[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1288 - April 19 2002

Tim Miller tmiller at nethawk.com
Sun Apr 21 21:43:21 EDT 2002


Amateur Radio Newsline 1288 - April 19 2002 
 
Amateur Radio volunteerism is praised at the N-A-B Ham 
Radio Reception and a Montana senator calls for a change 
in the way the United States oversees the electromagnetic 
spectrum.  These stories are first on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1288 coming your way right now. 
(Billboard Cart Here) 
 
** 
 
AMERICA AT WAR: HAMS PRAISED AT NAB AMATEUR RADIO MIXER 
 
The heroism of ham radio operators who donate their services 
in times of national disaster, and especially those who 
volunteered in the days following the 911 terrorist attacks 
was not forgotten at this years National Association of 
Broadcasters Ham Radio Reception.  The April 10th gathering 
was co-hosted by Kenwood Communications and CQ Magazine.  It 
was CQ publisher Dick  Ross, K2MGA, who took time to honor 
those hams who put their lives on hold, to be there when 
needed: 
 
 
-- 
K2MGA:  "I do want to take a moment to focus a little bit of 
attention on how proud we have a right to be as Radio 
Amateurs.  I think we saw that on September 11th, when 
thousands upon thousands of hams throughout the United 
States jumped in their cars -- or -- in the New York are -- 
hopped onto the subways -- with back packs filled with radio 
equipment and did whatever they could.  They are still doing 
`whatever they can,' and that is really what Amateur Radio 
is all about." 
-- 
 
Ross comments were enthusiastically received.  CQ was 
represented at the gathering by Ross and Editor Rich 
Moseson, W2VU.  Also making presentations were Kenwood's 
Paul Middelton K4NUH and ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP. 
600 to 800 radio amateurs who attended the NAB convention 
also usually show up at the Ham Radio Reception. 
** 
 
 
SPECTRUM ISSUES:  SENATOR TO ASK FOR COMPLETE SPECTRUM 
REVIEW 
 
A U-S Senator says that its time to overhaul the method by 
which the United States manages the entire electromagnetic 
spectrum. Montana Senator Conrad Burns, said on Monday, 
April 15th that he plans to introduce such legislation. 
Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has the 
details: 
 
-- 
Senator Conrad Burns says that he expects a two to three 
year battle over the legislation he plans to introduce this 
congressional season.  But Burns also told a packed audience 
at the recent National Association of Broadcasters 
Convention in Las Vegas that he is going to put together a 
total spectrum reform bill because he does not think that 
Congress should be piecemealing how it makes spectrum 
available. 
 
Senator Burns told the NAB audience that he predicts an 
intense battle over the legislation affecting multiple 
constituencies.   He noted that many frequency bands are 
used by government agencies like the Department of Defense 
Department.  Burns said that he is still awaiting a report 
from the General Accounting Office which is reviewing a 
large number of spectrum issues and related government 
practices. 
 
And what does this mean to ham radio?  In the short term 
probably very little.  In the long run it could affect our 
future survival. 
 
Depending on the scope of the Burns legislation and how much 
of it -- if any -- is ever enacted by Congress, the future 
use of all spectrum could well come under a bureaucratic 
microscope.  Those services that legislators do not feel 
justify spectrum could -- eventually -- loose it. 
 
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP 
 
-- 
 
Earlier plans to move some government operations to other 
spectrum now have little support in the wake of the 
September 11th terrorist attacks.  Meantime, numerous 
telecommunications companies are pressuring the government 
to make large portions of spectrum available quickly, to 
introduce new consumer wireless services.  (Published 
reports) 
 
** 
 
HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW FRENCH HAMSATS COMING 
 
AMSAT has announced that two new French Amateur Radio mini 
satellites or picosats are planned for launch on May 3rd. 
This, as secondary payloads with the SPOT-5 satellite. 
 
The two hamsats are being funded, designed and built by 
AMSAT-France.  They are battery powered and should operate 
from orbit  about 40 days.  Both will transmit recorded 
voice messages using Narrow Band FM along with digital 
telemetry.  Data will be transmitted at 400 baud BPSK. 
Downlink frequencies are listed as 145.84 MHz and 435.27 
MHz. 
 
An Ariane 4 booster will carry the satellites to orbit but 
the ham radio birds will not be free floating.  Rather they 
will remain fastened to the Ariane's third stage at a panned 
altitude of about 800 kilometers.  Both of these new birds 
will switched on about ten days after the launch.  (ANS) 
 
** 
 
HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AMSAT-NA TO RE-EVALUATE THE FUTURE 
 
Meantime, AMSAT North America President Robin Haighton, 
VE3FRH,  has called a special Board of Directors meeting for 
April 20th.  This,  to review the current fiscal situation 
and to decide on a proper course of action for upcoming ham 
radio space projects. 
 
In a published column earlier this year, Haighton had 
commented that financial support coming to AMSAT for the 
Eagle satellite and other projects have been reduced as a 
result 911.  Haighton now says that this continues to be the 
case. 
 
Haighton does say that the design of another satellite 
called Echo is progressing and he should have more 
information to make public next month.  The AMSAT North 
America president adds that the organizations forum at the 
upcoming Dayton Hamvention will offer a closer look at 
several proposed satellite projects.  (ANS) 
 
** 
 
ENFORCEMENT NEEDED:  WORLDWIDE QRM TO 40 METERS 
 
The March issue of the Monitoring System Newsletter talked 
about a rogue broadcast from Eritrea on 7.100 Mhz.  A 
transmission that continues to be heard well in eastern 
North America. 
 
 
According to the IARU, this broadcast can at times also be 
heard around the world.  Also, the report says that its 
lower sideband can dominate the top few kilohertz of the 
7.000 to 7.100 MHz Amateur band.  (ANS) 
 
 
** 
 
 
ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ARRESTS NYC UNLICENSED BROADCASTER 
 
 
An unlicensed broadcaster has been arrested for refusing to 
shut down operations. Paul Dorleans was taken into federal 
custody on April 15th for operating an unlicensed FM radio 
station on 87.9 MHz in Brooklyn New York. 
 
 
The FCC says that earlier enforcement actions had failed to 
discourage Dorleans' unlicensed operation of the FM Station. 
The FCC, on more than one occasion, had issued notices to 
Dorleans directing him to cease operation.  And the U.S. 
Marshal's Service, in conjunction with the United States 
Attorney's Office and the FCC, had seized his radio 
equipment on one previous occasion. 
 
 
The United States Marshals Service arrested Dorleans working 
in conjunction with FCC Agents and the Office of the United 
States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.  So 
far this year, investigation of unlicensed broadcast 
operation by the FCC's Enforcement Bureau has resulted in 
the shutdown of over 20 unlicensed stations.  Dorleans faces 
the possibility of a heavy fine and a prison sentence if 
convicted.  (FCC Release) 
 
** 
 
ENFORCEMENT:  FCC TO UTILITIES - DON'T INTERFERE WITH HAMS 
 
The FCC has issued letters to five power utility companies 
to request that they contact and work with Amateur Radio 
operators in the area to resolve power line interference 
problems.  According to FCC Special Counsel for Amateur 
Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth, the utility companies 
are: 
 
-- 
Hollingsworth:  "Anderson Indiana City Utility, the Dominion 
Power Company in Richmond Virginia, Northeast Utilities in 
Berlin Connecticut, Southern California Edison in Rosemont 
California and the Soccoro Electric Co-Op in Soccoro New 
Mexico." 
-- 
 
Hollingsworth says that the companies were instructed to 
report back in 90 days to outline the progress made in 
clearing these interference complaints.  (FCC, RAIN) 
 
** 
 
SPECIAL COMMS:  RADIO SOLO NOW ON THE GROUND 
 
The United States military broadcasts to Afghanistan are 
still being widely heard on 8.700 Mhz, but are now land 
based.  The broadcasts are being produced by the same unit 
that produced the Commando Solo airborne transmissions 
during the early stages of the war on terrorism.  (Media 
Network) 
 
** 
 
NET INFO:  BAJA NET MOVES 
 
WB0YCQ reports that the Baja Maritime Mobile Net which meets 
7 days a week at 8:00 am Pacific Daylight savings time has 
moved to 7.262 MHz plus or minus a few kilohertz.  This is 
due to interference on the original net frequency.  (WB0YCQ) 
 
** 
 
CONVENTIONS & HAMFESTS:  SEVHFS IN LATE APRIL 
 
The Sixth Annual Southeastern VHF Society Conference is 
slated for April 26th and 27th in Oak Ridge Tennessee. 
Program highlights include, antenna gain measurements, pre 
amp gain and noise figure measurements, a Friday evening 
flea market with vendor displays, a Friday evening tour of 
nearby Ten Tec, and Saturday evening banquet with guest 
speaker Joe Dooley, P.E.  of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 
For more information contact Greg Robinson KB4NVD by e-mail 
to Rover at wireco.net  (SEVHFS via VHF Reflector) 
 
** 
 
CONVENTIONS AND HAMFESTS:  MT. BEACON HAMFEST POSTPONED 
 
The Mt. Beacon New York Hamfest, scheduled for Sunday April 
21st has been postponed. Planners say they are looking to 
reschedule.  Stay tuned to Amateur Radio Newsline for an 
announcement of the new date.  (KL7JCQ, WA2BSS) 
 
** 
 
THE SUPPORT FUND REPORT WITH ANDY JAREMA N6TCQ 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, with some words regarding Amateur 
Radio Newsline's current fiscal situation, here is Support 
Fund Administrator Andy Jarema, N6TCQ: 
 
-- 
That's right.  Its me.  A.J.. And when you hear my voice you 
know I am here for one of two reasons.  One is the bad - as 
in - help we need your financial support.  The other is to 
say thanks to those of you who have kicked in to keep 
amateur Radio Newsline coming your way. 
 
This week it's the bad.  The numbers for the first three 
months of 2002 are in and its not good news.  Right now we 
have about $145 in the bank and close to a thousand dollars 
in back bills sitting on my desk.  And the people we owe 
money to like the phone company and our Internet providers 
want to be paid. 
 
The bottom line is that this is once again a financial 
emergency.  Only you can keep these weekly newscasts coming 
your way.  We need your help, and we need it right now. 
 
And remember.  Amateur Radio Newsline Newsline is a federal 
501c 3 corporation and a California certified non-profit 
corporation.  This means that all contributions are tax 
deductible. 
 
The address for the Newsline Support fund is PO Box 660937, 
Arcadia, CA 
91066. 
 
For the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund,  I'm Andy 
Jarema, N6TCQ. 
 
 
-- 
 
Again that's the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, P.O. 
Box 660937, Arcadia California 91066.  (ARNewsline™ Support 
Fund) 
 
** 
 
HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  JERRY ROSS SETS SPACEWALK RECORD 
 
United States Astronaut Jerry Ross, N5SCW has set a 
personal best .  On Tuesday April 16th Ross made his 9th 
spacewalk on the latest of his seven orbital flights.  In 
doing this, the 54 year old retired Air Force Colonel set 
the record for the greatest number of flights and spacewalks 
ever by an Astronaut or Cosmonaut. 
 
Prior to his current flight, N5SCW had logged 1133 hours in 
space.
 
Ross is flying for the seventh time and may not get an 
eighth turn.  This is because of other astronauts in line 
for flights.  (Published reports) 
 
** 
 
INTERNATIONAL-RUSSIA:  SPACE TOURIST READY TO FLY 
 
The world's second would-be space tourist is almost ready 
for takeoff.  Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, has the details: 
 
-- 
Russian space officials say that Internet industrialist Mark 
Shuttleworth has completed most of his training and is ready 
to visit the International Space Station. 
 
Shuttleworth is a 28-year-old South African economist who 
made his  fortune with an Internet business.  He said he 
would conduct gene engineering studies while on the space 
station using animal stem cells.  He said he hoped his 
research could be used to help find cures for Alzheimer's 
and Parkinson's disease. 
 
Liftoff of has been set for April 25th from the Baikonur 
Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.  Shuttleworth confirmed that he is 
paying $20 million for the trip but in installments that 
will be complete only when the mission is over.  That's the 
same sum American Dennis Tito, KG6FZX, paid Russian space 
agencies last year to fly to the international station, 
becoming the world's first space tourist. 
 
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeramy Boot, G4NJH 
 
-- 
 
Its not yet known if Shuttleworth will be licensed to 
operate the ham radio gear on board the I-S-S.  (Space 
Adventures, published reports) 
 
** 
 
INTERNATIONAL - NEW ZEALAND:  POWER COMMS STANDARDS TO BE 
SET 
 
Powerline telecommunications and its potential as a source 
of interference will be a major topic to be discussed in New 
Zealand.  This, from September 16th to the 30th.  The 
gathering is slated for the city of Christchurch where a 
newly established committees, is working to create common 
standards for information technology equipment  and radio 
and television products.  According to NZART, this should 
prove beneficial to that nations radio amateurs.  (NZART) 
 
** 
 
INTERNATIONAL - ZIMBABWE:  BBC SUSPENDED FROM CAB 
 
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has been suspended 
from   the  Commonwealth Broadcasting Association for a 
year.  This, as the print Media in Zimbabwe is becoming 
increasingly outspoken about   the Zimbabwe Broadcasting 
Corporation and its political role in that nation.  More 
information is on the web at 
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/zimbabwe-latest.html. 
(Media Network) 
 
** 
 
 
DX 
 
In D-X, The VK9ML DXpedition to Mellish Reef should be on 
the air as this newscast goes to air. The multi-national 
team will be on the air through the 22nd of April.  (GB2RS) 
 
Also, GB2RS reports that another major multi-operator 
DXpedition will be active as XW1HS from Laos.  The 
operators, all resident in Thailand, include American, 
British, Swedish and Spanish operators, as well as 11 Thai 
nationals.  (GB2RS) 
 
** 
 
THAT FINAL ITEM - HAM RADIO IN THE MOVIES:  IMAX ISS MOVIE 
PREMIERES 
 
And finally this week, ham radio is not only at a film 
premiere.  It is actually an important part of the movie. 
This as the new 3-D motion picture about the International 
Space Station gets to the giant screen in a press preview on 
April 16th.  Amateur Radio Newslines Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, 
has more: 
 
-- 
The movie we are talking about is the new IMAX film called 
Space Station. Amateur Radio on the International Space 
Station is a part of it.  According to ARISS Program Manager 
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, the film simply breathtaking: 
 
-- 
KA3HDO:  "It was the closest way that an individual could 
experience space without going to it themselves.  It was 
spectacular from the persoective that you really felt like 
you were there.  hat you were part of the team that was 
making Space Station happen. 
 
It just was phenominal.  Breathtaking views of the Earth, of 
Space Station and inside the cabin of the space station." -- 
 
Bauer says that it was pretty awesome to see Astronaut Bill 
Shepherd talk to the Texas students with using ham radio 
equipment.  Also, ARISS appears in the movie's credits. 
 
According to Bauer, there were 21 members of the ARISS 
volunteer team attending and supporting the sneak preview. 
Visitors included Astronauts Bill Shepherd and Yuri Usachev. 
Also attending were the film's producer Toni Meyers and 
National Air and Space Museum Curator Jack Dailey.  The 
comments were all glowing and Bauer says that this is a must 
see movie. 
 
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. 
 
-- 
 
Consult local listings to find out when Space Station will 
be shown at an IMAX or OMNIMAX  theater near you.  (KA3HDO, 
ARNewsline) 
 
** 
 
NEWSCAST CLOSE 
 
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC 
Communicator, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX 
Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB and Australia's 
Q-News, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline(tm). 
 
Before we go, a reminder that the nominating period for the 
2002 amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award is 
now open.  No significant changes from last year.  Nominees 
must be 18 or younger.  Full rules, an application and 
information on contacting us is on our only official 
website at www.arnewsline.org. 
 
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, 
I'm Mert Garlick, N6AWE, 73, and we thank you for 
listening."  Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright  2002. 
All rights reserved. 
 
 




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