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QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 19 ARLB019
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT October 12, 2006
To all radio amateurs

ARLB019 FCC releases long-awaited ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio Report and Order

Ending a protracted waiting period, the FCC's Report and Order in the so-called ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio proceeding, WT Docket 04-140, was adopted October 4 and released October 10, 2006. In it, the FCC adopted nearly all of the proposed changes in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released back in 2004. The FCC has:

+ expanded the phone subbands in the 75 and 40 meter bands;

+ permitted auxiliary stations to transmit on portions of the 2 meter band;

+ permitted the use of spread spectrum on 222-225 MHz;

+ permitted amateurs to retransmit communications from the International Space Station;

+ permitted amateur licensees to designate a specific Amateur Radio club to receive their call sign in memoriam;

+ prohibited an applicant from filing more than one application for a specific vanity call sign;

+ eliminated certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers;

+ permitted Amateur Radio stations in Alaska and surrounding waters more flexibility in providing emergency communications;

+ clarified that ''amateur stations may, at all times and on all frequencies authorized to the control operator, make transmissions necessary to meet essential communication needs and to facilitate relief actions'';

+ deleted the frequency bands and segments specified for RACES stations;

and

+ deleted the requirement for public announcement of test locations and times.

In addition, the FCC took several other miscellaneous actions.

In ''refarming'' the frequencies currently authorized to Novice and Technician Plus licensees, the Commission increased the voice segments for General, Advanced and Amateur Extra licensees.

On 75 meters, Generals will be able to use voice from 3800-4000 kHz, an increase of 50 kHz. Advanced class licensees will be able to use voice from 3700-4000, an increase of 75 kHz, and Amateur Extras will be able to use voice from 3600 to 4000 kHz, a generous increase of 150 kHz.

On 40 meters, Advanced and Extra Class licensees will be able to use voice from 7125-7300 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz. General class licensees will be able to use voice on 7175-7300 kHz, an increase of 50 kHz.

On 15 meters, General class operators will have phone privileges on 21275-21450 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz.

ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, expressed the ARRL's gratitude to the FCC Commissioners in a letter dated October 11: ''On behalf of the ARRL and the Commission's licensees in the Amateur Radio Service I want to express appreciation for your release yesterday of the Report and Order in WT Docket 04-140 (FCC 06-149) amending Part 97 of the Commission's Rules. The Commission's action in clearing this pending proceeding will assist the Amateur Radio Service in meeting its objectives, particularly with regard to providing emergency and public service communications.''

The changes will go into effect 30 days after the R&O is published in the Federal Register.

President's Ramblings - August 2006

Hopefully you all have enjoyed a good summer with vacations, visiting, and our favorite hobby.  Despite band conditions there is activity.  For our CW types, 30 meters is open just about all the time and good for DX and Rag Chewing.  The other WARC bands are open a bit.  Try a CQ and you might be surprised.

Those that missed the picnic at Bill Perkins (KC4D) QTH missed a wonderful event in a lovely setting.  Good food was enjoyed -thanks to Bill and XYL and our members.  PVRC and the Lynchburg club were also present.  It was great to see a good turnout.  What a pleasure to work a few DX stations in the cw WAE contest at Bill's!  One quick call and a 599 report every time.

Welcome to Joe, W2BHK our newest member.  Joe has a FB station in Franklin County.

QCWA Scholarships: 17 were awarded this year.  Pardon my bragging but I'm proud that my late father's (W5KL) $1500 scholarship was award for the first time this year.  Thanks to all who contributed to this one as well as the general scholarship fund.  Consider making a contribution of any size this year - it is tax deductible and is a great way to support our young hams and QCWA.

QCWA QSO PARTY: September 16, all bands (CW and Phone).  This is a fun event and no doubt you will work a friend you have missed for years. See QCWA Journal, Spring 2006 for info.

Chapter Banner: National now has a vendor making the large QCWA banner.  We are considering a purchase - cost is about $200.

WEB SITE: I had a nice chat with Obie, WA4DOX our Webmaster.  He sends his 73 and regrets he is QRL with a long commute to work these days.  However, he will continue to maintain the site and bring it up to date.  Check it out at: http://pob.swva.net/qcwa202

Dues: Have you sent in your $12 dues to Bill, WA4BKW yet?  Make sure you are current with National also.

Membership: My challenge is still out there - everyone try real hard to recruit one new QCWA member this year.  The lifeblood of any club is sustaining membership.  You encounter potential members on the air a lot.  Chapter 202 needs everyone working toward increasing our membership roll.

Next Meeting: Stay tuned in as we will look for a place in Bedford for the next gathering.  We do breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings and try to meet in Roanoke, Lynchburg, Franklin County and Bedford.  You will get advance notice of the next meeting.

73, Buddy, W4YE

Buddy Smith W4YE	Stan Reas K4UK	Fred Fraley W4DF	Charlie Beckwith K4BSF

Gene Walter W2CP	Larry Bouchard N2BUB	Riley Dudley K4ORD	J.J. Weigand N3AXB

Ken Bay W4UQ	"OBIE" Price-O'Brien WA4DOX	Bill Svec WA4BKW	Jack Blake KE4OAL

Victor Smith W4AGI	Phil Roark K4WFO	Wally Hanson WD4GYW	Bill Perkins KC4D

Bob Dixon W8HGH	Larry McKinney WA4FRH	Larry Stanecker WA2OLP	Dave Dunkelberger W9CTJ

Ray Crampton AB4YZ	Harlan Miller K1TT	Bill O'Donnell, Sr. K2YJE	Bob Anderson, Sr. K4UMK

Dave Kinsey KS4BO	Charles Merica N4IF	Clay Partin, Jr. W7CP	Joe Sheinman W2BHK

The VN is an ARRL NTS-affiliated, high-speed (20-25 wpm) CW traffic net. All Old Dominion Chapter QCWA members are encouraged to participate in this section net. The VN meets nightly at 7:00 p.m. on 3,680 kHz.

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Updated: October 12, 2006