[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1367 - October 24 2003

Fri Oct 24 20:00:02 EDT 2003

Amateur Radio Newsline 1367 - October 24 2003

The FCC begins preparing for the 2007 World Radiocommunications 
Conference, a new all ham crew arrives at the I-S-S and a ham a is 
charged with violating airport security.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1367  coming your way right now.

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC COMMITTEE TO GET READY FOR WRC-07

The ink has yet to complely dry on the agreements reached ar WRC-03 as 
the FCC begins getting ready for the next World Radiocommunication 
Conference in 2007.  As part of the  preparations FCC Chairman Michael 
Powell has announced the appointment of Nancy Victory as Chair, and 
Peter Hadinger as Vice-Chair of the agency's WRC-07 Advisory Committee.  
Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, is here with has some 
background on each of the appointees:

--

Nancy Victory is the former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Communications and Information and the former Administrator of the 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  Prior to 
her appointment to the Department of Commerce, Ms. Victory was a partner 
in the Washington law firm of Wiley, Rein and  Fielding, where she 
focused on legal and regulatory issues faced by communications 
companies. 

Peter Hadinger is Director of Communications Initiatives for Northrop 
Grumman's Space Technology Sector. Mr. Hadinger has taken industry 
leadership roles on global satellite issues, including privatization, 
protection and spectrum allocation. He is past Chairman of the Satellite 
Industry Association and current vice- chair of the Satellite Task Force 
in the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory 
Committee. 

Also getting an appointment is Alex Roytblat who is Assistant Chief of 
the Strategic Analysis and Negotiations Division of the FCC's 
International Bureau.  He will direct the Commission's WRC- 07 
preparatory activities and serve as the Designated Federal Official to 
the Advisory Committee.  Roytblat directed the Commission's preparatory 
activities for last June's 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference held 
in Geneva.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.

--

The Advisory Committee will be tasked with providing advice and 
technical analyses of the nations telecommunications needs.  It will 
also make specific recommendations on matters relating to that 
conference.  (FCC Release)

**

TALKING ON THE AIR:  BIG SUNSPOT ACTIVITY MAY HAMPER YOUR QSO'S

If you are wondering why you may not be able to make contact on your 
favorite band, the answer is right out there in space.  According to 
propagation reports from the Space Environment Center, a solar storm, 
centered around Sunspot number 484, has grown into the biggest in 
recorded history.  And a solar storm with a sunspot that size can easily 
impact on radio propagation here on Earth. 

Sunspot 484 is reportedly about the size of the planet Jupiter, and 
forecasters say that another big sunspot could soon appear near the 
sun's southeastern limb. The active region is not yet directly visible, 
but the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory satellite has seen material 
being blasted over the sun's limb from the approaching spot.  Major 
eruptions are possible from these active regions as they rotate across 
the face of the sun over the next two weeks.

Also this word of caution.  Never, never look directly at the sun.  
While these sunspots are easy to see its also very dangerous to try.  
Unprotected eyes can suffer severe and perminant damage from looking 
directly at the sun.  Instead, as we have said before, visit 
www.spaceweather.com for safe solar observing tips.  (ASWLC)

**

RADIO POLITICS:  NOAA SPACE WEATHER SERVICE THREATENED

Solar propagation reports like this one could soon disappear.  CQ 
Magazine's news service reports that the service on which many amateurs 
depend for reports on ionospheric conditions may have its funding 
sharply cut or eliminated under two versions of a Congressional spending 
plan for Fiscal Year 2004. 

The Space Environment Center, part of the Commerce Department's National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, provides space weather reports 
on solar and geomagnetic activity that affect the ionosphere, which in 
turn affects radio propagation.  In addition, the bureau monitors solar 
flares and similar events that can damage satellites.  This gives 
advance knowledge that can help protect them. And for radio amateurs, 
the propagation predictions in C-Q and other publications depend on 
these space weather observations.

The Space Environment Center is actually operated jointly by NOAA and 
the Air Force, but its funding is in the NOAA budget. It suffered a 40% 
budget cut in the current fiscal year.  The House budget proposal for 
2004 calls for an additional 40% cut.  But the nail that could close the 
coffin lid is in the Senate.  That version of the bill cuts funding for 
the Space Environment Center altogether. The Senate says that such 
activities are rightly the domain of the National  Aeronautics and Space 
Administration and the Air Force.  

According to an e-mail from C-Q, the House Science Committee's 
Environment, Technology and Standards Subcommittee will be holding a 
hearing October 30th on this funding bill.  C-Q says that any letters 
and comments from the public will be entered into the record.  If you 
are concerned about the possible loss of information gathered and 
disseminated by the Space Environment Center, you may write to the House 
Committee on Science, Environment, Technology and Standards 
Subcommittee, 2320 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515.  
(CQ News Release, W2VU)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW ALL-HAM CREW ARRIVES AT ISS

A new three man all ham crew has reached the International Space 
Station, but only two of the new arrivals will remain on-orbit the next 
several months. 

Called the Expedition 8 crew, the commander is NASA Astronaut Mike 
Foale, KB5UAC.  He is accompanied on the I-S-S by Russian Cosmonaut 
Alexander Kaleri, U8MIR, and the Europen Space Agency's Pedro Duque, 
KC5RGG.  All three arrived at the ISS on October 20th on board a Russian 
Soyuz transport vehicle.

Foale and Kaleri will repace Expedition 7 crew members Commander Yuri 
Malenchenko, RK3DUP and NASA Science Officer Ed Lu, KC5WKJ.  Duque, 
who's flying under a contract between the Russian and Europen space 
agencies and will spend the week in space before returning to Earth with 
the Expedition 7 crew. 

 KB5UAC and U8MIR hope to be active on the ISS ham radio station as time 
permits during their stint in space.  We will have other ham radio in 
spaced news later on in this weeks report.  (AMSAT, published news 
reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT: HAM CHARGED IN AIRLINER CASE

A 20 year old ham radio operator and college junior has been charged 
with breaching airport security.  The FBI says that Nathaniel  Heatwole, 
WZ3AR, has admitted to planting box cutters, bleach and matches on two 
airliners.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Paul Courson, WA3VJB, gives us a 
profile of Heatwole and his involvement in the hobby: 

--

If you're a contester, you may have worked WZ3AR, licensed to Damascus 
Maryland, a suburb of Washington DC.  In research for Newsline, a 
profile of a fairly ordinary young ham radio operator has emerged.

His listing on QRZ.com shows a willingness to QSL both to short-wave 
listeners and the amateur community alike.  The Advanced Class licensee 
appears to have been primarily active on HF, in the specialty of 
contesting.

In August of this year he won a thousand dollar scholarship from the 
Foundation for Amateur Radio, a coalition of radio clubs in the area 
around Maryland, DC and Virginia.  In a club newsletter, he was shown as 
headed into his 4th year at Guilford College in North Carolina, pursuing 
a double major of Physics and Political Science.

His former call is KB3CBW, and an internet search has found a snapshot 
of a young man closely resembling who now is a 20 year old seen in 
television footage and accused of trying to breach airline security. As 
KB3CBW, he is listed several times with photos a Dayton Hamvention, 1999 
gallery.

His call sign also turns up on a contest log dupesheet for Field Day 
1999 on 40 meters phone, and in other contests including a Maryland-DC 
QSO party. On a contest e-mail reflector, someone signing that name and 
call sign is asking questions about the beverage antenna, and how he 
plans to buy a better contesting radio than his Kenwood TS-140S, that 
the person was using as of the posting dated 1999.

By Feburary 2000, the former KB3CBW was turning up as WZ3AR on the 
webpage minutes of the Potomac Valley Amateur Radio club, which serves 
the same area as his licensed station location in Maryland.

This call sign also shows up in various contest logs, including an 
Islands on the Airwaves event and Field Day.  WZ3AR was shown in 2001 as 
operating from Virginia's Chincoteague Island on 15 meters sideband. One 
message thread refers to a June 2001 issue of CQ magazine, and an 
article on keeping a footswitch from sliding around.

There was other advice. 

In a contest discussion board, someone signing those call letters 
rejected the practice among certain hams of tape recording contest 
activity to later  enter the information in a competitive logbook. The 
posted message said such a practice raises ethical questions, and that 
he advised against doing so.

The New York Times has quoted friends as saying he has offered strong 
pacifist views and is highly principled. 

For now, he is charged with carrying a concealed dangerous weapon aboard 
jetliners, reportedly as a test of airline security and to demonstrate 
his alleged protest to perceived flaws in that security.

In Weashington, Paul Courson, WA3VJB, for Newsline.

--

After a court appearance Monday, October 20th, Heatwole, a junior at 
Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., was released without bail for a 
preliminary hearing slated for November 10th.  If tried and convicted, 
he faces a hefty fine and up to 10 years in a Federal prison.   
(ARNewsline(tm), published news reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC TAKES MORE ACTION AGAINST EX-KG6IRO

A follow-up to last weeks story regarding Jack Gerritsen, the ex-KG6IRO.  
The FCC has now taken action against another one of his licenses and 
again warned him to stay off the air. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more:

--

FCC Special Councel Riley Hollingsworth has written to tell Jack 
Gerritsen of Bell California that  the Commission's Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau has acted to set aside Gerritsen's General 
Mobile Radio Service or G-M-R-S license.  This, pursuant to Section 
1.113 of the Commission's rules.  

The action by to set aside Gerritsen's G-M-R-S license took place on 
October 14th.  Hollingsworth's letter says the action is based on 
Gerritsen's alleged continued unlicensed operations and complaints of 
deliberate interference from transmitters the FCC says that he operates.  

Hollingsworth letter tells Gerritsen that his G-M-R-S application has  
reverted to pending status.  Also, that it will be made a part of a 
forthcoming hearing to determine if the former radio amateur is 
qualified to hold any Commission licenses.  This is the same type of 
hearing that Gerritsen's ham radio ticket currently faces.

Hollingsworth letter again warns Gerritsen that he has no authority to 
operate radio transmitting equipment.  If he continues, Gerritsen could 
face both to monetary penalties and imprisonment.  Hollingsworth also 
suggested that Gerritsen consult an attorney in this matter.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los 
Angeles.  

--

Meantime, the number of Los Angeles ares repeater owner operators that 
claim Gerritsen is interfereing with their systems continues to grow.  
For the moment, they and their control operators continue to turn 
repeaters off whenever the station claiming to be KG6IRO attempts to 
make a transmission over one.  (FCC, ARNewsline(tm))

**

ENFORCEMENT:  UNAUTHORIZED OPERATION LEADS TO LICENSE TURN-IN

Meantime, a ham has surrendered his license to the FCC after it was 
found that he caused problems for police radio operations.  The FCC's 
Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, has the rest of the story:

--

Duckworth: "In March, the Enforcement Bureau notified Justin Whaley, 
KC9DCP,  Columbia City, Indiana, that close-in proximity direction 
finding indicated that on numerous occasions between January 2nd and 
March 13th he interfered with the operation of the Columbia City Police 
Department radio system.  In order to resolve this matter, he has agreed 
to relinquish his license until March 28th of 2005 and agreed not to 
maintain or operate an Amateur station.

--

Whaley was requested to return his Amateur Service license to the FCC.  
(FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC:  STAY OF THE W6RHC REPEATER

A ham who refused to stay off a repeater after being told to vacate  by 
the licensee has now received a notice to comply from the FCC.  Again, 
the FCC's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W:

--

Duckworth: "A warning notice has been sent to Scott Rogers, K6EVP, of 
Paradise, California, for failing to refrain from using the W6RHC 
repeater ass requsted both verbally and in writing by the trustee of the 
Golden Empire Amateur Radio Society.  The letter was isssued as a result 
of his failure, verified by the Office of Emergency Services of Butte 
County California, to follow operational rules set forth by the licensee 
and control operators of the repeater system for its users."

--

The letter went on to say that the FCC expects Rogers to abide by the 
request to stay off the W6RHC system and any other such request by a 
repeater licensee, control operator or trustee.   If he uses the 
repeater again after receipt of the FCC warning letter, the agency says 
that it will initiate enforcement action against Rogers license.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT NEEDED:  PHONY TEXT MESSAGE TO CA CELL PHONE USERS

Bakersfield California area cellular telephone would probably welcome 
some FCC enforcement action.  This, after they were awakened early 
Tuesday morning, October 21st to a phony text message.  

According to news reports, someone managed to hack the areas  wireless 
communications' system.  The hacker then posted a message urging cell 
phone users to support a strike by many of the states grocery workers 
now in its second week.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union denies responsibility for 
the message.   A spokeswoman for the wireless service providers says 
that she does not know how it happened.  She says that that wireless 
providers have no position on the strike.  The sender of the message 
remains unknown.  (Published news report)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  MONTANNA HAMS GET BIG THANK-YOU

Amateur Radio's role in last summers Montana's forest fires haave 
received official recognition.  This, when the US Forest Service and 
Helena area organizations hosted an appreciation picnic for all the 
voluntees who put themselves on the line to assist fighting the blaze. 

According to the ARRL Letter, the event honored the firefighters, law 
enforcement officers and community volunteers who assisted with 
firefighting efforts in Lewis and Clark, Powell, Jefferson, and 
Broadwater counties.  This included a number of radio amateurs who 
volunteered their time and gear. 

Among those recognized were Jim Haslip, W7CK, and Rollie Fisher, KC7WBP. 
Haslip has been an aerial fire spotter for 40 summers.  Fisher set up at 
Lincoln's Hooper Park every day during the fires, providing current 
information to residents and visitors.  He and his wife were among the 
many families forced to evacuate their homes because of the fire danger. 

Amateur Radio's support of Red Cross and other relief agencies during 
the fire emergency also received recognition.  Lewis and Clark County 
Emergency Coordinator Bob Solomon, K7HLN, accepted a plaque on behalf of 
the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the Capital City Amateur Radio 
Club.  

An estimated 300 people turned out for the event at the Lewis and Clark 
Fairgrounds in Helena.  (ARRL)

**

PROMOTING THE HOBBY:  JOTA VIDEO NEEDED

If you took part in last weekends scouting Jamboree on the Air, and have 
some good quality videotape of the event, the people who produce most of 
the ham radio documentaries want to hear from you.  As reported two 
weeks ago, Dave Bell, W6AQ, Alan Kaul, W6RCL and Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, 
are always looking for good video of ham radio happenings that they 
might be able to incorporate into a presentation about the hobby.  As 
scouting and ham radio enjoy a very unique relationship, this is an 
event that is sure to make it into one of their shows, but only if they 
have the pictures and sound.  If you have video that you want to share, 
please e-mail the production team to hamvideo at juno.com and let them know 
what you have.  They will get back to you with information on where to 
send it.  Again that e-mail address is hamvideo at juno.com  (The 
Producers)

**

HAM GATHERINGS:  RSGB INTERNATIONAL HF AT MONTHS END

Turning to the ham radio social scene, if you plan to be in the United 
Kingdom from October 31st to November 2nd. listen up.  Thats the weekend 
of the Radio Society of Great Britain's International High Frequency and 
Islands on the Air Convention.  

This years venue is the Britannia Country House Hotel at Didsbury in 
Manchester England.  Planned events include presentations on 
DXpeditions, technical lectures, presentation of trophies and awards, a 
contesting forum, and specialist areas for 5 MHz, 136 kHz, 6 meters and 
Q-R-P.  More information is on-line at the RSGB website Its in cybespace 
at www.rsgb.org  (RSGB)

** 

HAM GATHERINGS:   HANDIHAMS IN CALIFORNIA IN MARCH 2004

Back on this side of the Atlantic, word that the HandiHams will hold 
their 2004 California Radio Camp in Malibu California begining on 
Monday, March 1st, and continuing to Sunday, March 7th.  Tuition breaks 
will be provided for beginners from Western states working on a first 
license or on a General, and for early bird registrations.  An Operating 
Skills course will also be offered along with opportunities for learning 
about blind computing with JAWS, public service communications, and lots 
of getting on the air!.  Also, an open ham radio test session will take 
place on Saturday March 6.

The camp is open to HandiHam members with disabilities.   Organizers 
provide all food, lodging, ham radio classes, and fun activities for the 
week long outing.  To request an application or more information call 
the HandiHams toll free at 866-426-3442 toll-free or e-mail the group to 
hamradio at courage.org  (HandiHams)

**

NEWSLINE:  NO MORE FAX

If you have been trying to send Amateur Radio Newsline a fax the past 
week then you notice that our machine is not picking up.  The reason -- 
its been taken off line due to our inability to get unsolicted fax 
spammers to stop sending us unwanted advertising.  

Even though it is a violation of federal law to send an unsolicited fax 
advertisement, that has not stopped the fax spammers.  They make their 
living by sending out this unwanted electronic junk mail.  And while 
much the same as the junk e-mail we all get, the big difference is that 
unsolicited faxes waste print cartreges and paper.  And that costs 
Amateur Radio Newsline money that we just cannot afford to waste.

After spending the past year trying to get these nuisances to stop -- 
including an official complaint to the FCC, we have given up.  If you 
need to send us a fax, you will first have to call us or e-mail us to 
arrange for us to turn the machine on.  Otherwise, the fax is gone until 
the federal government acts to put the spam fax mailing companies out of 
business.   (ARNewsline(tm))

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  BALLOON DELIVERED RADIO

Turning to the emerging technology page, it now looks as if balloon 
delivered radios could bring new sound to North Korean residents.  This, 
if a preacher gets his way.  

Revrend Douglas Shin wants to help liberate North Korea by delivering 
radio recievers by balloon.  Shin's idea is to have helium filled 
balloons would carry radios acrosss the Demiliterized Zone into North 
Korea.  An automatic valve would let the gas out slowly so the balloons 
touch down softly without damage to the payload.   Once retrieved by the 
people in North Korea, they would only have to turn them on and listen.

Shin says that he plans to launch his balloons from South Korea or ships 
off shore.  Included aliong with each radio will be prayer material and 
a North Korean bank note.  The latter is worth about one U-S Dollar.  
(Published news report)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  THE AMSAT VOLUNTEER SURVEY

AMSAT North America says that it has developed an on-line volunteer 
survey  designed to identify the interests and skills of those who may 
be available to directly help in efforts to develop the amateur 
satellite program.  The survey is designed to be completed and returned 
on-line, and takes only a few minutes to fill out. To request the 
survey, simply send an e-mail request to volunteer at amsat.org.  (ANS)

**

SPECIAL EVENTS:  REMEMBERING THE EDMUND FITZGERALD

Turning to operating news, members of the Stu Rockers group will be on 
the air from Whitefish Point and Paradise, Michigan on November 7th , 
8th, and 9th about 10.  This, for an event called `Remembering the 
Edmund Fitzgerald.'   

2003 marks the 7th year that the Stu Rockafellow Amateur Society has 
sponsored a special event in remembrance of the famed ship and her crew.  
Look for the call N8F on 40 through 10 meters and QSL to Richard Barker, 
W8VS, 264 N. East St., Brighton, Mi. 48116  (W9RIF)

**

SPECIAL EVENTS:  REMEMBERING VETERANS DAY ON THE AIR

Also, in recognition of both Veterans Day and the birth of the late 
General Curtis LeMay, W6EZV, the Strategic Air Command Memorial Amateur 
Radio Club will be operating stations K0AIR and K0GRL.  This, on 
Tuesday, November 11th from 1200 hours to 2400 hours Zulu.  

According to Darwin Piatt, W9HZC, the stations will take top the air in 
the general phone bands on or near frequencies ending in  the numerals 
47.  Piatt says that his is in recognition of the year 1947 when the Air 
Force became a single entity.  He says to QSL K0AIR and K0HRL to the 
Strategic Air Command Memorial Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 1292 
Bellevue, Nebraska, 68005.  (Via e-mail)

**

ON THE AIR:  THE SOUTHEASTERN 6 METER NET

And Jim Worsham, W4KXY would like to remind everyone of the Southeastern 
6 Meter Net which meets on Sunday nights at 9 PM eastern time on 50.145 
Mhz SSB.  The net control is usually Jim who lives in grid square 
EM84ab.  If anyone has any questions about the net they can contact Jim 
directly.  His e-mail is w4kxy at bellsouth.net  (VHF Reflector)

**

PROPAGATION AIDS:  TRANSATLANTIC BEACON IN PLANNING

The Marconi Radio Club of St. Johns, Newfoundland and the Caccalieu 
Amateur  Radio Club of Carbonear are currently working to put a new 2 
meter  transatlantic beacon on the air.  According to information from 
the Irish Radio Transmitting Society, the proposed beacon will operate 
on 144.4 MHz with power output of 250 Watts into an 11 element Yagi.  It 
will be sited at about 90 meters above sea level.  

**

DX

In D-X, At least five special event stations are on the air from Poland 
through the end of October to celebrate Pope John Paul the Second's 
Silver Jubilee.  Keep an ear open for HF8JP; SN25JP, SR25JP, SO25JP and 
HF25JP.  If you make contact QSL as directed on the air.   (Via e-mail)

And ten German operators and their guests from other countries will be 
operating from Liechtenstein through the 31st of October. Keep an ear 
open for the call HB0/HB9AON using SSB, CW, PSK and RTTY on all of the 
HF bands.  (RSGB)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: MEASURING THE SPEED OF GRAVITY

And finally this week, it appears as if Albert Einstein was right.  
Amateur Radio Newsline's Mert Garlick, N6AWE, tells us about what:

-- 
The great Albert Einstein was correct when he said that the speed of 
gravity matches the speed of light.  This, according to astronomers who 
took advantage of a rare planetary alignment to survey the relationship 
of these two fundamental forces of nature.  

Edward B. Fomalout of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and, 
Sergei Kopeikin of the University of Missouri, measured the amount that 
light from a distant star that was deflected by the gravity of Jupiter 
as the planet passed in front of it.  The researchers used 10 radio 
telescopes scattered around the world to precisely gauge how light from 
a distant quasar was bowed or warped as it passed by Jupiter on its way 
to the Earth. 

To make the measurement, the instruments had to detect a minute 
deflection of the light.  Dr. Fomalout compared the required precision 
to being able to measure the width of a human hair from 250 miles away. 

Jupiter is in the precise position for such a measurement only once a 
decade.  The locations of the telescopes ranged from from Hawaii to 
Germany.  Researchers are very happy with the experiments seeming total 
success.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mert Garlick, N6AWE, near the Queen 
Mary in Long Beach California.

--

Knowing the precise speed of gravity is important to physicists looking 
for technologic break-throughs.  It also affects some of the basic 
theories of the relationship of space and time.  (Science Today)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

And speaking about time, we are out of it for this week.  So 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. 