[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1327 - January 17, 200

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Amateur Radio Newsline 1327 - January 17, 2003

The following is a Q-S-T.  Australian telecommunications regulators 
oppose the Amateur Radio fix for 40 meters and hams on Fiji provide aid 
in the wake of cyclone Ami.  These stories are first on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1327 coming your way right now!

**

SPECTRUM ISSUES:  AUSTRALIAN REGULATORS FAVOR 40 METER STATUS QUO  

A disagreement over the future of the 40 meter band between Australia's 
national amateur radio society and that nations telecommunications 
regulators.  The Australian Communications Authority -- the A.C.A. 
favors the status quo.  The Wireless Institute of Australia says its 
time for a change.  From Brisbane, Q-News Graham Kemp, VK4BB, picks up 
the story:

--

The 7 MHz issue.  Currently A.C.A. is against the motion at WRC 2003 -- 
which is of course at variance with the current allocation in Australia.  
At present the A.C.A. are steadfast in their opposition to the motion  
notwithstanding numerous attempts at lobbying them.  The WIA position is 
in support of the IARU motion and WIA will continue  to lobby A.C.A. to 
support the full 300 kHz allocation at 7 MHz on a world wide  basis.

WIA President Ernie has asked: "If anyone can think of any additional
justification that we can provide to A.C.A. to make them change their 
minds please let the A.C.A. Liaison Committee know and we will try 
and push the matter with A.C.A. again".

--

What impact the A.C.A.'s stand will have on the outcome of WRC 2003 
cannot be assessed at this time.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  CYCLONE AMI HITS FIJI

A Cyclone named Ami has torn across parts of Fiji, destroying  homes and 
unleashing floods across northern islands.  And it appears that once 
aghain, Amateur Radio has come to the rescue,  It all happened on 
January 14th.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has what we 
know so far.

--
Packing sustained winds in excess of 90 miles per hour and gusts of 125 
miles an hour, the Cyclone Ami whipped up mountainous seas, cut 
communications and left the  tourist hub of Labasa, on the main northern 
island of Vanua Levu, under four feet of water.  All normal lines of 
communications with Vanua Levu were cut at about 17:00 GMT as the storm 
approached. Vanua Levu is where a quarter of Fiji's 800,000 people live.

According to news reports, emergency officials did manage to restore 
partial communications with Labasa and the town of Savusavu late on 
Tuesday using Amateur Radios circuits.  Over them they learned that 
Labasa was under four feet of water after a nearby river overfload its 
banks.  Also that there had been extensive damage throughout the area.  

But even these communications efforts were hampered by extensive 
flooding.  Also, the extent of the involvement of hams is still unclear 
since news reports did not give the names or call signs of the operators 
handling the emergency operations.

Here in New Zealand the government has already sent an air force 
surveillance plane to assess damage.  Another aircraft was scheduled to 
arrive in Fiji the same day and, carrying aid experts and some relief 
supplies.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, reporting from 
Auckland, New Zealand.

--

The cyclone is the second to hit the South Pacific in as many weeks. 
Thousands of inhabitants of a remote part of the Solomon Islands chain 
northwest of Fiji survived powerful Cyclone Zoe, which hammered the area 
with 190 mph winds.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS AID IN WAKE OF TYPHOON ZOE

And speaking of Cyclone Zoe, ham radio is helping in recovery efforts 
following that storm after it hit the Solomon Islands a few weeks ago.  
Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottingham England has more:

--

Students and graduates of the Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training 
School have been on the air from the capital Honiara in the wake of 
Cyclone Zoe. 

The storm hit the islands of Tikopia and Anuta in the Solomon's remote 
Temotu Province last week. The amateurs are volunteers at the National 
Disaster Management Organisation and are providing assistance to the 
staff of three at NDMO HQ during the current state of disaster in the 
Solomons. 

Using donated equipment received last year fromoverseas amateurs and CB 
operators, the first on the air was Moffet, H44MD. He was told that 
three 100-watt HF transceivers were donated by an American amateur and 
sent by air mail three weeks before the cyclone.

--

As we go to air, reports say that the Solomon Island radio school 
graduates are still providing post cyclone aid.  (GB2RS)


**


COMMUNICATIONS LAW:  BIG BROADCAST TOWER WIN IN NH

Back here in the United States, a big tower case win for a broadcaster 
could have a trickle-down effedt for ham radio.  This, after the New 
Hampshire Supreme Court has rejectes a city's zoning ordinance limiting 
the height of new communication towers to 42 feet.  It says that 
regulation conflicts with federal law.

The ruling clears the way for Koor Communication Inc. to obtain local 
construction permits to begin constructing broadcast towers for WQTH-AM 
in Lebanon, New Hampshire.  According to Radio World Online, Koor 
Communications first filed for variances to the ordinance in 1999 
seeking to construct four antennas to the height of 266 feet in 
accordance with its FCC license and Construction Permit.  The 
broadcaster's attorneys argued that Lebanon's restrictions effectively 
prohibited the construction of new radio stations.  

Koor Communication lost several lower court decisions.  This lead to the 
appeal to the state's highest court.  That court has now said the lower 
court findings were incorrect and it reversed their rulings. (CGC 
Commuinicator, RW-ONLINE)

**

ARRL:  BOARD IS MEETING

The American Radio Relay League's Board of Directors is holding its 
first meeting of 2003 as this newscast goes to air.  For a full wrap-up 
on what actions the Diirectors might take, go to the news pages on the 
ARRL website.  Its easy to find at www.arrl.org.  (ARRL)

**

ENFORCEMENT: HAM JAILED FOR SPYING FOLLOW-UP

Two interesting follow-ups to last weeks story on convicted spy Robert 
Hanssen, K9QVL.  The first came in a note from the FCC which takes issue 
with our account. 

It says and we quote: "the assertion that we need a complaint to pull 
Hansen's ticket or anyone else's ticket is dead wrong."  Endquote.

But thats all the spokesman says.  No other information was provided. 

The other item is even more interesting.  After the story ran, we began 
getting reports that Hanssen's call had been deleted.  We went over and 
checked the FCC's database.  It was still there.  It was also on the 
Buckmaster websire, but ther was a surrprise when you inputted the K9QVL 
call over on QRZ.com.  It came back stating that the K9QVL listing was 
no longer in the QRZed database.  (ARNewsline™)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC RESCINDS ND8V WARNING LETTER

The FCC has canceled its recent warning letter issued to Michael 
Gurnsey, ND8V, and has told the Parchment Michigan ham he can resume 
operation on the 20 meter band.  

As reported last week, the agency's Riley Hollingswoth, K4ZDH,  had 
written a very sternly worded letter to Gurnsey.  It stated that it 
would initiate stern punitive action against him if it received any more 
complaints that he was appropriating certain frequencies on the 20 meter 
band.  It also told him to stay off 2o meters until the issue could be 
resolved.

But on January 3rd the Hollingsworth wrote to ND8V once again.  This 
time it told Gurnsey that he could disregard the warning letter and 
resume 20 meter operation.  It also went on to thank him for his 
cooperation in resolving the matter.  No further information was 
provided by the FCC.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  NY HAM FACING REVOCATION

The FCC has written to a New York city area ham telling him he may face 
license revocation proceedings.  The Commission's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, 
explains:

--
Duckworth: "A Warning Notice and Notice of Intention to Designate a 
Revocation and Suspension Proceeding was issued to Alexander Sandbrand 
N2NNU for operation outside of his Technician class priveleges on 
numerous occasions and after warnings."
--

Sandbrand lives in Yonkers New York.  That's a few miles due North of 
Manhattan.  Back on August 17th of 2001 the FCC issued Sabndbrand a 
first Warning Notice regarding operation outside of his license 
privileges.  The Commission says it now has information indicating that 
at least nine times since his receipt of that initial warning that 
Sandbrand operated out of band.

And in a related item, the ARRL Letter reports that Sandbrand called FCC 
rulers enforcer Riley Hollingsworth after receiving the first Warning 
Notice.  He reportedly complained that it wasn't fair that he had to 
pass additional examination elements to operate on High Frequency phone.  
Hollingsworth supposedly told Sandbrand that if he wants to operate on 
H-F, he has to take the test like everybody else.  (FCC, ARRL Letter) 

**

RADIO LAW:  TEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN DIREC TV CASE

A 19-year-old college has been taken into custody on charges that he 
pilfered information about a new security system used by satellite 
broadcaster Direc TV and distributed it over the Internet.  FBI agents 
in Los Angeles say that they arrested Igor Serebryany and have charged 
him with stealing information related to DirecTV's latest access cards.  
These are the access cards Direc TV uses to regulate what services its 
subscribers will receive. 
    
According to several news reports, Serebryany who is identified as a 
University of Chicago student, allegedly took the information from a Los 
Angeles area law firm that was doing legal work for Direc TV. He ithen 
is supposed to have distributed it to web sites dedicated to the hacking 
of DirecTV's security systems. 

According to the criminal complaint against Serebryany, DirecTV spent 
more than $25 million developing the high security "Period 4" card.  
This, after the three previous versions had been successfully hacked by 
pirates.  Serebryany faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or both, if 
convicted.  (Published news reports)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC SIMPLIFIES FILING PROCEEDURES WITH ECFS EXPRESS

The Federal Communications Commission has launched ECFS Express.  This 
is a simplified version of its Electronic Comment Filing System  or 
ECFS.
 
According to an FCC news release, ECFS Express is designed specifically 
with the consumer in mind.  The FCC claims that it is easy to use, 
focuses on topics rather than docket numbers, and requires minimal input 
by consumers seeking to participate in the Commission's public 
rulemaking process.   People wishing to comment simply click on a topic, 
fill in their personal information, write their comments and hit "send."    

To access ECFS Express, users need only click on the "File Comments" 
logo found on the front page of the FCC's Web site at www.fcc.gov  The 
original version of the Electronic Comment Filing System, which includes 
all docketed Commission proceedings is still at the FCC website as well.  
(FCC)


**

COMMUNICATIONS LAW:  A WARNING TO DOMAIN NAME SELLERS

A warning to Internet domain-name sellers.  Keep better track of your 
customers or Congress will be forced to step in. 
    
The warning comes from California Representative Howard Berman.  He 
claims that domain-name sellers have an obligation to keep accurate 
records of their customers to ensure they can be contacted if they are 
improperly using trademarked names or engaging in other illegal 
activity. 
    
According to Berman. Internet users must provide a contact name, address 
and other information when they buy a domain name.  But the Congressman 
says that few name sellers run checks to make sure that the contact 
information is accurate.  Berman says that this lax oversight allows 
scam artists and cybersquatters looking to sell domain names to their 
rightful owners or others to hide their true identities.  This he says, 
provides a barrier for law-enforcement officials investigating such 
crimes.

Berman says that he would like to see all the top-level domains start to 
implement these types of checks on their systems.  He also warns that if 
self regulation does not work that Congress may have to step in.  
(Published news reports)

**

CONVENTIONS AND HAMFESTS:  VIENNA VIRGINIA IN FEBRUARY

Turning to the hamfest and convenbtion scene,  if you are in or near 
Vienna Virginia on  Sunday, February 23rd, 2003, then plan to stop by 
the Vienna Wireless Society's 27th annual Winterfest.  The venue is the 
Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale.  Look for lots of 
equipment along with helpful information on how to get started in the 
hobby.  More information is in cyberspace at www.viennawireless.org  
(KG4OJT)

**

CONVENTIONS AND HAMFESTS:  HAM-EX 2003 CANADA IN MARCH

A bit to the North, the Ham-Ex 2003 exposition is slated for March 22nd 
at the Brampton Fall Fairgrounds in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.  
Sponsored jointly by the Peel and Mississauga amasteur radio clubs the 
March 22nd event will feature manufacturers displays, equipment vendors, 
Canadian ham radio exams and everything that goes into a great hamferst 
or convention including a gala banquet and lots of prizes.  For more 
information please visit the shows website.  Its in cybersace at 
www.peelarc.org  (press release)

**

THE WAR ON TERRORISM:  NYC REBUILDS WITH A NEW TV TOWER IN NEW JERSEY

A broadcast tower almost a half mile high to replace the structure lost 
when terrorists felled New York's World Trade Center could rise across 
the Hudson river in New Jersey.  This, as an alliance made up of eleven 
broadcasters release a report as to why they favor proposed site in 
Bayonne over one in Jersey City.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce 
Tennant, K6PZW, has more:

--
In a 17-page letter to New Jersey's environmental commissioner, the 
broadcasting alliance says the new tower would restore quality 
television reception for about three quarters of a million people in the 
metropolitan area. This is especially important to the regions poor and 
elderly who cannot afford to pay for cable or satellite reception.  And 
the alliance called the Bayonne site far superior in terms of size, 
security, environmental concerns, cost and construction timetables. 

And the groups president, Edward Grebow said the $200 million project 
would also be a boon to construction workers in the region. He also 
noted that the city of Bayonne wants to make the tower a central element 
in plan to transform the location into an area of offices, homes, stores 
and marinas. In addition to its television antenna system, the alliance 
suggests that the structure might also be used for scientific studies. 
This could include long term investigations into weather, climate and 
air pollution. 

If constructed the new tower would not only become the world's tallest 
free-standing structure. It would also be the worlds tallest broadcast 
tower built at near sea level. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce 
Tennant, K6PZW, reporting. 
--

While New Jersey has the support of the regions broadcasts, other 
locations are still believed to be under consideration by local 
politicians and community leaders.  (ARNewsline™ from listener reports)


**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  GENERATING ELECTRICITY WITH HOT AIR

Meantime, another would-be tallest man-made structure could soon be 
towering over the Australian outback.  This, as part of a plan to 
capitalize on the global push for greater use of renewable energy.

By 2006, the Australian power company EnviroMission Ltd hopes to build a 
3,300 foot high solar tower in southwest New South Wales state. The 200 
megawatt solar generating station will cost nearly $563 million dallars 
to build and will be the width to a football field.

The technology behind its operation is very simple.  The sun heats air 
under the tower's glass roof.  As the hot air rises, a powerful updraft 
is also created by the tower that allows air to be continually sucked 
through 32 turbines, which spin to generate power.

EnviroMission hopes to begin construction on the solar tower before the 
end of the year.  It says that it plans on generating enough electricity 
to supply 200,000 homes around the beginning of 2006.

Currently, the world's tallest free-standing structure is the Canadian
National Tower in Toronto. Its about 1650 feet high.  (W8HDU)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  DON MACKAY, ZL3RW -  S.K.

The changing of the guard in Amateur Radio continues.  This, with word 
that NZART Honorary Life Member and Past President Don Mackay, ZL3RW has 
passed away.  

MacKay died at his home in Christchurch on January 14th after a long 
illness.  Among his many accomplishments was his  work in the 
introduction of Amateur service repeaters to  New Zealand.  This, at a 
time when that nations Post Office was opposed to such operation.  

ZL3RW used his experience in emergency communications to sway the 
agencys decision in favor of permitting repeater operation.  For many 
years it was this aspect of Amateur Radio that ensured their 
continuation.

Don MacKay is survived by his sister Margaret.  A service in celebration 
of his life was held Saturday January 18th in the city of Christchurch.  
(NZART)

**


HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NO PACKET TO THE ISS
Packet users are being requested to not send e-mail messages to the all 
ham crew on board the International Space Station at this time.  This, 
according to the AMSAT News Sercice which reports that they are not 
answering e-mail, and are realkly not expected to do so in the near 
future.  No specific reason was given, but according to news reopprts 
the current all ham crew is very busy with many non ham radio related 
on-orbit duties.  (ARISS)
**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ISS ALABAMA EXHIBIT FEATURES HAM RADIO
Ham radio will play a part as the City of Mobile, Alabama is hosts a 
four month  exhibit of the International Space Station.  This at the new 
Science Exploreum building. 

The exhibit consists of a full scale mockup of the main parts of the ISS 
along with other aspects of living and working in space.  According to 
N4UXY the Mobile Amateur Radio Club " W4IAX " will host a ham radio 
station that will attempt to talk to the real space station durinvg the 
exposition.  The club also plans to demonstrate other aspects of the 
Amateur radio to an expected 80,000 visitors.

The show began on January 9th and ends on April 5th. More information is 
on the web at www.exploreum.net  (N4UXY)
**

CONTESTS:  2003 WINTER 6 METERS CONTEST 

The 2003 winter 6 meter contest is will commence at 2300 U-T-C on Friday 
February 7th and conclude at 03:00 U-T-C on Saturday February 8th.  The 
rules are very simple.  Each in-country QSO is worth one point.  Out of 
country contacts score as two points.  Hawaii and Alaska count as 
separate nations in this one.  

Scoreing is total Q-S-O points multiuplied by the number of grid squares 
worked.  Entries go by e-mail to w4wrl at aol.com before March 15th.  They 
can also be sent snail-mail to Wayne Lewis, 3338 South Cashur Drive, 
Florence, South Carolina, 29501.  (VHF Reflector)

**

DX

In D-X, PA3GIO will be active as ZK2GI from Niue from about the 18th to 
26th of January.  He will operate SSB only with 100 watts and a dipole 
antenna.  If you work him, Q-S-L as directed on the air.

Also, KM1E is active from the Bahamas as C6AGN.  He's on 160 through 6 
meters from now through the 4th of March.

And lastly, some good news about famed D-X'er Ron Wright ZL1AMO who 
suffered collapsed lungs in late November.  According to Judy Rausch, 
AA7UC, of the International D-X Network, Wright returned to his home on 
January 13th to complete his recocery.  (AA7UC, INDEXA)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  CELEBRATING A NEW LICENSE CLASS

And finally, a big success for a big operating event celebrating a new 
license.  That's the word out of the United Kingdom as reports on the 
first ever Foundation Class Q-S-O party begin to filter in. Again to 
England and  GB2RS news presenter Jeramy Boot, G4NJH:.

--
The M3 'QSO Party' on 40 metres on the 1st of January was a huge success
with hundreds of newly-licensed M3 amateurs and their friends wanting to 
take part. Richard Jolliffe, G3ZGC, said: "I planned just to join in but 
when I switched on there were two M3s looking for a net controller. So 
as one of the Newbury club's Foundation Licence instructors I 
volunteered.

The pile-up was certainly the largest I have ever heard and I had to go 
to letters in the suffix and ask for M3 Alfa stations and work through 
the alphabet. In two hours I worked 112. At least half as many again 
were 'gotaways'." 

Richard added, "What was very noticeable was that the standard of 
operating was fantastic by the M3s. It was noticeable how appreciative 
most of them were at having passed their exams. Many messages of thanks 
were passed to their local clubs. An excellent event."

Douglas Nixon, M3BKC, was one of the numerous Foundation Licensees 
joining in the fun. He said, "Richard did a splendid job as net 
controller during the hectic conditions that followed at times during 
the next two hours. Roger, G4RUW, also from Newbury, took over at 1200, 
followed by John, G4TSN, from Nottingham. Many thanks to all concerned."

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH
--

Obviously, the concepts behind the U-K Foundation Class license are rock 
solid and it is most likely the way other nations will go as they seek 
too increase participation in the hobby.  (GB2RS)

**

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. 

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim 
Damron, N8TMW, and I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for 
listening."  Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright  2002.  All rights 
reserved.