No subject

reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline

--

Its not known if the recording industry plans to appeal this latest 
decision against it to the U-S Supreme court.  (Published news reports)

**

ON THE AIR:  IOTA 40TH ANNIVERSARY AWARD

Turning to operating events, Don Field, G3XTT, wants to remind Islands 
on the Air Award enthusiasts and would-be enthusiasts that 2004 marks 
the 49th anniversary of this unique program.  Don says that a set of 
files for downloading with lots more information are now available on 
the Chiltern DX Club website at www.cdxc.org.uk  Just follow the IOTA 
2004 links and remember this years award began on January 1st.  (RSGB)

**

HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS:  HAMFAIR NY IN FEBRUARY

And a reminder that Sunday, February 29th is the annual Long Island 
Hamfair and Electronics Show Winterfest sponsored by the Long Island 
Mobile Amateur Radio Club.  The doors open 9:00 AM for buyers.  
Admission is $6 with children 11 and under welcome through the gate for 
free. 

The location is Levittown Hall in Hicksville, New York. Complete 
directions are available on the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club 
website at www.limarc.org/fest.htm  (LIMARC)

**

HAMVENTION 2004:  AWARD NOMINATING PERIOD CLOSES JANUARY 31ST

And the planners of Hamvention 2004 want to remind everyone that the 
nominating period for the Radio Amateur of the Year, Technical 
Excellence and Special Achievement awards program closes on January 
31st.  

There are three awards that will be given this year.  The Radio Amateur 
of the Year is described as that special person who has made a long term 
commitment to the advancement of amateur radio.  He or she is a well 
rounded individual who has contributed most of his or her lifetime to 
our hobby in some very outstanding way. 

A nominee for the Technical Excellence award should be a person who has 
made an outstanding technical advancement in the field of amateur radio.  
Something like a revolutionary new equipment design or mode of operation 
that has impacted positively on the day to day operation of many hams.

Last but by no means least, a nominee for the Hamvention's Special 
Achievement is the kind of special person who has made an outstanding 
contribution to the advancement of amateur radio.  This award is usually 
given to a respected amateur who spearheaded a single significant 
project. 

Documentation is required. Magazine articles, newsletters, newspaper 
clippings, videos, and the like will better inform the Awards Committee 
of your candidate's accomplishments.  

The nomination deadline is January 31st,  All materials become the 
property of the Hamvention and cannot be returned. 

You can fill out the on-line form and attach documentation files at 
www.hamvention.org.  Then click your mouse on the words award 
nominations.  Printed nominations and documentation go to the Awards 
Committee, Hamvention 2004, PO Box 964, Dayton Ohio, 45401.

Again, the deadline for all nominations is Saturday, January 31st.  
(Hamvention)

**

HAM RADO IN SPACE:  ARISS UPDATE

According to ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, the crew 
on board the International Space Station does not have time to read 
messages from the ham public and he advises against sending any.  We 
have more in this report:

--

In letters posted to the SAREX remailer, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO,  indicates 
that ham radio is lucky that the crew has been able to fire up the new 
Kenwood packet radio system that was recently delivered to the space 
outpost.  He also says that its not a good idea for hams to send 
personal e-mails to the astro-hams indicating that they are really to 
busy to read and answer them.  

As to the new radio itself, Bauer says that the unit is a Kenwood D700 
that has been modified to support up to 25 watts maximum output.  
Normally, if the crew has the system configured with the default 
settings.  This means about 10 watts out which is medium power on the 
700.

Regarding the packet frequencies and why split channels rather than 
simplex is used, Bauer says this.  145.80 MHz is designated a human 
spaceflight downlink frequency.  Right now it shares use on voice and 
packet for general operations and school group contacts.  In the future 
it will be used at times for voice, packet, repeater capabilities, 
school group contacts and S-S-T-V.  Because of this, the ARISS team 
would like to keep the downlink frequency clear for all to hear and 
receive.  Therefore, packet simplex is use not a good idea on this 
frequency.

I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF

--

Meantime, Miles Man, WF1F, has posted some photos of the new station on 
his MAREX website.  The URL is:   
http://www.marex.org/hardware.kenwood.html  (SAREX BBS, WF1F)

** 

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  RADIO BRINGS FASTER FAST FOOD

On the emerging technology front, fast food has gotten even faster in 
southern California thanks to the magic of radio.  This as five 
McDonald's restaurants sign a deal with a communications company to 
allow motorists to zip through the drive-through line without having to 
stop and pay cash for their food.

The trick is utilizing the same technology that permits motorists to 
skip stops on toll roads.  A transponder will emit a signal to a 
receiver at the food giant that will automatically calculate the food 
the fee. The motorist is then billed.  The process is said to cut 15 
seconds off the normal 131 second-wait for delivery at the payment 
window.  (Technology Corner)

**

INTERNATIONAL-ARGENTINA:  ANDES MOUNTAIN LAND CROSSING