[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1375 - December 19, 2003
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Fri Dec 19 23:08:02 EST 2003
Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1375 - December 19, 2003
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1375 with a release date of Friday,
December 19, 2003 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. Project Goodwill doubles the ham population
of a rare D-X nation and a well known talk show host warns the public
about the dangers of B-P-L. All this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline
report number 1375 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO TRAINING: PROJECT GOODWILL ALBANIA 2003 A SUCCESS
Cold winter weather was approaching when Project Goodwill Albania 2003
reached its final day on December 12th. But the project left behind a
legacy in the form of 39 new hams. Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, is here with
the details:
--
The Project Goodwill Albania 2003 ham radio training program was unique
in many ways. First, it took Amateur Radio to a university setting as
another recognized subject. At the same time it staged an international
operating event with thousands of QSO's made on numerous bands using a
variety of modes. The then soon-to-be hams of Albania were treated to
the experience of seeing amateur radio in action and getting hands on
training.
Friday December 12th was the day that those trained under the program at
the Polytechnic University of Tirana sat to take their license exams.
95% passed resulting in 39 new licensees being issued. This doubled the
amateur radio population of this what once was a much sought-after
country on the ham radio bands.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.
--
Project Goodwill Albania 2003 was an undertaking of Region 1 of the
International Amateur Radio Union with additional support from the Radio
Society of Great Britain, the ARRL, other national amateur radio
societies, the Northern California DX Foundation, and numerous
commercial sponsors. (ARNewsline™ from press release)
**
HAM RADIO RECORDS: WA1ZMS AND W4WWQ ON 241 GHZ
Yet another super high frequency record for the D-X team of Brian
Jutsin, WA1ZMS and Pete Lascell, W4WWQ. This as the Virginia based duo
extend the 241 Gigahertz distance record to 61.8 kilometers.
The new record was set on Wednesday December 3rd. The weather was clear
and dry. Just perfect for a new record attempt on the band.
WA1ZMS operated from as W2SZ/4 in grid square FM07fm. W4WWQ was also
portable 4 in grid EM97xe.
By the way, Justin says that he elected to use the W2SZ portable 4 club
callsign for this QSO as a way of thanking several people in the club
helped him with this 241 GHz project. We will have more D-X news later
on in this weeks report. (WA1ZMS)
**
RADIO LAW: TALK SHOW HOST W6OBB TAKES ON BPL
Those opposed to the FCC permitting the rollout of Broadband over
Powerline Internet access got some unexpected help on Sunday night
December 14t. This, when famed talk show host Art Bell, W6OBB, brought
up the topic on his Coast to Coast AM radio program. Our producer Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, just happened to tune in at the right time and tells
us what he heard:
--
That's exactly what happened. I was tuning the A-M band looking for the
latest news on the capture of Saddam Hussein when I heard Art's voice.
He was announcing that his guest was to be author Harry Helms, W7HLH,
and the two were going to discuss the hazards of Broadband over
Powerline Internet. So I stopped and rolled tape. In a nutshell, heres
what was said.
Bell started the discussion by explaining in easy laymen's language that
the bottom line to B-P-L was that the power companies and the Internet
provides could rake in a lot more money. He also explained the way this
would happen would be to send Internet data over the unshielded power
system that were, in effect, giant antennas capable of causing massive
interference to existing radio services. How bad? To quote Bell: "It
would wipe out the short-wave bands. It would wipe out ham radio. It
would wipe out C-B. It would wipe out international broadcasters. It
would wipe out FEMA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency."
He then noted that FEMA had filed in opposition to B-P-L and asked Helms
if he thought that action would stop the rollout of this technology.
Helms responded that he hoped it would, and noted that if it proceeds,
that it could also adversely impact on A-M broadcast band reception.
Helms used the noise one hears on a car radio when passing near power
lines as an example of what B-P-L might do to broadcast band reception,
adding: "Imagine that noise not being restricted to being near a
powerline, but virtually anywhere in the United States."
In all, Helms and Bell spent about 5 minutes discussing B-P-L and the
dangers to the nations high frequency communications infrastructure that
its implementation might bring. And in doing so, they accomplished
something that the A-R-R-L could not. They made some 10 to 12 million
Americans who tune in to hear Bell's show aware of the danger that
Broadband over Powerlines could mean to the man in the street.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, listening in
to Coast to Coast AM on KFI in Los Angeles.
--
Bell took back the weekend hosting duties of Coast to Coast AM earlier
this year. The show is heard 7 nights a week over the Premiere Radio
Network and its affiliate stations in the United States and Canada. Its
also on Ask Channel XM 165 on the XM Satellite Radio service.
(ARNewsline™)
**
RADIO LAW: FEMA VS. BPL
Still with the issue of Broadband over Powerlines, another major player
has stepped up to voice its concern. The ARRL Letter says that this
time it is the Federal Emergency Management Agency -- FEMA -- which is
expressing what it calls grave concerns about likely interference from
unlicensed BPL systems.
In its own December 4th filing to the FCC, the agency says that
Broadband over Powerlines could severely impair FEMA's mission essential
High Frequency radio operations in areas serviced by this technology.
FEMA expressed primary concern over BPL's potential impact on the FEMA
National Radio System which operates on the High Frequency bands and
serves as the agency's primary command and control backup medium as part
of the Federal Response Plan. (ARRL)
**
SPECIAL EVENTS: LIVE FROM THE SKY - 100 YEARS OF FLIGHT
Wednesday December 17th, Its 10:35 a.m.. 7:35 California time, and
this is exactly the 100 year anniversary of flight. And in the air --
right now -- on 40- meters is pilot Bill, WA6CAX ,and co-pilot Larry,
W6OMF. Hey Bill and Larry, are you there:
--
WA6CAX: "Hello Gordon. W-1-Charlie. W1C, the special event station
for the 100th anniversary of flight. W1C aeronautical mobile. We are
at 3000 feet in Grid CM88. This is a Cessna 172 and running a Yaesu FT-
100 into 27 feet of wire.
Its a wonderful day in Northern California. We can see everything from
Mt. Shasta to Yosemite. And 100 years ago today was the first powered
flight. So this is Wiskey-1 Charlie."
--
Thanks Bill and Larry for a great time in the air celebrating 100 years
of flight aloft.
This is Gordon West, WB6NOA, reporting. (WB6NOA, ARNewsline™)
**
RADIO LAW: ARRL SAYS HAM ANTENNAS DON'T HARM BIRDS
Amateur radio towers and antennas are not hazardous to migratory birds
and the ARRL has asked the FCC to exempt them from any environmental
regulations that the FCC might enact. This is the gist of a League
filing that has asked the regulatory agency to specifically exempt ham
radio installations from routine environmental processing relative to
their impact on these creatures. Our Avian specialist Joe Moell, K0OV,
has more:
--
As previously reported here on Amateur Radio Newsline, environmental
groups have claimed for years that broadcast, cellular and
communications towers and antennas are responsible for the wholesale
slaughter of migratory birds. According to their Web site,
TOWERKILL.COM, a single 1000-foot tower near Eau Claire, Wisconsin has
been shown to be responsible for over 121,000 bird deaths from 1957 to
1994, 123 different species in all. Based on an average of 1200 birds
per tall TV tower per year, one environmentalist claims 1.2 million
birds die every year by colliding with the towers and their extensive
guy wire systems, usually at night.
And that's just the towers over 800 feet high. According to the Federal
Aviation Administration, as of 1998 there were almost 40,000 registered
towers in the continental USA with height above ground greater than 200
feet. Due to the rapid growth of the Personal Communication Service
industry, it is estimated that there are about 5000 new towers being
erected every year.
The majority of tower kills are east of the Rocky Mountains and along
the Pacific Coast. Tall towers with extensive guy systems directly in
the spring and fall migratory paths are the worst offenders, but
environmentalists say that short towers on hilltops can be just as bad.
So why aren't there piles of avian carcasses at the foot of most tall
towers? It's because scavenger animals clean up the areas before dawn.
Groups such as Forest Conservation Council and Friends of the Earth took
FCC to court for not having a sense of urgency in dealing with this
issue. This resulted in an FCC Notice of Inquiry released last August
wherein the FCC sought more information on the effects of communications
towers on migratory birds, and what new regulations, if any, should be
imposed. And the American Radio Relay League decided to add itself to
the list of about 250 commenters, to protect the rights of radio
amateurs.
According to the ARRL Letter, the League's reply comments were filed on
December 1st. They point out that, according to studies by agencies
such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, communications towers below
400 feet are almost universally considered to be non-contributors in the
bird mortality issue. ARRL goes on to state that typical ham radio
fixed antennas and support structures range from 50 to 120 feet,
although a few may go as high as 200 feet. They rarely go any higher
because of the requirements to gain FAA approval and adhere to
government mandated painting and lighting requirements, not to mention
the cost and siting restrictions involved putting up such a massive
installation. Most ham towers are located mostly residential areas,
well away from the flight patterns of migratory birds.
The bottom line: The ARRL concludes that short, unlit ham radio
antennas should not be candidates for any additional regulation, because
they are not a threat to our fine feathered friends.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Joe Moell, K-Zero-Oscar-Victor
reporting.
--
The FCC Notice of Inquiry on bird safety drew upward of 250 responses by
the time the commentary period had closed. (ARRL, K0OV)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC'S POWELL FEELS THAT TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING TOO QUICKLY FOR
FCC RULES
FCC Chairman Michael Powell says that the telecommunications industry
needs to start with a clean slate when it comes to regulations.
Speaking recently at the University of California at San Diego, Powell
said that technologic innovation is happening so quickly now that
current rules can't keep pace.
Powell went on to say that the result is a mishmash of regulations that
do not treat all technologies are equally. He says that the situation
is becoming even more complicated as companies begin to offer a wide
range of services using new technologies such as voice over the
Internet.
To help reshape regulation of the telecommunications market, Powell said
he would like to provide as much freedom as possible for entrepreneurs
interested in evolving technologiesYou can read the complete story on-
line at
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/wed/business/news_1b10powel
l.html (CGC)
**
RADIO LAW: COURT-TO-FBI: NO MONITORING OF IN-CAR CONVERSATIONS
A federal appeals court has ruled that the FBI and other police agencies
may not eavesdrop on conversations inside automobiles equipped with
dashboard communications systems. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley,
KI7UP, has the details:
--
The court decision stems from action brought in a case where the FBI got
the assistance of a vehicle monitoring company to monitor conversations
in a passenger car equipped with such a device. The Appeals Court said
a District judge was wrong to have granted the FBI its request for the
surreptitious monitoring.
David Sobel is the General Counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information
Center. He says that the problem the appeals court had with the
surveillance was not based on privacy grounds at all.
According to Sobel, the court deemed that the FBI was actually
interfering with the contractual relationship between the service
provider and the customer. In fact, it was doing so to the point that
the service was being interrupted. If the surveillance had been done in
a way that was seamless and undetectable, Sobel says the court would
have had no problem with it.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale
Arizona.
--
The decision is binding only in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington,
Hawaii, and other states that fall within the 9th Circuit's
jurisdiction. (CGC, C-Net, others)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: K1IGD NEW QCWA GM
Some names in the news. First, the Quarter Century Wireless Association
Board of Directors has chosen Charles Walbridge, K1IGD, of Framingham,
Massachusetts as its new General Manager. First licensed in 1952,
Walbridge joined QCWA in 1991 and became a life member in 1998. He has
served as National Secretary since 1997. He is also the Vice-president
of QCWA Pioneer Chapter #183 and editor of its newsletter. Walbridge
replaces James Walsh, W7LVN, who is stepping down for health related
reasons. (QCWA)
**
NAMES IN HE NEWS: N5FG, NAMED WORKED ALL ZONES AWARD MANAGER
And Floyd Gerald, N5FG, has been appointed as the CQ Magazine Worked All
Zones Awards Manager. This, effective January 1, 2004.
Floyd Gerald has been an amateur since 1972, and is an accomplished
DX'er. He holds many amateur radio operating awards and is also a
founding member of the Magnolia DX Association. He served as the
manager of the W5 QSL bureau from 1998 through 2002. During his
tenure that bureau became the first to employ a website so users could
check on their QSL accounts on line.
Gerald succeeds Paul Blumhardt, K5RT, who is stepping down after four
years in the position due to increased work and family commitments.
(CQ)
**
HAM HISTORY: 73 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES ON-LINE AT HAMCALL
Speaking of ham magazines, the complete archives of 73 Magazine will
soon be available to view online at the hamcall.net website as a fee
based subscription service. According to the HamCall folks, more issues
are being added daily and they will eventually have the entire 73
library available.
73 Magazine was published from 1960 to 2003. With its demise a few
months ago HamCall has become the magazines official on-line home to
preserve it for future generations. To do this, the HamCall staff has
scanned every issue in full color, cover-to-cover, making every page is
identical to the paper magazine on a subscription basis.
Want to try the free on-line demo? You can. Simply take your browser
over to www.hamcall.net and click on the words 73 Magazine Archives.
(HamCall)
**
HAM RADIO CONFERENCES: SVHFS CALL FOR PAPERS FOR APRIL 04
The Technical Program Chairman of the Southeastern VHF Conference is
calling for the submission of papers to be presented at the gathering.
The conference is slated for Atlanta Georgia from April 23rd to the
24th. If you want to be a presenter and please contact Ray Rector,
WA4JNP, by e-mail to wa4njp at bellsouth.net More information is on-line
at http://svhfs.org (VHF Reflector)
**
THE STRANGE PAGE: BROADCAST GROUP APOLOGIZES TO BICYCLISTS
In one of the strangest stories we have ever come across, Clear Channel
Communications, the nation's largest radio group, has apologized to
bicyclists. This, to end a controversy caused by disc jockeys at three
of its stations reportedly urged listeners to run cyclists off the road
and throw bottles at them. Mert Garlick, N6AWE, reports:
--
The apology came in a letter from Clear Channel Radio Chief Executive
John Hogan to Elissa Margolin. Margolin is the executive director of
the League of American Bicyclists.
In separate and apparently unrelated incidents, morning disc jockeys at
Clear Channel-owned stations in Cleveland Ohio, Houston Texas and
Raleigh North Carolina, urged motorists to harass cyclists. According to
listeners who complained the broadcasts reportedly included suggestions
that listeners slam on their brakes in front of cyclists and then open
the passenger door or throw soft drink bottles at riders.
At a meeting in October the League of American Bicyclists told the FCC
that the comments broadcast by the radio stations amounted to inciting
listeners to commit felonious assault. In his note, Hogan said that
disciplinary action was taken at all three stations involved in the
controversy including the fireing of one staff member.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Mert Garlick, N6AWE, in Los Angeles.
--
In his letter of apology, Clear Channel's Hogan said the company would
launch a campaign to promote road safety. (Published news reports)
**
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