Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1352 – July 11, 2003

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1352 with a release date of Friday, July
11th 2003 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Ham radio does well at WRC 2003 and a California teen
is named as Amateur Radio Newsline’s Young Ham of the Year. Find out who on
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1352 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

WRC-03: GOOD NEWS FOR HAM RADIO - BAD NEWS FOR SUPPORTERS OF CW

The 2003 World Radiocommunications Conference in Geneva is over and there is
some generally good news for ham radio. Q-News Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has been
following this story and has a complete wrap up on the way that amateur radio
fared:

--

The 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference concluded its discussions of the
issues on its agenda on Thursday afternoon, 3 July, after marathon Plenary
sessions that tested the patience and stamina of the conferees. The big news
for radio amateurs is that there will be a dramatic
improvement for we here in region 3 in regard the 40-meter band!

7100-7200 kHz band reallocated to the amateur service in both region 3 and 1,
Region 2 7000-7300 kHz remains exclusively amateur. The change will take effect
on 29 March 2009, less than six years from now!

Now the "but".. A footnote containing the names of countries that are mainly
in Region 3 and the Arab States makes the band also available to the fixed and
mobile services in those countries on a primary basis.

It was not easy to achieve such a positive outcome on this issue. A
last-ditch effort to bridge differences was chaired by Alan Ashman of
Australia.

Perhaps the magnitude of what has been accomplished for radio amateurs can best
be explained this way: Never before in the history of radiocommunication has an
HF broadcasting band been shifted to accommodate the needs of another service.
This is not simply an accomplishment of the IARU. It would not have been
possible without the cooperation of a number of broadcasters and many, many
others. The people who worked with us who are not radio amateurs -- including
some who were strongly opposed at the start but who acceded to the compromise
--deserve much of the credit. For example, Australia came to the conference
with a strong "no change" position and had to shift its position dramatically
in order to embrace the compromise.

Agenda item 1.7.1 (Article 25): A package of revisions to the international
Radio Regulations that are specific to the amateur and amateur-satellite
services, takes effect on Saturday, 5 July 2003. Michael Owen, VK3KI, has
guided the work of IARU on this issue since 1996.

Agenda item 1.7.2 (Article 19): 432-438 MHz secondary allocation for
satellite-borne synthetic aperture radars was approved in Plenary.

Agenda item 1.1 (footnotes): "Footnote fever" seized some administrations in
the closing hours of the conference. Fortunately, the amateur service escaped
serious damage from "footnote fever" although it may be a problem in the future
if countries want to climb into the footnote for fixed and mobile at 7100-7200
kHz.

As Secretary David, K1ZZ said in wrapping up his report... "It's Over! Well,
the work is over; the ceremonial closing of the Conference will occur on Friday
afternoon, 4 July. Then we will
all be heading home, except for those who are staying for a two- day meeting
to plan the preparatory work for WRC-07.

Yes, it's all beginning again...."

From Q-News Australia, I’m Graham Kemp, VK4BB, reporting for the Amateur
Radio Newsline.
--

There are two very important documents that came out of WRC 03 that every radio
amateur should read. Both were issued at the close of the conference by the
International Amateur Radio Union. The first is a final wrap up on the
conference by Dave Sumner, K1ZZ. The other is an in-depth explanation of the
changes to the worlds radio regulations authored by Michael Owen, VK3KI. You
will find links to both of them on the front page of out website at
www.arnewsline.org (Q-News, IARU, ARRL, WIA, others)

**

60 METERS: A LOOK AT NIGHT ONE ON THE NEW GENTLEMENS BAND

Its being called the “New Gentlemans Band� by some. At least thats what
monitoring the first availability of the new 60 meter band as it opened to the
East Coast on July 3rd. Newsline’s Don Wilbanks, was listening in from the
deep South:

--
The ‘New Gentlemens Band� may well be a title that will stick on 60 meters.
Even as the new frequencies came to life, there was none of the on-air
pushing and shoving thats so prevelant on other bands like 20 and 40 meters.
Instead, those observing, operating and posting thir thoughts to the Internet
seemed to agree that calm and order was the way most approached 60 meter
operation.

Ron Wray, WB5HZ, was one of those listening in. He says over the qrz.com
website that it seemed as if someone had kicked an anthill at 11:00 PM Central
time. That’s when hundreds of stations were conducting simultaneous QSO’s
on all five frequencies.

According to Wray, there were explosions of activity that continued throughout
the night as each time zone jumped onto the new band in sequence. And Wray
notes the apparent success of the 50 watt effective radiated power limit. He
says that from his location in Dear Park Texas, the low power limit made it so
that no one signal was sufficiently strong to completely control any particular
frequency. And because of this amateurs were able to make solid contacts
despite the unbelievable level of QRM.

Robert Harper, AFZ0H, of Park Hills Missouri was another early user of 60
meters. In his posting to QRZ, Harper said that he was very impressed by the
discipline of the amateur community on opening night. Despite the noise and
the crowd, everyone seemed to keep a level head. He says that it was an
atmosphere that reminded him of the "good ol' days," adding that he cannot
recall when he last observed such gentlemanly behavior under such crowded
conditions.

And Bill Collins K8NQC, may have summed it up best. In his QRZ note he said
that multiple QSO's on the same frequency will greatly help the utility of the
band. He adds that the absence of big signals is really a plus.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, in New Orleans,

--

So far there seem to be no complaints about the new spot frequencies that
comprise the current 60 meter ham radio allocation. In fact, one ham was heard
to say that the rest of high frequency Amateur Radio can learn lessons in
sportsmanship and courtesy by simply tuning in. (ARNewsline(tm), from QRZ.com
and other sources)

**

RADIO RULES: ANTI-ENHANCED SSB PETITION ASSIGNED RM 10740

Its taken some time, but the FCC has now assigned the designation RM 10740 to
the petition by Michael Lonneke, W0YR, of Round Hill, Virginia, and Melvin
Ladisky, W6FDR, of Camarillo, California to limit the bandwidth of Single
Sideband an full carrier ampletude modulated signals on all ham bands below 28
MHz. As previously reported, W0YR and W6FDR want SSB signals to be limited to
2.8 Kilohertz and AM to be no wider than 5.6 kilohertz.

The petitioners make no secret that their regulastory request is aimed squarely
at those hams who are experimenting with enhanced SSB signals which are wider
than the 2.8 kilohertz that they believe should be the maximum bandwidth. They
claim that enhanced SSB is bothersome to other operations and that some users
of the pseudo mode are unwilling to cooperate in minimizing harm being caused.


What Lonneke and Ladisky have not bothered to explain is why they also targeted
users of AM whom even they they freely admit are not causing a problem for
other radio amateurs.

Either way, RM 10740 carries a commentary cutoff date of August 2nd. You can
let the agency know how you feel by submitting commentary by mail or using the
FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System. It’sated in cyberspace at
www.fcc.gov. Once there use the websites search function to locate RM 10740.
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

Break 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on
bulletin stations around the world including the WO1E repeater serving
Templeton Massachusettes.

(5 sec pause here)


**

YHOTY 2003: JAY THOMPSON, W6JAY, NAMED ARNEWSLINE(tm) YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

He is not yet 18, but he is a champion class hidden transmitter hunter as well
as a young ham devoted to public service and to bringing more kids into the
hobby. And for these reasons and more, a select committee of judges has named
Jay Thompson, W6JAY, of Santa Ana California to receive the 2003 Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award. We have more in this report:

--


If the name Jay Thompson and the call sign W6JAY sound familiar, its because
Jay has made news several times in the world of hidden transmitter hunting. In
the five years that he has been licensed, W6JAY has participated in three
championship hunts has won virtually every type of medal offered in his age
group. One hunt took him all the way to China. And when you travel the
world, hidden transmitter hunting can leave you with moments to remember:

--

Thompson: “In China it was raining. And in the bamboo forest, when you shook
the trees, you would get a mini-shower fall on you and it would just cool you
off after you had been running for a while.�

--

But his exploits in T-hunting is not the only reason that Jay was chosen as
this years Young Ham of the Year. He is also heavily involved in emergency
communications and is a member of the Orange County Hospital Disaster Emergency
Communications System. This is a medical communications support group that
gave W6JAY his first taste of what responding to a real emergency is like:

--

Thompson: “During the Plecencia Linda train crash I was stationed at a
hospital with my dad where we helped to allocate information where patients
were going. That helped the hospitals a lot from what I heard.�

--

If Jay Thompson sounds enthusiastic about his T-hunting and emergency
communications work, you have to hear what he has to say about recruiting
youngsters into the hobby. Jay believes that the future of ham radio is with
the young:

--

Thompson: “I noticed that there were not very many active young Amateur Radio
operators, so I have tried to do my part to get more of them in so that
Amateur Radio can have a better future. It starts with the kids and as they
grow up they realize that it is such a good activity and will get more people
to join. If there are not any kids, then there is not very much of a future
for Amateur Radio.�

--

A lot of people seem to agree. In fact ARRL Southwestern Division Vice
Director Tuck Miller, NZ6T, calls Jay Thompson: “...a magnet for other young
hams to become actively involved in the Amateur service.�

The Young Ham of the Year program is co sponsored by the Amateur Radio
Newsline, Vertex Standard which manufactures Yaesu brand ham radio gear and C-Q
Magazine. Jay Thompson, W6JAY, will receive his award at a presentation on
Saturday August 16th at the Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama.

Right now we ask you to join us in congratulating Jay Thompson, W6JAY, as he is
named 2003 Young Ham of the Year.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, reporting.

--

2003 marks the 17th consecutive year that the award has been presented.
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC ACTS IN THREE CASES

The FCC has contacted three hams on various enforcement matters. The
agency’s Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, has mo

--
Audio report only. Hear it at www.arnewsline.org
--

According to Duckworth, that’s the FCC’s enforcement actions through the
period ending June 28th. (RAIN, FCC)


**

RESCUE RADIO: PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS NOW LEGALLY SOLD IN LOWER 48

Hams could have a new emergency communications job in the near future.
T-Hunting down people in distress wearing Personal Locator Beacons.

The CGC Communicator reports that retail stores in the continental United
States are now being allowed market the pricey beacon transmitters which can be
activated when a person is in a dangerous situation. Proponents of Personal
Locator Beacons claim that they will assist rescue teams in finding lost
persons in emergency situations.

According to CGC, each beacon must be registered with NOAA before alert
activations can be relayed via satellite to the Air Force Rescue Coordination
Center at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Actual beacon alerts are recieved
over the SARSAT COSPAS satellite system which is a long term cooperative effort
between the United States and Russia.

More information is on line at www.sarsat.noaa.gov (CGC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: THE DEAN OF ARRL SECTION MANAGERS RETIRES

The dean of ARRL Section Managers, New Mexico's Joe Knight, W5PDY, stepped down
from his post on July 2nd. Knight cited poor health in his decision to retire
from the volunteer position after serving for nearly 27 years. This is a
record of volunteer service longer than any other sitting SM.

Assistant Section Manager Bill Weatherford, KM5FT, of Albuquerque, has been
named to fill the remainder of Knight's term, which ends on December 31st. In
his departure statement Knight said that he plans to try to help Weatherford as
much as he can to assume the Sectiin Managers job. He also thanked his
constituancy for the wonderful job that they have done and asked that they
support KM5FT in the same way as they did him.

Knight had recommended Weatherford's appointment as his successor. KM5FT is an
ARRL life member and has served as an Assistant Section Manager for the past
two years. (ARRL)

**

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN: OMAHA’S KETV-TV TOWER COLLAPSES

Joe Eisenberg, K0NEB reports that a broadcast tower being converted for digital
television has fallen in Omaha Nebraska. According to a story supplied by Joe,
KETV's main broadcast antenna fell to the ground Friday July 4th.

Crews had been working to install High Definition TV technology on the tower
since May 30. A new antenna was to replace the aging RCA TW-15 skyhook. A
station spokesman said that it is not yet clear how much the tower collapse
will set back the stations conversion to digital transmission or how long it
will take to clear debris and rebuild. Nor is it known what caused the main
tower to fall. (K0NEB)

**

RADIO CONFLICT: PENNSYLVANIA TOWN DISCOVERS WATER AND RADIO WAVES DON'T MIX

Officials in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania have asked the FCC to intercede in a
dispute between that township and Radio Station WCBG on 1590 kHz. This, s the
borough hires a Louisiana attorney to try to force the owners of the radio
station to cease operating long enough for workers to finish a 2-million-gallon
water storage tank project in the nearby Chambers-5 Business Park.

Chambersburg's effort to build a new, elevated, 150-foot-high water storage
tank on land adjacent to WCBG's towers have stalled because workers complained
of receiving RF burns. Complicating the situation are allegations that the
storage tank interferes with WCBG's signal, presumably warping its radiation
patterns.

WCBG operates 5 kW non-irectional daytime and, 1 kW directional at night. The
whole story is on-line at http://tinyurl.com/g1dk (CGC)

**

ARRL: LOOKING FOR MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS AND VIDEOS

The ARRL’s Field and Educational Services is seeking donations of Amateur
Radio related presentation programs or slide shows that utilize Microsoft
PowerPoint or similar computer-based slide-viewing software. The department is
also interested in VHS and digital video programs to add to materials that it
offers hams through the ARRL Video Series. For guidelines on whats acceptable
contact Mary Lau, N1VH, 225 Main St, Newington, Connecticut 06111 or e-mail
herat . (ARRL)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today’s radio amateur. From the United States of
America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our
only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being relayed by the volunteer
services of the following radio amateur:

(5 sec pause here)


**

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: 40 METER DX’ER AL HIX, W8AH, - S.K.

On a sad note, the changing of the guard continues with news that an
internationally known dx-er has died. And this news hits very close to this
anchor desk. As local hams gathered for field day here in Charleston last
month, word was received that Albert Hix, W8AH had become a silent key. Al
passed away at his home here in Charleston on June 25. He was 85.

W8AH not only loved amateur radio, he loved his country and the freedom she
provides. Al was a skilled member of the US Army signal corps, serving during
world war 2 when he was appointed radio officer to General George Patton. He
also served during the Korean war and returned to Paris to climb the Eiffel
tower again for the daily net with the Pentagon.

After his military service, Al returned to Charleston with his wife and worked
as an engineer for Union Carbide until his retirement in 1985. He pursued his
beloved hobby with a new vengeance, earning his place on the DXCC honor role
with 388 countries confirmed. On 40 meters, he holds the top honors with 362
entries. Al made hundreds of friends around the world through amateur radio,
many of them he visited with his wife, Connie.

Avid DX’ers knew one side of Al Hix. Many of us knew another side, as WV ARRL
section manager Hal Turley, KC8FS, explains…
--

(KC8FS audio)

--
A US Army chaplain presided during Al’s funeral and he was laid to rest with
military honors. Meanwhile, local hams seemed to man the field day CW station
with a special vigor… and without the traditional W8AH at the key at start
time.

(KC8FS audio)_

Al is survived by his charming wife, Connie, brother James and by hundreds of
ham friends around the world and here at home in the West Virginia hills…
where we knew that the only thing bigger than his signal, was the kind heart of
W8AH. (ARNewsline(tm))

**

RADIO PUBLICATIONS: CQ RELEASES HAM RADIO MAGAZINE ANTHOLOGIES

Fans of the old Ham Radio magazine, take note: A new series of anthologies,
reprinting selected articles from the pages of ham radio, is now available from
the folks at CQ Magazine

The first four books in the series were introduced two weeks ago at the 2003
Dayton Hamvention. The topics covered a "Antennas, 1968 to1972;" "Antennas,
1973 to 1975;"Homebrewing Techniques" and "Troubleshooting Techniques."

Ham radio magazine was published from 1968 to 1990 and is generally
acknowledged as the premier amateur radio technical publication of its time.
CQ Communications now owns the rights to Ham Radio magazine and decided to
release to compilation books based on requests from the Amateur Radio
community. They can be ordered on-line at www.cq-amateur-radio.com. (CQ)

**

CONVENTIONS & HAMFESTS: CINCINNATI IN JULY

On the ham radio social circuit word that the sixth annual OH KY IN Hamfest is
slated for Saturday July 26th at the Diamond Oaks Caerrer Development Center in
Cincinnati Ohio. The event features a giant outdoor flea market, ham radio
test sessions, vendor exhibits, door prizes and lots more. Fur further
information e-mail Lynn Ernst at (Via press release)

**

CONVENTIONS & HAMFESTS: DENVER COLORADO IN AUGUST

And the Denver Radio Club Hamfest is scheduled for Sunday, August 17th at the
Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden Colorado. Doors open at 8:30 AM. For
more information contact Bryan Steinberg, KCZ0CUA via e-ail to
, or via the club website at www.qsl.net/w0tx (Via press
release)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ARISS MARKS SUCCESSFUL EURO SPACE CENTER CONTACT

Another big success for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. This
as U-S Astronaut Ed Lu, operating as NA1SS made contact with youngsters on
Space Camp at the Euro Space Center in Belgium at 08:25 U-T-C on Monday July
7th. .

The center operated as ON4ESC with bout 150 children gathered in the
auditorium. Some of them were Dutch speaking, others spoke only French
speaking and 45 were Americans living in Europe.

Ed Lu answered the call from ON4ESC the very second the ISS was in range of the
Euro Space Center. He answered 17 questions during the nearly 8 minutes long
pass. At its closest approach, the space outpost was 2000 km south of Belgium,
over the Pyrenees mountains. AMSAT Vice Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, was on
hand to oversee the operation as well as introducing the young audience to the
amateur radio service, amateur radio satellites and the ham radio stations used
by astronauts and cosmonauts while operating from space. (ON4WF)

**

DX

In DX, the question is -- did you work them? Of coarse we are talking about
DL6LAU, DL8OBQ, OH2BH, OH2NB and OH3BHL who have been Albania in preparation of
setting up a training program to enhance amateur radio in that nation. They
have also been on the air as ZA1B operating on several new bands and modes
including 6 meters and 2 meters. Their operation was scheduled to conclude on
July 13th with QSL’s to be handled together with the April and May ZA1B
operation by OH2BH. (OH2BH via N4GN)

Bob Cumming, W2BZY, says that he will be active on 50.110 MHz from Costa Rica
TI2 through July 27th. This, in an attempt to activate some of the less common
grid square in that nation including EJ79. When not on 6 meters, Bob will be
looking for contacts on the high frequency bands. QSL as directed on the air.
(VHF Reflector)

Also, look for Desertas Island on the air from July 23rd to the 27th. This as
the Madeira DX group activates CT9D and CT9M on RTTY from that rare location.
The main purpose of this trip is to mount a VHF repeater on the island to
enhance F-M coverage across the Madeira Archiplego. The operators will also be
active on SSB, CW and RTTY during their stay. Q-S-L to CS3MAD, P.O.Box 4694 -
9000 Funchal -Ilha da Madeira - Portugal. (OPDX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: MISSING LILLY FOUND

And finally this week, the story of a ham radio operator and his dog. It
happened back in January, but only recently was the story forwarded to us.
Here’s Amateur Radio Newsline’s Bruce Tennant, K6PZW with the details.

--
Peter Kringle K-C-9-B-I-W of Superior Wisconsin tells it this way. Back in
January Peter came home for lunch to find his dog Lilly missing. She has some
how unhooked the standard dog clasp and a locking carabineer.

Peter first walked around the area looking for his dog. He then got in his car
and drove their normal walking loop. But he was unable to find Lilly.

At this point he began asking people in the area if they had seen her. He found
out that she had been seen in the area a few times and that she had escaped
around 10:30am. So Peter called the local dog shelters, leaving a description
of Lilly in case some one found her and brought her in.

By this time it was 3 P.M and Peter decided to try something that he had not
heard of anyone else every trying before. He turned to ham radio for assistance
in finding his mising pup.

Peter picked up his Yaesu VX-5, and called out on the local 146.94Mhz repeater
asked if anyone his area could help my look for Lilly. Two amateur radio
operators answered his call. This meant that there were now two in cars and
K-C-9-B-I-W on foot looking for her. This meant that the searchers were able
to cover much more ground in a very organized fashion.

It was just before 4:00 p.m. when one of the hams spotted Lilly and was able to
pick her up. He then called out on the repeater to let every know she was
safe. A bit later Peter was able to rendezvous and take the wandering Lilly
back home. And thats a perfect happy ending to the story and to this weeks
newscast as well.

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

--

Peters Internet positing about the help he received came with an apology. He
wants to thank the two hams who helped out, but unfortunately he has forgotten
their call signs. He adds that he hopes they will e-mail him so that he can
give proper credit where credit is due. And if you want to see what Peter and
Lilly look like, look up KC9BIW om the www.qrz.com website. (WA9ICU)


**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, Amateur News Weekly, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC
Communicator, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio
Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB and Australia's Q-News, that's all from the Amateur
Radio Newsline(tm). Our e-mail address is newsline @arnewsline.org. More
information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's(tm) only official website
located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m Jeff Clark,
K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for listening." Amateur Radio Newsline(tm)
is Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.