[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1474 - November 11, 2005

[ham-news at mailman.qth.net]

Amateur Radio Newsline 1474 - November 11, 2005

The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio aids in rescue efforts following a 
killer quake in Pakistan and a killer twister in the United States 
mid-West.  Also, Australia gets a new licensing structure and LOVE is on 
the air in the U-K.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report 
number 1474 coming your way right now.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE

Ham radio is again functioning as a communications lifeline.  This time in 
the wake of a devastating earthquake that hit Pakistan in October.  GB2RS 
Newsreader Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, has the latest word on what radio amateurs 
are doing to try to help save lives:

--

GB2RS has received reports of radio amateurs helping in the relief effort 
following the devastating earthquake that struck the Kashmir region of 
Pakistan in October.

Nasir, AP2NK, president of the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society, said: "It is 
a terrible situation with destruction over a big area of difficult mountain 
terrain.  Hams and short wave listeners are helping in the distribution of 
relief items.  More teams are moving into different towns so that welfare 
messages can be exchanged as the available telephone network is 
overloaded."

He also informed RadCom that radio amateurs were working with the official 
radio network of forest stations to help exchange welfare messages in areas 
where telephones were not available.

Horey Majumdar, VU2HFR, reported that there has been some ham disaster 
communication from Pakistan, mainly on 7,100kHz. He also said that hams 
from Turkey had entered Pakistan to assist in relief operations. VU2RBI, 
meanwhile, said that Pakistani hams had been relaying earthquake-related 
traffic, but admitted that few amateur radio stations had at that time been 
established in the hardest-hit areas, some of which are very remote with 
difficult access.

I'm G4NJH, in Nottingham

--

The earthquake is estimated to have killed more than 55,000 people, injured 
another 78,000 and left three million homeless.  There are fears that the 
death toll could rise higher if the homeless are not provided with shelter 
before the onset of the harsh Pakistani winter.  (GB2RS)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO FIRST ON SCENE IN INDIANA TWISTER

More Amateur Radio volunteers are needed to assist relief operations in the 
wake of a tornado that left 22 people dead and 200 injured in Northern 
Kentucky and South-Western Indiana.

The twister slashed a more than 40-mile swath in the early morning hours of 
November 6th.  It wiped out a section of a trailer park in Vanderburgh 
County where 18 of the fatalities occurred.

Amateur Radio volunteers were among the first of the First 
Responders.  Hams provided support for the American Red Cross until that 
agency was able to get its own internal telecommunications up and running. 
The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are now fully on the scene 
with canteen and mass-care facilities to feed and care for relief workers 
and tornado victims.

Officer Bob Pointer, N9XAW, is at The Salvation Army headquarters in 
Evansville, Indiana.  He told the ARRL that three Salvation Army mobile 
kitchens and three field units have been deployed in Vandenburgh and 
Warrick counties, and Amateur Radio is supporting their relief activities. 
He added that Amateur Radio support will likely will be needed for at least 
a week.

ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator David Pifer, N9YNF, is asking 
prospective Amateur Radio volunteers who are willing and able to assist in 
the relief operation to contact Pointer at area code 812-431-5054.  This, 
to find out if you are still needed before you make the trip.  (ARRL 
Bulletin)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  IARU E-COMMS TRAINING

Meantime, a new publication from the International Amateur Radio Union 
hopes to help standardize emergency service communications world 
wide.  John Williams, VK2BUI, of the WIA News has more:

--

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has released the 2005 
Emergency Telecommunications Handbook. This Handbook is written to serve as 
a close companion to those involved in the work of providing as well 
as  using telecommunications for disaster mitigation and relief.

While this handbook is meant to be simple, it is comprehensive, compact and 
contains useful factual information that is concise and organized for easy 
access  especially by practitioners.

The Amateur service, through the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) 
is one of the major partners in disaster response, mitigation and 
prevention.

I'm John, VK2BUI.

--

For more information on the book and associated training take your web 
browser to www.iaru.org   (WIA News)

**

RADIO LAW:  HURRIUCANE RECOVERY LEADS TO CONTINUED LICENSE DEADLINE 
EXTENSION

Back in the USA, the FCC has extended from until November 30th filing and 
regulatory deadlines for Wireless Telecommunications Bureau license holders 
directly affected by Hurricane Katrina.  According to the ARRL Letter, the 
FCC  took the action because of the continued devastation and recovery 
efforts in parts of the affected states and to further alleviate any 
additional burden that may be caused by the agency's filing requirements 
and regulatory deadlines.

After November 30th the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau says that it 
will consider waiver requests related to Hurricane Katrina on a 
case-by-case basis. The bureau already has extended filing and regulatory 
deadlines for licensees affected by Hurricane Rita to November 21st and by 
Hurricane Wilma to December 22nd.

Because the deadline extensions affect the two-year renewal "grace period" 
for Amateur Radio licensees, the FCC also has suspended vanity call sign 
processing until further notice.  No word when it might again resume 
issuing vanity calls.  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  CQ LOOKS AT HAM RADIOS RESPONSE TO KATRINA

CQ Magazine has devoted much of its November issue to the recent hurricane 
Katrina emergency and an in- depth look Amateur Radio's response in the 
days and weeks following the storm.  Among the articles is one titled "A 
Desperate SOS" by C-Q's emergency communications specialist Bob Josuweit, 
WA3PZO, that takes a broad look at Hurricane Katrina and the flooding that 
followed.  With pictures and words, Bob describes how Katrina destroyed New 
Orleans communications infrastructure and how ham radio was first on scene 
to help in channeling relief to the besieged city.

Next up an article written by a ham radio victim of Hurricane 
Katrina.  It's the first person account by Dr. Roberto Dobdoub, KB5AVY, who 
lost his home in the flooding.  Even so, his repeater was still on and 
helping to save others.  It's a story that bound to bring a tear to your 
eye.

Joe Lynch, N6CL, follows with an article on Secondary Stress and Trauma 
with advice on how communications volunteers and other emergency workers 
can avoid becoming of these syndromes.  Joe is a true expert inn this area. 
As an  ARRL Section Manager he was responsible for more than 300 ham radio 
volunteers at the site of the August 1995 Oklahoma City federal building 
bombing.

Finally, Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, takes a close look at mobile Amateur Radio 
response vehicles and the role that they play in emergencies.

Its all in the November 2005 issue of CQ on newstands now.  More 
information is on-line at www.cq-amateur- radio.com   (CQ)

**

PUBLIC SERVICE:  THE ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON

Again in 2005 it was radio amateurs that kept the ING New York City 
Marathon moving along.  Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, is here with the ham radio 
highlights:

--

Mendelsohn says a network of repeaters and simplex operations are the 
primary means of communications for the marathon.

"We're using 11 simultaneous repeater systems, we have 11 nets that are 
going at various times," Mendelsohn says. "We use 2 meter simplex at Fort 
Wadsworth at the start. We use a 440 repeater for senior VIPs. We use a 440 
simplex for operations in and around the command trailer.

"And, then once we start down the course we have a south logistics net, a 
north logistics net that break the course in half because of the amount of 
traffic, we have a course-wide medical, a course-wide dropout, we have five 
different repeaters at the finish line handling park medical traffic, we 
have park logistics traffic, we have family reunion traffic."

Mendelsohn says medical traffic flow is heavy for the race.

"From the time the first runner crossed the line at roughly 1 o'clock in 
the afternoon to the time that we pulled our little medical net down, we 
passed 2,400 pieces of medical traffic telling family and the medical 
director exactly where everybody was," Mendelsohn recalls. "What med tent 
they were in what kind of problems they had and that way we kept track of 
everybody."

Mendelsohn says he relies on operators coming from at least nine states, 
including some from as far away as Florida, Colorado and Ohio. And many of 
them come back year to year. Why?

"It's a little bit like going to the Indy 500. It's a world-class event," 
Mendelsohn says. "And when you see 38,00 runners dressed in all kinds of 
costumes. When you feel the just wonderful vibe of the city. This great 
city comes alive with a spirit that is just got to be experienced. It's 
almost as good as a DX contest."

If you're interested in making the trip to the Big Apple help out with next 
year's marathon, contact Stephen Mendelsohn at W2ML at arrl.org or 
W2ML at arrl.net.

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

--

According to Mendelsohn, the ham radio communicators are already planning 
2006.  (ARNewslineT)

**


RADIO LAW:  EAS TO MOVE TO HOMELAND SECURETY BUREAU

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has  announced plans to move the commission's 
E-A-S responsibilities out of the Enforcement Bureau and ver to the 
Commission's Office of Homeland Security.  As part of several steps Martin 
said would help improve communications and public safety in disaster 
response, the Office of Homeland Security will soon be elevated to bureau 
status, and E-A-S oversight would go with it.  According to news reports, 
the timing of the shift is still under discussion.   (RW ON Line)

**

RADIO LAW:  INDECENCY AND OBSCENITY COMPLAINTS JUMP

The number of radio and television broadcasting complaints received by the 
FCC has increased significantly between the 2nd and 3rd quarter of the 
year.  There were 6,429 complaints filed in the 2nd quarter of 2005.  That 
number skyrocketed  to 26,368 in the 3rd quarter. The biggest increase 
occurred in the Indecency and Obscenity category, up from 6,161 to 
26,185.   (CGC)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC RELEASES TWO NEW COMPLAINT FORMS

The FCC has announced that the Federal Office of Management and Budget 
issued a Notice of Action approving the revised Federal Communications 
Commission General Consumer Complaint.  Its also given the green light to 
Form 475 and a new Obscene, Profane, and/or Indecent Material Complaint 
Form designated Form 475B.

Form 475B will enable the Commission to collect detailed data from 
consumers on the practices of those entities that may air obscene, profane, 
and/or indecent material by giving consumers an opportunity, for the first 
time, to use a specific form to file their complaints.  Both Form 475 and 
Form 475B will significantly improve the informal complaint process for 
consumers, industry, and Commission staff by minimizing confusion on what 
information the Commission requires.

The OMB approval came on November 1st.  The FCC says that use of these 
forms will improve the complaint process and the overall quality of the 
complaints received.  (FCC)

**

RADIO HONORS  ARRL SOLICITING INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD NOMINATIONS

The ARRL is soliciting nominations for its International Humanitarian 
Award. The award is dedicated to an amateur or amateur group devoted to 
promoting human welfare, peace and international understanding through 
Amateur Radio.

Nominations must include a summary of the nominee's actions that qualify 
the  individual or group for this award plus verifying statements from at 
least two individuals having first-hand knowledge of the events warranting 
the nomination. These statements may be from an official of a group that 
benefited from the nominee's particular Amateur Radio contribution. 
Nominations should include the names and addresses of all references.

The ARRL created the International Humanitarian Award to recognize Amateur 
Radio's unique role in international communication and the assistance it 
regularly provides to people in need throughout the world.  All nominations 
and supporting materials must be submitted in writing in English to the 
ARRL International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, Connecticut 
06111.  The deadline for submissions is December 31st.  (ARRL)

**

RADIO GIFTS:  GOLD PLATED BIRD MODEL 43 WATTMETER GOES TO SETI

A few months back we reported that Bird Electronic Corporation was 
celebrating the manufacture of its 300,000th Model 43 Thruline 
Wattmeter.  This, with the fabrication  of one of a kind special unit with 
a gold- plated finish.

The idea was to auction the unit off with the proceeds from this sale 
donated to a charity of the Winning Bidder's choice.  But at the last 
moment an anonymous bidder picked up the gold plated meter and donated it 
and the proceeds to the SETI League

According to Radio Currents Online, SETI League officials were surprised 
and pleased by the very generous donation of cash as well as the gold 
plated Model 43.  In a press statement, SETI League president H. Paul 
Shuch, N6TX, said that the new meter will be used to monitor the operation 
of the groups Lunar Reflective Calibration Beacon.  This is a transmission 
system that bounces microwave signals off the surface of the Moon to be 
received by radio astronomy facilities around the world.  Using radio 
telescopes and optical telescopes, SETI scientists seek to determine 
whether or not mankind is alone in the universe.   (CGC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  EVI A HIT IN CHICAGO ON LONG ISLAND

Some names in the news.  First up is our own Evi Simons who has been 
dancing up a storm in a cabaret version of the John Kander and Fred Ebb 
musical  "Chicago" out on Long Island, New York.

In addition to being an announcer and news reader Evi is a trained 
musician, singer, dancer and actress.

In this production she played the part of "Murderess June."  If you have 
seen Chicago you know that June is the character sharing cell space in the 
Cook County jail waiting trial for murder.  June claims it was all an 
accident because her late husband ran into her knife.  Ran into her kinfe 
ten times.

The show closed on Sunday the 6th.  Word is that Evi played June to a 
standing ovation.  It's not known what show she might be doing next.  More 
about the professional side of Evi is on-line at 
www.evisimons.voice123.com/  (ARNewslineT)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  QST TO HONOR HURRICANE HAMS

And those radio amateurs who provided communication support during recovery 
efforts for hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma will be honored with a 
special listing in the February 2006 issue of QST Magazine.  The list will 
include the names and call signs of those who participated

To be eligible for the list, communicators musr complete the ARRL Hurricane 
Relief Volunteer Service Report on the ARRL Web site by  December 9.  You 
do not have to be an ARRL or ARES member to be included in the 
list.  (ARRL)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  AUSTRALIA REVAMPS ITS LICENSING

Some big changes in Australia.  This with the introduction of a new 
Foundation Class ham radio ticket and a revamping of the nations entire 
licensing structure.  Jim Linton, VK3PC, has the details:

--

At least 1,000 new radio amateurs are expected in Australia over the next 
12 months with the introduction of the new entry level Foundation Licence.

VK is abuzz with excitement as the first Foundation Licences are issued - 
they have a distinctive four-letter callsign suffix. Have you heard any 
yet?

This all comes in the wake of recent research that confirmed a serious 
decline in amateur radio in Australia for the past 15 years.

An estimated 450 people are queued up for the new licence, and that's 
purely by word-of-mouth without any media publicity.

The Foundation Licence requires candidates to study basic electronics, 
radio theory, safety and the regulations. The Wireless Institute of 
Australia has published a 90-page licence manual study book. Training 
courses are popping up around the nation.

Candidates are tested by a written 30 question combined theory and 
regulations paper, plus a 40 minute practical assessment that involves 
recognition of station components, assembling them into a working station, 
knowledge of IRLP DTMF, CTCSS, and interference mitigation methods.

They must demonstrate how to use bands plans referenced to their licence 
conditions.

The licence restructure in Australia that occurred last month has resulted 
in five previous licence grades being amalgamated into two - the top level 
Advanced, and middle level Standard.

A result is much more on air activity being heard, with the former band 
restrictions on some licensees now lifted - many are taking to the 20-metre 
band for the first time.

All in all, things are looking up downunder due in no small measure to the 
enormous effort by the Wireless Institute of Australia which has set up the 
new system.

It's even now fielding questions from other radio societies eager to learn 
about the Aussie approach, to kick- starting amateur radio.

In Melbourne Australia I'm Jim Linton VK3PC for the Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

The United Kingdom was the first to try a Foundation Class as a means of 
boosting that nations ham radio ranks. Its was a big success.  So much so 
that administrations around the world have taken notice.   (VK3PC)

**

PROPAGATION:  VHF GROUP WANTS BEACON FREQUENCY ASSISTANCE

The Rocky Mountain VHF+ Group wants to know what frequencies might be the 
most useful for beacon operation.  They are planning to install a 1.3 Meter 
beacon and want to know the best possible frequency that would not 
interfere with operations in neighboring states.

Unlike repeaters, beacons are not coordinated. According to the FCC 
Rules,  beacon operation is permitted between 222.050 and  222.060 MHz.  In 
the past the group has run a very low power test beacon on 222.060 for 
short periods of time. Now with a real beacon site and at a very favorable 
location it would like to find out what frequency we might use that might 
not be objectionable.

Replies go to Dave Klingerman, W6OAL at w6oal at aol.com or via the W6YX VHF 
Reflector.  The Rocky Mountain VHF+ Group currently has a beacon site very 
close to the exact center of Colorado at 9500 feet on 144.282 MHz, running 
50 watts to  a horizontal Big Wheel antenna.  A new and different beacon is 
on it's  way, just waiting for the crystal to arrive.  The 70 cm beacon is 
operating at the 30 watt level,  to a Little Wheel on 432.360 MHz.  (VHF 
Reflector)

**

WORLDBEAT:  IARU ANNOUNCES WARD 2006 AND 2007

The International Amateur Radio Union has announced the themes for W-A-R-D 
2006 and 2007.  W-A-R-D is World Amateur Radio Day and Ronnie Meachem, 
VK4CO, is here with information on what to expect:

--

Audio report only.  Download the MP3 newscast at www.arnewsline.org

--

For more information on World Amateur Radio Day take your web browser to 
www.iaru.org/rel0500918.html (WIA News)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOMALIA:  BEWARE OF PIRATE SOS CALLS

Pirates on the not-so-high seas are using phony distress calls to lure 
unsuspecting victims.  According to the San Diego Union Tribue, the pirates 
operating off the coast of Somalia are known to send out S-O-S messages 
pretending that they have a problem and ask anyone hearing the signal to 
come to assist them  When the rescue boat arrives the law-breakers board it 
at gunpoint and hold anyone on board for ransom.

Three well organized pirate groups are known to be operating with impugnity 
off Somalia's 1,880 mile coastline. That African nation has had no 
effective government since opposition leaders ousted a dictatorship in 1991 
and then turned on each other, leaving the nation of 7 million a patchwork 
of warlord fiefdoms.  Hams and SWL's in Africa might want to keep their 
ears open for distress calld and report them to local authorities.  (W6VR, 
published news reports)

**

WORLDBEAT - CANADA:  CELEBRATING OIL WELLS

On the air, VE3AT is operating special event station VC3O until 28th 
of  November.  Ron is on-the-air  to commemorate the 150th anniversary of 
the beginning of oil wells in Canada.  This event is included in the 
Ministry of Heritage's list of significant Canadian 
anniversaries.  (E-mail)

**

DX

In D-X, keep an ear open for IZ1BWB, who is the operator of the Italian 
Army Alpine Brigade station.  The call sign to listen for is YA/IZ1CCK/P 
and the station is located in Kabul, Afghanistan. IZ1CCK is active on 15 
and 20m CW and also 21.250 MHz. QSL via IZ1BWB.

And ES1FB, and ES1RA, will operate portable  EX from Bishkek and Maili Suu, 
Kirgiztan until around 14th November.  QSL to their home calls.

Lastly, TM4ORA will be active until the 20th of November to celebrate the 
40th anniversary of the French Blind Radioamateurs National Union.  QSL 
this one as directed on the air.

(Above DX news from various sources) **

THAT FINAL ITEM:  LOVE IS ON THE AIR

And finally this week, love is really in the air and a well known 
publication wants to document it.  Bill Pasterbak, WA6ITF, tells it from 
the heart:

--

Have you ever been tuning the ham bands and heard a voice that you just 
knew might be your perfect soul mate? Well, Rad-Com, the Radio Society of 
Great Britain's monthly magazine wants to hear from hams who have fallen in 
love or married after an on-the-air contact for an upcoming article in the 
magazine.  So the editors have put out a call for hams who have met their 
sweeties on the air to write a short story about their romance.

If you and your significant other are the result of an on-the-air QSO, this 
is your chance to tell that story.  Your item should  detail how you met on 
the air, your first face to face encounter, how long you and that other 
person have been together and where you live.  Also include the name, age, 
place of birth and profession along with some pictures.  And don't forget 
to smile.

Married 34 yrars to the wonderful KD6EPW and still smiling, I'm Bill 
Pasternak, WA6ITF, for the Amateur Radio Newsline.

Jim.

--

The information can either be e-mailed to RadCom at radioromance at rsgb.org 
or by snail mauil to The Editor, RSGB, Lambda House, Cranborne Road, 
Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 3JE.  (GB2RS)

**

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.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim Meachen, 
ZL2BHF, in Auckland, New Zealand saying 73 and we thank you for 
listening.  Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2005 in both 
hemispheres.  All rights are reserved.