SHARC Byte News

January/February 2001

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HAM OF THE MONTH


The Hams of the Month are all who send there dues in to Jack, KM6TE, this month!
We can really use the support at this time. Please try to attend the January Sharc Club Meeting.

DUES AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MAILED TO:

S.H.A.R.C.
PO BOX 701
REDWAY, CA 95560


THE REGULAR CLUB MEETING IS THE FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF
THE MONTH AND IS HELD AT TELEPAL IN GARBERVILLE AT 7
PM. (Next to Sentry Market)

 


GREAT THINKING!!!


* Hospital program teaches kids to operate Amateur Radio: A program at Tampa Children's Hospital, St.
Joseph's is introducing Amateur Radio to some of its young patients. TCH patients can participate in
Amateur Radio learning sessions with physicians and hospital staff who are ham operators at the hospital's
Kids Space Ham Radio. "I love teaching children about the workings of Amateur Radio," says TCH pediatric
cardiologist and Amateur Radio operator Dr James Huhta, AA4MD. "The Kids Space Ham Radio Program” not
only helps get the children's minds off of their illnesses, but it also exposes them to a hobby they
may enjoy the rest of their lives."--Greg Brostowicz, St Joseph's-Baptist Health Care


Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or
reproduced in whole or in part in any form without
additional permission. Credit must be given to The
ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.


ULS NOT UPS


* ULS hints redux: Those attempting to register or use the FCC's Universal Licensing System occasionally
(maybe that's an understatement) have been frustrated when entering a licensee name only to have the ULS
come back with a "no matches" response. Unfortunately, the FCC database does not recognize the period "."
after an initial, such as in "John Q. Public" and the ULS is not programmed to disregard a "." in a name
query. When entering a licensee name to search, enter the last name first, followed by a comma and no
punctuation after any middle initial. But wait! If there's a "Jr" or "Sr" or Roman numeral such as II or II after the name, the FCC
database includes the suffix as part of the last name. This means if you search--on the ULS or on
one of the many call sign sites on the Web--for licensee John Q. Public III, you must search for "Public III, John Q" or the name won't show. You can also search just on a last name without a coma following, but this also will yield all names that
begin with "Public" including the one you're looking for. All hams who received new tickets or upgrades during the
restructuring flurry now are registered in the ULS. These licensees must contact the FCC's Technical
Support Hotline in order to obtain a temporary ULS password. A ULS password is required to access the
system to file additional applications or  changes--for example, to apply for a vanity call sign,
to renew, or to file a change of address. To obtain a temporary password, call the Technical Support
Hotline, 202-414-1250. ULS-registered amateurs may change their passwords online via the ULS.


Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or
reproduced in whole or in part in any form without
additional permission. Credit must be given to The
ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.


AVOIDING BECOMING A TRAFFIC STOP


Oh yes, anyone can make a mistake and one can have a tail-light go out. Being pulled over by law
enforcement doesn’t instantly make you a criminal! However, what you say and do afterward may! Hi!
Here are some of the most common V.C. (Vehicle Code) violations that the CHP see on a regular basis.

  1. Registration papers not available (4454a V.C.)
  2. Horn Required (27000 V.C.)
  3. No mirror on left (26709 V.C.)
  4. Damaged or inoperative rear lighting (24252 V.C.)
    (This includes a license plate light)
  5. Tape on Tail-lamps (26101 V.C.) I wonder if that
    includes my “Hot Glue Repair”! Hi!
  6. Fuel Cap Missing (27155 V.C.) A pickle jar lid is
    not considered a fuel cap in a court of law!
  7. Tinted Forward Windows (26708a V.C.) There should
    be a law against being dumb! Hi!
  8. Red or Amber Bug Screens or Covered Headlights
    (26701 V.C.) CCR Title 13 Section 692 (24012 V.C.)
    Well, I have never heard of this set! “What are you in
    here for kid?” “Oh, I got busted with Red Bug Screens
    on my truck.” “Ouch!”
  9. No Windshield Wipers (26706a V.C.) “Hey! We got two
    Squeegees behind the seat!”
  10. Off Highway Lights – Not covered or too many
    (24411V.C “Hey I covered them with these clear produce
    bags. See?” I try to stay ON the Highway. I wonder
    just who decides what is “Too Many”?
  11. Headlamps out (24400 V.C.) “I thought that meant
    more than one offislur!” This one should fall under
    the dumb rule if you don’t notice in less than two
    minutes of driving that half your vision is dark!
    (It’s hard for town folk to notice under all the
    streetlights, so you are excused.)
  12. Fog Lights- improper height out of adjustment
    (22403 V.C.)
  13. No Front Plate (5200 V.C.) I found out in court
    that Mom’s good china is not considered a legal plate
    no matter how much duct tape is used to hold it on the
    front!
  14. Expired Registration (4000a V.C.) “Gee whiz Beeve,
    didn’t you mail that junk mail from DMV back and get
    our 12 free records?” “Or was that BMG?”
  15. After-market Flashing Brake Lights (29100 V.C.)
    This one is news to me! What rock do I live under that
    I don’t even know why I can’t do this? “Oh Offislur?”
    “Does this mean I won’t be passing GO and not be
    collecting two hundred dollars?”


There you have it for cars and trucks! There is only one that seems to stand out in the “Dumb Idea” bracket
for motorcycles, but there it was…

  1. Passenger in Front of Driver (27800 V.C.) This is
    from the COMMON list!


I should add by no means is this all the infractions that are used to pull someone to the side of the road
for a traffic stop. That dangly thing on your rear view mirror is enough. It blocks your vision Trailer
ball blocking readability of the rear license plate is another infraction. So be prepared and be polite.
Respect goes a long way in some situations.  All I can say is that I saw an appropriate bumper
sticker that read: HAMS DON’T DRIVE DRUNK
73 from the Editor


To enjoy Freedom, we have to control ourselves
By Virginia Woolf


FCC TURNS DOWN CB DX PETITION


Like duh! Have you ever had a good DX contact that was well over 250 miles on a CB radio? Well then you just
broke one of the many FCC Rules! You waskly wabbit! I just hope the punishment will fit the heinous nature
of this criminal act. The FCC has denied a petition that would have amended the FCC's Part 95 rules to permit DXing on the
11-meter Citizens Band. The petition sought to amend 95.413 of the rules that prohibits communications or attempts to communicate with CB stations more than 250 km away and to contact stations in other countries.  Designated RM-9807, the petition was filed by Popular Communications Contributing Editor Alan Dixon, N3HOE. "Dixon's request is inconsistent with the purpose of the CB Radio Service and could fundamentally alter the nature of the service," the FCC said in turning town
the petition.  The FCC action was adopted August 18. The Order was released August 21. The FCC said CB operators generally supported the proposal and stated that the present rule was unenforceable. The ARRL commented in opposition to
the petition. "The Amateur Radio Service is the proper forum for the desired long-distance communications sought by the Dixon
petition," the League told the FCC. The National Association of Broadcasters also opposed Dixon's petition. The NAB said that the restriction was necessary to deter CBers from operating at excessive power levels and that consumers must be
protected from illegal CB transmissions that interfere with radio, TV, and other consumer electronics. The FCC agreed with the ARRL and said it did not intend to create a service paralleling the Amateur Service when it authorized the Citizens Radio Service. "Amending the rules to permit long-distance and international communications would undermine the purpose of the CB Radio Service rules and compromise one of the core distinctions between the CB Radio Service and the Amateur Radio Service," the FCC concluded. {From ARRL News}


ARRL Club 2000 Awards--your club can earn one!


Active Amateur Radio clubs can earn a $1000 award and a spot in the limelight as part of the ARRL Club 2000
Awards program. Find out more at the Club 2000 Achievement Awards Web site,
http://www.arrl.org/field/club/club-awards/.   The program is aimed at rewarding the achievements of ARRL-affiliated clubs by recognizing clubs that are growing, thriving, and developing positive community relations. For more information contact Club Programs Coordinator Margie Bourgoin, KB1DCO, kb1dco@arrl.org

860-594-0267; FAX 860-594-0259.


Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without
additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.


FCC GRANTS EXPERIMENTAL LICENSE FOR 2300-2305 MHz


In The Use it or Lose it Category - The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology has issued an experimental license to a California company to test market a wireless Internet system in the San Diego area on 2300 to 2305 MHz. Amateur Radio has a secondary allocation on 2300-2310, the lower segment of the 13 cm band. According to the ARRL band plan, the 2300-2305 MHz segment supports a variety of amateur activities, including weak-signal CW, SSB, digital modes and
moon-bounce as well as beacons and translator inputs and outputs. The ARRL continues efforts to get 2300-2305 MHz elevated to primary status for amateurs. The FCC issued the call sign WB2XIK to ArrayComm Inc of San Jose to deploy its "i-BURST" wireless Internet technology using up to 3000 "market trial" participants with portable units and up to 50 base
station nodes, each with 50 W EIRP. The license, granted in April but only recently made public by the FCC, is good for two years. Typically, the FCC gives no notice of experimental applications until they are granted.



FCC GRANTS EXPERIMENTAL LICENSE FOR 2300-2305 MHz


The experiment would be conducted within a 35-mile radius of San Diego. Market trial users will be equipped with laptops and i-Burst wireless modems that operate at a maximum EIRP of 1.3 W. The company says it will make clear to participants that the system is experimental and temporary. ArrayComm said it chose the 2300-2305 MHz band for its propagation characteristics and because it's near frequencies under consideration for so-called third-generation or "3G" services. "The band has not been allocated for a primary use and this is not heavily encumbered with existing users," the company said in its application materials. ArrayComm acknowledged Amateur Radio's secondary occupation of the segment but downplayed the
likelihood of interference between its experiment and amateur weak signal work in the vicinity.  The City of Los Angeles recently was granted an experimental license to operate a TV downlink system in the 2402-2448 MHz band. The ARRL has
protested that grant as well as a similar application from Los Angeles County. The ARRL has no immediate plans to protest the ArrayComm grant. Experimental licenses are granted on a  non-interference basis.


Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without
additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.


ARRL AND REACT STEP TOGETHER


ARRL and REACT--Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams--took some first steps together this summer. The ARRL Board of Directors approved a  memorandum of understanding between the two radio organizations at its July meeting.
The ARRL was on hand July 26-28 for the REACT 2000 International Convention in Kissimmee, Florida. The event included attendees from the U.S. as well as from Canada, Trinidad, and Tobago.

ARRL Southern Florida Section Manager Phyllisan West,  KA4FZI, coordinated activities for ARRL's representation at the event with Walt Young, convention chairman for the 25th annual REACT gathering. "REACT folks are dedicated to public service, responding dependably to cover emergencies, marathons and other charity events," said West, who set up and
staffed an ARRL exhibit table at the REACT event. "They operate mainly on GMRS and FRS to avoid problems
of unlicensed CB channels, and are excited about working more closely with hams."   West said that copies of the ARRL Public Service Communications Manual at the ARRL table were snapped up. "REACT folks were interested in how hams handle
NTS and tactical messages," West said. While a lot of REACT members already are amateurs, West said she encouraged those who were not to get ham licenses "to enhance their ability to participate in emergency communications."
While REACT has been associated primarily with Citizens Band in the past, the organization has widened its focus to embrace amateur and other services. Young called REACT "just another radio group that is doing the same basic job as ham radio
operators" that provides emergency communications when and where needed.   "The trick is to get various groups to work
together," he said. Approximately one-quarter of the REACT conventioneers were ham operators, and one of the official events at the convention was the Amateur Breakfast, at which West and her husband, Art, were guests. FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, presented an FCC seminar during the REACT convention.
REACT International has a Web site at http://www.reactintl.org/


Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without
additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.


I knew it was to be


New Jersey city says "Both hands on the wheel!" The Township Council of Marlboro, New Jersey, got the nod
from the state Department of Transportation to put signs up on all roads leading into the area that say Marlboro prohibits the use of cellular telephones while driving. Local law-enforcement officers say they will wait until the estimated 50 signs have been planted before they begin handing out warnings and tickets. New Jersey's State Senate will watch the Marlboro
development before it introduces a statewide ban on talking while driving. While the ordinance apparently does not mention hands-free devices, it does say drivers who don't keep both hands on the wheel while talking could be fined up to $250.--reported by the Asbury Park Press



CAR JACKING SAFETY TIPS


Oh, Boy the new crimes just keep rolling in! Cory’s Axiom--- Stay in the left lane in “High Risk” for Car-jacking areas” Give yourself “Room to see road” below the back bumper of the car stopped in front of you. This gives you “options” to escape to
the right or left. You are also away from the curb and more foot traffic. “The Dumb Dear Trick”---- Stay in the fast lane in rural areas where there is little traffic around you, BUT BE AWARE, that you are closer to an “on-coming collision”. The road is much smoother because fewer big trucks use the fast lane and you have much larger amount of time to move out of the
“DUMB DEER!” that just jumped out of the bushes. If you had been in the slow lane, you wouldn’t have had much time to react.


CLUB INFORMATION


PRESIDENT: Lealand Smith W6CLG
VICE PRESIDENT: Warren Bell K7GDW
TREASURER: Jack Foster, KM6TE
SECRETARY: Jerry Wilson, KF6IBP
EC FOR THIS AREA: Jack Foster KM6TE


MONDAY NIGHT EMERGENCY NET AT 7 PM on the 146.790 repeater system. All amateurs are invited to run the net and check in. We also welcome scenarios. The Club is thinking of giving a year free membership, maybe a nice 2 meter J-pole or some nice prize to the winner of the Net raffle as an incentive to run the net.

“So don’t be shy and give it a try.”  H.F. NET on Monday night after Emergency Net on 28.400MHz

Humboldt Emergency Monday Night H.F. Net: 3.960Mhz (aprox) @ 7:45 PST Listen for KM6TE.

Subscription rate: $10 per year 
Membership: $25 per year
We have an Open Phone patch! All donations are cheerfully retained! The calling area for the phone patch is as if one is calling from Garberville, Ca. 95542


DUES AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MAILED TO:

S.H.A.R.C.
PO BOX 701
REDWAY, CA 95560

THE REGULAR CLUB MEETING IS THE FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AND IS HELD AT TELEPAL IN GARBERVILLE AT 7 PM. (Next to Sentry Market)  Sharc Web Page: http://www.sharc-ca.org

EDITOR’S ADDRESS:

Cory Allen KN6ZU
PO BOX 273
REDCREST, CA. 95569


PACKET BBS: KN6ZU @ KE6SLS ON 145.730
PACKET MAIL: KN6ZU-1 On 145.050


SHARC NETS


The Sharc Club has a ARES net every Monday night at 7p.m. local on the linked 146.790- 146.940 MHz. repeaters. All amateurs are encouraged to participate. You may also be net control by asking and it is always good practice to do so.
We invite any scenario for the benefit of training for disaster. This can be as simple as making all participants write the location, name, and call of each ham checking into the net, to more elaborate such as the repeater is not on the air.  We have an emergency net on 28.400 MHz right after the VHF net closes.  We also have a net on the H.F. band (3.962Mhz) plus or minus at 7:45 p.m. local. You can listen to the results on the Humboldt OES ARES net on 3.992Mhz.


REDWOOD AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Minutes of the meeting Dec 5 2000


1905 hrs President Guy KE6JQW called the meeting to order .
The minutes were circulated and approved as corrected
.
Treasurer Paul K6KGA gave his report amid noise and general discourse, explained the bills paid, accounted
the balances and corrected the minutes the final time. (sale of hats netted $79.05)


Joe KA6ROM introduced Bill Robinson our new VIP liaison officer. Bill announced a meeting tomorrow night for all V.I.P. volunteers. The FPD volunteer squad will join the above meeting .


Guest Joe Proenza introduced himself and volunteered to help with club projects.


Vern KB6HYS reported on the 501.C3 research and gave an estimate of the costs involved .Several people spoke on the costs of obtaining and maintaining the tax free status . Vern KB6HYS, Jim WB6ZLE , Spencer KF6HBY formed a committee to pursue research on the initial and yearly maintenance fees and cost of record keeping.


Mike KF6QIC will be net control for the month of Dec.Thanks Mike .


Jim ZLE reported on the status of the trailer and hitch and the fact that the batteries will need charging.


Paul reported that Gale KF6JBR can not accept the presidency and Robert KN6YT said he would rather not
be Vice president, so new nominations were made with Spencer KF6HBY winning the Presidency and Robbie
KC6SJO as vice president. Treasurer Paul K6KGA and Secretary John KB6ZJS will serve again for the next
year.


Joe KA6ROM is leaving our area and won't be available to install and maintain the VIP repeater system as he
has for the past several years .  We will miss you Joe.


Remember coffee at the Pantry every Wednesday at 10AM.

Respectfully Submitted ,
Secretary RARC John KB6ZJS.


SHARC MINUTES

There were many minutes at the “Potluck Meeting”! I gather things were casual! Jack was kind enough to
send this: Hi Cory The elections results as follows:


Pres W6CLG
V-pres K7GDW
Treasurer KM6TE
Sec, KF6IBP


Board Members:


Prizes won:

All had lots of good food and Mrs. Haskins came as a guest. All for now.


Jack, KM6TE


YOUR TWO CENTS


Yes believe it or not your two cents is still worth something! It would be quite a surprise if someone wrote an article.
I have not had anyone write me with any news or a humor file for a long, long time. I would like to hear any stories of how or why you or another got started in Ham Radio.   I know there are some good stories out there and we would like to hear from some of you. Why not tell us about how you got your spouse to finally get the much coveted “Ham Ticket”.  I hope to get some feedback and I will “Grammar check and Spell check” all the mistakes so let your fingers fly! If not I will bee forsed to right some obvius misteaks just to get some hate male!
73 The Editor


FCC REDUCES FINE FOR FORMER AMATEUR


The FCC has substantially reduced a $17,000 fine that it proposed to levy on a former Houston, Texas, amateur. On July 12, the Commission issued a Forfeiture Order telling Leonard D. Martin, formerly KC5WHN, that he should pay $4000 for repeated unlicensed operation and for failing to allow the FCC to inspect his radio equipment. Martin first ran afoul of the FCC two years ago. In May 1998 the Commission received a written complaint alleging that a station identifying as C5WHN was
operating on frequencies not authorized by Martin's Technician class license. FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth sent Martin a Warning Notice in November 1998. In a subsequent telephone conversation with Hollingsworth, the FCC says, Martin "generally denied the unauthorized operation." In February and March of last year, an FCC agent using mobile automatic direction finding equipment tracked 27 MHz transmissions to an antenna at Martin's
residence. Both times, Martin reportedly refused an FCC inspection. The FCC's Houston Office issued Martin an Official
Notice of Violation last April. In his reply, Martin said that he understood that operating on the frequencies in question was a violation and that the FCC has full inspection authority. He also promised to comply with FCC rules. In July, Martin turned
in his Amateur Radio license for cancellation. Last October, the FCC twice tracked 27 MHz transmissions to Martin's residence. Once again, Martin reportedly refused to let FCC personnel inspect his transmitting gear.  In March, the FCC's Houston Office sent a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to Martin for "repeatedly and willfully" operating without an FCC license and refusing to allow an FCC inspection. Martin did not deny the violations but said he couldn't pay the $17,000 fine and submitted copies of his tax returns for 1996, 1997 and 1998 as proof. He also told the FCC that he would dismantle and sell all of his radio transmitting gear and antenna and forfeit proceeds to the FCC or to charity and would permit FCC
personnel to inspect his residence to insure all equipment has been removed.


The FCC said that while it could not rely on Martin's "promises of remedial action," it could reduce the size of the proposed forfeiture given Martin's "limited ability to pay the full amount." The FCC said the $4000 fine was justified in light of the serious
nature of the willful and repeated violations and gave Martin 30 days to pay.


Don’t pass go- Go Directly to Jail


From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT July 25, 2000 To all radio amateurs

Florida man arrested for interference to hams, unlicensed operation.

Federal authorities have arrested a Florida man and charged him with interfering with Amateur Radio operations and transmitting without a license. William Flippo of Jupiter was taken into custody July 20. Flippo already faces a $20,000 fine levied last summer for unlicensed operation, willful and malicious interference to Amateur Radio communications, and
failure to let the FCC inspect his radio equipment. The matter was referred to the US Attorney in January after Flippo failed to pay the fine, and the interference complaints continued. Armed with a search warrant, federal marshals, and FCC and FBI agents, accompanied by local authorities, took Flippo into custody. FCC agents seized items related to the alleged offenses, including radio equipment. Flippo was released on a $100,000 bond. An arraignment on the federal charges is scheduled for
July 31. One condition of his release is that he not make any radio transmissions. Flippo was charged with four counts of transmitting without a license--each count carrying a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $10,000 fine--and
four counts of interfering with the operations of licensed stations, which carry the same penalty.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without
additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.


PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS


S.H.A.R.C.
Southern Humboldt Amateur Radio Club
P. O. Box 701
Redway, CA 95560