NOTE TO PREFEED LIST: Because Ill be away from Los Angeles next week
attending the Dayton Hamvention, and because this list lives only on my PC
there will be no "prefed" sent out dor newscast 1605. Please just assume
it will be at the www.yhoty.org website at about this time on Friday, May
16 and download the text version there. The prefeeds will resume for
newscast 1606 on May 23. -- ARNewsline

Amateur Radio Newsline" Report 1604 - May 9, 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1604 with a release date of Friday,
May 9th, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. First response planners say major disasters and
communications tops their list of concerns. Also, seven new ham radio
cubesats are in space, B-P-L appears dead in Dallas Texas and scouts get
ready for Hamvention 2008. Find out how on Amateur Radio Newsline" report
number 1604 coming your way right now.



(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: SURVEY SAYS TECHNOLOGY PARAMOUNT TO PLANNERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS

First responders say that responding to a major disaster is their top worry
and technology plays a key role in planning. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has mo

--

The May issue of Popular Communications Magazine says that sixty five
percent of 200 public safety officials and first responders cited the
ability to respond to natural disasters as a top concern. This, in response
to a nationwide survey conducted jointly by the Association of Public
Safety Communications Officials and telecommunications manufacturer Motorola.

The survey revealed that in the area of interest in new technology, some 47
percent of those surveyed had interested in new satellite tracking
technology. Another 41 percent said automatic license plate recognition was
a paramount issue.

Regarding the area of communications, given a hypothetical funding increase
for their departments, public safety officials seemed to agree that almost
as much needed to be spent on communications technologies than on training
of personnel. Communications improvements were only topped by the need for
additional personnel.

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

--

The complete article is on page 8 of the May issue of Popular
Communications magazine. (PopComm)

**

RADIO LAW: FCC REFUSES PETITION TO EXPAND 2 METER REPEATER SUBBANDS FOR
DIGITAL OPERATIONS

I'm Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, with late breaking news. Dateline Washington D-C
where the Federal Communications Commission on May 7th denied a petition
filed by two California hams asking that an additional repeater subband be
created on 2 meters. This, ostensibly to permit the introduction of digital
voice repeaters in areas where no spectrum exists for them.

In the petition for Rule Making filed last October 10th, Ken D. Chafin,
W6CPA, and Leon J. Brown, KC6JAR, Commission amend its rules to allow
repeater stations to transmit in the 145.5 to145.8 MHz segment of the 2
meter amateur band. This, in addition to the 2 meter frequency segments
currently authorized for repeater station operation. In their petition
Chafin and Brown argued that additional spectrum is needed for repeater
stations because some amateur repeater stations have begun using certain
digital communication protocols, and "digital voice operation is
incompatible with existing analog operations . This, because digital voice
users are unable to determine if the desired frequency is in use by analog
users and can inadvertently cause harmful interference to those users. The
pair also argued that coordinating groups have been unable to separate
analog and digital voice repeater operations to avoid harmful interference
because the available repeater spectrum in the 2 meter band is fully
occupied by existing analog users in most metropolitan areas."

After consideration of their request, the agency concluded that the
Petition does not present grounds for the Commission to propose to amend
its rules. That repeater stations are authorized to transmit on any
frequency in the 2 meter band except the 144.0 to 144.5 MHz and 145.5
to146.0 MHz frequency segments. These two segments were excluded to
minimize the possibility of harmful interference to other amateur service
stations and operating activities, especially "weak signal" operations. The
FCC says that allocating an additional three hundred kilohertz of the 2
meter band to repeater operation would not be consistent with that concern.
Rather, it would likely result in increased interference to non-repeater
stations.

Moreover, to the extent that the petition proposes a separate frequency
segment for use by digital but not analog repeater stations, the FCC note
that when the Commission has previously addressed the issue of interference
between amateur stations engaging in different operating activities, it has
declined to revise the rules to limit a frequency segment to one emission
type in order to prevent interference to the operating activities of other
amateur radio service licensees Rather, the Commission noted that
interference between amateur stations is already addressed by Section
97.101(b) and (d) of the Commissions Rules. These require amateur licensees
to cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and in making the most
effective use of amateur frequencies, provide that no amateur frequency
will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station allocated to the
Amateur Radio Service, and prohibit operators from willfully or maliciously
interfering with or causing interference to any radio communication or signal.

The bottom line. The FCC says no new repeater subband will be created to
cater to the desires of digital voice operators. Rather, those wanting to
use this or any other emerging modes will have to do so within the context
of the existing Amateur Services rules. Rules that say repeaters, be they
analog or digital have to stay in their own R-F back yards and operate in a
way as to cause no interference to other users of bands where repeater and
non repeater operations both exist. It also might be viewed as a kind of
subliminal warning to coordinators who are considering putting digital
voice repeaters in spectrum outside of established repeater subbands to
reconsider and not make such a move. (FCC)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: 7 NEW CUBESAT - HAMSATS ALL OK

The April 28th launch of 10 satellites aboard an Indian Space Research
rocket put 7 amateur radio cubesats and 3 commercial scientific birds into
space. Telemetry indicates that all solar panels and antennas have properly
deployed. Other telemetry shows values for all on orbit housekeeping
activities are normal. More on these birds is on line at the U-R-L in this
weeks printed Newsline report.

An excellent source of information for each of these satellites can be
found at: http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm (scroll down to the
April 28 data). Also see Ralph W0RPK Cubesat Webpage at:
http://showcase.netins.net/web/wallio/CubeSat.htm. (ANS)

**

THE BPL WAR: NEWSPAPER REPORTS "BPL PLAN IS DEAD IN DALLAS

Broadband Over Powerline or B-P-L appears to be a dead issue in Dallas, Texas.

The ARRL quotes a Dallas Morning News report that a plan for using power
lines to deliver Internet service to 2 million area homes collapsed. This
after Current Group, LLC announced plans to sell its Dallas B-P-L network
for $90 million to Oncor.

Oncor is a regulated electric distribution and transmission business that
reportedly has no plans to offer Internet service. Instead it will use the
network to detect power distribution monitoring.

Current originally touted the network as a way to offer Internet service to
its consumers and had entered into a marketing arrangement with DirecTV.
DirecTV customers who get Internet service through Current's network will
probably lose service when the deal goes through.

Dallas and Houston are the only metropolitan areas in Texas with BPL
Internet access to customers homes. Austin had also considered the use of
B-P-L but decided against it.

More is on-line at
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-current_02bus.ART.State.Edition1.460d413.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...N-current_02bu


s.ART.State.Edition1.460d413.html

.. (ARRL)

**

BREAKING DX NEWS: MARKET REEF WILL BE ON IN JULY

Some breaking news in the world of D-X. Word has been released that six
well known operators will activate Market Reef between from July 11th to
the 14th . The expedition is time so that the operators will be able to
take part in the I-A-R-U High Frequency World Championship event on July
12th and 13th.

The group says that it will have three stations on the air on 160 through 6
meters. All operators will use their home calls portable Oh J Zero before
and after the IARU Contest, except for O-H-1-V-R who will use O-J-Zero-V-R.
QSL each station to his or her home calls and O-J-Zero-V-R via OH1VR.

A special callsign for the contest has been applied for and is not yet
known. We will have more DX news later on in this weeks Amateur Radio
Newsline report. (OPDX)

**

RADIO LAW: COMPANY WANTS TO TRANSMIT DRM IN ALASKA

Digital Aurora Radio Technologies has applied to the FCC to use Short Wave
Digital Radio Mondiale in Alaska. A report on the 26 MHz D-R-M site at
www.26mhz.us say that the company has applied to the FCC for authorization
to experiment with statewide DRM in the 5, 7 and 9 MHz shortwave bands.
While no specific frequencies are mentioned the company says that its
ultimate goal of this project is to provide a terrestrial digital radio
service to the citizens of Alaska.

A unique element of the proposed station is its use of government surplus
over-the-horizon radar transmitters for the project. Tests by the system
manufacturer, Continental Electronics, demonstrated the capability of the
transmitter to broadcast Digital Radio Mondiale with excellent performance
characteristics and within the spectral mask recommended by the ITU for
this mode

The FCC has assigned the callsign WE2XRH to this station, but its license
was pending at the time of this writing. Digital Aurora Radio Technologies
is home based in Delta Junction Alaska, approximately 130 miles southeast
of Fairbanks. Digital Radio Mondiale or DRM is an open, non-proprietary
digital standard for sound and data broadcasting, world-wide. (Southgate)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the following
bulletin station.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: THE VOIP HURRICANE NET WANTS YOU

If you are skilled in emergency communications then the Voice over Internet
Protocol or VoIP Hurricane Net wants you.

According to a press release the VoIP Net Management team is looking for
operators from any geographic area to maintain a net for as long as
emergency communications are required before, during and shortly after
hurricanes. This could be up to 24 hours a day and sometimes for several days.

Net Control Operators from the Pacific, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and
other international areas are also very essential. They play a critical
role in assisting net operations during the overnight hours of a North
American activation during their local daytime. This, by providing North
American controllers a rest period during their normal overnight hours.
Also needed are hams fluent Spanish in order to further support operations
in South and Central America, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

The net management team will be offering control operator training in the
coming weeks. If you're interested please contact Rob Macedo, KD1CY, who is
the Director of Net Operations or Scheduler Jim Palmer, KB1KQW who is the
nets weekly Activation Net Control. Both are good in the callbook or at
QRZ.com.

The VoIP Hurricane Net was created in 2002. It serves as a support network
providing services to WX4NHC. Thats the amateur radio station at the
National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. (VOPI Net Release)

**

RESCUE RADIO: FCC WANTS CELL SITES TO HAVE EMERGENCY POWER

The government wants every cellular telephone tower in the country to have
at least 8 hours of battery or other power backup at every one of the
nations cellular tower and other receive and transmit sites, but it has not
addressed how the cell phone infrastructure will be able to handle the
millions of calls that might be expected during a man made or natural
disaster. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

The FCC says that when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, wind
and flooding knocked out power to hundreds of cell towers and cell sites.
This says the regulator lead to the silencing of wireless communication
exactly when emergency crews and victims needed it.

To avoid similar telecommunications collapse in the future, the Federal
Communications Commission wants cellular transmitter sites in the U.S. to
have at least eight hours of backup power in the event mains power fails.
Several cellular service providers agree that their networks need to become
more resilient to disaster, but they oppose the FCC's backup power
regulations, claiming they were illegally drafted and would present a huge
economic and bureaucratic burden.

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has already placed put the new
regulations on hold while it considers an appeal by some in the wireless
industry. But the FCC is expected to fight hard to get its way. The agency
says that the need for backup power at cell sites in the event of
emergencies has been made abundantly clear by recent events, and the cost
of failing to

have such power may be measured in lives lost.

There is one fallacy with the FCC argument. While battery power at cell
sites might keep them operational unless the tower falls or the site is
totally destroyed, it does not mean that very many calls would get through.
The very nature of the cellular telephone infrastructure is rather fragile
and was not developed to be a stand alone emergency communications system.
Thats because its open for anyone, anywhere to use 24 hours a day.

What the FCC has yet to address is how to handle the call volume that would
likely bring cellular service to a halt if an emergency like the agency is
describing were to come to pass. An emergency where a decentralized two way
radio system would likely be the only form of communications system to
survive. An emergency communications system such as that provided free of
charge by radio amateur across the United States and world wide.

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

--

There are almost 210,000 cell towers and roof-mounted cell sites across the
country and carriers have said many would require some modification. At
least one industry estimate puts the price tag for an 8 hour back up power
system at up to $15,000 each. (Published reports)

**

PUBLIC SERVICE: SOUTHWEST MISSOURI SKYWARN AT EMNERGENCY EXPO

Hams who are active in the Southwest Missouri SKYWARN network along with
the National Weather Service, demonstrated what they do during the Family
Preparedness Festival on Saturday, May 3rd at the Springfield Expo Center.
The display was part of an emergency expo sponsored by Convoy of Hope and
the Springfield, Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

The Southwest Missouri SKYWARN group handed out packets of information from
the National Weather Service on severe weather spotting and safety . They
also had a tornado simulator operational and screened videos of tornadoes
and severe thunderstorms taken from the field.

Ham radios and other specialized equipment used in severe weather spotting
was in full operation for public viewing. Information was available to
anyone looking to become a ham radio operator and the needed training to
participate in SKYWARN. (eHam)

**

PUBLIC SERVICE: NEW POLL - ARE THEY COMING OUR WAY

Bill Morine, N2COP, says that for the first time in several years, his
local club in Williamgton, North Carolina, has been asked by two non-profit
groups to provide communications for events. The first was the local air
show where there were 10 hams helped to coordinate a crowd of 20,000. The
second is an upcoming local YMCA group that will be hosting a 1,300
participant triathlon in November.

Accordong to Bill, in both cases, staff members said they had approached
cellular service providers which had supplied phones to their events since
the 1990s. The cell carriers said they didn't want to any longer donate
phones or air time to the events

Bill says that if this trend is true, it can re-open public service
opportunities and media exposure for amateur radio. He and we are curious
if anyone else out there is witnessing the same thing. Please check the
on-line polls area at www dot arnewsline dot org to respond. (N2COP,
ARNewsline")

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: 5TH ANNUAL ARMAD ON MAY 24

May is Military Appreciation Month and the fifth annual Amateur Radio
Military Appreciation day -- better known as ARMAD -- will take place May
24th.

ARMAD is an award winning event and live forum involving Amateur Radio
Operators from around the world to spread messages of support for our
Military Veterans, and Active Duty Members.

A non-political Amateur Radio Project that has grown rapidly, ARMAD has
received recognition and support from many local communities and national
organizations.

ARMAD encourages our Amateur Radio Operators from our communities to gather
at public venues such as shopping malls, parks, VA Hospitals and sporting
events, to allow the public to express verbal positive support live over
two way radio for members of the Military, Veterans, Reserves, National
Guard, and Military Support Groups.

ARMAD has produced a public service spot suitable for airplay on any radio
station. We've heard it and its great. For more information please visit
www.armad.net. (armad)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: GW1FKY CALL IS IN SPACE

The Southgate News reports that Ken Eaton GW1FKY had always dreamed of one
day flying in space. Now, thanks to the Technical University of Delft,
GW1FKY is orbiting the earth. At least he is vicariously. The story goes
like this.

When the team building the Delfi-C3 satellite, attended the AMSAT-UK
International Space Colloquium they made a very generous offer to help
boost AMSAT-UKs satellite building fund. They decided to allow one
Amateur's callsign to fly in space onboard their satellite. This chance to
have your call sign fly on the satellite was auctioned at the Annual
AMSAT-UK Dinner and there was fierce bidding to win this privilege. Ken
Eaton GW1FKY was the winner and his call sign was put into Delfi-C3 and has
now been launched into Earth orbit. (Southgate)

**

HAMVENTION NEWS: DAYTON EXECUTIVE HOTEL CLOSES

Turning to Hamvention related news, word that the Dayton Executive Hotel, a
253-room hotel on Needmore Road, has closed. WHIO-TV reported Tuesday,
April 29th that the hotel, that the hotel has 231 rooms, but it was only
about 10 percent booked. Former employees told the station that mainly
construction workers were their guests at the present time.

In relation to the Dayton Hamvention, the Dayton Executive Hotel was one of
the closest to the Hara Arena. Located at the Needmore Road exit of
Interstate 75, it was mainly frequented by smaller vendors and flea market
sellers who wanted to stay as close to the Hara complex.

At airtime its unknown as to how many Hamventiuon goers, if any, will be
affected by the Dayton Executive Hotel closure. (News reports)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: 350 ATTEND EMCOMMWEST IN RENO

Emcommwest, an ARRL Specialty Convention sported a record crowd of over 350
people this year in Reno, Nevada.

Keynote speaker, Dennis Dura, K2DCD Emergency Preparedness and Response
Manager from the ARRL said that he was delighted with the convention and
that he just may have to make this event one of his regular visiting sites.

Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH special council of the FCCs enforcement Bureau,
who thanked amateur radio emergency communicators for their hard work with
disasters and for assisting many served agencies. He said that amateurs
should be commended for their work in support to their nation and local
communities.

Mr. Ham Radio, Gordon West, WB6NOA came in from southern California, as a
forum presenter and banquet speaker. His presentation kept the capacity
crowd on their toes as he did one of his famous presentations, this time
with a piece of smoking gear, allegedly purchased at the Saturday morning
swap meet. This was one of the highlights of the weekend.

Emcommwest will be back next year May 1-3 once again in Reno. For pictures
of the event, check the website at www dot emcommwest dot org. (Emcommwest)

**

HAM RADIO ON THE WEB: HOUSTON AMSAT NET ON ITUNES

The Houston AMSAT Net Podcast has now been picked up by iTunes. To
subscribe, do a search on the iTunes site for "Houston AMSAT Net," "KK5DO"
or "Bruce Paige." Any of those three search arguments should bring it up
and you will then be offered the opportunity to subscribe to the Podcast. (ANS)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for todays 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)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FORMER K7ANQ - AGE 99 - SK

99 year old former Alaska resident Lily Osterback Alford, the former K7ANQ,
died April 24th at home in Lake Stevens, Washingtron.

According to the Anchorage Daily News, it was in the 1930's that newspapers
labeled Lily as the 'Queen of the North.' because she had the ability to
communicate with people all over the world on the family's homemade
transmitter and receiver.

According to family members Lily was half Aleut. Her greatest moment of
fame came in the early 1930s as the only 'Indian Girl' in the United States
to hold a ham radio license at that time.

A memorial celebration of the life of Lily Osterback Alford was held at the
Bitterlake Community Center in Seattle, Washington. (Anchorage Daily News)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: INTERNET INTO THE JET BLUE

The Internet is taking to the sky and its using radio to do it. Jim Damron,
N8TMW, has the details:

--

JetBlue Airways will be teaming up with Research in Motion and Yahoo to
provide free e-mail and instant messaging on its flights. Network World
says that this means that there are now at least four airlines with
announced plans to experiment with in-flight broadband connectivity. Others
involved in bringing passengers a similar service include American
Airlines, Alaska Airlines and the newly formed Virgin America.

What does not seem to be on the table at this time is in-flight cellular
telephone use. While many business people believe it would be advantageous
to be able to conduct deals from on high, others in the general public say
that they do not want to be annoyed by someone chatting away coast to coast
as they try to grab a few hours of sleep. So for now it looks as if text
messaging and maybe Internet browsing will be the first major step in
bringing the Internet to the sky.

From Charleston West Virginia, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW, reporting.

--

Look for more airlines to jump on board the inflight web access band-wagon
before years end. (Science OnLine)

**

WORLDBEAT - ITALY: ITALIAN HAMS GET 4 METER BAND

Italy's Ministry of Communications has authorized Italian amateurs to use
three spot frequencies on the 4 meter or 70 MHz band. All modes are
permitted at a maximum of 25 watts effective radiated power on 70.100,
70.200 and 70.300MHz, plus or minus 25 kHz. This experimental allocation
runs until December 31, 2008. Further information can be found at
www.space.it/70MHz. (SouthgaTE)

**



WORLDBEAT - UK: RSGB COMPLETES MOVE TO NEW HQ

The Radio Society of Great Britain has completed its relocation to its new
headquarters in Bedford and is fully operational. The Bedford office is
purely administrative and will not be open to visitors.

A new visitors center, the RSGB Pavilion, will be set up at Bletchley Park.
It will include the National Amateur Radio Library and Museum and the GB3RS
shack. Bletchley Park is an estate located in the town of Bletchley, in
Buckinghamshire. During World War II, it was the location of the United
Kingdom's main Nazi axis code-breaking operation.

As to the RSGB move, for the time being, QSL Bureau cards should continue
to be sent to PO Box 1773, Potters Bar, EN6 3DP. They are being
automatically forwarded to the QSL handler. The new headquarters mailing
address is 3 Abbey Court, Priory Business Park, Bedford, England, MK44 3WH.
The phone number and all e-mail addresses remain the same. (rsgb)

**

WORLDBEAT - NEW ZEALAND: IARU REGION 3 TURNS 40

Region 3 of the International Amateur Radio Union is turning 40. The New
Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters bulletin says that this month marks the
40th anniversary of the formation of Region 3 which was formed in 1968 at
its Inaugural meeting, held in conjunction with the 1968 Federal Convention
of the Wireless Institute of Australia. In the city of Sidney

From outside Australia those present at this meeting included Harry
Burton, ZL2APC, and Tom Clarkson, ZL2AZ, from New Zealand. Also present
were Emilio Asisitores, DU1EA, of the Philippines, along with Kan
Mizoguchi, JA1BK, and Kenichi Kajii, JA1FG, from Japan.

Attending representing the IARU world body was its then President Bob
Denniston, W0DX. National societies represented at the inaugural congress
were the JARL, NZART, PARS and the WIA. (NZART)

**

ON THE AIR: INTERNATIONAL MUSEUMS WEEKENDS FROM GREECE

Greece will be on the air for a pair of upcoming ham radio operating
events. SV2CWV, SV2HRV, SV2KBB and SV2LBB will be active using the special
callsign SX2MT during the 2008 International Museums Weekends from the
Museum of Vergina in Hella, Greece.

The International Museums Weekend takes place on the weekends of June 14th
and 15th and 21st to the 22nd. Activity by the Greek stations will be on
all bands and using all modes. QSL via SV2KBB, direct only or
electronically using eQsl (opdx)

**

DX

In D-X, word that members of the Ukrainian National Team will be active as

EM5HQ during the 2008 IARU HF Contest on July 12th and 13th. The QSL
manager for this year event is UR5EAW. All QSLs will be sent via the QSL
Bureau. Stations making 4 QSOs with the station EM5HQ will be sent a
special certificate.

M0OXO and M0NJW will be active as MJ0X from Les Minquiers Islands during
the R-S-G-B Islands On The Air Contest on July 26th and 27th. Outside of
the contest, look for Charles to sign GB8LMI between July 23rd and the
29th. QSL via M3ZYZ.

JL3RDC will be active as NH0DX from the Marians Islands during the

CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest from October 25th to the 26th. This, as a
Single-Operator, All-Band High-Band entry. QSL via JL3RDC direct only. No
cards will be accepted via the bureau.

PA0IJM, will be active as SI9AM from the King Chulalongkorn Memorial
Amateur Radio Societyin Sweden from late evening through May 15th. QSL via
SM3CVM, by the bureau or direct to his Callbook address.

A7HMZ will make his usual regular May trip to Pohnpei and will once again
be active as V63DX between May 19th and the 24th. He will operate on all
band and modes including 6 meters. QSL via JA7HMZ.

Lastly, Ted Melinosky, K1BV, says that he has assumed QSL Manager duties
for 4L8A. Ted is also the QSL Manager for D4B, D44TT and EY8MM. His address
is 12 Wells Woods Road, Columbia, CT. 06237.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: SCOUTS AT HAMVENTION 2008

And finally this week, if you see a lot of scouts in the halls And flea
market of the 2008 Dayton Hamvention, it wont be an illusion. Thats because
Scout Leaders will be reaching out to ham radio operators at Hamvention to
encourage them to provide more amateur radio opportunities to scouts back
in their home towns. Amateur Radio Newsline's own scout leader, Mark
Abramovich, NT3V, is here with the details:

--

Bill Ragsdale, K6KN, is a district chairman for Yolo, in the Golden Empire
Council in Woodland, California, just outside of Sacramento.

A ham since 1954, Bill came up with the idea of combining his two hobbies -
Scouting and amateur radio into a presentation he'll give on Saturday, May
17 at 9 a.m. in Room 2 at Hamvention

"I put together a 45-minute program on the interaction between Scouting and
ham radio," explains Ragsdale. "It's called 'Adventures with Elmer Baden
Powell. It's a play on the concept of Elmer as a mentor and Baden Powell as
the founder of the Scout movement."

Ragsdale, active on Scouting internet chat sites, has assembled a small
staff of volunteers to help deliver a program that will offer lots of good
ideas for hams willing to hook up with Scouts.

"We cover how to get involved with the Jamboree on the Air, how to use IRLP
and Echo Link to establish worldwide communications and how to put on local
events at that time period," Ragsdale says.

The bottom line, Ragsdale says, is it's easy to get involved.

"Scouts have events such as camporees, jamborees, jamborama that are
outdoor events and we find that amateur radio is a natural fit for that,"
he says.

Ragsdale says he's also setting up a booth in one of the exhibit halls to
encourage some networking between Scouts and hams.

"We anticipate we'll have 500 or 600 people come by the booth and our idea
is to educate them and provide resources for them that they can take away
with them," Ragsdale says.

And, there's one more thing the group will do.

Matt Murphy, KC8BEW, of the Muskingham Valley Council in Zanesville, Ohio,
is behind an effort to get Boy Scout camps which have ham radio operating
for the summer to register with a database he's calling SCOTA for Scout
Camps on the Air.

"We'll kind of pattern it like some of the others, lighthouses for one,
IOTA, something like that," Murphy says. "And, what we'll do is come up
with a numbering system which, incidentally, has been provided to us by the
Boy Scouts of America because every council has an assigned number."

Murphy says the idea has been gelling for less than a year. He says he's
looking first to gather the data and then set up a general area on the web
where it can be accessed.

"It started out about six, eight-months-ago," Murphy says. "Started coming
up with the idea and started taking it from there. And, I'm hoping to get
some contact with Boy Scouts at the national headquarters.

"My council, local council is helping out a little bit and kind of get the
word out to begin that way."

You can learn more about this program by going to our website, A-R
Newsline-dot-O-R-G, click on the script for this

week's show and scroll down to That Final Item where you'll find a website
anchored by W6BSA and Ragsdale.

Visit http://YoloBSA.editme.com/Dayton for further information.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.

--

The 2008 Dayton Hamvention takes place May 16th, 17th and 18th at the Hara
Arena. To name manufacturers will be there, The ARRL will have its expo
there. Newsline will be hosting the Ham Radio Town Meeting on Saturday the
17th and we hope to see many of you there as well. (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 .
More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's" 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.

A reminder that the nominating period for the 2008 Amateur Radio Newsline
Young Ham of the Year Award ends at midnight on May 30th. Nominations
postmarked after that time or received electronically after that time will
not be considered. A nominating form as a dot pdf file is available at our
special Young Ham of the Year website at www.yhoty.org. Download it, fill
it out and send it to us by U-S mail or electronically.

Again thats www.yhoty.org to nominate a young ham for this years Amateur
Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year. And as we said, the nomination
cuttoff date is midnight on May 30th, 2008.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, Im Don Carlson,
KQ6FM, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline" is Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.