Some excerpts from The ARRL Letter
Vol. 16 No. 8 - February 21, 1997
(full text at http://www.arrl.org)
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IN THIS EDITION:
* Ham radio grows in 1996!
* Marconi memorabilia on the block
* HAARP to air test transmission
* New WATS number for FCC
* ARRL section managers elected
* Solar update
* CW champs to compete in Bulgaria
* Antenna and lightning safety info on Web
* In Brief: This weekend on the radio; FCC drops
DOB info; RS-16 launch postponed; Cosmonaut
active on ham bands; Girl Guides of Canada
calling; Congratulations!; Rescheduled; Address
clarification; MARC celebrates 50 years
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HAARP TO AIR TEST TRANSMISSION FOR HAMS
The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in
Gakona, Alaska, will transmit a test signal on March 8, 1997, seeking
reports from hams and SWLs in Alaska and in the "Lower 48" to determine
how well the HAARP transmissions can be heard to the south.
During this test, the HAARP facility will transmit on or near 3.4 MHz and
6.99 MHz to give listeners the opportunity to listen for the HAARP
facility and to claim a QSL card. The test will be conducted beginning at
0430 UTC on March 8 (2330 Eastern Time on March 7).
The format of the test will be to transmit a constant carrier (no
modulation) signal followed by a CW message at 10 WPM, according to the
following schedule:
TIME FREQ SIGNAL ANTENNA POSITION
0430 6.99 MHz Carrier only Pointed up
0435 6.99 MHz CW message Pointed up
0440 6.99 MHz Carrier only Pointed to SE
0445 6.99 MHz CW message Pointed to SE
0450 3.4 MHz Carrier only Pointed up
0455 3.4 MHz CW message Pointed up
The transmission beginning at 0450 is primarly for Alaskan hams. Reception
reports should include signal strength during the constant carrier
transmission period along with the text of the CW message.
Complete details on this test and a QSL address will be listed on the
HAARP home page at http://server5550.itd.nrl.navy.mil/announce.html.
The HAARP facility--now in the developmental prototype stage--has been
undergoing testing since it was completed in late 1994. Multiple
transmitters feed multiple antenna elements (there are 48 antenna elements
on the site, arranged in eight rows of six columns; however, at this time,
only 18 elements are active. The test will use 17 antennas with a net
transmitter power of 340 kW). The final configuration could have 180
antenna elements and a combined transmitter power of 3.6 MW. HAARP's
stated scientific purpose is to study "the properties and behavior of the
ionosphere, with particular emphasis on being able to understand and use
it to enhance communications and surveillance systems for both civilian
and defense purposes." HAARP is managed by the US Air Force and the US
Navy.
For more information, see "The High Frequency Active Auroral Research
Program" (QST, Sep 1996, p 33), or check out the HAARP home page,
http://server5550.itd.nrl.navy.mil/haarp.html.--Ed Kennedy, K3NS
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIGH SPEED TELEGRAPHY SET
Who says CW is dead? Limber up your fists and break out the code practice
tapes, because the Second IARU World Championship in High Speed Telegraphy
(HST 97) will be held October 6-10, 1997, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Participants
may enter one of six categories:
A--female juniors, age 20 or younger.
B--male juniors, age 20 or younger.
C--women, age 21 to 39.
D--men, age 21 to 44.
E--female "old timers," age 40 or older.
F--male "old timers," age 45 or older.
IARU member societies--including the ARRL--are being invited to field
competitors. The deadline to apply is April 6, 1997. CW-proficient ARRL
members interested in participating at their own personal expense as Team
ARRL should contact Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, at ARRL HQ (e-mail,
dsumner@arrl.org or write him at 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111) as soon
as possible. The sponsoring Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs (BFRA)
says it expects more than 150 participants from more than 15 countries to
turn out.--BFRA
ANTENNA AND LIGHTNING SAFETY INFO ON THE WEB
Andy Funk, KB7UV, assistant news operations manager at WAGA-TV, in
Atlanta, Georgia, has posted some information on his station's Web site
that's potentially useful to hams. The Microwave ENG Safety and Operations
Guidelines are aimed primarily at the station's newsroom personnel using
WAGA's electronic news gathering (ENG) vehicle, which has an extendable
microwave mast and antenna on top. But many of the same rules apply to
Amateur Radio antenna erection. The page also includes some new
information on lightning safety--based on tips from the National Lightning
Safety Institute.
Some basic safety rules worth repeating:
Electrical lines can cause serious injury or death.
Keep all people, tools, and equipment at least 15 feet from all overhead
wires.
Overhead lines are not insulated. They should not be touched.
Some lines have a weather covering and appear to be insulated, but they
are not.
Stay away from electrical devices such as meters, transformers, and
substations.
For more information, set your browser to http://wagatv.com/ENG/ on the
Web (this address is case-sensitive).
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IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: The CQ WW 160 Meter DX Phone Contest, the
YL/OM Phone Contest, the REF French Phone Contest, North Carolina QSO
Party, the RSGB 7 MHz Contest, UBA CW Contest, the CQC Winter QRP QSO
Party, and the FYBO Winter QRP Field Day will all compete for your
participation. Please see February QST, page 103 for details.
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The ARRL Letter is published by the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259. Rodney J.
Stafford, KB6ZV, President; David Sumner, K1ZZ, Executive Vice President.
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E-mail: frenaye@pcnet.com
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box 386, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444
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