Post by David (N4DLT) on Oct 13, 2010 18:11:45 GMT -5
Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1730 - October 8 2010
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1730 with a release date of Friday, October 8 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. The IARU Administrative Council meets in El Salvador to prepare for W-R-C 12; a true world-wide ham license could be on its way; license restructuring comes to South Africa and Indonesia to launch a pair of ham-sats in 2011. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1730 coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
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RADIO POLITICS: IARU ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL UPDATES WRC-12 PLANNING
The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union or IARU held its annual meeting on October 1st and 2nd in El Salvador. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Norm Seeley, KI7UP, takes a look at what was accomplished:
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The Administrative Council is responsible for the policy and management of the IARU. It is made up of the three IARU international officers and two representatives from each of the three regional organizations. And this group covered a lot of ground in the two days that they were allotted to them.
Perhaps most important issue faced was the IARU positions on relevant agenda items for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference also known as WRC-12. These items were reviewed and updated in light of developments since the 2009 Administrative Council meeting. Desired agenda items for future World Radiocommunication Conference were also considered while progress on the action plan for developing support for amateur radio frequency allocations were reviewed and the plan updated for the period through the WRC-12 meeting.
With electromagnetic compatibility issues becoming more and more of a problem for radio amateurs world-wide, a need was identified for an IARU coordinator to handle this issue. A sub-committee of the Administrative Council will develop suitable terms of reference for this.
Future involvement by the IARU in the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications or GAREC Conference was discussed. The decision was to request additional information from the conference organizers.
The theme “Amateur Radio: The first technology-based social network” was adopted for the next World Amateur Radio Day. That’s slated for April 18, 2011.
Lastly, a report was received from the IARU 2025 Committee, which is developing a concept for a new organizational structure for the IARU. The committee was asked to refine its report into a form that can be presented to member-societies for their consideration.
This is only a quick overview of what was discussed at the conference. For a more detailed report, please take your web browser to tinyurl.com/2ayetpw
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Norm Seely, KI7UP, watching the ham radio political scene from Scottsdale, Arizona.
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The next scheduled in-person meeting of the IARU Administrative Council will be held in the vicinity of Sun City, South Africa, on August 19th and 20th of 2011. This, in conjunction with the IARU Region 1 Conference that will take place August 13th to the 18th at or near the same location. (Southgate)
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RADIO POLITICS: WORLD HAM RADIO LICENSE MAY BE ON ITS WAY
In other news out of the conference, Radio Amateurs of Canada reports that a true world wide ham radio license could be in the hobby’s future.
Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA, is the Vice President International Affairs for Radio Amateurs of Canada. He says that El Salvador’s Superintendent of Communications surprised everyone at the end of his speech by announcing that his nation had decided to sign the International Amateur Radio Permit or IARP Agreement.
For those of you not aware, the IARP Agreement is designed to allow ham radio operation in certain countries of the Americas without seeking a special license or permit to enter and operate from that country. According to Lamoureux, this move by El Salvador is a very significant and means that in a short time the IARPand the pan-European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations or CEPT International Amateur licenses might be harmonized and become one. (RAC, VE2KA)
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RADIOS FUTURE: MAJOR SURVEY OF UK HAMS LAUNCHED BY RSGB
At the recent Radio Society of Great Britain National Hamfest the U-K national society announced the launch a major survey of all United Kingdom radio amateurs. The objective of the survey is to gather as much information as possible on 21st century amateur radio operation in that nation.
According to the announcement, the survey, which is internet based, will run for three months. The data collected will be used to determine the direction that amateur radio takes over the next 10 to 20 years.
Full details of the survey will shortly appear in the amateur radio press while notices of invitation will be placed on all amateur radio reflectors and will appear shortly on the RSGB website. (RSGB)
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RESTRUCTURING: SOUTH AFRICA FACES MAJOR LICENSE STRUCTURE CHANGES
A new round of amateur radio license restructuring appears to be taking pace in South Africa. This, with word that ICASA, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published the draft of proposed changes to that nations radio regulations in the September 26th Government Gazette. We have more in this report from Bruce Tennant, K6PZW:
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According to the South African Radio League, there are some significant changes to regulations pertaining to telecommunications in general and amateur radio in particular contained in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa draft rules revision proposal. These include the disappearance of the Zed R license prefix and, with that, the requirements for one of the five upgrade criteria.
Those having passed the Class A examination will be allocated a Zed-S callsign. The South African Radio League says that it plans to discuss with ICASA the procedure by which Zed-R license holders will be able to upgrade to Zed-S at the next liaison meeting.
But this is not where the restructuring will end. If placed into communications law, there will be a new age restriction placed on the South African class B license. The Class B license will be available only to those under the age of 20. Holders of this license will be expected to take and pass the nations class A examination before they reach age 25. After that, the Class B license along with its Zed U prefix will be cancelled.
As to reaction from the South African ham radio community? The South African Radio League says that these are significant changes to regulations affecting to amateur radio in that nation. It says that the organization will study the draft regulations and will hold a discussion during the President's Net. That’s slated to be held on Sunday, October 17th.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles
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The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa says that it will be holding a public hearing on the new rules on December 1st and 2nd. Soon after that date the final regulations are expected to be enacted into law. (SARL)
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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 N3EVW repeater serving Scranton, Pennsylvania.
(5 sec pause here)
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RESCUE RADIO: NEW NEVADA RADIO STATION TO INCLUDE HAM STATION
A tower is in place for a new broadcast radio station that will have a ham radio connection. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has the details:
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The station is KQLN on 91.3 MHz FM and will serve Alamo, Nevada, in the Pahranagat Valley.# This, from a site that sits on Nevada Highway 93 with coverage expected to be 50 miles in all directions.
The owner of KQLN is Harvey Caplan, KD7FJJ.# Jerry Fuge, KC6ILH the Emergency Coordinator in Nevada’s Northern Nye County says that Caplan is a member of the regions ARES/RACES organization that already has a repeater located at another of Caplan’s radio stations.# That one is located in the town of Pahrump.# Thats a city made famous by overnight talk show host Art Bell, W6OBB.#
In a recent interview, Caplan told the Lincoln County Record that the stations transmitter site will house both KQLN along with an amateur radio station that will have coverage over most of the populated area of the valley.# The ham station will be battery-powered and charged by a solar power panel.
Caplan told the newspaper that almost everyone associated with the station called Alamo Radio is not only a licensed amateur radio operator, but also a member of Amateur Radio Emergency Service.# He describes ARES as a national organization trained to respond to community emergencies by setting up two-way radio stations in hospitals, public safety areas, or even on mountain tops.#
Kaplan notes that amateur radio can get messages through when conventional public safety radio systems fail, or to help when such systems may become overloaded.# He says that some messages can be urgent, to fire or police, or simply relay health and welfare information to relatives of those in a disaster zone.# Either way says Caplan, they could be life saving.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
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In the newspaper article Caplan added that he hopes that others will want to serve the community and the valley by becoming licensed radio amateurs. He also looks forward to having KQLN-FM operating by the time of the November elections if at all possible. (Lincoln County Record, Nevada ARES)
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ENFORCEMENT: TWO BOSTON UNLICENSED BROADCASTERS FINED $15000 EACH
The FCC fined two Boston area men for operating an unlicensed station on 99.7 MHz.
The story goes back to the fall of 2009. That’s when the local FCC office received a complaint from one of the city’s licensed stations about the unlicensed stations operation. Field agents traced the signal to an apartment building in the Mattapan neighborhood of the city. The agents saw a roof mounted antenna with its coaxial feed line leading to a basement window. The agents took field strength measurements and determined that the signals exceeded the limits for unlicensed Part 15 operation.
Some time later, two men identified as Lloyd Morris and Robert Brown, met with the FCC agents. According to the agency, it was at that meeting that the pair admitted they owned and operated the station. The agents explained the potential penalties for such a violation and Morris and Brown agreed to shut off the transmitter and did.
On October 15th of 2009, the Boston Office issued Notices of Unlicensed Operation to Morris and Brown by mail. According to the FCC it never received a response from either man. And that’s where the matter stood until this past February when the FCC again receiving complaints that the same unlicensed station was back on the air. Agents located the source as the same building and again documented the antenna on the roof, he coaxial downlead and the stations signal strength as again exceeding what is permitted by
Part 15 of its rules.
Now, acting on the evidence before it the FCC has issued Morris and Brown each a Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture in the amount of $15,000 each. The two were given the customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: HELP NEEDED IN FINDING CHURCHES ON 10 METER FM
Illegal broadcast transmitters in churches are again being heard across the great Atlantic pond, and your help is needed to find them.
Ger McNamara, EI4GXB, is the Irish Radio Transmitters Society's IARU Intruder Watch coordinator. He is asking hams and SWL’s to again keep an ear on 28.265 FM. This, based on incursions by churches on this frequency heard throughout Europe with signals equaling 59 +20db.
In addition, McNamara days that there have also been reports of a Church in the Dublin area transmitting on 28.030 Mhz. This is in the CW portion of the 10 meter band.
No matter where in the world you are, if you hear either of these illegal operations, please send a detailed report to EI4GXB. His e-mail is ei4gxb (at) gmail (dot) com. If you live in Ireland please also copy your report to telecommunications regulator ComReg as well. (IRTS)
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RADIO LAW: SENATE BACKS HOUSE ON TV VOLUME LAW
The United States Senate unanimously passed a bill late Wednesday, September 27th to require television stations and cable companies to keep commercials at the same volume as the programs they interrupt. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island requires the FCC to adopt its recommendations as regulations within a year and begin enforcing them a year later.
The House of Representatives had already passed similar legislation. Before it can become law, minor differences between the two versions have to be worked out when Congress returns to Washington after the November 2nd election.
Oh yes, the title of this law is the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, better known by the acronym CALM. (Published reports)
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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: CCTC IMAGE PROCESSING TO COUNTER TERRORISM
The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing image processing technology that will improve surveillance of abandoned luggage in public places.
Its well known that across Europe there are numerous Closed Circuit TV systems in use in public places. These installations have the ability to gather large amounts of image material. But at this time there are no effective ways to analyze the mass of video data automatically and recognize potential risk situations.
Now comes VTT which is involved in a European Union research project called SUBITO. SUBITO is aimed at developing Information Technology or I-T solutions.
An example might be luggage left in a public place which may contain explosives or other dangerous substances. Terror attacks based on this tactic have already claimed taken place. Now, with the help of an application developed as part of the project, cameras recognize abandoned luggage automatically and rapidly identify, locate and track the person who left it there.
VTT says that SUBITO enhances security in a cost-efficient manner, since the new technology can be built on the foundations of existing Closed Circuit TV systems. Individual privacy issues are thus easier to take into account, because the end users must already take note of them in operating the system. (Science OnLine)
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RETRO RADIO: 6 METER AM IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY
If you operate 6 meter AM on the Pacific Coast, then you might want to point your beam toward the central part of the state of California. Larry Hogue, W6OMF, reports over the VHF Reflector that Mondays at 7 PM Pacific time there is a gathering of the AM enthusiasts on 50.4 Mhz. Most stations are in the Sacramento valley area with net control in the town of Camino. And if 6 meters magically opens up as it does from time to time, this is a chance to snag what’s quickly becoming a historic mode of VHF’s past. (VHF Reflector)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: TALK RADIO HOST ART BELL W6OBB REPORTED ACTIVE FROM MANILA
Some names in the news. First up this week is famed overnight talk radio host Art Bell, W6OBB. The Ohio Penn DX Newsletter reports that Bell has recently been heard as 4F1AB from Manila, in the Philippines where he now lives. His activity seems to be on 20 and 15 meters SSB after 1200 UTC. Information on QRZ.com states that he is active on 40 through 10 meters, and he often listens on 14.315 MHz. QSL’s go to W6OBB via his Nevada address. (OPDX)
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NAMES IN NTHE NEWS: VA6KM APPOINTED AS RAC ALBERTA SECTION TRAINING COORDINATOR
And Ken McPherson VA6KM has been appointed as Radio Amateurs of Canada’s Training Coordinator for the organizations Alberta Section. McPherson has been a radio amateur since 1993. He served as a Naval Combat Information Operator as well as in the Armored Reserves in Ottawa. His background in training includes time as a Cadet Instructor, First Aid Instructor and Scuba Instructor. (RAC)
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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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THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FORMER TRI-EX TOWER OWNER FRANK CLEMENT, W6KPC, S.K.
The changing of the guard continues with the sad news that High Frequency antenna pioneer Frank Clement, W6KPC, of Bakersfield, California, has become a Silent Key. Clement, age 93, died on September 23rd as a result of a highway accident.
Frank Clement, W6KPC, was best known in ham radio circles as the former owner of Tri-Ex Towers. He also designed and built a number of high performance High Frequency antenna arrays over the course of several decades.
In 2006, The Radio Club of America honored W6KPC with its Barry M. Goldwater Amateur Radio Award. The award recognized his accomplishments in designing and manufacturing towers and designing and constructing his famed Yagi Sextet. The Sextet was once described as North America’s largest amateur radio phased HF Yagi system.
Frank Clement is survived by his wife, Chong Ye. A graveside service#was held on October 4 in, Delano, California. Memorial contributions can be made to The A. J. F. Clement Memorial Fund, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union, PO Box 9506, Bakersfield, CA 93389. (QCWA, RCA, ARRL, others)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: INDONESIA TO LAUNCH TWO HAMSATS
A news report out of Jakarta says that the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautic and Space will launch two satellites carrying amateur radio transponders in the second quarter of 2011. Known as LAPAN-A2 and LAPAN–ORARI,, the report appears to indicate that the satellites will be carried to orbit on board a domestic Indonesian manufactured rocket.
An earlier report in February indicated that LAPAN-ORARI would be launched from India. But the article comments on the effect of import restrictions which has led the National Institute to develop local production to enable the country to have an independent rocket launch facility. The entire report is on-line at tinyurl.com/lapan (Southgate, others)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AO-51 BACK ON LINE
The AMSAT OSCAR 51 ham satellite is back on the air following a software crash on September 26th. According to control station Mark Hammond, N8MH, reloading software was completed and as of September 29th, and the bird is in good operating condition.
According to AMSAT, the AO-51 Command Team has configured the satellite for simultaneous operation of both the S-band and U-band transmitters. The tradeoff is that U-band will be low in power at around 250 milliwatts.
Also, please notice that 145.880 MHz is being used as the uplink. However, the satellites operational configuration could be updated or changed without much advance notice.
(AMSAT)
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DX
In D-X, word that members of the Algarve STAR DX Team will be active as CR6A from South Lourenzo Fortress located inside Ria Formosa Natural Park between Armona Island and Culatra Island. Activity will be on all bands as possible on CW and SSB. This Fortress is totally submerged except in the lower tide. QSL via CT1GFK.
NE8Z will be operational as C6AEZ from New Providence Island between October 11th and the 16th. Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via NE8Z.
Members of the Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society will be active as GT1IOM from the town of Douglas between October 16-17th. This operation is taking place during the 53rd Scouting Jamboree on the Air. QSL via GD1MIP.
Lastly, the South Korea’s Cheonan Asan Ham Club and possibly other guest operators will be active as D7G20 between October 29th and November 28th. This, to celebrate the upcoming G20 Summit Meering in Seoul. Operations by D7G20 are expected to be on 80 through 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to the G20 Seoul Summit 2010 Special Callsign, P.O. Box 90, Cheonan, 330-600, South Korea.
(Above from various DX news sources)
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THAT FINAL ITEM: ELECTRONIC ARCHIVING: YOUR ARCHIVE MIGHT BE FADING
If you store important documents, sounds and photos on optical disc’s, your history may be fading away with no way to restore it. In fact, some of the worlds most precious artifacts have already been lost as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline’s Fred Vobbe, W8HDU:
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W8HDU report here: Audio only. Please download the MP3 version of this newscast at www.arnewsline.org to hear it
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Fred will be back next week to detail what needs to be done to keep all of these audio files alive for future generations to enjoy. Meantime, for more information on this story, please visit www.loc.ggov. (W8HDU)
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NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Library of Congress, 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™, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350
Please do not forget that in association with the Newark Amateur Radio Society that we are currently conducting a survey to determine where these weekly Amateur Radio Newsline reports are replayed on the air. If you are a bulletin station that transmits these weekly newscasts or a listener who has the following information, we need you to supply to us the call sign of the repeater or bulletin station making the transmission, the frequency where it can be heard, the time and day and days of the week it is broadcast, the time zone and the estimated audience you think it has. Please e-mail that information along with your name and callsign to arnschedule (at) gmail (dot) com. Once again thats arnschedule (at) gmail (dot) com. As always we thank you for your assistance in this survey.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m David Black begin_of_the_skype_highlighting#####end_of_the_sky pe_highlighting, KB4KCH, at the South-East bureau in Birmingham, Alabama, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline™ is Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1730 with a release date of Friday, October 8 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. The IARU Administrative Council meets in El Salvador to prepare for W-R-C 12; a true world-wide ham license could be on its way; license restructuring comes to South Africa and Indonesia to launch a pair of ham-sats in 2011. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1730 coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
RADIO POLITICS: IARU ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL UPDATES WRC-12 PLANNING
The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union or IARU held its annual meeting on October 1st and 2nd in El Salvador. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Norm Seeley, KI7UP, takes a look at what was accomplished:
--
The Administrative Council is responsible for the policy and management of the IARU. It is made up of the three IARU international officers and two representatives from each of the three regional organizations. And this group covered a lot of ground in the two days that they were allotted to them.
Perhaps most important issue faced was the IARU positions on relevant agenda items for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference also known as WRC-12. These items were reviewed and updated in light of developments since the 2009 Administrative Council meeting. Desired agenda items for future World Radiocommunication Conference were also considered while progress on the action plan for developing support for amateur radio frequency allocations were reviewed and the plan updated for the period through the WRC-12 meeting.
With electromagnetic compatibility issues becoming more and more of a problem for radio amateurs world-wide, a need was identified for an IARU coordinator to handle this issue. A sub-committee of the Administrative Council will develop suitable terms of reference for this.
Future involvement by the IARU in the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications or GAREC Conference was discussed. The decision was to request additional information from the conference organizers.
The theme “Amateur Radio: The first technology-based social network” was adopted for the next World Amateur Radio Day. That’s slated for April 18, 2011.
Lastly, a report was received from the IARU 2025 Committee, which is developing a concept for a new organizational structure for the IARU. The committee was asked to refine its report into a form that can be presented to member-societies for their consideration.
This is only a quick overview of what was discussed at the conference. For a more detailed report, please take your web browser to tinyurl.com/2ayetpw
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Norm Seely, KI7UP, watching the ham radio political scene from Scottsdale, Arizona.
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The next scheduled in-person meeting of the IARU Administrative Council will be held in the vicinity of Sun City, South Africa, on August 19th and 20th of 2011. This, in conjunction with the IARU Region 1 Conference that will take place August 13th to the 18th at or near the same location. (Southgate)
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RADIO POLITICS: WORLD HAM RADIO LICENSE MAY BE ON ITS WAY
In other news out of the conference, Radio Amateurs of Canada reports that a true world wide ham radio license could be in the hobby’s future.
Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA, is the Vice President International Affairs for Radio Amateurs of Canada. He says that El Salvador’s Superintendent of Communications surprised everyone at the end of his speech by announcing that his nation had decided to sign the International Amateur Radio Permit or IARP Agreement.
For those of you not aware, the IARP Agreement is designed to allow ham radio operation in certain countries of the Americas without seeking a special license or permit to enter and operate from that country. According to Lamoureux, this move by El Salvador is a very significant and means that in a short time the IARPand the pan-European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations or CEPT International Amateur licenses might be harmonized and become one. (RAC, VE2KA)
**
RADIOS FUTURE: MAJOR SURVEY OF UK HAMS LAUNCHED BY RSGB
At the recent Radio Society of Great Britain National Hamfest the U-K national society announced the launch a major survey of all United Kingdom radio amateurs. The objective of the survey is to gather as much information as possible on 21st century amateur radio operation in that nation.
According to the announcement, the survey, which is internet based, will run for three months. The data collected will be used to determine the direction that amateur radio takes over the next 10 to 20 years.
Full details of the survey will shortly appear in the amateur radio press while notices of invitation will be placed on all amateur radio reflectors and will appear shortly on the RSGB website. (RSGB)
**
RESTRUCTURING: SOUTH AFRICA FACES MAJOR LICENSE STRUCTURE CHANGES
A new round of amateur radio license restructuring appears to be taking pace in South Africa. This, with word that ICASA, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published the draft of proposed changes to that nations radio regulations in the September 26th Government Gazette. We have more in this report from Bruce Tennant, K6PZW:
--
According to the South African Radio League, there are some significant changes to regulations pertaining to telecommunications in general and amateur radio in particular contained in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa draft rules revision proposal. These include the disappearance of the Zed R license prefix and, with that, the requirements for one of the five upgrade criteria.
Those having passed the Class A examination will be allocated a Zed-S callsign. The South African Radio League says that it plans to discuss with ICASA the procedure by which Zed-R license holders will be able to upgrade to Zed-S at the next liaison meeting.
But this is not where the restructuring will end. If placed into communications law, there will be a new age restriction placed on the South African class B license. The Class B license will be available only to those under the age of 20. Holders of this license will be expected to take and pass the nations class A examination before they reach age 25. After that, the Class B license along with its Zed U prefix will be cancelled.
As to reaction from the South African ham radio community? The South African Radio League says that these are significant changes to regulations affecting to amateur radio in that nation. It says that the organization will study the draft regulations and will hold a discussion during the President's Net. That’s slated to be held on Sunday, October 17th.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles
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The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa says that it will be holding a public hearing on the new rules on December 1st and 2nd. Soon after that date the final regulations are expected to be enacted into law. (SARL)
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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 N3EVW repeater serving Scranton, Pennsylvania.
(5 sec pause here)
**
RESCUE RADIO: NEW NEVADA RADIO STATION TO INCLUDE HAM STATION
A tower is in place for a new broadcast radio station that will have a ham radio connection. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has the details:
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The station is KQLN on 91.3 MHz FM and will serve Alamo, Nevada, in the Pahranagat Valley.# This, from a site that sits on Nevada Highway 93 with coverage expected to be 50 miles in all directions.
The owner of KQLN is Harvey Caplan, KD7FJJ.# Jerry Fuge, KC6ILH the Emergency Coordinator in Nevada’s Northern Nye County says that Caplan is a member of the regions ARES/RACES organization that already has a repeater located at another of Caplan’s radio stations.# That one is located in the town of Pahrump.# Thats a city made famous by overnight talk show host Art Bell, W6OBB.#
In a recent interview, Caplan told the Lincoln County Record that the stations transmitter site will house both KQLN along with an amateur radio station that will have coverage over most of the populated area of the valley.# The ham station will be battery-powered and charged by a solar power panel.
Caplan told the newspaper that almost everyone associated with the station called Alamo Radio is not only a licensed amateur radio operator, but also a member of Amateur Radio Emergency Service.# He describes ARES as a national organization trained to respond to community emergencies by setting up two-way radio stations in hospitals, public safety areas, or even on mountain tops.#
Kaplan notes that amateur radio can get messages through when conventional public safety radio systems fail, or to help when such systems may become overloaded.# He says that some messages can be urgent, to fire or police, or simply relay health and welfare information to relatives of those in a disaster zone.# Either way says Caplan, they could be life saving.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.
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In the newspaper article Caplan added that he hopes that others will want to serve the community and the valley by becoming licensed radio amateurs. He also looks forward to having KQLN-FM operating by the time of the November elections if at all possible. (Lincoln County Record, Nevada ARES)
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ENFORCEMENT: TWO BOSTON UNLICENSED BROADCASTERS FINED $15000 EACH
The FCC fined two Boston area men for operating an unlicensed station on 99.7 MHz.
The story goes back to the fall of 2009. That’s when the local FCC office received a complaint from one of the city’s licensed stations about the unlicensed stations operation. Field agents traced the signal to an apartment building in the Mattapan neighborhood of the city. The agents saw a roof mounted antenna with its coaxial feed line leading to a basement window. The agents took field strength measurements and determined that the signals exceeded the limits for unlicensed Part 15 operation.
Some time later, two men identified as Lloyd Morris and Robert Brown, met with the FCC agents. According to the agency, it was at that meeting that the pair admitted they owned and operated the station. The agents explained the potential penalties for such a violation and Morris and Brown agreed to shut off the transmitter and did.
On October 15th of 2009, the Boston Office issued Notices of Unlicensed Operation to Morris and Brown by mail. According to the FCC it never received a response from either man. And that’s where the matter stood until this past February when the FCC again receiving complaints that the same unlicensed station was back on the air. Agents located the source as the same building and again documented the antenna on the roof, he coaxial downlead and the stations signal strength as again exceeding what is permitted by
Part 15 of its rules.
Now, acting on the evidence before it the FCC has issued Morris and Brown each a Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture in the amount of $15,000 each. The two were given the customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: HELP NEEDED IN FINDING CHURCHES ON 10 METER FM
Illegal broadcast transmitters in churches are again being heard across the great Atlantic pond, and your help is needed to find them.
Ger McNamara, EI4GXB, is the Irish Radio Transmitters Society's IARU Intruder Watch coordinator. He is asking hams and SWL’s to again keep an ear on 28.265 FM. This, based on incursions by churches on this frequency heard throughout Europe with signals equaling 59 +20db.
In addition, McNamara days that there have also been reports of a Church in the Dublin area transmitting on 28.030 Mhz. This is in the CW portion of the 10 meter band.
No matter where in the world you are, if you hear either of these illegal operations, please send a detailed report to EI4GXB. His e-mail is ei4gxb (at) gmail (dot) com. If you live in Ireland please also copy your report to telecommunications regulator ComReg as well. (IRTS)
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RADIO LAW: SENATE BACKS HOUSE ON TV VOLUME LAW
The United States Senate unanimously passed a bill late Wednesday, September 27th to require television stations and cable companies to keep commercials at the same volume as the programs they interrupt. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island requires the FCC to adopt its recommendations as regulations within a year and begin enforcing them a year later.
The House of Representatives had already passed similar legislation. Before it can become law, minor differences between the two versions have to be worked out when Congress returns to Washington after the November 2nd election.
Oh yes, the title of this law is the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, better known by the acronym CALM. (Published reports)
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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: CCTC IMAGE PROCESSING TO COUNTER TERRORISM
The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing image processing technology that will improve surveillance of abandoned luggage in public places.
Its well known that across Europe there are numerous Closed Circuit TV systems in use in public places. These installations have the ability to gather large amounts of image material. But at this time there are no effective ways to analyze the mass of video data automatically and recognize potential risk situations.
Now comes VTT which is involved in a European Union research project called SUBITO. SUBITO is aimed at developing Information Technology or I-T solutions.
An example might be luggage left in a public place which may contain explosives or other dangerous substances. Terror attacks based on this tactic have already claimed taken place. Now, with the help of an application developed as part of the project, cameras recognize abandoned luggage automatically and rapidly identify, locate and track the person who left it there.
VTT says that SUBITO enhances security in a cost-efficient manner, since the new technology can be built on the foundations of existing Closed Circuit TV systems. Individual privacy issues are thus easier to take into account, because the end users must already take note of them in operating the system. (Science OnLine)
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RETRO RADIO: 6 METER AM IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY
If you operate 6 meter AM on the Pacific Coast, then you might want to point your beam toward the central part of the state of California. Larry Hogue, W6OMF, reports over the VHF Reflector that Mondays at 7 PM Pacific time there is a gathering of the AM enthusiasts on 50.4 Mhz. Most stations are in the Sacramento valley area with net control in the town of Camino. And if 6 meters magically opens up as it does from time to time, this is a chance to snag what’s quickly becoming a historic mode of VHF’s past. (VHF Reflector)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: TALK RADIO HOST ART BELL W6OBB REPORTED ACTIVE FROM MANILA
Some names in the news. First up this week is famed overnight talk radio host Art Bell, W6OBB. The Ohio Penn DX Newsletter reports that Bell has recently been heard as 4F1AB from Manila, in the Philippines where he now lives. His activity seems to be on 20 and 15 meters SSB after 1200 UTC. Information on QRZ.com states that he is active on 40 through 10 meters, and he often listens on 14.315 MHz. QSL’s go to W6OBB via his Nevada address. (OPDX)
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NAMES IN NTHE NEWS: VA6KM APPOINTED AS RAC ALBERTA SECTION TRAINING COORDINATOR
And Ken McPherson VA6KM has been appointed as Radio Amateurs of Canada’s Training Coordinator for the organizations Alberta Section. McPherson has been a radio amateur since 1993. He served as a Naval Combat Information Operator as well as in the Armored Reserves in Ottawa. His background in training includes time as a Cadet Instructor, First Aid Instructor and Scuba Instructor. (RAC)
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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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THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FORMER TRI-EX TOWER OWNER FRANK CLEMENT, W6KPC, S.K.
The changing of the guard continues with the sad news that High Frequency antenna pioneer Frank Clement, W6KPC, of Bakersfield, California, has become a Silent Key. Clement, age 93, died on September 23rd as a result of a highway accident.
Frank Clement, W6KPC, was best known in ham radio circles as the former owner of Tri-Ex Towers. He also designed and built a number of high performance High Frequency antenna arrays over the course of several decades.
In 2006, The Radio Club of America honored W6KPC with its Barry M. Goldwater Amateur Radio Award. The award recognized his accomplishments in designing and manufacturing towers and designing and constructing his famed Yagi Sextet. The Sextet was once described as North America’s largest amateur radio phased HF Yagi system.
Frank Clement is survived by his wife, Chong Ye. A graveside service#was held on October 4 in, Delano, California. Memorial contributions can be made to The A. J. F. Clement Memorial Fund, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union, PO Box 9506, Bakersfield, CA 93389. (QCWA, RCA, ARRL, others)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: INDONESIA TO LAUNCH TWO HAMSATS
A news report out of Jakarta says that the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautic and Space will launch two satellites carrying amateur radio transponders in the second quarter of 2011. Known as LAPAN-A2 and LAPAN–ORARI,, the report appears to indicate that the satellites will be carried to orbit on board a domestic Indonesian manufactured rocket.
An earlier report in February indicated that LAPAN-ORARI would be launched from India. But the article comments on the effect of import restrictions which has led the National Institute to develop local production to enable the country to have an independent rocket launch facility. The entire report is on-line at tinyurl.com/lapan (Southgate, others)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AO-51 BACK ON LINE
The AMSAT OSCAR 51 ham satellite is back on the air following a software crash on September 26th. According to control station Mark Hammond, N8MH, reloading software was completed and as of September 29th, and the bird is in good operating condition.
According to AMSAT, the AO-51 Command Team has configured the satellite for simultaneous operation of both the S-band and U-band transmitters. The tradeoff is that U-band will be low in power at around 250 milliwatts.
Also, please notice that 145.880 MHz is being used as the uplink. However, the satellites operational configuration could be updated or changed without much advance notice.
(AMSAT)
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DX
In D-X, word that members of the Algarve STAR DX Team will be active as CR6A from South Lourenzo Fortress located inside Ria Formosa Natural Park between Armona Island and Culatra Island. Activity will be on all bands as possible on CW and SSB. This Fortress is totally submerged except in the lower tide. QSL via CT1GFK.
NE8Z will be operational as C6AEZ from New Providence Island between October 11th and the 16th. Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via NE8Z.
Members of the Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society will be active as GT1IOM from the town of Douglas between October 16-17th. This operation is taking place during the 53rd Scouting Jamboree on the Air. QSL via GD1MIP.
Lastly, the South Korea’s Cheonan Asan Ham Club and possibly other guest operators will be active as D7G20 between October 29th and November 28th. This, to celebrate the upcoming G20 Summit Meering in Seoul. Operations by D7G20 are expected to be on 80 through 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to the G20 Seoul Summit 2010 Special Callsign, P.O. Box 90, Cheonan, 330-600, South Korea.
(Above from various DX news sources)
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THAT FINAL ITEM: ELECTRONIC ARCHIVING: YOUR ARCHIVE MIGHT BE FADING
If you store important documents, sounds and photos on optical disc’s, your history may be fading away with no way to restore it. In fact, some of the worlds most precious artifacts have already been lost as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline’s Fred Vobbe, W8HDU:
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W8HDU report here: Audio only. Please download the MP3 version of this newscast at www.arnewsline.org to hear it
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Fred will be back next week to detail what needs to be done to keep all of these audio files alive for future generations to enjoy. Meantime, for more information on this story, please visit www.loc.ggov. (W8HDU)
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NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Library of Congress, 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™, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350
Please do not forget that in association with the Newark Amateur Radio Society that we are currently conducting a survey to determine where these weekly Amateur Radio Newsline reports are replayed on the air. If you are a bulletin station that transmits these weekly newscasts or a listener who has the following information, we need you to supply to us the call sign of the repeater or bulletin station making the transmission, the frequency where it can be heard, the time and day and days of the week it is broadcast, the time zone and the estimated audience you think it has. Please e-mail that information along with your name and callsign to arnschedule (at) gmail (dot) com. Once again thats arnschedule (at) gmail (dot) com. As always we thank you for your assistance in this survey.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m David Black begin_of_the_skype_highlighting#####end_of_the_sky pe_highlighting, KB4KCH, at the South-East bureau in Birmingham, Alabama, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline™ is Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.