[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1595 - March 7, 2008
ham-news at mailman.qth.net
ham-news at mailman.qth.net
Sat Mar 8 12:41:55 EST 2008
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1595 - March 7, 2008
A big win for a Maryland ham as the states Supreme Court turns away a
neighbors appeal in a tower case; the FCC says that Morse testing will
not return and a ham who wants to retire has his business foe sale on
eBay. Why eBay you ask? Find out on Amateur Radio Newsline report
number 1595 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO LAW: SUPREME COURT TURNS AWAY TOWER CASE - BIG WIN FOR HAM
The Supreme Court has declined to hear the case involving a set of ham
radio towers on in the town of Poolesville. That's good news for the
ham who has been fighting to keep them. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce
Tennant, K6PZW, explains:
--
The Supreme Court has decided against being involved in the case where
neighbors of John Evans, N3HBX, had sued after he obtained a permit and
installed several 100 foot and higher radio towers as part of a contest
station. The neighbors claimed the installation would devalue their
property and that the installation was an eyesore.
The case began back on August 30th, 2004 when neighbors of Evans
antenna farm went to the Board of Appeals on Aug. 30, 2004, less than a
month after construction began on the towers. The Board dismissed the
neighbors' complaint that the tower permit was issued in error in
November 2004. It said that the 30 day window of opportunity to appeal
the permit had passed. The permit had been issued June 23rd, but the
neighbors claim they first learned of the project when construction
equipment arrived on August 5th .
Two neighbors of Evans 44 acre property, Thomas Burruss and Alan
Gaunoux, filed the lawsuit in August 2004. The case eventually wound
up in the Maryland Court of Appeals, which upheld the Board's original
finding that the neighbors were too late to contest the permit. It did
instruct the appeals board to decide if not notifying the neighbors had
denied them of their due process property rights. The board found that
the neighbors did not have any due process rights to Evans' land. This
is the decision the neighbors ultimately took to the Supreme Court.
According to the lower court findings, Evans, who said he has spent
$160,000 in legal fees, was within his rights to build the towers and
followed the proper procedures. The county permitted the towers as an
allowable accessory use, much like a swimming pool, detached garage or
shed, according to county Board of Appeals documents and other
published reports. His attorney Steven Van Grack says that as a matter
of law, the towers were constructed legally.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.
--
Though the Supreme Court ruling was the end of the road for the
administrative case, the neighbors also filed a civil lawsuit against
Evans in Circuit Court in August 2004. Its been on hold until the
administrative case concluded. (Gazette.net)
**
BREAKING DX NEWS: SPRATLY ISLANDS COMING OIN THE AIR
If you have waited a ham radio lifetime to work the very elusive
Spratly Islands, wait no longer. This with word that Ed Sawyer N1UR
and his wife Christine, KB1PQN are expected to be active portable 9M6
from the Layang-Layang Island Resort in the Spratly Islands. This,
between 0800 UTC on , March 22nd through midnight UTC on March 30th.
The duo have already received their licenses. Once they get permission
from the Navy, they will apply for a special 9M0 callsign. Activity
will be on 160 through 10 meters, on CW and SSB. 100 watts to
omnidirectional verticals will be used from the near-by beach and the
operators will be moving bands frequently to take advantage of changing
band conditions and openings. Sunset on Spratly is 1040 UTC with
sunrise at 2240 by the middle of that week.
QSL cards for either operator go via Bob Tomkovich, Jr., K2RET, 405
Hemlock Dr., Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734 in the USA. More information is
on line at www dot n1urspratly dot com. We will have more DX news
later on in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report. (OPDX)
**
THE BPL WAR: SARL SAYS NO TO PLT / BPL
The South African Radio League will be taking a very tough stance in
its fight to stop the proliferation of Broadband over Powerline
Internet access in that nation. According to a society news release,
while the draft regulations for the introduction of what they call
Powerline Internet Transmission or PLT go some way to protect the High
Frequency radio spectrum from interference the general consensus was
that the regulations do not go far enough. SARL says that interference
limits, the lack of compulsory notching of the Amateur bands and the
inadequate mitigation process were identified as some of the issues
left open.
The decision was reached following a nationwide net on Sunday, February
24th where the draft PLT regulations and the negative impact the
licensing of Powerline Internet Transmission in South Africa will have
on HF communication were discussed. The South African Radio League
also received input from experts in the field and a major assistance
from the ARRL laboratory which has been dealing with BPL interference
issues for several years. (SARL)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS NO TO MORSE RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS
The FCC has said no to a pair of proposals that had asked for the
restoration of Morse testing for a qualification to become and hold a
United States Amateur Radio license. In a Memorandum Opinion and Order
released February 28th, the FCC denied two petitions calling for
General or Amateur Extra license applicants to demonstrate proficiency
in Morse code.
In the wake of the FCC's actions to do away with Morse testing, two
amateurs submitted separate petitions asking the agency to bring back
Morse testing. Anthony Gordon, KG6EQM, objected to the FCC eliminating
the telegraphy examination element as an examination requirement for
the Amateur Extra Class operator license. Russell Ward, W4NI,
requested the FCC reconsider its decision for strictly procedural
reasons.
In denying both requests the FCC reiterated its prior conclusion that
an individual's ability to demonstrate Morse code proficiency does not
further the underlying purposes of the Part 97 rules. It appears to be
of the opinion that Morse does not accommodate individual contributions
to the advancement of the radio art and to enhance the value of the
amateur service to the public.
In December 2006, the FCC decided to drop the Morse code requirement
for all Amateur Radio license classes. At the time the commission
decided to drop the Morse Code exam, it said knowing Morse is not
necessarily indicative of an individual's ability to contribute to the
advancement of ham radio. The agency also said emergency communication
today is performed using voice, data or video modes. The agency claims
that all of these are much faster than telegraphy.
The FCC said it received roughly 100 comments on the reconsideration
request. It says that most were overwhelmingly negative. (RW, ARRL,
FCC)
**
RECUE RADIO: MARYLAND SENIORS FORM FIRST RESPONSE TEAM
A story in the March 5th edition of Hometown Annapolis dot com proves
that you do not have to be young to be an emergency planner. A story
titled Heritage Harbour's Detailed Plans Impress County Officials tells
the story of how senior citizens in a planned Maryland community have
put together a first response unit that includes everything from
stockpiling food and medical supplies to communicating with the world
using Amateur Radio.
In this case the communications hub is the garage of Heritage Harbour
resident Walter Van Gieson, AB4DQ. Van Gieson was a radio operator who
served in the military during World War II. According to the news
article, in the event a disaster severs power and phone lines, AB4DQ's
ham radio will become the lifeline out of Heritage Harbor.
The complete story is truly uplifting example of how those in their
70's and 80's and beyond can provide a valuable service to their
communities. You can read all about the Heritage Harbour first
response team at www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/03_02-
14/TOP (HometownAnnapolis.com)
**
RESCUE RADIO: WISCONSIN HAMS HELP SAVE DRIVER WHO RAN OFF THE ROAD
A pair of Wisconsin hams are being lauded for their quick action that
likely saved an injured drivers life. We have more from Amateur Radio
Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM:
--
It happened on Wednesday, February 27th. That's when Robert Stout,
WB9ECK, put out a call for assistance on the Madison 147.150 two meter
repeater and was answered by Brian Sprecher, KC9LCC,. Stout told
Sprecher that a car had gone off the road, broken through a guard rail
and stopped just short of a creek. Stout aid that the driver was
injured and trapped in his vehicle. He asked KC9LLC to inform
authorities that an ambulance was needed at the scene.
Sprecher then put in a call to the county sheriff's office and relayed
the assistance call. Stout then kept Sprecher apprised of the driver's
injuries. KC9LLC used the information to give the sheriff's dispatch
updated real time information.
Stout remained at the scene providing aid until local police arrived.
Sprecher stayed on the air relaying information from Stout to the local
authorities until they relieved him of duty and sent him on his way.
For the amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM in Reno.
--
The identity of the victim and his medical condition were not known as
this newscast goes to air. (KC9GM, others)
**
RESCUE RADIO: CALIFORNIA HONORS DCS VOLUNTEERS
Twenty seven Los Angeles area hams who are members of the Carson
Sheriff Station Disaster Communications Service have been honored for
their work on behalf of the community. All received individual and
group awards from for their taking part in a wide range of emergency
and public service episodes including assisting in providing assistance
during tactical alerts due to civil unrest. The hams were also lauded
for their work during the huge wildfires that plagued the region
last fall.
In expressing support to the volunteers a proclamation was issued. It
said in part that together local ham radio operators provided 7986
hours of service to the agencies. Also that the service provided by
the Carson Station Disaster Communications Service volunteers has so
far saved the taxpayers of Los Angeles County almost $320,000.
The Carson Station Disaster Communications Service is a volunteers
group of radio amateurs who volunteer to provide communication links in
the event that more traditional communication systems are disabled due
to natural or manmade disasters. In addition to the 27 radio amateurs,
thirteen deputies, a firefighter, two station volunteers and two
citizens were also recognized at the presentation event. (ARNewsline
from LA Sheriff's Press Release)
**
ENFORCEMENT: GOVERNMENT SILENCE LEADS TO FIGHT BACK WEBSITES
A new twist on the ham radio regulatory enforcement scene in the United
States. This, as some radio amateurs accused of wrong doing by the
Federal Communications Commission take to the World Wide Web to plead
their case or denounce the regulatory agency as interfering with their
right to free speech.
In the wake of a recent FCC announcement that only final actions in ham
radio matters would be made public, some hams accused of Part 97
infractions are taking their story public with websites and on-line
blogs of their own. The reason seems to be to let the ham radio
public know that they intend to fight the government accusations made
against them.
Back on January 15th the FCC announced that due to privacy concerns that
it was dramatically scaling back the amount of information it would
make public in regard to it Amateur Service enforcement actions. Up
until then it had been common practice for the agency to release
letters to individuals that require a specific response to an
allegation of wrong doing, Now the only information made public are
Notices of Violation, Notices of Apparent Liability to Monetary
Forfeiture and other final actions in a given case.
But in a strange turn of events, this new FCC posture to protect the
identifies of those accused has lead at least two or three such people
to create cyberspace homes. Places on the web where they have posted
the violation notices that they received along with their respective
views or responses.
The reason that these sites and blogs appearing is unclear since one
would think that most hams who receive letters of inquiry regarding
their on-the-air operating practices would tend to want to keep the
matter quiet and settle the issue well out of the public eye. It will
be interesting to see how many more of these sites show up as ham radio
rules enforcement continues and some on the receiving end of FCC
notices going public to fight back. (ARNewsline, others)
**
ENFORCEMENT: AMBULANCE COMPANY FINED FOR OPERATING ON AN UNAUTHORIZED
FREQUENCY
Even first responders have to comply with the FCC rules as an Oregon
company found out recently. The FCC affirms a $3200 monetary against
Metro West Ambulance licensee of station WQBI492, in Hillsboro, Oregon.
This, for willful and repeated violation of Section 1.903(a) of the
Commission's Rules by operating on a frequency not authorized for it to
use.
On June 11, 2007, the Enforcement Bureau's Portland Resident Agent
Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the
amount of $4,000 to Metro West after determining that the company
apparently willfully and repeatedly operated on 463.2875 MHz. This is
a frequency not authorized by its license. Metro West replied to the
NAL on July 2, 2007. In its response the company disputed some of the
facts, arguing that the violation was not willful and not repeated,
that Metro West took immediate steps to rectify the situation as soon
as it was aware of the violation, and that Metro West has a history of
compliance with the Commission's Rules.
In affirming its action, the FCC said that the Communications Act
defines "repeated" as "the commission or omission of such act more than
once or, if such commission or omission is continuous, for more than
one day. It says that in this case, the evidence is clear that Metro
West operated its station on 463.2875 MHz for more than one day.
Therefore, it finds no merit to that argument.
It did however agree that Metro West did have a history of overall
compliance with the Commission's Rules. Based on this the FCC did
reduce Metro West's forfeiture amount from $4,000 to $3,200.
Metro West was given the customary 30 days to pay or to file a further
appeal. (FCC)
**
HAM FREEWARE: WORKEDGRIDS FROM VE2ZAZ
Bertrand Zauhar, VE2ZAZ, has released his new freeware WorkedGrids, ham
log grid square mapping software. The program runs only under Windows.
It displays a map showing the amateur radio grid squares contacted and
logged in using third-party logging program. Up to four bands can be
displayed concurrently on the map. The program reads plain-text ASCII
log files generated by most logging programs. WorkedGrids is directed
towards the VHF and above operators who collect grid squares for
contesting or award purposes. More is on-line at ve2zaz.net (ANS,
VE2ZAZ)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: RAC ELECTS TWO NEW VP'S
Some names in the news. First up is Jim Hay, VE2VE. Hay has been
elected as Radio Amateur of Canada's Vice-President, for Technical and
Administrative Services. This confirms his recent assumption of
responsibilities for the organizations information technology
requirements.
And John Bartlett, VE1OZ, has been elected as Radio Amateur of Canada's
Vice-President for Public Relations. His job is to lead efforts to
develop strategies to improve membership across Canada and to promote
Amateur Radio to the Canadian public. (RAC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: VK2AMD TURNS 100
And words of congratulations to Australian operator Howard Booth,
VK2AMD who turned 100 years of age on March 6th. Originally licensed as
G2AS of Sheffield England, Booth and his then young family emigrated
to Australia after the bad winters of the late 1940's, settling in
Windang, NSW, some 60 miles south of Sydney. Booth, who was a builder
and roofer in the U-K built his own house and still lives in it today.
He is believed to be one of the oldest or even the oldest active radio
amateur on the Australian continent and possibly world-wide. (WIA)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: QCWA AT STUART FLORIDA HAMFEST - MARCH 15
Ken Simpson, W8EK, says that the Quarter Century Wireless Association
will hold an open forum at the Stuart Florida Hamfest. The date of the
event is Saturday, March 15th at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The
venue is meeting room 2 at the Martin County Fairgrounds in Stuart.
More information about the hamfest is on line at www.mcaraweb.com
(QCWA)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: CHARLESTON HAMFEST - MARCH 15
And the 24th annual Charleston West Virginia Hamfest also takes place on
Saturday March 15th. Its venue is the Coonskin Armory at 1707 Coonskin
Drive in Charleston. Talk in is on the W8CHF 145.35 MHz repeater. For
more information please contact our own Jim Damron. His e-mail is N8TMW
at arrl dot net. (N8TMW)
**
THE SOCIAL SCENE: MICROHAMS DIGITAL SEMINAR - MARCH 22
The second annual MicroHAMS Digital Seminar is slated for Saturday,
March 22nd on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington. The program
includes a wide variety of topics centered around digital
communications and Amateur radio. Lunch and snacks are included with
the price of the conference and there will be free Internet access.
Because of space limitations and parking requirements pre-registering
is suggested, More is on line
http://www.microhams.com/digitalconference (W7LRD, ANS)
**
HAM HONORS: 2008 YHOTY NOMINATIONS BEING SOUGHT
In case you have not heard the announcement at the end of the newscast
the past few weeks, the nominating period for the 2008 Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award. The award honors a licensee 18
years old or younger who has used ham radio to significantly contribute
to the benefit of the Amateur Radio Service, to the state of the
communications art, to the community or the nation.
Any FCC or Industry Canada licensed radio amateur, age 18 or younger,
residing in the United States 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and the
Canadian Provinces is eligible to be nominated for this award. To
obtain a nominating form, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to
2008 Young Ham of the Year Award, c/o Newsline, 28197 Robin Ave, Santa
Clarita, California, 91350, or download the form from www dot yhoty dot
org. Nominations may be electronically submitted at the website, but
supporting materials must be submitted separately.
Presentation of the 2008 YHOTY Award will take place in August at the
Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama. Again, more information is in
cyberspace at our special website at www.yhoty.org. (ARNewsline)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: GERMAN PUBLIC RADIO TO ABANDON EUREKA 147
A once prominent digital audio broadcasting format soon could be a
technical achievement of the past in one European nation. This, as an
oversight organization in Germany says its time to stop supporting
Eureka 147. Jim Damron, N8TMW, has the details:
--
The organization responsible for setting fiscal policy for public
broadcasting in Germany has deemed the Eureka-147 Digital Audio
Broadcasting codec unworthy of further investment. The KEF which
oversees the financial aspect of DAB is calling for the equivalent of
about $246 million slated to fund public-service DAB projects from 2009
to 2012 to be reallocated to other projects.
Since 2001, some $266 million has been allocated to KEF for Digital
Audio Broadcasting projects. In explaining its recommendation to halt
such funding after 2008, KEF said that receiver options remained
limited in Germany and that public support for FM radio and the
availability of satellite radio, Internet radio, podcasts and other
outlets have changed the nature of radio broadcasting since DAB was
first envisioned.
I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.
--
But there is some strong opposition to such a phase out. A group
called the Initiative Marketing Digital Radio is a European consortium
of receiver manufacturers, transmitter network operators, program
providers and institutions backing the DAB standard. It warns that
Germany moving away from Eureka 147 could cause chaos. It says this is
because the digitalization of broadcasting is unstoppable. (RW)
**
WORLDBEAT - UK: BBC CLOSES SHORTWAVE TO EUROPE
The British Broadcasting Company has announced that all its shortwave
radio transmissions to Europe ceased on 18th February 2008. The U-K
based broadcaster says that it recognize that this will be a loss to
some of their listeners, its managers point out that BBC World Service
radio programs are delivered to Europe via other platforms including
longwave at
night.
The BBC's World Service grew from the original British Empire Service
which was inaugurated in 1932. Last year the BBC celebrated its 75th
anniversary and today boasts an estimated world audience of some 180
million.
According to the announcement, only the analog shortwave transmissions
to Europe are affected. The experimental Digital Radio Mondiale or D-
R-M transmissions for North East continental Europe will continue
unaffected. Full details of World Service sound broadcasts can be
found on the web at bbc.co.uk/worldservice. (GB2RS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT 2007 SYMPOSIUM DVD RELEASED
AMSAT North America has released its long awaited 2007 AMSAT Symposium
DVD. The DVD contains all of the 2007 papers, PowerPoint slide show
and audio of the presentations. Additional features include Symposium
papers from 2004 and 2005, an International Space Station Columbus
module video and much more.
This DVD is a must for anyone that was not able to attend the 2007
AMSAT Symposium or as a club meeting presentation. For pricing or to
order a copy please contact Martha Sargovitz at the AMSAT office at
telephone area code 301 589-6062. (ANS)
**
OPERATING NEWS: INTERNATIONAL MUSEUMS WEEKEND ADDS ANOTHER WEEKEND
An update to last weeks story on the International Museums Weekend
operating event slatted to place on 14th and 15th June. Due to popular
demand, this event has now been extended to two weekends by adding
June 21st and 22nd as well. Those intending to take part should
register their museum on the
International Museums Weekend website. (GB2RS)
**
DX
In DX, NZ5N reports that he will be operating the satellites during the
upcoming Swan Island Dxpedition as HQ8R from March 15th to the 23rd.
Bill will be taking along an FT-817 and an Arrow antenna to work the
birds. Time permitting, he will also try to make a few contacts before
and after the expedition from the Honduran mainland. Weather
permitting, he may also try to give out grid square EK 76 from the boat
on the way to and from the island. QSL as directed by the operator.
The 2007 Equatorial Guinea 3C7Y DXpedition to has been approved for
DXCC credit. If you had cards rejected for this operation, please send
an e-mail to the ARRL's DXCC Desk to have your record updated.
Beginning on Sunday the 9th of March, a week-long expedition will
operate from
various castles and forts on the Isle of Man. Club calls GT4KPT,
GT8LED and GT3GWB will used. They expect to activate several Worked All
Britain areas during the week.
And G3RWF is active from Uganda as 5X1NH until March 22nd. His
operation will be limited because he is on holiday but he expects to
operate all of the High Frequency bands except 160 meters. Modes will
be CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. He will run 100 watts to wire antennas. QSL
to G3RWF.
Last but by no mean least, F8CHM will be active as FR5EZ from Reunion
Island until March 21st. He expects to be active on the High Frequency
bands
as well as 6 meters on CW and SSB. QSL to his callbook address.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: LIGHTNING AND ICE FOR SALE
And finally this week, a company that hams and broadcasters have come
to rely on for lightning protection devices is up for sale. Its up for
sale on eBay. The company is Industrial Communication Engineers. Its
located in Indianapolis, Indiana here in the U-S-A and that's where you
will also find Amateur Radio Newsline's Jack Parker, W8ISH:
--
Better up that limit on your Pay Pal account. This business
opportunity could cost you a pretty penny. Long time amateur radio
operator Mike Koss W9SU is hanging up his test leads and putting his
company on the eBay auction block. Going price is a cool 2-point-7
million dollars. Koss has spent the past 18 years building up his
electronic products business. So why auction the business on eBay?
SOT: "eBay is one way you can advertise anything including a business.
And there are
And it can be seen by the entire world. The total cost of the ad on
eBay was 14-dollars".
This may be the first time an electronics manufacturer has been
auctioned on eBay. For 2-point-seven-mil, Koss says you get a large
product and parts inventory, circuit designs, established customer
base, 800 number and two new patents for electro-magnetic pulse and
nuclear electro-pulse arrestors that have not yet been marketed.
So if lightning strikes and he gets an offer, what is this 40 year
veteran of amateur radio going to do now?
Koss: "Becoming somewhat of a semi-professional DXer has always been
kind of a keen interest. Ah, go back and sort of be a kid again",
Mike's world class ham radio station includes six tall towers that make
great lightning rods. Its all protected by his patented lightning
protection equipment. It's that ham station that Koss would like to
spend more time operating. He says the stress of running a business
and getting gray hair lead to his decision to auction the business on
eBay and enjoy retirement.
Koss: "I'll probably travel a little bit because I haven't done very
much of that in my lifetime and I'd like to write a book".
Koss says the book would detail the finite science of tower
installation, lightning protection and proper grounding techniques.
It could be a golden idea that earns him enough pocket change to enjoy
the best of amateur radio and his well earned retirement.
Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker W8ISH.
--
Amateur Radio operators world-wide depend on Industrial Communication
Engineers lightning protection equipment to keep their stations safe
from Mother Nature. Many hope that Mike Koss, W9SU, is successful in
finding someone to keep it going for many years to come while
permitting him a lot more time on the radio. (ARNewsline, W9IND)
**
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.
Before we go we want to remind you that the nominating period for the
2008 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year is now open. Any
licensed radio amateur age 18 or younger residing in the United States
or Canada is eligible for the award. Full details and both
downloadable and on-line nominating forms are in cyberspace at www dot
YHOTY dot org.
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 is Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
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