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N.O.R.M.A. NEWSLETTER P.O. BOX 562, GATES MILLS, OHIO 44040 January, 2001 NEW MEMBERS: KB8DX RENEWED MEMBERS: WA8YXI, K8BXY, KB8PED, KB8TZN, K8OCK, W8ETR, W4EU, WA8GOI, N8DJG, KC8BFX, KC8DGG, N8UPZ, N8EQT, KC8JJG, WB8ROK, K8JFL, K8TF, KB8YJY, WT8P/N8MZJ, WB8PHH (through January 23, 2001). MEMBERSHIP: by WA8TPPWelcome Joe Beringer, KB8DX, to our group. Say HI! if you hear him on. I also want to thank those who renewed their memberships. Your continued support is encouraging. If I missed any renewed members in the list above, please excuse the oversight. If you let me know, I’ll put you in the next Newsletter. Again, the date of your last dues contribution is on the mailing label after your name and call, and, again, the dues are whatever you can afford or feel appropriate for you. If you haven’t contributed within the past year, please take time to consider a dues payment. Don’t forget to let me know if you have a new call or if someone else in your family (at the same address) gets a new call. Also, please put your call on your checks and make them out to N.O.R.M.A. Changes in address, call sign, etc., are also appreciated. Thanks. Also, PLEASE ask a friend or new ham using the repeater to join our group. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: by WA8TPP The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is looking for volunteers for this and future season operations. They plan on adding an additional train for runs to Canton which will require increased staffing. If you are interested. please contact Larry Brainard, P.O. Box 3348, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 for further information. It could be a lot of fun. WEB SITE: by WA8TPP N.O.R.M.A. now has a web site on the Internet. The URL is: www.clevelandnet.com/norma. As of right now only the newsletters and roster are listed. Additional information will be added later. Please let us know what information you would like to see on the site. More important, and a cost saving to N.O.R.M.A., if you would rather receive your Newsletter via the Internet, please let me know and I will then not mail a printed copy. With the cost of postage rising on a regular basis, seems like yearly, the cost of mailing this newsletter is becoming a significant expense along with the maintenance of the repeaters. A phone call or email to me will be appreciated. Also, on a slightly different topic, if you have anything for the newsletter, please pass it along to me and I’ll be glad to add it in. I run out of information pertaining to the repeater and ham radio operation quickly. If you have any ideas for a topic but do not want to write it up, just let me know and I’ll be glad to put something together. Thanks for any input. CONGRESSIONAL ACTION: by WA8TPP As you may already know, legislation to allow local law enforcement of certain F.C.C. regulation recently was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. This legislation allows local and state police officials to enforce certain regulations pertaining to Citizens Band operations. In other words, the legislation allows local and state to pass laws and, of course, enforce them relating to illegal CB equipment and operations. We have all heard the many illegal CB’s using their over-the-limit power amplifiers, etc. as well as their actions on the air. Lest you start to worry, the legislation specifically exempts the licensed Amateur Radio Service as well as other duly licensed services. This has been a long time coming and hopefully will eliminate or at least reduce harmful interference from illegal CB’s. We will, of course, have to keep a watch on this so some local enforcement doesn’t get out-of-hand. For a more complete article on this, please see page 15 of the January, 2001 issue of QST. NEWBURY REPEATER: by WA8TPP We are currently considering replacing the Newbury machine on 147.015 MHz. with a new repeater. It appears the machine is not operating to specification and needs replacement. We will keep everyone informed as to the status of the replacement. Estimates are from two to three months at a cost of up to $5,000. Please keep this in mind for future contributions. F.C.C. ORDER: by WA8TPP The F.C.C. has declined to include in its PRB-1 antenna order CC&R (condos and areas governed by deed restrictions.) It appears that the F.C.C. was unmoved by the arguments put forth by the A.R.R.L. in their petition to expand the "reasonable accommodations" provided by PRT-1. If anyone has problems getting permits for antenna installations, they should start off by contacting the A.R.R.L. for support. The A.R.R.L. has local attorneys available in many locations who will help in resolving problems relating to obtaining the necessary permits to install towers and antennas. Your directors, |