ARCC President
Steven N. White, WA3IAO
V.P. Administration
Gene Pressler, W3ZXV
V.P. Coordination
Ron Raymond, K3LPR
Secretary
Bob Agans, WA3EPA
Treasurer
Vince Bardsley, KB3OM
Database Manager
Jeff DePolo, WN3A
Frequency Coordinators
John Sichert, KA3LAO
George LeNoir, WR3B
Richard Tyler, WA2EHL
Regional Representatives
EPA-SE Richard Stewart K3ITH
EPA-SW John Shaffer, W3SST
EPA-NW John Winkler, WB3GPY
EPA-NE Donald Curtis, W3LR
SNJ-NJ Matt Mazziotta, N2KDV
WebMaster
John LaMartina K3NXU
Newsletter Editor
David Laustsen N3LHY
Congratulations Dick Stewart
The Philadelphia Area Repeater Association (PARA) is one of the oldest and largest repeater systems in the EPA/SNJ area and ARCC Regional Representative Dick Stewart, K3ITH, has served that organization as its President for the past ten years.ARCC Web Page One Year AnniversaryDick is finally stepping down as PARA's President and we are pleased to commend him for the many accomplishments he led that organization to achieve during his term of office.
Dick Stewart serves the ARCC organization as its Regional Representative for the SE-EPA Region and we are glad to report that he will continue to do so.
November is the one year anniversary of the ARCC web page. There have been over 2800 visitors to the web site in the past year with over one half of those hits going to the database section. The ARCC web page grew into the web 'site' with the help, suggestions and contributions of several individuals. My thanks to all.Treasurer Collecting EMail AddressesA note of trivia: Internet subscribers have doubled world wide in the past year. It's a great way to get information to the outside world.
If anyone has any ideas on how we can improve the site even further, please pass them along.
73 John K3NXU The Webguy
The treasurer is collecting email addresses. To receive written communications from ARCC via email (and NOT just coincidentally save some of our funds) send your email address to --Annual ARCC MeetingKB3OM@arcc-inc.org Please indicate if you want your ARCC communications only by email.The ARCC annual meeting was held on October 19, 1997 at Bucks County Community College. President, Steve, WA3IAO presented old business with updates. V.P. of Administration, Gene, W3ZXV reminded us of the communication channels available. ARCC Database manager, Jeff WN3A, emphasized the need for all repeater owners/sponsors to report any changes that affect repeater performance, particularly, power or height above average terrain changes. Treasurer Vince, KB3OM, presented a current financial report. Annual elections were held. Those incumbents running were elected for another term. Elected Secretary was Bob, WA3EPA. 6/10 meter coordination duties were conferred upon Dick, WA2EHL.Are There Any 10 Meter Repeaters?Minor changes to the ARCC Constitution were approved to Articles II and IV. The changes to the ARCC Constitution and Bylaws that were advertised in the fall issue of "ARCC NEWS" were adopted. John, K3NXU was re-appointed as WebMaster for the ARCC Web page. An official "Policy Statement" dealing with potential conflicts of interest was adopted.
Since the annual meeting, ARCC is very fortunate to have its newsletter composed, edited and produced by Dave N3LHY, a top-notch volunteer.
73 Bob Agans, Secretary, WA3EPA
The answer to that question is yes, of course there are. As a matter of fact there are at least 13 repeaters listed in the ARCC database.Some Thoughts on a UHF ATV Band PlanGoing back as far as 1978 according to the ARRL Repeater Directory, there were only two.
Compare that with today's total for six meter repeaters in the 43 counties served by ARCC, we find at least 57 listed. With the expected increase in solar activity with cycle 23, this winter should prove quite interesting if you enjoy DXing !
73 Dick Tyler WA2EHL - 6/10 meter coordinator
By John H Shaffer W3SSTThe subject of Coordination has been getting some exposure recently in the various List servers.Remember Criswell Predicts?I believe it is time to throw out a few proposals for discussion among members to look at future band plans. At the recent CAATN meeting in New Castle, Delaware on November 9th the subject was debated.
The following was proposed for consideration as a Band Plan for Amateur Television operation:
The recommendations made by the Central Atlantic Amateur Television Network.
420 to 426 Mhz ATV Repeater output only
426 to 432 Mhz ATV Repeater input and Simplex.
438 to 444 Mhz ATV Repeater output and Simplex.AM Modulation only
904 to 916 Mhz ATV use local option in or out, Simplex
916 to 928 MHZ ATV use local option in or out, SimplexFM 12 Mhz Band width
AM 2 channels of 6 Mhz bandwidth in each segment1240 to 1252 Mhz ATV use local option in or out, Simplex
1260 to 1270 Mhz ATV, Simplex
1280 to 1292 Mhz ATV use Local option in or out, Simplex.2 12 Mhz ATV FM channels
4 6 Mhz ATV repeater am channelsThese are starting points for discussions.
Generally the considerations in the 450 band were that Repeater outputs at 421.25 and 439.25 were best suited for repeater out puts due to the ability of FM and packet to co- exist with ATV transmit signals with-in the Bandpass.
Any signals in the Bandpass of an amateur Television receiver causes severe problems for reception of signals especially in a Repeater system since everyone is affected.
Already a large portion of the ATV community are receiving interference from FM repeaters and Packet Backbone systems transmitting in the bandpass of the long time recognized ATV frequency of 439.25 mhz.
In the above suggestions Local and pre-existing assignments would be the exception, with new planning taking advantage of a new band plan.
We must keep in mind that digital and compression techniques coming in the future will allow us to co-exist with other services with less bandwidth required for all.
By David Laustsen N3LHY EditorMaybe you're too young to remember Criswell Predicts, a column that was widely circulated in the fifties and sixties. Criswell, a "psychic" who later admitted that he was merely a huckster with no real ability to see into the future, was recently depicted in the movie Ed Wood.Well, I'm not Criswell, and I don't claim to be psychic, but I do have some predictions for the future of amateur radio.
Pocket handy-lookies (HL's) access all bands, and are unlocked by the licensee's own voice. Microphones and keypads are a thing of the past. Tuning and dialing are done by voice. Mobile and base units are now repeaters for shirt pocket sized HL's. Mobile installations feature color heads- up displays that project onto the windshield . Base and mobile displays confirm the frequency selected by voice and show a video representation of the other operator, or her/his QSL card.
HF Radios eliminate virtually all noise through sophisticated DSP devices that will defeat noise, correct phase and multipath, and adjust the outgoing signal for propagation conditions on the path. Devices will be incorporated in every transceiver to sense and eliminate interference. HF signals are digital and channelized. Digital signals travel in regionally-synchronized packets synchronized to a global clock and frequency reference, thereby diminishing QRM.
Mailed QSL Cards become an anachronism. Hams have full color QSL terminal/printers that instantaneously display and print a verification card after a QSO, after automatically exchanging special digital codes with the other operator. Digital cryptology is used to eliminate fraud. The system is so secure that contests and award agencies ultimately accept only records of electronically delivered "cards." The ARRL's QSL bureau becomes fully electronic. DXCC is achieved in seven days for a new record. Most digi-QSL's feature a "live" color 'video clip' of the op as the actual QSO was in progress.
Hams who can't afford HF rigs, or who are antenna restricted, operate rent-a-stations via digital computer hookup. For a modest hourly charge, licensees operate stations with the latest in equipment and the best of towers, amplifiers and antennas from their homes via the internet or via handy-lookie link from their vehicles..
Major restructuring of the licensing requirements for amateur radio occurs before the year 2005. By 2005 the controversial morse code requirement is reduced to five words a minute. By 2010 the requirement is eliminated by international treaty.
CW and RTTY continue as popular "cult" DX modes. QRPp CW and digital voice communication becomes the rage. Special "quiet" band segments are preserved for QRP operation.
CW fanatics use voice-translation CW transmitters in their cars for hands-free CW operation in heavy traffic.
Self-contained briefcase HF stations are common. Loop antennas built into the case provide good performance, solar cells recharge batteries when not in use.
Amsat places high power amateur repeaters on the moon. Interest wanes in HF bands. DXCC EME is achieved in the gigahertz bands.
FCC bans contests, strictly enforces decision. Field Day and other 'readiness exercises' are encouraged.
3-D and high definition TV fill the gigahertz bands. Hams complete nationwide interlinked amateur UHF/SHF TV and data network using land links and geostationary hamsats.
FCC announces a "no-holds barred" experimental band. The only limitations are obscenity, power, ID and bandwidth. A portion of the band is reserved for one-way "broadcasting" experimentation.
Health concerns prompt the FCC to drop permissible power output on VHF+ bands to 5 watts. Repeater inputs multiply to receive weaker input signals.
That's it, the short list of my predictions for the future of amateur radio. And if you think I'm crazy, then look in some old magazines from the fifties and sixties and see how far we've already come in technology development. What is really scary is that all of these predictions are based on current technology. Changes and improvements in electronic communications are not only fast-moving, but inevitable. Those who resist change remind me of what a TV engineer is reputed to have said in the 1950's: "God never meant for pictures to travel through the air - -especially in color!" We all know a few individuals who have wondered aloud about whether the Almighty ever meant for 2 meters to be FM, much less packet, and why anyone would change from AM to SSB. Nonetheless, innovation and change in the world of communications is both inevitable and rapid.
While we will innovate, we also must learn how to communicate. Contesting and DXing have their place, but absolutely fail the test as real communication. There is a need to humanize amateur radio. Make the effort to communicate during a QSO - - even to rag chew from time to time. Sure, the hi-tech toys are fun, but it is the personal interaction of radio that makes it truly rewarding. In the brave new world of amateur communications, let us strive to become better communicators.
The days of large assemblages of equipment in the "shack" are numbered. Hams of the future will communicate through all-purpose voice recognizing "HL's" that will serve as a wireless interface between the operator with either a base or mobile all-mode/frequency transceiver.
Well, there you have it. My predictions for the future. Some of you psychics out there are already saying, "yeah, I knew that." I say, I'm glad we're all thinking about the future of Hamdom. I hope it will be exciting and challenging for all.
Your letters and articles are welcome.
Email them in straight text format to:
Laustsen@comcat.com
Watch the spelling, the last name's tough. --Ed.
Be sure that you advise the ARCC of any changes in tower height, antenna gain, or power output for your repeater. It is in everyone's interest to keep our information current.