[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1418 - October 15, 2004

Sat Oct 16 09:32:55 EDT 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1418 -  October 15, 2004

The following is a Q-S-T.  

The FCC acts on B-P-L amd the IEEE readies a standard for Broadband Over 
Powerline hardware.  Find out the impact on ham radio on on Amateur 
Radio Newsline report number 1418 coming your way right now.

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  THE FCC RELEASES ITS BPL REPORT AND ORDER

The FCC has acted to make Broadband Over Powerline a part of the 
telecommunications landscape.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Paul Courson, 
WA3VJB, in Washington and Mark Abramovich, NT3V, in Philadelphia take an 
in depth look at the FCC decision and its impact on Amateur Radio:   

--

FCC Michael  Powell:  "Would all members in favor of the item signify by 
saying aye? All those opposed?  The item is adopted, thank you very much 
(sound of gavel banging down)"

--

(WA3VJB report) Although several took note of interference concerns, 
none of the Commissioners voted against the proposal, and only one 
Commissioner voted any dissent at all. His issue was thet utility 
companies might improperly try to raise your light bill to help pay for 
BPL. The measure passed, and BPL can now be built and marketed to real 
customers nationwide.

The system thet's been in the prototype stage for a while now uses the 
power lines as a way to transmit and receive telemetry with computers 
such as those used in the home.  In sending that data over the wiring in 
a house or on the poles outside, small amounts of signal radiate and can 
cause interference to users of the same frequencies BPL uses on the 
power grid.

The ham radio community, led by the research of ARRL laboratory manager 
Ed Hare W1RFI, documented the potential for electrical noise during this 
prototype and testing phase. The League submitted what many consider 
alarming findings to the FCC as a protest and challenge to the BPL 
proposal on ham radio's behalf.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copp addressed that point before he voted to 
approve:

--

FCC Commissioner Michael Copp:  "I remain concerned with the question of 
interference to amateur radio users. I take the concerns of this 
community very seriously, and I believe the FCC has an obligation to 
work hard to monitor, investigate and take quick action to resolve 
harmful interference. "

--

When Copp voted approval, his dissent focused only on whether there were 
safeguards to keep utilities from using electricity revenue to help pay 
for BPL.

The proposal from FCC technical staff calls for interference mitigation 
procedures, including an online public database to help identify by zip 
code where BPL might be a source of interference, The database also will 
name a contact person at the company running the system in that zip 
code, to negotiate and resolve complaints.

Commissioner Copp said he hopes the processs will be quick:

--

FCC Commissioner Michael Copp:  "If an amateur radio user makes a 
complaint, and an agreement between the BPL provider and the amateur 
radio user cannot be reached, the FCC should step in and resolve the 
matter. These cases must not take years to resolve. I hope we'll have 
some really effective rapid-turnaround procedures here in place..."

--

FCC Chairman Michael Powell has been an early flag-waver for BPL, and 
spent time leading up to the vote praising its potential as a 
competitive force against existing high-speed data distribution systems. 
The noise made by those concerned about BPL noise must have reached the 
top desk, because Powell took time to acknowledge BPL's potential 
negative impact, although he never said the word interference in his 
remarks:

--

FCC Chairman Michael Powell:  There are users of spectrum that are 
affected by this. We've taken that seriously from the very beginning. I 
want to particularly say to all those wonderful amateur radio operators 
out there. They're still an important resource to the American 
communications landscape. They're ones that we continue to care about, 
continue to want to foster and prosper. And we have taken great care to 
ensure that the protections in this item are necessary to allow that 
service to continue. We will continue to be vigilant about it, and put 
the tools in place for that.

--

But then Powell returned to his celebration that BPL would soon provide 
another way to bring high-speed data to the masses, citing advantages 
for homeland security, the reliability of the nation's power grid, and 
the U.S place in the world.

--

FCC Chairman Michael Powell:  "Let me underscore that the potential for 
America, and the American economy is too great too enormous, too 
potentially groundbreaking to sit idly by and allow any claim, or any 
possible speculative fear keep us from continuing to drive this 
technology drive America into the broadband future."

--

For reaction to the FCC's approval of Broadband over Power Lines, we 
turn to Mark Abramowicz, NT3V:

--

(NT3V report)  For the American Radio Relay League, the FCC's decision 
in the BPL proceeding wasn't a surprise.

The ARRL's leader says now, more than ever, amateur radio operators will 
have to be vigilant about any BPL interference that appears and be 
prepared to act with a complaint that could go all the way to the FCC.

ARRL president Jim Haynie W5JBP says there were some encouraging 
comments from commission members about the value of the Amateur Radio 
service. And, for the first time, an admission from the panel that BPL 
technology is far from perfect.

--

Jim Haynie, W5JBP:  "You go back a year, a year and a half ago, there 
was all this talk about: What interference? There is no interference," 
Haynie recalled. "And fully half of the meeting was how to deal with the 
interference issue. 

"So the commission now has finally realized that what we've been saying 
all along does exist and I'm sure the N-T-I-A had a lot to do with that, 
too." 

--

Haynie says among the restrictions the FCC placed on the BPL providers 
is establishing a database of utility and system operators who will be 
accountable for neighborhood interference complaints.

He says it appears that provision may have come out of the ARRL's direct 
lobbying of commissioners.

--

Jim Haynie, W5JBP:  "We've actually had personal meetings with a number 
of the commissioners," Haynie says. "And Commissioner (Michael) Copps is 
one of them. Kevin Martin was another. Ms. (Kathleen) Adelstein was 
another one.

"And these were all held in the past couple of months so it's fresh on 
their mind. They know where we're coming from. That's what the league 
has been doing on a direct basis rather than just file a written 
petition or comments, which we did."

--

Haynie also credited the direct lobbying efforts aimed at members of 
Congress - many of whom look favorably on the Amateur Radio service.

--

Jim Haynie, W2JBP:  "They've made their feelings known to the commission 
and while they support inexpensive broadband for America, you know, on 
the other hand they understand the infrastructure that's involved with 
Amateur Radio and public safety," Haynie says.

--

Finally, while Haynie says he'll reserve additional comment until 
reading the full FCC document, he feels some sense of relief at what 
finally emerged. 

--

Jim Haynie, W5JBP:  "I know there's some detractors out there that for 
whatever reason think the league probably lost and sold them down the 
river. And that's not the case at all," Haynie says. "When we look at 
what happened at the commission meeting and actually read the details of 
the report and order, I think what the league has been doing for the 
last couple of three years will be quite evident. 

"So I think we did a good job. Did we get what we want, no - not 
entirely. But we also knew going in that you can't just say: 'I don't 
want BPL at all.' It's going to be done in some form or fashion, now the 
only question is how much?"

--

Over at CQ Magazine, Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, is feverishly studying 
what the FCC has done and what impact it will have on Amateur Radio.

He tells me the FCC's press release on the subject seems to contradict 
the commissioners' assurances that interference mitigation should be 
done in a timely fashion.

Moseson notes that in the same sentence such resolution of interference 
problems would be done without disruptions of service to BPL 
subscribers.

--

Rich Moseson, W2VU:  "So, in other words, the users of this non-licensed 
service have priority over licensed users," Moseson says. "This is what 
we were afraid of to begin with." 

--

Moseson says he's also concerned about the closing comments of FCC 
Chairman Michael Powell that were not included in the public statement 
released on the commission's website.

--

Rich Moseson, W2VU:  "He starts out practically pandering to hams and 
then turns around and tells us not to stand in the way of progress," 
Moseson says.

--

While sounding pessimistic, Moseson says we'll have to wait and see 
what's in the actual FCC report and order.

With my colleague, Paul Courson in Washington, I'm Mark Abramowicz, 
NT3V, in Philadelphia.

--

By the way, you'll find the audio comments made by some of the 
commissioners as a Web Extra feature. You can find them by pointing the 
browser on your computer to our website, www-dot-arnewsline-dot org.  
(ARNewsline (tm))

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  IEEE READIES BPL STANDARD

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics and Engineers -- thats the 
IEEE -- it  has begun to develop standard 1675 for Broadband Over 
Powerline hardware.  

According to immformation at the organizations website, the scope of 
this standard will be to provide Utilities and Manufacturers standards 
for the commonly used hardware for BPL installations.  Also to provide 
standard installation, maintenance and operation methods to ensure the 
safety of both Utility and Non-utility personnel working on BPL 
equipment.  

This project will not cover data transmission, protocols, or other 
aspects of BPL related to the internal workings of this technology.  
More information is on-line at http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/bop/  
(IEEE)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  HAMS AND CB'ERS UNITE - DOWN UNDER

Still with Broadband Over Powerline issues, word that ACREM, the 
Australian Citizens Radio Emergency Monitors, have joined the fight 
against B-P-L.  WIA Newsman Martin Howells, VK2UMJ, reports:

--

Following reports that the ACA may be considering the removal of 
interference protection for some HF radio users, ACREM New South Wales 
forwarded an official written protest to the ACA, the Minister for 
Communications, the Shadow Minister for Communications, and the leaders 
of both major political parties. 

This was followed up with a further submission lodged by e-mail 
outlining the Japanese report that showed interference from BPL as high 
as 300 MHz. Although ACREM is primarily a CB emergency monitoring group, 
the interests of all radiocommunications users, including amateur 
operators, is also a concern especially given the potential safety-of-
life issues of widespread interference to HF and VHF frequencies.  ACREM 
New South Wales will continue to play an active role in the BPL fight, 
alongside the WIA and other groups.

This has been Martin Howells, VK2UMJ, for WIA National News. 

--

Asn B-P-L looms in more and more places, users of many radio services 
are banding together to fight it.  The joint efforts of hams and CB'ers 
in Australia is just one example of what's happening, worldwide.  (WIA 
News)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  $10,000 FINE AGAINST JACK GERRITSEN, Ex-KG6IRO, AFFIRMED

The FCC has affirmed its earlier tentative fine of $10,000 against 
unlicensed Los Angeles area radio operator Jack Gerritsen, the former 
KG6IRO.  This for operating radio transmitting gear after the agency set 
aside his license.  

As previously reported, on June 15th of this year the Commission's Los 
Angeles Field Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for 
Forfeiture to Gerritsen in the amount of ten thousand dollars.  This, 
for Gerritsen's apparent, willfull and repeated violating of Section 301 
of the Communications Act by operating a radio station in the Amateur 
Radio Service without authorization from the Commission to do so. 

Gerritsen sent in a response to the notice on July 13th.   In his filing 
Gerritsen claimed that he has a valid amateur license that permits him 
to operate on all of the radio frequencies detailed in the Notice of 
Apparent Liability and that that the FCC's earlier action to set aside 
of his amateur license and KG6IRO call sign was unfounded.  He also 
claimed the set aside did not prohibit him from transmitting on the 
amateur radio bands given his claim that his amateur license was valid.  
Also, that any possible suspension of his license is also pending a 
hearing before an Administrative Law Judge and that it makes the Notice 
of Apparent Liability moot until any  suspension occurs. 

Well that might be Gerritsens interpertation of the FCC's decision but 
its not shared by the agency.  In affirming its decision to require him 
to pay the ten thousand dollar fine the FCC says that Gerritsen has no 
license.  Just a pending application.  Therefore there is no license for 
the Commission to suspend that the correspondence sent to Gerritsen from 
the FCC informed him that his amateur license had been set aside.  As 
such the FCC did not grant him an Amateur license nor any authorization 
to use the amateur frequencies. 

In closing, it found that Gerritsen is fully liable for a monetary 
forfeiture of in the amount of ten thousand dollars.  It gave him 30 
days fropm the October 5th release of its decision to pay. If he fails 
to do this in thr alloted or the FCC says it may be referred to the 
Department of Justice for collection.  The full story is on line at   
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3183A1.doc  
(FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  TO MANY CALL SIGN CHANGES

The FCC wants to know why a California couple has been requesting and 
then cancelling call signs.  The agency's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, 
explains:

--

Duckworth:  "NN6AA, Edward Beluso, of Redding, California, has been 
asked to provide information on about a dozen licenses that have been 
granted and canceled since June of 1999.  These filings raise questions 
as to whether these are being filed in order to block future assignments 
of the call signs and the legitimacy of those that were issued for 
clubs.
At the same address, WA6JAN, Janet Beluso, has also been asked to supply 
information regarding five call signs."
This is Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, reporting."

--

The FCC gave the Beluso's the usual amount of time to respond. (FCC, 
RAIN)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  KKOB TOWER HIT BY HOT AOR BALLOON

KKOB-AM radio in Albuquerque, New Mexico, had to shut down its 50,000-
watt transmitter for several hours on Sunday, October 10th.  This, after 
a hot air balloon got tangeled at the top of the stations 700 foot high 
broadcast tower.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has more:

--

According to news reports, Bill Chapel was flying the hot-air balloon 
when it blew into the tower near a park where the Albuquerque 
International Balloon Fiesta was being held.  The lines supporting the 
airships canopy got wrapped  around the triangular shaped tower.  This 
left the gondola resting up against the antenna structure with the 
straps securing it to the balloon tangled in the antenna structure.

Chapel, and passengers Aaron Whitacre, 10, and Troy Wells, 14, 
successfully got out of the gondola and onto the tower.  They then began 
the long climb down the antenna structures ladder. 

At the 100 foot level they were met by a group of trained rescue worker.  
The rescue team secured the trip with safety gear, and helped them into 
a utility truck bucket for the last of the trip back to mother Earth.  
Tower maintenance crews then got to work removing the remainder of the 
balloon from the antenna structure.

Nobody was hurt in the incident and the station resumed normal operation 
once the remnants of the balloon were removed.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale, 
Arizona.

--

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety 
Board are reportedly investigating the incident.  The Albuquerque 
International Balloon Fiesta has been flying since 1972.  (Published 
news reports)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  WAYS TO WARN

Scott Marks, KI4GGU, says via the WIA News that Israel has developed an 
emergency public notification system called Silent Radio.  This is a 
regular FM station that remains silent until some kind of emergency 
situation takes place.  Once it receives an alert, it  takes to the air 
to issue any required information to the Israeli public which already 
knows where to tune in.  Kind of the the old Emergency Broadcast System 
we had here in the U-S-A before the 1990's upgrade to E-A-S that is 
supposed to warn a lot more people but is also requires special decoding 
equipment and is very complex.  (WIA News)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  WAY NOT TO WARN

Meantime, over in the U-K, Bob Sayers, G8IYK says the Emergency Planning 
community in the that nation has tried to have something like the 
Israeli alert system established for many years.  Unfortunately, they 
always get the same response from government officials ewho say that it 
would be prohibitively expensive.  

In fact not so long ago the nation-wide warning siren network, set up in 
World War 2 but retained and improved upon throughout the Cold War 
period, was scrapped.  The reason was the same.  No money to maintain 
it.  (WIA News)

**

ON THE WEB:  NO MORE FREE E-MAIL OFF-LINE CLIENT RIDE

If you are a user of Juno's no-charge e-mail service, part of your free 
ride is coming to an end.  This as the Internet service provider 
announces that as of  December 1st free members will be required to use 
webmail to get and send e-mail.  In other words you will need a web 
accoumt someplace else to use Juno e-mail.  

This change only affects Juno Free members who currently download e-mail 
to their computer using Juno software, Outlook Express or other 
"offline" e-mail clients.  These changes to Juno e-mail will not affect 
Juno SpeedBand, Platinum, or MegaMail members or Juno Free members who 
already read and write Juno e-mail exclusively on the Web.

According to a release from the company, to continue being able to use 
an off-line client with Juno e-mail current free members will need to 
upgrade to one of Juno's premium services.  More information is on line 
at www.juno.com/emaildiscount.  E mail discount is spelled as one word.  
(Juno press release)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  PACIFICON IN OCTOBER

Turning to the ham radio social calander, Pacificon, the 13th annual 
ARRL Pacific Division Convention is happening as this newscast goes to 
air.  The venue is The Mariott Hotel in San Ramon California.  Those 
attending will probably get a first hand report on the FCC decision on 
B-P-L that took place on Thursday the 14th.  (Worldradio)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  MICHIGAN IN NOVEMBER

And Michigan's Holland Area Amateur Radio Club is hosting the State ARRL 
Convention again this year.  The date is Saturday November 6th.  Talk in 
will be on the K8DAA 147.060 Mhz repeater that requires CTCSS access 
tone of 94.8 Hz  (E-mail)

**

BREAK 3

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)

**

RADIO HEALTH REDUX:  IS THERE A CANCER CONNECTION TO HIGH POWER RADIO 
TRANSMISSIONS

A follow up to last weeks story on the risks associated to R-F exposure 
from living near a high power broadcast station.  Bob Gonsett, W6VR, 
points a report in his C-G-C Communicator that discused the same 
subject.  Amateur Radio Newslie's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

Two years ago an Italian study found death rates from  leukemia 
increased dramatically for residents living within two miles of Vatican 
Radio's powerful array of transmitters in Rome.  Now, as reported last 
week, Wired Magazine says that Korean researchers have looked at the 
death rates in 10 regions with AM radio transmitting towers broadcasting 
at more than 100 kilowatts.  They compared them with control areas 
without transmitters, and claim to have found substantially higher 
cancer mortality rates among those who lived within two kilometers of 
the high power transmitters.

But says the CGC Communicator, the problem with the Vatican study is 
that it was relatively small in the size and lacked exposure data.  
Also, the new Korean study has not even been published.  As a result, 
this is all speculative and based on some rather sketchy pre release 
information.  

Clouding the picture is the statement of Epidemiologist Mary McBride of 
the British Columbia Cancer Agency also reported in Wired magazine.  It 
quotes Mc Bride as saying that there have been many studies like these, 
and they just are not very convincing.

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

--

The bottom line to all this.  Its going to take more than just 
scientific speculation to know foe certain if there is any affect at all 
from living close a a high power broadcast transmitter.  (CGC)

**

RADIO ON THE NET:  NEW 2 METER SIMPLEX REMAILER

Interested in 2 meter simplex operation?  Well you might want to join a 
new remailer and discussion group in cyberspace.  Located on the popular 
Yahoogroups hosting service the sponsores describe the new remailer as 
one for everyone who is a ham and who has a two meter rig of some sort 
laying around and a lot of time not being used much of the time.  

Through the group you should be able to set up contact attempt schedules 
with other members.  If your looking for a way to put that 2 meter fm 
rig of yours to good use go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2fmsimplex 
and sign up.  (Repeater Reflector)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  AMSAT ELECTIONS RESULTS ANNOUNCED

Some new names and some old will be running AMSAT North America the next 
year.  This, with word that Rick Hambly, W2GPS, has been elected 
President of the Amateur Radio space authority at the organizations 
October 7th Board of Directors meeting.  

Hambly replaces Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, who has headed up AMSAT North 
Ameriuca the last seveal years.  Also elected or re-elected are are Lee 
McLamb, KU4OS as Executive Vice President, Mike Kingery, KE4AZN as Vice 
President Operations, Stan Wood, WA4FNY taking the task of Vice 
President of Engineering, Barry Baines, WD4ASW as Vice President 
Marketing and User Services, and Frank Bauer, KA3HDO as Vice President 
Human Sapceflight.  Gunther Meise, W8GSM, will be taking the Treasurers 
spot for the coming year as well.

Also at the meeting status reviews were presented of several 
undertakings.  These including ongoing projects such as the Echo 
satellite and the launch of future hamsats including Eagle.  The Board 
also had continuing discussions on regulatory matters, most importantly 
the impact of FCC Report and Order 04-130 which deals with the subject 
of Orbital Debris.  (ANS)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  MESABA THE IRANIAN SATELLITE

SpaceDaily reports that Iran intends to launch its first satellite in 
April 2005.  The bird named Mesbah is said to be a tewenty in square 
cube weighing in at 132 pounds.  

Plans are to put it int a Low Earth Orbit at about about 560 miles.  The 
satellite will be used to identify natural resources, control the 
nations electrical and energy network  and can also be used by 
communications and crisis management teams the press reports said.  
(ANS)

**

WORLDBEAT:  SA HAMS DID NOT LOOSE 2.4 OR 5.6 GHZ

South African Amateurs have not lost access to either the 2.4 and 5.6 
GHz band.  Its just a government typo.  At least thats what  South 
Africa Radio League president, Graham Hartlett, ZS6GJH, is saying ane he 
should know.  Thats because he set out to investigate why both pieces of 
spectrum were not listed to that nations ham radio community.

Now Harlett says that he has in hand a communication from the nations 
radio regulatory body.  It tells him that the 3.4 and 5.6 GHz 
allocations for amateurs had been accidentally omitted from the last 
publication of the band plan in the Government Gazette.  Harlett was 
assured that this will be rectified in the next band plan publication.  
(WIA News)

**

SPECIAL EVENTS:  KOAIR/KOGRL TO CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY

To recognize Veterans Day and the birthday of the legandary General 
Curtis E. LeMay, the Strategic Air Command Memorial Amateur Radio Club 
will be operating K0AIR and K0GRL on Thursday, November 11th.  The 
stations will be on the ait 1200 to 2400 hours UTC  in the general phone 
bands on or near to the following frequencies ending in 47.  Thhis 
3.947, 7.247, 14.247, 21.347, and 28.347 Mhz depending on propagation 
and time of day.  Six and two meters will also be activated 51.47 and 
146.46 Mhz. For QSL information please visit www.sacmarc.org on the 
World-Wide-Web.  

**

DX

In D-X, word that a group of seven German operators is active from the 
Chesterfield Islands for eight days beginning about the 16th of October 
depending on weather conditions in the area.  The Chesterfield Islands 
are located between Australia and New Caledonia.  Once on the air, 
activity will be on 160 to 6 metres using CW, SSB and RTTY.  The 
callsign will not be announced before operations start.  QSL as directed 
on the air.  (OPDX)

And YT1CS is active portable 5Z4 from  Kenya until 18th of November.  He 
orks only SSB on 20 and 15 metres.  Previously he was signing the rather 
convoluted call of 5Z4YT1CS until the Kenyan licensing authority re-
inserted the 'stroke' mark in the callsign. (RSGB)

Lastly, seven operators from Germany and Poland are active as TJ3SP and 
TJ3FR through October 20th.  They have four stations on all bands and 
modes, except 160 and 6 meters.  These two bands are not licensed for 
use in Cameroon.  (OPDX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  THE HISTORY OF JOTA

And finally this week, its the time of year for Jota -- the scouts 
annual ham radio Jamboree on the Air.  Last week we told you about the 
event as it is today.  Now we take a look back in time to the beginning 
of the Jamboree with John Williams, VK2BUI.

--

Jamboree On The Air is the largest annual international event in the 
Guides and Scouts event calendar, when thousands of Girl Guides and 
Scouts from all over the world gather for a weekend to contact each 
other by radio, share ideas, participate in many activities, make 
friends and learn new skills.

Like a lot of successful ventures, JOTA had a small beginning, and 
whilst Scouting utilised radio in its program in some areas for a number 
of years, it was not accepted as an official part of the Scout program 
until the 1957 Jubilee Jamboree at Sutton Park Coldfield, near 
Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

It was here that a very successful amateur radio station was  set up, 
but amongst the sixty plus operators present, only two were in uniform, 
one of whom Mr Les Mitchell G3BHK.

As this was the only activity at the Jamboree not conducted with a full 
Scouting Staff he was rather disappointed, feeling that in the true 
spirit of such a wonderful international Scout activity all Scouters 
should have been involved in the manning and operation of this station.

His concern led him to call a meeting of overseas Scout radio Amateurs 
present at the Jamboree and during one of their meetings they decided to 
keep in touch with each other on air and ensure their availability, if 
possible, as station operators at future World Jamborees.

Initially one day a year was proposed, but thinking this over later  
Their nominated Organiser Les Mitchell suggested they consider inviting 
amateur radio operators throughout the world to join them instead in a 
special weekend each year for a Jamboree on the Air at which, hopefully, 
Scouts and leaders would be able to talk to each other throughout the 
world.

World Scout Bureau, after an initial approach from Les Mitchell, invited 
him to conduct the first Jamboree on the Air and to everyones surprise 
it was an outstanding success. So much so, that it was decided that 
World Bureau should, in future, take over the conduct of future 
Jamborees on the Air.

Time marches on and Amateur Radio has enhanced the JOTA experience with 
many forms of contact apart from just speech transmissions.  Slow Scan 
Television, Narrow-band PSK, AX25 Data and now Voice over IP techniques 
such as Echo-link and IRLP are just some of the ways participants of 
Jamboree On The Air use to contact each other, however the original aims 
of the event remain the same. That is  with the help of Amateur Radio, 
help Guide and Scout members of all ages contact each other and discover 
the diversity of mankind, promote international goodwill and assist in 
the education of our leaders of tomorrow.

--

Scouting and ham radio.  Many say that the two were made for each other 
like a good pair of gloves.  (WIA News and sourced to VK4ZZ)

**

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 
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. 