Changes to Spanish radio regulations (Mar. 3 2005) URE the Spanish amateur Radio Society, has notified the IARU that, as of March 3rd 2005, the following changes have been made to Spanish regulations affecting amateurs in that country. 1) Morse code requirement has been removed for obtaining both Class A (general) and Class C (novice) licences. 2) Class A (general) and Class B (restricted) are allowed to use the 50,0 - 51,0 MHz band under special and particular authorization. (Thanks to Jose Diaz, EA4BPJ, URE General Secretary) (RAC News Service)
Australian Optical Communications Record Broken using LED transmitters (Mar. 3 2005) Mike, VK7MJ on Mt Wellington and Chris Long on South Barrow have set a new Australian record for full duplex optical communication over a path of 167.7km using voice. The contact occurred between 1100 and 1200 UTC on Saturday, February 19, 2005. Two way full duplex voice communication was established at 475 TERRAHERTZ (that's right - visible light), over a distance of 167.7km between stations on the summits of Mount Wellington near Hobart and South Barrow, near Launceston Tasmania. Both transmitters used current modulated
1W red Luxeon Lumileds into 200mm diameter Fresnel lens, and they were
clearly visible with the naked eye over the distance between the transmitters.
The signals received at Mt Wellington by Mike VK7MJ and Justin VK7TW were very noisy with signal strength 3 readability to 3. Despite this low signal level two-way duplex voice contacts were completed. This is certainly a record for Australian optical communications and probably a world record for non-laser communications. (Thanks to WIA News) (RAC News Service)
Youth Development Initiative in Cape Town SA (Mar. 3 2005) The South African Radio League and the Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre, have launched a youth development initiative. 16 pupils and a teacher from the Cape Academy for Maths and Science, which serves previously disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, are receiving free tuition and training materials for the RAE. They will also be doing some practical electronics construction. It is hoped that once the students have passed the RAE in May, and obtained licences, that it will be possible to raise funds to establish an amateur radio station at the school. (Thanks to SARL) (RAC News Service)
Mar. 4 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
Check http://www.spaceweather.com/glossary/imf.html for a review of the IMF and how it can affect geomagnetic stability. Also check a site I haven't seen before, http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/glossary/IMF.html&edu=high. This was submitted by Jon Jones, N0JK. Over the next week expect a rising sunspot count and solar flux, with flux values peaking above 100 around March 11-14. March 6-9 could see some unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions based on activity during the previous solar rotation. This weekend is the ARRL International DX SSB Contest. Don't expect great conditions like when the sunspot cycle was higher, but at least we are moving toward the spring equinox and the geomagnetic conditions should be quiet. Last week's bulletin stimulated a couple of questions about resources for understanding sporadic-E propagation. Go to the URL for the ARRL TIS propagation page mentioned a couple of paragraphs down, and check out the two-part "Sporadic-E - A Mystery Solved?" articles in PDF files. You will need an ARRL membership to log in to the web site to read this. There are other articles on other propagation topics on the same page that are available for anyone to read. If you would like to comment or have a tip, email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net. For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html. Sunspot numbers for February 24 through March 2 were 17, 15, 27, 12, 11, 11 and 11 with a mean of 14.9. 10.7 cm flux was 80.3, 78.2, 76.6, 75.8, 75, 73.7 and 74.6, with a mean of 76.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 9, 9, 8, 12, 11 and 12 with a mean of 9.4. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 9, 9, 6, 8, 10 and 8, with a mean of 6.6. (ARRL News Service)
Europe Mar. 5 26 2005 Solar and
propagation report,
Flare activity has been very low this past week, without a single substantial flare. The solar flux stayed firmly in the 70s with little daily variation. The average, 76, represented a drop of 13 points over the previous week. The reading of 74 on the 1st was the lowest since August 1997. The 90-day average lost two points at 97. X-ray flux levels also showed little daily variation. The average was A2.5, compared with A8 the week before. These levels are close to what we can expect at solar minimum, though that probably lies at least twelve months hence. For much of the week the geomagnetic field was quiet with active periods, under the recurring influence of a high-speed coronal stream. Solar wind speeds were mostly above average, reaching 749km/sec on the 2nd, but falling back to 452km/sec on the 3rd. Particle densities were mostly below 10 per cubic centimetre. The combination of low solar flux and irregular geomagnetic activity made for poorish propagation on the higher HF bands, with peak MUFs falling below 20MHz on a couple of days, well below expectations. However, the 'workhorse' bands - 14 and 18Mhz remained reasonably reliable. During the coming week flare activity is expected to remain low or very low. The solar flux should move slowly upwards, but seems unlikely to reach much over 100 - if indeed it manages to climb that high. During the present year we will see many more such periods. At times the flux will probably dip into the 60s. However, even at solar minimum, the level is most unlikely to go under 65. So, again, things are almost as bad as they are likely to get - if your interests like at HF. Fans of the lower bands can, of course, look forward to greater opportunities during the next two or three years. Recurring coronal hole activity seems set to bring unsettled to active geomagnetic levels over the next two or three days, but quieter levels should return later in the week. MUFs at equal latitudes may reach 24MHz in the south and 21MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will again be in the vicinity of 8MHz. Paths to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency of around 24MHz. VK was in fact worked on 28MHz from central Europe this past week, but the path is currently difficult for UK operators on that band. The optimum working frequency, where there should be a ninety per cent chance of success, will be 18Mhz. The best time will be between 1000 and 1500UTC. And that's all for this week from the propagation team. (G3USF)
Soyuz a Smoother Ride than Shuttle, Astronaut Tells Students (Mar 1, 2005)
Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/03/01/5/?nc=1 (ARRL News Service)
40 Watt Cancer Treatment in the 70CM Band (Mar. 4 2005) A cancer therapy system that uses high power R-F may be the latest in a string of devices to share the 70 centimeter band. In Melbourne a leading foxhunter Mark Harrison VK3BYY has tracked down a signal that was triggering his club's UHF repeater. First he hears it strongly on his hand-held while on a tram as it passes a building in Collins Street Melbourne and then enters the premises in search of the signal. Mark VK3BYY is warmly welcomed and shown equipment that he identifies as a having folded dipole antenna. It is explained to him that a cancer patient receives an injection of a substance that acts on cancer cells. The theory is that the UHF radiation blocks sugars reaching the cells to enable the therapy to be effective. A doctor advises that everything is approved for use, and then adds that the radiation is 40 watts on 433 MHz, seems that frequency is considered the best for radio-wave therapy. The Australian Communications Authority was contacted. It's understood that it was Low Interference Potential Device, LIPD running milliwatts. Not so, it was pumping out 40 watts and interfering with an amateur repeater more than 20 kms away. A solution is being sought, with talk of the device needing a shielded enclosure to prevent it radiating on the 70cm band, that is a primary allocation to Australian Defense and secondary for the Amateur Service. (WIA News, Jim Linton, VK3PC)
ARRL International DX Contest--Phone--0000Z Mar 5-2400Z Mar 6 http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/intldx.html DARC 10-Meter Digital "Corona"--RTTY/AMTOR/PACTOR/PSK31/Clover, sponsored by Deutscher Amateur Radio Club from 1100Z-1700Z Mar 5 (see Nov 2004 QST, p 102 or www.darc.de/referate/dx/). Open Ukraine RTTY Championship- sponsored by the Ukrainian Amateur Radio League (UARL) from 2200Z Mar 5-0159Z Mar 6 (Low Bands--160 and 80 meters--two separate 2 hour periods) and 0800Z-1159Z Mar 6 (High Bands 40-10 meters). Categories: SOAB, SOSB, and MO. Exchange: Two letter regional abbreviation (see Web site) and serial number. Start serial numbers over for High Band portion. QSO points: 2 pts/QSO and 10 pts for each new region. For more information: www.uarl.com.ua/openrtty/. Logs due by Apr 6 to krs@model.poltava.ua or George Ignatov, UT1HT, PO Box 87, Kremenchug-21, Ukraine, 39621. Spartan Sprint--CW--sponsored by the Adventure Radio Society from 0200Z-0400Z Mar 8 (Monday evening in the US). Held on the first Monday of every month. Frequencies (MHz): 3.560, 7.040, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060 (QRP calling frequencies). Categories: SO. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and power output. Score: "Skinny" division--total QSOs/total station weight, "Tubby" division--total QSOs. For more information:www.arsqrp.com/ars/pages/spartan_sprints/ss_rules_new.html. Logs due on Wednesday after the contest via the ARS Web site or to hjohnc@core.com. RSGB Commonwealth Contest--CW--sponsored by the RSGB from 1000Z Mar 12-1000Z Mar 13. Open to British Commonwealth stations only, work stations once per band outside your own call area. HQ stations may be worked by everyone and count as a separate call area. Frequencies: lower 30 kHz of 80-10 meters. Categories: SO--open (full-time), restricted (12 hrs max), Headquarters--MO and SO, no spotting assistance. Scoring: 5 pts/QSO, first 3 QSOs with a call area count 25 pts. For more information: www.rsgbhfcc.org. Logs due Apr 4 to commonwealth.contest@rsgbhfcc.org or G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Rd, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England. Wisconsin QSO Party--Phone/CW-- sponsored by the West Allis RAC from 1800Z Mar 13-0100Z Mar 14. Frequencies (MHz ): CW--3.550, 3.705, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 10 meters; Phone--3.890, 7.230, 14.290, 21.350, 28.400; All modes--6/2 meters, UHF. No repeater QSOs. Categories: SO, MS, MM and Mobile. Mobile operators may not operate on county lines. Exchange: S/P/C or WI county. QSO points: Phone--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO pts × WI counties (max 72) + S/P/C (WI stations only) ×2 (< 5 W), ×1.5 (<150 W). WI mobiles/portables add 500 bonus points for each county with 12 or more QSOs. For more information: www.warac.org. Logs due Apr 13 to k9kr@arrl.net (in WARAC Cabrillo format--see Web site) or Wisconsin QSO Party, West Allis RAC, PO Box 1072, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Oklahoma QSO Party--Phone/CW/Digital--sponsored by the Oklahoma DX Association (OKDXA) from 1400Z-0200Z Mar 12 and 1400Z-2000Z Mar 13. Frequencies (MHz): SSB--3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360; CW--3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045. Categories: SOHF-HP (>100 W), -LP, -QRP (<5 W), SO-VHF, MS, MM, Rover (OK only). Exchange: signal report and S/P/C or OK county. QSO points: Phone--2 pts, CW/Digital--3 pts. Score: QSO points × OK counties (OK stations + OK counties + S/P/C) counted only once. For more information: www.okdxa.org. Logs due Apr 30 to logs@okdxa.org (ADIF or Cabrillo format preferred) or OKDXA, PO Box 2591, Claremore, OK 74018-2591 (<200 QSOs only). North American RTTY Sprint, sponsored by NCJ from 0000Z-0400Z Mar 13. Frequencies 80-20 meters. North American stations work everyone; others work NA stations only. Exchange both call signs, serial number, name and S/P/C. Same station can be worked multiple times provided 3 contacts separate the contact in both logs, regardless of band. QSY rule: Stations calling CQ, QRZ, etc, may only work one station in response to that call; they must then move at least 1 kHz before working another station or 5 kHz before soliciting another call. Once you are required to QSY, you may not make a new QSO on the previous frequency until you have made a contact at least 1 or 5 kHz (as required) away. For more information: www.ncjweb.com. Logs due 7 days after the contest to rttysprint@ncjweb.com or Douglas McDuff, W4OX, 10380 SW 112th St, Miami, FL 33176. AGCW QRP Contest--CW--sponsored by the DL CW Activity Group (DL-AGCW) from 1400Z-2000Z Mar 12. Frequencies: 80-10-meters. Categories: SO-VLP (<1 W), QRP (<5 W), MP (<25 W), QRO. Exchange: RST, serial number, category and AGCW member number. QSO points: QRP-VLP, QRP-QRP, VLP-QRP and VLP-VLP count 3 pts, QSOs with MP and QRO stations --2 pts, QRO-QRO not allowed. Score: QSO points × AGCW members counted once per band. For information-- www.agcw.de. Logs due Mar 31 to qrp-test@agcw.de or Edmund Ramm, DK3UZ, Anderheitsallee 24, Bramfeld, D-22175 Hamburg, Germany. (ARRL News Service)
Arlington Heights, IL: US Peace Corps ARC, KA9NLX. 1700Z Mar 1-2100Z Mar 5. 44th anniversary of the founding of United States Peace Corps. 28.500 21.375 14.325 7.283 3.985 2 m. Certificate. John Paskevicz, 1423 North Ridge Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. San Antonio, TX: San Antonio Radio Club, W5SC. 2330Z Mar 4-2330Z Mar 6. Texas Independence Station, San Antonio. 28.450 14.250 7.250 3.850. Certificate. San Antonio Radio Club, PO Box 34263, San Antonio, TX 78265. Newport News, VA: Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service, W4CAR. 1500Z-2100Z Mar 5. Battle of the Ironclads, 143rd Anniversary. 28.362 21.362 14.062 7.262 7.062 PSK31. Certificate. W4CAR, PO Box 6867, Chesapeake, VA 23323. www.qsl.net/cars/. San Antonio, TX: Alamo Area Radio Organization, AA5RO. 1400Z Mar 5-2400Z Mar 6. "Remember The Alamo" 168th anniversary, battle of the Alamo. 28.450 21.350 14.250 7.250. Certificate. Bob Rodriguez, K5AUW, 6146 Spring Time Dr, San Antonio, TX 78249. http://users.stic.net/aaro. Mena, AR: Boy Scout Troop 850, WB5BSA. 2300Z March 11-1800Z Mar 15. 30+ mile backpack trip for the Backpacking Merit Badge. 14.325. QSL. Larry Holden, W5MPA, 907 W Lakeview Dr, Guthrie, OK 73044. www.geocities.com/bsatroop850/Picturearch.htm. Macon, GA: Macon Amateur Radio Club, W4BKM. 1500Z-2200Z Mar 19. 23rd Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 21.335 14.240 14.055 7.055. Certificate. Macon ARC, PO Box 4862, Macon, GA 31208. www.qsl.net/w4bkm. Virginia Beach, VA, and Moss, Norway: Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club, Inc, and Mossegruppen av NRRL, W4UG and LA5M. 1300Z Mar 19-2200Z Mar 20. 114th anniversary of the Norwegian Lady. US: 14.278 14.040 7.280 7.040 Norway: 28.363 21.192 18.164 18.145 14.278 14.070 (7.121 morning) 7.040. Certificate. US: VBARC, PO Box 62003, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Norway: Haakon Andreassen, LA1YKA, PO Box 88, N-1501, Moss, Norway; include1 IRC and A4 envelope. (ARRL)
Anticipated Peter I Island DXpedition postponed until 2006 (Feb. 17, 2005) The anticipated Peter I Island (Antarctica) 3Y0X DXpedition has been called off at the eleventh hour. The DXpedition team announced February 17 that its charter vessel, the Cavendish Sea, has been delayed until February 20 instead of the hoped-for February 18. With a projected February 21 departure, the DXpedition ran out of time. "This latest delay, on top of numerous previous delays, simply makes it impossible for us to spend a sufficient amount of time on Peter I to justify the DXpedition this year," said the announcement from Bob Allphin, K4UEE, and Ralph Fedor, K0IR. "So, we have no choice but to postpone the DXpedition until 2006." The DXpedition's first vessel and helicopter backed out at the last minute, forcing the team to quickly regroup with a new vessel and helicopter earlier this week. All 20 3Y0X team members had assembled earlier this month in Ushuaia, Argentina.--The Daily DX (ARRL News Service)
Mar. 3 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by EC8AUA, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. MAURITIUS, 3B8. Giovanni, IZ2DPX and Simon, IZ7ATN will be QRV as 3B8/homecalls from March 7 to 14. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters. QSL 3B8/IZ2DPX to home call and QSL 3B8/IZ7ATN via IZ0CKJ. SAMOA, 5W. Udo, DL9HCU is QRV as 5W1VE for a few weeks. He can usually be found on 20 or 15 meters CW after 0600z. QSL to home call. GUYANA, 8R. Craig, AH8DX will be QRV as 8R1/AH8DX in the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL to home call. NAURU, C2. Dick, DJ2EH is QRV as C21DL until March 8 and is active on 160 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home call. BAHAMAS, C6. Bob, K0NR will be QRV as K0NR/C6A from Abaco Island, IOTA NA-080, from March 6 to 12. He will be active on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and PSK31. He will also try to be active on satellite AO-51 and other FM LEO satellites. He will also try Packet through the ISS. QSL to home call. ANTARCTICA. The Bellingshausen team will be QRV as CE9/R1ANF from the Chilean Ardley Refuge on Ardley Island as CE9/R1ANF from March 7 to 20. This will be the first amateur radio operation under Chilean administration. QSL via RK1PWA. CUBA, CO. Members of the FRC will be QRV as T49C in the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL via K8SIX. CANARY ISLANDS, EA8. Look for a group of amateurs to be QRV as EA8URL in the ARRL DX SSB contest as a Multi/2 entry. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters. QSL via operators' instructions. CROZET ISLAND, FT5W. Jena-Paul, FT5WJ is usually QRV on 20 meters from 1400 to 1700z. QSL via F5BU. FRENCH GUYANA, FY. Look for a large group of amateurs to be QRV as TO7C from Royale, Salut Island, IOTA SA-020, beginning around March 7. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31/63. QSL via F9IE. JERSEY, GJ. Pete, K8PT and Craig, K3PLV will be QRV as MJ/homecalls from the Channel Islands from March 9 to 16. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and some PSK31. QSL to home calls. DJIBOUTI, J2. Yves, F5PRU is QRV as J20FH until mid April. QSL to home call. BULGARIA, LZ. Special event station LZ800AB is QRV until April 30 in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Adrianople. QSL via LZ1PJ. DENMARK, OZ. Klaus, DJ4JI will be QRV as OZ/DJ4JI from Bornholm Island, IOTA EU-030, from March 5 to 10 . Activity will be on 80, 40 and 20 meters using SSB. QSL to home call. POLAND, SP. Members of the Radio Club of Ziebice are QRV as SP140JL until March 31 in celebration of the 140th birthday commemoration for Joseph Langer. QSL via SP6KYU. ICELAND, TF. Sigurdur, TF3CW will be QRV in the ARRL DX SSB contest as a Single-Op/Single-Band 20 meter entry. QSL via LX1NO. GABON, TR. F4BQO is QRV as TR8FC until July 2006. QSL via F8BUZ. BELIZE, V3. Members of the North East Wisconsin DX Association will be QRV as V31TR in the ARRL DX SSB contest. They are active as V31GR, V31NZ and V31TR before and after the contest on all bands and modes. QSL contest call via W9DXA. QSL other calls via W9MDP, NZ9Z and W8JWN, respectively. MACQUARIE ISLAND, VK0. Dave, VK0MT has been QRV on 15 meters around 2240z and 17 meters around 0100 to 0200z. He has also been active using PSK31 on 40 meters in his spare time. QSL via JE1LET. TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5. Glenn, W0GJ will be QRV as VP5H in the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL to home call. LAOS, XW. Eugene, RU3DX is QRV as XW8KPL/RU3DX from Vientiane until March 8. QSL to home call. INDONESIA, YB. Members of the Mediterraneo DX Club will be QRV as YB7M from Moresses Island, a new IOTA, in the Laut Kecil Islands group, from March 9 to 14. QSL via YB9BU. NIUE, ZK2. Murray, VE7HA is QRV as ZK2HA until April 7. QSL to home call. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The ARRL International DX SSB Contest, Wake-Up! QRP CW Sprint, Open Ukraine RTTY Championship, The DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest and the Spartan CW Sprint will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend. Please see March QST, page 92 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL)
Bulgarian Antarctic Base "St. Kliment Ohridski (Feb. 4 2005) The Bulgarian Antarctic Base "St. Kliment Ohridski" (LZ-02 for Antarctica Award) on Livingston Island, South Shetlands (AN-010) is situated at elevation of 12-15 meter above sea level on the coast of Emona Anchorage, at the foot of Sinemorets Hill. The Base operates during the austral summer, usually from November to March. Following an unsuccessful landing attempt at Cape Vostok on the northwest extremity of Alexander Island, on April 26-29, 1988 two prefabricated huts were assembled on Livingston Island by a four-member Bulgarian party logistically supported by the Soviet Research Ship Mihail Somov. The facilities were later refurbished and inaugurated as a permanent base on December 11, 1993. An expansion programme at St. Kliment Ohridski including the erection of a new multipurpose building was carried out in 1996-98 and subsequently. The first Christian Orthodox chapel in Antarctica, St. Ivan Rilski was built in 2003. Jordan 'Danny' Yankov, LZ2UU is currently active from "St. Kliment Ohridski Base" (LZ-02) through late February. Danny has served as radio engineer for the past eleven Antarctic seasons, and this year he is also the Base commander. He is operating as LZ0A (QSL via LZ1KDP Radio Club, P.O.Box 812, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria) and VP8/LZ2UU (QSL via LZ2UU Jordan Radkov Yankov, P.O.Box 196, 7200 Razgrad, Bulgaria). (IZ8CCW Ant Mediterraneo DX Club #004 www.mdxc.org)
Mar. 6- 16 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 04/03/2005: NA-102
FG/F6FXS GUADELOUPE -
04/03/2005: NA-105
FS/KT8X ST. MARTIN -
05/03/2005: EU-030
OZ/DJ4JI BORNHOLM ISLAND -
05/03/2005: EU-005
GM3W SCOTLAND -
05/03/2005: SA-006
PJ2T CURACAO -
05/03/2005: NA-015
T49C CUBA -
05/03/2005: NA-107
TO5A MARTINIQUE -
06/03/2005: EU-042
DK7LX/P PELLWORM ISLAND -
07/03/2005: SA-020
TO7C SALUT ISLANDS -
09/03/2005: EU-013
MJ/K3PLV & MJ/K8PT ISLE OF JERSEY -
09/03/2005: IOTA:New
YB7M MORESSES ISLAND -
10/03/2005: AF-014
CT3/H.C.'s MADEIRA ISLAND -
10/03/2005: RDA:IR-26
UEØSZB IRKUTSK AREA -
12/03/2005: GIA:O-02
DL2JIL/p, DL2JIM/p POEL ISLAND -
12/03/2005: EU-031
IC8/H.C.'s ISLAND OF VIVARA -
14/03/2005: XV3BV, XV3DYU
HOI AN, VIETNAM -
16/03/2005: OC-194
VK4FW/P LITTLE SOLITARY ISLAND -
73 and Good
Hunting!
Home of
ICPO:
www.qsl.net/va3rj
Note: A complete list of Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2005 Introduced (Mar. 1 2005) At the urging of the ARRL, Rep Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) has introduced The Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2005 into the US House of Representatives. The bill, designated HR 691, has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee where Bilirakis serves as vice chairman. Like previous versions of the proposal, the current measure would require the FCC to provide ''equivalent replacement spectrum'' to Amateur Radio if the FCC reallocates primary amateur frequencies, reduces any secondary amateur allocations, or makes additional allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce their utility to amateurs. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says the legislation ''is vital for ensuring that the Amateur Radio Service, the only 100-percent fail safe emergency communication capability, remains a viable public safety option.'' HR 691 references Amateur Radio's role in providing ''voluntary, noncommercial radio service, particularly emergency communications,'' and it points out that hams have ''consistently and reliably'' provided communication support in the event of emergencies and disasters including tornadoes and hurricanes, chemical spills, forest fires and rail accidents. As the measure notes, FCC actions already have led to the loss of at least 107 MHz of spectrum to radio amateurs. Rep Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) has signed on as the bill's first co-sponsor. Efforts now will focus on attracting additional cosponsors for the legislation. The League is encouraging members to urge their congressional representatives to sign aboard HR 691. More than 100 lawmakers agreed to cosponsor similar legislation in the 108th Congress, where it was designated HR 713. Work is proceeding to have identical legislation introduced in the US Senate. The text of HR 691 is available on
the Government Printing Office Web site
(ARRL News Service)
FCC NPRM seems likely soon (Mar. 4 2005) Turning to restructuring of ham radio here in the United States, an ARRL bulletin says that the FCC is hard at work developing a Notice of Proposed Rule Making. One that will spell out what the Commission has in mind with respect to possible changes in the current Morse code requirement and Amateur Radio licensing. A total of 18 petitions have been filed, including one from the League. All seek Part 97 rule changes addressing the future of the 5 Word Per Minute Morse requirement and revisions to the overall Amateur Radio licensing structure. The regulatory agency plans to tackle all 18 in a single proceeding. The FCC appears unlikely to release an N-P-R-M any sooner than mid-year. Once public, it will start another round of public comments on what the has been proposed. Based on this, any Report and Order implementing revised rules is unlikely before the second half of 2006, although it's possible the Commission could wrap things up before then. (ARRL News Service)
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