CENTRAL ILLINOIS RADIO CLUB
Short CIRCuits
March 2002
Central Illinois Radio Club
P.O. Box 993
Bloomington, IL 61702-0993
President: Larry Mays KB9NPH
(309)-827-8183
Vice President: John Payne KB9ZDZ
(309) 728-2288
Secretary: Mitch Bricker KB9PXL
(309)-378-4454
Treasurer: Rick Kempf WD9HRU
(309)-828-8054
Newsletter Editor: Norman Huber, N9ZKS
(309)-378-4674
The CIRC is a not-for-profit ARRL special service club whose purpose is to
advance the service of Amateur Radio. Located in Central Illinois,
CIRC and its members welcome all to use the 146.94 repeater and to attend
club meetings.
Submissions for the newsletter must be received by the 10th of the month and may be snail or e-mailed to the editor at:
Norm Huber
19266 E. US Hwy 150
Bloomington, IL 61704-5855
e-mail n9zks@earthlink.net
Permission is granted to Amateur Radio-related organizations to reproduce
contents of Short CIRCuits provided full credit is given.
Thursday Coffee Klatch
We've changed the Thursday coffee klatch location. It's now at Country
Kitchen off route 9, by Farm & Fleet, all same time.
CQ, CQ, the CIRC
MARCH PREZ COLUMN
With the eye of March upon us we realize the need to be prepared for severe
weather, thus Larry Keeran K9ORP has agreed to present a program on
weather preparedness and ARES. Our meeting time will include
issues of field day activities and other events the Club would like to sponsor.
Please note: You need to have your 2002 dues paid, for you to continue to
receive the CIRC newsletter. Snowbirds, we know who you are and you will
continue to receive our publication, enjoy your time away and return
safely. Hope to see everyone on March 27, 7:30 pm.
de KB9NPH Larry
Calendar of Events
Weekly 2 Meter Net
Every Tuesday evening on the
146.940-146.340 repeater at
9:00 p.m.
10/10 Breakfast
First Saturday of every month at 8 a.m. Baker’s Square, Vernon & Vets (Just south of College Hills Mall)
CIRC Meeting
Fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Red
Cross building in Bloomington (Just north of the airport).
February Meeting Minutes
The February meeting opened with a motion to approve the January minutes by Dean AA9BS and seconded by John KB9ZDZ.
Rick WD9HRU. Brought up a question, about a statement in a letter referring to Club Insurance.
Treasurer’s report was read by Rick WD9HRU and approved by Dean AA9BS and seconded by Floyd W9EX.
President Larry KB9NPH, stated that the membership list is out of date, and
will be corrected when Norm N9ZKS returns from his job.
State Farm Disaster course March 9, for those interested. John KB9ZDZ, brought
up Air disaster, and what the clubs interest would be, Rick WD9HRU Motioned
to table the discussion and Chuck N9RZV seconded.
Larry KB9NPH, Talked about the Red Cross and what role we would play, communications
still need to be improved. A count of members interested, were, Steve KB9WNK,
Jerry KB9ZDY, Dean AA9BS, Floyd W9EX, Jim WB9UWA, Connie KB9IGT, and Chuck
N9RZV, Rick WD9HRU, Larry KB9NPH, Mitch KB9PXL, John KB9ZDZ, Phil KB9ZDX
all showed interest.
There was some discussion on sensitive information that should or shouldn’t
be broadcast over the air. The Red Cross will determine proper transmission
of information. Andy is continuing to work with the Red Cross on the radio
room.
Continued Next Page
A foxhunt and picnic will be planned for later in the year. Maxwell Park
is a possibility. Saturday March 2 is Ten Ten breakfast at Bakers Square.
April will be homebrew month, watch for it in the March Issue.
Thursday coffee clutch at country kitchen at 7 P.M. Thursdays. Member profiles
coming soon to the monthly newsletters, Chuck will assist with that project.
Auction March 30, in Champaign.
The VE assistants will meet at India Restaurant at 11:00A.M. March 30.
Larry K9ORP will talk on Weather at the March Meeting.
Field Day was discussed. A decision of planning our own, or join State Farm
is needed by the club; State Farm will be invited to the next meeting. We
need member involvement!
Motioned to adjourn Jim WB9UWA and seconded by John KB9ZDZ
12 members present, 5 visitors.
Submitted by:
Mitch Bricker, KB9PXL
DXSpider now Identified as N9PE
John, KB9LNS just finished putting the changes in to the DXSpider allowing
the use of N9PE as the callsign. N1SF Radio Club received the license grant
authorizing call sign N9PE from the FCC with a grant and effective date of
3/15/2002. N9PE was previously held by the former Vice-President of our club,
Paul Hammond. We received Paul's call under a provision of the FCC rules
which allow clubs to apply for "in memoriam" callsigns of deceased former
members. I am grateful that Ann Hammond, allowed us the opportunity to remember
Paul and his love of chasing DX, in this manner.
73 & DX,
Gary Huber, AB9M
BLOOMINGTON EXAM DATES
Following is the schedule for W5YI-VEC Amateur Radio exams for the year 2002
at the Bloomington Public Library. Setup is from Noon to 1:30 normally. Exams
begin as listed. Questions may be directed Keith Hanson.
Please bring two forms of identification. You must have Social Security Number.
We can not administer a test without SSN. You will need a copy of your Current
license plus any CSCE you want to apply.
Bloomington Public Library
205 E. Olive
Bloomington, IL 61701
Remaining dates for the year 2002 (Walk-ins are welcome)
Mar 30
May 25
Jul 13
Nov 16
The testing is being headed by Keith, AC9S.
RFI
Compiled by the ARRL Laboratory Staff
March 8, 2002
Who's on First? Spectrum Sharing and Unlicensed
Devices
Let's talk about unlicensed radio transmitters and the rules that govern
them. One thing that can be said about amateurs is that they are protective
of their allotted amateur spectrum. The Lab receives inquiries almost weekly
regarding unlicensed devices that operate in ham bands. A typical inquiry
might be, "I just saw an ad from the XYZ Company about a remote-reading wireless
thermometer that operates on 433 MHz. Should someone contact the FCC about
removing this product from the market?"
The issue is not quite as simple as that. Unfortunately, most of the devices
reported to ARRL are not illegal. They have been properly authorized by the
FCC to operate at the power levels and frequencies described in Part 15 of
the FCC rules. Intentional radiators must be certificated--as described in
this Part--before they can be legally marketed in the US. All approved devices
have a label that shows the FCC ID number associated with that device. But
how can unlicensed transmitters operate in "our" ham bands?
Share, But Not Alike
Government use of spectrum is not regulated by the Federal Communications
Commission; the National Telecommunications and Information Administration--in
the Department of Commerce--regulates US Government stations and their operation.
One thing that many hams don't know is that other services and users can
use the entire amateur spectrum as described in the FCC rules. In allocating
spectrum the FCC sets up a pecking order in which some users have a status
higher than other users. In many cases there may be several layers. Users
that have protection from other users are called primary users. Users that
must unconditionally not interfere with primary users are called secondary
users. They are given the clear responsibility not to cause harmful interference
to primary operation within that spectrum.
The 70-cm ham band is an excellent example because a number of radio services
use it. On 70 cm in the US, the Government radiolocation service (radar)
is at the top of the list. In recent months ARRL has received reports of
strange signals in the 70-cm band. Various AWAC and other military radars
that may be using these frequencies are deployed in US airspace in conjunction
with the war against terrorism. Not only are these systems allowed on our
band, they are primary and the Amateur Radio Service is secondary. If we
hear such government use of the band, it is incumbent on us not to cause
harmful interference.
Many amateur bands, such as 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz, also use frequencies allocated
to Industrial, Scientific and Medical devices. ISM includes such uses as
RF heat-sealers or RF-driven lighting. They may or may not be designed to
radiate, but ISM devices are not permitted to communicate information. However,
within the ISM bands, no other operation using that spectrum--such as Amateur
Radio--is offered protection from ISM operation. More information about the
ISM bands is found in The ARRL RFI Book.
At the bottom of the list are the unlicensed devices regulated by Part 15
of the FCC rules. Part 15 outlines a number of different unlicensed devices:
incidental radiators (such as power lines); unintentional radiators (such
as computers) and intentional radiators (such as baby monitors and the remote-reading
thermometer previously mentioned). The words frequency sharing do not apply
to these devices--they operate entirely at sufferance to other users, not
protected against interference under any circumstances and not permitted
to cause harmful interference.
What are the Limits?
Part 15 sets two limits for RF emissions from unlicensed devices: an absolute
limit on the field strength or power from a device, and a secondary requirement
that unlicensed devices not cause harmful interference to other radio services.
The manufacturer must meet the emissions or power limit, and the operator
of the device is responsible for correcting any harmful interference that
results from the use of the device.
Are the emissions limits enough to protect sensitive Amateur Radio reception?
Unfortunately, no. As an example: on 2.4 GHz, devices are permitted to use
up to 1 W of power with an antenna of 6 dBi gain. This signal can be heard
for miles. The general limits for intentional radiators on HF--Sec. 15.209
of the rules--permit emissions of up to 50 mV/m at a distance of 30 m from
the radiating source. To put this into perspective, this could result in
a signal of S9+20 dB into an 80-meter dipole located 100 feet from such a
legal source. W1RFI has worked 30 states on HF with a transmitter power of
10 milliwatts. The signal on the other end was figuratively buried in the
noise. The only way that maximum emissions limits could protect this type
of operation would be to set the limits tens of dB lower than they are now.
The FCC believes that it has set Part 15 device limits that will minimize
the likelihood of harmful interference in most cases. Considering the pervasiveness
of these devices and the length of time over which these devices have been
operating subject to this requirement, these limitations are not likely to
be changed any time soon. Any change that might be made would probably not
require levels low enough to unconditionally protect all sensitive amateur
operation. With the ever-increasing spectrum pressures from prospective users
such as SAVI Technology, Inc--which is looking to expand Part 15 use of 70
cm--it will be hard enough for Amateur Radio to convince the FCC to keep
the limits set as they now are.
Harmful Interference
However, the rules also stipulate that unlicensed devices are not permitted
to cause harmful interference to radio services. The key words are harmful
interference. The FCC rules define harmful interference as the serious degradation
or repeated disruption of communication. Merely hearing an unlicensed emission
in our bands is not harmful interference. After all, how would hams feel
if the primary users of 70 cm or 30 meters said that they could hear hams
in their bands, so we have to get out?
In one sense the protection against harmful interference is absolute and
unconditional. In a practical sense though, there is a limit to how much
protection the rules can offer. If a ham hears a strong signal in the ham
bands and that signal disrupts the ham's ability to communicate, the operator
of the device causing the signal is responsible for correcting the interference.
In a crowded residential neighborhood that operator could be any of one's
neighbors. In some cases it may be virtually impossible to locate the source.
Even if a ham can find the operator, it will be difficult to convince the
neighbor that the device he or she just bought at a local electronics outlet
is being operated in violation of federal law. It will be a difficult conversation
indeed. And what about the ham who lives on a prime location, overlooking
a crowded urban area? He or she might be hearing the aggregate of hundreds
of unlicensed devices. How can the rules protect against harmful interference
in that case?
What Can Be Done?
ARRL is working on addressing the issues surrounding unlicensed operation.
First and foremost, the League maintains contact with the industry. In addition
to serving on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) committee, the League has been in communication
with manufacturers, the FCC and others who might be able to help. Whenever
an FCC rule-making procedure regarding unlicensed operation is put on the
table, the ARRL Washington team and ARRL Lab submit comments to the Commission,
representing the interests of Amateur Radio. Over the years, the League has
won some and lost some--just like every other user of spectrum.
The real issue is the question of actual, harmful interference. Manufacturers,
and even the FCC, all acknowledge that under the present rules Amateur Radio
is unconditionally protected from harmful interference. How much more protection
can one expect than absolute protection? The maximum limits set by the present
rules are so high that the only part that protects us is the requirement
not to cause harmful interference. Manufacturers, the FCC and unlicensed
operators simply must take this rule seriously. If everyone involved in an
actual problem does not address his responsibilities fairly, the rules as
written do not work.
Has the FCC gone to bat for Amateur Radio? In cases of power-line noise the
Commission has been generally supportive, working with ARRL to help resolve
cases voluntarily and writing letters to power utility companies in cases
where voluntary cooperation is not enough. In a case involving interference
from a wireless-internet-service provider--Darwin Networks--the Commission
wrote to Darwin, asking how the company intended to resolve the reported
interference. If the Commission continues to address actual cases of harmful
interference the number of serious problems will remain relatively low.
Getting Help
The ARRL RFI Desk is looking for reports of harmful interference to Amateur
Radio from unlicensed devices. ARRL HQ staff knows that there are more problems
than the handful reported to the League. If you are having a problem with
interference from an unlicensed device, ARRL will offer you information about
the rules and how to proceed. Our staff will then contact the operator of
the unlicensed device, if that is what you decide is the best remedy. If
that is not effective, the League may then take the case to the FCC to seek
resolution and to affirm the ARRL's expectation that the Commission will
help out, if needed. If you experience harmful interference from unlicensed
devices (examples are a neighbor's computer system or interference on 2.4
GHz from wireless devices), please send a report to the ARRL RFI Desk. Include
a summary of your case, the names and addresses--and other contact information--of
involved parties and equipment manufacturers.
More Information
The ARRL Technical Information Service and the ARRL Regulatory Information
Branch have prepared Web pages containing more information about Part 15.
News Item: Electric Utility Company Announces Comprehensive RFI Program:
Many of the cases we have been working on have involved the FCC and it will
be a pleasure to report to the Commission that there is some positive news
on the front lines. The League extends its thanks to Mike Martin, K3RFI,
and PEPCO for taking this very positive, proactive step toward resolving
RFI problems.
ARRL received the following email announcement from the RFI Investigator at Potomac Electric Company:
To all customers of Potomac Electric Power Company: As the Interference Investigator
for Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), I want to ask for your patience
in dealing with RFI/TVI problems which may or may not be caused by PEPCO's
power lines or associated equipment. PEPCO has always and will continue to
show our dedication to our customers by providing them with the best RFI/TVI
locating services possible.
The reason for this letter is, as I'm in the process of fabricating the new
PEPCO RFI Locating Vehicle, there may be a length of time where resolution
to your complaints may be longer than the normal acceptable response time.
For this I apologize. However, I am sure that when the job is complete, response
and resolution timing will be back to normal if not faster.
This work is being done to help improve efficiency, safety, and customer
satisfaction. As always, I'm available for assistance during normal working
hours. You're welcome to call with comments, suggestions, and concerns at
anytime. Thank you for you patience and understanding.
Mike Martin, K3RFI, Interference Investigator, Potomac Electric Power Company. Tel: 301-967-5230.
News Item: The ARRL EMC Committee:
At the January 2002 meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors, the Board gave
the ARRL RFI Task Group a new name. The committee is now known as the ARRL
EMC Committee. Neither the committee membership nor the scope of the committee's
work has changed, but the new name is a better match for the terminology
used by professionals in discussing what most hams still think of as "RFI."
The ARRL RFI Book
Every ham who has an RFI problem needs a copy of The ARRL RFI Book. Experts
in the various aspects of RFI affecting hams wrote the book. It starts with
the real basics--how to deal with the interpersonal aspects of RFI. (Knowing
all the technical solutions will do no good if your neighbor won't let you
in the house to try them!) Chapters cover the topics of Electromagnetic Compatibility
theory as it relates to transmitters, televisions, cable television, telephones,
audio devices, computer and automotive RFI. Income from sales of The RFI
Book helps pay for the ARRL RFI programs.
The RFI Update column is published monthly on ARRLWeb. The column features
information on current activities in the RFI arena, interesting RFI cases
handled by ARRL and tips for solving RFI problems. An archive of past RFI
Update columns is available. If you have information you believe is useful
to the ARRL RFI program, or if you need help solving an interference problem,
contact the ARRL RFI team, call the ARRL Laboratory staff at 860-594-0214
or write to the ARRL RFI Desk, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
Upcoming Club Events:
April 24th meeting:
Equipment display; New / Refurbished
Home Brew ... bring any equipment to
show off to the club.
May 22nd meeting:
Presentation by Volunteers of the American Red Cross of the Heartland Chapter.
Two individuals that were first on the scene in New York after the attack
of 9/11.
Slide show presentation.
For Sale
FT 23R 2M HT
Tx 2M Band
Rx 140 - 164 Mhz
Battery Pack(s), Case,
Charger. $65.00
Larry KB9NPH
827-8183
Nets in the Area
Monday 9:00 P.M. 146.730 123.0 PL Open Net
Tuesday 7:00 P.M. 146.910 Tazewell County ESDA Net
Tuesday 9:00 P.M. 146.940 CIRC Open Net
Wednesday 9:00 P.M. 147.060 Open Net Has Newsline
Wednesday 9:00 P.M. 442.250 123.0 PL ARES Open Net
Wednesday Varies 147.100
Trader’s Net follows ARES
Net on 442.250
Thursday 9:00 P.M. 146.760 Open Net with Newsline
Thursday 9:00 P.M. 146.895
North Central IL Traders
Net
Sunday 8:30P.M 147.075 Open Net with Newsline
Mon / Fri 9:00 A.M.(Local) 14.247.5 Displaced Peorians Net
Sunday 8:15 AM Local 1815 kHz 160 m AM net
(Please help me correct this list. I know it’s not up to date at this time. Norm N9ZKS)
Blomington-Normal Area Repeaters
Freq Callsign Location PL
145.390 N9EZJ Lincoln
145.430 KD9F Gridley 103.5
146.790 K9CYW Bloomington
146.940 W9AML Bloomington
147.015 NX9M Normal 88.5 (open*)
147.150 WD9FTV Bloomington 103.5(open*)
147.345 K9ZM Lincoln
442.700 WB9UUS Normal 107.2 (open**)
443.325 KE9HB Congerville 107.2
444.350 W9EX Bloomington 107.2
444.975 N9FZF Normal 136.5
* Repeater is currently in open mode with pl for those with QRM
** Repeater RX with tight carrier squelch and loose tone squelch (107.2)
Central Illinois Radio Club Membership Application
Membership dues are $10 per person or $15 per family (multiple members at
one address). You do not need to be a licensed amateur radio operator
to join CIRC. Please pay particular attention to the shaded areas to help
us keep our membership roster up to date.
NAME:_____________________________________________________________ CALL: ___________________
First
MI
Last
Additional Memb. NAME: ________________________________________________ CALL: _________________
First
MI
Last
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________
Street / RR etc.
CITY: _____________________________________ STATE: ________ ZIP: _____________________________
Home Phone ( _ _ _ ) _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ Work ( _ _ _ ) _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
E-Mail -______________________________________ LICENSE CLASS:_______________________________
· ARRL _____ McLean County ESDA:
_____ Local ARES: ______ Other
ARES Group ______
What would you like to do at meetings? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
What activities do you think the club should participate in or sponsor? ___________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
You can turn in your membership application at club meetings (4th Wednesdays
at the Red Cross building in Bloomington) or mail it and a check payable
to the Central Illinois Radio Club to:
Central Illinois Radio Club
P.O. Box 993
Bloomington, IL 61702-0993
March Meeting
Wednesday 27 March
Central Illinois Radio Club
March 2002
Newsletter
Central Illinois Radio Club
P. O. Box 993
Bloomington, IL 61702-0993