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Ärende: Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1886 - October 4 2013
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Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1886 - October 4 2013
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1886 with a release date of October 4
2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. The FCC in shutdown. How will it affect ham
radio? A new report says that faulty radio communications may have led to
deaths of 19 firefighters in Arizona; Hams in Pakistan stand ready to
assist following devastating earthquakes; The IARU Administrative Council
looks for ways to work with non member societies; D-Star comes to 40
meters down-under and rappelling off a 367 foot hotel was all in a days
work for a California ham. Find out the details are on Amateur Radio
NewslineT report number 1886 coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
RADIO LAW: GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECTS THE FCC
With the government shutdown that came into affect on October 1st, one of
the many agencies affected is the FCC. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom and takes a look at how this will
affect the United States world of Amateur Radio:
--
Until the government shutdown actually occurred on October 1st, no one was
quite sure which FCC services required by Amateur Radio would be affected.
A widely circulated FCC shutdown plan suggested only essential personnel
mandated by law would remain on duty until the budget situation is
resolved.
Automated services such as license processing and address changes were
unavailable as anyone who attempted to access the FCC's Website on October
1st were quick to learn,
The landing page at FCC.gov said in part: "We regret the disruption, but
during the Federal Government-wide shutdown, the FCC is limited to
performing duties that are immediately necessary for the safety of life or
the protection of property. FCC online systems will not be available until
further notice."
After giving a short list of links to cancelled meetings and actions, the
statement continued:
"If you need to contact the FCC to address an emergency situation, please
call: (202) 418-1122 or email: FCCOPCenter@fcc.gov."
The Network Outage Reporting System remains open for telecommunications
providers to report network outages.
There is no way to access the U-L-S pages; no way to file license
applications, updates or changes or report rules violations. Simply put,
the physical and electronic doors to the FCC are closed -- and won't
re-open until Congress ends the budget impasse.
Commission employees who remain on call are ready to act should there be
an actual crisis. As many as 16 have been retained to handle emergencies,
including staffing the FCC Operations Center and 8 others to conduct
emergency level interference detection, mitigation and disaster response
operations.
So if you are waiting for a license or other paperwork from the FCC to
show up in your mailbox, you will simply have to keep on waiting.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los
Angeles.
--
As this newscast goes to air its unknown how long it will take both ides
of the political aisle to come to terms on this latest government funding
crisis.
**
PROPAGATION: SOLAR ERUPTION HURLS CME INTO SPACE
On September 29th, a long magnetic filament in the sun's northern
hemisphere erupted producing what some observers are calling a magnificent
Coronal Mass Ejection. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory or SoHo
photographed the C-M-E leaving the sun at a speed of close to 2 million
miles per hour. Although the event was not aimed at our planet, it was
expected to receive a glancing blow from the plasma cloud beginning on or
about October 3rd. Keep an eye on spaceweather.com for the latest updates
on this and other solar events that could impact on radio communications
here on planet Earth.
(Published news reports)
**
RESCUE RADIO: FAULTY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS MAY HAVE LED TO DEATHS OF 19
FIREFIGHTERS IN ARIZONA
An investigation into the deaths of nineteen firefighters in Arizona on
June 30th has found that inadequate communication may nave played a
significant role in their fate. The dead men, all members of an elite
unit called the Granite Mountain Hotshots died when they were overrun by a
wildfire near the town of Yarnell. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark
Abramowicz, NT3V, takes a look at what the report has to say:
--
It is a sobering and detailed report that investigators put together to
try to ascertain what happened, why it happened and to prevent a tragedy
like this from happening again.
Because there were no survivors, investigators relied on recordings of
radio transmissions, eyewitness accounts of fire incident managers and
neighboring crews, including pilots flying tankers dropping flame
retardant and helicopter pilots.
The report's key findings on communications:
"Radio communications were challenging throughout the incident. Some
radios were not programmed with appropriate tone guards. Crews identified
the problem, engaged in troubleshooting, and developed workarounds so they
could communicate using their radios.
And, this telling conclusion:
"Radio traffic was heavy during critical times on the fire."
Did it mean the Hot Shots trying to escape to what they thought was a
nearby safe zone - a ranch - weren't able to cut in on the traffic?
Here's more, quoting from the 122-page investigation report:
"Although much communication occurred among crews throughout the day, few
people understood Granite Mountain's intentions, movements, and location,
once they left the black."
The black is considered a safe zone.
Quoting again from the report:
"The Team believes this is due to brief, informal, and vague radio
transmissions and talk-arounds that can occur during wildland fire
communications.
"Based on radio conversations, Operations and other resources had
concluded the Granite Mountain IHC was located in the black, near the
ridge top where they had started that morning. This resulted in confusion
about the crews actual location at the time of search and rescue."
Finally, the investigative team made some key recommendations to the state
of Arizona and the National Wildfire Coordination group.
Among them, increasing resource tracking, communications and real time
weather information.
And, putting together an interagency task force to conduct a further
analysis of what happened, as well as examining the human factors and
wildland fire communications.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.
--
The report describes radio communications during the time of the fire as
being very challenging. (K7DB, Yarnell Hill Fire Investigation)
**
RESCUE RADIO: PAKISTANI HAMS READY TO ASSIST FOLLOWING QUAKE
The toll mounts in south-western Pakistan after it was hit by the 7.7
scale earthquake on Tuesday, September 24th.
Mujtaba Haider Imran AP2MI, is the president of the Pakistan Relief. He
says that government officials put the death toll at 349 and rising.
Other news sources put the number of deaths so far at 515 with more than
600 injured. Few of the mud and homemade brick houses in the area
survived. Since then tens of thousands of people have been sleeping under
the open sky or tents.
The disaster took place in a remote and thinly populated area. Pakinstan
Amateur Radio Society members say that they are prepared to provide any
emergency communications support to as needed. A-P-2-M-U-T is already on
the scene and involved with gathering information on the devastation and
needed relief supplies.
Pakistan Relief has so far donated 2500 jerry cans, 1500 mosquito nets, an
unknown number of first aid kits and other essential equipment. The
coordination process is underway with Pakistan Air Force to airlift and
drop these goods in the worst hit areas.
A second 7.2 magnitude quake in the same region on the 28th caused further
damage to the regions infrastructure. (VK3PC, the Guardian, other news
sources)
**
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: IARU ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL LOOKS TO WORK WITH NON
IARU MEMBER SOCIETIES
The International Amateur Radio Union Administrative Council is looking
into ways to work with non-IARU Amateur Radio organizations. This in
nations where the IARU member-society may not be representing all of that
country's radio amateurs.
The issue came under discussion at the annual IARU Administrative Council
meeting held September 21st to the 23rd in Cancun, Mexico. According to a
news release from the gathering, in many of these countries, there are
other non-IARU member-societies. The Administrative Council is studying
ways to work with the non-IARU societies to ensure that the interests of
all the amateurs are represented in those countries where the IARU
member-society fails to do so. (IARU, ARRL press releases)
**
ENFORCEMENT: HAM ARRESTED IN INDIANAPOLIS FOR ALLEGEDLY IMPERSONATING A
POLICE OFFICER
An Indianapolis area ham has been arrested after he was allegedly spotted
pretending to be a cop at the funeral of a police officer who was being
laid to rest. Amateur Radio Newsline's Jack Parker, W8ISH, has the
details:
--
News of the death of an Indianapolis police officer shot and killed while
responding to a domestic dispute made headlines all last week. But, on
the afternoon of his funeral another man in uniform stole the headlines.
As law enforcement officers, friends, family and media gathered at the
cemetery another man in blue was arrested for impersonating a police
officer.
As it turns out these two men had more in common than first thought. They
are both Indianapolis based Amateur Radio Operators. Arrested is 38 year
old Minh Nguyen, callsign KB9WDY. He was arrested as he waited with
Westside residents and other police officers as the miles long funeral
procession neared the west side district headquarters when deceased
officer Rod Bradway was assigned.
Rod Bradway was killed last week while attempting to save a woman and her
child from an armed domestic partner. Bradways Amateur Radio call sign is
KC9PFW. Authorities don't believe the two men knew each other. The
police badge and uniform was the common link to this sad commentary.
According to the arrest report, Police say Nguyen was taking photographs
from a black 2012 Dodge Charger equipped with a siren, flashing lights and
a two-way radio. Police found an AR 15 rifle in his car and later found
guns, police uniforms and police equipment at his the home.
Police say he has had prior arrests on similar and other unusual behavior.
The report said Nguyen also had "property stolen from the city of
Indianapolis," including property room slips and envelopes that the public
does not have access to.
Minh Nguyen faces felony charges of impersonating a public servant and
theft, which carries a sentence of six months to three years in prison. A
conviction could also lead to revocation of his Amateur Radio license by
the FCC if they choose to review the case.
Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker W8ISH.
--
The public and law enforcement officers were not aware of the Nguyen
arrest until after Officer Rod Bradway, KC9PFW, was laid to rest following
a full honors ceremony at Crown Hill Cemetery on Indianapolis north side.
(ARNewsline, W8ISH)
**
ENFORCEMENT: PUBLIC RADIO STATION FINED $12000 FOR 6 YEARS OF MISSING
PAPERWORK
The FCC has proposed a $12,000 fine and a shorter license renewal term for
Gallup Public Radio. This based on some missing documents from its public
file.
New Mexico station KGLP -FM admitted it was missing nearly six years'
worth of issues and programs lists from the file. In its reply to the FCC
the station indicated it has now reconstructed the missing documents.
However the FCC's Media Bureau said in its decision the station is still
responsible for the lapse. The commission found the violations to be
"extensive," occurring for nearly six years of an eight-year license term.
For that reason the agency raised the proposed monetary forfeiture from
the base $10,000 to $12,000 and also granted the station a shortened,
four-year, license renewal term.
Gallup Public Radio was given the usual 30 days from imposition of the
fine to pay the amount in full or to file a further appeal. (FCC, RW)
**
DIGITAL AUDIO: D-STAR EXPERIMENTAL NET ON 40 METERS FROM VK LAND
If you have interest in digital audio on the High Frequency bands you
might want to tune your D-Star equipped transceiver to 7.215 MHz at noon
UTC. This to see if you can take part in a D-Star test net operating from
Australia most mornings.
The net control is Brian Farrar, VK2AH, in New South Whales who says the
best contacts so far have been from his location to the city of Horsham
about 550 miles away. Farrar says that net participants have tried other
bands with no much success but 40 meters seems promising.
VK2AK is not only on for the net but also tries 40 meter D-Star at other
times of the day as well. While operating he also monitors D-Star
Reflector REF003 and does put out alerts when he is looking for D-Star
contacts from his QTH down-under. (VK3TOM, D-Star Remailer)
**
RADIO HAPPENINGS: NIKOLA TESLA MONUMENT UNVEILED IN NEW YORK
The president of Serbia has traveled to the United States where he
recently unveiled the Nikola Tesla Monument at Tesla's former laboratory
in Long Island. In a press statement prior to the actual ceremony,
Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said that it was the strength of
Tesla's vision is what influences how the public speaks about Nikola Tesla
with respect some 70 years after he died.
Nikola Tesla who passed away on January 7, 1943 was a Serbian-born and
later inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist, and
futurist. He is perhaps best known for his contributions to the design of
the modern alternating current electricity supply system.
For decades The Tesla Science Center has been trying to set up a
commemorative museum at the site of Nikola Tesla's old laboratory, Now
those behind the project and who managed to raise over a million dollars
in an internet crowd funding campaign can celebrate the fact that their
goal is finally starting to become a reality. (IntelliHub)
**
RADIO HAPPENINGS: NEW RCA EXHIBIT AND STUDY CENTER TO OPEN AT NJ COLLEGE
A new exhibit highlighting the Radio Corporation of America's rich history
across the 20th century will open shortly at the College of New Jersey, in
Ewing Township. The display will draw from the more than 6000 artifacts
that the college inherited after the David Sarnoff Library, which at one
time was RCA's main technical archive and museum, closed in 2009. The new
exhibition covers the development of radio, television, and broadcasting,
as well as RCA's work in liquid-crystal displays, electron microscopy,
solid-state physics, and computers. The Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers Foundation funded the new Sarnoff Study Center
which is connected to the exhibition. The Center will serve as the
central educational component of the Sarnoff Collection. More is on the
web at tinyurl.com/rca-exhibit (Artscom NJ)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: THE INDESTRUCTIBLE LDMOS FET
A new Laterally Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor or LDMOS type Field
Effect Transistor designated as type BLF578XR has been developed by NXP
Semiconductor. This for use as an RF power amplifier in broadcast and
industrial applications.
The new device is rated at 1400 Watt output, 50 Volts DC with a gain of
23.5 dB and an efficiency of 69%. Even more amazing, it is designed to
survive a 125 to 1 or higher VSWR and as such it is literally almost
indestructible.
The current priced of a single unit BLF578XR transistor is 230 Euros or
about 300 U-S dollars but like most semiconductors, it should come down in
price over time. (SARL)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: GB2RS MANAGER TO RETIRE
Some names in the news. First up this week is Gordon Adams, G3LEQ whom
after 35 years of unbroken service, is to retire as manager of the Radio
Society of Great Britain's GB2RS bulletin broadcast service. The Society
says that GB2RS has always been a much valued part its news service and
every week nearly 100 volunteer newsreaders give of their time to
broadcast the material to all parts of the UK. According to the RSGB,
Adams has agreed to continue in post until a successor is found. (RSGB)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: MARNICK JOINS UK REGULATOR OFCOM
British telecommunications regulator Ofcom has announced the appointment
of Philip Marnick as its new Group Director in Charge of Spectrum.
Marnick comes to the agency with 27 years' experience in the wireless
communications industry including a stint at U K Broadband where he served
as Chief Technology Officer. He will join Ofcom in November and will lead
the Spectrum Policy Group. This is organizations arm responsible for
setting and implementing the strategy for managing spectrum, which
involves clearing, awarding and licensing it. (Southgate)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: WA2OJK NAMED HEAD OF CQ ADVERTISING DEPT
CQ Communications has announced that effective immediately. Jon Kummer,
WA2OJK, has been appointed to head the company's advertising department.
Kummer is no stranger to CQ or to many in the hobby radio industry. In
years past WA2OJK sold advertising for CQ Amateur Radio, Popular
Communications and WorldRadio Online, as well as Modern Electronics and
Electronic Servicing & Technology when the latter were CQ publications.
Jon Kummer may be reached by e-mail at jon (dot) kummer (at) cqcomm (dot)
com or by phone to 516-883-1641 during normal weekday hours Eastern Time.
(CQ)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: TWO HAM ASTRONAUTS DEPART NASA
NASA astronauts Gregory Chamitoff, KD5PKZ, and Ronald Garan, KF5GPO, are
leaving the agency. Chamitoff is joining the faculty of Texas A and M
University in College Station, Texas, and the University of Sydney in
Australia. Garan has said that he plans to work on a range of new
entrepreneurial and humanitarian efforts. (Southgate)
**
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: NOISE REDUCTION INVENTOR RAY ROLBY - SK
The technologist who literally invented electronic noise reduction has
passed away. This with word that Dolby Laboratories founder Dr. Ray Dolby
died September 12th at his home in San Francisco at age 80.
Early in his career, Ray Dolby was employed by Ampex Corporation where he
was chief designer of the electronic aspects of the first practical
videotape recording system. In 1965 he founded Dolby Laboratories, whose
major accomplishments include the development of electronic noise
reduction and surround sound technologies.
According to a company spokesperson, in recent years, Ray Dolby had been
suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Then last July he was diagnosed with
an acute form of leukemia.
Ray Dolby is survived by his wife, Dagmar, his sons, Tom and David and
their spouses. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the
Alzheimer's Association, 1060 La Avenida Street, Mountain View,
California, 94043, or the Brain Health Center, % CPMC Foundation, 45
Castro St., San Francisco, California, 94117. (Dolby Labs, RW, ProSound,
twice.com)
**
ON THE AIR: 5P14EHC TO CELEBRATE THE EUROPEAN HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT
JANUARY
Keep an ear open early next year when members of the Danish Radio Amateurs
group as they activate the special event callsign 5P14EHC. This station
will be operational throughout January of 2014 in celebration of Denmark
hosting the European Handball Championship for Men. Look for operation of
5P14EHC to be on all bands including the 30, 17 and 12 meters. Activity
will likely encompass all modes available, but will exclude cross-mode,
cross-band contacts and those made via repeater, repeater interties and
Echolink. All QSOs will be verified electronically via Logbook of the
World and eQSL. Paper QSL's will also be available as well. (Various)
**
DX
In DX, The Martello Tower Group is returning to Herm Island from October
4th to 9th using the callsign GP0PKT. Their operation will be 80 through
10 meters including the WARC bands using SSB and RTTY. Although Herm is
part of the Guernsey Islands on the Air group, it isn't activated very
often and the GP0 prefix usually attracts some interest. All QSOs will be
uploaded to Logbook of The World. Direct or bureau cards should be sent
via G6NHU.
K7ZO will be active from Nicaragua during the CQ World Wide DX SSB
Contest from October 26 to the 27th as a Single-Operator All-Band entry
using the callsign YN5Z. QSL to K7ZO direct, via the bureau or
electronically using Logbook of the World.
DJ7RJ will be on Reunion Island signing stroke FR until November 2nd.
Listen out for him on 160 through 10 meters SSB and CW with a focus on the
lower bands. QSL via DJ7RJ either direct or via the bureau.
WP3A will be active as ED8P from Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary
Islands also during the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest. He will enter as a
Single-Operator, 15 meter Single Band Low Power Assisted entry. His QSL's
go via NP3O.
DL4VM will be operating stroke OZ when he returns back North Jutland. He
will be there through October 19th. QSL via DL4VM either direct or via
the bureau.
DK8LRF is reportedly operational from Columbia as HK3JCL through November
23rd. His activity will mostly be on 20 and 40 meters using SSB. QSL to
his home callsign via the bureau.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: WALKING DOWN THE SIDE OF A LANDMARK HOTEL
And finally this week, its not every ham that gets to rappel down the side
of a 35 story landmark, but it was all in a days work on Friday, September
27th, for Tony Buittitta, KD6AJG. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant,
K6PZW, has the rest of the story:
--
By profession, Tony Buittitta, KD6AJG is a news photographer for KTTV Fox
11 television. He is also a member of the Los Angeles Sheriff's
Department Search and Rescue team. So when reporter Bob De Castro,
decided to walk down the side of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel to raise
money for the Boy Scouts of America through the Los Angeles Council "Over
the Edge IV" rappelling demonstration, Tony, who is fully trained and
qualified in this area was a natural to accompany him down the side of the
building:
--
KD6AJG: "The station asked me if I would be interested in being part of
that and I was really excited. I just couldn't wait to do it. So it was
like `yeh, no problem.'"
--
Oh yes, in addition to going along for the 367 foot vertical walk, Tony
had another duty. That was to bring some live television pictures of both
of them as they made their way down:
--
KD6AJG: "I've done lots of rappels; come out of helicopters and (off)
mountains and stuff like that. That kind of stuff does not bother me.
I'm really comfortable with my skill level as far as that goes.
"But the night before this, I couldn't sleep (because) I was trying to
figure out the technical part of it. How to do all this and then put it
on live TV."
--
We asked Tony to tell us a bit about the technology involved to make it
all happen. It turned out to be rather complex:
--
KD6AJG: "Lots of microwave links (and) some new technology using broadband
called Live View in my balk-pack. Se we had a camera on the roof on the
reporter going back via Live View broadband technology. I had a GoPro
(camera) on my head and then in the back pack I had all kinds of
converters sp we could get audio into the GoPro and then a portable
microwave link one on frequency that was bouncing from my back up to the
rooftop where we had dangled some receive antennas over the side. Then
from the output of that receiver into another receiver which was hitting
Saddle Peak where the station would pick us up.
"Then in addition to all those microwave links and broadband we had our
helicopter on another microwave frequency hovering right over us. So
there was quite a bit going on and actually on the air it all cut together
seamlessly with no problem."
--
And did he enjoy the experience?
--
KD6AJG: "Oh, I had a blast. My responsibility was to try to keep the
reporter in frame, but shooting on the GoPro stuck to your head you really
never know where you are pointing. If I could do it again I probably
would like to have done a test and see what the shot looked like.
"I was able to get him in there quite a bit; try to keep up with him and
to try to stay level with him.
"I wish I could do it again and make a few changes to the camera but for
the most part I did OK. I got some good stuff and it was fun, that's for
sure."
--
If you want to know what its like to venture 367 feet down the side of the
Westin Bonaventure Hotel you can do so vicariously. That's because Bob
and Tony's walk was televised live on the stations Good Day L.A. morning
program and is on line at tinyurl.com/rappel-over-the-edge.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.
--
And one more thing. While we are not 100% sure, it appears as if KD6AJG
may have inadvertently become a sort of a record holder. This as being
the first ham radio operator to ever rappel down the side of the Westin
Bonaventure Hotel, even though he had no way to get on the amateur radio
airwaves at the time. (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 W-I-A News, that's all
from the Amateur Radio NewslineT. Our e-mail address is newsline (at)
arnewsline (dot) org. More information is available at Amateur Radio
Newsline'sT only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can
also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio NewslineT, 28197 Robin
Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Skeeter
Nash, N5ASH, near Houston, Texas, saying 73 and we thank you for
listening.
Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
================================================
R\%/itt - K5RXT
Reminder: On Friday September 8th 2006, Mike Godwin's 16 year experiment
was concluded and Godwin's Law was officially repealed by a MAJORITY vote
among millions of individuals.
--- GoldED+/W32 1.1.5-31012
--- D'Bridge 3.92
* Origin: K5RXT HAM Echo Moderator - San Antonio, Texas, USA (1:387/22)
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