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Ärende: Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1881 - August 30 2013
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Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1881 - August 30 2013
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1881 with a release date of August 30
2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. The NTIA to lead a two year pilot study of all
spectrum in the United States, hams respond to Colorado Flooding and the
western states wildfires; hams in Ridgecrest California get some good news
concerning tower installations and a Virginia radio club begins a computer
loan out program to help needy high schoolers. All this and more on
Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1881 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO LAW: NTIA TO INITIATE PILOT SPECTRUM MONITORING PROGRAM
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration or NTIA is
planning a two year pilot program to determine the benefits of an
automated spectrum measurement and data collection system. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Norm Seeley, has the details:
--
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration or NTIA has
filed a budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2014 seeks an initial
$7.5 million for a research and development investment. This, for a
two-year pilot program to determine the benefits of an automated spectrum
measurement and data collection system to better analyze actual spectrum
usage.
In addition, the NTIA has issued a Notice of Inquiry to seek public
comment on this proposed spectrum monitoring pilot program that, if
funded, would develop and deploy a prototype system to monitor spectrum
usage in up to ten metropolitan areas throughout the United States.
The Notice of Inquiry requests input from all interested stakeholders on
the measurement system's design, its features, deployment options,
operational parameters, expected utility, potential benefits, and other
issues.
Subject to the availability of funds, NTIA will design, develop, validate,
and field this prototype system and evaluate whether a more comprehensive
monitoring program would create additional opportunities for more
efficient spectrum access through, for example, increased and more dynamic
sharing. NTIA intends to use the input received in response to the Notice
of Inquiry to help design and implement such a spectrum monitoring
program.
If this project goes forward it means that the ham bands from the lowest
to the highest in frequency, along with that assigned to all other current
users will come under the scrutiny of such a program. So to coin a phrase
made popular by 73 Magazines Publisher Wayne Green, W2NSD, back in the
1980's, when it comes to our bandspace we had better use it or we might
just loose it.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdfale,
Arizona.
--
In his June 2013 Executive Memorandum on Expanding America's Leadership in
Wireless Innovation, President Obama directed the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration to design and conduct
such a pilot spectrum monitoring program. More on this is in the Federal
Register at tinyurl.com/ntia-spectrum-monitor. (Southgate,
rrmediagroup.com, FCW.com, Federal Register)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ASSIST IN WAKE OF COLORADO FLOODING
The ARRL Letter reports that on August 9th that Pikes Peak ARES
volunteers provided communication support to several organizations during
the Waldo Canyon flood in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Hams assisted at the
El Paso County Emergency Operations Center, the Colorado Springs Emergency
Operations Center, the National Weather Service Pueblo SKYWARN, the Pikes
Peak Chapter of the American Red Cross and one Red Cross shelter.
Some two dozen operators checked in with reports on rainfall rates, creek
and roadway water levels, traffic and shelter populations. Pikes Peak ARES
activated again on August 12 and 14 to support the EOCs and the National
Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado by providing rainfall rates, street
flooding information, creek levels, and hail occurrences.
ARES also supported the flow of information from Red Cross evacuation
shelters to the main Red Cross chapter, to help facilitate the flow of
supplies, emergency needs, and shelter utilization.
More on this story is on line at tinyurl.com/arrl-Colorado-floods
(ARRL)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAMS RESPOND TO WESTERN WILDFIRE
Ham radio operators have been called out to assist in communications
efforts associated with a massive wildfire in the Western United States.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with
what's known so far:
--
Its called the Rim Fire and the situation surrounding its containment is
so fluid that it literally changes from minute to minute.
As we go to air the statistics are literally staggering. Currently the
burned area stands at close to 200,000 acres. This is about equal to the
size of the city of New York. It has already destroyed 111 structures and
was last reported to be threatening 5,500 more. According to the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 90 percent of these
residences.
USA Today reports that ham radio was first called upon when communications
assistance was required when the towns of Tuolumne and Mi-Wuk Village and
several smaller communities between them were placed under voluntary
evacuation alert. Operators associated with the Amateur Radio Emergency
Service were providing information in Sonora, California where evacuees
were being housed and fed.
Carol Logue, KG6SGL, is with the Tuolumne County Amateur Radio Electronics
Society. She told USA Today that the smell of the fire was all around and
that one can get on the hilltops around here and see the fires. Other
reports say that Officials in Tuolumne County soon asked that ARES and
RACES volunteers to help fill a communication void in areas that could not
otherwise be reached by two-way radio.
In another USA Today interview Larry Brown, KJ6WHR, of Sonora, California,
said that ham radio operator with the Tuolumne County Amateur Radio
Electronics Society are manning phones at the Sonora community information
line for those affected by the fire.
Another source of news on ham radio involvement came from Sabrina Ambler
who is a reporter for MML news. She interviewed Phil Fish, WB6GGY, who is
the Tuolumne County RACES Radio Officer. Fish told Ambler that radio
amateurs volunteer to assist the county in any way they are needed. He
noted that hams have the ability to provide radio coverage over a large
area much more reliably than cell phones and that amateur radio has the
ability to fill in communications dead spots. For this reason alone ham
radio could be involved in the fire-fighting effort, as needed, for some
time to come.
This is not the only blaze that the Western United States is facing.
There are dozens of smaller fires burning the largest of which being the
Beaver Creek Fire in Idaho, which has scorched 111,387 acres. Thankfully
this one is now over 90% contained, according to a federal fire tracking
website.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the
Newsroom in Los Angeles.
--
More on this in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports. (USA Today, MNL
News, Southgate, other published news reports)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NEW HAM VIDEO GEAR IS ON THE ISS
The ARISS Ham Video transmitter is now on board the International Space
Station and located in the in the Columbus Module. The transmitter was
delivered by Japanese cargo spacecraft which launched in early August.
Installation will be done by astronaut ham Michael Hopkins, KF5LJG, who
has been trained for the commissioning of the ARISS Ham Video equipment.
This could take place as early as sometime in October. When the new
S-Band transmitter becomes operational, it will be used mainly for ARISS
educational school contacts. Video will be for downlink only. Uplink will
continue to be VHF FM audio and we will have more ham radio and space
related news later on in this weeks newscast. (ARISS, ON4WF)
**
RADIO LAW: FIRST STEP ACHIEVED IN HIGHER TOWERS FOR RIDGECREST CA HAMS
Some good news for hams in the city of Ridgecrest, California. By a 4 to
0 vote preliminary approval of an ordinance has signaled a small step
forward for amateur radio operators in that community. This in the area
of installing towers and antennas that exceed the current city limit.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, reports:
--
At a City Council meeting on Wednesday's August 21st Ridgecrest California
City Planner Matthew Alexander presented a request by the city staff to
amend municipal code. This, to allow towers higher than 35 feet to be
built in residential parts of the city on a conditional basis.
Alexander provided background to the council, indicating that in late 2012
that Steven Rainey, N6MVX, had requested to build a 55-foot tower, with an
additional 15-foot antenna attached. Under the current municipal code,
residents cannot install structures larger than 35 feet in residential
areas.
Alexander said the zoning changes will apply to single-family residential
areas, estate-zoned areas and the city's agriculture-zoned areas. He
added that the language should be modified to include just the word tower,
instead of signaling out any other particular type of structure. He also
said that it has been suggested the council consider a lower fee for the
permit process to reflect actual costs based on the time it takes to
review, research and process applications. Currently the coat is $1200.
In his presentation, Alexander conceded that the structure that Rainey
proposed would tower over most single-story homes in Ridgecrest. However,
Alexander added that ham radio operators provided a great service to the
community, especially during emergencies. He went on to say that the city
does not don't want to discourage them and if newer towers are higher, we
want to be able to let them to move forward and allow them to be built.
Vice Mayor Chip Holloway appeared supportive of the idea of waiving or
reducing fees. He noted that he would actually want to encourage more ham
radio operator in Ridgecrest after experiencing Hurricane Katrina, and
knowing how effective and prevalent such towers are in the South where he
grew up. Holloway added that knowing the city's isolation, the state we
live in and the lack of resources we already have, if we get into trouble
we are going to need ham operators to be available.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.
--
Currently the way Ridgecrest handles such structures is with the issuance
of a conditional use permit. Alexander explained that this process
requires applicants to notify neighbors within 300 feet of the residence,
to pay for costs of mailers and of a public notice in the newspapers in
addition to the $1200 conditional use application fee. You can read more
on this story at tinyurl.com/ridgecrest-ham-towers.
(ridgecrestca.com)
**
RADIOSPORTS: WRTC-14 TEAM LEADER APPLICATIONS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 13
Organizers of the 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship or W-R-T-C
competition are accepting applications for team leaders. There will be 54
two person teams in the contest, scheduled to be held next July in New
England.
Team leaders will be selected from the top qualifiers in 29 regions around
the world, based on applications and a qualification formula that
considers 12 scores selected from 55 qualifying events between October
2010 and March 2013.
The team leader application is online at tinyurl.com/wrtc-leader. The
deasdline for filing the completed application filing is September 13th.
(CQ)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC CITES TEXAS CB STORE FOR UNCERTIFIED AMPLIFIER
The FCC appears to be hot on the trail of anyone who is selling
uncertified gear capable of operation on the 11 meter Class D Citizens
Radio band. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD, has more:
--
As we reported last week, the FCC already had cited DNJ Radio for selling
uncertified equipment capable of 11 meter operation. Now comes word of a
citation having been issued to the Radio Master CB Shop for similar
violations.
According to the Citation and Order to Radio Master, this past February
14th agents from the FCC's Dallas office inspected the Radio Master CB
Shop at a TravelCenters of America truck stop in Rockwall, Texas. At that
time they observed a used Palomar model 250 external RF amplifier offered
for sale. The agents noted that the unit did not have an FCC
identification number to confirm that the particular amplifier had been
granted an FCC certification.
In its Citation released on Friday, August 20th, the FCC says that under
its rules, any external RF power amplifiers capable of operating in that
spectrum may not be offered for sale unless they have first been
authorized in accordance with the agency's rules. The unit in question
was not so authorized.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,
Pennsylvania.
--
As in the case of DNJ Radio, Radio Master CB Shop was ordered to
immediately stop selling the uncertified equipment. The FCC also gave the
company thirty days to provide in writing certain information concerning
Radio Masters online store. (FCC)
**
ON THE AIR: COLLINS RADIO 80TH ANNIVERSARY SEPT 21-23 AND 28-30
Four club stations honoring the famed Rockwell Collins collaboration will
be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Collins Radio Company with a
special event operation the last two weekends of September.
Stations W0CXX and N0CXX Cedar Rapids, Iowa; W5ROK Richardson, Texas;
W4CRC Melbourne, Florida and W6CXX Tustin, California will be on the air
September 21st to the 23rd and again on September 28th to the 30th to take
part in the event. Operation is from 9AM to midnight local time for each
station based on operator availability.
A special QSL card for the overall event will be available to all making
contact with any of the stations. A commemorative certificate will be
obtainable for those working 3 or more club stations on any combination of
bands and modes. More information on the operation and QSL instructions
is on the web at www.w0cxx.org. (Collins ARC)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: EMCOMM EAST CONFERENCE SEPT 29 IN PITTSFORD NY
Registration is now open for the EmComm East emergency communications
conference slated for Sunday, September 29th near Rochester, New York.
This is an action packed one-day meeting where amateur operators involved
in disaster response and emergency communications can attend training
sessions, interact with those from served agencies, and exchange
information with other operators from the area.
This years keynote speaker will be ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold
Kramer, WJ1B. Kramer was one of the ham radio volunteers working at the
finish line of the Boston Marathon when the terrorist bombings took place.
As such he will likely have a very gripping story to tell.
EmComm East will be held at St. John Fisher College is located six miles
southeast of Rochester, NY, in the suburb of Pittsford. More information
is on the web at www.emcommeast.org (Emcommeast)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: FORMER ASTRONAUT STEVE NAGEL N5RAW, TO SPEAK AT ARRL
MIDWEST CONVENTION
Former NASA Astronaut Steve Nagel, N5RAW, will be speaking to students and
the public at the ARRL Midwest Division Convention on Friday and Saturday,
November 8 and 9, 2013 in Lebanon, Missouri.
Highlights of Astronaut Nagel's visit will include a special event for
science and technology students from public schools on Friday November
8th. It will be hosted by Nagel along with Carole Perry, WB2MGP, who is a
former Dayton Ham of the Year and ARRL Instructor of the Year. The two
will also host a 2 hour Youth Forum at 2 pm on Saturday, November 9th.
The target audience and programs focus is on youth and are open free of
charge to all young people. The event will be held at the Cowan Civic
Center with other guest that include ARRL Executive Vice President Dave
Sumner, K1ZZ, Ham Nation hosts Bob Heil, K9EID, and Gordon West, WB6NOA
and Newsline producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.
More about this event is on the web at arrlmidwestconvention.org or by
e-mail to k4sx (at) centurytel (dot) net. (ARRL Midwest Convention)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: DAYTON RTTY CONTESTING DINNER TO RETURN IN 2014
After a 10 year interruption, the Dayton RTTY Contesting Dinner will be
back next year. Fred Dennin, WW4LL, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, plans to host
the dinner. He says that it will be held Thursday evening, May 15, 2014,
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton, Ohio. He adds that is in
the process of locating a featured guest speaker and additional door prize
donors. Any individual, organization or merchandiser wishing to
contribute is invited to contact him by e-mail to fdennin (at) numail
(dot) org. (OPDX, Southgate)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: 9M6DXX TO DEPART MALAYSIA NOV 1
Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, says that after more than eight years in
Malaysia, that he and his wife Eva, 9M6EVA, have decided to move on to
another part of the world. They will depart Malaysia on November 1st so
9M6DXX will go QRT some time in October. Lowe notes that they are moving
to the Caribbean island of Bonaire, and hope to be active with PJ4 prefix
callsigns before the end of the year. (9M6DXX)
**
RADIO FROM SPACE: NASA TO RETIRE KEPLER TELESCOPE FROM PLANET-HUNTING
NASA's Kepler space telescope has had to give up its prime mission of
searching the universe for new habitable planets. This after mission
engineers failed to find a fix for its pointing system after the
observatory lost the second of its four reaction wheels. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, reports:
--
The $600 million dollar Kepler space observatory was launched in March
2009. Its primary mission was to try to locate planets orbiting their
home stars in the so-called habitable zone and then radio its findings
back to Earth. The habitable zone is the region where, given the right
conditions that water might exist on in a liquid state. These planets are
considered as having the best chance of supporting some form of life.
Kepler's method of planet detection involved looking for the tiny dips in
light as a planets passes in front of its star. Because of this the space
observatory must be held absolutely motionless during these observations
which is something that requires a minimum of three operating reaction
wheels to achieve.
The space observatory was launched with four operating reaction wheels,
and experienced its first failure in the hardware set in July 2012. A
second wheel failed last May.
Kepler had so far confirmed 135 planets beyond our Solar System but still
had over 3,500 more in its database that have yet to be fully
investigated. The observatory had already identified a number of worlds
slightly bigger than Earth in several stars habitable zones and
researchers were confident they will soon be able to confirm the existence
of more planets that enjoy Earth-like conditions.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in Zion,
Illinois.
--
More on this story can be found at several websites covering space science
including tinyurl.com/kepler-to-retire. (Published news reports)
**
WORLDBEAT: VOICE OF RUSSIA TO CEASE SHORTWAVE RADIO SERVICE TO GO QRT
It appears the Voice of Russia will cease shortwave radio service on
January 1st, 2014. According to this article on a major S-W-L website, the
shortwave service is closing due to government mandated funding cuts. The
Voice of Russia was known as Radio Moscow in the Cold War era but actually
first took to the shortwave bands back in 1922 with a single transmitter
located in Moscow. (swling.com)
**
WORLDBEAT: RSGB TO FUND RF NOISE FLOOR STUDY
A proposal for funding to support the long term understanding of the RF
noise floor has recently been approved by the Radio Society of Great
Britain's Legacy Trustees managing the legacy provided by the late Ken
Rowell, G5RL.
The funding provides for web support for the Noise Measurement Campaign,
announced in the July 2012 edition of the RSGB's publication Radio
Communications Magazine, and data collection for one or more such projects
at the University of Leicester. The combined projects are expected to be
run in conjunction with assistance from a small number of amateurs in
suitable locations.
Further information is on the Notices section of the RSGB website at
www.rsgb.org.uk (GB2RS)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: NEW DIGITAL 2 METER BEACON ON THE AIR FROM EUROPE
The new generation digital and analog 2 meter beacon in grid square IN87KW
near Bubry, France, became operational on Sunday evening, August 25th.
Signing the call F5ZRB, the new propagation alert device operates on
144.405 MHz and transmits both analog telegraphy and digital JT65B with
its sequences of emissions are controlled by the Global Positioning
System. To decode the JT65B data your receiver must show 144.4035 MHz
Upper Sideband. More about this new propagation alert is on the web at
tinyurl.com/F5ZRB-Beacon. (F6ETI)
**
ON THE AIR: CYCLING EVENT STATION IN SPAIN
On the air, keep a lookout for EG5VCE will be operational through
September 15th. This, while the annual Vuelta cycling race is under way
in Spain. Operation is all bands using various modes. QSL EA7HBC via the
bureau. More information can be found on the world wide web at
www.europeanrosclub.com (Euro ROS)
**
ON THE AIR: GERMAN SPECIAL EVENT STATION
DL600WW is a special event German station run by amateurs from the town
Willingen to celebrate their city's jubilee. More is on the web in the
German language at tinyurl.com/osam587. QSL's go via the bureau. (DL
News)
**
DX
In DX, CE0ZOL is active from Juan Fernandez Island. He will be on there
for about six months in the role of manager of the local airport.
Activity will take place mainly on weekends. QSL as directed on the air.
HB9IQB is reported to have begun his Palestine as E44PM on August the 18th
. He is using 100 watts and vertical antennas. QSL to HB9IQB using
Logbook to the World.
R100RQA continues to celebrate the beginnings of professional radio
operations 100 years ago in the region Arkhangelsk, Russia. He will be
on through November 15th. QSL via RN1ON direct or electronically using
Logbook to the World.
PA1FJ will be active from Chios Island through September 9 operating
portable SV8. He will operate 40 through 6 meters using QRP level SSB.
QSL via his home call.
JJ8DEN will be operational from Reao Atoll from September 18th to the 25th
signing F Oh slash K-H-Zero-P-R. Listen out for him using CW, SSB, PSK31
and JT65A on 80 through 10 meters and QSL via JJ8DEN
E78A is now active as JY9FC from Amman, Jordan. As during his activity
will be during his free time, mostly on CW with some SSB and Digital
operations. QSL via E73Y.
Lastly, the ARRL DXCC Desk has approved the 2013 operation of D2CT in
Angola and TX5K DXpedition to Clipperton Island for DXCC credit. If a
previous request credit for theses operations has been rejected contact
ARRL Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, to get placed on the list for
an update to your record. Please include the submission date and/or
reference number of your application in order to expedite the search for
any rejected contacts. His e-mail is bmoore (at) arrl (dot) org.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: VA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB CREATES LAPTOP LOANER PROGRAMS TO
NEEDY STUDENTS
And finally this week, the Floyd Amateur Radio Society of Floyd, Virginia,
has created a new program to supply loaner laptop computers to high school
aged students. The club purchased surplus laptops, installed Windows 7
on most of them along with Open Office. It then provides these computers
to those students who show a need.
Dee Wallace, KG4MVI, is part of the committee that handles the computer
loan out program. She says that the application process is fairly simple:
--
KG4MVI: ".Basically its just an affirmation by the students and their
families that they are eligible according to the program and that they do
agree to receive the computer on-loan and that they will use them for the
proper uses and take advantage of what computers offer related to their
home and school studies."
--
The program also applies to home schoolers as well as those in public
education. The only stipulation is that the loan out computers go to
those who can provide a need for them and that they do not show up for
resale on Ebay or any other auction site. Rather, they are to be treated
as text books and returned at to the organization at the end of the school
year.
The club has provided a video describing the program and posted it to
YouTube. It can be seen at tinyurl.com/ham-computer-loan. More about the
Floyd Amateur Radio Society is at www.floydamateurradiosociety.com.
(KG4MAV)
**
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, in Charleston, West Virginia, saying 73 and we thank you for
listening.
Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------
Tenga un gran dia!
R\%/itt, K5RXT
--- Ya have ta ask yourself: What Would Roy Witt Do?
* Origin: Lone-Star BBS - San Antonio, Texas - USA (1:387/22)
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