The Eastern Massachusetts ARRL Web page, formerly at www.temples.com/arrl is now located at: http://www.qsl.net/ema-arrl/. Please change any bookmarks or links to point to the new address.
The content on the site has grown a bit stale lately; Larry Ober and Phil Temples will rectify this soon. If you have any questions or comments, or find any "busted links" please email to: ema-arrl@qsl.net.
(Courtesy: Phil Temples, K9HI)
The 7Z1AB PACTOR mailbox is back on the air from the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The frequency is 14,071.3 MHz, USB. The mailbox has mail forwarding capabilities.
(Courtesy Barry Whittles, G4KUD)
In ham radio space related news, six months back RS-15 was self-switching all it's systems off soon after entering eclipse. Then about two months ago the bird began to function well into shadow. Now its reported that RS-15's transponder and beacon is now switching off even when under solar cell battery charge in daylight.
This effect is evidenced whenever high power uplink stations come up on the transponder. The satellite switches off but normally recovers within a few seconds, only to switch off again when the high power operators re-appear. Users of RS-15 are being cautioned to use as little uplink power as possible to maintain communications unless they want RS-15 to disappear in the middle of their QSO.
(Via AMSAT-NA BBS)
The cellular telephone industry has come up with a novel way to disguise its towers that hams might want to think about. It's using simulated trees. Yes, we did say simulated trees, as in some of the strangest looking trees that some states have ever seen.
One of the easiest to spot is the cell site disguised as a pine tree located on Interstate 25 between Denver to Colorado Springs, Colorado. It’s reportedly owned by NEXTEL and is rumored to have cost them a pretty penny. Although this tower is hidden well from the view of the non-RF knowledgeable general public, it's discernibly obvious to hams and other tower-spotters. This is because it stands a good 20 feet higher than any other real trees around it. And coincidentally is upper branches are spaced 120 degrees apart!
(Via CGC Communicator)
New FCC rules to obtain one-by-one call signs for special events have been implemented, and four coordinators have been authorized to handle call sign requests. The first special event call sign, W3W, was coordinated August 20 at the request of the Scranton Pocono Amateur Radio Klub (SPARK) of Scranton, Pennsylvania. W3W will be activated October 11-12, 1997, during the Steamtown Marathon.
On August 18, the FCC authorized the ARRL, The W5YI Group Inc. of Arlington, Texas, the Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society/VEC Inc. of Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Laurel Amateur Radio Club Inc. of Laurel, Maryland to ‘’coordinate, maintain and disseminate a common database of amateur station special event call signs.’’ The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) maintains a shared database so that both requesters and coordinators will know which call signs are available at any given time.
The FCC says that special event 1x1 call signs are authorized for use ‘’in conjunction with an event of special significance.’’ This suggests an event with high public visibility, as opposed to a routine ham radio contest or other operating event. However, a special event call sign could be used in conjunction with a contest if one were to occur within the call sign reservation period.
The four special event call sign coordinators have the authority to determine if a request is in keeping with the intent of the special event call sign system. Any licensed amateur may request a special event call sign. Call signs may be requested up to one year in advance of their use on the air. Call signs normally will be granted for periods of 15 days or less. Because of the limited number of call signs available, requesters are encouraged to limit their requests to the duration of the special event.
A block of 750 call signs is available for use in the special event call sign system. The format of each 1x1 call sign consists of a single letter K, N or W prefix followed by a single numeral, 0 through 9, followed by any single letter except the letter X, which is not available to amateur stations.
For more information on the special event call sign system, call 860-594-0300 or e- mail vec@arrl.org. You also can contact any of the other special event coordinators.
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FCC MAY PREEMPT LOCAL CONTROL OF BROADCAST TOWERS
Amateur Radio Newsline #1046 8/29/97
The FCC is seeking comments on issuing a notice of federal preemption over certain local zoning restrictions regarding the placement and construction of new broadcast transmission facilities for digital television. Acting on the complaints of broadcasters who say that local communities are trying to control the implementation of the new digital services, the Commission has issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making seeking comment on whether and in what circumstances to preempt state and local ordinances that may interfere with the rapid deployment of DTV. Designated as Mass Media Docket 97-182, comments are due on 10/30 with replies due no later than 12/1/97.
(Via FCC Release)
CW Crystals is back. Phoenix Crystals has completed the purchase of CW Crystals, and most of the equipment and stock has now been moved to Phoenix location in Missouri. Phoenix has also changed its name to CW Crystals as one condition of the sale.
With the addition of the CW lapping and
processing equipment the new company will
be able to provide a complete line of vintage
crystals from 160 through 2 meters. The
address is: