RF NEWS

BATON ROUGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB September 2003

PRESIDENT Bob Walker, W5RLK VICE PRESIDENT Mac McCandless, KA5CMX SECRETARY Ron Sammonds, KB5TIQ TREASURER Russ Allor, N5ADF DIRECTORS Al Heine, W5OVV Andre Legendre, AD5FK Wayne Gordon, K5EOA Wayne Matherne, N5YFC Everett Hurley, KB5VSV George Rush, K5GWR David Skinner, WA5IMF COMMITTEES EDUCATION & EQUIPMENT Wayne Gordon, K5EOA HAMFEST SCHOLARSHIP & PROGRAM Mac McCandless, KA5CMX NEWSLETTER AL Heine, W5OVV Andre Legendre, AD5FK PUBLICITY Edward Laughery Jr, AD5JV REPEATERS David Skinner, WA5IMF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Gerard Du Cote, W5TZX USS KIDD Russ, Allor, N5ADF WEB ADMINISTRATOR Andre Legendre, AD5FK

Founded in 1937

P.O. Box 4004 Baton Rouge, LA 70821

FROM THE PRESIDENT

To BRARC Members, I cant believe its September. I dont know where the time goes but it does. It is that time of the year tha t I remind you that it is approaching time to elect new Club Officers and Board Members. This is a very important part of our club operations and we need all club members to participate. I will be leaving the Presidents position to allow someone new to assume this responsibility. It is vital to this clubs leadership to bring in new ideas and energies. We have so many things going that are positive in this club so please participate in this important activity. David Assaf, W5XU has agreed to be the Nominating Committee Chairman. He needs to be contacted at w5xu@cox.net with your suggestions to fill these positions of Club Leadership. We request that you make sure your candidate is agreeable to such nomination. We have a relative short interval to do this so David can make his report to the membership at the September 30, 2003, 7:00 pm Club Meeting at Catholic High School Cafeteria. It is fast approaching Hamfest Time and I wish to thank the club members who are involved with the planning and implementation of this event. We have work yet to be done and need more help with just about everything when it comes to Hamfest Friday and Saturday. We need the general membership to collect door prizes from their business friends and then let George Rush, K5GWR know when the prize has been obtained. We already have the Main Prizes so this is the remaining effort for Hamfest Prizes. We need club members to talk up the Hamfest. Make sure the folks you talk to on the HF Bands are invited to our Hamfest. We will have RV Parking but no hookups also we want to talk-up the Junk in Trunk area this year. If you have any questions, call or e-mail me. We will be asking for people to sign up at the next club meeting so this will be the opportunity to let us know what you want to do. I hope see all of you at the next Club Meeting. 73, Bob, W5RLK

USS KIDD ARC W5KID

Coming Events
Next Club meeting, September 30 @ 7:00 PM. Catholic High School Cafeteria. Eating Meeting" the following schedule of "things to bring"; A-G, main dishes; H-N, salads; O-Z, desserts or breads. Drinks will be provided as usual. Board Meeting, October 7 @ 7 PM, Drusilla Seafood Restaurant, CLARC Hamfest, Oct 18, Alexandria, LA Hamfest Committee Meeting October 21, at 7 pm, Greenwell Springs Library

Speed Dials - In accordance with the Club's new policy on Speed Dial numbers on the 146.79 repeater as mentioned last month, the following speed dial slots were cancelled effective September 7 either because the slot holder was no longer a member of the club or no response was received: Slot numbers 12, 21, 22, 28, 30, 34, 36, 38, 47, 59, 60, 66, 68, 71, 72, 73, 74, 81, 82, 91, 92, 94, 95, 107, 113 and 136. If your speed dial was cancelled in error, please call me at 272-6022 or e-mail me at k5rgi@Juno.com. Thanks, George, K5RGI

A Poor Ham's Antenna Analyzer

September Club Meeting Program, and Club Building Project

Ever wanted to know if your HF antenna is resonant, or if your antenna tuner is adjusted correctly - without risking your rig's finals by keying it up? Too "fiscally challenged" to import one of those fancy gadgets from Mississippi? Well, here's what you can do - build your own antenna analyzer. It'll set you back about as much as two large pizzas and a DVD rental. At the September BRARC meeting Jim Giammanco, N5IB, will give a presentation on the Four State QRP Club's 'Tenna Dipper project. Designed by Steve Weber, KC1JV <http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/> and Dan Ta yloe, N7VE, the 'Tenna Dipper is a simple signal source, VSWR bridge, and frequency counter that operates from a 9 V battery and can, with a tiny bit of ingenuity, be fitted into an Altoids tin. Jim will explain how the circuit works, and point out the clever tricks the designers used to squeeze so much functio nality into so small a package. A working model will be on hand for you to examine and try out. The 'Tenna Dipper will be the focus of a club building project that will begin later this fall. Project kits cost $25 and a group order will be placed for as many kits as there are people who want to build them. Never built anything? No problem, we'll do it together and there will be plenty of help and advice. Are you a toroidophobiac - afraid to wind a toroid inductor? We will confront your fear and loathing head-on at the club meeting as Jim guides you into the mysterious world of permeabilities and microhenries. Everyone will have a chance to wind a toroid. You can check out more 'Tenna Dipper details at these websites: http://www.amqrp.org/ and http://www.w0ch.net/fsqrp/kits/kits.htm But, don't order the kit on your own. We'll do a group order and the Four State QRP Club has assured us they'll be able to supply all we need. Oh, by the way, are you looking at the picture and wondering where the frequency readout is?

Did you know that it cost BRARC 88 to print and mail each newsletter? Help the club save money by signing up to receive The RF News by email. It's fast, free, in color and it is not limited to a number of pages as the mail version is. It is scanned for viruses and is sent out as an undisclosed list, so your - mail is not visible. You can sign up for the e- mail version on the website.

FCC PUTS NO-CODE INTERNATIONAL'S MORSE PETITION ON PUBLIC NOTICE The FCC has invited public comments on another Morse code-related petition for rule making-this one from No-Code International (NCI) http://www.nocode.org/. It's designated RM-10786. When the FCC put six other Morse-related petitions in the sequence RM-10781 through RM10787 on public notice, RM-10786 failed to show up on the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. It remained missing through September 2. NCI calls on the FCC to delete Element 1--the 5 WPM Morse code exam-- "totally" from the Amateur Service rules and grant "Tech Plus" privileges to current Technicians. It also wants the FCC to act on the matter as soon as possible, preferably in a separate rule making and without further ado. "The Commission clearly has the authority to modify its rules on its own initiative and without further public notice or comment," NCI asserted in its 20-page petition. NCI notes that World Radio Communication Conference 2003 (WRC-03) made optional the requirement to prove the ability to send and receive Morse signals to operate below 30 MHz. As a result, "the Commission is no longer bound to maintain any Morse proficiency requirement." The Morse requirement, NCI contends, is keeping newcomers away from Amateur Radio. Comments poured in this week from members of the amateur community on all seven petitions. Clearly ahead in the comment-collection race is the petition filed by the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators, RM-10787, which had collected more than 350 comments by week's end. The other petitions each have garnered more than 100 comments apiece. Interested parties may file comments on any or all petitions now on public notice <http:// hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-238494A1.pdf> by using the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. The ECFS also permits users to view all comments on file. There is a 30-day comment window. To file a comment, click on "Submit a Filing" under "ECFS Main Links." In the "Proceeding" field, type the full RM number, including the hyphen, and complete the required fields. "RM" must be in capital letters, and you must include the hyphen between "RM" and the five-digit number. You may type your remarks into a form or attach a file. ECFS also accepts comments in active proceedings via e-mail, per instructions on the ECFS page. To view any comments already submitted for each petition, click on "Search for Filed Comments" under "ECFS Main Links" and type in the complete RM number, including the hyphen, in the "Proceeding" field. "RM" must be in capital letters, and you must include the hyphen between "RM" and the five-digit number. Several countries--including Switzerland, Belgium, the UK, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands--already have moved to drop their Morse requirements. Austria, New Zealand and Australia are expected to do so soon.

Mental Musings of An Old Ham

by David Assaf, W5XU I was first introduced to ham radio when I was around 15 or so by a ham who was interested in vhf (very high frequency ) voice communication. I found it fascinating, but for a youngster with no money and no further stimulus, it waned. It was not until I went to Loyola that I became a protg of a fellow classmate and he took me under his experienced wing and brought me though the process of becoming licensed. In those days, Code proficiency was required and I began the journey. Under his enthusiasm and tutelage and due in most part of the funds issue, CW (the continuous wave, or transmission of Morse) was preferred as the equipment was simpler to build and therefore less expensive. I became infatuated with the notion that a young man of 19 could sit at a DESK IN New Orleans AND USING A RADIO THAT HE BUILT COULD COMMUNICATE WITH THE WORLD. It was a fascinating and exhilarating experience that even today is refreshed each time I do so. I often gaze at that original radio still in my shack and mentally relive those times. I have and do use voice communications, especially when I was doing so with my friends, but the Morse still and I suspect will always have the first love in my heart. As you can read from one of the articles in the news letter, there is a notion underfoot to drop the CW requirement for licensing. This will be good news for some, some will be more vocal than I in expressing concern and for others, the human indifference will prevail. For me, it will be a passage of a right of initiation that forty years ago enabled me to experience a new world that I never knew existed. When I bring up this conversation among my ham peers, I get the similar mixed emotions. Some are quite upset as I suspect my original mentor at Loyola is so. Some take no exception to a fundamental change in this hobby, and some welcome it as a means of encouraging other young members into this sport. I say all of this to you as since I have had the notion of reducing my involvement in this hobby, I feel something will be missing for the future hams that has held me for so long. I was hoping, as I sometimes fall into my romantic mode, that all would be the same and that progress would not mean the death of a way of life that for me and I am sure others have invested so much personal equity into. I am saddened, but again if it indeed that process means more hams, I suppose that is progress as my hobby is dwindling in numbers and interest. I tried an experiment last night on myself. After the football game, I came home and fired up the old rig and wo rked some Europeans using code. It was nice to use a radio almost as old as I am and smell the heat of the tubes and look out at the sky through the window of the shack

and see Mars shining though the clouds. It was and I suspect will always be a link back to those original days of wonder. The magic was still there and I caught myself smiling as I was tapping out my message. It was so calming and comforting that I fell asleep at the key. This morning that still seems a nice path to slumber. So as you think of and read about the waning interest of Morse for the hams, think also of the history; for me at least it is a sad passage. I will and no one will lose the use of Morse, but if it is not required, I suspect more will not have the wonderful exposure to such a way of communication as I had. There will be less charm in the hobby. I thought you may find some interest in the mental musings of an old ham. David, W5XU

FCC ASKS POWER COMPANY TO TRY HARDER TO RESOLVE NOISE COMPLAINTS The FCC has asked American Electric Power Company of Columbus, Ohio, to take a closer look at several power line noise complaints and try harder to resolve them. The cases involve complaints from four Amateur Radio operators in Ohio, Indiana and Oklahoma. "While we certainly appreciate the considerable effort that AEP afforded this matter, we are puzzled by the lack of results," FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth wrote August 26 in a letter to AEP Senior Vice President Marsha P. Ryan. "In most cases, a noise source can be located easily by trained personnel using the proper equipment." AEP responded February 10 to the FCC's initial correspondence regarding the four cases. Hollingsworth says, however, that follow-up reports from the complainants suggest discrepancies exist between what AEP told the FCC and what the complainants report. Hollingsworth said evidence to date indicates that none of the cases has been satisfactorily resolved. In one case, AEP erroneously identified the amateur's own antenna as the source of the noise. Jerry Daugherty, W9FS, of Indiana told the FCC that he's heard nothing from AEP and was not even aware that the utility was considering his case closed. "As of June 20, 2003, the noise was present at VHF and coming from several different locations," Hollingsworth said, citing information from Daugherty. James Kiskis, W8PA, of Ohio reported to the Commission that, although interference identified as coming from two utility poles was fixed, it has since returned from one of them. Kiskis told Hollingsworth that an AEP interference investigator showed up at his residence June 23 and--using a spectrum analyzer hooked up to Kiskis' antenna--found strong noise on 20 and 10 meters. The investigator reportedly told Kiskis that he was turning his findings over to a line crew to have the problems repaired.

William Hannon, N8PW, of Ohio confirmed to the FCC that AEP had repaired several suspect utility poles, "including one very significant noise source," Hollingsworth said. But, he added in his letter to Ryan, Hannon "continues to experience strong noise in dry weather conditions when his antenna is pointed east." Howard McCloud, KC5RGC, of Oklahoma reported power line noise last April and identified its source for AEP as utility lines about a mile from his station. McCloud was not aware that AEP had attempted to correct it, Hollingsworth wrote. "AEP now apparently maintains that the source of the noise is McCloud's antenna, even when it is disconnected and on the ground," a conclusion Hollingsworth labeled "patently defective." McCloud reports relatively strong noise on HF that continues 24/7. Hollingsworth asked AEP to "revisit each of these cases" and to update the FCC within 45 days of any progress in each case. He also referred the power company to ARRL RFI Specia list Mike Gruber, W1MG, for technical assistance in resolving the cases.

46th Annual Jamboree on the Air Sponsored by The Boy Scouts of America And the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) WHERE: WHEN: TIME: On Saturday October 18, 2003 Carruth Scout Preserve (near Port Allen, LA.) Saturday, October 18 Approx. 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM If plan to attend please make contact by October 13, 2003 Daytime Ph: 225-621-1248 Evening Ph: 225-229-1624 E- mail: kd5mld@arrl.net

Michael J. Nolan

SIXTY-SIXTH ANNUAL Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club Hamfest

FRIDAY, NOV. 7, 2003 3:00PM 8:00PM SATURDAY, NOV. 8, 2003 8:00AM 2:00PM AT THE BAKER CIVIC AUDITORIUM 3325 GROOM ROAD BAKER, LOUISIANA 1ST PRIZE YAESU FT-840 HF TRANSCEIVER 2ND PRIZE MFJ 259B ANTENNA ANALYZER 3RD PRIZE YAESU VX 150 2M TRANSCEIVER
7

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You are invited to donate to this worthy cause. As a non-profit organization, recognized by the IRS, your donations are tax deductible contributions. Please consider this opportunity. For more information Visit http://www.BRARC.org/Awards.htm or contact Russ, at W5GIX@aol.com

New Kenwood THD7A(G) hand held Transceiver for Sale or Trade. I would like to trade for an MFJ Antenna Analyzer or $300.00. Thanks Bob, W5RLK

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Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club P.O. Box 4004 BatonSAVEEM - DON'T REPLACEEM Rouge, La. 70821-4004
Membership Application or Changes to personal Data Name:____________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ City:______________________ State:__________ Zip:_________ Phone:_______________ Call Sign:__________ Class of License:__________ ARRL Member? Y N E-Mail address _____________________ Do you wish to receive our newsletter by e-mail? Y N Other Hams in family: Name and call sign:________________________________ Basic Membership: [ ] $25.00 Full Time Student: [ ] $5.00 Associate member (unlicensed) [ ] $5.00

RF NEWS
P. O. BOX 4004 BATON ROUGE, LA 70821

BRARC Website www.brarc.org E-mail (Club biz and mailing list) W5GIX@aol.com (newsletter) W5OVV@juno.com (USS KIDD ARC) W5KID@aol.com (Website and RF News ) AD5FK@cox.net 9