ARRL Hudson Division

ARRL Hudson Division

                        March 2004

          Hudson Division Beacon - e-mail edition  - # 36

      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

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receive the next bulletin sent.  Past Bulletins are available at

http://www.hudson.arrl.org

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.  I am off to Dallas this weekend for a

meeting of the ARRL Executive Committee.  While I may have some warmer

weather I will, unfortunately, miss two local hamfests - The Cherryville

RA Hamfest on Saturday and the Orange County ARC Hamfest on Sunday in

New Winsdsor, NY.  But hopefully you will all be there to meet the

friendly folk in both clubs and to check out the fleas.  It's almost

time for spring antenna projects.

* ED HARE SPREADS THE WORD ON BPL IN NNJ

Almost 80 people turned out for ARRL staffer, Ed Hare, W1RFI's talk on

BPL in early March.  The audience came away with a good understanding of

the potential interference problems associated with the new technology.

The 10-70 Repeater Association, Inc. hosted the meeting on Wednesday,

March 3, 2004 at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in

Mahwah.  Thanks to Hudson Division Vice Director Joyce Birmingham,

KA2ANF, for making arrangements for use of the hall and inviting Ed

Hare, W1RFI, to come down from Newington for the event.  Thanks also to

those w ho turned out for the evening especially the 1-70 and BARA

members.  I t was good to see you there.

> FCC approves NPRM for BPL

The FCC is taking the next step toward authorizing BPL (Broadband over

Power Lines), whose potential interference threatens Amateur Radio

operations on the bands between 2.0 and 60 MHz. FCC Commissioners

unanimously approved a Notice of Proposed Rule Making for the deployment

of BPL under Part 15 rules on unlicensed devices. The NPRM would require

BPL providers to apply "adaptive" interference mitigation techniques

after their systems cause interference.

ARRL CEO David Summer, K1ZZ, commented that if the FCC really believed

current Part 15 emission limits were sufficient, it would not have had

to require that BPL providers institute interference mitigation systems.

The FCC has not yet released the actual NPRM, and a presentation by the

FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) revealed only its broad

outlines. Sumner said the League would not take a formal position until

it reviews the full NPRM.

The Notice of Inquiry on BPL that the FCC issued last April resulted in

more than 5100 comments, many from Radio Amateurs (including your

editor) pointing out the threat to their HF bands. After the NPRM is

issued hams must again voice their concerns about BPL in no uncertain

terms. How to do this will follow in future Newsletters. Stay tuned.

> FCC Chairman assures ham Congressman on BPL

FCC Chairman Michael Powell has assured US Representative Greg Walden,

WB7OCE, that the Commission will give "thorough consideration" to all

BPL studies before it takes final action. Powell responded February 3 to

Walden's January 15 letter requesting the FCC defer any further action

in its BPL proceeding until the National Telecommunications and

Information Administration (NTIA) releases its BPL study and the public

has had a chance to comment.

"Please be assured that we have already begun coordination of this

action with NTIA," Powell told Walden, "and that the Commission will

give all studies, including the forthcoming NTIA study, thorough

consideration prior to any final action or rules on the subject."

Walden (R-OR), a member of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications

and the Internet, is one of two Amateur Radio licensees in the US

House.

Sumner also said the ARRL would continue to combat the "misconception"

that BPL systems are viable as a "last mile" broadband technology for

rural dwellers. "In low-density areas, the economics just don't work,"

he said.

The NPRM is available on the FCC Web site in Microsoft Word format

<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-29A1.doc> or

as

an Adobe PDF file

<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-29A1.pdf>.

Interested parties may file detailed comments on the NPRM via the main

FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)

<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>. The comment deadline is 45 days after

the NPRM has been published in The Federal Register, and that is not

expected to happen for another week or two. The FCC also is accepting

brief comments on the NPRM via its ECFS Express page

<http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/ecfs/Upload/>.

Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web

site

<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/>. To support the League's

efforts in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site

<https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/>.

* FCC Okays BPL Proposal; ARRL Officials Express Disappointment

 (Feb 12, 2004) -- The FCC today agreed unanimously--with one partial

dissent--to go forward with a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on

the subject of Broadband over Power Line (BPL). The NPRM is the next

step in the BPL proceeding, which began last April with a Notice of

Inquiry that attracted more than 5100 comments--many from the amateur

community.

See http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/02/12/5/?nc=1 for further

details.

* North Carolina Hams Experience Close BPL Encounter with FCC Chairman

(Mar 9, 2004) -- A Broadband over Power Line (BPL) home demonstration in

the Raleigh, North Carolina, area March 5 provided an ideal opportunity

for area amateurs to take their concerns to FCC Chairman Michael Powell

face to face. While ARRL Public Information Officer Gary Pearce, KN4AQ,

doesn't believe his brief encounter with the FCC head and longer

discussions with Commission and electric utility staffers will stop or

slow the seeming BPL juggernaut, they were valuable nonetheless.  See

the full story at: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/03/09/1/?nc=1

Comment:  This is an interesting story showing what local hams can do if

they plan and stay cool.

* Leslie A. Moxon, G6XN, SK:

Leslie A. "Les" Moxon, G6XN, of Surrey, England, died March 3. He was 95

and among the oldest Amateur Radio operators in the UK.   See

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/03/11/1/?nc=1 for details.

A 6 Meter Moxon Antenna" by Allen Baker, KG4JJH, is among the antenna

articles featured in April 2004 QST. First licensed in the 1920s, Moxon

had not been active in the months leading up to his death. A service was

set for March 10 in Guildford.

>  COMMENTS ON: A LICENSE STRUCTURE IS NOT HAM RADIO

I had many e-mails about last months long essay, nearly all positive.

Thanks folks.  Here are a few you may be interested in reading.

Frank,

Thank you for the expanded answer published in the Beacon. Years ago,

folks got in trouble for pointing out that the earth is not the center

of the universe, but many hams seem to think that ham radio revolves

around them and their activities whether it be code, contesting, nets,

ragchewing, certificate chasing or whatever. As Ben Franklin pointed

out, the alternative to hanging together is to hang separately.

I am particularly dismayed by fellow FISTS members who have made a big

show of "resigning" to protest the perceived anti-code stance of the

ARRL.  I use CW more than 90% of the time, but it is good to remember

that until the code proficiency requirement was "dumbed down" to 5 WPM,

it was 0% of the time, because I had no (or very limited) HF privileges.

Once I had my HF privileges, I found out that SSB running 100 W with a

simple antenna often leaves you out of the running, and that CW is

simply more effective (and, to me, more satisfying). Having guided 2 of

my kids through the driver's license ritual, I know that you learn how

to really drive after you pass the road test.

I think the current ARRL proposal is reasonable considering political

reality. We know certain approaches that haven't worked well: the novice

license and downgrading. Like you, I had an original novice license that

lead to nowhere (and never considered that it might have been possible

to retake the test and start again). As a technician it was rather

impractical to get any on-the-air CW practice that would have lead to 13

WPM. But why didn't technician privileges retain at least the crippled

privileges of the lesser class? Vengefulness cast in the guise of

preventing perpetual novices. We don't want nor need hurdles or barriers

to the entry to ham radio (but I hasten to add that 5 WPM is a pretty

low hurdle, as hurdles go).

When it gets right down to it, there seems to be an epidemic of

selfishness that sometimes shows itself as excessive power, bandwidth,

or ego and a disinclination to share. The continued health of ham radio

depends on our collective willingness to share our time, skills, and

spectrum with other radio amateurs.

73,

Bob Block

Frank,

I just web-surfed into the Hudson Div website and wanted to comment on

your long letter in the recent Beacon. It really resonated with me. I

remember in 1963 thinking that I could never be smart enough to obtain a

ham license, but with the encouragement of an 8th grade friend of mine,

I eventually madeit to Novice in 1965, got the Extra in 1967 and became

one of the few teenagers in the Hudson Division who held an Extra before

Incentive Licensing went into effect on Nov 22, 1968. (I remember that

date well, because Nov 22 is my birthday, hi). But that was in a time

long past, and in another century!

Nevertheless, I think you guys are on the right track and hope you stay

the course. Good luck.

73,

Dan Ostroy K2UL

Southern NJ Section Traffic Manager

Yep. And just for the record, Incentive Licensing was announced in 1966.

The new exams for Advanced etc went into effect in 1967, and the

restricted band segments went into effect in 1968. At least they were

kind enough to give folks 2 years to upgrade before they lost

privileges, HI.

I grew up in North Jersey, went to NYU in the city. Moved to South

Jersey when I got married in 1973.

Nice hearing from you. Have a good week. 73,

Dan K2UL

Kudos, Frank! (Feb. Beacon)

We both had similar experiences, licensing-wise...I'm sure that

periodically, this hobby (like others) undergoes transformations (see

the hoo-haw at http://www.eham.net/articles/7541 for an "earful!") I

think it's sad that we have to be so divisive...the one good thing about

ham radio is that there's something for everyone in it. Plus, if you

don't like ANY of it, there's even an "On/Off" switch for you to play

with.

I remember pouting a LOT about "losing" my privileges in the late '60's

after what I thought was an effort that had led me to earn "full"

amateur privileges (with my General). I think I even dropped out of the

hobby for a time, only to have my interest rekindled when I found out I

could get the callsign of my choice by upgrading to Extra. These people

that complain about "the good old days" and the "imminent demise of our

hobby" probably could learn a thing or two from the spark gap guys. I'm

pretty sure they thought the sky was falling, too, when the government

"restructured" the hobby as they knew it.

Life goes on...keep telling the truth, Frank, even if those around you

currently losing their heads about all this stuff. I say "Give 'em

HELL!" <G>

73,

GJ

Gerry Jurrens, N2GJ

Kingston, NJ

http://users.tellurian.com/gjurrens

http://users.tellurian.com/gjurrens/famous_hams.html

http://users.tellurian.com/gjurrens/astrohams.html

ARRL Article: http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2003/07/04/1/

* PLANNING SOME New DIPOLE ANTENNAS FOR HF?

Visit this site for some ideas as to what you might do if you are

ambitious:

http://www.antenna.be/rhr.html

Or you might want to visit Joe Fitzgerald wrote:

 There is a very nice site near the intersection of Rte 2 and Wetherbee

St, in Acton, MA. It's owned by W1EVT. He has 3 curtains oriented 120

degrees from one another on each band: 80, 40 20 15 and 10 meters. They

are supported by 20 Rohn 25 towers. One of the most impressive amateur

installations I have seen.

 -Joe KM1P

>  Hudson Division Amateur Radio operator named teacher of the year:

 Watchung Hills Regional High School teacher and ARRL member Andrew

Furlong, WA2FGK, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, has been named the school's

teacher of the year. A graduate of Trenton State College and Rider

College, Furlong--an ARRL member--has been an educator for 37 years. A

panel representing staff, students, administrators, community members

and past teachers of the year at the Warren, New Jersey, school selected

Furlong, 60, from among the nominees. "My biggest joy is sharing what I

know with kids," he says. An Amateur Radio operator for more than 45

years, Furlong has worked in the electronics and broadcasting

industries. He's shared his interest in ham radio with his students,

some of whom have gone into careers in radio and electronics, and has

taught ham radio classes in the school. He's also served as an adviser

to the school's robotics team. Furlong will be formally recognized, with

similarly designated teachers, at a future statewide event. The Teacher

of the Year program is part of the Governor's Teacher Recognition

Program in New Jersey.--Echoes-Sentinel

* BROTHER GEORGE CLAY, WA2RRK,  SK

Many of who came in contact with Brother George over the years will miss

him and may be interested in reading his slightly edited obituary from a

Peekskill paper below:

 Funeral Services will be held here for Bro. George Clay, S.A., a

Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, who died Sunday, February 29, at St.

Joseph's Nursing Home, Yonkers, NY. He was 88 years old. Brother George

was born Thomas Patrick Clay in Philadelphia, PA, where he graduated

from Our Lady of Victory Elementary School and West Philadelphia

Catholic High School. He entered the Franciscan Friars of the

Atonement-Graymoor in 1936, professed his first vows in 1938 and his

perpetual vows in 1941. He served his community in a variety of

administrative positions in Graymoor, including duties as assistant

director of St. Christopher's Inn. He also was engaged in Canadian

ministries in Vancouver and Nova Scotia, and in administrative

assignments in Washington, DC and Cumberland, RI. Since 1972, he had

served as an alcoholism counselor at St. Christopher's Inn. He was a

member of the National Clergy Council on Alcoholism, a field in which he

had engaged in specialized studies over the past number of years. In

2001, he took up residence in St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Yonkers, NY,

where he resided until his death. For many years, Brother George was an

active ham radio operator, broadcasting with the call letters WA2RRK. He

not only communicated with many people in the United States, but also

with the friars, who were stationed overseas, especially with the friars

stationed in Brazil. Brother George was the only child of the late

Patrick and Sara Ann Jordan Clay.   (Thanks to NA2M for the obituary.)

* N2CWI, Angelo Conti SK

Long time LIMARC member Angelo Conti, N2CWI passed away on February 27

after complications from a stroke at age 89.  Angelo was extremely

helpful to local hams.  He advised me on numerous occasions on tower

repairs, removals and moves.   I will miss him and his friendly

advice.

* "HAM POST" FREE TECHNICAL NEWSLETTER  (from Jim's GAZETTE Newsletter

#163 5 March 2004)

If you are interested in getting on PSK 31the new KF6VSG HamPost is a

must read and it's free via email,  all 20 pages of the new quarterly

publication. George, according to Jim's GAZETTE, has created a genuine

contribution to the amateur world, written by an expert who, in words

and pictures most of us can follow without a dictionary and technical

manual at hand, lead us to a better understanding of our technology.

The same stuff we learned too little about in our early days as an

amateur, and too often fail to understand now.

The current issue, (which is Volume 1, Issue 1) sets a very high

standard for all future issues. Look at the index of numero uno: SETTING

UP A PSK STATION, OPTIMIZING YOUR PSK31 SIGNAL, RADIO BASICS--RESONANCE,

UNDERSTANDING PATH LOSS AND SNR. And each article will be followed up in

Issue 2. It is a true treasure-trove of information and knowledge.

HamPost is published as a PDF file, making it easy to download, read and

print.

The first article is a perfect how-to article complete with reference

material, screen shots and intelligent prose. Yes, any ham should be

able to read this and, if they have a computer with sound card and an

interface, be on the air within a few hours of reading the first

paragraph. It is an excellent tutorial. And, of equal importance, there

are links to many additional informed sources that provide serious

additions to your knowledge base.

Then, once on the air, read on and understand a lot more about your

signal quality and what there is to do about bringing it into the sweet

spot. Once there you obtain the maximum mileage per watt, and read far

fewer complaints about your poor signal quality. He goes on to a kit

anybody can build and add

to the system, a kit that will give you a visual image of your output. I

have seen a good many signals that might benefit from such a product. I

just hope that mine looks good.

Do subscribe. Go to http://www.softsci.com/hamradio/opt_page.asp. Then,

if hungry for more, go to the download site and look at the free

software on www.softsci.com/hampost/download.  You can also download

issue number one from this site.  This is a major addition to our

resource bank. Get it! It is free, contains no advertising and allows

reuse in any form as long as the material is not modified in any way. No

fee may be collected for its subsequent use.

* DIVISION MEMBERS IN PRINT

For all of you who have been dying to convert an amplifier to 6 meters,

here's an Article in the Winter 2004 Edition of CQ VHF written by George

Hall, N2CG - "Conversion of the ETO Alpha 374 HF Amplifier to a 6-meter

Monoband Linear Amplifier". George converted an amplifier to six meters

and had contemplated writing an article about it for a couple of years.

Due to personal conflicts, George put his writing on hold. After much

encouragement from all of his local ham friends, he got busy and

produced a wonderful article! Thank you, George and Congratulations!

(de Joyce, KA2ANF)

February "CQ Magazine" had two articles by friends and division members.

 Ed Madson, President of the KCRA, had an article about his experience

operating from Pitcain Island for 100 minutes.  Immediately following

that article was one by Tony Japha, N2UN, a member of the Order of

Boiled Owls.  Good reading in both articles.

The April Issue of "QST" had a number of letters from division members

in the "Correspondence" section.  On page 24 Harold Broomfield. KC2BPP

wrote "Casual RTTY Contesting" about his positive experience in

discovering RTTY Contesting during last December's ARRL RTTY Roundup.  I

would love to have worked Harold in that contest but M/N2FF never heard

him.  He probably had not worked up the confidence to claim a frequency

and run on it by calling CQ.  I did hear Jerry, NO2T, but he was

pouncing and never seemed to settle down on a frequency so I could call

him. Meanwhile Emil, KD1F, apparently Jerry's big competition for the

2004 Hudson Division RTTY Roundup plaque this year, is in my M/N2FF log

on two bands.

On the same page in the April issue is a letter from John Smale K2IZ,

"Elmer/Elmers."  John is a former NLI Section Communications Manager,

(that's what we called SM's years ago).  Nice to hear from you both, and

nice letters.

---------------------------

>>>>>APPROVED HAMFESTS:

13 Mar 2004 + Cherryville Repeater Association  http://www.qsl.net/w2cra

Contact:

Cherryville Repeater Assocation, W2CRA

PO Box 308

Quakertown, NJ 08868

Phone: 908-788-4080

Email: w2cra@qsl.net

Clinton, NJ

Sect: Northern New Jersey

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

14 Mar 2004 + Orange County ARC  http://www.bestweb.net/~ocarc/

Contact:

Ed Moskowitz, N2XJI

123 Harold Avenue

Cornwall, NY 12518

Phone: 845-534-3492

Email: n2xji@arrl.net

New Windsor, NY

Sect: Eastern New York

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

17 Apr 2004 + Roseland ARC

http://www.qsl.net/k2gq

Contact:

Harvey Moskowitz, W2YWC

7 Burlington Road

Livingston, NJ 07039

Phone: 973-994-0637

Email: harvmosk@aol.com

West Orange, NJ

Div: Hudson

Sect: Northern New Jersey

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

18 Apr 2004 + Mt. Beacon ARC

http://www.qsl.net/mbarc

Contact:

Ken Akasofu, KL7JCQ

8C Hudson Harbor Dr., Apt. #8C

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Phone: 845-485-9617

Email: kl7jcq@arrl.net

Poughkeepsie, NY

Div: Hudson

Sect: Eastern New York

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ARRL Hudson Division

Director: Frank Fallon, N2FF

n2ff@arrl.org

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