MARANEWS

		  March, 1995        Volume 34, Issue 3

			 Monthly Newsletter of the
		    Massasoit Amateur Radio Association
			  Founded January 6, 1962
				 PO Box 428
			   Bridgewater, MA  02324


PRESIDENT              Mark Greenlaw, N1NLR
VICE PRESIDENT         Steve Powers, WA1WED
TREASURER              Gary DeCoster, WA1CIM
SECRETARY              Bob Mandeville, N1EDM
REPEATER TRUSTEE       Jay Zappulla, N1FDX
BBS TRUSTEE            Steve Meuse, N1JFU

2-M Repeater         147.180+ (Tone 67.0)
440 Repeater         444.550+ (Tone 88.5)
PBBS N1JFU           145.030 - Bridgewater
DIGI WA1ZUF-1        145.050 - 25 watts at 110 feet, BSC campus
DIGI N1EDM-1         145.030 - 10 watts, central Brockton
NODE BRIDGE          145.030 - at N1KBT PBBS
NODE BROCK           145.030 - 10 watts, central Brockton
INFO N1EDM-4         145.030 - at BROCK Node

Monthly Meeting:              Every 3rd Tuesday of the Month, 8 PM

Meeting on the Air:           1st, 2nd, & 4th Tuesday, 8 PM, 147.180+

Trivial Pursuit Net:          Thursday Evenings, 8 PM, 147.180+

Area Phone BBS's
     SANCTUARY                508-587-4615  1200-14.4K baud, N81
     HAM SHACK BBS            508-588-6242  1200-14.4K baud, N81   
   




WEDDING BELLS
The lead story this month (and probably this year), has to be the upcoming 
April nuptuals for MARA president Mark Greenlawn, N1NLR, and Sheryl Dupre, 
N1QXY.  Mere words are not adequate to express our best wishes to Sheryl 
and Mark as they wander down the road of life as one couple rather than 
two individuals.  All of us at MARA, along with families and friends, wish 
you both a very joyous life together.  God bless, and the best of everything 
that is good to the both of you. 


BY THE WAY...
The next time you bump into Peg Zappulla, wish her well.  Peg is studying 
for her Novice/Tech license and is about ready for a VE session.  
Gentlemen, the XYL's are taking over.  There are more and more of them on 
the air nowadays.  Mind your manners!!  Good luck, Peg.  Hope to hear you 
on the air soon!!


SAM POPE RECOVERING
Sam Pope, K1PGU, is recovering at the Woodbridge Nursing Home in Brockton 
after a hospital stay.  He hopes to recover soon and return to his home 
on Summer street, but for now it would be nice to visit him and say 'hello'.
 
Thanks to Don Benecchi, K1DC, for letting us know about Sam, and keeping 
the members updated on his progress.  For those of you who don't know Sam, 
he is one of the founding members of the club and continuously edited this 
newsletter for more years than any one can count.  Get well soon, Sam.


NEWS FROM NANCY, N1RAG
Packet information has finally been received from Nancy, N1RAG, who is 
now living in Washington State with husband Athan, N1PYO, son Dan, and 
a soon-to-be-born harmonic.  Here's what Nancy writes;
Hi, Bob, how 'bout some news from the West Coast?  No baby yet...any time 
now. But I AM looking at a real neat CSCE with elements 1C and 3B circled 
in it...great stuff, or what?  Passing that 20 wpm was SUCH a rush. Still 
can't believe it.  But even though I have voice privs on HF now, can you 
believe that I still spend most of my time on the CW bands?  CW IS FUN!!! 
[editors note - N1EDM must have corrupted her].  Also, RED ALERT -- my 
mom has SOLD her house in Raynham, and there is still a J-pole and 
approximately  20' of mast on the roof, and a dualband "spider" antenna 
in the attic that I would like the club to have if they want it.  The mast 
and guy wires might also be of some use. If you've never used a "spider" 
you'll love it.  Athan and I did simplex QSOs on it of over 25 miles. 
That's the antenna he and I built together the day we met.  I've been 
working on the CQ/50 Gold Award for the digital endorsement -- as I read 
it, you must work 50 hams in at least 10 DXCC countries.  Other categories 
include WAS and 50 grids, counties, and prefixes. I don't know if those 
are digital but I'd love to log some MARA folks for the contest anyhow. 
I have more info on the contest if you need it. I get about 5-8 responses 
a day.  I'm experimenting with NOS also and should have an Ax 25 BBS 
up soon.  Will let you know!  Our home address is 1032 W. 8th St., 
Port Angeles, WA 98363; tel (360) 457-4043. Publish any and all of that 
you wish. I'd love to hear from some folks.  We run a 286 that a high 
school fellow built for us for $150, everything brand new. We bought a 
Panasonic DM printer today and will try to set that up tonight. I miss you 
all...Esp. of course N1FYZ,  please tell him that! 
73 and God bless, Nancy / N1RAG @ VE7DIE.#SVI.BC.CAN.NOAM


MUSEUM OF ANTIQUATED TECHNOLOGY
Early in February, Rick,, N1MJT, hopped on to the Meeting On The Air to 
invite MARA members to his neighbors Museum of Antiquated Technology run 
by Mark Vess on High Street in Hanson.  The visit was coordinated by Glen, 
K1GVM, and Rick, who spread the word.  The museum is a two story barn 
attached to Mark's home.  The first thing you noticed when you walked in 
was a piston and 'jug' from an aircraft radial engine sitting on his tool 
bench.  Already this hints at a very interesting tour.  Looking around, 
you see a1948 bicycle with a motorized front wheel (similar to today's 
mopeds) hanging from the rafters looking like it is ready to take down 
and run.  Upstairs, there was a collection of antique and military radios 
(including one with Russian markings) that is truly incredible, including 
more than one Atwater Kent. There were Heathkit Sixers and other 
transceivers from the era when Heathkit was a solid piece of equipment.

There was also a mixture of just about anything else you could think of 
there; phones, sewing machines, tools, glasses - if you saw one as a kid, 
chances are that Mark had one there!  He had model airplane engines that 
run on miniature Champion spark plugs (pre glow plug era), and all manner 
of items dating back to the '20's and earlier.  Are antique cameras your 
bag?  Take your pick, from old Brownies to a stand-up model that used to 
use sensitized glass plates.  This was a 'pick it up and touch it' type 
of place (please be careful, though).  Most of the items have been put 
back into operating condition though none of the radios were plugged in 
at the time. Out back, Mark has about 10 one-lunger 'make-break' piston 
engines arranged on a flatbed trailer.  He managed to get seven of these 
going at once.  He also has a 1928 Model-A chassis rigged with seats to 
take us freeloading riders around on his five acre 'estate'.  Mark has a 
little bit of everything in the museum.  It's guaranteed to tickle your 
thinking and make you take a step back in time. 

After the visit, Glen, K1GVM, was kind enough to open up his shack to us 
to show us his EME station.  Have you ever seen an EME array??? Its 
loooooong!  If you get the chance, drop in to the 'museum' at 303 High 
Street if Mark has it open.  You'll have a hard time getting yourself to 
leave. A short description in this newsletter cannot do it justice.  
Suffice to say, everyone who went had a great time.  This place was just 
plain fun to meander through.  You need to visit the museum to see what 
we mean.  If you have the chance to go, well, go!    


FCC VANITY CALLSIGNS
by Lenny Amabile, N1MII
The second hottest story for MARANEWS this month the reality of VANITY 
CALLSIGNS from the FCC.  Rather than try to explain it in our own words, 
the March QST article (page 98) is reprinted here for all those who don't 
get QST to answer all your questions.  Following that is a short article 
about how MARA will go about getting its club call.

Calling All Hams;
Get Ready To Roll Your Own Call Sign!
[QST Magazine, March 1995, page 98)
by Rick Palm K1CE; Field Services Manager

For the first time in more than 15 years, amateurs will once again have 
the opportunity to choose their own CALL SIGNS!  Only this time, the 
program will be open to all license classes.  The FCC announced the most 
sweeping changes in the 80-year history of call sign assignments in a 
January 24 news release: "In recognition of the strong sense of identity 
among amateur operators that is grounded in the call signs of their 
stations, the Commission has decided to offer a vanity call sign system 
to the amateur service community," the agency said.  The Commission will 
also resume issuing new club and military recreation station licenses.

This is how it will work: Each new amateur station licensed by the FCC 
is assigned a unique call sign.  The FCC computer selects the call sign 
in accordance with the sequential call sign system.  That's nothing new, 
and the process will continue as before.  However, to honor requests for 
specific call signs, the FCC is implementing a new system that is expected 
to be subject to the license class limitation of the current call sign 
assignments and policy (A- the Amateur Extra blocks; B- the Advanced 
blocks; C- Technician/General blocks; D- Novice blocks), by using a series 
of four "starting gates."  The FCC will announce the opening of each gate 
by public notice.

The Four Gates
The first to be opened, gate one will allow a previous holder of a call 
sign to apply for that call sign.  If the previous holder of a call sign 
is deceased, a close relative could apply for the call sign.  For example, 
Joanne, KA1SIP, a Technician class licensee, could claim the call sign of 
her late father, W1GUN, through this gate.  Since W1GUN is a Group C 
call sign ( 1x3 format) and Technicians are eligible for Group C's, she's 
in through the gate!  But, she'd better do it before further gates are 
opened, when others will be eligible to claim it.

Gate two will be opened next, through which 66,000 Amateur Extra Class 
hams can trot to apply for their choice of call signs.  This means that 
hams like WS1O will be able to apply for a good old-fashioned 1x2 call, 
such as K1CE!

Gate three opens next for 112,000 Advanced class licensees.  They're 
eligible to choose call signs in group B, C, or D formats.  Expect many 
"prime choice" W-1 x 3 call signs to be gobbled up quickly, when this 
gate swings wide open.

After gates one, two, and three are opened, gate four will open to all 
licensees, including the trustee of a club station license applying for 
the call sign of a deceased former holder.  This means that a new 
Technician class licensee could pick one of the old, preferred W-1x3 
call signs referred to above, such as W9ZZC - call signs usually 
associated with the grizzled veteran operator!  

Gate one will open as soon as the new application form, FCC Form 610-V 
is available and the Commission's licensing facility is prepared to begin 
processing applications.  It is expected that it will be late March before 
the new Form 610-V is approved.  Amateurs will be able to list up to 25 
call sign choices, from any call area, FCC staff said.  [MARA Ed note: 
that date is now expected to be on or after May 1, as of this re-writing].

New Club Station Licenses
Clubs not already holding a club station license must first apply for 
and receive a license before filing an application for club vanity call sign.
 
However, the Commission will begin accepting applications for new club and 
military recreation station licenses on the date the Report and Order in 
this proceeding becomes effective, which is unknown at our press time.

While it is not crystal clear at press time, it appears that club 
stations will be available for only two kinds of call signs; a sequential 
call sign or (in gate four) the call sign of a deceased member.  Club 
license call signs will be issued from the Novice block, Group D, unless 
the club is eligible for the call sign of a deceased member.

Fees
The fees for call sign requests initially will be $7 per year, payable as 
$70 for a ten-year term, according to the FCC staff.  However, on January 
12, 1995, in a notice of proposed rule making (MD docket 95-3), the FCC 
proposed a fee of $3 per year for fiscal year 1995 (which began on 
October 1, 1994).  Applications requiring fees go to Pittsburgh , not 
Gettysburg.  (The FCC's bank is in Pittsburgh).  The ARRL will continue 
to seek a one-time fee to replace the annual fee.

We expect that more details will be available from the FCC in time for the 
April issue of QST.  Background information appears in July 1994 QST, 
page 84 (PR Docket 93-305).  For a look at the history of call sign 
assignments policies, check out the article, "An Overview of Amateur Call 
Signs - Past and Present," May 1994 QST, pages 54-59.

[The table below] lists the current formats of call signs, and the 
eligibility for the various formats [and also] summarizes the eligibility 
requirements for the four gates the FCC will soon be opening.

Expected Eligibility and Formats of Call Signs
Amateur Extra   Group A; 2x1, 1x2, and AA to AK-prefixed 2x2 format.
			(note: can also choose from Groups B, C, and D)
Advanced                Group B; 2x2 format.
Tech/General    Group C; 1x3 format
Novice          Group D; 2x3 format

Gate one        Previous holders of call signs can reclaim;  if deceased, 
		close relatives can claim.
Gate two        Amateur Extra Class amateurs
Gate three      Advanced class amateurs
Gate four       Any licensee; clubs can claim call of deceased  member.


MARA CLUB VANITY CALLSIGN
For many years, MARA has been wanting its own permanent club call sign.  
Recent rule changes at the FCC now lets us obtain one that can be used, 
naturally, for Field Day, special events, and the repeater use, etc. 
The FCC is also issuing 'vanity' call signs for club calls.   Getting 
one means that MARA has to obtain a sequentially issued 'plain jane' call 
first.  MARA has already submitted an FCC Form 610-B to obtain a 
sequential club call sign.  

The next step, and a logical one, is to obtain a vanity club callsign.  
This could be that of a MARA member who is now a SK, or some other unique 
idea for a call.  The idea of using a members call was originally suggested 
by former MARA member Bob 'Whitey' Doherty, K1VV.  That way, the call 
sign will become a permanent tribute to one of MARA's former members.

Some time after May 1, vanity calls will be available for clubs, submitted 
on a new form, FCC Form 610-V.  The 610-V has not been approved or printed 
yet.  As soon as they become available, MARA will obtain one.  Carl Aveni, 
N1FYZ, will act as the MARA club call custodian, at least on a temporary 
basis (not to be confused with Jay Zappulla, N1FDX, who will remain 
repeater trustee).  Carl has an Amateur Extra Class call which will allow 
MARA to request a Class A (1x2 or 2x1) call when they become available.  
It also lets MARA request a vanity call in Gate 2, rather than later on, 
when one of our desired calls could possibly have been given to someone 
else.  Here is where members of the club can help!

Because the FCC cannot possibly guarantee that any club will be issued its 
first or only choice, it requires that a list of 25 candidates be submitted 
with the 610-V.  The call must have belonged to a SK who has been deceased 
for at least two years.  If you have a suggestion for a club call, or if 
you have other suggestions for that 'perfect' club call, get the 
information to Don Benecchi, K1DC.  Don has been a MARA member since its 
very early days and has agreed compile the list for submission with the 
Form  610-V.  If possible, submit a short description of the ham whose 
name you suggest so that the rest of the club can know more about him.

We should be granted at least a generic club call by Field Day, perhaps 
as soon as three weeks after submission.  The vanity call, if not available 
by then, should be available shortly thereafter.  Notice the word 'should'.  
While the issuance of personal ham licenses is now a 3-week turn around, 
it is uncertain how quickly the FCC will issue club or vanity calls.  
Vanity calls are becoming a hot issue, so the Commission could conceivably 
become swamped.  The presumption is that they will be issued just as 
quickly as new calls but.......  Time will tell.    


VE SESSIONS
There was an error in last months newsletter regarding one of the VE 
session dates.  Thanks to Ron, N1PXX, for straightening us out.  The 
correct date for the April VE session is Thursday, April 27, and the 
Bridgewater EOC, located in the basement of the Bridgewater Police Station.

On May 16, there will be a second session at the Stoughton High School, 
room B207 for the Novice/Tech class that Bob Schillinger is teaching for 
the Whitman ARC.  All classes of license and code speeds will be given 
at both sessions.


COAST GUARD ENDING CW
From: N3LBC@N3DPU.#EPA.PA.USA.NA
To  : ALL@USBBS
US Coast Guard Communications Area Master Station Atlantic/NMN will cease 
HF Morse Code operations on 01 April 1995.  A final message will be 
broadcast on 01 April at 0001Z on frequencies 5870, 8471, 12718.5, and 
16976 kHz.  NMN will issue a special certificate for those who copy the 
final message.  For the certificate, submit copy of message to USCG 
Camslant, c/o NSGA Northwest, Chesapeake, VA 23322, ATTN: TC3 S. Morales.  
(The end of an ERA    ...-.-)


SECRETARY'S REPORT
[Thanks to Carl Aveni, N1FYZ, for pinch hitting as club Secretary at the 
February meeting while Bob Mandeville, N1EDM, was out of town.]

The meeting was called to order at 8:10 PM with 14 members and guests.  

The Secretary's report was accepted as printed in MARANEWS.

Treasurers report; Opening balance $1498.70. Closing balance $1474

Jay Zappulla, N1FDX, reported that the new repeater is at his house.  

The hill is covered in ice and is not suitable for climbing.  He will try 
to power it up about a week before final installation.

Steve Meuse, N1JFU, reports that the BBS is running very well, and reported 
some of the minor problems which he has since fixed.

Vanity call signs - the club will look into them (see reports elsewhere in 
this issue for the complete story).

Bob McGuire, N1HKV, reported that there will be a special event station on 
April 28 at the LaSallette shrine in Attleboro as part of a BSA Camporee.

Bruce Beaman, K1HTN, exhibited a home-brew quad he has recently  built.


OUTGOING QSL BUREAU RATES INCREASE
The ARRL published a statement in the March QST that, effective April 1, 
the cost of sending one pound of QSL cards out via the bureau will increase 
from $2 to $3.  A stack of 10 cards or less will still cost $1.  You still 
have time to get your cards to the bureau at the old rate.  The mailing 
address is ARRL,  OUTGOING QSL BUREAU,  225 MAIN St, NEWINGTON, CT  06111.  
Include a mailing label from a recent copy of QST to verify your League 
membership.


FIELD DAY COMMITTEE
Its that time of year again to start thinking about Field Day, on June 24-25.
 
If you are interested in joining the Field Day committee or want to 
otherwise help out, talk to Bob Mandeville, N1EDM, and let him know about 
your interest.  Meetings will start shortly.  Ideas to discuss will include 
site, transmitters, PC's, modes to use, satellites, and anything else you can

think of to make Field Day more interesting.