IN THIS EDITION:

• +Phase 3D gets final inspection
• +ISS flights reset
• +FCC tackles border dispute
• +Slow growth for Amateur Radio
• +Hurricane Watch Net surprised
• +Radio legend Jean Shepherd, K2ORS, SK
• International Humanitarian Award deadline looms
• Solar update
• In Brief: This weekend on the radio; Black Cat Halloween Party set; Tulsa club marks 75 years with special event; ULS takes a short break; Amateur vanity call sign site debuts; Outgoing ARRL QSL Service status; Solar maximum prediction; Julio Vera-Cruz, D44BC, SK; 3C0R news; Center to study alleged cell phone dangers; FCC releases jamming transmitter warning; Visualizing outer space and SWR

+Available on ARRL Audio News

PHASE 3D GETTING FINAL INSPECTION

Phase 3D Project Leader Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, and a delegation from AMSAT-DL are at the Phase 3D Integration Laboratory in Orlando this week, giving the satellite a final once-over. "So far, everything is proceeding smoothly," said AMSAT-NA President Keith Baker, KB1SF. He said the German team is putting P3D through its paces as a final checkout prior to shipping the satellite to the launch site at Kourou in French Guiana at month's end.

A contract accepting Phase 3D as a payload for the "first suitable" Arianespace Ariane 5 vehicle launch was signed October 5. Meinzer said a launch opportunity could come during the first half of next year. The AMSAT-DL Web site alludes to what it called an "appropriate" launch opportunity next April for the Ariane 506 flight. But Baker and AMSAT-DL caution that market conditions play a role in governing the manifest for Ariane flights. "Things are very fluid right now as regards launch manifests with Ariane," Baker said, adding that launch and payload schedules can change "in a big hurry."

In a news release last week, Arianespace would only say that the launch "will take place in the year 2000" and that AMSAT Phase 3D would be "one of the first secondary payloads boosted by Ariane 5, which will use a special adapter for orbital injection."

Arianespace says that Phase 3D, which weighs 1430 pounds, will be injected into a geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite then will use its own propulsion system to reach an elliptical orbit ranging from approximately 2480 miles to more than 27,000 miles from Earth.

Once in its intended orbit, Phase 3D will have an estimated life span of 10 years. For more information on Phase 3D, visit the AMSAT-NA Web site, http://www.amsat.org.

ISS FLIGHTS RESET

NASA now says the space shuttle Atlantis flight--mission STS-101--that will carry the initial Amateur Radio gear into space for the International Space Station will launch no earlier than February 10, 2000.

The flight transporting the VHF and UHF hand-held transceivers and associated antennas and accessories to the ISS had been scheduled to launch in December. NASA imposed a shuttle launch hiatus to perform electrical inspections of the entire shuttle fleet, however, disrupting the launch schedule. The inspections came in the wake of problems during the July launch of the shuttle Columbia, when astronauts and ground controllers struggled with power failures in computers controlling two of the orbiter's three main engines.

"Our number one priority for the space shuttle is to fly safely, and that is why we delayed our launch preparations and have performed comprehensive wiring inspections and repairs," Space Shuttle Program Manager Ron Dittemore said.

NASA and Russian space agency officials also have agreed to delay the launch of the Zvezda service module that will house the amateur gear. According to a NASA, a US delegation and the Russians agreed that "it is no longer prudent to proceed with the current service module schedule." The new projected launch window is between December 26 and January 16.

In August, key antenna hardware for the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station project headed for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to undergo integration and flight qualification testing. The initial ham gear will support amateur operation from the ISS on voice and AFSK packet on 2 meters and 70 cm.

For more information on ARISS, visit http://garc.gsfc.nasa.gov/~ariss/ariss.html.

FCC TACKLES BORDER DISPUTE

FCC Legal Adviser for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth has made good on a promise to look into complaints of apparent US malicious interference to a repeater in Mexico operating on 145.460 MHz.

"We've been getting some vigorous complaints for a little while now about the repeater system KC6OKA/K6PYP," Hollingsworth said this week. US hams also approached him about it during the recent Southwestern Division Convention in Long Beach, California.

Hollingsworth said the repeater--jointly owned and operated by Angos Winke, KC6OKA, and Scott V. Swanson, K6PYP--is on 145.460/144.860 MHz. He said the KC6OKA/K6PYP repeater apparently ignores a voluntary coordination arrangement and seems to be causing a lot of interference in Mexico. In addition, he said, "there are problems on there with music being played, tapes being played, obscenity and profanity."

Earlier this month Hollingsworth wrote Winke and Swanson to inquire about alleged "broadcasting, playing music, transmitting tape recordings and the use of high power" and unmodulated carriers to deliberately interfere with the Mexican repeater system.

"Our information indicates that the use of this frequency pair for these purposes is contrary to a longstanding voluntary frequency plan in effect in your area in cooperation with Mexico," Hollingsworth told the two licensees.

He asked Winke and Swanson for detailed information on the operation of the repeater system including steps taken to ensure that no interference is caused to other amateurs in the repeater's coverage area or in Mexico. Winke and Swanson have 30 days to reply.

Hollingsworth says the issue goes beyond a local repeater coordination squabble and he wouldn't want to see anything jeopardize the solid working relationship between the US and Mexico. "We get very good cooperation on radio interference matters from Mexico," he said, adding that the FCC has a regional office of Mexican affairs in the San Diego area. "Mexico helps us a great deal with interference problems, and we're not going to tolerate any deliberate interference to Mexico."

AMATEUR RADIO SHOWS SLOW GROWTH

According to Amateur Radio census statistics cited in the October 15, 1999, W5YI Report, US licensee growth has nearly stalled overall during the past year. The W5YI numbers--which exclude hams whose licenses have expired but remain within the two-year grace period--show 675,739 US licensees as of September 30, 1999. While that's up by more than 3000 hams over the same month in 1998, the number represents less than one-half percent growth.

The number of US amateurs peaked over the past year at 676,318 at the end of July. Looking at the numbers by license class, only Technician showed substantial growth--up by more than 10,500 from a year earlier. Tech Plus and Amateur Extra classes rose slightly too, but the numbers were down slightly for Advanced and General, and the number of Novice licensees declined by more than 5100 over the past year.

HURRICANE WATCH NET GETS SURPRISE CHECK-IN

The Hurricane Watch Net got a surprise check-in October 20 as it activated on 14.325 MHz to track the course of Hurricane Jose.

"Riley Hollingsworth checked in to tell us that they were monitoring and would handle any interference problems," said Hurricane Watch Net Manager Jerry Herman, N3BDW. "Needless to say, the little bit of interference we were getting almost immediately ceased. His call sign and his presence on frequency had a positive effect."

Hollingsworth--who's K4ZDH--was equally impressed. "Those guys did a wonderful job," he said. "I was very impressed and very proud!"

While Jose was still a hurricane, the Hurricane Watch Net had been taking reports from stations in the track of the storm, and transmitting advisories. Hurricane Watch Net participants file real-time storm and weather data, which is relayed to forecasters via W4EHW at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Herman said things got up close and personal for one of the W4EHW operators during Hurricane Irene earlier this month. "Julio Ripoll, WD4JNS, reported that flooding in the Miami area was the worst he had seen in 17 years," he said. "Julio had to drive through water two feet deep to get to and from the National Hurricane Center in order to operate W4EHW." At one point, Herman said, Ripoll--the assistant W4EHW coordinator--waded through knee-deep water to assist a stranded motorist.

Herman says the Hurricane Watch Net has had a very good season so far. "Probably the majority of our reports are measured data, and that's something the guys at the Hurricane Center really appreciate," he said. Herman speculated that more hams now own home weather stations that allow them to provide precise weather data at their location to the Net.

Overall Net participation this hurricane season has been excellent too, Herman said. "I'm real pleased with the way it's been going, and the people in Miami seem to be using the data--they keep asking us for more--and we'll keep trying to get more for them."

The current hurricane season runs through November.

RADIO LEGEND JEAN SHEPHERD, K2ORS, SK

Jean Shepherd, K2ORS, during his radio broadcasting days [from Bob Kaye's "The Jean Shepherd Page"]

Jean Shepherd, K2ORS--the man once described by media critic Marshall McLuhan as "the first radio novelist" and by others as "Mark Twain for the radio"--died October 16 in a hospital near his home in Sanibel Island, Florida. He was 78.

One of the original radio "talkers," Shepherd gained a loyal following of overnight listeners during his more than two-decade tenure at powerful WOR in New York during the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. Shepherd was first licensed as W9QWN in 1938. He served in the Army Signal Corps during World War II, then attended Indiana University before doing radio in Cincinnati and Philadelphia and finally New York.

On the air, "Shep" worked without a script or reliance on telephone callers spinning yarns--typically with a sardonic edge--often based on his boyhood years in Hammond, Indiana and his time in the Army and occasionally mentioning ham radio. Among the characters he created was alter ego Ralphie Parker, who appeared in his 1983 film classic "A Christmas Story," which he wrote and narrated.

The banquet speaker at the 1985 Dayton Hamvention, Shepherd also provided the introductory narration to the Morse code instruction tape included with the League's Tune in the World license manual. Several hams wrote ARRL Headquarters to say that Shepherd had provided inspiration for their early interest in Amateur Radio.

In addition to live appearances, Shepherd penned numerous articles and several books, including In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash in 1966 and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories in 1971. His TV works for PBS include Jean Shepherd's America and The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters.

In later life, Shepherd remained active on HF SSB and occasionally on 2-meter FM, sometimes operating from his boat in Florida. He also had an interest in classic automobiles. His third wife, Leigh, died last year.

"He captivated a generation with his stories," said vintage radio buff John Dilks, K2TQN. "He is survived by Schwartz, Flick, Bruner and all of the other wonderful characters he created."

For detailed information on Jean Shepherd, visit http://www.advanix.net/~jsadur/shep.htm or http://www.spacelab.net/~bkaye/Shep.html.

HUMANITARIAN AWARD NOMINATIONS CLOSE DECEMBER 31

Nominations close December 31, 1999, for the 1999 ARRL International Humanitarian Award. The award is dedicated to those amateurs who, through Amateur Radio, are devoted to promoting the welfare of mankind. The prize goes each year to truly outstanding Amateur Radio operators in areas of international humanitarianism and the furtherance of peace.

Any radio amateur or group of amateurs worldwide who has provided extraordinary service through their Amateur Radio skills for the benefit of others in times of crisis or disaster is qualified to receive the award.

The ARRL International Humanitarian Award recognizes the hobby's international communication role and that hams regularly help people in need throughout the world. Amateur Radio is one of the few media where average people throughout the world can meet to talk to each other and spread goodwill across otherwise impenetrable political boundaries. The Award is intended to promote positive efforts toward international understanding and peaceful communication.

The award recipient is selected by a committee appointed by the League's President. The committee will accept nominations from a licensed radio amateur, governmental or any other organization that has received the benefits of the radio amateur's extraordinary service. Nominations must include a summary of the nominee's actions that qualify the recipient for the award and statements from at least two references-including names and addresses-for verification.

All nominations and supporting materials for the 1999 award must be submitted in writing in English to ARRL International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA. Nominations must be received by December 31, 1999. In the event that no nominations are received, the committee itself may determine possible recipients or decide to make no award.

The 1998 award went to the Radio Amateur du Quebec Inc, for its efforts during a devastating ice storm. For details, see June 1998 QST, page 58.--Rick Palm, K1CE

SOLAR UPDATE

Sun watcher Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar flux had a spectacular increase over the past week, with values around 200. Flux values stayed above 190 until October 16.

Geomagnetic conditions were quite stormy October 10-17, when the planetary A index ranged from 21 to 34. This was caused by a series of coronal holes and flares, streaming charged particles in a high speed solar wind. October 18-20 the planetary A index was in the single digits, with many periods having a K index of 1. On October 21, the effects of a coronal mass ejection a couple of days earlier could be seen, with K indices back up above 4.

The latest forecast for the A index is 25 to 30 for October 22, 10 for October 23, and 15 to 20 October 24, due to a coronal hole. The predicted solar flux is 150, 145 and 140 for the same period. After the weekend the solar flux is expected to bottom out around 125 from October 26-29, then rise back to 200 around November 10 or 11. Geomagnetic indices are expected to be mostly low until November 6, when recurring coronal holes are expected to keep conditions unsettled or stormy through November 13.

Sunspot numbers for October 14 through 20 were 206, 130, 189, 169, 135, 169 and 193 with a mean of 170.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 199.8, 198.2, 189, 178, 172.7, 169.6 and 158.8, with a mean of 180.9. The estimated planetary A indices were 24, 24, 21, 26, 6, 7 and 4, with a mean of 16.

In Brief:

• This weekend on the radio: The YLRL YL Anniversary Contest (SSB) is October 21-23. The Rhode Island QSO Party and the QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party (CW) are the weekend of October 23-24. Just ahead: The CQ WW DX Contest (SSB), the ARRL International EME Competition, the Ten-Ten International Net Fall CW QSO Party, and the Black Cat Halloween Party (see next item) are the weekend of October 30-31. See October QST, page 86, for details.

• Black Cat Halloween Party set: On Halloween weekend, October 30-31, the ARRL will host the QRP Amateur Radio Club International for a "Black Cat" QRP on-the-air party. For two days, W1AW/QRP will be on the air using the original Tuna Tin 2 transmitter. The Tuna Tin 2--so called because it used a common tuna fish tin for a chassis and two 2N2222 transistors--was introduced in a May 1976 QST feature article by Doug DeMaw, W1FB (then W1CER). The original Tuna Tin 2 disappeared under mysterious circumstances, but it was rediscovered years later at a hamfest by the ARRL Lab's Ed Hare, W1RFI, and restored to full operation last June by Bruce Muscolino W6TOY. The original Tuna Tin 2 will be on 40 meters for the entire period. You don't have to be running low power to work the Tuna Tin 2. Just listen around 7040 kHz for W1AW/QRP and give a call. Additional Tuna Tin 2 replicas will be operating on 10.106 and 14.060 MHz. Certificates and special QSL cards will be issued. For more information, contact Bruce Muscolino, W6TOY, w6toy@erols.com, or Ed Hare, W1RFI, w1rfi@arrl.org.--Ed Hare, W1RFI

• Tulsa club marks 75 years with special event: The Tulsa Amateur Radio Club celebrates its 75th anniversary Saturday, October 23, 1400-2100 UTC, with a special event. Founded in 1924, TARC is the oldest Amateur Radio club in Oklahoma. Special event station W5IAS will be active on 146.535, 50.150, 28.450, 14.250, and 7.250 MHz. Special QSL cards will be available with an SASE to the call book address.--Charlie Calhoun, K5TTT

• ULS takes a short break: The Universal Licensing System will be down for maintenance on Tuesday, October 26, from 8-10 PM Eastern Time. Direct comments or questions to the ULS Technical Support Staff at 202-414-1250; ulscomm@fcc.gov.--FCC

• Amateur vanity call sign site debuts: A new site devoted to vanity call signs has appeared at http://www.carroll-usa.com/vanity/. Among other things, the site lets users find out if a call sign already has been submitted to the FCC, lists soon-to-be-available call signs, and includes a list of "creative" call signs. Michael E. Carroll, AA4BP, Huntsville, Alabama, is the Webmaster.--thanks to J. D. Delancy, K1ZAT

• Outgoing ARRL QSL Service status: The ARRL Outgoing QSL Service reports that as of October 8, 1999, it has handled 1,445,385 cards this year. This includes cards going to US incoming QSL bureaus and cards sorted by contractor. The Outgoing QSL Service welcomes new QSL Service Assistant Tammy Krauss, KB1CYN, who joined the ARRL HQ staff on October 11.

• Solar maximum prediction: Solar physicist David Hathaway at the Marshall Space Flight Center says he expects the current solar cycle to peak by mid-2000. "The projected peak is comparable to, but lower than the peaks of the last two maxima--1989 and 1978," Hathaway says. One thing is for sure: As the geomagnetic activity increases so do the chances of more geomagnetic storms. While there will be more disturbances, those in the mid-latitudes will have the unique opportunity to see some spectacular sights that are normally visible during these times only in the higher latitudes.--NASA via The Daily DX/Bernie McClenny, W3UR

• Julio Vera-Cruz, D44BC, SK: Noted DXer Julio Vera-Cruz, D44BC, of Mindelo, Cape Verde, is reported to have died October 13, 1999 in Portugal after suffering a heart attack. He was believed to be in his late 60s or early 70s. Vera-Cruz was well known on the bands, and others--including Contest Hall of Famer Jim Neiger, N6TJ--have operated over the years from D44BC station.

• 3C0R news: The recent Annobon Island DXpedition managed to meet its contacts goal by racking up 23,800 QSOs--despite illness and computer problems that required hand logging of all contacts. According to information provided by EA5BY to The Daily DX, the operators left the island early because of an impending storm that would have made it difficult to get back on time. All operating was done by Elmo, EA5BYP, and Vic, EA5YN. The Annobon team hopes to soon have its logs on the Web. Another operation tentatively is being planned for 2000.--Bernie McClenny, The Daily DX

• Center to study alleged cell phone dangers: The Center for the Study of Wireless Electromagnetic Compatibility at the University of Oklahoma plans to scientifically investigate whether cell phone use at gasoline stations and aboard airliners poses any dangers. Some gasoline retailers have banned cellular telephone use despite a lack of confirmed reports that cell phone use has caused fires or explosions. Center Director Hank Grant also says the aircraft study will include tests with current and future navigational systems. "By providing information based on fact, we will address these issues in a way that benefits everyone," Grant said. For more information on the Center, visit http://www.ou.edu/engineering/emc.--The Center for the Study of Wireless Electromagnetic Compatibility

• FCC releases jamming transmitter warning: In a joint Public Notice, the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology and Compliance and Information Bureau say that the use of transmitters designed to prevent or jam the operation of cellular telephones in hospitals, theaters and other locations is illegal. Although such devices are in use in other countries, federal and FCC rules do not permit these devices to be manufactured, imported, marketed or operated within the United States. Anyone violating these provisions is subject to heavy fines or even prison. The equipment also can be seized and forfeited. OET and CIB emphasize that FCC regulations apply to all transmitters designed to cause interference to, or prevent the operation of, other radio communication systems.--FCC

• Visualizing outer space and SWR: HR2KOS reports an interesting Web site that might help those who want to visualize satellite orbits and Kepler's laws, along with other simulations and visualizations including SWR, the flow of RF through coaxial cable and antenna patterns. Visit http://www.phy.hw.ac.uk/resources/demos/.--HR2KOS via AMSAT News Service