IN THIS EDITION:

• +ISS ham gear inches closer to space
• +ARRL Field Services, Educational Activities merge
• +South Africa to launch satellite with ham package
• +ARRL drops Spring VHF/UHF Sprints
• +K9JF appointed Northwestern Division Vice Director
• Ham balloonist to sit out around-the-world trip
• Ham helps nab road-rage suspect
• Solar update
• In Brief: This weekend on the radio; Correction; Vanity update; FCC assigns RM number to ARRL petition; Thomas departs ARRL; JY1 completes cancer treatment; New video includes 1935 ARRL HQ tour; QST Cover Plaque Award

+ Available on ARRL Audio News

ISS HAM GEAR INCHES CLOSER TO SPACE

The first Amateur Radio gear to be used on the International Space Station has moved a bit closer to its rocket ride into space. Although the inauguration of Amateur Radio aboard the International Space Station--ARISS--is at least a year away, the so-called Phase 1 ham gear is on a tight proveout and delivery schedule and is due at Kennedy Space Center in Florida by January 20.

Delays in the ISS program have put off the first crew deployment until next January. The first crew will consist of US astronaut William M. Shepherd, as the expedition commander. Shepherd is studying for his ham ticket. Accompanying him will be Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR. All three have previous space flight experience. The crew has been training for their launch on a Soyuz vehicle and a planned five-month mission on the ISS.

The interim ISS ham gear package will consist of Ericsson 2-meter and 70-cm hand-held transceivers set up for FM voice and packet operation, plus power supplies, cables, and accessories. Ericsson donated the commercial transceivers for the project, while the Italian ARISS team is providing the external antennas.

At this point, the equipment and accessories have been checked out in an end-to-end integration. Additionally, the transceivers have undergone EMI testing to ensure that they will not cause problems for other ISS onboard equipment. The radios also still must be programmed and labeled in accordance with NASA procedures and protocols for space flight. AMSAT members who happen to work for NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center have been doing the EMI testing.

Preparing to carry Amateur Radio gear for use aboard the ISS involves careful attention to detail all along the way. Crew safety is the primary consideration, but cost and crew time--and aggravation--also are important. "Because of the high cost of space travel, it's critical that hardware be thoroughly tested and documented," said Will Marchant, KC6ROL, AMSAT's human spaceflight hardware manager. "Flight crews frustrated by buggy hardware are also less likely to want to participate in Amateur Radio operations."

The qualification process also requires multiple versions of the same equipment. In this case, six complete hardware systems will be fabricated and configured. The complement includes one flight system, a flight spare, systems for training both in the US and in Russia, one for development and testing, and one spare.

ARRL Educational Services Manager Rosalie White, WA1STO, a member of the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) Working Group, said she was pleased that NASA was taking no chances during the qualification testing of the ham gear. "I think it's great that they're taking the time to do a detailed examination," she said.

Getting Amateur Radio a permanent berth in space aboard the ISS has involved efforts in several countries. The primary players include the US, Russia, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan. "The ARISS team is truly an international, democratic, organization and is cooperating to provide human spaceflight Amateur Radio operations to the entire ham community well into the next decade," said Marchant.

Amateur Radio has been manifested aboard the ISS as "necessary crew equipment." The cost of providing just the interim Phase 1 amateur gear for use aboard the ISS is expected to exceed $60,000. The total cost of putting Amateur Radio aboard the ISS is expected to approach $700,000, with funds coming from the ARRL and AMSAT as well as from NASA.

Still unclear at this point are the actual frequencies and the call signs the crew will use from the ISS. The ultimate ISS ham radio complement--Phase 3--will include equipment to operate from HF through the microwave bands with SSB, CW, FM, packet, ATV, compressed ATV, and SSTV capabilities. The German team will supply a digitalker and full duplex repeater. Once aboard the ISS, Amateur Radio will serve as an educational tool through worldwide school contacts and as an outreach to the general public.

FIELD SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES JOIN FORCES

The sound of moving furniture, books, and equipment punctuated the holiday season at League headquarters as two ARRL departments prepared to merge into one entity. Effective January 4, the Field Services and Educational Activities departments consolidated to become Field and Educational Services (F&ES).

ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, explained that the new department brings together staff members with similar missions and functions--primarily supporting ARRL volunteers who, in turn, support ARRL objectives and promote ham radio on a local and regional level. Working within a single department, Sumner said, HQ staffers could more easily share expertise, ideas, and resources. The move also was designed to reduce expenses in the face of a decline in both ARRL membership and overall Amateur Radio licensing and activity over the past year or so.

"The primary reason is efficiency," Field Services Manager Rick Palm, K1CE, explained in a letter to ARRL section managers. Palm will continue as the main contact person for section managers. He will focus on representing the League to the outside agencies it serves and on promoting and supporting the field organization.

Former Educational Activities Department Manager Rosalie White, WA1STO, has assumed the title of Educational Services Manager. She will oversee day-to-day operation of the combined department and will continue as the primary staff contact for Amateur Radio in space issues. "We expect the greater efficiency of the combined departments to benefit our members by putting related resources in the same place," White said of the move.

To accommodate the change, employees from the former Educational Activities Department moved into quarters adjacent to the former Field Services Department, trading places with the ARRL Book Team headed by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE. Now that the two departments are in the same location, staff members have begun to settle in and work as a team. Telephone and e-mail addresses for individual staff members remain the same.

SOUTH AFRICA TO LAUNCH FIRST SATELLITE JANUARY 14

South Africa will launch its first satellite, SUNSAT, January 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The satellite will carry an Amateur Radio package, a high-resolution imager, precision attitude control, and school experiments as well as other payloads, including NASA experiments. SUNSAT was built by students at the University of Stellenbosch, and its name is an acronym for Stellenbosch UNniversity SATellite.

Professor Garth W. Milne, ZR1AFH, heads the SUNSAT team, which has been in the US for several weeks preparing the satellite for launch aboard a Delta II rocket. The launch had been planned for today, but it was rescheduled.

SUNSAT will piggyback on the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) built by Boeing. The ARGOS carries nine high-tech experiments that Boeing says "will demonstrate next-generation satellite technology."

Members of the Satellite Amateur Radio Club will be involved in control and monitoring of the satellite immediately after it's deployed. Eric Lemmon, WB6FLY, and Paul Fee, N6YCC, both of SARC, are on the Boeing Delta II launch crew. Lemmon says it's a matter of history repeating itself. "The Satellite Amateur Radio Club was founded more than 30 years ago for the express purpose of supporting the launch of OSCAR-1, the first Amateur Radio satellite," he said.

The satellite will have digital store-and-forward capability on VHF or UHF. Telemetry beacons will be on 436.25 or 436.30 MHz. SUNSAT also will have a voice store-and-forward capability that will be used for school demonstrations, according to SUNSAT team member Jan Koekemoer. He says the satellite carries two VHF and two UHF transmit and receive systems to maximize flexibility.

For more information on SUNSAT, visit http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za.

The launch will be carried live on shortwave and on various Amateur Radio frequencies by ZS6SRL. The shortwave broadcast will air January 14 1000 until 1130 UTC. on 31 meters (9525 kHz), 16 meters, (17870 kHz), and 13 meters (21530 kHz). The transmission will carry background interviews and live coverage from the launch site. QSL to SARL, PO Box 1942, Hillcrest 3650 South Africa; e-mail sarlnews@intekom.co.za.

ARRL DROPS SPRING VHF/UHF SPRINTS

The VHF/UHF Spring Sprints--traditionally held during April and May--have been dropped from the ARRL contest schedule. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, cites a lack of participation for the change. "Participation in the VHF/UHF Spring Sprints has never reached the level of a healthy national event," he said. "In 1998 only 200 individuals submitted logs spread across the seven frequency bands covered by the Sprints."

Henderson said budgetary constraints were another factor. "With the soaring costs and limited space available in QST and NCJ, the 1998 Sprint results were moved and made available to all on ARRLWeb," Henderson said. "We hate to drop the contest and would be willing to work with another group who would like to pick up sponsorship and running the sprints." But he said the League could not justify a decision to continue to devote staff time to a small event when it already sponsors several other more significant VHF/UHF events.

Many VHF/UHF events remain on the ARRL Contest schedule. These include the January VHF Sweepstakes, the June VHF QSO party, the August UHF Contest, and the September VHF QSO Party, plus two 10 GHz And Up weekends in August and September and the popular EME contest weekends each fall. Also, Field Day offers opportunities for VHF/UHF participation, Henderson pointed out.

For more information contact, Dan Henderson, N1ND, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0232; e-mail n1nd@arrl.org.

K9JF APPOINTED NORTHWESTERN DIVISION VICE DIRECTOR

James E. Fenstermaker, K9JF, of Vancouver, Washington, is the new Northwestern Division Vice Director. ARRL President Rod Stafford, W6ROD, announced the appointment January 6, following the recommendation of Northwestern Division Director Greg Milnes, W7AGQ, and certification of eligibility by the Election Committee.

Fenstermaker, 53, fills the position left vacant when Milnes, the former vice director, succeeded Mary Lou Brown, NM7N, as director. Brown died suddenly December 3. Fenstermaker's term expires January 1, 2001.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to serve the US Amateur Radio community as the Northwestern Division Vice Director," Fenstermaker said.

A ham since 1959, Fenstermaker was first licensed as KN9TZH. A DX enthusiast, he's also operated as DL5JF, OJ0SUF, and VP2V/K9JF. He's on the DXCC Honor Roll with 354 countries, 5BWAZ, 5BDXCC, and 160 Meter DXCC, as well as numerous contest honors. He's past president of the Clark County Amateur Radio Club and the Willamette Valley DX Club.

On the professional side, Fenstermaker is director of business services for the Parkrose School District in Portland, Oregon. He's a graduate of Anderson University and Indiana University and holds an accounting certificate from Portland State University.

Fenstermaker hopes to attend his first ARRL Board meeting in Houston, Texas, January 15-16. Members may contact him via e-mail at k9jf@arrl.org.

HAM BALLONIST TO SIT OUT ADVENTURE HE PLANNED

Bob Martin, KC5LHL, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will sit out an around-the-world balloon attempt that he was instrumental in planning. Martin, a TV science reporter and helicopter pilot, said this week that he will stay behind when the Team ReMax balloon leaves Earth. The team had planned to make some use of Amateur Radio during its effort to circle the planet.

Unlike previous attempts, the Team ReMax balloon will travel near the outer edges of the earth's atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 24 miles. Martin told reporters that he originally felt the team could fly the mission safely with three people aboard. However, it was later determined that the balloon will need to carry additional ballast aboard to safely reach its cruising altitude, so one of the three crew members had to remain behind. Martin, who has worked on the project for more than a decade, elected to be the one.

The launch from Australia has been delayed by weather and technical problems. Still planning to make the attempt are Denver real estate developer Dave Liniger and Australian co-pilot John Wallington. The team has until approximately January 20 to take advantage of the right wind patterns. The voyagers will ride in a pressurized capsule suspended beneath the huge balloon. The crew is equipped with spacesuits from Russia. The trip is expected to take up to three weeks.

For more information on the flight, see http://www.remax.com.

HAM HELPS NAB ROAD-RAGE SUSPECT

A California ham was instrumental in helping police to nab an angry motorist who had seriously injured another motorist after being cut off on the freeway in mid-December.

According to an account in The Orange County Register, the angry driver followed the other driver for miles "before confronting him on a busy city street, shoving him under an accelerating big rig, and kicking him even after he had been run over." The account says that the angry driver and his two co-workers drove off. But they were caught later in the morning when Ed Greany, KB6DOL, of Corona, heard a broadcast description of the vehicle and then saw the men pass by. He notified police via ham radio, and they arrested Richard Snyder, 28 and two others on suspicion of attempted murder.

The newspaper said Snyder had a string of previous convictions, and his license had been suspended. The injured motorist was reported in serious condition.

According to the FCC database, the Greany household includes three hams: Roberta Greany, KC6AEP, and Michael Greany, KE6RDT. All are ARRL members.-thanks to Charlie Clifford Jr, W6QMY

SOLAR UPDATE

Sun watcher Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity was down this week--no surprise, since on one day the previous week the solar flux reached a new high for the current cycle. But the drop in solar was quicker than expected. Our last bulletin projected flux values above 150 until January 12, but January 4-7 flux values were 146.9, 136.5, 125.8, and 115.1. This represents a drop in flux values of nearly 70 points in a little over a week.

For this weekend, the projected flux values for January 8-10 are 115, 120 and 120, with a planetary A index of 12, 12 and 8. At least while solar activity has been dropping, there haven't been any disturbed days from solar flares or coronal holes.

Beyond this weekend look for a rising solar flux, going above 130 by January 16 and to 150 around January 20. Conditions are currently expected to peak around January 24 or 25 with solar flux under 155. This will be 27 days, or one complete rotation of the sun after the recent high in solar flux for this cycle.

This week had some interesting VHF news. N5JHV in New Mexico worked several VK2 stations on 6 meters on January 2 after a long opening to the west coast of Mexico. On the same day CO2OJ worked a number of US stations on the same band.

Sunspot numbers for December 24 through 30 were 93, 84, 100, 156, 177, 136, and 186, with a mean of 133.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 139.4, 144.4, 144.9, 166.8, 184.4, 182.8, and 179, with a mean of 163.1. The estimated planetary A indices were 3, 11, 16, 3, 5, 16 and 6, with a mean of 8.6.

Sunspot numbers for December 31 through January 6 were 135, 121, 107, 113, 94, 87 and 70 with a mean of 103.9. The 10.7-cm flux was 174.6, 167.2, 160.1, 154.5, 146.9, 136.5 and 125.8, with a mean of 152.2. The estimated planetary A indices were 3, 5, 7, 4, 7, 8 and 9, with a mean of 6.1.

Here are some path projections to Japan for the JA International DX CW Contest:

From Seattle: Check 80 meters around 0600-1800 UTC, with best conditions around 0830-1000 UTC. 40 meters should be good from 0600-1900 UTC. Check 20 meters from 2100-0130 UTC, and 15 meters from 2230-0030 UTC. The best bet for 10 meters is 2300-2330 UTC.

From Los Angeles: Check 80 meters around 0700-1600 UTC, 40 meters at 0530-1700, 20 meters at 2100-0300 UTC, 15 meters from 2200-0130 UTC, and 10 meters around 2230-0030 UTC.

From the mid-US: 80 meters looks good from 0730-1430 UTC, 40 meters around 0630-1530 UTC, 20 meters from 2100-0030 UTC, and 10 and 15 meters around 2230 UTC.

From Texas: 80 meters should open 0730-1400 UTC, 40 meters around 0700-1500 UTC, 20 meters at 2100-0100 UTC, and 15 meters around 2200-2330 UTC.

From Ohio: check 80 meters at 0700-1400 UTC, 40 meters at 0630-1500 UTC, 20 meters around 1530-1730 UTC and 2100-2300 UTC, and 15 meters around 2200 UTC.

From Boston: 80 meters should be open 0730-1300 UTC, 40 meters at 2030-2300 UTC and 0630-1430 UTC, and 20 meters around 1530-1700 UTC and 2100-2200 UTC.

IN BRIEF:

• This weekend on the radio: The Japan International DX Contest (CW), Meet The Novices and Technicians Day, Hunting Lions in the Air Contest, the QRP ARCI Winter Fireside SSB Sprint, and the North American QSO Party (CW) all are on tap for this weekend.
  Just ahead: The North American QSO Party (SSB) is January 15-17.

• Correction: The story "Educators 'Go the Grant Route' to Fund School Ham Stations, Programs" in The ARRL Letter, Vol 17, No 49 (Dec 11, 1998), misstated the location of Pajaro Middle School. The school is in Monterey County, California.

• Vanity update: The FCC in Gettysburg is working its way through the last of the 1998 vanity applications. The FCC reported January 8 that it had processed applications received through December 18. In the latest processing run, it granted 210 applications and shunted another 205 into the work-in-process or WIPs stack. The FCC says it received 1465 vanity applications during December. -- FCC

• FCC assigns RM number to ARRL petition: The FCC has assigned a rulemaking petition ("RM") number to the League's petition for low-frequency allocations at 136 kHz and 160-190 kHz. The number is RM-9404. Those commenting on the petition should refer to this number when filing comments with the FCC. Among those commenting to date is Texas Instruments, which markets RF identification products such as the Mobil SpeedPass that operate in the 121-134.2 kHz range.

• Thomas departs ARRL: Brad Thomas, KC1EX, has resigned as ARRL Advertising Manager to accept a new position with another publisher. Thomas had served as the League's advertising manager for nine years and was a familiar face at hamfests and conventions across the US. We wish him good luck in his future endeavors.

• JY1 completes cancer treatment: Jordan's King Hussein, JY1, left Minnesota's Mayo Clinic December 29 after months of cancer treatment. Jordanian officials said the treatments for the 63-year-old monarch were successful. Hussein was expected to spend a few days at his home in the DC suburbs before flying to London. Press accounts indicate that Hussein underwent six rounds of chemotherapy since last summer to treat non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic glands. Hussein took time from his treatments to help engineer the Wye Plantation agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. JY1 has been heard on the air several times during his stay in the US, mostly on 20 meters.--Newark Star Ledger/This Week in Amateur Radio via The Hudson Loop

• New video includes 1935 ARRL HQ tour: Nostalgia buffs will certainly enjoy watching a 1935 tour of ARRL Headquarters--narrated by retired ARRL staffer George Hart, W1NJM, and included in the latest League video, Volume 9: Amateur Radio History. Also included are segments produced by the Antique Wireless Association about the early days of Amateur Radio. Relive the 1921 transatlantic tests and see 1BCG--one of the earliest Amateur Radio stations. Maj Edwin Howard Armstrong, inventor and Amateur Radio pioneer, is depicted in slides with a commentary. All videos are $12. To order, contact Margie Bourgoin, KB1DCO, 860-594-0267, e-mail mbourgoin@arrl.org, or write her at ARRL EAD, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111.

• QST Cover Plaque Award: Joel Thurtell, K8PSV, is the winner of the November 1998 QST Cover Plaque Award for his article "Zenith's 'One-and-Only' Ham Receiver." Congratulations, Joel!