[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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