[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1405 - July 16, 2004

Sun Jul 18 21:02:54 EDT 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1405 - July 16, 2004

Here's a brief message from Amateur Radio Newsline's Support Fund 
Administrator Andy Jarema, N6TCQ:

"The following is an advisory.  This is Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, Newsline 
Support Fund Administrator. We'd like to thank everyone who helped us 
during our campaign in June, and we'll have the on-air thank-yous in the 
next week or so.  Don't forget that the Young Ham of the Year Award is 
coming up in the next few weeks, so try to note our support address at the 
end of the newscast, as we're not out of the woods, yet.

And now, as every week, the latest breaking news of Amateur Radio follows"

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1405 with a release date of Friday, 
July 16, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.

The ARRL board of directors discuss BPL and other hot issues, it's still a 
go with ECHO and a satellite TV company makes a costly move.  The details 
are coming up on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1405 coming your way 
right now.

**

BPL AMONG HOT TOPICS FOR JULY ARRL BOARD SESSION

The American Radio Relay League's board of directors sits down for a 
weekend of critical meetings. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz NT3V 
has the preview...

--

Broadband Over Powerline internet access is one of the hottest topics on 
the ARRL board agenda. It is likely BPL has been the subject of committee 
meetings leading up to the weekend board sessions.

Dealing with BPL issues is priority No. 1 for ARRL President Jim Haynie 
W5JBP.  Haynie tells Amateur Radio Newsline in a recent interview, he 
expects the Federal Communications Commission will act soon on the matter. 
While it's difficult to put a timetable on how soon, Haynie tells us he 
wouldn't be surprised to see the panel come out with a decision before the 
presidential election.

President Bush is solidly behind BPL as part of his broadband-technology 
initiative - this despite Haynie and the ARRL's plea for him to reconsider. 
Democratic challenger John Kerry's campaign position speaks of a variety of 
technologies for broadband but does not directly mention BPL.

Haynie concedes the way the political winds are blowing, some form of BPL 
activity is likely to be approved.

But the 64-thousand-dollar questions are: How much and where?

With the National Telecommunications and Information Administration already 
raising red flags about interference, and a BPL industry spokesman throwing 
verbal missiles at the amateur community, Haynie tells us here at Amateur 
Radio Newsline he's hoping some FCC commissioners might re-examine their 
BPL positions.

Haynie calls the recent suspension of the Alliant Energy BPL project in 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an important step. And, Haynie says, he suspects the 
electric utility industry will have to consider any fallout and who could 
be next to answer an interference complaint at the FCC.

As to complaints, Haynie says the ARRL will be especially vigilant if BPL 
becomes a reality. He says the organization will be before the FCC to press 
interference issues with those who are cause them.

And, he has told Amateur Radio Newsline, he will also press the FCC to 
fully empower those charged with enforcement issues in the agency to go 
after BPL providers who fail to resolve any interference complaints.

Among the other items on the board agenda, the status of amateur license 
restructuring which includes provisions for a "no-code" HF license for 
entry-level hams.

The July board meeting also is where the announcement of the winner of the 
Hiram Percy Maxim award comes along with host of other ARRL awards.

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

--

Check next week's Newsline for a report on the ARRL board happenings.

(ARRL, NT3V)

**

HAMSATS:  ECHO TESTS CONTINUE

Testing of the newest ham radio satellite, ECHO, continues and all is, as 
they say in the space biz_ nominal.  The remainder of this week is expected 
to be spent loading some new code, testing the S downlink and the UHF B 
transmitter.  Note that the S downlink, when in digital mode, will always 
beat 38.4 kilobits or higher.  It is not capable of 9.6 kilobits due to 
limitations involved in making it work properly at speeds up to 76.8 
kilobits.  AMSAT is pleased so far with the strength of the 2.45W S 
downlink.  At times the UHF A transmitter will be off or at very low power. 
They will also be testing transmitters at higher data rates.  Listeners 
should not be surprised or alarmed if the UHF A transmitter is not on or if 
they are unable to copy it at 9.6k during some orbits.

The Command Team is carefully checking off the tests and measurements that 
are part of the commissioning process.  They ask everyone to be 
patient.  And again, AO-51 is not yet open for use.  Any transmissions 
aimed at AO-51 by other than command stations will slow down the process 
and delay the day when it is open for all to use.

The coloradosatellite.com/echo web site was off line for a few hours last 
weekend due to a data center move.  Stations who want to  upload telemetry 
should find it on line now. (WD0E, AMSAT)

**

SPACE: ARISS SCHOOL CONTACT LIST UPDATED

While we're on the subject of ham radio in space, the list of Amateur Radio 
on the International Space Station, or ARISS, school contacts has been 
updated.  To check if a school in your area is on the list or to find out 
how to schedule a contact at your school please visit www.amsat.org or 
http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov.  There is no "www" in that last URL.  Of 
course, these addresses will be in the print edition of this week's Amateur 
Radio Newsline report. (ARISS)

** Break 1

 From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, 
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Los Angeles 
Unified School Amateur Radio Association Network serving the students in 
Los Angeles, California.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RADIO LAW:  MDS & ITFS SPECTRUM RECHANNELIZED - MDS BECOMES BRS

Big changes are coming to the Multipoint Distribution Service and the 
Instructional Television Fixed Service.  These are better known by the 
acronyms M-D-S and I-T-F-S.

As part of its ongoing effort to promote the deployment of wireless 
broadband services, the FCC has adopted a Report and Order and Further 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking dramatically changing the rules governing MDS 
and ITFS operations in the 2500-2690 MHz band.

For starters, the Order renames the M-D-S service the Broadband Radio 
Service or B-R-S.  It does however maintain the I-T-F-S label for 
Instructional Television Fixed Service licenses and operations.

The newly rechannelized I-T-F-S slash B-R-S band will group high and low 
power operations together in spectrum chunks.  This, the agency says, will 
make low power two-way data communications possible in some parts of the 
band.

Finally, to make all this happen the band will soon become 5 MHz larger. 
This, as restructuring of other services in the adjacent electromagnetic 
spectrum permits the FCC to extend the low end of this band down to 2495 
Mhz. (CGC)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC CLARIFIES ITS ROLE REGARDING INTERFERENCE AND CUSTOMER 
EQUIPMENT

The FCC has clarified its role regarding interference issues, consumer 
antennas and Part 15 unlicensed equipment.  Regarding antennas, we all know 
that consumers have the right to install and operate - on property they 
control - antennas for over-the-air broadcast, terrestrial and satellite 
reception.

Now the regulatory agency has added license-free Wi-Fi antennas of one 
meter or less to the list of what may be installed.  The same one meter 
size limit also applies to antennas used in conjunction with fixed wireless 
services that are licensed by the FCC.

In the area of radio frequency interference or R-F-I, the FCC says that it 
and it alone holds exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation and 
resolution of R-F-I issues.  It adds that regulation of R-F-I phenomena 
shall be imposed only by the Commission noting that both the FCC and the 
federal courts have overturned attempts by third parties to regulate RFI 
matters.  This, in light of the FCC's exclusive authority in this area.

To read more go to: 
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-1844A1.doc (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  CATV LEAK RESULTS IN $6400 FINE

A cable TV system in Cornersville, Tennessee has been fined for excessive 
signal leakage in the aircraft communications band.  Small Town 
Communications Partners has been ordered to pay $6,400 for excessive 
leakage on 121.2625 MHz.

At that frequency a maximum leakage of 20 microvolts per meter at a 
distance of at least three meters from a CATV cable is allowed.  The FCC 
says that the measured leaks in this case ranged from 255 microvolts per 
meter to 2080 microvolts per meter.

The Commission notes that excessive cable TV leakage can interfere with a 
wide variety of communications.  This can include emergency services, 
aviation, and Amateur Radio.

More is on-line at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA- 
04-1751A1.doc  (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  DIREC-TV FINED FOR UNAUTHORIZED SATELLITE MOVE

The Commission has proposed an $87,500 fine against DIRECTV, Inc.  This for 
repositioning its DIRECTV 3 satellite without FCC authorization.

DIRECTV had filed a request with the FCC for special temporary authority to 
relocate the DIRECTV 3 bird, but admits that its employees began 
repositioning the satellite the next day, without waiting for Commission 
approval.

In setting the amount of the fine, the FCC noted that strict adherence to 
the rules governing modification of satellite authorizations is critical to 
minimizing the risk of collisions between satellites. (CGC)

**

FCC INTRODUCES NEW EXHIBIT ON HISTORY OF THE INTERNET

The FCC has introduced the third in a series of exhibits on the history of 
various communications technologies. The latest presentation focuses on the 
history of the Internet, including the communication technologies used to 
access the World Wide Web.  More is on line at 
www.fcc.gov/omd/history  (CGC)

**

ON THE AIR:  THE .275 YOUTH GROUP NET

Timothy Little, W8LBO has announced the start-up of a new 40 meter 275 
Youth Group. According to his posting on the QRZ.com super site, this is an 
informal ragchew group that meets every Saturday at 9:00 P.M. Eastern time 
on 7 point 275 MHz, +/- 10 KHz.

Little says that the main purpose of the net is to promote the use of HF by 
younger hams so that they can get to know one another.  The net also tries 
to help them perfect their operating skills including Morse code operation 
and D-Xing.

Anyone young or young at heart is invited to take part.  More information 
about this net is on line at www.275youthgroup.4t.com  (QRZ.com)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: NORTHERN ALABAMA DX BANQUET

The North Alabama DX Club has announced that its annual DX Banquet will be 
held in conjunction with this year's Huntsville, Alabama hamfest on August 
21st.  The guest speaker will be Jess Lewis, K-R-4-O-J, from the T-33-C 
2004 Banaba Island DXpedition. Tickets are $25 each and available from the 
NADXC in care of Vic Holland, 219 Cedar Pond Drive, Madison, Alabama 
35757-7633. For additional information phone 256-721-9106 or E- mail 
k4rvh at arrl.net.  (E-Mail)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  From the United States 
of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from 
our only official website at www.arnewsline. org and being relayed by the 
volunteer services of the following radio amateur:

(5 sec pause here)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  ASCII DEVELOPER NOW S.K.

Bob Bemer, a computer pioneer who published warnings of the Y2K problem in 
the early 1970s and helped invent a widely used coding system, has 
died.  This, following a battle with cancer.

While not a radio amateur, Bemer played a major role in how the world's 
computers operate and, indirectly, in how hams communicate today. He began 
his career in 1949 working at companies including Rand, IBM, and 
Honeywell.  He also helped develop the ASCII coding system that is used to 
represent letters, numbers and other characters in the data world.  He also 
contributed the escape key and the backslash to the computer language.

Bemer first published warnings of the Y2K computer problem in 1971 and 
again in 1979.  He also made several public appearances to discuss the 
issue in the years leading up to the millennium.

Bob Bemer died Tuesday, June 22nd at his home some 120 miles west of 
Dallas, Texas.  He was 84.  (Published news reports)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  FEW KNOW ABOUT DIGITAL TV

The General Accounting Office says that more than 80 percent of Americans 
are either unaware or only "somewhat aware" of the transition to digital 
television signals.   But federal officials have expressed shock and 
indignation at the survey results.

Congress plans to sell the analog spectrum that will become available when 
TV stations convert from analog to digital. Lawmakers are counting on the 
money to help balance the budget.  However, the digital transition may be 
years away unless more consumers start buying digital TV sets and most are 
not willing to pay the additional cost. (TechBriefs)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  CELL PHONE "WAITING LOT" IN OPERATION AT LINDBERGH 
FIELD

Following the lead of several other busy airports around the nation, 
officials at San Diego's Lindbergh Field have opened a convenient "cell 
phone waiting lot."  This is a place where drivers can park for up to an 
hour while awaiting phone calls from arriving passengers.  Airport managers 
hope that the new lot will cut down on the congestion caused by vehicles 
circling the airport loop, waiting to pick up passengers. More is on-line 
at http://tinyurl.com/yplws  (CGC)

**

ON THE AIR:  6 METERS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC POND

It's looking like it could be a big DX season for hams and SWLs on both 
sides of the Atlantic. GB2RS reports that during a Sporadic E opening on 
June 19th a path opened from Europe to North America.  The Maximum Usable 
Frequency rose at least as high as the FM broadcast band.  A North American 
station was received on and recorded at 88.5 MHz between 13:10 and 13:30 
UTC. During the event, trans-Atlantic television carriers were also 
received on 55.25, 61.25, 67.25 and 83.25 Mhz.  (VHF reflector)

**

50 & ABOVE:  144 MHZ QSO DATA WANTED

If you've made any long distance 2-meter contacts in excess of 1,600 miles, 
or 2,600 kilometers, Volker, DF5AI wants to know the details of your 
contacts.  He's interested in the frequency, the UTC time & date, and 
particularly the grid square locator.  He's also quite intrigued in 
double-hop sporadic E skip.  He can be contacted via his website.  It's in 
cyberspace at www.df5ai.net  (VHF Reflector)

**

WORLDBEAT - ISRAEL:  NEW SIX METER BEACON IN ISRAEL

4X4SIX is the new 6 meter Israeli beacon operating on 50.080 MHz.  4X6ON 
and 4Z5AY built the station which announces its call sign on CW around the 
clock.  The beacon is located in grid square KM72JB running 5 watts out to 
a J-Pole antenna.  (Hagal)

**

DX

In D-X, the Ohio Penn D-X Newsletter reports that DL3PS and VE3ZIK will be 
active on 40-6 meters from Bilice, Croatia through July 31st.  The call 
signs being used are 9A slash VE3ZIK and 9A slash DL3PS.  While VE3ZIK is 
one of the Web Administrators for the www.contesting.com info website, 
there will be no QSL information there until August 3rd.

Meantime word that D-H-9-Y-A-T will be active portable CU7 from the 
Azores.  Listen for him from August 3rd to the 20th.  Activity will be on 
40, 20 and 15 meters QRP on CW.  QSL this operation via the 
bureau.  (Various DX sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: MUSEUM SHIPS CASTING FOR CONTACTS

And finally this week, dozens of ships from around the world get "radio- 
active" July 17th and 18th for the annual Museum Ships Weekend Event. 
Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V is back with us and he 
checks in on preparations being made about the U.S.S. New Jersey....

--

Dave Burgess, WA2TVS, is chief engineer for the Battleship New Jersey 
Amateur Radio Station aboard the New Jersey. Look for NJ2BB (New Jersey 2 
Big Battleship) to be very active during the event.

Burgess says the weekend was the brainchild of the USS Salem Radio Club, 
K1USN, in Salem, Mass. He says it actually started in 1997 as a way to get 
museum ships at dry-docks around the world to get on the air by way of 
amateur radio.

Burgess says it's the New Jersey's third year taking part.

"Last year, the number grew to about 87 or 88," Burgess says. "Right now I 
think the pre-registration right now is about 77. But seems like there's 
always a half a dozen or so right at the last minute that get their act 
together and get on the air."

Burgess says the event gives radio operators around the world a chance to 
contact a variety of these special ships and their volunteer crews.

"One is just to have fun and a reason to get the ships on the air," Burgess 
says. "Of course, whoever is in charge of taking care of the ship gets some 
PR out of it, we hope.

"They have an opportunity for the public to see amateur radio which is new 
to a lot of people. But to advertise the ships worldwide. I never knew 
there were so many ships out there. Just museum ships that is. It's amazing 
how many there are out there and what their diversity is."

Burgess says there are tugboats, river boats, submarines and even a midget 
German submarine left over from World War II. All are part of the museum 
ship flotilla.

He says there's no contest exchange involved in this one. Ship operators 
get on the air and look to contact land-based stations as well as other 
museum ships. It's a chance, Burgess says, to showcase a ship and its 
history. And, of course, there's an exchange of QSL cards and you can be 
guaranteed some pretty impressive history and photos of the ship you 
contact.

For the New Jersey's part, Burgess says he's planning an active weekend 
with operations through the evening of July 18th.

"We'll be on all HF bands, probably concentrating on 20 (meters), but we 
have capabilities (with the) ship's antennas to do 160 through 10 meters," 
Burgess says. "We'll be on all modes.  This year we'll be introducing true, 
green-key operation for teletype. We'll be using the ship's old mechanical 
teletype machines to get on the air."

Look for NJ2BB, Burgess says, for a memorable QSO and QSL.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Camden, New 
Jersey, the home of the Battleship New Jersey.

--

Thanks Mark.  This sounds like a great opportunity to collect some very 
interesting "wall paper" for the ol' shack.

**

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.