[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1424 - November 26, 2004

Sun Nov 28 15:40:32 EST 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1424 -  November 26, 2004 

The following is a QST.  A big day for licensing in Pennsylvania and a  
sad one in California for Amateur Television.  It's also out of the  
Tournament of Roses parade.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio  
Newsline report number 1424 coming your way right now. 

** 

LICENSING:  A BIG DAY IN PENNSYLVANIA 

Its the ultimate holiday season story.  This, as a group of young ham  
radio hopefuls get an early Christmas present that they had been working  
hard for.  It happened in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, which is the beat of  
Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V: 

-- 

Sixty-five students in Sean Barnes' physics classes at Trinity High  
School earned their Technician licenses after taking tests offered by  
the Harrisburg Radio Amateurs Club Laurel VE Team on Nov. 9. 
The process was the culmination of Barnes' use of Amateur Radio in his  
course of study - for extra credit. 

Pete deVolpi, K3PD, president of the Harrisburg club, says Barnes  
decided three years ago to begin offering ham radio to his students and  
came to the organization for an assist. 

"Sean had materials made available, the ARRL assisted and provided  
materials and in no time Sean was busy teaching the students in the  
first quarter of each year Amateur Radio as a license," deVolpi  
explains. "His students would then get extra points if they obtained  
their license."

Barnes latest class of candidates was a record - 100 percent of the  
students passed the test and got their tickets, deVolpi says. But it  
doesn't stop with getting the license. 

"Well, immediately they pursue making 30 contacts, 10 of which have to  
be outside of North America using EchoLink," deVolpi says. "So they get  
the experience of their first 30 QSOs while they're still in the same  
class. 

"They get extra points by making those QSOs. They get extra points for  
participating in radio club activities. For generating anything that's  
related to the hobby of Amateur Radio, they get extra points." 
There are activities at Trinity to promote amateur radio beyond the  
class and to promote carrying Amateur Radio activity into college,  
deVolpi says. 

"They currently have at the school the Amateur Radio Club of Trinity  
N3THS," deVolpi says. "And they're actively involved in that as a club,  
involved in activities every day. As they move onto college, we hope  
that they'll continue to go to colleges that have radio clubs." 
In the three years Barnes has been teaching Amateur Radio as part of his  
course, he's produced about 150 new licensed hams. That kind of success,  
deVolpi says, is something worthy of note. 

"I would hope that teachers all over the country would become aware that  
programs like this are and can be available," deVolpi says. "I would  
hope that radio clubs realize that they can get behind a program like  
this and have some real results. 

"It's not a simple conquest to have 150 new young hams in three years.  
But that represents 150 percent of our membership. We only have 100  
people in our club and to produce 150 new hams in three years, is a  
lot." 

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

Talk about a true ham radio success story and - most likely - a lot of  
brand new Amateur Radio toys under the tree on Christmas Day.  

-- 

Talk about a true ham radio success story -- and -- most likely -- a lot  
of brand new Amateur Radio toys under the tree -- on Christmas Day.    
(ARNewsline(tm) via WB3FGXW) 

** 

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW ASTRO HAMS LICENSED 

But the group in Pennsylvania are not the only ones from a group testing  
session.  In Texas, six astronauts and one astronaut spouse are the  
latest addition to the world-wide ham radio family.   

The AMSAT News Service reports that on November 12th, Naoko Yamazaki,  
and her husband, Taichi Yamazaki, along with Dorothy M. Metcalf- 
Lindenburger, Richard R. Arnold II, Satoshi Furukawa, Jose M. Hernandez,  
and Joseph M. Acaba all passed their exams.   

This expands by six the pool of space faring radio amateurs who may  
eventually get to operate from the Earth orbit from the I-S-S.  Or,  
maybe later on missions to unknown and unexplored worlds.  (ARISS) 

** 

THE BPL FIGHT:  SBC GOES FIBER - INTRODUCES PROJECT LIGHTSPEED 

Back here on mother Earth some good news in the fight to minimize the  
impact of Broadband Over Powerline high speed Internet access.  This, as  
a major telecommunications player is opting for what most believe to be  
a better and far less radio intrusive technology. 

SBC Communications says that it is expanding is consumer broadband  
Internet access, but its not going with B-P-L.  The company has  
announced plans to deploy fiber optics closer to customers and build an  
advanced IP-based network.  One capable of delivering a rich array of  
integrated next-generation television, data and voice services.   

This decision by SBC to go with fiber optic distribution will take the  
company substantially beyond what is available from today's telephone,  
cable or satellite T-V providers.  You can read all about the plan at   
http://www.sbc.com/gen/pressroom?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=21458   
(CGC) 

** 
RADIO LAW:  FCC SAYS NOT TO RESTRICTING AM AND SSB BANDWIDTH 

I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, with late breaking news.   

Dateline Washington D.C. where on Wednesday, November 24th the FCC acted  
to deny a petition for rulemaking.  One  filed by Michael D. Lonneke and  
Melvin J. Ladisky that sought to amend Part 97 of the Commission's rules  
to provide that amateur radio stations transmitting single sideband  
wound not be allowed to occupy more than 2 point 8 KHz bandwidth and  
those transmitting full carrier amplitude modulated signals could not  
occupy more than 5.6 KHz bandwidth on amateur frequencies below 28.8  
MHz.  

In is refusal to act favorably on the Lonneke Ladisky proposal, the FCC  
noted that the Amateur Radio Service is allocated spectrum that must be  
shared in a cooperative manner by literally thousands of individual  
stations.  It noted that voluntary spectrum sharing standards exist  
within the ham radio community.  It said that voluntary band planning  
allows amateur stations that desire to pursue different operating  
activities to do so by dividing or segmenting the amateur service  
spectrum.  Also, that doing this on a voluntary rather than government  
mandated basis allows the amateur service the flexibility to  
"reallocate" the amateur service spectrum among operating interests as  
new operating interests and technologies emerge or as some operating  
interests and technologies fall into disfavor. 

The rules change request came as the result of a technology some hams  
are experimenting with called enhanced or high fidelity S-S-B.  Others  
objected, saying that the term enhanced meant using far to much spectrum  
width on the crowded high frequency bands.   

But the FCC says that Section 97.101(d) of the Commission's rules states  
that "no amateur service operator shall willfully or maliciously  
interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or  
signal.  Also that all amateur service operators are required to ensure  
that their stations conform to the Commission's rules and that they  
operate "in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice."   
The Commission's says that it's long-standing role in amateur operation  
frequency utilization generally has been limited only to establishing  
the types of emission that can be transmitted in different frequency  
segments. 

Our thanks to the Handi Hams and Pat Tice, WA0TDA, for bringing this  
information to our attention.   

In Los Angeles, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.  (HandiHams) 

** 

PUBLIC SERVICE:  TOURNAMENT OF ROSES SAYS NO TO ATV

We have a follow-up to last weeks story on the decision by the TORRA ham  
radio group to withdraw its services from the 2004 Tournament of Roses  
Parade.  At that time, based on a letter from TORRA Chair Jeanne  
Nordland, WD6BWN, it was stated that only the voice communications was  
going away and that the parade would continue to use the services of  
amateur television. 

Now, ATV is also out.  Shortly after we went to air Tournament of Roses  
officials decided to decline the amateur television support as well.   
Word is that several Tournament officials and the ATV team in TORRA  
worked very hard to put together an acceptable operation.  That went  
away when, for yet undisclosed reasons, the Tournament Association  
declined the offer.   

The bottom line.  For the first time since about 1972 there will be no  
TORRA presence at the parade.  And for the first time since the middle  
1960's there will be no ham radio communications at all.  (ARNewsline  
(tm))  

** 

PUBLIC SERVICE:  THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT PARADE IN PALM SPRINGS 
CA 

Ham radio may be out at the Tournament of Roses Parade but it will be  
very busy at another Southern California event.  This as it  once again  
provides communication for the holiday Festival of Lights Parade in Palm  
Springs.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reports: 

-- 

The Festival of Lights parade started about 13 years ago.  10 years ago  
the Desert RATS Amateur Radio Club in Palm Springs was asked to help  
with communications.   

Today, hams from all over the Coachella Valley help with this event.   
Approximately 35 operators assist in the staging area, along the parade  
route and keeping the events 7 to 8 announcers up to date.  A command  
center in the Chamber of Commerce building with 10 base stations, 10  
antennas, and 700 feet of coax serves as the communications nerve  
center.  

The ham radio volunteers are the ears and eyes of this holiday season  
event.  Not only do they transmit updated traffic to the announcers.   
They also provide on the spot communications to anyone with a medical  
problem throughout the parade area.    

Another instance of ham radio volunteerism, at its very best. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reporting.   
(DRARC) 

-- 

This years Festival of Lights Parade is slated for Saturday, December  
4th at 5:45 PM.  It lasts about one and a half hours and the ham radio  
community says that it's ready to serve. 

** 

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC REFUSES TO RESCIND WARNING LETTER 

Turning to regulatory enforcement news, word that a ham who asked the  
FCC to remove a Warning Letter from his file has been told no.  This, as  
the agency informs David Smith, W8YZ, of Monroe, Michigan that it will  
not rescind the letter concerning alleged interference on the 75 meter  
band.  

Back this past April 26th, the FCC issued Smith a warning notice   
regarding interference to ongoing communications on 3.960 MHz.  The FCC  
says that this took place several times citing the dates of on March 9,  
19, 30, and April 7, 15 and 20, 2004.  In that letter the FCC stated  
that some incidents of the interference continued even when Smith moved  
to an adjacent frequency, but one close enough to cause harmful  
interference to 3 point 960 MHz.   

On October 18th Smith wrote the FCC asking that the letter be expunge  
from his record.  The FCC considered his request and on October 26th it  
informed him that it finds no basis to rescind the warning letter and  
that it will remain on file.  Smith does have the option of a further  
appeal to the full Commission or to request a hearing before an  
Administrative Law Judge.  (FCC) 

** 

ENFORCEMENT:  LONGIVETY IS NO EXCUSE 

And a radio amateur who used personal credentials as long time license  
holder to defend against an interference charge has been told by the FCC  
that his response is just not acceptable.  The agency's Daryl Duckwoth,  
NN0W, is here with the rest of the story: 

-- 

"A Warning Notice went to W2VJZ, Irwin L. Richardt, of Liberty Corner,  
New Jersey, regarding his response of July 28th.  The response has been  
found unacceptable. 

The warning states: 'You are advised thar all frequencies in the Amateur  
Service are shared.  It is absolutely irrelevant under the rules as to  
how long you have been licensed, how long you have been using the  
frequency or how many hours a day that you spend monitoring the  
frequency.  None of that makes a frequency your frequency." 

-- 

Back on July 20th of this year the FCC forwarded Richardt a complaint  
about the operation his station on the 75 meter band and requested a  
reply, pursuant to Section 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934.   
The complaint alleged that Richardt  would not relinquish a certain  
frequency to another operator after he ended communications, and that  
while he monitored the frequency he would not allow the complainant use  
of the frequency in the "AM window" unless you joined in the  
communications. 

The latest Warning letter from the regulatory agency went on to state  
that the rules stating that all ham radio frequency should have been  
made clear to Richardt in the materials that he reviewed in preparation  
for his Advanced Class license.  The regulatory agency also warned W2VJ- 
Z that any more complaints like this will lead to enforcement action  
against his Amateur Radio license.  This could include a  license  
revocation, hefty fine, or both.  (FCC) 

** 

RADIO LAW:  NEW FEE FOR COMMERCIAL SATELLITE OWNERS

Companies seeking satellite licenses in the United States will have to  
past a bond of between $5 million and $7.5 million to ensure they will  
use the scarce resource.  The Federal Communications Commission decided  
to require bonds to prevent companies from applying for satellite slots  
to keep them from competitors or speculators who might hoard the  
valuable spectrum instead of actually using it.  The bond requirement  
was approved as part of a broader effort to streamline the satellite  
licensing process and cutting the waiting time to as little as six  
months compared to the years it often takes.  (Published reports) 

** 

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  BUSH RE-NOMINATES ADELSTEIN TO FCC 

Radio World On-Line says that President Bush has nominated Jonathan  
Adelstein to retain his seat as an FCC commissioner.  Adelstein was  
originally named to the commission to fill out the remainder of Gloria  
Tristani's term when she left the agency to run for Congress.  
The White House released Adelstein's name on a list along with 18 other  
nominations the president intends to make.  Adelstein's term expired a  
year ago but he could remain until this session of Congress adjourned.    
If approved, Adelstein who is a Democrat  would fill out the remainder  
of a five-year term expiring June 30, 2008.  (RW On Line) 

** 

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  SEANET CONVENTION CHAIR SUGFFERS HEART 
ATTACK 
The chairman of the SEANET Convention organizing committee, Ray Gerrard  
suffered a severe heart attack on 11th November while travelling into  
Bangkok city from his home.  Gerrard,  who holds the call signs G3NOM  
and HS0ZDZ, is reportedly now lying in a coma in a Bangkok hospital.  
Ray Gerrard has lived in Thailand and Malaysia for many years, becoming  
well known as a DX'er thanks to his operations from rare countries such  
as Cambodia, Laos and the Spratly Islands.  He also serves as the  
international vice-president for the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand.   
(WIA) 

** 

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  ARRL ANNOUNCES 2004 ELECTION RESULTS 

The results of the fall ARRL elections are in and Dick Norton, N6AA, of  
Topanga, California, will replace Art Goddard, W6XD, as the Director of  
the Southwestern Division.  Goddard had decided not to seek another  
term.    

Norton ran against current Southwestern Division Vice Director Tuck  
Miller, NZ6T.  Miller gave up his seat to run as Goddard's replacement.   
Ned Stearns, AA7AA, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was un opposed for the Vice  
Director's seat that Miller vacated.  Stearns is well known nationally  
as a former co-host of the radio program "Ham Radio and More" and is the  
first Vice Director ever from Arizona.        

In the West Gulf Division, incumbent Vice Director David Woolweaver,  
K5RAV,  overcame a strong challenge from former AMSAT North America  
President Doug Loughmiller, W5BL, to retain his seat.  A similar story  
played out in the Southeastern Division.  Thats where incumbent Vice  
Director Sandy' Donahue, W4RU, of Atlanta, Georgia beat back a challenge  
from Florida's Sharon  Brower, W4STB.  All other incumbents running this  
year were re-elected without any challenge.  (ARRL) 

** 

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  MESA AZ. IN DECEMBER 

Turning to the ham radio social calender, word that our longtime friends  
and supporters at the Superstition Amateur Radio Club in Mesa Arizona  
will be holding their annual Hamfest on December 4th.  This, starting at  
5:30 a.m local time.   

The venue is Mesa College and buyers get in free.  Talk-in is on the  
147.12 repeater requiring a 162.2 hertz access tone and ham radio  
testing will be conducted on site with registration beginning at 8 a.m.   
Again, the venue is Mesa College in Mesa Arizona on Saturday, December  
4th.  Stop by and say hello to some of the nicest folks in ham radio to  
be found West of the Continental Divide.  (Worldradio) 

** 

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  NORTHERN CA. IN DECEMBER 

Still out West, the Livermore California Amateur Radio Klub -- thats  
club with a K -  the klub will hold it hosts a swapmeet on Sunday  
December 5th.  The location is at Las Positas College starting at 7 a.m.  
Pacific time.  Talk-in is on the 147.12 repeater using 100 hertz tone  
access,  More info is on line at www.livermoreark.org.  (Via E-Mail) 

** 

HAM RADIO ON THE INTERNET:  WA6ITF ON BEING A TEENAGE TECHNO-
GEEK 

Whats it like growing up as a high school techno geek?  You know.  The  
kid who would rather run movies in a darkened classroom than to play  
baseball or football in a sun lit school yard?   

Well our producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, freely admits he was one  long  
before he was first licensed in his native New York City as WA2HVK.  Now  
Bill has written a story about what it was like for the popular  
haleisner.com website.    

For those of you not aware, Hal Eisner is a TV newsman who has been  
reporting for Los Angeles television stations since 1981.  He and Bill  
have worked together several times over the years.  In 2003 he invited  
Bill to become a regular contributor to Hal's very popular broadcast  
news industry website 

Bill's quarterly column is called "The Other Side of the Control Room  
Glass." In this latest installment WA6ITF takes a look back at how his  
professional career grew out of his teenage techno geek years in  
Brooklyn's Lafayette High School.   

So if you want to know a bit more about one of the originators of  
Amateur Radio Newsline, take your web browser to www.haleisner.com and  
read  "The Other Side of the Control Room Glass."  And maybe also enjoy  
a short trip back through time.  (ARNewsline(tm)) 

** 

HAM HONORS:  THE W.SANDY LYNCH MEMORIAL AWARD 

The Tokyo International Amateur Radio Association is accepting  
nominations for the second annual W. Sandy Lynch Memorial Award.  This  
is an award created to honor the memory of W7BX and 7J1ABV, who died in  
2003. 

This honor is bestowed each year to a licensed amateur radio operator  
some place in the world that the Tokyo International Amateur Radio  
Association deems to exemplify Sandy's dedication to the hobby and his  
personality.  Nominations may be submitted by any amateur radio operator  
or organization but must arrive  by November  30th.  

This years recipient will be announced at the annual Tokyo International  
Amateur Radio Association holiday party in Tokyo on December 19th. 
Nominations go by e-mail to tiara at bosai.org or by snail-mail to TIARA,  
P.O. Box 119, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8799, Japan.  A memorial  
home page for Sandy Lynch is in cyberspace at www.w7bx.org   (TIARA) 

** 

HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE:  ANOTHER SIMSAT FLIGHT IN DECEMBER 

The next SimSat simulated satellite high altitude balloon mission is  
currently scheduled for sometime in December 2004.  The date selected  
for launch will likely be on a weekday with a balloon release time of 3  
P.M. Eastern Standard Time.  This mission will be a practice run for  
future local balloon experiments when many school kids are involved.   
More information is on line at www.patkilroy.com/simsat  (Tnx.  N8PK) 

** 

WORLDBEAT - CANADA:  PHONY RAC E-MAIL IS A VIRUS 

Turning to the international scene, word from Radio Amateurs of Canada  
that an e-mail being sent to a large number of radio amateurs which is  
signed by the "rac.ca technical support team" is a phony.  RAC says that  
under no circumstances should you open the attachment because it  
contains a virus or worm that could harm your computer. 

The text of the note advises the recipient that he has been responsible  
for sending a lot of unsolicited commercial e-mail, and that his  
computer has been infected.  It suggests you use the attachment to clean  
it, but it is the attached file that is really the bug.   

For the record, this e-mail was not sent by Radio Amateurs of Canada and  
the claim of unsolicited e-mail being sent out by yoir computer is not  
true.  Rather it is a ploy designed to scare you into opening the  
attachment which contains the virus.   

So again, do not open that attachment and immediately delete that piece  
of e-mail from your machine.  (RAC) 

** 

WORLDBEAT - UK:  CELEBRATING THE WEDDING OF G0MRL AND M3LBQ 

A word of congratulations across the Atlantic pond to well-known GB2RS  
news reader Laurie Bradshaw, G0MRL.  This, on his marriage to his new  
wife  Marilyn, M3LBQ, which took place at the end of October. 

The newly weds recently held a party to celebrate their nuptials at  
which no fewer than 16 radio amateurs attended.  Even more interesting  
was the entertainment.  It was provided by a jazz band led by  
saxophonist and clarinetist Howard Murray, G3NBY.  (GB2RS) 

** 

WORLDBEAT - SWITZERLAND:  WORK A UNIQUE NEW SWISS PREFIX 

Turning to operating events, keep an ear open for HE3RSI which will be  
on the air until the 3rd of December.   This, using the  facilities of a  
former Swiss Radio International broadcast station.  The station is  
being operated on 40 to 10 meters by members of the HB9MM club station  
from Lausanne.  What makes this special event unique is that the HE3  
prefix has never been used before. 

** 

DX 

In DX, word that the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe West  
Africa are on the air.  This, as OH2TA, OH2PM and OH2BH announce that  
they have activated two stations covering all bands running CW and SSB.   
The operation began on Saturday, November 20th, and will run for two  
weeks, including the CQ World Wide CW Contest.  The callsign S9BB is  
being used for non contest operation.  S9RR is their contest call.  QSL  
to OH2TA at his callbook address.  (N4GN) 

And a group of German and Italian operators are active from Nepal as  
9N7BCC through the  5th December, with up to three stations on the air  
simultaneously.  The emphasis is on the lower bands including 10, 18 and  
24MHz.  Also, look for RTTY operation and QSL as directed on the air.   
(GB2RS) 

** 

THAT FINAL ITEM:  HAM RADIO RUNS THE NYC MARATHON 

And finally this week, as hams on the West Coast were saying good-bye to  
the Tournament of Roses parade their counterparts back East were  
literally running a race.  In this case we mean running it as in  
coordinating all the communications for the ING New York City Marathon.   
Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, is the Communications Coordinator for the race.   
He has this report: 

-- 

ON NOVEMBER 7th NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS WITNESSED THE 35th 
RUNNING OF THE 5 BOROUGH CLASSIC NEW YORK CITY MARATHON. 

THE NUMBERS THIS YEAR SET NEW WORLDS RECORDS.   

OVER 36,000 RUNNERS WERE SUPPORTED BY 12,000 VOLUNTEERS AND 
WATCHED BY 2 « MILLION SPECTATORS ON THE COURSE. 

MORE THAN 75 MILLION PEOPLE IN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE 
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD WERE ABLE TO WATCH SOME 
PORTION OF THE RACE BROADCAST ON TELEVISION AND THOSE IN THE 
BRITISH ISLES SAW IT LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE BBC. 

ANOTHER RECORD WAS SET IN THE NUMBER OF HAM RADIO 
OPERATORS VOLUNTEERING TO SUPPORT THE EVENT. 

HAM RADIO OPERATORS FROM 9 STATES JOINED OVER FOUR HUNDRED 
LOCAL HAMS TO PROVIDE END TO END COMMUNICATIONS USING FM 
VOICE, APRS AND PACKET RADIO. 

THIS YEAR NETWORKS RUN FROM 4 AM TO 7 PM.  HAMS ARE THERE AT 
4 AM TO MAKE SURE THE 175 BUSES THAT TRANSPORT RUNNERS FROM 
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY TO THE STARTING LINE AT STATEN 
ISLANDS FORT WADSWORTH HAVE NO PROBLEMS. 

BY 8 AM 11 NETS AND 20 SIMPLEX FREQUENCIES WERE HUMMING WITH 
LOGISTICS AND MEDICAL TRAFFIC AS THE COURSE WAS SET UP. 

UTILIZING FIVE TO 14 HAMS AT EACH MILE POINT, THE NETWORKS 
HUMMED WITH COUNTS OF MEDICAL AND WATER TABLE SUPPLIES AND 
INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS BETWEEN EACH MILE POINT. 

AT 9:35 AM 100 ELITE WOMEN RUNNERS STARTED DOWN THE COURSE 
PRECEEDED BY A PRESS VEHICLE CONVOY.  EACH VEHICLE HAD A HAM 
ABOARD TO HELP CONTROL ITS MOVEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A 
PLAN AGREED UPON BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ROAD 
RUNNERS CLUB, THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION OF THE MARATHON. 

AT 10:07 ELITE MEN LED THE REST OF THE 36,319 RUNNERS ACROSS 
THE 2 MILE LONG VERRAZANO NARROWS BRIDGE, THROUGH 
BROOKLYN AND THE REST OF THE COURSE.   

AS RUNNERS TIRED THEY REPORTED THEIR DESIRE TO DROP OUT TO 
HAMS ALONG THE COURSE WHO CALLED IN ON THE DROP OUT 
NETWORK GIVING THE RUNNERS NUMBER AND WHERE THE RUNNER 
WAS GOING AFTERWARDS.   

THIS INFORMATION IS GIVEN TO THE FAMILIES WAITING AT THE FINISH 
LINE IN AN AREA CALLED FAMILY REUNION. 

AS THE LEAD RUNNERS APPROACHED THE FINISH LINE THE 40 RADIO 
OPERATORS SHADOWING DOCTORS AND FAMILY REUNION 
SUPERVISORS STARTED OPERATION. 

THREE MORE REPEATERS ARE USED FOR THE AREA NORTH OF THE 
FINISH LINE.  

HAMS SHADOWING THE SENIOR MEDICAL STAFF, FAMILY REUNION 
SUPERVISORS AND THE TRANSLATOR CORPS ALL HAVE THEIR OWN 
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS WITH REPEATERS AND NET CONTROLS. 

TO TEND TO TIRED RUNNERS 8 DROP OUT BUSES DRIVE THE COURSE 
MAKING  
AVAILABLE TRANSPORT TO THE FINISH LINE.  EACH BUS HAS A HAM 
ABOARD TO CALL THE DROP OUT RUNNERS NUMBER INTO THE FAMILY 
REUNION AREA. 

BY 7 PM ALL OF THE MILE POINTS HAVE SHUT DOWN, FAMILY REUNION 
IS BEING DISMANTLED AND THE CARTERET, NEW JERSEY OEM TRAIL 
VEHICLE IS IN THE PARK SIGNALING THE FINAL TRANSMISSIONS OF HAM 
RADIO SUPPORT FOR THIS WORLD CLASS EVENT. 

WHILE OTHER EVENTS MAY BE MOVING AWAY FROM HAM RADIO NEW 
YORK CITY MARATHON RACE DIRECTOR AND ROAD RUNNERS 
PRESIDENT ALLAN STEINFELD SAID, IN A RECENT EMAIL 

"The marathon is a complex logistical wonder and communications plays an  
integral part in bringing it all together. While we use various  
modalities of communications, there is only one that brings with it  
operators who are "professional" and proficient in emergency and non- 
emergency communications, and have their own equipment to accomplish the  
task, and they are the Ham operators. Ham radio has played an important  
part in the marathon ever since the race came out of Central Park and  
traversed the five boroughs. 

The New York City Marathon will continue to utilize the talents of  
amateur radio operators.  

They have shown that they are fully capable of handling the  
communication needs of this city wide public event. Thank you for your  
continuing service to the greatest marathon in the world! 

FOR NEWSLINE I'M STEVE MENDELSOHN, W2ML, COMMUNICATIONS 
DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON 

-- 

For more about this event and the volunteers that make it happen, take  
your web browser to www.ingnycmarathon.org and be prepared to spend  
several hours enjoying this site.  (W2ML) 

** 

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 WIA 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.  