[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1407 - July 30, 2004

Sat Jul 31 10:32:02 EDT 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1407 - July 30,  2004

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1407 with a release date of Friday, 
July 30, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   

The following is a Q-S-T.  The ham bands get clobbered by the sun and 
some of the results are amazing.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1407 coming your way right now.

**

ON THE AIR:  GEOMAGNETIC STORM AND HAM RADIO

A huge geomagnetic storm has hit the Earth, wiping out a lot of High 
Frequency communications.  At the same time its making the VHF and UHF 
bands a veritable D-X playground.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more:

--

According to a propagation bulletin issued on July 25th by CQ Magazine's 
Tomas Hood, NW7US, the estimated planetary K index reached a level of 8, 
with the Bolder, Colorado K reading a level 7.  Translated into everyday 
talk, that's one heck of a solar storm and it does odd things to radio 
communications.  All you need do is turn on a 6 or 2 meter CW or SSB 
radio to hear it for yourself.

Solar storms bring with them an increase in Aurora and Aurora based 
communications.  Reports over the VHF Reflector say that this one was no 
exception.  According to Dave Wenner, K3KEL, in Benton, Pennsylvania, 
his 150 watts to a homebrew 9 element Quagi antenna made it possible for 
him to make dozens of 144 Mhz contacts.  These ranged from Maine across 
to Missouri plus Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario Canada.  Dave's 
posting said that he did not work any stations to the South but that 
they were there.  He says that he heard K4QI in North Carolina's grid 
FM06 very strong toward the end of the session.

Wenner's was typical of the reports posted to the VHF Reflector.  Many 
of them said that this was the best Aurora session heard in years.

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

--

How long does a solar storm like this last?  NW7US reports that as 
Saturday, July 25th progressed, the geomagnetic field again became 
highly  active and reached storm levels.  He says that it has continued 
to get more intense, reaching very high storm levels.  As the week 
progressed more Aurora contacts were reported world -wide with some on 
the 222 Mhz band and above.  (NW7US via VHF Reflector)

**

PROPAGATION:  IS THE SUN HARMING EARTH

Meantime the CGC Communicator cites an interesting propagation report.  
One that says Greenland's ice cores indicate that the sun is more active 
now than it has been at anytime in the past 1,000 years.  

That report also says this has caused a warming trend here on Earth.  As 
a result of this and other solar observations the pseudo-science 
doomsayers have been quick to jump on the gloom and doom bandwagon.  
They are out there predicting dyer consequences for those of us living 
here on the surface of our home planet Earth.  But is any of this based 
on reality?  That's what RAIN's Hap Holly asked CQ's Thomas Hood, NW7US:

--

Audio report only.  Hear it in the MP3 version of this newscast 
downloadable at http://www.arnewsline.org/quincy

--

Hood says that you should enjoy the radio talk about the phenomena but 
not to take it seriously.  (CGC, RAIN)

**

ON THE AIR:  THOMAS HOOD ON RAIN

By the way, you can learn a lot more about radio propagation and the 
effects of solar radiation on communications from Thomas Hood on this 
weeks RAIN Report.  Its available right now on-line at 
www.rainreport.com or on the phone at 847-827-7246.  You can read the 
article referred to by the CGC Communicator at 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3869753.stm (CGC, RAIN)

**

VHF AND ABOVE:  ARRL MULLS CVHF/UHF CONTEST RULES CHANGES

ARRL Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, has also posted some interesting 
information to the VHF Reflector.  He says that says that the work done 
by the VHF-UHF Contests/Awards Subcommittee has been completed.   That 
the written report and along with some in-person additional comments 
were given during the ARRL Board's Program & Services Committee meeting 
on July 15th.  That's just before the ARRL Board meeting that began on 
July 16th.     

Frenaye says that the Program & Services Committee did not take action 
on the report and will study it during the next several weeks.   In the 
mean time, the committee agreed with him that the report should be 
posted to the VHF reflector public consumption.  It will also be sent to 
the Contest Advisory Committee for information and possible comment.

What will happen from here?   Frenaye says that the Program & Services 
Committee will work with the Membership Services Department in Newington 
to take the recommendations any further.  He says that some rules may 
changes and some may not.   Except for possible changes to the 2004 E-M-
E contest, K1KI does not  believe you'll see any major contest VHF 
changes until 2005.  He also notes that some recommendations may have to 
wait until budget resources are made available.  The full ARRL Board 
does not normally get directly involved in contest rules issues as 
contest rules are usually not policy matters.  (K1KI via the VHF 
Reflector)

**

Break 1

>From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, 
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K8KZO repeater 
serving Portage Michigan.

(5 sec pause here)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ECHO ON THE AIR

I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, with some breaking news that hams worldwide 
have been waiting to hear.  This, as AMSAT announces  that its new Echo 
satellite, now renamed AO-51 will be turned on for general use in FM 
repeat mode on July 30th at about 02:15 UTC.  

Echo will be on for a trial period of about three weeks.  During that 
time command stations will be watching the power budget and adjusting 
the UHF transmitter output as needed for management of the battery 
supply.  Initially, the transmitter will be running at about 1 watt but 
if all goes well it will be slowly increased during the trial period.

Echo's uplink is 145.920 MHz using FM voice with 67 Hz PL tone (CTCSS)  
required.  The downlink is on 435.300 Mhz, also FM voice.  And like many 
terrestrial repeaters the downlink transmitter will only come on when it 
hears an uplink signal with a 67 Hz PL tone for about 1 second.  After 
the uplink signals drop away the downlink transmitter stays on for 10 
seconds.   After that, the downlink signal goes away.  You might say 
that the operation is just like a terrestrial FM repeater with a 1 
second kerchunk filter and a 10 second hang time.  The only difference 
is that this one is circleing the Earth in space.

Norm.  (AMSAT)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  UK FIRE EVACUATION BRINGS OUT HAM RADIO

RAYNET, the United Kingdoms version of RACES was recently called out 
during a very hazardous materials fire.  Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, has the 
details:

--

On Monday the 5th of July at 19.55 BST Lancashire Emergency Planning 
called-out Rossendale Raynet to attend a Rest Centre in Colne.  A fire 
at a building that contained an acetylene cylinder meant that local 
residents had to be evacuated.

About 40 people went to the Rest Centre but the majority were able to 
find accommodation for the night with friends or relatives. Social 
Services arranged accommodation for the remainder. Rossendale Raynet was 
stood down at 22.08 when the Rest Centre closed for the night.

Im G4NJH in Nottingham.

--

There were no injuries reported and the ham radio system worked 
flawlessly.  (GB2RS)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC INVESTIGATING 1999 EXAM SESSIONS

The FCC has ordered thirty-seven hams to sit for retests.  This, as part 
of an ongoing investigation of ham radio examination sessions held in 
Yucaipa, California, back in 1999.

The tests under government scrutiny were administered by a W5YI exam 
team.  The exact test dates involved are those held on February 27th, 
March 27th, April 24th, May 22nd, June 26th, and July 31st of 1999.  

This is one of the largest retest orders issued since the all volunteer 
testing program got underway in the early 1980's.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  HAM SURRENDERS LICENSE

A now former ham involved in a licensing investigation has turned in his 
ticket to the FCC.  The Agency's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W,  explains:

--

Frank C. Richards of Moers, New York, submitted his license KG2IJ for 
cancellation.  In November of 1995 he had requested that the call sign 
KB4VU be changed to the next availlable and that the address be changed 
to Plattsburg, New York.

--

The FCC says that the call KB4VU actually belongs to one Frank C. 
Richards of Ft,. Meyers, Florida.  It says that this Richards has never 
lived in New York and never requested that his callsign or address be 
changed.  

After an investigation that lasted almost five months the New York 
Richards surrendered his ticket to the FCC on June 23rd.  The FCC 
acknowledged receipt on July 6th noting that the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau has canceled that license and no further 
enforcement action is contemplated at this time.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  $11,000 FINE AFFIRMED AGAINST CALIFORNIA HAM

The FCC  has affirmed an $11,000 fine issued to a California ham.  One 
whom the agency says caused deliberate interference to repeaters and 
then refused to accept several certified letters from the Commission.

The target of the now affirmed fine is Daniel Granda, KA6VHC, of 
Whittier California.  As previously reported, back on March 31st the 
District Director of the Commission's Los Angeles Field Office issued a 
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture alleging that Granda 
deliberately interfered with two different repeaters.  It said that when 
FCC notices were sent by Certified Mail, they were returned as 
unclaimed.  But the FCC says that copies sent by regular first-class 
mail were not returned by the post office. 

The fine is $7,000 for the alleged interference and $4,000 for not 
responding to FCC notices.  Granda was given the usual 30 days to pay or 
to file an appeal.  (FCC)

**

HAMVENTION: ARRL NATIONAL AND HAMVENTION COMBINE FOR 2005 

Turning to the ham radio social scene, word that the ARRL has accepted 
an invitation from planners of Hamvention 2005 to bring the society's 
national convention back to Dayton.  

According to General Chairman Gary Des Combes, N8EMO, ARRL Great Lakes 
Director Jim Weaver, K8JE, called shortly after the recent Board of 
Director's meeting.  Weaver told Des  Combes the League had accepted the 
invitation to hold the next ARRL National Convention at the 2005 Dayton 
Hamvention.  

The combined show will take place next May 20th to the 22nd at its 
longtime home.  That of coarse is the Hara Arena in suburban Dayton.  
(Hamventionc)

**

CONVENTIONS:  K7UGA ON THE AIR FROM ARRL SW DIV CON 

And the call sign of the late Barry M. Goldwater will soon be heard 
again.  This, as special events station K7UGA takes to the air from the 
Southwestern Division Convention in Phoenix, Arizona from August 27th to 
the 29th. 

This will not only be a chance for convention attendees to operate 
Goldwater's original Collins S-Line equipment but also to take part in 
an oral history project about Senator Goldwater that will begin 
recording at the show.  Also, Goldwater impersonator Ben Tyler will 
attend the convention on Saturday afternoon to present his Goldwater 
"Autobiography".

Again. it all takes place August 27th to the 29th in Phoenix, Arizona.  
We will see you there.  (SW Division Communicator)

**

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)

**

ARNEWSLINE™ SUPPORT FUND REPORT WITH N6TCQ

Ladies and gentlemen, once again here is Amateur Radio Newsline's 
Support Fund Administrator, Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.

--

Continuing with our thank-you for June, we heard from Tim, N9TO and 
Carol Toman, WD9CNW of Westmont, IL; Ted Tsucalas, W0RMJ of Littleton, 
CO; Turning to CA, Leo Halog, KR6EG of San Francisco; Doug Cannon of 
Livermore;  Monthly contributor William Walters, WA2IBM, of San Jose; 
monthly contributor Scott Hensley of the Area Communications Team, also 
in San Jose; Art Protas, KG6AY of West Covina; John Rice, KE6YFV of San 
Pedro and the Rio Hondo ARC of Whittier.

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 501(c)(3) and 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.  (ARNewsline™ Support Fund)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  JOHN KRAUS, W8JK - SK

Some sad news to report.  Word that noted astronomer and antenna 
designer John Kraus, W8JK, has become a Silent Key.  According to 
reports from the ARRL and CQ Magazine, Kraus died on July 18 at age 94.  

John Krasus was a member of the inaugural "class" of the CQ Amateur 
Radio Hall of Fame, a world-renowned radio astronomer and the father of 
the "Big Ear" radio telescope at Ohio State University.  In the world of 
Amateur Radio he was perhaps best known as an antenna designer.  His 
designs include the famous W8JK bi-directional wire beam as well as the 
helix and corner reflector antennas often used at UHF frequencies.  
(ARRL, CQ)

**

KAHN STILL TRYING TO TEST CAM-D

Broadcast entrepreneur Leonard Kahn opposes the AM HD Radio IBOC system 
and has long promoted his Cam-D system as an alternative.  In his latest 
filing with the FCC for the IBOC proceeding, Kahn reveals he tested his 
Cam-D system on Nebraska's 50 kilowatt KRVN at 880 kHz.  However, he 
told Radio World Online that, some employees found the sound 
unacceptable and the tests were discontinued. For more on this story, 
see   http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=5511  (CGC)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW KENWOOD ISS RADIO PROVES OUT FINE

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station USA team has  
successfully completed a comprehensive checkout pass of the new Kenwood 
D700 radio system with Astronaut Mike Finke, KE5AIT.  Utilizing ground 
stations in Greenbelt, Maryland, Orlando, Florida and Houston, Texas and 
linking team members in Kansas, Colorado, Maryland, Florida and Texas, 
the ARISS USA team performed voice and packet radio uplink tests to 
fully validate the Kenwood D700 system for future school group 
operations.

During the East Coast pass, the ARISS team were able to perform signal 
strength measurements and voice quality checks on 2 meters and 70 
centimeters using the Kenwood D700 radio and the ARISS-built W A One 
antenna system.  Mike Finke provided the on-board feedback to the team 
to help them understand how the 
radio sounds on-orbit.  Finke said that the signals from the 70 
centimeter uplink signals were especially loud.  (ARISS)

**

WORLDBEAT - CANADA:  RESTRUCTURING ON ITS WAY

Back on Earth, Canada appears ready to restructure its Amateur Radio 
service and work is well underway.  

Following extensive discussions with Industry Canada, on July 23rd, 
Radio Amateurs of Canada formally submitted its Proposal on Morse Code 
and Related Matters to that regulatory agency.  According to an Radio 
Amateurs of Canada press release, little changed from the draft proposal 
that was posted on the society's web site back in 2003.  

Radio Amateurs of Canada says that it is now up to Industry Canada to 
respond to the proposal.  The current version is on line in both English 
and French at www.rac.ca  (RAC)

**

WORLDBEAT - MEXICO:  ALL N.A. ADOPTS U.S. HDTV STANDARD

Mexico has formally adopted the U.S. ATSC Digital Television Standard 
based on 8 VSB technology.  This, for terrestrial broadcasting in that 
nation.  

Canada adopted the same standard in 1997.  The decision by Mexico to go 
along with the U-S and Canada means that ATSC is now the North American 
Digital Television standard.  ATSC was also adopted by South Korea in 
November of  1997 and Argentina in October of 1998.  More is on the web 
at  http://www.atsc.org/news_information/press/2004/PR_Mexico_7-7-4.pdf  
(CGC)

**

DX

In D-X, word that husband and wife team EA3BT and EA3WL will be active 
from the Gambia through the 4th of August. They plan to operate as C56BT 
and C56WL on 40 to 6 meters SSB.  QSL as directed on the air.

And Steve Burrows, M5BXB, will be on from the Czech republic as OK8XB 
until the 6th of August. The OK8 prefix is quite rare, and Steve will be 
attempting to make at least 1,000 QSOs on the HF, 6 meters and on 2 
meter's from a portable location on Lysa Hora.  Thats site is 1,324 
metres above sea level in grid square JN99FN.

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  THE PHYSICS OF M&M'S

And finally this week the story of how a researcher with a sweet tooth 
has changed science.  Amateur Radio Newsline Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, has 
the rest of the story:

--

Princeton physicist Paul Chaikin's passion for M&M candies was so well 
known that his students played a sweet practical joke on him.  The left 
a 55 gallon drum of the candies in his office.  Little did they know 
that their prank would lead to a physics breakthrough. 

The journal Science says that the barrel full of the oblate little 
candies made Chaikin think about how well they packed in.  A series of 
studies have shown they pack more tightly than perfect spheres.  This is 
something that surprises many physicists and Chaikin himself.  So 
Chaikin and his colleague, chemist Salvatore Torquato, used the candies 
to investigate the physical and mathematical principles involved when 
particles are poured randomly into a vessel. 

The report in Science says they found that oblate spheroids like plain 
M&Ms pack surprisingly more densely than regular spheres when poured 
randomly and shaken. That spheres occupy about 64 percent of the space 
in a container.  M&Ms manage to pack in at a density of about 68 
percent. 

But one of the researchers had a more philosophical view of the 
experiment.  Salvatore Torquato said that to him it is remarkable that 
you an take this simple system with common candies and probe one of the 
deepest problems in condensed matter physics.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, not to far 
from Princeton,  New Jersey.

--

According to news reports, Mars Inc., which makes M&Ms, did not help 
sponsor the research although it donated 125 pounds of M&Ms to the two 
scientists.   (Journal of Science, Science Online)

**

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 W-I-A News, that's all from the Amateur Radio 
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