[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1299 - July 5 2002

[Tim Miller]

Amateur Radio Newsline 1299 - July 5 2002

The following is a Q-S-T. 

Canadian hams rally to save 220 and the U-S looks at conducted emission 
standards below 30 MHz.  What are conducted emissions?  Find out on Amateur 
Radio Newsline report number 1299 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here) 
 
**

THREATENED BANDS:  220 - 222 IN CANADA UNDER SIEGE

It was a familiar cry here in the United States a decade ago.  Two words:  
Save 220.  Now its being heard to the North as Radio Amateurs of Canada puts 
out the same call to that nations ham radio community.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ. reports:

--
220 to 222 MHz under siege in Canada.  This as the Land Mobile Radio community 
in Canada asks that nations Radio Advisory Board to look into  the possibility 
of making all or part of the that portion of the 220 to 225 MHz amateur band 
available for their use.

220 to 222 is already a land mobile band here in the United Sates.  It is also 
not available to amateurs in most other parts of the world.  But in Canada the 
entire 220 to 225 MHz band is the last Primary allocation  for radio amateurs 
until 24 GHz.  It is also looked on by Canadian hams as an important source of 
spectrum for expansion as the 144 MHz and 70 cm bands run out of frequencies 
for allocation to the various amateur radio interests.  And Canadian hams want 
it preserved.

Radio Amateurs of Canada is that nations national ham radio society.  It says 
that it plans to defend Amateur Radio interests in the review of 220 to 222 
MHz.  It also says that it needs to know how many Canadian hams are using this 
spectrum and how they are using it.

To help find out, Radio Amateurs of Canada has posted a simple questionnaire 
in cyberspace at www.rac.ca/220survey.htm.  Its asking all Canadian hams who 
use the band to take a moment to fill it out.  As an alternative they can e-
mail the same information to ve3iq at rac.ca

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ.
--

The Canadian Radio Advisory Board will make its recommendations on the future 
of 220 to 222 MHz to Canadian spectrum regulators later this year.  Radio 
Amateurs of Canada says it needs the requested information no later tan July 
10th.  (RAC)


**

REGULATORY:  CONDUCTED EMISSIONS LIMITS BELOW 30 MHZ REVISITED

Back here in the United States, our FCC has also issued a Report and Order to 
modify the limits on the amount of RF energy that is permitted to be conducted 
over alternating current power lines.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, 
K6PZW, takes a look at what the FCC is doing and why:

--  
The primary intent of the Report and Order is to harmonize United States 
standards with international standards.  This, as outlined in parts 15 and  18 
of the agency's own rules.  But for the moment, the status quo will remain.  
Here's why.

According to the FCC, it has observed that there is substantial development 
under way of new broadband delivery.  Ones that use power line communication 
or P-L-C technology in home communication systems.  The only problem is that 
there are as many communications standards for P-L-C as their are companies 
that are developing it.  And because of this the agency is taking a wait and 
see approach.  In fact, the FCC says that pending the development of worldwide 
standards for these new technologies, and until it adopts new rules, the 
existing requirements for carrier current systems will continue to apply to 
these devices.  

In other words, the FCC is waiting to see which way the world of Power Line 
Communications decides to go and it will then act accordingly.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.


--

The full report on the FCC approach to regulating powerline communications can 
be found in cyberspace at the complex U-R-L found at   
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-157A1.doc (CGC 
Communicator, FCC)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  ARIZONA FIRE FOLLOW-UP

While wildfires in Arizona and elsewhere still rage, the communications 
emergency that prompted restrictions on the use of two Amateur Service 
frequencies has ended.  According to an ARRL bulletin, the FCC canceled the 
emergency declaration effective at 1900 U-T-C on July 1st based on a request 
from Arizona Section Manager Cliff Hauser, KD6XH.

The emergency declaration was issued June 24th and was primarily in support of 
relief efforts in Arizona.  Amateurs were told that they could not use the 
frequencies of 7.265 kHz and 3.990 kHz plus or minus 3 kHz for as much as 14 
days.  In the end, the restriction lasted only 7 days.  In issuing the 
cancellation on the restriction, the FCC thanked the Amateur Radio community 
for its cooperation and for its dedicated service.

But the 2002 fire danger is far from over.  The giant RODEO/CHEDESKI fire in 
Eastern Arizona which ham radio has been working has already consumed over a 
half million acres and has a perimeter of about 200 miles.  Its  only 
partially contained and even with more favorable firefight conditions, some 
say it could be September before its fully extinguished.

Meantime, there is also a report on the month old Hayman fire in Colorado 
where hams have provided some communications support.  It has so far consumed 
138,000 acres and destroyed 133 homes.  And with much of the great American 
South West tinder dry, ham radio operators involved in public service are 
ready if they should be called out. (ARRL, ARNewsline™, others)

**

FCC WRC-03 ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDS PHASED-IN WORLDWIDE 7-MHZ BAND

Some good news by way of the ARRL Letter.  The FCC is requesting comments on 
the draft recommendations of its World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 
Advisory Committee . Among the panel's recommended draft proposals to next 
year's international gathering is a plan--still subject to change--that would 
create a worldwide amateur allocation at 7.0 to 7.3 MHz by 2010. The deadline 
for comments on the proposals is July 12th.  The  World Radiocommunication 
Conference 2003 will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 9 until July 
4, 2003.  (ARRL)


**

ENFORCEMENT:  DON'T DRAG ABOUT A CB AMP

On the enforcement scene, it probably does not pay top brag on the Internet 
that you have a banned C-B amplifier.  Why? 

--
Riley Hollingsworth:  "The San Francisco Office of the FCC conducted an 
inspection of the station of Stanley Clewett, KF6IKC of Reading California.  
Clewett had posted pictures on his web page of what was purported to be a 10 
kilowatt amplifier which he claimed to be using on CB Channel 6 -- perhaps not 
the best type of photograph to put on a personal web page by an Extra class 
licensee.  This case is still open and we will report more details later."
--

The FCC says that no other details of the inspection will be released at this 
time. This is because the matter is still under review.   (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC PROPOSES TO FINE AT&T WIRELESS $2.2 MILLION FOR E911 
VIOLATIONS

The FCC plans to fine AT&T Wireless around $2.2 million for E 911 violations.  
For those not aware, E 911 stands for Enhanced 911 emergency service and 
includes a system for electronically locating cellular handsets when 911 calls 
are placed.  

AT&T wanted to postpone the accuracy requirements of its locator system for 
six months, but got into a legal tangle.  The FCC has countered with the 
proposed monetary forfeiture.

And as if the proposed $2.2 million fine were not enough, the FCC's 
Enforcement Bureau is continuing its investigation into whether AT&T Wireless 
misrepresented information to the Commission.  Findings in that case could 
lead to more regulatory action against the telecommunications giant. The rest 
is in cyberspace at  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-
222664A1.doc (CGC Communicator)

**

RADIO RULES:  NEWSPAPERS WANT CROSS OWNERSHIP

The companies that own your local newspaper also want to own a T-V station in 
your town.   This as the Newspaper Association of America asks federal 
regulators to suspend a rule that prohibits ownership of a  broadcast station 
and daily newspaper in the same locale. 
   
The association is formally petitioning the Federal Communications Commission 
to either stop enforcing  the regulation or to implement a waiver policy until 
the rule can  be repealed.   The association says that newspapers face a 
disadvantage in the marketplace because of recent actions by the FCC relaxing 
other broadcast ownership restrictions. (NAP Release)

**

HANDI HAMS:  VX5R MANUAL NOW ON TAPE

The Handi-Ham Network now has the manual for the popular Vertex Standard VX-5 
hand held radio available on tape and in MP3 audio for its blind members. The 
manual was read to tape by volunteer Ken Barker, K5OFC, making it an absolute 
must for navigating and learning the intricacies of the setup and menus of the 
VX-5.  Contact the Handi Hams to order.

Meantime, the Handi Hams have just completed a review of Kenwood's new THF6A 
handie talkie as it pertains to use by the handicapped.  You can read it in 
cyberspace at www.handiham.org/hhw/review.htm.  (HandiHam Network)


**

HAMFESTS:  LIMARC IN SEPTEMBER

LIMARC -- the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club -- will be holding a 
Hamfest on Sunday, September 15th at Briarcliffe College in Bethpage, New 
York.  Rain or sunshine, the gates open at 6:30 A.M. for sellers , t and at 
8:30 A.M. for the general public.  No pre-registration is necessary. For more 
info visit the LIMARC web site at www.limarc.org or call the 24-hour info 
line.  Its on your phone at area code 516-520-9311.  (LIMARC)

**

CONVENTIONS:  WORLD WIRELESS CONGRESS 03

2003 World Wireless Congress is on the horizon, and planners have put out a 
call for including technical papers, tutorials, industry forums and  panels to 
be presented at the event.  The event is slated for May 27th to the 30th, 2003 
in San Francisco California. The cutoff date of all submissions is this coming 
November 15th. The website of 2003 World Wireless Congress is at:
http://wirelesscongress.com or http://3gwireless.com  (WWC Release)

**

EMERGING HAM TECHNOLOGY:  FALLBROOK AMATEUR RADIO "FIELD DAY" ACTIVITIES 
INCLUDED LASER

Laser light communications took center stage during the recent ARRL Field day.  
This, as members of the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club near San Diego, CA, 
participated in a laser Morse code contact as part of their annual emergency 
communications drill.  

The contact took place over a three mile path and included a measurement of 
the approximate half-power beam width of the incoming laser beam sent by an 
ordinary over-the-counter red pointer laser.  The half-power beam width at 
three miles was estimated to be ten feet.  (CGC Communicator)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  RADAR DETECTORS VS. GASOLINE SALES

Radar detectors carried by motorists are interfering with credit card 
transactions at automated gas pumps.  So says Chevron Texaco Corporation in a 
news item appearing in the latest edition of Fred Maia's W5YI Report.

According to the article Chevron Texaco uses a nationwide network of 6,600 
Very Small Aperture Satellite Terminals -- or V-SAT's -- at its stations.  
Chevron says that radar detectors frequently disrupt the data flow.  This can 
result in lost or incorrect sales or verification information.  The story adds 
that Chevron is also concerned that thieves could try to use these devices to 
steal fuel to knock out the credit card transaction.  (W5YI Report)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  ASK CALTRANS

The California Transportation Authority, better known as CALTRANS has launched 
a voice-activated road information system covering all of the state's 
highways. To use it, callers dial a toll free number and verbalize the number 
of the state highway they wish to get more information about.  The automated 
reply system gives the caller up-to-date information about accidents, road 
closures and construction projects that might impede traffic.  

Previously callers had to punch in the number of the highway they sought 
information about.  CALTRANS says the new system promotes highway safety for 
those using mobile phones.  (CALTRANS)

**

AWARDS:  CSVHFS STATES ABOVE 30 MHZ

Attention V-H-F weak signal operators.  Bruce Richardson, W9FZ reports over 
the VHF Reflector that the 2002 Central States V-H-F Society's States Above 50 
MHz Program ended on June 30th.  Bruce also says that the 2003 program began 
one minute later and now includes all Canadian provinces as well.  More 
information is in cyberspace at www.csvhfs.org  (CSVHFS via VHF Reflector)

**

CONTESTS:  HEIL SOUND HEADSETS TO BE USED AT WRTC2002

Heil Sound has been chosen to supply the headsets for this years World 
Radiosport Team Championship games. This as the W-R-T-C planing committee 
announces that it has chosen the new Heil PRO SET PLUS! competition headsets 
for contestants to use and the new Dual Footswitches for each of the operating 
teams.  It has also requested 108 of the Heil BM-10 headsets for the judges 
and logging personnel.  WRTC 2002 takes place July 9th through the 16th in 
Norway.  (Heil Sound)

**

CONTESTS:  W1AW/5 IN IARU CHAMPIONSHIPS

Central Texas area contesters are gearing up for the 2002 IARU High Frequency 
World Championship the weekend of July 13th and 14th.  Six area contest 
stations will be signing W1AW/5, representing the United States of America as 
the ARRL "Headquarters Station."  

Six stations in five central Texas counties will be involved in the contest 
effort with W1AW/5 competing against other IARU member society headquarters 
stations.  This includes DA0HQ in Germany, Great Britain's GB5HQ, Spain's 
EA4URE, and 9V9HQ in Singapore.

W1AW/5 will be operating on each of the twelve band-modes available in the 
contest for the entire 24 hour period.  League  Headquarters will handle all 
QSL requests.  QSL via the home W1AW station at 225 Main Street, Newington, 
Connecticut 06111.  For more information about the Central Texas DX & Contest 
Club visit www.ctdxcc.org on the World Wide Web.  (CTDXCC Release)

**

DX

In D-X, TO8CW is active from Guadeloupe until the 12th of July. The operator 
is also hoping to make a short side trip to Les Saintes.  QSL as directed on 
the air.  (GB2RS)

SP5IXI is visiting Algeria again during July and will be active in his spare 
time as 7X0DX.  Activity will be on the High Frequency bands as well as  Oscar 
40 for three or four weeks.  (GB2RS)

Last in our D-X log, word that VK6BN is now active as SU9BN from Sharm el 
Sheikh in Egypt.  Again, QSL as directed on the air.  (GB2RS)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL TV:  PART 3

And finally this week, we take a look at digital television today and where it 
is going.  This week, DX Audio Service Editor Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, looks at the 
digital television spectrum and whats happening on it.

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

And that leads us to a discussion of digital television transmission.  Fred 
will be back with that and more, next week.  (NRCDXAS)

**

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(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. 

Next week, newscast 1300.  The beginning of our 25th year in service to the 
world-wide ham radio community.  Please join us.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Don Wilbanks, 
KC5MFA, wishing you a safe and sane July 4th holiday, 73, and we thank you for 
listening."  Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright  2002.  All rights 
reserved.