Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1842 - November 30 2012   
      
   Attention bulletin stations. Please note that this is an extended Amateur   
   Radio Newsline report and contains three breaks. Thank you.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1842 with a release date of November 30,   
   2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. The FCC issues a rule making proposal aimed at   
   implementing the 2007 World Radiocommunications Accords; the NTSB says it   
   wants to end all kinds of distracted driving; South Africa's ham radio   
   community is told it will have to re-apply for their licenses and the 8th   
   Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference is called a major   
   success. Find out the details are on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report   
   number 1842 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: FCC PROPOSES IMPLEMENTING 2007 WRC ACCORDS   
      
   The FCC has issued ET Docket 12-338 that if passed as written is pretty good   
   news for ham radio. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the   
   details:   
      
   --   
      
   ET Docket 12-338 released on Tuesday, November 20th proposes modify the rules   
   governing a number of communications services for amateur radio which falls   
   under Part 97 of its rules, the proposed changes are quite positive.   
      
   Starting at the low end of the electromagnetic spectrum and working our way   
   up, Docket 12-338 proposes the creation of a permanent albeit shared   
   allocation from 135.7-137.8 kHz with a power output of 1 watt effective   
   radiated power to an isotropic radiator. To those who have never heard the   
   term isotropic radiator, this is a theoretical point source of   
   electromagnetic waves that emits the same intensity of radiation in all   
   directions. Translated into everyday language it really means hams will   
   only be able to transmit a few hundred milliwatts of power if that.   
      
   Now going up a few hundred kilohertz to the 160 mter band. That where Docket   
   12-338 proposes to change the Amateur Radio Service allocation to make 1800   
   through 2000 kHz a primary amateur service allocation.   
      
   By way of background, historically, the 1715 to 2000 kHz band was allocated   
   exclusively to the Amateur Service. In 1953, the FCC removed the 1715 to   
   1800 kHz segment from the Amateur Radio Service and allocated the 1800 to   
   2000 kHz band to the Amateur Service on a shared basis with the   
   Radionavigation Service. Then in 1983, the FCC allocated the 1800 to 1900   
   kHz band to the Amateur Service on an exclusive basis and the 1900 to 2000   
   kHz band to the Radiolocation Service on a primary basis and to the Amateur   
   Service on a secondary basis.   
      
   Lastly, in the WRC-07 Table Clean-Up Order, the FCC combined the 10 to 10.45   
   GHz and 10.45 to 10.5 GHz bands in the Federal Table of Allocations. In   
   doing so, the frequency band was inadvertently not changed to 10 to 10.5   
   GHz. To fix this the FCC will revise the text of three footnotes that   
   pertain to this spectrum by adding the existing Amateur-Satellite Service   
   allocation to the list of permitted non-federal services. It will also   
   order that non-federal stations in the Radiolocation Service not cause   
   harmful interference to the Amateur Service in the 10 to 10.5 GHz band.   
      
   As we said, its pretty good news for ham radio here in the USA.   
      
   From the studio in Los Angeles, Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.   
      
   --   
      
   If approved as written, these changes will implement allocation decisions   
   from the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference that concern those   
   portions of the radio frequency spectrum between 108 MHz and 20.2 GHz by   
   making specific updates to the rules in this frequency range. You can   
   download the full text of ET Docket 12-338 at as a Word document at   
   tinyurl.com/proposed-wrc-changes (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: NTSB VS CEA ON DISTRACTED DRIVING AND DISTRACTED TRANSIT   
      
   The National Transportation Safety Board wants to eliminate all driver   
   distraction and is broadening its focus on the use of portable electronic   
   devices in all types of vehicles. The issue is part of the NTSB's recently   
   released "2013 Most Wanted List." Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley,   
   KI7UP, is here with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   While acknowledging that distracted driving didn't begin when people began   
   making calls or texting in the car, the National Transportation Safety Board   
   still says that portable electronic devices that do not directly support the   
   task at hand have no place in any vehicles. This includes automobiles   
   planes, trains, and just about any other vessel you might be able to think   
   of. As such it argues that states and regulators can set the proper tone by   
   banning the nonessential use of such devices in all areas of transportation.   
      
   The NTSB says that young drivers are more likely to use portable electronic   
   devices while behind the wheel and therefore are especially at risk. It   
   urges that laws, education, and enforcement efforts should place special   
   emphasis on curbing the use of portable electronic devices by these younger   
   drivers.   
      
   The NTSB goes on to say that companies should develop and vigorously enforce   
   policies to eliminate distractions. It also says that manufacturers can   
   assist by developing technology that disables these devices when in reach of   
   operators.   
      
   But the NTSB has some strong opposition from the Consumer Electronics   
   Association or CEA. That organization says that while it applauds the   
   effort, it also notes that the NTSB misses the mark on the use of portable   
   electronics in vehicles. It says that calling for an abstinence only   
   approach, the NTSB ignores established realities of human behavior. It also   
   claims that in-vehicle technology when used correctly can make for vastly   
   safer roadways.   
      
   The CEA says that rather than calling for broad regulations or outright bans,   
   policymakers should encourage the use of the many innovative driver safety   
   technologies coming on to the marketplace. The CEA notes that it has   
   already forwarded the NTSB a list of third-party applications that promote   
   safe use of portable technologies in the automobile.   
      
   How any of this might affect mobile or even hand held pedestrian portable   
   operations in the future by ham radio operators and other users of two-way   
   radio is at this time unknown. But the NTSB stand seems to be that any and   
   all forms of distraction must be removed from the public's hands while in   
   transit. And that's not likely to sit well with the public at large.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP. In Scottsdale,   
   Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   It should be noted that the National Transportation Safety Board is an   
   independent body that has no authority to enact transportation policy, nor   
   to force the federal government to make transportation policy changes.   
   However it makes recommendations to governments, industry and the public and   
   uses its "Most Wanted" list as a way to highlight changes that it is   
   advocating. (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: ALL RADIO SOUTH AFRICAN AMATEURS WILL HAVE TO REAPPLY FOR THEIR   
   LICENSES   
      
   All South African radio amateurs are going to have to reapply for their   
   licenses. This is according to the South African Radio League which says   
   its liaison committee met with that nation's telecommunications regulatory   
   body Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.   
      
   At that meeting the national society learned that following an audit by the   
   Auditor General, that the communications regulator has been instructed to   
   implement regulation 15 of the nations Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations.   
   This is a law that stipulates that an amateur radio license can only be   
   renewed for up to five years after which a new application has to be   
   submitted. Because of this, all South Africa licensed radio amateurs will   
   be required to re-apply for a license for the period of April 1st 2013   
   through March 31st 2018.   
      
   The South Africa Radio League says that the details as to how this will be   
   accomplished are expected to be made public in the next few weeks. Until   
   that time, South African hams should do nothing. As soon as information is   
   made available the South Africa Radio League announce it via its news   
   bulletin service system and make forms available on its website at   
   www.sarl.org.za. (SARL, ICASA)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including WMRP FM on 104.7 MHz serving   
   Flint Michigan.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: GAREC 2012 DEEMED A MAJOR SUCCESS   
      
   The 8th Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference also known   
   as GAREC 2012 was held recently in Port Dickson, Malaysia. We have an   
   updated report on what transpired at that gathering from WIA Newsman Graham   
   Kemp, VK4BB:   
      
   --   
      
   Attending the conference on November 12 to 14 were delegates from nine   
   countries under this year's theme of 'One world, One commitment'.   
      
   Among the presentations was one on the Mobile Emergency Weather System which   
   assists authorities using simple equipment and training.   
      
   There were status reports from various countries and these highlighted the   
   differences and similarities in approach to emergency planning. While   
   solutions may not be easy to find, sharing the problems and allowing   
   individual countries to recognize that they were not alone, provides   
   valuable support to the Global community.   
      
   GAREC-2012 included two practical activities. These enhanced inter-personal   
   relationships enabling delegates to work together more efficiently in   
   future.   
      
   Future conferences may seek to involve partners in emergency response, such   
   as the International Federation of the Red Cross and the ITU, in accord with   
   the existing Memoranda of Understanding.   
      
   The delegates thanked the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters Society in   
   hosting this successful conference.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News in   
   Australia.   
      
   --   
      
   The next GAREC is in Zurich, Switzerland on June 25 to 27, 2013. All groups   
   and organizations involved in Amateur Radio Emergency Communications are   
   invited to attend to share their knowledge and learn from others. (WIA   
   News)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: DISASTER READINESS FAIR IN CALIFORNIA HIGHLIGHTS CERT AND HAM   
   RADIO   
      
   In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a disaster-readiness fair that highlighted   
   solar oven cooking, water storage, 72-hour emergency kits and amateur radio   
   communication demonstrations has been held in Temecula, California. The   
   event, hosted by the Temecula Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of   
   Latter-day Saints, took place on Saturday, November 10th.   
      
   At the event dozens of tables with information and demonstrations on topics   
   pertinent to emergency preparedness were set up in and around the church   
   facility. There were also two presentations on food storage and earthquake   
   preparedness was given by specialists in those areas.   
      
   Gordon Neuls, N6ELS, manned a booth promoting amateur radio certification.   
   Members of the Temecula Citizen Corps were on hand to raise awareness of the   
   need to be ready for natural disasters and to promote the Community   
   Emergency Response Team operations. It was noted that in the case of a   
   disaster where normal lines of communication are interrupted, amateur radio   
   can be used to relay information, as well as to send for help and other   
   assistance.   
      
   According to the Temecula Press Enterprise, the Church of Jesus Christ of   
   Latter-day Saints has long been an advocate of emergency preparedness. It   
   noted that the church leadership encourages each of its members to have a   
   year's supply of food and emergency items, be self-reliant and free of debt.   
   (Temecula Press Enterprise)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO RESPONDERS THANKED FOR THEIR HELP IN GUATEMALA QUAKE   
      
   Amateur radio operators who were among the first responders following an   
   Earthquake that hit Guatemala have been thanked for their efforts. WIA   
   Newsman Robert Broomhead, VK3DN has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The rescue and relief work in San Marcos, Guatemala, a mountainous region   
   bordering Mexico that was hit by a 7.4 scale earthquake claiming the lives   
   of at least 52 people earlier this month, was aided by emergency   
   communications provided by radio amateurs.   
      
   International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 Emergency Communication   
   Coordinator, Cesar Pio Santos HR2P said he was very proud of the work done   
   during and after the earthquake on November 8, despite the difficult times.   
      
   Cesar HR2P thanked the members of the Club de Radioficionados de Guatemala   
   for their outstanding efforts. He was responding to a report from Marco   
   Aurelio TG 8 AMP, who was in charge of the emergency network. About 10,000   
   houses have been affected by the earthquake with authorities setting up 11   
   rescue centers for the homeless.   
      
   This has been VK3DN, reporting from Melborne.   
      
   --   
      
   According to news reports, this was the worst quake to hit Guatemala since   
   1976. Thats when a 7.5 magnitude temblor caused the deaths of about 23,000   
   people in one of the worst natural disasters of the time. (VK3PC, HR2P,   
   WIA News)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: HAM RADIO TOWER AMENDMENT TO ZONING IN RIDGECREST CA   
      
   The Planning Commission in Ridgecrest California was to hold a public hearing   
   November 27th to recommend the City Council amend a city zoning ordinance   
   that would help hams in that city erect antennas. The amendment request,   
   should it be approved by the city council at a later date, could permit   
   amateur ham radio antennas in excess of 35 feet to be erected subject to a   
   ham obtaining a Conditional Use permit.   
      
   The agenda relates directly to a previous request by Ridgecrest resident   
   Steven Rainey, N6MVX, to put up a 55-foot tower on his property back in   
   September. Rainey could not receive a conditional use permit for the   
   proposed tower following a public hearing. This is because the Planning   
   Commission does not have the authority to grant such permits under the   
   current municipal code.   
      
   According to a city staff report, the amendment request, should it be   
   approved by the city council at a later date, could permit amateur radio   
   antennas and windmill towers in excess of 35 feet to be erected subject to a   
   Conditional Use permit. City Planner Matthew Alexander is quoted as saying   
   ham radio operators represented a strong asset to the city in case of   
   emergencies.   
      
   More is on-line at tinyurl.com/ridgecrest-antenna. (Ridgecrestca.com)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: COMMEMORATE NOAA - SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY   
      
   NOAA - SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 1st from 0000 to 2400 hours UTC   
   and everyone is invited to take part.   
      
   NOAA - SKYWARN Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather   
   Service and the American Radio Relay League. Its purpose is to celebrate   
   the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the   
   National Weather Service   
      
   As we go to air some 70 NWS ham radio operations are registered for the 24   
   hour operating event. These stations are expected to be operational on the   
   High Frequency bands plus 6, 2 and 70 centimeters along with Echolink as   
   well as IRLP.   
      
   For more informational please visit the official NOAA - SKYWARN Recognition   
   Day website at tinyurl.com/skywarn-nws-day. (PAPA, NWS)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: HANDIHAM 2013 RADIO CAMP ANNOUNCED   
      
   The Handihams have make known that their 2013 Radio Camp is tentatively   
   scheduled for the Woodland campus of Camp Courage in late July and early   
   August. The tentative dates are July 28th through August 2nd making travel   
   days for the campout Sunday and Friday. No pricing has been announced.   
   (Handihams)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: COURAGE CENTER CAMPS PARTNER WITH FRIENDSHIP VENTURES   
      
   The Handihams have also announced that Courage Center Camps and Friendship   
   Ventures have entered a joint partnership. This to create a new camp   
   organization to serve people with disabilities.   
      
   The new organization founded on November 19th will be called Camps of Courage   
   and Friendship. At least that will be its title until a formal name study   
   is completed in 2013.   
      
   Campers, volunteers and staff will see traditional programs continue in 2013.   
   However, behind the scenes, new methods and approaches will be developed to   
   incorporate the strengths of both organizations. More about this new joint   
   venture is on-line at www.campscouragefriendship.org. (Handihams)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: TOWER WORK WEBINAR DECEMBER 12   
      
   The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation will be presenting a webinar on   
   towers and how to work safely on and around one on.   
      
   Titled "Tower Work --Tips, Techniques, and Tools," this presentation taught   
   by John Crovelli, W2GD, and Don Daso, K4ZA. During the session the two will   
   outline things that they have learned from almost 100 years of combined   
   experience, focusing on safety, cost savings, and of coarse problem solving.   
      
   The hour long webinar will begin at 9 PM Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday,   
   December 12th which equates to Thursday, December 13th at 02:00 UTC.   
   Registration is free to hams world-wide at   
   tinyurl.com/tower-webinar-registration. (K4ZW, QRZ.com)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: ELLEN OCHOA, KB5TZZ, NAMED DIRECTOR OF JSC   
      
   Some names in the news. A ham radio operator will soon be heading up the   
   Lyndon B. Johnson Spaceflight Center in Houston, Texas. This as NASA   
   Administrator Charles Bolden announces that Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, KB5TZZ,   
   as the next Director of the historic space development facility.   
      
   Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman to go into space. Since September 2007   
   she has served as Johnson Spaceflight Center Deputy Director. Prior to that   
   position she worked as Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations at JSC and   
   in September of 2006 became Director of Flight Crew Operations.   
      
   Ellen Ochowa will be facility's 11th Director. She will also be its first   
   Hispanic, first radio amateur and the second female to serve in that   
   position. KB5TZZ will take over the reins at JSC from Michael Coats when he   
   retires at the end of the year. (NASA, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: KOLD OWNER TURNS 90   
      
   The founder of the world's most remote radio station, Radio KOLD in   
   Antarctica has turned 90. Steve Grimsley, VK2ZP, set up Radio KOLD at   
   Wilkes Base in 1961, and the station is still broadcasting. Family, friends   
   and former colleagues gathered in the Australian town of Binalong to   
   celebrate VK2ZP's birthday. (WIA News)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: VE3XT ELECTED ONTARIO NORTH/EAST RAC DIRECTOR   
      
   Congratulations are extended to Bill Unger, VE3XT who was recently selected   
   as the Radio Amateurs of Canada Director for Ontario North East. Unger ran   
   unopposed, eliminating the need for a balloted election. VE3XT has been an   
   amateur operator since 1970 and has been involved in many aspects of the   
   hobby. His term as Director will be for two years starting January 1, 2013   
   and ending on December 31, 2014. (RAC)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 2   
      
   This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur. From the United States of   
   America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our   
   only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being relayed by the   
   volunteer services of the following radio amateur:   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: MEXICO ZETA DRUG GANG BLAMED FOR KIDNAPPING ENGINEERS   
      
   If you are an Information Technology or two-way radio technician and planning   
   a trip to Mexico, you might not carry an H-T on a belt clip where it can be   
   seen. This is because at least one drug gang seems to be kidnapping and   
   enslaving those who know two-way radio to build and keep their private   
   system going. Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, takes a look at   
   the situation south of the border:   
      
   --   
      
   According to a report from Mexican news site Animal Politico, at least three   
   dozen engineers and technicians have been kidnapped in the past four years.   
   And Felipe Gonzalez who is the head of Mexico's Senate Security Committee   
   told Animal Politico that none of the engineers who disappeared have ever   
   been found.   
      
   Mexican authorities blame the notorious drug running gang the Zeta's for the   
   kidnappings. The Mexican military is trying to dismantle an extensive radio   
   network built and operated by the drug cartel but to date authorities have   
   not had much luck shutting it down. Not only is much of the equipment   
   super-easy to replace, but the drug runners have apparently found some   
   unwilling assistance by kidnapping and enslaving technicians to help build   
   it. Among them is at least one IBM employee and several communications   
   technicians from a firm owned by Mexico's largest construction company.   
      
   Last year the Mexican military found and dismantled one such drug runners   
   radio network spread across northeastern Mexico that included 167 radio   
   antennas sites. As recently as this past September, Mexican marines found   
   a 295-foot-high transmission tower in Veracruz State.   
      
   The bottom line: It seems the drug gangs have discovered that two-way radio   
   is a tool that they will not be without but the Mexican government is doing   
   all it can to take these clandestine operations off the air.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, near Zion, Illinois.   
      
   --   
      
   One of the best stories in the English language that explains in depth the   
   safety issue to engineers and technicians in Mexico is on the World Disaster   
   Report website. Its on-line at tinyurl.com/enslaved-technicians. (Animal   
   Politico, Whatspoppin.net, World Disaster Report, other news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT DIGITAL RADIO FAILS IN HONG KONG   
      
   As of this past October 10th, Hong Kong's new Digital Broadcasting   
   Corporation is off the air. This after only one month of operation. The   
   stated reason is that they simply have run out of money to continue   
   operations.   
      
   According to the South China Morning Post, the station's co-founder Albert   
   Cheng King Hon wanted the government to intervene between the shareholders,   
   but Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development turned down the request   
   for mediation.   
      
   Digital Broadcasting Corporation's financial woes have meant that the staff   
   was not paid for the month of October, or offered severance. Nonetheless,   
   at least one talk show host indicated that he would like to continue   
   broadcasting without pay, but some doubted the practicality of this goodwill   
   gesture.   
      
   Disagreements over what to do with the company's assets extend to questions   
   over whether or not these should be liquidated to pay employees or allow the   
   board members to buy back shares at a discounted rate. Digital Broadcasting   
   Corporation license required it to formally launch its service by September   
   21st, 2012, and also to provide seven 24-hour programming channels. (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: BCDX NET CELEBRATES ITS 24th ANNIVERSARY   
      
   The weekly 40 meter BCDX Net from South India celebrated its 24th anniversary   
   on Sunday, November 25th. This Net began operation on Sunday, November 27,   
   1988 by a small group of radio amateurs that included 4S7VK, VU2FOT, VU2JOS   
   along with some very interested shortwave listeners.   
      
   The BCDX Net is now held on Sunday morning's at 03:00 UTC on 7 dot 085 MHz   
   Lower Sideband for the advantage of those who are keenly interested in   
   Broadcast Band DXing. According to its operators, the unique thing about   
   this net is that is helped hams to become SWL DX'ers and SWL's to get their   
   amateur licenses. The current net control station is VU3SIO and assisted   
   from time to time by VU3BGK and VU2JOS. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: MARITIME AMATEUR WEBSITE SERVING HAMS UP NORTH   
      
   The Maritime Amateur website was launched back in March 2008 with the purpose   
   of sharing information among radio amateurs in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick   
   and Prince Edward Island of Canada. Now in its fifth year, there has been   
   over 43 thousand hits and has a membership of over 110 ham radio operators.   
      
   From the homepage, there are links to local, national and international news,   
   CANWARN, maritime nets and numerous others sits of interest to hams that   
   spend time on the water or who just want to be of service to their   
   communities. You can check it out at www (dot) maritimeamateur (dot) ca.   
   For more information please contact Jim Langille by e-mail to   
   ve1jbl@eastlink.ca (VE1JBL)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FOX-1 CUBESAT UPDATED DESIGN PUBLISHED   
      
   The design of the Fox-1A has been updated. During the 2012 Symposium AMSAT   
   Vice-President Engineering, Tony Monteiro, AA2TX and the Fox Engineering   
   team presented the latest status on the design, development, and   
   construction of the Fox-1A satellite project. Fox-1A is is a one unit size   
   cubesat which will carry an FM repeater transponder to replace the ageing   
   AO-51. (ANS)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: 2012 AMSAT SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE IN THE AMSAT   
   STORE   
      
   The Proceedings of the AMSAT-NA 30th Symposium and AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting,   
   held October 26th to the 28th in Orlando, Florida have been put up for sale   
   at the on-line AMSAT Store. The proceedings contain over 30 articles on   
   subjects ranging from current satellite operations to updates on the Fox   
   Project. For information on pricing and shipping or to oplace an order   
   please visit store.amsat.org/catalog on the World Wide Web. (ANS)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 3   
      
   The news never stops and neither do we. From the United States of America we   
   are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our only   
   official website at www.arnewsline.org and being relayed to you by the   
   following bulletin station:   
      
   (5 sec pause)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: SPECIAL EVENT STATION TM1TARA   
      
   On the air, keep an ear open for special event station TM1TARA to be on air   
   between December 8th to the 10th. This to commemorate the scientific   
   voyages of French polar vessel the Tara.   
      
   Tara Expeditions has been organizing missions aboard this research schooner   
   for the past 9 years. The goal is to learn more about the impact of climate   
   change on the planets ecosystems. So far Tara has accomplished eight   
   successful expeditions including voyages to Greenland, Antarctica,   
   Patagonia, southern Georgia, and the Arctic. Its latest voyage was   
   described as world-wide known as Tara Oceans.   
      
   For this special celebration operations will be conducted by F8DVD and F8IJV   
   from Paris, France during the Tara exhibit. Look for them on 20 through 10   
   meters on SSB. A special color QSL card will be printed and will be sent   
   via the Bureau or direct. QSL with a self addressed envelope and 2 IRC's   
   - if you can still get them -- to F8DVD. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, CT1FTR is currently on the air from the Sudan as ST2FT. He is active   
   on High Frequency bands using SSB and PSK31. If you make contact QSL via   
   CT2GBU or electronically using eQSL.   
   OH0XX is currently active from Contadora Island in the Archipelago Perlas as   
   HP1XX. Bands and modes are not known but if you work him please QSL via   
   home call.   
      
   K4UUK plans to operate from Belize May 4th to the 18th 2013 as V31RD. He will   
   be active on 80 through 6 meters on SSB. QSL via K4UUK.   
      
   GM3YTS , GM4FDM , GM0GAV , GM3POI will be active from Tuvalu Island from   
   March 12th to the 23rd 2013 as T2GM. They will be operational on all of the   
   High Frequency bands with an emphasis on contacts with Europe. QSL via   
   GM4FDM   
      
   AA4NC will be operational from Montserrat February 12th to the 20th of 2013   
   as VP2ME. He he also plans to be active in ARRL DX CW Contest. QSL this   
   station electronically using Logbook of the World.   
      
   Four British hams plan to be active from Easter Island February 13th to the   
   21st as XR0YG. They will be operational on High Frequency bands only. An   
   actual guide to their operating hours and QSL routes is expected to be   
   announced shortly.   
      
   Lastly, a team of operators from Germany will be on the air from Samoa next   
   April 4th to the 18th as 5W0M. They will be operational using various modes   
   on 80 through 6 meter plus and 2m E-M-E. QSL the main operation to DL4SVA   
   direct, via the bureau or OQRS. For EME QSO's send cards via DL9MS.   
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: HURRICANE SANDY - EVERYTHING OLD WAS NEW AGAIN   
      
   And finally this week you might want to say that everything old is new again.   
   This after Professor Darren Hayes of Pace University's Seidenberg School of   
   Computer Science and Information Systems reports on the aftermath of   
   Hurricane Sandy. According to Professor Hays, it appears that older   
   technology played a vital role to assist the public after this disaster.   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   In an article in the news blog The Hill, Professor Darren Hays notes that the   
   Verizon network suffered widespread outages and with no electricity,   
   telecommunications were problematic. The old corded telephones were plugged   
   in by those who still had them and there were lines for payphones. For   
   those of you to young to remember these are coin operated telephones that in   
   many places are nothing more than a distant memory.   
      
   Professor Hays also had some nice words for the amateur radio community. He   
   says that others resorted to using ham radio to communicate, which was found   
   to be very effective. Hays pointed to ham radio networks like ARES and   
   RACES which are dedicated to communications outages. Hays who holds the   
   call KI6UEI noted that a battery-powered radio was at one point his only   
   connection to the outside world during the storm.   
      
   Hays article notes that as the recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy   
   continues, questions are being raised about our nation's preparedness for   
   emergencies. On Friday, November 9th it was reported that two Congressmen,   
   U.S. Representatives Peter King and Steve Israel, were requesting that the   
   military assume control of Long Island Power Authority. This in an effort   
   to restore electricity to more than 150,000 homes and businesses which at   
   that point still without mains power.   
      
   Back in 2006 the newspaper Newsday reported that the Long Island Power   
   Authority was warned that its critical infrastructure could not handle a   
   major storm. One of the issues noted was that the utility was utilizing a   
   25-year old mainframe computer system that could not track power outages or   
   other critical functions like monitoring for rotting utility poles.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   You can read the entire article by Professor Hays on-line at   
   tinyurl.com/old-worked-best (The Hill)   
      
   **   
      
   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 Newsline(tm). Our e-mail address is newsline (at) arnewsline   
   (dot) org. More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's(tm)   
   only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.   
      
   A reminder to those of you who still receive these newscasts over our   
   661-296-2407 dial in telephone line rater than downloading the MP3 file from   
   our website or from the RSS feed. We are still giving consideration to   
   discontinuing telephone feed service as a cost cutting measure. But before   
   we do, we want to know how many people are actually using it.   
      
   If you are one of those who call in each week on the phone and have not   
   already done so, please send us a note telling us who you are and the reason   
   you are using telephone access rather than simply downloading the newscast   
   from the Internet.   
      
   Our address is the Amateur Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue, Saugus   
   California, 91350. Or, as we said, you can e-mail us at newsline (at)   
   arnewsline (dot) org. We look forward to hearing from you.   
      
   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 Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.   
      
      
   ***   
      
   As a Service to the HAM Radio Community and Ham Operators all around the   
   world, this Amateur Radio Newline(tm) message has been gated from the internet   
   and posted to you by Waldo's Place USA, 1:3634/12. We hope you enjoyed it!   
      
   Please address all comments and questions to the ARNewsletter editor as   
   described in this posting. If you have any specific questions concerning   
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   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73-   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)