[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1585 - December 28, 2007
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Sun Dec 30 12:20:41 EST 2007
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1585 - December 28, 2007
The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio goes on an around the world
adventure by sea, E-M-I fears cause a cellular provider to move in
Japan and V-K hams learn that their post tsunami aid to a remote island
was a success and. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline
report number 1585 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO ADVENTURE: CANADIAN HAM SAILING AROUND THE WORLD
Ham radio is part of an around the world adventure on the high seas.
Robert Broomhead, VK3KRB, of the W-I-A News has all the details:
--
A Canadian radio amateur and sailor Glenn Wakefield, VA7MLW, is now
south of Australia as he continues his attempt to sail solo, non-stop
around the world. He has set out on his westerly circumnavigation trek
from Victoria, British Columbia and expects to take 10 months before
returning to home port.
His 40-foot sloop called Kim Chow has had extensive modifications for
the trip. Glenn VA7MLW has reached Australia having rounded the
southern tip of Tasmania and at last report was in the Southern Ocean
headed for the Falkland Islands.
He has been keeping regular skeds with Cliff ZL4AS, Richard ZL4QU and
Ron ZL4RMF AT 0930 UTC on the 40 meter band.
Glenn has an ICOM 802 SSB marine radio. After the skeds has been heard
chatting with VK radio amateurs and is hoping to engage in many QSOs
with others before ending his trip in July.
For the Amateur radio Newsline, I'm Robert Broomhead, VK3KRB, of the
WIA News in Australia.
--
You can listen for VA7MLW on the usual 40 meter Maritime frequencies.
(WIA News)
**
RADIO RULES: PETITION TO LIMIT DATA BANDWIDTH ON HF NOW OPEN FOR
COMMENT
The debate on mode vs. bandwidth band planning continues here in the
States. This, with a Petition for Rule Making RM-11392 that seeks to
codify the use of narrowband-onky data modes on the high frequency data
subbands. This, as a way of minimizing interference to current band
users allegedly caused by emerging wider-bandwidth digital signals.
RM-11392 was filed by Mark Miller N5RFX of Arlington, Texas. It asks
the FCC to re-establish the narrowband nature of the RTTY and Data
subbands in the 80 through 10-meter bands. While RM-11392 states that
slower speed narrow bandwidth versions of all would not be impacted, it
would effectively ban higher speed versions of of modes that by their
very nature require bandwidth that is much wider in order to deliver
their desired message throughput.
It should be noted that the FCC first tried to change from a mode based
bandplan to one based on bandwidth back in 197. At the time the ARRL
opposed it and was successful in defeating it. Then came the turn-
around with the ARRL in recent years trying to get the FCC to re-
introduce band planning by bandwidth only to have it strongly opposed
by the nation ham radio community.
In most of the world ham radio has already made the switch to various
forms of regulation by bandwidth with very few complaints. But in the
United States the mode-separated bandplan is mandatory and is codified
in the FCC Part 97 regulations. Any change to these regulations can,,
and usually does entail a long and drawn out regulatory process that
could take many years if not a decades to complete
In the case of RM-11392, the Commentary period opened on December 18th
and ends in early January leaving precious little time for those with
arguments on both sides to comment. You can use the following links to
read and file your own comments on this matter:
RM-11392 Part 1
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_do
cument=6519008574
RM-11392 Part 2
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_do
cument=6519008575
To view comnments already filed go to
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi end enter RM-11392 in
the
"Proceeding" field.
To file comments go to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi
and follow the directions posted.
(WB9QZB, Southgate, others)
**
RADIO HEALTH: CELLSITE MOVED OVER HEALTH CONCERNS
Japanese telecommunications provider NTT DoCoMo Kansai, Inc. has
decided to remove an antenna and base station radio for mobile phones
from its present location. This, after local residents complained of
health problems that they claim are attributable to the electromagnetic
waves emitted from the cellular station.
The cellular the carrier had rented a plot of land inside the bus
terminal of Hankyu Bus in the city of Kawanishi and started operating
in December 2005. Residents near the area claimed that started to
suffer from health problems such as headaches, ear ringing and a rise
in blood pressure and blood sugar levels after the station came into
operation.
About 40 residents formed a citizens group aimed at eliminating
pollution triggered by electromagnetic waves. 10 of them filed a
request with the court in May for arbitration, demanding DoCoMo Kansai
remove the antenna and base station. Although NTT DoCoMo Kansai did
not acknowledge the relationship between the local residents' health
problems and the electromagnetic radiation, carrier says it decided to
remove the antenna station after Hankyu Bus expressed its intention to
cancel the land lease agreement with the carrier. (Hiyiakau-News)
**
RESCUE RADIO: VK HAMS LEARN OF SOLOMON ISLANDS AID SUCCESS
Still from out in the Pacific, some good news about a ham radio
humanitarian effort to aid an isolated island devastated by a tsunami.
We have more in this report:
--
The VK7 Sewing Circle Net has learnt of the results of its efforts in
providing funds to the tiny Island of Simbo, in the Western Province of
the Solomon Islands.
Immediately following the tsunami and earthquake which hit the Solomon
Islands in April 2007, members of the Sewing Circle were advised by
Steve VK3JY of the plight of the Simbo Island residents. Steve's son
in law was born and raised on the Island and now lives and works in
Australia, but keeps in contact with family and friends who remain on
Simbo.
The tsunami and earthquake devastated the Island, completely washing
away one village and damaging two others. There was loss of life, but
most Islanders escaped to high ground to escape the onslaught of water
and mud. Housing is made from palm fronds, leaves and thatching, so was
unable to withstand any great disturbance.
Under the leadership of Don VK7AY, an Appeal was launched on the Sewing
Circle and funds raised from members of the Net and friends was sent
directly to a senior Chief on Simbo to be distributed as agreed by the
Island Chiefs.
We have now learnt that houses have been rebuilt, cooking utensils
replaced, gardens to grow crops re-established and life is getting back
to normal.
The best news is that not all the funds we sent were needed to re-
establish housing - the unused balance has been used to start a small
store on the island to supply Islanders from Simbo and surrounding
islands with essentials they cannot grow or obtain on the Island.
Such things as tea, sugar and importantly, fuel for outboard motors to
enable men to go fishing to supplement the food grown in their gardens
to add to their subsistence lifestyle, are now available through the
store, rather than Islanders having to rely on handouts.
--
Simbo is a very remote, tiny island with an active volcano. Its also 30
km from the nearest large town and that's across the open sea. There is
no commercial transport or communication service to the island.
Islanders live a subsistence lifestyle and trade crops grown in their
gardens with others to obtain income. (WIA News)
**
ENFORCEMENT: HAM FORCED OFF THE AIR IN BHUTAN
A ham radio operator in Bhutan has been ordered off the air by that
nations telecommunications authority. This after regulators allege
that he was operating power in excess of what is allowed under Bhutani
law.
It all took place back in September but the news is now only reaching
the rest of the world. That's when Akira Minagawa, A52AM, was asked to
surrender his Amateur radio license and remove his antennas after
Bhutan's Infocomm and Media Authority cancelled it because he had
allegedly violated the nations ham radio rules.
According to the Director General of the regulatory agency, A52AM was
found to have exceeded the prescribed power limit of 100 watts. That's
the power level that radio amateur radio operators have to comply
within the country.
But the Director General claims that Minagawa was operating at 1,000
watts which is 10 times the maximum power allowed. He added that A52AM
did not maintain a properly detailed log book of his communications.
But some observers are saying that there is another reason Minagawa was
taken off the air. They believe he could have been targeted by
authorities because his station may have been causing interference to
Bhutan's military and airport communications systems.
Unlike in other nations, Amateur radio isn't very popular in Bhutan.
There are only about 20 resident radio amateurs and 50 non-national
users according to one Media Authority official.
(7J1AIL, Bhutan Times - on line edition)
**
ENFORCEMENT: 4S7DXG CALLED AN ILLEGAL OPERATION BY RSSL
An interesting enforcement issue from Sri Lanka. Victor Goonetilleke,
4S7VK, Secretary of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka reports that a
Ukranian Ham using the call sign 4S7DXG is an illegal operation.
According to Victor, the ham in question had a Sri Lankan callsign from
a previous occasion. Thi time he did appy for a renewal which has yet
to be granted by the Ministry of Defense.
Goonetilleke says that the oprerator named Ivan is claiming to be on
the air from Barbaryn Island buit he is not there. He says that going
tp that island requires special clearance from the Harbour Master which
he has not received. No one is permitted to land without this
clearance. 4S7VK says that hes really operating from elsewhere in Sri
Lanka, again without a valid license. He adds that any QSO's with him
hold no validity. (OPDX)
**
SCOUTING AND HAM RADIO: NZ SCOUT JAMBOREE
Being prepared is the motto of scouts and guides world-wide and the 8th
New Zealand International Scouts Jamboree will be held in Christchurch,
New Zealand from December 29, 2007 to January 5, 2008. Over 4,500
Scouts along with 1,000 plus Scout Leaders and support personnel from
14 Countries will participate in this event.
Amateur Radio will be there too with volunteers from local Radio Clubs
headed by Paul Layt, ZL3TX. Layt will have a fully operational
HF/VHF/UHF station running under the Callsign ZM6JAM. His main
operation will take place between the hours of 2000 to 0800 UTC each
day apart from New Years Eve. That day the station will remain on
until 1200 UTC.
ZM6JAM will be active on 80 through 10 meters mainly using SSB and
Digital Modes. He will also be on Echolink via the ZL3CAR repeater
Node 101553 and ILRP on 145.625 repeater Node 6900.
All QSL's go via ZL Buro or ZL3TX. New Zealand is 13 hours ahead of
UTC time and one of the first countries in the world to see in the New
Year! (Kiwi Dx List)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HOW TO SCAN NEW YEARS IN DECEMBER POPCOMM
If you will be in New York City this New Years Eve then you will want
to bring along a scanner radio and the December issue of Popular
Communications Magazine. And before you and your scanner head into
Manhattan, be sure to read the lead article titled "Scanning Heats Up
for the Holidays in New York City."
This comprehensive article, written by Ed Muro, K2EPM, is a literal
goldmine of information on who will be transmitting and where to listen
for the, No matter if your interet is monitoring Public Service,
Emergency Response, the broadcast media or what have you, Muro takes on
the challenge of explaining where the action is and how to find it.
And if the name and call Ed Muro, K2EPM, sounds familiar, you have
likely heard it announced here on Newsline in connection with events in
the Metro New York area that involve the famed Long Island Mobile
Amateur Radio Club. Muro served three terms as president of LIMARC and
has been a radio hobbyist since his teenage years. You will find Ed's
article beginning on page 10 of the December issue of Popular
Communications magazine. (Popcomm)
**
RADIO RULES: ON STAR TO DISCONTINUE ANALOG SERVICE DEC 31
Having communications in emergencies is important to people like Mike
Haley, KF4NE, of Akens, South Carolina. Back in 2003, Mike and his
wife Sandy, KF4SSY, bought a new Accura. One feature in particular
that attracted them to the car was its On-Star vehicle communications
system. But when December 31st, 2007 rolls around Haley and everyone
else who has an analog version of On-Star will loose their service.
Thats due to an FCC decision to let cellular telephone companies
discontinue analog service as of February 18th of 2008. That decision
is not going over well with Haley:
--
Haley: "I am very frustrated and disappointed both in the FCC and in
my car manufacturer for not standing by their product."
--
On-Star equipped vehicles have one of three types of equipment. Older
vehicles that use analog only equipment are the ones most affected.
On- sat advises that customers with analog but digital-ready equipment
must be upgraded in order to work after December 31st, 2007. But for
people with analog-only equipment like the Haley's Accura, On-Star says
that equipment cannot be upgraded"
--
Haley: "I was told that because my system was not an amnalog to
digital conversion, I was told that they were not going to support it.
So I'm just jeft out in the cold over it"
--
Some dual-mode and all digital-only On-Star equipped vehicles are not
affected by this change. (FCC, ARNewsline)
**
RADIO BUSINESS: MOUSER SIGNS ON TO DISTRIBUTE TAEC
A company very familiar to ham radio operators is taking on a new role.
This with reports that Mouser Electronics signed a distribution
agreement with Toshiba America Electronic Components. Toshiba America
Electronic Components makes discrete devices, digital multimedia and
imaging products, microcontrollers and wireless components used in
products like cellphones, MP3 players and cameras. (RW)
**
HAM RADIO ON THE SCREEN: NEW DX VIDEOS FROM 9V1YC
Videos recounting the 2007 BS7H Scarborough Reef and the 2006 ZL8R
Kermadec Island DXpeditions are now available from James Brooks,
9V1YC. These shows provide a look at behind the scenes of these
operations. More about them is on-line at www.dxvideos.com (OPDX)
**
CQIR CQIR PRIZE WINNERS NAMED
You might recall back in September when the Irish Radio Transmitters
Society announced sponsorship of its CQIR - Ireland Calling contest.
This, to celebrate the society's 75th anniversary by giving a chance of
winning a trip to Ireland, for 2 people, for each and every 75 valid
QSOs logged.
There were 53 entries in the draw, representing 20 countries including
those as far away as New Zealand. But the winner was closer to home.
He is Ian "Wilf" Prater M0WLF of Bristol, England.
Prater is a member of the Bristol Contest Club, and had previously
visited Ireland for the IOTA Contest. For CQIR he hacked up over 300
QSOs and qualified for 4 entries. For his effort he can now forward to
a week in Ireland's Kinnitty Castle. Living in Bristol, Pater may be
closer to Ireland than any other entrant, but he says he will probably
travel long path this time.
A separate drawing for a trip to New York City for two people, that
includes a side trip to visit to the ARRL HQ was awarded to Declan
Horan EI9FVB, as the domestic Ireland winner. Horan is from of
Ballincollig in County Cork and had 175 QSOs and 2 entries in the draw.
The Irish Radio Transmitting Society thanks all who took part in the
CQIR contest. They add that they are only sorry they can't offer the
same prizes every year. (IRTS)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: A K9 SHOCKING EXPERIENCE
Keeping pets in the confines of a persons property is a new interactive
radio device from a company known as PetSafe. Jim Davis, W2JKD, has
more:
--
Called In Ground Fence, the system consists of two units designed to
keep your cat or dog at home.
Buried up to 10 centimeters below the ground is an 18-gauge wire,
acting as an antenna. It runs around the perimeter of the lawn. A
transmitter constantly feeds radio signals with a very limited range,
about 4 meters
The second component is the collar worn by the dog. The collar is
equipped with a radio receiver. If the dog gets within range, the
receiver delivers a mild electric shock. Its harmless to the pet but
unpleasant enough so that it learns to avoid the area. Other more
sophisticated models give an audible beep as your pet nears the fence,
increasing to a vibration before jolting 'Rover' with a shock from
its radio collar.
I'm Jim Davis, W2JKD.
--
One In-Ground Fence is designed to keep dogs in areas up to 100 acres.
And you thought radio was just for a QSO with that rare DX.
(Technology OnLine)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: WY7UPR NAMED NEW WYOMING SM
The ARRL has announced that Chris Pritchard, WY7UPR, of Green River,
has been appointed Section Manager of Wyoming. This, to complete the
term of office that had been held by Dwayne Allen, WY7FD.
Pritchard has served as ARRL Assistant Section Manager for Wyoming for
over two years. The present term of office for the Wyoming Section
Manager position continues through March 31, 2009.
Dave Patton, NN1N, Manager of ARRL's Membership and Volunteer Programs,
in consultation with Rocky Mountain Division Director Brian Mileshosky,
N5ZGT, made the appointment effective on January 1, 2008. (ARRL)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: NANO-BIBLE WRITTEN
Scientists in Israel say they have succeeded in putting a version of
the Bible on a chip smaller than a pinhead. The 300,000 words in
Hebrew were inscribed on a silicon surface at the Haifa Institute of
Technology. The .5sq mm nano-Bible was written on a silicon surface
covered with a thin layer of gold 20 nano-meters thick using a Focused
Ion Beam inscriber. Researchers involved in the project say the aim is
to increase young people's interest in nano-science and nano-
technology. (Science OnLine)
**
RADIO IN SPACE: NEW SATELLITES DISCOVER MAGNETIC ROPES
NASA's fleet of Themis spacecraft have made three important
discoveries about spectacular eruptions of aurora borealis. Launched
less than 8 months ago, the probes discoveries include giant magnetic
ropes that connect Earth's upper atmosphere to the Sun and explosions
in the outskirts of Earth's magnetic field.
According to NASA, a "magnetic rope" is a twisted bundle of magnetic
fields organized much like the twisted hemp of a mariner's twine.
Spacecraft have detected hints of these ropes before, but a single
spacecraft is insufficient to map their 3D structure. The Themis's five
satellite cluster was able to confirm that these ropes actually exist.
More on these magnetic ropes and how they function is on line at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/11dec_themis.htm (NASA)
**
CONTESTS: THE IRTS QRP KILOMETER PER WATT CHALLANGE
The 2008 I-R-T-S sponsored QRP Kilometer per Watt Challenge begins on
January 1st. Sponsored by the Irish Radio Transmitting Society, the
purpose of the challenge is to promote radio, nature and walking with
an emphasis on QRP operation.
The QRP challenge is flexible with no date, time or precise QTH to
operate from but egistration is required. More information is on-line
at qrpfr.free.net (IRTS, Southgate)
**
RADIOSPORTS: 2008 IARU HIGH SPEED TELEGRAPHY CONTEST
And this for all those who can send and receive good Morse at high
speed. The 6th International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 High Speed
Telegraphy Championships are being planned for April 23rd through the
27th in Pordenone in Italy. More information on this event is
available on the web at www.hst.2008,org (Southgate)
**
ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING THE LIBERATION OF BULGARIA
Members of the Balkan Contest Club will actiavte the special event
callsign L-Zed-130-L-O from January 1st to March 31st. This, to
commemorate the 130th anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria from
Ottoman yoke by Russia. European stations must hold 5 two-way contacts
with L-Zed-130-L-O on different bands or different modes. For for DX
stations its only 3 contacts and the same rules are for SWLs.
A special award will be issued for a fee of 5 EURO's or 10 IRC's.
Hams in Russia and countries whose solders took part in Russo-Turkish
War of 1877 to 1878 will receive the award free of charge. QSL via
the bureau. (Southgate)
**
DX
In D-X, the Radio Bulgaria DX Program reports that the DXpedition to
Ducie Island, VP6DX in the South Pacific will be on the air February
10th through the 28th. The team led by German DX'er DL6LAU is made up of
operators from Germany, Estonia, the USA, Russia, Poland and Greece.
They will set up 7 stations of which 5 will have a kilowatt amplifier
provided by the Bulgaria's ACOM. The other will run 100 watts. At
present containers with equipment are on their way to New Zealand.
Operation is planned for 160 through 6 meters. Ducie Island is a
rarely visited island atoll that has been part of the Pitcairn Islands
since 1902.
And JA6GXK will operate again as JD1BMM from the island of Minami
Torishima, until the 27th of December. Listen out for him from 09.00 to
13.00 and 20.00 to 22.00 UTC. He plans to concentrate on the low
bands. QSL to JD1BMM, via the JARL bureau.
(From various DX News Sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: THE NORTHWEST STORMS - A PERSONAL VIEW
And finally this week, its not often that Newsline personnel get
involved in emergency communications efforts, but it did happen to one
of our volunteer staff members during the recent Pacific Northwest
storms. That person is Don Carlson, KQ6FM, up in Reno, Nevada, and the
it hit very close to home. We asked Don to tell you the story in his
own words:
--
It was December 3, 2007 and a dangerous storm had just hit the Pacific
Northwest, causing major power and telephone outages and widespread
damage to many areas of northern Oregon and southwest Washington. I
received a phone call from my father-in-law in southern California
regarding the welfare of my wife's aunt Millie and Uncle Don in
Tillamock County, Oregon. They could not get any response due to the
lack of phone service, and since they are an elderly couple, the
concern was great.
Our Nevada Northeast DEC, Joe, N7JEH and I talked via IRLP, and he gave
me the operating frequency on 75m where hams up there had started a
net. I then went to that frequency where I found their signals to be
at least 10 over all the way. I was able to contact Jerry, KB7LNR;
Joe, N7HAE and David, W7PDQ. Between them, all of the information on
Don and Millie was taken, including physical address and phone number,
and said that they would do what they could to both locate them and
find out health and welfare information on them.
The next day I received an email telling us that Don and Millie were
fine. They had lost an outbuilding shed at the back of the house, had
indeed lost power and telephone service, but that they were fine and
the house was intact. The wind gusts had been recorded at 129 mph in
that area! I immediately called my father-in-law and reported back
that they were ok, and that they would call once phone service had been
restored. Turns out that this took a couple of days.
Once their phone was working again, Uncle Don called us and said, one
of your ham friends contacted us to see if we were alright. What you
hams do is a great service to us. He noted that while they lived 2
miles inland from the ocean, they could hear the surf pounding the
coast like it was next door - even from that distance. They were
grateful that the damage was minimal, and more so for what amateur
radio has the ability to do, when conventional means of communication
have been lost.
This is why we train - this is what we amateurs do! When a disaster
strikes, and it can anywhere and at any time - this makes it all worth
the effort. Thank you to the amateurs in Oregon for helping us to get
the messages through, when it was the only way to communicate.
Remember always the motto, "When all else fails there is Amateur
Radio."
I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
--
And oh how very true the words -- "When all else fails there's Amateur
Radio" -- really are. (KQ6FM)
**
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 David
Black, KB4KCH, saying 73 and a Happy and Healthy New Year from the
Amateur Radio Newsline. And as always, we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
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