The EARS WA4IWLetter

AUGUST 1999

It was 54 years ago this month that the greatest tragedy of the Twentieth Century--World War II--came to a close. "Common Valor" the cover story of the 09 August Insight pays tribute to "the generation that came of age during the Depression and won World War II, (for whom) the traditional values of duty, honor, patriotism and sacrifice were second nature". Even liberal talking head Tom Brokaw had the courtesy to refer to these men and women as "the greatest generation" America has ever seen.

My dad, who was wounded in France in WW I, had been on active duty since the National Guard forces were activated in 1940 but, with a Captain's rank, he was too old to again go overseas. A remarkable observation about those who served was their youth. Officers were often commissioned before they were even voting age--21 years back then. One vet recalls "there was a guy who was 28, 10 years older than the rest of us, 11 years older than me, and we called him 'Pop' without irony. We really were a bunch of kids." Yeah, they were kids; kids making the most of Depression-era living; kids who were innocent (certainly by today's "standards"); kids who knew how to obey commands and respect discipline.

The world changed after WW II, as did the lives of those who were in it. The USA abandoned forever President George Washington's advice that we mind our own business and let other countries mind theirs. Wanderlust hit many youngsters who left their homes for military service, and they were no longer content to remain in their home towns as did their parents.

Of the almost 17 million men and women who were in the U.S. Armed Forces between 1941 and 1945, the remaining 5 million are getting a bit long in the tooth. Like all boys growing up Stateside in that era, I had a keen interest in the overseas action, as depicted in the newspapers and "Movietone News" at the theater. In later life, topical history books, presenting the views of opposing combatants, expanded my knowledge of what transpired back then. Only since living in Englewood, however, have I become acquainted with any who were in combat "on either side of the fence". This is my humble tribute to all of you.

73 de Jack, W4JS

The next EARS meeting will be held 20 August at the Englewood United Methodist Church, 700 East Dearborn St. Officers' meeting will be held in the church's library at 6 pm. The business meeting will start at 7:30 pm in Room 400. The FCC's new Universal Licensing System, and its effect on you will be discussed. (See pg. 3 for advance info.) The program will be an ARRL video on Amateur Television. And, don't forget Denny's afterwards!

The FCC has fined CB operator William "Rabbit Ears" Flippo of Jupiter, FL $20,000. He was charged with unlicensed operation on 10 meters, willful interference with ongoing Amateur communications, and refusing to allow FCC inspection of his station on 08 June. (Ed. note: Rabbit Ears apparently also had a reputation for not providing contracted repair work on amateur equipment, according to a local source.)

After some 2 years of complaints regarding interference, FCC agents from the Tampa office used direction-finding equipment to verify that Rabbit Ears was the source of the interference.

The July WA4IWLetter discussed the multitude of "club" callsigns issued to Motoaki Uotome, W9BO. Moto has relinquished some 40 club calls to the FCC.

Over in Lake Worth, FL, Joe Keller, W8WW, has been asked to justify his 5 club calls, including W1GAS, Flatus Amateur Radio Team, and KG4ABE, Bunghole Amateur Radio Fraternity. (Ed. note: I've heard old Joe chasing DX on 75, but he seems to have a fetish for body functions! Split personality, I guess.)

(From 01 August 1999 W5YI Report)

The EARS weekly net meets on the WB0GUX repeater (146.700) at 7:30 pm every Friday except the third Friday, which is our meeting night. Recent net activity follows:

Date NCS Check-Ins

09 July WA4IWL Don 13

23 July KD9SJ Don 7

30 July WA4IWL Don 12

06 Aug WA4IWL Don 14

President Jack Sproat, W4JS, opened the meeting at 7:35 pm. with the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. New member Jim Hanushek, N4JBZ, was introduced and welcomed into the club. Curran Spottswood, KA2RCC, was introduced and welcomed as a guest. Curran is the Pastor at the new Methodist Church in Rotunda. There were no license upgrades to report.

A motion was made by John Fogle, W1JF, to forego reading the minutes of last month's meeting, since they had been published in the newsletter. Seconded by Don Dold, KD9SJ, and carried.

The Treasurer's Report was given by Howard White, KD4MMY, and he made the motion for acceptance. Seconded by John Fogle, W1JF, and the motion carried. The report was filed with the Secretary.

FIELD DAY - Our Field Day results were mailed to ARRL on 12 July. Our score was 1652 points, plus bonus points.

BOCA GRANDE LIGHTHOUSE - A site survey for antennas was done at Boca Grande Lighthouse today in preparation for operation on August 21 and 22 for International Lighthouse weekend. Supports look good for a G5RV dipole and a single band dipole with two stations operating. Those conducting the survey were Jack, W4JS, JR, K9HUY, and Ken, W4JQT. Jack is working on a QSL card for this event and will furnish the log books.

CLUB PINS - There was discussion about having a club pin and, if so, should it contain the club logo. The logo idea was ruled out, but a show of hands for the pin idea was unanimous.

Gabe Meckenberg, K2GQU, made a motion that the concept of the club subsidizing part of the cost of the pin ($1 or $2) be part of the plan. Seconded by Bill Stevens, W1AMU, and carried.

John Fogle, W1JF, made a motion that new members receive a pin at no charge. Seconded by Ken Blackshaw, W1NQT, and carried.

The expected cost of the pin without a logo is $5.50. If a magnetic mount is desired, the cost is $7.50. Final determinations will be made in the Fall when our northern members have returned.

ULS - During August 1999, the FCC will convert Amateurs to the new Universal Licensing System. The old familiar Form 610 will disappear, and new Form 605 will take its place. Form 605 requires a SSN/TIN number, or a license ID number. A license ID number can be obtained by filing Form 606.

RACES - Ken, W4JQT, gave the RACES report.

FCC EXAMS - Jack, W4JS, gave the VE report, and advised that testing will be conducted tomorrow morning at the Englewood Chamber of Commerce at 9:30 a.m. Five candidates are expected

TRAINING - Ken, W4JQT, gave the training report.

DX - JR, K9HUY, gave the DX report.

SCHOLARSHIPS - Gabe Meckenberg, K2GQU, reported on the progress of the Scholarship Committee. He reviewed a list of things to be considered and said both he and Walt Johnson, N2BWM, will submit a written report. At the end of his report, Gabe submitted his resignation from the committee.

At 8:30 p.m., Don Spencer, WA4IWL made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Bert Van Houten, W3TPW, and we adjourned. There were 18 members and 2 guests present at the meeting.

PROGRAM - The program was a video of the VP8SSI DXpedition--The South Sandwich Island Saga.

Ken Anderson, W4JQT

Secretary

The EARS VE Team offers ARRL VEC license exams at 9:30 am the 3rd Saturday of each month at the Chamber of Commerce building, 601 South Indiana Avenue, Englewood. Two-day advance reservation is required.

Candidates must bring:

(1) Original license and a copy of that license.

(2) Original CSCE's and a copy of each CSCE.

(3) Two forms of identification.

(4) Social Security card.

(5) A check in the amount of $6.45 payable to "ARRL VEC", or cash in the above amount.

For further information and reservation, contact Jack Sproat, W4JS, at 475-1929

The 17 July EARS VE test session was attended by five candidates. Don Buffington, W9DAB, of Bradenton passed his 13-wpm Morse and upgraded to Advanced Class. A candidate for the Extra Class written exam failed by only one question.

The session's highlight, however, was the success of Colin, Pamela and Bryce Eggleton from Englewood East. Colin earned his Tech +, and Pamels and Bryce got their Novice tickets. Colin is the Dad, Pamela is the Mom, and Bryce is their 11-year old son!

FOR SALE: No Reasonable Offer will be refused for the following, which were donated to EARS earlier this year: Funds go to the EARS Treasury.

1. Telrex TB4EM tri-band beam; good condition and with all hardware.

2. IBM PS-2 Computer w/386 board, monitor and keyboard; good condition, perfect packet station w/Packratt II on hard drive.

Contact Ken Anderson at 475-3172

On 16 August the FCC will convert the Amateur Radio License data base to its new Universal Licensing System (ULS). The last date that the FCC can receive electronically filed applications from the VECs, based on use of Form 610, is 08 August. Form 610 will be replaced with a 1-page form, FCC 605 (Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Service) and a 2-page Schedule D (Additional Data in the Amateur Radio Service--applicable only to Vanity Callsign requests and medical exemptions). In addition, "All existing license holders and antenna structure owners must file form FCC 606 (TIN Registration Form)". Furthermore, unlike Form 610, which was signed by VEs to indicate exams passed, exam site, etc., FCC 605 makes no provision for such certification. While FCC 605 has been available since November 1998, the ARRL has been very lax in advising amateurs, and ARRL/VE teams, of these new regulations. QST has had no tutorial-type articles on the subject and hs given only brief mention of form FCC 606.

The National Conference of VECs, however, has developed a new NCVEC Form 605 which contains all the information needed for both the new ULS and the VEC System. Thanks to the 01 August W5YI Report, we have copies of this form available such that our VE sessions can continue without interruption. Additional NCVEC forms arrived from ARRL on 06 August.

The following will alert you to the ramifications of the new forms. As a result of Public Law 104-134 (Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996), any person doing business with a Federal agency, i.e., those of us who apply for, or receive, a Federal license, is required to furnish that agency with their TIN/SSN. No ifs, ands or buts!

Under the ULS database, your Social Security Number--not your callsign--is used as your "unique identifier". Item 8a) of FCC 605 requires that the applicant provide their "Taxpayer Identification Number", i.e., SSN. Understandably, many people are reluctant to give their SSN to a group of unknown Volunteer Examiners. Therefore, use of FCC 606 provides privacy in that regard. Use of FCC 606 does not appear to be a voluntary action, however. As previously noted, all existing licensees must file FCC 606 and, in addition, the form "must be submitted prior to applying for a Wireless Telecommunications license". TIN/SSN registration with the FCC results in a 9-character Licensee Identification Number. Registration permits Amateurs to file applications electronically and to update their licenses due to address changes, etc.

Both FCC 605 and 606 can be obtained from the FCC Forms Distribution Center in Maryland by calling 1-800-418-3676 and following the prompts to leave your name and mailing address. Completed forms are mailed to the FCC's Gettysburg address. Those with Internet facility can look at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls.

(From the instructions for use of forms FCC 605 and 606 and the 01 August W5YI Report)

July is almost over, and we have had our fill of hot weather. BUT! August is at hand, and the Weather Channel shows more of the same for the month: hot and rainy.

We have been getting some showers and the grass is now growing slowly. The mornings are cool enough to get out and do some work, or go shopping. The afternoons are the time to head home and relax, as it might rain.

Travelling around town, you can see the road work is going very slowly. Then there are the speed limits of between 35-40 MPH. So, travel is slow. Road Rage is on the upswing. UGH!!!

They are still trying to figure out how they want to remodel the Englewood Beach area.

Well, the Englewood waters had a menace when a 15-foot Hammerhead Shark was spotted around the area where children were playing in the surf. So, the police helicopter landed to get the kids out of the area. Seems the Sting Rays are coming in to lay their eggs and the sharks like them.

Oh, yes, you can also find one store along the beach selling "shark-in-a-bottle". Don't know about that one.

Well, we had an early morning thunder shower, and now it is starting to clear up some.

Wow, here I thought I had a lot to talk about; guess I'm almost out of news.

Am still waiting for a buyer for my house. Have been told that July and August are slow months.

So, I will close and tell everyone to try to stay as cool as possible and take it easy until the Fall season is here.

Take care, and will be in the Grape Vine area next month.

73/88,

Peggy, KF4BD

The Snowbird Net gets together daily at 10 am, 11:45 am and 5:45 pm on 14.278, and at 7:00 pm on 7.230. Get on when you can and let those Birds know the latest news of what's happening here on the beautiful Suncoast!

(The following is self-explanatory and of special benefit to those not present at the June and July meetings. We truly appreciate the efforts expended by Gabe and Walt.. Later this year, when the Snowbirds are back with us, we will survey the membership to determine support for establishment of a scholarship fund. Thanks again to Walt and Gabe for their initial assistance.)

TO: President and Members of EARS

This special Committee was created by action of the President at the June, 1999 meeting of this Society. The Committee was charged with the responsibility of ascertaining the practicality of establishment of a scholarship fund by EARS. The sole members appointed were Walt Johnson, N2BWM, and Gabe Meckenberg, K2GQU.

The Committee saw the prime aspects of its assignment to essentially be: a finding of student need for scholarship money, how money may be assuredly raised, and how and by whom the program should be governed.

From the fact that schools, foundations, churches and many other entities maintain scholarship programs, the Committee assumed there exists a need for money and did no independent investigation. How to best raise the money to fund scholarships is the more difficult question.

In the approximate 10 years of EARS existence it has increased its assets from $00.00 to about $4,000, or about $400 per year. EARS has about 100 members and is likely to remain about that size for the foreseeable future. Dues as now established, or as reasonably increased, will not raise much money for scholarship funding. If it is the desire of EARS to award scholarships of but a few hundred dollars per year, it will have to rely on outside activities to raise it. Raising money is a special aspect of scholarship objectives not broached by this Committee.

Other special aspects include candidate qualifications, candidate selection, monitoring of performance, grounds for termination of award, and like details which ere not examined. This Committee does not feel qualified to speak on these topics.

The granting of scholarship money, the withholding or withdrawal thereof, is serious business best not lightly undertaken. The undersigned Committee members do not have the necessary qualifications to make even the preliminary decisions. We recommend that the committee membership be enlarged to bring forth more intelligence, more diversity of opinion, and more hands for carrying the load.

To give the Officers more freedom to implement the recommendations above made, the undersigned, sole members of this Committee, hereby submit our respective resignations.

The ARRL Board of Directors has ordered a membership vote on the West Central Florida Section proposal. League members in nine West Central Florida counties will be receiving an official ballot sometime in the next three weeks. Members are asked to cast their vote and return the ballot to ARRL Headquarters in Newington, CT.

The ballot, according to information received today (27 July 1999) from Rick Palm, ARRL Field Services Manager, will ask if the member's county of residence should be moved to the new West Central Florida Section. A YES vote will approve the question. The more votes approving the move, the better the chances this new Section will be created.

The nine counties involved are Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota. Total ARRL membership in these counties exceed (sic) 2,600 members. The new Section, when formed, would rank 26th by population among 71 Sections,

The campaign for this new Section has focused on several key issues:

- Improved visibility and accessibility of Section officials with Clubs and all members

- Improved communications with Clubs and all members

- Greater attention to West Central Florida Amateur Radio issues, including proposed tower ordinances

- Sectionwide ARES Emergency/Public Service Coordination

- Better support for ARRL Served Agencies including the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the National Weather Service

- Growing ARRL membership through better service

- Improving Public Awareness of Amateur Radio through a Speaker's Bureau and a more aggressive media program

- Growing the Amateur Radio ranks through a coordinated Education effort

- Continued support for NTS and ARRL programs

Please see SECTION UPDATE, pg. 7

From August 1999 Worldradio, August 1999 CQ and August 1999 QST.

We apologize to Frank Maren, W4VV, and his good wife, Mickey, and to John Fogle, W1JF, and his good wife, Nancy, for not mentioning their Field Day efforts in the July WA4IWLetter. They were responsible for preparing the picnic lunch held after our Field Day operation closed down on 27 June. There was a good turnout of members for this social aspect of Field Day, and all enjoyed the good food and ambience. Thanks, Frank, Mickey, John and Nancy!

A reminder that 21-22 August is International Lighthouse Weekend, and K8ONV will be on the air from the grounds of the Boca Grande Lighthouse for this event. This is an opportunity to obtain exposure for our hobby and for the Boca Grande Lighthouse to become known outside our immediate area.

Ken, W4JQT, JR, K9HUY, and Jack, W4JS, visited the lighthouse during July to check out the availability of power and to take photos. The most suitable of these photos will be printed on our QSL, which will also relate the history of the lighthouse since its construction in 1890.

We have rather well decided on antennas and rigs; hopefully, we can have two stations going at the same time. Anyone who wants to operate or log could help. Anyone with a HF rig at home that can get on and just say "HI" to us can help make this a success. So, see what you can do to make our first-ever special event operation a real success.

An old man, going a lone highway

Came at the evening, cold and gray

To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,

Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim--

The sullen stream held no fear for him--

But he turned, when he reached the other side

And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,

"You are wasting your strength in building here;

Your journey will end with the ending day--

You never again must pass this way.

You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide.

Why build you this bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old, gray head.

"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,

"There followeth after me today

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm that has been naught' to me,

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim.

Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

(Thanks to Ken Anderson, W4JQT, for suggesting this poem, "Author Unknown". These words should give us all cause to think of how we, as individuals, can help someone--anyone--who could benefit from our past personal experiences. Pause a moment and think: For whom can you be a "bridge builder"?)

Updated 07 August 1999, based on 09 August QRZ DX and 06 August The 59(9) DX Report. Solar Flux assumed at 170 for all forecasts.

Notes: NO = No opening forecast. ??? = Callsign not yet known. Long path bearings and opening times (if any) are underlined.

Starting July with a Solar Flux of 195 the 1st, the flux bottomed out at 130 on 14-15 July and ended the month at 201. Minor geomagnetic storms early in July, major geomagnetic storms 30 July, and major solar flares on 19 and 29 July caused DX propagation during the month to vary from excellent to "dead bands". DXing during July definitely was a challenge! The Flux averaged 167 for July; little change from June. A smoothed Solar Flux in the low- to mid-140s is forecast for August

The August propagation forecasts ("Propagation" by George Jacobs, W3ASK, August 1999 CQ) follow:

Late August and early September are days when DX forecasting is unpredictable as conditions can change from day to day. On some days the bands will show June-July conditions and on other days Autumnal characteristics will prevail, with higher daytime MUFs and lower nighttime MUFs. Therefore, be prepared for anything!

DX propagation on 10 and 12 meters may be possible during the afternoon to South America and Africa.

Expect 15 and 17 meters to be the best bands during most of the daylight hours.

While the 20-meter band is expected to remain open to some area or other of the world just about around the clock, optimum DX openings will occur for an hour or two after sunrise and again during the late afternoon and early evening hours.

Conditions on 40 and 75 meters tend to peak just as the Sun begins to rise on the eastern end of the path.

Although on the decrease, fairly frequent sporadic-E ionization is expected to continue during August, resulting in some good short-skip openings on 10 and 6 meters over distances of approximately 600 to 1300 miles. During periods of very intense and widespread sporadic-E ionization, double-hop openings up to 2600 miles may be possible. An occasional 2-meter opening may occur during August over distances of 1000 to 1400 miles.

Probable best DX days for remainder of month: 25 and 26 August should be "Above Normal"; 14, 16-18, 20-22 and 30-31 August should be "High Normal".

Although six meters is nearly double the frequency of ten meters, the propagation characteristics of 6 more closely resemble 10 than of 2 meters or the other VHF bands. For example, Transequatorial Propagation, or TEP, is very common on both 6 and 10 metes. In TEP, both stations are about equidistant, north and south, from the magnetic equator.

Regular listening on 10 meters can give advance notice of potential openings on 6 meters. Use of the beacon system (28.200 to 28.300 on ten and 50.060 to 50.090 on 6 in the USA and 50.000 to 50.090 elsewhere) is a good start. Listening for both loud 10-meter beacons and 10-meter SSB signals may indicate potential 6-meter openings from the same areas. Monitor 28.885, where many 6-meter operators announce reports and compare notes. Monitor 50.125, the national 6-meter calling frequency.

Monitoring 10 meters can give notice of potential E_s and F_s openings on 6, as the MUF starts to climb. There is a specific relationship between frequency and distance covered by radio waves. For example, hearing stations 400 to 800 miles via 10-meter E_s means that 6 meters is open in the same direction to stations about 1000 miles distant. The shorter the distance for strong 10-meter E_s, the better the possibility for 6-meter E_s activity.

What with all those IC-746 rigs popping up locally, maybe this will entice some to get on "The Magic Band".

(From "The Sister Bands, 10 and 6 Meters" by Ken Neubeck, WB2AMU, August 1999 CQ VHF)

The other day a QRPer queried us, "What is DX, anyway?" Our dictionary defines it as "Distance". This is a relative term, and most will find that DX is a moveable feast. DX is what you want but do not have. That's the way it has always been; that's the way it will be. Son of a Gun! DX is relative; sometimes more so, Albert says.

(Adapted from DX IS! The Best of the West Coast DX Bulletin, edited/published by C. T. Allen, W5DV, and J. M. Allen, W6OGC. c. 1981)

With all the gangs and the increasing violence in our schools, what in the world is happening with our kids today?

Let's see....I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained that she didn't want any prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you had better not read the Bible in school. The Bible that says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and to love your neighbor as yourself. And we said, OK.

Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. And we said, an expert should know what he's talking about so we won't spank them anymore.

Then someone said that teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And the school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued. And we accepted their reasoning.

Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want and they won't even have to tell their parents. And we said, that's a grand idea.

Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to "do it" anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the "fun" they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school. And we said, that's another great idea.

And then some of our top elected officials said that it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. And agreeing with them, we said it doesn't matter to me what anyone, including the President, does in private as long as I have a job and the economy is good.

Then someone said let's print magazines with pictures of nude women and call it wholesome down-to earth appreciation of the beauty of the female body. And we said we have no problem with that.

And someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then stepped further still by making them available on the Internet. And we said they're entitled to their free speech.

And the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence, and illicit sex. And let's record music that encourages homosexuality, rape, drugs, murder, suicide and satanic themes. And we said it's just entertainment and has no adverse effect and nobody takes it seriously anyway so go right ahead.

Therefore, now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with...."we reap what we sow".

(Ed. note: Thanks to Don DiBello, KF4WJW, for the above, written by Clarence Schultz, a minister and retired Navy chaplin. The closing comments of The American Leadership Tradition, Moral Vision from Washington to Clinton, by Marvin Olasky are appropriate: "When shepherds take the wrong path, sheep follow. The United States desperately needs honest and discerning shepherds to lead it into the next century.")

From pg. 4

Members wanting more information on the West Central Florida Section proposal can contact the Committee by calling toll-free 1-877-923-2775, or by visiting the WCF Section Committee's website on the Internet at http:/www.qsl.net/wcfla.

VY 73!

Paul J. Toth - K2SEC

West Central Florida Section Committee

Secretary - Clearwater ARS

(Thanks to Ken Anderson, W4JQT, who received this via E-Mail from K2SEC)

One of the local QRPers came by to ask about gray line propagation. We offered our best in reply. "To understand this matter, you must understand the equation of time. This equation results from both the ellipticity of the earth's orbit, and the consequent non-uniform motion of the sun along the elliptic, as well as the obliquity of the ecliptic, the angle at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator. These factors cause the sun to rise, set and cross the meridian as much as 15 minutes before or after the time it would have were its daily motion uniform." The QRPer was silent after hearing all this and there was a glassy look in his eyes. We nudged him a bit, asking, "How about that; does it answer your question?" The QRPer managed to stir a bit and his eyes refocused. "That answer sounded real good and I understood every word of it. But I forgot what the question was!"

(Adapted from DX IS! The Best of the West Coast DX Bulletin, edited/published by C. T. Allen, W5DV, and J. M. Allen, W6OGC. c. 1981)