[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1627 - October 17, 2008

Sat Oct 18 19:06:56 EDT 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1627 - October 17, 2008

The following is a QST.  W5KWQ comes on the air from space and the 
world of amateur radio is there to great him.  Also, India says that 
ham radio should be taught in school and those radio tagged migratory 
birds need you.  Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report 
number 1627 coming your way right now.

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  RICHARD GARRIOTT W5KWQ OPERATES ON-ORBIT

The son of famed ham radio space pioneer Owen Garriott, W5LFL, is now 
on the International Space Station and on the air.  A Russian Soyuz 
spacecraft  carrying Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, arrived at the space 
station at 08:26 UTC on October 14th and was soon heard on the air.  
Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the details:

--

Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, has made it to the International Space Station 
high above the Earth. 

And since his Oct. 14, arrival, he has been busy making amateur radio 
contacts across the globe. 

Some say the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this mission almost 
rivals that of his father, Dr. Owen Garriott, W5LFL, the first ham who 
made contacts from space as an astronaut 

Here's a sample of an exuberant Richard Garriott speaking with 
youngsters during a school contact arranged through the Amateur Radio 
on the International Space Station Program. 

--

Richard Garriott audio:  Hear it in the mp3 version of this weeks 
newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

-- 

Well, it didn't take long for Garriott to jump onto the radio after a 
welcome aboard from cosomonaut Sergei Volkov, RU3DIS. 

Stan Vandiver, W4SV, in Hanna, Indiana, had his recorder going as 
Garriott conducted his first QSO with Randal De Priest, N4AC, in 
Cummins, Georgia. Here's the space to Earth side of that QSO: 

-- 

Richard Garriott audio:  Hear it in the mp3 version of this weeks 
newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

-- 

Garriott stayed on for more than one stateside QSO. 

Here's his contact with Warren Nuckols, W4TNJ, in Chester, Virginia. 
Again the audio from the ISS was recorded by Stan Vandiver and again 
you will hear only the voice of Richard Garriott from space:

-- 

Richard Garriott audio:  Hear it in the mp3 version of this weeks 
newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Within hours of climbing aboard, W5KWQ began sending slow scan amateur 
television pictures to stations on the ground. All of the photos were 
transmitted on 145.800 MHz FM and can be viewed at the ARISS Slow Scan 
gallery. 

That URL is simply www.amsat.com/ARISS_SSTV/

And yes that is a dot com rather than the usual AMSAT dot org. 

By way of background, Garriott, is a computer game developer who paid 
$35 nillion dollars for his trip to space. Traveling with him to the 
space outpost were U.S. astronaut Michael Fincke, KE5AIT, and Russian 
cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov, RA3DT. Fincke will serve as commander of the 
six-month Expedition 18 mission which will focus on preparing the 
station to house six crew members on longer-duration missions. 

W5KWQ will return to Earth on Friday October 24th with the space 
station's outgoing crew aboard a Soyuz re-entry vehicle. 

Until then, keep an ear open for many more voice QSO's, your Slow Scan 
TV equipped radio set to 145.8 MHz and an eye on the special AMSAT SSTV 
gallery. This, for a lot more ham radio from W5KWQ on board the I-S-S. 

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, following 
the story from Philadelphia. 

--

As an aside, once the hatches between the Soyuz capsule and the I-S-S 
were opened Sergi Volkov, whose cosmonaut father was orbiting the earth 
when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, welcomed Garriott with a hug.  
NASA says that  they are first children of previous space adventurers 
to meet in orbit.  (ARNewsline from various sources)

** 

RADIO WAVES:  A NEW CYCLE 24 SUNSPOT APPEARS

Some encouraging news for DX'ers and any ham who hopes to one day work 
some distant contacts.  Whats being called a 'new-cycle' sunspot 
belonging to Solar Cycle 24 has shown itself near the stars 
northeastern limb.  The new spot, now designated as SSN 1005  was 
reported over the weekend of the 12th and 13th making this the third time 
in as many weeks that a new-cycle sunspot has interrupted the year's 
run of blank solar activity.

The accelerating pace of new-cycle sunspots is viewed an encouraging 
sign by astronomers and hams alike.  For radio amateurs, it seems to be 
saying  that while solar activity remains very low, the sunspot cycle 
is unfolding more or less normally.  In other words, we are not stuck 
in a prolonged solar minimum.  At least we hope its not.

More about this new sunspot and overall solar activity is on line at 
www dot spaceweather dot com.  And remember that Spaceweather is 
spelled as one word.  (Southgate, Spaceweather)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  INDIA HAM RADIO LEADER SAYS RADIO SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN 
SCHOOL

The chairman of India's Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio says that 
the government should incorporate radio communication as an optional 
subject in schools and colleges.  

S. K. Nanda whom QRZ.com lists as VU3BVD, says that having radio 
communication as a subject in educational institutes will help develop 
people's interest in ham radio.  This he says should result in more 
people joining the hobby, which will result in more operations in the 
amateur radio spectrum and better connectivity.  

Nanda, who is also the Principal Secretary of the group made the 
comment while addressing a gathering of amateur radio operators in the 
city of Gandhinagar.  (Yahoo News)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  GLOBAL SET 08 ON NOVEMBER 8

The next Global Simulated Emergency Test will take place on Saturday, 
November 8th. The operation will take place from 04.00 to 08.00 UTC on 
and near the established emergency communications Center-of-Activity 
frequencies on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters.  The exact frequency will 
be determined after the start of net operations based on band activity 
and local QRM.  

The objectives of the test are to increase interest in emergency 
communications and to test how usable the Center-of-Activity 
frequencies are across all ITU regions. It's also meant to create 
practices for international emergency communication and rehearse the 
relaying of emergency communications messages using all modes permitted 
to radio amateurs world-wide..

Please remember that this is not a contest.  Rather it is an emergency 
communications preparedness activity.  A list of participating stations 
will also be available at www.raynet-hf.net.  (Various)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  SIMULATED QUAKE IN THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUTHWEST

A simulated emergency test centering around an earthquake near Tecopa, 
California, has shown the value of having a well trained corps of ham 
radio volunteers.  Don Carlson, KQ6FM, is in Reno with more on the 
event and those taking part:

--

According to news reports, the simulated emergency was set up to test 
emergency preparedness in Nye County Nevada.  And so it was that 
moments after a simulated 6.2 earthquake hit, ham volunteers were on 
the air notifying other radio amateurs to meet immediately at the Nye 
County Emergency Services Operations Center . 

 By 7:30 a.m., volunteers were in the training room and heading out to 
strategic areas around town.   Seventeen operators covered 7 locations 
in and around the town of Pahrump.  Among them were Andy Gudas, N7TP 
and Archie Selbach, KE7IOE, who established a communications presence 
in Amargosa.  Meantime, Richard Gamble K7RTG set up a shelter at Manse 
Elementary School, while Ron Daviau, KC7YMH, did the same at Rosemary 
Clarke Middle School.  Other hams were assigned to the Pahrump Senior 
Center,  the Nye County Sheriff's Office and the Saddle West Hotel.  

Gerald Fuge, KC6ILH, is the Southern Nye County Emergency Coordinator.  
He directed the exercise from the emergency services communications 
office.  That's also where Carol and Steve Bird, KE7KHD and KE7KHE who 
worked the radios, relaying messages from the field to other emergency 
organizations.  For this training exercise the group was supporting the 
communities of Amargosa Valley, Crystal, Beatty and Tecopa, as well as 
Pahrump.

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

--

Press coverage in the Pahrump Valley Times praised the hams for helping 
to organize the exercise as well as knowing exactly how to respond in a 
crisis situation.  (Pahrump Valley Times, others)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM TO HAM CONTACT LEADS TO SEA RESCUE

A Coast Guard crew rescued an unnamed boater who ran out of fuel as he 
sailed from Hawaii to California.  Early on Tuesday, October 7th  the 
crew aboard the cutter Halibut out of in Marina del Rey, California, 
found the sailor about 100 miles off the coast.

According to the Daily Breeze newspaper, the mariner was traveling on 
his 44-foot boat when he ran out of fuel.  He reportedly used his 
amateur radio gear to contact another radio amateur in Florida, who in 
turn contacted the Coast Guard in California.  It in turn dispatched 
the Halibut.  

The cutter located the marooned vessel and towed it closer to shore.  
It was then transferred to a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from the 
Channel Islands station..  The names and calls of the hams involved in 
the rescue were not reported. (Daily Breeze)

**

HAM IN ACCIDENT:  WINAPRS WRITER HURT IN BALOON CRASH

One person has been killed and a well known ham radio operator 
critically injured in a hot air balloon crash at the Albuquerque 
International Balloon Fiesta on Friday, October 10th.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the latest:

--

Killed in the crash was Stephen Lachendro, of Butler, Pennsylvania.  
Keith Sproul, WU2Z, was critically injured in the accident when the  
'Wings of Wind' balloon hit powerlines near the festival grounds just 
North of the city.

According to news reports, there were gusty winds as the two 
balloonists were trying to land.  From pictures taken by attendees, it 
appears as if the basket carrying the men caught fire after hitting the 
power lines, separated from the balloon envelope and fell to the 
ground.  

First responders reported that Lachendro was found lying on the side of 
a ditch after falling 45 feet to his death.  Sproul who was reportedly 
piloting the balloon jumped some 60 feet from the burning gondola.  W-
U-2-Zed was unconscious when he was found and was flown by helicopter 
to a local hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.  
Reports say that he suffered a broken leg and hip, punctured lungs and 
burns to his face.

Keith Sproul is the twin brother Mark Sproul, KB2ICI. The two are best 
known in ham radio circles as the co-authors of the popular WinAPRS, 
MacAPRS and X-APRS  APRS is the multi-faceted position reporting system 
originally developed bt Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.  It allows the monitoring 
of real time geographical information such as the position of vehicles, 
the status of weather, radio direction finding and much more.

According to a National Guard spokesman at the scene, the National 
Transportation Safety Board will investigate this latest crash.

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

--

The International Balloon Fiesta, held each October, is Albuquerque's 
pre-eminent tourist draw, but this is not the first accident that has 
happened at the event.  In 2007 a 60-year-old California woman fell to 
her death and three other women were hospitalized after their balloon 
snagged a power line.   In 1982, four people died when propane tanks on 
a large balloon exploded.  Other fatalities were recorded in 1990, 1993 
and 1998.  (WA5WHN, Published news reports)

**

RADIO LAW:  THE NEW PENNSYLVANIA TOWER LAW

A follow-up now on the good news that Pennsylvania hams received last 
week.  This after Governor Edward G. Rendell signed into law a bill 
that guarantees radio amateurs the right to erect antenna support 
structures up to 65 feet without the need for a Special Use Permit.

The bill passed in the Pennsylvania House with a vote of 196-1 and the 
states Senate with a vote of 49-1.  Governor Rendell signed it on 
Wednesday, October 8,  with it scheduled to go into effect December 8th.  
That's the normal 60 days after signing.

Originally called Pennsylvania Senate Bill 884 it was renamed to Act 88 
after its passage.  And according to the ARRL, it requires local 
municipalities to reasonably accommodate amateur radio service 
communications, and to impose only the minimum regulations necessary to 
accomplish the legitimate purpose of the municipality.  The act also 
says that no ordinance, regulation, plan or any other action shall 
restrict amateur radio antenna height to less than 65 feet above ground 
level.  

There is only one caveat.  It says that a municipality may impose 
necessary regulations to ensure the safety of amateur radio antenna 
structures.  Even so, the measure still requires that the governing 
body reasonably accommodate amateur service communications.

The measure was first introduced on June 1, 2007 by Pennsylvania 
Senator Stewart Greenleaf.  He represents portions of Bucks and 
Montgomery Counties.  (ARRL, others)

**

TELECOM CRIME:  COPPER THEFT DOWN-UNDER

Copper thefts continue world-wide.  Now an entire neighborhood has been 
put in the dark by the wire villains. It happened down-under.  Amateur 
Radio Newsline's 

--

Police in Brisbane, Australia are investigating the theft of `live' 
copper wire from a street  in the Richlands area of the city.  We are 
talking about an active power distribution line which had the potential 
to cause fatal injuries to members of the public or to the thieves 
themselves.

Sometime between 5pm on September 26th and 8am October 2nd thieves 
removed  electrical cabling and wiring from a housing estate in an area 
called Richlands.  Approximately 100 meters of fully powered copper 
wire was stolen from three  electrical poles, with another two poles 
sustaining damage. 

Electrical provider Energex located exposed live wiring inside one pole 
that had the  potential to deliver a fatal electric current should it 
have been mishandled.   Burn marks located inside another of the metal 
poles  indicated that the thieves were  lucky to have escaped 
unscathed.  

Im Jim Damron, N8TMW, reporting.

-- 

Here in the United States several want-to-be copper thieves have been 
injured or killed attempting the same type of crime.  Even so the bad 
guys continue to  risk their lives for the few pennies that the stolen 
copper wire will bring as scrap.  (WIA News)

**

RADIO THINGS:  SCOTT FYBUSH 2009 TOWER SITE CALANDER

A photo calendar for 2009 with hams and SWL' in mind -- and broadcast 
Band DX'ers as well.  That may be the best way to describe a rather 
impressive calendar that shows some very impressive transmission towers 
as photographed by veteran radio writer Scott Fybush. 

In his travels Fybush has photographed hundreds of towers.  This 
includes tall towers, to some downright pretty towers.  He also has 
taken photos of funny-shaped towers like the very rare Blaw-Knox 
diamonds as used by Nashville's famed WSM and WLW as well as towers in 
spectacular locations.  Now, he is making some of his best photos as 
part of his own Tower Site 2009 Calendar.

The Tower Site Calendar 2009 features 14 full-color, high-quality 
images of transmitter sites in all corners of the United States and 
Canada.  Sites pictured include WNYM in New Jersey, KNBR in San 
Francisco to CFFX in Kingston, Ontario Canada to mention only a few.  
This photo calendar sells for under $19, with more information on-line 
at www.fybush.com /calendar.html  (RW)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  RUSSIA TO LAUNCH SOUTH AFRICAN HAMSAT

South Africa's second satellite will be launched from the in the 
December to March time frame.  This, with word that SumbandilaSat, will 
go into space on board a Russian launcher in Kazikstan.  

SumbandilaSat was first scheduled for launch on a Sthil rocket from a 
Russian submarine.  Due to political issues between various departments 
in Russia the plan was aborted and the satellites sponsors began a 
search for a new launch opportunity. 

Some concerted behind the scenes diplomatic talks resulted in the 
Russians agreeing to honor the contract and shift the launch to 
Baikonur.  This is the same launch complex where, Earth's first 
artificial satellite, Sputnik 1was launched.  (SARL)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK:  ICOM DONATION SUPPORTS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Icom UK has donated the latest digital radio to the United Kingdom's 
Chatham House School.  The transceiver will allow students at the 
school to communicate with other radio users around the globe using a 
sophisticated mix of digital amateur radio and Internet communications 
technology.

The Chatham House is grammar school in Ramsgate that specializes in 
teaching mathematics, science and computer technology.  The radio will 
be used by the School's Amateur Radio Club, M0DLI, run by their Science 
Teacher, John Hislop, G7OHO.  Hislop is credited with having 
successfully tutored 14 students for their UK Foundation class ham 
radio tickets.  (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA:  HAMS ASSIST IN CELL JAMMING CASE

Ham radio is assisting in an investigation of illegal iuse of cellphone 
jamming gear by tow truck operators in South Africa.  This, after 
allegations appeared in that nations main stream media that some of 
Cape Town's tow truck drivers are almost certainly using sophisticated 
cell phone jammers to ensure that accident victims cannot contact other 
tow truck drivers or even emergency services.

According to research by a member of the Cape Town Amateur Radio 
Center, cell phone reception is compromised at the scene of car 
accidents whenever certain tow truck operators arrive.  A member writes 
in the Amateur Radio Center's latest newsletter that the objective of 
this jamming appears to be very simple.  No cell phone access means no 
alternative help can be summoned.  This in turn forces victims are 
forced to use the towing services that are jamming the cellphones.

Andre van der Merwe is the national chairman of the South African 
Towing and Recovery Association.  He says that he had no doubt that 
some operators were using cell phone jamming equipment and urged 
motorists to report drivers scrambling cell phone signals.  (SARL, 
Southgate)

**

ON THE AIR:  K7BV TO AGAIN VISIT SAN ANDRES ISLAND FOR 6 METER 
OPERATION

On the air, word that Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, will again return to 
the San Andres Islands and be active as 5J0M.  This, between June 19th 
and July 5th, 2009.  

Dennis will again be concentrating on 6 meter Sporadic E skip contacts 
but will be on the high Frequency bands as well.  If you are lucky 
enough to work him next summer, QSL direct to W1JJ via the QRZ.com 
address. For more details and update, visit the following Web page at 
www dot qth dot com slash k7bv slash caribe2009.  

And less we forget, for those not aware, Dennis Motschenbacher. K7BV, 
is Executive Vice President of North American Amateur Sales for Vertex 
Standard.  They are the fine people who bring us all Yaesu brand ham 
radio gear.  (OPDX)

**

DX

In D-X, word that JK1KSB, will be active as 8Q7SO from Mirihi Island.  
This, between October 26th and November 1st.  His operation will be 
holiday style on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. 
QSL via JK1KSB, either via the bureau or to the address on QRZ.com.

7L1FPU, 7L1FFH and AH0BR will be active as AH0BT between November 8th 
and 9th.  The trio plan to be active in Japan's International DX Phone 
Contest as a multi-single entry. QSL via 7L1FPU.  

JJ2NYT, will be active from Easter Island as CE0Y through October 19th.  
Operation will be on 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. 
QSL via his home callsign.

ON7YK, will once again be active as from Gambia as C56YK through 
November 9th.  His activity will be on 80 through 10 meters using CW, 
SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  He ays he will try to activate 160 meters as 
well. For more details and updates, visit www dot on7yk dot net on the 
World Wide Web.  

Lastly, keep an ear open for a team of Italian who are now active as 
9L1X from Sherbro Island and will be on through October 23rd. QSL direct 
only to I2YSB.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: RADIO ORIENTEERING:  IN SEARCH OF MIGRATORY BIRDS

And finally, we all know that fall is here and North American.  This 
means that migratory birds are heading south to find winter homes.  Ham 
radio operators are keeping track of some of them.  You could help in 
this scientific study, which is going on right now.  Amateur Radio 
Newsline's Joe Moell K0OV has the details. 

--

For the second year, ham radio operators and VHF monitoring enthusiasts 
are assisting in scientific studies of the Loggerhead Shrike.  
Researchers from a university in Canada have placed radio tags on 
twenty of these endangered birds, which were part of a captive breeding 
program.  The primary purpose of the tags has been to determine 
dispersal patterns, which are the movements the birds make immediately 
after leaving their nests. 

But there is also hope that more may be learned about the birds' fall 
migration journey. Scientists think that they will fly south to 
Florida, but they might also overwinter in Tennessee, North Carolina, 
and states just south of there. 

If you live in the target area, please get the list of tag frequencies, 
which are between 172 and 173 MHz, and listen for the brief pulse 
signals. The list is at www.homingin.com. Other articles at that site 
will provide hints on listening gear and identification of radio tag 
signals. Please listen now, because migration is under way and the 
radio tag batteries will only function for the next six weeks. 

Again, the frequencies are at www.homingin.com, where homingin is 
spelled as one word. From southern California, where I'm getting ready 
to announce the 2009 USA ARDF Championships very soon, this is Joe 
Moell, K0OV for Amateur Radio Newsline. 

--

Joe adds that T-hunting tagged migratory birds is a scientific project 
that any ham or SWL can be a part of.  (K0OV, 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 WIA 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 Fred 
Vobbe, W8HDU, saying 73 from Lima, Ohio, and we thank you for 
listening.  