Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1566 - August 17, 2007

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1566 with a release date of
Friday, August 17, 2007 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. U-K hams wonder if their regulator will
auction off am Amateur band, California emergency communications hams
win mayoral praise and drivers say that texting is dangerous if yyou
are behind the wheel. Find out the details on Amateur Radio NewslineT
report number 1566 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RADIO REGULATIONS: UK REGULATOR PROPOSES SELLINHG HAM BAND

Is U-K telecommunications regulator OFCOM getting ready to try to
auction off a ham band? Jeramy Boot, G-4-N-J-H, is in Nottingham,
England is here with mo

--

U-K telecommunications regulator has published proposals with relevance
to the 3cm band. The proposals concern the award and auction of
spectrum between 10 GHz and 40 GHz..

One range of frequencies under consideration coincides with the 3cm
Amateur Satellite Service allocation.

I'm Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, and you are listening to the amateur radiop
Newsline.


--


Details of the pending auction are on the Ofcom web site. Specific
links to it can be found in the News section of the RSGB web site. The
latter is in cyberspace at www.rsgb.org. (GB2RS)

**

RESCUE RADIO: FULLY INTEROPERABLE DIGITAL RADIO SYSTEM TO BE DEPLOYED
BY NATIONAL GUARD

Back in the United States, the National Guard is getting a new fully
interoperable digital voice and data communications system. Bruce
Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:

--

The new satellite cased communications system will be developed and
deployed by DataPath of Duluth, Georgia. DataPath will work with
Applied Global Technologies to create communications multiple
interoperable networks. These systems will permit federal, state and
military first responders establish command and control capabilities at
the site of a man-made or natural disaster within hours, anywhere in
the United States.

According to a report from Radio World, DataPath, which builds
satellite and wireless communications networks has won the $16.7
million contract from the Communications-Electronics Command in Fort
Monmouth, New Jersey. The system it is developing will use its
satellite communications base units to deliver high bandwidth to voice-
over-IP telephones, video teleconferencing systems and to interoperable
handheld radios for deployed National Guard teams and other first
responders. It will also establish a nationwide Joint Incident Site
Communications Capability for the Army National Guard. The contract
also calls dor DataPath to provide a complete portable communications
suite that will be transportable by use of a C-130 aircraft or other
means for rapid deployment.

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

--

DataPath says that it will deliver 32 systems based on a portable, fly-
away satellite communications terminal. It has also developed a
customized version by incorporating a 1.2-meter fly-away antenna in the
package. (RW)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAMWATCH AND THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

The mayor of South El Monte, California, has praised ham radio
operators who assist her city and the nation in time of need and she
did so in a most unusual way. On the air. Take a listen:

--

Mayor Figueroa: "To all of you Hamwatch operators, thank you for
helping all of your cities. National Night Out - remember to say no to
crime, leave yiur lights on and thank you for doing a great job. God
bless you and god bless America."

--

That's Mayor Blanca Figueroa and the story of how she got to thank the
ham community for its involvement is actually a story unto itself. One
that kind of involves us here at Newsline. At least peripherally.

On Tuesday August 7th, communities across the nation participated in
the "National Night Out." This is an opportunity for communities to to
promote activities aimed at increasing security with programs such as
Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams and of coarse
Amateur Radio.

One such event was held in the City of South El Monte, a suburb of Los
Angeles. That's where members of the Temple Station Hamwatch Group
were present to display radio equipment and answer questions related to
Ham Radio.

As part of the demonstration Deputy Hector Figueroa, KE6VRL, used a
portable station to transmit what the group calls the "Amateur Radio
Newsline - Check-In Net" at its regularly scheduled time on the local
N6USO repeater. As the net was winding down, Mayor Figueroa requested
a moment at the microphone. And as you heard, she used it to thank
the members of Hamwatch and the Amateur Radio community for their
ongoing efforts to communities all across the United States. (KE6VRL)


**

HAPPY HAM TIMES: MFJ ENTERPRIZES WANTS TO CELEBRATE #35 WITH YOU

And Martin Jue, K5FLU, wants to treat you to lunch, but there is a
catch. Lunch will be served only on Friday and Saturday, September 7th
and 8th at Martin's MFJ Enterprises factory in Starkville, Mississippi.
This, as a part of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the company
that bears his initials in its name.

K5FLU says that he started MFJ in October of 1972 in a small hotel room
in downtown Starkville. His first product was a C-W filter kit that
sold for under $10. Today M-F-J has grown into a diverse corporation
that owns five separate companies with over 2500 products. And Martin
Jue says that all this happened because you believed in him and the
gear he manufactures.

As a way of saying thanks, K5FLU has set aside September 7th and 8th for
a celebration with all of his ham radio friends that can make it to
Starkville. In addition to the free lunch there will also be a special
event station, license exams, factory tours and those all important
door prizes.

M-F-J Enterprises is located at 300 Industrial Park Road in Starkville,
Mississippi. Starkville is about 120 miles due West of Birmingham
Alabama or 150 miles South East of Memphis, Tennessee. More
information on this 35th anniversary event is on-line at
www.mfjenterprises.com. To which we will add a "Happy 35th" and at least
35 more. (MFJ)

**

Break 1

With you 52 weeks a year. This week coming to you from Auckland, New
Zealand, we are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations
around the world including the Rocky Mtn Radio League repeaters serving
Denver and Bloomfield Colorado in the United States.

(5 sec pause here)


**

RADIO RIPOFF: IRTS WANS OF AD SCAM

Ireland's national ham radio society, the Irish Radio Transmitters
Society is warning about a fraudulent operation involving the sale of
amateur radio equipment. One which is being conducted through a series
of small ads in recent editions of genuine radio magazines.

The equipment is being sold using an address in Oxford, England and
another in the Isle of Wright. The source of the gear is supposed to
be that of a deceased ham. Payment may be requested direct to an
`Executor' as opposed to the actual person advertising. The Irish
Radio Transmitters Society says that this scam has already cost one of
its members in excess of 1,500 Euros to date. (IRTS)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC CITES TWO CALIFORNIA TIS STATIONS

The FCC appears to be cracking down on abuse of Traveler's Information
Stations, CGC Communicator reports. The CGC Communicator reports that
the newsletter notes that the FCC has given the state of California 20
days to respond to its July notice of violation. This, concerning one
of those low-power AM systems in Los Angeles under the call WPHJ962.

According to the FCC, a commission agent found that the station was
airing only a continuous loop saying: "This is Caltrans highway
advisory radio WPHJ 962 broadcasting. This is a test message."

In its citation, the FCC pointed out that Travelers Information
Stations must air only noncommercial voice information pertaining to
traffic and road conditions, traffic hazard and travel advisories,
directions, availability of lodging, rest stops and service stations
and descriptions of local points of interest.

A separate notice but similar went to the City of Santa Monica,
California. In this case a Travelers Information Service system was
retransmitting a National Weather Service station. (CGC)

**

ENFORCEMENT: BEHRINGER FINED $1,000,000 FOR UNAUTHORIZED GEAR SALES
Electronics supplier Behringer USA, Inc. has been dinged with a
proposed one million dollar fine by the FCC. This, for marketing 50
models of unauthorized radio frequency equipment in the United States
without prior consent from the regulatory agency.
The gear in question is described as digital audio music devices. This
says the FCC was a willful and repeated violation of Section 302(b) of
the Communications Act of 1934, and Section 2.803(a) of the
Commission's Rules. (FCC)
**

RESCUE RADIO: ALABAMA GETS ALERT FM

The Alabama Broadcasters Association in association Global Security
Systems has announced that five radio stations in that state are among
the first there to deploy a digital alarm and messaging system called
Alert FM.

Alert FM uses RDS technology to send targeted alerts that are
delivered by satellite to FM broadcast transmitters and user end Alert
FM receivers. Information can also be displayed on mobile devices,
such as PDA's, cell phones and other receivers equipped to decode RDS.

As an a incentive, broadcasters that participate in the Alert FM
program will get the RDS technology at no cost to them. They will also
receive the ability to transmit non-emergency mesages, including song
titles and artists, call letters, slogans or other information to their
listeners.

Global Security Systems says its use of the FM infrastructure provides
overlapping coverage, ensuring distribution over a large footprint. It
believes the system ultimately will be able to reach millions of
households in the state with a single message in seconds. More on the
Alert FM system is on line at http://www.alertfm.com (GSS)

**

RESCUE RADIO: ON LINE WEATHER TRAINING COURSE FROM STORM-PREP.COM

If you want to learn how to interpret real-time weather data to
recognize and learn how to prepare for the variety of weather hazards a
new on-line training course offered by Storm-Prep may be what you
need.

Storm-Prep is a new public education initiative that offers a self-
study course titled "Anticipating, Recognizing, and Preparing For
Deadly Weather". The course demonstrates how to use the Internet to
access and interpret radar imagery, satellite imagery, and other
taxpayer-funded weather data, and even sky clues. It also shows how
to recognize the potential for, or the imminent threat of, deadly
weather.

More information about Storm-Prep and the course is on-line at
www.storm-prep.com (Via press release)

**

RADIO THEFT: GROUND SYSTEM TAKEN FROM CALIFORNIA STATION

The copper wire thefts at rafio facilities continue. Broadcast
engineer Bill Ruck, writing in the CGC Communicator writes that he
recently received a call about transmitter problems at KDYA A.M. KDYA
operates on 1190 kHz in Vallejo, California. Ruck says that when he
arrived the transmitter looked okay but was seeing high reflected
power. So he walked out to the tower to look for problems there. What
he found was the entire the ground system was gone. The copper wire
used for it had been stolen. Ruck says that he is now in the process
of replacing it using barbed wire. (CGC)


**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: K3LSR NEW HEAD OF AIR FORCE MARS

Some names in the news. First from the ARRL comes word that Allen
Eiermann, K3LSR, has been named the new acting chief of Air Force MARS.
Eiermann holds a General class Amateur Radio license and is a former
Navy and Marine Corps MARS member. He replaces Don Poquette who
recently retired form the Air Force. (ARRL)

**



THE SOCIAL SCENE: ARRL GREAT LAKES CONVENTION IN OHIO SEPT 22

The ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention is being held on Saturday,
September 22nd at the Sheraton Independence Hotel in Independence,
Ohio. Among the seminar sessions will be Bob Heil K9EID and Chip
Margelli K7JA hosting a Heil Sound Workshop. Other seminar sessions
will feature such well known radio amateurs as Bob Allphin K4UEE,
Bernie McClenny W3UR, Don Karvonen K8MFO and John Papay K8YSE. The
featured banquet speaker is Joel Harrison W5ZN, President of the ARRL.
Following the banquet a Wouff Hong ceremony will be held. More about
this event is on-line at www.2007gldc.org (e-mail)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: HANDIHAMS CELEBRATE YEAR 40

And the Handiham 40th anniversary special event takes place August 25th
through the 28th. Plans call for the call W0EQO to be operational from
1400 to 0200 U-T-C each day using SSB on 7.240 and 14.340 MHz, and C-W
on 7.040 and 14.140 MHz. It should be noted that 14.140 is also a
gathering spot for many Canadian Morse enthusiasts so the two groups
will be co-sharing the frequency. More information including the QSL
route is on line At www.handiham.org (Handi Hams)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: SCADS PICNIC IN SOCAL AUGUST 18

And this for shortwave listeners and monitor radio hobbyists. While a
bit short notice, word that the Southern California Area DX'ers will
hold its annual picnic on August 18th. The venue is the Point Vincente
Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Festivities
will start around 7am for set-ups and will end about 4pm local Pacific
Coast time. Those planning to attend are urged to bring along a
battery operated receiver and portable antenna for some listening fun.
(SCADS)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: WIN A FREE TRIP BY CELEBRATING THE IRTS AT 75

You might call this one work Ireland and win a free trip. This with
word that the Irish Radio Transmitters Society's 75th Anniversary
Contest called CQ I R, will take place on the last weekend in
September.

CQ I R is being billed as a 24-hour single operator contest with the
emphasis on participation rather than winning and to this end every
participant gains an entry ticket for a spectacular draw for every 75
QSO's made during the Contest. Hams from outside of Ireland and
England will be eligible to win a weeks vacation at Ireland's Kinnitty
Castle in Offaly. The holder of a ticket drawn from the drum devoted
to Ireland and England will win a week long weekend in New York City
for two people that will include a side trip to visit ARRL headquarters
in Connecticut.

The contest is being promoted as a celebration of Ireland and the
Irish, throughout the world. The prizes have been fully sponsored at
no cost to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society. Full rules are on the
IRTS website. Its in cyberspace at www.irts.ie (Southgate, IRTS)

**

BREAK 2

The news never stops and neither do we. This week from below the
Southern Cross, 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)

**

RADIO SAFETY: MAJORITY OF DRIVERS SAY TEXTING UNSAFE
Nine out of 10 adults drivers in the United States believe that
operating a motor vehicle while sending or receiving text messages is
dangerous and should be against the law. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
reports:
--
The determination is the result of a new survey conducted by polling
over 2,000 adults between June 28 and July 3rd in research conducted by
Harris Interactive for hands free mobile messaging service Pinger
Incorporated.
According to the results, 91 percent of adults surveyed thought that
drivers sending text messages or e-mails are as dangerous as those who
have had a couple of drinks before getting behind the wheel. However,
the survey also found that 66 percent of adults who drive a car and
have read text messages or e-mails while driving. 57 percent of the
same people said they have sent text messages or e-mails while behind
the wheel.
But that's not all. The survey found that 64 percent of adults who
admitted to sending text messages while driving were between the ages
of 18 and 34. Only 6 percent were 55 or older. And less we forget:
Men and women were found to be of equal numbers in regard to sending
text messages while driving.
Well, I won't and I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, for the Amateur Radio
Newsline.
--
Six states including New York, California and Florida are considering
legislation that would ban texting while driving. Washington state
banned texting while driving in May. (ScienceOnLine)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: A GOOD SCIENCE EDUCATION HELPS

Researchers say students who had more math courses in high school did
better in all types of science once they got to college. On the other
hand, while high school courses in biology, chemistry or physics
improved college performance in each of the individual sciences, taking
a high school course in one science didn't result in better college
performance in the others.

One of the study authors says the most important thing for high school
science teachers is to make sure there's lots of math in whatever
science course they teach. The head of the National Science Teachers
Association said while the "correlation with math makes sense" it's not
the necessarily the same as a cause and effect.

The research, which is being reported in the journal Science, was
supported by the National Science Foundation. (NSF)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: A CALL FOR PAPERS

A third call for papers to be presented at the 2007 AMSAT Space
Symposium and Annual Meeting has been announced. The emphasis for this
year is an educational outreach to middle and high school students. In
particular, papers on Students & Education, ARISS, AO-51, Phase 3 E,
Eagle and other satellite-related topics are being solicited.

September 1st is the deadline for submitting electronic versions of
papers for inclusion in the printed symposium proceedings. They go to
Dan Schultz by e-mail to n8fgy at amsat dot org. The symposium itself
is slated to be held October 25th to the 28th in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. (ANS)

**

RADIO IN SPACE: BRAZIL RESUMES SPACE PROGRAM

Brazil has taken its first steps in reviving its space program. In
late July that nations aerospace agency launched one of its VSB-30
atmospheric sounding rockets. According to Brazilian officials the
flight lasted about 20 minute with the experimental capsule plashing
down on target in the South Atlantic. Brazil says that its goal is to
develop the technology to launch heavy payload satellites into Earth
orbit. (Space)

**

WORLDBEAT - AUSTRALIA: VK INTRODUCED DAB+

Australia is one of the latest nations to adopt the new DAB Plus
system for digital audio broadcasting. Marilyn Syme, VK3DMS, reports
from Victoria state:

--

Australian radio broadcasters recently switched on the first test
transmissions of digital radio using DAB+ in Sydney, New South Wales.

The digital radio test is carrying a mix of talk and music, including
pop and jazz, to allow the industry to test the sound quality of a
variety of content at various bit rates.

A demonstration DAB+ receiver was developed for the test, as DAB+
receivers are not yet commercially available. A number of manufacturers
have indicated they will have DAB+ products ready for overseas retail
sale before Christmas. All commercial, SBS and ABC outlets in the
capital cities are expected to avail themselves of Digital Conversion.

This is Marilyn, VK3DMS.

--

Australia has also joined a new DAB+ taskforce set up by the Asia-
Pacific Broadcasting Union. Warner has been appointed chair of the
task force, also represented are Brunei, Singapore and New Zealand.
The taskforce plans to survey of regional broadcasters to ascertain
their plans for digital radio, as well as to encourage nations to adopt
DAB+. (WIA News)

**

ON THE AIR: A STRANGE OPERATING EVENT

Italy's 4th annual Strange Radio Event will take place between 0600 UTC
on October 19th and 2200 UTC on the 21st. Many Italian stations will be
using many special S-R-T suffix callsigns such as IS0SRT, II1SRT and
IR8SRT and the Strange Radio Team is hoping to hear many other S-R-T
suffix callsigns from other countries.

Strange Radio Team plaques will be awarded for this event and
certificates will be available for those holding QSOs various S-R-T
special callsigns.

The mode for this event is SSB only. More can be found on-line at
www.strangeradioteam.com (SRT Release)

**

DX

In DX, word that the Greater Norwalk Amatuer Radio Club will be
sponsoring a DXpedition from August 18th to the 19th. This, to activate
Sheffield Island Lighthouse for International Lighthouse Weekend.
Operation will use the callsign N1EV and will begin 1600 UTC on the 18th
and end at around 1800 UTC on the 19th. Activity will be on 80 through
10 meters using SSB/CW/FSK in or around the IOTA calling frequencies.
Plans are to run at least 2 stations for the entire event. QSL direct
to N1EV.

And while a bit down the road yet, word that KK9A, will be active as
P40A from Aruba during the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest. That's
planned for October 27th and 28th and he plans to operate as a single-
operator all-band entry. QSL this one via WD9DZV.

And a first ever qualification and activation of Pelican Island takes
place August 25th from 1400 to 2400 UTC. Look for W5P on or near
14.260 MHz, 7.260 MHz using various modes. Pelican Island is
designated as United States Island TX050 located on Eagle Mountain
Lake. QSL as directed on the air

Lastly, Don Field, G3XTT, reports that the long awaited 3B7C DXpedition
to St. Brandon Island will take place between September 7th ad the 24th.
Planners G3NUG and G3BJ have now confirmed the various logistical
arrangements for their September operation. The island has also been
visited to make a detailed site survey. And some good news for 6 meter
enthusiasts. Even though magic band operations are not normally allowed
from Mauritius and its outlying the DXpedition ha been able to gain a
short-term permit for three fixed frequencies in the 50 MHz band. C-W
will be on 50.090 and 50.102 and SSB on 50.145 MHz. More information
is on-line at www.3b7c.com/

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: BRICKS IN THE MAIL

And finally this wee, there an old adage that there are always two
sides to a story. Well that certainly applies to an almost legendary
ongoing ham radio slug fest on the internet. Here's Jim Linton,
VK3PC:

--

This concerns the sending of a box of house bricks and other rubbish,
to a radio amateur who collected it from his post office, paying cash
on delivery.

There was an expectation that the box would contain radio equipment.
Not restraining his emotions one bit, the irate receiver of the box of
heavy and somewhat expensive rubbish took to his keyboard to attack the
sender.

Counter claims were then made by the apparent sender of the box who
tried to put some kind of justification on what had occurred.

It all apparently stems from a dissatisfaction over an earlier matter
on a popular `for sale' and `wanted' advertising website.

Angry words like `integrity', `rip-off', `honesty' and `greed' are
being used in these public exchanges between the two.

A small blessing however is they live some 2,000 kilometers apart and
may never meet. Nonetheless those observing the internet battle remain
either bemused or bored with the whole affair.

Neither side seemingly wants to give-up. It's all about personal pride,
reputation and emotions continue running high over a very important
issue - not.

I'm Jim Linton VK3PC and you're listening to the Amateur Radio
Newsline.


--

All we can say to this is better that these kind of disagreements be
fought in cyberspace than on the air. (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 NewslineT. Our e-mail address is
. More information is available at Amateur
Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.
You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio NewslineT, P.O.
Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Meachen, ZL2BHF, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.