[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1331 - February 14, 2003

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Amateur Radio Newsline 1331 - February 14, 2003

The following is a Q-S-T. 

The terrorism warning level goes up in the United States and ham radio 
operators should be prepared.  The details on Amateur Radio Newsline 
report number 1331 coming your way right now.
 
**

THE WAR ON TERROR:  NATION GOES COLOR ORANGE:  HAMS SHOULD BE ALERT

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says every American must be 
vigilant.  This as the Bush administration raises the nations terror 
alert from Code Yellow to Code Orange and says this represents the most 
significant warning since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.  Among those best 
equipped to assist the nation in fighting terror are its ham radio 
operators.  Amateur Radio Newsline's David Black, KB4KCH takes a look at 
how hams can prepare themselves and how they can help:

--
The government isn't minimizing the threat.  Officials expects more 
attacks against the United States and its allies in coming days.  The 
only thing they can't do is predict when and where an attack will occur.

Federal officials recommended that Americans should take basic disaster 
preparation steps.  This includes maintaining a three day stockpile of 
food and water. They also recommended obtaining duct tape and plastic 
sheeting to seal a house in the event of a chemical or biological attack 
or disaster.  They also say to have some sort of emergency radio 
receiver.  One that can operate for days without being plugged into a 
power outlet is best.  This will be the primary way the government talks 
to you should the unthinkable happen.

How can ham radio operators help?  Start by making sure that your ham 
gear works.  Especially your hand held and mobile radios.  If you only 
have one battery pack for your H-T, go out and buy one or two more.  Or 
even better,   get a case that lets you use alkaline batteries that are 
widely available.  If the power goes out, you can't recharge Ni-Cads or 
NiM-H cells.  But you  can operate for a number of hours with Alkaline 
batteries.  So have several sets of these on hand -- at least enough to 
get you through 72 hours of non-stop operation.

If you are a trained communicator active with an ARES or other emergency 
communications group, be sure to let the chain of command know where you 
will be.  Give them a list of phone numbers where you can be reached 24 
hours a day -- 7 days a week.  Better yet, get a pager and give its 
number only to the person who will be calling you.  That way if that 
pager goes off,  you know it's for real.

What about looking out for terrorism in your own community? Do it.  
Observe and report.

If you see something that looks out of the ordinary or suspicious, call 
the police.  Remember that old adage about better to be safe than sorry.  
While it's not likely you'll encounter a real live terrorist cell, it's 
not out of the question, either.  And that's where your radio, your 
local repeater and its autopatch come in.

Even if you don't own a cellular telephone, your hand held or mobile 
radio is your emergency lifeline.  If you have access to an autopatch 
equipped repeater its a lot better than a cell phone.  Cellular phones 
are known for not being reliable in many areas.  With a ham repeater, if 
you can hear it, the chances are it will hear you.  And even if there's 
no autopatch, another amateur can relay your message to authorities.

What about on the air?  What are the chances that a terrorist cell might 
take to the airwaves on your favorite band?   Not very likely but again 
not impossible, either.  Terrorists tend to try to blend in with the 
background.  Setting up a communications network on even an 
underutilized band like 6 meters would be like waiving a red flag in 
front of a bull.  Hams are very protective of their spectrum and are not 
afraid to go after those on a band illegally.

It's far more likely that a terror group would set up shop on license 
free public frequencies than on 2 meter F-M or 20 meter sideband.  And 
it's a pretty good guess that government monitors are keeping a close 
ear on F-R-S, MURS, Class D CB and the frequencies nearby to each 
service.

What if you hear something that seems suspicious?  There are three 
letters to remember:  F-B-I.  The agency set up a website and dial-in 
tip line immediately following the September 11th attacks.  Both are 
still in service.

The website U-R-L is www1.ifccfbi.gov and it puts you only a link away 
from filing a report.  Just click on the words "Report Terrorist 
Activity."

And this word to hams who have never handled emergency communications.  
If you hear a net going on, don't break in to ask if you can help.  The 
chances are that you cannot.  You can do more good by listening and 
learning procedures.  Better yet, go to the ARRL's website and sign up 
for one of their Emergency Communications Training Classes.  With the 
stark new reality of terrorism on our homeland soil, it should be 
incumbent on every ham regardless of age or license class to become 
skilled in emergency communications techniques.  It might be you who's 
called on to save a life.

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

--

The bottom line.  As the Office of Homeland Security has said, every 
American must be vigilant.  In retrospect, all of our lives could depend 
on it.    Hams can sign up for emergency communications training at the 
ARRL website -- www.arrl.org.  (ARNewsline)

**
  
ENFORCEMENT:  HAM FINED $12000 FOR MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS

A ham has been fined $12,000 for violation of the Amateur Service Rules.  
We have this report:.

--

Its one of the largest fines ever assessed for ham radio rules 
violations and its been handed to Scott E. Kamm, the license holder of 
amateur radio station N0UGN.  And it comes after the Federal 
Communications Commission finds Kamm apparently responsible for causing 
intentional interference, broadcasting music and failing to identify 
with his station by its FCC assigned call.

Kamm's story goes back to December 9, 2002.  In response to complaints 
of continuing interference on 146 point 31 MHz, an agent of the 
Commission's Kansas City Field Office began monitoring.  At 
approximately 7:00 P.M., the agent observed a very strong signal on the 
frequency.  It was reportedly made up of music, sound effects and 
unmodulated carriers.  No station identification was transmitted.  More 
important.  These transmissions were interfering with existing 
communications that were in progress between other amateur stations.  

Using radio direction finding the agent determined the source of these 
interfering signal to be Kamm's residence in near-by Waterbury, 
Nebraska. The FCC says that Kamm has two addresses that they know of.  
One in Sioux City, Iowa and the other in Waterbury where they traced the 
interference as coming from.

The scenario repeated itself a day later on December 10th.  This time 
the agent entered the premises and inspected Kamm's station.  The agent 
found an amateur radio transmitter capable of operating on 146.31 MHz 
but Kamm stated that no transmissions were made from his station.  That 
he used the radio to receive only.  Kamm also asserted that no one else 
operated the station.

But the FCC is not buying that story.  It says that the Amateur Service 
Rules state that no ham shall willfully or maliciously interfere with -- 
or cause interference to -- any other radio communication or signal. 
Also amateur stations are prohibited from transmitting music using and 
that they must identify at the end of each communication or at least 
every 10 minutes.  

And, based on the evidence before it, the FCC says that it finds that 
Scott E. Kamm did willfully and repeatedly violate the Amateur Service 
Rules by causing intentional interference, broadcasting music and 
failing to identify.  He is being fined $7000 for the interference, 
$4000 for transmitting the music and $1000 for failing to identify.  

In Blair Alper, KA9SEQ, reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Kamm was given the customary thirty days to pay up or file an appeal.  
(FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  UNLICENSED RADIO BROADCASTER SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS 
PROBATION

The FCC has announced that Benjamin Leroy Carter has been sentenced to 
18 months probation.  This, following his conviction on seven counts of 
unlicensed radio operation.  

The conviction and subsequent sentencing is the result of an 
investigation that began in February of 1999.  The Commission's Tampa 
Florida Office says that it received complaints from residents and 
broadcasters in the Orlando, Florida area of interference to the 
reception of licensed radio broadcast stations.  Carter, who also went 
by the name of Malik Copafeel Abdul, pled guilty to seven counts of 
unlicensed radio operation in November of 2002.  He also agreed to 
forfeit all equipment used in connection with the station.

The FCC says that 4 months of the sentence will be served as home 
confinement.  In addition, Carter will be required to perform 50 hours 
of community service.  Its all in cyberspace at   
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-231068A1.doc  
(FCC, CGC Communicator)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  NEW CLASS OF FIELD DAY STATION

Amateur Radio's premiere emergency preparedness operating event is 
changing.  This with word that the annual ARRL Field Day will gain 
another entry class for 2003. 

Called Class F, these will be Amateur Radio stations which are set up 
and operate from emergency operations centers, or EOC's.  ARRL says that 
the change renews the emphasis of Field Day's 1933 origins as an 
emergency preparedness exercise as opposed to a routine contest.  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  A NEW CB SIDEBAND EMERGENCY CHANNEL

Doug Schwinn N0LAY, reports over the QRZ.com website that the Michiana 
Emergency Monitoring Group is promoting an iniative to have C-B  channel 
39 designated as an additional frequency to be used and monitored during 
emergencies.  This in addition to the existing C-B channel 9.

The reason?  Schwinn, who also holds the call KDZ0430 says that he 
joined in the effort because of the mountainous region of Colorado where 
he lives.  He says that he would likely be heard using lower sideband on 
C-B Channel 39 than A-M on Channel 9 during an emergency situation.  He 
also notes that a spokesperson for the group stated in an article in 
Popular Communications that this is part of an effort to restore and 
legitimize the Citizen Band Service. (N0LAY via Internet)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO ASSISTANCE IN COLUMBIA DEBRIS RECOVERY ENDS

Ham radio communications assistance in finding parts from the fallen 
space shuttle Columbia has wound down.  According to several Internet 
reports, February 12th was the last day hams were to be called out to 
provide communications in the recovery effort.

During the height of the recovery, activities being conducted over the 
W5NAC repeater in Nacogdoches Texas could be monitored using Echolink's 
EDU_NET conference.  Rick Hambly, W2GPS, says that there was a very 
active effort by RACES and SKYWARN to aid NASA and government agencies 
like the FBI with the identification, G-P-S location, cataloging and 
recovery of space shuttle Columbia components.  

As previously reported, the Columbia was at 203,000 feet when it 
disintegrated plummeted back to Earth.  All seven Astronauts on board 
were killed.  Three of the 7 were licensed radio amateurs but no ham 
radio gear was carried on that ill-fated flight.  (VHF Reflector, W2GPS, 
others)

**

REMEMBERING COLUMBIA:  HAM CREATES ON-LINE MEMORIAL

A former Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year ward recipient has 
created a lasting Internet tribute to the space shuttle Columbia.  

The memorial website was created by Kevin Boudreaux, N5XMH, of Orlando 
Florida.  Boudreaux, who grew up just outside New Orleans was the 
recipient of our 1993 "Young Ham of the Year Award" for his organizing 
Amateur Radio emergency communications following a devastating 
hurricane.    

Today Boudreaux is a Manager with the Hilton Hotels and a professional 
website designer.   He tells Amateur Radio Newsline that he was so 
personally touched by the Columbia tragedy that he created this memorial 
website to the shuttle and its crew.  

The webpages he has created are filled with facts about the orbiter and 
its mission along with photos and short biographies of its STS-107 crew.  
Kevin also provides links to other Columbia memorial websites along with 
the complete statement of President George W. Bush when he sadly went on 
the air to let the world know that the Columbia was lost.     

Kevin was only 14 when he went out to help his community in time of 
disaster.  He was 15 when he received the "Young Ham of the Year Award" 
and his dedication has never stopped.  

You can view his web tribute to the fallen Columbia and its crew at 
www.sscolumbiamemorial.com or www.columbia7memorial.com (ARNewsline)

**

RADIO LAW:  ALLEGED PAY TV INFO THIEF PLEADS NOT GUILTY

A 19-year-old University of Chicago student has pleaded not guuilty to 
federal charges of stealing plans for security systems used by satellite 
broadcaster Direc TV and distributing them freely on the Internet.  Igor 
Serebryany is accused of stealing information related to Direc TV's 
latest access cards and then posting the priporotity information to 
websites dedicated to the hacking of the companys security systems

As previously reported, the theft allegedly took place while Serebryany 
was working at the Los Angeles office of a law firm that represents  
Direc TV.  He was indicted by a federal grand jury last month on three 
felony counts of theft of trade secrets and faces a maximum sentence of 
10 years in prison if convicted on all charges. (Published news reports)

**

CONVENTIONS AND HAMNFESTS: CHARLOTTE NC IN MARCH

March 8th and 9th are the dates of this years Charlotte North Carolina 
Hamfest and Computer Fair.  The venue is the Charlotte Merchandise Mart 
on Independence Blvd.  Doors open 8:30 a.m. both days with talk in on 
the 145.29 Mhz repeater.  This years featured forum speaker is FCC chief 
rules enforcer Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH.  More information is in 
cyberspace at www.w4bfb.org/Hamfest.html  (Press release)

**
RESCUE RADIO:   HAM RADIO IN TV DOCUMENTARY

Ham radio is part of a soon to be shown documentary produced for the 
Discovery Channel.  Joe Moell, K0OV, has the details:

--
Members of the Hospital Disaster Support Communications System of Orange 
County, California have been included in tapeings for a new documentary 
series on the Discovery Channel.  "Critical Rescue," a series of 
programs featuring rescue workers and those who support them, made its 
debut on February 6.

A team from New Dominion Pictures spent a half-day with HDSCS last 
August.  They interviewed founder and leader April Moell, WA6OPS, and 
taped reenactments of ham communications that took place on April 23, 
2002.  On that day, hams were awaiting their assignments for one of the 
four large-scale disaster drills in Orange County each year.  At 8:10 
AM, a 6000-ton mile-long freight train struck a standing Metrolink 
double-decker commuter train at a crossing in Placentia, causing three 
deaths and over 200 injuries.  The drill was immediately cancelled, and 
as rescuers converged on the train crash scene, area hospitals braced 
for the wounded passengers.

As Net Control, WA6OPS quickly deployed hams to the 14 hospitals most 
likely to receive victims.  There they handled countless messages, 
verifying victim dispatch and patient counts, providing information for 
inquiring victim families, and communicating with hams supporting the 
Red Cross.  Within some hospitals, HDSCS provided direct links to handle 
messages between triage areas, Emergency Departments, and Command Posts.

Additional HDSCS operators participating in the reenactments were Sam 
Creason K6EW, Cheryl Simpson KD6MWZ, Ralph Swanson WB6JBI, and David 
Mofford W7KTS.  It is not known how much of the HDSCS footage will 
appear in the edited program.