[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1515 - August 25, 2006

Sat Aug 26 08:39:26 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1515 - August 25, 2006

The following is a closed circuit.  Ladies and gentlemen, here is 
Amateur Radio Newsline's Support Fund Administrator, Andy Jaremsm 
N6TCQ.

--

Returning with our thank-yous, in the month of January we heard from 
the Montgomery ARC of Rockville, MD:  Regular contributors Benton 
Bonney, W4PE of Orlando and Joseph Bartzi, Jr., KC8DKF of Columbus, OH:  
The Hamfesters Radio Club of Evergreen Park, IL:  The Electronic 
Applications Radio Service, W9EAR, based out of Bloomington, IN.:  Leo 
Halog, KR6EG of San Francisco:  Our San Jose monthly contributors 
William Walters, WA2IBM, and Scott Hensley of the Area Communications 
Team:  The South Orange Amateur Radio Association in Mission Viejo, CA:  
Our old buddy Gordo, WB6NOA of the Gordon West Radio School:  And 
again, a huge thank you to the Anchorage, AK ARC.

Via PayPal, we heard from: Stuart Cole, N5LBZ of Gulfport, Mississippi:  
Fred Bader, K3CSX:   From Stark, OH -  we sorry don't have any other 
information:  James Drenthe of Galesburg, MI:  Henry Guernsey, KF6HWJ 
of Fairfax, CA:  Roy Tucker, N6TK and Jeff Stieglitz, AE6NZ and the 
AE6NZ repeater of La Mirada, CA :  Dale Hoffart, K0AMP of Ashland, NE:  
Neil Nitzberg, NE3J of Scranton, PA:  Matthew Kraner, K8MAT:  Lawrence 
Sutter of Sacramento, CA:

Month in and month out Newsline takes an average of $1000 to put the 
latest news of Amateur Radio on the air- it doesn't come to us- we have 
to go get it. With no advertising, we depend on you- our loyal 
listeners. Our website- arnewsline.org has all the info you need to 
contribute, including a quick link to PayPal.  Or there's our address: 
Newsline Support Fund, PO Box 660937, Arcadia, CA 91066.  That address 
will be repeated at the end of the newscast.  Thanks for your help.

I'm Andy Jarema. N6TCQ. 

--

Thank you Andy.  Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1515 with a 
release date of Friday, August 25th, 2006 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   

The following is a Q-S-T.  Hams in New Zealand loose access to a V-H-F 
allocation, hams in the U-K respond to a proposed reallocation plan and 
a ham in space makes public the name of the next spaceship to head to 
the Moon.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 
1515 coming your way right now.

**

RESTRUCTURING:  NEW ZEALAND HAMS LOOSE 614 - 622 MHZ

New Zealand hams have partially lost access to their longtime 
allocation from 614 to 622 MHz.  This, as the result of a recent rules 
change for that nations Amateur Radio operators that came into force on 
July 1st.  Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, is in Auckland, with more:

--

The  614 to 622 MHz band was a unique and very local allocation here in 
New Zealand.  It had been used for the output from the many ATV 
repeaters as well as for the usual amateur radio experiments and 
contests.  Now, most of these operations will have to relocate to other 
spectrum.

I say most rather than all because there is one slight glimmer of hope 
in all this.  The Ministry of Economic Development says that it intends 
issuing special licenses to the national society, the NZART, for each 
of the ATV installations and their operation will continue.  What no 
longer will be possible is the ad hoc operation on this spectrum by NZ 
Amateurs for contests, DXing and the like without the special 
provisions.

By way of background, New Zealand hams originally got this bandspace as 
a kind of compensation when a chunk of the 432 Band was taken away from  
the Amateur community many years back.  It was wonderful piece of 
spectrum to get especially for the output of ATV repeaters because it 
is in the commercial UHF TV Band CH39 UHF and our domestic TV receivers 
are suitable for its reception without the need for a special 
converter. 

This all occurred before there was much interest in UHF in New Zealand.  
Now of course the powers that be are into Spectrum Management rights 
and CH39 is in the middle of it all.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, down-under in 
Auckland.

--

Zl2BHF is watching developments and will let us know when and if New 
Zealand hams are given special permission to again use this band.  
(NZART)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  RSGB AND AMSAT RESPOND TO OFCOM SHF PLAN

United Kingdom communications regulator Ofcom has published the 
responses it has received to its discussion paper regarding the future 
of the 71 GHz to 86 GHz bands.  As previously reported. the document 
called a consultation in the U-K, could have serious implications for 
the primary amateur and amateur satellite allocation from 75.5 to 
76.0GHz.  Because of this, the RSGB, AMSAT U-K and the U-K Microwave 
Group have submitted a joint response aimed at protecting the amateur 
bands.  (RSGB)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ITS NAME IS ORION

A ham radio operator now in space has let slip that the next mission to 
explore the Moon will be named Orion.  U.S. Astronaut Jeff Williams, 
KD5TVQ, let it slip the spaceships identity on Tuesday, August 22nd 
while pre-taping a message for NASA that was accidentally transmitted 
in the clear.

The space agency had planned to reveal the new name on August 31st along 
with the identity of the contractor that will build the vehicle.  While 
the agency told everyone on mother Earth to keep mum regarding the 
name, apparently it never bothered to tell Williams.  

According to news reports, the transmission quoted KD5TVQ as saying:

"We've been calling it the Crew Exploration Vehicle for several years, 
but today it has a name - Orion,"

The new Crew Exploration Vehicle will replace the Space Shuttle program 
after it ends in 2010.   Earlier this summer, NASA announced the names 
of the rockets that will propel the Crew Exploration Vehicle and cargo 
ships.  They will be known as Ares I and Ares V.

It should be noted that the accidental open transmission took place on 
NASA Air to Ground radio and not on the ARISS ham radio in space 
channels. (Published news reports)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEXT ISS SPACE TOURIST DISQUALIFIED FOR HEALTH 
REASONS

A Japanese businessman will not become the next "space tourist" to 
spend time on the International Space Station.  This, after a Russian 
medical review board deems Daisuke Enomoto as being unfit to fly to 
space.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, has the details:

--

Science Daily reported on Monday, August 21st, that Daisuke Enomoto, who 
was scheduled to fly to the ISS on September 14th will not be making the 
voyage as a crew member of Soyuz TMA-9 mission.  A spokesman for 
Virginia based firm Space Adventures, which brokered Enomoto's $20 
million flight with Russia's Federal Space Agency, confirmed the 
medical issue.

Enomoto has been training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Center in Star 
City, Russia, in preparation for his flight.  The 34 year old would 
have become the worlds fourth space tourist if he had been flown.  The  
spokesman from Space Adventures would not comment on the ailment that 
disqualified him from the September flight, but did confirm that if he 
recovers from the problem, me may fly at some later date. 

The Russian Space Agency told the SPACE.com news service that its 
commission is likely to substitute Anousheh Ansari to fly to the I-S-S 
with U.S. commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, KE5GTK, and Russian flight 
engineer Mikhail Tyurin, RA9ANS.  Lopez-Alegria and Tyurin are slated 
to replace part of the current ISS Expedition 13 crew.  

Anousheh Ansari is a U.S. businesswoman and a space tourist like 
Enomoto.  Space Adventures did not specify in its statement whether 
Ansari would step into Enomoto's place for the upcoming launch.

Previous space tourists include U.S. entrepreneur Dennis Tito, KG6FZX,   
U.S. scientist and entrepreneur Gregory Olsen, KC2ONX and South African 
businessman Mark Shuttleworth.  All three took time to speak with 
students on Earth using the ARISS International Space Station ham radio 
system. 

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

--

At the time of his disqualification for the September lauch, Enomoto 
had not yet received an Amateur Radio call sign but was expected to do 
so before liftoff so as to take part in the ARISS program.  (Science 
Daily and other published reports)

**

RADIO HONORS:  CATHY FERRY, NC8F, RECEIVES YHOTY AWARD IN HUNTSVILLE

Saturday, August 19th, was a special day in the life of 18 year of Cathy 
Ferry, NC8F.  The Ohio native had just completed a a week of fun in the 
Aviation Challenge program at Spacecamp Huntsville courtesy of CQ 
Publishing.  This was one of her gifts after being named Amateur Radio 
Nrewsline's 2006 Young Ham of the Year.  Now it was time for the rest 
of the award presentation to be made and it was my honor to emcee the 
event:

--

AE5DW: "For the 3rd consecutive year we have a young woman as the 
winner.  Her name is Catherine E. Ferry, NC8F, she is from Silver Lake, 
Ohio.  Catherine was selected based on her commitment to Amateur Radio, 
her work in public service and in promoting the hobby and service to 
others"

--

Cathy is the daughter of Bruce Ferry, AK8B, and the late Joan Ferry.  
She was first licensed in 1998 bat age 10 and got her Extra at age 13.  
And in her ham radio career she has done so much that we just do not 
have the time to tell it all here.  Now she is off to college to study 
music and says that she hoped to find a way to keep ham radio a part of 
her life:

--

NC8F:  "I hope to continue with Amateur Radio in college.  I do not 
know if Ill be able to do it (ham radio) there.  I've not found a radio 
club on campus but maybe Ill be able to start one up and that would be 
cool.

"I'm going to be kind of far away from home so I do not know how much I  
can get to do, but I will try to do as much as I can.

"I know that Amateur Radio will always be a part of my life and its's 
something that is so much fun that I do not want to ever give it up."

--

The answer to Cathy's dilemma was not long in coming.  What she did not 
know was that the awards other corporate sponsor, Vertex Standard, had 
something for her that would have even made it easy for the movie 
character E-T to use to phone home.  And it was presented to her by 
Vertex Standards own Chip Margelli, K7JA:

--

K7JA:   "You said you are going to be away from home quite a bit and 
away in college and it will be a little tough to stay in touch.  Well, 
as part of our prize contribution in addition to getting you here and 
taking care of your hotel room this weekend, we would like to help you 
stay in touch with home a little bit more.  So as a token of our esteem 
for your achievements, here is a new FT-817ND transceiver, and may you 
use it for many years to come.  And congratulations from all of us at 
Vertex Standard."

Out:.all of us at Vertex Standard

--

And before closing out for this year I had a few quick questions to ask 
Cathty:

--

AE5DW:  "Is this your first time coming to the Huntsville Hamfest?"

NC8F:  "Yes"

AE5DW:  " Have you enjoyed yourself?"

NC8F:  " I have.  This is a good hamfest."

AE5DW:  " Have we made it worth your trip?"

NC8F:  "Definitely."

AE5DW:  "Are you going to come back next year?"

NC8F:  "I'm going to try to."

AE5DW:  "Excellent.  We can't wait.  Congratulations."

--

And we will be back in Huntsville again next August with the 2007 Young 
Ham of the Year Award.  Meantime our thanks to the awards corporate 
underwriters Vertex Standard Corporation and CQ Publishing.  Also to 
our friend Dave Bell, W6AQ, who underwrites the cost of the YHOTY 
plaque and to the great folks at the Huntsville Hamfest who have given 
the award presentation a home since 1993.  We at Amateur Radio 
Newsline, thank you all.  We also again congratulate Cathy Ferry, NC8F, 
as this years Young Ham of the Year.  (ARNewslineT)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  IN-HOUSE BPL
Something new for you home.  How about in-house BPL?  This with word 
that computer peripheral manufacturer Netgear has announced a new set 
of adapters that  turns house electrical wiring into a fully 
operational data network.  

Netgear Inc.'s new unit is the model HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet 
system. The basic kit consists of two adapters.  Setup consists of 
plufgging each into an outlet.  One also gets hooked to your broadband 
souce and the other to your computers ethernet port.  And that's it.  
Just boot up and log on.  

Netgear claims a data throughput of up to 200 megabits per second but 
that's not always the case.  In one independent test reported by the 
Associated Press, with the connection between two adapters separated by 
40 feet of apartment it averaged about 35200 megabits per second with a 
700 megabyte movie transferring in 3 minutes.

As to the potential for interference caused to ham radio by these 
adaptrers, that's yet to be determined.  

The suggested price for the kit $250.  More is on line at 
www.netgear.com  (InfoLine)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  FLOODGATES ENDANGER NEW ORLEANS RECOVERY

New Orleans hams and others involved in emergency response planning 
have some added worries for this falls storm season.  New data from the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirms fears that rain from hurricanes 
and tropical storms could again flood some neighborhoods with up to 5 
feet of water.  This, when new floodgates are closed at the mouths of 
three major drainage canals. 

The gates are designed to prevent storm surges from Lake Pontchartrain 
from backing up into the canals, preventing the surge flooding that 
inundated most of the city during Hurricane Katrina. But the floodgates 
also would prevent rainfall from draining through canals into the lake. 

The data released earlier this month indicates that nine inches of rain 
in six hours which happened during Katrina could leave some 
neighborhoods under 1 to 5 feet of water.  Louisiana Senator David 
Vitter who requested the data says that's less than the storm surge 
that topped houses last August, but it could still flood some homes and 
endanger the city's recovery.  

When plans to install the floodgates were announced last January, Corps 
officials acknowledged the possibility of flooding caused by heavy 
rains, but never said how bad it could be.  Now the possibility is 
known and all sectors of New Orleans emergency response are planning 
for a worst case scenario.  (SWN)

**

STRANGE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW:  MISTRIAL DECLARED IN CELLPHONE DOWN 
THROAT CASE 

A mistrial has been declared in a very strange case involving 
telecommunications.  In fact, you may find this one hard to believe.  
Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Davis has word of this rather bizarre 
legal proceeding:

--

>From the strange but true file comes word that a jury in Kansas City, 
Missouri, could not agree on a verdict against a man accused of shoving 
a cell-phone down his girlfriend's throat, so the judge was forced to 
declare a mistrial. 

According to news reports, the unidentified man denied the charge.  He 
claimed that the woman tried to swallow the phone to keep him from 
finding out who she had been calling.

The woman testified that she'd been drinking that evening, and didn't 
remember how the phone ended up lodged in her throat.   An emergency 
room doctor had to remove it.

--

The jury deliberated for a half-day before telling the judge it was 
hopelessly deadlocked.  No word on whether prosecutors will try the 
case again.  (Telecom News)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FLORIDA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING PHONY DISTRESS CALL

A follow-up to a story we brought you a few months ago.  According to 
news reports, prosecutors in Florida say that Robert J. Moran  of 
Boynton Beach, has pleaded guilty to making a phony distress call to 
the Coast Guard last June 11th.  One that resulted in a massive search 
for nine people aboard a boat named Blue Sheep that had been reported 
to be taking on water just off the coast. 

As reported in newscast 1508, aircraft, helicopters and vessels from 
multiple agencies found nothing during their two day search of nearly 
1,000-square miles of ocean. Authorities said the search cost more than 
$347,000. 

Sentencing for Moran is scheduled for October. 30th. He faces up to 
five years in prison and at least $250,000 in fines.  He is also liable 
for repayment of the Coast Guard's for the rescue efforts.  (South 
Florida Times, others)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  MICHIGAN BUSINESSES ORDERED OFF OF 2 METERS

Oswald's Bear Ranch and Pine Stump Junction, both in Newberry, 
Michigan, have  been told by the FCC to keep off of the 2 meter ham 
band.  In an August 3rd letter to the management of both businesses, the 
FCC says that it has information indicates that they have been 
operating radio transmitting equipment on 144.450 MHz without a permit 
from the FCC to even be on the air.  

The letter tells Oswald's and Pine Stump Junction that 144.450 MHz is a 
frequency that requires a license from the Commission.  Its tells the 
business  owners that failure to comply could result in carries 
criminal penalties including a fine of $7,500 to $10,000 or even time 
behind prison bars.  

While neither Oswald's nor Pine Stump Junction were not warned about 
business use of ham radio, it should be noted that any commercial 
utilization of an Amateur Service frequency is also a violation of the 
FCC rules.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  CONNECTICUT UNCOORDINATED REPEATER ASKED TO EXPLAIN ITS 
OPERATION

The FCC has sent a Letter of  Inquiry to James N. Navaroli, KJ1I, of 
Rocky Hill, Connecticut.  In it, the FCC alleges that the KB1CDI 
repeater, for which Navaroli is listed as Trustee, is operating without 
coordination on 147.15 and 147.75 MHz.  Also, that it is causing 
interference to a coordinated repeater system identified as N1JGR in 
the town of Plainville. 
.
The FCC says it has a complaint from the N1JGR repeater that indicates  
Navaroli has been contacted numerous times about this problem but has 
declined to address it.  The FCC's August 4th Letter of Inquiry asked 
him to provide in detail information regarding his repeater, its 
coordination status and what action, if any, he may have taken response 
to the complaints. It also told Navaroli that  the information he 
submits will be used to determine what action, if any that the FCC will 
take in this matter.  (FCC)

**

TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW:  THE INDECENCY BATTLE HEATS UP IN DC

Another television executive is taking sides in the broadcast indecency 
issue. Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, has more:

--

The President of Fox's Entertainment has accused the Federal 
Communications Commission of creating a chilling effect on 
creativity.".  This, as the network joins CBS and NBC as all three are 
locked in a legal battle with the FCC over harsh new indecency rules, 

Peter Liguori made his remarks at a recent session of  the Television 
Critics Assn.'s summer press tour.  Liguori says that the rules are 
murky and none of the broadcast networks business plans are designed to 
handle such huge fines. The networks are challenging the FCC's March 
decision that profanity uttered on ABC's "NYPD Blue," CBS's "The Early 
Show" and the 2002 and 2003 Billboard music awards shows on Fox were 
indecent. This, even though the agency did not propose or issue fines.

As previously reported, Fox, along with CBS and NBC, is urging speedy 
court review of an FCC decision finding some of their shows violated 
decency standards.  The government wants a delay so that it can use the 
time to build a case as to why the new standards need to be rigorously 
enforced.  

--

Broadcasters are  worried about violating decency standards because 
fines are now $325,000 per incident and some action groups want the new 
enforced even for unintentional slips of the tongue.  Others want the 
scope of  the rules expanded to also govern content on satellite, cable 
and even pay-per-view programming.  (RW)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  RESEARCHER JAMES VAN ALLEN AT AGE 91

James Van Allen, the United States physicist who discovered the 
radiation belts surrounding the Earth, has died. 

In a career that stretched over more than half a century, Van Allen 
designed scientific instruments for dozens of research flights.  He 
first worked with small rockets and balloons, and eventually with space 
probes that traveled to distant planets and beyond. 

Van Allen gained global attention in the late 1950s when instruments he 
designed for the first US satellite,  Explorer I, discovered the bands 
of intense radiation that surround the Earth.  These bands were 
eventually named as the Van Allen Belts in his honor.  He was 91 at the 
time of his death. (Southgate News)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  D-STAR GROUPS FORMED IN SOUTHERN CAL AND ILLINOIS

If you live in Southern California and are interested in something 
different and exciting in ham radio then James Coburrn, W6JHC, may have 
he answer.  James tells Amateur Radio Newsline that he has created a 
new on-line Southern California D-Star Forum to support the 
introduction of this fascinating new way to communicate. 

For those not aware, D-STAR is Icom's implementation of an open digital 
communications protocol endorsed by the Japan Amateur Radio League that 
offers two advantages for hams that no other technology available 
offers to date.  These are spectral efficiency and simultaneous 
communications using both voice and data. 

James says that his new SoCal D-Star board is user driven and its 
moderator tell Amateur Radio Newsline that it is has no affiliation 
with ICOM and is advertisement free.  Sign-up only takes a few seconds 
at www.d-starsocal.com

The new Southern California D-Star Forum is the latest of the D-Star 
regional groups. The Illinois D-Star Group is only a month old yet 
boasts 200 members.  You join that group by sending an e-mail to 
illinoisdigitalham-subscribe at yahoogroups.com (W6JHC)

**

WORLDBEAT:  IARU ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL REVIEWS IARU'S ROLE AND 
STRUCTURE

The International Amateur Radio Union Administrative Council met in 
Bangalore, India from August 12th to the 14th to discuss a wide variety 
of topics of importance to radio amateurs world-wide. 

According to the ARRL Letter, the council  heard a progress report from 
an ad hoc panel that's looking into the IARU's future role and 
structure.  The Council wants the committee to provide a recommendation 
by year's end addressing the feasibility, budget and possible timetable 
to put 
a revised organization into place.

The Council also reviewed and tentatively agreed with the 
recommendations 
and conclusions of a study aimed at improving coordination on 
electromagnetic compatibility matters. Final approval of the report, 
prepared by the ARRL in its role as IARU International Secretariat, is 
subject to additional input from the IARU EMC adviser. The study 
includes several suggestions to improve information flow among radio 
amateurs worldwide who are working on this important topic.

The Council also identified International Telecommunication Union 
meetings requiring an IARU presence over the coming year and reviewed 
plans for representation. The principal focus continues to be on 
preparations for the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference.  Council 
members also went over plans for IARU participation in Telecom World 
2006 and the accompanying forum. Telecom World 2006.  Both will take 
place December 4th to the 8th in Hong Kong.  (ARRL)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK:  HAM RADIO TO STAR AT SCIENCE FESTIVAL

Amateur radio will be front and center at an upcoming festival of 
science in the United Kingdom.  RSGB Newsreader Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, has 
more:

--

The Norfolk Amateur Radio Club will be putting on a special show on 
amateur radio as part of the British Association for the Advancement of 
Sciences' Festival of Science.

Over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd September, the club will be running an 
interactive display on the history and science of wireless 
communication at Norwich Cathedral. The display will cover everything 
from the early work of Marconi to the latest wireless devices.

Throughout the weekend, NARC will also be on the air demonstrating the 
different ways in which radio amateurs communicate. Visitors to the 
club's stand will even be given the chance to build and test their own 
postcard radio.

G4NJH in Nottingham.

--

Further details about the Festival of Science can be found at www.the-
ba.net/the-ba/Events/FestivalofScience  (GB2RS)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK:  RETAILER TO STOP SELLING ANALOG RADIOS

A retailer in the United Kingdom is dropping analog radios from its 
online product offering.  On-line merchant Dixons says the decision is 
based on the growing popularity of Apple Ipods and other MP 3 players 
that dominate the portable audio market.   

According to a marketing group that promotes Eureka-147 in the United 
Kingdom, the decision follows a study in the growth in the sale of 
digital radios, and expansion in the number and range of digital 
broadcast transmitters.  The marketers claim digital radios are now 
outselling analog radios by a factor of 30 to 1 at Dixons.  

But analog radios are not completely disappearing from the company's 
product lines.  Dixons Tax Free airport stores and stores in the 
Republic of Ireland will continue to stock analog radios.  At least for 
the time being.  (RW, Southgate News)

**

DX

In DX listen for SV2AYT friends to be operating as SX8AYT on 80 meters, 
mainly SSB, from a few islands in the EU-049 group until August 27th. 

And DS4DRE, will be active portable 4 from Hong Island until the end of 
the year. He plans to operate on 80 through 10 meters on SSB and CW 
only.

Also PA0RRS, will be active portable CT3  from Madeira.   on 17th-31st 
August.

Lastly, UX3MR is operating SSB, CW and RTTY on 80 through 10 meters 
signing portable 4L from  the Russian state of Georgia until the 31syt 
of August.  QSL all of these operations as directed on the air.

(Above DX reports from various sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  HAM RADIO TO ASSIST FIRST NYC HALF MARATHON

And finally this week comes word that the first ever New York City Half 
Marathon will take place on Sunday, August 27th and ham radio will be a 
part of the action.  What is a half marathon and what part will hams 
play?  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, fills us in:

--

Race Communications Director Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, says that some 
12,000 runners are expected to take part in this first ever New York 
City Half Marathon with at least 32 ham radio operators guiding then 
through the 13.1 mile course.  And what a course it is:

--

Audio report only.  Hear it in the MP3 version of the newscast 
downloadable at www.arnewsline.org

---

According to Mendelsohn for ham radio the logistics of this race are 
quite different from the annual full New York City Marathon he has been 
working on for over three decades.  If nothing else, some hams will 
have to put up with a lot of noise:

--

Audio report only.  Hear it in the MP3 version of the newscast 
downloadable at www.arnewsline.org

--

And if choppers taking off and landing were not enough, there is also a 
major R-F interference problem to contend with:

--

Audio report only.  Hear it in the MP3 version of the newscast 
downloadable at www.arnewsline.org

--

Mendelsohn says that the ham assigned to that location will be bringing 
a commercial radio with multiple filters that will allow him to 
communicate.  W2ML also says that the net control area will be one to 
rival the best contest operations:

--

Audio report only.  Hear it in the MP3 version of the newscast 
downloadable at www.arnewsline.org

--

W2ML says that the Battery Park installation will use antennas on 30 
foot masts and will be powered by their own generator.  He also says 
that if the event is as big a success as the New Yoprk City Road Runers 
thinks it will be, lookj for 20,000 runners and a lot more hams in 
2008.

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

--

Again, the NYC Half Marathon takes place this Sunday, August 27th.  More 
about it and about what Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, has been doing since 
leaving ARRL service is the subject of this weeks rain report.  You can 
hear it by downloading the fire from our website at www.arnewsline.org 
or on the phone at 847-827-7246.  (ARNewslineT)

**

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 @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. 