Monster Media 1996 #15/Monster Media Number 15 (Monster Media)(July 1996).ISO/ham/arrl.zip/ARRL0531.TXT

Text File | 1996-06-05 | 20KB | 367 lines

The ARRL Letter
Electronic Update
May 31, 1996
__________________________________

IN THIS UPDATE . . ..

* Write now! Two meters and 70 cm threatened!
* Kenwood's new distribution channels
* Minnesota tower challenge
* QUEST 43 yields old Bird 43s
* Sunspot minimum still ahead
* Young researchers beat NASA to punch
* In Brief: New senator's ham radio connection;
   Younger licensees up; KA4MHJ honored;
   Drake is on-line; All-plastic battery under
   development; Arecibo dish to be upgraded.
__________________________________

AMATEURS MOBILIZE AGAINST THREAT TO 2 METERS, 70 CM

The American Radio Relay League is asking radio amateurs across the United
States to help defeat a threat to the two most heavily used amateur VHF and
UHF bands.

An industry working group known as IWG-2A that is preparing draft US
proposals for the 1997 World Radiocommunication Conference has before it a
list of "candidate bands" for low-earth orbit mobile satellites ("little
LEOs") that includes, among a number of others suggested for consideration,
the 144 and 420 MHz bands. Little LEOs are intended mainly to offer
commercial paging and other low-data-rate messaging services.

The list of candidate bands was submitted by little LEO industry
representatives at a meeting of IWG-2A on May 7. ARRL Technical Relations
Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, was present and objected strongly to the
inclusion of these two bands. He was told that objections should be
submitted in written comments, and the ARRL did so on May 15. At the same
time the ARRL advised the industry participants in IWG-2A along with its
chairman, Warren Richards of the Department of State, that if we did not
receive assurance that the bands would be dropped from the list of candidate
bands we would have no choice but to advise members in July QST that the
bands were under threat. No such assurances were forthcoming. Instead, we
were told that as long as little LEO allocations requirements remained
unsatisfied, everything had to remain on the table.

This response was not acceptable. Accordingly, when July QST went to the
printer on Tuesday, May 28, it included the following editorial. The
editorial speaks for itself, but it is worth emphasizing that there is no
reason for panic. What we are dealing with is an ill-considered industry
effort that is in its early stages; there is no reason to believe there is
any government support for any move against these two amateur bands. Our
mission is to quash the idea before it goes any further. An outpouring of
thoughtful comment by amateurs, explaining why the public interest would not
be served by the introduction of commercial services into these bands, will
go a long way toward ensuring the desired outcome.

The editorial may be reprinted in its entirety with the credit line:
"Reprinted with permission from July 1996 QST."

It Seems to Us, July 1996 QST:

Write Now! Get out a pen and paper, or boot up your computer. There's work
to be done! Your help is needed to defend two meters and 70 cm. Yes, that's
right--the two most popular and crowded amateur VHF/UHF bands! But don't
panic, and don't "go ballistic."  Here's what's happening, and what you can
do about it.

The United States is preparing for the 1997 ITU World Radiocommunication
Conference, WRC-97. In the past, the public has been able to participate in
the preparations for such conferences by responding to FCC Notices of
Inquiry. In March, the FCC announced a streamlining of its International
Bureau's preparatory processes for WRCs. Under the new scheme, the NOIs have
been eliminated in favor of increased emphasis on WRC Advisory Committees.

For WRC-97, a series of Informal Working Groups (IWGs) of the Advisory
Committee has been created to address specific agenda items. The output of
each IWG will go directly to a joint FCC-NTIA-Department of State Steering
Committee of the Advisory Committee. There, draft proposals as received from
the IWGs will be reviewed and forwarded to the FCC for possible release as
preliminary U.S. proposals for public comment.

In announcing the streamlined WRC preparatory process, the FCC tried to
reassure those who might be concerned about reduced opportunities for public
participation: "Interested parties should note that input to the Advisory
Committee may be sent at any time directly to the Chair of the WRC-97
Advisory Committee; the Chairs of the Advisory Committee's Informal Working
Groups; Cecily C. Holiday, the FCC's federal officer of the WRC-97 Advisory
Committee, or to Damon C. Ladson, the alternate federal officer."  Hold that
thought while we shift gears to the substance of the issue.

One of the WRC-97 agenda items includes consideration of possible additional
frequency allocations for the mobile-satellite service. So-called "little
LEOs," low-earth orbit satellites below 1 GHz, already have allocations.
Their proponents claim these are inadequate and are trying for more. The
needs of little LEOs are being addressed in IWG-2A, chaired by Warren
Richards of the Department of State. The ARRL technical relations staff
participates in IWG-2A to represent Amateur Radio interests. At the May 7
IWG-2A meeting, an industry representative proposed a list of "candidate
bands" for little LEOs. The list includes a number of bands that would
negatively impact existing services, and does not include others that would
be technically more feasible but to which strong objection from incumbents
could be expected--the point being that some political, rather than purely
technical, judgment already has influenced the list. Incredibly, 144-148 and
420-450 MHz were included on the list! This is the first time in memory that
another service has been proposed for the two-meter amateur band. We must
make sure it is also the last time.

We do not need to explain to ARRL members the extensive use that is made of
these bands by amateurs. The two bands provide the backbone of our local
public service communications effort. Voice and data, mobile and fixed, even
television--the list of present amateur uses is a long one, and of future
uses is even longer. Both are already used for satellite services and for
moonbounce and extended-range terrestrial operations requiring extremely
sensitive receivers and high levels of effective radiated power.

Apparently we did need to explain all this to the little LEO industry
representatives, so we did just that--both at the meeting and in a followup
letter on May 15. We also explained that we had to regard the matter as
extremely serious. No one with the slightest background in
radiocommunication could possibly believe that a mobile-satellite service
could be introduced into either band without disrupting existing and future
amateur operations. Therefore, we said, if we did not receive assurance that
they would be taken off the list of candidate bands by the deadline for this
issue of QST, we would have no choice but to bring the matter to the
attention of the entire membership.

The response we received was unsatisfactory. In effect, we were told the
little LEO industry would consider our views but that until their spectrum
needs are satisfied, all bands must remain under consideration.

So, this is a call to action. We must get across to the industry and
government participants in IWG-2A that the 144-148 MHz and 420-450 MHz bands
cannot be considered as candidates for mobile-satellite services. We need to
drive the point home so forcefully, with so many grassroots responses, that
no one is ever tempted to try this again.  Which brings us back to that
invitation for "interested parties" to send input "at any time." There's no
time like the present! Here are the key addresses, including those of the
mobile-satellite industry folks who seem to have started the ruckus:

Cecily C. Holiday, International Bureau, FCC, Washington, DC 20554; e-mail
[e-mail]; fax [phone].

Warren G. Richards, Chair, IWG-2A, Department of State, CIP 2529,
Washington, DC 20520; e-mail [e-mail]; fax
202-647-7407.

Tracey Weisler, FCC Rep, IWG-2A, International Bureau, FCC, Washington, DC
20554; e-mail [e-mail]; fax [phone].

Mary Kay Williams, Final Analysis, Inc, 7500 Greenway Center, Suite 1240,
Greenbelt, MD 20770; fax [phone].

Leslie Taylor, President, LTA, 6800 Carlynn Ct, Bethesda, MD 20817; e-mail
[e-mail]; fax [phone].

Do comment. But be civil. Don't abuse people who are simply doing their
jobs. We have to get across that casting covetous eyes on amateur bands is
counterproductive, and contrary to the public interest. To accomplish this
we need a lot of comments, including yours. But remember that the objective
is to educate and persuade, not to intimidate. We don't need to. The facts
are on our side.

To monitor the FCC's ongoing WRC-97 preparations, visit its WRC-97 home page
at http://www.fcc.gov/ib/wrc97/. Write now. Right now!--David Sumner, K1ZZ

KENWOOD ANNOUNCES NEW DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

Longing for a new Kenwood TS-870S or maybe a TM-733? Soon, you might find
them in your local CB shop or truck stop. Citing concerns about the future
of Amateur Radio and a changing business climate, Kenwood Communications
Corp announced to its dealers on May 21 it's taking "some bold steps" to
turn things around. Kenwood has appointed three new companies (as yet
unnamed) to wholesale Kenwood Amateur Radio products "to CB radio stores,
truck stops, 2-way radio stores, and electronic re-sellers," according to a
letter to its dealer network.

Kenwood says it believes its new distribution strategy will benefit the
hobby by increasing the visibility of its Amateur Radio line through small
dealers to help draw newcomers into the hobby.

The company also says it plans to offer a new pamphlet or "primer" about
Amateur Radio to introduce people to the hobby. The primer will be free. In
addition, Kenwood will start selling Amateur Radio study guides and has
urged its authorized dealer network to help distribute the new materials. In
conjunction with its Kenwood Report--distributed to ham radio clubs--the
company also plans to offer "incentives for local clubs to gain new members
using the Kenwood Amateur Radio primer and licensing materials." In a May 28
letter to authorized dealers, Kenwood described the moves as "our first
stage of activities to promote Amateur Radio."

Kenwood says the extra step in the new distribution chain will guarantee
that existing authorized dealers always have a price advantage over the
smaller resellers. The company also denied rumors that it plans to exit the
Amateur Radio market.

MINNESOTA TOWER CHALLENGE DECIDED IN HAM'S FAVOR

A Minnesota ham, Steven Fraasch, K0SF, of Corcoran, Minnesota, so far has
successfully fended off attempts by a local golf course to keep him from
maintaining a tower at his home. Last Summer, Fraasch got approval and a
building permit from city officials to erect a 130-foot tower. But Rush
Creek Golf Club which owns a golf course that adjoins the Goose Lake
development where Fraasch lives went to court to block the tower project,
citing environmental and aesthetic grounds and claiming the risk of
irreparable damage. Fraasch lives on a 19-acre tract that includes wetlands.


Rush Creek named both Fraasch and the City of Corcoran as defendants.
However, the Fourth Judicial District Court denied a temporary restraining
order, and Fraasch built the tower as planned.

Earlier this year, Judge Robert Lynn ruled that Rush Creek had failed to
establish its case. The court determined, among other things, that the tower
does not pollute or impair the wetlands and would pose no threat to
waterfowl and especially to trumpeter swans, and that the tower, while
visible from surrounding points, "does not appreciably impair any scenic or
aesthetic resources associated with the Goose Lake wetlands." The court also
found that the tower "has far less visual impact on plaintiff's property
than the adjacent farmyard filled with rusty old construction equipment as
well as a nearby mobile home park."

ARRL Volunteer Counsel Jay Bellows, K0QBE, who represents Fraasch, says Rush
Creek's motion for amended findings or a new trial was denied, but he
expects an appeal. Stay tuned!

DOING THE BIRD

Justin Dennis, KA0HKV, of Atkins, Iowa, was the grand prize winner of QUEST
43, Bird Electronic Corporation's year-long competition to locate the oldest
working Model 43 Thruline Wattmeter. Bird says Dennis's Model 43 (serial no
71), made in 1952, still delivers accurate RF-power measurements 44 years
later. Dennis said he bought the unit from a friend for $15. It earned him a
24-carat-gold-plated Model 43, a $1000 gift certificate and a brand new
Model 43.

First prize went to Bernie Wendoloski, W3YML, of Avoca, Pennsylvania (serial
no 76). Wendoloski won a new Model 43 and a $500 gift certificate. Among the
second prize winners in QUEST 43 were Edwin Ranson, K5ER, of San Diego,
California (serial no 111); Gus Goings, WA4CPL, of Tavares, Florida (serial
no 123); Paul Wieman, WB6ARQ, of Acton, California (serial no 129); and Fred
Amis, KK4BD, Jacksonville, Florida (serial no 140). Second-prize winners got
a new Model 43 and a $250 gift certificate.

QUEST 43 winners were announced last month at the International Wireless
Communications Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dennis said he plans to donate his
vintage unit to Bird for display at the company's Solon, Ohio, facility.
QUEST 43 was launched in April 1995 to help celebrate the production of
250,000 Model 43s.

SUNSPOT MINIMUM STILL AHEAD

Solar prognosticator Tad Cook, KT7H, reports four consecutive days of zero
sunspots for the period May 16-22. The average solar flux was down five
points from the previous period. Expect similar conditions through the rest
of 1996 as we experience the solar minimum.

A note from Shel Shallon, W6EL points out that the progress of any solar
cycle is judged in terms of smoothed sunspot numbers, and that the smoothed
number for a given month is an average of 13 months of data, centered on the
month of interest. Therefore we won't really know when the sunspot cycle
minimum has occurred until some time after the event.

Shallon, the author of the popular Mini Prop propagation prediction
software, goes on to say: ''Reports last year that the first spots from
cycle 23 had been observed were erroneous. It is now believed that the first
spot from cycle 23 was observed on May 10, 1996. Typically, the sunspot
cycle minimum does not occur until at least 12 months following the
appearance of the first spots of new cycle. Therefore, the minimum between
cycles 22 and 23, and the official start of cycle 23, may not occur before
May 1997.''

Current solar flux progress for the short term points to a slow rise to a
peak just above 70 around June 7 or 8, followed by a drop below 70 around
the middle of June. Sunspot numbers for May 16-22 were 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, 0
and 11, respectively, with a mean of 7. The 10.7-cm flux was 71, 71.2, 70.3,
68.8, 68, 66.9 and 66, respectively, with a mean of 68.9.

YOUNG RESEARCHERS BEAT NASA TO PUNCH

Two teen-aged researchers already know what NASA is spending $600,000 to
find out: That magnetic rods stabilize spacecraft in the magnetic field of
the earth! Using data they collected from AMSAT's WEBERSAT Amateur Radio
satellite, James Wedewer, KE6QNL, and Justin Hartung have spent this school
semester studying the motion of WEBERSAT over the magnetic poles of the
earth and through the South Atlantic anomaly.

WEBERSAT, an AMSAT microsat satellite, is stabilized with four bar magnetic
rods interacting with the magnetic field of the earth. Both researchers were
looking for signs of mutation or wobble over the poles and in the anomaly.
After winning at their high school science fair, the youths took their work
to the Los Angeles County science fair, where Justin received honorable
mention and James won first place in Physics and Astronomy. James, 18, then
competed in the International Fair in Tucson where he won the prestigious
Air Force first-place medal and a Navy scholarship and placed fourth place
in the Space Science division of the fair. At the California State science
fair, James won another first place in Physics and space science.

In all, James won $4750 in cash and scholarships. Justin, 15, is a freshman
and James is a senior at Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills,
California, a school well-known for its research in microsat satellite
motion.--AMSAT News Service

__________________________________

In Brief . . .

* There's a ham radio connection in the recent announcement that Kansas Gov
Bill Graves has named Lt Gov Sheila Frahm to succeed Bob Dole in the US
Senate. Sheila Frahm is a sister-in-law of ARRL Midwest Vice Director Bob
Frahm, K0BJ. Sheila Frahm, a 51-year-old Republican, will serve in the
Senate at least until November, when Kansas voters will choose a candidate
to fill the last two years of Dole's term.

* According to FCC statistics, as of the end of April, the number of
licensees who are age 21or younger totaled 30,827. That's almost 500 more
than at the end of March.

* James E. Vann, KA4MHJ, of Spencer, Tennessee, recently was named a
third-place winner in Cooper Industries' Volunteer Spirit Awards program.
The program recognizes employees who are outstanding community volunteers.
Jim, an ARES member in Van Buren County, Tennessee, helped establish a
severe storm spotter group in Van Buren and White counties, in conjunction
with the National Weather Service. He also organized training classes for
spotters and put 911 on the repeater system. In conjunction with the award,
The Cooper Industries Foundation awarded $1000 to the American Red Cross for
disaster assistance in White and Van Buren counties.

* The R.L. Drake Co of Miamisburg, Ohio, is now on-line and constructing a
web site. Point your browser to http://www.rldrake.com.

* The first practical power source using an all-plastic battery is under
development at the Applied Physics Laboratory at The Johns Hopkins
University in Baltimore. The battery uses polymers in place of conventional
metallic electrodes and electrolytes. Early versions have demonstrated power
up to 2.5 V and the ability to be recharged hundreds of times. The
all-plastic battery is made of lightweight, non-toxic, readily available
materials. APL is working on an integrated power source (IPS) that combines
the new plastic battery with control circuitry for easy use and recharging.
According to APL, IPS units ultimately can be made as thin as a credit card
and cut or molded to any shape.--APL News

* Work is now under way to upgrade the Arecibo Observatory's 1000-foot dish
with a prime focus Gregorian feed. The new system will allow the entire
surface of the dish to be used (a portion at any given time) and will result
in an additional 6 to 8 dB of gain.--WA5VJB/West Coast VHFer

===========================================================

The ARRL Letter is published by the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111; tel [phone]; fax [phone]. Rodney J.
Stafford, KB6ZV, President; David Sumner, K1ZZ, Executive Vice President.

Electronic edition circulation, Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, e-mail
[e-mail].
Editorial, Rick Lindquist, KX4V, e-mail [e-mail].

The purpose of The ARRL Letter is to provide the essential news of interest
to active, organizationally minded radio amateurs faster than it can be
disseminated by our official journal, QST. We strive to be fast, accurate
and readable in our reporting.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any
form, including photoreproduction and electronic databanks, provided that
credit is given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.