[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1341 April 25, 2003

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Amateur Radio Newsline 1341 April  25, 2003

The following is a Closed Circuit.  Newscast 1341 follows immediately.  
Here is Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund administrator Andy Jarema, 
N6TCQ.

--

Amateur Radio Newsline is still on the air. It's still on the air 
because staff members paid the bills out-of-pocket. This obviously, 
cannot continue. These people are not Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, or even 
Michael Jackson. These are your everyday working people who believe so 
strongly in the mission of Newsline, that they will support it with 
hard-earned dollars. 

We at Newsline need for you, our listening audience, to believe in that 
mission, too. To believe enough to help keep these newscasts on the air. 
To show your thanks to the volunteers that keep the latest in Amateur 
Radio news coming your way.

The address for the Newsline support fund is: Newsline, PO Box 660937, 
Arcadia, CA 91066.

Again, as always, thank you for your belief, and for your support.

--

Thank you Andy.

**

The following is a Q-S-T.  Bad news for United States hams who like high 
fidelity single sideband, good news for New Zealand hams worried about 
restrictive R F exposure laws and the Dayton Hamvention says that it 
plans to stay where it is.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1341 coming your way right now.
 
**

A CLASH OF IDEALS:  BE CAREFUL IF YOU RUN WI-FI

A sour note for hams running what some call high fidelity single 
sideband.  It comes in a regulatory advisory letter from the FCC.  
Amateur Radio Newsline's Paul Courson, WA3VJB, reports from Washington 
D.C.

--

The letter from FCC enforcement counsel Riley Hollingsworth went out to 
a list of licensed hams who favor what some call enhanced SSB, which is 
sometimes nicknamed upper wideband and lower wideband, characterized by 
extended low end response, a clean mid-range, and expanded treble or 
high-end crispness.

While their passion is to experiment toward exceptional audio quality 
with their voice transmission and reception, the experiments have been a 
flop with some other hams near their frequencies of operation. 

Hollingworth said the Commission has received a number of complaints, 
and that his advisory letter is intended to inform them that the 
complaints claim the bandwidth of these stations is wider than necessary 
and contrary to good engineering practice. 

The FCC letter did not cite these stations for any violations, and 
acknowledged that a precise measurement can be somewhat complex. But he 
encouraged each operator to be aware that it can be "extremely 
inconsiderate of other operators" to employ what Hollingsworth described 
as wide-band overly processed audio, especially when, in his words, such 
audio is combined with high intermodulation distortion generated by 
certain amplifiers.

Two of the hams who received the letter quickly responded to 
Hollingsworth. John Anning, NU9N, told the FCC that single sideband does 
not have to sound like a tin-can anymore, and cited the enhanced audio 
available from the latest manufactured transceivers from Kenwood and 
Yaesu, as well as the popularity of external audio augmentation marketed 
to the amateur community from Heilsound and W2IHY. Anning said his 
station does not splatter, has low distortion, and is not overly 
processed. He suggested the problem of splatter and excessive bandwidth 
from distortion products is far more common on the phone bands during 
any contest weekend.

The other hi-fi ham sharing his response to the FCC advisory letter is 
Paul Christensen, W9AC. He told Newsline he is puzzled by the letter 
since he's been off the air the past six months. Christensen said the 
letter may have been prompted by a group he characterized as "a half 
dozen tightly-knit, pandering individuals."

Both men who spoke with Newsline compared the experiments with wideband 
SSB to the activity of AM, which itself has enjoyed rising popularity 
and has been getting favorable press in QST, Electric Radio, and Popular 
Communications. By contrast Hollingsworth has reportedly expressed his 
belief single side band was developed as a mode with spacesaving 
advantages, with necessary tradeoffs in audio quality as a presumption 
with its use in the amateur service.

Again, the advisory letter carries no enforcement sanctions. But 
Hollingsworth told the stations such complaints can trigger petitions 
for rulemaking asking for constraints on such activity that the 
recipients of the letters had better keep in mind.

Reporting for Newsline, this is Paul Courson, WA3VJB, in Washington

--

In preparing his report WA3VJB did contact the FCC's Riley 
Hollingsworth.  Hollingsworth told Courson that he honestly does not 
think these letters have any bearing on those hams who operate AM 
stations altho he admits thart he is getting that question.  But he says 
that in his view, there is no need whatsoever for A-M'ers to be 
concerned.  (ARNewsline, WA3VJB)

**

RADIO LAW:  RF EXPOSURE LIMITS DOWN-UNDER

Some good news for hams down-under.  This as the Palmerston North City 
Council favors Amateur Radio on a proposed plan to change local Radio 
Frequency exposure limits.   

According to Mike Newman, ZL1BNB, the Palmerston North council has 
declined to accept the recommendation of the New Zealand Department of 
Health to adopt its testing and reporting proceedures.  The Council 
instead adopted the less stringent emission exposure levels set out in 
an earlier New Zealand standard as being the maximum levels which can be 
generated by transmitting equipment within the Palmerston North City 
boundaries.  

In taking this action the Palmerston North city council declined to 
support the government recommended approach which would have required 
local radio amateurs to carry out the expensive R F exposure evaluation 
process.  Numerous amateur operators and representatives of the nations 
national Amateur Radio Society -- the N-Z-A-R-T -- testified in support 
of the measure that was adopted.  (NZART)

**

RADIO LAW:  CANADA NEW TOWER LAW REVIEW COMMITTEE

Back in North  America, Canada's Minister of Industry, Alan Rock, has 
announced the appointment of a National Antenna Tower Review Committee.  
The Committee will be made up of municipal officials, as well as 
industry, health and academic experts.  

The new committee will be chaired by David A. Townsend.  Townsend is a  
Professor of Law at the University of New Brunswick and has authored a 
previous study on antenna support structures. 

And while the announcement outlines the composition of the new Canadian 
tower committee it does not give the target dates for the submission of 
inputs or the method by which information can be provided.  Radio 
Amateurs of Canada, that nations national Amateur Radio society  says it 
plans to participate in any policy review affecting Canadian ham radio 
operations.  (RAC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  RADIO STATION DINGED FOR $9000

A $9,000 fine against WRKQ - AM in Madisonville, Tennessee, has been 
affirmed by the Federal Communications Commission.  The regulatory 
agency says that WRKQ allegedly failed at least once to identify itself 
by call sign.  Also that it operated at night with daytime power and 
failed to adequately attenuate its second harmonic.

The harmonic is a rather interesting issue here.  WRKQ operates on 1250 
kHz.  The FCC says that it's second harmonic falls squarely on WWV's 
authorized frequency of 2.5 MHz.  The FCC says that it measured WRKQ's 
second harmonic down at only -55 dB per centimeter whereas -70 dB is 
required by the rules.

You can read more on the web at   
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-1033A1.doc  
(CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  YOU CANT SAY THAT ON THE AIR - IN ANY LANGUAGE

The FCC is looking into what a California ham may have said on the air.  
The agency's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, explains:

--

Duckworth: "Julio Cedeno, N2GRM, of Hollywood California has 20 days to 
respond to an inquiry concerning both Spanish and English communications 
from his station operation on 14.322 MHz on March 5th and March 9th of 
this year.  The transmissions contained threats to another amateur as 
well as language prohibited by the Commissions rules."

--

In its letter the FCC noted directed that  N2GRM specifically address 
the threats in the transmissions as well as the language.  The 
regulatory agency says that threats made against other licensees are 
viewed very seriously by the Commission.  It also told N2GRM that his 
response will used to determine what enforcement action the FCC may take 
in this matter.

**

ENFORCEMENT:  YOU CANT SAY THAT ON THE AIR

An Eastlake Ohio ham has also heard from the FCC.  On March 18th the 
regulatory agency issued Dave K. Childers, N8QGI, a warning letter 
regarding transmissions purportedly made by him last December on 27.115 
MHz.  

For those of you not aware, 27.115 MHz is also known as Class D Citizens 
Band channel 13 in regions governed by the FCC.  In its note, the 
government agency did explain its position -- upheld by the courts -- 
regarding its ban on the type of language Childers is alleged to have 
used.  

The agency also ordered Childers to respond within 20 days from the date 
of its letter to him.  The FCC also told him that his response will be 
used to determine what enforcement action to take in this matter.

**

HAMVENTION 2003r:  WE PLAN TO STAY AT THE HARA

The Dayton Hamvention hopes to stay at the HARA Arena well past 2003.  
So says the event's General Chairman, Pat Neff, N8IGS.  He tells RAIN's 
Hap Holly, KC9RP that the rumors of a move are simply not true:

--

Neff:  "I can't tell you where the rumor is being propagated from but I 
can tell you that we are in negotiations for future years at HARA Arena 
and the only difference is that we are really not looking to have a long 
multi-year contract anymore.  We want to be able to have a shorter 
length contract so that it could be better advantageous to us from a 
bottom-line aspect."

--

Rumors of a move away from the HARA Arena or that the HARA had been sold 
seem to pop up every year.  Newsline even heard one being circulated at 
the recent N-A-B show in Las Vegas.  And like all before it over the 
years, this rumor was as phony as the rest.  

But the real bottom line is what Pat Neff says -- and we quote:   "As 
much as the city of Dayton is associated with the Hamvention, HARA is 
associated with Hamvention."  And to paraphrase another very famous ham 
-- thats the way it is!  (RAIN)

**

HAMVENTION 2003r: HEAR MORE ON RAIN

By the way.  You can hear more about the plans for Hamvention 2003 with 
Pat Neff, N8IGS, on this weeks RAIN Report.  Its on-line right now in 
streaming audio at www.rainreport.com.  Or, if you are Internet 
deprived, you can dial in on your phone to listen.  The number in 
Chicago is area code 847 827 RAIN.  Thats 847 827 7246.  (RAIN)


**

HAMVENTION 2003r:  DAYTON REMEMBERS THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON

Still with Hamvention related news, last week its planners announced the 
major award winners for 2003.  And from time to time the Hamvention also 
recognizes the contributions of hams who have passed on but left  their 
mark.  Roy Neal, K6DUE, reports:

--

Dating back to the days when we hams talked in Morse code and used keys 
instead of microphones to talk, we hams call our friends who have passed 
on as Silent Keys'.  The term is one of endearment and respect for those 
radio amateurs who have lead the way.  And in keeping with this long 
tradition, the planners of the 2003 Dayton Hamvention have paused to 
salute a number of special people whose lives have helped to make ham 
radio a little bit better.

The first being saluted by Dayton is Joseph Carr, K4IPV, of Falls 
Church, VA.  Carr became a Silent Key on November 25, 2000.  During his 
lifetime K4IPV authored over 85 books and nearly 700 articles covering 
electronics and technology.  He also contributed monthly columns and 
articles to many popular Amateur Radio magazines. 

Al Gross, W8PAL, of Sun City, Arizona became a Silent Key on December 
21st, 2000.  For those not aware, Gross brought the world such 
indispensable wireless communications devices as the walkie-talkie, the 
pager and cordless telephone. 

A name that many Amateur Radio Newsline listeners will remember is that 
of Bill Orr, W6SAI.  Bill became left us on January 24, 2001.  He was 
best know for his voluminous publications for radio amateurs, including 
"The Radio Handbook", "The Beam Antenna Handbook" and many more. He was 
a good friend to me and to many other hams.

Raymond Ortgiesen, WF1B, was another major contributor to today's ham 
radio way of life.  He authored "RTTY," the leading contest software for 
digital modes. 

Ernie Hudson, KI8O, of Dayton, OH became a Silent Key on 8/2/2002.  
Hudson was a member of the Dayton Red Cross and acted as the Montgomery 
County Emergency Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator for a number of 
years. Hudson's passion was helping people.  His efforts focused on 
public service and disaster relief while also introducing many young 
people in Amateur Radio.
 
Finally there are the Columbia Astronauts who perished earlier this 
year.  Three of them were hams.  David Brown, KC5ZTC, Kalpana "KC" 
Chawla, KD5ESI and Laurel Clark, KC5ZSU, who  died along with crew-mates 
Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Michael Anderson and Han Ramon when 
Columbis disintegrated over Texas during re-entry.   

The Dayton Amateur Radio Association says that through the Space Amateur 
Radio Experiment and the Amateur Radio on the International Space 
Station programs, ham radio has enjoyed a special relationship with the 
Astronaut  Corps.  It is for their dedication, their role in scientific 
advancement, and their love of their dreams that the Dayton Amateur 
Radio Association and the Hamvention have made this very special award 
this award to the crew of the space ship Columbia on its STS-107 last 
mission.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Roy Neal, K6DUE, reporting

--

The announcement of these special remembrances is on the events website 
at www.hamvention.org  (Hamvention 2003r)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  T-HUNT TIME

And speaking about things that happen in the spring, its T-Hunt time 
again.  Here's Joe Moell, K0OV, with the latest:

--

Are you looking for some new outdoor ham fun for the spring and summer 
months?  Join  your fellow hams who are tuning up their radio direction 
finding (RDF) equipment in preparation for the hidden transmitter 
hunting season.

The CQ Magazine National Foxhunting Weekend will be May 10-11, a time 
when foxhunters from around the country go on their favorite kind of RDF 
adventure.  It could be a mobile T-hunt.  When you set out in your RDF-
equipped vehicle, you never know where you'll end up and you don't know 
what you'll find.

Other hams prefer their foxhunting to be all on foot in a big park.  
They call it foxtailing, radio-orienteering or ARDF.  There's an 
internationally recognized set of rules for this kind of hunt, which 
takes place in about 30 countries around the world.  Stateside hams will 
host competitors from some of these countries at the Third USA ARDF 
Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio beginning July 31.

Of course your club can make up its own transmitter hunting rules.  The 
important thing is to make plans now for transmitter hunting on May 10 
and 11, the National Foxhunting Weekend.  There are more foxhunting 
opportunities coming up, and I'll be telling you about them in another 
report soon.  You can read about foxhunting and the National Foxhunting 
Weekend at my Web site:  www.homingin.com.  That's one word "homingin" -
-- homingin.com.