November 2002 Edited by George Lanning  KB6LE

Table of Contents

 From the Oval Shack

 From the VP's desk

 Time for paying OARS dues

 OARS Net check-ins

 Treasurer's Report

 Did you know?

 Audio Problem

 Bonanza

 FCC rejects amateur's Petition for Reconsideration on CC&R issue

 ARRL officials upbeat about reaching 5-MHz compromise

 OARS Meeting Notes for September 25, 2002

 OARS Election Results

 OARS Email List

 Gender of Nouns

 Trivial Pursuit

--back to OARS home page

Here it is November and the Holiday Season is almost upon us and signaling the end of another year and the beginning of a new one.

Let me begin this month by thanking everyone for electing me to serve another year as President of OARS. I know that I speak for all of the officers when I say that we are looking forward to another great year for OARS.

Also at the October meeting it was decided that we would accept Lee Chambers'(KI7SS) hospitality and use his studio for another holiday potluck on December 28th. This was a great time for the membership and their families last year, so we are looking forward to your participation again this year.

At this month's meeting on November 27th, we would like to have 10 volunteers come forward who would each take the responsibility to organize the program for one monthly meeting next year. This seems like a good way to get some new ideas and information put forward at the meetings to keep from having the programs seem like reruns. Having each person responsible for just one meeting will not put an undue responsibility on any single person and will take some of the load off Lee, KI7SS, who has done a great job with all of his training to bring new hams into the hobby and organizing all of our public service events. 

Getting the volunteers in November will give everyone plenty of time to think of a program and get it organized, so think of which month you would like to volunteer for and let us know at the next meeting. This is a great way to let your fellow Hams know about some of the things that you find interesting about our hobby.

We don't need anyone for August, since Larry, KC7CKO does the picnic then. Nor do we need a December volunteer because we do our Holiday Dinner then.

I look forward to seeing you on the 27th.

73, Ken

-- Ken Dahl, K7TAG

From the VP's desk

November! The bands are picking up a bit, and I'm in good spirits as a result. I do have a problem, a perpetual problem -- my antennas aren't all I'd like them to be. But of course, they never are, are they? 

So far NO ONE has signed up for a technician class, and I'm about out of time, as they need to read Now You're Talking before the class begins. So I think I'll pass on it until next year sometime. But the General Class is a different animal. Many people have expressed an interest in it. If you're a Tech and would like to move up, let me know. I'm thinking early February for a two Saturday crash class. Between now and then, you need to work on the CW. There are probably ten vendors in QST selling tapes or CDs teaching the code; pick one and start in. It turns out that 5 WPM is really easy; I've had people learn it in a week. That's ALL of it, enough to pass the test, anyway. So even if it takes you a more normal three weeks to a month, you can do it!

The deal is, you've got to get your subconscious into learning it, and it'll take a little while to convince your subconscious that you're serious. A week or two of every night for 20-minute practice sessions will probably do the trick. At the point where you start to lose interest in EVER getting it down -- that's exactly when it's sinking in. How do I know? I taught CW way back "when."

In the old days all Novices had to learn CW, and two Generals or above could give the Novice test, so I've been part of many a class where we taught both CW and theory, usually in 9 two-hour evening classes. After about three weeks the students would come to me saying "I give up on ever learning CW" and I'd talk them into giving it "one more week." And they'd come in a week later, with big smiles! They were copying it all, easily, or relatively so! Steve WC7I and I ran about six such classes, and it was the same over and over -- some people were early learners, but most everyone saw success at three to four weeks. So I'm pretty confident you'll do as well.

Just be consistent, practicing for 20 minutes EVERY night, no skipping allowed. And let me know you're doing it. I've some more hints. 

Set aside the last Saturday in December for a pot-luck holiday dinner, same as last year, in our "studio" here at "chaos manor."

As the incoming OARS VP for the next year, I need help with the programs. We need ten programs, each produced by one of you. If you have an idea for a program, let's talk about it. Anyone know any really interesting speakers -- speakers who talk ham radio?

I'd like to see OARS's name in more "event handouts," but OARS would have to subsidize the event to get credit. The deal is, I think we're invisible to the masses and we shouldn't be. Maybe we could start a fund just for this kind of highbrow advertising. I know I read those ads, sitting there at the Center for Performing Arts; I've nothing else to do but look the program over cover to cover. Comments?

See you at our next meeting, right before Thanksgiving. Until then, 73! 

Time for paying OARS dues

All OARS dues are payable on January 1 of each year. Why not pay now, before your bank account is depleted by Christmas shopping?

Annual dues are $20 per individual or $25 per family. You can make your check payable to OARS and either mail it to P.O. Box 2861, Olympia 98507, or hand it to our Treasurer Ed Fitzgerald at the next meeting.

OARS Net check-ins

The following 45 stations checked in on the OARS General Information Net one or more times in the month of October 2002:
 

The net meets at 7:30 every Tuesday evening on the 3 linked OARS repeaters: 147.36, 224.46, and 441.40 MHz. All Hams are invited to check in.

Treasurer's Report

As of 10/31//02

    GENERAL FUND (checking account)

        Previous balance    $2,065.50
        Income                 146.85
        Expenses               290.68
        Ending balance       1,921.67

    REPEATER / PACKET FUND (savings account)

        Previous balance     $ 956.81
        Income                   0.00
        Expenses                 0.00
        Ending balance         956.81
 

-- Ed Fitzgerald, N7WW, Treasurer

Did you know?

There are many stories related to the sinking of the "Titanic." Some have just come to light due to the success of the movie. For example, most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellman's mayonnaise was manufactured in England.

The Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after New York City.

The Mexican people were eagerly awaiting delivery and were disheartened at the loss -- so much so that they declared a national day of mourning which they still observe today.

It is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

-- humor bulletin found on packet

Audio Problem

Two elderly women were eating breakfast in a restaurant one morning. Ethel noticed something funny about Mabel's ear and she said, "Mabel, did you know you've got a suppository in your left ear?"

Mabel answered, "I have? A suppository?" She pulled it out and stared at it. Then she said, "Ethel, I'm glad you saw this thing. Now I think I know where my hearing aid is."

-- from "Joke of the Day" via Internet

Bonanza

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my four-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds.

She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass.

As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"

-- from David ZL3AI via packet

FCC rejects amateur's Petition for Reconsideration on CC&R issue

The FCC has turned down a Petition for Reconsideration filed by a Florida amateur of the Commission's 2001 decision to deny the ARRL's Application for Review in RM-8763. That proceeding concerned the League's lengthy effort -- ultimately stymied by the FCC -- to have the Commission include privately imposed deed covenants, conditions and restrictions -- CC&Rs -- under the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1. That policy, codified in Section 97.15(b) of the FCC's rules, calls on municipalities to "reasonably accommodate" amateur communication when regulating the installation of outdoor antenna structures. The League subsequently sought a congressional solution to the issue in the form of HR 4720.

The FCC dismissed the League's Application for Review on December 18, 2001, on the grounds that PRB-1 "adequately protects the predominant federal interest in promoting amateur communications from regulations that would frustrate the important purposes thereof." Not long after, and acting on his own, W. Lee McVey, W6EM, of Bradenton, Florida, filed his Petition for Reconsideration, claiming it presented additional evidence that the FCC had not considered in dealing with the ARRL's petition.

"McVey's Petition fails to explain why he did not present his arguments earlier and fails to present new facts or circumstances," said the Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) by D'wana R. Terry, who heads the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Terry pointed out in the MO and O that under FCC "delegated authority" she could dismiss as repetitious any Petition for Reconsideration that "fails to rely upon changed facts or new circumstances."

"McVey fails to explain why he could not have made his arguments by commenting on ARRL's Petition for Rule Making," Terry contended. "In this regard, we note that McVey did not attempt to participate in this proceeding prior to filing the instant Petition for Reconsideration."

Terry concluded that none of McVey's arguments warranted reconsideration of the Order that denied the ARRL's Application for Review.

The FCC said McVey filed his own Petition for Rule Making on the CC&R issue while the ARRL's Application for Review was pending in 2001. The FCC dismissed that petition last February, reasoning that it was substantially the same as the ARRL's. McVey, the MO&O noted, "did not appeal or otherwise challenge" the FCC's decision.

-- ARRL Bulletin ARLB064 

ARRL officials upbeat about reaching 5-MHz compromise 

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, say they're optimistic about reaching a resolution to issues that could otherwise block plans for a new 5 MHz band. Until surprise opposition surfaced from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the FCC appeared to have put ARRL's request for a new, domestic-only, secondary amateur allocation at 60 meters on the fast track.

In an eleventh-hour move a month ago, the NTIA recommended in a letter to the FCC -- sent after the comment deadline -- that the Commission not go forward with a proposal for an Amateur Radio allocation at 5250 to 5400 kHz. The NTIA regulates radio spectrum allocated to the federal government.

"We are working together with the Federal agencies involved toward a solution of the impasse raised by the NTIA letter," Imlay said after he and Haynie attended a series of meetings September 19 in Washington, DC.

In an August 21 letter, acting NTIA Associate Administrator for Spectrum Management Fredrick R. Wentland worried that the 5 MHz proposal the FCC put forth last May at the ARRL's request "does not adequately provide for protection from harmful interference to these critical government operations" in the band.

After initially huddling this week with NTIA and FCC officials and staff members, Haynie and Imlay met face-to-face with representatives of the agencies involved to share mutual concerns. "They are willing to work with us," Haynie said. "I don't think we'll get everything we want, but it's certainly a start." One difficulty in the negotiations is that some of the information on the government's use of the 5-MHz frequencies involved is classified.

Imlay said the discussions tended to center on power restrictions and frequencies but emphasized that no decisions were reached. The ARRL proposal called for a 150-kHz wide band and the full legal power limit. Imlay hinted, however, that perhaps a smaller band than the one requested coupled with some power output limitations, was a real possibility.

The ARRL has called the 5 MHz allocation "an urgent priority of the Amateur Service." Until the latest snafu, the FCC had been expected by early next year to issue a Report and Order on proposals for the 5-MHz band, a new low-frequency allocation in the vicinity of 136 kHz and primary Amateur and Amateur-Satellite status at 2400 to 2402 MHz.

-- ARRL Bulletin ARLB055 

OARS Meeting Notes for September 25, 2002

President Ken Dahl, K7TAG, called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM There were 21 present.

Announcements:

Hamfest in Chehalis Saturday, Sept, 28 at 9IA.M. at Lewis County Fairgrounds.

Larry Watkinson, KC7CKO, hosted the club picnic in August at his place; it took the place of the August meeting. We thank Larry very much for a good time.

Lee Chambers, KI7SS, will teach 2 ham classes: Tech class will bracket Thanksgiving; General class will be in January. Both classes will meet from 2 till 4 on Saturdays. He also reported on the Radio Camp in August: 19 students from 11 to 15 years of age -- not too many problems. He thanked those who came out and helped him with the students. He has had requests for more camps and classes.

The repeater is only 2 meters for now. CAPCOM is moving us into a new shelter on Crawford. The link radio is not running on 440.

The 220 repeater is built and ready to go with Fred Baker's, W7SIX, help; otherwise it requires a licensed climber at $50/hr.

There's a 2-year cycle for checking the repeaters: Crawford one year and water tower the next.

New Business:

Nomination of officers: nominated were:

President: Ken Dahl, K7TAG

Vice. President: Duane Bradford, WB7ROZ

Secretary: Helen Hannigan, KB7JDL

Treasurer: Ed Fitzgerald, N7WW

Member at Large: Jeff Withers, W3GE

Election will be at the October meeting.

Lee Chambers will take charge of Field Day in 2003; Ken Dahl will help.

Lee Chambers announced there is a breakfast for Hams the first Saturday of each month at 7 AM at Nickelby's.

Motion by Lee Chambers, KI7SS, that he be allowed to buy a new video from ARRL for the Ham classes. Motion was seconded and passed.

Program: Video of DXpedition at Campbell Island in Antarctica Jan. 1999. Left from Wellington, New Zealand. ZL9CI.

Next Month: Rick Taylor will update us on the Capitol Peak Repeater. We will meet upstairs.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

OARS Election Results

The annual OARS election was held at the October 23 meeting. Some of the nominations made at the September meeting were modified. By unanimous vote, the slate of officers for 2003 will be the same as for 2002:

President: Ken Dahl, K7TAG

Vice President: Lee Chambers, KI7SS

Secretary: Helen Hannigan, KB7JDL

Treasurer: Ed Fitzgerald, N7WW

Member at Large: Larry Watkinson, KC7CKO

Please send all additions, deletions, and corrections to the newsletter editor and keeper of the database, George Lanning, KB6LE. Also, if you do not now receive Watts News in Acrobat format via email, and would like to, please let me know.

-- George Lanning, KB6LE

Gender of Nouns

The Washington Post Style Invitation postulated that English should have male and female nouns. Readers were asked to assign a gender to a noun of their choice and explain their reason. The best submissions:

ZIPLOC BAGS -- male, because they hold everything in, but you can always see right through them.

SWISS ARMY KNIFE -- male, because even though it appears useful for a wide variety of work, it spends most of its time just opening bottles.

KIDNEYS -- female, because they always go to the bathroom in pairs.

SHOE -- male, because it is usually unpolished, with its tongue hanging out.

COPIER -- female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm up. Because it is an effective reproductive device when the right buttons are pushed. Because it can wreak havoc when the wrong buttons are pushed.

TIRE -- male, because it goes bald and often is over inflated.

HOT AIR BALLOON -- male, because to get it to go anywhere you have to light a fire under it ... and, of course, there's the hot air part.

SPONGES -- female, because they are soft and squeezable and retain water.

WEB PAGE -- female, because it is always getting hit on.

SUBWAY -- male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.

HOURGLASS -- female, because over time, the weight shifts to the bottom.

HAMMER -- male, because it hasn't evolved much over the last 5,000 years, but it's handy to have around.

REMOTE CONTROL -- female... Ha! You thought I'd say male. But consider, it gives man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying. 

Trivial Pursuit

A blonde was playing Trivial Pursuit one night. It was her turn; she rolled the dice and she landed on "Science and Nature."

Her question was, "If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?"

She thought for a time and then asked, "Is it on or off?"

-- from David, ZL3AI, via packet