[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1616 - August 1, 2008
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Sun Aug 3 11:14:19 EDT 2008
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1616 - August 1, 2008
SOME WORDS OF THANKS
Ladies and gentlemen, with some more thank-you's to those who help keep
these newscasts coming your way, here's Amateur Radio Newsline's
Support Fund Administrator, Andy Jarema, N6TCQ
--
Last year in March we heard from the Ashland, Nebraska ARC and monthly
contributors Joseph, KC8DKF, William, WA2IBM, and Scott in San Jose.
Via PayPal there were Paul Meyers in Tempe, AZ and Scott Siegel, KB3JQQ
in Baltimore.
In April we heard from The Raleigh, NC Amateur Radio Society and the
South Orange Amateur Radio Association of Mission Viejo, CA.
In May we heard from Gordon Wai Sum Loui, KE6ETG in Honolulu. Via
PayPal there were Robert Snyder, N2KGO in Sicklerville, NJ, Ray T.
Mahorney on behalf of the Stoney Creek ARC, Rocky Mount NC and "Tweak a
Whinger Day": find a ƒ "whinger" and push their buttons. I have only an
inkling what that means.
We at Newsline have always been volunteers, but the news doesn't come
to us; we have to go get it. That costs money, and as you just heard,
we didn't hear from many of you during that 3-month period. Please do
your part to help keep these weekly newscasts stay on the air. Listen
for how you can do that at the end of this broadcast.
Here's hoping I tweaked you,
I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.
--
Andy will be back with us in the near future with more than-you's to
those who have so generously contributed to the support fund.
The following is a Q-S-T. Ham Radio operators act as flooding hits New
Mexico, Amateur radios response to the recent earthquake in China is
highlighted in a U-S ham magazine, BPL becomes a nemesis for hams in
Portugal, a C-B operator is fined $7000 for refusing to let the FCC
inspect his station and a well known ham station in Washington is
forced to go Q-R-T. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline
report number 1616 coming your way right now.
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ASSIST IN RIUDOSO NM FLOODING
Ham radio was among the first services to responded as rain and
flooding hit the city of Riudoso, New Mexico on July 27th. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, reports:
--
According to news reports about 300 people were evacuated from homes,
campgrounds and a recreational vehicle park after flooding caused by
the remnants of Hurricane Dolly. One person is confirmed dead after
being swept away by the flooding. Four others were rescued after being
trapped by rising water
The Rio Ruidoso went over its banks about midnight. According to Jay
Miller, W5WHN, the Lincoln County ARES Group was activated a few hours
later at 04:00 with hams sent to the Ruidoso Emergency Operations
Center and to designated shelters. Tim Pettibone, K5OI, operated from
the E-O-C much of the afternoon as Ric Sohl, K5RIC, coordinated the
on-going ARES relief effort. Most of the emergency communications took
place on the 146.98 Mhz K5RIC repeater because the local EMS relay
systems were off line due to antenna problems.
Meteorologists said more than 6 inches of rain fell and flash flood
watches were put in effect for central and eastern New Mexico. State
officials estimated more than 60 homes were damaged or destroyed.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
--
As this newscast is prepared, the members of the New Mexico ham radio
community involved in emergency communications remain on alert.
(W5WHN, K5CEC)
**
RESCUE RADIO: CHINA QUAKE HAM RADIO RESPONSE COVERED IN AUGUST CQ
MAGAZINE
Its called "Hams Respond to China Disaster" and it is an in-depth look
at the amateur radio response following a magnitude 8 point 0
earthquake that hit the nations Sichuan Provence last May 12th. Written
by Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, the six page article in CQ Magazine looks at
the ham radio operations not only form the view of a reporter, but also
from the point of view of radio amateurs who lived through the disaster
and were among the first to respond.
One of the ham radio first responders was Liu Dan, BD8AM. At the very
beginning of the article he describes not just his ham radio
involvement but also the search for his wife and family. This, as a
seemingly endless series of aftershocks continued.
Hams Resopond to China Disaster is must reading for any radio amateur
who is in any way interested or involved in public service or emergency
response operations. It begins on page 13 of the just out August issue
of CQ Magazine, that's on newsstands right now. (ARNewsline, CQ)
**
THE BPL SCENE: NEW INSTALLATION CAUSES PROBLEMS IN PORTUGAL
Broadband over Powerline Internet access is causing big problems for
hams in Portugal This, according to Hugo Barata, CT2HMX, who says that
the introduction of what Europe calls Powerline Communications or PLC
technology is causing interference in most amateur service bands and to
commercial broadcasting as well.
Ih his posting to QRZ.com, Barata says the the main culprit is a new
three service system that provies video, data and telephone service
using a broadband connection. He claims that consumers purchase the
services and are unaware that it's the root cause of interference they
are causing to others.
According to Barata, the worst offenders are PLC modems AV200 and AV300
from Corinex. He says that while the Corinex units have a notch
filters for use in IARU Region 1, in most cases don't work properly.
As a result, strong interference can heard inside of amateurs bands.
CT2HMX adds that Portuguese amateurs have filed complaints to that
nations telecommunication regulator ANACOM. They are asking ANACOM to
resolve this problem but nothing has happened yet. Barata says that so
far, ANACOM has remained silent. (CT2HMX, QRZ.com)
**
THE BPL SCENE: UKQRM YAHOOGROUP FORMED TO FIGHT BPL
Radio Netherlands reports that a new Yahoo Group called UKQRM has been
formed. This, as a meeting place for those who use the high frequency
bands and who are suffering from interference caused by Broadband over
Power Lines or BPL.
In announcing the group, Radio Netherlands Worldwide's Andy Sennitt is
quoted as saying that the traditional DX clubs have been very slow to
latch-on to the threat posed by this technology. Because of this it is
encouraging to see that at least some listeners in the United Kingdom
are trying to raise awareness of the problem.
Senitt says that behind the scenes, Radio Netherlands Worldwide has
been involved in the effort to prevent the widespread use of this
technology for several years. He says that one of his colleagues has
been attending international conferences to raise objections on behalf
of shortwave broadcasters. Those interested in joining this group
should go to groups.yahoo.com/group/UKQRM. (RN, UKQRM Group)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NEW P5-A MOVIE ON YOUTUBE
Amsat says that its Phase 5-A will be the first spacecraft built by
radio amateurs to go to the Red planet and now there's a movie about
it.
Titled "With AMSAT P5-A to Mars," the 10 minute video was produced by
AMSAT Germany and covers almost every aspect of the AMSAT organization
since its very beginning before taking us through the development cycle
of P5-A. Here's a sample of the Phase 5 A story from the movie:
--
Actual audio from show.
--
Phase 5-A will not only be the first ham radio satellite to go to
another world. It will also become the first ever private
interplanetary spacecraft. Once on station in orbit around Mars, it
will use frequencies in the Amateur Satellite Service at 2.4 and 10 GHz
to communicate back home.
The story of its development and what it is expected to do during its
mission is really what this video is all about. Its available on line
at YouTube.com in several languages. You can watch and hear it in
English at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIJ548EyUME
We will have more ham radio space related news later on. (AMSAT)
**
RADIO LAW: THE LEGALITY OF WIRELESS MICS
Wireless microphones used in the entertainment industry and houses of
worship -- among other places -- could turn out to be the next big
problem for the FCC. This after a coalition of consumer groups accuses
those who use them of not having the required FCC license to do so.
Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with more:
--
The complaint was filed Wednesday, July 16th, by the Public Interest
Spectrum Coalition. It charges that manufacturers of these microphones
use deceptive advertising in the way they market them. Also, that they
sell high end, wireless microphones to people who the coalition claims
are not legally permitted to use them.
The legal filing alleges that after the nation's conversion to digital
broadcasting in February 2009, some of the microphones will threaten
emergency communications. Others have the potential to interfere with
commercial wireless carriers who have collectively spent over $19
billion dollars to use the same airwaves as the microphones now do, and
use them interference free.
The coalition says that it is unclear how many people and other
entities actually own and use wireless microphones. FCC records show
only 952 people or organizations possess such licenses, but analysts
say there may be millions, most of whom do not understand that FCC
rules require a license to use them.
The consumer group is recommending that the FCC immediately act to halt
sales of wireless microphones that operate between TV channels 52 and
69. It also wants the FCC to require microphone manufacturers replace
the older units. It also recommends that the government agree to a
general amnesty for unauthorized microphone users. The Public Interest
Spectrum Coalition also wants the FCC to create a new general wireless
microphone service to operate in other spectrum.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the
Newsroom in Los Angeles.
--
The big question is whether or not the FCC will act quickly on the
Public Interest Spectrum Coalition's demand or if other priorities
including the digital television conversion and introduction of new
wireless services will mean that it will languish in limbo for years to
come. (RW, Media Access Project, others)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: NATIONAL NIGHT OUT -AUGUST 5
Hector Figueroa, KE6VRL, reminds us that Tuesday August 5th is the 2008
National Night Out. Its also a perfect night to demonstrate the
utility of Amateur Radio to your local community.
National Night Out is an evening dedicated to bringing crime prevention
and neighborhood spirit to the attention of everyone. It is also an
evening to get out and meet your neighbors while letting criminals know
that neighborhoods are organizing to help combat crime.
Ham radio by its very nature of mobility and instant communications is
an excellent adjunct to any community watch program. As a result, a
growing number of cities are now encouraging hams to be a part of
ongoing safe neighborhoods programs.
More about this grass roots crime prevention program on line at
www.nationaltownwatch.org (KE6VRL)
**
ENFORCEMENT: OREGON CB OPERATOR FINED $7000
An Oregon C-B operator has been fined $7000 by the FCC. This for
refusing to permit an agent of the regulatory agency inspect hi
station.
According to the FCC, in response to complaints it had received its
agents from the Portland office this past February attempted to inspect
the CB station owned by Jeremy William Barber in the city of Aloha,
Oregon. They were unsuccessful when Barber denied them access.
On March 28th the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture in the amount of $7,000 to Barber. Despite evidence that
Barber received the NAL, Barber never filed a response. Instead the
FCC says that its Portland office continues to receive complaints
concerning Barber's operation of his CB radio station.
Based on the information before it the FCC has now affirmed the $7000
fine and has given Barber the customary 30 days to pay it or to file an
appeal. It has also directed its Portland office to attempt to conduct
a follow-up inspection of Barber's CB radio station to determine
whether his operation is compliant with the Commission's Rules
regarding the Citizens Radio service. It also cautioned Barber that
failure to allow this inspection will result in further sanctions.
(FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: THAT TRANSMITTER IS UNAUTHORIZED
The Acting Interim District Director, of the FCC's Los Angeles District
Office has issued an Official Citation to Wolfcom Enterprises of
Hollywood. This for violation of the Commission's Rules by marketing
unauthorized radio frequency devices in the United States.
The FCC says that an investigation by the Enforcement Bureau's Los
Angeles Office revealed that this past June 11th Wolfcom Enterprises, at
its Hollywood, California, store was found selling an unauthorized
radio device known as the TB-1255CK. This is a 1.2 GHz wireless
transmitter, which has not been certificated for sale or use in the
United States.
The FCC letter released on July 17th tells Wolfcom that violations may
subject the violator to substantial penalties. These could include
monetary forfeitures, seizure of equipment through forfeiture action
and criminal sanctions, including imprisonment.
Wolfcom Enterprises was told that it could request an interview at the
closest FCC office if it wanted to discuss the matter face to face with
the regulatory agency. The company was also offered the option of
providing a written statement to specify what actions have been taken
to correct the violations. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC WARNS UNLICENSED FLORIDA BROADCASTER
The FCC's Miami Office has warned the owner of property where an
unlicensed transmitter is located to take it off the air or face severe
consequences. On its July 16th letter to R. Bryce Gray, Jr. the FCC
says that it has received information that an unlicensed broadcast
radio station on 101.9 MHz is allegedly operating from his property in
the Oakland Park area.
The FCC says that back on March 4th, 14th And June 3rd that gents from
the Miami office confirmed by direction finding techniques that radio
signals on frequency 101.9 MHz were emanating from an antenna mounted
on a pole at Gray's legal residence. The FCC has warned Gray that
operation of radio transmitting equipment without a valid radio
station authorization constitutes a violation of Federal laws and could
subject the operator to severe penalties, including seizure of the
offending radio equipment, and criminal sanctions including
imprisonment.
Gray was ordered to cease operations immediately. He was also given 10
days from the date of the FCC notice to respond to the agency with any
evidence that he has written authority to operate granted by the FCC.
(FCC)
**
EDUCATION: FAR ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The Foundation for Amateur Radio has announced the 2008 winners of the
55 scholarships it administers for itself and various other ham radio
organizations. The scholarships were open to all licensed radio
amateurs who met the qualification and residence requirements of the
various sponsors.
A complete list of winners is already on the ARRL website and should
soon be posted to the Foundation for Amateur Radio website as well.
The Foundation for Amateur Radio is a non-profit organization
incorporated in the District of Columbia. (FAR)
**
WORLDBEAT - GERMANY: HILBERLING SUSPENDS PT-8000 PROGRAM
Production of the newly announced Hilberling PT-8000 high end H-F
through VHF transceiver has been stopped. A notice on the company's
website says that the project was abandoned due to ever changing
requirements placed on the German designed transceiver by the European
Union. This says Hilberling was making it nearly impossible to obtain
an ongoing supply of the parts specified in the radios design.
The Hilberling PT-8000 was called the ultimate dream radio. Retailing
in the $18,000 range it not only had almost impossible to duplicate
specifications, and was to be available in several designer color
schemes as well. It was to be offered in 10, 100 or 600 watt versions
and was to be distributed in North America by Array Solutions.
More on the decision to suspend production of the Hilberling PT-8000 is
on-line in German at hilberling .com. (DJ0QN, QRZ.com)
**
WORLDBEAT - UK: RADCOM NEEDS ARTICLES
The editors of the UK based Radio Communications Magazine are inviting
readers to submit articles for publication. Constructional projects
for HF and LF would be particularly welcome. If you are interesting in
contributing an article or two please contact the Editor by e-mail to
radcom at rsgb.org.uk (RSGB)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: DRM TESTS TO TAKE PLACE IN ALASKA
Digital Radio Mondiale may be coming to America's last frontier. Jeff
Reinhardt, AA6JR, has the details:
--
The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium says that the Federal
Communication Commission has granted a license to Digital Aurora Radio
Technologies. This, for the company to conduct a 2 year experiment
using D-R-M technology to determine the feasibility for coverage of the
state of Alaska with Digital Radio Mondiale signals in three shortwave
bands at 5, 7 and 9 MHz.
Because of the severe ionosphere propagation conditions at the high
latitudes, the Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium says that these
experiments in Alaska will yield valuable information on what is needed
to get excellent audio coverage at realistic power levels for this
concept to work.
Alaska has a surface area of approximately 1,300,000 square kilometers.
The Consortium says that if the tests show excellent results for
digital radio broadcasts to cover the entire state, the next step would
be to obtain approval to use the system and the transmission station
for a regular broadcasting service.
Proponents of the project say that with one D-R-M transmission of
either 10 or 20 kHz in bandwidth, the entire state could possibly be
covered. This, with nearly FM-like quality and up to 4 simultaneous
program streams. Currently no single broadcaster in Alaska is capable
of providing this kind of service.
That's it for this weeks future technology page. For the Amateur Radio
Newsline, I'm Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, in Los Angeles.
--
The full test plan by the The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium
includes several variations of D-R-M system in order to determine which
combination works best under the different ionosphere propagation
conditions that it expects to encounter. (Southgate, Media Network,
DRM Consortium)
**
RADIO SCIENCE: MORE ON THE AURORA BOREALIS
Want to know more about the Aurora Borealis and what causes it?
National Geographic magazine has an interesting story about a recent
discovery in the triggering mechanisms for Aurora and a short video
clip as well. The article makes interesting reading and you can find
it on-line at
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/080724-auroras-lights.html
(N1LF via VHF Reflector)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: DO-64 TRANSPONDER ON THE AIR
The 435 to 145 MHz linear transponder onboard the Delfi D Oh 64
satellite has been activated. The transponder uplink is 435.570 to
435.530 MHz and the downlink is 145.880 to145.920 MHz. All frequencies
are +/- Doppler shift that can be up to 3 kHz at 145 MHz and the
transponder is inverting. This means Lower Sideband is translated to a
Upper Sideband signal on the downlink.
Delfi D Oh 64 was built at the Delft University of Technology in the
Netherlands. Since it was launched in Apri it has been collecting
educational research data for use by the university students with the
assistance of Radio Amateurs around the world.
More information on this satellite can be found at: Delfi-C3:
http://www.delfic3.nl/ (ANS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: CP4 CONTROLERS NEED YOUR REPORTS
Jason Anderson, KI6GIV, at California Polytechnic State University is
requesting amateur radio operators worldwide to assist with capturing
the telemetry of the Cal Poly CP4 satellite.
According to Anderson there has been some unpredictable behavior on the
CP4 satellite. He says that controllers only have contact with the
bird once every 12 hours so would be extremely helpful if they could
get some global support in collecting beacon transmissions. This, in
order to get a more complete picture of the satellite's health.
CP4 downlinks on 437.325Mz using FSK lower sideband modulation. The
baud rate is 1200 with beaconing every minute. Audio or decoded binary
data along with other reports go by e-mail to jander06 (at) calpoly
(dot)edu (ANS)
**
WORLDBEAT - BANGLSDESH: SCOUT HAM RADIO OPS FROM JAMBOREE
Scouts in Bangladesh will establish two Amateur radio stations as a
part of the 4th APR Air Internet Jamboree 2008. Bangladesh is the host
country for this years Jamboree. The amateur stations using the call S-
21-SHQ will be on-air from August 2nd to the 3rd operating in 40, 20 and
10 meter bands. The operators are mainly expected to make contact with
scout stations in neighboring nations but also will look for DX in
their leisure time. Special QSL will be available to those who contact
S-21-SHQ but QSL routing is not available at this time. Organizers do
say that electronics logs will be posted in EB7DX website. (Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT - INDIA: INDIA LIGHTHOUSE IN ILLW
The first Indian lighthouse has registered for International Lighthouse
and Lightship Weekend on 16th and 17th August. Permission has been
received by hams in that nation to activate a lighthouse in southern
India. A callsign is pending but it will be activated from the Indian
Independence Day, 15th August, through to the 18th, which includes the
International Lighthouse Weekend. (GB2RS)
**
DX
In D-X, word that OE5OHO, OE5HDN and OE3GEA will portable MJ from
Jersey Island between August 21st to the 25th. Activity will be holiday
style with operations on all High Frequency bands using CW and SSB. QSL
via the Bureau to their respective home callsigns.
And keep an ear open for TS28ASJ. He will be active until August 3rd
from the 28th Arab Scout Jamboree in Tunisia. Operations are expected
to be on the High Frequency bands using CW, SSB, RRTY, PSK and SSTV.
QSL via the Tunisian Bureau.
Lastly, IK2RZP, will be active portable VP9 from Bermuda August 5th to
the24th. His operation will be mainly SSB and the digital modes on the
17 and 12 meter bands. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the
bureau.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: THE END OF AN ERA AS SMITHSONIAN STATION GOES QRT
And finally this week, NN3SI, the amateur radio station at the
Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History was
forced to go QRT on July 31st. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark
Abramowicz, NT3V, talks with the man who holds the license to this
historical ham radio call.
--
"It was originally located in the 1976 Bicentennial exhibit, 'A Nation
of Nations.'
That's John Johnston, W3BE, trustee of NN3SI, who says that the amateur
radio section of that exhibit was actually only expected to be around
for a year.
"Now, when that was closed it was subsequently moved to a series of
different exhibits which had a connection somehow with amateur radio,''
Johnston says. "Most recently, it was in an exhibit called 'Information
Age.'
"But that was removed during a major renovation of the museum. So, our
station closed along with that exhibit."
Johnston says NN3SI - a special call sign granted to the station by the
FCC during a time when such licenses were rare - was staffed entirely
by volunteers from the Washington D.C. area and Maryland and Virginia.
Johnston says there were recent negotiations to move the station to the
new Air and Space Museum complex near Dulles Airport. But he says those
talks ended without a resolution and the station now sits in limbo.
Johnston recalls spending many hours at NN3SI.
"We had operators from all over the world who'd come by," Johnston
says. "The part I particularly enjoyed was in the spring when the
school groups would come by and they would see our station.
"And we were one of the few exhibits that had live people in it. So we
had an opportunity to talk with them directly and show them how amateur
radio worked, and what it was all about, give them an introduction."
Johnston says he regularly scanned the station logs and was gratified
to see during the over 32 years NN3SI was on the air, it served a
unique role.
"The amazing part was the diversity of people from all over the United
States, from all over the world," Johnston says. "They came and either
visited the station or worked the station or sat down and did some
operating."
He says NN3SI also had a prominent place on the Washington Mall.
"We were the closest station to the White House, we were the closest
station to the FCC," Johnston says. "And, we were right on the mall in
Washington D.C. It's some really prime real estate and it was a
wonderful opportunity to show off ham radio."
Johnston remains optimistic that NN3SI will return - even though its
equipment will be placed in storage for now by the Smithsonian.
"Well, I'm going to hang onto the license and I have every hope that we
will establish an exhibit in one of the museums at some future date,"
Johston says.
We'll keep you posted.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in
Philadelphia.
--
QSL cards for previous two-way contacts made with NN3SI will remain
available for some time. (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'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.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Meachen, ZL2BHF, in Auckland, New Zealand, saying 73 and we thank you
for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
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