.The Canadian Amateur Radio Bulletin
The Canadian Amateur Radio Bulletin is a weekly service that brings you the latest in Amateur Radio News from around the world. Providing over 30 pages of information every week to keep you up to speed with current events on the Amateur Radio Scene, delivered to over 2400 hams every week.

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Radio Amateurs of Canada

Oct. 1 2004 Australia Hams lose bottom half of 70 centimetre band

The bottom half of the 70 centimetre band  is no longer available for amateur radio in most of  Victoria as the result of a new exclusion zone that has just become law, through an amendment to the Amateur Licence Conditions, our regulations. Jim Linton VK3PC explains.

The ACA has prohibited all amateur radio activity on the 420-430 MHz band within Victoria in an area of up to a 250 kilometre radius of the Melbourne General Post Office. That band will now be used for a new state-of-the-art digital radio system to replace the current analogue systems of the Victoria Police, Metropolitan Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

The exclusion zone has been anticipated and comes after other permanent Exclusion zones were imposed for similar purposes around Perth and Sydney, including the Australian Capital Territory.

The band 420-430 MHz has been used for amateur fixed links and amateur television. The WIA has assisted with the timely closure and migration of those links in Victoria in liaison with the Bureau of Emergency Services Telecommunications and the ACA. The new digital voice and data radio system now being installed for Emergency services will also provide common coordination channels to support multi-agency response to major incidents and events.

The aim is to have it fully operational well in advance of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.

 (WIA National News)
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Sept. 30 2004  Widespread interference problem in Perth, Australia

Widespread interference problem in Perth, Australia, that sounds like B-P-L has to be something else.  This, after the city's Power Authority tells Dennis Muldownie, VK6KAD,  that it is not using Broadband Over Powerline technology to monitor its electrical  network.

There is now some supposition that noise that wiping out free to air TV channels 2, 7, 9 and 10 may be coming from some home network gear which uses the power mains to connect the various pieces in a home Local Area Network.  But the noise is so widespread that it has to be more than one installation causing the problem.  This, by radiating back out over the local Perth power grid.

(WIA News)
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Oct. 1 2004 Japan BPL - At the War Front

Measurements carried out in Japan have clearly demonstrated that interference from a broadband power line (BPL) system generates spurious RF emissions beyond 300 MHz according to this story from VK2's Roger Harrison

 If you haven't heard about it, BPL systems send broadband RF between 2 MHz and 30 MHz down local electricity distribution lines, to provide high-speed internet access. Some proposed systems extend to 80 MHz. In the most common BPL system, the broadband RF comprises tens of thousands of modulated carriers at intervals of about 1 kHz.

As the electricity distribution lines were never designed to carry RF, they act like an antenna system, and the 2-30 MHz signal can be readily heard 100s of metres away. HF spectrum users are up in arms about it, naturally enough. However, because the electricity grid has imperfections, intermodulation products and harmonics are created and also radiated.

 Japanese tests detected these spurious BPL emissions between 310 MHz and 340 MHz at distances of 35 metres and 55 metres from a 54 metre length of BPL-enabled power line. At 35 metres, BPL spurious emissions were up to 10 dB above local ambient noise, while at 55 metres they were still 7-8 dB above ambient.

 Apart from HF communications, BPL has the potential to interfere with TV and FM broadcast reception, low band VHF land mobile operations, aircraft VHF communications, maritime VHF communications as well as amateur 6m and 2m operation.

The Japanese technical report is on line at: http://www.savehf.org/lib/isplc2003/isplc2003a7-1.pdf

( Roger Harrison VK2ZRH )
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Sept. 30 2004  Ofcom Proposal to Permit UK Amateurs to Use 7100 - 7200kHz

Ofcom is proposing to vary the Foundation, Intermediate and Full amateur radio licences to permit UK amateurs to operate in the band 7100 to 7200kHz. The band would be allocated to the Amateur Service on a Secondary basis, and would be available on the basis of non-interference to other services, inside or outside the United Kingdom. Ofcom announced a one-month consultation period beginning on 23 September and all licence-holders are invited to make representations to this proposal in writing or by e-mail. Responses should be sent to Denise Carter, Ofcom, 2 - 130 Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA or e-mailed to amateurcb@ofcom.org.uk, to arrive not later than 23 October. A link to the notification of the proposed change on the Ofcom website can be found on the RSGB site.

(RSGB)
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Oct. 1 2004  Saudi Arabia's HZ1AB is history

The HZ1AB club station in Saudi Arabia now is history. Originally the United States Military Training Mission station and more recently known as the Dhahran Amateur Radio Club, HZ1AB was a well-known DX call sign for almost six decades. Club Secretary Thomas Carlsson, SM0CXU/AB5CQ, said this week that new station license requirements in Saudi Arabia made it necessary to shut down the station, and the call sign has been reissued to a Saudi national. QSL manager Leo Fry, K8PYD, has the HZ1AB logs to handle any late QSL requests. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia licensed 18 new Amateur Radio operators. Details about licensing there are available on the Saudi Arabia Communications and Information Technology Commission Web site.--The Daily DX and Thomas Carlsson, SM0CXU/AB0CQ

(ARRL News Service)
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47th Jamboree on the Air - 16-17 October 2004

JOTA is an annual event in which about 500,000 Scouts and Guides all over the world make contact with each other by means of amateur radio. It is a real Jamboree during which Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, thus contributing to the world brotherhood of Scouting The JOTA is a world-wide event. Units may operate for 48 hours or any part thereof, from Saturday 00.00 h until Sunday 24.00 h local time. It is for members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), and also for members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

World Scout Frequencies:
Band SSB(phone)               CW(morse)
80 m 3.740 & 3.940 MHz              3.590 MHz
40 m 7.090 MHz                            7.030 MHz
20 m 14.290 MHz                         14.070 MHz
17 m 18.140 MHz                         18.080 MHz
15 m 21.360 MHz                         21.140 MHz
12 m 24.960 MHz                         24.910 MHz
10 m 28.390 MHz                         28.190 MHz

Full details of this event can be found online at: http://home.zonnet.nl/worldscout/NJOnetwork/47JOTAcirc.pdf
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First Jamboree on the Air for Scouting Ireland

The worlds newest Scout Association, Scouting Ireland will participate in JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, the 16th and 17th of October next.

Scouting Ireland, which was formed at the beginning of the year following the coming together of the Catholic Scouts of Ireland and the Scout Association of Ireland, has in excess of 40,000 members on the island of Ireland.

Further information regarding JOTA and setting up scheds from around the globe is available from Sean EI3IP, National JOTA Organiser of Scouting Ireland at jota@scouts.ie
 

RAC Annual General Meeting

All RAC members are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting of Members.

This is your opportunity, as a member of Radio Amateurs of Canada, to hear what your representatives have been doing over the past year, to raise questions, and to make suggestions about how RAC is managed and where it is going in the future. This meeting is open to all RAC members.

Date/Time: Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 11:00 AM

Place: OPP General Headquarters, 777 Memorial Avenue, Orillia, Ontario

Agenda items will include:
- Report of the President
- Review of the 2003 Financial Statements
- Proposed Revision of the RAC Constitution
 - Appointment of Auditors for 2004

Directions

Talkin information will be available from 9:45 am to 10:45 am on the VA3OPS repeater, 146.655 MHz (-), CTCSS tone 156.7 Hz.

Coming from the Greater Toronto Area:

Take Highway 400 north to Highway 11, then Highway 11 to Memorial Avenue, which is the first exit for Orillia. Exit on Memorial Avenue. The OPP GHQ is about 1 km east, on the left hand side of Memorial Avenue. At the first set of traffic lights, just past the Georgian College entrance, turn left and then left again immediately into the first parking lot. Do not attempt to drive past the gate. Enter the building on foot via the south doors, following the sidewalk past the gate. The auditorium is to the immediate right once inside.

Coming from Orillia on Highway 11:
Take the Highway 12 South exit. At the second set of  traffic lights (Memorial Avenue) turn right. Visitor parking is available by turning right at the second set of traffic lights on Memorial, then immediately turn left into the lot. Do not attempt to drive past the gate. Enter the building on foot via the west doors, following the sidewalk just past the gate. The auditorium is immediately to the right, once inside.

Coming from north of Orillia on Highway 11:
Follow Highway 12 to Memorial Avenue, which is just over the large railway bridge inside the city. At the Memorial Avenue traffic lights turn left. Visitor parking is available by turning right at the second set of traffic lights on Memorial, then immediately turn left into the lot. Do not attempt to drive past the gate. Enter the building on foot via the west doors, following the sidewalk just past the gate. The auditorium is immediately to the right, once inside.

Disabled Persons Parking:
Additional parking and parking for disabled persons is available at the front of the building, along the semi-circle driveway. Enter through the front doors then go left to the auditorium at the end of the concourse.

Additional Parking:
Should further parking be necessary, it can be accessed across Memorial Avenue immediately opposite the visitor parking lot at the traffic lights. Once through the lights , turn left into that lot and use the pedestrian lights to walk across to the meeting. Enter the building via the South doors, following the sidewalk just past the gate.

OPP Museum:
Arrangements have been made for the OPP Museum to be open for the benefit of those attending the AGM. There is no admission fee.

Please note that the headquarters building is a 24-hour operational police services facility with full-time security and surveillance cameras inside and out.

(RAC News Service)
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QCWA Convention Oct. 15-17 2004

The Quarter Century Wireless Association is holding its International Convention, hosted by Chapter 70, on October 15, 16 and 17 in Ottawa. All Radio Amateurs are invited. Information is available at www.qcwa.org/2004convention.htm  or by contacting Don Heaslip at ve3njh@rac.ca or by phone (613) 727-2769.

Industry Canada has approved the use of call sign "VE3QCWA" by Chapter 70  (The Capital Chapter) of the Quarter Century
Wireless Association from Sept 17-2004 until October 17-2004. This is the lead-up to the International  QCWA Convention
being hosted in Ottawa on October 15-16-17 by Chapter 70. Qsl via Jim Dean-VE3IQ

Note: This is only the third time a four letter suffix has been approved for use in Canada.  Previous were VE3RCMP and VE3RAQI.

(RAC News Service)
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Good news for all of you night hawks, the Pow Wow Club resumes operations as of October One, so if your awake and looking to make contacts with fellow Canadian Hams tune into 3.750 Mhz at midnight EST seven days a week. Propagation that time of the evening on 80 metres is usually very good and you will here Amateurs checking in from Newfoundland to Vancouver.
 

The Maritime Weather Net meets daily Mon to Sat on 3.770 Mhz.

This net has operated continuously since Sept 26, 1960. The number of callers varies over time from 20 to 40 and at present there is room for more if anyone is interested. Just call in at the end of the roll call and we will be glad to have your local weather information. We would like the temp, barometer reading, wind speed and direction. amount of cloud cover in 10 ths, the overnite low temp and the high from the day before. Also we want current weather conditions as well as any precipitation in mm for rain and centimeters for snow. Your Net Control station is VE1MWX Gerry and no calling in station will ne ignored during the period from 700am to730am.

(Gerry, VE1AAC/MWX)
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Oct. 16 2004 GARC 17th Annual Fleamarket
Sponsored by:  The Greenwood Amateur Radio Club
Location: Greenwood Community Centre Church St. Follow the signs off Route 101 Exit 17. Greenwood/Kingston NS
Opens:  Vendors 8 am, Public 10 am to 3 pm
Cost: Admission $3, Tables free
Talkin: VE1WN 147.240 (+)
Notes: Bratwurst again, this year.
For more info: For table reservations call Guy Campbell, VE1NC, at 902-825-6151
Email info: ve1nc@rac.ca
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The Canadian Amateur Radio Bulletin is looking for an co-editor to assist in publishing news and events for the Atlantic Maritime region. If you are interested in assisting this publication please contact the editor Jim Taylor VA3KU his e-mail address is va3ku@rac.ca
 

West Island Amateur Radio Club Meeting  Oct. 18 2004

Meetings are on the 3rd Monday of each month except July at 7pm (official start is 7:30). We meet at the Lakeside Heights Baptist Church , 275 Braebrook in Pointe-Claire (western end of the Island of Montreal).

The club welcomes all visitors, so if you are going to be in Montreal and have some time, come down and join us.

For more information visit the WIARC at: http://shell.pubnix.net/~wiarc/
 

Ontario Swap Shop

Looking for that special piece of radio gear to finish off your ham station? Do you have extra radio gear you'd like to turn into some cash? Well the place to visit is the 'Ontario Swap Shop' held every Sunday at 12 noon on 7055 kHz and 7:00pm on 3755 kHz. Nick VE3NJG and Ken VE3YK host the hour long program and all amateurs are invited.

The Swap Shop list is posted every Monday on the Trans Provincial Net website, just steer your browser toward www.tpn7055.ca , the swap shop list can also be found on packet by calling up VE3DID

(Nick VE3NJG)
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Oct. 16 2004 Hamilton Amateur Radio Club. "HAMFEST 2004"
Sponsored by: The Hamilton Amateur Radio Club
Location: Marritt Hall (Ancaster Fair Grounds) On Highway #53 (Rymal Road) - between Southcote Road and Kittymurry Lane. Ancaster  ON
Open: Vendors at 7:00am and to the general public at 9:00am.
Cost:  Vendors Info. All tables $10.00 plus Admission. General Admission;- $6.00
Talkin: VE3NCF 146.760 (-)
Notes:  Book table early to avoid dissapointment. Refer to our Merritt Hall Layout on our website to pre register and pick your location
For more info visit: www.hwcn.org/link/radio

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Oct. 30 2004 York Region Hamfest
Sponsored by: The York Region Amateur Radio Club
Location:  Markham Fairgrounds, Markham ON. McCowan Road at Elgin Mills Road E.
Opens: Vendors 6:30 a.m. Public 9:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Cost: Admissions $5.00 Vendors - refer to website for table fees.
Talkin: 145.350- (VE3YRA)
Notes:  YRARC extends an invitation to you to come and participate in Ontario's Leading Hamfest - 2 large buildings The 28th Annual YORK REGION HAMFEST Wheelchair accessible handicap parking available
For more info visit: www.yrarc.on.ca
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New HF net beginning in October

A new HF net will commence operation On Sunday, October 3rd, 2004. The net will operate on a frequency of 3.742 mhz daily from 7 am to 6 pm. Due to a shortage of controllers at startup, the net will only cover the peak hours at first, namely 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm. This new venture is to be named the Eighty Metre Service Net (EMSN).

The objective of this net, as set out in its Constitution are as follows:

1. To provide a service to all Radio Amateurs in the form of a controlled on air "check in" frequency
2. To provide information, resources, and assistance to all Radio Amateurs wishing to learn more about "traffic handling", the NTS (National Traffic System),ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and related subjects.
3. To provide a medium for all Radio Amateurs who wish to practice and hone their "traffic handling" skills.
4. To liason with the OPN (Ontario Phone Net) for the purposes of passing traffic.
5. To promote excellence, the state of the art and the interests of Amateur Radio's many varied activities through a program of technical, regulatory and general information within the Amateur Service and to the Canadian public.

Complete information on the EMSN is posted on the World Wide Web, at:  emsn.hfradio.net

(Glenn Killam, EMSN Net Manager)
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RAC Ontario Section News

The ARES Simulated Emergency Test takes place this year on October 23 2004 from 8:00am until 2:00pm on 7.055Mhz. The Trans Provincial Net operates in co-operation with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). During the SET exercise all stations are asked to follow the instructions of the SET Net Control Station and assist in any way possible. A number of Operators are required for this years SET, if you can assist for an hour or two as 'net control' or 'relay station' please contact the 'SET HF Manager'  Jim Taylor VA3KU, his e-mail address is va3ku@rac.ca

The SET instructions can be found on the ARES Ontario Section Site at www.aresontario.ca
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Put your Amateur Radio gear and skills to use through the Public Service aspect of our specialized hobby

The ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) in the Ontario Section is seeking radio operators who are interested in "giving back" something to their local community / district.

There is a need for folks that can tie in their "real world skills" in support of expanding, organizing, administrating, public relations, etc., not to exclude the technical aspects such as digital communications and systems linking.

You can register your station and talents with your local EC (Emergency Coordinator) or District Coordinator (DEC). There is a convienient directory of all Emergency Coordinators in Ontario listed on the ARES Ontario website at www.aresontario.ca  When you visit the site click on the Ontario Districts Map and choose the district you live in to obtain the name and contact info for your local EC.  He / She will provide the registration form and get you involved in your local group."

(RAC Ontario Section Staff)
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The Radio Amateurs of Canada Field Organization, Ontario Section is seeking a federally licensed Radio Amateur to fill the position of Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARES in the Province of Ontario.  This is the senior volunteer position in the province for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and as such oversees both policy and operational matters. Full details about this position can be found online by visiting the ARES Ontario site at www.aresontario.ca

(Rose VE3RIS  Section Manager)
 

Oct. 16 2004 BASIC COURSE + CODE for Amateur Radio Operator Certificate
Sponsored by: The North Shore Amateur Radio Club
Location:  North Shore Emergency Management Office, 147 East 14th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7L 2N4 Do not park on 14th Street - only one hour parking! Use pay-lot at Safeway or Lions Gate Hospital, or surrounding streets. Check the street signs!
Opens: 0900 - 1230 for seven Saturday mornings. Arrive at 0830 on the first session - Oct. 16th for orientation.
Cost:  Adult fee $115. Reduced fee for full-time students, and for members of NSEMO. Call Chief Instructor if eligible for reduction.
Notes:
1. Course fee includes text book, study notes, Industry Canada question bank with answers and handouts.
2. Registration starts Sept. 15, 2004 by calling the North Vancouver Continuing Education Office (NVCE) at 604-903-3333 and pay by Visa or MC, or in person at Lucas Centre, 2132 Hamilton Ave., North Van. Course #PI 06-1.
3. If you live on the North Shore, look for the NVCE Fall Course Book to be delivered to all houses in mid-Sept.
4. Morse code practice is held after lunch.
5. Exam on last day - Nov. 20
For more info visit: www.nsarc.ca
 

 Oct. 1 2004 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update

The sun was quiet this week. Average daily sunspot numbers fell by more than 31 points to 20.9, and average daily solar flux declined by more than 11 points from last week to 89.7. Geomagnetic conditions were very stable though, which is always good. Conditions for the near term look the same, but with a slowly increasing solar flux and sunspot numbers: 90 is the predicted solar flux for October 1-2, 95 for October 3-4 and surpassing 200 around October 7. Quiet geomagnetic conditions should prevail over the next two days, with a rise to only slightly unsettled conditions for October 3-5.

Kangaroo Tabor Software has a new version of the propagation monitoring software for the PC called GeoAlert Extreme Wizard. You can download a temporary version good for a 60-day trial at the company's Web site. This program monitors solar flux and geomagnetic indices, and displays them in real time. One really neat feature is the ability to draw real-time MUF maps centered on your location. These are world maps with colored areas corresponding to each amateur band. A glance at the map tells you the approximate best band to use to reach anywhere in the world. It calculates this using the VOACAP engine.

Comments in the previous two Solar Updates about using beacon signals to determine when 10 meters is actually open when nobody appears to be using the band elicited a huge e-mail response.

Thomas Giella, KN4LF, mentioned PropNET, an automatic beacon network that operates at 28.128 MHz. The site describes both regular packet and PSK31 networks. By the way, the header on the Web site page is: "If the band is open and no one is transmitting, does anybody hear it?"

Vincent Varnas, W7FA, of Portland, Oregon wrote to say he works the Southern Hemisphere regularly on 10 meters, even when he can't hear any beacons. He usually calls CQ around 28.345 or 28.495 MHz. During sporadic-E season this summer, he worked the East Coast as late as 0600 UTC on 10. He says he can work 10 meters even when the solar cycle is low, and when the band is marginal he will often hear loud signals that will fade to nothing, then come back to S9 a few minutes later.

Mike Williams, W4DL, of South Florida--who had to run outside and take down antennas before the next hurricane--says he also likes to use beacons for 6 and 10 meter work. Lately he finds 1800 UTC to be the best time for him, and he regularly works the northeast US and the Caribbean, although the openings are short lived. Also Bernie McIvor, VK4EJ, wrote to say he has been working many low-power SSB stations on 10 meters from all over North America. He noted "Good strong signals from folk with 25 W radios and dipoles and verticals," and said even if the band sounds dead and you don't hear beacons, "Don't give up! Call CQ!" He recommends staying between 28.3 and 28.5 MHz on phone when the band isn't active, so you'll have more chance of being heard.

Jack Fisher, K2JX, wrote to say that recently there was great propagation on 12 meters according to the beacon signals he heard, and the only two operators audible were two DX stations with S9 signals complaining that the band was dead! I used to read advice to newcomers to listen instead of calling, but if everyone is listening instead of calling, nobody communicates with anyone.

Allen Sherwood, K6USN, said he was ZK1USN in the South Cooks last November, and he tried 10 meter FM. Several times, he brought up 10-meter repeaters in Chicago and Dallas, but his call of "ZULU KILO ONE UNIFORM SIERRA NOVEMBER listening" brought only kerchunks in response, no replies.

Tim Lanners, N9RET, wrote that he operates a 10 meter beacon in Illinois on 28.2335 MHz that was mentioned in the propagation bulletin of November 3, 2003. He said he enjoys getting QSL cards and reports for his beacon station, and wants to tell us about the hfbeacons e-mail list, dedicated to operating and listening for HF beacon stations. You can get details on the list by sending a blank e-mail hfbeacons-info@explore.plus.com or to hfbeacons-faq@explore.plus.com.

Geoff, GM4ESD, says that he keeps his receiver tuned to around 28.2 MHz when he is not actively listening or on the air from his location in Scotland at 56.31 N, 3.08 W. He hears ZS6DN almost daily from 1100 until 1400 UTC and sometimes from 1600 until 1700 UTC with good copy, even at 1 W sometimes. After 1700 UTC he hears LU beacons. The majority of the time when he is copying South Africa and South America, he hears no live signals on the band, except E skip from Europe.

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page.

Sunspot numbers for September 23 through 29 were 19, 15, 24, 22, 22, 22 and 22, with a mean of 20.9. The 10.7 cm flux was 90.2, 89.4, 89.5, 89.5, 89.8, 89.9 and 89.8, with a mean of 89.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 12, 6, 5, 4, 5, 8 and 5, with a mean of 6.4. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 10, 5, 2, 2, 2, 5 and 3, with a mean of 4.1.

Amateur solar observer Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, provides this weekly report on solar conditions and propagation. This report also is available via W1AW every Frida,y and an abbreviated version also appears in The ARRL Letter. Readers may contact the author via e-mail.

(ARRL News Service)
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Europe

Oct. 2 2004  Solar and propagation report, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar activity has been very low, with no flares substantial enough to affect propagation.  Solar flux levels scarcely moved, averaging 90, 6 points down on the previous week.  The 90-day average was unchanged at 111. The X-ray flux fell from an average of B1 to an average of A6.  The geomagnetic field was quiet or slightly unsettled up to the 1st, when the Ap index was 4, which is about as quiet as it gets. However, rather more unsettled conditions were reported in the course of Saturday the 2nd.  Solar wind speeds ranged between 385km/sec and 303km/sec.

Aided by benign geomagnetic activity and seasonal factors, HF propagation showed signs of improvement.  There were openings to VK, ZL and KL7 around 0800UTC on 14MHz. There were also occasional reports of VK at 21and 24MHz around 0830UTC.  At 18MHz State-side signals, at times reaching out to the West Coast, were reported as late as 2030UTC.  On 28MHz, southern Africa and South America were workable during the late afternoon and early evening respectively.

The coming week looks likely to be similar to the last few days.  Flare activity is likely to remain low or very low, with only an outside chance of a major flare.  Any M-class flares are likely to be on the small side, without a great effect on propagation.  The solar flux should show a modest increase, but is unlikely to go beyond the 110s.  The geomagnetic field may occasionally be slightly 'active' under the influence of a coronal flow, but will mostly remain close to recent 'quiet' levels.  HF propagation should show a continued slight improvement.  MUFs at equal latitudes should reach 22MHz in the South and 19MHz in the North.  Darkness hour lows will be around 9MHz.  Paths to India should have a maximum usable frequency, with a 50 per cent success rate, of about 25MHz.  The optimum working frequency, where there should be a 90 per cent chance of a contact, will be around 18MHz.  Prospects should be best between 0900 and 1500UTC.

Your reporters were Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF

(G3USF)
 

Sept. 27 2004  ISS repeater on again

The FM Repeater and BBS on board the International Space Station was again open for general ham radio contacts on September 27th and 28th. During that time voice contacts were available on by transmitting up to the I-S-S on 145.920 MHz with a 67 Hz CTCSS tone while listening for replies on 435.300 MHz.  The Bulletin Board used an uplink of 145.860 F-M and a downlink at 435.150 MHz.  This operation was followed by a PSK-31 Experimenters Wednesday Test on September 29th.

The system will be on periodically and ARISS will announce the dates and times in advance.  Check with the I-S-S Fan Club web page at www.issfanclub.com to see what the latest status is.

Also, keep in mind that the radios on board the space station are not able to correct for Doppler as the frequencies are channelized.  It is up to the ground station to do the Doppler correction.  For 2 meters, the Doppler shift is about +3kHz at the beginning and goes to about -3kHz at the end.  For 70 cm, the Doppler is about +10kHz at the beginning and goes to about -10kHz at the end.

The 70cm Doppler is roughly 3 times the 2m Doppler.  Many of the tracking programs have the ability to calculate the frequency shift.

(ARISS)
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Sept. 30 2004  ARISS Logs Two "Firsts" in Australian School Contact

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program marked two "firsts" during a September 23 school group contact with students from an elementary school in Australia. The QSO with youngsters from Kilburn Primary School was the first using the ARISS Phase 2 radio gear aboard the ISS and the first in which an attempt was made to provide contact audio worldwide via IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) nodes. NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, took the controls of the NA1SS Kenwood TS-D700 transceiver in the crew quarters for the occasion. Responding to one youngster's question, Fincke described an ultrasound experiment that he and Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka, RN3DT, have been running during their tour of duty.

"Ultrasound uses sound waves to look inside people's bodies," he explained, "and we can see how our bodies have changed because we've been exposed to this weightlessness--this microgravity--for a long time." Fincke said he and Padalka already have noted some changes. "By being able to tell how our bodies change in microgravity, we can figure out how to keep us healthy and strong, so that when we go to the moon and Mars, we'll be ready for it."

Replying to another Kilburn pupil's question, Fincke explained how the ISS gets its electrical power.

"We use pure solar energy," he said. "We have these really big solar arrays outside--they look like wings of the space station--and they take sunlight and convert it into electricity." He said that for occasions when the ISS is not in direct sunlight--which happens 16 times a day as the space station orbits Earth--solar array-charged onboard batteries keep the ISS equipment running. "Our electrical power system works really well," Fincke stated.

Fincke also fielded questions about sleeping in space, the ISS' onboard environment, space walks, how Earth and the moon look from space and space food.

The Kilburn students were guests of the Investigator Science and Technology Centre in Adelaide for the occasion, and 13 of them got to ask Fincke questions about life in space before the ISS went out of range. Serving as the Earth station for the contact was Nancy Rocheleau, WH6PN, at the Sacred Heart Academy club station in Honolulu. An MCI-donated teleconferencing circuit provided two-way audio to the students. ARISS veteran Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, assisted at the Investigator Centre.

Members of the Halifax Amateur Radio Club in Nova Scotia undertook the IRLP experiment, which had limited success. ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said he'd like the program to explore future opportunities to make ARISS school group contacts available to other schools and the general ham radio population. One major issue was the presence of timers on IRLP systems.

ISS crews have used the Phase 1 Ericcson handheld VHF radio for the 146 previous ARISS school group contacts. The Phase 2 station was not expected to be used for a school group contact until the Expedition 10 crew arrives next month.

According to Bauer, the Kenwood radio was set at the 5 W level, approximately the same as the Ericcson gear, although the headset Fincke used for the Australian contact lacked sound-canceling capability. Another difference between the two stations is that the Phase 1 setup--located in the ISS Zarya Functional Cargo Block--feeds two antennas 180 degrees apart, helping to reduce fading as the ISS' attitude changes. The Phase 2 station in the Zvezda Service Module has a single ARISS-provided antenna.

ARISS is an educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.

(ARRL News Service)
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Sept. 29 2004   NASA Salutes SpaceShipOne Team After Second Flight

NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe congratulated the SpaceShipOne team on the second successful flight of a human on a private spacecraft. Administrator O'Keefe was in the Mojave Desert, Calif., today to watch SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill take off and safely land.

"Burt Rutan and Paul Allen and the rest of the team are great examples of the kind of determination and creativity that is helping America achieve its exploration goals," Administrator O'Keefe said. "We at NASA applaud their terrific achievement today, as well as the spirit of competition behind the Ansari X Prize.We wish Mike continued safe travels to space," he said.

From the orbiting International Space Station, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke took note of the SpaceShipOne flight. "Well, it was nice that [cosmonaut] Gennady [Padalka] and I weren't the only two humans off the planet, even if it was only for a little while," he said during space-to-ground transmissions today. "So, good job and congratulations to the SpaceShipOne team!"

Fincke's comments are available on the NASA TV Video File available on the Web and via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. For NASA TV information and schedules on the Internet, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about NASA's exploration and discovery programs, visit: www.nasa.gov

(SpaceRef.com)
___________

Sept. 30 2004  Amateur microsat model on display at Smithsonian

AMSAT's Perry Klein, W3PK, reports that the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, has put the microsat mechanical test model on display, just in time for AMSAT's 35th anniversary celebration and its Symposium and Annual Meeting October 8-13. "They suspended it from the ceiling outside the NN3SI Smithsonian Amateur Radio Club station, located at 'The Information Age' exhibit on the first floor, west end of the American History Museum," Klein said. "It's been a number of years since an OSCAR satellite has been on continuous display at the Smithsonian." An OSCAR 1 model was in the Hall of Satellites at the National Air and Space Museum for several years, Klein notes, although it's now in storage. But, OSCAR 1 and PCSat models currently are being readied for display at the Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. The center's space exhibit hangar is expected to open soon.

(ARRL News service)
_____________

Oct. 8-10 2004  AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting,

The 22nd Annual AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting, to be held on October 8-10, 2004, is fast approaching. The symposium committee has an outstanding venue in store for you. You have a few short days to make your reservations to the meeting at the lower prices. After September 8, the registration costs for the Symposium jumps from $35 to $40. If you haven't done this or made your reservation at the Hotel, please do so immediately.

Here are some of the highlights and latest information that we have in store for you. More will be coming soon. Check the AMSAT web site often for the latest details. The web site is located at www.amsat.org

Venue

This year's meeting will be held in Arlington, Virginia. The beauty of this location is that it is directly above Crystal City, where there are hundreds of shops (including radio shack), fast food restaurants, and the Washington Metro system. Metro can take you to the many free attractions in the area.

ARISS Meeting

This years symposium will be held in conjunction with the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) international delegates meeting. The ARISS meetings will be held October 10-13. You are welcome to attend any or all of the ARISS meetings. In addition, many of the ARISS team members and international delegates will be attending and presenting at the AMSAT Symposium.

Banquet Speaker

We are pleased to announce that our guest speaker at the banquet will be astronaut Carl Walz. Carl has flown in space 4 times. Two of these missions were Shuttle/SAREX flights. His most recent trip to space was as an Expedition 4 crew member on the ISS. During his stay, Carl and Valery Korzun installed and deployed one of the four ARISS antennas on the ISS during an EVA spacewalk. Carl will discuss his ISS expedition as well as NASA's new Journey to the Moon, Mars & beyond. For more information on Carl Walz, see: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/walz.html

Prize Drawing

The prizes are starting to roll in. To date, we have an ICOM 910H as one of the grand prizes as well as an SDR-1000/RO, Software Defined Receiver board set from FlexRadio Systems.

Sunday Afternoon Group Tour

The Sunday tour will be to the new hangar facility Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, where you can see hundreds of aircraft and spacecraft including the Space Shuttle Enterprise, the world's fastest plane, the SR-71 Blackbird, the Concorde and hundreds of historic airplanes. For more information, see: www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy

Symposium Papers

The proceeding papers are now in printing. I am proud to say that we have over 30 papers in this year's proceedings. This is a significant boost in papers from previous years. As such, we will have some very interesting presentations at the symposium. Some of the presentations in store for you include the latest on Echo and ARISS, the plans for Eagle and P3E, as well as presentations on some of the university-built satellites.

We will also have some great poster/displays. While the poster/displays are still a work in progress, we expect there to be a very interesting Cubesat display that will be set up by Cliff, K7RR.

Final Note

We will have more exciting things to announce in the near future. In the meantime, please get your registration forms in ASAP so we know who will be attending. And frequently visit the symposium web page at the AMSAT web site: www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium

We look forward to seeing all of you at the Symposium this October.

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO and Janet Bauer
AMSAT Symposium Committee Co-Chairs

(RAC News Service)
 

Note: "Hams in Action" is a new area in the bulletin and is in need of articles and stories of events from your local club or ARES Group. Submission to Hams in Action:  Bulletin Editor: va3ku@rac.ca
_____________

Sept. 28 2004  MARS members asked to assist in hurricane health-and-welfare traffic

Army MARS Eastern Area Coordinator Robert Hollister, AAA9E/N7INK, is asking Military Affiliate Radio System stations and nets to assist in handling health-and-welfare traffic related to the recent hurricanes. “MARS stations in Florida and other affected areas should coordinate with ARES/RACES and local ham radio operators and see if MARS can help handle some of this workload for them,” Hollister said in a message to MARS members in the Eastern US. “This is another opportunity for MARS to demonstrate our capabilities and provide a service to the people stricken by these storms.” Hollister said that Army MARS stations not supporting the disaster response in the stricken areas should continue to monitor regional net frequencies and remain available to assist as needed in handling traffic. He also encouraged Army MARS members to work with their Air Force and Navy counterparts “to get the traffic out of the affected area.”

(ARRL News Service)
___________

Sept. 28 2004  Radio Amateur to Spearhead DERA Relief Mission to Haiti

An ARRL member from Florida, Catherine Lawhun, KG4UKI, is heading to Haiti with a small team to provide communication support for the relief effort in the flood-ravaged city of Gonaives. The Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association (DERA) is sponsoring the project. During the recent spate of hurricanes affecting Florida and the Caribbean, she's been active in the field in Florida on behalf of DERA and also has assisted numerous organizations including The Salvation Army. Lawhun says she recognizes that while storm-stricken communities in the US also need help in recovering, the need in Haiti is especially urgent.

"Haiti is really in trouble," Lawhun said recounting DERA's rationale for making Haiti a priority. "The US is probably going to recover. We have the resources. Haiti might not."

While plans remain in flux, Lawhun says she'll fly to Haiti October 5 with an Icom IC-706MkIIG HF/VHF/UHF transceiver to establish an HF link to the US from Gonaives. The project still needs donations of General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) portables--which Lawhun's small team will transport to Haiti--and Amateur Radio operators to serve as HF liaison stations. Transport from Cap Haitian, where the team will arrive, still could prove problematic. Lawhun says that since all gasoline to Cap Haitian must come from Port au Prince through Gonaives, the price reportedly has shot up to as much as $50 per gallon.

Relief workers and medical personnel in the still-flooded city and at a newly opened health center will use the GMRS transceivers to keep in touch with her and with each other. The HF link will permit Lawhun to communicate back to the US regarding the situation and any equipment or supply needs. Doctors Without Borders is part of the relief effort in Haiti.

"As many handheld devices as we can carry in can be given out to doctors on the ground in the affected city," Lawhun said in an appeal for both radios and cash donations on the DERA Special Projects Web site. "The need is huge. Please get involved!"

Many Waters Resource Network will provide free FedEx shipment of GMRS units and batteries, she said, and donors can email teams@many-waters.com to request the shipping information. The Special Projects Web site includes plan details and a "Make a Donation" button for cash contributions. Donors also may send checks to DERA c/o Haiti Relief Support, 11445 Honey Jordan Pt, Inglis, FL 34449.

A Web signup form is available for anyone wishing to volunteer for daily HF monitoring shifts (likely 20 meters with some possibility of 40 or 80 meters during evening hours). Particular frequencies have not yet been established, she said, and she anticipates the operation will take place primarily during daylight hours.

"When recovery is completed for the current disaster, the communications station will remain on the island," said Lawhun, a radio amateur for about five years. "This will give the entire island a leg up in the event of any future catastrophes and establish a working relationship between DERA and the entire network of missions currently active on the island."

Lawhun says the Foundation for International Radio Service (FAIRS)--headed by Dave and Gaynell Larsen, KK4WW and KK4WWW--provided some inspiration for the Haiti project. FAIRS has had extensive experience in establishing an Amateur Radio presence in countries around the world. Dave Larsen, a longtime DERA member, has been lending his expertise to the project, said Lawhun, who called him "a wonderful resource."

Lawhun, who edits DERA's newsletter, also is a member of The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) and serves as DERA's SATERN liaison.

While the DERA project initially had hoped to use local Amateur Radio operators with VHF handhelds, Lawhun says she found few ham radio operators in Haiti who were willing to risk entering the city, which not only is ravaged by floodwaters but by disease and looting. She still hopes that Amateur Radio emergency communication resources can be developed in Haiti for future disasters.

A wall of water and mud resulting from then-Tropical Storm Jeanne inundated much of Gonaives September 18 as it lingered over the island of Hispaniola for more than a day, dumping heavy rain. A densely populated city of about 200,000, Gonaives was the most severely affected region in Haiti. As of this week, the death toll was nearly 1300, and hundreds more are still missing.

The flooding in northeastern Haiti wiped out much of the region's farms, which could lead to a crisis of another kind. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization is said to be assessing the extent of the damage there.

This will not be the first trip to Haiti for Lawhun, who was there about six years ago on a mission trip with Engineering Ministries International to help design and build a community there. An engineer by training, Lawhun spent some 20 years in the water and wastewater engineering field.

Living Hope Missions out of Cap Haitian will provide support for the DERA team on the ground. MFI of West Palm Beach, Florida, will handle passenger and cargo transport, and DERA will provide the necessary HF radio equipment.

"I'm one of those people who has just enough faith to get me in trouble," Lawhun quipped. "So, I decided that I would pursue this as long as doors would open, and, lo and behold, they are, so here I am."

(ARRL News Service)
 

Big database upgrade at QRZ.COM

The QRZ.com website call sign system is running a lot faster these. This as the result of a major an upgrade to a new and more powerful server.

The new database engine is a Sun E280R.  This is a 64-bit industrial strength machine with dual 900 MHz processors, 4 GB of RAM, and a pair of 36 gigabyte 10,000 R-P-M Fibre channel disk drives.

Fred Lloyd who runs QRZ.com says that these new disks are really impressive. Fred says that he has clocked them at speeds of up to 64 megabytes per second. That equates to an entire C D ROM's worth of data being moved internally in only 10 seconds.

Lloyd adds that this new server only handles the call sign database. The main QRZ.com web server remains a 450 MHz Sun E420R with 2 gigabytes of RAM.

(QRZ.com)
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U.S. Navy to close Submarine Comm Centers

The United States Navy says that it will dismantle two extremely low frequency radio transmission centers used to communicate with submerged submarines. The Navy says that the 400-million submarine-communications system, which has been in use since 1989, is outdated and no longer needed.

Two transmitter sites are involved. One is in northern Wisconsin and the other in Michigan. They will go out of service on September 30th but could take up to three years to disassemble and close down permanently.

Each system consists of a transmitter and an antenna strung on 600 12 meter high poles. The navy has used these extremely low frequency transmitters to maintain secure communications with submarines at sea but now will use 12 smaller transmitters, sited worldwide.

(Published reports)
_____________

Sept. 30 2004  The ARDF Report

There's lots happening in the world of radio direction finding this summer. More young Burrowing Owls are leaving their nests in western Florida, so hams in that state who aren't busy with hurricane communications are by their receivers, listening for the radio tag signals to see where these critters will go.  If you can help, please join them -- I'll tell you how in a moment.

Also, a 21-member delegation of ARDF Team USA competitors, trainers, jurors, and family members went to the Czech Republic and the World Championships of radio foxhunting, September 7th through the 12th.  These World ARDF Championships take place every two years. USA's 2004 team members were OMs and YLs ranging in age from 19 to 62.  Among them was Jay Thompson W6JAY, Newsline's Young Ham of the Year for 2003 and recent winner of the ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Award.  Each competed once on 80 meters and once on two meters, looking for three, four or five
transmitters, depending on age and gender category.

USA began attending the World Championships in 1998, but European and former Soviet countries have been holding ARDF events for over 30 years. So it's no surprise that they dominated in the final standings. Nine of these nations garnered all of the individual and team medals. The total medal count was led by Czech, Russia, and Ukraine with 34, 28 and 26 respectively.

USA, Australia, and Great Britain were among the 19 nations that won no medals. But we're getting better every year.  Two Team USA members had top-ten individual finishes in their categories. Nadia Scharlau of Cary, NC took 6th place out of 22 on two meters. She might have won a medal on 80 meters, but the battery fell out of her receiver and she had to find the last fox transmitter with just the bearings that she already had on her map, losing about ten minutes.  Bob Cooley KF6VSE, age 62, of Pleasanton, CA placed 9th out of 34 on his two-meter run.

All of our team members earned their spots by taking medals in the USA National Championships.  This year's were in California in June, and a site is already being sought for the national championships in 2005, 2006 and beyond.  As USA's ARDF Coordinator, I would like to hear from you if your club is interested in putting on the championships.

You can read all about the ARDF championships, Team USA, and volunteer wildlife tracking -- and find out how to get involved -- at the usual place: www.homingin.com

(Amateur Radio Newsline)
 

Oceania DX Contest--supported by the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) and New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART), Phone 0800Z Oct 2-0800Z Oct 3 (CW is 0800Z Oct 9-0800Z Oct 10). Frequencies: 160-10 meters, work VK/ZL/Oceania stations only. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, MM, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: 160--20 pts, 80--10 pts, 40--5 pts, 20--1 pt, 15--2 pts, 10--3 pts. Score: QSO points × WPX prefixes counted once per band. For more information: www.oceaniadxcontest.com. Logs due Nov 7 in Cabrillo format to ph@oceaniadxcontest.com (CW to cw@oceaniadxcontest.com) or paper logs (if fewer than 50 QSOs) to Oceania DX Contest, c/o Wellington Amateur Radio Club Inc, PO Box 6464, Wellington 6030, New Zealand.

EU Autumn Sprint--SSB, sponsored by the EU Sprint Gang, 1500Z-1859Z Oct 2 (CW is 1500Z-1859Z Oct 9). Frequencies: 80-20 meters, stations outside EU work EU stations only. SOAB category only. Exchange: your call, serial number, name, other station's call. Special QSY rule--see Web site. Score is number of QSOs. For more information:www.qsl.net/eusprint. Logs due 15 days after the contest to eusprint@kkn.net or Paolo Cortese, I2UIY, PO Box 14, I-27043 Broni (PV), Italy (CW logs to Karel Karmasin, OK2FD, Gen Svobody 636, CZ-674 01 Trebic, Czech Republic).

California QSO Party--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Northern California Contest Club, 1600Z Oct 2-2200Z Oct 3. Frequencies: 160-2 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP >200 W, LP, QRP <5 W), MS, MM, CA County Expedition, Mobile, Novice/Tech, Club, School. SO work 24 hours only. New 10-minute rule for MS allows unlimited band changes. CW QSOs in CW subbands, except 160. Work CA stations in each county. Stations on a county line count as a single contact for QSO points, but both counties can be claimed as multipliers. Exchange: serial number and S/P/C or CA county. QSO points: CW--3 pts, Phone--2 pts. Score: QSO points × CA counties (max 58) or CA stations multiply by states and VE call areas (max 58). For more information: www.cqp.org. Logs due by Nov 15 to cqp@contesting.com or to Alan Maenchen, AD6E, 3330 Farthing Way, San Jose, CA 95132.

RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest--SSB, sponsored by the RSGB, 0700Z-1900Z Oct 3 (CW is 0700Z-1900Z Oct 17). Frequencies: 15 and 10 meters (see Web site for band plan), work UK stations only. Categories: UK and DX SO or MS (Open, Restricted, QRP <10 W) and SWL (Open and Restricted). Exchange: serial number and UK district. QSO points: 3 pts/QSO. Score QSO points × UK districts (UK stations use DXCC entities plus JA, W, VE, VK, ZL and ZS call areas) counted once per band. For more information:www.rsgbhfcc.org. Logs due Nov 17 to 2128ssb.logs@rsgbhfcc.org (2128cw.logs@rsgbhfcc.org for CW logs) or to RSGB--G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Rd, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England.

YLRL Anniversary Party--CW, sponsored by the YLRL, 1400Z Oct 6-0200Z Oct 8 (phone Oct 13-Oct 15). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Exchange: serial number, RS(T) and ARRL section/VE province/country. QSO points: US or VE YLs--1 pt, DX YLs--2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C. For more information: www.qsl.net/ylrl/ylcontests.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to wx4mm@tm-moore.com or to WX4MM, Mary Moore, 1593 Lee Rd 375, Valley, AL 36854.
 

Middletown, RI: Newport County Radio Club, W1SYE. 1400Z Oct 2-2100Z Oct 3. Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair--emphasis on youth. 21.350 14.285 14.071 7.260. Certificate. Newport County Radio Club, Box 3103, Newport, RI 02840. www.qsl.net/w1sye/.

Wallingford, CT: Meriden Amateur Radio Club, W1NRG. 1600Z Oct 2-2200Z Oct 3. "Celebrate Wallingford" CT town festival. 28.375 21.375 14.275 7.275. Certificate. Jim Savage, N1ZN, 19 Broadview Dr, Wallingford, CT 06492-3349. www.meridenarc.org.

Youngstown, OH: Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association, W8QLY. 1300Z-2200Z Oct 3. Boardman Oktoberfest. 28.450 21.350 14.250 7.250. QSL. Mahoning Valley ARA, PO Box 2950, Youngstown, OH 44511.

Prince Albert, SK, Canada: Northern Saskatchewan Amateur Radio Club, CG5EEE. 0000Z Oct 3-2359Z Oct 16. City of Prince Albert's Centennial. 21.220 14.220 7.220 3.720. Certificate. NSARC, c/o 532 - 26 St W, Prince Albert, SK, Canada S6V 4R5. US hams include $2 for certificate requests.

Jefferson, OH: Ashtabula County Amateur Radio Club, K8CY. 1400Z Oct 8-2100Z Oct 9. Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival. 28.460 21.360 14.260. Certificate. ACARC, 722 Lyndon Ave, Ashtabula, OH 44004. http://acoc.ashtabula.net/radio

Ellijay, GA: Ellijay Amateur Radio Society, W4A. 2200Z Oct 8-0200Z Oct 18. 23rd Annual Apple Festival, Ellijay, Gilmer Co, GA. SSB & CW General bands 80 40 20 15 10 m and 1800-1900 kHz. Certificate. Ellijay Amateur Radio Society, PO Box 1371, East Ellijay, GA 30539. www.qsl.net/w4hhh.

Canon City, CO: Royal Gorge Amateur Radio Club, KB0TUC. 1800Z-2100Z Oct 9. From the world's highest suspension bridge. 14.260. Certificate. Chuck Ward, NC0A, 1011 Harrison St, Canon City, CO 81212. www.qsl.net/rghc.

Forest, VA: Lynchburg Amateur Radio Club, N4J. 1400Z-2200Z Oct 9. Thomas Jefferson's summer retreat. 28.365 21.365 14.265 7.265. QSL. Ed Narwid, W4OAF, 1799 Otterhill Rd, Bedford, VA 24523.

Gastonia, NC: Gaston County Amateur Radio Society, N4GAS. 1600Z-2200Z Oct 9. 20th anniversary Charlotte Area SKYWARN Net. 145.35 14.260 7.260. Certificate. John Covington, W4CC, PO Box 1604, Belmont, NC 28012. www.n4gas.org.

Lake Placid, NY: Northern New York ARA, N2Y. 1400Z-1900Z Oct 9. NNY Section Hamfest/ Convention. 14.265 14.060 10.110 7.245. Certificate. Richard Sherman, 25 Pines Rd, Malone, NY 12953.

Nowhere, KS: Douglas County Amateur Radio Club, W0UK. 1400Z-2100Z Oct 9. Operating from southern terminus of Midland Historical Railway. 28.365 21.365 14.244 7.244. Certificate. Kenneth Blair, KC0GL, 1711 W 19th Terr, Lawrence, KS 66046.

Robbinsville, NC: Smoky Mountains Amateur Radio Team, N4GSM. 1400Z-2000Z Oct 9. Anniversary of the opening of Cherohala Skyway. 14.242 7.242. Certificate. SMART, PO Box 517, Robbinsville, NC 28771. http://main.nc.us/graham/smart/.

Shady Valley, TN: Johnson County Amateur Radio Club, K4C. 1300Z-1900Z Oct 9. 14th Annual Cranberry Festival. 7.250. Certificate. JCARC, PO Box 155, Trade, TN 37691.

South River, NJ: Raritan Bay Radio Amateurs, K2GE. 1300Z-2200Z Oct 9. The 50th anniversary of the Raritan Bay Radio Amateurs. 14.260 14.070 7.220. QSL. Raritan Bay Radio Amateurs, PO Box 392, South River, NJ 08882.

Sterling, VA: Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club, K4NVA. 1400Z-2000Z Oct 9. The SterlingFest street festival. 14.240 7.240. QSL. Forrest B. Snyder Jr, Attn: SPARC, 805 S Hoga St, Sterling, VA 20164. www.qsl.net/sterling.

Sandwich, IL: Wheaton Community Radio Amateurs, K9BSA. 1400Z Oct 9-1700Z Oct 10. Three Fires Council Camporall "Scouting the Globe." 21.380 14.280 7.280 3.880. QSL. WCRA, PO Box QSL, Wheaton, IL 60189. www.w9ccu.org.

Westfield, NJ: W2LI Tri-County Radio Association Inc, W2LI. 1200Z Oct 9-2200Z Oct 10. Platinum Jubilee, a 70th anniversary celebration. 449.975 28.460 14.260. QSL. W2LI/AA2ZJ, 77 Pershing Ave, Iselin, NJ 08830.
 

Big DX News: NCDXF makes $100,000 grant to upcoming operatins

The Northern California DX Foundation announces some big money sponsorship grants for the 2005 D-Xpedition season.

The recipients are the upcoming Kerguelen Islands FT stroke X and the Peter One 3YZ0X operations.  These are two of the rarest and most wanted locations on every hams most wanted list.

Northern California DX Foundation president Len Geraldi, K6ANP, says that that these awards are substantially higher than normal amounts provided to aid major D-Xpeditions.  Together they exceed $100,000, and represent the largest made in the foundations history.

(N4GN via ARNewsLine 2)
_____________

Sept. 30 2004 ARLD039 DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by CT1BWW, NC1L, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

AZERBAIJAN, 4J.  Rashad, 4J9RI has been QRV on 20 meters CW around 1600z.  QSL via DL7EDH.

ALGERIA, 7X.  A group of Spanish operators will be QRV as 7W0AD from October 2 to 9.  Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK.  QSL via operators' instructions.

GHANA, 9G.  Kees, PA0CJH is QRV as 9G5JH from Accra until November 13.  Activity is on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters using CW, SSB and PSK31.  QSL to home call.

MALTA, 9H.  Arno, DL1CW will be QRV as 9H3AP from Gozo Island, IOTA EU-023, from October 5 to 13.  He will be active on 40 to 10 meters using CW.  QSL to home call.

MOZAMBIQUE, C9.  Ralph, C93Q has been QRV on 17 meters CW around 1600z.  QSL via VK4VB.

ENGLAND, G.  Bill, G3WNI, Tom, G0PSE and Dave, M0AOD will be QRV as GB0SM from St. Mary's Island, IOTA EU-011, from October 2 to 9. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, and possibly 6 meters, using CW and SSB.  QSL via G0PSE.

SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS.  Voytek, HF0QF has been QRV on 12 meters around 1500 to 1700z.  QSL via SP7IWA.

SOUTH KOREAN, HL.  Special event station DT40YL will be QRV from October 6 to 16 during a meeting organized by the Korea Ladies Amateur Radio Club.  QSL via HL1OYF.

MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1.  Itokazu, JR6TYH/JD1 is stationed at Marcus Island and expects to be QRV until December 20.  QSL via bureau.

LUXEMBOURG, LX.  Six Dutch operators will be QRV as LX/PA6Z from October 2 to 8.  Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and PSK31.  QSL via PA1K.

LEBANON, OD.  Hassein, OD5UE has been QRV on 15 meters between 1400 and 1700z.  QSL via IZ8CCW.

ANTARCTICA.  R1ANB is QRV from Mirny Base on Queen Mary Coast, IOTA AN-016.  QSL via RU1ZC.

SEYCHELLES, S7.  Willi, DJ7RJ and Klaus, DJ4SO will be QRV as S79RJ and S79SO, respectively, beginning Octob     er3foraboutthreeweeks. They will be active on 40 to 6 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  They will seek permission to try and operate on 80 meters during the weekends.  QSL to home calls.

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE, S9.  Marq, CT1BWW is QRV as S92BWW from Rolas Island, IOTA AF-023, until October 15.  Activity is on all bands and modes.  This is the first operation from this island.  QSL to home call.

BENIN, TY.  Michael, PA5M is QRV in his spare time as TY5M until October 21.  QSL via PA7FM.

MICRONESIA, V6.  Neil, V73NS will be QRV as V63NS from Pohnpei, IOTA OC-010, from October 7 to 10.  QSL to home call.

AUSTRALIA, VK.  In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the state of Western Australia, the Northern Corridor Radio Group will be QRV as VI6175WA for the month of October.  They will participate in the Oceania DX Phone Contest.  QSL via VK6NE.

INDONESIA, YB.  Hotang, YC0IEM/9 is QRV from Kupang on Timor Island, IOTA OC-148, for about two weeks.  He is active on 15 and 10 meters. QSL via IZ8CCW.

Operations approved for DXCC credit:  Uganda, 5X2A, from August 3 to August 22, 2004; 5X4CM and 5X4/KH9AE from September 6, 2004 to September 1, 2005.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The PSK Rumble (Fall Classic), Oceania DX Phone Contest, International HELL-Contest, EU Autumn SSB Sprint, California QSO Party, UBA ON SSB Contest, The RSGB 21/28 MHz SSB Contest and the German Telegraphy Contest are all scheduled for this weekend.  The YLRL Anniversary CW Party is scheduled for October 6 to 8. Please see October QST, page 98, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL)
__________

Oct. 1 2004  4 2 5  D X  N E W S

3D2    - After being active as ZK1APX from the South Cook Islands, Rick, AI5P will operate as 3D2PX from Fiji on 3-10 October. QSL via AI5P.  [TNX AI5P]

4X     - Special station 4Z0V will be active until 9 October during the Wine Festival at Rishon Le Zion, Israel. QSL via 4Z4KX. [TNX 4Z4KX]

FH     - Andre, ZS6WPX has cancelled his 1-13 October operation from Mayotte [425DXN 699].

FR     - Bert, PA3GIO will operate (on 10-80 metres SSB) as FR/PA3GIO/p from Reunion Island (AF-016) on  2-11 October. QSL via home call (for bureau cards please use the QSL request form on Bert's website at http://www.pa3gio.nl/). [TNX PA3GIO]

I      - The Amateur Radio Team of RAI (the Italian TV and Broadcasting Corporation) will operate as II0RAI and II9RAI on 2-10 October to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first radio broadcasting (6 October 1924). QSL via IK0ZRR, bureau  or direct. The RAI Amateur Radio Team's website is at http://www.raiway.rai.it/images/Radioamatori-RAI/ii0RAI/index.html [TNX IT9BLB]

JA     - Look for JA2ZL/6 to operate on 10-40 metres SSB, CW, RTTY and SSTV from Kobama Island (AS-024) on 1-7 October. QSL via JA2ZL, direct or bureau. [TNX JI6KVR]

JA     - Look for Kenji, JA4GXS/4 to operate again (on 15, 20, 30, 40 and 80 meters SSB and CW) from No-shima  (AS-117, JIIA-AS-117-110) on 3 October. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX JI6KVR]

JD1_mt - Look for Itokazu,  JR6TYH/JD1 to operate from Minami Torishima (OC-073) until 20 December. He has an antenna for 10, 15 and 20 metres. QSL via bureau. [TNX The Daily DX]

OZ     - Detlev, DL1RTW will be operate from Bornholm Island (EU-030) on 2-8 October. QSL via the bureau. [TNX The Daily DX]

PY0_fni- Joca, PS7JN is active as PY0F/PS7JN from Fernando de Noronha (SA-03) QSL via PS7JN.

S7     - Willi, DJ7RJ and Klaus, DJ4SO will operate as S79RJ and S79SO from the Seychelles on 3-22 October. They plan to operate on 40-6  metres CW, SSB,  RTTY and  PSK31, and will try to get permission for 80 metres. On 40 metres the are allowed to operate between 7050 and 7100 kHz. [TNX DJ7RJ]

T9     - Pietro, IZ4AQL will be active as T98AQL until late March 2005. QSL via home call, preferably via the bureau. Direct requests should be sent to Pietro Rapisarda, Via Del  Bracciante 6, 40012 Calderara di Reno - BO, Italy. [TNX IZ4AQL]

TJ     - DL7UFR, DL7KL, DL7DF, DL4WK, DK1BT and SP3DOI will operate on all modes as TJ3SP and TJ3FR  from Cameroon on  6-20 October. They will have four stations with three linear amplifiers and a variety of antennas. QSL via DL7DF, direct (Sigi  Presch, Wilhelmsmuehlenweg 123, D-12621 Berlin, Germany) or bureau. Further information at http://www.dl7df.com/tj/index.html

TK     - Ernesto/I2FUG, Oscar/IK2AQZ, Giovanni/IK2JYT and Mario/IW2HUZ will operate on HF and VHF from Corsica on 2-8 October. Side trips to EU-100 (Cerbicales Islands) and EU-164 (Corsica's Coastal Islands) are being planned. QSL  via  home calls, direct or bureau. [TNX IK2JYT]

VE     - Bruce, KD6WW reports he plans to operate on 40, 30 and 20 metres from the Belcher Islands (VY0,  NA-196) on  17-22 November weather permitting.

VK0_ant- Finn, VK0DX (VK4LL - OZ2QK) is currently active from the Australian Antarctic Base Davis, Princess Elizabeth Land (AN-016; VK-03 for the Antarctica Award). Finn will remain there until December and is very active on CW.  QSL to  VK0DX, GPO Box 1544, Brisbane 4001, Australia (proceeds beyond return postage will be donated to charity). Further information at http://www.qsl.net/vk0dx/ [TNX IZ8CGS]

PACIFIC TRIP --->  Ulli, DL2AH will operate (on10-20  metres SSB, RTTY and PSK31) as T30KU from Tarawa (OC-017), West Kiribati on 9-18 October and from Funafuti (OC-015), Tuvalu (callsign not provided) on 20-24 October. QSL via DL2AH, direct or bureau. [TNX NG3K]

PACIFIC TRIP ---> After participating in the 9-23 October operation from Lord Howe [425DXN 699], Carlo, IK6CAC and Elvira, IV3FSG will visit New Caledonia and Vanuatu. They will operate as FK/IK6CAC (QSL via home call) and FK/IV3FSG (QSL via IK3GES) from 26 October to 5 November; plans are to be active from OC-032, OC-079 (Belep Islands, from 28  October to 2 November) and possibily from OC-033. On 5-13 November they will be active from Vanuatu (callsigns  to be issued upon arrival). [TNX IK6CAC]

Good to Know

CE0ZIS QRT ---> Eliazar, CE0ZIS left Juan Fernandez four months ago and now lives near Valparaiso, on mainland Chile.  There are no amateur radio operators on Juan Fernandez at the moment. [TNX CE6TBN]

CS7T VIDEO  --->  The  Berlenga Island (EU-040) DXpedition professionally produced DVD is now available from Jose, EA1OS (ocv@wanadoo.es) [TNX CT1EEB]

DXCC NEWS ---> The following operations are approved for DXCC credit:
5X2A                Uganda   3-22 August 2004
5X4CM (5X4/KH9AE)   Uganda   6 September 2004 - 1 September 2005

FW8FP ---> "I have had a few enquiries regarding this station being active over the last week or so", Bill Horner, VK4FW says."This is a pirate, don't waste your time QSLling".

HZ1AB QRT ---> The Dhahran Amateur Radio Club (http://www.qsl.net/hz1ab/) has gone QRT  after 58 years. "The new licensing authority has by mid 2004 re-issued the call",  Thomas Carlsson, SM0CXU reports,  "and new Station License requirements make it necessary to terminate all activity on the bands". QSL cards can be still sent to Leo, K8PYD.

QSL IY6GM ---> All of the contacts made with this Marconian station in August are being confirmed automatically via the bureau. For those who need a direct card, the QSL manager is I6GFX.

QSL VIA IV3NCC ---> Marco, IV3NCC says that the QSL cards for his operations from Oman (AS-112 included) and Albania should be sent direct only to:  Marco Tuniz, Via Savoia 18, 34079 Staranzano - GO, Italy.

QSL VIA W5WP --->  David, W5WP is the QSL manager for 5X4CM and 5X4/KH9AE. Cards cen be sent either direct (W. David Paperman, 19266 Sims, Cleveland, TX 77328-6205, USA) or via the bureau.  "At this time I do not use LOTW",  he says, as "I do not have the time to reconfigure the email logs to meet LOTW requirements". Please place the call of the station somewhere on the envelope as he is also the manager for CO2KK.

QSL YC9YKI --->  Bachrun, YC9YKI lives on Yapen Island  (OC-147). QSL cards yould be sent to YB9BU (SAE + IRC, no green stamps please), who has Bachrun's logs for 1998 onwards. [TNX YB9BU]

SP DX CLUB ---> The SP DX Club annual meeting will take place on 8-10 October near Bydgoszcz (about 300km north of Warsaw). Andrea, IK1PMR will present the T33C DXpedition slides and video. Details  can be obtained from Tom, SP5CCC. [TNX IK1PMR]

VK7BC QRT ---> Frank Beech, VK7BC (ex G3PVL, ex VK3AIC/MM) announces he has surrendered his licence and ceased amateur radio activities permanently since 25 September.

+ SILENT KEY + The Daily  DX reports the passing of  Ralph Ward, Z22JD,  "was well known in Zimbabwe as both  a DXer and  an antenna manufacturer".  Please note that "his  logs will be closed and any QSL requests will be returned stamped SILENT KEY, as per the request of Ralph before his passing".
__________

Oct. 3 - Oct. 9 2004    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

03/10/2004:  AF-024  S79RJ & S79SO  SEYCHELLES -
All arrangements have been made for Willi DJ7RJ and Klaus DJ4SO to be on the air from the Seychelles (AF-024) beginning October 3rd, for 2 or 3 weeks. They will be operating as S79RJ (DJ7RJ) and S79SO (DJ4SO) on 40 to 6 meter CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. Use of the 80 meter band has not been authorized, but they will be requesting permission to operate on 80 meters during the weekends (3505 kHz +/-). QSL via their home calls. [Tnx OPDX]

07/10/2004:  OC-010  V63NS  POHNPEI -
Look for Neil to be QRV October 7-10th as V63NS from Pohnpei Island (IOTA OC-010). Activity will be QRP CW, with some PSK. QSL via V73NS (QRZ.com). [Tnx V73NS]

08/10/2004:  OC-016  3D2TY & 3D2YT  FIJI -
Nob, JA7OV, and Hiro, JA7AQR, will be QRV October 8th and 16th as 3D2TY and 3D2YT. QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

09/10/2004:  OC-054  EA8/ON4QX  WALLIS ISLANDS -
Herman, ON4QX, will be active October 9-24th as EA8/ON4QX from Gran Canaria (IOTA AF-004, DIE S-005, EAA GC - La Palma). QSL via home call, direct or through the bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

09/10/2004:  OC-054  FW7AQR & FW7OV  WALLIS ISLANDS -
Nob, JA7OV, and Hiro, JA7AQR, will be QRV October 9 to 15, 2004, as FW7OV and FW7AQR from Uvea, Wallis Islands (IOTA OC-054, DIFO FW-001). Activity will be on 40 through 10 meter SSB and RTTY (no CW) running 100 watts into a 2 element for 15 meters and multiband dipoles. QSL via home calls, direct (JA7OV: Yoshinobu Takahashi, 4-9-36 Emata, Yamagata, 990-0861 Japan; JA7AQR: Yoshihiro Tanaka, 1-10-6 Minamihara, Yamagata, 990-2413 Japan) or through the JARL bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

09/10/2004:  OC-017  T30KU  TARAWA ATOLL -
Ulli, DL2AH will be on a holiday style operation from Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands (OC-017) as T30KU between October 9th and 18th. Activity will be on 20 through 10 meter SSB, RTTY and PSK31 using a FT897 and a Delta-Loop antenna. QSL direct to DL2AH or to the DL Bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

09/10/2004:  OC-004  VK9L  LORD HOWE ISLAND -
Bill Horner, VK4FW, reports that the upcoming operation from Lord Howe Island will take place October 9 - 23, 2004. Operators include Vicki VK2IVK, Elvira IV3FSG, Eric VK4NEF, Mike VK3SU, Carlo IK6CAC and Bill VK4FW. The will endeavor to operate with 4 stations on HF and 6m bands. The following frequencies will be covered: 6m -- 50.100 MHz CW and SSB; HF SSB -- 3.790, 7.045, 14.195, 18.140, 21.245, 24.945 and 28.445 MHz; HF CW -- 1.807, 3.507, 7.007, 10.107, 14.007, 18.077, 21.007, 24.897 and 28.007 MHz. QSL via direct to VK4FW (QRZ.com). [Tnx OPDX]

73 and Good Hunting!
Dave Raycroft - VA3RJ

Home of ICPO: www.qsl.net/va3rj
Mirror: http://webhome.idirect.com/~va3rj
Join ICPO e-Group:  www.qsl.net/va3rj/icpo.html
E-mail: va3rj@rac.ca
________

Note: A complete list of  Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html
 

Sept. 24 2004  FCC Poised to Act on BPL Report and Order in Mid-October

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) will present a broadband over power line (BPL) Report and Order to the full Commission when it meets October 14, the ARRL has learned. More than 6100 comments have been filed on the topic since the FCC released its initial Notice of Inquiry in the proceeding, ET Docket 03-104, in April 2003 and a subsequent Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), ET Docket 04-37, in February of this year. The ARRL so far on this round has taken its concerns regarding Amateur Radio and BPL to three of the Commission's five members. In a meeting this week with FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein, an ARRL delegation again asserted that the FCC is pushing the proceeding to a predetermined conclusion with little regard for technical issues.

"Because the FCC has been unwilling to release for public review the results of its own tests and observations of BPL systems, the ARRL has no confidence that the draft Report and Order will be based on sound engineering and believes the rush to adoption is unwarranted and premature," ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said in a follow-up letter to Adelstein. The letter reiterated the League's key points that, it said, "represent the minimum protection" that should be incorporated into the BPL Report and Order prior to Commission adoption.

"Without adequate safeguards, the deployment of BPL systems will result in the pollution and degradation of the unique natural resource of the high-frequency radio spectrum," Sumner said.

The League argued that a reduction in the radiated emission limit for BPL systems be included in the R&O. The ARRL wants the limit set 30 dB below current Part 15 requirements, which, it says, were established with narrowband point-source radiators in mind. "The record in this proceeding clearly establishes that BPL is not a point-source radiator," the ARRL's letter asserted.

The ARRL pointed out that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has concluded that at the current Part 15 limit, interference is "likely" to receivers in land vehicles 75 meters from BPL-connected power lines and to fixed stations 460 meters from such power lines.

"Given the number of amateur stations and the fact that they almost invariably are located near power lines, the areas of potential interference at the existing Part 15 limit are clearly too large to permit case-by-case resolution of interference issues," Sumner said. "Based on experience with the very limited test deployments of BPL systems to date, notably in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Southern Wake County, North Carolina, and Cottonwood, Arizona," the ARRL told Adelstein, "widespread BPL deployment at the existing Part 15 radiated emission limit will result in an unmanageable incidence of interference."

The only way to reduce these areas of potential interference is to reduce the radiated emission limit, the ARRL maintained. Mandatory "notching" of the amateur bands by 30 dB would reduce the probability of interference to amateur stations sufficiently that the remaining interference cases might be resolved on a case-by-case basis. "However," the League added, "such notching would not solve the problem for other radio services."

The ARRL contingent, which included Sumner, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, decried the FCC's lack of response to issues Sumner raised two months ago regarding a North Carolina Amateur Radio interference complaint. The ARRL representatives carried copies of correspondence questioning a July OET report that essentially gave the Progress Energy Corp BPL field trial a clean bill of health despite continued interference on amateur frequencies.

The League delegation suggested to Adelstein that the OET has swept the North Carolina BPL interference case under the rug and has attempted to discount interference issues in general while overstating the FCC's ability to address them.

Additional BPL-Related Concerns Raised

The ARRL also has asked Commission members to consider including the NTIA's recommendations to standardize measurement procedures and to require that Access BPL systems be certificated, not merely verified. The League has further stressed the need for independent confirmation of rules compliance before a BPL system is placed in operation.

Other points the ARRL has emphasized in its meetings with Commission members include the need for advance public notification of BPL system locations and characteristics, something not included in the NPRM; performance standards for interference mitigation that would require that interference be terminated immediately upon notification to the operator; and meaningful penalties for non-compliance.

The ARRL noted that in the case of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, interference complaint, BPL engineers spent 12 weeks vainly trying to eliminate interference. System operator Alliant Energy continued to operate, knowing its system was interfering, the League said.

"The interference was not eliminated until the test was prematurely concluded," the League pointed out.

The ARRL said it wants the FCC to provide for fines when willful interference occurs in violation of §333 of the Communications Act. And it wants the Commission to require BPL marketers to "give clear notice to potential customers that licensed radio services have priority and that the delivery of broadband service via BPL cannot be guaranteed." Consumers should have to sign off on that notice before contracting for BPL service, the League contends.

"Otherwise," the ARRL's letter said, "the labeling requirements of Part 15 fall into the category of meaningless boilerplate."

In addition to Adelstein, ARRL representatives have met so far with Commissioners Kevin J. Martin, and Michael J. Copps. The League hopes to meet with the principal advisors to Chairman Michael K. Powell and Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy before the October 7 cutoff for ex parte communications in the proceeding.

(ARRL News Service)
______________

FCC participates in council on Emergency Preparedness and individuals with disabilities

The FCC has participated in the first meeting of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities.  This, at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C..

The FCC was represented by K. Dane Snowden, the chief of the FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.  At the meeting, Snowden announced that the FCC has issued policies and will launch outreach efforts. This, to ensure that facilities that provide telecommunications relay services for persons with hearing and speech disabilities are designated priority for restoration of service in cases of emergency.  Snowden also described a rulemaking by the FCC to improve the emergency alert system to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.

The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities was established by Executive Order on July 22nd.  Its purpose is to address the safety and security needs of people with disabilities.

(FCC)
 

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