The Illuminator

October Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club will be held on Thursday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the EOC in Nesquehoning.

Nominations and elections of officers are scheduled for the October meeting, so it is very important that we get a good turnout. The positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and one At-large Director are to be decided at this meeting.

Please make every effort to attend! We need a minimum of 11 voting members to elect officers!

Treasurer’s Report

By John, W3MF

Previous Balance	1005.83
Receipts (dues)	0.00
Subtotal	1005.83
Disbursements (newsletter)	7.03
Final Total	998.80

Rock Mite Nites

By Lamar, N3AT

Dave Benson, who designed and produced a number of excellent QRP kits, has recently come up with another little gem, which he has called the "Rock Mite." It has been very popular both in the US and abroad. Built on a PC board that is only 2 by 2 1/2 inches, it is small enough to fit into the familiar Altoids mint tin. It is crystal controlled, capable of producing a 500 milliwatt signal, includes a built-in electronic keyer, which can increase or decrease speed. It can shift frequency from one sideband to the other. The original kit was designed for 40 meters, but now a 20 meter version is also available. Price for the kit is merely $25!

The two double-sided instruction sheets that come with the kit are adequate. But Dave has recently published a 10-page supplement, which can be found on the Internet. It will be useful for people who are new to kit building, and will answer many questions that may arise in the process. The URL for this supplement is:

http//:www.smallwonderlabs.com/RMhelps.pdf

If you have never built a kit, or even if you have, I suggest that you look up this supplement, and print it to assist you in the building process. It lists tools that will be needed, suggestions on how to make a proper solder connection, how to identify the parts, and many other bits and pieces of helpful information.

A number of clubs have started what they call "Rock Mite Nites," during which hams gather at a designated location to work together, building their own "Rock Mites." Several clubs in our area are considering a plan to set up "Rock Mite Nites" to help "newbies" in kit building to successfully assemble one of these neat little rigs for themselves. It is possible that the clubs may combine their efforts, and meet in one convenient location where there are outlets for soldering irons, benches to work on, and adequate lighting. We will make a group purchase of the kits, and provide guidance in construction for those who need help.

If you would like to participate in this exciting venture, or if you have questions about it, please let me know, my email address is: [email protected]. My phone number is 610-997-3795. I will accept names of interested people for two weeks after you receive this newsletter, and if enough people respond, we will firm up our plans. If you want to participate, please be sure to give me your name, address, email address, and phone number. If there is sufficient interest, I will get back to you with information about when and where we will meet, and will need to have your $25 payment for the cost of the kit.

72 de Lamar

ARRL Officials Upbeat About Reaching 5 MHz Compromise

(From the ARRL Letter)

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, say they're optimistic about reaching a resolution to issues that could otherwise block plans for a new 5 MHz band. Until surprise opposition surfaced from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the FCC appeared to have put ARRL's request for a new, domestic-only, secondary amateur allocation at 60 meters on the fast track.

In an eleventh-hour move a month ago, the NTIA recommended in a letter to the FCC ― sent after the comment deadline ― that the Commission not go forward with a proposal for an Amateur Radio allocation at 5250 to 5400 kHz. The NTIA regulates radio spectrum allocated to the federal government.

"We are working together with the Federal agencies involved toward a solution of the impasse raised by the NTIA letter," Imlay said after he and Haynie attended a series of meetings September 19 in Washington, DC.

Acting NTIA Associate Administrator for Spectrum Management Fredrick R. Wentland had said in an August 21 letter that critical federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense, were making extensive use of 5 MHz frequencies. He worried that the 5 MHz proposal the FCC put forth last May at the ARRL's request "does not adequately provide for protection from harmful interference to these critical government operations."

After initially huddling this week with NTIA and FCC officials and staff members, Haynie and Imlay met face-to-face with representatives of the agencies involved to share mutual concerns.

"They are willing to work with us," Haynie said. "Chris and I left feeling a whole lot better." Haynie said hammering out some differences will involve some further meetings ― including one with the US Navy ― but that he and Imlay were feeling much more positive about the situation.

"I feel confident we'll get something," Haynie said. "I don't think we'll get everything we want, but it's certainly a start, and it's a lot better than what it was this time last week."

One difficulty in the negotiations is that some of the information on the government's use of the 5-MHz frequencies involved is classified. "We were given some hints about the sensitivity and the seriousness of some of the activity that's going on," Haynie said, "and we fully appreciate that now ― more so than before ― because we just didn't, and couldn't, know. The important thing is that we have established a good working relationship with the Justice Department and the Coast Guard."

Imlay said the discussions tended to center on power restrictions and frequencies but emphasized that no decisions were reached. The ARRL proposal called for a 150-kHz wide band and the full legal power limit. Imlay hinted, however, that perhaps a smaller band than the one requested coupled with some power output limitations, was a real possibility.

The ARRL has called the 5 MHz allocation "an urgent priority of the Amateur Service" and has asked that the proceeding to grant it be expedited. Until the latest snafu, the FCC had been expected by early next year to issue a Report and Order on proposals for the 5-MHz band, a new low-frequency allocation in the vicinity of 136 kHz and primary Amateur and Amateur-Satellite status at 2400 to 2402 MHz.

ARRL DXCC Desk Accredits 7O/OH2YY Yemen Operation

The ARRL DXCC Desk reports that it has received evidence that the Yemen operation by Pekka Ahlqvist, OH2YY, in May 2002 was conducted with written approval from the Yemeni government. "Credit for QSOs with 7O/OH2YY from May 4 through May 11, 2002, will be given effective immediately," said ARRL Century Club Manager Bill Moore, NC1L. Regarding the 7O1YGF operation, the DXCC Desk says it still has received no evidence traceable to the Yemeni government to accredit that operation for DXCC. "DXCC credit for this operation will be given only after such evidence has been presented to ARRL," Moore said.

Cosponsor List for CC&R Bill, HR 4720, Continues to Grow

(From the ARRL Letter)

Four new cosponsors have signed aboard HR 4720, the bill in Congress aimed at providing relief to amateurs faced with private deed covenants, conditions and restrictions ― CC&Rs ― in erecting antennas. The latest additions make a total of nine new cosponsors in the past month alone. HR 4720 has been referred to the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee.

To date, 27 members of the US House of Representatives have agreed to cosponsor the measure. The list includes two amateurs ― Oregon Republican Greg Walden, WB7OCE ― one of the two original cosponsors of HR 4720 with Texas Republican Pete Sessions ― and Arkansas Democrat Mike Ross, WD5DVR. Walden and Ross are believed to be the only Amateur Radio licensees in the US House of Representatives.

Arkansas Section Manager Bob Ideker, WB5VUH, credits the Fort Smith Amateur Radio Club with influencing one of the most recent cosponsors ― Arkansas Republican John Boozman ― to sign onto the bill as a cosponsor. A third Arkansas congressman, Democrat Marion Berry, also is new to the list. "Three congressmen from Arkansas down, one to go!" exclaimed Ideker.

Other recent arrivals include representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Constance Morella (R-MD), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Michael McNulty (D-NY), and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI).

On Capitol Hill for a visit September 19, ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, said his meetings with members of Congress and their staff in general and with House Internet and Telecommunications Subcommittee members in particular were very favorable. "All my work on The Hill on HR 4720 was extremely encouraging," Haynie said. "I felt real good about it."

New York Democrat Steve Israel introduced HR 4720 ― the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act" ― on May 14. The measure would require private land-use regulators ― such as homeowners' associations ― to "reasonably accommodate Amateur Radio communication consistent with the PRB-1 limited federal preemption. PRB-1 now applies only to states and municipalities.

For more information, visit the HR 4720, The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act of 2002 page on the ARRL Web site, www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr4720. The ARRL requests those writing or e-mailing members of Congress ― whether or not they are supporting this legislation ― to copy ARRL on their correspondence ― via e-mail to [email protected] or via US Mail to CC&R Bill, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Correspondents should include the bill number, HR 4720, as well as their name and address on all correspondence.

ARRL DX Bulletin

DX Bulletin 40 ARLD040

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT October 3, 2002

To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by Tedd, KB8NW, the OPDX Bulletin, LU4EJ, PA3GFE, 425DXnews, QRZ DX, DXNL, The Daily DX, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.

TANZANIA, 5H. Harald, DL7VSN is QRV as 5H1HS from Zanzibar Island, IOTA AF-032, until October 22. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters, and possibly 160 meters, using CW and RTTY. QSL to home call.

SINGAPORE, 9V. Sasi, 9V1SM is QRV on 40 to 6 meters, using mainly SSB. He may soon be active using PSK31 as well. QSL via W3HNK.

TONGA, A3. Clark, N5XX is QRV as A35XX from Vaca'u, IOTA OC-064, until the end of October. He has been active on 20 meters around 0500z. QSL to home call.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, A6. Jamal, A61AO is QRV using his new call A61X and has been active on 20 meters around 0230z. QSL via N1DG.

MAYOTTE, FH. Bernie, F6BLK is active as TO8MZ until October 9. Activity is on all bands using mainly CW with some SSB. QSL to home call.

JERSEY, GJ. Chris, G0WFH will be active as GJ0WFH/p from October 5 to 12. His activity will be QRP on 160 to 10 meters using only SSB. QSL via G0DBX.

ITALY, I. Special call IU7LE is QRV from ARI Lecce during the weekends in October to celebrate the 75th anniversary of ARI, the Italian Amateur Radio IARU Society. QSL via I7PXV.

ARGENTINA, LU. Mariano, LU4EJ/D is QRV from Ariana Island, IOTA SA-021 until October 6. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters. QSL to home call.

PERU, OA. Martijn, PA3GFE will be QRV as OA4/homecall from October 8 to 11. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters using CW and SSB during his free time. QSL to home call.

WESTERN SAHARA, S0. Look for S07L to be QRV from Bir Lehlu beginning October 9. The group will be here until October 13. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and some CW. Some activity on 80 and 6 meters is possible. QSL via EA4URE.

SEYCHELLES, S7. Serge, EX0M will be QRV as S79W from Mahe Island from October 6 to 12. QSL via DF8WS.

GREECE, SV. Terry, M0CLH is QRV as SV8/M0CLH/p from Samos Island, IOTA EU-049, until October 17. This will be a QRP operation with activity on 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters. QSL to home call.

CHAD, TT. Pascal, F5PTM is QRV as TT8ZZ from N'Djamena until early December. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using mostly CW. QSL to home call.

AFGHANISTAN, YA. Mark, YA5T has been QRV on 15 meters around 1800z. QSL via KU9C.

IRAQ, YI. Diya, YI1DZ has been QRV on 10 meters SSB just before 1700z.

NIUE, ZK2. Mike, KM9D and Janet, KF4TUG are QRV as ZK2MO using CW, and ZK2TO using SSB, respectively, until around October 8. QSL via OM2SA.

ARRL Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 41 ARLP041
From Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA
Fort Wayne, IN October 4, 2002
To all radio amateurs

Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA is filling in this week for Tad Cook, K7VVV.

This report is for the period Friday September 27 through Thursday October 3.

Geomagnetic field activity during the period ranged from quiet to severe storm. Several coronal mass ejections around the first of the week caused elevated K and A indices beginning mid week, along with the resultant geomagnetic storms as the interplanetary magnetic field turned south. Auroral displays, degraded propagation on the higher HF bands and some interesting 6-meter openings were noted during the stormy times.

There were no significant proton events during the period.

X-ray flare activity during the period ranged from low to moderate. The largest X-ray flares were M2 events on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. These flares did not cause any significant radio blackouts.

As K7VVV has mentioned in previous bulletins, the higher bands (15, 12 and 10-meters) will offer excellent worldwide openings as we progress through Fall and into Winter. Now is the time to enjoy these bands ― before Cycle 23 gets too far down its inevitable decline.

Sunspot numbers for September 26 through October 2 were 157, 185, 140, 146, 94, 105, and 99, with a mean of 132.3. 10.7 cm flux was 149.9, 151.6, 148.6, 138.1, 139.7, 139.8, and 135.8, with a mean of 143.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 8, 8, 8, 6, 26, 60, and 44, with a mean of 22.9.

Ham-Congressman Appointed to Key House Subcommittee

(From the ARRL Letter)

Oregon Republican Congressman Greg Walden, WB7OCE, has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Walden is one of two amateurs in the US House of Representatives, and his appointment to the key House panel is considered good news for the amateur community. Walden's appointment was announced by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin, a Republican from Louisiana.

"With his extensive background in broadcasting, Greg has a world of experience and expertise in telecommunications issues," Tauzin said. "His knowledge of the issues will help the Subcommittee address digital television, spectrum management, broadband deployment and other telecommunications matters."

For his part, Walden said he was elated to become a subcommittee member. "I intend to work diligently to help invigorate the economic engine in Oregon and across the country," he said. "I am anxious to roll up my sleeves for Chairman Tauzin and Chairman Upton and work hard under their very effective leadership." Walden, who represents Oregon's second congressional district, was elected to Congress in 1998.

Within the amateur community, he's best known as one of the original cosponsors ― with Texas Republican Pete Sessions ― of HR 4720. That's the bill pending in Congress aimed at providing relief to amateurs faced with private deed covenants, conditions and restrictions ― CC&Rs ― in erecting antennas.

Former FCC Official, A. Prose Walker, W4BW, SK

(From the ARRL Letter)

Former FCC official A. Prose Walker, W4BW, the man some consider the godfather of the so-called "WARC bands" ― 30, 17 and 12 meters ― died August 8 following a brief illness. He was 92. Word of his death reached ARRL Headquarters this month.

Walker, who headed the FCC Amateur and Citizens Division from 1971 until 1975, made the initial proposal for three new amateur allocations at 10, 18 and 24 MHz during an International Amateur Radio Club (4U1ITU) meeting in Geneva in 1972. Later, he organized and chaired the US preparatory committee for the Amateur Service ― the Advisory Committee of Amateur Radio ― which took the initial steps to turn the idea into reality at the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference. The committee also included former ARRL General Manager Richard L. Baldwin, W1RU, who said this week that he was greatly saddened to learn of Walker's passing.

"One of my fondest memories of WARC 79 was the pleasure and the challenge of working with Prose in preparing for that conference," Baldwin said. "He was a stalwart supporter of the Amateur Service, and few amateurs realize how very much they owe to him."

Walker's most recent recognition came at Dayton Hamvention 2000, when he was recognized with a special achievement award, an honor his daughter, Helen Herman, said he coveted among many other more prestigious awards. The award recognized his work in obtaining the new amateur allocations more than two decades earlier.

An ARRL Life Member and a licensee since the 1920s, Walker was an enthusiastic amateur who remained quite active on the air until shortly before his death. Only a few months before he died, he bought a state-of-the-art transceiver and reveled in becoming acquainted with its many features. Walker's favorite operating mode was CW, and he was a frequent visitor on the bands he'd helped to create.

A native of Ohio, Walker's career took a number of turns, including a stint as a high school teacher, but his primary contributions were in the fields of communications and engineering. He did two tours with the FCC and also worked for the National Association of Broadcasters and Collins Radio Company.

During his career, Walker earned a global reputation for participation and leadership within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He was the leading member of the US delegation at more than 20 international conferences.

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, knew Walker and occasionally encountered him on the air. "The careers of some radio amateurs are so long and so rich that they bridge generations," Sumner said. "Prose was among these."

Walker retired to Florida, but after his wife Ellanie died in 1999, he moved to Rochester, New York, to be near his daughter, Helen. A memorial service will be held later this year.

ARRL Requesting JOTA Activity Registration

(From the ARRL Letter)

Scouting's annual Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) takes place Saturday October 19 through Sunday October 20 (local time and always the third weekend of October). For the first time, ARRL is requesting that any club or individual planning to be active during the 2002 JOTA activity register on the "Youth Skeds" page on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/youthskeds/>. (Set the expiration for the day after JOTA, October 21.) The idea is to provide database of scheduled JOTA activity in advance of the event to help more scouting groups to participate in JOTA 2002. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies and Venture Scouts soon will take to the airwaves in an effort to communicate with each other via Amateur Radio. As many as 400,000 Scouts, scouters and other youth have participated in JOTA in the past, and it's become the world's largest scouting event! JOTA provides another way to expose youth to Amateur Radio by showing them a great time as well as helping them to meet new friends, share stories of past scout experiences, and, ultimately, to light the spark that inspires them to pursue their own Amateur Radio licenses. For more information, visit the JOTA page on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/jota.html>.

ARRL International DX Contest Phone Results Now Available

(From the ARRL Letter)

The ARRL has posted the results of the 2002 ARRL International DX Contest (Phone) event, held last March 2-3. The results are now on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/>. Some of the information ― such as an Adobe PDF document of the QST contest article and the search database ― is accessible only by ARRL members, nonmembers are able to access the online Soapbox. The QST contest article will be available to all in about one month.

Helpful Hints

When reading a book, try tearing out the pages as you read them. This saves the expense of buying a bookmark, and the pages can later be used for shopping lists.

Shallow Thoughts

How did a fool and his money get together in the first place?

Check out http://incolor.inetnebr.com/n0ujr for other cartoons and to purchase N0UJR’s book, “N0UJR and His Friends.”

October 2002

ARRL DX Bulletin