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

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

• Hams rise to occasion
• Little LEO battle moves to next level
• RS-16 in orbit!
• FCC proposes spread spectrum changes
• Another successful Mir QSO
• JAMSAT helps fill funding gap
• ARRL debuts new CD, books
• FAR offers scholarships
• YHOTY '97 nominations open
• Call sign update
• Solar update
• In Brief: This weekend on the radio; Gettysburg gaining on WIPS; 7O1A QSOs disallowed for DXCC; HAARP test QSL info; Nonham?; Thanks, MFJ, Alpha-Delta!

Hams pitched in to volunteer as storms and floods hit several states in recent days. As severe storms were spotted across parts of the southern US, hams activated Skywarn nets to aid the National Weather Service in tracking the systems. In Arkansas, several tornadoes ripped through Arkadelphia and elsewhere on March 1. Arkansas SEC Jim Blackmon, KB5IFV--who lives in Arkadelphia but was not seriously affected by the twister--reports that up to 30 hams mobilized within an hour of the tornado that devastated a swath two city blocks wide. (Later reports indicated that as many as 60 hams were pitching in.) Hams accompanied Office of Emergency Services (OES) teams on search-and-rescue missions. Hams accompanied damage assessment teams and Red Cross workers March 2.

Hams also helped provide communication and other services at Salvation Army shelters that were opened to take in those whose homes were destroyed. An HF link was maintained between Arkadelphia and the capital of Little Rock. Blackmon also reports that hams also helped a National Guard unit that got local radio stations KVRC and KDEL back on the air using a military generator, and he expects hams to be active in recovery efforts over the next week or so. Arkadelphia's underground telephone cabling kept most telephone service up and running--with the exception of the hardest-hit area, which still has overhead lines. Arkansas SM George Mitchell, KI5BV, praised the organization and "first-rate work" of the hams working emergency duty.

In Ohio, where floods struck last weekend, SEC Larry Solak, WD8MPV, reports 14 counties have been declared disaster areas. Shelters were opened in at least three counties. Solak reports that approximately 200 Ohio hams turned out to help Red Cross personnel and the National Guard with emergency operations and damage assessment. Other hams in central Ohio were reported to be standing by to help, if needed. Because many of the flooded areas were isolated and not heavily populated, details are sketchy. Hams also were reported working at the state Emergency Operations Center as well as at county EOCs. And ham radio has filled the communication gap in those areas of Ohio where phone service was out.

Hams also have been reported responding to storm emergencies in Kentucky. --Jennifer Gagne, N1TDY

Proposals by the low-Earth-orbiting satellite industry--the so-called "Little LEOs"--to share spectrum with Amateur Radio at 146, 220 and 440 MHz were among those turned in this week to the FCC advisory committee that's planning for WRC-97. But the Little LEO proposals were not scheduled for inclusion in the committee's recommendations, because the working group involved did not agree to do so. The various informal working groups that have been sorting out numerous proposals for possible consideration at World Radiocommunication Conference 97 offered their reports March 5 to the FCC's WRC-97 Industry Advisory Committee. The report of Informal Working Group (IWG) 2A, which wrangled with proposals involving mobile-satellite services, includes the Little LEO's controversial "flexible allocation" plan to share spectrum with amateurs and others--but only as an annex to the report that also includes the objections raised by other participants, for consideration and disposition at a higher level.

As part of their flexible allocation strategy, Little LEO interests last month proposed including 219-225 MHz in their list of desired allocations for the nonvoice, nongeostationary (NVNG) mobile-satellite service. Little LEO targets now include 146 to 148, 219 to 225 and 430 to 450 MHz. The ARRL and AMSAT were among those objecting.

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 a February 13 IWG-2A meeting, a coalition of spectrum interests--including land mobile, amateur, broadcasting, and military--opposed the flexible allocation concept on several grounds.

IAC Chairman Scott Harris told participants at the March 5 meeting that the committee was only advisory, and that the government will make the final decision on its ultimate WRC-97 positions. The Final Report of the Industry Advisory Committee is expected to go to the FCC in about two weeks.

More information is available on the Band Threat News page.

Sources at AMSAT report that a new Russian Amateur Radio satellite--designated RS-16--has been launched from the Svobodny Cosmodrome as part of a Zeya satellite package. RS-16 reportedly has an average orbital altitude of 276 miles, producing a footprint some 2000 miles in diameter on Earth.

On March 4, 1997, 1614 UTC, Jim White, WD0E, reported hearing strong signals from the RS-16 CW beacon on 29.408 MHz. Others in the US and Europe have reported strong signals on 10 meters. The transponders are not yet active. The twice-delayed launch had been expected as early as December. RS-16 is expected to be a Mode A (2 meters up/10 meters down) satellite, like RS-10 and RS-15. It's the first Russian satellite to have a 70-cm beacon, but that beacon is not yet operational. Beacon frequencies are 29.408, 29.451, 435.504 and 435.548 MHz.

When the transponders are operational, the RS-16 frequencies are expected to be: uplink, 145.915 to 145.948 MHz; downlink, 29.415 to 29.448 MHz. Transponder power output will be 1.2 or 4 W. Orbital elements and additional information will be announced as they become available.

Responding to a petition for rulemaking from the ARRL, the FCC has proposed in WT Docket 97-12 to adopt changes in its Amateur Service rules governing spread spectrum. In spread spectrum, the energy of the transmitted signal is distributed among several synchronized frequencies within a band and is reassembled at the receiving end. This reduces power density and duration of a transmission on a particular frequency and lets spread spectrum almost invisibly share the same spectrum with users of other, narrowband modes. Spread spectrum also provides improved communication under poor signal-to-noise conditions and in the presence of selective fading and multipath propagation, and the ability to accommodate more communication channels operating simultaneously in the same spectrum.

The League's December 1995 petition asked the FCC to relax its rules to give Amateur Radio more opportunities to contribute to the development of spread spectrum techniques. Specifically, the League sought to have the FCC relax restrictions on spreading sequences and asked for greater flexibility in spreading modulation. In response, the FCC now has proposed to drop rules restricting amateur stations to transmitting only frequency-hopping and direct-sequencing spreading techniques. As requested by the League, the FCC also has proposed to require automatic power control for spread spectrum transmitters, to ensure use of the minimum power level needed to carry out communication.

The FCC also went along with the League's request to permit brief test transmissions using spread spectrum and to allow international spread spectrum communications between amateurs in the US and those in countries that allow hams to use spread spectrum. The current rules allow only domestic communication.

The use of spread spectrum techniques was first approved for Amateur Radio in 1985 for bands above 225 MHz and at power levels up to 100 W, and there has been some experimental amateur operation since then. The FCC also has authorized Special Temporary Authority (STA) in some instances to allow broader SS experimentation. Since spread spectrum was introduced in the Amateur Radio service, commercial spread spectrum applications have been developed, including personal communication services, remote meter reading and position locating. But, the League had argued that rules limitations held back further spread spectrum experimentation. No changes are proposed in the frequency bands where spread spectrum is permitted.

The FCC said the rule amendments would "increase spectrum efficiency and allow amateur operators to contribute to technological advances." Comments on the NPRM in WT Docket 97-12 are due May 5, with reply comments due June 5.

As another school delights over its success in talking with ham-Astronaut Jerry Linenger, KC5HBR, aboard the Russian Mir space station this week, more schools have been put on the list for scheduled Mir QSOs.

On March 4, students at Perryton High School, in Perryton, Texas, got to talk with Linenger during a ten-minute pass. An audience of more than 200 was on hand, and all high school classrooms plus fourth, fifth and sixth grade classrooms in another nearby school were wired in to listen to the QSO. Reporters from two TV stations, a radio station and a newspaper also attended. Said volunteer Jerome Doerrie, K5IS, "After years of Cold War ideas, the community is seeing Russia-US relations in an entirely different way." (Doerrie is the husband of Perryton teacher Bobbie Doerrie, N5IS.)

Other Round 1 schools include United South High School, Laredo, Texas (March 11) and Booker T. Washington High School, Houston, Texas (March 17).

The SAREX/ARISS Working Group hopes to have 15 more schools scheduled with Linenger over the next six weeks. The ARRL's Educational Activities Department has sent lesson plans to each school.

Round 2 Mir school QSOs have been penciled in for sometime between March 20 and April 20, 1997. On the list are Alaieden Middle School, Alaieden, Michigan; Lexington High School, Lexington, South Carolina; Holy Angels, Dayton Ohio; Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Teaneck, New Jersey; Jerling Junior High School, Orland Park, Illinois; and Shell Beach Elementary School, Pismo Beach, California. --Glenn Swanson, KB1GW

The Japanese AMSAT group, JAMSAT, has transferred $50,000 to AMSAT-NA to help complete, test and launch the Phase 3D satellite. The money represents excess donations from JAMSAT members for the SCOPE camera, which is to fly on Phase 3D. AMSAT-NA President Bill Tynan, W3XO, sent a letter of thanks sent to JAMSAT President Tak Okamoto, JA2PKI, expressing appreciation for the donation at a time of mounting expenses. "JAMSAT's assistance at this time represents a major step to assuring success of the project that volunteers from many nations have been working on for the past seven years." The completed SCOPE camera, designed and built entirely by JAMSAT, was brought to the Phase 3D Integration Laboratory in Orlando, Florida, February 28 by Yoshiyuki Takeyasu, JA6XRQ. It was installed and successfully powered up March 1. --AMSAT News Service

Now you can just say "know" to CW with Your Introduction to Morse Code on audio compact disc. The CD has the same fine quality you've come to expect and enjoy on audio cassette, with the convenience of CD tracks that make it easy for students to easily find and repeat any section. Your Introduction to Morse Code was created using digital recording techniques for improved sound quality and integrity. Your Introduction to Morse Code is $12. Item 5811 teaches all you need to know to pass the 5 WPM code test. The ARRL Code Practice Set CD, item 5706, for 15 to 22 WPM practice also is available. (Cassette tapes are still available.)

Packet radio is hot, and APRS--the map-based tracking system--is even hotter. Get in on the excitement with Getting on Track with APRS: A Hands-On Guide to the Automatic Packet Reporting System, by Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU. This book takes beginners step-by-step through installation and operation of APRS, for all computer platforms. Getting on Track with APRS is $14.95. Order item 5854.

Personal computers have had a lot of impact on ham radio. Whether you're a computer whiz kid or just bought your first PC, there's something for you in Personal Computers in the Ham Shack, by Paul Danzer, N1II, and Rich Roznoy, K1OF. You'll learn about how to choose an operating system, operating digital modes, logging, using the Internet, testing new antennas, circuit design and more. Explore how to enhance your enjoyment of ham radio with your other favorite hobby--computers. Personal Computers in the Ham Shack is $15.95. Order item 5714.

Attractive new pins proclaiming your operating accomplishments are now available from ARRL. Order either the Five-band Worked All States (5BWAS) or Worked All States (WAS) pins. Either is a great hamfest accessory. The WAS pin, item 6117, and the 5B WAS pin, item 6125, are each $5, postpaid.

Buckmaster's HamCall CD-ROM also is available from the ARRL. The latest version includes more than 3000 photos of hams, plus complete US and extensive international listings--nearly 1.4 million call signs in all. You can look up US calls by call sign, name, address, city, state, ZIP, call sign suffix, and country. The Buckmaster HamCall CD-ROM, item 1778, is $49.95.

You can also get the brand-new RSGB IOTA Directory and Yearbook--1997, edited by Roger Balister, G3KMA. This is an essential aid in chasing those rare and elusive islands. It's item 6079, and the price is $15.

For more information on ARRL books, CDs, CD-ROMs and other products, see our catalog on the ARRLWeb page at http://www.arrl.org/catalog/. To place orders, call 860-594-0250; e-mail pubsales@arrl.org.

The nonprofit Foundation for Amateur Radio Inc--an ARRL-affiliated federation of more than 75 radio clubs in the Washington, DC, area--plans to administer 60 scholarships for the 1997-98 academic year to help licensed radio amateurs with their post-secondary education. Five of the scholarships are fully funded with income from grants and the foundation's annual hamfest in Gaithersburg, Maryland. FAR administers the remaining 55 scholarships without cost to the donors.

Licensed hams are eligible to compete for these awards if they plan to pursue a full-time course of study beyond high school and are enrolled or have been accepted at an accredited university, college or technical school. Awards range from $500 to $2500, with preference given in some cases to those pursuing certain courses of study or to residents of specific geographical areas (Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin). Application forms and additional information are available by letter or QSL postmarked prior to April 30, 1997, from FAR Scholarships, 6903 Rhode Island Ave, College Park, MD 20740. Contributions to FAR are tax-deductible.

The nominating period is now open for the 1997 Young Ham of the Year (YHOTY) Award. In cooperation with Yaesu USA and CQ magazine, Newsline presents this award annually to a young ham who has contributed to his community or the nation using ham radio.

To qualify, a nominee must be 18 or younger, be an FCC-licensed radio amateur and reside in the continental United States. More information on the award and an official nominating form is available at http://rrnet.com/rrra/newsline (scroll down and click on "Young Ham of the Year Award 97").

Award information and a nominating form also is available by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the 1997 Young Ham of the Year Award, Newsline, 28197 Robin Ave, Saugus CA 91350. --Amateur Radio Newsline

The following is a list of the FCC's most recently issued call signs as of March 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.

Sun watcher Tad Cook, KT7H, in Seattle, Washington, reports: There was no change in solar flux or sunspot activity last week, as we continue to experience the bottom of the solar cycle. There were some geomagnetic disturbances though, with the worst conditions on February 28, when the planetary A index reached 32 and the highest planetary K index was 6. Over the next few weeks the geomagnetic field should stay predominantly quiet, except that a recurrent coronal hole with high speed solar wind could rotate into view around March 26 and 27. Solar flux should stay in the low to mid 70s, with the sun mostly spotless.

Last week, this bulletin reported that the solar flux on February 26 was 74. A closer approximation is 73.8 for that date. This does not change the average flux for the week.

Sunspot numbers for February 27 through March 5 were 0 each day with a mean of 0. The 10.7-cm flux was 73.8, 72.8, 73.5, 72.3, 74, 74 and 74.6, respectively, with a mean of 73.6. Estimated planetary A indices for the same period were 20, 32, 10, 12, 5, 4, and 7, respectively, with a mean of 12.9.

• This weekend on the radio: The Young Amateur's Contest; Wisconsin QSO Party.

• Gettysburg gaining on WIPS: The FCC office in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, reports today that personnel are working on the vanity work in process (WIPs) of Janunary 21. The FCC last processed vanity call sign applications on February 12. --FCC

• 7O1A QSOs disallowed for DXCC: In the wake of questions raised about the status of the December 1996 7O1A operation from Aden, Yemen, the ARRL has been in touch with the Ministry of Communications in that country. The Ministry of Communications in Sana'a, capital of Yemen, has advised the ARRL DXCC Desk that, while it is aware of a document issued by its Aden office, the Ministry of Communications in Sana'a--as the main body responsible for communications--never issued an official authorization for Amateur Radio. Therefore, the 7O1A operation cannot be accepted for DXCC credit. For more information, contact Bill Kennamer, K5FUV, bkennamer@arrl.org.

• HAARP test QSL info: Reception reports for the HAARP listening test March 8 (2330 Eastern Time on March 7) mentioned in The ARRL Letter (Vol 16, No 8) should be sent to: High Frequency Active Auroral Research Facility, Box 271, Gakona, AK 99573. Include your copy of the CW text transmission along with signal strength observed during the constant carrier periods. A description of the antenna and receiver used would be useful but is not required.

• Nonham? Gary Huntress, who won the $100 Mike Cook, AF9Y, weak-signal challenge got a chuckle out of being called a "nonham" in our recent report (see "Copy this weak signal and WIN $100," The ARRL Letter, Vol 16, No 6). He'd like to think he's at least a journeyman or apprentice. "When I was growing up, I spent many hours with my dad (WA1OHA) in his shack, with all of his many local buddies at the Texas Instruments ham shack and at ham fairs," he says. He started out as an SWL using Hallicrafters receivers, has done a lot of tower and tree climbing and experienced ham radio at close range through his dad's activities. But he says his CW never got much above 7 WPM, and he never got around to getting a ticket. (The AF9Y challenge remains. See http://www.webcom.com/af9y/ for details.)

• Thanks, MFJ, Alpha-Delta! MFJ--which celebrates 25 years in business this year--has graciously donated an MFJ-1278B TNC to W1AW for use as part of the HF digital visitor operating position. Installed in the TNC is the MFJ DSP unit, scope adapter, and 9600-baud modem. The TNC software is MultiCom for Windows ver. 1.2. Alpha-Delta has donated a Model VRC variable response console speaker for use at W1AW.

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.