[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1524 - October 27, 2006

Fri Oct 27 18:46:55 EDT 2006

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1524 - October 27, 2006

The following is a closed circuit announcement.  Ladies and gentlemen, 
Amateur Radio Newsline's support fund administrator, Andy Jarema, N6TCQ:

--

A couple of weeks ago I was here asking for you to help us to pay our 
bills.  Some of you have been very generous in your support and we promise 
to acknowledge all donations at a later date.

However, what we have received is simply not enough to keep us going 
through the end of this year and into 2007.  As we have said before, if 
everyone listening were to donate only a dollar or two, it would be years 
until the next time I would be out here making this appeal.

Keep in mind that any donation that you make to the Amateur Radio Newsline 
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Making a contribution is only a mouse click away if you have Pay Pal.  Just 
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Whichever way you choose, the all volunteer crew at the Amateur Radio 
Newsline will be eternally grateful.

For the support fund, I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ

--

The following is a Q-S-T.  A ham radio emergency communications Internet 
gateway gets the nod in Great Britain, an emergency rescue at sea uses 
Morse code and guess whose microphone figures in the new Clint Eastwood 
movie Flags of our Fathers.  If you said Bob Heil, K9EID, you would be 
right.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1524 
coming your way right now.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  UK HF INTERNET GATEWAY LICENSE ISSUED

U-K telecommunications regulator Ofcom is backing a unique experiment in 
High Frequency emergency radio communications tied to the Internet.  Jeramy 
Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottingham with more:

--

Ofcom has awarded a unique Notice of Variation to Steve Richards, G4HPE, to 
operate a speech gateway to allow two-way communications between the 
Internet and frequencies in the HF amateur bands.  The purpose of the 
research is to explore the many technical and operational challenges that 
such a system poses for emergency communications. It is also hoped that the 
project will shed light on how internet-based networks can aid amateur 
radio emergency communications.

The NoV or Notice of Variation is a UK first because it allows full 
frequency agility over the lower HF bands and the use of significant power 
levels. The gateway is not intended as a permanent facility to the amateur 
service and is only likely to appear in accordance with a predetermined 
test schedule.

Only licensed amateurs will be able to access the gateway, which will be 
fully attended at all times.

Steve was aided in his application for a NoV by the RSGB.  The 
International Radio Emergency Support Coalition is also involved in the 
project. IRESC is a worldwide group of radio amateurs who use VoIP 
facilities to connect disaster areas to points of support.

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH

--

If you are interested in helping with this research, please contact Steve 
Richards, G4HPE, by e-mail to steve at g4hpe.freeserve.co.uk.  (RSGB)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  MORSE CODE AIDS STRANDED UK FISHERMAN

Still in the U-K, Morse code helped to save a stranded fisherman on Friday, 
October 20th.  This, when he ran his boat aground near Hayling Island after 
it began taking on water.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with 
more:

--

The incident took place at night.  The unidentified boater had no modern 
safety aids, no radio and no cellular telephone.  What he did have was a 
flashlight that he used to send the three letters S-O-S in CW.

His call for help was seen by U-K Coast Guard rescue officer Steve Mann. 
Mann arranged for the stricken fisherman to be picked up by a Coast Guard 
inshore lifeboat.

The stranded mariner was luckier than he might have thought.  Mann told the 
press that he has only been with the Coast Guard for the past two years and 
had never formally been schooled in C-W.  He says that he just picked up 
bits of Morse along the way.

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

--

The full story on this rescue is hopefully still on-line at 
http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/other_news/&articl 
eid=287367  (Mail-Guardian)

**

RADIO CHALLENGE:  SSTV ON A BEAM OF LIGHT

And speaking of communications using light, how about a new record for slow 
scan television using that mode. Jim Linton VK3PC, has the details.

--

A 13 mile path from Mt Wellington to a hill near Sorrel in Tasmania has 
been used for what is believed to be the first slow scan television 
transmission via modulated light.

Good old fashioned analogue slow scan pictures were transferred to 
establish a two contact.

Among those involved on the 17 of October activity were Chris Long VK3AML, 
Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW, Rex Moncur VK7MO, Mike Roth VK7MJ and several 
others.

The optical contact on 474 THz enabling the SSTV, will certainly echo 
around the world and spark interest in this possibility among others who 
engage in modulated light experiments.

There were a number of objectives set for those involved, including voice 
contact with about seven people achieving a QSO.

The outcome of a JT65 digital is still to be determined with signals 
captured using wave files.

Among those involved in the latest experiments were Chris Long VK3AML and 
Mike Roth VK7MJ. The pair have experimented with modulated light over the 
past 35 years.

In February 2005 they claimed a world distance record of 104 miles, 
spanning from the south to the north-east of Tasmania.

In the latest experiments with high intensity 'Luxeon' light emitting 
diodes, an optically repeated voice contact using three highly elevated 
sites, was not attempted due to equipment difficulties. It's likely to be 
tried on another occasion.

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

--

Quite an accomplishment for SSTV on a beam of light  (VK3PC)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  UPCOMING JOINT US AND CANADA SPECIAL EVENT

An international  special events station will be set up in early March 
2007.  This,  to demonstrate co-operation between Canadian and American 
Amateur Radio operators in the area of emergency communications 
preparedness.

The operation is being billed as a joint effort between Radio Amateurs of 
Canada and the American Radio Relay League.  The site chosen is the 
historic Marconi Memorial station on Signal Hill, St. John's, Newfoundland. 
This was the reception point of the first transatlantic wireless 
transmission over a hundred years ago in 1901.

This will be the first time such an official cross border activity like 
this has been conducted and hams from all across the United States and 
Canada are urged to participate.  According to the events sponsors, 
virtually all modes will be  operated over a two day weekend.  The exact 
dates of this joint U-S and Canadian operation will be announced shortly. 
(RAC via Southgate News)

**

SPECTRUM PROTECTION:  EUROLOOP OF CONCERN TO EUROPEN HAMS

Hams across Europe are wary of a report issued by the European Radio 
communications Office.  One that seems to suggest that rail signal control 
use the high frequency spectrum.

The E-R-O draft report is called "Studying the compatibility issues of the 
UIC Euroloop System with other systems in the frequency band 9.5 to 17.5 
MHz".  The Euroloop system it discusses would be used to provide train 
signaling information using a wideband High Frequency transmission system 
feeding a leaky coaxial cable laid down in the inner or outer groove of the 
rail.

Hams are very much aware that the  proposal to use these frequencies could 
have an adverse impact on several services.  These include broadcasting, 
the military as well as Amateur radio.  (Southgate News)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  LOOKING AT THE NEW U.S. PHONE BANDS

Turning now to restructuring, the FCC's recent Report and Order in WT 
Docket 04-140 seems to offer something for just about every sector of the 
Amateur Radio community, but the ARRL Letter says that it's not without 
shortcomings.  Most appear to be unintended consequences stemming from the 
FCC's very generous allocation of 75 meter phone spectrum to Amateur Extra 
class licensees.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZdW, has the 
details:

--

The FCC indicated it was only doing what the ham radio community said it 
wanted in its Report and Order in WT Docket 04-140.  And once the new rules 
go into effect, the 75 meter phone band will span 3.8 to 4.0 MHz for 
Generals, 3.7 to 4.0 MHz for Advanced class licensees and 3.6 to 4.0 MHz 
for Amateur Extras.  Far more modest phone expansions were the rule for 40 
and 15 meters, the other affected bands.

But the extended 75 meter Amateur Extra class phone allocation not only 
effectively reduces the amount of 80-meter spectrum available for CW, RTTY 
and data.  It  actually eliminates Advanced and General class access on any 
mode to certain segments where they now have privileges.  Here are some of 
the numbers as provided by the ARRL.

Generals lose 150 kHz of CW and data spectrum on 80 meters but gain 50 kHz 
of phone spectrum on 75.  They also lose 25 kHz of CW and data spectrum on 
40 meters but gain 50 kHz of phone privileges on that band.  Factoring in 
another 25 kHz of phone spectrum on 15 meters that's an overall gain of 125 
kHz of phone spectrum.  But that's offset by an overall loss of 175 kHz of 
CW and data spectrum, or a net loss of 50 kHz in spectrum privileges.

Advanced licensees also lose 150 kHz of CW and data spectrum on 80 meters 
but gain 75 kHz of phone spectrum on 75.  They also lose 25 kHz of CW and 
data spectrum on 40 meters but gain 25 kHz of phone spectrum there.  That's 
an overall loss of 175 kHz of CW/data spectrum offset by an overall gain of 
100 kHz of phone spectrum.  The net loss in Advanced privileges works out 
to 75 kHz.

The new rules are nothing but net gain for Novice and Technician Plus 
licensees. They wind up with an additional 250 kHz of additional CW and 
data spectrum on 10 meters.

Still, a number of Tech's are crying foul.  As posted on websites and blogs 
devoted to this license class, it appears as if some Tech Plus operators 
had expected to be handed some additional phone privileges on all of the 
high frequency bands from 160 through 10 meters.  Most postings indicate 
that they want to talk using a microphone rather than a keyboard or Morse 
key.

Meantime, back at the ARRL Letter the League points out that the Report and 
Order also contains several apparent mistakes. The FCC will hopefully fix 
the minor errors when the official  Report and Order text appears in the 
Federal Register later this fall.

Other corrections may prove more troublesome. For example, creating the new 
expanded 75 meter phone band for Extras effectively, but apparently 
inadvertently, deleted the only 80 meter segment where automatically 
controlled digital stations may operate.  The new rules no longer permit 
RTTY and data from 3.620 to 3.635 MHz..

In addition, the FCC accommodated the inclusion of images in data 
transmissions by defining a range of image emission types as "data" and 
limiting them to 500 Hz bandwidth in the RTTY/data sub bands. 
Unfortunately, it did so in a way that also limits J2D emissions -- data 
sent by modulating an SSB transmitter -- to 500 Hz bandwidth as well.

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

--

The new rules take effect 30 days after they are published in the Federal 
Register.  That should happen in the fairly near future.  (ARRL, Tech 
Remailer, others)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  FCC REQUESTS NOMINATIONS FOR NEW EMERGENCY ALERT COMMITTEE

The FCC is seeking nominations for membership on its Commercial Mobile 
Service Alert Advisory Committee.  The purpose of this committee is to 
develop recommendations on technical standards and protocols to facilitate 
the ability of commercial mobile service providers to transmit emergency 
alerts to their subscribers to the extent such providers elect to do so. 
More is on-line at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06- 
2037A1.doc)  (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  AZ STATIONS FINED

Two radio stations in Arizona has been handed a Notice of Liability to 
Monetary Forfeiture.  Jeff Clark, K8JAC, has the details:

--

The licensee of KXEW(AM), South Tucson, AZ, ("CC Licenses, LLC") has been 
issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture ("NAL") for $4,000 for 
operating an unlicensed Aural Broadcast Studio to Transmitter Link ("STL") 
transmitter on 944.865 MHz.  The FCC's San Diego District Office conducted 
the investigation and also tentatively fined KWFM for operating on 945.120 
MHz without authorization.

--

KWFM was also fined $4,000.  Both KXEW and KWFM and was given the usual 30 
days from the September 8th issuance of the forfeitures to pay or to file 
an appeal.  The complete stories on both of these fines is on line at 
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-267303A1.html and 
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-267304A1.html  (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  BOY SCOUTS AGAINST MOVIE PIRACY

Boy Scouts in the Los Angeles area will soon be able to earn a merit patch 
for learning about the evils of downloading pirated movies and music.

The movie industry has developed the curriculum.  Scouts will be instructed 
in the basics of copyright law.  They will also learn how to identify five 
types of copyrighted works and three ways copyrighted materials may be 
stolen.

Dan Glickman, chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America says 
that working with the Boy Scouts of Los Angeles, we have a real opportunity 
to educate a new generation about how movies are made, why they are 
valuable, and hopefully change attitudes about intellectual property theft.

The patch the scouts will receive will show a film reel, a music CD and the 
international copyright symbol, a "C" enclosed in a circle.  (Press 
release)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  MORE NON-COMPLIANT XM RECEIVERS

More problems for X-M satellite radio regarding non-compliant R-F 
modulators in some of its receivers.  More models are now affected.  Jim 
Damron, N8TMW, reports:

--

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

--

No word when that certification will be forthcoming from the FCC  (RW)

**

INDUSTRY NEWS:  CAP CHOOSES EF JOHNSON RADIOS

A major supplier of two way radio gear that had its roots in ham radio has 
been awarded a major government contract.  This with word that the E F 
Johnson subsidiary of EFJ, Inc has received a new order from the Civil Air 
Patrol valued at $2.65 million dollars to provide the C-A-P with its 
Project 25 compliant mobile radios and accessories.

Best known in ham radio for its now classic transmitters of the 1940's 
through the 1960's, E.F. Johnson was founded in 1923 by Edgar F. Johnson, 
then 9ALD.  It built its reputation on superb quality audio and exquisite 
C-W keying.  In the 1970's it re-invented itself to become a leading 
provider of two way radios and communication systems for law enforcement, 
fire fighters, EMS and the military.  Now the C-A-P is turning to it for 
the technology it needs to proceed through the 21st century.

Company founder Edgar F. Johnson, the former 9ALD, died in February, 1991 
at age 91.  (EFJ release, others)

**

INDUSTRY NEWS:  HEIL PR 40 MIC CAPTURES HOLLYWOOD

The sounds of the cannons and guns in the new Clint Eastwood World War 2 
epic movie, "Flags of our Fathers" were captured by several Heil PR 40 
dynamic microphones.  Microphones designed by ham Radio's own "Mr. Audio." 
Bob Heil, K9EID.

Directed by Clint Eastwood and produced by Steven Spielberg, "Flags of our 
Fathers" recalls February 1945, when one of the bloodiest battles of World 
War 2.  The battle in the Pacific with the Japanese on the island of Iwo 
Jima.  It culminated with an allies win and the raising of the American 
flag by five Marines and a Navy Corpsman on top of Mount Suribachi.

Charles Maynes was the location sound engineer for the movie.  He was 
quoted as saying that the Heil PR-40 mic was chosen because of its ability 
to handle loud sources remarkably well and its off axis rejection.  This 
says Maynes make it a tremendous tool for his effects recording.

Maynes is not the only Hollywood professional to adopt the PR-40.  A number 
of Southern California radio and television stations are also using the PR- 
40 because of the microphones ability to handle a wide range of sound 
levels while maintaining the true quality of the audio. The PR-40 has also 
become a favorite among radio amateurs, world wide.  (Heil Sound, others)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  CALL FOR PAPERS FOR SW OHIO DIGI SYMPOSIUM

A call has gone out soliciting papers for the 21st Annual South West Ohio 
Digital Symposium.  The event is slated for Saturday, January 13, 2007at 
Miami University's, Middletown Campus, in Middletown Ohio. Topics 
concerning any form of digital communications are encouraged.   For an idea 
of the topics which have been presented at recent gatherings, go to 
www.swohdigi.org  (VHF Reflector)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  MM3ETD RECEIVES COMMUNITY AWARD

Some names in the news.  Up first is the United Kingdom's Christopher 
Daisley, MM3ETD.  He has been presented with a Community Award by 
Dunbartonshire Council for helping to promote amateur radio in the local 
community.

Three years ago 12-year-old Christopher was one of the youngest people in 
the U-K to pass the Foundation class license exam.  He was presented the 
award by former Glasgow Rangers football legend Mark Hateley.

**

THE WRATH OF MOTHER NATURE :  VK BIG GUN DX'ER LOOSES ANTENNAS IN STORM

A well known world-class DX'er has lost his antenna system to the wrath of 
mother nature.  It happened down-under.  Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA 
News has more:

--

The stacked cubical quad antenna system of Ian Williams VK3MO at Kyneton in 
Victoria was destroyed late last month after the area was hit by a 
localised or mini-tornado.  The world class system had four stacked cubical 
quad antennas that were rotatable and can be seen in several photographs 
several photographs.

Ian VK3MO and his neighbors suffered damage as the mini-tornado, with winds 
in excess of 179 kilometers per hour, or F2 on the Fujita scale, tore a 
path through the area.

The top section of Ian's 200 foot tower was twisted back and forth 
violently before a guy wire gave way resulting in folding over, then the 
tower cascaded to the ground and described as a total loss.  VK3MO intends 
to re-establish the antenna system.

Fotr the Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News in 
Australia.

--

No word on how long the rebuild of the antenna system might take.  (WIA 
News)

**

WORELDBEAT - UK:   HAM RADIO REMEMBERS A GREAT WARSHIP

The United Kingdom's H-M-S Hood Association will be airing special event 
station GB2HA from November 4th to the 12th. This, in remembrance of the 
famous British battleship of World War 2.

The H-M-S Hood was the pride of the British Naval Fleet at the start of the 
Second World War.  She was destroyed in one of the most famous naval 
battles of all time.

On 24th May 1941 in the Denmark Strait, the Hood and fellow Royal Navy 
warship the Prince of Wales took on German battleships Bismarck and the 
Prinz Eugen.   The Hood was sunk in the ensuing battle and only three 
members of her 1,421 crew survived.

The HMS Hood Association was set up in 1975.  The G-B-2-H-A special event 
station has been aired every year since 1995. The frequencies being used 
this year are 40, 20 and 2m. The station's operator Malcolm Butler, G-0-L- 
M-D, plans to make contacts with radio amateurs both in the UK and world- 
wide.

You can find out more about the Hood Association by taking your web browser 
to  www.hmshood.com (GB2RS)

**

WORLDBEAT - FRANCE:  CELEBRATING BARBARA DUNN, G6YL

France's Association of Radio Amateurs of Paris will operate with the 
special call TM8KP for 15 days starting on the 11th  November.  The purpose 
is to celebrate the 80th anniversary of a radio contact between Joseph 
Nadal, F8KP, in Paris and Barbara Dunn, G6YL, in the U-K.  Dunn was one of 
the  first two female English hams to come onto the air in the early days 
of the hobby.   (GB2RS)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA:  COMMEMORATING ALLIED FORCES

South African special event station ZS90DW will be operational on 15 meters 
through the end of 2006.  The station is comemorates the 90 years since 
South African forces helped British and Allied forces at the battle of 
Delvillewood in the First World War.  Listen for it on 21.292 MHz.  More 
information is on-line at www.firstworldwar.com/battles/delvillewood.htm 
(SARL, WIA)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  CAMBODIA COMING TO THE HAMSATS

If you are a satellite operator, then mark November 20th to the 26th on 
your operations calendar.  That's when the T AMSAT Group and the Siam DX 
Group will be in Cambodia to operate on the FO-29, SO-50, AO-51, and VO-52 
satellites using.  They plan to use CW, SSB along with FM on those birds 
that support the mode. The Siam DX Group will also operate on 16o through 
10 meters using CW, SSB, and RTTY.  More information is on-line at 
www.tamsat.org/bb  (GB2RS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  UO-11 STILL ALIVE

OSCAR-11 is back!  The aging ham-sat was first heard by ZL3TC, at 06:23 UTC 
on Wednesday, October 18th.  A bit later it was monitored by , KB5MU in San 
Diego, California.  Some very strong signals were heard on October 19th by 
G3CWV in the UK.

OSCAR 11 was launched on March 1, 1984 on board a Thor Delta rocket from 
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.  It was the first ham radio 
satellite to carry an operational digital store-and-forward communications 
payload into space.

If the watchdog cycle continues to operate normally, the 145.826 MHz. 
beacon should transmit until around the end of October.  The last time the 
satellite was heard was way back on August 26th.  (ANS)

**

DX

In D-X, keep both ears open for KE6GFF who will be active as T6EE from 
Afghanistan. Look for him on 14.200 MHz until the 30th of October.

And DL2SBY, HA4DX, and HA0HW, will be active portable TK  from Sisco, 
Corsica.  This from November 2nd through the 11th.  They will operate CW, 
SSB and digital modes on all H-F bands, with an emphasis on 80, 75 and 40 
meters.

Also the  Finnish OH4AB radio group  will be on the air from Cambodia as 
XU7MDY and XU7JGE through the 5th of November.  QSL all three off these 
operations as directed on the air.

(Above from various DX sources and remailers)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: DO WE NEED WEAK SIGNAL DIGITAL BANDS

And finally this week, a question.  Are separate subbands needed for VHF 
and UHF digital DXing?  Those attending a recent international E-M-E 
operators conference say yes.  And they have put out a proposed bandplan to 
give digital exclusive segments on a number of popular V-H-F and U-H-F 
bands.  Glenn Dunston, VK4DU, has the details:

--

Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in  weak signal 
communications on the VHF and UHF bands using  computer generated data 
modes. These modes enable communications at or below the noise floor. 
Amateurs with modest stations are now making contacts over thousands of 
kilometers via EME and Meteor Scatter using these  new modes".

However, often these very weak data signals can not be detected by ear, 
which makes them incompatible with normal analogue SSB or CW signals. There 
have been instances of interference caused by  SSB operators who obviously 
can't hear the data signals.

The recent EME Conference held in Germany recommended the creation of 
world-wide VHF and UHF subbands for JT-65 -- the weak signal data protocol. 
The suggested segments are 50.185 to 50.195 MHz on 6 meters, 144.115 to 
144.135 MHz on 2 meters, 432.060 to 432.070 on 70 centimeters and 1296.060 
to 1296.070.

Im Glenn Dunston, VK4DU, for the national WIA.

--

At least one national society, the Wireless Institute of Australia, is 
asking its members if it should adopt these exclusive digital weak signal 
spectrum parcels into its national bandplans.  So far, there has been 
little discussion of such a change here in the USA.  (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 and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from the Amateur Radio 
NewslineT.  Our e-mail address is newsline at arnewsline.org.  More 
information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline'sT 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.