[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1425 - December 3, 2004

Sat Dec 4 17:47:28 EST 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1425 -  December 3, 2004

The following is a QST.  A new threat to UHF courtesy of the of the military 
and selling illegal CB sets brings a $125,000 fine.  Find out the details on 
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1425 coming your way right now.

**

ON THE AIR:  THE NEW AMERICAN UHF WOODPECKER

Is the US. Military interfering with your UHF repeater system?  Could be, if 
you live in the great American South-West.  Take a listen:

---

UHF WOODPECKER NOISE HERE

--

And that noise could be coming to a repeater near you.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's technical specialist Nate Duehr, WY0X, is in Denver, Colorado, with 
more:

--
For two years, ham radio operators of UHF repeater systems in the Colorado 
Front Range have been hearing a regular pulsing or clicking  noise on weak 
signal repeater users.  The interfering signal has a rhythmic clicking sound, 
similar to a slow motor vehicle ignition spark  or as some hams have nicknamed 
it, "The woodpecker".  Almost every UHF repeater system in the Denver area has 
experienced this noise.

In November of 2002, several hams volunteered to help the Colorado Council of 
Amateur Radio Clubs find the source of the noise via radio direction-finding 
techniques.  The offending transmitter was surprisingly found to be located on 
Buckley Air Force Base, just east of  Denver.

At first, the hams assumed the system was likely to be a malfunctioning 
transmitter, and various attempts at contacting the proper authorities were 
made.  For a short time, the system was even switched off from time to time, 
presumably when not in use.

As more information was gathered, hams learned from various sources including 
the Internet, that the system causing the harmful interference is a military 
radio system known as the Enhanced Position Location Reporting System, or 
EPLRS.

EPLRS and its airborne counterpart, AEPLRS are spread spectrum systems 
designed such that they have multiple UHF channels that overlap.  These 
channels are numerous enough that they cover virtually the entire weak-signal 
and repeater input portions of the UHF Amateur band in Colorado, from 
approximately 426 MHz to 450 MHz.  Spectrum analysis data captured by local 
hams and the FCC confirms this.

How does this affect you?

Recently, Colorado hams have been hearing from our neighbors in Albuquerque, 
New Mexico that they are hearing similar interference on UHF repeaters in the 
Sandia Peak area, and at least one source indicates that hams may also have 
reported similar interference to the FCC in Sacramento, California.  
Furthermore, other research indicates that it is likely that more than 25 
EPLRS systems are slated for deployment or are already deployed in the 
Continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.

Hams who enjoy UHF weak signal and FM repeater operation near military 
installations should be alert to the possibility of such interference.  It is 
hoped that more widespread knowledge of this very broadband UHF interference 
source may help hams in other areas who have been hearing it.

For further information, a public e-mail discussion group has been set up that 
anyone can join by sending an e-mail to uhfnoise at googlegroups.com . 

Reporting from Denver, for Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Nate Duehr, WY0X.

--

Again, to join the remailer to keep up to date on this latest source of 
interference to UHF operations send an e-mail to uhfnoise at googlegroups.com.  
(WY0X, ARNewsline(tm))

**

EMERGENCY COMMS:  TOR CRITICIZED FOR DROPPING HAM RADIO COMMS

More fallout from the decision of the Tournament of Roses planning committee 
to exclude all ham radio communications from the January 1st, 2005 event.  The 
latest word comes from a Miami, Florida, ham named Lissette Matos, KI4DYH in a 
letter to the editor of the Pasadena Star News.  A letter published on Monday, 
November 29th.

Matos, who has served as a communications volunteer for several Miami area 
events takes the Tournament of Roses planning committee to task for faling to 
realize the value of their emergency communications operators.  KI4DYH notes 
that volunteers not only donate their manpower, but also bring thousands of 
dollars of their personal equipment with them and ask nothing in return.  

As you may recall, hams involved in Tournament of Roses voice communications 
resigned two weeks ago.  Last week it was announced that event planners had 
decided to drop the use of Amateur Television which for years has been used to 
visually relay trouble spots back to parade officials.  

No explanation was offered by the Tournament of Roses planners as to why.  But 
Matos says -- and we quote:  "I hope this committee will realize that their 
decision may have a huge impact in how an event is run and will learn to treat 
their volunteers with a little more appreciation than they have been."  

Matos letter to the Pasadena Star News is in cyberspace at 
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206%257E24944%257E2563786,00.ht
ml?search=filter about one third down the page.  (Listener reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  RETAILER GETS $125,000 NAL FOR SELLING ILLEGAL CB GEAR

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $125,000 Notice of Apparent 
Liability for Monetary Forfeiture against Pilot Travel Centers headquartered 
in Knoxville, Tennessee.  This, for apparently, willfully and repeatedly 
offering for sale Citizens Band radio transmitters without the required 
Commission equipment authorizations.  We have more in this report:

--

The case dates back to December 9th of 2001.  That's when the FCC began 
receiving  complaints that Pilot was selling non-authorized C B transceivers 
at its travel centers in several locations around the United States.  

Enforcement Bureau field agents were sent to investigate.  They visited eleven 
Pilot retail outlets across the South-West.  At all the locations the FCC 
reports that the stores displayed and offered for sale various models of non-
certified C B transceivers.  Also, that these units were being marketed as 
Amateur Radio Service transmitters.  These findings lead to nine citations 
being issued against Pilot.

The $125,000 proposed forfeiture is based on new allegations that Pilot 
continued to sell non certified transmitters after the first round of 
citations was handed out.  The FCC says that this happened on  thirteen 
additional occasions that it knows of.   

In issuing the notice to Pilot the FCC again went on record as saying that an 
Amateur Radio transmitter that can be easily modified to operate on the 11 
meter Citizens Band is not a piece of ham radio  gear.  Rather it is 
classified as Citizens Band radio transmission equipment and therefore is 
subject to all of the FCC's equipment authorization requirements.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Evi Simons, in New York.

--

The Notice of Apparent Liability was issued to Pilot on November 22nd.  The 
company was given 30 days to pay or to file an appeal.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC QUESTIONS INTERFERENCE FROM UNCOORDINATED REPEATERS

Complaints of interference purportedly caued by uncoordinated repeters have 
brought letters of inquiry from the FCC.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce 
Tennant, K6PZW, has more:

--

The FCC has written to a pair of repeater owners on both sides of the 
continent.  This, questioning their alleged operation of uncoordinated 
repeaters that are interfering with coordinated systems.  

Out in California the FCC sent a letter to Agripin Iniguez, KC6OCU, of 
Inglewood asking why his uncoordinated system on 147.57 Mhz is causing 
interference to the coordinated N6AH and N6SLD systems.  In New Jersey a 
similar note went to Steven Krautsack .  This, concerning the operation of his 
145.190 MHz N2NOG machine. The FCC says that it is interfereing with the 
coordinated N3ZA repeater on the same frequency.

In both cases the FCC has issued the licensees of the uncoordinated systems a 
list of questions regarding the technical parameters of their repeaters.  Kit 
also asked them to supply information on what action has been taken to 
mitigate the respective interference complaints.  

Fpr the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.

--

Both letters were issued in early November with the hams given 20 days to 
respond.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  THE COORDINATOR IS RIGHT

Meantime the FCC has turned away a complaint from a Hudson, Ohio, ham who was 
denied q channel pair by the local coordination group.  In its November 3rd 
letter to Bert Buganski, WA8TTZ, the FCC said that it had reviewed his 
complaint against the Ohio Area Repeater Council regarding its failure to 
issue coordination to him for a Two Meter repeater, as well as the Council's 
reply.  The FCC said that it found no enforcement issues in this matter.   
(FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  MORE HAMS COMPLAIN TO FCC ABOUT K1MAN

More problems for Maine amateur Glenn Baxter, K1MAN.  This as he is issued 
another Warning Notice from the FCC.  And this one says that the Commission 
has new complaints about his on the air operations coming from the ham radio 
community. 

As previously reported back on September 15th the regulatory agency notified 
Baxter that it had received approximately a dozen complaints that his Amateur 
radio station's transmissions started while the communications of individual 
operators and groups such as the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net were 
ongoing.  In the latter incident the FCC says that the net was handling health 
and welfare traffic for this season's hurricane victims.   The letter also 
cited an April 14th warning issued to K1MAN about his transmissions starting 
while existing communications were ongoing, and warning him that his  
publishing a "transmission schedule" does not give him the right to begin 
transmitting on a certain frequency at a certain time if there are ongoing 
communications on that frequency.

Baxter responded to those complaints on October 14th.  He told the FCC that in 
his view no corrective actions are necessary at K1MAN and that no changes are 
needed with regard to station control.  And the FCC says that he failed to 
furnish additional information it had requested.

Now the FCC says that it has received additional complaints of interference 
from Baxter's station transmissions starting on October 16th, 19th and 20th.  
The FCC  then gave K1MAN 20 days from the date of its most recent October 29th 
letter to furnish the information requested in on September 15th.  It also has 
told Baxter that he must tell them who was in control of K1MAN on the three 
October dates when his station is alleged to have interfered with other 
communications already in progress and to explain why he is now transmitting 
continuously 19 hours a day on 14.275 MHz.  He was also told that willfully 
providing a false or misleading reply constitutes a separate violation made 
punishable under United States Code Title 18, Section 1001 and that failure to 
reply also constitutes a separation violation of Commission rules.  (FCC)

**

RADIO SAFETY:  EXPLODING CELLPHONES - A RARE BUT GENUINE CONCERN

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that in the past two years, U.S. 
safety officials have received 83 reports of cellular telephones phones or 
cellphone batteries exploding or catching fire.  Burns to the face, neck, leg 
and hip are among the dozens of injury reports.  

To decrease the chances of an explosion, experts say to avoid using poorly 
made and second-party batteries and never short the battery terminals.  Also, 
be sure you are using the right charger and don't overcharge the battery. 
Lastly, avoid exposing the  phone components to water or extreme temperatures.

While there has been only a relatively small number of incidents for a nation 
with 170 million wireless users, to the Consumer Product Safety Commission it 
is a major concern.  (CGC)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  VOIP AND HAM RADIPO

CQ Magazine has taken the point position in explaining a new technology thats 
very quickly being adopted by ham radio to extend the range of VHF repeaters 
while advancing the state of the art.  Its called or VoIP and while you may 
not know it, some of you may be listening to this newscast over a VoIP 
equipped repeater right now.  

VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and it comes in several flavors 
including such favorites as Echolink and IRLP.  And while  everyone has heard 
the term and some have experience a QSO to far away places using a VoIP 
equipped repeater, until now very few have understood the technology that 
brings a ham in Australia to a repeater in Boston or a ham in Kalamazoo to a 
VHF net in Munich Germany.

This all changes with the publication of "Ham Radio and VoIP" in the December 
issue of CQ.  Starting on page 40, author Don Rotolo, N2RIZ, takes a look at 
this new technology and the important part its now playing in our world of 
Amateur Radio.  

If you want to lrearn more about this exciting new technology and how it will 
affect your ham radio operation in thre years to come, then be sure to read 
"Ham Radio and VoIP" in the December issue of CQ Magazine.  Its on newsstands 
right now.  (Sourced from CQ)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  INDIA IN DECEMBER

Turning to the social calender, India's Mumbai Amateur Radio Society will host 
HamFest India 2004 from December 24th to the 26th. The venue is the 
P.L.Deshpande Kala Academy in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, which is the commercial 
capital of India. 

Highlights of this years outing include demonstrations of new amateur radio 
technologies along with numerous awards, prizes and raffle drawings. Ham Fest 
2004 will also give an opportunity for the visiting delegates, a taste of the 
Grand Indian Culture with local Indian culinary delights to tingle the tongue 
and cultural programs to give a true perspective of the kaleidoscopic India.  
Sound interesting?  For more information please visit www.hamfest2004.org  
(Via e-mail - VU2LOC)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  DAYTON 2005 UPDATE

Closer to home, a new website and a call for nominations are the news items 
this week coming from the planners of Hamvention 2005.  This as the group 
unveils a totally new look for its famed www.hamvention.org website.

According to a note from website manager Steve Coy, K8UD, the Hamvention's 
home in cyberspace has been redesigned for easier navigation than in years 
past.  A single menu bar just under the Hamvention logo contains drop-down 
windows to take you anyplace you need to go.  And if you click on the word 
"Awards"" and then on "Nominating Form" you can nominate a worthy individual 
for the Hamvention's  Radio Amateur of the Year, Special Achievement or 
Technical Achievement honors.  

For those not aware, here is a quick review of the criteria for a nomination.  
The Radio Amateur of the Year is a special person who has made a long term 
commitment to the advancement of amateur radio.  A ham who has devoted the 
better part of his or her life to the betterment of the service.  Meantime, a 
nominee for the Technical Achievement Award is a radio amateur who has made an 
outstanding technical advancement in the field of amateur radio.  The Special 
Achievement award is for a  person who has made an outstanding contribution to 
the advancement of amateur radio. This award is usually given to a respected 
amateur who spearheaded a single significant project.

To make a nomination on-line simply fill out the form at the bottom of the 
page.  Or you can send a nominating package by regular mail to Hamvention 
Awards, Post Office Box 964, Dayton, Ohio.  The zipcode 45401.

Hamvention 2005 is slated for May 20th to the 22nd at the Hara Arena in the 
Dayton suburb of Trotwood, Ohio.  Planners say that they hope to see you 
there. (Hamvention(r))

**

COMMUNICATIONS LAW:  SPAMMER BOUNTY SUGGESTED BY FTC

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has given its endorsement to a plan that 
would reward insiders for information leading to the arrest and conviction of 
people or companies that produce spam.  In a report released Thursday, 
September 16th, the FTC said that some anti-spam proposals, such as a "Do Not 
Spam" list similar to the agency's highly successful "Do Not Call" list, would 
not work and could make spam worse.  But the agency said in its report that 
providing monetary rewards for turning in spammers could work in some cases.  
The agency is suggesting rewards ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.  (FTC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  BILL GATES GETS MAIL

And speaking of unwanted e-mail, according to conservative commentator Robert 
Novak, Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates is one of the most "spammed" 
people in the world.  Novak is quoted in the industry newsletter Shoptalk as 
saying that Gates gets almost 4 million e-mails a day, adding -- quote:  
"...and you thought there was no justice in the world!"  (Shoptalk)

**
NAMES IN THE NEWS:  W9CW SUCCEEDS N2IQO AT CQ MAGAZINE

Some names in the news.  Donald R. Allen, W9CW, of Urbana, Illinois, has been 
named Advertising Manager of CQ and CQ VHF Magazines.  A former Sales and 
Marketing Manager for HAL Communications Corporation, Allen is familiar to 
many in the amateur radio industry, having previously worked for CQ 
Communications  from 1989 to 2001 as Advertising Manager of Popular 
Communications and Communications Quarterly, as well as CB Radio and 
Electronic Servicing Technology magazines.  W9CW succeeds Arnie Sposato, 
N2IQO, who is relocating to the west coast.  Sposato will continue as 
Advertising Manager of Popular Communications magazine.  (CQ)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  KB5UAC NAMED TO IMPORTANT NASA POST

Astronaut and ham radio operator Mike Foal, KB5UAC, has been appointed to the 
post of NASA Deputy Associate  Administrator for Exploration Operations.   In 
his new position, KB5UAC will advise senior management on training, 
operations, engineering support and life sciences research.

Mike Foal is a veteran of six space flights and has logged more than 374 days 
in space.  This includes four space walks and makes him the United States  
record holder for time spent in space. During his stay on the International 
Space Station, he operated as NA1SS in more than a dozen ARISS school 
contacts.  (ARISS)

**

RADIO IN SPACE: INTELSAT SATELLITE LOST IN SPACE

Intelsat, Ltd. has lost its Americas-7 satellite.  This after the bird  
experienced a sudden and unexpected electrical distribution anomaly on Sunday, 
November 28 at approximately 2:30 AM Eastern time.  Controllers say that this 
has resulted in the permanent loss of the spacecraft. 

Intelsat Americas-7 which was better known as IA-7 was a commercial satellite 
and was self-insured by Intelsat.   It was launched in 1999 and covered the 
continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Central America, and parts of South 
America. 

Many of the customers have already been moved to what Intelsat termed as 
"alternate capacity."  The upcoming launch of the Intelsat Americas -8 
satellite, currently  scheduled for December 17, 2004, should help mitigate 
the impact of the loss of IA-7.   (CGC via Benx)

**

WORLDBEAT:  - SOUTH AFRICA:  G3ZHI APPEARS ON INTECHNET

Ian Abel, G3ZHI, is spanning the globe as an emissary of ham radio Internet 
linking.  Ian's latest on-line appearance took place on November 21st when he 
gave a one-hour talk about this fascinating subject on the South African Radio 
League's 'Intechnet' program.

The show, which is unique in the world, is broadcast every month on a large 
number of 2 meter and 70 cm repeaters all over South Africa as well as on 80 
and 40 meters.  It also simulcasts on a 90 meter one-hundred kilowatt 
broadcast transmitter audible throughout much of Africa.  Worldwide, Intechnet 
can be heard worldwide via Echolink on node number 185459 which is the ZS6FCS 
Pretoria repeater.

The host of Intechnet Hans Van de Gronnendaal, ZS6AKV.  If you would like to 
give a talk on your specialty, please e-mail him at hans at intekom.co.za.

By the way:  The next  Intechnet broadcast is scheduled at 18.00 UTC on 
December 19th, subject to confirmation.   Anyone wishing to listen in can 
connect on Echolink 185459.  (G3ZHI)

**

WORLDBEAT - U.K.:  NEW RSGB PROMOTIONAL FILM RELEASED

Something new for hams in the United Kingdom.  This, as the Radio Society of 
Great Britain announces the release of its new promotional movie called RSGB 
Today.

 RSGB Today is 22 minutes long and covers activities such as the Society's UK 
and international presence, the production of Radio Communications magazine, 
the activities of the various departments at RSGB Headquarters and the 
organizations regional structure. 

The film premiered at the Society's Annual General Meeting on December 4th.  
It is available in both VHS and DVD formats but for the moment only in the 
European PAL 625 line television format.  In coming months the RSGB says that 
it will be released into the groups video library where it will be available 
for clubs to borrow.  (RSGB)

**

WORLDBEAT:  SPANISH LIGHTHOUSE ON THE AIR IN DECEMBER

Members of Spain's Union de Radioaficionados de Gijon will be active from the 
Faro de Cabo de Penas lighthouse on December 18th and19th using the call 
ED1PFA. Operation will be on the HF, VHF and UHF bands using all modes 
including PSK31 and RTTY.

The Faro de Cabo de Penas is situated on the Capeof Penas, Asturias and is one 
of the most distinctive lighthouses in Spain,.  Today it serves as a 
differential GPS navigation service station.  

`The ham radio operation will be under the authority of the "Autoridad 
Portuaria de Gijon".  More info will soon be available on the clubs web  page 
at www.ure.es/ea1urg  QSL via EA1URG or via the bureau.  (Via E-Mail)

**

DX

In D-X, word that VU2RBI has received special permission for an amateur radio 
operation to take place from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  The permit 
covers the period 3rd to 31st December under the callsigns VU4NRO and VU4RBI. 
The authorization is for VU2RBI  VU2DBP, VU3DVS, VU2MYH and VU3RSB.  The group 
says that this will not be a major D-Xpedition but rather a pilot project in 
the hope of opening up Andaman to far more Amateur Radio than it has been in 
the past.  (OPDX)

And still from India, word that VU3BPZ is on his way to Maitri Base in the 
Antarctic for a second tour of duty. He is expected to reach Maitri Base on 
December 22nd and should be checking into the AIRNET on 14 point 150 MHz every 
day at 1400 U-T-C before tryinf to work DX on his own.  (OPDX)

Meantime, CE0ZIS will be on the air from Juan Fernandes for about 10 days.  
Activity will be on all bands.  QSL to  P.O.Box 157, Los Andes, Chile.  (OPDX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  HF GATEWAYS COME TO THE UK

And finally this week, United Kingdom hams gave a new way to get on the air.  
This as High Frequency Internet Gateway operation comes to the British Isles.  
Jeramy Boot, G4NJH in Nottingham is here with more:

--

The UK's first HF Internet link Gateway is now operational on 29,530kHz. It is 
operated by Ian, M0CJY, in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who would be pleased to 
receive reception reports.

The Gateway uses Echolink and when propagation is good it will be widely 
available to stations world-wide using 10 metres FM.  The link is simplex and 
requires no tones. 

A full list of commands is available on M0CJY's website at www.qsl.net/M)CJY.  

I'm G4NJH in Nottingham.

--

Around 21 UK 10 meter Internet Gateways are set to become operational using 
either 29 point 530 or 29 point 630 MHz in the not to distant future. 

**

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. 