THE NEXT E.A.R.S. EATING MEETING will be held on Friday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Noble Roman's Pizza, in Ross Center (Washington Ave. and Boeke Road) in Evansville in the meeting room.

The next meeting will feature a tour of the WEVV-TV (CBS) studios at 44 Main Street in Evansville on Friday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m.

HARRISON H.S. ARC is seeking the donation of a dual band mobile and power supply for its club station. When not in use, this could also double as a remote receiver for 145.15. Contact Neil.

REPEATER NEWS... for the latest information, check the EARS web site.

145.11... I spent Wed. April 1 with the two-way tech responsable for the repeater, and part of April 2. We seem to be having antenna problems. It is working now, but coverage is lousy. Code sheets are now available by request either by e-mail or SASE for accessing the time and the NOAA weather radio.

145.15... The new solid state amplifier has been ordered. The crystal arrived for the new Spectrum transmitter, but it did not work. We ordered a new one from Spectrum directly, and it should be here any day. If you have lost your codes, you can request a new copy by e-mail or SASE.

443.925... New code sheets are now available!! Those who have autodials should have already received codes in the mail. If you need a copy of the new codes, simply request a copy by e-mail or SASE. Most codes are the same as before, but some have changed. The only thing not working is the Indianapolis link to 5.25, which still requires work at Seymour.

146.925... Eric has once again improved the audio situation on the transmitter. The extreme heat at this site (126 degrees the other day) makes frequency stability a real challenge. Here's hoping the A/C is fixed soon. A tube blew on April 1, we hope to have it fixed, again, shortly.

145.25... haven't heard anything from the Indianapolis folks. Will provide news as it arrives
from Indy.

147.135... still operating with an input of 144.65 from
near Seymour.

UPCOMING HAMFESTS:

Arthur, IL April 26
Dayton, OH Hamvention May 15-17 Hara Arena www.hamvention.org
Owensboro, KY May 2

VE TESTING INFORMATION:

EARS does not sponsor VE testing, but does list area testing dates and times. If you know of a test not listed, please write, call, or e-mail it to Neil ASAP!!!

Evansville, IN - Sat. April 25; 9:00 a.m.... Red Cross Bldg., Diamond and Heidelbach, by Tri-State ARS. ARRL-VEC. Contact Terry AA9MM (tbrooks@ evansville.net).

Evansville, IN - Wed May 13, 7:00 p.m., Harrison High School Room 213.  W5YI-VEC.  For more information, contact Neil WB9VPG at 812-479-5741.

Paris, IL - Sunday at 1pm at the Community Hospital on May 3, and July 5. Call John Welch at (217) 466-4315 or email jwwelch@juno.com.

Terre Haute, IN - Sunday at 1pm on April 5, June 7, and Aug. 2 at the Terre Haute Red Cross on Hwy 41 North. Call Fred K9EBK at (812) 466-2122.

Mt. Carmel, IL - Monday April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Wabash Valley College Electronics Dept. Contact Ken KF9W at 618-263-4008.

Indianapolis, IN - IPL, 37th and Arlington, at 6:30 p.m. BY APPT. ONLY. Call Tom N9LFU at 317-326-3168. Thomson ARC/ARRL-VEC

Franklin, IN - Walk-ins only. For more information, call 317-974-1488. MidState
ARC (3rd Sat. March thru November)

THANKS TO ALL THOSE who have graciously donated to EARS recently. They include: George Henry KB9LRY, Herb Brocksmith KB9INQ, Bill Poe W9WEI, Steve Sage NO9N, Jim Yochum KA9CQX, Tony Roark AA9OR, and Jim France KA9LDD. Your support keeps EARS running!

TIME TO WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMEN AGAIN.. SPECTRUM PROTECTION BILL INTRODUCED (Thanks AA9MM) {slightly edited for space -- Ed.}

At the request of the ARRL, a bill has been introduced in Congress to ensure the availability of spectrum to Amateur Radio operators. The bill, HR 3572, the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1998, would protect existing Amateur Radio spectrum against reallocations to or sharing with other services unless the FCC provides ''equivalent replacement spectrum'' elsewhere. The bill was introduced March 27 by Rep Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), and cosponsor Rep Ron Klink (D-PA). If approved, the measure would amend Section 303 of the Communications Act of 1934 to preclude reallocation of any primary Amateur Radio allocations or diminution of any secondary allocations, and would block any additional allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce their utility to Amateur Radio, unless the Commission at the same time provides ''equivalent replacement spectrum'' to Amateurs.

The bill points out that a basic purpose of Amateur Radio is to provide ''voluntary, noncommercial radio service, particularly emergency communications,'' and that Amateur Radio has ''consistently and reliably'' provided emergency communication during and after disasters. The measure notes that the FCC has ''taken actions which have resulted in the loss of at least 107 MHz of spectrum to radio amateurs.'' HR 3572 has been referred to the House Commerce Committee. An effort is under way to enlist additional cosponsors for the measure. The full text of the bill is available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.3572:

DON'T MISS NEWSLINE... THE EARS WIDE AREA NET MEETS MONDAYS AT 8:30 PM CENTRAL ON THE W9EAR REPEATER NETWORK!

The E.A.R.S. newsletter is a monthly production of Electronic Applications Radio Service, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, editor. Send donations, articles, comments or information to the address above or call (812) 479-5741. Articles for the newsletter and/or E-mail can be sent to EARSHAM @aolDOTcom. Information contained may be reproduced, provided that credit is given to the EARS Newsletter.