Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, participates in the ARISS-Russia voice tests of the Phase II amateur gear aboard the International Space Station.
Feb 11, 2004
(In alphabetical order: )
Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, participates in the ARISS-Russia voice tests of the Phase II amateur gear aboard the International Space Station. |
ARISS-Russia checks out Phase 2 gear:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) representatives in
Russia have completed successful voice tests of the ARISS Phase II gear aboard
the ISS. The testing was carried out February 2 between RS0ISS, with Expedition
8 flight engineer Sasha Kaleri, U8MIR, at the controls and R3R at the editorial
offices of Radio magazine,
with Sergei Samburov, RV3DR, and others at the mike. The Expedition 8 team of
Kaleri and crew commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC, recently installed a new Kenwood
TM-D700E transceiver in the ISS Service Module--the crew's living quarters.
Also participating in the tests were Musa Manarov, U2MIR, and Sergey Krikalev,
U5MIR. Among other things, Kaleri and those on Earth recalled the days of ham
radio aboard the Russian Mir space station on which Kaleri was once
a crew member. ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, says the Phase
II gear now is being used as the primary RS0ISS packet system, but ARISS still
is using the Phase I equipment for ARISS school group contacts. Before the
higher-power TM-D700E is put into routine service for school group contacts, he
said, NASA wants to conduct "a fairly substantial engineering test." He said he
hopes testing--which would involve both 2 meters and 70 cm--can begin as early
as next month. Bauer and other members of the ARISS team met in mid-January at
Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland to set up the International Space
Station Amateur Radio Club's NN1SS for the engineering passes.--some
information from ANS
 ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV (left) accepts the SCK II donation on behalf of the League from Array Solutions President Jay Terleski, WX0B. |
Array Solutions donates multipurpose keyer to
W1AW: Array
Solutions has donated a Super Combo Keyer II (SCK II) to ARRL
Maxim Memorial Station W1AW. The SCK II is a multi-purpose keyer/SO2R
(single-op, two radios) unit designed for DXers, contesters, DXpeditioners and
casual operators who want to reduce the amount of wiring and "black boxes" on
the operating desk. W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, this month expressed
"deepest appreciation" for the donation in a letter to Array Solutions
President Jay Terleski, WX0B.
ARRL Outgoing QSL Service adds seven to "unserved" entities list: After repeated attempts without success to deliver to and/or contact several entities, the ARRL Outgoing QSL Service has added them to its list of entities that it cannot serve at this time. The ARRL Outgoing QSL Service will return to senders via incoming QSL bureaus any QSL cards it has received that were destined for these entities: CN, Morocco; J8, St Vincent; P2, Papua New Guinea; PZ, Suriname; UZ, Uzbekistan; ZA, Albania and 9Y, Trinidad and Tobago. A full list of entities not served by the ARRL Outgoing QSL Service is available on the ARRL Web site.
 ARRL's Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, is vice chairman of Informal Working Group 4, which is dealing with broadcasting and Amateur Radio issues in preparation for WRC-07. He also is the convener of US Working Party 6E. |
ARRL Technical Relations Office eyes WRC-07: While it may seem like World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03) was just yesterday, the ARRL Technical Relations Office in Washington already is participating in a new cycle of meetings to prepare for what's tentatively being called WRC-07. ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, says ARRL's involvement is in two arenas--the FCC WRC-07 Advisory Committee and its informal working groups (IWGs), and regular meetings of various International Telecommunication Union "working parties." ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, has been especially active as vice chairman of the IWG 4, which is dealing with broadcasting and Amateur Radio WRC-07 agenda items. Ireland also is the convener of US Working Party 6E, which deals with terrestrial delivery in the broadcasting service. Both groups are focusing on the possible allocation of additional broadcast spectrum in the 4 to 10 MHz band, which, Rinaldo points out, could impact amateur allocations. Additional information on WRC-07 preparations is on the FCC Web site.
Croatian club station celebrates 80th anniversary with special event: Radio Klub Zagreb, 9A1ADE, in Croatia will mark its 80th anniversary from March 1 through the year's end with special event station 9A80Z, which the club says will be on the air daily. Founded 1924, the Amateur Radio club is one of the oldest in Europe. In addition, during the same period all radio amateurs in Zagreb will be permitted to add the number 80 to their call signs. To obtain the commemorative RK Zagreb 80 award, European stations must work five Zagreb stations. All other stations qualify by working three stations, including special event station 9A80Z. All bands and all modes are permitted, excluding the use of terrestrial repeaters. Shortwave listeners also are eligible for the award. Send an application and log to Radio Klub Zagreb, Trg Zrtava fazisma 14, HR-10 000, Zagreb, CROATIA by December 31, 2005.
Doug Smith, KF6DX, heads for Rockwell-Collins: QEX Editor Doug Smith, KF6DX, has contracted to undertake work for Rockwell-Collins EW/SIGINT (formerly Communications Solutions), in White Marsh, Maryland. "It's nice to be associated with a company with demonstrated growth and a clear vision of its future direction," said Smith, an author and equipment designer who until January had been associated with Amateur Radio manufacturer Ten-Tec. He will continue at the helm of QEX. Rockwell-Collins EW/SIGINT is a world leader in signals intelligence and surveillance solutions for defense and security applications. Government systems work constitutes 45 percent of Rockwell-Collins' overall business, Smith said. Headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and founded in 1931 by Art Collins, W0CXX, as Collins Radio Company, the company merged with Rockwell International in 1971. Once a major manufacturer of Amateur Radio and broadcast equipment, Rockwell-Collins has since grown to take a world leadership position in avionics and communications.
DXCC Desk approves DXpeditions for credit: The ARRL DXCC Desk has approved these UA4WHX/AC4LN operations for DXCC credit: V63MB, Micronesia, May 13-20, 2003; T88VV, Palau, May 21-26, 2003; KH0/AC4LN, Mariana Islands, May 27-31, 2003; V63MB, Micronesia, June 2-10, 2003; V73VV, Marshall Islands, June 12-20, 2003; 5W0VB, Samoa, June 26-30, 2003; ZK2VB, Niue, July 1-4, 2003; A35VB, Tonga, July 10-18, 2003; ZL/UA4WHX, New Zealand, July 19-31, 2003; P29VVB, Papua New Guinea, August 4-17, 2003; H44VV, Solomon Islands, August 18-23, 2003; H40VB, Temotu Province, August 24-30, 2003; YJ0VB, Vanuatu, September 5-18, 2003; FK/AC4LN, New Caledonia, September 21-October 3, 2003; 3D2VB, Fiji Islands, October 4-6, 2003; 3D2VB/R, Rotuma, October 8-14, 2003; 3D2VB, Fiji, October 16-20, 2003; T30VB, Western Kiribati, October 21-28, 2003; T20VB, Tuvalu, October 29-November 5, 2003; 3D2VB, Fiji, November 6-7, 2003; ZK1/AC4LN, North Cook Is, November 9-15, 2003; ZK1/AC4LN, South Cook Island, November 18-26, 2003; FO/AC4LN, Marquesas Is, December 2-7, 2003; FO/AC4LN, Austral Islands, December 11-13, 2003; FO/AC4LN, French Polynesia, December 16-25, 2003; V31VB, Belize, May 25-30, 2002; YS1/AC4LN, Belize, June 5-9, 2002; HP8/AC4LN, Panama, June 26-July 1, 2002; J6/AC4LN, St Lucia, July 17-20, 2002; HH2/AC4LN, Haiti, July 23-27, 2002; 9Y4/AC4LN, Trinidad and Tobago, August 2-7, 2002; 8R1/AC4LN, Guyana, August 9-14, 2002; J73/AC4LN, Dominica, August 20-23, 2002; J3/AC4LN, Grenada, August 27-30, 2002; FW/AC4LN, Wallis and Futuna Islands, September 27-October 3, 2002. For more information about the DXCC program, visit the DXCC Web site. Here you will find the program rules, the current and deleted DXCC lists and all of the forms needed to participate.
ExxonMobil supports ARRL volunteer's activities: Alan Isaachsen, KB2WF, of Houston, Texas, recently discovered that it pays to volunteer. An ExxonMobil employee, Isaachsen volunteered his time learning to become an effective emergency communications assistant with the North-West Harris County ARES group. In return, through its Volunteer Involvement Program, ExxonMobil donated $500 to ARRL in recognition of Isaachsen's volunteer training and time. ExxonMobil supports its employees and retirees when they volunteer their time to 501(c)3 organizations such as the League. ExxonMobil's program allows for up to $2000 per volunteer per year. Isaachsen pointed out that other companies may also have similar volunteer involvement programs, and League members should check with their employers to see if they also can participate in a similar fashion. ARRL Chief Operating Officer Mark Wilson, K1RO, concurred: "This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers already participating in emergency communications or other ARRL activities to be recognized by their employers for their efforts and provide additional financial support for League projects," he said.
FCC gives second chance to former licensee: In an Order on Reconsideration released February 3, the FCC has given a former Griffith, Indiana, radio amateur another chance to renew his General ticket, which expired in 2000. The Commission has granted a waiver to Frank R. Michalak, ex-KA9EMU, permitting him to submit a late-filed renewal application. Michalak was given 60 days from the Order's release to do so. In its Order, the FCC dismissed Michalak's petition seeking reconsideration of a December 1999 FCC action dismissing his license renewal application. Michalak initially ran afoul of the requirement to provide a taxpayer identification number with his application, and he later encountered problems using the ULS and with illness. The FCC said it had reviewed his request anew using all information it currently had before it in the proceeding and agreed with Michalak that his situation was sufficiently exceptional to permit him to refile if he's still interested. "Based on such review, we conclude that Michalak should be granted a waiver to permit the filing of a late-filed renewal application," the Commission said.
 The K7ZC Field Day team prepares for action with Mount Baker in the background. |
Field Day 2004 packets now available: Rules and entry packets for the 2004 running of ARRL Field Day now are available on the League's Web site. Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June--this year June 26-27. The activity begins at 1800 UTC Saturday and ends at 2100 UTC Sunday. There are no rules changes from 2003. Participation in Field Day now is open to all amateurs within IARU Region 2--the Americas. FD stations may contact stations in other regions for point credit, but stations outside Region 2 are not eligible to submit entries.
Hong Kong dropping Morse requirement: Hong Kong has become the latest country to announce it will drop the requirement that Amateur Radio applicants pass a Morse code examination for access to frequencies below 30 MHz. In conjunction with the announcement, Hong Kong will cancel all existing amateur station license (ASL) classes (and/or authority to operate), replacing them with a new authorization that does not carry a license class. "The existing Intermediate and Restricted class of ASL holders are allowed similar operational privileges as the existing Full class of ASL holders," the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) announced February 11. OFTA also opened the 430 to 440 MHz band for portable and mobile operation and allocated 10.45 to 10.5 GHz to the Amateur Service. OFTA did not specify an implementation date for the changes but indicated they would "come into effect soon."
INDEXA appoints vice president: The International DX Association (INDEXA) announces the appointment of Ron Wright, ZL1AMO, to the position of vice president. He succeeds Bill "Pick" Pickard, WA5PAE, who died last November. Known for his passion for DX and his numerous DXpeditions, Wright has been serving as an INDEXA director and will continue in that post. "The professionalism, creativity, and commitment Ron brings to the job will benefit the future of DX, worldwide," said INDEXA President Judy Roush, AA7UC.--INDEXA
IPHG is two years old: The International Pharmacists Ham Group (IPHG) marks its second anniversary in March. Founded March 18, 2002, by two pharmacists, Pier Luigi Anzini, IK2UVR, and Andrea Pagliula, IZ7ECB, their aim was to promote radio initiatives, establish friendships among colleagues around the world and to lend a hand when necessary to those needing it. The primary core of about 20 members now has grown to almost 200 pharmacist-hams in more than 40 countries. IPHG members cooperate and exchange information with the Medical Radio Council (MARCO) and have extended assistance via radio to some African missions. The group also has a free-of-cost awards program. Pharmacists interested in learning more are invite to visit the IPHG Web site.--Bill Baker, N5UMH
Ofcom subsumes RA in UK: Ofcom--the Office of Communications --is the new regulatory agency for Amateur Radio as well as for TV, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services in the United Kingdom. Ofcom, as it's called, has subsumed the responsibilities of the Radiocommunications Authority (RA)--which used to administer the UK's Amateur Service--as well as those of four other regulatory agencies. RSGB reports that Ofcom has released the syllabus for the new Advanced Radio Communications Examination, which replaces the former City and Guilds Radio Amateur Examination. It's available on the Ofcom Web site. Pilot exams based on the new syllabus are scheduled for February, April and June 2004, after which the examination will be available monthly. RSGB says the new Syllabus represents many hours of cooperation by Ofcom and the RA as well as a working group drawn from RSGB's Amateur Radio Development Committee. The working group will continue developing the syllabus based on experience gained through the period of the pilot examinations. In a related development, UK Communications Minister Stephen Timms has announced that the Spectrum Management Advisory Group (SMAG) was been formally dissolved as of December 29, when Ofcom inherited responsibility for regulating the radio spectrum and communications services. Established in 1998 as a non-departmental public body, the SMAG provided independent strategic advice on spectrum management issues to the RA and to the relevant telecommunications minister.
RadioFest 2004 is moving to Monterey: RadioFest 2004 will be Saturday, February 28, 8 AM until 2 PM, in Monterey, California. Sponsored by the Naval Postgraduate School Amateur Radio Club, the event has evolved into a more casual hamfest with no commercial vendors. RadioFest 2004 will have free Amateur Radio exam sessions, ham equipment swap tables, guest speakers and technical demonstrations. It will be held at the Monterey Moose Family Center, 500 Canyon Del Rey Blvd (Hwy 218), Monterey. Talk-in will be on the K6LY 146.97 repeater (94.8 CTCSS). Swapfest tables are free and available on a first come, first served basis (limit 2) the morning of the event. Doors open for setup only at 6 AM. There's more information on the RadioFest 2004 Web site.--Brian Broggie, W6FVI
Sculpture auctioned, proceeds to ECHO project: AMSAT-NA reports that its sculpture of AO-40 sold January 31 in an eBay auction for $1225. The proceeds, less sales fees, will benefit the AMSAT-OSCAR ECHO satellite project. AO ECHO is set to launch March 31. There's more information on the eBay Web site.--AMSAT News Service
Vote on
QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for January is Rod
Vlach, NN0TT, for his article "The Challenge of Being a Little Pistol."
Congratulations, Rod! The winner of the QST
Cover Plaque award--given to the author--or authors--of the best article in
each issue--is determined by a vote of ARRL members. Voting takes place each
month on the QST Cover
Plaque Poll Web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite
article in the February issue of QST.
Voting ends February 29.
 Previous: Cruising with Ham Radio |  Next: FCC Okays BPL Proposal; ARRL Officials Express Disappointment |
