 
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 17, No. 1
January 2, 1998
__________________________________
=>Address Changes: Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, e-mail kcapodicasa@arrl.org
=>Editorial: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, e-mail elindquist@arrl.org
=>ARRL Audio News now is available at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/
__________________________________

IN THIS EDITION:

* +Guam recovers from Super Typhoon Paka
* +DXCC fee hike decision explained
* +Sputnik PS2, SK?
* +ARRL offers Florida workshops
* +FCC invites supplemental comments in EDAP request
* +Maxim Memorial Award nominations open
*  FAR offers scholarships
*  Dayton club announces E-mail Elmers
*  Solar update
*  IN BRIEF: This weekend on the radio; Job opening;
   Sputnik PS2 still beeping; Ham radio in the
   movies again; League presents plaque to NASA;
   WRC-97 Final Acts available

+Available on ARRL Audio News
__________________________________

SUPER TYPHOON PAKA RECOVERY CONTINUES ON GUAM

Life is slowly returning to normal in the wake of Super Typhoon Paka that
raked the Northern Marianas on December 16. Guam was the hardest hit, and
Mariana Island DX Association President Jim Kehler, KH2D, reports commercial
power has not yet been fully restored there, but most islanders were able to
enjoy Christmas. "The power company is doing a great job of putting the mess
back together, although the island has only about 35% commercial power at
this point," he said. Most businesses are open again and "things are pretty
much normal," according to Kehler. "Even the trees that are left are growing
some green leaves again."

Kehler reports that ham radio is playing no organized role in the recovery
at this point since recovery agencies already are on the island to assist.
He says none of the MIDXA hams in Guam lost towers or antennas, since all
were taken down before Paka arrived in Guam. Kehler's 40-meter dipole
somehow managed to survive the 200 mph-plus winds, even though the trees
supporting it were uprooted. Subsequent power system problems resulted in
power supply damage to Kehler's linear, so he's now restricted to running
100 W until repair parts arrive.

Damage at the homes of other hams on Guam will make the island a bit more
rare as DX for a while. John van der Pyl, WH2U, lost the window in his shack
as the storm's eye passed over Guam. The open window in turn caused his
condominium to flood, and the winds and water removed part of his shack
wall. Danny Pobre, KH2JU, ended up with three feet of water in his yard and
six inches in his radio shack. Some equipment was damaged. Wire antennas
left up during the storm were gone. Dick Manns, KH2G, reported only minor
water damage in the house. Gary Dein, K9AW/KH2, Dave Chartier, W1YRM/KH2,
and Kerry Hofferth, NH2A, all reported various degrees of flooding in their
houses. Dein is manager for the cable TV company which suffered a lot of
damage.

Kehler says that all of Guam's five-star hotels are full of tourists, as
well as workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small
Business Administration and the American Red Cross. "Other than the mess
lying around you wouldn't know what happened." he remarked. He says the VHF
repeater antenna stayed up but was damaged beyond repair by the storm.

Kehler says the MIDXA, formed in the wake of Typhoon Keith in November, is
attempting to establish an emergency communications network of MIDXA members
to provide inter-island communication on HF without commercial power or
regular antenna systems--which typically are taken down as major storms
approach.

Eventually, the MIDXA would like to set up a linked VHF repeater system to
provide reliable coverage on all four islands (Guam, Saipan, Tinian and
Rota) to connect the ham communities.

For a look at the storm damage and more information on the MIDXA, see
http://www.guam.net/pub/midxa.--Special thanks to Jim Kehler, KH2D

DXCC FEE HIKE EXPLAINED

New fees for the DXCC program that went into effect January 1 will only
cover about one half of the program's substantial annual shortfall. The DXCC
program costs at least $100,000 more each year to administer than it
collects in user fees, despite greater efficiency and a smaller staff than
in the past. That explanation from ARRL Executive Vice President David
Sumner, K1ZZ, came in the wake of comments from DXCC participants who were
unhappy about the fee increases.

Sumner noted that the League "had a difficult financial year in 1996," when
it posted a $700,000 operating loss. To turn things around, Sumner said, the
Board of Directors determined to curb continuing losses as well as cut other
costs and seek additional income sources. In the case of DXCC and other
membership service programs that serve a portion of the membership, these
efforts focused on ways to reduce costs or to make the programs more
self-sustaining through user fees.

"The DXCC program is expensive to administer in its present form," Sumner
said, pointing out that the League plans to take advantage of new technology
in an effort to further cut the program's costs without affecting its
integrity. New software scheduled to come on-line early this year should
increase the speed of DXCC processing. "After that, attention will turn to a
program that will allow members to file DXCC applications electronically,
which we anticipate will lead to further savings without sacrificing
integrity in any way," he said.

"Everyone wants the DXCC program to continue and to provide the kind of
service that members deserve." Sumner emphasized that the League "never
considered as an option" any steps that might have affected the integrity of
the DXCC program.

SPUTNIK PS2 DEAD?

Reports from around the world appear to confirm that the Sputnik PS2
mini-satellite has stopped transmitting. The beacon signal from the working
model of the original Sputnik 1 satellite was last monitored on December 29
or 30. The lithium battery-powered 200 mW transmitter had continued working
for eight weeks after its launch by hand from the Russian Mir space station
on November 3, transmitting a beep-beep tone on 145.82 MHz, and many hams
around the globe had continued to track the satellite's progress. The
frequency of the tone indicated the satellite's internal temperature. Recent
reports from stations monitoring the Sputnik PS2 indicated its signals were
getting weaker.

Students from the FR5KJ radio club at Jules Reydellet College in St Denis,
Reunion Island, and at the Polytechnic Laboratory of Nalchik Kabardine in
Russia cooperated in building the mini-Sputnik. The Russian students built
the satellite body, while the French students fabricated the transmitter
inside. Two working models of the Sputnik were assembled and transported to
Mir, but only one was launched. The Sputnik PS2, also called RS-17,
surpassed the life of its original namesake by several weeks. The little
satellite was a one-third scale model of the original and had been estimated
to remain in operation for approximately 40 days.

As of January 2, the satellite had not been officially declared dead,
however.

ARRL OFFERS FLORIDA WINTER WORKSHOPS

The ARRL will sponsor two technical workshops this February, one at the
Miami Tropical Hamboree, the other at the Orlando Hamcation. It's not too
early to sign up.

ARRL Laboratory Supervisor Ed Hare, W1RFI, will present "RF Safety--The New
FCC RF Exposure Regulations" February 6 in Miami. This workshop will clarify
what is required of hams, define the new rules and explain the theory behind
the requirements. If you've always wondered what happens with RF in the near
field of an antenna, or if you want to know exactly how to use software to
evaluate RF safety in your own station, you'll want to take in this
five-hour seminar. Participants get a course workbook showing the slides
from Ed's presentation, a copy of ARRL's RF-Safety information package, plus
lots of practical information. The RF Safety seminar is Friday, February 6,
from 1 until 6 PM, in association with the Miami Tropical Hamboree.

ARRL's Steve Ford, WB8IMY, along with Barry Baines, WD4ASW, and other AMSAT
experts will present "Amateur Satellites--Today and Into the Future"
February 13 in Orlando. This fast-moving, five-hour session about Amateur
Radio's 16 satellites--sponsored jointly by the ARRL and AMSAT--will show
how you can get on the birds and get in on the fun. Learn about digital
satellites that serve as orbiting bulletin boards (some with camera
systems); an FM satellite (AO-27) that you can work with an HT and small
hand-held Yagi; low-earth orbit SSB/CW "Easy Sats" that you operate on 2, 10
and 15 meters; high-altitude satellites such as AO-10 (with Phase 3D to be
launched in the future); plus the Russian Mir, SAREX, and in a few years,
the International Space Station! The workshop will discuss equipment,
antennas, rotators and feedlines; how to prepare for Phase 3D; how to track
satellites with your PC; operating protocols and hints; and much more.

"Amateur Satellites--Today and Into the Future" will be held Friday,
February 13, 2 until 7 PM in association with the Orlando HamCation, the
ARRL Northern Florida State Convention. You can purchase Satellite
Experimenter's Handbook from the ARRL for $20 plus $5 for UPS
shipping/handling.

Space for both workshops is limited. Register before January 28 for the RF
Safety workshop or before February 7 for the Amateur Satellites workshop.
Contact Rosalie White, WA1STO, at ARRL HQ, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111;
tel 860-594-0237; fax 860-594-0259; e-mail rwhite@arrl.org. Each workshop is
$20 for ARRL members and $25 for nonmembers. Those who take part all day
earn 0.5 Continuing Education Units.

FCC INVITES SUPPLEMENTAL COMMENTS IN EDAP TECHNOMED WAIVER REQUEST

The FCC has set Friday, January 9, as the deadline to file supplemental
comments in the waiver petition filed in 1996 by EDAP Technomed Inc to
operate a medical device at 1.296 GHz at emission limits above those allowed
by the FCC's rules (see The ARRL Letter Update, June 21, 1996). Amateur
Radio has a secondary allocation in the 1.24 to 1.30 GHz band. The Federal
government has the primary allocation, for radiolocation, and uses the band
mostly for high-power radar systems. EDAP wants a waiver of the radiated
emission limits to permit sale and use of the device to treat benign
prostatic hyperplasia (non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland).
EDAP has told the Commission that its device, called a Prostatron, operates
at 1.296 GHz because the wavelength is uniquely suited to the treatment
process; however, it radiates energy 67 dB above the limit set by Section
18.305(b) of the FCC rules.

The ARRL, Urologix Inc, and the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) all have raised objections to the EDAP petition. The
NTIA cited concerns about potential interference to air traffic control
systems. Hams also submitted informal comments by e-mail to the FCC's Office
of Engineering and Technology (OET) after the formal comment period ended.

The FCC says EDAP has been trying to address the concerns of the opposing
parties, and late last year, the company and the NTIA reached a conditional
agreement. The OET now has invited comments regarding the recent NTIA and
EDAP filings under the FCC's "permit-but-disclose" requirements of its ex
parte rules. The ARRL plans to file supplemental comments in this
proceeding.

Reply comments are due by January 26. A public file of documents in this
matter is available for inspection and copying in the OET, Suite 480, 2000 M
Street NW, Washington, DC 20554. For more information, contact Anthony
Serafini, 202-418-2456.--FCC

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR MAXIM MEMORIAL AWARD

Headquarters is in the receive mode for nominations for the Hiram Percy
Maxim Memorial Award. The award is given annually to the licensed radio
amateur under the age of 21 whose accomplishments and contributions are of
the most exemplary nature within the framework of Amateur Radio activities,
including, but not limited to, the following:

* Participation or leadership in organizational affairs at the local or
national level.

* Technical achievement.

* Operating record.

* Recruitment and training of new amateurs.

* Public relations activities.

In keeping with the tradition of the award when it was first established in
1936, formal nominations are made by Section Managers. Supporting
information, including the endorsement of ARRL-affiliated clubs and elected
or appointed League Leadership officials, should be submitted with the
nomination. An award panel will review the nominations received and select
the winner. The prize consists of a cash award of $1,000, a suitably
engraved plaque, and travel and accommodation expenses to enable the winner
to attend an ARRL convention at which a formal presentation will be made.

Nominations should document as thoroughly as possible the Amateur Radio
achievements and contributions of the nominee during the previous calendar
year. Additional information concerning the character of the nominee should
be as complete as possible.

The award is intended to provide a tangible reward to those deserving young
amateurs who contribute their time, skills and energies daily through their
commitment to Amateur Radio. As models for their peers, and inspirations to
us all, these fine young people are highly visible boosters of Amateur Radio
awareness. We must continue to recognize and encourage their hard work and
contributions at every opportunity.

Nominations must be sent to the Section Manager. Nominations must be
received at Headquarters from Section Managers by March 31, 1998. There is
no limit to the number of nominations one may make. For more information,
and an application form, contact Rick Palm, K1CE, Field Services Manager, at
ARRL Headquarters.

FAR OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS

The nonprofit Foundation for Amateur Radio Inc--an ARRL-affiliated
federation of more than 75 Amateur Radio clubs in the Washington, DC,
area--plans to administer 67 scholarships for the 1998-99 academic year to
help licensed radio amateurs with their post-secondary education. Nine of
the scholarships are fully funded with income from grants and the
foundation's annual hamfest in Gaithersburg, Maryland. FAR administers the
remaining 58 scholarships without cost to the donors.

Licensed hams are eligible to compete for these awards if they plan to
pursue a full-time course of study beyond high school and are enrolled in or
have been accepted at an accredited university, college, or technical
school. Awards range from $500 to $2500, with preference given in some cases
to those pursuing certain courses of study or to residents of specific
geographical areas. Clubs, especially those in Delaware, Florida, Maryland,
New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, are
encouraged to spread the word on the availability of these scholarships.

Application forms and additional information are available by letter or QSL
postmarked prior to April 30, 1998, from FAR Scholarships, 6903 Rhode Island
Ave, College Park, MD 20740. Contributions to FAR are tax-deductible.

E-MAIL ELMERS DEBUT IN DAYTON

Here's an idea that some other clubs might want to imitate. The Miami Valley
FM Association last month announced its E-mail Elmer program. The system
allows new or prospective hams in Dayton and Southwestern Ohio--or even
experienced amateurs who are venturing into a new aspect of the hobby--to
send an e-mail request for assistance. Volunteer on-line Elmers then can
provide a response in the "Elmer" tradition of mentoring new or
less-experienced hams.

"Today, many hams prepare for their license exams through classroom
programs, and the individual Elmer's touch isn't as common as it once was,"
said MVFMA President Fred Peerenboom, KE8TQ, of Dayton. "The E-mail Elmer
program is an attempt to restore this long tradition." Peerenboom said the
club hopes the initial e-mail exchange be the start of an ongoing Elmer
relationship in the best tradition of Amateur Radio."

Hams in the Dayton area or in Southwestern Ohio may use the Elmer Server
simply by sending an e-mail message to elmer@febo.com and posing the ham
radio question they'd like to have answered. Users will get a
machine-generated confirmation, and, within a few days, they'll get a
response from one or more of the volunteer Elmers.

For more information, or to volunteer as an E-mail Elmer, contact KE8TQ at
937-256-4355; e-mail ke8tq@febo.com.

SOLAR UPDATE

Solar sage Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Conditions were
good for the last week of the year with higher solar activity than the
previous week and mostly low geomagnetic activity. The exception was on
December 30, when the global K index went as high as six and the global A
index was 25. This was due to a coronal mass ejection on December 26 as well
as a coronal hole. On the last day of the year, the average solar flux for
the previous 90 days rose from 94 to 95, and the solar flux was above that
level each day of the week.

Average solar flux has steadily risen over this year, particularly in the
second half. Average solar flux for the first quarter of 1997 was 73.8, and
73.6 for the second, 82 for the third and 94.3 for the fourth quarter. Look
for steadily rising figures in 1998. (The reason that 94.3 for the last
quarter is not the same as the 95 average for the previous 90 days is that
the last quarter includes October through December--actually 92 days. The 95
number mentioned in the previous paragraph is rounded up, and the difference
in averages is only .18.)

For the short term, we should have fair conditions for the ARRL RTTY Roundup
this weekend. No predicted geomagnetic disturbances are predicted, and the
solar flux for January 2-4 is forecast at 98, 93 and 90. The latest
projection shows the solar flux going down to the mid to high 80s, then back
above 90 around January 16, and above 100 after January 21.

Sunspot numbers for December 18 through 24 were 35, 16, 27, 30, 41, 72 and
67 with a mean of 41.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 86.2, 87.7, 89.6, 92, 97, 104.1
and 107.8, with a mean of 94.9, and estimated planetary A indices were 6, 2,
2, 3, 2, 3, and 3, with a mean of 3.

Sunspot numbers for December 25 through 31 were 56, 50, 56, 55, 79, 56 and
64 with a mean of 59.4. The 10.7-cm flux was 104.7, 104.7, 95.9, 102.1,
104.4, 101.3 and 104.5, with a mean of 102.5, and estimated planetary A
indices were 2, 1, 2, 2, 3, 25, and 4, with a mean of 5.6.

__________________________________

IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The ARRL RTTY Roundup (see December QST, page
98) and the Northern New York Section QSO Party (see January QST, page 105)
are on tap for this weekend.

* Job opening: The ARRL Washington Office has an immediate opening for a
Technical Relations Specialist having a technical or legal background.
Duties include representing the interests of Amateur Radio to US government
agencies, the ITU and regional organizations. Understanding of spectrum
management, public speaking experience, professional quality writing and the
ability to deal with people on an international basis, and Spanish language
skills are required. Send resume and salary expectations to R. Boucher,
ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT, 06111; fax 860-594-0298; e-mail
rboucher@arrl.org.

* Ham radio in the movies again: Propagation guru Tad Cook, K7VVV, reports a
tiny ham radio reference in the movie The Sweet Hereafter. "At one point, we
see a couple at home, and the man is a stroke victim. He is sitting at a
table, holding a pair of communication headphones up to one ear. On the wall
is a plastic QSL card holder, full of cards!" The movie is based on Russell
Banks' novel by the same name and was filmed in British Columbia.--Tad Cook,
K7VVV

* League presents plaque to NASA: ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD,
presented a plaque from the ARRL Board of Directors to NASA in late
December, to thank the agency for giving Amateur Radio many opportunities
over the past seven years to involve youngsters in SAREX educational
activities. The plaque was given to NASA Director Dan Goldin and NASA
Headquarters education officials.

* WRC-97 Final Acts available: The Final Acts of the 1997 Radiocommunication
Conference, WRC-97, signed in Geneva November 22, are now available. These
acts include changes to the international table of frequency allocations,
new and revised resolutions and recommendations, and changes to the
appendices to the international radio regulations--including the revised
plan for the Broadcasting-Satellite Service in Regions 1 and 3. A copy of
the Final Acts now is available for inspection and public review at the
FCC's International Reference Center, 2000 M Street NW, Room 102,
Washington, DC; tel 202-418-1492. You can buy a copy of the Final Acts from
the International Telecommunication Union, Sales and Marketing Service,
Place des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland; tel 011-41-22-730-6141;
fax 011-41-22-730-5194; http://www.itu.ch/publications. For more
information, contact Audrey L. Allison, International Bureau, Satellite and
Radiocommunication Division; tel 202-418-0733.--FCC

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

The ARRL Letter is published by the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259. Rodney J.
Stafford, KB6ZV, President; David Sumner, K1ZZ, Executive Vice President.

Circulation, Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, e-mail kcapodicasa@arrl.org.
Editorial, Rick Lindquist, N1RL, e-mail elindquist@arrl.org.

Visit the ARRLWeb page at http://www.arrl.org.

The purpose of The ARRL Letter is to provide the essential news of interest
to active, organizationally minded radio amateurs faster than it can be
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