[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1501 - May 19th, 2006

Sat May 20 08:56:53 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1501 - May 19th, 2006

The following is a Q-S-T.  Hamvention 2006 opens its doors and we have a 
preview of this years big event.  Also, Midland and REACT endorse the 
National S-O-S Emergency Network and the number of nations signing onto the 
world-wide C-E-P-T ham radio license keeps growing.  Find out the details 
on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1501 coming your way right now.

**

HAMVENTION 2006 IS HERE

Its time for Hamvention 2006.  As many of you hear this newscast, the doors 
at the Hara Arena will be swinging open for what has become known as the 
show of shows in Amateur Radio.  Its General Chairman this year is Jim 
Nies, WX8F.  He says that the goal is to make Hamvention the friendliest 
ham radio gathering of them all:

--

Nies:  "We hope that it becomes a friendlier show.  One that is much more 
recognizing of the attendees and the various components of Hamvention."

--

Nies made that comment in a recent interview with the Rain Report's Hap 
Holly KC9RP.  According to Nies, the attendees come from around the globe:

--

Nies:  "Last year they came from all 50 states, 50 countries and most of 
the Canadian provinces.  This year we expect similar numbers from similar 
places."

--

Nies says that the Hamvention is also becoming a world trade show for 
Amateur Radio products including a number of new companies from Europe:

--

Nies: "We do have a company from Italy and a company from Belgium.  
Unfortunately, we had one who had to back out because their software wasn't 
ready.  The Australian company called Digitronix whose software didn't get 
out of Beta."  

--

In all there will be some 200 inside exhibitors at thus years Dayton 
Hamvention.  Add to this the return of the giant ARRL Expo plus numerous 
forums and the world famous Hamvention Flea Market and you have the makings 
of a three day fun ham radio holiday that everyone can and will enjoy.  
Amateur Radio Newsline has its corps of reporters on the scene and we will 
have a full wrap-up on Hamvention 2006, next week.  (ARNewslineT, Audio 
provided by RAIN)

**

THE SPECTRUM GIVEAWAY:  RSGB ASSISTING WIA IN PROTECTING 24 GHZ

The Radio Society of Great Britain, the Spectrum Forum and the UK Microwave 
Group are working with the Wireless Institute of Australia in an attempt to 
safeguard the 24GHz band.  As previously reported, Australian radio 
amateurs currently have primary access to this spectrum but they could lose 
this as a result of plans to accommodate ultra wideband vehicle radar 
technology in the 22 to 26.5GHz band.

The RSGB and the UK Microwave Group have put a lot of effort into 
protecting amateur's primary status in parts of the 24GHz band over the 
past 18 months in IARU Region 1. Now they are using the expertise and 
knowledge they gained during this process to help the Wireless Institute of 
Australia safeguard 24 GHz in I-T-U Region 3.  (GB2RS)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  THE NATIONAL SOS EMERGENCY NETWORK GETS BIG ENDORSEMENT

Eric Knight, KB1EHE''s National S-O-S Emergency Network has gotten a big 
boost.  This with word that Midland Radio Corporation, REACT International, 
and the D-C Emergency Radio Network, have jointly announced their support 
for the concept that's based on the estimated 100 million Family Radio 
Service compatible radios already in the hands of the public.  Amateur 
Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more:

--

As previously reported, the Eric Knight's National SOS Emergency Network 
recommends that public use F-R-S Channel 1 as its primary emergency 
communications channel. 

During a crisis, ham radio, GMRS, and scanner operators can easily monitor 
FRS Channel 1 by tuning to 462.5625 MHz. As envisioned, the general public 
would use this frequency to originate local information that would be 
passed onto hams who have long range communications capability. The group 
says that Channel 1 is easy to remember and has previously been endorsed by 
radio manufacturers and by REACT for this use 

But so far the Amateur Radio community has been cool and at times hostile 
to the idea with almost no support coming to the network from the hams.  So 
it appears as if Knight is now looking toward the 10's of millions of other 
personal communicators who are unencumbered by the bureaucracy that ham 
radio sometimes puts itself into. And support coming to him from just about 
every group interested in serving in time of crisis.  As a result, other 
FRS channels are being considered to create a "channel plan" for overall 
emergency coordination. 

While hams continue to ignore the National S-O-S Emergency Network, it 
seems to be growing.  It also appears as if other emergency communicators 
are welcoming it with open arms.  

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

--

Not everyone is supporting the National S-O-S Emergency nertwork.  One of 
its biggest detractors is the 88 member Personal Radio Association.  In a 
link to posting to e Ham dot net, it calls the Knight proposal as being al 
glitter and no substance.  However, the P-R-A appears to be very much alone 
in its view as more and more groups see the National SOS Emergency Network 
as a way to become part of the emergency preparedness scene with a minimal 
cash outlay.  

More on the National SOS Emergency Network is on line at 
www.NationalSOS.com.  The Personal Radio Association rebuttal is accessable 
by a link from www.eham.net  (ARNewslineT from press releases)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  INTERNATIONAL CEPT LICENSING

A growing number of countries have adopting the new CEPT amateur radio 
arrangements at Novice and /  or Intermediate level.  More are coming on 
boasrd the scheme on a regular basis.  

CEPT stands fo the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications 
Administrations Amateur Radio licensing system.  Holders of a CEPT-endorsed 
license can operate in participating countries without having to apply for 
a reciprocal license.  Which nations are not signed on can be viewed at the 
CEPT Implementation status page.  The URL is in cyberspace at 
www.ero.dk/documentation/docs/implement.asp?docid=2136&wd=N%20 (Southgate 
News)

**

ON THE AIR:  VUCC RULES CHANGE

The ARRL Membership Services Department has announced an increase in the 
size of the basic operating area for VHF UHF Century Club or VUCC ,  This, 
forcontacts made between 50 through 1296 Mhz.  

Effective immediately VUCC rules allow stations to submit confirmations for 
contacts made from different locations, provided no two locations are more 
than 200 kilometers apart. The VUCC operating area for SHF operation 
remains unchanged. 

Dave Calvert, KB0PE reports over the VHF Reflector that the change was a 
result from a recommendation of an ad hoc VHF UHF Study Committee, 
appointed by the then-Membership Services Committee.  The ARRL Awards 
Committee recently added its approval to the change.  (KB0PE, ARRL, VHF 
Reflector)

**

COMMUNICATIONS LAW:  YES YOU CAN POST THAT ON THE WWW

A legal victory over the right to freely communicate and to express ones 
views through communications over the Internet.  A Washington State Supreme 
Court has ruled that a trial judge overreached his authority when he 
restricted a man from posting information on a Web site.  

Paul Trummel was jailed for more than three months in 2002 in his free-
speech standoff with the judge over the Web site he used as a forum for 
attacking the Council House, a federally subsidized retirement home where 
he once lived. 

Trummel was evicted from the home in April 2001.  He then posted the phone 
numbers and addresses of Council House staff, directors and residents on 
his website. King County Superior Court Judge James Doerty characterized 
that as harassment and Trummel went to jail.  He removed the information 
after his release from prison, but appealed his case.  

In siding with Trummel in the online aspect of the case, the justices said 
that there was clear evidence of Trummel's predatory behavior toward 
Council House residents, staff and directors.  That behavior indicated the 
need to bar him from contacting them in person, by telephone, by writing or 
through a third person.  But the court also said that judge Doerty went to 
far in ordering the material removed from the website.  

Trummel's attorney in this case was William Crittenden,.  He called the 
high court's unanimous ruling a victory for free speech.  (Published 
reports)

**

EDUCATION:  SURVEY SAYS SCIENCE TEACHING IS BAD

A survey of 100 top technology executives gives the nation's public schools 
a C-minus grade.  This, in efforts to encourage females and minorities to 
pursue science and technology careers.

The survey, released May 3rd, is based on a telephone poll of 100 chief 
executives, chief financial officers and other leaders in fast-growing 
science and technology companies in North America.  It finds that 82% 
believe elementary school students learn science through hands-on, inquiry-
based methods rather than through textbooks and memorization.  But the 
survey also finds that only 37% of these executives say their companies or 
employees support science education programs that help create the next 
generation of inventors, innovators and discoverers.

The poll was sponsored by Bayer Corporation as part of its Making Science 
Make Sense program.  (Bayer)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  RADIO MONITORING OF YOUR HEALTH

Motorola and Partners Telemedicine, a service of Harvard-affiliated 
Teaching Hospitals have announced a collaboration to test MOTOHEALTH.,  
This is a Motorola designed system that uses mobile phones to help 
healthcare providers monitor chronically ill patients as they go about 
their normal daily routines. 

MOTOHEALTH uses body sensors to transmit data about the patient's condition 
to the healthcare provider via the patient's Motorola mobile phone.  
Motorola says that MOTOHEALTH when implemented into a comprehensive 
healthcare program, can give doctors daily updates on a patient's 
physiological levels such as blood pressure, glucose level, and weight.  
(Motorola)

**

THE HAM RADIO SOCIAL SCENE:  ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION CONVENTION IN COLORADO 
IN JUNE

Turning to the ham radio social scene, the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division 
Convention takes place June 9th to the 11th.  The venue is the Holiday Inn 
Rocky Mountain Park Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.  Special guest speakers 
include Dr Evelyn Patterson who is the granddaughter of ARRL co-founder 
Clarence Tuska.  Also on hand will be FCC rules enforcer Riley 
Hollingsworth K4ZDH, and ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B.  
Former Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Brian Mileshosky, 
N5ZGT, will be this years keynote speaker.  More information is on-line at 
www.hamconcolorado.org  (Press release)

**

THE HAM RADIO SOCIAL SCENE: HALL OF SCIENCE IN NYC IN JUNE

To the East, word that New York City's Hall of Science Amateur Radio Club 
will hold its hamfest on June 4th.  It will be in the Hall of Science 
parking lot on 111th Street in the borough of Queens.  Doors open to the 
public at 9 a.m. and there is free parking.  Talk in is on the 444.200 U-H-
F repeater using a 136.5 hertz access tone and on 146.52 MHz simples.  E-
mail wb2kdg at arrl.net for further details.  (Press release)

**

OUR WORLD:  MORSE ON EXHIBIT AT TORONTO AIRPORT

And the  Canada Science and Technology Museum in association with the  
Royal Ontario Museum, has a Morse Code exhibit on display at a major air 
terminal as part of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority Exhibit Program. 
The collections demonstrate how manual and automated systems for 
transmitting Morse code became essential in making land, marine and air 
transportation systems safe and reliable.

Anyone passing through Pearson International Airport from now through 
January 7th of 2007 will experience the history and essence of electrical 
communication in its first century.  They will also learn how for decades, 
skilled Morse operators maintained lifelines to tiny railway whistle stops, 
isolated arctic trading posts and ships navigating the stormy North 
Atlantic.

Visitors wil view some of the earliest telegraph equipment surviving in 
Canada, including little known devices such as the siphon recorder and the 
heliograph, as well as rare examples of early radiotelegraph equipment 
employed on ships before the First World War.  The artifacts are 
accompanied with bilingual text and historic photographs of telegraphers 
and radio operators at work, bringing to life the mysterious language of 
dots and dashes.

More is on-line at  www.gtaa.com/artprogram  (Royal Ontario Museum release)

**

SERIOUS BUSINESS: CREDIT ONLY WHERE ITS DUE

Call this one -- "Now, I've heard everything." As reported on the Quarter 
Century Wireless Association's reflector, it happed a few months ago at a 
hamfest in the south.  That's where an official of the organization says 
that he was approached by a ham licensed who had some criticism of the 
organization.  

The unidentified radio amateur reportedly told the official that it was 
unfair that the organization would not give him credit for all of his years 
in hobby radio.  He then added that the 47 of these years were spent in the 
world of 11 meter CB.  (QCWA Remailer)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  NEW SUPER MAGNET UNVEILED

A new super magnet at The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory weighs 
more than 15 tons and has a magnetic field 420,000 times that of the 
Earth's.  

The laboratory, one of only nine high magnetic field labs in the world 
recently unveiled the new magnet following 13 years of development.  The 
new device is considered a major breakthrough because it could lead to 
major advances in medicine, materials research and basic understanding of 
nature.

The $16 million magnet also is more advanced in the stability of its 
magnetic field.  It also operates at a high frequency, making for better 
images in experiments where the magnet is used to essentially take pictures 
of cells and molecules.  (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  3 ASTRO HAMS TO BE ISS EXPEDITION 14 CREW

Three astro-hams will make up the next crew sent to the International Space 
Station.  According to an ARRL Bulletin, NASA astronauts Michael Lopez-
Alegria, KE5GTK, and Sunita Williams, KD5PLB, and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail 
Tyurin, RZ3FT, have been named as the 14th I-S-S crew. . 

Lopez-Alegria and Tyurin  are now training to launch aboard a Russian Soyuz 
spacecraft in September.  Williams' arrival on the ISS depends on NASA's 
shuttle fleet being back in operation. She's scheduled to travel to the ISS 
and join Expedition 14 in progress if the shuttles begin flying as planned.  
She will replace European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter, DF4TR, 
whose duty tour is scheduled to bridge part of expeditions 13 and 14.  
Unclear at this point is whether Reiter will return on the shuttle or 
aboard a Soyuz, so there could be some additional crew overlap.

Expedition 14 is scheduled to begin this fall.  Lopez-Alegria will serve as 
Commander and as NASA ISS science officer for the six-month stay on-orbit.  
(NASA)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  ESA COMPLES CONSTRUCTION OF COLUMBUS ORBITAL LAB

The European Space Agency says that it has completed construction of the 
Columbus orbital laboratory.  The lab, which took 10 years to finish, will 
be shipped to Cape Canaveral at the end of May and is scheduled to be flown 
to the space station in the second half of 2007. 

The cylindrical module, which contains about 2,650 cubic feet of room for a 
suite of laboratories, can house 10 payload racks, each the size of a 
telephone booth.  It will also be able to host its own autonomous 
laboratory, complete with power and cooling systems, and video and data 
links back to researchers. Earth-based researchers, with the help of 
astronauts in the space station, will use the lab to conduct experiments 
during its planned 10-year lifetime.  (ESA)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  NASA TO FLY SHUTTLE IN JULY

NASA has decided to fly the space shuttle Discovery in July without making 
all potential modifications to its external fuel tank that might reduce 
damaging foam debris.  Engineers have removed two large sections of 
insulating foam from the tank and are still evaluating the effects of that 
action. Work will continue on redesigning or removing all or some of 34 
smaller, potentially hazardous foam wedges in the future, but they will fly 
"as is" on the upcoming flight, they said.

Reducing falling fuel tank debris has been a priority for NASA since the 
loss of the shuttle Columbia on Feb. 1, 2003.  Foam insulation falling from 
the tank during the launch is believed to have damaged Columbia's heat 
shield.  This  caused  the destruction of the spacecraft and the deaths of 
seven astronauts as the ship attempted to return through the atmosphere 
from a science mission.

When Discovery flew last July on the first mission since Columbia, a 
greatly reduced but hazardous amount of foam still fell from its redesigned 
tank during the launch.  Afterward, engineers removed more than 37 pounds 
of foam that protected pressurized fuel lines and a tray guiding cables 
down the side of the tank.

NASA wants to fly the shuttle three times before the end of the year to get 
back on schedule for building the International Space Station before the 
shuttle fleet's mandatory retirement in 2010.  Officials hope to then fly 
four per year to finish the station with 16 flights, plus send a shuttle to 
repair the Hubble Space Telescope, before the no-fly deadline.  (Published 
reports)

**

ON THE AIR:  FIRST EVER SCOTTISH-RUSSIAN OPERATION FROM HOLY ISLAND

The Scottish-Russian Amateur Radio Society has undertaken the first 2006 
DXpedition to Holy Island, Scotland. The MS0DGR DXpedition operated from 
the island April 18th to the 20th after having been granted permission by 
the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre. The team was limited to QRP because use of 
petrol generators is not allowed on the island.

Holy Island has a fascinating history. The 6th-century Irish missionary St  
Mo Las occupied a cave on the west shore.  This cave contains runic and 
early Christian inscriptions. 

Formerly owned by the Duke of Hamilton, the island was purchased in 1991 by 
Scottish Buddhists of the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre.  Native plants, trees 
and shrubs have been introduced to the island which is a designated nature 
reserve and there are populations of sheep and goats.  (GB2RS)

**

DX

In D-X, listen up for special event station SP0TPFK through the 31st of 
May.  Its on the air to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Lviv 
Shortwave Club and the club station  TPFK.  SP8MI will operate as SN80LKK 
to celebrate the club's anniversary, QSL via SP8MI, direct or bureau.

KC0W will be operating as TO0W from Martinique from June 6th to the 24th.  
In his q-r-zed dot com posting, Tom says he will be on 160 through 17 
meters using SSB and CW running about 1500 watts into various antennas.  
QSL as Tom directys on the air.

And the Radio Society of Great Britain QSL Bureau has appointed three new 
QSL submanagers.  Lee Marsland, G0DBE, now looks after the G0DAA-DZZ 
series.  Rick Giacani has taken over the G4ZAA-ZZZ series and Michael 
Whitehead, GM0PHW, is responsible for the GM0MAA-ZZZ calls.

Lastly, keep an ear open for EI60LRC on 80 through 10 meterd until the end 
of the year .  Its on to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ireland's 
Limerick Radio Club.  QSL via EI8EM.

Above from various DX news sources

**

RADIO AND SPACE:  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VS. ROADKILL

And finally this wee, picking up roadkill may save astronauts lives.  So 
say some Kennedy Space Center managers who have launched an effort 
encouraging workers to notify road-and-grounds crews when 
they see dead animals killed by vehicles. 

According to a recent news story, the theory is that removing roadkill 
could cut down on the number of vultures looking for meals at the 140,000-
acre center, part of which is a national wildlife refuge.  A vulture struck 
the fuel tank of space shuttle Discovery during last year's launch, but 
didn't cause major damage. 

Roadkill is a common sight at the center, which is home to more than 500 
species of wildlife.  This includes bald eagles, sea turtles, alligators 
and manatees.  NASA launch managers use cameras and radar to make sure 
there are no birds around the launch pad during shuttle launches.  And 
since almost all Astronauts and Cosmonauts are hams, the lives saved by 
this new roadkill abatement program could, conceiveabally include some 
Amateur Radio's own.  (Science OnLine)

**

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 WIA News, that's all from the Amateur Radio 
Newsline(tm).  Our e-mail address is newsline @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. 

A reminder that the nominating period for the 2006 Amateur Radio Newsline 
Young Ham of the Year Award is closing on May 30th. This award seeks to 
honor hams age 18 or younger for their outstanding contributions through 
Amateur Radio. The cuttoff date for entries this year is May 30th. Full 
information on the award along with on-line and downloadable nominating 
forms are at the awards own wesite created and maintained at Web Designs by 
Kevin by our 1993 recipient Kevin Boudreaux, N5XMH.  Its in cyberspace at 
www.yhoty.org.  Again. that's www.yhoty.org