The Pennsylvania DX Association has assumed responsibility for the bureau. All envelopes and cards on file at the former incoming W3 bureau have been transferred to the Pennsylvania DX Association. Also, Neil Carr, G0JHC reporets via the VHF reflector that 4X1IF has been granted permission by Israeli telecommunications authorities to run a 50 MHZ beacon from his home. Neil says that Ralph has already installed a halo antenna on his tower and the beacon system itself is now complete. The beacon will take to the air in early May on 50.058 MHZ running about 3 watts and initially with Ralph's 4X1IF call.
Reports say that the satellite's transponder is putting out a beacon tone.
Also, the downlink has been intermittently functional. As such it has been plagued by solar radiation corrupting its on-board computer. Also, low levels of sunlight reaching its panels have kept it off the air. Sammy was the recipient of Newsline's 1991 Young Ham of the Year award. Now some six years later Sammy is the recipient of yet another honor.