March Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club will be held on Thursday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the EMA Center in Nesquehoning. See you there!

Dues Due!

Yes, it’s that time again! Time to send in your membership dues for calendar year 2004! Please note that, since the April newsletter ships on April 3, this will be your last newsletter unless you send in your dues, i.e., April 1 is the cutoff date for “free” newsletters.

Treasurer’s Report

By John, W3MF

As of February 18, 2004:

Previous Balance	673.82
Receipts (dues)	115.00
Subtotal	788.82
Disbursements (newsletter)	5.55
Final Total	783.27

FCC Proposes Rules for BPL Systems

(From the ARRL Letter)

The FCC this week released its Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems. The 38-page NPRM — in ET Dockets 03-104 and 04-37 — proposes amendments to FCC Part 15 rules to define so-called "access BPL," make rules specific to BPL systems and provide measurement guidelines for BPL devices and systems. It would make no changes to Part 15 emission limits for unintentional radiators, however. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says that while Part 15's current limits on unintentional radiators on HF may be appropriate for short-duration, narrowband emissions, they are inappropriate for the sort of long-duration, broadband emissions BPL would employ. He compared short-duration, narrowband emissions at the Part 15 radiated emission limit to a helicopter flying overhead.

"The noise is deafening, but is tolerable because it doesn't happen very often nor last very long," he observed. "To a radio user, having BPL in the neighborhood would be like having the helicopter hovering constantly overhead."

ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, offered an example most hams could relate to. "The limit for an unintentional emitter on HF is 30 mV/m at 30 meters from the source," he said. "If you take a dipole cut for 3.5 MHz and put it in a 30 mV/m field, you'll have a noise reading of S9 plus 16 dB at your transceiver."

The FCC proposal takes a broader view of interference. "There is significant disagreement among the commenting parties regarding the interference potential of Access BPL," the NPRM declares. "Amateur operators and amateur organizations in general are opposed to Access BPL and advocate emission limits that are lower than the existing Part 15 limits."

Still, the NPRM concedes, Amateur Radio operations "are likely to present a difficult challenge in the deployment of Access BPL in cases where amateurs use high-gain outdoor antennas that are located near power lines." Noting that power line noise already presents a significant problem for hams, the FCC said, "we therefore would expect that, in practice, many amateurs already orient their antennas to minimize the reception of emissions from nearby electric power lines."

The NPRM goes on to point out that because BPL has the capability to stay clear of specific frequencies, BPL providers can simply "avoid the use of amateur frequencies when in close proximity to amateur outdoor antennas." The NPRM also briefly mentions the possibility of interference to BPL systems from Amateur Radio, an issue ARRL and others raised in their comments on last April's Notice of Inquiry on BPL.

The NPRM emphasizes that under the proposed rules, operators of Access BPL systems would be responsible for eliminating any harmful interference that may occur. The FCC says it believes current Part 15 emission limits for carrier current systems — in conjunction with certain additional requirements specific to Access BPL — "will be adequate to ensure that existing radio operations are protected against harmful interference."

Sumner suggested that, with licensed services and government users taking up large portions of the HF spectrum, protecting all licensed HF users could prove to be a nightmare for BPL providers. He noted, too, that while the FCC maintains that licensed services must be protected, the proposed rules place the burden of initiating corrective action on the shoulders of the licensed services. "And as a practical matter, the FCC's proposed rules offer no protection at all to mobile and portable stations," he added.

Sumner also said the ARRL would continue to combat the "misconception" that BPL systems are viable as a "last mile" broadband technology for rural dwellers. "In low-density areas, the economics just don't work," he said.

The NPRM is available on the FCC Web site in Microsoft Word format http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-29A1.doc or as an Adobe PDF file http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-29A1.pdf.

Interested parties may file detailed comments on the NPRM via the main FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. The comment deadline is 45 days after the NPRM has been published in The Federal Register, and that is not expected to happen for another week or two. The FCC also is accepting brief comments on the NPRM via its ECFS Express page http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/ecfs/Upload/.

Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web site http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/. To support the League's efforts in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/.

Listening to the ISS

By Larry, N3CR

It has been a while since I mentioned how easy it is to hear the Space Station. The Frequency is 145.800 MHz. Most of the time the packet station will be active and you will be able to hear (and decode with TNC) packet messages. Many of them are acknowledgements that messages sent up to ISS have been received. Others are messages generated from the ISS giving listeners an idea of the days activities — temperatures on ISS — work schedule — and usually a greetings message to listeners.

Satellite tracking programs can be located by doing a net search but the best ones come from Amsat.org. They also offer links to free programs (many are ancient but work!) and sites where live tracking is displayed. NASA also displays "current" tracking of ISS but I have found that the GMT time is one hour off regardless of the time on your home computer. Nasty trick. One reliable site is HEAVENS ABOVE. You need to log on but once you log on a world of information is available.

If you are fortunate to have ITRAK or one of the popular tracking programs, you can download the latest Keplerian Elements of the ISS and many other satellites from CELESTRAK.com. The Keplerian Elements give the program all the variables needed to display the satellite orbit. For info on Kep Elements go to http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/elements/index.html. With this information, you can predict satellite locations and any point in any orbit for that satellite. They are generally good for at least 30 days before you have to reload them. Amsat.org also offers sites where programs are available to grab the status packets sent down from satellites through your radio and TNC connected to your computer. These will give you interesting data on temperatures, battery conditions, voltages, etc. You can see the difference between being in sunlight and darkness and how it affects operation (on/off time — power output — battery drain). You can also calculate the rotation of the satellite. All this with a 2-meter radio and simple outdoor antenna. In some cases a coat hanger will do! With the WHATS-UP program and satellite info you can enjoy watching telemetry from many of the satellites still operating.

It has been a rough year on satellites and many have experienced black out possibly from solar radiation hits. The past year has shown some of the most active and potent radiation to shower the earth in years. There are also some predicting a "double peak" to this sunspot cycle. I agree it has been an unusual one. The trip to the bottom is coming fast. Normally the bottom would not occur for another two years. It sure looks to me that propagation is going to be down — lower numbers for a longer period of time — but not without some unique surprises — short loud E's type openings. These could be from moments to a couple hours. They can affect any of the bands — VHF or HF — but 10 meters and 6 meters are good places to watch. Even 2 meters has its openings where Nova Scotia, Emass, and NNY have strong 5x7 plus signals into FN20 on SSB. And don't forget about Aurora Propagation! Agreed, that propagation isn't as noticeable in Pennsylvania, but it does occur! The worble is more defined on 80 meters and 40 meters, but the outcome can radically change VHF. Signals 40 to 60 miles can be 5x9 — even on FM using a beam, up to 40 miles using a vertical antenna. The big VHF beam is always worth the effort. To quote John, K3CT: "Bigger is always better.” I wonder if he got that idea from Jim, K3II? I will have to ask.

Until next time, 73s de Larry N3CR

QRP News

By Lamar, N3AT

Atlanticon, a forum for QRPers, will be held March 26-27 at the Holiday Inn in Timonium, just north of Baltimore, MD. At the time of this writing, more than 120 hams have registered for the event. Friday night will be an informal time for hams to gather and share experiences and informally show off some of their creations. Saturday will be given to top-notch presentations by K1SWL, N2CX, AA0ZZ, WB8RCR, WA3WSJ, and N2APB. In the evening, there will be judging of kits built be attendees, and a lot of other kinds of fun.

When you register for the event, you will receive — before Atlanticon — the now famous surprise kit that you can build before the event and take along to show and tell. This year the kit is named "Elsie" because it will read and report the values of L and C of a circuit you may be working with or designing. It will also tell you the resonant frequency of that circuit. The kit has been designed by N2CX and "Mr. Melt Solder," KD1JV.

There will be vendors of kits and other items on hand. And, since the Timonium hamfest is held nearby the same weekend, some of those who attend will take in the Timonium hamfest on Sunday.

If you would like to attend, check out either the NJQRP web site or the web site of the AMQRP. Registration is $10.

If you do not plan to attend, but would still like to obtain the Atlanticon "Elsie" kit, you can still buy it for $10. Check it out on the NJQRP site.

Cub Scout Radio Demonstration

By Rob, KB3BYT

I got a request on the club web page for a radio show by the Cub Scouts of Tobyhanna. We put up a 20-meter dipole in the school yard and set up an HF station. We also set up two laptop computers with SSTV using 2 meter HTs. I demonstrated spark gap, AM, FM , CW SSB, satellite tracking , and played tapes of the international space station talks with Hambright elementary school.

This was not just a demonstration. It was a kickoff program for the scouts. The scout leader is a ham and wants to get the kids moving on getting licensed. I brought Technician Class study guides to sell to the kids.

The two sources for study guides were always Radio Shack and ARRL. The Radio Shack book was $10 but now the price is $16. The ARRL book is $29. Radio Shack has discontinued selling these books so Amazon sells them now for $18. I figured I would make it easy for the scouts and bought 24 books from the publisher at wholesale price of $12.70 so I passed that savings on to the scouts.

I still have some of the books so buy them from me and teach a new ham today!

Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)

By Rob, KB3BYT

N2DIY brought to our attention that the SARA club is considering setting up an IRLP link
and invited Carbon ARC to also set up IRLP to link to other area repeaters. The idea is very simple. Use the Internet as the link between two or more repeaters so hams can get on more than just their one local repeater.

The following was lifted from http://www.irlp.net:

”The aim of this project is to reliably and inexpensively link amateur radio systems without the use of RF links, leased lines, or satellites.”

“The IRLP uses Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) custom software and hardware. Coupled with the power of the Internet, IRLP will link your radio site to the world in a simple and cost effective way.”

“IRLP operates a network of dedicated servers and nodes offering very stable worldwide voice communications between hundreds of towns and cities. All this with unsurpassed uptimes and the full dynamic range of telephone quality audio.”

Now, let’s look under the hood of IRLP. IRLP uses free Voice-Over-IP software for Linux called Speak Freely and manufactures and sells a radio controller circuit board and software package bundle for $150. This is an excellent choice for many repeater owners, but perhaps we can do the same type of linking without spending $150. Speak Freely is free. You can download it at http://speak-freely.sourceforge.net. It takes 5 minutes to install and works quite well to link remote computers and send voice over the net using the PC sound card for microphone input and speaker output.

So, the only thing left to do is homebrew a voice-operated switch (VOX) to control PTT on a radio. We may end up with an Internet connection at two ham locations where each ham hits a different repeater and shares their radio with the Internet connection to the other ham. We have many Linux users in Carbon ARC and surrounding area clubs so perhaps we can do linked repeater nets via a homebrew solution instead of the $150 official IRLP project.

Why No Mobile Amplifiers?

By Eric, N3TVV

I’ve only been a General a few months, and have been thinking of investing in one of these new HF, VHF, and UHF mobile rigs. Yes, the HF bug bit me pretty hard.

As I page through many catalogs, such as HRO or AES, exactly what kind of rig do I want to get? Well, no matter if it’s an Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, or whatever I may choose, I still see one particular problem. Sure each of these rigs has its advantages and each has a bell or whistle the other doesn’t, but my gripe is this. Why as they’re making these rigs for “easy mobile operation” are they not making a matching amplifier for mobile use on the HF and 6 meter bands? The only amp I see for HF-6 meters is the Yaesu Quadra system, and I don’t know about you, but I certainly wouldn’t want to have to carry around an inverter for this monster. Even if the amp is only for 80-6 or 40-6 meters.

You could go the typical route and get a couple of duplexers and hook up your separate amps for one antenna, but, that just sounds silly to me, with the loss involved (which isn’t much), or getting a bad duplexer or having one go bad while transmitting, or even if the power rating turns out to be an issue. These rigs are supposed to be easy to hook up and are way too expensive to be blowing finals because of any of the problems listed or not listed above.

So, why not make an amp to put right inline between the rig and the antenna and Keep It Simple? It may sound lazy to some, but, from what I’ve learned so far about ham radio, it just makes sense to me.

That’s my gripe. Thanks for listening.

Smiles

By Lisa Kelley

Remember, once you get over the hill, you'll begin to pick up speed.

I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

If it weren't for STRESS I'd have no energy at all.

Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some, like me, just don't have any film.

I always know God won't give me more than I can handle but there are times I wish He didn't trust me quite so much.

Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

If the shoe fits, buy a pair in every color.

Never be too open-minded, your brains could fall out.

Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.

Some days are a total waste of makeup.

Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.

Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.

Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.

Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.

Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

Learn from the mistakes of others. Trust me, you can't live long enough to make them all yourself. I've tried!

ARRL Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 10 ARLP010

From Tad Cook, K7RA

Seattle, WA March 5, 2004

To all radio amateurs

The ARRL International DX Phone Contest is this weekend, March 6-7, and propagation should be good. Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be quiet, with the predicted planetary A index at 10 for Friday, March 5, and just 8 for the following three days. Solar flux is expected to rise to 105 for Friday and 110 for the following three days. Solar flux is currently expected to stay above 100 until March 17.

Average daily sunspot numbers for the past week were up nearly 15 points to 76.9, compared to the earlier week, and average daily solar flux increased over 5 points. Geomagnetic indices were about double this week over last. A solar wind stream caused this, but no geomagnetic storm erupted. Around March 10 and 11, earth should enter another solar wind, and this could cause a geomagnetic storm, possibly lasting until March 12.

The vernal equinox is only two weeks away. It will occur on Saturday, March 20, and will be the beginning of spring. For the next few weeks HF radio conditions should seasonally improve.

For more information concerning 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.

Sunspot numbers for February 26 through March 3 were 105, 90, 104, 81, 66, 50 and 42 with a mean of 76.9. 10.7 cm flux was 120.8, 122.2, 115.8, 110, 101.8, 98.8 and 90.4, with a mean of 108.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 11, 20, 21, 18, 17 and 15, with a mean of 15.3.

ARRL DX Bulletin

DX Bulletin 9 ARLD009

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT March 4, 2004

To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by CO2TK, KQ3V, PA3GIO, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.

TOGO, 5V. Look for Franck, F5TVG, John, F5VHQ and others to be QRV as 5V7C until March 13. Activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL via F5TVG.

JAMAICA, 6Y. WN9O, WO9Z and W9IU are signing 6Y5/homecalls on all bands until March 14. They will be QRV as 6Y8Z in the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL contest call via W9IU and others via home calls.

MALDIVES, 8Q. Hardy, DL5SBA is QRV as 8Q7BA from Athuruga Island, IOTA AS-013, until March 20. Activity is on 20 meters using RTTY and PSK modes. He may try 30 and 17 meters as well. QSL to home call.

GUYANA, 8R. Olli, OH0XX will be QRV as 8R1K in the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL to home call.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 9Y. Chad, WE9V is QRV as 9Y4/WE9V from Tobago Island, IOTA SA-009, until March 10. He will sign 9Y4ZC during the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL to home call.

CUBA, CO. Pepin, CO2TK will be a Single Op/Mono Band/Low Power entry in the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL direct via F6FNU. Meanwhile, Don, VE3ESE and members of the Santiago de Cuba University and City Club will be QRV as T48RAC during the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL direct via VE3ESE.

MARTINIQUE, FM. Gilbert, FM5FJ will be QRV in the ARRL DX SSB contest as a Single-Op/Single Band/Low Power entry. QSL via KU9C.

FRENCH GUIANA, FY. Didier, FY5FY, Marc, F1HAR, Herve, F5HRY, Olivier, F5MZN and Laurent, F6FVY will be QRV as FY5KE in the ARRL DX SSB contest as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via operators' instructions.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8. Alfredo, HC1HC is QRV as HD8A from Santa Cruz Island, IOTA SA-004, until March 9. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using mostly SSB with some CW. He may also participate in the ARRL DX SSB contest and sign may also sign HC1HC/HC8 before and after the contest. QSL via NE8Z.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HI. Ted, HI3TEJ will be active in the ARRL DX SSB contest as a Single-Op/All Band/QRP entry, mostly on 80 to 10 meters and possibly 160 meters. QSL via ON4IQ. Meanwhile, Bert, PA3GIO will be QRV as HI9/PA3GIO from Hispaniola Island, IOTA NA-096, from March 11 to 18. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters, using SSB. QSL via operator's instructions.

GRENADA, J3. Harry, AC8G is QRV until March 9 and will be active as J37K during the ARRL DX SSB contest as a Single Op entry. QSL to home call.

HAWAII, KH6. Len, K1NU is QRV as K1NU/KH6 from the SeaQMaui resort. This includes being a low-power entry in the ARRL DX SSB contest. QSL to home call.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS, KP2. Glenn, W0GJ and Paul, W0PJ are here until March 9 and will be QRV as KP2A as a Multi/Single entry in the ARRL DX SSB contest. Before and after the contest they are QRV as KP2/homecalls. QSL contest cal via W3HNK and others to home calls.

POLAND, SP. Wilhelm, SP8AJC will be active as 3Z8Z in the ARRL DX SSB contest and the upcoming CQ WPX SSB contest as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL to home call.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5. Look for WE3C, N3FTI and KQ3V to be QRV as VQ5A during the ARRL DX SSB contest as a Multi/Multi entry. QSL via KQ3V.

VIETNAM, XV. JP3AZA and JA9BV will be QRV as XV3AZA and XV3BV, respectively, from March 6 to 14. Activity will be on 80 to 15 meters using CW and SSB. QSL both calls via JA3DYU.

The Old and the New

By Paul Dunphy, VE1DX

One of the Eternal Enigmas of DXing that plagues newly-minted QRPers is that big-total DXers are always old DXers. Its one of the Mysteries of the Ages why the list stompers, those who question if the sunspots will return next cycle, those who fret and worry about whether or not their last one will be blessed by the DXCC desk are all members of the Quarter Century Wireless Association. And some joined the QCWA a heck of a lot longer than a few years ago, too.

Just the other day one of the Local QRPers came storming around the curve of the hill and beat his way up to see us. This one was one of the more heavy QRPers, and by the time he made it to the veranda and flopped himself down in the chair, he was puffing so hard he couldn’t talk. He kept wiping the sweat from his forehead and trying to slow down his breathing. We weren’t sure if the sweating and puffing was due to his mood or the exertion of his 5 foot 5 and a half-inch frame hauling all of his 230 pounds up the hill.

Finally he turned to us and said, “What is wrong with those big gun Honor Roll types? The guys who have them all worked, or maybe only need one or two to finish things off?” We scratched our head for a minute and looked at the QRPer. Here we were, prepared to take in the last warm day of the fall without putting out a lot of energy, and we were now staring down the barrel of a loaded question. Wed found in the past it is often a good idea to answer a question with another question, so we tried the standard evasive maneuver.

“Did you work any new ones in the contest last weekend?” We tried, completely ignoring the original topic. The Local was not to be deterred. “No!” He barked, threw the switch and shifted right back onto the same track. “What’s wrong with these old guys? They have everything worked, and all they try to do is discourage me. They tell me if I work anything on a DX list, its spoon-feeding and not real DX. So I stopped that. There’s a 9J that only ever comes up on a DX net, but I guess I’ll have to wait for a non-list one to show up, right?” We decided a non-committal poker face was the best approach.

“And I worked this guy signing KG4 for my first Guantanamo Bay contact. Then one of the old guys told me he really was in Georgia, and that I should know that two letter suffixes are Guantanamo and three letter suffixes are in W4 land. So I asked him how he knew all this stuff, and he told me it was experience! Experience he said! How am I supposed to get experience when I only have 132 countries? This guy has them all. He even worked that P5 fellow that’s been showing up on 10 meters lately. When I tried to tell him that I needed around 200 he ignored me and started complaining that the P5 only had verbal permission to operate. He said I should worry about real DX like the P5. It seems the only thing in his life worth thinking about is if the P5 will count! These old guys have too much spare time!”

We looked at the QRPer for a second and then said, “What else would you expect him to say? DXers always think logically. Do you think these fellows reached Honor Roll without a lot of deep thinking and logic?”

“Logic! What logic is there in that? I need around 200, and they use every excuse they can to slow me down. Stay off lists, they say. Work them on CW, they tell me, or it isn’t really a good one. Don’t count any contest QSOs toward DXCC. Don’t use Packet Clusters, they insist. They tell me I’ll never really have as good a DXCC as they do because they did it when it was hard. Now they tell me the FCC is giving away ham tickets, and the DXCC program isn’t checking the operations out well enough! So even if I were to make Honor Roll in the next 5 or 10 years, their Honor Roll would be better than mine. Except for the P5. They say that’s real DX. I think these old guys all are out to get me!”

He threw up his arms in despair. It was clear he was thinking hard. For quite a while he didn’t speak at all. Then he said in a dejected voice, “They might be right. Maybe I can never be as good as they are. I am playing the game with different rules and newer technology. But why do they have to be so condescending?”

We looked at him again and said, “They aren’t condescending at all. They are just looking at things from their perspective. To them, their entire DXCC worth depends on working a good P5. Old DXers need new countries, and they are almost out of them. And these old DXers tend to live in a world apart, a world they know and enjoy, but with experiences and comprehension not known by younger DXers like you. The P5 seems to meet their criteria . . . or something. Look at the bright side. They get a new one every year or two, maybe its even longer between new ones for most of them. You get a new one or two every week. Everything is relative, son. You know that Albert always said that, and was Albert ever wrong? Remember, if you can endure, you can always survive.”

The QRPer though a bit longer, and he brightened up. DXers, especially local QRPers like this one, are eternal optimists. “You’re right! And I sure scooped them last week anyhow! Remember I was up here telling you about how I just hit gray line perfectly. That one chance you get, maybe every 10 or 15 years? When I worked KH2D on 160 and 80, back to back and we were both 30-over? Why that sort of propagation only happens once every cycle, and you have to be there to catch it. 15 minutes once every 11 years! Maybe I am just as good as they are. How many of these East Coast geezers have a KH2 on 160 and 80 with S9 plus 30 written in the log both ways?”

We thought long and hard and leaned forward, our elbow on our knee and our fingers scratching our forehead idly. Take from no man his dream, we’d often heard the Old Timer say. We were afraid to look up, for we didn’t know if we could resist the impulse to ask the QRPer from where he thought Jim was operating.

We thought just a moment longer and sat back in the chair, finally rationalizing our position. If the QRPer had KH2D logged on 160 and 80, who were we to burst the Guam bubble? So we stood him up and patted his the back. We congratulated him as he started back down the hill. “Hang in there,” we told him. “You seem to have a talent for finding the low band path to the Pacific. There’s a KH7 somewhere waiting for you on 160. Go get him and let those old guys worry about the P5. Remember, those old DXers live in a different world than you.”

Son of a Gun! Things were moving in the right direction and we were feeling good again. The QRPer was hippity hopping and jiggling down the hill in spite of his size. There was a new spring in his step. Wake Island on top band! We wondered who he'd find on 160 signing KH7. We threw our support behind the QRPer. “Don’t ask and they won’t tell!” We mentally shouted at him. Our hope was he wouldn’t work KH7M, though! DX IS! Be a Believer. The Great Days of DXing have returned.

Helpful Hints

When throwing someone a sharp instrument, such as a Stanley knife or a bread knife, always throw it blade first as they invariably tend to turn while in the air.

Shallow Thoughts

When you open a bag of cotton balls, is the top one meant to be thrown away?

March 2004

FCC Proposes Rules for BPL Systems

QRP News

ARRL DX Bulletin

The Old and the New

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