Post by David (N4DLT) on Oct 16, 2009 15:38:30 GMT -5
The following is a Q-S-T. A family looses its lives trying to help a ham put up an antenna, Australia unveils a free Electromagnetic safety calculator that covers the VHF and UHF ham bands, Midway Island finally makes it on the air and D-Star goes to new heights and then jumps out. Find out what we mean on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1679 coming your way right now.
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RADIO SAFETY: THREE ELECTROCUTED INSTALLING HAM ANTENNA IN FLORIDA
Three people trying to help a Florida ham by installing an antenna for her have been electrocuted in a bizarre accident that happened after dark. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:
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A mother, father and their 15-year-old son died on Monday, October 12th. This, after being electrocuted while attempting to erect a ham radio antenna.
The Palm Bay Florida Police Department identified the victims as Melville Braham, 55, Anna Braham, 49, and their 15 year old son Anthony. None were licensed radio amateurs but they appeared to have been assisting an area ham with an antenna installation.
Authorities say the family was attempting to raise the antenna mast when they lost control and it struck an overhead power line. It made contact with the overhead wiring and sent 13,000 volts down through the antenna mast the three were holding,
When paramedics arrived, they found all three on the ground not breathing. Rescue crews immediately tried to resuscitate them. Anna Braham was pronounced dead at the scene. The father and son were taken to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
Florida Power & Light Co. crews also responded to the scene. They shut off power in the area while authorities collected evidence and documented the scene.
According to news reports, Anthony Barham attended Southwest Middle School. Grief counselors were available at the school on Tuesday October 13th to help students deal with the tragic loss of their friend.
Federal Communications Commission records do not show that any of the victims were licensed amateur radio amateurs. They do, however, show a license issued to a Barbara V. Tenn, KJ4KFF, at the address where the electrocutions occurred.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.
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This appears to be yet another case of those trying to put up an antenna not realizing the potential danger of nearby overhead high tension electric distribution, and the fact that these wires are all but invisible at night. (Published news reports)
**
RADIO SAFETY: NEW EMI CALCULATOR AVAILABLE FROM THE ACMA
Australia's Swinburne University, together with EM Software and Systems, has developed an online tool that will allow users to calculate exclusion zones around antennas where radiation levels exceed safety standard limits.
Commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the exclusion zone calculator will allow people to conduct safety assessments of transmitting antennas, such as those found on boats, four wheel drives, at fixed station locations and even communication networks operating in the VHF and UHF spectrum. This includes ham bands from 2 meters on up through 2.4 GHz.
To calculate the zone, all users need to do is enter the antenna type, transmitter power, antenna gain and frequency band into the online tool. Click your mouse and the program will automatically calculate the safe distance around the antenna in metric distance.
The ACMA has also produced a booklet entitled Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation Information for Licensees of Radio-Communications Transmitters. Both the on-line tool and a booklet that explains EME health exposure can be found at www.acma.gov.au. (ACMA)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT-NA ANNOUNCES NEW FM CUBESAT
AMSAT North America says that its once again headed back into space. This time with a brand new cubesat that will be like no other before it.
During the board meeting held Oct. 8 in conjunction with the Annual Space Symposium the AMSAT Board of Directors adopted the Engineering Task Force recommendation that low-cost launch options be pursued immediately. This means that the AMSAT engineering team will develop a 1U CubeSat design effective immediately.
The new AMSAT CubeSat's initial capability is planned to add to the popular low-earth orbit FM transponder fleet allowing hams to continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna systems. Such a satellite also continues the accessible entry path for new satellite operators to get started.
Meantime, word that the flight version of ARISSat-1 replacement for SuitSat 2 has been developed to be adaptable into the CubeSat model. This will allow a modular approach to mission design using proven subsystems and components.
The ARISSat-1 mission planned in 2010 and will be the initial flight test of AMSAT's modular satellite. According to Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, who is AMSAT North America's Vice-President of Engineering, this approach to building flight hardware gets AMSAT back up in space with new satellites by leveraging the skills and technology it has today.
AMSAT says that there's another reason for this fast track approach. This is because the existing FM satellites are starting to show their age. (AMSAT, N3TL)
**
BREAKING DX NEWS: MIDWAY ISLAND TEAM FINALLY ARRIVES ON THE ISLAND
It took a few more days than planned but the Midway Island DXpediton has finally arrived and is on the air. The K4M team was supposed to be on the island on Friday, October 9th, but an oil line leak in one of the engines of the Grumman Gulfstream 1 turbo-prop aircraft chartered to carry them from Hawaii to Midway kept them on the ground an extra two days.
The team arrived safely on Midway Atoll at 07:00 UTC on Monday morning October 12th. At daybreak they began assembling their antennas to put the stations on air.
As reported last week, the multi-national team of 18 operators will activate Midway Island through October 19th. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service had authorized this amateur radio operation from this rare U.S. entity for only a 10 day period beginning on the 9th but has told the team that no extension can be granted due to the migratory schedule of the islands indigenous bird population.
This is the first amateur radio activity from Midway in almost 10 years. Midway Island ranks number 24 world-wide and number 13 in Europe on the DX Magazine’s “Most Wanted List”.
We will have more DX news later on in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report. (K4M Press Release)
**
DX FOLLOW-UP: GLORIOSO DX TEAM REACHES 50000 QSO'S
The FT5GA Glorioso Island operation is now QRT and the operators are happy that the goal of 50,000 QSOs' was reached. This by the crew of five hams with two and sometimes three stations on the air.
The operation was forced to end operations on October 7th. This was a day earlier than expected due to the military flight schedule.
According to their Web page, they have made a total of 50,427 QSOs with 15,250 unique callsigns. Of these some 24,235 were on CW, 21,080 on SSB and 5,112 scored the path using RTTY.
The QSL Manager for this operation is Didier Senmartin, F5OGL. And we will have more DX related news later on in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report. (Southgate)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: HAM RADIO AND THE CHICAGO MARATHON
Ham radio helped make the recent Bank of America Chicago Marathon an overwhelming success. The race took place on Sunday, October 11th with about 75 hams helping to coordinate the event while providing a safety web to oversee the almost 35,000 runners.
Coordinating the ham radio aspect of the event was Jerry Martin, KC9BDA, of Beech Park, Illinois. He assembled a team that came from ARES. RACES, SATERN, the local American Red Cross chapters and many other local clubs. The hams set up two- separate networks covering medical emergencies and logistics. They also manned 21 aid and medical stations while maintaining liaison with other volunteer groups and the National Weather Service.
The communications effort began in the wee hours of the morning and lasted until the final runner crossed the finish line. Hams mainly used dual band handhelds backed up by portable battery operated high power stations to communicate over the 26.2 mile course. Several repeaters donated their services and were held on stand-by in case they were needed
The winner of the men's competition was Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru, with a total time of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 41 seconds. The women's first place went to Liliya Shobukhova of Russia. She completed the course in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 56 seconds. There were also separate competitions for handcycle and wheelchair entries as well.
All of the ham radio operators who volunteered to provide communications were required to have previous experience in public service events. (WB9QZB, others)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: THE ISTANBUL MARATHON
Chicago is not the only place that ham radio is involved in a marathon event. Members of the TRAC Istanbul Branch will activate their new club station using the special callsign TC1IEM between October 16th to the 18th. This to assist and commemorate the 2009 Istanbul Eurasia Marathon.
The Istanbul Eurasia Marathon is the only race of its type that starts in Asia and ends in Europe. All of the commemorative operations will take place on the high frequency bands. More on the race is on-line at www.istanbulmarathon.org (Southgate)
**
BREAK 1
From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Zero Beaters Amateur Radio Club's WA0FYA repeater serving Dutzow, Missouri.
(5 sec pause here)
**
ENFORCEMENT: HOW THE SOCAL 2 METER CEMENT JAMMER WAS FOUND
A follow-up to last week's story of the proposed $4000 FCC fine that was levied against the Shimmick Construction Company and Obayashi Corporation for illegally operating in the amateur two-meter band. This was an excellent example of the close cooperation that now exists between the Los Angeles area FCC office and hams in the Official Observer and Amateur Auxiliary program. Amateur Radio Newsline's Joe Moell, K0OV, has the rest of the story in this report:
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It all started in late April, when hams in central and northern Orange County began hearing conversations on 146.025 MHz, the output of K6SOA/R, which is owned by the South Orange Amateur Radio Association or SOARA. The transmissions were clearly for business and appeared to be related to construction work. SOARA has regular hidden transmitter hunts, so some of the club members were already equipped to go into action to find the source. Two of them, Richard Saunders, K6RBS and Richard Clark, N6UZS, reported strong signals in the cities of Orange and Costa Mesa. However, the strength and direction of bearings were not the same from one day to the next.
Other transmitter hunters and members of the Official Observer corps soon joined in. The search wasn't simple because the activity wasn't daily and it was sporadic on the days when it occurred. Next came reports of strong signals in Anaheim and Yorba Linda. Between the cuss words, the T-hunters heard conversations suggesting that they were listening to the handi-talkies of a concrete supplier at various job sites around the county.
On May 21, Dan Welch W6DFW, the Orange Section Official Observer Coordinator, hit pay dirt at a construction site of the Diemer Filtration Plant in Yorba Linda. His photos and recordings went to the FCC and within a week, the interference was gone. It should be noted that the concrete supply firm had obtained its handi-talkies from a commercial two-way radio supplier, which had mistakenly programmed them to transmit and receive on 146.025 MHz instead of 156.025 MHz. With no frequency readout and with tone squelch operational in their receivers, the concrete workers could not hear the SOARA repeater and had no idea that they were using an Amateur Radio frequency. Nevertheless, as the licensee for the radios, Shimmick-Obayashi got the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and will have to either appeal it, pay the fine, or try to get their radio supplier to do so.
From southern California, where our regular T-hunts keep us ready to find intruders to our bands at a moment's notice, this is Joe Moell K0OV for Amateur Radio Newsline.
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The ham radio community in southern California developed a close working rapport with the local FCC office several years ago during the investigation into the activities of convicted jammer Jack Gerritsen. From this latest quick enforcement action one might speculate that the relationship appears to be cast in concrete. (K0OV, ARNewsline™)
**
ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED UK BROADCASTER GETS BANNED FROM ROOFTOPS
The British may have stumbled on a unique solution to keep pirate broadcasters off the air. Don't let them have outdoor antennas. Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has more:
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An unlicensed broadcaster has been banned from every roof top in London, England. This, after he pleaded guilty to installing pirate radio equipment on a tower in the city.
According to a report on UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom website, Kieran O’Sullivan received the anti-social behavior order following a successful prosecution by the regulatory agency. He also received an 18 week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, a three month curfew, a £1,200 fine, and had his radio equipment seized.
Ofcom worked with Camden Council and police to secure the prosecution following complaints from residents about Freeze FM operating from estates in Hampstead. Neighbors had complained about pirate radio operators using roof tops to install equipment, which caused a nuisance to residents and damaged property.
And I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
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You can read the full Ofcom report www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/200...o-rooftop-ban/ (Ofcom, BBC, others)
**
RADIO LAW: NEW ON-LINE FEDERAL REGISTER LAUNCHED
The Federal Register online version is now in an easier-to-read format at Data.gov. Now in XML format it is it easier to transport data from a Web site and store it, manipulate it or customize it elsewhere.
The Federal Register is published by the Office of the Federal Register. It in turn is a part of the National Archives and Records Administration and is updated Monday through Friday except on federal holidays.
The register went online in 1994 and is the official publication for rules, proposed rules and notices of federal agencies and organizations. It also provides executive orders and other presidential documents.
(RW)
**
HAMVENTION 2010: AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS WORLDWIDE: THE LIFELINE
"Amateur Radio Clubs Worldwide: The Lifeline" will be the theme of the 2010 Dayton Hamvention slated for next May 14th to the 16th at the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. According to Asst. General Chairman Michael Kalter, W8CI, we all recognize how much amateur radio clubs and organizations contribute to the service. This is especially true in the way clubs pull together in disasters, field days, contests, working with youth, teaching classes, and sponsoring hamfests. And says Kalter there are parts of the world where a ham radio club truly is the communication link to the world.
In order to help celebrate the world of radio clubs, Hamvention planners are asking for pictures from radio clubs around the world that it can use on the front and back cover of the Hamvention 2010 program magazine. It is also looking for stories of interest from interesting radio clubs as well.
In other Hamvention related news, Kalter says that all of our volunteer committee chairs and their assistants are in place for 2010 and have been meeting to make this the best Hamvention you have ever attended. He also notes that the organizations new online program for taking and tracking orders is up and running. He notes that many hours have been spent since he close of Hamvention 2009 to make all of these necessary improvements. The site can be accessed at www.hamvention.org so you have the chance to make your 2010 plans early. (Dayton Hamvention®)
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HAM HAPPENINGS: HAM RADIO CRUSE NIGHT IN VIRGINIA IN MAY 2010
Many of you are familiar with cruise-in events at restaurants, drive-ins, shopping centers or other venues. That’s where participants bring their cars, trucks and motorcycles to display and compete for awards.
Ham radio operators are also proud of the time and effort invested in transportable stations and one radio club feels its time for them to show off as well. The Albemarle Amateur Radio Club in Central Virginia will sponsor the first Virginia Ham Radio Cruise-In from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m Eastern time on Saturday, May 1st, 2010. And like automotive buffs, this will be a chance for hams to meet, greet and show off their mobile and portable gear.
If it sounds like fun to you can get more information from Jim Crosby, K4JEC. His e-mail address is jecrosby at comast dot net (K4JEC)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: K7CR STEPS DOWN AS CHAIRMAN OF SBE EAS COMMITTEE
Some names in the news. First up is well known Washington state amateur and repeater coordination pioneer Clay Freinwald, K7CR. He is stepping down from the board of the Society of Broadcast Engineers due to term limits and is also leaving his post as chairman of the SBE's EAS Committee for the same reason.
Freinwald, who holds an Extra Class license and was instrumental in the formation of the Western Washington Amateur Relay Association is identified as closely as anyone in the broadcast industry with the EAS. He is a past recipient of Radio World Magazine’s Excellence in Engineering Award and has served on the SBE board and chaired the EAS committee for a decade.
K7CR says that he will continue working with the committee under the new chairman, Ralph Beaver. Beaver operates a company known as Media Alert based in Tampa, Florida. (RW)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: UK FILM MAKER TO WORK WITH RADIO CLUBS
And UK filmmaker Esther Johnson is planning to use three different amateur radio clubs based in the London area. This, to set up a radio station during an exhibition of her work on 23rd, 24th and 25th October. The stations will accompany Johnson's 16mm film Tune In that she produced in 2006, and which focuses on amateur radio. Johnson will also be exhibiting photography of radio enthusiasts alongside her film work. Further information on Tune In can be found at www.blanchepictures.com/films/tunein.htm. (RSGB)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: G5RV LAST LOGBOOG SAVED IN EBAY AUCTION
And the final log/book of one of the UK’s best-known radio amateurs has been saved for posterity.
The late Louis Varney, G5RV, was one of the founder members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society in 1936. When Chelmsford club member Duncan Munro, M0KGK, spotted that G5RV's last ever logbook was being auctioned on e-bay the club decided to buy it.
M0KGK did the bidding and despite fierce competition managed to secure the logbook in the last eight seconds of auction. The logbook shows that G5RV's final QSO's were on January 11 2000 with G0WGP and Chelmsford club President Harry Heap, G5HF. Ironically, the entry appeared on page 73 of the logbook. Varney was, of course using a G5RV antenna that he designed for those final contacts (M5AKA, Southgate)
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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: KEN JOHNSON, W6FU - S.K.
The changing of the guard in amateur radio continues. This with word that Ken Johnson, W6FU, died of cancer on October 2.
Together with Don Wilson, K6RKE, Johnson founded educational FM station KPCS which later became KPCC. He also taught broadcasting classes at Pasadena City College for many years and also served as trustee of the college's W6BAB Amateur Radio station,.
Ken then traveled with the Los Angeles Dodgers, engineering their remote broadcasts for KWKW. Working with Jaime Jarrin, he saw four World Series Championships and collected countless stories.
A memorial service was to be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10th at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Pasadena. Ken Johnson, W6FU was age 89. (CGC, N6LL)
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WORLDBEAT: WIA TURNS 100 IN 2010
The Wireless Institute of Australia turns 100 next year, making it the world's oldest national radio society. Now, its President, Michael Owen, VK3KI, says he wants the world-wide amateur radio community to join in the celebration. A commemorative QSL card will be issued for contacts with special events station VK100WIA between May and October of 2010. A limited edition operating award, called the WIA Centenary Award is also to be available with two contacts with VK100WIA are required under its rules. Details of the centenary program can be found on the WIA website at www.wia.org.au. (WIA)
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WORLDBEAT: D-STAR NOW REPRESENTED ON RSGB'S EMERGING TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
D-Star will now be represented on the Radio Society of Great Britain's Emerging Technology Committee. According to the RSGB announcement, as D-Star and digital voice communication continues to grow, it has become apparent that there is ever-increasing reliance on the Trust Servers that comprise the network infrastructure.
The administration of this network within the UK is carried out by the UKIT team who came together voluntarily to take on this vital role. The RSGB says that it wants to build upon the excellent work done by the team by giving it a more permanent structure. Following discussions at the recent UK National Hamfest, it has been agreed that they will become part of the Emerging Technology Committee. G7LWT will represent the UKIT on the committee while the other members will work on a corresponding basis. (RSGB, Southgate)
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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: KEYBOARDS THAT LEAK YOUR DATA
And if you think that the letters and numbers you type on your computers keyboard are secure because you have a good firewall, you might want to guess again. While your on-line connection might keep you invisible to others on the net, your keyboard could be sharing your data with anyone in range of your PC. Frank Lusa, VK2FJL, reports:
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Audio report only Hear it by downloading this weeks MP3 version of the newscast at www.arnewsline.org.
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One solution is to try shielding your keyboard cable if you are worried about information leaks. (WIA News)
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CONTEST CORNER: THE NY QSO PARTY IS BACK
In contest news, its been away for a quarter of a century but the Rochester DX Association says that the New York QSO Party is back. The 2009 edition will take place on Saturday, October 17th, starting at 1800 UTC and running for the next 12 hours. For rules, county maps and log submissions take your web browser to www.NYQP.org (Via E-Mail)
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DX
In DX, HA0HW reports that a group has begun a year long operation from different Hungarian National Parks. The first of these operating events took place from the Hortobágy National Park from October 12th to the 18th using the callsign HG0WFF. Their QSL manager is HA0HW but cards sent via the bureau are OK.
And a team headed by G3KHZ will be in Papua New Guinea from October 22nd through the 9th of November. Activity will be on 160 through 15 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Full details and QSL routing is on the web at www.425dxn.org.
DO1BEN and DO1IQ will be active portable PD from Texel Island between October 16th and the 22nd. Activity will be on the HF bands, propagation permitting. QSL via their home callsigns with the Bureau preferred.
A Dutch team plans to be active from Benin through the 30th of October. Check their website at www.benin2009.com for more information.
Lastly, JE2EHP, will be active as 4X stroke K1HP from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Israel between October 29th and November 5th. His operation will be on all the High Frequency bands plus 6 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL is via the bureau to JE2EHP.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: D-STAR REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
And finally this week the story of a ham who has taken D-Star to a new height. New height as in 13,000 feet in the sky. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details:
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According to his posting on the D-Star Reflector, on Saturday October 10 Mark Meltzer, AF6IM, of Palo Alto California went sky-diving and brought along an Icom IC 91AD D-Star enabled handie talkie.
Meltzer says that on his first jump he opened his chute at about 13,000 feet and worked numerous 2 meter analog FM simplex contacts. He also held a couple of analog FM QSOs on 1.2 GHz through the W6CYX and W6LRW linked repeater system on 1282.225.
.At about 8000 ft he decided to try D-Star but heard only a garbled R2D2 sounding reply. At the time Mark says that he was flying his canopy away from Mt. Diablo which placed my body between the repeater and the IC 91AD's antenna. So he turned towards Mt. Diablo and the distortion went away and he was able to work Rick Mc Cusker, WF6O, in Sacramento clearly through the machine.
AF6IM notes that he was also carrying analog APRS gear that not only reported GPS derived data that not only included his altitude heading and speed but also his blood oxygen level and pulse rate. He also thanks WF6O for being the other half of the D-Star parachute mobile contact and especially to Tim Barrett, K6BIV for making it all possible with his D-Star repeater system.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF in the newsroom near Los Angeles and wondering why anyone would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
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The jump took place at Byron, California which is a favorite area for sky diving. Byron, California is also home to the somewhat well-known and historical Byron Hot Springs. This is a now-abandoned resort which was a retreat that attracted many movie stars and famous athletes in the early 1900s. More information and telemetry data on AF6IM's accomplishment is on line at www.parachutemobile.org D-Star Reflector)
**
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
**
RADIO SAFETY: THREE ELECTROCUTED INSTALLING HAM ANTENNA IN FLORIDA
Three people trying to help a Florida ham by installing an antenna for her have been electrocuted in a bizarre accident that happened after dark. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:
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A mother, father and their 15-year-old son died on Monday, October 12th. This, after being electrocuted while attempting to erect a ham radio antenna.
The Palm Bay Florida Police Department identified the victims as Melville Braham, 55, Anna Braham, 49, and their 15 year old son Anthony. None were licensed radio amateurs but they appeared to have been assisting an area ham with an antenna installation.
Authorities say the family was attempting to raise the antenna mast when they lost control and it struck an overhead power line. It made contact with the overhead wiring and sent 13,000 volts down through the antenna mast the three were holding,
When paramedics arrived, they found all three on the ground not breathing. Rescue crews immediately tried to resuscitate them. Anna Braham was pronounced dead at the scene. The father and son were taken to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
Florida Power & Light Co. crews also responded to the scene. They shut off power in the area while authorities collected evidence and documented the scene.
According to news reports, Anthony Barham attended Southwest Middle School. Grief counselors were available at the school on Tuesday October 13th to help students deal with the tragic loss of their friend.
Federal Communications Commission records do not show that any of the victims were licensed amateur radio amateurs. They do, however, show a license issued to a Barbara V. Tenn, KJ4KFF, at the address where the electrocutions occurred.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.
--
This appears to be yet another case of those trying to put up an antenna not realizing the potential danger of nearby overhead high tension electric distribution, and the fact that these wires are all but invisible at night. (Published news reports)
**
RADIO SAFETY: NEW EMI CALCULATOR AVAILABLE FROM THE ACMA
Australia's Swinburne University, together with EM Software and Systems, has developed an online tool that will allow users to calculate exclusion zones around antennas where radiation levels exceed safety standard limits.
Commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the exclusion zone calculator will allow people to conduct safety assessments of transmitting antennas, such as those found on boats, four wheel drives, at fixed station locations and even communication networks operating in the VHF and UHF spectrum. This includes ham bands from 2 meters on up through 2.4 GHz.
To calculate the zone, all users need to do is enter the antenna type, transmitter power, antenna gain and frequency band into the online tool. Click your mouse and the program will automatically calculate the safe distance around the antenna in metric distance.
The ACMA has also produced a booklet entitled Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation Information for Licensees of Radio-Communications Transmitters. Both the on-line tool and a booklet that explains EME health exposure can be found at www.acma.gov.au. (ACMA)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT-NA ANNOUNCES NEW FM CUBESAT
AMSAT North America says that its once again headed back into space. This time with a brand new cubesat that will be like no other before it.
During the board meeting held Oct. 8 in conjunction with the Annual Space Symposium the AMSAT Board of Directors adopted the Engineering Task Force recommendation that low-cost launch options be pursued immediately. This means that the AMSAT engineering team will develop a 1U CubeSat design effective immediately.
The new AMSAT CubeSat's initial capability is planned to add to the popular low-earth orbit FM transponder fleet allowing hams to continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna systems. Such a satellite also continues the accessible entry path for new satellite operators to get started.
Meantime, word that the flight version of ARISSat-1 replacement for SuitSat 2 has been developed to be adaptable into the CubeSat model. This will allow a modular approach to mission design using proven subsystems and components.
The ARISSat-1 mission planned in 2010 and will be the initial flight test of AMSAT's modular satellite. According to Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, who is AMSAT North America's Vice-President of Engineering, this approach to building flight hardware gets AMSAT back up in space with new satellites by leveraging the skills and technology it has today.
AMSAT says that there's another reason for this fast track approach. This is because the existing FM satellites are starting to show their age. (AMSAT, N3TL)
**
BREAKING DX NEWS: MIDWAY ISLAND TEAM FINALLY ARRIVES ON THE ISLAND
It took a few more days than planned but the Midway Island DXpediton has finally arrived and is on the air. The K4M team was supposed to be on the island on Friday, October 9th, but an oil line leak in one of the engines of the Grumman Gulfstream 1 turbo-prop aircraft chartered to carry them from Hawaii to Midway kept them on the ground an extra two days.
The team arrived safely on Midway Atoll at 07:00 UTC on Monday morning October 12th. At daybreak they began assembling their antennas to put the stations on air.
As reported last week, the multi-national team of 18 operators will activate Midway Island through October 19th. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service had authorized this amateur radio operation from this rare U.S. entity for only a 10 day period beginning on the 9th but has told the team that no extension can be granted due to the migratory schedule of the islands indigenous bird population.
This is the first amateur radio activity from Midway in almost 10 years. Midway Island ranks number 24 world-wide and number 13 in Europe on the DX Magazine’s “Most Wanted List”.
We will have more DX news later on in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report. (K4M Press Release)
**
DX FOLLOW-UP: GLORIOSO DX TEAM REACHES 50000 QSO'S
The FT5GA Glorioso Island operation is now QRT and the operators are happy that the goal of 50,000 QSOs' was reached. This by the crew of five hams with two and sometimes three stations on the air.
The operation was forced to end operations on October 7th. This was a day earlier than expected due to the military flight schedule.
According to their Web page, they have made a total of 50,427 QSOs with 15,250 unique callsigns. Of these some 24,235 were on CW, 21,080 on SSB and 5,112 scored the path using RTTY.
The QSL Manager for this operation is Didier Senmartin, F5OGL. And we will have more DX related news later on in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report. (Southgate)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: HAM RADIO AND THE CHICAGO MARATHON
Ham radio helped make the recent Bank of America Chicago Marathon an overwhelming success. The race took place on Sunday, October 11th with about 75 hams helping to coordinate the event while providing a safety web to oversee the almost 35,000 runners.
Coordinating the ham radio aspect of the event was Jerry Martin, KC9BDA, of Beech Park, Illinois. He assembled a team that came from ARES. RACES, SATERN, the local American Red Cross chapters and many other local clubs. The hams set up two- separate networks covering medical emergencies and logistics. They also manned 21 aid and medical stations while maintaining liaison with other volunteer groups and the National Weather Service.
The communications effort began in the wee hours of the morning and lasted until the final runner crossed the finish line. Hams mainly used dual band handhelds backed up by portable battery operated high power stations to communicate over the 26.2 mile course. Several repeaters donated their services and were held on stand-by in case they were needed
The winner of the men's competition was Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru, with a total time of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 41 seconds. The women's first place went to Liliya Shobukhova of Russia. She completed the course in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 56 seconds. There were also separate competitions for handcycle and wheelchair entries as well.
All of the ham radio operators who volunteered to provide communications were required to have previous experience in public service events. (WB9QZB, others)
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PUBLIC SERVICE: THE ISTANBUL MARATHON
Chicago is not the only place that ham radio is involved in a marathon event. Members of the TRAC Istanbul Branch will activate their new club station using the special callsign TC1IEM between October 16th to the 18th. This to assist and commemorate the 2009 Istanbul Eurasia Marathon.
The Istanbul Eurasia Marathon is the only race of its type that starts in Asia and ends in Europe. All of the commemorative operations will take place on the high frequency bands. More on the race is on-line at www.istanbulmarathon.org (Southgate)
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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 Zero Beaters Amateur Radio Club's WA0FYA repeater serving Dutzow, Missouri.
(5 sec pause here)
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ENFORCEMENT: HOW THE SOCAL 2 METER CEMENT JAMMER WAS FOUND
A follow-up to last week's story of the proposed $4000 FCC fine that was levied against the Shimmick Construction Company and Obayashi Corporation for illegally operating in the amateur two-meter band. This was an excellent example of the close cooperation that now exists between the Los Angeles area FCC office and hams in the Official Observer and Amateur Auxiliary program. Amateur Radio Newsline's Joe Moell, K0OV, has the rest of the story in this report:
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It all started in late April, when hams in central and northern Orange County began hearing conversations on 146.025 MHz, the output of K6SOA/R, which is owned by the South Orange Amateur Radio Association or SOARA. The transmissions were clearly for business and appeared to be related to construction work. SOARA has regular hidden transmitter hunts, so some of the club members were already equipped to go into action to find the source. Two of them, Richard Saunders, K6RBS and Richard Clark, N6UZS, reported strong signals in the cities of Orange and Costa Mesa. However, the strength and direction of bearings were not the same from one day to the next.
Other transmitter hunters and members of the Official Observer corps soon joined in. The search wasn't simple because the activity wasn't daily and it was sporadic on the days when it occurred. Next came reports of strong signals in Anaheim and Yorba Linda. Between the cuss words, the T-hunters heard conversations suggesting that they were listening to the handi-talkies of a concrete supplier at various job sites around the county.
On May 21, Dan Welch W6DFW, the Orange Section Official Observer Coordinator, hit pay dirt at a construction site of the Diemer Filtration Plant in Yorba Linda. His photos and recordings went to the FCC and within a week, the interference was gone. It should be noted that the concrete supply firm had obtained its handi-talkies from a commercial two-way radio supplier, which had mistakenly programmed them to transmit and receive on 146.025 MHz instead of 156.025 MHz. With no frequency readout and with tone squelch operational in their receivers, the concrete workers could not hear the SOARA repeater and had no idea that they were using an Amateur Radio frequency. Nevertheless, as the licensee for the radios, Shimmick-Obayashi got the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and will have to either appeal it, pay the fine, or try to get their radio supplier to do so.
From southern California, where our regular T-hunts keep us ready to find intruders to our bands at a moment's notice, this is Joe Moell K0OV for Amateur Radio Newsline.
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The ham radio community in southern California developed a close working rapport with the local FCC office several years ago during the investigation into the activities of convicted jammer Jack Gerritsen. From this latest quick enforcement action one might speculate that the relationship appears to be cast in concrete. (K0OV, ARNewsline™)
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ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED UK BROADCASTER GETS BANNED FROM ROOFTOPS
The British may have stumbled on a unique solution to keep pirate broadcasters off the air. Don't let them have outdoor antennas. Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has more:
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An unlicensed broadcaster has been banned from every roof top in London, England. This, after he pleaded guilty to installing pirate radio equipment on a tower in the city.
According to a report on UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom website, Kieran O’Sullivan received the anti-social behavior order following a successful prosecution by the regulatory agency. He also received an 18 week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, a three month curfew, a £1,200 fine, and had his radio equipment seized.
Ofcom worked with Camden Council and police to secure the prosecution following complaints from residents about Freeze FM operating from estates in Hampstead. Neighbors had complained about pirate radio operators using roof tops to install equipment, which caused a nuisance to residents and damaged property.
And I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
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You can read the full Ofcom report www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/200...o-rooftop-ban/ (Ofcom, BBC, others)
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RADIO LAW: NEW ON-LINE FEDERAL REGISTER LAUNCHED
The Federal Register online version is now in an easier-to-read format at Data.gov. Now in XML format it is it easier to transport data from a Web site and store it, manipulate it or customize it elsewhere.
The Federal Register is published by the Office of the Federal Register. It in turn is a part of the National Archives and Records Administration and is updated Monday through Friday except on federal holidays.
The register went online in 1994 and is the official publication for rules, proposed rules and notices of federal agencies and organizations. It also provides executive orders and other presidential documents.
(RW)
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HAMVENTION 2010: AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS WORLDWIDE: THE LIFELINE
"Amateur Radio Clubs Worldwide: The Lifeline" will be the theme of the 2010 Dayton Hamvention slated for next May 14th to the 16th at the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. According to Asst. General Chairman Michael Kalter, W8CI, we all recognize how much amateur radio clubs and organizations contribute to the service. This is especially true in the way clubs pull together in disasters, field days, contests, working with youth, teaching classes, and sponsoring hamfests. And says Kalter there are parts of the world where a ham radio club truly is the communication link to the world.
In order to help celebrate the world of radio clubs, Hamvention planners are asking for pictures from radio clubs around the world that it can use on the front and back cover of the Hamvention 2010 program magazine. It is also looking for stories of interest from interesting radio clubs as well.
In other Hamvention related news, Kalter says that all of our volunteer committee chairs and their assistants are in place for 2010 and have been meeting to make this the best Hamvention you have ever attended. He also notes that the organizations new online program for taking and tracking orders is up and running. He notes that many hours have been spent since he close of Hamvention 2009 to make all of these necessary improvements. The site can be accessed at www.hamvention.org so you have the chance to make your 2010 plans early. (Dayton Hamvention®)
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HAM HAPPENINGS: HAM RADIO CRUSE NIGHT IN VIRGINIA IN MAY 2010
Many of you are familiar with cruise-in events at restaurants, drive-ins, shopping centers or other venues. That’s where participants bring their cars, trucks and motorcycles to display and compete for awards.
Ham radio operators are also proud of the time and effort invested in transportable stations and one radio club feels its time for them to show off as well. The Albemarle Amateur Radio Club in Central Virginia will sponsor the first Virginia Ham Radio Cruise-In from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m Eastern time on Saturday, May 1st, 2010. And like automotive buffs, this will be a chance for hams to meet, greet and show off their mobile and portable gear.
If it sounds like fun to you can get more information from Jim Crosby, K4JEC. His e-mail address is jecrosby at comast dot net (K4JEC)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: K7CR STEPS DOWN AS CHAIRMAN OF SBE EAS COMMITTEE
Some names in the news. First up is well known Washington state amateur and repeater coordination pioneer Clay Freinwald, K7CR. He is stepping down from the board of the Society of Broadcast Engineers due to term limits and is also leaving his post as chairman of the SBE's EAS Committee for the same reason.
Freinwald, who holds an Extra Class license and was instrumental in the formation of the Western Washington Amateur Relay Association is identified as closely as anyone in the broadcast industry with the EAS. He is a past recipient of Radio World Magazine’s Excellence in Engineering Award and has served on the SBE board and chaired the EAS committee for a decade.
K7CR says that he will continue working with the committee under the new chairman, Ralph Beaver. Beaver operates a company known as Media Alert based in Tampa, Florida. (RW)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: UK FILM MAKER TO WORK WITH RADIO CLUBS
And UK filmmaker Esther Johnson is planning to use three different amateur radio clubs based in the London area. This, to set up a radio station during an exhibition of her work on 23rd, 24th and 25th October. The stations will accompany Johnson's 16mm film Tune In that she produced in 2006, and which focuses on amateur radio. Johnson will also be exhibiting photography of radio enthusiasts alongside her film work. Further information on Tune In can be found at www.blanchepictures.com/films/tunein.htm. (RSGB)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: G5RV LAST LOGBOOG SAVED IN EBAY AUCTION
And the final log/book of one of the UK’s best-known radio amateurs has been saved for posterity.
The late Louis Varney, G5RV, was one of the founder members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society in 1936. When Chelmsford club member Duncan Munro, M0KGK, spotted that G5RV's last ever logbook was being auctioned on e-bay the club decided to buy it.
M0KGK did the bidding and despite fierce competition managed to secure the logbook in the last eight seconds of auction. The logbook shows that G5RV's final QSO's were on January 11 2000 with G0WGP and Chelmsford club President Harry Heap, G5HF. Ironically, the entry appeared on page 73 of the logbook. Varney was, of course using a G5RV antenna that he designed for those final contacts (M5AKA, Southgate)
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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: KEN JOHNSON, W6FU - S.K.
The changing of the guard in amateur radio continues. This with word that Ken Johnson, W6FU, died of cancer on October 2.
Together with Don Wilson, K6RKE, Johnson founded educational FM station KPCS which later became KPCC. He also taught broadcasting classes at Pasadena City College for many years and also served as trustee of the college's W6BAB Amateur Radio station,.
Ken then traveled with the Los Angeles Dodgers, engineering their remote broadcasts for KWKW. Working with Jaime Jarrin, he saw four World Series Championships and collected countless stories.
A memorial service was to be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10th at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Pasadena. Ken Johnson, W6FU was age 89. (CGC, N6LL)
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WORLDBEAT: WIA TURNS 100 IN 2010
The Wireless Institute of Australia turns 100 next year, making it the world's oldest national radio society. Now, its President, Michael Owen, VK3KI, says he wants the world-wide amateur radio community to join in the celebration. A commemorative QSL card will be issued for contacts with special events station VK100WIA between May and October of 2010. A limited edition operating award, called the WIA Centenary Award is also to be available with two contacts with VK100WIA are required under its rules. Details of the centenary program can be found on the WIA website at www.wia.org.au. (WIA)
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WORLDBEAT: D-STAR NOW REPRESENTED ON RSGB'S EMERGING TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
D-Star will now be represented on the Radio Society of Great Britain's Emerging Technology Committee. According to the RSGB announcement, as D-Star and digital voice communication continues to grow, it has become apparent that there is ever-increasing reliance on the Trust Servers that comprise the network infrastructure.
The administration of this network within the UK is carried out by the UKIT team who came together voluntarily to take on this vital role. The RSGB says that it wants to build upon the excellent work done by the team by giving it a more permanent structure. Following discussions at the recent UK National Hamfest, it has been agreed that they will become part of the Emerging Technology Committee. G7LWT will represent the UKIT on the committee while the other members will work on a corresponding basis. (RSGB, Southgate)
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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: KEYBOARDS THAT LEAK YOUR DATA
And if you think that the letters and numbers you type on your computers keyboard are secure because you have a good firewall, you might want to guess again. While your on-line connection might keep you invisible to others on the net, your keyboard could be sharing your data with anyone in range of your PC. Frank Lusa, VK2FJL, reports:
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Audio report only Hear it by downloading this weeks MP3 version of the newscast at www.arnewsline.org.
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One solution is to try shielding your keyboard cable if you are worried about information leaks. (WIA News)
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CONTEST CORNER: THE NY QSO PARTY IS BACK
In contest news, its been away for a quarter of a century but the Rochester DX Association says that the New York QSO Party is back. The 2009 edition will take place on Saturday, October 17th, starting at 1800 UTC and running for the next 12 hours. For rules, county maps and log submissions take your web browser to www.NYQP.org (Via E-Mail)
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DX
In DX, HA0HW reports that a group has begun a year long operation from different Hungarian National Parks. The first of these operating events took place from the Hortobágy National Park from October 12th to the 18th using the callsign HG0WFF. Their QSL manager is HA0HW but cards sent via the bureau are OK.
And a team headed by G3KHZ will be in Papua New Guinea from October 22nd through the 9th of November. Activity will be on 160 through 15 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Full details and QSL routing is on the web at www.425dxn.org.
DO1BEN and DO1IQ will be active portable PD from Texel Island between October 16th and the 22nd. Activity will be on the HF bands, propagation permitting. QSL via their home callsigns with the Bureau preferred.
A Dutch team plans to be active from Benin through the 30th of October. Check their website at www.benin2009.com for more information.
Lastly, JE2EHP, will be active as 4X stroke K1HP from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Israel between October 29th and November 5th. His operation will be on all the High Frequency bands plus 6 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL is via the bureau to JE2EHP.
(Above from various DX news sources)
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THAT FINAL ITEM: D-STAR REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
And finally this week the story of a ham who has taken D-Star to a new height. New height as in 13,000 feet in the sky. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details:
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According to his posting on the D-Star Reflector, on Saturday October 10 Mark Meltzer, AF6IM, of Palo Alto California went sky-diving and brought along an Icom IC 91AD D-Star enabled handie talkie.
Meltzer says that on his first jump he opened his chute at about 13,000 feet and worked numerous 2 meter analog FM simplex contacts. He also held a couple of analog FM QSOs on 1.2 GHz through the W6CYX and W6LRW linked repeater system on 1282.225.
.At about 8000 ft he decided to try D-Star but heard only a garbled R2D2 sounding reply. At the time Mark says that he was flying his canopy away from Mt. Diablo which placed my body between the repeater and the IC 91AD's antenna. So he turned towards Mt. Diablo and the distortion went away and he was able to work Rick Mc Cusker, WF6O, in Sacramento clearly through the machine.
AF6IM notes that he was also carrying analog APRS gear that not only reported GPS derived data that not only included his altitude heading and speed but also his blood oxygen level and pulse rate. He also thanks WF6O for being the other half of the D-Star parachute mobile contact and especially to Tim Barrett, K6BIV for making it all possible with his D-Star repeater system.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF in the newsroom near Los Angeles and wondering why anyone would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
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The jump took place at Byron, California which is a favorite area for sky diving. Byron, California is also home to the somewhat well-known and historical Byron Hot Springs. This is a now-abandoned resort which was a retreat that attracted many movie stars and famous athletes in the early 1900s. More information and telemetry data on AF6IM's accomplishment is on line at www.parachutemobile.org D-Star Reflector)
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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