[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1462 - August 19, 2005

Sun Aug 21 06:17:10 EDT 2005

Amateur Radio Newsline 1462 - August 19, 2005

The following is a Q-S-T.  

Hams in Hungary take part in a 6 meter experiment that makes them rare D-X.  
Also, P-C Sat 2 is on the air from the I-S-S and more schools join the ARRL 
Big Project.  These stories ad more highlight Amateur Radio Newsline report 
number 1462 coming your way right now.

**

RESTRUCTURING - HUNGARY:  LIMITED 6 METER OPERATIONS

Users of the Magic Band have gotten some good news.  This with word that 
the Hungarian licensing authority has issued three experimental radio 
licenses, allowing three amateur radio organizations to broadcast 65 
stations on the 50 MHz band.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the story:

--

The aim of the experiment is to study whether amateur radio usage of the 50 
MHz band on a secondary basis causes interference in the reception of 
broadcasting stations. The frequency range permitted for the experiment is 
50.0500 MHz to 50.5000 MHz, and the licenses are valid for all operating 
modes, including FM and digital. Maximum effective radiated power however 
is limited to 5 watts.

A request for a 50 MHz license was originally submitted by Haros Radio 
Club, HA5HRK, in June 2005. The licensing authority was very cooperative 
and decided to broaden the circle of stations in the experiment by inviting 
members of two other amateur radio organizations to participate. 

During the experiment, HA5AK is planning to operate a beacon on 50.050 MHz.  
Keep your ears open for this one.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles.

--

The licenses became valid for a period of 30 days starting August 1st.  This 
is believed to be the first time that amateur radio has been permitted on 
the 50 Mhz band in Hungary making them the rarest of 6 meter D-X.  (GB2RS)

**

RADIO EDUCATION:  NEW SCHOOLS JOIN ARRL EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

The League's Education and Technology Program,  better known as "The Big 
Project" has expanded to four more schools.  The ARRL Letter identifies 
them as the Deep Wood Elementary School in Round Rock, Texas, the Lampasas 
Middle School in Lampasas, Texas, the Powell G-T Magnet Elementary School 
in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the Winn Brook School in Belmont, 
Massachusetts. 

As Education and Technology Program participating schools, each will get a 
complete Amateur Radio station.  All four made their Amateur Radio 
equipment selections this summer and the gear is en route in time for the 
new school year.

Meantime, three already participating schools also were named as progress 
grant recipients.  They are the Bloomington High School South in 
Bloomington, Indiana, the Eastham Community Center in Wilsonville, Oregon 
and L-B-J High School in Austin, Texas.  

Progress grants include curriculum and printed material as well as 
components and equipment specifically requested to enhance an existing 
program.  The latest endowments for all seven schools totals $12,400.  
(ARRL)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  PCSAT2 ON THE AIR - PSK COORDINATOR NEEDED

The new P-C Sat 2 satellite is now on-orbit on the International Space 
Station and will operate in conjunction with all of the other exciting 
modes on the ARISS system.  This according to controllers who say that 
inclusdes all cyrrent ARISS voice, packet, repeater and SSTV modes.   But 
because these are all multiple transceivers all on the same station, their 
operation have to be coordinated so there is no mutual interference.  

Right now it looks like P-C Sat 2 can best contribute at this time by 
operating in PSK-31 mode for the near future.  This the P-C Sat 2 folks 
describe as a very exciting new transponder mode which solves the 
congestion problem on FM repeaters by letting multiple stations all 
communicate at the same time.

PSK-31 users are welcome to try out the new P-C Sat 2 data transponder.  
The uplink is on 29.4021 MHz and the downlink can be found at 435.275 FM.  
The FM downlink lets everyone operate full duplex and everyone to see the 
same view of the passband as everyone else.  This means you can hear nd see 
exactly what your signal sounds and looks like to everyone else.

Also, a PSK-31 Operations Coordinator is needed for P-C Sat 2.   If you are 
interested in PSK-31 operations and want to volunteer contact Bob Bruninga, 
WB4APR, at wb4apr at amsat.org  (AMSAT-NA, WB4APR)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ARISS PACKET STATION OFF THE AIR

Still with ham radio space related matters, word that the ARISS packet 
relay system is down.  According to Ken Ransom, N5VHO that the TNC on the 
Kenwood radio on-board the Internationl Space Station appear to have 
stopped working. 

Ransom says that attempts have been made to restore the the radio but so 
far without success.  With the crew very busy preparing for an E-V-A, 
additional troubleshooting will not be possible until after the space walk 
has been completed.  (N5VHO)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  THREE CHARGED WITH MURDER IN DISAPPEARANCE OF HAM RADIO 
COUPLE

I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, with late breaking news on a ham radio couple 
that went missing late last year.  Now, three people suspected of killing a  
retired Arizona man and wife in a plot to steal their yacht were ordered to 
trial Tuesday following lengthy testimony at a preliminary hearing.  

Orange County Superior Court Judge John Conley has ordered Skylar Deleon, 
his wife, Jennifer, and John F. Kennedyto appear in two weeks for 
arraignment on charges of murder with special circumstances.  This, after 
Newport Beach police Sargent Evan Sailor testified during an August 16th 
hearing that Deleon and Kennedy tied Thomas and Jackie Hawks, KD7VWJ, and  
KD7VWK to an anchor and tossed them overboard while they were still alive.  

As previously reported, the couple disappeared on November 15th of 2004.  
This, after leaving on a test run with a prospective buyer for their 55-
foot yacht, the "Well Deserved." Their bodies have never been found.  The 
Deleons have told police they gave the Hawkses $465,000 for the boat and 
the couple got in their SUV and drove away.

Sailor said he based his testimony on statements made to police on March 2 
by a fourth suspect, named Alonso Machain.  Machain and another defendant 
named Myron Gardner Sr. are also charged with murder but face a separate 
trial.

All defendants have pleaded not guilty. Under California law, the special 
circumstances allegation means that the Deleons' and Kennedy could face the 
death penalty if convicted.

I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.  Jim.

**

ENFORCEMENT:  UK HAM ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED HATE TRANSMISSIONS

An unidentified United Kingdom ham has been arrested for what we in the 
United States would call an alleged hate crime.  This with word that North 
West Surrey Police took swift action to pull the plug on an amateur radio 
station which allegedly aired comments which were considered likely to 
incite religious and racial hatred.

The 67 year-old operator was arrested on Tuesday, July 26th.  The ham's 
radio station equipment has been seized for examination.  The person was 
interviewed by officers before being released on  bail until September 9th 
hearing and pending further investigation.

According to authorities, the arrest came within hours of a listener making 
a complaint to police.  No information was given on what the alleged 
perpetrator might have said to bring authorities to take this action. 
(Surrey.Police.uk)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  NO - THE TOWER IS NOT THAT HIGH

Back here in the USA the FCC has canceled a proposed monetary forfeiture 
issued to WKLC, Inc.  This, for violation of the Commission's Rules 
requiring the registration and painting of antenna structures that are 200 
feet or higher.  

Back on July 23, 2003, WKLC was issued a proposed fine of $13,000 because 
it allegedly had not maintained the tower near St. Albans, West Virginia to 
FCC rule.  But WKLC claimed that the tower was exempt from these rules 
because it was under 200 feet tall nd it brought in a structural engineer 
to prove it.  

He climbed to the top and dropped tape measure.  It showed the tower to 
stand only 197 feet and 7 inches.  Based on the information now before it, 
the Enforcement Bureau decided that no forfeiture should be imposed, 
contingent upon WKLC filing new paperwork showing the towers correct 
height.  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW FOLOW-UP:  SAN DIEGO COUNTY ENACTS 45-DAY MORATORIUM ON NEW 
CELLULAR TOWERS 

A U.S. Federal Court ruling invalidating San Diego County's controversial 
cellular tower siting ordinance has prompted the Board of Supervisors to 
approve a 45-day moratorium on new towers while a decision is made on 
whether to appeal the ruling, adopt a new ordinance, or reinstate the 
previous rules. Tom Harron, the county's chief deputy county counsel, said 
the moratorium would give county officials time to better understand the 
July 8 ruling that struck down the cellular tower ordinance supervisors 
approved in 2003.

As reported last week, U.S. District Court Judge Barry Moskowitz ruled that 
the county ordinance was superseded by federal law, which bars governments 
from throwing "unnecessary obstacles" in the path of cellular expansion.  
According to the CGC Communicator, the moratorium comes at a time when 
about 130 applications for new tower permits are awaiting County action. 

Only cellular tower permits are affected by the moritoeium.  Other radio 
services are not affected b the Supervisors actions.  (CGC, others)

**

RADIO EVENTS:  HAM RADIO IN BBC DOCUMENTARY

Ham radio is about to get some public exposure across the United Kingdom.  
This as it takes part in a special BBC show.  We go across the Atlantic to 
Nottingham and RSGB reporter Jeramy Boot, G4NJH:

--

England's BBC Radio 1 is presenting a documentary called Radio Anyone on 22 
August. The program - which examines the way people exploit technology to 
broadcast their voices to the world - features several contributions from 
radio amateurs, notably short clips of amateur radio contacts between 
school children and the International Space Station.

The Radio Society of Great Britain's GB4FUN manager Carlos Eavis, G0AKI, 
along with former Young Amateur of the Year, Mark Haynes, M0DXR, also 
participated in the documentary. Carlos travels the length and breadth of 
the country in his famous GB4FUN van to explain to school children about 
amateur radio.

While being interviewed for the documentary, both Carlos and Mark were able 
to make contact with OZ1MY, via the AO-51 satellite. The interviewers were 
then able to talk to Ib about how he became interested in amateur radio. 

I'm G4NJH in Nottingham.

--

If you live in the UK, don't forget to tune in to the show.  To find out 
the exact time of broadcast or to listen in from anyplace world-wide, visit 
the BBC Radio 1 webseite.  Its in cyberspace at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1  
(GB2RS)

**

RADIO EVENTS:  ARMSTRONG COMMEMORATIVE STATION GETS EXTENDED STA AND NEW 
LEASE ON LIFE

Receiving an extended lease on life is station WA2XMN.  Thats the 
commemorative "experimental" outlet broadcasting on an old-time lowband FM 
frequency of 42.8 MHz from the old Armstrong Tower in Alpine, New Jersey,. 

When Steve Hemphill, WA3AZE, first fired up his replica Phasitron 
transmitter on Saturday June 24th, he had a short term Special Temporary 
Authority from the FCC for its operation.  The idea was to commemorate the 
first FM broadcast 70 years earlier by Major Edwin H. Armstrong.  

Initially planning to operate only for two days in June, WA2XMN is now 
authorized to continue its specialty broadcasts until sometime in 2010.  
And making broadcast DX'ers salivate is the realization that the station is 
now authorized to operate into the next Sunspot-maximum, on its 11-year 
cycle.  It's likely that the 250 watt transmitter will be heard into skip 
areas in the Midwest and beyond, toward the end of its lifespan.  This, 
thanks to those expected solar maximum conditions.   (Broadcast Band 
Update)

**

RADIO TECHNOLOGY:  RF ID TAGS SEED UP SHOPPING

N-C-R has demonstrated how shopping to be made less stressful using R-F 
identification tags.  It happened at the recent Sidney Australia Retail 
Business Show.  Trevor Teague, VK4BAT, has more:

--

Audio only.  Hear it in the MP3 version at www.arnewsline.org

--

The bottom line.  Use of RF  ID tags could eventually make those long 
checkout lines at stores, a thing of the past.  And its radio that makes it 
a reality.  (WIA News)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  AUCTION OF A GOLD BIRD

Bird Electronic Corporation is celebrating the milestone of the manufacture 
of its 300,000th Model 43 Thruline Wattmeter. To commemorate this 
milestone, this specific unit produced with a special gold-plated finish, 
is being auctioned with the proceeds from this sale to be donated to a 
charity of the Winning Bidder's choice. 

Bird began production of the Model 43 in 1952 and it quickly became a 
cornerstone of the two-way radio industry.  Bird Electronic Corporation is 
a division of the Bird Technologies Group.  The auction ends on Wednesday, 
August 31st.  More information on the auction is on-line at http://www.bird-
electronic.com and click on the auction graphic.  (VHF Reflector, WB5ITT)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  BROADCAST PIONEER JOHN RIEGER, W2JRR - S.K.

Broadcasting pioneer John R. Rieger, K2JRR, who founded radio station WLIR 
FM on Long Island, New York  has died at age 91.  Born in Rockville Center 
to Hungarian immigrant artists in 1913, John Rieger's childhood interest in 
piano and violin led to training at the Juilliard School of Music in New 
York City.  

In 1959, Rieger began broadcasting classical music and Broadway tunes from 
a basement studio at the Garden City Hotel after receiving a license and 
the call letters WLIR from the FCC.  By the time he left in the mid-80s, 
the station had shifted to rock and then on to new wave.  But in its hey-
day of top 40, Rieger's station was known as "The World Famous WLIR."  It 
was the rock music outlet that helped launch the careers of Billy Joel and 
The Ramones.

But music wasn't John Rieger's only passion. After retirement in 1983 K2JRR 
moved to Orient, Long Island where he co-founded the Peconic Amateur Radio 
Club.  This is an 80-member group that provided emergency communications 
for the Red Cross after TWA Flight 800 crashed off the South Shore of Long 
Island in 1996 and during the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks.  
(Newsday, others)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  STREAMING VIDEO LETS FATHER SEE DAUGHTER BORN

Moden telecommunications has made it possible for an Army Sergeant 
stationed in  Iraq to witness the birth of his daughter in Parkersburg, 
West Virginia. Thanks to streaming video and audio, Sergeant William 
Hamrick joined his wife Angela as the baby was born.

The high-tech link came about after Angela Hamrick asked if there was some 
way her husband could see pictures of their little girl being born.  
Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital spokesman Greg Smith thinks this may be the 
first such international live video and audio link of a birth. 

Wlliam Hamrick is serving with an Army Reserve Engineer in Iraq.  
(Published reports)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: BROADBAND TAKES TO THE SKY

Boeing has joined the ranks of companies offering planes equipped with  Wi-
Fi service with the introduction of its new high-speed Internet service 
called   Connexion.   That's Connexion spelled C-ON-N-E-X-I-O-N.

Wi-Fi service is already available on about 70 aircraft operated by  NA,  
China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, and Singapore Airlines,  
though not on  domestic U.S. flights.  (Boeing, PC world)

**

HAM RADION IN SPACE;  AMATEURS INVITED TO LISTEN FOR MARS ROVER

Post-launch checkout of the Electra software-defined UHF radio aboard the 
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will be conducted on or about September 26th ad 
ham radio is invited to take part.  That's because the tests will include 
CW transmissions during spacecraft turns to verify the UHF helix antenna 
pattern. 

Interested radio amateurs and amateur and professional radio-astronomers in 
North America with sensitive receiving capabilities at 437.1 MHz can 
attempt to receive the UHF signal from MRO during this test.  Please note 
that this is advance information and is subject to change.  (ASR)

**

THE SCIENCE OF TIME: DST EXTENDED IN 2007

The nation and the nations ham radio community will have an additional four 
weeks of daylight-saving time beginning in 2007.  This after President Bush 
signs into law a new energy law that contains wording which ushers in 
daylight-savings time three weeks earlier, on the second Sunday in March, 
and be extends it by a week to the first Sunday in November. 

Representative Fred Upton of Michigan was among those who pushed to get the 
provision into the bill.  He argued the extension will save energy because 
people won't have to turn their lights on as early in the evening. 

But not everyone is happy.  The electronics industry says that it now has 
to figure out how to deal with the impact of the change on computer 
software and an array of electronic gadgets from the timing of VCR's and 
DVD recorders to adjusting digital clocks on cell phones.  And its affect 
if any on ham radio has yet to be fully assessed.

The last time the daylight-saving time schedule was changed was in 1987.   
(Science OnLine)

**

RADIOSPORTS:  THE 2005 ATV COMPETITION

The 2005 ATV Contest sponsored by Amateur Television Quarterly Magazine 
ends August 31st, but there is still time to gain some extra points.  This is 
because there have already been a few bands opening this summer that has 
provided some fun for those sending their TV signals and another could 
happen any day.  For information on this competition visit 
www.hampubs.com/atv.htm.  Also make sure you get your logs in on time.  
(WB9MMM )

**

SPECIAL EVENTS:  INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND

The International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend is taking place over the 
weekend of the 20th and 21st of August. During the event, more than 300 
stations will be established at lighthouses and lightships in 42 countries 
around the world.  More is on-line at www.illw.net  (RSGB)

**

DX

In D-X, word that GD3UMW and the Manx Radio Club to operate GD6IA during 
the CQ World Wide DX C-W Contest on November 26th and 27th.  They plan to 
operate as a Single-Op All-Band entry but do not expect much activity 
before or after the contest. QSL for GD6IA is via PO Box 1, Peel City, Isle 
of Man, British Isles.

And OPDX reports that ON7TQ and ON6UQ will be active from Lichtenstein from 
September 17th to the 24th signing portable H-B-zero.  Activity will be on 
all H-F bands on CW, SSB, RTTY and  SSTV.  There is the possibility of some 
PSK 32 as well.  QSL each via their home callsigns.

Higher in frequency, word that England's GB3SC propagation beacon complex 
at Bell hill Dorset has been restored to operation.  This, following the 
demise of the original switch mode power supply due to a lightning induced 
transient. The beacons themselves survived the lightning strikes unscathed.

(Above from various DX Sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  A TRUE FOUNDATION IN AMATUR RADIO

And finally this week, as hams in the United States debate the latest no-
code restructuring proposal from the FCC, we take a look at another nation 
that had similar growth problems but took things a bit further by creating 
a welcome mat for new hams.  That nation is the United Kingdom and their 
strategy is called the Foundation Class license.  Jim Linton, VK3PC, takes 
an in-depth look at what it has accomplished:

--

The Foundation License is a winner for the UK.  After nearly three years 
since its introduction the Foundation License accounts for more than ten 
per cent of currently issued amateur radio licences in the United Kingdom. 

When introduced in 2002, the UK had experienced 10 years of steady 
declining the number of amateur radio licenses on issue and an increasing  
average age of radio amateurs.   That decline was halted in its tracks with 
the first year results of the Foundation License. About a quarter of the 
new entrants to amateur radio are aged 21 or younger. 

Growth in the hobby is noticeable through upgrading to the Intermediate 
License that increased by around 20 per cent in the past 12 months.  The 
Foundation License M-prefix callsigns can be see active right across the 
different aspects of amateur radio as they engage fully in the hobby.

I'm Jim Linton, VK3PC

--

The U-K Foundation Class license approach has been so successful that its 
now being emulated by other nations around the globe.  (VK3PC)

**

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 at arnewsline.org.  More 
information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's(tm) only official 
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us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 
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