[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1542 - March 2, 2007

Sun Mar 4 14:26:28 EST 2007

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1542 - March 2, 2007

The following is a Q-S-T.  The FCC says it will not force the N-C-V-E-C 
to provide multi-languages questions but those wanting them will not 
give up their fight.  We talk with the petitioner.  Also, scientists in 
Sri Lanka say that nation needs ham radio emergency communications and 
U-K amateurs start a petition drive for a power increase on the H-F 
bands.  These stories and more on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 
1542 coming your way right now.

**

RESTRUCTURING:  FCC TURNS DOWN REQUEST FOR MANDATED MULTI LANGUAGE HAM 
RADIO EXAMS

The FCC has turned down a rules change request filed by Victor Madera, 
KP4PQ, and the Puerto Rico Amateur Radio League, Inc..  This, 
requesting that the regulatory agency mandate that question pools used 
in Amateur Radio operator license examinations be prepared for each 
examination element in languages other than English. Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, spoke with one of the petitioners who 
says that they are not giving up:

--

If there was ever a case that could be made for something lost in 
translation through the bureaucratic Q-R-M, this may be it.

Victor Madera, KP4PQ, the American Radio Relay League's Section Manager 
for Puerto Rico and a leader in the Puerto Rico Amateur Radio League, 
still can't believe it. But he says he's not giving up.

Madera consented to a telephone interview with Amateur Radio Newsline 
from his home in San Juan.

Very simply, Madera says the FCC didn't understand his organization's 
request and sent him back to the same group who had already turned him 
down - the National Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators.

To fully understand what happened here, Madera says we need some 
background and some context.
Several years ago, he says, scandal over testing lead to several VEs 
losing their credentials because of lax testing.

As part of the reform effort, Madera and his group - in cooperation 
with the ARRL VEC - came up with a solution. They devised a standard 
Spanish translation for all approved question pools and study materials 
for future hams.

"We made the pools, we made the examinations and we started testing 
people - absolutely no problem whatsoever," Madera says. "And it was a 
total success because lots of people who never had a chance to become 
amateurs because they didn't know or didn't understand fully the 
English language had a chance to do it now.

"And everything is operating since then with absolutely no problem."

However, Madera says in recent years other VEs in Puerto Rico and 
elsewhere began doing their own thing.

"Other VEs are making a Spanish test because as you probably know and 
understand for some people the VEC program is a business and they are 
behind," Madera says. "They don't have the Spanish test. So, what they 
are doing is allowing their examination team - their VEs - to prepare 
tests any way they want it."

And Madera contends, that's creating a whole new set of problems for 
Spanish-speaking people who want to study and test for an Amateur 
license.

"When you translate, you never translate in the same fashion so you end 
up with a variety of questions," Madera says. "People complain to us 
that when they go and take the test, they find questions that they have 
never seen before.

"We studied the situation and found out that the problem is very 
simple. You may have a half a dozen different translations of a 
question and they are all different. And second, there is not a 
standard pool like you have it in English."

So, after fielding dozens of complaints in recent years about other VE 
sessions - those outside the ones his group runs - Madera says he put 
in a special request to the National Conference of Volunteer 
Examination Coordinators.

"We have asked the NCVEC to consider using one standard Spanish 
question pool, the same as they have it in English," Madera says. "They 
have rejected the idea. They say we don't have any time, we can't get 
involved in that.

"The French people or the Japanese people or the Chinese people will be 
asking for examinations and we will not be in a position to prepare 
them in that language. So they refused to accept a standard pool in 
detriment to the Spanish speaking people."

That, Madera says, led him to file a formal request with the FCC to 
authorize preparation of a uniform Spanish-language version of the 
question pools used to prepare ham radio exams.

Madera and the Puerto Rico Amateur Radio League proposed that Section 
97.523 of the FCC rules be 
amended to require the maintenance of question pools in languages other 
than English. 

But, in a Feb. 23rd letter, the FCC rejected Madera's request saying 
there was no problem and it saw no need to make a change.

"I was totally disappointed because the answer I received was not in 
line with the question I asked," Madera says. "What they say is that we 
should have gone to the NCVEC before going to the FCC and that was 
NCVEC business and not FCC business.

"But we were very clear in saying we did go the NCVEC originally and we 
had no choice but going to the FCC after they rejected it."

Madera says he's done some research which shows a great untapped 
potential of hams - stateside - who would benefit from a standard 
Spanish language question pool.

"We found that there are close to 4 million Puerto Ricans in the states 
who are citizens of the United States and there are also around 30 
million Spanish-speaking or non-English speaking legal residents of the 
United States who can take advantage of this without any 
discrimination." Madera says.

Madera vows to continue his quest for a uniform Spanish-language 
question pool and has taken his case to the ARRL board asking it to 
intervene.

And, Madera is asking anyone interest in joining his effort to contact 
him so he can show those who are resisting his reform what he believes 
to be widespread support for such a move.

"The e-mail address that we use for this is as follows p-r-a-r-l, which 
is short for Puerto Rico Amateur Radio League at prarl at prarl.org

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

--

There is another side to this story and it could affect all U-S hams. 
Mark plans to do a follow-up with the National Conference of Volunteer 
Examination Coordinators to see what they have to say regarding the 
maintenance of the Question Pool in languages other than English.  We 
will have that for you in a future Amateur Radio Newsline report.   
(ARNewsline)

** 

RESCUE RADIO:  EMCOMMS IN SRI LANKA GETS SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT

Scientists in Sri Lanka have called on the government to develop an 
effective amateur radio voice communication network.  One to be used 
during disasters.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is here with the details:

--

Sri Lankin researchers say that conventional landline and mobile phone 
networks often stop working following natural catastrophes as a result 
of damage to switching centers and power supplies and the actual 
transmission wires themselves.  But the scientists found that radio 
amateurs are capable of relaying vital emergency communications even in 
the most adverse circumstances.  

None of this comes as any surprise to Radio Society of Sri Lanka 
president Victor Goonetilleke,  4S7VK.  He was involved in rescue 
efforts in Sri Lanka when the devastating tsunami of 2004 struck. Hew 
relates that in the aftermath of the tsunami, Sri Lanka's Prime 
Minister had no contact with the outside world until amateur radio 
operators stepped in.  He says that the ham radio control center was 
set up inside the prime minister's official house in his operational 
room. Victor says that uncomplicated short wave radio helped to save 
many lives.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the 
studio in Los Angeles.

--

The researchers have now made public the results of their studies in 
the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science's annual 
research magazine.  (Southgate)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  UK HAMS ASK FOR POWER INCREASE

Radio Amateurs in the United Kingdom have started a petition drive to 
the Prime Minister.  This for an increase that nations power limit from 
400 watts to 1 kilowatt.  

The purpose of the petition is to bring the U-K rules in line with many 
other countries.  Its posted to the 10 Downing Street website reads in 
part:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to increase the power 
limit for UK radio amateurs from 400 watts.  U-K amateurs are limited 
to 400 watts output.  Other European Union countries are allowed up to 
1000 watts which makes it an uneven playing field in contests."

The petition was submitted by David Paul Heathcote who is listed as 
holding the call signs G0AOD and GB0SJS.  Its sign on deadline for UK 
hams is July 17th.  The full text is at 
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/hampower/ (Southgate)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  UK ADVANCED GET 500 kHz 

A limited number of United Kingdom hams are gaining access to the 500 
kHz band.  Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottingham with more:

--

Following representations by the RSGB and negotiations with the Marine 
and Coast Guard Agency Ofcom have announced that they are to permit a 
limited number of Amateur Radio Advanced licensees to operate under a 
Special Research Permit between 501 and 504KHz.

Initially this will be for a 12 month period commencing on the 1st March 
2007.

Special Research Permits under a Notice of Variation to the license may 
be made available to holders of an Advanced license who can demonstrate 
a genuine interest in experimentation at these frequencies and provide 
adequate supporting documentation for assessment. Previous U.K. 
experience of operating at 73kHz as well as 136kHz will be considered 
desirable in this respect to ensure adequate steps are taken to limit 
any potential interference.

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH

--

Full details of the announcement and the rules governing the issue and 
use of the Research Permits can be found on  line at www.rsgb.org  
(GB2RS)

**

RADIO RULES:  MILITARY BARS HAND HELD CELLULAR PHONES AND HT'S WHILE 
DRIVING ON POST

If you are in the United Sates military or make visits military bases, 
you must use a hands free cellphone or permanently mounted two-way 
radio while driving on post.  This, according to a revision to the Code 
of Federal Regulations posted to the VHF Reflector by Howard Gordon, 
W3CQH.  

The new rule is effective March 1st.  It mandates that all federal 
installations prohibit the use of cellular phones, P-D-As', and similar 
communication devices by persons operating motor vehicles, unless used 
with a hands-free device. 

Also affected are two-way radios. The new rules say that radio 
communication devices,  hand sets or microphones may only be used by 
operators if the radio device is mounted to the vehicle.  In other 
words, it has to be a permanent rigid installation and not quick 
install using double-sided tape or stick-on Velcro fasteners.  

And banned is the use of walkie-talkies or phones in the direct connect 
mode to ones head.  Also on the no-no list is the use of video 
technology in any playback mode, by the driver.  The only exception is 
the use of vehicular-mounted navigation systems  and the use of 
tactical radios in tactical vehicles is not subject to this regulation.

These new restrictions apply to all personnel on post and to military 
personnel both on and off post regardless of their duty status.  
Operators found in violation during the grace period of March 1, 2007 
through April 1, 2007 will receive a warning ticket.   Beginning April 
2nd, violators will be ticketed.  Violation of this policy may result in 
suspension or revocation of post driving privileges, the assessment of 
points, or a fine.  (W3CQH, VHF Reflector)

**

RADIO RULES:  HAM MORSE NOT APPLICABLE TO T1

The FCC has turned down a request filed by Rob Griffin, K6YR, to waive 
a commercial license application rule on the basis of his Amateur Radio 
Morse code experience.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR,  
reports:

--

Rob Griffin, K6YR, of San Luis Obispo, California had applied for an 
FCC First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.   At the same 
time he  requested a waiver of the regulation that states that an 
applicant  for such a T 1 (Tee One) license must have a year's 
experience in sending and receiving public correspondence by 
radiotelegraph at a public coast station, a ship station, or both.

For his part, Griffin sought credit on the basis of his military and 
Amateur Radio radiotelegraph experience.  This included his 
participation in the Military Affiliate Radio System.  He argued that 
the FCC should grant his request based on the near impossibility to 
acquire the requisite experience in an era where the Global Maritime 
Distress and Safety System has replaced human Morse operations.   

But the regulatory agency said no.  In a letter February 22, the FCC 
said Griffin failed to demonstrate that the rule in question was 
burdensome because as all T1 applicants face the same requirement. He 
was also told by the FCC that a request for relief from the existing 
requirement would better be addressed in a rule making proceeding, 
rather than through the waiver process.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Jeff Reinhardt,  AA6JR, reporting.  

--

Rob Griffin, K6YR is the ARRL Santa Barbara Section Manager and 
transmits the West Coast Qualifying Run on 80 meters..  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW:  DATA ERROR LEADS TO DOWNGRADE

The FCC has told Charles P. Hoult, KI6ASC, that he is not a General 
class license holder after all.  This because of a data error on the 
part of the V-E-C that filed a request in his name.

In its February 27th letter to the Culver City, California ham, the FCC 
says that it is restoring Hoults license privileges to that of 
Technician class.  This, after it was notified by the ARRL VEC that an 
error in a data file that it submitted to the Commission resulted in 
his operator privileges incorrectly being changed.  

By way of background, on May 4, 2006, the Commission received an 
electronic data file from the ARRL VEC that contained an application 
requesting modification of Hoult's operating privileges from Technician 
Class to General.  The change was routinely granted on May 4th, 2006.  
On June 7th of 2006 the ARRL VEC notified the Commission that the May 4th 
data file contained an error, and that it did not intend to submit an 
application pertaining to your license.  It requested  that the FCC set 
aside this grant so that Hoult's operator license privileges would 
revert back to Technician Class. 

After examining the matter for several months, the FCC has concluded 
that the ARRL VEC was not authorized to file the application that 
resulted in the erroneous modification of Hoult's Amateur Radio 
operator license.  Hence the notification to Hoult that his privileges 
have reverted to Technician class.  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW:  SORRY THAT CALLS NOT AVAILABLE

The FCC has informed a New York ham that she cannot get her husbands 
former callsign under the Vanity callsign program.  At least not at 
this time.  This is because his former call is still inside the 2 year 
non reassign period.

Emma Kostenbauder, WA2ZCQ, of Poughquag, had requested the assignment 
of her husband Scott Kostenbauder' s former W2AWX callsign.  In turning 
down her request the FCC said that in April of 2006 that Scott 
Kostenbauder had turned in his old call to obtain his current call.  As 
such, his old call will have to remain unassigned for two years. Scott 
Kostenbauder currently holds the call letters W2LW.  (FCC)

**

SELF ENFORCENENT:  TV STATION APPOLOGISES FOR OBSENITY

A T-V station's management says its sorry for some not-so-nice words 
that made it to air.  Jim Davis, W2JKD, has the rest of the story:

--

KSN television in Wichita, Kansas, has apologized on the air for an 
off-color remark.  One made by its Sports Director Jim Kobbe.

Kobbe apparently became frustrated with technical problems before he 
shouted the expletive over the sound of a pre-recorded story.  
According to KSN news director Todd Spessard, the sports reporter 
apparently did not know his microphone was open when he uttered the 
obscenity during a recent 6 p.m. newscast. 

KSN led its 10 o'clock newscast with an apology delivered by news 
anchor Paul Petitte,.  He asked viewers for understanding and for them 
to continue to watch the station.

No word yet if the FCC plans to act in this matter.  Last year, the FCC 
fined CBS stations across the country a total of $325,000 for airing 
the Janet Jackson breast barring incident during the 2004 Super Bowl 
game.  That fine is currently being appealed.

--

Since that half time fiasco the FCC has come down hard on broadcasters 
for any bad language that makes it onto the airwaves.  (RW)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  ONE LAST WARNING TO KC0UWS

The FCC has told Brandon Duke, KC0UWS, the Longmont, Colorado, that he 
has one last chance to correct his on-the-air behavior or face severe 
punitive action.  Severe ,as in the possible loss of his Amateur 
service license and a hefty fine.  

In its January 9th letter to Duke, the FCC says that it has information 
as well as KC0UWS's own admissions, showing that he has been operating 
radio transmitting equipment on 10 and 20 Meters on frequencies not 
authorized by his Technician Class license.  Also that he has ignored 
requests to cease operation on repeaters in his area.

The FCC notes that Duke's operation on 10 and 20 meters is a violation 
of Section 301 of the Communications Act.   Also that his failing to 
stay off area repeaters where he is not welcome is not his choice.  
Rather it is a mandate from the Commission as outlined to him in a 
letter dated January 9th, 2006.  

The FCC letter tells Duke that that continued rule violations, 
including use of Boulder Amateur Radio Club repeaters, or any repeaters 
on which he has been told to stay away from, will result in enforcement 
action against his license.  The FCC says that this may include 
revocation as well as a rather hefty fine.  

Duke was given 20 days to respond and to fully address the issues with 
the FCC.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  YOU CANT TELL YOUR CUSTOMERS THAT

The FCC has told Walter Moynihan of Discount Electronics that he cannot 
tell customers who buy  ham radio gear that they can use it license 
free. In a January 18th letter to Moynihan, the FCC says that it has 
information indicating that hunters have been buying Two Meter 
transceivers from the Callahan, Florida based Discount Electronics and 
have been told that a license is not needed. 

The letter to Moynihan tells him to advise his customers that operation 
of a Two Meter transmitter without a license would be a violation of 
Section 301 of the Communications Act .  That it carries with it 
criminal penalties including monetary forfeitures of up to $10,000 and 
the possibility of a prison sentence.  .Moynihan was also told to call 
Amateur Service rules enforcer Riley Hollingsworth if he has any 
questions about this matter.  (FCC)

**

RADIO RULES:  REQUEST FOR STUDY OF BIRD TO TOWER CRASHES

Broadcast and tower groups are joining with wildlife advocates.  This, 
in calling on the FAA to look into whether the use of steady red 
obstruction sidelights can be safely eliminated.  The move is a 
development in recent discussions over the long-debated migratory bird 
question and whether these lights are a major contributing factor in 
the deaths of thousands of migratory birds each year as 
conservationists claim.  (CGC, RW)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  SM'S OLD AND NEW ARE ELECTED
A former president of AMSAT North America who challenged an incumbent 
in an ARRL political race has lost the election to become the next 
North Texas Section Manager.  When the votes were counted on February 
20th, the results showed that current Section Manager Tom Blackwell, 
N5GAR, had received 816 votes while challenger Doug Loughmiller, W5BL, 
could muster only 761.  
Loughmiller came to the election with some rather impressive 
credentials.  He held numerous elective positions in AMSAT North 
America including that of President from 1988 to 1991. I that capacity 
he attended the 1990 IARU Region 1 conference in Spain as a delegate 
with observer statue.  But all that was not enough to persuade the 
majority of voters to cast heir ballots in his name.  They obviously 
saw no reason to change Section Managers mid stream.
In Kentucky, Jim Brooks, KY4Z, of Cox's Creek outpolled former S-M Bill 
Uschan, K4MIS, with a final count of  426 to 105.  Brooks will succeed 
John Meyers, NB4K, who has been Kentucky's SM since 2001. Meyers did 
not run for re-election.  
Seven other incumbent ARRL Section Managers faced no opposition in the 
current election cycle and were returned to office for new, two-year 
terms as well.  (ARRL)
**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  NZART ALO ZL2AMJ DISMISSED

New Zealand's national Amateur Radio society has dismissed its 
Administration Liaison Officer.  Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, is here with more:

--

Over the weekend of February 17th and 18th,  the New Zealand Association 
of Radio Transmitters Executive Council met for a face-to-face meeting.  
During the course of this conference, the position of Administration 
Liaison Officer held by Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, was discussed.  

According to a news release, differences have arisen between the 
Executive Council and the Administration Liaison Officer that were 
determined to be irreconcilable.  As a result Johnson was asked for his 
resignation.  He refused to give it.  At that point NZART President 
Bruce Douglas, ZL2WP, acting with the authority of the Executive 
Council, terminated Johnson's appointment effective as of Saturday, 
February 17th.  

The Executive Council also decided, to ensure ongoing continuity, and 
that the President Douglas and Councilor Mark Gooding, ZL2UFI will fill 
the vacant position as Administration Liaison Officers.  This,  until 
the matter is reviewed at the NZART Conference in June.  

--

The Executive Council release did acknowledge the work done by Johnson 
during his extensive tenure as Administration Liaison Officers but 
offered no specific reasons as to why he was dismissed.  (From NZART 
release)

**

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  ARRL HONORARY VICE PRESIDENT ED METZGER, 
W9PRN, S.K.

A true legend in Amateur Radio has crossed over to the other side of 
the great Ethereal Abyss.  This with word from the ARRL that its 
Honorary Vice President and past Central Division Director Edmond A. 
"Ed" Metzger, W9PRN, of Springfield, Illinois, died on Monday, February 
26th at age 93. 

Licensed in 1941, Ed began his lengthy service to the ARRL in 1957, 
when he became Illinois Section Communications Manager.  That is a post 
he held until 1980. 

>From 1965 until 1981, Ed served as ARRL Central Division Vice Director.  
He became Central Division Director in 1981.  That same year, the ARRL 
Board of Directors elected him as an ARRL Foundation Director, and he 
later served as the Foundation's president from 1993 until 2001. 

In 2001 The ARRL Board of Directors named W9PRN as an ARRL Honorary 
Vice President.  He also was ARRL Foundation President Emeritus.  His 
close friend, former ARRL President George Wilson, W4OYI, described Ed 
Metzger as an extremely intelligent man and a radio amateur who was 
truly dedicated to both the service and to the American Radio Relay 
League.  In a telephone conversation with Amateur Radio Newsline, 
Wilson cited Ed Metzger's years of service on the ARRL's Administration 
and Finance committee where he said that W9PRN did a truly excellent 
job. 

In all, Ed Metzger devoted five decades of his life in serving Amateur 
Radio through his volunteer service with the ARRL.  He was also a 
member of the Sangamon Valley Radio Club, the Quarter Century Wireless 
Association, and he was a regular at the annual W9DXCC gathering in 
Chicago.  A graduate of Springfield Junior College, Metzger also 
attended Lincoln College of Law in Springfield. He was comptroller for 
Kerasotes Theatres for more than 50 years.

Ed Metzger, W9PRN is survived by two sons and three daughters.  A 
funeral mass was scheduled for March 1st at the Cathedral of the 
Immaculate Conception, in Springfield, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, 
the family invites memorial contributions to the Edmond A. Metzger 
Scholarship, by way of the  ARRL Foundation.  (W4OYI, ARRL)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  GERMAN BROADCASTER  DL1RXA - SK

Wolfram Hess, DL1RXA, the ex Y31NO has become a silent key.  Hess was 
nationally and internationally known for his many studies in solar 
physics and being an outstanding expert in Ionosphere Weather Reports 
and forecasts.  

Since the late 1950's, one could hear Hess on the former short-wave 
station Radio Berlin International.  On R-B-I he produced the only non-
political program which continued as DX Aktuell in the re-united German 
Radio World until Dec 31st, 1993.

Hess died on February 9th, 2007 at the age of 67, the result of a 
stroke.  
(DL7RBI)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  MICROWAVE UPDATE 2007 CALLS FOR PAPERS

A call has gone out for papers to be presented at Microwave Update 
2007.  Talks can be on any topics related to microwave ham radio 
operations.. Abstracts should be submitted by June 1st and completed 
papers and articles must be in by August 15th.

Please submit your papers, articles and abstracts in MSWord or as a PDF 
files to either Paul Drexler, W2PED or Marcelo Franco, N-2-U-O.  Their 
e-mail addresses are pdrexler at hotmail.com  and lu6dw at yahoo.com. Hard 
copies may be mailed to Paul Drexler, 28 West Squan Road, Clarksburg 
New Jersey,  08510  (K1DS)

**

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.  (GB2RS)

**

DX ON THE GO:  THE TRAVELSOF ON6TT

Well-known DX'er Peter Casier, ON6TT, has put together an interesting 
web site covering his experiences operating around the world.  The site 
includes short stories about Peter's travels, people he has met, and 
situations he has encountered. Many of the stories deal with the 
DXpeditions he has participated in such as AH1A, VK0IR and 3Y0P.  
Others are simply stories of every day life during his work for a U-N 
humanitarian relief organization.  You can find out more on his blog at 
http://theroadtothehorizon.blogspot.com.  (E-mail)

**

DX

In other D-X news, NE8Z reports that he will be active again as HC1MD 
from Ecuador through 4 March 14th.  He plans to operate CW and SSB on 
80 through 10 meters with 500 watts.
And both DL3KWR, and DL3KWF, will be active portable CT3 from Madeira 
from March 8th to the 22nd.  They plan to operate mostly C-W and will 
include the WARC bands.
Lastly, G3PJT, will be on the air as E51PJT from Raratonga in the South 
Cook Islands.  He will be there through the 17th of March and will 
operate mainly C-W during his stay.  QSL all of these operations as 
directed on the air.
(Various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: REMEMBERING DR. ROBERT ADLER - INVENTOR OF THE TV 
REMOTE 

And finally this week we honor the contributions of an inventor who as 
had a major impact on all of society..  Dr. Robert Adler who co-
developed the Zenith Space Command wireless television remote was 93 
when he passed away in Boise, Idaho nursing home on February 15th.  Fred 
Vobbe, W8HDU, has the story of an electronics inventor whose work was 
even felt in Amateur Radio.  

--

We do not know if Dr. Robert Adler ever held an Amateur service 
license, but his work definitely impacted on the hobby.  

Dr. Adler was born in Vienna, Austria in 1913. After receiving his 
doctorate in physics, he became engaged in patent work and later moved 
to England. After the war broke out, he came to Chicago and worked 
first in the field of measuring instruments. He joined Zenith Radio in 
1941. Ten years later he was made Associate Director of Research, a 
Vice President in 1959, and Director of Research in 1963.

In addition to the T-V remote, Dr. Adler developed the gated-beam tube 
which represented a new concept in receiving tubes.  It was the gated-
beam tube that was used in many early ham radio SSB transmitters and 
transceivers such as the Swan gear of the 1960's as a way to develop a 
suppressed carrier signal.  

But his inventions did not end there.  His noise-gated synch clipper 
and automatic gain control secured stability of television reception in 
the fringe areas. Low-noise devices claimed his attention from that 
point on.  His contribution to low-noise traveling-wave tubes was 
important in military communications. Later he applied the new 
principle of parametric amplification to electron beams.  

Dr. Adler was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a 
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  In 
2000, he was inducted into the National Academy of Arts and Sciences 
Chicago/Midwest Chapter's Silver Circle.  This organization recognizes 
outstanding individuals who have devoted a quarter of a century or more 
to the television industry and have made a significant contribution to 
Chicago broadcasting.  Quite a career and quite a contribution to the 
development of electronic technology by a man who obviously loved what 
he was doing.  

For the amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reporting.

---

And this final note.  While he received many accolades in his long 
career, one really stands out because it came from outside the 
telecommunications industry.  In 1997, along with fellow engineer 
Eugene Polley,  Dr. Adler won an Emmy from the National Academy of 
Television Arts and Sciences for the invention of the television 
wireless remote control.  A device that will live on as a part of all 
our daily lives even though Dr. Adler is no longer with us.  (Various 
published reports)

**

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'sT 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. 

A reminder that the digitalization of ham radio is the topic for the 
next Ham Radio Town meeting.  Its slated for Saturday, May 19th from 1 
to 3 p.m. local time at the at Dayton, Ohio's Hara Arena in conjunction 
with the Hamvention 2007.

And starting right now we are looking for presenters who want to share 
their opinion, their technological know how or both with those 
attending the session.  If you plan on attending Hamvention 2007 and 
would like to be part of the Ham Radio Town Meeting, e-mail us to 
newsline at arnewsline.org and include a bio on whom you are and a short 
outline of your presentation.  We will look it over and get back to 
you.  

Again, that e-mail address is newsline at arnewsline.org  We look forward 
to hearing from you.