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Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1706 - April 23 2010
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1706 with a release date of Friday, April 23rd, 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a Q-S-T. Hams are true first responders at a landslide in Rio de Janeiro, the volcanic eruption in Iceland delays an IARU meeting, two new ham radio organizations are announced at the International DX Convention in California and 800 attend a ham radio reception at NAB in Las Vegas. All this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1706 coming your way right now. (Billboard Cart Here) ** RESCUE RADIO: HAMS RESPOND TO RIO STORMS AND LANDSLIDE Ham radio operators in Brazil responded to the recent emergency caused by severe rainstorms in the region near Rio de Janeiro. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the details: -- According to Marcio Ribeiro, PY1RJ, director of Teaching for the Brazilian Amateur Radio League, beginning on Tuesday, April 6th a group of ham radio volunteers went on duty. This, to assist in communication between the people of Rio and the citys public agencies. Ribeiro says that days of rain caused a landslide for which radio amateurs became what amounts to true communications first responders. He says that some 10 hams immediately set up a network with each having a specific duty. One was assigned the fire department, another for the Civil Defense, yet another for the Military Police, and so on. The major ham response was to the landslide where at least one home was completely destroyed. On his way to that location PY1RJ warned two police cars about the slide and the overall danger in the area. Ribeiro remained at the disaster site as both a communicator and rescue volunteer. Márcio Chehab, PY1MNC was also the landslide site. Chehab, who maintains of electronic equipment, helped by calling ambulances from hospitals in the region. He also kept in contact with radio amateurs in other cities who in turn were in communications with relief agencies. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles. -- In all, there were about 30 hams involved in this rescue radio response. Those outside the area helped by maintaining a ham radio communications infrastructure that included radio, the internet and telephones. (G1, Southgate) ** RADIO POLITICS: ICELAND VOLCANO CANCELS IN PERSON IARU REGION 1 MEETING The volcanic eruption in Iceland has disrupted an International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Executive Committee meeting slated for April 17th and 18th in Sofia, Bulgaria. The IARU Region 1 website reports that many participants at the yearly meeting were unable to reach Sofia from various parts of the world. This, due to flight restrictions and cancellations caused by the volcanic ash at the altitudes commercial passenger jets fly. In the end only five delegates were able to reach the meeting site. The rest are either stranded at a transit airport or were on the way back home by any possible means possible. The gathering did finally take place, but by on-line web conference on Sunday April 18th. (IARU Region 1) ** RADIO POLITICS: NEW WORLD WIDE RADIO OPERATORS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED There is a new player on the ham radio political and educational scene with the goal of improving the skills of amateur radio operators around the world,. This, by utilizing education, competition, advancement of technology and scientific research to promote international friendship and goodwill. It also wants to help prepare hams to better serve society in times of communication need. These are the lofty goals of the World Wide Radio Operator's Foundation, Inc. and it has the backing of some of the heaviest of the true heavyweights in the hobby. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has the whose' who in this new game in town: -- Although it was founded quietly back in 2009, the World Wide Radio Operator's Foundation, Inc. or WWROF was officially launched on Friday, April 16th at the 61st International DX Convention held in Visalia, California. And the groups Board of Directors reads like a whose-who in the world of amateur radio. According to its leadership, the World Wide Radio Operator's Foundation was created with the goal of advancing the skill and art of radio operating. The group's mission statement states that it is dedicated to improving the skills of amateur radio operators around the world, utilizing education, competition, advancement of technology and scientific research, promoting international friendship and goodwill, and preparing them to better serve society in times of communication need. The World Wide Radio Operator's Foundation further believes that on-the-air contests provide a good test of operating skills and are of immeasurable value to amateur radio overall. The groups is made up of a group of well-known and very highly respected DX'ers, contesters and public service operators. This includes Chairman Doug Grant, K1DG; Vice Chairman John Dorr, K1AR; Treasurer Ralph Bowen, N5RZ and Secretary Tom Lee, K8AZ. Other board members are Bob Cox, K3EST; Tim Duffy, K3LR and Mark Beckwith, N5OT. In addition, the organization has an Advisory Committee that includes Ken Wolff, K1EA; George Fremin, K5TR; Randy Thompson, K5ZD; Trey Garlough, N5KO; and Larry "Tree" Tyree, N6TR. Among other things, the group says that it intends to support high impact operating-oriented projects. These include training activities and content, contest administration improvements, recruitment programs for new contesters and deployment of state-of-the-art technologies for enhanced log checking or simply improved awards programs. They also plan on establishing an equipment donation program for young contesters and those radiosports oriented hams residing in third world nations. In looking at the overall structure the World Wide Radio Operator's Foundation appears to have adopted some of the finer points of organizations like that of the Radio Club of America, the Quarter Century Wirerless Association, major DX and contest groups and even the ARRL and put them all under one roof. Its then added an emphasis on High Frequency radiosports as an operational training ground. The only questions are will this approach succeed and if it does, what will its long term affect be on the overall hobby. The World Wide Radio Operator's Foundation is incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Ohio, and is pursuing tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code so that donations made to it will be tax-deductible. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale -- More information about the World Wide Radio Operator's Foundation can be found at www.wwrof.org. (WWROF release) ** RADIO POLITICS: NEW HAM RADIO ANTENNA LITIGATATION ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION FORMED Radio amateurs involved in the struggle to secure reasonable accommodation for amateur radio antennas have formed a new California public-benefit corporation. This, to receive tax-deductible donations from those wishing help support litigation against local jurisdictions that ignore federal and state preemption statutes. Chief Financial Officer Marty Woll, N6VI, announced at the recent International DX Convention that the Amateur Radio Antenna Defense Foundation, or ARADF, has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3). This means donations to it are tax deductible. According to Woll, turning to the courts can be prohibitively expensive for the radio amateurs while cities have taxpayer-funded attorneys on staff, giving them the upper hand. The goal of ARADF is to help level the playing field with financial assistance that will allow deserving antenna lawsuits to go forward. It should be noted that the ARRL has a committee that has helped fund antenna litigation around the country, but it focuses primarily on cases that have reached the appellate level. The new organization will concentrate on lower-court cases. Its web site is currently under construction. (ARADF) ** BREAK 1 From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the AA6DP repeater of the Catalina Amateur Repeater Association serving the Southern California coastline from 26 miles across the sea. (5 sec pause here) ** ENFORCEMENT: OFCOM ACTS AGAINST SCOTLAND REPEATER JAMMING Jamming of Central Scotland's repeaters has brought enforcement action from UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom. Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is in Nottingham with mo -- Following the ongoing jamming and abuse problems on a number of Central Scotland FM Group repeaters, a meeting has taken place between Ofcom, the repeater group and the RSGB to discuss options to address the problem. Ofcom has indicated that the problem is under active investigation and as a result enforcement action has been taken against one individual resulting in the forfeiture of equipment and a number of others being warned of their conduct. The investigations are still ongoing and Ofcom has asked that any evidence of abuse is in the first instance forwarded to GM8HBY to co-ordinate information rather than create duplicate reports. Ofcom have also reminded repeater users not to respond to any abuse or jamming heard on the repeaters. I'm Jeramy Boot, G4NJH -- It appears that bringing repeater jammers to justice in the British Empire may be a lot swifter than over here in the USA. (GB2RS) ** ENFORCEMENT: FCC ASKS ARRL TO INSTRUCT OO'S ON 14.275 MHz ISSUE The ARRL at the request of the FCC has issued an advisory to all of its Official Observers regarding the situation on and near a specific frequency in the 20 meter band. In his note to the OO's, Chuck Skolaut, KØBOG, who is the Leagues Field & Regulatory Correspondent wrote and we quote: "Laura Smith at the FCC has asked me to relay the following information regarding 14.275 and what you may be hearing. She wanted all OO's to be aware of what is happening. "There is quite an interesting situation developing at 14.275 and the surrounding frequencies. For some reason, a Canadian operator has elected to play a recording of a conversation that took place back in 2006 between him and another licensee -- N1FM. Brian Crow (K3VR) was not involved in that conversation -- although the Canadian licensee is currently trying to ascribe the comments of N1FM to Brian. Again let me reiterate, Brian Crow, K3VR, was not involved in that conversation back in 2006." -- End quote. Skolaut's statement was first published in the newsletter of the Official Observer Coordinator Ohio Section edited by Rick Swain, KK8O. The Canadian station in question was not identified in the message to the Official Observers. The original statement is on-line at http://www.arrl-ohio.org/ooc/feb-2010.html (ARRL OHIO Official Observer Website) ** ENFORCEMENT: FCC ISSUES $25000 TO PHONEJAMMER.COM FOR U.S. SALES The FCC has notified a United Kingdom-based firm known as notified Phonejammer.com of its Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $25,000. This, for marketing in the United States of radio frequency devices designed to intentionally interfere with licensed cellular and Personal Communications Services. Phonejammer.com was originally issued a Citation by the FCC after it discovered instances where businesses in the United States were found using the devices. In both cases the sale of the items was traced directly to the Phonejammer.com website. In its reply to the citation, Phonejammer.com through its attorney claimed that it does not market to the United States, and has not shipped or distributed units to the United States. This despite the fact that the FCC has receipts from Phonejammer showing that such purchases were made. In affirming the fine the FCC said that regardless of what Phonejammer may claim, the evidence clearly demonstrates that on at least two occasions within the past year, Phonejammer has sold and shipped phone jamming units to individuals in the United States. One was bought by an individual in Carrollton, Texas on April 21, 2009 and the other by an individual in Port St. Lucie, Florida on September 24, 2009. Both purchases were made through the Phonejammer.com website and that Phonejammer shipped both devices to addresses in the United States. Phonejammer.com was given the customary 30 days to pay the fine or to file an appeal. (FCC) ** THE SOCIAL SCENE: 800 ATTEND NAB HAM RADIO RECEPTION IN LAS VEGAS The Ham Radio Reception at this years National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada is reported to have been an overwhelming success. Over 800 hams turned out for the gathering held Wednesday evening April 14th at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. About $14,000 in door prizes handed out this year. In addition to ham radio suppliers several broadcast and industrial suppliers such as Harris and Eimac came through with prizes as well. Perhaps the biggest in sheer size was a tower from Universal tower valued at $3500. This years ham radio reception was again hosted by Heil Sound Ltd. and Broadcast Supply Worldwide. The latter is better known by its initials of BSW. (ARNewsline(tm)) ** THE SOCIAL SCENE: N6R FROM THE REAGAN LIBRARY FOR FIELD DAY 2010 And for the tenth consecutive year, the callsign N6R will operate as a Field Day station from the grounds of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. This, to commemorate the lives of President Ronald and Mrs. Nancy Reagan. Joining the Ventura County Amateur Radio Society which is the primary organizer will be a number of other local groups. These include the Amgen Amateur Radio Club. The Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club the Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club and the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club. And a late addition is the Hollywood Hills QRP Contest Club with be joining this year as well. N6R will operate from 1800 UTC on June 25th to 1800 UTC on June 27th with up to 16 stations on all of the High Frequency bands. Also look for the N6R call on the VHF and UHF bands from 6 meters on-up using many modes including fast-scan ATV and satellite operations. If you are lucky enough to make contact with N6R this year, please QSL with an Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to VCARS, in care of Peter Heins, N6ZE, 1559 Norwich Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360 ( N6ZE, W6AQ ) ** HAMVENTION NEWS: NEW DISCOVER HOMEBREW DEMONSTRATION AREA The Dayton Hamvention and the Midwest VHF/UHF Society have teamed up to host the first ever Discover Homebrew demonstration area at Hamvention 2010. Located in booths 179, 180, 191, 192, and booths 203, 204, 215, and 216 in the North Hall, there will be 6 eight foot tables available to accommodate many homebrewers and their gear simultaneously. The Hamvention will provide AC power along with H-F and possibly VHF antenna access. All you need to do is bring your favorite home built project, set it up and demonstrate it to anyone who is interested. This demonstration area will operate on an open schedule basis. This means that you can be there when you want for as long as you want, space permitting. A sign-in sheet will be provided where you can record your project description, contact information and times you will be providing a demonstration. The only restriction is that no sales of these demonstration items will be permitted as a courtesy to paying exhibitors. However, if you have commercial plans for your project, it is fine to go ahead and talk about them. More about this and other Hamvention happenings is on line at www.hamvention.org. (Dayton Hamvention®) ** NAMES IN THE NEWS: HEIL SOUND NAMES SARAH HEIL ITS NEW PRESIDENT Some names in the news. First up congratulations to Sarah Heil, the wife of Heil Sound Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Bob Heil, K9EID, on her being named company president. Sarah Heil holds two degrees from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. She began working at Heil Sound in Informatioin Technology in 1999 and has played in increasingly active role in the company's activities ever since. No stranger to the company's workload and business philosophies, she can often be found in the shipping department helping to meet deadlines for product delivery. She is also a very visible face of the company at trade events. Because of this she has gained industry wide respect from dealers and customers alike. Heil Sound Ltd. was founded as a sound reinforcement specialty company by Bob Heil back in 1966. It has since evolved into one of the worlds leading manufacturers of cutting edge technology dynamic microphones for live sound, recording and two-way communications. In her new role Sarah Heil will oversee all aspects of Heil Sound's financial management as well as the company's long-term strategies. (RW) ** NAMES IN THE NEWS: RSGB HONORS BATH BUILDATHON HAMS The Radio Society of Great Britain has awarded the Kenwood Trophy for outstanding contribution to amateur radio training to the Bath Buildathon event and the follow-up DVD that its sponsors have produced. All six of the Bath Buildathon crew received certificates of merit for their part in this special event. To date, over 60 copies of the DVD have been sent out across the U-K and abroad. The award presentation took place at the RSGB's recent Annual General Meeting. (GB2RS) ** 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) ** WORLDBEAT: HAM TO WALK ACROSS AUSTRALIA - AGAIN The ham who once walked Australia North to South is planning to do it again. But this time Jeff Johnson VK4XJJ plans to go across that nation. Trevor Tage, VK4BT, has more from down-under: -- Well Jeff has another little walk planned but this time it is from east to west! right across Australia!! The Royal Flying Doctor Service has approached Jeff to complete this huge fund-raising walk on their behalf. They will be providing support along the way and the Gympie Communications & Electronics Group will be Jeff's official East Coast Amateur Radio contact station. The walk is being planned to commence early April 2011. With anticipated radio and TV coverage, 'Jeff's Walk' will once again raise money and awareness for a good cause and help to promote and demonstrate Amateur Radio. -- One thing you can be sure of is that ham radio will once again be an important part of VK4XJJ's long distance walking odyssey. (WIA News) ** HAM HAPPENINGS: ARMAD 2010 ON MAY 29 ARMAD an acronym for Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day is slated for this coming May 29th. Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day is a chance for hams to show their support for the United States men and women stationed world wide in defense of our nation, its citizens and our liberty. Information for sites near you planning to take part in Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day can be found at www.armad.net/eventinfo.htm. Questions and comments go to event planner Emery McClendon, KB9IBW by email to armad07(at) yahoo dot com. (ARMAD) ** WORLDBEAT: SAVE ANALOG RADIO CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN THE UK A ham radio magazine in the United Kingdom wants to try to halt that nations transition to all digital radio broadcasting. VK2LAW, has the details: -- A UK National Campaign to maintain traditional analogue broadcast radio for everyday listening and for use in times of national emergencies is trying to spring up. The pressure is on to replace traditional analogue radio broadcasting with Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio. Indeed, the UK Government has provisionally set 2015 as the date when the world wide standard frequency modulation services are to disappear from 87.5 to 108MHz in the v.h.f. f.m. band), to be replaced with DAB radio transmissions. Eventually, the analogue services on long waves at 198 kHz and medium waves from 500kHz to 1.6MHz will also be replaced by digital transmissions. If you do want to know more you can contact Rob G3XFD, oh and Rob is actually Dr. Rob B Mannion the Editor of Practical Wireless magazine. I'm Jason, VK2LAW. -- For those not aware, Practical Wireless is Great Britain's best selling independently published amateur radio magazine. (WIA News) ** WORLDBEAT: INDIA GETS NEW HAM RADIO MUSEUM India has a new Amateur Radio Museum, Knowledge and Awareness Center. Its located at the National Institute of Amateur Radio headquarters in the city of in Hyderabad. The new museum and center was officially opened on Sunday, April 18th. More is on-line at http://expressbuzz.com/cities/hyderabad/ amateur-radio-museum-opens/166486.html (ExpressBuzz) ** HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT DEVOTES SECOND AO-51 REPEATER TO SCOUTING AMSAT North America says that AO-51 is now running two FM repeaters to support contacts by the Boy Scouts celebrating their 100th anniversary this week. The second repeater's uplink is 145.88 with a downlink on 435.150 MHz. Its available primarily for Scouting stations but when not in use by the Boy Scouts, other low power stations are welcome. AMSAT defines low power as 10 watts or less, and uplinking using omnidirectional or handheld antennas only. Meantime, the main repeater on AO-51 is still open for general traffic and the 67 Hz tone access testing continues. That uplink: 145.920 MHz and downlink at 435.300 MHz for general contacts. Both orbital repeaters operate narrowband FM. Please see http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php for the latest AO-51 Control Team News. (AMSAT) ** ON THE AIR: EURPOES EURODAY ON THE AIR FROM SPAIN MAY 1 - 20 On the air, listen out for the special callsigns AO1EU, AO2EU, AO3EU, AO4EU, AO5EU, AO6EU, AO7EU, AO8EU and AO9EU between May 1st to the 20th. This, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Robert Schuman's presentation of his proposal for the creation of what is now known as the European Union. The activity is organized this year by Spains EA Digital Federation under the auspices of the European Radio Amateurs' Organization. All bands and all modes will be used. A special QSL card will be available only via EuroBureauQSL at www.eurobureauqsl.org. (Southgate) ** DX In DX, word that G5XW will be active from Malta as 9H3XW between June 12th to the 19th. His operation will be on the H-F bands using SSB with no set times or frequencies. QSL via his home callsign, direct only. And listen out for VK6DXI to be active as 9M8DX/2 from Kuala Lumpur between April 20th and the 23rd and the 26th to the 29th. In between he will operate from Tioman Island between April 24th and the 26th. His activity will be focused on 30, 17 and 12 meter CW. QSL via SP5UAF, either direct or via the bureau. RD3AF says that he will be on from the Canary Islands from May 29th to the 30th for this years CQ World Wide WPX CW Contest. QSL via UA3DX. IW1PRT will be active from Liechtenstein portable HB0 between April 30th and May 1st. He usually operates on 160 through 10 meters including the WARC bands. QSL via his Manager IZ1MKR via EURAO Bureau. Lastly, W2LPL will be active from Antigua as V26LPL between April 26th and the 30th on 20 meters using 100 watts. QSL via W2LPL. (Above from various DX news sources) ** THAT FINAL ITEM: SHOCK ABSORBER POWER SUPPLY And finally this week, imagine being able to power your radio gear and recharge your car's battery with power derived from your auto's shock absorbers. Well its more than a pipe dream as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Frank Haas, KB4T: -- In a recent study, mechanical engineers from the State University of New York designed and tested a retrofit regenerative shock absorber that recovers a vehicle's vibration as energy. The researchers built a small scale prototype of the regenerative shock absorber, and demonstrated its ability to harvest 2 to 8 watts of power during typical driving conditions. This, at a speed of about 45 mph. The researchers predict that a full-scale system on a four-wheel car should be able to recover up to 256 watts under real world driving conditions. They also believe the ability to harvest approximately 64 watts per wheel will increase considerably when the system is used on irregular or poorly paved roadways. For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Frank Haas, KB4T, in Holly Hill, Florida. -- In their research the scientists also discovered that the power regenerated by this system is proportional to the square of the magnetic flux across the coils in the shock absorber system. Consequently, increasing the flux by a factor of two quadruples the peak power output. More on this discovery is on line at http://iopscience.iop.org/0964-1726/19/4/045003/ (Elektor E-Magazine and 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 . 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 Before we go, a reminder that the nominating period for the 2010 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now open. Each year, we here at the Amateur Radio Newsline in association with Vertex Standard Corporation -- the makers of Yaesu brand ham radio gear -- and CQ Magazine combine to honor a ham radio operator age 18 or younger for his or her contributions to ham radio or to society itself through ham radio. All nominations and materials required by the official rules must be received by Amateur Radio Newsline no later than midnight on May 30th. Both "mail-in" and electronic submissions are being accepted this year. Full rules and a downloadable nominating form are now on our website at www.arnewsline.org. Just scroll down until you see "2010 Young Ham of the Year Awards Now Being Accepted" and click on the word "here" to download the directions and the form. You can also leave questions and comments on the official Young Ham of the Year Award page on Facebook dot com. For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm David Black, KB4KCH, saying 73 and we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. |
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