[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1540 - February 16th, 2007
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Sat Feb 17 10:01:40 EST 2007
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1540 - February 16th, 2007
The following is a closed circuit advisory. I'm Newsline Support
Administrator Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, with a few quick thank-yous.
In the month of March we heard from monthly contributor Joseph Bartzi,
Jr., KC8DKF of Columbus, OH, The Egyptian Radio Club, W9AIU of Glen
Carbon, IL , The Ogemaw Arenac Amateur Radio Society, K8OAR of
Prescott, MI and Jay Underdown, W0PS of O'Fallon, MO
>From California, we heard from monthly contributors William Walters,
WA2IBM, and Scott Hensley of the Area Communications Team, both in San
Jose, the Rio Hondo ARC of Whittier, the Orange County ARC in Tustin
and Often-contributor John Rice, KE6YFV of San Pedro.
>From PayPal we heard from the Baldwin Hills ARC, WA6MDJ & WA6TFD of Los
Angeles.
We want to thank all of you who have donated so far in 2007. It is you
who are keeping these newscasts on your favorite repeater and direct
to you on the web. Unfortunately, what we have received since the
beginning of the year is simply not enough to keep us going through to
springtime, let alone to the end of the year. In fact, we still need
to raise monies to fully pay off our expenses from December of 2006 .
As to the January bills -- they still need to be assessed.
As we have said before, making a contribution is only a mouse click
away if you have Pay Pal. Just go to www.arnewsline.org and click on
the button at the top of the page marked "Make Donation."
Or you can send in a contribution to the Amateur Radio Newsline Support
Fund, Post Office Box 660937, Arcadia California, 91066.
All donations are tax deductible and whichever way you choose, the all
volunteer crew at the Amateur Radio Newsline will be eternally
grateful. Simply said, we are here to serve you.
For the support fund, I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1540 with a release date of
Friday, February 16th, 2007 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. Hams across the nation fight for the right
to go mobile as numerous states propose laws to ban in motion
electronic messaging. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline
report number 1540 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO LAW: OREGON HAMS FACE PROPOSED MOBILE RADIO BAN
Hams in several states are now facing the possibility of new laws aimed
at cellphone users that broadly forbid the use of any sort of two-way
mobile radio gear. In Oregon, three such pieces of legislation have
now been introduced in the state Legislature. Don Carlson, KQ6FM,
reports:
--
Oregon hams are facing three proposals aimed at mobile cellphone and
text messaging that could also restrict their ability to communicate
while in motion. Oregon state measures House Bill 2482 and Senate Bill
293 are nearly identical save for a higher fine in the Senate measure.
It sets specific penalties and levels of fines.
On the other hand, Senate Bill 246, is a little more complex. It
includes increased fines if the violation results in an accident,
injury or death. It also requires the offender to take additional
steps after conviction as well as suspends their license even if no
accident has taken place.
None of the three proposed ordinances contain any exemption for Amateur
Radio operations. Not even during emergency situations. As such, hams
in Oregon are mounting a multi-pronged campaign against them. They
either want to riders added to that exempts all Amateur Radio
operations from any of the proposed measures, or to the defeat of all
three.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
--
No word yet if legislators have been approached by the Oregon ham
community to try to work out a compromise. (W7ZVD, ARNewsline)
**
RADIO LAW: WASHINGTON COULD BAN ALL TYPES OF MOBILE ELECTRONIC
MESSAGING
And hams in Washington state are now on alert. This, as Representative
Joyce McDonald introduces her electronic devices control law before
that states legislature. Paul Vinoski, KR8ZZY, has more:
--
If enacted as written, the Washington state measure would ban anyone in
a moving vehicle from reading, manually writing, or in any way sending
a message using any form of electronic device. This includes any form
of readerboard in which the message is updated by wireless connection
and which may also display Amber Alert messages.
Washington state considers a readerboard to be any form of visual
display in line of sight of a driver. Theoretically, even the display
on an X-M or Sirius satellite radio receiver would likely fall in this
category as would the displays used for a vehicle satellite guidance
system. For ham radio, it could mean that A-P-R-S and other packet
messages would be affected.
Also, the language of the measure does not require the electronic
wireless communication device being read to even be in the vehicle. And
its ambiguous enough that the ban on sending is not restricted to text
messaging. In theory at least it would seem to include any sort of
messaging that could in any way impede a persons ability to safely
operate a motor vehicle.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Vinoski, KR8ZZY
--
Although the proposed legislation purports to cover text messaging
devices aimed at teens, the language of the proposed law is so broad as
to include a lot of other forms of personal electronics in which text
arrives to the driver via a radio transmission. (W7ZVD, ARNewsline)
**
RADIO LAW: NY HAMS FACE PEDESTRIAN ANTI CELLPHONE LAW
And if you think that one bad, New York state pedestrians including
radio amateurs could find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
This by just crossing the street while chatting on a cell phone, using
a two-way device or just listening to an iPod.
State Senator Carl Kruger plans to introduce legislation to make it
illegal to use any form of portable electronic devices while crossing
the street. The measure would impose $100 fine and a trip to criminal
court for anyone caught crossing the street while using any electronic
device. News reports say Kruger opposes any exemptions other than for
police, fire and emergency first responders.
The proposed legislation comes after the deaths of two pedestrians
within the past five months in the senators Brooklyn district. The
first walked into the path of an oncoming bus after stepping off the
curb at a busy intersection Later a 23-year-old man was struck and
killed while listening to his iPod while crossing the street.
Police officials in cities around the country have cautioned citizens
against using electronic devices in public. According to Senator
Kruger, electronic devices not only distract people from watching for
oncoming vehicles, but also can attract big-city hazards such as
pickpockets, muggers and purse-snatchers. (Published news reports)
**
RADIO LAW: NEW MEXICO HAMS WILL OPPOSE ANTI MOBILE COMNMUNICATIONS LAW
Hams in New Mexico have risen to the occasion in fighting a proposed
new communications law. One that would effectively restrict their
ability to operate mobile. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reports:
--
A February 7th release from the states ARRL New Mexico Public
Information Officer Charlie Christmann, K5CEC, spells out in most vivid
terms the disastrous consequences that New Mexico House Bill 241 would
have on that states ham community to respond in emergencies and asks
all hams in the state to oppose it.
As reported last week, the measure was introduced into the New Mexico
House of Representatives by Antonio Lujan of Las Cruces. While the
primary intent is to prohibit the use of mobile telephones, the bill is
all encompassing and targets all two-way radio equipment. The only
exemption is for public safety and commercial vehicle operators.
Unlike other New Mexaco state laws there is no provision to allow the
use of hands-free devices.
Christman's release says that Amateur Radio operators in New Mexico
will oppose the bill because it will prohibit their ability to use
their radio equipment from their vehicles. He notes that Amateur Radio
has a long history of service to this state, including providing
communications for the Sandoval County fires in the summer 2006.
Christman notes that several County Emergency Managers in New Mexico
recognize the effectiveness of Amateur Radio and have earned their own
Amateur Radio license.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF
--
ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Vice-Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT,
may have summed it up best. He is quoted in the release as saying that
this bill should be amended to exempt ham radio operators or it should
not go to the floor for a vote. (K5CEC)
**
RADIO LAW: WYOMING PROPOSES TO EXEMPT CB'ERS FROM PROPOSED ANTI MOBILE
COMNMUNICATIONS LAW
Meantime a big win for 11 meter C-B operators in Wyoming. That's where
two measures are now before the legislature to outlaw the use of
cellular or satellite telephones while a vehicle is in motion.
Both bills contain specific exemptions for 11 meter Class D operators
along with first responders and most commercial users. However, there
is no exemption for Amateur Radio operations.
Hams in Wyoming are reported to be trying to get similar treatment, but
so far their requests have fallen on deaf legislative ears. (KB0IIM)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC ISSUES SHOW CAUSE IN 14 YEAR OLD CASE
A ham convicted over a decade ago in a case involving a minor has had
his Amateur service license designated for possible revocation by the
FCC. This, as the regulatory agency asks David L. Titus, KB7ILD, of
Seattle, Washington, to justify why his Amateur Radio license should
not be revoked. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V,
reports:
--
The FCC says it is taking steps to revoke the Amateur Radio license of
32-year-old David Titus who is listed on Seattle's sex offender
registry for his 1993 conviction for soliciting an 11-year-old boy at a
gym.
The registry says Titus, KB7ILD, served a 20-month prison term for his
conviction on a charge of communications with a minor for immoral
purposes.
The FCC'S Enforcement Bureau issued an order on Jan. 30 of this year to
Titus requiring him to - in legal terms - show cause as to why he
should keep his ham license.
In a four-page order obtained from the FCC by Amateur Radio Newsline,
the commission cites sections of the Communications Act of 1934 as its
justification for moving against Titus nearly 14 years after his
conviction.
Kris Anne Monteith, chief of the Enforcement Bureau, signed the order.
She says Section 312 gives the FCC the right to revoke any license if
"conditions come to the attention of the Commission which would warrant
it in refusing to grant a license or permit on the original
application."
Monteith asserts an applicant's character is among the factors the
commission can consider.
And, "any conviction for misconduct constituting a felony," calls into
quetion whether "the applicant lacks to traits of reliability and or
truthfulness necessary to be a licensee."
Monteith contends felony convictions, especially those related to
sexual offenses involving young children, raise questions regarding an
amateur licensee's qualifications.
She says because the Amateur Radio Service is particularly attractive
to children, it calls into question whether Titus should be able to
retain his ham license.
Titus has 30 days to respond to the order and a hearing will be
scheduled before an administrative law judge on the matter.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in
Philadelphia.
--
The full show cause order is on the FCC Web site at the
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-377A1.pdf
(FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED BROADCASTER GDINGED FOR $10,000
The FCC has issued a monetary forfeiture in the amount of $10,000 to Gary
Toussaint. This, for operating an unlicensed radio transmitter on the
frequency 102.9 MHz in Mattapan, Massachusetts.
On March 8, 2006, the Commission's Boston Field Office issued a Notice of
Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $10,000 to Toussaint.
On May 15, 2006, Toussaint submitted a response to the N-A-L and
requested cancellation of the proposed forfeiture based on his inability
to pay.
Toussaint stated in the response that documentation in support of his
request would be submitted under separate cover. To date, no such
documentation has been received by the Commission.
Based on the information before it, the Commission has affirmed the
$10,000 forfeiture order. Toussaint was given the usual 30 days to pay
or to file a further appeal. (FCC)
**
RESCUE RADIO: CALIFORNIA TO STREAMLINE STATE EMERGENCY AGENCIES
The State Auditor of California's and one of its senators say that far
to many agencies overseeing the states emergency preparedness. Both
say that this demonstrates the need to clarify which one should take
the lead when disaster strikes.
Auditor Elaine Howle recently told a Senate committee that her office
had to draw its own organizational chart. This, to sort out the
interconnecting and often overlapping responsibilities of the various
agencies. They include the Governor's Office of Emergency Services,
Governor's Office of Homeland Security, California Department of Health
Services and more than a dozen other departments, boards, committees
and councils.
State Senator Dean Florez, the committee's chairman, plans legislation
this year to streamline the emergency response bureaucracy. The
nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office has also recommended changes.
(SF Examiner)
**
RESTRUCTURING: MORSE TESTING RIDES INTO THE SUNSET SEPT 23rd
Well, it will not be long now until Morse testing to obtain a ham
license in the United States is a thing of the past. Friday, February
23rd is that day and according to ARRL Media and Public Relations
Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, many groups around the nation are holding
"last code testing" sessions. Others will be having sessions for
paperwork upgrades on the February 23rd.
Pitts also notes that a number of groups have scheduled additional Tech
level licensing classes or are planning welcoming parties on the
airwaves as Techs venture out on 10m SSB and yes, using the code on H-F
digital frequencies.
Some say that they will be on the air over the weekend to look for new
people. This, to say hello and help them make their first H-F
contacts.
Pitts says that he hopes your group is among those who use this
opportunity to welcome the newcomers to H-F, to help them be at ease
and to help your organization to grow with new members. He adds that
even at this late moment in time, it's still not too late to get
something going. (W1AGP, ARNewsline)
**
LAW VS. TECHNOLOGY: HACKER CLAIMS TO HAVE BROKEN THE IPOD CODE
A Norwegian hacker now living in San Francisco and known for cracking
the copy-protection technology in DVDs claims to have unlocked the
playback restrictions of Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod and iTunes music
products. Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has more:
--
Jon Lech Johansen, also known as "DVD Jon" has a system that he says
mimics the Apple protection scheme and there-by disables it.
Johansen became a hero to hackers at age 15, when he posted software
called DeCSS to unlock the Content Scrambling System, or CSS, the film
industry used on DVD movies to prevent illegal copying. The act made
Johansen, who was then living in Norway at the time, a folk hero among
hackers.
The film industry complained and Norwegian authorities charged him with
data break-in. Johansen was acquitted and has since become a strong
advocate of the open-source philosophy of making software code freely
available for inspection and sharing.
With his latest decript Johansen says that he plans to license his code
to others. The move, will likely pit the 22-year-old computer guru
against Apple's lawyers,. Experts say if Johansen is successful he
could free users from some restrictions Apple and its rivals place on
digital music.
I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.
--
No word yet on whether or not Apple will be taking on Johansen in a
court of law. (Science OnLine)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: NW7US TALKS SOAR CYCLE ON THE RAIN REPORT
CQ Magazine Propagation columnist Tomas Hood, N-W-7-U-S will begin a
multi-part series on this weeks RAIN Report talking about Solar Cycle
24 and its impact on ham radio. Its available right now as a
downloadable MP3 file or podcast from www.therainreport.com and from a
link at www. arnewsline.org. If you prefer to listen on the phone, just
dial 641-985-5999. That's this weeks RAIN Report with propagation
expert Tomas Hood, N-W-7-U-S, talking about Solar Cycle 24. (RAIN)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: KB2GSD SAYS MORE SUPPORT OF REPORTERS NEEDED
Former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite. KB2GSD, has warned that
pressures by media companies to generate ever-greater profits are
threatening the very freedom the nation was built upon, In a keynote
address at New York's Columbia University, Cronkite said today's
journalists face greater challenges than those from his generation.
In his address, Cronkite said that no longer can journalists count on
their employers to provide the necessary resources "o expose truths
that powerful politicians and special interests often did not want
exposed.. Instead, they face rounds and rounds of job cuts and cost
cuts that require them to do ever more with ever less.
Cronkite said that in this information age and the very complicated
world in which we live today, the need for high-quality reporting is
greater than ever. It's not just the journalist's job at risk here.
KB2GSD says that it is American democracy and freedom. (Published
reports)
**
THE SOCIAL SEASON: CHARLESTON W.V..IN MARCH
The 23rd annual Charleston, West Virginia Hamfest will be held on
Saturday, March 17th. The venue is the Coonskin Armory in Charleston
with doors opening at 9 a.m. local time. A ham radio test session will
begin at 12:30. More information is on-line at www.karc.wvramradio.com
or by e-mail to me -- n8tmw at arrl.net (N8TMW)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: MICROWAVE UPDATE IN OCTOBER
The eastern states Microwave Update 2007 takes place October 18th to the
20th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The venue will be the Inn at Valley
Forge with registration including the banquet only $79 before September
1st.
Also, a call has gone out soliciting papers to be presented at the
event. Papers can be on any topics related to microwave
communications. Abstracts should be submitted by June 1st and completed
papers and articles by August 15th.
Submissions go by e-mail to pdrexler at hotmail.com or lu6dw at yahoo.com.
They can also be sent the old fashoned snail mail way to Paul Drexler,
28 West Squan Road, Clarksburg, New Jersey, 08510. More is on the web
at www.microwaveupdate.org (wa4kxy)
)
**
WORLDBEAT - UNITED KINGDOM: UK OK'S MINI TRANSMITTERS FOR CONSUMERS
A big win for consumers in the United Kingdom who want to listen to
their I-pods and other music players on their home or car stereos
without a direct wired connection. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the
details:
--
The U-K has legalized the use of certain low power FM transmitters,
which wirelessly connect MP3 players and other personal audio devices
to radios and in-car entertainment systems,.
Media Network reports that mini-transmitters previously available
carried a high risk of interference to other broadcast services. In
response to consumer demand U-K telecommunications Ofcom has led
negotiations in Europe to develop a coordinated technical approach
designed to limit the potential of interference to other wireless
devices.
Flea-power FM transmitters that meet these specifications, and which
will be legal to use in the UK, will carry a C-E mark indicating
approval for sale in the European Union. Their use became legal under
the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2006 which came into effect on
December 8th. These new regulations also make more spectrum available
to meet consumer demand for other low power devices such as hearing
aids, alarms systems, tracking and tracing systems and meter reading
devices operating in the 169.4 -169.8125 MHz band.
--
A win - win situation for everyone in the U-K. (Media Network - RNW)
**
WORLDBEAT - BOTSWANA: DXPEDITION LOOKING FOT TWO MORE OPS
A summer 2007 DXpedition to Botswana is looking for more operators.
Charles "Frosty" Frost, K5LBU, reports that they have a good place to
operate from but still are in need of two more operators.
If you would like to be a part of this operation, you will need to pay
your own expenses and bring with you is your laptop for logging. All
antennas and radios are already in Johannesburg, South Africa. Current
plans call for the operators to meet up in Johannesburg, by July 4th
and be at the operating site on the 5th.
Daniel Hubbard, ZS6JR, is another team member. He says that he has
found a operating location on a large game farm in Botswana that's only
about a 6 hour drive north of Johannesburg. He says there is room to
put up all the antennas and the electric power is good. The operators
expect to depart from Botswana on July 20th and fly home on the 21st.
K5LBU says that he will be at Visalia for the International DX
Convention in April. He invites everyone to stop by and talk to him.
If you want to join the Botswana team, please e-mail him via his
website. That URL is www.k5lbu.com (Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT - UK: 10 GHZ BEACON BACJK TO FULL POWER
The United Kingdom's Wolverhampton 10GHz GB3CEM beacon transmitter is
back on full power again. The beacon was forced to transmit at very
low power after being damaged in a thunderstorm in October of 2006. At
that time two driver stages and a PIN modulator were lost.40-beacon.
(GB2RS)
**.
RADIO ON THE WWW: THE BATTLE OF MODERATED VS UNMODERATED NEWSGROUPS
An interesting turn of events on the ham radio Usenet newsgroups. One
that is quickly escalating to a war of words and maybe a duel of
ideals in the courts.
The battle pits the proponents of un-moderated posting to all ham radio
Newsgroups against those who want to form a new group. One that
precludes the use of indecent language and also forbids character
assassination type posts.
Those who want the new, moderated group say that it is impossible to
carry on an intelligent discussion on the rec.radio.amateur.policy,
rec.radio.amateur.misc and just about any of the other currently un-
moderated groups. They say that the majority of postings have little
to do with any established topic. That they amount to nothing more
than venomous attacks by user against user with the anonymity of so-
called screen names to shield whom they really are.
Meantime, those who oppose any sort of moderated ham radio Usenet group
claim that what they are doing amounts to constitutionally protected
freedom of speech. They note that this is an Internet issue and not
one where anything is broadcast over the radio. And as such, they have
a right to express their views using any language that they see fit.
They also say that they will fight any attempt to censor them.
Thankfully, this battle of ideals is taking place in cyberspace and not
on the air. (Various sources to ARNewsline)
**
WORLDBEAT - INDONESIA - THE DIGITAL BROADCAST REVOLUTION ARRIVES
The Jakarta Post says that Indonesia's analog radio and television
broadcasting will definitely migrate to digital technology in the very
near future. According to the Minister of Communications and
Information, the trial for radio and television digital broadcasting as
well as digital TV in mobile phones is in progress. (Jakarta Post)
**
RADIO IN SPACE: SATCASTERS SUFFER BROADBAND INTERFERENCE
Broadcasters in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region have
reported interference to their satellite transmissions from broadband
wireless services, a meeting in Washington DC has heard. Australian,
New Zealand and Fiji broadcasters are among those affected. The
interference is apparently caused by Broadband Wireless Access
operators using the same C-band spectrum used by the satellite uplink.
AsiaSat's General Manager of Engineering, Barry Turner, said C-band
satellite transmissions in Indonesia, Iraq, Pakistan and the
Philippines were also being affected. (Media Network, Asia-Pacific
Network)
**
DX
In D-X, word that N2ED, will be active as V26G through the 21st of
February for the ARRL DX CW Contest. Look for him to be on all of the
H-F bands,including 12, 17 and 30 meters before and after the contest.
And K5KG, KK9K, WI9WI, K1XX, and W9IU will all be active from Dominica
on through February 20th. They will operate CW and SSB on all of the H-
F bands, with an emphasis on 160 and 80 meters. They too will
participate in the ARRL DX CW Contest , in thir case using the call J-
7-Oh-J.
Lastly, listen out for CE3FZL as CE2P from Panul Lighthouse, Chile on
February weekends. Activity will be on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters using
SSB only. QSL all of these operations as directed on the air.
(Above from various DX sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: BALD EAGLE CAUSES JUNEAU POWER OUTAGE
And finally this week, heres a rather strange story. About 10,000
residents of Juneau Alaska briefly lost power and telephones on January
29th. This, after a bald eagle lugging a deer head crashed into
transmission lines just outside the city.
According to news reports, the bird, weighed down by the deer head,
apparently failed to clear the powelines. A repair crew found the eagle
dead, the remains of the deer head nearby.
Electricity was out for less than 45 minutes. No word on how many
telephones were affected. A spokesman for Alaska Electric Light &
Power is quoted as saying that you have to live up there its not at all
that uncommon to have this kind of a power outage. (WA0KRI)
**
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 News and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all
from the Amateur Radio Newsline. 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 Newsline, P.O.
Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Damron, N8TMW and I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you
for listening." Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2007. All rights
reserved.
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