[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1566 - August 17, 2007

Sat Aug 18 10:47:20 EDT 2007

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1566 - August 17, 2007

The following is a Q-S-T. U-K hams wonder if their regulator will 
auction off am Amateur band, California emergency communications hams 
win mayoral praise and drivers say that texting is dangerous if yyou 
are behind the wheel. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline 
report number 1566 coming your way right now.

**

RADIO REGULATIONS:  UK REGULATOR PROPOSES SELLINHG HAM BAND

Is U-K telecommunications regulator OFCOM getting ready to try to 
auction  off a ham band?  Jeramy Boot, G-4-N-J-H, is in Nottingham, 
England is here with more:

--

U-K telecommunications regulator has published proposals with relevance 
to the 3cm band.  The proposals concern the award and auction of 
spectrum between 10 GHz and 40 GHz..  

One range of frequencies under consideration coincides with the 3cm 
Amateur Satellite Service allocation. 

I'm Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, and you are listening to the amateur radiop 
Newsline.

--

Details of the pending auction are on the Ofcom web site.  Specific 
links to it can be found in the News section of the RSGB web site.  The 
latter is in cyberspace at www.rsgb.org.  (GB2RS)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  FULLY INTEROPERABLE DIGITAL RADIO SYSTEM TO BE DEPLOYED 
BY NATIONAL GUARD

Back in the United States, the National Guard is getting a new  fully 
interoperable digital voice and data communications system.  Bruce 
Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:

--

The new satellite cased communications system will be developed and 
deployed by DataPath of Duluth, Georgia.  DataPath will work with 
Applied Global Technologies to create communications multiple 
interoperable networks.  These systems will permit federal, state and 
military first responders establish command and control capabilities at 
the site of a man-made or natural disaster within hours, anywhere in 
the United States.

According to a report from Radio World, DataPath, which builds 
satellite and wireless communications networks has won the  $16.7 
million contract from the Communications-Electronics Command in Fort 
Monmouth, New Jersey.  The system it is developing will use its 
satellite communications base units to deliver high bandwidth to voice-
over-IP telephones, video teleconferencing systems and to interoperable 
handheld radios for deployed National Guard teams and other first 
responders.  It will also establish a nationwide Joint Incident Site 
Communications Capability for the Army National Guard.  The contract 
also calls dor DataPath to provide a complete portable communications 
suite that will be transportable by use of a C-130 aircraft or other 
means for rapid deployment.

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

--

DataPath says that it will deliver 32 systems based on a portable, fly-
away satellite communications  terminal.  It has also developed a 
customized version by incorporating a 1.2-meter fly-away antenna in the 
package.  (RW)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAMWATCH AND THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

The mayor of South El Monte, California, has praised ham radio 
operators who assist her city and the nation in time of need and she 
did so in a most unusual way.  On the air.  Take a listen:

--

Mayor Figueroa:  "To all of you Hamwatch operators, thank you for 
helping all of your cities.  National Night Out - remember to say no to 
crime, leave yiur lights on and thank you for doing a great job.  God 
bless you and god bless America."

--

That's Mayor Blanca Figueroa and the story of how she got to thank the 
ham community for its involvement is actually a story unto itself.  One 
that kind of involves us here at Newsline.  At least peripherally.

On Tuesday August 7th, communities across the nation participated in 
the "National Night Out."  This is an opportunity for communities to to 
promote activities aimed at increasing security with programs such as 
Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams and of coarse 
Amateur Radio.  

One such event was held in the City of South El Monte, a suburb of Los 
Angeles.  That's where members of the Temple Station Hamwatch Group 
were present to display radio equipment and answer questions related to 
Ham Radio.  

As part of the demonstration Deputy Hector Figueroa, KE6VRL, used a 
portable station to transmit what the group calls the "Amateur Radio 
Newsline - Check-In Net" at its regularly scheduled time on the local 
N6USO repeater.  As the net was winding down, Mayor Figueroa requested 
a moment at the microphone.  And as you heard, she used it  to thank 
the members of Hamwatch and the Amateur Radio community for their 
ongoing efforts to communities all across the United States.  (KE6VRL)

**

HAPPY HAM TIMES:  MFJ ENTERPRIZES WANTS TO CELEBRATE #35 WITH YOU

And Martin Jue, K5FLU, wants to treat you to lunch, but there is a 
catch.  Lunch will be served only on Friday and Saturday, September 7th 
and 8th at Martin's MFJ Enterprises factory in Starkville, Mississippi.  
This, as a part of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the company 
that bears his initials in its name.

K5FLU says that he started MFJ in October of 1972 in a small hotel room 
in downtown Starkville.  His first product was a C-W filter kit that 
sold for under $10.  Today M-F-J has grown into a diverse corporation 
that owns five separate companies with over 2500 products.  And Martin 
Jue says that all this happened because you believed in him and the 
gear he manufactures.  

As a way of saying thanks, K5FLU has set aside September 7th and 8th for 
a celebration with all of his ham radio friends that can make it to 
Starkville.  In addition to the free lunch there will also be a special 
event station, license exams, factory tours and those all important 
door prizes.  

M-F-J Enterprises is located at 300 Industrial Park Road in Starkville, 
Mississippi.  Starkville is about 120 miles due West of Birmingham 
Alabama or 150 miles South East of Memphis, Tennessee.  More 
information on this 35th anniversary event is on-line at 
www.mfjenterprises.com.  To which we will add a "Happy 35th" and at least 
35 more.  (MFJ)

**

RADIO RIPOFF:  IRTS WARNS OF AD SCAM

Ireland's national ham radio society, the Irish Radio Transmitters 
Society is warning about a fraudulent operation involving the sale of 
amateur radio equipment.  One which is being conducted through a series 
of small ads in recent editions of genuine radio magazines.

The equipment is being sold using an address in Oxford, England and 
another in the Isle of Wright.  The source of the gear is supposed to 
be that of a deceased ham.  Payment may be requested direct to an 
`Executor' as opposed to the actual person advertising.  The Irish 
Radio Transmitters Society says that this  scam has already cost one of 
its members in excess of 1,500 Euros to date.  (IRTS)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC CITES TWO CALIFORNIA TIS STATIONS

The FCC appears to be cracking down on abuse of Traveler's Information 
Stations, CGC Communicator reports.  The CGC Communicator reports that 
the newsletter notes that the FCC has given the state of California 20 
days to respond to its July  notice of violation.  This, concerning one 
of those low-power AM systems in Los Angeles under the call WPHJ962.

According to the FCC, a commission agent found that the station was 
airing only a continuous loop saying: "This is Caltrans highway 
advisory radio WPHJ 962 broadcasting. This is a test message."  

In its citation, the FCC pointed out that Travelers Information 
Stations must air only noncommercial voice information pertaining to 
traffic and road conditions, traffic hazard and travel advisories, 
directions, availability of lodging, rest stops and service stations 
and descriptions of local points of interest. 

A separate notice but similar went to the City of Santa Monica, 
California.  In this case a Travelers Information Service system was 
retransmitting a National Weather Service station.  (CGC)

**

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)
**

RESCUE RADIO:  ALABAMA GETS ALERT FM

The Alabama Broadcasters Association in association Global Security 
Systems has announced  that five radio stations in that state are among 
the first there to deploy a digital alarm and messaging system called 
Alert FM.  

Alert FM uses RDS technology to send  targeted alerts that are 
delivered by satellite to FM broadcast transmitters and user end Alert 
FM receivers.  Information can also be displayed on mobile devices, 
such as  PDA's, cell phones and other receivers equipped to decode RDS.  

As an a incentive, broadcasters that participate in the Alert FM 
program will get the RDS technology at no cost to them.  They will also 
receive the ability to transmit non-emergency mesages, including song 
titles and artists, call letters, slogans or other information to their 
listeners.

Global Security Systems says its use of the FM infrastructure provides 
overlapping coverage, ensuring distribution over a large footprint.  It 
believes the system ultimately will be able to reach millions of 
households in the state with a single message in seconds.  More on the 
Alert FM system is on line at http://www.alertfm.com (GSS)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  ON LINE WEATHER TRAINING COURSE FROM STORM-PREP.COM

If you want to learn how to interpret real-time weather data to 
recognize and learn how to prepare for the variety of weather hazards a 
new on-line training  course offered by Storm-Prep may be what you 
need.  

Storm-Prep is a new public education initiative that offers a self-
study course titled "Anticipating, Recognizing, and Preparing For 
Deadly Weather". The course demonstrates how to use the Internet to 
access and interpret radar imagery, satellite imagery, and other 
taxpayer-funded weather data, and even sky clues.  It also shows how  
to recognize the potential for, or the imminent threat of, deadly 
weather. 

More information about Storm-Prep and the course is on-line at 
www.storm-prep.com  (Via press release)

**

RADIO THEFT:  GROUND SYSTEM TAKEN FROM CALIFORNIA STATION

The copper wire thefts at rafio facilities continue.  Broadcast 
engineer Bill Ruck, writing in the CGC Communicator writes that he 
recently received a call about transmitter problems at KDYA A.M.  KDYA 
operates on 1190 kHz in Vallejo, California.  Ruck says that when he 
arrived the transmitter looked okay but was seeing high reflected 
power.  So he walked out to the tower to look for problems there.  What 
he found was the entire the ground system was gone.  The copper wire 
used for it had been stolen.  Ruck says that he is now in the process 
of replacing it using barbed wire.  (CGC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  K3LSR NEW HEAD OF AIR FORCE MARS

Some names in the news.  First from the ARRL comes word that Allen 
Eiermann, K3LSR, has been named the new acting chief of Air Force MARS.  
Eiermann holds a General class Amateur Radio license and is a former 
Navy and Marine Corps MARS member.   He replaces Don Poquette who 
recently retired form the Air Force.  (ARRL)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  ARRL GREAT LAKES CONVENTION IN OHIO SEPT 22

The ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention is being held on Saturday, 
September 22nd  at the Sheraton Independence Hotel in Independence, 
Ohio. Among the seminar sessions will be Bob Heil K9EID and Chip 
Margelli K7JA hosting a Heil Sound Workshop.  Other seminar sessions 
will feature such well known radio amateurs as Bob Allphin K4UEE, 
Bernie McClenny W3UR, Don Karvonen K8MFO and John Papay K8YSE.  The 
featured banquet speaker is Joel Harrison W5ZN, President of the ARRL. 
Following the banquet a Wouff Hong ceremony will be held. More about 
this event is on-line at www.2007gldc.org  (e-mail)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  HANDIHAMS CELEBRATE YEAR 40

And the Handiham 40th anniversary special event takes place August  25th 
through the 28th.  Plans call for the call W0EQO to be operational from 
1400 to 0200 U-T-C each day using SSB on 7.240 and 14.340 MHz, and C-W 
on 7.040 and 14.140 MHz.   It should be noted that 14.140 is also a 
gathering spot for many Canadian Morse enthusiasts so the two groups 
will be co-sharing the frequency.  More information including the QSL 
route is on line At www.handiham.org  (Handi Hams)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  SCADS PICNIC IN SOCAL AUGUST 18

And this for shortwave listeners and monitor radio hobbyists.  While a 
bit short notice, word that the Southern California Area DX'ers  will 
hold its  annual picnic on August 18th.  The venue is the Point Vincente 
Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Festivities 
will start around 7am for set-ups and will end about  4pm local Pacific 
Coast time.  Those planning to attend are urged to bring along a 
battery operated receiver and portable antenna for some listening fun. 
(SCADS)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  WIN A FREE TRIP BY CELEBRATING THE IRTS AT 75

You might call this one work Ireland and win a free trip.  This with 
word that the Irish Radio Transmitters Society's 75th Anniversary 
Contest called CQ I R, will take place on the last weekend in 
September.  

CQ I R is being billed as a 24-hour single operator contest with the 
emphasis on participation rather than winning and to this end every 
participant gains an entry ticket for a spectacular draw for every 75 
QSO's made during the Contest.  Hams from outside of Ireland and 
England will be eligible to win a weeks vacation at Ireland's Kinnitty 
Castle in Offaly.  The holder of a ticket drawn from the drum devoted 
to Ireland and England will win a week long weekend in New York City 
for two people that will include a side trip to visit ARRL headquarters 
in Connecticut.

The contest is being promoted as a celebration of Ireland and the 
Irish, throughout the world.  The prizes have been fully sponsored at 
no cost to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society. Full rules are on the 
IRTS website.  Its in cyberspace at www.irts.ie  (Southgate, IRTS)

**

RADIO SAFETY:  MAJORITY OF DRIVERS SAY TEXTING UNSAFE
Nine out of 10  adults drivers in the United States believe that 
operating a motor vehicle while sending or receiving text messages is 
dangerous and should be against the law.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, 
reports:
--
The determination is the result of a new survey conducted by polling 
over 2,000 adults between June 28 and July 3rd in research conducted by 
Harris Interactive for hands free mobile messaging service Pinger 
Incorporated. 
According to the results, 91 percent of adults surveyed thought that 
drivers sending text messages or e-mails are as dangerous as those who 
have had a couple of drinks before getting behind the wheel.  However, 
the survey also found that 66 percent of adults who drive a car and 
have read text messages or e-mails while driving.  57 percent of the 
same people said they have sent text messages or e-mails while behind 
the wheel.  
But that's not all.  The survey found that 64 percent of adults who 
admitted to sending text messages while driving were between the ages 
of 18 and 34.  Only 6 percent were 55 or older.  And less we forget:  
Men and women were found to be of equal numbers in regard to sending 
text messages while driving.
Well, I won't and I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, for the Amateur Radio 
Newsline.
--
Six states including New York, California and Florida are considering 
legislation that would ban texting while driving.  Washington state 
banned texting while driving in May.  (ScienceOnLine)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  A GOOD SCIENCE EDUCATION HELPS

Researchers say students who had more math courses in high school did 
better in all types of science once they got to college.  On the other 
hand, while high school courses in biology, chemistry or physics 
improved college performance in each of the individual sciences, taking 
a high school course in one science didn't result in better college 
performance in the others.

One of the study authors says the most important thing for high school 
science teachers is to make sure there's lots of math in whatever 
science course they teach.  The head of the National Science Teachers 
Association said while the "correlation with math makes sense" it's not 
the necessarily the same as a cause and effect.

The research, which is being reported in the journal Science, was 
supported by the National Science Foundation.  (NSF)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: A CALL FOR PAPERS

A third call for papers to be presented at the 2007 AMSAT Space 
Symposium and Annual Meeting has been announced.  The emphasis for this 
year is an educational outreach to middle and high school students. In 
particular, papers on Students & Education, ARISS, AO-51, Phase 3 E, 
Eagle and other satellite-related topics are being solicited.  

September 1st is the deadline for submitting electronic versions of 
papers for inclusion in the printed symposium proceedings.  They go to  
Dan Schultz by e-mail to n8fgy at amsat dot org.  The symposium itself 
is slated to be held October 25th to the 28th in Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania.  (ANS)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  BRAZIL RESUMES SPACE PROGRAM

Brazil has taken its first steps in reviving its space program.  In 
late July that nations aerospace agency launched one of its VSB-30 
atmospheric sounding rockets.  According to Brazilian officials the 
flight lasted about 20 minute with the experimental capsule plashing 
down on target in the South Atlantic.  Brazil says that its goal is to 
develop the technology to launch heavy payload satellites into Earth 
orbit.  (Space)

**

WORLDBEAT - AUSTRALIA:  VK INTRODUCED DAB+

Australia is one of the latest nations to adopt the new  DAB Plus 
system for digital audio broadcasting.  Marilyn  Syme, VK3DMS, reports 
from Victoria state:

--

Australian radio broadcasters recently switched on the first test 
transmissions of digital radio using DAB+ in Sydney, New South Wales. 

The digital radio test is carrying a mix of talk and music, including 
pop and jazz, to allow the industry to test the sound quality of a 
variety of content at various bit rates.

A demonstration DAB+ receiver was developed for the test, as DAB+ 
receivers are not yet commercially available. A number of manufacturers 
have indicated they will have DAB+ products ready for overseas retail 
sale before Christmas.  All commercial, SBS and ABC outlets in the 
capital cities are expected to avail themselves of Digital Conversion. 

This is Marilyn, VK3DMS.

--

Australia has also joined a new DAB+ taskforce set up by the Asia-
Pacific Broadcasting Union. Warner has been appointed chair of  the 
task force, also represented are Brunei, Singapore and New Zealand.  
The taskforce plans to survey of regional broadcasters to ascertain 
their plans for digital radio, as well as to encourage nations to adopt 
DAB+.  (WIA News)

**

ON THE AIR:  A STRANGE OPERATING EVENT

Italy's 4th annual Strange Radio Event will take place between 0600 UTC 
on October 19th and 2200 UTC on the 21st.  Many Italian stations will be 
using many special S-R-T suffix callsigns such as IS0SRT, II1SRT and 
IR8SRT and the Strange Radio Team is hoping to hear many other S-R-T 
suffix callsigns from other countries.

Strange Radio Team plaques will be awarded for this event and 
certificates will be available for those holding QSOs various S-R-T 
special callsigns. 

The mode for this event is SSB only.  More can be found on-line at 
www.strangeradioteam.com  (SRT Release)

**

DX

In DX, word that the Greater Norwalk Amatuer Radio Club will be  
sponsoring a DXpedition from August 18th to the 19th.  This, to activate 
Sheffield Island Lighthouse for International Lighthouse Weekend.  
Operation will use the callsign N1EV and will begin 1600 UTC on the 18th 
and end at around 1800 UTC on the 19th.  Activity will be on 80 through 
10 meters using SSB/CW/FSK in or around the IOTA calling frequencies.  
Plans are to run at least 2 stations for the entire event.  QSL direct 
to N1EV. 

And while a bit down the road yet, word that KK9A, will be active as 
P40A from Aruba during the CQ World Wide  DX SSB Contest.  That's 
planned for October 27th and 28th and he plans to operate as a single-
operator all-band entry.  QSL this one via WD9DZV.

And a first ever qualification and activation of Pelican Island takes 
place August  25th from 1400 to 2400 UTC.  Look for W5P on or near 
14.260 MHz, 7.260 MHz using various modes.  Pelican Island is 
designated as United States Island TX050 located on Eagle Mountain 
Lake.  QSL as directed on the air

Lastly, Don Field, G3XTT, reports that the long awaited 3B7C DXpedition 
to St. Brandon Island will take place between September 7th ad the 24th.  
Planners G3NUG and G3BJ have now confirmed the various logistical 
arrangements for their September operation.  The island has also been 
visited to make a detailed site survey.  And some good news for 6 meter 
enthusiasts. Even though magic band operations are not normally allowed 
from Mauritius and its outlying the DXpedition ha been able to gain a 
short-term permit for three fixed frequencies in the 50 MHz band.  C-W 
will be on 50.090 and 50.102 and SSB on 50.145 MHz.  More information 
is on-line at www.3b7c.com/

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: BRICKS IN THE MAIL 

And finally this wee, there an old adage that there are always two 
sides to a story.  Well that certainly applies to an almost legendary 
ongoing ham radio slug fest on the internet.   Here's Jim Linton, 
VK3PC:

--

This concerns the sending of a box of house bricks and other rubbish, 
to a radio amateur who collected it from his post office, paying cash 
on delivery. 

There was an expectation that the box would contain radio equipment.  
Not restraining his emotions one bit, the irate receiver of the box of 
heavy and somewhat expensive rubbish took to his keyboard to attack the 
sender. 

Counter claims were then made by the apparent sender of the box who 
tried to put some kind of justification on what had occurred. 

It all apparently stems from a dissatisfaction over an earlier matter 
on a popular `for sale' and `wanted' advertising website. 

Angry words like `integrity', `rip-off', `honesty' and `greed' are 
being used in these public exchanges between the two. 

A small blessing however is they live some 2,000 kilometers apart and 
may never meet.  Nonetheless those observing the internet battle remain 
either bemused or bored with the whole affair. 

Neither side seemingly wants to give-up. It's all about personal pride, 
reputation and emotions continue running high over a very important 
issue  - not. 

I'm Jim Linton VK3PC and you're listening to the Amateur Radio 
Newsline.

--

All we can say to this is better that these kind of disagreements be 
fought in cyberspace than on the air.  (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. 

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim 
Meachen, ZL2BHF, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.  