[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1506 - June 23, 2006

Sat Jun 24 08:38:02 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1506 - June 23, 2006

The following is a Q-S-T.  A hundred years of Morse telegraphy to be 
celebrated down-under, a delay in the ham radio satellite mega-launch and 
three hams to fly on the return of the space shuttle to active duty on July 
1st.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1506 
coming your way right now.

**

WORLDBEAT - TASMANIA:  CELECRATING 100 YEARS OF MORSE

The 100 year celebration of the first wireless transmissions over open 
water in the Southern Hemisphere is noteworthy and the North-west Tasmanian 
Amateur Radio Interest  Group and the Geelong Amateur Radio Club in 
Victoria is determined it is going to be a real celebration. Tony Bedelph 
VK7AX, reports:

--

In 1906 the Australian Government gave permission for the Marconi Company 
to conduct trial transmissions across Bass Strait and on July 12th that year 
with great fanfare, this was done. 

Messages were exchanged between the Prime minister, the Governor General 
and the State governor in Victoria and their counterparts in Tasmania via 
Spark Morse transmissions.

Thousands of people turned out to watch what must, in actual fact, have 
been a non-event as there was very little to actually see !

The test was deemed highly successful but the Australian Government could 
not see the advantage in this new-fangled technology and after three months 
the stations were dismantled.  We've come a long way since.

On July 12th, stations on each side of Bass Strait will re-enact the 1906 
event and for the next 4 days each will have a special event station - VI 3 
MC in Victoria and VI 7 MC in Tasmania. 

If there are any Clubs, especially clubs with any association with Marconi, 
who would like to send greetings on this occasion please advise us via e-
mail on nwtarig at spamex.com.  We would like to have your message to read 
over the air.

--

Again if your club would like to send a greeting as part of this 
celebration, send a note to via e-mail to nwtarig at spamex.com. We hope to 
have more news on this event for you next week.  (Spectrum)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  HAM RADIO MEGA LAUNCH DELATED TO JULY 26TH

The launch of 13 Amateur Radio CubeSats has been delayed until July 26th.  
The reason given for the postponement is a problem with the launch vehicle 
preparation. 

As previously reported, a Russian booster is to carry the CubeSats into 
space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan All of the mini satellites 
are student projects from around the world.  12 of the tiny birds have 
their downlinks in the 70 centimeter band while the 13th will be heard on 
145.980 MHz. 

The entire project is sponsored by the Stanford University Space Systems 
Development Laboratory in cooperation with the  California Polytechnic 
State University and other institutions of higher learning, world wide.  
(AMSAT)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  THREE HAMS WILL FLY ON STS-121 ON JULY 1ST

NASA managers have picked July 1st  to launch the first space shuttle in 
almost a year.  This, despite recommendations against a liftoff attempt by 
the space agency's chief engineer and safety offices

The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue 
evaluating new shuttle safety improvements.  At least two spacewalks are 
planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the 
station.

Crew members are Pilot Mark E. Kelly, Commander Steven W. Lindsey, and 
Mission Specialists Piers J. Sellers, Michael E. Fossum, Lisa Nowak and 
Stephanie Wilson.  

Only Nowak and Wilson are hams.  Nowak is KC5ZTB and Wilson holds the call 
KC5ZDE.  

Also flying as a one-way passenger will be European Space Agency Astronaut 
Thomas Reiter, DF4TR.  He will remain on-board the orbiting outpost marking 
the return of the I-S-S to a full, three man crew.  

The decision to launch Discovery on a trip to the international space 
station was made after two days of closed meetings by NASA's top managers 
and engineers at the Kennedy Space Center. The flight would be only the 
second shuttle mission since the Columbia disaster in 2003.  (NASA)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS ASSIST AT  SOUTH-WEST FIRES

Hams are assisting in the wake of wildfires that have so far ignited in the 
American South-West.  We have more in this report:

--

Hams and ARES members across New Mexico have very busy the past few weeks 
as an early fire season has put that state on high alert. The Reserve 
Complex fire is at about 14,000 acres near Reserve, New Mexico in the Gila 
National Forest while the Skates fire is also in the Gila National Forest 
at 12,500 acres near Silver City.  And for the New Mexico Amateur Radio 
Emergency Service the Skates Fire has brought the largest response to date.

As the Skates fire threatened homes in the Lake Roberts area, some 14 ARES 
operators coming from as far away as El Paso, Texas supported a Red Cross 
shelter operation that had been set up to handle the needs of residents 
displaced by the Skates fire.  That operation finally stood down on June 
20th when people were allowed to return to their homes.

During the Skates fire, John Beakley, WK5C, operated from Las Cruces, 
keeping county management in communications with Silver City.  Steve Friis, 
WM5Z and Valerie Woosley, KD5ZGY, were at the other end of the loop 
relaying information back to WK5C.  Much to his credit, WM5Z performed this 
task while recovering from recent heart surgery.  

Another fire that brought out an ARES response was the Chaparral fire.  It 
broke out back on June 5th near Cuba, New Mexico, threatening a near-by 
Girls Scout camp.  Sandoval County ARES dispatched its emergency 
communications van in support of the camps evacuation.  Milke Ccales, K5SCA 
and Isaac Trujillo KE5FGL manned this mobile communications post with 
Marlin Allison, K5MHA, monitoring the operation from Rio Rancho, just 
outside Albuquerque.  

ARES also responded on June 18th to provide inter-county communications at a 
fire near Corrales.  K5SCA, KD5DCN and W5BI were the operators dispatched 
to that one.  They helped to coordinate communications between two counties 
and the Sandia Pueblo.  Three other smaller fires were also reported to be 
burning in Sandoval County on that day.  

At airtime there are five large wildfires being fought in New Mexico.  The 
largest to date is the Bear fire in the Gila National Forest about 17 miles 
northeast of Glenwood is at 24,000 acres with zero percent contained.  
Another big one is the Rivera Mesa fire is in the New Mexico State Forestry 
Las Vegas District at over 10,000 acres and only 10% contained.  New Mexico 
ARES says it stands ready to assist if they get the call to serve.  

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

--

Hams say that they will be active until the fire emergency has passed.  
(K5CEC)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  NATIONAL SOS RADIO NETWORK CONNECTICUT TEST

Back on the ground. the Connecticut based National SOS Radio Network 
conducted America's first test of a new emergency communication system on 
Saturday, June 17th.  The public emergency drill was open to all 
Connecticut residents from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time.  

In an e-mail to Newsline, National SOS founder Eric Knight, KB1EHE, says 
that the organization is very satisfied with all aspects of the drill.  He 
credits a last-minute news story that ran on radio station WTIC as really 
helping to energize the population.

Knight says that within hours of completion, his group received a wave of 
responses from Connecticut residents state-wide.  He says that from the 
sheer volume of calls and e-mails received he estimates that several 
thousand people appear to have participated.  Knight had to leave on a 
business trip so we won't have any more follow-up on this test until next 
week.  

The National SOS public emergency network is comprised of a potential 100 
million low-cost Family Radio Service and FRS-compatible radios already in 
use by the public plus.  Also a part of the plan are some 700,000 amateur 
radio operators, 70,000 licensed General Mobile Radio Service users, and 
hundreds of thousands of scanner users are encouraged to participate in the 
network.

**

THE RADIO AUCTOION BLOCK:  DONATED SET BRINGS $10000 BEFORE ITS ON THE 
BLOCK

Members of the New Jersey Antique Radio Club did the right thing when they 
found a thick envelope containing $10,000 beneath the lid of an old 
Crawford three-dialer from the 1920's. Amateur Radio Newsline's Fred Vobbe, 
W8HDU, has more:

--

The Asbury Park Press reports the New Jersey Antique Radio Club had planned 
to auction off the radios for the deceased collectors sister.  One of its 
members called the woman to inform her of the situation.  The next day club 
president Phil Vourtsis delivered the envelope to her, and the story of how 
the money ended up in the radio began to unfold.

The newspaper quotes Ray Chase, as saying the donor's brother was known for 
having money around the house.  He had kept some in a dresser by his bed.  
One day it was gone, with no sign of a break-in and  was distressed to 
discover a large sum of money missing.  

This occurred shortly before he died.  After talking with the donor, it was 
determined that with his failing memory the brother must have mistakenly 
placed the envelope in the Crawford radio next to his dresser and simply 
forgot hew had put it there.  The sister said it didn't surprise her very 
much that money was discovered in the radio.  But the honesty of the 
members of the New Jersey Antique Radio Club brought the money back where 
it belonged.  Talk about a happy ending.

For the Amateur Radio Newline, I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU..

--

The New Jersey Antique Radio Club maintains a museum and headquarters at 
the InfoAge Science and History Learning Center.  A club spoksman says the 
auction of the $10,000 Radio will be announced on its Web site, where 
photos of the radio also can currently be seen.  Its in cyberspace at 
www.njarc.org  (HamInfo)

**

COMMUNICTIONS LAW: INDECENCY FINES RAISED TO $325,000

President Bush has signed the measure passed by Congress to raise broadcast 
indecency fines tenfold.  The new maximum fine is $325,000 per occurrence 
and indicates that congress and the White House are very serious about 
enforcing rules regarding when material that some might deem offensive is 
permitted to be broadcast.  Current rules relegate such broadcasts to hours 
when children are not expected to be watching television or listening to 
the radio.  

The National Association of Broadcasters has reiterated its stance that 
self-regulation is preferable to government regulation.  The NAB also 
believes that the rules regarding indecency should be applied equally to 
satellite radio and TV as well as cable.  The latter two are exempt from 
the prohibition. 

And at least one well respected analyst who follows communications believes 
that at least one  broadcast group will challenge the new indecency fines 
in court.  Bear Stearns analyst Victor Miller said in a bulletin to expect 
such a challenge soon.  Mille adds that the impact on the creative process, 
which will no doubt be altered by an increased fine regime, is unknown at 
this time.  (RW)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ISSUES WARNING TO ALLEGED SAN DIEGO UNLICENSED STATION

The FCC's Western Region Enforcement Bureau has issued a Notice of 
Unlicensed Operation to Alan and Maria Conrad of San Diego.  The regulatory 
agency claims that the pair allegedly operated a transmitter on 106.9 MHz 
without being licensed to do so.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reports:

--

This past April 25th, agents confirmed by direction finding that radio 
signals on 106.9 MHz were emanating from the Conrad's property. The 
Commission's records show that no license was issued for operation of a 
broadcast station at that location in San Diego, California.

In its letter to the Conrads', the FCC said that operation of radio 
transmitting device without a valid radio station authorization constitutes 
a violation of Federal law.  That it could subject the operator to severe 
penalties, including substantial monetary forfeitures, seizure of the 
equipment and criminal sanctions including imprisonment of the station 
operator. 

The Conrad's were given 10 days from the date of the notice to respond and 
to provide evidence that they have authority from the FCC to operate the 
station.  If the FCC makes their response public, we will let you know what 
they say.

For the amateur Radio Newsline, I'm, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the Newsline 
studios in Los Angeles.

--

The Commission says that it will use all relevant material information 
before it to determine if any enforcement action is required to ensure the 
Conrads' comply with the FCC Rules.  This will include any information that 
they may disclose in their reply.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  PLEASE PROVIDE PROOF THAT CALL WAS PREVIOUSLY YOURS

The FCC has asked Kirt J. Simmons of  Escondido, California to explain why 
he has requested a call sign change to KJ6JP.  According to the regulatory 
agency, Simmons claims to be the former holder of these call letters but 
the FCC says that its records do not reflect this as having been the case.  

Because of this the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has referred Simmons  
application for the call sign KJ6JP, granted on July 23, 2005, to 
Enforcement for review.  The letter went out to KJ6JP at the end of May and 
he was given 20 days to respond and to furnish  documentation that he held 
KJ6JP at any time before July of 2005.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC TO REPEATER OWNER - ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

The operator of an uncoordinated repeater in Tampa, Florida, has been told 
by the FCC that he holds the primary responsibility for mitigating 
interference to a coordinated system in the city of Satasota.  

Back on  March 17th, the FCC forwarded complaints to Francisco Cordero, Jr. 
alleging that his KP4PC repeater was causing interference to the 
coordinated repeater system N4SER.  This is a repeater operated by the  
Sarasota Emergency Radio Club.  

In that letter the FCC noted that was no evidence that Cordero's repeater 
was coordinated.  In his response to the inquiry received by the FCC on May 
8th  Cordero confirmed that it was not.   

Now, in its May 31st follow-up, the FCC tells Cordero that although the 
coordination process is voluntary, as long as his repeater is 
uncoordinated, he has the primary burden of resolving any interference that 
it causes to coordinated repeaters.  The agency also told KP4PC that the 
agency relies on the repeater coordination process to help alleviate 
interference between repeaters and lessen the burden upon Commission 
resources required to resolve such problems.  (FCC)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  MICHIGAN CITY HONORS LOCAL HAMS FOR E-COMMS WORK

A Michigan radio club has been honored for its dedication to community 
service.  During  its regularly scheduled meeting on June 19th, the County 
Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the Midland 
Amateur Radio Club and its members for their contributions in the area of 
public safety in our community.

The Midland club is a public service organization.  It  provides 
communications for such events as the Midland Community Dow Run and Walk, 
the M S Walk and the Warm-up Magic Ride.  Club members also serve as part 
of the Skywarn network reporting severe weather conditions to the National 
Weather Service and providing confirmation of conditions.  (W8KEA Press 
Release)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: PAPERS SOLICITED FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST VHF+ CONFERENCE

The Pacific Northwest VHF Society is calling for papers to be published in 
the Proceedings of the 2006 Pacific Northwest VHF+ Conference.  The 
gathering is slated for September 29th October 1st in Bellingham Washington.  
Papers and presentations will be published in electronic format on a CD-
ROM.  Send all questions, comments and submissions to Editor Scott Honaker, 
N7SS, by e-mail to scotthon at pilchuckvet.com.  For further information on 
the conference, please check www.pnwvhfs.org/vhf  (VHF Reflector)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  K5RIC NAMED NEW NEW MEXICO SEC

Rick Sohl, K5RIC, will be the new ARRL New Mexico Section Emergency 
Coordinator. Sohl lives in Nogal and has an extensive background in 
emergency communications.  He is a member of Air Force Military Affiliate 
Radio System and the Civil Air Patrol and is currently a Lincoln County 
Emergency Coordinator.  He has also served as an Assistant State RACES 
Officer in New Mexico.

Sohl will assume the SEC position immediately and will take the RACES 
Officer position as soon as the appointment is made by Tim Manning, the New 
Mexico Homeland Security Director.  He replaces Bill Kauffman, W5YEJ, of 
Rio Rancho who announced his retirement following 20 years of volunteer 
service with the New Mexico ARRL Section.  (K5CEC)

**

WORLDBEAT - SRI LANKA:  A MATTER OF TIME

Call this one a matter of time.  And if you are a Dxer its important to 
know that this nation is again changing its time standard.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, reports:

--

Sri Lanka will set all its clocks back by 30 minutes and revert to its 
original time standard  This, following a decade long experiment that 
largely failed to save the nations energy.

The nations President ordered that Sri Lanka revert to its original time 
standard which is 5 1/2 hours ahead of U-T-C that the country maintained 
until May of 1996.  Faced with an electricity shortfall that year, the Sri 
Lankin government advanced clocks by an hour to extend the daylight hours 
available.  Later that year the time standard was brought back by a half 
hour to put Sri Lanka six hours ahead of U-T-C.  Now, that extra 30 minutes 
is being dropped as well.  

--

The reason for the latest change?  Pop Comm says the official government 
mandated the change in 1996, the Tamil Tiger rebels who control large parts 
of the nation in the north-east did not follow it.  This lead to two 
differing time standards in that country.  (Pop Comm)

**

WORLDBEAT - SCOTLAND:  AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE EPC

Hams worldwide are being invited to join the European PSK Club.  The E-P-C 
as its more commonly known was formed to promote activity and 
good operating practice on the PSK modes on all amateur bands.  Membership 
is free for any licensed radio amateur or SWL.  Each new member is assigned 
a unique "EPC Number" which is retained for life, regardless of a change of 
callsign.   All E-P-C members are eligible to participate in various club's 
activities and award programs.  A high quality and colorful membership 
certificate in PDF format is sent via email to new members when membership 
is granted.  For more information contact Jurij Phunkner P.O. Box 7469, 
Glasgow, G42 0YD, Scotland or e-mail him at eudx at scotham.net .  More 
information on the EPC is on-line at www.eu.srars.org  (GB2RS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  KB5TZZ VISITS SCHOOL NAMED IN HER HONOR

Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, KB5TZZ, a veteran of four space shuttle flights, 
visited students today at a Cudahy school that now bears her name. Ochoa 
toured the campus on June 9th and talked to students about her experiences 
with NASA and the importance of education. Students treated her to a song 
and dance.

Ochoa became an astronaut in July 1991. She flew on STS-56 in 1993, STS-66 
in 1994 and STS-96 in 1999. She most recently flew aboard the space shuttle 
Atlantis in 2002. She is now deputy director of Flight Crew Operations at 
NASA.

Students and staff at the Los Angeles Unified School District's Ellen Ochoa 
Learning Center chose that name for the school KB5TZZ is deemed as an 
inspirational role model for students.  The school includes students from 
preschool through fifth grade.  (Space)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ESA SUPPORTS AMSAT-UK COLLOQUIUM

The AMSAT-UK's 2006 Colloquium, has attracted the support of  E-S-A -- the 
European Space Agency.  The E-S-A Education Office have confirmed that they 
will support the Colloquium by sponsoring the travel and accommodation 
costs for up to five university students so that they can attend and 
present at the meeting.

The opportunity is open to any University student presently studying in one 
of the E-S-A member states or one of the ESA cooperating nations.  Students 
who are interested in applying for this sponsorship should urgently contact 
Tor.Viscor at esa.int giving their details and information about their 
proposed paper.

ESA has also approved the attendance of Neil Melville, the S SETI Express 
project co-ordinator.  Melville will be presenting a full report on the S 
SETI Express experience and the "Knowledgebase" that has been created as a 
result of the mission.  He will also discuss the establishment of an 
internet linked world-wide network of university and radio amateur 
groundstations to help support future launches of satellites in the amateur 
satellite service.

AMSAT-UK's 2006 Colloquium is scheduled to be held July28th, 29th and 30th at 
the University of Surrey, in Guildford, England.  More information is on-
line at www.uk.amsat.org (AMSAT)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  EAGLEPEDIA NOW OPEN TO ALL TO READ

The AMSAT sponsored EaglePedia is now open for general use.  EaglePedia is 
a communication medium used by the EAGLE ham satellite developers for idea 
exchange.  A basic principle of the EAGLE project is open design, so a 
decision was  made to open access the EaglePedianow that it is judged to be 
ready for general use.

All major decisions about the space craft and their supporting 
documentation will be available through the site.  Only EAGLE team members 
will have the ability to comment on what is posted there.  All others will 
be able to view only.  (AMSAT)

**

ON THE AIR:  NEW D-STAR NET SATURDAYS ON 14.295 MHZ

And an informal "D-Star" users net is now on 14.292 Mhz on Saturdays at 4 
p.m. Eastern time. 

D-STAR is an open digital protocol published by Japan Amayeur Radio League 
available to be implemented by anyone. While much of D-star involves 
linking  and position reporting, it's narrowband mode and digital 
modulation scheme is a very interesting topic for semi-weak signal mode on 
VHF simplex.  

So far D-star is only supported commercially by Icom, but its growing 
popularity means that other companies are bound to come on board.  More 
information on the D-Star system is at 
http://www.icomamerica.com/support/forums/tt.asp?forumid=2 (VHF Reflector)

**

ON THE AIR:  6 METERS SHINES DURING ARRL CONTEST

Some amazing conditions reported on 6 meters during the recent ARRL VHF QSO 
Party.  May die-hards say that they worked stations in grid squares that 
they have never heard before.  Lots of credit is being given to the 
proliferation of radio that cover the VHF bands as well as H-F for this 
increased interest on the so-called Magic Band.  (VHF Reflector)

**

DX

In D-X, word that Jim Milner, WB2REM, will be active portable 5-B from 
Cyprus from July 7th to the 13th.  Listen for Jim on 40 through 6 meters on 
CW and SSB.  QSL with an S-A-S-E and postage to his home callsign or by the 
bureau. 

And Vangelis Gekas, SV2BFN, will be active stroke 8Q7 from the Maldives 
through July 4th.  This will be a holiday style operation, but he plans to 
be active on 40 through 10 meters on SSB and RTTY, with some CW.  QSL via 
his home callsign.

Lastly Nine Alpha Zero Six Papa is a special event station in Croatia 
active through December 31st to celebrate the city of Djurdjevac.  
Operations will be on all bands and modes.  All QSOs will be confirmed 
automatically via the bureau.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  ACTOR SAYS NO TO CELLPHONES IN THEATERS

And finally this week, a well respected actor has taken a hard-line stand 
against cellular telephones going off in theaters.  It happened on Broadway 
in New York City.  We have more in this report:  

(Also this wild track intro for Evi simons (Pronounced like Paul Simon with 
an added "s"):    Amateur Radio Newsline's Evi Simons reports not far from 
the Great White Way)

--

At the May 31st matinee performance of The History Boys in New York City's 
Broadhurst Theater, the audience got to hear what may be the most practiced 
cellphone rebuke in show business.  And it came from the shows Tony Award 
winning star  Richard Griffiths.  

During a critical scene in which Griffiths' character, Hector, is being 
taken to task by the Headmaster, several cellular phones rang.  At that 
point Griffiths' stopped the show, looked directly at the audience and said 
-- quote:  

"I can't compete with these electronic devices. Now you were asked nicely 
by the stage manager to turn them off."  

Griffiths then said he would start the scene again and, if interrupted once 
more, wouldn't continue.  He also added three words:  "You've been warned."

When the scene began again, responding to the Headmaster's inquiry about 
why he locked the classroom door during lessons, Griffiths uttered the 
scripted line, "I don't want to be interrupted."  The audience reportedly 
laughed and then burst into a round of applause.  It was very easy to see 
that they were happy he had taken his anti-cellphone stand.

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

--

Griffiths' dislike of cellphones is well documented.  In England, the actor 
once successfully ejected a women from a theatre after her phone rang. (Playbill)

**

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 
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91066. 

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm David Black, 
KB4KCH, saying 73 and we thank you for listening."  