Text 6497, 891 rader
Skriven 2014-08-08 11:53:44 av Roy Witt (1:387/22)
Kommentar till en text av Y'all
Ärende: Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1930 - August 8 2014
===========================================================
Greetings Y'all!
Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1930 - August 8 2014
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1930 with a release date of August 8
2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Targeted shortwave broadcasting may soon come to
an end in the United States; the ARRL issues an update on the Amateur
Radio Parity Act; a ham radio floater balloon completes a trip around the
world; students get introduced to amateur radio in India and ham radio
will again celebrate Hollywood this September. Find out the details are
on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1930 coming your way right now.
**
RADIO POLICY: US COMMITTE FINDINGS CHALLENGE CONTINUING SHORTWAVE
BROADCASTS
Shortwave broadcasting using full carrier AM may be on its way out in the
United States. Amateur Radio Newsline's Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, is here with
the details:
--
The United States Broadcasting Board of Governors has released a specially
prepared report assessing current and projected use of shortwave radio.
This, as a platform for targeted programming by U.S. international media.
According to the report, United States international media must optimize
delivery by audience and market. While there is still a critical need for
shortwave in certain key countries, but it is a medium of marginal and
continuously declining impact in most markets. Even in countries with
currently significant levels of shortwave usage, audiences will migrate to
other platforms as they become more accessible.
The report goes on to note Shortwave users generally have viable
alternative means of accessing content from the United States. As such,
top target demographic audiences are unlikely to use shortwave exclusively
or at all. It also found no evidence that shortwave usage increases
during crises. Rather, in these instances target audiences continue to
use their existing platforms or seek out anti-censorship tools including
online firewall circumvention, private chat software, flash drives, and
DVDs to access content.
The report goes on to note that Shortwave transmission is a relatively
expensive platform to operate and maintain. It also says that Digital
Shortwave such as Digital Radio Mondiale is not likely to become an
established mass media distribution method in enough of the Broadcast
Board of Governors current or future markets to justify the costs. As
such, the committee supports almost all of the shortwave broadcast
reductions previously approved by the Broadcasting Board of Governors
under sequestration and the implementation of the Fiscal Year 2014
operating Plan. However, given current situations in Ukraine and other
nearby states with large Russian-speaking populations, the Committee
recommends revising the Operating Plan and ensuring that shortwave
broadcasts to Russia and the Caucasus be continued at current levels,
subject to re-evaluation during Fiscal Year 2016's budget formulation
processes.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, reporting.
--
The bottom line is that the Committee has recommended that the
Broadcasting Board of Governors take an aggressive approach to reduce or
eliminate shortwave broadcasts where there is either minimal audience
reach or the audience is not one based on the Broadcasting Board of
Governors support of United States foreign policy. The complete 44 page
report in PDF format can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/BBG-on-shortwave.
(Southgate, Critical Distance Weblog, G0SFJ, others)
**
RADIO LAW: ARRL ISSUE UPDATE ON HR 4969
The ARRL reports that early efforts on behalf of The Amateur Radio Parity
Act known in the House of Representatives as HR 4969 continues to grow.
This according to Dan Henderson, N1ND, who is the League's Regulatory
Information Manager.
In a statement, Henderson said that the organization is very pleased with
the initial response, but adds that the more noise we make, the better our
chances.
If enacted into law, HR 4969 would direct the FCC to extend the reasonable
accommodation protections to those amateurs who are living in
deed-restricted communities. Known as covenants, conditions and
restrictions, these are the prohibitions and limitations placed on
properties by builders or home-owner associations which prevent licensed
Amateurs from erecting even modest antennas. HR.4969 would ensure that
every radio ham in the US, regardless of the community they live in, would
have the opportunity to practice their avocation from their own homes
without breaking any rules or fear of reprisal.
According to Henderson, with Congress on break for the month of August the
League is encouraging its members to meet with their representatives while
they are home on break and urge their support for HR 4969. More is on the
web at tinyurl.com/parity-update-1 (ARRL)
**
HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE: FLOATER BALLOON CIRCUMNAVIGATES THE NORTHERN
HEMISPHERE
A ham radio floater balloon carrying an amateur radio payload has
successfully circled the world's northern hemisphere as we hear from
Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD:
--
It took some 19 days, but at about 16:30 GMT on Friday, July 31, the solar
powered B-64 party balloon launched by Leo Bodnar, M0XER crossed the 1
degree West longitude. In doing so it completed its circumnavigation of
the northern hemisphere.
After crossing the North Atlantic, it was first heard in Greenland by
Peter Thulesen, OX3XR, before coming in range of the British Isles.
Oliver De Peyer, M6ODP, happened to be visiting St Michael's Mount in
Cornwall at the time. He used his Kenwood TH-F7E handheld to receive an
APRS packet from the balloon.
As the day progressed B-64 moved from just south of Cornwall up the
English Channel. From there, hams and SWL's from Manchester in the UK to
Nantes in France were able to receive the 10 milliwatt Contestia 64 by
1000 and APRS signals on 434.500 MHz.
B-64 passed over the Isle of Wight and floated over Bognor Regis and
across Kent heading out into the North Sea near Herne Bay.
As of Friday night, August 1st it was still flying and transmitting. If
it's still afloat when you hear this newscast you can track its
whereabouts on-line at spacenear.us and clicking on thee icon for B-64.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, reporting.
--
As previously reported, unlike their high altitude cousins that can reach
altitudes of over 120,000 feet, floater balloons like B-64 are far
smaller. Most are those silverized party balloons equipped with micro
power ham radio tracking gear and follow the jetstream at altitudes of
between 20,000 to 40,000 feet. Leo Bodnar, M0XER, has become one of ham
radio's recognized experts in this field with his latest success being the
round the world flight of B-64. (ANS, Southgate)
**
RESTRUCTURING: ITALY ISSUES SPECTRUM CONSULTATION THAT MAY IMPACT HAM
RADIO
The Italian Ministry of Economic Development has announced a public
consultation on proposed changes to that nation's radio frequency spectrum
plan. For ham radio, this includes such items as incorporating the final
acts of the 2012 World Radiocommunications Conference and resolutions made
by the European Commission back in 2011.
Also being considered are decisions of the European Conference of Postal
and Telecommunications along with other items to meet Italy's
telecommunications needs.
A consultation in Europe is the equivalent of a Notice of Proposed Rule
Making here in the United Stats. In the case residents of Italy have
until September 5th to file comments. (Southgate)
**
DX UP FRONT: N7NG AND OH2BH TO LEAD UPCOMING HEARD ISLABD DXPEDITION
Next years Heard Island DXpedition will definitely take place. This
according to a press release on the VK0EK web page that says that an
informal agreement has been made with Wayne Mills, N7NG, and Martti Laine,
OH2BH, to lead the Heard Island radio DXpedition team.
The release goes on to say that the duo will have complete authority and
responsibility to build the team, interface with the DXing community,
manage radio operations on Heard Island, and other issues relating to the
radio part of the expedition.
Matters that concern the entire expedition planning such as safety,
scheduling, logistics, communications, facilities, and finances will
remain the responsibility of the Expedition Leader, Robert Schmieder,
KK6EK. Schmieder is the founder and Expedition Leader of Cordell
Expeditions, which is a nonprofit research group begun in 1977.
This latest operation will be centered on a scientific expedition to Heard
Island during the Austral summer of 2015 to 2016. A formal agreement will
be completed in the near future that specifies the various roles and
responsibilities of all involved. More information will be provided as it
becomes available and posted to the DXpedition web page at VK0EK.org.
(OPDX, vk0ek.org, heardisland.org)
**
RESCUE RADIO: FEMA TO HOLD NEXT EAS TEST IN 2015
FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Program Management or
Eye Paws Office is targeting late 2015 for another national Emergency
Alert System or EAS test. Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB,
reports:
--
Phase One of the planning for such a national Emergency Activation System
test has already occurred. This, with the bench testing of the
transmission, encoding and decoding of a Common Alerting Protocol EAS
message with a National Protocol Test header at the IPAWS Lab in southern
Maryland.
Phase Two will involve sending a Common Alerting Protocol EAS message with
through Eye Paws Open system in a closed test in West Virginia.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's IPAWS personnel have already met
with several West Virginia emergency management officials to discuss such
a plan. FEMA IPAWS conducted similar tests in Alaska before the previous
national test that was held back in 2011.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting.
--
An in-depth look at the planning for this next evaluation of the EAS
warning system is on the web at tinyurl.com/EAS-test-2015. (RW, bdr.net,
others)
**
RADIO LAW: ARRESTS MADE FOR FLYING SMALL DRONES OVER GEORGE WASHINGTON
BRIDGE
Radio remote controlled drone aircraft flown by members of the general
public are in the news again and not in a very positive light. This with
word that New York City police recently arrested two men for operating a
pair of small drone aircraft over the George Washington Bridge on Monday
July 7th one of which nearly hit a police helicopter.
The New York Police's Aviation Unit helicopter was on patrol around 12:15
a.m. when it spotted one of the unmanned aircraft near the bridge. The
drone continued to circle forcing the chopper to swerve to avoid it.
Police said that one of the drones which were operated by remote control
came within 800 feet of the police aircraft.
The Aviation Unit followed the drones north as they landed near Fort Tryon
Part a few miles north of the bridge and overlooking the Hudson River.
Police on the ground then arrested two men and charged them reckless
endangerment.
The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet set standards for
certifying the safety of civilian drones. As previously reported that
agency is currently looking into creating regulations for their use, but
there is very strong opposition coming from many sectors that believe
these devices are a menace to public safety. (Various published news
reports)
**
HAM HISTORY: HELP NEEDED TO PRESERVE THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CSVHFS
If you were living near Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1965 or Sand Spring,
Oklahoma in 1966, you may be able to assist in compiling a history what is
now the Central States VHF Society. That's because those are the cities
where the first unofficial get-togethers took place. Also sought are
photographs, color slides, home movies of those gatherings and similar
material of the very first formal conference held near Tulsa in 1968.
That was the event where the decision was made to officially incorporate
the group as the Central States VHF Society.
According to Bill Smith, W0WOI, if you were, or know of any early Central
States VHF Society Cattendee, please take a few moments to e-mail him so a
list of those attending the early gatherings can be assembled. And if you
happen to have any historic materials of any of these events please let
Bill know so that he can make arrangements to copy them for posterity.
You can contact Bill Smith by e-mail directly to W0WOI (at) AOL dot com.
Any help in this project is sincerely appreciated. (VHF Reflector)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: HAM RADIO CELEBRATES HOLLYWOOD TO BE REPRISED ON
SEPTEMBER 28
The popular operating event Ham Radio Celebrates Hollywood will be
reprised on Sunday, September 28th from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Pacific Time.
This, from Stage 9 of the CBS Studio Center facility in Studio City,
California. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with more:
--
For those not aware, Studio Center is a historic venue where such hit
programs as Seinfeld, Spin City, the Mary Tyler Moore Show and The
Defenders originated. Before that it was the home of many early films
including those produced by the legendary Max Sennett.
Currently it is the home of the hit ABC situation comedy Last Man Standing
that stars Tim Allen as the operator of a sporting goods store in Colorado
who also happens to be a ham radio operator with the call letters KA0XTT.
As such, ham radio has been a part of the shows plotline in past episodes.
The amateur radio gear seen as props on the show is actually operational
and was used by members of the Southern California-based PAPA System for
the first Ham Radio Celebrates Hollywood operation held back in October of
2012. Once again the call K-6-H will be used for this Septembers outing
with operations taking place on HF, VHF, UHF, D-STAR, Echolink and
I-R-L-P.
It should be noted that this is not a contest. Rather it is a fun
opportunity for hams world-wide to talk directly to the stage on the
equipment seen on "Last Man Standing" each week. A special, limited
edition QSL card will be issued to all confirmed contacts. A schedule of
operating times and frequencies will be announced shortly.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los
Angeles.
--
For more information contact concerning K6H keep an eye on the PAPA System
website at www (dot) papasys (dot) com. Also, the complete and very
interesting account of Studio Center's past and present can be found on
the web at tinyurl.com/Studio-Center-History. (PAPA, Facebook)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: 62 STUDENTS IN INDIA GET INTRODUCED TO HAM RADIO
61 students and 5 staff members from Department of Electronics and
Communication Engineering at India's Vardhaman College of Engineering
participated in an Amateur Radio Awareness program. This held on
Saturday, August 2nd under the auspices of that nation's National
Institute of Amateur Radio.
During the event, attendees enjoyed a screening of the video titled A Day
in the Life of a Ham followed by presentation on amateur radio. Various
communications modes used by hams were then demonstrated. These included
Slow Scan television, Digipan and various forms of VHF communications.
Nest up those attending were invited to participate in a mini fox hunt
held in the National Institute of Amateur Radio campus. All in all, a day
of complete immersion of the students in our world of amateur radio.
(NAIR)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: COUNTDOWN TO A RECORD ILLW
With only a few days to go to the International Lighthouse and Lightship
Weekend, only 90 registrations are needed for it to be another record
year.
The annual event, that began in 1998 with 158 registrations, has
continually gained in popularity. Now a days there are usually some 500
entries from 50 countries throughout the world taking part.
Several nations, including Aruba, Austria, Cuba, Gibraltar and Lithuania
have only recently joined. In the lead this year is the United States
with 80 registrants, followed by Germany and Australia both with 62.
International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend will be held August 16th
and 17th. To register a lighthouse or lightship for the event simply take
your web browser to illw.net. (VK3PC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: G3YJO BECOMES CHAIR OF SURREY SPACE CENTRE
Some names in the news. First up this week is Professor Sir Martin
Sweeting, G3YJO, who is to take up the position of Chair of Surrey Space
Center in the U-K. In a public statement, Professor Sweeting said that
the Surrey Space Center has been steadily expanding its staff and
activities. As such his new role as Chair will enable him to better help
with the strategic research planning and external relations, as well as
mentoring staff and students. It was also announced that Professor
Guglielmo Aglietti will take on the role of Director of the Center. (SSC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: ZS6YH TO RECEIVE IARU YOUNG HAM AWARD
Michel Mynhardt, ZS6YH, the SARL youth coordinator, has been awarded the
Outstanding Young Radio Amateur of the Year Award by IARU Region 1.
Mynhardt became a radio amateur in his early teens and has been active on
both local and international competitions. He has served the East Rand
Radio Club as youth coordinator and was for the past six years also
involved with the scouting Jamboree on the Air. The award will be
presented to ZS6YH at the Radio Technology in Action Symposium by the IARU
Secretary, Dennis Green, ZS4BS. (SARL)
**
WORLDBEAT: MALAYSIAN RADIO COMMISSION PRAISES HAM RADIO
In news from around the world. the National News Agency of Malaysia
reports that nation currently has 11,626 amateur radio operators who can
offer help in emergencies or natural disasters.
Roszeta Kassim is the head of the Southern Region of the Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia Commission Southern Region. She told the
newspaper that the Malaysian peninsular has 9,919 licensed operators,
including 1090 in Melaka and Johor. Also that Sabah had 1487 and Sarawak,
220.
Roszeta said the amateur radio operators play an important role to help
the authorities during emergencies and disasters. She went on to cite the
2007 situation in Johor was it was hit by massive flooding. At that time
a group of amateur radio operators offered assistance as the cellular
network was disrupted. (BERNAMA.COM)
**
WORLDBEAT: BBC WORLD WAR 1 AT HOME EVENTS
The British Broadcasting Corporation says that it will mark the centenary
of World War One with a series of events running through 2018. This
summer BBC Learning will create eight large-scale inspirational Great War
events which will take place throughout the UK. These will reflect the
dramatic impact the war had on local families and communities. (GB2RS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT-UK SPACE COLLOQUIUM VIDEOS NOW AVAILABLE
Thanks to the volunteers from the British Amateur Television Club videos
of the presentations given to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium
held in Guildford on July 26th and 27th are now available to view online
or download. Links to the presentation videos, slides and the schedule
are at tinyurl.com/2014-coloq-video (ANS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT TO USE FUNDRAZR CROWDFUNDING FOR FOX-1C
AMSAT has announced that it will be using the Fund Razr crowd funding
platform to accept donations for the Fox-1C CubeSat. AMSAT has an
immediate need to raise funds to cover both the launch contract and
additional materials for construction and testing for Fox-1C.
As previously reported, AMSAT has teamed with Spaceflight Inc. for
integration and launch utilizing Spaceflight's SHERPA system to place the
cubesat into a sun-synchronous orbit in the third quarter of 2015. More
on the funding campaign is on the web at tinyurl.com/help-launch-one-c.
(AMSAT)
**
RADIO FROM SPACE: NASA'S MARS 2020 ROVER GAINS SEVEN NEW INSTRUMENTS FOR
EXPLORATION
NASA plans to add advanced technology to its next Mars rover scheduled to
launch in 2020. Reportedly it will carry tools that will allow it to
explore the surface of the Red Planet in different ways than ever before.
The space agency says that the next rover will likely have seven research
instruments. These include what is called a Mastcam-Z, a SuperCam, a
Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry and four others.
The Mastcam-Z is described as an advanced camera system with panoramic and
stereoscopic imaging capability. It will be used to determine mineralogy
of the Martian surface and assist with rover operations.
The Super Cam is an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical
composition analysis, and mineralogy. The instrument will also be able to
detect the presence of organic compounds in rocks from a distance.
Meantime, the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry is a
fluorescence spectrometer that will also contain an imager with high
resolution. It will be used to determine the fine scale elemental
composition of Martian surface materials.
The new Mars 2020 rover is part the agency's Mars Exploration Program,
which includes the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers, the Odyssey and Mars
Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft and the soon to arrive MAVEN orbiter.
(NASA)
**
ON THE AIR: GB2VJ SPECIAL EVENT STATION TO MARK V-J DAY
On the air, members of the Essex CW Group will be operating special event
station GB2VJ from August 8 to September 4 to mark World War 2's Victory
over Japan or V-J Day. GB2VJ's operations will be on the lower HF bands
using only CW. More information on the club and this event is on the web
at sites.google.com/site/essexcw. (Essex CW Club)
**
ON THE AIR: PANAMA CANAL 100TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EVENT
Hams in Panama are currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of the
opening of the Panama Canal on August 15th 1914. To commemorate
centennial, special event station HO100CANAL will be operational through
this August 15th. Listen out for this special station on 160 through 10
meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL's go via HP1AVS. (Various)
**
DX
In DX, word that KB5FLA will be on the air stroke PJ7 from Sint Maarten
until August 12th. Activity is holiday style on 40 and 20 meters using CW
and SSB. QSL via his home callsign direct or electronically via Logbook to
the World or eQSL.
DJ8NK signing GJ0VNK and F6EXV as MJ0EXV will be operational from Jersey
Island between August 8th to the 12th. Activity will be on all bands 160
through 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. There is the possibility
that the duo could turn up on 60 meters as well. Logs will be uploaded to
ClubLog and Logbook to the World. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or
via the bureau.
ON4BR will be active as D44TLO from the Windward Islands between August
16th and the 23rd. Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters using CW
only. QSL via his home callsign.
G3ZVW will be active as ZD8N from Georgetown on Assencion Island between
August 21st and the 29th. Operations will be on 80 through 10 meters
using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via his home callsign either
direct or via the bureau.
WB6OJB and K5LBU will be an the air as C81AK and C81CF, respectively from
Tenda Tora Lodge in Bilene between August 25th and September 2nd. WB6JOB
will be operating on SSB and CW, while K5LBU will be on PSK and possibly
RTTY. QSL's for this one go to each operators home address or via Logbook
to the World.
Lastly, down the road a bit comes word that K8PGJ will be operational
stroke as FO from Bora Bora between February 15th and the 24th of 2015.
Plans are for him to operate holiday style on the High Frequency bands.
QSL via his home callsign either direct, via the bureau or electronically
using Logbook to the World.
(This weeks DX news courtesy of the Ohio-Penn DX Newsletter)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: ELON MUSK PLEDGES 1,000,000 TO TESLA MUSEUM
And finally this week, it looks as if the creation of the Tesla Science
Center and Museum in Shoreham, New York, has gotten another step closer to
reality. This thanks to a well known entrepreneur who truly believes in
celebrating the past as well as planning the future. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, has the details:
--
The effort to build a science center and museum in honor of the legendary
scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla has received a special gift. This
after it was announced that Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and inventor
behind electric-car company Tesla Motors and the aerospace company Space X
had pledged $1 million to the Tesla Science Center Museum in Shoreham, New
York.
The back story goes this way. Matt Inman is the originator of the
web-comic The Oatmeal. In 2012 he created a tribute to Tesla titled: "Why
Nikola Tesla was the greatest geek who ever lived." Inman also started
the fundraising campaign to purchase the Shoreham Wardenclyffe Tower which
was Tesla's former laboratory in New York, and convert it into a museum.
The campaign raised $1.37 million in 45 days, far surpassing the $850,000
goal.
The land to build the museum was successfully purchased in 2013 by Tesla
Science Center at Wardenclyffe. This is a nonprofit group that had been
trying to acquire the property for 18 years. But getting the property was
only the first step.
This past May, Inman did a cartoon review of the Tesla Motors Model S
automobile. At the conclusion Inman referred to the company's namesake
and included what he called a teensy request to Elon Musk. While Musk had
contributed to first fundraiser, monies were still needed to perform the
extensive renovation of the land and build the science center and museum
itself.
Within hours of the comic being posted, Musk sent Inman a message on
Twitter that simply said that he would be happy to help. Ironically,
Musk's donation came just in time for the celebration of what would have
been Nikola Tesla's 158th birthday.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, reporting.
--
In addition to the donation toward creating the museum, complex dot com
reports that moinies will also be included to build a charging station in
the parking lot, so that owners of Tesla's electric automobiles can charge
them quickly while they visit the facility. (complex.com, Slashdot.org,
other published reports)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio
Penn DX Bulletin, 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 Newsline. Our e-mail address is
newsline (at) arnewsline (dot) org. More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline's 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 Jim Davis,
W2JKD, saying 73 from Vero Beach, Florida, and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
Have a day!
R\%/itt - K5RXT
--- GoldED+/W32 1.1.5-31012
--- D'Bridge 3.99
* Origin: K 5 R X T (Really Xtra Terrific) San Antonio, TX (1:387/22)
|