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Articles on UWB Decision, Comm Daily & Washington Post
by BFITPC＠aol.com 15 Feb '02

15 Feb '02

This should give you some flavor of the FCC open meeting yesterday on UWB. Not the worst outcome, but not necessarily the best either. We will have to be vigilant for a second round of rulemaking on this subject. 73, Chris W3KD << 'Conservativism' Approach COMMISSION APPROVES UWB ORDER, AGREES TO REVISIT LIMITS With officials acknowledging negotiations on ultra-wideband (UWB) had been contentious at times, FCC Thurs. approved order to allow technology to move forward - for now - at very conservative power limits. At agenda meeting, Commission approved order that would let UWB communications devices to operate at 3.1-10.6 GHz, with out-of-band emissions limits set for below 3.1 GHz. Cut-off point for what is considered in-band UWB emissions is lower than 6.1 GHz threshold that Dept. of Transportation had sought and 4.1 GHz level that Defense Dept. had been backing. DoT declined to comment on FCC action, although spokesman confirmed that Transportation Secy. Norman Mineta had sent letter to National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on issue Mon. Pentagon said "strict technical limits below 3.1 GHz" would continue to protect military systems, including GPS. Meanwhile, NTIA Deputy Asst. Secy. Michael Gallagher told us that final decision represented policy victory, although transparency concerns raised during proceeding would be among issues examined in upcoming NTIA spectrum summit. FCC repeatedly stressed it had erred on "side of conservatism" in setting emissions limits. It plans in next 6-12 months to review UWB standards and issue further notice of proposed rulemaking to examine more flexible standards and address operation of additional types of UWB technology. FCC said it based standards "in large measure" on what NTIA believed was needed to protect against interference to govt. operations. Order creates different technical standards and operating restrictions for ground-penetrating radars, which include through-the-wall and medical imaging systems, vehicle radar systems, communications and measurement systems. Imaging systems are allowed to operate under Part 15 rules and FCC, at request of NTIA, will notify NTIA before operation of all imaging systems. Vehicle radar systems that operate at 24 GHz are expected to begin deployment in 2005, with item approved by Commission containing limitations to protect earth exploration satellite services. For communications systems, order allows high-speed home and business networking devices under Part 15 rules that would operate in 3.1-10.6 GHz band. FCC required that equipment be designed to operate only indoors or to consist of hand-held devices that could be used for peer-to-peer operation. "This decision had extreme collaboration with other branches of government," Office of Engineering & Technology Chief Edmond Thomas said at news briefing after meeting, calling standards in item "extremely conservative... We are very, very confident that there are no problems with any public safety, aviation or commercial band by these rules." In next 6-12 months, Commission will continue to collect data and do lab work on UWB, Thomas said. Depending on results, agency could make rules more lax, more stringent or keep them as they are, Thomas said. "A lot of the problems associated with this rule are very, very simple - it's based on assumptions, not pure data," he said. "The first question is how good are the assumptions," he said, stressing that standards were conservative. For GPS band, spurious emissions will be limited to 34 dB below Part 15 limits, Thomas said. Steven Price, deputy asst. defense secy. for spectrum and communications, command & control, said DoD backed "reasoned and balanced approach of FCC order... DoD concluded FCC's technical restrictions on UWB devices would be sufficient to protect military systems. Such restrictions were the minimum required to avoid interference with those systems." Still, NTIA and FCC negotiations on UWB appear to have gone forward without complete consensus among govt. agencies. While DoT spokesman declined to comment on order, sources said letter to President Bush's National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice from Mineta had outlined his continued concerns about how GPS would be protected. "Part of the frustration about this process is that this docket is 3-1/2 years old and it was stuck in the mud when I got here in November of last year," NTIA's Gallagher said. Leadership of FCC and Commerce Dept. meant that "the right result was found out of something that was literally stuck." Gallagher acknowledged that DoT had "very deep-seated views. As flying Americans, we appreciate their concern. NTIA evaluated those concerns and gathered the data." Govt. agencies will continue to gather data and test UWB technologies, he told us. "We will continue to be very sensitive to FAA concerns." Order contains "enhanced enforcement mechanism" designed to provide additional assurance about potential interference concerns, Gallagher said: "This will not be business as usual." To further enhance accuracy of data that are being collected, Gallagher said it would be helpful to have UWB model developed for testing. That would allow "more robust model" to be developed to evaluate data, he said. Noting that FCC Comr. Abernathy had acknowledged concerns about transparency, Gallagher said: "I share that concern." He said that he planned to address it with FCC and others. Issue will be among topics to be dis- cussed at NTIA spectrum summit set for April 4 and 5. "That should be one of the items that we take up because it has been difficult." UWB developers said they still were evaluating fine points of what Commission did but that vote would allow them to finally move forward on plans to bring devices to market. Asked whether upcoming FCC plans to review stringency of standards would create overhang for rollout plans, XtremeSpectrum CEO Martin Rofheart said company planned to move forward with technology that could deliver 100 Mbps speeds. If adjustments are made to standards in future to make them more flexible, company could adjust accordingly, he said. XtremeSpectrum plans to participate with FCC and NTIA in effort to continue to collect and analyze data, he said. After meeting, Time Domain founder Ralph Petroff praised FCC vote, saying it created certainty for companies to begin bringing products to market. Asked what kinds of services conservative standards might prevent, Petroff said certain public safety tracking applications might be hard to carry out, but company needed to see final order's language before fully evaluating that. Time Domain Vp Jeff Ross said technology could offer data rates that we are higher than 802.11 technologies, meaning UWB-systems could handle applications like full-motion video transmissions. "It's not been a pretty process," said Abernathy of proceedings leading up to final item, but "tortuous journey" will lead to exciting technology. "We are not going to stop until we are sure we got it exactly right," she said, referring to period that FCC has left open to continue to analyze data and assess whether standards should be kept. "I am pleased we have come as far as we have, I wish we could go further," she said. In cases like this where highly technical issues are at stake, transparent process and continued dialog among stakeholders are important, she said. Comr. Copps said he supported decision, "albeit somewhat reluctantly," citing extent to which effects of widespread use of UWB weren't yet fully known. "The limits we place on ultra-wideband are designed to reduce the interference risks associated with the technology at limits that are far, far below those placed on other technologies that place energy into narrower portions of the spectrum," he said. Very conservative limits in place here shouldn't be construed as "precedent" for other Part 15 devices, he said. There could be price in terms of impact on U.S. international competitiveness in this technology area if FCC found its rules were too restrictive and failed to correct them promptly, he said. Commission was guided by 2 principles, Powell said: (1) "Unwavering commitment" to ensure that innovative technologies could make way to market. (2) Extreme care to ensure that govt. systems for safety-of-life operations are protected. "To extent that interference concerns have been overstated, we could provide more flexibility," he said. "If we're wrong and interference is worse than expected, we can be equally swift" rectifying situation, he said. - Mary Greczyn Washington Post 2/15/02 FCC Allows Ultra-Wideband Use Thursday, February 14, 2002 By Yuki Noguchi, Washington Post Staff Writer Federal regulators gave a tentative go-ahead yesterday for a new wireless technology that would make it possible for home machines to "talk" to one another, for federal agents to locate hidden or lost people behind walls, and for cars to stop automatically before hitting a pedestrian. Start-up companies, the Department of Commerce and analysts hailed the Federal Communications Commission's decision as a victory for consumers and the industry. "It is the biggest technology decision of [Michael] Powell's [FCC] chairmanship, and probably of the Bush administration," said Scott Cleland, an analyst with market-research firm Precursor Group. "This is 'Star Trek' stuff." The FCC approved the use of the new, radar-like technology at very low power levels. Ultra-wideband, as the technology is known, can transmit signals through buildings even at low power, trumping cellular phones in its ability to communicate across long-distances and through thick walls. The FCC is permitting its use in stages; the radio-frequency noise from ultra-wideband devices must be 2,000 times lower than that emitted by a personal computer. If that produces no interference with other systems, higher levels of power may be approved. Although it is still an unproven technology, industry watchers say its commercial applications could be vast. Now that the FCC has approved the use of ultra-wideband, Bruce Watkins's two-year-old firm, Pulse Link Inc., can start manufacturing chips to install in televisions and personal computers that will make it possible to, for example, have cable television without using any cables. "Until now we've been just at the research and development level, but now we can manufacture it," and start selling the product within a year, said Watkins, whose firm is based in San Diego. The technology can also be used in hostage situations to identify individuals or objects concealed in caves, rooms, underground or in the wilderness, experts say. Arriving at a decision yesterday was a long and controversial process for the FCC. Because ultra-wideband employs a range of frequencies already used by wireless phone carriers and various federal agencies, it took the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) 3½ years to negotiate a compromise that would ensure ultra-wideband transmission would not interfere with existing cellular and security systems, including the global positioning system. The new ultra-wideband won't interfere with other devices, nor will it interfere with existing systems, said Michael Gallagher, deputy director of the NTIA. Verizon Wireless, the U.S.'s largest cellular carrier, initially expressed concern that ultra-wideband would interfere with its emergency 911 calling systems, but is tentatively supporting the commission's decision, spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said. The new technology will transmit signals in the 3.1 gigahertz to 10.6 gigahertz range, as well as the 24 gigahertz spectrum, said Julius Knapp, deputy chief of the office of engineering and technology at the FCC. At the levels the FCC has approved, there is almost no chance that devices using ultra-wideband technology will interfere with any systems, he said. © Copyright 2002 The Washington Post Company >>

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FCC attitudes toward spectrum allocations and Part 15 devices
by BFITPC＠aol.com 15 Feb '02

15 Feb '02

To give you folks an idea what we are up against in terms of statutory limits on authorization of Part 15 devices, here is the separate concurring statement of Commissioner Martin on the UWB proceeding. Note his distaste for incumbent spectrum users who guard their "feifdoms". This is the attitude toward part 15 overlays on amateur spectrum that we have to address, and it is universal among the four Commissioners now sitting. Hence the "in your face" attitude we have taken in the Sierra Digital Recon proceeding and the SAVI proceeding. Chris << SEPARATE STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER KEVIN J. MARTIN Re: Revision of Part 15 of the Commission's Rules Regarding Ultra-Wideband Transmission Systems, First Report and Order (ET Docket No. 98-153-). Spectrum management decisions are always complex and challenging. In an environment where the amount of unencumbered spectrum is decreasing while demand continues to grow, it is even more critical we make interference and sharing decisions that do not waste this precious natural resource. Inevitably, we will depend more and more on sharing the spectrum currently available to avoid such waste. Sharing decisions are made particularly difficult in the context of the "fiefdom" mentality that seems to characterize players who fervently guard their spectrum "turf," regardless of whether additional use can be accommodated. Unfortunately, the result is often unrealized potential that can never be recaptured. I am excited that ultrawideband technology, which operates at powers 10,000 times lower than PCS handsets, will allow us to take sharing to new levels, and help avoid such waste. These sophisticated applications can potentially co-exist with spectrum users in any frequency, while promising a host of exciting military, public safety, medical and consumer uses. Firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel can make use of this technology to detect and image objects that are behind walls, buried underground or even inside the human body. Automotive applications such as collision avoidance and improved airbag mechanisms will have a direct consumer safety impact. Consumers also stand to benefit from enhanced laptops, phones, video recorders, and personal digital assistants that can wirelessly send and receive streams of digital video, audio and data. Most importantly, ultrawideband challenges the notion that use of particular frequencies or bands is necessarily mutually exclusive. In defiance of our traditional allocation paradigm that often forces us to pick "winners and losers" in the face of competing demands, this technology seems to allow more winners all around. I am disappointed that we did not, at this time, adopt more flexible limits that may have allowed for even more widespread use of this technology. I look forward to re-examining the technical parameters established in this order once we have more data that will address the interference concerns expressed by NTIA . I am optimistic that future technological developments will provide the Commission with more such opportunities to insist on increasingly efficient use of current spectrum. Ultimately, the amount of available spectrum and our ability to use it is perhaps limited only by technology. Today, however, we must act rationally to make the best choices within the spectrum constraints that face us now. >>

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[ARRL-ODV:6960] (no subject)
by sysop＠bfdin.com 15 Feb '02

15 Feb '02

You left out the part where Dave's mother signed the letter. <GRIN> Seriously, this is a nice comment and you can never have enough of this type. We certainly see the other type all too often. - Bill AR>As you might expect, I like getting e-mails like this! AR>Jim Haynie AR>================ AR>Dear Jim, AR>I dropped an e-mail to Dave Sumner praising him for his decision to trim AR>down QST due to economics and the fact that there are many things that AR>probably should be moved from QST to our website. I'm writing to tell AR>you AR>that I think Dave does one hell of a fine job. Dave's "It Seems To Us" AR>is AR>always provocative, interesting, and what he says needs to be said. I AR>have AR>always had the utmost respect and admiration for Dave. As we used to AR>say in AR>the military many long years ago about a person who did a great job, AR>Dave AR>really has his "stuff" wired straight. AR>I know that you guys are busier than the proverbial one armed paper AR>hanger, AR>but I feel strongly that if I see the League Staff, officers, directors, AR>members, whoever doing the good jobs that they are famous for, I need to AR>at AR>least voice my opinion and say 'well done'. AR>Thanks for taking the time to read this. No RSVP necessary.

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(no subject)
by W5JBP＠aol.com 15 Feb '02

15 Feb '02

As you might expect, I like getting e-mails like this! Jim Haynie ================ Dear Jim, I dropped an e-mail to Dave Sumner praising him for his decision to trim down QST due to economics and the fact that there are many things that probably should be moved from QST to our website. I'm writing to tell you that I think Dave does one hell of a fine job. Dave's "It Seems To Us" is always provocative, interesting, and what he says needs to be said. I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for Dave. As we used to say in the military many long years ago about a person who did a great job, Dave really has his "stuff" wired straight. I know that you guys are busier than the proverbial one armed paper hanger, but I feel strongly that if I see the League Staff, officers, directors, members, whoever doing the good jobs that they are famous for, I need to at least voice my opinion and say 'well done'. Thanks for taking the time to read this. No RSVP necessary.

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Re: [ARRL-ODV:6958] Anxiety
by W3KD＠aol.com 15 Feb '02

15 Feb '02

In a message dated 2/14/02 6:10:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, w6xd(a)mediaone.net writes: << In my experience, private entities telling the Government what they can and cannot do has not worked well. In fact, it could strengthen the resolve of the civil servants to demonstrate that they can, indeed, do what we say they can't. There must be other equally persuasive techniques that don't run the risk of pushing this particular hot button. >> I don't disagree with you, Art, but no, there isn't any other persuasive technique in this case, because if we don't tell them they can't do this in this instance, they sure as heck are going to do it, because they have in the very recent past. And we REALLY believe that they can't. They already said in the Sierra Digital proceeding that they COULD authorize whatever Part 15 devices they want on an unlicensed basis. The Communications Act provides otherwise on its face. There isn't much else to do but tell them what our interpretation of their governing statute is. chris

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Anxiety
by Art Goddard 14 Feb '02

14 Feb '02

In my experience, private entities telling the Government what they can and cannot do has not worked well. In fact, it could strengthen the resolve of the civil servants to demonstrate that they can, indeed, do what we say they can't. There must be other equally persuasive techiniques that don't run the risk of pushing this particular hot button. 73, Art > SB QST ARL ARLB013 > ARLB013 ARRL asks FCC to drop RFID rules proposed for 425-435 MHz > > The ARRL says the FCC ''cannot legally proceed with the rules > proposed for unlicensed RFID tags at 433 MHz,'' and it's asked the > Commission to not adopt them.

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FCC UWB News Release
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 14 Feb '02

14 Feb '02

The FCC characterizes its action today as "conservative." It remains to be seen whether it is sufficiently conservative to avoid harmful interference. It does appear that the restrictions will help protect the 23 cm band (1240-1300 MHz), which was one of our concerns. Dave K1ZZ _____ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: February 14, 2002 David Fiske at (202) 418-0513 NEW PUBLIC SAFETY APPLICATIONS AND BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AMONG USES ENVISIONED BY FCC AUTHORIZATION OF ULTRA-WIDEBAND TECHNOLOGY Washington, D.C. - The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) adopted today a First Report and Order that permits the marketing and operation of certain types of new products incorporating ultra-wideband ("UWB") technology. UWB technology holds great promise for a vast array of new applications that have the potential to provide significant benefits for public safety, businesses and consumers in a variety of applications such as radar imaging of objects buried under the ground or behind walls and short-range, high-speed data transmissions. UWB devices operate by employing very narrow or short duration pulses that result in very large or wideband transmission bandwidths. With appropriate technical standards, UWB devices can operate using spectrum occupied by existing radio services without causing interference, thereby permitting scarce spectrum resources to be used more efficiently. This First Report and Order ("Order") includes standards designed to ensure that existing and planned radio services, particularly safety services, are adequately protected. The FCC will act vigorously to enforce the rules and act quickly on any reports of interference. The standards adopted today represent a cautious first step with UWB technology. These standards are based in large measure on standards that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") believes are necessary to protect against interference to vital federal government operations. Since there is no production UWB equipment available and there is little operational experience with the impact of UWB on other radio services, the Commission chose in this First Report and Order to err on the side of conservatism in setting emission limits when there were unresolved interference issues. The Commission intends within the next six to twelve months to review the standards for UWB devices and issue a further notice of proposed rule making to explore more flexible standards and address the operation of additional types of UWB operations and technology. The Order establishes different technical standards and operating restrictions for three types of UWB devices based on their potential to cause interference. These three types of UWB devices are: 1) imaging systems including Ground Penetrating Radars (GPRs), wall, through-wall, medical imaging, and surveillance devices, 2) vehicular radar systems, and 3) communications and measurement systems. - Imaging Systems: Provides for the operation of GPRs and other imaging devices under Part 15 of the Commission's rules subject to certain frequency and power limitations. The operators of imaging devices must be eligible for licensing under Part 90 of our rules, except that medical imaging devices may be operated by a licensed health care practitioner. At the request of NTIA, the FCC will notify or coordinate with NTIA prior to the operation of all imaging systems. Imaging systems include: - Ground Penetrating Radar Systems: GPRs must be operated below 960 MHz or in the frequency band 3.1-10.6 GHz. GPRs operate only when in contact with or within close proximity of, the ground for the purpose of detecting or obtaining the images of buried objects. The energy from the GPR is intentionally directed down into the ground for this purpose. Operation is restricted to law enforcement, fire and rescue organizations, to scientific research institutions, to commercial mining companies, and to construction companies. - Wall Imaging Systems: Wall-imaging systems must be operated below 960 MHz or in the frequency band 3.1-10.6 GHz. Wall-imaging systems are designed to detect the location of objects contained within a "wall," such as a concrete structure, the side of a bridge, or the wall of a mine. Operation is restricted to law enforcement, fire and rescue organizations, to scientific research institutions, to commercial mining companies, and to construction companies. - Through-wall Imaging Systems: These systems must be operated below 960 MHz or in the frequency band 1.99-10.6 GHz. Through-wall imaging systems detect the location or movement of persons or objects that are located on the other side of a structure such as a wall. Operation is limited to law enforcement, fire and rescue organizations. - Medical Systems: These devices must be operated in the frequency band 3.1-10.6 GHz. A medical imaging system may be used for a variety of health applications to "see" inside the body of a person or animal. Operation must be at the direction of, or under the supervision of, a licensed health care practitioner. - Surveillance Systems: Although technically these devices are not imaging systems, for regulatory purposes they will be treated in the same way as through-wall imaging and will be permitted to operate in the frequency band 1.99-10.6 GHz. Surveillance systems operate as "security fences" by establishing a stationary RF perimeter field and detecting the intrusion of persons or objects in that field. Operation is limited to law enforcement, fire and rescue organizations, to public utilities and to industrial entities. - Vehicular Radar Systems: Provides for the operation of vehicular radar systems in the 24 GHz band using directional antennas on terrestrial transportation vehicles provided the center frequency of the emission and the frequency at which the highest radiated emission occurs are greater than 24.075 GHz. These devices are able to detect the location and movement of objects near a vehicle, enabling features such as near collision avoidance, improved airbag activation, and suspension systems that better respond to road conditions. - Communications and Measurement Systems: Provides for use of a wide variety of other UWB devices, such as high-speed home and business networking devices as well as storage tank measurement devices under Part 15 of the Commission's rules subject to certain frequency and power limitations. The devices must operate in the frequency band 3.1-10.6 GHz. The equipment must be designed to ensure that operation can only occur indoors or it must consist of hand-held devices that may be employed for such activities as peer-to-peer operation. Action by the Commission February 14, 2002, by First Report and Order (FCC 02-48). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps and Martin, with Commissioners Abernathy, Copps and Martin issuing separate statements. Staff Contacts for First Report and Order: Julius Knapp, Telephone: (202) 418-2468, E-mail: JKNAPP(a)fcc.gov or John Reed, Telephone: (202) 418-2455, E-mail: JREED(a)fcc.gov ET Docket No. 98-153 News media Information 202 / 418-0500 TTY 202 / 418-2555 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

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In-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 13 Feb '02

13 Feb '02

In-Newsletter Vol. 25, No. 6 February 11, 2002 Publications A new printing of The ARRL Operating Manual has been released to the printer. Development Development submitted a proposal to United Technologies (UTC) to fund the expansion of our ARECC program in Connecticut with hopes for a national rollout. The proposal total request is $277,000. UTC has asked for a meeting to discuss the proposal on March 8. Thanks to Bob Inderbitzen and Sue Fagan for their assistance in preparing two Development ads for the April QST. A full page four color ad is designed to thank the donors to the 2002 Defense Fund. A full color 1/2 page ad will support the direct mail campaign for the ARRL Education Project. Letters have been sent to donors who gave $500 ore more to the 2002 Defense Fund asking permission to list their names and call signs in the 2001 Annual Report. Thank you to all the staff who attended the Development 101 presentation. Ideas and leads have already started coming to the Development Office. Media Relations ARRL door prizes for the annual Amateur Radio Operator's Reception at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention have been shipped. The ham radio event will take place on April 10th in conjunction with the convention in Las Vegas. The show runs from April 6th until April 8th. The reception typically attracts 800-900 hams from the broadcast, production and telecommunications industries. The ARRL will once again have a booth staffed by local volunteers. Jennifer will provide more information on ARRL's presence at the convention in the coming weeks. Work on the 2001 Annual Report is underway. Membership Services Awards Branch WAS QSL Cards Checked 650 WAS Endorsements 8 WAC Certificates 51 WAC Endorsements 5 5 Band WAC Awards 11 Extra Class Certificates 61 Code Proficiency Certificates 10 Code Proficiency Endorsements 7 Code Proficiency Fails 2 Code Proficiency Returns 1 A-1 Operator Nominations 2 A-1 Operator Certificates 4 Long Term Member Inquiries 3 VUCC Initial Awards 9 Grid Squares - Data Entered 825 VUCC Endorsements 10 Grid Squares - Data Entered 672 For the coming week-Basic WAS awards for January, 5BWAS plaques, WAS QSL card checking, mail out 60 VUCC awards, compile VUCC listing for April QST, RCC, OTC, and Friendship awards. DXCC Branch Week Ending February 10, 2002 Beginning Cards 64,532 Cards Received 4,464 Cards Processed 10,260** Ending Cards 58,736 Applications Pending 411 Backlog Time 4 weeks Year-to-date Cards Received 48,729 Cards Returned 6,264 ** Outgoing Mail - We are mailing applications received in mid-January, 2002. There are approximately 75 applications in the mailroom currently being out-processed containing about 10,000 cards. This should close out the week with just over 20,000 cards processed. Card Processing - We are entering cards received on January 31, 2002. This week, DXCC began processing the QRP DXCC awards. Contest Branch The 2002 IARU HF rules were finalized and sent to production. Data entry for Sweepstakes Cups and Pins continued. The electronic results for 2001 SS CW were received from the log checking team and work was done preparing them. They were combined with the paper logs, and the Logs Received page prepared for the web. A database of the results was prepared and sent to Jon Bloom to begin work on formatting the on-line scores for the Web. The final draft of the 2002 Field Day packet continued, with goal of getting the PDF packet and rules on the web by the end of the upcoming week. QSL Branch QSL service status: Current. Cards mailed year to date as of 02/10/2002 - 273,925. Cards mailed on 02/08/2002 - 90,475. Janet Rocco spent 5 hours conducting tours around HQ. W1AW Scott Gee worked on slow and fast code practice runs for the latter part of the month of February. He ran some initial tests on an Alpha 374A amplifier, which will be used in Studio Three on the Kenwood TS-950S. He handled evening phone sales calls in the 5 PM to 8 PM time slot. Joe Carcia processed regular W1AW QSL card requests. He also repaired the Alpha 87A amplifier. He also installed on each Operating Studio PC a logging program that will be used primarily for the School Club Roundup. W1AW telephone sales year to date (2002): $1,407. Field & Educational Services Steve Ewald prepared a trip report and news stories for the Web on the recent radio conference at the National Hurricane Center.. Steve and Rick were in touch with Kansas and Missouri Section Leaders about ice storms, and with the Turkish IARU society about the earthquake to gather reports for ARRL news venues. Steve worked on the April QST Public Service column that will introduce the new PSHR criteria. He tutored Linda on how to prepare QST Field Organization monthly data (PSHR, BPL etc; she takes over as statistician. Linda Mullally has already begun to pre-register students and answer questions for the new Antenna Modeling class that opens February 11. She made 85 updates to affiliated club records. For the month of January, Linda reports F&ES brought in $4,272 of revenue from our videolibrary sales, shipping reimbursement for exhibit materials and sales of publications. The much higher total supports Margie's notation in past week of an increase in the purchase of educational materials by volunteer instructors. Jean Wolfgang has received 20 nominations for our annual educator awards; she verified eligibility and wrote acknowledgement letters. She began the QST article about the International Humanitarian Award winner. She worked with the Central Connecticut Radio Club on setting up in a town park for June Kid's Day. She shared information with a fellow who distributes an e-mail newsletter to ham scouters, and responded to folks about the Radio Merit Badge -- one decided to sign up for ARRL membership! Leona Adams sent acknowledgement letters to those who mailed in SM nomination petitions for the term beginning July 1, 2002. She prepared the SM election notice for April QST. She received a compliment from SM Donald Michalski of Wisconsin for taking time to rush materials requested at the last moment for a special presentation on emergency communications. John Hennessee worked with amateurs seeking PRB-1 legislation in Connecticut and North Carolina. He assisted amateurs with local zoning problems in Northville, MI and Cypress, CA and covenant problems in Miami, FL; Casa Grande, AZ and Nashville, TN. In Steve Mansfield's absence, John spoke with a rep from the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, about ARRL efforts for relief from CC&Rs. John followed up with Steve who will call the staffer with further information. Dan Miller made the announcement that the new on-line Antenna Modeling Course (EC-004) is ready, and posted a sample lesson. Registration opens February 11, and will remain open for two weeks. We already have four students enrolled! Participation in the ARECC Level I is markedly up this month. The first two classes of 50 students filled in 16 hours. Dan opened a third class of 50, and it filled within 32 hours. A fourth will remain open over the weekend, and we expect it to fill. Dan represented ARRL at the ARRL Virginia State Convention. Steven Blair continues to edit lessons for new on-line courses, and monitor discussions about issues involving lessons from on-going courses. Rosalie and Mark met with executives of the National Association of Radio and Television Engineers (NARTE) to discuss actions we could take to further each other's objectives. For starters, NARTE will publicize our C-CE courses to its members. Rosalie prepared announcements on the changes to the F&ES staff structure. Jerry Hill reports that applications for future Pilot Schools are coming in. He is working on finalizing equipment lists for our present Pilot Schools, and congratulating them on their selection as Pilot Schools. Mary Hobart is working on a funding proposal, which Jerry will review, and he continues to work on the curriculum. Carrie Cunningham, N7NFX will be helping Jerry staff the booth at the upcoming NSTA Conference. Gail Iannone coordinated travel for Rick Lindquist to the ARRL Vermont State Convention on February 23 in Milton; Brennan Price to the ARRL Washington State Convention on April 6-7 in Yakima; and Ed Hare to the ARRL Arizona State Convention on July 26-28 in Flagstaff, and Zack Lau to the Mt. Airy VHF Club's (Packrats) annual "ARRL Night." Gail sent 6 application packets to clubs requesting ARRL-santion for their events; 11 hamfest approval letters and 1 convention letter to sponsoring committees confirming the Division Directors' approval of the events as ARRL-sanctioned. Brennan Price spent the week on the Repeater Directory attempting to secure a reasonably accurate and updated repeater listing for the New York City Metropolitan area in case amateurs in the area can't produce such a listing. New leadership in the formative coordination body will attempt to provide a listing by February 18. A back-up listing has been procured in case this attempt is not successful. Brennan continued to assist coordinators with data formatting and submission. One week out from the deadline, 21 coordinators have submitted data. Margie Bourgoin worked with Dan Henderson and Tom Hogerty to place a new link about club competition in the Club Companion Activities area of our Web site. Margie now has nine newly ARRL-affiliated clubs; these clubs were sent to the Executive Committee for approval on January 10. She posted a request to all affiliated clubs soliciting articles for "Ham Radio, Planning For The Future." F&ES provided material for a non-ham teacher and her assistant, WA2CAM, to present a talk on the Sheldon School (NY) ARISS QSO to 45 teachers at a conference at Space Center Houston, a museum near Johnson Space Center (JSC). Just before the talk, teachers got the thrill of asking questions of the ISS crew via live NASA videoconference. Two JSC hams assisted with the talk, giving teachers (a few are already hams who are getting classroom ham stations, others asked how to become hams) a tour of JSC's W5RRR. The Canadian Space Agency's "KidSpace" Web site now sports a transcript of audio from the McKenzie (ON) Public School ARISS QSO. Mary Lau reports that response is brisk to the listserver that will support discussion about F&ES Web resources. The first participation group will be added to the listserver next week; a second phase to permit more participants will commence when ISD adds a new server planned for early Spring. Mary also prepared a database that is used by the Scholarship Committee to help process applications, which are running 20% higher this year! 73, Sincerely, Mark Wilson, K1RO Chief Operating Officer MW:lk Staff Absentee List Name Date(s) Reason All Staff 2/18 Holiday Diana Lamson-Lucas 2/15 Vacation LouAnn Campanello 2/18-2/22 Vacation

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Mabuhay Radio Club
by George Race 13 Feb '02

13 Feb '02

As I have heard from several of you privately, I though the following may be appropriate. Please do not respond to the letters being sent out by the Mabuhay Radio Club here in Michigan. First, they are not even a League Affiliated Club. Second, they have a very small Membership, less than 15 I believe. Third, their International attendance is from Canada, and the U.S. Fourth, they are trying to become a bigger frog in the pond than they are at the moment. Their intentions are good. They have flooded the world with invitations. Our Michigan SM and ACC are working with them to help them understand and put together a League program. 73...George --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com) Version: 6.0.323 / Virus Database: 180 - Release Date: 2/8/2002 ---------------------------------------------------- Sign Up for NetZero Platinum Today Only $9.95 per month! http://my.netzero.net/s/signup?r=platinum&refcd=PT97

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RE: [ARRL-ODV:6952] NPR piece this morning
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 12 Feb '02

12 Feb '02

I heard the same report. Wi-Fi is equivalent to IEEE Standard 802.11b and operates in the 2.4 GHz band. Personally I think there is more of a future for this sort of thing in the 5 GHz band. Dave K1ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Bruce Frahm K0BJ [mailto:bfrahm@colby.ixks.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 3:59 PM To: ARRL BoD Subject: [ARRL-ODV:6952] NPR piece this morning Morning Edition on NPR had this sweet little story this morning. I'm not familiar with WiFi -- is that a Bluetooth-type device? I suspect the guy may be busting the Part 15 rules with his antennas. Dunno if he's a ham, but the program detailed some of the typical "ham ingenuity" make-do capers we all come up with at Field Day etc. Bruce (PS If you caught NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, you heard the daughter of a friend telling about how "all globes have Colby KS on them". Actually, it's just Replogle globes....) http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/me/20020212.me.08.ram Wireless Internet NPR's John McChesney visits Aspen, Colorado, where entrepreneur Jim Selby has set up a wireless network that gives residents quick access to the Internet. Selby has put directional wireless antennas on about 40 homes in the hills surrounding Aspen, so nearly the whole town can receive signals that provide his free wireless Web connection. To form the network, he uses a WiFi (why-fy) transmitter. A new company called "Boingo" makes software that would enables wireless access to WiFi service providers across the country. (6:11)

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