From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.ssb
Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1408 August 6, 2004
**
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**
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1408 with a release date of
Friday, August 6th, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. The B-P-L battelground expands in
California and Texas while a U-K repeater is ordered off the air.
Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1408
coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: SAN DIEGO CA. UTILITY REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING BPL
San Diego California could be the next B-P-L battleground. This, as
an informed source tells the CGC Communicator broadcast industry
newsletter that San Diego Gas & Electric is considering the
deployment of Broadband over Power Lines in its service area. Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, is here with the specifics:
--
According to Gonsett's CGC newsletter, an informed source has told
him that San Diego Gas & Electric's communication systems planners
met recently and are seriously considering endorsing and sponsoring B-
P-L on the unility's power distribution system. The newsletter also
says that San Diego Gas & Electric is considering entertaining
proposals to partner with vendors for one or more field
demonstrations of B-P-L technology.
CGC says that these plans should be of concern to all users of the
High Frequeny and low band VHF spectrum. This includes TV Channels 2
through 5 and possibly even Channel 6. The latter because spurious
and harmonic energy could reach these higher frequencies.
According to CGC and its unnamed source, San Diego Gas & Electric is
aware that deployment of B-P-L in its service arera could cause
considerable radio frequency interference. Even so, planners at the
utility still appear ready to proceed.
More on this as it develops. I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los
Angeles.
--
Bob Gonsett is known on the ham bands as W6VR. He says that he has
a call pending with San Diego Gas & Electric corporate communications department to determine the company's official position on BPL. Bob
also says to stay tuned for updates. (CGC)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: A TEXAS TRYOUT
Meantime, Larry Pollack, of the W5YI VEC reports that Central Texas-
based Broadband Horizons has launched B-P-L operations in three Texas communities. The pilot projects were launched in mid-June in the
towns of Blanco, Burnet and Weimar. According to Mike Steele,
Burnet's City Manager, the community has had great success with the
initial start-up. He says the city plans to expand B-P-L service it
to additional parts of the municipality. (W5YI VEC)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: A BIG WIN IN PEN YAN NY
Meantime the B-P-L test is over in Pen Yan, New York and it appears
as if ham radfio has won this round. This,, with word that the
broadband provider that's been testing B-P-L in Penn Yan reportedly
plans to "move away" from that technology.
According to the ARRL Letter, the Western New York community of some
5000 residents has been considering various proposals with Data
Ventures to offer broadband service. A B-PL trial had been underway
in Penn Yan for several months.
The village reportedly would get 10 percent of the generated
revenue. Now, according to an article in the July 28th edition of
the Finger Lakes Times Online, the provider is now proposing to
employ wireless mesh "WiFi" technology instead of BPL and ARRL C-E-O
Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, has already congratulated Penn Yan Mayor Douglas
Marchionda Jr and DVI for going with wireless broadband instead of B-
P-L. (ARRL)
**
THE BPL FIGHT: SPOKANE GOES WIDE AREA WI-FI
Spokane, Washington has also opted for Wi-Fi over B-P-L. This as
that city inaugurates a wireless Internet access system covering 100
blocks of downtown Spokane.
The wireless zone uses new technology that allows Internet signals to
be transmitted more than a mile. This is far beyond the traditional
200- to 300-foot range of previous Wi-Fi systems.
The Wi-Fi area is divided into a private network for use by the city
and an open network for the public. Public users can connect for two
hours a day at no charge, and subscription plans are in the works for
extended use. One Eighty Networks provided the networking for the
project. (Published reports)
**
Break 1
From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world WR6ABD repeater serving
Aptos California.
(5 sec pause here)
**
RADIO RULES: NO MORE "GROUP X" CALLSIGNS
The ARRL reports that the FCC is no longer issue 2 by 3 format vanity
call signs that begin with the prefixes WC, WR, WK and WT. The
Commission has acknowledged that it erroneously granted more than 150
WR and WC prefix 2 by 3 vanity call signs from 1997 through September
2003, when it began rejecting such call sign requests.
In the late 1970s, the FCC announced a new Amateur Service call sign assignment system. It provided four standard call sign groups,
designated Group A, B, C and D, delineated by license class and
issued sequentially with no backfilling. The FCC's Bill Cross, W3TN,
recently told the nation's volunteer examiner coordinators that the
FCC also had a "Group X." These included WC or RACES, WR repeater,
WK and WT-prefix 2 by 3 format call signs reportedly reserved for
special-use licenses.
The FCC stopped issuing repeater call signs in 1983 and ceased
renewing RACES licenses in 2000. After the current vanity program
began in 1996, several ham clubs sought new and formerly held
repeater and RACES-type call signs. When the Universal Licensing
System came along in August 1999, however, the FCC encountered some
licensing system programming shortcomings, including the anomalous
assignments of WC and WR prefix 2 by 3 call signs as acceptable
formats.
When the FCC implemented programming corrections that halted the
issuance of Group X call signs in September 2003, it did not advise
the amateur community. As a result, several amateurs who filed for 2
by 3 WC or WR prefix call signs had their applications dismissed
without any explanation beyond saying that the applicant's call sign
choice was unavailable. That remains the case. The FCC has not
indicated whether it plans to address the WC and WR prefix 2 by 3
call signs it's already issued.
In a related matter, the FCC's new Amateur Radio vanity call sign
regulatory fee of $20.80 for the 10-year license term goes into
effect Friday, August 6. All applications received at the FCC on or
after that date must be accompanied by the new, higher fee. (ARRL)
**
ENFORCEMENT: RIS ORDERS REPEATER OFF THE AIR
A 2 meter repeater in the United Kingdom has been ordered off the air
after it was involved in an interference issue. The Leicestershire
GB3CF system which operates on 145.600 MHz, was closed down on Sunday
the 25th of July following a request by the Radio Investigation
Service due to an alleged incident of interference.
Service will be resumed as soon as investigations have been
completed. The report did not say if the repeater was causing
interference to other operations or if it was being interfered with.
(GB2RS)
**
RADIO LAW: FEDERAL COURT RULES AGAINST CALIFORNIA CITY
Meantime, on this side of the Astlantic a big win for radio
operations but another major loss for a city in its fight to restrict
towers and antennas. Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:
--
The attorney for a Rancho Palos Verdes California antenna owner says
that his client won a clear victory against the city. This,
following a recent federal district court decision requiring Rancho
Palos Verdes to allow him to operate a broadcasting business from his unoccupied home. The judge also ruled that the plaintiff, James A
Kay. Jr., may seek damages and legal costs.
And this is not the first major loss for the city. Earlier this
year, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that another Rancho
Palos Verdes antenna owner could seek compensatory damages against
the city. As previously reported, Mark Abrams, WA6DPB, said he will
file a claim for damage to his two way radio business while he and
the city fought numerous court battles over the right to regulate
commercial radio frequencies.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles.
--
Abrams has a 52 foot tall antenna tower in his backyard. The city
has appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The full story is
on-line at
http://pvnews.nminews.com/articles/2004/07/26/local_news/news1.txt
**
RADIO LAW: AN ANTENNA FREE ZONE
A real estate developer in Australia has come up with some of the
toughest property use restrictions ever dreamed of. W-I-A Newscaster
Graham Kemp, VK4BB, joins us with the details:
--
VK2WI have reported on a story that the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation has set some restrictions on its new 40 block Thurgoona subdivision, near Albury.
Listeners to this WIA National News service through the 146.75
repeater can shed any thoughts of establishing a shack in the
backyard, as the corporation has banned the erection of free -
standing garages or sheds. One may also forget about erecting any
antenna arrays as the corporation has also banned external TV
antennas, any TV antennas should be placed under the roof or be
internal.
Satellite dishes are also under scrutiny; you can have one, as long
as no one can see it!
For the Am ateur Radio Newsline, Im Graham Kemp, VK4BB.
--
With these restrictions in place the potential amateur radio
activity, using external antennas, is virtually impossible. (VK2GJH
via WIA News)
**
RESCUE RADIO: WX4NHC ACTIVATED FOR HURRICANE ALEX
WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center in
Miami was activated on August 3rd. This, in anticipation of the
arrival of the first major tropiocal storm of the 2004 hurricane
season.
Named Alex, the storm was a catigory one hurricane when the WX4NHC
came to life at about 10 a-m Eastern on Tuesday morning. Catigory
one means the storm had sustained winds of 75 MPH. It was forecast
to strengthen before tracking just off the coast of North Carolina on
Tuesday afternoon.
The WX4NHC Group monitored the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 Mhz. It
also took part in EchoLink and I-R-L-P Skywarn Nets that were
operational during the approach and departure of the storm.
WX4NHC has maintained an active Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center for the past 24 years. Please visit www.wx4nhc.org/WX-form1.html www.voipwx.net for details. (CQ)
**
RADIO LAW: IMPROVING AIRSPACE SAFETY
Garmin, Inc. has been conditionally granted its request to use 978
MHz as an aircraft radio datalink frequency. The idea is to enhance
flight safety by enabling aircraft in the same airspace to precisely
track each other's movement, reducing the risk of mid-air
collisions. Datastreams containing location, velocity, altitude and
heading are valuable commodities in the arena of air safety. More is
o-line at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-
1871A1.doc (CCG)
**
ON THE NET: TEENS SET WIFI RECORD
A group of teenage hamss from the Cincinnati area got an ovation at
the recent Las Vegas DefCon hacker conference. This, after
organizers announced that the winners of this year's Wi-Fi shootout
might have broken a world D-X record for ground distance in
establishing a 55.1-mile Wi-Fi connection.
Ben Corrado KC8RKO, Andy Meng N8MX, Justin Rigling KC8OIO and Brandon
Schamer KG4NVK won the prize for greatest distance achieved for an
802.11b network.
The teens, all 18 and 19 years old achieved the record using an
amplifier and homebrewed antennas on both ends. This exceeded last
year's distance winner by 20 miles. Then, when they established that
record, they turned off their amplifiers and broke the record for an unamplified connection at the same distance.
DefCon, in its 12th year is a gathering of hackers, security
professionals and intelligence agents from around the world. The Wi-
Fi shootout, held for the second time, is among the most popular
contests. Six teams participated but it was ham radio know-how that
came in number one. (N0AX)
**
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)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: GEORGE DILLON NAMED ASSISTANT CHIEF OF THE FCC
ENFORCEMENT BUREAU
Some names in the news. Word that George R. Dillon has been named
Assistant Bureau Chief of the Enforcement Bureau. Dillon most
recently served as the Bureau's Engineering Advisor, assisting the
Bureau Chief on a wide range of public safety, technical and
management projects. He also represents the Bureau on the
Commission's "Engineering-in-Training" Board, for which he received
the Chairman's Special Achievement Award, and was the principal
leader of the Knowledge Sharing Program, which permits field
engineers and headquarters engineers to exchange information and
expertise. He is also a member of the Spectrum Policy Task Force.
FCC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: G4IDE NAMED WINNER OF TAPR LIFETIME AWARD
And Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio has presented its Lifetime
Achievement Award to Roger Barker G4IDE, of Lincolnshire, in the U-
K. Barker was honored for his work over the years in providing
quality software for Amateur Radio operators that allows them to
operate advanced digital modes without the difficulties once
associated with these operations. T-A-P-R says that Baker's UI-View
program is the benchmark by which all other A-P-R-S mapping software
is compared to. (VK2TDS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NEW U-K HAM TRANSPONDER IN SPACE ANNOUNCED
AMSAT-UK has announced a new amateur band transponder project. One
to be launched as part of the European Space Agency's S SETI Express satellite.
The project was announced at the opening of the 2004 AMSAT-UK
Colloquium by Dr. Martin Sweeting, G3YJO. Sweeting expressed his
delight that AMSAT-UK has been able to work with the European Space
Agency to provide, at very short notice, an S band 2.4ghz
transmitter.
The SSETI Express project is believed to be the first ever pan-
European student satellite with over 100 students from more than nine different countries working on it. The project is being coordinated
and managed buy the Education Office of the European Space Agency.
(AMSAT-UK, GB2RS)
**
SPACE SCIENCE: SMALLER ISS PRESENCE ANNOUNCED
NASA and its space partners have approved a scaled-down International
Space Station with fewer astronauts and less science. This, so the
United States can meet a 2010 deadline for ending shuttle flights.
According to news reports, the space agencies of Russia, Europe,
Canada and Japan gave unanimous approval to a NASA plan that means
the orbiting platform, now about half completed, will never become
the beehive of scientific and commercial research once envisaged. In exchange, NASA will continue with plans to launch research modules
owned by its partners, some of them already built.
The agreement means the station will never support long duration
crews of seven astronauts, as originally planned. It will however be
able to house at least four astronauts starting in 2009.
Phase one of the space-station was put into orbit in 1998. The first astronauts took up residence in 2000. (Published reports)
**
ON THE AIR: OH2B BEACON IS BACK ON THE AIR
Finland's OH2B beacon is back on the air after an absense of two
years. OH2B is one of the eighteen stations in the world-wide five-
band International Beacon Project network. It has already been heard
in the UK on 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930 and 28. 200 Mhz. (GB2RS)
**
DX
In D-X, word that K4ZLE is returning to Uganda. He plans to operate
as 5X2A through the 21st of August. Some effort will be made to
operate on the lower H-F bands this year, mostly on CW. Activity is
also planned for PSK31. (GB2RS)
And F6EAY is in Kabul, Afghanistan and has been issued the callsign
T6RF. At present he is active only on PSK31. QSL as directed on the
air. (GB2RS)
Closer to home K-7-B-V reports that he will operate portable VP5 from
the Turks and Caicos Islands from August 9th to the 16th. The trip
will have focus on 6 and 2 meter WSJT work during the Perseid Meteor
shower that peaks around August 12. H-F will, of course, get plenty
of attention as well. QSL direct to K7BV. (VHF Reflector)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: THE BIRDS ARE BACK
And finally this week, have you ever tuned in an owl? Yes, we said
an owl. You know, tne find that go hoot in the night. Newsline's
Joe Moell K0OV will tell you how.
--
It's been several months since I've advised you of opportunities for
hams and scanner fans to help wildlife researchers tracking radio-
tagged creatures. You can monitor these signals from your home or
car. If you have direction finding gear, you might make a positive
sighting. Right now, there's a need for ham help in the Denton and
Collin County areas of Texas, where researcher Jennifer Johnston is
releasing rehabilitated orphan Great Horned Owls into the wild. Six
birds are on the air near 150 MHz as I speak, and more are expected
to follow. We're also standing by for the departure of some young
Burrowing Owls from their nesting places in Florida. A biologist
from the University of South Florida wants know where they will end
up. Nobody knows, but maybe you can help find out.
For all the details, including frequencies and ideas for equipping
yourself for this project, go to www.homingin.com. That's HomingIn,
as one word, homingin.com.
Thanks for your help. From southern California, where Burrowing Owls
are raising their young in our own Imperial Valley, this is Joe
Moell, K-zero-oscar-victor, for Amateur Radio Newsline.
--
Again that website is www.homingin.com (K0OV, ARNewsline(tm)
**
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.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening." Amateur
Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
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