ARRL Hudson Division October 2003 Hudson Division Beacon

ARRL Hudson Division
October 2003
Hudson Division Beacon - e-mail edition
By Frank Fallon, N2FF, Director, Hudson Division, ARRL
30 East Williston Avenue, East Williston, NY 11596
516) 746-7652
n2ff@arrl.org
Hudson Division Home Page - http://www.hudson.arrl.org/ 

ARRL Members

Please continue to spread the word to others who may wish to receive this information that they will need to access the ARRL members only web site. After becoming a member they must edit their profile and elect to receive bulletins from the Section Manager and Director. If you are already a member on the ARRL site (http://www.arrl.org) from the "Members Only" box click on "members data page" and then under email notification options set "Division/Section notices" to YES. You will receive the next bulletin sent. Past Bulletins are available at http://www.hudson.arrl.org/

* ELECTIONS IN HUDSON DIVISION - Please vote! Most ballots for the Hudson Division Director election have been received at this point. As ballots are sent bulk mail some may take weeks to dribble out to you. If you have not received your ballot by October 20th please contact Lisa Kustosik, 860-594-0245, at ARRL HQ for a replacement ballot. Please make your decision and send you ballot back in time to be counted. The message from both candidates: Please vote and return the ballot. Ballots will be counted on November 21st at HQ and must be received by noon that day.

* HUDSON DIVISION AWARDS DINNER November 8th in Paramus There is still time to get a ticket, take and ad in the journal or sponsor a plaque. You will find information on the 10-70 web site at http://www.10-70.org/ Simply scroll down to "Upcoming Events" and click on "Hudson Dinner." We will have some nice door prizes and a contributory drawing for an Icom HT and a Vertex Marine HT. But you need to be present to contribute and to win. All monies will be sent to the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund for BPL.

Remember the Hudson Division Awards Dinner is again being sponsored by the 10-70 Repeater Association and will be held on November 8th in Northern New Jersey at Biaggio's Resturante in Paramus, NJ by popular request. The food is good, the camaraderie is great and there are plenty of door prizes for all. Tickets are limited to the first 100 at $38 per person. Send ticket requests to 10-70 Repeater Association, Inc., 235 Van Emburgh Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450-2918. A form is available at http://www.10-70.org/ 2003's Technical Achievement Award winner is Len Signoretti Jr, N2LEN, of Brooklyn, New York. The specific achievement Len was recognized for was the unique Echolink repeater/internet linking system he has implemented, one of the first in the New York City area. The 2003 Grand Ole Ham is Jim Joyce, K2ZO, of Washington Township, New Jersey. A 30 year member of the Bergen Amateur Radio Club, Jim has devoted most of his free time to the club and to making Amateur Radio operators more knowledgeable in the hobby. He has spent two decades as an Elmer, founding the club's "kit night" in which hams could learn the basics of building electronic equipment, how to solder, or how to troubleshoot and repair their own equipment. The 2003 Hudson Division Amateur of the Year is Bruce Lordi, N2XP, of Flanders, New Jersey. A well rounded Amateur, Bruce has been described as "Mr. Fixit". From HTs to Mobile equipment to repeaters, Bruce is always ready to help hams with their technical problems. Bruce gives countless hours to helping hams and teaching others about technology. He Elmers local Amateurs on the technology behind packet, PSK31, APRS, HF, VHF and UHF techniques. Please join with us to honor these outstanding Hudson Division hams. You will also have a good time and perhaps take home a door prize. Plan on being with us on November 8th in Paramus. * ON THE BPL FRONT The following Hudson Division clubs are on the honor roll as of September 24, 2003: Radio Club of America, Knickerbocker ARC, Technology Society of New Jersey, Splitrock ARA Inc., Ocean Monmouth ARC, and Orange County ARC. Thanks for your generosity. You can see a listing of all the clubs who contributed to the fund on page 10 of the November QST. Clubs that contributed after September 24th will be listed in a later issue. Implementation of BPL technology in the US continues to be a real threat. Here are a few developments and interesting sites with information: Read Dave Sumner's, K1ZZ, "Who Needs BPL?" in the Novermber issue of QST twice and then frame it. A subcommittee of an International Telecommunication Union ( http://www.itu.int/home/index.html ) panel of technical experts responsible for terrestrial broadcasting issues has joined a growing chorus of concern about the interference potential of power line telecommunication (PLT)--better known in the US as Broadband over Power Line (BPL). See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/10/09/1/?nc=1

The ARRL has strongly objected to FCC Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy's suggestion that Broadband over Power Line (BPL) technology will contribute to what she described as "broadband Nirvana." See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/09/25/100/?nc=1

> "Logbook of the World" is Off Like a Rocket and Still Rising -- "Logbook of the World" (LoTW) --the League's new QSL-cardless awards and contact credit system--has proven to be a big hit in the amateur community. LoTW opened September 15 to accept digital certificate applications. For more info see: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/10/02/2/?nc=1 (from ARRL Web) Here are the latest statistics as of October 15, 2003:

14,578,052 QSO records have been entered into the system. 181,402 QSL records have resulted. 3,156 Users are registered in the system 3,983 Certificates are active 9,446 User files have been processed The database is growing very rapidly.

> Haynie: Letters=Voters=Support on Amateur Radio Legislation (Oct 16, 2003) -- ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says the good news is that the number of House cosponsors for the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act, HR 713, has topped 50. The Senate version of the legislation, S 537, now has eight cosponsors. The downside, Haynie says, is that the Spectrum Protection Bill as well as the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act, HR 1478, will need many more cosponsors if either is to succeed. See details at: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/10/16/2/?nc=1

> THANKS FOR RESPONDING TO THE HUDSON DIVISION CW TESTING SURVEY I have not yet begun to process the survey and come up with results. I probably will not get to that until after the November 8 Awards Dinner. I expect to print results in the December issue of "Beacon." I have made hard copies of the responses. I have had e-mail problems lately - Msimm errors while running Outlook Express - which have resulted in lost messages, fortunately none of them surveys, and the inability to send message. I am still slowly responding to those who sent in a survey. At this point I still have not to been able to respond to everyone. It appears that I will probably have to reinstall Windows to cure my problem as Norton did not find any problems with Outlook or any .DLL files but I believe that one or more of them are "munged." Most Survey responders did not add comments but I found those who did very interesting. Below are two who wanted change. Next month I will plan to print two from the opposite viewpoint. Here is number one:

I am a very enthusiastic CW user - 90% of my operations. I also collect telegraph keys and paraphernalia so there are fewer true believers in code than me. However I don't think CW is necessary or appropriate any longer for licensing purposes. I do believe the CW subbands must be protected though. Even the most ardent CW fans with the greatest communications skills are severely challenged to make it's case given the state of technology (i.e. Internet, cellular phones, etc.) and the perception around it by the general public. At best people will think strong advocacy to retain CW as a license requirement is based on quaintness of a severely aging group of people who are slowly fading into the sunset anyway. My fear is ham radio may, in fact, be fading into sunset and the demographics of the people becoming hams is showing alarmingly poor take-up among our youth. If we are to keep ham radio going yet another century we will need to embrace far more young people into our ranks - despite whatever interest they may, or may not have in Morse code communication. Don't get me wrong, however, I do not advocate a no-brains class of license or a "dumbed-down" ham radio. Quite the contrary. Ham radio never had a wide appeal among the general public even in it's "hayday". It appealed to people of a scientific bent. This NEVER meant solely degreed engineers or Nobel laureates (although it always included those types of people) but rather those with a technical curiosity or inclination. And that's how it should be now. I am not suggesting sharply toughened technical exams in lieu of Morse but rather better exams which will demonstrate knowledge of operating conditions, modes, equipment types, rules, operating practice, ham radio history. These should include internet questions, PC componentry, digitized communications techniques, etc. Frank, the wireless industry is not only about radios any more. Hell, radios are not only about radios anymore as the next generation will be software based entirely - not just analog boxes with digital readouts. Nearly every "wireless" device is not only processor based and software controlled but what it "talks" to is likely to be software based and processor controlled. Voice over IP is an emerging technology which although already in widespread commercial service is in great need of far more R&D to enhance voice quality and robustness ESPECIALLY in the wireless environment. And who, but hams, are better suited to do this work? Or to work in network deployment, maintenance, etc. We are truly missing the boat IF we don't embrace the new digitized world or ILRP, EchoLink, Packet Clusters, software controlled rigs, etc. Plenty of kids can play with PC's and there are few school systems which don't support classes using computers. But how many have "wireless" based instruction? I can tell you even in graduate engineering school there is precious little practical wireless (radio) experimentation and subsequent experience. ATTENTION HAM RADIO - the world is calling -- we need a place for young people with a technical inclination to experiment and play with radios and computers -- now is the time... Pete Malvese, W2PM And here is the second, which may also appear in QST: Over the years I've thought a lot about the need for a CW requirement in amateur radio licensing but until now haven't put any ideas on paper (virtual or not). Recently, the dropping of the requirement in international regulation has renewed the debate. It's always been an emotional issue with hams; one look at the discourse in the on-line forums will confirm that. Rather than getting nasty with each other, let's calm down a bit, take a deep breath and consider what's really involved in how we're regulated by the FCC. Whether one is for or against it, the issue reduces to a matter of what the FCC will accept in arguments and what it won't. So we need to be rational about it, not emotional. First, let's recognize the difference between CW - the requirement, and CW - the mode of operation. I operate HF almost exclusively, spending about half my time on CW, half phone, have always been active on CW, and am very good at it. I consider the license requirement to be separable from whether or not CW will continue to be popular on HF. I believe it will, no matter what happens in the requirements debate. The most important thing is that the FCC as a regulatory body should retain band segments restricted to CW and narrow digital modes only. There are rational reasons, having to do with interference, why it's necessary to keep wide bandwidth modes away from narrow ones. That's a very practical thing, as opposed to the issue of licensing requirements which is mostly emotional in my view. The ARRL should not fight removal of the code requirement unless we, the amateur radio community can come up with a rational reason as to why every licensee must know it. The key word here is "rational". The FCC will not judge as valid any argument to keep a code requirement that has anything to do with emotional reasons. For example, the argument can't be about tradition - it's irrelevant. Spark was tradition at one point but banned for practical reasons. No argument based on tradition holds water. The argument can't be about filtering applicants. Sure, a Morse requirement is another hurdle that will disqualify some applicants. But since there are other ways of "raising the bar" on applicants, such as requiring more in-depth knowledge of communications technology in the written test, the filtering argument will not fly with the FCC either. The argument also can't make the claim that elimination of the requirement will cause CW to "die". Horseback riding and biking are alive and well even though people are not forced to learn how to do either one, and there are cars. CW will continue to be widely used simply because it's the best non-machine-assisted way to communicate under weak signal conditions. It's flawed reasoning to suggest that endorsing the removal of the code requirement is a vote to "kill" CW. So the "cw will die" argument has no validity with the FCC as well. Lastly, we can't use the "slippery slope" argument in which we assert that elimination of the code requirement is only the first step in lowering standards and it will lead to a step-by-step, inexorable, decrease in license requirements until we're left with none at all. This can also be referred to the "ham radio will become CB" argument and it too doesn't fly. A change in a specific license requirement does not imply a change (or decrease in the need for) license requirements in general. It's an emotional argument and will not be considered otherwise by the FCC. So unless the ARRL can come up with practical, rational, reasons why a Morse requirement should be retained, it should not waste resources to take up the issue. Only one such practical reason would suffice. I just haven't heard any yet. The last one may have gone away when the international community decided to stop requiring knowledge of the code. Many hams including myself will continue to use CW because we enjoy it (emotional) but also because it's the best way to work DX when the band conditions are lousy (rational). As a separate issue the ARRL should vigorously work to protect the existence of HF band segments for narrow bandwidth modes including CW. 73, Chris Codella, W2PA w2pa@arrl.net

-- For the first time, ARRL is presenting the ARRL Technician Class Video Course on DVD. The video, also available in VHS format, features new material and the previous content has been revised to make the course even more valuable. Also, ARRL is offering clubs and instructors the popular and effective Ham University license instruction software, with a license to put the programs on the CD-ROM onto five different computers. Perfect for a club that wants to teach a classroom-based course on any of the three license levels. There is support for instructors, too, in the form of manuals and on-line resources. Discounts for instructors on selected course materials are also available. (de ARRL Web) See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/10/16/3/?nc=1

* CQWW SSB CONTEST OCT. 24th through 26th Here is a great opportunity to add some countries for you DXCC Award. There will be a lot of activity and many of the multi-multi DX stations will be looking for business on Sunday when their rates slow down. If you have low power and are antenna challenged, you will find that it is possible on Sunday morning and afternoon to work some rare ones and up your count. Check Ten Meters. It has been open in a few times in the last week. Last Monday, Columbus Day, I worked YI/KC0LEK, in Baghdad with only 100 watts with very few other stations on the band. I plan to be in Vermont with members of the Order of Boiled Owls as one of the W2AX operators. * ATTENTION CLUBS - ARRL seeks opinions on Club Gazette This is a must read for all club officers. There is some very interesting information here: -- Attention clubs and ARRL affiliated club coordinators! ARRL Field and Educational Services (F&ES) is hoping to add a Club Gazette feature to its Club Companion pages at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/. The Gazette would feature the best stories, items and information gleaned from the hundreds of club newsletters that hardworking volunteers publish each month. Many clubs are justifiably proud of their unique activities and active members, and being able to share their successes and accomplishments may help other clubs to grow and prosper. F&ES has put together a survey to help nail down the most useful features of the Gazette. Questions were derived from items we've found in hundreds of club newsletters. We'd like to know what you'd like to see. To participate, click on the http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/10/10/4/gazette-survey.html and follow the instructions. We appreciate your participation! (from the ARRL web pages)

> >>>>>APPROVED HAMFESTS: There are none. The next event will be: HRU 2004 on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at Oyster Bay, New York Sponsored by Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club. The event will be held at the East Woods School located at 31 Yellow Cote Road, Oyster Bay, NY Although NOT a hamfest, this is a very worthwhile event being held for the fourth year. Plan to be there. You will meet a lot of hams and learn a thing or two at the forums. Local clubs will be on hand showing off their activities and the price is right at $2.00. Directions: (The school is approximately 18 miles east of the Queens/Nassau border in Nassau County) Take the Long Island Expressway east to Exit 41 North (Rte 106/107). 106 and 107 will split about 1/2 mile north of the LIE, follow 106 north (to the right). Go about 4 miles to Route 25A. Make a right and head east on 25A and go about 2 miles to Yellow Cote Road (on your left). Look for the white sign which says "East Woods School". Go another 1/2 mile and the entrance to the school will be on your left at another white sign. Go up the hill and park in one of the three designated parking areas. Look for the HRU signs! Special Features of Event: Ham Radio University 2004, forums on all aspects of Amateur Radio, Special Event Station. Exams being given: ARRL Sponsored Exams

-------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Hudson Division Director: Frank Fallon, N2FF n2ff@arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------