[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1361- September 12 2003
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Sat Sep 13 22:45:10 EDT 2003
Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1361- September 12 2003
The following is a Q-S-T. AMSAT and the I-R-T-S say no to Broadband
Over Powerlines and Dilbert isn't that enthuiastic about B-P-L either.
Yes, Dilbert! Find out more on Amateur Radio Newsline report number
1361 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO LAW: AMSAT-NA SAYS NO TO BPL
AMSAT North America has told the FCC that it wants no part of B-P-L- and
it has said it twice. Once in comments filed with the regulatory agency
in July and in reply comments in August. In both cases AMSAT tells the
FCC tha it is against proposals to allow Broadband over Power Line
systems to proliferate. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW,
is here with more:
--
In its filings, AMSAT says that it agrees with the American Radio Relay
League's finding that Broadband Over Powerline or B-P-L is a Pandora's
Box of unprecedented proportions. Once deployed, AMSAT says the
consumer's expectations will be such as to preclude termination of the
service. It says that interference problems, both to and from B-P-L,
will inevitably be both widespread and impossible as a practical matter
to rectify.
AMSAT says it bluntly. Amateur and amateur-satellite services cannot be
protected from interference from B-P-L. Also that B-P-L cannot be
protected from interference from HF and VHF amateur radio stations.
The ham radio space agency also maintains that the rules must insure
that B-P-L is not permitted to operate in or near any amateur radio
allocation. If B-P-L is permitted at all, any changes in amateur radio
allocations must immediately trigger retroactive modifications to B-P-L
facilities to delete any use of amateur radio frequencies. In addition,
spurious emissions from B-P-L facilities must be substantially
attenuated below current Part 15 levels.
In the end, AMSAT says that it joins ARRL in respectfully requesting
that the Commission take no steps to permit access or in-building
Broaband Over Powerline at H-F or V-H-F. At least, not at this time.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles.
--
The complete text of all AMSAT FCC filings are posted at
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/amsat-na/filings/index.html AMSAT-NA)
**
RADIO LAW: IRTS OBJECTS TO BPL IN IRELAND
Meantime, B-P-L may soon be coming to Erin's Isle. That's where Power
Line Transmission Ireland has announced that it will begin experiments
in broadband over powerline connections in October.
Now comes word that IRTS which is that nations Amateur Radio society has
been in touch with Irish communications regulators. I-R-T-S has
expressed the concern of Irelands ham community that these experiments
are now going ahead. It has also requested regulators ensure that B-P-L
can only be permitted in Ireland on a strict non-interference basis with
other radio services. (GB2RS)
**
RADIO COMICS: DILBERT ON BPL
As the debate grows it begging to look as if everyone has something to
say about the issue of Broadband Over Powerlines or BPL. Now, even
comic characters are chimimg in. Yes, we said comic characters. In
this case it is none other than the character Dilbert and from the text
that accompanies the strip, the cartoonist is none to happy with the B-
P-L idea.
This one you will need to judge for yourself. You can find it in
cyberspace at
http://www.comics.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20030908.html
(W9JUV)
**
EMERGENCY COMMS: ARRL GETS SECOND-YEAR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
TRAINING GRANT
The Corporation for National and Community Service has renewed funding
to subsidize the cost of ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Level One training for another 12 months.
The ARRL Letters says that the federal grant of nearly $180,000 covers
the second year of a three-year award. The goal of the second-year
funding is to provide basic training for about 1700 more Amateur Radio
emergency communicators. It runs from September 1st, 2003, through
August 31st, of 2004. (ARRL)
**
HAM RADIO POLITICS: SHOWDOWN AT THE HUDSON
A showdon is shaping up across the Hudson River in the only contested
seat in this falls elections for ARRL directors and vice directors. We
have more in this report:
--
It may not be as star-studded as the recall n California, but to ARRL
members its allot more important. It's in the Leagues' Hudson Division
where incumbent Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, of New York faces a
challenge from the division's current Vice Director and its former
Director -- Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, of New Jersey.
Fallon gained allot of fame helping to fight restrictive antenna
ordinances before coming to the ARRL political scene. He has served as
director since 1997. That's when he took over the seat by defeating
then incumbent Richard Sandell, WK6R.
Frank Fallon is a retired high school English teacher and has been a
licensed radio amateur for the past 41 years. He is an ARRL Life
Member, has served on all standing committees, has been an elected
member of the ARRL Executive Committee for four years. N2FF also serves
on the ARRL Foundation Board and on the Administration and Finance
Committee, which oversees the League's programs and budget.
And for his part, Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML is also no stranger to League
politics either. First licensed as WA2DHF in 1959, Mendelsohn began his
career working at Arrow Electronics not far from New York City's famed
Radio Row until it was torn down to make way for the World Trade Center.
Following a stint in the Navy, he went on to a life-long career as a
broadcaster with both the CBS and ABC networks eventually becoming a
Senior Broadcast Design Engineer. He has also served on two regional
repeater coordination councils and was instrumental in organizing the
St. Charles Missouri meeting of coordinators that lead to the formation
of the NFCC.
Like Fallon, Mendelsohn is also an ARRL Life Member. He was elected to
his first term as Hudson Division Vice Director in 1982 and became
Director in 1987. The ARRL Board of Directors elected him ARRL First
Vice President in 1994. He also led the Computer Committee that brought
the ARRL web site, ARRL dot net email addresses and many other digital
innovations. In 1990 Mendelsohn was the recipient of the coveted Radio
Amateur of the Year Award from the Dayton Hamvention. This, in
recognition of his contributions to the Amateur Radio service including
his organizing the communications for the New York City Marathon and
serving as its Communications Director. He's still doing it and going
on his 27th year.
Mendelsohn was nominated for the ARRL presidency at the January 2000
Board of Directors meeting but was defeated for the top job by Jim
Haynie, W5JBP. Later that year, he outpolled incumbent J.P. Kleinhaus,
W2XX, to return to the Hudson Division's Vice Directors seat.
The race between Frank Fallon, N2FF and Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, pits two
heavyweights against one another. We will be keeping a close eye on
this one and will let you know the results.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V
--
Ballots will go out no later than October 1st to all full League members
in the Hudson division who are in good standing as
of September 10th. They must be received at ARRL Headquarters by
noon Eastern Time on Friday, November 21st. Meantime, the Hudson
Division vice director's seat that W2ML is leaving has gone to Joyce
Birmingham, KA2ANF. She ran unopposed and has been declared as elected.
(ARRL, ARNewsline(tm))
**
RADIO LAW: FCC TO REVIEW ITS TRAVEL POLICY
The Federal Communications Commission will study industry sponsored
trips taken by agency officials with the goal of reducing such travel.
This, according to Chairman Michael Powell who acknowleges criticism
from lawmakers for his agency allowing trips financed by the
telecommunications and broadcasting industries, both of which the agency
regulates.
Powell says that certain travel paid for by entities that the Commission
directly regulates can create an appearance of impropriety. This, even
when such travel is fully authorized by federal law. He says that the
review should guarantee that all travel is necessary to advance the
agency's mission.
How a travel policy change might affect FCC participation in future
hamfests is, at this point, unknown. The FCC Chair has said that he
will ask congress for an annual funding increase of about $500,000 to
pay for the trips, which include travel to conventions, trade shows and
academic conferences. What this may mean to FCC attendence at ham radio
conventions is not yet known. (Published news reports)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC SETS ASIDE CALIFORNIA LICENSE RENEWAL
The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has set aside the license
renewal request of Daniel Granda, KA6VHC, of Whittier California.
According to the Commission's Enforcement Bureau, that action was based
on an ongoing interference issue involving repeater operation. Medrt
Garlick, N6AWE, has more:
--
In his letter, the FCC's Riley Hollingsworth says that Daniel Granda,
KA6VHC, has never responded to either a Commission Warning Notice dated
December 4, 2002, nor to the Commission follow-up letter and request for
information dated January 7th of this year. It says that on January
13th of 2003, the District Director of the Los Angeles Field Office
using both certified and regular mail notified Granda that his station
was transmitting improperly and causing interference to other stations.
Also, that automatic control must cease and not be resumed without prior
approval of the Engineer in Charge and District Director. The FCC says
that Granda refused to accept that correspondence.
On April 15th Granda's station was the subject of a Commission
inspection. This, after direction finding by Commission personnel
confirmed it being the source of interference to other repeater systems
during the weeks prior to the on sight review.
Now, in his August 18th letter the FCC's Hollingsworth tells Granda that
he must address the issues in the Commission correspondence of December
4, 2002 and January 7, 2003. He was told that his failure to respond
will result in the dismissal of his renewal application.
Hollingswoth also takes note of the findings of resulting from the radio
direction finding and station inspection. His letter says that this
will be the subject of separate correspondence that KA6VHC should
receive shortly.
In Los Angeles, I'm Mert Garlick, N6AWE.
--
Granda was given 20 days from the date of Hollingsworth's letter to
respond. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC SETS ASIDE VERMONT LICENSE RENEWAL
The FCC has also set aside the license renewal request of David Tolassi,
KB1EVE. In an August 25h letter to the Barre Vermont ham, the FCC's
Riley Hollingsworth says that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
took the action on August 22nd based on enforcement issues relating to
the operation of Tolassi's station and questions regarding his
qualifications to be a licensee.
In his letter Hollingsworth tells Tolassi that the Commission will need
additional information from him in order to determine his qualifications
to be remain a Commission license. Also, it may be necessary to
designate his application for an evidentiary hearing before an
Administrative Law Judge. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: OHIO CB'ER FORCED TO FORFEIT RADIO GEAR
Still with enforcement issues, James Disbonet of Lancaster Ohio says
that he does not think he should have to forfeit his $1000 worth of C-B
Radio gear but he has. But he has, as a part of his sentence for
interfereng with his neighbors consumer electronic gear.
The Lancaster Eagle Gazette reports tht Disbonet is the first city
resident to be convicted under an anti R-F-I ordenance passed last fall
by the City Council. One that limits C-B'ers to a maximum of 4 watts
out and makes it a crime to cause any interference using a C-B radio
set. He eventually pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct and
forfeited both of his CB radio's that be confiscated during the search
warrant.
Lancaster was the first city to pass such an ordennce after congress
acted to permit cities, states and other entaties to enfoece any or all
of the Part 95 Citizen Radio Service rules. Disbonet's neighbors had
complained that interference from his 11 meter radio was interfereing
with their telephones, baby monitors and T-V sets. In addition to
loosing his gear Disbonet also had to a $200 fine plus court costs after
pleading no-contest to the charges. (Lancaster Eagle Gazette)
**
RADIO SAFETY: THREE KILLED IN ALABAMA TOWER COLLAPSE
Three men repairing a broadcast tower were killed Thursday afternoon,
September 4th in Huntsville Alabama. This when the structure suddenly
collapsed.
A Huntsville police spokesman said the three men were several hundred
feet up into the 985 feet high tower when it came toppling down. Two
were crushed in the rubble and the third died at a local hospital.
Witnesses said the three were properly secured to the tower and unable
to escape. (KB4KCH, CGC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: KB1SF RESIGNS FROM AMSAT-NA BOD
Former AMSAT North America president Keith Baker, KB1SF has resigned
from the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors. Baker cites a desire to spend
more time with his family, as well as pressures in his professional
life, as reasons for steping aside. His seat on the AMSAT board wll be
filled by the first alternated in the current election cycle. (AMSAT-
NA)
**
CONVENTIONS AND HAMFESTS: RADIO EXPO IN ILLINOIS
The correct date for the Chicago FM Clubs Radio Expo 2003 is September
20th and 21st. As usual, Radio Expo will be held at the Lake County
Fair Grounds in Grays lake, Illinois. Additional information is in
cyberspace at www.chicagofmclub.org (CFMC)
**
ON THE NET: NEW QRZ.COM SWAPMEET PAGES
The QRZed.com website has announced its new Online Swapmeet pages.
QRZed says that the new area has been designed to provide a more
leisurely reading and browsing experience that places up to 20 listings
on every page. This says QRZed makes them allot faster to pull up. The
new pages are in addition to QRZ'ed regular swap listings which have
retained all of the old features that hams have come to appreciate.
(www.qrz.com)
**
AWARDS: ART TAKES FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
The ARRL sponsored video Amateur Radio Today has received a Certificate
of Merit at the International Communications Film & Video Competition of
the Chicago Film Festival.
Amateur Radio Today was co-produced by Dave Bell, W6AQ, Alan Kaul,
W6RCL, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF and Bill Baker, W1BKR. It is hosted by
Walter Cronkike, KB2GSD, and tells the story of ham radio in time of
major crisis including the 2002 Colorado Wildfires and the 2001 911
terrorist attacks against America.
The show was written by Alan Kaul and edited by Keith Glispie, WA6TFD,
at Suite 16 in Burbank California. More information about the Amateur
Radio Today and obtaining a copy is on-line at www.arrl.org.
(ARNewsline(tm) via W6AQ)
**
AWARDS: W6AQ PRESENTED FIRST EVER ARRL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
And speaking about Dave Bell W6AQ, Saturday evening September 6th saw
the him receive the first ever ARRL Lifetime Achievement Award.
It was presented at the League's Southwestern Division Banquet in Long
Beach California. In selecting Bell for this honor the ARRL Board of
Directors took note of his many significant contributions to the League,
including his recent work as director of Amateur Radio Today and his
production of the ARRL sponsored films The Ham's Wide World, Moving up
to Amateur Radio, The World of Amateur Radio and the more recent Ham
Radio Olympics.
An Emmy and Peabody award winner, W6AQ has also served as chairman of
the ARRL Public Relations Committee and has written many articles in
support of Amateur Radio. Licensed in Ohio in 1951, Bell made his first
film for the League in 1970. It was titled "This is Ham Radio" (ARRL,
ARNewsline(tm))
**
AWARDS: WB8BGY NAMED TO RECEIVE FIRST GEORGE S. WILSON LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
And congratulations also to retired ARRL director George Race, WB8BGY.
This on his being selected as the first recipient of the new Great Lakes
Division George S. Wilson III Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award is named in honor of former ARRL President George Wilson,
W4OYI, who was forced into retirement almost a decade ago after
suffering stroke. Race was chosen as its first recipient based on his
years of dedication to the the ARRL, to its Great Lakes Division and to
many of the hams living in the Division.
The award was presented to WB8BGY at the ARRL Great Lakes Division
Cnvention banquet in Findlay Ohio. It too was held on Saturday evening,
September 6th. (Press Release)
**
ON THE AIR: TV ON ATV
Joseph Polnaszek, N0USG tells Amateur Radio Newsline that Minnesota Fast
Scan Amateur Television -- a group of A-T-V enthusiasts -- has a new
show coming to the air for and about amateur radio. This program will
be aired nightly at 8:00 p.m. Central time on amateur television
frequencies for viewing in the Minneapolis metro area and Joe invites
clubs or groups with projects or planned events in need of public
exposure to contact him. His e-mail address is n0usg at juno.com (N0USG)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: DONNA & CRAIG QRT AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Craig and Donna are gone. The electronically assembled speech of the
two lasted just one year as the automated voices of the National Weather
Service.
Taking their place is next-generation called Tom. He is programmed in
such a way that the speed and intensity of his computer-generated voice
can be adjusted to make severe weather warnings sound more urgent and
emotional. More is on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/6454213.htm (CGC)
**
EMRGING TECHNOLOGY: SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO PASSES EARLY
INTEROPERABILITY TEST
The CGC Communicator reports that military interests are charging ahead
with the development of Software Defined Radio. In the latest chapter,
Communications Research Centre Canada and Harris Corp's Government
Communications System Division have announced a successful demonstration
of interoperability. Here, SDR modems from different manufacturers,
using very different software systems, successfully communicated with
each other. More is on-line at http://tinyurl.com/jsdb (CGC))
**
CONTSTING: THE FALL VHF-UHF SPRINTS
Turning to the contest calander, word that the Southeastern VHF Society
is again sponsoring the Fall VHF and UHF single evening Sprints. These
contests are intended for single operator, single transmitter entries
with the rules kept simple to get everyone to operate.
The 144 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM to 11 PM your local time on Monday
September 22nd with the 222 MHz Sprint from 7 PM to 11 PM local time on
Tuesday September 30th. The 432 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM to 11 PM
local time on Wednesday October 8th. For more information please
contact W4KXY by e-mail to w4kxy at arrl.net. (VHF Reflector)
**
DX
In D-X, Jim Shaffer, WB9UWA, in grid EN50 reports some good tropo te
morning of September 7th. Thats when he worked into grid EM10 running
barefoot at only 38 watts. He then says hat he heard K5LLL in grid E M
10 working Canada. (VHF Reflector)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: BEACONNet MOVES TO 50.620 MHZ
And finally this week, word thgat the BEACONet Project's PropNET.25
system has moved to 50.620 MHz. Acording to Ev Tupis W2EV, the move was
undertaken because for several reasons. One was the psychological
barrier sme hams have to transmitting up on 53.53. Possibly based on
folk-law fears of TVI dating back to the 1950's.
Ev's posting to the VHF Reflector also notes that since the beginning of
the 2004 E Skip season at least a half-dozen people have been using
50.620 fot standard PropNET transmissions. Tupis says that by co-
locating on this frequency, hams could take advantage of their signals
by concvincing them to add a single PropNET compatible 1 second
transmission every 5-minutes.
Ev also is aking if anyone knows of a packet node or message forwarding
node operating on 50.620 Mhz FM running AX.25 protocal 1200 baud that
could be approached to add such a transmission. If you do please let
W2EV know how to reach them and he will try to convince them to help. To
contact Ev take you web browser to either www.BEACONet.org or
www.PropNET.org on the World Wide Web. (VHF Reflector)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, 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 Don
Wilbanks, AE5DW, in New Orleans saying 73 and we thank you for
listening." Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2003. All rights
reserved.
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