IN THIS EDITION:

• +FCC's "streamlining" proposal imminent!
• +"Virtual" DXpedition set
• +World Amateur Radio Day set for September 19
• +No SAREX, but Walter is back
• +Guatemalan hams seek public support
• DARA announces scholarship winners
• Solar update
• Jud Whatley, W4NZJ, SK
• In Brief: This weekend on the radio; Correction; VBX-2 to launch; Texas hams help in power emergency; WA0MRB is Iowa bar president; Letter 49, where are you?; Worked All RAC Award; Highest 6-meter beacon?; Korean commemorative call signs; Amateur Radio growing in VK-land; Ham-Astronomer elected to National Academy of Sciences

+ Available on ARRL Audio News

FCC's "STREAMLINING" PROPOSAL DUE OUT SOON!

The ARRL has learned that the FCC very likely will release its long-awaited "streamlined" Part 97 Amateur Service rules by August 11. The document, part of the Commission's 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review, was adopted July 29, but it's undergoing some last-minute fine tuning prior to public release.

Details of the FCC's license restructuring or Morse code testing proposals still are not available. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will carry WT Docket No. 98-143. It's expected that the FCC will use the NPRM to respond to some outstanding amateur rules-related petitions, including RM-9196, which proposed changes in the administration of CW tests to handicapped individuals. The ARRL will release details of the NPRM via a W1AW bulletin as soon as the information is available. It's expected that the FCC will post the complete set of proposals on its Web site, http://www.fcc.gov.

Word is that the FCC will provide an extended period--something longer than the typical 30 days--for the amateur community to voice its comments on the proposals, and additional time also will be provided for reply comments. The ARRL released its own Amateur Radio licensing restructuring plan last month.

"VIRTUAL" DXPEDITION SET

The Prairie DX Group out of the Chicago area plans to conduct the first-ever DXpedition to post near real-time logs on the Internet when it operates later this month as FP/N9PD from Miquelon Island. Miquelon is part of the French province of St Pierre et Miquelon, located south of Newfoundland, Canada. Logs will be updated on http://www.prairiedx.com. The club's move could minimize the urge for stations to seek "insurance contacts."

"We've got seven excited guys going there," said the group's spokesman, Fred Levinson, KF9YL. Levinson says FP/N9PD will update logs via a live Internet connection "every minute or so" during the group's stay. The well-publicized VK0IR DXpedition to Heard Island a couple of years ago was the first to make wide use of the Internet, including the ability for stations to check see if they were "in the log." But it typically took a day or so before logs were uploaded so stations could check.

The group plans a multi-transmitter, 'round-the-clock operation from August 26 until September 2, SSB, CW and RTTY on all HF bands. Levinson says the group may get in some 6-meter operation as well. The FP5XAB/B on 50.038 MHz has been audible in several East Coast locations in recent weeks, but there are few active operators on "The Rocks" as some locals call St Pierre et Miquelon.

Levinson said the group will be equipped with various vertical and dipole antennas--including a Comtek vertical array for 20 meters--and at least one linear amp.

"For the first time, hams and non-hams around the world will have the opportunity to view and study the activities of a DXpedition as they happen," the group's press release declared. Levinson said the group hopes to also attract some nonamateur interest in the DXpedition and to generate some publicity for the hobby.

Levinson said the trip has been in the planning for nearly a year. All of those going are first-time DXpeditioners who wanted to get their feet wet in a relatively easy-to-reach exotic location. In addition to Levinson, the traveling team includes ARRL RF Safety Committee Chairman Greg Lapin, N9GL; Karl Schmitt, AA9MN; Rick Royston, KF9ZZ; Todd Benson, W9YK; Rajiv Dewan, N2RD; and Mike Wolfe, N9WM. Staying home to support the DXpedition will be Don Whiteman, KK9H; Matt White, KB9RUR; and Irv Hazard, AA9QD. Levinson said the group hopes the Miquelon trip will be a "stepping stone" for future club DXpeditions.

Miquelon has been the site of several DXpeditions, most of them operating from the Motel de Miquelon, which has become used to having ham radio operators as guests. The Prairie DX group has reserved about half of the beachfront motel's rooms for their stay. They've arranged for a special telephone line (rooms do not have phones) for their Internet connection.

QSLs for the FP/N9PD operation go to N9PD, Prairie DX Group, 1206 Somerset Ave, Deerfield, IL 60015 (SASE, IRC or $1 encouraged) or via the QSL bureau. For more information, contact Fred Levinson, KF9YL, e-mail efl@interaccess.com. --thanks also to Jean Pierre Carrere, FP5CJ

WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY SET FOR SEPTEMBER 19

"Communicating Worldwide for Three Quarters of a Century" is the theme of this year's World Amateur Radio Day, set for September 19. The event marks the first two-way transoceanic Amateur Radio contact between French station 8AB and American stations 1XAM and 1MO on November 27, 1923.

The historic contacts ushered in the era of worldwide shortwave communication.

IARU Region One will broadcast a special program on shortwave that traces the early history of shortwave communication and the contributions hams have made to the development of radio science and the understanding of HF propagation.

The program will air to North America on September 19 at 2100 UTC on 15205 kHz.

For more information, contact Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS5AKV, e-mail hans@intekom.co.za.

NO SAREX, BUT WALTER IS BACK!

While the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) payload won't be aboard the shuttle flight that carries US Sen and astronaut John Glenn into space this fall, renowned former TV newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, will be back in the anchor chair for the historic flight.

Cronkite, who's 81 and retired from his long-held anchor position at CBS in 1981, will report on Glenn's return to space for CNN. Cronkite, who anchored Glenn's original 1962 space mission, will be joined at the anchor desk for the October 29 launch and November 7 landing by CNN's John Holliman. Cronkite also will contribute to coverage of Glenn's nine-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery.

Two hams--US Astronaut Scott Parazynski, KC5RSY, and European Space Agency astronaut Pedro Duque, KC5RGG, of Spain--will be among an international crew aboard STS-95. --thanks to ShopTalk

GUATEMALAN HAMS SEEK PUBLIC SUPPORT TO RETURN LOST BANDS

The Amateur Radio Club of Guatemala (Club de Radioaficionados de Guatemala--CRAG) has issued "a call to the public conscience" as part of its effort to get the Guatemalan government to restore access to UHF and SHF bands to hams. In 1996, the Guatemalan Congress eliminated 40% of the Amateur Radio frequencies including the formerly shared 430 to 440 MHz band and SHF bands. The spectrum has been sold for commercial use.

Reports from that Central American nation indicate that commercial land mobile stations are now being licensed in the 70-cm band. CRAG and amateur satellite interests elsewhere in the world worry that the commercial stations and existing amateur satellite operations will not be able to comfortably co-exist in the band. Amateur satellites operate between 435 and 438 MHz.

According to CRAG, the Guatemalan government has so far ignored its objections that the frequencies should be reserved for ham use in accordance with ITU radio regulations. CRAG already has presented a formal request to the Guatemalan Ministry of Communications to restore 430 to 440 MHz to Amateur Radio use but says the government has not responded to its pleas.

In a statement, CRAG expressed concerns that the commercial activity at 70 cm would cause interference to neighboring countries. "A commercial communication service is incompatible with the Amateur Radio Service," CRAG said. CRAG also worried that the commercial activity would strain relations with other countries, and that Guatemalan hams would not be able to take part in future space and satellite communication, including the International Space Station.

Beyond that, CRAG said, eliminating the 70-cm band in Guatemala "also discards its beneficial use for thousands of Guatemalans in case of natural disasters and emergencies."

Further north, Mexican authorities last year auctioned spectrum at 440 to 450 MHz and 485 to 495 MHz--currently all or part of TV channels 16, 17 and 18--for "fixed or mobile wireless services." Gina Dalma of the Mexican Federal Telecommunications Commission (COFETEL) says five fixed-wireless service licenses were offered in those bands; another four (for what she called "national footprint") already are held by Iusacell (Bell Atlantic).

COFETEL's 1998 auction plan indicates intentions to auction 148-174 MHz and 450-470 MHz for "private communication systems" on the state level.

DARA ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The Dayton Amateur Radio Association has announced its 1998 scholarship winners:

James P. Born, KB8HIP, Kenton, Ohio has been awarded the Robert F. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship. He has been accepted at the University of Toledo and plans to study mechanical engineering; Michael Gossenauer, N0UNY, Aurora, Colorado. He attends the University of Colorado studying biology and pre-medicine; Adam F. Henry, KC8DDO, Mt Sterling, Ohio, has been awarded the Charles G. Fry Memorial Scholarship. He has been accepted at DeVry Institute of Technology and plans to study electronics; and Adam Brian P. Letendre, KE6IRJ, Big Bear City, California. He has been accepted at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and plans to study aeronautical science.

Also: Colleen A. Loeffler, KB8QGX, Medina, Ohio. He has been accepted at the University of Akron and plans to study elementary education; Jessica S. Reinhardt, KD6ARA, Agoura Hills, California, has been awarded the Dave Beam Memorial Scholarship. She has been accepted at Sonoma State University and plans to study communications; Melissa Schweikhart, KB8EPO, Springboro, Ohio, has been awarded the John Willig Memorial Scholarship. She attends Vanderbilt University and plans to major in biology and pre-medicine; David L. Sellars, N8WAE, Perrysburg, Ohio, has been awarded the Frank Schwab Scholarship. He has been accepted at Southwest Missouri State University and plans to study computer science; and Erin M. Swaney, N3MGY, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. She has been accepted at Indiana University and plans to study in the field of chemistry.

"We regret that we cannot award scholarships to all of those who applied; however, we do extend to you our wishes for every success in your chosen endeavor," said DARA Scholarship Chairman Stan Kuck, NY8F

SOLAR UPDATE

Sun watcher Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity was up a bit for the month of July after being flat for several months. Average solar flux took a jump earlier in the year, from 93.4 for both January and February to 109.1 for March, 108.3 for April, 106.7 for May and 108.5 for June. Average solar flux for July was 114.1. A year ago the average solar flux for July, 1997 was 71.4.

Toward the end of each of the past few weeks there has been a great geomagnetic disturbance on Thursday or Friday, and this week was no exception. July 16 saw a planetary A index of 37, it was also 37 on July 23, it was 33 on July 31. On August 6 it was all the way up to 69, indicating a severe storm. The cause of this latest upset was probably a well-placed coronal hole or mass ejection, and the excitement should continue for a few days, along with very high solar flux. Flux values on August 6 were 138.3, and solar flux is expected to climb over the next few days, August 7 through August 9, to 145, 150 and 150. The last time the solar flux reached 150 was more than five years ago--on March 11, 1993.

The planetary A index for the same three days is predicted to be 30, 18 and 10, so HF conditions could be really good by the end of the weekend. Don't forget that when conditions are bad on HF due to geomagnetic storming, auroral skip could be causing great excitement on VHF.

NASA released some encouraging news about the SOHO spacecraft this week after finally establishing radio contact on Monday. Although it is doubtful whether SOHO will ever again be a rich source of solar data, the NASA Deep Space Network has been able to consistently track the craft over the past few days as it sends 10-second carrier bursts in response to NASA commands.

Sunspot numbers for July 30 through August 5 were 69, 107, 74, 121, 112, 80, and 85, with a mean of 92.6. The 10.7-cm flux was 114.8, 113.7, 112.1, 109.6, 108.5, 115.8, and 126.8, with a mean of 114.5. The estimated planetary A indices were 12, 33, 15, 8, 6, 9, and 9, with a mean of 13.1.

Here are some path projections for the Worked All Europe CW Contest this weekend, using some optimistic numbers for Sunday:

From Boston to Europe, 80 meters looks good from 2330-0500 UTC, peaking around 0200-0330 UTC. Check 40 meters from 2200-0630 UTC, peaking from 0030-0400 UTC. 20 meters looks good around the clock, with the best period from 2200-0230 UTC and the worst around 0800-0900 UTC. Check 15 meters 1300-2300 UTC.

For Miami, 80 meters looks good 0000-0500 UTC, 40 meters 2330-0600 UTC, 20 meters 1900-0230 UTC, 0400-0700 UTC, and around 1030-1200 UTC. Check 15 meters around 1300-2330 UTC, with best conditions around 1700-2200 UTC.

From Nashville, Tennessee, check 80 meters 0030-0430 UTC, 40 meters 2345-0600 UTC, 20 meters 1930-0200 UTC, and 15 meters with some chance of opening during daylight hours.

From Utah 80 looks good 0245-0400 UTC, 40 from 0200-0530 UTC, 20 from 2030-0800 UTC (with best conditions around 0100-0200 UTC and 0430-0530 UTC) and 15 around 2030-2200 UTC.

From Los Angeles check 80 around 0330 UTC, 40 around 0230-0530 UTC, 20 around 2200-0800 UTC and 15 around 0630-0700 UTC.

JUDSON F. "JUD" WHATLEY, W4NZJ, SK

Jud Whatley, W4NZJ, of Snellville, Georgia, died July 28. He was 53. Licensed since 1958, Whatley was an ARRL member and a very active amateur in the Georgia section. He served as an ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator and often spoke at various club gatherings.

Georgia Section Manager Sandy Donahue, W4RU, said Whatley will be sorely missed and hard to replace. "Jud was a backbone of my cabinet. I will miss him greatly," Donahue said. "He fought tirelessly and successfully the attempt of Gwinnett County to impose severe tower restrictions on the cellular industry without exempting ham towers." Whatley was past president of Chapter 49, Peach State chapter of QCWA and a candidate for the QCWA Board of Directors at the time of his death. He was a active member of his local club, the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society (GARS), the largest club in Georgia, and involved in Sci-Trek, a local science museum for children and youth and the home of club station W4WOW (Whatley described his involvement in an article appearing in the August issue of Worldradio). He's also credited with starting the Southeastern 6-meter Net.

His wife, Mary, WB4ALU, is among his survivors. Services were August 2 in Snellville. Interment was at the VA National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.-thanks to Sandy Donahue, W4RU, and Cliff Segar, KF4DZV

In Brief:

• This weekend on the radio: The Maryland-DC QSO Party and the Worked All Europe DX Contest (CW) are this weekend. Just ahead: The ARRL 10 GHz and up Cumulative Contest, the New Jersey QSO Party, the North American QSO Party (SSB), the SARTG RTTY Contest, the W/VE Islands Contest, and the SEANET Contest (SSB) all are August 15-16.

• Correction: The correct call sign of John Hayward who spotted and called in a forest fire in the Stanislaus National Forest via ham radio is KM6LE. We listed it incorrectly in our story, "Noon Time Net helps fight forest fire," in The ARRL Letter, Vol 17, No 30.

• VBX-2 to launch: Vernon Balloon Experiment 2 (VBX-2) will be launched August 8, 1998, from Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. Launch time is 1930 UTC. A similar balloon package last year carried a crossband 70 cm in/2 m out repeater. VBX-2 will include a similar package as well as an APRS beacon on 144.39 MHz and will be trackable online via http://www.aprs.net. For more information, visit the VBX Web site, http://www.junction.net/norac/vbx, or contact VBX-2 balloon coordinators, Wilf Mulder, VE7OHM, e-mail gwmulder@junction.net or Michael Illingby, VE7TFD, e-mail michaeli@junction.net, in Vernon or VBX-2 APRS/GPS coordinators Tino Sarro, VE6SZR, e-mail ve6szr@rac.ca, or Dale Grant, VE6CPK, e-mail ve6cpk@rac.ca in Calgary.

• Texas hams help in power emergency: Hams helped save the day after a power outage June 13 shut down the city of Lubbock, Texas. According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 15 hams arrived at the American Red Cross to help take refreshments to nearly 80 police officers who were directing traffic at intersections throughout the city in 100-degree heat. Ham radio remained one of the only functional means of communication during the blackout and was used to coordinate the relief effort.--thanks to Don Edwards, K5EL

• WA0MRB is Iowa bar president: David D. Beckman, WA0MRB, has been installed as the 125th president of the 7400-member Iowa State Bar Association. Beckman, 48, coauthors a technology column in The American Bar Association Journal.

• Letter 49, where are you? The US Postal Service reportedly is testing a system to track mail by means of tiny radio devices inside ordinary-sized letters. The device periodically turns on and listens for a signal from a sensor. If it hears the signal, it transmits information about its origin, current location, and ultimate destination.--New York Times via QNews

• Worked All RAC Award: Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) has announced its new Worked All RAC (WARAC) Award. The new award, which became effective July 1, is available to all amateurs worldwide. A certificate will be issued to any amateur who confirms two-way communication with an Official RAC Station using the RAC suffix in at least 10 of the 13 Canadian prefixes--VE1, VA2, VA3, VE4, VE5, VE6, VE7, VE8, VE9, VO1, VO2, VY1, VY2. For more information, see http://www.rac.ca/warac.htm An application form also is available at http://www.rac.ca/awapp2.htm

• Highest 6-meter beacon? Ramon, XE1KK, was not satisfied with having a beacon at a mere 3000 meters, so he recently installed his beacon at the 4000 meter level of the Popocatepetl active volcano east of Mexico City. Ramon reported thick smoke spewing from the volcano as he was installing the beacon. The exact elevation reported by Ramon is 13,123 feet. Is this the worlds highest beacon ? The beacon is on 50.023 with 20 W into a Ringo Ranger. The grid square is EK09qc. Jack Henry, N6XQ, reports hearing the beacon weakly in San Diego.--Jack Henry, N6XQ

• Korean commemorative call signs: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Korea, amateur stations in Korea will be permitted to substitute the number 50 for the usual call sign number. For example, HL1AAA would be permitted to operate as HL50AAA.--Korea Amateur Radio League

• Amateur Radio growing in VK-land: Amateur Radio "Down Under" grew slightly during the first four months of this year, according to figures supplied by the ACA, the Australian's equivalent of the FCC. The Wireless Institute of Australia reports the number of hams in Australia rose from 15,901 to 15,941 between January and April. The biggest growth was in the lowest and highest license classes, Novice Limited and Unrestricted respectively. Australia has five license classes.

• Ham-Astronomer elected to National Academy of Sciences: James M. Moran, K1AKE, of Concord, Massachusetts, has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. Moran is a radio astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and a professor at Harvard University. He was one of 60 new members announced on April 28. Moran is best known for his application of the techniques of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) to the study of astronomical masers. Masers are the radio equivalent of lasers. VLBI allows astronomers to image celestial objects at a level of detail unmatched by any other technique. Moran credits amateur radio with starting him on his career path. Encouraged by his father, James M. Moran, Sr, W1QUO, Moran was first licensed at the age of 13. At his dad's suggestion, Moran built a radio telescope for a high school science-fair project. With a World War II-surplus military 430 MHz downconverter, a Hallicrafters SX-100 HF receiver and a 6-foot-long helical antenna, he detected radio emissions from the sun and won the top prize in the science fair. A graduate of Notre Dame and MIT, Moran authored more than 160 research papers and is co-author of a widely-used radio astronomy textbook.