IN THIS EDITION:

• +No news on restructuring
• +ULS smoothing out wrinkles
• +Board balloting set in four ARRL divisions
• +Michigan ham may be hearing-bound
• +Hams active in wildfires battle
• HPM/130 event now under way
• Solar update
• In Brief: This weekend on the radio; No DXer of the Year for Zorro; West Central Florida balloting under way; ARRL Audio News offering downloadable RealAudio file; P3D back in the nest; W4RA to receive Calcutta Key; Robert R. Funck, KB5GQ, SK; Arturo Carou, LU1AHC, SK; Proceedings available; G3OZF to be next RSGB president

+Available on ARRL Audio News

NO WORD YET ON AMATEUR RESTRUCTURING

An FCC staff member says the Commission staff is "diligently working" towards getting a Report and Order on Amateur Radio license restructuring out the door. But beyond that, the FCC staffer--who did not want to be identified by name--said it was impossible to predict when that would happen. Rumors aside, the FCC official said that Commission rules prevent "revealing any information about internal thinking or scheduling" on the restructuring question.

The proceeding--known formally as the 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review of Part 97 (WT Docket 98-143)--must jump through a number of hoops within the FCC bureaucracy. The FCC's move last spring into consolidated offices at The Portals also disrupted routine work flow.

A year ago, the FCC proposed phasing out the Novice and Technician Plus licenses, leaving just four amateur license classes in place--Technician, General, Advanced, and Extra. The Commission also asked the amateur community to express its opinions on Morse code requirements, but offered no specific recommendations of its own.

The previous month, the ARRL Board of Directors issued its own plan to restyle Amateur Radio. Among other details, the ARRL plan also called for four license classes and for "refarming" Novice/Tech Plus subbands to provide additional spectrum for higher-class operators. Under the League plan, the Technician license would remain unchanged, and the General would become the entry-level ticket for those interested in HF operation. The ARRL proposed Morse code requirements of 5 WPM for General and 12 WPM for Advanced and Extra class.

"We are simply in that period of time when no information is available," the FCC staff member said. "This is a normal part of the Commission's quasi-judicial decision-making process and a necessary part of being objective and fair to all."

The FCC staff member said that although comments and reply comments are in--some 2200 comments were filed in the proceeding, mostly by individual amateurs--more late-filed ones continue to turn up. He said the FCC staff "is working on resolving this docket" along with its other tasks.

Before the long-awaited Report and Order sees the light of day, the Wireless Bureau staff first must digest the comments. Then, the staff will circulate its recommendations to the Commissioners. The Commissioners and their staff will mull the WTB input and accept a plan that quite likely represents a compromise.

The ultimate FCC decision will come either at the Commission's monthly meeting or it will be handled ''on circulation''--outside of an actual meeting. A Public Notice will be issued, and the actual Report and Order will follow. The bottom line is that Amateur Radio operators will have to wait a few weeks or a few months longer before the restructuring issue is resolved.

"No one wants this proceeding decided more than we do," the FCC staff member concluded. To which most hams would shout a resounding "Amen!"

ULS SLOWLY SMOOTHING OUT AMATEUR SERVICE WRINKLES

Good news! The FCC has processed a backlog of several hundred applications--some dating back to early August--transmitted by those Volunteer Examiner Coordinators able to file with the new Universal Licensing System. More good news: It appears that the various ULS Public Access Transaction files--commonly called ZIP or update files--now are available. Web call sign servers use the ZIP files to post current Amateur Radio licensee data on their sites.

Many hams are relishing their new call signs or upgraded privileges granted since the processing logjam brought about by the ULS implementation in mid-August was cleared. Adam Kittle, KD5IBG, of Converse, Texas, had to wait three weeks from exam session to the day his new call sign was granted on August 27. Many more new call signs were granted last weekend and this week as the FCC caught up with the remaining backlog. Floyd Brown of Norcross, Georgia, snagged his snazzy KG4EME call sign on September 1. Once the ULS is running smoothly, the FCC hopes to process applications nearly as soon as they are received, cutting the typical wait to just a few days.

No vanity call signs have been issued since August 4, and there is still no word from the FCC as to when vanity call sign processing will resume. The ULS accepts vanity applications, however.

Although it's not nearly as convenient to use as the typical Web call sign server, applicants can obtain their new call signs or upgrades from the ULS, http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls, by clicking on "License Search" and inputting their name--as it appeared on their application--or call sign. To confirm license class and reveal additional data, users must click on the pulldown menu labeled "License Options" on the bottom of the screen, click on "Amateur Administration" and click "Go."

Amateurs may have to wait a bit longer before doing a Web call sign lookup on one of the Web call sign servers such as UALR, QRZ.com, WM7D.net, or the FCC Transaction Search on ARRLWeb. The FCC first attempted to post a full update ZIP file last week, but the file was corrupt. Another attempt Wednesday to post a complete update appears to have been successful, however. The FCC has issued a revised file specification for the ZIP files, however, so call sign servers may have to modify the program routines they use to grab the data each day from the FCC's server.

The ULS Task Force says it's tackling issues like these that are being brought to its attention. "We are good at taking criticism and at making improvements," a spokesperson said. The Task Force said ULS Public Access Transaction files will be created each day.

The FCC now has requested that applicants needing to obtain an Assigned Taxpayer Identification Number or having other "administrative" questions about the ULS contact the FCC Call Center, toll-free, at 888-CALL FCC (225-5322) and press menu item 2 (those calling from outside the US should dial +1-202-418-0190). Club station trustees must continue to file on Form 610B, and hams who are trustees for more than one club station need to obtain a separate ATIN for each club.

Users with technical questions dealing with the mechanics of ULS registration or access, or having browser problems, should continue to contact ULS Tech Support at 202-414-1250; ulscomm@fcc.gov.

The FCC says the ULS dial-up access has been upgraded to support 56k modems. In the wake of comments and criticisms about the difficulty of having to configure a dial-up connection with a particular browser to file an application, the ULS Task Force says it's planning to convert to electronic filing via the Internet "sometime after the first of the year."

BALLOTING SCHEDULED IN FOUR ARRL DIVISIONS

Members in seven ARRL divisions have nominated candidates for Director and Vice Director for terms beginning at noon January 1, 2000. The ARRL Election Committee has declared all of the candidates to be eligible. Retirements will ensure some new faces on the Board next year. Incumbent Directors Tod Olson, K0TO (Dakota), Lew Gordon, K4VX (Midwest), and Brad Wyatt, K6WR (Pacific), announced earlier that they would not seek re-election.

Balloting for Director will occur in the Great Lakes and Midwest divisions. Balloting for Vice Director will occur in the Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Pacific divisions. Candidates running unopposed have been declared elected.

In the Atlantic Division: Unopposed for a three-year term as Director is incumbent Kay Craigie, WT3P. Running for Vice Director are John Buchanan, KW3X, and Bernard E. Fuller, N3EFN.

In the Dakota Division: Unopposed for a three-year term as Director is Jay Bellows, K0QB, the current Vice Director there. Unopposed for Vice Director is Twila Greenheck, N0JPH.

In the Delta Division: Unopposed for a three-year term as Director is incumbent Rick Roderick, K5UR. No nomination has been received for the Delta Division Vice Director's slot. The ARRL Articles of Association provide that "Should the office of Vice Director be vacant, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the President."

In the Great Lakes Division: Running for a three-year term as Director are David Coons, WT8W; George Race, WB8BGY; and Murray Scott, KE8UM. Candidates for Vice Director are Gary Johnston, KI4LA, and Lawrence Solak, WD8MPV.

In the Midwest Division: Running for a three-year term as Director are John Seals, WR0R, and Robert Wade Walstrom, W0EJ. Unopposed for Vice Director is incumbent Bruce Frahm, K0BJ.

In the Pacific Division: Unopposed for a two-year term as Director is James A. Maxwell, W6CF, the current Vice Director. Running for Vice Director are Jettie Hill, W6RFF; John Ronan, III, K3ZJJ; and Robert Vallio, W6RGG.

In the Southeastern Division: Unopposed for a two-year term as Director is incumbent Frank M. Butler, W4RH. Unopposed for Vice Director is incumbent Evelyn Gauzens, W4WYR.

Full members of record in the Atlantic, Great Lakes, Midwest, and Pacific divisions as of September 10, 1999, will be sent ballots in late September. The deadline for receipt of completed ballots is noon Friday, November 19, 1999. Any member who is entitled to a ballot and who does not receive one by November 1 should request a duplicate ballot from the Secretary, ARRL.

MICHIGAN HAM MAY BE HEADED FOR HEARING IN EXAM CASE

The FCC has notified Andrew Penn, N8JVA, of Linden, Michigan, that it intends to designate his Amateur Radio station license for a revocation hearing before an administrative law judge. The FCC also intends to suspend Penn's Extra class operator license for the remainder of the license term, which ends February 22, 2004. The action August 18 by the FCC's Compliance and Information Bureau stems from a case it inherited from the days when it shared enforcement duties with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

Penn was a Volunteer Examiner for an examination session June 3, 1997, in Oak Park, Michigan, after which, the FCC alleges, the names of four applicants who did not sit for exams were added to the list of successful applicants. Last December 14 the FCC downgraded two amateur licensees and pulled the Tech Plus ticket of Steven A. Penn, formerly KC8HUM, of Southfield. Andrew Penn is Steven Penn's father. The FCC says the name of an unidentified fourth ham was added to the list after the test session but the application never was submitted to the FCC.

The Commission says its evidence shows that the names of four applicants "were added and signatures forged, sometime after the tests were administered, by one of the four examiners." The FCC says the other three examiners knew nothing of the scheme and brought the situation to the attention of the ARRL-VEC and the FCC.

Andrew Penn had 20 days to indicate whether he intended to appear and present evidence at the proceeding. But the FCC also gave him the option of avoiding the hearing and terminating the investigation by submitting his Amateur Radio license for cancellation.

HAMS ACTIVE AS CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES BLAZE

Hams are helping to provide much-needed communication as hundreds of fires raged in 16 Northern California counties. Sacramento Valley SEC Jerry Boyd, K6BZ, reports that amateurs are assisting the California Division of Forestry/Fire Protection with a variety of communication in the affected counties. Chief fire officers are being "shadowed" by hams to insure they have communications capabilities. Fire emergency command and control centers are using amateurs, as are evacuation centers in several jurisdictions.

As of earlier this week, Boyd said major activity was concentrated on two fires--the High Fire north of Shasta Lake and the Mammoth Fire west of Shasta Lake. More than 2200 state, local, and federal firefighters were deployed. In addition to assisting CDF, hams also are assisting the US Forest Service, since some of the fires are in National Forest territory.

Northern California experienced a series of wildland fires in early July, and residents there had hoped that would be it for the season. "Unfortunately, that was not to be the case," Boyd said. In late August, a series of thunderstorms passed through Northern California from just north of Sacramento to the Oregon border. The thunderstorms produced lots of "dry lightning" with numerous ground strikes and no rain to stop the fires the lightning started. Southern California and other western states have experienced similar problems. --thanks to Jerry Boyd, K6BZ

HIRAM PERCY MAXIM 130TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION UNDER WAY

An operating event to honor the 130th anniversary of the birth of the ARRL's first president and key founder, Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, now is under way and continues until September 11. Maxim was born September 2, 1869, so the Hiram Percy Maxim 130th Birthday Celebration--also known as HPM/130--appropriately began September 2. During the event period, eligible amateurs may sign /130, and other stations will attempt to work as many /130 stations as they can.

Those eligible to sign /130 include League members holding ARRL field appointments, ARRL elected volunteers--such as ARRL officers, directors and section managers, past directors and officers, ARRL life members, and ARRL HQ staff, as well as DXCC field reps. Assistant emergency coordinators, awards managers, QSL bureau workers and volunteer examiners may sign /130 if they are ARRL members.

The operating period continues until 2400 UTC Saturday, September 11. All stations signing /130, send RS(T), their appointment, and their name; others send RS(T) and their name.

/130 stations may be contacted on any band or mode for credit. You can work a station once per band and mode. Repeater contacts are valid for credit, but be considerate of other users during busy periods.

Certificates are available for making at least 25 contacts with /130 stations and endorsement increments of 25 up to a maximum of 100. Complete details on the HPM/130 event and a list of ARRL field positions appear in September 1999 QST, page 48.

SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation prognosticator Tad Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Sunspots and solar flux both were up this week, with sunspot number averages rising over 100 points. Average solar flux was up nearly 34 points, and flux values reached a new high for cycle 23 on Saturday, at 248.4. The last time flux values were this high was on the downside of cycle 22 on February 26, 1992 when it was 253.

Geomagnetic indices were fairly active, with September 1 the most active day. Planetary A index was 22, and the K indices were 4 or 5 over most periods. In higher latitudes, the College index (from Alaska) had an A index of 37 on that day, with K indices as high as 6.

Solar flux has been falling since last weekend, and over the next few days (Friday through Sunday, September 3-5) the values are predicted at 150, 140 and 130. Planetary A index is forecast at 10 for all three days, so conditions should be stable for this weekend's All Asia DX Phone Contest.

Beyond the weekend look for solar flux to bottom out around 125 on September 8 or 9, then rise above 140 after the middle of the month, peaking around 220 on September 23 or 24. September 12-16 should have unsettled geomagnetic conditions, with A indices around 15.

August showed a continued upward trend in solar flux. Average flux values for April through August were 117.2, 148.4, 169.8, 165.6 and 170.7.

Sunspot numbers for August 26 through September 1 were 176, 194, 225, 229, 212, 190 and 137, with a mean of 194.7. The 10.7-cm flux was 222.2, 223.1, 248.4, 218.2, 198.1, 182.7 and 162.8, with a mean of 207.9. The estimated planetary A indices were 13, 13, 14, 10, 20, 18 and 22, with a mean of 15.7.

IN BRIEF:

• This weekend on the radio: The Hiram Percy Maxim Birthday (HPM/130) Event is September 2-11 (see September QST, p 48 or above). Also: the North American Sprint (CW), the All-Asian DX Contest (phone), the CCCC PSK31 Contest, and the Labor Day CW Sprint are the weekend of September 4-5 (Labor Day weekend).
  Just ahead: The ARRL September VHF QSO Party, the Worked All Europe Contest (SSB), the North American Sprint (SSB) and the Illinois QSO Party are the weekend of September 11-12. See September QST, page 105, for details.

• No DXer of the Year for Zorro: The Daily DX reports that Yasuo "Zorro" Miyazawa, JH1AJT, did not receive the DXer of the Year Award August 28 in New Orleans, nor was anyone else named to receive the award instead. The New Orleans International DX Convention last spring had named Miyazawa as DXer of the Year for this year's event. However, this year's convention president, Don Boudreau, W5FKX, announced that both the New Orleans International DX Convention Committee and Miyazawa mutually agreed to remove Miyazawa's name as this year's nomination as a result of recent controversy surrounding Miyazawa.--Bernie McClenny/The Daily DX

• West Central Florida balloting under way: ARRL members in nine Florida counties are voting on whether to create a third section in the Sunshine State, to be known as the West Central Florida Section. Ballots reportedly began showing up in mid-August and are due back at ARRL HQ by September 15. At issue is whether ARRL members in Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties--now part of the Southern Florida Section--want the ARRL Board to agree to create the new section. The initiative is being spearheaded by the West Central Florida Section Committee.

• ARRL Audio News offering downloadable RealAudio file: ARRL Audio News--the Friday Amateur Radio newscast--now offers a downloadable RealAudio file that contains the entire weekly audio feed and requires no special software. The file size is approximately 1.6 to 1.8 MB for a typical program. Visit http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/ and click on the "Downloadable RealAudio file" link (Internet Explorer users may have to right click to download). The combined news feed contains programmed pauses of three seconds between each story, plus a five-second ID break around the middle of the program. ARRL Audio News files are encoded in RA 28.8; you need a 28.8 kbit/s or faster connection to play them directly from the Web site. ARRL Audio News also is available by telephone at 860-594-0384. ARRL Audio News typically runs approximately 15 minutes. Suggestions and comments are welcome to Rick Lindquist, n1rl@arrl.org.

• P3D back in the nest: Phase 3D Integration Lab manager Lou McFadin, W5DID, reports that the P3D satellite has safely returned home to Florida following vibration testing in Maryland. "The bird has returned to the nest," said McFadin, adding, "as the normal Florida thunderstorms began to build up in the far distance, Phase 3D was unloaded from the rental truck." McFadin said the assembled team worked quickly and efficiently and unloaded the satellite in record time. AMSAT-NA President Keith Baker, KB1SF, passed along his thanks to everyone at the Lab for a job well--and safely--done. --AMSAT News Service

• W4RA to receive Calcutta Key: IARU President Larry Price, W4RA, will receive the Calcutta Key from the RSGB during the IARU Region 1 Conference that gets under way September 19 in Lillehammer, Norway. The Calcutta Key is awarded by the RSGB for "outstanding service in fostering International Friendship within Amateur Radio." Price says RSGB General Manager Peter Kirby, G0TWW, notified him of the award in late July. The RSGB Council voted to award Price the Calcutta Key at its July 24 meeting. "Naturally I am quite thrilled at this recognition," said Price, who called the RSGB "one of the leading societies amongst the world community." Price is a past president of the ARRL.

• Robert R. Funck, KB5GQ, SK: A well-known Amateur Radio personality in the New Orleans area, Bob Funck, KB5GQ, of La Place, Louisiana, died August 8. He was 59. A life member of the ARRL, Funck was a fixture on local repeaters and at hamfests throughout the Gulf South. He had an abiding interest in VHF, was involved in repeater coordination and served as a long-time representative to the Louisiana Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, the frequency-coordination entity in Louisiana. Funck was instrumental in developing the Amateur Radio exhibit for the Louisiana World's Fair in 1984. Services were August 10.--thanks to Bob Spahn, WD5BJW, and Bob Dunn, K5IQ

• Arturo Carou, LU1AHC, SK: Amateur satellite pioneer Arturo Carou, LU1AHC, passed away recently in Houston, Texas after a short illness. A founder and permanent member of AMSAT-Argentina, Carou devoted much of his amateur career to satellite operation and was instrumental in helping to place AMSAT-Argentina's first satellite, LuSat, into orbit. LU1AHC published satellite timetables long before the advent of the personal computer or software tracking programs. A memorial ceremony was held August 11.--AMSAT News Service

• Proceedings available: Proceedings of Ham Radio . . .Planning for the Future (proceedings of the ARRL National Educational Workshop 1999) now are available from the ARRL. Order item 7563. Proceedings of the 25th Eastern VHF/UHF Conference of the Eastern VHF/UHF Society and North East Weak Signal Group held August 27-29, 1999 in Enfield, Connecticut also are now available. Order item 7601. Proceedings are $15 each. To order, visit ARRLWeb, http://www.arrl.org/catalog/ or call toll-free 888-277-5289.

• G3OZF to be next RSGB president: Next year's Radio Society of Great Britain President will be Don Beattie, G3OZF. He was elected by Council, the governing body of the RSGB, at its July 24 meeting. Beattie is an avid DXer and contester and chairs the RSGB's Management Committee. The current RSGB president is Hillary Claytonsmith, G4JKS.--RSGB