From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.ssb

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1410 - August 20, 2004


Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1410 with a release date of
Friday,
August 20th, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio is ready as Hurricane Charley
comes
ashore. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number
1410 coming your way right now.



(Billboard Cart Here)

**


RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO AND HURRICANE CHARLEY


Packing 145-mile per hour winds Hurricane Charley slammed into west-
central Florida, ravaging oceanfront homes and trailer parks, tearing
apart small planes and inundating the coast. More than a half million customers were left without power or telephone service statewide.
Damage
was especially heavy in downtown Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbor.
Warren Elly, W1GUD, is a Tampa based TV reporter sent to cover the
aftermath of Charley coming on shore:


--


Audio report only. Hear it in mp3 audio in the current newscast
posted
at http://www.arnewsline.org/quincy


--


Warren's report was filed early Monday the 16th. Since then
President
George Bush has declared some sections of Florida as a major disaster
area. His brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, projected damage from
Charley could exceed 15 billion dollars, but that estimate was
preliminary. (ARNewsline(tm))


**


RESCUE RADIO RULES: FCC CLARIFIES EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS


The FCC has issued what amounts to a white paper to clarify the
rules
hams must follow when providing communications during an emergency.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, is here to sort it
all
out:


--


With the hurricane season upon us and wildfires and other severe
weather
hitting various parts of the nation, the Federal Communications
Commission believes now is the time for a clarification on Emergency Communications Declarations.


What is an Emergency Communications Declaration or ECD?


When a natural disaster or accident interrupts or disrupts normal communications systems in a particular area, the FCC - at the request
of
emergency management officials or an amateur radio operator acting on
behalf of emergency officials - issues an Emergency Communications Declaration.


Essentially, the order defines special conditions and special rules
to
be followed by amateur radio stations providing service during the communications emergency in that particular area.


The FCC says occasionally, it receives requests for Emergency
Communications Declarations before a hurricane or tropical storm
hits.
The FCC says such requests generally arrive anywhere from 24 to 72
hours
in advance of weather predictions citing potential damage to a
particular area.


But under Section 97.401(a), emergency communications before an event
CAN be established to meet essential needs of a community or to help
prepare relief activities. The commission acknowledges preparations
to
meet a disaster may overload or damage normal communications systems
so
it allows amateur stations to make emergency transmissions at any
time
prior to or even during a disaster.


In essence, the FCC says there's no need for an ECD because the
actual
event disrupting communications has not occurred.


So, the FCC says such declarations WILL NOT be issued until AFTER the
disaster disrupts normal communications in a geographic area subject
to
FCC regulation.


Speaking of emergencies, it doesn't necessarily have to be a weather-
related incident, as we found on September 11, 2001. It can also be a transportation accident such as a railroad incident or a fire or
explosion.


Whatever the emergency, once communications are disrupted, the FCC
says
there are only two sources from which it will accept an application
for
an ECD. The first is an emergency management official responsible for communications in the affected area. The second is an amateur radio
operator acting at the request of an emergency management official.


The FCC says such applications must contain very specific information
such as:


- The date the event has taken place.
- The nature of the disaster.
- A description of the communications system disrupted and a
contact
person who can verify the damage.
- The geographic area affected - city, county, state or region.
- Listing of the VHF/UHF, MF or HF frequencies to be used
during the
emergency.
- An estimated time the disruption of normal communications is
expected to last.


The FCC says an Emergency Communications Declaration will contain an expiration date. However, the commission says that date can be
extended
at the request of the emergency official or authorized party making
the
original request.


For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in
Philadelphia.



--


The FCC's Communications and Crisis Management Center is the place
where
Emergency Communications Declaration requests are sent. You can
reach
them by phone at 202-418-1122, that's 202-418-1122. FAX requests are
handled at 202-418-2813, 202-418-2813. Or, you can make the filing by
e-
mail to comm(hyphen)ctr@fcc.gov. (ARNewsline (tm))



**


EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: AUTOMATING EMERGENCY ALERTS


A new technology soon to debut in 12 states will significantly extend
Amber alerts, reaching cell phones, e-mail and handheld computers.
It
could also be used to transmit weather and
terrorism alerts.


According to news reports the system uses a simple broadcast
technology
that takes the information from a Web portal and reconfigures it for
different types of broadcast. By way of example, a state department
of
transportation might receive it in one format for its road signs and
another for its information number.


More important, people with cell phones can sign up to receive Amber
alerts with their local county or with state authorities. The text of
an
alert can be sent immediately to local TV news stations and Web
sites.
(Science OnLine)


**


Break 1


From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the AA5RO
repeater
of the Alamo Area Radio Organization serving San Antonio, Texas.


(5 sec pause here)



**


RADIO RULES: INTERNET LINKING IN THE UK


Telecommunications regulators are about to make ham radio internet
linking a lot easier on the other side of the Atlantic. This, as
Ofcom
which is the U-K equivalent of our FCC issues new and more
liberalized
rules. RSGB news presenter Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, has more:


--


Ofcom has announced the decisions it has taken about changes to the
procedure and terms of issuing Notices of Variation (NoV) for
Internet
Linking Gateways.


Ofcom proposes to pass the Internet-linking NoV process to the RSGB
to
issue NoVs on behalf of Ofcom. The RSGB will be announcing procedures
for NoV renewal shortly and queries on the
renewal process should be directed to the Society.


Ofcom's decisions were made following the notification of four
proposals
which gave those holding an NoV the opportunity to make
representations.


Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham.


--


For those interested the complete set of new U K Internet linking
rules
is on line at http://tinyurl.com/4LE8P (GB2RS)


**


RADIO RULES: VANITY FEE REMINDER


Back here in the USA, a reminder from the FCC that the new Amateur
Radio
vanity call sign fee of $20.80 for the 10-year license term became
effective on Tuesday, August 10th. Not on Friday, August 6 as we and
and others had announced.


The reason for the last minute change? A management-level staffer in
the FCC's Office of Managing Director explained to the ARRL that the Commission was not necessarily bound by the August 6 effective date
The
Federal Register indicates. That date was 30 days after publication
of
the order containing the new fee schedule. (ARRL, FCC)


**


ENFORCEMENT: NO LICENSE - STAY OFF THE AIR


Meantime the FCC has written to a pair of unlicensed operators
telling
them to stay off the air. The agency's Daryl Duckworth, NNZ0W,
explains:


--


Duckworth: A warning notice went to Rick Shepherd of Crescent City,
California for unlicensed operation on 146.515 MHz along the
Oregon/California border aboard the fishing vessel Sunset.


David Shoemaker of Sebina, Ohio, also apparently not in the FCC
Licensing Database was issued a warning notice for unlicensed
operation
from a vehicle with license plates registered in his name. The
transmissions were on 28.085 MHz near the intersection of I-71 and
U.S.
36.


--


Shepherd and Shoemaker were both told that operation of radio
transmitting equipment without a license is a violation of Section
301
of the Communications Act of 1934. They were also informed that
continued operation could lead to fine or imprisonment, as well as
seizure of any non-certified radio transmitting equipment that they
own.
Monetary forfeitures for unlicensed operation normally range from
$7,500
to $10,000. (FCC, RAIN)


**


RADIO RULINGS: FCC PERMITS SAN JOSE STATION TO BUILD SAN FRANSCISCO TRANSMITTER


The San Franscisco Chronicle reports that thousands of people in and
around San Francisco will be able to watch NBC television over the
air
again. This, courtesy of a Federal Communications Commission ruling
on
Thursday, August 12th, that will let KNTV build a new transmitter to
cover the area.


According to the news story, the San Jose based station will be
permitted to construct a new transmitter atop San Bruno Mountain
which
overlooks San Francisco. The station claims this site will reach
400,000 people who lost service when KNTV became the Bay Area's NBC
affiliate in 2001. (FCC, San Franscisco Chronicle and other
published
news stories)


**


NAMES IN THE NEWS: ANOTHER OPERATION FROM IRAQ


Even as the military action in Iraq continues another ham radio
stAtion
has come on the air from that war torn region. This, word that
Ryszard
Nowakowski, SP8HKT has been licensed to operate as YI9KT.


Ryszard will be there for five months. He uses a 100 watt radio into
a
vertical antenna on all bands from 40 to 10 meters. He operates
mostly
on C-W but will come onto SSB if you make the request. (GB2RS)



**


NAMES IN THE NEWS: NEW QCWA OFFICERS ELECTED


Former FCC rules man John B. Johnston, W3BE, is the new President of
the
Quarter Century Wireless Association. Also elected are Vice-
President
Bob Roske, NOUF: Secretary Alan Pickering, KJ9N and Treasurer Frank
Harris, WA4PAM


Elected to serve as QCWA Directors are Tom Atkins, VE3CDM: Harold
Chase,
W1EES: Lew Gordon, K4VX: Jerrel Jones, W5TUU; Ray Minichello, W1BC:
Len
Nathanson, W8RC: Blanche Randles, W4GXZ, and Ed Yoder W3YMB.


Both Gordon and Nathanson are former Directors of the ARRL. 2307
QCWA
members returned ballots in this years election. (QCWA)


**


EVENTS: 2004 QCWA NATIONAL CONVENTION IN OTTAWA


And speaking about the QCWA. word that the organization will hold its
2004 international convention in Canada. The dates are October 15th
through the 17th at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa.


This years gathering is hosted by the National Capital Chapter 70.
More
information is on line at www.qcwa.org/2004convention.htm (QCWA)


**


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)


**


ON THE NET: LINUX CONTINUES TO GROW


The use of the Linux operating system especially among experimenters
including ham radio operators is quietly growing. One in five
servers
sold last year to handle Internet traffic and corporate networks ran
on
Linux.


Observers say that the economic downturn may be responsible for the
Linux move. The Linux operating system was created as the people's
software, free and open for everyone to use in an attempt to thwart
the
commercialization of all Internet technology. Amateur radio was
among
tgher first to truly embrace it and may ham radio applications are
written for Linux based operation. (Published news reports)


**


HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NASA CELEBRATES ISS AT MARINA AIR FAIRE


Scott Avery, WA6LIE, reports over the AMSAT mailing list that NASA
will
have a booth set up at the Marina Air Faire in Marina, California
on
October 16th. Scott says that the plan is to make a live I-S-S voice
contact and to also have a video of Q-S-O's made with the space
station
playing for passers by to see. Scott adds that any help in getting
video files of school contacts with the I-S-S would be appreciated.
For
more information please contact him by e-mail to wa6lie@msn.com
(WA6LIE)


**


WORLDBEAT: LIGHTHOUSES OF AUSTRALIA 2004 ANNUAL DINNER WEEKEND


Turning to news from around the world, word that this year's
Lighthouses
of Australia Dinner will be held in Launceston, Tasmania Saturday,
October 2nd. The dinner will include a tour to the National Archives
Office Exhibition on Australian Lighthouses titled "Beacons by the
Sea."
Also scheduled is a visit to the Low Head Light and the Pilot Station
Maritime Museum also at Low Head the same weekend. (WIA News)


**


WORLDBEAT: RADIO CLUB GETS GRANT TO TEACH THE HOBBY


The Thornton-Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society in the United Kingdom
has
recently received a grant of close to 5,000 British Pounds. This, to
help in the promotion of amateur radio. Over the past two and a half
years the club has held 18 examination classes with 150 passing the U-
K
Foundation class ham radio license exam. (GB2RS)


**


WORLDBEAT: GB4WTA COMMEMORATING THE UK WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY ACT


GB2RS reports that Ted Moore, G7AIR, and members of the Eddystone
Users
Group will operate as GB4WTA on Sundays and some Saturdays through
the
28th of August. The station commemorates the centenary of the United
Kingdoms Wireless Telegraphy Act, which came into effect on the 15th
of
August 1904. GB4WTA will operate from Wireless Hill in the Rutland
area. (GB2RS)


**


DX


In D-X word that K4QD will be QRV August 16 to 27 portable HH4 from.
This, from the Northwest Christian Mission in Haiti. Activity will
be
on most H-F bands plus 6 meters, using CW and SSB as time permits.
QSL
to his home call. (K5SW via VHF Reflector)


And GB6LOP is a special events station that will take to the air to
celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris during Word
War 2. The station will operate on all modes, starting August 25th
and
will be on for 4 weeks. Your QSL card will be required beforehand in
order to receive the special QSL from this station. Please QSL via
RSARS
QSL Bureau. For further information contact G0SWY by e-mail to
G0SWY@aol.com (G0SWY)


And also listen for HS7-B on from Thailand. This special event call
sign has been issued to celebrate the Queen's 72nd birthday. The call
sign will be in use during any SEA NET activities. QSL via operators' instructions. (RSGB)


**


THAT FINAL ITEM: THE BIG T-HUNT: HOW THE U.S. NAVY KEEPS TRACK OF
EARTH
ORBITING SATELLITES


The U.S. Navy has built an exotic radar system to track earth
orbiting
satellites, and the system has been in place for many years. Now,
thanks to a couple of sleuths, details of the Navy's system have been
posted on the web. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW,
has
the details:


--


The Navy's satellite tracking system appears to consist of multiple
transmit and receive sites across the U.S., and one of the receive
sites
just happens to be located in San Diego County a few miles north of
Brown Field. This, according to web-published coordinate data as
reported in the CGC Communicator broadcast industry newsletter.


And if think UHF moon bounce antennas have gain, wait until you see
the
giant array built near Lake Kickapoo, Texas. This two mile long
antenna
transmits continuously on 216.98 Mhz with an unmodulated carrier and
has
a beamwidth of only 0.02 degrees in one plane. So powerful is the transmitted signal that when the moon passes through the beam, the
return echo is said to be detectable on earth with only a dipole
antenna
attached to a receiver. Talk about the ultimate E-M-E.


For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bruice Tennant, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles.



--


If all this is fascinating and you want to learn more, take your web
browser over to:
http://www.gate.net/~tomk/navspasur/navspasur5.html
and
http://www.jump.net/~crossley/NAVSPASUR/index.html (CGC)



**


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 W-I-A 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 Henry
Feinberg, K2SSQ, saying 73 and we thank you for listening." Amateur
Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.















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