QRZ! Ham Radio 1/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - December 1993.iso/arrl/arrleter.127

Text File | 1993-11-21 | 21KB | 378 lines

The ARRL Letter
Vol. 12, No. 2
January 27, 1993

Board Backs Continued D.C. Initiative,
Status of CW; Shelves Name Change Idea

     At its annual meeting January 15 and 16 in Jacksonville,
Florida, the ARRL Board of Directors tackled several important
items, including recommendations for rules regarding HF
autoforwarding of digital data, suggestions that the name of the
ARRL be changed, and directing initiatives in Washington to make
national legislators more aware of Amateur Radio.
     All directors, vice directors and officers were present,
except Treasurer Jim McCobb, K1LLU, who was stranded in Boston by
a snowstorm. The group welcomed two new vice directors, Dennis
Bodson, W4PWF, for the Roanoke Division, and Art Goddard, W6XD,
for the Southwestern Division.
     Rather than pursue the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act
at this time, the League's Washington group was "authorized to
seek formal recognition by the 103rd Congress of the role played
by the Amateur Radio Service as a national resource in
preparation for and relief from disasters, and for technical
progress in electronics."
     In the matter of a possible name change for the
organization, the Board simply abandoned further consideration of
the idea.
     The Board passed a resolution for continued support for
Morse code proficiency for amateurs operating below 30 MHz, as
presently required by international law.
     Citing the code's longevity as a license requirement and its
ability to overcome language barriers, the Board not only went on
record as supporting the existing international regulation
regarding CW but instructed "all ARRL representatives to continue
to insist before all national and international bodies that there
be no modification of the present Morse code proficiency
requirement for operation below 30 MHz."

HF autoforwarding
     The Board instructed the League's general counsel to file a
petition for rule making with the FCC seeking rules changes to
permit amateur stations to operate under automatic control while
using data emissions in certain segments of the HF bands.
     In taking this action, the Board considered recommendations
of the ARRL Digital Committee (see December QST, page 90). The
Committee's recommendations were adopted with the following
changes:
     1. Eliminate the proposed 160 meter subband;
     2. Narrow the proposed 40 and 15 meter subbands to reduce
the impact on Novice and Technician licensees;
     3. Delete provisions for so-called "semi-automatic
operation" which, under the committee's recommendations, would
have been permitted anywhere that digital operation was
authorized.
     The Board expressed its appreciation for the work of the
Digital Committee and the HF packet community on this subject. It
also requested that the Digital Committee continue to study ways
in which additional digital communications, such as the semi-automatic
concept recommended by the committee, can be accommodated in the HF bands
while adequately protecting amateurs using other modes and pursuing other
operating interests.

Other actions
     Elected to the League's Executive Committee for one-year
terms were Directors Mendelsohn, Harrison, Quiat and Mark.
     President Wilson announced appointments for 1993 of the
following committee chairmen: Ad Hoc Committee on Spectrum
Management, Marshall Quiat, AG0X; Ad Hoc Committee on Amateur
Auxiliary, Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC; Ad Hoc Committee on National
Conventions, John Kanode, N4MM; SAREX Working Group, Roy Neal,
K6DUE; RFI Task Group, Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC; Bioeffects
Committee, Ivan Shulman, MD, WC2S; Public Relations Committee,
Rich Moseson, NW2L; Long Range Planning Committee, Rod Stafford,
KB6ZV; Future Systems Committee, Paul Rinaldo, W4RI; Industry
Advisory Council, Bill Burden, WB1BRE: Contest Advisory
Committee, Walt Stinson, W0CP; DX Advisory Committee, Robert
Beatty, W4VQ; Public Service Advisory Committee, Joe Knight,
W5PDY; VHF Repeater Advisory Committee, Bob Watson, W6IEW;
VHF/UHF Advisory Committee, Bob Bennett, W3WCQ.
     An ad hoc committee will be appointed to analyze current
computer usage and requirements at Headquarters and will report
its findings to the Board in July. Tom Frenaye, K1KI, was
appointed to chair this committee.
     Bill Tynan, W3XO, and Jerry Hall, K1TD, were honored for
years of service to the League and Amateur Radio. Bill wrote
QST's "World Above 50 MHz" column for 18 years, retiring in
November 1992. Associate Technical Editor Jerry Hall also retired
in November after 25 years as a Headquarters staff member. Jerry
was well known as editor of four editions of the ARRL Antenna
Book and as author of some 48 QST technical articles.
     The ARRL-VEC was instructed to develop a plan for ensuring
adequate volunteer examination opportunities in Alaska. This plan
is to be referred to the Volunteer Resources Committee.
     The National Convention Committee will continue plans for
the first League-conducted national convention, scheduled for
1995. So far the Committee has endorsed using outside contractors
to manage the conventions, using staff personnel for conducting
educational programs; and rotating the sites of ARRL national
conventions between three or four cities. The 1993 National will
be held in Huntsville, Alabama; the 1994 in Arlington, Texas.
     Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, noted that
strong QST advertising revenues have recently permitted larger,
more colorful issues of the journal, including the largest issue
ever, November, with 256 pages, and the debut in February of a
special section for new hams. In the area of membership services,
mechanisms now are in place to eliminate the DXCC backlog in 1993
and the enhanced W1AW bulletin program originated 324 bulletins
in 1992, more than twice previous years' totals.
     In the area of new ham recruitment and training, Dave noted
that the number of amateurs aged 7-17 has increased 31% in just
one year, to 21,000. In Field Services, a major restructuring of
the amateur auxiliary is underway and there is encouraging
evidence of stepped-up enforcement by FCC.
     Chief Financial Officer Barry J. Shelley said that book sales lower
than the previous year were offset by increased membership dues and
advertising revenues.
     The ARRL Foundation reported that its funds have increased
by more than $51,000, 10 percent over the previous year. The
Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary in 1993. Gene
Hastings, W1VRK, John Kanode, N4MM, and Paul Grauer, W0FIR, were
elected as Directors of the ARRL Foundation.
     And finally, mindful of the national economy, the Board
approved Division budget allocations at, or in most cases below,
1992 levels.

NATIONAL CONTEST JOURNAL
TO SEE CHANGE OF EDITORS

     A change of editors is in the works for the ARRL's National
Contest Journal. Stepping down effective with the July/August
issue after four years is current editor Tom Taormina, K5RC, of
Bellville, Texas. He will be replaced by Trey Garlough, WN4KKN,
who lives in Santa Cruz, Calif.
     Trey, who is 29, got his Novice license in 1974 at age 10.
His parents were both amateurs, although inactive. Local hams
took Trey under their wings, especially long-time DXer and
contester Tom Russell, N4KG, who loaned the young Trey a rig in
time for the ARRL Novice Roundup. Trey still signs the same call
today!
     After getting a bachelors degree in computer science from
the University of Texas at Austin, Trey worked at the UT-Austin
Computation Center for nine years as a systems analyst. He then
journeyed west to join the technical staff of TGV, Inc., a vendor
of networking products for Digital's VAX and Alpha computers.
     In 1987 Trey joined the NCJ as a contributing editor,
managing the North American Sprint (CW) contest, among other
jobs. Asked what his goals will be as editor of the NCJ, Trey
said, "I hope to contribute to the continued success the NCJ has
experienced under the stewardship of Tom Taormina, K5RC (paid
subscriptions up 25 percent in the past four years - ed).
     "I want to broaden the scope of the magazine to include more
items also of interest to readers beyond the U.S. and Canada, and
to encourage more foreign readers to share their perspectives
with us."
     Trey doesn't have a station of his own, but he gets around,
operating from N5AU, W6QHS, K1AR, 9V1YC, ZP0Y, and HC8N in recent
years.  Typical of many contesters, he gets his radio in massive
weekend fixes.
     "Contests act as a focal point for on-the-air amateur
activity, much like 'activity nights' on the UHF bands," he said.
"As such, they permit me to enjoy the magic of wireless while
minimizing the amount of time spent indoors."
     Tom Taormina, meanwhile, will stay busy with his new
business, Productivity Resources, as well as operating from home
and helping in the construction of a new "super station" nearby.

COMMISSION FINES AMATEUR
$10,500 FOR INTERFERENCE

     The FCC's Kingsville, Texas office, has issued a Notice of
Apparent Liability to an amateur for $10,500.
     Richard L. Whiten, WB2OTK, 46, of Taylors, South Carolina,
was cited for "willful and malicious interfering transmissions"
monitored by the FCC on September 26, 1992, on 14314.7 KHz.
     Whiten, a General class licensee, was issued the NAL two
days later. In his reply to the FCC he did not, according to the
Commission, dispute making the transmissions, but he "denied that
his signals constituted willful, malicious interference, because,
he says in his letter, if he truly wanted to willfully and
maliciously interfere he could have done so to such an extent
that communications between other amateur radio operators would
have been impossible; that his comments were not disruptive; that
his statements were innocuous, that he was recognized and spoken
to by the other amateur operators, and that he was the victim of
entrapment by the other operators."
     The FCC did not accept this argument, and noted that Whiten
already had received two previous NALs, on January 28, 1991 and
July 12, 1991, for the same rules violation.
     The FCC's "base amount" fine for willful interference is
$7,000; in this case the fine was raised 50 percent "in view of
Mr. Whiten's repeated violations," the FCC said.

Hams Help Bail Out Remote California Town
     During the recent rains in California the tiny community of
DeLuz, north of Fallbrook and midway between San Diego and Los
Angeles, lost all power, telephones, water and all major roads
were blocked by flooding. Only those with 4-wheel drive vehicles
making their own roads as they went were able to get in and out.
     Many individuals left their DeLuz homes in the morning to go
to work and found it impossible to return in the evening. Many
were concerned about the spouses and children they had left
behind, and about their homes.
     The San Diego Union called DeLuz "An island of chaos," where
"every access road was demolished by flooding." DeLuz lost dozens
of roads, and had no electricity or water for five days beginning
January 15.
     Fortunately, an amateur in DeLuz, George Shippey, N6YMH,
activated his 2-meter station and began running emergency traffic
via the Fallbrook repeater autopatch, the only 2-meter repeater
that can be reached from DeLuz. This repeater belongs to 61-year-old Art
Rideout, WA6IPD, a self-employed electrical engineer, who home-brewed the
repeater after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake "because I was concerned
that in the event of an emergency the community would not have
communications. In this area we could not reliably access any 2-meter
repeaters. I also provided an autopatch, all free for local amateurs,"
Rideout said.
     Soon, Marv Druskoff, K2VIV, took control from the Fallbrook
end and, because of the large volume of communications,
established his base of operations at the Fallbrook Fire Station.
     The Union reported that "With DeLuz cut off from the rest of
the world, the sole communication has come from George Shippey's
ham radio."
     On the hour and sometimes on the half hour, communications
were established with Shippey to confirm that loved ones were
safe and that people on medication had adequate supplies. Where
necessary, helicopters were directed in to provide necessary
supplies. Numerous other amateurs were involved with the
emergency communications but Druskoff continuously manned his
station for 72 hours, handling communications originating from
the Fallbrook Fire Department and the sheriff's station.
     "Since Sunday," said the Union, "Shippey has manned the
radio from morning until night, providing a crucial link between
stranded residents and the outside world.
     "The 69-year-old retired salesman has braved washed-out
roads and mudslides, checking on residents in need of drinking
water, food or medicine. In many cases, he simply checked on
folks whose friends and relatives have relayed messages via his
radio," the paper said.
     "Because of Shippey and another ham, Marv Druskoff,
residents in need of insulin received some, thanks to a sheriff's
helicopter," the Union said. "Another resident, requiring kidney
dialysis treatment, was to be flown to a hospital because of
information relayed between Shippey and Druskoff."
     Fallbrook sheriff's Sgt. Derek Cook told the Oceanside
Blade-Citizen that "Without [Shippey], we wouldn't know anything
about anything."
     North County Fire Protection District Capt. Milt Davies gave
his view of radio amateurs to the Blade Citizen: "Once again, the
hams come through and save the day. They're the ones to rely on
when all the copper wires and cell phones go down."
     Amateur Radio participation in the DeLuz rescue effort came
to a close on Friday, January 22, according to Rideout, after
telephone service was finally established. Amateur Radio had been
the main means of communications for eight days, most of that
time the only means of communications for the remote community.
     Amateurs established communications for RACES, the local
fire department, the sheriff's office, Red Cross, the U.S.
Forestry Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA).
     Helicopters were in short supply, according to Rideout. "Our
next door neighbor, the Marine base at Camp Pendleton, usually
responds to local emergencies, but they experienced major
flooding and most helicopters had been under water," Rideout
said.
     Finally on Friday the Air National Guard came in with their
helicopters and dropped water tanks, medical supplies, and food.
     At the height of the rescue effort nine amateurs were
helicoptered into DeLuz to provide communications. One amateur,
Ellen Utschig, N6UWW, who is active in RACES, established a base
station at a DeLuz Forestry Station that had been closed for the
winter. She stayed for several days and operated her station 24
hours a day. She was finally evacuated with her radio equipment
on Friday afternoon.
     George Shippey summed up the amateurs' spirit:
     "The only thing I want to do is to make sure people are OK,"
he told the Union.

BRIEFS
     * The ARRL Educational Activities Department now has an 800
number for prospective new amateurs: 800-32NewHam (800-326-3942).
Staff members will answer calls and questions from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. EST Monday-Friday; an answering machine will be on the line
at other times. The number is exclusively for the use of
prospective amateurs.
     * 220 Notes, a periodical for aficionados of the 222-MHz
band, is looking for new management. Editor/publisher Art Reis,
K9XI, and Walt Altus, AA9AW, needing a breather, have put out the
four-times-per-year news sheet for 11 years; "That's four times
longer than the average lifespan for Amateur Radio newsletters
like ours," Reis, 44, says.
     "Ideally," Reis says, "we would like to see 220 Notes be
carried on by someone (or several someones) who is active on the
222 MHz band, who will have the time to devote to this
enterprise, and who has the Amateur Radio savvy to produce or
improve the quality of product our readership has come to expect.
We can be there for a little time after a transfer to help with
the technical production questions, and I personally might be
able to contribute an occasional article or two to help fill the
pages."
     If you're interested, contact AA9AW at W6539 Birch St.,
Onalaska, WI 54650.
     * Nominations are solicited for the Pacific Division Amateur
of the Year award. Send a SASE to Director Chuck McConnell,
W6DPD, for nomination guidelines. Deadline for nominations is
September 1, 1993.
     * Although the DX Advisory Committee has yet to recommend
DXCC status for the new Czech and Slovak Republics, the two will
count as separate multipliers in the upcoming ARRL International
DX Contest. Czechs use the prefixes OK and OL; Slovaks sign OM.
     According to Membership Services Manager Chuck Hutchinson,
K8CH, the unresolved question before the DXAC is whether to make
two new DXCC entities (deleting Czechoslovakia) or to retain
Czechoslovakia and add one.
     In other DXCC news, the "start date" for 5-band DXCC has
been moved back from its original January 1, 1969, to November
15, 1945, the start date for Mixed and Phone DXCC and for single
band awards (10, 40, 80, 160, 2 meters).
     "A change in the start date for CW DXCC is not planned for
the foreseeable future," the ARRL said in a news release.
     Finally, the Board at its meeting voted to implement field
checking of DXCC endorsements at the "earliest appropriate time."
(Currently only initial DXCC applications may be checked in the
field.)
     * The Foundation for Amateur Radio has opened nominations
for its 1993 scholarships (for the 1993-'94 academic year). 47
scholarships are planned, five of them funded by FAR and the
remaining 42 by various donors and administered by the
Foundation.
     The awards range from $500 to $2,000, and clubs are
encouraged to pass the word among their younger licensed amateur
members.
     For application forms write before April 30 to FAR
Scholarships, 6903 Rhode Island Ave., College Park MD 20740.
     * The Tucson Amateur Packet Radio group will hold its annual
meeting March 6 and 7 in Tucson. ARRL Senior Engineer Jon Bloom,
KE3Z, will present a workshop on digital signal processing, a
short course bridging the gap between complex (modulated) signals
and computer programming.
     The meeting will be held at the Tucson Airport Best Western
motel. For more information, contact the TAPR office, PO Box
12925, Tucson AZ 85732; 602-749-9479 (10-3, Tue-Fri) or fax to
602-749-5636.
     * The South African Department of Posts and
Telecommunications has scrapped a long-standing rule that
amateurs must complete 200 contacts or a year of CW before
receiving radiotelephone privileges. Now amateurs there get
'phone privileges immediately after passing their 12 wpm exams.
The government acted on a petition by the South African Radio
League.
     * Australia has completed its first year of using volunteer
examiners to administer amateur exams. More than 400 examiners
have been accredited and more than 3,000 exams have been given to
some 2,000 candidates. 68 percent of the examiners were found to
be members of the Wireless Institute of Australia (the national
organization); the average pass rate was 51.4 percent.
     * ARRL will again this year have a booth at the National
Association of Broadcasters convention (Las Vegas, April 19-22).
Last year more than 600 "radio and TV hams" stopped by to say
hello, according to ARRL Public Information Officer Steve
Mansfield, N1MZA.
     * And the Amateur Radio Industry Group journeys to south
Florida again this year for their annual meeting (February 5, at
the Miami Marriott, site of the Miami Hamboree that weekend). If
you'd like to make a presentation to the group, contact Mike
Forsyth at 913-422-4646 (fax [phone]).
     * Best-selling author and television documentary star Cliff
Stoll, K7TA, will be the featured speaker at the 1993 Dayton
HamVention banquet. Stoll, who wrote The Cuckoo's Egg in 1989 and
later portrayed himself in an episode of Public Television's
"Nova," also was the subject of a QST profile in 1990.
     Stoll has a PhD in planetary science. In his spare time he
"pieces quilts, works 40 meter CW, and squeezes lumps of
bituminous coal into diamonds" (according to his Internet
announcement).