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Ärende: Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1806 - March 23 2012
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Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1806 - March 23 2012

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1806 with a release date of March
23rd, 2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio and social networks respond following
an earthquake in Mexico; an A-P-R-S equipped ocean buoy is released off
the coast of Alaska; Missouri hams could be hit hard by a proposed
distracted driving law; London Olympic ham radio stations are announced
and the birds are back.  Find out what we mean on Amateur Radio NewslineT
report number 1806 coming your way right now.

**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO AND SOCIAL NETWORKS RESPOND TO MEXICO EARTHQUAKE

Amateur radio operators and the social media have responded in the wake of
an earthquake that hit Southwest Mexico on March 20th.  Bill Pasternak,
WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with what we know so far:

--

What has been described as a powerful and prolonged earthquake rocked
parts of Mexico on Tuesday, March 20th.  The 7.6 magnitude temblor near
the Pacific Coast resort town of Acapulco.  According to news reports,
some homes were toppled near the quakes epicenter.  Electricity and
telephone communications was lost for a time.  But despite the quake's
power, Mexico's President Felipe Calderon and officials across the country
said that there were no reports of serious injuries.

While there was some damage to the nation's internal communications
infrastructure, Mexico's connection with the outside world for the most
part remained unscathed.  So far nothing has been heard about activation
of any domestic Mexican ham radio emergency group.  As we go to air, the
only international ham radio operation we have heard about is a group
called the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition.  IRESC
President, Urcun Canel, TA0U, in Istanbul, Turkey worked with about 8 or 9
hams in Mexico passing early damage assessment reports to the European
continent.  Some of this communications audio was posted to Facebook:

--

Actuality audio communications.  Hear it by downloading the MP3 audio file
of this newscast at www.arnewsline.org

--

You can hear the entire communications session at
tinyurl.com/iresc-mexico-quake.  But the real story in this case is the
response by the people in the affected areas.

While telephone and cellphone service was jammed as is the case after
events like this, broadband connections were still open and quite useful.
Anyone watching or listening to broadcast news reports often heard tweets
from residents of the quake hit area being quoted as news sources and
giving short eye-witness assessments via Twitter.

Also, broadcast news organizations world-wide were asking people with
relatives in the quake zone to call in or post to the stations website the
latest news they might have.  In other words, news organizations were
literally handling health and welfare traffic that until a year or two ago
was primarily the domain of radio amateurs involved in emergency
communications.

Quite a change from day's gone bye.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the newsroom
in Los Angeles.

--

More in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports.  (ARNewsline, published
news reports with audio from IRESC Facebook posting)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  CONNECTICUT ARES FRONT AND CENTER ON EMCOMM PREPAREDNESS

The role of amateur radio in emergency communications continues to grow
and will become even more vital in the future.  That was the message from
Connecticut Section Emergency Coordinator, Wayne Gronlund, N1CLV, at the
annual meeting of that states ARES groups over the weekend of March 17th
and 18th.

According to Gronlund, a series of natural disasters in 2011 showcased the
importance of amateur radio in emergency situations.  These included
tropic storm Irene, a pre-season nor'easter in October, and the tornadoes
that swept western Massachusetts last summer.

Illustrating his remarks with a Power Point presentation, N1CLV noted that
the snowstorm in particular strained the system because phone and
electrical service were disrupted for up to two weeks.  Especially in the
Farmington area.

These two disasters led to formation of Governor Deniel Malloy's two-storm
study inquiry. Among the panel's recommendations is holding a real time
training exercise this year.  One that would involve municipalities, the
Red Cross and ARES to determine what assets are available and what
improvement is needed.

Such a state-wide exercise is now scheduled for July 28th to the 30th and
will involve amateur radio resources.  More is on the web at
tinyurl.com/ct-rescue-radio.  (Hartford Examiner)

**

LEGAL HAPPENINGS:  PROPOSED MISSOURI DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW HAS NO
EXEMPTIONS FOR ANYONE

Missouri drivers including hams, C-B operators, emergency response
personnel and even someone just tuning a vehicles A-M radio could find
themselves standing before a judge.  This if a new distracted driving law
is enacted as proposed to that states legislature.  Matthew Chambers, NR0Q
is here with the rather strange details:

--

If you were to get pulled over this morning and told that you were getting
a ticket for distracted driving because you took a sip of coffee during
your morning commute would you be surprised.  If a Missouri Senate Bill
written by Senator Bill Stouffer, of Saline County passes, this is what
Missouri drivers could be facing.

Senate Bill 717 would make it a class C misdemeanor to "Fail[s] to give
full time and attention to the operation of the motor vehicle; Fail[s] to
maintain a proper lookout while operating a motor vehicle; or Engage[s] in
any other activity which causes the operator to be distracted from the
primary mission of driving such motor vehicle."

There are no exemptions for hands-free devices, two-way or CB type radios,
or for operators of emergency vehicles or law enforcement personnel.  If
passed as written, the police officer writing a ticket to enforce this
would most likely also have to write themselves a ticket for distracted
driving as well.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Matthew Chambers, NR0Q near Macon,
Missouri.

--

While it may sound funny to think of a police officer having to cite
himself for using his departments radio communications system, it might
one day happen in the "show me" state.  The rather short but complete text
of this proposed law is on-line at tinyurl.com/mo-distracted-driving.
(NR0Q)

**

RADIO RESEARCH:  ICE GOAT 1 APRS BUOY GOES TO SEA OFF ALASKA COAST

A group of Oceanography and Aeronautical engineering students from the U-S
Naval Academy have deployed a radio equipped ocean buoy rigged to monitor
weather in the harsh conditions of the arctic.  Named Ice Goat 1, the buoy
was placed off of the coast of Point Barrow, Alaska. Once the winter ice
melts the buoy will begin its sea voyage.

In addition to its scientific monitoring gear, Ice Goat 1 carries an APRS
beacon operating on 145.825 MHz.  The position packets can be relayed via
the International Space Station digipeater.  However, as the ISS only
rises 1.5 degrees above the horizon at arctic latitudes reports of direct
reception of the 145.825 MHz beacon are being sought from any Alaskan, and
eventually Pacific Northwest amateur radio stations that may be in range
of Ice Goat 1.  Reception reports go by e-mail to wb4apr(at) amsat (dot)
org.  (AMSAT, WB4APR)

**

RADIOSPORTS:  LONDON OLYMPIC COMMEMORATIVE HAM RADIO STATIONS ANNOUNCED

Some special event call-signs will be activated to celebrate the London
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The London station, 2012L will be active through the duration of the
games.  It will be located at the historic Eltham Palace, south-east
London on and will operate all modes on 160 through 2 meters.  More
information about it is on the web at www.2O12L.com.

The Welsh station 2O12W will be operational on all bands from 160 meters
through 23 centimeters and all modes including SSTV and satellites.  It
will be located at Whitmore Bay, on Barry Island, More information on the
web at www.2O12W.com

2O12L and 2O12W will go on the air July on 27th.  The Radio Society of
Great Britain has been granted use of the games Inspire trdemark for these
stations. Special QSL cards will be available to all stations contacted.
(G4IRN)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WA4TEP repeater
serving Greenville North Carolina.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RADIO RULES:  TOWERS VS. BIRDS - CATS GET THE BLAME

The birds are back.  New interim regulatory procedures will take effect
soon for certain new towers to address bird kills.  Yet the issue remains
a sensitive one for many people in broadcasting, two-way radio and others
who own and maintain tall lighted tower structures.  Amateur Radio
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:

--

A new report from the FCC is likely to be scrutinized by anyone involved
in the debate. Among its assertions is that by best estimate
communications tower strikes by avian creatures do kill 6.6 million birds
a year in the United States.  Even so, while proposed regulatory changes
may affect the total somewhat, bird deaths from towers are, and will
remain, only a tiny fraction of bird deaths from all causes.

The report also notes that while communications towers contribute to the
overall adverse impacts of all human activities on bird populations,
communications tower collisions are only responsible for approximately 0.3
percent of the more than 2 billion annual bird deaths that currently occur
due to cats and other predators. In addition, these deaths occur against a
backdrop of high natural mortality to migrating birds due to a number of
factors. Although the absolute number of birds killed at communications
towers is large, towers are a relatively minor contributor to total
human-caused avian mortality, and the impact of these deaths is likely
even smaller when considered in the context of high natural mortality.

These findings are part of a Federal Communications Commission report
assessing the environmental impacts of its Antenna Structure Registration
System.  The report was prepared by the Maryland based firm the URS Group
for the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

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

--

The report is likely to continue the ongoing debate over what the
permanent tower registration rules and procedures should be.  You can read
the details at tinyurl.com/The-Final-PEA.  (FCC, CGC, RW)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC SEEKS INPUT ON EMERGENCY SHUTOFF OF CELLULAR SERVICE

The FCC wants to know how you feel about the government or private
enterprises using its ability to order a shutdown of broadband
communications systems in times of emergencies or perceived emergencies.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, reports:

--

The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland
Security Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau are jointly seeking
comment on issues related to intentional interruptions of Commercial
Mobile Radio Service by government authorities for matters deemed in the
interest of public safety.  The issue stems from Bay Area Rapid Transit's
shut-down of cellular telephone service on August 11th of last year in the
face of political and social protests taking place in the San Francisco
area.

According to General Docket Number 12-52, any intentional interruption of
wireless service, no matter how brief or localized, raises significant
concerns and implicates substantial legal and policy questions.  The
service interruption last summer drew sharp criticism, and state and local
governments have recently grappled with how to address possible future
events.

The FCC says that it is concerned that there has been insufficient
discussion, analysis, and consideration of the questions raised by
intentional interruptions of wireless service by government authorities.
As a result, Docket 12-52 seeks comment on the legal constraints and
policy considerations that bear on an intentional interruption of wireless
service by government agencies for the purpose of ensuring public safety.

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

--

General Docket Number 12-52 caries a commentary cutoff date of April 30th
and a reply comment date of May 30th.  The entire text is on line in Adobe
PDF format at tinyurl.com/turn-off-cellphones.

(FCC)

**


REGULATION:  CLERICAL ERROR LEADS FCC REQUESTS MODIFICATION OF HAWAII HAMS
LICENSE

In one of those awkward "oops someone goofed moments," the FCC has been
forced to issue an order that proposes modifying the license of Todd
Wilson, WH6DWF, of Honolulu, Hawaii, from General to Technician.

No, Wilson did nothing wrong.  In fact he appears to simply be the
innocent victim of a clerical error by the administering Volunteer
Examiner.  It happened this way:

Back in November of 2011, the ARRL V-E-C sent an electronic data file to
the FCC, requesting that the agency issue a Wilson a General class license
which it did.  A few weeks later in January 2012, the ARRL V-E-C notified
the FCC that Wilson's information was incorrect and he did not qualify for
a General class license.  The ARRL V-E-C also requested that the FCC to
modify Wilson's license to show him as a Technician class license holder.

On March 15, the FCC issued an Order of Proposed Modification, seeking to
change Wilson's license class from General to Technician.  In its order
the FCC said that granting General class amateur radio privileges to
Wilson had been improper.  That the grant of General class operator
privileges to Wilson was erroneous because he was not eligible to receive
examination credit for one of the elements an applicant must pass in order
to be granted a General class operator license.  Rather, he appears to be
currently authorized to operate with General class operator privileges due
to an error made during the application process.

But it may not be over yet.  Under the law, Wilson has until April 14th to
appeal the modification order by submitting a written statement containing
sufficient evidence to show that the modification would not be in the
public interest.  If he fails to do so, the license modification back to
Technician class will come into effect. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  A SECOND $25000 FINE ISSUED TO AN UNLICENSED CALIFORNIA
BROADCASTER

In what may well be a time record between FCC actions, the Commission has
reaffirmed a second $25,000 fine against California resident Gabriel
Garcia.  This time for not allowing a commission inspection of various
unlicensed radio stations in the San Jose area.

As reported last week, in May 2011, the Enforcement Bureau's San Francisco
office originally issued a $25,000 penalty because it said Garcia was
operating illegal stations on three frequencies in the San Jose area and
apparently interfering with the Aviation Radio Services band.  The
commission said that Garcia did not respond to the notice, so the fine has
now progressed into a Notice of Forfeiture.

Now the FCC has affirmed the second $25,000 forfeiture based on Garcia's
refusal to give its inspectors access to the properties from which the
stations were allegedly operating.  This, to permit physical inspection of
the equipment being used.

If Garcia fails to pay the two fines in the allotted 30 days each, the
matters will likely be turned over to the Department of Justice for
collection.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC INVESTIGATING 450 - 470 MHZ INTERFERENCE IN PA

The FCC has issued a Notice of Unauthorized Operation and of Interference
to Licensed Radio Stations to a pair of Lurgan, Pennsylvania residents.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, is here with the
details:

--

In a letter to the unnamed parties, the North-East Region Enforcement
Bureau in Philadelphia stated that it had received a complaint from a
licensed telecommunications provider of interference in the 450 to 470 MHz
band.  Also, that they had traced the interference to a radio transmitting
device operating in Lurgan, Pennsylvania.

On February 17th agents confirmed by direction finding that the source of
the interference was emanating from a residence in Lurgan.  During an
equipment inspection, agents confirmed that the device causing the
interference was designed to jam radio transmissions.

In its letter to the Lurgan residents, the FCC notified them that
unauthorized operation of a radio transmitting device designed to jam
radio communications must cease immediately.  It warned them that the
continued operation of such a device may result in seizure of the
offending equipment and/or a court order prohibiting them from operating
such devices.  Also that this type of unauthorized operation could subject
them to substantial monetary forfeitures and criminal sanctions including
imprisonment.

The two people involved in this matter were given 10 days from receipt of
the notice to provide information regarding the entity from whom they
purchased the device, including copies of any receipts or invoices.  They
were also given the opportunity to respond with any other information that
they believe relevant to the notice.

Fr the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera-Hpwell, KB3TZD, not far
away in Berwyck, Pennsylvania.

--

The two Lurgan residents were also advised that the Notice of Unauthorized
Operation they received or their response to it would not preclude the FCC
from pursuing additional sanctions based upon its investigation of this
incident.  (FCC Northeast Enforcement Bureau)

**

RADIO READING WINTER 2012 TAPR PSR JOURNAL NOW ON LINE

The Winter issue of the free Tucson Amateur Packet Radio P-S-R Journal is
now available to download.  This quarterly publication is full of
technical, non-technical and user digital information and articles.  You
can download the free winter 2012 PSR from tapr.org/psr/psr117.pdf.
Previous issues are also available free from the Tucson Amateur Packet
Radio website at tapr.org/psr.html. (TAPR)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  From the United States
of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from
our only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being relayed by the
volunteer services of the following radio amateur:

(5 sec pause here)

**

WORLDBEAT:  CHELMSFORD NAMED UK BIRTHPLACE OF RADIO

The United Kingdom now has a city named as the birthplace of radio.  At
least in that nation.  Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is here with the details:

--

Chelmsford, acknowledged as the birthplace of radio and home to the
Marconi Company for many years, is one of three new cities created to mark
the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment by Marconi
of the first purpose built radio factory in New Street, Chelmsford in
1912.  New Street is marked with a blue plaque noting the historic
significance.

And this comes to you from G4NJH in Nottingham.

--

As an asaide, for those who never heard the term the Queen's Diamond
Jubilee, this will be an extended weekend from June 2nd to the 5th to
celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.  The Queen came
to the throne on February 6, 1952 and her coronation took place on June
2nd 1953.  (RSGB)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  HAMSAT VO-52 RECOVERY SUCCESSFUL

Some good news about the HAMSAT VO-52 ham radio satellite.  A report
received from the ISRO Satellite Centre in Bangalore, India on March 14
says HAMSAT is back on the air and operating properly.

According to VU2WMY commands to reactivate Dutch-built PE1RAH orbital
transponder on HAMSAT were sent during an ascending pass over India.  The
commands were acknowledged and confirmed by return telemetry.  At the same
time the beacon signal was heard loud and strong in Bangalore.

Stations in Europe and North America reported good signals from VO-52
immediately after the transponder was activated.  Two-way contacts were
soon completed through the HAMSAT VO-52 transponder. (VU2WMY)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW HAM-SAT GROUP FORMED IN CUBA

Hector Martinez, CO6CBF reports that the Cuban Amateur Radio Federation
has created its first official Satellite Group.  CO6CBF says that he along
with CM2ESP and CO7WT worked to form the group and made the formal
recognition request to the Federation headquarters that was approved on
March 3rd.

The official name of the organization is the Grupo de Radioaficionados
para Operaciones Satelitales.  Its principal mission is to promote amateur
radio by satellites in Cuba and motivate Cuban hams to operate on the
satellites.  Its first meeting is being planned for Havana in the not to
distant future.

(CO6CBF)

**

ON THE AIR:  UK MUSEUM STATION TO COMMEMORATE SINKING OF THE TITANIC

Special event station GB100MGY will be on air from April 6th to the 26th.
This to mark the 100th anniversary of sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

This operation will take place from the Fort Perch Rock Marine Radio
Museum at New Brighton in the UK.  In addition to the regular HF bands the
planners of GB100MGY have received special permission from UK
telecommunications regulator Ofcom to use the callsign on 502 kHz.  If you
do not have gear to transmit on 502 kHz, crossband QSO's will be available
to 3.566 or 7.066 Mhz from April 12th to the 18th as propagation permits.

For more information on this special event operation, please take your web
browser to www.fortperchrockmarineradiomuseum.co.uk. (Via e-mail)

**

RADIOSPORTS:  WORLD-WIDE IRON HAM CONTEST RESCHEDULED TO DECEMBER

The World-Wide Iron Ham Contest, which was originally planned to take
place in June, has now been re-scheduled.  In order to avoid having two
South American contests in the same day the Araucaria Dx Group decided to
move the Iron Ham competition to the last full weekend in December.  As a
result, the World-Wide Iron Ham Contest will begin on Saturday December
29th at 12:00 UTC and end on Sunday December 30th at 11:59 UTC.  More on
this event in both English and Portugese is on line at
www.araucariadx.com/ih. (PY5EG)

**

DX

In DX, The Buddies in the Caribbean mini-DXpedition group will be
operational from Montserrat between April 8th to the 16th, with a new
group of operators who have never experienced the other side of a pileup.
Because of severe baggage limits on the flight from Antigua to Montserrat
they will be limited to low power radios and Buddipole portable antenna
systems.  There will be several villa stations in operation on 160 through
10 meters using CW, SSB, and RTTY or PSK.  At the same time, several teams
will be battery-only, field portable either from Montserrat beaches or
scenic mountain tops.  QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or mail to the
operator's home callsign.

DL7BC will be active from slas FH from Mayotte Island March 20th to 6th.
Please QSL as directed on the air.

WA2YUN is currently operational portable KH9 from Wake Island and will be
active another year or more.  Activity is on the Nigh Frequency bands
including 160 and 80 meters.  He has also been active on 6 meters.  QSL
via K2PF.

F4DTO and F4GFE will be active from Albania as ZA100I between April 22nd
to the 29th. Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters on SSB only. QSL
via F4DTO, direct or by the bureau.

Members of the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitter Society and the 9M4SDX
Team will be active as 9M0L from Pulau Layang Layang Island, East
Malaysia, between April 10th and the 24th.  The team will have 4 stations
using Spider Beam antennas.  QSL direct to the 9M0L Team Penang, PO BOX
125, GPO 10710, Penang Island, Malaysia or by the bureau to Malaysian
Amateur Radio Transmitter's Society.

Lastly, W7GJ and ZL1RS will once again team up to do a 6 and 2 meter EME
DXpedition to Niue between September 9th and the 21st, W7GJ will use the
callsign ZK2GJ, while ZL1RS will probably use his old callsign of ZK2RS.
QSL ZK2GJ via W7GJ and ZK2RS via ZL1RS direct only.

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  CREATING THE HAM RADIO TRIATHLON CONTEST

And finally this week, a new radiosporting event will begin in 2013.  And
it has its roots in sports history.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley,
KI7UP, is here with the details:

--

It all started back in August of 2011. That was about when it occurred to
Mike Balaskas, SV5BYR of Dodcanese, Greece, that a big Greek sponsored
radiosport event was missing from international ham radio contest
calendar.  By the end of that September Balaskas' idea had matured and so
the Ham Radio Triathlon Contest was born.

For those of you who do not follow the world of sports, a triathlon
involves completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events.
And as you have already guessed, it is a Greek word.

But unlike the world of athletics, those planning the Ham Radio Triathlon
DX Contest had to change things a bit to make this activity become
reality. In trying to simulate the original Triathlon athletic event,
planners chose three major ham radio modes for the competition.  For the
initial outing these will be SSB, CW and RTTY.

The Ham Radio Triathlon will be a 24 hour non-stop event that will take
place the fist full weekend of February.  It will debut next year on
Saturday, February 2nd of 2013.  And from what we have read of the
proposed rules winning this one won't be easy but it sure looks like a lot
of fun.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Norm Seeley, KI7UP, on this side of the
Atlantic and the Western part of the United States reporting from
Scottsdale, Arizona.

--

SV5BYR says that there is still a lot of work to be done and more details
to be announced.  We suggest that you keep an eye on
triathlon-dx-contest.blogspot.com in the coming months to learn more.
(SV5BYR)

**

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
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

A reminder that the nominating period for the 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline
Young Ham of the Year Award is now open.  Full details and a downloadable
nominating form are on our website at arnewsline.org/yhoty.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm David
Black, KB4KCH, at the Southeast Bureau in Birmingham Alabama 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
  ... find out how far one can go ~ TS Eliot


--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000-10
 * Origin: Roiz Flying \A/ Service * South Texas * USA * (1:387/22)