The ARRL Letter
  Vol. 19, No. 28
  July 21, 2000
  __________________________________

  IN THIS EDITION:

  * +Hollingsworth says there's still work to be done
  * +FCC announces CORES
  * +Phase 3D launch could be delayed
  * +ARRL petitions for primary 2400-2402 MHz allocation
  * +WRTC-2000 official final results are posted
  * +Fine reduced for former Texas ham
  *  Solar update
  *  IN BRIEF:
       This weekend on the radio
      +Australia makes 5 WPM official
       Cyprus okays anniversary prefixes
       K2ORS to become hall of famer
       Kids and Internet vs Amateur Radio
       N8GNJ named CQ digital editor
       W9DXCC bash set

  +Available on ARRL Audio News
  __________________________________

  HOLLINGSWORTH: "THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"

> FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth
says
> he expects to continue his amateur enforcement effort at the current
pace
> despite fewer complaints in recent months. "There's a lot of work to
be
> done," he said July 20 during a visit to ARRL Headquarters.
>
> At the same time, Hollingsworth said, amateurs wielding their newly
minted
> HF privileges as a result of restructuring have generated no
enforcement
> problems whatsoever. "In fact, had I not known about the
restructuring, I
> wouldn't know it from an enforcement standpoint," he said. "I've
noticed no
> difference." Hollingsworth encouraged veteran operators to bring
newcomers
> to the HF bands "into the fold" and teach them to be proficient,
compliant
> operators.
>
> Hollingsworth noted that while the pace of amateur complaints
continues to
> slow, the Amateur Service still is not where it should be from a
compliance
> standpoint. "Today, the equipment seems to be better than a lot of the
> operators," he said, adding that he did not expect to change his
enforcement
> pace for the next several years.
>
> The trend toward fewer overall complaints, he said, will provide the
FCC
> with an opportunity to concentrate on the more complicated cases,
including
> unlicensed operation. "We can't tolerate unlicensed operation," he
said.
> "The whole allocation system breaks down if you tolerate unlicensed
> operation."
>
> Hollingsworth also said the federal government has ramped up its
efforts to
> collect fines in those cases where they've been levied on violators.
In the
> meantime, he said he plans to continue to curry voluntary amateur
> compliance, without fines or license revocations. "The main goal is
not to
> take licenses. The main goal is compliance," he said.
>
> During his brief visit to Connecticut, Hollingsworth also spoke
informally
> with ARRL Board members and League officers prior to the July 21 Board
of
> Directors meeting in Hartford.
>
> FCC LAUNCHES CORES
>
> The FCC has begun implementing the Commission Registration System, to
be
> known as CORES. While the action has few immediate implications for
Amateur
> Radio licensees, CORES registration eventually will replace Universal
> Licensing System, or ULS, registration.
>
> Described as an agency-wide registration system for anyone filing
> applications with or making payments to the FCC, CORES will assign a
unique
> 10-digit FCC Registration Number, or FRN to all registrants. Once the
system
> is fully deployed, all Commission systems that handle financial,
> authorization of service, and enforcement activities will use the FRN.
The
> FCC says use of the FRN will allow it to more rapidly verify fee
payment.
> Amateurs mailing payments to the FCC--for example, as part of a vanity
call
> sign application--would include their FRN--once assigned--on the
revised FCC
> Form 159.
>
> The on-line filing system and further information on CORES is
available by
> visiting the FCC Web site, http://www.fcc.gov and clicking on the
CORES
> registration link.
>
> For the time being, using an FRN is voluntary, although the Commission
says
> it will consider making it mandatory in the future for anyone doing
business
> with the FCC. That's not expected to happen until sometime next year,
> however. The FCC says it will modify its licensing and filing
> systems--including ULS--over the next several months to accept and use
the
> FRN.
>
> The FCC's Steve Linn confirmed this week that while CORES registration
will
> supplant ULS registration, the ULS itself will remain the licensing
database
> system for Wireless Telecommunications Bureau licensees, including
amateurs.
> For now, the ULS remains available to new registrants. Amateurs who
> registered in the ULS prior to June 22 automatically have been
registered in
> CORES and will receive an FCC Registration Number in the mail. ULS
> registrants also may search for their FRN on-line at the FCC's CORES
site.
> The FCC says ULS passwords will become CORES passwords in most cases.
It's
> possible to register on CORES using a paper Form 160.
>
> As with the ULS, those registering with CORES must supply a Taxpayer
> Identification Number, or TIN. For individuals, this is usually a
Social
> Security Number. Club stations must obtain an Assigned Taxpayer
> Identification Number (ATIN) before registering on CORES or ULS.
>
> Linn says anyone can register via CORES and obtain an FRN. "CORES/FRN
is
> entity registration," he said. "You don't need a license to be
registered."
> Linn says the FCC is making every attempt to minimize the impact of
> CORES/FRN on Amateur Radio licensees, and no action will be required
on the
> part of amateur licensees already registered in ULS.
>
> A copy of the FCC Public Notice on CORES/FRN is available at
> http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/da001596.pdf
>
> ARIANE 5 SCHEDULE DELAY COULD AFFECT PHASE 3D LAUNCH
>
> Phase 3D project officials are attempting to determine the impact of
an
> Ariane 5 launch delay. Arianespace has postponed the launch of Flight
130
> (Ariane Flight 506), scheduled to launch July 25, while it looks into
an
> "anomaly" uncovered during testing. Phase 3D--the next-generation
Amateur
> Radio satellite--tentatively had been scheduled to launch aboard
Flight 132
> (Ariane Flight 507), the next Ariane 5 flight in line after 130.
>
> "We don't know. We're asking the question right now," said AMSAT-NA
> President Keith Baker, KB1SF, when asked about a possible schedule
impact on
> P3D. He said there's been no official word yet as to whether the
Flight 130
> delay will affect Phase 3D's launch schedule.
>
> Flight 132 had been set for mid-September at the earliest and possibly
as
> late as the end of October. Arianespace is expected to announce a new
launch
> date for Flight 130 soon, with the mission now being targeted for the
first
> half of September.
>
> Arianespace said it was holding up the Flight 130 launch until an
upper
> stage anomaly detected during endurance testing on Ariane 5 components
in
> Europe could be resolved.
>
> The Phase 3D satellite is at the European Spaceport in French Guiana
> awaiting the start of launch preparations. A launch contract accepting
Phase
> 3D as a payload for the first suitable Ariane 5 launch vehicle was
signed
> last October.
>
> For more information about Phase 3D, visit the AMSAT-NA Web site,
> http://www.amsat.org/.
>
> ARRL ASKS FOR PRIMARY STATUS AT 2400-2402 MHZ
>
> The ARRL has asked the FCC to elevate the domestic status of Amateur
and
> Amateur-Satellite services from secondary to primary in the band 2400
to
> 2402 MHz. The League filed a Petition for Rule Making with the FCC on
July
> 17.
>
> Amateurs already are primary at 2390 to 2400 and from 2402 to 2417
MHz. The
> ARRL says it's necessary to secure the intervening spectrum slice "to
> provide some assurances of future occupancy of the band segments for
the
> next generation of amateur satellites," including Phase 3D.
>
> "It is urgent to protect the 2400-2402 MHz band due to the extensive
> reliance by the Amateur-Satellite Service on the future development of
> satellite uplinks and downlinks in that segment in particular," the
League
> said.
>
> Hams have shared their other 2.4 GHz spectrum on a secondary basis
with
> government users. In this week's petition, the League said it wants an
> allocation that's not subject to reallocation or use by "an
incompatible
> sharing partner." The City of Los Angeles recently was granted an
> experimental license to operate a TV downlink system in the 2402-2448
MHz
> band. The ARRL has protested that grant as well as a similar
application
> from Los Angeles County.
>
> Although the FCC in 1995 declined to elevate the entire 2390-2450 MHz
band
> to primary status for amateurs, the ARRL's latest petition recites FCC
> assurances made at the time that amateur use of 2400-2402 MHz would
continue
> to be accommodated. The proposal to make Amateur Radio primary in the
> segment would, the League said, be "entirely consistent" with the
earlier
> FCC stance. The League said the primary allocation also is consistent
with
> National Telecommunications and Information Administration obligations
to
> not disrupt amateur use of the segment through reallocations.
>
> WRTC-2000 FINAL OFFICIAL RESULTS POSTED
>
> The World Radiosport Team Championship 2000 referees have posted the
final
> official results of the July 8-9 competition in Slovenia, and several
team
> place standings have changed as a result. No scoring adjustments
affected
> the rankings of the top three finishers--Dan Street, K1TO, and Jeff
> Steinman, N5TJ, operating as S584M, repeated as WRTC champions--but
there
> were a few changes in the order of finish farther down the list. In
> addition, most team scores--including the top three--were minutely
affected.
>
> Most significantly affected by the change was the standing of Team
Finland,
> OH1EH and OH1NOA, which moved up from 20th to fifth place in the
standings.
> The team operated as S537L.
>
> After the winners of WRTC 2000 were announced in Bled, Slovenia, July
11,
> Team Finland questioned why its reported score was much lower than the
one
> they believed they had submitted. Chief Referee David Sumner, K1ZZ,
says
> this occurred because the referees ended up having to rely on a binary
file
> to score the results instead of extracting the log data from text
files as
> originally intended.
>
> Sumner explained that while Team Finland had submitted a complete text
file
> of its log, the team's binary file turned out to be incomplete. The
> text-file log that Team Finland submitted earned them a fifth place
finish,
> however.
>
> "The referees' team apologizes for initially reporting a lower score,"
> Sumner said.
>
> In posting the final official results this week, Sumner also noted
that
> several teams had said that their multipliers were lower than
expected.
> Rescoring the logs to accommodate the Team Finland problem, Sumner
> explained, not only eliminated some "not-in-log" score reductions for
other
> contestants, but gave the referees an opportunity to correct some
multiplier
> scoring and "to conduct a more complete review of the logged call
signs,
> resulting in some changes to 'bad' calls."
>
> Sumner said this was done "in order to provide the most accurate
record
> possible of the results of WRTC 2000."
>
> The WRTC 2000 referees let stand the final score of the S511E team of
DL6FBL
> and DL1MFL. That score was based on the submission of a truncated log
that
> was missing approximately one hour of operation. The problem occurred
when
> the team copied its log to a floppy disk that was nearly full for
submittal.
> The DL6FBL-DL1MFL team moved from fifth to sixth place as a result of
this
> week's scoring adjustments.
>
> The WRTC-2000 top 10 finishers represented world-class contesters from
seven
> countries, including three from the US and two bi-national
teams--UT4UZ from
> Ukraine and RW1AC from Russia, who operated as S523W, and DL6RAI from
> Germany and OE2VEL, from Austria, who operated as S533G.
>
> FCC REDUCES FINE FOR FORMER AMATEUR
>
> The FCC has substantially reduced a $17,000 fine that it proposed to
levy on
> a former Houston, Texas, amateur. On July 12, the Commission issued a
> Forfeiture Order telling Leonard D. Martin, formerly KC5WHN, that he
should
> pay $4000 for repeated unlicensed operation and for failing to allow
the FCC
> to inspect his radio equipment.
>
> Martin first ran afoul of the FCC two years ago. In May 1998 the
Commission
> received a written complaint alleging that a station identifying as
KC5WHN
> was operating on frequencies not authorized by Martin's Technician
class
> license. FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley
> Hollingsworth sent Martin a Warning Notice in November 1998. In a
subsequent
> telephone conversation with Hollingsworth, the FCC says, Martin
"generally
> denied the unauthorized operation."
>
> In February and March of last year, an FCC agent using mobile
automatic
> direction finding equipment tracked 27 MHz transmissions to an antenna
at
> Martin's residence. Both times, Martin reportedly refused an FCC
inspection.
>
> The FCC's Houston Office issued Martin an Official Notice of Violation
last
> April. In his reply, Martin said that he understood that operating on
the
> frequencies in question was a violation and that the FCC has full
inspection
> authority. He also promised to comply with FCC rules. In July, Martin
turned
> in his Amateur Radio license for cancellation.
>
> Last October, the FCC twice tracked 27 MHz transmissions to Martin's
> residence. Once again, Martin reportedly refused to let FCC personnel
> inspect his transmitting gear.
>
> In March, the FCC's Houston Office sent a Notice of Apparent Liability
for
> Forfeiture to Martin for "repeatedly and willfully" operating without
an FCC
> license and refusing to allow an FCC inspection. Martin did not deny
the
> violations but said he couldn't pay the $17,000 fine and submitted
copies of
> his tax returns for 1996, 1997 and 1998 as proof. He also told the FCC
that
> he would dismantle and sell all of his radio transmitting gear and
antenna
> and forfeit proceeds to the FCC or to charity and would permit FCC
personnel
> to inspect his residence to insure all equipment has been removed.
>
> The FCC said that while it could not rely on Martin's "promises of
remedial
> action," it could reduce the size of the proposed forfeiture given
Martin's
> "limited ability to pay the full amount." The FCC said the $4000 fine
was
> justified in light of the serious nature of the willful and repeated
> violations and gave Martin 30 days to pay.
>
> SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Heliophile Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: This has
been
> quite a week for solar activity, with blasts of solar wind dominating
space
> weather news. July 15 was the big day for HF radio blackouts and
aurora,
> with the planetary A index jumping to an incredible 152 and the
mid-latitude
> A index at 148. The planetary K index, updated every three hours, was
at
> nine for three readings on July 15. A K index reading of nine over a
24-hour
> period would be equivalent to an A index of 300. This is big--really
big!
>
> These numbers are associated with an extreme geomagnetic storm that
was
> nearly off the scale. On July 16, one of the most powerful solar
flares of
> the current cycle triggered a storm of protons directed toward Earth.
The
> Solar and Heliospheric Observatory recorded a full halo coronal mass
> ejection heading toward earth at greater than 1 million meters per
second.
> Check out animations of this event at
> http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/CME/. There are only a few events
of
> this magnitude in the average solar cycle.
>
> Another coronal mass ejection emerged on Wednesday, July 19, but the
> predicted effect is uncertain because the ejection may not be aimed
squarely
> at Earth. On Thursday the planetary K index went up to six for several
> hours, but by the end of the UTC day it was three. The planetary A
index for
> Thursday was 43, and the College A index, recorded in Alaska, was 57.
>
> The latest forecast shows the planetary A index rising to 50 on
Friday, then
> dropping to 20 and 15 and then 10 on Saturday through Monday. Solar
flux
> peaked for the recent short term at 252.9 on Thursday, and is expected
to
> drop to 245, 235, 230 and 225 on Friday through Monday. The next short
term
> minimum is predicted around July 28 at 170, followed by another peak
above
> 200 around August 6-9.
>
> Sunspot numbers for July 13 through 19 were 240, 243, 229, 268, 335,
343 and
> 342 with a mean of 285.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 231.9, 203.9, 213.1,
218.9,
> 228.3, 261.9 and 249.9, with a mean of 229.7. The estimated planetary
A
> indices were 33, 35, 152, 46, 9, 13 and 15, with a mean of 43.3.

  __________________________________

  In Brief:

  * This weekend on the radio: The Georgia QSO Party is the weekend of
July
  22-23. Just ahead: The RSGB Islands-On-The-Air Contest and the Flight
of the
  Bumblebees QRP Contest are the weekend of July 29-30. See July QST,
page
  100, for more information.

  * Australia makes 5 WPM official: Australia officially has adopted a 5
WPM
  Morse code examination requirement for full access to the HF amateur
bands.
  In an announcement in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on July 12,
the
  Australian Communications Authority changed the amateur regulations for
the
  VK Intermediate grade license that requires 5 WPM Morse code
proficiency. By
  that action, the ACA lifted the previous HF band restrictions on
  Intermediate licensees, who now may use all bands below 30 MHz. The
change
  had been anticipated following a submission to the ACA in March by the
  Wireless Institute of Australia seeking a lowering of the code speed.
For
  the time being, Australia will maintain its Unrestricted license--which
  requires 10 WPM Morse proficiency--but only to satisfy the needs of
  reciprocal licensing agreements. The HF operating privileges and
conditions
  for the Intermediate and Unrestricted licenses now are identical. For
more
  information, visit Linton's "Morse code watch,"
  http://www.tbsa.com.au/~wiavic.--Jim Linton, VK3PC/WIA

  * Cyprus okays anniversary prefixes: Amateurs on Cyprus have been
granted
  permission use the special prefix 5B40 ("Five Bravo Forty") until
November
  30, 2000, to celebrate the 40 years of the Republic of Cyprus. Use of
the
  special prefix is optional.--Spyros Stavrinides, 5B4MF/CARS

  * K2ORS to become hall of famer: The late radio storyteller and talker
Jean
  Shepherd, K2ORS, is among those scheduled to be inducted posthumously
into
  the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame this fall. The ceremony is set
for
November 13 in New York City. Shepherd died last October at the age of
78.
Many remember him best for his late-night talk program on New York's
WOR,
  where he sometimes spoke of his Amateur Radio activities. After his
death,
  some hams wrote the ARRL to say they'd been inspired by Shepherd's
  monologues to pursue their own radio activities. Shepherd also wrote
and
  produced several programs for public television and once was the
banquet
  speaker at the Dayton Hamvention.--Broadcasting & Cable; Shop Talk

  * Kids and Internet vs Amateur Radio: Who says the Internet takes kids'
  interest away from Amateur Radio? During the ARRL-sponsored Kid's Day
event
  in June, 77 youngsters took part in the youth Amateur Radio licensing
class
  put on by Gordon West, WB6NOA. Once a year, West puts on a no-cost ham
  course for young people that runs on Friday and Saturday. He also
invites
  kids to take advantage of ARRL's low-cost family membership rate or
youth
  membership rate--depending on whether there's already a licensed ham in
the
  youngster's household. He also makes different types of radio equipment
  available for the kids--this year's class ranged from 10 to 18 years
old--to
  try out. Area hams are asked to stand by at their stations to give the
newly
  licensed kids a chance to make QSOs. "One of the elements of the final
test
  I give is to make contact with another radio station," West says. "That
will
  also give them a chance to try out a variety of radio equipment." What
  better day for a young person to get licensed than on Kid's Day--when
more
  than 1000 other kids already were out there on the airwaves?--thanks to
  Rosalie White, K1STO

  * N8GNJ named CQ digital editor: CQ magazine has named Steve Stroh,
N8GNJ,
  as its new digital editor. CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, said Stroh
will
  assume his new role effective with the September 2000 issue. The
appointment
  of Stroh follows the resignation of Packet Editor Buck Rogers, K4ABT,
and
  the conclusion of Rogers' Packet User's Notebook column. Stroh's new
column,
  "Digital Wireless," will cover the full spectrum of amateur digital
  communications--from RTTY to spread spectrum and newly developing modes
such
  as ultra wideband. Stroh has held a number of positions in TAPR and is
  chairman of the 2000 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be
held
  this fall in Florida.--CQ news release

  * W9DXCC bash set: The 48th annual W9DXCC Convention will be September
15-16
  at the Holiday Inn, Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The program includes
  presentations on the A52A Bhutan DXpedition with Glenn Johnson, W0GJ;
the
  4W/W3UR operation in East Timor by QST "How's DX" Editor Bernie
McClenny,
  W3UR; the FO0AAA Clipperton DXpedition by Jim Mornar, N9TK; and the
first
  Chesterfield operation--TX0DX--by ARRL Membership Services Manager
Wayne
  Mills, N7NG. There will be a special 160-meter presentation by DXing on
the
  Edge author Jeff Briggs, K1ZM as well as a propagation program by NCJ
and
  Worldradio columnist Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. On-site ARRL DXCC card
  checking will be available too. Program details and on-line
registration is
  available at the W9DXCC home page, http://www.qth.com/w9dxcc or via
e-mail
  from W9DXCC 2000 Chairman Bill Smith, W9VA, w9va@....

  ===========================================================
  The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the
American
  Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225
Main St,
  Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259;
  http://www.arrl.org. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President; David Sumner, K1ZZ,
  Executive Vice President.

  The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest
to
  active amateurs that's available in advance of publication in QST, our
  official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate,
concise,
  and readable. The ARRLWeb Extra at
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/extra
  offers ARRL members access to late-breaking news and informative
features,
  updated regularly.

  Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole
or
  in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given
to
  The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB029
  ARLB029 FCC launches CORES

  ZCZC AG29
  QST de W1AW
  ARRL Bulletin 29  ARLB029
  From ARRL Headquarters
  Newington CT  July 21, 2000
  To all radio amateurs

  SB QST ARL ARLB029
  ARLB029 FCC launches CORES

  The FCC has begun implementing the Commission Registration System,
  known as CORES. While the action has few immediate implications for
  Amateur Radio licensees, CORES registration eventually will replace
  Universal Licensing System, or ULS, registration.

  Described as an agency-wide registration system for anyone filing
  applications with or making payments to the FCC, CORES will assign a
  unique 10-digit FCC Registration Number, or FRN to all registrants.
  The FCC says use of the FRN will allow it to more rapidly verify fee
  payment.

  The on-line filing system and further information on CORES is
  available by visiting the FCC Web site, http://www.fcc.gov and
  clicking on the CORES registration link.

  For the time being, using an FRN is voluntary, although the
  Commission says it will consider making it mandatory in the future
  for anyone doing business with the FCC.

  CORES registration will supplant ULS registration, but the ULS will
  remain the licensing database system for Wireless Telecommunications
  Bureau licensees, including amateurs. For now, the ULS remains
  available to new registrants. Amateurs who registered in the ULS
  prior to June 22 automatically have been registered in CORES and
  will receive an FCC Registration Number in the mail. ULS registrants
  also may search for their FRN on-line at the FCC's CORES Web site.

  A copy of the FCC Public Notice on CORES/FRN is available at
  http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/da001596.pdf
  NNNN
  /EX

Space Environment Center wrote:

  Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Environment Center
  Boulder, Colorado, USA

  SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK #00- 33
  2000 July 18 at 02:46 p.m. MDT (2000 July 18 2046 UT)

  **** SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK ****

  Summary For July 10-16
  Space weather reached extreme levels during the period. A large and
extremely complex sunspot group produced four major flares during July
  10 - 14, the largest of which produced a category R3 (strong) radio
  blackout at 4:24 a.m. (1024 UTC) on July 14. This radio blackout likely
  caused the following effects on the sunlit side of Earth: a wide-area
  blackout of HF radio communication signals resulting in loss of radio
  contact for mariners an en route aviators for an hour or more, and
  degradation of low-frequency navigation signals for about an hour
  affecting maritime and general aviation positioning. This flare also
  produced a category S4 (severe) solar radiation storm which was the
  largest radiation event observed since 1991. Severe solar radiation
  storms may result in some or all of the following effects: satellite
  operations experience memory device problems, noise on imaging systems,
  star trackers cause orientation problems, and solar panels degraded;
  blackout of HF radio communications throughout the polar regions; and
  increased navigation errors for several days. A fast-moving, halo-type
  coronal mass ejection (CME) also followed the major flare of July 14.

  The CME impacted Earth's magnetic field on July 15 and caused a
  geomagnetic storm that reached category G5 (extreme) levels. This storm
  was the largest recorded since 1989. Category G5 (extreme) geomagnetic
  storms may cause some or all of the following system effects: power
  grids may collapse and transformers experience damage; and spacecraft
  operations experience extensive surface charging on spacecraft and
  problems with orientation, uplink/downlink and tracking satellites.
  Other G5 geomagnetic storm effects include pipeline currents reaching
  hundreds of amps, HF radio propagation impossible in many areas for one
  or two days, satellite navigation degraded for days, low-frequency
  radio navigation out for hours, and the aurora seen as low as the
  equator.

  Outlook For July 19-25
  Space weather is expected to be at minor to moderate levels. There will
  be a chance for an isolated category R2 (moderate) radio blackout
  during the period. There will also be a chance for a category S1
  (minor) solar radiation storm.

  Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA,
  USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services
  and other observatories, universities, and institutions. More
  information is available at SEC's Web site http://sec.noaa.gov or
  (303) 497-5127.  The NOAA Public Affairs contact is Barbara McGehan
  at bmcgehan@... or (303) 497-6288.

Hi John,

Some food for thought...

The training to be on the NCS frequncy has merit.

However, the frequncy plans for nets are figured  with the thought that
they will be on
frequency (as by the way does the FCC when clearinga frequncy and 3 kHz
either
side).  Wandering around too much kinda defeats this.

Better training (and I know that the FCC no longer requires you to be
able to
dtermine your transmitter's frequncy independently (one of those silly
deregulation changes that ranks, to me, right up there with not
requiring
a well filtered DC supply below 144 mHz.) ) might be to see how well
NCS can get his transmitter on a center of intelligence of 3923 kHz.

This would assure better operations during emergencies.

Very few persons use seperate transmitters and receivers any more,
so I think those that do know how to "zero beat" anyhow and those
with transceivers just tune for a natural voice.

Just some thoughts,

73 de Ronnie

F Y I

  http://personal.rdu.bellsouth.net/rdu/m/a/marlind/static.htm

73 de Ronnie


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

From: Max G Bloodworth <ko4tv@...>



  American flags may be displayed on the sides and rear of vehicles only.
  None on the front! Also, all vehicles must either be Beige, Mercedes
  Silver or Volvo Green. And whatever you do, please do not mention Fried
  Chicken! Some transplanted Yankee just might construe it to be a racist
  remark! Enjoy the Hamfest! Best 73, // Max, KO4TV //

The Public Service Events calendar is back on the web, thanks to Bill Cole
KG4CXY.  And there are several events listed for the fall (and one for next
weekend).  You'll find it at:

www.rars.org/public-service

If you're a public-service type ham (and if you're not, you should be),
please check the calendar and see what you can help with.


73,
Gary KN4AQ

__________________________________________________________________________
                             ARRL NC SECTION
Gary Pearce KN4AQ    Public Information Coordinator    Raleigh Amateur
      Cary, NC                                            Radio Society
    919-380-9944                freelance                  W4DW/W4RNC
   kn4aq@...           Avid/Video Editor          http://www.rars.org

                         "I'm off to be the Wizard"

FCC'S HATFIELD TELLS HAMS TO "WALK THE WALK"

        FCC OET Chief Dale Hatfield, WØIFO
The FCC's Dale Hatfield, W0IFO, predicts a bright future for Amateur
Radio.
But
the Office of Engineering and Technology chief says that amateurs "will
be
under
a certain amount of pressure" to justify their free use of the radio
spectrum.
As a result, he said, it will be more important than ever that hams
actually
fulfill their service, good will and educational roles--not just talk
about
them.
Hatfield offered his observations as keynote speaker for AMRAD's 25th
anniversary dinner June 17 in Virginia. Hatfield told the gathering,
"the key
issue for the amateur service is maintaining access to an adequate
amount of
spectrum." While emphasizing that he was not suggesting any immediate
threat,
Hatfield said hams will have to do a better job of justifying their
current
allocations.
Hatfield said hams should actually engage in experimentation to advance
the
state-of-the-art, provide communication and train operators for
emergencies,
encourage international cooperation and good will, and offer an
important
technical educational outlet. "Or, to use a bit of slang, it seems to me
that
it
will be even more important for all segments of the amateur community to
'walk
the walk' not just 'talk the talk'," he said.
Hatfield encouraged his audience to explore advanced techniques that
conserve
spectrum, especially digital techniques. As the rest of the
telecommunications
world transitions to digital techniques, Hatfield said, "the amateur
service
will look antiquated if it is not making progress in that direction as
well."
Hatfield also said software defined radios could facilitate "a new era
of
amateur experimentation" and, in many ways, represent "a final merger"
of
radio
communications and computers.
The text of Hatfield's prepared remarks is available on the FCC Web
site.

Hi, tonight I am sending this note so that the local Amateur Radio community
can save lives.  Usually when severe weather hits we jump into action, also
when there is a situation that involves people needing help we always can
get organized and help out.  So there is a problem that you can all help
with that will save a life.

Did you know that all you have to do is spend one hour every 56 days and you
are guaranteed to save a life.  This could be a friend of yours or a
relative of mine it does not matter.  When people get sick or injured they
need blood to sustain life, and that is where you can help.

Please contact your local American Red Cross branch and find out how to
donate your blood.  They are at critical levels and need blood immediately.
If you are scared about donating blood, call them and ask them questions.
It does not take a lot of time and they have nice refreshments afterwards.

To promote Amateur Radio in our communities, when you sign in at the Red
Cross identify yourself as a representative of Amateur Radio on the sheet
and then you might get to explain what Amateur Radio is and how we help the
community.

I hope this message reaches you well and best regards,

Matt

_____

Matt Sickles
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB027
  ARLB027 FCC says ULS registration can protect license record

  ZCZC AG27
  QST de W1AW
  ARRL Bulletin 27  ARLB027
  From ARRL Headquarters
  Newington CT  May 26, 2000
  To all radio amateurs

  SB QST ARL ARLB027
  ARLB027 FCC says ULS registration can protect license record

  Registering now on the FCC's Universal Licensing System can benefit
  amateurs, even if they have no plans to file an application anytime
  soon. FCC staffer Steve Linn, N4CAK, says that ULS registration
  ''protects your call sign within the system'' and could prevent it
  from inadvertently being deleted or reissued due to a filing error.

  Linn also pointed out that amateurs filing for a change of address
  should file an ''administrative update'' (AU) and not request a
  ''modification.'' The ULS will not renew an amateur's license unless
  it is within the 90-day window of expiration or within the two-year
  grace period after expiration. The same applies for those upgrading
  under restructuring.

  Linn said the FCC continues to work out the bugs in the ULS. He said
  that support for the Mac platform and other browsers, such as
  Internet Explorer, should be available soon.

  The FCC in late April opened the ULS to Web filing. Linn advised
  filers to use the on-line system whenever possible, since it helps
  users to avoid errors that will not get trapped when filing on paper
  and could lead to delays or errors in your FCC record. Visit
  http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls for more information or to access the
  ULS.
  NNNN
  /EX

Hello everyone and I hope you are all doing well.  Well I am knee deep in
classes as well as work so I am confident that I made a good decision to
turn over the Wake ARES EC role to another individual.

I have been contacted lately about the ARES mailing list
[wakeares@egroups.com] and its future.  I hope that my successor will take
on the ARES mailing-list as a main vehicle for communication to the large
group in Wake County.  Until they do, I will maintain it and approve any
message that filters through related to Amateur Radio.  So feel free to use
it and abuse it as you all see fit.

I hope you are all doing well and best regards,

Matt

_____

Matt Sickles
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

Good afternoon, it is with a lot of anticipation and excitement that I send
this message today.  Effective immediately I will be resigning as the Wake
County ARES EC.

I have decided to go back to school to obtain a BS in Business
Administration and then follow-up by obtaining my Masters in Business
Administration.  This decision will allow me to pursue some career
opportunities that I have been presented with.

During this three year program I will have to trade-in some free time that
was spent with amateur radio for time with my family.  Family always comes
first in a decision of this magnitude.

I would like to thank all members of the Wake County amateur community who
helped me out during the weather and disaster events over the past year.
Your help and advice helped me get through a rough initiation.

I am planning on staying an active amateur operator in my drive-time and
other free time, but will yield the planning and co-ordination to someone
who has a lot more free time than I do at this juncture.  As my time permits
I will always offer to work at the Wake EOC, State EOC and any shelter that
needs assistance.  This is a priority I have and others should as well.

So, if you are interested in being the new Wake EC I suggest you contact one
of the following persons:

KE4JHJ - Dave - NC SEC
KE4JHJ@...

W4CC - John - NC SM
W4CC@...

Thank you again for all of your support in ARES and amateur radio.

Best regards,

Matt

_____

Matt Sickles
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

Raleigh ARS Meeting Cancelled

Tonight's Raleigh Amateur Radio Society meeting has been cancelled
(Tuesday, Feb 1st)!  We just learned that the church will not be open
tonight due to snow in the parking lots.

Please pass the word, on the air and via e-mail, to anyone you think might
have been planning to attend.  This is especially important for anyone
planning on the VE test session, which is also cancelled!  The meeting will
not be reschedule.  The VE Test session may be rescheduled - watch for an
announcement.

Our apologies for the last-minute notice.

73,
Gary KN4AQ

WAKE COUNTY ARES IS IN ACTIVE MODE

If you are available to volunteer for shifts at the Wake EOC or the State
EOC, please contact Matt, W2BYV @ 919-303-6657 at your earliest convenience.

Best regards,

Matt
W2BYV

_____

Matt Sickles
Wake County ARES EC
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

Hello I would like to offer any help I can to any amateur operator in the
Wake County and surrounding areas get an APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting
System) operation up and running at their QTH.

APRS is a system developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, which uses amateur radio
to transmit position reports, weather reports, and messages between users.

At this weeks RARS (Raleigh Amateur Radio Society) meeting, I will have
CD-ROM's for the Windows platform so you may get your system up and running.
All that I ask for is a blank un-opened CD-ROM or $2.  I will also have the
CD's at the February CARC (Cary Amateur Radio Club) meeting.  The CD will
contain all programs as well as extensive maps for the NC area.  These
applications and maps are over 100 MB if downloaded from the internet and
take quite some time.

You may download the software and requirements necessary to set-up your APRS
station at http://aprs.rutgers.edu.  This site is very comprehensive and
gives you most of the information necessary to start out.

Please feel free to contact me regarding APRS via e-mail or by phone.

Best regards,

Matt
_____

Matt Sickles
Wake County ARES EC
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

Subject: Volunteers Needed to Provide Emergency Communications



Volunteers Needed to Provide Emergency Communications for
The North Carolina National Guard in Montgomery County


      An urgent need for Amateur Radio operators to provide emergency
communication in Montgomery County, North Carolina has developed as a
result of this week's snow storm, which has left two feet of snow on the
ground.  Montgomery County is south of Davidson and Randolph, east of
Stanly, west of Moore, and north of Anson and Richmond counties. Troy is
the county seat.

      The National Guard will begin a house to house search beginning
tomorrow morning to check on residents, the majority whom have lost all
electrical power and telephone communications.

     At least twenty-four amateur radio operators (8 per 8 hour shift) are
needed to communicate between national guard vehicles and the county EOC.

      This need is immediate and could continue for a week or more.  Other
means of providing communications for the National Guard are being sought,
but for now, Amateur Radio is the best and quickest solution.  This is an
opportunity to provide essential communications in a serious situation.

      Any Amateur who can volunteer to help, please send me an e-mail with
the following information:

Name:
E-mail:
Phone number(s):
Your location:
License class:
Time you could arrive in Montgomery county:
Length of time you can stay:

Equipment needed:  2 meter rig (prefer a mobile, HT may not be sufficient)
and
either a battery or means to connect directly to the vehicle battery.
Also, a mag
mount antenna, and personal items you would need for the time you can stay.

Please contact:
David Fleming, KE4JHJ
North Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator
E-mail: ke4jhj@... (please copy pscarbo@...)
Phone: 336-766-8667

Gene Scarborough, W4YBQ
Area 10 District Emergency Coordinator
E-mail: pscarbo@...
Phone: 336-584-0824

Additional information may be available on the Tar Heel Emergency Net,
3,923 kHz.

Thanks for your help and consideration,

Dave / KE4JHJ
North Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator






_____

Matt Sickles
Wake County ARES EC
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

Wake ARES Bulletin - Friday January 28, 2000

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-
W2BYV, Matt Sickles - Wake County Emergency Coordinator
OPEN VOLUNTEER POSITION - Wake County Assistant EC - American Red Cross
KG4FJA, Ronald Ford - Wake County Assistant EC - State EOC
KD4ISF, Bill Ward  - Wake County Assistant EC - Wake EOC
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Wake County ARES Report
W2BYV, Matt (919) 303-6657
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-

This week has been an interesting weather week for all inhabitants of the
state.  There have been snowfall totals exceeding 24" in some areas of the
Triangle alone.  We were very fortunate since there was no major widespread
damage here in the area.  Our services were not requested at the State EOC,
Wake EOC or the American Red Cross chapter house.  We could however need
staffing at these locations this weekend if the severity of the storm
progresses.

KF4JKQ, Thomas (SKYWARN EC), K4JVP, John (SKYWARN AEC) and N0YAO, JIM were
quite busy this week with weather reports spooling into the area.  The NWS
had requested that SKYWARN gather information on the snowfall and ice
accumulations across the Central Carolina Region.  With adverse weather
predicted for this weekend, please stay tuned to the 146.88 repeater for
more information regarding SKYWARN needs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
American Red Cross
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-

The American Red Cross has had no need for shelters in the Wake County area
this week.  There is a potential need for shelters if the forecasted ice
storm hits Wake County.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
State Emergency Operations Center
KG4FJA, Ronald Ford (919) 772-9127
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-

The State EOC will be activating at 0800 tomorrow morning (01/29/2000).  At
this time there is no need for amateur operators, however if you are
interested in volunteering or signing up for the State EOC, please contact
KG4FJA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Wake County Emergency Operations Center
KD4ISF, Bill Ward (919) 783-6057
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-

No information has been received from Wake County Public Safety on the
status of the EOC activation plans.  As more information is available it
will be distributed to the list.

Please stay tuned to the 146.88 repeater with the 145.39 (82.5PL) and
147.135 (82.5PL) as backups.

If there was a "North Carolina Frequency," what would it be?

You might say it's 3923 kHz, which hosts several daily nets, including the
Tar Heel Emergency net 24 hours per day in emergencies.  But is that where
you'd go to chat around the state in the middle of the day in non-emergency
conditions?  Are there some alternatives?  Do NC hams hang around together
at all on HF outside of ARES and NTS?

This is for a "write it yourself" article for the Raleigh ARS "Exciter,"
but I'll post the article everywhere I've posted this question.  And I'll
send everyone who gives me a reply a copy of that Exciter in Acrobat PDF
format (get the reader at www.adobe.com).


Thanks and 73,

Gary KN4AQ
RARS Exciter Editor


__________________________________________________________________________
                             ARRL NC SECTION
Gary Pearce KN4AQ    Public Information Coordinator    Raleigh Amateur
      Cary, NC                                            Radio Society
    919-380-9944             Avid/Video Editor              W4DW/W4RNC
   kn4aq@...        Franklin Video, Raleigh, NC   http://www.rars.org

                         "I'm off to be the Wizard"

Hello and Happy New Year to all.  After receiving the Durham County ARES
message from John, I thought it would be a good idea to get the ball rolling
on some plans for Wake ARES that I have been working on.

2000 Wake County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Goals

1.  Wake County Emergency Operations Center and Wake County Emergency
Shelters
	 1.a. Appoint an assistant EC for Wake County dedicated to the Wake EOC
	 1.b. Conduct a once a month test of the radio equipment at the Wake EOC
	 1.c. Establish permanent antennas at each of the Wake County Shelters
	 1.d. Obtain equipment that may be deployed to each shelter for use during
an event
	 1.e. Hold quarterly meetings with Wake EOC staff and Wake ARES leaders
	 1.f. Assess new equipment and antenna needs for Wake EOC
	 1.g. Update and Develop 2000 Wake EOC Operations Guide
2.  Wake County Chapter of the American Red Cross
	 2.a. Appoint an assistant EC for Wake County dedicated to the Red Cross
operations
	 2.b. Obtain a permanent radio for use at Wake ARC Chapter center in Raleigh
	 2.c. Test feed line and antenna on-site to evaluate condition
	 2.d. Conduct a bi-monthly test of the radio equipment at the Wake ARC
Chapter
	 2.e. Update and Develop 2000 Wake ARC Operations Guide for Chapter and
Shelters
3.  State of North Carolina Emergency Operations Center
	 3.a. Appoint an assistant EC for Wake County dedicated to the State EOC
	 3.b. Obtain training and permission to use high-powered Harris radio for HF
comm.
	 3.c. Conduct a bi-monthly test of the radio equipment at the State EOC
	 3.d. Install APRS software for permanent operation at State EOC
	 3.e. Obtain headsets for use on State EOC equipment for long-duration
operations
	 3.f. Update and Develop 2000 State EOC Operations Guide

I would like to receive an e-mail or phone call from individuals who are
interested in becoming AEC's of Wake County with the roles of State EOC
coordinator, Wake EOC coordinator and American Red Cross coordinator.  I
learned in 1999 that I cannot plan and take care of Wake County ARES
activities on my own.  I also would like some suggestions from operators on
how we can establish a better deployment mechanism when operators are needed
for an event.  This has proved to be the most crucial task.

Starting on February 01, 2000 we will be running ARES training nets.  I am
working on the logistical issues for an operating frequency and permission
this week, so any assistance is appreciated.  I would like for these nets to
run monthly and contain some information related to emergency
communications.  This may prove to be such a great idea that we start
meeting in Wake County once a month for dinner and a quick speaker.

Please remember, that Wake County ARES events cannot be done by one person
or one group, we need widespread involvement to make it successful.

Best regards for you and your families,

Matt
_____

Matt Sickles
Wake County ARES EC
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

Hey Matt, I just got this email in my email, Ive been without email for
about a week now.  If you can use my help I would be glad to help.  I think
you have all my info, if not, my number is 919-271-4842, and you can email
me at kg4awg@....  You can also catch me durring drive time on
444.775mHz

------Original Message------
From: "Sickles, Matt [W2BYV]" <w2byv@...>
To: wakeares@onelist.com, rars-l@..., carc@onelist.com,
teara@onelist.com
Sent: December 18, 1999 3:06:15 PM GMT
Subject: [wakeares] Wake County 1999 SET


From: "Sickles, Matt [W2BYV]" <w2byv@...>

This is a re-send since there has been no response to this message.  Wake
County is counting on ARES for some assistance on New Year's Eve so any and
all responses are welcomed.  With 14 days left I still think we have a good
amount of time to prepare.

Thank you again and best regards,

Matt
W2BYV

----

Hello, I have just received a response from the league that allows us to
combine a SET with the Y2K initiative that Wake County Emergency Management
would like us to be involved in on December 31, 1999 and January 01, 2000.
I believe that we can provide a great service to the Wake County Emergency
Management organization while running our SET that will benefit NC ARES.

I would like the help of several volunteers in the Wake County ARES
operating area to help me plan this exercise.  We have about three weeks
left and I feel that this will give us plenty of time to establish a good
set of goals along with a fun experience to usher in the new millennium.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience and I look forward to hearing
from a lot of you.  If you could also spread the word to those who do not
have electronic mail that this opportunity exists and we welcome any and all
help.

Thank you in advance and best regards,

Matt

_____

Matt Sickles
Wake County ARES EC
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

Community email addresses:
Post message: wakeares@onelist.com
Subscribe:    wakeares-subscribe@onelist.com
Unsubscribe:  wakeares-unsubscribe@onelist.com
List owner:   wakeares-owner@onelist.com

Shortcut URL to this page:
http://www.onelist.com/community/wakeares

KG4AWG
Greg Johnson
Storm Spotter
Central Carolina Skywarn

email:kg4awg@...
http://www.centralcarolinaskywarn.com
______________________________________________
FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com
Sign up at http://www.mail.com?sr=mc.mk.mcm.tag001

This is a re-send since there has been no response to this message.  Wake
County is counting on ARES for some assistance on New Year's Eve so any and
all responses are welcomed.  With 14 days left I still think we have a good
amount of time to prepare.

Thank you again and best regards,

Matt
W2BYV

----

Hello, I have just received a response from the league that allows us to
combine a SET with the Y2K initiative that Wake County Emergency Management
would like us to be involved in on December 31, 1999 and January 01, 2000.
I believe that we can provide a great service to the Wake County Emergency
Management organization while running our SET that will benefit NC ARES.

I would like the help of several volunteers in the Wake County ARES
operating area to help me plan this exercise.  We have about three weeks
left and I feel that this will give us plenty of time to establish a good
set of goals along with a fun experience to usher in the new millennium.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience and I look forward to hearing
from a lot of you.  If you could also spread the word to those who do not
have electronic mail that this opportunity exists and we welcome any and all
help.

Thank you in advance and best regards,

Matt

_____

Matt Sickles
Wake County ARES EC
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

I'll be glad to help, and try to get some PR as well.

73,
Gary KN4AQ

>From: "Sickles, Matt [W2BYV]" <w2byv@...>
>
>Hello, I have just received a response from the league that allows us to
>combine a SET with the Y2K initiative that Wake County Emergency Management
>would like us to be involved in on December 31, 1999 and January 01, 2000.
>I believe that we can provide a great service to the Wake County Emergency
>Management organization while running our SET that will benefit NC ARES.
>
>I would like the help of several volunteers in the Wake County ARES
>operating area to help me plan this exercise.  We have about three weeks
>left and I feel that this will give us plenty of time to establish a good
>set of goals along with a fun experience to usher in the new millennium.
>
>Please contact me at your earliest convenience and I look forward to hearing
>from a lot of you.  If you could also spread the word to those who do not
>have electronic mail that this opportunity exists and we welcome any and all
>help.
>
>Thank you in advance and best regards,
>
>Matt
>
>_____
>
>Matt Sickles
>Wake County ARES EC
>[T] 919.303.6657
>[F] 919.303.8850
>[E] w2byv@...
>
>>Community email addresses:
>  Post message: wakeares@onelist.com
>  Subscribe:    wakeares-subscribe@onelist.com
>  Unsubscribe:  wakeares-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>  List owner:   wakeares-owner@onelist.com
>
>Shortcut URL to this page:
>  http://www.onelist.com/community/wakeares



______________________________________________________________
     Gary Pearce          Avid/Video Editor       Ham Radio:
     919-380-9944          Franklin Video           KN4AQ
Gary@...     Raleigh, NC        kn4aq@...
                           919-833-8888
                    http://www.FranklinVideo.com

                    "I'm off to be the Wizard..."

12/08/99- Updated 04:38 PM ET

Near-normal hurricane season expected

By Chris Vaccaro, USATODAY.com

The annual hurricane forecast released today for the 2000 Atlantic season is
expected to return to near-normal with 11 named storms and 7 hurricanes. Of
these 7 hurricanes, 3 are forecast to become major hurricanes with winds of
at least 111 mph.

In their forecast, due to be updated in April, Dr. William Gray of Colorado
State University and his team's forecast is slightly above the long-term
average of 9 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes.

Though Gray's team does not expect there to be as many major hurricanes than
in 1999, when there were five, they say there is a higher probability of a
major hurricane coming ashore in the U.S. mainland next year.

Forecasters also expect the 2000 hurricane season to begin earlier than
the1999 season did. In 1999, Arlene was the only storm to form in the first
two months of the season, with the bulk of the activity waiting until late
August. In 2000, there may be more storms in June and July.

Gray and his team take certain climate factors into account when making
their forecast. One such factor is La Nina, the presence of colder than
normal water in the equatorial Pacific, that tends to bring an increase in
tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin. Although La Nina is expected to
remain across the Pacific, water temperatures are forecast to warm slightly
and could lower the number of tropical systems that develop.

The 2000 Atlantic hurricane season will run from June 1 to November 30, 2000
and includes tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean
Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Hello, I have just received a response from the league that allows us to
combine a SET with the Y2K initiative that Wake County Emergency Management
would like us to be involved in on December 31, 1999 and January 01, 2000.
I believe that we can provide a great service to the Wake County Emergency
Management organization while running our SET that will benefit NC ARES.

I would like the help of several volunteers in the Wake County ARES
operating area to help me plan this exercise.  We have about three weeks
left and I feel that this will give us plenty of time to establish a good
set of goals along with a fun experience to usher in the new millennium.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience and I look forward to hearing
from a lot of you.  If you could also spread the word to those who do not
have electronic mail that this opportunity exists and we welcome any and all
help.

Thank you in advance and best regards,

Matt

_____

Matt Sickles
Wake County ARES EC
[T] 919.303.6657
[F] 919.303.8850
[E] w2byv@...

The November issue of the RARS Exciter is at the printer, and should be in
the mail on Friday (reaching a few members on Saturday, and most by Monday).

But why wait?  The same issue is available now for download in Adobe
Acrobat "pdf" format on the web.  It's kind of a large download - about
275k - because I don't exactly know what I'm doing yet, and because there
are a bunch of pictures in this issue.

Normally, the Web download of the Exciter is available only to club
members, at least until the issue gets a few wrinkles on it.  But to
promote the Auction, catch the attention of former members who's membership
may have lapsed, and generally impress everyone, I made an executive
decision to post this one to everybody.  You'll find the November issue at
this address:

http://www.ipass.net/~garypearce/ham-radio/exciter-november99.pdf

You'll need Version 3 of the Adobe Acrobat Reader to decode the digits.
Don't got it?  Get it free from:

http://www.adobe.com

Like I said, I don't exactly know what I'm doing with this stuff yet.  For
example, the bright pink boxes around some of the text are supposed to be
sort of "salmon" colored.  At least one of the fonts in the issue isn't
properly embedding, and who knows what you'll get when you open it up
(something, I hope).  I should be an expert by next month.

73,
Gary KN4AQ


__________________________________________________________________________
Gary Pearce KN4AQ          ARRL NC SECTION             Raleigh Amateur
     Cary, NC         Public Information Coordinator     Radio Society
   919-380-9944             Avid/Video Editor              W4DW/W4RNC
  kn4aq@...       Franklin Video, Raleigh, NC     http://www.rars.org
                        "I'm off to be the Wizard"

ARES Public Service Event

Sunday October 10, 1999
Angus Barn
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Foundation of Hope has a benefit walk scheduled for this coming Sunday
morning that routes through Umstead Park in Raleigh.  This terrain has left
there "walkie-talkie" system almost useless.

Amateur Radio can step in and provide essential communications to allow for a
smooth running event.

Seven (7) operators are needed to staff this event so they have a tactical and
emergency commuications abilities.  Our frequencies can provide this service
with no problem.

If you are available this Sunday morning, please contact me as soon as possible
so we can get the right people to te right places.

Thank you in advance for your time and your efforts.

Matt
W2BYV@...
919.271.0683

Hello, we have had a last minute request to help out with a triathlon at
Jordan Lake on Sunday October 03, 1999 at 10:00 AM.  If there is anyone who
can help out with this event, please let me know as soon as possible so we
can get everyone coordinated.

Thank you in advance,

Matt
___

W2BYV
Matt Sickles
w2byv@...
35 43' 24" N 78 52' 48" W
Apex, North Carolina, USA
919.271.0683

Friday, September 17, 1999 - 14:49:30 EDT (-0400 UTC)

To : Wake County NC ARES operators
From : Matt Sickles, W2BYV

I am going to forward all of the Thank You's from various agencies as they
filter into my mailbox.  I have this from the American Red Cross which we
provided essential communications to during the Hurricane Floyd event.

I will go ahead and say that we really stepped up to the challenge during
this one and served our communities.

Best regards and Thank you,

Matt Sickles, W2BYV
Wake County, NC
ARES Emergency Communications Coordinator

----- Original Message -----
From: C. Eaton <eaton@...>
To: Sickles, Matt, W2BYV <w2byv@...>
Sent: Friday, September 17, 1999 11:20 AM
Subject: ARES Help


> Matt,
>
> Please thank all of the ARES operators who provided the valuable
> communication links between the Red Cross shelters and Red Cross
> headquarters.  There were several times that we could not reach
> the shelters via cell phone but ARES was able to provided the
> required information.
>
> It seemed that most of the traffic between the Red Cross HQ and
> the shelters concerned the number of people (called clients) that
> were at the shelters.  My wife is working on a "form" that might
> be useful in collecting this information.
>
> Did you get any feedback/reports of any issues that might need to
> be addressed before the next event?
>
> We lost power at the Red Cross HQ for over 12 hours and had to
> change the location of the ARES operator but it seemed that the
> 146.88 and 147.17 repeaters were still full quieting on a hand
> held radio in the lower level of the Red Cross HQ.
>
> I still would like to have the Red Cross purchase a 2 meter radio
> for HQ.  I think you said that you had a "recommended" radio
> package/kit that we could use to purchase the correct item(s).
> Please send me that information.
>
> Again a BIG Thanks,
>
> Chandler Eaton, W1IFL
> Triangle Red Cross Chapter Communication Function Leader
>
>
>

Tuesday September 14, 1999 17:49

Today a decision was made to delay the Sharon Harris Nuclear Power Plant
drill indefinitely.  There will be a re-schedule but it is not available at
this time.

If you have any questions regarding this exercise, please contact me at my
contact information below.

Thank you,

Matt
W2BYV
___

W2BYV
Matt Sickles
w2byv@...
35 43' 24" N 78 52' 48" W
Apex, North Carolina, USA
919.271.0683

Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 21:50:00

Wake County, NC ARES
Hurricane Floyd
State EOC Status Report #1

Current Situation

This evening at 1715 the State EOC made the decision to go to
full-activation starting at 0700 on Tuesday September 14, 1999.  There will
be a formal activation of ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) at the
State EOC beginning at 0700 on Wednesday September 15, 1999.  ARES
operations are a key part of the SERT (State Emergency Response Team)
scenarios when normal methods of communication have been severed.  The
high-probability that Hurricane Floyd will make landfall and will be an
inland event makes ARES participation a necessity for this storm.

State EOC Staffing

Starting on Wednesday morning, local operators are needed to staff the State
EOC on a full-time basis.  We need to schedule these operators as soon as
possible so we can be prepared and have contingency communication plans in
order.  Technician class operators and above may work the VHF radios and
General class and above may operate the HF radios.  VHF only communications
are welcomed at the State EOC and relaying of messages through remote HF
operators is encouraged.

The following shifts are needed:

Wednesday, September 15, 1999

0700 - 1100 - Shift A
1100 - 1500 - Shift B
1500 - 1900 - Shift C
1900 - 2300 - Shift D

Thursday, September 16, 1999

2300 - 0300 - Shift E
0300 - 0700 - Shift F
0700 - 1100 - Shift G
1100 - 1500 - Shift H
1500 - 1900 - Shift I
1900 - 2300 - Shift J

Friday, September 17, 1999

2300 - 0300 - Shift K
0300 - 0700 - Shift L
0700 - 1100 - Shift M
1100 - 1500 - Shift N
1500 - 1900 - Shift O
1900 - 2300 - Shift P

To sign up for a single shift or multiple shifts, please contact me at
919.271.0683.  If the message center responds, please leave the following
information:

Name
Call-Sign
1st choice shift
2nd choice shift
3rd choice shift
Phone Number (Day and Evening)
Best time to contact you
Any additional information

Repeater Usage Plan

-- Primary VHF communications will occur on the WB4TQD-146.88 repeater, part
of PCRN (Piedmont Coastal Repeater Network).
-- Secondary VHF communications will occur on the WB4TQD-147.150 repeater,
part of PCRN.
-- HF communications will be on the THEN (Tar-Heel Emergency Net) 3.923 and
7.232.

Weather Updates and Information

Please view the following web-pages for the latest information on Hurricane
Floyd:

NC StormTrack : http://ncstormtrack.com/
National Hurricane Center : http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
The Hurricane Watch Net : http://www.hwn.org/

Thank you all in advance for your efforts, and remember we are all
responsible for promoting this information to all local operators.  We
cannot staff and operate these stations without your help.

Matt Sickles - W2BYV
Wake County, NC Emergency Coordinator

(NOTE ALL TIMES ARE EDT, UTC -0400)
___

W2BYV
Matt Sickles
w2byv@...
35 43' 24" N 78 52' 48" W
Apex, North Carolina, USA
919.271.0683