[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1517 - September 8, 2006
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Sat Sep 9 22:58:35 EDT 2006
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1517 - September 8, 2006
Ladies and gentlemen, with some more thank-you's, heres our Support
Fund administrator Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.
--
For the month of February we heard from monthly contributor Joseph
Bartzi, Jr., KC8DKF of Columbus, OH and Don West, W9DEW of Fortville,
IN.
From California, we heard from monthly contributors William Walters,
WA2IBM, and Scott Hensley of the Area Communications Team, both in San
Jose. Its nice that we hear from our monthly contributors, but
remember, they're giving just a little each month, so we need to hear
from the rest of you, especially the clubs.
Via PayPal, we heard from Stuart Cole, N5LBZ or Gulfport, MS, Ronald
Keech of Anchorage, AK, Scott Siegel, KB3JGG of Baltimore, Mike
Venditti of NcMinncille, OR, Taylor Valuation in Niceville, FL and
David Sommer, KC7WJW
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 1517 with a
release date of Friday, September 8th, 2006 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. An armed DX-pedition in the middle-East,
German Novices come to H-F and a welcome down-under for ham radio
Emergency communications. All this and more on Amateur Radio Newline
report number 1517 coming your way right now.
**
ON-THE-AIR: THE HOLYLAND CONVOY
It took an armed convoy, but this years Holyland operation has come to
a successful and safe end. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News is here
with the details:
--
To activate rare Holyland squares, Alex 4 Z 5 KJ organized a convoy.
Five mobile stations hit the road on June 3rd: 4Z5KJ, 4X6ZK, 4Z5NB,
4Z7GDF and 4Z5PM.
The goal was to traverse the West Bank activating along the way 26
squares in the Bethlehem (BL), Ramallah (RA) and Jordan River (YN)
dministrative districts. The route was planned through Jerusalem to
the northern Dead Sea Valley and along the Jordan river valley.
The last Holyland Program operation from this area happened long ago,
before the second Palestinian uprising. Since then many Israelis
haven't taken to travelling in these districts. There have been
terrorist attacks against lone Israeli vehicles that drove this way,
with not a few people being murdered on this road.
That's why it was decided to enter this area with a special convoy of a
few vehicles, equipped with small arms, VHF communication and other
security devices.
The main HF operator for this trip was Mony 4X6ZK who handled 7 hours
of pileups making more than 700 SSB QSOs while mobile. This well-known
ham, both inside and outside Israel, got his Holyland Award a long
time ago, but decided to join this trip and renew this fantastic
feeling - to introduce the magic land on the air.
I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News in Australia for the Amateur
Radio Newsline.
--
The operation was completed prior to the eruption of the latest
fighting in the Middle-East. (WIA News)
**
RESTRUCTURING - GERMANY: NOVICES NOW HAVE HF
German Novices class operators are now on the high frequency bands. As
of September 1st, German D O prefix stations are allowed to transmit on
1.810 to 1.850 MHz with 100 watts, on 80, 15 and 10 meters also with
100 watts plus VHF on 2 meters and 70 centimeters at 75 watts. German
Novices can also experiment up on the 10 GHz band but are limited to a
maximum of only with 5 watts P-E-P.
Also getting a face-lift is the German class A license. Its holders
now are allowed to transmit on 7.100 to 7.200 MHz with 250 W PEP and on
50 MHz -- 6 meters -- as well. (Deutscher News)
**
RESCUE RADIO: VK SUNSHINE COAST WELCOMES HAM RADIO EM COMMS
Some good words about ham radio Emergency Communications down-under.
Australia's Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper has highlighted the fact
that the Sunshine Coast's communication strategy in a cyclone or other
disaster could be in the hands of a group of amateur radio club
volunteers from the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club. We have more in
this report:
--
Citing the well known fact that radio clubs have provided the
communication backbone in large-scale disaster and emergency
situations across the world, including the devastating Hurricane
Katrina and the Asian tsunami.
Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club (SCARC) spokesperson Richard Philp
said amateur radio communication was the only form of communication
available for months in Asia after the 2005 Boxing Day tsunami and for
weeks after Hurricane Katrina created havoc in New Orleans.
Amateur radio clubs are able to set themselves up in a matter of
minutes to a few hours where it can take a lot longer for other forms
of communication, Mr Philp said.
Queensland is the only state which does not have the services of
amateur radio clubs as part of its disaster management plan. They have
formed part of disaster management strategies in New South Wales and
Victoria for years, but it hasn't happened in Queensland yet, Mr Philp
said.
Emergency Services minister Pat Purcell has already expressed interest
in the SCARC activities and suggested Maroochy could be a case study
for the rest of Queensland.
--
The Maroochy Council says that until now it has not been completely
confident in its communication strategy for disaster management and
that it welcomes the insurance policy the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio
Club will give to the region. (WIA News)
**
RESCUE RADIO: DIGITAL EMERGENCY ALERT NETWORK TESTED IN MISSISSIPPI
A major step forward in adapting digital wireless to emergency
communicators needs. This, as Global Security Systems says that its
new Mississippi statewide digital emergency alert network has been
tested successfully.
The Mississippi installation is described a single-to-multipoint
messaging system. It is designed to provide redundant distribution of
emergency alert messages in cases where responders radios and cell
phones get clogged with traffic or become useless.
In its release, Global Security Systems said the system uses a
commercial FM receiver chip that can be inserted into pagers, smoke
detectors, cell phones, PDAs and other devices to alert responders and
provide information as a situation develops.
Mississippi Public Broadcasting is also involved in the new alerting
system It partnered with Global Security Systems and the state Office
of Homeland Security. The latter to allow use of its tower network in
support of the new state wide emergency alert system. The network was
created under contract to the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security
(RW)
**
RESCUE RADIO: TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS SQUABBLE OVER WHO SHOULD BE
FIXED FIRST
Meantime, a dispute has broken out among the utilities and other
service providers on the front lines of disasters. This as to whether
cellular telephone service should get priority for post disaster
repairs. Power utilities and wired phone companies say no. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the story:
--
Its believed that up to 7,000 cell sites along the Gulf Coast were
knocked out when hurricane Katrina hit last year. Power went away as
did all forms of wired and wireless communications. This rendered
cellular telephones virtually useless in New Orleans and other Gulf
areas and leaving it to Amateur Radio to serve as the only reliable
wireless service into and out of the disaster area..
Now, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association or C-T-I-A is
urging the Federal Government to put its members at the head of the
line in post-disaster recovery. The C-T-I-A is claiming that its brand
of wireless service has become a lifeline during disasters and has told
the FCC that most cellphone outages stemmed from cell towers that lost
power or landline phone service.
The wired telephone company wires are the ones carry cell calls once
they reach the local tower. Electric and phone companies worked to
restore wireless service as quickly as possible after the storm. , But
the C-T-I-A's Christopher Guttman-McCabe says that cellular networks
could be revived more quickly if placed on a priority list that
includes hospitals, public safety agencies and water plants.
The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association was one of many
organizations that responded to an FCC request for comment on a panel's
recommendations after reviewing Katrina's impact on communications
networks. The C-T-I-A's priority treatment request was immediately
challenged by wireline phone service providers. In its filing, AT&T
said it's unclear why wireless carriers should get priority over tens
of millions of other business and residential subscribers.
AT&T also accused cellular phone companies of trying to muscle their
way to the head of the line" of power restoration ahead of landline
companies. But the C-T-I-A's Guttman-McCabe disputed that. He says
that wireless carriers simply should be in that queue for priority
service with landline carriers and other vital agencies.
Others providing a position included Sprint Communications David
Flessas who served on the Katrina panel. He said that the cellular
industry is not seeking special treatment for repairs of its entire
network but he does claim that in emergencies that there are critical
cell sites that need to be fixed quickly.
But power companies counter that its more important to have their
services up and running first. They are countered by T-Mobile Vice
President Tom Sugrue who notes that the public has become dependant on
wireless but the wireless industry does not have priority status for
power restoration during emergencies. Sugrue says -- quote -- "We
believe that needs to change."
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, ion Los
Angeles_.
--
The bottom line: While commercial telecommunications providers dig in
their heels on who needs priority treatment in restoring service in a
post disaster situation, ham radio will already be there doing the job
it does best. That of saving lives. (RW)
**
RADIO LAW: OHIO HAM TOLD TO PROVIDE RF SAFETY REPORT
The FCC has directed that a Cincinnati, Ohio, ham file what amounts to
a mini environmental impact report with the agency. This, after a
neighbor sends the regulatory agency photographs showing that the
vertical antenna used by Thomas C. Love, WA0WSW, is located only a few
feet from the complainant's window.
The complaining party is identified as an electrical engineer. The FCC
says that his submission raises questions regarding RF radiation from
Love's station. In its letter to WA0WSW the FCC directs that he furnish
an RF environmental evaluation pursuant to Section 97.13(c)(1) of the
Commissions rules. If the evaluation indicates that RF levels are
beyond those allowable, you must describe what remedial action you are
taking to mitigate the situation.
Love was given the usual time from the date of the August 4th letter to
respond. As far as we can determine, this is the first time a ham has
been asked to supply an RF environmental evaluation in recent years.
(FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT NEEDED: THE HANG GLIDERS OVER LOS ANGELES
The hand glider pilots are back on 2 meter FM in the Los Angeles area.
They have been heard on several frequencies including the national
Remote Base intertie channel, of 146.46 MHz. On Saturday, September
2nd, a group was operating from above the Lockwood Valley area near
Fraizer Park. That's about 35 miles North of downtown Los Angeles along
Interstate 5. They were calling out altitudes and locations to one
another. Only one in that group identified using an Amateur service
call sign.
On Sunday, September 3rd, a different group was flying above the Sylmar
area at the North end of the San Fernando Valley, some 15 miles from
downtown. They were on 147.555 MHz. No call signs were heard. When
they were challenged by a local ham, they reportedly identified using
calls that are either expired or have some FCC action pending against
them. That ham kept a list and planned to report these incidents to
the FCC. (ARNewslineT)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC SAYS LACK OF CANDOR WILL LEAD TO HEARING
The FCC has designated for hearing the Amateur and commercial service
licenses of an Indians ham. The Commission says the main reason is
lack of candor in dealing with the agency. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Jim Damron, N8TMW, has the rest of the story:
--
An Indiana ham who failed to tell the FCC that he has a pair of felony
convictions now faces a show cause hearing before an Administrative Law
Judge. One that will determine whether or not Timothy M. Doty, W-B-9-
M-D-C, of West Terre Haute, and Commercial Radio Service, Inc. hold the
requisite requirements to remain Commission licensees.
In a release made public on August 30th, the FCC says that Doty has
held a business interest in Commercial Radio Service since 1991 and is
the holder of record for a number of commercial FCC licenses used by
the company. Doty also holds a General Radiotelephone Operator
License, as well as an Amateur Radio License. And in designating all
of these licenses for hearing, the FCC contends that Doty failed to
disclose two felony convictions that occurred after the initial grant
of at least some of these licenses. One conviction took place in May
of 1991 involving the manufacture and possession of unauthorized
satellite TV signal descrambling devices. The other in November 2001
for possession of a controlled substance.
The FCC says that subsequent to the first of Doty's felony
convictions, Commercial Radio Service filed at least two license
applications with the Commission in which the company answered "No" to
the question inquiring whether the applicant or any party directly or
indirectly controlling the applicant had ever been convicted of a
felony in state or federal court. Doty at that time held a 50%
interest in Commercial Radio Service, Inc.
The Show Cause hearing will be used to determine if Doty and the
company will be permitted to retain any FCC licenses at all. The
proceeding will also determine whether forfeitures should be imposed
against Commercial Radio Service for willfully and repeatedly violating
Commission rules relating to truthful and accurate statements to the
Commission and for failing to timely amend pending Commission
applications to disclose Mr. Doty's convictions.
--
The bottom line. This one is a good reminder to not violate any rule
in any FCC governed service or be less than open with the Commission in
regard to truthfulness. Failing to do so could cost you your ham
license and a lot more. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC GATHERS EVIDENCE ON CANADIAN CONVICTION
The FCC is asking an un-named United States ham if he is the same
person as a ham in Canada. One who was convicted of a Felony in times
past.
In its letter, the FCC asks the radio amateur to provide additional
information on any such convictions for consideration by the
Commission. The FCC says that such a criminal conviction may reflect
adversely on the persons qualifications to hold an Amateur license and
an administrative hearing may be designated to take evidence on that
issue.
But the U-S radio regulatory agency also gives the ham another option.
That of permitting him to voluntarily submit his license for
cancellation in order to avoid any hearing on the issue. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC CANCELS SUSPENSION THREAT
The FCC has cancelled proposed license suspensions for two hams because
neither had valid addresses on file with the regulatory agency. In
August 18th letters to Wayne E. Mhyre, KC5HPU, of Starkville,
Mississippi, and Eusebio S. Rodriguez, WB2SEB, of the Bronx, New York,
the FCC cleared both hams to continue to operate their stations. This,
based on their cooperation in providing the required contact
information to the agency. (FCC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: THREE DECEASED HAMS HONORED FOR HUMANITARIAN AID
WORK
The ARRL says that three humanitarian aid workers and radio amateurs
have been named as the initial honorees for inclusion in the IARU
Memorial for Amateurs Killed in Humanitarian Service. Pero Simundza
9A4SP, Carlos Luis Caceres KD4SYB, were among a group of United Nations
workers killed by a mob in West Timor in 2000. Nadisha Yassari
Ranmuthu, 4S7NR, an International Red Cross aid worker from Sri Lanka,
was shot to death near Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003. (ARRL, SARL, WIA)
**
PROMOTING HAM RADIO: AMATEUR RADIO AWARENESS DAY
September is US Department of Homeland Security National Preparedness
Month, with Saturday, September 16th, being Amateur Radio Awareness Day.
And for the third straight year, the ARRL and Amateur Radio Emergency
Service groups across the nation will join a coalition of more than 200
national, regional, state and local organizations taking part in
Preparedness Month activities.
According to the ARRL Letter, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service is a
partner with U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Citizen
Corps program. And to highlight Amateur Radio Awareness Day, ARRL
Public Information Officers will promote the Department of Homeland
Security's "30 Tips for Emergency Preparedness."
Again, Amateur Radio Awareness Day is Saturday, September 16th. Make
plans now to take part. (ARRL)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: CT RADIO MUSEUM BENEFIT SEPT. 9
We know its short notice but Connecticut's Vintage Radio and
Communications Museum has scheduled a swap meet for Saturday, September
9th. The event runs 7 a.m. to noon and will be held tailgate style,
with a charge of $10 for those displaying and free admission to those
looking to buy.
The Vintage Radio and Communication Museum of Connecticut first opened
it's doors to the public in New Britain in September 1990. The
depository is dedicated to the preservation of old-time communications
equipment and to educating the public about this wonderful history.
The museum anticipates opening at a new facility in the city of Windsor
in late 2006. Construction is underway and the collection is being
catalogued. More information is on-line at
www.nationalcommunicationsmuseum.org
(Via e-mail)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: WESTERN CONNECTICUT ON SEPT 17
And still in the state that brought us the great America patriot Nathan
Hale, word that the 2006 Western Connecticut Hamfest is slated for
Sunday, September 17th at the Edmond Town Hall, on Route 25, in the town
of Newtown. Sponsored by the Candlewood Amateur Radio Association this
event will feature commercial vendors, seminar sessions and a whole lot
more. For information take your web browser to www.danbury.org/CARA or
e-mail to kd1yv at arrl.net (VHF Reflector)
**
CHANGING OF THE GUARD: ARRL MIDWEST DIVISION DIRECTOR WADE WALSTROM,
W0EJ, SK
ARRL Midwest Division Director Robert W. "Wade" Walstrom, W0EJ, of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died August 31st during a surgical procedure.
According to the ARRL Letter, Walstrom was born in Nebraska, and grew
up in South Dakota. He'd been an Amateur Radio licensee for 46 years
and previously held the call signs K0ZTV and WA6TXE
Walstrom was elected in 1999 to succeed retiring Midwest Division
Director Lew Gordon, K4VX. He won a third term as Midwest Division
Director last fall.
Wade Walstrom was only age 59. He is survived by his wife Solveig, and
their sons Robert and Steve, KC0LGE. In lieu of flowers, the family
invites memorial donations to the ARRL or to St Mark's Lutheran Church.
(ARRL)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: POWER AIR SHOWS ZERO EMISSION POWER BACK-UP
California based Power Air Corporation has announced that it has
developed a zero-emission, back-up power generator suitable for indoor
and outdoor use powered by the company's Zinc Air Fuel Cell technology.
Power Air says its system replaces batteries and mechanical engines
with fuel cells that can be quickly recharged by a simple exchange of
electrolyte. The company says that its Zinc Air Fuel Cell technology
was created using low cost materials and conventional manufacturing
techniques.
More information on this scientific breakthrough is on line at
www.poweraircorp.com. (Science Daily)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: SINGLE MOLECULE TRANSISTOR
University of Arizona physicists have discovered how to turn single
molecules into working transistors and have applied for a patent on
their device called the Quantum Interference Effect Transistor.
Nicknamed "QuIE, Technology Report says the University of Arizona
physicists propose making transistors as small as a single nanometer,
or one billionth of a meter. They say that this is likely the
breakthrough needed to make the next-generation of tiny, powerful
computers that nano-technologists could only dream of a few short years
ago. (MEU Release)
**
RADIO IN SPACE: HUBBLE RADIOS BACK ECLIPSE ON URANUS
A new Hubble Space Telescope image radioed back to Earth shows a never-
before-seen astronomical alignment of a moon traversing the face of
Uranus, and its accompanying shadow. In the photo, Uranus 700-mile-
diameter satellite arial is casting a shadow onto the cloud tops of the
planet. To an observer standing on Uranus, this would appear as a
solar eclipse, where the moon briefly blocks out the Sun as its shadow
races across the Uranus's skyscape (Space Update)
**
RADIO IN SPACE: THE CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE
And a contest of sort from NASA. One that could be right up the alley
for radio amateurs. Don Wilbanks, AE5DW. Has more:
--
Audio report only. Please download the MP3 version of the newscast
from www.arnewsline.org
--
Again that web address is centennialchallenge.nasa.gov (NASA)
**
WORLDBEAT - NAMIBIA: PRESS HIGHLIGHTS LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND HAM
OPERATIONS
Around the world the main stream media picked up on the recent
lighthouse/lightship weekend. One example, in Southern Africa, Namibia
on the Atlantic coast featured last month.
The Namibian Amateur Radio League set up shop in the Swakop-mund
lighthouse to join more than 377 other such locations that registered
to take part.
But more than just the fun side of this world wide event was covered.
Almost a full page highlighted how to get your ham ticket, the service
aspects, such as rescue communications and the benefit of teaching
youngsters basic electronics. (SARL)
**
WORLDBEAT - AUSTRALIA: NEW E-POWER FOR ABC SITES
The Australian Broadcasting Corporations's local radio in Victoria is
set for a boost with Federal Funding to help lessen disruptions.
Trevor Taege VK4BAT reports:
--
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts,
Senator Helen Coonan has announced almost $300 000 in funding to help
lessen disruptions to ABC Local Radio in Victoria during natural
disasters or power failures.
The Minister made the announcement In Anakie Victoria, an area affected
by bush fires in January of this year.
Senator Coonan says in recognizing the important role played by ABC
Local Radio, the Australian Government is committing $297 000 to the
ABC to install backup generators at it's local radio transmission sites
in Apollo Bay, Bright and Myrtelford.
--
The backup generators are due to be installed by the end of 2006 and
will support all of the ABC's existing and future planned services at
the three sites. (WIA News)
**
DX
In D-X, IN3VZE will be active as 7Q7CE from southwest of Lake Malawi
starting September 18th and ending October 5th. His operation will be
on 80 through 10 meters. QSL direct or via bureau.
And F5TGR, will be active portable EA8 from Fuerteventura in the
Canary Islands through September 16th. Look for him on 40 through 10
meters on CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the
bureau.
Lastly, NH7A, will be active from Senegal as 6W1RY during the CQ World
Wide SSB DX Contest. The dates of that one is October 28th and 29th with
6W1RY operational as a single-operator, all band, high power entry.
QSL this one via F5VHJ.
(Above from various DX Sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: THE ART OF THE SOUND
And finally this week, what happens if you combine science,
telecommunications and the creative mind of a musician? The result is
a preeminent display at Alaska's The Museum of the North called The
Place Where You Go to Listen. Once again, here's Amateur Radio
Newsline's Jim Damron, N8TMW, with more:
--
The Place Where You Go to Listen is a permanent display created by
composer John Luther Adams. There, the listener hears sound
interpretations of natural events, streamed to the Museum from sensors
monitored by the Geophysical Institute on the University of Alaska
Fairbanks campus.
The data received is information such as seismic activity monitors, the
aurora, the positions of the sun and moon, and sky conditions. Its used
to trigger audio generators which in turn produce the sounds heard as a
musical composition.
Designer Adams conceived the gallery as a contemplative space for
listening to the otherwise unheard resonance of the earth and sky. The
cost to create it was $285,000. It was funded through a $50,000 grant
from the Paul Allen Family Foundation and $235,000 from the Rasmuson
Foundation.
I'm Jom Damron, N8TMW.
--
More information about The Place Where You Go to Listen is on-line at
www.uaf.edu/museum/expand/index.html and
www.newmusicbox.org/article.nmbx?id=4573 (Alaska Arts-Journal)
**
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
Newline. Our e-mail address is newsline at arnewsline.org. More
information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official
website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or
support us at Amateur Radio Newline, P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia,
California 91066.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Burt
Hicks, WB6MQV, saying 73 and we thank you for listening."
Amateur Radio Newline is Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
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