The ARRL Letter
Vol. 13, No. 9
May 10, 1994

Telephone interference survey examined;
ARRL Lab offers solutions to problems

     In early March the Federal Communications Commission's 
Field Operations Bureau released statistics from a survey of 
105 random cases of telephone interference, saying that 
since some telephones are "bulletproof," all of them could 
be. 
     The results of the study were obtained by the ARRL and 
reported in May QST.
     The FCC concluded that transmitter power did not seem 
to be a significant factor, and found that filters worked 
only one-third of the time. 
     The FCC said that its own bulletproof telephones were 
free of interference "virtually all of the time."
     The FCC did say that, since its survey was done at 
random, the results should not "be construed as FCC 
endorsement or criticism of any particular manufacturer's 
product."
     The FCC said that telephone interference filters 
"cannot be relied upon to eliminate telephone interference" 
(emphasis added), since, in two out of three cases in this 
survey, they didn't work.      
     ARRL Laboratory Supervisor Ed Hare, KA1CV, spoke to the 
FCC about their survey, and was told it was preliminary and 
not meant to be conclusive. On May 4 the FCC issued a news 
release about the survey, summarizing its findings.
     The FCC's "bullet-proof" telephones were all modified, 
non-electronic type, Hare said, and it is much more 
difficult (although not impossible) to make modern 
electronic telephones, full of active devices, so absolutely 
immune.
     The bullet-proof telephones also lack the bells and 
whistles popular with consumers.
     There are many reasons why telephone filters may work 
only "one-third of the time." RF filters are designed to be 
optimum over a specific frequency range -- an HF filter 
installed to 
correct an interference problem caused by a VHF station 
may not be effective, Hare said.
   Separate filters are often required for telephone lines 
and handsets; a handset cord can pick up an RF signal from 
an HF or VHF station and some telephones may as a result 
require the use of a handset filter.
    Hare emphasized that telephone interference can be 
cured. Often, a combination of immune telephones, multiple 
filters and troubleshooting techniques is required for a 
complete solution. 
     On the other hand, as the FCC said in its report on the 
survey, "...manufacturers can design interference-free 
telephones."

FCC seeks comments on UHF reallocations

     The FCC has issued a Notice of Inquiry on reallocation 
of spectrum from federal government use (in ET Docket 94-
32). 50 MHz of spectrum would be transferred to private 
sector use, possibly as early as this summer. The comment 
deadline is June 15, 1994.
     The reallocation is called for under the Omnibus 
Reconciliation Act of 1993, which requires the Department of 
Commerce to identify 200 MHz of spectrum below 5 GHz to be 
reallocated within the next 15 years.
     The spectrum identified for immediate reallocation is 
at 2390 to 2400 MHz, 2402 to 2417 MHz, and 4660 to 4685 MHz. 
Amateurs share the first two ranges. The Commission said 
that "there are a number of factors associated with existing 
allocations of the bands that will affect their potential 
for private sector use."
     In response to provisions of the Act that say the 
Secretary of Commerce shall "seek to avoid excessive 
disruption of existing use of Federal Government frequencies 
by Amateur Radio licensees," the NOI said:
     "The 2390-2400 MHz and 2402-2417 MHz bands are in the 
2300-2450 MHz range referred to as the 13 cm band by the 
amateur service community. Within this range, the amateur 
service is currently allocated a total of 70 MHz on a 
secondary basis. The Department of Commerce has identified 
35 MHz of this spectrum for reallocation (25 MHz available 
immediately).
     "The Department of Commerce expects that the amateur 
service community can satisfy the majority of its spectrum 
requirements in the remaining 35 MHz. It also believes that 
current use of the 13 cm band by amateur stations is light 
compared to use of bands lower in the spectrum, but notes 
that use may increase for amateur-satellite, high-speed 
computer data links, amateur TV, and other wide-band 
applications. The Department of Commerce states that it 
excluded the 2400-2402 MHz band from consideration for 
reallocation in order to protect existing amateur satellite 
operations."
     The FCC requested comment on two specific areas 
of concern to amateurs:
     * "Will the recommended reallocation avoid excessive 
disruption of existing use of Federal Government frequencies 
by amateur service licensees? Is the 2 megahertz segment at 
2400-2402 MHz that the Department of Commerce excluded from 
consideration for reallocation sufficient to avoid 
disrupting existing amateur-satellite operations?"
     * Will new non-Federal services in these bands be able 
to share the spectrum with existing services, especially 
with amateur operations in the 2390-2400 MHz and 2402-2417 
MHz bands, and with the fixed-satellite service in the 4660-
4685 MHz band? If yes, what are appropriate technical 
sharing criteria? What should be the relative status of 
users? What effect will existing users have on competition 
and on access to new services?"

NEW MOBILE TOOLS FOR FCC
INCLUDE 10 COMPUTER CARS

     The Federal Communications Commission is showing off a 
new vehicle for investigative work, equipped with two 
computers, a color monitor, a mobile phone, and a satellite 
receiver. The FCC told the Associated Press it expected to 
have 10 such cars in service in metropolitan areas this 
month, with the goal of eventually having two such cars for 
each of the Commission's 35 field offices. The FCC said that 
businesses and boat operators are the most likely to operate 
unlicensed transmitters.
     Meanwhile, in Gettysburg, at the end of April the FCC's 
amateur license processing backlog was 10 to 12 weeks. The 
Commission has not yet switched to its new computer system, 
which will be required for processing the new-style, 
simplified Form 610, which has been mandatory since March 1. 
     And according to Broadcasting and Cable magazine, FCC 
Chairman Reed Hundt is asking the Office of Management and 
Budget for more money for fiscal 1995, in order to hire more 
Commission workers. Hundt said the FCC is running at a 
"personnel deficit" of about 500, compared with 1980.

FCC TURNS DOWN PETITIONS
FOR CHANGING AMATEUR RULES

     In late April the FCC denied three petitions from 
amateurs to change the licensing structure. One petitioner 
would have lowered Morse code requirements and two others 
would have eliminated the 5 wpm CW examination for the 
Novice license. The FCC said that the current amateur 
license requirements were the result of Commission 
proceedings that produced thousands of comments. "The 
amateur community indicated on each occasion that it 
strongly desires to preserve communications by telegraphy," 
the FCC said.

NEW JERSEY HAM PAYS FINE
FOR QRM TO REPEATER

     A New Jersey amateur has paid a fine for interfering 
with a New York City repeater. John Lickun, N2MVZ, of Little 
Falls, New Jersey, admitted causing malicious interference 
to repeater W2SNM, operated by the Manhattan Avenue of the 
Americas Radio Club. In July 1993 the FCC's New York Field 
Office monitored transmissions determined to be coming from 
a coffee vending street stand, and from Lickun. The FCC 
issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for $1,000; Lickun 
apologized for his actions and paid a reduced fine of $250.

ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE
PONDERS A.R. BILLS

     Three bills related to Amateur Radio are currently 
before the Illinois legislature, but insiders say only one 
has much chance of becoming law this session.
     HB 4180 would ban scanner radios as well as many 
amateur rigs from vehicles, and was the brainchild of a 
local police force. Legislators are aware of the 
implications for licensed amateurs and a future bill would 
exempt them from any such ban. But HB 4180 is dead for this 
session at any rate, sources said.
     HB 3730 cites PRB-1 and would exempt amateurs from most 
overly restrictive local covenants on towers and antennas. 
The bill's sponsor is a Republican from the northwest 
Chicago suburbs. The bill -- as do most current Republican-
bills in Illinois -- languishes.
     One bill that probably will pass is SB 1159, which would 
permit Amateur Radio call sign vehicle marker plates on 
corporate-registered autos (instead of only those registered 
to licensed amateurs). 

QST TO MAKE JULY DEBUT
ON NATION'S NEWSSTANDS

     Beginning in July, QST will be available at selected 
"newsstands" around the US, on an experimental basis. These 
newsstand copies will be identical to member copies, except 
that their front covers will have a slightly different look, 
including "teasers" for stories inside. QST will still be 
available at Amateur Radio retail stores. 
     
NH law exempts antennas from taxes;
inspired by $9,000 assessment on ham

     New Hampshire House Bill 1380, recently signed into law 
by Governor Steve Merrill, exempts from real estate property 
taxes "radio towers, antennas, and related or supporting 
structures used exclusively in the operation of an Amateur 
communications station under Federal Communications 
Commission Amateur Radio Service rules and regulations."
     ARRL Counsel Chris Imlay, N3AKD, called the bill "an 
important precedent," saying that it may have far-reaching 
effects throughout the US as amateurs continue to seek 
relief from local and state regulation.
     ARRL New Hampshire Section Manager Al Shuman, N1FIK, 
who played a key role in the passage of the bill, largely 
credits ARRL New Hampshire State Government Liaison (and 
representative in the state legislature) Ralph Rosen, W1HSB, 
and a team of ARRL Field Organization volunteers, who 
testified numerous times before both House and Senate 
committees.
     The matter came to a head when a New Hampshire town 
added $9000 to an amateur's property value, for tax 
purposes, based on his towers and antennas. While he 
appealed the assessment in court, Rosen and others initiated 
the legislation.

Washington Coordinator W1UED bows at Dayton;
speaks to HamVention, accepts its top award

     Perry Williams, W1UED, retired last week as ARRL 
Washington Area Coordinator, after 40 years of working at 
HQ. At the Dayton HamVention on April 30, Williams accepted 
the HamVention's 1994 "Amateur of the Year" award. He was 
nominated by former US Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, and 
ARRL Southwestern Division Director Fried Heyn, WA6WZO.
     Here are excerpts from Williams's speech to the banquet:

     "This assembly tonight is composed of radio amateurs, 
would-be radio amateurs  -- and people who have been dragged 
here by radio amateurs! We share a fascinating avocation. 
Never, before the advent of ham radio -- in all human 
history -- has the ordinary person had the opportunity and 
the means to exchange views with others in every corner of 
the world -- and without paying a tariff to a third party!      
And this unique thing, this Amateur Radio, is worth 
protecting against all forces. It must be preserved.
     "I'm a most fortunate man. From time to time in the 
past forty years, circumstance has placed me where I could 
make a modest contribution to that goal of preservation, and 
occasionally of enhancement, of the hobby as well. You, who 
have been members of the American Radio Relay League during 
this span, deserve credit for preservation of Amateur Radio 
by providing this particular circumstance. Individuals
alone, even a group of customers of a book and magazine 
publisher, couldn't have done the job.  
     "It took interested, active people, people
willing to serve as volunteers in a cause --  in my case, 
the ARRL -- through which ham radio has grown and prospered.  
Particularly, it took that special breed of people willing 
to give up large chunks of personal time to run for and 
serve as [ARRL] Officers, Directors, Vice Directors and
Section Managers, as club officers, Emergency Coordinators, 
Public Information Officers, Technical Advisors, Volunteer 
Counsels -- people who will argue out what policies will 
best preserve and enhance, and then do the work necessary.  
     "You see, there are some tasks an individual can't 
handle alone. The first of our forebears to stand upright 
and use language discovered that several hunters working 
together were far more successful than the sum of them 
working alone. With some hunters waiting in a box canyon and 
others driving the game into its walls, the living standard 
of the group took a giant step upward -- meat on the table!   
     "The principle remains true today. Even with modern 
technology, some tasks overwhelm the individual but seem 
easy when everyone works together. With assets derived from 
relatively small contributions of 170,000 persons, a host of 
services are provided to all of Amateur Radio by the 
American Radio Relay League. Some of the services, to be 
sure, are personal, even inward-looking. But most are not.       
Take the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, for instance. 
     Organizing, training, recruiting and interconnecting 
these volunteers is a group effort, efficiently done by the 
League. In turn, America and the world can count on hams to 
be there whenever an act of God or misstep of mankind 
overloads or interrupts the public communications systems.  
This is a major reason the world has tolerated and even 
encouraged us. Emergency service is a cornerstone for the 
preservation of Amateur Radio.
     "Amateur contributions to technology, too, are by no 
means inconsequential. Stuck below 200 meters with what was 
considered flea power at the time, amateurs opened up those 
short waves, discovering DX with small tube-type 
transmitters, and gave this technology to the world. 
     "Some folks here tonight may remember Fred Schnell's 
Navy cruise in 1925 which proved the utility of short wave 
to the US Navy. More will remember Generals Curtis LeMay and 
Butch Griswold, in the fifties, installing a Collins amateur 
sideband rig on an Air Force plane, and flying it around the 
globe, all the time staying in touch with Omaha on voice. 
Those two hams solved the Air Force's dilemma: how to stay 
in touch with an armada of jet bombers dispersed over the 
Earth yet too cramped to carry a radio operator for Morse.  
     "The beat goes on: Volunteers in Technical Assistance 
(Vita) and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) 
together have earned a Pioneer's Preference from the FCC for 
applying Amateur Radio technology to the little LEO [low
Earth orbit] branch of the emerging Information Highway.
     "The Bible points out that one doesn't light a candle 
and place it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand. If 
the work which hams do is kept secret, then no one will 
appreciate their usefulness. If the hams are not seen as 
making a contribution, their frequency allocations will be 
fair game for conversion to another purpose. The light of 
Amateur Radio must shine brightly, particularly in 
Washington. League members have sent me there to do that for 
the past 14 years.  
     "Initially, I was detailed to both the executive and 
legislative branches of the government. Each workload got 
heavy enough two years ago to require another hand, so my 
colleague Paul Rinaldo is now covering the executive side, 
and my beat until yesterday was solely the Congress.
     "Now Congress takes a lot of lumps from people, some of 
them well-earned, as when personal peccadilloes get in the 
way of statesmanship. But throughout history, the rulers of 
the people have always had their bad sides, even David the 
King, Constantine, and many rulers with "Saint" in front of 
their name or "the Great" after it. Congresspeople 
collectively, freely chosen by the people as their leaders, 
are probably better behaved than the hereditary rulers, 
taken as a whole.  
     "And you know, senators and representatives do listen 
to their constituents! We've had a number of bills to follow 
in the past several years -- some we've originated, some
imposed on us. These bills have dealt with spectrum issues, 
with license and administrative fees, with call signs of 
choice. Always, the messages from home have turned the tide.
     "Congress listens. Beyond that, the course for all of 
us to follow is: participate, participate, participate.  
Keep ham radio strong and useful through your membership and 
activity in the QCWA, the ARRL, your radio clubs and club 
councils, your nets and the groups specializing in your 
favorite activity or mode. Keep Congress and the FCC 
informed of your needs, your desires, and your activities. 
     "Write letters, send faxes, make phone calls. They 
can't operate in a vacuum; they need to know what's out 
there. What's in the balance is no less than the survival of 
our thing, Amateur Radio."

BRIEFS

     * Job opening at HQ: Regulatory Information Branch 
Supervisor in the Field Services Department. Needed, a 
bachelor's degree, supervisory experience, strong writing 
and speaking skills, and strong customer service 
orientation. Amateur Radio license required. Salary range, 
$24,024 to $33,541. Contact FSD Manager Rick Palm, K1CE.

     * Youngest DXCC? Nine-year-old Casey Haley, AB5RG, 
received his certificate in April. Casey, an Extra Class 
licensee, lives in South Houston, Texas.

     * No reply from Russia to your QSL? A Moscow newspaper 
in April reported the arrest of several mail thieves at the 
Moscow Central Post Office. Postal workers were searching 
bags of mail for valuables (e.g., currency and International 
Reply Coupons), then throwing the mail away.

     * Dr Karl William Edmark, a Seattle heart surgeon who 
invented the portable defibrilator, died in April. Although 
not a licensed amateur at the time of his death, he held 
W7IGJ for many years and said he built the first prototype 
of his life-saving device on a card table in his bedroom, in 
1954.

     * HQ news: We're about halfway finished hooking up to 
a new local area network that will not only better connect 
HQ employees but will give them better and faster access 
into and out of the building, to the Internet and other 
needed services. You can send electronic mail to The ARRL 
Letter at the following address: jcain@arrl.org

     * A highlight of the 1994 Dayton HamVention was the 
ARRL Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) forum, 
commemorating 10 years of Amateur Radio from the Space 
Shuttle. Some 500 attended, to hear space tales from 
astronauts Tony England, W0ORE, and Steve Nagel, N5RAW. 
Astronaut Ken Cameron, KB5AWP, participated by telephone 
from Russia's Star City, where he is on assignment from 
NASA.

     * The Houston Amateur Radio Club has disbanded; the 
club became ARRL-affiliated in 1919. The club's directors 
have given the remains of its accounts to the ARRL Legal 
Research and Resource Fund ($11,283), and to the ARRL 
Foundation to support scholarships for amateurs in the ARRL 
West Gulf Division ($3759).

     * The FCC has once again denied a request by Dale 
Gagnon, KW1I, for a waiver of transmitter power limits. A 
year ago the Commission denied a similar request from Gagnon 
for higher-power AM operation.
     The FCC also recently denied a petition for 
reconsideration from David Ingram of Mableton, Georgia, who 
was fined $2500 for violating citizens band rules, and fined 
K40 Electronics, Ltd., of Warren, Michigan $20,000 for 
selling non-type accepted CB equipment, including power 
amplifiers.

     * The 1994 Microwave Update Conference is scheduled for 
September 22 to 24 in Estes Park, Colorado. A lineup of 
speakers is already forming, under the direction of Al Ward, 
WB5LUA, and Jim Davey, WA8NLC. As usual, the ARRL will 
publish the proceedings of the conference.
     More information and a registration form are available 
from Bill McCaa, K0RZ, PO Box 3214, Boulder CO 80307, tel 
(days) 303-441-3069.

10 years ago in The ARRL Letter

     The FCC suspended the license of a New York Technician 
class amateur for allegedly cheating on his General class CW 
exam before an FCC examiner. [The man had passed the same 
test a month later. He is licensed today, as an Advanced 
class.]
     Canada's Department of Commerce floated the notion of 
removing all HF subband restrictions for amateurs there, in 
part in response to "imminent US phone band expansion" on 
10, 15, and 20 meters. 
     Republican Sen Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, introduced into 
the Congressional Record a commendation to the Dayton (Ohio) 
Amateur Radio Association for administering the first "large 
scale" batch of volunteer examinations. Goldwater also 
complimented other volunteer examiner coordinators who were 
gearing up to begin exams, saying "The radio amateurs of 
this nation are once again demonstrating their dedication 
and abilities. The taxpayers benefit by not picking up the 
tab for amateur examinations, and the amateurs benefit by 
having examinations more readily available and a more direct 
role in the amateur service."
     The ARRL was still delaying its application to be a VEC 
until the matter of reimbursement of expenses for volunteer 
examiners was resolved.
     ARRL's Task force on Federal Preemption continued 
visiting officials in Washington but most of them "gave 
little hope of relief in the near future." (PRB-1 became law 
in 1985).
     Dayton HamVention attendance was estimated at 21,000 
and "was marked by good weather." 
