[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1571 - September 21, 2007

Sun Sep 23 08:18:31 EDT 2007

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1571 - September 21, 2007

The following is a closed circuit advisory.  Ladies and gentlemen, our 
Support Fund Administrator, Andy Jarema, N6TCQ:

--

OK, you all know why I am here. Its almost fall and all the bills from 
summertime have been mounting up. And, as usual, there is really not 
very much left in the treasury to pay them. 

Its always this way. During June, July and August, people are spending 
more time away from home. You are out camping or at a ball game. Maybe 
it's a concert or traveling on vacation. We all do it, but most of you 
also find a local repeater to listen to this weekly newscast no matter 
where you go.

Now think of this. Our expenses to bring you the news are the same no 
matter if you are listening on the road, on an HT or from your hamshack 
at home. Eventually the bills have got to get paid and that time has 
come.

Now that everyone back at home and into their fall and winter life 
schedule, we ask that you take a few moments to send a donation to the 
Amateur Radio Newsline support fund so that we can keep these newscasts 
coming your way. Making a contribution is only a mouse click away if 
you have Pay Pal. Just go to www.arnewsline.org and click on the button 
at the top of the page marked "Make Donation." Or you can send in a 
donation to the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, Post Office Box 
660937, Arcadia California, 91066. 

Whichever way you choose, the all volunteer crew at the Amateur Radio 
Newsline will be eternally grateful.

Once again that's the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, Post Office 
Box 660937, Arcadia California, 91066. Or by Pay Pal at 
www.arnewsline.org

As always, we thank you.

For the Support Fund, I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.

--

The following is a Q-S-T.   The Market Reef DX operation is called a 
major success,  the FCC re-launches its Disaster Information reporting 
system and hams in Soccoro New Mexico donate an emergency warning radio 
relay system to that city.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1571 coming your way right now.

**

TROTTING THE GLOBE:  A BIG SUCCESS AT MARKET REEF

The recent outing to the very rare Marker Reef has been deemed to be am 
overwhelming success.  Rob  Mount Barker, VK5MM, has the details:

--

The August 2007 outing to Market Reef, OJ0B was designed to decorate 
the lighthouse with powerful antennas that can only be hoisted in good 
weather conditions. The group was successful, and in addition to
making more than 13.000 QSOs a SteppIR beam plus an assortment of wire 
antennas were mounted at the light.

The newly composed group of OH0RJ, OH2BH, OH2MM, OH2PM, OH7EA and OH8NC 
plan to be operational from September 15 until, including both 
Scandinavian Activity Contests, with three stations. Now they have more 
flexibility since they have a resident helicopter at their disposal.

Once again, if you are a stamp collector or wish to receive your QSL 
card with unique Market Reef stamps, you may send an SASE with 7 Euros 
(10 USD) as your postage/donation to the Finnish Lighthouse Society
via QSL manager OH2BH.

--

The Finnish Lighthouse Society has been active repairing the lighthouse 
this past summer.  You can follow their activities on line a 
thttp://www.lighthousesociety.fi/eng/  (WIA)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS THANKED FOR ZACA FIRE HELP

Now that the giant California Zaca fire we have been following is under 
control, Bruce Carter, of Santa Barbara County's Office of Emergency 
Services has issued an official thank you to all of the hams who 
assisted during and after the blaze.  

Carters note says -- and we quote:  "Thank you for everything and for 
ARES support of the Zaca Fire response.  ARES volunteers really rose to 
the occasion.  The hours spent are much appreciated as much as the work 
you all did at the EOC and in the field.  We are lucky to have such a 
terrific group of ARES volunteers.  Please share our appreciation with 
your folks."

As previously reported, a total of 45 ARES operators responded from 
Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez Valley, and Santa Barbara, and mutual 
aid resources from Ventura.  The Amateur Radio Emergency Service 
volunteers coordinated their response through the county Emergency 
Operations Center.  

**

ARRL POLITICS:  GARDENIAS DECLARED DISQUALIFIED IN DW DIVISION 

Carl Gardenias, WU6D, a challenger seeking oust incumbent Southwest 
Division ARRL Director Richard Norton, N6AA, has been declared 
disqualified.  The announcement came on  Thursday, September 13th from 
the ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee.  It says Gardenias campaign 
broke the ARRL's campaign rules.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff 
Reinhardt, AA6JR, reports. 

--

First the ARRL's side of the story.  According to Chief Executive 
Officer Dave Sumner, K-1-Zed-Zed, writing on behalf of the Ethics and 
Elections Committee, an e-mail signed by "Cathy K6VC, Newsletter 
editor" was sent on behalf of Orange California Section Manager Carl 
Gardenias, WU6D.  It went out to on September 1st ARRL Orange Section 
newsletter editors and Web masters, among others.  This, regarding the 
Southwestern Division election for Director and Vice Director.  

According to the League, the e-mail encouraged -- and we quote:   "ARRL 
Full members to vote and vote wisely" in the upcoming election.  
Recipients were also asked to encourage clubs to post to their websites 
and into their newsletter information regarding each candidate.  It 
went on to list information, including e-mail addresses and campaign 
Web sites, for the two Director candidates and four candidates for Vice 
Director."  Cathy Gardenias, K6VC, is an Assistant Section Manager for 
the ARRL Orange Section and the wife of candidate Carl Gardenias, WU6D.

According to the ARRL's Ethics and Election Committee, part of that 
information was incorrect and Carl Gardenias was asked to correct it 
immediately.  This, through a specifically worded e-mail supplied by 
the committee.  

Carl Gardenias responded that he was at the ARRL Southwestern Division 
Convention and would take care of the matter the following Monday.  The 
ARRL says that was the last communication that they had with him.  At 
least it was by the time ARRL Executive Vice President Dave Sumner, 
K1ZZ, sent a follow-up e-mail to Gardenias on September 13th.  

In that message Sumner reminded Gardenias that he was previously 
advised that "candidates' statements 'must be truthful and not 
misleading, as conclusively determined by the Election Committee.  
Also, that the e-mail sent on behalf of Gardenias on September 1st  
violated this standard, and that WU6D had failed to follow the 
instructions of the Ethics and Elections Committee to make a timely 
correction, although he had ample opportunity to do so.  Because of 
this Gardenias has been disqualified as a candidate for the office of 
Director of the Southwestern Division and that his name would not 
appear on the ballot.  As a result, with no other challengers, 
incumbent Dick Norton, N6AA, was declared as re-elected.

As to WU6D's response:  On September 17th Carl Gardenias filed an appeal 
of his disqualification with the ARRL Executive Committee.  To date. he 
has made no public statement on the issue.  But those who feel that the 
ARRL's action in disqualifying him  is wrong are becoming very vocal.  
Some are using the Internet to show their displeasure.  One of them is 
Clint Bradford, K6LCS.  

Among other things, Bradford notes at the time that the draft of 
Gardenias letter was submitted to the ARRL for approval that there was 
no campaign website for incumbent Dick Norton, N6AA.  That site was 
created after the committee had approved the letter and that the date 
on the websites U-R-L proves this.  He also says that the other charge 
is nothing more than a typo of an e-mail address.

As we go to air the Executive Committee is in the process of 
considering Carl Gardenias appeal.  We will let you know what they 
decide in a future newscast.  

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, in Los 
Angeles.

--

It should be noted that WU6D,  is not the first candidate in the 
Southwestern Division election to be  disqualified from holding an ARRL 
elective office.  Almost two decades ago educator Gordon West, WB6NOA, 
was told he could not run for Vice Director because he was writing a 
column for a publication called CB Radio Magazine.  Ironically this 
took place at a time when the ARRL was trying to recruit new hams from 
the ranks of CB operators who were ready to move up to Amateur Radio. 
(ARRL< ARNewsline, QRZ.COM, others)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  FCC LAUNCHES DISASTER INFO REPORTING SYSTEM

The Federal Communication Commission's Public Safety and Homeland 
Security Bureau has launched a  redesigned version of the so far 
voluntary, Web-based automated disaster information reporting system. 
All communications companies, including broadcasting, wireline, 
wireless and cable can use the system to report communications 
infrastructure status and other critical information during a crisis.

The disaster reporting system includes data templates for different 
communications sectors.  To use it, companies would initially log onto 
the system to input their emergency contact information for all 
individuals in each firm who would be providing information on the 
status of communications equipment in the event of a disaster.  This 
information will be secured by the commission and protected from public 
release.

Once this is done, the companies that serve areas affected by disasters 
will be able to voluntarily submit information regarding, the status of 
their communications equipment, restoration efforts, power - such as 
whether they are using commercial power, generator or battery - and 
their access to fuel.  The information will be treated as confidential 
for security reasons

The commission said the system would help streamline reporting and 
enable communications providers to share network status information 
with the FCC quickly and efficiently. When this disaster data 
collection system is activated in response to a crisis, contacts in the 
system will be sent an e-mail letting them know the disaster area and 
the communications providers that are requested to provide data on the 
status of their communications equipment.

The FCC said that its establishment of the database follows the 
recommendations submitted by an independent panel reviewing the impact 
of Hurricane Katrina on communications.  (RW)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  NM HAMS DONATE SEVERE WEATHER EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

Thanks to the Socorro Amateur Radio Association, an early warning 
system will alert the police when dangerous weather approaches New 
Mexico's Rio Grande Valley.  This, after volunteers from the local ham 
radio group built the needed gear and then donated it to the 911 Call 
Center.

According to association member Jon Spargo, KC5NTW, Socorro sits in a 
void in the National Weather Service radio based alert system. In New 
Mexico there are two that can broadcast toward Socorro however, neither 
signal is reliably received. 

Remembering a hailstorm of October 5, 2004, the local ham community was 
determined to make certain that another storm would not sneak up on 
them.  So the Socorro Amateur Radio Association built and installed the  
system at the Socorro police station to permit city officials to hear 
the National Weather Service alerts and tell them if severe weather is 
headed their way.  

Spargo said the general public still will not be able to pick up the 
Weather Service's warning signal because it's a direct link to city 
officials.  He also noted that association members Glenn Mauger, WB5OAF 
and Vern Leavitt, KD5UHB, put in many hours designing and installing 
the antenna and receiver.  Ownership of the new receiving system was 
officially transferred to the city of Soccoro last July 25th.  (K5CEC)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  REPEATER UPGRADE HELP NEEDED

California's Calaveras Amateur Radio Society is seeking funding for a 
major upgrade in equipment and emergency service capabilities.  The 51-
member group of radio enthusiasts has asked the Calaveras Community 
Foundation for about $11,000 to help pay for a three-phase program to 
increase its emergency communication capabilities.

Using an aging, battery-powered repeater, the Calaveras Amateur Radio 
Society has been helpful to county firefighters and search and rescue 
teams in rough, remote locations where normal communication channels 
are hard or impossible to establish.  Coverage from the repeater, at 
the Fowler Peak lookout extends over 10,000 square-miles and is open 
for use by all licensed amateurs.

But the club says that the 25 year old repeater has become increasingly 
unreliable, and upgrading that equipment is the society's first phase 
priority.  In its second phase, CARS hopes to set up and install an 
Internet Radio Link Project that would connect the Fowler Peak repeater 
with others across the state, nation and world if necessary.  (Union 
Democrat)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  PROVE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE CALLS

FCC Special Counsel in Riley Hollingsworth has sent letters to 6 radio 
amateurs regarding the way in which each one obtained their vanity call 
signs. Keith Coad, KW2C; Donald Flowers, NC4DF; Jerry Counsellor, 
WE5JC; Todd Browne, KD0PA; Pablo Diaz-Alequin, KP4MC and Santos 
Rodriguez Colon, KP4DC, were all granted their vanity calls by claiming 
that they were former holders of these call signs.  The FCC says that 
it cannot find any documentation that validates their respective 
claims.  It instructed each ham to respond within 20 days from the date 
the letter was received and provide proof that he I eligible for that 
vanity call.  

Also hearing from the FCC is Robert Moldenhauer, W9CQ.  The letter tp 
Moldenhauer concerns his vanity call sign that he requested as a "close 
relative" of the former holder.  Again the FCC ays that it cannot find 
any documentation of Noldenhauer's claim.  He too was given 20 days 
from receiving the FCC's letter to respond and provide proof that he's 
eligible for the W9CQ call sign.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  AN UNIDENTIFIED REPEATER

Romeo Valdez, K6RMY, of San Jose, California, has received notice from 
the FCC about a complaint filed against the operation of his station.  
According to the letter sent to Valdez by the regulatory agency, the 
complaint alleges that K6RMY was operating an unidentified repeater on 
147.735 MHz.  Valdez was directed to review and fully address the 
complaint within 20 days of receipt of this letter. He was also warned 
that his failure to respond to this letter would constitute a separate 
violation of the Commission's rules.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  TEXAS CB'ER FINED $7000 BUT WILL ONLY PAY $225

A Texas CB operator originally fined $7000 for his refusal to permit a 
station inspection will now only have to pay a token $225.  

Donald Winton of Crrpus Cristi, was originally issued a $7000 Notice of 
Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture.  This after an inspector from 
the FCC's Houston office tracked interference to CB channel 19 to 
Winton's residence.  When told to turn off the transmitter Winton obliged 
but he refused to let the inspector look over his gear.  

The FCC rules say that he must permit such an inspection or expect 
punitive action.  In April the FCC did just that by issuing the $7000 
fine.  But Winton provided proof he could not pay and on September 14th 
the FCC decided to adjust the amount down to the $225 level.  Once he 
pays it will be. case closed.  (FCC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  UPDATED PUBLICATION ON LEE DE FORREST' WORK

Radio historians:  Here's one for you.  An updated booklet out of the 
U-K that details some of the work of inventor Lee De Forrest.  Jeramy 
Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottingham with more:

--

EI5EM, has updated and expanded the information booklet about the 
Vintage Radio Museum in Howth, Co. Dublin.

As well as being a guide to the museum, the booklet is a potted history 
of the development of wireless technology. It details the 1903 and 1905 
experiments carried out in Howth by Lee de Forestand the Marconi 
Company, and quotes from documents published at the time. 

A full page reproduction of the Dublin Penny Journal's report on de 
Forest's 1903 experiments is reproduced in the
booklet.

Jerany Boot, G4NJH

--

The link to the website Jeramy mentioned is www.rsgb.org  (GB2RS)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE - PACIFICON 2007 IN SAM RAMON CA.

PACIFICON 2007, sponsored by the The American Radio Relay League 
Pacific Division and the  the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club  takes 
place October 19th to the 21st.  The venue this year is the San Ramon 
Marriott Hotel in San Ramon, California. For events, the latest updates 
and ticket sales go take your web browser to www.PACIFICON.org  
(Pacificon)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  SEANET 2007 IN THAILAND IN NOVEMBER

The 2007 Seanet Convention takes place November 8th to the 11th in 
Lampang, Thailand.  Seanet is a yearly  gathering of radio amateurs 
from all over the world.  Its also a place Lots of eyeball QSO's and a 
chance to grab a few bargains.  To find out more go to 
www.sabah.net.my/seanet/seanet_2007.htm   (Seanet))

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  FILM PIONEER WILLIAM SNYDER, W0LHS - SK

William D. Snyder, W0LHS, a pioneering filmmaker, and prolific Amateur 
Radio author died on Friday, September 14th . He was 90.

Snyder was best known as one of Fargo North Dakotas' earliest 
professional film directors.  He was   responsible for more than 800 
documentaries, commercial spots and educational and technical films.

In the world of Amateur Radio, Snyder will best be remembered as the 
Worldradio columnist writing the Digital Bus column , and for his 
participation in the  Gatti Hallicrafters Expeditions from 1947 through 
1948 to the Mountains of the Moon in East Africa.. He was active for 
many years on RTTY, CW, Packetand on the ham satellites. He held DXCC-
RTTY/Digital with  243 countries confirmed.

Snyder first learned the art of filmmaking after graduating from Fargo 
Central High School in 1935, when he moved to Hollywood to work for the 
Technicolor Motion Picture Corp.  He returned two years later to attend 
North Dakota State University, and served four years in the U.S. Army 
Signal Corp.  After getting out of the service in 1946, he sailed to 
Africa on a series of trips sponsored by Hallicrafters working as a 
cameraman and a radio operator. 

Bill Snyder Films made more than 80 award winning films, including "Cry 
of the Marsh," an educational film that documented dwindling wetlands.  
After retiring, Snyder still maintained his copious files of historical 
archives. He founded a newsletter for Fargo Central alumni called "The 
Cynosure," and served on the board of directors for Bonanzaville USA. 
He was an active supporter of the Fargo Film Festival,and executive 
director of the Fargo Theatre. 

Davis said Snyder had surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm in July, but 
had been recovering well before succumbing to pneumonia.

William D. Snyder, W0LHS, Silent Key at age 90.  (WD0AKO)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD FOLLOW-UP:  WB0RPA - AN IRONIC TWIST

An ironic twist to the story of Joybubbles, WB0RPA.  As we reported 
several weeks ago, the fomer Joe Engrassia, WB0RPA, passed away on 
August 8th.  It now turns out that likely the last person to talk with 
Joububbles was a ham down-under.  Tony Clayton, VK7AH, is that ham.  Al 
Bedelph, VK7AX, has Tony's   story from here:

--

There is further irony to this story.  Tony VK7AX was possibly one of 
the last persons to speak with Joybubbles:

"Joybubbles was speaking to yours truly (via the phone of course) 
arranging to have his 5 year license for VK4WBO renewed with the ACMA.  
JoyBubbles had given his credit card details to me on Saturday 4th. 
August. He agreed to check back 1 hour later to verify whether I was 
able to complete the payment.  That call never came.

Joybubbles did complain about feeling very dizzy during our phone 
conversation. 

During our conversation I asked him about the Minneapolis Bridge 
collapse which had recently occurred. He told me he was located 
approximately 4Km from the bridge. 

I must say this was a unique experience for me and certainly an honor 
to have been associated with this blind operator, all brought about by 
Amateur Radio. 

I'm Tony VK7AX for the WIA National News from VK1WIA. 

--

It appears as if WB0RPA passed away soon after making that license 
renewal call to Tony Clayton, VK7AH.  (WIA News)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  DELFI C2 SAT LAUNCH DELAYED

The launch of Delfi-C3 satellite has been moved to December.  Once on-
orbir, Delfi-C3 will also have a linear transponder with a passband 
uplink: from 435.570 to  435.530 MHz and an inverting downlink from 
145.880 to 145.920 MHz.  The bird will also carry a telemetry downlink 
in the amateur satellite segment of the 2 meter band.  The primary 
telemetry downlink will be on 145.870 MHz running BPSK in AX.25 
protocol at 1200 Baud.

There are two major reasons for the postponement of the launch.  These 
are weather and the Indian launch schedule. The  typhoon season in 
India lasts from mid-October until December. The launch schedule is 
dependent on mission priorities.  (ANS)

**

WORLDBEAT - EUROPE:  E.U. WANTS DVB-H AS MOBILE TV STANDARD

The European Union has taken the first steps towards establishing DVB-H 
or Digital Video Broadcasting to Handhelds as the only standard for TV 
broadcasting to mobile devices in Europe.  According to Viviane Reding, 
who is with the European Union's Commissioner for the Information 
Society and Media, mobile broadcasting is a tremendous opportunity for 
Europe to maintain and expand its leadership in mobile technology and 
audiovisual services.  Reding's statement is viewed as an "official 
encouragement" to adopt DVB-H, but is not a mandate. (RW)

**

WORLDBEAT - IRELAND:  SRD'S AT 10 GHZ

Irish telecommunications regulator ComReg is proposing to open 10.4 to 
10.42 Gigahertz to licence exempt Short Range Devices or SRD's.  These 
will be mainly for movement detection such as traffic control and will 
have a power level of 500 milliwatts. There is an experimenter 
secondary allocation at 10.0 to 10.5 Gigahertz. The mandatory European 
Union notification procedure means that this change cannot be adopted 
until sometime in October at the earliest.  (IRTS)

**

ON THE AIR

Turning to special event operations, CQ4IPY is a station in Portugal 
celebrating the 4th International Polar Year. The ceremony gives all 
participants the chance to get a special certificate.  For more 
information visit www.cq4ipy.bravehost.com on the World-Wide-Web.  (VHF 
Reflector)

And the Scarborough Special Events Group will be on the air as GB2QE on 
September 16th to mark the 40th anniversary of the liner Queen Elizabeth 
2. Activity was scheduled for 80 and 40m SSB and CW, plus 2 meter and 
and 70cm F-M.  Further details are available from, from Roy Clayton, 
G4SSH.   (RSGB)

**

In DX, DJ7RJ, will be leaving for Madagascar on September 25th.  Once 
there he will be active as 5R8RJ from September 26th through October 
26th.  Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters, CW and SSB.  QSL via 
His callbook address.

YV5IAL will be active portable CE2 between October 15th to the 21st from 
Chile's Pacific coast.  This will be a QRP, portable and holiday style 
operation.  Activity will be on PSK31 on 14.070.15 MHz plus some 40, 15 
and 10 meter operations  as well.  QSL via the bureau or direct to his 
home callsign.

DK6XR and DK8XT will be active from Georgetown Guyana as 8R1XR and 
8R1XT, from September 30th 
through October 13th.  Activity will be on the usual frequencies on SSB, 
CW and RTTY.  QSL via their respective home calls.

And EA3EJI along with a group of operators will activate the Montserrat 
Monastery as AM3MM during the weekend of September 22nd to the 24th.  
Activity will be on all bands and modes.  QSL via EA3MM, either direct 
or via the bureau.  

Lastly, DL2MDU, will be active portable 5Z4 from Kenya until September 
24th.  He plans to operate holiday style mainly on CW. QSL direct or via 
the bureau.  

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  CLOSE RANGE INVISABILITY POSSIBLE

Call this one Star Trek come to life.  Science Daily reports that a 
unique computer model designed by a mathematician at the University of 
Liverpool has shown that it is possible to make objects such as 
airplanes and submarines appear invisible at close range.

Until now, scientists could only make objects appear invisible from far 
away.  Now, Liverpool mathematician S‚bastien Guenneau, together with 
Dr Fr‚d‚ric Zolla and Professors Andr‚ Nicolet from the University of 
Marseille, using a specially designed computer model called GETDP have 
proven that objects can also be made to appear invisible from close 
range when light travels in waves rather than beams.

Scientists have already created an 'invisibility cloak' made out of 
something called metamaterial.   Metamaterial is a creation that has 
the ability to bend electromagnetic radiation such as visible light, 
radar or microwaves around a spherical space.  This makes an object 
within this region appear invisible.  They also say predict that 
invisibility will be possible for objects of any shape and size within 
the next decade.  (Science Daily)

**

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's 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 Fred 
Vobbe, W8HDU, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.  