Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1764 - June 3 2011

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1764 with a release date of
Friday, June, 3 2011 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. The ham radio team in NYC that met with the
sponsor of H R 606 has more good news about the future of that bill, a
new system for US based educators to request schoolroom contacts with
the International Space Station, Japan scraps the last of its Morse
code ham radio testing and the ARRL's VUAC is looking for ways to
increase activity on the world above 50 MHz. Find out the details are
on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1764 coming your way right
now.


(Billboard Cart Here)


**

RADIO LAW: HR-607 SPONSOR BEGINS WORK TO ELIMINATE 70 CM HAM B AND
FROM THE BILL

Some more good news on the future of House of Representatives measure
HR-607 and its possible impact on the amateur radio allocation from 420
to 440 MHz. Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, was one of the four New York City
area hams that recently met with the bills sponsor Representative Peter
King and elicited a promise to get the measure changed. This, so as to
eliminate the possible sale of that ham radio allocation from it. Now
says Lisenco, the action to do this is already underway:

--

N2YBB: "After we met with Congressman King on the 19th; shortly after
that we were told by his staff that the Congressman requested of the
committee that Section 207 which is the section in HR-607 that deals
specifically with the sale of spectrum below 512 MHz be completely
removed from the bill.

"He went to Conressman Greg Walden, who is a Republican from Oregon,
whose callsign is W7EQU, and who is the chairman of the House
Subcommittee on Technology, Communications and the Internet.

"Both of them agreed to remove the section and we are being told that
the bill will absolutely not move forward until (Section) 207 is
removed from it."

--

According to N2YBB, he sincerely believes that Congressman King is a
man of his word and will follow through completely on his commitment to
remove any reference to the 70 centimeter band from the measure. And
according to Lisenco, this is a good lesson in how hams must learn to
deal with all political issues on a grass roots level:

--

N2YBB: "I think the lesson that we learn here is that the best
approach is to develop working relationships with all legislators;
whether they be on a Congressional level; whether they be on a local
level such as a City Council member or a state representative.

"It really behooves us to go out and build these working relationships
with our representatives because a face-to-face meeting with a
constituent is a thousand times more powerful then 10,000 letters."

--

Lisenco notes that unlike the 1950's, 60's, or 70's, that today with
the speed at which communications takes place it really is necessary to
get a face to face meeting with legislators on issues that affect our
service.

As to when the action to remove 420 to 450 MHz from possible resle
under HR-607, Lisenco cannot say. He notes that legislation in
Washington moves at its own pace but he is certain that Representative
King will act in the best interest of his constituents in the amateur
radio community which he represents in Congress. (ARNewsline(tm))

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NEW US ONLY SELECTION PROCESS ANNOUNCED FOR ARISS
CONTACTS

An announcement that will change the way in which educators in the
Unuited States must apply for ham radio in space classroom contacts
with the International Space Station is now in place. Norm Seeley,
KI7UP, reports:

--

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station or ARISS planning
group along with the NASA Johnson Space Center Education Office's
Teaching From Space staff have jointly announced a new processes that
United States based educators will need to follow. This, to submit a
proposal for a school contact with the International Space Station
crew.

Effective immediately, a application for an ARISS school contact must
consist of a comprehensive education plan, of which the ARISS contact
is one of many components. Other parameters include the integration of
NASA education and ARRL content with surrounding education activities,
and incorporate creative ways to maximize the reach of the ARISS
contact and the experience for students. .

The proposal should include study topics related to space technology,
space exploration or space research, as well as amateur radio, radio
science and wireless communications technology. Also, the educator
must describe the instructional activities and lessons to be engaged in
with students as part of the learning and preparation for the proposed
contact

ARISS astronaut contacts under the new processes will begin in January
2012 and end in July 2012. A window of opportunity will open every six
months when another NASA news release goes to educators. The first of
these opened on May 19th and will close on July 15th.

The initial NASA news release was sent on May 19th to 18,000 educators.
NASA's Teaching From Space Office stresses that for the moment the new
procedure applies only to schools in the United States. Educational
institutions in other countries will continue to follow their existing
process.

From Scottsdale, Arizona, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, reporting for the
Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Full coverage of the ARISS program changes can be found on-line
courtesy of the ARRL at tinyurl.com/3ejz5lu (Southgate, ANS, ARRL,
others)

**

RESTRUCTURING: JAPAN SCRAPS FINAL MORSE TESTING

The country that started the no-code licensing revolution some six
decades ago has finally dropped the Morse testing requirement for all
of that nations ham radio licensees. This with word that the Japanese
Ministry of Internal Affairs has decided to scrap Morse testing for the
Amateur Radio Class 1 and 2 licenses with an effective date of this
coming October 1st.

What amounts to Japan's version of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making on
the Morse test was held earlier in the year. There were 39 people who
responded. Following a discussion of the information the responses
provided, the Ministry announced that Morse telegraphy testing would be
discontinued.

Japan pioneered the High Frequency No-Code Amateur Radio or Class 4
license in the 1950's although they still required Morse for the higher
license classes. The written exam for the Class 4 is roughly equivalent
to the Foundation exam in the United Kingdom and Australia and the
discontinued USA Novice.

The Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs announcement on the abolishment
of Morse testing is on line in Google translated English at
tinyurl.com/3s4bljx (WIA)

**

RADIO HEALTH: WHO NOW SAYS CELLPHONES MAY CAUSE CANCER

According to the World Health Organization, radiation from cell phones
can possibly cause cancer. This as the agency now lists mobile phone
as a carcinogenic hazard.

According to published news reports, a team of thirty-one scientists
from fourteen nations reached this the decision after reviewing
previously reviewed studies on cellular telephone safety. The
scientists say that they found enough evidence to categorize personal
exposure as possibly carcinogenic to humans. What that means is they
found some proof of increase two types of brain cancer with mobile
phone users, but have not been able to draw conclusions for other types
of cancers.

The wireless industry responded to the announcement saying it "does not
mean cell phones cause cancer. The Cellular Telecommunications
Industry Association noted added that World Health Organization
researchers did not conduct any new research, but rather just reviewed
already published studies.

Before its announcement on Tuesday, May 31st the World Health
Organization had assured consumers that no adverse health effects from
cellular telephones had been established. (Published news reports)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N7SK0
repeater serving the city of Kingmnan Arizona.


(5 sec pause here)


**

RESCUE RADIO: SPRINGFIELD TORNADO RESPONSE

Two tornadoes touched down in Central Massachusetts on Wednesday, June
1st causing widespread damage to the city of Springfield and several
other communities. Amateur radio operators sprang into action on
several fronts including providing assistance to the National Weather
Service in spreading word about the storms

--

NWS Amateur Station Audio: Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of
this weeks newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

According to reports reaching our news desk, a half dozen hams
associated with a Western Massachusetts ARES group provided support
the American Red Cross in staffing shelters in several communities hit
by the storms. Also utilized was the services iof hams attached to
RACES at an Emergency Operations Center in near the city of Springfield
which was one of the towns hit by a tornado.

At airtime the death toll stands at four but first responders are going
door to door looking for other victims trapped in damaged buildings.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick called up 1000 National Guardsmen
and has declared a state of emergency. More on this situation as
information is made available. (KC5FM, Published news reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT: MIAMI UNLICENSED BROADCASTER FINED $20,000

Yet another unlicensed broadcaster in Florida has been handed a stiff
penalty by the FCC. This, as it upholds a $20,000 fine against
Nounoune Lubin for operating a radio station in North Miami, withour a
government grant to do so.

According to an FCC release, on four occasions in late 2009 and into
2010, agents from the Miami office traced the source of an illegal
signal on 90.1 MHz to Lubin's premises. They also traced a cable from
an antenna in the backyard to transmitting equipment in her home. The
FCC says that even after receiving two Notices for operating an
unauthorized station, Lubin continued on the air. That's when it
decided to issue a Notice of Aparant Liability to Monetary Forfeiture
in the amount of $20,000.

In response, Lubin simply claimed she did not operate the station, but
offered no other proof. The regulatory agency was unconvinced. In
affirming the fine it said that even if Lubin herself didn't operate
the station, the equipment was on her premises, powered on and under
her control.

The agency then upheld the original penalty, which has now escalated to
a forfeiture order. Lubin was given the customary 30 days to pay or to
file an appeal. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT: COURT DISMISSES K1MAN COUNTERCLAIM

Another loss for Glenn A. Baxter, K1MAN, in his legal battle with the
United States government which is seeking to collect a $21,000 fine
issued against him by the FCC.

On May 23, the US District Court in Maine released an Order, dismissing
one of Baxter's amended counterclaims on multiple grounds. In its
dismissal the court noted that the counterclaim by the plaintiff does
not have standing to file a civil action against the government for its
decision not to initiate a prosecution. Also that court does not have
subject matter jurisdiction to review a Federal Communications
Commission licensing decision, and that the Federal Tort Claims Act
does not authorize a civil suit based on a governmental agency's
alleged failure to perform its statutory duty.

According to the October 2010 complaint, the $21,000 fine had been
levied against Baxter for - and we quote --defendant's willful and
repeated violations of Sections 97.101(d) which is commencing
transmissions on top of existing communications. Also for violating
Section 97.113(a)(3) which is transmitting communications in which the
station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest. Baxter
had also been charged for his alleged willful violation of Section
97.105(a) which is exercising control over station, Section 97.113(b)
that deals with propitiations on amateur service stations broadcasting
and for his failure to file requested information pursuant to an
Enforcement Bureau directive.

The court upheld complaint that seeks to force Baxter to pay the
$21,000 fine along with a filing fee and such other and further relief
as the Court deems just and proper. Two United States Attorneys filed
the complaint against Baxter in US District Court in October 2010, for
not responding appropriately to an order that he pay a $21,000 monetary
forfeiture. Baxter countered by filing several pro se motions of his
own. (ARRL, others)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: NEW AMERICAN LEIGON RADIO CLUB SEEKS MEMBERS

QCWA President Bob Roske, N0UF, reports that a new American Legion
Radio Club is in the process of organizing. Membership is available to
Legionnaires, Auxiliary, Legion Riders and others who qualify. If you
are interested in becoming a part of this new group please send your
full name, callsign, address and Leigon membership number by e-mail to
K9TAL (at) legion (dot) org. (N0UF)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: K6TT APPOINTED SANTA CLARA VALLEY CA SM

Phil Steffora, K6TT, of Los Altos, California, has been appointed as
Santa Clara Valley Section Manager effective May 25. ARRL Membership
and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, made the appointment
in consultation with Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG.

That ARRL's section's top ARRL Field Organization position has been
open since Bill Dale, N2RHV, term of office concluded on June 30, 2010.
Steffora's appointment extends through June 30, 2012. (ARRL)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: VUAC WANTS INPUT ON HOW TO INCREASE ACTIVITY

According to Jon Platt, W0ZQ, the ARRL would like to encourage more
participation in several VHF and UHF contests held each year. In a
posting to the VHF Reflector, Platt is quoted as noting that many of
the High Frequency transceivers sold in recent years include 50 MHz.
Some also include the 144 and 432 MHz bands with multi-mode
capabilities. He goes on to say that the question at hand is how can
we encourage more owners of such radios to utilize these bands and
modes to participate in VHF and UHF contests?

Platt says that the ARRL VHF/UHF Advisory Committee - the VUAC -- has
been asked to consider this question. Also to make recommendations on
ways to encourage, explore and expand the ARRL VHF and UHF contests and
other operating activities by using the multi-band and multi-mode
capabilities of modern transceivers and related equipment.

W0ZQQ says that VUAC would like to ask the amateur radio community to
provide its comments and ideas for consideration. Please send any
that you have to your ARRL VUAC Division representative no later than
July 1st. A listing of each Division's VUAC representative can be
found at www.arrl.org/arrl-staff-vuac-cac. (VHF Reflector)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: POPE BENEDICT XVI CROATION VISIT TO BE COMMEMORATED
BY HAM RADIO

Ham radio will be a part of the celebration as Pope Benedict the 16th
will be visiting the Republic of Croatia for the first time between
June 4th and 5th.

The city of Zagreb was to be the host town during his stay in Croatia.
The visit of Pope Benedict has also inspired the members of the
Croatian Flora Fauna Radio Club to activate the special callsign
9A16PB. The PB in the callsign is in honor of Pope Benedict.

Hams in Croatia will keep 9A16PB on the air through June 13th. QSL this
very special operation via 9A2MF. We will have more special event
information later on in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report.
(OPDX)

**

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: THE BODY AS AN ANTENNA

Microsoft Research has presented some interesting technologies at the
recent Association for Computing Machinery's Conference on Human
Factors in Computing Systems. One of these is titled "Your Noise is My
Command: Sensing Gestures Using the Body as an Antenna."

In this case, the human body isn't transmitting. Rather it is
receiving electromagnetic noise from objects the body or hand. It then
feeds this data to a laptop in a backpack for interpretation.

This presentation received one of the conferences thirteen best-paper
awards. And as you might have guessed, it was titled "Your Noise is My
Command: Sensing Gestures Using the Body as an Antenna." (TV
Technology)

**

RADIO IN SPACE: NEXT MARS ROVER BEING MADE READY FOR LAUNCH

NASA engineers are putting the finishing touches on the next rover to
Mars before shipping it off to Florida for launch later this year.
What's being described as a small army of technicians dressed in
protective suits have been working almost nonstop inside of a clean
room at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California,
assembling the new rover named Curiosity and testing its science
instruments.

NASA says that it will begin shipping spacecraft parts to Cape
Canaveral beginning next month. The size of a small SUV, Curiosity
will drive around Mars and study whether the planet ever had the right
environment to support primitive life.

The Mars mission was supposed to launch in 2009, but technical setbacks
and soaring costs forced a two-year delay. The $2.5 billion project is
now scheduled to launch in late November. (NASA)

**

HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE: BALLOON NUMBER 165 FROM EOSS TO FLY ON JUNE 11TH

Edge Of Space Sciences will be flying its 165th stratospheric balloon
flight on Saturday June 11th. Launch is slated for 7:10 AM Mountain
time from Deer Trail, Colorado.

This flight will be in support of Colorado University Boulder's Space
Grant Consortium Shot Workshop with student built experiments as the
payload. These are the tentative payload frequencies 147.555 MHz
transmitting the call AE0SS in Morse and 144.340 MHz A-P-R-S using the
identifier AEOSS-11.

Some 40 students are participating in this latest launch which will
loft a 20 pound payload using a 3000 gram helium filled balloon. For
the latest information on this and other Edge of Space Sciences
projects, please check the groups website at www dot eoss dot org. The
June 11th flight follows closely on the heels of Edge of Space Sciences
its 164th stratospheric balloon flight that took place on Saturday May
28th. (KC0UUO)

**

RADIO ON THE MOVE: WHITTER AK. TO BROWNSVILLE TX. ON APRS EQUIPPED
BIKE

On the air, keep an ear open foe Keith Stebbings, KE1THR of Joseph,
Oregon. This as he attempts a long distance bicycle ride from Alaska
to Texas.

Stebbings departed from the Alaskan town of Whittier on May 12th on his
touring bike pulling two small trailers. In addition to his regular
biking gear, Stebbings is carrying amateur radio equipment that
includes an APRS transmitter which will pinpoint his location for the
next five months as he heads toward Brownsville, Texas. He has a Yaesu
VX-6R handie talkie as well as a Yaesu FT-857 all-band transceiver that
runs on batteries kept charged through a solar panel.

When he is not on his bike, Keith Stebbings is the director of the
Wallowa Avalanche Center in Oregon. His progress on his 5-month, 8000
mile ride can be tracked on the Internet at aprs.fi by entering the
call ke1thr-4 in the callsign search. (Alaska Newsminer, others)

**

DX

In DX, K0YAK is currently based at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal
and is active as 9N7AK during his spare time. He is expected that he
will be there until early July using SSB and PSK31 on 20 through 10
meters. QSL's should go via his home callsign.

PA4JJ will be active portable 9A from Porec on the Croatian mainland
between June 6th and 24th. He will operate holiday style using RTTY and
PSK31 most of the time. QSL via his home callsign.

And while short notice, three operators from Italy will be on the air
portable H-B-Zero from Liechtenstein through June 5th. They plan to
operate holiday style using CW, SSB and RTTY, with main focus to be
given to 12, 17 and 30 meters as well as the upper High Frequency bands
as well as 6 meters. QSL as directed on the air.

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: A LADY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE DAYTON HAMVENTION

And finally this week the story of a Dayton Hamvention forum leader who
has been a part of the annual event for close to a quarter of a
century. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the story
of this educator who keeps kids coming to Hamvention year after year
after year:

--

Carole Perry, WB2MGP, has been the driving force behind Dayton's annual
Youth Forum on Saturdays here at the Hamvention for years.

Perry says it's been an incredible experience working with young people
who really have an interest in not just turning on a radio and talking
or typing on a keyboard, but interest in the technical side.

Perry says she's heard from those who attended past Youth Forums and
went on to some pretty exciting careers...

"The kids work for NASA, the kids get involved with the Hubble
telescope - they've reported back. They've all gone on - for the most
part - into technical pursuits," Perry says. "And even if they never
got a license, the fact that they had fun and became technologically a
little bit more knowledgeable, then that's the stuff we're there to do
with them."

So how did Perry get connected to the Youth Forum?

"I taught 'Introduction to Amateur Radio' for 30 years," Perry says.
"And now that I'm retired, it was either the hammock or continue doing
this and I chose to do this.

"And, I love working with young people. There's a positive energy that
you get when you work with young people. So that's why I love it."

Perry says the Youth Forum at Dayton wouldn't be possible if it weren't
for the equipment vendors, ham radio publications, and the Radio Club
of America...which she says is especially generous to the youth who
make presentations...

"At the end of it, each presenter from RCA gets the 'Young Achievers
Award' from RCA as well as a $100 stipend to encourage them for their
presentations and for their work in wireless communications," Perry
says.

Next year is the 25th anniversary of the Youth Forum and Perry says
she's already working on some ideas with the folks at Dayton and
others.

"I've got DARA thinking about it, a lot of the publishers of the ham
magazines are thinking about it," Perry says. "We're considering doing
a reunion of all the kids who have presented over the last 25 years
-that's one of the thoughts. So we're going to be working on that."

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, reporting
from the Dayton Hamvention.

--

Carole Perry, WB2MGP, has received many honors over the years, but
perhaps the greatest is the fact that 24 years after she began the
Dayton Hamvention Youth Forum, it is still growing in size and
importance each year. (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 Newsline (at)
arnewsline (dot) org. More information is available at Amateur Radio
Newsline's(tm) only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.
You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm),
28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350

And a reminder that the nominating period for the year 2011 Amateur
Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now open. Created by
Newsline back in 1986, this award is offered to recognize one young
United States or Canadian radio amateur age 18 or younger for his or
her contributions to society through Amateur Radio.

As in years past, the 2011 recipient will receive an expense paid trip
to the Huntsville Hamfest in Huntsville Alabama courtesy of
Vertex-Standard Corporation which produces Yaesu brand amateur radio
gear. Vertex-Standard will also present this years winner with a
special ham radio related gift. CQ Magazine will again treat the
recipient to a week at Spacecamp-Huntsville. We at Amateur Radio
Newsline will present the winner with a plaque honoring his or her
achievements.

All nominations and materials required by the official rules must be
received by ARNewsline before June 30, 2011. A downloadable nominating
form is at our website at www.arnewsline.org. A nominating form can
also be obtained by sending a request along with a self addressed
stamped envelope to the Young Ham of the Year Award in care of Amateur
Radio Newsline, Inc. 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California
91350.

Again, the cutoff date for these years Young Ham of the Year Award
nominations is June 30th. We ask you to do your part by nominating a
young ham who has done something special related to ham radio. The
nomination form is at www.arnewsline.org.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Damron, N8TMW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.