The ARRL Letter, Volume 8, Number 8, April 21, 1989 Published by: The American Radio Relay League, Inc. 225 Main St. Newington, CT 06111 Editor: Jay Mabey, NU0X Material from The ARRL Letter may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, including photoreproduction and electronic databanks, provided that credit is given to The ARRL Letter and to the American Radio Relay League, Inc. PART 15 LOW POWER DEVICE RULES ADOPTED--INCLUDES 4 HAM BANDS! On March 30, the FCC adopted its First Report and Order in General Docket 87-389, amending Part 15 of its rules governing radio- frequency devices, which, because of their low power, are not required to be licensed. The Order was released April 18, too late to be used in this issue of the ARRL Letter. The information here is drawn from the official presentation at the FCC open meeting, the press conference which followed and from ARRL Washington Coordinator Perry Williams, W1UED. There's good news, bad news and ghastly news. The good news is that the leakage permitted from some non intentional radiating devices (a broad class of devices including radio and TV receivers, VCRs, stereo equipment and the like) will have to be reduced to the more stringent limits now permitted to Class B computing devices which are used in the home. The bad news is that non compliant devices of this type are "grandfathered" for ten years! Existing TV tuners, for instance, can be designed, built and sold for another decade, having to observe only today's radiation limits. Though the FCC didn't say a word about RFI to consumer devices, the improvements eventually made in front ends of TVs and VCR/TV combinations should result in improved RF rejection, and thus less likelihood of RFI complaints, but we'll have to wait until the next century to know! The ghastly news is that the FCC has adopted seven new "consumer bands" where intentional radiating devices, such as home security systems, garage-door openers, wireless stereo speakers and TV "wireless rabbits" (devices which transfer programs to other TVs and VCRs throughout the house) may operate with higher power than otherwise would be permitted. Four of the specified bands, supposedly selected because Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) devices already operate there, are allocated to the Amateur Radio Service on a primary or secondary basis. These bands are: 902-920 MHz, 2400-2483.5 (the amateur band here is 2390-2450 MHz), 5725-5875 MHz (hams have 5650-5925 MHz) and 24.00-24.25 GHz (of which 24.00-24.05 is exclusively amateur, the remainder shared). Existing intentional radiating devices which do not comply with the new technical limits are grandfathered for three years in the design phase, five years for importing and marketing. The new devices, including "TV rabbits" and remote speakers, must comply with the standards set out in the Order from the start. Questioning of the FCC staff by ARRL revealed that the Order does not deal with RFI issues at all. Manufacturers are not required to include instructions on dealing with interference in consumer guides furnished with their equipment. The only gesture the FCC made toward warning the public about interference is a label stating that the device must not cause interference to any licensed radio service and must accept interference which occurs to it from such services. The second part of this label is not required on radio and TV receivers. Two days after the FCC Order was adopted, the ARRL Executive Committee voted to seek reconsideration and whatever injunctive relief is necessary to protect amateur interests. 1989 DARA AWARD WINNERS NAMED The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) HamVention Awards Committee has named Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, as its 1989 Radio Amateur of the Year. Pasternak was chosen, according to HamVention General Chairman Bill McNabb, WD8SAY, based on "his continuing interest in the promotion of Amateur Radio, his direct participation in the Westlink Amateur Radio News Service, as the author of Amateur Radio articles and books and as the producer of Amateur Radio related videos including The New World of Amateur Radio..." Chosen as the winner of the Technical Excellence Award is Byron Goodman, W1DX. Goodman was honored for his involvement in the early days of the development of Amateur Radio single-sideband communications and for his founding of the ARRL DXCC program. The 1989 Specific Achievement Award goes to Phil Karn, KA9Q, (see ARRL Letter Vol. 8 No. 7, page 3) for his work in the development of packet-radio software and his numerous writings on the use of computers in Amateur Radio. Karn was also recognized for his ongoing technical volunteer work with AMSAT-NA. Presentation of awards will be made at the annual DARA Awards Banquet that will take place on Saturday evening, April 29. 1984 Radio Amateur of the Year Dave Bell, W6AQ, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. FCC INSPECTOR GENERAL NAMED The Commission has named John Kamp, currently Director of Public Affairs, as the FCC's first Inspector General. The newly created office of Inspector General is one of 33 such offices created by the Inspector General Amendment Act of 1988. Kamp's responsibilities will include the conduct and supervision of audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the agency; recommending policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness, as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in agency programs; and to keep Congress fully informed about any problems or deficiencies within the agency. Kamp joined the Commission in 1980 as a staff attorney in the Policy and Rules Division, and since has held several legal, policy and public liaison positions throughout the agency. Kamp has also served on the personal staffs of Commissioner James Quello, former Chairman Mark Fowler, and former Mass Media Chief James McKinney. CRRL RESPONDS TO DOC DEREGULATION PROPOSAL The Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL) has responded to the DOC's deregulation proposal. In its submission, CRRL indicated that the deregulation would meet many present and future needs of the Canadian Amateur Service. CRRL However, expressed the following concerns as well: First; the proposal specified a 6-kHz maximum bandwidth for the 10.100 - 10.150 MHz band. This would allow SSB operation which could interfere with fixed stations that are primary users of this band. Such interference could cause amateurs to lose the band worldwide. CRRL asked DOC to specify a maximum bandwidth of 1 kHz. A second CRRL concern was DOC's proposal allowing an amateur to establish a home, portable and mobile station under one call, but not to operate these concurrently. CRRL asked DOC to permit this again so amateurs operating computer-controlled BBSs while, say, operating mobile, would not have to get a second station license and call. Thirdly, CRRL asked DOC to continue issuing VE0 calls for stations on ships in international waters. The final concern voiced by CRRL noted that deregulation, specifically deregulation of mode subbands, could upset the equilibrium between the Canadian and US Amateur Radio communities. If Canadian amateurs came to understand that, under deregulation, they were free to operate any mode on any frequency in the amateur bands -- without regard for the international Amateur Radio community -- there could be reaction in the US which would result in expansion of US phone subbands. CRRL asked DOC to emphasize to amateurs the importance of observing voluntary band plans developed by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). FCC-ISSUED CALL SIGN UPDATE The following is a list of most recently issued FCC call signs as of April 1. DIST GRP"A" GRP"B" GRP"C" GRP"D" Extra Advanced Tech/Gen Novice 0 WS0I KF0BV N0KJD KB0EFB 1 NV1Y KC1OA N1GKL KA1TMF 2 WN2Z KE2MA N2JDT KB2HLH 3 NU3H KD3ME N3GYP KA3UJR 4 AB4NO KM4QA N4VHV KC4JSH 5 AA5LA KG5SW N5ODB KB5IWZ 6 AA6ND KJ6RY N6URD KC6COG 7 WY7T KF7SN N7MMK KB7HHI 8 WQ8O KE8XO N8KNX KB8GUB 9 WG9L KE9PH N9IHE KB9CID Guam KH2K AH2CE KH2DS WH2AMA Hawaii ** AH6JT NH6ST WH6CCJ Alaska ** AL7KY NL7QW WL7BUH USVI NP2E KP2BO NP2CX WP2AGQ P.R. ** KP4PY WP4UY WP4IHS ** indicates that all 2 X 1 call signs have been assigned in those areas. W1AW OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED Open house! The ARRL HQ building will be open Sunday, June 11, from 10 AM to 4 PM. If your club or group wants to schedule a visit, please notify Membership Communications Services at HQ. Be sure to bring a copy of your license if you'd like to operate W1AW, however, operating time may be severely limited due to construction. The Newington Amateur Radio League (NARL) is sponsoring their annual hamfest and flea-market the same day as the W1AW open house. The festivities will be held at the Newington High School between the hours of 9 AM and 2 PM, with "guide service" to HQ provided. HF PACKET RADIO COOPERATIVE DESIGN INITIATIVE The ARRL has announced the creation of a new project to develop the next generation of modems and protocols for HF packet radio transmission. The project will coordinate the efforts of Amateur Radio designers whose proposals are adopted by the ARRL. Modest funding will be available for reimbursement of approved direct out-of-pocket expenses relating to the development of prototypes, but not labor, overhead or other costs. Overall funding for this project is to come from two sources. One is from the ARRL Technology Fund, which welcomes individual and corporate contributions. Also, the League has applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a small grant to help underwrite this project. Serious designers interested in participating in this development project may obtain further information from Lori Weinberg at ARRL HQ. General information concerning this project may be found in the May issue of QST on pages 54-55. BBC IS OFF 17 METERS! There is good news for 17 meter fans! The BBC has vacated its 18.080 MHz broadcasting frequency when it shifted to the spring schedule. Their new frequency is 17.640 MHz. David Evans, G3OUF, of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) contacted BBC at the ARRL's request and reports that the move is intended to be permanent. ARRL MEMBERSHIP FIGURES ARE UP Once again ARRL membership figures have increased over last year's totals: Division 1988 1989 to date Atlantic 15,276 15,822 Central 11,671 12,149 Dakota 3,163 3,341 Delta 5,869 6,227 Great Lakes 12,918 13,539 Hudson 9,713 9,938 Midwest 6,930 7,123 New England 10,899 11,395 Northwestern 8,229 8,909 Pacific 9,671 10,187 Roanoke 9,618 10,142 Rocky Mountain 4,357 4,596 Southeastern 13,862 14,515 Southwestern 13,463 14,154 West Gulf 10,069 10,515 Total membership figures show 158,448 this year compared to 151,361 at this time last year! DOVE MICROSAT SCHEDULED FOR LAUNCH The Digital Orbiting Voice Encoder (DOVE) MicroSat will be launched from French Guyana in Fall 1989 by the European Space Agency (ESA) aboard an Ariane 4 launch vehicle. DOVE is sponsored by AMSAT's Brazilian counterpart, BRAMSAT, and its sun-synchronous orbit will allow ground stations to hear two morning passes, transmitting on 145.970 MHz. DOVE will begin an Amateur Radio educational project that will last one year and include short messages expressing school student's wishes for peace in the world to be transmitted via DOVE's voice encoder. For further details contact Rich Ensign, N8IWJ, 421 N. Military, Dearborn, MI 48124, or call 313-274-1718 (home) or 313-278-0900 (school). RSGB CALL FOR PAPERS Anyone interested in presenting a paper at the second Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) Data Symposium should contact Mike Dennison, G3XDV, at RSGB HQ as soon as possible. The Symposium is to be held concurrently with the AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium on July 28-30. Further information may be obtained by writing C/O Lambda House, Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, Hertsfordshire, EN6 3JE, England. APPLY NOW FOR ARRL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS There's still time to apply for the 1989-90 ARRL Foundation scholarships -- but you'll have to hurry if you want to make the Goldwater Scholarship deadline of May 1! June 1 is the deadline for all other Foundation scholarships, many of which are now $1000 awards. For applications, write of call the ARRL Foundation at HQ. FIRST TEN 17-METER 'WAS' AWARDS Congratulations are in order to the first ten amateurs to earn Worked All States (WAS) on the 17-meter band. The award winners are: 1) Christopher M. Merchant, KA1LMR 2) Joseph Reisert, Jr., W1JR 3) Steven R. Buerg, KD6PY 4) Charles A. Brown, N5CB 5) Walter T. Qualls, W5ERG 6) Raymond C. Baldwin, WB7OHF 7) Theodore H. Raschick, W0RGT 8) Richard I. Little, KY9L 9) Carl D. Hagler, K5CKQ 10)Thomas O. Thorburn, KA1POP PHIL SAGER, WB4FDT, LEAVES HQ Phil Sager, WB4FDT, who has conducted the Happenings and League Lines columns in QST for over 3 years, is leaving HQ to attend graduate school at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. Phil was also ARRL Letter Editor in 1986-87, and has been in charge of keeping The FCC Rulebook up-to-date since coming to HQ in 1986. During the mid-1970's, Phil worked in the former Amateur and Citizens Division of the FCC in Washington, DC -- the only League staffer to work at the FCC in that capacity -- and served as Virginia Section Manager from 1982-84. Good luck Phil!