Official Observer Summary, December Edition

 This month’s statistics reveal a total of 710 Official Observers.  During the month of December we received 6 recommendations for hams to begin the process to become OOs.  Four amateurs including one each from Nebraska, South Carolina, North Carolina and West Virginia passed the exam and became certified.

News on the Official Observer front for December.

No official FCC Amateur enforcement actions were noted in December.  There were a number of FCC letters sent regarding unlicensed operation in the commercial FM BC band and notices of unauthorized operation and interference to licensed radio stations.  http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/

A preliminary committee has reviewed the input from the recent Official Observer Survey and the committee chairman has prepared a report that will be presented at the Board of Directors meeting on January 16th.  We thank everyone who took the time to participate in the survey.  The response rate was excellent.  

A South Carolina OO reported someone causing interference on 3850, OOs in the section where this may originating from were alerted to monitor and gather information.

Several OOs from different sections have sent advisories to an AM station in Arkansas that frequently is on 3892 citing that he is very wide, he is quite defensive and the OOs are continuing to monitor and collect information.

A Missouri station reported deliberate interference to a group that meets daily on 7180.  The interference is constantly tuning up or someone speaking Spanish using very bad language.  Regional OOs were alerted but if others across the country hear this, please document it and try to determine its origin and let me know.  The group does move up or down up to 10 KHz to minimize the QRM.

OOs in Michigan are checking out a report of several stations on a local repeater that frequent use rude operating practices as well as jamming often to new users.

The FCC is following up on a station in Arizona that continues to harass or intimidate repeater users.

A former policeman in the San Joaquin Valley Section is helping a local police department in tracking down interference on their communication channels.

3910 continues to draw lots of attention by the bad operating practices of a number of stations that meet there daily.  Jamming of nets, other stations and the playing music and the use of bad language are frequently reported and much documentation has been forwarded to the FCC.  As stated before, it is not necessary to send advisories to these stations as it is under investigation by the FCC.

The holder of a call that is one letter away from a frequent station on 3910 was mistakenly issued an advisory.  The recipient of the card contacted the OO and the mistake was corrected.

A report was received again about interference to the Marconi net on 3872 which is being followed up on

Reports from Western Washington indicate Spanish speaking stations are frequently on 3815 typically around 1530 UTC and don’t ID properly.  The stations are thought to be unlicensed and or bootlegging several calls.  Regional OOs were alerted and if anyone else can provide additional information please forward it to us.

Tennessee OOs continue to investigate a report of NOAA weather broadcasts being carried on a local repeater, a late report by a local OO report the trustees are taking care of it.  The original information was provided by an OO from Arizona visiting the area.

A report of business use of a local Missouri repeater is being followed up on by the FCC after advisories produced no results.  We thank the local OO who monitors and documents the situation.

A California station reported a KCØ??? on 3945 who carried on with a rather lengthy broadcast with a radical tone.  We would invite OOs to monitor and check on this if it is continuing.

A 440 machine in Eastern MA where Spanish speaking users predominated and lack of proper identification was noted, information was gathered and reported to the FCC.

The former Missouri OOC reported interference to a Missouri net on 3963 by a net in a neighboring state, OOs are monitoring.

The Oklahoma OOC is checking on a report of interference to 10 meters from a CB station thought to be using high power.

A North Carolina station reported interference between 1803 and 1835 thought to be coming from a government facility in Maryland.  The problem was resolved quickly either after it was reported or was discovered and corrected by the responsible party.

One thing to keep in mind regarding when to send an advisory is to remember that an Official Observer needs to hear first hand the infraction, and not from information based on third-party information.  We also would like to recommend OOs focus on the clear cut type of violations.

We continue to receive a number of reports of uncertified “CB” type equipment being offered for sale on eBay and other sites on the internet and also at the major truck stops across the nation.  A number of letters have gone out in the past to dealers and distributors as the FCC follows up on these reports.

We do appreciate each OO filling out the monthly report and sending it to their OOC and Section Manager who forwards a copy to us at headquarters.  We encourage the use of the online form that can be e-mailed.  http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#fsd-23

As always, we thank you all for your time and efforts involved with the Official Observer program and we invite you to let us know of problems you hear on the air and possible resolutions through your regular monthly reports and e-mails.  Let us know of activities in your section dealing with on the air operation that you would like to see mentioned and recognized in the next summary.  We especially would like to invite OOCs to provide us with write ups concerning areas of amateur operation they feel would benefit other OOs across the nation.  Our training guide suggests that SM and/or OOCs hold a regular refresher course to ensure that their OOs’ skills and knowledge are up to date.  This would be one way to help fulfill that goal.

In response to the calls and e-mails we receive from OOs who are disappointed in how long the FCC takes in responding to documentation that has been sent in, let me pass along these comments; Laura Smith at the FCC is working under the same constraints of limited resources as Riley Hollingsworth did while he was there.  She has praised the OO program a number of times and says the Commission values our help very much.  I have passed along her sentiments in my earlier monthly summaries.  Here again is one of her responses to an individual that she included us in who had received a Good Operator report and let her know about it; she took the time to respond through us first and then directly to the OO.

“Chuck,

As I have said to you before, the OO program is a fantastic program and one that the ARRL and the amateur community should take pride in.  Please pass along my thanks to the OO for his service to the amateur community.  Sending out “Good Operator” notices is just as important as sending out “Poor Operator” notices.  It highlights for the amateur community the fact that there are so very many “good operators” out there and encourages them to keep up the good work.  Please thank him for recognizing that and taking action to support the good amateur operators out there.  Tell the OOs to keep up the good work and let them know how very much the Commission appreciates their hard work on behalf of a community that they obviously love very much.

I realize recognition is important and we try to do that when practical.  The authors in our training guide acknowledged it also and included this in the final paragraph on page 22; “You have to love to help your fellow amateurs.  And the accolades that come your way will be either few or nonexistent.  Your reward will come from knowing you are helping.  Your efforts will go largely unheralded.”

As we begin the new year, this is a good time to review the Amateur’s Code, it’s as relevant today as it was in 1928.  The OO program exists in part to remind amateurs of good practices and operating procedures as outlined in it.

The Radio Amateur is

CONSIDERATE...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL...offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE...with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach.

FRIENDLY...slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED...radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school, or community.

PATRIOTIC...station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

--The original Amateur's Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928.

In the news:

On Wednesday, November 25, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) -- WT Docket No. 09-209 -- seeking to amend the Commission's Amateur Radio Service rules to clarify certain rules and codify existing procedures governing the vanity call sign system, as well as revise certain rules applicable to club stations.  For those desiring to request a waiver or answer questions regarding it, information was given in this earlier article.  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/20/11151/?nc=1

FCC Seeks Public's Help in Reform Effort:  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/01/08/11281/?nc=1

2009 Sees Surge of New Amateur Radio Licensees;  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/01/06/11278/?nc=1

NCVEC Releases New Technician Class Question Pool;  http://www.arrl.org/?artid=9368

It Seems to Us: Not an Emergency Radio Service?  http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2010/01/01/11218/?nc=1  This contains good advice regarding watching band edges.

MARS Gets New Name As It Fine Tunes Mission;  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/24/11267/?nc=1

Hams Help Out with Sea Rescue;  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/16/11254/?nc=1

Amateur Radio Bill Passes Senate, Moves to the House;  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/15/11247/?nc=1

FCC Dismisses Two Amateur Radio-Related Petitions;  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/10/11241/?nc=1

New Section Manager Appointed in South Carolina;  http://www.arrl.org/?artid=9332

ARRL Licensing Study Guides Coming to an eBook Reader Near You;  http://www.arrl.org/?artid=9329

Utah Hams Coordinate Rescue;  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/07/11235/?nc=1

I would like to thank everyone involved with the Official Observer program including the individual OOs, OOCs and SMs.  We appreciate everyone’s time and efforts; you are the ones that make the program work everyday by monitoring the bands and either pointing out a problem area with an advisory or complimenting someone with a Good Operator report. 

73 till next month,

Chuck Skolaut, KØBOG

Field & Regulatory Correspondent

ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio

860 594 0239

cskolaut@arrl.org

 

 **************************************************************************************************************************************************