[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1556 - June 8, 2007
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Sun Jun 10 09:57:50 EDT 2007
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1556 - June 8, 2007
The following is a QST. A Manassas Virginia ham proves RF ingress can
seriously hamper BPL, South Africa's ham community takes a stand on
BPL, and the FCC takes another step toward an enhanced Emergency Alert
System. All this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1556
coming your way right now.
**
THE BPL FIGHT: MANASSAS VA HAM PROVES BPL INGRESS AT PROBLEM EVEN AT
QRP
A simple test conducted by a ham radio operator in Manassas, Virginia,
has provided proof positive that even flea-power Q-R-P ham radio
operations can shut down Broadband Over Powerline Internet access
operation. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, reports:
--
The revelation comes on the website of George Tarnovsky, K4GVT. On it,
Tarnovsky shows the results of tests made using only 40 watts and QRP
at 2 watts on the 80 through 10 meter bands.
The gear used in his test was an Icom 706 transceiver, with Outbacker
Perth antenna on his car parked curb side. The vehicle was
approximately 70 feet from his house, and more than 100 feet from the
BPL power pole interface. Inside the home a laptop with BPL interface
repeatedly downloading a 40 Megabyte file.
--
Tarnovsky: "Well, what we found is that when we were within reasonably
close proximity -- I would say within 100 feet or so of any of the BPL
installations -- when we transmitted on E-CARS on 7.225 that we
actually had an affect on them. The way ewe knew that we had an affect
was that as soon as you released the microphone (PTT), rather than
hearing the typical BPL noise, you knew the system was backed up with
data and consequently became very aggressive and just blanked (the
band). If you looked at a spectrum display of it -- it just covered
the entire spectrum. Its almost as though all the stops were off. In
other words the band stops were off. Just rip and get the data out and
that's exactly what it did."
--
What K4GVT found was that on all bands the connection suffered at least
a major slowdown when he transmitted at the 40 watt level. On 80
through 15 meters the 40 watts caused the download to stop altogether
and requiring it to be restarted. But the biggest surprise was on 40
meters where 2 watts of R-F rendered the BPL connection numb. He says
that the 2 watts at 7 MHz caused the BPL data transfer to stop.
--
Tarnovsky: " With the original G1 installation, 2 watts would have an
affect on it. Since then they have made some changes in their firmware
to the G1. The G2 has agile notching so they can go in and they can
notch it (the spectrum), but being agile they can also remove them and
that's the problem that we are facing here."
--
Tarnovsky notes that regardless of what carriers a BPL provider might
notch out of a system, the system operator cannot filter its input. As
such, R-F ingress to the BPL system is wide open, and susceptible to
all near field RF from 2 to 29 MHz. Even one that only 2 watts and
more than 100 feet away.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
--
More on the BPL ingress experiment by K4GVT including a band by band
results chart is on his website. Its in cyberspace at
www.k4gvt.com/bpl/bplweakness.html (ARNewsline, QRZ.com)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: LATEST SOUTH AFRICA REPORT SNOTES INTERFERENCE
POTENTIAL
South Africa's ham community has confirmed what so many others know
already. That Broadband Over Powerline Internet access is a major
source of interference to High Frequency communications
During a recent net, South African Radio League President Graham
Hartlett, presented an update on the society's position of powerline
telecommunication in South Africa. The latest tests have confirmed
that BPL has an inherent interference potential and that this must be
taken care of in new type approval specification for powerline data
communications systems.
Hartlett noted that telecommunications regulator ICASA has recognized
that it will need to strengthen its interference complaint handling
capability and has asked the EMC working group to develop type approval
specifications and how to deal with interference should it occur.
These specifications would be an interim measure and in no way pre-empt
international specifications. Once international standards have been
agreed, the interim specifications would be revised and brought into
line. (WIA News)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: ARRL SAYS FCC MUST SHUT DOWN AMBIENT
Still with BPL news, word that the ARRL has again demanded that the FCC
shut down Ambient Corporation's broadband over power line pilot project
in Briarcliff Manor, New York.
In a May 31 letter to FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division Chief Kathryn
S. Berthot, ARRL General Counsel Christopher D. Imlay, W3KD, says that
it's long past time that the Commission enforce its own rules, and
again objected to the Commission's inexplicable inaction in the face of
evidence the system is noncompliant.
On May 21 the FCC called on the BPL equipment maker and system operator
to demonstrate it's complying with all terms of the Part 5 Experimental
license authorizing the system, or face possible enforcement action.
Imlay's letter pointed out that the FCC's May 21 letter made no
mention of Condition #1 of Ambient's Part 5 Experimental license. That
condition requires that if any interference occurs, the holder of the
authorization will be subject to immediate shutdown. (ARRL)
**
RESCUE RADIO: FCC MOVES TOWARD AN UPGRADED EAS
The FCC has adopted a Second Report and Order and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking that strengthens the nation's EAS or Emergency
Alert System. The Commission's Order promotes the development of fully
digital Next Generation technologies and delivery systems that will
better serve the American public.
According to the CGC Communicator, the Order requires EAS participants
to accept messages using a messaging system called Common Alerting
Protocol. CAP as it will be known is the groundwork for whats being
called the Next Generation EAS delivery systems. This protocol will
need to be in place no later than 180 days after FEMA makes a key
announcement.
The Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making is the second part of the
decision. It seeks comment on whether participants should be required
to deliver EAS alerts originated by local, county, tribal, or other
state governmental entities. More on the Report and Order is on-line
at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-273458A1.pdf
(CGC)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: RAFT DE-ORBITS
The US Naval Academy's RAFT ham radio satellite has reached the end of
its orbital life. Data compiled from stations monitoring its 145.825
MHz downlink indicates that RAFT de-orbit occurred between 02:00 and
03:00 UTC on May 30th. Its final beacon was heard at 01:45 UTC that
day. (ANS)
**
WITH ARNewsline: 2007 YHOTY NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED
The nominating season for the 2007 Young Ham of the Year Award is now
closed. The deadline for submitting nominations was midnight on May
30th, The judging committee is now hard at work selecting this years
winner. We will have that persons name to announce in a few weeks.
**
TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW: BROADCASTERS WIN APPEAL ON INDENCY AND
PROFANITY RULES
A federal appeals court has overturned an indecency ruling against the
Fox Broadcasting and has broadly questioned whether the Federal
Communications Commission has any right to police the airwaves for
offensive language. Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has more:
--
In a 2 to 1 decision on June 4th, , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
2nd Circuit in New York ruled that the FCC went too far in issuing a
2006 decision against Fox for separate incidents in 2002 and 2003 after
two personalities each uttered an expletive on live television.
In 2004, the agency reversed years of policy and effectively branded
even "fleeting," or one-time, use of an expletive off-limits on
broadcast television and radio In its ruling the court found that that
the FCC had not adequately, or constitutionally, explained why it
changed its mind on the fleeting use of profanity and ordered the
agency to retool its regulations.
Because the Fox incidents occurred before the FCC's 2004 ruling on
fleeting profanity, the agency did not fine the network, though it did
rule that the broadcasts were indecent. Fox appealed the FCC ruling to
the 2nd Circuit, saying the new rule set a dangerous precedent for
clamping down on free speech.
According to the Washington Post, the decision is likely to be looked
on as a rebuke to the FCC and a victory for television networks, which
in recent years have pushed back against the regulatory agency's
crackdown on indecency. It could also bolster the broadcasters
argument that parents need better tools such as channel-blocking
technology rather than more government regulation to police the viewing
habits of their children.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that he was disappointed in the court's
ruling. He added that FCC attorneys were reviewing the agency's
options and might appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Lawyers
who specialize in the First Amendment issues told the Washington Post
that such an appeal could easily become a test case to determine
whether the federal government still has the right and responsibility
to police the public airwaves.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in
Philadelphia.
--
What affect this ruling might have on indecency and profanity issues in
other FCC administered services is unknown. (ARNewsline from
published news reports)
**
RESCUE RADIO: TSA VOLUNTEER TRAINS NEW HAMS
30 Transportation Safety Administration volunteers have been trained to
use emergency high frequency radio equipment during disasters. The 30
have also qualified for Amateur Radio operator licenses.
According to news reports, TSA employees participating in the May 9th
training traveled to Pensacola, Florida for the session. Volunteers
came from as far away as Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arizona and
New York State.
Spokesman Steve Earnest said that Pensacola is fortunate that it has a
Transportation Safety Officer who is also a highly experienced Amateur
Radio operator, trainer and examiner.
Earnset says that this radio amateurs volunteer efforts have given the
agency tremendous in-house capability. One he says would have been
expensive for the agency to replicate using contractors. More is on-
line at /www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/amateur_radio_operators.shtm (TSA
Release)
**
RESCUE RADIO: TENNESSEE RED CROSS CHAPTER GIFTED RADIO GEAR
Within the next 18 months, the Treis-County Tennessee Chapter of the
American Red Cross should have a new emergency communications station.
One with improved capabilities ready to use in the event of a disaster.
According to the Tullahoma News Guardian, the emergency communications
station is being made possible by a donation by the wife of the late
Bill Bearden, a former Red Cross volunteer and ham radio operator.
Mrs. Bearden has donated two antennas and numerous pieces of Amateur
Radio equipment that is being refurbished. One of the antennas will be
installed on a new tower at the local Red Cross headquarters where the
station will be installed.
Chapter Executive Director Alice Cano thanked Mrs. Bearden and noted
that the new station would better enable the Red Cross to stay in touch
with drivers of emergency response vehicles. She also noted that Bryan
Marlowe, KE4LPL, a member of the Red Cross chapter's information
technology team, Jimmy Floyd, NQ4U and other radio amateurs make up the
Treis County chapter's disaster communications committee. (Tullahoma
News)
**
RESCUE RADIO: ATV AT SANTA BARBARA EM COMMS DRILL
Fifteen Califoornia Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers
equipped with slow-scan television assisted with a voluntary wildfire
evacuation drill on Saturday morning, April 28th. An exercise involving
residents of over 900 homes near the city of Santa Barbara.
During the event, five ARES teams were stationed at key intersections
where winding, narrow roads merged into the main street out of a
mountain community. The amateurs sent slow scan photos in a pre-
arranged rotation, with the camera number appearing in the picture.
Each number corresponding to the assigned intersection so officials
could easily identify the location on large area maps.
Receiving stations were set up at the City's Emergency Operating
Center. According to Santa Barbara City Fire Battalion Chief John
Ahlman, the amateur television pictures were the only continuous, real-
time information his department received from the field.
This is not the first time ham radio has been a part of Santa Barbara
emergency communications drills. Fire officials were so impressed with
the information provided by the ARES slow-scan TV at a smaller drill
two years ago, that they invited the ham radio group back to
participate in this one as well. (N6ZKJ)
**
ENFORCEMENT: BEHRINGER FINED $1,000,000 FOR UNAUTHORIZED GEAR SALES
Electronics supplier Behringer USA, Inc. has been dinged with a
proposed one million dollar fine by the FCC. This, for marketing 50
models of unauthorized radio frequency equipment in the United States
without prior consent from the regulatory agency.
The gear in question is described as digital audio music devices. This
says the FCC was a willful and repeated violation of Section 302(b) of
the Communications Act of 1934, and Section 2.803(a) of the
Commission's Rules. (FCC)
**
REGULATORY NEWS: ARRL VEC TYPO LEADS TO LICENSE CLASS CORRECTION
The FCC has rescinded an Extra class upgrade accidentally granted to
W5VXJ of Phoenix, Arizona, who had only filed for a General class
upgrade. And it's doing so with the implied consent of the radio
amateur involved. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details:
--
The story goes this way. On February 2, 2006, the Commission received
from the ARRL VEC an electronic data file that contained an application
requesting modification of John R. Ure, W5VXJ''s license to upgrade his
operating privileges from Technician Plus Class to Amateur Extra Class.
The license was modified to authorize Amateur Extra Class operator
privileges on February 2, 2006.
On April 19, 2006, the ARRL VEC requested that the Commission rescind
this modification. This, on the grounds that the earlier data file it
submitted contained a typographical error and that the requested
upgrade was intended to modify the operator privileges for Amateur
Radio Service Station W5VXJ to General Class operator privileges.
Based on the new information, the FCC contacted Ure and proposed to
modify the license to change the license class from Amateur Extra Class
to General Class.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los
Angeles.
--
W5VXJ did not protest the proposed modification of his license within
the requisite thirty-day time frame s the FCC says that Ure is deemed
to have consented to the modification. (FCC)
**
TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW: SPOOFING CAN GET YOU 5 IN JAIL
Spoof and you could go to jail. So says one house of Congress. Jim
Davis, W2JKD, has more:
--
The House of Representatives has voted to make phone "spoofing," the
use of fake caller ID information to defraud people, a felony subject.
The bill makes it a federal crime to use false caller ID information
with the intent to defraud or to deceive the recipient about the
identity of the caller. A conviction brings a 5 year prison sentence
and forfeiture of any gains from the offense, or of the software or
technology use to commit the crime. Exemptions are made for the
activities of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
--
The bill now goes to the Senate for action and debate. (Technology
Today)
**
NEW AT HAMVENTION 2007: LINK COMMUNICATIIONS
Continuing with our coverage of new products shown at the recent Dayton
Hamvention, we turn this week to a rather specialized area. That of
repeater controllers and a company called Link Communications. Here's
Fred Vobbe, W8HDU:
--
Audio report only. Please download the audio report at
www.arnewsline.org
--
More on the RLC-DSP404 is on line at www.csm1000.com (ARNewsline)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: "AMATEUR RADIO TODAY" IS #1 HAM VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
"Amateur Radio Today" the ARRL video produced by Dave Bell, W6AQ, Bill
Baker, W1BKR, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF and the late Alan Kaul, W6RCL --
and written by W6RCL-- has today become the most watched ham radio
video on www.YouTube.com
As this is written, there are three postings of "Amateur Radio Today"
of this show on YouTube. The one posted by "Tomintexas" has to date
garnered some 24,423 people screening it. Another by a user named
mranticocialguy has been screened 3,727 time and the third by user
VA3CSS that has been viewed 1859 times. Adding all three postings
together, "Amateur Radio Today" has been viewed on YouTube a total
close to 30,000 times.
In second place in the most viewed ham radio YouTube videos is "The Ham
Band" singing "Come and Join Us On The Airwaves." The video featuring
Andrew John Huddelston, Oh-Zed-1-X-J and his wife Lissa Ladefoged on a
100 foot high tower has so far racked up an impressive 20,676 views.
Third place goes to the on-line programmer 88 SLIDE whose "Ham Radio
Field Day" video has garnered 6785 views. It uses footage shot around
Los Angeles and Orange County California on Field Day weekend, 2006.
While none of these shows have set any YouTube viewing records their
numbers are still very respectable for a special interest such as
Amateur Radio. (ARNewsline)
**
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY: DAB STANDARD BEING CHANGED
A major change is coming to a digital broadcast radio near you. Jeramy
Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottingham in the U-K with the latest on DAB
standards and the future of digital receiver design:
--
Current DAB radios may be unable to receive anything in a few years
time, according to Pure Digital.
This is due to the introduction of DAB Plus, which uses the new AAC
Plus audio coding. The new DAB standard is incompatible with existing
DAB receivers, and will render them obsolete. The new coding system is
twice as efficient as the MP2 system currently in use, meaning that the
number of channels per multiplex could double.
Manufacturers are expected to quietly switch to producing dual standard
receivers before any changeover occurs.
Im Jeramy Boot, G4NJH.
--
The switchover only affects terrestrial DAB radio and not satellite
delivered services such as Sirrius or XM. (GB2RS)
**
WORLDBEAT - GERMANY: THE DL 100 AWARD
In news from around the world, German hams are on the air throughout
June with a special celebration. This with members of the radio clubs
of Norddeich and Hage commemorating the 100th anniversary of the well
known coast station Norddeich Radio. Operations are planned for 160
through 10 meters on various modes. The special callsign, DL100DAN is
being used and a special D A N 100 award will be available. More
information can be found at http://norddeich-radio.de/ (OPDX)
**
WORLDBEAT - JAPAN: JARL TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL QRP DAY
The Japan Amateur Radio League's QRP Club will be running five special
event stations, 8J1P, 8J3P, 8J4P, 8J5P and 8J6P on June 17th to
celebrate the International QRP Day. International QRP Day was
designated by the IARU Region 1 Conference held in April 1984 in Italy
to stimulate QRP operation worldwide. It was reaffirmed by the IARU
Region 3 Conference in New Zealand in December of 1985 (JARL)
**
WORLDBEAT - UK: GB3RAL PROPOSED 40 AND 60 MHz BEACONS ON THEIR WAY
In VHF news, work from the United Kingdom that the new GB3RAL 40.05 and
60.05MHz beacons are due to receive government clearance in mid-June
but both have already cleared their key Primary User stages. Assuming
that regulatory clearance is also obtained the sponsors will go forward
to for final clearance and approval sometime this summer.
If approved, it brings ham radio in the UK closer to the prospect of a
unique 40, 50, 60 and 70 MHz co-located beacon system at the Rutherford
Appleton Labs location near Oxford. While not in amateur bands, the 40
and 60 MHz beacons should prove to be extremely useful propagation
study markers both in the UK and world wide. (GB2RS)
**
ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING IN INDY WITH HAM RADIO
Back in the United States, Indianapolis, Indiana has been a hotbed of
special event stations during May and it continues in June. Fire up
that new HF rig and get ready to copy. Jack Parker W8ISH has this
report from the Circle City.
--
If you have your HF rig fired up and your antenna pointed toward
Indianapolis you many score some great contacts in the next few weeks.
Beginning Friday evening June 8th the Indianapolis Radio Club will
begin making contacts from the site of the USS Indianapolis Memorial.
The USS Indianapolis was sunk during World War Two after delivering
atomic bomb components that were later used in the attack on Hiroshima.
Listen for the W9IND call sign during the 44 hour event or check the
Indianapolis Radio Club web page for more information.
The pace continues to quicken as the United States Grand Prix rolls
into town on Fathers Day weekend, June 17th. Special event station
W9IMS will be on the air, taking check-ins, during that weekend . This
world class special event station operates during each one of the major
races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you don't catch W9IMS
during the Formula One race you have another opportunity to snag a
special QSL card during the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race the weekend of
July 29th.
And last but not least, many central Indiana clubs report gearing up
for Field Day 2007 on June 23rd and 24th. Maybe we'll catch you on the
HF bands.
Reporting for Amateur Radio Newsline this is Jack Parker W8ISH.
--
The USS Indianapolis Memorial station will join nearly 70 other special
event stations around the world as part of the Museum Ships Weekend.
(W8ISH)
**
DX
In D-X, word that N6PF, will be celebrating his 60th birthday with a
visit to 3A2MD's QTH in Monaco. He will be operating with his call
portable 3A from June 25th to the 30th. Bands and modes of activity were
not provided. QSL via his home callsign.
And SQ8JCA, will once again be active portable 5N2 from Cogi, Nigera
during all of June. Activity is expected to be on 80 through 6 meters
on SSB only. Listen out for him between 10:00-16:00 UTC and QSL to his
home callsign address.
Lastly, members of the Borisov Amateur Radio Club will be active as
EW905B between now and November 30th. This, three number callsign is
to celebrate the 905th anniversary of Borisov City in Belarus. QSL this
one via EW2EO.
(From various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: THE LONG SAIL
And finally this week the story of a voyage by sea and the role played
by Amateur Radio. Rob Mt Barker, VK5MM, of the W-I-A News has the
details:
--
"Sometimes we could hear them, but they couldn't hear us. But we knew
they were out there."
They were the words of John Hackney of Orono, who joined the crew of a
Trans-Atlantic sailing expedition in the British Virgin Islands.
A father and son crew from Bangor, along with an assortment of
additional mates, completed the last leg of a journey that took them
from Bangor to ports throughout Europe and back again over the course
of two seasons of
sailing.
Dan Cassidy, 58, and his son David, 23, left Bangor in May 2006 to
start the voyage that would cover nearly 18,000 miles and take them to
10 different countries. And Amateur Radio went along for the ride.
In a smaller boat, rotating watches have to keep an eye out for other,
larger vessels and an ear out for the weather forecasts. For those
communications, they relied on a Ham radio contact with an inland
operator who monitors weather conditions for mariners.
The Ham radio also allowed Fleana's crew to send e-mails, which
sometimes were more reliable than voice communications. Those e-mails
were a godsend for family members.
"We were getting some information," said Deena Cassidy, Dan's wife.
"We knew things were going well, so I didn't really worry."
Good day. I'm Robb, VK5MM
--
As we go to air, the voyage continues. (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.
Before we go, the results of our on-line poll that asked the question
of what are your upgrade plans now that Morse is no longer required.
Well 38.8% of those who responded said they planned to upgade while
only 15.8% said they will stay with the license they now have. And a
whopping 45.8% clicked the box that said that they wished everyone
would stop talking about the Morse exam going away. We tend to agree.
The new poll now on line regards your ham radio reading habits. It
asks what is your favorite major U.S. ham radio magazine. You vote at
www.arnewsline.org.
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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