[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1427 - December 17, 2004
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Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1427 - December 17, 2004
The following is a Q-S-T. Ham Radio get a Christmas present
from the FCC. This, as the agency tells a utility it must
work with hams if its going into the B-P-L business. Find
out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1427
coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
THE BPL WAR: FCC IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON AZ BPL PROGRAM
The FCC has imposed a novel restriction on Electric
Broadband LLC, which is running a Broadband Over Powerline
field trial in Cottonwood, Arizona. The company has to
maintain contact with a local Amateur Radio club if it wants
to keep its B-P-L system in operation.
According to the ARRL, the Commission granted Electric
Broadband a Part 5 Experimental license with the call
letters WD2XMB for the company's BPL pilot on November 19th.
The ARRL earlier this year asked the Commission to withdraw
its authorization for the operation. Instead the FCC
stipulated that the licensee must establish and maintain a
liaison relationship with the Verde Valley Amateur Radio
Association. The Commission also required Electric
Broadband to respond to interference complaints in a timely
manner.
System operators indicated earlier this fall that they would
notch amateur frequencies, including 60 meters but some
interference is still being experienced in the 60 meter
band. None the less, Verde Valley Amateur Radio Association
BPL Committee Chair Robert Shipton, K8EQC, believes it might
be the first time the FCC has ever imposed such a
requirement before B-P-L to get the go ahead from the FCC.
(ARRL)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: W3KD TALKS TO QCWA
The ARRL's General Counsel has spoken out on the B-P-L
issue. This at a recent Holiday Luncheon for a QCWA Chapter
held in Vienna, Virginia. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more:
--
Speaking before an audience of about sixty, ARRL General
Counsel Christopher D. Imlay, W3KD, termed Broadband over
Power Line as being "Public enemy #1, He calls it an idea
that should never have gotten started in the first place.
W3KD had high praise the FCC's Technical Staff. He said
that it is made up of good engineers, noting they know what
is an interference source and what is not. Imlay noted that
these engineers didn't invent the idea of B-P-L nor did they
propose it on their own.
Rather, W3KD points to FCC Chairman Michael Powell belief
that the key to economic success in this country is
broadband access for everybody. Also, that the key to
affordable access is competition from a variety of broadband
service providers.
Why B-P-L? Simply, more marketplace competition. FCC
Chairman Powell believes that if it worked for cellular
telephones, it should work for broadband access as well.
But Imlay notes that B-P-L has deployment has problems that
make it less cost-effective, even in rural areas. He also
says that the ARRL will fight B-P-L, all the way.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.
Don.
--
Imlay notes that the current Bush administration holds as a
policy objective providing broadband access for everyone by
2007. Imlay says that the die was cast because the FCC was
told by the administration, to make this happen. (QCWA,
WQ4L)
**
THE BPL WAR: RSGB HIRES PR AGENT TO MAKE ITS CASE TO THE
PUBLIC
The fight against B-P-L is not just a United States ham
radio issue. Overseas the Radio Society of Great Britain is
taking the fight public and has decided to hire a
professional Public Relations agent. This, to address the
threat posed by the easing of standards to facilitate
Broadband over Powerline, better known as PLT in the U-K..
The Public Relations agent chosen is a leading practitioner
experienced in the field of corporate communications for
technical organizations. His job is to advise the Board on
tactics that will highlight the importance of protecting the
High Frequency bands and at the same time present the wider
case for preserving the H-F spectrum from interference.
The RSGB says that the public at large is not well informed
about ham radio or of its long record in public service.
RSGB says that changing the public's perceptions about
amateur radio will be a long and difficult process and that
it needs professional assistance to carry it through.
While the RSGB is primarily a volunteer organization, the
judgment of the Board is that this is one of those
situations where professional advice is essential. And
while the main reason for hiring the expert is advisory, it
should also be seen as a learning experience for the
Society. (GB2RS)
**
RESCUE RADIO: UPDATE ON MISSING RADIO COUPLE
Police are holding for evidence a boat docked in Newport
Beach, California that was sold by a couple who disappeared
soon after the sale. This, as they continue the search for
Thomas Hawks, KD7VWJ, and his wife Jackie, KD7VWK.
As reported last week, the two hams were reported missing by
family members after they recently sold the boat on which
they have been living and then vanished. Norm Seeley, KI7UP
has been following the story and has the latest:
--
Police now consider "suspicious" the mid-November
disappearance of retired probation officer Thomas Hawkes,
KD7VWJ, and his wife Jackie. The Arizona couple who
recently sold the 55 foot boat, which they kept in Newport
Beach, California.
The Hawks advertised the boat for sale and sold it in mid-
November, close to the time the couple last spoke with
family members. Police say that they contacted the buyer who
has cooperated with detectives looking into the case.
Acceding to news reports, police initially believed the
couple might have taken a vacation trip once the sale had
been completed. The couple's 1998 silver Honda CRV, Arizona
license plate 774CPE, is also missing. But pleas to the
public for help in finding them have not turned up any
leads. So last week they requested the assistance of the
ham radio community in the hope that they might be heard on
the airwaves. To date, no one has reported making contact
with either KD7VWJ or KD7VWK. Nor is it known if the Hawkes
have an ham radio gear in their car.
The Newport Beach Police say that they are working with
working with other investigatory agencies, including Mexican
authorities, to help find the Hawks. But one ham who works
at the U.S./Mexico border had Customs check the license
plate readers from November 10th through to the December
13th. He reports via the QRZed dot com website that Arizona
plate 774CPE has not registered as going south into Mexico
at either the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa ports of entry. Both
of these are in the San Diego, California area.
Investigators say that if the two are traveling anywhere, it
likely would be in Arizona or Mexico,. But family members
who last spoke with the couple on November 15th say that it
is unlikely the Hawks would go so long without contacting
relatives.
As we go to air the mystery of the Hawkes disappearance
continues. We will keep you posted.
In Scottsdale Arizona, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP.
--
Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of KD7VWJ
and KD7VWK are asked to contact Newport Beach California
Police Department at 1-800-550-NBPD or 1-800-550-6273
(ARNewsline(tm), QRZ.com and various other sources)
**
RESCUE RADIO: UK RAYNET ON ALERT FOR EVACUATION
Hams of U-K's Raynet were on stand-by on November 19th.
This, after a fire broke out in a barn adjacent to the
village of Wray, a small village in North Lancashire.
Due to the high asbestos content in the barn, an immediate
evacuation of the village, including the local primary
school, was ordered. All Rest Center volunteers, which
automatically includes Raynet, were brought to standby in
case the evacuation became prolonged.
The situation was under control in a couple of hours. This
meant the hams stood down from assignment and the villagers
returned to their homes. (RSGB)
**
RADIO LAW: NAB TO FCC - STOP ALERT DEVICES INTERNATIONAL
Back here in the USA, the National Association of
Broadcasters wants the FCC to stop a company currently
developing an emergency vehicle signaling service
transmitter from selling the device over the Internet. In a
filing to the Commission NAB states that Alert Devices
International's purported purpose of alerting motorists of
approaching emergency and public safety vehicles is a
laudable goal, but it is far from clear that its proposal is
the best means of achieving that goal.
Alert Devices is one of three companies asking the FCC for
permission to sell such a unit. ADI wants to use a low
power transmitter to signal cars on the AM and FM bands when
an emergency vehicle needs to get by. ADI says the device
would save lives, while NAB opposes blocking someone's radio
audio to accomplish the alert. (NAB)
**
ENFORCEMENT: DID HE OR DIDN'T HE?
An Oklahoma ham has been asked to explain an alleged false
distress call that the FCC says may have come from his
station. Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reports:
--
In a carefully worded letter to Kevin E. Vaverka, KC5MNA, of
Stillwater, the regulatory agency notes a May 25th complaint
that relates to false distress communications that the FCC
claims Vaverka may have transmitted on the Maritime Mobile
Service Network on the evening of January 24th of this year.
In its note, the also FCC sends Vaverka a statement on the
matter given by the complainant to the U. S. Coast Guard on
July 29th. Not explained is why the complainant waited
almost five months to file the charge.
The letter to Vaverka also notes that his Amateur license
expires on February 8, 2005. The Commission tells him that
no renewal will be granted unless this matter is resolved
before that date.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU.
--
The FCC gave Vaverka the normal 20 days to respond to the
charges. That reply should be in the hands of the agency by
the time this newscast reaches air. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: ARRL ASKS ACTION ON JACK GERRITSEN EX-KG6IRO
The ARRL has asked the FCC to do whatever is necessary to
remove former ham Jack Gerritsen, the ex-KG6IRO, from the
ham radio airwaves. This, in a strongly worded letter to
FCC Enforcement Chief David Solomon, where the League calls
on the regulatory agency to intervene with the United States
Attorney's office in the case.
As previously reported, Gerritsen has already been fined
$10,000 and had a new $21,000 Notice to Monetary Forfeiture
issued a few weeks ago. Gerritsen, who currently holds no
license allegedly continues to operate is believed to be the
source of ongoing interference to just about every repeater
he can reach in the Southern California area.
A detailed explanation of why the ARRL has taken this action
is on line at the Leagues website at
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/12/14/100/ (ARRL)
**
ENFORCEMENT: EXPLAIN WHY
The FCC is asking Steve L. Wingate, KG6TXH, why he allegedly
threatened other hams operating on 3 point 840 MHz this past
November 12th. This, as part of a November 24th Warning
Notice to the Corta Madera, California ham.
In its letter to Wingate, the regulatory agency that this is
the second time it is contacting him regarding his on the
air activities. The first time was on April 26th, when it
wrote to tell him that monitoring information indicated that
he had deliberately interfered with ongoing communications
on 75 meters at various times during that month. At that
time the FCC said the interference it credited to Wingate
consisted of jamming, making threats to other operators and
to law enforcement officers, and broadcasts in which Wingate
was apparently incoherent or seriously impaired
The April 26th letter warned Wingate that continued
incidents of his causing interference would subject him to
revocation and suspension proceedings, as well as a fine
that could range from $7,500 to $10,000. The latest warning
gave Wingate 20 days from receipt for him to explain the
November transmissions and how they were in compliance with
the Commission's Part 97 Amateur Service Rules. (FCC)
**
RADIO LAW: MC CAIN TELLS FCC TO EXAMINE CABLE RATES
In other communications regulatory matters, the chairman of
the Senate Commerce Committee thinks it's time to begin a
government mandated tv viewing experiment. One that could
end the cable television industry's practice of charging
people for a group of channels whether they want them or
not. Evi Simons is here with more:
--
Arizona Senator John McCain thinks the Federal
Communications Commission should begin a pilot cable
television pricing program. One that would determine
whether offering cable channels a la carte would benefit
consumers.
McCain is a longtime critic of rising cable rates. He
recently expressed support for the experiment that was
initially proposed by Consumers Union director Gene
Kimmelman during a hearing on cable rates.
During his testimony before McCain's committee, Kimmelman
said that the government should require cable operators to
offer programming a la carte on digital cable systems where
it is technically feasible. If prices go up for consumers,
then the FCC could reverse course and end the choose what
you want pricing system.
A la carte pricing is becoming one of the hot-button issues
in Congress as cable rates continue to rise faster than
inflation. Because of this, lawmakers have come under
pressure to slow the price hikes and give the viewing public
more flexibility.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Evi Simons, in New York.
--
Since Congress deregulated the industry in 1996, cable rates
have increased by 53%, while the cost of living has risen
only 19%. (Published reports)
**
TELEPHONE TRENDS: COSTS UP AND DOWN
According to the FCC's latest Telephone Trends report the
average monthly telecommunications bill for households with
wireline service was $83 for 2002. That breaks down to $36
for local exchange service, $12 for long distance, and $35
for wireless service.
The FCC says that while the cost of wireline exchange and
long distance services continues to decline, wireless use is
accelerating and more than offsets the other savings.
The report, which drew data from marketing information
research firm T-N-S Telecoms also notes that there are
currently four toll-free prefixes in use. These are area
codes 800, 888, 877, and 866.
More is on line at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-
237412A1.doc (CGC)
**
ON THE NET: NOKIA OWNERS - BEWARE OF SKULLS
If you own a Nokia smart phone, this waning is for you. Be
careful of what you download into the phone because a
malicious wallpaper program that hijacks the main page of
the 7610 handset is out there in cyberspace just waiting to
be installed in your phone. Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, has
more:
--
According to a British Broadcasting Company report, the
program nicknamed Skulls is masquerading as software that
creates new background images and themes for the main screen
of the 7610 phone. It comes labeled as a file called
7610.extended.theme.manager.zip and the BBC says that it is
thought to have surfaced on shareware sites where people can
pick up free add-ons, such as wallpaper, games and ring
tones.
If you downloaded and install it, the software not only
replaces all the icons on the 7610 phone with images of
skulls, but also substitutes many of the 7610's functions
like contacts, calendar and notebook with non-working
versions. The infected phone can then only make and take
calls but loose the rest of its functionality. Similar
phones produced by Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and others are
so far unaffected by the Skulls virus program.
--
The bottom line. Don't download the trojan program and your
Nokia smart phone will be fine. (BBC)
**
HAM RADIO EDUCATION: THE FOUNDATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO, INC
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Foundation for Amateur Radio has announced plans to
administer fifty-five scholarships for the 2005 to 2006
academic year. This, to assist licensed Radio Amateurs in
furthering their education.
Licensed Radio Amateurs may compete for these awards if they
plan to pursue a full-time course of studies beyond high
school. To qualify, an applicant must be enrolled in or
have been accepted for enrollment at an accredited
university, college or technical school.
The awards range from $500 to $2500 with preference given in
some cases to residents of specified geographical areas or
the pursuit of certain study programs.
Additional information and an application form may be
requested prior to April 30, 2005 by writing to F-A-R
Scholarships, Post Office Box 831, Riverdale, Maryland,
20738 (FAR)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NEW ISS COMMANDER ON THE AIR
The new Commander of the International Space Station is on
the air. Take a listen:
--
QSO AUDIO
--
Thats Scott Avery, WA6LIE making contact with ISS Commander
Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, as the orbiting space station flew over
Northern California on December 9th. Avery believes that he
was one of only three stations that made contact with Chow
shortly after he finished a scheduled ARISS contact with a
school in Canada. You can hear Scott's entire QSO with
Commander Chiao at www.qsl.net/wa6lie (WA6LIE)
**
RADIO IN SPACE: STARDUST BY RADIOTELESCOPE
Meantime word that star dust found deep beneath the Pacific
Ocean has led German scientists to speculate that a
supernova explosion 3 million years ago might possibly have
helped bring about human evolution. Using radio astronomy
techbiques combined with terrestrial exploration,
researchers at the Technical University of Munich in Germany
reported on they found debris from an exploding supernova
that could have changed the climate on Earth around the time
that humanity's ancestors first began to walk. (Science
OnLine)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: NEW TRANSISTORS FROM AMD AND IBM
>From our tech file, word that Advanced Micro Devices and
IBM have jointly developed a new strained silicon transistor
technology. One which the firms believe will dramatically
increase processor performance.
Prototype transistors posted a 24 percent performance
increase while running at the same power levels transistors
produced without the science. It is also compatible with
silicon-on-insulator technology.
According to the firms, strained silicon transistor
technology can be used to tackle electrical leakage and
inefficient switching which result from transistor scaling
and increased operating frequency. (AMD)
**
WORLDBEAT - GERMANY: EUREKA NOT DEAD YET
The World Digital Audio Broadcasting Forum has issued what
it calls "an international response" to a statement from the
governmental body that regulates broadcasting for the
Berlin-Brandenburg region. Radio World On-Line says that
the Berlin and Brandenburg Media Authority called for
Eureka-147 broadcasts in that portion of Germany to end,
stating the technology is outdated and that a new standard
for digital radio should be adopted by 2007.
The World Digital Audio Broadcasting Forum notes that other
areas of Germany still favor Eureka-147 and that the
broadcast regulator in Berlin is becoming more isolated from
the rest of Europe and other countries. This, in its
support for other technologies at the expense of D-A-B
Digital Radio.
But the Berlin group sees promise in terrestrial digital
video broadcasting in which TV channels are used to
broadcast digital radio signals. According to the
publication Radio World International, DVB-T tests in France
on 42 radio stations show advantages, including low-cost
reception of radio and TV and lower transmission costs.
(RW)
**
WORLDBEAT - IRAQ: OPEN ECHOLINK NODE IN BAGDHAD
Ian Abel, G3ZHI, reports that an Echolink node is noew on
the air in Iraq. Its call sign is YI1IRQ dash l with a node
number of 209608. It can be found operating on 144.225 MHz
and covers most of the city of Baghdad. (G3ZHI)
**
DX
In D-X, from our Finnish friends via the Ohio Penn DX
newsletter that the real Santa Claus is to be active during
December as OH9SCL. The SCL suffix stands foor Santa Claus
Land and he will be on until just before he leaves to makes
his world-wide Christmas Eve tour.
Activity will actually take place from Finnish Lappland in
the Arctic Circle and will encompass all bands and modes.
Special activity will take place December 17 through the
19th with N7NG, OH2BH, OH3BHL, OH9KL, OH9MDV, OH9MM, OH9RJ
and OH9VC handling the radio traffic part of the activities.
And yes. Santa will confirm all contacts made. QSL old
Saint Nick via OH9UV. (OH2BH)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: CQ TO CELEBRATE 60TH ANNIVERSARY ON-AIR
WITH "CQ GANG" OPERATION
Turning to the special events page, CQ magazine is inviting
amateur radio operators around the world to join in its 60th
anniversary. This, by taking part in an on-the-air
celebration during the first 60 days of 2005. Rich Moseson,
W2VU, is C-Q's editor:
--
Moseson: We are inviting any ham who has ever had any
association with CQ Magazine -- either as a staff member,
columnist, writer, even current subsctribers to operate in
the first 60 days of 2005 or 60th anniversary year with a
/60 after their call sign. For example I would be W2VU/60
and to work as many people as possible.
--
But this is only one part of the celebration. According to
Moseson the CQ club station WW2CQ will be on the air from
various parts of the United States during the event period.
A separate certificate will be available for working WW2CQ
in all call areas from which it is active.
The CQ Gang 60th Anniversary runs from January 1 to March 1,
2005. Complete rules for the are in the December, 2004
issue of CQ magazine. You can also find them in cyberspace
at www.cq-amateur-radio.com by clicking the link at the
bottom of the home page.
By the way: CQ's magazine's first issue was published in
January of 1945. (CQ)
**
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.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk,
I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, wishing you the very best of
seasons greetings from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Also, 73
and we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm)
is Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
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