[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1521 - October 6, 2006

Sat Oct 7 09:30:47 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1521 - October 6, 2006

The following is a QST.  Ladies and gentlemen, 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 
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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.

--

Thank you Andy.  Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1521 with a 
release date of Friday, October 6th, 2006 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.  Malaysia makes ready to say goodbye to the Morse 
code, the U-K puts its lifetime license on hold and the United States FCC 
tells a trucking firm to stay off the 10 meter band.  Find out the details 
on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1521 coming your way right now.

(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  MALAYSIA MAY END MORSE NEXT APRIL

Malaysia seems to be the next country to opt  out of Morse testing and in 
this case the ham radio community is telling regulators that it's a good 
idea.  Jim Linton, VK3PC, is here with the rest of the story:

--

An end to the Morse code requirement for amateur licensing in Malaysia 
in  April next year is much anticipated by a majority of that nation's 
radio amateurs, says Amateur Radio Victoria.

An online poll being conducted by the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' 
Society is showing 92% support for the change.

The country's current licensing system first requires the passing of a 
100-question, three hour exam paper, to qualify for a Class B VHF/UHF and 
10m band licence. That licence must be held for at least 12 months before 
seeking an upgrade to the full privilege Class A licence, which requires 
the passing of 12-words per minute code tests - one with plain language and 
the other copying ten 5-figure groups.

For the amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Linton, VK3PC

--

Even if Morse testing is ended it won't mean that Malaysian hams will stop 
using it.  In fact its believed that more may adopt the mode once its no 
longer obligatory and just another way to have fun.  (WIA News)

**

THE BPL FIGHT:  ARRL MAY FILE FEDERAL COURT APPEAL

I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, with late breaking news that the ARRL may go to 
court over BPL.

According to a bulletin, the ARRL Executive Committee is expected to ratify 
plans for a federal court appeal dealing with certain aspects of the FCC's 
Part 15 rules governing Broadband over Powerline systems.  Chief Executive 
Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said the League went forward with its appeal 
plans only after considering the effect on licensed spectrum users of 
letting the current BPL rules stand.

Sumner said that this decision was made after careful review of the FCC's 
October 2004 BPL Report and Order and of the August 2006 Memorandum Opinion 
and Order that dealt with petitions for reconsideration,

In his remarks, Sumner made it clear that the League is not suing BPL 
providers for causing interference, nor suing the FCC for failing to 
enforce its own rules against harmful interference.

Assuming the Executive Committee signs off on the strategy, the League will 
file a Notice of Appeal by October 22nd with the US District Court of 
Appeals - DC Circuit.  (ARRL)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  UK LIFETIME LICENSE ON HOLD UNTIL DEC

Great Britain's telecommunications regulator Ofcom has announced that 
lifetime Amateur Radio licenses and the revised license rules have been 
postponed until December 2006.  However, amateur radio licenses are being 
issued free of charge since October 1st,  This, in accordance with the 
regulator's earlier promise.

Free lifetime United Kingdom licenses will be subject to validation at 
least every five years via the Ofcom web site.  For those U-K hams unable 
or unwilling to validate their details electronically, it will be possible 
to send the details by traditional means but an administration fee will be 
levied.

As previously reported, Ofcom has substantially revised the United Kingdoms 
Amateur Radio license terms and conditions.  Changes include abolishing the 
need to maintain a log book, allowing amateurs to operate a station by 
remote control, substantial alterations to emergency operations and the 
recognition of a number of additional user services.   (RSGB)

**

SOLAR PREDICTING:  SOLAR CYCLE 24 TO ARRIVE IN 2007

Some good news for DX'ers.  Researchers say that the next sunspot cycle is 
expected to begin in early 2007.  This, after yet another backward sunspot: 
evidence continues to mount that the next solar cycle is beginning.

What is a backward sunspot you ask? According to Radio Bulgaria these occur 
when one solar cycle gives way to another.  At that point in time the 
magnetic poles of sunspots reverse polarity.  Now, for the second time in 
less than a month, such a backward sunspot has appeared on the suns 
surface.

By way of record keeping, this is the 24th since cycle scientists have 
identified.  This assumption is based on the fairly regular recurring 
pattern of peaks and valleys in solar activity,

Historically, the first recorded observations of sunspots is in Chinese 
journals from about 800 B.C..  The first telescopic solar observations not 
coming until 2,400 years later, in 1610. (Space)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  SPACE TOURIST ANSARI BACK ON EARTH

Amateur space explorer Anousheh Ansari returned safely to Earth on Friday, 
September 29th.  This after spending 8 days on-orbit at the International 
Space Station in an adventure that cost her an estimated 20 million 
dollars.

Ansari returned to terra firma in Kazakhstan along with members of the 
Expedition 13 crew who had spent the last 6 months in apace,   While 
on-board the I-S-S the U-S businesswoman made a number of ham radio 
contacts using the Russian RS0ISS call sign.

--

On orbit audio

--

School QSO's were made using the NA1SS call under the control of US 
astronaut Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ. These included one with elementary, middle 
and high school students in the nations capital.    (ARISS)

**

Break 1

 From Auckland, New Zealand and Los Angeles, California in the United 
States, we are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations 
around the world, including the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club net serving 
Rockville, Maryland.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RADIO RAGE:  CB'ER KILLS CB'ER IN CANADA

Rage on the 11 meter Citizens Band has cost a Canadian CB operator his 
life.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details:

--

A Vancouver, British Columbia CB operator died Saturday, September 
30th.   This, after he was shot in the parking lot of a local mall 
following an argument that allegedly began over the radio.

According to news reports, police responded around 1:30 a.m. to reports of 
multiple shots fired in the mall parking lot. Officers arrived to find 47 
year old Keneth Eichhorn in his pickup truck with gunshot wounds. He died 
following surgery at a local hospital.

A little while later police say, that 44 year old John Loveless called 
911.  He admitted being involved in a shooting.  Authorities say that they 
then arrested Loveless, on suspicion of second-degree murder.

According to investigators, the two men apparently did not know each 
other.  They believe that  they had gotten into an argument on the air 
which escalated and lead to their fatal meeting in the mall.

Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, for the Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Police say that both men were armed with handguns.  Thankfully nobody else 
in the mall or the surrounding area was injured in this reported CB'er 
versus CB'er shoot-out.   (The Columbian via W6VR, others)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  KEEP THAT BIG RIG OFF 10 METERS

The FCC has warned the Sierra Steel Erecting Company of Columbiana,, Ohio, 
to keep its personnel off of the ham radio bands.  In a September 20th 
letter to Operations Manager Bill Douglas, the FCC says that a Sferra 
operated tractor was the source of radio transmissions on 28.085 MHz on 
August 23d of this year while it was located on North Carolina I-85 North 
and Highway 7.

The FCC letter tells Douglas that his drivers that operation of radio 
transmitting equipment without a license is a violation of the 
Communications Act and will subject drivers to fine or imprisonment, as 
well as seizure of any non-certified radio transmitting 
equipment.  Monetary forfeitures normally range from $7,500 to 
$10,000.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  NORCAL HAMS LICENSE DESIGNATED FOR HEARING

The FCC has designated for hearing the license of William F. Crowell, 
W6WBJ, of Diamond Springs, California.

Crowell is the former N6AYJ.  In its September 20th letter to him the FCC 
notes that back on May 15, 2006 the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 
granted in part his application for vanity call sign W6WBJ.

But, says the FCC due to numerous complaints filed against the operation of 
his  station N6AYJ alleging deliberate interference, the agency did not 
renew his license beyond the existing expiration date of March 12, 2007.

The Commissions letter to Crowell further states that the matter was 
referred to the Enforcement Bureau for review and that the issues raised in 
the complaints forwarded to Crowell must be resolved in order for his 
license would be renewed.   The FCC says that it has now reviewed Crowell's 
response.  As a result, the agency says that the issue of renewal of 
Crowell's license has been referred for designation of a hearing to be held 
before an Administrative Law Judge in Washington, DC.

Crowell was told that as an applicant, it will be he that will have the 
burden of proof in showing that he is qualified to retain an Amateur 
license.  No date for such a hearing has yet been set.

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC REDUCES FINE FOR UNLICENSED STATION

The FCC has ordered Joni K. Craig of San Diego, California to pay a $500 
fine.  This, for her role in providing real property and electric power to 
run a unlicensed radio station and for refusing to take the station off the 
air when asked to do so.

The station operated on 106.9 MHz and was also located in the San Diego 
area.  The initial proposed fine of $10,000.  It was reduced to $500 after 
Craig submitted three years of tax returns verifying her claim of inability 
to pay.  (FCC, CGC)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  ARRL WESTERN PA SECTION CONVENTION - RIP

Just two days after hosting the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section 
Convention on September 10th, the Butler County Amateur Radio Association 
has voted to throw in the towel and get out of the hamfest business. The 
main reason, cited in the September issue of the club's newsletter, is a 
lack of member involvement.

Kevin Berry, KF4RMA, who edits the clubs bulletin told the ARRL Letter that 
the few dependable workers have burned out.  Berry, who also serves as club 
treasurer also took on tasks this year as hamfest vendor chairman, parking 
chairman, treasurer and flyer preparation, among others.  According to the 
newsletter, fewer that one-quarter of the club's 80 members pitched in to 
make the hamfest happen this year, and nearly all of those people handled 
multiple duties during the event.

The September 10 gathering at the Butler County Farm Show Fairgrounds was 
the club's 29th annual hamfest.  (ARRL)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  MUD IN DAYTON OH. IN OCT

On a more up-beat note, the 2006 Microwave Update Conference will be held 
in Dayton, Ohio on the 19th to the 22nd of October.  The venue is the 
Holiday Inn North on Wagner Ford Road at Interstate 75.  This is the same 
highway exit many use every May to attend the annual Dayton Hamvention 
which is held near by.

But for Microwave Update the presentations are on Friday and Saturday with 
a flea market to be held on Friday night.  The annual banquet is Saturday 
night with numerous awards and prize drawings.

Registration is $50 at the door. More information is on-line at 
www.microwaveupdate.org.  (WB8IFM)

**

WITH THE HANDI HAMS:  2007 CAMP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

The Handi Hams have announced their Amateur Radio camp schedule for 2007.

First up will be the winter gathering at Camp Costanoan near Cupertino, 
California.  This  facility boasts two brand-new cabins built this year, 
and proximity to the many ham radio resources of the famed Silicon Valley. 
The nearest airport is in the city of San Jose.  Camp dates tentatively set 
for February 17th to the 23re.

And next summer, Handi Hams is planning its gala 40th anniversary 
celebration at Camp Courage North. This venue is located deep in the pines 
of Minnesota's beautiful lake country.  The dates are August 24th to the 
31st.   For more information on both of these camp outs please take your 
web browser to www.handiham.org (Handi Ham)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWSL  KC5ACR SPEAKS AT AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM OCT 7

Some names in the news.  First up is Commander Bill McArthur KC5ACR, who 
lead the Expedition 12 Mission to the International Space Station.  He will 
be the keynote speaker at this weekends AMSAT Space Symposium.

The event is being held October 7th at the Crowne Plaza Mid-Peninsula hotel 
located close to San Francisco International Airport.  McArthur logged more 
than 1800 QSOs in space, including logging a Worked All States 
Award.  (AMSAT)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  W3UR TO SPEAK IN TROY MI. OCT 13

Daily D-X editor and QST Magazine writer Bernie McClenny, W3UR, will be the 
featured speaker at the October 13th meeting of the South East Michigan DX 
Association.  The gathering will be held at the Elk's Lodge in the city of 
Troy.  That's where McClenny will be presenting an interesting program 
dealing with the latest VU4 DXpedition.  Everyone in the area is welcome to 
attend.  More information is on line at www.semdxa.org  (SEMDXA)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  G3CWI REACHES SOTA 250

Richard Newstead, G3CWI, has become the first participant of the popular 
Summits on the Air program to activate 250 different summits.  He mainly 
used 40 meter CW for his activations using an Elecraft KX1 running 3 watts 
out.  More about the Summits on the Air program is on-line at 
www.sota.org.uk.  (GB2RS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  MEET AUDREY MILESHOSKY

And a word of a blessed event in the family of ARRL Rocky Mountain Division 
Vice Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and his wife Katelyn, KA5TLN.  This 
with the arrival of the couples first child named Audrey Meredith who was 
born September 25th.

According to an e-mail from Brian, little Audrey weighed in at just under 6 
pounds, 2 ounces and was 19 inches long.

For those of you not aware, Brian is only 25 and the youngest ever person 
to fill an ARRL Vice Directors seat.  He is a former Amateur Radio Newsline 
Young Ham of the Year award winner who now serves on the judging committee 
for that program.

Brian, Katelyn and Audrey live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  In his note 
announcing his daughters birth, Brian said that assuming she'll eventually 
get bit by the ham radio bug, this little girl is counting on us existing 
hams to keep our hobby alive, well and exciting.  (N5ZGT, KA5TLN)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  From the United States 
of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from 
our only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being relayed by the 
volunteer services of the following radio amateur:

(5 sec pause here)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  HD-DVD VS BLU-RAY DVD WAR COULD KILL BOTH FORMATS

The high definition DVD war is officially on and one research group says 
that having opposing technologies could mean that all of us will be the 
losers.  Jim Davis, W2JKD, has more:

--

Audio report only.  Please download the audio version of this newscast from 
www.arnewsline.org to hear it.

--

Dealers across the board have been predicting a lackluster 2006 Christmas 
selling season for the improved DVD's.  They are expecting consumers to 
wait for one format to win out over the other in the same way that VHS 
destroyed Betamax some 20 years ago.  (Consumer Products News)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  TOSHIBA 3 LAYER DISK RAISES THE BAR

Meantime, the high definition DVD war just got even warmer.  This with word 
that Toshiba and Memory- Tech have jointly announced a new single-sided 
three-layer disc that is compatible with both DVD and high definition HD 
DVD players. Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reports:

--

Audio report only.  Please download the audio version of this newscast from 
www.arnewsline.org to hear it.

--

While this new disc could help solve the cross computability issue for 
consumers, some electronic marketplace watchers are not so sure.  Some of 
the real pundits are expecting the Blu Ray camp to try to strop the 
introduction of the new by claiming the need to protect intellectual 
copyrights of their DVD programming in the courts.  (HiDefNews)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  IN SEARCH OF BLACK HOLES

Astronomers using the European Space Agency's orbiting gamma-ray 
observatory has taken an important step towards estimating how many black 
holes there are in the Universe.  An international team, lead by Eugene 
Churazov and Rashid Sunyaev has used the Earth as a giant shield to watch 
the number of tell-tale gamma rays from the distant Universe dwindle to 
zero, as our planet blocked their view.

Most astronomers believe that the unseen objects are super-massive black 
holes, millions or billions of times heavier than the Sun and each sitting 
at the center of a galaxy.  As the black holes swallow matter, the swirling 
gases release X-rays and gamma rays.  Accurately measuring the glow, known 
as the X-ray and gamma-ray background, is the first step towards 
calculating how many black holes are contributing to it and how far away in 
the Universe they are located.  (Science Daily)

**

WORLDBEAT - AUSTRALIA:  THE ACMA MEETING

The Australian Communications and Media Authority's 2006 Information 
Communications Entertainment conference will be held on 23 and 24 
November.  This, at the Hyatt Hotel in the city of Canberra.  A draft 
conference program and online registration form are now available on the 
ACMA website.  For further information about the conference e-mail 
ACMAconference at acma.gov.au  (WIA News)

**

WORLDBEAT - BULGARIA:  IARU REGION 1 CW CHAMPIONSHIP

The IARU Region 1 High Speed Telegraphy Championship games. hosted by the 
Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs took place September 20th to the 
24th in the town of Primorsko on the Black Sea.  More than 120 contestants 
from thirteen nations competed in five separate age categories for men and 
women. During the competition some operators reached speeds in excess of 60 
words per minute.  At the same time as the games were happening special 
event station  LZ5HST was on the air with operators from Belarus, Russia, 
Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Germany, Ukraine, Lithuania, China, 
Belgium, Norway and Bulgaria. (RSGB)

**

DX

In D-X, word that DL7DF, will be active on Cypress portable  5-B-4 from 
October 5th to the 12th .  This will be a holiday style operation, but look 
for him on CW, SSB, RTTY and SSTV. QSL direct to DL7DF.

Also, the Holyland DX Group will operate November 3rd and 4th from the 
Jesus Boat located nearby the sea of Galilee in the Yigal Alon's Center. 
The call will be 4Z0J on CW and SSB all bands 10 through 80 meters. QSL to 
4Z4BS.

And IW2OAZ, will be active slash HI8 From the Dominican Republic  through 
October 28th.   Activity will be on 20 and 17 meters using RTTY and 
SSB.  QSL via the bureau.

(From various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  THE SHORTWAVE CUTBACK

International Radio broadcasters are increasingly cutting back on their 
shortwave transmissions.  This, according to a new report published in the 
International Herald Tribune.  RSGB Newsreader Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is here 
with more:

--

The report, written following the demolition of 13 shortwave radio antenna 
towers in Spain, suggests that many radio broadcasters are increasingly 
moving away from shortwave to new forms of communication such as Internet 
radio and podcasting. Some companies are considering phasing out shortwave 
altogether.

Even BBC Word Service - the leading international radio broadcaster - is 
reviewing its shortwave services. But fans of shortwave have leapt to the 
technology's defence. They argue that it is one of the most reliable means 
of communication and highlight how it has allowed broadcasts to be heard by 
people in repressive countries even when FM and Internet broadcasts have 
been blocked. During the Cold War, international broadcasters used 
shortwave to spread their message over the Iron Curtain.

The history of shortwave can be traced back to 1927 when Dutch company 
Philips Laboratories undertook shortwave broadcasts from Eindhoven to the 
Dutch East Indies.

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH

--

Of coarse those early Dutch transmissions were the predecessor to the world 
famous shortwave station Radio Netherlands.  A link to the entire 
International Herald Tribune is in cyberspace at 
www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/24/business/radio25.php  (GB2RS)

**

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 Newsline, P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.

Before we go,  a word of congratulations to the Radio Club of Tacoma in 
Washington state.  This as the organization will be celebrating its 90th 
year of continuous service to the community on October 16th.  To help 
commemorate this milestone, the association is holding an operating event 
station using the call W7DK stroke 90 from October 16th to the 
22nd.  Details are on the web at w7dk.org

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim Meachen, 
ZL2BHF, in Auckland, New Zealand, saying 73 and we thank you for 
listening."