Post by David (N4DLT) on Sept 12, 2009 14:57:19 GMT -5
In the month of September 2008 we heard from regular contributors Joseph Bartzi, Jr., KC8DKF of Columbus, OH; William Walters, WA2IBM in San Jose and Stephen Perluss and the South Orange Amateur Radio Association in Mission Viejo.
Via PayPal there was Christopher Johns- Brewton, AL; Harry Bump and the Lebanon Valley Society of Radio Amateurs in Richland, PA and Barry Youmans and the Silvercreek Amateur Radio Association, W8WKY in Rittman, OH.
In October we heard from Pete Ostopchuk, N9SFX and Elkhart Electronics in Osceola, IN. Via PayPal there were Martin Falk and Erik Fuller, KE5VBO
Remember that these newscasts don't just spontaneously erupt- they require us going and getting the news. That requires internet and telephone service, and for some reason, the service providers have very little humor when it comes to pay for their services. To help us keep these humorless people otherwise happy, please write to us at the Support Fund address given at the end of this newscast, or use our easy PayPal link on our website, arnewsline.org.
Thank you. I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, at our (cough, cough) smoky studios here in Los Angeles.
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Andy will be back with us in the near future with more than-you's to those who have contributed to the support fund. (ARNewsline™ Support Fund)
**
Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1674 with a release date of Friday, September 11, 2009 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio assists as Hurricane Jimena hits Baja California, a ham looses his home in a California brushfire, South Africa's latest ham radio satellite is made ready for launch and the International Amateur Radio Union says its time to fight back against spectrum intruders using the Morse code. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1674 coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO VS HURRICANE JIMENA
Ham radio has become the main communication artery into and out of portions of Baja California, Mexico. This, after hurricane Jimena, packing winds approaching 145 miles hour came ashore after first hitting the tip of Baja California Mexico. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:
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Until now most hams have never heard of the Sonrisa Net. It meets daily at 13:30 UTC on 3.968 MHz. But in recent days this net has become the communications backbone out of parts of Baja California that were ravaged by Hurricane Jimena.
According to David Stein, KE6ENI, its Geary Ritchie, WB6PKH, of Danville, California, who operates on the Sonrisa Net that has been one of the principal information conduits into and out of the storm ravaged area. Among the reports that he received on Thursday September 3rd and Friday September 4th from hams in Baja was that the main long bridge north of Santa Rosalia was down. So were several of the new bridges between Mulegé and Santa Rosalia. Also that there was major damage to the old Marina at Santa Rosalia, but no loss of boats and more important there was no loss of life.
Reports out of San Carlos are that several boats sank in the San Carlos harbor. Meantime, as of 8 am Pacific on Friday the 4th there was no electrical power in the towns of Loreto, Mulegé, San Carlos and Santa Rosalia. Some cellular telephones were working though the towers were thought to be on emergency power.
As of the 5th there is still no power water or phone in the Mulegé area and Bahia de Conception. WB6KPH also confirmed that health and welfare traffic is being passed using amateur radio phone and digital modes to those back in the U.S. as well as those up and down the Baja Peninsula.
Obviously this information will be several days old by the time many of you hear it. As with any emergency, the situation in the wake of Hurricane Jimena is constantly changing and we will have more on these rescue radio efforts in an upcoming Amateur Radio Newsline report.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.
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Marcia Meyer, KI6INK, aboard her boat in Puerto Escondido near Loreto, was net control. She's been helping to connect people and allowed those on boats and on land in the U.S. and others stretched across Baja to connect with each other in an orderly manner. (Information supplied by David Stein, KE6ENI, via QRZ.com)
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RESCUE RADIO: N6MGM HOME LOST IN SOCAL ARSON BRUSH FIRE
The Station Fire still burning in the hills North of Los Angeles has claimed the home of Mark Moore, N6MGM. Terry Graves, K7FE, an editor at QRZ dot com says that he spoke to Moore on Monday, September 7th. Moore who works at Ham Radio Outlet in Burbank California wanted everyone know that he, his wife Amanda, K6MDY, their children and pets are all in good health. They are however emotionally devastated because the fire consumed the home, it's belongings and memories collected over many years. Moore's amateur radio station was also lost.
As of Monday, September 7th the Station Fire had destroyed 157,220 acres or about 230 square miles. The fire, already the largest on record in Los Angeles County, is reported to be about 50% contained but is not expected to be fully under control until September 15th at the earliest. In addition to the two firefighters who died on August 30th when their truck fell into a canyon during the blaze, nine firefighters have been injured in the Station fire which investigators say was caused by arson.
Through Terry Graves and QRZ dot com, Moore express his appreciation to all for your support and best wishes. He says that the family is fine and have a roof over its heads. He asks everyone to please focus their thoughts and prayers to those that lost everything and have no home to go to anymore. He adds to also please remember the two firefighters we lost in the firestorm. (K7FE via QRZ.com)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SUMBANDILASAT A GO FOR SEPTEMBER 15 LAUNCH
South Africa's SumbandilaSat is still on track for September 15th launch. In an interview with South Africa AMSAT, Johan Erasmus, a systems engineer with SunSpace at the launch site in Kazakhstan, said that the satellite had traveled well and that all systems performed according to specification during the testing phase.
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Erasmus: "We've been busy since our arrival here, first to check out the satellite to make sure that it survived the journey fine. We have been checking the test results with the ones that we made before shipping and they all checked out fine. So we didn't have a y unexpected problems with the satellite itself."
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Erasmus says that the beacon, parrot repeater and transponder were tested from a distance. He said that RF levels measured on the money and that everyone was delighted with the results. You can hear the entire interview with Johan Erasmus on line at www.amsatsa.org.za (Amateur Radio Mirror International)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SWISSCUBE MAY LAUNCH SEPT 21
And the HB9AFO SwissCube web page reports that ham radio satellite may be launched on September 21st. SwissCube is one of four amateur radio satellites that will be launched from India on an PSL-VC14 booster. More information on this hamsat is on line at tinyurl.com/SwissCube. (Southgate)
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RADIO LAW: IARU SAYS TO MORSE INTRUDERS ON 40 METERS AWAY
A new way to fight intruders on 40 meters. Jam them with C-W.
The International Amateur Radio Union is encouraging amateurs to get on the air and use CW on the 7 MHz band. This is because Portuguese fishermen are abusing 7,000.4kHz using USB every morning between 07.00 and 09.00 UTC and later.
The fishermen are located off the North of Portugal. The IARU says that hams should use this frequency for CW traffic as much as they can. (Southgate, others)
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BREAK 1
From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Muncie Area Amateur Radio Club repeater, WB9HXG, serving Muncie Indiana.
(5 sec pause here)
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HONORING A FRIEND: WALTER CRONKITE KB2GSD REMEMBERED
A memorial service for former CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, took place on Wednesday morning, September 9th in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. Among those present to speak at the service were President Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton. The program also included presentations by Cronkite's son Chip and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Walter Cronkite anchored the CBS Evening News for 19 years from 1962 to 1981. During that time he became known as the most trusted man in America. His legacy in the world of amateur radio are the two videos he hosted for the American Radio Relay League. These are "Amateur Radio Today" and "The ARRL Goes to Washington."
As previously reported, Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, died on July 17th from complications to cerebrovascular disease. He was 92 years old. (ARNerwsline™ from published reports)
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ENFORCEMENT: HAM EXPLAINS WHY HES QUITTING EMMCOMM AT WORK
A ham who posted on an Internet website that he had assisted in an emergency communications drill at work has come forward to explain why he was contacted about his action by FCC ham radio rules enforcer Laura Smith. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has more:
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In his posting to the QRZ.com website, Jeffery Casselberry, W0WLS, says that last July he volunteered to take part in a state sanctioned communication drill which was backed by the Missouri Hospital Association. At that time he was the only licensed amateur in the facility so he said yes.
According to Casselberry this drill took place during business hours while he was on the clock. He explained that he had built the amateur station for the hospital and with it the facility better than most in communicating locally and to the state capital.
W0WLS went on to say that he was so thrilled about the drills success that what he made what he terms as the mistake of posting his excitement on the QRZ website. Someone who read it decided to cut and paste his comments and send them off to the FCC. As a result, W0WLS says that he received an informal email from the FCC's Smith acknowledging his violation and requesting a response.
Casselberry says that he responded to Smith and explained in detail the events of his alleged violation. Smith responded with the following e-mail which reads as follows and we quote:
"Jeff: Again, just so we are clear, Section 97.113 (a)(3) of the Commission's rules specifically states that "no amateur station shall transmit: communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer." This means that if you are an employee of the hospital you may not operate the amateur equipment on their behalf even after hours or while you are on a break. The operation of the amateur equipment must be conducted strictly by volunteers." -- end quote.
Casselberry went on to say that he does not want to become a poster child for some emergency communications cause on QRZ.com. He says that he is done with this type of ham radio activity and it will never happen again. He's even gone so far as to tell his employer that he is done with this type of radio activity and will take no further part in it's emergency communications program.
W0WLS ends by noting that he is a hobbyist and don't need this sort of turmoil in my life. As such, he will make no further comments on this issue.
I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale, Arizona, reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline.
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A link to the complete on-line discussion about this topic can be found at forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?t=216670 (QRZ)
**
RESCUE RADIO: ARRL SECTION EMERGENCY TEST OCTOBER 3 - 4
The 2009 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test or SET takes place the weekend of October 3rd and 4th. SET is an ARRL Field Organization event that will actively involve members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, the ARRL National Traffic System and many other ham radio related emergency response groups. More information on this years Simulated Emergency Test is on line at the ARRL website. You can find the exact U-R-L is www.arrl.org/FandES/field/setguide.html (ARRL)
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RESCUE RADIO: COWICHAN VALLY HAMS INVITED TO NEW EMERGENCY CORPS
Canada dot com reports that the Cowichan Valley Regional District in the province of British Columbia is looking to an alliance with local ham radio operators to assist in times of disaster. To that end, the District and the Cowichan Valley Amateur Radio Society are hosting two information sessions this month for amateur radio operators willing to be part of a regional emergency communications team.
Meetings were scheduled at for the mornings of September 5th and the 19th. Sybille Sanderson is the Districts public safety education coordinator. She says the idea is to find out what we do in emergency communications, the kind of training we're going to be offering and the kinds of places where radio amateurs could help.
The Cowichan Valley is a region around the Cowichan River and Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia. Those hams volunteering could help at the neighborhood level and emergency centers in the event of a flood, earthquake, a massive power outage or other catastrophic event. (Canada.com)
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RADIO EDUCATION: RAC ASKED TO HELP FIND ELMER HAMS
The Army Cadet League of Ontario, Canada is considering the establishment of a Royal Canadian Army Cadet radio network based on amateur radio technology. Dubbed 'ACORN', for 'Army Cadet Ontario Radio Network', the aim is to support optional training and certification of Army Cadets as licensed Amateur Radio operators throughout Ontario.
Radio Amateurs of Canada has been asked to facilitate this project by identifying hams who live in the various pilot areas and who have the interest, time and qualifications to mentor and provide instruction to young would-be hams. Amateurs will also be needed to assist in setting up and managing amateur radio stations.
Any interested Canadian radio amateur residing in a pilot areas is asked to contact Rod Hardman, VE3RHF by e-mail to rod (dot) hardman (at) gmail (dot) com. Military experience would be helpful but is not a requirement. (RAC)
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RADIO VANDALISM: ELF CLAIMS TO HAVE TOPPELED TWO RADIO TOWERS IN WASHINGTON
A radical group calling itself the Earth Liberation Front is claiming responsibility for toppling two radio station towers in Snohomish County Washington early Friday morning, September 4th. The towers, owned by station KRKO were felled using a stolen machine called an excavator. A sign left at the scene said the Earth Liberation Front was responsible.
The two towers have been at the center of controversy for several years. There are four towers currently at the location and there have been plans to build two more. Opponents of the expansion claim that radio waves can harm people and wildlife. More recently, nearby residents said that signals interfering with home phone and intercom lines have increased since KRKO recently boosted its broadcasting power.
The station is still broadcasting on a backup transmitter and antenna. It says that it is going to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this criminal act. (Published reports)
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY: OALKAND CENTER FLIGHT COMS GO OUT
Air traffic controllers at a major control center in California say they were forced to use their personal cellular telephones to guide dozens of planes. This, when the aircraft direction communications system briefly went out on Wednesday, August 26th.
The communications outage affected about half of the roughly 80 controllers on duty at the Oakland Center in Fremont. Gone for several minutes were both radio and telephone communications. According to news reports the controllers said they used personal mobile phones to contact other controllers to relay flight plan information to airplanes in Western region.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement saying that at no time were any planes were in danger during the 15-minute outage and that only five flights were delayed. (Published Reports)
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THE SOCIAL SCENE: PEORIA SUPEFEST 2009 ON SEPTEMBER 19 - 20
The Peoria Superfest 2009 will be held September 19th and 20th at the Exposition Gardens in Peoria Illinois. The event will feature a giant outdoor flea market with both new and used equipment, numerous technical forums, and over $2000 in prizes. More information is on line at www.peoriasuperfest.com (Superfest)
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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)
**
CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FAMED BROADCASTER JIM WHITE KM0X - SK
Famed St. Louis radio personality Jim White, KM0X, has passed away. According to his close friend Bob Heil, K9EID, Jim died on Wednesday, September 2nd of complications to surgery. White had entered the hospital for an operation to remove his spleen. Bob says the surgery went well but several hours later a blood clot took Jim life.
Jim White was a true legend on the St. Louis airwaves. He spent most of his broadcast career at KMOX radio where for 30 years he was known as "The Big Bumper." According to Bob Heil, White gained the name 'Big Bumper' because he always started off his late night show by saying -- quote -- I am one of the things that go bump in the night. And while at KMOX the Arbitron service placed White's nightly show in the number one spot holding down a 33 point rating for all of those years.
In addition to his own show, for 25 years, White, who previously held the call W0NJB, and Bob Heil did the 'High Tech Heil' segments on Wednesday nights. And for many years Jim wanted the KMOX call on his license plates. But there was one person who stood in the way. That is until the Vanity Call Sign program came along:
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K9EID: "The General Manager at KMOX never wanted anyone to have the KMOX license plate so each year he would purchase the plate and put it in a file. It never showed up on anyone's car. When Jim got the KM0X vanity call he ordered the plate. Missouri does not put the slash through the zero so Jim had KMOX on his license. He always thought that was a very cool thing and we always got a laugh out of it."
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Bob tells Newsline that he misses Jim very much. He says that the two of them were not only close friends but that they had this great on-air rapport and started in 1977. They spent their airtime having a lot of fun telling the listeners in the 44 states covered by the stations 50,0000 watt signal about these new hi-tech "toys' coming to the consumer marketplace. And at least once a month they would do a segments about amateur radio that resulted in a lot of call ins from hams. Bob says that after Jim retired and moved to Orange, Alabama, the two of them kept in contact on 75 meter SSB.
Jim White, KM0X, is survived by his wife Pat, two daughters and four grandchildren. A memorial service was to be held Tuesday, September 8th at St. Andrew by the Sea Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Contributions in Jim Whites name may be made to the Salvation Army in St. Louis or the Christian Service Center in Gulf Shores. (K9EID, STLToday, ARNewsline™)
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THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: DATA PIONEER DEN CONNORD, K2DS - SK
And the changing of the guard in ham radio continues. This with word that amateur radio data and space communications pioneer Dennis T. "Den" Connors, KD2S, passed away September 3rd at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua, New Hampshire, from Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Den Conners was the first president of Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio overseeing the groups transition from a local Tucson , Arizona-based club into the multi-national TAPR organization. He was a major force in the adoption of AX.25 as the amateur packet protocol standard.
Under his leadership, TAPR introduced the TNC-1 and then later the TNC-2 Terminal Node Controllers. These units are credited with introducing the world of digital text communications to the ham radio masses. Connors also worked with AMSAT North America's Tom Clark, K3IO, to define an amateur store-and-forward packet radio satellites. This concept eventually morphed into the AO16, IO-26, AO-27, and MO-30 Microsats..
A resident of Pepperell, Massachusetts, Den Conners was only age 58. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Community Church Memorial Fund, Post Office Box 320, Pepperell, Massachusetts, 01463 or to the National Marrow Donor Program at www.marrow.org. (ANS)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FO-29 RECOVERY EFFORT CONTINUES
Recovery efforts continue for the Fuji Oscar FO-29 ham radio satellite that as reported last week went silent during the week of August 24th. The latest word from JE9PEL is that some partial CW telemetry from FO-29 was received by PY5LF during the orbit 64384. Then the birds transmitter shut down once again.
JE9PEL says that at the present time the ground control team continues to analyze telemetry. Also, there are continuing attempts to restore the satellite to full operation each time it flies over Japan. The latest information on the satellite recovery effort can be found on line at www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/fo29rest.htm (ANS)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: D-STAR THROUGH A HAM RADIO SATELLITE
Ever wonder what a D-Star digital voice might sound like from space? Here's the answer. Take a listen.
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D-Star audio from space. Hear it in the MP3 version of this weeks newscast download them at www.arnewsline.org
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That’s Luc Leblanc, VE2DWE, who has made available a recording of his calling CQ using the D-Star digital audio through the AO-27.ham radio satellite. And while a bit mechanical sounding its among the cleanest and clearest audio ever relayed through a ham radio satellite.
Luc says that the uplink was on 436.797 MHz and the downlink audio was recorded on 145.850 MHz. The entire recording can be heard at Luc's website. Its in cyberspace at www.qsl.net/ve2dwe/ (VE2DWE)
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WORLDBEAT: UK CEASES MANUFACTURE OF TV RECEIVERS
The production of television receivers marked made in the United Kingdom has ended. On Thursday, August 22nd the final TV rolled off the production line at Toshiba's factory in Plymouth, England marking an end to the manufacture of a technology the UK invented.
In the UK, John Logie Baird is the man credited with inventing the television receiver. He demonstrated his first television set to the world in 1926. His Baird Corporation was the world's only recognized TV manufacturer at the end of the 1920s, with their Televisor Model B being the first mass-produced, commercially available set.
In the United States the work of Baird is little known. Here the credit as to who was the inventor of modern television really comes down to two different people in two different places both working on the same problem at about the same time. They were Vladimir Zworykin, a Russian-born American inventor working for Westinghouse and later RCA, and Philo Farnsworth, a privately backed inventor from the state of Utah. The duplicity of work eventually lead to a court battle that with patent priority status ruled in favor of Farnsworth in 1939. You can read the full BBC news report at news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8222421.stm (Telegraph OnLine, BBC, Wikipedia.com, others)
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DX
In DX, LZ2HM, will be active slash 5B from Cyprus through September 15th. Activity will be on the HF bands plus 6 and 2 meters He will be active as C4I on SSB in the Worked All Europe DX Contest on September 12th and 13th. QSL to LZ2HM using information on QRZ.com.
7Q7HB is again in Malawi for a period of up to 3 months. He is going to be active primarily on the Digital modes and CW. QSL direct only to G0IAS with sufficient funds for return cards. This station does not use the bureau nor any electronic QSL service. Just old fashioned paper cards only.
DL2MDU, will be active portable CT8 from the Island of Sao Miguel from September 13th to the 26th. His operation will be on all HF bands. QSL via his home callsign, by the bureau or electronically using Logbook to the World.
Members of Spain's Ondarroa Group will be active as EE2W from Ondarroa City during the CQWW DX CW Contest from November 28th to the 29th as a Multi-Multi entry. QSL via EB2BXL.
W6IZT, will be on the air stroke F S from St. Martin Island through September 13th. Activity is 40 through 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via N7XG, direct, by the bureau or Logbook to the World.
Lastly, WB5ZAM, will once again be active from St. Lucia as J68WI between September 28th and October 11th. Modes SSB and CW. QSL via WB5ZAM.
(Above information from various DX news services)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: SEARCHING FOR WALDO THE ROBOT
Lastly, scientists along Florida's Gulf Coast are trying to find a radio controlled underwater robot that has mysteriously vanished. Jerry Gaul, KE7GGV, has the details:
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Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory have lost a bright yellow submersible research robot somewhere in the Gulf waters off Venice, Fliorida.
The sea going remote control research device from laboratory in Sarasota has been missing since Monday, August 31st. Scientists aren't sure what happened to the robot, which is nicknamed Waldo. Some think that it might have sprung a leak or suffered a malfunction and sunk. Others believe that It also could be on the surface, but its communication beacon or E-L-T has malfunctioned and that it cannot signal its location.
Waldo the sea going robot is 6-foot-long, weighs about 115 pounds, has short wings midway up its cylindrical body and cost about $100,000. He was also equipped with a detector to find a toxic algae bloom called red tide that was valued at another $30,000.
If you live along the Gulf Coast and see something bright yellow strange floating off shore, that could be the missing robot.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Jerry Gaule, KE7GGV.
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If you find Waldo or even hear his radio signal you may be eligible for Mote Marine Laboratory's no-questions-asked reward. Their contact number is area code 941-388-4441. Ask for extension 271. (ScienceOnLine, Daily-Tech, others)
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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™. Our e-mail address is newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's™ only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline™, P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m Jim Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline™ is Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
__________________
Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ
Publisher, QRZ.COM
aa7bq@qrz.com
Via PayPal there was Christopher Johns- Brewton, AL; Harry Bump and the Lebanon Valley Society of Radio Amateurs in Richland, PA and Barry Youmans and the Silvercreek Amateur Radio Association, W8WKY in Rittman, OH.
In October we heard from Pete Ostopchuk, N9SFX and Elkhart Electronics in Osceola, IN. Via PayPal there were Martin Falk and Erik Fuller, KE5VBO
Remember that these newscasts don't just spontaneously erupt- they require us going and getting the news. That requires internet and telephone service, and for some reason, the service providers have very little humor when it comes to pay for their services. To help us keep these humorless people otherwise happy, please write to us at the Support Fund address given at the end of this newscast, or use our easy PayPal link on our website, arnewsline.org.
Thank you. I'm Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, at our (cough, cough) smoky studios here in Los Angeles.
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Andy will be back with us in the near future with more than-you's to those who have contributed to the support fund. (ARNewsline™ Support Fund)
**
Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1674 with a release date of Friday, September 11, 2009 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio assists as Hurricane Jimena hits Baja California, a ham looses his home in a California brushfire, South Africa's latest ham radio satellite is made ready for launch and the International Amateur Radio Union says its time to fight back against spectrum intruders using the Morse code. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1674 coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO VS HURRICANE JIMENA
Ham radio has become the main communication artery into and out of portions of Baja California, Mexico. This, after hurricane Jimena, packing winds approaching 145 miles hour came ashore after first hitting the tip of Baja California Mexico. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:
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Until now most hams have never heard of the Sonrisa Net. It meets daily at 13:30 UTC on 3.968 MHz. But in recent days this net has become the communications backbone out of parts of Baja California that were ravaged by Hurricane Jimena.
According to David Stein, KE6ENI, its Geary Ritchie, WB6PKH, of Danville, California, who operates on the Sonrisa Net that has been one of the principal information conduits into and out of the storm ravaged area. Among the reports that he received on Thursday September 3rd and Friday September 4th from hams in Baja was that the main long bridge north of Santa Rosalia was down. So were several of the new bridges between Mulegé and Santa Rosalia. Also that there was major damage to the old Marina at Santa Rosalia, but no loss of boats and more important there was no loss of life.
Reports out of San Carlos are that several boats sank in the San Carlos harbor. Meantime, as of 8 am Pacific on Friday the 4th there was no electrical power in the towns of Loreto, Mulegé, San Carlos and Santa Rosalia. Some cellular telephones were working though the towers were thought to be on emergency power.
As of the 5th there is still no power water or phone in the Mulegé area and Bahia de Conception. WB6KPH also confirmed that health and welfare traffic is being passed using amateur radio phone and digital modes to those back in the U.S. as well as those up and down the Baja Peninsula.
Obviously this information will be several days old by the time many of you hear it. As with any emergency, the situation in the wake of Hurricane Jimena is constantly changing and we will have more on these rescue radio efforts in an upcoming Amateur Radio Newsline report.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.
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Marcia Meyer, KI6INK, aboard her boat in Puerto Escondido near Loreto, was net control. She's been helping to connect people and allowed those on boats and on land in the U.S. and others stretched across Baja to connect with each other in an orderly manner. (Information supplied by David Stein, KE6ENI, via QRZ.com)
**
RESCUE RADIO: N6MGM HOME LOST IN SOCAL ARSON BRUSH FIRE
The Station Fire still burning in the hills North of Los Angeles has claimed the home of Mark Moore, N6MGM. Terry Graves, K7FE, an editor at QRZ dot com says that he spoke to Moore on Monday, September 7th. Moore who works at Ham Radio Outlet in Burbank California wanted everyone know that he, his wife Amanda, K6MDY, their children and pets are all in good health. They are however emotionally devastated because the fire consumed the home, it's belongings and memories collected over many years. Moore's amateur radio station was also lost.
As of Monday, September 7th the Station Fire had destroyed 157,220 acres or about 230 square miles. The fire, already the largest on record in Los Angeles County, is reported to be about 50% contained but is not expected to be fully under control until September 15th at the earliest. In addition to the two firefighters who died on August 30th when their truck fell into a canyon during the blaze, nine firefighters have been injured in the Station fire which investigators say was caused by arson.
Through Terry Graves and QRZ dot com, Moore express his appreciation to all for your support and best wishes. He says that the family is fine and have a roof over its heads. He asks everyone to please focus their thoughts and prayers to those that lost everything and have no home to go to anymore. He adds to also please remember the two firefighters we lost in the firestorm. (K7FE via QRZ.com)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SUMBANDILASAT A GO FOR SEPTEMBER 15 LAUNCH
South Africa's SumbandilaSat is still on track for September 15th launch. In an interview with South Africa AMSAT, Johan Erasmus, a systems engineer with SunSpace at the launch site in Kazakhstan, said that the satellite had traveled well and that all systems performed according to specification during the testing phase.
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Erasmus: "We've been busy since our arrival here, first to check out the satellite to make sure that it survived the journey fine. We have been checking the test results with the ones that we made before shipping and they all checked out fine. So we didn't have a y unexpected problems with the satellite itself."
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Erasmus says that the beacon, parrot repeater and transponder were tested from a distance. He said that RF levels measured on the money and that everyone was delighted with the results. You can hear the entire interview with Johan Erasmus on line at www.amsatsa.org.za (Amateur Radio Mirror International)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SWISSCUBE MAY LAUNCH SEPT 21
And the HB9AFO SwissCube web page reports that ham radio satellite may be launched on September 21st. SwissCube is one of four amateur radio satellites that will be launched from India on an PSL-VC14 booster. More information on this hamsat is on line at tinyurl.com/SwissCube. (Southgate)
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RADIO LAW: IARU SAYS TO MORSE INTRUDERS ON 40 METERS AWAY
A new way to fight intruders on 40 meters. Jam them with C-W.
The International Amateur Radio Union is encouraging amateurs to get on the air and use CW on the 7 MHz band. This is because Portuguese fishermen are abusing 7,000.4kHz using USB every morning between 07.00 and 09.00 UTC and later.
The fishermen are located off the North of Portugal. The IARU says that hams should use this frequency for CW traffic as much as they can. (Southgate, others)
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BREAK 1
From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Muncie Area Amateur Radio Club repeater, WB9HXG, serving Muncie Indiana.
(5 sec pause here)
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HONORING A FRIEND: WALTER CRONKITE KB2GSD REMEMBERED
A memorial service for former CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, took place on Wednesday morning, September 9th in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. Among those present to speak at the service were President Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton. The program also included presentations by Cronkite's son Chip and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Walter Cronkite anchored the CBS Evening News for 19 years from 1962 to 1981. During that time he became known as the most trusted man in America. His legacy in the world of amateur radio are the two videos he hosted for the American Radio Relay League. These are "Amateur Radio Today" and "The ARRL Goes to Washington."
As previously reported, Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, died on July 17th from complications to cerebrovascular disease. He was 92 years old. (ARNerwsline™ from published reports)
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ENFORCEMENT: HAM EXPLAINS WHY HES QUITTING EMMCOMM AT WORK
A ham who posted on an Internet website that he had assisted in an emergency communications drill at work has come forward to explain why he was contacted about his action by FCC ham radio rules enforcer Laura Smith. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has more:
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In his posting to the QRZ.com website, Jeffery Casselberry, W0WLS, says that last July he volunteered to take part in a state sanctioned communication drill which was backed by the Missouri Hospital Association. At that time he was the only licensed amateur in the facility so he said yes.
According to Casselberry this drill took place during business hours while he was on the clock. He explained that he had built the amateur station for the hospital and with it the facility better than most in communicating locally and to the state capital.
W0WLS went on to say that he was so thrilled about the drills success that what he made what he terms as the mistake of posting his excitement on the QRZ website. Someone who read it decided to cut and paste his comments and send them off to the FCC. As a result, W0WLS says that he received an informal email from the FCC's Smith acknowledging his violation and requesting a response.
Casselberry says that he responded to Smith and explained in detail the events of his alleged violation. Smith responded with the following e-mail which reads as follows and we quote:
"Jeff: Again, just so we are clear, Section 97.113 (a)(3) of the Commission's rules specifically states that "no amateur station shall transmit: communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer." This means that if you are an employee of the hospital you may not operate the amateur equipment on their behalf even after hours or while you are on a break. The operation of the amateur equipment must be conducted strictly by volunteers." -- end quote.
Casselberry went on to say that he does not want to become a poster child for some emergency communications cause on QRZ.com. He says that he is done with this type of ham radio activity and it will never happen again. He's even gone so far as to tell his employer that he is done with this type of radio activity and will take no further part in it's emergency communications program.
W0WLS ends by noting that he is a hobbyist and don't need this sort of turmoil in my life. As such, he will make no further comments on this issue.
I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale, Arizona, reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline.
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A link to the complete on-line discussion about this topic can be found at forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?t=216670 (QRZ)
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RESCUE RADIO: ARRL SECTION EMERGENCY TEST OCTOBER 3 - 4
The 2009 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test or SET takes place the weekend of October 3rd and 4th. SET is an ARRL Field Organization event that will actively involve members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, the ARRL National Traffic System and many other ham radio related emergency response groups. More information on this years Simulated Emergency Test is on line at the ARRL website. You can find the exact U-R-L is www.arrl.org/FandES/field/setguide.html (ARRL)
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RESCUE RADIO: COWICHAN VALLY HAMS INVITED TO NEW EMERGENCY CORPS
Canada dot com reports that the Cowichan Valley Regional District in the province of British Columbia is looking to an alliance with local ham radio operators to assist in times of disaster. To that end, the District and the Cowichan Valley Amateur Radio Society are hosting two information sessions this month for amateur radio operators willing to be part of a regional emergency communications team.
Meetings were scheduled at for the mornings of September 5th and the 19th. Sybille Sanderson is the Districts public safety education coordinator. She says the idea is to find out what we do in emergency communications, the kind of training we're going to be offering and the kinds of places where radio amateurs could help.
The Cowichan Valley is a region around the Cowichan River and Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia. Those hams volunteering could help at the neighborhood level and emergency centers in the event of a flood, earthquake, a massive power outage or other catastrophic event. (Canada.com)
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RADIO EDUCATION: RAC ASKED TO HELP FIND ELMER HAMS
The Army Cadet League of Ontario, Canada is considering the establishment of a Royal Canadian Army Cadet radio network based on amateur radio technology. Dubbed 'ACORN', for 'Army Cadet Ontario Radio Network', the aim is to support optional training and certification of Army Cadets as licensed Amateur Radio operators throughout Ontario.
Radio Amateurs of Canada has been asked to facilitate this project by identifying hams who live in the various pilot areas and who have the interest, time and qualifications to mentor and provide instruction to young would-be hams. Amateurs will also be needed to assist in setting up and managing amateur radio stations.
Any interested Canadian radio amateur residing in a pilot areas is asked to contact Rod Hardman, VE3RHF by e-mail to rod (dot) hardman (at) gmail (dot) com. Military experience would be helpful but is not a requirement. (RAC)
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RADIO VANDALISM: ELF CLAIMS TO HAVE TOPPELED TWO RADIO TOWERS IN WASHINGTON
A radical group calling itself the Earth Liberation Front is claiming responsibility for toppling two radio station towers in Snohomish County Washington early Friday morning, September 4th. The towers, owned by station KRKO were felled using a stolen machine called an excavator. A sign left at the scene said the Earth Liberation Front was responsible.
The two towers have been at the center of controversy for several years. There are four towers currently at the location and there have been plans to build two more. Opponents of the expansion claim that radio waves can harm people and wildlife. More recently, nearby residents said that signals interfering with home phone and intercom lines have increased since KRKO recently boosted its broadcasting power.
The station is still broadcasting on a backup transmitter and antenna. It says that it is going to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this criminal act. (Published reports)
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY: OALKAND CENTER FLIGHT COMS GO OUT
Air traffic controllers at a major control center in California say they were forced to use their personal cellular telephones to guide dozens of planes. This, when the aircraft direction communications system briefly went out on Wednesday, August 26th.
The communications outage affected about half of the roughly 80 controllers on duty at the Oakland Center in Fremont. Gone for several minutes were both radio and telephone communications. According to news reports the controllers said they used personal mobile phones to contact other controllers to relay flight plan information to airplanes in Western region.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement saying that at no time were any planes were in danger during the 15-minute outage and that only five flights were delayed. (Published Reports)
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THE SOCIAL SCENE: PEORIA SUPEFEST 2009 ON SEPTEMBER 19 - 20
The Peoria Superfest 2009 will be held September 19th and 20th at the Exposition Gardens in Peoria Illinois. The event will feature a giant outdoor flea market with both new and used equipment, numerous technical forums, and over $2000 in prizes. More information is on line at www.peoriasuperfest.com (Superfest)
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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)
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CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FAMED BROADCASTER JIM WHITE KM0X - SK
Famed St. Louis radio personality Jim White, KM0X, has passed away. According to his close friend Bob Heil, K9EID, Jim died on Wednesday, September 2nd of complications to surgery. White had entered the hospital for an operation to remove his spleen. Bob says the surgery went well but several hours later a blood clot took Jim life.
Jim White was a true legend on the St. Louis airwaves. He spent most of his broadcast career at KMOX radio where for 30 years he was known as "The Big Bumper." According to Bob Heil, White gained the name 'Big Bumper' because he always started off his late night show by saying -- quote -- I am one of the things that go bump in the night. And while at KMOX the Arbitron service placed White's nightly show in the number one spot holding down a 33 point rating for all of those years.
In addition to his own show, for 25 years, White, who previously held the call W0NJB, and Bob Heil did the 'High Tech Heil' segments on Wednesday nights. And for many years Jim wanted the KMOX call on his license plates. But there was one person who stood in the way. That is until the Vanity Call Sign program came along:
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K9EID: "The General Manager at KMOX never wanted anyone to have the KMOX license plate so each year he would purchase the plate and put it in a file. It never showed up on anyone's car. When Jim got the KM0X vanity call he ordered the plate. Missouri does not put the slash through the zero so Jim had KMOX on his license. He always thought that was a very cool thing and we always got a laugh out of it."
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Bob tells Newsline that he misses Jim very much. He says that the two of them were not only close friends but that they had this great on-air rapport and started in 1977. They spent their airtime having a lot of fun telling the listeners in the 44 states covered by the stations 50,0000 watt signal about these new hi-tech "toys' coming to the consumer marketplace. And at least once a month they would do a segments about amateur radio that resulted in a lot of call ins from hams. Bob says that after Jim retired and moved to Orange, Alabama, the two of them kept in contact on 75 meter SSB.
Jim White, KM0X, is survived by his wife Pat, two daughters and four grandchildren. A memorial service was to be held Tuesday, September 8th at St. Andrew by the Sea Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Contributions in Jim Whites name may be made to the Salvation Army in St. Louis or the Christian Service Center in Gulf Shores. (K9EID, STLToday, ARNewsline™)
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THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: DATA PIONEER DEN CONNORD, K2DS - SK
And the changing of the guard in ham radio continues. This with word that amateur radio data and space communications pioneer Dennis T. "Den" Connors, KD2S, passed away September 3rd at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua, New Hampshire, from Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Den Conners was the first president of Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio overseeing the groups transition from a local Tucson , Arizona-based club into the multi-national TAPR organization. He was a major force in the adoption of AX.25 as the amateur packet protocol standard.
Under his leadership, TAPR introduced the TNC-1 and then later the TNC-2 Terminal Node Controllers. These units are credited with introducing the world of digital text communications to the ham radio masses. Connors also worked with AMSAT North America's Tom Clark, K3IO, to define an amateur store-and-forward packet radio satellites. This concept eventually morphed into the AO16, IO-26, AO-27, and MO-30 Microsats..
A resident of Pepperell, Massachusetts, Den Conners was only age 58. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Community Church Memorial Fund, Post Office Box 320, Pepperell, Massachusetts, 01463 or to the National Marrow Donor Program at www.marrow.org. (ANS)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FO-29 RECOVERY EFFORT CONTINUES
Recovery efforts continue for the Fuji Oscar FO-29 ham radio satellite that as reported last week went silent during the week of August 24th. The latest word from JE9PEL is that some partial CW telemetry from FO-29 was received by PY5LF during the orbit 64384. Then the birds transmitter shut down once again.
JE9PEL says that at the present time the ground control team continues to analyze telemetry. Also, there are continuing attempts to restore the satellite to full operation each time it flies over Japan. The latest information on the satellite recovery effort can be found on line at www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/fo29rest.htm (ANS)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: D-STAR THROUGH A HAM RADIO SATELLITE
Ever wonder what a D-Star digital voice might sound like from space? Here's the answer. Take a listen.
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D-Star audio from space. Hear it in the MP3 version of this weeks newscast download them at www.arnewsline.org
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That’s Luc Leblanc, VE2DWE, who has made available a recording of his calling CQ using the D-Star digital audio through the AO-27.ham radio satellite. And while a bit mechanical sounding its among the cleanest and clearest audio ever relayed through a ham radio satellite.
Luc says that the uplink was on 436.797 MHz and the downlink audio was recorded on 145.850 MHz. The entire recording can be heard at Luc's website. Its in cyberspace at www.qsl.net/ve2dwe/ (VE2DWE)
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WORLDBEAT: UK CEASES MANUFACTURE OF TV RECEIVERS
The production of television receivers marked made in the United Kingdom has ended. On Thursday, August 22nd the final TV rolled off the production line at Toshiba's factory in Plymouth, England marking an end to the manufacture of a technology the UK invented.
In the UK, John Logie Baird is the man credited with inventing the television receiver. He demonstrated his first television set to the world in 1926. His Baird Corporation was the world's only recognized TV manufacturer at the end of the 1920s, with their Televisor Model B being the first mass-produced, commercially available set.
In the United States the work of Baird is little known. Here the credit as to who was the inventor of modern television really comes down to two different people in two different places both working on the same problem at about the same time. They were Vladimir Zworykin, a Russian-born American inventor working for Westinghouse and later RCA, and Philo Farnsworth, a privately backed inventor from the state of Utah. The duplicity of work eventually lead to a court battle that with patent priority status ruled in favor of Farnsworth in 1939. You can read the full BBC news report at news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8222421.stm (Telegraph OnLine, BBC, Wikipedia.com, others)
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DX
In DX, LZ2HM, will be active slash 5B from Cyprus through September 15th. Activity will be on the HF bands plus 6 and 2 meters He will be active as C4I on SSB in the Worked All Europe DX Contest on September 12th and 13th. QSL to LZ2HM using information on QRZ.com.
7Q7HB is again in Malawi for a period of up to 3 months. He is going to be active primarily on the Digital modes and CW. QSL direct only to G0IAS with sufficient funds for return cards. This station does not use the bureau nor any electronic QSL service. Just old fashioned paper cards only.
DL2MDU, will be active portable CT8 from the Island of Sao Miguel from September 13th to the 26th. His operation will be on all HF bands. QSL via his home callsign, by the bureau or electronically using Logbook to the World.
Members of Spain's Ondarroa Group will be active as EE2W from Ondarroa City during the CQWW DX CW Contest from November 28th to the 29th as a Multi-Multi entry. QSL via EB2BXL.
W6IZT, will be on the air stroke F S from St. Martin Island through September 13th. Activity is 40 through 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via N7XG, direct, by the bureau or Logbook to the World.
Lastly, WB5ZAM, will once again be active from St. Lucia as J68WI between September 28th and October 11th. Modes SSB and CW. QSL via WB5ZAM.
(Above information from various DX news services)
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THAT FINAL ITEM: SEARCHING FOR WALDO THE ROBOT
Lastly, scientists along Florida's Gulf Coast are trying to find a radio controlled underwater robot that has mysteriously vanished. Jerry Gaul, KE7GGV, has the details:
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Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory have lost a bright yellow submersible research robot somewhere in the Gulf waters off Venice, Fliorida.
The sea going remote control research device from laboratory in Sarasota has been missing since Monday, August 31st. Scientists aren't sure what happened to the robot, which is nicknamed Waldo. Some think that it might have sprung a leak or suffered a malfunction and sunk. Others believe that It also could be on the surface, but its communication beacon or E-L-T has malfunctioned and that it cannot signal its location.
Waldo the sea going robot is 6-foot-long, weighs about 115 pounds, has short wings midway up its cylindrical body and cost about $100,000. He was also equipped with a detector to find a toxic algae bloom called red tide that was valued at another $30,000.
If you live along the Gulf Coast and see something bright yellow strange floating off shore, that could be the missing robot.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Jerry Gaule, KE7GGV.
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If you find Waldo or even hear his radio signal you may be eligible for Mote Marine Laboratory's no-questions-asked reward. Their contact number is area code 941-388-4441. Ask for extension 271. (ScienceOnLine, Daily-Tech, others)
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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™. Our e-mail address is newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's™ only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline™, P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m Jim Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline™ is Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
__________________
Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ
Publisher, QRZ.COM
aa7bq@qrz.com