[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1303 August 2nd, 2002

Sat Aug 3 02:57:50 EDT 2002

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1303 August 2nd, 2002

==========================================

The following is a Q-S-T. 

Ham radio may be headed to Mars.  That's right.  We 
said the red planet Mars!  Find out how on Amateur Radio Newsline report 
number 1303 coming your way right now.

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  WE ARE GOING TO MARS

Ham radio could be headed to the Red Planet in a few years.  This as the 
German ham radio space agency announces some ambitious plans for future 
Amateur Radio operations from outside the Earth's atmosphere.  CQ 
Magazine Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU has the details:

--

AMSAT-DL the German amateur radio satellite organization has announced 
plans to build two new amateur spacecraft, including one destined for 
orbit around Mars!  Now, the AMSAT News Service, says that the so-called 
Phase 5-A satellite could be launched in the 2007 to 2009 timeframe and 
that it will include subpayloads that would be launched from the main 
satellite, either to the planet's surface or into the Martian 
atmosphere. 

These devices would transmit scientific data back to the "mother ship." 
It would then use a repeater to relay the information back to hams on 
Earth.  AMSAT-DL officials say that the 2000 launch of AMSAT-OSCAR 40 
showed that the basic satellite design was capable of a trip to Mars. 

The AMSAT-DL board of directors has also given a green light to 
developing a Phase 3-E earth-orbiting satellite.  This would be a more 
traditional amateur bird, offering two-way communication links on 
amateur bands between 145 MHz and 10 GHz.  In addition, it will serve as 
a testbed for some of the technology needed for the Mars mission.

AMSAT-DL has been the lead AMSAT group on the past three large amateur 
satellites placed into orbit.  This includes AMSAT-OSCAR-10 which is 
still operating, AMSAT-OSCAR-13 which is no longer in orbit and AMSAT-
OSCAR-40.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Rich Moseson, W2VU.

--

No launch timetable has been announced for Phase 3 E, but it is expected 
to be several years before the anticipated launch of the mission to 
Mars. Information about both missions can be found at: 
http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3e/towards-p3e.pdf and 
http://www.amsat-dl.org/p5a/p5a-to-mars.pdf  
(ANS, CQ)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  JULY 4th WATER RESCUE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH HAM RADIO

Its ham radio to the rescue on Thursday, July 4th.  This following a 
water accident involving a teenage girl on Utah's Lake Powell.  Roy 
Neal, K6DUE has the details:

--

Steve Williams, K0SRW, reports that a teenager, who shall here go 
unnamed because of her age, was riding a tube behind a rented ski boat.  
They were going fast until she hit a wave and suddenly_unexpectedly went 
airborne.  That's usually lots of fun for kids but this time the young 
girl landed the wrong way. Her neck hurt.  She could hardly move her 
neck and back.

Williams wanted to call for help but the accident took place on Lake 
Powell, which is a huge place 186  miles long with almost 2 thousand 
miles of shoreline.  Major canyons, 96 of them, some 15 to 20 miles 
long, rise up behind the shore.

A marine radio came with the houseboat that Williams rented but they 
were too far out to make contact.  Cellular telephones are almost non 
existent in the territory.  So K0SRW turned to ham radio.  Williams had 
a Yaesu 900 and Outbacker antenna already set up.  On 20 meters, he 
heard W8VRT, Len Kersch, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, several hundred miles 
away.

Kersch was taking part in a net, on 14.178 Mhz.  Williams broke in, 
explained the situation and gave a phone number for the Bullfrog Marina, 
at Lake Powell.  Kersh called the marina.  They connected him with the 
National Park Service.  Another Williams, Karl Williams, KD5AW, in 
Oklahoma City broke in to assist by relaying information between W8VRT 
and K0SRW.

About 25 minutes after the initial contact, a medical helicopter and a 
National Park Service boat arrived.  They decided to airlift the girl by 
helicopter to a hospital at Grand Junction, colorado.  Strange to 
relate, the pilot also was a ham Tom Caldwell, KC7BPK,  was at the 
controls.

There was no room for the parents in the helicopter.  They took off to 
travel some 4 hours by boat and car.  As they drove and got back into 
cell phone range, good news was waiting for the anxious parents.  X-rays 
showed their daughter was normal no permanent injuries.  This ham radio 
rescue story had a happy ending.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Roy Neal, K6DUE

--

Williams says he is grateful to all of the hams who assisted in the 
rescue. Because of them an injured youngster quickly received medical 
aid in a rather remote part of the USA.  (K0SRW)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS READY FOR WASHINGTON TRAIN DERAILMENT

Ham radio was ready but not really needed at a July 29th train 
derailment just outside of Washington D-C.  An AMTRAK liner was enroute 
from Chicago to Washington when many of the passenger cars left the 
track near Kensington, Maryland.  About 90 people were taken to area 
hospitals, three reported in critical condition.  One news report said 
that a ham radio communications team was on its way to supply assistance 
but with no real communications failure, their services were found to be 
unnecessary.  The news story did not mention anyone by name or call 
sign.  (ARNewsline from news reports)

**

RADIO LAW:  QCWA FILES IN FAVOR OF NEW HAM BANDS BUT SOME MEMBERS SAY 
THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ASKED

The Quarter Century Wireless Association has filed in favor of the ARRL 
proposal to create new ham radio bands.  While most members of the QCWA 
appear to agree with the FCC filing, there is one group that is taking 
the Board of Directors to task over how it was done.  

Its not because they disagree with the content.  Rather, calling 
themselves the "vocal minority," these hams are using the QCWA 
electronic remailer to complain that the board did not send paper or 
electronic copies of the proposed filing to all members.  Also, they say 
that the board did not individually poll the members for their opinions 
before writing the QCWA position and sending the paperwork to the FCC.

But outgoing QCWA President Gary Harrison, K0BC, says that the reason it 
was done this way is simple.  It was a matter of time.

In a posting to the QCWA Reflector, Harrison says that there was a 
limited amount of time to file comments.  He also notes that there are 
only about 300 QCWA members are on the groups electronic mail list.  
That would mean preparing a paper mailing, sending it out and waiting 
for members to write back.  

Harrison uses QCWA election figures as an example.  He says that it 
takes about two years to complete an election cycle and the organization 
receives only about 30% return of the ballot.  The cost of mailing 
material out for this election is about $2,000. 

What about the organization's magazine called the QCWA Journal?  
Harrison says that it takes two months to prepare and mail it from the 
deadline for submitting articles.  And be it a paper ballot or an 
announcement in the Journal, the QCWA would have to allow several months 
to permit input from the membership.  In this case waiting would mean 
that the QCWA could not file because the commentary cutoff date had 
passed.  (ARNewsline)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  STEVE MANSFIELD, N1MZA - S.K.

Some rather sad news to report - especially for us here at Newsline.  It 
comes in word from the American Radio Relay League that its Legislative 
and Public Affairs Manager Steve Mansfield, N1MZA, has died of 
complications to brain cancer at age 55.

Steve Mansfield came to ARRL service in 1991 as an expert in the area of 
Public Relations.  It did not take long for his bosses at League 
headquarters to realize his enormous potential as a people person.  As a 
result, the hallowed halls of Washington D.C. soon became his beat and 
he spent the next eleven years as the point man between the ARRL and 
numerous political leaders.  

ARRL President Emeritus George Wilson, W4OYI, had the opportunity to 
work with Mansfield.  He tells Amateur Radio Newsline that he recalls 
one incident just before a major convention out in California.  There 
were a lot of very controversial issues on which the League had taken 
considerable heat.  Wilson gave Mansfield the job of searching out all 
issues and prepare  a short "position paper" on each for W4OYI.   The 
former ARRL president says that Mansfield did such an outstanding job 
that he had copies sent to all Directors and Vice Directors.  The result 
was what President Wilson called tons of favorable comments, and a real 
tribute to the dedication of N1MZA.

Mansfield was also seen at many hamfests and conventions.  In most cases 
speaking at public relations sessions hosted either by the ARRL or by us 
here at Newsline.  And that's really where we got to know him as a 
friend, a college and as an expert in the topic of relating to other 
people.

Steve Mansfield was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2000 and had 
surgery to remove the malignancy.  He was doing well until recently when 
he suffered a series of setbacks.  He passed away on Monday July 29th.  
He is survived by his wife Ellyn daughters Ramona and Elizabeth and the 
friends he made in and out of ham radio, worldwide.  (ARRL, W4OYI, 
ARNewsline)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  FATHER MIKE MULLEN, WB2GQW - S.K.

The Reverend Michael Mullen, WB2GQW, a past winner of the ARRL 
International Humanitarian Award, became a Silent Key in June.   "Father 
Mike" was a professor and past chairman of the humanities department at 
St. John's University in New York. He was best known in amateur radio 
for his involvement with IMRA, the International Mission Radio 
Association.  IMRA maintaines lines of communication using amateur radio 
for missionaries.  It also inter-connects various humanitarian agencies 
over the air after disasters.

According to the New York Daily News, in addition to his ARRL 
International Humanitarian Award, Father Mike received the St. John's 
University Presidential Medal and was listed in the
international edition of "Who's Who in Education." He was 87 at the time 
of his death.  (CQ, NY Daily News)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  A NEW BOOK BY N6NHG

Former computer hacker Kevin Mitnick, N6NHG, has turned author.  Amateur 
Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:

--

Kevin Mitnick, N6NHG, Mitnick is the California ham whose license 
renewal application has been designated for hearing by the FCC.  This, 
based on his conviction for hacking.  And now according to news reports, 
he has written a soon to be released book on computer hacking and -- 
more important --  how to prevent being hacked.

According to the reports, Mitnick's book -- The Art of Deception -- is a 
novel that describes more than a dozen scenarios where hackers  dupe 
computer network administrators into divulging passwords, encryption 
keys and other security details.  Mitnick claims that its all fiction 
with any personal details having been kept out of the book which 
reportedly uses fictitious names of hackers, victims and companies. 

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

--

Earlier this year the FCC designated his application to renew his 
Amateur licenses for a public hearing.  The FCC contends that Mitnick 
may no longer possess the requisite requirements to remain a Commission 
licensee.  (Published reports)

**

CONVENTIONS:  HUNTSVILLE HAMFEST

Two conventions on almost opposite sides of the country are taking place 
the weekend of the 17th and 18th of August.  In Huntsville Alabama, the 
Huntsville Hamfest takes place at the Von Braun Center's South Hall 
right across the street from the Huntsville Hilton Hotel.  Since the 
first Huntsville Hamfest in 1981, this event has grown to the point 
where the Amateur Radio manufacturers and dealers consider it to be one 
of the seven major hamfests in the country, pulling a gate of between 
5000 to 6000 every year.  

We at Amateur Radio Newsline have presented our own Young Ham of the 
Year Award at the Huntsville Hamfest since 1993.  2002 is no exception.  
So please join us at 2:00 P.M. Central time on Saturday August 17th as 
we, our corporate underwriters Vertex Standard and CQ Magazine along 
with the people of Huntsville honor 17 year of Josh Abramowicz, KB3GWY 
as the 2002 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year.  More 
information about the Huntsville Hamfest is in cyberspace at 
www.hamfest.org.  (Huntsville Hamfest)

**

CONVENTIONS:  ARRL SW DIVISION IN SAN DIEGO

And August 16th to the 18th will se the ARRL Southwestern Division show 
at the California Center of the Arts in Escondido.  The scheduled 
Banquet speaker will be Riley Hollingsworth K4ZDH.  Also on hand will be 
ARRL President Jim Haynie W5JBP, Big Project Coordinator Jerry Hill, 
along with Division Director Art Goddard W6XD, and Vice Director Tuck 
Miller NZ6T.  More information is on the convention web site at 
http://sd2002.hamcon.net.  (HAM-CON)

**

CONVENTIONS:  HUNTINGTON HAMFEST

And a week earlier on August 10th, the Tri State Amateur Radio 
Association will host the Huntington, West Virginia Hamfest.  Its at the 
Veterans Memorial Field House, 2590 Fifth Avenue in Huntington from 8:30 
AM to 2:30 P-M. Talk in on the 146.76 repeater and V-E administered ham 
radio exams will also be available.  For further information contact 
Phil Beckett by e-mail- to ab8me at hotmail.com  (N8TMW)

**

HAMFESTS:  TRW SWAP MEET FOR SEPTEMBER CANCELED

If you are planning to travel to Los Angeles this September to attend 
the famed TRW Swap Meet, choose some other month.  This is because the 
giant swap-feast has been canceled because  a corporate event will be 
held at the Space Park Facility on Saturday, September 28th.  

Only September is canceled.  There will be a TRW Swap Meet the last 
Saturday of the month in August and in October, November and December.

The TRW Swap Meet is famous and draws attendance from across the nation.  
For more information visit http://w6trw.com on the world wide web.  (Via 
e-mail from TRW A.R.C.)

**

SCIENCE PAGE:  THE MAGNETIC NORTH POLE IS ON THE MOVE

The Magnetic North Pole could soon abandon Canada, migrate north of 
Alaska and eventually wind up in Russia.  So says one scientist.  
Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,  reports on the future 
of the pole.

--

The e-newsletter Science Today tells of Larry Newitt.  Newitt is a 
researcher with the Geological Survey of Canada.  And Newitt says that 
the magnetic pole is on the move.

The researcher says that the pole, which has steadily drifted for 
decades, has picked up speed in recent years.  He says that at its 
current speed, it could exit Canadian territory as soon as 2004.  And, 
says Newitt, if the pole follows its present course, it will pass north 
of Alaska and arrive in Siberia in a half century. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, Los Angeles. 

--

If you are worried that you may soon have to trade in your old compass 
for a G-P-S to know where you are, don't.  Researcher Newitt cautions 
that such predictions could be wrong.  (Science Today)

**

INTERNATIONAL - BRAZIL:  A NEW LF BAND ON ITS WAY

According to Brazilian amateur PY3CRX the Brazilian licensing authority, 
ANATEL, has agreed that the 135.7 to 137.8kHz band can be allocated to 
radio amateurs in that nation on a secondary basis. No date was 
mentioned for the new band's introduction but PY3CRX adds that the band 
is, or will be, also available in Paraguay and Uruguay as well.  (GB2RS)

**

INTERNATIONAL- CANADA: VY2BP NEW RAC AD

Radio Amateurs of Canada reports that  Bill Perry, VY2BP, has been 
appointed as an Assistant Director for the R-A-C Atlantic Region.  Perry 
will complete the unexpired term of Fred Burke, VY2FB, who recently 
resigned the position because of family commitments.  (RAC)

**

INTERNATIONAL EAST TIMOR:  NEW CALL SIGN BLOCK ANNOUNCED 

The International Telecommunications Union says that the 4WA to 4WZ 
prefix block will go to the United Nations Territory Administration of 
East Timor for as long as it  exists.  United Nations stations within 
East Timor will be assigned 4U prefixes. The official U N Club station 
will get 4U1ET.  All other amateurs will use the 4W6 prefix. Those 
residing in East Timor less than one year will sign 4W6 followed by 
their home call.  People staying beyond one year will be assigned a 
permanent 4W6 call.  And yes, CEPT licenses are accepted.  (GB2RS, Q-
News)

**

DX

In D-X, the UK-lead youngsters' DXpedition to the Maldives should be on 
the air as 8Q7ZZ until the 11th of August.  The expedition is being lead 
by 18-year old Mark Haynes, M0DXR.  Other operators include 15-year old 
Robert Morgan, M0TTT, as well as young amateurs from Germany and Spain.  
8Q7ZZ will be running up to three stations simultaneously, all with beam 
antennas and up to 400 watts power out.  (RSGB)

Meantime, four French operators are in Benin and active as TY7Z, TY9F, 
TY4DX and TY6FB until the 14th of August.  If you make contact with 
either operation Q-S-L as directed on the air.  (QRZ DX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  A SPECIAL HAM RADIO PRESENTATION

And finally this week:
--
"Good afternoon to everybody here.  We have a lot of Amateur Radio 
operators and we have a lot of guests aboard the Queen Mary.  And we are 
here for a very short ceremony to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of 
W6RO."

--

That was Bob Heil, K9EID, on Saturday, July 27th, talking to a crowd 
assembled in the Wireless Museum next door to the Queen Mary's radio 
room.  A radio room that for the past 23 years has been the home of 
Amateur Radio Station W6RO.  And to commemorate this milestone, Bob's 
company, Heil Sound, donated a half dozen custom made Classic series 
microphones adorned with the W6RO call sign to the station.  These retro 
look microphones are very similar to the RCA studio mic's of the 1930's.  
Famed rock musician Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, had the honor of making the 
actual presentation:

--

Joe Walsh:  "These Classic microphones are presented to the Queen Mary 
amateur Radio Station, W6RO, celebrating the 23rd year of continuous 
operation provided by the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach 
California, present by Bob Heil, K9EID, and Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, on July 
27, 2002.  And we wish you continued success with the station and here 
you go."

Nate Brigtman: "Thank you very much."

--

Accepting the mics was Nate Brightman, K6OSC, who was the man who 
conceived the idea of a ham station on the Queen Mary.  He was 
accompanied b the current president of the club, Ray Rittenhouse, 
KF6WZN.  Rittenhouse has a surprise for K9EID:

--
Ray Rittenhouse: "We appreciate this very much Bob, and from our club to 
you is a certificate of our appreciation thanking you for those 
microphones we are now putting in W6RO"
--

Then it was Nate Brightman's turn.  He told the crowd a bit about the 
operation of W-6-R-O, and what those who sit at the transmitters get as 
a token of appreciation for taking the time to operate:

--
Brightman here:  ""Those amateurs who come by to visit W6RO aboard the 
Queen Mary, should they operate the station, we will mail to them a 
special certificate designating that they had the honor of operating 
W6RO aboard the Queen Mary."
--

And when it was all over Bob Heil ended the presentation with a bit of a 
poem:

--
Heil:  Nate.  Thanks for having us today.  And Ray, we appreciate all of 
your efforts for the club. And we will be seeing you a little high, a 
little low.  But we'll find you somewhere from W6RO.  (Applause)
--

Attending the ceremony, were numerous local ham radio operators from the 
Los Angeles area.  This included Vertex-Standard's Chip Margelli, K7JA 
and film maker Dave Bell W6AQ.  The ARRL was represented by Los Angeles 
Section Manager Phineas Icenbice, W6BF.  You can hear the complete 
presentation as this weeks Newsline Extra.  You will find it as an MP3 
file on our F-T-P page only a click away 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(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. 