March 2000 QST

tem is not legal to use as it’s configured.The League says that Kenwood’s useof a 2-meter frequency would causeamateurs using the system to violateSection 97.201(b), which limits auxiliaryoperation to certain frequencies above222.15 MHz.In its petition for a declaratory ruling orwaiver filed November 4, Kenwood claimsthat the Sky Command VHF transmissionlink “should be viewed as merely providingthird party communications” and not as partof an auxiliary link.“Kenwood is confident that the SkyCommand System fully complies with theremote control, telecommand, and auxiliarystation provisions of Sections 97.109(c),97.213, and 97.201,” the manufacturer toldthe FCC. Kenwood wants the FCC toconfirm in a declaratory ruling that the SkyCommand System complies with thoserules. But, Kenwood said, if the FCC doesnot concur, then Kenwood requests a“blanket waiver” of those rules for amateursusing Sky Command.Kenwood also asked for either adeclaratory ruling or a blanket waiver withrespect to Section 97.111, which coversauthorized transmissions.The manufacturer says the VHF linkcomplies with the rules because it onlycarries audio from the HF station receiver,is not involved with telecommand of theremote station, and is under the supervisionof the control operator.At its meeting January 21-22, the ARRLordered that comments be filed with theFCC “consistent with longstanding policy,opposing a waiver requested by KenwoodCommunications Corp that would permitauxiliary operation in the 144-148 MHzband.”News in Brief:• ARRL officials congratulate new League section: At the strokeof midnight January 15, ARRL Executive Vice President DavidSumner, K1ZZ, was the first to offer his best wishes to the newARRL West Central Florida Section. Sumner worked WCF specialevent station W4C on 40-meter CW from his home in Coventry,Connecticut, and sent the section leadership a 24-word radiogramof congratulations. Congratulatory messages were sent bySoutheastern Division Director Frank Butler, W4RH, and ViceDirector Evelyn Gauzens, W4WY, on 75 meters. The new section,the League’s 71st, formally came into being January 15. Aribbon-cutting ceremony was held the same day at the SarasotaHamfest to mark the occasion, with ARRL First Vice PresidentSteve Mendelsohn, W2ML, on hand to do the honors. The newSection Manager is Dave Armbrust, AE4MR. The ceremonycapped a year-long campaign to move Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee,Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasotacounties into their own ARRL section. The West Central FloridaSection Web site is http://www.wcfarrl.org.• DARA accepting scholarship applications: The DaytonAmateur Radio Association is accepting requests forapplications for the DARA Scholarship Awards. DARA hasawarded numerous $2000 scholarships to assist young amateurs.Applicants must be graduating high school seniors and hold aAmateur Radio license. All completed applications will beconsidered. Requests for applications, accompanied by anSASE, go to DARA Scholarships, 45 Cinnamon Ct, Springboro,OH 45066. Completed applications must be postmarked beforeJune 1, 2000.—Stanley R. Kuck, NY8F• Mississippi telephone RFI case tabled: A Mississippi hamarrested for interfering with his neighbors’ telephones is off thehook. ARRL member Bennie Stewart, KJ6TY, of Meridian, wasarrested and charged September 10 after a neighbor filed acomplaint with the Lauderdale County Justice Court. Stewart wascharged under a Mississippi law making it illegal to “intentionallyobstruct, injure, break or destroy, or in any manner interrupt anytelegraph or telephone line or communication thereon betweenany two points.” At the request of the County Attorney the courthas ordered the case to be placed in its “inactive files.” Stewart’sattorney, Felicia Perkins of Jackson, says the action essentiallyends the case against her client. “For all practical purposes, it’sin a box somewhere, and it’s going to sit there unless Congresschanges the laws,” she said. If he’d been convicted, the 61-yearoldStewart—who’s confined to a wheelchair and says he haslimited physical abilities—faced a fine of up to $500, six monthsin jail, or both. Perkins asked the Justice Court to throw out thecomplaint on the grounds that only the FCC had jurisdiction.The December 28, 1999, Order sending the criminal action tothe inactive files maintained that the Justice Court “does havejurisdiction over the subject criminal matters, but that the statecourt’s jurisdiction has been preempted by federal law.”• Teacher survey yields new insights: Teachers responding toan ARRL survey are upbeat about ham radio and say it still hasyouth appeal. Many also suggest that involvement with a localclub is an important part of a young amateur’s first steps. ARRLField and Educational Services last fall polled 30 speciallyselected active teachers and instructors about their Amateur Radioinstructional efforts and experiences. The questionnaire—compiled and distributed by Field & Educational ServicesCorrespondent Dan Miller, K3UFG—specifically asked for detailsabout what made an Amateur Radio program successful withstudents—the hits and misses. The overwhelming majority ofthose responding expressed optimism about the future of hamradio and its special attraction for young people. All teacherssurveyed agreed that getting someone licensed was only thebeginning. While they felt that it was their responsibility toprepare students to get on the air, involvement with a local clubwas seen to be of equal importance since a club can offer support,guidance, and answers to questions. Miller agrees. “Membershipin a club allows us to learn and develop our interests, while servingthe community in which we live,” he said.• Alfred S. Burke, W3VR, SK: ARRL InternationalHumanitarian Award laureate Alfred S. “Al” Burke, W3VR, ofSeminole, Florida, died January 10, 2000. He was 93 and hadbeen an ARRL member for more than 50 years. In January 1998,the ARRL Board of Directors presented Al Burke and his latewife, Mae, W3CUL, with the 1997 ARRL InternationalHumanitarian Award. The Burkes were cited for their lifetime ofpublic service of traffic handling “and for their unique dedicationto this facet of Amateur Radio.” Al Burke started handlingmessage traffic by ham radio before the start of World War II. Healso was a QST contributor. Mae Burke died in November 1997.The Board also cited both Burkes for serving as traffic handlingmentors to others.—thanks to Kay Craigie, WT3P• Lemuel H. Allen Jr, W7JMH, SK: Former Idaho SectionManager Lem Allen, W7JMH, of Boise died January 8. He was81. An ARRL member for 50 years, Allen had served two termsas Idaho Section Communications Manager (as the position wasthen called) from October 1978 until April 1982, and as SectionManager from May 1984 until September 1986.• QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the QST CoverPlaque Award for December was Robert R. Brown, NM7M,for his article “Bubbles in the Ozone Layer.” Congratulations,Bob!80 March 2000