June 14, 2000
(In alphabetical order:)
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AMSAT-NA prexy to do radio guest shot: AMSAT-NA President Keith Baker, KB1SF, reports he's been invited to be a guest on the short-wave radio program Spectrum, hosted by Mark Emanuel, N2CBO, and Stan Olochwoszcz, N2AYJ. The program is airs live on WWCR at 5070 kHz AM at 0300 UTC on June 18 (this is Saturday evening in the US). Baker says discussion will focus on AMSAT, its origins, triumphs and challenges.--AMSAT News Service
Anti-virus software may impair ULS access: Dennis Faist, WB8TUU, reports he had problems during recent attempts to log on to the FCC's Universal Licensing System using direct dialup. He suggests that individuals running into difficulty during the Netscape Navigator 4.73 logon/encryption procedure disable McAfee anti-virus software. Faist says running McAfee in the background inhibited his system's ability to download Java applets necessary for filing an application via the ULS. "I was running McAfee anti-virus software initially in the background. Disabling the McAfee software, re-logging onto the FCC ULS site, and letting the four FCC applets--ClientUtil.jar, jaguar.jar, jconnect.jar, and powerj.jar--download and function cured the problem," he says.--Dennis Faist, WB8TUU
Aussie IARU Region III special event station: The International Amateur Radio Union Region III conference will be held in Darwin, Australia, August 28 until September 1. More than 100 delegates from radio societies in the Asian and Pacific regions are expected to attend the conference, hosted by the Wireless Institute of Australia, to discuss a wide ranges of regional and global issues affecting amateur radio. At the conference's hotel, special event station AX8IARU will be on air (CW and SSB) activated by members of the Darwin Amateur Radio Club and conference delegates. A special QSL card is to be available.--Jim Linton, VK3PC/IARU
Badger State Smoke Signals Web site continues to grow: Wisconsin's Amateur Radio newspaper, the Badger State Smoke Signals, has expanded its Web site offerings. Now on the site is a popular feature from the print version, "Computer Corner." The current installment, by Wisconsin SEC Stan Kaplan, WB9RQR, reveals the prevalent use of "spyware" for covert on-line snooping. The site also has undergone some cosmetic tweaking. Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ, reports that the list of Wisconsin hams' e-mail addresses is among the most-often-read pages, but others, including Wisconsin area exams and special event stations, see action as well. Visit http://www.bsss.org/.
Bahamas licensing update: This information on Bahamas Amateur Radio licensing was provided courtesy of Dick Long, WA4JID, who's also C6AKE in the Bahamas: (1) On March 24, radio licensing was transferred from BATELCO to the Public Utilities Commission. Those holding a paid-up reciprocal or C6A license for the year 2000 issued before March 24 must send a copy (both sides) and receipts to the PUC before June 24, including a letter stating you still are actively using your license. If you don't, the license will be terminated. (2) If renewing an expired license, send a copy of the license plus $6 (money orders only) for this year and any past years its been expired (eg, if it's been expired for three years, send $18). (3) Effective June 6, authorities in the Bahamas will issue new interim reciprocal licenses good through December 31, 2000. (4) Once the PUC has your information and money, you may operate legally in the Bahamas. Licensees may not hear from the PUC until their new licenses are issued on the PUC logo, which could take several months. (5) Contact information: The Executive Director and Secretary, Public Utilities Commission, PO Box N 4860, Nassau, Bahamas; 242-322-4437 (4438) (4439); fax 242-323-7288. ATTN: Chizelle A Whyms, Senior Clerk/Technical.--Dick Long WA4JID/C6AKE
Busy storm season predicted: Attention, storm watchers! An updated Atlantic Basin hurricane forecast says activity is expected to exceed the long-term average, although it likely will be slightly less active than the four recent very busy years of 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999. The revised estimate predicts that 2000 will bring eight hurricanes (the average is 5.7), 12 "named" storms (the average is 9.3), 65 named storm days (the average is 47), 35 hurricane days (the average is 24), four intense (category 3-4-5) hurricanes (the average is 2.2), eight intense hurricane days (the average is 4.7) and a Hurricane Destruction Potential (HDP) of 100 (the average is 71). Collectively, net tropical cyclone activity in year 2000 is expected to be about 150 percent of the long- term average. These predictions are based on results of statistical forecast schemes and analog techniques plus qualitative adjustments that reflect additional effects associated with supplementary global atmosphere and ocean information. A detailed report is available on the web.
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Dayton attendance up again: Dayton Hamvention General Chairman Jim Graver, KB8PSO, reports attendance at the 2000 Dayton Hamvention and ARRL National Convention was 28,804. While not an all-time record, the head count was up from 28,127 in 1999. Hamvention attendance peaked in 1993 at 33,669, before the change in date from April to May in 1996. After that, Graver says, attendance has remained at around 28,000. Several vendors reported selling out of certain popular items at this year's event. And, of course, a good time was had by all!
FCC, advisory group release RF emissions guide: The FCC and the Local and State Government Advisory Committee have released a plain-English guide on RF emissions--A Local Government Official's Guide to RF Emission Antenna Safety: Rules, Procedures, and Practical Guidance. The publication is designed to assist local governments and individual citizens to better understand the origin and application of FCC safety rules to safeguard public health from RF exposure. The Amateur Service only comes in for passing mention in the guide. In a table that discusses "Transmitters, Facilities and Operations Subject to Routine Environmental Evaluation," the guide indicates evaluation is required only if "transmitter output power is greater than levels specified in §97.13(c)(1) of the FCC rules." The guide is aimed at providing local communities with a greater understanding of RF emission issues and comprehensive information and guidance in devising efficient procedures to assure that local antenna facilities comply with the FCC's limits for human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields. The guide is available on the FCC's RF safety Web page. It is also available on the LSGAC Web site.--FCC Public Notice
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Hatfield honored by PCIA: The Personal Communications Industry Association has honored FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Chief Dale Hatfield, W0IFO, with its prestigious Eugene C. Bowler Award. The award was presented May 2 in Washington. FCC Chairman William Kennard commended Hatfield for his teaching abilities and for his efforts to ensure that wireless phones are compatible for those with disabilities.
Curtis Island Light at Camden Harbor, Maine. [Jeremy D'Entremont] |
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend set: The annual International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend will be held August 19-20. Last year 218 Amateur Radio stations were established at lighthouses and lightships in 39 countries on six continents. A regularly updated list of stations that have already confirmed their participation in the weekend is available on the web. --Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC
K2UYH elected IEEE Fellow: ARRL Member Allan Katz, K2UYH, of West Windsor, New Jersey, was among those recently elected to be a Fellow in the IEEE--the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Congratulations, Al!
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Michigan proclaims Amateur Radio Awareness Week: Michigan Section Manager Dick Mondro, W8FQT, reports that Gov John Engler has signed an executive declaration proclaiming June 19-25 as Amateur Radio Awareness Week in the State of Michigan. ARRL Field Day is the weekend of June 24-25.--Dick Mondro, W8FQT
N5GAR tapped for Dems platform committee: Tom Blackwell, N5GAR, has been elected a member of the Platform Committee of the Democratic National Convention. The convention will be held in Los Angeles, August 14-17. Blackwell serves as an ARRL State Government Liaison in North Texas.
"Numbers stations" revealed: Thanks to the resources of National Public Radio and its popular "Lost and Found Sound" feature, a long-time short-wave listener mystery might have been solved: the so-called "numbers stations." These stations easily were found at various locations on the short-wave dial reciting lists of numbers in various languages. As long suspected by many, the consensus is that the numbers stations transmitted encrypted information to intelligence agents in the field. The Friday, June 2, installment of "Lost and Found Sound"--aired during the popular All Things Considered radio magazine--reports the findings of several individuals who have been keeping track of the numbers stations over the decades. The segment is available on the NPR web site. Their mutual findings reveal that Russia, Cuba, the UK, East Germany and probably even the CIA operated numbers stations. One called "Cynthia" (as in C . . . IA) apparently transmitted from Northern Virginia. Another US numbers transmitter was in Southern Florida. "We didn't intend to discuss these stations if any exist at all," John R. Winston, assistant chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, tells the segment's producers. Winston says the FCC is aware of "innumerable" numbers stations outside the US, however. "Our only interest is if they're causing interference," he says. Other stations came to be known within the SWL community by names like "The Babbler," "The Sexy Lady," and "Bulgarian Betty." One station replayed on the segment "sang" numbers in Spanish. Another featured an overly upbeat digitized female voice speaking Mandarin--transmitted from Taiwan--that, at one point, says "Thank you very much for decoding today's message." While the transmitters are relatively easy to find, numbers stations were aimed at hiding the location of the recipient(s). For the most part, their identities remain secret.
Pirate alert: Jenny, EZ8AQ, reports that EZ7ST is a pirate and that there are no EZ7 stations in Turkmenistan. Currently there are five EZ8, three EZ3, one EZ6 and one EZ4 stations on the air from this semi-rare country.--The Daily DX
[photo by John Kanode, N4MM] |
President Haynie among Kenwood "Top Gun" Award winners: ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, along with Ed Petzolt, K1LNC, Dr Jim Hirschman, K4TCV, and Hector Godoy, HR3HGB, were named as recipients of Kenwood's "Top Gun" Award. All were cited for their participation in the rescue of young Willem van Tuijl, who was seriously wounded during a pirate attack off the coast of Honduras while sailing with his parents, Jacco and Jannie van Tuijl, KH2TD and KH2TE. Haynie was instrumental in getting the youngster to the US for treatment and rehabilitation. He accepted his award during a Kenwood reception during the Dayton Hamvention.
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Ugerumf! No, this is not the sound you make when you try to pick that boatanchor you just bought off the hamfest table. We've all heard of the wouff hong; most know of the rettysnitch, but fewer still may be familiar with the ugerumf. This mysterious object was made shortly after ARRL co-founder Hiram Percy Maxim wrote his "Rotten QRM" article back in 1917 (the original editorial was reprinted in the December 1940 QST). Whether the device was symbolic of QRM in those days or was supposed to cure its evils is something left to the imagination, although strong hints were given by "The Old Man." The words "ugerumf" and "rettysnitch" allegedly appeared in CW poorly sent by what "The Old Man" called "a poor gink." The evil-looking ugerumf is on display at ARRL Headquarters in the same cabinet with the wouff hong and the rettysnitch.
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W1AW exposed! Fast-moving, violent thunderstorms June 11 certainly made their presence felt around W1AW. Large branches from the two trees nearest the rear entrance came down onto the station, exposing the once leaf-shrouded side that faces ARRL Headquarters. While there was severe tree damage in the neighborhood, W1AW and its antennas came through it all unscathed. The storm did result in a power outage, however. A number of branches ended up resting right against the windows, however, and Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, promptly removed them in the interests of safety. He then enlisted the help of Building Manager Greg Kwasowski to cut down the badly damaged trees. Although hindered by the inclement weather, Brennan Price, N4QX--on hand over the weekend to put W1AW on the air for the ARRL June VHF sweepstakes--made 129 QSOs (with 37 grids) total on the 50, 144, 222 and 432 MHz bands combined, using CW, SSB and FM.
Wisconsin club receives $7500 grant: The Wisconsin Valley Radio Association recently received a $7500 grant from The Wausau Area Community Foundation to replace the aging W9SM repeater and antenna system. The WVRA club's tax-exempt status and its participation in many community service events helped justify the grant. Key events included the Badger State Winter Games, the Special Olympic Winter Games, the National Kayak White Water Races and Dream Flight Wausau. The Grant Proposal Committee was formed when the WVRA Board of Directors learned that the current 50-year old tower--jointly owned by several TV stations--was scheduled for replacement, and the new tower would have limited access for repair or replacement of equipment. The Board of Directors determined the dual band antenna, hard line, 440 repeater controller and related equipment needed to be updated in order to serve the community well into the new millennium. The Wisconsin Valley Radio Association Board of Directors and the club members expressed their gratitude to the Wausau Area Community Foundation for its generosity.--Kim Kunze, N9SDL via BSSS
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