[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1437 - February 25, 2005

Sat Feb 26 08:59:48 EST 2005

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1437 -  February 25, 2005

CLOSED CIRCUIT ADVISORY

I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ for Newsline. The following is a closed-circuit 
advisory, with some more thank-yous.

In the month of October we heard from regular contributor Benton Bonney, 
W4PE of Orlando: Monthly contributor Joseph Bartzi, Jr., KC8DKF of 
Columbus, OH:  Ronald Jansen, KB9WTB of Hudson, WI:  The Las Vegas 
Repeater Association, given in memory of Silent Key William James 
Cornelius, K8XC:  Monthly contributor William Walters, WA2IBM, of San 
Jose and monthly contributor Scott Hensley of the Area Communications 
Team, also in San Jose. 

Check out our website at arnewsline.org for information on how to 
support us, or you can write us at Newsline Support Fund, PO Box 660937, 
Arcadia, CA 91066, or there's our new PayPal account that some of you 
have already taken advantage of. The address for that is: 
N6TCQ at arnewsline.org. 

I'm Andy Jarema, for Newsline. 

**

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1437 with a release date of  
Friday, February 25, 2005 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   

The following is a Q-S-T.  The 60 meter band continues to grow, a ham 
radio rescue takes place in Alaska and antenna height issues may be 
looming in Chicago.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline 
report number 1437 coming your way right now.

(Billboard Cart Here) 

**

RESTRUCTURING:  60 METERS EXPANDS WORLD-WIDE

The new 60 meter band is experiencing some rapid growth world wide.  
Felix Scerri, VK4FUQ, has the details:

--

So far up to nine nations have given their radio amateurs access to the 
60m band, although some are imposing severe limitations on its use. The 
United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, the United States including its 
dependencies have opened up 5 MHz channels for use by radio amateurs. 
The UK and the US allocations include a common frequency of 5403.5kHz. 

The push for the band by the International Amateur Radio Union through 
its member societies is in recognition that the band fills a propagation 
gap between the 80m and 40m bands. Germany has permitted an amateur 
beacon callsign DRA5 to operate on a frequency of 5195kHz to enable 
propagation testing using CW and a various digital modes. 

In New Zealand the frequency 5680kHz is available for emergency 
communications and training by the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps (AREC). 
Norway has also given access to two channels for internal emergency 
communications by radio amateurs. There has been a report of amateur 
stations in Portugal and Russia on 5398.5kHz but no confirmation is 
available as to official approval for 60m band operation in those 
countries. 

The Australian Communications Authority is considering a request from 
the WIA for channels to be available for VK radio amateurs for 
propagation tests and general communications. \

This is Felix Scerri, VK4FUQ.   

--

Look for more nations to give their amateurs access to the 5 MHz band in 
the months and years to come.  (WIA News)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  TEST SITES TO BE DEPLOYED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, with breaking news on the B-P-L war front.  

Broadband over Powerline is coming to San Diego, California.  This 
according to Bob Gonsett, W-6-V-R, who says that he attended a meeting 
where the announcement was made.

Bob says that staff members from San Diego Gas & Electric Company made a 
presentation to the San Diego DX Club on February 23rd.  It was then 
that they announced the utility's plans to deploy multiple BPL test 
sites in San Diego County at as-yet unspecified locations. 

Several equipment vendors are expected to be involved, each with its own 
test area and frequency plan. The first system may be in place as early 
as June 2005, with others coming on line shortly thereafter.

San Diego Gas & Electric Company staff said they were unimpressed by 
early BPL equipment, but were encouraged by their December visit to 
Cinergy's BPL system in Cincinnati that was said to pass some 50,000 
homes without creating radio interference concerns.  They also believe 
that Cinergy had a viable financial model for making BPL work. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasaternak, WA6ITF  (W6VR, CGC)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  PENNSYLVANIA TOWN DROPS BPL PLANS

The Borough of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has decided against plans to 
offer B-P-L to its 17,000 residents.  The ARRL Letter reports that the 
decision to kill broadband Internet service via broadband over power 
line technology was brought about by the efforts of the Cumberland 
Valley Amateur Radio Club.  The group spearheaded the Amateur Radio 
opposition to the plan through an informational campaign.

An article in a local newspaper called The Public Opinion quoted 
Chambersburg officials as saying there wasn't enough money in the 
municipality's Electric Department budget to go forward with a BPL 
deployment this year.  While the BPL initiative is off the borough's 
2005 projects agenda, Public Opinion quoted Borough Council President 
Bill McLaughlin as saying, "As far as I'm concerned, it's dead."  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HT SAVES ALASKAN HIKER

Two hikers on a day outing in the rugged mountains of Alaska's Chugach 
State Park, had a recent afternoon turn into something entirely 
unexpected.  This, when one of them slipped and fell more than 200 feet 
down a steep ravine, losing his snow-shoes along the way.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW picks up the story from here:

--

Jesse Jones, KL1RK found himself trapped between a low overhang and a 
swift moving winters stream.  The loss of his snow shoes meant he could 
not walk out.  His position was made worse by the fact that his fall 
could continue into the water.  With the outside air temperature near 
minus 10 degrees, that would likely mean his freezing death.  

Fortunately KL1RK had brought along a 2 meter H-T.  After trying a few  
repeaters he finally accessed the WL7CVG machine.  His call for help was  
heard by Jim Wiley, KL7CC.  Wiley dialed 911 and passed the information 
to the local rescue coordinator.  He in turn called out the mountain 
rescue group and the Alaska State Troopers.  

When the rescue team arrived they realized additional help would be 
needed.  At this point, the local Air National Guard unit was called.  
They responded by sending out a rescue helicopter.

The chopper arrived on scene at 6:45 PM local time.  Unfortunately a 
high voltage power line directly above Jones position made it impossible 
to lift him out.  Instead, the copter lowered a group of para-rescue 
personnel to a nearby location from there they rappelled down to Jones  
position.  The team then worked with others on scene,  and were able to 
bring Jones by about 10:00 PM.  He was taken to a local hospital for 
observation and released just before midnight, cold and a bit hungry, 
but otherwise all right.

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

--

There is an interesting and somewhat odd coincidence to all this.  KL1RK 
is employed by  KYES Channel 5 television.  That station owns and 
operates a TV translator atop Mt. Susitna, where the WL7CVG repeater is 
located.  The owner, Jeremy Lansman allowed the Anchorage Amateur Radio 
Club to mount their repeater antennas on the stations tower.   What goes 
around comes around because this permission likely saved Jesse Jones 
life.  (KL7CC)

(DO NOT READ: KL7CC)

**

RADIO LAW:  CHICAGO TO CONSIDER LOWERED ANTENNA HEIGHT LIMIT

Chicago will soon consider amending its city charter to lower height 
limit on all antennas located in residential and neighborhood business 
areas of the city.  If approved antennas would be limited to ten feet 
above buildings 40 feet in height or less.  Buildings higher than 40 
feet would be limited to antenna height no greater than 15 feet above 
the building.    

According to Newsline's Joe Schroeder, W9JUV, a hearing on this 
amendment is scheduled for Thursday, March 3rd at 10:00 a.m. in the City 
Council Chambers.  As nobody we could find has yet seen the proposal, 
its not known if it covers only new installations or all existing 
antennas as well.  Numerous amateur radio groups, E-M-A members and 
others who are concerned are expected to attend.   ( W9FX, W9JUV)

**

Break 1

>From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, 
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Metro-Comm 
Repeaters serving the city of Binghampton New York.

(5 sec pause here)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  EX-KG6IRO RESPONDS TO LATEST NAL'S

Jack Gerritsen, the ex-KG6IRO has responded to a pair of proposed fines 
issued to him by the FCC.  In his hand written statements now posted to 
an Internet website, Gerritsen denies any liability what so ever.  He 
also continues to claim that he has an unexpired license making any 
enforcement action against him illegal.

Gerritsen currently has a total of $52,000 in fines and proposed fines 
hanging against him. He faces a $10,000 fine the FCC affirmed in October 
of 2004.  The Notices of Apparent Liability to which he is responding 
now stem  from further complaints of alleged interference that took 
place between June and September of 2004.  This includes the highly 
publicized incident where he is claimed to have jammed official U-S 
Coast Guard communications during a declared emergency.  

By way of background, back in 2001, the FCC set aside Gerritsen's 
Amateur Radio license and K-G-6-I-R-O call sign shortly after both were 
issued.  It took this action after learning of an earlier California 
state conviction for interfering with police communications.  

But Gerritsen continues to assert that the FCC can not take away his 
operating privileges without a hearing, that he still holds a valid 
Amateur Radio license and allegedly continues to operate on Los Angeles 
area repeaters.  As far as the FCC is concerned Gerritsen has no license 
and has warned him that he has no authority to be on the air.  His 
former KG6IRO call letters have been re-issued to a California radio 
club under the vanity call sign program.

In his response to the latest liability notices Gerritsen asserts that 
he has done nothing wrong and at one point claims that he the victim of 
others jamming him as the reason for raising his transmit power from 5 
to 50 watts.  He also cites his inability to pay the proposed fines but 
says he cannot provide proof he does not have the money.  This claims 
Gerritsen, is because his income is so low that he does not file a tax 
statement.  Those interested can read Gerritsen's responses to the FCC 
at http://home.comcast.net/~ke6rji/J.Gerritsen_Response_NAL_2.pdf and 
http://home.comcast.net/~ke6rji/J.Gerritsen_Response_NAL_3.pdf 
respectively.  (QRZ.com))

** 

ENFORCEMENT:  FAILURE TO REPLY BRINGS $4000 NAL

A ham that some allege to be broadcasting religous material on the 40 
meter band disguised as Morse practice has been fined $4000 by the FCC.  
This, for his failure to respond to a Commission inquiry regarding his 
on the air activities.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, 
takes a look at the claims both sides in this case are making:

--

The Commission released the Forfeiture Order to Paul D. Westcott, 
KC0OAB, of Purdy, Missouri, on February 16th.  The FCC says that it has 
received numerous complaints alleging that Westcott's station has been 
transmitting CW around the clock on 7.030 MHz for several months.  While 
complainants assert the transmissions constitute broadcasting, the FCC 
says that the broadcasts really  interfere with other amateur 
communications due to what it sees as an apparent lack of station 
control.  

But Westcott was not fined for broadcasting or any alleged interference 
to other ham radio transmissions.  The FCC affirmed a $4000 fine for 
what it called willful and repeated failure by Westcott to respond to 
Commission requests for information about his station.

While Westcott did reply to an initial FCC Enforcement Bureau inquiry 
last June, the FCC says he failed to respond to a subsequent Warning 
Notice and Request for Further Information in early September, a Warning 
Notice for his failure to Reply in mid-October or to the November Notice 
of Apparent Liability  issued by the Commission's Kansas City field 
office.

In the June 21st, 2004 letter, FCC rules enforcer Riley Hollingsworth 
requested information from Westcott regarding a complaint about his 
Morse code transmissions.  In his response Westcott reiterated that they 
were only C-W practice as he has always claimed. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm, Burt Hicks, WB6MQV.

--

Other questions from the June FCC letter regard the exact date when 
Westcott began the CW practice transmissions and allegations of 
religious broadcasting.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  HUNT ON CB - NOT 2 METERS

The FCC has issued a warning notice to a Manton, Michigan resident, 
telling him to say off the ham radio bands until he gets a license.  In 
a February 7th letter to Phillip John Scholten, the FCC says that it has 
information from the Missaukee County Sheriff's Office indicates that 
Scholton's vehicle was the source of radio transmissions on 144.930 MHz, 
while Scholten was out hunting on February 3rd.  

The FCC notes that it shows no record of a ham radio license issued to a 
Phillip John Scholten and that he could face a fine or imprisonment if 
he continues to operate illegally.  The letter also alluded that he 
might consider going to a license free service like Class D 11 meter C-B 
or F-R-S instead.  (FCC)

**  					

ENFORCEMENT:  GET THE TRUCKS OFF 10 METERS

Another group of truckers alleged to be operating 10 meters without 
licenses have heard from the FCC.  The agency's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, 
has more:

--

DUCKWORTH: "Two trucking companies for unlicensed operation.  Those 
companies are Landstar Transportation, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida and 
Celadon Canada, Inc. of Kitchener, Otario, Canada.  Customs officials 
have noted that vehicles contain 10 meter equipment with the drivers not 
possessing an amateur license."

--

Both companies were told to warn their drivers that operation of radio 
transmitting equipment without a license is a violation of the 
Communications Act.  As such drivers who continue to violate the rules 
could be subject to fine or imprisonment.  Monetary forfeitures normally 
range from $7,500 to $10,000.   (FCC, RAIN)

**

RADIO LAW:  NO CHALLENGE FROM WHITE HOUSE TO OWNERSHIP LAW

The White House will not challenge a 2004 appeals court decision that 
sent most of the broadcast ownership rules back to the FCC to be 
justified and rewritten.  However, some broadcasters are expected to 
file appeals to the Supreme Court on their own.

The National Association of Broadcasters is one of these  N-A-B says it 
continues to believe the Supreme Court needs to clarify lower court 
decisions related to media ownership, and N-A-B will be seeking that 
review.

Outgoing FCC Chairman Michael Powell says that he regretted not being 
able to finish the media rules before leaving.  However Commissioners 
Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein said the court correctly recognized 
that the new ownership rules were flawed and called for a media policy 
redesign.   (Published reports)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  ZL2AZ NAMED TO IARU REGION 3 COUNCIL

Some names in the news.  First is Peter Lake, ZL2AZ , who has been 
appointed to the IARU Region 3 Council.  He fills the vacancy created by 
the death of the Chairman of Directors, Peter Naish, VK2BPN. Young-Soon 
Park, HL1IFM was elected to fill  the Chairman of Directors seat.  
(NZART)

**

HAM HONORS:  VU2RBI NAMED SANDY LYNCH AWARD WINNER

A ham from India has been named recipient of the 2nd Annual Lynch 
Memorial Award, given by the Tokyo International Amateur Radio 
Association.  Bharati Prasad, VU2RBI, received this honor in recognition 
of her DX'pedition to Andaman Island and for her heroic work in the 
aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami. 

VU2RBI has been a ham for more than two decadesand is a founding member 
of the India's National Institute of Amateur Radio.  She has provided 
ham radio communications at many events including the Asian Games and 
has helped local administrations with relief work after numerous 
disasters.  She has also been instrumental in promoting several radio 
clubs across India.  ( 7J1AIL)

**

CONVENTIONS:  ORLANDO HAMACATION FOLLOW-UP

Mort Cohen, WA2ARS, reports that the recent Orlando Hamcation was a 
sellout  success.  Mort days there were 8,000 attendees and the parking 
fields were completely filled by 11:30 a.m.. Statistically thats a 10  
to 12% increase over 2004 and a sign of even better times ahead.  
(WA2ARS)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  From the United 
States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the 
world from our only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being 
relayed by the volunteer services of the following radio amateur:

(5 sec pause here)

**

ELECTRONIC SCIENCE:  SPECIAL EPOXY RELEASES ITS GRIP WHEN CURRENT IS 
APPLIED

A new epoxy cement that is capable of forming high strength adhesive 
bonds that can be released with the application of a small electrical 
current, has been announced.  The new cement can be controlled from a 9 
volt battery, leaving the metal substrate unmarred, and with virtually 
no chemical waste.   Read more on this solution in search of a 
problem:at http://tinyurl.com/3pj8m  (CGC))

**

WORLDBEAT:  HELP FIND IAN 20 DARWIN

Radio hobbyists in Australia's Northern Territory are being asked to 
help locate a C-B operator. This, in relation to a non criminal 
investigation  on behalf of the Northern Territory government

Craig Smyth, Solicitor for the of Justice wrote to the Vice-President 
Australian Association Of Citizens Band Radio Operators requesting the 
assistance. He is trying to contact any Darwin or outer-Darwin based C-B 
users who may recognize the call signs "Ian 20 Darwin" or "20 Darwin" 
that were used in about 2000-2002. 

Solicitor Smyth says that the person who used those call signs is also 
said to be well known in the Australian "ham radio" community.  He asks 
if there is anyone who may be able to assist, or even to confirm that 
they have heard these call signs on the air.  (WIA News)

**

WORLDBEAT - AFRICA:  A JOB IN AFRICA 

The International Red Cross in need of a communications expert to 
oversee to their radio and computer installations in Africa and on 
several adjoining islands.  A background in ham radio is welcome and 
could be an ideal opportunity for an adventurous radio amateur to 
activate some rare locations. For further information contact Zed-S-6-P, 
whose e-mail address is zs6p at iafrica.com  (SARL) 

**

WORLDBEAT - INDIA:  EMERGENCY COMMS MEETING IN VU  IN APRIL

India's National Institute of Amateur Radio is planning to hold an 
International seminar dealing with the role the hobby plays in Disaster 
Management and Information Technology.  The date is April 18th and 
coincides with World Amateur Radio Day.  One of the main topics to be 
covered is the lessons learned from the recent Tsunami disaster.  More 
is on-line at www.niar.org   (GB2RS)

**

ON THE AIR:  THE CITY OF CORK AWARD

To celebrate the city of Cork status as European Capital of Culture 
during 2005, the Cork Radio Club and the East Cork Radio group have 
introduced the Cork Capital of Culture Award.  You earn it by hearing or 
working special event station EI05CCC and one other of the following 
three callsigns: EI5CRC, EI1C or EI7M.  Contacts must be made during 
2005.  Claims for the award should be submitted to Rev. Fr. Finbarr 
Buckley, "Curraghmore", Cherry Grove, Model Farm Road, Cork, Ireland.  
More information is available by e-mail to buckleyf1 at eircom.net   (Via 
e-mail)

**

DX

In D-X, the ARRL and Daily D-X report that the long anticipated Peter 
Ist  Island,  3-Y-Zero-X DX-pedition been called off.  The team 
announced on Thursday, February 17, that its latest charter vessel had 
been delayed until February 20th instead of the hoped-for February 18th. 
With a projected February 21 departure, the DX-pedition simply, ran out 
of time. 

This latest delay came following a number of others. The DX-pedition's 
first vessel and helicopter backed out at the last minute.  This forced 
them to look for a new vessel and helicopter.  They found them but they 
could not arrive as quickly as required.  Planners say that they will 
regroup and try again in 2006.  More information is on line at 
www.peterone.com/main.htm  (ARRL0

And while not exactly D-X, word that the Antique Wireless Association 
has announced a full carrier A-M operating event 2300 GMT Saturday 
February 26th to 2300 GMT Sunday the 27th.  Frequencies used will be 
3.837 to 3.885,  7.270 to 7.290 and 14.250 to 14.280 MHz. The Antique 
Wireless Association has long gathered on 3.837 MHz  for a weekly Sunday 
afternoon vintage check-in nicknamed the A-W-A P-M A-M Net. Its 
popularity has prompted additional AM activity.  As such, operators with 
new and old equipment can be expected to turn it to the A-M mode and to  
tune in.  (QRZ.com)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  HAMVENTION 2005-  THE AUDIO EXPO

Bob Heil K9EID and some of his friends are planning a special 
communications audio exhibit for Hamvention 2005.  We caught up with Bob 
at a recent Icom Day in Los Angeles.  He says that its going to be a 
first for the Dayton show:

--

Heil: "This year, we took that whole hall -- that hallway we are in.  We 
are going to carpet that hall and putting up a bunch of Rhon tower and 
making an arch over it and calling it the Audio Arena.  And I am 
inviting all of my good friends like Julius Jones, W2IHY, W4RT, Timewave 
and NCS -- the guys who build the switcher.  All of us are audio guys 
and we are all going to be in that hallway with that nice, carpeted 
quiet little place where we will be able to demonstrate our audio 
products."

--

Bob says that its possible for the audio product suppliers to do this is 
because of the way Hamvention planners are going out of their way to 
make everyone feel welcome, especially the vendors:

--

Heil: "The team, that made Dayton what it is -- they are back.  So I am 
really excited to be there.  And this is our 25th year to be in that 
same little corner."

--

What Bob is referring to is the all volunteer planning group chosen by 
the Dayton Amateur Radio Association to put on the 2004 show.  They 
replaced outside production company which run  the Hamvention for 
several years, The crew is putting on Hamvention 2005 from May 20th to 
the 22nd are the same volunteers that brought you Hamvention 2004 last 
May.   

More about the 2005 Dayton Hamvention is on-line at www.hamvention.org  
(ARNewsline (tm))

**

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. 

A reminder that the nominating period for the 2005 Amateur Radio 
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Awaed is now open.  Full details along 
with downloadable and on-line nominating forms are at the awards website 
at www.yhoty.org.  Just click on 2005 Nominations at the top of the 
page.  