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Ärende: Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1889 - October 25 2013
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Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1889 - October 25 2013
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1889 with a release date of October
25 2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Hams in Australia respond to massive wildfires;
Amateur radio operators in India are set to assist in tracking Comet ISON;
the Babnaba Island T33A DXpedition targets November 5th as its start-up
date; the FCC says no to expanding Technician class phone operations on 10
meters and UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom takes a new look at
pirate radio. Find out the details are on Amateur Radio NewslineT report
number 1889 coming your way right now.
**
RESCUE RADIO: AUSTRALIA WICIN RESPONDS TO NEW SOUTH WALES BRUSHFIRES
Hams who are members of Australia's WICEN have been activated as fires
rage in an area called the Blue Mountains threaten to expand. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, reports:
--
According to Jim Linton, VK3PC, who is the IARU Chairman Region 3 Disaster
Communications Committee, already some 200 homes have been lost as
wildfires rage in the Blue Mountains of the Australian state of New South
Wales not far from the city of Sydney. News reports attribute one death
to the wildfires. A State of Emergency has been declared for the area and
fire fighters worry that up to four separate blazes could potentially
combine to form a single massive fire front.
Compton Allen, VK2HRX, is the president of WICEN in New South Wales. He
says that an official activation has begun, drawing on the resources of
the emergency communications group. Currently the mobilization is to
support the declared State of Emergency with manpower in the Lithgow area
to the west of Sydney.
About 1,200 firefighters were battling blazes across the state. New South
Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said personnel had
volunteered to help from all across Australia, and as far away as here in
New Zealand. The ground effort is being backed with more than eighty
aircraft which were dropping water and fire retardant on the flames.
VK3PC says that evacuations of tens of thousands of people are possible if
hotter weather conditions combine with fire fronts already burning. This
is a scenario that is literally changing minute by minute and we will have
more on it in future newscasts.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, across the Tasman
Sea in Nelson, New Zealand.
--
WICEN in Australia is comparable to a combined RACES and ARES here in the
United States.
(VK3PC, News 10, euronews.com)
**
RESCUE RADIO: PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKE FOLLOW-UP
A follow-up to last weeks report on a devastating earthquake that hit the
Bohol region of the Phillipines. According to Roberto Vicencio, DU1VHY
reporting via QRZ.com, due to the shaker both the communication and
electrical power infrastructures in the disaster area were initially
crippled. He notes that to date over 140 fatalities have been recorded on
the island of Bohol and about 10 on the island of Cebu adding that
numerous buildings were damaged due the severity of the shaker.
DU1HVY notes that as of his latest posted report that hams were still
passing information to and from the island and to the National Capital
Region. Communications was taking place on 7.095 MHz on the 40 meters
plus VHF, Echolink and using the social media.
John Hays is DW5HT on the island of Leyte. Hays, who is also WB0HZL notes
that in the Philippines there are approximately 5000 licensed hams in a
country with a population of about 103 million. He notes that the land
mass is about the size of Oregon but the country is long, thin and made up
of numerous islands. As such, the Philippines do not have the extensive
repeater systems so commonly found here in the United States. There, the
National Emergency High Frequency calling channel is 7.095 MHz and Hays
says that this works very well for communication throughout the country on
a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis.
(DU1VHY, WB0HZL/DW5HT via QRX.com)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: INDIA'S HAM RADIO OPERATORS SET TO HELP IN TRACKING
COMET ISON
Astrophysicists in India are joining with amateur radio operators to track
and read data comet ISON which is scheduled to pass nearest to Earth on
November 28th. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD, has the
details:
--
With the assistance a ham radio operators, scientists at India's Institute
of Astrophysics will send a neon gas filled balloon about 130,000 feet in
into the stratosphere in late November to gather data on comet ISON.
Ram Mohan Suri, VU2MYH, is the director of India's National Institute of
Amateur Radio. He says that the Institute of Astrophysics has joined
forces with Dhruva Space and his organization for the project.
Suri says that this type of joint mission has never been attempted before
but that trial runs have proven to be quite successful. He notes that an
amateur station has been set up at the Institute of Astrophysics. He says
that it and two mobile units will track the balloon and monitor its
instruments as they record data from comet. Specifically the instrument
package will take detailed readings of ISON's mass, composition, inert
gases and other aspects of its nucleus and tail.
Once the balloon bursts and the instruments parachute back to Earth it
will be a team of amateur radio operators that will track and retrieve it
from anywhere in India or abroad, presumably using APRS.
The location of the payload and balloon will be posted online in real
time, so that amateur radio operators throughout the world can follow the
mission. This says Suri will be helpful if the balloon falls back to
Earth out of the geographical border of India.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,
Pennsylvania.
--
Comet ISON is classified as a sungrazing comet discovered in September of
2012, by Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok. Studies presented at the
American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences meeting
suggest that ISON's nucleus measures somewhere between 1 to 2 « miles
across and it has a distinct green glow at its tail. (Hindu Times)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS NO TO EXPANDING TECH PRIVILEGES ON 10 METERS
The FCC has dismissed a Petition for Rule Making from the Toledo Mobile
Radio Association that sought to expand Technician class operating
privileges on 10 meters. This to permit holders of Technician class
tickets access to the FM portion of the band from 29.52 to 29.7 MHz
Under current rules, Novice and Technician licensees may operate from 28.0
to 28.5 MHz but are limited to CW, RTTY and other data modes from 28.0 to
28.3 Mhz. They also have limited SSB phone privileges from 28.3 to 28.5
MHz.
Last June the Toledo Mobile Radio Association had asked the Commission to
expand the spectrum available to Technician licensees on 10 meters to
include operating privileges in the FM portion of the band. It asserted
that that amending the rules would bring Technician voice privileges on 10
meters in line with technical advancement that had taken place since those
rules were put in place.
But in its October 17th decision denying the rules change request the FCC
said that the Toledo Mobile Radio Association had not presented any new
evidence to warrant the Commission revisiting the question of Technician
class licensees operating privileges. The regulatory agency went on to
note that Technicians can already transmit through repeaters licensed to a
General class or higher licensee that have an output channel in the 29.52
to 29.7 MHz segment. The caveat is that the input of the repeater must
have an input on 2 meters or above and be under the control of a higher
class licensee. In other words, a cross-band linked system or remote-base
rather than a conventional 10 meter in-band repeater.
Also that contrary to Toledo Mobile Radio Association assertion, the FCC
says that its rules do not prevent Technician Class licensees from taking
advantage of such technological developments as IRLP or Echolink. Nor
does it prevent them from exchanging voice communications with other
stations in the 29.52 to 29.7 MHz segment of the 10 meter band but again
as long as the Technician operator is using spectrum allowed to that
license class.
You can read the entire FCC decision in this matter on the web at
tinyurl.com/no-new-tech-frequencies. (FCC)
**
BREAKING DX NEWS: T33A BANABA ISLAND HOPES TO BE ACTIVE NOVEMBER 5 - 18
Some breaking news from the world of DX. The T33A DXpedition to Banaba
Island is fast approaching and is expected to be active from November 5th
to the 18th.
It was reported on the T33A Blog Page on October 17th by co team leader
Jay Kobelin, W2IJ, that the container carrying the gear for the operation
has departed Suva, Fiji and was now on its way by sea to Tarawa. Also
that the operations advance team will arrive in Tarawa on October 31st to
attend to picking up provisions as well as to get the container unsealed
and cleared through customs. They will then make certain that it is
loaded onto their vessel in preparation for a November 3rd departure to
Banaba Island.
It was also mentioned that the T33A operations main sponsor is Elecraft,
which is supplying six K 3 Transceivers and five KPA-500 Amplifiers. Also
that the T33A team will be using the DXA interface for their operation.
DXA is an innovative Web site that allows DX'ers to view the status and
activities of a DXpedition in near-real-time.
For more details about this DXpedition please visit www.t33a.com. We will
have more DX related news later on in this weeks report. (OPDX)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC EXTENDS FILING DATES ON VARIOUS ITEMS
The FCC has set new deadlines for filings with the agency on various
issues. This after the agency re-opened for business in mid-October
following the partial 16 day government shutdown. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:
--
As reported in the trade publication Radio World, in general, filings that
would have been due between October 1st and 6th became due on Tuesday,
October 22nd. That date is now past. Filings that would have been due
October 7th to the 16th are now due 16 calendar days after the original
filing date. Again, some of those day's have now passed. Also, if the
new date falls on a weekend or holiday, those filings are due at the FCC
on the following business day.
Regarding public comments that were due on various issues during the
shutdown, of interest to our listeners are the proposed RF exposure
changes. Reply comments are now due November 18 for "Reassessment of
Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Limits and Policies."
For that you file to ET Dockets 03-137 and 13-84.
Three other issues of interest to the hobby radio community. Regulatory
and enforcement filings that would have been due on October 17th are now
due on November 4th. Special Temporary Authorities that expired between
October 1st to the 22nd have been extended to November 4th and low-power
FM station applications are now due November 14th.
As to the processing of new and renewal Amateur Service license
applications, the only information made public so far comes from the ARRL
V-E-C. It said that it had approximately 250 sessions and over 1500 forms
in the queue as the FCC reopened on October 17th. By the end of the day,
the League's V-E-C staff had dispatched its entire backlog to the
Commission for processing.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.
--
So it looks as if things are getting back to normal at the FCC, albeit a
bit slower than some might have envisioned. (RW, ARRL)
**
RADIO POLITICS: CONFIRMATION OF NEW FCC CHAIRMAN HELD UP IN SENATE
Republican Senator Ted Cruz, the conservative who helped prompt the recent
government shutdown, has blocked the Senate from voting on the nomination
of Tom Wheeler to be Federal Communications Commission chairman. The
Senate was scheduled to vote on Wheeler, a Democrat and telecom industry
veteran, late on Wednesday. October 16th. Cruz held up the vote over
questions about the FCC's power to enforce disclosures of who sponsors
political television advertising.
The Senate also has yet to vote on the nomination of Republican Michael
O'Rielly to fill the fifth and final open FCC commissioner position.
O'Rielly has spent nearly two decades as a staffer in Congress, most
recently serving as a top aide to Senator John Cornyn of Texas. (Published
news reports)
**
RADIO LAW: ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION CHALLENGES PERSONAL AUDIO LLC
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has filed a petition with the Patent
and Trademark Office challenging the claims of Personal Audio LLC. This
is the company claiming to hold key patents for podcasting technology.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, reports:
--
The Electronic Frontier Foundation said in a press release that its
petition filed in this matter shows that Personal Audio did not invent
anything new, and, in fact, other people were podcasting years before
Personal Audio first applied for a patent.
The Foundation notes that in preparation for its filing, that it solicited
help from the public to find prior art, or earlier examples of podcasting
and cites three examples of what it discovered. These are Internet
Pioneer Carl Malamud's `Geek of the Week' online radio show along with
online broadcasts by CNN and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
From the release, Electronic Frontier Foundation Staff Attorney Daniel
Nazer said that as shown in our petition, Personal Audio is not the true
inventor of this technology and should not be demanding a payout from
today's podcasters. The petition goes on to note that because Personal
Audio's business model is entirely based on leveraging its patents and it
does not do any podcasting itself, the company fits the definition of a
non-practicing entity.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stepen Kinford, N8WB, in Wadsworth,
Ohio.
--
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to
keeping modern media technologies minimally regulated and hindered.
(EFF, RW)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: WASHINGTON HAMS HONORED FOR COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
An all-volunteer amateur radio organization has been recognized by King
County, Washington for its commitment to emergency preparedness and
response
The Renton Emergency Communication Service was chosen for this accolade
based on a record of service that stretches back long before their formal
incorporation by two groups of amateur radio operators in 2008. Over time
the volunteers have evolved to become a key asset to Renton's Fire and
Emergency Services Department, especially during disasters.
Each of the group's members is trained to staff the Renton Emergency
Operations Center and carry out communication responsibilities. During
the snow and ice storm of January 2012, they performed critical functions,
including call-taking, managing radio and social media, and providing
real-time weather and road information gathered from around the City of
Renton. When power was lost to hundreds of homes, Renton Emergency
Communication Service members were deployed to Renton's network of
Neighborhood Information Centers, where they posted information on shelter
and food distribution locations delivered to them by radio.
Mark Peterson is the Fire Chief of Renton. He says that the dedication
and commitment shown by the Renton Emergency Communication Service
volunteers is making a real difference in his departments ability to
better serve the community. Peterson added that the hams provide timely
and critical communications and information before it is needed. More on
this story is on the web at tinyurl.com/renton-hams-honored. (Kings
County Executive News)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: AMERICAN LEGION TAKES TO AIRWAVES IN SALUTE TO VETERANS
Indianapolis -Legionnaires will honor their fellow veterans in a special
on-the-air tribute on Veterans Day, November 11th. That when members of
The American Legion Amateur Radio Club will operate using the special
event call sign W9L on 20 meters, 2-meter simplex, a Central Indiana
repeater and connect world wide via IRLP beginning at 9:00 a.m. through 5
p.m. Eastern Time.
Frequencies in use will include to 14.275 MHz upper sideband on 20 meters,
146.46 MHz on 2 meter simplex, the 145.17 MHz repeater in Hamilton County
and IRLP Node 4816. Those who make contact with W9L will be eligible to
receive an attractive full color commemorative certificate. More about
this event including QSL routing is on the web at website
www.legion.org/hamradio (K9JM)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: HAMS IN BAHRAIN CELEBRATE ARAB CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Ham radio operators in the Kingdom of Bahrain are on the air in
celebration of the 2013 Arab Cycling Championship being held in that
nation through October 31st. A Special Event Station using the call
A91ACC will be active on all of the High Frequency bands during the event.
All confirmed QSO's will receive an award signed by the president of
Bahrain Cycling Association. QSL's go via IZ8CLM. Planners say that
participation by ham radio operators in this event shows the increasing
interest in Amateur Radio in the Kingdom of Bahrain and encouragement from
its officials. (A91ACC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: ERIN KING AK4JG NAMED ONE OF THE WORLDS 50 SMARTEST
TEENS
And congratulations to 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year
award winner Erin King, AK4JG, who has been named one of the 50 smartest
teens in the world by TheBestSchools.com.
King was selected for this honor based on her early acceptance to the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her then hacking of her
acceptance letter tube. This she converted into a spacecraft payload that
she flew to over 90,000 feet. Once recovered using A-P-R-S tracking Erin
took the video captured by the onboard Go Pro camera and produced a
stunning documentary of the creation of the payload and the actual flight
itself.
This past summer recess she spent with Google working on their Project
Loon. This is a communications experiment that looks to use a global
network of high-altitude balloons to connect people in rural and remote
areas of the world who currently have no Internet.
TheBestSchools.org bills itself as a leading resource for campus and
online education. You can read Erin's story and that of the forty-nine
others selected for this distinction at tinyurl.com/fifty-smartest-teens.
(TheBestSchools.com)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: RAC ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS AND COMMUNITY GRANT
Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced the granting of three academic
scholarships and one community grant.
The individual recipients are Paulyn Mulles, VE3PJM who is attending
Carlton University, Jason Deglint, VE7TJD who is a student at University
of Victoria, and Liam Bindle, VE5LRB who is attending the University of
Saskatchewan. Each of these young Amateurs will receive a $500 academic
scholarship to assist their further studies in Electrical Engineering.
Shaftesbury High School in Winnipeg will also received a $500 community
grant to assist them to become the only permanent Amateur Radio ARISS
Telebridge Station in Canada. This, under the guidance of Mr. Robert
Striemer, VE4SHS. (VE3XT)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: NEW FREE E-BOOK ON IMAGE COMMUNICATIONS
And word that Martin Bruchanov, OK2MNM, has written a Free e-book for hams
and SWL's interested in special communication modes for image transmission
and reception. This includes such modes as SSTV, Digital SSTV and radio
facsimile to name only a few. You can download the entire book or view on
line at www.sstv-handbook.com (Southgate)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: INTEL NEW BROADWELL CHIPSET DELAYED TO EARLY 2014
Intel, the world's biggest computer chip maker, has said the production of
its next-generation PC chip, Broadwell, will be delayed by a about three
months past its scheduled release date. This due to a technical glitch
according to Chief executive Brian Krzanich.
The Broadwell chips are expected to succeed the firm's Haswell line of
processors, and are touted to be more power-efficient and faster. Intel
is the leading PC chip-maker and its updated products typically spur on
new laptop and desktop sales. It will now begin production on Broadwell
chips in the first quarter of 2014 rather than later this year. (Intel,
c-net, Techradar)
**
WORLDBEAT: UK REGULATOR OFCOM VS. PIRATE RADIO
United Kingdom communications regulator Ofcom has published some new
information about putting an end to pirate radio operations. Basically it
appears as if they want to license these stations.
Currently in London alone there are over two dozen pirate stations
operating in the 88 to108 MHz FM broadcast band. Many operate 24 hours a
day, 7days a week so are not exactly difficult for Ofcom to locate if they
wished to do so.
But on its In the Pirate Radio web page Ofcom points out that they have
issued Community Radio licenses to former pirate radio stations such as
Rinse FM and Kane FM. The inference that may be taken is Ofcom would like
more pirate radio stations to apply for community radio licenses.
Although Ofcom has occasionally raided pirate stations operating in the FM
broadcast band, such enforcement actions have been few and far between.
And following the 2008 through 2009 fiscal year, Ofcom stopped publishing
its Prosecution Formal Warning Statistics and subsequently removed all
prosecution statistics from their website.
Some speculate the reason the statistics no longer appeared was because
Ofcom had stopped undertaking enforcement action. Heres what Ofcom has to
say about the situation in its own words at
tinyurl.com/uk-pirate-unenforced. (Southgate, BDXC)
**
RADIO FROM SPACE: THE FERRARI OF SPACE TO SOON DE-ORBIT
A European Space Agency a scientific research satellite dubbed the
"Ferrari of Space" based on its sleek, finned looks will shortly run out
of fuel and fall to Earth after a successful mission.
Launched in 2009, the Gravity Ocean Circulation Explorer orbits at an
extremely low altitude of just 160 miles where there are still some
molecules of atmosphere. The satellite's main payload is the
Electrostatic Gravity Gradiometers to measure the gravity field of Earth.
These are arranged in three pairs of ultra-sensitive accelerometers
arranged in three dimensions that respond to tiny variations in the
'gravitational tug' of the Earth as it travels along its orbital path.
Other payloads include an onboard GPS receiver used as a
Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking Instrument; a compensation system for all
non-gravitational forces acting on the spacecraft. The satellite is also
equipped with a laser retro-reflector. This to enable tracking by
ground-based lasers.
To reduce drag, the Gravity Ocean Circulation Explorer has an arrow-like
octagonal shape and two fins to provide extra aerodynamic stability. This
is a radical departure from the box like form of many satellites that
operate in the complete vacuum of space.
Keeping it aloft is an ion engine that began with about 90 pounds of fuel
but was now down to about 4.4 pounds at the end of September. While no
exact date could be given controllers say that fuel will be exhausted by
the beginning of November at which time most of the 17 foot long
spacecraft will break up and burn when it tumbles into a denser portion of
the Earth's atmosphere. (Space OnLine, ESA)
**
RADIOSPORTS: RADAR CONTEST COMING NOVEMBER 2
Turning to radiosports, the 2013 RaDAR-America Contest is coming November
2nd starting at 14:00 UTC and ending at 18:00 UTC.
RaDAR stands for Rapidly Deployable Amateur Radio and the event is aimed
at promoting this type of operation throughout North and South America.
This competition is open to all licensed radio amateurs. A choice is made
prior to the contest to participate in one of the defined categories.
The points system is so structured as to encourage portable operation,
especially moveable stations. In fact, the rules are very close to those
created by the founder of the contest Eddie Leighton, ZS6BNE and the ZS
RaDAR competition will take place at the same time in South Africa as it
will here in the Americas.
Marcus Kessler, NX5MK, is the RaDAR-America Contest manager. The complete
rules can be found at tinyurl.com/radar-america-contest. You can see a
promotional video on the Amateur Radio Today page at www.sarl.org.za.
(Southgate, SARL, others)
**
ON THE AIR: 4U0WFP AT WORLD FOOD PROGRAM IN ROME
On the air, the Ohio-Penn DX newsletter reports that 4U0WFP is an amateur
radio station located at the United Nations World Food Program
headquarters in Rome, Italy. Currently the operators are S53R and S53T
who were recently heard on 21 dot 023 MHz at around 13:25 UTC. Give them
a call and learn about what World Food Program does to fight the hunger
worldwide. More about the group is at www.wfp.org. QSL via the
information for 4U0WFP found on QRZ.com. (OPDX)
**
ON THE AIR: ROYAL AIR FORCE PERMANENT SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS
The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force station G3ELV and the Royal Air Force
Signals Museum station GB4SMH, will be operational under a permanent
Special Event permit effective November 1st. Normal operating times for
both locations will be 10:00 to 16:00 local time on each Tuesday and on
the first Saturday of each month. If you make contact, please QSL only
via the bureau. (Via e-mail)
**
DX
In DX, the ARRL DXCC desk has announced that the 2013 T6JR operation from
Afghanistan has been approved for DXCC credit. Cards are now being
accepted for that one.
RK4FF will be on the air as 6V7S from Senegal through November 27th.
Activity is on 80 through 10 meters excluding the WARC bands using CW, SSB
and RTTY. His log is available on ClubLog. QSL via RK4FF.
DF1YP is now active stroke FO from Moorea Island French Polynesia. He
reportedly will be there until November 6th. His operation has been
mainly on 20 meters using SSB. QSL via his home callsign.
G4IRN will be active as D44TWQ from Cape Verde between November 5th to the
12th. His operation will be holiday style on the 30, 17 and 12 meters and
on CW only. QSL via his home callsign either direct or via the bureau.
N7OU will be operational from the South Cook Islands until 9th of
November. He has reactivated his E51NOU callsign on all bands from 10 to
160 meters operating CW only. QSLs go via his home call.
DL7AFS and J7ZG will be active as D44TXT from Ilha de Sao Tiago, until
November 7th. They will be on the 80 through 10 meters using SSB, RTTY,
PSK31 and PSK63. QSL via DL7AFS, either direct or via the bureau.
N0HJZ is active as C6ARW from Grand Bahama, through October 29th using on
30, 17 and 12 meters as well on CW and RTTY on other bands. QSL via N0HJZ,
either direct or via bureau.
Lastly, a real Christmas present of sorts. This as DH3WO announces that
he will be operational from Lesotho as 7P8WO from December 22nd to the
24th. He plans to be active on all of the High Frequency bands though no
operating times or frequencies have yet been announced. QSL's go via home
call.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: NASA DEEP IMPACT SPACECRAFT - SK
And finally this week, after nearly nine years in space, 4.7 billion miles
traveled and an untold number of radio transmissions of data, NASA's Deep
Impact spacecraft has met an unexpected end. This, after mission
controllers say that they lost contact with the spacecraft. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Jim Damron, N8TMW, reports:
--
Though Deep Impact was unable to complete its latest assignment, the
comet-hunting spacecraft led a far longer life than expected with several
career changes after its first encounter with comet Tempel 1.
Launched in 2005, the spacecraft first traveled about 268 million miles to
the comet Tempel 1, where it shot a probe into the comet's path. The
resulting collision blasted material out from beneath the comet's surface,
which researchers were then able to study, giving them an unprecedented
look into a comet's inner workings. The mission also provided researchers
with an up-close and personal look at these icy tailed comets which are in
effect time capsules of the young solar system's chemical makeup.
Having wrapped up its planned mission in six months, NASA then put the
spacecraft to work on a new mission with a brand new acronym called EPOXI.
Not the glue but rather a combination of two mission names/ These were
the Extrasolar Planet Observations and Characterization and the Deep
Impact Extended Investigation. For the latter portion of the mission, the
control team sent the Deep Impact spacecraft back past Earth to get close
to the comet Hartley 2. It also stayed busy during its travels observing
half a dozen different stars to confirm their planets' motions.
The spacecraft also took pictures of Earth, the moon and Mars. These
findings helped confirm the existence of water on the Moon, and they
attempted to look for methane on Mars. This particular task was in vain,
as the Curiosity rover's findings recently revealed.
The spacecraft then went on to study the comet Garradd, in 2012 and took
distant images of the comet ISON this year. But around the time the
mission was supposed to take close-ups of ISON, controllers lost contact
with the spacecraft and spent several weeks trying to reactivate its
systems. They finally announced that they have been unsuccessful and have
abandoned any further attempts.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im, Jim Damron, N8TMW.
--
Deep Impact may now be lost in space, the data it radioed back to Earth
has contributed greatly to mankind's understanding of the final frontier.
(NASA)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ
Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, 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 Don
Wilbanks, AE5DW, in Southern Mississippi saying 73 and we thank you for
listening.
Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
==================================================================
R\%/itt - K5RXT
--- 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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