The parabolic dish on a Budweiser distribution center was the antenna for one end of the high-speed 802.11b Internet link using in Texas during the shuttle debris recovery effort.
Mar 12, 2003
(In alphabetical order: )
The parabolic dish on a Budweiser distribution center was the antenna for one end of the high-speed 802.11b Internet link using in Texas during the shuttle debris recovery effort. |
Amateur Radio high-speed Internet link used
during shuttle debris recovery operation: Amateurs
involved in the Texas search for debris from the shuttle Columbia used a 802.11b
high-speed Internet link, using equipment provided by Michael Willett, KD5MFM,
of McKinney, Texas. The system linked the net control station in Nacagdoches
with the Internet. Others involved in the system installation were Robert Judy,
KD5FEE; James McLaughlin, KD5POY; and Tim Lewallen, KD5ING. The link utilized a
mix of directional antennas to provide a robust connection through the intense
radio traffic in the area. The 2.4-GHz radio cards were set to produce 100 mW
of power and utilize direct sequence spread spectrum encoding. A 24-inch
parabolic dish constructed by David Clingerman, W6OAL, was installed on one end
of the link. On the other end, an 11-element shrouded Cushcraft antenna was
mounted on a temporary mast. Net control utilized the link to look up call
signs and for quick e-mail communication, weather-radar monitoring and weather
tracking. "This application and installation of the 802.11b link was one of
many examples demonstrating the extensive capabilities of volunteer ham
operators, government authorities and local businesses teaming together to help
during a crisis event," said Doug Kilgore, KD5OUG. Pictures of the link as well
as other operations are available on the Richardson Wireless Klub, K5RWK,
Web site.
 Bill and Enid Pierpont, in a 1999 photo. |
Bill Pierpont, N0HFF, SK: Author
William G. "Bill" Pierpont, N0HFF, of Wichita, Kansas, died February 20. He was
88. An ARRL member, Pierpont may be best known in Amateur Radio circles for
having written The Art and Skill of Radio-Telegraphy, now available in
several languages and considered by some as the definitive guide to
radiotelegraphy. The fourth edition, published by the FISTS CW Club, will be available at Hamvention
2003 in Dayton. The third edition
remains available for download from the Web site of Mike Dinelli, N9BOR.
Although ill with cancer, Pierpont remained active on the air until March 2002.
His brother, Ken, KF4OW, says Bill Pierpont got interested in radio as a young
boy because their father had one of the first radio sets in the neighborhood in
1922. He became licensed as W9BLK in 1930, when he was 15, and enjoyed CW for
much of his on-air activity. After contacting the Byrd South Pole expedition in
1932, he received a commendation from President Franklin Roosevelt.
Professionally, he worked in the aircraft industry. Pierpont let his license
lapse after World War II, but--his interest rejuvenated in the mid-1980s--he
rejoined the ranks as N0HFF. At about the same time, he began collecting
material on Morse code and teaching methods. His first edition of The Art and
Skill of Radio-Telegraphy came out on computer disk in 1992, and
hundreds of copies were distributed at the 1993 Virginia Beach Ham and Computer
Fest. A second edition appeared in 1995. A small print run of the book by FISTS
was quickly exhausted. Survivors include his wife, Enid, and a daughter.
Digital Communications Conference issues first call for papers: TAPR and ARRL have issued the first call for papers for presentation at the 2003 Digital Communications Conference. The 22nd annual conference will be September 19-21 at the Marriott Hartford Windsor Hotel near Hartford, Connecticut. Paper topics could include software defined radio, digital voice, digital satellite communications, GPS, APRS, DSP, HF digital modes, Internet interoperability, spread spectrum and 802.11 technologies, using Linux in Amateur Radio, updates on AX.25 and other wireless-networking protocols. Presentation at the conference is not required for publication. The deadline to submit papers for consideration is August 5. Submissions may be sent either by e-mail or postal mail to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. The DCC is designed for all levels of technical experience, not just for the expert, and is meant to be a weekend of fun and learning for all who have more than a casual interest in any aspect of amateur digital communications. For more information on the DCC, visit the TAPR Web site.
DXCC Desk approves operation for DXCC credit: The ARRL DXCC Desk has announced that the TT8ZZ operation in Chad September 24 to November 8, 2002, has been approved for DXCC credit.
 W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, adjusts equipment at W1AW prior to a bulletin transmission. |
FMT technical, participation data available: Additional, detailed data on the 2002 ARRL Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) now are available on the ARRL Web site. Various charts are now posted along with a list of those who came within 30 parts per million in their measurements. Charts include breakdowns of participation band and call area. Also included is technical information on how the test was conducted. "Judging by some of the comments made with submissions, participation was based a bit more on the fun involved, rather than merely being a technical exercise," said W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. "So, although there were not hundreds of participants in the 2002 FMT, there was enough activity to prompt future FMTs." Last November 6, in place of its normal SSB bulletin, W1AW transmitted test tones on the following frequencies: 80 meters, 3579335.2 Hz; 40 meters, 7046882.3 Hz; 20 meters, 14049083.8 Hz and15 meters, 21069674.5 Hz. There were 137 participants in the 2002 FMT, including one participating station from Europe, a few from Canada and one from Hawaii. Far and away, the highest number of participants came from the US fourth call district. In terms of states, the highest number of submissions came from California (which has 15 percent or so of the US ham population), with Ohio and Virginia coming in a close second and third, respectively. There were quite a number of 40-meter submissions as compared with the other bands. Only 10 amateurs copied the FMT transmissions on all four bands. Error rates in parts-per-million ranged from +235.3 to -317.02 ppm. A few amateurs copied the test well on one band but missed the mark on another. Another FMT is scheduled for later this year, and details will be announced in QST as well as on the W1AW FMT Web page.
 Bill French, AB8JF, explains the Morse code equipment to two 4-H youngsters. Once a year the Midland Amateur Radio Club conducts ham classes and invites the 4-H group to attend. |
Ham radio demo is side dish for pancake dinner: ARRL Michigan Section Manager Debbie Kirkbride, KA8YKK, reports that an Amateur Radio demonstration during a 4-H pancake supper was a hit for some of the youngsters on hand. The demonstration February 27 was by members by the Midland Amateur Radio Club. "Recently, the 4-H club has been fertile ground for recruiting new amateurs, and the display in February was an attempt by the club to kick it up a notch," said Kirkbride. "The kids were drawn to the sounds of ham radio coming from the corner. We had a few sticky keys from sticky fingers, but it was worth the efforts to watch the smiling faces of the youngsters learning about Amateur Radio." She says she found three youngsters who really got excited about the radios and code, and she gave each an Archie comic book from her dwindling--and irreplaceable--stock. "A while later after they returned to their table with their parents and finished dinner, I was watching them reading their books." A bit later, Kirkbride said she started hearing the youngsters "sending" each other Morse code out of the back of the books. "I grabbed the ham next to me (John McDonough, WB8RCR) who had a digital camera. He took a quick video clip of it." The clip now is available from the ARRL Michigan Section Web site (scroll down to "Section News Updates"). "Later as the kids were getting ready to leave, their mom came over to find out what we were doing and to thank me," Kirkbride continued. "She had no idea what the 'dit-dah' was all about, but the kids had a blast, and mom got a lesson in Morse code as well!"
Marc Tonna, F9FT, SK: Marc Tonna, F9FT, the founder of Tonna Antennas, died March 2. He was 91. "Tonna antennas were well know in the US and Europe, especially when EME (moonbounce) activity took off in the 1970s," said Joe Reisert, W1JR. "Amateur antennas were only a small portion of their business." Marc Tonna spoke no English, and his son, Franck, F5SE, interpreted for his father. "Marc spent his entire life working with his passion for antennas (primarily the Yagi type) and had recently developed an interest in wide-band patch antennas," Reisert said. "Even at age 90, he was still enthusiastic about going to work each day at his antenna factory located adjacent to his home." Reisert called Marc Tonna "a great antenna person" who will be long remembered.
 60 attendees at the National Disaster Medical System Conference in Reno, Nevada, take the Tech exam on March 8. |
Medical conference attendees get licensed: Nearly 60 attendees of the National Disaster Medical System Conference in Reno, Nevada, qualified for their Technician licenses March 8. Key topics at the event, targeted toward the nation's leaders in the fields of public health, medical, and emergency management, included counterterrorism, disaster response and public health. The 60 seats in the Amateur Radio Technician licensing class were filled in advance. Nichole Shounder, a registered nurse and member of a disaster medical assistance team in Lynwood, Washington, said her first impression of the material for the Tech license was that it was pretty challenging, but she missed only one question. The average class score was 30 out of 35 correct. Charles Magruder, who works at the Centers for Disease Control, also was among those who passed the Tech exam. "One of our key components is development of redundant communications," he said. "I learned a lot of new things and had a good time doing it." Conducting the course and managing the VE session were members of the Amateur Training & Examination Club (A-TEC) of San Francisco, which specializes in one-day Amateur Radio licensing classes.--Ken Alan, K6PSI
Missionary killed in Philippines blast was amateur: A Southern Baptist missionary who was among 21 people killed as a result of a terrorist bomb blast in the Philippines was an avid Amateur Radio operator. Bill Hyde, KB0KUB, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died March 4 in Davao City--the second largest city in the Philippines. He was 59. Hyde and his wife, Lyn, worked extensively with the Southern Philippines Baptist Missionary Seminary. Hyde suffered fatal injuries when he went to retrieve luggage while picking up fellow missionaries at the Davao City airport. According to reports, a backpack carrying a bomb exploded. Hyde died shortly afterwards after surgery for severe head and leg injuries. One of the other missionaries and her infant son were injured. In addition to his wife, the couple's sons, Steven and Timothy, survive. A friend, Larry Greene, N7LG, said Hyde maintained a ham station at the couple's remote outpost because it was their only reliable means of contact with the rest of the world. Hyde was a Vietnam veteran and a former music teacher. He'd served as a missionary since 1978.
New York antenna bill reported out of Senate committee: An e-mail and letter-writing campaign in New York has resulted in that state's pending Amateur Radio antenna Senate legislation, S 63, being reported out of the Senate Local Government Committee March 5. The measure now is on the Senate calendar for a vote. A parallel bill, A 2662, is pending in the New York Assembly, where it's in the Assembly Local Government committee. ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, and Atlantic Division Director Bernie Fuller, N3EFN, urge all New York amateurs to let their state senators know how they feel about the bill. The New York Senate approved the same legislation last year, but it died in an Assembly committee. "It is important that these senators hear from us immediately before they vote on the bill," said Fallon and Fuller in a joint statement. The antenna legislation is being called "The Jimmy the Newsagent Hannell Amateur Radio Antenna Bill" in honor of Jimmy Hannell, W2JHO, who ran the newsstand in the Legislative Office Building and who worked hard to get the Senate bill passed last year. Hannell died in January. In addition to incorporating the wording of the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 into New York statutes, the bill would set a 90-foot statewide minimum regulatory height standard.
Pirate broadcaster found in civil contempt, fined: The FCC has announced that a Florida man, Shlomo Malka, has been found in contempt of a court-ordered injunction and fined for unlicensed radio operation. US District Judge Wilkie Ferguson Jr of the US Southern District of Florida found Malka in civil contempt March 3, due to Malka's continued unlicensed radio operation in violation of FCC rules and a court-ordered injunction. The court ordered Malka to pay a fine of $35,000 and to relinquish any claim to radio station equipment seized from his unlicensed radio station. In addition, Malka was ordered to fully cooperate with the FCC in the continuing investigation of the unlicensed radio station and to identify all individuals and advertisers who had any relationship with the operation of the unlicensed station. The FCC's Miami office had received complaints from listeners and broadcasters in South Florida of interference to the reception of licensed broadcast stations in the area. Previously, US marshals and the FCC had seized Malka's radio station equipment, and on January 29, Ferguson issued an order enjoining Malka from future acts of possessing and/or using radio equipment to willfully and knowingly violate Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934. The FCC says that despite the court order, Malka persisted in the unlicensed operation. The injunction against Malka's unlicensed operation has now been made permanent. "Additional fines of $10,000.00 per violation will be imposed in the event the court finds Malka has engaged in unlicensed broadcasting at any time in the future, along with any additional civil and/or criminal penalties imposed by the court," the FCC said in a public notice. Operators of unlicensed stations may be subject to monetary penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. In addition, unlicensed operators may be subject to criminal sanctions, including fines and imprisonment.
Poland approves LF amateur band: The Polish telecommunications authority (URTiP) has approved use of the 2200-meter band (135.7-137.8 kHz) for amateur use on a secondary basis. Polish amateurs will be allowed to run 1 W EIRP (equivalent isotropically radiated power) on CW on the new LF band.--Sylwester Jarkiewicz, SP2FAP
Space symposium issues call for papers: The 2003 AMSAT-NA Annual Symposium has issued a first call for papers to presented at the conference, set for October 17-19 in Toronto, Ontario. Authors may present their papers during the symposium or simply offer them for inclusion in the symposium Proceedings. Subject matter should be of general interest to Amateur Radio operators involved in satellite communications. Suggested topics include operating techniques, antenna design and construction, spacecraft design and construction, current mission status, proposed satellite missions, and telemetry acquisition and relay. The deadline to submit abstracts is June 15, but these are welcome as soon as possible. Copy-ready papers must be received no later than August 15. Electronic submittal is preferred in MS-Word format. E-mail your submittals to Wayne Chandler, VE3WHC.
Teacher-astronaut (and now ham) undeterred by tragedies: More than 10 years ago while teaching school in Idaho, Barbara Morgan decided to strive for a dream--to join the Astronaut Corps through the NASA Teacher in Space program. She moved to Texas not long before the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe, died aboard the Challenger and NASA selected her in 1985 as the backup candidate for its Teacher in Space Program. She trained with McAuliffe and the Challenger crew at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Following the Challenger accident, Morgan assumed the duties of Teacher in Space Designee. Even though NASA placed the Teacher in Space program on hold, Morgan tenaciously stuck to her daily regimen of physical and mental training through the years, and, even while resuming her teaching career, doing whatever was necessary to remain in the program. She fervently believed NASA would one day again fly teachers on shuttles. It paid off when she was selected by NASA in January 1998 as the first Educator Astronaut. She's also refused to be defeated by the Columbia tragedy. Along with her colleagues, she accepts the dangers involved and still wants to fly. Recently, she joined one of the Johnson Space Center ham licensing classes conducted by Nick Lance, KC5KBO. On March 7, the FCC granted Barbara Morgan her new call sign, KD5VNP. Morgan is a former teacher of remedial reading and math, English and science. She has been assigned to the crew of the STS-118 shuttle mission slated for launch in November. Morgan and her husband, Clay, have two sons.
Tom Atkins, VE3CDM, elected to Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame: Former International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 President Tom Atkins, VE3CDM, has been elected to the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In making the announcement, Board of Trustees Chairman James R. Hay, VE2VE, cited Atkins' extensive contribution over many years to Canadian and international Amateur Radio activities through his active participation in CRRL, CARF, ARRL, RAC, RSO, QCWA, and the CNIB Amateur Radio Society for blind radio amateurs, in addition to the IARU Administrative Council and Region 2 Executive Committee. Current Region 2 President Pedro Seidemann, YV5BPG, called Atkins' election "a very deserved honor indeed!"
 Chris Plumblee, KG4CZU, presents a plaque confirming Riley Hollingsworth as Alumni Member #1 of Wake Forest Amateur Radio Club WF4DD. |
Wake Forest University club honors Riley
Hollingsworth: The Wake Forest University Amateur
Radio Club (WF4DD) honored FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth March 6.
Hollingsworth is a 1973 graduate of the WFU School of Law. Formed in 2001, the
Wake Forest ham club recently created a chapter for WFU alumni, and
Hollingsworth was initiated as the inaugural member of the alumni chapter.
Following presentation of a commemorative plaque, Hollingsworth spoke on the
importance of Amateur Radio and its role in the community, calling it "the only
fail-safe method of communication." Hollingsworth also called on amateurs to
bring new hams into the service and praised amateur innovation on the digital
front, including Internet linking of repeaters. "Riley Hollingsworth has become
an icon within the amateur community because of his dedication to making
amateur radio a service of which anyone can be proud to be a member," said club
president Chris Plumblee, KG4CZU. "Mr Hollingsworth deals with issues that are
real and immediate to the average radio amateur." The club also honored Henry
Heidtmann, W2DZO, a 1985 Wake Forest graduate who was instrumental in the
formation of the Amateur Radio club and provided equipment for the students to
use.
Will ham radio be shut down if war is declared? Some amateurs have been wondering if the FCC will shut down Amateur Radio in the event that war breaks out in the Middle East. The short answer is "no." Just prior to the Gulf War, §214.4(b)(4) of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations was deleted. This section had mandated the closing of all Amateur Radio stations except Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) stations in the event that the president proclaimed a war or national emergency. The last time Amateur Radio was shut down was during World War II. While the Amateur Radio Service will not automatically be shut down if the president invokes the War Powers Act, Amateur Radio licensees must continue to observe any directives the FCC may issue in the interests of national security and of making spectrum available for government use. The FCC is directed to work in coordination with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to issue "appropriate rules, regulations, orders and instructions" for use of the spectrum "as may be necessary to ensure the effective use of those portions of the radio spectrum shared by government and non-government users." Amateurs share most UHF spectrum with the US government.
World Amateur Radio Day Award available: MK QTC, the journal of PZK, the Polish Amateur Radio Union, has announced its World Amateur Radio Day 2003 Award. The award commemorates World Amateur Radio Day, celebrated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) each year on April 18. The theme of World Amateur Radio Day 2003 is "Amateur Radio supporting technology education in the classroom." The award is available for making 10 HF QSOs or 5 VHF QSOs on April 18 UTC. A standard application form including a list of QSOs must be sent before May 31 to Redakcja MK QTC, ul. Wielmozy 5b, 82-337 Suchacz-Zamek, Poland. Enclose $5 US or 5 Euro. SWLs are eligible for the award. For more information, contact MK QTC.
 John Reiser, WQ4L, regaled Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) Vic Clark Chapter 91 members earlier this year with his tales as an FCC inspector. See QCWA Chapter 91's Web site for more details (scroll down to "Recent Events" and click on the listing for January 18, 2003). |
WQ4L is NAB Radio Engineering Achievement
Award winner: The National Association of Broadcasters
(NAB) has announced that ARRL member John Reiser, WQ4L, of Mt Vernon, Virginia
is the winner of its 2003 Radio Engineering Achievement Award. According to
NAB, Reiser, who retired in 2000 as a senior broadcast engineer with the FCC's
International Bureau, played a significant role in many landmark rulings during
his 39 years with the FCC, including the standardization of the FCC national
program for broadcast station inspections in the 1970s, the 1976 revision of
the broadcast rules and regulations and the reorganization of the Broadcast Bureau
into what is now the Media Bureau. From 1986-2000, he served as the US chairman
of the technical study groups on broadcasting that participate in the standards
and conference preparatory work of the International Telecommunication Union.
He's represented the US at numerous international conferences on broadcasting
issues. "For many years, his extensive knowledge of the FCC rules and hands-on
experience and day-to-day contact with broadcast stations made him a critical
resource to the industry in helping broadcasters comply with the FCC rules,"
the NAB said in announcing the award. A recent issue of The CGC Communicator, an
industry newsletter, noted that one of Reiser's clever inventions was a Morse
code e-mail announcer--a programming subroutine that sent in CW the identity of
each e-mail sender. NAB award winners will be honored April 9 at the NAB2003
convention in Las Vegas.
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