A covering lemma for maximal operators with unbounded kernels (Q1089604)

Let K(x) be a positive function supported on the unit disk in the plane that is constant along each radius. K is determined by its restriction to the circle, g(\(\theta)\). Let \(M_ K\) be the maximal operator given by convolving with dilates of K. If g is integrable on (0,2\(\pi)\), then \(M_ K\) takes \(L^ p\) to \(L^ p\) for \(p>1.\) The result of this paper is that if, in addition, g is decreasing on (0,2\(\pi)\) and \(\theta\cdot g(\theta)\) is increasing, then \(M_ K\) takes \(L^ 1\) to Weak \(L^ 1\). The proof resembles a covering lemma, but the standard methods do not apply because the kernel K may be unbounded.