Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1661 - June 12 2009

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1661 with a release date of
Friday, June 12th, 2009 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Navy MARS asks permission to close
operation. Will the government say yes? Also, President Obama says
that part of being prepared is having a weatherproof radio at hand,
WB4APR proposes a new 29 to 24 MHz high frequency satellite, the FCC
T-hunts down an alleged shopping mall jammer, Australia tests its first
digital Amateur Television repeater and Toshiba brings the Morse code
to texting. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report
number 1661 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESTRUCTURING: NAVY-USMC MARS LIKELY TO GO QRT

The days of Navy and Marine Corps MARS may be fast coming to an end.
This, according to a directive released by the commander of the Naval
Network Welfare Command. One that says that this branch of the
Military Affiliate Radio Services will terminate all operations at the
end of this summer. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has
the details:

--

According to the May 16th directive, the commander of the Naval Network
Welfare Command has decided to sunset the Navy's MARS mission effective
September 30th. Sunset in this case means to terminate and disband.
As a result, the Naval Network Welfare Command has requested that all
military and civilian positions be deleted and left un-funded after
that date.

Navy and Marine MARS is a joint operation. One of the consequence of
this decision is that all Navy MARS Area Directors have been ordered to
close their offices no later than the September 30th deadline. The
directive also says that none of the equipment located at Area Director
Stations can be transferred to Navy MARS members. It can however be
given over to other official Navy organizations to help start or equip
military recreation stations. However, approval for this will be on a
case by case basis.

And what about all the radio gear out there in the hands of MARS
members? Also, the equipment that may have been disposed of over the
years by the families of Silent Key Navy MARS operators? Will the Navy
be seeking its return? As we go to air, nobody we have contacted seems
to have any answers to these and other questions related to the
imminent termination of U-S Navy MARS.

There is one caveat. As you are likely aware, all three MARS services
operate under the mandate of the Department of Defense and that mandate
is still valid. While the Army and Air Force have stated their desire
to continue their respective MARS programs, only the Navy has requested
to opt out. For that to happen requires approval up the Department of
Defense chain of command. If that permission is not given the Navy
says that its MARS program will continue, but without any Area
Directors.

More on this as we get it. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce
Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.

--

According to Wikipedia dot com, the organization that led to the
Military Affiliate Radio System was first called the Army Amateur Radio
System or A-A-R-S. It was created in November 1925 by a few dedicated
pioneers in the United States Army Signal Corps led by Captain Thomas
C. Rives. His original intent was to enlist the talents of volunteer
amateur radio operators as a ready source who could train soldiers in
the then new technology of radio, as well as pursuing radio research
and development to improve radio equipment within the Army. This
support would be particularly useful during the mobilization of forces
by providing a pool of already trained radio operators. Their efforts
were very successful, and the present-day MARS program is the direct
descendant of the work of those early pioneers. (K1AA, KZ1Z, others)

**

RESCUE RADIO: PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS TO BE PREPARED

United States President Barack Obama has urged residents of hurricane
inclined areas to take responsibility for their own safety and start
planning now.

Following a recent disaster preparedness briefing at the Federal
Emergency Management Agency the president said that individuals should
be ready with a supply of nonperishable food, water and first aid kits.
This, to wait out any emergency that might hit their area. The leader
of the free world added that it is also essential to have at least one
waterproof radio that will work in the rain.

At his press briefing the president noted that it is state governments
have the primary responsibility for preparing for and responding to
disasters. But he added that all the resources of the federal
government are there to back them up. (Published news reports)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: 28 TO 24 MHz HAMSAT PROPOSED

A satellite with a 29 to 24 MHz linear transponder is being proposed by
the ham who brought the world A-P-R-S. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR,, who
helped in the development of a number of successful amateur radio
satellites has floated a proposal for a satellite with the odd
combination of frequencies for the on-orbit linear transponder.

In an e-mail to the AMSAT Bulletin Board WB4APR says that consideration
is being given to a an HF transponder for the next long range CUBESAT
mission planning. It can have three modes, These are APRS at 1200
baud for command and control and APRS on 145.825; a PSK-31 multi-user
SSB uplink on 29 MHz and FM down link on 145.825 and lastly the already
mentioned 29 MHz uplink and 24 MHz downlink SSB transponder

Bruninga adds that they are looking for someone in the AMSAT community
that wants to contribute to the HF transponder design. (WB4APR)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FOUNDER TO VISIT ISS

The British Broadcasting Company reports that the founder of the
performance group Cirque du Soleil will visit the International Space
Station in September. According to the news service, 49 year old Guy
Laliberte will travel to the International Space Station on a Russian
Soyuz transport vehicle.

Laliberte trip to the International Space Station is estimated to cost
at least $25 million dollars. The Quebec-based billionaire will become
the seventh private citizen to visit the orbital outpost since April
2001. No word yet if he plans to obtain an amateur licensee and
operate from space as all past space adventurers have.

And for those of you who do not know that Cirque du Soleil means, its
French for Circus of the Sun. You can read the full BBC news story at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8083336.stm) (Southgate)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: THE ANSWER IS BLOWEN IN THE WIND

The UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has published a report
dealing with the effects of interference caused by power generating
Wind Farms turbines. This, to Ultra High Frequency and Super High
Frequency communications.

The report was prepared by ERA Technology Ltd and Aegis Systems Ltd.
It describes a technical study in which a series of measurements were
carried out with regard to the presence of wind turbines near to
wireless services.

Some of their findings include the fact that a single turbine can
produce measured fades as large as 3 dB for UHF scanning telemetry
links and 2 dB for fixed links operating between 1.5 and 18 GHz. This,
when the turbine is lying on the transmitter-receiver path. Also
established is that a wind farm with seventeen turbines can produce
measured fades as large as 10 to 15 dB for 1% of the time when the wind
farm is lying on the transmitter-receiver path.

The purpose of the study was to enhance understanding of the effects of
wind turbines near to wireless Services. The full text of this
propagation study and report in PDF Format is available at
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/i...fixed/Windfarm
s/rf_ measurement/windfarm_report.pdf (ANS)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the KC6OCA
repeater serving Lake Isabella California.

(5 sec pause here)


**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC T-HUNTS DOWN SHOPPING MALL RADIO SYSTEM JAMMER

Every once in a while, the FCC hits a home run with outstanding
direction finding work leading to an important find. The case of
Kevin Bondy, the licensee of station WQGX752 who now faces a $24,000
fine is one of those. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
has the rest of the story:

--

According to the CGC communicator, the case involves a dedicated and
industrious jammer causing willful and repeated interference to the
radio channels licensed to The Oaks Shopping Center in Thousand Oaks,
California . Its also the story of an even more dedicated FCC agent
determined to get his man and the FCC release has the full story.

Thousand Oaks is an affluent suburb about 45 miles West of downtown Los
Angeles. And it was there the FCC alleges that Kevin Bondy tried to
force a local shopping center off of its two-way radio channels for
reasons not yet fully understood.

The story goes back to this past February 25th. That's when the Los
Angeles FCC Office received a complaint from the security manager for
The Oaks Shopping Center. He told the FCC that the malls
communications systems 461.375, 462.525, 467.525 and 466.375 MHz were
being jammed.

The next day an agent from the Enforcement Bureau's Los Angeles Office
contacted the security manager. The security manager also told the
agent that the rather brazen jammer had told shopping center to stop
using 461.375MHz which is the security repeater input frequency.

On March 5th the Los Angeles agent T-hunted down the source of
pulsating signals on the 461.375 and 466.375 MHz channel pair. It was
found to be a repeater located within a secured radio communications
facility on Oat Mountain. That's a 3000 foot hilltop in the Santa
Susana Mountains that 's very popular with two-way radio users.

While atop Oat Mountain the agent observed radio equipment which he
found was the source of the pulsating signals and a beam antenna
connected to it pointed in the direction of Thousand Oaks. There
seemed no doubt that this set-up was intended to interfere with normal
transmissions on the shopping centers frequencies,.

Fast forward to March 6th. The FCC agent was monitoring the 461.375
and 466.375 MHz channel pair in the vicinity of shopping center and
again observed pulsating signals. Later that day, in consultation with
personnel from The Oaks and the Ventura County Sheriff's Department,
the Los Angeles agent came up with a plan to locate the person who
source of the transmissions.

Personnel from the shopping center engaged unknown operator into a QSO.
The FCC agent had instructed shopping center personnel to keep the
subject talking for as long as possible so that he could a fix of the
transmissions. They did, and it was during that contact that the
jammer told the shopping center personnel that they had "plenty of
warning" to vacate the frequencies as he demanded. The jammer then
effectively shut down all operations on The Oaks radio systems by
transmitting NOAA weather radio over every channel. The jamming
station then reportedly said that he would gave The Oaks three weeks
to vacate the frequencies. If the center refused, he told them that
there would be more jamming to come. He also told the centers
personnel that the reason for the jamming was -- and we quote: "we need
the channel."

Meantime, the agent was hard at work T-Hunting and at approximately
7:30 p.m., he hit pay-dirt. This, when he found the originating
source of the transmissions to be a vehicle located in the National
Park Service parking structure across the street from the shopping
center.

At this point the Ventura County Sheriff's Department secured the area
and identified the subject as Kevin W. Bondy. The Los Angeles FCC agent
identified himself to Bondy and asked to inspect the radio equipment in
his vehicle. Bondy first refused, then agreed and then refused again.
The agent explained that a refusal to allow an inspection could result
in a fine. Bondy's refusal was witnessed by Ventura County Sheriff's
Department deputies.

On March 9, 2009, the FCC agent revisited the radio communications
facility on Oat Mountain. At that time he observed that the beam
antenna had been removed and the interference to The Oaks radio systems
had ceased.

And now it has literally become time for Bondy to pay the proverbial
piper. In its May 14th Notice of Apparent Liability issued to Bondy,
the FCC says that his violations of the Communications Act warrant his
being fined $24,000.

Bondy was given the usual 30 days to pay up or to file an appeal.
Meantime, the Oaks shopping Center has been interference free thanks to
the work of an unknown but very dedicated FCC agent.

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

--

The penalties faced by Bondy might not end with just a proposed fine.
The FCC can challenge the renewal of his licensee of station WQGX752 or
any other FCC issued license he might hold. It could even order a
license revocation hearing at an earlier date. The full FCC document
is on-line at
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2...-290813A1.html) (CGC, FCC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HELPING THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT

"Helping Those Who Really Need It" is the title of an interesting
article in the June issue of CQ Magazine dealing with the changing
landscape of amateur radio emergency communications. Authored by
former police and fire chief Jerry Boyd. N7WR, the article explains the
way in which non government organizations such as hospitals, bus
systems, schools and independent municipal agencies may be the new
clients that will be looking to ham radio for assistance in coming
days. Boyd points to the California-based Hospital Disaster Support
Communications Service as an excellent example of a ham radio support
group that serves a specific need. You can read the entire article
beginning on page 52 of the June issue of CQ Magazine. Its on
newsstands right now. (ARNewsline(tm))

**

HAM HOLIDAYS: KIDS DAY 2009 - JUNE 20

The second Kids Day operating event of 2009 takes place on Saturday,
June 20th. This, from 1800 to 2400 UTC.

According to the ARRL, Kids Day is an on-air event to encourage young
people who may or may not yet be licensed to have fun with Amateur
Radio. For those who do not hold a set of call letters, it's a chance
to give them a bit of on-the-air experience and hopefully foster
interest in getting a license of their own.

Kids Day also has an important adult purpose as well. For them, it's a
chance for older hams to share their station and love for Amateur Radio
with children in their area.

During Kids Day you simply open your heart and your ham station to the
kids in your neighborhood and operate as much or as little as you like.
All participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate. More
info can be found at http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/kids
(ARRL, others)

**

YHOTY 2009: THE JUDGING IS TAKING PLACE

And speaking about youngsters, there will be an Amateur Radio Newsline
Young Ham of the Year Award presented this year after all. At the last
minute a spurt of valid nominations was received and as we go to air
the judging committee is beginning its deliberation process.

If things go as they usually do, we should know who this years honoree
will be in or around mid-July. In the meantime, please do not contact
Newsline asking who the person selected is. The committee work is
independent of the editorial office and we find out who the person is
only an hour or two before the winner is informed.

And what is and what isn't valid nomination you ask? Well those that
said something like "-my 7 year old just got his Tech ticket so give
him a radio." Those got tossed in the circular file. (YHOTY)

**

RADIO BUSINESS: OEM SUPPLIERS FEELING ECONOMIC PINCH

A shake-out is brewing among the world's top original equipment
manufacturers. These are the folks known as O-E-M's that anonymously
to make the latest cellphones, MP-3 players and even many two-way
radios for big names such as Nokia, Sony, Dell, Apple and many others.

Sub-contract manufacturers produce much of the world's electronics,
with collective revenue of $306 billion in 2008. But as growth dips
into single-digits this year due to the worlds economic recession, and
companies such as Celestica, Sanmina and Elcoteq are seeing their
revenues drop as consumer stop buying and the companies they supply
cutback on orders for new merchandise. This in turn can lead to
consolidation among some of the top of these OEM manufacturers as the
economy worsens and the publics desire for new electronic products
continues to erode. (OEM Electronics News)

**

RETRO RADIO: WE5I ON THE AIR ON 6 METER AM

If you have an old 6 meter Gonset Communicator, Clegg 99'er or any
other ancient 6 meter AM transceiver and a crystal for 50 point 4
Megacycles -- er -- Megahertz, then you might want to dust it off and
fire it up. This is because Graham Welch, WE5I, wants to talk to you
using good old fashioned full carrier A.M..

With the summer 6 meter DX season fast approaching, Graham, who lives
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is on 50 point 4 daily from grid square
E-M-15. He is listening for callers from anyone who wants to take the
time to talk with middle-America on the Magic Band using A-M. He is
also posting his operating schedule on the W6YX VHF Reflector and says
that even if you do not hear him first to call him anyway. He just may
be listening and waiting to hear your call. (VHF Reflector)

**

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)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: AUSTRALIAN DIGITAL ATV FOLLOW-UP

A follow-up to our recent story about the Australian Amateur Television
repeater that's converting to digital operation. Late word is that a
June 7th test transmission made by the VE3RTV machine from a hilltop
east of Melbourne went exceedingly well.

Reportedly, more than a half dozen V-K hams in and around the Melbourne
area received the repeater signal totally noise free. The test
transmitter used commercial quality DVT-B standard digital television
boards made in Germany. Receivers were commonly used domestic
Australian DTV-B converter boxes that were re-tuned to 446.5 MHz A-T-V
frequency.

More on this story can be read in the news section of the Amateur Radio
Victoria website www.amateurradio.com.au (AR Victoria)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: ATLANTA HAMFEST AT 80

The Atlanta Hamfest will celebrate it's 80th anniversary on June 6th.
This, with more than 20 exhibitors, a special event station, ham radio
training and testing all crammed into one great day at Jim R. Miller
Park in Marietta. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. local time. Enhancing the
hamfest will be special event station W4DOC operating both voice and
digital modes throughout the event. For more information and
directions visit www dot atlantahamfest dot com on the World Wide Web.
(N4BFR)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: PAPERS SOUGHT FOR AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM

And a call for has gone out for papers to be presented at the 2009
AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium. Proposals for papers,
symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited on any
topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. A tentative
title of your presentation is required as soon as possible with final
copy submitted by September 1st. This, for inclusion in the printed
proceedings.

The dates of the symposium are October 9th to the 11th. The venue is
the Four Points Sheraton Hotel at the Baltimore Washington Airport.

Abstracts and papers should be sent via e-mail to Dan Schultz, N8FGV.
His e-mail is n8fgv (at) amsat (dot) org. (ANS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: W4LAA TO RETIRE FROM NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT

Some names in the news. First is Paul Kangas, W4LAA, the co-anchor of
"Nightly Business Report" on PBS. He has announced that he will step
down at the end of the year, ending a 30-year tenure on the nation's
most-watched business newscast.

Kangas told Radio World that he was leaving the anchor chair in part to
reduce the pressure of the daily deadlines that come with a TV program.
Now 72, he was hired to be a stock market commentator when the "Nightly
Business Report" had its premiere in 1979. He became an anchor on the
show in 1990. (RW)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: WA4AW NAMED NEW SOUTHEASTERN VICE DIRECTOR

Southern Florida Assistant Section Manager Jeff Beals, WA4AW, has been
appointed Vice Director in the ARRL's Southeastern Division, effective
June 1st.

Beals holds an Extra class licensee, and was first licensed in the
early 1960s as WN2OUK. He splits his time between Royal Palm Beach,
Florida and Dolthan, Alabama.

WA4AW has served as Southern Florida Assistant Section Manager since
2002. He has also held appointments as Section Emergency Coordinator,
Affiliated Club Coordinator, Technical Coordinator, Technical
Specialist and District Emergency Coordinator.

Beals replaces his longtime friend and Dolthan resident Sandy Donohue,
W4RU, who passed away last month. (ARRL)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: W8GSM AND W2GPS TO STEP DOWN FROM AMSAT-NA BOD

Gunther Meisse, W8GSM, and Rick Hambly, W2GPS, have said that neither
plans to seek re-election to the AMSAT North America Board of
Directors. This leaves only Barry Baines, WD4ASW and Drew Glasbrenner,
KO4MA trying for another term.

In addition to Baines and Glasbrenner, others seeking positions on the
AMSAT board thus far are Anthony Monteiro, AA2TX, Bill Ress, N6GHZ and
Alan Biddle, WA4SCA.

Valid nominations for the 2009 AMSAT Board of Directors elections must
be received at the AMSAT office is no later than June 15th. An AMSAT
North America director serves a 2 year term. (ANS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: M0OBW ELECTED NEW RSGB PRES

And the UK's David Wilson, M0OBW, has been elected as the new president
of the Radio Society of Great Britain. This, to serve for the 2010 to
2011 term.

Wilson currently holds positions of Emerging Technologies and RSGB
Convention on the society's board . He is also very active in the
RSGB-sponsored Train the Trainer program. (GB2RS)

**

ON THE AIR: CANADIAN GROUP CELEBRATES ASTRONOMY

On the air, word that Canada's Westcoast Amateur Radio Association will
be QRV as VE7IYOA during the month of June. Their QTH is Victoria,
British Columbia and they are operating to mark the International Year
of Astronomy. Their main operating times will be on weekends ands and
during the upcoming ARRL Field Day. QSL to VE7DAO. (WARA)

**

ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING THE ORIGINAL 13 US COLONIES

A special event to celebrate the 13 original colonies that be came the
United States will be on the air from July 1st at 1300 U-T-C to July
5th at 04:00 U-T-C. According to KU2US. a full color certificate with
a map with state flags of all the 1776 colony states will be available
to each station who works one or more of the special event stations.
Full details are at
http://home.comcast.net/~dzabawa/ThirteenColonies.htm (via E-mail)

**

ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

The Vienna International Center Amateur Radio Club was on the air as
4U1WED on "World Environment Day. This year the center also celebrates
its 30th anniversary and thus and outside Environment Day will use the
call 4U30VIC from July until December. QSL cards for both calls should
be sent via the bureau to 4U1VIC. (QRZ-DX)


**

DX

In D-X, F5JNE will be active from Belle-Ile-en-Mer between 16 and 24
June. Operation will be CW only on 40 and 20 meters, mainly in the
evenings. QSL via F5JNE, direct or by the French REF Bureau.

K7BV will return to San Andres as 5J0BV between June 18th to the 29th.
He will concentrate on 6 meter Sporadic E contacts but will also
activate the high frequency bands as well QSL direct to K7BV via his
QRZ.com address.

F6ITD, will be also be active from the same location between the 20th
and 28th of June. Activity will be on many of the HF bands on SSB
only. QSL via F6ITD.

G4KIU, has moved to Rarotonga and is operating as E51SC using SSB,
RTTY, PSK31 and some CW on 80 through 10m. QSLs via bureau to G4KIU or
direct to Nigel Peacock, PO Box 880, Rarotonga, Cook Islands via New
Zealand. He is also uploading his log data to the Logbook to the
World, but once a week.

8N5I will be on the air from Shikoku Island until June 15th. QSL via
the JARL bureau.

W5YDX operating portable VP9 will be on Bermuda through June 24th. He
plans to operate holiday style focussing on 20 and 17 meters using 100
watts and dipoles. QSL via W5YDX.

KJ4GNB is on Ascension Island and has been heard as ZD8DC in SSB on 20
meters. The length of his stay is not known. QSL cards should be sent
via bureau to KJ4GNB.

Lastly, PF4T will be active as 8Q7TB from Embudu Island through June
25th. He's reportedly operating only SSB on 40 and 20 meters using an
FT-897 and a G5RV antenna. QSLs direct or via bureau to PA0LEY.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: CLIQUE TO TEXTING USING MORSE

And finally this week, texting addicts will soon have a new plaything,
but will need to learn C-W to use it. This, as Toshiba teams up with
microprocessor manufacturer Intel to produce Clique. This is described
as a handheld, thumb-operated communications device that uses only
three keys produce Morse code for sending text messages.

A Toshiba spokesperson says that Morse was chosen as the communications
medium because it is an easily learned and is ideally suited to the
single-digit platform. She explained that the Morse code has been in
use for more than 160 years which longer than any other electronic
encoding system.

Earlier attempts to create a Morse-based texting device were stymied by
the variable length of the Morse characters which made it hard to adapt
to automated text conversion circuits. Toshiba's solution is the three
keys. One is used for dots, another for dashes and the third that acts
as a space-bar between letters. One tap separates letters while two
taps go between words.

First released in Japan at the 2008 Microprocessor Forum, the Clique is
the size and shape of a lollipop with the handle acting as a miniature
joystick. Its reception in Japan has been described as fast and
furious as early adopters added ‘Clique' to their armory of hand-held
communications devices.

The Clique is not yet available in the United States but more about it
is on-line at http://mhpbooks.com/mobylives/?pe35 (KZ1Z)

**

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(tm). Our e-mail address is
. 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 Don
Carlson, KQ6FM, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.