[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1398 - May 28, 2004

Sat May 29 19:05:15 EDT 2004

The following is a Q-S-T.  

Ham radio helps in the wake of an outbreak of tornadoes and a proposed 
California law could make operating a mobile station a driving 
distraction.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report 
number 1398 coming your way right now.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  TORNADOES ACROSS THE MID-WEST BRING OUT HAM RADIO 
COMMUNICATORS

Dozens of tornadoes and severe storms hammered the northern Plains and 
Midwest in the past week.  As phone lines went out and cellular systems 
got overloaded it was ham radio that was again called on to provide 
storm spotting and other communications.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Don 
Wilbanks, AE5DW, is here with more:

--

More than a dozen tornadoes swept across southern Nebraska the weekend 
of May 22nd.  According to news reports the tornadoes were part of three 
days of severe weather that knocked out telephone service and power to 
hundreds of thousands of people from Nebraska to Michigan to West 
Virginia. 

Hardest hit was Hallam, Nebraska.  Hallam is located 25 miles north to 
Lincoln and is where a 73 year old woman was killed from flying debris.   
Every building in Hallam was damaged or destroyed and all normal 
communications was cut off.  This prompted the activation of local A-R-
E-S units under the leadership of Section Emergency Coordinator Reynolds 
Davis, K-Zero-G-N-D.

In Lincoln, Joe Eisenberg, K-Zero-N-E-B, was active with the local ham 
radio Stormwatch.  He described this as a terrible weather front and 
said that ham radio played a key role in the emergency:

--

Eisenberg:  "We went out on Stormewatch early in the evening and had 
spotters throughout the whole county and our spotters in the South part 
of the county began observing the extremely heavy rain, wind and hale, 
especially near the Hallem area.  One of our spotters saw a semi that 
had been blown off the road."

--

Downed power lines and leaking propane tanks littered the Hallam, 
prompting the Nebraska National Guard to surround the community Sunday 
to keep people from entering.  Newsline spoke to Sandy Ramsey of the 
Office of Emergency Management in Lincoln who had a lot of praise for 
the role that Amateur Radio is playing:

--

Ramsy: "The hams out there as storm spotters.  They are just invaluable 
to us.  
They're our eyes and ears.  We are in the E-O-C and they're our eyes in 
the field and we just couldn't do this without them.  They are really an 
invaluable part of what we do."

--

But Nebraska was not the only place where hams were put on alert or 
activated. Iowa and central Michigan were also hard hit and the front 
also caused power and phone outages in southern Michigan, Wisconsin, 
northern Illinois and Iowa and northwest Ohio.  On Monday night the 
24th, Iowa was drenched by yet another wave of powerful thunderstorms, 
even as residents of the town of Independence waited for a flooded local 
stream to recede.

The wave of storms swept eastward early Tuesday.  Illinois had high wind 
that damaged several structures near Jacksonville.  State Police said a 
twister damaged a home south of Springfield. 

And all across the region ham radio operators remained on alert.  As we 
go to air their work is still ongoing and we will have more in future 
reports. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW in New Orleans.

--

A total of 81 tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in the 
region on Saturday as a weather front stalled over the area.  As we go 
to air, ham radio is still involved in the aftermath of the storms.  
(ARNewsline, K0NEB)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  MR. HAYNIE GOES TO WASHINGTON  REDUX

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says his meeting with White House 
telecommunications advisors on B-P-L issues was both revealing and 
encouraging.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the 
latest:

--
Haynie says he and ARRL representatives met with Richard Russell, the 
White House associate director of technology in the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy in Washington D.C. 

Haynie knew going in that the Bush administration's policy was clear: B-
P-L is something that's good for America. But Haynie says Russell did 
offer assurances, especially in light of the interference findings about 
B-P-L contained in the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration report. 

"He did emphasize the fact that they would address the interference 
issues aggressively," Haynie says. "And I'm going to take him at his 
word at that. That they will do that. 

"And I'm sure the FCC has taken note of the interference issues that 
NTIA has raised and as the representative for the amateur radio 
community, I intend to stay on top of it. 

"We're not going to let this thing slide from that standpoint. They have 
the rules and they're printed and they're there. And we're going to make 
sure that they abide by those rules." 

Haynie says it was clear from the start that Russell is beholden to the 
political agenda of the Bush administration. 

"Mr. Russell heard what we had to say all right, but I think he was 
already predisposed to the fact that to anybody on the street - and I'm 
talking about the uninformed person that doesn't know about technology, 
broadband over powerline, where you can just plug your computer into the 
wall ,any wall outlet -does sound like a good thing," Haynie says. "And, 
I understand that. 

"But on the other hand, there are issues that have to be dealt with and 
one of the examples I gave Mr. Russell was the fact that we could all 
lower our electric bills if we could burn high-sulfur coal. 

"And he said, 'Well the EPA wouldn't let you do that.' I said, 'That's 
my point exactly. The FCC should be standing there, overseeing the rules 
about spectrum pollution.' I think I made my point." 

Haynie says, upon reflection, one reality in the whole B-P-L debate is 
becoming crystal clear. 

"I honestly do believe there's a disconnect between the engineers in the 
field, the engineers at the commission who actually understand the 
physics of the issue versus the politicians who are driving it," Haynie 
says. " I'm convinced now that's what it is. This is no longer a science 
issue, an issue of facts, it's an issue of politics and that disappoints 
me." 

However, Haynie says in recent weeks certain admissions by utilities 
trying to work with the amateur community are significant. 

"In the beginning, everybody said from the industry side that there was 
no interference," Haynie says.  "Now they're actually saying, 'Yes, 
there is and we'll try to mitigate it, we'll try to work with you.' That 
in itself is a big step." 

Haynie says there also are admissions that one major interference 
solution touted by B-P-L proponents - notching - just doesn't do the job 
across the board. 

"Finally some of the people are admitting, 'OK we don't have a point-
source radiator anymore, we have a continuous-source radiator such as a 
power line.' And they're saying that the notching techniques will work 
and we've actually found out that they don't work that well," Haynie 
says. 

"The notches are not that exact. And, when it says that they notch 
something about 3db or 6db, that's still not enough. It has to be 
notched by at least 30 in order to get back down to where the amateurs 
can function. And that's going to be a big challenge for the industry." 

Haynie says anybody studying the issue of broadband technology sees the 
B-P-L investment is not a good one because of the growing emphasis on 
creating a wireless network. 

"Quite frankly, in my personal opinion, the broadband over powerlines is 
going to be a real flash-in-the-pan because other technologies are going 
to overtake it very quickly," Haynie says. 

"Whenever people say they want to plug their computer into any outlet in 
the wall, then my question is: 'Then, why do you have a cordless phone?' 
And WiFi and WiMax enter that challenge by being able to go anywhere in 
your house and let your laptop down whether it be on your couch or in 
your easychair and operate broadband. 

"And I think that technology is going to be the real answer to people 
that need that type of high-speed internet access." 

Haynie says the B-P-L battle is far from over. He says the strategy now 
is to press regulators - especially the FCC - to enforce the 
interference rules.

 "Hold everybody's feet to the fire on the rules," Haynie says. "And the 
encouraging sign I've seen in the last week or so is the fact that more 
and more utilities have said that they didn't think it was a viable 
option for them and have opted out. 

"Interestingly enough, the city of Manassas now is advertising for 
another provider. I found that extremely curious and very interesting." 

Finally, Haynie concedes the ARRL has spent hundreds of thousands of 
dollars on the B-P-L issue and it's looking to the amateur community to 
get behind the league and its work. 

"People are working overtime," Haynie says. "We are burning the candle 
at both ends and all I would ask is the amateurs support the 
organization and what we're trying to do in this effort." 

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

--

More on the fight to stop B-P-L in future Amateur Radio Newsline 
reports.  (ARNewsline(tm ), ARRL)

** 

RADIO LAWS:  CALIFORNIA TO FINE DISTRACTED DRIVERS

California drivers who are distracted for any reason and whose actions 
attract law enforcement may soon face fines by eating, combing their 
hair or talking on a cellular telephone.  This if a bill passed on May 
18th by the state senate and bend to the Assembly is eventually made 
law.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more in this report:

--

It was called S B 1800 when Senator Kevin Murray introduced it to the 
California State Senate back in February.  It went unnoticed by the 
Amateur Radio community until about a week ago when the Senate passed it 
and delivered to the State Assembly for further action.  That's when 
news outlets state wide ran banner headlines saying that the state 
legislature might make it a crime to be distracted in any way -- while 
operating a motor vehicle in the Golden state.  And that is exactly what 
the measure would do.  

As written, the Murray bill would make it an crime for a person to 
operate a vehicle in an unsafe manner that results from engaging in a 
distracting activity while driving.  What is a distracting activity?  
Well according to the Senator it is just about anything.  Eating or 
drinking, smoking, reading or writing, interacting with children, 
animals, passengers, or objects in the vehicle, adjusting the controls 
of an audio or other entertainment device, or even talking on a hands 
free cellular telephone.  And it is the last two items that could easily 
impact on ham radio operators or any other two way radio user that a 
police officer might regard as distracted just because he or she has a 
microphone in hand or is changing frequencies on a radio.

The bill does say that a law enforcement officer may not stop a vehicle 
when a driver is engaging in a distracting activity unless the officer 
observes that the vehicle is being operated in an unsafe manner.  But it 
is left to the officer to decide what unsafe really is under other areas 
of California state law.   

The proposed law does not single out or target Amateur Radio operators 
for enforcement, but it does not exempt hams either.  In fact, the only 
exemptions are police, fire and emergency services but even this is 
limited.  The measure states that an emergency service professional 
would be exempt from these restrictions when using a wireless telephone 
or other electronic device, but only as part of the course and scope of 
his or her duties. 

What about penalties?  The bill would require a first offense to be 
punished by a fine of $35, and a second or subsequent offense that 
occurs within 2 years of a prior conviction for the infraction to be 
punished by a fine of $150. 

Also, being permitted to continue driving in California and get 
insurance means that you have to keep your violation points count low.  
Any person whose driving record shows a violation count of 4 or more 
points in 12 months, 6 or more points in 24 months, or 8 or more points 
in 36 months be presumed to be a negligent operator of a motor vehicle.  
This bill would prohibit a first-time violation from being given a point 
value, but would mandate that a 2nd or subsequent violation within 2 
years to be given a value of one point.  And even 2 points can cost a 
lot of dollars when you go to renew an auto insurance policy.  

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

--

Supporters of the proposed law cite studies blaming distractions for 25 
to 30 percent of all vehicle crashes.  Opponents say that the bill goes 
too far in meddling with the civil rights of individuals.  This group 
vows a court fight if the measure gets signed into law.

**

RESTRUCTURING:  FCC CHAIRMAN SAYS RESTRUCTURING CONTINUING

FCC Chairman Michael Powell has told U-S representatives Greg Walden, 
W7EQI, and Mike Ross, WD5DVR, that the Commission will act 'as 
expeditiously as possible' on Amateur Radio restructuring.  This, in 
response to a letter from Walden and Ross a month ago that urged the FCC 
to adopt the ARRL's restructuring Petition for Rule Making in its 
entirety along with rules changes needed to put it into place. 

But in his response, Powell said the League's petition was one of many.  
There are 18 in all.  An ARRL bulletin says that judging from the FCC 
Chairman's  letter to Walden and Ross, it would appear as if the 
regulatory agency plans to address all 18 petitions within the framework 
of a single rule making proceeding.

**

ENFORCEMENT:  75 METER IN INTERFERENCE BRINGS FAA REFERRAL

A California ham is under FCC scrutiny for alleged interference to 
ongoing Amateur Radio communications.  The FCC's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, 
is here with more:

--

Duckworth: "AE6QD, Steve L. Wingate, of Corte Madera, California, has 
been sent a warning letter regarding malicious interference on 75 
meters.  This consists of jamming, making threats to other operators and 
to law enforcement officers, and broadcasts in which he appears 
incoherent."

-- 

The FCC warned Wingate that continued incidents of such interference 
will subject him to license suspension and revocation proceedings, as 
well as a possible fine of  $7,500 to $10,000.  And in an unusual twist, 
the FCC says that since Wingate also holds a pilot's license, this 
matter is also being referred to the Federal Aviation Administration as 
well. (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FINES AFFIRMED AGAINST TWO ALLEGED PIRATES

Fines of $10,000 each have been affirmed by the FCC against Jason Green 
and Gary Feldman.  The regulatory agency alleges that the two are pirate 
broadcasters in Florida who reportedly operated on 91.9 Mhz.  The FCC 
says that neither filed a responses to the Commission's initial findings 
in the case.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  A "RADIO SUMMER CAMP" TO TRAIN MORE PIRATES

Now here's one that we know will interest the FCC enforcement folks.  
Writers to the CGC Communicator report that budding radio pirates can 
learn how to buy or build FM transmitters and get on the air this 
summer.  This at four-day "workshop" sessions, at least one of which 
will be bilingual.  

Not only that.  CGC readers also report that the event promoters will 
have transmitter and antenna kits available to attendees.  For more on 
these strange educational check out www.freeradio.org.  (CGC)

**

RADIO LAW:  AIR FORCE JAMS GARAGE DOOR OPENERS 

A new military radio system is jamming remote-control garage doors in 
communities near this Florida Panhandle base.  During testing of the 
$5.5 million two-way radio system at Eglin Air Force Base, homeowners in 
Niceville, Valparaiso and the Crestview area reported that their garage 
door openers failed to work or went wild by themselves.

According to Air Force officials the contractor, Motorola Inc., will try 
to minimize the problem. Technicians will run the system on slightly 
different frequencies from those used by garage door 
openers when another test is conducted. 

But an FCC spokesperson had some bas news for local homeowners.  Lauren 
Van Wazer, said that if the Air Force has been running the system within 
its licensed frequencies then the users of garage door openers may have 
to change the operating frequencies of theirs. 

By the way, the Navy says that a similar radio system has been requested 
for Pensacola Naval Air Station and other nearby installations.  
(Published reports)

**

NEW PRODUCTS:  THE TNC WIZARD

Creative Services Software has announced the release of version 1.0 of 
the Kantronics and Timewave TNC Wizard.  This program searches for your 
TNC and sound card on both serial ports and TCP/IP networks.

Creative's Rick Ruhl, W4PC, says that the TNC wizard works with built in 
serial ports in the TNC, USB to serial adapters and TCP/IP to serial 
interfaces.  It also has an option to detect the soundcard in the 
computer and add that information to the PacTerm or PkTerm startup files 
without any additional setup needed at install time.

The TNC Wizard requires Windows 98 or later, with TCP/IP installed. 
There is no cost for the TNC wizard and it can be downloaded from the 
CSS website at http://www.cssincorp.com  (CSS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  INDUCTEES NAMED TO THE CQ HALLS OF FAME

CQ Amateur Radio magazine has inducted fifteen people into its Amateur 
Radio Hall of Fame and two into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame.  

Those elected to the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame include Ned Carman, 
Ned, W0ZSW, and Sister Alverna O'Laughlin, WA0SGJ, who co founded the 
Handi-Ham System to aid the handicapped.  Also inducted was Ten-Tec co-
founder Jack Burchfield, Jack, K4JU.  His partner Al Kahn, K4FW was made 
a member in 2002.  

Others named include Bob Heil, K9EID, whose inventions revolutionized 
audio in rock music live performances and amateur radio and writer Tom 
Kneitel, K2AES and Amateur Radio Newsline's own Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.  
Bill as honored for his quarter of a century of producing these 
newscasts and for creating the "Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the 
Year Award.  

The new members of the CQ Contest Hall of Fame include Steve Bolia, 
N8BJQ.  Steve is the longtime Director of the CQ World Wide W-P-X 
Contests and a pioneer in computer log-checking.  Also inducted was Trey 
Garlough, N5KO.  Garlough, who also holds the call sign HC8N is a world-
class contester and the creator of two major contesting e-mail 
reflectors.

The CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame was established in January, 2001, to 
recognize those individuals, whether licensed radio amateurs or not, who 
significantly affected the course of amateur radio.  The CQ Contest Hall 
of Fame was established in 1986 to recognize those amateurs who have 
made major contributions to contesting.  The complete list of names is 
on line at www dot c q dash amateur radio dot com.  (CQ)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  ARNOLD O. BECKMAN - S.K.

Arnold Beckman, whose invention of a simple method to measure the 
acidity of California lemons spawned a scientific instrument empire has 
died at the age of 104.  Beckman passed away on May 18th at Scripps 
Green Hospital in La Jolla, California, after a long illness.

Arnold O. Beckman was born in Cullom, Illinois, on April 10, 1900.  In 
1934 he invented the pH meter that is sill used use in citrus processing 
plants worldwide.  The following year he founded National Technical 
Laboratories, and later renamed he company Beckman Instruments.  Over 
the years, Beckman and his electronic test gear became synonymous with 
high quality and extreme accuracy. In 1997 the company was acquired 
Coulter Corporation of Miami, Florida which renamed it renamed Beckman 
Coulter later that same year.

Arnold Beckman, is survived by his son, Arnold Stone Beckman, daughter 
Patricia Beckman, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  His 
wife Mabel Meinzer Beckman died in 1989.

A complete biography of this inventor, businessman and philanthropist 
can be found on-line at http://www.beckman.com/hr/memorial/mem_news.asp  
) (Beckman-Coulter)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ASTRONAUT TRAINING TO BECOME HAM

The AMSAT News Service reports that Astronaut Leroy Chiao is scheduled 
to train at the Johnson Space Center in early June.  This, to prepare 
for his Amateur Radio license exam.  Once he passes the test and 
receives his call sign, he will be able to participate in the ARISS 
program during his stay as Expedition 10 commander on board the 
International Space Station.  He is scheduled to fly this October.  
(ARISS)

**

WORLDBEAT - IRAN:  IARU TRAINING PRESENTED

Turning to international news, word that the I-A-R-U recently presented 
an Amateur Radio Administration Course in Iran. Amateur Radio Newsline's 
Jim Meachen Zed-L-2-B-H-F in Auckland New Zealand brings the details:

--

PKG HERE: In response to an invitation from the administration of the 
Islamic Republic of Iran, Fred Johnson ZL2AMJ representing the IARU 
Region 3 and Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA representing the IARU International 
Secretariat visited Iran to present a three-day Amateur Radio 
Administration Course, 26 to 28 April 2004. Fred Johnson ZL2AMJ takes up 
his story:

ZL2AMJ:

Since the early 1980s this course has been conducted by IARU in various 
forms in countries all over the world and in response to invitations 
from administrations to train regulators and prospective regulators in 
the administering of the amateur service and amateur satellite service. 
Related objectives include managing disaster relief communications and 
organizing an amateur radio society. 

Our recent course in Tehran was arranged by Mr T. Shafiee and Mr M. 
Zomorodi of the Directorate General of Telecommunications. An excellent 
training room was provided for us with full support facilities including 
a data projector and access to a photocopier. Daniel and myself 
presented our course using PowerPoint displays prepared by IARU and each 
of the 16 participants received printed copies of the displays and many 
other documents and two CD-ROMs with documentation about amateur radio. 

We had discussions with many radio amateurs in Tehran, some of whom 
attended the course. The course participants visited EP3PTT, a station 
established in the Ministry's office premises in Tehran. The equipment 
in this station was provided for Iran amateurs by from the IARU Region 3 
Stars*** program and may be operated by licensed Iranian operators by 
arrangement. 

There have been amateur radio societies in Iran in earlier years but 
there has not been an IARU member society. An amateur radio "club", a 
social meeting group, presently meets in Tehran. 

ZL2BHF:  ZL2AMJ reported the course as a most memorable experience. He 
said that Daniel and himself were warmly received. 

>From Auckland New Zealand I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF for Newsline. 

--

Contact between the IARU and the amateurs and the administration of Iran 
is to continue with further Amateur Radio information to be provided.  
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

WORLDBEAT - ALBANIA:  PROJECT GOODWILL AT DAYTON 2004

Len Geraldi, K6ANP, who is the President of the Northern California DX 
Foundation has announced that his organization is teaming up with Vertex 
Standard .  The two will combine forces to donate ten complete Yaesu FT 
840 stations to Project Goodwill Albania.  The gear will be set up at 
the University of Tirana to boost the successful completion of the 
project.

The announcement was made at the recent Dayton D-X dinner in Ohio.  At 
the same time  Bob Ferrero, W6RJ, stepped forward on behalf of Ham Radio 
Outlet.  He offered up a matching number of antennas. Bob Heil, K9EID, 
of Heil Sound said that he would supply the needed p sound gear.  Other 
equipment was pledged by AA4XR, N3BNA, K3LP, K7JA, VE1JF, W3BTX, W4MYA, 
W6EUF, W6OSP, W6UM and W9JUV in addition to those already reported 
earlier.  (Various)

**

ON THE AIR:  NEW MID-AMERICA 6 METER BEACON

The Legion of Indianapolis DXers has activated a 24-hour a day 6 meter 
beacon.  Operating as W9VW slash B on 50.069 MHz, the automated 12 watt 
station is located in the heart of Indianapolis in grid square E M 69 
WT. The antenna is an omnidirectional horizontally polarized turnstile 
at 70 feet.  Q-S-N reports go to W9VW, P.O. Box 18495, Indianapolis, 
Indiana, 46218.    (W9IND, QRZ.COM)

**

DX

In D-X, word that IN3ASW and IN3DYG will be active as TU2WL.  This, from 
Cote d'Ivoire or the Ivory Coast through the 1st of June. They plan to 
operate SSB and possibly PSK31 and RTTY.  (GB2RS)

And SM0CMH will be active as SM8C portable SV5 from the island of 
Kalymnos in the Dodecanese group to the 5th of June.  He  will operate 
CW on 10 to 80 meters and perhaps even 160 meters.  For both operations, 
please Q-S-L as directed on the air.  (GB2RS)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  BAY TO BREAKERS

And finally this week, the story of ham radio assisting in a truly fun 
public service event.  It called the Bay to Breakers race and its held 
every year in the San Francisco.  David Hirtz, KG6CEL, reports from the 
City by the Bay:

--

Audio Only:  Hear it at www.anewsline.org
--

By the way,  it's called the Bay to Breakers Race because it starts in 
the financial district not far from San Francisco Bay and ends at the 
western most edge of Golden Gate Park overlooking the mighty blue 
Pacific.  More information on this event is on line at 
www.baytobreakers.com.  (ARNewsline(tm))

**

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. 

A reminder that the nominating period for the 2004 Amateur Radio 
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now on.  This program is open to 
any FCC licensed young radio amateur age 18 or younger residing in the 
contiguous 48 states and who has made a significant contribution to the 
community, the nation or ham radio though the United States Amateur 
Radio Service.  

More information and a downloadable on-line nominating form is at our 
website. That's in cyberspace at www.arnewsline.org.  The cutoff for 
nominations this year is midnight on Tuesday, June 30th. 