[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1408 - August 6, 2004

Sat Aug 7 10:40:02 EDT 2004

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**

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1408 with a release date of Friday, 
August 6th, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   

The following is a Q-S-T.  The B-P-L battelground expands in California and 
Texas while  a U-K repeater is ordered off the air.  Find out the details 
on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1408 coming your way right now.

(Billboard Cart Here) 

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  SAN DIEGO CA. UTILITY REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING BPL

San Diego California could be the next B-P-L battleground.  This, as an 
informed source tells the CGC Communicator broadcast industry newsletter 
that San Diego Gas & Electric is considering the deployment of Broadband 
over Power Lines in its service area.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is here with 
the specifics:

--

According to Gonsett's CGC newsletter, an informed source has told him that 
San Diego Gas & Electric's communication systems planners met recently and 
are seriously considering endorsing and sponsoring B-P-L on the unility's 
power distribution system.  The newsletter also says that San Diego Gas & 
Electric is  considering entertaining proposals to partner with vendors for 
one or more field demonstrations of B-P-L technology.

CGC says that these plans should be of concern to all users of the High 
Frequeny and low band VHF spectrum.  This includes TV Channels 2 through 5 
and possibly even Channel 6.  The latter because spurious and harmonic 
energy could reach these higher frequencies.

According to CGC and its unnamed source, San Diego Gas & Electric is aware 
that deployment of B-P-L in its service arera could cause considerable 
radio frequency interference.  Even so, planners at the utility still 
appear ready to  proceed.

More on this as it develops.  I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles.

--

Bob Gonsett is known on the ham bands  as W6VR.  He says that he has a call 
pending with San Diego Gas & Electric corporate communications department 
to determine the company's official position on BPL.  Bob also says to stay 
tuned for updates.  (CGC)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  A TEXAS TRYOUT

Meantime, Larry Pollack, of the W5YI VEC reports that Central Texas-based 
Broadband Horizons has launched B-P-L operations in three Texas 
communities.  The pilot projects were launched in mid-June in the towns of 
Blanco, Burnet and Weimar.  According to Mike Steele, Burnet's City 
Manager, the community has had great success with the initial start-up.  He 
says the city plans to expand B-P-L service it to additional parts of the 
municipality.   (W5YI VEC)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  A BIG WIN IN PEN YAN NY

Meantime the B-P-L test is over in Pen Yan, New York and it appears as if 
ham radfio has won this round.  This,, with word that the broadband 
provider that's been testing B-P-L in Penn Yan reportedly plans to "move 
away" from that technology.

According to the ARRL Letter, the Western New York community of some 5000 
residents has been considering various proposals with Data Ventures to 
offer broadband service.  A B-PL trial had been underway in Penn Yan for 
several months. 

The village reportedly would get 10 percent of the generated revenue.  Now, 
according to an article in the July 28th edition of the Finger Lakes Times 
Online, the provider is now proposing to employ wireless mesh "WiFi" 
technology instead of BPL and ARRL C-E-O Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, has already 
congratulated Penn Yan Mayor Douglas Marchionda Jr and DVI for going with 
wireless broadband instead of B-P-L.  (ARRL)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  SPOKANE GOES WIDE AREA WI-FI

Spokane, Washington has also opted for Wi-Fi over B-P-L.  This as that city 
inaugurates a wireless Internet access system covering 100 blocks of 
downtown Spokane.

The wireless zone uses new technology that allows Internet signals to be 
transmitted more than a mile.  This is far beyond the traditional 200- to 
300-foot range of previous Wi-Fi systems.  

The Wi-Fi area is divided into a private network for use by the city and an 
open network for the public.  Public users can connect for two hours a day 
at no charge, and subscription plans are in the works for extended use.  
One Eighty Networks provided the networking for the project.  (Published 
reports)

**

Break 1

>From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard 
on bulletin stations around the world WR6ABD repeater serving Aptos 
California.

(5 sec pause here)

**
RADIO RULES:  NO MORE "GROUP X" CALLSIGNS

The ARRL reports that the FCC is no longer issue 2 by 3 format vanity call 
signs that begin with the prefixes WC, WR, WK and WT.  The Commission has 
acknowledged that it erroneously granted more than 150 WR and WC prefix 2 
by 3 vanity call signs from 1997 through September 2003, when it began 
rejecting such call sign requests.

In the late 1970s, the FCC announced a new Amateur Service call sign 
assignment system.  It provided four standard call sign groups, designated 
Group A, B, C and D, delineated by license class and issued sequentially 
with no backfilling. The FCC's Bill Cross, W3TN, recently told the nation's 
volunteer examiner coordinators that the FCC also had a "Group X."  These 
included WC  or RACES, WR repeater, WK and WT-prefix 2 by 3 format call 
signs reportedly reserved for special-use licenses.

The FCC stopped issuing repeater call signs in 1983 and ceased renewing 
RACES licenses in 2000.  After the current vanity program began in 1996, 
several ham clubs sought new and formerly held repeater and RACES-type call 
signs.  When the Universal Licensing System came along in August 1999, 
however, the FCC encountered some licensing system programming 
shortcomings, including the anomalous assignments of WC and WR prefix 2 by 
3 call signs as acceptable formats.

When the FCC implemented programming corrections that halted the 
issuance of Group X call signs in September 2003, it did not advise the 
amateur community. As a result, several amateurs who filed for 2 by 3 WC or 
WR prefix call signs had their applications dismissed without any 
explanation beyond saying that the applicant's call sign choice was 
unavailable. That remains the case. The FCC has not indicated whether it 
plans to address the WC and WR prefix 2 by 3 call signs it's already 
issued.

In a related matter, the FCC's new Amateur Radio vanity call sign 
regulatory fee of $20.80 for the 10-year license term goes into effect 
Friday, August 6. All applications received at the FCC on or after that 
date must be accompanied by the new, higher fee.  (ARRL)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  RIS ORDERS REPEATER OFF THE AIR

A 2 meter repeater in the United Kingdom has been ordered off the air after 
it was involved in an interference issue.  The Leicestershire GB3CF system 
which operates on 145.600 MHz, was closed down on Sunday the 25th of July 
following a request by the Radio Investigation Service due to an alleged 
incident of interference.  

Service will be resumed as soon as investigations have been completed.  The 
report did not say if the repeater was causing interference to other 
operations or if it was being interfered with.  (GB2RS)

**

RADIO LAW:  FEDERAL COURT RULES AGAINST CALIFORNIA CITY 

Meantime, on this side of the Astlantic a big win for radio operations but 
another major loss for a city in its fight to restrict towers and antennas.  
Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

The attorney for a Rancho Palos Verdes California antenna owner says that 
his client won a clear victory against the city.  This, following a recent 
federal district court decision requiring Rancho Palos Verdes to allow him 
to operate a broadcasting business from his unoccupied home.  The judge 
also ruled that the plaintiff, James A Kay. Jr., may seek damages and legal 
costs.

And this is not the first major loss for the city.  Earlier this year, the 
U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that another Rancho Palos Verdes 
antenna owner could seek compensatory damages against the city.  As 
previously reported, Mark Abrams, WA6DPB, said he will file a claim for 
damage to his two way radio business while he and the city fought numerous 
court battles over the right to regulate commercial radio  frequencies.  

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

--

Abrams has a 52 foot tall antenna tower in his backyard.  The city has 
appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.  The fuill story is on-line at 
http://pvnews.nminews.com/articles/2004/07/26/local_news/news1.txt   

**

RADIO LAW:  AN ANTENNA FREE ZONE

A real estate developer in Australia has come up with some of the toughest 
property use restrictions ever dreamed of.  W-I-A Newscaster Graham Kemp, 
VK4BB, joins us with the details:

--

VK2WI have reported on a story that the Albury-Wodonga Development  
Corporation has set some restrictions on its new 40 block Thurgoona  
subdivision, near Albury.  

Listeners to this WIA National News service  through the 146.75 repeater 
can shed any thoughts of establishing a  shack in the backyard, as the 
corporation has banned the erection of  free - standing garages or sheds.  
One may also forget about erecting any antenna arrays as the corporation 
has also banned external TV antennas, any TV antennas should be placed 
under the  roof or be internal.  

Satellite dishes are also under scrutiny; you can have one, as long as no 
one can see it!

For the Am ateur Radio Newsline, Im Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

--

With these restrictions in place the potential amateur radio activity, 
using external antennas, is virtually  impossible.  (VK2GJH via WIA News)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  WX4NHC ACTIVATED FOR HURRICANE ALEX

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami 
was activated on August 3rd.  This, in anticipation of the arrival of the 
first major tropiocal storm of the 2004 hurricane season.

Named Alex, the storm was a catigory one hurricane when the WX4NHC came to 
life at about 10 a-m Eastern on Tuesday morning.  Catigory one means the 
storm had sustained winds of 75 MPH.  It was forecast to strengthen before 
tracking just off the coast of North Carolina on Tuesday afternoon.

The WX4NHC Group monitored the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 Mhz.  It also 
took part in EchoLink and I-R-L-P Skywarn Nets that were operational during 
the approach and departure of the storm.  

WX4NHC has maintained an active Amateur Radio Station at the National 
Hurricane Center for the past 24 years.  Please visit www.wx4nhc.org/WX-
form1.html www.voipwx.net for details. (CQ)

**

RADIO LAW:  IMPROVING AIRSPACE SAFETY

Garmin, Inc. has been conditionally granted its request to use 978 MHz as 
an aircraft radio datalink frequency.  The idea is to enhance flight safety 
by enabling aircraft in the same airspace to precisely track each other's 
movement, reducing the risk of mid-air collisions.  Datastreams containing 
location, velocity, altitude and heading are valuable commodities in the 
arena of air safety.  More is o-line at 
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-1871A1.doc  (CCG)

**

ON THE NET:  TEENS SET WIFI RECORD

A group of teenage hamss from the Cincinnati area got an ovation at the 
recent Las Vegas DefCon hacker conference.  This, after organizers 
announced that the winners of this year's Wi-Fi shootout might have broken 
a world D-X record for ground distance in establishing a 55.1-mile Wi-Fi 
connection.

Ben Corrado KC8RKO, Andy Meng N8MX, Justin Rigling KC8OIO and Brandon 
Schamer KG4NVK won the prize for greatest distance achieved for an 802.11b 
network.  

The teens, all 18 and 19 years old achieved the record using an amplifier 
and homebrewed antennas on both ends.  This exceeded last year's distance 
winner by 20 miles.  Then, when they established that record, they turned 
off their amplifiers and broke the record for an unamplified connection at 
the same distance.

DefCon, in its 12th year is a gathering of hackers, security professionals 
and intelligence agents from around the world.  The Wi-Fi shootout, held 
for the second time, is among the most popular contests.  Six teams 
participated but it was ham radio know-how that came in number one.  (N0AX)

**

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)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  GEORGE DILLON NAMED ASSISTANT CHIEF OF THE FCC 
ENFORCEMENT BUREAU 

Some names in the news.  Word that George R. Dillon has been named 
Assistant Bureau Chief of the Enforcement Bureau.  Dillon most recently 
served as the Bureau's Engineering Advisor, assisting the Bureau Chief on a 
wide range of public safety, technical and management projects.  He also 
represents the Bureau on the Commission's "Engineering-in-Training" Board, 
for which he received the Chairman's Special Achievement Award, and was the 
principal leader of the Knowledge Sharing Program, which permits field 
engineers and headquarters engineers to exchange information and expertise.  
He is also a member of the Spectrum Policy Task Force. FCC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  G4IDE NAMED WINNER OF TAPR LIFETIME AWARD

And Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio has presented its Lifetime Achievement 
Award to Roger Barker G4IDE, of Lincolnshire, in the U-K.  Barker was 
honored for his work over the years in providing quality software for 
Amateur Radio operators that allows them to operate advanced digital modes 
without the difficulties once associated with these operations. T-A-P-R 
says that Baker's UI-View program is the benchmark by which all other A-P-
R-S mapping software is compared to.   (VK2TDS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW U-K HAM TRANSPONDER IN SPACE ANNOUNCED

AMSAT-UK has announced a new amateur band transponder project.  One to be 
launched as part of the European Space Agency's S SETI Express satellite.  

The project was announced at the opening of the 2004 AMSAT-UK Colloquium by 
Dr. Martin Sweeting, G3YJO.   Sweeting expressed his delight that AMSAT-UK 
has been able to work with the European Space Agency to provide, at very 
short notice, an S band 2.4ghz  transmitter.

The SSETI Express project is believed to be the first ever pan-European 
student satellite with over 100 students from more than nine different 
countries working on it.  The project is being coordinated and managed buy 
the Education Office of the European Space Agency.  (AMSAT-UK, GB2RS)

**

SPACE SCIENCE:  SMALLER ISS PRESENCE ANNOUNCED

NASA and its space partners have approved a scaled-down International Space 
Station with fewer astronauts and less science.  This,  so the United 
States can meet a 2010 deadline for ending shuttle flights.

According to news reports, the space agencies of Russia, Europe, Canada and 
Japan gave unanimous approval to a NASA plan that means the orbiting 
platform, now about half completed, will never become the beehive of 
scientific and commercial research once envisaged.  In exchange, NASA will 
continue with plans to launch research modules owned by its partners, some 
of them already built.

The agreement means the station will never support long duration crews of 
seven astronauts, as originally planned.  It will however be able to house 
at least four astronauts starting in 2009.  

Phase one of the space-station was put into orbit in 1998.  The first 
astronauts took up residence in 2000.  (Published reports)

**

ON THE AIR:  OH2B BEACON IS BACK ON THE AIR

Finland's OH2B beacon is back on the air after an absense of two years.  
OH2B is one of the eighteen stations in the world-wide five-band 
International Beacon Project network.  It has already been heard in the UK 
on 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930 and 28. 200 Mhz.  (GB2RS)

**

DX

In D-X, word that K4ZLE is returning to Uganda.  He plans to operate as 
5X2A through the 21st of August.  Some effort will be made to operate on 
the lower H-F bands this year, mostly on CW. Activity is also planned for 
PSK31.  (GB2RS)

And F6EAY is in Kabul, Afghanistan and has been issued the callsign T6RF.  
At present he is active only on PSK31.  QSL as directed on the air.  
(GB2RS)

Closer to home K-7-B-V reports that he will operate portable VP5 from the 
Turks and Caicos Islands from August 9th to the 16th.  The trip will have  
focus on 6 and 2 meter WSJT work during the Perseid Meteor shower that 
peaks  around August 12.  H-F will, of course, get plenty of attention as 
well. QSL direct to K7BV.  (VHF Reflector) 

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: THE BIRDS ARE BACK

And finally this week, have you ever tuned in an owl?  Yes, we said an owl.  
You know, tne find that go hoot in the night.  Newsline's Joe Moell K0OV 
will tell you how.

--

It's been several months since I've advised you of opportunities for hams 
and scanner fans to help wildlife researchers tracking radio-tagged 
creatures.  You can monitor these signals from your home or car.  If you 
have direction finding gear, you might make a positive sighting.  Right 
now, there's a need for ham help in the Denton and Collin County areas of 
Texas, where researcher Jennifer Johnston is releasing rehabilitated orphan 
Great Horned Owls into the wild.  Six birds are on the air near 150 MHz as 
I speak, and more are expected to follow.  We're also standing by for the 
departure of some young Burrowing Owls from their nesting places in 
Florida.  A biologist from the University of South Florida wants know where 
they will end up.  Nobody knows, but maybe you can help find out.

For all the details, including frequencies and ideas for equipping yourself 
for this project, go to www.homingin.com.  That's HomingIn, as one word, 
homingin.com.

Thanks for your help.  From southern California, where Burrowing Owls are 
raising their young in our own Imperial Valley, this is Joe Moell, K-zero-
oscar-victor, for Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Again that website is wwew.homingin.com  (K0OV, 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. 