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This report is brought to you courtesy of Scott, W3VS, Roy, AA4RE,
HAMNET (a feature of COMPUSERV) and the Garlic Valley Packet Society,
Gilroy, California.
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The ARRL Letter, Volume 7, No. 5, March 11, 1988


  Published by:
       The American Radio Relay League, Inc.
       225 Main St.
       Newington, CT 06111

  Editor:
       Jay Mabey, NU0X

       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 to the American Radio Relay League, Inc.


ARRL AND LMRE MEET
     The presidents of the national Amateur Radio organizations
of the United States and Mexico, the American Radio Relay League
(ARRL), and Liga Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores (LMRE), met
on February 20 to discuss matters of mutual concern to the
amateurs of the two countries.  The meeting was held on South
Padre Island, Texas, in conjunction with STARFEST International
88, a hamfest in nearby Harlingen sponsored by the South Texas
Amateur Repeater Society.  ARRL President Larry E. Price, W4RA,
and LMRE president Guillermo Nunez, XE1NJ, were joined by a
number of other officers and Board members of the two
organizations.
     The leaders of ARRL and LMRE reviewed the status of Amateur
Radio in the two countries, and pledged continuing close
cooperation as sister societies in the International Amateur
Radio Union.  The topics discussed included the following:
     The possibility of an ITU allocations conference in the
1990s, and the need for IARU societies to work together to ensure
effective preparations for Amateur Radio worldwide.
     A multilateral agreement between countries in the Americas
which, when acceded to by Mexico, will result in reciprocal
operating privileges being available to the amateurs of both
countries.  Mexican amateurs have a number of legitimate concerns
about the possible impact of such an agreement, but after
discussion it was determined that these can be effectively
addressed through administrative procedures.  Accordingly, LMRE
announced that it will support Mexico's signing of the
multilateral agreement.
     The use of the amateur bands in both countries, particularly
in border areas.  Procedures for determining frequency use within
established IARU band plans were discussed, and frequency
coordination efforts by amateurs in the border areas were
supported.
     The meeting participants expressed satisfaction that solid
channels of communication, befitting national organizations in
neighboring countries, are now established.  On behalf of their
respective Leagues, W4RA and XE1NJ promised to maintain this
close contact for the betterment of Amateur Radio in both
nations.

TONY ENGLAND, W0ORE, VISITS ARRL HQ
     NASA astronaut Tony England, W0ORE, visited ARRL HQ February
26 while on a trip to New England.  In August 1985, England
operated amateur SSTV and 2-meter FM aboard the Space Shuttle
Challenger, making more than 100 QSOs.
     Meeting with HQ staff, England was asked how he felt when he
made his first QSO from space.  England replied "I was relieved
the equipment worked" and went on to say he knew many volunteers
had spent a great deal of time building the special equipment and
that he then knew their efforts were not in vain.
     England mentioned that interest in Amateur Radio remained
high among technicians and astronauts at the Johnson Space
Center, but that the lack of launches had somewhat dampened
follow-through on obtaining Amateur Radio licenses.  Tony saw the
return to the launch phase as producing a quick upturn in those
at the JSC getting their Amateur Radio tickets.
     Tony's main interest continues to be interfacing Amateur
Radio into the curriculum of the nation's schools.  On his last
flight he had schedules with a number of schools, sending SSTV
pictures directly into science and social studies classrooms.
     England was presented with an autographed copy of the 1988
ARRL Handbook signed by the HQ staff.  He said he hopes to fly
again once Shuttle missions are resumed, but his age, 45, might
be a factor.

FCC ACCEPTS UPS COMMENTS
     Just at press time we received notification that the FCC had
accepted the six-months late UPS comments (ARRL Letter No. 4,
February 29, 1988) on Docket 87-14.  The FCC will accept reply
comments until March 31.
     For a copy of the UPS comments please send a SASE with $1.41
postage to: Regulatory Information Branch, ARRL HQ, 225 Main
Street, Newington, CT 06111.

DIAMOND JUBILEE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CELEBRATION
     The Ohio and Michigan sections of ARRL will be celebrating
the 75th anniversary of the first recorded instance of emergency
communications being provided by Amateur Radio.
     In March of 1913, a severe winter storm devastated much of
the Midwest.  The storm was marked by tornadoes, electrical
disturbances, and serious flooding.  It was this emergency that
initiated action by the local wireless stations.  Communications
were established between Ohio State University, and the station
at the University of Michigan, 8XA.  Despite many problems of
equipment failure (burned out spark gap motors), and operators
passing out after 70 continuous hours of operation, the stations
maintained communications throughout the emergency.  The use of
Amateur Radio communications during periods of emergency showed
the potential for the establishment of a wireless communications
network for the entire country.
     The present-day ARRL had its beginning on April 6, 1914,
when the Radio Club of Hartford, at the urging of Hiram Percy
Maxim, voted to take charge of developing a relay organization, a
year after the flooding in Ohio.  Today, ARRL sponsors the
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic
System (NTS) which are the backbone of Amateur Radio emergency
communications.
     "CQ Diamond Jubilee" will be the identifier, and a
certificate is available which will be jointly issued by both
sections.  There is also a special endorsement for working either
W8LT at Ohio State University or W8UM at the University of
Michigan, who will be simulating the original message exchange
from March 27, 1913.
     The anniversary celebration will take place March 26-27 1988
from 1700 to 0500 UTC.  Suggested frequencies are 1.950, 7.260,
14.250, 21.325, and 28.400 MHz for phone, and 1.810, 3.710,
7.130, 14.050, 21.125, and 28.125 for CW.  Ohio stations will
operate down 5 kHz, and Michigan stations will operate up 5 kHz.
On 75 meters, both sections will be operating on their ARES
frequencies, Michigan on 3.932 MHz and Ohio on 3.875 MHz.
     QSO information should be forwarded to either Larry Solak,
WD8MPV, 9971 Diagonal Road, Mantua, Ohio 44255; or George Race,
WB8BGY, 3865 Gibbs Road, Albion, Michigan 49224.

AMSAT NEWS AND UPDATES
     User Update on AMSAT-OSCAR 10--the spacecraft is once again
having a problem generating power.
     There have been reports of the Beacon and transponder
operating erratically, and as a result AO-10 is being removed
from service and all user access stopped immediately.
     There is a possibility that the satellite may be reactivated
in a few months when the problem has been corrected.
     In other news, AMSAT's Phase 3C spacecraft launch momentum
is increasing.  Despite the fact that the actual launch date has
slipped a month into late May or early June, prelaunch
preparations are progressing.
     AMSAT launch support teams met in Boulder, Colorado recently
to plan strategy for the launch.  These teams will accomplish the
final preparations on the Phase 3C satellite when it arrives at
the European Space Agency launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.
     The launch vehicle is an Ariane 4 rocket, the largest ESA
has flown.  This will be the 22nd flight, and has been designated
V-22.
     The 300 pound AMSAT spacecraft, which is one of three
satellite payloads on the Ariane, will be integrated into the
support container atop the launch vehicle, and AMSAT teams will
remain on site to monitor Phase 3C telemetry functions until the
launch, thus assuring all systems are operating properly.
     Phase 3C contains four separate transponders (repeaters)
covering frequencies from 145 MHz to 2.4 GHz.
     The satellite has been "hardened" for the rigors of space,
and should operate for more than 5 years.  Phase 3C will receive
its OSCAR designator number after it is successfully operating in
orbit, about 30 days after launch.
     On the air coverage of the launch in June will originate
with a network of stations around the world, including W1AW.
Repeaters can link into the system via landline circuits.
     Phase 3C is a joint project of AMSAT North America and AMSAT
DL with contributions from other AMSAT affiliated organizations.
The project cost over $400,000.

NORTHEAST VHF CONFERENCE
     The 14th annual VHF/UHF/SHF conference, sponsored by the
Northeast VHF Association, will be held May 20-22, 1988 at Rivier
College in Nashua, New Hampshire.
     The program will feature a Friday evening hospitality room.
Included on the agenda are technical talks by well-known VHFers
on Saturday, discussions on the various VHF/UHF bands, seminars
on antennas, and many other activities of interest to the VHF/UHF
experimenter and operator.
     Dormitory style housing on campus is available at a nominal
charge.  To preregister contact:

            David Knight, KA1DT
             15 Oakdale Avenue
              Nashua, NH 03062

     Registration is $20 and those wishing dormitory
accommodations should include payment at the time of
preregistration.  Requests must be received prior to May 14.

KITTY HEVENER, WB8TDA, NOMINATED FOR AWARD
     Katherine "Kitty" Hevener, WB8TDA, a former ARRL employee in
the Regulatory Information Branch, and Editor of the ARRL Program
for the Disabled booklet, has been selected as a candidate for
"Handicapped Woman of the Year" in greater Cincinnati, Ohio.
     Kitty will be competing with 22 handicapped professionals
for the district award April 9-10, the winner of which will
represent the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia in a
future national competition.
     Hevener is a 1981 cum laude graduate from Vanderbilt
University's Peabody College for Teachers, and holds a BS in
elementary education and special education for the visually
impaired.  She teaches students adaptive techniques for doing
everyday tasks, as well as the use of specialized equipment that
converts print into synthesized speech and Braille.
Kitty is active in emergency communications and public service
events in the Cincinnati area.  She also teaches Amateur Radio
classes.  Best of luck, Kitty, and keep up the good work!

AMATEUR RADIO SCHOLARSHIPS
     The Atlanta Radio Club has announced two $1000 scholarships
for young Amateur Radio operators to be awarded in 1988.
     Requirements include being a licensed radio amateur, and a
graduating senior in 1988 entering college for the first time.
Candidates are judged on their high school grades, Amateur Radio
achievements, and citizenship/leadership qualities.  Special
consideration will be given to residents of Georgia and adjacent
states.
     For further information and applications write to Phil
Latta, W4GTS, 259 Weatherstone Parkway, Marietta, GA 30068.

MARCONI DAY SPECIAL EVENT
     Guglielmo Marconi will be honored by Amateur Radio operators
in the United States, England, Ireland, Canada, Newfoundland, and
Italy on April 23, 1988.
Marconi, who first conceived the idea of using electromagnetic
waves for signaling, will be honored by an Amateur Radio special
event--International Marconi Day (IMD).      GB4IMD in Cornwall,
England, will be operating from Poldhu Cove where Marconi carried
out the first trans-Atlantic transmission.  EI2IMD will be
operating from the site where Marconi carried out the Irish
experiments in Crookhaven.  In the US, K1VV/IMD will be at Cape
Cod South Wellfleet where the first USA to Europe contact
occurred.
     The Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SNRA) will be
operating VO1IMD at Signal Hill in St. Johns where the first
trans-Atlantic signals were heard by Marconi on December 12,
1901.  Sydney Amateur Radio Club of Nova Scotia will establish
VE1IMD at the Marconi Museum in Glace Bay, and IY4FGM will
operate from Marconi's birthplace in Bologna, Italy.
     Operating frequencies are on five bands, SSB, as follows:
3.770-3.780 MHz, 7.070-7.080 MHz, 14.270-14.280 MHz, 21.250-
21.260 MHz, and 28.530-28.540 MHz.  Special awards are offered to
amateurs who work any five of the six IMD stations.  Applications
should be sent to Cornish Radio Amateur Club PO Box 100 Truro,
Cornwall, United Kingdom TR1 1XP.

AMATEUR INDUSTRY MEETING
     There was an informal gathering of Amateur Radio Industry
representatives February 5, 1988 at Miami, Florida just prior to
the Miami Hamboree.  ARRL Executive Vice President Dave Sumner,
K1ZZ, presented a report on the following topics of interest:
Archie Comic Books continue to do very well.  All of the first
printing (100,000) and about 40,000 of the second printing have
been distributed.
     Feedback on the video "New World of Amateur Radio" continues
to be positive.  Videotape circulation is very widespread, as
duplication is actively encouraged, and many broadcast stations
have aired it as well.  New Novice licenses are up 40% compared
with 2 years ago, and there is an increase in upgrades.  League
membership is now about 150,000, an increase of more than 6000
over the past year.
     In summary, the general mood of the industry representatives
was positive, and steps are being taken to promote growth in the
Amateur Radio Service.  There were signs, however, that the
Novice Exam is too difficult for prospective hams.  It is argued
that the reading level may be too high, especially for young
people taking the exam.  Discussions continue on combining the
Novice code and written elements so that someone who does well on
one phase and poorly on the other may still receive a passing
grade.  Also discussed was "code recognition" as opposed to "code
copying."          Check the Happenings column in April QST for
further details.

WESTERN SAHARA COUNTRY STATUS CLARIFIED
     On February 12, the ARRL Awards Committee unanimously
accepted the ARRL DX Advisory Committee's recommendation that
Western Sahara, SO, be added to the ARRL DXCC Countries List.
However, further consultation between the two committees was
required to resolve whether SO was to be a brand-new listing or a
reactivation of Rio de Oro, EA9.
     The ARRL DX Advisory Committee and the ARRL Awards Committee
have jointly announced that Western Sahara will be a reactivation
of the deleted Rio de Oro (Spanish Sahara) listing.  Thus Rio de
Oro is removed from the list of deleted countries and returns to
the ARRL DXCC Countries List under the name Western Sahara.
Recent and continuing SORASD operations are creditable for DXCC,
but cards will not be accepted before June 1, 1988.  Please hold
SORASD cards for submission beginning June 1.

SENIORS TARGETED FOR HAM RECRUITMENT
          The ARRL is sponsoring an innovative program aimed at
recruiting retirees as new hams.  The pilot program is aimed at
non-hams aged 50 and over in the metro Tampa/St. Petersburg,
Florida area, and if it is successful a nationwide program will
follow.  The program will pool the efforts of many local
volunteers, utilizing their experience and dedication.
     Much research has gone into this project, and ARRL HQ staff
working on it will be attending the Orlando Hamcation to conduct
further research and meet with representatives from seniors
organizations and volunteer amateurs.  Implementation of the
pilot program is expected to commence  in June-August and
continue through early 1989.

ARRL POTPOURRI
     On the publications front, The 1987-1988 Repeater Directory
is out of stock.  Total distribution on the book was 59,104
copies!  The new 1988-89 edition has gone to the printer, will
debut at the Dayton Hamvention(R), and will be available from
ARRL HQ or your local Amateur Radio book store for $5.
     Congratulations are in order for ARRL Publications Manager
Paul Rinaldo, W4RI.   He has been elected as a Senior Member of
the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
According to the Institute, only about 10% of their 280,000
members have attained this grade.