[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1292 - May 17 2002

Tue May 21 01:01:03 EDT 2002

Amateur Radio Newsline 1292 - May 17 2002

The following is a Q-S-T.  The FCC proposes new bands for ham radio and 
the 2002 Dayton Hamvention gets underway.  These stories are first on 
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1292 coming your way right now.

**

SPECTRUM:  FCC PROPOSES NEW BAND AND SOME SPECTRUM UPGRADES FOR HAM 
RADIO

Some good news out of Washington DC.  This, as the Federal 
Communications Commission adopts a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed 
at allocating some new bands to Amateur Radio.  Amateur Radio Newsline's 
Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has more:

--

The proposed new bands run from 135.7 to 137.8 kilohertz and 5250 to 
5400 kHz.  These bands would be given to the Amateur Radio service on a 
secondary basis.  

The FCC says that the proposed spectrum allocations will enhance the 
ability of amateur radio operators to conduct technical experiments, 
including propagation and antenna design experiments, in the "low 
frequency"  range of the radio frequencies.  

In addition, the Notice proposes to authorize the use of the 5250 kHz 
band as a domestic, United States only allocation.  The FCC says that 
this will permit Amateur Service licensees a better way to match their 
choice of frequency to existing radio propagation conditions.  

And important to the future of experimentation and ham radio space 
communications, the Commission has also proposed upgrading the existing 
secondary amateur radio service allocation in the 2400 to 2402 MHz band 
to primary status.  It also wants to add a primary allocation for the 
Amateur Satellite service in this band.  The Commission says that this 
aspect of its proposal will protect current amateur use of this band. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP.  Roy.

--

The FCC adopted the proposed changes in an unanimous vote on Thursday 
May 2nd.  Its been given the designation ET Docket 02-98 and released on 
May 9th.  No commentary cutoff date has yet been announced.  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW:  HAM ANTENNA STRUCTURE BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS

Some good news for antenna restricted hams.  An ARRL bulletin says that 
a bill introduced in Congress May 14th could provide relief to amateurs 
prevented by private deed restrictions- and CC&Rs from installing 
outdoor antennas.  Democratic Representative Steve Israel from New York 
has introduced the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency 
Act before the House.  The measure is aimed at preventing private land-
use rules from unreasonably interfering with the installation and use of 
appropriate antenna structures for amateurs. 

The measure contains only one sentence.  It says:  ''For purposes of the 
Federal Communications Commission's regulation relating to station 
antenna structures in the Amateur Radio Service any private land use 
rules applicable to such structures shall be treated as a state or local 
regulation and shall be subject to the same requirements and limitations 
as a state or local regulation.''

Republican's Greg Walden, WB7OCE, of Oregon -- and he is the only 
Amateur Radio operator in Congress -- and Pete Sessions from Texas have 
signed on as original cosponsors.  The bill does not yet have a number 
but is expected to be assigned to the Telecommunications and Internet 
Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  (ARRL 
Bulletin)

**

RADIO RULES:  DOES THE FCC HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER RFI

Does the FCC really have exclusive jurisdiction over Radio Frequency 
Interference?  One community says no and a telecommunications giant is 
asking the government to over-rule it and say yes.

Cingular Wireless LLC has filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with 
the FCC requesting that the Commission preempt recent amendments to a 
Anne Arundel County, Maryland zoning ordinance regarding Radio Frequency 
Interference issues.  Cingular maintains that the FCC has exclusive 
jurisdiction to regulate RFI, and that the Anne Arundel amendments 
conflict with the Commission's rules regarding the resolution of such 
matters.  

Obviously, this case could have widespread implications, especially for 
Amateur Radio.  A website link to the documents appears in the print 
edition of this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report.

More information is at 
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-02-1044A1.doc.  
(Tnx CGC Communicator)

**

A TIME TO MOURN:  HAM RADIO AT A FALLEN HERO'S FUNERAL

Ham radio has helped a stunned California community say good-bye to a 
fallen hero.  On Monday, April 22nd, Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff David 
March was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop. Deputy March's 
funeral took place on Saturday, May 4th in the city of Santa Clarita.  

Over 5,000 people attend the service.  Santa Clarita Region 6 of the  
Disaster Communications Service was asked to participate.  Hams who are 
members of D-C-S were stationed along the funeral procession route at 
one-mile intervals.  Their job was to report the progress of the 
procession. 2-Meter FM was used to maintain radio contact.  Most DCS 
volunteers came dressed in their official uniform as a way of showing 
their support to the March family and the fallen officer.  (N6ZXJ)

**

HAMVENTION 2002: A SNEAK PREVIEW

As this newscast goes to air, the Dayton Hamvention is just getting 
underway.  One of the people who will definitely be there is Rain's Hap 
Holly, KC9RP.  As you know, Hap is Dayton's Radio Amateur of the Year 
and will receive his award on Saturday May 18th.  But news reporting 
comes first and here is Hap with this years Dayton Hamvention sneak 
preview:

--
The Dayton Hamvention is considered by many to the show-of-shows.  And, 
according to its General Chairman Jim Graver, KB8PSO, the 25,000+ 
attendees are in for a good time:

==

Graver: "Our theme this year is emergency communications and 
preparedness and some regional clubs will be bringing their vans and 
vehicles to show off their equipment and talk about their training and 
the procedures that they use in emergency preparedness.

We have some folks talking about novel techniques in emergency 
communications.  We also have the inside workings of the National 
Hurricane Center in Miami which intrigues me allot.

The banquet speakers are William Cross from the FCC and Paul Reid from 
FEMA.  They will also be talking about emergency communications and 
preparedness in respect to Amateur Radio.

All forums will be on site at Hamvention as they were last year.  We are 
not using Meadowdale High School for forums.  And, testing for license 
exams will also be on-site at the HARA.  We will have sessions on 
Friday, Saturday and Sunday and folks can walk-in if room allows. 

Transportation is very similar to what we had last year.  We have almost 
doubled the parking space at the Salem Mall and so we will not be using 
Forest Park.  We will again have the $2 per day per rider fee.

We also have the 2002 quilt show at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds 
and we are providing a bus from Hamvention to take folks to the quilt 
show and it will also run to our fantastic Air Force Museum and then run 
by the Dayton Art Institute.

We have allot of international interest in the show this year.  The 
forums, the inside and outside exhibits:  

Come meet the friends that you have always known and make some new ones. 
We always tell everyone that if you can't find it at Dayton you will 
never find it."

==

Dayton Hamvention General Chairman Jim Graver, KB8PSO.  

Partly personal, I'll be there with a cast of characters -- and I do 
mean characters -- in the RAIN booth:  #473.  Joining us -- as they do 
every year will be the Amateur Radio Newsline -- if you ca catch them.  
Please drop by and say hello.

I'm Hap Holly, KC9RP, in Chicago.

--

Again, that's booth 473 to meet the folks from RAIN and Amateur Radio 
Newsline.  We will have a full wrap-up on Hamvention next week.

By the way, in case you have not yet noticed, this weeks newscast was 
released one day early to accommodate coverage of Hamvention 2002.  
(ARNewsline, RAIN)

**

HAMVENTION 2002:  KENWOOD AGAIN SPONSORS LIVE WEBCAST

If you cant be a Hamvention, but wish you could, Kenwood Corporation can 
help you.  This as Kenwood hosts its second live Internet audio webcast 
direct from the main exhibit floor at the HARA Arena. 

Kenwood will again have the top people within the ham radio industry 
available for in depth interviews and candid conversations.  The live 
webcast will be on the air from Friday May 17th through Sunday May 19th.  
To hear it, take your Real Audio equipped web browser over to 
www.kenwood.net/amateur/hamvention and tune in.  (Kenwood)

**

HAMVENTION 2002:  PIERRE PULLINMYLEG TO BE AT DAYTON

Also, word that our April 1st roving reporter Pierre Pullinmyleg has e-
mailed headquarters that he will be attending this years Dayton 
Hamvention.  Pierre's is the one who brought you the story of the 
Citizens Band D-Xpedition to the Isle du Coney a few weeks ago.  His 
note invites everyone attending Hamvention to drop by the booth where he 
will be working to say hello - in English or French.  Only one problem.  
As usual, Pierre did not say what booth he would be at.  (Pierre)

**

HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS:  ROCHESTER SAYS IT LOOKS GOOD

Some good news on the rest of the ham radio convention scene.  Harold 
Smith, K2HC, tells the Amateur Radio Newsline that things are looking 
good for the 2002 Rochester Hamfest.  

The Rochester Hamfest takes place May 31st through June 2nd at the 
Monroe County Fairgrounds.  It is a very unique gathering because it 
pulls almost half of its attendance from Canada which is only 60 miles 
to the North.  In other words, it is one of the few international ham 
radio shows held here in the United States.

The good news:  Smith tells Amateur Radio Newsline that pre-registration 
for 2002 is well ahead of the same time last year.  This translates into 
an expended rise in the overall attendance at the show.  It also means 
that the economic recovery being talked about by President Bush is 
finally reaching the level of the individual and giving the average ham 
a bit more disposable income than he has had the past few years.  

Again the dates are May 31st through June 2nd at the Monroe County 
Fairgrounds.  More information is on the web at 
www.rochesterhamfest.org.  (ARNewsline)

**

CONFERENCES:  WSWSS SEEKS PAPERS 

The Western States VHF-UHF and Microwave Conference will be held October 
11, 12, 13 at the  Cerritos Sheraton Towne Center Hotel in Cerritos, 
California.  Hosted by the Western States Weak Signal Society the 
conference is generally aimed at the weak signal aspect of the hobby.

Conference leaders are looking for individuals who would like to present 
papers at the gathering.  The topic can be just about anything dealing 
with communications in the world above 50 MHz.  For more information or 
to submit an idea for a talk you might want to give, please contact 
Malcolm Levy, KB6SY by e-mail to kb6sy at soara.org.  Or write to him in 
care of the Western States Weak Signal Society, 25422 Trabuco Road, Lake 
Forest, California, 92630  (WSWSS)

**

HELPING THE FUTURE:  THE IRLP4KIDS NET

The Internet Radio Linking Project is now playing host to youth in 
Amateur Radio.  This with the formation last December of the new 
"IRLP4KIDS Net."

The cyberspace to radio network was the brainchild of Paul Cassel, 
VE3SY.   It `s purpose is to support young hams and to give them a place 
to meet and interact with one another.   The net meets Saturdays at 0100 
UTC on IRLP Reflector #2.  In North America the net is on Friday nights 
at 9:00pm Eastern Daylight Time.  Currently the network has about a half 
dozen young members and it welcomes more.  

To join or learn more take your son, daughter and web browser over to 
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/irlp4kids to join the IRLP4KIDS e-group.  
Also, the net is looking for more young control stations.  If you are a 
young ham or know one who wants to become part of this thrilling youth 
oriented Internet radio linking project, contact Jason Nochlin by e-mail 
to K0IIN at arrl.net.  (K0IIN)

**

RADIO RULES:  THE FCC APPROVES 911 ONLY CELLPHONE REGS

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted new requirements for 
cell phones that can only be used to call the 911 emergency response 
telephone number.   These phones must display the number 123-456-7890 on 
the 9-1-1 dispatcher's computer to show the phone has no incoming call 
service. 

The idea behind the 123-456-7890 display is to let dispatchers know they 
can't call back the person who is calling for help.  In other words, it 
tells the dispatcher not to hang up when one of these emergency calls 
comes in.  The FCC has also told cellular providers that they will have 
to do a better job of informing consumers of the limitations of the 911 
only phones now in the publics hands.  (FCC)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  SINGLE USE CREDIT CARDS

Want a way to be a bit safer when you do business in cyberspace?  Well, 
one public advocate says there is a way.  Jim Damron, N8TMW, explains:

--

If you shop online, you might want to consider single-use credit card 
numbers to make it more secure. This after the National Consumers League 
says American Express, MBNA and Discover now offer technology that 
allows you to use your credit card without putting the real card number 
online. 

N.C.L. says the card companies provide software that you install on your 
home computer to generate a substitute card number each time you make an 
online purchase. Hackers or unscrupulous employees where you're shopping 
won't know it's not your real card number. N.C.L. says that it expects 
most major credit card companies to start offering the single-use number 
technology. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

--

With all this comes a warning.  A simple one.  No matter how secure a 
website may claim to be, no place in cyberspace is 100% secure.  Think 
carefully before sending out any personal information on-line.  (Cyber 
Technology)

**

INTERNATIONAL - AUSTRALIA:  THE FUTURE ON THE MEETING TABLE

I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.This weekend is our "Biggy" in VK, the WIA Annual 
General Meeting  and this year sees 17 motions  and special resolutions.

Speaking from the convention floor in Melbourne, VK1LK Ernest Hocking 
the Wireless Institue of Australias Federal president said he believed 
Amateur Radio had a great future in Australia but the Hams needed to 
"sell it more".

Sell the Amateur Radio story to Government departments such as 
'Education'  and 'Elderly Affairs'.

VK1LK went on:  "I believe that amateur radio has a great future in 
Australia.  To make this happen, we the amateurs radio operators of 
Australia, need to sell our story.  Over the last year I have had the 
opportunity to correspond with many amateurs who provide their time and 
expertise to others to help them pass the examinations needed to hold an 
amateur radio license.  I have also corresponded with many more of you 
who volunteer your time and experience at local, state, and national 
level to advance  the cause of amateur radio.  For all of your efforts I 
would like to extend a very big thank you and ask that you continue to 
be excellent ambassadors for amateur radio".

That was WIA Federal President VK1LK speaking from Australia on the 
Amateur Radio Newsline.  (VK4BB via Q-News)

**

SPACE AND SCIENCE:  CHINA HEADS TOWARD MANNED FLIGHT

China's fledgling manned space program launched an unmanned test flight 
recently.  Space Daily reports that this is the third in a series of 
test flights that are expected to result in China's first manned space 
voyage next year.  The Shenzhou orbiter was launched by a Long March 2F 
rocket from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center in northwest Gansu province. 
(Space Daily)

**

DX

In DX, word from Belgium that Dutch-speaking amateurs may use the OS 
prefix instead of ON, while all Belgians may use OR instead of ON in 
contests between now and the 11th of July. The special prefixes 
commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of 'the Golden Spurs'.

Also, SM0CMH, is active as SV5/SM8C from Kalymnos from now until the 
31st of May.  He operates mainly CW in the 10 to 80 meter bands, 
including the WARC bands. In the CQ WPX CW Contest on the 25th and 26th 
of May he  will operate as J45KLN.

**

SUPPORT FUND REPORT WITH ANDY JAREMA N6TCQ

And finally this week, we hear once again to hear from our support fund 
administrator.  This time with some thank-you's.  Here's Andy Jarema, 
N6TCQ.

--

In the month of March we heard from the Albemarle ARC of 
Charlottesville, VA; Mark Chamberlin, WB2PKO of Baldwinsville, NY; 
Regular contributor Benton Bonney, W4PE of Orlando; John Carmichael, 
K7JRC of Phoenix; The Hualapai ARC based in Kingman, AZ; Regular 
contributor William Walters, WA2IBM of San Jose, CA; The Amateur Radio 
Club of El Cajon, CA; And the Crescenta Valley Radio Club here in 
Southern CA.

Thanks to everybody for their support. A reminder that Newsline is a 
Federal 501(c)(3) and California non-profit corporation; all 
contributions are tax-deductible.  The address for the Newsline Support 
fund is PO Box 660937, Arcadia, CA. 91066.  If you missed it, it will be 
given again at the end of this week's newscast.  I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.

--

Thanks Andy.

**
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(tm).  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. 

Before we go, a reminder that the nominating period for the 2002 amateur 
Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award closes May 30th. Nominees 
must be 18 or younger.  Full rules and an application is on our website 
at www.arnewsline.org.