[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1586 - January 4, 2008
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Sun Jan 6 10:25:02 EST 2008
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1586 - January 4, 2008
The following is a QST. Some scientists say the next solar cycle
and improved D-X should be here soon. Also, the newest DXCC entity
of St Barthelemy will soon be on the air, the NCVEC releases its
new Extra class question pool and the licensing numbers for 2007 are
in. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1586
coming your way right now.
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: THE NEW SOLAR CYCLE MAY BE HERE
Solar cycles last an average of 11 years. The bad news is that we are
in a low point of solar activity as Cycle 23 ends. Because of this DX
is scarce and the High Frequency bands are pretty bleak. But
scientists say that the good news is on its way. They say that Solar
Cycle 24 may have started a few weeks ago. The details in this report:
--
According to TV Technology magazine, the group most interested in the
solar cycle is the scientists at NASA studying solar physics. They
became excited when a knot of magnetism popped over the sun's eastern
limb back on December 11th.
Marshall Space Flight Center Solar Physicist David Hathaway calls this
a good sign. He says that the knot may not look like much, but that
patch of magnetism could be a sign that the next solar cycle has begun.
Hathaway explained that each new solar cycles always begins with a
high-latitude, reversed polarity sunspot. Reversed polarity means a
sunspot with an opposite magnetic polarity compared to sunspots from
the previous solar cycle. High-latitude refers to the sun's grid of
latitude and longitude.
A NASA Science News release describes old cycle spots as those that
tend to congregate near the sun's equator. New cycle spots appear
about 25 or 30 degrees higher in latitude.
The release says that many forecasters believe Solar Cycle 24 will peak
in 2011 or 2012 and will be intense. These same Solar Cycle
forecasters also say that more time is needed to see if this sunspot
really is the start of Solar Cycle 24.
Hoping for some good D-X in the near future. I'm David Black, KB4KCH,
at the South-East Bureau, in Birmingham, Alabama.
--
Amateur radio operators have been closely watching for the next Solar
Cycle to start. Hams know that the increasing solar activity will lead
to higher maximum usable frequencies and better High Frequency
propagation. (NASA, TV Technology)
**
ON THE AIR: NEWEST DXCC ENITY COMING ON THE AIR JAN 6 - 20
The worlds newest DXCC entity will soon be on the air. This, with word
from Paul Granger, F6EXV, that members of the KH8SI group will bring
Saint Barthelemy Island on the air from January 6th through the 20th.
The ARRL DXCC Desk announced the addition of St Barthelemy to the
accepted countries list on December 20th 2007. The island became DXCC
entity number 338 with an effective date of December 14th and cards with
contacts dated December 14, 2007 or after will be accepted for DXCC
credit.
Now, JR2KDN and Paul F6EXV will activate the island using their calls
portable FJ. F6EXV will be used for SSB and CW and JR2KDN will be the
call heard on RTTY during the operational period. The pair will be
active on 160 through 10 meters using Yaesu transceivers and Cusgcraft
antennas. If you are one of those lucky enough to work St. Barthelemy,
please QSL the operators respective home calls. Both say that they are
OK on QRZ.com.
More DX news later on in this weeks newscast. (Southgate, OPDX, others)
**
RESTRUCTURING: - AUSTRALIA'S ACMA BOARD TO CONSIDER OUTSOURCING
The Australian Communications and Media Authority's has issued a
request for Expressions of Interest in providing certain functions for
that nations Amateur Radio service. Its looking at outsourcing the
management of amateur examinations, issuing of certificates of
proficiency and certain administrative functions in relation to
callsigns.
The ACMA Expressions of Interest is kind of like the Notice of Inquiry
issued by the FCC when it wants to undertake a regulatory change. In
this case the ACMA request required all Expressions of Interest to be
lodged by last November 8th.
Among those responding was the Wireless Institute of Australia. The
WIA has now been advised that the ACMA Board will consider the
Expressions of Interest at it first meeting in 2008 on January 24th. At
the same meeting the ACMA is likely to consider amendments to the
Australian Amateur radio regulations including a move to take that
nation closer to taking part in the international CEPT ham radio
licensing scheme. (WIA)
**
RADIO HAPPENINGS: CONFERENCE TO SOLVE SW PROBLEMS
A conference on global shortwave coordination will be held February in
Kuala Lumpur. This, to try to resolve potential interference problems
likely to affect shortwave transmissions.
According to the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the February meeting
will be hosted by VT Communications on behalf of the High Frequency
Coordination Conference, the Arab States Broadcasting Union and the
Asian Broadcasting Union. Using mutual coordination, delegates will
try to resolve many of the potential interference problems that are
likely to affect shortwave transmissions in the 2008 joint global
broadcasting schedule.
At present, a single global seasonal database of seasonal frequency
requirements, compiled by the High Frequency Coordination Conference
secretariat, assists in the coordination process. A new database of
frequency requirements for the shortwave radio broadcasting season from
March 30th to October 26th will be on the agenda of the conference.
Hams will want to keep an eye on the outcome of this gathering because
whatever is decided could impact on Amateur Radio operations in
spectrum that shared with international shortwave. (Southgate)
**
RECUE RADIO: FALL 2007 WILFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS DETAILED IN CQ MAGAZINE
The story of the role played by radio amateurs during last Octobers
devastating Southern California wildfires is described in great detail
in the January issue of C-Q Magazine. Penned by Public Service editor
Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, the article titled Firestorm tells of the heroic
efforts by radio amateurs all across the Southland as Santa Ana winds
swept across the region pushing along 12 wildfires. Fires that
consumed over 500,000 acres, destroyed 3100 structures including 2200
homes and left 7 dead.
The article not only tells of the role played by ARES and RACES members
during the fire emergency. It also details the refusal of the American
Red Cross to deploy hams who had not gone through the extensive
background check now required by that relief agency. Even in the case
of this huge firestorm and the need by the Red Cross for more ham
radio manpower, Josuweit's article says that the agency stood firm and
said it would not accept help from volunteers who had not completed its
background check.
Bob Josuweit's story Firestoirm is a serious must-read for all radio
amateurs and especially those involved in emergency communications. It
begins on page 44 of the January issue of C-Q Magazine. For more
information visit www.cq-amateur-radio.com on the World Wide Web.
(ARNewsline(tm))
**
REPEATER COORDINATION: THE NFCC IS ALIVE, WELL AND LIVING IN NEBRASKA
There are now two entities sharing the name of the National Frequency
Coordinators Council. The original NFCC founded way back in 1996 and a
new one that made its presence known in late December. Bruce Tennant,
K6PZW, reports:
--
The newly formed National Frequency Coordinators Council or NFCC which
appears to be headquartered in Texas says that it now holds the name
and incorporation in Washington D.C.. This is because its leaders
claim that the old group went away in 2002.
Only one problem, as regular listeners to these newscasts already know,
the original National Frequency Coordinators Council is very much alive
and is currently trying to convince the FCC to reverse an earlier
opinion that affects a lot of operations on the VHF and UHF bands. It
wants the regulatory agency to declare all digital audio relay devices
to be repeaters and to confine their operation within designated
repeater subbands.
So what does the old NFCC have to say about the new group? Actually,
very little. In a short statement, posted to the NFCC's website which
happens to resides on an ARRL operated server, President Jay Maynard,
K5ZC, writes:
"A press release was recently sent out claiming that the National
Frequency Coordinators' Council was dissolved in 2002 due to the
expiration of its corporate status in the District of Columbia. This
is incorrect. The NFCC has continued in existence as an unincorporated
nonprofit organization since that time, and has recently been re-
incorporated in Nebraska.
It is not necessary for an organization to be incorporated in order to
exist. Incorporation does allow an organization to do some things that
an unincorporated body cannot, but the NFCC has done none of those
things, and it is not anticipated that it would need to.
There may indeed be a new corporation, in the District of Columbia or
some other jurisdiction, operating under the name National Frequency
Coordinators' Council. That corporation is not the NFCC that has
existed since 1996."
And that's it. The old NFCC is continuing on as if the newly formed
group does not even exist.
And the new NFCC is also being ignored by most of the nations
established frequency coordinators and repeater coordination councils
since they were the ones who formed the original National Frequency
Coordinators Council over a decade ago.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles.
--
It should be noted that the National Frequency Coordinators Council
does not coordinate repeaters in your hometown or anywhere for that
matter. That's done by your local coordinator or council. Rather, the
NFCC functions as the technical and political representative from the
nations recognized coordinators in discussions with both the ARRL and
the FCC. Because of this there is a lot at stake as to who can lay
claim that they represent the needs, wants and desires of the repeater
and spectrum management community. (ARNewsline(tm))
**
HAM RADIIO TESTING: NCVEC RELEASES NEW EXTRA CLASS QUESTION POOL
The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators has released
the new Amateur Extra class license question pool. Use of this new set
of questions commences on or after July 1st and will likely be in
service until June 30, 2012.
The new pool consists of 741 questions and 12 graphics. It can be
downloaded in Rich Text, Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF at www.ncvec.org
Questions concerning it's implementation and use go by e-mail to the
National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators Question Pool
Committee. It can be reached at qpc at ncvec.org (NCVEC)
**
RADIO HEALTH: RADIO AND LEUKEMIA LINK HALTS TOWERS
A county official in Washington state has ruled that two AM towers
can't be built until possible health dangers of electromagnetic energy
are analyzed. This is an action that could have far ranging
implications for anyone wanting to put in a new radio installation of
any kind in that state.
The owners of KRKO A-M in Everett, Washington wants to add two towers
to four that have been approved for a site south of Snohomish. The
Snohomish County official making the decision to delay the project
cited a recent study published by The American Journal of Epidemiology.
It found that children who live within a certain distance of A-M radio
antenna structures are twice as likely to develop leukemia. (RW)
**
RADIO SAFETTY: NO MORE LOOSE LIHIUM BATTERIES BY AIR
As of January 1st, air travelers, including hams, are no longer
permitted to pack loose non-rechargable lithium batteries in checked
luggage. This, to help reduce the risk of fires in flight.
Many hams use lithium based batteries to power QRP gear for holiday
operations. The T-S-A says that passengers can still check baggage
with lithium batteries, but only if they are installed in electronic
devices. If packed in plastic bags, batteries may be in carry-on
baggage.
The ban affects only non-rechargeable lithium batteries such as those
made by Energizer and Duracell. Non-rechargeable alkaline or carbon
based and all rechargeable NiCad and NiMH batteries are still
permitted.
According to news reports, the Federal Aviation Administration has
found that fire-protection systems in the cargo hold of passenger
planes can't put out fires sparked in lithium batteries. (FAA, TSA,
other published reports)
**
RADIO LAW: IN FLIGHT BRODBAND OK'D BY FCC
The FCC has taken what may be a giant step forward in making broadband
Internet access available in flight. David Black, KB4KCH, has more:
--
The FCC has given satellite company ViaSat blanket authority for
operation of up to 1,000 earth stations aboard commercial aircraft.
The earth stations will provide Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service,
using the Ku-band frequency ranges 14.0 to 14.5 GHz for Earth-to-space
and 11.7 to 12.2 GHz for space-to-Earth to link with leased
transponders aboard the commercial AMC-6 satellite.
The ViaSat aircraft earth stations will provide two-way broadband
communications for passengers and aircrew members aboard commercial
airliners and private business jets, with access to e-mail, the
Internet and corporate virtual networks. The FCC says that the
implementation of the ViaSat system will enhance competition in an
important sector of the mobile telecommunications market in the United
States.
--
The new ViaSat communications system is expected to be operational in
the not to distant future. (FCC)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC AND LPFM'S
In a Second Notice of Proposed Rule-Making, the commission asked for
comment on technical rules that could potentially expand Low Power FM
or LPFM licensing opportunities. It tentatively concludes that full-
service stations must provide technical and financial assistance to
LPFM stations when implementation of a full-service station facility
proposal would cause interference to an LPFM station; and tentatively
concluded that the commission should adopt a contour-based protection
methodology to expand LPFM licensing opportunities.
The FCC also said it intends to address the issues in the further
notice within 6 months, and that the next filing window for a non-
tabled aural licensed service will be for LPFM. It also recommends to
Congress that it remove the requirement that LPFM stations protect
full-power stations operating on third adjacent channels. (FCC)
**
ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY: NEW VERSION OF FDMDV REWLEASED
A new version of the ham radio Digital Voice mode FDMDV is now
available from the N1SU.com website. The new version adds two main
features. These are the ability to re-center the transmit and receive
frequency and enhanced AFC.
As previously reported, this new mode is considered remarkable in that
it occupies a bandwidth of only 1.1 kHz as opposed to the 2.4 kHz
needed for an SSB signal. You will find the new version on-line at
http://n1su.com/fdmdv Look for version 10 A dated December 7, 2007.
(N1SU via QRZ.com)
**
RADIO NUMBERS: US HAM RADIO POPULATION UP BUT DOWN
Some year end statistics as to how ham radio is doing in the area of
numbers holding licenses in the United States. As of December 31st,
2007 the total active individual licenses is 655,768. That is up by
only 57 since the 3rd quarter 2007 reporting period ending last
September 30.
The numbers in each class break down as follows. There are now 20,456
Novice class operators, 315,252 Technician and Technician Plus, 142,674
General class, 65,367 Advanced and 112,019 Extra. Compared with
earlier published statistics, that is a net loss of 32,092 since April
of 2003 when the U-S ham radio population hit an all time high of
687,860.
These figures were provided by George Mc Couch, K3UD, and posted to the
news pages at QRZ.com. George also provides a complete analyses of the
figures in his in-depth posting. The direct URL is
http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=179595 (QRZ.COM)
**
WORLDBEAT - NERTHERLANDS: CHOPPER CUTS POWER LINES TO RADIO FACTORY
Building radios can be hazardous to your company's well being. Witness
what happened when workers at the Duran Audio factory in the
Netherlands. They had to be given some extra holiday time after a
Royal Netherlands Air Force helicopter took out power lines to the
region.
According to news reports. the Apache helicopter was on a night-
training flight on the night of December 12th from a nearby Air Base
when it touched high-power electric cabling near the River Waal,
forcing the helicopter to land in a pasture. The two pilots were
unhurt, however more than 50,000 households and businesses lost
electrical service. Power was not restored until Friday, December
14th. (RW)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ORBITAL CLASSROOM PLANNED
Turning to ham radio space rwlated matters, word that Stefan Wagener,
VE4NSA has been asked to organize and coordinate an amateur radio space
communications training concept called the 'Orbital Classroom. He in
turn is looking for input from the ham community on setting up the
service. Those interested can contact him via e-mail ve4nsa at amsat.org
(ANS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SA AMSAT SYNPOSIUM SEEKS PAPERS
The South Africa AMSAT Space Symposium will be held in Durban on April
19th. Papers for presentation are now being solicited with a closing
date for a synopsis on February 15th. Those selected will be advised
that their presentation is one that's been selected and that completed
copy must be submitted in Microsoft Word format before March 31st.
Submit all submissions electronically to saamsat at intekom.co.za. (SA
AMSAT)
**
WORLDBEAT - UK: THE BBC AT 75
A happy 75th birthday to the BBC's World Service. What was then called
the Empire Service went on the air December 19, 1932, from the new
Broadcasting House in London. It launched with a two-hour transmission
targeted to Australia and New Zealand. There were four later
broadcasts that day to other parts of the world. (RW)
**
WORLDBEAT - BOSNIA: A NEW CALLSIGN PREFIX
Bosnia and Herzegovina now have a new callsign prefix of E7A-E7Z. The
change was made initially on a provisional basis under authority of the
ITU Secretary-Genera. It was later confirmed by the 2007 World
Radiocommunication Conference to be effective November 17, 2007. The
nations Ministry of Communications and Transport held a press
conference in Sarajevo on December 18 to formally announce the change.
(ARRL)
**
DX
In D-X, word that YL2GM, will be active from Cape Verde as D4C during
the CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest on February th and 10th. He will enter as a
Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL's go via IZ4DPV.
Djibouti will be active as J20MB from January through the end of March.
Activity will be on 20, 17 and 10 meters using SSB. QSL as directed on
the air
And F6EAY is now signing 4X8AY from Israel. QSL this operation via
F5LGE.
Lastly, F6HMJ will operate portable 6W from Senegal from January 8th
through the 29th. Listen out for him on 80 through 10 meters on CW, SSB
and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign.
(From various DX news sources)
**
CHAGING TECHNOLOGY: TEXAS SAYS TO CHANGE THAT LIGHT
And finally this week, Texas may soon be joining other states that are
opting away from incandescent lamps in favor of more modern and energy
efficient compact fluorescents. While the lamps have been around for a
while, the way the Lone Star State is adopting them is rather unique.
They want to do it in a fun way. Jim Davis, W2JKD, has more:
--
Texas will have a favorite state bulb -- a light bulb -- along with a
state flower and a state song if mayors of five large Texas cities have
their way. The Mayors said use of compact fluorescent bulbs may help
reduce electric demand from power plants that emit carbon dioxide, a
gas blamed for global warming.
To kick off a statewide campaign to get residents to replace old light
bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs, Texas mayors vowed
to launch an effort to make the bulbs available, to encourage their use
and to suggest that people give them as gifts for Christmas or other
occasions.
--
One suggestion we will make. Some compact fluorescent lamps can
generate a lot of R-F hash making reception on the broadcast, shortwave
and Amateur bands all but impossible. If you are planning to replace
your current lighting with compact fluorescent buy them from a store
that has a working display. Also, bring an A-M or shortwave portable
radio to check out the level of noise a given brand generates from
about a foot or two away. That way you will know you have quiet
lighting and not lamps tat make it impossible to hear and work that
rare D-X. (Technlogy Today, ARNewsline(tm))
**
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.
Before we go, we want to mention that we have our first on-line survey
for 2008 now on line at our website. This one asks the all important
question Did you get the ham radio "goodie" for Christmas that you
asked Santa for? Let us and the world know by going to
www.arnesline.org and checking the appropriate box in the survey area
on the front page.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Don
Wilbanks, AE5DW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
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