[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1628 - October 24, 2008
ham-news at mailman.qth.net
ham-news at mailman.qth.net
Sat Oct 25 13:18:18 EDT 2008
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1628 - October 24, 2008
The following is a QST. Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, heads home from space
after thrilling the ham community on Earth. Also, the ARRL says no to
40 meter digital broadcasting in Alaska, the man accused of murdering a
ham radio couple at sea is convicted in California and a radio clubs
generosity brings rescue communications to the Idaho wilderness. Find
out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1628 coming
your way right now.
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: RICHARD GARRIOTT, W5KWQ, MISSION A SUCCESS FOR HAM
RADIO
Its been an amazing trip into space for Richard Garriott, W5KWQ. Its
also been one for ham radio operators world-wide who have had the
opportunity to speak with him on-orbit. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark
Abramowicz, NT3V, has been following the story and has the latest:
--
Actuality: One of W5KWQ's from the ISS making final QSO's from orbit:
Hear it in the MP3 version of this newscast available at
www.arnewsline.org
--
As we prepare this report for this week's installment of the newscast,
Richard Garriott's mission has come to a close.
And, those who worked behind the scenes to make it such a success for
amateur radio are beaming.
Hundreds of contacts, thousands of Slow-Scan-Television Images, and an
historic QSO between retired astronaut father (the first ham to make
contacts in space) and his son, the next generation of ham from space.
Here are portions of that historic link - and we'll give you both sides
of it. The QSO between Richard Garriott W5KWQ and his father, Dr. Owen
Garriott, W5LFL.
--
Actuality: Excerpt of QSO audio between W5KWQ ans W5LFL - hear it in
the MP3 version of this newscast available at www.arnewsline.org
--
And, imagine the thrill during the recent Scout Jamboree on the Air
event when some heard this CQ:
--
Actuality: W5KWQ from the ISS calling CQ for Scouts: Hear it in the
MP3 version of this newscast available at www.arnewsline.org
--
Perhaps the best way to sum up the success of the mission comes from a
posting to AMSAT and the Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station program personnel.
It's from David Barber G8OQW, who was among those to get a QSO with
Richard and capture some 40 SSTV images from the space station.
Barber wrote with appreciation of what he described as the boundless
exuberance Richard Garriott displayed during his stay aboard the ISS.
Quoting here: "Richard's (and the support teams) contribution has been
immense. His QSOs have been carried out succinctly and with
professionalism, his voice filled with contagious enthusiasm."
And, Barber continued, "The SSTV has been a triumph again due to the
unstinting dedication of Richard and his support team."
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, is AMSAT's vice president for Human Spaceflight
programs, and the ARISS International Chairman.
In a posting that has been widely circulated, Bauer called it a stellar
and an historic week for Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, following the journey of W5KWQ, I'm
Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia
--
25 years ago Owen Garriott, W5LFL, opened to door to space for all of
amateur radio. Now, in 2008, his son Richard, W5KWQ, has taken manned
ham radio space operations to a whole new level. This by sharing his
on-orbit experience with all of us here on Earth.
(Story by ARNewsline with on-orbit audio supplied by Scott Avery,
WA6LIE and Stan Vandiver, W4SV. W5LFL to W5KWQ QSO excerpt from
Richard Garriott in Space website. The complete QSO is at
http://www.richardinspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Multimedia_Gallery.w
elcome)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: W5KWQ SSTV IMAGES ON YOUTUBE
Slow Scan TV images and audio clips from Richard Garriott W5KKQ's
Amateur Radio operation from the International Space Station are now
available on YouTube dot com. The video is presented in SSTV format as
it was received in Robot 36 mode on a downlink frequency of 145.800 MHz
FM. You can see and hear it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW9DXHkKpNo
Also more audio and video clips are on line at Richard Garriott's own
website at http://www.richardinspace.com (Southgate, ARNewsline)
**
THE HAWKES CASE: DELEON CONVICTED OF MURDERING COUPLE AT SEA
Back on Earth, a California jury has convicted Skylar Deleon of
murdering three people. Two of them were amateur radio operators.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:
--
A jury in Orange County, California has convicted Skylar Deleon of the
special circumstances murder-for-profit of Thomas and Jackie Hawks,
KD7VWJ and KD7VWK off the coast Newport Beach. Deleon was also found
guilty of the murder of John Jarvi whose body was found in Mexico.
It took the jury less than 2 hours on Monday October 20th to reach its
decision of guilty on all counts. Deleon's attorney Gary Pohlson had
conceded from the outset that Deleon was guilty but should not be put
to death.
After court let out, attorney Pohlson told reporters that during the
penalty phase of the trial that he would try to convince the jury to
spare his client's life. This, by having Deleon's relatives and
doctors testify during the punishment phase about his troubled past.
The prosecution is demanding that Deleon be put to death. Its expected
to present witnesses to refute the defense claims. There's also a
chance that members of the Hawkes family will present testimony
requesting that Deleon pay the ultimate price for his crimes.
The penalty phase of the trial began on Wednesday, October 22nd.
Jurors are still deliberating as we go to air. More for you next week.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles.
--
The jury's recommendation will be imposed on Deleon at a formal
sentencing hearing before Superior Court Judge Frank F. Fasel who was
the trial judge in the case. (ARNewsline from published news reports)
**
RADIO LAW: ARRL OPPOSES DIGITAL RBROADCASTING ON 40 METERS IN ALASKA
The ARRL is saying no to Digital Aurora Technologies proposed operation
in the 40 meter band.
On Monday, October 20th, the League filed a Petition for Modification or
Cancellation of Experimental Authorization with respect to license
WE2XRH. This is an experimental license issued to Digital Aurora Radio
Technologies that proposes to test digital transmissions in 4.50 to
5.10 MHz, 7.10 to 7.60 MHz and 9.25 to 9.95 MHz bands for a terrestrial
digital radio service to the citizens of Alaska.
The ARRL says that its interest in this matter is limited to the fact
that the experimental license includes the band 7.1 to7.3 MHz. This is
a spectrum parcel that is allocated domestically exclusively to the
Amateur Radio Service.
The ARRL says that in its view that there is a 100% certainty of
severe, continuous, harmful interference from Digital Aurora Radio
Technologies operation of the facilities as authorized by the
Commission to ongoing Amateur Radio operation in the 40 meter band. It
says that this authorization must be modified immediately if not
cancelled completely. This, so as to delete the band 7.1 to 7.3 MHz
from the experimental license application. (ARRL)
**
WORLDBEAT - SINGAPORE: NEW VISITORS LICENSE ANNOUNCED
Its now official. The Singapore licensing authority has now announced
that temporary amateur licenses are available to radio amateurs
visiting Singapore.
The application should be made three weeks before arrival and the
license is typically valid for a three months period. A fee of 50
Singapore Dollars will be charged.
The application process and forms are posted on the Singapore
Infocommunications Development Authority government website. Visitors
must use their callsign preceded by Singapores 9V1 prefix while on the
air. (Southgate)
**
RESCUE RADIO: FCC PROPOSES AMMENED 700 MHS EMCOMM BROADBAND PLAN
Yet another new interoperable radio system has been proposed by the
FCC. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the details:
--
In what the FCC calls a sustained commitment to help solve the nation's
communications challenges currently faced by America's first
responders, the Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Third
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. One that proposes licensing the
D Block spectrum at 700 MHz as part of a revised public and private
partnership that will maximize the public safety and commercial
benefits nationwide through the creation of an interoperable broadband
network.
In its recent press release, the FCC says that like in its first
attempt the spectrum for this interoperable emergency communications
system will be put up for auction. As such, the Notice also proposes
to retain a so called public and private partnership framework for the
project. This, absent other sources of funding.
The Notice also proposes that a Public Safety Broadband Licensee should
remain a non-profit entity. As such, certain restrictions will need to
be imposed on its business relationships to avoid the potential for
conflicts of interest.
The FCC says that its primary goal is to promote the deployment of such
a broadband network that provides maximum coverage to first responders
across the country. The N-P-R-M also presents a number of specific
proposals with regard to the rules governing public safety users and
the Public Safety Broadband Licensee's. This includes such specifics
as eligible users of the public safety broadband spectrum must be
providers of public safety services as defined under federal law.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los
Angeles.
--
There was no real interest in the private sector in supporting such a
system the first time an attempt was made to auction this spectrum.
Some observers feel that it will be no different this time around as
the nation heads into some bad economic times. (ARNewsline From FCC
release)
**
RESCUE RADIO: RADIO CLUB PROVIDES WILDERNESS REPEATERS IN IDAHO
Two new repeaters dedicated to rescue service are now up and running in
Idaho's Wood River Valley and Sawtooth National Forest. This, thanks
to the dedication of members of the Wood River Amateur Radio Club that
spent $15,000 installing two radio systems.
According to a news report on KTVB television, the recently installed
radio relay units are located on Mount Baldy and Galena Summit. The
news report says that they are filling the gap in emergency response
that was desperately lacking in the Sawtooth National Forest which is a
dead zone for cellular telephone service. The report also noted that
prior to the installation of the repeaters, that direct point to point
radio communication was frequently impossible. (KTVB Television)
**
RESCUE RADIO: FALLBROOK CA. HONORS HAM RADIO WILDFIRE EMCOMMS
Southern California's Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club was recently honored
for its contributions during last year's 10,000 acre wildfire. Called
the Rice Fire, the blaze destroyed 206 homes, two commercial buildings
and 40 outbuildings in and around the Fallbrook area.
Now, Fire Chief Bill Metcalf has acknowledged several groups that
provided valuable help when the town of Fallbrook was evacuated. First
on his list was the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club which Chief Metcalf
said put its people in the city's Emergency Operations Center and
helped with communications.
Chief Metcalf termed the club as being a great group of community
volunteers who function behind the scenes. He said that his hat is off
to the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club for a job well done.
The fire chief added that he and his staff are currently looking at
ways to strengthen the clubs involvement. Fallbrook California is
located North of the city of San Diego. (W6VR)
**
RESCUE RADIO: NEW CAL AGENCY SHOULD ENHANCE DISASTER COMMS
A new California state law will combine two emergency response agencies
into one cabinet-level organization. The merger bill was in one of 10
measures Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed on Saturday September
27th aimed at improving the states emergency response and disaster
prevention.
Schwarzenegger says merging the Governor's Office of Emergency
Services and the State Office of Homeland Security will improve the
state's ability to respond to emergencies and natural disasters. He
says the new California Emergency Management Agency will be more
streamlined and efficient than the two previous agencies were.
Observers say that the joining mean that communications between first
responders and those backing them up should be more immediate. Also
signed were several measures aimed at preventing or fighting wildfires
and providing relief to disaster victims. (Published reports)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FAILURE TO OBSERVE LIGHTS LEADS TO $1600 FINE
The FCC has issued a monetary forfeiture in the amount of $1,600 to B K
Towers of Manter, Kansas. This, for failure to make observations of
the antenna structure's lights at least once each 24 hours, either
visually or by observing an automatic indicator designed to register
any failure.
Section 17.47(a) of theFCC's Rules states that the owner of any
antenna structure which is registered with the Commission and has been
assigned lighting specifications shall make an observation of the
antenna structure's lights at least once each 24 hours. This can be
done either visually or by observing an automatic properly maintained
indicator designed to register any failure of such lights.
Although an automatic alarm system was installed at the Tower,
according to B K's owner, the system had not been operational for at
least a year prior to September 10, 2008. BK also admitted that its
system was not reliable and needed to be replaced.
Making matters worse, during the year prior to September 10, 2008, BK
admitted that no employees or contractors visually inspected the
Tower's lights on a daily basis. In fact, at most, BK employees made
visual observations of the lighting status on only two days during the
period between August 1, 2008 and September 9, 2008.
B K's response to the NAL does not dispute any of these facts. So,
based on the evidence before it the FCC has found that BK willfully and
repeatedly violated Section 17.47(a) of its rules by failing to observe
visually the Tower lighting at east once each 24 hours, at a minimum,
between August 1 and September 9, 2008.
The FCC has given B K the customary 30 days to pay the fine or to file
an appeal. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FTC BUSTS ALLEGED WORLDWIDE SPAM RING
Some truly unwanted communications should soon be gone. This with word
that the Federal Trade Commission has successfully shut down a global
spam operation. One that that's spewed out billions of unwanted e-
mails to all of us in recent years.
The FTC says the spam and its click here web sites generated more than
3 million complaints. The agency says that these sites allegedly used
false claims to try to sell unsuspecting customers a wide range of
products.
According to the agency's Midwest director, web site servers were
located in China with many products shipped from India. Operatives on
Cyprus and in the former Soviet republic of Georgia handled the
processing of credit card payments. (Published reports)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC LOOLKS AT BROADBAND FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES
The FCC says that it will move forward with plans to reserve spectrum
for free wireless Internet use for those who cannot otherwise afford
it. According to the Washington Post, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wants
to provide some available spectrum for future free community-based
wireless broadband..
Martin says that the new spectrum allocation would be used to design a
broadband system for lower-income people who may not otherwise have
access to the Internet. The move is opposed by large
telecommunications companies such as T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and
AT&T. They claim that their customers will experience interference
from users of the new spectrum.
But a report by FCC engineers released on October 10th disputes that
claim. The newspaper story says the field tests showed little if any
interference would take place. (Published reports)
**
RADIO LAW: CONGRESS WANTS DIGITAL RADIO BILL
Some in congress feel its time to make every radio sold in the United
States HD ready. Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reports:
--
Massachusetts Congressional Representative Edward Markey says that he
supports mandating HD Radio in any receivers that can tune in AM/FM
analog and satellite radio signals.
The chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet introduced the "Radio All Digital Channel Receiver Act." If
passed, H.R. 7157 would require that radios used in the satellite
digital radio service be capable of receiving terrestrial digital radio
signals. That measure already has bipartisan support and several co-
sponsors, including Representatives Republican Lee Terry, of Nebraska
and Greg Walden of Oregon. Democrats in support include Texas' Charlie
Gonzalez.
Markey said the recent satellite radio merger between Sirrius and X-M
underscored the importance of ensuring consumer access to a diversity
of sources for digital radio content. In particular content
originating in their local communities.
I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU.
--
The legislative calendar is getting short as members of Congress
prepare for the elections, so the chances of passage this year aren't
good, experts believe. That said, observers believe the bill lays the
groundwork for a better chance of passage next year. (RW)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: TAPR ANNOUNCES MERCURY SDR RECEIVER BOARD
Tucson Amateur Packet Radio has announced the development of a new a
software Designed Receiver board code named Mercury.
The Mercury board is described as being a High Performance Software
Defined Radio open-source hardware and software project. It was
designed and developed by a group of enthusiasts with representation
from interested experimenters worldwide.
Tucson Amateur Packet Radio says that it is looking for a show of
interest in this unit to determine the production run for the new
Mercury receiver board. If this unit interests you please check out
http://hpsdr.org on the World Wide Web. (TAPR)
**
RADIO IN SPACE: INDIA MOON PROBE TO MAP MOONS SUB SURFACE
India will use a combination of spectral photography and ground
penetrating radar to map the moons surface and sub-surface and will
employ radio to send the data back to Earth. This after a launch
vehicle carrying that nations Chandrayaan One moon exploration probe
lifted off on Tuesday October 21st from India's spaceport launch
facility.
The Chandrayaan One is scheduled to go into orbit 100 kilometers above
the Moon on November 8th or 9th. It will then begin using on-board
instrumentation from three countries to chart the Moons surface and its
mineral composition below the surface
In addition to a three dimensional terrain-mapping camera developed by
India, Chandrayaan One, is also carrying mapping instruments for the
European Space Agency, radiation-measuring equipment for the Bulgarian
Academy of Sciences and two devices for NASA. One of these has been
described as a ground penetrating radar that will look for ice
deposits in the lunar poles. The other will assess the moon's overall
mineral composition.
Chandrayaan One is expected to remain in Moon orbit for at least two
years. During that time it will radio its findings back to the Indian
Deep Space Network Campus for analyses. The spacecraft will also
release a probe to take close-range images during a 25-minute descent
to the Moon's surface. This Moon Impactor Probe will hopefully soft
land on the moon to kick up some dust, while instruments in the craft
analyze the particles.
Chandrayaan-1 is being looked at as a stepping stone for the 2010
unmanned Chandrayaan-2 mission. This one which will be in
collaboration with the Russian Space Agency, will include a lander and
a rover vehicle. (India Space Agency release)
**
RADIO IN SPACE: RADIO GUIDES SPACECRAFT PAST ASTROID
Radio can be amazing. Just ask the folks at the European Space Agency
in Germany that are using it to guide the Rosetta deep space probe
which has successfully passed close to an asteroid 250 million miles
from Earth
Rosetta is billed as a space exploration mission that may bring man
closer to solving the mystery of the solar system's birth than any
before it. The spacecraft recently completed its flyby of the Steins
asteroid, belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter .
As expected, the spacecraft's radio signal was lost for about 90
minutes as engineers turned it away from the Sun. Right on schedule
the signal from Rosetta resumed and was greeted with cheers from ESA
engineers and technicians. (ESA release)
**
WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA: OCTOBER EXAM HITS CLOSE TO RECORD APPLICANTS
Turning to news from around the world, South Africa has likely added
almost 100 new hams to its ranks in one sitting. According to the
South African Radio League a close to record 97 Students that sat for
that nations October national radio written examination that took place
about two week ago. Now the applicants await the test results and
their callsigns if they passed the test. (SARL)
**
WORLDBEAT - IRAN: IRAN OPENS 4TH TALLEST RADIO TOWER
Iran has opened a telecommunications tower more than quarter of a mile
high. The 1,427-foot Milad Tower is the world's fourth tallest
communication structure. The tallest is believed to be the 1,815-foot-
high C N Tower in Toronto, Canada. (Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT - BELGIUM: HIGH VOLUME ON MP3 PLAYERS CAN CAUSE HEARING LOSS
Researchers in Belgium say that prolonged use of MP-3 players and
similar devices at high volume can lead to sustained hearing loss.
This, as they release a report that says millions of youngsters across
Europe could suffer permanent hearing loss if they listen to MP3
players at too high a volume for more than five hours a week and for a
prolonged time.
The study was requested by the European Commission. It tackled the
concept of leisure noise such as that coming from personal music
players used at very high volume.
Commission experts estimate that between 50 and 100 million people
listen to portable music players on a daily basis. The report says
that if they listened for only five hours a week at more than 89
decibels, they would exceed European Union limits for noise allowed in
the workplace. And if they listened for longer periods, they risked
permanent hearing loss after five years.
The researchers calculated the number of people in that risk category
at between five and 10 percent of listeners. This means up to 10
million people in the European Union alone Sales of personal music
players have soared in European Union countries in recent years. (EU
release)
**
WORLDBEAT: LOOKING FOR HORKHEIMER 2009
Germany's Deutscher Amataeur Radio Soceity, that's the is looking for
nominations for the 2009 Horkheimer Prize.
Rudolf Horkheimer was one of the first radio amateurs in Germany. The
prize bearing his name is awarded for merit in amateur radio and its
further development. The prize can be awarded to one or more persons or
institutions and is not restricted to members of D-A-R-C. Any member of
an amateur radio society in the IARU is entitled for proposal. Self
proposals are permitted.
The prize is awarded during the opening of Ham Radio 2009 fair in
Friedrichshafen, Germany. Nominations must be submitted by March 31st
2009 to Deutscher Amateur Radio Vlub. Those submitting nominations
should list name and address of the amateur, a short description of why
he or she has been nominated and any further information you think
useful.
And here's the fine print. The decision of the jury is final and
cannot be voided. If there is no fitting proposal, the prize will not
be awarded. (DARC)
**
DX
In D-X, listen out for DK3TNA operating portable EA8 from the Canary
Islands. Stephan is expected to show up on 80 through 10 meter using
CW and SSB at 100 watts to a dipole antenna. He will be there from
October 20th to November 1st. QSL via bureau to his home call.
W8GEX and his crew of 6 plan to activate Saint Barthelemy from October
16th through the 27th and should be on the air right now. The call to
listen out for is TO5DX with stations on CW, SSB, PSK, SSTV and RTTY on
all of the High Frequency bands. QSL via AA4NN.
HB9AON will conduct its 25th DXpedition to Liechtenstein during the CQ
World Wide SSB Contest at the end of October. They will be on the air
from the 18th through the 31st complete with a host of guests from
Europe, the USA and Asiatic Russia. QSL as directed on the air.
Lastly, WB5ZAM will be on from St Lucia signing J68WI on 30 through 6
meters from October 16th through the 30th. QSL cards should be sent to
his home call, either direct or via the bureau.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: BEWARE OF HAM RADIO PHISHERS
And finally this week, a warning that the fishers are out there and in
this case we spell fishers p-h-i-s-h-e-r-s. These are electronic scam
artists that want your personal information to rob you blind and they
will go to great lengths to get you to release it. Even claiming that
its needed in some way for ham radio.
Now, the American Radio Relay League says that it has received several
reports from members with arrl dot net e-mail accounts who have
recently been contacted via e-mail asking for personal information.
The League says that this includes such things as user names and
passwords.
The ARRL says that these e-mails are fraudulent attempts at "phishing"
and did not originate from ARRL. The League says that there is never a
time when it would ask via mass e-mail for user names and passwords of
arrl dot net users.
As we have said before, if you receive an e-mail asking for personal
information do not respond. This even if it appears to come from some
legitimate source you know and trust. Instead delete it and go on with
life. Both you and your bank account will be happier that you did.
(ARRL)
**
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.
Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
More information about the Ham-News
mailing list