Address changes: Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, e-mail kcapodicasa@arrl.org.

Editorial: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, e-mail elindquist@arrl.org.

• Speak up! Little LEOs target 219-225 MHz!
• Vanity processing resumes
• WRTC 2000 to be held in Slovenia
• FCC: post-sale cellular scanner mods are illegal
• FCC fines retailer for illegal scanner marketing
• Ham Radio & More could leave the air
• A 73 kHz "first" in the UK
• Solar activity still down
• MUF database available via the Internet
• Kenwood debuts ham radio self-study kit
• FCC issued call sign update
• In Brief: Hams help fire victims; Ham-doctor helps Brazilian child; UK Thinking Day event; Club marks 45 years; Ham to appear on Prime Time Live; Logos wanted; Mir QSL info; N3JT back in practice; SSB adds Mutek and Parabolic AB lines

Commercial satellite interests seeking access to bands below 1 GHz--including amateur allocations at 146 and 430 MHz--now have added 220 MHz to their wish list. For the first time, Little LEO (low-earth orbiting satellite) interests have proposed including 219-225 MHz in their list of desired allocations for the non-voice, non-geostationary (NVNG) mobile-satellite service (MSS). The move was contained in the industry's so-called flexible allocation proposal, delivered at the February 13, 1997, meeting of FCC Informal Working Group (IWG) 2A. Little LEO targets now include 146 to 148, 219 to 225 and 430 to 450 MHz. The ARRL and AMSAT were among those objecting to the concept, and the League is urging those who agree with their position to comment to the FCC by March 4. IWG-2A has been preparing draft proposals for the 1997 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-97). These will be reviewed during a March 5 meeting of the FCC's WRC-97 Industry Advisory Committee that is preparing draft proposals for consideration by the United States as it gets ready for WRC-97

The ARRL and AMSAT statement said the latest proposal affecting amateur allocations in the 219 to 225 MHz segment came at the last possible moment and without any technical support whatsoever. The League and AMSAT pointed out that the little LEO proponents have had more than a year to complete a technical study of the possibilities of sharing with the amateur services in the 144 to 148 MHz and 420 to 450 MHz bands. They have not demonstrated compatibility for sharing these amateur bands but over the evolution of their document have proposed various new ideas for use of these bands.

The little LEO flexible allocation strategy for WRC-97--submitted as IWG-2A/86 (Rev. 6)--is to propose broad allocations. The apparent theory is that most administrations would find reasons to oppose little LEO use of specific bands in the crowded spectrum below 1 GHz, but that a broad allocation would permit different implementations in different countries depending on local circumstances.

At the February 13 meeting, a coalition of spectrum interests--including land mobile, amateur, broadcasting, and military--opposed the flexible allocation concept on three grounds: that the concept is simply an invention to avoid performing technical sharing studies that would demonstrate the unfeasibility of sharing; that it is inconsistent with decades of ITU allocations practices; and that, if adopted, the concept would be counter to US interests. The coalition document is identified as IWG-2A/107.

The ARRL and AMSAT submitted a further statement of opposition, citing the absence of any technical studies that might support sharing with the amateur service or the amateur-satellite service and pointing out that the little LEOs have completely mischaracterized the nature of ITU Resolution 640 regarding the use of certain amateur bands in the event of natural disasters. The ARRL/AMSAT paper, revised to reflect opposition to the late proposal to include 219-225 MHz, is identified as IWG-2A/108 (Rev. 1).

Amateurs also might find interesting the comments of the Department of Defense, identified as IWG-2A/101 (Rev. 1). These address the 430 to 450 MHz segment the Little LEOs seek to share.

Anyone wishing to register support for the ARRL/AMSAT submission should send a brief e-mail message to wrc97@fcc.gov. The subject line should say Reference No. ISP-96-005 IWG-2A. A simple statement to this effect, I support the ARRL/AMSAT opposition to the NVNG MSS flexible allocation proposal, will be included in the public record and will help to drive home the point that there is broad-based opposition to poorly conceived sharing proposals.

Please note! The proposals the League opposes are not FCC proposals, nor are they endorsed by any other branch of the government. They are industry proposals. The League's objective is to demonstrate there is broad citizen opposition to the industry proposals, so the government will not adopt them as US proposals. So, please don't flame the FCC if you comment.

Additional arguments or evidence also is welcome. Important! Comments should reach the FCC no later than March 4, 1997!

The complete ARRL/AMSAT opposition statement and other comments will be posted by February 15 on the ARRLWeb page, http://www.arrl.org/ under Band Threat News.

The vanity floodgates have reopened. The FCC office in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has processed vanity applications received from December 1, 1996, through February 5, 1997. In all, slightly more than 2400 applications were processed, but only slightly more than half of the applicants managed to successfully snag one of their call sign choices. The FCC made 1344 grants. More than 1000 applications ended up in the dreaded work in process (WIPS) stack for special handling. It's expected that most of the WIPS applications will be dismissed because the FCC was unable to grant any of the applicant's requested call sign choices. In other cases, the FCC must resolve apparent discrepancies in the applicant's name, address or call sign.

A backlog of WIPS applications had held up vanity processing for approximately two months, as personnel in Gettysburg worked to clear the decks. Prior to the recent big wave on February 12, a few vanity grants had trickled out of Gettysburg as the staff worked its way through the WIPS pile.

Vanity call sign applications continue to arrive at the FCC. Gate 1 opened last May, Gate 1A opened in July and Gate 2 opened in September. There is still no word on when the FCC plans to open Gate 3.

Tine Brajnik, S50A, has announced that The Slovenia Contest Club-which sent a large group of contesters to WRTC 96 in the San Francisco Bay area--will be the host of WRTC 2000. Brajnik said the club's application to the World Radiosport Team Championship steering committee to host WRTC 2000 was approved this week.

Serving on the initial WRTC 2000 committee in Slovenia are S50A, S53R, S59AA and S59L. Brajnik said the committee is now defining the basic criteria to select competitors and is making other organizational preparations. "The world Amateur Radio community will be informed of all developments and information through Internet reflectors and the different ham-radio publications," he said.

For now, all official WRTC 2000 messages will come from--and inquiries should be sent to--S50A at WRTC-2000, Slovenia Contest Club, Saveljska 50, 1113 Ljubljana, Slovenia; e-mail tine.brajnik@guest.arnes.si.

In the wake of the Newt Gingrich cellular telephone taping incident, the FCC has made it clear that it's illegal for manufacturers or dealers to modify scanning receivers to enable reception on cellular telephone frequencies. A Public Notice, DA 97-334, issued February 13, declares that scanner modification is included in the ban on manufacturing cellular-ready scanners.

The notice comes as members of Congress raised concerns over the widely publicized incident where a cellular telephone conversation of House Speaker Newt Gingrich was intercepted and taped and its contents ended up on the pages of the New York Times. A House subcommittee hearing on cellular telephone privacy that also stemmed from the Gingrich cellular taping and disclosure also addressed the issue earlier this month.

Among those testifying before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection was Bob Grove of Grove Enterprises (and Monitoring Times), who tried to argue that a legal loophole allowed him to sell and then retrofit scanners to pick up cellular conversations. Other testimony focused on the low priority that Congress has placed on prosecution of cellular eavesdropping cases. --FCC/Steve Mansfield, N1MZA

The FCC has upheld a stiff fine against Ace Communications of Fishers, Indiana, for illegally selling scanners that were not FCC-certified and that could receive cellular telephone frequencies. The FCC's Compliance and Information Bureau issued the $20,000 Notice of Forfeiture February 5, 1997, for "willful and repeated violation of Section 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and repeated violation of Section 302(b) of the Act and Section 2.803 of the Commission's rules. Specifically, the FCC cited the company for "advertising and selling two different scanners without first obtaining an equipment authorization." The FCC complaint involved the Yupiteru MVT-7100 and the Trident TR-2400 scanners. The Commission said it would not have issued an equipment authorization because the scanners in question "were capable of tuning into frequencies assigned to the cellular telephone service."

Ace had advertised one of the scanners in Amateur Radio publications in 1993, but none of the ads ever ran in QST. The FCC also rejected all arguments to reduce the fine or dismiss the Notice of Apparent Liability. --FCC

Ham Radio & More radio program host Len Winkler, KB7LPW, says the show's last broadcast could be Sunday, March 30, if ad revenues don't make a drastic turnabout. Winkler, who's been the hobby program's host since it first aired on April 21, 1991, says flagging financial support has prompted KFNN (1510 AM) in Phoenix-which produces the program--to cancel it. But Winkler is still holding out hope that the program can continue. "March 30 is still the deadline, but it is not in concrete yet!" he said this week. Ham Radio & More--the only weekly ham radio program on commercial radio--once was carried on more than 70 local stations. Today, the number of commercial outlets carrying the show has dwindled to fewer than two dozen. "I have been promoting Amateur Radio as strongly as humanly possible to the general public since the beginning." The program also is "aired" live via RealAudio on the Internet, and both live and tape-delayed twice weekly on WWCR shortwave. "Our listenership has soared since we went live each week on shortwave," he said. "Not only do the licensed hams listen, but tons of shortwave listeners around the world!" ARRL Lab Supervisor Ed Hare, KA1CV, has been among the program's guests.

Generating advertiser dollars to support the program has been less successful, however. "It's very sad that the industry is complaining about lagging sales, yet they refuse to advertise to potential licensees," Winkler said. "If the show dies, it will be just another nail in the Amateur Radio coffin."

Winkler says he's not compensated for his role in the show and has spent $10,000 of his own money on it. Listener donations are welcome to keep the show on the air. Checks should be made out to KFNN Radio and sent to Ham Radio & More, 4800 N Central, Phoenix, AZ 85012. Winkler says that no checks will be cashed unless the show stays on the air past March 30. "Ham Radio & More is not finished yet."

Ham Radio & More show information is available on the Web at http://www.goodnet.com/~lenwink/hrm.htm. Ham Radio & More airs live Sundays at 6 PM Eastern (2300 UTC) and may be heard locally on commercial stations as well as on WWCR at 5.070 MHz and on RealAudio via the Internet at http://www.AudioNet.com/radio/business/kbnp. The program airs on a delayed basis via WWCR Mondays at 1000 UTC on 3.210 MHz.

Mike Dennison, G3XDV, and Peter Dodd, G3LDO, have made what they claim to be the first cross-band contact involving the UK's new 73 kHz band. Running 20 W input on 72.5 kHz and feeding a 200-foot loaded loop antenna, Dennison was able to reach Dodd, who was operating portable and using a short length of wire for a receiving antenna. Talk-back was on 432 MHz. The distance between the nearest parts of their antennas was approximately 575 feet, but this could be a record. The tests were in preparation for what is expected to be the first two-way contact on 73 kHz. (For more information, look for "73 kHz--A New Band for Great Britain" in March QST, p 40.) --RSGB

Solar seer Tad Cook, KT7H, in Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity continues to stay very low. Solar flux slowly drifted down over the past week, with average values almost 3 points lower than the previous week and average sunspot numbers down about 15 points. Geomagnetic disturbances were not down, however, and the planetary A index was above 20 for more than three days, indicating a geomagnetic storm.

Look for quiet conditions over this contest weekend, with no expected geomagnetic disturbances and solar flux remaining in the low 70s. Solar flux is expected to remain in the low 70s over the next few weeks. February 22-24 could see a recurrence of geomagnetic activity, and again to a lesser extent around March 5-7.

Sunspot numbers for February 6 through 12 were 35, 38, 11, 11, 0, 0 and 0, respectively, with a mean of 13.6. The 10.7-cm flux was 74.2, 75.7, 75.2, 73.2, 72.3, 71.1 and 70.9, respectively, with a mean of 73.2. Estimated planetary A indices for the same period were 9, 3, 21, 16, 21, 20, and 7, respectively, with a mean of 13.9.

Here are some ARRL International DX Contest CW weekend path projections from the center of the United States:

To Europe, check 80 meters from 2330 to 0730 UTC, 40 from 2230 to 0230 UTC and 0730 to 0930 UTC, and 20 from 1530 to 1830 UTC.

To Africa, check 80 meters from 0000 to 0330 UTC, 40 from 2330 to 0300 UTC and 20 from 1830 to 2130 UTC. There is a chance for a 15 meter opening around 1900 UTC.

To South America, check 80 meters from 0000 to 1000 UTC, 40 from 2330 to 1100 UTC, and 20 from 1500 to 0000 UTC, with the best 20 meter conditions toward the end of the period. Check 15 meters from 1700 to 2030 UTC, and 10 meters has a chance for some propagation around 1900 to 2100 UTC.

To the South Pacific check 80 meters from 1000 to 1330 UTC, 40 from 0930 to 1400 UTC, 20 around 1530 UTC and 15 around 2200 to 2300 UTC.

To East Asia check 80 from 0830 to 1400 UTC, 40 from 0830 to 1500 UTC and 20 from 2130 to 0000 UTC.

Maximum usable frequency (MUF) predictions covering the period of February and March 1997 now are available via the Internet from Solar Terrestrial Dispatch in Alberta, Canada. Details on how to order these predictions and the software to display the graphs can be found at http://solar.uleth.ca/solar/www/predict.html. The databases are $20 apiece. Viewing software is $30.

The predictions are based on anticipated levels of solar and geophysical activity and were computed using an ionospheric ray tracing engine to accurately determine MUFs, optimum signal takeoff angles, optimum frequencies, and other valuable information between 50 worldwide regions including the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, South America and many others. For more information, send e-mail to Cary Oler at COler@Solar.Stanford.Edu or Oler@Solar.Uleth.CA. Oler called the database is "the most comprehensive MUF predictions database available and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in high-frequency radio communication." --Cary Oler

Kenwood's ham radio self-study program for the Technician class license, "Make a Personal Connection," now is available at Amateur Radio dealers. The package includes EZ-PASS, a PC Windows-based training program, as well as a study manual that supports the software with information on operating rules and regulations and electronics theory. In addition, the kit contains the How to Get on the Air Guide--a ham radio primer--as well as Amateur Radio frequency charts. (The package also includes an ARRL membership application.)

"Make A Personal Connection" is available for Windows 95 and DOS. Minimum system requirements are a 386DX/33 and 8 MB of RAM. For more information, check out Kenwood's Web page at http://www.kenwood.net.

The following is a list of the FCC's most recently issued call signs as of February 3, 1997.

# New prefixes are available for this block, but none have been issued.

++ All call signs in this group have been issued in this area.

• Hams help fire victims: Monroe County, Michigan, ARES turned out February 7 to support the local Red Cross chapter in the wake of a major fire in a 54 unit apartment building affecting 49 families--some 18 months after turning out to help the Red Cross following a major fire in the same building. The building was destroyed in the later blaze. Hams provided communication to support mass care and feeding efforts, including feeding the scores of firefighters at the scene and providing food, temporary shelter, and basic needs to fire victims. Eight hams pitched in during the day-long operation. --Dale Williams, WA8EFK

• Ham-doctor helps Brazilian child: Dr Jeff Zlotnick, KB2EVB, of Easton, Pennsylvania, was able to provide some over-the-air aid via phone patch when the call went out from PP8ZBL on the Maritime Net February 1, requesting help for a sick child in Brazil. Zlotnick asked for information on the child's condition, and made some recommendations for assistance, which PP8ZBL said they would follow. Bob Puharic, WF3H, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, monitored the call and made the patch to KB2EVB. Both are members of the Delaware-Lehigh Valley Amateur Radio Club. --Clarence Snyder, W3PYF

• UK "Thinking Day"event: In the UK, some 90 special event stations will take to the airwaves this weekend, February 15-16, for the annual Guides and Brownies "Thinking Day on the Air," an event similar to the Scouting program's "Jamboree on the Air." The idea is to provide a chance to introduce Amateur Radio to groups of young people. --RSGB

• Club marks 45 years: The Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club will operate W3AA--the Franklin Institute Station in the Philadelphia Science Museum--as a special event station for the month of March to celebrate the 45th anniversary of operation of the club station, formerly W3TKQ. Operation will be in the General portions of most bands. Other frequencies include 14.230 MHz SSTV, plus 3.990, 14.250, and 18.140 MHz. Certificates will be available for a self-addressed, stamped envelope. For more information on W3AA, visit the Web site at http://www.fi.edu/tfi/exhibits/w3aa.html. For more information on the club, set your browser to http://www.comcat.com/pmrc. --Stephen Hoch, WU3I

• Ham to appear on Prime Time Live: John Creel, WB3GXW, of Silver Spring, Maryland, will be interviewed by ABC's Chris Wallace on the February 19 edition of Prime Time Live. The program airs at 10 PM Eastern Time. Creel is an investigator with the Montgomery County, Maryland, Division of Consumer Affairs. The story to be aired concerns the problem of buying cars from unlicensed car dealers (so-called curbstoners) and odometer fraud. Creel has been a ham for 20 years and is a member of the Laurel (Maryland) Amateur Radio Club, where he's active in the VEC program. He also operates two repeaters in the Silver Spring area. --Mark Doore, N3NTQ

• Logos wanted: All Scouting units, ham radio clubs, emergency communication groups, equipment dealers and individual hams are being invited to send their logos for use on the ScoutRadio Web site. Logos may be sent as e-mail attachments to myriad1@ix.netcom.com for addition to the ScoutRadio opening home page. Specifications: 72 dpi, 100x100 pixels. If you're not sure how to do this, just attach your logo and the Scouts will do the rest! Logos already on display include those of the ARRL, QST, Kenwood, Buckmaster, Ham Radio Outlet, and CQ.

• Mir QSL info: Dave Larsen, N6CO, is the US Mir QSL manager for contacts made with Mir crew members. QSL cards must include the date, time, and mode of contact. N6CO does not handle cards for SWL reports. To confirm contacts with the Mir packet radio personal message system (PMS), include the message number issued by the PMS on your QSL. Send QSLs along with a business-sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope to David G. Larsen, N6CO, Box 1501, Pine Grove, CA 95665 USA. For more information, contact Larsen via e-mail at doc@volcano.net. By the way, check out "Amateur Radio aboard Mir" on the ARRLWeb page, http://www.arrl.org/sarex/mir.html.

• N3JT back in practice: Former FCC staff member Jim Talens, N3JT, has joined the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson, specializing in telecommunications law. Talens recently retired from the FCC after a 22-year career. Most recently, he served as senior attorney in the Satellite and Radiocommunication Division.

• SSB adds Mutek and Parabolic AB lines: SSB Electronic USA of Mountaintop, Pennsylvania, now is a dealer for the Mutek Ltd and the Parabolic AB product lines. Mutek Ltd manufactures low noise preamps and VHF/UHF transverters, plus a series of front-end replacement boards for the FT736R, FT225, IC-211, IC-251, IC-271 and the TS700. Parabolic AB has recently introduced a new series of modular transverters that allow optional mast-mounting of the power amplifier and the preamplifier at the antenna. Transverters for 13 cm, 9 cm, 6 cm and 10 GHz, are planned for the near future. For more information, visit the SSB Electronic USA Web site, http://www.ssbusa.com, or send two first-class stamps for a product brochure to: SSB Electronic USA, 124 Cherrywood Dr, Mountaintop, PA 18707; tel 717-868-5643; fax 717-868-6917

The ARRL Letter is published by the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259. Rodney J. Stafford, KB6ZV, President; David Sumner, K1ZZ, Executive Vice President.

Circulation, Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, e-mail kcapodicasa@arrl.org.

Editorial, Rick Lindquist, N1RL, e-mail elindquist@arrl.org.

Visit the ARRLWeb page at http://www.arrl.org.

The purpose of The ARRL Letter is to provide the essential news of interest to active, organizationally minded radio amateurs faster than it can be disseminated by our official journal, QST. We strive to be fast, accurate and readable in our reporting.

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 The American Radio Relay League.