From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.ssb

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1397 – May 21, 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1397 with a release date of Friday, May 21, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.

Mr. Haynie goes to Washington D C and Dayton, Ohio comes alive with the sound of ham radio. These stories and more on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1397 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

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THE BPL FIGHT: MR. HAYNIE TO MEET WITH WHITE HOUSE TELECOM ADVISORS

This weeks top story starts in Dayton Ohio and ends in Washington D-C. It was at the Dayton Hamvention that ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, announced that he would be meeting with presidential advisors art the White House Telecommunications Office to discuss the Broadband Over Powerline situation. Amateur Radio Newsline was there when a horse but upbeat W5JBP thanked the ham radio community for making the meeting come about:

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Haynie: “When we ran the story about my FAX’ing the President of the United States a powerful letter, what you helped me do with your letters and your e-mails was to get me an appointment Thursday morning, 10 a.m. in Washington. So you helped me to do that. (applause).

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The meeting between President Haynie and those advising Peresident Bush on telecommunicastions matters was scheduled for Thursday, May 20th. We will have a full report on it, next week. (ARNewsline(tm))

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THE BPL FIGHT: HAM TURNS THE TABLE ON BPL PROPVIDER

Still with BPL news, word that a ham attending an industry sponsored demonstration of the technology in Australia came prepared to do battle. From Brisbane, Q-News reports:

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A presentation was given by Piero Peroni, who is the Business Manager for the BPL trial within Aurora Energy and Adrian Wild who is the Corporate Affairs Manager within Aurora Energy.

Martin, VK7GN gave an audible demonstration of the interference on his portable HF receiver and I think it would be fair to say by all accounts the Corporate Affairs Manager was quietly horrified at the noise!

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Whether or not the ham radio counter demonstration to Aurora Energy will slow down or stop the rollout of BPL down-under is, at this time unknown. (Q-News)

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DAYTON HAMVENTION NEWS: A BIG SUCCESS

Back here in the U-S-A, Jim Haynie’s White House meeting announcement was just another layer of frosting on the very sweet ham radio cake known as the Dayton Hamvention. By all accounts, Hamvention 2004 was as good as any of those in the past and maybe better than some. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Mark Abramovich, NT3V, takes us on an audio tour of this years show:

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The big buzz at Dayton was the introduction of two new, top-of-the-line HF radios.

Yaesu introduced thousands of visitors to its booth here to the FT DX 9000 - a radio the company has been developing four years. Here's Chip Margelli K7JA of Yaesu - Vertex Standard.


Over at the competition, Icom introduced showgoers to its sleek, new IC7800. It's already been out for more than a month and Icom representatives concede they underestimated the market demand for this high-end radio.

Here's Ron Rotino, W9WL, represting Icom.

In other Dayton news, Alinco announced a new distributor relationship. Evelyn Garrison WS7A tells Amateur Radio Newsline about the new partnership.

Now Amateur Radio Newsline Editor Bill Pasternak WA6ITF also took in the show besides running his annual Town Hall forum. Bill couldn't help himself when he stopped a the U.S. Towers booth where two lovely sales, eh, models were posing for pictures. Here's the exchange between our own California guy and some young ladies who came to the Dayton Hamvention for the first time..

Behind any Dayton Hamvention is the general chairman. This year Gary De Combes N8EMO took on that enormous responsibility. At the close of the show, he summed it all up for Amateur Radio Newsline.
And how did one of the big radio manufacturers we didn't mention yet think things went. Kenwood's Leo Famie was pleased with this year's event…

And, of course, Chip Margelli, summed up what Yaesu Vertex Standard thought.

Finally, there were lots of new friends and acquaintances made during the Dayton Hamvention 2004. And, despite the rain, spirits of those scouring the flea market for goodies weren't dampened.

It was one for the record books, too, in terms of participation.

Hope to see you here, next year.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, from the convention floor at the Hara Arena - home of the Dayton Hamvention.


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As of the time this report is being prepared the Hamvention Committee has not announced a final attendance figure, but several vendors told Amateur Radio Newsline that their sales were way up over the past few years. And thats good news for both the United States economic recovery as well as for Amateur Radio.
(ARNewsline(tm))

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DAYTON HAMVENTION NEWS: N8EMO AND WX8F ASKED TO RUN HAMVENTION 2005

In a related development, on Monday night, May 17th the Dayton Amateur Radio Association’s Planning Council unanimously recommended the clubs Board of Directors reappoint Gary De Combes, N8EMO and Jim Nies, WX8F as General Chairman and Assistant General Chairman respectively, for Hamvention 2005. The two were affirmed to lead the 2005 show on Tuesday night the 18th. That's only two days after the close of this years show. Normally , no action is taken to fill these positions until the June Board of Directors meeting.

More on the 2004 Dayton Hamvention in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports. (ARNewsline(tm))

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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 K9OQO repeater serving Appleton Wisconsin.

(5 sec pause here)

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RESCUE RADIO: HAMS TAKE PART IN SIMULATED AIRPORT DISASTER

Over a hundred ham radio operators from seven counties in two Eastern states, provided emergency communications support for the Saturday, May 8th disaster drill at Dulles International Airport. The exercise consisted of a simulated plane crash and fire. The aim of the session was to provide treatment and transport of 200 volunteer "victims" to area hospitals by helicopter, ambulance and bus. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, picks up the story from here:

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Larry Hughs, K3HE, is the Public Information Officer for for the ARRL’s Virginia Section. He tells Newsline that the job of Amateur Radio was to provide communications between agencies at the simulated crash site, those providing patient transportation, and the participating hospitals. To accomplish this, hams from a number of the regions Amateur Radio Emergency Service groups set up several portable repeaters in and around the airport grounds. They also provided a live Amateur Television link between the site and the airport Operations Center. This allowed airport management to monitor the progress of the drill.

Hams also accompanied some of the officials at the simulated crash site to provide instant communications to other temporary operational areas. Others rode the buses that transported ambulatory victims to local hospitals. This gave planners voice communications and real-time position data via Automatic Position Reporting System. Meantime, other radio amateurs were stationed at ten area hospitals. They helped to coordinate the arrival and departure of those simulating the victims of the crash.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reporting.

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Dulles International Airport is in Northern Virginia, near Washington, DC.. Its also not that far from where Al Quida terrorists crashed a jumbo jet into the Pentagon building on September 11th of 2001. Back then ham radio was among the first of the “First Responders” on scene and is credited in helping to save numerous lives. (K3HE, ARNewsline(tm))

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RESCUE RADIO: SUIT BLAMES MOTOROLA HT’S IN 911 DEATHS

The families of twelve firefighters killed when the World Trade Center in New York City collapsed on 9-11 have sued the manufacturer of the hand held radios the men were carrying. According to Popular Communications magazine, the five billion dollar action against Motorola and the City of New York claims that Motorola failed to warn the Fire Department that its hand-helds could not transmit or receive in a high rise building. Because of this, the plaintiffs contend that firefighters could not hear an order to evacuate. (Popular Communications)

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ENFORCEMENT: NC HAM MAY FACE LICENSE RENEWAL HEARING

A North Carolina ham who allegedly interfered with repeater operation in that area may not get his license renewed. This, as FCC chief rules enforcer Riley Hollingsworth writes to Daniel Barrett, KE4NOK of Kings Mountain to tell him that his application to renew his ticket has been referred to the enforcement arm of the agency by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

According to Hollingsworth’s letter, the action was based on information coming to the Commission's attention that Barrett is alleged to have used his station to interfere with various repeater operations on 145.350, 145.450 and 147.120 MHz and that he ignored requests of repeater control operators to refrain from using their repeaters. Hollingsworth’s note also says that Barrett ignored the Commission Warning letter dated December 24th of 2003 regarding use of and interference to the repeaters and that apparently Barrett’s use of, and interference to, these repeaters continues.

Hollingsworth’s letter tells Barrett that his renewal application will not be routinely granted. Rather, that the Commission may need additional information from KE4NOK in order to determine his qualifications to remain a Commission license. The letter also tells Barrett that it may be necessary to designate his application for an evidentiary hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. In such a proceeding Barrett would be required to appear at a hearing in Washington, DC. (FCC)

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ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED BROADCASTER CHALLENGES FCC’s AUTHORITY

An unlicensed radio station taken off the air by the FCC last fall has challenged the regulatory agency in federal court. Attorney Mark Vermeulen, representing San Francisco Liberation Radio, says that the seizure of the station's equipment in an October 2003 raid came without proper notice and violated Constitutional protections of due process and the First Amendment.

In an appearance before U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, Vermeulen argued that -- quote -- "It's a bedrock principle that parties have a right to pre-seizure notice and a right to be heard.

But government attorney Sarah Winslow disagreed with Vermeulen's free speech arguments. She told Judge Illston that there is no First Amendment right to broadcast without a license from the FCC.

The FCC had monitored San Francisco Liberation Radio for years. They eventually tracked the station to a laundry room basement in the San Francisco home of James and Charlotte Hatch. The Hatches never made a secret of their operations. They also claim that they had unsuccessfully sought an FCC license to operate legally. (Published reports)

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FOR THE BIRDS: FCC RETAINS BIOLOGICAL CONSULTANT

Remember all those stories about thousands of migratory birds getting killed by running into radio towers? Well the FCC has now retained the services of Avatar Environmental Services of West Chester, Pennsylvania as a biological consultant. This, to assist in fulfilling the FCC's role under the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal environmental statutes.

The CGC Communicator reports that Avatar will give the Commission access to the services of experts with training and experience in evaluating the impact of construction projects on animal and plant species.

According to CGC, Avatar has performed similar services for other agencies. The possible impact of communications towers on migratory birds is one of the immediate pressing issues. (CGC)

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RADIO CELEBRATIONS: W6RO AT AGE 25

A big celebration out West in the world of Amateur Radio. This as the Queen Mary Ocean liner ham radio station W6RO turned 25 on April 29th.

W6RO is actually the club call sign of the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach, California. Long Beach is where the retired ocean voyager is permanently birthed and open to the public as a tourist attraction. The club operates the W6RO station which is located in the Wireless Room adjoining the ships historic radio museum.

In its two and a half decades of operation, visiting hams from around the world have called C-Q and made numerous contacts using its gear, and its well known call sign phonetics of W-6-Rolling Ocean. (W6RO)

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HAM RADIO BOOKS: NEW VHF PROPAGATION BOOK FROM CQ

CQ Communications has announced the publication of a new resource book for hams active on VHF and UHF bands. Its a book for those who want to learn more about long-distance propagation possibilities available to them.

Titled "VHF Propagation - A Practical Guide for Radio Amateurs" the book examine each of the most common long-distance propagation "modes" found on these bands. Topics covered include tropospheric scatter and ducting, Sporadic-E, Aurora, 6-meters and the F-layer, transequatorial and more. The book then explains how each mode occurs and offer tips on making the most of these band openings.

"VHF Propagation - A Practical Guide for Radio Amateurs" was written by Ken Neubeck, WB2AMU, and Gordon West, WB6NOA. It is available from many ham radio dealers or direct from CQ anytime through the CQ online bookstore. To find it take your web browser to www.cq-amateur-radio.com and then click on “Visit the CQ Store." (CQ)

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THE SOCIAL CIRCUIT: ROCHESTER HAMFEST IN JUNE

With the 2004 Dayton Hamvention now a part of history, we turn to the ham radio social circuit for the rest of 2004. Next up is the giant Rochester Hamfest the weekend of June 4th through the 6th. As usual, it takes place at the Monroe County Fairgrounds and is combined with the ARRL Atlantic Division Convention.

Chairman Harold Smith, K2HC, tells Newsline that this years outing features over 100 inside exhibitors, 1200 flea market spaces and that very much coveted on site free parking. He also says that area hotels can be found for $69 a nmight or less.

Interested in finding out more? You can do it right on-line at www.rochesterhamfest.org or by calling the hamfest office at 584-424-7184 during business hours Eastern Daylight Time. (Rochester Hamfest)

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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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RADIO HONORS: HAM HONORED FOR SERVICE IN IRAQ

The United States Department of Commerce has honored Fredrick Matos, W3ICM, of Annapolis, Maryland. This by presenting him with its Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Achievement.

The ARRL Letter says that Matos is an employee of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. He was given the honor for his work to help establish telecommunications in Iraq, where he was deployed for nine months.

While in Iraq, Matos who also holds the Iraqi call YI3DX helped establish a central telecommunications authority along with assigning frequencies to local law enforcement groups. He was also responsible for issuing YI Amateur Radio licenses to both nationals and visitors.

In presenting the award April 13, Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans welcomed Matos home and thanked him for his role in "expanding freedom around the world." (ARRL, Daily DX)

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EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: BEWARE OF FOREIGN PET CHIPS

Heres a communications story of a different sort, but one that affects anyone with a four legged friend around the house. The United States Humane Society and other animal care organizations are cautioning pet owners that the nation's animal shelters may not have the proper scanning devices to detect and read some foreign manufactured pet identification microchip.

The warning comes as a European company has entered the microchip market and is selling its microchips in approximately 440 veterinary clinics housed in one of the nation's largest pet product retailers. But the company has not yet provided many of the nation's shelters, humane societies and veterinary hospitals with compatible scanners needed to read all the microchips currently in pets. As a result, the animal protection groups recommend that pet owners thinking about getting their pets micro-chipped contact both the chip manufacturer and their local shelter. This, to make certain that compatible 125 kHz scanners are present in their community. (Science OnLine)

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WORLDBEAT - INDIA: FREE FOR ALL

On the international scene, Amateur Radio training classes have just started at the National Institute of Amateur Radio in India and there is a very pleasant twist. According to Administration Manager Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, the course is available free of charge to anyone in that nation who is age 12 or older. (Q-News)

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WORLDBEAT - UK: NEW BARTG AWARDS MANAGER NAMED

Over in the U-K the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group has a new Awards Manager. This, as the group announces that Phil Cooper, GU0SUP, has taken over from Nigel Roberets, G4KZZ, in that post. Cooper will handle all awards, including the well-known Quarter-Century Award. For more information e-mail awards@bartg.demon.co.uk (RSGB)

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WORLDBEAT - SPAIN: A WEDDING OPERATION

Spanish special event station A00FL will be on the air between the 21st and 30th of May. This, to celebrate the wedding of Prince Felipe and Doña Letizia Ortiz. If you work this one, QSL as directed on the air. (Q-News)

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ON THE AIR OPERATIONS: THE MORRIS CANAL SPECIAL

Closer to home, July 10th and 11th are the dates when New Jersey’s Nutley Amateur Radio Society activates station W2GLQ. This, for the first ever Historic Morris Canal Special Event.

Stations will operate from various locations along the 109 miles route of he canal from 1300 to 2200 U-T-C. Operations will continue thru 2005.

More information is on the Nutley Amateur Radio Society website. Its in cyberspace at at www.hometown.aol.com/kc2aup (Press release)

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DX

In D-X, kook for K9OT and KB9LIE to be active portable F P from Miquelon from the evening of July 2nd until noon local July 11th. This is a 100 watt operation on 160 through 6 meters from the
ham radio friendly Maxotel Hotel. They will also have a 6 meter breakable beacon on 50.120 Mhz. Emphasis will be on 6, 12 and 17 meters SSB for Peg and 160 through 30 meters CW for Paul. QSL via K9OT direct with SASE or bureau. Sorry, no electronic Q-S-L are available for this one. (Various DX sources)

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THAT FINAL ITEM: UP - UP - AND AWAY

And finally this week, we go back to the Dayton Hamvention where Amateur Radio Newsline ran into one of the nations best known experts in Amateur Radio balloon launches. And does Bill Brown, WB8ELK have a story about recruiting new young hams using high altitude ham radio carrying balloons. Amateur Radio Newsline’s David Black, KB4KCH, has the details:

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Bill Brown's class is all about going up up and away--and getting college credit at the same time. Brown teaches a course on building balloon payloads at the University of Alabama in Huntsville--and he makes amateur radio a big part of the curriculum.

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Audio only: Hear it at www.arnewsline.org

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The ham bands get used not just by the students--but by what goes up. Amateur radio experiments are aboard the payloads students assemble.

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Audio only: Hear it at www.arnewsline.org

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Brown's class is also creating a positive effect on amateur radio—by helping bring new people into the service:

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Audio only: Hear it at www.arnewsline.org

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About five students become licensed each semester. From the South - East bureau in Birmingham Alabama, I'm David Black , KB4KCH, for the Amateur Radio Newsline.

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Again that website for more information on this very interesting project is www.WB8ELK.com (ARNewsline)

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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 and Australia's Q-News, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline(tm). Our e-mail address is newsline @arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's(tm) only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.

A reminder that the nominating period for the 2004 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now on. This program is open to any FCC licensed young radio amateur age 18 or younger residing in the contiguous 48 states and who has made a significant contribution to the community, the nation or ham radio though the United States Amateur Radio Service.

More information and a downloadable on-line nominating form is at our website. That’s in cyberspace at www.arnewsline.org. The cutoff for nominations this year is midnight on Tuesday, June 31st.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening."

This weeks newscast was recorded in part at the 2004 Dayton Hamvention and at our studios in New Orleans, Louisiana. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.

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