November's monthly meeting of the Elk County Amateur Radio Association will be held on Sunday, November 19^th 1:30 PM at the Elk County EMA 911 Center, 2 miles south of Ridgway on US 219.

The Elk County Amateur Radio Association Web Page is found at http://www.qsl.net/kb3boe/. This page contains club information, email addresses, and homepages of members. If you would like to have your page included or have suggestions for the web page content, please email to: kb3boe@qsl.net.

ECARA Club Officers

President: N3RJH Rick Wehler

Vice President: N3UGB Joe Lewis

Treasurer: N3UDN Mary Lewis

Secretary: N3WRN Lois Devilling

Others:

Publicity: KB3CQT Val Biel

Newsletter: WA8RZR Jan Blair

Reprographics: Sandy Leitner

Distribution: N3UDM Bernie Jarbeck

ECARA Web Page: N3WRJ Alex Quirk

Emergency Coordinator: N3SGY Bob Devilling

Nets of Interest:

Western PA EMA Net 3990.5 kHz 9:00AM Sunday

Western PA Phone Traffic Net

3883.0 kHz 6:00PM Daily

Sunday Evening ARES Nets:

Jefferson/Clearfield County

146.865 PL 100.0 7:00 PM

Elk County

147.000 No PL 8:00 PM

Cameron County

147.180 No PL 8:30 PM

Centre County

146.850 No PL 9:00 PM

McKean County

147.240 PL 173.8 9:30 PM

Welcome to the November 2000 edition of the Elk County Amateur Radio Association newsletter. Your newsletter ideas and suggestions are welcome. Call me or send me an email at WA8RZR@ARRL.NET.

October Highlights

· The October meeting was held at the Lewis family camp due to renovation at the regular meeting location at the 911 Center. Thanks to the Lewis family for the last minute arrangements. As a note, we will be having November’s meeting at the 911 Center again.

· Lee N3NWL, Shari KB3EWT, and Alex N3WRJ report that the September 17^th Girl Scout Fun Day held in Mt. Jewitt went very well and had good attendance. Val KB3CQT and the Lewis family reported the September 24^th event had low attendance due to the weather. There were a variety of activities and Shari christened the event by breaking her ankle. Sheri get better soon!

· JOTA, Jamboree On The Air will be conducted from Camp Mountain Run on October 21 and 22.

· On October 28^th, the Western PA Section Simulated Emergency Test will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM local time. Join them on 7.243 MHz and on your local repeater.

· Find the 2001 Membership Renewal form attached to this newsletter. Please send in your 2001 dues to Mary Lewis or give to her at the next meeting.

· Come prepared to discuss 2001 ECARA Officer Elections. Bring your nominations to the November meeting.

Net Control Operators Schedule

November KB3CQT Val

December N3UGB Joe

John, K3TMD, offers his service anytime a replacement Net Control Operator is needed. Contact John if you cannot act as Net Control for one evening.

The ARRL Letter

Vol. 19, No. 39

October 13, 2000

FCC CUTS DEAL IN TEXAS AMATEUR INTERFERENCE CASE

A Texas amateur facing an $8000 fine in a malicious interference case instead will give up his Amateur Radio license for five years and make a voluntary contribution to the US Treasury. In exchange, the FCC will drop the fine. The FCC this week adopted a consent decree terminating the forfeiture proceeding against Technician licensee Robert L. Meyers, N5WLY.

Last spring, the FCC affirmed $8000 fines levied on Meyers and General licensee Paul E. Holcombe, K4TOF, both of Houston. The two were charged with causing malicious interference on a local repeater and with failing to identify.

The terms of the agreement call for Meyers to turn in his amateur license and to agree to not reapply for a period of five years. In addition, Meyers has agreed to make a voluntary $1000 contribution to the US Treasury. In return, the FCC will cancel its Forfeiture Order against Meyers--$7000 for malicious interference and $1000 for failing to identify.

The consent decree only affects the case against Meyers, who has demonstrated to the FCC that he was financially unable to pay the fine. "We are proceeding to collection of the Holcombe forfeiture," FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth said. He indicated that Meyers now is cooperating with the FCC in its investigation.

Meyers and Holcombe each received a Forfeiture Order last May from the FCC's Houston office. The fines followed an FCC investigation last year that involved the use of direction-finding equipment to track interfering signals to Holcolmbe's and Meyers' vehicles. As part of the consent decree, Meyers agrees to not contest the findings of the Forfeiture Order, but he does not admit that he committed the violations either.

After the FCC first sent a Notice of Violation and then a Notice of Apparent Liability to each licensee, each responded by denying the allegations. The FCC was unconvinced by their assertions, and said their denials were contradicted by the observations of the FCC agent, who surreptitiously observed each vehicle while the Memorial Emergency Repeater Association's 145.47 machine in Houston was being interfered with.

TWO HAMS ABOARD 100TH SHUTTLE MISSION

After delays due to bad weather, a possibly problematic retracting bolt, a sluggish valve and a halted countdown to remove a stray tool, the shuttle Discovery lifted off from Cape Canaveral the evening of October 11. The launch was the 100th of the space shuttle program.

Two Amateur Radio operators are aboard Discovery. They include Mission Commander Brian Duffy, N5WQW, and Mission Specialist Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, who will represent NASDA, the Japanese Space Agency. No Amateur Radio activity is scheduled for this mission, however. Others aboard Discovery will include Pilot Pam Melroy, and mission specialists Leroy Chiao, Bill McArthur, Jeff Wisoff, and Mike Lopez-Alegria.

Discovery is on the fifth shuttle construction mission to the International Space Station and the last before the arrival of the ISS Expedition 1 crew in early November. Two new segments of the ISS are in the shuttle's cargo bay--a new docking port for use by future shuttle missions and a nine-ton exterior framework.

Shuttle mission STS-92 had been scheduled to launch on October 5, but inclement weather, concerns over a retracting bolt assembly, and a faulty engine valve delayed the launch until this week. Then, with the crew aboard and the countdown running Wednesday, NASA personnel spotted a stray metal pin apparently left behind by a worker on a support strut between the orbiter and the shuttle's giant fuel tank.

Launch managers decided to halt the countdown at T-minus 20 minutes and roll the launch tower back into place to retrieve the pin. An investigation is under way to determine how it was left behind and not accounted for.

The ISS exterior framework--called the Z1 truss--will be attached to the expanding station. The Z1 will house gyroscopes and communications equipment that will provide future "balance" for the outpost as well as enhanced voice and television capability. A conical mating adapter called Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 will be attached, providing an additional shuttle docking port. During the 11-day mission, Wakata will use the shuttle's robotic arm to attach the framework and mating adapter to the station's Unity module.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station initial station gear was delivered last month by the shuttle Atlantis. The equipment has been stowed aboard the ISS until the Expedition 1 crew of US astronaut Bill Shepherd, KD5GSL, and Russian Cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, and Yuri Gidzenko come aboard for a four-month stay. The Expedition 1 crew launch currently is targeted for October 30 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.—from NASA news releases and press reports

FCC QUESTIONS POSSIBLE "CORPORATE RAIDERS" ON HAM BANDS

With complaints involving Amateur Radio licensees on the decline, FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth has been focusing more on unlicensed activity. In a few recent cases, he's questioned businesses about transmissions monitored on amateur bands.

In late September, the FCC sent a Warning Notice to Friendly Tree Services of Orange, New Jersey, after members of the amateur community there monitored what appeared to be business-related communications on 2 meters. Citing "information before the Commission," Hollingsworth dropped Friendly Tree a line on September 29 to inquire about transmissions monitored on 144.085 MHz. Monitoring information provided to the FCC indicated that an apparently unlicensed station was conducting business on 2 meters using a "base station and at least four trucks." The amateurs made the connection with the tree service after overhearing directions to a particular street address given over the air. The amateurs drove to the address and spotted one of the company's trucks and a worker at the site.

Another Warning Notice went out in late September to Inland Materials Inc of Casselberry, Florida. That Notice cited information alleging that the company was transmitting on 438.537 MHz without a license. According to Hollingsworth, amateur reports indicated that one channel of the company's business radio system transmits on an amateur frequency, but he said it was unclear if this was by design or simply an error.

Hollingsworth has advised the two companies that unlicensed operation is a violation of federal law that could result in a fine of up to $10,000 and jeopardize any FCC licenses the companies already hold. Hollingsworth requested both firms to contact him within 10 days to discuss the matter.

The FCC also notified AT&T Wireless PCS in late September to inquire about allegations that the PCS system's KNLF245 in Newport News, Virginia, may be causing harmful interference to the KA4VXR Amateur Radio repeater in nearby Hampton. The FCC requested that AT&T contact the repeater system's trustee to "explore a solution to the problem" and to advise the FCC of its findings.

The FCC is continuing to investigate allegations raised earlier this year that the Citipage Plus paging system in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been causing harmful interference to the N7OK repeater on 147.09 MHz.

ARRL HEADQUARTERS E-MAIL RESUSCITATED, RECOVERING

The ARRL Headquarters e-mail system appears to be on its way to a full recovery. The system is again running--albeit sluggishly--and efforts continue to clear remaining problems.

The system went down over the Columbus Day weekend. Although some e-mail managed to trickle in and out of ARRL Headquarters during the week, the system was shut down to users for the better part of four days. ARRL Information Systems Department Manager Don Durand said that recovery utilities used in the wake of the crash apparently did the trick. E-mail service in and out of ARRL Headquarters was restarted at noon Thursday Eastern Time. Staff members were still catching up on their e-mail traffic by week's end.

Durand has emphasized that the problems with the Headquarters e-mail system have not affected the ARRL E-Mail Forwarding Service.

The e-mail system problems arose after a Headquarters staff member routinely set up his ARRL account to forward e-mail to his personal AOL e-mail account while he was out of town. When the staffer's AOL in basket became full and refused to accept new messages, however, e-mail began bouncing back to his ARRL account. At that point, the League's e-mail server attempted to send the bounced traffic back to AOL, creating a "feedback loop" that eventually led to the corruption of software on the League's e-mail server.

Because of the e-mail problems, ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, has extended until October 18, 2000 the deadline to submit entries for the ARRL September VHF QSO Party. He also has recommended that anyone who submitted a log after October 5 should resubmit the entry.

TAPR ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

John Ackermann, N8UR, is the new president of TAPR--Tucson Amateur Packet Radio. Ackermann was elected during TAPR's annual board meeting, held in conjunction with the 19th ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference in Orlando, Florida, September 21-24.

Ackermann, who had served as TAPR's vice president, succeeds Greg Jones, WD5IVD, who had served as president since 1993. Steve Bible, N7HPR, was chosen to replace Ackermann as vice president. Bob Hanson, N2GDE, was re-elected secretary, and Jim Neely, WA5LHS, remains treasurer. Ackermann credited Jones with leading TAPR through a period of growth and innovation. "His retirement leaves a void in TAPR that will be hard to fill."

An ARRL member, Ackermann, who formerly was AG9V, lives in Dayton, Ohio, and has served on the TAPR Board of Directors and as vice president since 1995. Bible, a League member who lives in Kingsland, Georgia, has been a TAPR Board member since 1996. He is leading TAPR's development of a road map to develop software defined radio technology for amateur use.

Ackermann said that his primary objective will be to ensure that TAPR remains on the cutting edge of radio technology, with a special emphasis on emerging concepts such as software defined radios. The annual Digital Communications Conference attracted 135 amateurs. The DCC includes a presentation of technical papers, hands-on demonstrations, and beginner's sessions.

Proceedings from the 19th ARRL/TAPR 2000 Digital Communications Conference are available from ARRL for $15. Order Item 8144. DCC 2001 will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 21-23, 2001.--TAPR

IN BRIEF:

· DARA accepting scholarship applications: The Dayton Amateur Radio Association now is accepting applications for its annual scholarships. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors in 2001 and hold a valid FCC Amateur Radio license of any class. The DARA scholarships are awarded in varying amounts up to $2000, as determined by the scholarship committee, and may be used for tuition at an institution of higher learning as outlined in the application. To obtain an application, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to DARA Scholarships, 45 Cinnamon Ct, Springboro, OH 45066. Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2001.--Stan Kuck, NY8F

The ARRL Letter

Vol. 19, No. 40

October 20, 2000

PHASE 3D NOW SET TO LAUNCH NOVEMBER 14

The next-generation Phase 3D Amateur Radio satellite is scheduled to go into space Tuesday, November 14, from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Launch agency Arianespace announced the revised launch date for the Ariane 5 Flight 135 this week. The launch was delayed from a tentative October 31 launch window opening after another payload aboard the flight was late in arriving at Kourou.

AMSAT-DL Executive Vice President Peter Gülzow, DB2OS--who's heading up the Phase 3D launch campaign--says Phase 3D has passed all of its pre-launch inspections, testing, and preparation and is "ready to fly." Gülzow has been filling in for Phase 3D Project Leader Karl Meizer, DJ4ZC.

AMSAT News Service reported this week that Phase 3D was being moved into the final assembly building at the European Spaceport, where it will remain "on hold" until the launch date. Once the other Flight 135 payloads arrive, all will be mated to the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. In addition to Phase 3D, the Ariane 5 will attempt to orbit the PanAmSat PAS 1R communications satellite and two British Space Technology Research Vehicle microsatellites, STRV 1C and STRV 1D.

Phase 3D will be the largest Amateur Radio payload ever put into space. Once in space, Phase 3D will be nudged by its onboard thrusters into an elliptical orbit that will put it some 2500 miles from Earth at its nearest point, and nearly 30,000 miles at its farthest. After Phase 3D is in its intended orbit, it's expected to be a few months before it's commissioned and ready for general amateur use.

For more information, visit the AMSAT-NA Web site, http://www.amsat.org/.

FCC COMMENDS BAND PLANS IN ENFORCEMENT LETTER

FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth used the occasion of an enforcement letter to commend the value of band plans. "Although band plans are not mandatory, they exist to enhance the required cooperation and sharing of frequencies in the Amateur Service," Hollingsworth said in an enforcement inquiry to a Connecticut ham.

The FCC wrote Advanced licensee Alan J. Koepke, K1JCL, on October 11, 2000, citing complaints received by the Commission alleging that Koepke was operating an uncoordinated AM-mode repeater on 144.65 MHz that was causing interference to coordinated repeaters in Massachusetts and New York using that frequency as an input.

"Evidence indicates that you have been coordinated, but not for that frequency configuration," Hollingsworth wrote. The ARRL Repeater Directory indicates that the Connecticut Spectrum Management Association coordinated the K1JCL 2-meter machine for output on 145.25 MHz and a 600-kHz negative offset input.

Hollingsworth says Koepke apparently has flipped the input and output frequencies for which his 2-meter repeater was coordinated, contrary to the prevailing band plan. In addition, Hollingsworth said, Koepke has been using a non-standard spacing that may be contrary to its coordination. He has asked Koepke to explain that and to answer other questions about the repeater's coordination and operation.

"A repeater operating contrary to coordination is an uncoordinated repeater," Hollingsworth told Koepke. Citing Section 97.205 of the rules, Hollingsworth said that where there is interference between a coordinated and an uncoordinated repeater, "the licensee of the uncoordinated repeater has the responsibility to resolve the interference."

"Band plans minimize the necessity for Commission intervention in Amateur operations and the use of Commission resources to resolve amateur interference problems," Hollingsworth wrote in expressing the FCC's position on band plans. "When such plans are not followed and harmful interference results, we expect very substantial justification to be provided, and we expect that justification to be consistent with Section 97.101."

Hollingsworth said he included the statement to reiterate where the FCC stands on the question of band plans. "You can't possibly have a rule for every circumstance," he said.

Last December the FCC dismissed an ARRL petition calling on the Commission to equate observance of voluntary band plans with "good amateur practice." The FCC said defining band plans as the ARRL had proposed "would have the effect of transforming voluntary band plans into de facto required mandates," something inconsistent with current FCC policy.

SHARED AMATEUR ALLOCATIONS UNAFFECTED BY WHITE HOUSE ORDER

A White House announcement directing federal agencies to work with the FCC and the private sector to identify spectrum for next-generation wireless services will not likely have any impact on amateur allocations. The October 13 Executive Memorandum issued by President Bill Clinton follows the path agreed to during the World Radiocommunication Conference earlier this year to make frequencies available for so-called 3G (third-generation) or IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications)-2000 portable wireless devices.

The announcement sparked alarm among some members of the amateur community that a government-industry spectrum grab was under way. Some expressed fears that spectrum amateurs now share with the US Government, primarily the military, could be lost. Breathless media accounts referring to the White House announcement as "extraordinary" didn't help matters.

"It's nothing for amateurs to get excited about," ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, said. Sumner points out that the memorandum merely implements previously announced plans to reallocate frequencies spelled out at WRC-2000.

As reported in August QST (see "World Radiocommunication Conference" starting on page 51), IMT-2000 proponents sought at least 160 MHz of spectrum for handset-to-satellite applications. Amateur Radio dodged a bullet at 2.3 to 2.4 GHz when delegates were able to find the needed spectrum elsewhere. The bands identified at WRC-2000 for IMT-2000 terrestrial use are 862-960 MHz in Region 1, 806-902 MHz and 928-960 MHz in Region 2, and 806-960 MHz in Region 3, in addition to 1710-1885 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz. Some mobile-satellite service bands also have been identified for the satellite component of IMT-2000.

According to ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, not all of the frequency bands identified at WRC-2000 are destined for reallocation for 3G users in the US.

The President's order calls on the Secretary of Commerce to "work cooperatively with the FCC" to develop, by October 20, a plan to select third-generation wireless system spectrum. An interim report due by November 15, 2000, would spell out current spectrum uses and the potential for reallocation or sharing "of the bands identified at WRC-2000 that could be used for third generation wireless systems."

"Time is of the essence," Clinton said in a statement accompanying the memorandum. Spectrum reallocations plans are to be firmed up by next July, with auction licenses issued to competing applicants by the fall of 2002.

In an unrelated matter, the FCC transferred government spectrum at 3.6 GHz to nongovernment commercial use. The FCC allocated 3650 to 3700 MHz for fixed and mobile commercial wireless services.

HAM ABOARD DISCOVERY GETS SPACE WALK THRILL

US astronaut Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, aboard the shuttle Discovery got the thrill of a lifetime last weekend as he joined fellow Mission Specialist Leroy Chiao during a more than six hour spacewalk.

"This is too cool! McArthur said October 15 when he got a look at the International Space Station from outside the shuttle. "Awesome," Chiao countered. He and Chiao let out repeated whoops of exhilaration as they floated out of the Discovery.

The space walk was the first for McArthur and the third for Chiao.

During their space walk--the first of four in this mission--McArthur and Chiao connected power and data cables between the newly installed Z1 framework and the space station's Unity, Zarya and Zvezda modules. They also oriented antennas on the Z1 and attached an S-band space-to-ground dish antenna to the end of a 12-foot boom and swung it into place.

McArthur performed his tasks while strapped to the end of Discovery's 50-foot robotic arm while Mission Specialist Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, controlled the arm from inside Discovery.

A Ku-band TV antenna failure aboard the shuttle has prevented the crew from downloading photos and video of their activities. The astronauts used a slower backup system to relay black-and-white snapshots and occasional video.

After several delays, Discovery lifted off from Cape Canaveral October 11. The launch was the 100th of the space shuttle program. Mission Commander for STS-92, Brian Duffy, N5WQW, docked the shuttle last Friday without benefit of the shuttle's radar, which failed on Thursday along with the space-to-ground TV link.

Although there are three hams aboard Discovery, no Amateur Radio activity was planned during this mission. Discovery is set to return to Earth October 22. In addition to the nine-ton Z1 framework, the Discovery astronauts also installed a new docking port for use by future shuttle missions.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THREE ARRL 2000 TECHNICAL AWARDS

Nominations are open for the ARRL 2000 Technical Service, Technical Innovation and Microwave Development awards.

The ARRL Technical Service Award goes each year to a radio amateur whose service to the amateur community and/or society at large is of the most exemplary nature within the framework of Amateur Radio technical activities. These include, but are not limited to:

* Leadership or participation in technically oriented organizational affairs at the local or national level.

* Service as an official ARRL technical volunteer: Technical Advisor, Technical Coordinator, Technical Specialist.

* Service as a technical advisor to clubs sponsoring classes to obtain or upgrade amateur licenses.

The Technical Service Award winner will receive an engraved plaque and travel expenses to attend an ARRL convention for the formal award presentation.

The ARRL Technical Innovation Award is presented annually to an Amateur Radio operator whose accomplishments and contributions are of the most exemplary nature within the framework of technical research, development and application of new ideas and future systems. These include, but are not limited to:

* Promotion and development of higher-speed modems and improved packet radio protocols.

* Promotion of personal computers in Amateur Radio applications.

* Activities to increase efficient use of the amateur spectrum.

* Digital voice experimentation.

The Technical Innovation Award winner will receive a cash award of $500, an engraved plaque and travel expenses to attend an ARRL convention for a formal presentation.

The ARRL Microwave Development Award is given each year to the amateur (individual or group) whose accomplishments and contributions are the framework of microwave development, ie, research and application of new and refined uses and activity in the amateur microwave bands. This includes adaptation of new modes, both in terrestrial formats and satellite techniques.

The Microwave Development Award winner will receive an engraved plaque and travel expenses to attend an ARRL convention for a formal presentation.

Nominations should include basic contact information for yourself and for the nominee. Submit support information along with a nomination letter, including endorsements of ARRL affiliated clubs and League officials. Nominations should thoroughly document the nominee's record of technical service and accomplishments.

Send nominations to ARRL Technical Awards, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Nominations must be received at Headquarters by March 31, 2001. For more information, contact Educational Programs Coordinator Jean Wolfgang, WB3IOS, jwolfgang@arrl.org or 860-594-0219.

IN BRIEF:

* US call signs issued for space station operation: Two new call signs have been issued for US Amateur Radio operations as part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program. The FCC granted vanity call signs NN1SS and NA1SS to the International Space Station Amateur Radio Club on October 11. The ARISS initial station equipment plus supplies that the ISS Expedition 1 crew will need later this year were delivered to the ISS last month by the space shuttle Atlantis. The gear has been stowed aboard the ISS until the Expedition 1 crew of US astronaut Bill Shepherd, KD5GSL, and Russian Cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, and Yuri Gidzenko comes aboard sometime in early November. A Russian call sign, RZ3DZR, and a German call sign, DL0ISS, also have been issued for use aboard the ISS. For more information, visit the ARISS Web site, http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

* FCC approves GPS-capable FRS: The FCC has granted, in part, a request from Garmin for a waiver of the Part 95 Family Radio Service rules [Sections 95.193(a) and 95.631(d)] that will let the company make and market for a one-year trial period FRS transceivers capable of transmitting location information derived from the GPS on FRS channels. The FCC says Garmin must include information in the instructions accompanying the units that the capability to transmit GPS-derived location information is provided "for personal and public safety purposes" only and that no other use is authorized. Current FRS rules permit transmission only of F3E voice communications and CTCSS tones. The units must be designed to limit transmission of emission type F2D GPS-derived location information digital data bursts to not longer than one second and not more often than one burst every 10 seconds, to be actuated by the FRS user. The FCC declined to permit Garmin to manufacture units that can automatically poll other FRS units to determine their locations based on GPS-derived location data. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau adopted the waiver September 28.--FCC

News from John Rodgers

WPA Section Manager

Greetings,

Recently our director Bernie Fuller, N3EFN, requested that we post our section news columns on the list serves. In an effort to get the message out here is the November column for the Western Pennsylvania Section.

John N3MSE

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: SM, John Rodgers, N3MSE ASM-ARES: WB3KGT. SEC: N3SRJ. ASM-Packet: KE3ED. OOC: W3ZPI. PIC: W3CG. STM: N3WAV. TC:WR4W. DEC-SO: KD3OH. DEC-N1: N3QCR. DEC-N2: KA3UVC. DEC-S1: KA3HUK. DEC-S2: N3BZW. DEC-Rapid Response: N3HJY. DEC-OES: K3TB.

Chris Robson, KB3A, has resigned as the OOC for the section due to an increased volume of work with his business. I want to thank Chris for his service and especially for his friendship. I have asked Chris to remain on the section staff in an advisory role. Ralph Ofchinick, W3ZPI, has been appointed as the new OOC. As we approach the holiday season I want to take a moment to thank the many amateurs that volunteer and promote the amateur radio service. Your efforts are indeed appreciated. Any of the clubs in the section that would like me to attend a club meeting or event is asked to send me a request and I will include the event on my calendar for the upcoming year. I enjoy the opportunity to meet with as many amateurs as possible at the various activities and discuss issues of concern to the members that I represent here in Western Pennsylvania. As we move into the twenty first century, let’s continue to build the future of amateur radio. Our future is in the youth of today. I encourage everyone to do all that is possible to work with young people to introduce amateur radio to them and help to get many licensed. Offer to work with schools for the “School Club Roundup”. Contact scout 73 John Rodgers, N3MSE, WPA-SM n3mse@arrl.org

The Atlantic Division has established a new list serve for individuals that have questions regarding the process for DXCC. Mike Lazaroff, K3AIR, will be doing some of the moderating for this service. Mike is the DXCC field card checker for the Western Penna. Section. Those interested can send email to atldx@bfdin.com and in the title and body just use the word subscribe.

Mike will be available at hamfests in Western Pa. by request and is available at k3air@arrl.net for individual arrangements to check cards.

John Rodgers N3MSE

Western Pennsylvania Section Manager

The WPA Section has setup several listserves to provide a forum and to provide information to the hams within the WPA Section. Some of these listserves are restricted to a certain group of hams, but generally the listserves are publicly available.

In order to subscribe, send a message to the listserve name with the topic header of SUBSCRIBE.

- Generally advertising for is not permitted.

- Posting the same message in multiple listserves is generally not permitted. If in doubt, please send a request to sysop@bfdin.com or to jvrodgers@juno.com to see if permitted.

- We do ask participants to be civil to one another.

The listserves are listed below with a description of the topic and any restrictions, if any.

wpaaldr@bfdin.com This listserve is for leadership officials within the ARES program. Its purpose is to provide a discussion forum within the ARES leadership and also to provide a means of rapid dissemination of information. Open to OES, AEC, EC, DEC, SEC appointees, this listserve is restricted. For access, please send an email to jvrodgers@juno.com ARES is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

wpaares@bfdin.com This listserve is for the general discussion of ARES information. Open to any interested person.

wpaclubs@bfdin.com This listserve is for the discussion of amateur radio club topics and membership is restricted to the radio club officers and newsletter editor. For access, please send an email to jvrodgers@juno.com and state club name, your name and club position.

wpaelmer@bfdin.com This listserve exists for "elmering" amateurs. This is a place for people to ask questions and others to answer those questions. It is open to all interested parties.

wpanews@bfdin.com This listserve is for news announcements from clubs, field appointees and other news release sources. All WPA Section Field appointees, club officers and newsletter editors are urged to subscribe to this listserve. It is open to all who want to subscribe to it, but all messages to this listserve need to be approved before publication to this group.

wpants@bfdin.com This listserve exists for the discussion of National Traffic System message handling. It is open to all interested parties.

wpaoo@bfdin.com This listserve exists for the discussion of Official Observer topics. It is a restricted listserve for Official Observer's only. For access, contact jvrodgers@juno.com.

wpats@bfdin.com This listserve exists for the discussion of technical topics. It is an open forum.

wpayouth@bfdin.com This listserve is for the discussion of getting young people more involved with the hobby. It is an open listserve for all interested people.

packet@bfdin.com This listserve is for the discussion of sharing information about packet. Packet topics could be APRS, packet bulletin board systems, nodes, etc.

atdnews@bfdin.com This is the Atlantic Division News Listserve. It is available to any interested person. Only posts coming from the Atlantic Division Director, Bernie Fuller N3EFN and/or Atlantic Division Vice Director, Bill Edgar N3LLR will be passed through this listserve.

atlclubs@bfdin.com This is the Atlantic Division Club President's Listserve. It is available to Amateur Radio Club President's within the Atlantic Division. In order to sign up for this listserve, please send an email to sysop@bfdin.com with your club name, your name, call and office.

hamfest@bfdin.com This listserve is for the listing of hamfests within the Atlantic Division. Only posts coming from the Atlantic Division Director, Bernie Fuller N3EFN and/or Atlantic Division Vice Director, Bill Edgar N3LLR will be passed through this listserve.

patest@bfdin.com This listserve is for listing VE test sessions within Pennsylvania. Only posts coming from the Atlantic Division Director, Bernie Fuller N3EFN and/or Atlantic Division Vice Director, Bill Edgar N3LLR will be passed through this listserve.

DX NEWS

DX Bulletin 43

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT October 19, 2000

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by Tedd, KB8NW, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.

EAST MALAYSIA, 9M6. Peter, G4MJS, is QRV as 9M6BAA on al HF bands, including 6 meters, until October 31. QSL via G4SHF.

QATAR, A7. Saleh, A71EZ, has been QRV on 14030 kHz around 2150z working into the states.

CHINA, BY. Special event station BT4ARDF at the International ARDF Championship has been QRV using CW and SSB on 20 and 10 meters. QSL via operator's instructions.

GUADELOUPE, FG. Four members of the Florida DXpedition Group will be QRV as FG5BG from October 24 to 31. They will also be a Multi/Single entry in the CQ WW Contest. Before and after the contest they will be QRV as FG/homecalls. QSL FG5BG via KR4DA, and all others via home calls.

SAINT MARTIN, FS. Look for FS/AH8DX to be QRV beginning October 21 on 160 to 10 meters using mostly SSB. QSL to home call.

ST. VINCENT, J8. Look for WA2VUY, NO2R and W2EN to be QRV as J8/homecalls from October 23 to 31. QSL all calls via W2EN.

ST. MAARTEN, PJ8. Ken, K7ZUM, will be QRV as PJ8/K7ZUM beginning October 21. This includes an entry in the CQ WW Contest. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters including 17 and 12 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.

CHAD, TT. Christian is now QRV for 16 months as TT8DX from Moundou. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using SSB. QSL via F5OGL.

COCOS-KEELING ISLAND, VK9C. Wal, VK6KZ, and Don, VK6HK, will be QRV as VK9CZ and VK9CK, respectively, from October 21 through November 4. They plan to be QRV on 6 meters, in addition to general HF operations. QSL to home calls.

BURKINO FASO, XT. XT2OW has been QRV on 80 meters CW around 0600z. QSL via DL7DF.

LAOS, XW. Toni, Z21KD, is QRV as XW4XJ until October 30. Activity is on 20 and 10 meters using SSB. QSL to home call.

CONTEST DATES

Please visit these ARRL & CQ Web Pages for the latest details

www.arrl.org/contests

www.cq-amateur-radio.com/infoc.html

UPCOMING EXAM SESSIONS

Courtesy ARRL Web Page

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml

These are found within 100 miles of 15853

18-Nov-2000

Sponsor: DIVIDING RIDGE ARC

Time: 09:00AM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: BLANCHE B BENDER

(814)472-9465

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: PLEASANT HILL GRANGE

110 ECONOMY ST

PRE-REGISTRATION PREFERRED

CAN ALSO CALL 814-743-5544

CHEST SPRINGS, PA 16624

18-Nov-2000

Sponsor: GANNON WIRELESS SOCIETY

Time: 12:30PM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: WAYNE L ROBINSON

(814)739-2094

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: GANNON UNIVERSITY

PALUMBO ACADEMIC CENTER

ROOM 2200

CORNER OF PEACH & 8TH STREET

ERIE, PA 16501

18-Nov-2000

Sponsor: BALD EAGLE ARS

Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: LARRY D SONNIE

(570)748-0359

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

LSONNIE@CUB.KCNET.ORG

ULMER HALL - ROOMS 201 & 206

NORTH FARVIEW ST

LOCK HAVEN, PA 17745

18-Nov-2000

Sponsor: FT VENANGO MIKE KEY CLUB

Time: 09:00AM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: MARY A HOUSHOLDER

(814)437-2036

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: RED CROSS

RTE 8 BTWN FRANKLIN & OIL CITY

RENO, PA 16343

25-Nov-2000

Sponsor: NORTH HILLS ARC

Time: 12NOON (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: ROBERT W BENNA

(412)366-0488

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: NORTHLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

MEETING ROOM #3

300 CUMBERLAND RD

HANDICAP PLEASE REGISTER

PITTSBURGH, PA 15237

02-Dec-2000

Sponsor: ARAST, INC

Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: ROBERT W REESE

(570)827-2568

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: RED CROSS BLDG

MARKET ST

CORNING, NY 14830

02-Dec-2000

Sponsor: WPA HILLTOPPERS VE TEAM

Time: 10:00AM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: ANTHONY F PETRUCCELLI

(724)774-4173

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: COMMUNITY COLLEGE -BEAVER CTY

AVIATION SCIENCES BUILDING

125 CESSNA DR

LOCATED AT BEAVER CTY AIRPORT

BEAVER FALLS, PA 15010

02-Dec-2000

Sponsor: RA OF ERIE

Time: 8:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: NORMA R VANDERHOFF

(814)665-9124

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: VILLA MARIA CAMPUS

LECTURE HALL

2551 W 12TH ST

W3CG@TBSCC.COM

ERIE, PA 16505

06-Dec-2000

Sponsor: HAM CLUBS OF MCKEAN COUNTY

Time: 7:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)

Contact: WILLIAM C EDGAR

(814)362-1250

VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: RED CROSS

302 CONGRESS ST

BRADFORD, PA 16701

ATLANTIC DIVISION HAMFEST CALENDAR

Visit the Atlantic Division Web page at

http://www.bfdin.com/atlantic/index.htm

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

ATLANTIC DIVISION HAMFEST CALENDAR 2001 (as of 24 October 2000)
+ indicates ARRL Hamfest
Note that this list only includes those hamfests that have been approved by the Director thus far. A more complete listing will be issued periodically as additional hamfests are scheduled. Hamfests that have not been sanctioned by ARRL will not be included.

Jan 13 +        Skyline ARC, Cortland, NY
Jan 28 +        Maryland Mobileers ARC, Odenton, MD
Mar 31-1 Apr + Greater Baltimore Hamboree, Timonium, MD (MD State Convention)
May 6 +        Antietam Radio Assoc, Hagerstown, MD
May 6 +        Warminster ARC, Wrightstown, PA
Jun 1-3 +        Rochester Hamfest/Atlantic Division Convention, RARA, Rochester, NY
Jun 9    +        Columbia-Montour ARC, Bloomsburg, PA (EPA Section Convention)
Jul 1    +         Murgas ARC, Wilkes-Barre (Dallas), PA
Jul 15   +        Mid-Atlantic ARC, Kimberton, PA
Aug 12 +        Lancaster ARC, Cheektowaga, NY (WNY Section Convention)
Sep 29 +        ARA of the Southern Tier, Horseheads, NY

Detailed listing of all hamfest can be found at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html
Organizations wishing to sponsor a hamfest should file the application for ARRL-approved status in sufficient time to enable ARRL Hq to publish an announcement of the event in QST.

73-

Bernie Fuller, N3EFN
Director, Atlantic Division

Bill Edgar, N3LLR
Vice Director, Atlantic Division