November, 2006

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Hams to re-enact first cross Atlantic contact attempt
Radio amateurs from both sides of the Atlantic will be celebrating an important occasion in radio history in December this year. The event will mark the 100th anniversary of Canadian radio pioneer Reginald Fessenden’s attempt to make the world’s first radio voice contact across the Atlantic. The plan was to achieve a voice contact between Brant Rock, Massachusetts and Machrihanish, Scotland. But the attempt was scuppered when a storm blew down the antenna at the Scottish site. Instead, Fessenden transmitted Christmas greetings from Brant Rock to ships of the United Fruit Company. This was the very first voice radio broadcast. One hundred years later, on 29-30 December, hams intend to complete what Fessenden failed to do in 1906 and make voice contacts using special event stations between Brant Rock and Machrihanish. There will be three primary special centennial event stations operating from 2000UTC on 29 December to 2000UTC on 30 December. These will be W100BO/W1F at Brant Rock operated by a team led by Steve Barreres, GB1FVT, at Machrihanish operated by a team headed up by Duncan MacArthur, GM3TNT, and W1AW in Newington, Connecticut. Hundreds of other ham radio stations across both the UK and US are also set to participate in the event. The special event stations will use a variety of modes, reflecting the advances that have been made in radio technology since 1906. These will include AM from the early 20th century, SSB and FM from the second half of the 20th century, and Echolink/IRLP plus digital voice HF from the 21st century. You can find out more about this centenary event on the web at www.hello-radio.org/event

Foundation license boosts Amateur Radio numbers in Australia
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) reports that the number of new radio amateurs "down under" has grown by upward of 500 licensees -- 3.4 percent -- in the 11-month period ending August 1. WIA credits the Foundation license with helping to reverse a trend of declining ham radio numbers. Following the UK model, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) instituted the Foundation license in mid-October of 2005, and nearly 900 applicants have so far taken advantage of the new entry-level license. "There now seems little doubt that the WIA examination service will process more than 1000 successful candidates in the first full year of assessing Foundation license candidates," the WIA said earlier this summer. "It is now also apparent that an increasing number of people are upgrading from Foundation to Standard and Advanced, and feedback from assessors and several clubs offering training confirms this trend will continue to accelerate over the coming months." As of August 1 there were 14,204 radio amateurs in Australia, not counting repeater or beacon licenses. ACMA adopted a distinctive four-letter suffix starting with "F" for all VK Foundation licensees. Holders enjoy limited access to 80, 40, 15 and 10 meters as well as the entire 2 meter and 70 cm bands using voice modes or "hand-keyed" CW only (ie, no keyboard or computer-generated code) at 10 W or less. Gibraltar also offers a Foundation license for beginners.

Western Pennsylvania Section Convention host cancels future hamfests
Just two days after hosting the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention September 10, the Butler County Amateur Radio Association (BCARA) [http://www.w3udx.org/] voted to throw in the towel and get out of the hamfest business. The main reason, cited in the September issue of the club's Tell-A-Ham newsletter, is a lack of member involvement.
"The few, dependable workers have burned out," wrote BCARA Treasurer Kevin Berry, KF4RMA, who edits the newsletter and took on tasks this year as hamfest vendor chairman, parking chairman, treasurer and flyer preparation, among others. According to the newsletter, fewer that one-quarter of the club's 80 members pitched in to make the hamfest happen this year, and nearly all handled multiple duties during the event.
The September 10 gathering at the Butler County Farm Show Fairgrounds was the club's 29th annual hamfest. Whether it's also the last, BCARA President Jim Love, W1JHL, told ARRL, is in the hands of the membership.
"If we can get the manpower that is required to support the hamfest we will continue the tradition," he said. "However, this year, as in the recent past, we have not received the needed help."

November, 2006

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