Army MARS Restructures, Decentralizes, Leadership

Army MARS Chief Stephen Klinefelter, AAA9A, speaks at
a meeting of the MARS Government Executive Board.
(Photo courtesy Army MARS)

The Chief of Army MARS - the Military Auxiliary Radio System - has put day-to-day management of the organization into the hands of the 11 volunteer Region Directors who make up the MARS Government Executive Board. “You will tell us if you can take on a task and you will tell us the resources you need,” Chief Stephen Klinefelter told the directors, according to a news release. “Our responsibility at HQ will be to provide the training and the resources and to support you.”

Klinefelter also announced that this fall, the Army MARS headquarters staff will be adding a full-time civilian Program Officer with amateur radio as well as upper-level Army experience. The new Program Officer will report to Klinefelter, but he told the directors, "You're in charge … You're responsible."

IARU Region 3 President VK3KI, SK

VK3KI
(Courtesy Wireless Institute
of Australia)

The ARRL reports that Michael Owen, VK3KI, President of the Wireless Institute of Australia and Chairman of Region III of the International Amateur Radio Union, became a Silent Key on September 22 at age 75. He was also IARU Vice President from 1989 to 1999. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Ham Among Americans Killed in Libyan Consulate Attack

Sean Smith, KG4WSS (SK)
(Courtesy ARRL)

Sean Smith, KG4WSS, was one of the four Americans - including Ambassador Chris Stevens - killed September 11 in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. According to the ARRL Letter, Smith had worked for the State Department for the past ten years, following a six-year enlistment in the U.S. Air Force. He was on temporary assignment in Libya at the time of the attack.

Co-Founder of Mirage, RF Concepts, a Silent Key

Everett Gracey, WA6CBA, who co-founded both Mirage Communications (now a part of MFJ) and RF Concepts, passed away in late August at age 90. His wife of 71 years, Dorothy, predeceased him by seven months, according to his daughter. A World War II veteran awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Gracey was also responsible for bringing Alinco products into the US ham marketplace and most recently was the dealer representative for LDG Electronics. He was also involved with AMSAT and the SAREX/ARISS amateur radio in space programs, and was the author of several books. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

W1BXY New Managing Editor of QST

W1BXY
(Courtesy ARRL)

Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, has been named Managing Editor of QST magazine, succeeding Joel Kleinman, N1BKE (SK). Schoenfeld had been the ARRL's Book Editor and has more than 20 years of experience in publishing, according to the ARRL Letter. Before joining the ARRL staff, she had worked in educational publishing and founded a poetry journal. The Letter reports that she is active on 6 and 10 meters.

Kosovo Achieves Full Sovereignty

The Republic of Kosovo
(Courtesy CIA World Factbook)

 

The Republic of Kosovo achieved full sovereignty in September at the conclusion of a five-year period of "supervised independence," during which an international steering group appointed by the United Nations oversaw it development of democratic institutions and laws.

"The ISG has now completed its duties, allowing Kosovo to continue with full sovereignty and the management of its own affairs as a member of the world community," wrote International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, adding, "Kosovo is now an independent country, which must be honored as such."

Timmerman's comments appeared to be directed toward the ARRL, which has refused to recognize Kosovo as an independent DXCC entity. CQ has recognized Kosovo as a separate entity for its award and contest programs since the country became independent in 2007. Timmerman also reports that an amateur radio working group is in the final stages of working with the country's telecommunications agency to develop regulations governing amateur radio in Kosovo.

US Foxhunters Bring Home 13 Medals

Americans won 13 medals at September's World Championships of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), held in Serbia. In the past, the US team had won no more than two medals, none gold, according to ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV, who is also moderator of the CQ World Wide Foxhunting Weekend.

The U.S. team of 13 competitors faced off against a field of more than 330 participants from 33 countries, winning four gold medals and three silvers in the process. This year's competition included three new events, the "World Cup" for individual competitors rather than teams, the ARDF Sprint and Foxoring, which combines foxhunting and orienteering. The next ARDF World Championships will be held in 2014 in Kazakhstan.

Cubesats Galore - But You Can Only Listen…

The AMSAT News Service reports that four amateur radio cubesats were among a dozen satellites launched together on September 13 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The four amateur-band cubesats each carry scientific experiments and are downlink-only "birds" which do not provide for two-way amateur communications.

(NASA Photo)

Five additional cubesats - all also downlink-only - were scheduled to be hand-launched from the International Space Station on September 27. In addition, the Japanese-built PROITERES satellite was launched September 9 from India. It was India's 100th successful satellite launch, according to space.com. It is also a downlink-only satellite, designed to demonstrate powered flight using a pulsed plasma thruster engine.

Land-Mobile Narrow-Banding Takes Effect Jan. 1

The FCC has notified manufacturers, distributors and users of Private Land Mobile radios operating in the high VHF (150-174 MHz) and UHF (421-470 MHz) bands that they must convert to narrowband transmissions as of January 1, 2013, according to Newsline. The change, which has been in the works for several years, will convert those bands from 25-kHz channels to 12.5-kHz channels, essentially doubling the number of available channels on those two bands.

Amateur radio is not directly affected by the change. However, many manufacturers build both land-mobile and amateur rigs on the same basic platforms, so it is likely that future generations of VHF/UHF ham gear will be built to comply with the new land mobile standard.

Quebec Exempts 2-Way Radio from Cellphone Law

Hams and other two-way radio users in Quebec no longer need to worry about being cited for violating the province's ban on mobile use of handheld cellphones by operating their radios. Newsline reports that the cellphone provisions of Quebec's 2008 Highway Safety Code had been interpreted differently in different communities. Amendments to the code which took effect in June specify that the restrictions apply only to handheld devices that include a telephone function and specifically exempts devices which do not allow both parties in a conversation to speak simultaneously (so it appears that even autopatch is permitted.).

Pop'Comm WRO Live Chat, Sunday, September 9

The monthly Pop'Comm-WRO Live Online Chat is Sunday, September 9, @ 8 p.m. Eastern (0000 UTC Monday). To take part, at chat time, click on the Cover It Live chat box. Please go to < http://www.WorldRadioOnline.blogspot.com >.

Hope to see you there.

TNX and 73,

Richard Fisher, KI6SN / KPC6PC
Editor, Pop'Comm and WRO

Bob Cox, K3EST, Retires as CQWW Contest Director

(Hicksville, NY - Sept. 4, 2012) -- Bob Cox, K3EST, has retired as Director of the CQ World Wide DX Contest and as CQ's Director of Contesting, it was announced today by CQ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA. Cox has been at the helm of the CQWW for 35 years, guiding the contest through massive changes in technology - both on and off the air - and CQWW's growth to become the world's most popular amateur radio contest.

Cox first took the reins of the CQWW in January, 1977, along with Larry Brockman,  WA6EPQ (now N6AR), who worked with Bob until March, 1994. In making his announcement to members of the CQ World Wide Contest Committee,  Bob said,  "35 years encompasses almost the entire history of modern contesting.  All the way from paper logs to today's need for instant answers. During that time a framework was created that made the CQWW the innovator of almost everything used in contesting today including log checking." He added, "With that in mind…I am tired and wish to move on with other interests. "

Ross said the association had been long and fruitful, telling Cox "it has been an honor to have worked with you for these many decades.  Your contributions to the art and sport of amateur radio contesting have been enormous. "

Cox's retirement is effective immediately. A successor has not yet been named.

####

HF Net Control Operators Needed for Hurricane Isaac Operations

From the ARRL...

08/29/2012  

There is an urgent need for qualified net control operators to assist with the response to Hurricane Isaac. Net Control Stations are needed starting at noon (CDT) today, Wednesday, August 29.

NCS shifts are for 2-hour periods. Net Control Stations should have a General, Advanced or Amateur Extra class license, experience as an HF net control station, have a station capable of operation on 40 and 75 meters, and ideally be located in the ARRL’s Delta Division (Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee).

According to ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, there are several nets needing assistance:

• Delta Division Emergency Net: 7.275 MHz (day) and 3.890 MHz (night)
• Louisiana Section Health and Welfare Nets: 3.910 MHz and 7.243 MHz
• Mississippi Section Health and Welfare Nets: 3.862 MHz and 7.238 MHz

Any qualified station willing to assist should contact Mike Corey via e-mail at <ki1u@arrl.org> or by phone at 860-594-0222.

FCC to Congress: No Need to Pre-empt CC&Rs

The FCC has told Congress that there is "no compelling reason" for it to revisit its previous decisions not to extend its limited pre-emption of restrictive state and local antenna laws to private land use regulations. These CC&R, or Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, are imposed by developers and homeowners' associations on purchasers of homes in many areas. The report to Congress released on August 20 is the result of a study mandated earlier this year - with the ARRL's strong backing - of the value of amateur radio emergency communications and impediments (including CC&Rs) to effective amateur communications.

The Commission said commenters disagreed over the impact of CC&Rs on amateur radio emergency capabilities and that "a review of the record does not indicate that amateur operators are unable to find homes that are not subject to such restrictions." The report also said the FCC does not believe Congressional action is necessary regarding CC&Rs or other impediments to amateur communication.

Overall, the report was laudatory of amateur radio's ability to provide emergency communications and recommended that the Department of Homeland Security work with state, local and tribal authorities to improve training for hams and to better integrate amateur radio into existing emergency plans. However, it stopped short of supporting an ARRL recommendation for a federal credentialing system to permit trained amateurs to have easier access to disaster areas when traveling from other states to help provide communications support.

2012 Young Ham of the Year Presentation

The 2012 Newsline Young Ham of the Year award was presented August 18 at the Huntsville (AL) Hamfest. From left, Newsline's Don Wilbanks, AE5DW; CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU; Young Ham of the Year Erin King, AK4JG; Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Sound, and Yaesu's Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV. CQ, Yaesu and Heil Sound are corporate co-sponsors of the Young Ham of the Year program. (Photo by Joe Eisenberg, K0NEB)

HRO VP George Varvitsiotes, K6SV, SK

George, K6SV, with his wife and daughters
(Photo courtesy Ham Radio Outlet)

On August 21, Ham Radio Outlet Vice President George Varvitsiotes, K6SV, became a Silent Key after a long battle with cancer. He was 58. George was an avid contester, a leader in the amateur radio industry and a key player in the success of HRO, where he had worked since 1976. Donations in George's memory may be made to the Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church Memorial Account. The church's address is 20104 Center Street, Castro Valley, CA 94546.

ARRL Centennial Convention in Hartford

The ARRL will return to its roots for its centennial national convention. The League's board of directors voted in July to hold the organization's 2014 convention in Hartford, Connecticut, the city where it was founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim and Clarence Tuska.

ARRL to Allow Early Setup for Some Field Day Stations

(Courtesy ARRL)

In the first major change to Field Day rules in a decade, the ARRL's board of directors voted at its July meeting to allow Class A and B Field Day stations to begin setting up as of 0000 UTC on the Friday before Field Day. Currently, setup may not begin until 1800 UTC on Friday. However, cumulative setup time may note exceed 24 hours. The ARRL Letter reported that the action came in response to concerns about extreme heat and weather conditions in many parts of the US in late June.The new rule takes effect with Field Day 2013.

Ham Elected Serbian Prime Minister

(Courtesy Wikimedia
Commons)

 Ivica Dacic, YU1YU, is the new Prime Minister of Serbia. Dasic, who had been First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, was elected to the government's top position in late July. According to the ARRL Letter, Dasic has been an active supporter of amateur radio in his country and is a member of its national ham radio association, the Amateur Radio Union of Serbia.

IARU Supports ".radio" Internet Domain

A South African media publication reports that the International Amateur Radio Union is throwing its support behind an effort by the European Broadcasting Union to manage a new top-level internet domain of ".radio." ScreenAfrica reports that IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, wrote on behalf of the organization to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that the EBU's proposal "provides a unique opportunity to standardize radio domain names on the Internet" and that the IARU recommends that the union's proposal be approved. A public comment period is open through September 26.