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Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1545 - March 23, 2007
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1545 with a release date of Friday, March 23rd, 2007 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a Q-S-T. The power goes out and the interference goes away. Find out how a bolt of lightning strike provided proof positive that Broadband Over Powerline is a nightmare for High Frequency radio communications. That story and more on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1545 coming your way right now. (Billboard Cart Here) ** BPL INTERFERENCE: THE LIGHTNING STRIKE OF PROOF A lightning induced power failure in an Australian community has provided graphic proof that Broadband Over Powerline communications can be the source of massive interference to High Frequency communications. W-I-A newsman Justin Giles-Clark, VK7TW, joins us from South Hobart with the details: -- On the morning of 17 February 2007 a lightning strike caused the loss of power in the Mt Nelson area. With power and BPL systems non- operational, background noise level measurements where taken around the QTH of VK7HCK and VK7HK. Measurements were taken on 20 meters using Owen VK1OD's field strength measurement software. Comparisons between the previous noise floor measurements taken in January, March and July 2006 and measurements taken with no power and no BPL, show a noise floor that is between 10.9dB (12 times lower) and 12.6dB (18 times) lower than the previous noise floor measurements taken outside the BPL Trail area. The most likely explanation for the lower measured noise floor level is the lack of power in the previously BPL enabled area. This would mean that all mains power devices including BPL equipment would have ceased to operate and therefore ceased to emit any contributory radio frequency noise. -- The key conclusion from this report is that the interference caused by B-P-L emission levels has been grossly understated. The complete report is available on the VK7 BPL Watch Page. At www.vk1od.net/fsm/ and http://reast.asn.au/vk7bplwatch.php#NoiseFloor (WIA) ** THE BPL FIGHT: IEEE DEVELOPS WORLD WIDE BPL STANDARD Back in the United States, Broadband-Over-Powerline has received words of guidance from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Better known as the IEEE the assembly of technologists has announced that a working group has developed requirements for a baseline B-P-L standard that will hopefully mitigate some of the current problems it causes to radio communications. In its statement on March 14th, the IEEE 1901 Working Group said it has developed more than 400 requirements for the B-P-L standard. It had also issued a June 4th deadline in calling for proposals for technical systems that meet these conditions. This involves protocols that govern how hardware for various applications can share the medium without interfering. Entitled "Standard for Broadband over Power Line Networks: Medium Access Control and Physical Layer Specifications," the document will hopefully pave the way for sending high-speed digital data over power lines between substations and home and offices with minimal interference to other spectrum users. It will also provide guidelines for the transmission of digital voice, data, and video over electrical lines within structures. With its new standard now released, the IEEE expressed optimism that a draft global standard could be created in 2008. After that, companies would have a master plan to guide them to manufacture components and systems to develop the BPL industry. See http://standards.ieee.org/announceme...posalcall.html for more. (IEEE) ** REGULATORY: HAM RADIO BAND PROPOSALS TO THE ITU Three items extremely important to Amateur Radio are contained in a draft text of the technical report to the World Radiocommunications Conference. This in a paper that has been in preparation by the ITU-R study groups over the past 3 to 4 years. The items of consequence to hams are the proposing a world-wide secondary Low Frequency allocation to the Amateur Service between 135.7 and 137.8 Kilohertz. Also a proposal for a world-wide primary allocation to the Amateur Service of the band between 7.2 and 7.3 MHz and a world-wide secondary allocation between 5.26 and 5.420 MHz. The 135.7 kHz allocation proposal is widely accepted. Japan has suggested that the power limit for that spectrum be left to each administration to be determined. This position was strongly opposed by the Arab countries. During a recent meeting, some compromise was reached with a small change to the text. A review of the allocations between 4 and 10 MHz was much more difficult. It turns out that there are major disagreements between opposing groups. This could lead to the proposed Amateur Service expansion of the 40 meter band becoming a bargaining chip. A lot of behind maneuvering by an International Amateur Radio Union team resulted in the 40 meter proposal remaining intact in the final report. Even so, a lot of work lies ahead for the IARU and individual societies world-wide. (Southgate, SARL) ** NAMES IN THE NEWS: KB2GSD SAYS US NEEDS TO GET OUT OF IRAQ Famed CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, says that it time for the United State to get out of Iraq. Amateur Radio Newsline's Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, has the details: -- Retired CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, says that the war in Iraq was a mistake and that we should have gotten out a long time ago. The 90-year-old Cronkite was in San Jose, California on Friday, February 23rd addressing the city's Commonwealth Club. Later, in an interview with the local CBS affiliate, weighed in on the situation in Iraq saying the entire war there it's a disaster and the earlier we get out the better. It was in 1968, when the then CBS Evening News anchorman did a tour of Vietnam, and came back highly critical of that war. His declaration that the Vietnam War was un-winnable led to such a shift in public opinion against the war that then President Lyndon Johnson was quoted as having said, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost America." But that was then and this is 2007. And when asked if his strong words against the Iraq War would have the same impact as his words against the Vietnam War, KB2GSD responded -- quote: "I would like to think it would be helpful in getting us out of there. Anybody who can put another match to that fire, to get us out would be, I think, welcome" -- What effect if any that KB2GSD's statement on the Iraq war might have on future U-S foreign policy, is unknown. The complete interview with Walter Cronkite is on-line at http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_054223026.html (RW, KPIX-CBS-5, other published reports) ** RESCUE RADIO: POTENTIAL WEATHERSAT FAILURE COULD MEAN MORE WORK FOR HAMS Ham radio SKYWARN and post-storm relief operations could become even more vital in the future. This if a key weather satellite that is already beyond its expected life span were to fail on-orbit. Bill Proenza is the new Director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami. He is quoted in the Southern Mississippi Sun Herald as saying that certain hurricane forecasts could be up to 16 percent less accurate if the aging satellite ceases to operate before it can be replaced. One of Proenza's immediate concerns is the so-called "QuikScat" weather satellite. This is a bird that permits forecasters to measure basics such as wind speed. Replacing it would take at least four years even if the estimated $400 million cost were available immediately. "QuikScat" is currently in its seventh year of operation and was only expected to last five. Without the satellite providing key data, both two and three day forecasts of a storm's path would be affected. That would also mean longer stretches of coastline would have to be placed under warnings, and more people than necessary would have to evacuate. Both of these are areas where ham radio volunteers are considered vital based on their training and expertise. (Adapted from Mississippi Sun Herald) ** Break 1 From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K0ASH repeater of the Ashland amateur Radio Club serving Ashland, Nebraska. (5 sec pause here) ** ENFORCEMENT: NEW FCC AMATEUR RADIO ENFORCEMENT WEB PAGE The FCC is now publishing its own list of regulatory offenders on a newly created web site for that purpose. As of March 14, most Amateur Radio enforcement matters began being made available on the FCC's "Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions" cyberspace page. According to FCC enforcement specialist Riley Hollingsworth, the agency expects to update the page it every 7 to 10 days. It will be a cumulative listing. That presumably means what gets posted for the most part will remain posted permanently. Also, not every bit of correspondence will be included at the site. Such items as letters requiring re-testing or those requesting an initial response to a complaint will not be included. The link is http://www.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html) (FCC) ** ENFORCEMENT: YET ANOTHER HEFTY ILLEGAL CB GEAR SALES FINE The Federal Communications Commission has ordered Charles E. Vance III doing business as CB Candy Electronics to pay a $14,000 monetary forfeiture. This, for offering for sale non-certified Citizens Band transceivers and external RF power amplifiers at his place of business in Ontario, California. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant has mo -- This is a story that will sound similar to one we reported last week regarding the advertising and sale of non FCC certified transmitters for 11 meters. This time around it is illegal C-B gear on a website that is bringing a hefty monetary forfeiture. The FCC says that Charles E. Vance III is being fined for willful and repeated violation of Section 302(b) of the Commissions Act and Sections 2.803(a)(1) and 2.815(c) of the Commission's Rules. This, based on several pieces of non certificated radio transmitting equipment listed for sale on his CB Candy Electronics website. Thee FCC says that on June 28, 2005, an agent from the Enforcement Bureau's Los Angeles Office visited the CB Candy Electronics website. There he downloaded a sales catalog that displayed and offered for sale multiple makes and models of non-certificated CB transceivers. The catalog also included numerous makes and models of external radio frequency power amplifiers. A review of the Commission's records revealed that these devices had not received an equipment authorization from the Commission. On June 28, 2005, the Los Angeles Office issued a Citation to Vance for the alleged violations. In a response dated July 21, 2005, a lawyer for Vance disputed "all legal and factual contentions set forth in the citation." Vance's council stated that the transceivers listed in the Citation were legal to sell. The FCC says that the response did not address the marketing of external power amplifiers at all. Instead it stated the expectation that the Citation would be withdrawn within 14 days. The Los Angeles Office did not withdraw or otherwise cancel the Citation within the period set forth by counsel for Vance. Instead, on September 6, 2005, and again on February 3, 2006, an agent from the Los Angeles Office again visited the CB Candy Electronics website. The agent downloaded the identical catalog as found on the website on June 28, 2005. All of the non-certified CB transceivers and external RF power amplifiers were still being offered for sale. On March 22, 2006, the Los Angeles Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability in the amount of $14,000 to Vance. Vance's legal counsel filed a response on May 4, 2006, stating he was unable to obtain a copy of the catalog referenced in the N-A-L from Commission staff and argued that the refusal to provide him a copy of the catalog was a denial of due process. But the FCC disagreed. In affirming the fine, the regulatory agency said that Sections 0.453 and 0.455 of the Rules detail the records that are routinely available for public inspection at the Commission. Unless a type of record is so listed, a request to inspect the record must be made pursuant to the Commission's Freedom of Information Act procedures. The FCC says that the type of investigatory records compiled for this enforcement action are not so listed. Therefore, Vance's counsel was required to file such a request to obtain them. But Vance's lawyer filed no such request and, consequently, failed to invoke the procedure mandated by the Commission to obtain such records. Therefore the FCC find no merit to his allegation that he was denied due process. As to the actual violations, the FCC says that it has received no other response from Vance to the Notice of Apparent Liability. Consequently, based on the information before it, and having examined it according to the statutory factors and in conjunction with the Forfeiture Policy Statement, it finds that neither reduction nor cancellation of the proposed $14,000 forfeiture is warranted. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles. -- The $14,000 fine was affirmed on Match 14th. Vance was given the customary 30 days to pay or to file a further appeal. (FCC) ** RADIO ROBERY: ANTENNAS STOLEN FROM REMOTE SITE Ed Tipler, WI6RE, reports via the CGC Communicator on a radio site theft. He says that thieves cut the hinges off a communications tower fence gate on El Paso Peak, 10 Miles South of Ridgecrest California. They then made off with several antennas from the site. According to Kern County Sheriff there were other communications sites hit over the weekend of Match 10th. Most took place along Highway 395 from the towns of Boron to Little Lake. (CGC) ** OPERATING AIDS: CQ MAGAZINE PUBLISHES HF OPERATORS SURVIVAL GUIDE CQ Magazine has introduced a new HF Operator's Survival Guide that it says is in response to the recent changes in licensing rules and operating privileges for all radio amateurs. The 16 page booklet was penned by CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR and award winning ham radio educator Gordon West WB6NOA. Its purpose is to welcome those who have never before operated on the bands below 6 meters to the interesting and challenging world of High Frequency Amateur Radio communications in a way that makes it fun to join the crowd. Among other topics covered are how to choose the gear and antenna that you will need, how to operate on the H-F bands, the individual characteristics of each HF ham band and the various modes and operating activities. Also included is an easy to understand band chart that tells you which license class has what privileges on each band. The new CQ HF Operator's Survival Guide is available directly from CQ. Contact them toll free at 800-853-9797 for pricing and available discounts for bulk purchases. More is on-line at www.cq-amateur-radio.com. (CQ) ** HAM HAPPENINGS: THE NAB HAM RADIO RECEPTION - APRIL 18 IN LAS VEGAS NEVADA Bob Heil, K9EID, says that Heil Sound will once again be hosting the Amateur Radio Reception at this years National Association of Broadcasters Meeting in Las Vegas. Bob tells Amateur Radio Newsline that this year Heil Sound will be joined by B-S-W Professional Audio Gear of Seattle, Washington to host the event. B-S-W is one of the largest supply companies for the broadcast industry' As has been the tradition, dozens of prizes will be given away during the two-hour event. Among them will be some Heil Performance microphones signed by famed rock guitarist Joe Walsh, WB6ACU of the Eagles. The date is Wednesday evening, April 18th in the Hilton Convention Center meeting room area in Ballroom B. Check out www.heilsound.com for updates in coming days. (Heil Sound) ** HAM HAPPENINGS: THE INTERBATIONAL DX CONVENTION - APRIL 27-29 IN VISALIA CALIFORNIA Also, Bob Heil along with Chip Margelli, K7JA, will be presenting a special seminar titled "Audio Reinforcement in Contesting" at the upcoming International DX Convention. That event takes place April 27th to the 29th in Visalia, California. Also at this years DX extravaganza will be CQ Magazine editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, with a presentation titled "Working Your First 100 Countries" This years 58th Annual International DX Convention is sponsored by The Northern California DX Club. It will be held at The Visalia Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center. More information is on-line at www.dxconvention.org (Press release) ** HAM HAPPENINGS: THE SWODXA DAYTON HAMVENTION DX DINNER. The 22nd annual DX Dinner sponsored by the South West Ohio DX Association will be held on Friday evening, May 18th in conjunction with the 2007 Dayton Hamvention. The venue once again is the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located in Dayton City Center with Ward Silver, N-0-A-X, slated as the events Keynote Speaker. Further information may be obtained from Jay Slough. K4ZLE, 8183 Woodward Dr., West Chester, Ohio. His zip is 45069 (Press release) ** NAMES IN THE NEWS: EDITH LENNON, N2ZRW, NAMED EDITOR OF POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS MAGAZINE Edith Lennon, N2ZRW, has been named Editor of Popular Communications magazine. Lennon's name may be familiar to readers of CQ Communications magazines and books. In addition to her work on Popular Communications, Lennon has been Editor of Radio magazine produced by CQ for RadioShack, the CQ Amateur Radio Buyer's Guide, the CQ Beginner's Guide to Amateur Radio and The Music and Computer Educator. She has also served as Managing Editor of several publications from CQ and other publishers, including CQ VHF and Communications Quarterly. Lennon replaces Harold Ort, N2RLL, who has served as Editor of Popular Communications since 1996. (Popular Communications) ** 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) ** HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMAT-UK SEEKS COLLOQUIUM PRESENTERS AMSAT UK has put out a call for papers to be presented at its 22nd International Space Colloquium. The Space Colloquium is slated for Friday 20th July to Sunday 22nd July at Surrey University in Guildford, England. If you would like to present a paper at this year's event, send your submission to event organizer G4DPZ as soon as possible. The absolute latest deadline is mid-June 2007. Submissions should be sent by email to . The Space Colloquium is billed as the United Kingdom's flagship amateur satellite and space event More about is on-line at www.uk.amsat.org. (AMSAT) ** WORLDBEAT - AUSTRALIA: COMMEMORATIVE MICROPHONE DONATED Australian telecommunications provider Telstra has placed a piece of that nations radio history in the public domain. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News is here with the details: -- Telstra has given a rare microphone used to open the Sydney Harbour Bridge 75 years ago to the Powerhouse Museum for all Australians to enjoy. The Reisz microphone is an example of Australian technology manufactured in 1930 and was used to broadcast the 1932 opening ceremony of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to thousands of people. This historically significant microphone was signed by all 10 dignitaries at the opening ceremony, including NSW Premier John T Lang, NSW Governor Philip Game and the Bridge's Chief Engineer, JJC Bradfield. -- Every good piece of history has a story behind it and this microphone is no exception. Telstra came into possession of this microphone through its acquisition of the Overseas Telecommunications Commission in 1993. (WIA via Sarah McKinnon, Telstra) ** CONTEST CALANDER: THEC 2007 MOTOROLA QSO PARTY Back on this side of the Pacific, word that the dates of the 2007 Motorola QSO Party have been announced. Sponsored by the Motorola Amateur Radio Club of the Illinois Section the event takes place beginning at 1700 UTC on April 21st running through 0300 UTC on April 22nd. All hams are welcome to participate. For more information e-mail or visit www.qsl.net/k9mot/stations/k9mot/ (AA9VI) ** DX In D-X, word that 3D2AG. is active) as FK stroke FO5RK from Noumea, New Caledonia. He is mostly on 40 and 20 meter CW and is scheduled to remain there until the end of April. And news that DL2GAC is again active from the Solomon Islands as H44MS. He is expected to be on until April 25th. Also, K4QD reports hat he will be active portable HH4 from Haiti through the 30th of March. Listen out for him on 80 through 10 meters on Morse and SSB. As in the past, he will operate from the North West Haiti Christian Mission. Last but by no means least, members of the Irish Radio Transmitters Society are operating from Swaziland, Africa as part of a special DXpedition to celebrate the society's 75th anniversary. The DXpedition runs to the 30th March. Look out for members of the AFRI 75 DXpedition on the airwaves, in particular during St Patrick's Day and during the CQ WPX contest. QSL al of these as directed on the air. (Various DX sources) ** THAT FINAL ITEM: A CHAT WITH 2007 RADIO AMATEUR OF THE YEAR JIM HAYNIE, W5JBP And finally this week, the 2007 Dayton Hamvention Radio Amateur of the Year has some kind words for a lot of people and some interesting thoughts on the hobby. Of coarse we are talking about ARRL President Emeritus Jim Haynie, W5JBP, who recently spoke one on one with Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V. Mark says that the former ARRL leader still has his hand on the pulse of Amateur Radio: -- For Jim Haynie, being recognized by the Dayton Hamvention is an honor hard to put into words. "Well, I was flabbergasted to be honest with you," Haynie says, upon receiving word of his selection. "And it certainly came as a surprise. It was not something that was on my mind, anyway. And, it's quite an honor because Dayton is such a prestigious gathering of people - to be selected by one's peers, I mean, it's just very, very touching to me." Among the accomplishments the awards committee considered in selecting Haynie for the honor was his leadership in the fight against Broadband over Power Line Internet access. Haynie made many trips to Washington and spent hours and hours on the phone and traveling to meetings to face the issue head-on. He says it was worth it and he's optimistic the BPL threat is beginning to diminish. "I don't feel it's going to go very far in the near future," Haynie says. "It may be used for meter reading and stuff like that, but I just see technology going much further than just Broadband over Power Line. "The trips to Washington, of course, served several purposes. One, of course, was to keep the League's name in front of the legislators and the regulators. And, I think that's important for the League to continue to do and I see that they're doing that. "But this is something that we've got to stay on and keep up with the trends in that area. BPL is the buzz word right now amongst the utilities and I think the League is doing a good job as to monitoring that." The awards committee also recognized Haynie for his promotion of Amateur Radio's role in emergencies and establishing a relationship with the newly-created Department of Homeland Security. "Oh, I've always been interested in what the amateur community can do as volunteers and as somebody pointed out we're not first responders, per se," Haynie says. "But there's a great deal of contributions that amateur radio can make in any type of disaster. "It's the fact that, again, we have to use our skills, our knowledge and our training to do that. And, Homeland Security is, of course, concerned with some higher levels. "But, nonetheless, there's a lot of things that amateur radio can do. And, I encourage people to take advantage of that and actually participate." Haynie says he's also pleased that another leader in the BPL fight, Ed Hare, W1RFI, the American Radio Relay League's lab manager, is being recognized by the Dayton awards committee with its special achievement award. Haynie says the honor is well deserved. "I think he's overworked and underpaid," Haynie says. "He's one of the best assets the League has as far as staff personnel goes and extremely knowledgeable and well respected in the industry. "You know he sits on a couple of committees, one of which is the I-E-E-E committee for broadband specifications I guess is one of the words I would use. I'm sure Ed would come up with something a little more technical." Haynie, who served two terms as ARRL president, says things have been relatively quiet since leaving office. But, he says he still keeps in touch. "I still talk to Joel Harrison, the new president and I talk to Dave Sumner occasionally, it's just keeping up the friendship type thing because if you work together like we have for so many years, you just don't turn it off," Haynie says. "They're very capable of doing what needs to be done and there's no need for me doing any outside consulting, if you will. I'm enjoying a well deserved break, in my own opinion, in that respect. "I've really enjoyed kicking back and just not having to travel somewhere almost every weekend. I'm sure Joel is familiar with that now because there were some years that I traveled six or seven weekends in a row and I don't miss that at all." But Haynie concedes there is one thing he misses about the travel - the people. "I really enjoyed going to the hamfests, the conventions, shaking hands, stuff like that. That's the part I miss more than anything else, is just being out in the amateur community." Retire? Not Jim Haynie. He says he's back in business in the Dallas area and loving what he's doing. "At this point, I've got some other interests, it's not hobby related, it's job related," Haynie says. "I've taken on a project that's got me totally fascinated in the television field actually. "I'm working here for a company now as their general sales manager for motel, hotel, and hospitals in the television industry. That's been quite fascinating to me. It's a field I never thought I'd be involved in and now, all of a sudden, I'm knee deep in it." And, while Haynie says he's taking a little break from amateur radio to get settled in his new position, you can bet he'll be back if the need arises. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia. -- Jim Haynie and the other award winners will receive their honors the weekend of May 18th to the 20th at the 2007 Dayton Hamvention. Amateur Radio Newsline will be there to bring you all of the action on what has become known as ham radio's show of shows. (ARNewsline(tm)) ** 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. A reminder that the nominating period is now open for the 2007 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award. With corporate support from Vertex Standard and CQ Magazine, this honor is bestowed once a year to a radio amateur, age 18 or younger, who has devoted himself or herself to the betterment of all through the hobby. More about the award along with nominating forms is on-line at www.yhoty.org Also see page 8 of the March issue of QST Magazine for some great photos of recent winners in an ad sponsored by Vertex Standard. For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. |
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