[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1326 - January 10, 2003

Sat Jan 11 00:32:32 EST 2003

Amateur Radio Newsline 1326 - January 10, 2003

The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio gets two new satellites and the F-
C-C tells a radio club that it wont get involved in an internal club
dispute.  The details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1326
coming your way right now.

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: RUBIN-2 / SAFIR-M IN ORBIT

Two new ham radio satellites are in space.  One is from Germany and the
other from Saudi Arabia.  Q-News Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has the details has
the details on a German payload called SAFIR-M:

--
Audio Only Report.  No text available.  Hear it in MP3 at
http://www.arnewsline.org
--

More information is available i on the SAFIR-M website
http://amend.gmxhome.de  But be advised that it is in the German
language.  There is no English translation provided.  (ANS, Q-News)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SAUDISAT 1C ALSO IN ORBIT

The other new satellite is called SaudiSat 3.  Its also known as
SaudiSat One C and now as SO-50 - its ham radio designation.

As it name implies, this is the third in the unique SaudiSat series.  It
was also on board the same Russian launcher that orbited SAFIR-M.

Accordiing to AMSAT North America, this latest bird in the SaudiSat
series comes by way of the Space Research Institute of the King
Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.  For ham radio operation it
carries what amounts to closed but available on-demand cross-band F-M
repeater.  The input uplink is on 145.85 MHz.  The output channel is
436.775 at 250 milliwats into a quarter wave antenna.

And like a growing number of terrestrial repeaters, this orbital one
requitres use of an access tone.  In the case of SaudiSat, that tone
frequency is 67.0 Hertz.

And there is one other similarity to closed terrestrial repeaters.
SaudiSat-1C also requires that a designated control operator activate it
on each pass so that it can be used by the general ham radio community.
(ANS)

**

THE 5 MEGS EXPERIMENT:  ARRL SAYS ITS WAITING FOR A NEW BAND

The ARRL is out of the 5 Mhz experiment and is now hoping for for the
creation of a new ham band.  Amateur Radio Nerwsline's Norm Seeley,
KI7UP, has the rest of the story:

--
The ARRL has permitted its WA2XSY experimental license for 5 Mhz to
expire on January 1st.  The League says that it is now pinning its hopes
on the FCC to establish a new ham band in that spectrum but admits that
it is facing some stiff opposition.

An ARRL bulletin says that starting in January 1999, 15 Amateur Radio
clubs and individual hams took part in the 5-Mhz experimental operation
that basically concluded in 2002.  Through these operations the ARRL
says that it obtained sufficient information to justify its petition for
creation of the new band.

Last May, the FCC proposed going along with the ARRL's request to create
a new domestic secondary High Frequency allocation from  5.25 to 5.4
Mhz.  But in August the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration requested that the Commission not go forward with the
proposal.  The NTIA says that several government agencies with
allocations in the proposed spectrum had expressed reservations about
sharing the spectrum with hams.

But the ARRL is still very hopeful the new band can be created.  In
fact, it has been working with the government to resolve the impasse.
Meantime, the FCC has yet to act on the 5 Mhz request.

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

--

The ARRL says that the new allocation at 5 MHz is an urgent priority for
Amateur Radfo.  It says such an allocation would enhance emergency
communication activities by filling a propagation gap that exists
between the 80 and 40 meter bands.  In the meantime, experimental
operations on 5 MHz continue on a limited basis in the United Kingdom
and in Canada.  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO FOLLOW-UP:  THE GUAM SUPER TYPHOON

Guam continues to recover from the super typhoon which hit last month.
Amateur  Radio Newsline's David Black, KB4KCH, has the latest:

--
By far, the best source of information during and after the December 8th
super typhoon that hit Guam has been Duncan Campbell, KF6ILA.  Campbell
lived through the storm and reported on it and the welfare of Guam's ham
radio community through his postings to the QRZ.om website.  In his
latest report Campbell says that the focus has shifted to recovery from
the giant storm.

Campbell says that utility services are slowly being restored.   As his
report was filed about 30 percent of the island had both  electricity
and water.  He says that the electrical restoration is hampered by a
lack of transformers on the island.  A shipment is expected shortly.

More signs of recovery   Schools were slated to re-open on January 6th.
Three schools which are too damaged to reopen. These students will be
bused to other  schools which are open.

As to ham radio on the island.  As reported earlier all of Guam's radio
amateurs are  safe. There was s damage to some homes due to windows
being blown out but no homes were destroyed.  And two members of the
Marianas Amateur Radio Club radio reportedly rode out the storm in their
boat moored in the harbor.

Campbell says that a pair of Guam's more senior hams were not able to
get their antennas down in time.  He explains that the younger operators
usually take care of them before a typhoon when there is notice.  This
time the typhoon was being reported as missing Guam by 100 miles up to
12 hours prior to landfall.  So their antennas were still up when the
typhoon hit.  Needless to say the antennas and towers were destroyed.

Having talked to these two, Campbell reports that they do not know when,
if ever, they will be able to replace their antennas.  But help may be
on the way.  The Marianas Amateur Radio Club is already in discussions
to install some wire dipoles for the high frequencies and some copper J-
Poles for 2 meters at their homes.

Finally, Campbell says that the Red Cross, Salvation Army and FEMA are
doing an outstanding job here on the island.  Though he hears that the
national news outlets are not covering this disaster, he wants the world
of Amateur Radio to know that Guam is  not being neglected..

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm David Black, KB4KCH.

--

  According to Campbell, the Army field hospitals he reported having been
flown in have now shut down and the medical professionals have now
returned home.  The hospitals have been stabilized with power and water,
and the damage occurred has been patched, though final repairs are still
months away.  (KF6ILA, ARNewsline™)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  ITS NOT OUR BUSINESS

If you are having a personal disagreement with a member of your radio
club, don't bring it to the FCC.  That's the message sent by the
regulatory agency to a Texas group where it says that it will not iget
involved.  The agency's Daryl Duckworth, N-N-Zero-W, explains:

--
Duckworth:"The complaint of the Texas Soputhmost Amateur Radio Club
concerning actions by a former trustee was dismissed.  The club was told
that the matter was Civil and best handled by the local courts."
--

By way of background in January of 2002 the San Benito, Texas, based
filed a complaint with the FCC.  It requested that the Commission issue
a Cease and Desist Order to Thomas A. Tanner directing him to stop
unauthorized operation of the club repeater.  It also wanted him to
remove his personal equipment from club property and discontinue
unauthorized use of other club equipment.

But says the FCC says that setteling what amounts to interpersonal
disputes is not within is jurisdiction or purview.  Rather its a civil
matter and not one that the Commission does not plan to pursue any
further.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  NO MUSIC ON 2 METERS

The FCC has told an California ham that he could face some strong
punitive action.  This, following allegations that he transmitted music
in the two meter band.

The warning comes in a December 12th letter to Mark T. Sprague, KF6WAF
of Antioch.  In it the regulatory agency says that monitoring
information indicates that on numerous occasions in October and November
of 2002 that Sprague transmitted music on 146.415 MHz simplex and also
failed to properly identify his station.  The FCC says that direction
finding bearings led them directly to Sprague's home.

The agency tells Sprague that these charges are violations of Sections
97.113 and 97.119 of the Amateur Service Rules.  It adds that he could
be subject to license revocation and suspension proceedings, as well as
a monetary forfeiture or fine.  (FCC)

**	

ENFORCEMENT:  STAY OFF 20 METERS

One last chance to straighten out your act or we we act against your ham
license.  Thats the jist of a warning from the FCC to a Michigan ham.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Mert Garlick, N6AWE, takes an in-deoth look:

--
The threat of stern enforcement action comes in the form of a letter to
to Michael E. Guernsey Sr., ND8V, of Parchment Michigan.  Its  from FCC
rules enforcer Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH.  In it, Hollingsworth says
that his agency continues to receive complaints of Guernsey's alleged
appropriation of certain frequencies and interference to certain
operators who attempt to use them.  Among the frequencies mentioned in
Hollingsworth's letter are 14.262 and 14.275 Mhz - both in the 20 meter
band.

And the FCC notes that this is not the first time that it has taken up
enforcement issues to Guernsey.  Hollingsworth letter reminds ND8V that
the agency has contacted him before regarding such incidents.
Specifically on November 14, 2000 and May 20, 2002.  And after the
November 2000 incident Guernsey's authority to operate below 30 MHz was
removed for a period of nine months.

And says Hollingsworth, he is not going to warn Guernsey again.  He
tells ND8V that if it writes to him another time it will be to notify
him that the FCC  is taking punitive action.  Hollingsworth says that
future incidents of such operation -- even a single incident -- will
result in a fine being issued and revocation proceedings against
Guernsey's ham radio license being initiated.  That says the FCC, is the
way that it is.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mert Garlick, N6AWE.

--

Meantime, Hollingsworth has taken one step to defuse the overall
problem.  He has told  Guernsey to stay off of the 20 Meter Amateur Band
until the issues surrounding the allegations of his operation are
resolved.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  HAM JAILED FOR SPYING STILL HOLDS HAM TICKET

A ham who is serving a life sentence for espionage still has his ticket.
This even though he will probably never be permitted near a piece of ham
gear again.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Kenn Locke, N8PJN,   tells us why:

--
Remember Robert Hanssen the former F-B-I agent convicted last year of
spying?  If you do, you will also recall that he held the Amateur Radio
service call sign K-9-Q-V-L.

Well guess what.  He still does.

Contrary to what many hams thought would happen, the FCC has not acted
to revoke his Amateur Service licenses.  The reason?  Most likely nobody
has bothered to ask it to.

While Hanssen may have been one of the highest profile cases in 2002,
the charges against him did not involve prosecution by the FCC.  It was
a matter for the Department of Justice and Federal Prosecutors.  As
such, its very unlikely that anyone in either agency sat down to write a
letter to their counterparts at the FCC asking them to cancel Hanssen's
ham radio license.

The bottom line:  Unless someone files a formal request, the chances are
that Robert P. Hanssen will remain as K9QVL until his ticket expires.
Maybe longer if he decides to try to renew it from his cell in the
Federal Penitentiary where he will probably live out the rest of his
natural life.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ken Locke, N8PJN.

--

Thanks Ken.  (ARNewsline™)

**

REPEATER LISTINGS:  ARRL SEEKS REPEATER LISTINGS FROM COORDINATORS

This note to frequency coordinators. The deadline for this year's
submissions of  listing for the 2003 ARRL Repeater Directory is Friday,
February 7, 2003.  As has been the case for many years, the ARRL only
accepts listings from recognized frequency coordinators unless no
coordinator exists in a specific region.   For more information on how
to list repeaters please contact Brennan Price, N4QX, at ARRL
headquarters.  His e-mail is n4qx at arrl.org.  (Repeater Owners Remailer)

**

ARRL:  LICENSE RENEWAL AND OTHER SERVICES TO NONMEMBERS

The ARRL is now providing F-C-C Amateur Radio license renewals, address
changes and other license modification services to nonmembers.  For a
$12 fee, the League will renew a nonmember's Amateur Radio ticket within
90 days of expiration, file an application to change address or name or
request issuance of a new sequential call sign.

For several years, the ARRL has been handling renewals, address and name
changes and modifications free of charge for members.  Nommembers were
directed to the FCC's free Internet or hard-copy application options or
to other providers of such services.  (ARRL)

**

GOOD INFORMATION SOURCE:  NEW RFR WEB SITE

Our friends over at the CGC Communicator report that RF Safety Solutions
has a new web site dealing with that very subject.

As its name implies, RF Safety Solutions is a company  that provides
consulting for those concerned with human exposure to RF signals. It was
founded in 2002 by Richard Strickland who is a well-known expert in the
field of RF safety and who has developed RF safety programs and
conducted training for a number of major wireless communications
companies and broadcasters

The RF Safety Solutions web site covers RF safety reporting, safety
programs and training.  There is also a good overview of what RF
radiation really is.  Its really one of the best thought out places to
learn about R-F safety.  Look for it in cyberspace at
www.rfsafetysolutions.com.  (CGC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  CHANGES AT THE CGC COMMUNICATOR

And speaking about the CGC Communicator, word of a major change at that
broadcast industry publication.  Editor - Publisher Bob Gonsett, W6VR,
has announced that Steve Blodgett, W7RNA,
has assumed the helm as Letters Editor.

Formerlly WA7GFV, Steve Blodgett is well known to broadcasters
nationwide.  He holds an Adcanced class Amateur Radio license and has
been actively engaged in broadcasting operations and engineering for
nearly 35 years, with stations in Montana, Arizona, and California.  For
14 years he worked as the Chief Engineer and Radio Engineering Manager
with the late Gene Autry's Golden West Broadcasters in Los Angeles.  He
also used to operate an on-line bullrtin board for  Chapter 47 of the
Society of Broadcast Engineers and served as chairman of the Southern
California Frequency Coordinating Committe.  Thats the group which
handles broasdcast remote pick-up recommendations.

In making the announcement, Gonsett says that having Blodgett on board
will allow him more time to concentrate on CGC's consultant radio
engineering practice along with frequency and spectral monitoring
services.  It will also permit W6VR time to to pursue a number of new
opportunities as well.  (CGC)

**

FREE STUFF:  WABA DIRECTORY ON THWE WEB

The Diamond DX Club reports that the new WABA or Worked Antarctic Bases
Award Directory for 2003 is now available for free downloading.  Its in
Portable Document Format on the club's web site at www.ddxc.net. The new
version  includes a 12-page revised Antarctic bases listing with the
latest corrections and a new column for Islands on the Air reference
numbers.  It also sports a  a new section containing historical notes.
Again that URL is www.ddxc.net. (Diamond DX Club)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  GRONK RADIO NETWORK FOUNDEER - SK

One of the pioneers of repeater interlinking has died.  This, with word
that Gary Belda, K6ENS, has become a silent key

According to a report from Bruce and Melanie Forestal -- thats WB6ARE
and K5QQA -- Gary Belda was one of the principals behind the Gronk Radio
Network.  Gronk is one of the oldest 440 intertied remote base systems
in the South-Westen United States and stretches the most of the
Calidornia coastline.

As one of its archetects, Gary Belda among the berst liked hams in the
world of F-M and repeaters.   He worked in the two-way radio industry
for Advanced Electronics for many years before leaving to join the field
of traffic control systems. He was an expert in the aera of two-way
radio and always willing to lend a hand on a ham radio repeater project.

Belda died in whats described as an unfortunate accident possibly
related to antenna work.  No other details are available at this time.
A memorial service was held for him on Thursday, January 9th, at the
First United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach California.  (W6KGB)

**

ON THE AIR:  COMMEMORATING HISTORY

History is coming to the ham bands.  This, with word from UT5UKY that
special event station EM60USB will be active from January 23rd through
February 2nd to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of
Stalingrad.

The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the decisive World War II Russian
victories.  It stopped the German army's southern advance and turned the
tide of the war.

Now, 60 years later, ham radio will be an integral part of the
commemoration of that historic event.  And if you get to work EM6-0USB
you are advised to QSL to UT5UKY either direct, or through the bureau.
(UT5UKY)

**

INTERNATIONAL-CHINA:  RADIO MAG LIFT TRAIN RUNS JAN 1

The world's first magnetic levitation or mag-lift passenger train began
running in Shanghai China on January 1st.  The radio controlled train
reached 312 miles per hour in testing.  In regular service it  will
carry passengers and freight at a top speed above 250 miles per hour
between Pudong International Airport and Shanghai's financial district.
The distance is 30 miles an the trip will take mere 7 minutes -- not
even enough time to make a quick cell phone call.  (Technology Online)

**

PROPAGATON ASSISTANCE:  C6AFP BEACON MOVING

Steve Rutledge, N4JQQ, says that he plans to move the C6AFP beacon on
50.062 Mhz in the near future.  It is currently located at Treasure Cay,
Great Abaco, Bahamas in grid FL-16.  It will be going to a new home on
Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas which is about five miles away.  This is
another island, same grid.  C6AGN has agreed to let Steve put the beacon
up at his QTH.  (VHF Reflector)

**

CONTESTING:  LINDHOLM TO CQ WWW VHF CONTEST

Turning to on the air operations.  Word that John Lindholm, W1XX is the
new Director for the CQ World Wide VHF Contest.  Lindholm replaces Gene
Zimmerman, W3ZZ, who left to take over writing the World Above 50 Mhz
column for QST magazine.  (VHF Reflector)

**

DX

In DX, DK9GG and DJ4KW will be active as V31GW and V31YN from Belize
until February 25th. On February 8th they will be joined by DL2SWW and
DG2TM.  The four plan to operate from NA-073 on the 21st through the
23rd of February. QSL direct to each operators home call.  (DL2VFR)

And K9YNF reports that he will be active as K9YNF slash HR9 from Roatan
Island.  This, from January 11th to the 18th.  He will operate SSB only
on 14.260, 18.128, 24.950, 28.460 and 28.560 Mhz.  This, plus or minus a
kew kilohertz to compensate for any Q-R-M.  QSL via his home call --
either direct or via the bureau.  (425 DX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  DOGGIE TALK AND THE IG NOBEL AWARDS

And finally this week, word that an inter-species communications device
has received special recognition.  Amateur Radio Newsline's producer
Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more:

--
No, we are not kidding.  An inter-species communications apparatus -- as
in a dog-to-person translator -- is one of the winners of the 2002 Ig
Nobel Awards.

What are the Ig Noble awards you ask?  They are a spoof of the famed
Nobel Awards ceremony and are given annually at Harvard University to
recognize achievements that cannot or should not ever be reproduced.

Winners are selected by a secret committee from thousands of
nominations.  Actual Nobel Laureates present the Ig Nobel's at a
ceremony where the winners are hailed with cheers and a flurry of paper
airplanes.  And if a recipient feels insulted or slighted by the award,
it is withdrawn.

For 2002 those victorious included the people behind the definitive
study on bellybutton lint and an inquiry into what arouses ostriches.
But by far the dog to person translator was one of the most popular.
Its works by listening to the tone of a dog's bark converting that data
into an interpretation of the dogs mood.

The device is already on the market in Japan.  An English language
version called Bow-Wow-Lingual -- nope -- we are now kidding -- Bow-Wow-
Lingual -- It may be on the market here in the U-S-A in about a year.
And we thought that you'd want to know.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, with my dog Daisy, I'm Bill Pasternak,
WA6ITF.

--

Hmmmm.  If it happens, we wonder what breed will be honored with an Ig
Nobel for being the first to dog to get a ham radio license and make
DXCC.

More about the Ig Nobel awards is in cyberspace at
http://www.improb.com/ig/ig-top.html  (Science Frontiers)

**

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.