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W4JAX > LETTER 18.09.04 14:35l 283 Lines 15725 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: The ARRL Letter p2
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From: W4JAX@W4JAX.#JAX.FL.USA.NOAM
To : LETTER@WW
The ARRL Letter p2
==>ARRL HAS ROLE IN MARYLAND AMATEUR TOWER CASE VICTORY
ARRL member John Evans, N3HBX, says he'll go forward with plans to erect
four 192-foot towers on a 44-acre farmland tract he owns near Poolesville,
Maryland. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, testified as an expert
witness on Evans' behalf September 9 when a Montgomery County Circuit
Court judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction brought by
Evans' neighbors in an effort to have his building permits for the
structures rescinded.
"Thank you for your sterling support today!" Evans e-mailed Imlay after
the ruling by Circuit Court Judge DeLawrence Beard. "I am sure it made a
difference." While another court proceeding to deal with the
interpretation of Montgomery County's zoning ordinance lies ahead, Evans'
attorney, Steve Van Grack--a former Rockville mayor--has told him he's
free to put up his towers--even at the risk that they might have to come
down later if the courts ultimately rule against him. "And that is what I
plan to do," Evans said.
Imlay says Judge Beard was not convinced by the assertions of Evans'
neighbors that installing the four antenna support structures would result
in irreparable harm, and he declined to grant an injunction to stop the
project until its legality could be established in court. "The issue was
whether or not a special exception--like a conditional use permit--is
required or just the building permits that were issued by the County,"
Imlay explained. A conditional use permit would have required a public
hearing. "Evans is not out of the woods yet, but this allows him to put up
the towers," he said.
Judge Beard ruled only on the preliminary injunction request, however. The
neighbors earlier had attempted to get a temporary restraining order, but
that was denied by the Circuit Court August 30. In turning down the
injunction request, Judge Beard said the towers could come down just as
they went up--if that was his final decision--so any harm to the neighbors
would not be irreparable.
The county granted Evans a building permit to construct the towers as
accessory use structures on June 23. Evans reportedly paid just over $1
million for the property in March on the condition that a building permit
for the towers be approved. He's also built a house on the property, which
is within Montgomery County's agricultural reserve.
Evans' neighbors have strenuously opposed the DXCC Honor Roller's plans to
put up the towers for his new contest station, and they told reporters the
latest setback will not halt their efforts. Contending the tower project
will destroy the "rural character of the area," more than 200 area
residents signed a petition requesting a public hearing.
According to The Gazette newspaper, Evans has met with delegations of
neighbors in an effort to accommodate their complaints--including an offer
to plant trees to obscure the view of the towers. He also offered to
remove the towers in 15 years when he'll be in his mid-80s and "probably
no longer interested in pursuing the hobby," the news report said.
The Washington Post this week reported that neighbors didn't learn of
Evans' plans until construction trucks began showing up at the site.
Several neighbors have ceded their own development rights to the county to
keep the area as agricultural open space. They suggest that Evans' tower
project makes a mockery of the agricultural easements.
==>LET'S MAKE A DEAL: FCC AGREES TO TRADE AMATEUR'S LICENSE FOR BIG FINE
The FCC has agreed to write off a $12,000 fine it levied against an Iowa
man in exchange for his giving up his Amateur Radio license for five
years. The FCC last year affirmed a $12,000 fine against Technician
licensee Scott E. Kamm, N0UGN, of Sioux City. Kamm later filed a Petition
for Reconsideration that proposed the license-for-fine quid pro quo. The
Commission formally granted his petition in a September 7 Memorandum and
Order (M&O).
"In support of his petition, Mr. Kamm offers to immediately withdraw his
pending application for renewal of his license for amateur radio station
N0UGN, and to refrain from applying for any other license for a period of
five years," the M&O said. "Accordingly, we conclude that cancellation of
the $12,000 forfeiture is warranted."
The FCC said its Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) would process
the withdrawal of Kamm's license renewal application concurrently with its
order. FCC Enforcement Chief David Solomon signed the M&O, which was
released September 9.
Following up on Amateur Radio complaints in the fall of 2002, agents from
the FCC's Kansas City field office tracked interfering signals to Kamm's
station--which was in Waterbury, Nebraska, at the time. Several months
earlier, however, the FCC had granted Kamm's application to change his
mailing address to a location in Sioux City. In January 2003, the FCC
issued a Notice of Apparent Liability to Kamm alleging willful and
repeated interference to ongoing amateur communications, broadcasting of
music, and failure to identify by call sign while operating on a 2-meter
repeater.
During 2002, Kamm was the target of several letters and an FCC Warning
Notice from FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth. In
the fall of that year, the WTB set aside Kamm's renewal application based
upon complaints about the operation of his station and questions regarding
his qualifications to be a licensee. Kamm's license expired September 29,
2002, and his renewal application reverted to pending status while the
matter was referred to the Enforcement Bureau.
==>ARRL ANNOUNCES NEW RADIO FREQUENCY PROPAGATION COURSE
A new course, "Radio Frequency Propagation" (EC-011), is the latest in the
League's catalog of Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) courses.
Registration for the propagation course will remain open through Sunday,
September 26, and the first class will begin Fr iday,October15.
The course curriculum was written by Ian Poole, G3YWX, and edited by Carl
Luetzelschwab, K9LA, and Terry Dettmann, WX7S. A noted DXer, Luetzelschwab
writes the "Propagation" column for WorldRadio magazine and occasionally
fills in for Tad Cook, K7RA, to write the weekly ARRL propagation report.
Dettmann is the CCE program's mentor coordinator and also a propagation
expert.
Those signing up for EC-011 will study the science of RF propagation,
including the properties of electromagnetic waves, the atmosphere and the
ionosphere, the sun and sunspots, ground waves and sky waves, and various
propagation modes--including aurora and meteor scatter.
Over the course of 15 learning units they'll also engage in various
listening and logging activities and visit several Web sites that deal
with solar phenomena related to radio wave propagation. The course runs 12
weeks and students can earn 2 Continuing Education Units.
Tuition for the course is $65 for ARRL members and $95 for nonmembers.
RF Propagation students will need to have an HF receiver to complete the
various course-related activities. All on-line CCE courses also require
access to a computer with an Internet connection as well as e-mail and Web
navigational skills.
Poole's text, Radio Propagation--Principles & Practice, is the optional
reference manual for the course. Published by the Radio Society of Great
Britain, the 112-page book offers a practical understanding of radio
propagation and serves as a guide to choosing the right band at the right
time for the desired communication path.
To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web
page <http://www.arrl.org/cce> or contact the ARRL Certification and
Continuing Education Program Department <cce@arrl.org>.
==>MICHAEL J. ANUTA, W8HKY, SK
One of the oldest radio amateurs in the US has become a Silent Key.
Michael J. "Mike" Anuta, W8HKY, of Marinette, Wisconsin, died September 9.
He was 103. After leaving school following the eighth grade and working as
a Western Union delivery boy and a railroad telegrapher, Anuta went on to
become an attorney and enjoyed a 67-year legal career in Michigan.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing," said Wisconsin Section
Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG. "He was truly a fine gentleman, and we'd
like to think that Amateur Radio contributed to his long and happy life."
First licensed as WN8HKY in 1952 during the early days of the Novice
program, Anuta quickly upgraded to General and remained active through the
1970s. When he moved into a retirement apartment, he sold his ham gear but
kept his ticket current. After reading a newspaper account of the 50th
anniversary of the Marinette and Menominee Amateur Radio Club in 2000, he
decided to get back into ham radio. He rejoined the club, bought a 2-meter
hand-held and--until his failing eyesight and hearing prevented him from
doing so about a year ago--he regularly checked into the club's Sunday
night 2-meter net. Anuta also rejoined the ARRL, and in 2001, when he
turned 100, the League sent a special greeting to Anuta and congratulated
him on attaining centenarian status.
Survivors include Anuta's wife of nearly 83 years, Marianne. A service
will be held September 21, 11 AM, at First Presbyterian Church in
Menominee.
The family invites memorial contributions to the Presbytery Point Camp,
c/o Presbytery Point Board, G. Christopherson, Ishpeming, MI 49849, or to
the Bay-Lakes Council, Boy Scouts of America, PO Box 267, Appleton, WI
54912.
==>SOLAR UPDATE
Sol man Tad "Let the Sunshine In" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
reports: Solar flux and sunspot numbers rose over the past week. The
average daily sunspot number--at 77.6--was more than 20 points higher than
the average for the previous week. The highest sunspot count was 87 on
September 10 and 11. The daily solar flux averaged 13 points higher at
119.1.
Predicted solar flux for the near term is 110 for September 17-19 and down
to 100 by September 21-22. Predicted planetary A index for the next few
days is 20 and 15 for September 17-18, then around 10 for September 19-21.
September 22-23 is supposed to be quieter. The higher A index predicted
for September 17 is because of a weak coronal mass ejection. The high A
index on September 14 was from a solar flare coming out of sunspot 672 on
September 12. Currently sunspot 672 is squarely facing Earth.
Sunspot numbers for September 9 through 15 were 82, 87, 87, 85, 65, 70 and
67, with a mean of 77.6. The 10.7 cm flux was 131, 130, 116.4, 114.6,
117.7, 114.7 and 109.6, with a mean of 119.1. Estimated planetary A
indices were 4, 5, 6, 4, 8, 28 and 14, with a mean of 9.9. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 3, 1, 1, 1, 5, 17 and 9, with a mean of 5.3.
__________________________________
==>IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: The North American Sprint(SSB), the ARRL 10
GHz and Up Contest, the SARL VHF/UHF Contest, the Scandinavian Activity
Contest (CW), the Collegiate QSO Party, the Mediterranean Islands Award
Contest, the South Carolina QSO Party, the QRP Afield event, the
Washington State Salmon Run and the QCWA QSO Party are the weekend of
September 18-19. The 144 MHz Fall Sprint is September 20. JUST AHEAD: the
CQ World Wide DX Contest (RTTY), the Tesla Cup (SSB), the Scandinavian
Activity Contest (SSB), the Arkansas, Texas and Alabama QSO parties, the
AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, the Tesla Cup (CW) and the UBA ON Contest (6 meters)
are the weekend of September 25-26. The Fall QRP Homebrewer Sprint is
September 27, and the 222 MHz Fall Sprint is September 28.See the ARRL
Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/> for more info.
* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration for the ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004) on-line course remains
open through Sunday, September 19. Classes begin Fri dayOctober1.This
course is an excellent way to learn the ins and outs of computerized
antenna modeling. Antenna expert and noted author L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, has
combined the expertise of his long career as a college professor with his
love and antennas and antenna modeling to offer a comprehensive, yet
practical, course of study. Registration for the Technician Licensing
course (EC-010) also remains open through Sunday, September 26. Classes
begin Friday, Oc tober8.Withtheassistanceofamentor,EC-010students
learn everything they need to know to pass the FCC Technician class
license examination. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and
Continuing Education <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> Web page or contact the
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program Department
<cce@arrl.org>.
* Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration: Registration
for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level III on-line
course (EC-003) opens Monday, September 20, at 1201 AM EDT and will remain
open through the September 25-26 weekend or until all available seats have
been filled. Seniors (age 55 and older) are strongly encouraged to
participate. Class begins Friday ,October8.Thankstoourgrant
sponsors--the Corporation for National and Community Service and the
United Technologies Corporation--the $45 registration fee paid upon
enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the course.
During this registration period, seats are being offered to ARRL members
on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, visit the ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce>.
For more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan
Miller, K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org; 860-594-0340.
* ARRL seeks Community Education Program Coordinator: The ARRL has a
position opening for a Community Education Program (CEP) Coordinator. This
is a one-year, grant-funded position, and the individual hired need not be
based at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. The successful
candidate will be responsible for the development and execution of a pilot
program for community education on Amateur Radio. The overall objective is
the creation and presentation of an interactive forum on the basics of
Amateur Radio to Citizen Corps councils in 12 locales across the US. The
CEP Coordinator will be responsible for follow up and measurement to
ensure that the program's goals for Amateur Radio's inclusion in local
emergency planning are met. This position requires a broad knowledge of
Amateur Radio, especially of public service; at least five years
experience as an Amateur Radio licensee; excellent presentation, oral and
written communication skills and the ability to travel extensively. The
anticipated pay range is $35,000-$40,000. Send resumes to: Human
Resources, American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111;
e-mail: LouAnn Campanello <lcampanello@arrl.org>; fax 860-594-0298. Please
read the official job announcement
<http://www.arrl.org/announce/jobs/#cepc> before applying. The ARRL is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
* Cayman Islands emergency traffic exempt from third-party traffic rules:
Because of changes to the international Radio Regulations at World
Radiocommunication Conference 2003, the FCC will not enforce third-party
traffic rules contained in §97.115 of the FCC Amateur Radio Service rules
for the passage of emergency and health-and-welfare traffic. The FCC
continues to evaluate necessary revisions to the wording of Part 97 to
reflect the WRC-03 changes, but Commission staff has assured ARRL that it
will not sanction amateurs passing appropriate emergency-related traffic
with stations in the Cayman Islands, with which the US has no third-party
traffic agreement.
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