[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1386 - March 5, 2004

Fri Mar 5 18:44:57 EST 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1386 - March 5,  2004

The following is an advisory.  Ladies and gentlemen, with a list of 
thank-you's for supporting us, heres our Treasurer and Support Fund 
Administrator Andy Jarema, N6TCQ:

--

Still playing "catch-up" for our supporters, in the month of June last 
year we heard from:

Monthly contributor Benton Bonney, W4PE of Orlando; Joseph Bartzi, Jr., 
KC8DKF of Columbus, OH; mnthly contributor Frank Hemko of Harrods Creek 
KY; te Hualapai (Walla-pie) ARC of Kingman, AZ; monthly contributor 
William Walters, WA2IBM, of San Jose; monthly contributor Scott Hensley 
of the Area Communications Team, also in San Jose and an "Aloha" from 
Corky Kirk, Jr., W6ORS of Hilo, HI.

Thank you to everyone, and we promise to do our best to continue to earn 
your care and support. A reminder that Newsline is a 501c 3 California 
non-profit corporation.  FCC regulations prohibit us from telling you 
exactly how to support us, but that information is on our website at 
www.arnewsline.org.  That address will be repeated at the end of the 
newscast.  I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.

--

Thank you Andy.  And now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1386 with 
a release date of Friday, March 5th, 2004 follows in 5-4-3-2-1.   

The following is a Q-S-T. 

Help from down-under in the fight to save Amsat Oscar 40 and lots more 
on the fight to stop B-P-L. Find out the details on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1386 coming your way right now.

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  HELP FROM DOWN-UNDER IN REVIVING AO-40

The AMSAT Oscar 40 ham radio satellite is still missing in action, but 
more international help in bringing it back to life is coming almost 
every day.  The latest is from down-under as Brett Dawson, VK2CBD and 
the team of Australia's Parkes Observatory lend their support to AMSAT 
Germany in the recovery effort.  Q-News Trevor Teague, VK4BAT, reports:

 ---

A 4 MHz wide spectrum with centre frequency of 1097 MHz was scanned  
with high level technique in order to find the LO frequency of the AO-40 
L1 receiver.  The fact that nothing was heard of the L1 receiver's LO 
does not lead to the conclusion that AO-40 is completely dead. The 
receivers of  Parkes are not really fitted for frequencies below 1.25 
GHz, and  naturally one does not know how good the L1 receiver's LO is 
shielded  or how much of the signal would go through the antenna to the 
outside world.

 ---

As previously reported, the main battery pack that powers AO 40 is 
believed to have short circuited keeping the auxiliary battery from 
powering the bird.  As this newscast goes to air the rescue effort  
continuing.  (Q-News)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC SEEKING INFORMATION ON ALLEGED FELON HAMS

Back here in the United States, our FCC wants to know if several people 
on a list it has are felons convicted of an array of very serious 
crimes.  The agency's Daryl Duckworth, N-N-Zero-W, explains:

--

Duckworth:  Seven inquiry letters were sent to individuals thought to be 
licensees who are incarcerated on felony convictions listed on sex 
offender registration lists or (who) recently served prison sentences 
for felony convictions.  In these cases, the names match our license 
records and preliminary information is that the subject is the same 
person listed in our database.  

These inquiries seek first to establish whether that is the case, and, 
second, to determine what affect the offense has on the qualifications 
to retain a Commission license.

This has been Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, reporting.

-- 

The FCC did not provide names but it did give conviction information and 
the locations and offenses.  The list includes hams believed to have 
been convicted of offenses ranging from sexual abuse to child 
molestation and even murder.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

RADIO LAW:  JUDGE ORDERS TECHNICAL TESTIMONY IN ALLEGED JAMMING CASE

A Wisconsin federal judge has refused to close the courtroom for 
testimony by employees of Motorola during the trial of a defendant who 
allegedly tried to jam police and fire communications. on several 
occasions last year.  In denying Motorola's motion, Judge John Shabaz 
said on February 27th that the right of Rajib Mitra to a fair trial 
outweighs Motorola's right to protect its trade secrets.  

According to the Madison Capital Times, attorneys for Motorola had 
argued national and local security concerns as reasons that it did not 
want public disclosure on how its radio equipment was allegedly jammed 
by Mitra.  The government planed to call five Motorola employees to 
explain how its Smartnet II radio equipment can be disrupted.  Motorola 
claimed this not only exposed its trade secrets but also placed at risk 
the lives of law enforcement officers that depend on the proper 
functioning of their radio communications systems.  

But assistant U.S. Attorney Tim O'Shea opposed Motorola's motion, as did 
Mitra's attorney.  Christopher Van Wagner argued that removing the 
public during his client's testimony would prejudice the defendant.  
Judge Shabaz agreed with the prosecution and defense.  He overruled the 
Motorola request and ordered the employees to testify noting that no one 
in the public is coming to his court to find the formula to jam radio 
frequencies.  He noted that this kind of technical testimony can be 
removed from trial transcripts when they are produced.

Mitra's trial was to began on Monday, March 1st.  He faces two charges 
of using a computer to interfere with police communications.  If 
convicted on both counts he faces up to 20 years in prison.  (Capital 
Times)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  EMERGENCY COMM GENERATOR STOLEN

I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, with a late breaking story.  Dateline San 
Antonio, Texas where, last Saturday night, February 29th, the San 
Antonio Radio Club had one of its trailer and generator systems stolen.

Paul Guido, N5IUT, reports over the Public Relations remailer that it 
was a 12.5 Kilowatt Onan unit.  The club's biggest and best generator.

A police report has been filed that includes some very good pictures of 
the trailer with the generator on it.  If you have any information on 
its where-abouts, please contact Paul by e-mail to 
Pguido2003a at broadwaybank.com or call the San Antonio police.  

The San Antonio Radio Club has been a Bexar County, Texas, emergency 
communication resource since way back in 1919.  (N5IUT)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  THE 11 METER CB ANGLE

Over the past several months we have been hearing about the potential 
interference to Amateur Radio that's expected if the FCC proceeds with 
the rollout of Broadband over Powerline Internet access.  But ham radio 
is not the only service in the 2 through 80 MHz spectrum where B-P-L 
will operate.  Shortwave broadcasters are concerned that their audiences 
will disappear if they cannot be heard over B-P-L generated noise.  
Also, a number of emergency communications networks have told the FCC 
that their vital communications will negatively impacted as well.  

The one service that nobody has talked about is 11 meter Class D CB 
radio.  An unlicensed service at 27 MHz with millions of radios crammed 
into 40 overcrowded channels with many operators running far more power 
than legally allowed.  This week, Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark 
Abramowicz, NT3V, looks at CB, B-P-L and the collision between the two 
that may not be to far away.

--  

If those who want to bring us Broadband Over Powerline thought amateur 
radio operators were going to be a nuisance to their plans, they may 
have an even bigger headache on the horizon.  Citizens Band radio 
operators could prove to be the biggest threat to B-P-L.

The FCC defines CB as a private radio service that doesn't require users 
to have a license. It hasn't for years. The FCC pretty much gave up 
regulating the spectrum. It asks users to enjoy their radios but to stay 
within the five-watt power limit of most of the radios.

But since the FCC gave up trying to keep track of those operating on 27 
Mhz, problems have mushroomed.  A class of CB operator has emerged who 
likes to use high-power amplifiers to talk with people several states 
away.

How powerful? If you check out some of the CB websites, you'll find 
amplifiers being sold that push the envelope well beyond the legal limit 
- say 500 watts, 1,000 watts, even 5,000 watts and higher.

Many contemporary electronic appliances, because of poor RF shielding, 
are susceptible to interference caused by overmodulated CB signals.

The FCC could find itself in a real quandry if the B-P-L industry 
demands help in going after those who push the limit and disrupt their 
systems. Imagine the complaints.

Because the FCC can't go to a database to help it find abusers or 
offenders, it's going to be a difficult if not impossible - task to 
track these illegal operators.

Will the industry end up funding the FCC's enforcement effort? That 
would be unprecedented.

Let's be clear: Not all CB operators are outlaws.

Many use their 11 meter radios for personal communications on trips, on 
hikes, on fishing expeditions. And, yes, the truckers are still big 
users of the spectrum.

But if you search the worldwide web, you will find CB sites with 
postings from folks who boast of their radio exploits and their 
amplifiers and contests.

The websites, of course, take no responsibility for the information or 
material posted in forums or message boards. They describe them as 
strictly for entertainment or educational purposes.

Some education the B-P-L industry is sure to get;  perhaps a crash or 
will that be clash course in CB radio.

For now, we'll have to watch and wait.

CBers say they're watching, too. And some of them are vowing no one will 
stop them from operating as they please.

Stay tuned.  For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, 
in Philadelphia

--

To get an idea as to the power that some of the highly illegal 
competition grade C-B stations run, take your web browser to 
www.bigradios.com and follow the numerous links from there.  
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  CINCINNATI WATCH OUT

Meantime, Cincinnati Ohio may be among the first to have Broadband over 
Powerlines across the entire area.  This, as a division of Cinergy 
Corporation announces plans to offer high-speed Internet service over 
its power lines.

According a March 2nd release, Cinergy Broadband is pairing with the 
Maryland based Current Communications Group to offer the service in 
parts of Cincinnati this year.  Plans also call for an expansion into 
Kentucky and Indiana as the regional system grows. 

Cinergy says that it hopes to initially market the service to 55,000 of 
its 1.5 million customers.  A second venture will bring the technology 
to smaller municipal and cooperatively owned power companies, covering 
24 million customers across the United States. The companies are 
committing more than $70 million to the effort.  (ZD Net via Media 
Network)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDS HIGHER FINES FOR 
INDECENCY

A congressional subcommittee has acted to substantially increase the 
fines assessed broadcasters who break indecency rules.  Some  
legislators also say that repeat offenders should lose their licenses. 

FCC officials have maintained for years that the current maximum fine of 
$27,500 is too small to serve as a deterrent for large broadcasters who 
view the fines as a cost of doing business.  Now, under a bill recently 
passed by the House Internet and Telecommunications subcommittee, 
monetary forfeitures issued by the FCC would be increased by a factor of 
ten to $275,000 per violation.  The cap on the fines would go to a 
maximum of $3 million.

There is yet another possibility being floated among legislators and one 
that could come up when and if the bill hits the House floor.  That 
would be to hold performers and others appearing in the electronic media 
directly responsible for their own words, much the same way as is done 
in other radio services including ham radio.  

But one law maker has cautioned to enlarge the scope of  the proposed 
legislation to far.  Representative Fred Upton cautioned that lawmakers 
should be careful not to expand the bill to the point where it might run 
afoul of free-speech rights guaranteed by the Constitution.  If that 
happens, Upton says that it could very well buckle under its own weight.  
(Published news reports)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC SAYS IT TIME FOR LOW POWER BROADCAST RADIO

The FCC says that Congress should lift the restrictions it has placed on 
the introduction of low power FM broadcast stations.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, is here with the rest of the story:

--

In a February 20th statement, the FCC said that its inquiry shows that 
low power FM stations serving highly specific audiences in small areas 
do not  interfere with the operations of large broadcasters.  Also, that 
they will not keep audiences from hearing the higher power commercial 
stations as the industry claims.

When the FCC first suggested creating the low power or community radio 
option. commercial broadcasters and public radio stations complained.  
The argued that low power stations would interfere with reception of 
their signals  Congress responded by setting what amounted to an R-F  
no-man's land between the low power stations and existing broadcasters.  
This severely limited the number of tiny stations that the Commission 
could license.  

Lawmakers also told the FCC to study the potential for interference.  
The agency spent several years doing just that.  It has now concluded 
that stations running between 10 and 100 watts pose little risk to 
commercial stations whose power levels can be upward of 100,000 watts 
effective radiated.  

Currently, there are about 300 low powered F-M stations on the air.  
Most are licensed to churches, school districts, youth organizations, 
highway departments, environmentalists and the like.  By comparison, the 
nation's largest commercial broadcast radio chain, Clear Channel 
Communications owns 1,200 stations so far. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los 
Angeles.

-- 

A spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters termed the FCC 
report as flawed.  (FCC)

** 

ON THE AIR:  WYOMING STATION DX TEST MARCH 14

Meantime, a full power radio station is in the news and its a good news 
for hams and S-W-L's who like listening for rare ones on the A-M band.  
On Sunday, March 14th, radio station KEVA, 1240 kilohertz in  Evanston, 
Wyoming will conduct a D-X test to find out how far its signal can be 
heard.

According to Lynn Holman reporting over the Broadcast Employees 
remailer, the test will take place from 12:00 - 1 a.m. Mountain Standard 
Time and will consist of numerous Morse code I-D's emanating from a C-D 
created by Doug Smith, W9WI.  

For a conformation card please send your reception reports with return 
postage to Michael Richard, KEVA-AM, P.O. Box 190, Evanston, Wyoming.  
The zipcode is 82931.  (B.E.A.N.)

**

CONFERENCES:  EASTERN VHF-UHF IN CT. IN APRIL

Turning to ham radio meetings of note, the 30th annual Eastern VHF UHF 
Conference will take place next month, April 16th through the 18th at 
the Radisson Hotel in  Enfield Connecticut.  Among the program to be 
presented will be a special update on the "Status of VHF UHF Contesting 
& Awards Programs" will be Dan Henderson, N1ND of the ARRL.  Also on 
hand will be Gerry Rodski, K3MKZ of SSB Electronic USA to manage the 
Preamp Noise Figure Measurement workshop and Chris Fagas, WB2VVV to 
oversee the antenna gain measurement range.

The conference is sponsored by the Eastern VHF UHF Society and the North 
East Weak Signal Groups.  More information is available from  Conference 
Chairman and Proceedings Editor Bruce Wood, N2LIV.  E-mail him 
bdwood at erols.com or visit http://newsvhf.com on the World-Wide-Web.  
(VHF Reflector)

**

CONFRENCES:  SVHFS IN GEORGIA IN APRIL

And the  8th Annual Southeastern VHF Society Conference takes place in 
Marietta, Georgia on April 23 and 24th.  Marietta is not far from, 
Atlanta and this years program highlights include sessions on pre-amp 
noise figure and gain measurement, antenna gain measurements, a back 
scratcher antenna competition and judging for the Mini-Circuits Annual 
Award for Design Achievement.  Also expect a flea market, manufacturer 
exhibits, the annual auction, and card checking for VUCC.  For more 
information on this one please take your web browser to www.svhfs.org  
(VHF Reflector)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  BAND LEADER ALVINO REY, W6UK - S.K.

Ham radio's changing of the guard continues.  This with the sad news 
that Alvino Rey, W-6-U-K, has passed away.

Ray was 95 when he became a Silent Key from pneumonia in Sandy, Utah on 
Tuesday, February 24th.  Best known as a swing-band leader of the '30s 
and '40s he was also an inventor and tinkerer who  pioneered development 
of the pedal steel guitar.  This instrument,  and his ability to make it 
sound like it was talking became his musical trademark.

Born Alvin McBurney, in California he grew up in Cleveland Ohio.  After 
beginning his music career in New York he changed his name to Rey in 
1929 to capitalize on the then popular Latin music craze.   Rey and his 
orchestra gained national fame with the 1942 hit, "Deep in the Heart of 
Texas."  Nearly 25 years later, Rey was again in the national spotlight 
when he was featured for several seasons on ABC Television's "The King 
Family Show."

Ham radio wise, Ray loved to operate all modes, and, according to posts 
on the V-H-F reflector, was particularly fond of 6 meters.  He was also 
active on all of the the high frequency bands over his many years in the 
hobby.  (K6LAE, published news reports)

**

WORLDBEAT - USA:  BIG ANTI-PIRACY WIN

A federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that a software program that 
copies Digital Video Discs infringes on the copyrights of Hollywood 
studios.  Judge Susan Illston ruled that software made by 321 Studios of 
Chesterfield, Missouri violates the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright 
Act.  This law prohibits the circumvention of anti-piracy measures such 
as the Content Scramble System protecting movies on D V Ds.  Judge Illston 
ordered the company to stop making or distributing such software within 
seven days of her February 20th order.  (News reports)

**

WORLDBEAT -  BELGIUM: HACKER GAL ARRESTED

Meantime, a Belgian computer hacker who has made an international name 
for herself as a woman in a male-dominated activity is facing criminal 
charges.  Belgian police have arrested the 19-year-old technology 
student, confiscated her five computers and shut down her Web site. 

A Belgian newspaper says that the woman, identified only by her 
nickname, Gigabyte was charged with computer data sabotage.  Police tell 
the paper she was preparing to publish new viruses on her Website when 
she was taken into custody.  If convicted, Gigabyte faces up to three 
years in prison and 127-thousand dollars in fines.  (Computing)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK:  IOTA IN OCTOBER

And while its a long ways off, the dates of the Radio Society of Great 
Britain's International High Frequency and Islands on the Air Convention 
has just been announced.  This year, the gathering will take place the 
weekend of Friday October 22nd to Sunday the 24th. Further announcements 
as to venue and the program will follow later on www.rsgb.org and the 
GB2RS news service from the U-K.  (RSGB)

**

NEW HAM PRODUCTS:  THE JWM 1152 PHASE LOCKED OSCILLATOR

Looking at products of interest to ham radio experimenters, word that 
JWM Engineering Group has announced availability of a new phase locked 
oscillator.  One designed to improve frequency control to microwave 
receivers and transmitters using crystal oscillator local oscillator 
chains.

According to Jerry Mulchin, N7EME, President of the JWM Engineering 
Group, the Model 1152 eliminates the frequency uncertainty of most 
microwave transverter systems.  Mulchin adds that Precise frequency 
control and stability eliminates at least one variable in establishing 
successful and enjoyable microwave communications.  More information is 
on the web at http://jwmeng.com.  (JWM Engineering Group)

**

CONTESTS:  WB6ACU AND K9EID ON FROM W1AW

On the radiosport page, the ARRL phone contest on March 6th and 7th will 
have had some well known hams operating from the League's W1AW flagship 
station this year.  According to a note from Bob Heil, K9EID, he and 
famed rock guitarist Joe Walsh, WB6ACU of the Eagles will be on the air 
from League headquarters during contest.  A special picture QSL will be 
sent to those who work Joe or Bob.  QSL to their respective call 
directory addresses.  (K9EID)

**

DX

In DX, PA5M has been active as 9U5M from Burundi since the 17th of 
February and will stay in the country until the 17th of March.  He 
operates in his spare time, typically after 1600 UTC, on 10 to 40 meters 
CW and SSB.

And W7EJ is in Morocco until the end of March.  He plans to be active as 
CN2R in the CQ 160-Meter SSB, ARRL DX SSB and CQ WPX SSB contests.

Also, DJ4SO is active portable V-51 from Namibia through the 15th.  He 
plans to operate on 160 to 6 meters mainly CW, RTTY and PSK 31 with some 
SSB.

Lastly, ZS6Y reports he is active with the special callsign ZS10RSA 
until mid-May.  This, to celebrate 10 years of democracy in that nation.  
For all of these operations, QSL as directed on the air.

(This weeks DX news courtesy of GB2RS)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: THE ORIGIN OF ELECTRONIC SPAM

And finally this week, a brief lesson on something we dread every time 
we check our e-mail.  You know what it is.  Unwanted junk e-mail that 
people have come to call Spam.  Ever wonder why?  Here's Bill Pasternak, 
WA6ITF, with some details that probably very few people know:

--

We all know that Spam is the trade name of a canned meat product.  At 
least I suspect that most of you do.  But have you ever wondered where 
the phrase "spam" in relation to unsolicited junk e-mail came from.  
Well, blame it on the computer nerds who were fans of one of the worlds 
greatest comedy ensembles.  

It seems that the term began being applied to junk electronic mail in 
the early 1990's by computer geeks.  It was based on a 1970 Monty Python 
skit in which an exasperated restaurant customer is urged to order the 
meat until she screams: ''Stop it already.  I don't want any Spam!''  

And that was it.  And now you do know the rest of the story.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the City 
of Angels.

--

To which Ill add the rhetorical question:  How many of us open our e-
mail boxes each day and want yell the same thing?  (Tnx to Q-News, CGC, 
others who sent this item along.)

**

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 
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California 91066. 