Volume 18, Number 11 (March 12, 1999)

The ARRL Letter Index
ARRL Audio News

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IN THIS EDITION:

+Available on ARRL Audio News

LOW-FREQUENCY EXPERIMENTAL LICENSE ISSUED

Some US experimental activity is coming to LF! The FCC has granted a one-year experimental license to the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation to conduct tests on the frequency 136.75 kHz. Experiments would be carried out from 12 Northern Virginia sites using the call sign WA2XTF. These experiments are to gain low-frequency experience in anticipation that the FCC may allocate a band at 136-kHz to Amateur Radio.

Last October, the ARRL petitioned the FCC to create two amateur LF allocations at 135.7-137.8 kHz and 160-190 kHz. The League asked for a 200 W PEP power limit (no more than 2W EIRP) and requested the new bands be made available to those holding a General class or higher license for CW, SSB, RTTY/data, and image emissions.

Several countries throughout the world already enjoy LF allocations around 136 kHz. These include New Zealand, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, and several European nations.

Emissions authorized for these tests include 173-Hz and 450-Hz bandwidth frequency-shift data and 100-Hz bandwidth CW. The authorized transmitted power is 1 W ERP. The 12 stations will operate experimental transmitters, antennas and receiving systems using digital signal processing techniques.

Participating in the experimental operation are Glenn Baumgartner, KA0ESA; David Borden, K8MMO; Robert Bruhns, WA3WDR; Hal Feinstein, WB3KDU; Terry Fox, WB4JFI; Andre Kesteloot, N4ICK; George Lemaster, WB5OYP; Shannon Mishey, N8TBM; Paul Rinaldo, W4RI; David Rogers, K9RKH; Elton Sanders, WB5MMB; and John Seely, AA4GM. Rinaldo is the ARRL's technical relations manager.

While the list of stations is closed and new transmitting stations cannot be added, others are invited to join the project by listening and reporting results. Reception reports should be sent via e-mail to Andre Kesteloot, N4ICK, n4ick@amrad.org.

Further information concerning these LF experiments will be available in the AMRAD Newsletter mailed bimonthly to AMRAD members and available at http://www.amrad.org.

FCC SUSPENDS ALLEGED GRIZZLY PEAK CONTROL OP FROM VHF/UHF

The FCC has taken another step in its investigation of alleged rulebreaking and impropriety on the K7IJ Grizzly Peak repeater system. In the latest action, the FCC has notified Blake B. Jenkins, N6YSA, of Berkeley, that his amateur VHF/UHF privileges were being suspended for 120 days as of March 5. Jenkins has been identified as the primary designated control operator of the four K7IJ VHF and UHF repeaters. Citing what it called "an alarming and unacceptable lack of control" over the operation of the repeaters, the FCC on March 2 shut down the K7IJ system for 120 days while it continues its investigation. FCC officials have not visited the site in person, however, and no equipment has been seized.

In a letter to Jenkins dated March 3, FCC Amateur Radio enforcer Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, said FCC monitoring indicated that Jenkins "encouraged and solicited unlicensed radio operation on the repeaters." Hollingsworth also accused Jenkins of using his ham station "to solicit the jamming of other licensed repeaters" after the K7IJ repeater system was shut down.

The FCC letter seeks information from Jenkins on his role and activities while K7IJ repeater control operator. Hollingsworth's letter also referred briefly to the "Ham Radio Jamming" section on the N6YSA Web site, "on which you provide circuit descriptions of jamming devices and techniques." Pages dealing with jamming hardware appear to be no longer available. Hollingsworth said the FCC continues to look into the conduct of an alleged secondary control operator Steven R. Rossi, KE6LNH.

Meanwhile, Hollingsworth said he and K7IJ licensee Bruce Wachtell spoke by telephone after Wachtell--a shipboard radio operator now in the Pacific--reached port in Hawaii. Hollingsworth said the FCC still expects a written response from Wachtell addressing the Commission's concern about the repeaters' operation.

In a related move, the FCC also set aside recent license grants or upgrades of four operators while it continues its investigation. The FCC also issued warnings to two other individuals.

HAM RADIO-CARRYING RAFT EXPEDITION HITS A SNAG

Sea worms and storms have gotten the best of La Manteña, a 50-foot balsa log raft skippered by John Haslett, KC5KHA, of Dallas, Texas, as part of an educational and research venture. The vessel, first launched last October, has been attempting to retrace the trading routes of ancient Ecuadorian mariners by sailing from Ecuador up the Central American coast to Mexico. Ultimately, the expedition plans to attempt to cross the Pacific to Hawaii. But the voyage has run into problems and has had to be scuttled in the Pacific some 160 miles southwest of Costa Rica.

The Manteña's balsa hull has twice been infested by a type of destructive sea worm. The earlier infestation necessitated a repair and rebuilding stop last fall and winter, and Haslett, 34, thought he had the problem licked. But the steps taken then to prevent a recurrence--including liberal applications of tar--apparently were not successful. Decay also has affected some of the manila rope that binds the logs together. To add insult to injury, the raft had been trapped in the gyre--a large ocean whirlpool--and literally was going in circles under its influence.

The raft La Manteña under way in the Pacific. [Courtesy of Cameron Smith]

After bad weather further impaired the vessel's ability to navigate, Haslett's wife, Annie, reported that the crew had accepted an offer from the Costa Rica Coast Guard to rescue the crew and vital supplies and equipment as well as vital raft components. The raft's sails, hardwood masts and cross members and some of its center beams have been towed to Costa Rica. The rest of the vessel was abandoned. Annie Haslett says the team's plans call for rebuilding the raft and continuing the long voyage. The raft had a crew of four, including Haslett.

Aboard the Manteña, Haslett had been maintaining Amateur Radio schedules with schools and other groups in the US and around the world on 20 meter SSB. The expedition also has been using Amateur Radio for routine communication with the mainland. In 1993, Haslett built a 20-ton balsa raft Illa Tiki in Ecuador, then traveled some 750 nautical miles aboard the vessel. It, too, was plagued by shipworms.

Annie Haslett said the expedition team expects to take a month to rebuild "and they will embark on the adventure again."

For more information, visit the Manteño Expedition Web site.

FCC TACKLES HF "SPLATTER" CASES

The FCC has written nearly two dozen Amateur Radio licensees whose 20-meter SSB signals were said to be "unusually wide, overpowered, or both." The FCC's Riley Hollingsworth did not identify the specific licensees involved, but he said some of them were believed to be over-the-road truckers operating mobile. Licensees were in several locations, including Illinois, New York, Mississippi, Arkansas, Puerto Rico, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida. Hollingsworth's letter said information received by the FCC indicates that the stations involved "ignored requests from other licensees operating on adjacent frequencies" to do something about the wide signals. He said the operations in question were believed to be confined to the high end of the 20-meter band, above 14.300 MHz.

A letter from Hollingsworth to 22 Amateur Service licensees requests fixed and mobile station information about the use of and specifications for any linear amplifiers employed on 20 meters as well as the use of automatic level control (ALC) and mike gain settings.

Hollingsworth cited Section 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 as authority for the inquiry, calling it "our most powerful inquiry tool." He said the section "gives the Commission the authority to require information from a radio licensee during the term of the license that will enable it to determine whether that licensee is qualified to retain a license."

The affected licensees have 20 days to provide answers to the FCC. Hollingsworth's letter pointed out that hams are prohibited from occupying more than the necessary amount of bandwidth for the particular mode and that hams must use the minimum power "necessary to carry out the desired communications."

Hollingsworth emphasized that the letters were not warning notices but letters of inquiry.

HURRICANE WATCH NET, W4EHW GET OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The Hurricane Watch Net and the operators of W4EHW at the National Hurricane Center have been selected as 1999 recipients of the National Hurricane Conference's Outstanding Achievement Award. The awards committee cited the Net's outstanding efforts in providing critical lifesaving information on hurricanes Georges and Mitch. The award also recognizes the Net's 33 years of valuable service to storm-threatened residents of the Caribbean and Central America.

The Outstanding Achievement Award to the 30 W4EHW operators comes on the heels of Certificates of Commendation presented in late January by National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Max Mayfield. "The operators of W4EHW are very proud and honored to receive this award from the National Hurricane Conference," said W4EHW Amateur Radio Coordinator John McHugh, KU4GY. "This is a perfect example of how a small group of dedicated volunteers can achieve great things."

Hurricane Watch Net Manager Jerry Herman, N3BDW, congratulated net members. "This is a major award, and to the members of the Net, this is your award," he said. "You should be extremely proud to be recognized for your accomplishments by such a prestigious group."

The National Hurricane Conference is comprised, primarily, of emergency management and meteorological professionals involved in hurricane preparedness, response and mitigation.

The awards will be among several presented April 1 during the 21st annual National Hurricane Conference meeting in Orlando.

SEVERAL GROUPS PICK UP SPRING VHF/UHF SPRINTS

Several VHF/UHF groups have picked up sponsorship of the Spring VHF/UHF Sprints, formerly sponsored by the ARRL. The five events will continue to be held in April and May, starting this year with the 144-MHz Sprint on April 12. In January, ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, announced that the League would no longer sponsor the Spring Sprints because of a lack of participation and budgetary factors.

Several new sponsors for the events subsequently emerged. The Rocky Mountain VHF+ Group will sponsor the 144 MHz Sprint on April 12; the 50 MHz DX Bulletin will sponsor the 222 MHz Sprint on April 20; the North East Weak Signal Group will sponsor the 432 MHz Sprint on April 28; the Badger Contesters will sponsor the 902, 1296 and 2304 MHz Sprint on May 8, and the Great Lakes VHF/UHF Group will sponsor the 50 MHz Sprint on May 15-16.

The object of the Spring Sprints is to work as many stations in Maidenhead grid squares as possible.

For more information on these events, see the ARRLWeb Contest Branch announcement.

JOHN ALLAWAY, G3FKM, SK

G3FKM [RSGB photo]

International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Secretary Dr John Allaway, G3FKM, of Birmingham, England, died March 7 after a long illness. He was in his 70s. Allaway was elected IARU Region 1 Secretary in 1984 and was re-elected for four more three-year terms. In that capacity he served on the IARU Administrative Council.

Over the years Allaway--a physician and an eminent and widely respected Amateur Radio figure--had held a number of high-profile posts. Former RSGB General Manager David Evans, G3OUF/VE6DXX, recalls that Allaway served on all major RSGB Committees including the Telecomms Liaison Committee and was Chairman of the Finance and Staff Committee for many years. "He worked very hard for the cause of Amateur Radio and attended just about every RSGB meeting possible," he said.

John Allaway was also RSGB president twice--in 1976 and again in 1982. His remarkable commitment to the hobby was highlighted by his many years on RSGB Council, where he served four terms as an Ordinary Member during a 30-year period.

ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, remembers Allaway's attendance at the IARU Region 2 Conference in Buenos Aires in 1986. "That was a low point in relations between Argentina and Great Britain. The memories of the Falklands War were still fresh," he recalls. "John had to obtain his visa via a third country, and he was a bit nervous about the sort of reception he might receive. He needn't have worried: the combination of the graciousness of our Argentine hosts and John's own humble, yet engaging, personality turned the event into the sort of minor triumph of personal diplomacy that is so often the hallmark of Amateur Radio."

An ARRL member and dedicated HF operator, Allaway's call sign appeared on the DXCC Honor Roll for many years. Allaway also wrote the HF column in the RSGB journal RadCom from 1966 until 1998. Recently, he was dubbed a Knight of the Order of the Golden Key by the Norwegian Radio Relay League for his many years of service to the RSGB, the IARU, and Amateur Radio in General. The award is the NRRL's top honor.--thanks to David Sumner, K1ZZ, and the RSGB

SOLAR UPDATE

Solar sage Tad Cook, K7VVV Seattle, Washington, reports: Average solar flux was about the same this week compared to last, rising less than four points. Average sunspot numbers were identical over the same two periods. Solar activity rose until the end of last week, and fell this week, providing the close averages.

Geomagnetic activity has been way up, causing aurora and lots of interesting VHF propagation. The most active day in the past week was March 9, when the planetary A index reached 31, and planetary K indices as high as six. The last forecast shows a peak in smoothed solar flux around this time next year at around 210.

For March 12-14, expect more geomagnetic disturbances, with planetary A index of 12, 15 and 23 for March 12-14. This activity is expected to continue through the next week, with A indices finally dropping to the single digits around March 20. Expect more disturbed activity on March 28 through April 3. Solar flux for March 12-14 is predicted at 140, 140 and 135.

Sunspot numbers for March 4 through 10 were 144, 135, 136, 93, 107, 89, and 88 with a mean of 113.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 144.1, 127.5, 114.4, 110, 126.9, 127.1 and 135.4, with a mean of 126.5. The estimated planetary A indices were 23, 18, 11, 25, 10, 23 and 31, with a mean of 20.1.

In Brief:

  • This weekend on the radio: The QCWA QSO Party, the Missouri QSO Party, the Wisconsin QSO Party, the World Wide Locator Contest, and the RSGB Commonwealth Contest (CW) are March 13-14. The CLARA and Family HF Contest is March 16-17. Just ahead: The Alaska QSO Party, the Virginia QSO Party, the Ohio Winter QSO Party, and the Bermuda Contest are the weekend of March 20-22. See March QST, page 96, for details on most of these events.

  • FCC fines operators in repeater QRM case: The FCC has used mobile radio direction-finding techniques to solve a longstanding repeater interference problem. The Commission alleges that Michael Gallagher, KB3DHX, of Concord, Massachusetts, and Kornwell Chan, W3CI, of Dresher, Pennsylvania, were maliciously interfering with the Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club 2-meter repeater, W3QV, and has levied fines on the two operators. On multiple occasions in February, personnel from the FCC's Philadelphia office traced radio transmissions to a vehicle said to be occupied by the operators in question. Both licensees have been issued Notices of Apparent Liability for $7500.--FCC

  • Vanity update: The FCC in Gettysburg reports it has processed vanity call sign applications received through February 22. On March 11, the FCC issued 234 grants. Another 276 applications landed in the work-in-process (WIPs) stack.--FCC

  • Texas PRB-1 bill update: The Texas amateur antennas bill, HB 1345, is in "Calendars," where each bill gets placed on the floor agenda. "I'm guessing that we will see something the week of March 15 on when it will placed on the House floor for debate," said Karl Silverman, N0WWK, who's been tracking the bill's progress. An amendment concerning historical preservation is likely to be added to the bill. Silverman said he's been working on Senate support for the measure.

  • SVHFS confab set: The third annual Southeastern VHF Society conference will be held April 9-10 at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest, Marietta, Georgia (located northwest of Atlanta, Georgia at exit 110 of I-75, Windy Hill Road). The hotel SVHFS convention rate will be $69 per room, if reserved before March 18. Call the Marriott at 800-228-9290. The technical program will include presentations on EME, noise figure measurements, linear amplifiers, transverters and interfacing, and VHF contest roving among others. The event will again feature preamp noise figure testing, antenna gain measurements, a flea market, vendor displays, a family program activity, presentation of the K4UHF award, the banquet and door prizes. The banquet speaker will be ARRL Vice President (and avid VHFer) Joel Harrison W5ZN. Visit http://www.svhfs.org/svhfs/, e-mail k4sz@stc.net, or write SVHFS, PO Box 1255, Cornelia, GA 30531 for more information and a registration form.

  • PSK31 Award: As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, BARTG, has announced the BARTG PSK31-40 AWARD. The award is available to amateurs and SWLs who can prove that they have worked or heard 40 DXCC® entities using only the PSK31 mode. No crossband or crossmode QSOs will be allowed, and no single-band endorsements are offered. Applicants should supply a list of verified QSLs that must indicate PSK31 as the mode. The award fee is $10 or 30 IRCs (no checks) to BARTG Awards Manager N. Roberts, G4KZZ, 13 Rosemore Close, Hunmanby, North Yorkshire, England YO14 0NB. (DXCC® is a registered trademark of the American Radio Relay League.)--thanks to Dick Whittering, G3URA/BARTG

  • Burundi clarification: The recent decision by the DXCC Desk to disallow all Burundi operations since 1994 using a 9U prefix does not apply to 4U9U operations. The 4U9U operations remain valid for DXCC credit.

  • February QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the February QST Cover Plaque Award is Al Penny, VO1NO/VE1, for his article "The Crash of SwissAir Flight 111." Congratulations, Al!