Official Observer Summary, September edition 

This month’s statistics reveal a total of 698 Official Observers.  During the month of September we received 8 recommendations for hams to begin the process to become OOs.  Seven amateurs including one each from Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, South Carolina, Alabama, Western Washington, and Southern Florida successfully passed the exam and joined our group.

News on the Official Observer front for September.

FCC official actions in September were confined to one NAL being issued.  http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-293824A1.html  The Orange section OOC, OOs and other local amateurs did the initial DFing ground work and were able to supply the local FCC office with beneficial information aiding in prompt follow up, further information was given in the web story.  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/06/11124/?nc=1 .  We would like to thank all involved for their great work especially since the intermittent and short duration of the transmissions made DFing very difficult. 

West Pennsylvania OOs were asked to check on music being played on a local repeater.

California OOs have responded to a monitoring request regarding 75 meters.

The FCC asked for assistance in checking out a report of a California station using his amateur station and amplifier to operate on the CB band as well as using bad language on the 75 meter band.  The request was forwarded to California sections.

The Oklahoma OOC is checking out a report of improper IDing on a local repeater.

Reports of unlicensed bear hunters using 2 meters in West Virginia have begun to surface as bear season there nears; OOs and the OOC are gathering information.

A report of what at first sounded like amateur RF interference on 3511.7 turned out to be a computer keyboard.

San Joaquin Valley and Santa Clara Valley OOCs addressed a local 2 meter problem and DFed a station without a license.

The Oklahoma OOC handled a report of Spanish speaking stations heard on a simplex frequency.

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-part information.

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 would like to continue this request to all OOs for possible assistance.  Denis Allen NL7R from Valdez, Alaska recently contacted us saying that someone in the US has been bootlegging his call on 40 meter CW for 3 years.  He states that he does not operate on 40 meter CW and has posted this information on QRZ.com.   But he continues to receive QSL cards from hams who think they have worked him.  Denis says most of the cards indicate operation on or near 7040 in the evenings.  He has contacted the FCC but they would like assistance in pinpointing the source since it is intermittent.  Denis thinks possibly it is originating in Texas but we need help in confirming that.  We have received a number of reports from stations in these states along with the frequencies; Texas 7055, Alabama 7045, Vermont 7032, Nevada 7120, and Florida 7050.

It is important for all amateurs to abide by their band privileges, our DXCC department does consider OO reports regarding out of band privileges by operators and continual infractions are forwarded on to the FCC.   We have received a number of reports of Technician class licensees and Generals as well operating beyond their privileges.

And if you’ve ever wondered about frequencies outside our amateur bands check out this site.  http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/Chp04Chart.pdf

We would like to remind all OOs that the ARRL band plan is a general guide line for the various modes on the bands but they are not FCC rules and as such, deviations normally do not merit an advisory.

In correspondence with FCC people they have related to us that they believe it is beneficial to use the Good Operator reports when appropriate to help encourage good amateur practices.  We concur with that and point out that they be reserved for those amateurs who set an example for the rest of the community by displaying the best that Amateur Radio has to offer.  They are meant for those that go above normal operating practices and not just observing the rules, which we all are expected to do.

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.

Talking about training, the annual Section Manager workshop was held at headquarters on September 26 and 27^th.  We had the opportunity to assist Steve Ewald in hosting 12 SMs from across the country.  During the weekend we gave a presentation on the OO program.  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/05/11119/?nc=1

We would like to point out that former Georgia Section Manager Susan Swiderski AF4FO was selected as co-winner of the Joe Knight Distinguished Service Award for 2009 for her many contributions to the hobby.  Congratulations Susan!

We hope everyone enjoyed the /140 special event celebrating the 140^th anniversary of Hiram Percy Maxim’s birth.  We received a number of good reports about it as we personally worked stations to qualify for the basic certificate.

Nominations are open for the 2009 ARRL International Humanitarian Award.  If you know of someone or some group that you feel qualifies for this award please follow up with a nomination and we will present it to the selection committee.  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/09/28/11098/?nc=1

Finally, here is an interesting bit of information not associated with the OO program.

Fascinating flash presentation on International Space Station and its assembly order over the years.  http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/flash.htm

 

73 till next month,

Chuck Skolaut, KØBOG

Field & Regulatory Correspondent

ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio

860 594 0239

cskolaut@arrl.org