Post by David (N4DLT) on Sept 4, 2009 19:09:49 GMT -5
The following is a Q-S-T. Wildfires rage in Southern California and hams go on alert, the father of A-P-R-S proposes a universal ham radio text messaging initiative, a Virginia ham will commemorate the memory of those lives lost on 911 and more about those disappearing sunspots. All of the details coming your way on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1673 right now.
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RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO AND THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
Ham radio has been put on alert as wildfires rage across the state of California. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in our newsroom in hot and smoky Los Angeles with what we know so far:
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On alert is probably the best way to describe amateur radio's role so far as emergency responders and firefighters from across the region responded to a series of wildfires sparked by the intense heat gripping the great American Soutwest and what appears in some cases to be human carelessness. Investigators will eventually determine the causes but those of us who live and word in the region only want to see them out.
The biggest of the blazes, and the one that affected ham radio in several ways is the Station fire that began in the foothills above the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles and raced North across those hills to threaten the city of Acton. As we go to air, the Station fire has consumed 144,000 acres in an area that’s about 20 miles high by 30 miles wide and is now only about 38% contained. At least 50 homes have been lost and two firefighters lost their lives when their engine fell from a winding mountain road and tumbled some 800 feet.
Because of the hardening of the states radio communications system and the redundancy of gear, few if any emergency communications facilities were affected by any of the blazes. None the less, several of the states Disaster Communications Service groups are on alert ready for full activation at a moments notice. The largest of these is the group allied to the K6CPT repeater operating on 145.300 MHz and serving the greater Los Angeles area. As this is written, the repeater is in what can best be described as stand-by alert with all communications restricted to the assisting those fighting the Station fire.
Still with the Station fire, one ham radio repeater network was partially taken off the air by it. Dick Mc Kay, K6VGP, who operates the multiple-site Disaster Amateur Radio Network or DARN reports that their radios on Mt. Disappointment were taken off the air when the fire raced up the hill and took out the power lines. News photos show that one building that housed radio equipment was destroyed, but according to K6VGP the bunker that houses the ham radio system is concrete and its hoped that the radio system survived. The photo shows that the DARN antenna system is still there but its likely that the transmission line from the repeater to it may have melted away.
Dick says that he won't know the condition of the radio gear until he is allowed vto make a trip up the mountain to visually inspect the site. The DCS system 145.3 MHz mentioned earlier is also on Mt. Disappointment and is still operating using a massive battery back-up system. This is one of the best ways McKay can be certain that the building that houses both repeaters is still in tact.
And as we go to air, that’s about all that’s known regarding ham radio in the current spate of fires in the region. But as those of us who live out here know, the worst months of what we call the fire season lies ahead. That comes in a few weeks when the seasonal Santa Ana winds team up with the dry and hot fall weather to create the potential for wind driven brush fires that have been known to swoop down and destroy entire communities within minutes. With this having been an exceptionally hot and dry year, everyone including ham radio first responders will be on high alert until the winter rains come, if we have any this year at all.
Reporting from Los Angeles where the sky is yellow with smoke, Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, for the Amateur Radio Newsline
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It will be a while before many of these wildfires are declared contained or controlled and we will have follow-ups in future Newsline reports. (ARNewsline with assistance from CGC Communicator, K6VGP, K6OQK, others)
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RESCUE RADIO: A UNIVERSAL HAM RADIO TEXT MESSAGING INITIATIVE
A universal ham radio text messaging initiative has been proposed by the ham who gave the hobby APRS. Writing in the special emergency communications issue of QST magazine, Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, introduces a broad new initiative to find ways to seamlessly connect many of the dozens of existing amateur radio text messaging capabilities together.
Bruninga's concept is that of a universal information exchange between ham radio, the Internet, cellphone and other broadband devices. Also included is the ability to do station tracking using APRS and message exchange to and from DTMF equipped ham radio gear.
Under the WB4APR concept all a ham radio operator would need would be his or her callsign as a text address to have emergency test messaging available. His article titled a Universal Ham Radio Text Messaging Initiative begins on page 72 of the September issue of QST. (ARRL)
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HISTORY REMEMBERED: W0YR TO COMMEMORATE 911
A ham in Virginia will take to the airwaves to remember the lives of those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001. Michael Lonneke, W0YR, of Round Hill, says that his year after year operation as W0YR stroke 911 has several objectives. First is to honor and commemorate the lives of those lost in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the plane that crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Lonneke also says he does this every year to remind those whom he contacts of what this country endured on September 11th 2001 because of hatred. He also wants to remind those who would be revisionists of history and who want to minimize or forget the attacks that they were an act of terror against our nation.
Lonneke says that he will be operating CW, RTTY and SSB 10 through 80 meters and that a special QSL will be issued. QSL Mike via W0YR at his callbook address.
W0YR says that the memory of those who perished on September 11th, 2001, will never be forgotten. Two of those who died were his friends. (W0YR)
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SOLAR PROPAGATION: FINALLY A SHORT LIVED SUNSPOT
The imminent demise of Sunspot 1025 seems to reinforce our report last week on the work of astronomers Bill Livingston and Matt Penn of the National Solar Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. They have found that sunspot magnetic fields are definitely waning and believe that sunspots could completely disappear within a few decades.
According to Spaceweather dot com, sunspot 1025, which emerged on Monday, August 31st to interrupt a string of 51 spotless days. Sunspot 1025 was described in an eHam.net posting by Thomas Giella, NZ4O, as a small solar cycle 24 sunspot group that had emerged in the northern and western hemisphere of the Sun. Bur it did not last very long. On Wednesday, September 2nd, Spaceweather announced that sunspot 1025 was rapidly fading away. (Spaceweather, eHam)
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BREAKING DX NEWS: FIRST EVER EME DXPEDITION TO MONGOLIA
Some breaking DX news. This with word that JT1UN and JT1UN/5 will be the call signs of the first ever E-M-E DXpedition to Mongolia by W7EME, and K7YO. The operation will begin on October 10th and continue through the 14th. W7EME will operate JT65B on 144 MHz with K7YO on 432 MHz. Equipment on 2 meters will be a single M2 yagi and 450 watts output. The70 centimeter station will run 250 watts to a pair of long beams. More details are at www.mmmonvhf.de/latest.php?id=2849 (MMMonVHF)
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WORLDBEAT: RADIO CHINA TO VACATE 7.1 TO 7.2 MHz HAM SPECTRUM
Good news for hams who use 40 meters. The IARU Region 1 website reports that Radio China is to stop broadcasting on five frequencies in the 7.1 to 7.2MHz range.
Chinese authorities say that they have made frequency adjustments to their broadcasting schedule as it affects all transmissions that were previously operating in the new, exclusive, worldwide 7.1 to 7.2MHz amateur radio band. Transmissions from the Radio China transmitters should be out of that spectrum shortly. (ARRL, WIA, others)
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BREAK 1
From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the 2 Rivers Amateur Radio Club's W3OC repeater serving Monroeville Pennsylvania.
(5 sec pause here)
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PUBLIC SERVICE: HAMS NEEDED TO ASSIST IN BOSTON JIMMY FUND WALK
Steve Schwarm, W3EVE, says that he is in need of several hams to help with the Jimmy Fund Walk on Sunday September 13th This is a one day event dedicated to conquering all forms of cancer held on the Boston Marathon course and taking up most of the day.
Steve says that as with the Marathon, radio amateurs on 2 meter FM will be on posted on transport busses and at each first aid and water stations. If you live in the Boston area or will be there on the day of the event please contact Steve by e-mail to w3eve (at) earthlink (dot) net. More on the event is on line at www.jimmyfundwalk.org (W3EVE)
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WRONG HEADED ENFORCEMENT: FCC CITES CALIFORNIA RESIDENT OVER DEFECTIVE INDOOR TV ANTENNA
You may find this one hard to believe, but the FCC has issued a Citation to California resident Irma Frausto for using a defective amplified indoor television antenna in the residence in the city of Compton. One that she could not possibly know was playing havoc with a nearby cellular telephone site. Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has more:
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On August 13th agents from the Los Angeles FCC Office investigated a complaint that something was interfering with the operation of a Verizon cellular site. The agents T-hunted the interference to the Frausto's residence. Further investigation revealed that the source of the interfering signal was a Philips model MANT 300 amplified television antenna installed on top of a television set in the Fausto home. .
Apparently the antennas internal amplifier had broken into self-oscillation on 840.356 MHz. The spur was strong enough to interfere with the input to a Verizon local cell site. And you would think that’s where iot would all end. Disconnect the faulty antenna and problem solved. But that’s not where this story ends.
On August 20th the FCC issued a Citation to Irma Fausto naming her as the responsible party. Why the FCC chose to issue a Citation rather than the usual warning letter or any letter at all is not explained.
And if we may editorialize a moment, even stranger is the demand by the FCC that Ms. Fausto respond to the Citation and specify what actions have been taken to correct the violation when its likely all she would do is return it to where she bought it or throw the thing in the nearest garbage can. At least that’s what we would do.
We also wonder if the FCC intends to follow up with Philips to make certain that no other MANT 300 amplified indoor antenna is causing similar problems elsewhere in the United States. One would think that Phillips is the responsible party in this scenario since it was the one who manufactured the defective amplified antenna in the first place.
Lastly we must ask why so much emphasis is being put on reprimanding a citizen for something beyond her control when there are far more important matters to contend. This definitely includes cleaning up the now almost two decade old rats nest of jamming, filthy language, illegal broadcasting and other violations found on 14.275 MHz in the 20 meter band. Violations that the FCC seems to be turning a blind eye to no matter how much the ham radio community complains.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting and editorializing from Los Angeles.
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Oh yes. Those of you interested in a good lesson in government bureaucratese can read the entire text of the Citation issued to Irma Fausto at www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2...-292933A1.html (CGC, FCC, ARNewsline™)
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ENFORCEMENT: FCC ORDERS TV STATION TO STOP ITS ANALOG AUDIO TRANSMISSIONS
The FCC has ordered a television broadcaster to cease its audio transmissions on 87.9 MHz in nthe FM broadcast band. Since last June 12th conversion of all TV from analog to digital the digital signal of Freedom Broadcasting’s WRGB-TV, channel 6 in Schenectady , New York has been broadcasting its audio over analog 87.9 FM, but it was apparently without permission.
Now the FCC orders that the station cease doing so immediately and WRGB has complied. Station manager Robert Furlong admitted in a posting to the stations website that it did have FCC authorization to transmit any analog signal at this time. Furlong said that the station is reviewing for getting the station back on FM. (FCC)
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WORLDBEAT: ZL 3 CM CONTACT IS NOT A WORLD RECORD
A follow up to last weeks story on the hams down-under setting what some thought might be a new worlds record for the 3 centimeter band. According to Gene Zimmermann, W3ZZ, who writes the World Above 50 MHz column for QST magazine, that 3 cm microwave contact may have been a record for New Zealand but it's definitely not a terrestrial world record.
According to Gene, as recently as August 25th K2LNS operating at WA2FGK worked W9ZIH over a distance of 1086 km. Many longer contacts across the Mediterranean have also been made. Currently, the world terrestrial record is I stroke DJ3KM to 4X slash DJ4AM. That one was over a path of 2079 km. (W3ZZ)
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HAM HELP REQUIRED: AMSAT NEEDS TWO PUNBLICATION VOLUNTEERS
AMSAT-North America currently has two positions that need a volunteer to jump in and assist with its publishing efforts.
First, the AMSAT Journal needs a person who can provide translation from German to English. This is because AMSAT-DL has published several significant updates about the Phase 3 E satellite project which need to be shared with English speaking operators. The same volunteer would also be tasked with translation from English to German to enable sharing of articles both ways.
Also, the weekly AMSAT News Service ANS Bulletins has an opening for an editor to take on news gathering and reporting work. This is a rotating position shared with 3 existing editors so your duty would occur approximately once every 4 weeks.
If you can help please contact AMSAT Vice President of User Services, Gould Smith, by e-mail to wa4sxm@amsat.org (AMSAT-NA)
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HAM HAPPENINGS: VW MOBILE DXPEDITION NEEDS OPERATORS
A three month mobile DX expedition in a restored 1971 VW van is looking for operators. The course will begin in Mexico in November and wind up in Tierra del Fuego off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland. Those interested must be in good health, expect an arduous high drama journey and be ready for weather variations ranging from the searing heat of the Amazon jungle to the bitter cold of windswept Cape Horn. For more information, contact K0GMO by e-mail to gorvonj4@frontiernet.net .
(K0GMO)
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HAM HAPPENINGS: FREE DXPEDITION TRIP FOR A YOUNG HAM
The operators of the 6Y1V contest station in Hopewell, Jamaica, are offering a young radio amateur the chance to join their team for the 2009 CQWW SSB or CW contest. Applicants must be age 21 or younger. The operator selected will receive an all expense paid trip to join the teams operations in one of the two contest operations. The 6Y1V group calls this project a gift to a young ham whom has a passion for ham radio, DX'ing and contesting. It says that it’s the groups way of giving something back to this great hobby that has given so much to them. More information is on line at www.6y1v.com/youth.htm (6Y1V)
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THE SOCIAL SCENE: DIGICON 09 IN IRELAND SEPTEMBER 19
Turning to the ham radio social scene, word that the Northern Ireland Digital Communications Conference known as Digicon 09 takes place on Saturday September 19th . The venue is the Technology Education Center in Tyrone, Ireland. The Digicon 09 features lectures on D-STAR, Satellite Communication, Digital ATV, Echolink and more. Further details are on line at www.wtarc.co.uk (MI0MSO)
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ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING THE 19TH ORKNEY INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL
The Orkney Wireless Museum Amateur Radio Station in the United Kingdom will be in operation from its premises at Kiln Corner, Kirkwall through Wednesday 9 September. This, during the 19th Orkney International Science Festival. Probable operating periods will be weekdays and Sunday afternoons between 2.30 and 4.30pm and Saturday morning between 10 am and 12.30pm. Operation of this special events station will be primarily on High Frequency SSB. The Science Festival attracts participants from as far away as Australia, Slovenia, Ghana, Russia, Denmark, Spain, as well as from across the UK. Topics range from studies of the ice of the Antarctic to the Cross River gorillas of Nigeria and the Cameroon. (Southgate)
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THE SOCIAL SCENE: DAYTON 2009 VIDEOS FROM ARVN
And back in the United States, producer Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, spent his days at the 2009 Dayton Hamvention with camera in hand. Now after three months of editing in his North Carolina studio, Gary and his Amateur Radio Video News organization has released what he called the 2009 Dayton Collection. This years set includes the FCC forum where you get to know the new ham radio rules enforcer Laura Smith. Also included are the ARRL, TAPR and Software Defined Radio sessions along with a tour of all the goodies to be seen at this years Hamvention. For details take your web browser to www dot arvideonews dot com. (ARVN)
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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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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: MEASURING THE NEAR INFRA-RED SPECTRUM
In what may prove to be a major development for scientists in fields ranging from forensics to quantum communications, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a new, highly sensitive, low-cost technique for measuring light in the near-infrared range. According to Science Daily, the technique can measure the spectrum of the specific wavelengths of near infrared light used widely in telecommunications as well as the very weak infrared light at single-photon levels given off by biomaterials and nanomaterials. More on this interesting scientific concept can be found on-line at www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0826152723.htm (Science Daily)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FO-29 IN RECOVERY MODE
In ham radio space related news, JE9PEL reports that the Fuji Oscar 29 ground control stations have been working on recovering this satellite. This, after an outage reported by users during the week of August 24th.
As of August 28 the control station has succeeded in transmitting commands to the satellite and received good response. But to be on the safe side FO-29 is available only when it is over Japan so that the control station can command the satellite, retrieve telemetry data, and analyze the results.
The receiver aboard FO-29 is used for both command and transponder operations. If it were open for general world-wide use there might be far too many stations attempting to uplink to the bird that would interfere with ground controllers efforts to command the satellite.
Fuji Oscar 29 controllers say that they will advise when the satellite becomes available for general amateur radio use. Check the AMSAT website for the latest information on the satellites availability. (ANS)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: GOOD NEWS FOR ARISSAT-1
Some good news regarding the ARISSat-1 project. The ARISS International Team has been informed that there is still space available for shipment of the ARISSat-1 electronics on the projected cargo flight to the International Space Station in January of 2010.
As reported last week, ARISSat-1 is the new name for SuitSat-2. This, the result of the spacesuit that weas to house SuitSat-2 being cast away from the International Space Station several weeks ago.
And speaking of SuitSat-2, word is that the spacewalk to launch it is still set for April 2010. Only now it will likely be the ARISSat-1 deployment instead. (ANS)
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WORLDBEAT: 6 TO 10 METER CREOSSBAND REPEATER PROPOSED IN THE UK
A new 6 meter to 10 meter crossband repeater may soon come on the air from the United Kingdom. G3ZXX reports on a meeting with the nations Emerging Technology Coordination Committee which is responsible for vetting all repeater proposals within the UK and with telecommunications regulator Ofcom. He says that no special authority in the form of a Notice of Variation has been granted for the machine. However, subject to some minor changes to the application its hoped that it will be approved. Further information and updates on this project re at the URL found at twxrg.web.googlepages.com/home (G3ZXX)
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WORLDBEAT: NEW VK 137 kHz BEACON ON THE AIR ON WEEKENDS
The Wireless Institute of Australia reports that a new low frequency beacon is on-the-air from the township of Wonga Park. Operated by Drew Diamond, VK3XU, the system consists of a 50 watt transmitter into a long-wire antenna operating CW on 137.4 kHz. Its on the air Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings local time. QSN reports go to Drew by e-mail to vk3xu (at) wia (dot) org (dot). Please provide the date, time, signal strength and grid locator of the received signal at your station. (WIA)
(WIA)
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ON THE AIR: 4U1VIC TO OPERATE WORKED ALL EUROPE DX CONTEST
On the air, word that the Vienna International Center Amateur Radio Club station 4U1VIC will be on the air during the Worked All Europe DX Contest on September 12th and 13th. This will be a SSB only operation with the station is located in the secured United Nation campus in Vienna, Austria. Due to access restrictions, the operators will not be able to be on the air continuously for the full 48 hours, however they will be on the air as much as possible. QSL this operation via the bureau. A new video about the 4U1VIC is available at www.vimeo.com/6301009 (OPDX)
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ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING RAILWAYS IN IRELAND
And from Erin's Isle comes word that GB2STI will be on the air again this year from the Railway Preservation of Ireland base in Whitehead County Antrim. This in celebration of the Open House Day of the Society. Operation will be on Sunday the 13th of September and as an added attraction there will be train rides on site. All QSL’s go via the bureau to GI0KPF. (IRTS)
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ON THE AIR: ZS10WCS TO CELEBRATE 2010 WORLD SOCCER GAMES
As of September 1st, members of South Africa's Boland Amateur Radio Club have taken to the air as Zed-S-10-W-C-S. This, to commemorate the upcoming 2010 World Cup Soccer games. The special event station will be on the air over weekends South Africa time as propagation conditions allow. Full details of preferred frequencies and QSL information are available on www.sarl.org.za. (Boland Amateur Radio Club)
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DX
In DX, word that Bob Paton VK0BP, is currently working at the Antarctica Davis Base Station and will be there until November 1st. Check for him on 14.010 to 14.350 MHz from about 1500 to 1800 UTC on SSB and PSK31. The Shortwave Central blog says Bob may also activate other field huts in the area where he will sign-on as VK0BP slash P. QSL as directed on the air.
EA5BZ and possibly other operators from the U-R-E Contest Group will be active as C37URE from Andorra during the CQWW DX RTTY Contest. This, on September 26th and 27th. QSL via EA5BZ.
F4EUG, will be active from Guadaloupe portable FG through September 10th. His activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.
HB9VELO will be on the air throughout September to mark the U-C-I Road World Championships taking place in Mendrisio, Switzerland. Operation is SSB, CW, PSK and RTTY on all bands. The QSL manager is HB9OCR.
A station signing C31LJ slash M heard on August 27th is reported to be a pirate operation. VE3EXY the real C3ILJ is currently in Canada.
HS8JYX, is planning to be in the CQWW DX SSB from Thailand. That raio sport event takes place October 24th to the -25th and he will enter as a Single-Op/Single-Band 20 meter entry. QSL via HS8JYX.
OY4TN reports that OY2J is once again active from Faroe Island after being QRT for many years. He has retired from his job and has finally found time to set up his radio station again. Reports indicate that he has been on 20 meters using CW and SSB.
Higher in frequency, N8OFS will be using the special callsign N8O on 6 meters from Geneva State Park in Grid EN91MV. This for the Ohio State Parks On The Air and ARRL September VHF Contests on September 12th between 1800 and 2400 UTC. Operation will be FM only on 52.525, 52.54, 52.49, 52.51 and 52.55 MHz. QSL direct only to N8OFS
Lastly, where there is no 4 Meter band in I-T-U Region 2, its widely used in Region 1 especially in Europe. Now word that G0HIK, with 2 friends, will be travelling to the Scottish island of Isla for a week from
September 12th. He hopes to be active for the 4 Meter contest on Sunday 13th. He will probably be using 150 Watts into a 7 element beam on 70 MHz, and possibly 2 meters with a 13 element beam and 200 watts. If you have a 70 MHz receiver, you might want to listen out for this 4 meter signal from across the Atlantic pond.
Above from various DX news sources
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THAT FINAL ITEM: AN ADDED FEATURE FOR A POPULAR HT
And finally the story of a strange feature of a popular HT. One that could save your life. Well, maybe. Marilyn Syme, VK3DMS, of the WIA News has this rather dramatized comedy report:
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A practical example of the Emergency feature on the FT-60R. After testing the Emergency feature of the FT-60R, a web poster has scenario created the following for your enjoyment.
From the manual: "Use this feature if you are out on a walk and want a quick way of alerting a family member to a dangerous situation. The alarm sound may discourage an attacker and allow you to escape."
(It might work this way)
Mr. Ham : "It's a lovely day for a walk."
Attacker: "I'm going to attack you."
Mr. Ham : "Wait right there, Mr. Attacker while I unlock my FT-60R keypad, place it in VFO mode, set the volume to maximum, and hold down the Emergency key shortcut for 2 seconds."
FT-60R: *blink, blink, blink* *beep, beep, beep*
Mr. Ham: "Ah ha! Now Mr. Attacker, my blinking LCD display and DTMF keypad will blind you while the beeping sound will disorient you."
Attacker: "Oh no!"
Mr. Ham: "In 60 seconds, my FT-60R will also send SOS de CALLSIGN via CW on the UHF calling frequency and any amateur radio operator within 1/2 mile who both knows the frequency of and is monitoring the UHF calling frequency will hear *beep, beep* on his radio too. He will then return home and either retrieve his UHF direction finding go-kit or improvise some from the ARRL Handbook. When he returns and locates my position, he will then call the authorities and inform them of my situation."
Attacker: "I am discouraged."
Im Marilyn, VK3DMS.
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Well, that might work down-under but here in the USA the radio would likely be up for sale on the Internet long before you could report the theft to the local police. (WIA News)
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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 Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, 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
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RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO AND THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
Ham radio has been put on alert as wildfires rage across the state of California. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in our newsroom in hot and smoky Los Angeles with what we know so far:
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On alert is probably the best way to describe amateur radio's role so far as emergency responders and firefighters from across the region responded to a series of wildfires sparked by the intense heat gripping the great American Soutwest and what appears in some cases to be human carelessness. Investigators will eventually determine the causes but those of us who live and word in the region only want to see them out.
The biggest of the blazes, and the one that affected ham radio in several ways is the Station fire that began in the foothills above the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles and raced North across those hills to threaten the city of Acton. As we go to air, the Station fire has consumed 144,000 acres in an area that’s about 20 miles high by 30 miles wide and is now only about 38% contained. At least 50 homes have been lost and two firefighters lost their lives when their engine fell from a winding mountain road and tumbled some 800 feet.
Because of the hardening of the states radio communications system and the redundancy of gear, few if any emergency communications facilities were affected by any of the blazes. None the less, several of the states Disaster Communications Service groups are on alert ready for full activation at a moments notice. The largest of these is the group allied to the K6CPT repeater operating on 145.300 MHz and serving the greater Los Angeles area. As this is written, the repeater is in what can best be described as stand-by alert with all communications restricted to the assisting those fighting the Station fire.
Still with the Station fire, one ham radio repeater network was partially taken off the air by it. Dick Mc Kay, K6VGP, who operates the multiple-site Disaster Amateur Radio Network or DARN reports that their radios on Mt. Disappointment were taken off the air when the fire raced up the hill and took out the power lines. News photos show that one building that housed radio equipment was destroyed, but according to K6VGP the bunker that houses the ham radio system is concrete and its hoped that the radio system survived. The photo shows that the DARN antenna system is still there but its likely that the transmission line from the repeater to it may have melted away.
Dick says that he won't know the condition of the radio gear until he is allowed vto make a trip up the mountain to visually inspect the site. The DCS system 145.3 MHz mentioned earlier is also on Mt. Disappointment and is still operating using a massive battery back-up system. This is one of the best ways McKay can be certain that the building that houses both repeaters is still in tact.
And as we go to air, that’s about all that’s known regarding ham radio in the current spate of fires in the region. But as those of us who live out here know, the worst months of what we call the fire season lies ahead. That comes in a few weeks when the seasonal Santa Ana winds team up with the dry and hot fall weather to create the potential for wind driven brush fires that have been known to swoop down and destroy entire communities within minutes. With this having been an exceptionally hot and dry year, everyone including ham radio first responders will be on high alert until the winter rains come, if we have any this year at all.
Reporting from Los Angeles where the sky is yellow with smoke, Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, for the Amateur Radio Newsline
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It will be a while before many of these wildfires are declared contained or controlled and we will have follow-ups in future Newsline reports. (ARNewsline with assistance from CGC Communicator, K6VGP, K6OQK, others)
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RESCUE RADIO: A UNIVERSAL HAM RADIO TEXT MESSAGING INITIATIVE
A universal ham radio text messaging initiative has been proposed by the ham who gave the hobby APRS. Writing in the special emergency communications issue of QST magazine, Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, introduces a broad new initiative to find ways to seamlessly connect many of the dozens of existing amateur radio text messaging capabilities together.
Bruninga's concept is that of a universal information exchange between ham radio, the Internet, cellphone and other broadband devices. Also included is the ability to do station tracking using APRS and message exchange to and from DTMF equipped ham radio gear.
Under the WB4APR concept all a ham radio operator would need would be his or her callsign as a text address to have emergency test messaging available. His article titled a Universal Ham Radio Text Messaging Initiative begins on page 72 of the September issue of QST. (ARRL)
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HISTORY REMEMBERED: W0YR TO COMMEMORATE 911
A ham in Virginia will take to the airwaves to remember the lives of those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001. Michael Lonneke, W0YR, of Round Hill, says that his year after year operation as W0YR stroke 911 has several objectives. First is to honor and commemorate the lives of those lost in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the plane that crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Lonneke also says he does this every year to remind those whom he contacts of what this country endured on September 11th 2001 because of hatred. He also wants to remind those who would be revisionists of history and who want to minimize or forget the attacks that they were an act of terror against our nation.
Lonneke says that he will be operating CW, RTTY and SSB 10 through 80 meters and that a special QSL will be issued. QSL Mike via W0YR at his callbook address.
W0YR says that the memory of those who perished on September 11th, 2001, will never be forgotten. Two of those who died were his friends. (W0YR)
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SOLAR PROPAGATION: FINALLY A SHORT LIVED SUNSPOT
The imminent demise of Sunspot 1025 seems to reinforce our report last week on the work of astronomers Bill Livingston and Matt Penn of the National Solar Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. They have found that sunspot magnetic fields are definitely waning and believe that sunspots could completely disappear within a few decades.
According to Spaceweather dot com, sunspot 1025, which emerged on Monday, August 31st to interrupt a string of 51 spotless days. Sunspot 1025 was described in an eHam.net posting by Thomas Giella, NZ4O, as a small solar cycle 24 sunspot group that had emerged in the northern and western hemisphere of the Sun. Bur it did not last very long. On Wednesday, September 2nd, Spaceweather announced that sunspot 1025 was rapidly fading away. (Spaceweather, eHam)
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BREAKING DX NEWS: FIRST EVER EME DXPEDITION TO MONGOLIA
Some breaking DX news. This with word that JT1UN and JT1UN/5 will be the call signs of the first ever E-M-E DXpedition to Mongolia by W7EME, and K7YO. The operation will begin on October 10th and continue through the 14th. W7EME will operate JT65B on 144 MHz with K7YO on 432 MHz. Equipment on 2 meters will be a single M2 yagi and 450 watts output. The70 centimeter station will run 250 watts to a pair of long beams. More details are at www.mmmonvhf.de/latest.php?id=2849 (MMMonVHF)
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WORLDBEAT: RADIO CHINA TO VACATE 7.1 TO 7.2 MHz HAM SPECTRUM
Good news for hams who use 40 meters. The IARU Region 1 website reports that Radio China is to stop broadcasting on five frequencies in the 7.1 to 7.2MHz range.
Chinese authorities say that they have made frequency adjustments to their broadcasting schedule as it affects all transmissions that were previously operating in the new, exclusive, worldwide 7.1 to 7.2MHz amateur radio band. Transmissions from the Radio China transmitters should be out of that spectrum shortly. (ARRL, WIA, others)
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BREAK 1
From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the 2 Rivers Amateur Radio Club's W3OC repeater serving Monroeville Pennsylvania.
(5 sec pause here)
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PUBLIC SERVICE: HAMS NEEDED TO ASSIST IN BOSTON JIMMY FUND WALK
Steve Schwarm, W3EVE, says that he is in need of several hams to help with the Jimmy Fund Walk on Sunday September 13th This is a one day event dedicated to conquering all forms of cancer held on the Boston Marathon course and taking up most of the day.
Steve says that as with the Marathon, radio amateurs on 2 meter FM will be on posted on transport busses and at each first aid and water stations. If you live in the Boston area or will be there on the day of the event please contact Steve by e-mail to w3eve (at) earthlink (dot) net. More on the event is on line at www.jimmyfundwalk.org (W3EVE)
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WRONG HEADED ENFORCEMENT: FCC CITES CALIFORNIA RESIDENT OVER DEFECTIVE INDOOR TV ANTENNA
You may find this one hard to believe, but the FCC has issued a Citation to California resident Irma Frausto for using a defective amplified indoor television antenna in the residence in the city of Compton. One that she could not possibly know was playing havoc with a nearby cellular telephone site. Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has more:
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On August 13th agents from the Los Angeles FCC Office investigated a complaint that something was interfering with the operation of a Verizon cellular site. The agents T-hunted the interference to the Frausto's residence. Further investigation revealed that the source of the interfering signal was a Philips model MANT 300 amplified television antenna installed on top of a television set in the Fausto home. .
Apparently the antennas internal amplifier had broken into self-oscillation on 840.356 MHz. The spur was strong enough to interfere with the input to a Verizon local cell site. And you would think that’s where iot would all end. Disconnect the faulty antenna and problem solved. But that’s not where this story ends.
On August 20th the FCC issued a Citation to Irma Fausto naming her as the responsible party. Why the FCC chose to issue a Citation rather than the usual warning letter or any letter at all is not explained.
And if we may editorialize a moment, even stranger is the demand by the FCC that Ms. Fausto respond to the Citation and specify what actions have been taken to correct the violation when its likely all she would do is return it to where she bought it or throw the thing in the nearest garbage can. At least that’s what we would do.
We also wonder if the FCC intends to follow up with Philips to make certain that no other MANT 300 amplified indoor antenna is causing similar problems elsewhere in the United States. One would think that Phillips is the responsible party in this scenario since it was the one who manufactured the defective amplified antenna in the first place.
Lastly we must ask why so much emphasis is being put on reprimanding a citizen for something beyond her control when there are far more important matters to contend. This definitely includes cleaning up the now almost two decade old rats nest of jamming, filthy language, illegal broadcasting and other violations found on 14.275 MHz in the 20 meter band. Violations that the FCC seems to be turning a blind eye to no matter how much the ham radio community complains.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting and editorializing from Los Angeles.
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Oh yes. Those of you interested in a good lesson in government bureaucratese can read the entire text of the Citation issued to Irma Fausto at www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2...-292933A1.html (CGC, FCC, ARNewsline™)
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ENFORCEMENT: FCC ORDERS TV STATION TO STOP ITS ANALOG AUDIO TRANSMISSIONS
The FCC has ordered a television broadcaster to cease its audio transmissions on 87.9 MHz in nthe FM broadcast band. Since last June 12th conversion of all TV from analog to digital the digital signal of Freedom Broadcasting’s WRGB-TV, channel 6 in Schenectady , New York has been broadcasting its audio over analog 87.9 FM, but it was apparently without permission.
Now the FCC orders that the station cease doing so immediately and WRGB has complied. Station manager Robert Furlong admitted in a posting to the stations website that it did have FCC authorization to transmit any analog signal at this time. Furlong said that the station is reviewing for getting the station back on FM. (FCC)
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WORLDBEAT: ZL 3 CM CONTACT IS NOT A WORLD RECORD
A follow up to last weeks story on the hams down-under setting what some thought might be a new worlds record for the 3 centimeter band. According to Gene Zimmermann, W3ZZ, who writes the World Above 50 MHz column for QST magazine, that 3 cm microwave contact may have been a record for New Zealand but it's definitely not a terrestrial world record.
According to Gene, as recently as August 25th K2LNS operating at WA2FGK worked W9ZIH over a distance of 1086 km. Many longer contacts across the Mediterranean have also been made. Currently, the world terrestrial record is I stroke DJ3KM to 4X slash DJ4AM. That one was over a path of 2079 km. (W3ZZ)
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HAM HELP REQUIRED: AMSAT NEEDS TWO PUNBLICATION VOLUNTEERS
AMSAT-North America currently has two positions that need a volunteer to jump in and assist with its publishing efforts.
First, the AMSAT Journal needs a person who can provide translation from German to English. This is because AMSAT-DL has published several significant updates about the Phase 3 E satellite project which need to be shared with English speaking operators. The same volunteer would also be tasked with translation from English to German to enable sharing of articles both ways.
Also, the weekly AMSAT News Service ANS Bulletins has an opening for an editor to take on news gathering and reporting work. This is a rotating position shared with 3 existing editors so your duty would occur approximately once every 4 weeks.
If you can help please contact AMSAT Vice President of User Services, Gould Smith, by e-mail to wa4sxm@amsat.org (AMSAT-NA)
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HAM HAPPENINGS: VW MOBILE DXPEDITION NEEDS OPERATORS
A three month mobile DX expedition in a restored 1971 VW van is looking for operators. The course will begin in Mexico in November and wind up in Tierra del Fuego off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland. Those interested must be in good health, expect an arduous high drama journey and be ready for weather variations ranging from the searing heat of the Amazon jungle to the bitter cold of windswept Cape Horn. For more information, contact K0GMO by e-mail to gorvonj4@frontiernet.net .
(K0GMO)
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HAM HAPPENINGS: FREE DXPEDITION TRIP FOR A YOUNG HAM
The operators of the 6Y1V contest station in Hopewell, Jamaica, are offering a young radio amateur the chance to join their team for the 2009 CQWW SSB or CW contest. Applicants must be age 21 or younger. The operator selected will receive an all expense paid trip to join the teams operations in one of the two contest operations. The 6Y1V group calls this project a gift to a young ham whom has a passion for ham radio, DX'ing and contesting. It says that it’s the groups way of giving something back to this great hobby that has given so much to them. More information is on line at www.6y1v.com/youth.htm (6Y1V)
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THE SOCIAL SCENE: DIGICON 09 IN IRELAND SEPTEMBER 19
Turning to the ham radio social scene, word that the Northern Ireland Digital Communications Conference known as Digicon 09 takes place on Saturday September 19th . The venue is the Technology Education Center in Tyrone, Ireland. The Digicon 09 features lectures on D-STAR, Satellite Communication, Digital ATV, Echolink and more. Further details are on line at www.wtarc.co.uk (MI0MSO)
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ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING THE 19TH ORKNEY INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL
The Orkney Wireless Museum Amateur Radio Station in the United Kingdom will be in operation from its premises at Kiln Corner, Kirkwall through Wednesday 9 September. This, during the 19th Orkney International Science Festival. Probable operating periods will be weekdays and Sunday afternoons between 2.30 and 4.30pm and Saturday morning between 10 am and 12.30pm. Operation of this special events station will be primarily on High Frequency SSB. The Science Festival attracts participants from as far away as Australia, Slovenia, Ghana, Russia, Denmark, Spain, as well as from across the UK. Topics range from studies of the ice of the Antarctic to the Cross River gorillas of Nigeria and the Cameroon. (Southgate)
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THE SOCIAL SCENE: DAYTON 2009 VIDEOS FROM ARVN
And back in the United States, producer Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, spent his days at the 2009 Dayton Hamvention with camera in hand. Now after three months of editing in his North Carolina studio, Gary and his Amateur Radio Video News organization has released what he called the 2009 Dayton Collection. This years set includes the FCC forum where you get to know the new ham radio rules enforcer Laura Smith. Also included are the ARRL, TAPR and Software Defined Radio sessions along with a tour of all the goodies to be seen at this years Hamvention. For details take your web browser to www dot arvideonews dot com. (ARVN)
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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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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: MEASURING THE NEAR INFRA-RED SPECTRUM
In what may prove to be a major development for scientists in fields ranging from forensics to quantum communications, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a new, highly sensitive, low-cost technique for measuring light in the near-infrared range. According to Science Daily, the technique can measure the spectrum of the specific wavelengths of near infrared light used widely in telecommunications as well as the very weak infrared light at single-photon levels given off by biomaterials and nanomaterials. More on this interesting scientific concept can be found on-line at www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0826152723.htm (Science Daily)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FO-29 IN RECOVERY MODE
In ham radio space related news, JE9PEL reports that the Fuji Oscar 29 ground control stations have been working on recovering this satellite. This, after an outage reported by users during the week of August 24th.
As of August 28 the control station has succeeded in transmitting commands to the satellite and received good response. But to be on the safe side FO-29 is available only when it is over Japan so that the control station can command the satellite, retrieve telemetry data, and analyze the results.
The receiver aboard FO-29 is used for both command and transponder operations. If it were open for general world-wide use there might be far too many stations attempting to uplink to the bird that would interfere with ground controllers efforts to command the satellite.
Fuji Oscar 29 controllers say that they will advise when the satellite becomes available for general amateur radio use. Check the AMSAT website for the latest information on the satellites availability. (ANS)
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HAM RADIO IN SPACE: GOOD NEWS FOR ARISSAT-1
Some good news regarding the ARISSat-1 project. The ARISS International Team has been informed that there is still space available for shipment of the ARISSat-1 electronics on the projected cargo flight to the International Space Station in January of 2010.
As reported last week, ARISSat-1 is the new name for SuitSat-2. This, the result of the spacesuit that weas to house SuitSat-2 being cast away from the International Space Station several weeks ago.
And speaking of SuitSat-2, word is that the spacewalk to launch it is still set for April 2010. Only now it will likely be the ARISSat-1 deployment instead. (ANS)
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WORLDBEAT: 6 TO 10 METER CREOSSBAND REPEATER PROPOSED IN THE UK
A new 6 meter to 10 meter crossband repeater may soon come on the air from the United Kingdom. G3ZXX reports on a meeting with the nations Emerging Technology Coordination Committee which is responsible for vetting all repeater proposals within the UK and with telecommunications regulator Ofcom. He says that no special authority in the form of a Notice of Variation has been granted for the machine. However, subject to some minor changes to the application its hoped that it will be approved. Further information and updates on this project re at the URL found at twxrg.web.googlepages.com/home (G3ZXX)
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WORLDBEAT: NEW VK 137 kHz BEACON ON THE AIR ON WEEKENDS
The Wireless Institute of Australia reports that a new low frequency beacon is on-the-air from the township of Wonga Park. Operated by Drew Diamond, VK3XU, the system consists of a 50 watt transmitter into a long-wire antenna operating CW on 137.4 kHz. Its on the air Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings local time. QSN reports go to Drew by e-mail to vk3xu (at) wia (dot) org (dot). Please provide the date, time, signal strength and grid locator of the received signal at your station. (WIA)
(WIA)
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ON THE AIR: 4U1VIC TO OPERATE WORKED ALL EUROPE DX CONTEST
On the air, word that the Vienna International Center Amateur Radio Club station 4U1VIC will be on the air during the Worked All Europe DX Contest on September 12th and 13th. This will be a SSB only operation with the station is located in the secured United Nation campus in Vienna, Austria. Due to access restrictions, the operators will not be able to be on the air continuously for the full 48 hours, however they will be on the air as much as possible. QSL this operation via the bureau. A new video about the 4U1VIC is available at www.vimeo.com/6301009 (OPDX)
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ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING RAILWAYS IN IRELAND
And from Erin's Isle comes word that GB2STI will be on the air again this year from the Railway Preservation of Ireland base in Whitehead County Antrim. This in celebration of the Open House Day of the Society. Operation will be on Sunday the 13th of September and as an added attraction there will be train rides on site. All QSL’s go via the bureau to GI0KPF. (IRTS)
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ON THE AIR: ZS10WCS TO CELEBRATE 2010 WORLD SOCCER GAMES
As of September 1st, members of South Africa's Boland Amateur Radio Club have taken to the air as Zed-S-10-W-C-S. This, to commemorate the upcoming 2010 World Cup Soccer games. The special event station will be on the air over weekends South Africa time as propagation conditions allow. Full details of preferred frequencies and QSL information are available on www.sarl.org.za. (Boland Amateur Radio Club)
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DX
In DX, word that Bob Paton VK0BP, is currently working at the Antarctica Davis Base Station and will be there until November 1st. Check for him on 14.010 to 14.350 MHz from about 1500 to 1800 UTC on SSB and PSK31. The Shortwave Central blog says Bob may also activate other field huts in the area where he will sign-on as VK0BP slash P. QSL as directed on the air.
EA5BZ and possibly other operators from the U-R-E Contest Group will be active as C37URE from Andorra during the CQWW DX RTTY Contest. This, on September 26th and 27th. QSL via EA5BZ.
F4EUG, will be active from Guadaloupe portable FG through September 10th. His activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.
HB9VELO will be on the air throughout September to mark the U-C-I Road World Championships taking place in Mendrisio, Switzerland. Operation is SSB, CW, PSK and RTTY on all bands. The QSL manager is HB9OCR.
A station signing C31LJ slash M heard on August 27th is reported to be a pirate operation. VE3EXY the real C3ILJ is currently in Canada.
HS8JYX, is planning to be in the CQWW DX SSB from Thailand. That raio sport event takes place October 24th to the -25th and he will enter as a Single-Op/Single-Band 20 meter entry. QSL via HS8JYX.
OY4TN reports that OY2J is once again active from Faroe Island after being QRT for many years. He has retired from his job and has finally found time to set up his radio station again. Reports indicate that he has been on 20 meters using CW and SSB.
Higher in frequency, N8OFS will be using the special callsign N8O on 6 meters from Geneva State Park in Grid EN91MV. This for the Ohio State Parks On The Air and ARRL September VHF Contests on September 12th between 1800 and 2400 UTC. Operation will be FM only on 52.525, 52.54, 52.49, 52.51 and 52.55 MHz. QSL direct only to N8OFS
Lastly, where there is no 4 Meter band in I-T-U Region 2, its widely used in Region 1 especially in Europe. Now word that G0HIK, with 2 friends, will be travelling to the Scottish island of Isla for a week from
September 12th. He hopes to be active for the 4 Meter contest on Sunday 13th. He will probably be using 150 Watts into a 7 element beam on 70 MHz, and possibly 2 meters with a 13 element beam and 200 watts. If you have a 70 MHz receiver, you might want to listen out for this 4 meter signal from across the Atlantic pond.
Above from various DX news sources
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THAT FINAL ITEM: AN ADDED FEATURE FOR A POPULAR HT
And finally the story of a strange feature of a popular HT. One that could save your life. Well, maybe. Marilyn Syme, VK3DMS, of the WIA News has this rather dramatized comedy report:
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A practical example of the Emergency feature on the FT-60R. After testing the Emergency feature of the FT-60R, a web poster has scenario created the following for your enjoyment.
From the manual: "Use this feature if you are out on a walk and want a quick way of alerting a family member to a dangerous situation. The alarm sound may discourage an attacker and allow you to escape."
(It might work this way)
Mr. Ham : "It's a lovely day for a walk."
Attacker: "I'm going to attack you."
Mr. Ham : "Wait right there, Mr. Attacker while I unlock my FT-60R keypad, place it in VFO mode, set the volume to maximum, and hold down the Emergency key shortcut for 2 seconds."
FT-60R: *blink, blink, blink* *beep, beep, beep*
Mr. Ham: "Ah ha! Now Mr. Attacker, my blinking LCD display and DTMF keypad will blind you while the beeping sound will disorient you."
Attacker: "Oh no!"
Mr. Ham: "In 60 seconds, my FT-60R will also send SOS de CALLSIGN via CW on the UHF calling frequency and any amateur radio operator within 1/2 mile who both knows the frequency of and is monitoring the UHF calling frequency will hear *beep, beep* on his radio too. He will then return home and either retrieve his UHF direction finding go-kit or improvise some from the ARRL Handbook. When he returns and locates my position, he will then call the authorities and inform them of my situation."
Attacker: "I am discouraged."
Im Marilyn, VK3DMS.
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Well, that might work down-under but here in the USA the radio would likely be up for sale on the Internet long before you could report the theft to the local police. (WIA News)
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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 Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, 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