|
Log of Ham on Rye BBS
NOTICE: TO ALL CONCERNED Certain text files and messages contained on this site deal with activities and devices which would be in violation of various Federal, State, and local laws if actually carried out or constructed. The webmasters of this site do not advocate the breaking of any law. Our text files and message bases are for informational purposes only. We recommend that you contact your local law enforcement officials before undertaking any project based upon any information obtained from this or any other web site. We do not guarantee that any of the information contained on this system is correct, workable, or factual. We are not responsible for, nor do we assume any liability for, damages resulting from the use of any information on this site.
This is a log file of a session on the "Ham on Rye BBS". It is being made
available by the Advanced Electronic Technologies BBS in Charlotte, NC.
The AET BBS numbers are 704-545-7076/1205. Line one is 1200-14,400 baud,
v.32/v.42 & HST. Line 2 is 1200-2400 MNP. Come visit us and our 3100 megs
of online data. Enjoy this file and call "Ham on Rye BBS" at 814-333-4111.
==============================================================================
CALL TO ACTION 2/2/91
========================
(1)
Get your copies of the PETITION, and get dishowners that don't know
about C-SAT or what's going on to sign them.
The PETITION calls for an end to piracy with a shutdown of the VCII
datastream, along with a FREE upgrade to a new decoder for all legal
owners of VCIIs, and a 1-year subscription to ALL cable/satellite
programming (except PPV) for $100; $200 for those with illegally
modified decoders.
High-quality copies (laser-printed) are available from C-SAT ($5 for
a set of 25 petitions and cover letters) - at PO Box 1789; Dover, DE
19903. 302-678-4400. The text of the petition and cover letter
are in the PAD FILES section as: SATPCOV and SATPPET. You can
also obtain copies of the original from your time-zone coordinator.
IF WE DON'T PARTICIPATE IN THE SOLUTION, MONOPOLIES WILL DECIDE FOR US ---
so PLEASE do your part to spread the word!
(2)
Senate Bill 12. Don't forget to ask your senators for a copy of the
bill. Let them know, via phone, via postcard and via letter that as
a satellite dishowner you are adversely affected by the CABLE MONOPOLY.
It is your understanding the SB12 will go a long way to restoring
fairness to both CABLE and SATELLITE consumers.
Have you contacted Senator Inoyue's office? Write a postcard, letter
or phone Senator Inouye's office to thank him for his support last year
of important cable consumer legislation. Let him know you appreciate
his co-sponsorship of SB12, and request that hearings be scheduled
promptly and that a C-SAT/K-SAT representative be included to testify
on behalf of satellite dishowners and dealers.
Senator Inouye's direct number is: 202-224-3934. Address: 722 SHOB
Washington, DC 20510.
(3)
Have you filed your ATTORNEY GENERAL complaint? A sample is in the
PAD files section as GIAG and GI.PRT. DON'T LET GI get away with the
crime that dealers (and soon consumers) are being arrested and GOING TO
JAIL FOR --- PIRACY! If you have filed your complaint, you need to
establish contact with your senators and representatives offices in DC
to let them know that the AG's office is turning this matter of LAW
ENFORCEMENT over to the FCC - and that's not appropriate --- the FBI
and the US Attorney General's accross the country are the ones who
are prosecuting and investigating dealers and consumers --- what's so
special about GI? Seek their assistance in letting Richard Thornburg,
Attorney General, know that you expect equal treatment for all ---
including GI!
(4)
EVERY TIME you hear of a CABLE RATE INCREASE, drop a postcard to
YOUR 2 senators and REPRESENTATIVE - let them know that you heard
about a cable rate increase (in city/state); and that it is your
understanding that the same thing can happen at any time in your
city/state because there is nothing to stop the cable monopoly from
raising rates at any time they desire --- the need for legislation
to control this monopoly is real and urgent - please support
legislation such as SB12 that will stop this unfair treatment of
American consumers. Also, anytime you see a newspaper item, billing
insert, flyer, etc. regarding CABLE - get a copy to MERILEE NEWMAN,
our cable coordinator:
MERILLE NEWMAN
28068 N. Burrough Valley Road
Tollhouse, CA 93667
**News Flash** -- Congressman introduces "The Amateur Radio
Spectrum Protection Action of 1991" into Congress. Download file
entitled PROTECT.ACT for further information.
----------------------
December 13, 1990
News flash! FCC creates codeless class of amateur radio license!
Be sure to download files NOCODE.FCC
Also, be certain to see HANDICAP.FCC, another important FCC rulemaking
decision.
---------------------------------
November 6, 1990 -
Attention ARRL Section Managers:
Northern New Jersey Section Manager, NW2L has made an interesting
proposal that I wanted to run by the other Section Manager users
of the ARRL BBS. Rich suggests the possibility of creating another
file area for Section Managers -- an area which would act as a
forum for suggestions, comments, ideas among the Section Managers.
Neither Rich nor I wish to create something that people wont use,
certainly, but we'd like to hear from you about it. As SYSOP,
I'm more than willing to create the new file area -- but I'd prefer
to hear your input first. Let's see, you can address comments about
this proposal to the Sysop, with carbons to "Rich Moseson" (pretty
sure that's how he's registered, anyway!)
September 11, 1990 -
Due to a change in Fidonet policy here locally, (Net 142) the ARRL
CBBS can no longer carry free echomail/netmail. We regret the in-
convenience caused to the (very) few users who availed themselves
of the echomail service...
Interested in hamfests in your area? Don't miss the file called
HAMFESTS.USA, which lists all hamfests that have been reported to
ARRL HQ throughout the country.
5/8/90 - Satellite file area created!
Due to popular demand, and repeated requests, the ARRL BBS now sports
a brand new files area, hereby dubbed - THE AMATEUR SATELLITE SERVICE.
In this new area, you'll find many files and items of interest related
to not only the amateur satellite service itself, but also the upcoming
SAREX flights. Want to talk to an astronaut? These files will show
you HOW!
------
MODEM ERRATA:
GO PLACIDLY among the line noise and baud rates, and remember what
boredom there was before BBSing. As far as possible, do not covet
your neighbor's HST. Answer your Email clearly and without typos,
even to the nerds that pester you, for they have something to say
even if you can't figure out what it is.
Avoid female impersonators when in chat mode, for they are
dangerous to your ego. If you compare yourself with others, you
may consider suicide; for there is always someone more proficient
in Zmodem than yourself. Label your disks.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; even after
staying up all night downloading. Exercise caution in your business
affairs, because you need the money to pay your CompuServe bill.
But let this not blind you to what enjoyment there is on your local
BBS; many persons strive for the most recent shareware, and uploads get
you more time on line.
Be yourself. Especially, do not lie about your age or looks when
responding to Email. Do not post messages in all caps. Neither
be cynical about donations to the sysop; for in the face of all
reality, he needs the money for the phone lines. Beware of viruses.
Take kindly the counsel of Phil Katz and Chuck Forsberg, gracefully
admitting that they know more than you will ever learn. Nurture
strength of spirit to shield you from sudden hard disk crashes.
But do not distress yourself with needless worry. Many fears are born
of fatigue from being connected all night to ExecPC. Register your
shareware.
You are a child of the universe, you have a right to buy a 9600 V-Series
Hayes. And whether or not it is clear to you, the communications
program is understandable. Read the docs.
Therefore, be at peace with the sysop, no matter what a jerk he is,
and whatever your BBS plans may be, take your wife out to dinner
occasionally.
With all its bad documentation, high registration fees, and aborted
downloads, it is still better than paying for commercial software.
Be cheerful. Strive to pay your phone bill.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
News Flash: 03-20-1990 07:24:29 from: The ARRL HQ BBS
Some of the ARRL BBS users (and we have over 1000 now!) have
expressed a desire for more services. Some of these services
can be provided by you, the user.
More W1AW bulletins are needed here. As SYSOP, I tend to upload
the ones of interest to ME (from home), but that doesn't solve
the problem of the amateur -- or would-be amateur -- who needs
ALL the bulletins.
Ditto for files of interest to certain aspects of the Amateur Ra
dio Service. For example, microwave operation, VHF/UHF building
contesting, and DXing interests may not be as well represented h
ere as they might be if more users would upload files.
The SYSOP can do just so much, but the board is very much a user
supported BBS. Whatever you can do to increase the services to
the other users would be very much appreciated!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
News Flash: 03-02-1990 07:56:41 from: The ARRL HQ BBS
FCC proposes codeless license!
Since this seems to be the hot topic of the day/month/decade,
I'm sure that many of you will want to download the FCC's actual
words on this matter. The file is called CODELESS.ZIP, and is
yet another service provided to you absolutely free by the
American Radio Relay League HQ BBS... 73 de KY1T
-----------------------------------------------------------------
News Flash: 01-16-1990 07:00:28 from: The ARRL HQ BBS
Some of you may have noticed that Net/Echomail doesn't function
for you. That may be because you have insufficient BBS access
levels, which can be remedied by leaving ye olde (friendly)
SYSOP a brief message, requesting Echomail access.
Echomail is free. Even better, it's a fine way to meet new
folks who are interested in the Amateur Radio Service and
exchange ideas at no charge (except for whatever you may
be paying to call this BBS!)
Netmail on the other hand, would cost ARRL HQ $$$$ to implement.
Therefore, I haven't implemented long distance Netmail yet. I'm
thinkin' about it, but it probably wont happen... 73 de KY1T
-----------------------------------------------------------------
News Flash: 01-02-1990 07:49:00 from: The ARRL HQ BBS
Just getting interested in Amateur Radio?
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) can provide you with a
kit of information -- at no charge -- which contains lists of
licensed amateur radio operators who can help you locally,
volunteer examiner teams in your area, amateur radio clubs close
to you, and much much more!
To make use of this free service, simply send a message to the
SYSOP of this BBS, with your name and mailing address, and a
clear request for the "prospective ham package" and we'll
take it from there. 73 de KY1T
-----------------------------------------------------------------
News Flash: 12-18-1989 09:59:31 from: The ARRL HQ BBS
Your friendly SYSOP is running into a bit of a problem, which
goes like this:
.
The ARRL HQ BBS is being run on a computer that is also used
for business-type things, such as letter-writing, communicating
with our mainframe, data crunching, etc.
.
That being the case, I'd certainly appreciate it if those of
you who use the BBS during normal work hours would limit your-
selves to as short a time on line as you possibly can. I'll
continue to keep the board running whenever I'm not using the
machine for other things, of course, but if you should get
the modem to answer up during the time period 7am - 4pm,
Monday thru Friday, just remember that your friendly SYSOP
may be chompin' on the bit till you get off. Thanks for
your understanding...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
News Flash: 12-11-1989 10:00:38 from: The ARRL HQ BBS
The National Fidonet "HAM" echo has been implemented, as well
as Fidonet Netmail here locally. To access the national
ham echo, simply go to the (M)essage menu and do an (N)etmail.
You'll need to sit tight for about 40 seconds, but you'll
eventually be rewarded with the Netmail/Echomail menus.
.
Enjoy! de KY1T
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL BULLETINS - 01/26/91
Contents: HR ARRL BULLETINS NR 8 thru 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZCZC AG73
QST DE W1AW
ARRL BULLETIN 8 ARLB008
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS NEWINGTON CT
JANUARY 25, 1991
RELAYED BY KB8NW/OBS & BARF-80 BBS
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
The ARRL Board of Directors met in Farmington, Connecticut, January
18 and 19, 1991. A summary of the highlights follows.
The Board adopted a resolution expressing its deep concern for radio
amateurs and ARRL members in harm's way in the Middle East, and
amended the ARRL Bylaws to ensure that service in connection with
operation Desert Storm does not affect any League member's
membership continuity.
The Board, responding to the general support expressed by the
amateur community for the FCC codeless Technician license decision
granting all privileges above 30 MHz, determined that the League
would not petition for reconsideration.
Staff was directed to implement a program for the field checking of
QSL cards for initial applications of DXCC as set forth in
guidelines specified by the Membership Services Committee.
The Board authorized the addition to staff of a Public Relations
Coordinator to address the need for the League to actively work for
the improvement of Amateur Radio's image with the general public.
An outside consulting agency will be employed to buttress efforts to
develop a continuing public relations campaign.
Directors elected to the Executive Committee are Frank Butler, W4RH,
Marshall Quiat, AG0X, Stephen Mendelsohn, WA2DHF, and Paul Grauer,
W0FIR.
The Board renewed its commitment to Amateur Radio education,
stressing knowledge, skill, traditions and dedication to purpose.
It resolved to renew the tradition of one-to-one, .ELMER,. effort.
The Board requested that the ARRL Monitoring System pay particular
attention to the problem of non amateurs stations in the 12 meter and
17 meter bands.
The Board adopted a new band plan for the 13 cm band. The VRAC and
VUAC will seek input for a new band plan for 222 to 225 MHz.
The Board selected Huntsville, Alabama, as the site of the 1993 ARRL
National Convention.
The Board created a volunteer position for engineers to serve in an
advisory capacity, similar to that of Volunteer Counsel, to assist
amateurs with such matters as antenna support structures.
Members of the Johnson Space Flight Center ARC were recognized for
efforts in keeping SAREX manifested on NASA shuttle flights. The
Goddard ARC was recognized for its shuttle related educational
efforts.
Meeting minutes and story will appear in March QST.
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/26/91
ZCZC AG72
QST DE W1AW
ARRL BULLETIN 7 ARLB007
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS
NEWINGTON CT JANUARY 23, 1991
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
U.S. ARMY MARS HQ REPORTS THAT ITS ORGANIZATION IS HANDLING TRAFFIC
TO AND FROM ARMY TROOPS IN THE GULF REGION. ALTHOUGH MARS PREFERS TO
HANDLE TRAFFIC WITHIN ITS SYSTEM, MARS OFTEN PROVIDES LIAISON TO THE
NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (NTS). NTS OPERATORS SHOULD ROUTE MESSAGES
BOUND FOR ARMY TROOPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO LOCAL MARS OUTLETS.
NAVY/MARINE/AIR FORCE MARS OPERATIONS ARE HANDLING ONLY A LIMITED
AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTIES IN DELIVERING MESSAGES TO
THEIR TROOPS.
AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE THREE AREAS OF U.S. AMATEUR RADIO ACTIVITY
IN CONNECTION WITH THE WAR: 1) DOMESTIC MARS/NTS OPERATION 2)
ISRAELI HEALTH-AND-WELFARE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS AND 3) DOMESTIC
PREPARATION FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVATION OF THE NATIONAL DISASTER MEDICAL
SYSTEM.
AMATEURS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR SECTION FIELD ORGANIZATION
OFFICIALS FOR INFORMATION ON LOCAL OPERATIONS.
NNNN
*** END OF MSG # 31339 from KD3OA @ NR3U.#NCPA.PA.USA.NA
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/24/91
ARRL BULLETIN 6 ARLB006
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS
NEWINGTON CT JANUARY 19, 1991
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
THE ARRL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET IN FARMINGTON, CONNECTICUT, JANUARY
18 AND 19, 1991. A SUMMARY OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOLLOWS.
THE BOARD ADOPTED A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING ITS DEEP CONCERN FOR RADIO
AMATEURS AND ARRL MEMBERS IN HARM'S WAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND
AMENDED THE ARRL BYLAWS TO ENSURE THAT SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH
OPERATION DESERT STORM DOES NOT AFFECT ANY LEAGUE MEMBER'S
MEMBERSHIP CONTINUITY.
THE BOARD, RESPONDING TO THE GENERAL SUPPORT EXPRESSED BY THE
AMATEUR COMMUNITY FOR THE FCC CODELESS TECHNICIAN LICENSE DECISION
GRANTING ALL PRIVILEGES ABOVE 30 MHZ, DETERMINED THAT THE LEAGUE
WOULD NOT PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION.
STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM FOR THE FIELD CHECKING
OF QSL CARDS FOR INITIAL APPLICATIONS OF DXCC AS SET FORTH IN
GUIDELINES SPECIFIED BY THE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COMMITTEE.
THE BOARD AUTHORIZED THE ADDITION TO STAFF OF A PUBLIC RELATIONS
COORDINATOR TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR THE LEAGUE TO ACTIVELY WORK FOR
THE IMPROVEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO'S IMAGE WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AN OUTSIDE CONSULTING AGENCY WILL BE EMPLOYED TO BUTTRESS EFFORTS
TO DEVELOP A CONTINUING PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN.
THE BOARD APPLAUDED OUTGOING DX ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN RICK
RODERICK, K5UR, FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO AMATEUR RADIO, THE
LEAGUE, AND THE DX COMMUNITY.
DIRECTORS ELECTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ARE FRANK BUTLER, W4RH,
MARSHALL QUIAT, AG0X, STEPHEN MENDELSOHN, WA2DHF, AND PAUL GRAUER,
W0FIR.
THE BOARD RENEWED ITS COMMITMENT TO AMATEUR RADIO EDUCATION,
STRESSING KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, TRADITIONS AND DEDICATION TO PURPOSE.
IT RESOLVED TO RENEW THE TRADITION OF ONE-TO-ONE, "ELMER," EFFORT.
THE BOARD REQUESTED THAT THE ARRL MONITORING SYSTEM PAY PARTICULAR
ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM OF NON AMATEUR STATIONS IN THE 12 METER
AND 17 METER BANDS.
THE BOARD ADOPTED A NEW BAND PLAN FOR THE 13 CM BAND. THE VRAC AND
VUAC WILL SEEK INPUT FOR A NEW BAND PLAN FOR 222 TO 225 MHZ.
THE BOARD SELECTED HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, AS THE SITE OF THE 1993 ARRL
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
THE BOARD PICKED THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AS THE SITE OF THE 10TH
ARRL AMATEUR RADIO COMPUTER NETWORKING CONFERENCE, SCHEDULED FOR
SEPTEMBER 27 TO 29, 1991. THE HOSTING ORGANIZATION WILL BE THE
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PACKET ASSOCIATION.
THE BOARD CREATED A VOLUNTEER POSITION FOR ENGINEERS TO SERVE IN
AN ADVISORY CAPACITY, SIMILAR TO THAT OF VOLUNTEER COUNSEL, TO ASSIST
AMATEURS WITH SUCH MATTERS AS ANTENNA SUPPORT STRUCTURES.
MEMBERS OF THE JOHNSON SPACE FLIGHT CENTER ARC WERE RECOGNIZED FOR
EFFORTS IN KEEPING SAREX MANIFESTED ON NASA SHUTTLE FLIGHTS. THE
GODDARD ARC WAS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS SHUTTLE RELATED EDUCATIONAL
EFFORTS.
THE SANTA CRUZ AMATEUR RADIO CLUB WAS COMMENDED FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION
TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO AND FOR ITS 75 YEARS OF SERVICE
TO THE AMATEUR COMMUNITY AND GENERAL PUBLIC IN AND AROUND THE SANTA
CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
THE ASSISTANT TECHNICAL COORDINATOR'S TITLE WAS CHANGED TO
TECHNICAL SPECIALIST.
MEETING MINUTES AND STORY WILL APPEAR IN MARCH QST.
-73-
*** END OF MSG # 30611 from W8PH @ WB8JIB.#DAY.OH.USA.NA
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/20/91
ZCZC AG70
QST DE W1AW
ARRL BULLETIN 5 ARLB005
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS NEWINGTON CT
JANUARY 17, 1991
RELAYED BY KB8NW/OBS & BARF-80 BBS
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
U.S. amateurs are advised that as of 1430 EST or 1930 UTC, January
17, 1991, no special restrictions on transmitting are currently in
effect as a result of hostilities in the Persian Gulf. To repeat,
there are NO SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS at this time. Amateurs should be
prepared to obey any instructions received through the Federal
Communications Commission. Monitor W1AW bulletins for updates.
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/17/91
ZCZC AG69
QST DE W1AW
ARRL BULLETIN 4 ARLB004
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS
NEWINGTON CT JANUARY 16, 1991
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION HAS AMENDED ITS RULES TO
RELOCATE THE 80 METER NOVICE CLASS SUB BAND. NO EFFECTIVE DATE HAS
BEEN ANNOUNCED AND THE CHANGE WILL NOT TAKE EFFECT EARLY ENOUGH TO
AFFECT THE ANNUAL ARRL NOVICE ROUNDUP, WHICH TAKES PLACE JANUARY 26
THROUGH FEBRUARY 3. THE NEW SUB BAND WILL BE 3675 TO 3725 KHZ.
NNNN
*** END OF MSG # 29745 from KD3OA @ NR3U.#NCPA.PA.USA.NA
Press any key to continue...
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/16/91
ZCZC AG68
QST DE W1AW
ARRL BULLETIN 3 ARLB003
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS
NEWINGTON CT JANUARY 13, 1991
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
Attention 12 and 10 meter phone operators licensed by the FCC. A
number of US amateurs have been monitored operating SSB outside the
subbands designated for phone in these bands, in violation of FCC
rules. Remember that the lower limit of the phone band on 10 meters
is 28.300 MHz, and the lower limit on 12 meters is 24.930 MHz.
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/13/91
ZCZC AG67
QST DE W1AW
ARRL BULLETIN 2 ARLB002
Press any key to continue...
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS NEWINGTON CT
JANUARY 8, 1991
RELAYED BY KB8NW/OBS & BARF-80 BBS
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
On January 3, 1991, US Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee
introduced in the House of Representatives a bill, H.R. 73, to
prevent further losses of amateur spectrum unless suitable
replacement spectrum is found. Additional congressional support for
the bill is being sought and the possibility of a Senate counterpart
to the bill is being pursued.
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/09/91
ZCZC AG66
QST DE W1AW
ARRL BULLETIN 1 ARLB001
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS NEWINGTON CT
JANUARY 2, 1991
RELAYED BY KB8NW/OBS & BARF-80 BBS
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
Press any key to continue...
On December 19th, 1990, FCC granted an ARRL request for extension of
the Special Temporary Authority, 7230-J, which allows specific
amateur stations to use automatic control when transmitting
certain digital communications below 29.7 MHz. The FCC extension of
the STA is one year.
Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 01/02/91
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION IN DOCKET CASE
FCC ESTABLISHES NEW CODELESS CLASS OF AMATEUR OPERATOR LICENSE (PR DOCKET
90-55)
The Commission has revised the examination requirement for the Technician Class
operator license, thereby creating a new codeless class of amateur operator
license. After these revisions become effective, an examinee will not be
required to prove that he or she can send and receive texts in Morse code
telegraph signals to qualify for a Technician Class amateur operator license.
The amateur service currently consists of five classes of licenses having
increasing privileges and each being progressively more difficult to obtain.
The classes are Novice, Technician, General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra.
The FCC noted that offering a codeless license class that authorizes control
operator privileges at stations which transmit exclusively above 30 MHz,
provides an entry level opportunity to otherwise qualified persons who find
telegraph a barrier to pursuing the purposes of the amateur service.
Therefore, the FCC has established the Technician Class as the codeless class
of license. This license includes all amateur privileges above 30 MHz. The
Commission also amended the rules to grandfather frequency privileges below 30
MHz to current Technician Class licensees.
In addition, the Commission decided to retain the Novice Class operator license
in order to provide an alternate entry level operator license opportunity to
persons who desire to pursue the purpose of the amateur service and who can
pass a telegraphy requirement in place of the more comprehensive written
examination requirement for the codeless Technician Class operator license.
****************************************************************************
For more information on the No Code amateur radio license,
download the file NOCODE.TXT from the file section.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FCC CENSORS/CENSURES PACKET RADIO
Tom Clark, W3IWI
January 30, 1991
Today a number of packet BBSs on the east coast received citations from
the FCC's Norfolk (actually Virginia Beach) Field Office which may well
spell the end to much of amateur packet radio. According to Jim, WA4ONG
the following packet BBSs (and perhaps others) are involved: N3LA,
WA3TSW, KA3CNT, KA3T, WA3ZNW, W3IWI, WA4ONG, WB0TAX and N4HOG [my copy
of the citation has not yet arrived in the mail -- the details in this
message are taken from a copy WA4ONG faxed to me].
The letter dated January 25th from Mr. J. J. Freeman, Engineer in Charge
at the Norfolk Office, to WA4ONG states:
"I have received a report that indicates you may have operated your
amateur radio station, call sign WA4ONG, in violation of Section
97.113(a) of the Commission's Rules. It appears that you used the Ama-
teur Radio Service to facilitate the business activity of THE COALITION
TO STOP U.S. INTERVENTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST."
"Specifically, on or about January 5, 1991 you received a packet radio
message originated by amateur radio station WA3QNS. You then transmitted
this packet radio message to another amateur radio station. The message
was:
{ Here appears a copy of the message sent by [email protected] originat-
ed at 22:22z on Jan.5 with the BID #21035_N3LA, Subject: Call This
Number ASAP. The message listed the business telephones and fax
numbers for "The Coalition" as well as a 1-900-xxx-xxxx number to
call to "register your voice" I won't repeat the bulletin here,
because repeating the bulletin would make it illegal to send this
message! }
"This activity was a facilitation of the business affairs of the Coali-
tion to Stop U.S. Intervention in the Middle East and therefor {sic} in
violation of Section 97.113(a)."
The FCC citation then contains the boilerplate demanding a response
within 10 days explaining circumstances and correct actions, and then
closing with a chilling "to determine what, if any, enforcement action
is required to insure current and future rule compliance" and a state-
ment that future transgressions will bring fines and/or license revoca-
tion.
That's the facts. I'll now discuss some of the implications and recommended
actions.
THE IMPLICATIONS
The implications of the action by the FCC's Norfolk Field Office are
absolutely appalling. What is implied is that each and every station in
a store-and-forward network is responsible for the actual message CONTENT
passing through each node. The BBSs were cited because their calls
were in the message header "audit trail". The FCC's action states that
each BBS SYSOP is personally responsible for the "correctness" of all
messages merely passing through his system. Here, the W3IWI mail switch
handles about 10,000 messages per month automatically. There is NO WAY
that I can vouch for every bit that passes through!
If the FCC had instead gleaned its information from on-the-air monitor-
ing, then all the THENET/NETROM/ROSE/TCPIP/DIGIPEATER switches handling
the message would have been equally culpable! The implication of the FCC
action is that a node control operator must read all information and be
prepared to shut the system down at the first hint of an "inappropriate"
message. It's hard enough to watch the information passing on 1200 BPS
links -- imagine the impossibility of "censoring" 56 kBPS or faster
channels.
In future networks where redundant channels exist, it is quite possible
that a given message will be fragmented and parts of it sent via several
parallel paths. The message may exist as a complete entity only at the
ends of a virtual path. It would be impossible to implement the censor-
ship the FCC seems to be demanding with such a network, so the "legali-
ty" will interfere with development of new technology.
Consider another recent development: amateur packet radio satellites.
PACSAT is licensed by the FCC with a US trustee and a cadre of US sy-
sops. PACSAT is, in essence, a flying BBS with the sysops on the ground.
In order to screen out "offensive" messages, a ground-based SYSOP has to
use a radio channel to verify message CONTENT. But the FCC letter says
that the very act of reading an "offensive" message on the radio is
illegal. If the Norfolk FCC action is allowed to stand, the logical
implication is that PACSATs must be turned off!
A number of us have discussed such issues with responsible individuals
at the FCC in Washington ever since the first fledgling days of packet
radio. The signal that the FCC sent was that the sole responsibility for
the CONTENT of a message lays with the ORIGINATOR. The actions of the
Norfolk Office seem to indicate a new policy has been adopted which
effectively kills packet radio.
Or -- perhaps -- the Norfolk Engineer in Charge who issued the citations
was offended by the particular message and chose to take out his frus-
trations on all the "King's Messengers" who brought the message to him?
W3IWI COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
It is ironic that the WA3QNS message that brought down the wrath of the
FCC a number of the BBSs that "touched" his message brought a very
vocal response from the packet community informing him that
(1) 1-900-xxx-xxxx are in fact commercial ventures designed to raise
money and that a call to the number would cost the caller.
(2) The subject message was probably in violation of 97.113(a) and
probably illegal.
Personally, I have been silent (but very frustrated) that about the 10% of
bulletins addressed @USA (or @ALLUS, @ALLBBS, etc.) that are in poor
taste. I have grown tired if blather about censorship, First Amendment
Rights and the incredible volumes of hate mail. WA3QNS, by his statements
and by the responses to his statements from other folks, has been
one of the causes of this frustration. I have longed for the return to
normalcy with messages on technical topics and personal communications.
I have found it frustrating to pay the electric power bill and pay for
the W3IWI hardware for others to engage in marginally offensive "Free
Speech". I have wished that the (ab)users of @USA would have exercised
more discretion with self-censorship.
But I have gritted what teeth I have left and avoided being a censor.
Now, the FCC's CENSURE has left me with no alternative than to be a CENSOR.
Until the FCC tells me that I can do otherwise, I will only release @USA
messages that I personally screen and am willing to stake my license on.
The priority on my time is such that I don't expect to have time to
screen @USA bulletins. Any complaints about my decision will be sent to
/dev/null.
{ For other SYSOPs: my way to do this is to have my SWAP file change
all @USA etcetera to a dummy address like @HOLD -- thereby preserving
any BIDs so I don't get deluged with multiple copies of the same mes-
sage. Until we get a clarification I would recommend that you also
use a similar message condom and practice "Safe BBS". }
For the vast majority of you who do not abuse the system, I'm sorry that
this situation has come up and that your ability to "fan out" informa-
tion will be hindered. Since there have been very few instances of
"offensive" personal messages, I'll take the risk of keeping all other
packet mail flowing here and I hope the other BBS SYSOPs do likewise.
But PLEASE exercise self-policing. The BBS SYSOPs don't want to be held
responsible for YOUR words.
The ARRL has already been informed about the Norfolk citations. Because
of the potentially devastating impact on all packet radio if the Norfolk
situation is allowed to stand, I anticipate a lot of phone calls to be
made in the next few days!
73 de Tom, W3IWI
Msg# TS Size To @ BBS From Date/Time Title
10771 B$ 274 USERS N4HOG 0201/0027 Bulletins
Any bulletins sent to any of the @BBS designations will be held here for
review until I can personally read and I feel assured they don't violate
any FCC rules any regulations before forwarding them from here. If you ask
why is this, please read message 10731. It looks as though I am going to
be responsible for what you send or read on this BBS from now on until a
ruling is rendered on this matter. Sorry for any inconvience this may
cause any of my users, but I need to cover myself until a decision is
rendered on this matter. I feel that the originator should be held
responsible for what he or she sends via packet. Please direct any
comments to me that you may have on this matter whether they be positive
or negative...73 - Ron, Sysop@N4HOG
=========================================================================
| ////// /// /// ////// | * The Internet Pirate SWL Newsletter *|
| // / // // // | Keeper: brewer@ace.enet.dec.com |
| // ////// // ////// | For info, subscriptions or |
| // // // // | to post, send to: |
| // // // ////// | [email protected] |
=========================================================================
| Date: 2-31-91 | Ahoy! |
=========================================
[ Hello again, and my apologies. As most of you know, this machine
[ devoured a hard drive containing most of the back issues, the
[ distribution list, and a whole lotta work files too! A new disk
[ has been installed, the night sys manager buried, and a new backup
[ scheme enabled so that (knock knock) this wont happen again.
[
[ This will be a thin issue, but with your logs, we'll be back on the
[ air in a more regular fashion....
[
[ Speaking of this, has anyone been hearing much lately? I have logged
[ Radio Mexico, KUSA and WKAR in the past two weeks, but have not
[ heard much of anything else. It is apparent that the war, and
[ the threat of harsher-than-normal FCC activity is keeping folks
[ off the air. There seems to be a bunch of pent up energy, as
[ I frequently keep hearing folks tuning up on the frequencies, but
[ perhaps wisely avoiding broadcasts.
[
[ Some other scuttlebutt... Hope Radio is sending out QSLs... MJ is
[ HUNDREDS of cards behind however, so there may be a wait...
[
[ It pays to listen carefully... I almost passed up R.Mexico (again)
[ because it sounded for a while like many of the other Spanish-speaking
[ SSB stations that haunt 41m. At least 'till the comedy program started!
[ More stations seem to be using SSB, so check out those funny sounding
[ squaks between 7380 and 7430 too. Boy does music sound lousy on SSB!
[
[ The new "Pirate Radio Directory" should be published by Tiare in the
[ next week or two. I have the last two editions, and in addition to
[ some interesting reading, there is a lot of station information. A
[ good buy for under 10$!
[
[ Only a couple of logs survived the great disk crash: Thanks Jean, for
[ sending them in:
[--------------------------------------
From: DECWRL::"[email protected]"
To: anarky::pirate
Subj: Newfoundland logs
Not too much to report from last week-end:
UNID (Probably Jolly Roger Radio), 6229.0 kHz, 2058-2102, 26 Dec, SIO 232
Hard rock then Irish mx, signal faded really fast, ID at 2102 poorly
heard so this can only be tentative!
UNID 7414.9 kHz, 0135-approx 0144, 27 Dec, SIO 333
Played the little tune from (I think!) "Close Encounters Of the Third
Kind" over and over, and also whistled the same tune. There were a few
words in a squeaky voice at 0139, I think: "I want to thank the world"
(??) Anyone know who this is? Please QSL!
Midlands Music Radio (England) 6220.0, 0806-0830, 27 Dec, SIO 242-1
Old pops, mostly IDs as "MMR", ID and address in phonetic alphabet by
woman at 0820: c/o 135 Barkes Drive, Norton, Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire
England, ST6 8EX.
Here is a follow-up on my European UNID station on 6275.5 kHz heard on 30
December: Stefan Prince in Sweden had informed me that this was probably
Radio WBI (=Walvis Bay International), a Dutch pirate that is very rarely
on the air.
[email protected]
Jean Burnell, Chemistry Department, Memorial University, St. John's,
Newfoundland, Canada A1B 3X7
[-----------------------------
From: DECWRL::"[email protected]"
To: anarky::pirate
Subj: Xmas-New Year Logs
E-mail suffered a serious disruption here since just before Xmas,
[Believe me, I know how *that* goes! /john]
so here are my belated logs for the Christmas-New Year period. These are
in a much abbreviated form, as I suspect that most of these were widely
heard/reported. Indeed, I have seen most of these in PiPa #43. Reception
was not from my home QTH of St. John's, newfoundland, but from my in-law's
place in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The receiver was the Icom IC-R71A,
and the antenna was a 15-metre external wire.
At the outset I should mention that the DX highlight for me was
not the large number of pirates as much as a decent opening to Asia on
31 December that brought nice audio from Myanmar on 4725, Mongolia on
4995, and Bhutan on 5023.1 kHz. However, the pirates were a lot of fun!
Logs have both time and dates in UTC:
24 December
tent. Jolly Roger R., 6229.0, 1954-1959, SIO 141
Hope R. Inter., 15050.7, 2108-2137*, SIO 344
Liberty R., 7485.3, 2115-2116*, SIO 343
R. USA, 7416.6, 2202-2211, SIO 232
WORK, 7413.4 & 7414.0, 2319-2347, SIO 332
25 December
East Coast Beer Drinker, 7414.9, 2210-2212*, SIO 321
UNID, 7415.0, 2237*, SIO 232
Action R., 7415.6, 2244-2328, SIO 232
26 December
CSIC, 7412.0, 0159-0205*, SIO 232
Hope R. Inter., 7423.2, 0337-0355, SIO 333
Pirate Freaks Broadcasting Svc., 6285.6, 0405-0411, SIO 333
Live Wire R., 6276.8, 0412-0441, SIO 243
Weekend Music R., 6239.8, 0419-0425, SIO 322
UNID 7141.0, 2109-2200*, SIO 221 (perhaps not a pirate!)
27 December
UNID, 7412.0, 0239*, SIO 221
29 December
tent. Voice of Love, 6202.8, 0021-0041*, SIO 343
WLIS, 7415.0, 2039-2100*, SIO 333
RFM, 15051.8, 2115-2120, SIO 141
R. Fluffernut, 7415.0, 2132-2213*, SIO 333
R. Beaver, 7415.1, 2215-2219, SIO 333
UNID, 7415.0, 2226*, SIO 333 (sports talk)
"Overdrive Trucking News", 7415.9, 2231-2236*, SIO 222
30 December
Voice of Oz, 7415.0, 0020-0025, SIO 333
QSO on 7415.6 (approx), 0034-0150, heard Action R., Samurai R., KNBS,
Voice of Pancho Villa, KGUN, Liberal R., Voice of Oz, R. Garbanzo,
Canadian Bootlegger, WHDA, KLVS and (weak thus very tent.) WSHV (?)
WLIS, 7412.1, 0202-0212, SIO 231
Live Wire R., 6291.0, 0337-0346, SIO 232; at 0759-0835 SIO 243
UNID, 6275.5, 0808-0812, SIO 131
R. Mauser, 7489.1 & 7494.9, 2035-2132, SIO 343
31 December
WFRL, 6315.8, 1955-0119 (1 Jan!), SIO 222
UNID, 6300.0, 2156-2200, SIO 131
Voice of Intoxication, 7413.9, 2259-2304*, SIO 232
1 January
UNID, 7489.1, 0210-0212, SIO 322
Live Wire R., 6317.0, 0224-0236, SIO 131
Northern Ireland SW Relay Svc., 6272.4, 0240-0927 (various times in this
range), SIO 232
Best wishes to all for 1991!
Jean Burnell
Jean Burnell, Chemistry Dept., Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland
[------------------------
[ Since the resto of the logs were trashed, that's all I have saved for this
[ time... a couple of other notes:
[
[ I've heard several recent transmissions of VoAnarchy... this stn
[ (Identifiable by HEAVY echo on IDs announces a Illinois qth.
[ This is evidently NOT the same statvon as R.Anarchy which qsls from
[ the Blue Ridge Summit address. Unfortunately I have no QSL info on
[ the VoA. Anyone know?
[
[ Speaking of Blue Ridge Summit, I'd recommend the book "Pirate Radio
[ Stations" by Andy Yoder, and published by TAB Books. This is a
[ good overview and is relatively timely. TAB, by the way, is in Blue
[ Ridge Summit PA as well. The remarks in Popular Communications
[ "Pirates Den" section indicating that the Blue Ridge Summit
[ address is phony, is most certainly *wrong*, by the way. POB109
[ is alive and well.
[
[ Enough for now, again I apologize for the disk flush... if you know
[ of anyone who might be missing from this list, why not forward a copy
[ or let the folks know to drop a note so I can sign them up again.
[
[ Keep your ears open and your head down!
[ 73 and DX /john
[
----------------------<end of digest>---------------------
"HAM on Rye"
814-333-4111
This BBS is designed as a public meeting place for amateur
radio operators, scanner listeners and SWLers...Or just anyone
with something to say and in need of a place to say it. Public
messaging activity is expected to remain active on the board.
All I ask is that you repect each other and have fun. More
special interest groups will be added as requested. You
never know what might be around the next corner...
Now, have fun and enjoy!
Chris Schrecengost & Kris Sherman
System Operators
John Green & Jim McNulty
Assistant System Operators
|
|
