Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1734 - November 5 2010

NOTE: This weeks newscast runs 33 minutes 18 seconds and includes three
breaks.

**

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1734 with a release date of
Friday, November 5th 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a
Q-S-T. The International Space Station celebrates 10 years of manned
operation and ham radio was there fore most of it. Also, GlobalSET
2010 takes place on November 13th, the Department of Justice acts to
collect a $21,000 fine issued against a Maine radio amateur and an Ohio
radio club receives a major grant to buy new gear. Find out the details
on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1734 coming your way right
now. (Billboard Cart Here)

**

RADIO IN SPACE: THE ISS CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY


The International Space Station marked a major milestone on Tuesday,
November 2nd. This, as it celebrated the 10-year anniversary of human
beings living aboard the orbital outpost. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is
in the newsroom with mo


--


The story of the International Space Stations manned operations began on
November 2, 2000. That's when an American astronaut and a Russian
cosmonaut floated side by side into the station that sits in orbit at
about than 300 km above Earth's surface.


The station's first crew was made up of Russians Yuri Gidzenko, Sergei
Krikalev and American commander Bill Shepherd. In the intervening
decade close to 200 people, many of them licensed radio amateurs have
spent time on board the ISS and operated the ARISS ham station.


The Current Expedition 25 crew is made up of Commander Doug Wheelock,
KF5BOC along with NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Shannon Walker,
KD5DXB. Also on-orbit with them are Russian cosmonauts Fyodor
Yurchikhin, RN3FI, Alexander Kaleri, U8MIR and Oleg Skripochka, RN3FU.
The I-S-S has also been a hotel on-orbit for several visiting space
tourists including Richard Garriott, W5KWQ. He is the son of Astronaut
Owen Garriott, W5LFL, who was the first ham radio operator to take to
the airwaves back in 1982 from the space shuttle Columbia.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden was to have begun the event, speaking
live to the I-S-S crew at 9:15 a.m. EDT from the Kennedy Space Center in
Florida. His remarks and the following news conference were broadcast
live on NASA Television.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reporting
from the Newsroom in the City of Angels.

--

In addition to the crew news conference, NASA is updating the content of
the International Space Station section of its website in recognition of
the 10th anniversary. The update supports the on-going transition from
station assembly to utilization. It now will focus on the research in
the unique microgravity environment of low- Earth orbit as found
on-board the I-S-S.

(ARNewsline Archive, NASA News and various other sources)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SECOND HAM STATION FOR THE ISS

A second ham radio station will soon be on the air from on board the
International Space Station. This, after NASA approves use of the
original VHF and UHF Ericsson handheld radios from the Russian module
for use in the US segment of the orbital outpost.

A new power cable for the Ericsson radios is being delivered to the
I-S-S. The second station is planned to initially use the same
frequencies currently used by the Kenwood D-700 amateur radio
transceiver. Studies are underway to determine a compatible operating
plan which would allow both stations to operate simultaneously.

We will have more ham radio space related news later on in this weeks
Amateur Radio Newsline report. (ARISS)

**


RESCUE RADIO: GLOBALSET ON NOVEMBER 13th

The second Global Simulated Emergency Test of 2010 or is slated for
Saturday, November 13th from 1100 to 1500 hours local time in the
geographic region of the stations taking part. Also known by the
acronym GlobalSET, the operation will take place on and near the
established world-wide Centre-of-Activity emergency frequencies on the
80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 meter bands.

The objectives of GlobalSET are to increase the common interest in
emergency communications, to test how usable the emergency
Centre-of-Activity frequencies are across the three I-T-U regions and
practice the relaying of messages using all modes. The exercise will
also be used to try to create practices for international emergency
communication.

IARU member radio societies and emergency communications group stations
intending to participate are requested to register their intention
through their IARU Regional or National Emergency Communications
Coordinators. (IARU)

**

RADIO POLITICS RAC AND IC MEET TO DISCUSS CANADIAN HAM RADIO

The 35th meeting of the Canadian Amateur Radio Advisory Board took place
on Thursday October 28th. CARAB as its sometimes known, is composed of
representatives from both Radio Amateurs of Canada and Industry Canada.
The latter is the regulator of amateur radio in that nation. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, tells us what occurred:
--

Among key issues discussed at the meeting was Industry Canada's policy
regarding temporary authorization of frequency assignments in amateur
bands to non-amateur services such as last September's Pro Tour race in
Quebec. Radio Amateurs of Canada did all it could to impressed upon the
Industry Canada officials that Canadian amateurs, objected to intrusion
into amateur bands by non-amateur services, especially for non-emergency
purposes. For its part, Industry Canada noted the objection. It also
committed to improve coordination and cooperation and advised that they
were sensitive to Radio Amateurs of Canada's concerns

Industry Canada committed to continue to work with Radio Amateurs of
Canada on the national societies request for an allocation in the 60
Meter band which mirror those frequencies available to United States
amateurs. Radio Amateurs of Canada emphasized the importance of this
request as seen by Canadian amateurs.

Industry Canada and Radio Amateurs of Canada also discussed the positive
role that amateur radio played in emergency situations. Industry Canada
noted that there would be value in more cooperation and planning between
it and Radio Amateurs of Canada in this area. Follow-up meetings between
the two will be arranged over the coming month's.

Lastly, the value of the Canadian Amateur Radio Advisory Board as a
consultative body between Radio Amateurs of Canada and Industry Canada
was reaffirmed by both parties and the Terms of Reference between the
two were updated.

Watching this story from south of the U-S and Canadian border, I'm Norm
Seeley, KI7UP, reporting from Scottsdale, Arizona.

--

The next meeting of Canadian Amateur Radio Advisory Board is anticipated
for April, of 2011 and to be held concurrent with the Radio Amateurs of
Canada Board of Directors meeting. (RAC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: OHIO CLUB RECEIVES GRANT FOR NEW GEAR

The Lancaster and Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club of Lancaster,
Ohio, has received a $5,219.86 grant from the George and Dollie L.
Zimpfer Memorial Fund. The grant, administered through the Fairfield
County Foundation, permitted the club to purchase emergency radio gear
and associated equipment that can be used at all special community
events, local emergencies, natural disasters and during other times used
for membership training and simulated emergency drills. The equipment
will also be used to supplement emergency responders and provide
education and training to volunteers who will assist those responders.
The Lancaster and Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club is a public
service group and has operated the K8QIK repeater on 147.030 MHz since
1976. (Eagle-Gazette.com)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W8LRC repeater
serving Lowell, Michigan.

(5 sec pause here)


**

ENFORCEMENT: US ATTORNEYS OFFICE GOES TO COURT TO COLLECT $21000 FINE
ISSUED AGAINST K1MAN

It has taken almost five years, but the United States Department of
Justice has gone to court to collect a $21,000 fine issued back in March
of 2006 by the FCC to Glenn, Baxter, K1MAN, of Belgrade Lakes, Maine.
This, as two US Attorneys file a Complaint in the US District Court in
Maine against Baxter for not responding appropriately to an order that
he pay the fine that was issued for his alleged violating of several
sections of the Part 97 rules. Amateur Radio Newsline's Burt Hicks, has
the details:

--

The Complaint was filed on October 25 in the US District Court in Maine
by United States Attorney Thomas E. Delehanty and Assistant U.S.
Attorney Evan Roth and. It seeks to force Glenn A. Baxter, K1MAN, to
pay the $21,000 fine along with a $350 court filing fee and other relief
as the Court deems just and proper.

According to the court document, the fine had originally been levied
based on what the FCC had deemed as the defendant's willful and repeated
violations of Sections 97.101(d) and 97.113(a)(3) of the Commission's
Rules. In this case the violation of Section 97.101(d) dealt with
Baxters alleged commencing transmissions on top of existing
communications on 3 point 890 MHz while 97.113(a)(3) involved what the
FCC claimed to be transmitting communications in which the station
licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest.

Baxter had also been cited for willful violation of Section 97.105(a)
which deals with exercising proper control over his amateur station and
Section 97.113(b) which is a prohibition against broadcasting in the
Amateur Service bands. Lastly the complaint notes Baxter's failure to
file requested information pursuant to an FCC Enforcement Bureau
directive.

It should be noted that this action to collect the $21000 fine is a
completely separate action from any further sanctions that the FCC might
take regarding the renewal of Baxter's Amateur Service license and K1MAN
call sign. His renewal request had been in legal limbo since his
license was set aside by the regulatory agency before its expiration
date back in October of 2005. Under the terms of a set aside, an
Amateur Service license holder can continue to operate until the matter
has been properly adjudicated. Payment of a fine or forfeiture will have
no bearing on Baxter's renewal or continued holding of an FCC license.

The action to collect the $21000 fine was brought under Section 503(b)
of the Communications Act of 1934, and Section 1.80 of the FCC Rules and
Regulations. As noted, the original FCC Forfeiture Order was released
March 29, 2006. The deadline for service of process would have been
February 22, 2011 so the Department of Justice beat that date by a
little over 3 months

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Burt Hicks, in Los Angeles.

--

By now, Baxter has likely been informed he has 20 days from date of
service in which to answer the summons. If he fails to respond a
default judgment will be entered against him in U.S. District Court
after which the government can cease whatever property is required to
satisfy the judgment.

Those interested can read the full text of the United States Attorney's
complaint at the ARRL website at tinyurl.com/2dk3mq (DOJ, FCC, ARRL)

**

ENFORCEMENT: NO STAFF RADIO STATION HIT WITH $25000 FINE

The FCC has notified Rama Communications, Inc, the licensee of
A.M. radio station WRHB in Leesburg, Florida, of a proposed forfeiture
in the amount of $25,000. This, for violations of sections 73.1125(a)
and 73.3526 of the Commissions rules.

The FCC says that the violations stem from a recent visit where
inspectors found that Rama failed to maintain full time management and
staff at its main studio. It was also charged with failing to maintain
and make available a complete public inspection file.

The station was given the customary 30 days to pay the forfeiture or to
file an appeal. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT: INDIE POLICE SHOW UP AGAIN ON UNAUTHORIZED FREQUENCIES

For a second time, Indianapolis police are investigating claims that
officers are using radio frequencies assigned to an area school district
without the proper permission to do so. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has the
details:

--

Apparently some members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police
Department are teaching a new lesson on how to abuse public airwaves and
violate FCC rules. According to a report broadcast on one local
Indianapolis TV station, some of Indy's finest are using illegal radios
for chit chat on a local school systems bus frequency.

This abuse of police radio power has been recorded by a former
police-fire dispatcher. According to John, who is a ham radio operator,
the cops not only use the school radio channel but mix foul language
with cross talk about cases on which they are working. John claims he
has recorded about 72 hours of what sounded like car-to-car
conversations, some not fit for broadcast.

This is not the first report of this cop caper. Last year Amateur Radio
Newsline investigated reports of I-M-P-D officers illegally using
amateur radios and frequencies for talk around. The police chief pulled
the plug on all un official in-car-radios and ordered their
communications people to develop a legal radio system that officers
could use for casual talk. Most officers rejected that offer citing the
out of pocket cost and the fact that any established radio channel could
be monitored by the police brass.

In the past year, at least one other local Amateur Radio operator has
filed complaints with FCC offices in Chicago and Washington citing
improper use of radio frequencies by Indianapolis Metro Police Officers.

Following that complaint some officers took the high road by earning
their amateur radio license. But, they soon realized they can't talk
shop on amateur frequencies. The jury remains out on a solution to this
touchy tactical dilemma.

I-M-P-D officials say they again are looking into the issue and will
implement policy changes if needed.

Reporting from Indianapolis, for Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Jack
Parker W8ISH.

--

This is not the first time that members of the Indianapolis Police Force
have been found on radio frequencies where they do not belong. You may
remember back to when hams found officers chatting on both the 2 meter
and 70 centimeter FM sub-bands back in 2009. (ARNewsline(tm) from
published news reports)

**

HAM HONORS: NOMINATIONS FOR LEONARD AWARD SOUGHT BY ARRL

The annual nominations for the Bill Leonard Award for professional media
coverage of Amateur Radio are now being accepted by the ARRL. Completed
nominations are due in no later than December 10th. If you know of a
good media hit in the past year, you can nominate the author, reporter
or writer. Forms and information are at www dot arrl dot org slash bill
dash Leonard dash award. (ARRL)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: HAM FAIR IN LISBON

Portugal's Association of Radioamadores of the Village of Moscavide are
organizing this years Exposition Ham Fair in the city of Lisbon. The
gathering takes place on November 28th and is being billed as one of the
biggest events ever for ham radio in that nation. More information in
electronically translated English is available on-line at
tinyurl.com/3347bds (Southgate)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: K7NRA TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY NRA

And back in the U-S-A, keep an ear out on special events station K7NRA.
It will be active from 1500 to 2300 UTC on November 17th to celebrate
the birthday of the National Rifle Association. Frequencies to keep an
ear on include on 7.250, 14.250 and 21.335 MHz. More information
including QSL routing is on line at tinyurl.com/2fqfrpn (KC5FM) **

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)

**



NAMES IN THE NEWS: VA3QT APPOINTED SPECIAL RAC ADVISOR


Some names in the news. First is Ian Snow, VA3QT, who has been
appointed as Special Advisor to the Radio Amateurs of Canada's National
Field Organization Executive. Snow, an original member of the National
Training Resource Group member, will work closely with National Traffic
System Coordinator Hew Lines VA7HU. The two will initially looking at
ways for both Canadian ARES and the National Traffic System to remain
stay useful to the agencies they serve. This, from both a messaging and
use of technology standpoint. (VO1DTM)


**


NAMES IN THE NEWS: EI4HS GRANTED HIS GRANDFATHERS EI4L CALL


And John Kelly, the former EI4HS has recently been issued the callsign
EI4L. This was the call which was previously held by his grandfather
John Scanlon back in in 1936.


John Scanlon is described as one of the true pioneers of radio in
Ireland. He was among the first to experiment with television in the
years after World War 2 and was also a very active High Frequency DXer.
(IRTS)


**


NAMES IN THE NEWS: DK3WN STREAMING HAMSAT AUDIO


And Mike Ruppercht, DK3WN, is spearheading a project that broadcasts
audio streams received by amateur radio satellite operators around the
world. Links to the audio streams can be found on-line at
tinyurl.com/satsound (Southgate)


**


EMERGING HAM TECHNOLOGY: VOACAP ADOPTS GOOGLE MAPS


In the world of emerging ham radio technology, OH6BG has announced that
the online H-F propagation prediction service VOACAP is now using Google
Maps for coordinate entry. OH6BG says that this should make the service
even more accessible, especially for a casual user.

With this new interface, the transmitter and receiver coordinates are
now defined by dragging two location markers on the map. The mouse
wheel or keyboard keys can be used for zooming in and out so placing the
markers at the exact points as accurately as is possible. This makes
the predictions as accurate as today's science allows. You can find the
site at online dot voacap dot com. (OH6BG)

**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ARISSAT-1 PASSES SAFETY TEST



The NASA safety review for ARISSat-1 has been completed with the written
safety presentation and the written report approved with only simple
modifications required. According to the ARISSat- 1 team, it expects to
finalize shipping arrangements for the satellite structure to Russia in
the coming weeks.


The Russian Energia Space Agency is handling the customs certifications
to ship the satellite overseas. When ARISSat1 is shipped Lou McFadin,
W5DID, and Mark Steiner, K3MS, will travel to Russia to assist with
testing before the satellite is forwarded to the launch site.

ARISSat-1 is scheduled to be sent to the ISS aboard a Russian Progress
vehicle in January 2011 and deployed during a space walk in in February.
(ARISS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: LIGHTSAIL BACKUP SPACECRAFT TO BE BUILT

A second Lightsail spacecraft is going to be constructed. Jim Davis,
W2JKD, has the details:

--

Louis Friedman, who is the director for LightSail-1 program, has
announced that a back- up craft to LightSail-1 will be built. This,
instead of making an investment in insurance for an estimated cost of
$200,000.

As previously announced in July by AMSAT, LightSail-1 is a three Cubesat
spacecraft planned to be launched in early 2011. It will use UHF
frequencies for tracking and command control stations.

Georgia Tech University is leading the mission operations with Dave
Spencer serving as mission manager. California Polytechnic University
is supplying the Cubesat bus, avionics and launch vehicle interface.
Stellar Exploration, Inc. is actually building LightSail-1.

I'm Jim Davis, W2JKD.

--

No date has been announced for the completion of Lightsail2. (ANS,
W9GB)

**

HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE: SARSEM-ICARUS II TO LAUNCH NOVEMBER 20

The Amateur Radio Club of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico will launch
its second high altitude ham radio research balloon on November 20th.
Called SARSEM-ICARUS II, the nearspace balloon will carry a cross-band
UHF - VHF repeater system, an APRS tracking system, temperature, voltage
sensors, a flight computer, and a secondary backup system including
other GPS and control system. It will also carry a photo camera and a
video camera transmitting video downlinking at 900 MHz. More
information is on line at craeg.remtronic.com. (AR Mexico)

**

BREAK 3

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)
**

CONTEST CORNER: THE 2010 ARRL 10 METER CONTEST



The 2010 ARRL 10 Meter Contest will be held from Friday December 10th at
0000 U-T-C through Sunday evening December 12th at 2359 U-T-C. Except
at the peak of the sunspot cycle, 10 meters is generally a daytime band
for DX so you likely lose any sleep with this contest this year. More
information is on-line at www dot arrl dot org slash 10 dash meter.
(N9LB)


**


DX


DL4VM will be active as portable Oh-Z from Fyn Island between May 28th
and June 18th, 2011. His operation will be on 30, 15 and 6 meters,
using CW and PSK. QSL via his home callsign either direct or via the
bureau.


ZL2KBR will be active as 5W0BR from Upolu Island through November
13th. His operation will be on all HF bands using SSB and PSK31. He
plans to use a FT857D at 100 watts into a dipole or vertical
antenna. QSL via his home callsign.


K2TQC, N2MF, W1NG and K2NV are on the air portable PJ2 from Curacao
through November 11th. Activity is on the lower bands. QSL via their
home callsigns.


And listen out for F4BXW as TR8GV from Libreville, Gabon through
November 23rd. His activity will be on the HF bands using SSB. QSL via
his home callsign.

VE3EY, will be active from St.Barthelemy Island as TO3A from November
2nd to the 30th. Operations will be on 160 through 10 meters using CW,
SSB and RTTY. QSL via VE3EY.

Lastly, K8PT will be active as C6APT from Treasure Cay in the Bahamas
between November 27th and December 10th. His operation will be on 40
through 10 meters concentrating on the 30, 17and 12 meter bands. Modes
to be used will bee CW and RTTY. QSL via K8PT.

(Above from various DX news sources)


**

THAT FINAL ITEM: VK1WIA ENDS CENTENNIAL WITH SPECIAL CONTACT

And finally this week, the Wireless Institute of Australia marked the
conclusion of its VK100WIA centennial special event operation on October
31st. This with a special commemorative contact between W-I-A President
Michael Owen, VK3KI, and ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. Take a
listen:

--

Actual QSO audio here. Hear it by downloading this weeks audio version
of the newscast titled news.mp3 at www.arnewsline.org

--

During the contact VK3KI told N3KN that the Wireless Institute of
Australia was pleased that the special event station's final contact
could be with her, and thanked the ARRL for its support and for
participating in the W-I-A Centenary Weekend through ARRL International
Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB. President Owen also said that
the WIA was passing the baton on to the ARRL, as the League would be
celebrates its centenary in four years.

During the centenary event, more than 50 Wireless Institute of
Australia affiliated clubs have used the VK100WIA call sign for almost
six months as part of WIA's centennial celebration. (WIA News)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ
Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain,
the RSGB, the Southgate News and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from
the Amateur Radio Newsline(tm). Our e-mail address is Newsline (at)
arnewsline (dot) 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), 28197
Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350

Please do not forget that in association with the Newark Amateur Radio
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For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Fred
Vobbe, W8HDU saying 73 from Lima, Ohio, and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.