1BCG is the club station call sign of the Shoreline Amateur Radio Club.

The replica 160-meter transmitter for W1BCG was at the home of George Wells, KA1JUV. The antenna was an 80-foot shunt-fed tower with 50 temporary radials laid out on top of the ground. Transmitter output was 300 W. (After the operation was over, event coordinator Tim Walker, N2GIG, took up the more than one mile of wire used for the radials!) The group used a modern transceiver as a receiver for the event.

The replica transmitter was heard by several British hams, who telephoned to report the reception. At least one of those listening on the other side of the Atlantic heard the replica transmitter on a genuine 1920s-era receiver! The British group was unable to QSO W1BCG because of the low power limit on 160 meters in the UK and the high noise in Greenwich, Connecticut.

W1BCG racked up nearly 1000 additional contacts on all bands during its special event operation. A lot of incoming QSLs already have shown up, and W1BCG QSL cards will be sent as soon as possible. If you worked W1BCG during the commemorative operation and would like a certificate, write SARA, Box 4225, Stamford, CT 06907-0225.

For more information and photographs of the W1BCG operation, check the Web page of the Greater Norwalk ARC at http://www.norwalk.com/gnarc/w1bcg.htm.

QRP-ARCI ANNOUNCES FOUR DAYS IN MAY EVENT

The QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP-ARCI) holds its second annual Four Days In May QRP symposium Thursday, May 15 1997, in conjunction with the Dayton Hamvention. Amateur radio QRP presentations, workshops and demonstrations will be the focus of the full day Thursday activities to be held at the Days Inn Dayton South (513-847-8422), and featuring QRP presentations by renowned QRP authors and designers.

The annual Friday night QRP-ARCI Awards Banquet honors QRP dignitaries for their service to the Amateur Radio community. The vendors' social follows, to introduce QRP vendors from around the world. Preston Douglas, WJ2V, will be the host again this year. Saturday evening will offer a chance for QRPers to get to know the many regional North American and international QRP clubs--bring your banners! QRP Club awards will be presented to those who submit QRP construction projects for judging.

Symposium presenters should submit QRP technical manuscripts to FDIM Technical Paper Chairperson Bruce Muscolino, W6TOY/3, Box 9333, Silver Spring, MD 20916-9333, e-mail w6toy@erols.com. Presenters' papers will be bound in the 1997 FDIM QRP Symposium Proceedings, sent to all attendees.

Registration for the Thursday, May 15, 1997, FDIM QRP Symposium is $30 if paid by May 1, 1997, and $35 after that date or at the door. Registration covers a full day of QRP Symposium activities, which include the QRP technical presentations, the 1997 FDIM QRP Symposium Proceedings, lunch, and coffee. Send your registration fee (US check, money order or international money order, payable to Bob Follett) by May 1, 1997, to Bob Follett, AB7ST, 2861 Estates Dr, Park City, UT 84060; e-mail bfollett@ditell.com. Tickets for the Friday, May 16, banquet are $15. Send banquet registration fee (US check, money order or international money order, payable to Pete Meier) by May 1, 1997, to Pete Meier, WK8S, 4181 Rural, Waterford, MI 48329, e-mail pmeier@tir.com.

For more information, contact Bob Gobrick, VO1DRB/WA6ERB, FDIM publicity chairperson, e-mail 70466.1405@compuserve.com.

In Brief . . .

  • Affiliated clubs survey: In an effort to assess the health and vitality of the League's affiliated club program, and to determine the needs and capabilities of its member-clubs, the Volunteer Resources Committee has commissioned a survey of ARRL-affiliated clubs. Survey forms have been mailed to all clubs on record as of late 1996. Completed forms are due by January 30, 1997. A summary of the results will be shared with all ARRL-affiliated clubs. --Rick Palm, K1CE

  • DARA scholarships: The Dayton Amateur Radio Association is now accepting applications for its $2000 scholarships. Eight scholarships will be awarded. Initial applicants must be licensed Amateur Radio operators and high-school seniors graduating in 1997. To obtain an application, send a request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: DARA Scholarships, 45 Cinnamon Ct, Springboro, OH 45066-1000. --Stan Kuck, NY8F

  • ARRL/TAPR digital confab on the 'net: Couldn't attend the 1996 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference in Seattle, Washington? Photos, stories and audio from the conference are available at http://www.tapr.org/.

  • STSPLUS Ver 9650 available: Dave Ransom has just released STSPLUS Ver 9650, shuttle and satellite-tracking software. The latest edition is primarily a features update that adds "night vision" capability where the screen is red for use on laptops outdoors (something teachers and Boy Scout troops have requested!), and a new Location Map Mode which allows the user to specify the map center coordinates for the orthographic maps and "move around" and look at the maps, which some teachers have requested as a geography teaching tool. Version 9650 also fixes some bugs. The new version is available via http://www.dransom.com/. Direct comments, suggestions, and bug reports to Dave Ransom at rans7500@spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov.

  • E-mail call sign database access: Mark Downing, WM7D, says you now can access the call sign data in his database by sending a message to lookup@rdatasys.com. The body of the message should say "lookup callsign," where callsign represents the call sign you wish to look up. The WM7D Web call sign server is at http://www.rdatasys.com/~mdowning/fcc/callsign.html.

  • Listing stolen gear: Mark Saunders, KJ7BS, offers a free service to help hams whose gear has been lost or stolen. Check out his lost or stolen ham gear listing on his Internet home page at http://www.dancris.com/~tracker/tracker.html.

  • AEA not AES! The ham radio rumor mill apparently has begun to confuse Advanced Electronic Applications Inc (AEA)--which is being sold--with Amateur Electronic Supply (AES), which is not closing. AEA recently announced plans to sell its three product lines to separate buyers.

  • VP8CME: Morag Howell, GM0MUV, is currently active as VP8CME from Antarctica as part of Sir Ranulph Fiennes's cross-Antarctic solo walk expedition. Howell is the Antarctic base leader for Fiennes' expedition, which is being done to raise money for breast cancer research in the UK. She has been reported on 14,270 kHz looking for European stations on Wednesdays and Sundays between 1600 and 1800 UTC. The RSGB Web site has updates on the expedition at http://www.rsgb.org. --RSGB

  • B+K Precision to GEM Illinois Inc: GEM Illinois Inc has acquired B+K Precision, a division of Maxtec International Corp. B+K Precision makes and sells electronic test and measurement equipment. GEM Illinois is a subsidiary of GMME of France, which also has an interest in Boonton Electronics in New Jersey, a maker of RF test equipment.

The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter is published by the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259. Rodney J. Stafford, KB6ZV, President; David Sumner, K1ZZ, Executive Vice President.

Circulation: Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, e-mail kcapodicasa@arrl.org.

Editorial: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, e-mail elindquist@arrl.org.

Visit the ARRLWeb page at http://www.arrl.org/.

The purpose of The ARRL Letter is to provide the essential news of interest to active, organizationally minded radio amateurs faster than it can be disseminated by our official journal, QST. We strive to be fast, accurate and readable in our reporting.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, including photoreproduction and electronic databanks, provided that credit is given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.