No subject

Jim.

--

Thanks Don.  (ARNewsline(tm) from various sources including ARRL bulletins)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  TORNADO DESTROYS K0ETC BEACON

There is an ironic side to this story directly affecting ham radio. The
K0ETC beacon North of Joplin Missouri in grid square EM27 was aparently
destroyed when one of the twisters blew down the building housing it.
An Internet posting by the beacons owner Jay Rupar, K0ETC, shortly after
the incident said that there were no injuries at the former beacon site
but two people were killed by the same storm about 30 miles away.  Rupar
says that the present location of the beacon itself is unknown but that
it will be replaced.  (KC6WFS/7)

**

HAM RADIO  HEROES:  NOAA HONORS "ALERT" VOLUNTEERS

The National  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has selected ALERT
-- the Alabama Emergency Response Team to receive one of this years NOAA
Environmental Hero Awards.  This award recognizes ALERT for its
outstanding efforts in support of the NOAA National Weather Service
Forecast Office in Birmingham.

NOAA says that under the leadership of ALERT president Chuck Arthur,
KF4SSX, team members have spent hundreds of hours using ham radio to
coordinate storm reports throughout the Birminham office's warning area.
The agency goes on to say that over the years they have proven to be an
invaluable resource during such major events as an F 4 tornado that
struck Tuscaloolsa County on December 16th of 2000 and the tornado
outbreak of November 24th 2001.

NOAA took special note of ALERT's work following last years Veterans Day
severe weather outbreak that included to F 3 catagory tornados that
killed 12 people.  NOAA says that the ALERT volunteers stayed with their
Amateur Radio stations relaying critical storm reports to meteorologists
and relaying storm information to Emergency Manasers across the central
and northern tiers of the state.  NOAA says thart the steady flow of
reports were crucial to the issuance of new warnings and the office's
ability to quickly get the word out to the publiic.

Presented in in conjunction with Earth Day celebrations, the award
honors NOAA volunteers for their tireless efforts to preserve and
protect our nation's environment.  It was presentede to ALERT on
Satyrday, May 3rd.  More on ALERT is on the web at www.alert-
alabama.org.  (NOAA)

**

THE VEC SYSTYEM:  A PROBABLE E-FILING LICENSING RECORD SET

Before a ham can respond to an emergency, he or she first has to become
licensed.  And a Wisconsin college may have set a new Amateur Radio
record in that area.  Would you believe 81 new hams in less than 24
hours?  Well its true and Amateur Radio Newsline's Roy Neal, K6DUE, is
here with the rest of the story:

--

It happened in Wisconsin.  Picture this.  81 students sat for and passed
their amateur radio tech class license exams in one day.  What's more,
they received their license grants within 24 hours!  This became the
largest test session ever to employ the new technique of on-line
submission of test results and applicant data to the FCC.  They are the
students of Dr. John Weiss, WD8KLO of U W Stouts' College of Technology,
Engineering and Management

Weiss gave his students the option of earning their radio licenses in
partial fulfillment of class requirements. The examination team was
coordinated by John Burningham, WB8PUF, of UW-Stout's communication,
Education and Training Department. It included Weiss; Jon Fuller, W9JHF,
Student Life Services; and UW-Stout students Andy Wagner, KB9TAC and
Scott Littfin, N0EDV.

The University of Wisconsin-Stout has a reputation for firsts. In 2001,
the college, which is located in Menomonie, became the first to receive
the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. It was
presented by none other than President George W. Bush.

The rapid license grants were made possible by using newly available VE-
to-VEC-to-FCC electronic submission technology developed by the W5YI
Volunteer Examination Coordinator. Using password-protected electronic
forms posted to the W5YI VEC website, John Burningham, WB8PUF began
keying in the test results right after the exam session.

All 81 applications were waiting at the VEC Office when it opened the
following morning. After routine screening, the applications were
electronically retransmitted to the FCC. Within an hour, the FCC issued
the licenses and call signs. These were immediately forwarded over the
Internet to Burningham who informed the waiting students of the new
calls while at the same time probably setting a new electronic licensing
record for ham radio in the United States.  81 new hams in one day at
one licensing location.

Go Wisconsin Stout!

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Roy Neal, K6DUE.

--

Weiss is an Associate Professor at UW-Stout specializing in advanced
telecommunications technology.  Additional information on the school's
telecommunication systems program is available on the web at
http://tcs.uwstout.edu.  (W5YI)

**

HAMVENTION 2003r:  FCC TO BE A NO-SHOW

Don't look for any major ham radio regulatory announcements at next
weeks Dayton Hamvention.  That's because the agency will not be there.
David Black, KB4KCH, reports from Amateur Radio Newsline's South-East
Bureau on the what and the why:

--

Hamvention producer Garry Matthews, KB8GOL says conflicting
commitments will keep regular FCC presenters Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH,
and Bill Cross, W3TN from attending.  Matthews says the Hamvention tried
to find suitable replacements, but none were available.

Speculation suggested that FCC officials might use the Hamvention's
Forum to release news of a so-called omnibus Amateur Radio Notice of Proposed
Rule Making expected out in May.  The notice would consist primarily of
outstanding rules change requests and pending petitions for
reconsideration.  With the Dayton FCC forum canceled, what venue, if
any, the Commission might use for its release is not clear.

And what about the two hours on Saturday morning May 17th the FCC was
supposed to fill?  Matthews says it's being offered to other session
leaders who might not like their current time slots and want to change.
He says the FCC hould be back in 2004 with Hollingsworth, Cross and
perhaps others representing the Commission.

 From the South-East Bureau in Birmingham Alabama, I'm David Black,
KB4KCH.

--

We will have more Hamvention 2003r happenings later on in this weeks
Amateur Radio Newsline report.  (ARNewsline(tm))

**

RADIO RULES:  FCC TAKING COMMENTS ON PLC NOI

And speaking about the FCC, e have a follow up on last weeks story about
the agency releasing its Notice of Inquiry on the deployment of
''Broadband over Power Line'' or B-P-L technology.  Now comes word that
the complete Notice of Inquirey which was released on April 28th is
available on the FCC Web site.  Also that the FCC now is accepting
electronically filed comments via its Electronic Comment Filing System
ECFS Express page.

But what about the actual affect of B-P-L on ham radio.  An ARRL
Bulletin, explains that ''Broadband over Power Line'' is really a form
of carrier-current communication better known around the world as power
line carrier or P-L-C.

B-P-L would couple high-frequency RF to parts of the power grid and use
existing power lines as the transmission medium to deliver broadband and
Internet access.  This is the same technology refused for use in Japan
becuse tests showed signifigant interference to consumer electronic
products including  Amateur Radio on the high frequency bands.  And in
the Notice of Inquirey the FCC does  acknowledge the signifigant
interference risk from B-P-L.

ARRL Lab Manager and RFI-guru Ed Hare, W1RFI, also has concerns.  A
noted expert in the field, Hare cautions that deployment of B-P-L could
affect every amateur in communities where it's employed.  This, by
causing a significant increase in noise levels.  Obviously, this is one
isssue that a lot of hams will be filing comments on with the FCC.
(ARRL)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  UNAUTHORIZED OPERATION BRINGS $5000 FINE

The FCC has issued a $5000 fine to Blue Ridge Erectors, Inc. of Bangor
Pennsylvania.  This, for operating radio transmitting equipment on
467.250 MHz without Commission authorization.

According to the FCC, back on  August 27, 2002, the agency's New York
Field Office issued the forfeiture notice to Blue Ridge but the company
has not filed a response to the N-A-L.  After waiting almost three-
quarters of a year the FCC has affirmed the fine and has ordered Blue
Ridge Erectors to pay the $5000 within 30 days of the release of its
Order.

For more information on this one take your web browser over to the FCC
website at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-
1366A1  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ALLEGES MICHIGAN HAM ENGAGED IN DELIBERATE
INTERFERENCE, THREATS

The FCC claims that a ham has engaged in deliberate interference,
broadcasting and that he threatened other amateurs.  And now the agency
is sending Michael Guernsey Sr, ND8V, of Parchment Michigan a tape
recording to back up those assertions.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Blair
Alper, KA9SEQ, has the details:

--

According to the ARRL Letter, since late 1998, Michael Guernsey, Sr., N-
D-8-V, has been the recipient of seven letters from FCC Special Counsel
Riley Hollingsworth.  This includes two warning notices.  And in 2000,
the FCC threatened to designate Guernsey's license for a revocation and
suspension hearing.  Guernsey subsequently agreed to a nine-month
suspension of his High Frequency operating privileges in 2001.

But on April 7th of this year Hollingsworth again wrote to Guernsey.
This time Hollingsworth said that the operation of Guernsey's station
over the last several years raises questions about the Michigan  hams'
qualifications to remain a Commission licensee.

According to Hollingsworth, this time there is audio to support the
claims.  The recorded transmissions were made this past  March 26th, and
are said to back up complaints from other amateurs of deliberate
interference on 20 meters.  In his letter, Hollingsworth noted that some
of the interference apparently sprang from on-the-air personal disputes
or from what Guernsey perceived as deliberate interference to his
transmissions.  Even so, Hollingsworth said, Guernsey has apparently
ignored the Commission's written and verbal warnings to not retaliate
with similar behavior.

Hollingsworth advised Guernsey that the alleged deliberate retaliatory
threats and transmissions on top of other QSOs are contrary to FCC
rules.  He also stated this  indicates that the numerous warnings issued
to date have little, if any, effect in regarding to bringing Guernsey's
operation into compliance with Commission rules, indicating that other,
harsher enforcement action may be needed.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Blair Alper, KA9SEQ, reporting.

--

Hollingsworth told Guernsey review the tape recording and respond in
writing and in detail within 20 days of reciept of its reciept.  He said
the FCC will use the information Guernsey submits to decide whether to
designate ND8V's license for a suspension and revocation proceeding or
to lift voice privileges from Guernsey's license for the remainder of
his license term, which ends in 2012.  (ARRL, FCC)


**

HAMVENTION 2003r:  MEET THE MAN BEHIND QRZ.COM

Want to meet the man who makes possible the famed QRZ.COM website?  If
you're going to the Dayton Hamvention this year, be sure and make it a
point to stop by the W5YI booth in the main building and say hello to
Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ, the founder of QRZ.COM.  Fred says that he will be
there throughout the show and will have some nice QRZ.COM name badge
souvineers to hand out to everyone who stops by along with the latest
QRZ Ham Radio CD-ROM at a special show price.  (QRZ.COM)

**

HAMVENTION 2003r:  THE DX HOSPITALITY SUITE

The Northern Ohio DX Association and WVNO Radio will once again sponsor
a Hospitality Suite at this year's Dayton Hamvention.  The suite will be
open on Friday and Saturday evenings in Suite 1011 of the Crowne Plaza
Hotel.  The Crown Plaza is the old Stouffers located in downtown Dayton.

And in a tribute to one of the areas best known hams, the association is
dedicating this year's Hospitality Suite to "Silent Key" Jim Hire,
W8ZET, who was a Northern Ohio DX Association Honorary Life Member.

Hire's wife, Janeen,  KC8BRS, has decided to keep the tradition going.
She will be providing some special memorabilia of Jim at the Hospitality
Suite.  (NODXA)

**

HAMVENTION 2003r: RAIN - NEWSLINE BOOTH

And by the way, if you are one of those planning to attend Hamvention
2003, please be sure to pass by the RAIN, Newsline and WA0RCR combined
booth to say hello.  Its in the Silver Arena area of the HARA Arena
complex in space number 358.  We hope to see you there.  (ARNewsline(tm))

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  ED JUGE, W5EJ, - S.K.

Some sad news to report.  Word thar well-known amateur Ed Juge, W5EJ,
has passed away.

Aaccording to longtime friend and colleague Bob Miller, K2RM, Juge, the
former W5TOO, was an executive at RadioShack for many years and one of
the people who kept ham radio on the company's radar.  Outside the world
of ham radio, W5EJ was a well-known and well-respected figure in the
computer industry.

Ed Juge also had served on the ARRL No-Code committee in the late 1980s,
chaired the ARRL Digital Committee in 1992 and was particularly active
in QRP.  He is survived by his wife, Jo, KA5ABC, by two children and
three grandchildren.  (CQ)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  COGNITIVE RADIO - IT LIVES

Believe it or not there a movement underway at the FCC to increase
spectrum efficiency through the use of a new technology being called
cognitive radio.

What is cognative radio you ask?  This is radio gear and  antenna
systems that could adapt to their operating environments by
automatically identifying vacant spectrum, switching to that spectrum
and carrying out a specific communications mission.

Cognitive radio will also be the subject of an upcoming workshop at FCC
headquarters.  More information is at the
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-233615A1.doc
(CGC)

**

ON THE WEB:  HOW STUFF WORKS

Want to find out how something works?  Try taking your web browser over
to www.howstuffworks.com.  The site is a wealth of information on just
about anything in life including ham radio.  In fact, if you want a good
laymens explanation of our hobby, the direct U-R-L is
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/ham-radio.htm  (AE5DW)

**

SPECIAL EVENT:  AMATEUR CROSS BAND COMMUNICATIONS TEST

Iin celebration of the 54th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, the United
States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are co-
sponsoring the annual Military and Amateur Radio Communication Test for
2003.  These tests provide hams and short wave listeners an opportunity
to demonstrate their individual technical skills while receiving
recognition from the Secretary of Defense along with the appropriate
military radio stations.

According to an Internet post by N6DDF, although the actual armed Forces
Day is celebrated on Saturday, May 17th the crossband communications
test was to be conducted one week earlier on May 10th.  This,  so that
it would not conflict with the Dayton Hamvention

QSL cards will be provided to those stations who made contact with the
military stations.  Also, a special commemorative certificate will be
awarded to anyone who receives and copies the digital message from the
Secretary of Defense.  (Via Internet)

**

DX

In D-X, members of the Clube Radioamadores do Entroncamento will use the
special callsign, CS7AL, and will be active May 31st from Castel
Alcanede for the Portuguese Castles Award. Operation will be on 40 and
20 meter SSB. Castel Alcanede is located in the Province of Ribatejo.
QSL via CT1BXE, direct or via the bureau.  (OPDX)

Also look for W2AZK and KF2HC from the North Jersey DX Association
portable on St.Croix from June 12th to the 19th.  Operation will be SSB
and CW on 160 through 10 meters.  QSL direct or via the bureau to the
call worked.  Confirmed QSOs are good towards the North Jersey D-X
Association award.  See www.njdxa.org for details.  (OPDX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  ROYAL HONORS

And finally this week, a radio amateur has received royal honors in the
Netherlands. Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, of the SARL news service
has the story of Lou van de Nadort PA0LOU:

--

Lou van de Nadort PA0LOU, retired Chairman of the International Amateur
Radio Union Region 1 was recognised by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
for his outstanding contribution to Amateur Radio.  He was decorated
with Member of the "Order of Oranje Nassau".

Lou was one of the 3594  people who were recognised this year  by the
queen when the Royal Recognition awards were announced on April 30, in
Holland known as "Koningine dag", the queens birthday .

Lou van de Nadort retired from the IARU Region 1 Executive in October
last year after having been almost 28 years at the helm of the
organisation.  In his farewell editorial in Region 1 News he called it
retirement from active duty and wrote "I will always have IARU and its
work at heart and will continue to support the cause"

The medal was presented to Lou at his home in Zundert in Holland when
the Major and a delegation of civics and members of the VERON Council
arrived there on April 30. Lou said it took my totally by surprise, I
never expected it.

Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV

--

ZS6AKV adds that the award is an acknowledgement for PA0LOU's
outstanding contribution to the community.  (SARL News Service)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, Amateur News Weekly, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC
Communicator, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio
Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB and Australia's Q-News, that's all from the
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm).  Our e-mail address is newsline
@arnewsline.org.  More information is available at Amateur Radio
Newsline's(tm) only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.  You
can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), P.O.
Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.

Before we go, a reminder that the nominating period for the 2003 amateur
Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year closes May 30th. Nominees must be
18 or younger.  Full rules and a fill-in-the-blank electronic
application are at our new special website at www.yhoty.org.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Davis, W2JKD, saying 73, see you next week from Hamvention 2003,  and we
thank you for listening.