[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1422 - November 12, 2004

Fri Nov 12 18:29:50 EST 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1422 -  November 12, 2004

The following is a Q-S-T.  The FCC turns off the ham radio licensing 
computer and a big Aurora opening hits North America. Find out the details 
on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1422 coming your way right now.

**

WITH THE FCC:  HAM RADIO LICENSING STOPS AND STARTS DUE TO COMPUTER GLICH

Ham radio licensing came to a screeching halt on November 5th.  This after 
a software glitch caused the computer that issues licenses to do some very 
strange things.  Mark Abramovich, NT3V, has been following the developments 
from Philadelphia and gas more:

--

The FCC isn't offering any official comment on exactly what happened. But 
Amateur Radio Newsline has learned that the problems with the Universal 
Licensing System computer started after an Oct. 28 software upgrade 
installed by a government contractor.

The problems that followed prompted the FCC to order a five-day shutdown of 
the system which issues Amateur Radio licenses. The system came back on-
line on Nov. 10. However, as of our deadline for this week's program, the 
FCC still planned a weekend shutdown of the U-L-S for maintenance and 
expected it to return to operation on Nov. 15.

The American Radio Relay League's Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Bart 
Jahnke, W9JJ, tells Amateur Radio Newsline he was among the first to detect 
problems while doing a routine check up on the application of a friend near 
the end of last month.

Jahnke says he discovered the application was - as he describes it - 
flagged or marked pending by the 
FCC for a review by a live person. He says the automated system and its 
software are set up for minimal human intervention. Jahnke says such a 
classification immediately raised concerns that something had gone wrong.

Jahnke tells me once he called his contact at the FCC to report the 
problem, he was told the computer contractor would be notified to 
investigate.

A couple days later, Jahnke says he was told the problem was fixed. But, as 
Jahnke tells me, he checked and found that the computer problem had gotten 
worse. He says he and other VECs were finding the U-L-S had begun issuing 
Group D call signs - the 2 X 3 ones - to new licensees out of sequence. He 
says only the first and third call-district applications somehow escaped 
getting caught up in the problem.

At that point, Jahnke tells Amateur Radio Newsline he and other VECs called 
the FCC. He says the commission told the contractor to pull the plug on the 
system on Nov. 5, run some diagnostics and fix it. A message posted on the 
FCC's website on Nov. 5 said simply: "The granting of Amateur applications 
has been temporarily suspended. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Prospective hams who had passed VE exams earlier and were awaiting their 
call sign were getting nervous. Some who received the out-of-sequence call 
signs were wondering whether the call signs were OK to use. A few had even 
received a second call sign, cancelling the first.
In all, Jahnke says about 130 licensees were affected and thousands of 
license applications were backed up in the system.

By Nov. 10, Jahnke says the FCC began issuing letters cancelling the out-
of-sequence call signs and awarding the proper call signs to new licensees. 
For some, he says it was their third call sign in a matter of days.

Jahnke says the FCC deserves credit for responding as fast as it did. He 
also has praise for the other VECs across the country who were in touch the 
with FCC, too. Jahnke says he's crossing his fingers and hoping the planned 
weekend maintenance of the FCC U-L-S computer, won't undo the system fix. 

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

--

More on this situation in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports.  
(ARNewsline(tm), NT3V with input from FCC and ARRL)

**

UNEXPECTED VHF DX:  THE BIG AURORA OPENING OF NOVEMBER 7

--

N6ZE:  "The aurora was very bright most of the time and the magnetic 
bearing from the airplane extended from 300 degress through about 060 or 
070.  We saw this for about 3 hours and a distance of probably 1900 statute 
miles."

---

That's Pete Heins, N6ZE, describing last Sunday night and early Monday's 
magnificent Aurora from his vantage point in the right seat of a Boeing 757 
jetliner.  Pete was the co-pilot that night, flying from Los Angeles to New 
York's J-F-K International airport.  

--

N6ZE: "At no time was the visability obscured by clouds, and for about the 
last 1 hour of the flight we did have about a 1/4 moon in the Eastern sky 
climbing, and we were still able to see the AU."

--

And while Pete was making his way across country, hams on the ground were 
sitting on 6 meters, 2 meters and all the bands above.  And some like Dave 
Bernhardt, N7DB, in Boring, Oregon were hearing and working stations all 
over the place.  Dave primarily operated 2 meters where according to the V-
H-F reflector he worked W7IUV, K7XC, K7GS, WA6KLK and VE7DXG to name only a 
few.  And Dave was not alone.

On the other side of the country, Jeff Klein,  K1TEO, in Trumbull, 
Connecticut reports making Aurora propagation contacts on 2 Meters as far 
south as Alabama and Tennessee.  To the west Jeff worked stations in 
Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota.

According to reports from NASA, the Auroral opening was caused by a Coronal 
Mass Ejection or C-M-E on the Sun.  That event happened late on Friday, 
November 5th with the ionized particles reaching our Earth late on Sunday.  
Television news programs on Monday night showed pictures of this very 
bright Aurora as far South as Minnesota and northern Kansas.  

On Tuesday the 9th two more solar shocks have arrived.  Paul Kelly, N1BUG, 
in Milo, New Hampshire reported them on the VHF Reflector.  The first hit  
just after 09:00 UTC but did not contain favorable magnetic field vectors 
or strength to produce Aurora at North American mid-latitudes.  The second, 
arriving near 18:20 U-T-C did produce the classic Aurora buzzing.  He later 
describe this event comig just in time for the natural late afternoon peak 
for auroral backscatter.  He says that the Aurora came up fast and suddenly 
2 meters filled with strong buzzing  signals.  He says over the reflector 
that he worked as far South as grid square E M 66.

And while hams who only operate the high frequency bands were complaining 
that 80 through 10 meter propagation had literally disappeared, those like 
N1BUG, N7DB and K1TEO on 6 meters, 2 meters and above were calling C-Q 
Aurora and making lots of contacts.  All that is except Pete Heins, N6ZE, 
who landed his big silver bird at New York's J-F-K airport just as the sun 
was coming up.  Then again, you have to admit that sitting at 37,000 feet 
on the flight deck of a 757, Pete probably had the best view of all.  
(ARNewsline(tm), N6ZE, VHF Reflector)

**

MORE ON PROPAGATION:  WWW.HFRADIO.ORG/PROPAGATION

By the way, Dick Mannheimer, K6LAE, who was one of the first to alert us to 
the Aurora also passes along information on an excellent propagation 
website.  Its in cyberspace at www.hfradio.org/propagation.html 

The site is operated by Thomas Hood, NW7US.  If the name and call sign 
sound familiar its because this is the same Thomas Hood who writes 
propagation columns for CQ, CQ VHF, Popular Communications and Monitoring 
Times magazines.  

We have looked at the site.  It's well worth bookmarking on your web 
browser.  Again the URL is www.hfradio.org/propagation.html  (K6LAE)

**

HELPING HAMS:  UNITED WAY REPORTS HUGE HAM RADIO RESPONSE TO ARRL HOLIDAY 
TOY DRIVE

The United Way in Martin County, Florida, reports "a huge response" by the 
Amateur Radio community.  This, to the ARRL's call to support a toy drive 
on behalf of the agency's "White Doves Holiday Project." 

According to the ARRL Letter, Carol Hodnett, who directs the United Way of 
Martin County's Volunteer and Community Resource Center says League members 
from Maine to California have sent toys or money, and more is arriving 
every day.  The League hopes to provide toys for youngsters left homeless 
or displaced by a string of hurricanes that hit the region earlier this 
year.  

There is still time for you to take part in this very worthwhile project.  
All you need do is to purchase an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl aged 1 to 
14.   Please send it prior to Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 25th. Be 
sure to include a QSL card or 3x5 card displaying your call sign.  Mail it 
to Ham Radio, The United Way White Dove  Project, 50 Kindred St, Suite 207, 
Stuart, FL 34994.  

In our view this is Amateur Radio at its very best.  Hams helping kids in a 
true time of need.  (ARRL)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  ARE YOU THIS PERSON?

An FCC license holder who is likely a ham is being asked by the agency if 
he is the same person convicted of a number of criminal acts.  And the 
agency has an important reason for asking.  Spokesman Daryl Duckworth, 
NN0W, explains:

--

Duckworth: "Regarding qualifications to remain a licensee, in inquiry 
concerning criminal convictions for theft by deception and theft by failure 
to make required disposition of funds as the result of an investment scam 
went to a licensee in Johnstown, Pennsylvania."

--

According to the FCC release, the person involved is also under 
investigation by Pennsylvania Administrative Office of the Courts for a 
possible indecent assault.  This is alleged to have been committed on July 
30th, 2002.

The purpose of the probe is to determine if the person contacted is the 
same one as in the alleged and proven criminal cases.  For that reason the 
FCC has withheld the persons identity or any other factual material to 
indicate whom he or she might be.  

But if its the right person, he or she was given two options by the agency.  
The person can provide additional information on the convictions and 
charges for consideration by the Commission.  Alternately, he or she can 
voluntarily submit a license for cancellation in order to avoid a hearing 
on the issue.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFOECEMENT:  YOU CAN'T SELL THAT BEACON

Still with enforcement news, word that ACR Electronics, Inc. of Fort 
Lauderdale, Florida, has been fined $75,000.  This, for marketing a 
personal location beacon to the general public that had not been approved 
by the Commission.  

Now here's the ironic part?  The CGC Communicator reports that some of the 
material submitted to the FCC by ACR helped make the case against the 
company.

It's all on line at  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-
253871A1.doc and   http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-
04-259A1.doc  (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  POWER - LESS POWER CAPTAIN

An unlicensed broadcaster's response to an FCC Notice of Violation has 
helped to clinch a $10,000 fine issued against him.   Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details.

--

Well, the details really speak for themselves and we would be hard put to 
say it better than David Michael Oaks.  Oaks is the one who received the 
$10,000 fine for allegedly operating an FM station at his residence in 
Beaverton, Oregon.  This, without the benefit oof holding a valid license 
to do so.

Quoting from the FCC report and order affirming the fine, the agency says 
that in responding, Oaks did not deny the charge.  Rather, he stated that 
he was attempting to correct the violation by lowering the power each time 
he received a notice that he was operating an unlicensed station.

But that's not all.  The FCC goes on to say that Oaks asserted that the 
investigating agent told him that the effective range for a transmitter 
operating pursuant to Part 15 of the Rules is about 100 feet.  Also, that 
if Oaks chose to do so, he could purchase a Part 15 certified wireless 
microphone to compare the range of that signal with that of his station.  

Oaks did not choose to do so.  Nor did he refrain from operating after 
receiving several written warnings.  Based on all of this evidence, the FCC 
says that the $10,000 fine will stand.

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

--

More on this case is on line at 
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3504A1.doc  (FCC)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  PROPOSED RADIO JAMMING SYSTEM DROPPED FOR THE MOMENT

Some good news and some bad about an emergency information system proposed 
by Alert Devices International Corporation.  The company has requested that 
the FCC to dismiss its Petition for Rule Making to create an Emergency 
Vehicle Signaling Service.  This is the previously described service that 
would allow emergency vehicles to jam out authorized broadcast stations and 
replace them with emergency warning messages designed to attract the 
attention of affected motorists.  

The good news is that the FCC has granted A-D-I's dismissal request. The 
bad news is that ADI - according to its latest filing -  proposes to submit 
an "expanded version" of its Petition in the near future.  Its all on the 
web at   http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3521A1.doc  
(CGC)

**

MORE POWER CAPTAIN:  ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY CHASTISED FOR 2003 BLACKOUT

Those wonderful people that are now bringing you BPL have bigger problems 
to worry about.  This after Federal regulators issue a scathing review of 
the electricity industry's voluntary efforts to make their power grids more 
reliable.  

The report comes about a year after nation's worst blackout that hit on 
August 14th of 2003.  According to staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, power industry audits play down shortcomings of the grid 
system, rely on ambiguous standards that often are ignored and reflect vast 
differences between the best and the worst performers.  

But the agency's chairman Pat Wood did say that there have been 
improvements since the blackout that was caused by power line problems in 
Ohio and affected eight states from Michigan to New York as well as parts 
of Canada.  (Published reports)

**

IN PRINT:  ALL ABOUT TONE

And with more and more repeaters implementing some form of tone access, it 
is C-Q Magazine that's taking the lead in explaining how it works to the 
ham community.  In his three page article in the November issue, writer 
Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, "How It Works" column traces the use of tone access and 
explains why it can be far more of a friend to hams than a way to keep them 
off a system they may want to try.  You can read what Dave has to say in 
the November C-Q on newsstands right now.  More information is on the web 
at www.cq-amateur.radio.com  (CQ)

**

ON THE WEB:  QRZ.COM NEEDS YOU

The giant Q-R-Zed dot com website says it needs some volunteers to help it 
better serve the needs of the world wide ham radio community.  According to 
its owner Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ, the popularity has resulted in a need to 
enlist a few more volunteers to help out on the website operations. 

Lloyd says that Q-R-Zed currently has openings for two types of 
volunteers,.  These are board Moderators and Callsign Database 
Administrators.  An explanation of the responsibilities of each is on line 
at the Q-R-Zed site.  Its in cyberspace at www.qrz.com.  (qrz.com)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: SHIRLEY WILKERSON JR. W4TBU - S.K.

Some sad news to report.  Word that Elmer Extraordinary, Shirley Wilkerson, 
Jr., W4TBU, died on Monday, November 8th.  As reported last week, Wilkerson 
was 84 years old and had been hospitalized in declining health.

According to Tom Webb, W4YOK, Wilkerson was licensed in 1950 and was a one-
time member of QCWA with his story featured in the winter 2003 edition of 
the Q-C-W-A Journal.  He is survived by a sister.   (W4YOK)

**

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECURETY: PASSCODE FROM AMERICA ONLINE

Turning to the high tech page, America Online says that it will begin 
offering members a security device and service that has been used to 
safeguard business computer networks.  This after parent company Time 
Warner Inc. announces that its AOL unit has signed a deal with Internet 
security company RSA Security Inc., to launch its new AOL PassCode.

Using an ever changing algorithm, the system is designed to add an 
additional layer of protection to member accounts.  PassCode users will be 
provided with a small handheld six-digit numeric code key which refresh on 
the device every 60 seconds. To log onto an AOL account equipped with the 
service, users will have to type in the six-digits in addition to their 
regular password.

The price of the code-key device will be $9.95.  Service costs will range 
from $1.95 to $4.95 per month.  This, in addition to the usual America 
Online subscription fee.  (AOL, published reports)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  FALSING CALLER ID

The Washington Post reports that a new technology can trick U.S. caller-ID 
services into displaying someone else's name and telephone number. The Web-
based systems make the name and number appear in a call recipient's caller-
ID box.

A company called Star38 that launched in September with plans to market to 
debt collectors has changed its strategy after consumers complained. Star38 
admitted the approach was "flawed," and now says it will market their 
system to law enforcement agencies.

New Jersey-based Camophone says it will perform the service on a call-by-
call basis for a fee of $5 and up.  The company said it recognizes that the 
service could be abused but insists its intent is to help customers protect 
their privacy.

But consumers worry that the technology could be used by stalkers and debt-
collection agencies, some consumers worry.  The Direct Marketing 
Association said masking a marketer's identity is illegal under rules 
enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications 
Commission.  (Washington Post)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AO-51 E-MAIL REQUEST BOX

AMSAT North America has announced the establishment of an E-mail address 
for AO-51 users to submit requests and ideas for Experimenters Wednesday 
operations.   AMSAT says that this is a chance for the ham community that 
uses AO-51 to request the modes that they are interested in* seeing 
operated on during the weekly Wednesday times.  All input will be noted but 
do not expect a reply to your E-mail.  Send your requests or ideas to ao51-
modes at amsat.org  (AMSAT-NA)

**

WORLDBEAT:  VE3PU NEW TREASURER OF RAC

Back here on mother Earth, word from Radio Amateurs of Canada that Ken 
Pulfer,  VE3PU has been appointed to the position of Treasurer.  Pulfer 
will complete the unexpired term of Eric Ferguson VE3CR who recently 
resigned.

This is not Pulfer's first time in the job.  He has served as R-A-C 
Treasurer in the past, and brings a wealth of experience to the position.  
(RAC)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK:  FINAL G5RV LOGBOOK RETRIEVED FROM EBAY

Meantime, word from the United Kingdom that the final log book of one of 
the worlds best-known radio amateurs has been saved for posterity.  This, 
after it was put up for auction on eBay.

The late Louis Varney, G5RV, of G5RV antenna fame was one of the founding 
members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society in 1936.  So when 
Chelmsford club member Duncan Munro, M0KGK spotted that G5RV's last ever 
logbook was being auctioned, the club decided to buy it.

Munro did the bidding.  Despite fierce competition he managed to secure the 
logbook in the last eight seconds of auction.  

The logbook shows that G5RV's final QSO's took place on the 11th January 
2000 and were , appropriately enough recorded on page 73 of the logbook.  
The stations contacted were Ron Glover, G0WGP, in West Sussix and club 
President Harry Heap, G5HF, in Chelmsford.  Louis was, of course, using his 
famed G5RV antenna for all of the contacts.  (GB2RS)

**

DX

In D-X, word that W-6-S-J, will be on the air from the Bahamas as C6AWS 
from November 26th through December 2nd.  Activity will include a Single-
Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry in the CQ World Wide  DX CW Contest. During 
non-contest periods, he will concentrate on the WARC bands.  QSL to his 
home call.  (OPDX)

And Look for 7Q7LA back on the air from Malawi in a few weeks.  This, as 
G0IAS, updates the OPDX that he is hand carrying some ham gear for Ron to 
be sure that it arrives safe and sound.  G0IAS will leave the U-K  on the 
28th of this month and is expected to arrive at the Lakeshore on the 30th. 
The confirmation route for 7Q7LA remains direct to G0IAS.  There is no QSL 
bureau in Malawi.  (OPDX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  UK HAMS ON THE AIR WITH EXPANDED 40 METER PRIVELEGES

And finally this week, hams in the U-K have taken to the airwaves with 
their recently expanded privileges.  RSGB Newsreader Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is 
where it all took place:

--

UK radio amateurs gained access to new frequencies between 7.1 and 7.2MHz 
from 31st October.
After dark, the band between 7.1 and 7.2MHz is still full of powerful 
broadcast stations, although some clear frequencies can be found.

The band became available on the second day of the CQ World Wide DX Phone 
Contest. Many UK stations took advantage of the new band by making contest 
QSOs with stations in the USA on their own frequency, instead of having to 
work 'split' as had been the case when contacting North America on 40 
metres SSB.

During the daytime, numerous UK stations are now able to have virtually 
interference-free inter-G contacts above 7.1mhz.

The new band is available to radio amateurs on a Secondary, non-
interference, basis until 2009. After the end of March 2009, the broadcast 
stations should move to other frequencies and 7.1 to 7.2MHz will then 
become an amateur Primary band.

Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham.

--

Amateurs in the Republic of Ireland were also granted access to 7.1 to 7.2 
MHz towards the end of October, joining those in Croatia, Norway and San 
Marino who already had access to these frequencies.  Hams in Switzerland 
will also gain access to 7.1 to 7.2MHz from 1st January 2005.  (GB2RS)
**

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 at 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. 