[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1298 - June 28 2002

Sat Jun 29 11:28:15 EDT 2002

Amateur Radio Newsline 1298 - June 28 2002

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de
The Newsline Production Team

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Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1298 with a release date of Friday, June 
28st 2002 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   

The following is a Q-S-T.  Hams are on the scene of the worst wildfire in 
years, Australian researchers say they have discovered how to teleport light 
and an old friend in Earth orbit surprises hams on the ground.  Theses stories 
are first on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1298 coming your way right 
now.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO AIDS AT ARIZONA WILDFIRE

It's hams to the rescue, again!  This time it is the RODEO/CHEDESKI fire in 
Eastern Arizona.  

Over 350-thousand-acres -- more than half the size of Rhode Island and far 
from containment!

The FCC  reserved emergency frequencies for fire related communications 
only.... during daylight hours, 7.265 MHz on 40 Meters and after dark, 3.990 
MHz in the 75 Meter band.

W7TSA -- a club station operated by the Salvation Army set up at one of the 
evacuation centers.  It operated as primary net control ... with other Arizona 
stations picking up the duty in shifts -- making sure the frequencies were 
monitored 24-hours a day.

--
OFF AIR AUDIO HERE
--

One of the priorities, was setting up a VHF repeater, to enable reliable, 
short-distance communications for mobiles and portables:

--
OFF AIR AUDIO HERE
--

The Forest Service has set up firefighting headquarters in the town of Show 
Low, and one of the operators at W7TSA, located in the town's high school, 
gave other monitoring stations a rundown of activity, Tuesday night, June 
25th.

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OFF AIR AUDIO HERE
--

Those two frequencies -- 7.265 and 3.990, plus or minus 3-kHz -- are reserved 
for fire only duties -- for up to 14-days.  Watch for the FCC announcement 
when things return to normal.

For some interesting short-wave listening, tune in -- but please don't 
transmit on those frequencies unless you're actively involved in the emergency 
response.  (Story written by Alan Kaul, W6RCL)

**

AMAZING TECHNOLOGY:  LIGHT BEAM TELEPORTATION CLAIMED

Some are calling it brand new era in telecommunications.  Others say its like 
the famed Star Trek Transporter coming true.  Others simply don't believe that 
the first successful experiment in teleportation has actually taken place.  
But it appears to have happened in Australia. Q-News Graham Kemp, VK4BB, is 
there with the details:

-- 
Scientists at Australian National University have succeeded  in teleportation.  
That is, the disembodiment of a thing in one location  and its reconstruction 
in another.  

In this case, a beam of light  allegedly disappeared in one place and 
reappeared in another, a  short distance away, via the mechanism of quantum 
entanglement. Data imbedded in the beam were also recovered.

Reporting from Q-News Australia, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, for the Amateur Radio 
Newsline.
-- 

Scientists say that if this finding is duplicated and verified, this 
experiment would certainly be regarded as one of the most remarkable steps 
forward in telecommunications technology so far this century.  (Q-News)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  LONG DORMANT AO-7 SPRINGS TO LIFE

AMSAT OSCAR 7 has returned from the dead and is shipping telemetry data on 
145.9738 MHz.  This, some two decades after it went silent in 1981 after its 
batteries failed.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Wilbanks, KC5MFA, has the 
details:

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AMSAT OSCAR 7 was launched in November of 1974.  It was one of the first of 
the more advanced ham satellite designs with uplink on 70 centimeters and a 
downlink in the 2 meter band.  And, working with it's predecessor A-Oh-6, it 
was the first ham satellite used for space to space relay.  And in 1981 it 
went Q-R-T.

It's unexpected return came on June 21st when Pat Gowan, G3IOR, in the U-K 
happened across the slow speed Morse telemetry.  It was then monitored by a 
number of other satellite enthusiasts around the world.  

Why is the long dormant bird suddenly returning to life?  According to the old 
HR Report newsletter, the battery failure in 1981 was probably a short 
circuit.  Now, two decades and numerous charge cycles of sunlight later, the 
short circuit is clearing.  

That theory is born out to a great extent by former AO-7 Project Manager Jan 
King, W3GEY.  According to a quote from King on the AMSAT website, the power 
management levels shown in the telemetry indicate an anomaly.  He says that 
the battery voltage telemetry shows a voltage of 13.9 volts. Normal is 13.6 to 
15.1 volts. So that would suggest the battery was normal but, the half battery 
voltage is measuring only 5.8 volts.  In other words, a dead but open circuit 
battery pack.  This leads to speculation that  the satellite is operating 
directly off of its solar battery array and is active only when in sunlight.  

But before you decide to try operating on the old bird, AMSAT has this 
warning. AO-7 listens on 432.1MHz.  Due to changes in Amateur Service and 
Amateur Satellite Service there are questions as to legality of Amateurs 
transmitting to the bird.  This is because the uplink frequency predates the 
WARC '79 allocation of 435 to 438 MHz by the International Telecommunications 
Union for the Amateur Satellite Service.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, KC5MFA, in New Orleans.  
Roy.

--

To elaborate a bit more on why it might be a bad idea to try and use AO-7.  
The uplink frequency falls in the current 70 centimeter weak signal segment in 
all three I-T-U Regions.  Because of this, it would appear that anyone trying 
to access the uplink is operating outside the Amateur Satellite Service rules 
and regulations.  (AMSAT-NA)

**

ON THE AIR:  FIELD DAY WAS KIDS DAY

Field Day 2002 may also have been the third Kids Day operating event of 2002.  
This as youngsters across the North America took to the airwaves using the new 
GOTA or Get On The Air stations.  Amateur Radio Newsline visited the Santa 
Clarita Amateur Radio Club as it put a bunch of visiting youngsters on the 
air:  Take a listen:

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Contact Audio
--

The new Get On The Air stations have replaced the old Novice stations at most 
Field Day sites.  And, if this year is an indication of the future the Get On 
The Air is here to stay.  (ARNewsline)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  MINNESOTA SUSPENSION FOR REPEATER INTERFERENCE

A Minnesota ham will be off the air for a while.  This based on allegations of 
interference to a two meter repeater.  The FCC's Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, 
explains why:

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We issued a warning letter regarding repeater interference to Michael Priest, 
KB0KMJ, of Deluth Minnesota.  The interference was to the Arrowhead Amateur 
Radio Club repeater on 146.94 MHz.  Priest has responded to our letter and has 
accepted a three year suspension of all Amateur Radio privileges.  
--  

The interference Hollingsworth referred to occurred on numerous occasions 
between January 2 and April 4 of this year.  Priest's license suspension 
remains in effect until midnight on May 15th, 2005.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  

The FCC is also looking at a V-E testing session in Tennessee where a pair of 
Volunteer Examiners allegedly administered Amateur Radio exams to close 
relatives.  FCC Part 97 rules prohibits a V-E from administering an 
examination to a spouse or other specified relative.  The purpose of the rule 
is to help insure the integrity of the volunteer testing process.  Again the 
FCC's Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH:

--
Hollingsworth:  "We sent inquiries to two VE's regarding apparent testing 
irregularities.  We need information as to why Bobby A. Raymer, N2BR, 
administered an Amateur Radio exam to his wife and signed-off as a VE.  

And we want to know why Steven G. Hunter, KF4FAV, administered a radio exam to 
his brother Gary E. Hunter."
--

Both of these incidents occurred at a December 1999 ARRL sponsored V-E session 
in Cookville, Tennessee.  Hollingsworth says that Raymer has replied and that 
response is under review.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  DON'T OPERATE ON CB

Five hams have been accused of operating Amateur radio-transmitting equipment 
without a license on 27.585 MHz and other frequencies near the 11 meter Class 
D Citizens band allocation.  The agency says that operating radio transmitting 
equipment without a license for a specific service is a violation of Section 
301 of the Communications Act.  

The FCC says that it is important for hams to understand that violations on 
frequencies other than the ones they use as Amateurs can jeopardize their 
licenses and could subject them to other penalties.  In this case, the five 
were warned that they could face fines or imprisonment, as well as seizure of 
radio transmitting equipment.  Fines normally range from $7,500 to $10,000.  
(FCC)

**

CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS:  CHANGES FOR HAMVENTION 2003

Jim Trangenstein,  KB8OUO has been named as the General Chairman for the 2003 
Dayton Hamvention.  Trangenstein, who has already served at Assistant General 
Chairman replaces Jim Graver, KB8PSO, who held the top post for the past three 
years.

Also departing from the Hamvention team is longtime Forums Chairman Jim Ebner, 
N8JE.  Ebner and his wife plan to leave the Dayton area and relocate to North 
Carolina.  In his parting e-mail, N8JE told his many friends that he has truly 
enjoyed working with them for the past fourteen years.  

And two final items before we move on.  According to a note from outgoing 
General Chairman Jim Graver, the official attendance figure for Hamvention 
2002 is 24,832.  Also, Hamvention 2003 is slated for next May 16th, 17th and 
18th.  More information is in cyberspace at www.hamvention.org.  (KB8PSO, 
N8JE, DARA)

**

CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS:  AMSAT IN TEXAS IN NOVEMBER

The 20th Space Symposium and AMSAT-NA annual conference is scheduled for 
November 7th to the 11th in Fort Worth, Texas.  The event will chronicle 
recent and future Amateur Radio satellite technology developments.  AMSAT 
Members are welcome to attend the AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting on November 
10th and 11th.  The Chair for the 2002 event is Keith Pugh W5IU.  (ANS)

**

HAM RADIO POLITICS:  NFCC ELECTION CORRECTION

Dick Isley, W9GIG advises that we have an error in last weeks report regarding 
the election at the National Frequency Coordinators Council.  Dick says that 
the  election for the three National Frequency Coordination Board positions 
starts on July 9th and ends on July 28th.  We typoed the election as starting 
on 28 and the announcement of whose elected made on the 31st.  As Isley 
pointed out, it would be very hard to get all the ballots in and tallied in 
only three days.  (W9GIG)

**

SUPPORT FUND REPORT WITH ANDY JAREMA N6TCQ

Ladies and gentlemen, with a report on the financial condition of Amateur 
Radio Newsline, here is its Treasurer and Support Fund administrator, Andy 
Jarema, N6TCQ:

--
Most of the time, I try to keep these reports as light hearted as I can.  This 
time I have to be very serious.  The reason:  There is no money in our account 
to pay outstanding bills.

Here are the numbers.  In the account is about $250.  In my hand -- right here 
-- are bills for the months of April and May totaling close to $1600.  

Do the math yourself.  That's a $1350 deficit, and this does not take into 
account the month of June that is quickly coming to an end.  You can add 
another $800 to $1000 there.  And, put in another $900 to cover Amateur Radio 
Newsline's part of the upcoming Young Ham of the Year Award in August.  

As you know, I am the guy who writes the checks.  I am also the one with the 
power to pull the plug.  To take Amateur Radio Newsline off the phones, off 
the Internet and off of your radio.  I don't want to do that, and I am trying 
not to.  But if the dollars run out and none come in to replace them, I will 
have no other alternative.  And right now, there are no dollars coming in.

As the song in the Broadway show Cabaret says. it is money that makes the 
world go around.  In the case of Amateur Radio Newsline, it takes about $1000 
a month on average to keep it going.  And we need your help right now -- today 
-- to keep it from disappearing from the airwaves.

Remember, the Amateur Radio Newsline is a federal 501 C 3 tax exempt 
corporation.  Your donations to it are tax deductible.  The address to send 
your assistance is the Newsline Support Fund, Post Office Box 660937, Arcadia 
California.  Our Zipcode is 91066.  

As always, we thank you in advance for your support.  

I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ

--

If you missed the address for the Newsline Support Fund it will be repeated at 
the end of this weeks report.

**  

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  LEARNING LONG DISTANCE

The United States House of Representatives has voted to make it easier for 
students to take classes over the Internet.  This, by relaxing restrictions on 
correspondence courses.

Supporters of the bill, which passed 354-70, said it would expand educational 
opportunities for people who cannot take courses in traditional classroom 
settings.  The bill allows some schools to offer more than half their classes 
by telecommunication.  It also cuts the number of instructional hours 
nontraditional programs must offer each week to be in line with the 
requirement for traditional classes.  Nontraditional programs - such as 
distance learning courses - must offer at least 12 hours of instruction each 
week, while traditional programs have to provide one day of instruction.   

A companion bill introduced by Wyoming's Mike Enzi  is pending in the Senate.  
(Published news reports)

**

SPACE AND SCIENCE:  NEW ANS CO-EDITORS

AMSAT North America has announced the appointment of Joanne Maenpaa, WB9JEJ 
and Harrison Faust  WW4HF are the new co-editors of the weekly Amsat News 
Service.  Both have extensive experience as Editors of Technical publications.  

And with the change in Editors the AMSAT News Service will begin a 
metamorphosis of its own.  Beginning with the June 16th issue, the e-letter 
was split the actual news section from the satellite report for a trial 
period.  Both sections will be made available to subscribers but as separate 
e-mail delivered bulletins.  (ANS)

**

SPECTRUM REALLOCATION:  AMATEUR BANDS RETURNED TO HAMS IN PANAMA

Some good news for ham radio operators in Panama.  They are getting some 
spectrum that was reallocated away returned for their use once again.

Two years ago the Panamanian government issued a revised frequency allocation 
plan which removed.  It 30 meters and several UHF and microwave bands from the 
amateur service there. 

Now, the ARRL Letter reports that an effort to reverse the changes spearheaded 
by the Radio Club of Panama has been successful.  The Panamanian government 
has now reportedly agreed to restore all previous amateur allocations except 
for those in the 902 to 928 MHz band.  (ARRL)

**

INTERNATIONAL - NETHERLANDS:  DIGITAL RADIO ON SHORTWAVE

Media Network reports that Netherlands Digital Radio Mondiale is now testing 
from Bonaie at 21:30 to 23:25 UTC Bonaire is on 15.520 MHz in simulcast mode.  
That is analog and digital signals are on the same frequency at the same time.  
The simulcast frequency as specified is the center frequency of the digital 
signal which actually ranges from 15.515 to 15.525 MHz.  The analog is from 
15.525 to 15.530 MHz with the analog carrier is located at 15.530 MHz, hence 
an analog tuner should be tuned to 15.530 MHz in order to receive the signal.  
You'll find the full updated schedule of DRM tests from Bonaire at 
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/drm_latest.html.  (Media Network)

**

INTERNATIONAL-CANADA:  RAC DIRECTORS APPOINTED

Radio Amateurs of Canada's Board of Directors has approved the appointment  of 
Bjarne Madsen, VE5FX and D. Howard Dickson, VE1DHD, as Directors for the 
Midwest and Atlantic Regions respectively.   These appointments are effective 
immediately filling unexpired terms to December 31st of two directors who had 
previously resigned.  (RAC)

**

DX

In DX, HB9DRD who is also G4KLX advises that there will be a Leichtenstein 
satellite expedition on July 13th and 14th.  Jonathan and his partner Achim, 
DH2VA, will operate 50 KHz below the AO-40 beacon so as to stay out of the way 
of normal QSO's.  Their Uplink will be on U-band and if signals get to weak 
they may change to CW operation.  (VHF Reflector)

And Herb Spoonts, W3IWI, reports that the CY9 party is en-route to St. Paul 
Island.  Operation will commence shortly and continue through July 7th.  Look 
for them on several bands including 6 and 2 meter Meteor Scatter using 
standard sequenced WSJT.  (W3IWI)

On HF,  F6CTL is in French Polynesia and on the air until the 15th of July.  
He also plans to visit Rurutu and Tubuai in the Austral islands. These islands 
count as OC-050 and OC-152 respectively for the Islands on the Air Award 
program.  (RSGB)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL TV:  PART 2

And finally this week, we continue our look at digital digital television 
today and where it is going.  This week, DX Audio Service Editor Fred Vobbe, 
W8HDU, teells you how you can receive digital television and the hardware 
thats available to do the job:

--
THIS IS AN AUDIO ONLY REPORT.  To hear it, go to www.arnewsline.org and 
download the MP3 audio version.
--

Fred will be back next week with a look at the spectrum that digital 
television is supposed to use and how its actually using it.  (NRCDXAS)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, Amateur News Weekly, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC 
Communicator, CQ Magazine, the D-X Audio Service, 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(tm) only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.  You can 
also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), P.O. Box 660937, 
Arcadia, California 91066. 