Attention bulletin stations. Please note that this is an
extended newscast and contains three breaks. Thank you.
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1828 with a release
date of August 24 2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The FCC releases the text of its
report to Congress on the role of amateur radio in emergency
communications but provides no relief for hams living with
deed restrictions or CC&R's. Also, hams in Quebec Canada
get an implied exemption to that Provinces restrictive
cellphone law and we take you to the Huntsville Hamfest
where Erin King, AK4JG, receives the 2012 Young Ham of the
Year Award. Please join with us on an extended Amateur
Radio NewslineT report number 1828 coming your way right
now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC RELEASES TEXT OF ITS R&O IN IMPEDIMENTS TO
HAM RADIO
The FCC has released its long awaited report to Congress
into the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service
communications in emergencies and disaster relief
operations. It also delves into the existence of
impediments to this aspect of personal communications.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has the
details:
--
Don't look for Congressional action to override private land
use restrictions more commonly known as Conditions Covenants
and Restrictions or CC&R's even if hams believe that these
restrictions hamper them in times of emergencies. This is
because in its report to the legislative body, the FCC says
that, in its view, such restrictions do not constitute a
significant impediment to ham radio or those in the United
States amateur radio service.
In its report, the FCC noted that some of what it calls
"commenters" recommend that CC&Rs be preempted if they
prohibit antennas that are within certain limits. Others
suggest that private land use restrictions on amateur
antennas should be permitted only for safety considerations,
and not for aesthetic reasons.
However, another group believes that it is not necessary to
preempt private land use restrictions in order to promote
amateur emergency communications. This, given the ways that
even amateurs subject to CC&Rs can communicate effectively
and the nature of amateur emergency communications.
Moreover, while commenters suggest that private land use
restrictions have become more common, the FCC's says that
its own review of the record does not indicate that amateur
operators are unable to find homes that are not subject to
such restrictions. Therefore, at this time, the Commission
does not see a compelling reason for it to revisit its
previous determinations that preemption should not be
expanded to CC&Rs.
In relation to other impediments, the Commission says that
it has already preempted state and local regulations that do
not reasonably accommodate amateur radio communications and
do not represent the minimum practicable regulations to
accomplish the local authority's legitimate purpose. The
Commission says that it has also addressed regulations
regarding possession and operation of amateur radio
equipment while driving. These are state and local laws
that prohibit cellular telephone and texting devices and are
many times very broadly written as to catch hams, CB
operators and even commercial radio users into a confusing
maze of legal webs.
And as to any FCC rules that may be an impediment to the
various technical aspects of enhanced - read that as digital
amateur service emergency communications, the FCC believes
that these matters can be considered through the
Commission's rulemaking process. Consequently, it does not
believe that Congressional action is necessary to address
that issue either.
On the other side of the coin, the FCC notes that the ham
radio community and the emergency response and disaster
communications communities all agree that amateur radio can
be of great value in emergency response situations. The
regulatory agency notes that amateur radio carries with it a
wide range of advantages that allow it to supplement other
emergency communications activities during disasters. This
says the FCC, has been demonstrated time and again in a wide
variety of emergency and disaster situations including
Hurricane Katrina.
But at this point the regulatory agency sort of contradicts
itself regarding CC&R's, albeit it may not have noticed its
own mistake.
Here, the FCC notes that amateur radio emergency
communications require not only stations in a position to
originate the emergency message, but also as an alternative
to the commercial communications infrastructure impacted by
the emergency. This alternative infrastructure is the
network of amateur radio operators and their stations that
relay messages, build and maintain repeater stations and
repeater networks, operate High Frequency message networks
to send messages greater distances than are practical with
mobile or transportable transmitters, and develop new
technologies to improve the reliability of these networks.
As such, the FCC contends that this value could potentially
be increased, through cooperation among Department of
Homeland Security, public safety, emergency management, and
amateur radio emergency communications associations and
groups to develop future training protocols.
But what the FCC fails or refuses to address is how radio
amateurs living with CC&R's that restrict or outright forbid
antennas can possibly pass along emergency traffic using the
High Frequency bands. It's not likely that a long wire or
dipole hidden in a hams attic is going to break through to
any emergency net or pass traffic under adverse conditions.
Operating effectively on the High Frequency bands requires
decent outdoor antennas hung in the clear and this is
something that the FCC fails to address in this section of
its report.
Finally, the FCC recommends that the Department of Homeland
Security work with state, local, and tribal authorities to
develop disaster area access policies and qualifications for
trained amateur operators who provide emergency
communications support. The only question here is how you
get the attention of these agencies, many of whom consider
themselves autonomous are not interested in assistance from
the public at large.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM in
Reno.
--
You can download and read the entire 15 page FCC accounting
to Congress at tinyurl.com/FCC-To-Congress-Report. It's
written pretty much in plain language and might well make an
excellent program for radio clubs and on-air discussion
nets. This is because it could easily set precedent in
regulation of the United States Amateur Service for decades
to come. (FCC)
**
THE BPL WAR: EU VS RSGB OVER BPL STANDARD
A battle appears to be brewing between the Radio Society of
Great Britain and the chairman of the European Union
Committee. This after the latter attacked the RSGB's call
to arms in the battle against Powerline Transmission radio
pollution. A technology better known as Broadband Over
Powerline here in the United States. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP,has more:
--
The chairman of the European Union committee on Powerline
Networking has responded to the Radio Society of Great
Britain's call to arms, claiming that every minute of
filibustering pollutes the radio spectrum more.
According to the UK newspaper the Register, the Radio
Society of Great Britain says that the new standard for
broadband powerline transmission, will water down existing
requirements. This it says will open the way to greater
spectrum pollution. As such, the RSGB has asked members to
lobby their local representatives.
But Ronald Storrs, Chair of the committee defining the
standard refutes that. He claims that it is the RSGB that
is risking the airwaves with - and we quote" "their
pointless protests and inflexible attitude."
The problem is that sending data signals over unshielded
mains wiring, as Broadband Over Powerline transmissions does
generates radio interference. And as the manufacturers push
to increase speeds that interference is spreading into the
frequencies used by other radio services. That, says the
RSGB, is unacceptable.
But BPL or PLT equipment manufacturers have a totally
different view. They say that the devices don't generate
significant interference. Rather it's the mains wiring is
the culprit. The manufacturers also contend that in many
homes the wiring is sufficiently shielded that no
interference is generated. As such they will continue to
sell their devices legally.
Meantime UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has taken a
back seat in this matter. It says that it can't do anything
as the devices themselves aren't radio transmitters so fall
outside their purview. Ofcom says it's waiting for the new
standard to be enacted which will give it some authority to
regulate Broadband over Powerline technology.
So it appears that a proverbial line has been drawn in the
sand between the UK ham radio community represented by the
Radio Society of Great Britain and those who want to sell
Broadband Over Powerline or PLT gear. And while the
European Union's Storrs agrees that BPL is generating
unacceptable interference, he says that every day there
isn't an applicable standard in place more unrestricted gear
is getting into the marketplace. He adds that the
intransigence of United Kingdom's ham radio community isn't
helping.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in
Scottsdale, Arizona.
--
According to Storrs, the manufacturers of this equipment are
dead set against the proposed new standard. He also notes
that the new standard already has the support of the
International Amateur Radio Union and that this leaves the
UK hams standing alone against the European Union. You can
read the entire Register article on-line at tinyurl.com/UK-
PLT-Fight (Southgate, The Register)
**
BREAK 1
From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world
including the WB2QLP repeater serving Naples, Florida.
(5 sec pause here)
**
CHANGING OF THE GUARD: JOEL KLEINMAN, N1BKE, S-K
Ham radio has lost one of its most ardent supporters with
the untimely passing of QST Managing Editor Joel Kleinman,
N1BKE, who died in a house fire on Saturday, August 18th.
Amateur Radio Newslines Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the
details on this truly sad moment for all of us:
--
Neighbors of the Kleinman family were first to discover the
fire that claimed the life of Joel Kleinman and left his
widow, Jayne, hospitalized.
According to several news accounts, the fire inside
Kleinman's Meriden, Connecticut home was pushing out heavy
smoke when neighbors discovered it and some of them raced
into the burning dwelling. Reports say they first pulled
out Kleinman's wife, Jayne, who was already unconscious and
is hospitalized at MidState Medical Center. Investigators
say the rescuers saved her life.
But news accounts quote the neighbors who were involved in
the daring and dangerous action as saying the heavy smoke
prevented them from reaching the second floor where Joel
Kleinman was found by firefighters. The medical examiner
says the 64-year-old Kleinman died of smoke inhalation and
he ruled the death accidental.
Joel Kleinman had been the managing editor for the American
Radio Relay League's QST magazine since 2001. But his
history with the ARRL goes all the way back to 1976 when he
was hired by the organization to target young people with
science, and amateur satellites.
A graduate of the University of Montana with a journalism
degree, Kleinman - who didn't have a ham license at the time
- embraced the role.
It didn't take long for his ARRL bosses to recognize his
skills and he quickly moved into the operations of QST where
among the jobs he held was editorial assistant and features
editor. By 1988, Kleinman was promoted to book team
supervisor for ARRL's publications and other media. His
return to QST as the top boss a few years later, clearly was
a recognition by the ARRL management of his value to the
monthly publication that reaches thousands of amateurs every
month.
QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY called Kleinman: "...the quiet
man behind the scenes, shouldering much of the burden that
comes with creating 164 pages of new content every month.
Joel set a high standard for all who may follow him."
_
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN issued a statement: "With
the passing of Joel Kleinman, N1BKE, we have lost not only a
respected professional colleague, but also a friend."
_
Kleinman was the former president of the Newington Amateur
Radio League and was a member of the Quarter Century
Wireless Association.
Funeral arrangements for Joel Kleinman were still pending as
we were going to air.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V,
in Philadelphia.
--
Our hearts and prays go out to the Kleinman family on this
very tragic loss.
(ARNewslineT, ARRL, Meriden Patch, Meriden Record-Journal)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC LOWERS FINE ISSUED TO FORT MEYERS
UNLICENSED STATION
The FCC has lowered a fine imposed on an unlicensed
broadcaster. This after he provided proof that the initial
amount would prove a hardship that he could not afford to
pay.
As previously reported, this past June 5th the Enforcement
Bureau's Tampa Florida Office issued a $15,000 Notice of
Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to Albert R. Knighten, Jr.
of Fort Meyers. This for his alleged operation of an
unlicensed radio station.
In response to the proposed fine Knighten admitted to, and
apologized for, the violation. He also urged cancellation
or reduction of the proposed $15,000 forfeiture, asserting
that his financial situation could not the permit payment of
the fine that the FCC had levied against him.
After examining the financial documents provided by
Knighten, the FCC found sufficient basis to reduce the
forfeiture to $1,200. However, it also cautioned Knighten
that a party's inability to pay is only one factor in its
forfeiture calculation analysis. It told him that it had
previously rejected inability to pay claims in cases of
repeated or otherwise egregious violations. In closing it
warned Knighten that future violations of this kind could
result in significantly higher forfeitures that may not be
reduced due to financial circumstances.
Knighten was given the customary 30 days from the August
21st date of the order to pay the reduced forfeiture. If he
fails to do so the matter could be turned over to the
Department of Justice for collection. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: LACK OF EAS GEAR BRINGS $10000 FINE
The license holder of a low-power FM in Mission, Texas will
likely have to pay a $10,000 fine. This, for its admitted
failure to install and maintain working Emergency Alert
System or EAS equipment. Amateur Radio Newsline welcomes
George Bowen, W2XBS, who has this report:
--
Intercity Christian Youth Program, Inc. is the licensee for
low power station KCYP. Responding to a complaint, agents
from the Enforcement Bureau's Houston Texas office inspected
the station this past March. At that time the manager
admitted to the agents the station had operated without EAS
gear since the facility went on the air in 2007. KCYP also
had no EAS logs to document that the facility had ever had
such gear installed or that it had ever conducted the
required weekly or monthly EAS tests.
The base fine for not having operational EAS gear is $8,000.
The commission tacked on another $2,000 because it appears
the station has not had working EAS gear for the better part
of five years.
The station was 30 days to pay the fine or to file an
appeal. KCYP must provide a sworn statement to the Houston
office of the Enforcement Bureau certifying that it now has
had E-A-S equipment installed.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im George Bowen, W2XBS, in
Albany, New York.
--
According to the FCC, every broadcast station is part of the
nationwide Emergency Alert System network and is categorized
as a participating national EAS source. This in turn means
that all stations must ensure their EAS encoders and
decoders are installed and working properly. (FCC, RW)
**
ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED BROADCASTER BUSTED UNDER FLORIDA
LAW
Romayne Davis, who local Florida police say operated an
unlicensed radio station, is now free on bond. Police say
Davis operated an illegal station out of a warehouse since
March using a laptop running iTunes.
The investigation began in July when a listener to American
Public Media's Classical South Florida WKCP FM in Miami
complained that rap music was interfering with the
legitimate signal on 89.7 MHz. Police recovered a computer,
transmitter and other gear which they said was used to
broadcast the unauthorized station on an adjacent frequency
of 89.5 MHz.
Unlike the FCC which normally issues fines for unlicensed
operations, under Florida's strict state law regarding
unauthorized transmissions, Davis, who had turned himself
into authorities, could face up to five years in prison for
his unlicensed station operation. (RW, WPEC)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON REGULATORY FEES FOR
INDUSTRIES IT OVERSEES
Public comments to the FCC about the best way to collect
regulatory fees from the industries that the agency oversees
are due in mid-September.
The agency notes a lot has changed in the telecommunications
marketplace since its current system for assessing and
collecting regulatory fees was enacted in 1994. Back then,
commission regulation centered mostly on wired local and
long distance. Since then the wireless industry exploded,
shifting agency resources to that industry.
Complicating things further, telephone companies have
entered the video market, cable operators are winning voice
customers, satellite operators offer competitive radio,
television and broadband services and wireless services
abound.
Comments to MD Docket 12-201 are due September 12th.
Payment of the existing fees for this year are due by
September 13th. This commentary period does not apply to
amateur radio or other personal radio services. (FCC, RW)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS YES TO TOWER IN WILDLIFE VS. TOWER
CHALLENGE
In a case involving the possibility of bird collisions with
towers, the FCC has decided in favor of both the tower and
its owner American Tower Corporation. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Skeeter Nash, reports:
--
RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS YES TO TOWER IN WILDLIFE VS. TOWER
CHALLENGE
In a case involving the possibility of bird collisions with
towers, the FCC has decided in favor of both the tower and
its owner, American Tower Corporation
Last April Michael Pearson of Marshall, Arkansas, raised
several issues before the Commission related to a 314 foot
structure registered to American Tower that was under
construction in the area. American Tower suspended
construction while the "Emergency Petition to Compel
Compliance" order was reviewed.
In his petition to the FCC Pearson said that because the
tower would be in wooded and pasture land area, and also
within 4,000 feet of a wildlife management area, that the
tower would negatively affect migratory birds and endangered
species. This included mountain lions, bobcats and even
skunks.
But in giving American Tower the green light to resume
construction, the FCC said his complaint did not meet the
standard for requesting environmental review. It said that
Pearson didn't identify endangered species that could be
specifically affected by the tower. Rather he had listed
non endangered species in the area.
Possibly more important, the FCC also stated that the
proximity of a tower to a wildlife management area does not,
by itself, mean that a structure may have a significant
effect on the environment.
As previously reported, environmental assessments are now
required for proposed new towers over 450 feet above ground
level, for replacement or modification of existing
structures over 450 feet that involve a major size increase
or for certain lighting changes to towers over 450 feet
tall. This decision is very significant as it gives insight
as to how the agency will likely handle these cases in the
future.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.
--
As we go to air its unknown if Peasrson will accept the
FCC's decision or if he will appeal it up the Administrative
Procedures chain. FCC, RW
**
BREAK 2
With you 52 weeks a year, every year since 1976, we are the
Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our only
official website at www dot arnewsline dot org and being
brought to you by the following volunteer bulletin station:
(5 sec pause)
**
WITH NEWSLINE: WHO IS STILL USING PHONE LINE ACCESS SURVEY
This note to those of you who still receive these newscasts
over our 661-296-2407 dial in line rater than downloading
the MP3 file from our website. Of late we have noticed a
major decline in the number of those calling into it and as
such we are giving consideration to discontinuing it by
years end. But before we do, we want to know how many
people are actually using it. If you are one of those who
call in each week on the phone, please send us a note
telling us who you are and the reason you are using
telephone access rather than simply downloading the newscast
from the Internet. Our address is the Amateur Radio
Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue, Saugus California, 91350. Or
you can e-mail us at newsline (at) arnewsline (dot) org. We
look forward to hearing from you. (ARNewsline)
**
RADIO BUSINESS: NEW CHINA BUILT DUAL BAND MOBILE FOR UNDER
$225
Get ready for the first 2 meter and 70 centimeter dual band
mobile selling for under $225 including shipping. At least
that's the price being quoted in an on-line advertisement
from the Hong Kong-based 409 Shop for the new Baojie model
BJ-UV55 dual band mobile radio.
Like its Japan built counterparts, the BJ-UV55 has most of
the features one expects from a basic dual band mobile. The
radio features a large blue back lit LCD display that shows
both frequencies programmed in at the same time. The
transmitter runs 35 watts out on 70 centimeters and 45 watts
on 2 meters. The manufacturer claims a receiver sensitivity
of between .18 to .22 microvolts depending on selected
bandwidth, 128 memory channels, both CTCSS and Digital CTCSS
tone encoding, a DTMF microphone and even a built-in FM
broadcast band receiver.
The negative on this radio is that nowhere in the
advertisement is there any mention of the Baojie BJ-UV55
being FCC certified either under Part 15 or Part 90 making
it illegal to import to the United States. Nor is there any
service or repair station in the United States. That means
returning a radio to the China-based manufacturer should it
require maintenance. And as with any product purchased from
a non-United States dealer, this can be more expensive than
the price of the radio itself.
You can see this new dual bander on-line at
tinyurl.com/Baojie-dual-band-mobile. And as we say with
anything purchased from an overseas dealer, be certain that
its legal to import and use here in the United States. Even
more important are two words Caveat Emptor, which means
buyer beware. (ARNewsline)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: NZ4O MF/HF/6M PROPAGATIONS FORECASTS GO
DAILY
Thomas Giella has announced that his NZ4O Medium Frequency,
High Frequency and 6 Meter Radio Wave Propagation Forecast
is now published on a 'daily' basis. It can be found on
line at www.solarcycle24.org and
www.wcflunatall.com/propagation.htm. Thomas notes that each
new edition will be available at around 1300 UTC, but that
there will be no daily e-mail notice about its being posted.
Just check the websites for the daily updates. (NZ4O)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: AMATEUR RADIO AND POLITICS MEAN LOTS OF
PEOPLE
North Carolina's Charlotte Observer reports that the 1,500
hotel rooms in Gaston County are solidly booked because of
the Democrat Party's National Convention and a rather famous
amateur radio Hamfest.
The newspaper says that the Shelby Hamfest takes place Labor
Day weekend September 1st and 2nd. Meantime the 2012
Democratic National Convention is being held in the city of
Charlotte from September 3rd to the 6th. And while no
delegates to the convention are staying in Gaston County
there are support people such as FBI agents, U.S. and
foreign media and peripheral groups such as lobbyists who
need places to stay.
The annual Shelby Hamfest is one of the nations best
attended amateur radio events. It is held at Biggerstaff
Park in Dallas, North Carolina. The paper says that in 2011
about 12,800 ham radio enthusiasts from 30 states showed up.
Many camped in RVs, but lots more stayed in local hotels.
More on the hamfest is on-line at shelbyhamfest.com.
(Charlotte Observer, Southgate)
**
ON THE AIR: N1Y TO COMMEMORATE THE 9/11 2001 TERRORIST
ATTACKS
Members of the Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club will
once again be operational as N1Y on September 8th and 9th.
This in commemoration of those who lost their lives in the
September 11th, 2001, al Quida lead terrorist attacks that
felled the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York
City.
N1Y will be operating on 40, 20 and 15 meters using CW and
SSB, in the General portions of those bands. A special QSL
may be had by sending a SASE to W2SBL at the address found
on QRZ.com. (Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT: HAM ROAD RALLEYER REACHES MONGOLIA
Despite a small war in Tajikistan, a pair of road rally
enthusiasts have reached Mongolia. Neil Melville, PA9N,
and Helen Woolnough, driving their 9 year old 1.1 liter Fiat
Panda are taking part in the Mongol Rally where participants
drive, in no more than six weeks, from the United Kingdom to
Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, using a thoroughly unsuitable car
of 1.2 liters or less.
Woolnough and Meloville's entry is called The Uncertainty
Principle and they started on their epic journey from the UK
on July 14th. On Sunday, August 19th their location was
given as 46.37 North and 96.25 East placing them near their
goal.
The pair are driving the race to raise money for the Lotus
Children's Centre Charitable Trust and UNICEF. By the time
the event ends, they will have covered more than 10,000
miles through 19 countries, with no outside support.
Over the years PA9N has given many presentations to
the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford,
England. His first spacecraft project was the eXpress-
OSCAR 53 satellite better known as XO-53. Here on Earth you
can follow their route and blog at
theuncertaintyprinciple.co.uk. (Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT: THE BBC TO TEST TURNING OFF MEDIUM WAVE
TRANSMISSIONS
The British Broadcasting Corporation is undertaking a five
week trial of switching off existing Medium Wave services
for four BBC local radio stations. The experiment runs from
the 17th of August to the 24th of September and affects BBC
Radio Kent, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, BBC Radio Merseyside and
BBC Radio Nottingham.
The BBC say one way to make savings and preserve value to
licensee fee payers is to switch off Medium Wave services
except where listeners depend upon Medium Wave as an
alternative to FM or Digital Audio Broadcasting. Medium
Wave services in the UK mainly duplicate what is already
available on FM and DAB, and most listeners will be able to
hear their local stations on FM. Medium Wave is a European
term that describes what we call the AM broadcast band here
in the United States.
The BBC notes that the aim of the trial is to get a better
understanding of the impact of the loss of Medium Wave would
have on its core listeners and also enable the broadcaster
to ensure adequate coverage is available on other platforms
in these regions. (BBC)
**
BREAK 3
This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur. From the
United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
with links to the world from our only official website at
www.arnewsline.org and being relayed by the volunteer
services of the following radio amateur:
(5 sec pause here)
**
RADIO LAW: QUEBEC ANTI CELLPHONE WHILE DRIVING LAW NOW
EXCLUDES TWO WAY RADIO
Some good news for hams living in the Canadian Province of
Quebec. A four year old law banning the use of cellular
phones while driving now has an implied exemption for those
using two-way radio gear including radio amateurs. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, is here with
the latest:
--
According to a news release from Radio Amateurs of Quebec,
the ban on the use of cellular telephones while driving came
into force in April of 2008. Since that time different
police departments have issued tickets for the use of
various types of devices which in each departments view
could be construed as a mobile telephone system.
Those who have received these tickets have vigorously
contested them. But over the years the various courts
hearing these cases have expanded considerably on what they
believed the meaning of the law was to include a multitude
of communications equipment far from cellular telephones.
Now, after four years of uncertainty the situation has now
been clarified by amendments to the Highway Safety Code
which came into effect this past June 6th. A new article
of the code simply says that no person may, while driving a
road vehicle, may use a hand-held device that includes a
telephone function. More important, the first paragraph
does not apply to a two-way radio or any cordless voice
communication device which does not allow the parties to
speak simultaneously.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera_Howell,
KB3TZD, near Berwick, Pennsylvania.
--
According to the new version of the law, for the purposes of
enforcement, a driver in Quebec who is holding a hand-held
device that includes a telephone function is presumed to be
using the device. This prohibition does not apply to
drivers of emergency vehicles in the performance of their
duties. (VE2LGL, RAQI)
**
RADIO THROUGH SPACE: MARS ROVER GETS SOFTWARE UPDATE
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory at JPL team has sent a
software update to the Curiosity Rover on Mars, more than
160 million miles away. According to Venturebeat dot com,
the software had to be updated because Curiosity needed
different directions to drive around on Mars than it did to
land on the planet's surface.
The computer hardware in the Curiosity Rover is powered by a
pair of computers built by BAE Systems. These RAD750
computers use a 10-year-old IBM PowerPC microprocessor
running at a relatively slow 132 megahertz. These machines
also have only 120 megabytes of random access memory, but
are built to withstand wild temperature swings, radiation,
and physical shaking.
The drawback is that the computers on the robot vehicle did
not have enough memory for both the landing and its surface
missions. So NASA had to swap out the software over four
days of communication through the void of space. It took so
long because it takes about 14 minutes to send the signal to
the rover and another 14 minutes to get a response back.
(Venturebeat.com)
**
DX
In DX, K7BV, having recovered from a serious medical
condition, is returning to Asia for a short visit between
August 25th and September 2nd. He will be using his HS0ZKS
callsign on HF bands from the home of HS1CHB, and hopes to
QSO friends from around the world. He may also get on the
air from Japan as well using his call JF1XJR. QSL via
K7BV's new address at 290 West Road, Turkey, North Carolina
28393.
W7XA will be active stroke DU1 through August 27th from near
Tagaytay Ridge which is about 40 miles south of Manila in
the Philippines. His operation is on 20, 17 and 15 meters
using mostly CW and some SSB. QSL via his home callsign as
found on QRZ.com.
OE4JHW will be operational as 8Q7OE from the Maldives
between September 3rd and the 14th. Activity will be holiday
style on 40 through 10 meters using SSB and BPSK. He will
focus on stations from DL, HB0, HB9 and OE, as well as on
North and South America. QSL via his home callsign, direct
or by the bureau. Also electronically using either Logbook
of the World or eQSL.
Lastly, CT1FJZ says that he is now in Angola and is expected
to be there for one year working in Benguela and Huambo.
Look for him to be active as D2FJZ, mainly on the weekends
and limited times during the weekdays. Activity will be on
80 through 10 meters SSB. QSL to his home callsign, by the
bureau or direct.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: HONORING ERIN KING, AK4JG - THE ARNEWSLINE
2012 YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
And finally this week, we want to take a moment to
congratulate 18 year old Erin King, AK4JG, and receiving her
award as the 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the
Year. The ceremony was held at the Huntsville Hamfest where
I had the honor of being the award presentation emcee, but
it was truly AK4JG's moment to shine:
--
AE5DW: "Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to introduce
to you a very impressive young lady. This is Erin King.
She is your 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the
Year. Erin, the floor is yours. (Applause)
AK4JG: "Thank you. Thank you. Thanks Don. Thanks to
everyone who has helped to make this possible.
"When I did my project with the tube and with all the ham
radio stuff that I've been doing so far, I had no idea that
it going to bring me this far. I had no idea that I was
going to have the opportunity to earn this award or that any
of this would be possible.
"Its been a lot of fun. I've been a ham for about four
years now and I have learned so much and have met a ton of
great people and ham radio has become an integral part of my
life and its one of the primary reasons that I'm making the
decisions for the future that I'm going to have.
"So it's all very exciting. I'm very excited to be here to
earn this award, so thank you very much (applause).
--
The Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is
jointly underwritten by Yaesu USA Corporation, CQ Publishing
and Heil Sound. Yaesu has been with the award since its
inception some 27 years ago. This year the company was
represented by its Executive Vice President of Amateur Radio
Sales and Marketing Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV:
--
K7BV: "Hi Erin and congratulations from Yaesu. We don't
want you to go off the air while you are traveling around
with all of your schooling, We want you to have a radio that
you get on the air with no matter where you go and that
would be our portable FT-817ND. We hope that you will pack
it in your bag and take it with you all the way to your CEO
position with a Fortune 500 company sometime soon. So
congratulations."
AK4JG: "Thank you. (applause)"
--
Part of the award is an expense paid trip to Spacecamp
Huntsville courtesy of CQ Publishing. CQ Magazine Editor
Rich Moseson, W2VU, took a bit of time to comment on quality
of those nominated:
--
W2VU: We've had a tremendous time being involved with the
Young Ham of the Year Award and I've been honored to be one
of the judges since we became involved and the quality of
the young people who have been nominated has been just
wonderful and it makes me very optimistic for the future of
our hobby. And this is year after year."
--
Last but by no means least the awards newest corporate
sponsor Heil Sound. Not only did founder Bob Heil, K9EID,
present Erin with a pair of the company's new headphones,
but he also gave her a very special invitation to appear
with him on his TWiT TV program Ham Nation:
--
K9EID: "Well we are so happy for you and we want to stay in
touch with you as you get through all the wonderful things
that happen in ham radio. Come and visit us on Ham Nation
and I really hope that we can have you as a guest real
soon."
--
And there you have it for yet another year. The 27th
consecutive year that this award has been presented and the
19th consecutive year that the presentation has been made at
the Huntsville Hamfest. And in that regard we want to
express our thank you to Charlie Emerson, N4OKL, and his
team that puts on this annual event and to Dave Bell, W6AQ,
who sponsors the Young Ham of the Year plaque. And also to
Tom Medlin, W5KUB, who live streamed the presentation over
the Internet for all to see on W5KUB.com and to Gary Pearce,
KN4AQ, of Amateur Radio Video News who video recorded it for
posterity. We thank you all. (ARNewslineT)
**
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 editor's desk,
I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, in Southern Mississippi saying 73
and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2012. All rights
reserved.
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