[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1511 - July 28, 2006

Sun Jul 30 10:06:39 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1511 - July 28, 2006

The following is a Q-S-T.  Australian hams beat back an age restriction 
on young hams, the FCC cancels one and dismisses two licenses and those 
radio tagged burrowing owls want you o find them.  Find out the details 
on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1511 coming your way right now.

**

RESTRUCTURING:  VK HAMS FIGHT AGE RESTRICTION AND WIN

An Australian licensing stipulation that young hams age 16 or younger 
could only operate under the supervision of an older ham has been 
removed.  This, after the V-K ham radio community went up in arms after 
learning that such a condition had been enacted without prior 
notification to that nations licensees.  Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA 
News reports from down-under:

--

It is unclear as to why Australia's Communications and Media Authority 
- the ACMA -- enacted the age restriction rule in the first place.  But 
it did and the Wireless Institute of Australia immediately objected to 
that  license condition.  

The WIA noted that such a rule as inconsistent with the objective of 
the recently introduced Foundation Class License.  A highly successful 
class of license that is meant to get more young people interested in 
the hobby and on the air.  The WIA also made note that age is not a 
condition of the Australian license class governing the operation of CB 
equipment.  As such, it discriminated against Amateur Radio licensees 
who were trained in the relevant safety aspects of station operation.

The Wireless Institute of Australia was not alone in its position. As 
more get restricted licenses were issued, the WIA was joined in its 
protest by other Australian radio amateurs.  As a result, he ACMA now 
backtracked and has cancelled its over 16 rule.  The regulatory agency 
says that from this point on, Australian Amateur licenses will, on 
application, be issued to any person who  demonstrates by way of an 
examination that he or she possesses the necessary knowledge and skills 
to be a VK ham.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of he W-I-A 
National News reporting from Brisbane for the Amateur Radio Newsline.
--

In its statement rescinding the age restriction policy, the Australian 
Communications and Media Authority also said that those hams who have 
this restriction will shortly be issued a new license.  One that is 
free of this constraint.  (WIA News)

**

ON THE AIR:  UK TO EUROPEAN MAINLAND 10GHZ RECORD SET

A ham in Great Britain has set a new 10 gigahertz distance record.  
Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, has the details from Nottingham, in the UK:

--

Ian Lamb, G8KQW, has broken the record for the longest distance 
terrestrial contact on 10GHz from the UK.

At around 05.20 UTC on Sunday 16th July, he exchanged reports with 
Lars-Bertil, SM4DHN, on 10,368.2MHz using CW at a never-before achieved 
distance of 1,347km.

Ian said "This was an unbelievable contact for me, not only because of 
the sheer distance involved but also because both Lars-Bertil and I are 
located several hundred kilometers inland at either end of the path."

Soon after the record breaking contact, he also worked SM6AFV at a 
distance of 1,192km and SM6HYG at a distance of 1,118km. 

What makes these QSOs particularly impressive is that Ian was only 
using 2 watts of power. According to Ian, his success was down to 
"being in the right place at the right time

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH.

--

Jeramy says that all of these contacts took place during a period of 
strong tropospheric ducting between the U-K and the European mainland.  
(GB2RS News)
.
**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC CANCELS 1 AND DISMISSES 2 LICENSES

Back on this side of the Pacific, the score is one cancellation and two 
dismissals.  That's the FCC's track record made public last week after 
it acted in several pending enforcement issues  involving ham radio.  
Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

Loosing his licenses through dismissal is William E. Kuth, KB2SGQ, of 
Utica, New York.  Back in May, the FCC notified Kuth that his renewal 
application could not be routinely granted because of pending issues 
involving alleged operation on 26.815 MHz and 26.945 MHz..  It then 
referred the matter to the Enforcement Bureau for continued 
investigation. 

FCC records show that Kuth received the FCC's letter of inquiry on May 
5th but never did respond. Kuth's Technician class license had expired 
in November 2004 but he was permitted to continue operating pending the 
completion of the FCC's probe.  In its finding, the Commission also 
noted that Kuth' had used a different address on his renewal 
application than is on file address of record.

Loosing an upgrade from Technician to General through application 
dismissal in another dismissal action is Andrew Ojwang, KI4LTH, of 
Roswell, Georgia.  This, based on Ojwang' response to complaints about 
the operation of his station since the grant of his General class 
license. 

In October of 2005, the FCC set aside Ojwang's General license and his 
renewal application, which reverted to pending status.  He too was 
permitted to continue operating pending the outcome of the FCC's 
investigation into the allegations made against him.  On May 31st of 
this year, Ojwang's General class application was forwarded to the 
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for dismissal seemingly because the 
issues had not been resolved.  But Ojwang can continue operating as a 
Tech.  The FCC did renew his Technician Class license for its full 10-
year term.

Last on the FCC's list is Billy  Benefiel, W5BJB, of Lockhart, Texas, 
whose license was cancelled at his own request.  Back in November of 
2005 the FCC wrote Benefiel regarding allegations that he was operating 
on frequencies not authorized to a Technician class license holder and 
causing interference to other operations.  In his response, the now 
former W-5-B-J-B did not address the charges.  Rather, he submitted his 
license back to the FCC for cancellation and the FCC has now confirmed 
that Benefiel is no longer a ham.  

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

--

All of those who had their Amateur service licenses cancelled were 
warned that they no longer have authority to operate and to stay off 
the air. Ojwang can continue to operate but only within the scope of 
Technician class privileges.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC SUSPENDS HAM LICENSES FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MAILING 
ADDRESS

The FCC has suspended two Amateur Radio licenses because the holders 
had failed to maintain correct mailing addresses in the Commission's 
licensee database.  According to a report in the ARRL Letter, on June 
28th FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth wrote Larry L. Smith, 
KC7LJR, of Middleton, Idaho, and Larry J. Maniag, KD7JTG, of Payson, 
Arizona.  This, to inform them the FCC was suspending their Technician 
tickets for the remainder of their license terms or until each licensee 
provides a valid mailing address.

In his letter to Smith, Hollingsworth noted that on three occasions in 
late 2005, the FCC had been unable to deliver warning notices alleging 
deliberate interference to a 2-meter repeater system.

He told Maniag that the US Postal Service earlier this year returned as 
undeliverable two warning notices alleging deliberate interference with 
several repeaters.

Hollingsworth cited FCC Rule 97.23 that requires each license grant to 
show the licensee's correct name and mailing address.  The rule 
provides that revocation of the station license or suspension of the 
operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is 
returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the 
correct mailing address.

Hollingsworth cited the same rule to an Ohio licensee apparently 
tempting a similar fate. On June 26 Hollingsworth afforded Robert D. 
Reckner, W8IQJ, more time to respond to complaints involving his 
service as MIDCARS net control. The complaint alleges deliberate 
interference as a result of his starting the net on top of existing 
communications on 7.258 MHz in April. A 
June 1 letter enclosing the complaint came back to the FCC as 
undeliverable.  (ARRL, FCC)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  REMOTE-READ GAS & ELECTRIC METERS COMING TO SAN DIEGO 
COUNTY

Remote reading gas and electric meters using wireless technology is 
coming to a major area of California.  This, with word that San Diego 
Gas & Electric Co. will begin installing 1,000 wireless electric meters 
in a test of equipment that can provide hourly reports of electricity 
usage and could pave the way for electric rates that vary with time and 
a possible BPL meter reading network.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is here 
with more:

--

The areas receiving the new wireless meters are downtown San Diego, 
Pacific Beach and Fallbrook.  San Diego Gas & Electric says that it 
will field-test meters from two vendors, but declined to provide their 
names.  Nor is it known where in the radio spectrum they will operate. 

A company spokesman did tell the San Diego Union Tribune that while 
both meters have wireless technology, neither has Broadband Over 
Powerline capability enabled.  The newspaper says that these devices 
will eliminate the need for pedestrian meter readers. 

Even though no B-P-L operation is contemplated in the near future, it 
is obvious that this is one the Southern California ham radio community 
will want to keep a close eye on.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the City of 
Angels.

--

More is on-line at http://tinyurl.com/s5bho and 
http://tinyurl.com/rrdf3  (CGC)

**

POSTAL LAW AND HAM RADIO:  OLD VS. NEW IRC'S  

If you use International Reply Coupons -- better known as I-R-C's - 
to defray the cost of return QSL cards -- then listen up.  According 
to United States Postal Bulletin 22184 dated July 6th 2006 not all the I-
R-C's in your possession may be usable.  

According to that bulletin, effective July 1, 2006, the Postal Service 
will no longer redeem international reply coupons issued prior to 2002. 
The non-redeemable IRCs are approximately 2.5 inches by 4 inches and do 
not have a barcode on the back.

The bulletin then goes on to request that retail associates advise 
customers possessing pre 2002 IRCs to return them to their 
correspondents in the country of issue.  This, for redemption through 
the selling post office.

The Postal Service describes the current redeemable IRCs as being 
approximately 3.75 inches by 5 inches and can be distinguished by the 
presence of a barcode on the back.  (VHF Reflector)

**

TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW::  FCC ASKS BROADCASTERS FOR TAPES IN INDECENCY 
PROBE

A government probe of offensive language on television continues.  The 
entertainment trade paper the Hollywood Reporter quotes television 
industry sources as saying that the FCC has requested numerous tapes 
from broadcasters.   Ones that might include vulgar remarks from unruly 
spectators, coaches and athletes at live sporting events.

The reporter says that this is likely part of the governments 
continuing crackdown on on-air profanity.  Tapes requested by the 
commission include live broadcasts of football games and NASCAR races 
where the participants or the crowds let loose with an expletive. While 
commission officials refused to talk about its requests, one broadcast 
company executive said the commission had asked for 30 tapes of live 
sports and news programs. 

The newspaper notes that live programming always has been problematic 
for broadcasters, but it became even more difficult under tougher 
commission rules approved in 2004.  The new rules found that virtually 
any use of certain expletives will be considered profane and indecent, 
even if it is a slip of the tongue.  In a March decision, the FCC found 
that the CBS news program The Early Show violated its indecency rules 
because of a legally profane slip-up.  The Commission not issue a fine 
because the incident occurred before the new rules were put in place.  
(Published reports)

**

TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW:  CELL AND INTERNET PHONE CHARGES GOING UP!

Some cell phone and Internet phone service users will see higher bills 
later this year.  This, because of a move by the Federal Communications 
Commission to ensure phone service for rural and disabled people. 

Specifically, the FCC has taken some interim steps to avoid a financial 
crisis in the Universal Service Fund that supports service for rural 
and disabled people. To accomplish this, the commission required that 
providers of Internet phone service begin contributing to the fund. It 
also required that cell phone companies and other wireless providers 
who opt to pay a flat contribution, instead of one based on actual 
usage, assume that 37.1 percent, instead of 28.5 percent, of their 
revenue is subject to the impost. 

The commission staff could not predict how many people would see an 
increase or how much more they would have to pay.  The moves were 
designed to make up temporarily for the loss of revenue for the fund 
from providers of high-speed Internet service over phone lines -- or 
Digital Subscriber Lines. DSL providers were exempted by the FCC last 
August, which FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps has estimated cost the 
fund $350 million a year.  (FCC, others)

**

HAM RADIO PROMOTION:  A PRIMER ON PSA'S

If you are trying to get a ham radio Public Service Announcement on the 
air or P-S-A here are some interesting facts.  According to the 
National Association of Broadcasters, local radio stations air on 
average 169 PSA's per week, while local television stations aired 136 
per week.  

The NAB also said the value of PSA spot air time is based on what is 
called a "run of schedule" rate.  The NAB says that this is one of the 
least expensive rates charged to commercial clients.  Translated into 
reality, it also means most PSA's are likely to run in the least 
listened to and least watched hours of the day.

As to content, 61% of radio PSAs focused on local issues while 96% of 
radio stations reported involvement in some type of on-air or off-air 
disaster relief activity.  Since ham radio is the only hobby radio 
service that tends to run Public Service Announcements, it's a pretty 
good bet that a lot of those are for the emergency communications 
aspect of what we do.  (RW)

**

RADIO HAPPENINGS: CEA LAUNCHES NEW INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

The Consumer Electronics Association or C-E-A says that has launched a 
new International Department.  This, to coordinate efforts to expand 
relationships with associations and other groups abroad.  

The new department will seek partnerships with new international trade 
shows and will coordinate C-E-A's international trade strategies.  It 
will also oversee operations in China. (RW)

**

HAM RADIO BUSINESS:  C3I SOLD

Ha radio manufacturer C3I is officially sold.  Former owner Owen 
Wormser, K3CB, tells Newsline that he expects the new owners will be 
fully operational at a new location by the end of September or earlier.   
Owen says that C3i's quality products will once again be available to 
the ham radio community and he personally thanks all of his past 
customers for their loyal support.  C3I is best known for its line of 
high quality VHF and UHF antennas along with other products serving 
this niche market.  More about these products is on-line at c3iusa.com. 
(K3CB)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  NEW CHAIRMAN AT RADIO SHACK

Radio Shack has named Julian Day as its new Chairman and CEO.  Day has 
worked at several large publicly traded retailers and played a key role 
in revitalizing such stores as Safeway, Sears and K-Mart.  

In recent times Radio Shack has endured poor financial results and 
large-scale store closings.  The company is hoping for a turnaround 
with Day.  At K-Mart, Day took the company out of bankruptcy and led it 
to substantially exceed its profit plans increasing its value from $1.5 
billion to $9 billion.  (RW)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  DENVER COLORADIO IN AUGUST

Turning to the ham radio social scene, mark Sunday, August 20th as the 
date for this years Denver Radio Club Hamfest.  The venue is the 
Jefferson County Fairgrounds in the city of Golden.  Look for lots of 
technical sessions, along with an ARRL VEC sponsored exam session.  
More on this one is on-line ay www.w0tx.org. (Worldradio)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  ARRL IN BOXBORO MADS IN AUGUST

The 2006 ARRL New England Division Convention is slated for August 25th 
to the 27th at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Boxboro, Massachusetts.  The 
contact person on this one is Mike Raisbeck who can be reached by e-
mail to k1twf at arrl.org.  More information on this event is on line at 
www.boxboro.org  (Worldradio)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  AMSAT TO EXHIBIT AT THE SMALL SATELLITE CONFERENCE

And AMSAT North America will again have a table this year at the Small 
Satellite Conference..  The event takes place in Logan, Utah from 
August 14th through the 17th.  The exhibit will run for 2 1/2 days during 
that time frame.  More is on-line at www.smallsat.org/meetings  (AMSAT)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  HAMSAT MEGALAUNCH FAILS

An attempt to launch one full size and 17 tiny micro-satellites on 
board a Russian booster has failed. 

The abortive launch took place at 19:43 UTC on July 26th from the 
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazikstan.  All of the ham radio birds were of 
the classic AMSAT-developed Cube-Sat design. 

According to a short bulletin, the launcher, an a converted 
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, was carrying the first Belorussian 
satellite, and 17 other micro-satellites of which fourteen were ham 
radio only payloads developed at 11 different universities. Russian 
launch authorities are investigating why the Denpr rocket failed.  More 
information is on-line at 
http://www.geocities.com/launchreport/slr.html  (AMSAT, VHF Reflector)

**

FM AND REPEATERS:  N6BVU SEEKING INPUT FOR NEW CALIFORNIA REPEATER 
GUIDE

If you are the owner or trustee of a repeater in the southern 
California area,
Karl Pagel, N6BVU, wants to hear from you.  This is because Karl is 
once again gathering information for a new repeater directory and wants 
to be certain that it carries the most up-t-date information and 
listings

If you have upgraded or changed to a vanity or club call that was 
different from your original coordinated call, Karl wants to know.  Or, 
if you have changed your site or pl tones, he needs that information as 
well

For those not aware, Karl Pagel, N6BVU, has been involved with spectrum 
management and editing repeater guides for over 25 years. He currently 
serves as  a board member of SCRRBA, the Southern California Repeater 
and Remote Base Association and is considered among the most 
knowledgeable people in regard to repeater operation across the great 
American South-West.

If you can help N6BVU in this latest repeater listing project, please 
send your information by e-mail to repeaters at sbcglobal.net  (N6BVU)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  RF VIDEO TO AID CRIME PREVENTION

Using modern technology to thwart criminals has always been important 
to police efforts.  Now, the has been expanded in one California city 
where  seventeen wireless video cameras will be installed at nine 
locations along Pine Avenue in Long Beach. 

The Long Beach Police Department will staff a monitoring system using 
sworn officers and police cadets. The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency 
has allocated $400,000 for the costs of the cameras and the Downtown 
Long Beach Association has pledged an additional $75,000.  

While not cheap. Wireless video is making it a lot harder on criminals 
who never know when they are being watch by law enforcement.  In other 
words, its yet another case where R-F is helping to take a bite out of 
crime.  (LB PD release from news reports)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  MATSUSHITA ANNOUNCES TRULY GIANT BIG SCREEN TV

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. says that it has started taking 
advance orders for a new 103-inch plasma display panel television set 
the company says to be the worlds largest.  The 103-inch screen is 
about 2.3 meters wide, 1.3 meters high and slightly larger than a 
double bed. 

According to The Japan Times, Matsushita `s plasma display panel plant 
in Hyogo Prefecture began turning out screens at full capacity in June 
with broadcasting companies expected to be among the first customers 
for the huge screen.  

Matsushita officials say that shipments to the United Stats will begin 
in the fall.  Europe and Japan will see the unit by the end of the 
year.  The new big screen will cost anyone who wants one a cool 
$70,000.  (Marshita)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  APPLE SAYS NO MORE CRT

Meantine, the folks who brought you the Ipod and the McIntosh computer 
have said goodbye to C-R-T monitor.  Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, reports:

--

Apple Computer will completely rid its product line of cathode-ray-tube 
monitors.  As such, the Cupertino California based manufacturer becomes  
one of the first major PC makers to sell only flat-panel displays.

The move is part of an industry-wide trend both in computers and 
televisions toward the use liquid-crystal display, or LCD, monitors, 
which are sleeker, less weighty and more power-efficient than their 
older CRT counterparts.

Apple was among the first computer companies to bet big on LCD in 2001 
when it used the thinner technology to replace all of its CRT displays 
except for its candy-colored, egg-shaped iMac line. By January 2002, 
Apple replaced those CRT-based iMacs with a revamped, space-saving 
design featuring a swivel LCD display.

The maker of Macintosh computers introduced an $899 iMac specifically 
for schools and students, replacing the eMac, which was the company's 
last remaining CRT-based model.

--

As an aside, with CRT based monitors and receivers being phased out all 
across the entertainment and data processing industries, replacement 
picture tubes are getting harder and harder to find.  (Published 
reports)

**

WORLDBEAT - FRANCE:  NO-NO IPOD

French lawmakers have given final approval to a government-backed 
legislation that could try to force Apple Computer Inc. to make its 
iPod music player and I-Tunes on-line store compatible with rivals' 
offerings.  That, or ore leading Apple to leave the French digital 
music market.

On Friday, June 30th, both the French Senate and the National Assembly 
voted in favor of the copyright bill. The vote was the last legislative 
step before the bill becomes law, barring the success of a last-ditch 
constitutional challenge filed by the opposition Socialists and Greens.  
The law would take effect only after that challenge is exhausted.  

Currently, songs bought on iTunes can be played only on iPods.  An iPod 
can't play downloads from other stores with similar premium content 
from major artists -- like Napster and Sony Corp.'s Connect.  
(Technology OnLine)

**

WORLDBEAT - NEW ZEALAND:  THE OCEANA DX CONTEST(S) 

Only 3 months to Oceania's premier High Frequency DX Contests.  The 
phone portion takes place from  0800 UTC on October 7th to 0800 on 
October 8th.  A week later starting at 0800 on October 14th is the C-W 
event.  It ends at 0800 UTC on the 15th.  Contest Rules and other 
operating information can be viewed www.nzart.org. Just click the word 
contests on the left side of the page. (NZART)

**

DX

In D-X, if you are hearing this before July 30th, then you have a chance 
to work Reunion Island. GM4AFF, will be active portable FR from Reunion  
for one day o  July 30th during the upcoming RSGB Islands on the Air 
Contest.  If you work this rare one, QSL via M0CMK

The Faroe Islands will be on the air from August 21st to the 23rd.  This 
as L2RMC and DO3MSH become active portable OY.  Operations will be 
limited to their spare time but look for them on all HF bands on CW, 
SSB and digital modes,with 400 watts and a vertical antenna.  QSL via 
DL2RCM.

And here's a rather interesting one for you.  The Ohio Penn D-X 
newsletter reports that a spot called Chicken Rock will be activated on 
August 19th.  The newsletter says that all major lighthouses on the 
island will be on the air that afternoon, using the call letters 
GD0SGB/P, GD0VML/P or /M and GT4LAB/P/M.  QSL as directed by each 
station.  

(Above from various DX news sources)
**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  ITS BURROWING OWL TIME AGAIN

And finally this week, its owl time once again.  Of coarse we are 
referring to those famed Burrowing Owls that are making ham radio news 
again. Newsline's Joe Moell, K0OV, with the story: 

--

Back in 1998, a researcher in Canada asked for help in locating some 
radio-tagged Burrowing Owls that had migrated from their study site in 
Saskatchewan. Aircraft had been unable to follow them due to bad 
weather. So began the first of many efforts by some hams and scanner 
enthusiasts to help biologists find their wayward study animals. Since 
then, we've been involved in research on several species of birds and 
bats. 

This summer, two bird studies need ham help. A non-profit organization 
in New Mexico wants to find out what happens to the population of 
Burrowing Owls that spend summer months in the grasslands of Kirtland 
Air Force Base. They have radiotagged 28 of them to see if they go east 
toward Texas, west to California, or south to Mexico. They will start 
moving any day now, so get your receiver and antenna ready. 

About the same time, researchers at two Toronto universities will be 
radiotagging twenty young Purple Martins at a breeding colony in 
Edinboro, Pennsylvania. They are expected to start south in August, but 
where will they spend the winter? 
For the radio tag frequencies, plus more information on how you can 
help the scientists from the comfort of your hamshack, point your Web 
browser to www.homingin.com. That's homingin, as one word, 
homingin.com. Thanks in advance for your help. From southern 
California, where we'll be listening for those owls from Albuquerque, 
this is Joe Moell K-zero-Oscar-Victor for Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Again that website is www.homingin.om.

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

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