No subject

a peak at two of the ham radio issues the delegates will consider and
what action some administrations are taking in anticipation of the
outcome:

--

The last boom time for Ham Radio was in the 1980's as Citizen Band
operators plucked up courage overcame their nerves and sat their Novice
Grade license.  Now some quarter of a century later... 2003   a new
breed of operator is in the wings.

What and How you ask?  First on July 4th the World Communications
Conference, known to we hams as WARC03 will wrap up after a full month
of negotiations in Geneva Switzerland.  Two items of major influence we
await, one that the 40 meter band will open to a full 300 kHz for
Amateurs. This has the backing of the United Nations,
 7.000 to 7.300 MHz is being sort.

The 2nd major item is the removal of Morse code -- CW -- as an
examinable item, world wide, for Amateurs.

In England they have grown their Ham population by some 3,000 in about
12 months with their introduction of what they call the Foundation
Licence.  Australia has already commenced talks with the Australian
Communications Authority to implement such a scheme here.  This license
is a very basic entry point, and can be achieved in a weekend of
intensive study/training.  In the UK it gives access to all bands --
with one band exception.

Currently the Australian Amateurs are being surveyed on their thoughts
of band/power/access etc etc of their entry level.  This entry level is
but one aspect of a revamped re energised Ham Band Boom!  Amateur
Licences are now accepted as credit points to many Queensland tertiary
strands and further educational work is being conducted across
Australia.

Soooo  -- a nutshell Q-NEWS believes well and truly our new BOOM TIME is
on your doorstep!  For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp,
VK4BB of Q-NEWS Australia.

--

You can follow WRC 2003 on the web at http://www.itu.int/ITU-
R/conferences/wrc/wrc-03/index.asp  More on W-R-C 2003 in future Amateur
Radio Newsline reports.  (Q-News)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  SOUTH AFRICA GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE RADIO CLUBS

Another place where government regulators are looking at ham radio is in
South Africa.  That's where the Deputy Director General of the
Department of Communications says that his department will take Amateur
Radio in a new direction by supporting the development of at least one
radio club in every province to promote the hobby in the historically
disadvantaged communities.

The Director General was the keynote speaker at the WorldSpace AMSATCON
2003 held at the South African Radio League's National Amateur Radio
Center on May 31st.  At that time the he indicated  that the government
agency he oversees is prepared to accept state money through the South
African Department of the Arts, Culture, Science and Technology to make
the proposal come about.  He also called on that nations radio amateurs
to embrace this concept of transformation to include all sectors of the
South African community.  (SARL)

**

THE WAR ON TERROR:  DHS AND ARRL TO INK STATEMENT OF AFFILIATION

Back here in the United States, the federal government's Department of
Homeland Security has taken a look at ham radio and aparently liks what
it sees in ham radio.  And the agency which is responsible for
protecting the nations infrastructure and its citizens is showing its
trust by signing a Statement of Affiliation with the nations only
recognised national ham radio society:  The American Radio Relay League.

The Statement of Affiliation is based on the view that both the
government agency and the ARRL see community disaster preparedness and
response as top priorities.  Under the agreement, both pledge mutual
support for Citizen Corps.  This is a community based training and
outreach initiative that brings together volunteers and first
responders.  The memorandum also calls on both groups to collaborate in
several other areas, including raising public awareness of Amateur Radio
as a public safety resource and providing training and accreditation for
Amateur Radio emergency communications.

The agreement is slated to be signed at the League's National Convention
next week in Arlington Texas.  Ron Castleman, who is the Chief Operating
Officer of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate will
represent the Department of Homeland Security at the signing.  He will
also be the lead speaker during the ARRL Forum on Saturday, June 21st.
(ARRL)

**

HAM RADIO STATISTICS: THE HOBBY CONTINUES TO GROW

Some good numbers to report in the area of ham radio growth here in the
United States.  According to Fred Maia of the W5YI Report a total of
20,247 brand new hams joined the hobby for the first time in the year
ending May 1st.  Of these, 18,967 were Technician class licensees making
this the fastest growing license class of all.

Fred says that an average of 1,688 new hams passed their exam over the
past 12 months versus 1,580 in the preceding year.  Statistically,
that's a solid 6.8% overall increase making it some long awaited good
news for the hobby.  (W5YI)

**

HAM RADIO HOLIDAYS:  KIDS-DAY II ON JUNE 21ST

And speaking about ham radio growing, there are two days every year that
are among the most important on the ham radio calendar.  This is because
they open a window to the hobby to the very young.   Amateur Radio
Newsline's Mark Abramovich, NT3V has the details on these very important
ham radio holidays:

--

Of coarse we are talking about the second of two Kids Day operating
events.  Two days each year that are aimed at introducing the younger
set to the magic world of Amateur Radio.

The first Kids Day of 2003 was held in January.  This years second
outing is slated for Saturday June 21st from 1800 to 2400 hours UTC.

During Kids Day all hams are encouraged to invite the neighborhood
youngsters into their homes and stations to let them chat with others
their age over the airwaves.  To do this, licensed radio amateurs act
as a control operators while the kids call CQ and exchange pleasantries
like their name, age, where they live and their favorite color.

The suggested frequencies are 14.270 to 14.300 MHz on 20 meters, 21.380
to 21.400 on 15 and 28.350 to 28.400 Mhz on 10.  Also, any local
repeater where the owner or sponsor has invited Kids Day to be a part of
the operation is eligable and approved.

The ARRL which now sponsors Kids Day has a colorful award that becomes a
child's personalized brochure about the hobby.  Lots more about Kids Day
and how you can make it an even bigger success than the last time is on
the web at www.arrl.org

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

--

Kids Day was created by Larry Tyree, N6TR, and the Boring Amateur Radio
Club in Oregon.  For his efforts to promote Amateur Radio to children,
Tyree was recently named Dayton Hamvention Radio Amateur of the Year.
(ARNewsline, others)


**

HELPING MAKE NEW HAMS:  FREE TRAINING MATERIALS FOR HAM CLASS
INSTRUCTORS

If you are directly involved in the training of new hams, listen up.
Has Gordon West, WB6NOA,  got a deal for you.  A deal as in free!

West says that for the last 4 years, leading amateur radio manufacturers
and the American Radio Relay League have made classroom gifts available
to registered instructors as give-aways.  This includes things like
world call sign prefix wall maps from Vertex-Standard, logbooks from
Kenwood, frequency privelege charts from Icom and much, much more.  Most
of these gifts are given to students at the beginning of class to help
peak their interest.

Until now, instructors had to contact each source individually, but
thats changing.  West says that with the demand continuously growing for
this service, effective immediately, a major-sized collection of free
instructor training materials is available through the W5YI examiners in
Dallas, Texas.

To qualify to receive these hand-outs, you must be a registered Amateur
Radio instructor who regularly holds training sessions.  For more
information, contact Gordon West directly, Monday through Thursday,
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Paciufic Coast time time at 714-549-5000.  You
can also log onto www.haminstructor.com, or call the toll-free ham
instructor phone number 1-800-669-9594.  (WB6NOA)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  OHIO MAN ACCUSED OF FAKING DISTRESS CALL

A Hamilton Ohio man is accused of using a ham radio to make a false
"officer down" call, causing police to respond with sirens and lights to
Hamilton High School on Thursday June 5th.

According to the Cincinnatti Enquirer, forty-three year old David Ray
Sturgill was scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on June 10th.  He
faces five charges that include disrupting public services, inducing
panic.  The most serious charge facing Sturgill, disrupting public
services, is an Ohio fourth-degree felony that carries an 18-month
prison term if he is convicted.

The full story is on-line at
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/06/10/loc_amrep10  (N8BV,
Cincinnastti Enquirer)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC STUDY LOOKS AT UNLICENSED SPECTRUM

Turning to regulatory matters, its well known that unlicensed
transmitters trace their origins back to 1938.  More recently, they have
been used by cordless phones, garage door openers and product theft
detectors, and other popular devices including the emerging wireless
Internet or Wi-Fi.

Currently, the market for unlicensed wireless devices is experiencing
unprecedented, double-digit growth.  This is expected to reach $5.2
billion in revenue by 2005 for wireless computer networking alone.

As a result, the FCC has issued a so-called white-paper dealing with
unlicensed spectrum that advocates the need for more unlicensed
frequencies and FCC rule reform.  It also asks the interesting question
of what happens when unlicensed devices start to provide the same
services as license-holders?

Obviously this view could impact on the future availability of spectrum
to all users including ham radio.  Its in cyberspace at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-234738A1.doc  (CGC
Communicator)

**

RADIO LAW:  GOVERNMENT TO STUDY BIRD DEATHS BY TOWERS

Federal regulators have launched a broad study of how the growing number
of cellular telephone and broadcast towers being constructed around the
country may be affecting the environment of historic sites, Indian land
and the environment.  This, as part of the joint effort bettween the
Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
to study why migratory birds fly into towers.

An estimated 5 million birds die in such accidents each year, according
to the Fish and Wildlife agency.  Conservationists say that the number
is probably closer to 50 million killed annually and say that they
welcome the study.  But to date, nobody knows why this happens and the
hope is that this study will discover the actual reason.   (CGC
Communicator)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  RED CROSS HONORS CALIFORNIA RACES GROUP

The Huntington Beach Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service has been
honored by the Orange County California chapter of the American Red
Cross.  This, for its work in crafting an emergency preparedness scheme
that is incorporated into its namesake city's  emergency operations
plan.

At a ceremony on June 4th, Huntington Beach RACES received what is
called an Award for Excellence in Disaster Preparedness in recognition
of its community involverment.  The emergency communications plan
developed by the RACES group is very advanced and even includes
contingency procedures in the event of a public safety radio system
failure.

More about Huntington Beach RACES and its involvement in the community
is on the web.  You will find it at www.hbraces.org.  (KH6WZ)

**

FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE:  NEW BOOK ON THE YASME EXPEDITIONS

Changing gears, news that limited copies of the highly anticipated new
book titled "YASME--The Danny Weil and Colvin Radio Expeditions" became
available at the recent International DX Convention in Visalia,
California.  Commissioned by the YASME Foundation and published by ARRL,
the book by noted DXer and writer Jim Cain, K1TN, highlights the
adventures of YASME pioneer Danny Weil, ex VP2VB, and of the late
husband-and-wife DXpedition team of Lloyd and Iris Colvin, W6KG and
W6QL.

The 320-page illustrated softcover book will sell for $24.95.  It soon
will be available via the ARRL on-line catalog as well as through
dealers who sell ARRL publications.  Jim Cain, K1TN, was on hand to sign
copies sold at the Visilia convention.  (ARRL)

**

CONVENTIONS AND HAMFESTS:  UTAH - BRYCE CANYON PARK IN JULY

Turning to the ham radio social scene, word that the 2003 ARRL Utah
State Convention and Utah Hamfest will be held this year at Ruby's Inn
near scenic Bryce Canyon National Park.  The dates are July 11th to the
13th with ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, N3KN, as this years keynote
speaker.  Full information on this event is at www.utahhamfest.org on
the word-wide-web.   (N7GY)

**

CONVENTIONS AND HAMFESTS:  FT. TUTHILL AZ. IN JULY

And, if you are planning a trip out West this summer you might want to
reserve the weekend of July 25th, 26th and 27th for one of the regions
premiere ham radio events.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP,
is in Scottsdale Arizona with the rest of the story:

--
We are talking about the Arizona State Convention & Hamfest at Ft.
Tuthill.  And if you have never attended this one you are missing one of
the nations best.

What makes this show so special?  Location for one.  Ft. Tuthill is a
county park and campground in the Arizona high country just outside of
the city of Flagstaff.  The view is simply breathtaking and the air is
the cleanest you will find this side of heaven.  And in addition to the
hamfest at the fairgrounds, the park features other amenities such as
tennis courts, full equestrian facilities, a Rodeo arena, picnic areas,
a campground and much more.  This makes the Ft. Tuthill Hamfest a true
family oriented event.

And for the hams in the family there weill be the usual fare including
top commercial exhibits featuring the latest in gear, a junk and
treasures auction, Amateur Radio testing, forums and the famed ARCA
Saturday night B-B-Q.  And the best part is that the entry fee is only a
dollar per person and only an additional $15 if you want to enjoy the B-
B-Q.  Talk about a bargain under the crisp clear Arizona sky.

Norm Seely, KI7UP.

--

For more information on this truly charming event please contact Mark
Kesuaer N7KKQ thru the ARCA Website.  Its at www.arca-az.org/arca  For a
printable flyer go to http://www.arca-az.org/arca/docs/Flyer.asp
(ARCA)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  W8RMJ TAKES ANW QRT

It was called Amateur News Weekly and for almost twenty years it was a
regional ham radio news service geared to the people of Ohio, Indiana
and Kentucky.  But now it's QRT.  Jack Parker, W8ISH, has the story
behind the demise of Amateur News Weekly and a tribute to the man behind
the news:

--

The news comes with great sadness that Phil Thomas, W8RMJ, has pulled
the plug on his Amateur News Weekly Reports.  For nearly two  decades,
the regional Amateur Radio News Service reported on events in the tri-
state area of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.  Phil Thomas took over the
news desk from Steve Ford, WB8IMY, when he left Ohio and moved to the
ARRL headquarters in Newington Connecticut.

Phil says a worsening medical condition and that fact he has lost his
eyesight, has forced him to abandon his weekly reports.  At one time
Amateur News Weekly had nearly a dozen correspondents contributing
weekly reports to the anchor desk.  As Phil's senior correspondent
it's with great sadness that I file this last report, that Amateur News
Weekly is officially off the air.

I will always consider Phil Thomas, W8RMJ, a true friend and a real
pioneer in promoting amateur radio on repeaters across the tri-state
area.  our prayers for a speedy recovery go out to Phil Thomas in
Germantown, Ohio.  Your efforts will not be forgotten.  And so, for the
last time I will sign off....  for Amateur News Weekly, This is Jack
Parker W8ISH.

--

Phil Thomas, W8RMJ, is a very special friend and college to us here at
the Amateur Radio Newsline and we also wish him well.  (W8ISH)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  FO-29 ON ITS WAY BACK

AMSAT reports that the currently silent Fuji Oscar 29 ham satellite will
soon get another chance at life.  This, as its command station considers
the option of turning the satellites transmitter back on because it is
not clear why the bird went silent in the first place.

The bird went siolent on May 31st.  If and when it is brought back on
line, the command team would like to receive reception reports noting
the U-T-C time, your location, the ham-sat's signal strength and any
anything else you note.  Send reports by e-mail to jn1gkz at qsl.net.
Also, telemetry data recorded just before FO 29 went silent would be
very helpful as well.  (AMSAT)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  THE 2003 AMSAT COLLOQUIUM

The 2003 AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium is slated for July 25th to the 27th
at its usual venue -- the University of Surrey England.  A full program
is planned that this year includes special beginners sessions.  Full
information is in cyberspace at www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium.htm
(AMSAT)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  RUSSIA TO ORBIT NINE SATS IN JUNE

Space Daily says that Russia will launch nine satellites in late June.
This, from its Plesetsk Military Cosmodrome located in the North-Western
territory of that nation.

A lightweight Rokot launcher will carry the Canadian Space Agency's
Bridge satellite, the Mimoza satellite owned by the Czech Academy of
Aciences, a Russian Monitor-E space complex model and six small Japanese
satellites to orbit.  The Rokot, developed as an offshoot of Russia's
RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile was first used in a satellite
launch in March of 2002.  (Space Daily)

**

RADIO FROM SPACE:  THE SOURCE TO STUDY THE SUNS EFFECT ON EARTH

Meantime, a new NASA mission is ready to leave the sandy coast of
Florida and head to space to catch some rays.  Space Daily says that the
SORCE mission will study our sun's influence on our planet's climate by
measuring how the star affects the ozone layer, atmospheric circulation,
clouds, and oceans. The research data will be radioed back to Earth and
will help scientists to better protect and understand our home planet.
(NASA)

**

INTERNATIONAL - AUSTRALIA:  RADIO AND COMMUNICATIONS MAG - S.K.

On the international scene, word that another shortwave listeners
magazine has bitten the dust.  Stewart MacKenzie, of the American
Shortwave Listeners Club tells Amateur Radio Newsline that the
Australian magazine Radio and Communications has ceased publication.

According to a statement from editor Bob Harper, VK4NH, the reason for
the magazines demise had to do with the cost of production.  Harper said
that the standard color printing techniques used to produce todays
magazines made it non-economical to continue.

Harper said that cuting corners would have produced a slightly cheaper
magazine, but the extra quality has other benefits out weighed the cost
cutting.  In the end the decision was to close down rather than cheapen
the product.  (ASWLC)

**

INTERNATIONAL - FRANCE:  RADIO CLUB WANTS HAM RADIO PEN PALS