[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newline Report 1523 - October 20, 2006

Sun Oct 22 09:54:36 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newline Report 1523 - October 20, 2006

The following is a Q-S-T.  Radio transmitters causing interference to B-P-L 
is proven in Australia.  A new license is coming to the U-K and ham radio 
swings into action after an earthquake hits Hawaii.  All this and more on 
Amateur Radio Newline report number 1523 coming your way right now.

**

THE BPL WAR:  EMI INGRESS SHOWN IN AUSTRALIA

Some observations in Australia seem to prove that Broadband Over 
Powerline  interference is a two-way street.  Not only can a B-P-L system 
interfere with radio reception.  Even a low power transmitter can make some 
B-P-L operations go away.  Phil Wait, VK2DKN, in Kenthurst, Australia, has 
the latest:

--

VK7TW and his team at REAST have measured the susceptibility  of the 
Aurora  Energy BPL service in Hobart to nearby HF radio transmissions.

The Mt Nelson RF Susceptibility Report, demonstrates a very high degree 
of  disruption from very low power radio transmitters.

In some cases Aurora's client was required to re-enter their username 
and  password and log back into the service.   In fact, less than 5 Watts 
power output from a mobile station within 60 to 80 meters of an Aurora 
clients modem adversely affected their BPL service.

This represents an effective radiated power of less than 1 watt due to the 
inefficiency of the mobile antenna.  Remember, mobile HF radio equipment 
normally operates with an output power of 100 watts so severe disruption 
from an amateur mobile station to a nearby access BPL service is probable.

--

This test down-under seems to show the degree of susceptibility to 
electromagnetic interference a BPL subscriber might expect if a ham or even 
a legal 5 watt CB operator were to drive by the power pole providing his 
B-P-L signal.  This means that the apparent inability of at least 
Australia's Aurora Energy to deliver quality customer service in the 
presence of nearby radio transmissions, should be of great concern to BPL 
equipment  manufacturers, BPL service providers, and their end-user clients 
as well.   (WIA News)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  NEW LICENSE STRUCTURE COMING TO THE UK

United Kingdom telecommunications regulator Ofcom has put a sample copy of 
its proposed news Amateur Radio license regulations on its website. The big 
winner appears to be the entry level Foundation Class license which gets a 
boatload of new privileges.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, 
WA6ITF reports:

--

At first glance, U-K Foundation Class hams seem to have been handed far 
more in the way of proposed new operating privileges than might be 
expected.  This includes an Amateur Satellite Service grant, access to 10 
meters and to 10 Gigahertz, permission to operate both digital and analog 
fast scan amateur television and use up to 500 milliwatts of effective 
radiated power to remotely control their station.

But that's not all.  Up until now, all gear used by Foundation Class hams 
had to be certified.  If the rules go through as posted,  such 
certification will no longer be required. This will enable the use of used 
commercial two way radio equipment to be converted for use in the U-K  50, 
70, 144 and 430 MHz Amateur service allocations.  Not all that different 
than the way many Technician class ops in the U-S came to 2 meters and 70 
centimeter F-M in the late 1960's ad early 1970's.

U-K Intermediate class license holders would get all higher Microwave 
Bands.  This, to prevent the loss of 76 Gigahertz and above access.

U-K Full license class will be granted an unprecedented scope for 
unattended and remotely operated stations and beacons for personal use. 
This via secure links that may use Internet, WiFi or other amateur bands.

For all license classes restrictions on emission types have been 
abolished.  Ofcom says that this will permit hams a greater role in 
telecommunications experimentation.  Also, Logbooks no longer mandatory, 
except for interference investigations.

In all, its quite a big change in the way that the U-K regulates its 
Amateur Radio service.  It also will make that nation one of the most 
liberal in regard to ham radio rules and regulations found anywhere in the 
world.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the Newsline 
studio in Los Angeles.

--

There may well be some further adjustments to this new U-K rules document 
before it comes into effect.  Right now the earliest possible date is 
rumored to be around December 1st.   (Southgate News)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO ACTIVATES FOLLOWING HAWAII QUAKE

Ham radio did activate following a powerful earthquake and repeated 
aftershocks shook Hawaii on Sunday, October 15th.  According to the U.S. 
Geological Service, the 6.6 magnitude trembler struck off the west coast of 
the island state at 7:07 a.m. local time, with strong shaking felt as far 
as 150 miles away on the island of Oahu.

The quake knocked our power and some telephones across the city of Honolulu 
and across Oahu, where most of the state's 1.28 million residents live. 
There were no reports of fatalities or serious injuries but there were 
scattered reports of damage.  This included Kona Hospital and the Royal 
Kona Resort on Hawaii.

Gordon West, WB6NOA, just back from Christmas Island was monitoring the 
bands just after the trembler occurred.  He said that one of the Hawaii 
based emergency networks did activate on 20 meters but secured operations 
after it was ascertained that long distance phone service to the mainland 
had not been all that adversely affected.

Also, the Honolulu Star Bulletin contained words of praise for hams coming 
from its readers.  One named Paul Perretta wrote -- and we quote:

"Just 30 secs after Sunday's tremor, radio hams on all islands activated 
their HF and VHF nets to pass information and coordinate with Civil 
Defense, the Red Cross, hospitals and others."

Perretta said that radio amateurs used low-power, hand-held and mobile VHF 
transceivers and High Frequency short-wave  transceivers on emergency power 
supplies to communicate.  Also that they once again demonstrated their 
value much as they did during Hurricane Iniki.

Other reports say that with many phones out, the state-wide interlinked 
repeater network was pressed into action to assist in the aftermath of the 
quake.  Details on which groups provide what services are still sketchy.

After assessing damage from the air, Governor Linda Lingle did issue a 
state-wide disaster declaration.  Victor Sardina, a geophysicist at the 
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that the earthquake was not strong 
enough to trigger a tsunami warning.  (ARNewsline, WB6NOA, others)

**

RESCUE RADIO: WEAK SIGNAL SITE SURVIVES QUAKE

And good news out of Hawaii from VHF / UHF DX'er Paul Lieb, KH6HME.

Lieb lives on Hawaii's Big Island.  He reports via Gordon West, WB6NOA, 
that as soon as the quake abated he drove the two hours up to his tropo 
ducting site on the side of the Mauna Loa Volcano.

Lieb says that he made the trip to check for any damage to his multiple 
station weak signal shack.  KH6HME  told WB6NOA that all his beacon and 
microwave gear stayed put on the shelves where had them securely anchored 
in place.  (WB6NOA)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  CONGRESS WATERS DOWN "WARN:

Meantime, Congressional law makers spent almost a year touting their 
Warning, Alert and Response Network or Warn Act.  This, as the solution to 
many of the problems that contributed to the communications disaster in the 
wake of hurricane Katrina.

But according to E-A-S expert Art Botterell says while Congress passed the 
WARN Act before lawmakers left Washington to go on the campaign trail, the 
bill was drastically changed.  Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

Art Botterell follows emergency planning.  On his blog that follows 
happenings in the E-A-S world he notes that WARN system has been 
renamed.  Its now the "Commercial Mobile Service Alerts" and was tacked 
onto the port security bill.

Gone is the proposed National Alert Office and its standards-based, 
multi-mode National Alert System.  Botterell reports that his version of 
the bill is strictly about using cellular telephones for alerts.

Also, the role of public TV stations has been downplayed. Botterell reports 
their purpose is now merely to enable the distribution of geographically 
targeted alerts by commercial mobile service providers. Other warning 
technologies and their integration were not even addressed.

Also gone is the provision that would have allowed the federal government 
to apply federal resources to the restoration of "essential 
services."  This includes utilities like water and power along with 
necessities such as  telecommunications.

Reading between the lines, it appears as if the government is pulling all 
its emergency eggs in the promises of the cellular providers. This, even 
though historically this is the system that's first to fail in just about 
any local or region wide disaster.

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

--

Also not included is the indemnification of volunteers like ham radio 
operators coming in to assist from the private sector.  More about congress 
action on this measure is on-line at www.incident.com/blog (RW)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  KE7EUL TELLS HIS STORY IN WORLDRADIO

"How I Got My Ticket And It Saved My Life" is the haunting first person 
account by Travis Gardner, KE7EUL, of the way Amateur Radio became his 
salvation.  This, when he was taken seriously ill while home alone.

It all took place while Travis was on the air.  Thanks to the members of 
the 2100 Net, help was soon on its way.

On arriving at the hospital, KE7EUL learned that he had Menimgitis.  It 
took him two weeks to recover.  He credits ham radio and his on the air 
friends for saving his life.

Travis story is featured on page 51 of the November issue of Worldradio 
Magazine.  More information on getting Worldradio is on-line at 
WWW.WR6WR.com  (Worldradio)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  COMMEMORATING THE EM-COMM FREQUENCY 500 KHZ

The United Kingdom's Radio Officers' Association will operate a special 
event station with the callsign GB500KCS.  This from November 2nd to the 
5th to mark the 100th anniversary of the Berlin International Wireless 
Telegraphy Convention.

It was at that meeting where 500 kHz was established as the maritime 
calling  and distress frequency.  Also, the three letters SOS were selected 
as the  distress signal.

The association is also using the special event to launch its campaign for 
500 kHz to be recognized as an international heritage frequency. (GB2RS)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  WEST AND SMITH RETURN FROM CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Two hams who spent the last few weeks rebuilding the emergency radio 
communications network on Christmas Island are back home and have a lot to 
say:

--

West:  "When we arrived on Christmas Island, we found that the clinics as 
well as the single hospital were in desperate need of supplies including 
many of the medications that we had brought down on the humanitarian effort 
on Cartlon Smith's part.  The supplies were immediately inventoried and set 
up for distribution to the outlying clinics and when we had an opportunity 
to visit these outlying clinics we saw that their biggest problems were no 
power for refrigeration, no lighting for nighttime injury repair and no 
communications back to the main hospital in case a patient needed to be 
transported.

--

That's Gordon West, WB6NOA, who along with Carlton Smith, KE5EUL, traveled 
to the isolated atoll on a mission of mercy.  The two toiled in 90 degree 
weather to get the Christmas Island's main and only hospital back in touch 
with outlying clinics using non-ham frequencies just above our 40 meter 
band.

--

West:  "We spent about five days playing radio to get their long-range SSB 
radio back up and running on the Ministry of Health frequencies and we also 
established some short range VHF communications systems above the ham radio 
2 meter band -- well above it.  Now they have communications from clinic to 
clinic as well as back to the main hospital."

--

They also installed a two-way radio in the  Island's only ambulance:

--

West:  "Also we found out that the donated ambulance while in great shape 
mechanically, had no communications on board.  So if the ambulance was out 
on a donut run -- and believe me that there are no donuts on Christmas 
Island -- they would never know that they had a call."

--

With the busy schedule of a clinic a day for radio setups, Gordo says that 
they only a few hours on three afternoons to operate as T32GW.

--

West:  and we did net over 100 contacts.  This was a low key type of an 
effort, but believe me that the enthusiasm was there for those stations 
that waited patiently as we made contacts on 14.260 MHz and 14.265 MHz.

Radio was not the only aspect of their trip.  The pair delivered 200 pounds 
of medication and other relief supplies that was distributed to the 
hospital and four clinics on Christmas Island.

All in all it was a truly successful trip and West says that he and Smith 
might go back again at some future date.  (ARNewsline)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  VA. INTERFERENCE CASE CLOSED

The FCC has told Daniel P. Baker, N4EUQ, of Rustburg, Virginia, that it 
accepts his explanation of an alleged interference issue and that the 
matter is now closed.

It was back this past August 4th that the FCC had sent Baker a copy of a 
complaint filed against the operation of his station.  The complaint 
alleged deliberate interference on 75 Meters on February 12, 2006.

The FCC had requested Baker review the accusation and respond within 20 
days.  He did just that in a letter dated August 18th. His explanation was 
satisfactory.  The regulatory agency now says that it anticipates no 
further action in this matter.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC LOOKING INTO ALLEGED PA 2 METER INTERFERENCE

Meantime, Robert L. Dudick, K3KDK, of McClure, Pennsylvania, has been asked 
by the FCC to resolve alleged interference to operations on the 2 meter 
band.  In a September 26th letter, the regulatory agency asks Dudick to 
explain allegations of deliberate interference on 2 meters from his station 
that took place at various times this past June.  .

The FCC release did not detail the exact nature of the alleged 
interference.  It did give Dudick the usual 20 days to respond.  That time 
period is now past and its assumed that the FCC is evaluating whatever 
reply Dudick has made.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  $10000 FINE AFFIRMED IN NYC CASE

A person the FCC identifies as Shawn Deroux has been ordered to pay a 
$10,000.  The fine is for operating an unlicensed broadcast station on 87.9 
MHz in the Bronx, New York.

Since Deroux did not respond to the Commission's earlier Notice of Apparent 
Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $10,000, that figure was affirmed 
in the latest action.  He was given the usual time to pay or to file an 
appeal.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  NO 10 WATT 1.2 GHZ WIRELESS CAMERAS  ALLOWED

An official FCC citation has been issued to Kachun Wong of Sacramento, 
California.  Wong is accused of marketing in the United States what the 
government calls a non-certified  10 Watt 1.2 gigahertz Wireless Camera 
Video Transmitter through a company called LightObject doing business as 
Actionbuy Trading Company

According to a report in the CGC Communicator, the equipment in question is 
not even eligible to receive a certification grant.  This is because the 
band in question is allocated to aeronautical navigation where no 
interference is allowed.  10 watts of wireless video at 1.2 Gigahertz holds 
the potential of causing major problems for licensed users.  (CGC, FCC)

**

CAVEAT EMPTOR DEPARTMENT:  BUYING HAM GEAR ON-LINE

If you like to buy on-line, here's a couple words of advice for those 
scouring the World Wide Web for the best deal in new or used ham gear. With 
them here is Jim Linton, VK3PC:

--

The cheapest way to get on air is to purchase second-hand equipment - but 
it can have its traps and pitfalls for the unwary.  Luckily those selling 
amateur radio equipment are normally honest and reluctant to do the wrong 
thing to a fellow radio amateur.

However there are a few who misrepresent the equipment they're selling and 
want to rip off unsuspecting buyers.  On occasion too there have been 
fraudsters selling stuff on-line that they do not possess. Their plan is to 
pocket the money received from several keen buyers.

If this happens to you, seek the advice of your bank or credit card 
provider - for a fee you will often get the payment reversed resulting in a 
partial refund and recovery of your money.

Here are a few of the traps.   On-line for sale items sometimes include a 
photograph - but don't be tricked it might not be an image of the actually 
item for sale.

With SWR bridges, wattmeters and dummy loads - know their 
specifications  such as power handling capability and frequency of 
operation.  Will they suit your requirements?

Transceivers and other equipment can come in various models, make sure you 
know what you're buying, its age and capabilities - a Google search or a 
knowledgeable radio amateur will help out here.

Ask how old it is, if there are any faults or modifications.  Is the seller 
its only owner?

Was it purchased from an authorized manufacturer's agent or bought over 
seas and imported?  This last point is particularly relevant for late model 
transceivers - it may affect the availability of local service if it needs 
repair.

Is the transceiver complete? Does it come with a microphone and power 
cord?  These ancillary items can be costly or difficult to obtain.

Good and useful equipment can be obtained second hand - approach this 
market-place with knowledge and care for the best result.

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

--

In the end there are two more words to be aware of.  They are caveat 
emptor.  Translated they mean -- buyer beware.  (WIA News)

**

RADIO TECHNOLOGY:  UNDERSTANDING MARCONI

He did it in 1901 and because of it Guglielmo Marconi is considered as the 
father of radio.  And now, more than 100 years later, a group of hams will 
try to find out exactly how he accomplished what many back then considered 
to be impossible.  Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottingham, in the U-K, with 
the rest of the story:

--

A group of radio amateurs is planning to explore how Guglielmo Marconi was 
able to copy a radio signal sent from Poldhu in Cornwall to Newfoundland in 
Canada in December 1901.

This was the first time that a radio transmission had been copied across 
the Atlantic but there is still some confusion over how the radio maestro 
managed to do it, especially as there was a solar minimum at the time.

Now, the Poldhu Amateur Radio Club in the UK and the Marconi Radio Club in 
Canada are teaming up to re-enact the legendary transmission. They are 
hoping that the experiment will shed new light on this landmark event in 
radio history. They have decided to carry out the experiment now because 
the solar conditions this December should be similar to when Marconi made 
his famous reception.

 From around 1st November this year to February 2007, the Poldhu Amateur 
Radio Club will use a 160m beacon, GB3SSS, to make regular two-minute 
transmissions on 1,960kHz. Radio amateurs in Newfoundland will then aim to 
copy and analyze the transmissions.

--

The 160m amateur band is being used for the experiment, rather than 800 and 
900 kHz used by Marconi, because the latter are in a very crowded part of 
the radio spectrum.  (RSGB)

**

WORLDBEAT - RUSSIA:  WRTC IN RUSSIA IN 2010

The World Radiosport Team Championship Sanctioning Committee has announced 
the next WRTC will be held in Russia for the first time in 2010.

Southgate News reports that the Union of Radio Amateurs of Russia will be 
the primary sponsor.  That organizations president, Roman Thomas, RZ3AA, is 
the host committee chairman.

The event will be held in the vicinity of Moscow in conjunction with the 
2010 IARU High Frequency World Championship games.  The committee plans to 
publish qualification rules and procedures and establish a WRTC 2010 
website as soon as possible.  (Southgate News)

**

WORLDBEAT - BRAZIL:  CELEBRATING FLIGHT

Special event station ZV100SD will be active on all bands Through the end 
of  October.  This,  to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic 
flight of Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont.

Alberto Santos-Dumont was an aviation pioneer, deemed the Father of 
Aviation by his countrymen.  It was on October 23rd, 1906 that 
Santos-Dumont airplane called the 14-BIS flew for 50 meters. Later, on 
November 12th, the 14-BIS, flew a distance of 220 meters at the height of 6 
meters and at the speed of 37 kilometers per hour.

Santos-Dumont was eventually awarded the Archdecon Prize for having solved 
the problem of making a heavier-than-air machine take off by its own means. 
More about Alberto Santos-Dumont is on-line 
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/scitech/impacto/graphic/aviation/al 
berto.html  (GB2RS, ARNewsline)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA:  A DISCOUNT FOR THE YOUNG

The South African Radio League or SARL says it wants some younger members 
and its making it affordable for them to join.  Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, 
reports:

--

The South Africa Radio League is inviting young people to join as student 
members at  a special low introductory fee.  One which will cover 
membership between now and June the 30th of 2007.  This special membership 
offer includes access to all the SARL electronic services, the online 
edition of Radio Zed-S magazine as well as use of the QSL bureau.

In making its decision to implement the special rate public, the SARL 
Council says that youth will play an important part in maintaining growth 
in Amateur Radio.  Therefore, young people should be encouraged to join the 
national body for Amateur Radio in South Africa.

--

More is on line on the South African Radio League website at 
www.sarl.org.za  (SARL)

**

PROPAGATION:  K1TR 902 MHZ BEACON OFF  LINE

Ed Parsons, K1TR says that his  903.060 MHz beacon is currently off the air 
for repair.  This K1TR propagation beacon is located in grid square FN42IV 
in Windham, New Hampshire.  Ed says via the VHF Reflector that he will let 
everyone know as soon as its back in service once again. (VHF Reflector)

**

HAM RADIO SCOUTING:  AMSAT AO-51 FOR JOTA

AMSAT has announced that its AO-51 satellite switched to the dual repeater 
mode through October 23rd.  This,  with the QRP repeater on 435.150 
reserved for JOTA scout contacts during the October 21st and 22nd JOTA 
weekend.  AMSAT says that the AO-51 Operations Group strongly supports the 
JOTA activities and it asked  that all users of the QRP repeater yield to 
JOTA stations during the weekend.  (ANS)

**

DX

In D-X, an international team will mount a major DXpedition to Libya from 
November 15th to the 29th.The goal of the operation is to activate this 
very rare entity on all amateur bands and in all modes, including digital 
with the new prefix 5A7 prefix.  The DXpedition will use 8 stations from 3 
sites. QSL cards should be sent to Andreas Glaeser, PF 100 246, D-03122 
Spremberg, Germany.  Libya is one of the most wanted entities for DXCC.

GB2RS reports that the  Five Star Dxers Association has announced that its 
next Dxpedition will take place in September 2007 to St Brandon. 
This  association has been involved in some of the biggest DXpedition of 
recent years, including the record-breaking D68C Dxpedition to the Comoros 
in 2001 and, most recently, the 3B9C Rodrigues Dxpedition in 2004.

The St Brandon Dxpedition is set to be a similarly grand event. It is 
planned that up to 12 stations will be on the air 24 hours a day for three 
weeks.  St Brandon is a highly sought after entity and the Five Star Dxers 
are expecting huge demand. They are confident of making more than 100,000 
QSOs.  The group is aiming to obtain the callsign 3B7C for the operation.

On the air right now, keep an ear open for DJ7RJ operating CW and SSB from 
Madagascar until the 27th of October.  Hes on the usual frequencies on 160 
through 10 meters.

And IW2OAZ is operating portable HI8 from the Dominican Republic until 
October 28th.  Listen out for him on  RTTY and SSB on 20 and 17 meters. QSL 
both these operations as directed on the air.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  JOTA BY CARRIER PIGEON

And finally this week, the story of a rather novel way to celebrate the 
Scouts Jamboree on the Air.  How about making it a jamboree in the air 
using one of the worlds earliest forms of communications.  Graham Kemp, 
VK4BB, is in Brisbane, Australia with more:

--

Scouts from the VK4 Indooroopilly Scout Group have sent a message of peace 
to Scouts of the World.  The message, printed on microfiche, was placed in 
a capsule attached to the leg of a carrier pigeon which was released 
amid  fanfare.

Group Leader Dingo said 'the project is part of an experiment in an 
innovative communications system what with peak oil, Internet worms and 
viruses will be the way of the future which may require the renaming of the 
weekend to JOTA/JOTI/JITA (Jamboree In The Air)'.  He also claimed that the 
pigeon had been vaccinated against bird flu virus.

Provided the messenger doesn't get shot, lost, taken by a hawk or 
falcon  it could potentially be read by millions of Scouts and Guides 
throughout  the World', he said.

--

Even though the October 21st and 22nd Jamboree on the Air will be over by 
the time most of you hear this newscast, the message and the pigeon 
carrying it should still be flying on.  (WIA News)

**

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, the Southgate Amateur Radio News 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.