BRATS The Milliwatt ARRL
The award-winning monthly publication of
The Baltimore Radio Amateur Television Society
P.O.Box 5915 Baltimore, MD 21282-5915

March, 2006

Joel Harrison, W5ZN, Elected ARRL's 14th President

ARRL First Vice President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, of Judsonia, Arkansas, will be the League's president for the next two years. He'll succeed Jim Haynie, W5JBP, who chose not to run for a fourth term in the uncompensated, volunteer post. Gathering in Windsor, Connecticut, for its annual meeting, the Board voted 10 to 5 to choose Harrison over ARRL Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, the only other nominee. Harrison, 47, said he believes Amateur Radio is looking at a different society -- and pool of potential licensees -- in the 21st century than in the past.

Authorities warn of Randy McCloy, KC8VKZ, e-mail hoax

According to "The Checkout" column of The Washington Post, federal and state authorities are warning consumers about a bogus e-mail seeking donations to aid Sago Mine disaster survivor Randy McCloy, KC8VKZ, of Simpson, West Virginia. "The Checkout" reports that e-mails claiming to be from Dr Lawrence Roberts, McCloy's primary physician, describe the 26-year-old miner's condition and seek monetary donations for his treatment. "The Checkout" editor Caroline Mayer advises those who have received such e-mails to consider contacting the Internet Crime Complaint Center. McCloy reportedly is eligible for immediate medical and wage-replacement benefits as well as for workers compensation benefits based on the extent of his injuries. Over the weekend, McCloy's condition was upgraded from critical to serious, but he remains in intensive care in West Virginia University's Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Although still sedated, McCloy's heart and liver functions reportedly have improved, his muscle deterioration has abated, his neurological condition is stable and he's been breathing on his own. He remains in intensive care with other serious medical issues, however, including impaired kidney function.

Injured miner Randy McCloy, KC8VKZ, moved to rehab facility

Randy McCloy, KC8VKZ, the sole survivor of the January 2 Upshur County, West Virginia, coal mine tragedy, has been transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation center. McCloy, 26, was moved to HealthSouth Mountainview Regional Rehabilitation Hospital in Morgantown on January 26. McCloy's condition remains fair. He is no longer in a coma, although he remains unable to speak, according to his physician, Dr Larry Roberts. McCloy's fever has dropped and he has not needed kidney dialysis in the past few days. The explosion at the Sago Mine killed 12 other miners and left the mine filled with deadly carbon monoxide. McCloy has been hospitalized for the past three weeks at West Virginia University's Ruby Memorial Hospital. Well-wishers have been sending cards and QSLs to McCloy at PO Box 223, Philippi, WV 26435.

"SuitSat-1" Keeps on Ticking; Low Power Output Eyed as Cause for Weak Signal

"SuitSat-1" remains operational more than a week after being deployed from the International Space Station, but its 145.990 MHz FM signal continues to be extremely weak copy on Earth. Speculation now is focusing on extremely low transmitter output power as one explanation for the faint signal. SuitSat-1's sponsor -- the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program -- continues to seek voice telemetry reports as part of an effort to pin down what might have gone awry.

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