[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1587 - January 11, 2008
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Sat Jan 12 09:48:03 EST 2008
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1587 - January 11, 2008
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1587 with a release date of Friday,
January 11th 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a Q-S-T. The
experts say Solar Cycle 24 is now officially here, a D-X team gets ready to
put Ducie Island on the air and a new B-P-L threat surfaces in Trinadad and
Tobago. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1587
coming your way right now.
**
ON THE AIR: SOLAR CYCLE 24 CONFIRMED
An astrophysical research group in Belgium has now confirmed what we reported
last week. Solar Cycle 24 is now officially with us. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is
in Nottingham in the U-K with the latest:
--
According to the Solar Influences Data Analysis Centre, Solar Cycle 24 has
begun. In a report issued on 4 January 2008 the Centre identified a high
latitude sunspot group.
The group, first noted by the Catania solar observatory, has been identified
using the butterfly rule as the first in Cycle 24.
After the last few years of declining conditions, we can now look forward to
a steady improvement in HF propagation until the cycle peaks, which is
expected to be around 2013.
--
Some independent propagation forecasters think we could see some significant
improvements in band conditions by this summer while others are not quite
sure when improvements will begin to take place. (GB2RS)
**
THE WORLD OF DX: DUCIE ISLAND TEAM READY FOR FEBRUARY OPERATION
Word of the official start of the new solar cycle has to be music to the ears
of the team for the long-awaited Ducie Island DX-pedition. This as the
multi-national team of thirteen operators continue preparation to depart for
their large scale operation to this remote island which takes place in
February.
As now planned, all members of the VP6DX team will fly to French Polynesia on
February 5th. There they will board the ship Braveheart and hopes to set
sail to Ducie Island sometime on February 6th. Weather and sea conditions
permitting, the team should be at the island early Saturday morning February
9th. A plus two day window is built into these dates in case mother nature
chooses not cooperate with the teams plans. Once operational they will be on
the air through the 27th.
While on Ducie the group will have two operating sites with up to 7 stations.
Activity will be on 160 through 6 meters on CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL direct
only to Carsten Esch, DL6LAU, at his callbook or qrz.com address.
More information about this long anticipated operation is at the VP6DX Web
page at www.vp6dx.com. We will have more DX news later on in this weeks
Amateur radio Newsline report. (Southgate, ARNewsline, OPDX, others)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAMS RESPOND TO MIDWEST TORNADOES
Ham radio first responders activate as tornadoes and other severe weather hit
the mid-West. I'm Don Wilbanks AE5DW.
Some 50 Missouri hams working behind the scenes provided an early warning
lifeline. This, when a series of tornadoes, hail and damaging winds raged
acros Southwest Missouri on January 7th and 8th.
Operating under the aegis of SKYWARN, the radio amateurs provided a majority
of the forward severe weather spotting reports to the National Weather
Service in Springfield as well as first responder reports for the agencies
providing aid to the disaster scenes.
Among those involved were Rod Kittleman, KOADI. He was stationed at the
National Weather Service taking reports and relaying them to meteorologists.
David Williams, KE7ABH, and Jim Sellars, N0UAM, were the Skywarn net
controllers. Meantime, Ron Hearst KC0TDG the areas top TV weatherman was on
camera providing non stop reports for 12 hours.
Through out the night the hams reported the location debris, damage and hail.
This helped the National Weather Service pinpoint the storms and tornadoes
on the ground. It also allowed local law enforcement to focus more on
emergency situations.
Meantime, up in Wisconsin, ARES operators in Racine were also called into
action on January 7th. This, after the outbreak of tornadoes in Kenosha
county destroyed houses and knocked out power.
According to David Voss, WB9USI, hams began providing support communications
for the agencies responding to the disaster. This included the American Red
Cross which opened shelters in Kenosha County. Radio amateurs also operated
a station at the county's Emergency Operation Center.
Voss, who is the Outreach Coordinator for the Volunteer Center of Racine
County said that the areas hardest hit were the townships of Wheatland,
Somers and the city of Kenosha. Riding along with Red Cross teams, hams
relayed damage assessments back to the American Red Cross building in Racine.
With about 20 radio operators in the field, hams were able to provide
effective communications for the various responding agencies. (K0ADI,
WB9USI, others)
**
THE BPL WAR: NEW BPL THEART ON TRINADAD - TOBAGO
The state-owned Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission says that it is
planning to offer Broadband Internet services to the public. The company
which is the sole transmitter and distributor of electricity services in the
country, has signaled its intention to approach the Telecommunications
Authority of Trinidad and Tobago for clearance to provide broadband Internet
services.
Carol Balkaran, a Tariff Analyst at Trinidad and Tobago Regulated Industries
Commission said that the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission plans to
deploy the service utilizing Broadband over Powerline can provide a host of
internal benefits that can improve the performance of the power provider.
She adds that as the service is to be offered commercially then it can
possibly enhance the competitiveness of the broadband market in Trinidad and
Tobago.
But say Balkaran, BPL raises a number of technical issues including
interference, noise, and problems with data security. She freely admits that
electromagnetic emissions from BPL, which travels via ionespheric
propagation, can impact negatively on users in the lower portion of the high
frequency band from 3 to 30 MHz . She notes that end users who can be
affected by B-P-L interference include commercial shortwave broadcasts,
aviation, maritime communications, average citizens and even the military.
Because of this that since Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and
Tobago has responsibility for management of the spectrum, it would be
responsible for resolving the issue of interference caused by its BPL
services. More on this story is on-line at
www.newsday.co.tt/businessday/0,70795.html (Trinadad NewsDay On-Line)
**
RADIO LAW: CALIFORNIA SAYS IT WONT CORRECT ODD SPACED HAM PLATES
A follow-up to our story a few weeks ago regarding the insertion of an
unwanted space in some ham radio license plates by the California Department
of Motor Vehicles. It appears that the D-M-V is going to hold its ground and
not fix what hams consider a problem with the way their call letters are
displayed on license plates. That's because the agency says it is that way
to assist law enforcement. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW,
reports:
--
As previously reported, Cliff Cheng, WW6CC, was the first to bring the matter
to the public eye. This, after he applied for ham radio plates only to have
them read WW6 space CC. Soon other hams were up in arms as they too received
plates with an unwanted space between letters of their calls and some went as
far as filing complaints with the D-M-V.
Now, in response Mario Balbani, who is the Program Manager for Registration
Policy Development has responded to those complaining. In letters Balbani
essentially says that while the FCC may issue a ham operator his or her
callsign the Department of Motor Vehicles can decide how it will be displayed
on plates his agency issues.
Balbani says that the Department of Motor Vehicles has been issuing ham radio
call letter license plates since 1953 when the statute was first enacted. The
placement or spacing of letters and numbers composed of the ham radio
license was originally determined by the FCC. Although the department is
required by law to issue license plates with specific call letters, spacing
is not addressed in the statute and the department can exercise its
administrative authority in this regard.
Balbani says that the D-M-V adopted the new spacing policy in order for law
enforcement to differentiate between ham radio license plates and other
series license plates. He say that unlike other states, California does not
distinguish the ham radio license plates with a symbol or wording indicating
the plates special purpose.
Balbani says that back in April 2007, it was brought to the D-M-C's attention
that the ham radio license plates were being ordered and issued without the
proper spacing. By proper spacing we assume he means the blank space
inserted someplace in the call. This is because Balbani's letters says that
the problem has since been corrected and those ham radio plates issued with
no spaces will remain valid until the plates are lost or damaged and
duplicates are requested.
Balbani admits that the Department of Motor Vehicles has received several
complaints regarding the spacing of ham radio license plates ordered by
applicants. He say that thoughts of eliminating the spaces have been
reviewed, but his agency must take into consideration the other series
license plates and the distinction that ham radio license plates would no
longer have. In other words, the spaces will stay,
For the amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.
--
California hams are far from satisfied with the Department of Motor Vehicles
position on the added spaces in their callsigns. Some are working behind the
scenes to find a way to force the D-M-V to return to ham radio license plates
as they were before the change was made. (WW6CC, others)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: HAM RADIO AND THE BIG DOGSLED RACE
Ham radio has gone to the dogs, but in this case the dogs are pulling sleds
across Minnesota. Robert Broomhead, VK3KRB, reports:
--
In Minnesota, the 25th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is
gearing up for a banner year. The race follows the North Shoretrail along
Lake Superior, returning after almost 400 miles to a finish back in Duluth.
This is the longest, hardest marathon in the lower 48 states and is used as a
qualifying event for the great Iditarod in Alaska.
A group of hams volunteer many hours of their time and many dollars of
expensive electronic equipment in the name of Safety and Health and Welfare.
Both for the sake of musher's and their teams. Messages are transmitted from
checkpoints along the race route back to race headquarters in Duluth
Minnesota. UHF and VHF repeaters play a part in getting positions of each
team relayed back to Duluth.
In the event of an accident, or a team becoming lost in weather that can
easily be in the -30 below range, it is imperative that they be located as
quick as possible. Temperatures in that range can become fatal very quick.
Dog counts are also maintained in the event one breaks loose of his tow line
and becomes lost.
Im Robert Broomhead, VK3KRB, of the WIA National News reporting fot the
amateur Radio Newsline.
--
For many years ham radio has also been the main communications provider for
the Iditorad Dog Sled Race in Alaska. (WIA News)
**
ENFORCEMENT: CB MURDER ARREST IN MICHIGAN
The Washtenaw County, Michigan sheriff's department says that a 44-year-old
man was stabbed to death at a Scio Township truck stop Saturday December 29th
This, after a conversation on a Citizens Band radio led to a confrontation.
Authorities are holding a 36-year-old man from Garland, Texas, while they
determine charges.
The department told The Ann Arbor News officers got a call to respond to an
attack at a travel center in Scio Township, about 35 miles west of Detroit.
They say Gregory A. Hobalt of Davenport, Iowa, was pronounced dead at the
University of Michigan Hospitals.
The reason for the attack: They say the suspect apparently made offensive
comments over a CB radio about the 10-year-old daughter of Hobalt's
girlfriend. (Ann Arbor News on-line)
**
ENFORCEMENT: WASHINGTON HAM CLAIMS HE DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY $7000
FINE
A Washington state ham who has been served a Notice of Liability to monetary
forfeiture in the amount of $7000 has told a Canadian newspaper that he has
no intention of paying the fine. This, because James J. Grinton, K7VNI,
claims that he does not have the money to do so. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has
the story:
--
Back in December of 2006 the FCC used direction finding to determine that
interference to the VE7RPT repeater was coming from the Bellingham residence
of K7VNI. The FCC says that from December 9th to January 1st of 2007 it
observed 59 transmissions of varying length emanating on 146.34 MHz which is
the input frequency used by the VE7RPT machine. On January 25th 2007 the FCC
sent James J. Grinton a Warning Letter that he received and signed for but
did not file a timely response.
In February of 2007, acting on continued complaints, the FCC again T-hunted
the source of an interfering signal on the repeaters input. They allege that
it came from Grinton's residence. Also that they recorded 17 minutes of
continuous transmission of one-way communications of music. From January
19th through June 23rd of 2007 the FCC says that it logged 163 transmissions
that it claims were made by Grinton which lead the agency to issue him the
$7000 fine.
But in a January 4th published interview conducted by The Vancouver Province
newspaper, Grinton denied he played music through the repeater or interfered
with its operation by making one-way communications. In fact, K7VNI claims
he was not even using his ham radio gear at the times stated by the
commission. He also said that he did not defend himself at a hearing when the
commission issued the fine. Grinton also told the newspaper that he would
not pay it because he is "low-income."
Obviously the next move is up to the FCC.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the studio in
Los Angeles.
--
The complete Province story can be read at
www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=3efadc91-def6-4938-865d-
deed51793312 (The Province, FCC)
**
RADIO LAW: CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE THE FCC
The FCC is now under congressional scrutiny. This as the House Energy and
Commerce Committee says that it will seek to determine whether agency
procedures are being conducted in a fair, open, efficient and transparent
manner. The lawmakers said they plan to interview FCC employees and other
witnesses in preparation for an oversight hearing this year. They add that
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has been instructed to immediately notify all FCC
employees of their right to communicate with Congress. Also he must twell
them that it is against the law to deny or interfere with an employee's right
to furnish information to Congress.The January 8th letter was signed by
committee chairman Rep. John Dingell of Michigan and members Bart Stupak also
of Michigan, Joe Barton of Texas and John Shimkus of Illinois. (Publihed
news reports)
**
RESTRUCTURING: JOHNSTON CALLS DROPPING MORSE SNAKE OIL
One of the nations most respected hams says that the new code free licensing
system is a failure. Writing in the January issue of Worldradio Magazine,
former FCC rules man John B. Johnston, W3BE, says that its looking as if the
wonder cure to the so-called C W barrier was just old fashioned medicine show
snake oil and about as effective.
Johnston, is currently President of the QCWA and won the Radio Amateur of the
Year award for his plain language rewrite of the Part 97 rules while employed
at the FCC. He quotes two reports made at last summers conference between
the nations Volunteer Examination Coordinators and the FCC that shows almost
no growth that can be directly attributed to dropping Morse testing. He says
that the month to month influx of newcomers has remained relatively constant.
He also says that the factual result is internal to the hobby where there has
been an upgrade movement by Technician class hams to General and Extra now
that the Morse test has gone away.
Johnston offers no cure for the slow growth trend in today's ham radio. He
just notes that dropping Morse has not had any significant impact on drawing
newcomers in. His complete article begins on page 18 of the January issue of
Worldradio Magazine. (Worldradio)
**
RADIO AND SCOUTING: 85 NJ SCOUTS EARN MERIT BADGE
55 Boy Scouts from Central New Jersey earned their Radio Merit Badges at the
David Sarnoff Library in Princeton. This, as hams from the Delaware Valley
Radio Association and the David Sarnoff Radio Club hosted the merit badge
presentation sessions on Saturday, January 5th
Among the presentations that the Scouts attended were classes on radio
theory, electronic circuits, electrical safety and amateur radio. They also
got the chance to speak to hams across the country and on board the
battleship USS New Jersey. Additionally, they saw demonstrations of the
Automatic Position Reporting System, sent their names in Morse Code, located
a hidden transmitter on the property and learned how Amateur Radio provides
essential communications during disasters.
To finish the day, Dr. Joe Taylor, K1JT, of Princeton University and the
inventor of the W-S-J-T codec spoke on how he earned his Amateur Radio
License and Radio Merit Badge as a Boy Scout. He also explained how these
instances in his life led him to a career in Radio Astronomy and led to his
being awarded the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of a binary
pulsar. Dr. Taylor then presented each Scout with a Radio Merit Badge
application.
This was the fourth year that the library and David Sarnoff Corporation have
hosted the scouting event. (K2GW)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: ORLANDO HAMCATION FEB 8 - 10
Turning to the ham radio social scene, the 2008 Orlando Hamcation takes place
the weekend of February 8, 9 and 10th at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in
Orlando Florida. The show which drew over 10,000 attendees last year will
feature this year over 150 commercial vendors, 400 swap table vendors and the
largest Amateur Radio tailgate sales area in all of Florida.
This years forum schedule will address various subjects of interest and other
issues important to today's Radio Amateur. Also, the ARRL, MARS, the Florida
Weak Signal Society and the Quarter Century Wireless Association will all
have membership meetings at this years show.
Talk-In is on the 146.760 repeater with no tone required. More information
is on-line at www.hamcation.com or by e-mail to hamcation at oarc.org (AI4KM)
**
THE RADIO SCIENCE FILE: BIRD RADIO TRACKING PROJECT EXTENDED
Turning to the science file, word That a monitoring and tracking project for
those endangered loggerhead shrikes has been extended. Newsline's Joe Moell
K0OV has the details:
--
Last October, I told you about a group of sixteen Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes
that were radio-tagged by researchers at University of Guelph in Ontario,
Canada. They need to learn where these endangered songbirds spend the winter,
because only a small fraction of them return in the spring. These biologists
want the help of hams and scanner fans to listen for the radio tags, which
have a range of only a mile or so.
At first, I was told that the tags would remain on the air for about three
months. But upon checking, the primary researcher discovered that this
season's tags have batteries that will function into mid-February or later.
You can help from the comfort of your hamshack by tuning in regularly to the
individual tag frequencies, which are between 172 and 173 MHz. The primary
target area includes Tennessee, North Carolina, and states to the south of
there.
A complete frequency list is at my Web site, along with articles to help you
distinguish the tags from other signals you may hear there. You can also join
an e-mail list of wildlife tracking enthusiasts. The URL is www.homingin.com
That's homingin, as one word.
Many thanks for your help. This is Joe Moell K0OV for Amateur Radio Newsline.
--
Again that website is www dot homing in dot com. (K0OV)
**
RADIO ON THE WEB: NEW VIDEO SHOWS HOME MADE TRIODE
Breathtaking and amazing! That's what is being said about a new video that
takes the viewer though the step by step process of creating a triode tube.
It is called "Fabrication d'une lampe triode" but the soundtrack is simply
background music by famed composer George Gershwin. This prevents there
being any language difficulties.
The video was posted to yje World Wide Web by F2FO. Its on-line at
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wrzo_fabrication-dune-lampe-triode_tech
(F2FO)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AO-51 ECLIPSE FREE FOR 3 MONTHS
AMSAT reports that its AO-51 ham radio satellite is about to enter a three
month period of no eclipse. This means more time on the air for users on the
ground to use the bird.
The AO-51 Command Team will be determining the best operating modes and power
levels over the next two weeks. There will be no published schedule. The
current modes of VHF / UHF FM repeater and L-Band and UHF digital bulletin
board operations may be common, but AMSAT says that unpublished mode changes
can occur at anytime. (AMSAT)
**
WORLDBEAT-CANADA: BILL UNGER VE3XT NEW RAC DIRECTOR
Bill Unger VE3XT of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. becomes the new Director in
Radio Amateurs of Canada's Ontario North/East section. Unger joined the R-
A-C's board on January 1st, to complete the term of former Director Dave
Goodwin VE3AAQ ending on December 31st 2008. This appointment became
necessary after Goodwin resigned to become Radio Amateurs of Canada's new
President. (RAC)
**
WORLDBEAT - GERMANY: ALL GERMAN CLASS A HAMS GET 50 MHZ
Its now official. Following in the switch-off of the last two German analog
TV-transmitters on VHF channel 2, German telecommunications regulators have
now officially lifted the 200 by 200 km wide protection zones around these
stations. This gives all German class A licensee holders free and
undisturbed access to the 6eter band in that nation. As previously reported,
the change was contingent on German television making its final conversion
to the new DVB-T digital television format. (Southgate)
**
ON THE AIR: 30 METER DIGITAL WEEKEND - JAN 19 - 20
Its not a contest but a way for hams involved in digital operation to help
populate an under-utilized band. This, with the announcement amateurs
interested in PSK31 and other digital modes are invited to ragchew on 10 MHz.
during the up-coming 30 meter digital weekend.
The two-day event will start on January 19th at 00:01 UTC and run for through
midnight on January 20th. Activity will focus on 10,135 to 10,145 MHz. The
main mode will be PSK31 on 10,140 MHz plus minus 1 000 Hertz.
The objective is for radio amateurs worldwide to make contact with European
stations to promote and increase digital mode activity on 30 Metres. As
this is not a contest, logs are not required but participating radio amateurs
are requested to send a mail to m5aav at 30meterdigital.org with the number of
stations worked.
Europe's 30 Meter Digital Group is the events sponsor. Its goal is to
promote the use of digital modes on the 30 meter band and awareness on what a
great band this really is For more information about the group visit ]
www.30meterdigital.org. (Via e-mail)
**
DX
In D-X, keep an ear open for Tanzania as DL7CM is active as 5H1CM from
Zanzibar Island through January 24th. He will be there on holiday with his
wife, so his activity may be limited. Listen for him on 160 through 6 meters
with primary emphasis on the lower High Frequency bands running CW, SSB and
RTTY. QSL direct or via the bureau to DL7CM.
And Lichtenstein will be active from July 13th to the 18th as two operators
come on usuing their home calls portable H-B-Zero. The ops are identified s
DL6IAN, DO6IAN and they will be on holiday style mainly on SSB with some CW.
QSL to their home callsigns, direct or via the DARC Bureau.
Lastly, listen out for IZ5JNQ, to be active Santo Domingo in the Domican
Republic through January 26th. No callsign has yt been announced but he
plans to operate on 20, 15/ and 0 meters using SSB and the digital modes. QSL
direct to his home callsign.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: TRAPPING RAINBOWS FOR HIGHER SPEED COMPUTERS
A new technique to slow down, stop and even capture light called "Trapped
Rainbow" will likely lead to faster and more powerful computers. Robb Topp,
VK5MM, says that this new scientific discovery holds the promise of a bright
future for the Internet and all of us who communicate using it:
--
Professor Ortwin Hess, his PhD student Kosmas Tsakmakidis of the Advanced
Technology Institute and Department of Physics at the University of Surrey
and Professor Alan Boardman from Salford University have revealed a technique
which may be able to slow down, stop and capture light.
The technique would allow the use of light rather than electrons to store
memory in devices such as computers, enabling an increase in operating
capacity of 1,000% by using light's broad spectrum rather than single
electrons. Slow light could also be used to increase the speed of optical
networks, such as the Internet. At major interconnection points, where
billions of optical data packets arrive simultaneously, it would be useful if
we could control this traffic optically, by slowing some data packets to let
others through. This system would work in the same way as traffic congestion
calming schemes do on our motorways, when a reduction in the speed limit
enables swifter overall flow of traffic.
Professor Hess' theory shows that if you create a tapered layer of glass
surrounded by two suitable layers of negative refractive index metamaterials
a packet of white light injected into this prism from the wide end will be
completely stopped at some point in the prism. As different component
`colors' of white light have different frequencies each individual frequency
would therefore be stopped at a different stage down the taper, thereby
creating the `trapped rainbow'.
Professor Hess comments: Our "Trapped Rainbow" bridges the exciting fields of
metamaterials with slow light research. It may open the way to the long-
awaited realization of an "optical capacitor". It may, further herald a new
realm of photonics with direct application of the `Trapped Rainbow' storage
of light in a huge variety of scientific and consumer fields.
And I'm Rob, VK5MM.
--
More about the concept of Trapped Rainbows is on-line
http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page (VK7 News)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ Magazine,
the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB, the
Southgate News and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from the Amateur Radio
Newsline. Our e-mail address is newsline at arnewsline.org. More information
is available at Amateur Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at
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For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jeff Clark,
K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
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