[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1438 - March 4, 2005

Sat Mar 5 09:56:05 EST 2005

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1438 - March 4, 2005

The following is a Q-S-T.  A new source of interference appears on 70 
centimeters and police have a suspect in the case of a missing Arizona 
ham radio couple.  These stories and more on Amateur Radio Newsline 
report number 1438  coming your way right now.

(Billboard Cart Here) 

**

RADIO MYSTERY:  POLICE SAY THEY HAVE SUSPECT IN CASE OF MISSING HAM 
COUPLE 

Authorities in California think that a man in custody on unrelated 
charges may have hold the answer to the mystery of a missing ham radio 
couple who disappeared in November.  This, after they sold their 55-foot 
yacht to the jailed suspect.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, 
K6PZW, picks up the story from here:

--

The state of California stopped short of charging Skylar Deleon with 
murder, but Orange County Deputy District  Attorney Matt Murphy 
described him as the main suspect in a double homicide out of Newport 
Beach.

The revelation that Deleon is involved in the disappearance and likely 
slaying of Thomas and Jackie Hawks,  KD7VWJ, and  KD7VWK,  came on 
Friday, February 25th.  Prosecutor Murphy said he suspects that Deleon 
killed the Hawks after they took him on a test ride in their boat the 
Well Deserved, on November 15th of last year.  The couple has not been 
seen since then, and Newport Beach police have now expressed the belief 
that they are deceased.

The prosecutor made the disclosure while asking a judge to hold Deleon 
on an unrelated grand-theft case.  Murphy did not tell the judge what 
evidence led him to suspect that Deleon killed the couple and offered 
few details of the third killing, which he said was related to the theft 
charge.  

Deleon is jailed in that case but has not been charged in the apparent 
homicides.  Nor has any bail been for him been set.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, near Newport 
Beach.

--

The statements in Orange County Superior Court marked the first time 
that authorities have said they suspect Deleon of killing the couple.  
(LA Times)

**

BREAKING TECHNOLOGY:  40 WATT CANCER TREATMENT IN THE 70 CM BAND 

A cancer therapy system that uses high power R-F may be the latest in a 
string of devices to share the 70 centimeter band.  At least down-under 
in Australia.  W-I-A Newsman Jim Linton, VK3PC, has the details:

--

In Melbourne a leading foxhunter Mark Harrison VK3BYY has tracked down a 
signal that was triggering his club's UHF repeater.  First he hears it 
strongly on his hand-held while on a tram as it passes a building in 
Collins Street Melbourne and then enters the premises in search of the 
signal. 

Mark VK3BYY is warmly welcomed and shown equipment that he identifies as 
a having folded dipole antenna. It is explained to him that a cancer 
patient receives an injection of a substance that acts on cancer cells. 

The theory is that the UHF radiation blocks sugars reaching the cells to 
enable the therapy to be effective. A doctor advises that everything is 
approved for use, and then adds that the radiation is 40 watts on 433 
MHz, seems that frequency is considered the best for radio-wave therapy. 

The Australian Communications Authority was contacted.  It's understood 
that it was Low Interference Potential Device, LIPD running milliwatts.

Not so, it was pumping out 40 watts and interfering with an amateur 
repeater more than 20 kms away. 

A solution is being sought, with talk of the device needing a shielded 
enclosure to prevent it radiating on the 70cm band, that is a primary 
allocation to Australian Defense and secondary for the Amateur Service. 

For the WIA News, I'm Jim Linton, VK3PC.

--

So far, none of these devices have been heard operating in the United 
States.  (WIA News)

**

RADIO LAW:  NEW SPECTRUM PROTECTION MEASURE INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES

Back on this side of the Pacific, the ARRL Letter reports that Florida 
Republican Michael Bilirakis has introduced the Amateur Radio Spectrum 
Act of 2005 into the U-S House of Representatives.  

As in previous versions of the proposal, the current measure would 
require the FCC to provide equivalent replacement spectrum to Amateur 
Radio.  This, if the agency reallocates primary amateur frequencies, 
reduces any secondary amateur allocations, or makes additional 
allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce their 
utility to ham radio operations. 

The measure has been designated as HR 691.  It has been referred to the 
House Energy and Commerce Committee where Bilirakis serves as vice 
chairman.  (ARRL)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  FCC NPRM SEEMS LIKELY SOON

Turning to restructuring of ham radio here in the United States, an ARRL  
bulletin says that the FCC is hard at work developing a Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making.  One that will spell out what the Commission has 
in mind with respect to possible changes in the current Morse code 
requirement and Amateur Radio licensing.  

A total of 18 petitions have been filed, including one from the League.  
All seek Part 97 rule changes addressing the future of the 5 Word Per 
Minute  Morse requirement and revisions to the overall Amateur Radio 
licensing structure.  The regulatory agency plans to tackle all 18 in a 
single proceeding.

The FCC appears unlikely to release an N-P-R-M any sooner than mid-year.  
Once public, it will start another round of public comments on what the 
has been proposed.  Based on this, any Report and Order implementing 
revised rules is unlikely before the second half of 2006, although it's 
possible the Commission could wrap things up before then.  (ARRL)

**

Break 1

>From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, 
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WD9AKO and 
K9BAR repeaters of the Bolngbrook Amateur Radio Club serving Bolingbrook 
Illinois.

(5 sec pause here)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC TAKES ON 75 METER PROBLEMS

The FCC has sent warning letters to several people involved in High 
Frequency operations where the agency alleges violations of its rules.  
All took place on 75 meters.  The agency's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, has 
more:

--

Duckworth:"An Anthony James Liuzzo of Harrison, Michigan, was sent a 
warning notice for repeated unlicensed operation on the 75 meter band.

Four amateurs have been sent warning notices concerning conversations 
with unlicensed stations on 3.860 Hz n several different dates.  They 
are Grady Roberson, Jr., KI8Q, in Alabama; James Grove, KF8ED, in West 
Virginia; Michael Maxfield, KB8WMC, in Alabama and William Panck, WD8OKQ 
in Tennessee.

And finally, W2VJZ, Irwin Richardt, of Liberty Corner, New Jersey, has a 
warning notice and a request for additional information concerning 
deliberate interference on the 75 meter band.

This has been Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, reporting.

--

NN0W also reports that another twenty-four hams from the disputed 
Yucaipa, California W5YI administered exam session have been ordered to 
take retests.  In all, some 250 or more hams face the prospect of taking 
new exams in that case.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  YOU CANT SELL THAT RADIO ON CB

Even on 11 meter C-B you never know who may be listening.  And in the 
case of Gene A. Fricke of Nashua, New Hampshere, what he offered for 
sale by announcing it on the radio has gotten him into trouble with the 
FCC.

According to the FCC an investigation by it's Boston Office revealed 
that on September 13, 2004, Fricke offered for sale, via recorded 
transmission on the Citizen Band frequency 27.185 MHz  models of non-
certified Citizens Band transceivers.  This includes several Galaxy 
transceiver models which the FCC says have not received a Commission 
equipment authorization..

The FCC told Fricke that any further violations of the Communications 
Act or of the Commission's Rules may subject him to substantial monetary 
forfeiture, seizure of equipment and criminal sanctions including 
imprisonment.  He was given the option of requesting a personal 
interview at the closest FCC location to discuss the matter with 
Commission personnel or submitting a written statement,  In both cases 
he had 14 days from the release date of the notice to do so.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  BEST WOK - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN BY THE FCC

A Westville, New Jersey resteraunt that used the two meter ham band to 
dispatch its delivery vehicles may be out of business, but its escapades 
have not been forgotten by the FCC.  And now the agency has affirmed a 
$10,000 fine against a now-closed Best Wok Chinese restaurant and its 
owner for alleged unlicensed operation of a radio transmitter.  Henry 
Feinberg, K2SSQ, has the details:

-- 

Those of you who have been following the saga of Best Wok will remember 
that the FCC issued a $10,000 Notice of Apparent Liability to the 
resteraunt and its owner Pang Cheng.  This after repeated warnings to 
stop using a so-called long range cordless telephone that operated on 
145.8376 Mhz.  The agency even sent out an inspector who told the people 
running Best Wok that using the phone was a violation of FCC rules and 
that penalties could be severe.

But Best Wok continued and was issued the N-A-L.  Owner Pang Cheng did 
file an appeal claiming that the unlicensed operation was unintentional 
and caused little unterference.  But on February 9 the Commission denied 
it.  In its Memorandum, Opinion and Order the FCC said that any use of 
Amateur Service frequencies for business communications creates a great 
potential for harmful interference to authorized Amateur Service 
communications and that the FCC must take the strongest action it can 
because failure to do so would only encourage others to engage in the 
same conduct.  And in this case, it has.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, in New 
Jersey.

--

Best Work and its former owner were given the usual 30 days from the 
release of the order to pay the fine or it will be turned over the 
Department of Justice for collection.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  BIGZOO.COM ORDERED TO PAY $20,000 FINE

The FCC has affirmed a $20,000 fine against Big Zoo.com Corporation.  
This, for its failure to provide certain information and documents 
pursuant to a Commission Letter of Inquiry.  Amateur Radio Newslnne's 
Mert Garlick, N6AWE, is here with the details:

--

Big Zoo sells prepaid long distance phone service, and is therefore a 
telecommunications carrier providing interstate service.  As such it is 
required to contribute to the Universal Service Fund under section 
54.706 of the Commission's rules

In October 2004, the Universal Service Administrative Company referred 
Big Zoo to the Enforcement Bureau for action concerning its failure to 
contribute.  By letter dated October 15, 2004, the Bureau initiated an 
investigation into whether the company violated, among other things, 
section 54.706.  It directed Big Zoo to provide certain specified 
documents and information by November 4, 2004.  Through counsel, Big Zoo 
subsequently asked for two extensions of time for response.  The Bureau 
granted them, ultimately postponing the date for response to November 
23, 2004.  To date, the Bureau has not received any response.  

On December 21, 2004, the Bureau issued the Notice of Apparent liability  
in the amount of $20,000.  The NAL ordered BigZoo to pay the forfeiture 
or respond within 30 days.    This notice was sent to Big Zoo's last 
known address via certified mail and e-mail.  As of the date of the 
release of this order, Big Zoo has still not filed a response to the 
Letter of Inquiry.  Nor has it paid the forfeiture amount or even 
submitted a response to the N-A-L.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mert Garlick, N6AWE.

--

Big Zoo has been given 30 days of the February 23, release of the order 
to pay up or face collection and other punitive action.  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC PROPOSES HOLDING THE LINE ON VANITY CALL SIGN FEE

According to the ARRL Letter, the FCC has proposed retaining the current 
$20.80 Amateur Radio vanity call sign regulatory fee for the 10-year 
license term. 

The vanity call sign fee went from $16.30 to $20.80 last August.  Now, 
the agency has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled 
Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2005 or MD 
Docket 05-59.  It came out on February 15th.  In it,  the FCC says it's 
proposing to collect more than $280 million in regulatory fees for 
fiscal year 2005.  This, as mandated by Congress to recover the 
regulatory costs associated with the Commission's enforcement, policy 
and rulemaking, user information, and international activities.

And in it, the FCC anticipates 8000 vanity call sign applications during 
Fiscal Year 2005.  That's up from 7800 applications in 2004 and it 
expects to raise $166,443 from vanity call sign fees.

More information on vanity call signs is available on the ARRL Web site 
at www.arrl.org/arrlvec/vanity.html  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  AMBER ALERTS NOW IN ALL 50 STATES

Hawaii became the 50th state to complete its statewide Amber Alert plan 
to aid in the recovery of abducted children, according to the Department 
of Justice and state officials.  

Only four states had statewide Amber Alert plans in place at the end of 
2001. Now all 50 states have statewide Amber plans, creating a 
nationwide network but very few Amateur Radio repeaters have been tied 
into the alert system.  Even without ham radio involvement  the Amber 
Alert program is credited with helping to save the lives of over 190 
children so far. (RW On-Line, ARNewsline™)

**

PROBLEM SOLVING:  PROGRESS IN RESOLVING "PERFECT FIT" INTERFERENCE

Bruce Rogers, KQ6B, of Escondido, California says that he has been 
making slow but steady progress in eliminating the R-F-I created by his 
Perfect Fit mattress warmer power supplies.  Bruce now reports that the 
replacement supplies provided by Perfect Fit Industries no longer causes 
interference to his receiver, his portable phone or his FM radio.  

Rogers tells the CGC Communicator that the remaining interference to his 
ham station is believed to be coming from a crib mattress warmer located 
elsewhere in his neighborhood.  Finding and fixing that problem is the 
next item on his list. 

Perfect Fit recently entered into a consent decree with the FCC.  Under 
the arrangement, the company agreed to distribute only new interference 
free power supplies with their bedding products and provide interference 
free power supplies to anyone who complains.  They also made a voluntary 
$7000 contribution to the U-S Treasury. 

Bruce's complete report is at 
http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/ElecBlnktRFI.htm  (CGC))

**

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)

**

REACT SURPRUSE:  A HELLO FROM KISSINGER

And REACT members at a holiday safety break along New York's I-684 were 
recently surprised.  This,. when former Secretary of State Henry 
Kissinger dropped by.  

Kissinger was on his way home and stopped off to grab some free 
refreshments being offered by the Dutchess-Putnam Counties REACT group.  
He was one of over 4000 travelers who were served by the volunteer radio 
operators that day.  

REACT and the American Trucking Association began the holiday weekend 
Safety Break program over three decades ago.  The complete story is on 
page 52 of the March issue of Popular Communications magazine.  
(PopComm)

**

RADIO RESEARCH:  FOR THE BIRDS - REDUX

The National Association of Broadcasters says scientists really do not 
know for sure that taller towers with lights or guy wires represent more 
of a hazard to migratory birds than do shorter, unlit towers.  According 
to Radio World on-line , both the N-A-B and a wireless association 
stated this position in a filing to the FCC. 

The commission and the U.S. Forest Service are trying to gather 
information to determine if towers cause mass bird deaths, as some 
environmental groups believe.  But last year, Chairman Michael Powell 
said there's not enough evidence to know one way or another and that's 
why the agencies commissioned an environmental study. 

Now the NAB and the wireless association say the main conclusion reached 
by Avatar, which performed the study, is that scientific evidence on 
communication towers and avian mortality is inconsistent.  (CGC, RW On-
Line)

**

HAM CONFERENCES:  MUD IN LOS ANGELES IN OCTOBER (BUT NO RAIN)

Microwave Update 2005, the world-wide showcase of ham radio in the 
gigahertz range will take place October 27 through the 31st in the Los 
Angeles, California area The conference is seeking papers for 
presentation.  Electronic submissions in Word, WordPerfect or text 
format accepted by e-mail or CD. If you are interested in writing or 
presenting a paper for the 2005 Conference, please send me an e-mail or 
write to Chip Angle, N6CA, PO Box 35, Lomita CA 90717 or e-mail him to 
n6ca at ham-radio.com 

Chip tells Amateur Radio Newsline that many people around the world 
collect the proceedings from this conference.  This is because Microwave 
Update represents the current state of the art in microwave for Amateur 
Radio.  (Via E-Mail)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  THE ISLANDS ON THE AIR DINNER IN APRIL IN CA

If you're planning to visit California in April, you may be interested 
to know that the 10th annual 'Islands On The Air' dinner will be held on 
Friday 15th April.  The venue is the Birch Room of the Holiday Inn Hotel 
and Conference Center in Visalia. The dinner is being held in 
conjunction with the 56th Annual International DX Convention.  More 
information is on-line at www.ncdxc.org.  (GB2RS)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA:  YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IN CAPE TOWN 

The South African Radio League and the Cape Town Amateur Radio Center, 
have launched a youth development initiative. 16 pupils and a teacher 
from the Cape Academy for Maths and Science, which serves previously 
disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, are receiving free tuition and 
training materials for the Radio Amateur Exam. They will also be doing 
some practical electronics construction.  (SARL)

** 

WORLDBEAT - UK:  CELEBRATING CARDIFF IN THE UK

The Highfields Amateur Radio Club in Cardiff is running special event 
station GB1CCC to celebrate Cardiff's 100 years as city and 50 years as 
a capital. GB1CCC is operational from the club headquarters at 19.00 to 
21.00 UTC until about mid-March.  The club will also be running this 
event at different venues later in the year.  (GB2RS)

**

RADIOSPORTS:  AMATEUR RADIO AT THE UK SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Raynet , the United Kingdom's answer to our ARES and RACES combined will 
be providing assistance for the British Special Olympics.  The 2005 
British Special Olympic Games will be held at several locations in and 
around Glasgow from 2nd to 9th July.  RSGB News Reader Jeramy Boot, 
G4NJH, has more:

--

2,500 athletes will participate, accompanied by over 1,000 family 
members and friends, plus around 1,500 volunteers. The Raynet response 
is being coordinated by the Greater Glasgow group, which is seeking 
assistance from Raynet members able to volunteer for 
this project.

Duties are expected to include working with the medical and transport 
groups and possibly helping with other ancillary communications at each 
venue.

Glasgow hosted the European Special Olympic Games in 1990, when almost 
100 Raynet operators from all over the UK spent a week providing 
communications, reporting it a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience.

The one problem which might arise is a lack of accommodation, because 
the G8 Summit is being held during the same period. If you can be self-
sufficient you will be especially welcome!

I'm G4NJH, in Nottingham.

--

Those interested in helping, or finding out more about Glasgow's Special 
Olympic Games, should e-mail Olympics at raynet-uk.net, giving their name, 
callsign, Raynet group, and dates of availability.  A more in-depth 
version of this story can be found on the  'Newsboard' section of the 
RSGB Emergency Communications website at 
www.rsgb.org/emergency/newsboard.htm  (GB2RS)

**

DX

In D-X, word that G0JLX departed for Ascension Island around 25th 
February and hopes to be active as ZD8AD until 21st March.  The ZD8AD 
callsign is yet to be confirmed.  Andy plans to operate on the HF bands 
and possibly 50MHz, using 100 watts and a G5RV antenna on SSB and CW. He 
may also use PSK-31.  QSL via the bureau to his home call.  (GB2RS)

LA7JO is working in Nepal for more than a year and is active as 9N7JO.  
Listen for him on SSB, CW and RTTY on 160 to 15 meters. (DX'er)

Lastly, W8EB and W8DVC are on St Maarten and active portable PJ7.  They 
will be on through the 20th of March.  Activity is on 160 to 10 meters, 
CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  QSL as directed on the air.  (OPDX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  HAM VS. SPY (RADIO)

And finally this week, when a pair of New Mexico hams decided to trace 
down some interference on the 75 meter band, they had no idea that they 
may have been entering a world of spy versus spy.  Or should we say hams 
versus spy.  Here's more:

--

On Wednesday, February 16th, Mike Stark, WA5OIP and Mike Langner K5MGR 
set out to locate some annoying interference on 3 point 700 Mhz.  A 
signal that had been on the band since last December.  

The interference manifested itself as a digital data burst followed by 
an audio clip from a Yosemite Sam cartoon.  Nope.  I am not kidding you.  
Each transmission ended with the famous line where Sam says:  

---

Actual interfereing audio:  (data buss followed by) "Varmint, I'm agonna 
blow you to smithereenes..."

--

The interference came on for just a few seconds at intervals of just 
under 2 minutes.  The fact that Yosemite Sam was loud and clear told the 
Stark and Langer that the interference was intentional and not simply a 
transmitter gone bizzerk.

Using Stark's mobile installation the pair quickly found that the signal 
grew stronger as they headed West.  They then shifted to a  Potomac 
Field Intensity Meter with a shielded loop antenna.  Using this gear 
they located the offending transmitter at the MATIC facility on the 
Laguna Indian Reservation.  MATIC is an acronym for the Mobility 
Assessment Test and Integration Center.  This is a military facility 
used to develop advanced battlefield communications systems and not 
generally known to the public.  

The two hams dove up to the building. At no time did they leave the 
public highway.  Langer began taking pictures of the towers, antennas, 
and building.  Immediately a not-very-friendly guy started walking 
towards their truck.  He was yelling and gesturing for the hams to stop 
taking pictures and go away.   Langer and Stark beat a hasty retreat.

Now here's the real kicker.  The ham radio T-hunters found the 
interfering transmitter at about 2:30 in the afternoon.  The signal went 
off the air around 5:30 that evening and has not been heard since.  
Langer suggests that the origin was a contractor's employee having 
having a little fun on the radio.  Obviously his or her superiors got 
the message that ham radio operators do not consider interference to 
their spectrum to be something to enjoy. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Evi Simons, reporting.

--

A few other notes.  Langer says that about 5 minutes before he and Stark  
located the exact source of the interference, a pickup truck had passed 
them as they were parked and taking a bearing.  He thinks that the 
driver must have told someone at the facility that they were being 
hunted.  He also expresses his belief that the signal was from some kind 
of automatic link  radio.  Also that the data burst was information, and 
that someone had recorded the Yosemite Sam clip where call letters would 
normally go.

You can take a look at what the two hams saw on the web site for the 
project.  Its at http://www.laguna-
industries.com/Lines_of_Business/MATIC_Center/matic_center.html  or at
http://www.rdecom.army.mil/rdemagazine/200408/itl_mosaic.html.  (K5FSB)

**

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. 

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.  