A heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who has helped make this last year so successful. A lot of time and effort has gone into this club for things such as maintaining, repairing and improving equipment, testing sessions and classes, field day, the tri-athalon and filling office positions. I appreciate everyone who has participated in any way. With your continued support the next year looks even more promising then ever.

73's

Von

FCC To Restructure

As we all know April 15th is set to be a bitter-sweet day for some of us. First, bitter because of course it is tax day. But sweet because some of us will be able to take advantage of the restructuring by the FCC.

We thought it would be nice to include some of the frequently asked questions to help clear up any confusion there might be.

1. Will anyone lose any Amateur Radio operating privileges after April 15, 2000?

No! All current license classes and privileges will remain the same, and all licensees will be able to renew their licenses indefinitely. The sole exception is for those who obtained a Technician license or exam credit prior to March 21, 1987. Holders of a pre-March 21, 1987 Technician class license may claim credit for a new General class license after April 15, 2000. The upgrade is not automatic, however. You will have to apply through a Volunteer Examiner test session, complete Form 605, attach documentary proof of having completed the requirements for a Technician license prior to March 21, 1987 and pay an application fee, if any, to the VEC involved.

2. I currently hold a Tech Plus license. Can I take the current General class written examination (Element 3B) right now, then apply for an upgrade to General after April 15, 2000?

Yes. The FCC has told the League that current Tech Plus licensees holding a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) for Element 3B on April 15, 2000, may apply for a General class upgrade. To be valid on April 15, 2000, your CSCE will have to be dated on or after April 17, 1999. A CSCE is only good for 365 days.

3. I hold an Advanced class license. Can I take the current Amateur Extra class written examination (Element 4B) right now, then apply for an upgrade to Extra after April 15, 2000?

"Yes. The FCC has told the League that current Advanced licensees holding a CSCE for Element 4B on April 15, 2000, may apply for an
Amateur Extra class upgrade. The advantage here is that the current Advanced licensee will face a slightly shorter 40-question examination
under the current licensing regime to get a CSCE for the current Element 4B. The new extra class Element 4 will contain 50 questions (and is expected to contain many of the present Advanced class question pool technical questions). To be valid on April 15, 2000, your CSCE will have to be dated on or after April 17, 1999."

4. I now hold a General class ticket. Since there won't be any more Advanced tickets issued after April 15, 2000, can't I just take the current Amateur Extra written examination (Element 4B) and use the CSCE to get my Amateur Extra when the new rules become effective?

Nice try, but, the answer is no. If you're going to take your examination before April 15, 2000, you must complete both Element 4A (instant upgrade to Advanced) and Element 4B, then take your CSCE for Element 4B to a VE session on or after April 15 to apply for your Amateur Extra ticket (this means filling out Form 605 and paying the application fee, if any, to the VEC). And yes, in this example, it means you would need to appear at two test sessions. You also could just wait until April 15 and take the single 50-question Extra class written test.

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio is a lot of things. It is almost as diverse as the weather. It is by definition a governmentally licensed group of volunteers with technical and communications skills, designated to help provide communications in time of emergency or disaster.

From the very early days pioneers like Marconi, who is considered the inventor of wireless communications, have attempted to communicate long distances via radio. Even today amateurs world wide pursue the activity of communicating with other amateurs over great distances and call it Dx'ing. The purpose is to advance their skills in reliable long distance communications. It is perhaps for most amateurs one of the most exciting activities to pursue.

Amateurs have at their option determined by their class of license many different frequency bands to operate. These frequency allocations allow amateurs to optimize their communication to match the desired effect whether it be local or world wide in scope. Depending on frequency used amateurs may also use many different modes of transmission. These are not limited to the original digital mode (CW) or even to voice but, include television and the most advanced digital error correcting modes available today.

There is a great deal of history and heritage in Amateur Radio. Amateurs pioneered radio broadcasting, television and more recently packet TCP/IP communications via radio. Not to be forgotten are amateur space communications which through satellites, orbiting laboratories and shuttles allow people from all countries and walks of life to participate in the achievements of space travel and research.

Amateur Radio is insured a place within the future because of it's links to the past. Its growth continues world wide providing many people with the opportunity to learn communications technology and gain knowledge of people and places they may never travel.

Many thanks to KG7D in Las Vegas.

January Minutes

Our January meeting/party was held on January 8, 2000 at Lowell and Louise Card's home. There were 23 members and 11 guests. A great time was had by all. Lamond's magic show thrilled and fascinated everyone. The food was great and the door prizes were fun. Thanks to everyone who participated and a special thanks to the Cards for opening their home to us.

Our February meeting will be held at 7:00 on the 19th at Kay Johnson's home, at 450 W Lagoon in Roosevelt.

We hope to see as many members at this meeting as were at the last.

Member Spotlight

A new feature that we want to start in the newsletter is the member spotlight. I will need lots of help with this considering the fact that I don't know much about any of the members. If you would like to see someone spotlighted please send me the information on them and I will get it in here.

For January I thought it would be nice to start with our President.

Von Johnson, KA7ERC, was born on March 10, 1962. He has been a "Ham" since birth but he got his license when he was 16.

Von is married to Nancy, KC7MFZ, and is the proud father of 4 girls and 1 boy. Besides being the President of our club he is also the President of the EMT association, and the Executive Secretary of his ward. For his real job he works for Mansfield Printing in Vernal.

Von loves the outdoors, hunting, fishing, & camping. His other interests include Pigeon breeding, horses, and his family.

To let everyone know what kind of member he would be, his first field day he dumped Jay, KA7BPB, out of a canoe and into the lake. Von is always ready for fun, especially when it involves water.

Von is a great asset to our club and we hope he will get all of the support he needs this coming year.

Was It A Rescue?

I, KC7MGB, only relate this story to you because Jay wanted me to.

Last Saturday, Jan. 16, I was on my way home when I heard someone call on the radio for someone to answer. Thinking it was for a radio check I choose to ignore it, unfortunately everyone else did to. I am a shy person and only got my license to prove to my ex-husband I could, but when he called for a second time, someone down it CastleDale answered him. It turns out that he was on his way home from work when his truck broke down south of Myton in the middle of no where. When I heard that he needed help I broke in to see what I could do to help. All I did was make a phone call for him. It was no big deal to me but he sure appreciated it.

I don't know if I would say I rescued him, but I do know that I will be more inclined to answer someone when they call now then I was before. I hope that we all can do this. You never know when it is someone who is in need of your services, whether it is because they are hurt, broke down, or just need someone to talk to them until they can make it home safe. For this experience I am grateful to KD7FLN, I think I got more out of it than he did.

Due Reminder

One last time we will remind you it is time to pay our dues. As you all know the repeaters are in need of what seems like constant maintenance

and repair. If you use a repeater isn't it only fair that you help maintain them.

This will also be the last newsletter you will receive unless you are a current due paying member.

Borderline News

Printed and mailed monthly to Borderline Amateur Radio Club Members. Articles from members are solicited and encouraged.

Submit them to the editor at the following:

Debbie Johnson KC7MGB

450 West Lagoon 46-14

Roosevelt, UT 84066

Ph. 435-722-2748

e-mail kc7mgd@ubtanet.com

Club Officers

Von Johnson, KA7ERC, President

Lee Turner, KK7SI, Vice President

Jay Hansen, KA7BPB, Treasurer

Debbie Johnson, KC7MGB, Secretary

Board of Directors

Jay Hansen KA7BPB

Jerry Goodrich N7JCP

Chandler Fisher W7BYU

Net Manager

Lee Turner KK7SI

Repeater Frequencies

Blue Mountain 147.10+

Tone 136.5

RX 449.700

TX 444.700

Tabby Mountain 147.24+

Tone 136.5

Duchesne 147.26+ or 147.32+

Tone

136.5 and 88.5 respectively

Grizzly Ridge 147.04+

Tone 136.5

Roosevelt 145.49-

Tone 136.5

Packet Freq. Local BBS 145.09

N7JCP