Greetings ARRL Members of North Texas!

The Irving ARC will be having another Hamfest on Saturday, March 13th from
8:00AM until 2:00PM. There will be plenty of vendors, prizes and fun for
all. There will also be ARRL spondored VE testing and a ARRL forum in the
afternoon.

You can get more information and register for the Hamfest on-line at
http://www.irvingarc.org/hamfest.html. You can also visit
http://www.irvingarc.org for more information on the Irving ARC.

I had a great time at this event last year. I hope to see you there on
March 13th.

73,
Roy Rabey, AD5KZ
ARRL NTX SM

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL North Texas Section
Section Manager: Roy C. Rabey, AD5KZ
ad5kz@...

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 23, No. 09
February 27, 2004
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +FCC releases proposed BPL rules
* +ARRL backs Hawaii antenna bills
* +FCC continues to target alleged unlicensed operations
* +Peggy Sue gets licensed!
* +WA6MHZ wins San Diego SM race
* +N0AX is 2003 Orr Technical Writing Award winner
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
      This weekend on the radio
      ARRL Emergency Communications course registration
     +Ham radio "personalities" to be W1AW contest ops
      SATERN net assisting with Haiti traffic
      Spacewalk ends early
      UO-11 to mark 20 years in space
      ARRL Foundation elects officers during annual meeting
      Charles D. "Chuck" Ritchie, W4BUG, SK
      Clarification

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================

==>FCC PROPOSES RULES FOR BPL SYSTEMS

The FCC this week released its Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on
Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems. The 38-page NPRM--in ET Dockets
03-104 and 04-37--proposes amendments to FCC Part 15 rules to define
so-called "access BPL," make rules specific to BPL systems and provide
measurement guidelines for BPL devices and systems. It would make no
changes to Part 15 emission limits for unintentional radiators, however.
ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says that while Part 15's current limits on
unintentional radiators on HF may be appropriate for short-duration,
narrowband emissions, they are inappropriate for the sort of long-duration,
broadband emissions BPL would employ. He compared short-duration,
narrowband emissions at the Part 15 radiated emission limit to a helicopter
flying overhead.

"The noise is deafening, but is tolerable because it doesn't happen very
often nor last very long," he observed. "To a radio user, having BPL in the
neighborhood would be like having the helicopter hovering constantly
overhead."

ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, offered an example most hams could relate
to. "The limit for an unintentional emitter on HF is 30 uV/m at 30 meters
from the source," he said. "If you take a dipole cut for 3.5 MHz and put it
in a 30 uV/m field, you'll have a noise reading of S9 plus 16 dB at your
transceiver."

The FCC proposal takes a broader view of interference. "There is
significant disagreement among the commenting parties regarding the
interference potential of Access BPL," the NPRM declares. "Amateur
operators and amateur organizations in general are opposed to Access BPL
and advocate emission limits that are lower than the existing Part 15
limits."

Still, the NPRM concedes, Amateur Radio operations "are likely to present a
difficult challenge in the deployment of Access BPL in cases where amateurs
use high-gain outdoor antennas that are located near power lines." Noting
that power line noise already presents a significant problem for hams, the
FCC said, "we therefore would expect that, in practice, many amateurs
already orient their antennas to minimize the reception of emissions from
nearby electric power lines."

The NPRM goes on to point out that because BPL has the capability to stay
clear of specific frequencies, BPL providers can simply "avoid the use of
amateur frequencies when in close proximity to amateur outdoor antennas."
The NPRM also briefly mentions the possibility of interference to BPL
systems from Amateur Radio, an issue ARRL and others raised in their
comments on last April's Notice of Inquiry on BPL.

The NPRM emphasizes that under the proposed rules, operators of Access BPL
systems would be responsible for eliminating any harmful interference that
may occur. The FCC says it believes current Part 15 emission limits for
carrier current systems--in conjunction with certain additional
requirements specific to Access BPL--"will be adequate to ensure that
existing radio operations are protected against harmful interference."

Sumner suggested that, with licensed services and government users taking
up large portions of the HF spectrum, protecting all licensed HF users
could prove to be a nightmare for BPL providers. He noted, too, that while
the FCC maintains that licensed services must be protected, the proposed
rules place the burden of initiating corrective action on the shoulders of
the licensed services. "And as a practical matter, the FCC's proposed rules
offer no protection at all to mobile and portable stations," he added.

Sumner also said the ARRL would continue to combat the "misconception"
that BPL systems are viable as a "last mile" broadband technology for rural
dwellers. "In low-density areas, the economics just don't work," he said.

The NPRM is available on the FCC Web site in Microsoft Word format
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-29A1.doc> or as
an Adobe PDF file
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-29A1.pdf>.

Interested parties may file detailed comments on the NPRM via the main
FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)
<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>. The comment deadline is 45 days after the
NPRM has been published in The Federal Register, and that is not expected
to happen for another week or two. The FCC also is accepting brief comments
on the NPRM via its ECFS Express page
<http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/ecfs/Upload/>.

Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/>. To support the League's efforts
in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site
<https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/>.

==>ARRL SUBMITS TESTIMONY SUPPORTING HAWAII ANTENNA BILLS

The ARRL this week submitted written testimony in support of two pieces of
Amateur Radio antenna legislation under consideration in Hawaii. House Bill
2774 would aid Hawaiian amateurs living in subdivisions subject to
homeowners' association covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). In
general, HB 2774 would permit such Amateur Radio licensees in Hawaii to
install antennas, feed lines and other telecommunications equipment
"directly attached to the owner's residence or other permitted structure on
the owner's lot." A second bill, HB 2773, would allow amateur licensees in
condominiums to install antennas on their units under certain conditions,
without needing permission from a condo owners' association or managing
agent.

"These bills would simply assure the ability of federally-licensed Amateur
Radio operators to install unobtrusive, basically functional antenna
systems without the often arbitrary, or arbitrarily administered, private
regulations that routinely preclude Amateur Radio operation," the ARRL said
in urging approval of both measures. Passage of the bills, the League
asserted, would help to ensure stations would be available to provide
emergency and disaster-related communications if normal communications were
disrupted.

Both measures are in the Hawaii House Committee on Consumer Protection and
Commerce, chaired by their sponsor, Rep Ken Hiraki (D-28). At a hearing on
the two bills February 25, amateur operators spoke of the importance of the
Amateur Service during emergencies, while representatives of condominium
and planned community associations countered with the need to maintain the
CC&Rs that all homeowners agreed to follow when they purchased. The
committee subsequently voted to defer any decision on the fate of the bills
until March 1.

In its written testimony, the League said the two measures contain
sufficient protections against adverse effects to neighbors, and "reach a
good balance between the legitimate interests of condominium and apartment
owner's associations and homeowner's associations on the one hand, and the
clear benefit to the public of available Amateur Radio communications."

The ARRL said the two Hawaii measures apply existing federal principles
regarding "reasonable accommodation" of amateur communications to all
residences, whether subject to municipal or private land-use regulations.
"It would do so in a way as to protect those who might be directly
affected, either aesthetically or in other respects, by an antenna
installation," the League added.

HR 2774 is similar in intent to HR 1478, the proposed legislation now in
Congress that would apply the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 to
CC&Rs on a nationwide basis. If approved, the measures would mark the first
legislation on any level to address the restrictions that CC&Rs and
homeowners' associations impose to hamper the installation of Amateur Radio
antennas.

Hiraki has been urging hams in Hawaii to contact their representatives to
champion the legislation. He also is asking amateurs in Hawaii to submit
their own comments in support of the bills and the need to pass them.

Address letters to Rep Kenneth Hiraki, Chairman, Committee on Consumer
Protection and Commerce, Hawaii State Capitol--Room 320, 415 S Beretania
St, Honolulu, HI 96813. Testimony in support of either or both bills also
can be sent via e-mail <rephiraki@...> or via fax to
808-586-6181.

Texts of the two bills, HR 2773
<http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/hb2773_.htm> and HR
2774 <http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/hb2774_.htm> are
available on the Hawaii State Legislature Web site.

==>FCC KEEPS UP PRESSURE ON ALLEGED UNLICENSED 10-METER OPERATIONS

The FCC is continuing efforts to stem alleged unlicensed
operation--primarily by long-haul truckers--on the 10-meter amateur band.
Enforcement Bureau Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth, this month wrote
FedEx Corporation CEO Frederick W. Smith enclosing a complaint asserting
that some FedEx drivers have used "Amateur Radio transmitters to
communicate on the 10-meter Amateur Radio band without a license,"
Hollingsworth said. The complaint focused on alleged operations in
Tennessee.

"Many truckers use CB radio, which does not require a license,"
Hollingsworth told Smith. "However, any person using a radio transmitter on
Amateur Radio frequencies must possess both a station and operator license,
for which an examination is required." He pointed out that some truckers
have been known to use uncertificated dual-purpose CB radios that also can
transmit on 10 meters. CB gear must be FCC certificated, formerly known as
type acceptance, but ham radio gear does not need to be.
So-called dual-use ham/CB transceivers may not be sold or marketed under
FCC rules.

Two additional trucking firms this month were the target of FCC warning
notices involving complaints of unlicensed operation on 10 meters.
Hollingsworth wrote Carl Leonard Ross of CLR Transport in Saluda, North
Carolina, citing allegations that a CLR Transport vehicle traveling on
I-85 in North Carolina "was the source of unlicensed radio transmissions on
the 10-meter Amateur Radio band on July 14, 2003." Cassidy's Express of
Bristol, Pennsylvania, heard from the FCC regarding reports that one of its
vehicles was the source of unlicensed radio transmissions while under way
in Pennsylvania last October 9.

Hollingsworth asked Smith to advise FedEx drivers that such operation of
radio transmitting equipment without a license is a violation of federal
law and could subject violators to stiff fines and even jail time as well
as seizure of equipment. Pointing out the same penalties for violators,
Hollingsworth asked the other two trucking firms to contact him to discuss
the allegations.

Earlier this year, the FCC sent warning notices to two shipping companies
in the wake of reports to the Commission that some of the companies'
vehicles may have been illegally transmitting on 10 meters. At least one of
the companies, UPS, offered its full cooperation and promised to
investigate.

==>PEGGY SUE GETS LICENSED!

During the recent Buddy Holly W5B commemorative special event operation,
Peggy Sue Gerron-Rackham was perhaps the most prominent of the W5B guest
operators. The namesake of Holly's 1957 "rockabilly" hit "Peggy Sue"--who
went to high school with Holly and later married the drummer in his band,
The Crickets--says participating in the W5B event sharpened her desire to
get her ham license. That happened this week when the FCC granted her the
call sign KE5AKW. She now plans to apply for a vanity call sign.

"Out of all the Buddy Holly events that I have attended in my life," she
said after the W5B special event. "This event will always stand out in my
memory."

As rock n' roll history has it, Holly originally titled the song "Cindy
Lou," but Crickets drummer Jerry Allison convinced the singer to change the
tune's name to "Peggy Sue" just before the recording session. Gerron, who
still goes by that name, says that story is "close" to the truth but not
entirely accurate. After Holly's death, Gerron toured with The Crickets
when the band got back together. Holly's follow-up song "Peggy Sue Got
Married" inspired a 1986 movie starring Kathleen Turner.

Over the years, Gerron has made public appearances all over the
country--including on "Oprah," VH1, the Oxygen Network, as well as network
TV, and has worked as a speaker, columnist, back-up singer and talk radio
co-host (her show was called "Rave On"). Getting on the air during the W5B
special event, however, turned out to be very "special" for her.

"You can do TV specials, and you can be interviewed by the very best DJs,"
she said, but there is nothing like the feeling of putting your finger down
and transmitting your call sign and having somebody answer back."

The Buddy Holly special event--January 29 through February 2 in Holly's
home town of Lubbock, Texas--marked the 45th anniversary of the
entertainer's untimely death in a February 3, 1959, plane crash in Iowa.
The mishap also claimed the lives of early rock n' rollers Ritchie Valens
and JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson.

The Lubbock Amateur Contest Club's W5LCC provided the site for the special
event station. Some area hams still remember Holly as a classmate at
Lubbock High School. Bryan Edwards, W5KFT, who obtained the W5B call sign,
reports W5B logged more than 1000 contacts. The special event generated a
lot of interest in talking to Peggy Sue, and she obliged as many as
possible. A few shared personal recollections of Holly and his music.

"This is not planned conversation," Gerron said of Amateur Radio. "It's one
person communicating with another. Is anybody out there? You bet they are!
Keep rockin'!"

Other operators during the W5B special event included  Doug Hutton, W5JUV,
Terry Bajuk, KE5BL, Dennis Brush, WA5CBG, Joey Johnston, KC5MVZ, Eddie
Petmecky, KC5OBX, Davis Plunkett, K5DLP, Rick Roy, KB5KYJ, and Tom Tucker,
KB5UOP.--thanks to Mike Gruber, W1MG, who provided information for this
article

==>BUNSOLD WINS SAN DIEGO SECTION MANAGER ELECTION

In the only contested ARRL Section Manager race in the current election
cycle, Patrick Bunsold, WA6MHZ, of El Cajon, California, has been elected
as the ARRL San Diego SM. He outpolled Stephen Early, AD6VI, 378 to 258.
Election ballots were counted February 24 at ARRL Headquarters.

Bunsold previously served two terms as San Diego SM--from 1994 to 1998.
He'll be stepping into the shoes of current SM Kent Tiburski, K6FQ, who
decided not to run for re-election.

Six other incumbent SMs ran unopposed and were declared elected. They are
Pete Cecere, N2YJZ, Eastern New York; Eric Olena, WB3FPL, Eastern
Pennsylvania; Mickey Cox, K5MC, Louisiana; John Covington, W4CC, North
Carolina; Richard Beebe, N0PV, South Dakota and Carl Clements, W4CAC,
Virginia.

All successful candidates begin their two-year terms on April 1.

Kevin Bogan, AH6QO, also elected without opposition in the current election
cycle as the new the Pacific SM, began his term earlier this year after
being appointed to replace outgoing SM Bob Schneider, AH6J, who stepped
down before his term ended.

==>N0AX WINS 2003 ORR TECHNICAL WRITING AWARD

The ARRL Foundation has bestowed the 2003 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical
Writing Award on QST Contributing Editor H. Ward Silver, N0AX, of Vashon
Island, Washington. The action came during the foundation's annual meeting,
held via teleconference February 12. The Foundation Board of Directors
cited Silver's "fine technical series in QST and other League venues." ARRL
Northwestern Division Director Greg Milnes, W7OZ--a foundation board
member--will present Silver with a $250 award and a commemorative plaque at
an upcoming meeting of the Western Washington DX Club.

"I really am thrilled to win the award because I greatly admired the
technical savvy and writing of Bill Orr," Silver said. "I still have
several of his antenna books on my bookshelf. His Radio Handbooks were very
helpful as companions to The ARRL Handbook, as well."

The award selection is made by the ARRL editorial staff, based on articles
published in QST during 2003, that most exemplify the writing philosophy of
Bill Orr--that articles should tell a technical "story" that appeals to a
broad audience extending beyond those individuals who have a particular
interest in the topic.

Silver said that his main goal as an Amateur Radio writer is to light that
same spark in other beginners as authors such as Orr lighted for him. "I
owe a lot of my writing and drawing style to QST and other League
publications, so it is particularly gratifying to be recognized as
continuing the tradition," he said.

The avid and well-known contester has authored more than 200 articles for
ARRL publications. In 2003, Silver started his popular "Hands-On Radio"
series in QST. He is also the editor of the Contester's Rate Sheet
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/> and the ARRL Antenna Design
Course <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html#ec009>, and is the author of
N0AX's Radio Puzzler. He's also written feature articles and product
reviews for QST, and penned the "Contest Corral" and "Test Your Knowledge"
columns in the journal.

"Ward's got a great sense of how to write for beginners," said QST Editor
Steve Ford, WB8IMY. "He can take a complicated subject and explain it to
anyone. Another great strength is his sense of humor in his writing.
Between those two strengths, he can make almost any subject palatable."

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation prognosticator Tad "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" Cook,
K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: A large sunspot emerged over the past
week. On February 21, sunspot 564 began to appear around the east limb of
the visible solar disk. By February 23, it was five times as large as
Earth. The sunspot was rotating across the upper hemisphere of the sun, so
it was never aimed squarely toward earth, but it was most directed toward
us on February 25.

Average daily sunspot numbers were slightly higher this week than last.
Average daily solar flux was lower by 0.2 point. Solar activity is rising,
and solar flux should peak between February 28 to March 1 at around 130. A
sunspot currently is forming on the far side of the sun, and it may cause a
slight rise in solar flux around March 8.

Geomagnetic conditions have been very quiet this week. Sunspot 563 released
two solar flares on February 26. Earth is expected to encounter a solar
wind stream on February 29 or March 1. Planetary A index predictions for
February 27 through March 2 are 12, 12, 15, 20 and 20.

Sunspot numbers for February 19 through 25 were 33, 34, 52, 58, 68, 85 and
107, with a mean of 62.4. The 10.7 cm flux was 96.4, 95.4, 98.2, 103.9,
104.3, 105.5 and 118.5, with a mean of 103.2. Estimated planetary A indices
were 5, 4, 7, 8, 8, 11 and 8, with a mean of 7.3.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The CQ 160-Meter Contest (SSB), the REF
Contest (SSB), the UBA DX Contest (CW), the Mississippi and North Carolina
QSO parties, the Russian PSK World Wide contest, the CZEBRIS Contest, the
North American QSO Party (RTTY) and the High Speed Club CW Contest are the
weekend of February 28-29. JUST AHEAD: The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship
(Data) is March 1; the ARS Spartan Sprint and the AGCW YL-CW Party are
March 2. The ARRL International DX Contest (SSB), the Makrothen RTTY
Contest, the Open Ukraine RTTY Championship, the DARC 10-Meter Digital
Contest are the weekend of March 6-7. The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship
(CW) is March 10, and the Pesky Texan Armadillo Chase is March 11. See the
ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM
Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more
info.

* ARRL Emergency Communications course registration: Registration opens
Monday, March 1, 12:01 AM Eastern Time (0501 UTC), for the on-line Level I
Emergency Communications course (EC-001). Registration remains open through
the March 6-7 weekend or until all available seats have been
filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, March 16. Thanks to
our grant 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, approximately 175 seats are being offered
to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. Senior amateurs are
strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. 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@...>;
860-594-0340.

* Ham radio "personalities" to be W1AW contest ops: ARRL Life Members Joe
Walsh, WB6ACU, of the band The Eagles, and ham radio audio expert and
manufacturer Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Sound will be on hand at Maxim
Memorial station W1AW during the March 6-7 weekend to operate the ARRL
International DX Contest (SSB)
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2004/intldx.html>. ARRL Contest Branch
Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says Walsh--a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
member and Eagles guitarist and vocalist--and Heil will be available to
work zero-point contacts with US stations during the DX contest. Walsh is a
major benefactor of the ARRL Education and Technology Program
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/>. He and Heil will be part of a
multioperator team that will include Henderson as well as ARRL HQ staffers
Dave Patton, NN1N, Mark Spencer, WA8SME, and Mary Hobart, K1MMH, among
others. A special W1AW QSL card featuring a photo of Walsh and Heil will be
available for those working W1AW during the event. Enclose an SASE when
requesting a card. W1AW will not begin DX contest operations until
regularly scheduled bulletin and code practice transmissions have ended
sometime early Saturday, March 6 (UTC). It's anticipated that W1AW will be
on the air for the rest of the contest period, which ends at 2400 March 7,
although Walsh and Heil will only operate March 6. Walsh and Heil will tour
ARRL Headquarters March 5. It will mark Walsh's first visit to HQ.

* SATERN net assisting with Haiti traffic: The Salvation Army Team
Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) Net has activated on 20 meters to assist
with health-and-welfare traffic for the troubled nation of Haiti. The net
convenes on or near 14.265 MHz.  Jim Adams, WA0LSB, is coordinating net
control operators for the activation, while Quent Nelson, WA4BZY, is the
health-and-welfare team leader. SATERN National Director Pat McPherson,
WW9E, says SATERN members are being encouraged to monitor the net frequency
and to assist in relaying traffic as needed. SATERN also offers a
health-and-welfare link <http://qso.com/satern/emailfrm.htm> on its Web
site , for use by those seeking information on family and friends who may
be affected by the crisis in Haiti.

* Spacewalk ends early: Russian space officials this week cut short
Expedition 8's spacewalk due to a cooling system problem in one of the
Russian Orlan space suits. The "extravehicular activity" or EVA ended
February 27 at 0112 UTC. Unlike previous spacewalks by ISS crews, there was
not a crew member inside the station as the spacewalkers worked outside.
Despite the early end to the EVA, Crew commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC, and
Flight Engineer Sasha Kaleri, U8MIR, were able to complete nearly
two-thirds of their scheduled work. Initial indications are that a kink in
a tube in Kaleri's liquid cooling garment was preventing the flow of water
through the suit. The spacewalk began February 26 at 2117 UTC and lasted 3
hours 55 minutes. During the EVA, the NA1SS ham gear aboard the ISS
remained shut down for safety reasons. There's more information on the NASA
Web site
<http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/reports/issreports/2004/iss04-11.ht
ml>--NASA

* UO-11 to mark 20 years in space: UO-11 (also known as UOSAT-2) will turn
20 years old on March 1. To mark the event, AMSAT-UK will issue a
commemorative QSL card in exchange for listener reports from stations
monitoring the satellite's signal during the month of March 2004. The
reports must be posted via the reporting page on the AMSAT-UK Web site
<http://www.uk.amsat.org/uo-11/default.php>, and QSL cards will be in the
form of a downloadable E-QSL. UO-11 was the second satellite to be launched
by the University of Surrey group headed by Martin Sweeting, G3YJO. Its
telemetry beacon can be heard on 145.825 MHz FM using just a handheld
radio. UO-11 also has a 2401.5 MHz beacon, although hearing the
2.4 GHz signal could present a challenge. "Depending on the status of the
satellite, it sometimes goes into 'safe' mode, and the beacon transmitters
are not active for days at a time," said Trevor, M5AKA. "The University of
Surrey Ground station staff will attempt to maximize the number of days the
transmitters are active during March." More information is available on the
AMSAT-UK Web site <http://www.uk.amsat.org/>.

* Charles D. "Chuck" Ritchie, W4BUG, SK: Chuck Ritchie, W4BUG--known as the
"BUG of Boca Raton"--died February 13. He was 79. An Amateur Radio licensee
since 1947 (originally K2GRM), Ritchie served for 11 years as the
ARES/RACES Emergency Coordinator for South Palm Beach County, Florida. In
1999 Boca Raton proclaimed July 13 "Chuck Ritchie Day" and dedicated the
city's new emergency communications room he'd helped establish in his
honor. Ritchie served two US presidents during his US Army career with the
White House Army Signal Agency, where he headed the Press Radio and
Television section. During World War II, Ritchie--then a recording engineer
in the Public Information Office of Supreme Headquarters Allied
Expeditionary Forces in London--set up the microphones and recording gear
for General Dwight Eisenhower's announcement of the June 6, 1944, D-Day
landing of Allied Forces on the beaches of Normandy. He served presidents
Eisenhower and Kennedy before retiring from the Army in 1963. Ritchie also
was active in the US Air Force MARS program and handled thousands of phone
patches for US troops during the Gulf War. Survivors include his wife,
Shirley, N4JKI, and a son.

* Clarification: The story "NPR Feature Spotlights Addition of @ Symbol to
Morse Code" in The ARRL Letter, Vol 23, No 08 (Feb 20, 2004), may have
incorrectly implied that ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI,
originated the idea of adding the "@" symbol to the Morse code. Rinaldo did
conceive of the new character--the letters A and C run together--but others
had suggested  years earlier the need to establish a Morse equivalent for
the "@" symbol.

===========================================================
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Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main
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The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest
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HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You must do
this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.)

The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
sources:

* ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will be
posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)

* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur
Radio Club: Visit Mailing Lists@...
<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL
cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this
listserver.)

> From: "SpaceWeather.com" <swlist@...>
> To: "SpaceWeather.com" <swlist@...>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 12:19 PM
> Subject: Big Sunspot
>
>
> Space Weather News for Feb. 25, 2004
> http://spaceweather.com
>
> BIG SUNSPOT: There's a big spot on the sun today, sunspot 564.  It first
> appeared only a few days ago, tiny and unremarkable. Since then it has
> grown wider than eight planet Earths.  The active region can be seen
> without a telescope--but never look directly at the sun.  Unfiltered
> sunlight can damage your eyes. Visit spaceweather.com for safe solar
> observing tips and a movie of the growing sunspot.
>
> THE MOON AND MARS: Last August when Mars came historically close to Earth,
> the red planet was dazzling. Now it's merely one among many
> middling-bright stars in the evening sky. On Feb. 25th, once again, you
> can find it with ease. Just look for the crescent moon after sunset. Mars
> will be right beside it.  Visit spaceweather.com for a sky map.
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to spaceweather as: vstarnes@...
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> leave-spaceweather-1019692H@...
>
>
>

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Temple_ARC
group.

   File        : /TARC Files/Minutes/020504 Meeting Minutes.doc
   Uploaded by : bosshardss <bosshard@...>
   Description : February 5, 2004 Club Minutes

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Temple_ARC/files/TARC%20Files/Minutes/020504%20Mee\
ting%20Minutes.doc

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

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Regards,

bosshardss <bosshard@...>

MOSLEY CLASSIC - 33 THREE ELEMENT TRI-BAND BEAM ANTENNA TRAP MASTER
MODEL CL-33 IN GOOD SHAPE AND WORKING ORDER...THE LONGEST ELEMENT IS
25 FEET AND STILL ASSEMBLED....THE BOOM IS 18 FOOT....
$165.00 PICK-UP OR $185.00 DELIVERED TEMPLE OR HILLSBORO... IF YOU
PICK-UP IN A TRUCK IT WILL NEED TO BE DISASSEMBLED...
TNX....73....RON AA5RT (NEAR WACO) 254-857-3166

Austin SwapNet 02/22/04 de N5MNW, ARO and AARC. Website: www.AustinHams.org

Hertzian Cyclists,
  Kudos to the BCARC and their fine Swapmeet this past weekend!  Another great
time swapping stories and radio goodies was had by all. 
  I'm always delighted to hear someone say they enjoy what I write.  One recipient's
favorite thing is to look at the greeting and find out what he's being called this week.
  It's encouraging to know -someone- reads the newsletter!  de MNW :o) 

  I've begun adding the "HamInfo" dummy address in the "To" field.  Please feel
free to use it in filtering rule(s) to avert SPAM.  It will be included in all
Ham Radio Info emails from me.

  The South Austin W5YI VE Team will hold a special amateur radio exam session at
6 PM on February 25, 2004 at the Marimont Cafeteria, 623 West 38th Street in Austin,
Texas.  As always, all exam elements will be available to applicants.  This session is
for those who can not attend our regular sessions on Saturdays and will start one hour
before the Packet Radio Club meeting at the same location.  For more information,
contact Jim, AB5EK at 512-327-6184 or by e-mail at hamradioexams@...
73, Jim, AB5EK CVE No. 12165

  Lori and I are looking forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Skywarn
Advanced Weather Spotter Class Feb 28th at 3M.

  Evan- W5IQS has taken a year-long assignment in South Korea.  You'll hear him
frequently checking in to 146.94 on N5SMN's Echolink node.  He's very interesting
to talk to.  He and wife Virginia are eager to keep in touch with the Austin/Horseshoe
Bay Hams.  Evan is also an avid DX'er & CW op and has been assigned a temporary
Korean callsign of HL2/W5IQS.  He will send me IOTA specifics on the island he is on,
along with freqs monitored, etc as time goes by.  Please try and work him!

1st Tue Mtg Mar 2nd 7PM at Marimont- Lewis Thompson, W5IFQ, will discuss PACTOR
and the Winlink2K amateur radio Internet e-mail system, and their applications
to emergency HF communications.

2nd Tue Mtg Mar 9th ARL 10000 Burnet Rd- "Check Your Rig's TX" Jeff N5MNW and
HP8921A will be set up for you to bring your HT's, Mobiles and base stations for a
Transmitter checkup.  Also, a short tutorial on FM deviation, frequency error and
how these parameters affect on-the-air signals.

  If you're not an ARRL member and are considering it, AARC/ARO will apply
$15 towards your AARC/ARO club dues if you sign up for first-time
ARRL membership through the club!  Take advantage of 2003 ARRL signup,
join ARRL and AARC/ARO simultaneously!
Contact John KG5O@... or Roger W5WIA@... for more details.

In-School Amateur Radio Program-Jerry N5UJ jerry@... 832-5663 Ham Radio Breakfast- Waterloo Ice House 8600 Burnet Rd Sat 7-8:30AM

Ham Radio Thurs Lunch- 11AM-12:30 Waterloo Ice House 8600 Burnet Rd 444.1 ARES Lunch- Weds 11:30-1PM- Jim's 183/Burnet coord on 146.94/147.36 QCWA CW practice 3-7 wpm  Wed 8PM 146.78 W5KA repeater ARO 1st Tue 7:00PM- Marimont at 38th/Guadalupe AARC 2nd Tue 7:00PM- ARL 10000 Burnet Rd (Park at 10100 Burnet Rd) AARC/ARO officers 3rd Tue 6:00PM, ATV 7:00PM Marimont at 38th/Guadalupe TCARES 4th Tue Odd months 7:00PM- Marimont at 38th/Guadalupe Austin Packet Group SIG 4th Wed 7:00PM- Marimont at 38th/Guadalupe AQRP 2nd Sat 11 AM Owens 6619 N. I-35 www.qsl.net/kq5rp/index.html

QCWA meeting 3rd Sat 11AM-1:30PM Owens 6619 N. I-35
TCREACT 4th Mon 7:00PM- Denny's on Burnet, S of Anderson Ln QCWA QSO NET Sat mornings 9AM local 3920Kcps Austin Chapter 67 WCARC 1st Thurs G'town ISD office on Lakeway Dr. WCARES 2nd Thur RR Fire #1 WCARC breakfast Sat 7AM Monument Café Austin Ave- north of Candle Factory BCARC 1st Sat 7PM & Monday lunch 11AM at La Cabaña on 71 west of Smithville BCARC breakfast Sat 7:45AM Smithville's Caboose Restaurant

CTDXCC 4th Mon 6:45PM Old Quarry Lib. Far West near Post Ofc. www.ctdxcc.org
ARES Sunday nets: Saltgrass- 12/2PM 442.45, BCARES- 6:45PM 145.35/443.75,
 TCARES- 7:30PM 147.36(131.8PL), WCARES- 8PM 146.64, 145.73 ARES packet State-wide ARES net on 3873kHz Mondays 7:30PM right after Tx Traffic Net,  Hays Co. ARES net Monday 6:45PM 147.10 or 145.23 Trader's Nets- Fri 7:30PM 3870kHz, Wed 7PM 3870, Sat 8AM 3890, 9AM 7275 Texas Traders Trader's Net Sunday 9AM 7245kHz Continental Trader's Net Sun 7:30PM 3922 www.3922group.com/hamfest.html

Texas Traffic Nets (Daily) 7290, 7285, 3935, 3873, 147.10, 147.14 or 145.23

        **Mark your calendars for Swapfests/Events:**
Regular Tailgates and exam sessions:
  1st Sat- Dallas Tx Jim Geer WB5LXZ jbgeer@...
  2nd Sat- Ft Worth Tx Hardin's on East Rosedale
  3rd Sat- Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec Humble TEAC ARC- Hugh W5FM@... 145.43(-)

ARRL Exams 1st Sat Murchison 9AM Joe N5SMN 832-0450 / Joe W5HS 345-0800 W5YI Exams 3rd Sat St.Ed's 2PM 109 Fleck Hall Jim AB5EK 327-6184

     hamradioexams@...  http://texasparadise.com/w5yi-austin/

          ***2004***
Feb 24 NWS Partner's Workshop in Austin
     noon-2PM at LCRA Headquarters at 3700 Lake Austin Blvd
     Larry.Eblen@...
Feb 25 Special Amateur Radio exam session- 6 PM
     Marimont Cafeteria 623 West 38th Street in Austin
     Jim- AB5EK 327-6184 hamradioexams@...
Feb 26 Kendall County ARES First General meeting 6:30-9PM
     Old Historic Courthouse, E. San Antonio St, Boerne, Texas
     Special speaker- National Weather Service Meteorologist" Larry Eblen
     Boerne Emergency Manager Mark Mattick, 830-249-9511
     ARES- Connie KD5UXU 210-269-5434, 830-336-2249
Feb 28 Skywarn Weatherspotter Class at 3M 8AM-3PM
     BBQ lunch available
Feb 28 Orange Hamfest- Orange, Texas- Sat 8AM to 2:30PM
     VFW Hall on Hwy 87, 1 mile N of I-10 Free admission
     Talk-in frequency; 147.180 VE testing, Paved parking
     Commercial tables $15, swap tables $10
     Commercial Vendor Set up: Friday 5:30PM-9PM
     Contact Joan Lexa 409-886-1892 WA5LFS@...
     Box 232, Orange, TX 77630
Feb 28 Brazos Valley ARC "MIX 'n' MATCH" Swapmeet www.hal-pc.org/~bvarc/
     8AM-2PM Sugar Land Community Center- 226 Matlage Way
     145.470 (-)123Hz, VE testing at 8:30
     Mike N5VCX@... 713-771-4625
     Ross W5HFF@... at 281-342-3340
     www.hal-pc.org/~bvarc/mixandmatch2004.htm
Feb 28 El Paso ARC El Paso, TX www.qsl.net/w5es
     Clay K5TRW@... 915-859-5502
Mar 6 Alamo Area Council of Governments AACOG Skywarn Training Conf.
     UT (SA) Health Science Center from 8:30 AM to 4 PM
Mar 13 Irving ARC Irving, TX www.irvingarc.org/
     Coleta Taylor KD5QFH@... 972-579-9089
Mar 20 Brenham Swapmeet at Washington county Fairgrounds
     No entry fee, Free tables for commercial vendors and $10 for individuals
     Dan N5UNU 979-836-8739 llakenmacher@...
Mar 20-21 West Texas Section Convention Midland ARC www.w5qgg.org
     Joe KK5ZG@... 432-697-7846
Mar 27 ARC of Parker County Weatherford, TX
     James Adams, AD5KG@... 817-341-1979
Mar 28 Capitol 10K Run
     Hams are placed every ¼ mile or so and relay information/status
     www.runtex.com/04Cap10KClinic.htm
Apr 17 WCARC Picnic- Arbors in San Gabriel park www.wcarc.com Apr 17-18 BP MS150 Houston to Austin Bike Ride (20th anniversary!)

     110 operators needed and all forms of Amateur Radio are used-
     HF to UHF, APRS to ECHOlink, Repeaters in cities along the way
     Mike N5VCX@... 713-771-4625
     Sign up at www.houstonhams.org
May 1-2 Key City ARC Abilene, TX
     www.qsl.net/kcarc/hamfest.html
     Peggy KA4UPA@... 325-672-8889
May 22 Belton Ham Expo - Mike LeFan, WA5EQQ  254-773-3590
     hamexpo@... Register on the website! www.tarc.org
Jun 18-19 Arlington Ham-Com West Gulf Division  www.hamcom.org
     Barry WA5KXX chairman@...
     214-361-7574 or 972-596-4669
Jul 10 Tidelands ARS Texas City, TX www.tidelands.org
     Joe AA5OP@... 409-945-6794
Aug 6-7 Austin Summerfest Texas State Convention Red Lion Hotel
     Austin ARC, Austin Repeater Org., & Texas VHF-FM Society
     Joe W5HS@... 512-345-0800
Sep 17-18 Tailgate Swapfest/Cookout Lake Murvaul, TX
     Betty W5PUP@... 903-685-2365
Oct 14-16  Microwave Update 2004  Dallas near the DFW airport
     hosted by North Texas Microwave Society
     www.ntms.org and www.microwaveupdate.org
Nov 13 Tri-County ARC & City of Azle DPS www.wc5c.org/
     David KB5YLG@... 817-444-5165
Nov 13 South Texas ARC Corpus Christi, TX www.n5crp.org
     Mark Mireles, AD5CA n5crp@... 361-855-9634
          ***2005***
Feb 6 Georgetown Sunday Swapmeet San Gabriel Park
     San Gabriel Park Community Center, Georgetown TX
     Exams- 8:30A.M. Setup-10AM, open to public 12noon-3PM
     Rick w5rht@... 863-2428 www.wcarc.com
Mar 5 Brazos Valley ARC Sugar Land, TX www.hal-pc.org/~bvarc/
     Ross W5HFF@... 281-342-3340

Official Austin Ham Home on the web (ARO & AARC) LOTS of links!!
   www.AustinHams.org
FCC Amateur Radio Website- http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/

If you have submissions for the ARO website-  www.AustinHams.org
Please email Jeff N5MNW@...  

The following is generated from a 2m voice net held every Sunday at 9PM
on the ARO 146.940 repeater in Austin, TX, a 25-year tradition! 
Postings expire after six weeks. 
You may copy or forward as you wish. Please give proper acknowledgements.

  Please send SwapNet Newsletter updates to: n5mnw@...
Be sure to include your name, callsign and phone number.

22-Feb          Austin SwapNet Have List     Area code 512 unless indicated
         w = work phone  p = pager  c = cellphone  * = call before 9PM
Name     Call   Phone     Description
------   ------ --------- ----------------------------------------
Alan     K5APM  336-7120  Yeasu FT920 HF+6 w/int tuner/DSP/FM bd  $800 OBO
Leon     KB4BGD 328-4228  GSC-6R 6amp regulated PS $25
Leon     KB4BGD 328-4228  Hy-Gain V-2 two meter antenna $10
Scott    KD5VWD 626-0711  Uniden BC780 XLT TrunkTracker III 500Ch scanner $200
Scott    KD5VWD 804-0073  ICOM IC-T90A 3bd HH Xcvr w/DeskChgr/SpkrMic $200
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Ysu FT101E w/WARC/manl/mic/pwr cd $350
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Ysu VX5R 3bd HT w/accys/ADMS/case/box/manl $195
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  HP C200 1Mpix digi camera w/8meg flash/cable $50
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Sharp AJ1800 color inkjet printer $25
David    W5RIF  922-0009  Kwd TS-50 w/500Hz Cwfilt/box/manual $550
David    W5RIF  922-0009  MFJ-4125 Switching PS  $75
David    W5RIF  922-0009  MFJ-447 Deluxe (memory) keyer $50
David    W5RIF  922-0009  MFJ-492 Memory Keyer w/8K Memory $60
David    W5RIF  922-0009  Vectronics VC-300 Antenna Tuner w/balun $100
David    W5RIF  922-0009  Chinese Bencher paddle knock-off $40
Jack     KN4AKW 830-303-3640 Short Tubular alum two section tower
Jack     KN4AKW 830-303-3640 Yeasu GX 450 rotator w/control box and cable
Jack     KN4AKW 830-303-3640 Astron 35M power supply
Jack     KN4AKW jacksand@... late S/N ICOM 746 Pro
John     K5BEV  713-864-9791 Yaesu FT-707 w/mic, 75m Hamstick $325
Bob      KK5MI  894-3684  Heathkit SB104 HF w/SB-604 PS/spkr/Astatic D104/
Bob      KK5MI  894-3684  and Electro-Voice Desk Mikes $200 for all
Bob      KK5MI  894-3684  CDE Ham3 Rotator & Control $200
Bob      KK5MI@...   TV Alignment Generator $20
Kevin    KC5OLC 335-1519  Kwd TS680S HF w/6m allmode $450
Kevin    KC5OLC 335-1519  Kwd YK455C-1 500Hz CW filter $75
John     W5SYT  258-2045  Azden PCS-5000 Two Meter Xcvr $80
John     W5SYT  258-2045  Icom IC-25A Two Meter Xcvr  $75
John     W5SYT  jqatx@...  Uniden BC-200-XLT HH Scanner $45
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  Ysu FT100D w/sepkit/DTMFmic/manl/box $750
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  Ysu ATAS 100 HF-UHF mob ant $185
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  Ysu FT736 2m/440 allmode w/CWfilt/mic/box/manl $695
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  6m module for FT736R $300
Steve    KD5MBO 231-1357  LPtech LPT-2250 spec analyzer 150khz-1.15G $2K
Steve    KD5MBO 231-1357  includes demodulator option/PC SW/power mtr option
Watt     N5NF   346-2030  MFJ941 HF tuner $75
Watt     N5NF   554-5563 wattgee@...
John     W5GI   608-6727  Yaesu FT1000 w/TCXO $1595, Henry 2K4 2KW amp $995
John     W5GI   608-6727  Icom 761 $650 all in exlnt condx w/manls/box
Jack     W5JAM  210-859-5817 IC737 HF rig w/box/manl/SM8 desk mic/pwrcd
Jack     W5JAM@...
Lee      N5NTG  210-771-7075 Gap Titan DX HF ant in orig box
Lee      N5NTG  lee@...
Cecil    K5YQF  257-9005  Grundig Traveler 2 AM/FM/SW Clock Radio/Alarm.
Cecil    K5YQF@...    6"x4"x2' w/case/earbuds/12V adapter $50
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 KANTRONICS KAM $100
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 ICOM 27H 2M FM $50 low audio/LEDs flaky
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 Moto Moxy $30 Tuned for 2m- nds xtals
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 old low band gear- email for details
Bob      NX5M@...    15el 2M beam $75, Telex mic/headset $75
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  Ranger 2950 10m allmode mobile $125
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  2- Eimac forced-air sockets for 4-1000 tubes $100/pr
Jeff     N5MNW@...   Moto heavy-duty 12v mobile filters $10 ea

22-Feb          Austin SwapNet Want List     Area code 512 unless indicated
         w = work phone  p = pager  c = cellphone  * = call before 9PM
Name     Call   Phone     Description
------   ------ --------- ----------------------------------------
Chip     KD5SSV 346-4774  For St Andrews High School Ham Club- Any radio
Chip     KD5SSV 914-0130  equipment wkg/not, antennas, wire, parts, etc
Chip     KD5SSV@...
Jim      KD5UBT 339-3632  borrow VHF wattmeter
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Gap Titan DX antenna
Joe      KC5DFP joeram@...
Tommie   WD9HNB 254-458-8112 KPC TNC for APRS digi in Lampasas area
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  Repeater controller (Computer programmable)
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  220MHz synthesized mobile- i.e. Kwd TM321
Jeff     N5MNW@...   ATX-area 222 xtals- 224.8/223.98/spx (Mid 13-509)
Jim      N6OTQ  627-0879  working tube tester to buy, borrow, or RENT-
Jim      N6OTQ  jstrohm@... Military TV-2/TV-7 preferred, but use any
Don      AD0K   923-0704  40-50' Rohn type tower and house brace
Don      AD0K@...
Jerry    N5SY   321-1666  info- APCO P25 CAI (Moto ASTRO) digital 9600 baud
Jerry    N5SY@...     voice repeaters used on Amateur radio
Noah     KD5VDO 567-0782  IC HM-36 hand mic for LBJ High School Ham Club
Pat      KD5ZRH 581-3203  VHF, UHF and/or 900Mhz repeater
Pat      KD5ZRH patpatrick@...
Mickey   WX5U   339-0344  ~4' lockable 19" rackmount indoor enclosure
Mickey   WX5U@...    w/shelves for 442.15 rptr
Ron      KD5WBS 795-3380  Paddle Key- Bencher BY-1, etc
Ron      KD5WBS rclarkson@...
Jerry    N5UJ   832-5663  LBJ High Ham Club- Mic/pwr cord for IC751A
Jerry    N5UJ@...
Brad     KA5GCB 218-4163  MFJ-212 ant tuning aid
Dick     AA5VU  327-9566  PSK31 interface for Kenwood TS-570 327-9566
Dick     AA5VU@...   prefer- soldered 13-Pin DIN Plug for the ACC port

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Temple_ARC
group.

   File        : /TARC BULLETINS/Bulletin_MAR_04.pdf
   Uploaded by : bosshardss <bosshard@...>
   Description : March 2004 TARC Bulletin

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Temple_ARC/files/TARC%20BULLETINS/Bulletin_MAR_04.\
pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

bosshardss <bosshard@...>

Feb 21 Smithville Swapmeet Riverbend Park 8AM-noon
Free admission, cheap tables & tailgate spots
Located north of Hwy 71 at the Colorado River near Smithville
www.austinhams.org/bcarc/Smithville_Swapfest_2004.html

http://www.bosshardradio.com/KCEN%20Repeater%20-%201981/

Pictures of the original 146.73 repeater installation with N5GCY and N5EOM, 1981 thereabouts.

73,

Steve
NU5D

Looks like the new 147.140, plus offset, tone 123.0 W5BEC Repeater is operational on the KCEN TV tower.  See N5ZXJ for more information, and give it a try.  It should have better performance and coverage than the original 72 installation.

73,

Steve
NU5D

 
http://www.bosshardradio.com/Real%20Bugcatcher/

I just thought I had a bug catcher...

Wonder if it is OSHA Approved?

NU5D

George's KC5HS's Little Loading Coil.
9 inches in Diameter, 18 pounds and a Q of 475.
The mast is 2 inch diameter, the capacity hat is 6 foot diameter. The
lexan rod is 2 inches in diameter and the lexan support ribs are 1/2
inch thick. Cost of materials and machining is around $ 450.

**Mark your calendars for Swapfests/Events:** Regular Tailgates and exam
sessions:
   1st Sat- Dallas Tx Jim Geer WB5LXZ jbgeer@...
   2nd Sat- Ft Worth Tx Hardin's on East Rosedale
   3rd Sat- Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec Humble TEAC ARC- Hugh W5FM@... 145.43(-)

ARRL Exams 1st Sat Murchison 9AM Joe N5SMN 832-0450 / Joe W5HS 345-0800
W5YI Exams 3rd Sat St.Ed's 2PM 109 Fleck Hall Jim AB5EK 327-6184
      hamradioexams@...  http://texasparadise.com/w5yi-austin/

           ***2004***
Feb 19 NWS Partner's Workshop in San Antonio
      noon-2PM at Red Cross HQ 3642 E. Houston
      Larry.Eblen@...
Feb 21 Smithville Swapmeet Riverbend Park 8AM-noon
      Free admission, cheap tables & tailgate spots
      Located north of Hwy 71 at the Colorado River near Smithville
      www.austinhams.org/bcarc/Smithville_Swapfest_2004.html
Feb 24 NWS Partner's Workshop in Austin
      noon-2PM at LCRA Headquarters at 3700 Lake Austin Blvd
      Larry.Eblen@...
Feb 26 Kendall County ARES First General meeting 6:30-9PM
      Old Historic Courthouse, E. San Antonio St, Boerne, Texas
      Special speaker- National Weather Service Meteorologist" Larry Eblen
      Boerne Emergency Manager Mark Mattick, 830-249-9511
      ARES- Connie KD5UXU 210-269-5434, 830-336-2249 Feb 28 Skywarn
Weatherspotter Class at 3M 8AM-3PM
      BBQ lunch available
Feb 28 Orange Hamfest- Orange, Texas- Sat 8AM to 2:30PM
      VFW Hall on Hwy 87, 1 mile N of I-10 Free admission
      Talk-in frequency; 147.180 VE testing, Paved parking
      Commercial tables $15, swap tables $10
      Commercial Vendor Set up: Friday 5:30PM-9PM
      Contact Joan Lexa 409-886-1892 WA5LFS@...
      Box 232, Orange, TX 77630
Feb 28 Brazos Valley ARC "MIX 'n' MATCH" Swapmeet www.hal-pc.org/~bvarc/
      8AM-2PM Sugar Land Community Center- 226 Matlage Way
      145.470 (-)123Hz, VE testing at 8:30
      Mike N5VCX@... 713-771-4625
      Ross W5HFF@... at 281-342-3340
      www.hal-pc.org/~bvarc/mixandmatch2004.htm
Feb 28 El Paso ARC El Paso, TX www.qsl.net/w5es
      Clay K5TRW@... 915-859-5502
Mar 6 Alamo Area Council of Governments AACOG Skywarn Training Conf.
      UT (SA) Health Science Center from 8:30 AM to 4 PM Mar 13 Irving ARC
Irving, TX www.irvingarc.org/
      Coleta Taylor KD5QFH@... 972-579-9089 Mar 20 Brenham Swapmeet at
Washington county Fairgrounds
      No entry fee, Free tables for commercial vendors and $10 for
individuals
      Dan N5UNU 979-836-8739 llakenmacher@... Mar 20-21 West Texas
Section Convention Midland ARC www.w5qgg.org
      Joe KK5ZG@... 432-697-7846
Mar 27 ARC of Parker County Weatherford, TX
      James Adams, AD5KG@... 817-341-1979 Mar 28 Capitol 10K Run
      Hams are placed every ¼ mile or so and relay information/status
      www.runtex.com/04Cap10KClinic.htm
Apr 17 WCARC Picnic- Arbors in San Gabriel park www.wcarc.com May 1-2 Key
City ARC Abilene, TX
      www.qsl.net/kcarc/hamfest.html
      Peggy KA4UPA@... 325-672-8889
May 22 Belton Ham Expo - Mike LeFan, WA5EQQ  254-773-3590
      hamexpo@... Register on the website! www.tarc.org Jun 18-19
Arlington Ham-Com West Gulf Division  www.hamcom.org
      Barry WA5KXX chairman@...
      214-361-7574 or 972-596-4669
Jul 10 Tidelands ARS Texas City, TX www.tidelands.org
      Joe AA5OP@... 409-945-6794
Aug 6-7 Austin Summerfest Texas State Convention Red Lion Hotel
      Austin ARC, Austin Repeater Org., & Texas VHF-FM Society
      Joe W5HS@... 512-345-0800
Sep 17-18 Tailgate Swapfest/Cookout Lake Murvaul, TX
      Betty W5PUP@... 903-685-2365 Oct 14-16  Microwave Update 2004
Dallas near the DFW airport
      hosted by North Texas Microwave Society
      www.ntms.org and www.microwaveupdate.org Nov 13 Tri-County ARC & City
of Azle DPS www.wc5c.org/
      David KB5YLG@... 817-444-5165 Nov 13 South Texas ARC Corpus
Christi, TX www.n5crp.org
      Mark Mireles, AD5CA n5crp@... 361-855-9634
           ***2005***
Feb 6 Georgetown Sunday Swapmeet San Gabriel Park
      San Gabriel Park Community Center, Georgetown TX
      Exams- 8:30A.M. Setup-10AM, open to public 12noon-3PM
      Rick w5rht@... 863-2428 www.wcarc.com Mar 5 Brazos Valley ARC
Sugar Land, TX www.hal-pc.org/~bvarc/
      Ross W5HFF@... 281-342-3340


Official Austin Ham Home on the web (ARO & AARC) LOTS of links!!
    www.AustinHams.org
FCC Amateur Radio Website- http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/

If you have submissions for the ARO website-  www.AustinHams.org Please
email Jeff N5MNW@...

The following is generated from a 2m voice net held every Sunday at 9PM on
the ARO 146.940 repeater in Austin, TX, a 25-year tradition!
Postings expire after six weeks.
You may copy or forward as you wish. Please give proper acknowledgements.

   Please send SwapNet Newsletter updates to: n5mnw@... Be sure to
include your name, callsign and phone number.


15-Feb          Austin SwapNet Have List     Area code 512 unless indicated
          w = work phone  p = pager  c = cellphone  * = call before 9PM
Name     Call   Phone     Description
------   ------ --------- ----------------------------------------
George   W2DB   703-5396  FREE- Tracker 4 Analog VC2+ sat RX w/UHF remote
Danny    N5DRG  259-1063  FREE- 125-200' 75 Ohm hardline
Danny    N5DRG@...
Alan     K5APM  336-7120  Yeasu FT920 HF+6 w/int tuner/DSP/FM bd  $800 OBO
Leon     KB4BGD 328-4228  GSC-6R 6amp regulated PS $25
Leon     KB4BGD 328-4228  Hy-Gain V-2 two meter antenna $10
Scott    KD5VWD 626-0711  Uniden BC780 XLT TrunkTracker III 500Ch scanner
$200
Scott    KD5VWD 804-0073  ICOM IC-T90A 3bd HH Xcvr w/DeskChgr/SpkrMic $200
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Ysu FT101E w/WARC/manl/mic/pwr cd $350
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Ysu VX5R 3bd HT w/accys/ADMS/case/box/manl $195
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  HP C200 1Mpix digi camera w/8meg flash/cable $50
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Sharp AJ1800 color inkjet printer $25
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  Ranger 2950 10m allmode mobile $125
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  10Amp regulated power supply w/fan $40
Jeff     N5MNW@...   Moto heavy-duty 12v mobile filters $10 ea
David    W5RIF  922-0009  Kwd TS-50 w/500Hz Cwfilt/box/manual $550
David    W5RIF  922-0009  MFJ-4125 Switching PS  $75
David    W5RIF  922-0009  MFJ-447 Deluxe (memory) keyer $50
David    W5RIF  922-0009  MFJ-492 Memory Keyer w/8K Memory $60
David    W5RIF  922-0009  Vectronics VC-300 Antenna Tuner w/balun $100
David    W5RIF  922-0009  Chinese Bencher paddle knock-off $40
Jack     KN4AKW 830-303-3640 Short Tubular alum two section tower
Jack     KN4AKW 830-303-3640 Yeasu GX 450 rotator w/control box and cable
Jack     KN4AKW 830-303-3640 Astron 35M power supply
Jack     KN4AKW jacksand@... late S/N ICOM 746 Pro
John     K5BEV  713-864-9791 Yaesu FT-707 w/mic, 75m Hamstick $325
John     W5GI   608-6727  Yaesu FT1000 w/TCXO $1595
John     W5GI   608-6727  Henry 2K4 2KW amp $995
John     W5GI   608-6727  Icom 761 $650 all in exlnt condx w/manls/box
Bob      KK5MI  894-3684  Heathkit SB104 HF w/SB-604 PS/spkr/Astatic D104/
Bob      KK5MI  894-3684  and Electro-Voice Desk Mikes $200 for all
Bob      KK5MI  894-3684  CDE Ham3 Rotator & Control $200
Bob      KK5MI@...   TV Alignment Generator $20
Kevin    KC5OLC 335-1519  Kwd TS680S HF w/6m allmode $450
Kevin    KC5OLC 335-1519  Kwd YK455C-1 500Hz CW filter $75
John     W5SYT  258-2045  Azden PCS-5000 Two Meter Xcvr $80
John     W5SYT  258-2045  Icom IC-25A Two Meter Xcvr  $75
John     W5SYT  258-2045  Uniden BC-200-XLT HH Scanner $45
John     W5SYT  jqatx@...
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  Ysu FT100D w/sepkit/DTMFmic/manl/box $750
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  Ysu ATAS 100 HF-UHF mob ant $185
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  Ysu FT736 2m/440 allmode w/CWfilt/mic/box/manl
$695
Frank    KK5IA  407-8022  6m module for FT736R $300
Steve    KD5MBO 231-1357  LPtech LPT-2250 spec analyzer 150khz-1.15G $2K
Steve    KD5MBO 231-1357  includes demodulator option/PC SW/power mtr
option
Watt     N5NF   346-2030  MFJ941 HF tuner $75
Watt     N5NF   554-5563 wattgee@...
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 MFJ 1270B TNC $35, MFJ1270C TNC $40
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 KANTRONICS KAM $100
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 ICOM 27H 2M FM $50 low audio/wksTNC/LEDs flaky
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 Moto Moxy $30 Tuned for 2m- nds xtals
Bob      NX5M   979-596-2027 old low band gear- contact for details
Bob      NX5M@...    15el 2M beam $75, Telex mic/headset $75
Cecil    K5YQF  257-9005  Grundig Traveler 2 AM/FM/SW Clock Radio/Alarm.
Cecil    K5YQF@...    6"x4"x2' w/case/earbuds/12V adapter $50
Mickey   WX5U   339-0344  ~4' lockable 19" rackmount indoor enclosure
Mickey   WX5U@...    w/shelves for 442.15 rptr
Jack     W5JAM  210-859-5817 IC737 HF rig w/box/manl/SM8 desk mic/pwrcd
Jack     W5JAM@...
Lee      N5NTG  210-771-7075 Gap Titan DX HF ant in orig box
Lee      N5NTG  lee@...


15-Feb          Austin SwapNet Want List     Area code 512 unless indicated
          w = work phone  p = pager  c = cellphone  * = call before 9PM
Name     Call   Phone     Description
------   ------ --------- ----------------------------------------
Smokey   K5RDJ  259-1436  Rohn BX6L and BX7L tower sections
Donn     N5XWB  281-242-3256 6m module for FT736 or TM742-
Donn     N5XWB@...  has 220 module from TM742 to trade
Chip     KD5SSV 346-4774  For St Andrews High School Ham Club- Any radio
Chip     KD5SSV 914-0130  equipment wkg/not, antennas, wire, parts, etc
Chip     KD5SSV@...
Jim      KD5UBT 339-3632  borrow VHF wattmeter
Joe      KC5DFP 565-0827  Gap Titan DX antenna
Joe      KC5DFP joeram@...
Tommie   WD9HNB 254-458-8112 KPC TNC for APRS digi in Lampasas area
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  Repeater controller (Computer programmable)
Jeff     N5MNW  255-6753  220MHz synthesized mobile- i.e. Kwd TM321
Jeff     N5MNW@...   ATX-area 222 xtals- 224.8/223.98/spx (Midland
13-509)
Jim      N6OTQ  627-0879  working tube tester to buy, borrow, or RENT-
Jim      N6OTQ  jstrohm@... Military TV-2/TV-7 preferred, but can use
any
Ron      KD5WBS 795-3380  QRP antenna tuner- no need fancy but SWR/Pwr nice
Ron      KD5WBS rclarkson@...
Don      AD0K   923-0704  40-50' Rohn type tower and house brace
Don      AD0K@...
Watt     N5NF   346-2030  Ysu MMB62 mounting bracket for FT100D ctl head
Watt     N5NF   554-5563 wattgee@...
Jerry    N5SY   321-1666  info- APCO P25 CAI (Moto ASTRO) digital 9600 baud
Jerry    N5SY@...     voice repeaters used on Amateur radio
Noah     KD5VDO 567-0782  IC HM-36 hand mic for LBJ High School Ham Club
Pat      KD5ZRH 581-3203  VHF, UHF and/or 900Mhz repeater
Pat      KD5ZRH patpatrick@...
Mark     KE5ABE 237-2462  Dual-band mob ~50 watts
Mark     KE5ABE msouthwell@...

http://www.bosshardradio.com/2003F150/

Link is case sensitive. 

Pictures of 2003 Ford installation and capacity hat.  HF Mobile with Texas Bugcatcher.

DE NU5D

I have been running a Texas Bugcatcher (6" dia coil - 10" long) for about a
year now - it replaced a High Sierra.  Most times I operate 75 and 40 fone.
The Bugcatcher made a tremendous improvement over the screwdriver.  I also
used a 16" diameter capacity hat.  As such ¾ of the coil was needed on 75
and about ½ of the coil was needed on 40.

I found some leftover 1/8" copper clad rods and decided to add 8 X 18" rods
on top of the capacity hat.  I used a large flat washer and brazed to rods
to the washer forming 8 spokes that I placed above the existing capacity
hat.  I used tie wraps to hold the rods in place using the store bought hat
as a frame for fastening rods.  I then used coat hanger rods to join the
tips of the rods together.

With this combination, and the hat 16" above the loading coil I was able to
cut the number of turns on the loading coil in half.

For bandwidth I have about 10Kc on 75, 50 kc on 40, full band on 20 and 17.
I have not tried top band, but looks like am not far from resonance there.

I use a shunt inductor to match at the base of the antenna with about 6
turns of #6 CU on a 1 ½ " form.

The antenna is mounted on the rear bumper of a ½ ton pickup truck with a
strut tied back to the tail gate latch peg.  The mast section is ¾"
stainless, then the 12"  X 6" dia loading coil, then a spring plus a 12"
section and the 36"  diameter capacity hat, then a 60" whip.

Good standing wave on 75, 40, 20, and 17.  remove the loading coil and 6M
is OK.  I do have pretty bad ignition noise on 20M even after grounding the
hood and exhaust system.  Any ignition noise suppression ideas - noise is
coming in through the antenna and not the power wiring - added ferrite to
the coax but made no difference.

Video next week,

73,

Steve
NU5D

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 23, No. 07
February 13, 2004
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +FCC proposes to give the go-ahead to BPL
* +More cosponsors for ham radio bills "an optimistic sign"
* +Astronaut's wife, kids augment school group contact
* +Musical chairs again for next ISS crew
* +Former licensee gets second chance to renew
* +WRC-07 planning already under way
* +Jim White, K4OJ, SK
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
      This weekend on the radio
      ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
      ARRL Emergency Communications course registration
      Nominations for ARRL ham radio instructor awards due by March 1
      President Bush thanks ham radio volunteer
     +AMSAT announces ECHO launch delay
      Six hams set to ride shuttle "Return to Flight" mission
      Vote on QST Cover Plaque Award
      Three ARRL awards discontinued
      Department of State ham club on the air for Presidents' Day

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================
NOTE: ARRL Headquarters will be closed February 16: ARRL Headquarters will
be closed Monday, February 16, for the Presidents' Day holiday. There will
be no W1AW code practice or bulletin transmissions that day. ARRL
Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, February 17, at 8 AM Eastern Time.
===========================================================

==>FCC OKAYS BPL PROPOSAL

The FCC has unanimously approved a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to
deploy Broadband over Power Line (BPL). The NPRM is the next step in the
BPL proceeding, which began last April with a Notice of Inquiry that
attracted nearly 5200 comments--many from the amateur community. The FCC
did not propose any changes in emission limits for unlicensed Part 15
devices, but said it would require BPL providers to apply "adaptive"
interference mitigation techniques to their systems. An ARRL delegation
that attended the February 12 FCC open meeting in Washington later
expressed disappointment in the FCC action.

"The Commission clearly recognized that the existing Part 15 emission
limits are inadequate to stop interference," Sumner said," but it's placing
the burden of interference mitigation on the licensed user that's supposed
to be protected," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.

Sumner said that if the FCC really believed current Part 15 emission limits
were sufficient, it would not have had to require that BPL providers
institute interference mitigation systems. The FCC has not yet released the
actual NPRM, and a presentation by the FCC's Office of Engineering and
Technology (OET) revealed only its broad outlines. Sumner said the League
would not take a formal position until it reviews the full NPRM.

Anh Wride of the OET staff spelled out the scope of the NPRM, which only
addresses so-called "access BPL"--the type that would apply radio frequency
energy to exterior overhead and underground low and medium-voltage power
lines to distribute broadband and Internet service.
She said the OET staff believes that interference concerns "can be
adequately addressed." Wride said the FCC's BPL NPRM:

* Applies existing Part 15 emission limits for unlicensed carrier-current
systems to BPL systems. Part 15 rules now require that BPL systems
eliminate any harmful interference that may occur "and must cease operation
if they cannot," she noted.

* Requires BPL systems to employ "adaptive interference-mitigation
techniques, including the capabilities to shut down a specific device, to
reduce power levels on a dynamic or remote-control basis and to include or
exclude specific operating frequencies or bands."

* Subjects BPL providers to notification requirements that would establish
a public database that would include the location of BPL devices,
modulation type and operating frequencies.

* Proposes guidelines to provide for consistent and repeatable measurement
of the RF emissions from BPL and other carrier-current systems.

Mirroring his colleagues' enthusiasm, FCC Chairman Michael Powell called
BPL "tremendously exciting," although he conceded that BPL has "a long way
to go." Powell also said the FCC's OET has worked very hard to try to "get
their hands around" the issue of interference and that the FCC would
continue its vigilance in that area.

The FCC has posted additional information, including a public notice
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-243879A1.doc> on its
Web site. The Commission is expected to issue the complete Notice of
Proposed Rule Making within a few days and will invite comments on it
sometime after publication.

Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/>. To support the League's efforts
in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site
<https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/>.

==>NEW AMATEUR RADIO BILL COSPONSORS "AN OPTIMISTIC SIGN," HAYNIE SAYS

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says he's encouraged to see additional
members of the US House of Representatives agreeing to cosponsor The
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2003, HR 713, and the Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act of 2003, HR 1478--also known
as "the CC&R bill." In Washington this week with an ARRL delegation, Haynie
called it "an optimistic sign" for Amateur Radio that League members are
continuing to urge their lawmakers to sign aboard the two pieces of
legislation, which are ARRL initiatives.

"House members have proven to be very responsive to entreaties from the
amateur community to get behind these bills," an elated Haynie said this
week. "The campaign continues to pay off in terms of additional cosponsors
for our bills." As of this week, 84 House members have gone on record as HR
713 cosponsors. An identical companion bill in the US Senate, S 537, has
attracted eight cosponsors.

Among recent House cosponsors of HR 713 are representatives Chris Bell
(R-TX), Candice S. Miller (R-MI), Jim Turner (D-TX), Jay Inslee, (D-WA),
Ray LaHood (R-IL), Stevan Pearce, (R-NM) and Baron Hill, (D-IN).

Sponsored in the House by Rep Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and in the Senate by
Sen Michael Crapo (R-ID), the bill would require the FCC to provide
"equivalent replacement spectrum" to Amateur Radio if the FCC reallocates
primary amateur frequencies, reduces any secondary amateur allocations, or
makes additional allocations within such bands that would substantially
reduce their utility to amateurs. HR 713 has been referred to the
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. The Senate version, S
537, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.

Meanwhile, the cosponsor count on the CC&R bill, HR 1478, rose to 32 this
week with the addition of Rep Jim DeMint (R-SC), who was approached by ARRL
South Carolina Section Manager Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, to consider cosponsoring
both HR 1478 and HR 713. Introduced by Rep Steve Israel (D-NY), the CC&R
bill would require private land-use regulators such as homeowners'
associations to "reasonably accommodate" Amateur Radio antennas consistent
with the PRB-1 limited federal preemption.

Recent HR 1478 cosponsors also include representatives Donald Manzullo
(R-IL) and Anibal Acevedo-Vila (D-PR). HR 1478 also has been referred to
the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

Although buoyed by the bills' recent cosponsorship progress, Haynie is
continuing to encourage ARRL members to send cards and letters to their
House of Representatives member urging them to cosponsor HR 713 and HR
1478, and to their state's two US senators to cosponsor S 537.

"There's a long way to go, and that's what it's going to take," Haynie
said. "Cards and letters from individual voters do make a difference."

Meanwhile, Louisiana Republican Billy Tauzin's announcement that he'll step
down as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and not run for
re-election has set off a political sideshow. On February 6, nearly every
committee member urged House Speaker Dennis Hastert to appoint Rep Joe
Barton (R-TX) to replace Tauzin as chairman. Barton also serves on the
House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, but he has not
yet signed on as a cosponsor of either HR 713 or HR 1478.

Additional information--including the bills' texts, sample letters and
information on how to write members of Congress--is on the ARRL "The
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2003" Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/arspa.html> and on the "HR 1478, The
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act of 2003" Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr1478/>.

Those writing their lawmakers on behalf of the Spectrum Protection Act are
asked to copy their correspondence to the League via e-mail
<specbill03@...>. Those writing their House member on behalf of the
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act, HR 1478, are asked
to copy their correspondence to <ccr-bill@...>.

==>ASTRONAUT CHATS WITH HIS SON, TEXAS YOUNGSTERS VIA HAM RADIO

Ian Foale, the son of International Space Station Expedition 8 Commander
Mike Foale, KB5UAC, was among several other youngsters attending his school
who got to ask questions of his dad February 4 via Amateur Radio.
The contact with James F. Bay Elementary School in Houston, Texas, was
arranged by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
program. The third-grader first lobbed a softball question at his dad--"How
far is the space station from Earth in miles and kilometers?"--but followed
up with a more challenging query about whether the ISS crew could detect
changes in land forms on Earth.

"Yes, we can detect changes," his father responded. "They happen slowly
over many months, but we can see the snow building up on mountains, and we
can see the glaciers developing in the Patagonia area." The elder Foale
also said the crew is able to see erosion of earth and mud down rivers into
the sea. What the crew cannot see, Foale said in reply to another question,
are the great pyramids or the Great Wall of China. While these should be
visible, Foale said, they blend in too much with their surroundings.

Foale conceded that living aboard the ISS with only one crewmate can be a
lonely experience for both of them. "My hardest adjustment to life here is
being away from lots of nice people," Foale said. "I have one crewmate,
Sasha, and we are good friends, but we miss other people."

The youngsters let loose with a hearty round of applause as the
approximately 10-minute-long contact ended.

Visiting the school for the event and taking part in pre-contact activities
were Foale's wife, Rhonda, and his 12-year-old daughter, Jenna, who
attended James Bay Elementary in her younger years. Rhonda Foale presented
a "video post card" from her husband that offered the elementary schoolers
additional insights into daily life aboard the ISS.

Daughter Jenna, meanwhile, told the youngsters about her Aibo
<http://www.us.aibo.com/> robotic dog, for which Foale writes programs
while aboard the ISS. Astronauts Scott Kelly and Julie Payette also
attended the event and answered questions from the pupils about space
travel.

ARISS <http://www.rac.ca/ariss> is an international educational outreach
project with participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.

==>IT'S MUSICAL CHAIRS AGAIN FOR NEXT ISS CREWS

After replacing the commander of the next International Space Station crew
less than a month ago, NASA and its ISS partners now have announced the
assignment of an altogether new crew. The Expedition 9 crew now will
consist of astronaut Mike Fincke and cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, RN3DT.
Padalka, 45, will serve as Expedition 9 commander and Soyuz commander,
while Fincke, 36, will be the NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer.
They have been training together as a space station crew for nearly two
years, NASA said. Their experience as a team was cited as a primary reason
for the personnel shift. Expedition 10 crew assignments also will change.

"After a very thorough evaluation by our partners, I'm confident that these
assignments make the very best use of our crew resources and skills and
will ensure the flights' full success," NASA Chief Astronaut Kent Rominger
said.

Fincke passed his Amateur Radio Technician class exam this week--in plenty
of time for Expedition 9's April 18 launch from Russia aboard a Soyuz
vehicle. Having an US Amateur Radio licensee aboard is necessary if the
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station--or ARISS
<http://www.rac.ca/ariss>--program is to continue its schedule of school
group contacts via NA1SS.

Last November, NASA and Russia had decided on William McArthur Jr, KC5ACR,
as Expedition 9 crew commander and cosmonaut Valery Tokarev as flight
engineer for the six-month mission. Last month, however, NASA swapped
McArthur for Leroy Chiao, due to a temporary medical issue affecting
McArthur. Chiao and Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov now have been
assigned to Expedition 10. Chiao also has been studying for his ham radio
license while undergoing training in Russia.

This will mark Fincke's first space flight. It's the second for Padalka,
who lived aboard the Russian Mir space station for 198 days in 1999.--NASA

==>FCC GIVES SECOND CHANCE TO FORMER LICENSEE

The FCC has given a former Indiana radio amateur another chance to renew
his General ticket, which expired in 2000. In an Order on Reconsideration
released February 3, the Commission granted a waiver to Frank R. Michalak,
ex-KA9EMU, permitting him to submit a late-filed renewal application.
Michalak has 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 that dismissed his license renewal
application. Michalak initially ran afoul of the requirement to provide a
taxpayer identification number--typically a Social Security number--with
his application. Later, he encountered problems using the Universal
Licensing System (ULS) and with illness.

The FCC said it had reviewed his request anew using all information it
currently had before it in the proceeding. The Commission agreed with
Michalak that his situation was sufficiently exceptional to permit him to
refile for renewal if he's still interested in being a radio amateur.
"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.

==>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 <http://www.itu.int/home/index.html> "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 <http://www.fcc.gov/wrc-07/>.

==>JIM WHITE, K4OJ, SK--J7A OPERATION DEDICATED TO POPULAR CONTESTER

The Amateur Radio contesting community is mourning the death of James A.
"Jim" White, K4OJ, (ex-K1ZX and ex-WA1NNC), of Seffner, Florida. The
well-known ham radio contesting enthusiast underwent heart valve surgery
February 11, but succumbed to liver failure the following day. The J7A
operation from Dominica during the ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2004/intldx.html> February 21-22 will
be dedicated to White.

"Jim White, K4OJ, was a dear friend and a continual inspiration to
contesting," said George Wagner, K5KG, in announcing the planned on-the-air
tribute. "OJ, as we affectionately called him. was always positive and
ready to help, inspire, learn, tease, quip, pontificate and challenge all
of us."

A member of The Florida Contest Group (FCG)
<http://www.floridacontestgroup.org/> which White organized, Wagner, fellow
FCG member John Colyard, W4IX, and John Bednar, K3TEJ,  will be the J7A
operators. Wagner says FCG members will always remember White as the father
of the organization, which he founded a decade ago, serving as its first
president. "When you see that sea of orange shirts at Dayton, you will
remember OJ," he said, referring to the group's brightly hued signature
apparel.

An ARRL Life Member and a Headquarters employee during the 1970s, White was
the son of Ellen White, W1YL, and the late Bob White, W1CW, both well-known
amateurs and former ARRL staff members. Not surprisingly, Jim White worked
in the ARRL Contest Branch. Over the years, he also authored articles for
National Contest Journal as well as for QST.

After Bob White died in 2002, Jim White established the R. L. White
Memorial Operators' Club to keep his father's W1CW call sign active during
various operating events. Always sporting a big signal out of South
Florida, Jim White shared a multiop contest station with his mother. Ellen
White said K4OJ was on the air during the First Class CW Operators' Club
<http://www.firstclasscw.org.uk/> Marathon just this past weekend. "His
operating abilities were manifest, and he almost always was the first one
to volunteer his help, in spite of his declining physical abilities," she
said.

White once said he was bitten by the contest bug after being enlisted as
the Novice op for the Connecticut Wireless Association's Field Day effort.
In the years since, his call sign has turned up regularly in the results of
various contests--often at or near the top of the pile.

"I love contesting," he said in his call sign listing on QRZ.com. "There is
something about the camaraderie, discipline and knowledge contesting
demands that fits me; it doesn't fit everyone . . . but it sure fits me."

In addition to his mother, White's survivors include his wife Theresa and
five stepchildren. Per his wishes, there will be no formal service. The
family invites memorial donations to the Florida Contest Group White
Memorial Fund--now honoring both W1CW and K4OJ--care of Fred Perkins, K4LQ,
3437 Lake Josephine Dr, Lake Placid, FL 33852.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation guru Tad "(The Sun is Shining Like a) Red Rubber Ball" Cook,
K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar flux and sunspot numbers were up
slightly this week, and average planetary A index was down a little.
Unfortunately, this isn't likely a trend, at least over the long term.

Over the next few days expect solar flux to stay around 110, then gradually
decline toward 100, where it should stay until around February 22. Due to a
coronal hole and a solar wind stream, geomagnetic conditions should remain
unsettled to active.

For more information about propagation and an explanation of the numbers
used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>.

Sunspot numbers for February 5 through 11 were 109, 98, 92, 74, 81, 78 and
91, with a mean of 89. The 10.7 cm flux was 105.5, 106.7, 111.1, 116.2,
117.8, 116.5 and 114.2, with a mean of 112.6. Estimated planetary A indices
were 14, 21, 11, 8, 8, 9 and 26, with a mean of 13.9.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The ARRL School Club Roundup, the KCJ Topband
Contest, the CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest, SARL Kid's Day, the SARL Field Day
Contest, the Asia-Pacific Spring Sprint (CW), the Dutch PACC Contest, the
OMISS QSO Party, the FISTS Winter Sprint and the RSGB First 1.8 MHz Contest
(CW) are the weekend of February 14-15. The AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening
is February 18. JUST AHEAD: The ARRL International DX Contest (CW), the
YL-ISSB QSO Party (CW) and the CQC Winter QSO Party are the weekend of
February 21-22. The CQ 160-Meter Contest (SSB) is the weekend of February
28-29. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and
the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info.

* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration for the ARRL VHF/UHF--Beyond the Repeater (EC-008) and ARRL HF
Digital Communication (EC-005) courses opens Monday, February 16, 12:01 AM
Eastern Time (0501 UTC). Registration remains open through Sunday, February
22. Classes begin Tuesday February 24. To learn more, visit the ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) <http://www.arrl.org/cce/>
Web page. For more information, contact Certification and Continuing
Education Program Department cce@....

* ARRL Emergency Communications course registration: Registration opens
Monday, February 16, 12:01 AM Eastern Time (0501 UTC), for the Level III
Emergency Communications on-line course (EC-003). Registration remains open
through the February 21-22 weekend or until all available seats have been
filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, March 2. Thanks to our
grant 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, approximately 50 seats are being offered
to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, visit
the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE)
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/> Web page. For more information, contact
Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG,
dmiller@..., 860-594-0340.

* Nominations for ARRL ham radio instructor awards due by March 1: The
deadline to submit nominations for ARRL's two Amateur Radio instructor
awards in March 1. The ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/award/herb-tor.html> is presented to a
volunteer Amateur Radio instructor, while the ARRL Professional Educator of
the Year Award <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/award/pey-tor.html> is
presented to a teacher who uses Amateur Radio as part of the curriculum or
after-school program, or teaches it in an educational institution, such as
a community college. These awards honor those hams who put in countless
volunteer hours to seek out newcomers and teach them the standards and
practices of Amateur Radio. Nominating forms for the Brier award
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/edunom.html?aw_id=7> and the Professional
Educator award <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/edunom.html?aw_id=9> are
available on the ARRL Web site. Nominations must be received at ARRL
Headquarters by March 1. All nominees will be invited to confirm their
interest in competing for the award and to submit material documenting
their activities. Winners receive engraved plaques and up to $100 worth of
ARRL publications.

* President Bush thanks ham radio volunteer: Shortly after stepping off Air
Force One February 5 during a visit to South Carolina, President George W.
Bush took a few moments to express his appreciation to ARRL member and
Charleston County ARES Emergency Coordinator Charlie Hall, K4AOT. "For all
Charlie has done for ham radio and the community, he certainly deserves to
be put in the spotlight," said his friend Alex Krist, KR1ST. A member of
the Charleston Amateur Radio Society and a retired US Army sergeant, Hall,
64, volunteers with a newly formed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
<http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs/cert.shtm>, a Citizen Corps
<http://www.citizencorps.gov/> program. The president shook Hall's hand and
thanked him for his efforts on behalf of the community. ARRL is a Citizen
Corps affiliate, and in a growing number of localities, Amateur Radio
emergency response activities are being incorporated into CERTs.
Hall, who also volunteers with the American Red Cross and a SKYWARN team,
was tapped as Charleston County's "official greeter" for the presidential
visit mainly because of his Citizen Corp/CERT activity.--some information
from Alex Krist, KR1ST, and Jim Boehner, N2ZZ

* AMSAT announces ECHO launch delay: AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton,
VE3FRH, has announced that due to a delay in the delivery of the primary
payload to the launch site in Kazakhstan, the launch of the ECHO satellite
has been delayed by some three months. "The 'official' launch date is now
June 29, 2004," Haighton said. "I assume that this new date is the start of
the new launch window, which may last several weeks."--AMSAT-NA

* Six hams set to ride shuttle "Return to Flight" mission: Six Amateur
Radio licensees will be aboard when the shuttle Atlantis returns to
space--something NASA now says might not happen until 2005. The mission,
STS-114--which NASA is calling the "Return to Flight" mission--will be the
first since Columbia broke apart February 1, 2003, during reentry following
a 16-day science mission. The mishap claimed the lives of seven
astronauts--three of them Amateur Radio licensees. NASA has announced the
STS-114 crew members as Mission Commander Eileen Collins, KD5EDS; Pilot
James Kelly, KC5ZSW; Mission Specialist Charles Camarda, KC5ZSY; Mission
Specialist Wendy Lawrence, KC5KII; Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi,
KD5TVP; Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson, and Mission Specialist Andy
Thomas, KD5CHF/VK5MIR. A veteran of three space flights, Collins has logged
more than 530 hours in space. During the Return to Flight mission, the crew
will test and evaluate new procedures for flight safety and shuttle
inspection and repair techniques.--NASA

* 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
<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/qstvote.html>. Cast a ballot for your
favorite article in the February issue of QST. Voting ends February 29.

* Three ARRL awards discontinued: Effective immediately, the ARRL Awards
Branch has discontinued the Rag Chewer's Club, the Old Timer's Club and the
Friendship Award. ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says
that the number of amateurs applying for awards in general has declined
significantly over the years, and interest in these three awards had slowed
to a trickle. DXCC and WAS remain among the most popular ARRL Awards, he
said, but the eliminated awards "had outlived their interest level." For
more information on ARRL awards, visit The ARRL Awards Program page
<http://www.arrl.org/awards/>.

* Department of State ham club on the air for Presidents' Day: The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com> reports that the Department of State Amateur Radio
Club's W3DOS will be on the air February 14-16 to celebrate Presidents'
Day. Approximate operating frequencies will be CW: 3.530, 7.030, 10.130
14.030, 18.080, 21.030, 24.910 and 28.030 MHz. SSB: 3.880, 7280, 14280,
18150, 21380, 24.980 and 28.480 MHz.

===========================================================
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.

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest
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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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==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org> ==>ARRL Audio News:
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call
860-594-0384

==>How to Get The ARRL Letter
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posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Temple_ARC/

For folks who receive email only, above is the url to the tarc reflector.
There are archived messages and many links available.  To gain access you
need a yahoo username and password - follow the instruction to obtain them.
You do not need to get a yahoo email account.

73,

Steve
NU5D

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Media Contact:
February 12, 2004
Lauren M. Van Wazer

(202) 418-0030

FCC PROPOSES RULES FOR BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES TO PROMOTE BROADBAND
SERVICE TO UNDERSERVED AREAS AND INCREASE COMPETITION

	 Washington, DC - As part of its ongoing efforts to promote access
to broadband services for all Americans and to encourage new
facilities-based broadband platforms, the Federal Communications Commission
today proposed changes to certain technical rules that will foster
broadband deployment using the significantly untapped capabilities of the
nation's power grid, while safeguarding existing services against harmful
interference.

The Part 15 rule changes, proposed in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(Notice), set forth procedures to measure the radiofrequency (RF) energy
emitted by equipment used to provide broadband service over power lines and
establish particularized interference mitigation requirements.  By
facilitating access to broadband over power lines (BPL), the Commission
takes an important step toward increasing the availability of broadband in
rural and underserved areas because power lines reach virtually every home
and community in the country.  In areas in which consumers already have
broadband access, BPL enhances competition by providing another broadband
alternative.  These proposed changes will also facilitate the ability of
electric utilities to dynamically manage the power grid itself, increasing
network reliability.

Specifically, the Notice adopted by the Commission:

		 - proposes rules requiring BPL devices to employ adaptive
interference mitigation techniques to prevent harmful interference to
existing users, such as public safety and amateur radio operators.  These
techniques would enable BPL devices to cease operations altogether,
dynamically reduce transmit power, and/or avoid operating on specific
frequencies to prevent harmful interference;

		 - proposes developing a public database that would include
such information as location, operational frequencies, and modulation type
of BPL devices, which will facilitate the resolution of interference issues
in a timely fashion;

		 - seeks comment on specific RF measurement guidelines for
BPL devices and other carrier current systems.  These guidelines will
ensure that emission measurements for these systems are made in a
consistent manner.  While the Notice addresses RF measurement guidelines,
it does not propose any changes to existing applicable emission limits.


- more -
Notably, some electric utilities already use a lower speed version of BPL
technology to manage their internal networks.  Widespread deployment of BPL
devices will afford these same companies added benefits such as, remote
power outage notification, load management to reduce peak power usage,
improved load balancing, and remote meter reading capabilities.


	 Action by the Commission, February 12, 2004, by Notice of Proposed
Rule Making (FCC 04-29).  Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Martin
and Adelstein, with Commissioner Copps approving in part and dissenting in
part.  Separate statements issued by Chairman Powell, Commissioners
Abernathy, Copps, Martin, and Adelstein.

ET Docket No. 04-37

Office of Engineering Technology Contact: Anh T. Wride, 202-418-0577.

After a conversation on .82 a week or so ago I put together a brief intro to the
Linux
operating system. For those of you who are computer geeks you might find
something interesting in it.

http://home.earthlink.net/~n5jlq/linux_ham.html

Scott N5JLQ

i copied jack, 4z1js, an honest 559/569 on 7.025 around 0200 to 0220Z
driving from waco to temple:

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/lair/2561/

i called him four or five times, but with 400 W omnidirectional and *lot's*
of others calling, no response.  it looks like he is almost able to make his
own propagation.  he gave his qth as alfei, and looking that up, while he's
on a hill, dunno if it's a hill i'd want to be on.

http://flagspot.net/flags/il-lcamn.html#des

73, john

The TSGARC clubhouse is located at 3292 Speegleville Rd. in Waco, halfway between Highway 6 and Highway 84.