[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1547 - April 6, 2007

Fri Apr 6 16:21:08 EDT 2007

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1547 - April 6, 2007

The following is a Q-S-T.  The ham radio ban continues in Iraq, the 
long awaited Swains Island Dxpedition is on the air and the fight 
against B-P-L continures world-wide.  Find out the details on Amateur 
Radio Newsline report number 1547 coming your way right now.

**

WORLDBEAT:  IRAQ HAM RADIO BLACK-OUT CONTINUES

The shut-down of Amateur Radio in Iraq could continue for a long time.  
This according to several reports that quote officials of the Iraq 
Amateur Radio Society.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, 
has the details:

--

The Iraq Amateur Radio Society says through Internet postings that it 
has turned down a government request to warehouse all ham gear owned by 
Iraqi radio amateurs.  This is because its simply to dangerous to go 
out and collect the equipment.  

While Iraq's ham populace may not be radiating R-F, they are still 
communicating with one-another and with the outside.  This, world using 
Echolink and other V-O-I-P systems over the World Wide Web.  

This was confirmed earlier in a posting to the QRZ dot com website 
where  Iraq Amateur Radio Society President Diya Sayah, YI1DZ, 
indicated this would likely be the case.  

Sayah wrote -- and we quote: "Echolink, CQ100, the Internet, cellphones 
are still working and we had several ham radios working now using these 
instead of RF."  The term "ham radios" in this case referring to 
operators not actual gear.  

The Iraqi ham radio blackout affects anyone operating an Amateur 
station from that nation.  That includes its citizens, outside 
contractors and even members of other nations military who are 
stationed in Iraq.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Jeff reinhardt, AA6JR, in Los 
Angeles.

--

As previously reported, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense last month 
ordered that all Iraqi radio amateurs remain off the air until 
improvements are made in what it terms as that nations overall  
internal security.  Some political observers in the West believe that 
could take years if not decades to happen.  (Various)

**

THE DX WORLD:  SWAINS ISLAND IS ON THE AIR

The long awaited N-8-S Swains Island DXpedition is on the air!  The 
first contacts were made at just past 10:00 U-T-C on  Wednesday, April 
4th with literal pile-ups already reported on 80, 40 and 20 meters.  

By the time this newscast goes to air, the 17 member team should be 
active on all of the High Frequency bands from 160 through 10 meters.  
They are also carrying moonbounce and weak signal gear for use on on 6 
and 2 meters.  The primary modes to be used will be SSB and C-W but 
they will be operating W-S-J-T-65 on 50.375 MHz and 144.375 MHz for 
their Earth-Moon-Earth operations.  

Radio New Zealand International which has been following the Swains 
Island DX-pedition planning says that in addition to the ham radio 
aspect of this expedition, the group will be delivering supplies, such 
as tents, equipment and food items for those living on Swains.  Also 
that the ham radio team will donate an Amateur station and a generator 
to ensure communication is always available between the isolated atoll  
and the outside world.

The N-8-S team plans to be on Swains through April 15th.  Up to date 
information on this operation is on line at www.yt1ad.info/n8s  

We will have more DX at the end of this weeks newscast.  (Various DX 
remailers, Radio New Zealand International)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  HAM SPACE TOURIST TO LAUNCH APRIL 7

If all goes as planned, space tourist Charles Simonyi KE7KDP, should be 
on the International Space Station by the time many of you hear this 
newscast.  As we go to AIR, THE Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying 
Simonyi is slated for liftoff at 17:30 U-T-C on April 7th.  

The launch was to be carried live on both NASA and E-S-A television.  
Once on board the I-S-S, Simonyi plans to use one of the ARISS stations 
for contacts with students at four schools as well as possible casual 
contacts with hams on the ground.  

After his stay, KE7KDP will return to Earth with members of the 
departing Expedition 14 crew.  They are being replaced by Expedition 15 
which is made up of Russian cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin, RN3FI, and 
non-ham Oleg Kotov.  U-S astronaut Suni Williams, KD5PLB, will remain 
on the I-S-S.  Her tour of duty was scheduled to span portions of 
Expeditions 14 and 15.  (ARISS, Southgate, others)

**

THE BPL WAR:  AUSTRALIAN BPL INTERFERENCE VIDEO RELEASED

The fight against interference caused by access B-P-L continues down-
under.  This with the release of a new  8 minute documentary video 
dealing with the interference potential of Broadband Over Powerline 
technology in Australia.

 The show is a virtual tour video of the Mt Nelson B-P-L trial area and 
contains a visual and audible representation of the interference 
potential of the B-P-L technology deployed in the area.  It also 
contains commentary and background information on B-P-L technology .  
You can view it on-line at  
http://reast.asn.au/vk7bplwatch.php#bpltours  (WIA News)

**

THE BPL WAR:  RSGB OPPOSES BPL SCHEME

The Radio Society of Great Britain is supporting International Amateur 
Radio Union Region 1 efforts to stop proposals, whereby Broadband over 
Powerline systems could operate within the High Frequency  broadcast 
bands.  This, using a technique called dynamic notching.  The RSGB 
support has been to echo IARU's detailed technical objections; the 
response can be seen from the link on the RSGB web site - www,rsgb.org.  
(GB2RS)

**

RADIO RULES:   THE FCC AND 6.25 kHz NARROWBAND TECHNOLOGY

The Federal Communications Commission has declined to mandate when the 
Private Land Mobile Service will be directed to adopt  6.25 kHz 
narrowband spacing between systems, but says that it will eventually 
happen.  And this could be as early as 2011 or 2013.  And hams in need 
of more repeater channels are likely watching to see how it all pans 
out.  Amateur radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has more:

--

If you own an Amateur repeater on any of the bands between 2 meters and 
70 centimeters, a decision by the FCC to force users in the Private 
Land Mobile Service to adop 6.25 KHz inter-station spacing at some yet 
to be determined day could eventually impact on ham radio.  This is 
because the operating standards used in commercial service usually work 
themselves down to ham radio operations over a period of time.

On March 22nd the FCC made public its Third Report and Order dealing 
with a mandatory shift to 6.25 KHz ultra-narreowband technology.   The 
release says that the agency for now does not want to establish a 
specific fixed date for private land mobile radio systems in the 150 to 
174 MHz and 421 to 512 MHz bands to transition to 6.25 kHz.  That said, 
the FCC also says that it plans to have such a transition take place 
once gear is available and certified for sale.  And for that reason, 
the FCC strongly urges land mobile licensees to consider migrating 
directly to 6.25 kHz rather than first adopting 12.5 kHz spacing and 
later making the 6.25 kHz move.  

But there are a few caveats.  In its announcement, the FCC admitted 
that 6.25 kHz technology is not mature enough to warrant setting a 
specific migration schedule.  Also, that there are no accepted industry 
standards for 6.25 kHz, and this could be a problem in regard to 
interoperability between various users.  

But says the the FCC also says that it will expeditiously establish a 
schedule for transition to 6.25 kHz ultra-narrowband once the 
technology matures to the point that sufficient equipment is available 
for testing.

What does this mean to hams?  While the FCC is not likely to tell radio 
amateurs that they have to adopt the same technology, it is all but 
inevitable that some hams will begin looking at 6.25 kHz for their own 
future repeater operations.  This might be especially true in the 
crowded urban areas like the North-East and in California where waiting 
lines exist for new repeaters with some hams in that line for several 
years.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los 
Angeles.

--

6.25kHz narrowband will not be seen in the Private Land Mobile Radio 
for several years, but ham radio experimenters are likely to try it 
long before then.  (Adapted from FCC news release)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  CONECTICUT DISTRICT ADOPTS HAM RADIO EMCOMMS

A Connecticut township health district has adopted Amateur Radio as its 
second line for back-up emergency communications.  The March 31st 
edition of the electronic newspaper Voices.com reports that the 
Naugatuck Valley Health District has completed the installation of the 
new ham radio base station, to assist in emergency communications.

The article notes that Al Raymond KB1HLK of Naugatuck and Charlie 
Betkoski, WB1CML, of Seymour, the NVHD helped to spearhead the 
successful installation of the station.  The gear will used in the 
event that traditional means of communication, including landline 
telephone, cell or computer, have failed, or are being stretched thin 
and not functioning adequately.  

Health District leaders say that the organization has been working very 
closely with its partners in the Connecticut Amateur Radio and 
Emergency Services to make sure that they have purchased equipment that 
will stand the test of time, and will be easy to operate for ham radio 
volunteers.  A recent test of the system showed that it could 
communicate state wide.  

The Naugatuck Valley Health District  says that it is also close to 
enacting a memorandum of understanding with Connecticut ARES.  One that 
will solidify the relationship that has been developing between it and 
the regions Amateur Radio operators over the past several years.  
(voices.com)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  REPORT SAYS CELLPHONES SAFE IN HOSPITALS

A report released on  March 9th has concluded that cellular telephone 
calls made on cell phones do not affect hospital medical devices.  But 
the same researchers say that store anti-theft alarms might make 
implanted heart devices misbehave.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill 
Pasternak, WA6ITF, reports:

--

According to March issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings., tests at 
Rochester, Minnesota hospital showed normal use of cellular telephones 
caused no noticeable interference with patient care equipment.  What 
came as a surprise was a finding that a portable CD player caused an 
abnormal electrocardiograph reading when a patient used it near one of 
the leads of the device.  

Most hospitals forbid the use of cell phones.  Dr. David Hayes and 
colleagues said their tests suggest the ban is unmerited. 

The researchers tested cellular phones using two different technologies 
from different carriers, near 192 different medical devices.  During 
300 tests run over five months, they reported no trouble with the 
equipment.

But not all communications technology mixes with medical devices.  Dr. 
J. Rod Gimbel of East Tennessee Heart Consultants and Dr. James Cox of 
the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville described two 
cases in which anti-theft devices apparently caused implanted heart 
devices to malfunction.  

Dr. Gimbel says that one of the patients had a pacemaker and she 
collapsed after pausing in a store doorway.  Another had an implantable 
cardiac defibrillator that shocked him after he stood near an anti-
theft unit.  Dr. Gimbel adds that simply moving a person with one of 
these implanted devices away from the anti-theft device may save their 
lives.  

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

--

Regardless of what this report says, it is important to follow the 
rules that each individual hospital enforces and displays.  And if the 
sign says to turn off your cellular telephone while on the premises, 
then its best that you do as asked.  That goes for your H-T or any 
other two-way device as well. (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Science On-
Line)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  SIGN YOUR LETTER AND STAY OFF THIS REPEATER

Turning to regulatory news, a New York, ham, previously told by the FCC 
to stay off of certain repeatesr, has had his written response returned 
to him by the FCC.  This because he failed to sign it.

On February 20th, the FCC wrote to Bruce H. Williams, N2YIH, of Long 
Island City, ordering that he stay off three New York city area 
repeaters.  This, after Williams allegedly ignored an edict from the 
systems trustee to not use the machines.  

According to the FCC, Williams filed a written response on March 12th 
but did not sign it.  That letter was returned to him on March 27th for 
his signature.  At that time the FCC said that the repeaters he must 
avoid using are those operating under he call letters WA2ZLB.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  PLEASE QSY YOUR REPEATER

A ham in Puerto Rico who declined to change the operating frequency of 
his system has been advised to do so by the FCC.  

In a letter to Oscar Resto, KP4RF, the FCC notes that he was requested 
by the Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Volunteer Frequency Coordinators 
group to move his repeater off of 145.450 MHz because it was mixing 
with another transmitter and interfering with a repeater on 145.37 MHz.  
The FCC notes that both repeaters involved are coordinated and that 
such a move by Resto would not only cure this problem but another 
interference problem as well.  

The FCC letter notes that the coordination council has found a new 
frequency pair for Resto's system, and advises him that making the move 
would be in the best interest of all concerned.  But the FCC also 
warned  KP4RF that failure to resolve the interference may subject him 
to a loss of automatic remote control privileges for his machine.  
(FCC)

**

RADIO AT ALTITUDE:  IN FLIGHT CELLPHONE BAN TO CONTINUE

Don't look for the FCC to change its rules that currently forbid the 
use of cellular telephones while flying.  This after the agency acts on 
Tuesday, April 3rd to continue its ban on the in-flight use of these and 
other wireless devices.

Back on on Tuesday March 20th  FCC Chair Kevin Martin announced that the 
agency would likely abandon a proposal that would have lifted the 
prohibition.  The decision came after the wireless telecommunications 
industry indicated in recent comments to the FCC that mobile phone 
calls in planes at altitude would cause massive interfere with their 
ground based networks.  While the range of a cellphone is only a mile 
or so on the ground, that same unit at 35,000 feet could capture 
cellular telephone receivers sites for several hundred miles in all 
directions.  That said the industry would bog down a systems ability to 
handle other calls.  

Two agencies claim regulatory jurisdiction over the issue.  The FCC is 
focused on whether in-flight calling interferes with ground-based 
networks, while the Federal Aviation Administration considers in-flight 
safety issues..  
(Published news reports)

**

HAM RADIO ON THE WWW: NEW ECHOLINK PUBLICATION

A new and easy to understand introduction to Echolink has been 
published on the World Wide Web.  Although intended for the United 
Kingdom's MB7IPH-L node the information is equally applicable to 
Echolink operation world-wide. The PDF can be downloaded from 
http://www.headcorn.org/echolink/intro.pdf  (Southgate)

**

HAM HOLIDAYS:  INTERNATIONAL MARCONI DAY - APRIL 28

International Marconi Day will take place on Saturday 28th April this 
year.   Although the event is not a contest, participants can qualify 
for award certificates by contacting special stations. These stations 
must operate on or close to a site where Guglielmo Marconi carried out 
experiments or where Marconi equipment was used prior to his death in 
1937. Further information can be found at www.gb4imd.org.uk.  
(Varoious)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  QRP FOUR DAYS IN MAY EVENT

Low power operators are being invited to register for the Four Days in 
May event.  Its being held on May 17th to 20th in Dayton, Ohio, alongside 
the 2007 Dayton Hamvention.

Organized by the QRP Amateur Radio Club International, Four Days in May 
is the world's premier QRP  convention.  This year there will once 
again be the usual line-up of expert speakers including Radio 
Communications Magaxine columnist, the Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV flying 
in from the U-K.   Other speakers include Lyle Johnson, KK7P and Wes 
Hayward, W7ZOI. There will also be various building and design 
competitions during the event. 

The Four Days in May gala banquet and prize-giving ceremony will be 
held on Saturday evening, May 19th.  Full details about the event can be 
found on the web at www.qrparci.org/fdim. (Press release)

**

A WORD OF THANKS FROM THE SUPPORT FUND WITH ANDY JAREMA N6TCQ

Ladies and gentlemen, with more thanks to those who contributed to the 
Newsline Support Fund. Thjis time going back to May of 2006, here's 
Amateur Radio Newsline's Support Fund Administrator Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.

--

In the month of May we heard from monthly contributor Joseph Bartzi, 
Jr., KC8DKF of Columbus, OH., The Peoria, IL Area ARC , monthly 
contributor William Walters, WA2IBM, and Scott Hensley of the Area 
Communications Team, both in San Jose and the San Francisco ARC, in 
memory of member Jim, KK6SD

Via PayPal we heard from Robert Weissman , the Sulpher Mountain 
Repeater Association of Santa Paula, CA,  
N. Rubin of N3SGD Electronics and Gary Elmer, representing the KG6DVO 
repeater of Huntingon Beach, CA.

Month in and month out Newsline gives you the latest news of Amateur 
Radio- it doesn't come to us- we have to go get it. With no 
advertising, we depend on you- our loyal listeners.  Our website- 
arnewsline.org has all the info you need to contribute, including a 
quick link to PayPal. Or there's our address: Newsline Support Fund, PO 
Box 660937, Arcadia, CA 91066. That address will be repeated at the end 
of the newscast. Thanks for your help.
I'm Andy Jarema. N6TCQ.   (Support Fund)

--

Thank you Andy.  

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  OSCAR 11 AGAIN HEADED TO ECLIPSE

If you want to use the OSCAR 11 satellite, now is the time to give uit 
a try.  This is the last operational period for the Amsat-OSCAR 11 ham 
radio satellite before eclipses start on  April 20th.  

Currently, good, steady signals are being heard from it on 145.826 MHz.  
If the satellite behaves as it did last year, once the eclipses begin, 
it is unlikely to be heard for any length of time, during the eclipse 
period.  These continue until August 23rd.   

OSCAR 11 also known as UoSAT-OSCAR 11 or UoSAT-2 is one of those long 
surviving ham radio birds.  It was launched into orbit way back on 
March 1, 1984 on a Thor Delta rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in  
California.  It was the first ham satellite to carry a digital store-
and-forward communications payload. (AMSAT, G3CWV, ARNewsline)

**

WORLDBEAT - CANADA: NEW CANADIAN SECTION MANAGERS

Radio amateurs of Canada has named Joan Bahnman, VE5JML, as 
Saskatchewan Section Manager, completing the term ending October 31, 
2008. Bahnman has been acting in the position after the first call for 
nominations went unanswered by Saskatchewan hams.  In the recent second 
call she ran unopposed, thus removing the need for a balloted election. 

Meanwhile, Alberta Section Manager Tom Martens, VE6TRM, was nominated 
and ran unopposed in that Section, thereby also alleviating the need 
for  a balloted election. Tom begins another two-year term on July 1st.  
(RAC)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK:  RSGB MAMES NEW RCVS NATIONAL COORDINATOR

The Radio Society of Great Britain has appointed Dr Robin Bellerby, 
GM3ZYE, as its new Radio communications Voluntary Services National 
Coordinator.  Dr. Bellerby who resides in the city of Newton Stewart, 
has more than forty years experience of RAYNET and radio services to 
the local community behind him.  His principal role is that of the 
working interface between all RAYNET groups and the RSGB and to work 
closely with the "Network" on all emergency communications matters. 
RAYNET is the UK equivalent of RACES.  Dr. Bellerby takes up his post 
immediately.  (GB2RS)

**

WORLDBEAT - NEW ZEALAND:  AN NZART CONVENTION DOWN-UNDER

Down-under, the  New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters 2007 Conference 
and Annual General Meeting will be held June 1st to the 4th .  The venue 
is the Palmerston North Convention Centre in the city of Palmerson.  
Among this years highlights will be forums by Fred Johnson ZL2AMJ 
showing an Introductory Demonstrations in Radio Technology and local 
Government Liaison Officer Mike Newman ZL1BNB on Antennas and the New 
Zealand Resource Management Act.  More information is on-line at 
www.nzart.org.nz/nzart  (NZART)

**

ON THE AIR:  K5THD CELEBRATES WORLD HEALTH DAY APRIL 7

Special Event station K5THD will be focusing on World Health Day while 
operating from the Tulsa City-County Health Department.  K5THD, which 
is the  . Tulsa Health Department Amateur Radio Club, will take to the 
airwaves on Saturday, April 7th from just after midnight to 23:59 UTC to 
celebrate the 2007 outing of this annual event.  Operations will be on 
. 7.273, 14.273, 21.373 and 28.373 HHz.  QSL to the Tulsa Health 
Department Amateur Radio Club, 5051 S 129 E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74134. 
PSK and SSTV on request. See www.tulsa-health.org/k5thd  for more.  
KC5FM))

**

HAM RADIO AND SCOUTING:  THE SCOUTING 100 AWARD

A new international Amateur Radio award has been launched to mark the 
centenary of the scouting movement.  

Called the Scouting 100 Radio Award it comes in two forms.  One is 
available only to ham radio operators while the other to S-W-L's.  

To attain this award, it is necessary to accrue points by contacting or 
hearing scout or guide stations during 2007.  Contacts or reports with 
individual scout or guide stations count for one point.  Special event 
scout stations are worth two points.  The World Jamboree, the Gilwell 
Park station in the U-K and Brownsea Island stations count for five 
points each.  

There are no restrictions on what bands and modes are used.  The award 
is also available for Echolink and IRLP mode operators.  More is on-
line at www.scouting100award.org.  (RSGB)

**

DX

In DX word that an upcoming operation is in need of a few more good 
operators.  The R-S-G-B News says that K-5-L-B-U, is organizing a 
DXpedition to Botswana, which is scheduled to take place between July 
5th to the 21st. He already has four operators so far, but would like to 
find at least two more to join the team.  If you are interested in 
making the trip you can contact him at frosty1 at pdq.net 

And news that DL6UAA will be active as 3B8MM from Mauritius starting on 
the 5th April and will be there for a few weeks. He will operate mostly 
CW, but will also give SSTV a try.  QSL DL6UAA either direct or via the 
bureau.

Also, 3D2AG is active as FO5RK portable F-K from Noumea, New Caledonia.  
He will be there to the end of April operating mostly on 40 and 20 
meter CW.  QSL this one direct only.

Lastly, listen out for a group of operators from Antwerp, Belgium to be 
active as ON4OSA portable P-A from Schouwen-Duiveland.  This through 
the 14th of April.  QSL this one as directed on the air.  

(Various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEMS:  CALL IT DX DREAMS

And finally this week, the United States is not the only place where 
hams have D-X wish lists.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Wilbanks is 
here with the D-X desires of hams in one European nation and of those 
down-under:

--

German radio amateurs are desperate to make contact with Swain's Island 
while Australians and New Zealanders are more keen on QSOing with an 
operation from Yemen..  This, according to a pair of new surveys that 
have recently been released.

The German DX Foundation has published the results of a 2006 survey of 
that nations most wanted DXCC entities.  More than 83 percent of 
respondents cited Swain's Island as their most wanted. This was 
followed by Scarborough Reef, Navassa Island, Bouvet Island and 
Lakshadweep Islands.

Meanwhile, a survey into Oceania's most wanted list by ZL3AB, revealed 
that Australian and New Zealand hams wanted most to make contact with 
Yemen. Other locations high up the list for those living down-under 
included Navassa, Pagalu I, Scarborough Reef and Amsterdam and St Paul 
Island.

--

I guess no matter where in the world you are, you likely have a most 
wanted D-X list of your very own.  (WIA News)

**

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. 

Two reminders before we go.  First about our on-line poll regarding 
ypur position on the concept of Regulation by Bandwidth.  To take part,  
take yourr web browser to  www.arnewsline.org. Scroll down and watch 
for the word "Polls" on the left hand side of the page.  Then click on 
the box that is closest to your view.  As soon as you cast your vote 
you will see the current results.  

Also, the nominating season for this years Amateur Radio Newsline Young 
Ham of the Year Award is now open.  Any radio amateur age 18 or younger 
residing in all 50 United States, plus Puerto Rico and all 13 Canadian 
Provences can qualify.  Full details and nominating forms are on our 
special website at www,yhoty.org.  Also see the Vertex-Standard 
sponsored ad  on page 8 of the March issue of QST Magazine.  