[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1467 - September 23, 2005

Mon Sep 26 06:30:38 EDT 2005

Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1467 - September 23, 2005

The following is a Q-S-T.  The hurricanes continue and so does ham radio's 
response.  Also, another ham sat is ready to  launch and the N-T-S-B says 
no to new drivers operating mobile.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1467 coming your way right now.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  THE HURRICANES CONTINUE

First Katrina.  Now Rita.  The hurricane season continues as does the role 
of Amateur Radio in providing emergency communications.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline'' Mark Abramovich, NT3V, is here with the latest chapter in this 
continuing story:

--

As we take air with our weekly broadcast, Hurricane Rita is the new menace 
on the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast. Forecasters fear the storm will have the 
same kind of punch delivered by Hurricane Katrina just a few weeks ago. 

Hundreds of thousands have left their homes, heading north to escape the 
threat. Few have stayed behind, this time, to weather the storm. They've 
learned from Katrina - that can have deadly consequences. 

Already, there is a call-up for amateur radio operators and Joseph 
Tomasone, AB2M, the ham who coordinated the database for Katrina relief 
operators has been asked to set up a separate list for the aftermath of 
Rita. 

Joe, lives in Tampa, Florida, and is a technical specialist for the West 
Central Florida section of the American Radio Relay League. 

"I've been requested to set up a database for Rita which I have done which 
is at http"//rita.ab2m.net. It just went live as a matter of fact and we 
are now setting up the Section Emergency Coordinators and Section Managers 
to be able to query that database," says Tomasone. 

"The League has made mention of it on their most current item concerning 
ARES and RACES preparedness for Hurricane Rita. That will be a separate 
database from Hurricane Katrina which we thought was a better idea for a 
number of reason. 

"More to keep information fresh and to allow those who did not necessarily 
want to respond for Hurricane Rita - perhaps they had already done enough 
time during Hurricane Katrina and had to turn attention to other matters 
that they wouldn't be automatically considered signed up." 
Tomasone says he know volunteers are eager to get on board and explains 
what they need to do. 

"They simply go to the web page and click on the registration link, they'll 
fill out a form that includes information about who they are which it will 
pull from the FCC database, if possible, what equipment they have, what 
capabilities they possess," Tomasone says. 

"It will be updated to ask if they are intending to deploy to the field or 
if they intend to stay in their own locations and perhaps pass health and 
welfare traffic. It will also ask them for contact information, email 
address, phone numbers and once that's done that's entered into the 
database. 
"Then, essentially, the volunteer's done everything they need to do." 

And, after that? 

"Now what will happen is that when a need comes up the database will be 
queried and those who are handling scheduling will look over that database, 
find someone who meets the qualifications for that need and give that 
particular ham a call or send an email and see about scheduling them for 
deployment," Tomasone says. 

Bob Josuweit, an assistant ARRL Section Manager for Eastern Pennsylvania 
and CQ magazine's public service editor, says operators who want to go 
should consider the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. 

"Word did go out from the Texas local ARES coordinators indicating that 
mission assignments could be dangerous and you had to be prepared to go 
into the affected areas," Josuweit warns. 
Tomasone says based on stories of volunteerism in the wake of Katrina, he's 
optimistic many operators will step forward to help. He says it's clear 
many have a big heart and a desire to help. 

"We have a number of people who have responded and said: 'I'm available 
anytime you need me.' We had one amateur who is wheel-chair bound who said: 
'You know what, I'm wheel-chair bound but I can get down there, I don't 
need any special treatment as long as I can be transported to the site. I 
can maneuver myself around over whatever terrain presents itself and I'm 
ready, willing and eager to help,' " Tomasone says. 

Josuweit says despite the back-to-back callups for amateur radio operators, 
he's confident the response will meet the needs. 

"I think they will be enough people ready to respond, it'll be a little bit 
further west and people from the West will be able to come in and help 
out," Josuweit says. "Obviously a lot of people are going to be tired and 
worn out, but in the traditional spirit of the amateur radio service, we'll 
get the volunteers." 

A footnote to those volunteers: Be aware that a number of amateur radio 
equipment outlets have been pretty busy trying to fill the requests for HTs 
and other 2-meter and 440 gear for operators going into the Katrina 
disaster zone. 

We received an e-mail from one listener who told us that he stopped at 
KComm in San Antonio and had a hard time getting what he wanted. He said 
the store told him it was out of stock of several items because of sales to 
folks going in to provide emergency communications. We called the store and 
spoke with a clerk who acknowledged it's been busy, but he assured us KComm 
and other dealers still have gear and accessories or can get their hands on 
it pretty quickly. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia. 

--

According to the National Weather Service the hurricane season continues 
through November.  It also say that there is no way to tell how many named 
tropical storms will spring to life before it ends.   This means that hams 
involved in proving emergency communications could be very busy for some 
time to come.  (ARNewslineT)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  GOVERNMENT OFFERS $211 MILLION TO REBUILD COMMUNICATIONS 
FOLLOWING KATRINA

Federal regulators say that the government will spend $211 million to help 
rebuild communications links damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  
They also hope to find better ways to better protect such systems. 

A category 4 storm when it made landfall, Katrina knocked out wired and 
cellular telephone service to  millions of residents in Louisiana, 
Mississippi and Alabama.  It also damaged police, fire and rescue service 
radio systems across the region and wiped out 911 emergency service in many 
areas.  The absence of those vital links made it difficult for public-
safety and emergency rescue officials to talk to each other.  For weeks 
many emergency providers were almost totally reliant on a corps of 
volunteer ham radio operators coordinated by the American Radio Relay 
League as their only means of messaging the outside world.

Kevin Martin is the Chairman of the FCC.  In a statement made at a meeting 
in Atlanta to assess the effects of the storm, Martin said that his agency 
needs to determine how it can help companies strengthen the nations 
communications infrastructure, create more robust and reliable networks, 
and improve the ability to quickly restore service when disaster does 
strike.

Martin said he will appoint a panel to recommend ways to improve 
communication among public-safety agencies during disasters.  The FCC also 
will create a bureau to promote more reliable crisis communications for 
police, fire and national security agencies.

After the hurricane, various public-safety agencies often could not 
communicate because their radio systems operate on different frequencies.  
A multi-million-dollar FEMA interoperable radio system specifically 
designed to interconnect all of agencies together was reported to have 
failed miserably.  (Published reports)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  IARU PLANS THE FUTURE OF HAM RADIO

The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union held 
its annual meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on September 17th and 18th.  
This,  following the IARU Region 1 Conference held in Davos.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

Prompted mainly by concerns about interference from Broadband Over 
Powerline communications, the International Secretariat of the IARU, in 
conjunction with the groups Electromagnetic Compatibility Adviser, was 
requested to undertake a study of the problem to be completed by the end of 
2005.  It's goal is to improve coordination of amateur radio representation 
on electromagnetic compatibility matters at national, regional and global 
forums,.  Another objective is to put in place such measures as may be 
agreed by the Council to maintain a favorable EMC environment for radio 
services.

Also at the meeting, a discussion paper was received from the officers 
describing the anticipated future environment and a vision of the long-term 
future role and structure of the IARU.   To continue this work, the 
President announced the appointment of an ad hoc committee chaired by Vice 
President Timothy Ellam, VE6SH, and comprised of Secretary Dave Sumner, 
K1ZZ, along with the presidents or chairmen of the three regional IARU 
organizations. The committee will provide a preliminary report next year.

Other significant items included the establishment of a small working group 
to develop an international emergency communications handbook for radio 
amateurs based on existing texts.  The International Secretariat was 
requested to produce a brochure on amateur radio response to emergencies.  
It was also agreed to establish a suitable Web site honoring radio amateurs 
who have given their lives while providing humanitarian service. 

This is only a small part of what was accomplished at this meeting.  The 
full report is on-line at www.iaru.org

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

--

The next scheduled meeting of the Council will be held in or near 
Bangalore, India immediately after the IARU Region 3 Conference.  That 
gathering is slated for August of 2006.  (M5AKA, IARU)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  SSETI EXPRESS READY FOR LAUNCH

A new set of satellites that ham radio helped to build will soon be on-
orbit.  Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottrinham, the U-K with the details:

--

SSETI Express, the spacecraft designed by European students, including 
radio amateurs, is scheduled to be launched into space by a Russian Cosmos 
3 rocket on the 30th of September.  The spacecraft will carry a payload of 
three tiny satellites and 
will provide a radio transponder for the global amateur radio community. 

The official SSETI mission website is already up and running.  This will 
have full details of the mission, the software, present orbital position 
and a host of other information. 

A number of web pages are also being developed to enable amateurs to locate 
SSETI Express once it has been launched, receive and download the telemetry 
and to forward it to Mission Control for evaluation.  Later in the mission, 
it will also be possible for amateurs to transmit so called "friendly" 
commands to request particular telemetry or thumbnail pictures of the 
spacecraft.

I'm G4NJH, in Nottingham.

--

The  satellite's UHF transmitter is on 437.250 MHz.  It  will be activated 
approximately 100 minutes after launch. When the Express is heard it will 
sound like a sudden burst of  increased noise from your loudspeaker.  This 
is because the 9-K-6 data sounds just like that to the human ear.  Lots 
more information on this mission is on-line at www.sseti.net (GB2RS, SSETI)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  FRESH QUESTIONS SOUGHT FOR ELEMENT 2 TECHNICIAN CLASS TEST

Ham radio educator Gordon West, WB6NOA, has an offer that you might not be 
able to refuse.  Especially if you are one of the hams who is taking 
advantage of the opportunity to take part in submitting fresh questions for 
the Element 2 Technician class question pool.

West says to first send him your questions.  He will then take your 
questions in any form, clean them up, add the four multiple-choice answers, 
and submit them for consideration to the Question Pool Committee.  We asked 
him why he is doing this:

--

West:  "The Question Pool Committee is quite precise on thow they want the 
questions and potential answers - right and wrong - submitted to them.  In 
order to assist them in developing as many new questions for the new 
Technician Class Question Pool (as possible), I will go ahead and take all 
submissions in any form, compose them to meet the strict QPC guidelines and 
then submit them to the QPC for consideration."

--

According to Gordo, the entire new Technician class pool will be trimmed 
from the current 511 questions to approximately 365 total questions.  The 
question comprehension level should be understandable by pre-teen kids, and 
the committee is looking especially for questions that would center around 
ham radio as it is today:

--

West:  "Many of the current questions on the Technician just don't apply to 
todays world of digital and operating through IRLP and Echolink as well as 
the International Space Station."  

-- 

Among the questions Gordo is soliciting are those dealing with dual-band 
radio operation, good VHF FM operating techniques and procedures, simple RF 
safety techniques as well as the fun and techniques of digital modes.  West 
says that this will hopefully lead to as much new-question input as 
possible as a fresh approach to a revised 35-question Technician class 
test.

--

West:  "We are going to take a look at all 500 questions, keep those that 
we feel are relevant and then add new questions especially those that might 
deal with digital communications that the brand new Technician class 
operator in 2006 might encounter"

--

If you want to take Gordon up on his offer, you can e-mail him at 
wb6noa at arrl.net.  His snail mail address is Gordon West, 2414 College 
Drive, Costa Mesa, California.  The zipcode is 92626  (ARNewslineT)

**

RADIO LAW"  NTSB ANTS STATYES TO BAN TEEN DRIVERS FROM USNG CELLPHONES AND 
OTHER TWO WAY RADIO

The National Transportation Safety Board wants all 50 states to make it 
illegal for teenagers and other novice drivers to talk on phones or two-way 
radios while in motion.   The NTSB says that learning how to drive while 
distracted is definitely a recipe for disaster.  

The agency admits that it only has the power to make recommendations, but 
its staff and board members have a high success rate in lobbying states for 
changes the NTSB  considers most important.  And on Tuesday, September 20th 
the agency voted to add the ban on novice drivers using any wireless 
communication devices to its annual list of "Most Wanted Safety 
Recommendations to States." 

At this time 11 states and the District of Columbia restrict cellphone use 
among novice drivers, and some ban hand-held cell-phones completely.  I 
they or other states adopt the proposed ban then it is likely to impact on 
teen drivers who operate mobile ham radio gear in addition to all other two 
way devices.   How many there are is at this time not known.  (published 
reports)

**

RADIO LAW:  AZ HAM GROUP WORRIED ABOUT K1MAN NAL 

A radio group based in Arizona has filed a partial Motion for Partial 
Reconsideration with the FCC regarding the $21,000 Notice of Apparent 
Liability that the agency has issued to Glenn Baxter, K1MAN.  In its 
filing, REC Networks asks the regulatory agency to reconsider and/or 
clarify statements made in the proposed fine regarding Commission policy 
towards the utterance of uniform resource locators or U-R-L's for Internet 
websites in the Amateur Radio Service.  

REC Networks says that it is not raising any issues around other matters in 
the Notice of Apparent Liability hanging over Baxter, nor is it requesting 
that the Commission adjust any monetary forfeiture in this case.  

What does concern REC is what it sees as the potential precedence that may 
arise as a result of statements made in the notice sent to Baxter regarding 
U-R-L's.  REC is concerned that the FCC could use this finding in other 
cases at some later date.  So far, it appears REC Networks is the only one 
that is.  (Various)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  THE BRIDE WAS RIGHT

The FCC says that radio stations must be on the up and up in awarding 
contest prizes and one station has found out the hard way that the 
regulatory agency means what it says.  Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, has the rest of 
the story:

--

The FCC has fined a Connecticut station $4,000 for not fully explaining the 
terms of a promotional contest to a perspective bride.  The commission said 
WKSS FM  in Hartford aired its "I Do Island" contest in 2003 but apparently 
awarded a prize package valued at less than the value publicized by the 
station and stated in the contest rules.

The contest required five brides-to-be to live in the center of a shopping 
mall for a week, using only the clothes they arrived in.  Each day, 
listeners voted a contestant out of the mall.  The woman who won complained 
to the FCC because she said she was told by the station she would receiver 
her prize information in two weeks. The woman, not identified in the 
decision, said she received the information about the prizes three months 
later and at about $20,000 in value.  That's about $10,000 less than 
advertised.

In its defense, WKSS first told the FCC the value of the prize package was 
about $10,000.  Then in a second letter, it said it did not state the value 
on-air but offered to host a wedding rehearsal dinner and supply a wedding 
photographer to increase the value of the prize package. The station said 
the woman refused the offer, but did accept a $5,000 check.

Commission contest rules state licensees must conduct contests 
substantially as announced or advertised and to disclose material terms, 
including prize value.  It said that offering the winner more prizes to 
boost the value of the overall package doesn't absolve the Clear-Channel-
owned station from liability and the proposed penalty.  Figuring the $5000 
it paid the contestant and the $4000 it now must pay the FCC, it does not 
seem that WKSS mad a wise choice in deciding to try to downscale the prize.  

--

The station was given the usual time to pay up or file a further appeal.  
(FCC)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  ANTENNA DESIGNER GORDON BIRD, G4ZU, - S.K.

Pioneer antenna Gordon Bird G4ZU, has passed away.  Well recognized for re-
shaping the construction of antennas and their theory of operation Bird 
passed away at Malves en Minervois in South France on August 16th.  

During his career as a chief electronics engineer and manager he worked for 
the British Post and Telecommunications, NATO and the United Kingdom 
Ministry of Defense.  His antenna designs include the "Bow-and-Arrow Yagi" 
the Minibeam and the famed "Birdcage" designs.  A friend, Jean-Claude 
Menardn F8ND, reported Birds passing.  He was 86.  (GB2RS)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  CODE OR NOT TO CODE

As the commentary period on the FCC's proposal to drop the Morse 
requirement continues, one ham says that there should be two types of 
license.  Chad Beech, W9GAA, says there should be one for those who want to 
keep the code and another for those who don't:

--

Beech: "What about a code license.  A CW license independent from all 
others?  You could be anything from a Technician with code to an Extra 
without code and your frequency privileges would vary accordingly."

--

Beech says that this way everyone gets what they want and everyone wins.  
You can hear more with W9GAA on this weeks Newsline Extra.  Just take your 
web browser to www.arnewsline.org and download the Newsline Extra MP3 File.

Also if you have a 2 minute commentary on the Morse code deregulation 
debate send it to us on cassette or CD and we will use it as time permits.  
(ARNewslineT)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  US DOMINANCE IN TECHNOLOGY SLIPPING

The National Bureau of Economic Research in Washington says that the United 
States dominance in science and engineering may be slipping.  This, as 
America's share of graduates in these fields falls relative to Europe and 
developing nations such as China and India continues to drop.

The study was authored by bureau researcher Richard Freeman.  He notes that 
in the year 2000 that only about 17 percent of United States university 
bachelor degrees in were in science and engineering related fields.  This, 
compared with a world average of 27 percent and 52 percent in China.  And 
the picture among those obtaining doctorates was more striking.  In 2001, 
universities in Europe  graduated 40 percent more science and engineering 
doctorates than the United States.  Freeman expects that figure to reach 
nearly 100 percent by about 2010.  

So what is the answer to keeping the U.S. as the worlds technology leader?  
The study notes the deteriorating opportunities and comparative wages for 
young science and engineering graduates has discouraged U.S. students from 
entering these field.  It also notes the outsourcing of previously American 
held jobs in information technology, high-tech manufacturing and research 
and development to low-income developing countries.  And the study 
concludes that urgent action is needed to ensure that slippage in science 
and engineering education and research does not continue.  

While the study makes no mention of Amateur Radio, it is well known that 
percentage wise the hobby generates more engineers and technologists than 
any other special interest technology group today.  (NBER Release)

**  

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  A SUPER SUPER-COMPUTER FROM BIG BLUE

A $100 million supercomputer being built to analyze the nation's nuclear 
stockpile has again set an unofficial performance record.  The second in 
just more than a month.  

IBM Corp.'s still-incomplete Blue Gene/L system, which will be installed at 
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, achieved a sustained performance of 
70.72 trillion calculations per second.  This, using a standard test 
program.  

The world's current official leader is Japan's Earth Simulator.  It can 
sustain 35.86 trillion calculations per second using the same software.   
(Science OnLine)

**

WORLDBEAT - AUSTRALIA:  VK PROPPAGATION BEACONS OVERHAULED

In news frm aqround the globe, Colin Hutchesson, VK5DK, advises that the 
VK5RSE  70 centimeter and 23 centimeeter propagation beacons are back on 
air  from Australia's Mt Graham.  This, as of Sunday afternoon September 
4th.   

The 70 centimeter beacon is on 432.550 MHz while the 23 centimeter unit can 
be found at  1296.550 MHz.   Any reports welcome as VK5DK hopes a big 
improvement in the beacons after the overhall that was performed during the 
downtime.  (WIA News)

**

WORLDBEAT:  CELLPHONES IN AFRICA ARE THE RAGE

And in just five years, the number of wireless users in Africa jumped from 
about 7 million to more than 76 million.  This, as even remote villagers 
grasp for a technology that few outsiders thought they needed or wanted. 

In spite of the obstacles faced in recharging handsets from scarce 
automotive batteries, the phones are being put to uses not even imagined by 
those erecting the networks.   Inhabitants in two provinces are so eager 
for service that they have built 50 foot high tree houses to catch signals 
from distant cell sites.  They climb them with their cellphones in hand to 
use them from the lofty perch.  More on this fascinating use of wireless is 
on line at http://tinyurl.co/at5vv  (CGC)

**

DX

In D-X there are a number of operations to keep an ear open for in the 
coming weeks.  Topping the list is G4JVG, is now operating under the 
callsign 9M6DXX from Sabah, East Malaysia.  For those not aware, G4JVG is 
Steve Telenius-Lowe, the former editor of Radio Communications magazine.

Slavek, SP2JMB, plans to operate SSB and CW on the HF bands as 3A/SP2JMB 
from Monaco until 30th September.

Lastly, JH4RHF slash OE1ZKC will operate on 160 through 10 meter SSB, CW, 
RTTY and  SSTV from Lesotho, Africa.  He will be there from September 24th 
to October 2nd.  

QSL all off these operations as directed on the air.  (Various DX Sources)

**

RADIO FUNNY:  THE CONSULTANT

And finall this week, another of those funny stories that could only happen 
in the wonderful world of radio.  Heres Evi Simons:

--

The CGC Communicator reports a rather amusing incident that took place in 
the greater Los Angeles area.  This, after an unnamed  community hired a 
consultant to find a Travelers Information Service frequency. 

Anyhow, the consultant is reported to have performed a cursory allocations 
study.  He then filed the necessary paperwork and was later astounded to 
find interference from Mexico on his chosen frequency. 

It turns out that the consultant had picked what amounted to a Mexican 
clear channel frequency.  One reserved primarily for use South of the 
border and not to guide travelers in Soiuthern California to their flights.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Evi Simons, in New York.

--

Reportedly the consultant has since decided that listening to the AM band 
in advance of filing FCC paperwork is probably a good idea.  (CGC)

**

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 
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. 