*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 22, No. 23 June 6, 2003 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * +New 60-meter band to debut July 3 * +President Haynie to testify on Spectrum bill * +League, Department of Homeland Security to cooperate * +40-meter harmonization tops ham radio concerns at WRC-03 * +Hamvention attendance dips again * +Kid's Day II is June 21 * +"Mr Hamvention" Frank Schwab, W8OK, SK * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This weekend on the radio ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration ARRL Emergency Communications course registration ARRL to sponsor emergency communications course seminar in Oregon FCC corrects comment, reply comment dates in BPL proceeding NorCal, NJQRP merge to form American QRP Club Vote on QST Cover Plaque award Corrections Clarification +Available on ARRL Audio News =========================================================== ==>NEW 60-METER BAND TO BECOME AVAILABLE JULY 3! The new five-channel 60-meter amateur allocation becomes available to US Amateur Radio operators at midnight (12:00 AM) local time on July 3. The local time designation means that amateurs in the US territory of Guam likely will be the first to get a crack at the new band. The new band will be a secondary allocation--federal government users are primary--and the first on which the only permitted mode will be upper-sideband (USB) phone (emission type 2K8J3E). The FCC last month announced it would grant hams access to five discrete 2.8-kHz-wide channels instead of the 150 kHz-wide band ARRL had requested and the FCC initially proposed. The League remains optimistic, however, that Amateur Radio eventually may be able to enjoy a band segment with multiple mode privileges at 60 meters. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, has said that in the meantime hams will have to be on their best behavior when taking advantage of the limited channelized allocation, open to General and higher class licensees. The FCC has granted amateurs center-channel frequencies of 5332, 5348, 5368, 5373 and 5405 kHz--the last channel common to the amateur experimental operation under way in the United Kingdom <http://www.rsgb-hfc.org.uk/5mhz.htm>. To be "on channel," users of 60 meters should set their transmitted carrier frequency 1.5 kHz lower than the channel-center frequency. In terms of day-to-day operation, the new band is expected to resemble the sort of channel sharing typical on local repeaters. ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, says hams need to be very careful if they're considering modifying their current transceiver or transmitter for 5 MHz. The ARRL advises that members check with the appropriate equipment manufacturers regarding specific modification information. Some modifications not only may void the warranty but could affect or alter a transmitter's operation in unpredictable ways. "Hams need to be sure that any modifications put them right on the desired channel," Hare said. "Most hams are used to just having to think about band edges, so on other bands, if a mod were a bit 'off,' all operators would need to ensure is that they are not transmitting outside the band." Hare recommended that on 5 MHz amateurs remain within "a few tens of Hertz" of suppressed-carrier accuracy. He also pointed out that hams have a mandate not to have any of their signal occupy spectrum outside the assigned 2.8 kHz channels. Noting that high-frequency audio response can vary considerably from radio to radio, Hare has suggested restricting occupied channel audio bandwidth to 2600 Hz, rolling off below 200 Hz on the low end and above 2800 Hz on the high end. Last-minute opposition to the granting of a band segment at 5 MHz came last year from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which cited the ongoing spectrum requirements of federal government licensees having homeland security responsibilities. The NTIA administers spectrum allocated to the federal government. A compromise between the FCC and the NTIA resulted in the limited, channelized allocation. The NTIA selected the channels the FCC authorized to minimize the possibility of interference to federal government users, and it dictated the use of USB so that federal government users--who also use only USB--could readily identify amateur stations if necessary. The FCC has set maximum power at 50 W ERP and said it would consider a typical half-wave dipole to exhibit no gain. ==>PRESIDENT HAYNIE TO TESTIFY FOR AMATEUR RADIO SPECTRUM PROTECTION ACT ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, will testify June 11 before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Haynie will speak on behalf of the Spectrum Protection Act 2003, HR 713, at the request of the bill's sponsor, Rep Michael Bilirakis (R-FL). The measure would require the FCC to provide "equivalent replacement spectrum" to Amateur Radio in the event the Commission reallocates amateur spectrum. "Amateur Radio has been in the forefront of technological innovation since the advent of wireless," Haynie said this week. "It's in the best interests of our nation that ham radio has spectrum to operate. At some point in time, if we continue to lose spectrum, where is the spectrum going to come from to enable continued experimentation and innovation? Or for emergency communications?" Haynie this week received his formal invitation to appear before the subcommittee. He'll get about 10 minutes to address the lawmakers. The 11 AM hearing at which Haynie will testify--"The Spectrum Needs of Our Nation's First Responders"--will convene to address public safety spectrum needs. Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) agreed earlier this year with a request from Bilirakis to include an opportunity for a member of the Amateur Radio community to testify. Upton also told Bilirakis that he shares his interest in protecting Amateur Radio. The panel is a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Rep Billy Tauzin (R-LA). Haynie says he's looking forward to the opportunity to state the League's case. Upton's willingness to hear testimony on the bill is considered critical to enhancing the measure's credibility, and it marks a major step toward getting HR 713 through Congress this year. The Senate version of the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act, S 537--introduced by Michael Crapo (R-ID)--got a boost earlier this year when Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Conrad Burns (R-MT)--the expected architect of the Senate's spectrum management legislation--signed on as a cosponsor. Burns' support suggests that the measure now has his attention and could convince others to follow suit, although that hasn't happened yet. The Spectrum Protection Act would amend the Communications Act to require the FCC to provide "equivalent replacement spectrum" to Amateur Radio and the Amateur-Satellite Service in the event of a reallocation of primary amateur allocations, any reduction in secondary amateur allocations, or "additional allocations within such bands" that would substantially reduce their utility to amateurs. The bills point out Amateur Radio's volunteer role in providing emergency communication during disasters and emergencies. HR 713 has attracted 31 cosponsors while S 537 has three so far. Haynie continues to encourage ARRL members to urge their senators and representatives and to sign on as cosponsors. Cosponsorhip lends support to legislation while it's in committee. "Letters and e-mails are the key to getting legislation passed," Haynie says. A sample letter is available on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/arspa.html>. Those writing their lawmakers are asked to copy their correspondence to the League via e-mail <specbill03@arrl.org>. The text of HR 713 and S 537 is available via the Thomas Web site <http://thomas.loc.gov/>. ==>ARRL, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO INK STATEMENT OF AFFILIATION ARRL and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) <http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/> will sign a Statement of Affiliation (SoA) at the League's 2003 National Convention later this month in Texas. The convention will be held June 20-22 at the Arlington Convention Center in conjunction with Ham-Com <http://www.hamcom.org>. Since both ARRL and DHS view community disaster preparedness and response as top priorities, they will pledge mutual support for Citizen Corps--a community-based training and outreach initiative that brings together volunteers and first responders. "This is all part of the bigger picture of getting emergency communications, aligned with what our government needs," said ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, who will sign the SoA on the League's behalf. "Amateur Radio stands ready to serve the country as needed in times of emergency." Chief Operating Officer of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Ron Castleman will represent the DHS at the signing and serve as the lead speaker during the ARRL Forum, Saturday, June 21, at 10 AM. The forum will take place in an unnumbered room that's to the right of the Ham-Com registration area, not in Room M5 as originally scheduled. Programs under the Citizen Corps umbrella are aimed at helping communities prevent, prepare for and respond to terrorism, public health issues and disasters. The Statement of Affiliation will call on ARRL and DHS to collaborate in several areas, including raising public awareness of Amateur Radio as a public safety resource and providing training and accreditation for Amateur Radio emergency communications. The DHS and the League also will work together to promote formation and assist Citizen Corps councils in education, training and volunteer service opportunities that support first responders, disaster relief organizations and community safety efforts. A schedule of Ham-Com/2003 ARRL National Convention programs is available on the Ham-Com Web site <http://www.hamcom.org/programs/Programs.pdf>. ==>40-METER "REALIGNMENT" TOPS WRC-2003 AMATEUR RADIO ISSUES When delegates gather June 9 in Geneva, Switzerland, for World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03), Amateur Radio will enjoy robust representation. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is looking to WRC-03 to resolve the longstanding issue of a harmonized worldwide 40-meter amateur allocation. In addition, the IARU has taken positions on several other issues of importance to hams. "Forty meters is the biggie," says ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, who will attend the month-long international assembly in the role of administrative officer of the IARU observer delegation headed by President Larry Price, W4RA. "It's complicated, controversial and involves multiple radio services, and there's simply no way of predicting what the outcome will be." Citing its desire to "meet the needs of communications for humanitarian assistance," the IARU has expressed strong support for a realignment of the band to make available to hams globally 300 kHz of spectrum in the vicinity of 7 MHz. While Region 2 amateurs--including US hams--now enjoy 7.000 to 7.300 MHz, hams in most of the rest of the world--Regions 1 and 3--may use only 7.000 to 7.100 MHz. Methods to get the issue off the dime must address the incompatibility arising from how, where and on what timetable the broadcasters in Regions 1 and 3 should be shifted to higher frequencies while continuing to meet the needs of fixed and mobile services in the band. Other Amateur Radio-related agenda items include proposed revisions to Article 25 of the Radio Regulations. Article 25 details the requirements for Amateur Radio and includes the obligation to demonstrate Morse code proficiency to operate below 30 MHz. Sumner said he expects the WRC-03 delegates to delete the international requirement, although administrations could continue to require Morse proficiency if they wished to do so. The IARU favors a revision to Paragraph 25.6 to incorporate an ITU Recommendation (ITU-R M.1544) by reference to establish a minimum international standard for Amateur Radio licensing. The IARU also supports adding new provisions urging administrations to take steps to allow amateur stations to prepare for and meet communication needs to support disaster relief and to permit individuals licensed in another country to operate temporarily while in their territory. The IARU also supports giving greater flexibility to administrations in the formation of Amateur Radio call signs. Expressing concern over interference potential, the IARU opposes allocating any spectrum to the Earth Exploration Satellite Service (Active) to deploy spaceborne synthetic aperture radars (SARs) in the 430 to 440 MHz band. Amateur Radio is co-primary at 430 to 440 MHz in Region 1 and in several countries in Region 2. As an observer at the conference, the IARU can only request that ITU member-states take its views into consideration when deciding on WRC-03 agenda items. ARRL has launched a special WRC-03 campaign <http://www.arrl.org/defense> to help generate the funds needed to continue the defense of Amateur Radio spectrum. Sumner said "unquantifiable thousands of hours by volunteers and staff members" have gone into WRC-03 preparations. ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, and ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA, will serve on the US delegation. More than a dozen other Amateur Radio licensees are expected to be in Geneva to help represent Amateur Radio. WRC-03 concludes July 4. More information on WRC-03 is available on the ITU WRC-03 Web page <http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/conferences/wrc/wrc-03/index.asp> and on the FCC Web site <http://www.fcc.gov/ib/wrc-03/>. ==>HAMVENTION REPORTS ATTENDANCE DOWN IN 2003 Hamvention reported June 4 that attendance for this year's 52nd show was 22,168, down a bit more than 10 percent from last year's crowd. "This is based on the number of admission tickets issued and exhibitor and staff badges issued," said a statement from the office of Hamvention Production Manager Garry Matthews, KB8GOL. Matthews told ARRL that weather played a big factor in attendance this year. "Our biggest contributing factor to the drop was the near-constant rain on Saturday," he said. "We had a whole day washed out." On the plus side, Matthews said, Hamvention 2003 came close to selling out vendor spaces, and many vendors reported that they had a good year, despite the smaller crowd. The 2003 number marks the third year in a row that Hamvention's attendance had dipped. Attendance at last year's 50th anniversary event was 24,832, down about 5 percent from 2001's crowd of 26,151. The crowd size climbed to 28,804 in 2000, the year of the ARRL National Convention at Hamvention. Matthews said Hamvention expects to wrap up negotiations within the next three weeks on a new, two-year contract with Hara Arena, Hamvention's home since the 1960s. The anticipated contract, in conjunction with support from local hotels and motels and area municipalities, "would allow Hamvention to stay in the Dayton area for the foreseeable future," Matthews' office said. Hamvention 2004 will be held May 14-16. For more information, visit the Hamvention Web site <http://www.hamvention.org>. ==>KID'S DAY II IS JUNE 21! The second Kid's Day of 2003 will be June 21, from 1800-2400 UTC. There's no limit on operating time. The twice-annual event, held in January and June, offers a chance for amateurs to invest in the future of Amateur Radio by participating in a simple, but rewarding, on-the-air event. Now in its ninth year, each running of Kid's Day typically attracts more than 1000 participants. Kid's Day is intended as an opportunity to share Amateur Radio with young people--licensed or not--in the hope that they'll enjoy the experience and possibly pursue their own license in the future. Activity for Kid's Day <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html> takes place on 20, 15 and 10 meters and can include local 2-meter repeaters. It's an opportunity to introduce your own youngsters, neighborhood kids and nieces and nephews to participate to the magic of ham radio and perhaps spark a lifelong love for the hobby. Kid's Day is not a contest, and patience is a must. The role of the licensee and control operator is to help with the basics, keep an eye on the technical aspects of the operation, observe third-party traffic agreements and be sure to ID at the proper intervals. In this event, it's quality of the contacts that counts, not quantity. The suggested exchange for Kid's Day is first name, age, location and favorite color. It's okay to work the same station again if the operator has changed. Call "CQ Kid's Day." Suggested frequencies are 14,270 to 14,300, 21,380 to 21,400 and 28,350 to 28,400 kHz, and 2-meter repeater frequencies with permission from your area repeater sponsor. All participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate. Visit the ARRL Kid's Day Survey page <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kids-day-survey.html> to complete a short survey and post your comments. You will then have access to download the certificate page or send a 9x12 SASE to Boring Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 1357, Boring, OR 97009. Originated by the Boring Amateur Radio Club <http://jzap.com/k7rat/>, the event now is sponsored and administered by the ARRL with the cooperation and assistance of the BARC. ==>"MR HAMVENTION" FRANK SCHWAB, W8OK, SK Well-known top-flight contester and CW operator Frank Schwab, W8OK, of Dayton, Ohio, died May 30 after a lengthy illness. He was 77. In 1952 and then president of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, Schwab was among the organizers of the first Hamvention. Schwab subsequently became known around Dayton as the "father of Hamvention" or "Mr Hamvention." Schwab had attended every Hamvention but the most recent one in May, during which he was hospitalized. An ARRL Life Member, he also belonged to the Society of Wireless Pioneers and the Quarter Century Wireless Association. As a founder and member of the Southwestern Ohio DX Association, he was involved in planning the annual DX banquet held in conjunction with Hamvention. Schwab was Hamvention's Amateur of the Year in 1978. A World War II Navy veteran radioman, Schwab was first licensed in 1946 as W8YCP and, owing in part to his considerable CW skill (he could copy 55 WPM), he soon rose to the top of the DXCC ranks (376 DXCC entities confirmed) and eventual membership in the CQ DX Hall of Fame. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, 12 children, 30 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Four of his survivors are hams. They include his daughter Joanne Hubbard, N8QMP, grandchildren Bobbie Anderson, KC7RWX, and Sarah Anderson, KC7MRO, and son-in-law Jack Hubbard, NI8N.--information provided by Jack Hubbard, NI8N ==>SOLAR UPDATE Propagation prognosticator Tad "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: More crazy space weather this week. Average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux both were down, and the average daily A index was up. Some have expressed a lot of angst about the solar wind, solar flares, stormy conditions and resulting absorption, but VHF operators are loving it. Average daily planetary A index compared to the previous week was up over 50 percent to 37.1. The stormiest day was Thursday, May 29, with a planetary A index of 89. Late in the day the planetary K index was 8--which is exceptional. We should enter a new solar wind stream over this weekend, June 7 and 8. Predicted planetary A index for June 6-12 is 15, 20, 30, 30, 25, 20 and 15. Solar flux forecast for the same days is 115, 118, 120, 120, 122 and 124. As we move toward summer, expect daytime MUF to continue to decline. While 15 meters should decline during the daytime, 20 meters should be good from North America toward the Pacific late into the evening. Sunspot numbers for May 29 through June 4 were 98, 62, 57, 66, 61, 54 and 74, with a mean of 67.4. The 10.7 cm flux was 137.8, 117.2, 113.1, 112.3, 121.4, 114.5 and 105.6, with a mean of 117.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 89, 49, 17, 19, 39, 26 and 21, with a mean of 37.1. __________________________________ ==>IN BRIEF: * This weekend on the radio: The VK-ZL Trans-Tasman Contest (CW), the IARU Region 1 Field Day (CW) and the QRP TAC Sprint are the weekend of June 7-8. JUST AHEAD: The ARRL June VHF QSO Party, the ANARTS World Wide RTTY Contest, the Portugal Day Contest, the World Wide South America CW Contest, the Asia-Pacific Sprint (SSB) and the West Virginia QSO Party are the weekend of June 14-15. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. * ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration: Registration for the ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004) course opens Monday, June 9, 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time (0401 UTC) and will remain open through Sunday, June 15. Class begins Tuesday, June 17. Those interested in taking an ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) course in the future can sign up to be advised via e-mail in advance of registration opportunities. Send an e-mail to prereg@arrl.org. On the subject line, indicate the course name or number (eg, EC-00#) and the month you want to start the course. In the message body, provide your name, call sign, and e-mail address. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce> and the C-CE links found there. For more information, contact Certification and Continuing Education Program Coordinator Howard Robins, W1HSR, hrobins@arrl.org. * ARRL Emergency Communications course registration: Registration is closed for the Level I ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications on-line course (EC-001) that begins June 17 and is sponsored by the United Technologies Corporation. Registration opens Monday, June 9, 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time (0400 UTC), for the Level II Emergency Communications on-line course (EC-002). Registration remains open through the June 14-15 weekend or until all available seats have been filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, June 24. Thanks to United Technologies Corporation, the $45 registration fee paid upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the Level II course. Approximately 75 seats are being offered to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> and the C-CE Links found there. For more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org; 860-594-0340. * ARRL to sponsor emergency communications course seminar in Oregon: The ARRL will offer a free Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course (ARECC) seminar Friday, June 13, in conjunction with the ARRL Northwest Division Convention, SeaPac, in Seaside, Oregon. The seminar will not include the Level I course itself. This program is designed to explain in greater detail the duties of volunteer certification mentors, instructors and examiners of the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications courses and provide additional information for those considering these volunteer positions. The seminar will be held June 13, 1-5 PM. Seating may be limited. Contact ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, k3ufg@arrl.org, 860-594-0340; fax 860-594-0259, if you plan to attend. For registered CMs, CIs and CEs who attend, mileage may be reimbursable up to a total of $35. Seminar attendance does not include admission to the convention, which is June 13 through June 15. For more information on SeaPac, visit the convention Web site <http://www.seapac.org>. * FCC corrects comment, reply comment dates in BPL proceeding: The FCC says comment and reply comment deadlines in its Broadband over Power Line (BPL) Notice of Inquiry (ET Docket 03-104) published May 23 in the Federal Register were incorrect. In a correction issued June 3, the FCC announced that comments from the public in this proceeding are due on or before July 7, 2003. Reply comments are due on or before August 6, 2003. * NorCal, NJQRP merge to form American QRP Club: The NorCal QRP Club and the New Jersey QRP Club have joined forces, effective June 4, to form The American QRP Club. A larger, more comprehensive single journal, The Homebrewer, will replace QRPp and QRP Homebrewer. The new club already has begun to consolidate kitting operations as well, and a new Web site <http://www.a-qrp.org> is in the offing. Continuing will be the two QRP forums, Atlanticon and Pacificon, and the NJQRP and NorCal will continue to plan and execute their respective forums, funded via the American QRP Club. Detailed information is available on the American QRP Club's temporary Web site <http://www.njqrp.org/a-qrp/index.html>. * Vote on QST Cover Plaque award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for May was Allen Baker, KG4JJH, for his article "The Black Widow--A Portable 15 Meter Beam." Congratulations, Allen! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award--given to the author--or authors--of the best article in each issue--is determined by a vote of ARRL members. Voting takes place each month on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/qstvote.html>. Cast a ballot for your favorite articles in the June issue of QST. Voting ends June 30. * Corrections: The story "ARRL Releases Updated 'Logbook of the World' Beta Software" that appeared in The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 22 (May 30, 2003), incorrectly indicated an approximate beta testing termination date. Beta testing will wrap up later this year, but no specific date has been determined. Also, the story should have said, "Patton says the beta update will allow users to 'map' any mode designation to one of the valid Amateur Data Interchange Format (ADIF) modes or to one of the LoTW mode categories--CW, phone, image, and digital--without changing the actual log data." Another story in the same edition, "Hams On The 'Hot Seat' at ARRL Hamvention PR Forum," incorrectly named one of the manufacturers that donated hand-held radios as prizes for the public relations forum. The manufacturers were Icom and Alinco. * Clarification: The article "Washington Ham Wins Inaugural Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship" that appeared in The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 19 (May 9, 2003) failed to accurately describe the nature of this scholarship award and how the actual award is determined. The Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship award is calculated by taking into account the college's cost (tuition, room, board and books) less the expected family contribution <http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/> and any other scholarship awards. The Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship award normally will be at least $10,000. The award in any given year is capped by the money available through investment income. Among other requirements, the student recipient also must maintain a minimum GPA, stay with a major that matches the Goldfarb Memorial Scholarhip terms of reference and supply an updated Student Aid Report. The award is paid to the school on a semester/quarter basis. Applications for the 2004 award will be accepted starting October 1, 2003. See the ARRL Foundation Web site <http://www.arrl.org/arrlf/> for further information. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President. The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise, and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org> for the latest news, updated as it happens. 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