Friday, December 6, 2013

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1895 - December 6 2013

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1895 with a release
date of December 6 2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST.  Four youngsters get their names in
space thanks to ham radio; the ARRL files erratum to its
"symbol rate" rule making petition; The Department of
Homeland will be giving emergency communications training at
Hamvention 2014; VHF Communications magazine ceases
publication after 45 years and its Youngsters on the Air
Operating month in IARU Region One.  Find out the details
are on Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1895 coming
your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)


**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NAMES OF FOUR PRE-TEENS NOW ON-ORBIT

The names of four pre-teens from the town of North Pole,
Alaska, have been sent into space, and its all thanks to ham
radio.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the
story of how it came about:

--

North Pole, Alaska is just outside of the city of Fairbanks
and its where Daniel Perry, age 10, Derik Perry, 9, Riley
Perry, 9, and Kailey Perry, 5 all live.  But these four
youngsters now have something very special in their lives
because their names are orbiting some 400 miles above the
Earth on a microsat and its all because of friendship
between to ham radio operators.

The honor comes courtesy of their grandfather, Mike Perry,
AL7F, who became caretaker to some satellite-monitoring
equipment about a year and a half ago.  This happened after
he became close friends with Mark Kanawati, N4TPY of Space
Quest Ltd, which is a technology company based in Fairfax,
Virginia.  AL7F says it all came about because of a note to
the local ham radio club:

--

AL7F:  "The way this all got started was that Mark, the
owner of Space Quest, being a ham radio operator got in
touch with the Arctic Amateur Radio Club here in Fairbanks
and had a letter posted to our membership site looking for
someone who had some property or knew of somebody who had
some property that would be a good location for him to
install a satellite tracking station.  I own some property
right off the side of the highway that's sub-divided into
lots and I offered to let him put his tracking station on
one of the lots."

--

This lead to a close friendship developing between AL7F and
N4TPY and in turn to Kanawati offering to fly the names of
Perry's grandkids on a satellite that was to be launched
this past November.

--

AL7F:  "I was more than happy to have my grandkids names put
into the satellite.  It just launched on the 21st of
November on a Russian ICBM from Kazakhstan and there were
quite a few ham radio cube-sat satellites along with his and
several different university cube-sats that went up also."

--

But the Perry kids are not the only people whose names have
flown in space.  Putting names or initials on vehicles bound
for the final frontier is believed to be something of an
unwritten tradition in the space launch industry.  One
apparently dating back to its earliest days.  But according
to newsminer.com at SpaceQuest, the practice has reached a
new level. It says that photos and names are commonly tucked
inside the company's micro-satellites and N4TPY personally
speaks to school classes about space.  He says that putting
children's names on-orbit is one way to spark their
interest.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
in the newsroom in Los Angeles.

--

According to AL7F, the youngsters don't quite realize how
rare it is to be part of an orbiting satellite.  But he adds
that will likely appreciate it a lot more as they get older.

(ARNewsline, Newsminer.com)

**

BREAKING NEWS:  REWRITE OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT ANNOUNCED

Some breaking news out of the nation's capital.  This with
word that House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman
Michigan Representative Fred Upton and Technology
Subcommittee Chairman Oregon Representative Greg Walden,
W7EQI, plan to update the Communications Act.

Making the announcement on Google Hangout the committee
leaders and former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell outlined
the need to adapt the law to today's marketplace.  Upton
termed the project a multi-year effort that will be focused
on updating the communication laws to fit the Internet age.

Meantime Walden noted that the Communications Act is now
painfully out of date.  He said that when the Act was last
revised nearly 18 years ago, the 56 kilobits-per-second via
dial-up modem was state of the art.

The actual revision will involve a series of white papers
asking questions about what to do to improve the laws
governing the communications marketplace.  These will also
seek to learn the best way to a robust conversation using
digital media platforms.

To make it easier for the public to participate in this re-
write, you can follow the event on Twitter using the hashtag
#CommActUpdate.  (RW)

**

RADIO RULES:  ARRL FILES ERRATUM TO "SYMBOL RATE" PETITION
FOR RULE MAKING

The ARRL has filed an Erratum or modification of its request
with the FCC.  This to correct an error in its "symbol rate"
Petition for Rule Making filed November 15 and put on public
notice for comment as RM-11708 a few days later.

The League's petition asks the FCC to delete the symbol rate
limit in part 97.307(f) of its Amateur Service rules and
replace it with a maximum bandwidth for data emissions of
2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz.

The Erratum, filed November 26, removes an erroneous
reference in the appendix at 97.307(f)(3) to "unspecified
digital codes" and includes a corrected appendix.  The
revised proposed 97.307(f)(3) will read: "Only a RTTY or
data emission using a specified digital code listed in
97.309(a) of this part may be transmitted.  The authorized
bandwidth is 2.8 kHz."  (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  DHS TO PROVIDE EMCOMM TRAINING WITH
HAMVENTION 2014

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency
Communications will be on hand at Hamvention 2014 to conduct
its nationally recognized emergency communications training
course.  The purpose of this program is to educate qualified
amateur radio operators so they may assist their local,
county and state governments with backup communications if
requested to do so.

The training will be held in the Dayton area on May 13th to
the 15th.  These are the three days prior to the start of
Hamvention 2014.  Registration will begin on February 1st.
More information is on the front page of the Dayton
Hamvention website at hamvention.org.  (Dayton Hamvention)

**

WORLDBEAT:  SOUTH AFRICA ONE YEAR HAM LICENSE RENEWALS DUE

South Africa's telecommunications regulator ICASA has
advised the South African Radio League that hams who hold
one-year amateur radio license should re-apply for renewal
before 31 December 31st.

ICASA notes that South Africa Telecommunications Regulation
9 stipulates that radio amateurs must reapply annually for a
license renewal unless they have opted for a multi-year
license.  In that case they only need to reapply when their
license is about to expire.

According to the regulatory agency, to date over 300 have
already submitted their applications.  (SARL)

**

DXCC UP FRONT:  DXCC 2013 DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31

In DX up-front, Bill Moore, NC1L, who is the ARRL Awards
Branch Manager wants to remind to all DXCC program
participants that the deadline for the 2013 calendar year
ends on Tuesday December 31st.  Moore says that in order to
appear in the Annual Listing published in the electronic
version of the DXCC Yearbook, you must have your submission
postmarked no later than that date.  Since the DXCC workload
usually peaks around this time each year, Moore recommends
that applicants not wait until the last minute to get their
submissions in.  Complete details are posted on the web at
arrl.org/dxcc-blog.  And we will have more DX news later on
in this week's newscast.  (ARRL DXCC)

**

BREAK 1

Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world
including the Golden Empire Amateur Radio Club's W6RHC
repeater serving Chino California.

(5 sec pause here)


**

ENFORCEMENT:  ILLINOIS MAN CHARGED WITH RACIAL SLURS OVER
POLICE RADIO

A Waukegan, Illinois man who may be a former ham was
arrested on Tuesday, November 26th.  This after authorities
allege that he breached security on a Lake County Sheriff's
Office radio communications system and transmitted racially
offensive language.

according to Sara Balmes of the sheriff's office,  24 year
old Raymond J. Kelly was charged with two counts of
tampering with jail communications.  HE also faces one count
of harassment through electronic communications,

According to news reports, officers allegedly heard Kelly
repeatedly using a racial epithet over the communications
system overnight on the previous Saturday and Sunday.
Officials said that during a search of Kelly's residence,
authorities seized radio and other electronic equipment.

While several news reports referred to Kelly as a ham radio
operator a check of the Universal Licensing System shows
that he is not licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission at this time.  However there are indications that
at one time he did hold an amateur radio ticket.
(Published news reports)

**

RADIO LAW:  BROADCASTERS SUED OVER USE OF HD RADIO STANDARD

Yet another patent infringement lawsuit is in the offering.
This one aimed at broadcasters who use what commonly known
as HD radio.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff Clark, K8JAC,
has the details:

--

In a major lawsuit a large number of radio broadcast groups
have been sued alleging patent infringement for using its
technology for their H-D Radio broadcasts.  The filing by
Wyncomm LLC and Delaware Radio Technologies claims the
broadcasters are using In-Band On-Channel or IBOC technology
and therefore infringing on U.S. patent no. 5,506,866 or
simply 866 as well as several other associated patents.

The '866 patent is titled "Side-Channel Communications in
Simultaneous Voice and Data Transmission."  It was applied
for in 1993 and granted in 1996 and originally assigned to
AT&T by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  The
patent specifically describes radio transmission techniques
used in the In Band On-Channel standard adopted by the
National Radio Systems Committee in 2005.

The litigation lists Delaware Radio Technologies as the
exclusive licensee for the technology.  HD Radio developer
iBiquity Digital is not named nor identified in any of the
lawsuits.  That company licenses the HD Radio technology
used by the radio broadcasters.

This is Jeff Clark. K8JAC, reporting.

--

How the broadcast community will respond to this latest
patent infringement claim is not known as we go to air.
(RW)

**

LAW:  ANTI-PATENT TROLL MEASURE PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE AS
ASSERTION COMPANIES READY TO FIGHT BACK

A law against patent trolling is making headway in Congress,
but the trolls appear organizing to fight back.  Amateur
Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has more in this
report:

--

The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill to curb patent
abuse by so-called patent trolls, officially known as Patent
Assertion Companies that buy patents, not to make anything,
but to sue end-users.

The committee sent to the full House a measure titled the
Innovation Act of 2013. Sponsored by Committee Chair
Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte, the bill seeks to curb
vague demand letters trolls send to end-users that place the
burden on users to prove they're not infringing on a patent,
rather than on the sender to prove they are.

Among other things, the bill requires lawsuit plaintiffs to
specify which patents are at issue and what products
allegedly infringe. The Innovation Act also allows a court
to require the loser in a patent case to pay the winners
costs if the case was not reasonably justified.

But the so-called patent trolls are not sitting idly by
waiting for the end to come.  With millions if not billions
of dollars in future income at stake may have are reported
to be taking on a new role.  This, by doubling as government
lobbyists for their patent-assertion companies.

The newsletter Politico reports that one of America's
largest patent-assertion entities, is investing in lobbying
help to protect its interests on Capitol Hill by pushing
back against legislation designed to curb patent trolls
ability to extract rents from other companies.  Unnamed
sources also told Politico that several patent-assertion
entities are even trying to create their own advocacy group
to give them a larger voice in Washington.  The prospects of
this actually happening are at this point in time unclear.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm, Stephen Kinford, N8WB,
in Wadsworth, Ohio.

--

"Patent Trolls" is an informal term for firms whose only
business is acquiring patents and using them as a basis to
sue other companies even though they don't actually produce
any products based on the patented technology.  And if
congress passes laws to restrict these patent assertion
companies, it's very likely that they will challenge such
regulations all of the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.
(RW, Politico, BGR)

**

RADIO BUSINESS:  VHF COMMUNICATIONS MAGAZINE CLOSES

The famed United Kingdom publication VHF
Communications magazine is closing after 45 years of
continuous publication.  A message on the magazine website
says that by the end of 2013 the number of subscribers was
not sufficient to support the magazine.  Also the supply of
articles had become difficult because a lot of good articles
are published direct to the Internet.

From 1969 to 2013, VHF Communications was one of the
foremost construction oriented publication for radio
amateurs and professional RF communications engineers. A DVD
containing the complete collection of magazines is
available.  More is on the web at www.vhfcomm.co.uk
(Southgate)

**

RADIO READING:  ONE FREE ARTICLE FROM QST PER MONTH TO HELP
WITH OUTREACH

The ARRL has a deal that you can't refuse.  This according
to the League's Contact public relations newsletter that
notes that one QST article a month will be made available
free of charge to non League members and the general public.

Traditionally, content from QST has been available only to
members, who have access to the print and digital editions
of the ARRL membership journal.  According to the Contact
article, this has hampered the ARRL's ability to send
articles to the non-amateur community, and consequently,
impacting on other efforts.

Beginning with the December 2013 issue, one QST article per
month from each issue will be made available in PDF format
on the "This Month In QST" page of the ARRL web site.  The
December 2013 article will be on the Colorado flooding of
2013 and Amateur Radio's role in the disaster.  You will
find it at www.arrl.org/this-month-in-QST.  (ARRL)

**

PUBLIC SERVICE:  HAM RADIO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 2014 BOSTON
MARATHON

Registration to be a 2014 Boston Marathon ham radio
communications volunteer is now open.  If you'd like to help
out as a radio operator at the Marathon on Monday April 21st
or the smaller races on Saturday April 19th, you can
register at marc.mmra.org.

One note.  Due to security issues, volunteer signup will end
in early March and organizers will not be able to accept
volunteers up to the last minute as has been the case in
years past.  So if you wish to volunteer, please do so as
soon as possible.

Again that URL to volunteer is marc.mmra.org.  (K1IW)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  W5KUB LIVE WEBCAST FROM R & L CUSTOMER
APPRECIATION DAY

W5KUB.COM will be webcasting live the R and L Electronics
Customer Appreciation Day from Hamilton, Ohio on Saturday,
December 14th.   In addition to the actual event, Tom will
also stream forums on D-Star and another by ham radio's Mr.
Audio Bob Heil, K9EID.

The Netcast will begin on Friday December 13th where you can
follow Tom and his crew on their 500 mile trip from Memphis,
Tennessee, to Hamilton, Ohio.  During their airtime from R
and L, there will be a number of special guests.  Those
tuning in and joining the chat room will be eligible for
prizes.  It will all be on-line at w5kub.com.
(W5KUB)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  FCC CHAIR APPOINTED DEFENSE COMMISSIONER

Some names in the news.  FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has yet
another duty as he is appointed as the Commission's Defense
Commissioner. This position is purely procedural in nature
and pertains to internal organization and delegations of
authority within the structure of the FCC.  The Defense
Commissioner directs the homeland security, national
security and emergency preparedness, and defense activities
of the Commission.  (FCC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  NATIONAL VOA MUSEUM OF BROADCASTING
NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

John T. Dominic has been named executive director of
the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West
Chester, Ohio.  This, effective March 1, 2014.

Dominic is a 38-year broadcast veteran, serving as a station
manager at WCET and at Cincinnati Public Television, where
he was instrumental in the consolidation of WCET in
Cincinnati and ThinkTV in Dayton.  He will retire as WCET
executive vice president and station manager in February.

The exhibits at the museum feature the Voice of America at
the VOA-Bethany Ohio station, Media Heritage's Greater
Cincinnati Museum of Broadcast History, the Gray History of
Wireless Museum and the West Chester Amateur Radio
Association.  The museum is also implementing a docent
program and seeks volunteers to learn about the museums and
help lead tours.  (Press release)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  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)

**


WORLDBEAT:  TOKYO'S FAMED "THE RADIO STORE" CLOSES AFTER 64
YEARS

One of the landmarks that helped to create Tokyo Japan's
famed Akihabara electronics district has closed its doors
for good.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD,
is here with the details:

--

On Saturday evening, November 30th local time the business
known as The Radio Store ceased operations after 64 years.

The Radio Store building opened on March 8, 1950.  It was
the first of Tokyo's electronics superstores, built by ten
of the prominent vendors at the time.

The building originally housed only those first ten stores
but it lead to the creation of business area that eventually
became home to hundreds of other electronics retailers and
gained recognition world-wide.  Its said that The Radio
Store was responsible for giving this area of Tokyo its
Electric Town nickname

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD,
in Berwick, Pennsylvania, here in the USA.

--

The complete story of The Radio Store's rise to fame and its
decision to close can be read at tinyurl.com/Tokyo-Radio-
Store-Closes.  (Southgate, others)

**

WORLDBEAT: CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND HAM
RADIO STUDY GUIDES

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind has recently
confirmed to Radio Amateurs of Canada that it still has
amateur radio study guides and other resources available in
various formats for those who are blind or vision impaired.
If you live in Canada and wish to avail yourself of these
services, please contact Radio Amateurs of Canada which will
assist you in contacting the Canadian National Institute for
the Blind to obtain the assistance that you desire.  (RAC,
VA3GX/ VE2HHH)

**

WORLDBEAT: INTERNATIONAL MUSEUMS WEEKEND 2014 TO GO WORLD
WIDE

John O'Toole, M0HEM, reports that the 2014 International
Museums Weekends will take place on June 14th through the
15th and again on June 21st through the 22nd.

For well over a decade the International Museums Weekend has
been growing particularly in the United Kingdom, but with
only a few radio amateurs taking part from the rest of the
world.  So for 2014 the event administrators are hoping to
turn it into a truly international experience.  As such
stations can be set up from absolutely any type of location
which might be broadly classified as a museum.  This might
include air, railway, radio, agricultural and doll museums.
Even entities such as preserved jails and warships will
qualify.

O'Toole who is the Public Relations manager for the event
says that there is absolutely no cost involved for taking
part, nor is there any charge for any of the International
Museums Weekend Awards.  More details about the event, its
history and how to register can be found at tinyurl.com/imw-
2014.  (M0HEM, Southgate)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  LIVE ISS VIDEO STREAM VIA N2YO.COM

If life aboard the International Space Station interests
you, then listen up.  The N2YO satellite tracking website
also provides limited live video streaming from the
International Space Station.

The Ustream video is available only when the orbiting
complex is in contact with the ground through its high-speed
communications system via NASA's Tracking and Data Relay
Satellite or TDRS System.  During loss of signal periods,
you will see a blue screen.

Since the station orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes, it
sees a sunrise or a sunset every 45 minutes.   When the
station is in darkness and there is established contact, an
external camera video has the ability to provide spectacular
views of city lights below if any are in range.

The URL for live video stream from the ISS can be found at
www.n2yo.com/space-station.  (Southgate)

**

ON THE AIR:  CELEBRATING MONACO HAM RADIO SOCIETY AT 60

On the air, members of the Monaco Ham Radio Society will
celebrate the clubs 60th anniversary by signing 3A60ARM
through December 31st.  Activity is on all bands and modes.
A special QSL card to confirm all contacts will be sent
after March 2014 via bureau.  Sorry but there will be no
electronic QSLing available for this event.  (Press release)


**

ON THE AIR:  VX9MRC TO BE ON 472-479 KHZ DECEMBER 14 - 15

The Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland's Experimental
station VX9MRC has been issued a two-day temporary authority
by Industry Canada.  This to transmit on 472 to 479 kHz on
December 14 and 15th.  The purpose of this special permit is
to call attention to the possible creation of a new amateur
service radio band in Canada while also highlighting the
role ham radio plays in emergency communications.  (RAC)

**

DX

In DX, W8YCM, is currently on his annual trip to Jamaica and
will be active as 6Y5/W8YCM until the new year.  His
operations are mostly on 17 meters using SSB. QSL via his
home callsign.

G0KOK, is currently active as 8P9CC from Barbados and will
be there through mid December.  He uses a FT897D into a
dipole antenna.  QSL via G0KOK.

8P9JB will be operational QRP from Barbados beginning at
1400 UTC on December 13th.  Radio gear consists of an Alinco
DX-70 at 5 to 10 watts out to verticals and wire antennas.
QSL as directed on the air.

F5MCC, will be active stroke FM from Martinique Island
through December 21st. Operations will be on 40 through 10
meters using CW and SSB.  Hewill also activate 4 lighthouses
on the island.  QSL via the bureau to his home callsign.

F5PLC, is currently operational stroke FR from  Reunion
Island. The length of his stay is not known. Activity will
be on the HF bands only QSL via his home callsign, direct or
by the REF Bureau.

K9EL will operate stroke FS from St. Martin between June 8th
to the 27th of 2014. Activity is usually on 160 through 10
meters using CW, SSB and possibly RTTY.  Daily uploads to
ClubLog and LoTW are planned.  QSL via his home callsign.


**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  DECEMBER IS IARU REGION HAM RADIO YOTA
MONTH

And finally this week, following on the heels of the success
of last summers European Youngsters on the Air operating
events comes Youngsters on the Air Operating month. This as
several nations in IARU Region one band together to get
stations on the air with youngsters operating throughout the
month of December and using the YOTA as a suffix in their
callsign.

Lisa Leenders, PA2LS, is the IARU Region 1 Youth
Coordinator.  She tells Amateur Radio Newsline that part of
the event is to break the ice for some already licensed
youngsters by simply getting them to take a microphone in
the hand:

--

PA2LS:  "Now that it's getting bigger, it gives them a
chance to speak with people of their own age"

--

According to Leenders, over the years she has seen both
youth in ham radio as well as the Youngsters on the Air
group growing with more young people participating in the
hobby.

--

PA2LS:  "The youngsters who already have their licenses are
getting more active on the bands and there are also more
youngsters getting ham licenses.  We are also seeing this
with YOTA getting more and more youngsters (taking part)
from all of the countries in Europe."

--

And if this growth keeps up, maybe one-day YOTA could become
a world-wide operating event.

--

PA2LS:  "We would like to grow bigger.  It's now in Europe
but we want to expand it into all of (IARU) Region 1 and
later to the U.S. and to the rest of the world."

--

A truly noble goal but for this year there are only some 17
stations from 14 countries with young operators active using
YOTA suffix calls.  If you hear any of them on the air
please take a moment and give them a QSO.  Remember that its
today's young hams from around the world that will be the
future developers of technologies of tomorrow.  They will
also be the ones carrying on the traditions of amateur radio
for decades to come.

More information about Europe's Youth on the Air program is
on the web at www.ham-yota.eu  (Southgate, PA2LS)

**


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, TWiT-TV and Australia's WIA News, that's all from the
Amateur Radio NewslineT.  Our e-mail address is newsline
(at) arnewsline (dot) org.  More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at
www.arnewsline.org.  You can also write to us or support us
at Amateur Radio NewslineT, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa
Clarita California, 91350

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk,
I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH,, near Houston, Texas, saying 73 and
we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2013.  All rights
reserved.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1894 - November 29 2013


The following is a QST.  Ham radio relief efforts continue
in the Philippines; the long awaited United Kingdom FUNcube
One ham satellite is now on-orbit; a new 76 Gigahertz record
is set in Great Britain; lots of FCC enforcement action and
the Consumer Electronics Association issues its Annual
Trends to Watch.  Find out the details are on Amateur Radio
NewslineT report number 1894 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)


**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO CONTINUES TO ASSIST IN THE
PHILIPPINES

Even though it's been more than three weeks since Typhoon
Haiyan laid waste to many parts of the Philippines, much of
that nations telecommunications infrastructure is still not
operational.  As such, ham radio operators continue to be a
primary information conduit into and out of those areas
stricken by the storm.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim
Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the latest:

--

The Philippine-based Ham Emergency Radio Operation or HERO
stations are still at work providing help and communications
after deadly Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Typhoon Yolanda
wreaked its destruction in the central Philippines.

The current official death toll of 5,200 puts the Category-5
storm that landed on November the 8th as the worst typhoon
in the archipelago, with its 314-km/h winds generating storm
surges in coastal villages and devastating main cities.

As previously reported, in anticipation of the arrival of
the super storm the Philippines Amateur Radio Association or
PARA activated its HERO network.  This after having already
faced many storms this year and an earthquake in October.

PARA's Vice Chief Operating Officer is Ramon Anquilan,
DU1UGZ.  He reports that in some areas mobile phone service
is now available, but is patchy and unreliable. The same is
true with electric mains power.  DU1UGZ says that he knew
that amateur radio emergency communications was effective,
and the results saw many tearful moments when local people
were able to get their message through to loved ones
elsewhere.

Meantime, HERO stations have worked with the National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the National
Telecommunications Commission, communities and non-
government organizations.  The frequency of 7 dot 095 MHz
and several others are still in use and PARA thanks the
world's ham radio community for keeping them clear for
emergency traffic.

As we go to air, PARA continues to work closely with
authorities and hopefully obtain increased recognition of
the HERO network.  A very good job continues to be done by a
group of truly dedicated ham radio volunteers.

With much of the information in this report provided by Jim
Linton VK3PC, who is the Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster
Communications Committee, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, reporting
from the South Island in Nelson, New Zealand for the Amateur
Radio Newsline.

--

It appears as if ham radio assistance in the aftermath of
this killer typhoon will be ongoing for some time to come.
(VK3PC)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: UK FUNCUBE 1 HAMSAT NOW IN SPACE

When the FUNcube-1 satellite was first reached orbit its
beacon transmitting just 30 milliwatts.  And in a time
compressed recording, it sounded like this:

--

Actual FUNcube-1 audio (time compressed)

--

That was recorded on Fun Cube-1's very first pass over
Croatia by Adam Alicajic, 9A4QV and posted to YouTube not
long after the United Kingdom built ham radio satellite was
declared to be on-orbit.  We removed the long pauses between
telemetry tones and did some noise reduction so you can get
an idea as to what those first signals sounded like.

For its first two orbits FUNcube-1 was in this Safe Mode
with the beacon transmitting low power just of only 30
milliwatts.  The satellite was then commanded into
Educational Mode which increased the power to 300
milliwatts.  This enabled it to be copied on a SSB handheld
with just a whip antenna.

By way of background, a Russian Dnepr launch vehicle carried
FUNcube-1 and 18 other ham radio payloads successfully to
orbit at 07:10 UTC on Thursday, November 21st.
Approximately 8 minutes later, FUNcube-1 was deployed into
orbit.  Soon after the first telemetry was successfully
received, decoded, and uploaded to the FUNcube Data
Warehouse by ZS1LS and ZS6BMN in South Africa.  Needless to
say that there was a huge cheer and the FUNcube-1 Project
team toasted the successful launch.  Soon afterward the new
bird was given the official designation of AMSAT-OSCAR-73
but it's expected to be known as FUNcube-1 by the ham radio
public.

FUNcube-1's telemetry downlink is on 145.935 MHz running in
the BPSK mode.  The control team is encouraging all stations
who may receive the telemetry to record it and upload it to
the Data Warehouse at tinyurl.com/funcube-data.  More about
the overall Funcube -1 mission and its objectives can be
found on the web at funcube.org.uk.  The full length
unedited audio clip is at tinyurl.com/fun-cube-sound
(FUNcube-1, Southgate, YouTube)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  WREN NOT HEARD SINCE LAUNCH

Meantime another new hamsat has not been as lucky.  The WREN
microsat team reports that it has had no confirmed reception
of the signal from its Slow Scan TV Pocket Qube satellite
which was launched on November 21st.  The tiny bird is
supposed to be transmitting on 437.405 MHz +/- 10 kHz for
Doppler shift. The length of the beacon is 1.6 seconds and
it is AFSK modulated. The team says that it needs help from
every amateur radio operator and ground station operator it
can get.  More is at tinyurl.com/wren-in-space and at
www.facebook.com/StaDoKo. (Southgate)

**

RADIO RECORDS:  UK RADIO AMATEURS EXTEND 76 GHZ DISTANCE
RECORD

Another new United Kingdom distance record of 80 miles has
been achieved on 76 GHz.   This on Saturday November 23rd
with contacts between Brown Clee Hill in Shropshire and
Winter Hill, Lancashire

Operating on three separate millimeter bands of 24, 47 and
76 GHz, were Ian Lamb, G8KQW, and John Hazell, G8ACE, at
Brown Clee Hill.  At the other end of the path at Winter
Hill were Roger Ray,G8CUB, with John Wood G4EAT who was
operating the 76GHz station.

Contacts on all three bands were made using narrow-band FM.
Signals on 76GHz were exchanged for one hour with some QSB.
This likely due to changes in atmospheric conditions along
the path.

This success follows closely on the heels of the previous
distance record that was set by Lamb and Hazell on September
14th with a contact over a 63 point 3 mile path.
(Southgate)

**

BREAK 1

Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world
including the Twin City Amateur Radio Club net serving
Champaign and Urbanna Illinois.

(5 sec pause here)


**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ORDERS KANSAS HAM TO PAY $4000 FINE FOR
OPERATING AN UNLICENSED RADIO STATION

The FCC has ordered a ham to pay a $4000 monetary forfeiture
but not for violating any of the Part 97 Amateur Service
rules.  Rather the FCC  says that Glen Rubash, KC0GPV,
operated the unlicensed radio transmitter on 88.3 MHz in the
city of Manhattan, Kansas and Amateur Radio Newsline's Don
Wilbanks, AE5DW, is here with the details:

--

According to the FCC, on December 5, 2012, the Enforcement
Bureau's Kansas City Office issued a Notice of Apparent
Liability to Monetary Forfeiture in the amount of $15,000 to
Glen Rubash, KC0GPV.  As reflected in the order there was no
mention of any Part 97 violation.  Rather, on September 26
and 27, 2012, agents from the Kansas City Office determined
that an unlicensed radio station was operating from a
detached garage in Manhattan, Kansas.  The agents determined
that Rubash had secured space and operated the unlicensed
radio station.

On September 27, 2012, the FCC says that Rubash admitted
over the telephone to its agents that he installed and owned
the station's radio transmitting equipment.  He also
demonstrated control over the station by stating that he
would refuse to surrender the equipment to the agents from
the Kansas City Office if required to do so.

In his subsequent written response, the regulatory agency
says that Rubash requested cancellation or reduction of the
proposed forfeiture.   The FCC said that even though Rubash
admitted via telephone interview to making the admissions,
he later asserted that his statements were based on
incorrect information.   More specifically, in his written
response he stated that he owned and installed a low power
FM radio transmitter but that it operated within Part 15
unlicensed limits.  He also claimed that it was only able to
reach 300 feet beyond the garage housing the station.  Also
that its purpose was to teach a small group of college and
high school students how to operate a community radio
station.

Rubash want on to say that he attached his transmitter to a
home-built antenna supplied by one of the students.  He
claims no knowledge of the radio transmitter that was in
place when the agents inspected the station on September 27,
2012, because he was absent from the station from late July
until September 29, 2012, due to illness.  He went on to
assert that someone must have replaced the transmitter while
he was recuperating and claims that he should not be held
responsible for unlawful actions which occurred during his
absence.  Finally, as an alternative, Rubash claimed that he
is unable to pay the original forfeiture and requests a
reduction.

But in denying most of Rubash's requests the FCC said that
it affirmed the Notice of Apparent Liability finding that he
violated Section 301 of the Communications Act by using
equipment without the required Commission authorization.

However based on the financial documents provided by Mr.
Rubash, the FCC said it found sufficient basis to reduce the
forfeiture to $4,000 and that's the amount that he has been
ordered to pay.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW,
reporting.

--

As is usual in these matters, Rubash was given the customary
thirty days from the November 21si affirmation of the fine
to pay in full or make arrangements with the FCC to pay on
an installment plan.  If he fails to do one or the other the
matter will be turned over to the Department of Justice for
enforcement of the forfeiture.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  OKLAHOMA CB OPERATOR FINED $15000 FOR USING
LINEAR AMP

The FCC has issued a $15,000 Notice of Apparent Liability
for Forfeiture to Carlton Lewis, of Enid, Oklahoma.  This
for his alleged operation of a Citizens Band radio operator
with an external power amplifier in violation of the
Commissions Part 95 rules.

Back this past May 14th an agent from the Enforcement
Bureau's Dallas Office T-hunted down a strong signal on
27.1850 MHz which is CB Channel 19.  He found it was coming
from Lewis' residence in Enid.  The agent observed an
antenna mounted on the roof of the home and traced a coaxial
cable from the antenna into the residence.

The agent knocked on the door of the residence but no one
answered the door for over 30 minutes.  A person eventually
answered the door and claimed that Mr. Lewis was not at
home.  However a few minutes later Carlton Lewis appeared
and showed the agent his CB transmitter, which was warm to
the touch.

The agent observed that no coaxial cables were connected to
the CB transmitter but also noted the coaxial cable coming
into the residence and traced it to a linear amplifier
hidden behind a sofa.  The linear amplifier was also warm to
the touch.  Lewis did not respond when asked whether he had
used the linear amplifier.

Now in making its determination to issue the $15,000
proposed fine the FCC notes that prior to its May 14, 2013
inspection Lewis CB station that he had been issued two
written warnings from the Dallas Office.  Both advised him
that using a linear amplifier with his CB transmitter voided
his authority to operate.  Also that it violated the
Communications Act and the FCC's Part 95 Rules.

The FCC says that the fact that Mr. Lewis operated overpower
and used a linear amplifier despite being twice warned in
writing that such actions violated the Act and Rules
demonstrates a deliberate disregard for the Commission's
requirements and authority.  As such a proposed fine of
$15,000 is warranted in this case.

Lewis was given the customary 30 days from the November 26th
issuance of the Notice of Apparent Liability to pay or to
file an appeal.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC UPHOLDS $14000 FINE FOR SELLING NON
CERTIFIED GEAR

A California company has been dinged $14,000 by the FCC for
making and selling unauthorized radio gear.  Amateur Radio
Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details:

--

The FCC has issued a monetary forfeiture in the amount of
fourteen thousand dollars to Custom Interface Technologies,
a Division of Thornstar Corporation, in Joshua Tree,
California.  This for willfully and repeatedly violating
rules against manufacturing and marketing of unauthorized
radio frequency devices in the United States.

Back on November 17, 2011, the Enforcement Bureau's Los
Angeles Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture for fourteen thousand dollars to Custom Interface
Technologies for manufacturing and marketing uncertified
video assist transmitters.  In response to the proposed fine
Custom Interface Technologies, did not deny the violations,
but requested cancellation of the forfeiture based on its
inability to pay.

However in affirming the forfeiture amount the FCC says
while Custom Interface Technologies did provide the
Commission with three years of tax returns and a bank
statement to support its claim of an inability to pay, after
reviewing of these financial documents that the FCC says
that it declines to reduce the forfeiture amount and that
the $14,000 fine is warranted.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
in Los Angeles.

--

Custom Interface Technologies was given the customary 30
days from the November 13th release date of its order
affirming the fine to pay the amount in full.  If it fails
to do so the case may be referred to the U.S. Department of
Justice for enforcement of the forfeiture pursuant to
Section 504(a) of the Communications Act.  (FCC)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  BROADCASTERS AND DOD AGREE ON NEW SHARING OF
1755 TO 1780 MHZ

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and
Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg
Walden, W7EQI, say that they welcome the National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration's endorsement of an important agreement.
This between the Department of Defense and the National
Association of Broadcasters on the relocation of a parcel of
government spectrum to shared use.

The agreement was reached after bipartisan committee
leadership worked with the Department of Defense, the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
and the Federal Communications Commission.  It paves the way
for the Department of Defense to move systems out of the
1755 to 1780 MHz band by creating a sharing arrangement
between it and the broadcast community in the shared use of
the Broadcast Auxiliary Service. This spectrum is used by
news organizations to originate material such as breaking
news stories from outside of studio facilities.  More is on
the web at tinyurl.com/DOD-BROADCAST-SHARING.
(House Energy & Commerce Committee release)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  FCC CHAIRMAN ADDS FOUR TO HIS SENIOR
STAFF

Some names in the news. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has
announced four new members to his Senior Staff.  Those named
are Shannon Gilson, who comes on board as Communications
Director and Head of the Office of Media Relations; Jonathan
Chambers as Chief of the Office of Strategic Planning and
Policy Analysis; Gary Epstein, as Special Advisor to the
Chairman on Incentive Auctions and John Leibovitz who will
serve as a Special Advisor to the Chairman for Spectrum
Policy. (FCC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  VE3PU AND VE6NM INDUCTED TO THE CANADIAN
AMATEUR RADIO HALL OF FAME

The Board of Trustees of the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of
Fame has announced the induction of the late Ken Pulfer,
VE3PU, and the late Earle Smith, VE6NM, to the Hall of Fame
for 2013 year. The families of the two inductees will be
receiving this award in their loved ones honor in early
2014.  A summary of their contributions to amateur radio
will be published in an upcoming issue of "The Canadian
Amateur" magazine.  (VE7EF)

**

BREAK 2

With you every week, 52 weeks a year since 1977, 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)

**

D-STAR NEWS:  HF TESTING CONTINUES FROM NORTH AMERICA

Kent Hufford, KQ4KK, reports that the International D-STAR
HF Testing Net is continuing in North America with its just
issued winter schedule.  Net sponsors say that they
routinely have two way communications coast to coast, north
to south, and have had two way contacts to Europe and Japan.

The net is on each band only for 5 minutes and will spend
less time if a given band is dead.  The net also may need to
move early or if the frequency is busy.  It's also wise for
D-STAR operators to monitor reflector REF030C to coordinate.

Also, please keep an eye on hf.dstar-relay.net for the
latest information.  A video demonstration of how all this
comes together is on YouTube at tinyurl.com/DSTAR-ON-HF.
(KQ4KK, VHF Reflector)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS:  CALL FOR PAPERS AT THE 2014 SOUTH AFRICA
RTA SYMPOSIUM

The South African Radio League has put out a call for papers
to be presented at the Radio Technology in Action symposium
or to be included in the symposium CD.  The event is slated
for July of 2014 and if you have a subject that you would
like to present at the Radio Technology in Action please
send a synopsis by not later than December 15th to rta
(at)sarl.org.za.  Be sure to include your e-mail and other
contact details.  (SARL)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  MAVEN MISSION TO EXPLORE MARS PAST

A NASA spacecraft is headed toward Mars where its study of
the upper atmosphere of the Red Planet.  This in the hope of
finding out how what was ione believed to be a warm planet
became what it is today.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff
Clark, K8JAC, has the details:

--

The multi million dollar Mars Atmosphere and Volatile
Evolution or Maven mission began its 10-month voyage on
Monday, November 18th atop an Atlas Five launch vehicle from
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with the mission spacecraft
deploying 53 minutes after liftoff.  After separating from
the launch rocket, the mission spacecraft successfully set
out its solar arrays with radio telemetry showing that all
systems were reportedly functioning well early in into the
flight.  Maven is expected to arrive at Mars on September
22, 2014 after which it is expected to drop into an
elliptical orbit around the Red Planet flying between 78
miles and 3,900 miles above the planets surface.

Previous missions have found evidence that water once flowed
on the surface of Mars indicating conditions that would have
required a warmer, denser atmosphere than exists today.
Mars now is a cold, dry desert with a very thin atmosphere.
These are conditions under which liquid water would freeze
or evaporate.  Scientists want to know where the water and
gasses from Mars' early, thicker atmosphere went and they
hope that data radioed back from the Mars Atmosphere and
Volatile Evolution mission will provide an answer.

As an aside, maven is a Yiddish term meaning a
trusted expert in a particular field, who seeks to pass
knowledge on to others. It was derived from the Hebrew
language where it related to one who understands, based on
an accumulation of knowledge.  Kind of very apropos name for
this mission into Mars past.

I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC.

--

More is on the web at tinyurl.com/maven-to-mars.  (NASA,
Wikipedia)

**

ON THE AIR:  CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF SIR JAGADEESH CHANDRA
BOSE

On the air, keep an ear open for special event station
AU2JCB to be active through December 10th.  This is to
celebrate the 155th anniversary of the birth of Sir
Jagadeesh Chandra Bose.

Activity for this event will be on 80 through 6 meters SSB,
SSTV, PSK and FM.  If higher frequency bands are open,
operations will be on those as well.  The operator will be
VU2DSI.  QSL direct with 2 International Reply Coupons to
VU2DSI at his callbook address.

And as a historical note, Sir Jagadeesh Chandra Bose is
considered to be India's greatest scientist and inventor.
He is also considered to be India's "Father of Wireless
Communication."  More about his life and his work in
communications and other sciences can be found on
Wikipedia.com.   (Via e-mail)

**

DX


In DX two more operations have been approved by the ARRL
Awards desk for DXCC credit. These are the current 2013
through May 2014 operations of ZS8C and ZS8Z from Prince
Edward and Marion Islands.  If your request for DXCC credit
for these operations has been rejected in an earlier filing,
please contact Bill Moore, NC1L, at ARRL headquarters to be
placed on the list for an update to your record.  His e-mail
is bmoore (at) arrl (dot) org.

And less we forget to mention, Bill notes that two student
hams are expected to join this operation upon completion of
their licensing, which will make it four operators.  NC1L
says that he will update this approval when he has more
information.

SM6JBC and SM6GOR are on the air from Mauritius Island
signing as 3B8JB and 3B8 stroke SM6GOR, respectively.  They
will be there until December 16th. Activity is on 20 through
10 meters operating CW, SSB, PSK31 and PSK63. QSL via their
home callsigns.

F5AHO is operating stroke FR Reunion Island through December
4th.  Activity is on 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters using SSB and
the Digital modes. QSL via F5AHO, either direct or via the
bureau.

F6ICX is active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island and will be
there until December 15th.  Operations are holiday style
using CW, RTTY, and PSK63. QSL via his home callsign.

VK3XPT is operating from Raratonga and neighborinh islands
as E51XPT.  Hes on the air holiday style running only five
watts on 40, 20, and 10 meters. QSL only via his home call.

Lastly, OH6EI, will again show up from Aland Islands a OH0Z
on all bands. No exact dates or operational times were
given.  QSL via W0MM.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  CES FIVE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TO WATCH

And finally this week a look into this future.  This as the
Consumer Electronics Association releases the 2014 edition
of "Five Technology Trends to Watch." This is an annual
publication that examines five prominent technology
movements that will influence the consumer electronics
industry in the years ahead. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm
Seeley, KI7UP, takes a look at what lies ahead:

--

According to a press release, this year's "Five Technology
Trends to Watch" examines key developments from the Internet
to things like driverless cars, digital health care,
robotics to the future of video distribution and
consumption.

Geared toward industry professionals, the publication
provides in-depth analysis and outlines related issues and
market forecasts for the coming year.  Each section also
explores consumer perspectives, partnerships, key players
and public policy issues.  For example, a chapter titled "A
Hundred Billion Nodes" looks at how the Internet is using
the Web to "learn" consumer habits and needs.

The Consumer Electronics Association Senior Manager of
Business Intelligence is Jack Cutts.  He looks at where the
major auto makers are in testing and refining their
driverless vehicles.  He also expounds on the legal and
social implications of ceding the open road to science in
"On the Road to Driverless Cars."

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Norm Seeley, KI7UP,
watching emerging technology from Scottsdale, Arizona.

--

The publication was released during a panel discussion at
Consumer Electronics Association Industry Forum in Los
Angeles in October.  (RW)

**

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, TWiT-TV and Australia's WIA News, that's all from the
Amateur Radio NewslineT.  Our e-mail address is newsline
(at) arnewsline (dot) org.  More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at
www.arnewsline.org.  You can also write to us or support us
at Amateur Radio NewslineT, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa
Clarita California, 91350

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk,
I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW, wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving
holiday from the Amateur Radio Newsline.  And as always, 73
and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2013.  All rights
reserved.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1893 - November 22 2013

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1893 with a release
date of November 22 2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio emergency
communications efforts continue in the Philippines; Amateur
Radio responds to mid-west tornado outbreak; the ARRL files
symbol rate petition with the FCC; the International Space
Station celebrates 15 years on-orbit; Wake Island
commemorative operation ends with over 100,000 contacts and
a mega launch puts 29 new satellites on-orbit.  Find out the
details are on Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1893
coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)


**

RESCUE RADIO FOLLOW-UP: ITU DEPLOYS TO THE PHILIPPINES

Post typhoon rescue radio efforts continue in the
Philippines.  We get the latest from Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF:

--

One of the most powerful storms ever recorded hit the
central Philippines on November 8 with 314-km/ hour winds
that killed about 4,000 people, swept away coastal villages
and devastated main cities.

The Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) and its Ham
Emergency Radio Operation (HERO) network continue to provide
emergency communications, although some communications and
limited power have recently been restored in many disaster
areas.

HERO stations have worked with authorities including the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the
National Telecommunications Commission, local communities
and non-government organizations.

Ramon Anquilan DU1UGZ, Vice Chief Operating Officer of PARA,
reports that many are active throughout the archipelago
including in most typhoon disaster areas.

The news media has taken interest with Ramon DU1UGZ being
interviewed, including twice on the BBC and also a US
network. Nathan DU5AOK in Tacloban and Ramon have also been
on radio station DZBB interviewed by the program anchor Kiko
Flores.

In one interview Ramon DU1UGZ told how people queued up at a
HERO station to get their health and welfare messages out.
He knew that amateur radio emergency communications were
effective, and the
results saw many "tearful moments" when the messages got
through.
Ramon DU1UGZ said that a group from Don Bosco Technical
College Manila including a radio amateur Rey DV1DWJ has
reached Borongan and the HERO station of Lester DV5PO.

With them was fuel for a generator and he assisted them to
set up an
HF station.

On the Cebu side, Paul Kelly who is a retired US Colnel with
the call DU7/N1PK is assisting the Don Bosco effort.

PARA Chief Financial Officer, Jojo DU1VHY is a Don Bosco
alumni and
coordinating its involvement.

In other reports another group, FARE-8 of Dipolog City with
Roy Garbonera DV8BQI is on a relief mission in Cebu. Roy has
roots there and will be on HF.

In coming days the CARL club relief effort headed by Sidney
Tan, DW7EEE, will join ham club RECON MACE in the
Municipality of Daanbantayan, at the northern part of Cebu
Island.

RECON MACE is assisting a French medical mission at Santa Fe
Bantayan Island. A French ham operator Denis Ramelet F5PXF
has asked PARA to monitor and assist medical teams, on Santa
Fe Island in Bantayan.

Ramon DU1UGZ said the relief operators for Tacloban have
arrived and backed up Nathan DU5AOK who had been the HERO
signal in the town.

With thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC for the information in this
report
I'm Jim Meachen, in Nelson, New Zealand for the Amateur
Radio Newsline.

--

The International Telecommunications Union headquartered in
Geneva, Switzerland, has sent assistance in the form of
satellite communications equipment to the areas ravaged by
Typhoon Haiyan.  Also, some hams have asked how to directly
aid their counterparts in the Philippines.  You can find
that information on the web para.org.ph  (VK3PC, PARA,
GB2RS)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS RESPOND TO MIDWEST TORNADOES

At least eight people are dead after a particularly
dangerous tornado situation unfolded across the Midwest
Sunday, November 17th.  The late-season, outbreak of
tornadoes and high winds killed six people in Illinois, two
in Michigan and injured hundreds of others.  Amateur Radio
Newsline welcomes our newest reporter Hal Rogers, K8CMD, who
has this report:

--

According to the ARRL Peoria County ARES Emergency
Coordinator Fritz Bock, WD9FMB, ham radio responded with a
team of volunteers to a Central Illinois Division Red Cross.
This after receiving a request for emergency communication
support between various locations in Washington, Illinois.
Washington is a town of approximately 11,000 people and news
reports say that it is among the hardest hit by the storms
with many  injuries having taken place there.

Communication support was provided between the American Red
Cross offices in Peoria, a Methodist Church and the Tazewell
County Emergency Operations Center.  To the credit of the
hams that installed and maintain them, VHF and UHF FM
systems remained operational for all of the required
communications paths.

Even the broadcast media was affected by the severe weather
outbreak.  A tornado tearing through East Peoria put two
anchors for WEEK off the air after the twister hit part of
the station's property.  At the time the stations
Meteorologists were giving viewers on-air updates about an
approaching tornado when they said they heard something.
They scrambled for shelter at about11:00 a.m., leaving the
anchor desk while the station went to a break.  It was later
reported that the facility suffered some slight roof damage
and some power hits that took it off air for a few minutes.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn told reporters today that the
storms destroyed or badly damaged upward of 400 homes in
Washington, Illinois.  The storms also affected Michigan,
Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.  Seven Illinois counties,
including Peoria and Tazewell, have been declared disaster
areas.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Hal Rogers, K8CMD, in
Prama, Ohio.

--

In Indiana it was a similar situation as we hear from
Amateur Radio Newsline's Jack Parker, W8ISH:

--

As the multiple storm cells left Illinois they began to pick
up strength from afternoon heating. At last count 24
confirmed tornadoes raced across the Indiana landscape
leaving massive damage in it's wake. Vincinnes, Indiana
experienced an EF2 tornado that was a hundred yards wide and
traveled more than 19 miles.
Amateur Radio storm spotters from Evansville to the
southwest up through Marion, Indiana to the northeast
reported funnel clouds and strong winds along the way. EF2
torndoes caused damage in Lafayette, Lebanon, Bedford and
numerous Indiana cities. An EF3 tornado devastated Dayton,
Indiana just west of Kokomo.
The National Weather Service says the Sunday November 17th,
outbreak is the third largest such outbreak in one day, in
state history. Local, county and state officials credited
the National Weather Service and Amateur Radio weather
spotters for the advanced warnings as the storms raced
across the state at 45 miles per hour.
At last report no Amateur Radio Operators were involved with
emergency communications following the storms. Thanks to
their efforts and the National Weather Service there were no
deaths reported in Indiana.
Reporting for Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Jack Parker
W8ISH.
--

The storm system eventually moved off shore into the
Atlantic, but part of the East Coast experienced heavy winds
and rain from its remnants.

(W8ISH, ARRL, RW, WEEK-TV, others)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ISS CELEBRATES ITS 15th BIRTHDAY

The International Space Station celebrated its 15th birthday
on Wednesday, November 20th.  This marking the day in 1998
when a rocket lifted to orbit the first piece of what is now
the largest man made structure ever built in space.

The International Space Station began construction with the
arrival on-orbit of the Russian built Zarya Module.  This
lead to the ongoing international mission to build the
orbital outpost one piece at a time.

Today, the I-S-S is about the size of a football field with
roughly the same amount of livable space as a six-bedroom
house.  Amateur Radio became a part of the Space Station two
weeks after the first two licensed ham radio operators took
up residence in it on Expedition One.  Since then hams have
taken part in all 38 expeditions to this point.

Five different space agencies representing fifteen countries
have contributed to construction of the $100 billion orbital
outpost.
(ARNewsline from published news reports)

**

BREAK 1

Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world
including the WA0FYA Zero Beaters Amateur Radio Club net
serving Dutzow and Washington, Missouri.

(5 sec pause here)


**

FCC NEWS:  MAJOR CHANGE COMING TO FCC LEADERSHIP

A major leadership change is coming to Homeland Security at
the FCC.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with
the details:

--

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced a major change in
leadership at the commission.  Wheeler intends to name Rear
Admiral David Simpson as Chief of the FCC's Public Safety
and Homeland Security Bureau, which oversees emergency
alerting.

According to the FCC, Admiral Simpson has more than 20 years
of information and communications technology experience
supporting the Department of Defense.  He has also worked
closely with other agencies to provide secure communication
services and improve cyber defense readiness.  Most recently
he served as the vice director of the Defense Information
Systems Agency.  He was also a senior delegate to the 2012
World Radio Telecommunications Conference.  From 2009
through 2010 Admiral Simpson was the Director for
Communications and Information Services for U.S. Forces Iraq
in Baghdad.  There he synchronized strategic and operational-
level communications for U.S. forces and helped the Iraq
government build capacity for the information and
communications technology sector.

David Turetsky, who had been leading the bureau, will now
take on a new role as coordinator of the agency's informal
task force on the FCC response to international disasters
such as Typhoon Haiyan.  In this new capacity he will be
drawing from his experience handling domestic United States
disaster response.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
in Los Angeles.

--

As we go to air, the effective date for this change has not
been announced.  (FCC, RW)

**

RADIO RULES:  ARRL FILES SYMBOL RATE PETITION WITH FCC

The ARRL has asked the FCC for a rules change to delete the
current symbol rate limit in part 97.307(f) of the Amateur
Service rules.  In its place the League wants the regulatory
agency to replace it with a maximum bandwidth for data
emissions of 2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz.

According to the League's petition, the changes proposed
would relieve the United States Amateur service of what ARRL
terms as outdated, 1980s era restrictions that presently
hamper or preclude experimentation with modern high
frequency and other data transmission protocols.  The
proposed rule changes would also permit greater flexibility
in the choice of data emissions.

Current FCC rules limit digital data emissions below 28 MHz
to 300 baud, and between 28 and 28.3 MHz to 1200 baud.  The
petition notes that transmission protocols are available and
in active use in other radio services in which the symbol
rate exceeds the present limitations in part 97 but the
necessary bandwidths of those protocols are within the
bandwidth of a typical High Frequency 3 KHz single sideband
transmission.

Symbol rate represents the number of times per second that a
change of state occurs, and should not be confused with data
or bit rate.  The two are separate and distinct entities.

The ARRL petition was filed November 15th.  The FCC has not
yet assigned an Rule Making number nor has it put the
petition on public notice.  As such, at this point there is
no way for the ham radio community to file comments until
that happens.  (ARRL)

**

HAM HISTORY:  WAKE ISLAND K9W OPERATION CONCLUDES WITH OVER
100,000 CONTACTS

The long awaited K9W Wake Atoll Commemorative DXpedition is
now a part of ham radio history.  The operators went QRT on
Friday, November 15th, local Wake Island Time.  During their
operation the operators put over 100,000 QSOs from 186
discrete DXCC entities in their logbook.  The K9W operators
say that they are grateful for the opportunity to have
honored the Forgotten 98 during our DXpedition.  For more
details on this historic operation along with QSL routing
and any further updates please visit the K9W Web page at
www.wake2013.org.  (WAKE 2013)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  ANOTHER FLORIDA UNLICENSED STATION HAS BEEN
TAKEN OFF THE AIR

The Pinellas Park Police Department Community Redevelopment
Area Policing Unit teamed with investigators from the FCC
has busted an unlicensed broadcaster.  One that was within
the city limits of the city of Pinellas Park, Florida.

On November 15th investigators determined that Joseph
Kervenson of Kenneth City was listed as the Chief Executive
Officer of the unlicensed radio station using the call
letters of WKMJ.  The unlicensed station was operating on
102.1 MHz in the FM broadcast band.

During the investigation officers seized the stations
transmitter and antenna.  Kervenson was charged with
unauthorized transmissions to, or interference with, a
public or commercial radio station licensed by the FCC.
This is 3rd degree felony under Florida state law FSS
877.27.  He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail with
bail set at $5,000.  He has since been released on bond.
(KB5TJI, tbnweekly.com)

**

COMMUNITY SERVICE: HAMS NEEDED FOR SUTTON MA CHAIN OF LIGHTS

Ham radio communicators are being sought for the
Massachusetts Sutton Chain of lights festival.  This event
takes place each year the 1st weekend of December, which
this year is the 7th.  The festival uses Trolleys to
transport people from one site to another. There will be
about 9 such Trolleys, which means that at least 10
operators, to run this event.  If you live in the Boston
area or are planning to be there on December 7th and want to
volunteer your services, please e-mail ka1otq (at) arrl
(dot) net.  More information about the event is on-line at
tinyurl.com/sutton-lights-2013  (KA1OTQ)

**

EDUCATION:  QCWA BOARD APPROVES 14 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR
2014

The Quarter Centaury Wireless Association's Board of
Directors has announced the approval of 14 scholarship
awards in the amount of $20,000 to be issued in 2014.  The
QCWA Scholarship Program is administered by Foundation for
Amateur Radio, and all applications for scholarship awards
must be sent to them at FAR Scholarships, P. O. Box 911,
Columbia, Maryland, 21044.

Since 1978, some 397 recipients have received over $396,850
in scholarship awards through the QCWA Scholarship Award
Program.  More information can be found on the Foundation
for Amateur Radio website at www.farweb.org/2013-scholarship-
application. (VE6AFO, QCWA)

**

ON THE WEB:  DECEMBER 2013 K9YA TELEGRAPH NOW AVAILABLE

The December 2013 issue of the K9YA Telegraph now available.
This is a free, general interest monthly amateur radio
electronic magazine delivered as a full-color PDF file.
This latest issue contains a number of interesting items
including Part 2 of an article on International Law and Ham
Radio authored by Philip Cala-Lazar, K9PL.  To check out
sample issues, subscribe or write an article, visit the K9YA
Telegraph Web site at www.k9ya.org.  (K9YA.org)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  K4AC ELECTED NEW ARRL SOUTHEASTERN
DIRECTOR

The ARRL Southeastern Division will have a new director come
next January 1st.  This after ballots counted on November
18th showed that challenger Doug Rehman, K4AC, of Mt Dora,
Florida, narrowly defeated incumbent Director Greg Sarratt,
W4OZK, of Huntsville, Alabama.  This, by a vote of 961 to
949.  Rehman was among challengers who ran against Sarratt
in 2010.  W4OZK has served as a Director since 2007.

There will be no change in the Southeastern Division Vice
Director position.  There, incumbent Jim Millsap, WB4NWS,
handily outpolled challenger George Hawrysko, K4AWA by a
vote of 1429 to 467 votes.  Millsap, of Acworth, Georgia,
was appointed in 2012 to complete the term of Andrea
Hartlage, KG4IUM, who resigned when she moved out of the
Southeastern Division.  (ARRL Bulletin)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  N8SY NAMED NEW OHIO SM EFFECTIVE JANUARY
1 2014

Scott Yonally, N8SY, of Mansfield, Ohio has been named to
replace Frank Piper, KI8GW, as Ohio Section Manager
effective on January 1st.  Yonally holds appointments as an
Official Relay Station.  He is also an Official Emergency
Station and previously served as Public Information
Coordinator and District Emergency Coordinator within the
Ohio Field Organization.  Piper, who has served as the Ohio
Section Manager since 2009 cited increased job and family
commitments as his reason to stand down.  (ARRL)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  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)

**

WORKDBEAT:  DUTCH TELECOM SAYS BIG INSTANT FINES FOR FM
PIRATES

The telecommunications regulator in Holland has said its
going to get  tough with pirate radio broadcast and will be
hitting them hard where it hurts the most.  In their
wallets.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB,
has the details:

--

The Netherlands telecommunications regulator Agentschap
Telecom says it will no longer simply warn those involved in
illegal radio broadcasts but will immediately issue heavy
monetary fines.  The penalty applies to all illegal FM
broadcasts and can cost wrongdoers as much as 60,000 U-S
dollars.

Up to now, owners of land or buildings where an antenna
system is located have received an initial warning letter
asking them to stop the illegal broadcasts.  A fine was
imposed only if it appeared that the station was still in
operation after that warning letter was received.

Under the agency's new policy offenders will get an instant
fine.  This applies to all involved including the property
owner or tenant where the transmitter is situated, as well
as the broadcast operators themselves.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB,
reporting.

--

This action comes after the Dutch Telecommunications Agency
revealed that it receives about 1200 complaints each year of
interference caused by pirate radio operations.  (RW via
Radio NL/Novum)

**

RADIO LAW:  WORKSHOP HELD IN THE SOUTH SUDAN

An IARU Region 1 sponsored Radio Spectrum and Regulatory
Workshop held with the South Sudan administration on
November 15th.  Its purpose is to assist the administration
with the implementation of amateur radio in that nation.

The workshop took place on the compound of the European
Union in Juba the capital of South Sudan.  Most of the 21
participants work for the South Sudanese Radio
Communications Agency, while others represented the Ministry
of the Interior.

The objectives of this workshop were, among other things, to
educate regulators on the creation of their own amateur and
amateur-satellite services; to assist the administration on
creation of amateur-radio regulations and the related
national frequency allocation table and to discuss the
amateur radio's benefits for the nations society.

South Sudan became an independent country in 2011.
Currently amateur radio is allowed only on a provisional
basis.  There are two resident foreign amateurs who received
full amateur privileges.  Since 2011 only one DXpedition was
active from South Sudan.

The workshop was part of a goodwill project in cooperation
with Radio Arcala, DX University, the YASME Foundation, Rock
City Investments Co, Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd of Japan and the
European DX Foundation.  You can read more at
tinyurl.com/south-sudan-ham-radio-meeting.  (Southgate, IARU-
R1)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  MEGA SATELLITE LAUNCH PUTS 29 NEW BIRDS
ON ORBIT

A large number of CubeSats carrying amateur radio payloads
were launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in
Virginia.  The launch occurred at 01:15 UTC on November 19th
using an Orbital Sciences Minotaur One that carried among
its payloads a high school student-built satellite.

Designated as JT3sat it was designed, constructed and tested
by students at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science
and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia. This is the first
time ever that a satellite designed and built by high school
students has been launched into Earth orbit.

In all, there were twenty-nine satellites were on the launch
vehicle of which a dozen operate on Amateur Satellite
Service frequencies.  Radio amateurs from around the world
have reported receiving signals from many of the satellites.
For the latest news on all the new birds check the DK3WN
satellite blog www.dk3wn.info.  (Southgate, Space.com, Yahoo
News, other published reports.)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  FUNCUBE ON ORBIT

Another ham radio bird now on-orbit is the United Kingdom's
FUNcube,  This is an educational project with the goal of
getting young people interested in radio, space, physics and
electronics.  Its launch was to take place on November 21st
at 07.10 GMT.  (RSGB)

**

ON THE AIR

On the air, keep an ear open for special event station
DB50FIRAC.  It will be active between January 1st and
December 31st of 2014.  Its purpose is to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of Federation Internationale des Radio Amateurs
Cheminots. QSL via the bureau or electronically using
Logbook to the World or eQSL.  (Via e-mail)


**

DX

DC0KK will be on the air from Sri Lanka as 4S7KKG between
through April 15th, 2014.   His activity will be mainly on
CW and the Digital modes.  QSL via DC0KK direct, via the
bureau or electronically using Logbook to the World on
request.  All paper QSLs for will be sent via the bureau.

F6ICX is reportedly active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island
until December 15th. His operation is holiday style
operating CW, RTTY, and PSK63 on for 20 through 10 meters.
QSL via his home callsign as listed on QRZ.com.

EA5FL, EA5DY, EA5GVZ and EC5JC will activate special event
station EG5MM on December 11th.  This in celebration of
International Mountain Day.  QSL via EA5FL.

PU5IKE will be operational as ZW5AAA from Remedios Island
between December 7th and 8th.  This will be a 10 meters SSB
only operation.  QSL via PU5IKE direct with a self addressed
stamped envelope, via the bureau or electronically using
Logbook of the World or eQSL.  QSLs from SWLs are also
welcome.

DL3DXX will be active from Namibia December 24 through
January 8, 2014 signing stroke V5. He will be operational on
most of the High Frequency bands though modes and times were
not announced.  QSL via DJ2HD

Lastly, F5TLN, who is currently operational stroke OD5 from
Lebanon reports that he will be there until April 2014.  His
activity has been mainly on 15 meter SSB.  QSL direct only
via his home callsign.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER TO BE U.S. TALLEST
BUILDING

And finally this week, a decision has been made that will
give New York City the honor of hosting the tallest building
in the United States.  This after it was decided that it's
very top is not just an antenna support.  Amateur Radio
Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, reports:

--

We don't know if there will ever be a ham radio repeater
located at the still under construction One World Trade
Center in New York City, but it will be the nation's tallest
building when it opens next year.  This according to a
decision by the Chicago based Council on Tall Buildings and
Urban Habitat which said that its decision hinged on whether
the tower's mast was a spire, which counts in height
measurements, or an antenna, which doesn't.

Anthony Wood is the executive director of the architectural
evaluation group.  In issuing the decision he said that even
though the cladding was taken off the new buildings spire,
one can still see that it is an architectural element and
not just a plain steel mast from which to hang antenna or
satellite dishes.

Currently Chicago's Willis Tower, which used to be known as
the Sears Tower is considered as the tallest building in the
United States.  Completed in 1974 it was once the world's
tallest building at 1,451 feet tall.  That was eclipsed when
Dubai opened its Burj Khalifa which stands at 2,717 feet
tall.  One World Trade Center is height locked in at a
symbolic 1,776 feet high.

While its management of One World Trade Center hopes to lure
many of the broadcasters that moved back to other sites
after the 9/11 al-Quida terror attack that felled the
original World Trade Center twin towers, so far no major
entity has made up its mind on such a move.  Each site has
its own advantages and disadvantages so it is not simply a
technical, business or operational choice but a combination
of the three.  Add to that the long-term leases at current
broadcast sites such as the Empire State Building, the costs
involved in such a move along with uncertainty over the
FCC's repacking of the television band and it's easy to
understand why many are reticent to commit to such a
transmitter relocation.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in
Zion, Illinois.

--

One World Trade Center was initially developed by
Silverstein Properties and taken over by the Port Authority
of New York and New Jersey in April 2006.  The 104 story
building will feature a grand lobby an observation deck with
views of the entire metro-area and the spire that's capable
of being used as an antenna structure for those who so
desire.  (Published News Reports)

**

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, TWiT-TV and Australia's WIA News, that's all from the
Amateur Radio NewslineT.  Our e-mail address is newsline
(at) arnewsline (dot) org.  More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at
www.arnewsline.org.  You can also write to us or support us
at Amateur Radio NewslineT, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa
Clarita California, 91350

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk,
I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for
listening.

Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2013.  All rights
reserved.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1891 - November 8 2013

Please note that this is an extended Amateur Radio Newsline
and includes three breaks.  Thank you.

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1891 with a release
date of November 8th 2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST.  AMSAT North America celebrates 30
years of manned ham radio in space; all hams in New Zealand
will soon have access to 6 meters; Oregon's Office of
Emergency Management says it needs more ham radio volunteers
and the FCC acts to stop abuse of EAS alert tones.  All this
and more on Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1891
coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)


**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AMSAT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF MANNED HAM
RADIO IN SPACE

The weekend of November 1st to the 3rd was very special for
AMSAT North America.  Not only was it the organizations 31st
Space Symposium and Annual Meeting, but also a very special
celebration of a giant step by ham radio as it crossed into
the final frontier.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the rest of the story:

--

The weekend gathering in Houston, Texas, marked AMSAT's
celebration of the 30th anniversary of amateur radio
involvement in human space flight.  It also told the story
of its evolution into a successful program on board the
International Space Station which is known as today as
ARISS.

But to tell the story we must step back three decades.  It
was in November of 1982 when then Astronaut Owen Garriott,
W5LFL became the first ham radio operator to use amateur
radio to communicate from a spacecraft in Earth orbit.  It
was also the first time that anyone on mother Earth who held
a ham radio license got to speak with an astronaut on-orbit.
As such it was an event that changed the face of ham radio
forever.  If you weren't there, this is what that first QSO
from space sounded like:

--

Actual 1st QSO between W5LFL on the space shuttle Columbia
and WA1JFN in Frenchtown, Montana from the video "Amateur
Radio's Newest Frontier."  (Note QSO was time compressed.)

--

That was shuttle flight STS-9.  From that initial contact
evolved the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment or SAREX
program with its 25 space to schoolroom contacts.  That
later grew into today's ARISS: Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station.  And in an interview on NASA
television, AMSAT's Vice President for Human Spaceflight
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, told NASA Public Affairs Officer Kelly
Humphries just how far the program has come since the ARISS
ham station took to the air:

--

KA3HDO:  "In 1996 we started the ARISS program; Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station and that program
has been going very well on the space station.  We turned on
the radio system two weeks after Bill McArthur and Sergi
Krikalev got into the module on Space Station and we have
been operating since on all 37 expeditions at this point."

--

According to Bauer, using ARISS as a way to educate is very
important to everyone involved:

--

KA3HDO:  "It's all about education.  It's to get students
interested in STEM careers; science, technology, engineering
and math.  We go beyond just inspiring into engaging the
students and educating the students.   Ultimately that's our
goals and objectives of the program."

--

These days there are about 100 ARISS school contacts made
world-wide every year.  There are also the experiments with
Packet Radio, Fast Scan and Slow Scan television plus the
casual operations from orbit by some licensed crew members.
When added together you come away with a ham radio in space
program that cannot be duplicated by any other all volunteer
radio service.  And now at age 30, manned ham radio in space
is not only alive and vital, but through ARISS, it's going
strong.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
in the newsroom in Los Angeles.

--

Another part of the celebration was a panel presentation
hosted by KA3HDO and included discussions with retired NASA
Astronaut's Owen Garriott, W5LFL, and Bill McArthur, KC5ACR.

And less we forget, you can see and hear the complete
interview with Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, and NASA's Kelly
Humphries on the web.  It's at tinyurl.com/thirty-years-in-
space.

(ARNewsline archive, NASA, AMSAT-NA, ANS)

**

RADIO IN SPACE:  INDIA LAUNCHES ITS FIRST MARS PROBE

India's first-ever mission to Mars launched into space on
Tuesday, November 5th.  India's Mars Orbiter
Mission rocketed into space at 09:08 GMT from the Indian
Space Research Organization's Space Centre.  If all goes as
planned it will arrive at the red planet on September  24,
2014, making India the fourth country to successfully
deliver a spacecraft to orbit Mars.  (Space)

**

RESTRUCTURING:  CLOSING OF CHANNEL 1 TV BRINGS 6 METERS TO
ALL NEW ZEALAND HAMS

With the imminent departure of television transmission from
New Zealand TV channel 1, hams throughout that nation will
have access to the lower Megahertz of 6 meters as we hear
from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF:

--

The last Channel 1 Television transmitter in New Zealand is
due to close down at the end of November.  And now
telecommunications regulator Radio Spectrum Management has
announced that as of December 6th that hams throughout the
nation will have access from 50 to 51 MHz without needing to
apply for a permit.

The actual allocation which is called a management right
under which the channel 1 television transmitters operated
does not expire until August 2015.  Therefore 50 to 51 MHz
can not appear on the  Amateur General User Radio License
until after this date.

To get around this, Radio Spectrum Management is putting in
place a footnote called license No 4122.  It simply says
that those who hold a New Zealand General Amateur Operators
Certificate of Competency and a callsign issued pursuant to
the Radiocommunications Regulations of 2001 may operate an
amateur radio station under this new grant.  The power limit
will be 1 kilowatt to bring it into line with the power on
the nations General User Radio License for Amateur
Operators.  When the actual Management Right expires on
August 30th of 2015, 50 to 51 MHz will be added to the New
Zealand General User Radio License for Amateur Operators.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, down-
under in Nelson, New Zealand.

--

This long sought after change comes just in time for the
annual New Zealand VHF/UHF and Super High Frequency Field
Day Contest slated for December 7th and 8th, local time.
(NZART)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  OREGON OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SEEKING
MORE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS

A recent simulated emergency test in Oregon has pointed out
a need for more ham radio communications volunteers in that
state.

The scenario of the event centered around the simulated
hacking on the electric power grid that in turn cut off both
telephone and internet access.  As such the test planners
had identified amateur radio as the fallback method
of communication.

While the exercise was considered a success, it also pointed
out one of the current vulnerabilities.  That being a lack
of qualified amateur radio operators east of the Cascade
Mountain range.

While the state has about 700 licensed volunteer ham radio
operators to help run the emergency communications system,
most are in Western Oregon.  Morrow, Grant and Jefferson
counties have no volunteers.  Other counties have as few
as 1.  So the bottom line is that more emergency
communications trained amateur radio volunteers are needed
in the eastern part of the state.

More on this story is at tinyurl.com/oregon-needs-emcomm-
hams.  (OPB)

**

DX UP FRONT:  MYANMAR NOVEMBER 15 TO THE 26

Some breaking DX news.  Word that JH1AJT and an
international group of 10 other operators will be on air
from Myanmar from November 15th to the 26th.  This will be
the third and final operation for 2013 from X-Z land.  As we
go to air the proposed call sign is X-Zed-1-J and plans are
to set up three to four stations, running 24 hours a day, 7
days a week on 160 through 10 meters.  Modes will likely be
CW, SSB and RTTY with QSL's preferably going via OQRS.
(XZ1J Team)

**

DX UP FRONT:  YEMEN AND AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR
DXCC CREDIT

And word from ARRL Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore NC1L,
that several operations have been approved for DXCC credit.
These are Yemen 2013 using the call 7-Oh-2-A and the 2012
and 2013 operations from Afghanistan as T-6-M-H.  Also
approved has been the current T-6-S-M Afghanistan operation
that began on August 14, 2012.

If anyone had this contact rejected in a recent submission,
please send an e-mail to bmoore (at) arrl (dot) org to be
placed on the list for an update to your record.  Please be
sure to note the submission date to help expedite the search
for any given QSO.  And we will have more DX news for you
near the end of this weeks newscast.  (ARRL, OPDX)

**

BREAK 1

Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world
including the W0ILO repeater serving Fargo, North Dakota.

(5 sec pause here)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC SAYS FLUORESCENT LIGHTING JAMMING
CELLPHONE SITE

The FCC has issued a violation notice to a Texas business
because it's new lighting is interfering with a cellular
telephone site.  Skeeter Nash is near Houston with more:

--

It doesn't happen very often but the FCC has issued an
official Citation and Order for violation of Section 15.5(b)
of the Commission's regulations governing what are called
Incidental Radiators.  In this case the recipient is Ronald
Bethany doing business as Perfect Cuts Salon in San Antonio,
Texas, who is being cited for operating incidental radiators
and causing harmful interference to a cellular telephone
system.

This past July 24th the FCC's Houston Office used direction
finding techniques to locate the source of an unknown
transmissions on 705 MHz to the Perfect Cuts Salon.  The
agent confirmed that the interfering signal was coming from
the overhead fluorescent lighting in the salon.

The agent then interviewed Bethany who is the owner of the
salon.  He reportedly stated that representatives of AT&T
had conducted on and off testing of the lighting in the
salon and confirmed that the interior fluorescent fixtures
were the source of interference to a cell site located next
door. Bethany further stated that he had unsuccessfully
asked General Electric, the manufacturer of the fluorescent
lighting, to replace the lighting.

The FCC says that Bethany would not cooperate, so the agent
from the Houston Office was unable to conduct his own on/off
testing of the lighting in the salon. The agent verbally
warned Bethany that he must repair or replace the lighting
fixtures to resolve the interference.

On July 31, the agent spoke by telephone with Bethany, who
stated that the lighting was not causing him any problems
and that he saw no reason to repair or replace them unless
he was paid to do so. The agent reiterated to Bethany that
he must resolve the interference or be in violation of the
FCC's rules. As of the October 25th release date of the
Citation AT&T continues to report receiving interference at
its cell site next door to Mr. Bethany's salon.

Now, based on the evidence it has on hand the FCC has found
that Ronald Bethany is in violation Of Section 15.5(b) of
its Rules by operating incidental radiators and causing
harmful interference.  It has directed him to cease
operation of the incidental radiators immediately.  Or in
simpler terms, it basically told him to turn off the lights
until the interference can be resolved.

From near Houstron Texas, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.

--

Bethany and Perfect Cuts were given the normal time to
respond and take corrective measures or face further
enforcement action.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ACTS TO STOP USE OF FALSE EMERGENCY ALERT
SOUNDS

Responding to a growing number of consumer complaints that
TV and radio commercials are misusing the Emergency Alert
System or E-A-S sounds the FCC's Enforcement Bureau has
taken action to stop the practice immediately.  This is
according to Robert H. Ratcliffe who is the Acting Chief of
the FCC's Enforcement Bureau.

In a press statement, Ratcliffe said that it is inexcusable
to trivialize the sounds specifically used to notify viewers
of the dangers of an incoming tornado or to alert them to be
on the lookout for a kidnapped child, merely to advertise a
talk show or a clothing store.  This activity not only
undermines the very purpose of a unique set of emergency
alert signals, but is a clear violation of the law.

Caught by FCC Enforcement is Turner Broadcasting.  It has
been issued a $25,000 Notice of Apparent Liability for using
simulated E-A-S tones to promote its Conan O'Brian Show.

The FCC also reached a resolution with MMK License LLC which
owns WNKY - DT in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  In that case the
complaint alleged misuse of a simulated EAS Attention Signal
in an advertisement for "The Fan Wear and More Store."
Settling that case cost MMK a $39,000 voluntary contribution
to the U.S. Treasury in the form of a Consent Decree.

The Enforcement Bureau has also issued an advisory to
address growing concern about the misuse of these sounds to
capture audience attention during advertisements and at
other times when there is no emergency or scheduled E-A-S
test.  The warning reemphasizes the wide-ranging and long-
standing ban on such abuses and the potential for sanctions
in the case of violations.  More on this E-A-S enforcement
action is on the web in PDF format at tinyurl.com/dont-
misuse-eas-tones.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  ALASKA CB OPERATOR FINED $500 FOR USING LINEAR
AMP

The FCC has fined Glenn S. Yamada, of Kenai, Alaska, $500
for what the agency terms as his willful and repeated
operation of a non certificated Class D CB transmitter and a
linear amplifier.  This in direct violation of its Part 95
Citizens Radio Service rules.

On July 18, 2012, the Enforcement Bureau's Anchorage
Resident Agent Office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability
in the amount of $12,500 to Yamada for operating a non-
certificated CB transmitter with a radio frequency linear
amplifier which voided his authority to operate his CB
station.   In response to that notice, Yamada did not deny
the violations, but stated that he had not intend to violate
the Communications Act or the FCC Rules and that he is
unable to pay that high an amount.  He also provided the
necessary documentation to prove his claim.

In issuing its final ruling on October 30th, the FCC said
that based on financial documents Yamada provided that it
found there is sufficient basis to reduce the fine to $500.
And as is customary, it gave Yamada 30 days to pay the
amount in full or to arrange making full payment over time
under an installment plan.  If he fails to do one or the
other the case can be turned over to the Department of
Justice for further enforcement action.  The complete text
of the Forfeiture Order is on the web in P-D-F format at
tinyurl.com/alaska-cb-fine  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC UPHOLDS FINE AGAINST CONSUMER TRANSMITTER
MANUFACTURER

The FCC affirmed an earlier decision to fine Hong Kong based
Richfield Electronics $18,000 for marketing wireless radio
gear in the United States that does not comply with its
technical and labeling requirements.

Richfield received FCC certification for its 106.7 to 107.9
Whole House FM Transmitter in 2002, but later modified it to
improve sound quality.  The modification made it
noncompliant with the FCC's rules.  The Enforcement Bureau
originally proposed the penalty in 2009.

In its response to the proposed fine, Richfield told the FCC
it didn't know exactly how many of the noncompliant devices
the company had shipped to the United States, but conceded
it had shipped at least 2,500 transmitters that had the
modified antenna. The FCC believes the number of
noncompliant devices made and sold was significantly higher
than Richfield acknowledges.

Richfield asked for the fine to be cancelled, alleging that
TAW asked Richfield to make the devices based on that
company's designs and therefore TAW and not Richfield was
responsible for violating the FCC's rules.  However the
commission says Richfield did manufacturer and market
unauthorized FM transmitters in the U.S.

Richfield also asked for the fine to be cancelled because it
was unfamiliar with the FCC's labeling requirements.  The
FCC says lack of knowledge of its rules does not let a
company off the hook and the agency upheld the fine.  (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC RELEASES AM REVITALIZATION PROPOSAL

The FCC has released its AM revitalization proposal as a
Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MB Docket 13-249.  Its
contents include an exclusive FM translator filing window
for AM stations, changes in community of license coverage
standards, the end of the so called AM "ratchet rule," wider
implementation of modulation-dependent carrier level control
standards, and changes in AM antenna efficiency standards.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the
details:

--

The FCC revitalization plan has many facets.  The proposed
translator filing window would allow AM stations one chance
at a single FM translator within the stations AM daytime
signal coverage contour.  It would be permanently linked to
the AM so that it may only be sold or transferred with the
underlying AM license and not by itself.

The change in community of license coverage would reduce the
requirement from 100% daytime and 80% nightime to 50%
daytime and night coverage within the 60 dBu contour.  This
is the same as it is for noncommercial educational FM
stations.

The proposal would also do away with the so-called "ratchet
rule."  This is the nighttime skywave protection requirement
that result in new stations or those moving their
transmitter sites having to reduce power or go directional
and thereby reducing their nighttime coverage.  It would
also alter the minimum efficiency standard for AM antennas
by reducing the existing minimum effective field strength
values.

The notice also opens the door for new proposals to help AM
stations that include the use of modulation dependent
carrier level control.  This is a system similar to the old
controlled carrier AM techniques used by hams back in the
1950's and 1960's.  It's a system where carrier level
increases with modulation level, but now on a far more
technically advanced level than was available in the old
days of ham radio.  Experiments have shown a significant
reduction in energy costs with no loss in intelligibility or
area of coverage using this modulation technique.

The bottom line appears to be that the FCC wants AM radio to
grow and prosper.  The only question is whether these
proposed changes are enough to make that happen,

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in
Los Angeles.

--

Comments on MB Docket 13-249 are due 60 days after
publication in the Federal Register, with replies due 90
days after publication.  You can read the entire proposal on-
line at tinyurl.com/fcc-am-redo (FCC, RW, others)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  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:  NEW FCC CHAIR WHEELER NAMES HIS STAFF

Newly confirmed FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced
several staff and other appointments.  Ruth Milkman will be
his chief of staff.  She is currently Chief of the FCC's
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and has worked as special
counsel to the chairman for innovation in government.  She's
former deputy chief of the International and Common Carrier
Bureaus and was senior legal advisor to Chairman Reed Hundt.

Philip Verveer has been named senior counselor to the
Chairman.  He is former United States coordinator for
international communications and information policy at the
State Department, and practiced communications and antitrust
law for 35 years.  At the FCC he was chief of the Cable
Television Bureau, the Broadcast Bureau and the Common
Carrier Bureau.

Gigi B. Sohn joins as Wheeler's special counsel for external
affairs.  Since 2001 she has been president and CEO of
Public Knowledge, an "open Internet" advocacy organization.
More recently co-chair of the board of directors of the
Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group.

Diane Cornell was named the chairman's special counsel.  She
was Vice President  for government affairs at Inmarsat and
also the Vice President of regulatory policy at CTIA, The
Wireless Association.  Her FCC background includes working
as a legal advisor to three commissioners, chief of staff of
the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and division chief in
the International and Common Carrier Bureaus. Others include
Daniel Alvarezwho was named a legal advisor to the chairman,
Deborah Ridley who was named confidential assistant to the
chairman, and Sagar Doshi as special assistant.

Also named to the commission staff are Jon Sallet will serve
as interim director of the Technology Transitions Policy
Task Force and will become acting general counsel when
General Counsel Sean Lev departs in the near future.  Jon
Wilkins was named acting managing director and advisor to
the chairman for management with Roger Sherman becomes
acting chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. It
is the latter that oversees matters affecting Amateur Radio
at the FCC.  (FCC Press release)

**

HAMES IN THE NEWS:  W3BE FILLS QCWA DIRECTOR VACANCY

The Quarter Century Wireless Association's Board of
Directors has announced the appointment of John Johnston,
W3BE, to fill the Director vacancy of Val Erwin, W5PUT.

Johnston has been licensed for 59 years and resides in
Derwood, Maryland   He is a Life Member of the QCWA, and a
member of QCWA Chapters 20, 91, 45 and 222.  Johnston is a
past QCWA Director, Vice-President and President.  He is
also the contributing editor of 'The Rules & Regs Digest'
for the QCWA Journal.

In his professional career, W3BE served for 26 years with
the Federal Communications Commission carrying out
regulatory duties with the Office of Engineering and with
the series of bureaus administering the private radio
services.  Some of the positions he held included Deputy
Chief of the Spectrum Management Task Force and Chief of the
Amateur and Citizens Division.  Johnston also authors the
Rules and Regs column for Worldradio Online magazine.
(QCWA)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS:  ART BELL DEPARTS FROM SIRIUS/XM RADIO

Art Bell, W6OBB, who only recently returned to broadcasting,
has departed from Sirius/XM Satellite radio after only about
a month and a half on the air.  According to a posting on
his website credited to siriusbuzz.com, his reasons for
leaving boiled down to three main items:

First is a claim that the SiriusXM's web player is
notoriously unreliable, causing a loss of subscribers and a
degraded listening experience for those who remain listening
online.   Second is that for a "caller driven" show, the
caller pool is just too small and lastly that international
listeners have no legitimate way to hear the show.

According to siriusbuzz.com, Bell will continue his show on
the web.  As of late on November 6th he was already testing
at http://live.artbell.com:8303/stream.

For more information simply go to artbell.com/art-leaves-
siriusxm.  At the very end of the posting is a link to the
siriusbuzz.com news article.  (artbell.com, siriusbuzz.com,
Huffington Post)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  SSTV FROM THE ISS

UB4UAD reports that the Slow Scan Television experiment on
the International Space Station was active on 145.8 MHz FM
on October 28th and 29th.  He also says that on October 31st
that SSTV images were to be transmitted from the ISS showing
photographs of the life and work of the first Russian
Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.  SSTV pictures received by Pete
Sipple, M0PSX can be seen at tinyurl.com/iss-oct-2013-sstv
(UB4AUD, Southgate)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  INTERFERENCE TO THE AMATEUR-SATELLITE
SERVICE IN THAILAND

E22ICQ has posted a video on YouTube that shows the problem
of interference to the Amateur Satellite Service allocations
taking place in Thailand.  Terrestrial users are making
signals from the ham radio satellites into tiny heterodynes
or signals that are totally inaudible.  Take a listen:

--

Actual terrestrial signals interfering with weak satellite
signals.

--


The video shows that terrestrial usage of frequencies
reserved for the Amateur Satellite communications such as
145.800 to 146.000 MHz can result in the satellite
transmissions being totally blocked and rendered useless.
You can see and hear the E-22-I-C-Q recording and spectrum
display photos of the interference at tinyurl.com/sat-qrm-in-
thailand.  (Southgate)

**

BREAK 3

Serving you 52 weeks a year, every year since the mid
1970's, we are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the
world from our only official website at www.arnewsline.org
and we will be right back.

(5 sec pause here)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  NEW TINY PACEMAKER DEVELOPED THAT
REQUIRES NO WIRING

A miniaturized wireless pacemaker that can be inserted into
the body without invasive surgery has been given approval
for use in the European Union.  Amateur Radio Newsline's
Heather Embee, KB3TZD, reports:

--

Developed in the United States by the company Nanostim, the
tiny device is less than 10% of the size of a conventional
pacemaker, uses a built-in battery and is designed to be
implanted intravenously directly in the heart.

Conventional pacemakers require a patient be subject to a
surgical procedure so that a pocket can be created in the
body to house the pacemaker and associated wiring.  Such
wires are regarded as the component of pacemakers most
likely to fail.

By contrast the Nanostim pacemaker is inserted via a
catheter inserted through a vein leading to the heart.  It
has a built-in battery that is expected to last between nine
and thirteen years.  Eliminating the need for wires lowers
the risk of infection or malfunction and means that patients
are not restricted in the amount of activity they do, the
firm behind the device claims.

Currently more than four million people around the world
have some sort of cardiac rhythm device with an additional
700,000 people getting one each year.  The new pacemaker
design has yet to receive full United States  Food and Drug
Administration approval.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm, Heather Embee, KB3TZD,
in Berwick, Pennsylvania.

--

More on this story is on the web at tinyurl.com/wireless-
pacemaker.
(BBC)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  INTEL GALILEO BOARD SOON AVAILABLE

Intel's Galileo open-source computer can now be ordered and
is scheduled to ship at the end of November. Online retailer
Mouser Electronics is the first to take orders for the
board.

The Galileo computer is an unenclosed circuit board that's a
little larger than a credit card, and uses Intel's extremely
low-power Quark processor.

Though higher priced, the Intel board is being called a
competitor to the popular Raspberry Pi open-source PC.  Both
are targeted at the community of makers and hackers who
design computing devices ranging from robots and health
monitors to home media centers and PC's.  Galileo is also
expected to become a welcome addition in ham radio
development circles as well.  (Southgate)

**

ON THE AIR:  ARECIBO OBSERVATORY ON-THE-AIR THIS SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 10.

If you are hearing this before Sunday, November 10th, then
listen out on 20 meters for station KP4AO.  This as part of
the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Arecibo
Observatory in Puerto Rico.

The operation will be on the air from 1300 until 2000 UTC
around 14.250 Mhz.  A commemorative certificate will be
available for those who make contacts with KP4AO.  QSL to
Arecibo Observatory Radio Club, HC03, PO Box 53995, Arecibo,
Puerto Rico, 00612.  The special event is sponsored by the
Caribbean Amateur Radio Group and the Arecibo Observatory
Radio Club.  (WP3GW)

**

DX

In DX, JF1OCQ will be active as 5W7X from Apia, which is the
capital of Samoa, between November 7th and the 14th.
Operations will be on 160 through 6 meters using CW and SSB.
QSL via JF1OCQ, either direct or by the bureau.  E-mail
requests for Bureau QSLs can be sent to jf1ocq (at) arrl
(dot) net

F4FET will be active stroke as 3A from Monaco on November
11th and 12th.  His operation will be on 40through 10 meters
using SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct or via the
bureau.

IK7JWX has informed the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter that his
DXpedition to the Island of Zanzibar scheduled for April of
2014 is has been cancelled.  The reasons given are technical
and logistical constraints.

members of the DX Friends will be on the air from an Andres
Island as 5J0R until November 10th.  Activity was slated for
160 through 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL via EA5RM
direct. More is on the web at dxfriends dot
com/SanAndres2013

EA4ATI says that he will be in Kenya for a couple more years
and will be active stroke 5Z4.  He is using a Cobwebb
antenna with a small amplifier and is active on
30/20/17/15/10 meters. His QSL Manager is EA4YK.

JA8BMK will be operational as 9N7BM from Kathmandu and
Nagalkot in Nepal between November 8th and the 28th.
Activity will be holiday style on all HF bands and he says
that he will try to work the United States on 160 and 80
meters if vertical antennas can be put up.  QSL via JA8BMK,
direct or via the bureau.

Lastly, 8P9IU, 8P9TA and 8P9BJ will be on the air from
Barbados between December 9th and the 16th.  Their main
activity will be the ARRL 10 meter Contest on December 14th
and 15th using the call 8P8T.  Prior to the contest,
operators will be using their own callsigns.  QSL via KI1U.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: IN FLIGHT BAN ON USE OF HAM GEAR TO
CONTINUE

And finally this week, in the not to distant future airline
passengers may not have to turn off all electronic devices
prior to takeoff and landing in a commercial jetliner, but
anything that has the capability of radiating any RF power
will still fall under the current ban.  That includes any
form of ham radio gear as we hear from Amateur Radio
Newsline's Stephen Kinford, N8WB:

--

Under a new set of new FAA guidelines passengers on domestic
U.S. flights will be permitted to read, work and listen to
music from gate to gate.   But they still will not be
permitted to talk on their cellphones, directly browse the
Internet or use any form of two-way radio through the
flight.  Internet connectivity will only be permitted on
aircraft equipped to provide such a service, usually at a
fee.  For ham radio operators it means the ban on the use of
a hand-helds or other gear operating on any band will
continue just as the rules are now.

Currently airline passengers are required to turn off their
smartphones, laptops, and other devices once a plane's door
closes. They're not supposed to use them again until the
planes reach 10,000 feet and the captain gives the go-ahead.
Passengers are then supposed to turn their devices off again
as the plane descends through 10,000 feet to land and not
restart them until it is on the ground or at the arrival
gate.

Under the new guidelines, airlines whose planes are properly
shielded from electronic interference may allow passengers
to use the devices during takeoffs, landings and taxiing.
The FAA says that most new airliners and other planes that
have been modified so that passengers can use airline
supplied WiFi at higher altitudes are expected to meet the
criteria.  However to use electronics that normally radiate
an RF signal, that feature must be disabled unless
instructed otherwise on aircraft with airline supplied WiFi
connectivity.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB,
in Wadsworth, Ohio.

--

The bottom line is that while most passengers with certain
devices will be able to enjoy some relaxation in the rules
regarding their use, ham radio operators and users of any
other two way radio gear will continue to face a complete
ban from operating such devices from boarding a flight to
disembarking from it.  (Published news reports)

**

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, TWiT-TV and Australia's WIA News, that's all from the
Amateur Radio NewslineT.  Our e-mail address is newsline
(at) arnewsline (dot) org.  More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at
www.arnewsline.org.  You can also write to us or support us
at Amateur Radio NewslineT, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa
Clarita California, 91350

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

Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2013.  All rights
reserved.