Amateur Radio Newsline" Report 1600 - April 11, 2008

(Note: This weeks newcast has several audio intensive stories which
cannoy properly be displayed as text. We suggest that you go to our
website at www.arnewsline.org and download and play the mp3 audio
version of this weeks newscast. -- ARNewsline ")

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1600 with a release date of
Friday, April 11tht, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. The Morse code comes to the Internet, a
middle-East
broadcaster highlights ham radio, and Newsline celebrates newscast
number 1600 with a look back. Please join us for this trip through
time on Amateur Radio Newsline" report number 1600 coming your way
right now.

(Billboard Cart Here)

**

HAM RADIO ON THE NET: IRC MORSE COMES TO THE WWW

It was bound to happen and now it has, Morse code over Internet Relay
Chat or IRC.

According to its host website, CWirc is a plug-in for the X-Chat IRC
client. It is designed to transmit raw Morse code over the internet
using I-R-C servers as reflectors. The transmitted Morse code can be
received in near real-time by other X-Chat clients who are equipped
with the CWirc plug-in.

CWirc tries to emulate a standard amateur radio rig. It has the
ability to send and receive Morse over virtual channels, and it can
listen to multiple senders transmitting on the same channel. Morse
code is keyed locally using a straight or iambic key connected to a
computers serial port, or using the mouse buttons, Sound is played
through the soundcard or through an external sounder.

Note that CWirc doesn't do any Morse decoding. It simply transmits
and receives C-W timing events. The program and your computer does
the rest to give you a Morse code experience without the radio, the
antenna or any T-V-I.

More about CWirc is on-line at users.skynet.be/ppc/cwirc/ The website
also has historic information on the Morse code and the telegraph.
(Southgate)

**

RADIO LAW: KANSAS PROTECTS HAM RADIO TOWERS AND ANTENNAS

Kansas Becomes 26th State to have a law assuring to rights of hams to
have antennas. Known as the Kansas Emergency Communications
Preservation Act the new measure is fashioned after federal statute
PRB-1.

The wording of HB 2805 is simple an unambiguous. It states that if a
municipality takes any action that regulates the placement, screening,
number or height of a ham radio station antenna structure, that this
action must reasonably accommodate federally licensed amateur radio
service communications. Also that the action must constitute the
minimum regulation practicable to carry out the legitimate purpose of
the governing body.

As to existing towers and antennas: These are grandfathered under a
stipulation that says antenna support structures constructed prior to
the bill's effective date are exempted from subsequent changes in
zoning regulations. Also that they may be repaired as needed.

According to Tom Laux, N0AG, the Salvation Army was very supportive of
the measure. Representatives of the Salvation Army twice testified in
support of it at hearings held in Topeka. Laux says that they were
fantastic.

The bill, written was by Rep Arlen Siegfreid. It unanimously passed
in both the houses of the Kansas legislature. Kansas Governor Kathleen
Sebelius signed HB 2805 into law on April 9. It takes effect July 1,
2008.

In the newsroom, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. Jim. (QRZ, eHam, N0AG, others)

**

WORLDBEAT - LEBANON: AL JAZEERA TELEVISION COVERS HAM RADIO

Amateur Radio was highlighted on Quatar's international television
service Al Jazeera. This in a documentary news show on Sunday April
6th. Amateur Radio Newsline's Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, is here with the
details:

--

The Al Jazeera program, Hadeeth Al Sabah featured Radio Amateurs of
Lebanon President, Hani Raad, OD5TE. Raad talked about Amateur Radio
principles and his personal experience in ham radio emergency service
communications over the past 28 years.

By way of background, Hani Raad, OD5TE, is a graduate of George
Washington University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He
also holds the United States call sign AA3EI and was very active in
both ARES and RACES when he lived in the Washington D.C area. As such
he holds expertise on the methods used in the area of ham radio
Emergency Communications in both the United States and Lebanon.

The show, which was repeated on Monday the April 7th, was described as
a look at both worlds of ham radio and the way in which hams respond
in time of crisis in both.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, saying a happy
1600 to all.

--

In an e-mail to Newsline, OD5TE said that the program was extremely
successful and all the feedback he has received form hams around the
world has been very positive. (OD5TE, others)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY AND THE WARD AWARD

World Amateur Radio Day 2008 will take place on April 18th and this
year you can win an award just for taking part in this years
celebration. That's because the Polish Radio Amateur's Journal, with
the support of the Polish Amateur Radio Union will be sponsoring this
years WARD or World Amateur Radio Day award. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:

--

By way of background, each year on the anniversary of its founding,
the International Amateur Radio Union marks its inaugural meeting in
Paris. A meeting that took place on April 18th some 83 years ago.

In honor of this historic event the IARU dedicates World Amateur Radio
Day to the future of the world-wide service. And in continuing this
theme the World Amateur Radio Day award will be granted by the Polish
Radio Amateur's Journal to those who make either 10 QSOs on the High
Frequency bands, or 10 QSOs on the VHF bands. All contacts must be
made between 0000 and 2400 U-T-C on April 18th.

The full colored award is also available to SWL's for the same numbers
of reports. To claim it you will need to send a completed application
form along with a log extract that includes your list of QSO's and 5
International Reply Coupons to the The Polish Radio Amateur's Journal.
Its address is MK QTC, Suchacz-Zamek - Wielmozy 5b, 82-340
Tolkmicko, Poland. Miore information is on-line at www.ward.pzk.pl

Saying a happy 1600 to all, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles,
for the Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Oh yes. The deadline to file for this years World Amateur Radio Day
award is midnight UTC on May 31st. (Southgate)

**

RESCUE RADIO: CANADIAN EARTH HOUR EXERCISE A SUCCESS

An emergency communications radio system was tested in Southern
Ontario Canada during the March 29th Earth Hour. That's when the
Toronto FM Communications Society in association with the Canadian
Amateur Radio Emergency Service and Emergency Management Ontario
conducted a trial of the ability of the amateur radio repeater system
in the Southern Ontario to respond to crisis situations.

During the Earth Hour, the Toronto FM Communications Society net
control station operated from an Emergency Management Ontario mobile
command center. He logged in excess of 60 stations. All were
operating on emergency back-up power sources with some operators in
Hamilton to Oshawa and north to Barrie responding. The exercise
proved the importance of amateur radio operators and repeater
organizations in the event of a widespread disaster.

Toronto FM Communications Society operates repeaters on the CN Tower
in Toronto, Ontario as well as at the highest elevation in Southern
Ontario atop the Skyloft Ski Resort in Uxbridge, Ontario. More about
the group is on line at www.tfmcs.com (eHam, PRWeb)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W5DSC
repeater serving the ham radio community in and near Victoria, Texas.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RESCUE RAFIO: EMCOMMWEST IN RENO NEVADA MAY 2 - 4

If you are into emergency communications and public service, then
Reno, Nevada, is the spot to be the weekend of May 2nd to the 4th.
Amateur Radio Newslie's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, is in Reno with the details:

--

EMCOMMWEST 2008 is returning to "The Biggest Little City in the
World", Reno, Nevada, It will be held at the Circus Circus Hotel in
downtown Reno, May 2-4.

This year's keynote speaker will be Dennis Dura, K2DCD Emergency
Preparedness and Response Manager from the ARRL headquarters in
Newington, CN. Dennis will bring some great information about how we
can be better emergency communicators, and use the latest technology
and resources available in doing so.

Emcommwest will also feature a special video presentation from Riley
Hollingsworth, K4ZDH special council of the FCC's enforcement Bureau,
who has agreed to do the video which will be shown at EMCOMMWEST.

Also, Emcommwest will welcome Gordon West, WB6NOA from southern
California, who was with us a few years back will return as the
Saturday night banquet speaker and also host a forum during the event
as an introduction to Emergency Communications, and he will have a
display booth set up in the vendor hall. Gordon is also bringing his
mobile communications unit for us to see. Banquet seating is limited,
so make reservations early!

Forums covering leadership, handling PIO duties during callouts,
working with different served agencies, MARS, the latest technology,
and many new presentations will highlight this year's event.
Emcommwest will also have it's own SPECIAL EVENT STATION, operating
on HF, UHF and VHF! Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG will
host an ARRL forum on Sunday May 4 with many SM's and other officials
taking part.

There will be raffle prizes, including radios, power supply, and many
other items along with an all new, larger vendor room and an all day
amateur licensing class along with VE testing, so non-ham attendees
can become licensed while they are there. Advance conference and
banquet registration is now available online via the website, at
www.emcommwest.org. Special room rates are available from Circus
Circus, via a link on the website. For information, email your
requests to: g We are
looking forward to a great
EMCOMMWEST this year!

From the site of Emcommwest in Reno, Nevada, this is Don Carlson,
KQ6FM for Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Again the dates are May 2nd to the 4th at the Circus Circus Hotel and
Casino in Reno, Nevada for Emcommwest 2008 -- the premiere ham radio
emergency communications show west of the Continental Divide. More
information is on the web at www.emcommwest.org (KQ6FM, Emcommwest )

**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC TELLS TWO HAMS TO STAY OFF LOCAL REPEATERS

Two hams in different parts of the country have received warning
letters from the FCC. Letters that tell them to stay off of certain
repeaters in their respective geographic areas.

In New York, the trustees of the K3TSA 2 meter repeater system had
requested in writing that David R. Henry, W2DRH, refrain from use of
that repeater. The request was issued as a result of Henry's alleged
failure to follow operational rules set forth by the licensee and or
the control operators of the repeater and of the FCC rules. The FCC
says that Henry had previously been requested to refrain from using
the system, but had apparently ignored both verbal and written requests.

The FCC not only warned Henry that any further unauthorized use of him
by the repeater will bring enforcement action against his license. It
also noted that his license expires on April 21, 2009. It says that
his license will not be routinely renewed unless this matter is resolved.

A warning letter has also been sent to Edward R. Drone, W0NYF. In
this instance the trustee of the St. Louis and Suburban Radio Club
repeaters K0STL, N0TYZ, W0FF and W0SRC had requested in writing that
Drone refrain from use of the repeaters. The request was issued as a
result of his alleged failure to follow operational rules set forth by
the licensee and control operators of the repeaters for their users.

In a conversation with the FCC in February 2008 Drone reportedly
acknowledged that he had been directed to stay off of the repeaters
and stated that he would comply. However, the FCC says that on March
31st he was heard utilizing the K0STL repeater and reportedly stated
that he would not refrain from using it.

Now, in its April 2nd letter to Drone the FCC warns him that it
expects him to abide by the request to stay off of the repeaters and
any other such request by a repeater licensee, control operator or
trustee. It warns W-Zero-N-Y-F that failure to do so will lead to
enforcement action that could include revocation of his license , or a
modification proceeding to restrict the frequencies on which he may
operate.

Drone was also asked to contact FCC rules enforcer Riley Hollingsworth
and issues with him. (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW: NEW CALIFORNIA HANDS-FREE MOBILE PHONE LAW MAY IMPACT
TWO-WAY RADIO AFTER ALL

California's soon to be in force hands free mobile phone law could
impact on two way radio users after all. While a recently released
pamphlet released by the states Department of Motor Vehicles states
that the use of dedicated two-way radios such as walkie-talkies or
Citizen Band radios is not affected by the new hands-free law, there
are some who tend to disagree. And because of this two camps of
thinking have developed.

Those fearful of the consequences of the new law are of the opinion is
that judges will ignore the language in the Department of Motor
Vehicles pamphlet. Instead, this group believes that those
adjudicating such a case will refer to the actual law which does not
generally exempt two-way radio operations from the hands-free provision.

However, a contrary opinion is that the law clearly refers to and is
written around wireless telephone handsets and their use. These
people note that most two-way radios are not wireless telephones.
Also, that even the California Highway Patrol seems to acknowledge
that the new law is about Wireless Telephones only.

The bottom line. Its likely that one of these days someone will get
ticketed for using a business band radio, a C-B set or even a mobile
ham radio station. That will be the test case and we are all going to
have to wait and see if it actually happens and what the final outcome
will be. More is on-line:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/dl208_03cell_phone.pdfhttp://www.d
mv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/dl208_03cell_phone.pdf
and
http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/cell_phone_faq.pdfhttp://www.chp.ca.gov/pd
f/media/cell_phone_faq.pdf)
(CGC, others)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: ARRL'S HARRISON APPOINTED TO AK SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY

A word of congratulations to ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, who
has been appointed to a four year term on the Board of Directors of
the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority by Governor Mike Beebe.

The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority was created by statute in
1983 with the mission to bring the benefits of science and advanced
technology to the people and state of Arkansas. Harrison's
appointment has already been approved by the Arkansas State Senate.
(ARRL)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: K6JGN NAMED NEWPORT BEACH VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

And congratulations also to Ed Karagozian, K6JGN. On March 20th,
Karagozian was named as the 2007 Volunteer of the Year for his
eighteen-plus years of service with Newport Beach California RACES.
The honor was bestowed by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce held
its 37th Annual Police Appreciation Awards Breakfast (Via e-mail)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: N2NT NAMED NEW CQ WW 160M CONTEST DIRECTOR

Veteran contester Andy Blank, N2NT, of Dayton, New Jersey, has been
named the new Director of the CQ World Wide 160-Meter Contest. Blank
succeeds Dave Thompson, K4JRB, who has decided to retire after 16
years at the helm of the event. (CQ)

**

YHOTY: 2008 NOMINATIONS SOUGHT

And a reminder that the nominating period for the 2008 Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year is now open. Any licensed radio
amateur age 18 or younger residing in the United States or Canada is
eligible for the award. Full details and both downloadable and
on-line nominating forms are in cyberspace at www dot YHOTY dot org.
(ARNewsline")

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: HEIL SOUND HOSTING 2008 NAB HAM RADIO RECEPTION

If you are planning to attend the National Association of Broadcasters
Convention, Bob Heil, K9EID, advises that the annual Ham Radio
Reception hosted by Heil Sound will be held on Wednesday night, April
16th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. local Las Vegas time.

As usual, the venue in Ballroom B of the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. The
hotel adjoins the Las Vegas Convention Center which is the home of the
National Association of Broadcasters gathering. Bob says that there
will be lots and lots of prizes and that you never know who might show
up. (Heil Sound, K9EID)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: REPEATERS FOR HAMS ATTENDING THE NAB CONVENTION IN
LAS VEGAS

And the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club invites you to enjoy the use of
our repeaters while you are in town. The club says it will have its
UHF and VHF systems linked together most of the time. According to
Bill Croghan, WBØKSW, the 2-meter repeater is on 146.94 MHz with a
minus 600 kHz offset, and requiring a 100 Hz sub-audible access tone.
The 70 cm system operates on 448.500 MHz with its input MHz lower. It
too requires a 100 Hz tone. (CGC, WBØKSW )

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: THE ARRL AT NAB 2008

Also, last but by no means least, the ARRL will have its usual
presence at NAB 2008. Look for them in Booth L One off to the left of
the main exhibit hall entrance. This years National Association of
Broadcasters Convention runs from April 11th to the 17th, at the Las
Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (CGC, WBØKSW )

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: SHELBY HAMFEST LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME

The famed Shelby Hamfest is not cancelled. But it is looking for a
new home.

Word of the supposed demise of Shelby began spreading across ham radio
cyberspace last week. This as bloggers interpreted a newspaper story
regarding the inability of the Shelby Amateur Radio Club and the
operators of the Cleveland County Fairgrounds to reach agreement on a
contract for the 2008 show.

But Susan Melvin, K4ZXN, who is a member of the Shelby Amateur Radio
club has posted to QRZ dot com that the blogs are not correct. She
says that the Shelby Hamfest has not been cancelled. Rather, the
planners are actively seeking a new site for the show.

Melvin adds that as soon as the official word comes, it will be posted
on the club's website. Its URL is www.shelbyhamfeast.org. (QRZ.com)

**

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: AZDEN'S LEW REINBERG, W2BIE - S.K.

Once again the changing of three guard in ham radio continues. This
with word that Lew Reinberg, W2BIE, formerly with the Amateur Radio
Products division of Azden Communications, has passed away.

Reinberg came to Azden after a long career in the photographic and
electronics industries. This, as a final job prior to his full
retirement several years ago. He left when Azden announced that the
company had decided to exit the ham radio marketplace.

First licensed back in 1954, Reinberg was active on all bands from HF
through UHF. He was an avid DX'er and well known in both the New York
City and Baltimore, Maryland ham radio communities. He was a fixture
with the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club almost since the groups
inception and its said that there was a room in Lew's house that
wasn't within ear shot of a ham radio or scanner.

Lew Reinberg, W2BIE, is survived by his wife Elaine, W2ECR, and son
Steven, N2HOK. Services for W2BIE were held on Monday, March 17th at
the Young Israel of West Hempstead Temple on New York City's Long
Island. (K2EPM)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: COMMERATING THE TITANIC

At least two ham radio groups say that they will mark the 96th
anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic special event
operations. First up is W- Zero-S, which stands for "White Star
Line." It will be on the air from the Titanic Museum in Branson,
Missouri. 1300 UTC on Saturday, April 12, and conclude at 2400 UTC on
Sunday, April 13.

Members of the Nixa Amateur Radio Club and the Southwest Missouri
Amateur Radio Club will bring W0S to life along with corporate
underwriters Icom, MFJ, MicroLog, Rayfield Communications and
Vibroplex. Listen out for this one on SSB, CW, PSK plus some activity
on D-Star, EchoLink and IRLP. More information including a full list
of frequencies and the QSL route is on-line at www dot wzeros dot com

Alson on tape is special event station W1MGY. It will operate from
the Titanic Historical Society Museum in Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts. Operation will concentrate on 20 and 40 meters. Listen
out for it on April 11-12 from 1400 UTC until 2030 UTC both days
QSL' for this one go to the Titanic Historical Society, W1MGY, PO Box
51053, Indian Orchard, MA 01151. (Press releases)

**

WORLDBEAT - ENGLAND: RSGB STAFF MEMBER RUNNING LONDON MARATHON ON STILTS

Meantime. on Sunday April 13th, a Radio Society of Great Britain staff
member hopes to set a new world record. That's when Michelle Frost,
of the RSGB Commercial department, will be running the London Marathon
on four foot high stilts!

Michelle has been stilt-walking for close to ten years but only
graduated to the four foot high ones about three years ago. This time
around she is taking to her lofty perch to raise money for REACH.
This is a U K based charity dedicated to helping children with upper
limb deficiencies.

To date, no-one has ever competed in a marathon on stilts and the
Guinness Book of Records is reportedly starting a new record category
to celebrate. To find out more about Michelle and her charity walk on
stilts, go to www.justgiving.com/rainbowdave on the World-Wide-Web.
(RSGB)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: CELEBRATING 1600 WEEKS OF THE AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE

And finally this week & Hmmm... How many times have you heard those
words on these newscasts? The words "&and finally this week."

Well, if you have been with us since the beginning in 1977, this week
marks the 1600th time one of our news anchors has introduced the last
story of the week with those words going right back to the days we
were the Westlink Radio Network.

It Jim Hendershot, WA6VQP, who originally conceived, produced and
voiced the Westlink newscasts. Actually, Westlink was originally
intended for one newscast to talk about the pros and cons of the
hottest topic of the day. That topic was repeater deregulation:

--

Audio only: Please download and play the mp3 version of the newscast
available at www.arnewsline.org

--

That's how it started. And after 70 some off newscasts, Jim
Hendershot moved away from Los Angeles, turning the reins of Westlink
Radio over to Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. He in turn solicited the
assistance of two friends from NBC News. Broadcast Engineer Bill
Orenstein, KH6QX, and the late Alan Kaul, W6RCL:

--

Audio only: Please download and play the mp3 version of the newscast
available at www.arnewsline.org

--

Over the years there were many highlights of the world of Amateur
Radio that Westlink and then Newsline covered live on tape. Among
them the grand opening of the ham radio station on board the Queen
Mary Ocean Liner and the first QSO's from its refurbished radio room.
That happened back on April 4th of 1979, when the late D-X'er Don
Wallace, W6AM, made that opening night contact.

--

Audio only: Please download and play the mp3 version of the newscast
available at www.arnewsline.org

--

Then there was the first contact made from the space shuttle Columbia
by astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL, and Lance Collister, WA1JXN, in
Ferenchtown, Montana. That QSO took place on November 28th 1983 and
we were the first to bring not only the story, but the sound of the
actual contact as well:

--

Audio only: Please download and play the mp3 version of the newscast
available at www.arnewsline.org

--

But not all of the stories we covered were happy times. One of the
saddest days in ham radio history took place on May 23, 1980. At three
minutes into the launch of Amsat's Phase 3 A satellite something went
wrong with the French-built launch rocket and the ham radio payload
went into the sea:

--

Audio only: Please download and play the mp3 version of the newscast
available at www.arnewsline.org

--

Undaunted, within a few weeks Amsat began work on Phase 3B. It would
go to space on June 16, 1983 and became the highly successful
AMSAT-OSCAR 10. A year later, A Oh 10 was used for the first ever HT
to HT repeater to repeater contact and we brought the sound of that
historic moment to your repeater and even to your HT:

--

Audio only: Please download and play the mp3 version of the newscast
available at www.arnewsline.org

--

Admittedly by today's standards with the Internet, IRLP and Echolink
that 1984 repeater interlink using a ham radio satellite sounds kind
of crude. But it did open the eyes of many hams who had been
conditioned to think of a repeater as a purely local device. Suddenly
repeaters had matured to where a 2 watt H-T could be heard nationwide.
Eventually the technology of the 1990's and this first part of the
21st century would give a tiny hand held a voice heard around the world.

And so here we are in April of 2008, some 30 years and 8 months after
the very first Westlink radio bulletin aired in Los Angeles. Back
then, none of us had any idea that it would be here this long and that
some of us who were there back then would still be doing it now. But
we are and we will continue for as long as you want us. In our book,
you are the most important reason that we work to bring you a timely
news bulletin every week. And as we say at the end of each newscast,
and as we say again today, we thank you for listening.

Im' Jim Davis W2JKD.

The Amateur Radio Newsline is copyright 2008. All rights are reserved.