[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1520 - September 29, 2006

Tue Oct 3 06:24:46 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1520 - September 29, 2006

Ladies and gentlemen, a word from Amateur Radio Newsline's support fund 
administrator, Andy Jarema, N6TCQ:

--

The following is a closed circuit advisory. 

OK you all know why I am here. Its fall. All the bills from summertime 
have been mounting up and there is really not very much left in the 
treasury to pay them. 

Its always this way. During July and August, people are spending more 
time away from home. You are out camping or at a ball game. Maybe it's 
a concert or traveling on vacation. We all do it, but most of you also 
find a local repeater to listen to this weekly newscast no matter where 
you go.

Now think of this. Our expenses to bring you the news are the same no 
matter if you are listening on the road, on an HT or from your hamshack 
at home. Eventually the bills have got to get paid and that time has 
come.

Now that everyone back at home and into their fall and winter life 
schedule, we ask that you take a few moments to send a donation to the 
Amateur Radio Newsline support fund so that we can keep these newscasts 
coming your way. Making a contribution is only a mouse click away if 
you have Pay Pal. Just go to www.arnewsline.org and click on the button 
at the top of the page marked "Make Donation." Or you can send in a 
donation to the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, Post Office Box 
660937, Arcadia California, 91066. 

Whichever way you choose, the all volunteer crew at the Amateur Radio 
Newsline will be eternally grateful.

Once again that's the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, Post Office 
Box 660937, Arcadia California, 91066. Or by Pay Pal at 
www.arnewsline.org

For the Support Fund, I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.

--

The following is a Q-S-T.   The U-S takes the Bronze at the 2006 World 
Radiosports Championship, Japan puts a new ham radio satellite into 
space and another round of license restructuring comes to Germany.  
Find out the details on Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1520 
coming your way right now.

**

RADIOSPORTS:  USA WINS IN 2006

Back in 1998, the United States sent foxhunters to the World 
Championship direction-finding competition for the first time.  This 
year, USA was there again but this time on the winners' podium.  Joe 
Moell K0OV has the story.

--

USA's Amateur Radio Direction Finding team has just brought home its 
first medal from the ARDF World Championships.  Nadia Scharlau of Cary, 
North Carolina placed third in her age and gender category on September 
16 at this year's world on-foot foxhunting trials in Primorsko, 
Bulgaria.  She was awarded bronze after the 80-meter competition. 

Nadia: "Oh I was so proud. Actually I was very proud of all my team." 

Thirteen radio-orienteers from eight states traveled to Bulgaria for 
this year's world championships.  With radio gear, maps and compasses, 
they took to the forests to face the best on-foot transmitter hunters 
from 30 countries in separate competitions on the 2-meter and 80-meter 
bands. 

Nadia is the wife of Charles Scharlau, NZ0I, who also competed.  The 
two were co-chairs of the USA's national ARDF Championships, which took 
place at William B. Umstead Park, near their home town, in early April.  
Nadia began enjoying foxhunting, and winning medals, in her native 
Russia as a youth. 

Nadia: "It is a very interesting exercise for your brain, because all 
the time when you are in the woods on the course, you have to think, 
and sometimes thinking is more important than your physical condition." 

You can see more about ARDF Team USA and its trip to the World 
Championships at http://www.homingin.com/. That's homingin, as one word 
-- homingin.com. 

For Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Joe Moell, K0OV. 

--

Congratulations to the participants and the winner from all of us at 
the Amateur Radio Newsline.  (ARNewslineT, K0OV)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  HITSAT IS ON-ORBIT

A new ham radio satellite called HITSAT is on-orbit.  On-orbit is a 
NASA term meaning that an object has been successfully reached its 
assigned position in space.  In the case of the new ham radio cubesat, 
it means that the bird was successfully launched from Japan on 
September 22. 

HITSAT transmits its CW telemetry data every 40 seconds.  The Morse 
telemetry down-link 437.275MHz  while the birds 1200 baud FM packet 
down-link is on 437.425MHz.

HITSAT 's call sign is JR8YJT.  The satellite was developed by the 
Hokkaido Cubsat Development Ham club at the Hokkaido Institute of 
Technology.  It rode to orbit as a secondary payload aboard the Japan 
Space Agency's launch of its Solar-B mission.  

According to the Amsat News Service, soon after launch reception 
reports began to arrive from Amateur Radio operators around the world.  
This with the good news  indicating that HITSAT had made it safely into 
space.  (ANS)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  MORE CHANGES COME TO GERMANY

Some major changes have come to the licensing rules in Germany.  This 
as a part of the latest round of Amateur Radio restructuring to hit 
that nation.  The big winners are the German entry level Novice class 
license holders.  We have more in this report:

--

German Novice class operators have been given permission to operate on 
the High Frequency bands.  This, as part of a major shake-up of that 
nations  Amateur Radio licencesing scheme.

As of September 1st, German DO  prefix stations are allowed to transmit 
100 watts on 1.810 to 1.850 MHz and on 80, 15 and 10 meters.  

They are also allowed to use 2 meters and 70 centimeters at up to 75 
watts.  In addition, German Novices' can now experiment on the 10 GHz 
band but are limited to a maximum output of only 5 watts of peak 
envelope power.

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

---

Also word that the German class A license has also been updated as 
well.  Class A German license holders can now transmit on 7.100 to 
7.200 MHz with 250 watts P-E-P and on 50 MHz as well.  (GB2RS)

**

RADIO RULES:  FCC WARNS AGAINST UNINTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE TO LICENSED 
RADIO AMATEURS

Back ion the USA, the Federal Communications Commission has been busy 
solving interference problems being suffered by radio amateurs from all 
kinds of sources.  The agency's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, has the details:

--

Duckworth:  "Several inquiries were sent to resiedents concerning 
incidental radiators interfereing with Amateur Service licensees.  
These include a furnace igniter in Lebanon, PA., an electric fence in 
Woodstock, N.Y.,  a security camera power supply in Tacoma, WA. And a 
swimming pool solar heater controller in Ormond Beach, FL.  

Inquiries also went to two power companies:  Nashville Electric Service 
for causing interference to a ham in Nashville, TN. and the Tennessee 
Valley Authority for causing interference to an Amateur in Clarksville 
TN.

This has been Daryl Duckworth, NN0W."

--

While the agency is hoping for voluntary compliance, it seems ready to 
invoke punitive measures to protect ham radio from these and other 
interference problems.  (FCC)

**

ON THE AIR:  CHRISTMAS ISLAND TO OPERATE 10 KHZ LOWER DUE TO US-BASED 
INTENTIONAL QRM

Gordon West, WB6NOA, says that his operation this week from Christmas 
Island as T32GW will be on 14.265 MHz rather than the original 
announced frequency.  According to West, the planned 14.275 MHz 
frequency is occupied by what he terms as non-ham-like operation in the 
lower 48 states. 

QRM and jamming have become the norm on 14.275 MHz and to date FCC 
enforcement efforts have not been able to fully clean away the problem 
operators.  As a result, WB6NOA says that he and KE5EUL will be on 
14.265 instead.

**

THE BPL WAR:  ARRL CONSIDERING JUDICIAL APPEAL

The ARRL has vowed to maintain pressure on the FCC to act on complaints 
of broadband over power line interference to Amateur Radio.  

In a story appearing in a recent ARRL Letter, the League says that the  
FCC's unanimous adoption on August 3 of a Memorandum Opinion and Order 
in response to 15 petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's BPL 
rules triggered the response.  

That order went into effect on September 22nd.  The ARRL says that it is 
considering the  possibility of filing a judicial appeal.  (ARRL)

**

RADIO SCIENCE:  THUNDERSTORMS IN SPACE

A U.S. researcher says that thunderstorms on Earth can lead to storms 
in the outer reaches of the atmosphere.  This can cause disruption to 
radio transmissions and other electronic communications.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Evi Simons is in New York, with more:

--

Using data from NASA satellites, University of California at Berkeley 
scientist Thomas Immel has discovered that thunderstorms over South 
America, Africa and Southeast Asia can create turbulence in two bands 
of electrical gas.  These are belts of vapor that hover some 250 miles 
above the equator in part of the upper atmosphere known to hams as the 
ionosphere.

These plasma bands are far too thin to be directly affected by wind 
from thunderstorms.  However, the researchers have found that the wind 
can shape the plasma bands by generating electricity in the layer of 
atmosphere below them.  

Three of the densest sections of plasma were located as being directly 
above areas with frequent thunderstorms.  This includes the Amazon 
Basin in South America, the Congo Basin in Africa, and Indonesia  

But researchers also found another dense section of plasma above the 
Pacific Ocean.  This is far from thunderstorm zones and which has lead 
them to conclude this as evidence that tropical thunderstorms have a 
global influence.

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

--

Researcher Immel sums up the discovery this way.  He says that this 
discovery could lead to more reliable global-positioning satellite 
navigation and short-wave radio transmissions.  This, by improving 
forecasts of high-altitude disturbances that can disrupt them.  
(Science OnLine)

**

NATIONAL SECURITY:  A MYSTERIOUS AND UNSETTLING TELEPHONE CALL

Are the enemies of the United States targeting our communications 
infrastructure?  This is likely what some are wondering after a radio 
station in Los Angeles reportedly received a call from a man claiming 
to be with the FCC and asking for a fax number at the station.  A 
number that the caller claimed needed to be monitored 24 hours-a-day so 
that it could be used by the Department of Homeland Security to 
disseminate emergency  information."

According to the CGC Communicator which broke the story, the man would 
not provide a telephone number and asked instead to be faxed back with 
any information.  The fax number he provided was in New York but an 
initial investigation found that it did not belong to the FCC.

According to the engineer alerting CGC to this story, the request 
appeared to be bogus to him, He speculated that the bad guys may be 
probing for a way to cause panic in the populace by simply sending a 
phony fax and there-by bypassing all checks and security.  

The phone call received in this particular case had been routed through 
to the stations' General Manager's office.  CGC says we should all be 
on the lookout for similar phone calls.  CGC advises to immediately 
report any such incidents to the FCC.   (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  KEEP BALOONISTS OFF HAM RADIO AND GMRS

The organizers of the famed Albuquerque, New Mexico, Balloon Fiesta  
have been warned to keep those taking part in the event off of the ham 
radio and GMRS bands.  Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reports:

--

The warning comes in a letter to the festival's Executive Director Paul 
Smith.  In it the FCC says that it has information indicating that at 
the 2005 International Balloon Fiesta there were numerous balloonists 
using Amateur Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service radio 
transmitting equipment without licenses. 

The FCC says that it does encourage all balloonists to use 
communications equipment of some kind.  But says the FCC,  it would 
appreciate it if the festival organizers would advise participants in 
this years Balloon Fiesta that unlicensed use of radio equipment not 
only causes interference to licensed stations, but is a violation of 
Section 301 of the Communications Act.  Anyone caught will be subject 
to enforcement action such as a $10,000 fine.

-- 

The 2006 International Balloon Fiesta is October 6th to the 15th and 
theres a good bet that the FCC will be monitoring the ham radio and -M-
R-S bands looking for those who did not pay attention to the agency's 
warning.  More about this the Balloon Feista itself is on-line at 
www.balloonfiesta.com  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  NO LICENSE - STAY OFF THE AIR

Still with enforcement related news, Neva Poovey of Newton, North 
Carolina has been warned by the FCC about unlicensed operation from her 
residence.  In an August 18th letter, the regulatory agency tells Poovey 
that it has information indicating that she or someone in her residence 
have been operating radio equipment that interferes with communications 
on the 10 and 12 meter Amateur Radio bands. 

The letter to Poovey says that FCC's database does not indicate that a 
license for those frequencies has been issued to anyone at that 
address.  It then tells Poovey that continued operation could bring a 
hefty fine or even time behind prison bars.  (FCC)

**

TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW:  FCC PROBING USE OF VNR'S

The FCC is looking into allegations that some T-V stations may be 
trying to pass off handout Video News Releases as news items.  Don 
Wilbanks, AE5DW, has more:

--

The Federal Communications Commission has mailed letters to the owners 
of 77 television stations inquiring about their use of Video News 
Releases.  Video news releases, known as V-N-R's in the world of 
television broadcasting are in reality packaged stories designed to 
look like legitimate news that are paid for by commercial or government 
groups usually employ actors to portray reporters or news anchors.  
This is a type of programming critics refer to as fake news.

The letters were sparked by allegations that television stations have 
been airing the videos as part of their news programs without telling 
viewers who paid for them.  The FCC also asked whether there was any 
"consideration" given to the stations in return for airing the 
material.

According to the FCC, when stations air video news releases, they are 
required to disclose to viewers the nature, source and sponsorship of 
the material that they are viewing.  .FCC Commissioner Jonathan 
Adelstein said the letters ask station managers for information 
regarding agreements between their broadcast entities and the creators 
of the Video News Releases.

--

The FCC says that Video News Releases are not a bad thing, but 
broadcasters must tell the public that's what they are being shown.  
(FCC)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  FORUM PRESENTERS WANTED FOR HAMVENTION 2007

If you have ever wanted to present a form at the Dayton Hamvention, 
2007 could be your year.  Forums Chairman Ron Moorefield, W8ILC, says 
that he would welcome ideas for some new topics from those prepared to 
act as a session moderator or presenter.  

According to Moorefield, ham radio is ever changing and there are some 
aspects that have not yet been covered in sessions to date.  If you 
want to volunteer to host one, then write a 100 word or less outline of 
your presentation.  Send it to Ron by e-mail to w8ilc at aol.com or 
forums at hamvention.org.  Ron says he will read your proposals and get 
back to any of you who could fill the bill next May 18th, 19th or 20th at 
Hamvention 2007.  (W8ILC)

**

SOCIAL SCENE:  PACIFICON IN CA IN OCTOBER

Mark down October 13th to the 15th for this years American Radio Relay 
League Pacific Division Convention.  This years venuie is the San Ramon 
Marriott Hotel in San Ramon, California.  

Planned events include an all-day antenna seminar, numerous forums and 
lots of door prizes.  For the latest updates take your web browser to 
www.pacificon.org  (Pacificon)

**

SOCIAL CIRCUIT:  AMATEUR RADIO EXPO AT THE FAIRPLEX IN POMONA CA

And if you plan to be in the Los Angeles area before October 1st, be 
sure to stop by Amateur Radio Expo 2006. 

Amateur Radio Expo is being held in conjunction with the Los Angeles 
County Fair and is a true showcase for every aspect of the hobby.  The 
venue is the Fairplex in the eastern suburb of Pomona, California.  

In conjunction with the Expo, planners received the special event call 
sign N6E for use during the fair.  More information on what you will 
see, or what you missed is on-line at http://lafair.b2v.org   (WU6D, 
others)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  VE3STV NAMED EXEC DIRECTOR OF ONTARIO BAR ASSN

Turning to names in the news.  First up is Steve Pengelly, VE3STV, the 
Honorary Legal Council for Radio Amateurs of Canada, who has become 
Executive Director, of the Ontario Bar Association. This is an 
organization comprising 16,000 members across Ontario. Pengelly says 
that he plans to continue to assist Radio Amateurs of Canada in legal 
matters.  (RAC)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  GENE NAILON, K5DLE - S.K.

And its with deep sorrow that we report the passing of Gene Nailon, 
K5DLE, of Edmond, Oklahoma.  Nailon, age 65 passed away in his shop in 
Oklahoma City on September 13th following whats believed to have been a 
massive heart attack.

Well known in QCWA circles, K5DLE was in the aviation business for over 
40 years, and was a pilot with over 10,000 hours of flight time.  In 
addition to ham radio, he enjoyed scuba diving and sky diving where he 
had over 500 jumps.  Services were held on  Monday, Sept.18th.  (QCWA)

**

RADIO OPERATIONS:  ICOM TO SPONSOR THE IOTA PROGRAM

The Radio Society of Great Britain's popular -- and world-wide -- 
Islands on the Air program or I-O-T-A has been given a major boost.  
This, thanks to a three year sponsorship deal with ham radio equipment 
maker Icom that begins on October 1st.  The RSGB's Jeramy Boot, G4NHJ, 
reports:

--

Beginning on 1st October 2006, the deal will ensure that IOTA remains 
one of the best DX programmes in the world.

The IOTA programme has expanded significantly in recent years and now 
has tens of thousands of participants. Millions of IOTA contacts are 
made each year.

This is a particularly exciting time for IOTA enthusiasts. Slick new 
web-based software has been launched to make the program easier to use, 
and plans are in motion to expand the number of IOTA contests and 
awards. The Icom sponsorship 
will help ensure the success of these developments.

The partnership will also provide joint promotion and marketing 
efforts, greatly raising the profile of the IOTA programme across the 
globe.

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH.

--  

The partnership will provide joint promotion and marketing effort.  
That should assist in raising the profile of the IOTA program across 
the globe.  (RSGB)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  A PLASTIC BATTERY

Turning to the technology pages, word that Brown University engineers 
have created a new battery that uses plastic, not metal, to conduct 
electrical current.  The hybrid device marries the power of a capacitor 
with the storage capacity of a battery.  The National Science 
Foundation funded the work. A description of the prototype is to be 
published in a journal called Advanced Materials.  (Materials 
Technology)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  CLOSEING THE LED GREEN GAP

A team of researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has 
received $1.8 million in federal funding to improve the energy 
efficiency of green light-emitting diodes.  As part of the U.S. 
Department of Energy's Solid-State Lighting Program, the team aims to 
close the green gap in LED technology by doubling or tripling the power 
output of green LED's in three years.  This is billed as an advance 
that ultimately could lead to the replacement of incandescent and 
fluorescent lamps in general illumination applications.  (Science 
Daily)

**

CONTEST CORNER:  V26B IN THE CQ WW SSB CONTEST

>From the contest corner, Mike Samanka, KA2AEV, reports that Team 
Antigua will once again be in action for this falls CQ World Wide DX 
SSB Contest.  For the 13th consecutive year the group will activate V26B 
with seven operators. Most of the  operators will be arriving the week 
before and be active on any and all modes using their own calls listed 
below until a few days after the contest.  The CQ World Wide DX SSB 
Contest takes place October 28th to the 29th.  QSL V26B via KA2AEV.

Also active in this contest will be VU3DJQ from India as AT0D.  He 
plans to operate as a single operator all band station.  QSL via 
EA7FTR.  (KA2AEV)

**

DX

In D-X word that JR1VAY, will be active from Guam as AH2J between 
October 6th abd the 10th.  He plans to take part in the Oceania DX Phone 
Contest on October 7th and 8th as a single operator all band entry. QSL 
via JR1VAY to the JARL Bureau.

And keep an ear open for GM3YOR operate holiday style CW only portable 
SV5  from Chalki, Dodecanese Islands.  Her will be thre through the 4th 
of October.  QSL as directed on the air.

And  F5JFU, wil be active slash FO from the French Polynesia between 
October 21st  and November 19th.  He plans Tahiti, Moorea and Bora-Bora 
operating on 20, 15 and 10 meters.  Modes will be CW and SSB  and maybe 
RTTY. This will be a holiday style DXpedition so don't expect too much 
activity during his daytime hours. QSL to his home callsign, either by 
the REF Bureau or direct with an SASE.

Lastly, Members of the United Kingdom's Workington and District Amateur 
Radio and Information Technology Group will be active as MS0WRC from 
the Edinbane Cottages.  They will be there through the 7th of October.  
Also QSL as directed on the air.

(Above from various DX sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  DIGITALIZING  THE PA QSO PARTY

And finally this week, the second full weekend of October marks one of 
the  most enjoyable QSO parties in the country.  Of coarse we are 
referring to the famed Pennsylvania QSO Party but this year theres a 
new twist.  In one word -- digital.  Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, is in 
Philadelphia with more:

--

That's right, you'll need your computer for more than just logging this 
year. The Pennsylvania Party will be adding PSK-31 and RTTY to the 
modes of operation. Michael Coslo, KB3EIA, is chairman of this year's 
PA Party. 

"We had gotten a lot of requests for adding digital modes because a lot 
of hams are starting to use things like PSK and RTTY has been a popular 
contest mode here for a number of years so we thought we'd give it a 
try and see what happens," Coslo says. 

Coslo says opening the contest up to digital modes offers a whole new 
dimension for operators to enter the party. 

"Some of the big PSK frequencies are on the 20-meter band and that will 
get people from the 20-meter skip areas into Pennsylvania a little bit 
more involved in that," Coslo says. "I like to personally do a lot of 
work on 20 meters to get people from outside the state to be involved. 
And as for world, RTTY is popular worldwide so I think there's a 
possibility of that also happening." 

And, this year, Coslo says N3SH - the special event station being 
operated by the Wireless Association of South Hills out of the 
Pittsburgh area - will be set up in several rare Pennsylvania counties. 

"They'll be having multiple stations in some different locations 
including some mobile," Coslo explains. "They'll be also operating PSK 
and RTTY as they can. And, what happens is this enables people to rack 
up a few more points. The special event station is 200 points per QSO." 

Coslo says if you decide to take part in this year's Pennsylvania 
party, fill out the entry form and submit your logs. 

"We have T-shirts, mugs and, of course, the certificates and plaques 
for people," Coslo says. "And, all of the art work is going to be 
undergoing a change this year. We've had the same art work for a number 
of years now so the T-shirts will change and the mugs probably will 
change. The certificates already have." 

Operators in Pennsylvania will also see the return of a coveted prize. 

"We'll be giving out trophies for the club competition winners and 
we'll be giving out certificates to the runners-up in that," Coslo 
says. "We had had that in the past, and then, for some reason or 
another, I don't know why, it was discontinued. But we've been getting 
a lot of requests for reinstituting that." 

Finally, Coslo says if you decide to take the leap into the 
"Gentleman's Party" of all state QSO parties, you'll want to get the 
right software and make sure it's updated. 

"Try out the software that they think they're going to be using," Coslo 
advises. "We've got a number of generous software writers who have 
written software for the party, including the new modes. And, I'd 
advise people to try that out, make sure their software works and then, 
at that point, get on the air and have fun in the party." 

Coslo says keep in mind you don't have to be on the air all the time. 
In fact, the PA Party has a rest period between late Saturday night and 
Sunday morning.  It's also a great way to tune up the radios and make 
sure the antennas are all set for the CQ Worldwide event at the end of 
this month.  Hope to see you on the air! 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in 
Philadelphia.

--

This years Pennsylvania QSO Party is slated for the weekend of October 
14th and 15th.  So bring your radio, your Morse key, your mic and this 
year your computer for a truly fun time.  More about the Pennsylvania 
QSO Party is on the web at http://www.nittany-arc.net/paqso.html  
(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.  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 NewslineT, P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, 
California 91066. 

This word for listeners of the RAIN Report.  This weeks broadcast 
features an interview with Carlton Smith, KE5EUL who, along with Gordon 
West, WB6NOA, will soon be headed off on a special mission to Christmas 
Island.  You can download the MP3 file at our website or hear it on the 
phone by dialing 641-985-5999 followed by 7246 and the pound key.