[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1457 - July 15, 2005

Sun Jul 17 20:44:29 EDT 2005

Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1457 -  July 15, 2005

CLOSED CIRCUIT ADVISORY - PAY PAL IS ON LINE

The following is a closed circuit advisory.  Ladies and Gentlemen, with an 
announcement many have waited for, here is our Support Fund Administrator, 
Andy Jarema,  N6TCQ:

--

Many of you asked for it.  Some of you all but demanded it.  And now its on 
line for you to use to donate to us. Of coarse I am talking to all of you 
who asked us to create a way so that you could support Amateur Radio 
Newsline using Pay Pal.

For technical reasons it was close to impossible at our old website.  But 
thanks to the fine folks at Alan Labs and a lot of hard work by our own 
Dale Cary, WD0AKO, not only is our brand new website look on line, so is 
our ability to provide you with a one click link to the Pay Pal site.  Its 
right there near the top of the page at www.arnewsline.org. Its there to 
help you contribute to us to keep these newscasts coming your way.  Just 
click the Pay Pal logo and follow the signs.

For those of you who prefer the old way, we can still accept donations by 
mail to the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia 
California 91066.

We thank you for your generosity and ongoing support.  I'm Andy Jarema, 
N6TCQ.

--

Thank you Andy.  Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1457 with a 
release date of Friday, July 15, 2005 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.  Jack Gerritsen gets his day in court and another 
120 in jail for threatening a ham on the air, Philippine hams may loose the 
70 centimeter band and a big cash infusion from Google into B-P-L.  All 
this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1457 coming your way 
right now.

**

ENFORCEMENT:  JACK GERRITSEN GUILTY OF TERRORIST THREATS AGAINST ANOTHER 
HAM

Alleged Southern California repeater jammer Jack Gerritsen will be spending 
some time behind prison bars. This, after being convicted in a California 
state court of making terrorist threats against a repeater user and the 
mans daughter.    Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennnant, K6PZW, starts 
our team coverage:

--

The jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before rendering its verdict. 
Guilty as charged.  And in its guily verdict the jury affirmed the 
prosecution claim that back on On April 8 Gerritsen made verbal threats 
against trhe life of Ronald J. Stucker, W6RJS, and Stucker's daughter.

Stucker was on the N6USO two meter repeater when the threat was made.  He 
says that he left the system and made a complaint to the local Sheriff's 
Department which lead to Gerritsens being charged.  Gerritsen, who for a 
short time held the call letters KG6IRO  was into immediate custody and set 
his bail at $100,000.  Sentencing took place on Wednesday, July 
13th.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, was there and has this 
eye witness account... Andy.

--

In a standing-room only courthouse packed with hams, Judge Craig Mitchell 
stated that he did not buy Gerritson's claim of his 1st amendment rights, 
and instead called him a ƒ?ogrown-up schoolyard bully.

Maximum penalty by law is 6 months in prison.  However, this reporter 
listened as the District Attorney's recommended sentence was pronounced: 4 
months prison with 3 years probation, restraining orders protecting the 
victims, $1000 fine and court costs of another $3400. The shorter sentence 
allows the court to monitor Gerriston during this entire 3 years.

A condition on the probation was that he not possess ham radio equipment 
nor operate on the bands without a license. Amid chuckles in the courtroom, 
the judge was quick to point out to D.A, Rusty Moore that he was sure that 
the ham radio community would be very quick to contact him should Gerritson 
transmit.

Following sentencing, repeater owner Burt Brink, N6USO, gathered the dozens 
of hams present to thank them for making such a great showing, and stated 
his appreciation for the tremendous job D.A. Rusty Moore had done, as well 
as the FCC's Steve Pierce. One observer said we finally got "Jack in the 
box."

Next up for Gerritson are federal charges of transmitting on MARS 
frequencies, in Los Angeles Federal court in October.

 From the County Courthouse in El Monte, CA, I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, with 
Bruce Tennant, K6PZW.

--

Gerritsen had been free on a  $250,000 secured bond after being arrested in 
early June on federal charges of interfereing with a number of 
communications services.  This included alleged jamming of a United States 
Coast Guard operation and interfereing on a frequency that resulted in the 
cancellation of a Homeland Defense military exercise.  If convicted on all 
of those counts he could face an additional 11 years behind prison bars. 
(ARNewslineT)

**

RESTRUCTUROING:  PHILIPPINES HAMS MAY LOOSE 70 CM

Hams in the Philippines are wondering how long it will be before they are 
ordered off of the 70 centimeter band. This, after that nations National 
Telecommunications Commission announces the inclusion of all of that  band 
inn spectrum it is considering being made available for broadband wireless 
networks.

The regulatory agency made the suggestion in a Memorandum titled "Frequency 
Band Allocations for Broadband Wireless Access." The surprise was the 
inclusion of 410 to 495MHz in nine bands.  This includes the Amateur and 
Amateur Satellite spectrum including the internationally agreed to 
allocations.

Jose Mari Gonzalez, DU1JMG, is the Manilla based president of PARA which is 
the Philippines national Amateur Radio society.  He says that PARA opposes 
both the memorandum and the potential loss of 70 centimeters.  He notes 
that 430 to 440 MHz includes the international amateur satellite band.  He 
says that if and when the Philippines National Telecommunications Council 
decides to remove 70 centimeter access from ham radio that his organization 
will file an official complaint to the IARU.  This would likely lead to a 
complaint by the IARU to the International  Telecommunications Union that 
would hopefully warn the NTC not to change the internationally agreed 
frequency allocations.

For its part, the Philippines National Telecommunications Council says it 
proposes to reallocate spectrum for broadband wireless networks in line 
with the thrust of the government to promote and facilitate the development 
of information and communications technology.  Right now only about  5% of 
the population in The Philippines has access to the Internet, much less 
broadband, and this is partly due to the lack of infrastructure.   (WIA. 
VK3PC)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  BPL GETS A $100 MILLION BOOST

BPL has been handed a major infusion of cash to get it to into the homes of 
the American public.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more:

--

The Google search engine folks, Goldman Sachs Corporation  and the Hearst 
Corporation have announced an investment of $100 million into promoting 
Broadband Over Powerline technology.  This by putting their trust with the 
Current Communications Group in the hope of rapidly expanding the reach of 
broadband throughout the country.

Current Communications is a Germantown, Maryland based company providing 
Broadband Over Powerline Internet.  A spokesman for the company says that 
the infusion of capital will help Current to roll out BPL services more 
quickly to provide voice, video and data services.

Several market watchers have expressed opinions that the Google, Goldman 
and Hearst investment of $100 million to the technology means that interest 
in BPL is likely to gain quick momentum.  This they say is especially true 
in rural areas where DSL and cable service are not available 
alternatives.  Ham radio operators say that this is not good news for the 
hobby.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the Newsline 
studios in Los Angeles.

--

There is one flaw with this theory.  The real money to be made by BPL 
providers is in big cities with highly concentrated population in need of 
broadband a d not in the hinterlands where customers will be few and far 
inbetween.  (Published reports)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  HIGH-SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIONS ON THE INCREASE

In a related item, the FCC has released new data on high-speed Internet 
connections in the United States Overall, during 2004, high-speed lines 
serving  residential, small business, larger business, and other 
subscribers increased by 34% to 37.9 million.

Breaking it down a bit, for that same period asymmetric digital subscriber 
line or A-D-S-L increased by 45% while high-speed cable modem service grew 
by 30%..  For reporting purposes, high-speed lines are defined as 
connections that deliver services at speeds exceeding 200 kilobits per 
second in at least one direction.  This includes DSL, ADSL and cable modems 
at this time, but not BPL.  (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  YOU CANT LET THEM DO THAT ON THE AIR

If you own and operate a repeater, listen up.  An Ohio repeater operator 
has been asked to explain why he has permitted his system to allegedly be 
in violation of several FCC Part 97 rules.  This, regarding the material 
that it has retransmitted.

George T. Case, K8CLA, of Cincinnati was sent a letter in early June.  With 
it came recordings of his 145.35 MHz repeater purportedly showing that he 
permitted users of the machine to transmit interference, music and 
obscenity this past March.  In some cases by stations that failed to 
identify.

It should be noted that the FCC has always had the right to hold a repeater 
owner operator fully responsible for anything retransmitted over his or her 
repeater.  And since the middle 1980's the agency has also taken the 
position that the system owner and the  users share equally responsibility 
for policing the content of the material that gets retransmitted.

In this case it was the system owner that has been asked to explain why the 
retransmission took place.  He was also told that the information he 
submits will be used to determine what enforcement action, if any, might be 
taken in this matter.  The FCC says that this could include a monetary 
forfeiture, the removal of automatic control privileges from your repeater, 
or revocation of Case' license for K8CLA.  (FCC)

** ENFORCEMENT:  KEEP YOUR TEETH OFF 6 METERS

And you might want to call this next one a warning to keep matters dealing 
with teeth off of the ham radio airwaves.  The FCC's Daryl Duckworth, 
explains:

--

Duckworth:   "An inquiry into business use of an Amateur station went to 
David Frankenfield, N3LWY, of Easton, Pennsylvania.  Recordings submitted 
indicate the scheduling of appointments and the providing of billing 
information as part of a dental repair service occurring on the 6 meter 
band.

This has been Daryl Duckworth, NN0W."

--

Frankenfield was given 20 days from the date of the FCC's May 18th letter 
to respond.  The FCC has not yet made his reply public.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FLORIDA ARRESTS TWO ALLEGED RADIO PIRATES

Using a new Florida law that took effect on July 1st, state investigators 
aided by Federal authorities have shut down two pirate broadcasters and 
arrested two men they said were interfering with licensed radio stations. 
Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FCC acted on 
the complaint that had been filed by WKPX FM against the unlicensed 
operations.

The Miami Hearald says that on Tuesday, July 5th authorities tracked the 
two pirate stations to a Ft. Lauderdale apartment where a coaxial cable was 
found running to a pair of antennas mounted on the building's roof.  Agents 
raided the site where they seized a 10 kW transmitter, the antennas, a 
mixing console, , a computer, phones and other equipment.  They also placed 
the alleged operators of the stations under arrest.

Authorities believe the incarcerations are the first under Florida's new 
anti-pirate radio law legislation that we described two weeks ago.  This 
law prohibits anyone from making an unauthorized transmission that might 
interference with licensed radio stations.   Miami Herald, RW ONLine, 
others)

**

ENFORCEMENT: NO LICENSE SO STAY OFF 2 METERS

Two West Virginia business owners have been warned to keep themselves and 
their unlicensed employees off of the two meter band.

On June 2nd, the FCC wrote to Robert Defibaugh who runs the Defibaugh 
Sawmill in Mill Creek and Matt Higgins of Middle Mountain Archery, Inc. in 
the town of Elkins.  Both were told essentially the same thing. That being 
the FCC has evidence that they or their employees have been operating 
radio-transmitting equipment on two meters without a license.

Defibaugh  and Higgins were told that the frequencies in question are 
allocated for licensed users in the Amateur Radio service.  They were 
warned that continued unlicensed operation will subject those caught to a 
fine or imprisonment.  Fines for unlicensed operation  normally range from 
$7,500 to $10,000.  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC SAYS TO USE NEW FORM 605 AFTER JULY 18

The FCC has issued a revised version of its Form 605 that must be used for 
all non-electronically filed applications and changes as of July 
18th.  Called the "Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, 
Aircraft, Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile 
Radio Services," the new version adds a single question regarding station 
ownership that is really not germane to the Amateur Radio service. While 
the FCC has not really provided any guidance to the ham community on how to 
answer this question, it would seem logical to say no since one cannot sell 
ones ham radio license to another person.  Keep in mind that you cannot 
bypass answering the new question as doing so could result in the 
application being returned as incomplete.  The best way to avoid the 
problem created by the new Form 605 is to avoid using it and do all your 
business with the FCC using the Universal Licensing System on the World 
Wide Web.  (FCC)

**

ELECTRONICS SAFETY:  TWO BATTERY RECALLS FROM THE CPSC

If you use batteries, and who doesn't these days, then listen up.  The 
Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced two voluntary recall 
alerts on batteries.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Damron, N8TMW, has the 
details:

--

The first involves Hi-Capacityr brand lithium ion rechargeable batteries 
are used with various well-known, brand-name notebook computers. The 
C-P-S-C says that an internal short can occur and cause the battery cells 
to overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

The importer of these cells is Battery-Biz Incorporated of Newbury Park, 
California.  The C-P-S-C advises that consumers stop using the recalled 
batteries immediately and contact Battery-Biz to arrange for a replacement 
battery free of charge.

Also involved in a C-P-S-C sponsored voluntary recall is a battery pack 
sold with a Global Positioning System Navigation System.  According to a 
C-P-S-C announcement certain Belkin Corporation batteries can overheat, 
expand and possibly rupture creating a possible fire hazard.

A commission spokesperson this recall involves 10,300 Li-Polymer battery 
packs sold with the device.  It urges those in need of further information 
to call them at area code 301 504-7800 or check on-line at www.cpsc.gov

--

Again, if you are in need of further information on either battery recall 
please contact the Consumer Products Safety Council at area code 301 
504-7800 or check on-line at www.cpsc.gov  (CPSC)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  OH-KY-IN HAMFESY JULY 23

Turning to the Amateur Radio social scene, the OH-KY-IN Hamfest is slated 
for Saturday, July 23rd at the Diamond Oaks Career Development Campus in 
Cincinnati, Ohio.  Doors open at 8 a.m. local time with talk-in on the 
clubs 147.67 MHz repeater.  For more information please e-mail 
hamfest at ohkyin.org

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  HOLLYWOOD LEGAND ERNEST LEHMAN, K6DXK - S.K.

Some sad news to report.  Hollywood producer, director and writer Ernest 
Lehman, K6DXK, became a Silent Key on July second.

While best known for his screenwriting for such musical films as The Sound 
of Music, The King and I and Hello Dolly, K6DXK was also acclaimed in the 
world of screen drama.  In that genre he was responsible for scripting 
Oscar nominated films as North by Northwest, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf 
and Portnoy's Complaint.  That one he also produced and directed in 1971.

And in 1979 his novel The French Atlantic Affair was brought to the small 
screen by writer-director Douglas Heyes. The French Atlantic Affair 
mini-series starred Jose Ferrer, Jean-Pierre Aunont, and Carolyn Jones.  It 
also featured ham radio in a leading role as the secret communications tool 
used to save a highjacked ocean liner and its passengers.

In 2001 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science honored K6DXK with 
its lifetime achievement award. The honorary OSCAR was presented by actrsss 
Julie Andrews who had played the lead role of Maria von Trapp in The Sound 
of Music.

Ernest Lehman, K6DXK, was 89. (ARNewslineT, IMDB, others)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  STS-14 FEATURES A 6 HAM CREW

Amateur Radio operators make up 6 of the 7 crew members of the STS-114 
Space Shuttle mission crew.  They are Mission Commander Eileen Collins, 
KD5EDS; Mission Specialist  Wendy Lawrence, KC5KII; Mission Specialist 
Charles Camarda, KC5ZSY; Mission Specialist  Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP; 
Mission Specialist - Andrew Thomas, KD5CHF and Pilot James Kelly, KC5ZSW.

Also carried on the STS 114 mission is the PC SAT2 ham radio satellite.  It 
will not become operational until it has been mounted on the outside of the 
I-S-S.  A spacewalk  to do this is scheduled to take place on July 21st.  A 
presentation on PCSAT2 will be held at the AMSAT-UK International Space 
Colloquium in Guildford, England from July 29th to the 31st.  (M5AKA, 
AMSAT-UK)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  SENATE APPROVES TOURISM BILL

Space could become the final frontier of tourism under recently passed 
legislation by the Senate to regulate commercial human spaceflight. The 
bill, approved by Congress, would authorize the Federal Aviation 
Administration to issue permits allowing private spacecraft operators to 
take paying passengers into space.    The agency would also regulate the 
young space tourism industry, which was invigorated by the successful 
flights of a privately financed manned rocket over California's Mojave 
Desert in October of 2004.

Just last week Russia's space agency announced that United States 
entrepreneur Gregory Olsen will be the third tourist to visit the 
International Space Station.  According to the Interfax News Agency, a 
contract has been signed between Olsen and Russia's Roscosmos federal space 
agency. This has resulted in Olson being added to the crew of the ninth 
expedition to the I-S-S and he is expected to operate the ARISS ham radio 
station while on board.  (Published reports)

**

OPERATING SCENE:  IN CELEBRATION OF LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

On the air, mark July 23rd to the 24th for ham radios participation in the 
annual Laura Ingles Wilder Little House on the Prairie Pageant.  The event 
takes place in De Smet, South Dakota with the . Huron Amateur Radio Club 
and Lake Area Radio Klub operating as W0NOZ from 1800 UT-C on the 23rd 
through 2200 UTC on the 24th on 21.365, 14.265 and 7.265 MHz.  If you work 
W0NOZ, send your QSL for a commemorative certificate to HARC, PO Box 205, 
Huron, South Dakita, zip 57350. More information is on the web at 
www.huronarc.info (Via E-Mail)

**

OPERATING SCENE:  COMMEMORATING THE ARIZONE CODE TALKERS

And the Navajo Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring Special Event station 
N-7-C.  This, in honor Arizona Code Talkers Day.  For ham radio this is 
actually a two day event on August 13th and 14th.

For those not aware, the Code Talkers were members of the Navajo nation who 
took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific during 
World War 2.  They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine Raider 
battalions and Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone 
and radio in their native Navajo language.  This was a code that the 
Japanese command could never brake.

Now, in 2005 N7C will take to the air both days from 1400 U-T-C through 
2400 U-T-C on  14.265 and 7.265. to honor thir contribution during World 
War 2.  If you make contact, QSL with an SASEto Herb Goodluck, N7HG, % 
Navajo Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 3611, Window Rock, Arizona, 
86515.  (Press release)

**

DX

Ion D-X, news that HB9FBO, will be active from Tonga as A35BO from October 
24th to December 1st. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters, including 
the WARC bands.  Modes scheduled for use are  CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via 
info on QRZ.com.  (GB2RS)

And FR5ZL, will be active from Wallis and Futuna through August 14th 
as  FW5ZL. Activity will be on 40, 30, 20 and 15 meters using CW, 
SSB,  RTTY and PSK31.  QSL direct to FR5ZL at his callbook address.  (OPDX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  A MOUSE DOWN-UNDER ROARS

And finally this week, we all remember the 1959 Peter Sellers movie called 
The Mouse That Roared.  That's the story of a very tiny fictitious nation 
that decides to flex its muscle with some rather comic results.  Well, ham 
radio may soon have its own roaring mouse but unlike the movie, this one is 
for real.  Its called  the Hutt River Province, but in a few years you may 
be operating from it.  This is because Hutt River plans to become a ham 
radio and broadcasting paradise.  Jim Linton. VK3PC, is in Forest Hill, 
Australia, with the details:

--

The Hutt River Province Principality is a self-proclaimed independent 
territory on Australia's mainland. And now it has announced plans to begin 
short-wave broadcasts and also seek amateur radio DXCC entity status.

Located just north of Geraldton, Western Australia the Hutt River Province 
claimed self-government 35 years ago and survives on a tourist based 
economy. Unfortunately, for Hutt River, the Australian Government does not 
recognize its claim of independence.

No matter. The Hutt River Province Director-General, Ministry of Electronic 
Communications, Eddie DeYoung has announced plans to set up a short-wave 
broadcast station possibly to be called Hutt River Radio.

DeYoung says the stations programs will be primarily replays of old radio 
drama shows, music from yesteryear, readings from the world's newspapers 
for print handicapped listeners, and provide time-slots to non-government 
humanitarian aid organizations.

And here is where ham radio operators will want to take note. DeYoung says 
that the Hutt River Province is trying to gain United Nations 
recognition.  In turn, this would enable the International 
Telecommunications Union to issue it with a block of radio callsigns. 
DeYoung adds that a written application has already been sent to the ITU 
seeking the H5 callsign block to be issued.

But that's not all. DeYoung adds that a body to represent the interests of 
amateur radio has been formed. Its called the Royal Amateur Radio Society 
and it is seeking membership of the International Amateur Radio Union for 
Region 3 and also for DXCC status.

DeYoung days that according to the ARRL's DXCC rules, Hutt River would 
appear to qualify for separate country status because it meets the rule for 
sovereignty.

DeYoung says that once Hutt River gains 'New Country' status, it is 
anticipated that a large number of DXers and Contesters will be eager to 
operate from it.

DeYoung adds that applications are now open for non-resident founding 
charter members of the local radio clubs and the Royal Amateur Radio 
Society, with membership privileges to include a single-letter suffix 
callsign.

And one other very important thing about Hutt River. It will remain a BPL 
free zone. This is because Broadband over Powerlines technology has been 
banned by the Hutt River Province so there will definitely not be harmful 
radio interference radiating from within its borders.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Linton, VK3PC.

--

For information about the Hutt River Province Principality, an insight into 
it's 35-year history of independence please visit its website.  You will 
find it at  www.hutt-river-provence.com on the World Wide Web.

**

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 
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