Now is the time to renew your GHRC membership and Eaglehead Repeater Association donation for 2000. The December meeting is a great place to get caught up on your dues and be sure you continue to receive the GHRC Newsletter, support the club and continue to support and fund Eaglehead to be able to use and maintain our local repeaters. GHRC dues ($20) may be mailed to the address at the top of the newsletter and ERA dues ($30) may be sent to Bob Leo (W7LR), 6790 South 3rd, Bozeman, Montana 59715.

UPCOMING CONTESTS

Sunspot Cycle Prediction, from NASA

Predicting the behavior of a sunspot cycle is fairly reliable once the cycle is well underway (about 3 years after the minimum in sunspot number occurs [see Hathaway, Wilson, and Reichmann Solar Physics  151, 177 (1994)]). Prior to that time the predictions are less reliable but nonetheless equally as important. Planning for satellite orbits and space missions often require knowledge of solar activity levels years in advance.

A number of techniques are used to predict the amplitude of a cycle during the time near and before sunspot minimum. Relationships have been found between the size of the next cycle maximum and the length of the previous cycle, the level of activity at sunspot minimum, and the size of the previous cycle. Among the most reliable techniques are those that use the measurements of changes in the Earth's magnetic field at, and before, sunspot minimum. These changes in the Earth's magnetic field are known to be caused by solar storms but the precise connections between them and future solar activity levels is still uncertain. - MSFC SOLAR PHYSICS

~ Note from the ghrc newsletter editor: I am certainly happy to see the NASA prediction includes an UPWARD curve soon. Those of us, me included, first licensed around 1994 have never experienced high solar activity and its effect on radio propagation. Oh sure, I hear Mal, Fred and Mike talking about the "good old days" when a 10 meter signal would go on forever - but I've never experienced it! How do I know it really gets any better? I've been worried that we were in another 100 year minimum, with no upward curve of the graph in site. Mal keeps reassuring me that it will improve and this latest NASA prediction seems to agree with him. I hope they are both right. I'm looking forward to some radio-wave-enhancing solar-activity to boost our fun. Yes, I know that means the bands will be full and quiet spaces will be few and far between, but not having experienced that, outside the realm of contesting, I still want to know what it's like and watch my favorite band, 10 meters, open up like a can of pork and beans! So, this new prediction makes me feel better. Hopefully all you hams out there licensed with or after me are as excited as I am to see what happens! Catch you on the HF bands! 73 de KJ7UN, Laura

MORSE CODE TIDBITS submitted by N7LT, Lyndel
Telegraphy operators developed a shorthand for commonly used phrases and words which have since become part of our language. Newspaper reporters still mark the end of their copy with 30, the morse code for "I have no more to send." Amateur Radio Operators send 73 -- the code for best wishes.

There is good reason to believe that O.K. was first used in telegraphy -- as early as the 1840s, it was listed in telegraphy manuals -- O.K. was "That is correct." The first Morse machines scribed the dots and dashes on a moving strip of paper. Operators of the day found that they could decode the sound of the scriber by ear, so the scribing machines were scrapped.

Several codes have been devised in the past, notably American or landline and International or Continental. American Morse was used by railroads, Western Union, and other utilities in North America. It was superceded by International Morse which was used in Europe for the trans-Atlantic cable. Because the British Marconi Company supplied most of the early shipboard operators, International Morse became the standard for radio telegraphy.

An early telegraphic scheme before morse used 26 wires -- one for each letter of the alphabet!!! Originally, two wires were used for telegraphs, later when they found one tied to ground worked just as well -- only one wire was strung.

SOS was originally proposed as SOE by the Germans. A committee decided otherwise -- due to the possible loss of a single dit (E)

Early telegraphic CQ was a general call -- hey every one listen up type of thing.

Compiled from several sources including "Two Hundred Meters and Down"
by Clinton B. Desoto --- great reading.

FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Log

AGOURA HILLS, CA: The FCC requested November 9, 1999, that Ted R. Sorensen III, KC6PQW, retake the Technician Plus class amateur examination elements under the supervision of FCC personnel in Hayward or Cerritos, California. Sorenson must appear for retesting by December 30, 1999, or his license will be canceled. Applicants appearing for re-examination are granted an Amateur Radio license consistent with the elements passed.

BETHPAGE, NY: The FCC notified Tech Plus licensee Douglas Richter, KB2SIE, on November 3, 1999, that it had received complaints that he or someone using his call sign had been operating on 146.445 MHz "deliberately interfering with the operations of an amateur repeater." FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth noted that such operation was prohibited and could jeopardize Richter's amateur license. He requested that Richter contact him to discuss the complaints.

BROOKLYN, NY [UPDATE]: The FCC notified Raphael Ayala on November 2, 1999, canceling his Amateur Extra class license, KC2ALT. On August 30, 1999, the FCC had requested that Ayala retake the Amateur Extra class amateur examination elements under the supervision of FCC personnel by October 15 or his license would be canceled. Ayala did not appear for re-examination, and the FCC canceled his license. The FCC warned Ayala that continued operation of radio transmitting equipment would be a violation of federal law and could lead to enforcement action.

CAPO BEACH, CA: The FCC requested November 3, 1999, that Dave L. Flanagan, WA6FCW, retake the Advanced class amateur examination elements under the supervision of FCC personnel in Cerritos or Hayward, California. Flanagan must appear for retesting by December 15, 1999, or his license will be canceled. Applicants appearing for re-examination are granted an Amateur Radio license consistent with the elements passed.

CAROL CITY, FL [UPDATE]: The FCC wrote Advanced licensee Alan E. Strauss, WA4JTK, on November 3, 1999, to further discuss complaints about the "14.247 DX Group," for which Strauss serves as net control. The FCC had written Strauss on August 4 regarding complaints that the 14.247 DX Group monopolized that frequency and interfered with ongoing amateur communications. In the November 3 letter, FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth included correspondence the FCC received on August 4 that conflicts with Strauss's explanation of interference alleged to have occurred to the net on July 27. Hollingsworth said the case will remain open, and the FCC will continue to monitor net operations. Hollingsworth used Strauss letter to issue some reminders regarding net operation. Noting that amateur frequencies are shared, he said that no net has a greater right than any other ham to a given frequency and cannot take over a frequency unless it is voluntarily relinquished. If it is not relinquished, Hollingsworth said, amateurs must exercise "good Amateur practice" in choosing another frequency that does not disrupt existing communications. "A net 'taking over' a frequency from existing legitimate communications or deliberately operating disruptively close to existing legitimate communications will be considered to be engaging in deliberate interference," he wrote. Hollingsworth also pointed out that the practice of "identifying only by the last two letters of an Amateur call sign is a violation of Part 97" of the FCC rules and that such practice "must not be condoned by your group." Hollingsworth followed up with a similar letter on November 16 that reiterated his stance on the two-letter ID issue.

COROZAL, PR: The FCC notified Richard W. Ruiz Vale on November 2, 1999, canceling his General class license, NP3YV. The FCC notified Ruiz Vale August 10, 1999, to retake the General class amateur examination elements under the supervision of FCC personnel by September 15 or his license would be canceled. Ruiz Vale did not appear for re-examination, and the FCC canceled his license. The FCC warned Ruiz Vale that continued operation of radio transmitting equipment would be a violation of federal law and could lead to enforcement action.

CULVER CITY, CA [UPDATE]: The FCC sent a Warning Notice October 7, 1999, to Amateur Extra licensee Todd L. Young, W6TLY, citing evidence that the licensee had been "deliberately and maliciously interfering with repeater operations" in his area. Young has told the ARRL that the allegations are "completely false" and that he has been in contact with FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth to discuss the matter. Hollingsworth says the FCC is reviewing the situation. The FCC identified the repeaters as the KJ6TQ Metropolitan Amateur Radio System repeater on 449.925 MHz and the WB6TZY Crescenta Valley Amateur Radio Club repeaters on 445.68 and 146.025 MHz.

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN: The FCC sent a Warning Notice November 2, 1999, to General licensee Darrell E. Berg, N0KED, citing evidence that the licensee had been "deliberately and maliciously interfering with the radio operations of other licensed Amateurs on 3.950 MHz." The alleged interference "has occurred at various times in the last several months and includes broadcasting and unidentified transmissions," said the letter from Special Counsel for Amateur Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth warned that continued operation of the type described could result in a fine or license revocation proceeding, and he requested that the licensee contact him to discuss the allegations.

GLENDALE, WV: The FCC sent a Warning Notice November 9, 1999, to General licensee Roger L. Wiseman, KC8JBO, citing evidence that the licensee had been "deliberately and maliciously interfering with the radio operations of other licensed amateurs" on 20 meters. "This interference has occurred at various times in the last several months and includes broadcasting music and other unidentified transmissions," said a letter from FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth warned that continued operation of the type described could result in a fine or license revocation proceeding, and he requested that the licensee contact him to discuss the allegations.

HICKORY, NC [UPDATE]: The FCC wrote Amateur Extra licensee John A. Abernethy, K4OKA, on November 3, 1999, to reaffirm its earlier modification of Abernethy's license to prohibit operation below 30 MHz for 180 days. The FCC modification on July 27, 1999, was a result of FCC station inspections in January. Abernethy had disputed the authenticity of a tape recording the FCC sent to Abernethy that was alleged to be of K4OKA's transmissions on July 16. FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth said the FCC modification was based on findings made during the station inspection and not necessarily on the tape recording. He reiterated that the modification would expire at midnight January 22, 2000, and he cautioned Abernethy that violation of the modification order could lead to license revocation. (For additional details, see "FCC Reaffirms Order to Keep North Carolina Ham off HF" on The ARRLWeb Extra news page.)

HAM RELATED INTERNET SITES TO CHECK OUT!

http://n7lt-bcn.homepage.com Lyndel's Beacon Site. With online log book entries and QSL cards, this site offers lots of great information and links to other beacon sites around the web!

THE DX ZONE Ham Radio - CB Radio - SWL - BCL Reference Guide
In case you haven't been there yet, visit the DX Zone on the web at: http://www.dxzone.com . There's a whole lot of great information on this site! It's one of the editor's favorites! Check it out! The Gallatin Ham Radio Club is listed in their club database - you can see the GHRC listing at: http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Ham_Radio/Clubs_and_Organizations - be sure to RATE us a "10" in the survey!

http://www.tangerinecity.com/ghrc The GHRC web site. Designed to be informative and yet visually attractive, the GHRC website provides club information, meeting times/dates, upcoming events, test session information, hamfest information, area hams' email addresses, a silent keys tribute, our club newsletter, net control schedules, and our vast collection of Internet links. Check it out! Subscribe to the GHRC emailing list!

Upcoming Events:

Tune into the 146.88 Bridger RepeaterTuedsay Night Net for future events, and visit the Upcoming Events page on the GHRC website!

DECEMBER 11, 1999 6:30 pm at the Kountry Korner Kafe (RSVP to Doug - see info on page 1)

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Thank you for letting me be your newsletter editor for the last 6 months. I have enjoyed publishing the GHRC Newsletter for the club and want to thank all the people that supported me, helped me and contributed information and articles. Lyndel, N7LT, will be taking over as the GHRC Newsletter editor for 2000 - starting with the January issue. Let's support his efforts by sending him interesting stuff we run across and ORIGINAL articles of your own creation. We welcome articles from members and non-members alike. All contributions are welcome! Thank you again, and have a fabulous new year! 73 de KJ7UN - Laura

The GHRC appreciates comments, suggestions and contributions from our members. Contributions to the GHRC newsletter can be made by email to: ghrc@tangerinecity.com and can be in almost any format. Some reformatting of your submission may occur. Your article may or may not be published in the current month's issue, depending on space. You may also submit articles and information by U.S. mail to the club address at the beginning of this newsletter. ~ editor