The Illuminator

March Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club will be held on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the EOC in Nesquehoning. The meeting will feature a slow scan television (SSTV) demonstration by Rob, KB3BYT. See you at the meeting!

2003 Membership Dues

Membership dues for the Carbon Amateur Radio Club are due now! Regular membership is $15 per year (see the membership application attached to the penultimate page of this newsletter).

Treasurer’s Report

By John, W3MF

Previous Balance	1011.68
Receipts (dues)	130.00
Subtotal	1141.68
Disbursements (newsletter)	7.40
Final Total	1134.28

Newest SSTV Mode is Digital

By Rob, KB3BYT

If you ever played with SSTV (slow scan TV), you may know that 14.230 – 14.235 is daily SSTV active. The most used modes of SSTV are SCOTTY ONE, SCOTTY TWO, and MARTIN ONE.

These modes can be used with a PC serial port HAMCOMM interface on a DOS PC or a sound card interface just like PSK31 on a Windows PC. I heard a new noise last week and it sounded more like AC hum than anything else, so I listened more until I heard these guys exchanging pictures with a new mode. This new mode is digital SSTV, but actually can be used to send any type of file. Your image is converted to a WAV file and then the WAV file is transmitted. The clarity is astounding in the sent picture. The software is DIGTRX and can be downloaded at http://www.k7cz.com.

The daily DIGTRX net is on 14.233 and the hams are using IRFANVIEW to view images sent via DIGTRX. You can get IRFANVIEW at http://www.irfanview.com. The DIGTRX software converts to and from WAV and image files. The only drawback is that the conversion takes way too long, 10 minutes or longer, unless you are using a 2 GHz computer. Perhaps there is something in the documentation that explains how to decrease the conversion time. I won’t be trying to find it.

These guys are the new breed of SSTV hams, but they leave many of us in the dust with our 500 MHz and less computers. Don’t let this bother you. JVFAX will still send and receive pictures on any old 66 MHz 486 PC running DOS, not even Windows, same as always on 14.230 and take one or two minutes the old way with an image painting on the screen while it comes in.

73,

Rob, KB3BYT

http://www.learnmorsecode.com/sstv.html

Skywarn Training on March 22

Skywarn training will be held nearby in Snydersville in Monroe County on Saturday, March 22 at noon at the Monroe County 911 Control Center, located off the Snydersville exit of Route 209/33 (see the map below). For further information, contact Bill, N3VAE, at [email protected]. Also, be sure to check the web site: http://www.wx2phi-skywarn.org.

Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act Reintroduced in U.S. House

(From ARRL Letter)

The Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act has again been introduced in the US House of Representatives. The measure is an ARRL legislative initiative. Florida Rep Michael Bilirakis put the latest version of the bill, HR 713, into the legislative hopper on February 12. It has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. When last introduced in 2001, the measure was known as HR 817.

The House bill already has two cosponsors, Reps John Boozman, Arkansas, and Patrick Tiberi, Ohio. Both cosponsored last year's bill.

HR 713 is aimed at ensuring the availability of spectrum to Amateur Radio operators. It would protect existing Amateur Radio spectrum against reallocations to or sharing with other services unless the FCC provides "equivalent replacement spectrum" elsewhere. Bilirakis, a Florida Republican, has twice before sponsored similar legislation at the League's recommendation. A Senate version of the bill is pending.

The measure would amend the Communications Act to require the FCC to provide "equivalent replacement spectrum" to Amateur Radio and the Amateur-Satellite Service in the event of a reallocation of primary amateur allocations, any reduction in secondary amateur allocations, or "additional allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce the utility thereof" to amateurs.

The 2001 version of the measure attracted 53 cosponsors in the House but last spring became one of many pieces of legislation caught up in the so-called "Enron logjam," during which the Internet and Telecommunications Subcommittee did not meet, although its full committee, Energy and Commerce, held numerous hearings concerning Enron.

The ARRL is urging members of the Amateur Radio community to contact their representatives in Congress and request that they cosponsor HR 713. Experience has shown that, while most members of Congress understand and appreciate the benefits of Amateur Radio, some may be reluctant to sign onto a technical piece of legislation without some indication of support from their own constituents. A sample letter is available on the ARRL Web site.

The text of HR 713 is available via the Thomas Web site <http://thomas.loc.gov/>. Enter "HR713" in the "Bill Number" window. ARRL asks that members soliciting their members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation to copy their correspondence to the League via e-mail to [email protected].

Harmonized 7 MHz Allocation Gains Support in the Americas

(From the ARRL Letter)

A dozen countries in the Americas have agreed to support a proposal for a "harmonized" 300-kHz amateur band in the vicinity of 7 MHz. The issue of a uniform worldwide 40-meter allocation is on the agenda of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03), set to be held in Geneva this June and July. The US has so far taken no position on the issue.

"It is possible that other countries will sign on when this proposal is circulated among all 34 member-states of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL)," said ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA. "It takes at least six countries of the Organization of American States to make an Inter-American Proposal (IAP). If more countries sign on, the IAP will have greater weight at WRC-03."

Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela agreed to the Canadian-sponsored IAP for a 300-kHz amateur band — from 7 to 7.3 MHz — in all three ITU radio regions. That position is in line with what the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has been calling for.

The support came during a meeting of CITEL's Permanent Consultative Committee for Radiocommunications (PCC.II-RADIO) Working Group, which is preparing Inter-American Proposals for WRC-03. PCC.II-Radio met February 3-7 in Orlando, Florida. Fourteen CITEL member states attended the Orlando session.

Siverling has been chair of so-called Chapter 5 issues for CITEL, leading up to WRC-03, which he will also attend. Chapter 5 issues include the Maritime Mobile, Amateur and Amateur-Satellite and Broadcasting services in the MF and HF bands.

Another matter on the WRC-03 agenda is possible changes to Articles 25, 19 and 1 to the international Radio Regulations. Fifteen countries — Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the US, Uruguay and Venezuela — signed an IAP favorable to the Amateur Service. The US signed the IAP but withheld support on two of the 18 specific provisions.

Siverling explained that the IAP approved at Orlando conforms with IARU positions on the three articles. Article 25 covers technical requirements and operator qualifications, including Morse code proficiency — which could be left up to individual administrations to require following WRC-03; Article 19 covers call sign configurations, and Article 1 deals with issues consequent to any changes to Article 25.

Twelve CITEL countries agreed in Orlando on an IAP to propose a "footnote allocation" of 135.7-137.8 kHz to amateurs in Region 2. This band is already available to amateurs in some CEPT countries.

The 136-kHz issue came up as a Canadian proposal to create a secondary allocation, but the issue is not on the WRC-03 agenda. According to Siverling, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) member-states want to eliminate or minimize footnotes in the Radio Regulations. The IAP for a "footnote allocation" at 136 kHz, however, was seen as a way to get the issue on the WRC-03 agenda "on an exception basis," he said.

Siverling explained that the CITEL IAP leading to a possible allocation in Region 2 of the 136-kHz band at WRC-03 has been handled separately from the pending US amateur LF allocation. Acting on an ARRL request, the FCC has proposed a domestic (US-only) allocation at 136 kHz on a non-interference basis. "At some point, the twain will meet," Siverling said.

Amateur Radio’s Public Service Story Is Now Available on Video!

(From the ARRL Letter)

An updated Amateur Radio Today video now is available for free downloading from the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/ARToday/>. The MPEG-format file is 70 Mbytes.

Narrated by former CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, Amateur Radio Today showcases the public service contributions made by hams throughout the country. Highlights include ham radio's response on September 11, 2001, ham radio's part in helping various agencies respond to last year's wildfires in the Western US, and ham radio-in-space educational initiatives. Directed by Dave Bell, W6AQ, Amateur Radio Today was written by Alan Kaul, W6RCL. The production team included Bell and Kaul as well as Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, and Bill Baker, W1BKR. The editor was Keith Glispie, WA6TFD.

Amateur Radio Today is an ideal presentation for clubs, government meetings, civic organizations and any other venue where you want to vividly illustrate what Amateur Radio has to offer the public. The video runs just six minutes and is available in several formats. The digital version of Amateur Radio Today is available in MPEG video format, which can be played by Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime or RealPlayer software. It can be run from the CD or copied to your hard drive (not included).

This copyrighted program is not intended for broadcast use (including over-the-air, cable or Internet) and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission. You also can order Amateur Radio Today on CD-ROM and VHS tape. The CD-ROM version also requires that you have software that can play MPEG files installed on your computer.

Field Day Gets a New Entry Class for 2003

(From the ARRL Letter)

Field Day will gain another entry class for the 2003 running of this highly popular operating event June 28-29. "Class F" stations will operate at emergency operations centers — or EOCs. The change renews the emphasis of Field Day's 1933 origins as an emergency preparedness exercise as opposed to a routine contest — what former ARRL Communications Manager F. E. Handy, W1BDI, called "a test of the emergency availability of portable stations and equipment." In Handy's view, Field Day would focus attention "on the subject of 'preparedness' for communications emergencies."

ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says the League last year received a record 2110 Field Day entries from groups and individuals. That represented a total of almost 35,000 participants who joined in what Henderson called "a great tradition."

Given the increased emphasis on emergency communications since September 11, 2001, Henderson says, the ARRL Board's Membership Services Committee asked that the Contest Branch come up with a way to accommodate stations wanting to operate from the local EOC. The new Class F station, operating from an EOC, is the result.

"This is a major change," Henderson said. "Class F has been established to encourage groups to test and further their working relationships with established emergency operations centers." The updated rules and a list of frequently asked questions in the new 2003 Field Day Packet <http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms> spell out the details.

A Class F entry station must set up at an "established EOC" activated by a club or non-club group. An EOC is defined as a facility established by a federal, state, county, city or other civil governmental agency or administrative entity or by a chapter of a national or international served agency. The latter could include the American Red Cross or The Salvation Army, with which the Field Day group "has an established operating arrangement." Class F EOC operation must take place in cooperation with the EOC staff. Class F stations are eligible for the same bonus points as Class A stations.

There's also been what Henderson called "some tweaking" in the rules for Field Day 2003. Among the highlights, the rules reduce from 400 to 100 the number of QSOs that the "Get On The Air" (GOTA) station needs to make to claim a 100-point bonus. "GOTA stations still may work up to a maximum of 400 QSOs to go towards the main station's score," Henderson said.

In addition, the 2003 rules enhance the bonus for having an invited official visit the Field Day site. There are now two separate bonus categories — 100 points for the elected official and another 100 points for a visit by a representative of a served agency.

Henderson reminds Field Day participants that stations do not get additional bonus points for contacting stations through additional satellites. As of the 2002 event, Field Day opened up to stations throughout the Americas, not just in the US and Canada.

Henderson encourages participants to post their Field Day experiences and photographs to the Field Day Online soapbox <http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/>.

ARRL DX Bulletin

DX Bulletin 9  ARLD009

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT  February 27, 2003

To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by Tedd, KB8NW, the OPDX Bulletin, W5AJ, 425DXnews, DXNL, QRZ DX, The Daily DX, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

BARBADOS, 8P.  Tom, W2SC will be QRV as 8P5A as a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry in the ARRL DX Phone contest.  QSL via NT1N.

MALTA, 9H.  Alex, DL5SDK plans to be QRV as 9H3AS from Gozo Island, IOTA EU-023, from March 3 to 10.  Look for activity on 20, 15 and 10 meters.  QSL to home call.

CHILE, CE.  Ferdy, CE4FXY will participate in the ARRL DX Phone contest as CE4Y on 10 meters using high power.  QSL to home call.

MOROCCO, CN.  Look for W7EJ to be active as CN2R in the ARRL DX Phone contest as a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry.  QSL to home call.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8.  Look for EA8/OH6XX and EA8/OH9MM to be active in the ARRL DX Phone contest as Single Op entries on 15 and 20 meters, respectively.  QSL to home calls.  Meanwhile, Martti, OH2BH will be QRV as EA8BH as an All Band entry.  QSL to home call.

FRENCH GUINEA, FY.  Look for F6FVY, F1HAR, F5HRY, F5MZN and FY5FY to be QRV as FY5KE in the ARRL DX Phone contest as a Multi/Single entry.  QSL via FY5KE.

ITALY, I.  Look for IR4X to be QRV in the ARRL DX Phone contest. QSL via IK4QJH.

JAPAN, JA.  Operators JS6QVQ, JS6QVP and JI5RPT/6 will be QRV from the Daito Islands, IOTA AS-047, from March 4 to 11.  They plan activity on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  QSL JS6QVQ via JI5RPT, JS6QVP via JI5USJ and JI5RPT/6 to home call.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, KP2.  Tony, N2TK will be QRV from WP2Z for the ARRL DX Phone contest.  QSL via KU9C.  Before and after the contest he is active as N2TK/NP2.  QSL to home call.

LUXEMBOURG, LX.  Robert, LX1RQ plans to be QRV as LX5A in the ARRL DX Phone contest as a Single Op/Single Band entry on 20 meters.  QSL to home call.

ALAND ISLANDS, OH0.  Toni, OH2JTE will be QRV from the OH0B station during the ARRL DX Phone contest.  He will be a Single Op/All Band entry with a SO2R setup.  QSL via operator's instructions.

NETHERLAND ANTILLES, PJ2.  AE9B, NW0L and WB9Z will be QRV as PJ2T from Curacao in the ARRL DX Phone contest.  Before and after the contest they are active using their homecalls/PJ6 until March 6. Activity is on the newer bands and possibly on RTTY.  Look for them on 6 meters on either 50110 or 50125 kHz.  QSL via operators' instructions.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, V2.  Robert, W5AJ will be QRV as V26P as a Single Op/All Band entry in the ARRL DX Phone contest.  QSL via WJ5DX.

BELIZE, V3.  Charlotte, KQ1F and Paul, K1XM are QRV as V31QQ from Turneffe Island, IOTA NA-123, until March 5.  This includes activity in the ARRL DX Phone contest as a Multi/Single entry.  QSL via KQ1F.

CAYMAN ISLANDS, ZF. John, K0DQ will participate in the ARRL DX Phone contest as ZF2DQ as a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry. Prior to the contest, he plans on being QRV on 17 and 12 meters. QSL to home call.

ARRL Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 8 ARLP008

From Tad Cook, K7VVV

Seattle, WA February 21, 2003

To all radio amateurs

Sunspot numbers were lower this week, into the double-digits below 100. The average daily number was about 54% lower than the previous week, and daily average solar flux was off by nearly 20 points, or about 14%.

Earth has been affected by a high-speed solar wind since February 15, and this hurt conditions during the ARRL CW DX contest last weekend, at least in the higher latitudes. Both mid-latitude and planetary K indices were as high as 4 on Saturday and Sunday, and Alaska's high-latitude College K index was up to 6 on both days.

This was especially detrimental to signals traveling over polar paths. But in a few days conditions had improved, and on Wednesday evening during a visit to K7SS, I had good signal reports into Kuwait running 100 watts beaming over the pole using his new 3-element continuously tunable stepper Yagi.

Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be unsettled on Friday, with a planetary A index around 20. Solar flux should rise, with predicted values of 120 for Friday and Saturday and 125 for Sunday and Monday. Current projections show solar flux peaking around 150 from March 6-8.

For more information about propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin, see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html and, especially, the article "The Sun, the Earth, the Ionosphere," by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

Sunspot numbers for February 13 through 19 were 113, 113, 96, 41, 16, 51, and 57, with a mean of 69.6. 10.7 cm flux was 130.6, 131.4, 123.6, 118.5, 112.1, 109.9, and 116.3, with a mean of 120.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 8, 19, 18, 15, 11, 17, and 12, with a mean of 14.3.

Helpful Hints

Organized crime leaders: Upon capturing the ‘A’ Team or MacGyver, do not under any circumstances lock them in a shed full of tools and useful scrap materials.

Shallow Thoughts

Is it OK to yell, “Movie!” in a crowded firehouse?

Below is a picture of one of our CARC members from the mid-1960s. Can you guess who this handsome gent is?

March 2003

ARRL DX Bulletin

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