[Ham-News] (no subject)

Sun Dec 18 08:08:23 EST 2005

Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1479 - December 16, 2005

The following is a Q-S-T. A California man is convicted in Federal court of 
radio jamming; the FCC issues a record-setting level of fines for 
indecency; and a Massachusetts town looks at inviting more hams to move in 
-- and provide emergency communications. All this and more on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1479 coming your way right now.  

**

ENFORCEMENT:  GERRITSEN CONVICTION FOLLOW-UP

More information has surfaced on the conviction of Jack Gerritsen, the 
briefly licensed KG6IRO.  A Federal court jury found him guilty on all 
counts as we went to air on December 9th. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce 
Tennant has been following the story for several years and has this wrap up 
on the Bell California unlicensed operator and his trial:

-- 

There is an old adage that says a person who is his own lawyer has a fool 
for a client.  Whether or not this description fits the now convicted Jack 
Gerritsen will be up to historians to decide.  But it is known that 
Gerritsen was given the option of being represented by a public defender at 
his now concluded Federal Court trial in Los Angeles.  He turned the offer 
down and opted to represent himself in court where he was convicted on 
December 9th on  all of the charges brought against him.

As reported last week, Gerritsen was found guilty on six counts that 
included transmitting without a license and willful and malicious 
interference with radio transmissions. This included a felony charge of 
interfering with US Coast Guard communications in October 2004 and 
misdemeanor charges of interfering with American Red Cross communications 
last January and Military Affiliate Radio System operations this past  
March.  

Throughout his trial, Gerritsen maintained that this was a freedom of 
speech issue.  But the prosecution went to pains to show that the real 
question was that of Gerritsen's flaunting of the law by operating a radio 
transmitter without the authority to do so and using his transmissions to 
intrude on various radio services including emergency operations.  And 
while Gerritsen made civil rights the cornerstone of his arguments to the 
jury, it has to be noted that not one of the numerous First Amendment 
groups and civil rights protection organizations across California came 
forth with an offer assist him in his defense. 

In the end it was the rule of law over one mans interpretation of the 
Constitution and the rule of law won out.  Gerritsen stood, and on having 
the jury verdict read, the judge ordered Gerritsen's previous bond revoked 
and Gerritsen was remanded back into custody pending sentencing on March 6, 
2006.  

According to the prosecutors office Gerritsen could receive a sentence of 
up to  15 years in federal prison.  He also has to find a way to pay 
$52,000 in fines assessed against him this past year by the FCC.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.

--

The jury that convicted Gerritsen was made up of 7 women and 5 men. They 
deliberated a total of about 90 minutes over two days before rendering a 
unanimous verdict.

With the Gerritsen case under its belt, the government now has additional 
legal  precedent to go after other regulatory violators who harass licensed 
radio operators while claiming First Amendment guarantees. Meanwhile, the 
on-line ham radio blogs are trying to second-guess the FCC on who might be 
next.  (ARNewslineT)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  WALPOLE MA MAY LOOK TO HAM RADIO E-COMMS 

Walpole, Massachusettes is looking into the possibility of putting out the 
welcome mat to hams involved in emergency communications.  This after the  
town is awarded a $12,000 local emergency preparedness grant from the state 
Executive Office of Public Safety.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill 
Pasternak, WA6ITF, reports:

--

Walpole is a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts and according to an article in 
the Boston Herald, the grant will permit Walpole to purchase mobile 
communications equipment that can be used in the event of an emergency.  A 
similar grant last year enabled the town to purchase portable radio 
transceivers and other equipment that is interoperable with police, fire 
and school radio channels, as well as with the radio systems of area 
communities.

Roger Turner is the town's Emergency Management Director.  He believes that 
the key in any emergency is for Walpole not only to be able to communicate 
with local agencies within the community but also the ability to 
communicate with other organizations.  

Turner adds that the funding comes at a time when emergency management 
officials in the region are mulling ways to improve the communication lines 
among neighboring towns.  And here's where it really gets interesting for 
ham radio.  According to Turner, one  way being considered is for Walpole 
to increase the number of Amateur Radio operators there and in other near-
by towns.  

Turner notes that ham radio allows skilled operators to communicate across 
long distances.  That in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 
Amateur Radio emerged as a reliable way to stay in touch because other 
normal modes of communication had failed.

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

--

You may recall that about a month ago Massachusettes Governor Mitt Romney 
said on television that he did not see any need for ham radio assistance in 
emergencies.  It looks as if the city fathers of Walpole have a very 
different idea of civic responsibility and a lot of faith in Amateur Radio 
as well.  (Adapted from Boston Hearald story)

**

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY:  TEMPE AZ TO GO WI FI

Tempe, Arizona is going to become a totally wireless city, but it will not 
be using BPL.  Instead, Tempe is opting to install a new generation and  
interference-free Wi-Fi solution designed to make high speed Internet 
access available for all of its 160,000 residents as early as February.

The Tempe network is being installed by NeoReach Wireless, a subsidiary of 
the Bethesda, Maryland-based MobilePro Corp.  Roughly 400 antennas and Wi-
Fi relay boxes mounted on light poles throughout the city will be used to 
stitch together the network.  NeoReach will sell access, primarily through 
other providers.

Tempe officials say that by making high-speed Internet as accessible as 
water or and gas across its 40 square miles, that it will attract more 
technology and biotech companies to the area.   (Adapted from Arizona 
Living)

**

REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH:  THE ANSWERS ARE AT

Turning to the recent ARRL "regulation by bandwidth" proposal that's been 
submitted to the FCC, there now seem to be three specific points of view. 
Over the past three weeks we have presented the ideas of some of those who 
favor bandwidth regulation and those who are just as vocal in their 
opposition. The third group are those who are just now beginning to realize 
that this rule making petition will affect them and want more information 
so that they can decide if it's good or bad for the hobby.

There are really three places that we can recommend. First is the petition 
itself.  It's fairly lengthy but it is also a must-read. You can find it at 
the ARRL website at 
http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/bandwidth/Bandwidth-Minute-64-
Petition-FINAL.pdf.

After you have done that, go to www.qrz.com and begin reading the front 
page topics titled "ARRL Files Regulation By Bandwidth Petition" and "Does 
The ARRL Plan Go Far Enough."  Both are loaded with both fact and opinion 
by some of those most outspoken on the issue.

And last, but by no means least, a similar discussion is taking place over 
on eHam.net. Again, just scroll down until you locate the "regulation by 
bandwidth" topic. Then click and read.

Once you have done all of this, we invite you to drop by our website and 
cast your vote for or against the idea of regulation by bandwidth. The poll 
is on the left side of our home page at www.arnewsline.org and you will see 
the current results as soon as you click.  (ARNewslineT)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC SETS RECORD FOR INDECENCY FINES

The FCC levied a record-setting $7.9 million in broadcast indecency fines 
last year. The Wall Street Journal says the commission received more than 
189 broadcast indecency complaints through the end of September, but it has 
yet to issue penalties. This is raising concerns about the crackdown among 
radio groups, many of which adopted "zero tolerance" policies for indecency 
and obscenity.  (WSJ)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC VS. TWO UNCOORDINATED REPEATERS

Two hams who the FCC claims to be operating uncoordinated repeaters, have 
been asked to explain why their respective machines interfere with 
coordinated systems in the same geographic areas. Agency spokesman Daryl 
Duckworth, NN0W, explains:
--

N6YCK, Albert Leyva, Sr., of Corning California, has been ask concerning 
repeater coordination for his 224.18 MHz. Machine.  It is causing 
interference to the coordinated KU6V repeateron the same frequency.  

And Cirilo M. Alvarado of Sacramento, California, has been asked about 
interference to coordinated repeater K6ARC from an uncoordinated repeater 
on 146.835 MHz. Identifying as N6RZL / KG6TXA.  

I'm Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, reporting.

--

In its letters to the two hams, the FCC warned that the information each 
submits will be used to determine what, if any, action to take in these 
matters.  (FCC, RAIN)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC QUESTIONS EXTRA CLASS CLAIM

Also hearing from the FCC in November was Billy J. Benefiel, W5BJB, of 
Lockhart, Texas.  In its letter to Benefiel the regulatory agency alleges 
that W5BJB has been heard operating on 7.290 MHz and other frequencies not 
authorized to him as a Technician Class licensee.   The FCC has also 
alleged  deliberate interference to ongoing communications.

In its letter the FCC also notes that in a listing the FCC claims he 
purportedly submitted for an Amateur radio licensee database, Benefiel 
claimed to be an Extra Class licensee.  The FCC says that the complaints it 
has and Bebefiel's claim to be an Extra Class licensee raise serious issues 
regarding his qualifications to retain an Amateur license.  

The letter to Benefiel was mailed out on November 17th He was given 20 days 
to respond.   (FCC release)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FL HAM ASKED TO EXPLAIN ON AIR OPERATION

A Florida ham has been warned by the FCC about the on the air operation of 
his station. Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Davis, W2JKD, has the details:

--

The warning went in a November 17th letter to Robert A. Di Mezza, W2GGI, of 
Delray Beach.  

In its letter, the regulatory agency says that it has evidence indicating 
that W2GGI has  been operating on 14.168 MHz.  This is a frequency not 
allocated to Advanced Class operators.  The FCC also alleges that Di Mezza 
may have made threats over the air to various individuals.

In its letter, the FCC tells Di Mezza that these complaints, if valid, 
raise serious issues regarding his qualifications to retain an Amateur 
license.  It also notes that it had previously written to him back on 
January 27, 2000 and had required him to respond to complaints that he had 
made slanderous and threatening transmissions on a repeater in his area.

--

Di Mezza was also given 20 days from the date of the latest FCC letter to 
respond.  That date is now passed.  (FCC Release)

**

RADIO LAW:  HOUSE AND SENATE SET DIGITAL TV CHANGEOVER DATE

The House of Representatives has backed a plan to require television 
broadcasters to switch to all-digital transmissions by Dec. 31, 2008, three 
months earlier than they would have to under provisions of a Senate bill.  
House lawmakers have also voted to set aside $830 million to help millions 
of Americans with older, analog TV sets pay for converter boxes so they'll 
continue to get service in the digital era.  

Differences in both bills will have to be worked out by House and Senate 
negotiators. About 21 million households rely on free, over-the-air TV and 
will need the converter to keep receiving their television service after 
the switch to all-digital. Cable and satellite customers would not be 
affected.  (Published reports)

**

RADIO LAW: ARRL AND IARU CONTRIBUTE TO ITU UWB STUDY

The ARRL, and the International Amateur Radio Union have contributed to      
I-T-U Radiocommunication Sector studies of Ultra-Wide Band short-range RF 
technology and its potential to interfere with licensed radio services. 

According to the ARRL Letter, Ultra-Wide Band devices operate by employing 
very narrow or short-duration R-F pulses that result in very sizeable, or 
wideband, transmission bandwidths. In February, 2002, when the FCC released 
its 122-page Report and Order in its Ultra-Wide Band proceeding, it 
expressed its belief the technology offers significant benefits for 
government, public safety, businesses and consumers. But the Commission 
also allowed that the substantial benefits of Ultra-Wide Band could be 
outweighed if these devices interfered with licensed services and other 
important radio operations.

ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, and ARRL Technical 
Relations Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, served on the Task Group, took 
part in many of the group's U-S studies and preparatory meetings, and 
served as part of the U-S delegations to international meetings. The League 
and the IARU also provided the characteristics of Amateur Radio systems.  
(ARRL)

**

ON THE WEB:  MICROSOFT WARNS OF NEW SECURITY FLAW IN IE

Microsoft has warned users of its Windows operating system of a critical 
security flaw in its software that could allow attackers to take complete 
control of a computer. On Tuesday, December 13th, the company announced that 
a weakness exists in its Internet Explorer web browser that an attacker 
could exploit to take over a P-C if the user happened to visit an infected 
website.

The company has already issued a patch to fix the problem as part of its 
monthly security bulletin. Computer security experts and Microsoft are 
urging users to download and install the patch which is available at 
www.microsoft.com/security.

Over 85% of the world's personal computers run on some version the 
Microsoft Windows operating system. In recent years, though, other 
operating systems such as Linux have been making inroads into the Microsoft 
empire by offering better security and an open architecture at a fraction 
of what Microsoft charges or for free.  (Published reports)

**

RADIO LAW:  VERIZON GETS CELL PHONE TELEMARKETERS BANNED

Verizon Wireless has won two legal battles against telemarketers who made 
unwanted sales calls to its customers.  This as the communications giant 
announced on November 25th that judges in New Jersey and California have 
banned a telemarketer from using autodialers or prerecorded messages in 
calls to Verizon cellular telephone users.

Back in August, Verizon Wireless brought what it said was the first such 
suits by a U.S. wireless carrier against telemarketers, filing complaints 
in the states where most of the calls' recipients live. On September 26th, 
a New Jersey Superior Court Judge signed an order banning Resort Marketing 
Trends, of Coral Springs, Florida, from making unsolicited calls to Verizon 
cell phone users.  Verizon Wireless said the firm made more than 200,000 
such calls in July and August.  On November 29th, a California Superior 
Court Judge signed a similar order against Intelligent Alternatives, which 
Verizon said made more than 1 million solicitations to Verizon cell phones 
last summer.  

Intelligent Alternatives had earlier agreed to pay Verizon Wireless $20,000 
in damages. A Verizon Wireless spokeswoman said that payment would be 
donated to the Family Justice Center Foundation in San Diego for its work 
to counter domestic violence. Verizon says that it has now also launched a 
new offensive against unsolicited text messages to its phones. (Comm/News)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  G4RQJ WINS MOUNTAIN GOAT AWARD

Some names in the news: First, congratulations to Rob Hannan, G4RQJ, who 
has become the latest person to achieve the prestigious United Kingdom's 
Mountain Goat Award. This accolade is given to radio amateurs who achieve 
1,000 activator points as part of the Summits on the Air or SOTA program.

It took G4RQJ just over three and a half years to achieve Mountain Goat 
status and he is only the fourth in the English association to do so. Rob 
was also one of the first to gain the Shack Sloth award in the chaser 
section of the SOTA program.  

During his hunt for the Mountain Goat trophy G4RQJ was accompanied by his 
XYL and walking partner Audrey who also served as his navigator and antenna 
technician. Their adventures have taken them to 83 different peaks.  (RSGB)

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  GI1GME TO FILL RSGB EMC POSITIOON

And still in the UK, word that Tony Mc Ilwee, GI1GME, has been appointed to 
coordinate advisory support to Radio Society of Great Britain members on 
Electromagnetic Compatibility problems. Mc Ilwee operates from Ballymena, 
Northern Ireland. He was first licensed in 1982 and is a member of the 
Ballymena Amateur Radio Club. He can be contacted by e-mail to 
EMC.help at rsgb.org.uk  The RSGB has for some time operated regional teams of 
volunteers to advise members and clubs on EMC problems.   (GB2RS)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  KIDS DAY IS JANUARY 8, 2006

With the new year fast approaching, the first of two Kids Day operating 
events of 2006 is slated for Sunday, January 8th.  Amateur Radio Newsline's 
Evi Simons is here with more on this fun operating event aimed at the 
younger set:

--

Kids Day happens twice a year.  These are two days each year that hams 
across the nation are urged to open their hearts, homes and ham stations to 
young people in your local area.  Invite them over, set them in front of 
your radio and have them talk with others their age while exposing them to 
the magic that is ham radio.  

Kids day is not a contest.  It is truly an operating event created by Tree 
Tyree, N6TR, and Oregon's Boring Amateur Radio Club to open up ham radio to 
the young.  Several years ago it came under sponsorship of the American 
Radio Relay League which has expanded Kids Day into a pair of premiere 
operations held in January and June of each year.

The Kids Day rules are simple.  From 1800 to 2400 U-T-C on January 8th and 
again on June 17th, you welcome some local kids to your QTH or go out to 
where they are with your portable gear.  Then you call CQ Kids Day and make 
contact with whomever responds.  And here's the important part:  You then 
let the youngsters at both ends of the QSO talk with one another while you 
keep legal control over your station.  

A suggested contact exchange is each child's name, age, location and 
favorite color, but there is no hard or fast rule.  In recent years many 
kids we have listened in on have brought up their favorite music group or a 
movie that they have seen.  Its really up to them.

Some frequencies to look for Kids Day contacts are on 14.275 to 14.300 
megahertz on 20 meters, 21.380 to 21.400 on 15 and  28.350 to 28.400 on 10 
meters if 10 is open.  And since Kids Day lends itself well to local 
contacts where the young folks might eventually meet one another in person, 
two meter repeaters make an ideal operating environment as long as the 
system owner does not mind.

There is lots more to tell you about Kids Day than we can in a one or two 
minute story, but you can read it all for yourself by taking your web 
browser to www.arrl.org and putting the words Kids Day in the site search 
on the front page.

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

--

Again that's Sunday January 8th and Saturday June 17th for Kids Day 2006. We 
will see you and your kids on the air.  (ARRL, ARNewslineT, others)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  WHEN TO CONTACT THE ISS

If you are out looking for a contact with the ham radio crew on the 
International Space Station, PD0RKC has some advice for you on when best to 
try.  According to Cor, there are several good times that will afford you 
the best chance to make a voice contact on 2 meter FM.  These do include 
some periods during the astronaut crews' normal work from 19:30 until 22:00 
UTC.  

Also, try 12:00 to 1500 UTC. That's when Expedition 12 Commander Bill 
McArthur, KC5ACR might operate while having a meal break. He's usually off 
eating for about an hour during that two hour period.

And last, don't forget to listen in over the weekends. That's when the crew 
has fewer duties and you might have a good chance for a contact from 7:00 
until 23:00 UTC.  

All voice contacts use a downlink frequency of 145.80 MHz narrowband FM.  
Your transmit frequency to the ISS varies depending where in the world that 
you live.  More information regarding the Amateur Radio on the 
International Space Station and how it operates is on-line at 
www.rac.ca/ariss  (PD0RKC)

**

WORLDBEAT - IRELAND:  NEW 4 AND 6 METER NETS

Ireland now has a monthly six meter FM net that meets on the first Monday 
of each month on 51.525 MHz FM using vertical polarization at 9.00 p.m. 
local time. The purpose of this net is to increase activity on the so-
called "Magic Band" by giving a local time and place to gather, and DX a 
known place to look. 

There is also a monthly 4 meter activity night. Operators who are equipped 
for and licensed to operate the United Kingdom 70 MHz Amateur Radio 
allocation are invited to listen for and join in any activity on 70.2626 
MHz FM. Four meter activity night is the first Tuesday of each month.    
(Southgate AR News)

**

DX

In DX, word that TU5KG, is currently on board a fishing boat in the Austral 
Sea near Kerguelen. He has the callsign FT5XP and hopes to be active from 
the island when he stops at Port au Francais. He is expected to be there 
through December and back again for three months early next year.

And IK1PMR and K2LEO, as 9H3MR and 9H3LEO respectively, are on from Gozo 
Island. They will be there until the 21st with  9H3MR focusing on low band 
CW while 9H3LEO concentrates on 20 meters and WARC bands using RTTY. QSL 
via IK1PMR.

And last, special call SP80QSL will be on the air until mid-January to 
celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the first QSL bureau 
in Poland. QSL this one as directed on the air.  

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  A JOB WELL DONE 

And, now that final item: After many years of service, the Third Call Area 
QSL Bureau Manager is set to retire. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark 
Abramowicz,  NT3V, spoke with Mary Crider, WA3HUP, the YL behind the 
Pennsylvania DX Association. 

--

Mary Ann Crider of York County in south central Pennsylvania has been 
responsible for literally hundreds of thousands of QSL cards getting to 
their intended destinations for many, many years. Her affiliation with the 
bureau began in 1984.

"I was asked if I wanted to be a sorter when CCARS had it," Crider 
explains. "And, I said: 'Yes, I'll take the H.'

"And, I was a sorter for 11 years. When CCARS gave it up, I said I wouldn't 
mind doing it and I was accepted.

"And, I was bureau manager for 10 years. But since then, my health got the 
best of me and I had to give it up."

Years before Mary Ann began working as a QSL sorter, she embarked on a path 
starting in 1969 that would bring her worldwide recognition as a QSL 
manager for several dozen DX stations, including JY1, King Hussein of 
Jordan.

"JY1 was on top, yes, the DX-pedition to Easter Island, the DX-pedition to 
Tokolas, American Somoa," Crider says. "The big one was the neutral zone, 
8Z4A, which was sponsored by the king."

Mary Ann credits her husband, Charlie, with getting her started in amateur 
radio.

"He was W3GE - General Electric - and he was in the Navy," Crider recalls. 
"And, he's been a silent key for 25 years. 

"And, when we got married, I didn't know anything about it. I had my 
children and when my children started to go to school, Charlie said: 'Why 
don't you get yourself a ticket?' And, I studied very hard and got my 
ticket in 1969."

Mary Ann, now 81 years old, still is active on the air. She recently was 
got a surprise visit from Kay Craigie, a second vice president with the 
American Radio Relay League. Craigie delivered the prestigious President's 
Award recognizing Mary Ann's contributions to the amateur radio service.

"I made many, many friends throughout the world," Crider says. "I still 
have my station. I still get on. I only need two countries in the world. 
And that's North Korea and Scarborough Reef. I've got 360 countries and I 
just like to get on and talk to my friends."

Mary Ann says amateur radio opened the door to some incredible experiences 
over the years and provided her many happy memories.

"Being a QSL manager to me was a fantastic thing," Crider says. "I got to 
meet some pretty wonderful people and my husband and I did visit into 
Europe and into the Middle East and I had visitors here in my home, that I 
was manager for.

"And, as far as I'm concerned, amateur radio is a wonderful, wonderful 
hobby. It's a means of promoting good will and better understanding and 
meeting people you'd be surprised you'd never meet. I talked to Barry 
Goldwater, that was a tremendous experience for me. And, all I can say is 
it's just a super, super hobby."

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

--

Congratulations to WA3HUP from all of us at Amateur Radio Newsline.  
(ARNewslineT, NT3V)

**

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. 

Before we go, a reminder that we at Newsline are conducting an on-line poll 
about how you feel about the League's recently filed "Regulation by 
Bandwidth" proposal. To take part, all you need to do is to go to our 
website at www.arnewsline.org and scroll down until you see the word 
"Polls" on the left side of the page. There you will find options in favor 
of the ARRL filing and those opposing it. Just click on the one you feel is 
best for the future of the hobby. Your vote will be instantly added in and 
the results to-date immediately displayed. Again the U-R-L of our website 
is www.arnewsline.org and you will find the poll on the left side of the 
page. 