All bets appear to be off as to when the FCC might make a final decision on deleting the Morse code requirement. Last July, an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order (NPRM&O) in WT Docket 05-235 proposed to eliminate the Element 1 (5 WPM) Morse code requirement for all license classes. Most observers expected the Commission to release a Report and Order (R&O) to that effect by the end of this year, but even that timetable could prove optimistic, based on what the Commission will say publicly.

Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR) is a series of small satellites initiated for radio amateurs to experience satellite tracking and participate in radio propagation experiments. The World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) allocated frequencies for the Amateur Satellite Service, including 29 MHz (10m), 145 MHz (2m), 435 MHz (70cm), 1270 MHz (24cm) and 2400 MHz (13cm). Transmitting low-powered signals, initially battery operated and offering short lives, the satellites have become increasingly sophisticated. More recently, they have served school science groups, provided emergency communications for disaster relief, acted as technology demonstrators, and transmitted Earth imagery. More Info about the history of the OSCAR satellites.

Everyone should visit the AMSAT website to see that they have been doing.

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. More Info

Thanks go to Rick Miller for providing an informative presentation on “Electronic Circuit Simulation” at the May meeting. Get a copy of the presentation that includes the links for the different circuit simulators.

Here is a “homebrew” 55′ telescoping mast that is made from inexpensive drainage pipe. This looks like a great project for a portable mast that you have always wanted to do. Courtesey of WB4APR.

Catch up on the latest news and notes from the Dayton Hamfest. Several people have been posting inforomation on the ARRL website, so I thought I’d put this link on here. Check it out!

Do you want to know what Forums are available at the Dayton Hamfest? Check this out.

This week, Amateur Radio Newsline, the excellent news service heard weekly by thousands of radio amateurs on repeaters across the US, celebrates with its 1,500th consecutive newscast.

Marking this special occassion, AR Newsline’s producer
Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF said:

“With this 1500th consecutive newscast, Amateur Radio Newsline has reached another milestone. Close to 29 years of bringing you the news of Amateur Radio, personal communications and emerging communications technologies. I won’t go into our history, but I do want to thank two very special groups of people. Listen to an audio file now.

Congratulations to Jerry Latham, N8OON for passing his extra test earlier this month!

Passport, Expanded League Presence Back This Year at Dayton Hamvention® (May 8, 2006) — Many of the features that proved popular during ARRL EXPO 2005, a national convention year, will return during ARRL EXPO 2006 at Dayton Hamvention, May 19-21. Among activities back this year are mini-forums on the ARRL stage, the ARRL Internet Café (and free WiFi) and the ARRL Passport–the ultimate Amateur Radio scavenger hunt.
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