[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1608 - June 6, 2008

ham-news at mailman.qth.net ham-news at mailman.qth.net
Sat Jun 7 11:26:19 EDT 2008


Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1608 - June 6, 2008

The following is a Q-S-T.  The FCC seems to challenge coordinators over 
paper repeaters.  Amateur radio is honored for it support of the National 
Hurricane Center.  Portugal gives its hams the 70 MHz band.  The Shelby 
Hamfest commits to 5 years at its new home and  Riley Hollingsworth tells 
hams that the world is listening.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio 
Newsline report number 1608 coming your way right now.
 
**

FM AND REPEATERS:  TIME TO DO AWAY WITH PAPER REPEATERS

Is the FCC telling the coordination community that its time for them to act 
against paper repeaters?  We are talking about repeaters that have been 
coordinated to a channel pair but have never come on the air.  Or repeaters 
that were once operational but have been silent for a long time. Speaking at 
the recent Dayton Hamvention, it appears as if the FCC's Bill Cross, W-3-T-
N, has challenged the nations coordination community to make the paper 
repeaters go away:

--

Cross:  Coordinators also need to be sure that the systems that they have 
coordinated are still using the channels before they tell you that your 
system cannot be coordinated.  From what I have heard, in some areas of the 
country there are an awful lot of paper repeaters and an awful lot of out of 
date coordination's.

--

One of the reasons that paper repeaters exist at all has been the fear on 
the part of coordinators of being sued by the person holding the channel 
allocation whether a repeater exists or not.  This, if they pull a 
coordination and give the channel pair to the next group waiting in line.  

For those unaware, those hams providing repeater coordination services are 
volunteers.  Up until now they have not been willing to risk their homes and 
life savings just to make the point before a judge and jury that they have 
the power to tell the owner of a non existent repeater to go away.  Now 
however, Bill Cross words might be the impetus to start changing this.  
(ARNewsline)

**

FM AND REPEATERS:  COORDINATORS BE CREATIVE

Doing away with paper repeaters will help open up channel pairs in some 
geographic regions, but there are others where all the channels in all of 
the repeater subbands are truly in use.  What do you do in those cases?  The 
FCC's Bill Cross says to use a bit of good old ham radio ingenuity:

--

Cross:  "Coordinators can create more channels by, for example, requiring as 
a condition of coordination that the repeater that a narrower than 25 kHz 
bandwidth (on UHF) be used, that narrower guard bands be used or that a 
repeater not be installed on a mountaintop where it ties up a channel pair 
for half the area of a state,"

--

Cross also said that there are some instances where coordination is not 
necessary.  

--

Cross:  "Coordination only becomes relevant if there is interference.  If 
you can find a channel that is unused, the rules permit you to put a 
repeater on it.  If the repeater is coordinated to a closed repeater and you 
can use it without causing interference (to that closed repeater), you may.  
Coordination does not establish a squatters right to a frequency or a right 
to exclude others. 

--

Does this mean that the FCC wants to put an end to closed and private 
repeaters?  Well, not really.  When questioned about that remark by someone 
in the audience, Cross went back to the FCC rules and found:

--

Cross: "Its 97.205(e).  Limiting the use of a repeater to only certain user 
stations is permissible.  Now you will not find the term closed repeater 
anywhere in Part 97.  That's a term that you have developed.  This rule was 
adopted at the request of the amateur community so that a repeater owner, 
operator or control operator would be able to tell a particular licensee to 
stay off the repeater.  

"Usually, our experience has been that comes as a last resort with someone 
whose just misbehaving and carrying on baiting people.  Making unidentified 
transmissions and other thing that are in the category of totally obnoxious.  
And as a group or club, they don't want that person on the repeater.  So, in 
the rule making proceeding the comments came in and said that we need to be 
able to have some kind of authority to tell someone to stay off the 
repeater.  This rule gives you that authority."

--

What appears evident is that there is a very sharp difference of opinion 
between the way the ham community views closed and private repeaters and the 
legalistic approach of the FCC.  

The FCC views 97.205(e) as an enforcement tool.  Those who have run closed 
and private repeaters long before that rule came about, or those who want to 
establish one now, have seized on it to justify their exclusivity of a 
chosen user base. And it is quite likely that trying to prove that this rule 
does not codify closed and private repeaters would lead to a very costly 
federal court fight between opposing repeater owner operators.  A legal 
battle that would make a few lawyers rather wealthy and likely bankrupt 
everyone else involved.

Also, thumbing through a recent ARRL Repeater Directory shows that with the 
exception of 440 MHz in Southern California, that nationally closed and 
private repeaters make up only about 1 or 2 percent of all the nations 
machines.  So while the concept of closed and private repeaters is a hot 
button topic with many hams, the reality is that their impact on channel 
space availability is minimal at best.  (ARNewsline)

** 

RESCUE RADIO:  NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER DIRECTOR PRAISES HAMS DURING ABBUAL 
COMMUNICATIONS TEST

On Saturday May 31, members of the Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP 
Weather Net supported the annual WX4HNC communications test from the 
National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.  The Voice Over Internet 
Protocol Weather net has a long history of supporting the Hurricane Center 
by sharing reports collected over the Echolink and Internet Radio Linking 
Project.  And this year the centers Director, Bill Read, KB5FYA, took time 
out to thank the hams who devote them selves to this ongoing life saving 
project:

--

Read:  "CQ all Amateur Radio Operators.  This is Bill Read, KB5FYA, Director 
of the National Hurricane Center.

We all know how important it is to maintain communications during a 
hurricane to relay our Hurricane Warnings to those in the affected area 
which may have no other means to receive this vital information.

We are also very appreciative for the surface reports from those in the 
storm which add to our database and help our Forecasters better visualize 
what is actually happening at the ground level in real time.  As our own Ham 
Radio Station, WX4NHC, celebrates it's 28th year of volunteer service at The 
National Hurricane Center, we extend our 
thanks to all ham radio operators that continue to support our mission to 
help save lives.

Thank you and 73.  This is KB5FYA at WX4NHC, National Hurricane Center, 
Miami"

--

In addition to the Voice Over Internet Protocol links, WX4HNC operational on 
the high frequency bands close to 3.950,  7.268, 14.325, 21.325, and 28.525 
MHz. from 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern Time during the test. Stations desiring 
a QSL card should send their request with a self-addressed stamped envelope 
to Julio Ripoll, WD4R, rather than direct to the Hurricane Center.  Those 
wanting additional information about the Voice Over Internet Protocol 
Weather Net should take their web browser to www.voipwx.net   (KC5FM)

**

PUBLIC SERVICE:  HAMS ASKED TO ASSIST CALIFORNIA ELECTION

According to the Sacramento Bee newspaper, ham radio was pressed into 
service to provide a communications system in sparsely populated El Dorado 
County during last Tuesday's state wide California election.  

According to the newspaper, despite the proliferation of cellular 
telephones, about 40 percent of the El Dorado County's 1,790 square miles 
don't have cellular service. The  terrain is a mix of sparsely populated 
open range, thickly wooded hills and hard-to-reach canyons.  As such, it 
makes little economic sense for cellular telephone companies to provide 
service into the area.  Unfortunately come election day some polling places 
in the largely rural county have had problems maintaining lines of 
communication, leaving poll workers isolated because there are not even 
wire-line telephones at these sites.

So the county elections office asked local radio amateurs to provide a 
communications network that would function at polling sites where the 
cellular telephones and other radio systems might not.  At airtime the 
extent of the involvement in election communications network by radio 
amateurs is not known.  The entire story is on-line at 
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/976114.html (Sacramento Bee)

**

WORLDBEAT - PORTUGAL:  HAMS GET LIMITED USE OF 70 MHZ

Portugal has granted its ham community limited access to the European 70 MHz 
band.   The nations telecommunications regulator has announced that two sub 
bands  from 70.167 to 70.212.5 MHz and 70.237.5  to 70.287.5 MHz are 
available for a limited time to the amateur community at 100 watts effective 
radiated power.  Portuguese hams will operate 70 Mhz on a secondary, non-
interference basis with other services.  Also, they are not guaranteed 
protection against interference from other licensed stations operating on 
the band.  The 70 MHz band is an ITU Region One only allocation.  
(Southgate)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  AMATEURS ASSIST WITH FLORIDA FIRES

The ARRL reports that hams have been busy in recent weeks as tornadoes blew 
across Colorado and wildfires devastated parts of Florida.  First to the 
South-East where amateur radio operators in Brevard County, Florida 
responded in a support role.  This, during a recent series of wildfires that 
ravaged the towns of Palm Bay and Malabar.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce 
Tennant, K6PZW, has more:

--

The fires, all of which were deemed suspicious began on Sunday, May 11th.  
Dubbed the "Mother's Day Fires," they burned close to 13,000 acres in 
southern Brevard County in an area about 25 miles east of Orlando.  

According to the ARRL Letter, John Weatherly, AB4ET, and Clayton Bennett, 
KA4NHW, manned a 2 meter station in a shelter set up by the American Red 
Cross. Additionally, the Brevard Emergency Amateur Radio Services group 
donated the use of their mobile unit to public safety agencies.  It was 
pressed into service as a command post in the weeklong operation. 

The Palm Bay Fire Department, the Palm Bay Police Department, ARES and 
Florida Power and Light manned the units four operating positions which was 
initially dispatched to a local high school.  It was later relocated to the 
nearby US Air Force tracking station that became the new command center, as 
well as the staging area for trucks and teams from other counties.  Hams 
remained on alert until the fires were contained.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.

--

According to official sources, the Mother's Day fires destroyed more than 30 
homes and damaged almost 250 others with an estimated value of $5.6 million. 
A man is in custody on three counts of intentional burning of lands after 
witnesses reported seeing him light several small fires that were quickly 
extinguished.   (ARRL, published news reports)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS ASSIST AS TORNADOES SWEEP THROUGH COLORADO

Then on Thursday, May 22nd the ARRL reports that hams sprang to the call 
when a large tornado touched down in northern Colorado near the town of 
Windsor.  That's about 50 miles north of Denver.  Amateur Radio Newsline's 
Don Carlson, KQ6FM is here with the details:

-- 

According to Colorado Section Manager Jeff Ryan, ARES District 10 was 
activated with Colorado Section Manager David Markham, W0CBI, monitoring the 
situation.  A funnel cloud, accompanied by golf-ball sized hail, blackened 
the skies over Windsor as it knocked down power lines, shredded crops in 
fields outside the city and blasted whole neighborhoods.  The southeast side 
of  Windsor was the worst hit by the storm. 

Colorado ARES District 10 Emergency Coordinator Randy Long, W0AVV, reported 
that 31 operators provided communications service to the Emergency 
Operations Center and Fire Department in Windsor, the Weld County Emergency 
Operations Center, the Larimer County Emergency Operations Center, the City 
of Loveland Emergency Operations Center, the Loveland Mobile Command post 
and two Red Cross shelters.
 
Friday, May 23rd Markham placed an additional 15 Amateur Radio operators in 
Larimer and Weld County on standby in anticipation of an overnight shift.  
He also requested adjacent districts to prepare in support of the ongoing 
operations if necessary.  We will have more on this story in a future 
Amateur Radio Newsline report.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.

--

News reports say that the storm resulted in one fatality, with over a 
hundred others injured and treated on the scene.  Another 18 were 
temporarily hospitalized.  (ARRL, published news reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  $17,000 FINE AFFIRMED TO UNLICENSED BOSTON BROADCASTER 

Turning to enforcement news. the FCC has issued a monetary forfeiture in the 
amount of $17,000 to Charles Clemons.  This, for operating an unlicensed 
radio transmitter on the frequency 106.1 MHz in Boston, Massachusetts and 
for failing to permit a station inspection. 

This past February 29th the Commission's Boston Field Office issued a Notice 
of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $17,000 to Clemons 
after tracing the unlicensed operation to him.  To date, Clemons has not 
filed a response to the N-A-L or paid the proposed forfeiture.  Based on the 
information before it the FCC has now affirmed the $17,000 fine and ordered 
that Clemons pay the amount within the time  frame specified by law.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FLORIDA CB'ER FINED FOR OVER POWER OPERATION

A Florida C-B operator has been fined $10,000 but will only have to pay 
$350.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the details:

--

The FCC has issued a monetary forfeiture in the amount of three hundred 
fifty dollars to Florida C-B operator Richard Ross.  This, for willful and 
repeated violation of section 301 of the Communications involving the 
operation of an unauthorized C-Bradio transmitter.

According to a Commission news release, On August 16, 2007, agents from the 
Tampa Office inspected Ross' CB station to confirm that it was in compliance 
with the rules.  They found that Ross' CB radio station included a CB 
transmitter and two linear amplifiers.   The agents measured the power of 
the amplifiers combined power output and found the devices had the 
capability to boost the power of the station to several hundred times the 
authorized power level.

On March 31, 2008, the Tampa Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability 
for Forfeiture to Mr. Ross in the amount of ten thousand dollars. Ross 
submitted a response to the NAL requesting cancellation of the proposed 
forfeiture.  He asserted financial hardship and supplied the FCC with 
documentation to back up his claim.  After examining the financial 
documentation submitted by  Ross, it decided to reduce the forfeiture to 
$350.

--

Ross was given the usual 30 days to pay or to file a further appeal.  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW:  CHP POSITION ON THE "HANDS-FREE" WIRELESS TELEPHONE LAWS

Some good news from the California Highway Patrol.  This, for hams worried 
about being stopped for using their push-t-talk radio gear without hands 
free devices once the states new cellular telephone law takes effect on July 
1st.  

In a letter to several hams and authenticated by the C-G-C Communicator 
newsletter, Commander Fran Clader of the patrols Office of Media Relations 
writes -- and we quote:

"The new cell phone laws involve only wireless telephones. They do not 
concern radios such as your Amateur Radios, unless they are also wireless 
telephones.

"Again, the law only applies to wireless telephones. 

"Thanks for your inquiry.  If you have any further questions, please give us 
a call."

That said, Commander Clader does have some sound advice for anyone driving a 
car and operating any sort of accessory.  She says -- and again we quote:

" All motorists are strongly encouraged to operate a motor vehicle safely, 
paying attention to their safe operation of the vehicle, the changing road 
and weather conditions and the actions or anticipated actions of other 
drivers."

Words to live by that can keep you alive, no matter where you live.  (CGC, 
ARNewsline)

**

RADIO BUSINESS:  A VX-8R UPDATE

And speaking about hands free, that's something we missed in last weeks 
mention of the new Yaesu VX-8R handheld.  It seems as if the VX-8R is the 
first-ever Blue Tooth capable H-T for the amateur radio market.  What this 
means is that with the optional BU-1 and BH-1 or BH-2 add-ons, you can 
operate the VX-8R hands free.  This is especially handy when operating 
mobile as more and more states pass hands-free cellphone laws.  Vertex 
Standard says that it hopes to have the Yaesu VX-8R available by July.  
(Yaesu)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE:  SHELBY COMITS TO FIVE YEARS AWAY FROM SHELBY

The Shelby Hamfest is holding onto its name, but for at least five years the 
amateur radio event will have a new home at Biggerstaff Park in Gaston 
County, North Carolina.

The Shelby Amateur Radio Club had already booked Biggerstaff Park, off U.S. 
321 for the event this August. This, after failing to reach an agreement 
with those who run its longtime home Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby.  

Now, the club approved a commitment with Gaston County to hold Hamfest there 
for five years.  Not only that, but Hamfest organizer Robbie Hamrick said 
Gaston County could become a permanent home for the event.  

In a statement, Hamrich said that the hamfest will be there at least five 
years and probably longer. He says that Biggerstaff Park is a beautiful 
place that has room for the hamfest to grow.  

The Shelby Hamfest has been a Cleveland County tradition for the past 50 
years, but an un-reconcilable dispute between the local fairgrounds 
commission and the Shelby club lead to what will likely be a permanent move 
several miles to a new location in a different county. (Cleveland County 
Star)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND

Registrations for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend  are 
now being made at http://illw.net.  The event is always held on the 3rd full 
weekend in August starting at 00:01 UTC on Saturday running through 23:59 
UTC on Sunday. 

There are some interesting video clips on YouTube that give an idea of the 
history of the event and what it's like to operate from a lighthouse.  Use 
the YouTube on-site search engine and the search argument International 
Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend to find  them.  (Southgate)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  VE7DXG TO HEAD RAC VHF/UHF PLANNING COMMITTEE

Some names in the news.  First to the North where Radio Amateurs of Canada 
has named Gabor Horvath VE7DXG of Duncan, British Columbia, as Chair of the 
organizations VHF/UHF Bandplanning Committee. The Committee's role is to 
make recommendations to the Board of Directors on how amateur radio spectrum 
between 30MHz and 2GHz is divided among the various modes and techniques 
employed by Canadian radio amateurs.  Horvath succeeds Graham Ide, VE3BYT, 
of Ottawa, Ontario, in this position.  Ide had resigned as Chair of the 
committee back  in 2007.  (RAC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  NEWSLINE'S EVI SIMONS - ENGAGED

And some wonderful news to report about one of the members on the Newsline 
Family.  Reporter Evi Simons has announced her engagement to Michael 
Dworkis.  The two plan to wed on Sunday, July 6th in Woodbury, New York.  In 
Addition to her work on Amateur Radio Newsline, Evi is an accomplished voice 
actor and announcer.  She is also a trained non-linear video editor with 
credits that include Makor League Baseball on-line.  Anyone wishing to send 
congratulatory messages to Evi and Michael can do so using our regular 
newsline e-mail address and we will forward them on to the young couple.  
(ARNewsline)

**

RADIO WAVES:  SOLAR CYCLE DELAYED A YEAR

The next 11-year cycle of solar storms will most likely start next March and 
peak in late 2011 or mid-2012.  That's up to a year later than expected 
according to a forecast issued by NOAA's Space Environment Center in 
coordination with an international panel of solar experts.  The complete 
story is at www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/...ssRelease.html  (NOAA, QRZ.COM))

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  MARS LANDER WEBSITE HACKED

The website for the new Phoenix Mars Lander has been hacked.  A spokesperson 
for the Phoenix Mars Lander mission says a hacker took over the mission's 
public Web site during the wee hours of May 31st  and changed its lead news 
story.  Sara Hammond says a mission update posted Friday May 30th was 
replaced with a hacker's signature and a link redirecting visitors to an 
overseas Web site. The Mars Lander vehicle touched down on the Red Planet on 
Sunday, May 25th to search for traces of organic compounds that are the 
basic building blocks of life.  The site is on-line at 
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/ (Published reports)

**

RADIO IN SPACE: HRISE PHOTGRAPHS MARS LANDER LANDING

A camera abroad a U-S satellite in orbit around Mars caught NASA's Phoenix 
Mars Lander suspended from its parachute during the lander's successful 
arrival at the Red Planet on Sunday, May 25th. The image radioed back to 
Earth from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment on NASA's Mars 
Reconnaissance Orbiter marks the first time ever one spacecraft has 
photographed another one in the act of landing on another planet.  (Science 
On-Line)

**

HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE:  NEW HIGH ALTITUDE HAM BALLOON RECORD SET

Cornell University high altitude balloon flight PBH-7 has broken the ARHAB 
altitude record with burst at 125,449 feet.  This, using a 4000 gram helium 
filled balloon lifting KC2SMP- 2 beacon operating on 144.390 MHz.  More 
information is on www.eyeinthesky.dyndns.org.  (Press release)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  SATPC32 VER 12.8 RELEASED

Erich Eichmann, DK1TB, has released SatPC32, version 12.8.  This latest 
version of the popular satellite tracking program now contains improvements 
for Windows Vista compatibility, CAT control of multiple radios, and CAT 
control of  Icom half-duplex radios.

A demo version may be downloaded from www dot dk1tb dot de slash indexeng 
dot htm.  Eichmann donated SatPC32 to AMSAT and all proceeds of its sale 
support amateur satellite programs.  (AMSAT)

**

WORLDBEAT - THAILAND: NSS LICENSING CLASS HELD

Andaman News NBT Radio reports on a recent huge gathering of prospective ham 
radio operators in Phuket, Thailand. The activity was co-hosted by the 
Phuket Amateur Radio Association and the Telecommunication club.  It was 
aimed at extending basic amateur radio users to young people and other 
interested parties.

Students from Phuket and near by provinces attended a workshop training 
where they were taught a code of conduct, regulations, manners for 
communication as well as theory on technical aspects for communication 
radio.  They then sat for a test for basic amateur radio in that nation.

According to the Andaman news report, in the past the amateur radio 
operators have played important roles in back up communications in time of 
disaster or when other communication systems have failed.  The 2004 Tsunami 
incident was a good example where these radio operators stepped in and 
played major roles. 

At present over 10,000 radio amateurs can be called out as a communication 
network through out Thailand.  (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - GERMANY:  HILBERLING DONATES $14000 PT-8000 RADIO TO DARC

Germany's Hilberling Company has donated first serial numbered Hilberling 
PT-8000 High Frequency through VHF transceiver to that nations national ham 
radio society.  The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club says that it will set up in 
the headquarters station at Baunatal.  Among other things it will be used 
for transmitting the DL-news bulletin every Thursday night at 17:30 UTC.

The Hilberling PT-8000 is a high end DSP-transceiver that covers the high 
frequency bands as well as both 6 and 2 meters.  In the United States these 
radios sell for close to $14,000 and are a direct competitor to the Icom IC-
7800 and Yaesu FTDX 9000 from Vertex-Standard.  But unlike the Icom and 
Yaesu entries, the Hilberling can be color coordinated to your station as 
its available in red, blue, charcoal grey.

The presentation was made on Tuesday, May 27th.  Hans Hilberling, DK7LG, 
Klaus Lohmann, DK7XL, and Jan Hauschildt of Hilberling represented the 
company at the ceremony where the brand new transceiver was handed off to 
the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club on permanent loan.  (Southgate)

**

WORLDBAT - IRELAND:  TWO NEW REPEATERS IN DONEGAL

Two new repeaters are on the air from Donegal, Ireland. The 2meter repeater 
is EI2IPG and operates on the channel pair of 145.1125 in 145.7125 MHz with 
67Hz CTCSS or 1750Hz tone for access. The 10 meter system is E-I-Zero-I-P-G 
on 29.580 in and 29.680 MHz out.  It also requires a 67Hz CTCSS for access. 
Both repeaters are connected via the EchoLink system.

Steve Homer, EI2GYB, who is the Repeater Keeper says that because there have 
not yet been any users through the 10meter repeater that the sponsors will 
be giving out a certificate to the first 5 people who work through it.  In 
Ireland and the U-K a Repeater Keeper is similar to a system trustee here in 
the U-S-A. More about the systems is on-line at www.echoireland.com.

Steve also tells us that Amateur Radio Newsline is played weekly on both of 
the new repeaters, so a big shout out to all of our new friends in the 
Donegal Ireland repeaters and welcome to the ever expanding world-wide 
Amateur Radio Newsline family.  (EI2GYB)

**

DX

In D-X, word that Operators JE3NJZ and JA0KNM will be active portable JA6 
from Kuro Island through thev 9th of June. Activity will be on 40 through 6 
meters using C-W and SSB.  QDL to their home callsigns, direct or by the 
bureau.

Word that 9Q1TB will be leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congro during 
June  to start his new job in the United Arab Emirates.  No word if he has 
been issued an A 6 call or when he will be on the air from that new 
location.  Still remaining will be 9Q1EK, will stay in Congo for the next 
one or two years.

DL5ME and DG3HWO will be active as DL5ME portable OH2 from Emsalo Island, 
Finland, through the 8th of June.  Their activity will be on the 40, 30, 20 
and 17meter bands on CW and SSB.  QSL via DH5MM using the QRZ.com address 
only.

Lastly a new 18 MHz band beacon is on the air from Sliema, Malta. It 
operates 24 hours a day on 18.10015 MHz USB using PSK31.  Power is one half 
watt to a vertical antenna.  QSN reports go via e-mail to stanley at 9h1lo.net.


**

THAT FINEL ITEM:  THE WORLD IS LISTENING

And finally this week, as he gets ready to leave his position as FCC Special 
Counsel for amateur radio enforcement, Riley Hollingsworth has a few words 
of wisdom that we all need to take to heart.  They were part of his address 
at the recent Dayton Hamvention and they really are a must listen for every 
United States radio amateur:

--

Hollingsworth:  "The overall compliance is outstanding in the Amateur Radio 
Service, but never let the Commission get by again with handing you 10 to 12 
years of neglect.

"You have to stay vigilant.  Even though the bands may sound better you have 
to stay vigilant to protect your service and to be part of the solution, not 
the problem.  

"And operate as if the whole world was listening, because generally it is."

--

Hollingsworth adds that the last thing that ham radio needs is any sort of 
in-fighting.  He indicates its very important that all of us stick together 
and work out our differences as mature individuals for the betterment of all 
licensees.  We at Amateur Radio Newsline, totally agree.  (ARNewsline)


** 

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(tm) 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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