In the

DARC

Amateur Radio Club—www.w5fc.org

How Hams can Monitor for Terrorists Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF Joe Shroeder, W9JUV Prologue Tuesday, 11 September, is a day that changed America, and the world like never before. It proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that even the world’s only superpower is vulnerable to attack from extremist elements. As this is written in early October, the United States Government has pointed the finger of guilt at a cowardly terrorist leader, hiding in caves in Afghanistan, name Osama bin Laden. President George Bush has promised full retribution for these heinous acts of terror in New York City and just outside Washington DC. By the time you read this, there is a very good chance that the United States and our allies will be at war against bin Laden and all who follow his doctrine. This will be the kind of war never before seen by Americans because it will, in effect, be a clandestine war. A war to ‘seek out and destroy’ what amounts to ‘ghosts’ living in the desert and ‘hiding under rocks.’ Press coverage will be minimal or non-existent because the good guys don’t want the bad guys to be watching CNN and knowing our next move. Shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the FCC asked the nation’s Amateur Radio Community to keep its ears open for any suspicious communications and report it. About a day later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation set up a toll free telephone number and a web site. It also requested that all Americans use only these avenues to submit leads and other pertinent data that might have some bearing on the twin tragedies. As of 1 October, the FBI, which is the lead domestic organization investigating the terrorist attack, says it has received over 100,000 leads and the list is growing daily.

Amateur Radio holds the promise of being able to provide extra ears (and eyes) for our government as it continues the hunt for any co-conspirators or other terrorist cells still in operation. The downside is the fact that few Hams probably know what to listen for, or where to listen. A person with experience in this area is Chicago writer and consultant Joe Schroeder, W9JUV. A Ham and SWI for over half a century, Schroeder is well aware that ‘listening is an art.’ In the following paragraphs, he shares with all of us some of what is has learned. How to listen WR: You have been a Ham most of your life. You love DXing. I would guess that to be a good DXer you also have to be a good listener. Is that correct? W9JUV: By all means. DXing is 98% listening and only 2% transmitting. WR: Do you think terrorists in need of communications will even bother with the Amateur Radio or CB bands? W9JUV: We Hams do listen to one another as we tune around listing for DX, friends or just a chat. So if this communication is actually a in-band and is enough of an unusual nature, it would attract attention. So if I were a terrorist operative or such, I would probably set up outside of the Amateur Radio bands. WR: So if you were a terrorist trapped without any other way to communicate, and were scared that Hams might discover you, where would you go? W9JUV: Well, he would want to put it at a frequency where the equipment is still going to work pretty well. Of course, nowadays, most modern Amateur Radio equipment will work most of the way throughout its design range with the necessary modifications that are made for such services as See Monitoring, continued on Page 3

December, 2001 In this Issue How Hams can Monitor for Terrorists · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1 Minutes of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 K4IWL For President · · · · · · · · · 3 K5LGS for President· · · · · · · · · · · 3 Asks for Logs via E-mail· · · 6 Minutes Of The Darc Board Meeting · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6 Windows Humor · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6 Treasurer’s Report · · · · · · · · · · · · 7 Mail Disruptions Lead To Vanity Processing Suspension · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7 Funny Signs· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7

December Meeting Thursday, December 6, 2001 Election of Officers Show & Tell: Bring any ham

radio oriented things you’ve built or interesting electronic or ham radio items that you would like to show

Everette Degolyer Elementary School In the Auditorium 3453 Flair Street North Dallas, Mapsco 23D W5FC Repeaters 146.28/146.88 MHz 223.28/224.88 MHz 447.425/442.425 MHz

In The DARC

In the

D A RC

Dallas Amateur Radio Club Founded 1914 214-691-2888 Officers President Gayland Scott, K5LGS, (214) 660-9610 Vice-President N. T. “Len” Carlson, K4IWL, (972) 519-0521 Treasurer Mont O’Leary, K0YCN, (972) 858-7019 Secretary Jay Urish, KB5VPS Directors Tom Brown, KD5ETJ Colin Buckup, N5GG Johnny Davis, K5JD, (972) 231-9820 Blake Lewis, N7PKJ, (972) 783-6065 Larry Melby, KA5TXL Karl Meyer, N5OUI, (972) 583-6073 Other Officers Public Information/Webmaster Glen Kitto, N5OD, (972) 728-7507 Emergency Officer Johnny Davis, K5JD, (972) 231-9820 Property Bud Johnson, WI5G, (972) 231-4250 Public Service Jim Galloway, N5MDI, (214) 280-8931 Programs N. T. “Len” Carlson, K4IWL, (972) 519-0521 Trustee/W5FC Larry Herring, WR3J, (214) 350-9580 Send any information, articles, and pictures to : Susan Biggs, Newsletter Editor 10925 Estate Lane, Suite 385 Dallas, Texas 75238 e-mail: [email protected]

The Dallas Amateur Radio Club meets the first Wednesday of each month. Guests are welcome! Membership is open to all interested persons subject to confirmation by the voting members in accordance with the DARC Bylaws. Annual dues are $25. The Dallas Amateur Radio Club is a non-profit, American Radio Relay League Affiliated Special Service Organization. Contributions to In the DARC are always welcome and may be submitted to the editor by mail, fax or e-mail. Letters to the Editor will be printed as space permits. DARC accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the contents of this newsletter. Reproduction is permitted provided that this newsletter and the original source are credited.

Minutes of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club November 1, 2001 Gayland Scott, K5LGS, called the meeting to order at 19:16. A brief repeater report was given. The 440 is working but is sick, and we know what the problem is. Bernie will replace a faulty cable. The club has been given some repeaters. We will put them to good use. Karl Meyer, N5OUI, gave a public service report. All dates have been posted on the website. Len Carlson, K4IWL, gave the membership report. KD5PLV is a new applicant. A vote was taken and everybody voted in favor of the membership. The van is not running right again. It knocking in the engine, but the problem should be covered under warranty. Mont O’Leary, K0YCN, gave the treasurer’s report. The numbers are on Page 7 of this newsletter. Ginger McCausey, W5AAN, gave the nominating committee report. Following is the slate: For President, Len Carlson, K4IWL, Gayland Scott, K5LGS; for Vice President, Colin Buckup, N5GG; for Treasurer Don, Murray, W9VE; for Secretary, Marina Calverley, KC5ZMY; for Director Bernie Parker, K5BP; for Director, John Cotton, K5SN; for Director, Ginger McCausey, W5AAN. The President opened the floor for nominations, and there were no nominations from the floor. Len Carlson, K4IWL, made a motion to close nominations and Larry Melby, KA5TXL, seconded. All voted in favor of the motion. Norm Jacobson, K5NHJ, moved that we accept the bylaws as published on the website and Len seconded. A vote was called and 18 were in favor while one was opposed. The motion passed. Len is still looking for a meeting place. Gayland made a motion to meet at the school next month. Larry seconded. A vote was taken and it was unanimous. The Board meeting will be at J G’s Burgers on Greenville on November 7, 2001 at 19:00. Gayland called for an audit. He asked Don, W9VE, to be on the audit committee with the assistance of Johnny Davis,K5JD,and Karl Meyer, N5UOI. Gayland has set up a fundraiser which will be this Thursday at the Taco Cabana on Webb Chappel between Forest and I-635 from 18:00-21:00. The secretary was directed to come up with a complete list of members and a list of expired members. There will be a simulated emergency on 29NOV2001 on the 145.19 machine. This will be the Thursday after Thanksgiving. The meeting adjourned at 20:45.

Advertise IN THE DARC, the Newsletter read by more than 1000 Hams throughout the Metroplex and around Texas. Rates are: Full page (10 h by 8 w) - $60 Page 2

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to everyone! Half page (5h by 8 w) - $30 December, 2001

In The DARC

K4IWL For President

K5LGS for President

On Thursday, December 6, 2001 the annual DARC election of officers will be held at Degolyer Elementary School. There are many issues and the health and longevity of the club are at stake. The past year and half have been trying times for the DARC, first with the loss of our meeting place that we had occupied for over 16 years and the ever decreasing membership. I have decided to run for President at this crucial time because I believe that the club can be rebuilt and that the time to start is now. I have put together a set of priorities and goals that I will start working on as soon as I’m elected. #1 on my list is to find a permanent meeting place that meets the criteria that satisfies the majority of our members and future members. More participation in the club by the membership. By opening up the meetings to more input and control by the members we can accomplish this goal. More club sponsored activities and family oriented activities. I plan to appoint an Activities Chairman to make this happen. More local news and articles in the newsletter. I will be appointing a “City Editor” whose responsibility it will be to gather news and articles from the membership. He or she will work closely with our publisher Susie Biggs. All minutes of the board meetings will be published in the newsletter alongside the minutes of the regular meetings. The board meetings will be rescheduled to immediately follow each regular club meeting and the members will be encouraged to stay and participate. Our valuable members who have left the club will be encouraged to rejoin and become a part of the new “Kinder and Gentler DARC.” There’s more. See you on December 6. Len, K4IWL dit-dah dit-dah-dit

If I am elected...oh too much of those broken campaign promises. I would really like to give you the answers to the club’s problems but you and I both know that’s not possible. What I can promise is that I will do my best to get this club back to what it should be, fun. There have been tough times this year. Lord knows I have had my share of them this year and I think we have gotten away from what this club is about. The bylaws state our purpose in Article II 2: To act as a unified group to furnish communication services for civil defense and emergency management, Red Cross, state, county and city law enforcement agencies or such other charitable organizations during times of emergency, distress, national disaster, or the public interest. To provide for instruction in the fundamentals of electronics and its allied arts, including the international Morse code. To provide open meetings for lectures and discussions of scientific developments in radio communications and electronics arts.To enhance our individual and collective knowledge of radio communications and its allied arts and sciences to enhance fellowship among radio amateurs. I believe if we take it upon ourselves to see that these are met, we will be an important force in our ability to serve our community. I promise to continue to do these things. I will continue to work on the ARRL “Big Project”and continue to have amateur radio license classes. I will continue to strive to have food, fun and friends nights, and fund raisers as often as I can. I will continue to see that the club’s repeaters are the best they can be. I have spent many hours learning and helping, and I believe that I and the club are better for it. I have many plans that I believe will be of great benefit to the hobby and the club. I would also like to thank you, the club, for your support and those of you have come together to make this year enjoyable. Lets have fun! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND YOU ALL Sincerely, Gayland Scott, K5LGS

DARC Club Meeting on the Air Moves The monthly DARC meeting on the Air has moved to the third Sunday of the month. It follows the Dallas County RACES training net at 9:00 PM on the club’s 146.88 mhz repeater. The Grand Pubah is also sometimes known as Kris Kringle or W9VE. We hope that you make the next one. December, 2001

Monitoring, continued from Page 1 Civil Air Patrol and MARS. Back in what we might want to call the early days, I used to do some listening up above 14.350 MHz, and I heard many interesting things which I will guess was drug trafficking. Or at least suspected drug traffickers. So I would say out of band—but not way out of band. This could be an interesting exercise for someone with the time to tune up above 14.350 MHz. In major cities like Los Angeles or here in Chicago, there is always the possibility that there could be a terrorist group with a small inconspicuous antenna trying to maintain contact with others of the same ilk. WR: Our government believes there could be several clandestine terrorist cells still lurking. With all normal means of communications (telephone, cellular, e-mail, the Internet, etc.) being so tightly monitored, let’s suppose that the bad guys need to communicate. They will need alternate and perhaps rudimentary routes and may take to the ham bands or nearby frequencies. Starting with the HF bands, what type of communication might that be? W9JUV: That’s a tall question because there are so many variations to it. But anyone who is an active Ham pretty well knows what a normal Amateur Radio conversation is. Whether it’s a group that gets together every morning to chat on 20 Meters or a DXer exchanging a quick report with another DXer. So anything that seems to depart from that is obviously worth listening to. WR: What about languages? W9JUV: Yes, coming across people who are speaking in an unusual language. Note that I say ‘unusual.’ Let me explain. I suspect that about anyone who listens to the DX bands ha s heard stateside stations talking to friends in places like Germany and speaking German.Or stations talking to South America or Spain in Spanish; or France in French, or the other many well known languages. But the various Middle Eastern languages we do not hear often— unless you are listening on the low-end of 10 Meters to the cab drivers [unlicenced illegal stations]. Those deserve our attention— even if we do not understand the words being said. WR: What about signal strength and See Monitoring, continued on Page 4 Page 3

In The DARC

Become a member of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club today. Fill out this application and mail it with our check to the address below or bring it to the next meeting. You can be a member the same night! During the break between the business meeting and the program, all applications are reviewed by the Membership Committee and voted on before the program. Membership Fees are: Full (Ham license–has vote) Life (12 times above rate) Senior (65 or older) Family (must have one of the above) Associate (no license, no vote) Students (must be full time 5 of last 12 months)

$25.00 $300.00 (65+ is $150.00, attach proof of age) $15.00 $5.00 $25.00 $15.00

Send your application to: Dallas Amateur Radio Club Post Office Box 744266 Dallas, Texas 75374-4266

Name ______________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________ State ____________________ Zip _________________ Phone (Residential) ____________________ Phone (Business) ________________________________ E-mail __________________________________ Call Sign ___________________________________ Class of License ______________________ Date First Licensed _______________________________ ARRL Member? Yes _____ No _____ Occupation __________________________________________________________________________ Hobbies or Interests ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Comments: What are your preferred Ham activities? What types of programs would you like to see at Club meetings? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Monitoring, continued from Page 3 time of day? W9JUV: Any time you run across an unusually loud signal at a time when the propagation should not be available in the direction the station indicates he is talking to, or is using prefixes that do not fit the time of day, I would say that would be an indicator. Also, a station that is extremely loud at a time when a given band is not open in the indicated direction and who is talking in a language that you cannot identify. Most of us who are DXers can identify the common Asian languages, the various Russian based languages even though we might not understand what is being said. At least you have an idea of who it is. WR: Anything special they might try? W9JUV: Frequency hopping comes to Page 4

mind. If they have any sense at all, they are not going to sit on 14.225 or 14.425 day after day.Rather,they may have a pattern between transmissions to shift frequencies. But, as I said earlier, if you hear someone who is so loud that he is obviously in your neighborhood and he is not understandable—and particularly if he is outside the Amateur Radio Bands—I would say that is a red flag that you should respond to and report. WR: I would think that a terrorist cell or a spy would want to be as inconspicuous as possible. I might want to bury myself in low power CW. Or use a place such as ‘Freeband’ or 11 Meter Class D CB where I might go unnoticed. But you are saying to listen for high power voice. Why not low power Morse? W9JUV: That gets you into an entirely different area. I would not be concerned

with CW at all for two reasons. The first is that it requires a skill that I do not see these people using. And two, frankly as a communications means in this day and age, Morse is simply too slow. If I were interested in communicating other than by voice, I would use PSK-31 or one of the other digital modes. Some of the results we see Hams getting with extremely low power transmitters, and the capability of the computer controlled data communications systems to pull signals out of the noise that the ear cannot even detect—and do so with 100% copy—doing it at the speed of manual typing or RTTY would be an ideal means for terrorists to use. Most Hams running across it might not realize what it was. But, if Hams familiar with digital communications modes were to See Monitoring, continued on Page 5 December, 2001

In The DARC Monitoring, continued from Page 4 run across something that really sounds suspicious, it should be reported. Let me add that as a consultant, I have long been involved with law enforcement people. There is one thing that they always say—any time you see anything that you believe may have any suspicious character to it, let them know. They would rather get hundreds of alarms and possibly catch the one that’s real than not get any alarms at all. And I think that’s the case here. WR: So far we have been talking of a spy or covert operative trying to contact home base. What about the terrorist leadership trying to contact the operative—like those number stations nobody seems to understand the meaning of. W9JUV: What you are talking about are called blind transmissions. That’s where the transmitting station expects no response but the message is transmitted on a variety of frequencies and possibly, at a variety of times. The clandestine operative at this end merely has to be listening at one of the right times on one of the right frequencies and he gets the message. It’s certainly a possibility, but I have to ask how one determines a particular transmission is the case. We all know that you can be sitting there on 20 Meters and listen to a signal from the Middle East, Australia, Europe or wherever. He is talking to a stateside station with a 40 over S9 signal. He stands by and even if there is no QRM on the frequency, you do not even hear a whisper from the stateside station due to propagation characteristics. How amateurs in different geographic areas would be able to determine that we are listing to a blind transmission may not be feasible. WR: What frequency of band would you start with? W9JUV: In my case, I would start in or near the 20-meter band—mainly because I have good antennas there. But you really need to think in terms of international versus inside the United States communications. For example, inside the United States it could take place inside or near the 75-meter band. For international, certainly the 20-meter band and adjacent spectrum is the place to begin. Then listen up or down about one half megahertz from the band edges. I would also listen around the 10 MHz band and possibly the 18MHz band, not 21 MHz

December, 2001

or above. These bands are just not that reliable for people who really want to get a message through and do it quickly. WR: So far we have talked about the HF bands, 2 MHz through 30 to 35 MHz. What about terrorists who need local communications.Where would they bury themselves? FRS? CB? W9JUV: I do not see as an option CB on 11 Meters. FRS probably not an option either because there are just too many people using it. It’s not so much the chance of being overheard and having the whistle blown. More likely, some kid is going to inadvertently break in and break up the communications—especially in a mall or some downtown areas. I would also say that the Amateur Radio bands are not a good alternative because there is too much of an opportunity for radio amateurs to come across such communications and recognize that it is not normal Ham radio talk. What goes on in the amateur VHF and UHF bands is such a conventional pattern. In many areas, the regulars on VHF/UHF can recognize each other’s voices. Something unusual in content or accent would stick out much more than on an HF band like 20 or 40 Meters. This being said, I would suspect that they might get some Ham equipment, but they would modify it for out-of-band operation. Possibly use 2-meter equipment below 144 MHz or above 148 MHz on a channel they’ve found inactive by monitoring. The same rule would apply to the 70 cm band or even the 222 MHz band. The 222 MHz band would be of definite interest because of its relatively low usage even by radio amateurs. As I said earlier, if you are going to do any monitoring, also tune either side of any VHF Ham band just as you might do on HF. WR: Is using a scanner a good idea for monitoring the world above 50 MHz? W9JUV: Scanners will provide a problem because there is so much legitimate activity in these frequency ranges. If you do use a scanner, use the mode where it stops on a busy channel for a few seconds and then, if you do not manually stop it, it resumes scanning. In the first few seconds of any transmission, you will be able to determine if it’s police, fire, taxicabs or whatever. Also, many new radios, HF, VHF and some scanners have a panoramic visual display of band activity. This capability could prove to be very handy around the Amateur Radio bands if set to about 100

kHz bandwidth on the HF bands. On VHF and UHF you would want a wider display bandwidth. Either way you will soon get to know the regular signals in a given band and know to ignore them. WR: In contrast to HF, what would you listen for on VHF? W9JUV: People coordinating a terrorist attack would probably be communicating in the native language just from the standpoint that all of those in the plot understand it and those who might be listening in are not in on the plot will not understand it at all. I cannot imagine, for example, a group of Middle Eastern terrorists whose native language might be an Afghan dialect communicating with one another in some form of broken English. WR: How important is for Hams, SWL’s, CB operators, etc. to be alert for outgoing or incoming clandestine transmissions? W9JUV: I think it is pretty important. I characterize it in the same way In do SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Literally hundreds of thousands of hours have been invested in listening for signals from outer space. Those of us who truly believe that we are not alone in the universe do not consider it a waste of time—it’s invested time. I think that the probability of one of us actually intercepting a terrorist’s message that leads to thwarting of some future terrorist’s act is relatively small. But it’s absolutely not zero percent. I think that it behooves those of us who have the time, equipment and the opportunity to invest some of that time—100,000 radio amateurs listening just a few hours a week adds up to monitoring a sizable portion of the spectrum that our government might not have the time to look at. Bottom line— anyone who would like to try it, should. How to record audio transmissions One thing suggested by law enforcement is to tape any suspicious communications. Doing so eliminates the problem of relating secondhand what you may have heard and accidentally adding your own interpretation. If you do record, we would suggest using fresh tape and also using a direct connection to your recorder from your station receiver. This will eliminate the chance of room noise obscuring what you are trying to record. Also, use simple cassette recorders and good quality normal bias cassettes. See Monitoring, continued on Page 6 Page 5

In The DARC Monitoring, continued from Page 5 Stay away from exotic recording modes like Mini-Disc, DAT, CD, .wav files and the like. The reason is simple. There are millions of cassette tape recorders in the hands of all mankind but not every investigatory agency has the latest home entertainment type gear. Keeping it simple will deliver the message with the greatest speed. How and where to report suspect activities If you do happen across something that needs to be reported, the best place to forward it is directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI has set up a toll free number for leads or other information on the terrorist attack. It’s at area code 866483-5137. Leads can also be sent via a special website at: www.ifccfbi.gov. Some final thoughts On Sunday, 30 September, Attorney General John Ashcroft appeared on the CBS news program “Face the Nation.”During the broadcast, he warned the American public that additional attacks were likely and the risk of such strikes could increase following any military action taken by the United States and its allies in the “War on Terrorism.” There is one thing that we as amateurs (or SWLs or CB, GMRS, FRS operators) should remember as we listen for possible terrorist communications. Though these are pretty bright people, many from well-to-do backgrounds and holding college degrees, they are not likely to be at all sophisticated about radio. Consider how little your sharpest non-Ham friends understand about radio communications. So it’s well within reason that,needing some form of wireless communications, they’ve simply walked into a local two-way radio provider or retailer and bought equipment off the shelf. The manuals provide enough information to make it work, but where? I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that terrorists were caught using FM on 144.000 MHz, since that’s the default frequency on some 2-meter rigs! Or find them on SSB on 14.080 MHz because there is less voice QRM there! They may well have been provided with professional advice, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be as crafty as we might be and always follow it. This is especially true now that the FBI is hot on their trail. Let’s keep our ears open. It might be one of us who foils the next terrorist plot. World Radio, December, 2001 Page 6

Asks for Logs via E-mail Because of security concerns, CQ magazine is asking everyone who submits a log for their contests to do so by e-mail. The rules for each contest give you the appropriate e-mail address.Logs received through the mail at the CQ offices will be held unopened until all potential health risks have been evaluated. CQ staffers cannot guarantee that these logs will ever be opened. “We know this will inconvenience a small number of participants in our contests and we regret the need to make this request. But our logs come from all over the world, and even from Trenton, New Jersey. And while the risk that amateurs might be involved in any sort of terrorist activity is very small, mail en route may be subject to tampering. We cannot ask our staff members or contest committee volunteers to possibly expose themselves to dangerous packages sent through the mail when there is an alternative. “We’ve already received several e-mail messages critical of this request, suggesting that we are giving into terrorists. We don’t see it that way. We are not cancelling the contest. But we are taking reasonable precautions to protect our staff from what is, based on this week’s news, a very real and fast growing threat” said Rich Moseson, V2VU, CQ Editor World Radio, December, 2001

Happy Holidays!

Minutes Of The Darc Board Meeting November 7, 2001 The meeting was held at JG’s Burgers on Greenville in Dallas and was called to order at 19:12 Present were: Gayland Scott, K5LGS; Len Carlson, K4IWL; Mont O’Leary, K0YCN; Johnny Davis, K5JD; Larry Melby, KA5TXL; Colin Buckup, N5GG; Jay Urish, KB5VPS. The 440 repeater is working and the 88 repeater will be fixed this weekend. The repeaters were discussed at length. Gayland will take the donated repeaters to Jay’s house for examination. The following were proposed for membership: Tom Reese and his wife, KD5IPI and KD5IQM; David, KD5JWR; Ray Johnson, (KB6IWR); Bob McCain, (K5ZR). All were approved. Len Carlson, K41WL, is still looking at possible meeting places. Gayland Scott, K5LGS, mentioned the fundraiser at Taco Cabana on Thursday at 18:00. Mont O’Leary, K0YCN, moved that the club purchase a copy of Quickbooks Pro 2001. A discussion followed. Johnny Davis may have a copy of Quickbooks that he can donate. Gayland brought up the subject of the storage unit in Lewisville. It is paid up until July 20, 2001. Gayland wants to sell everything and get rid of the unit. Gayland is going to see Don and Ginger after the meeting. A possible ballot design was passed around by Larry Melby, KA5TXL. It was noted that it should be copied on colored paper. This is done to prevent ballot box stuffing. A motion to adjourn was made at 19:46

Windows Humor When Windows crashes on you yet again, aren’t you annoyed by the finger-pointing, blame-avoiding message that Microsoft puts up on recovery? “Because Windows was not properly shut down, one or more of your disk drives may have errors on them.” It should read: “We at Microsoft apologize again because our less-thanperfect product has lost all its sensibilities, along with (possibly) a fair amount of your very important data, and has quit again. Scandisk will now test to see whether it can recover your data.” December, 2001

In The DARC

Mail Disruptions Lead To Vanity Processing Suspension Recently announced changes in mail handling procedures at the FCC’s Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, office have effectively halted processing of Amateur Radio vanity call sign applications.The FCC has processed vanity applications received through October 14. Vanity applications received after that remain on hold for now. ‘’We understand that mail directed to the FCC Gettysburg office beginning October 15 was being held pending the start of special handling precautions to address any biohazard contamination concerns,’’ said ARRL VEC Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ. He said the FCC is tracking the receipt date for each piece of mail. Because the FCC gives equal priority to paper and electronic vanity applications, all vanity processing was being suspended until the mail situation is resolved. Citing a need for heightened security measures, the FCC announced November 14 that it had moved the Gettysburg office’s mailroom offsite, to the rear entrance of 35 York St, Gettysburg, PA 17325. The FCC did not announce,however,that mail received at Gettysburg starting October 15 had not yet been opened, pending arrangements to handle it without the possibility of endangering personnel. Jahnke said vanity processing should resume once the FCC begins to open its mail backlog. Just when that might happen is not yet known. Vanity processing typically takes 18 days. Jahnke said the mailroom situation also could affect some Amateur Radio renewals. He said amateurs who filed for renewal in a timely fashion may continue to operate beyond the expiration, if the mail delays cause the license to lapse before the renewal occurs. He said applications from those filing for renewal near the end of their two-year grace period will be accepted for processing if they get to the FCC before the grace period expires. ARRL Bulletin 50

Funny Signs 1. IN A LAUNDROMAT: Automatic washing machines. Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out. 2. IN A LONDON DEPARTMENT STORE: Bargain Basement Upstairs. 3. IN AN OFFICE: Would the person who took the stepladder yesterday kindly bring it back or further steps will be taken. 4. IN ANOTHER OFFICE: After the tea break, staff should empty the teapot and stand upside down on the draining board. 5. ON A CHURCH DOOR: This is the gate of Heaven. Enter ye all by this door. (This door is kept locked because of the draft. Please use side entrance.) 6. OUTSIDE A SECONDHAND SHOP: We exchange anything—bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain. 7. QUICKSAND WARNING: Quicksand. Any person passing this point will be drowned. By order of the District Council.

Larry Melby Yes, remember that number. It’s the new way to help raise money for the DARC, and best of all, it doesn’t require any additional effort by the members of the club. Here’s all you have to do. Go to your neighborhood Tom Thumb and apply for your Reward Card. It’s free and it takes only a couple of minutes to get. When you check out, simply give the cashier your Reward card and DARC’s number, 4056! Then just use the card each and every time that you shop at Tom Thumb. Tom Thumb will track the total sales each quarter for the club and make a donation to the club of up to 1%! So sign up today and spend, spend, spend!

8. NOTICE IN A DRY CLEANER’S WINDOW: Anyone leaving their garments here for more than 30 days will be disposed of. 9. IN A HEALTH FOOD SHOP WINDOW: Closed due to illness. 10. SPOTTED IN A SAFARI PARK: Elephants Please Stay in your Car. 11. SEEN DURING A CONFERENCE: For anyone who has children and doesn’t know it, there is a day care on the first floor. 12. NOTICE IN A FIELD: The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but the bull charges. 13. MESSAGE ON A LEAFLET: If you cannot read, this leaflet will tell you how to get lessons. 14. ON A REPAIR SHOP DOOR: We can repair anything (Please knotck hard on the door—the bell doesn’t work. 15. SPOTTED IN A TOILET IN A LONDON OFFICE BLOCK: Toilet out of order. Please use floor below.

Happy New Year! December, 2001

4056

Treasurer’s Report Mont O’Leary, K0YCN Following is the status of our major accounts as of the end of October 2001: Account Balances General Fund ($234.28) Griffith Fund $5,333.98 Repeater Fund $1,390.08 Year-To-Date Income Auction Income $1,170.05 Equipment Resale $1,352.50 Ham-Com Income $773.02 Membership Dues $2,855.00 Contributions $752.54 Year-To-Date Expense DARC Van $4,230.89 Liability Insurance $547.00 Operations $1,855.22 Program $372.31 Repeater $434.41 Membership (dues current): 150

Page 7

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1

12:30 PM QCWA Meeting (lunch at 11:30 AM)

2

3

7:15 AM QCWA Net - 3835 kHz

Garland ARC Net

4

5

Irving ARC Net

8:00 PM Dallas County RACES Net

9

ATV Net 144.34 Voice

10

7:15 AM QCWA Net - 3835 kHz Hanukkah Begins

6

7:45 PM Metroplex Amsat Net-147.14

11

12

7

Irving ARC Net

Richardson Wireless Klub

Lake Area ARC

7:45 PM Metroplex Amsat Net-147.14

Parker County Amateur Radio Club

ATV Net 144.34 Voice

9:00 AM DARC Test Session at PiedmontHawthorn Air Center

8:00 PM AB51GATV Net - 2.4 GHz 13

Garland ARC Net

8

7:00 PM DARC Meeting & Election

14

15

8:00 PM AB51GATV Net - 2.4 GHz

Fort Worth Sidewalk Sale-TANDY IARC Test Session

Test Session 16

17

7:15 AM QCWA Net - 3835 kHz 8:00 PM Dallas County RACES Net 9:00 PM DARC Meeting on the Air after RACES Net 23

7:00 PM Dallas County REACT

20

7:45 PM Metroplex Amsat Net-147.14

Garland ARC Net

ATV Net 144.34 Voice

Hurst ARC

Test Session

7:30 PM Denton County ARC

25

26

Christmas Day Irving ARC Net

7:30 PM Garland ARC

30

19

Irving ARC Net

Hanukkah Ends

24

7:15 AM QCWA Net - 3835 kHz

18

a

21

8:00 PM AB51GATV Net - 2.4 GHz

27

7:45 PM Metroplex Amsat Net-147.14

22

Winter Solstice

x

Arlington ARC

28

29

8:00 PM AB51GATV Net - 2.4 GHz

First Day Kawanzaa Celebration ATV Net 144.34 Voice

31

7:15 AM QCWA Net - 3835 kHz

New Year's Eve

December, 2001 Calendar of Events

b

Dallas Amateur Radio Club Post Office Box 744266 Dallas, Texas 75374-4266 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

The deadline for the January, 20021, issue of is December 17, 2001 (No Exceptions)

Attention: This is your-electronic issue of In the DARC. To continue receiving your monthly issue, please notify [email protected], subject of