ARRL Hudson Division
March 2005
Hudson Division Beacon - e-mail edition - # 48
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 that 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
* HAPPY ST. Patrick's Day to ALL
* ARLB008 - FCC Morse, restructuring proposals could be out by mid-year
The FCC continues to work toward developing a Notice of Proposed Rule
Making (NPRM) that will spell out what the Commission has in mind with
respect to possible changes in the current Morse code requirement and
Amateur Radio licensing.
A total of 18 petitions have been filed, including one from the
ARRL, seeking Part 97 rule changes addressing the future of the 5 WPM
Morse requirement (Element 1) and revisions to the overall
Amateur Radio licensing structure. The FCC plans to tackle all 18 in a
single proceeding.
On the code issue, petitions--and comments in response to them-run
the gamut from retaining or even beefing up the Morse requirement to
eliminating it altogether. (The ARRL's proposal would retain the 5
WPM Morse examination for Amateur Extra class applicants only.)
The League and others have also put forth proposals for a new
entry-level Amateur Radio license class. At this point, personnel in the
FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau are continuing to review
the thousands of comments filed on the 18 petitions.
While the FCC appears unlikely to release an NPRM any sooner than
mid-year, the issue still may be a major discussion topic during the FCC
Forum at Dayton Hamvention, May 20-22.
Once public, the NPRM would initiate another round of public
comments on what the FCC has proposed. An FCC Report and Order
implementing any new rules is unlikely before the second half of
2006, although it's possible the Commission could wrap up the proceeding
before then.
* HUDSON DIVISION AWARDS APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2005
It's time to start thinking about who should get an award. Make a
nomination, please. Forms available at
http://www.hudson.arrl.org/hudawd05.htm The 2005 Hudson Division Awards
Dinner will be held November 12th in NNJ and will be hosted by the North
Jersey DX Association.
The Hudson Division will present awards to outstanding amateurs
residing in the division in 2005. We hope many of you will make
nominations and bring a deserving Hudson Division ham to the attention
of the Awards Committee. Forms are available (or will be shortly) on
the web site at http://www.hudson.arrl.org Please return completed
applications to Hudson Division Vice Director Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF
by May 15. The seven-member committee, composed of assistant
directors from each section, will announce the results in late June.
Awards will be given for the Hudson Division Amateur of the Year,
Grand Ole Ham, and Technical Achievement. Please make a nomination for
each of these Awards. If you have made a nomination in the past and your
candidate was not chosen, please file again as the committee does not
keep a file of past applications.
* HUDSON 2004 TECHNICAL AWARD WINNER TO GET 2005 DAYTON AWARD
This year's Dayton Hamvention Technical Excellence Award winner is Jerry
Sevick, W2FMI, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Jerry was the recipient of
the Hudson Division Technical Achievement Award in 2004. Sevick is
well-known in ham radio technical circles for his many books, articles
and other publications. Sevick is the author of Understanding and Using
Baluns and Ununs,Transmission Line Transformers, Theory and Practice of
Transmission Line Transformers, and Building and Using Baluns and
Ununs--now out of print. He also authored numerous articles for QST and
other Amateur Radio publications. He is noted for a classic series on
short vertical antennas that appeared in QST. His April 1978 QST
article, "Short Ground-Radial Systems for Short Verticals," is
considered a classic.
In 1956, Sevick joined the staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories, where
he supervised groups working in high-frequency transistor and integrated
circuit development, reliability, applications engineering and
high-speed pulse code modulation. He later served as director of
technical relations before retiring in 1985.
It was his interest in Amateur Radio that launched Sevick into
experiments with short vertical antennas and broadband matching
networks. In the course of designing networks to match coaxial cable to
short ground-mounted verticals, he came to view transmission line
transformers as a possible solution. Sevick undertook the
characterization and design of transformers for low-impedance
applications, resulting in Transmission Line Transformers. He also
presented a series on baluns in Communications Quarterly and a series on
ununs (unbalanced to unbalanced transformers) in CQ magazine.
Sevick holds a doctorate in applied physics from Harvard, and he
taught physics at Wayne State--his undergraduate alma mater--from 1952
until 1956. Sevick serves as an ARRL Technical Advisor. He's a member of
IEEE.--Dayton Hamvention
* ARRL National Convention in Dayton to Feature Forums, Faces
(Mar 4, 2005) -- A slate of at least 10 ARRL-sponsored forums and
activities will highlight the League's 2005 National Convention, held in
conjunction with Dayton Hamvention Friday through Sunday, May 20-22.
Even more are in the planning stages. In addition, ARRL EXPO 2005--a
special area at Hara Arena where visitors can learn what the League
means to Amateur Radio--will offer an opportunity to meet ARRL
publication authors, view software demonstrations, find out more about
DXCC, ARES, clubs and mentoring, the ARRL Education and Technology
Program, youth activities, amateur licensing, product review testing,
RFI, BPL and much more. ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R,
now deeply engaged in planning activities, is eager to spread the
enthusiasm about this year's ARRL National convention.
ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, will moderate
the ARRL Grassroots Lobbying Forum, Friday, May 20, 9-10 AM, in Room 2.
Here's a chance to network with fellow hams involved in shaping Amateur
Radio's future in the arena of federal government planning and policy.
Grassroots efforts put hams directly in touch with government officials
when federal legislation is proposed that can affect Amateur Radio. This
forum will give you the tools you need to support helpful legislation or
to fight proposals that might hurt the hobby.
See http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/03/04/5/?nc=1 for
details on the other forums.
* EMPIRE STATE GAMES
Just a reminder the games are coming upon us quickly. Before we know it
July will be here and it's time to start gathering our volunteers for
the biggest yet event that the amateur radio community in this area has
undertaken. This will be a high profile event that will give us a great
opportunity to make amateur radio shine in the Hudson Valley area. We
need many volunteer radio operators to make this a safe event for the
participants and spectators. The games run from July 27 through July
31. We will also issue limited ARES membership for those operators who
are eligible for ARES membership but do not have time for a long term
commitment as registered ARES members. This event as you all are aware
will cover three counties Dutchess, Orange and Ulster with Dutchess
serving as the primary host.
Those operators who participate in this event will be provided with
ESG shirts and will also be allowed to attend any event they may wish to
view. Our operators will also participate in the opening ceremonies
marching along with the athletes in the opening ceremony.
Volunteer applications are available from Frank Stone, KB2YUR who
is serving as or event coordinator. Contact Frank as soon as possible
for your application. Frank may be contacted via email at
KB2YUR@yahoo.com.
As our county is the primary host let us take this opportunity to
demonstrate our capabilities and dedication to public service.
Adam, KC2DAA, EC/RO Dutchess County
* Ham Radio Saves a Ham in Alaska
(Feb 24, 2005) -- Despite rugged terrain and a temperature of 10 below,
rescuers found a young ham whose handheld radio proved to be a
lifesaver. (Editor's note: You have to read this one.) See details
at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/02/24/1/?nc=1
* ARRL member's suggestion leads to on-line FCC Forms
(Feb 28, 2005) -- ARRL Life Member Bill Harris, W7KXB, of Mesa, Arizona,
recently wondered if there wasn't some way the League could make it
possible for members to fill out online some of the various forms on the
ARRL Web site. ARRL VEC Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, took the idea and ran
with it. As a result, it's now possible for Amateur Radio Service
applicants to complete two major forms online:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/ncvec605-3.pdf and
http://www.arrl.org/fcc/arrlvecform605c.pdf. The NCVEC Quick Form 605
permits filing an Amateur Radio application via a Volunteer Examiner
Coordinator (VEC), such as ARRL VEC. Like the official FCC Form 605, it
can be used to apply for an Amateur Radio Operator/Primary Station
License, to renew or modify a license (free for ARRL members) or to
prepare an application for a volunteer examination session sponsored by
any VEC. ARRL VEC Form 605C is used for new club or military recreation
station licenses, modifications, renewals or duplicate requests of a
club or military recreation station license. These applications also go
to ARRL VEC, which is authorized to handle club station applications.
The only part of Harris' suggestion that the ARRL could not implement
was to permit the applicant to use an electronic signature. "For our
purposes, original signatures received and on file are needed," Jahnke
explained in an e-mail reply thanking Harris for his suggestion. This
means applicants must first print and sign the completed form before
mailing it to ARRL VEC. There's more information on Amateur Radio
licensing forms on the ARRL Web site at
http://www.arrl.org/fcc/forms.html (from ARRL web)
* ARRL CONTEST RATE SHEET GROWING
The Rate Sheet is now officially past the Terrible Twos, turning the
ripe, old age of three with this issue. Subscriber totals continue to
grow - we number 12,500 and growing. Pass the word! Thanks to the
loyal readership for making the Rate Sheet so welcome in Inboxes across
the land. It's free and it keeps you abreast of contest news and log
submission deadlines.
ARRL members may subscribe to the ARRL Contest Rate Sheet by going
to the Member Data Page at:
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html?modify=1 Note that you
must be logged in to the site to access this page. Scroll down to the
section "Which of the following would you like to receive automatically
via email from ARRL?" Check the box for "ARRL Contest Rate Sheet
(biweekly contest newsletter)" and you're all set. Past issues of the
ARRL Contest Rate Sheet are available at
http://www.arrl.org/rate-sheet/. Issues are posted to this page after
publication.
Here is another interesting tidbit from the "Rate Sheet" - Whenever
you're about to take on a DX contest, be sure to update your "Country"
or CTY files, maintained by Jim AD1C. You can download them
from http://www.k1ea.com/cty/. Please be sure to follow the installation
instructions in the file README.TXT (Thanks, Jim AD1C)
* SKYWARN Spotter Training Classes in the Hudson Division
Please be advised that the National Weather Service will be conducting
numerous SKYWARN Spotter Training Classes in the Hudson Division
throughout the Spring of 2005.
Below is a preliminary listing of SKYWARN Spotter Training Classes
to be offered by the NWS Upton NY (note that some are Tentative and
there are more to come). There are also Links to the full SKYWARN Class
Schedules for both the NWS Upton NY and the NWS Mt Holly NJ. Please
refer to these for information on additional Classes or changes to the
schedule below. Note: you do NOT need to reside in either the specific
County Warning Area of either the NWS Upton NY or NWS Mt Holly NJ or the
County where the Class is being held to attend any Class offered by
either office. All SKYWARN Spotter Training Classes are offered free of
charge and your attendance information will be forwarded to the correct
NWS Office upon completion of the Course.
Complete Information on the relationship (Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU)) between the NWS and the ARRL is here:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/mou/weather.html
Please note that attendance at an Advanced SKYWARN Spotter
Training Class requires that you already be an Active SKYWARN Spotter
(you have attended a SKYWARN Spotter Training Class within the last 3
years). Pre-Registration for all Classes is encouraged, but is a
Requirement for all Advanced Classes (see the information at the Links
below for how to Register for the specific Classes)! If you are a new
SKYWARN Spotter for 2005, attendance at any of the 2005 Basic Classes
qualifies you to attend a subsequent Advanced Class in 2005.
2005 Basic Level SKYWARN Spotter Training Class Dates:
March 29, 2005 (North Caldwell, Essex County NJ - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#mar29)
April 4, 2005 (Scotch Plains, Union County NJ - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr4)
April 12, 2005 (Pomona, Rockland County NY - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr12)
April 13, 2005 (Mahwah, Bergen County NJ - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr13)
April 19, 2005 (Bohemia, Suffolk County NY - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr19)
April 20, 2005 (Meriden, New Haven County CT - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr20)
April 21, 2005 (Babylon, (Suffolk County NY - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr21-suffolk)
April 21, 2005 (Carmel, Putnam County NY - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr21-putnam)
April 27 2005 (Paramus, Bergen County NJ - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#apr27)
May 3, 2005 (Valhalla, Westchester County NY - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#may3)
May 5, 2005 (Stamford, Fairfield County CT - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#may5)
May 10, 2005 (Mineola, Nassau County NY - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#may10)
May 14, 2005 (Mashantucket, New London County CT - Basic Level Class
(Tentative)
May 16, 2005 (Hampton Bays, Suffolk County NY - Basic Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#may16
TBA - New York City, Manhattan NY - Basic Level Class
TBA - Hunts Point, Bronx NY - Basic Level Class
TBA - West/Central Suffolk County NY - Basic Level Class
TBA - Middlesex County CT - Basic Level Class
2005 Advanced Level SKYWARN Spotter Training Class Dates:
May 11, 2005 (Mahwah, Bergen County NJ - Advanced Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#may11)
May 18, 2005 (Babylon, (Suffolk County NY - Advanced Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#may18)
May 25, 2005 (Southold, Suffolk County NY - Advanced Level Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#may25)
June 8, 2005 (New London, New London County CT - Advanced Level
Class
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html#jun8
TBA - New York City, Manhattan NY - Advanced Level Class
TBA - Westchester County NY - Advanced Level Class
Please use the Links below to keep up to date on any additional Classes,
or changes to the schedules!
All Basic and Advanced SKYWARN Training Classes Offered By The NWS Upton
NY (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html)
All SKYWARN Training Classes Offered By The NWS Mt Holly NJ
(http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/skywarn/training.html)
George Sabbi, KC2GLG
Deputy SKYWARN Coordinator Bergen County NJ
ARRL ARES DEC - SKYWARN - ARRL NNJ Section
Email: KC2GLG@arrl.net Website: www.bergenskywarn.org
* KCRC VE SESSION
The Kings County Radio Club will sponsor VE sessions the second
Wednesday of the month in May and June 2005 at 6:15 p.m. (May 11 and
June 8). The session will be held at the Ryan Center at Floyd Bennett
Field, Gateway National Park, Brooklyn, NY. Pre-registration is required
by the first of the month (May 1st or June 1st). To pre-register contact
George, KD2AU, at 718-859-9381 or kd2au@arrl.net. The fee is $14.00.
Please bring exact change or a check payable to the Kings County Radio
Club. 2 Forms of identification is required including one form of photo
id. All tests will be given including code. If you are upgrading, please
bring your original license and CSCEs you are relying upon. We also need
copies to retain for our records. Thanks & 73s, George, KD2AU
* AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE "NEW JERSEY MORNING NET"
Extending an invitation to all to join us on New Jersey Morning Net,
each and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10AM on 3.695 mHz.
Friday is usually W2MTO/ncs, Saturday is N2GJ (although I'm more than
happy to relinquish my NCS slot to a deserving ham), and Sunday is
almost always K2UL.
We could also use help with volunteers to go from NJM to 1:45PM 2RN
(3925 kHz - SSB)), if you would like a steady "job" that pays lousy, but
has few benefits, other than the thanks of a grateful nation!
Please spread the word, and forward this to at least 5 of your ham
friends in the region, please! More importantly, dust off your straight
key, keyer paddle, or Vibroplex bug, and JOIN us every weekend! If you
can originate a radiogram message once in a while, that's all the
better!
Help us keep NJM alive! Thanks! 73/88, Gerry Jurrens, N2GJ - Net
Manager
* Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society's Spring QSO Party - April 3
Just a short note to tell you that the Roseland Amateur Radio Club will
be participating in the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society's Spring QSO
Party on April 3, 2005, from 1400Z to 2000Z (9:00AM to 3:00PM EST). We
will be operating out of the Twin Lights Historical Site in Navesink,
NJ, sideband on 40 and 20 meters.
73's, de Harvey W2YWC, President, Roseland ARC
* SKYWARN TRAINING -
A reminder that the SKYWARN Basic Spotters class will be held on
Tuesday, March 29 at the North Caldwell fireman's Community Center on
Gould Ave., North Caldwell, across from the Municipal Bldg. Doors open
at 6:30 PM and class starts at 7:00 PM. Their web page is
www.essexskywarn.org and preregistration is requested. So far, Mike
(WA2JSB), Paul (WB2JVG), Bill (N2LMU), and Harvey (W2YWC) are
registered. Call Stan (WA2EXX) at 973-403-9797 for registration or
further info. Talk-in on WA2JSB/R. (IRAC)
* ARRL HEADQUARTERS VISIT -
Now here is good club activity. Your club might want to make a visit
too. IRAC's visit is set for Monday, March 21. We should plan to
leave the EOC Bldg. at 8:30 AM to get to Newington, Conn before 11:00
AM. We can take the 11:00 tour of headquarters, get lunch, and then
operate for the afternoon on the state of the art radio equipment.
Tours are also available at 1, 2, and 3 PM. Operating hours are between
10AM and noon and from 1 to 3:45 PM. Bring your license and if you
don't plan to operate, bring along a book. So far Richard (AB2SV),
Walter (KC2KZJ), Mike (WA2JSB), Paul (WB2JVG) and Harvey (W2YWC) are on
the go list. We will firm up arrangements this Wednesday. Perhaps you
might want to contact IRAC and beg them to take you along. It will be a
good cure for cabin fever.
* AUCTION AND FLEA MARKET -
The New Providence ARC will be holding their annual Auction and Flea
Market on Friday evening, April 8, 2005, at the Salt Brook School
cafeteria, New Providence. More information and directions at
www.nparc.org/auction.htm. Set-up time is 6:00 PM, all others 6:45 PM.
Admission is $2.00 with Club getting 10 percent of purchase price. Flea
market runs for 45 minutes after completion of auction, no commission
charged.
HAMFESTS:
8 Apr 2005 + Auction & Flea Market
New Providence Amateur Radio Club
http://www.qsl.net/nparc/auction.htm
Talk-In: 145.75 MHz simplex
Contact: Barry Cohen, K2JV
39 Cromwell Court
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Phone: 908-464-1730
Fax: 973-377-7061
Email: k2jv@arrl.net
New Providence, NJ
Salt Brook School Cafeteria
40 Maple Street
Div: Hudson
Sect: Northern New Jersey
10 Apr 2005 + Mt. Beacon Amateur Radio Club
http://www.qsl.net/mbarc
Talk-In: 146.97 (PL 100 or 123)
Contact: Colleen Scalia, KC2HUT
170 Shore Drive
New Windsor, NY 12553-5486
Phone: 845-497-3687
Email: kc2hut@arrl.net
Unionvale, NY
Tymor Park
County Route 21
Div: Hudson
Sect: Eastern New York
21 May 2005 + East Greenbush Amateur Radio Association
Talk-In: 146.520
Contact: Thomas Scorsone, KC2FCP
1310 10th Avenue
Watervliet, NY 12189
Phone: 518-272-1494
Email: kc2fcp@aol.com
East Greenbush, NY
East Greenbush Firehouse Dept. #3
Phillips Road
Div: Hudson
Sect: Eastern New York
28 May 2005 + BARA Annual Spring Hamfest
Bergen Amateur Radio Association
http://www.bara.org
Talk-In: 146.19/146.79 (PL 141.3)
Contact: Jim Joyce, K2ZO
286 Ridgewood Blvd. North
Washington Township, NJ 07676
Phone: 201-664-6725
Email: k2zo@arrl.net
Washington Township, NJ
Westwood Regional Jr. / Sr. High School
701 Ridgewood Road
Div: Hudson
Sect: Northern New Jersey
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Hudson Division
Director: Frank Fallon, N2FF
n2ff@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Hudson Division
Director: Frank Fallon, N2FF
n2ff@arrl.org