Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1724 - August 27 2010

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1724 with a release date of
Friday, August 27 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. The last suspects in the murder of Gary
Haas, N5VGH, and his wife Linda are captured, more on ham radios role
in the wake of massive flooding in Pakistan, India gives its hams
access to 6 meters, baby monitors purchased in the United states are
causing havoc to two way radio communications across Japan and Cody
Anderson, KI4FUV is presented the 25th annual Amateur Radio Newsline
Young Ham of the Year Award at the Huntsville Hamfest. Come join in
the celebration on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1724
coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RADIO CRIME: ALLEGED MURDERERS OF N5VGH AND HIS WIFE CAPTURED

The last two of three alleged killers of Gary Haas, N5VGH, and his wife
Linda have been captured in Arizona. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark
Abramowicz, NT3V, is here with the details:

--

Authorities in Arizona say it was the suspicions of a forest ranger about
an unattended campfire and a vehicle backed into trees which helped lead to
the arrests of John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch.

They say the two were hiding out in a campground southeast of the Sunrise
Ski Resort in Apache County, Arizona, when the ranger made the discovery
and called federal authorities.

After checking the license plate of the car, authorities found it matched a
vehicle missing from Santa Rosa, New Mexico and suspected McCluskey and
Welch were responsible for the theft.

Investigators say the car came from an area where authorities discovered
the bodies of Gary Haas and his wife in a burned-out trailer.

In charging documents released by the U.S. Attorney's office in New Mexico,
graphic details of events leading up to the couple's murder were spelled
out.

Investigators say McCluskey, Welch, and another man, identified as Tracy
Allen Province carjacked the couple's pickup truck and their camper trailer
on Aug. 2 at a rest area off Interstate 40 in Quay County, New Mexico.

Authorities allege the trio forced the couple to drive to an area between
Tucumcari and Santa Rosa, New Mexico where they stopped. It was there,
investigators say, McCluskey took the couple at gunpoint to the camper
trailer and shot them, killing both.

With the bodies still in the camper, the fugitives drove to a remote area
of Guadalupe County in New Mexico where they unhitched the camper trailer
and set it on fire with the couple's bodies still inside. The burned out
trailer with the couple's remains inside was found August 4th.

That led to a massive manhunt for McCluskey, Province and Welch. It is
believed Welch helped McCluskey and Province and another inmate, Daniel
Renwick to escape from a private prison in Arizona.

Renwick split from all of them right away and was captured in Colorado a
few days after the breakout.
Province then split from the couple and was captured in Wyoming on Aug. 10.
McCluskey and Welch, who were first cousins and fiancées, remained on the
lam for another nine days.

All are jailed in lieu of very high bail and facing a host of serious
charges ranging from kidnapping to murder.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

--

If found guilty at a federal trial, McCluskey, Province and Welch would
face either life in prison without the possibility of parole or death by
lethal injection. (ARNewsline(tm) from US Marshall's Office Press Release)

**

HAM HELP: ASSISTANCE ASKED TO FIND MISSING ARIZONA HAM

Police and family members are asking for the public's help to locate David
Wile, KE7SWL, of Glendale Arizona. Wile was last seen on Saturday, August
21st at around 11:30 a.m. at his home near 43rd and Maryland Avenues in
Glendale.

David Wile, KE7SWL, is a white male, 30-years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall,
weighing between 180 and 190 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. ABC
15 dot com says that his silver 2003 Honda Accord, with Arizona license
plate 505 VGA, is also missing.

KE7SWL's brother is Alun Wile. He told ABC 15 dot com that he became
worried after David missed a competition that he was scheduled to attend on
Saturday at Paragon Dance Studio in Tempe, Arizona.

Anyone with information on David Wile's where-abouts is asked to contact
the Glendale Arizona Police Department. A photo of David Wile is on-line
at tinyurl.com/37tcdu8 (KE7JDO, AMC15.com, QRZ.com)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAM HELPS HAM IN ARKANSAS ROAD ATTACK

Whether it was road rage or an attempted robbery nobody is quite sure. But
on the morning of August 22nd, David Terrell, N5YLG, was driving on
Interstate 30 between Texarkana, Texas, and Malvern Arkansas when someone
rammed the rear of his car two or three times. Terrell works for a drug
company delivering to nursing homes and hospitals. Luckily his company car
is a retired police cruiser that had the speed to outrun the would-be
attackers.

At the time of the skirmish, Terrell was in an area where there is no cell
phone coverage. However he was able to contact Timothy Leet, K5RQO
through the 147.120 repeater in Benton Arkansas. Leet, who is a former
emergency dispatcher was able to make phone contact with the Arkansas State
Police and Clark County Sherriff's office. Working with the sheriff, he
was able to coordinate an intercept to assist N5YLJ. Authorities located
Terrell and found that was alright except for some aches and pains. At
airtime, the person or persons who rammed Terrell's car are still at
large. (KC5JUQ)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO CONTINUES TO ASSIST IN PAKISTAN FLOODING

Ham radio continues as a lifeline in the flooding situation in
Pakistan. WIA newsman Jim Linton, VK3PC, has the latest:

--

The medical and food support being provided to the many people affected by
the flood disaster in Pakistan affecting six million people is being
assisted by the combined efforts of radio amateurs, a group of four wheel
drive enthusiasts.

Around a quarter of the country has been affected by the floods over the
last three weeks that were triggered by intense summer monsoon rainfall
swelling the Indus River into Pakistan's worst ever flood.

The United Nations estimates 20 million have been affected in
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces and 1600 lives lost.

One of those involved with the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society emergency
communications effort is Asad Marwat, AP2AUM. He reports that more than 20
hams are keeping lines of communications open and the plan is to increase
this to 30 in a week's time.

With both landlines and mobile phone services failed in the flood affected
areas, he said that most of the radio traffic is through a 2-metre band
repeater which is now linked to two homebrewed 2m/70cm cross-band repeaters
or translators extending coverage area.

PARS has teamed up with the Islamabad Jeep Club which is a group with
members who own and drive 4WD sport utility vehicles. Their expertise in
driving on most difficult terrains is proving to be of great assistance to
deliver essential relief supplies and medical help immediately after the
flood. They are also working in collaboration with the Pakistan Academy of
Family Physicians.

I'm Jim Linton, VK3PC

--

Word is that ham radio operations in support of flood relief efforts will
be ongoing for the foreseeable future. (WIA News)

**

WORLDBEAT: UK REGULATOR OFCOM WILL STILL PROTECT THE HAM BANDS

Some good news on the interference mitigation front for hams in the United
Kingdom. The Radio Society of Great Britain has obtained clarification
from telecommunications regulator Ofcom about the changes in
responsibilities for interference investigation.

In a nutshell. the position of Ofcom is that the British Broadcasting
Corporation is now responsible for investigating interference affecting
domestic UK television and radio broadcast reception. The Ofcom website
provides some initial advice to those experiencing problems with TV and
radio reception and a link to the BBC to report interference and request
assistance.

However, and this is very important to UK hams. Ofcom remains responsible
for investigating interference to the amateur service, and to broadcast
services originating outside the UK.

Ofcom tells the RSGB that its website is undergoing significant changes,
but that the new site will make clear the division
of responsibilities. It will also include a web form for reporting
interference to the amateur service. In the meantime, the web form for
reporting cases of abuse on amateur frequencies can also be used for
reporting interference, for example from BPL related devices.

As reported several weeks ago, an initial news release from Ofcom had
stated it was turning interference mitigation over to the BBC. Because of
the incomplete wording in the release, many hams in nthe British Isles were
fearful that protecting the amateur bands from interference would no longer
be an Ofcom responsibility. However, Ofcom now says this is not the case.

**

RESTRUCTURING: INDIA GIVES ITS HAMS 6 METERS

Hams in India have been granted a new allocation on 6 meters. According to
the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter, the new allocation permits F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C
modes from 50 to 54 MHz using 25 watts maximum power. Modes overlooked or
purposely not allowed are CW, SSB and several others popular on the VHF and
UHF bands.

In addition to the new 6 meter allocation, India's licensing structure has
now been restructured with only two classes of license. These are the
Restricted and the General and both will be issued with either a 20 years
or lifetime license term. (VU2PTT, OPDX)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Reading Club and
its W3BN station serving the city of Reading Pennsylvania.

(5 sec pause here)


**

WITH NEWSLINE: THE 2010 YHOTY AWARD PRESENTED TO CODY ANDERSON KI4FUV

Saturday, August 21st was a special day for 17 year old Cody Anderson,
KI4FUV, when he was presented the 25th annual Amateur Radio Newsline Young
Ham of the Year Award. The ceremony took place before a packed house at
the 2010 Huntsville Hamfest and was emceed by Amateur Radio Newsline's
producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. He enumerated some of the points that the
judging committee considered in selecting Cody Anderson for the award:

--

WA6ITF: "He answers calls with the Harriman Fire Department as a volunteer
Explorer, and with as much concern for life and property as the paid staff,
and serves his fellow man with concern and passion.

His nominator sums it up this way: 'Cody is a mature and outstanding young
man who demonstrates unselfish work for his community and for others, and
is truly an ambassador of amateur radio and its role in public service.' "

--

But it was Rich Moseson, W2VU, of corporate underwriter CQ Magazine who
told the crowd of Cody Anderson's life saving action:

--

W2VU: "His radio club had sponsored a CPR class and he took the
class. And just a couple of months later he was out providing
communications for a race when a runner who had just passed his check point
collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Cody, after calling for help on
his radio, along with another runner, performed CPR until the Paramedics
got there. Due to their efforts and the quick radio response, that runner
recovered completely."

--

And with all these accolades, Cody Anderson's acceptance speech was what
those who know this amazing 17 year old have come to expect:

--

KI4FUV: "I would just like to say that I appreciate Amateur Radio
Newsline, Yaesu and CQ Magazine for all that they have done for me, and I'm
just honored to receive the award and I appreciate it."

--

In addition to a plaque from Amateur Radio Newsline, Cody received several
gifts from the awards corporate underwriters. Vertex Standard gave Cody
his trip to the Huntsville Hamfest along with a Yaesu FT-817ND back-packer
transceiver. Heil Sound provided Cody with an ultra-lightweight mic and
earphone boomset. CQ awarded Cody with an expense paid week at Spacecamp
Huntsville that KI4FUV generously donated back to the Spacecamp Scholarship
Office. This so that it can be used to provide tuition to Spacecamp to
some needy youngster at some future date.

Also present at the ceremony were two former Young Ham of the Year
recipients. Christopher Arthur, NB4V and Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, had
words of praise for Cody and we will have that part of the story in next
weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report. Meantime, our thanks to Chairman
Charlie Emmerson, N4OKL and his staff at the Huntsville Hamfest for once
again hosting this years Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year
Award. (ARNewsline)

**

RESCUE RADIO: SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

September is National Preparedness Month and if you haven't done so
already, you might want to consider joining your radio club or repeater
group to the National Preparedness Month Coalition.

National Preparedness Month is designed to encourage Americans to take
simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and
communities. Membership in the National Preparedness Month Coalition is
open at no cost to all public and private sector organizations. By joining
the Coalition your organization would agree to promote emergency
preparedness during the month of September.

Once you register you will receive access to the National Preparedness
Month Web site where you can find a toolkit that includes templates,
resources, and tips to assist you with promoting emergency preparedness.
You will also find an National Preparedness Month calendar where you can
post your events and see what other organizations are doing in your
community. In addition, can share your success stories and read about the
successes of others.

To learn more about National Preparedness Month visit www.ready.gov. So
far, more than 2,800 organizations have signed up. The goal is
3,200. (READY Campaign release)

**

RADIO TERRORISM: KRKO TOWERS REINSTALLED

Two towers a a Washington state radio station's transmitter site that were
toppled last September in an apparent act of eco-terrorism were to be
reinstalled on August 16th. A spokesman for KRKO 1380-AM that serves the
Everett area said on August 12th that the 349-foot and 199-foot towers will
be lifted by crane at the station's site and restore the station to full
power.

Station General Manager Andy Skotdal told the HeraldNet that even though it
took longer that he expected, he was proud that the station never stopped
broadcasting. Skotdal said that his staff had the ability to transmit in
multiple ways, from that and other sites.

Last September, the two radio towers were toppled by heavy equipment. A
cloth was hung on a fence nearby with a message that read: "Wassup? Sno
Cty? ELF"

ELF is the acronym for the Earth Liberation Front, a known eco-terrorism
group. (RBR)

**

RADIO LAW: US-PURCHASED BABY MONITORS INTERFEREING WITH RADIO COMMS IN JA

Two way radio communications used by taxi and other motor vehicle drivers
in Japan are being affected by disruptions caused by baby monitors on
United States operated military bases. Officials in Tokyo said that U-S
purchased baby monitors used by parents on bases were emitting signals
strong enough to interfere with other nearby domestic Japanese
transmissions.

According to the Japanese internal affairs and communications ministry, the
devices emit strong signals on the same frequencies as those used for
mobile telephones and other two-way radio communications in that nation.
The devices have disrupted local taxi communications near bases
in Okinawa, Tokyo, Kanagawa and other areas, the ministry added.

A U-S official said the military discouraged the use of US-bought baby
monitors by its personnel. The US has some 47,000 military personnel
stationed at bases in Japan. (WIA News)

**

RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OVERALL ON NTHE INCREASE

The FCC has released its report on inquiries and complaints processed by
the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau during the first quarter of
2010. The total number of inquiries for all four reported categories
increased more than 7%, from 24,496 in the 4th quarter of 2009 to 26,240 in
the first quarter of 2010. The bulk of the radio and television
broadcasting inquiries, 52%, pertained to broadcast programming issues.

Complaints for the first quarter of 2010 rose 2305 overall to 177,589,
driven by a giant 1259% increase in radio and television complaints to
132,416. The majority of complaints involved broadcast indecency as the
Commission received 127,655 out of 130,651 indecency complaints. (FCC)

**

RADIO MEMORIAL: PA CLUB TO HOLD ON-AIR 911 OPERATION

Look for special event station N3U slash United Flight 93 will be on the
air between September 9th to the 13th. This to commemorate the lives lost
in the wanton acts of terrorism against the United States by agents of al
Quida that took place on September 11, 2001.

This operation is to be sponsored by the Blair Amateur Radio Society, W3PN,
along with various local, state and government agencies. These include the
City of Altoona, Blair County Pennsylvania, the Red Cross and several
others. Operators at N3U will include W3BTX, W3TEF and other W3PN club
members.

Listen for N3U slash United Flight 93 on 160 through 6 meters using CW and
SSB. QSL N3U/Flt 93 via W3PN, by the Bureau or direct. Please include
Self Addressed Stamped Envelope with enough postage to reach your location.

For more details, see the call N3U, the Pennsylvania Memorial Station For
the Sept 11th, 2001 Attacks on QRZ.com. (Via e-mail)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur. From the United States
of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from
our only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being relayed by the
volunteer services of the following radio amateur:

(5 sec pause here)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: SILICOM GRAPHITE LION BATTERY HOLDS DOUBLE THE POWER

Imagine doubling or tripling the time you can operate your H-T on a single
battery charge. Researchers at Austria's Institute for Chemistry and
Technology of Materials of Graz University of Technology have developed a
new method that utilizes silicon for lithium-ion batteries. Its storage
capacity is ten times higher than the graphite substrate which has been
used up to now, and promises considerable improvements for users.

In the newly developed process, researchers utilize a silicon-containing
gel and apply it to the graphite substrate material. In this way the
graphite works as a buffer, cushioning the big changes in volume of the
silicon during the uptake and transfer of lithium ions. As silicon has a
lithium-ion storage capacity some ten times higher than the up-to-now
commercially used graphite, the new material can store more than double the
quantity of lithium ions without changes to the battery lifetime.

The new findings came to light in the "NanoPoliBat" EU project. They have
been recently submitted to the patent office by researchers together with
their co-operation partner Varta Microbattery. (Science OnLine)

**

WORLDBEAT: NEW AM TRANSMITTER TESTED ON YAP

And word that V6AI at 1491kHz from Colonia on the island of Yap in the
Federated States of Micronesia will be back on the air with 10,000 Watts of
non directional power, possibly by the time you hear this newscast. This,
after the former AM transmitter malfunctioned on January 20, 2009 requiring
it to be replaced.

Since then, the station has been operating as 500 Watts FM only as KUTE on
88.1 MHz. But due to the terrain the majority of the people of Yap,
especially those in the outlining villages and the neighboring islands,
have had no radio reception from the government for over 19 months.

Even after the new Nautel transmitter passes proof of performance, AM radio
will not be in full operation and may discontinue broadcasting from time to
time. This, until such time as new programs are produced and an approved
schedule is in place. (W8HDU)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SO67 OPERATIONAL ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS

Turning to ham radio news from space, the Sumbandillasat SO-67 South
African ham radio satellite is again operational over that nation on almost
a daily basis. However, its availability is somewhat limited due the
current image downloading schedule. More details are on line at
www.amsatsa.org.za. (SARL)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: TWO ARISSATS TO HEAD TO RUSSIA IN SEPTEMBER

Two ARISSat Amateur Radio satellites should be shipped to Russia in
September with a launch slated for January 2011. Both birds are now
manifested on Progress 41P to get ARISSat's to the ISS.

Actually four ARISSat satellites have been assembled in Orlando,
Florida. The two Russian flight units are assembled, electronics are
undergoing operational tests, software is close to being the final version
and the team expects to have the satellite complete and ready for vibration
tests shortly. However no date has been finalized for the vibration test
to take place.

According to the team building the birds NASA has been very instrumental in
getting ARISSat an export license, arranging for transportation to Russia
and helping clarify how the satellite will be attached to the Progress
vessel. Shipping the two satellites to Russia in September will provide
enough time to install the Kursk experiment, test their battery with the
satellite and do additional tests before shipping to Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan for launch. (WA4SXM)

**

RADIOSPORTS: IARU REGION 3 ARDF CHAMPIONSHIP IN AUSTRALIA IN 2011

From the radiosports page comes word that planning has begun for this
Biennial IARU Region 3 Amateur Radio Direction Finding or ARDF
Championships to be held in Australia in late 2011. This, with the
Wireless Institute of Australia hosting the games.

The 2011 event will be held in regional Victoria State although an exact
location and venue is yet to be announced. Wireless Institute of Australia
ARDF Coordinator and an International Class Referee Jack Bramham, VK3WWW,
has taken on responsibility for the organization and management of the
event. He is assisted by the resources of the Victorian ARDF Group with
the Wireless Institute of Australia providing administrative support.

The same event was held down-under back in 2003 and had the assistance of a
number of amateur radio groups not normally involved with ARDF. Organizers
have indicated the same approach will be taken when the Amateur Radio
Direction Finding Championships return to Australia in 2011. (VK3PC)

**

DX

In DX, the Saba 2010 team has completed all preparations for the activation
of Saba beginning beginning on October 10th. As you know by now, that is
the likely date that the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist and
several new DXCC entities will be created. One of those new countries
should be Saba/St. Eustatius due to their close proximity. Although, this
is not a 100% certainty, the ham radio team believes that this is likely
enough to plan the operation. More information is on line at www dot
saba2010 dot com.

Meantime, DK1II is on the air from Fiji as 3D2II through September
10th. His operation is limited to his spare time because he is involved
with the Rotary Club of Lautoka project. He's reportedly operating CW
using an Elecraft K3 and DX-Wire pole for 10 through 40 meters. QSL via
his home callsign or the Logbook of the World.

G0OPA, will be active as 8P9LJ between September 12th and November 8th. No
other details of his operation are known at this time. If you work him,
QSL as directed on the air.

DF5UG, will be operational from West Malaysia, East Malaysia and Brunei for
the next three weeks. Callsigns to listen out for are 9M2QQ, 9M8QQ and
V85QQ. Again QSL this one as directed on the air.

N7OU is returning to Rarotonga and will be operational as E51NOU between
October 18th and November 13th. Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters
as time permits. QSL via N7OU.

Members of the Virginia DX Century Club will be active from Gunantanamo
Bay, Cuba, between October 5 to the 19th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters
using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL each operator via his home call as directed on
the air.

Lastly, K3LP will be active stroke HI7 from Punta Cana in the Dominican
Republic through October 4th. His operation will be limited as this is a
family holiday, so look for him during the late evening and early morning
hours only. QSL via his home callsign.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: ARES TURNS 75

And finally this week, its Happy Birthday to ARES as the service turns
75. Pete Summers, KL2GY, has the details:

--

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service, ARES, will be celebrating its 75th
anniversary from September through December 2010. This program of the
ARRL the national association for Amateur Radio has provided "ham radio
"
emergency communications for agencies such as the American Red Cross,
Salvation Army, countless Emergency Operations Centers and other responders
in the worst of times.

Their specially trained radio communications volunteers give thousands of
hours of community service for free. Right here in your community, or
maybe even in your neighborhood the Amateur Radio Emergency Service has
been providing this service for many years.

The fastest way to turn an emergency into a disaster is to loose
communications. In events from ice storms to Hurricane Katrina and Haiti,
when normal communications systems were down or overloaded, the Amateur
Radio operators of the ARES programs filled requests for communications aid.

Over the years the program name and equipment has changed but the vision
remains. The modern communications nets that ARES can quickly create to
blanket whole regions - without the need for other infrastructure - remain
critical in emergency planning. In the first hours and days of a major
event, Amateur Radio is often the source of initial information on the
type, scope and reactions needed to save lives. Recognition of this
capability led to formal agreements with DHS, FEMA, NOAA and other federal,
state and local agencies. When the Internet, cell phone and electricity go
out they call on us, the hams.

The first mention of an organized Amateur Radio emergency response
organization appears in the September 1935 issue of QST Magazine. We are
75, and still growing.

--

You can hear and download the full 4 minute version of this report at
www.arrl.org/ares-anniversary. Meantime, we say a very happy 75th birthday
ARES, and congratulations to all who have participated in this ham radio
gift of public service to all of mankind. (ARES)

**

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

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Don
Carlson,
KQ6FM, in Reno, Nevada, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

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