The ARRL Letter
Vol. 14, No. 2
January 26, 1995

Ham call sign choice soon

	The FCC has announced its intention to implement a vanity 
call sign program, and also to resume the issuance of club and 
military recreation station licenses. On February 1, 1995, the 
Commission released its Report and Order in PR Docket 93-305, 
Amendment of the Amateur Service Rules to Implement a Vanity 
Call Sign System.
	Amateurs will be eligible to apply for a call sign of their 
choice in four "gates."  The first group eligible to apply will be 
previous holders of a call sign or the close relative of a previous 
holder of an amateur call sign who is deceased.  The second group 
will be Amateur Extra Class licensees; the third, Advanced; the 
fourth, all others.  
	The FCC will announce the date of opening of each "gate" 
by public notice.
	The effective date of the new rules is March 24, 1995. The 
FCC said that the first gate will open as soon as a new application 
form, FCC Form 610-V, is available and the Commissions 
licensing facility is prepared to begin processing the applications --  
no sooner than April, according to FCC staff.
	In the case of applications for the call signs of deceased 
amateurs, normally the call sign will not be available for two years 
following the persons death or for two years following the 
expiration of the license. The exception to this rule is that a relative 
of the deceased amateur may apply for the call sign without regard 
to the two-year rule.
	Club station call signs will be issued systematically from the 
two-by-three block, unless under the fourth "gate" the trustee of an 
existing club station applies for the call sign of a deceased member 
as a vanity call sign for the club.  The trustees application must be 
accompanied by the written consent of at least one relative of the 
deceased club member, and the two-year waiting period noted 
above is waived.
	"Close relative" is defined as "spouse, child, grandchild, 
stepchild, parent, grandparent, stepparent, brother, sister, 
stepbrother, stepsister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or in-law" for 
purposes of determining eligibility for a deceased amateur's call 
sign.
	A close relative may apply for the call sign of a deceased 
amateur without regard to license class; that is, a Novice licensee 
may apply for a call sign otherwise assigned to a higher license class 
block.
	Club station trustees -- but not RACES or military 
recreation station trustees -- will be able to request specific club call 
signs in the "gate" determined by their own class of operator 
license. If the trustee is an Amateur Extra Class licensee, he may 
apply for the same call (provided it's been vacant at least two years) 
in Gate Two, either for himself or for the club, without asking 
anyone's permission.
	Applications for new club and military recreation station 
licenses with sequential call signs will be accepted beginning March 
24, 1995. A club must have such a license in order to be eligible to 
apply (later) for a vanity club call.
	The fee for the use of vanity call signs will be $7 per year, 
or $70 for a 10-year license term. The FCC said that because the 
normal term of an amateur station license is ten years, a fee of 
$70.00 will have to be paid when requesting a new or renewed 
vanity call sign.
	At this time, the FCC said, under the Communications 
Act, we cannot provide a one-time fee for processing vanity call 
sign applications.
	Amateurs will be able to list up to 25 call sign choices, from 
any call area. The ARRL had said it preferred that the traditional 
call area system be kept intact, and the FCC said it carefully 
considered this suggestion. 
	But, the FCC said it chose not to impose that limitation, 
because otherwise, the applicants choice of vanity call signs 
would be reduced to ten percent or less of the call signs that would 
otherwise be assignable to the station.
	A limitation based on the persons place of residence, 
moreover, could easily be circumvented by using a mailing address 
in another call sign region, the FCC said.
	The ARRL also had asked that specific call signs in a unique 
call sign block be made assignable to certain special event stations, 
and suggested the one-by-one call sign block for such stations. The 
FCC said that it would set aside that block until it could address the 
matter later, in a separate proceeding.
	More information was in July 1994 QST, page 84; June 
QST, page 81; and February QST, page 84.


ARRL board approves long-range plan

	The ARRL Board of Directors, at their meeting January 20 
and 21, adopted a strategic long range plan for the League, 
continuing a process begun in May 1994, and following two in-
person board retreats to consider the future of both Amateur 
Radio and the ARRL. The plan approved by the board was drafted 
in October 1994.
	ARRL Vice President Jay Holladay, W6EJJ, chairman of 
the Long Range Planning Committee, gave the board the 
committees final report, including a summary of goals: 
communicating plans to ARRL members; reviewing the Leagues 
infrastructure to achieve better alignment with the strategic plan; 
and naming a transition group to manage and monitor 
implementation of the plan. 
	To begin implementation of the plan, the following ad hoc 
committees and appointees were named: 
	Transition Management: Vice Presidents Holladay, 
(chairman), and Rodney Stafford, KB6ZV; Directors Tod Olson, 
K0TO, and Tom Comstock, N5TC; and North Carolina Section 
Manager Reed Whitten, AB4W.
	Governance: V.P. Stafford (chairman); and Directors Bill 
Burden, WB1BRE, Steve Mendelsohn, WA2DHF, and Al 
Severson, AB8P.
	Volunteer Enhancement: Directors Comstock (chairman) 
and Joel Harrison, WB5IGF; Vice President Tom Frenaye, K1KI; 
and Vice Director Kay Craigie, WT3P.
	ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, 
called the strategic plan unprecedented in recent decades, if not in 
the history of the organization.
	Other highlights of the board meeting follow:
	* The executive committee will develop a plan to more 
emphatically bring home to the Federal Communications 
Commission the need for enforcement in the Amateur Radio 
Service.
	* Chief Financial Officer Barry Shelley reported the first 
financial loss from operations for the League, in 1994, in five years.
	* General Counsel Christopher Imlay, N3AKDs report 
covered regulatory issues waiting to be addressed in Washington, 
including the transfer of spectrum below 5 GHz from government 
to nongovernment use; wind profiler radars; possible allocation of 
219 to 220 MHz for amateur use; an ARRL-requested primary 
allocation in the 902-MHz band; RF exposure standards; so-called 
vanity call signs; automatic control of HF data communications; 
lifetime amateur operator licenses; club station license eligibility; 
omnibus rule making; spread spectrum rules; and repeater 
coordination.
	* Tim Ellam, VE6SH, first vice president of the Radio 
Amateurs of Canada, attended at the invitation of the board. He 
said RAC now has approximately 8,500 members.
	* The board voted to increase membership dues by one 
dollar, to $31 per year, effective April 1, 1995; dues for family and 
blind members and for those over 65 and under 18 will also 
increase, as will the rate for ARRL life membership.
	* The board committed up to $150,000 of undesignated 
contributions as matching funds for a 1995 fund raising campaign in 
support of the AMSAT Phase 3-D amateur satellite project.
	* In light of the success of the September 1994 Hiram Percy 
Maxim 125th Birthday Celebration, voted to hold an annual on the 
air operating event that highlights the ARRL Field Organization, 
to be called The Hiram Percy Maxim Birthday Celebration, and 
to be held in September spanning two weekends.
	* Changed the Standard Operating Procedures for Advisory 
Committees concerning contact by committee members with 
foreign governments or with other IARU societies regarding 
matters of concern to the committee, and added a section on 
communication with the public.
	* Heard a report from Vice President Frenaye, chairman of 
the Ad Hoc Computer Committee, that noted the importance of 
technology as a key to the long term success of the ARRL.
	* Heard a final report from Director Olson, chairman of the 
Ad Hoc 219 MHz Committee, emphasizing the need for a central 
coordination service for amateurs seeking to establish point-to-
point links within this band. 
	* Heard a report from Director Marshall Quiat, chairman of 
the Ad Hoc Repeater Coordination Committee, recommending that 
the ARRL invite coordinators to be represented at an open meeting 
having the following objectives: to explore a possible single point of 
contact with the coordination community, through which FCC 
would recognize and support local and regional coordinators; to 
determine if coordinators would support a return to repeater 
licensing; to determine the extent to which coordinators would 
coordinate emitters other than repeaters and whether coordinators 
should attempt to resolve interference between repeaters and other 
kinds of amateur stations; standards for service by coordinators; 
how appeals should be handled; recognition and succession of 
coordinators; and how the coordinating community should respond 
to new technologies.
	The board unanimously accepted these recommendations.
	* Heard a report from Director Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC, 
chairman of the RFI Task Group, including interim results of a 
survey conducted by staff to determine the extent of RFI problems 
encountered by the membership.
	* Heard a report from Vice Director Hans Brakob, K0HB, 
on the Future Systems Committee and its discussions with 
manufacturers to develop brief technical descriptions of the new HF 
digital modes, namely PACTOR, Clover and G-TOR. An updated 
version of the AX.25 protocol is being developed for the 
committee.
	* Heard a report from Vice Director George Race, 
WB8BGY, board liaison to the Spectrum Management Committee. 
The committee has initiated a response to the Boards request that 
it study the bands between 420 MHz and 300 GHz, the highest 
priority to be given to those bands subject to allocation by the US 
Government. It was noted that all ARRL divisions have been 
represented in committee deliberations.
	* Heard a report from Director Turnbull, chairman of the 
Amateur Auxiliary Oversight Committee, concerning rules 
enforcement by the FCC.
	* Heard a report from Vice Director Howard Huntington, 
K9KM, board liaison to the Public Service Advisory Committee. 
The committee has studied the desirability of executing a 
memorandum of understanding with REACT International, the 
Citizens Band radio group, as well as issues relating to the 
National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).
	* Instructed the Leagues general counsel to file a petition 
for rule making with the FCC to permit greater flexibility in the 
technical parameters of a draft petition governing amateur spread 
spectrum operation.
	* The board itself, as well as staff and legal counsel, will 
study the feasibility of pursuing more aggressive legal and/or 
legislative action in opposition to restrictive covenants which 
severely restrict amateur operation, up to and including a total ban 
on amateur stations or antennas in certain residential areas.
	* The governance committee will study the idea of changing 
the terms of office for ARRL directors and vice directors from two 
years to three, as well as the number of vice presidents.
	* The board voted that it is ARRL policy that any deficit in 
the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator program shall be 
covered from membership dues income.
	* Elected to the executive committee were directors 
Marshall Quiat, AG0X; John Kanode, N4MM; Harrison; and 
Mendelsohn.
	* Elected as directors of the ARRL Foundation for three-
year terms were Helen Grauer, N0BCI; and Directors Edmond A. 
Metzger, W9PRN, and Frank Butler, W4RH.
	The board at its January meeting adopted, by resolution, a 
legislative agenda. Here it is:
	Supporting legislative or regulatory measures providing for 
exemption from annual fees for the licensing or operation of 
Amateur Radio, unless such fee provides for additional services or 
benefits to the Amateur Radio Service.
	Supporting legislation that would preserve and protect 
current Amateur operator access to existing Amateur Radio 
frequencies as a natural resource for the enjoyment of all qualified 
individuals.
	Supporting legislation requiring FCC, NTIA and any other 
federal agency involved in the spectrum allocation process to 
allocate compensatory spectrum whenever any existing Amateur 
Radio frequency is, in whole or in part, reallocated to another radio 
service. 	
	Supporting legislation that would preserve and protect 
current amateur frequencies on a primary basis.
	Supporting legislation to provide liability protection for 
amateurs engaged in volunteer work for the Amateur Auxiliary to 
the FCC, and for those working as volunteer examiners under the 
VEC system, provided they are acting in good faith within the 
scope of their assigned duties. 
	Supporting  requiring the Federal Communications 
Commission to develop and implement effective mandatory 
standards for radio frequency susceptibility of consumer electronic 
devices.
	Supporting the substitution of a one-time Amateur Radio 
vanity call sign fee of up to $150 for the existing annual 
administration fee.
	Supporting requiring the FCC to begin meaningful 
enforcement activities against criminal violators engaged in illegal 
Amateur Radio operations.
	Supporting legislation to provide liability protection for 
Amateurs engaged in volunteer emergency communication 
activities on behalf of RACES, ARES, Red Cross, the Salvation 
Army or any other government or recognized emergency service 
organization, provided they are acting in good faith within the 
scope of their assigned duties.

200 JAPANESE AMATEUR IN QUAKE RELIEF EFFORT
	More than 200 amateurs are providing communication in 
the Kobe, Japan, area following an earthquake on January 16 that 
killed more than 5000 people and left tens of thousands homeless.
	Amateur Radio is being used to connect relief centers and to 
exchange information on road conditions and traffic; the health, 
welfare, and whereabouts of residents; and the availability of water 
and food, according to the Japan Amateur Radio League.
	The JARL and the Japan Amateur Radio Equipment 
Industry Association (JAIA) are conducting the effort, at the 
request of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.  200 
hand-held transceivers for 430 and 1260 MHz, as well as three 
repeater stations, were supplied by JAIA member companies for the 
operation.  Each portable station has been assigned a special call 
sign--8J3AAA, 8J3AAB and so on.
	JA3YRL in Kobe serves as communication coordinator, 
while JA3RL, at the JARLs Osaka office, monitors the activity.
	400 of the 600 relief centers (with a total of 240,000 
evacuees) are not being served by this communication system, and 
the JARL is considering equipping at least half of them with 
amateur stations.

BALLOONISTS VOW RETUR AFTER PAYLOAD FAILS
	We will be back, said the leader of the Iowa Balloon 
Scientists, following an unsuccessful attempt to launch a balloon 
carrying Amateur Radio on January 21. Barry Buelow, WA0RJT, 
said that the group, based in Boone, Iowa, hoped to loft payloads 
including a transmitter sending global positioning information on 
446 MHz, a 2-meter packet digipeater, and a 144/440 MHz 
crossband voice repeater.
	This was the first attempted launch for this payload and 
difficulties were expected, Buelow said. Unexpected interactions 
between the 144/440 repeater and the GPS receiver forced the team 
to remove the repeater from the payload.
	Winds also were a problem, and although the balloon 
ultimately was launched, the payload failed. 

2310 TO 2360 MHz BAN TO BE REALLOCATED
	The FCC has voted to allocate spectrum from 2310 to 2360 
MHz for satellite digital audio radio services (DARS).
	The FCC said the new DARS would allow direct
satellite-to-ground radio to areas of the country and to
minority and ethnic groups that are inadequately served by
traditional, terrestrial radio.
	The Commission said that service and licensing rules for the 
new allocation would be addressed in a later rule making. This
was action in FCC General Docket 90-357.

SHUTTLE FLIGHT WAS TO BE HAM RADIO FIRST
	Shuttle flight STS-63, scheduled for launch  February 2, 
was to be the first informal SAREX mission--Mission Specialist 
Mike Foale, KB5UAC, hopes to make random QSOs, even though 
there are no scheduled Amateur Radio contacts with schools during 
this mission.
	The next SAREX flight, STS-67, scheduled for March 2 to 
18, will include the usual scheduled radio contacts with schools, 
random radio contacts with amateurs, and personal contacts with 
the astronauts' families.
	Flying on STS-67 are Stephen S. Oswald, Commander, 
KB5YSR; Wendy B. Lawrence, Mission Specialist, KC5KII; 
Ronald A. Parise, Payload Specialist, WA4SIR; and Samuel T. 
Durrance, Payload Specialist, N3TQA. Two more crew members 
have passed Technician class exams and await call signs.
	Schools expected to participate are located in 17 states, as 
well as South Africa, India, and Australia.

TEXAS GROUP PLANNE FEBRUARY 4 BALLOON	
	On February 4, 1995, the North Texas Balloon Project, 
sponsored by the Lockheed Radio Club in Fort Worth, planned to 
launch its sixth high altitude balloon experiment carrying Amateur 
Radio.
	The payload includes a variety of radios and instruments 
that can easily be used by any amateur with a Technician or higher 
class license:
	A crossband FM repeater will operate on 147.580 receive 
and 445.850 MHz  transmit; flight data, including GPS position, 
will be transmitted by 1200-baud AFSK (packet) on 144.290 MHz; 
and a live, elevation-controlled, color video camera will be used 
with a 10-watt ATV transmitter on 439.250 MHz.
	According to Doug Howard, KG5OA, the ATV frequency 
is cable television channel 60, and an outdoor antenna, along with a 
television tuned to cable channel 60, should provide acceptable 
pictures.
	The balloon was expected to reach 100,000 feet about two 
hours after launch, giving it a radio horizon of about 400 mi.  The 
launch is scheduled for 1400 UTC; if the launch was delayed, it was 
to be rescheduled for February 5 or the following weekends.

AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR CLAIM 10-GHz RECORD	
	Roger Bowman, VK5NY, and Walter Howse, VK6KZ, 
have claimed a new world distance record on the amateur 10-GHz 
band.
 	On December 30, 1994, the two worked over a path of 
1911 kilometers. Both VK5NY and VK6KZ were portable, the 
former near his home in Adelaide and the latter near Perth.
 	VK5NY used 180 milliwatts to a 40-cm dish while VK6KZ 
ran 100 mW to a similar antenna. The two-way contact was on 
SSB.
	The previous world record of 1660 km was set on July 8, 
1983, by I0SNY/EA9 and I0YLI/1E9; The North American 10-
GHz record of 1018 km is held by WA6CGR and XE2/N6XQ. 
N6CA and KH6HME continue their efforts to span the 3973-km
path between California and Hawaii on 10 GHz.
 	Howse said there was a typical high pressure cell in the 
Great Australian Bight, a large inlet body of water, and that good 
signals were present over the 1900-km, nearly all-water path on 
144, 432, and 1296 MHz. On the second night, VK5NY drove 250 
km to another location in an attempt to once again increase the 
record distance, but no contact was made.
 	VK6KZ reports hearing, and being heard by, David 
Minchin, VK5KK, a few km farther than VK5NY, but no 10-GHz 
two-way contact resulted.
 	VK6KZ lives about 1000 km (some 600 miles) from his 
portable location near Perth, and must drive there to make these 
attempts at UHF records.  "I have to choose the right time!" he 
said.


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