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Ärende: Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1799 - February 3 2012
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Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1799 - February 3 2012
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1799 with a release date of February
3rd, 2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. Amateur radio is still live and well at WRC
2012; an Arizona ham files a petition with the FCC to expand the scope of
PRB-1; medical implant devices coming to 70 centimeters on February 27th
and meet a young ham who not only flies high altitude balloons but makes
amazing videos with the pictures that they capture. All this and more on
Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1799 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO LAW: WRC-2012 STILL CONSIDERING NEW HAM RADIO ALLOCATION NEAR
500KHZ
Ham radio is very much alive as a discussion topic at the 2012 World
Radiocommunications Conference now taking place in Geneva Switzerland.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the latest:
--
Rod Stafford, W6ROD, secretary for the International Amateur Radio Union's
Region 2, says from his vantage point, it appears that there are several
member countries that are in favor of granting the amateur radio service
an allocation somewhere in the 415 to 526.5 kHz range.
It had been proposed to carve out a 15 kHz section for amateur use.
However, Stafford says those engaged in the discussions say there is a
need to protect existing services.
And, Stafford says in a report on the WRC proceedings so far that there
appear to be a couple of options:
First, a secondary allocation of up to 15 kHz to the amateur radio service
on a worldwide basis between 472 kHz and 487 kHz.
Second, two non-contiguous worldwide secondary allocations to the amateur
radio service between 461 and 469 kHz and 471 to 478 kHz, totalling 15
kHz.
Third, a proposal for a worldwide secondary allocation of 8 KHz from 472
to 480 kHz.
And, finally, no change or allocation.
He says some countries are concerned that non-direction beacons that
operate in the spectrum could be subject to possible interference from any
new allocations to amateur radio.
Stafford's assessment is that it's still early in the process to determine
whether amateur operators will succeed in getting the spectrum allocation.
He says there's one other item of concern to amateur radio operators and
the IARU being discussed at the conference.
That's a bid for oceanographic radar applications in the 3 to 50 MHz
range.
Stafford says the IARU's position is the oceanographic radar applications
are incompatible with the amateur and amateur satellite services in the
range 3 to 50 MHz and should not be allocated in bands already allocated
to the amateur and amateur satellite service, including 5.250 to 5.450
MHz.
WRC-12 wraps up on Feb. 17 and Stafford promises he'll keep the amateur
community apprised of developments as they occur.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in
Philadelphia.
--
As an aside, the International Amateur Radio Club in Geneva is on the air
using the special call 4U1WRC during the 2012 World Radiocommunication
Conference. It's operating all modes on 160 through 6 meters until the
close of the conference on February 17th. If you work this special
commemorative station please QSL via 4U1ITU.
(WRC 2012)
**
BREAKING DX NEWS: A GLOOMY FUTURE FOR DXPEDITIONS TO JAN MAYEN ISLAND
Jan Mayen Island could soon head to the top of the DX worlds most wanted
this. This as the result of a recent decision by the Norwegian government
that declared most of Jan Mayen a Nature Reserve and banned landings and
camping on most of the island. This means that tour operators can no
longer visit since the main landing area is part of the Reserve.
The only places left on the island which could be used as landing and camp
sites are in the very extreme southern part of Jan Mayen which suffers
from extreme weather conditions. Amateur radio operations may still be
possible from the two locations but both are difficult to get to due to
stormy seas and other severe weather conditions. As such it now appears
that the recent JX5O operation was probably the last major DXpedition to
Jan Mayen for many years to come.
There is the chance that hams who might be assigned as staff members at
the islands Olonkin base will be able to activate Jan Mayen. Late word is
that LA9JKA, is to be there beginning March 22nd and is expected to stay
until March 2013 but what plans he has to operate from the island at this
point are unknown. (Southgate)
**
RADIO LAW: MEDICAL IMPLANT DEVICES COMING TO 70CM ON FEB. 27
Monday, February 27th is the date when medical monitoring and control
devices previously approved by the FCC could start showing up in various
segments of the 70 centimeter band. Amateur Radio Newsline welcomes Chris
Szpila who has this report:
--
As reported here on Newsline, last November the FCC voted to allocate
spectrum for use by new implanted medical devices that operate on 413 to
457 MHz range. These devices which range from short range monitors to
more advanced diagnostic and treatment gear will be used on a secondary
basis as part of the Part 95 Medical Device Radiocommunication Service.
The rules established by the FCC allow access 24 megahertz of spectrum on
a secondary basis in the 413 to 419, 426 to 432, 438 to 444, and 451 to
457 Megahertz bands.
Amateur radio should hear little in the way of interference from any of
these devices to signal reception. What's not known is the effect of
nearby high power transmitters from various services across the spectrum
to the operation of these devices or the ability of any remote transceiver
system to hear their telemetry and send instructions back to these
implanted units. Most researchers believe this to be minimal to none at
all.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Chris Szpila, in Los Angeles.
--
The most important aspect of these devices will be their benefit to
mankind by restoring mobility and other functions to paralyzed limbs for
those who cannot now use them now. (FCC)
**
RADIO LAW: ARIZONA HAM FILES FOR RULE MAKING TO EXTEND PRB-1 TO OVERIDE
CCR RESTRICTIONS
A petition to the FCC to extend PRB-1 exemptions to cover outdoor antennas
in communities with Condition, Covenant and Restrictions has been filed
with the FCC by Arizona resident Leonard J. Umina, W7CCE.
Umina's petition is based on an Equal Rights claim. He says that to
establish the assertion it is necessary to ascertain that certain classes
of amateurs are and / or were in identical situations with regard to those
who received relief from PRB-1 but were not equally treated by the
regulation.
Umina states that what he terms as the "move elsewhere" philosophy of
PRB-1 fails to address classes of amateurs who were born into restrictive
areas and those who had no part in selecting where they would reside.
Umina notes that because over 66% of Americans now rent and that that
Homeowners Association market penetration has skyrocked. This at the same
time that the urban population has increased to 75%. As such, Umina
suggests that it is finally time for the FCC to act by extending PRB-1 in
its present form to negate private contracts better known as CC&R's.
Umina asks that special exemptions be applied to wire antennas so that
simple rules exist in allowing for easier participation by youth and those
who otherwise might be confused by complex regulation and court decisions.
Umina also asks that Shortwave Listener and the commercial shortwave
market be considered.
Most important, Umina asks that no significant changes be made which would
compromise existing District Court decisions which upheld PRB-1
application. As we go to air the FCC has not yet assigned a rule making
designation to W7CCE's petition filing. (QRZ.com)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: RS-39 NOW ON-ORBIT: RECEPTION REPORTS WANTED
The Chibis-M microsatellite, also known as RS-39, was placed on-orbit from
a Russian Progress M cargo spacecraft on Tuesday January 24th. The
satellite is designed to study atmospheric phenomena such as Terrestrial
Gamma Ray Flashes associated with lightning.
RS-39 also carries CW beacons on 435.215 and 435.315 MHz. Hams hearing
these signals are being asked to submit reception reports via e-mail to
the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences at
amateur-rs39 (at) chibis (dot) cosmos (dot) ru. Each report will be
acknowledged with a special QSL card.
We will have more ham radio space related news later on in this week's
Amateur Radio Newsline report. (Southgate)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: ARRL TO PRESENT LIVE WEB TOUR OF W1AW ON FEBRUARY 12
Never seen the ARRL Headquarters station W1AW? Well you can do so
vicariously through a webcast. Amateur Radio Newslines Heather
Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, has the details:
--
The ARRL and Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, of The New Day Group have teamed up to
present the first ever on-line tour of the League's flagship station W1AW.
The live webcast takes place on February 12th beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern
time.
According to ARRL Public Relations and Media Coordinator Allen Pitts,
W1AGP, many hams around the world know of W1AW. Thousands have made
contacts with this impressive station, but few ever get to observe it in
person.
Pitts who is producing the event says that thanks to Petrunti's media
streaming group, people world-wide should enjoy seeing what's at the other
end of the signals from W1AW.
Pitts notes that through the webcast viewers will be there as Petrunti,
along with local weatherman Geoff Fox, K1GF, and others are given a tour
of W1AW by Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. W1AGP says that as in all
live broadcasts, you never know what might happen.
Again, you can watch the webcast live on Sunday, February 12th beginning
at 5 p.m. Eastern at www.awecast.tv/channels/arrl. W1AGP says that he
hopes you enjoy the tour.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, near
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
--
Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, is no stranger to ham radio video projects. He was
the creative force behind the ARRL video about HR-607. More about the New
Day Group at www.NewDayHD.com. (ARRL)
**
RADIO LAW: NEW TOWER RULES FOR THE BIRDS
The FCC's new rules affecting tower sitting for certain tall towers, meant
to protect migratory birds, have been published in the Federal Register.
However, they have not yet become effective.
Some aspects of the new rules adopted in December need approval by the
Office of Management and Budget. The FCC will publish a subsequent notice
in the Federal Register announcing the effective date.
To recap, towers above 450 feet tall will face more analysis. Owners will
need to do an environmental assessment and allow the public time to
comment on where a new tower would be placed before construction
accomplishing this through methods such as a newspaper notice or local
zoning public notice process. An environmental notice will also be
required if an applicant changes the lighting of an existing tower to a
less preferred style.
Very few if any ham radio towers are 450 feet or higher and are not
affected by the new rules. However they do make for some very interesting
reading. You can see these new bird safety tower rules at
tinyurl.com/tower-birds-two. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: ANOTHER FLORIDA UNLICENSED BROADCAST FINE AFFIRMED
The FCC has affirmed a $10,000 fine to Willis Cernogg, Jr. of Miami,
Florida. This for willful and repeated violation of Section 301 of the
Communications Act by operation of an unlicensed radio transmitter on the
frequency 90.7 MHz.
Back on October 25th, 2011, the Enforcement Bureau's Miami Office issued a
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $10,000 to
Cernogg. The FCC says that Cernogg never filed a response to the N-A-L.
So, based on the information before it, the FCC has now affirmed the
forfeiture.
As is normal procedure, Cernogg was given the customary 30 days from the
January 25th date the order was released to pay the fine or file an
appeal. If he fails to do either, the FCC will likely turn the matter
over to the Department of Justice for collection. (FCC)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: HAMS TEAM WITH CRIME STOPPERS IN MISSOURI
Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers in Cassville,
Missouri are joining forces with ham radio operators. This, to help keep
an eye out for the thieves who have been stealing and burning vehicles in
two counties.
Katherine Parker, KD0ETX, is the Assistant District Emergency Coordinator
for both Barry and Lawrence counties. She says that general warnings
could be issued to operators across the region to be aware of the
situation and report suspicious activities occurring in their
neighborhoods.
During their January meeting, the Crime Stoppers board members also
approved offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those
responsible for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage
resulting from these recent crime sprees.
Chairman John Strong also recommended organizing citizen patrols for parts
of both counties, with suspicious activity reported back to local law
enforcement agencies. (Cassville Democrat)
**
ON LINE NEWS: QRZ.COM ADDS GRIDMAPPER SERVICE
Another service has been added to QRZ.com. Called the Gridmapper this
feature allows you to see the grid square on a Google map of the station
you are looking up. A six character square is outlined. This is very
handy for VHF and UHF enthusiasts who try to find and activate rare
locations in the Maidenhead Grid Square location system. (K8YSE)
**
HAM MARKETPLACE: UK INNOVANTENNAS COME TO NORTH AMERICA
InnovAntennas have come to North America. According to Bill Hein, AA7XT,
the full line of high performance British built High Frequency, VHF and
UHF amateur radio antennas from InnovAntennas are now available to
customers across the United States at R&L Electronics in Hamilton, Ohio.
By way of background, InnovAntennas was launched in 2011 by Justin
Johnson, G0KSC. This after his hobby of designing antennas for his
personal use led to a flood of make one for me requests from amateur radio
operators who recognized that Johnson's designs outperformed they could
buy in any U-K store.
Today, InnovAntennas is building antennas at a former boat factory in
Canvey Island, England and selling its products directly via
InnovAntennas.com and via a network of dealers in Europe, Australia, and
now, the United States. Designs include the Loop Fed Array and Opposing
Phase - Driven Element System Yagis both of which have become very popular
in the world of Moonbounce or E-M-E operations.
For more information on the introduction of InnovAntennas to the United
States ham radio marketplace, you can e-mail AA7XT to bill (at)
innovantennas (dot) com. You can also check the R and L website at
www.RandL.com. (AA7XT)
**
HAM MARKETPLACE: YAESU HINTING IT WILL BRING OUT C4FM DITIAL VOICE GEAR
FOR AMATEUR RADIO
Yaesu is hinting that they will be coming out with new digital amateur
radios in 2012.
A new pamphlet discussing amateur digital radios shows the new Vertex
Standard APCO P-25 commercial radios, as well as new amateur radios based
on the C4FM FDMA digital audio system commonly known as MotoTrobo.
The pamphlet makes it appear that Yaesu will be offering amateur gear
based on the MotoTrobo digital standard sometime this. The new vertex
radios look identical to their Motorola counterparts.
Our guess is that any launch of such a project would likely take place at
the Dayton Hamvention in mid-May. (Adapted from Yaesu Press Release)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: AARA TO HOLD ITS 52ND HAMFEST IN RAYNE LOUISIANA MARCH
9-10
The Acadiana Amateur Radio Association will hold its 52nd annual hamfest
at the Civic Center in Rayne, Louisiana. The dates are March 9 and 10 and
the event will feature ARRL Education and Technology Program Coordinator
Mark Spencer WA8SME as its special guest speaker. For entertainment Norm
Helms K5SAC will be heading up the Texas Ham Playboys band.
This hamfest has been designated as the 2012 ARRL Louisiana State
Convention and planners say that they are looking forward to seeing many
of you there. More information about this fun event is on-line at
www.w5ddl.org/hamfest. (KN5GRK)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: DX UNIVERSITY 2012 APRIL 20TH IN VISALIA CA.
The 2012 DX University will take place on the Friday April 20th in
conjunction with the International DX Convention in Visalia, California.
Among this years lecturers are Bob Allphin, K4UEE; Bernie Mc Clenny,
W3UR; Rusty Epps, W6OAT; Bob Locher, W9KNI, and a number of other world
famous DX'ers many of whom are inductees of the CQ DX Hall of Fame.
Together they will teach many of the operating techniques for working DX.
You will also get the DXpeditioner's view of how DXers should operate to
get into the log. Registration is available on line at
www.dxuniversity.com. For further information please contact Wayne Mills
by e-mail to N7NG (at) arrl (dot) net or Roger Western, at G3SXW (at)
btinternet (dot) com. (DX University)
**
HAM RADIO TECHNOLOGY: ROS JOINS US EXPERIMENTAL SPREAD SPECTRUM TEST STA
R-O-S is among a number of modes raking part in spread spectrum
experiments in the USA. The R-O-S data mode group reports that the FCC
has issued a Special Temporary Authority to a United States based
experimental group for the purpose of investigating Spread Spectrum modes
within the USA.
According to the press release from Graham Brown, G0NBD, Phil Williams,
KA1GMN, of Euless, Texas has been issued the first license with the call
WF9XJD. Williams was scheduled to become active on February 1st.
Brown says that anyone wishing to apply for a STA or be one of the
designated receiving stations, should contact Williams directly at ka1gmn
(at) gmail.com for details of the application process. Reports and QSO's
are of course, most welcome from all.
The licenses are issued on a 6 month rolling basis and can also be applied
directly from the FCC at tinyurl.com/fccsta. (G0NBD, Southgate)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SUMBANDILLASAT FAILS ON-ORBIT
South Africa's Defence Web reports that the nations second satellite,
SumbandilaSat also known as SO-67 is no longer fully operational.
Rob Olivier is the head of Business Development at SunSpace. He told
Defence Web that although contact can still be made with the satellite, it
cannot capture images. As such it is no longer fulfilling its main
purpose.
Oliver added that chances of repairing the satellite on-orbit are
virtually none. As such SunSpace has moved on to other projects.
SumbandilaSat was damaged during a solar storm in the June of 2011.
The power supply to its onboard computer stopped working and the satellite
stopped sending back images.
In addition to its primary mission SumbandilaSat also carried an radio
payload as well. This consisted of a voice beacon, a store and forward
parrot repeater and VHF to UHF FM repeater. (Defence Web)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: WINNERS OF ARISSAT-1 CHICKEN LITTLE CONTEST ANNOUNCED
AMSAT and ARISS announced the winners of its ARISSat One Chicken Little
Contest to predict when the hand-deployed bird would fall from the sky.
The contest received 77 entries from 17 different countries, from all
continents except Antarctica.
In the Kindergarten through grade 8 grade sector the winner was Cora
Haefner, KK4ECV, of Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. In grades 9 through 12 it
was the Cameron School in Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. The Adult
category winner was Thomas Frey, HB9SKA, of Birr, Switzerland.
Based on comments sent along with the submissions, a wide variety of
techniques were used. These ranged from detailed calculations, to
comparisons with past satellites, to guesses based on birthdays. In the
end, both KK4ECV and HB9SKA were within 15 hours of the best data from
Space Track. It had reported that the remnants of ARISSat One splashed
down in the South Atlantic approximately 07:00 UTC on January 4th.
All three winners have been sent a Chicken Little Certificate, and the
congratulations of the ARISSat One team. The contest sponsors say that
they also want to tank all those who entered, especially educators who
worked with students on this project. (AMSAT / ARISS)
**
ON THE AIR: BCARA TO COMMEMORATE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY ON THE AIR
On the air, word that Ohio's Butler County Amateur Radio Association will
be sponsoring special event station W8WRK from February 18th to the 26th.
This to commemorate a historic Washington's Birthday amateur radio message
relay which was originally accomplished on February 22, 1916 by members of
the American Radio Relay League. The special event will be conducted from
the clubs home station which is located in the original building of
Special Land Station 8ZU. For operating times, frequencies and QSL
information please visit tinyurl.com/6og8epf on the World Wide Web.
(KD8RLA)
**
DX
In DX, W1NN and JA1LZR will be operational as NH0J and NH0Z, respectively,
from Tinian, in the Northern Marianas, until February 4th. Their activity
is focused on the lower bands using an Elecraft K3 transceiver an
amplifier and a quarter wave verticals. QSL this one as directed on the
air.
EA5BYP and EA5KM will once again be active from Annobon Island and Bioko
Islands. The pair plan to arrive in Equatorial Guinea by the middle of
February and then travel first to Bioko using the callsign 3C6A and then
on to Annobon as 3C0E. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meters. Exact
dates of this operation should be announced shortly. QSL both callsigns
via EA5BYP.
W6HGF, will be on the air stroke FP from Miquelon Island between February
10th through the 20th. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters but
focused on the Digital modes, mostly RTTY. QSL via Logbook of the World or
to W6HGF, direct or via the bureau.
NP4Z will be active as EE8Z from the Los Chachos Contest Club in the
Canary Islands. This, during the CQ World Wide SSB Contest from March
24th to the 25th. QSL via EA8AY.
Lastly, ZS4U will be operational portable 9Q6 from the Republic of the
Congo between March 10th and April 5th. Activity will be limited,
probably mainly on the weekends and some days during the week. Listen out
for him between 1200 and 1600 UTC on 40 through 6 meters using CW, SSB and
PSK31. QSL via his home callsign.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: HACK THE TUBE - A TRIP TO THE EDGE OF SPACE BY TEEN HAM
ERIN KING, AK4JG
And finally this week, Erin King, AK4JG, of Columbia, Georgia, may only be
a teenager but she has already left a very positive imprint in our world
of amateur radio. Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, has the details on Erin's magic
carpet ride to the edge of space and the video that is taking the ham
radio community by storm:
--
Erin King, AK4JG has posted a video of her recent amateur radio high
altitude balloon mission for the 'Hack the Tubes' project. This, for the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's class of 2016's early admissions
program. And when you see it you will find it hard to believe that both
the flight and the video are the work of a very, very talented teen.
According to AK4JG, she decided to send her Tube to the edge of space by
turning it into an amateur radio high-altitude ballooning project. To
accomplish this, Erin used two GPS and APRS-equipped transmitters for
payload tracking. One of these signed the call AK4JG-11 and the other
beaconed her fathers call sign of K4ETY-11. Each one sent out position
packets from the Tube so Erin could follow it on the ground.
Also on board the tube-shaped payload was an Earth viewing GoPro Hero
camera shooting high definition video. And capture some breathtaking video
of the entire flight it did.
Erin's payload was carried aloft by a Helium filled 800 gram weather
balloon. Takeoff took place on January 16th at around 1 P.M. Eastern time
from Lumpkin, GA. The entire flight from launch to landing lasted about 2
hours. That is all compacted to 8 « minutes during which Erin's video
takes you from initial payload assembly of the trackers to the edge of
space at over 90,000 feet and to recovery of the payload from where it
landed in a pine tree.
The video is set to the music of "Circuit" by Sonic Adventure Project.
There is no narration. Instead Erin and her very professional video
editing skill lets the pictures tell the entire story. You can see it for
yourself by taking your web browser to tinyurl.com/AK4JG-balloon-video.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in Zion,
Illinois.
--
Again, you will find Erin's video on-line at
tinyurl.com/AK4JG-balloon-video. Go take a look. You will be glad that
you did.
**
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 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
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For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim Davis,
W2JKD, in sunny Vero Beach, Florida, saying 73 and we thank you for
listening.
Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
R\%/itt
... Only those who will risk going too far can possibly
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