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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 19, No. 37
September 29, 2000
__________________________________
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__________________________________
IN THIS EDITION:
* +Phase 3D launch set for Halloween!
* +League advises FCC to go slow in ultra-wideband deployment
* +Three new amateur satellites now are in orbit
* +IARU monitors seek reports on unlicensed operation
* +Baker not seeking re-election to AMSAT-NA presidency
* +Reputed oldest US ham, ARRL member dies
* Solar update
* IN BRIEF:
This weekend on the radio
Another long-distance FRS rescue
+New North American 24-GHz record claimed
FCC upholds forfeiture for illegal amplifier sales
Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award
+California ARES teams draw fire duty
Continuing Legal Education Seminar set for Pacificon 2000
FCC puts a new face on ULS home page
Local TV stations provide SKYWARN facility upgrade
Timothy S. Smith, KF6AUE, SK
Vera Woodland, WD5BOW, SK
UK abolishes age restriction
+Available on ARRL Audio News
__________________________________
PHASE 3D SET FOR HALLOWEEN LAUNCH
The next-generation Phase 3D Amateur Radio satellite is set for launch on
Halloween! The launch agency Arianespace said that in addition to Phase 3D,
an Ariane 5 rocket would attempt to orbit the PAS 1R communications
satellite and two other payloads, STRV 1C and STRV 1D, on Tuesday, October
31. The launch will take place at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French
Guiana.
AMSAT-Germany Executive Vice President Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, who's heading
up the launch campaign, was a bit more tentative about the launch date. He
called October 31 "the start of the launch window" and said it was the
earliest date on which the launch could take place.
AMSAT officials were encouraged by the successful September 14 Ariane 5
launch that placed two communication satellites in orbit. A launch using an
older generation Ariane-4 rocket is scheduled for October 7.
Guelzow reports launch preparations for the October 31 Ariane 507 Phase 3D
flight officially got under way September 18 in Kourou and are proceeding
"on target." Guelzow is pinch hitting for Phase 3D Project Leader Karl
Meinzer, DJ4ZC, who was unable to make the trip.
AMSAT News Service says the RUDAK computer team, the RF team and members of
the electronics team from AMSAT-NA already have completed their work and
returned home. Electronics team members from Europe this week were wrapping
up their tasks and preparing to leave. Five of the six bays around the
satellite's circumference have been secured for the final time; the sixth
bay has been prepared to load fuel. Thermal blanket additions have also been
completed. Final tests have been made on several detectors--such as the sun
sensor--and the solar cells were being mounted on the satellite and will be
connected to the battery chargers.
Once everything is ready, the rocket and the satellite payload packages it
will carry will be integrated in the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building.
Guelzow reminded operators planning to use Phase 3D after launch that it
could be a few months after launch before Phase 3D is ready for routine
operation. The actual time depends on several factors including orbital
parameters and the work needed to nudge P3D into its final elliptical orbit.
Guelzow said that satellite operators worldwide "can rest assured that every
effort will be made to initiate operations at the first possible opportunity
consistent with flight operations."
The launch team has established a Web site that includes photographs of the
team preparing the satellite. It's at http://www.amsat-dl.org/launch/ . For
more information about Phase 3D, visit the AMSAT-NA Web site,
http://www.amsat.org/.
ARRL ADVISES CAUTION IN DEPLOYING ULTRA-WIDEBAND
The ARRL has advised the FCC to put its ultra-wideband--or UWB--technology
proceeding on hold until more evidence is available on UWB's interference
impact. Saying the technology could have enormous benefits for public
safety, consumers and businesses, the FCC last May proposed amending its
Part 15 rules to permit the operation of ultra-wideband on an unlicensed
basis. The League filed comments September 12 in the Commission proceeding,
ET Docket 98-153.
UWB proponents claim the devices are capable of operating on spectrum that's
already occupied by existing radio services without causing interference.
The FCC says UWB deployment could permit scarce spectrum resources to be
used more efficiently.
The ARRL said that while it does not object "as a general principle" to
authorizing UWB devices under Part 15, "UWB devices cannot be authorized on
a blanket basis at this point without making assumptions which could very
well be erroneous, and with potentially disastrous results for licensed
radio services." The League said the UWB proceeding should be put on hold
until test results are available on the impact of UWB and a further round of
comments sought. Specific rules need to take into account "empirical
evidence of interference potential from UWB devices," the ARRL said, and it
questioned why the proceeding was issued before test results and analyses
were received.
The bulk of the League's comments focus on the potential for interference
from UWB to Amateur Radio allocations. "Part of ARRL's reluctance is that
some types of UWB operation will result in wideband noise across multiple
amateur bands, something not likely to occur with most presently authorized
Part 15 devices," the ARRL asserted. The League called upon the FCC to not
authorize any UWB deployment below 2.5 GHZ. The ARRL also asked the FCC not
only to determine reasonable operating conditions for UWB devices but to
also consider how it will address cases of harmful interference that may
result from UWB deployment. And the ARRL said it wants the FCC to consider
extending the protections it's considering for safety services--such as
GPS--to the Amateur Service.
The League attached to its comments rough calculations of the interference
potential of various possible UWB configurations. It also offered to
contribute to further studies now underway under the auspices of the NTIA
and the Department of Transportation.
"At this point, it is not reasonable to adopt rules for UWB devices," the
ARRL concluded, "despite an apparent public interest in accommodating such
devices." The ARRL's comments in the UWB proceeding are available at
http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et98-153/index.html
RECYCLED ICBM PUTS HAM SATELLITES INTO ORBIT
Three Amateur Radio satellites were propelled into space September 26 aboard
a converted Soviet ballistic missile. The launch reportedly took place at
1005 UTC from the Baikonur Cosmodrome .
Now in low-Earth orbit are SaudiSat-1A and SaudiSat-1B and TiungSat-1. The
satellites appear to be functioning and are being commissioned by ground
controllers. The launch vehicle, a Dnepr 1 rocket, is based on the Soviet
SS-18 "Satan" ICBM--a ballistic missile reworked for peaceful purposes.
The SaudiSats will be able to operate 9600 baud digital store-and-forward as
well as analog FM repeater mode. The uplinks will be on VHF and the
downlinks in UHF (Mode J). The downlink for SaudiSat-1A is 437.075 MHz; the
downlink for SaudiSat-1B is 436.775 MHz. The uplinks will be published after
the satellites have been checked out and commissioned.
Jim White, WD0E, reports that both SaudiSats have been turned on and are
running the initial housekeeping task. He says the downlinks are only on
when the satellite is over ground stations that are participating in the
commissioning process.
TiungSat-1 is Malaysia's first microsatellite. For amateurs, it will offer
FM and FSK (at 9.6, 38.4, and 76.8 kB) with uplinks at 144.46, 145.85, and
145.86 MHz and downlinks at 437.300, 437.325, 437.350, and 437.375 MHz. The
satellite also carries land and weather imaging payloads.
Chris Jackson, G7UPN, reports TiungSat was activated from the 9M2MCS command
station on September 27. "Excellent telemetry was received showing that the
spacecraft was in good health," he said in a posting to the AMSAT reflector.
Jackson said the spacecraft currently is transmitting telemetry on 437.325
MHz. The flight software was to be loaded this week. "With only one pass
night and morning over Malaysia it will take some time to get everything
running," he said.
TiungSat--named after the mynah bird native to Malaysia--was developed as a
collaborative effort between the Malaysian government and Surrey Satellite
Technology Ltd. of the UK. For more information, visit
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/CSER/UOSAT/missions/tiungsat/team.htm and
http://www.yellowpages.com.my/tiungsat/tiung_main.htm .
The Dnepr 1 booster also launched a pair of Italian commercial
satellites.--AMSAT News Service; Bruce Paige, KK5DO; Space.com; TiungSat
IARU MONITORS SEEK REPORTS ON UNLICENSED OPERATION
In an effort to better document the extent of unlicensed operation on
Amateur Radio frequencies--particularly 10 meters--the International Amateur
Radio Union Region 2 Monitoring System is surveying member societies about
the extent of the problem. The ARRL is soliciting reports from US hams to
supplement its response to the survey.
"At the peak of the sunspot cycle, CB-like operations become more and more
apparent on the highest HF band," says Brennan Price, N4QX, administrator of
the ARRL Monitoring System.
Price says that on September 28 alone, the ARRL received three reports of
such activity on 10 meters. "John Hennessee, N1KB, and I took turns
monitoring at headquarters station W1INF and noted 12 such stations in about
15 minutes of listening time--all using AM between 28.0 and 28.1 MHz," he
reports.
In order to provide statistical backing for ARRL's survey response, Price is
soliciting reception reports from amateurs for the two-week period October 1
to October 14. Observations should include date and time in UTC, frequency,
mode of the transmission, language (if known), and any notes that might
assist in identifying the source. Observations should also be limited to
amateur frequencies, focusing on 10 and 12 meters.
Price emphasized that operations on the so-called "freeband" between 10
meters and the 11 meter Citizens' Band are not a topic of this survey.
Price urged monitors to use caution before documenting a transmission as
probably unlicensed. "Most countries do not mandate a segregation of voice
and digital modes, as the US does," he pointed out. "A phone transmission
between 28.0 and 28.3 MHz is not necessarily illegal in the country where
that transmission occurs, and if valid amateur call signs can be made out,
the transmission should not be reported." Price notes, however, that lower
sideband and AM transmissions between 28.0 and 28.1 MHz usually are
unlicensed "and may be treated with suspicion."
ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, said he believes the best
short-term solution is for amateurs to get on the air and use their
frequencies. "Illegal operation on 10 meters declines on a contest weekend,"
Sumner says. "If that volume of stations would operate more often, perhaps
these intruders would look elsewhere for an open frequency."
E-mail reports to Brennan Price at n4qx@arrl.org. All reports will be
acknowledged, and respondents will receive a summary of the survey results
via return e-mail.
BAKER NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION AS AMSAT-NA PRESIDENT
AMSAT-NA President Keith Baker, KB1SF, says he plans to step down when his
term ends next month. In what AMSAT News Service called "a surprise
announcement," Baker said he will not seek re-election his current term
expires at the upcoming AMSAT annual meeting in Portland, Maine.
"It's been a great ride," Baker said this week. "My term is up, and it's
time to step aside and give someone else a chance to lead."
If Baker has his way, that "someone else" will be Robin Haighton, VE3FRH,
the current AMSAT-NA executive vice president and an AMSAT-NA board member.
Baker said that Haighton has agreed to serve as president come October, and
that Ray Soifer, W2RS, has agreed to step back into the job of executive
vice president. Soifer now serves as international affairs VP for AMSAT-NA.
Baker said he's been encouraging Haighton and Soifer to assume expanding
roles in AMSAT's daily operation and that both have "risen to the challenge
and have been doing an exceptional job."
Baker became AMSAT-NA president in 1998, succeeding Bill Tynan, W3XO. Prior
to becoming president, Baker had served four years as executive vice
president. He also serves as a member of the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors and
recently was re-elected to serve another two-year term. Baker said AMSAT-NA
is "very strong, very healthy" and that he's pleased to see the Phase 3D
project close to fruition.
Baker says his personal corporate consulting and training business along
with a second, highly successful family enterprise have been taking a
significant amount of his available time. The AMSAT-NA presidency involves a
lot of work, Baker said, adding "the Board really runs AMSAT," and the
organization won't skip a beat with the transition to a new leader at the
helm.
Baker also said he was pleased and gratified at the level of support for the
Phase 3D project. The bulk of the money for Phase 3D has been in small
donations of $5, $10 and $20, he said, "which is, to me, phenomenal, and the
real miracle of Phase 3D."--AMSAT News Service
REPUTED OLDEST US HAM, LEAGUE MEMBER BILL DEARING, W5QN, SK
The man believed to have been the oldest Amateur Radio operator in the US
and the oldest member of ARRL has become a Silent Key. Wilbur "Bill"
Dearing, W5QN, of Bonham, Texas, died September 20 at a Dallas hospital. He
was 101. Dearing succumbed to complications resulting from a fall in which
he broke his hip.
First authorized to operate a spark-gap transmitter by the US Department of
Commerce in 1913 or 1914, Dearing remained an active amateur until the day
of the accident that led to his death. He obtained his W5QN call sign in
1927, the year the Federal Radio Commission--the predecessor to the FCC--was
established.
Dearing had succeeded George "Dewey" Wilson, W7HF, of Aberdeen, Washington,
as the ARRL's most senior member and oldest US ham when Wilson died on July
8 at the age of 102. It's not known who holds senior honors at this point,
but Dearing may have been the last US Amateur Radio operator to have been
born in the 19th century. A 100-year-old Pennsylvania ham and League member,
John E. Wilcox, NO3R, died earlier this year.
A CW operator, Dearing in later years got on 20 meters almost daily to chat
with friends and acquaintances. He was a member of DXCC and had been an ARRL
member for more than 60 years.
Graveside services for Bill Dearing were held September 23 in Bonham. His
sister, Aleene, died September 17 at the age of 99 and was buried the day
her brother passed away. Survivors include a son and three daughters as well
as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family has invited memorial donations to the Dr M. B. Nelson Scholarship
Fund, c/o Educational Administration, Texas A&M University, College Station
TX 77843.
CALIFORNIA ARES TEAMS RESPOND TO FIRE
Sacramento Valley (North) Section Emergency Coordinator David Thorne, K6SOJ,
reports that ARES teams in Northern California responded after a wildfire
erupted September 19 near Concow Reservoir. The wind-driven fire, located a
few miles east of Paradise, California, spread rapidly.
When evacuations became necessary, the Butte County American Red Cross
opened evacuation centers at a school and a church. Butte County ARES was
called up, and team members established a local net to provide auxiliary
communication for the Red Cross and the California Department of Forestry.
The following day, a mutual-aid request was initiated. Two additional
trained operators were needed immediately. Unable to reach District 2 EC
Dick Cloyd, WO6P, Butte County EC Ken White, KC6RSS, contacted Thorne, who
immediately telephoned Shasta County EC Drew Witham, W1SAR. Witham mustered
the Shasta County ARES team. A group e-mail bulletin went out to all ECs and
AECs in Districts 1 and 2, alerting and placing them on stand-by.
The NorCal ARES Net was activated with daytime and nighttime frequencies on
40 and 75 meters respectively. A newly recruited ARES member in Paradise,
Chuck Orgovan, KF6YKQ, established an HF-VHF relay between the SEC and the
Butte County ARES tactical VHF net. Assistance and net support came from
surrounding areas, including Shasta, Plumas, and Modoc counties in
California and Klamath County in Oregon. Sacramento Valley Section Manager
Jerry Boyd, K6BZ, and OES Inland Region ACS Officer Bill Pennington, WA6SLA,
were notified and updated periodically. W1SAR and WO6P responded to the Fire
Command Post and staging area the evening of the second day. The mutual aid
request was cancelled on the third day, and Butte County ARES team members
and others remained on duty to support the agencies.
The Concow Fire consumed 1800+ acres, destroyed 14 homes and damaged five
others. One resident died after refusing to evacuate, five were injured, and
200 people were displaced.--thanks to KC6RSS, WA6SLA, and K6SOJ
SOLAR UPDATE
Solar seer Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar flux and
sunspot numbers were up over the past week, while average geomagnetic
indices were lower--always a happy condition for HF radio enthusiasts. Solar
flux peaked at 232.2 on September 22 and sunspot numbers peaked at 255 on
September 24. Average sunspot numbers for the week were up nearly 87 points,
and average solar flux rose by almost 39 points, when compared to the
previous week.
Geomagnetic indices should remain stable over the next few days, with
planetary A indices predicted at around 10. On Monday through Wednesday,
October 2-4, the A index is forecast at 12, 15 and 12, probably based on the
previous solar rotation. This indicates an unsettled to active geomagnetic
conditions, with higher absorption of HF radio signals, particularly in the
higher latitude or polar paths.
Solar flux is expected to decline over the next few days, with Saturday,
September 30, at 190 and Sunday, October 1, around 180. For the short term,
flux values should reach a minimum near 155 around October 7-9, then head
above 200 again around mid-month.
We have now passed the autumnal equinox and are experiencing fall HF
conditions. 10 and 12-meter operators should expect great propagation, at
least when the K index as reported by WWV is three or less. As the northern
hemisphere moves further from the summer season, 160 and 80 meters should
improve with shorter days and less of the static commonly associated with
summer.
Sunspot numbers for September 21 through 27 were 198, 248, 216, 255, 215,
223 and 233, with a mean of 226.9. The 10.7-cm flux was 225.1, 232.2, 225.2,
224.5, 225.6, 223.6 and 204.7, with a mean of 223. Estimated planetary A
indices were 9, 7, 7, 10, 16, 21 and 11 with a mean of 11.6.
__________________________________
In BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: The Louisiana and Texas QSO parties are the
weekend of September 30-October 1. Just ahead: The California QSO Party, the
VK/ZL/Oceania Contest (phone), the RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest (phone), the YLRL
YL Anniversary Contest (CW), and the TARA PSK31 Rumble are the weekend of
October 7-9. See October QST, page 100, for details.
* Another long-distance FRS rescue: An 11-year-old Marysville, Washington,
girl helped rescue a stranded and injured hiker 100 miles away on September
24 when she picked up his call for help on her Family Radio Service UHF H-T.
Mikayala Whitley was playing Sunday with the little transceiver outside her
home in north of Seattle when she heard the call for help and responded. She
was able to keep in contact with injured hiker Michael Wyant, 49, throughout
the afternoon. The girl's parents called authorities, who launched a rescue
with the youngster acting as a communication relay between the hiker and
rescuers. Wyant was picked up by a helicopter later that afternoon, treated
at a hospital and released. He also called to thank his radio rescuer. The
FRS units--which operate in the 462-MHz range--have a typical range of a
couple of miles. In June, two young Oregon brothers were credited with quick
thinking after they intercepted a plea for help transmitted via an FRS UHF
transceiver by some injured mountaineers more than 80 miles away. Those
hikers also were rescued as a result. REACT International has suggested the
adoption of FRS channel 1 (462.5625 MHz) with the CTCSS tone disabled as a
national call channel. REACT says it came up with the idea after lost hikers
in Southern California spent 40 minutes calling on 14 different FRS channels
using 38 different tones. In that case, an 11-year-old boy, Kristofer Moore,
heard the distress call on his FRS H-T while camping with his family.--news
reports; REACT
* New North American 24-GHz record claimed: A new North American distance
record at 24 GHz is being claimed by Ron Smith, K6GZA and Gary Lauterbach,
AD6FP. The contact occurred September 16 during the 2000 10 GHz and Up
Cumulative Contest. The 24 GHz contact took place between Mt Oso (CM97hm) in
Northern California and Mt Frazier (DM04ms) in Southern California. The
calculated distance of 375 km is believed to be a new North American record.
Both stations used SSB with signals peaking to S7 on the Frazier end and S5
on the Oso end of the path. At the time conditions on 10 GHz over the path
were reported excellent. Signal levels were good enough for K6GZA and AD6FP
to converse for several minutes before each went back to working other
stations in the contest.--thanks to Gary Lauterbach, AD6FP, and Ron Smith,
K6GZA
* FCC upholds forfeiture for illegal amplifier sales: The FCC has denied a
Petition for Reconsideration and upheld a $7000 fine against The Two Way
Shop of Kennewick, Washington. The shop was fined for willful and repeated
violation of the Communications Act of 1934 and FCC rules by offering
illegal linear amplifiers for sale. In a May 3, 2000, response to the FCC's
earlier Forfeiture Order, the Two Way Shop alleged that neither its
owner-operator nor his wife had spoken with FCC agents in the shop and,
accordingly, could not have offered to sell linear amplifiers to the agents.
"The Two Way Shop apparently overlooks our statement in the Forfeiture Order
that the investigating agents posed as 'members of the general public'," the
FCC responded in a Memorandum Opinion and Order released September 14. The
FCC said the agents' decision to go under cover had no bearing on The Two
Way Shop's culpability, and it denied the Petition for Reconsideration. The
Two Way Shop was given 30 days to pay the fine.--FCC
* Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award
for September was David Blaschke, W5UN, for his article "MBA: The Mighty Big
Antenna." Congratulations, Dave! ARRL members are reminded that the winner
of the QST Cover Plaque award--given to the author(s) of the best article in
each issue--now is determined by a vote of ARRL members. Voting takes place
each month on the ARRL Members Only Web site at
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/qstvote.html. As soon as your copy arrives,
cast a ballot for your choice as the favorite article in the October issue
of QST. Voting ends October 15.
* California ARES teams draw fire duty: Sacramento Valley (North) Section
Emergency Coordinator David Thorne, K6SOJ, reports that ARES teams in
Northern California responded after a wildfire erupted September 19 near
Concow Reservoir. The wind-driven fire, located a few miles east of
Paradise, California, spread rapidly. ARES teams in Butte County and several
surrounding areas were called up to provide auxiliary communication for the
Red Cross and the California Department of Forestry. The Concow Fire
consumed 1800+ acres, destroyed 14 homes and damaged five others. One
resident died after refusing to evacuate, five were injured, and 200 people
were displaced.
* Continuing Legal Education Seminar set for Pacificon 2000: ARRL General
Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and California Pacific Division Volunteer Counsel
Coordinator Harry Styron, K6HS, will conduct a Continuing Legal Education
Seminar in Concord, California, in conjunction with PACIFICON 2000. The
session will be held at the Sheraton Concord (Airport) Hotel October 20 from
8 AM until noon. The cost of the seminar for attorneys seeking CLE credit is
$50. If CLE credit is not needed, the cost is $10. It is free for those
attending for less than an hour. It is open to all, lawyers and laymen
alike. The seminar covers in-depth state and local antenna regulation with
the focus on amateur issues and other legal topics affecting Amateur Radio.
Attendees also will get an overview of the structure of federal
telecommunications regulation in the US. Contact John Hennessee, N1KB,
jhenness@arrl.org; 860-594-0236; fax 860-594-0259 to reserve a seat and
course materials. Payment may be made before the seminar. Complete
information on Pacificon is available at http://www.pacificon.org/.
* FCC puts a new face on ULS home page: The FCC has spiffed up the Universal
Licensing System home page at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls. But beyond the
shiny, new fa?ade--which simplifies and clarifies navigation and minimizes
confusion--it's the same ULS we have come to know and love--or hate. Check
it out!
* Local TV stations provide repeater facility upgrade: The National Weather
Service says two TV stations serving the Springfield, Missouri, area--KOLR
and KDEB--have donated antenna and tower facilities valued at $250,000 for
use by Amateur Radio SKYWARN and other emergency groups. Quorum
Broadcasting, parent company of KOLR and KDEB, provided the facilities, and
the 145.49 repeater was scheduled to move to the new site on September 1.
The 145.49 repeater trustee and club president Michael Blake, N0NQW, called
the occasion "an important day, not only for the National Weather Service
SKYWARN nets, but for the other emergency service groups in the region." The
donation includes a five-year unlimited-use contract between the repeater
group and the broadcaster, guaranteeing a location for Amateur Radio SKYWARN
and emergency operations.--National Weather Service/Springfield news release
* Timothy S. Smith, KF6AUE, SK: Tim Smith, KF6AUE, of Rancho Santa
Margarita, California, died September 7. He was 47. An ARRL member, Smith
was heavily involved in public service and emergency communication
activities. He was a member of the South Orange Amateur Radio Association as
well as a Disaster Action Team volunteer for the American Red Cross--a role
in which he responded to numerous local emergencies to assist victims of
disasters. In addition, was president of the Santa Margarita Amateur Radio
Team--an ARES unit--and chairman of the Rancho Santa Margarita disaster
preparation committee.--Bill Westfall, KD6NJP
* Vera Woodland, WD5BOW, SK: Vera Woodland, WD5BOW, of Saginaw Michigan, and
formerly of Arlington Texas, died September 23. She was 88. Woodland and her
late husband Paul, W8EEY, who died in 1982, were the only husband-wife team
ever to win the Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award, which they
received in 1982. For many years The Paul (W8EEY) and Vera (WD5BOW) Woodland
Award was presented to the Outstanding Ham of the Year in the North Texas
Section. They also taught Amateur Radio classes and are said to have helped
dozens of newcomers to get their licenses in North Texas.--Tom Anderson,
WW5L
* UK abolishes age restriction: After discussions with the Radio Society of
Great Britain, the UK Radiocommunications Agency has to drop the age
restriction to obtain a "full" Amateur Radio license. Previously, applicants
had to be 14 years of age or over, or to have held a Novice license for a
least a year. Now, applicants who have passed the radio amateur examination
and either the 5 WPM or 12 WPM Morse code test for a Class A/B or Class A
license respectively, may apply for a full license.--RSGB
===========================================================
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American
Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main St,
Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259;
http://www.arrl.org. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President; David Sumner, K1ZZ,
Executive Vice President.
The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to
active amateurs that's available in advance of publication in QST, our
official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise,
and readable. The ARRLWeb Extra at http://www.arrl.org/members-only/extra
offers ARRL members access to late-breaking news and informative features,
updated regularly.
Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or
in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to
The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.
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