May 2000 QST

was introduced February 23 in the CaliforniaSenate. Similar to a PRB-1 measurepassed last year by Virginia’s General Assembly,the California bill would requirelocalities to accommodate Amateur Radioantennas of up to 200 feet, according tolocal population density.Echoing the language of the PRB-1 limitedfederal preemption, the measure saysthat local ordinances regulating antennaplacement, screening or height “shall reasonablyaccommodate amateur radio antennasand shall impose the minimum regulationnecessary to accomplish the legitimatepurpose of the city or county.” The billwould not preclude localities from regulatingamateur antennas with respect to the useof screening, setback and placement, andhealth and safety requirements.Heyn credited Michael Mitchell,W6RW, with helping to get the bill introduced,and he asked California amateursand clubs to contact their state lawmakersto support the measure.On March 7, a bill was introduced in theNew York State Assembly to codify PRB-1into New York State law. Assembly bill A.9947 would require localities to “reasonablyaccommodate” Amateur Radio antennasand would prevent localities from restrictingantenna structures to less than 95feet above ground level or from restrictingthe number of support structures.The bill was sent to the Committee onLocal Governments, which must vote on themeasure before it goes to the full Assembly.Assuming the measure makes it past bothchambers, it would go to Gov GeorgePataki—a former amateur—for his signature.ARRL Hudson Division Director FrankFallon, N2FF, said the bill represents twoyears of work by his Hudson Division PRB-1 Task Force, which spearheaded the bill’sdevelopment as well as a strategy to get itenacted. The Task Force used other successfulstate PRB-1 bills as models and had assistancefrom ARRL Headquarters.A bill, 2000-S 2304—introduced in lateMarch in Rhode Island’s General Assemblyat the request of Hank Grilk,WA2CCN—also would put PRB-1 into theOcean State’s law books. It would preventlocalities from enacting or attempting to enforcezoning restrictions or prohibitionsagainst the installation or use of towers“and/or antennas” by Amateur Radio licenseesthat would make effective radiocommunication “difficult or impossible.”The Rhode Island bill specifies a minimum50-foot tower height. Grilk, a former ARRLHeadquarters staff member, has solicitedassistance from the ARRL in seeing the billover the legislative hurdles that lie ahead.So far, ten states have PRB-1 laws inplace.ARMED FORCES DAY EVENTAVOIDS HAMVENTION CONFLICTTo avoid a conflict with DaytonHamvention, the Army, Air Force, Navy,Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are cosponsoringthe annual Amateur RadioNOTABLE SILENT KEYS• SKYWARN pioneer Sherman C. Carr, W9NGT, SK: The mancredited with being the father of SKYWARN—Sherman Carr,W9NGT, of Hartford, Wisconsin—died March 15. He was 83and had been ARRL member for nearly 40 years. As WisconsinSection Emergency Coordinator in the late 1960s, Carr establishedthe first Amateur Radio weather-spotting network, theWeather Amateur Radio Network—WARN. He had assistancefrom Dave Theophilus—now W0NRW but then W9KWQ and aNational Weather Service meteorologist in Milwaukee. In thoselargely pre-repeater days, the network operated on 75 meters.Carr’s idea worked so well that other states adopted its basicstructure, which eventually was implemented as SKYWARN. LastJune, the NWS honored Carr for his role by presenting him withits Central Region Special Service Award. Wisconsin’s currentSEC Stan Kaplan, WB9RQR, called Carr “as much a pioneer asthe first astronaut.” Another accolade came from Rusty Kapelaof the National Weather Service in Sullivan, Wisconsin. “Everytime we issue a severe weather warning we are doing so with thehelp of Sherm’s pioneering efforts,” he said. Kapela called Carr“a giant of a man in the Amateur Radio world and in severeweather communications.” Said Wisconsin ARRL Public InformationOfficer Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ, “Carr leaves a legacyof creativity, incredible dedication and innovation in emergencycommunications, in technical excellence, and thousands of friendswho will remember his chuckle and his grin.”—Jim Romelfanger,K9ZZ• Nevada Section Manager Bob Davis, K7IY, SK: NevadaSection Manager Robert J. “Bob” Davis, K7IY, of Reno diedFebruary 24 after reportedly suffering a heart attack. He was51. Davis had served as Nevada’s SM since July 1997. Prior tothat, he served for two years as an Assistant SM. First licensedin his late teens in Illinois, Davis joined the US Air Force followinghigh school and worked on the radio equipment aboardthe SR-71 Black bird. Following the service, he worked as anIBM service tech, then started up his own remodeling, landscapingand general maintenance business in the Reno area.“Bob has been a valuable asset to the ham radio community,”said Neil Dresbach, WA7KCD, a friend. “He did an outstandingjob as SM.” Dresbach said Davis was always open to variousviewpoints and tried to avoid letting politics get in theway. Survivors include Marina Brenes, KI7DK. ARRL Fieldand Educational Services Manager Rosalie White, WA1STO,has appointed Janet “Jan” Welsh, NK7N, of Henderson to bethe new Nevada SM. Welsh had served as an Assistant SectionManager during Davis’s tenure and formerly served asan ARES Emergency Coordinator. She’ll fill the remainder ofDavis’s term, which ends July 1, 2001.—thanks to DickFlanagan, W6OLD, Neil Dresbach, WA7KCD, and others• Dawn M. Cummings, K1TQY, SK: Women Radio Operatorsof New England President Dawn Cummings, K1TQY, ofKeene, New Hampshire died February 2, as a result of heartfailure. She was 52. A ham since age 15 and an ARRL member,Cummings was an avid traffic handler. She served asmanager of the First Region Net, Cycle 2, of the ARRL NationalTraffic System and as an Official Relay Station.Cummings’ call sign also graced the “Keene Machine”—alocal repeater on 146.805 MHz that she managed. Cummingswas active in SKYWARN and served as an official weatherobserver for the Keene Sentinel and other outlets and participatedin a regional weather net. After her repeater-related rolein the rescue of students stranded on Mt Monadnock,Cummings was cited by New Hampshire Gov Jeanne Shaheenas “an enduring model of volunteerism.” She also was an activeARES member and belonged to the Quarter Century WirelessAssociation. “Dawn was always cheerful and polite, onand off the air,” said Scott Porter, N1SP. “All of us who knewDawn are saddened at the loss. She tirelessly worked for ourhobby, and never sought the limelight.” In addition to her hamradio activities, Cummings was a Red Cross volunteer. Sheowned and operated a consignment craft store in Keene. Herfather, Lem Cummings, K1IOJ, and her mother, Vivian, areamong her survivors. The family invited memorial contributionsto the Keene Machine, in care of Joseph Armstrong,KA1YLN, 21 Clark St, Apt 1, Brattleboro, VT 05901-6437;or The American Red Cross, 83 Court St, Keene, NH 03431.—thanks to Joe Armstrong, KA1YLN, and Scott Porter, N1SPMay 2000 71