[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1620 - August 27, 2008

Sat Aug 30 18:21:04 EDT 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1620 - August 27, 2008

The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio returns to Bangladesh, Canada 
adopts a new High Frequency ham radio bandplan, U-S hams prepare for 
Hurricane Gustav, repeater site rental fees go up in Australia and ham 
radio helps to honor an aviation pioneer.  Find out who on Amateur 
Radio Newsline report number 1620 coming your way right now.

**

RADIO NEWS:  HAM RADIO RETURNS TO BANGLADESH

Ham radio is returning to Bangladesh after an several years absence.  
This with word that the amateur radio license issuing authority in 
Bangladesh has begun issuing licenses once again.  Marilyn Syme, 
VK3DMS, has the details:

--

Good news from S21 Land , Bangladesh.  

Since 2004, amateur radio license issuing authority in Bangladesh had 
stopped taking examinations and issuing licenses to the enthusiast. 

After continuous lobbying for the last four years, members of the 
Bangladesh Amateur Radio League - BARL had finally been able to make 
the concerned authorities understand the significance of Ham Operators 
in a country with frequent natural disasters like floods and cyclones. 

As part of the latest development, the BTRC has decided to resume the 
process of issuing Amateur Radio Licenses and take examinations 
regularly every month. 

Good news is hardly heard from anywhere and it is more welcome when it 
comes from a country like Bangladesh and even more appreciable when it 
is for a hobby like the Amateur Radio.

I'm Marilyn, VK3DMS

--

To assist with the re-introduction of ham radio, the Bangladesh Amateur 
Radio League is offering classes to prepare for the exam, which will be 
computer based with 35 multiple choice questions.  In order to receive 
a Bangladesh amateur radio license, examinees must achieve 18 correct 
answers.  One hour will be given to complete the test.  (WIA News, 
BTRC)

**

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  POPULAR COMMUNICATION SEBIOR EDITOR TOM 
KNEITEL. W4XAA - SK

I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.

The changing of the guard continues.  This, with the sad news that 
radio monitoring icon Tom Kneitel, W4XAA, the former K2AES, has passed 
away at age 75.  

Kneitel was Senior Editor as well as the founding Editor of Popular 
Communications magazine which is now published by CQ. His association 
with CQ began when he became the founding editor of S9, a CB magazine 
started by Cowan Publishing. When S9 ceased publication, Kneitel and 
current CQ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA, launched Popular Communications.

Tom Kneitel was the grandson of animation pioneer Max Fleischer and son 
of animator Seymour Kneitel.  But W4XAA preferred the print media, 
writing for Popular Electronics and Electronics Illustrated in the 
1950s and '60s.  And it was during his tenure at Popular Electronics 
that he started the registered shortwave monitor program, which issued 
unofficial "WPE" callsigns to active SWL's. 

Tom Kneitel had been in poor health for some time and died in Florida 
on August 22nd.  He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy, two sons, 
five daughters and ten grandchildren.  Memorial services will be 
private.

Jim 

(W2VU, CQ)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  CANADA ADOPTS NEW HF BANDPLAN

Canada will soon have a new plan for the High Frequency bands that 
gives recognition and spectrum to every current and legacy mode while 
making sure future technologies are accommodated.  

According to a news release from Radio Amateurs of Canada, the High 
Frequency band plan presently in use in Canada was adopted in 1996.  
Since then, many changes have happened in the Amateur radio world and 
other nations band plans have been revised and modified.

Recognizing the need for change, just under two years ago, Radio 
Amateurs of Canada had asked Bob Nash, VE3KZ, to re-activate the 
national societies HF Band Planning Committee.  This, with a goal to 
review and modernize the Canadian HF Band Plan. 

The committee headed by Nash worked very hard in studying and 
consulting all across Canada to eventually come up with a band plan 
that was proposed to the Board of Directors of Radio Amateurs of 
Canada.  Unlike the Regulation by Bandwidth approach being considered 
in the United States, the new Canadian plan retains a structure based 
on separation by mode and interest.  

The R-A-C Board has now adopted this plan and had it posted to the 
organizations website.  You can see the way in which Canada has divvied 
up the H-F spectrum for its hams 
www.rac.ca/service/bandplans/hfband_e.php  (RAC)

**

RADIO LAW:  NSW AUSTRALIA PROPOSES SITE FEE INCREASE FOR HAM REEATERS

Australia's New South Whales Department of Lands has announced a 
Communications Facility Site Licensing proposal which may force some 
amateur radio clubs to shut down repeaters located on government 
controlled land, or face huge increases in site license fees.  The 
Wireless Institute of Australia says that the fees could cause public 
service communications to be cut back.  Phil Waite, VK2DKN, of the WIA 
News has the details:

-- 

The scheme will require the operator of a "Telecommunications Facility"  
including an amateur radio communications facility (all site users 
including  Primary Users and third-parties) to pay the Department of 
Lands a yearly license fee for the use of each site.  An amateur radio 
facility will be charged $367 Australian per year and CPI indexed and 
subject to 5 yearly review which is the minimum amount prescribed under 
the NSW Crown Lands act. 

The WIA has reviewed the License Agreement which appears to have been 
drafted in a form primarily suitable for large commercial 
telecommunications and media  organizations, and we are concerned that 
the agreement does not adequately address the needs or reflect the 
current arrangements in place for community amateur radio clubs. 

In particular, the WIA believes the indicated charges and fees may 
severely disadvantage affected amateur radio clubs to the point where 
they will no longer be able to provide and maintain their repeater and 
beacon facilities. 

The WIA is also concerned that, in cases where the amateur radio 
equipment is located in the facilities of a Primary User, under the 
terms of the agreement the Primary User is able to impose an additional 
fee on third-party occupiers.  As third-party occupiers are already 
paying license fees directly to the Dep't, in effect, an amateur radio 
club could end up paying twice. 

The WIA has written to the NSW Department of Lands calling for a formal 
review of the proposed arrangements based on the fact that amateur 
radio clubs are not telecommunications services, but rather are not-
for-profit organizations providing valuable voluntary community 
service.  The WIA believes that amateur radio clubs should have the 
choice of being excluded from the scheme.

Phil Waite VK2DKN

--

There is one bright side to all of this.  Some clubs, especially those 
with only one repeater, may find the proposal to their advantage.  This 
is because it does provide 20 year secure tenure for occupation of the 
radio relay site. (WIA News)

**

HAM TECHNOLOGY:  WINMORE TO BE UNVEILED AT THE DCC

Meantime, back in the United States, something new will be unveiled at 
the upcoming joint Tucson Amateur Packet Radio and ARRL Digital 
Communications Conference that could end part of the ongoing 
contriversary over Winlink 2000.  The biggest complaint being that the 
mode requires a special, high priced proprietary modem.  Now, that's 
about to change thanks to a new digital protocol called WINMOR.  

According to information supplied by Mark Thompson, WB9QZB, WINMOR, is 
a digital protocol designed by Rick Muething, KN6KB for use in the High 
Frequency ham bands within the Winlink 2000 network.  It is implemented 
through a Windows application that uses a computer sound card for all 
the analog-to-digital and digital to analog conversions. And while 
still in the final development stage it reportedly provides error-free 
transfers within 200, 500 or 2000 Hertz bandwidths.  

A demonstration of WINMOR is slated for the Digital Communications 
Conference in Chicago to be held September 26th to the 28th.  Its public 
release is still a few months away.  If it proves out as most believe 
it will, WINMOR holds the potential of putting high speed digital 
messaging on the high frequency bands into the hands many radio 
amateurs who have been hesitant to purchase a dedicated Pactor 3 modem.  
(WB9QZB)

**

RADIO RULES:  ARRL RESPONDS TO CONCERNS RAISED BY CALIFORNIA REPEATER 
OWNERS AFFECTED BY PAVE PAWS

The ARRL responded to a series of concerns raised by repeaters owners 
in California regarding the ongoing PAVE PAWS interference mitigation 
project at Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

In a lengthy e-mail dated August 20, ARRL Regulatory Information 
Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, addressed a series of concerns raised by 
Tom Naso, N6MVT who is the owner or trustee to several of the involved 
repeaters in the Pave Paws interference mitigation issue.

Henderon says that Naso has raised a series of thoughtful, valid 
concerns. He says that the biggest challenge the ARRL -- and through 
them the affected repeater owners -- continues to face is the balance 
between not being able to know full technical details of the 
interference and the testing techniques and the desire/need to know 
information. 

Henderson ays that this is a tough challenge. And while there have been 
a few errors in identifying call signs -- mainly because of errors in 
databases being used by the Air Force -- there were actual measurements 
made of signals identified by the Air Force testing group.

Henderson pointed out that the ARRL continues to pursue valid concerns 
that can be based on fact and backed up with solid data that are raised 
by repeater owners.  He says that the League will continue to expect 
the FCC to perform its responsibilities.  He also says that if ever a 
permanent shut-down order comes from the FCC, that the ARRL expects 
that the licensee is given their full rights for due process.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennent, K6PZW, in Los 
Angeles.

--

The ARRL's response to Naso's queries, though lengthy, attempts to 
address them in detail.  Naso gave the ARRL permission to reprint his 
letter along with the ARRL response to it.  Naso's letter can be found 
at http://www.arrl.org/news/files/pavepaws_querry_2008aug20.pdf while 
Dan  
Henderson's reply can be found on line at  
http://www.arrl.org/news/files/pavepaws_response_2008aug20.pdf  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  REGION 2 PREPARE FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV

As Hurricane Gustav made it way across the Caribbean, a Notice to all 
radio amateurs in IARU Region 2 has been issued.  The notice requested 
that IARU Region 2 member societies remind their members to be aware of 
emergency communications that may occur because of the storm and to 
keep those frequencies clear for emergency traffic. 

This message did not indicate any particular frequencies that may be 
used for this purpose, however certain frequencies used for tropical 
storm tacking are well known.  This includes the Hurricane Watch Net on 
14 point 325 MHz.  It also uses 7 point 268 MHz and 3 dot 950 MHz when 
propagation is lost on 20 meters.  

WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, activated its High 
Frequency and Voice over Internet Protocol operations in anticipation 
of Gustav on August 26th.  It monitors the Hurricane Watch Net and has 
requested that both land based as well as maritime mobile stations in 
the areas affected by Hurricane Gustav radio in weather and damage 
reports.

Also in operation will be other severe weather and storm relief 
networks that normally utilize 7 dot 045, 7 dot 080 and 7 dot 110 MHz 
dayside and 3 point 740 MHz at night.  If you hear emergency traffic on 
those frequencies please steer clear of using them unless you are 
directly involved in net operations.

More on Hurricane Gustav and ham radios response to it, next week.  
(IARU, Southgate, others)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  DATE CHANGE FOR FCC PANDEMIC COMMUNICATIONS SUMMIT

The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland 
Security Bureau has announced that it has changed the date for its 
summit on Pandemic Preparedness.  

The meeting titled Enhancing Communications Response for Health Care 
and First Responders will now take place on Thursday, September 18,  
from 9:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Eastern time.  The venue is the Commission 
Meeting Room TW-C305 in Washington D.C.. 

As previously reported, this important summit will focus on 
communications and coordination between the health care sector, first 
responders, government and the communications industry in preparation 
for a pandemic.  The panel discussions will also highlight ways that 
communications may be expanded and enhanced in response to a pandemic 
and how the communications industry will serve an instrumental role in 
such a response. 

The Commission had initially scheduled the Summit for September 16th.  
(FCC)

**

NEWSLINE FOLLOW-UP:  NO PIRATE PROTESTERS ON THE HAM BANDS AT THE DNC

If there were any protesters trying to use ham radio to coordinate 
their attempts to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Denver, 
nobody in the area heard them. 

As reported last week, Denver ARES District 22 Operations Officer Dan 
Meyer, N0PUF, had posted a web notice that some websites set up by 
protesters coming to the convention had suggested protesters use ham 
radio rather than FRS, GMRS or CB to communicate.  Meyer had said that 
Denver area hams needed to be ready to T-hunt down any illegal 
transmissions.

But preliminary reports indicate that the protesters never bothered to 
read their own websites when it comes to talking to advice on talking 
to one another by radio.  About the only R-F exposure they have gotten 
has been on the various television news reports and that's been minimal 
at best.  

A we go to air there have been no reports of protesters tying up any 
VHF frequency nor trying to communicate with other protesters over any 
Denver area repeater.  Most suspect that they are likely using 
cellphones to communicate although there is no way to know for certain.  

Upcoming this week is the Republican National Convention in the twin 
cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.  It will be interesting 
to see if any protesters take to the ham bands there.  (ARNewsline 
from listener input)

**

NEWSLINE FOLLOW-UP:  FCC MAY BAN 700 MHZ WIRELESS MICS

A follow-up to our recent story regarding a public interest group 
challenging the sale and use of wireless microphones in the high UHF 
television spectrum.  The Federal Communications Commission is 
proposing a ban on certain types of wireless microphones and has begun 
an investigation into how the industry markets its products.  Bill 
Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in our studio with more:

--

As previously reported here on Amateur Radio Newsline, a coalition of 
consumer groups alleged in a complaint last month that users wireless 
microphones are unwittingly violating FCC rules that require licenses 
for the devices.  In its filing, the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition 
accused manufacturers of deceptive advertising in how they market and 
sell the microphones, which largely operate in the same radio spectrum 
as broadcast television stations.

The FCC, in a notice released Thursday, August 21st, , said its 
enforcement bureau had opened an investigation regarding the charges.  
The agency also is proposing that the sale and manufacture of some of 
the devices be banned.  

The FCC says that wireless microphones that operate in the same 
frequency bands as UHF broadcast television stations are intended for 
use in TV, film and stage production and should not be in the hands of 
the general public.  Most owners of the microphones are unaware that 
FCC rules require them to obtain a license for their use.  

The FCC rarely enforces the licensing requirements on the microphones .  
This is because there have been so few complaints and because in theory 
these wireless mics are programmed to avoid any interference to 
operational television channels in a given geographic area.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los 
Angeles.

--

UHF television channels 52 through 69 are currently used by 
broadcasters.  They will be vacated on February 17, 2009 with the 
nationwide conversion to all digital broadcasting.  The government sold 
that section of airwaves for $19 billion in the FCC's most successful 
auction in history. The concern is that microphones operating in that 
range may cause interference for the new licensees.  (FCC, ARNewsline)

**

REGULATORY:  FCC VANITY CALL FEE GOING UP ON SEPT 25

The cost of getting a vanity ham radio call sign is going up.  
According to a bulletin from the American Radio Relay League, on August 
11th, the Federal Communications Commission announced that the cost of 
an Amateur Radio vanity call sign will increase 60 cents to $12.30. 

The League quotes anotice in the August 26th  Federal Register was 
entitled "Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 
2008.,"  It includes regulatory fees the government is expected to 
recover at a total of $312,000,000, that encompass all the services the 
FCC regulates. 

Now that notice has been published in the Federal Register, the 
increase will take effect in 30 days, on September 25th.  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  ORANGE COUNTY CA RECALLS BADFGES

Orange County, California's citizens including radio amateurs who serve 
in the Sheriff's Department's Professional Services Civilian Responder 
volunteer corps have been asked to return their honorary badges.  This 
after newly selected Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said that the badges could 
fool people into believing the volunteers are sworn deputies. 

The move comes more than a year after a July 2007 opinion issued by the 
states Attorney General. It says a sheriff's gift of an honorary badge 
to a private citizen violates California law.  This, if the badge 
falsely purports to be authorized, or if it would deceive an ordinary, 
reasonable person into believing that it is authorized for use by a 
peace officer. 

The volunteer's badges have a six-point star with a circle around it 
identifying the holder as a Professional Services Civilian Responder.  
The regular sheriff's badge is a six-point star without a circle around 
it.  (Published news reports)

**

RADIO NEWS:  NEW KFI AM TOWER FINALLY UP

The new tower for Los Angeles radio station KFI is finally up. The need 
for a replacement dates to the 2004 the collapse of the original 750-
foot tower.  This, in after it was struck by a small plane piloted by a 
local ham.  Both the pilot and his passenger will killed in the mishap.  

Work on a replacement started earlier this year but the partially built 
tower then fell when a guy wire support gave way. The now completed 
tower took 13 days to construct.  

KFI operates on 640 kHz and is owned by Clear Channel Communications.  
(RW)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  DAVID BOOTH, KC6WFS - SANTA CLARITA CA RED CROS 
HOMETOWN HERO 

Some names in the news.  First up is Dave Booth, KC6WFS, of Santa 
Clarita, California.  He's being honored as a Red Cross Honors Hometown 
Hero for his valiant attempt to save a man who had suffered a heart 
attack and was lying in the street.  

Booth was riding his bike in August 2007 when he came upon the scene.  
Without hesitation, KC6WFS began giving the victim Cardiopulmonary 
Resuscitation and continued doing so until the Paramedics arrived. 

Unfortunately, not every story of heroism has a happy ending.  Sadly, 
this is one of those cases.  While KC6WFS tried his best to bring a 
stranger with no pulse back to life, the man did not survive.  But as 
Tim Barbour who nominated Booth for the award noted, there were other 
people on the scene, but none of them knew CPR or did anything to help 
the dying man.  Only KC6WFS tried to help him to survive.  

Dave Booth, KC6WFS, will receive his Red Cross Honors Hometown Hero 
recognition at special breakfast on Tuesday, September 11th. CBS 2 
Television newscaster Rick Chambers will be the Master of Ceremonies.     
The Hometown Heroes Recognition Breakfast celebrates the values and 
principles of the American Red Cross by recognizing people in 
California's  Santa Clarita Valley, who have taken action in a time of 
crisis to help others, and who consistently show an extraordinary gift 
for human compassion.  (ARNewsline)

**
NAMES IN THE NEWS:  NEW RADIO PROGRAMMING VIDEO FROM KN4AQ
If you own a D-Star radio and are having a problem entering your call 
into it, film maker Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, says help has arrived.  Gary  
has produced and posted a short video with details of programming call 
signs in D-Star radios.  The video which is in two parts is posted to 
Gary's YouTube channel at www dot youtube dot com slash KN4AQ.  Its 
also at Gary's business website at www.arvidnews.com/dstar-programming.  
(D-Star Reflector)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  INTELLEGENT RADIO ROADSIDE HELP ACROSS EUROPE

Europe has allocated a broadcast frequency to a new Roadside Safety 
information system.  This, in an effort to combat road accidents and 
traffic jams.

According to news reports, the European Union's Intelligent Car 
Initiative program has dedicated a single radio frequency to smart 
vehicle communication systems.  The system is based on a wireless 
communication technology and allows cars to "talk" to each other, to 
warn of slippery conditions or accidents.  

The system relies on a single Europe-wide frequency band that is 30 MHz 
wide in the 5.9 GHz band. It will be introduced over the next six 
months and will not hinder existing roadside services.  (RW)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY":  NEW CENTRINO 2 FROM INTEL

Intel has released a new series of chips for laptop computers that it 
says promises longer battery life and better graphics rendering. The 
new Centrino 2 platform is made up of a processor, related integrated 
circuits and wireless communications chip.  Intel says that used 
together it will bring a 30 percent savings in power over the previous 
generation chipset. Power consumption is an area where Intel has an 
advantage over its competitors because it has moved faster to a 
manufacturing process that lowers the energy use and the cost of 
manufacturing its IC's.  (Intel)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AMSAT SYMPOSIUM CALLS FR PAPERS

In ham radio space related news, a second call has gone out for papers 
to be presented at the upcoming 2008 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual 
Meeting.  The dates for this event are October 24th to the 26th in 
Atlanta, Georgia.

Proposals for papers, symposium presentations, and poster presentations 
are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite program.  
An emphasis for this year is an educational outreach to middle and high 
school students.  Another topic if interest is using amateur satellite 
tracking systems to monitor deep space network objects.

Camera ready copy on paper or in electronic form will be due by 
September 1st for inclusion in the printed symposium proceedings. 
Abstracts and papers should be sent to n8fgv at amsat dot org  (AMSAT - 
NA)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK:  BECOME A UK HAM AT THE RSGB HIGH FREQUENCY CONVENTION

Planning a trip overseas this fall?  Well if your destination is the 
United Kingdom in October its also a chance to take the that nations 
ham radio tests.

The RSGB is offering those wishing to obtain a UK Amateur Radio Licence 
the opportunity to complete one, or more, of the required examinations 
over the weekend of the HF Convention.  That's the 10th to the 12th of 
October.

Candidates must book their examinations prior to the event and must 
provide evidence they have completed the required practical 
assessments, although limited facilities to complete assessments can be 
arranged at the at the show.  Contact information is provided in this 
weeks printed Newsline report.

The contact for further information and for booking examinations is 
John James, john.james at rsgb dot org dot uk, or via the RSGB HQ 
switchboard on 01234 832700.  Candidates for the Foundation & 
Intermediate Exams must contact Brian Reay, G8OSN, by email to ardc dot 
chairman at rsgb dot org dot uk so that their progress on practical 
assessments can be verified.  If required, Brian can also advise on 
finding a local tutor to complete practical assessments in advance of 
the High Frequency Convention or the provision of exam facilities at 
the show.   (GB2RS)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA:  CHASING MAIDENS - A NEW SA FUN AWARD

South Africa's Sandton Amateur Radio Club has announced that it  is  
sponsoring a new Worked all South African Grid Squares Chasing Maidens 
award as of the 1st of August.  The "Maidens" referred to are Maidenhead 
grid locators and the aim of this contest is to make contact with a 
station located in each of the 83 grid squares that comprise South 
Africa.  More information is on-line at www.zs6stn.org.za/zswags. You 
can also send an email to zswags at gmail dot com to receive a copy of 
the rules.  (SARL)

**

THE CONTEST FILE:  CQ WW 160 METER PHONE CONTEST DATE CHANGED. 
In radiosports news, word that the dates for the 2009 CQ WW 160 Meter 
Phone Contest has been postponed by a week.  This, to avoid conflict 
with the ARRL DX CW Contest.  The 2009 CQWW 160 Meter Phone Contest 
will now take place between February 27th  and March 1st, 2009.  (CQ)

**

DX

In DX, 3F5RBB, will be active portable 3A from Monaco  between August 
31st and September 10th.  Listen out for him on 40, 20, 15 and10 
meters. QSL to his home callsign. 
And IN3VZE will once again be active holiday style from the southwest 
shore of Lake Malawi.  This, between August 29th and September 11th.  
His callsign will be 7Q7CE, and he will be on all bands using SSB and 
the Digital modes. QSL card is "OK" via the bureau or direct to his 
home call address.
Lastly, DL1BKK and DL1BKI are celebrating 40 years of marriage on a 
holiday style DXedition as 8Q7KK from Kuramathi in the Maldive Islands.  
This, between August 29th and September 17th.  Heir activity will be 
holiday style using an Icom IC-7000 into wire antennas.   QSL to  
DL1BKK, direct or via the bureau. There's no electronic QSLing for this 
one.  (From various DX news sources)
**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  EAHART FESTIVAL FEATURS HAM RADIO

And finally this week, ham radio was part of an event that honored an 
early United States aviation pioneer.  This, as Earhart International 
Festival took place the weekend of August 16th and 17th in Derry, 
Ireland.  Again, here is WIA reporter Marilyn Syme, VK3DMS:

--

Scores of radio amateurs across three continents, from Russia to the 
USA, linked up to send good wishes for the Festival - they even made 
contact with an American businessman who was flying his personal jet 
some 42,000 feet above the country park.  

Keeping with the spirit of Amelia Earhart was the awe-inspiring flypast 
from Letter-kenny Flying Club, whose five-plane formation thrilled the 
crowds. Then international radio link ups by the Foyle and District 
Amateur Radio Club in the Earhart Cottage. 

The Director of the Earhart International Festival has paid tribute to 
the thousands who defied the weather to enjoy the wonderful community 
atmosphere and top-quality entertainment on offer at Ballyarnett 
Country Park at the weekend.  I'm VK3DMS

--

The Earhart International Festival is dedicated to its namesake Amelia 
Earhart.  She was an American aviation pioneer and noted author who 
gained world-wide fame for her flying exploits in the early 20th 
century.  In 1937, during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe, 
Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the central 
Pacific not far from Howland Island.  While there has been speculation 
as to their fate over the years, to date no conclusive evidence has 
surfaced to prove any theory other than that the pair ran out of fuel 
and crashed at sea.  (WIA, Derry Journal)

**

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 
Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.  