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Ärende: Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1910 - March 21, 2014
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Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1910 - March 21, 2014
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1910 with a release date of March 21
2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. Hams asked to assist in the hunt for Malaysian
Airlines Flight MH 370; Ukraine and Russia bring intruding signals to some
High Frequency ham radio bands; hams in France get new band allocations;
FCC invites public comment on proposal to restructure the 10 Gigahertz
band; an Ohio radio club to celebrate Earth Day and it might not be long
before you can take a vicarious ride into space. Find out how on Amateur
Radio Newsline report number 1910 coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ASKED TO HELP LOCATE MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT MH370
Ham radio operators in a number of nations are now being asked to assist
in the search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, is here with the details.
--
The Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society is calling ham radio
operators in a number of nations to participate in the search for the
missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
The twin-engine Boeing 777-200ER airliner bearing registration 9M-MRO
disappeared without a trace on March 8th. This, after its various
position signaling systems were turned off at about 1:20 a.m. local time
while the aircraft was believed to have been North of the Malaysian
coastline enroute to Beijing, China.
Now, the Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society says that ham
radio operators in several geographic areas can play an important part in
the search. It particularly singles out radio amateurs in India,
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius and the Seychelles as being in a
crucial position to assist.
Daily reporting nets have been established on 14.250 and 21.250 MHz from
13:00 to 15:00 U-T-C. Any urgent message beyond the specified session
times can be sent via email to emergency (at) mares.org.my. All
information obtained from the ham radio community will be forwarded to the
Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation and Malaysian National Security
Council.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, in Nelson, New
Zealand.
--
At airtime it's not known if the request for ham radio assistance came
from the Malaysian government or is a volunteer effort on the part of the
Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society. Also, on Thursday,
March 20th Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that two
objects that could be wreckage from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 had been
seen by satellite off its western coast. Meantime some 25 nations are in
some way involved in the search for the missing plane. (9W2FG, Southgate,
other news reports)
**
INTRUDER WATCH: UKRANE STATION SZRU ACTIVE ON 20 METERS
The IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports the Ukraine foreign
Intelligence Service SZRU has been active every Wednesday on 14.280 MHz at
1010 UTC running full carrier AM. Reports say that a female voice spelled
numbers and encrypted messages. The exact location is believed to be near
Rivne.
The newsletter also says that REA4 which is a call used by the Russian
Airforce in Moscow was still active on 7 dot 018 MHz with Frequency Shift
Keying at 100 Baud and a 1000 Hz shift. Harmonics could be measured on 14
dot 036, 21 dot 052 and 28 dot 072 MHz on February 28th at about 10:50
UTC.
If you hear or are bothered by these or any other illegal user of ham
radio spectrum, please report these incidents to the Intruder Watch
Coordinator for your nation. Here in the United States that would be The
American Radio Relay League. (IARU R1 Newsletter)
**
WORLDBEAT: NEW SPECTRUM AWARDED TO HAMS IN FRANCE
French radio amateurs have gained access to 472 to 479 kHz with 1 watt
output in I-T-U Region 1 and French territories in Region 2. Also, 435
to 438 MHz is now allocated to the Amateur-satellite service in France for
both Earth-to-Space and Space-to-Earth in the same geographic areas. Due
to a previous error in the national frequency table, French amateurs did
not have Space-to-Earth privileges for this band in their licenses.
Still with space related matters, the 2400 to 2415 MHz band is now
allocated to radio stations in the Amateur-satellite service in French
territories in Region 2.
Regarding the 1.2 GHz band the national society questioned if Europe's new
Galileo Global Positioning satellite system may call into question the
future of this allocation for use by ham radio. Galileo downlinks across
1260 to 1300 MHz band. France's telecommunications regulator said that it
would review this matter and provide a response at some future date.
These changes are the result of a meeting between French
telecommunications regulator the Autorité de Régulation des Communications
Électroniques et des Postes and the French national amateur radio society
R-E-F that was held on March 7th. Discussions also covered the
possibility of a future amateur band across the whole of 1.8 to 2.0 MHz
spectrum and possible allocations at 5.5 MHz and 70 MHz. The R-E-F
report also noted that the regulatory body has also shown an interest in
ARISS school contacts which both groups believe have a high educational
value.
The complete minutes in Google English is on the web at
http://tinyurl.com/REF-ARCEP-Minutes-2014-03-07 (REF, Southgate)
**
WORLDBEAT: NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA CONFIRMS DISTRACTED DRIVING EXEMPTION FOR
HAM RADIO OPERATORS.
Some good news for hams living in New Brunswick, Canada. Radio Amateurs
of Canada has announced that New Brunswick has passed new legislation to
provide an exemption to that province's distracted driving law for ham
radio mobile operations.
The announcement was made at the Legislature in Fredericton on Tuesday
March 19th. A number of Canadian radio amateurs were in attendance at the
invitation of Minister of Justice's Troy Lifford.
At the same session, Radio Amateur of Canada member Alan Thurber, VE1AKT,
was formally recognized in the Legislature for his extensive involvement
in amateur radio, in various other groups and the community in general.
(RAC)
**
RESTRUCTURING: FCC INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON 10-10.5 GHZ PETITION
Back here in the United States, the FCC has invited public comment on a
Petition for Rule Making titled RM-11715. This is a proposal that would
make a significant portion of the 10.0 to 10.5 GHz band available for
wireless broadband services while to some extent protect amateur radio
terrestrial and space operations from interference.
According to the ARRL the petition by Mimosa Networks Inc. proposes a band
plan for the spectrum from 10.0 to 10.5 GHz that the petitioner says would
protect frequencies most often used by radio amateurs. The proposal would
specify 10.350 to 10.370 GHz as an "Amateur Calling Band," and 10.450 to
10.500 GHz for Amateur-Satellite operations. This would be in the midst
of 21 wireless broadband channels and a small guard band.
The success of the Mimosa petition hinges on FCC adoption of rule changes
that would put the 10 GHz band under Subpart Z of the Commission's Part 90
rules. Subpart Z currently sets out regulations governing wireless
licensing, technical standards, and operational standards in the 3650 to
3700 MHz spectrum.
Interested parties may comment on RM-11715 using the FCC's Electronic
Comment Filing System. You can read the entire proposal at
http://www.tinyurl.com/kvbqshn (ARRL, Southgate)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: OSCAR-11 / UOSAT-2 CELEBRATES 30 YEARS ON-ORBIT
UOSAT-OSCAR-11 has now been in orbit for 30 years and remarkably its
signal on 145.826 MHz FM is still being received. UOSAT-2, was designed
and built by a team of engineers at the University of Surrey in Guildford,
Surrey, UK as the successor to UOSAT-1. It was placed into orbit on board
a Delta rocket from the United States Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air
Base, in California on March 1, 1984.
OSCAR-11 was the most rapidly designed ham radio satellite going from
inception to launch in only five months. It was also the first amateur
satellite to carry a digital communications package into Earth orbit, and
the first to be controlled by a Central Processing Unit running software
written in the high-level programming language "Forth". The bird
originally carried three beacons but only the 2 meter unit is currently
operational. (AMSAT-UK)
**
DX UP FRONT: MARION ISLAND ACTIVATIONS
In DX up front, several sources are reporting that ZS1KX, will be leaving
South Africa on April 2nd for the Marion Island. He has requested the
callsign ZS8KX and expected to be active from the island in May. QSL
direct to Gerard de Jong, P.O. Box 744, Wellington, 7654, South Africa.
Also from Marion Islands comes word that a female operator signing ZS8A,
has been showing up on 28.650 MHz between 14:20 to16:00. Reports are that
she handles QSLing via ClubLog.
Marion Island lies in the Southern Indian Ocean and is part of a two
island group. It is only about 12 miles long by 7 1/2 wide, and the two
islands have a combined area of 196 square miles. Politically they form
part of South Africa's Western Cape Province. (OPDX, Wikipedia)
**
DX UP FRONT: 6 METERS FROM GRENEDA IN JUNE
And if you are an aficionado of the 50 MHz band, then listen up. W9DR
will be active on 6 meters as J38DR from Grenada between June 19th and
July 1st. This operation will be located on the north shore of the island
for a great launch angle to North America and Europe over the Atlantic
Ocean. Operating frequencies will be 50.115 MHz SSB, 50.115.6 MHz CW as
well as a breakable Beacon on 50.115.6 MHz running when no stations heard.
Gear for this DXpedition will be a FlexRadio SDR-1500 driving a home built
solid state water-cooled amplifier into a 5 element Yagi. If you manage
to work him, QSL to W9DR at his home address. And we will have more DX
news for you later on in this weeks newscast. (Various Sources)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC ISSUES PROPOSED $25000 FINE FOR PART 15 VIOLATIONS
The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability in the amount of $25,000
to Internet Service Provider Winchester Wireless of Winchester, Virginia.
This for its alleged operation of intentional radiators not in accordance
with Part 15 of the Rules and doing so without a license. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has the details:
--
Part 15 devices are license free but must be operated at what amounts to
micro power so as to cause minimum interference to other Part 15 units
sharing the same spectrum. So it was that on May 10, 2011, in response to
a complaint, an agent from the Enforcement Bureau's Columbia Maryland
Office inspected a transmitting device operated by Winchester Wireless on
the roof of an area residence. During the inspection, the agent
determined that a legal Motorola Canopy System was connected to two
external RF Linx 900 MHz amplifiers that in turn were individually fed
into two separate antennas.
When the agent later interviewed Winchester Wireless owner David
Williamson at the company's main office, Williamson admitted to using the
amplifiers. The agent subsequently reviewed the FCC rules for the
Motorola Canopy System, which indicated that it is not certified for use
with external amplification.
On August 11, 2011, the Columbia Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed
Operation to Winchester Wireless regarding its unauthorized use of the
external amplifiers at the inspected location. On August 29th the company
responded to the Notice. At that time it reported that the amplifiers had
been removed but did not provide any information regarding Winchester
Wireless's operations at other locations.
Jump ahead almost two years. On May 29, 2013, in response to additional
complaints, an agent from the Columbia Office inspected two transmitter
sites operated by Winchester Wireless. At both locations, the agent
observed signals emanating in the 902 to 928 MHz band. The agent observed
the same Motorola Canopy System and RF Linx equipment that he had seen
during the 2011 inspection.
On July 29, 2013, the Columbia Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed
Operation to Winchester
Wireless regarding its continued unauthorized use of external amplifiers.
On July 31, 2013, Winchester Wireless responded to the Notice indicating
that it would inspect the two transmitter sites for compliance with the
Part 15 Rules.
Now in issuing the proposed fine, the FCC says that Winchester Wireless
had the same type of violation less than two years earlier and that the
2011 Notice expressly warned that the equipment certification for the
Motorola Canopy System did not authorize the use of such external
amplifiers. With the second violation the FCC says that Winchester
Wireless's actions demonstrate a deliberate disregard for the Commission's
requirements and as such a forfeiture of $25,000 is warranted.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephan Kinford, N8WB, reporting.
--
In addition to the proposed fine the FCC directed Winchester Wireless was
ordered to submit a statement signed under penalty of perjury stating that
it is currently operating its Wireless Internet Service in compliance with
FCC rules and applicable authorizations. The company was given 30 days
from the March 11th release of the Notice to respond to this demand as
well as to appeal the proposed $25,000 fine. (FCC)
**
RESCUE RADIO: UNDERWATER WI-FI MAY HELP PREDICT TSUNAMIS
Researchers are in the process of testing a new underwater wi-fi - like
network in an attempt to create what amounts to a deep-sea internet. One
that researchers claim could help detect tsunamis and there by offer a
more reliable warning system.
Unlike traditional wi-fi which uses radio waves, the submerged technology
utilizes sound waves. This is because radio is able to penetrate water to
some degree, but with severely limited range and stability. But the
research team from the University of Buffalo notes that sound waves
provide a better option as demonstrated by many aquatic species such as
whales and dolphins.
Wireless communication underwater has been possible for some time, but the
problem lies in getting separate systems used by different organizations
to communicate with each other. The United States National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration does use acoustic waves to send data from
tsunami sensors on the sea floor to buoys on the surface. However due to
infrastructure differences, this data cannot be shared quickly with other
information gathered by other agencies such as the US Navy. For that
reason the University of Buffalo researchers are attempting to create a
shared standard to make interaction and data-sharing and public warning
more reliable.
More can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24550015
(BBC, Southgate)
**
RADIO CRIME: COPPER THIEVES TAKE WASHINGTON STATION OFF THE AIR
Listeners to KLOG radio in Kelso, Washington tuned into dead air early on
Wednesday March 12th. This after thieves stole a small amount of copper
wire from the stations transmitting site situated along Interstate Route
5. Station Owner Joel Hanson said he found out about it at around 3:30
a.m. Hanson found wire cutters at the site and evidence that someone may
have gotten a rather nasty shock. KLOG was off the air for about 12
hours but station was able to heard online. Kelso police are
investigating but so far they have no suspects. (RW, other news reports)
**
NAMES IN THE NEW: KA2HPG NAMED NEW RACES OFFICER FOR OSWEGO COUNTY NY
Fred Koch, KA2HPG, has become the new Radio Officer for the Oswego County
New York Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. Koch received the RACES
Service Award in 2013 for his service to the organization that began back
in 1996. He has participated in all aspects of the communications systems
used by the group and has obtained certification in the Incident Command
System. Koch replaces John Darling, K2QQY, who recently resigned after
holding the post for more than 20 years. (Oswego County Today)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: K6LCS INVITED TO MEET ASTRONAUT LUCA PARMITANO AT ESA
ITALY
According to a posting on Facebook, Clink Bradford, K6LCS, is among those
chosen to spend an afternoon with Italian Astronaut Luca Parmitano for an
afternoon on April 11th. The event will take place at the European Space
Agency's facility in Frascati, Italy which is about 12 miles South-East of
Rome. Bradford is very well known for his ham in space related activities
including coordinating contacts between schools in California and the ham
radio operators on board the I-S-S. He also owns several websites
including one of which contains information on how to start working FM
satellites with equipment you probably already own. More information and
links are under K6LCS on QRZ.com. (ARNewsline from Facebook)
**
HAM RADIO BUSINESS: JK ANTENNAS AND 2X ARRAYS ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIP
JK Antennas and 2X Arrays have announced a strategic partnership which
will combine both design and manufacturing processes between the two
organizations.
JK Antennas has fundamentally focused on producing high quality long boom
mono-band and duo-band antenna designs that are mechanically robust, with
quick time to market of both new and custom designed models directly from
their in-house manufacturing facility.
2X Arrays has been focused on developing proprietary antenna design
processes ranging from electrical optimization to physical model
electrical testing and tuning.
As part of this strategic partnership, the 2X Arrays antenna line will now
be manufactured at the JK Antennas facility in Connecticut, USA. JK
Antennas will also sell and distribute both lines through its direct sales
and distributorship. For more information please visit JK Antennas on
Facebook. (JK Antennas, 2X Arrays)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: OHIO RADIO CLUB TO CELECRATE EARTH DAY
The Parma Radio Club in Parma, Ohio will be conducting its Second Annual
Earth Day Special Event Station on Saturday, April 19th. Operating from a
historic urban farm, the club's Earth Day Special Event station, W8PRC
will be on 40, 20, and 15 meters SSB near the bottom of each General
segment. A beautiful special QSL card will be available.
Earth Day is intended to encourage everyone to be mindful of our
magnificent planet. Other clubs and individual hams are urged to celebrate
in this unique way and join with more than 500 million people in 192
countries in observing this very special remembrance each year.
While the actual date for Earth Day in the United States is April 22nd,
schools and other groups celebrate a week or more prior to the actual day.
More information is posted on the club's web site at
parmaradioclub.webs.com (K8CMD)
**
ANNUAL EASTERN VHF/UHF/MICROWAVE CONFERENCE
This years Eastern VHF - UHF and Microwave Conference is slated for April
11th to the 13th at the Baymont Suites in Manchester, Connecticut. Among
those scheduled to present talks are Fred Stefanik, N1DPM, on a Fresh
Approach to a Multiband Microwave Station; Roger Rehr, W3SZ, speaking
about Aircraft Scatter; Phil Theis, K3TUF, on Advances in Smart Software
Defined Radio Operations and many others. Full information is on the web
at www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html (VHF Reflector)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: ARRL - TAPR DCC IN AUSTIN TEXAS IN SEPTEMBER
The 33rd annual ARRL and Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Digital
Communications Conference will take place September 5th to the 7th in
Austin, Texas. This year's conference will feature two days of technical
forums on Friday and Saturday along with a concurrent Introductory Forum
on Saturday. Those who submit Technical Papers for inclusion in the
Conference Proceedings will receive preference for a forum, however anyone
can propose to present a session without submitting a technical paper.
Updated information will be made available on the web at www.tapr.org/dcc
(ARRL - TAPR DCC)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: CHANGES FOR THE 2014 SAN BERNADINO MICROWAVE CONTEST
The rules for the 2014 San Bernardino California Microwave Society 2.3 GHz
and Up Contest have been revised. Among the significant changes is that
there is now individual categories as well as the traditional club
competition. All-band and single band scores will be posted along with
the club aggregate scores. Also stations may be re-worked for additional
distance points when either end of the contact moves at least 10 miles
from any previous location, measured in a straight line. The contest is
slated this year for May 3 and 4 from 6 a.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday,
local time. All the changes and complete rules are on the web at
www.ham-radio.com/sbms (N6NB, VHF Reflector)
**
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO PIONEER DAVE LARSEN ZS6DN
- S.K.
South Africa has lost one of its best known and most dedicated radio
amateurs. His name was Dave Larsen, callsign ZS6DN and as amateur Radio
Newsline's David Conradie, ZR6DHC tells us, he was truly a ham that gave
to his community, to his nation and the world:
--
Driving between Pretoria and Johannesburg, in Gauteng South Africa, many a
traveler has been intrigued by a farm of antenna masts on the hill
overlooking the main road to the O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Turning off the main road down a narrow farm track one finds the sign
"S.A.L.B.U." the home, the office and also the research laboratories of
Dave Larsen, ZS6DN, until recently South Africa's living legend of radio,
who's key become silent on 26 February 2014 at the age of 81.
During his life time Dave worked in the interest of radio and amateur
radio technology development. He installed and maintained a 5 five band
HF beacon as part of an international Amateur Radio propagation research
program. The multi-band HF beacon is operational from S.A.L.B.U.,
replacing the 14100 kHz beacon of which Dave has been the custodian since
the inception of the program many years ago. The beacon operates on
14100, 18110, 21150, 24930 and 28200 kHz.
During the seventies Dave and his team evolved an HF frequency hopping
system. The concept was initially rejected by the experts at the time
however some 15 years later the authoritative publication, Janes Defense
weekly wrote in their 11 July 1987 edition : "Frequency hopping is
probably the most popular spread spectrum technique. Claimed to have been
pioneered in South Africa, it now appears in tactical equipment
manufactured by most of the major international radio communication
companies."
It also needs to be noted that Dave Larsen was heavily involved in the
development of Single Side Band communications. In 1989 Dave Larsen, then
ZS5DN was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa Grand Officer in
recognition of his contribution to electronics.
We salute Dave Larsen, ZS6DN not only for the work he has done in radio
but also for the tremendous amount of time and effort he spent in making
amateur radio better for all of us. Our sincerest condolences to his
family and friends.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm David Conradie, ZR6DHC, in Rustenberg,
South Africa.
--
If you would like to find out more about Dave Larsen and his contributions
to radio you can visit http://www.tinyurl.com/zs6dn (ZR6DHC)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FUNCUBE-1 TRANSPONDER TO BE TESTED MARCH 22
A full scale test of the United Kingdom's FUNcube One microsat's 435 to
145 MHz transponder was slated for Saturday, March 22nd at approximately
09:30 UTC.
When in sunlight FUNcube-1 is normally in what's known as its Educational
Mode. This means the transponder is off but the high power beacon
transmitting. If the test has gone as planned, the tiny bird will be
switched to Amateur Mode with the cross-band transponder being turned on
and the beacon placed in into low power out.
Initial plans were to keep FUNcube-1 in this mode for at least one orbit
in order to evaluate the effect on the satellite of continuous Amateur
Mode operation especially in regard to battery temperature. Results of
this test will likely be made known after complete evaluation of the
telemetry received by controllers on the ground. (FUNcube Group,
Southgate)
**
RADIO FROM SPACE: CURIOSITY NOW HAS THE ABILITY TO TAKE SELFIES
NASA has installed an upgrade operating system on its Curiosity Martian
rover and in the process it has given the far off explorer the ability to
take selfies.
For those few of you who may not have ever heard the term, selfie is slang
for a picture that one takes of him or herself and usually posts to some
social media website. And while the rover now has the ability to take
selfies, NASA explained the rational behind this move is to permit it to
examine the effects of wear-and-tear on the rover's wheels through photos
radioed back to Earth.
Jim Erickson is with NASA's Jet Propulsion Center in Pasadena, California.
He says that the reason for making this self photographic system
available is to help to better understand the impact that the Martian
terrain type has on the rovers wheels to help with planning future drive
systems.
The upgrade is the third such for Curiosity, which NASA says remains in
working condition. Once the update is fully tested NASA says it will
order the rover to do a series of test drives in smooth dirt to determine
exactly how much wear the wheels are experiencing. (NASA)
**
PROPAGATION: KJ6KO BEACONS RETURN TO SERVICE
Greg Stahlman, KJ6KO, of Diamond Springs, California, has announced over
the VHF Reflector that all five of his VHF and UHF propagation beacons
that originate from Grid Square CM 88 WS are back on the air. The
operating frequencies are 144.2824, 222.0110, 432.2812, 903.2961 and
1296.2612. All are operated using a common identifier that signs de
KJ6KO/B CM88WS. Stahlman had taken the beacons down for a short wile to
do some repairs and improvements to the overall beacon system. (VHF
Reflector)
**
DX
In DX, word that The Czech DXpedition team has organized an expedition to
Togo. Preliminary date is near the end of September for approximately for
10 days. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and the
digital modes. Operation during the CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest on
September 27th and 28th will be a part of the operation. QSL via OK6DJ
either direct, via the bureau, eQSL, Logbook of the World or using the
OQRS on ClubLog.
Bill Moore, NC1L, at the ARRL Awards Desk says that the current T6DD from
Afghanistan has been approved for DXCC credit. You can now begin claiming
credit for this one.
JH3AEF will once again be active as A52EQW from Dochula Resort in Bhutan
at the end of August or in early September. Other operators with him may
include JH3AEF who will operate as A52AEF and JA3IVU with the call A52IVU.
No modes or operating times were mentioned. QSL via each operator via
his home callsign.
F5MNW will be operating stroke FR from Reunion Island through April 8th.
Activity will be on the High Frequency bands using CW only. QSL via his
home callsign either direct or via the bureau.
JG7PSJ will be active as JD1BMH from Chichijima Island between April 27th
and May 11th. Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters using CW, SSB
and RTTY. QSL via the bureau to JD1BMH or direct to JG7PSJ
Lastly, UA3AA is on the air from Nepal using the call 9N7AA until May
23rd. Activity has been on 160 through 10 meters using CW only.
Unfortunately his current location suffers from some serious RFI issues
that affect his ability to hear the calling stations. QSL direct only.
(Above from OPDX and other DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: VIRTUALLY TRAVEL TO SPACE FOR ONLY $70
And finally this week, researchers from the Surrey Space Centre in England
have launched a unique campaign that will enable members of the public
including radio amateurs a chance to make a virtual trip into space for
only about $70 United States dollars. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather
Embee, KB3TZD, has the details:
--
The Surrey Space Center Virtual Ride to Space ride will use cutting-edge
virtual technology and a specially designed spacecraft to deliver a
three-dimensional, immersive experience that will allow everyone to see
what astronauts experience on their way to space.
The experience will be created by capturing High Definition video footage
collected using a weather balloon which will carry a cluster of
twenty-four cameras to a height of about 65,000 feet. During ascent these
cameras will capture panoramic footage of the balloon's journey to space.
Following the flight and retrieval of the camera payload a specialized
software package will be used to stitch this footage together to recreate
a panoramic view of the space trip. The subsequent space ride will then
be viewed using a state of the art virtual reality head-mounted display.
This system is designed to deliver high definition three dimensional
virtual environments that can be explored by the wearer, as if they are in
space themselves.
Dr. Aaron Knoll is the lead researcher from the University of Surrey. He
indicates that the Surrey virtual Ride to Space will give all aspiring
astronauts the chance to be a virtual passenger, riding the balloon into
space at far less cost than actually making such a trip for in any other
way.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,
Pennsylvania.
--
The $50,000 project will be funded by public contributions through the
crowd-sourcing Kickstarter website. The project team is also developing a
smartphone application that will allow users to experience the journey
using the phones' built-in gyroscope and accelerometer data, as well as a
computer program that will allow people to experience space via their own
PC's.
The fund raising campaign and view the demonstration video on line at
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1592839372/virtual-ride-to-space-usin
g-the-oculus-rift
(University of Surrey, International Science Times, others)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio
Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB, the South African
Radio League, the Southgate News, TwiT-TV, Australia's WIA News and you
our listeners, 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 2014. All rights reserved.
__________________________________________________________________________
R\%/itt - K5RXT
--- GoldED+/W32 1.1.5-31012
--- D'Bridge 3.98
* Origin: K 5 R X T (Royz Xtra Terrific) So-Central Texas, USA (1:387/22)
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