Solid Copy de KC7Z

Newsletter of the North Kitsap Amateur Radio Club

PO BOX 2268 -- Silverdale, WA 98383-2268

Web page: http//www.silverlink.net/nkarc

February, 2001

At the January business meeting, Fred, KC7USU, stated that he had passed the written exam for a General Class license but did not pass the code test. He asked if the club, or some member, could help. He added that he had a friend or two who could also use some help. I volunteered to help them, and have made three cassette tapes. The keying is at 13 wpm with about a 6 wpm spacing. All together there are about 3 hours. I have a 73 Magazine tape in addition that has a 18 wpm keying rate and about 7 or 8 wpm spacing. This is in five character groups, and not clear text.

I am now waiting for phone calls to see when it will be convenient to meet, and where. If I know how many will be there, I can make duplicate audio tapes of the three I have made. Learning code requires a lot of repetition: Stimulus (the character) and response (writing the character). It is a classical Behaviorist-type psychological learning situation.

The audio tapes will allow the learner to advance at his or her own pace as time is available. Meeting once a week for a month or so should get to the magic 5 wpm.

The test is now multiple choice type which will be discontinued later in the spring. It will be replaced with a test requiring blanks to be filled in; for example, "The date of the message was __________________."

The first event of the year will be providing communications for the Viking Soccer Tournament. John Stilwell has volunteered to act as chair person again this year--his third year.

The program for February will be another "Show and Tell." It has been several years since we had the last one, so take a look around the shack and bring something to the meeting to show the rest of us.

Want your newsletter as soon as it comes out of the word processor? Want to help the club keep the cost of the bulletin at as low as we can by minimizing the costs of printing and postage? Send your e-mail address to :

and it will be mailed out right after the proof reading. Be sure to tell if you are using an Internet browser or an e-mail only account in order to get the right format. Most e-mail only accounts only accept ASCII text format and we oblige with a text only format for them.

If you figure on waiting until the Morse Code requirement is eliminated from the amateur radio licensing requirements to allow HF privileges, read the following item from the ARRL newsletter of January 26,2001:

The ARRL Board revised its position on whether Morse code proficiency should continue to be an international licensing requirement for operation below 30 MHz. The Board approved a resolution that "recognizes and accepts" that the Morse requirement likely will be dropped from Article S25 of the international Radio Regulations at the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference. But the Board held the line on retaining a domestic Morse requirement, saying that each country should be allowed to determine for itself whether it wants to have a Morse requirement.

The Board declared that Morse code deserves continued support as "an important operating mode" as well as in terms of spectrum and "should be retained as a testing element in the US." The resolution also calls on ARRL
Headquarters staff to "develop a program designed to promote the use of Morse."

The resolution supersedes all previous Board policy statements regarding Morse code and Article S25.

It might be worthwhile to take up President Burt's offer on CW training and get started. A code speed of 5 wpm opens a number of bands and modes to communication and exploration.

It’s time to think about renewing your dues. An application has been included as part of the newsletter. Annual dues are $15.00 Dues are reduced if your are a senior (65 yrs or older) or a student. Family members can be included at a reduced rate. The dues schedule is included on the form. Fill out the form on the back of the address page. Include it with your check in an envelope and send it to the address on the form. Better yet, bring it with you to the next meeting.

If you are an ARRL member and pay your ARRL dues through the club, the club is allowed to retain part of the dues payment. Support the club financially by paying the ARRL dues to Ron.

Bravo Zulu are words of accolade given to a unit or to somebody who has done an exceptional job while serving in the Unites States Navy. Within the next few months, two former officers of the club are hanging up their Chief Petty Officer uniforms and entering into civilian life.

John Stilwell will have retired by the end of February and John Wilson will be giving his last salute to the quarterdeck in April.

John Stilwell has served the club well as a vice-president and president as well as putting together the club web page among his many accomplishments. He has run the gamut from Technician to extra class while a club member. He has had many fine hours serving the club. His finest achievement, however, is coordinating the communications for the Viking Cup soccer tournament. The league sponsoring the event considers the system he developed to be extremely well done and has asked the club for a five year commitment to continue as the communications specialists. John has indicated that he intends to stay in the area and look for "gainful" employment.

John Wilson will be making his last walk down the gangplank in April, He stepped in and served the club as a director last year. Prior to that, he coordinated the club's participation in the Scout Jamboree on the Air program. He was available as a communicator on many occasions including the Hamfest talk-ins. John came to us with a "4" area call sign and he indicates he is going back to the hurricane country (Florida) as soon as he retires.

Bravo Zulu again to two fine gentlemen and may they have calm seas during their retirement.

The club elections were held on the night of January 24, 2001 during the business meeting at the Viking Park clubhouse. The results of the election are as follows:

On the 2nd of December, the WWARA convinced Ed to be the Chair of their organization He is also the Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL. These two positions will keep him busy and he indicated that this is more than he really needs or wants to be. The position will have to be filled at the next business meeting of the club.

Most of the officers elected were in their positions last year. The two new officers, secretary and board member are thanked for assuming their duties and participating in the club leadership. To paraphrase an old typing exercise: "Now is the time for all good persons (trying to keep the all inclusive gender) to come to the aid of the North Kitsap Amateur Radio Club".

The KC7Z Report

The NKARC DX PacketCluster Node has a new custodian responsible to the FCC for its operation. Ed Saftich, AK7H, signed the application assuming the responsibility. Thanks to Ed and let's hope there are no problems requiring action with the FCC (Federal Candy Corporation).

It has been reported during the past year that the Internet computer occasionally locked up during a redial operation when the ISP performed system maintenance. A review of system operating conditions showed that the modem was set to operate at 56K speed. Since the system is used to transfer character data at a relatively slow rate, the need for the high speed was not really necessary. The connect speed was lowered through successive steps down to 19.9K connect speed where it has been operating for a week without a system lockup. It looks like the node is home to a long operating interval without a breakdown.

Periodic checks of the online operating log shows that there are few stations that connect to the node. It is there for everybody's use. Connect up and use it. If you need help in connecting up, contact the club officers or send an e-mail to Bob Tomas at bobtomas@sprintmail.com for help. If you have tried to connect up and have not been successful, let us know so that we can determine where the dead spot areas in the coverage exists.

The node operates on 145.77 MHz and is available 24 hours a day. Connect up and check it out.

There is a wealth of information and capabilities to anybody that checks in. After you get connected, you can get the latest copy of the club newsletter -- “SOLID COPY. Click on the handi-talkie graphic and you’ll get a list of links to other web pages giving you an opportunity to connect to the ARRL, FCC, Packet Radio Home Page, AMSAT and many others. Need the QTH of the station you just had a contact with? The QRZ call sign look-up form is available. The links also give the link to the information on the Evergreen Intertie.

The page master is Malcolm Mannan, NF7M Submit your comments to Page master, Malcolm at

and let him know what you think. If you know of any interesting links, let him know and he will look into them.

NKARC sponsors and conducts the only Amateur Radio VE testing in Kitsap County on a regular schedule. During the first quarter of 2001, the tests are conducted on the third Saturday of the month at Olympic College, Room T-111, Lincoln Avenue, Bremerton, WA at 9:00 AM. All exams, Technician through Extra, are given. Candidates upgrading their license class need to bring their original license and a copy of it, as well as original CSCE (and a copy of them too ) for any credits earned. An applicant can take any tests for which they qualify. If the applicant passes the test for a given grade, they are allowed to take the next level if they feel they are qualified to do so. A fee of $10.00 is charged for every examination given. Contact Sue, AB7MD, at 360-697-9379 for further information

The year 2001 is the start of a new millennium and, with it, NKARC looks forward to another year of meetings and projects. NKARC will conduct the following services and events as part of the year:

· The KC7Z DX PackCluster node on the air with a reasonable level of on-time reliability.

· Provide communications support at the North Kitsap Viking Cup Soccer Tournament and the Kingston 4th of July parade .

· Maintain the club trailer with its mobile communications facilities for public viewing at most of these activities.

· The club will continue the club activities as we did last year. Presentations will be scheduled as speakers become available.

· A special event station to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

· Make amateur radio theory and code classes available to encourage more people into the hobby.

There are more ideas out there. Bring your ideas and suggestions to the meetings where they can be discussed and scheduled. NKARC is your club and your participation is needed

The length of a minute depends on what side of the bathroom door you're located.

Don’t forget to dispose of those discharged household batteries in a way that helps our environment. This includes alkaline, ni-cad, and regular zinc carbide batteries. Bring them to the meeting., and provisions will be made to transport them to the proper disposal site in Kitsap County.

Lead acid batteries are excluded from this collection. The disposal site on Hansville Road, and the sites in Poulsbo and Silverdale will accept lead acid batteries without a charge.

Feb. 14th – Presentation meeting at 7:30 PM - Viking Park Clubhouse – Show and tell—Members bring the oddity from the shack and challenge those present to identify it. One of the few meetings that calls for full membership participation……

Feb. 17th -- VE testing – Olympic College, Room T-111, Lincoln Avenue, Bremerton, WA at 9:00 AM. All exams, Technician through Extra, are given. Contact Sue,AB7MD, at 360-697-9379

Mar. 14th – Presentation meeting at 7:30 PM - Viking Park Clubhouse – Phyllis Mann, Director of Emergency Preparedness for Kitsap County

Mar. 17th – (Happy Saint Patrick's Day – Time for some stourt) -- VE Testing --Olympic College, Room T-111, Lincoln Avenue, Bremerton, WA at 9:00 AM. All exams, Technician through Extra, are given.

Hearing set for Washington PRB-1 expansion bill: Proposed Senate Bill 5002 that would set a 70-foot minimum regulatory height for Amateur Radio antennas in the State of Washington is set for January 29, 8:30 AM, in Senate Hearing Room 2, Cherburg Bldg, Olympia, Washington (on the Capitol campus). The proposed amendment would specify that local governing bodies could not restrict antenna height to less than 70 feet without a clearly defined health, safety, or aesthetic reason. (From ARRL newsletter –Jan 26,2001)

The Solid Copy editor is looking for material to publish in your newsletter. If you have any ideas, let Bob Tomas know by e-mail (bobtomas@spirntmail.com) or a phone call (360-638-1659). Don’t worry about how it sounds. Let’s get it down and edit it for publishing

November 15, 1945. The day that amateurs had waited for, ever since December 7, 1941. Finally, after three years and 11 months of wartime radio silence, amateurs were allowed back on the air! Granted, we didn't have everything back yet. The initial authorization allowed amateur operations on 10 meters (28-29.7 Mc), five meters (56-60 Mc), and the new two meter band at 144-148 Mc. And there were restrictions on these limited frequencies. Our old pre-war five-meter allocation was temporary. The new post-war band was shifted to six meters (50- 54 Mc), but the actual transition would not take place until March 1, 1946. So, we were back on the 56-60 Mc segment for only 3-1/2 months.

On the new two-meter band, the frequencies 146.5-148 Mc were unavailable within a 50 mile radius of Washington, DC and Seattle, Washington. The military was still using these frequencies, as well as our 160, 80, 40,and 20 meter HF bands. The military also occupied our new UHF and microwave allocations. It would be months, maybe a year or more, before the Armed Forces would fully vacate our bands and return them to us.

But amateurs didn't care. Unlike 1919, when there was open hostility to us by the military and the threat of our elimination, the post WW II Armed Forces, as well as the FCC, were fully aware of the tremendous assistance that amateurs had given throughout the war and they were eager to give us back our frequencies. The ARRL was working closely with the FCC and the military to get our bands back.

One band, however, was apparently not coming back. Our 160 meter band, the birthplace of our post 1912 operations, was fully occupied by the military with it's new LORAN Radionavigation System. The Armed Services and the FCC made it clear that this segment was to remain for the use of LORAN. Over the years, the ARRL obtained small concessions -- a 25 Kc segment here and there, 25 watt power limitations, day and night restrictions; but from the 1940s right up to the early 80s, our 160 meter band sounded like a huge broadbanded buzzsaw as LORAN completely dominated it.

But this was a minor blot on the landscape as amateurs rushed to get back on the air. Ten meters was the band they went to first and the 28-29.7 Mc range became crowded with those making up for lost time. Two meters was next; hams modified their old 2 1/2 meter equipment to operate on the new band, and soon the rushing sounds of the superregenerative receiver were everywhere. The more adventurous were trying out something called FM. Five meters was quiet. Since the band was available for only 105 days, many hams spent that time converting their rigs to the new six meter band.

On March 1, 1946, our old five meter band died and the new 50-54 Mc segment was born. Also on that date, to compensate amateurs for the loss of 29.7-30 Mc, we were given an 11 meter band at 27 mc. That's right, the present day CB band was once an amateur allocation.

By May 1946, we had our 80/75 meter allocation back. We also had a emporary allocation from 235-240 Mc, which would soon be shifted down to 220-225 Mc. On November 2, 1946, the FCC finally released our 40 and 20 meter bands. By the end of 1946, we had our full HF spectrum back, 80/75, 40 meters (which was CW only), 20, 11 and 10 meters. Note that there was no 15 meter allocation then. Our 15 meter band did not appear until 1952. The military restrictions on our two meter band were lifted in June 1947, and, except for 160 meters, the military was off of our bands.

By 1947, every amateur band from 80 thru two meters was full of stations. But there was trouble brewing. Amateurs weren't the only ones taking to the airwaves. Television was growing by leaps and bounds. In 1946, there were only 7,000 TV sets. In 1947, the number jumped to 180,000, and by 1948, there were over 1 million TVs in use. Amateurs, who were used to harmonically related bands and an empty VHF spectrum, were not prepared for the TVI their neighbors were experiencing. A typical unshielded amateur transmitter, operating on 14, 28 or 50 Mc, could wipe out all the TVs in the neighborhood. QST ran a series of articles on proper shielding and filtering of stations and hams gradually learned to eliminate harmonics from their transmitters. But there was one band where shielding and good design didn't seem to help -- six meters. Our 50-54 Mc segment was sandwiched right between TV channel 1 (44-50 Mc) and channel 2 (54-60 Mc). At that time, only channel 2 was actually being used for TV. The channel 1 range was still part of the old pre-war FM Band (42-50 Mc) which was being phased out in favor of the new 88-108 Mc allocation. We were causing interference to WCBS and the other handful of stations on channel 2. And the problem would only get worse when channel 1 became available. Tests were run and an interesting solution was proposed. Because a television video signal is amplitude modulated, operates with a wide bandwidth and uses the lower portion of the TV channel, it was determined that channel 2 was twice as susceptible to interference from a 6 meter station than channel 1 was. The ARRL's proposal to the FCC? Eliminate channel 2, keep channel 1. But this idea didn't sit well with the stations already on channel 2, nor did it win the approval of Major Armstrong, who was still fighting the grand battle to keep FM Broadcast in the 42-50 Mc range.

And so, in August 1947, the FCC withdrew channel 1 from the TV allocations. By the end of 1947, all the pre-war FM broadcast stations had disappeared from the 42-50 Mc range, which was then turned over to Public Service. Amateurs learned to operate in the lower portions of 6 meters to avoid TVI to channel 2.

In our next installment, we are going to look at a major upheaval that began 30 years ago and pitted amateur against amateur, and (according to some) the ARRL against hams. I'm talking about incentive licensing, and how it changed the entire licensing structure.

This article may not be reprinted without the express permission of the author -- Bill Continelli, W2XOY

A radio check between patrols in jungles was overheard: "Eeny, meeny, miney, mo, how do you read my radio?"

Not to be outdone, his counterpart operator on the receiving end replied: "Fe, fi, fo, fum, loud and clear with a little hum."