[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1590 - February 1, 2008
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Sun Feb 3 10:12:37 EST 2008
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1590 - February 1, 2008
The following is a Q-S-T. The government blames more West coast 70
centimeter repeaters for interference to PAVE PAWS radar, Canada finds
a new kind of electromagnetic interference and a new book about the
murder at sea of KD7VWJ, and KD7VWK. Find out who wrote it on Amateur
Radio Newsline report number 1590 coming your way right now.
**
AIR FORCE ADDS MORE REPEATERS TO CALIFORNIA PAVE PAWS PROBLEM LIST
The ARRL's General Counsel says that the rights of repeater owner
operators in two areas that the military says interferes with the PAVE
PAWS radar system must be protected. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce
Tennant, K6PZW, reports:
--
In a recent teleconference meeting between the ARRL, the FCC and the U-
S Air Force, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, is quoted as
having pointed out that any specific enforcement action or shut-down
order from the FCC involving amateurs and their repeaters also provides
for due process in those proceedings. Imlay, who is a communications
law specialist in the Washington D-C area emphasized that even though
Amateur Radio holds a secondary allocation status in the 70 centimeter
band, the Department of Defense has the burden of proving that specific
repeaters are causing harmful interference on a case-by-case basis.
Imlay's words were made public last week in ARRL Letter. It also
reported that a second round of testing by US Air Force engineers has
resulted in the identification of an additional seventy-five repeaters
on the 70 centimeter band in Northern California that must adjust their
operations. This, to eliminate harmful interference to the PAVE PAWS
Updated Early Warning Radar located at Beale Air Force Base near
Sacramento.
Dan Henderson, N1ND, is the Regulatory Information Manager for the
American Radio Relay League. He says that in order to expedite any new
mitigation actions due to the enlarged list, the FCC has now taken on
the lead role of making initial contact with the owners of these newly
identified repeaters. But says Henderson, the FCC has asked the ARRL
to continue its work of aiding affected repeater owners with suggested
mitigation actions. Henderson goes on to say that since any mandatory
enforcement action would have to come from the FCC, it makes sense for
them to take the lead at this point in time.
During the January 17th conference call, FCC Special Counsel for
Enforcement, Riley Hollingsworth, confirmed that he had been in contact
with repeater owners from the first Department of Defense list who had
not indicated their compliance with mitigation numbers provided by the
ARRL in early Fall 2007. Hollingsworth reported he has had a positive
response from each owner with whom he had spoken so far. There were
several who had to be contacted via regular mail who have not yet
responded.
Hollingsworth says that he also plans to start making contact with the
owners of repeaters on the second list and begin the process towards
compliance within a short period of time. Ed Hare, W1RFI, the ARRL
Laboratory Manager says that once a repeater owner has been contacted,
the ARRL is ready to support their efforts in meeting the mitigation
requirement.
But it is the words of ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, that are
the most welcome by affected repeater owners. They now know that they
have a friend in Washington who is looking out for their rights.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles.
--
So far the alleged interference to the two operational PAVE PAWS radar
systems affects 15 repeaters in the vicinity of Otis Air Force Base on
Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and more than 170 UHF systems within some 140
miles of Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento, California. The ARRL's
Dan Henderson says that from the discussions with the Air Force, it is
clear that the PAVE PAWS issue is going to be a continuing process. He
says that the ARRL needs to be involved since there can be additional
repeaters identified as the Department of Defense continues testing at
their radar sites. (ARRL)
**
WORLDBEAT - CANADA: POWER METER EMI
Still with interference issues, Radio Amateurs of Canada says that it
has become aware of increasing levels of interference to Amateur Radio
operations on the 902 to 928 MHz or 33 centimeter band. This, from
wireless power meters. So it is calling on all Canadian Radio Amateurs
who use that band to provide any information to help identify the
extent and nature of the problem.
In a number of cities, electrical power utilities are installing
wireless meters that operate in the 33 cm band. Canadian radio
amateurs have access to that band on a Secondary basis. This means
that they may not cause interference to, nor be protected from
interference by licensed Primary users of that spectrum, which are
stations in the Fixed and Radiolocation Services.
However, and it is a big however. Under Canadian law these wireless
power meters are operating legally, but as unlicensed devices.
Therefore they are legally subordinate to Amateur Radio and ham radio
operations can claim protection from these devices.
Radio Amateurs of Canada says that it intends to raise this issue with
Industry Canada, but requires more information on the effect these
meters are having on ham radio operations. If you are a Canadian radio
amateur and you are active on the 33 centimeter band, and if you have
suffered harmful interference from these devices, please provide
details to RAC's Vice-President Industrial Liaison, Norm Rashleigh
VE3LC. He can be reached by e-mail to rashleigh at sympatico.ca or
VE3LC at rac.ca . (RAC)
**
RADIO LAW: WINNIPEG CANADA HAM WINS ANTENNA FIGHT
A Canadian ham has won a major antenna victory. This, after the city
where he lives drops its objections to his antenna installation.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has the rest of the
story:
--
On January 23rd, Gilbert Restiaux, VE4GIL learned that the City of
Winnipeg had dropped their objections to his tower. But getting the
good news was a long time in coming.
Back in 2002, Restiaux moved to a new neighborhood. After checking with
planning authorities in the city, he received their verbal agreement to
erect a 48-foot tower and HF yagi in his back yard. Five years later,
one of his neighbors complained to municipal authorities because he
"did not like" the appearance of the tower.
The neighbor lodged complaints by telephone twice a day every day for
several months. The City of Winnipeg eventually disclosed two charges
against VE4GIL of violating Winnipeg's zoning by-law.
Restiaux hired a lawyer, did a great deal of research, and enlisted the
help of Tim Ellam, VE6SH of Radio Amateurs of Canada's Antenna
Structures Committee. VE6SH provided Restiaux and his lawyer with
documentary references that were of assistance in arguing that the
city's attempts to regulate Restiaux Amateur Radio antennas were beyond
municipal jurisdiction.
On January 23rd, the day before VE4GIL was scheduled to attend court on
the matter of his tower, Kerri Tymchuk, a lawyer for the City of
Winnipeg wrote to Restiaux lawyer informing him that the city will not
be pursuing this prosecution. Good news finally for Gilbert Restiaux,
VE4GIL. And I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, for the Amateur Radio Newsline.
--
Although not clearly stated in Tymchuk's letter, VE4GIL's lawyer
suggested that the City of Winnipeg understands it does not have
jurisdiction over Amateur Radio antennas. (RAC, VO1AU)
**
HAM RADIO CRIME: NEW BOOK TELLS THE STORY OF THE MURDERS OF KD7VWK
AND KD7VWK
Vanished at Sea: The True Story of a Child TV Actor and Double Murder
is the title of a new book by author Tina Dirmann detailing the events
surrounding the murders of Thomas and Jackie Hawkes, KD7VWJ, and
KD7VWK.
As you already know, the Hawks were killed aboard their boat the Well
Deserved in November of 2004. Among those accused in the case was
former child actor Skylar Deleon. He along with co-defendant John
Fitzgerald Kennedy are alleged to have overpowered the couple, forced
them to sign away their boat and life savings. The two then are
alleged to have tied them to an anchor and threw them overboard.
In her book, Dirmann tells the story of how Skylar Deleon and his
accomplices is alleged to have committed the crime. It also follows
the legal proceedings since the suspects arrest up to and including the
trial and sentencing of Deleon's wife Jennifer as a co conspirator.
Deleon and Kennedy are scheduled to stand trial later this year.
Prosecutors are asking the death penalty.
Vanished at Sea is published by St. Martins Press and is available from
booksellers nationwide. (ARNewsline from published reports)
**
RADIO ACCIDENTS: FALL ON MALTA CLAIMS LIFE OF RADIO ENTHUIAST
A man described as a radio enthusiast died after a fall from a ladder.
This, while apparently working on an antenna system at his retirement
home on a Mediterranean island.
Alan Wright, 71, originally from Wrexham, in the United Kingdom, is
reported to have fallen three stories down a shaft in Malta. It is
understood Wright had been working on the antenna at the time of the
accident.
According to reports in the English language Times of Malta newspaper,
Wright had been attempting to fix the antenna on January 22nd when the
accident occurred. The British Foreign Office says that his next of
kin has been informed and an investigation into the death is
continuing.
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO EM COMMS TRAINING IN ARKANSAS
The Arkansas Health Department has used video teleconferencing to
transmit Amateur Radio training to 13 hospital classrooms across the
state on Saturday, January 26th. The instruction, which actually took
place at Washington Regional Medical Center enabled students statewide
to earn their Technician Class Amateur Radio License. Michael Corbin,
K0ACL, has more:
--
John Norland is the Tactical Communications Assistant Coordinator for
the Arkansas Health Department. He says that some 30 Northwest
Arkansas residents participated in this year's ham radio training
event.
The program was offered to students at no cost in cooperation with the
Arkansas Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the American Radio Relay
League. In addition to completing the two day training course,
students also had to complete a V-E administered FCC Amateur Service
licensing exam.
Like many other states, Arkansas has put out a lot of money to pay for
high-tech emergency communication systems. Even so, Norland says that
in times of large-area emergencies when all the other communication
systems tend to become overloaded or disrupted, that its hams who are
the ones able to quickly connect up a communications network because
they are used to doing it on a daily basis.
Nice words to hear.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Michael Corbin, K0ACL, in Denver.
--
John Norland says that Arkansas is really keen on ham radio. He says
that amateur radio operators often act as unsung heroes in the face of
disaster. (Adapted from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
**
ENFORCEMENT: HAMS HELP INDIA CLOSE 6 PIRATE BROIADCASTERS
Turning to enforcement news, India's West Bengal Police have cracked
down on six unauthorized radio stations with the help of some local
hams. Acting on information from the unnamed amateur radio operators,
officers from the Sagar police station raided the pirates on January
11th. Four people were arrested and all of the station equipment was
dismantled. Beginning a year ago, Amateur Radio operators in India had
warned the government monitoring station about unauthorized radio
stations. (All India News)
**
ENFORCEMENT: K7VNI ORDERED TO PAY $7000 FINE
Back in the United States, the FCC has affirmed a $7000 monetary
forfeiture issued against to James J. Grinton, K7VNI, of Bellingham,
Washington. This for his allegedly by engaging in the transmission of
one-way communications and his failure to transmit his assigned call
sign in the Amateur Radio Service.
Back in December of 2006 the FCC used direction finding to determine
that interference to the Canadian VE7RPT repeater was coming from the
Bellingham residence of James J. Grinton, 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."
While Grinton was apparently willing to talk to the newspaper the same
was not true in responding to the government complaint. The FCC says
that despite repeated contacts by the Seattle Office, K7VNI has not
filed a response to the proposed fine. So based on the information
before it the FCC has now affirmed the forfeiture and given Grinton the
usual 30 days from the January 30th release of its order to pay, or to
file an appeal. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: BRONX UNLICENSED OP FINED $17000
The FCC affirmed a $17,000 fine issued against Nicolas Paula $17,000
of the Bronx, N.Y.. This, for operating an unlicensed transmitter and
not allowing an agency inspection of the station. The Notice of
Apparent Liability was issued several months ago. The Commission says
that Paula had not responded to the Notice, so that's why it issued a
forfeiture. The illegal signal was reported on 94.5 MHz. Paula was
given the usual 30 days to pay or the case may be turned over to the
Justice Department for collection. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: ABC NET AND AFFILIATES DINGED $1.43 MILLION
The Federal Communications Commission is proposing a $1.43 million fine
against the ABC and its affiliates. The agency proposed the highest
fine possible on Friday January 25th. for a February 2003 episode of
"NYPD Blue" which briefly showed the side and back of a naked woman
getting into a shower.
Some 52 ABC stations in the Central Standard Time and Mountain Standard
Time zones were assessed a $27,500 fine each for broadcasting the show.
ABC's East and West coast affiliates were not charged fines because
they aired the broadcast at 10 p.m., which falls outside the 6 a.m to
10 p.m. period in which the FCC can fine stations for broadcasting
nudity, overly suggestive scenes and obscene words.
Although almost five years since the broadcast took place, the fine is
notable for its size and because it likely signals the beginning of a
new round of indecency fines that may soon emanate from the agency.
Complaints have been piling up at the FCC in recent years, as the
agency has paused from issuing new fines while defending previous
decisions in federal appeals courts. ABC is expected to appeal. (FCC,
other reports)
**
THE RADIO MARKETPLACE: MARK YOUR TOWER WITH DIALIGHT
Dialight Corp. has introduced a 48 VDC version of its D264 series of
medium-intensity LED red beacons for marking towers and other obstacles
that pose hazards to aircraft navigation. The beacons had previously
been available only in 120 and 240 Volt AC fixtures. (RW)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: DAYTON HAMVENTION DX DINNER BANQUET.
The SouthWest Ohio DX Association will sponsor the 23rd annual DX
Dinner on Friday evening, May 16th. Held to coincide with the 2008
Dayton Hamvention. the dinner will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel,
located in Dayton City Center. No program details are available at
airtime but this affair usually has a top notch program. The program
details are not final prizes as well. Tickets are 37.00 each, payable
in U.S. fund sonly to the SouthWest Ohio DX Association. That means
checks or money orders only. They cannot take credit cards or PayPal.
Further information may be obtained by sending an e-mail to n0fw at
live dot com. (SouthWest Ohio DX Association)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: VE6TN NRE RAC DIRECTOR FOR ALBERTA
The Radio Amateurs of Canada has declared Barry Middlebrook, VE6TN, of
Calgary elected as the new Director representing Alberta, Northwest
Territories and Yukon. Middlebrook's nomination was the only one
received by the nomination deadline, and he was therefore elected
without a balloted election. VE6TN succeeds Brian Nilsson VE6RNR of
Grande Prairie, whose term as Director ended December 31st 2007. (RAC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: UK STAR COMES FROM HAM RADIO HOUSEHOLD
And while the name Alexandra Mannion may not mean much to hams on this
side of the Atlantic, television viewers in the U-K are very familiar
with her work. That's because Alex as she is known is a cast member of
the popular ITV drama series 'Kingdom', which stars Stephen Fry as
Peter Kingdom, and centers on a legal practice in the city of East
Anglia.
No, Alexandra is not a ham but she knows the hobby well. This is
because she is the youngest daughter of Rob Mannion, G3XFD who is the
editor of Britain's best-selling amateur radio magazine, Practical
Wireless. According to G3XFD, as a child Alexandra would regularly
accompany him to the Practical Wireless offices. Now all grown up at
age 29, Alexandra has a degree in drama and is quickly becoming one of
the United Kingdom's brightest young stars.
(You can Read more about Alexandra Mannion on-line at
http://uk.castingcallpro.com/view.php?uid=91573) (Southgate)
**
COMMUNICATIONS NET LAW: EU MAY CONSIDER IP ADDRESSES AS PERSONAL ID
Are Internet Protocol addresses personal information? At least one
international regulator seems to think so and he wants them protected.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Davis, W2JKD, has more:
--
I-P or Internet protocol addresses are that string of numbers that
identify computers on the Internet. Now, the head of the European
Union's group of data privacy regulators says that they should
generally be regarded as personal information.
Peter Scharr, leads the group, which is preparing a report on how well
the privacy policies of Internet search engines operated by Google,
Yahoo, Microsoft and others. He says that these entries must comply
with European Union privacy law.
Scharr who is Germany's data-protection commissioner, made the
statement on January 21st before a European Parliament hearing on online
data protection. He says that when someone is identified by an IP
address, then it has to be regarded as personal data.
--
Scharr's view differs from that of Google and other search engine
providers. They insist that an I-P address merely identifies the
location of a computer, and does not identify who the individual user
is. (Published reports)
**
RADIO STANDARDS: NIST EYES EAST COAST VERSION OF WWVB
The National Institute of Standards and Technology or N-I-S-T is
considering setting up a U.S. East Coast low-frequency radio station
broadcasting N-I-S-T time signals. This, to complement the present 60
kHz, WWVB broadcast.
John Lowe, the WWVB station manager, recently said that the proposed
new East Coast broadcast would operate with the same time code format
as the present WWVB signal, however at a different carrier frequency.
One frequency being discussed is 40 kHz,"
Eight years ago, the power of the WWVB broadcast out of Colorado was
increased from 13 kW to 50 kW and has since been increased to 70 kW.
But even at this power level there are locations on the East Coast that
have difficulty consistently receiving the time signal. Advocates say
an East Coast broadcast would make the time code easier to receive by
radio-controlled clocks and spur development of radio-controlled timing
devices in appliances and other consumer products.
John Lowe is seeking comments about the possibility and asks that
readers write to him. His e-mail address is lowe at boulder dot nist
dot gov.. (RW, NIST)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ARISS NEEDS MORE GROUND MONITORING STATIONS
ARISS -- Amateur Radio on the International Space Station is looking to
expand the international network of ground stations that help support
manned ham radio in space. New ground stations should be capable of
relaying ISS amateur radio sessions with schools. They will also serve
as back up communications relays should they be needed.
Locations worldwide will be considered, but of greatest interest is the
need for stations in Central America, South America, the Falkland
Islands, Western Australia, Canada, and Alaska.
If you or your club would like to be considered for selection as one of
the new ARISS telebridge stations, please send an email with details
about your station and your direct contact information to ARISS-
telebridge at amsat.org. (ARISS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AO-51 IN NEW MODE
The AO-51 ham satellite has been switched to a new mode. Currently
both the S band downlink of 2401.200 and the 435.300 downlink are on
and tied together to the 145.920 receiver. This creates a single
repeater that can be heard on either downlink.
In the past the satellite power budget would not allow simultaneous S
and U downlinks for more than a few moments, but the current no eclipse
season allows AMSAT to try this new combination.
The L/U band Bulletin Board and the U band telemetry will be off during
this period, except for brief periods when command stations will be
collecting telemetry. During these passes, the S band downlink may be
shut off temporarily. (ANS)
**
WORLDBEAT - BELGIAN: BELGIAN HAMS GAIN 500 KHZ PRIVELEGES
Some new privileges for hams in Belgian. This as tat nations national
society, the UBA reports that it has received notice from their
licensing authority that Belgian amateurs can use the band segment 501
to 504 kHz on a secondary basis. Only Morse is permitted at a scant 5
watts of Effective Radiated Power. (UBA)
**
WORLDBEAT - UK: RSGB SHUTTERS GB3RS AS IT MAKES READY TO MOVE
The Radio Society of Great Britain's flagship radio station, GB2RS,
will be off the air for at least the next 6 months. This, as the U-K
society begins its preparations for the relocation the RSGB
headquarters. As a result, the hamshack, library and museum will close
on Friday 1st February. There will be no public access after this date
although the reception book shop will remain open. (GB2RS)
**
ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY
And with the upcoming birthday of the United States first president
soon to be here, the Eastern Washington DX Club will sponsor special
event station W7G. The event celebrates the birth of President George
Washington and runs from February 21st to the 23rd. A special
commemorative QSL card will be available to those making contact.
(Press release)
**
DX
In D-X, the R-S-G-B reports that G1OCN and 2E1DQZ will operate from the
Falkland Islands, until February 2nd. Using the calls VP8CLE and
VP8DKW,, They plan to operate SSB on 80, 40, 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters,
as well as FM on AO-51 and SO-50 satellites.
And G7COD will be active for the fourth time as 8Q7AK from Embudu in
the Maldives also until the 2nd February. He plans to operate mainly
SSB with some CW on 40 though 12 meters. QSL via his home call, direct
or via the bureau.
Lastly, SM4XDJ will be active as S21XJ from Dhaka, Bangladesh for a few
weeks starting on February 1st. He will operate SSB and digital modes
during his evening hours and the weekends. QSL via SM4XIH.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: A SWITCH TO CARBON
For our final item this week we turn to the Newsline science file. Its
well known that engineers who develop micro-electro-mechanical systems
or M-E-M-S like to make their tiny machines out of silicon. This is
because it is cheap, plentiful and can be worked on with the tools
already developed for making microelectronic circuits. There is just
one problem: Silicon breaks too easily. So here comes carbon fibers
and also Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM:
--
For decades, researchers have been trying to make video displays using
tiny mirrors mounted on silicon oscillators. But silicon won't
oscillate fast enough and bend far enough. So Cornell graduate student
Shahyaan Desai and his colleagues have turned to carbon fiber, the same
material used to reinforce auto and aircraft body parts, bicycle frames
and fishing rods.
Carbon fiber is twice as stiff as silicon but 10 times more flexible.
They are made of thin, narrow sheets of graphite that roll up and clump
together to form fibers. For industrial uses the fibers are embedded in
plastic to form composite materials that are stronger than steel, yet
lighter.
With this in mind Desai built an optical scanner consisting of a tiny
rectangular mirror measuring 400 by 500 microns, supported by two
carbon-fiber hinges about 55 microns across. Made to oscillate at 2.5
kHz, the tiny mirror caused a laser beam to scan across a range of up
to 180 degrees, corresponding to a 90-degree bend by the carbon fibers.
Desai says that an oscillating mirror could be used to scan a laser
beam across a screen, and an array of mirrors, one for each horizontal
line, could produce an image in the same way that a moving electron
beam creates an image on a television screen. As such, a new method to
communicate visually using carbon as its basis may soon be born.
That it from the science file. I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM in Reno, Nevada,
for the Amateur Radio Newsline.
--
Besides serving as oscillators researchers say that carbon fibers could
be made into clock springs that either unwind slowly to power a micro-
machine over a period of time or unwind rapidly to provide a sudden
burst of power. (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 Jeff
Clark, K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
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