[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1291 - May 10th 2002
Tim Miller
tmiller at nethawk.com
Sun May 12 17:12:29 EDT 2002
Amateur Radio Newsline 1291 - May 10th 2002
The following is a Q-S-T. Mark Shuttleworth returns to Earth after his
ham radio odyssey in space. This story is first on Amateur Radio
Newsline report number 1291 coming your way right now.
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: MARK SHUTTLEWORTH RETURNS TO EARTH
South African space explorer Mark Shuttleworth was greeted with Easter
eggs and cake as he returned to earth on Sunday May 5th, This, after a
ten day stay on the International Space Station that he called
unforgettable. And ham radio operators around the world will remember
his trip for a long time as well. Amateur Radio Newsline's Roy Neal,
K6DUE, has the wrap-up on Mark Shuttleworth's ham radio space odyssey:
--
"Every second will be imprinted and will be with me for the rest of my
life."
Those were the words of a happy Mark Shuttleworth as he was carried away
from the Russian Soyuz capsule that brought him and two fellow
passengers back down to earth in Kazakhstan on Sunday, May 5th at 7:51
a.m. Moscow time. Before his return to Earth, Shuttleworth delighted
hams around the world when he showed up on the air and made numerous
random contacts. In short order he was working them like a D-Xpedition
pro.
--
That recording was supplied by Stan Vandiver, W4SV. We compressed it to
give you a glimpse of the way Mark Shuttleworth took to ham radio and
the way that ham radio welcomed him.
One ham lucky enough to record both sides of his contact with
Shuttleworth was Al Lark, KD4SFF. Using the Experimenters Group Amateur
Radio Club callsign N4ISS mobile, Lark spoke with Shuttleworth on May
1st at 9:20 A-M Eastern Daylight Time:
--
According to Lark, that contact was made from his work van during coffee
break in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.
Mark Shuttleworth's operation from the International Space Station was
made possible by ARISS. Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station. Amateurs from nine countries, in the USA, Russia, Japan,
Europe and Canada, have set up ARISS, to design, build, maintain and
supervise all operations of the amateur radio station aboard the ISS,
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Roy Neal, K6DUE.
--
Shuttleworth is the second person to pay Russia for a trip to the I-S-S.
The first was U.S. businessman Dennis Tito, KG6FZX, who travelled to and
operated from the space station a year ago. (ARNewsline™ with audio
supplied by W4SV and KD4SFF)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: THE OTHER HAM IN THE CREW
Almost lost in the shadow of Mark Shuttleworth is Italian Astronaut
Roberto Vittori, IZ6ERU. Vittori was a member of the crew that brought
a new Russian built Soyuz escape vehicle and explorer Mark Shuttleworth
to the ISS. And while on board the space station, Vittori also took to
the air in his native Italian using the ARISS station:
--
That recording was made by IT9GSV as Vittori was flying over Rome.
Among the other contacts Vittori made was one with a school in the town
of Malignani on May the third. (Tnx: IT9GSV, IK1SLD via SAREX
Remailer)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: TEEN IDOL MAY BE NEXT SPACE TOURIST
The next space tourist to visit the International Space Station could be
a teen heart-throb. Lance Bass, one-fifth the teen pop group *NSYNC,
says that he has passed his first battery of tests in his effort to fly
into space on a Russian spacecraft later this year.
In a recent television interview, Bass said he is attempting to keep
time free during the bands current tour so he can participate in
additional medical tests in the U.S.. If they go well, Bass says that
he will be heading back to Russia to see if he can qualify for a fall
mission to the ISS.
Bass was in Russia last March to undergo an initial series of physical
tests. The 22-year-old pop singer's is attempting to qualify for a seat
on the Russian mission that's set to launch on October 22nd and return
to earth on November 1st. If Bass is approved to fly, it is not known if
he would have time to study for a United States Amateur Radio license or
if he would be interested in using the ham gear on board the ISS.
By the way, the same news report says that Bass' trip to the Star City
Cosmonaut Training Center was paid for in part by Radio Shack. Last
year Radio Shack filmed a television commercial aboard the international
space station. (Published news reports)
**
RESCUE RADIO: AMATEURS MUSTER FOR WEATHER EMERGENCIES
The ARRL Letter says that Amateur Radio Emergency Service teams
activated or stood by to assist as severe weather struck several states
in late April. The National Weather Service said storms over the
weekend of the 27th and 28th left pockets of devastation from Kentucky
to Maryland. Amateur Radio Newsline's David Black, KB4KCH, picks up the
story from here:
--
La Plata, Maryland was hit hard April 28th when an F5 tornado roared
through the town's business district. This time, the agencies that
normally help during disasters were themselves hit. The local American
Red Cross chapter office and a building housing the Charles County
Emergency Operations Center were damaged.
Tom Abernethy, W3TOM is ARRL's Maryland Section Manager. He says
Michelle Sack, N3YRZ, who was on duty at the LaPlata hospital broke
into a SKYWARN net to report a tornado. Sack reported a the massive
storm was only one-half mile away to the west and heading directly for
her location.
Sack tracked and described the tornado until it struck and then
continued to provide on-the-scene assessments. Other amateurs along the
storm's track also provided reports on severity and damage.
Mike Tackish, KA3GRW is the county's ARES Emergency Coordinator and
RACES officer. He activated the local ARES and RACES team's emergency
operations. Hams set up a command and control net on UHF, and used VHF
channels to supply communications for the hospital which lost telephone
service and internal communications. Hams also helped the Red Cross
with communications.
Hams were also busy helping the National Weather Service as the agency
conducted a follow-up investigation of the tornado which had winds of
around 260 miles an hour.
Also on the same date, hams in Kentucky were busy when severe weather
struck that state. Radio amateurs used a wide area repeater net to
relay important information to help the Weather Service and the Meade
County Emergency Management Agency.
Weather service forecasters wound up issuing a Tornado Warning based on
reports from radio amateurs. One person died, with homes in the
Irvington area being damaged or destroyed. Nearly a dozen hams assisted
with communications.
In Erie, Pennsylvania, hams were providing communications for a March of
Dimes 9-mile walk April 28th, when severe weather prompted them to
activate a Skywarn Net. Buildings were damaged at Erie International
Airport--trees and power lines were knocked down, but no injuries were
reported.
For the Amateur Radio Nrewsline, I'm David Black, KB4KCH.
--
Thats not the end of it. On April 24th, tornadoes struck Butler, Carter
and Madison counties in south-eastern Missouri. More than 100 homes
were damaged or destroyed. ARRL Missouri Section Emergency Coordinator
Patrick Boyle, K0JPB, said ARES teams and individual amateurs remained
on standby to assist if needed during the recovery effort. (ARRL
Letter)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ASSIST IN NEW MEXICO FIRE COMMS
Amateur radio played a significant communications role in fighting the
New Mexico wildfires. According to Jay Miller, WA5WHN, both Otero and
Lincoln Counties were affected. Albuquerque was linked to Benson Ridge
neat Alamogordo via the W5BI remote base with support from stations in
Roswell and Ruidoso. This in support of the Red Cross and other
agencies. Also, the 146.74 and 145.23 MHz repeaters plus 3.939 MHz
Lower Sideband were in use.
The Red Cross had set up a shelter in the city of Cloudcroft. During
the blaze several hams were forced to out of the area because they were
in the path of the fire. They were located in a recreational vehicle in
a near-by campground. (WA5WHN, ARNewsline)
**
RESCUE RADIO: PHONES FAIL IN UK AND HAMS CALLED OUT
The United States is not the only place where radio amateurs have been
busy. Ham radio operators who belong to the emergency service group
Raynet were also called up after the telephone system failed in one area
of the United Kingdom. Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham has more.
--
A major failure of the telephone system in south-west Hampshire and part
of Wiltshire occurred during the evening of the 25th of April. At 2030,
Bob, G4VWP, received a call from the Duty Emergency Planning Officer for
Hampshire, requesting that Raynet be put on standby, ready for callout
should the need arise. Later another call was received asking that, if
required, Raynet should set up a VHF communications link between the
police Command and Control Center at Netley and police HQ in Winchester.
Thirty-four members from four groups indicated that they were available
for callout. The Forward Control Land Rover and 60-foot mobile tower
were collected from storage and a portable mast, radio, power supply and
associated equipment were made ready to take to the police headquarters.
The callout was led by Clive McCloud, G4EFB, Roger Davies, G8SXC, John
Witts, G6BBW, Ian Duffy, G7GMN, and Dave Minett, G6DJA.
Jeramy Boot, G4NJH in Nottingham.
--
Eventually it was found that ham radio assistance would not be needed.
Raynet members were dismissed at 23:10 UTC. (GB2RS)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC DOWNGRADES SIX TECHS
The FCC has notified six Technician class hams that they have been
downgraded to no-code Technician status. This, as a result of an audit
of a May 2000 ARRL V-E-C administered exam session in Statesboro
Georgia. The FCC's Riley Hollingsworth says that the problem was not
the applicants but rather the test itself:
--
Hollingsworth: "We found that in that session the code exam had also
been used in teaching the classes and in the practice exam. The same
code exam -- that is. We called in eight for a code retest. Two
appeared and passed but six did not show up."
--
Hollingsworth said that the variances in the exam procedures were not
the fault of any of the upgrade applicants and in no way reflect on
them. However, they must first pass a valid Morse test before they can
be granted the privileges of a Technician class license holder who has
passed the code. (FCC, RAIN)
**
RADIO RULES: FCC CONSIDERS NEW SATELLITE INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE
The FCC says that it will consider rules for a new service capable of
providing broadband Internet access via satellite. According to the CGC
Communicator the FCC Commissioners will consider issuing a Report and
Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement sharing
among multiple licensees in a new service capable of providing broadband
access to the Internet using non-geostationary satellites operating in
the KU band. (CGC Communicator)
**
RADIO LAW: CALIFORNIA LAWMAKER SEEKS CELL PHONE BAN
A California lawmaker believes that two cellular telephone related car
accidents may bring attention to his efforts to ban drivers use of
cellular telephones and other hand held communications devices.
Assemblyman Joe Simitian says it is time to ban these apparatus in the
name of public safety.
New York State already has made it illegal to use a cellular telephone
while driving unless it is attached to a hands free device. Other
states are considering similar legislation. In California the idea has
been defeated every time it has been brought to a vote, but Simitian
believes that the recent series of accidents will bring a vote in favor
of his proposed across the board ban. (Published news reports)
**
HAMVENTION 2002: APRS TAKES CENTER STAGE
APRS will be a feature at the upcoming Dayton Hamvention. Jack Parker,
W8ISH, of Amateur News Weekly has the story.
--
Audio report only. The full newscast in MP3 can be downloaded at
http://www.arnewsline.org
--
The Hamventon is slated for May 17th, 18th and 19th at the HARA Arena
in Dayton Ohio. APRS will be at booth 225. (ANW, W8ISH)
**
RAIN PROMO: A WEDDING AT HAMVENTION 2002 - THE INTERVIEW
Hap Holly, KC9RP, interviews the ham radio couple being married at
Hamvention 2002. The story is on-line at http://www.rainreport.com.
**
AWARDS: MC GAN NOMINATIONS DUE MAY 24
The ARRL says that nominations close May 24th for the Philip J. McGan
Memorial Silver Antenna Award. The annual award honors an amateur who
demonstrates outstanding public relations success at the local, state or
national level on behalf of Amateur Radio, and who best exemplifies the
volunteer spirit of the award's namesake.
The award is named for the late journalist Philip J. McGan, WA2MBQ, the
first chairman of the ARRL's Public Relations Committee and an
enthusiastic Amateur Radio booster. To obtain an entry form for the
Philip J. McGan Silver Antenna Award, contact Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY by e-
mail to jhagy at arrl.org (ARRL)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: KOLIBRI 2000 TO DE-ORBIT FOLO
Last week we reported that the Kolibri-2000 Russian and Australian
School Scientific Research Microsatellite was slated to deorbit sometime
between May 3rd to the 4th U-T-C time. WE also suggested that you might
want to have a tape recorder on the satellites primary or secondary
downlink channels.
Well if you did, and if you caught the last transmissions from the
Kolibri we could like to get a copy and so would Miles Mann, WF1F, of
MAREX. You can contact Miles for shipping instructions by e-mail to
wf1f at attbi.com. Amateur Radio Newsline can be reached at the address
you hear at the end of this weeks report. (WF1F, ARNewsline)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT-NA SPACE SYMPOSIUM
The 20th Space Symposium and AMSAT North America Annual Meeting is
scheduled for November 7th to the 11th in
Fort Worth, Texas. The meeting will chronicle recent and future Amateur
Radio satellite technology developments and including an Electronic
Surplus Stores tour on November 7th. Also slated is a Field Operations
breakfast, a tour of the Lockheed Martin Aerospace Company and the all
important actual AMSAT North America Board of Directors Meeting November
10th The 2002 event chairman is Keith Pugh, W5IU. (ANS)
**
INTERNATIONAL-UK: NEARLY 2300 FOUNDATION LICENSES ISSUED
According to the latest statistics from the United Kingdoms
Radiocommunications Agency, as of the 18th of April, some 2283 of that
nations Foundation Licences had been issued. This figure is made up of
1582 Full and Intermediate Class B's taking the Morse Assessment and 701
individuals taking the Foundation Course.
Of those 701 completely new entrants to amateur radio, 226 - or 32 per
cent - are under the age of 21. After only three-and-a-half months,
these figures are being seen as a great success and thanks are due to
the many radio clubs and individuals who are giving their time in order
to provide Foundation Courses and Morse Assessments. (GB2RS)
**
DX
In D-X, word that Arliss Thompson, W7XU, and a few of his ham radio
friends will be operating a 6 meter station from St. Paul Island in grid
square FN97 from 29 June to 8 July. Thompson says that the group plant
itself on 50.157 MHz and remain there for the duration of the
DXpedition. Both CW and SSB operations will take place on that
frequency although they may run split if they get a very good opening.
The station will have a breakable beacon also on 50.157 MHz that will be
running during slow times. QSL to W7XU. (W7XU)
Edisher Giorgadze, P5/4L4FN, has returned to North Korea. During a
stop-over in Beijing, Edisher collected an Ameritron AL80A amplifier
that was donated by Martti Laine, OH2BH, Bernie McClenny, W3UR and Al
Baker, W5IZ. In his first contact using the increased power he
contacted K4SSU who told him he was S-5 barefoot at 100 watts but an
amazing 10 db over s 9 with the AL80A in line. He days that this
basically guarantees more QSO's from the skylines of Pyongyang.
Especially since he has extended his contract and will be in North Korea
through June of 2003. Also, now that his operation is fully accredited
by the ARRL a full-color QSLs has been released by his QSL manager,
Bruce Paige, KK5DO. (KK5DO)
**
SUPPORT FUND REPORT WITH ANDY JAREMA N6TCQ
And finally this week, we hear once again to hear from our support fund
administrator. Here's Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.
--
Yes, this is Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, Chief Financial Officer of the not-for-
profit organization you know as the Amateur Radio Newsline. And once
again, I am using the single word -- HELP! If you value this service,
please help.
Let me start by saying that we really appreciate the individuals who
give of themselves, but we don't hear from enough clubs. There are
literally thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of traditional radio
clubs and repeater clubs out there. These are the wonderful folks who
re-transmit our broadcasts, bringing your nets increased value, and
giving your members the latest in Amateur Radio news and information to
enhance their hobby.
But Amateur Radio Newsline cannot continue without the funding needed to
pay the monthly bills. And right now, we can't.
In the quarter century that it has existed, no one at the Amateur Radio
Newsline has ever taken a salary. We all volunteer our time and
talents. But we ARE faced with are monthly expenses for gathering and
delivering the news to YOU! We are talking telephone, Internet access
and the like. This hasn't changed.
We are also talking about the money we spend each year to help insure
the future of Amateur Radio through the Young Ham of the Year award
program. Yes, Vertex Standard, C-Q, Dave Bell Associates and Rosewood
cover the expenses and gifts for the recipient. They do not cover the
administration expenses. That's out part and it ran close to $1200 last
year.
The bottom line is this. I am asking that you try to find it within
your organization to continue this service. As we have said before,
whether Amateur Radio Newsline continues to provide this service or if
it disappears is totally your decision. We are here to serve you for as
long as you want us. You response the next several weeks will provide
the answer.
The address for the Amateur Radio Newsline, Post Office Box 660937,
Arcadia California, 91066.
Looking forward to hearing from you really soon, I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.
--
Also, a reminder that the nominating period for the 2002 amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year award closes May 30th. Less than three
weeks from now. Nominees must be 18 or younger. Full rules and an
application is on our website at www.arnewsline.org. (ARNewsline)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, Amateur News Weekly, 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. Our e-mail address is newsline
@arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur Radio
Newsline's only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You
can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline, P.O.
Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Don
Wilbanks, KC5MFA, in New Orleans saying 73, and we thank you for
listening." Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2002. All rights
reserved.
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