[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1569 - September 7, 2007
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Fri Sep 7 19:44:33 EDT 2007
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1569 - September 7, 2007
The following is a QST. A report says that New York City's
communications infrastructure cannot handle another 911; ham radio
faces hurricane Felix, NATO chimes in on BPL and President Bush
declares September as National Preparedness Month. Find out more on
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1569 coming your way right now.
**
RESCUE RADIO: NYC IS NOT PREPARED FOR ANOTHER 911
The communications infrastructure of New York City is not prepared to
face another 911 attack or any other truly catastrophic event. This is
the conclusion one reaches early on when reading the article Emergency
Comms in New York City by John Kasupski, KC2HMZ. It's in the September
issue of Popular Communications magazine. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
takes a look at what the author has to say:
--
In his article John Kasupski asks a rhetorical question. Would the
vital police, fire and E-M-S personnel responding to such an incident
be any better off in their communications capabilities today than they
were six years ago? He answers the question by stating that as of this
past June the evidence suggests that they would not be any better off
than they were on September 11, 2001.
The article cites the results of an investigation by WABC television
reporter N.J. Burkett. Among the things Burkett discovered was that a
battery back-up system for the New York fire department radio system
was supposed to last 24 hours. It didn't. And the emergency 911 call
system bogged down after a 2006 power failure. Priority callers had to
wait up to 20 minutes to get a response.
Interoperability with adjoining communities also remains a problem. A
quoted report from WCBS news said that even though New York City has an
800 MHz radio system, the current approach for providing communications
between the city and its neighboring counties remains the telephone.
And that's unreliable for a number of reasons, not the least of which
is that no one particular agency seems to have current phone number to
reach its counterpart in an adjacent community.
Kasupski's article is a graphic lesson on how local politicians have
completely failed to bring the city's emergency response radio system
into line with the times we live in. It should also serve as a
reminder to radio amateurs in the metro New York metro area as why they
need to be ready to respond at a moments notice.
If all that John Kasupski, KC2HMZ, states in his article is correct,
then the City of New York is still totally reliant on hams in time of
crisis even thought that fact won't be realized until the time comes
for them to respond.
History does seem to have a way of repeating itself.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, originally
from the City of New York and now in the studio in Los Angeles.
--
You can read John Kasupski's story on the emergency communications
problems facing the New York City beginning on page 15 of the September
issue of Popular Communications magazine. (ARNewsline)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HURRICANE FELIX SLAMS NICARAGUA
There have been more busy days for hams across the Caribbean and in
Central America. This as Hurricane Felix slammed into Nicaragua, on
Tuesday, September 4th.
Packing 160 mph winds, the storm peeled roofs off buildings, knocked
down utility poles and damaged upward of 5,000 homes near Puerto
Cabezas. Virtually all normal lines of communications were knocked out
and again it became a case of Amateur Radio being on the front line:
--
Audio of XE2WCG reporting hospital closure due to flooding and missing
sailors. Hear it by downloading this weeks audio newscast at
www.arnewsline.org.
--
That report was relayed over the Voice over I P Hurricane Watch Net.
Ham radio operators also used it to relay storm reports back to the
National Hurricane Center in Miami.
--
Audio of XE2WCG reporting high winds and rising river in northern
Nicaragua. Hear it by downloading this weeks audio newscast at
www.arnewsline.org.
--
At least three people were killed and thousands forced to seek shelter
as Felix pushed over Nicaragua and Honduras. Despite quickly
diminishing from a Category 5 hurricane to a tropical depression, Felix
sparked fears torrential rains and wide spread flooding. At least 8 to
12 inches of rain were expected across much of Nicaragua and El
Salvador, with 10 to 15 inches forecast for Honduras. Hams across the
area say that they will remain on alert until the 2007 hurricane season
has passed. (ARNewsline with audio supplied by KD1CY)
**
RESCUE RADIO: SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
Meantime, President George W. Bush has proclaimed September as National
Preparedness Month. In making his announcement the President called on
all U.S. citizens to recognize the importance of being ready for
potential emergencies. He also asked citizens to observe this month by
participating in appropriate events, activities, and preparedness
programs.
The President went on to say that protecting America's homeland and its
citizens is the shared responsibility of the entire Nation. He said
that individuals can prepare themselves and their families for
emergencies by taking simple steps such as organizing an emergency
supply kit, making a personal preparedness plan, becoming informed
about different threats, and getting involved in preparing their
community. The President says that these activities create a culture
of preparedness and can help save lives.
For our world of Amateur Radio, the Presidents words have special
meaning. This is because ham radio continues to prove its worth each
time a disaster situation brings down a regions established
communications infrastructure. Being non-centralized and having no
common point of failure means that ham radio emergency communications
can continue to operate when all else fails as it did on 9 11 2001 in
New York and two years ago in New Orleans during and after Hurricane
Katrina. (Published news reports)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: NATO REPORT ON EFFECTS OF BPL RELEASED
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has issued a report of
the anticipated effects that widespread implementation of Broadband
over Powerline communications technology would have on the High
Frequency spectrum..
Particular emphasis is placed on ambient noise in "quite rural" zones
and the "Absolute Protection Requirement". Among the conclusion that
the report reaches are that there is a high probability that BPL would
cause increased noise levels at sensitive receiver sites given the
projected market penetration. Also, the percentages are highly
influenced by assumptions on transmitter power level, market
penetration, and duty cycle.
The entire report can be downloaded at http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public.
One warning though. The file in PDF format is about 9 megabytes in
size. (WIA, Southgate)
**
ENFORCEMENT: TWO POWER UTILITIES CITED FOR INTEFERENCE TO TEXAS HAM
The Federal Communication Commission's Dallas Field Office has issued
Citations to two utilities in a longstanding power line noise case in
Lubbock, Texas. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM,
reports:
--
Bryan Edwards, W5KFT, of Lubbock, first reported the interference
claiming interference from two utilities in early 1994. The alleged
sources were electric providers Lubbock Power & Light and Xcel Energy.
Since then it has been an up-hill battle for Edwards, but a pair of
citations issued to the energy providers by the FCC this past July 25th
may now bring the entire matter to a head.
According to an ARRL bulletin, the citations issues say that an
investigation conducted by the Dallas FCC office was conducted this
past May 22nd to the 25th. That it found both utilities had caused
harmful interference to the reception of amateur communications to
W5KFT. The FCC then directed both utilities to provide documents and
information within 10 days of their respective citations.
In its undated response Lubbock Power & Light stated that it does not
admit to and specifically denies any violation of the Communications
Act or any rule pertaining thereto.
Xcel's response was far more positive. It pointed out that the
citation acknowledges that the source of harmful interference is from
more than one power company. Xcel also claims that it 'has been
working with a Edwards for a number of years in an effort to identify
the source of, and a possible resolution for, the interference he is
experiencing. Xcel Energy says that it has a good working relationship
with Edwards and has coordinated with him on numerous occasions in
attempting to resolve his interference problems.
Xcel then stated its intention to retain an outside technical
consultant to provide an unbiased assessment of whether the harmful
interference to W5KFT is attributable to Xcel Energy's power system and
if so, what corrective measures would be required. And even before the
ink was dry on its response, it acted.
On August 30th Edwards reported that he received a phone call from Paul
Leonard, head of Xcel Energy in West Texas. Edwards said he was told
that Xcel has contracted with Mike Martin, K3RFI, of RFI Services to
come to Lubbock in October to work on locating the source of the line
noise.
Xcel Energy's Leonard added that his company tried to get Lubbock Power
& Light to participate with them, but they refused. At airtime, what
measures Lubbock Power & Light may take to solve the interference its
lines are causing to Edwards operations is unknown.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Casrlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
--
According to the ARRL, Mike Martin's firm RFI Services is dedicated
exclusively to RFI locating and training. Martin has been locating
interference sources for more than 25 years, solving an average of 500
complaints a year. K3RFI has also given power line interference
workshops at ARRL Headquarters (ARRL)
**
ENFORCEMENT: SHARPLES WITHDRAWS HAM LICENSE APPLICATION
The FCC has issued an Order of Dismissal and Termination to Florida
resident Jack R. Sharples for an Amateur Radio license. This, after
accepting his voluntary termination of his application.
Back in May of this year the FCC had designated Sharples application
for an administrative hearing. This based on evidence it had showing
that Sharples was a convicted felon and registered sexual predator.
The FCC said that the felony conviction was for at least one sex
related offense involving a child. As such it raised material and
substantial questions as to whether Sharples held the requisite
character qualifications to be a Commission licensee.
Sharples was given 20 days from the date of the Hearing Designation
Order being issued to respond. He did so on June 19th with a filing to
the presiding Administrative Law Judge. In it Sharples gave his
reasons for filing an Amateur Radio license even in light of his felony
convictions. The FCC considered this response to be a good faith
Notice of Appearance by Sharples.
But on June 27th it appears as if Sharples changed his mind. On that
date he sent a FAX to the presiding Administrative Law Judge. In it he
voluntarily withdrew his Amateur Radio license application. The FCC
dismissed his application on August 1st. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC DISMISES CASTLE RENEWAL APPLICATION
The FCC has dismissed the license renewal application of David O.
Castle, WA9KJI. This, after the former Evansville, Indiana, ham failed
to request a written appearance before an Administrative Law Judge and
also did not appear at a pre-hearing conference in Washington, D. C. on
August 13th.
According to the FCC, the agency had designated Castle's license
renewal for a hearing last May 24th. This, based on the years of
complaints it has received regarding his on the air operation. The FCC
says that since 1998, Castle had been warned repeatedly to refrain from
intentionally interfering with radio communications; broadcasting
without communicating with any particular station; causing interference
on amateur repeaters; using amateur repeaters without authorization,
and using indecent, slanderous or harassing language.
When Castle filed to renew his license the FCC instead set the request
aside and issued a Hearing Designation Order. In it, the FCC stated
that it found Castle's continuing course of conduct raised questions as
to whether he possesses the requisite character qualifications to
remain a Commission licensee. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: L.A. HAMS TOLD TO STAY OFF K6GE REPEATER
The FCC has ordered two Los Angeles area hams to stay off of an area
repeater. In August 23rd letters to ,Norman Ball, KE6VWN, of Sunland,
and Richard Martin, KE6RJI, of Maywood, California, the FCC warned both
hams to avoid using the K6GE repeater or face punitive action,
According to the FCC, both hams had been requested by the repeater
operator to refrain from using the K6GE system. The regulatory agency
says that both hams apparently ignored both verbal and written requests
to do so. Now they have been told that they could wind up facing fines
of up to $10,000 if they ignore the FCC's order to keep off of the K6GE
machine. (FCC)
**
COMMUNICATIONS LAW: NPRM TO ALLOW THE USE OF FM TRANSLATORS BY AM
STATIONS
Here's a follow-up to a story regarding translators in the broadcast
spectrum. Back on July 14, 2006, the National Association of
Broadcasters filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the FCC. One
proposing that the Commission amend its rules to allow AM broadcast
stations to operate FM translator stations as a fill-in service.
The CGC Communicator reports that the FCC received over 500 comments
with overwhelming support for the proposal. So now the FCC is
proposing rules permitting the use of FM translators by AM stations
and has issued an NPRM that examines the issues related to such a rule
change. This includes the issue of program origination at night over
FM translators used by daytime-only AM stations. (CGC)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: PEORIA SUPERFEST - SEPTEMBER 15 - 16
Turning to the ham radio social scene, the Peoria Superfest is slated
for September 15th and 16th at the Exposition Gardens, Peoria Illinois.
This show is best known for its great flea market. More information is
on the web at www.peoriasuperfest.com (Via e-mail)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: 2007 AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM - OCT 26 - 28
And his years AMSAT Space Symposium will take place on October 26th to
the 28th in Pennsylvania. The venue is the Airport Mariott Hotel in
Coraopolis with Sy Liebergot as the keynote Speaker is. Liebergot is
the project Apollo Electrical, Environmental, Consumables Flight
Controller. More information about this years AMSAT Space Symposium is
on-line at the U-R-L in this weeks printed Newsline report.
(DO NOT READ: For general club information about the 2007 AMSAT Space
symposium, visit www.amsat.org or http://www.amsat.org/amsat-
new/symposium/2007/index.php (AMSAT)
**
MAMES IN THE NEWS: KB2GSD NAMED LIFETIME MEMBER OF RCA
Some names in the news. The Radio Club of America has conferred
Honorary Membership on retired CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD.
In making the announcement, Craig Jorgensen, chairman of the club's
Membership Committee, said that Cronkite was selected for three
reasons. First, that Walter Cronkite represents excellence in
broadcasting and journalistic achievement. Second, that KB2GSD has
worked to promote amateur radio which Jorgenson cites as an important
segment of the clubs membership and one that fosters advancement of the
radio art. Lastly, that Cronkite has encouraged young people to take
up an interest in radio communications.
Honorary membership is the highest distinction given by the Radio Club
of America. In its nearly 99-year history, the club has given out only
26 honorary memberships. (RCA)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: W6DWI NEW NCS FOR NORCAL 2 METER SSB NET
Robin Whiting, W6DWI, who has become the new Net Control station of the
famed NORCAL 2m SSB Net. This long standing gathering is held every
Thursday 8:00 p.m.. Pacific on 144.250 MHz using upper sideband.
W6DWI is located in Woodland, California in grid square C M 98 d q. He
says he will begin taking early check-ins starting about 7:50 p.m..
Also, he plans to use the same roll call in the same order as his
predecessor Paul I Hammer, KA6CHJ.
If you are in the Northern California area and in earshot of the net,
you are invited to drop by. (VHF Reflector)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: NEW FIREPROOF LI ON BATTERIES
New lithium-ion batteries being developed for hybrid electric
automobiles may hold promise as a dependable high power source of
emergency communications power. This, as A123 Systems of Watertown,
Massachusetts announces a new type of high power lithium ion cell not
prone to the fire hazards associated with current batteries.
Although the lithium-ion cells you see in laptops and mobile phones
pack twice as much energy per pound as any other current battery, they
have not been adopted for hybrid cars and other power demanding uses
because they are worryingly prone to fires. But A123 believes it has
solved the fire potential problem with a new lithium-ion design that
utilizes a special formulation for the battery's cathode.
Lithium Ion battery fires seem to begin when a small manufacturing
defect, perhaps compounded by overcharging, causes oxygen to separate
from the cathode. As the cell overheats, it can prime oxidation in
neighboring cells, a process known as thermal runaway. A123 overcomes
the problem by making its cathodes out of iron phosphate, which bonds
to the oxygen far more powerfully than does the cobalt dioxide found in
conventional lithium-ion batteries. So its cells are theoretically far
less subject to oxidation, and thus less prone to thermal runaway.
A123's batteries are already in use in other applications demanding a
combination of power and safety. More on these new lithium ion
batteries is on-line at www.a123systems.com/ (IEEE Spectrum via
Science OnLine.)
**
ON THE WWW: NEW GRIDFINDER AT QRZ.COM
The popular QRZ.com website has added a new feature. It's called
GridFinder and it can be used to determine the Grid and latitude and
longitude coordinates for just about any point on the planet. Check
it out at www.qrz.com/gridfinder (QRZ)
**
ON THE WWW: VHF DATABASE UPDATES IN OCTOBER
DL8EBW says via the VHF Reflector that the next issue of the VHF-
Database will be on-line in October. This on-line facility provides
information on 51011 data entries of interest to those who operate the
world above 50 MHz. You will find it on-line at www.mmmonvhf.de (VHF
Reflector)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: PACKET RETURNS TO THE ISS
Some good news from Earth orbit. Packet is once again on the air from
the International Space Station.
The first beacon was reported at 2110 UTC on Tuesday, September 4th by
JH4XSY in Japan on 145.825 Simplex. A bit later at 2136 UTC WA4AEJ had
an APRS confirmation from R0ISS.
Ken Ransom, N5VHO is the I-S-S Ham Radio Project Engineer. He says
that we will all have to watch and see how long the packet system
stays active. (ARISS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FIRST EVER ARISS CONTACT WITH SCHOOL IN CHINA
Add China to the list of nations whose school students have now talked
to an Astronaut and ham aboard the International Space Station.
On Sunday, August 26th some twenty students Nanjing No. 3 High School
got the chance to speak with astronaut and ham radio operator Clay
Anderson, KD5PLA. Questions were asked and answered as approximately
300 students and parents looked on. (ANS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: CREATING A NEW SATELLITE IOTA AWARD
Eric Christensen,W4OTN, is proposing creating a Satellite Islands on
the Air) award. Christsensen, who serves as AMSAT Area Coordinator for
Southeastern Virginia, is currently soliciting comments to support his
request to the Islands on the Air Board of Directors. If you are
interested in supporting this new award, please submit your comments to
W4OTN at http://eric-sparks.blogspot.com/2007/08/official-iota-
satellite-award-petition.html (AMSAT)
**
WORLDBEAT - BELGIUM: COMMEMORATIING THE WW II RESISTANCE
The Radio club de Binche activated the special call sign ON4WAR on
September 2nd. This, to pay tribute to the Belgian Resistance during WW
II. As a part of the celebration. Vintage rigs such as Paraset were
used to transmit in CW on the 7MHz band from the Refuge B40 in Waudrez.
Some transmissions in SSB were also made in the 7 MHz band. A special
QSL card will be issued for those who made contact during this event.
More info is on the web at www.on7ry.be. (Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT - CANADA: BRITISH COLUMBIA SM VOTEING EXTENDED 10 DAYS
Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced that the deadline for receipt of
returned ballots in the current British Columbia Section Manager
election has been extended by ten days to 1200 EDST, September 30,
2007. This change has been made to address uncontrollable and
unforeseen circumstances that caused a delay in the mailing of ballots
to those members who are qualified to vote in this election. (RAC)
**
WORLDBEAT - FRANCE: FRENCH HAMS SEEK 3.4 GHZ
France's TDF VHF and Microwave Group is submitting a request for a
small ham radio allocation in the 3.4 GHz region. This is a parcel of
spectrum from which they are currently banned.
In IARU Regions 2 and 3 which encompass Americas and the Pacific, 3400
to 3410 MHz is available for both the Amateur Radio and Amateur
Satellite Services. And while many countries in ITU Region 1 have also
allocated this segment to the Amateur Radio Service, it is currently
not available for the Amateur Satellite Service nor is it available for
terrestrial use by hams in France. (Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT - INDIA: INDIA'S HAMS CELEBRATE NATIONS 60 YEARS OF
INDEPENDENCE
To celebrate 60 years of India's independence, the special call sign
AT60MY is being used by members of the National Institute of Amateur
Radio. Operation is from the city of Hyderabad. QSL Via VU2NRO
(OPDX)
**
WORLDBEAT - MALAYSIA: HAMS CELEBRATE NATIONS 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Radio amateurs in Malaysia celebrated 50 years of that nations
independence. This, with a nationwide field day on 30th August to 1st
September.
Known as the Merdeka Field Day, the celebration saw 16 stations
operating in cities and in jungle areas. All participating stations
were issued with special 9M50M series callsigns. More information
about this event is on-line at www.marts.my. (Southgate)
**
DX
In D-X, DL5ME and DG3HWO will be active as SD7ME from Oland Island
through September 11th . They will operate CW and SSB on 40, 30, 20 and
17 meters. QSL to SD7ME at his address on qrz.com.
Also, HA4XG will be active from Greece on the HF bands plus 6 and 2
meters through September 14th. QSL via home call, either direct or via
the bureau.
And word that DD1MAT,will operate holiday style portable 9A from
Dugi Otok until the 15th of September. QSL via his home call.
Lastly ZL1AMO, plans to operate holiday style from Lifuka Tonga until
September 16th. He hopes to have his old A35EA call sign renewed for
this operation. Please QSL as directed on the air.
(Above from variou DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: MORE THANK YOU'S TO OUR LITENER - SUPPORTERS
And finally this week we have some more thank you's to those wonderful
people whose financial support make these weekly newscasts possible.
Here's our Support Fund Administrator, Andy Jatrema, N6TCQ:
--
In the month of August 2006 we heard from Dick Tyler and the WA2EHL
repeater of Burlington, NJ; regular contributor Benton Bonney, W4PE of
Orlando; the Harrisburg, PA Radio Amateurs Club; monthly contributor
Joseph Bartzi, Jr., KC8DKF of Columbus, OH; the DuPage, IL ARC, W9DUP
and monthly San Jose contributors William Walters, WA2IBM, and Scott
Hensley of the Area Communications Team
Via PayPal we heard from the Mississippi Coast Amateur Radio Assn &
Stuart Cole, N5LBZ of Gulfport; Jack Luoma in Gilroy, CA; Sherry
Johnson in Hager City, WI; Dennis Baumgart, AE2EE of Batavia, NY
Bob Ores, W9BO in Lowell, IN and Joan Friedman on the K9SHE repeater,
Champaign, IL
We depend on you- our loyal listeners to keep Newsline on the air.
Thanks for your help.
I'm Andy Jarema. N6TCQ
--
We who produce these weekly newscast, thank you for your generosity and
your encouragement to continue. More with Andy in future Amateur Radio
Newsline reports. (Newsline Support Fund)
**
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
Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
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