Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1847 - January 4 2013   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1847 with a release date of January 4   
   2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. The FCC begins work to create a new Citizens   
   Broadband Service; the ARRL asks the FCC to create a new low frequency band   
   from 472 to 479 kHz as Ireland gives that same spectrum to its ham radio   
   community; the 2013 International DX convention finds a new home at the   
   Visalia California Convention Center and the transistor reaches age 65.   
   Find out the details as we ring in the New Year with Amateur Radio Newsline   
   (tm) report number 1847 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: FCC PROPOSES 3.5 GHZ CITIZENS BROADBAND SERVICE   
      
   First there was the old Class A and Class B Citizens radio of the 1940's.   
   Then came 11 Meter Class D Citizens Radio Service in 1958. Next was the   
   Family Radio Service authorized in the United States since 1996. That was   
   followed in 2000 by MURS or the Multi Use Radio Service. Now in 2013, the   
   FCC is proposing to create a new Citizens Broadband Service and it's like   
   nothing else the regulatory agency has ever attempted before. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Just before years end on Wednesday December 26th the FCC announced a proposal   
   to make available 100 MHz of shared spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band using small   
   cell and database technologies. The FCC calls the new service in the 3550 to   
   3650 MHz band the "Citizens Broadband Service" or C-B-S and proposes three   
   tiers of service. These will be known as Incumbent Access; Priority Access   
   and General Authorized Access.   
      
   Incumbent Access would consist solely of authorized federal and grandfathered   
   licensed Fixed Satellite Service 3.5 GHz band users. They would be   
   protected from the other tiers by regulation and technical means. This   
   would include the use of exclusion zones where other C-B-S uses would not be   
   permitted.   
      
   Priority Access level would be given to small cell use by certain critical   
   quality-of-service dependent users at specific target locations. This might   
   include hospitals, utilities, state and local governments. It might also   
   include users with a distinct need for reliable, prioritized access to   
   broadband spectrum at specific, localized facilities.   
      
   Lastly, the General Authorized Access or G-A-A level would allow   
   opportunistic use of the spectrum for a variety of residential, business and   
   enterprise purposes. These users would have to protect Level 1 Incumbent   
   Access and Level 2 Priority Access users through technologies including   
   geolocation. Also as the lowest level users they would not have any   
   expectation of protection from harmful interference to this user base.   
      
   The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is known as FCC 12-148. It also seeks   
   comment on including spectrum at 3650 to 3700 MHz, immediately adjacent to   
   C-band downlink spectrum. If the FCC does include the 3650 to 3700 MHz band   
   in the proposed new service, wireless Internet service providers using this   
   band for links would have to be licensed under the tier 3 General Authorized   
   Access rules.   
      
   The NPRM proposes a "Spectrum Access System" which would govern interactions   
   between all devices in the 3.5 GHz band. It would be modeled after the TV   
   White Space database concept and all devices would be limited to 1 watt   
   Effective Radiated Power as compared to an Isotropic radiator.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale,   
   Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   If the proposed services name of the Citizens Broadband Service has a 1960's   
   or 1970's ring to it, its not by mere coincidence. The FCC is proposing to   
   license users under Section 95 of the Personal Radio Service rules. That's   
   the same section that includes 11 meter Citizen's Band radio. (FCC, RW)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: ARRL FILES FOR 472 - 479 KHZ US BAND   
      
   The ARRL has filed a Petition for Rule Making requesting the establishment of   
   a domestic amateur radio allocation at 472 to 479 kHz. The League's request   
   calls for a power limit of 5 watts effective isotropic radiated power, with   
   only 1 watt to be permitted in certain specific locations.   
      
   The ARRL took this action for the FCC to follow up on the actions of the 2012   
   World Radiocommunication Conference now rather than waiting several years as   
   was the case with WRC-07. As regular listeners know, telecommunications   
   administrations around the world have been fairly quick to make this   
   spectrum available to their nations ham radio communities.   
      
   As we go to air the FCC had not responded to the League's petition. (ARRL,   
   CQ, eHam)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: IRISH RADIO AMATEURS GET NEW 472-479 KHZ ALLOCATIONS   
      
   Some good news for hams in Ireland. This with word that the Irish Radio   
   Transmitters Society have been informed by telecommunications regulator   
   ComReg that the band segment 472 to 479 kHz becomes available to all   
   licensed radio amateurs in Ireland. This, on a secondary basis, with effect   
   from 1 January 2013. The maximum power is 5 watts and available for use   
   with CW, QRSS, and narrow band digital modes.   
      
   There are some restrictions that ComReg has put in place. As ham radio is a   
   secondary user of this spectrum ComReg says that stations in the Amateur   
   service shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from,   
   stations of the aeronautical radionavigation service or stations of the   
   maritime service. Also that the amateur service shall ensure that no   
   harmful interference is caused to the frequency 490 kHz which is used   
   exclusively for the transmission by coast stations of navigational and   
   meteorological and urgent information to ships.   
      
   Also, a Test License held from ComReg by the Irish Radio Transmitters Society   
   under which a number of licensed amateurs were given permission to operate   
   in the band segment 501 to 504 kHz expired on January 2nd. As such,   
   amateurs in Ireland who had received special permission to use that spectrum   
   were required to cease operation on 501 to 504 kHz on that same date.   
   (IRTS)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: ICASA TABLES DRAFT NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCY PLAN   
      
   South Africa's telecommunications regulator I-C-A-S-A has made public a draft   
   of the proposed new National Radio Frequency Plan for comment by February   
   8th. One positive aspect is that a new band from 472 to 479 KHz for amateur   
   radio is shown as secondary allocation which makes the way for allotment as   
   soon as the plan has been adopted.   
      
   Meantime the South African Radio League has proposed to the regulator to have   
   the 160 meter band extended as this is not provided for in the draft plan.   
   There is however a footnote that pays the way for further discussion. Foot   
   note 5.096 list a number of countries where administrations may allocate 1   
   810 to 2 000 KHz to the amateur service after consultation with neighboring   
   countries. The South African Radio League says that it will continue   
   pursuing the possibilities of having that band extended.   
      
   The South African National Radio Frequency Plan is the base document for   
   allocation of spectrum to various services in that nation. (SARL)   
      
   **   
      
   COMMUNICATIONS LAW: SPACE EXPORT CONTROL REFORM PASSES HOUSE AND SENATE   
      
   Good news for United States hams and others involved in the development of   
   experimental satellites. Legislation reforming space related export control   
   has passed the House and the Senate and is expected to be signed by the   
   President.   
      
   The measure is included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal   
   Year 2013 under Section 1261. This area of the proposed law is titled The   
   Removal of Satellites and Related Items from the United States Munitions   
   List or USML.   
      
   The legislation does contain some restrictions. Key among these is a   
   continued prohibitions of data and parts export that are specific to China,   
   North Korea, and any country that is a state sponsor of what the United   
   States considers to be terrorism.   
      
   The passage of this legislation is significant and brings with it the promise   
   that United States universities and other satellite experimenter groups   
   including ham radio will be better able to interact in the design and   
   construction of flight hardware. It also suggests that these groups may be   
   better supported in their mission to prepare the workforce needed to design   
   and deploy the space systems of the future. This in turn should enable the   
   United States to remain a leader in space.   
      
   You can read more about this change in United States satellite export law on   
   line at tinyurl.com/Space-Export-Reform. (ANS, SpaceMarket)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the WM7K repeater serving   
   Grants Pass, Oregon.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: SALE OF NON CERTIFIED DEVICES BRINGS $14000 FINE   
      
   The FCC has affirmed a $14,000 Forfeiture Order to LawMate Technology Co.,   
   Ltd. This for its alleged marketing of unauthorized radio frequency devices   
   for more than two years. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has   
   the details:   
      
   --   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: SALE OF NON CERTIFIED DEVICES BRINGS $14000 FINE   
      
   The FCC has affirmed a $14,000 Forfeiture Order to LawMate Technology Co.,   
   Ltd. This for its alleged marketing of unauthorized radio frequency devices   
   for more than two years.   
      
   On July 15, 2009, the Enforcement Bureau's Spectrum Enforcement Division   
   released the $14,000 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture after it   
   found that that LawMate manufactured and marketed two models of wireless   
   video transmitters in the United States before obtaining FCC certifications   
   for the models. The finding was based on LawMate's own admission in   
   response to a letter of inquiry.   
      
   LawMate responded on November 14, 2009. At that time LawMate declared that   
   that it was willing to pay a penalty for its violations but requested   
   cancellation or reduction of the proposed forfeiture amount based on certain   
   remedial efforts that LawMate stated it intended to implement. It also   
   claimed financial hardship, and asserted that it had a past history of   
   compliance with the FCC rules.   
      
   Now in affirming the NAL, the FCC says that it carefully considered LawMate's   
   and find no basis for reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture.   
   It noted that LawMate's contention that it planned to undertake certain   
   remedial measures to ensure future compliance with the rules was not a valid   
   reason for a downward reduction of the fine. It also noted that LawMate   
   claim that payment of the forfeiture would place undue stress on the   
   company's financial situation was not accompanied by the proper   
   documentation. It noted that any claim of inability to pay must   
   specifically identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial   
   documentation submitted to the agency.   
      
   I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.   
      
   --   
      
   LawMate was given the customary 30 day time period from the affirmation date   
   of the fine to pay it or to file a further appeal. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED RADIO STATION IN FLORIDA LOCKS PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR   
   CARS   
      
   What appears to have been a relatively high power out of band spurious signal   
   from an unlicensed broadcast transmitter is being blamed for locking   
   hundreds of people out of their cars in Hollywood, Florida. This according   
   to a statement from the city's police department who called it a mystery no   
   one could solve until now.   
      
   For months residents were complaining that they could not use their keyless   
   entry systems to unlock or start their cars whenever they parked near the   
   Hollywood Police Department. Once the cars were towed to the dealers, the   
   problem disappeared.   
      
   After months of searching, the wayward signal causing the problem was   
   T-Hunted to the roof of the near-by Regent Bank Building. An undercover   
   detective and FCC agent found the equipment on December 6th concealed under   
   an air conditioning chiller.   
      
   Four days after they removed the equipment, a man identifying himself only as   
   "Jay" left a message for a maintenance worker at the bank building. Police   
   say that when the worker returned the call, "Jay" asked if he'd taken his   
   equipment. The worker answered no, but told him that the cops had.   
      
   Hollywood Florida detectives are still searching for the man who set up the   
   bootleg station on the roof of the bank building. When it was shut down and   
   seized it was operating around the clock on 104.7 FM broadcasting Caribbean   
   music. If found, the man could be arrested on state felony charges and also   
   face a minimum fine of at least $10,000 from the Federal Communications   
   Commission. Cars made by Ford, Lexus, Toyota, BMW and Mercedes reportedly   
   were affected. (Radio Ink, RW, others)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO EMPLOYMENT: SURVEY SAYS BBG WORST PLACE TO IN GOVERNMENT TO WORK   
      
   It's not exactly a list you'd want to be at the top of. This as the   
   Broadcasting Board of Governors finds itself as the number one worst place   
   to work in the federal government among mid-sized agencies. This according   
   to survey results recently published by the Washington Post.   
      
   They were followed by the National Archives and Records Administration, the   
   Department of Housing and Urban Development, Securities and Exchange   
   Commission and Department of Education.   
      
   Best mid-sized agencies to work at included the Federal Deposit Insurance   
   Corporation, Government Accountability Office, Nuclear Regulatory   
   Commission, the Smithsonian Institution and the Federal Trade Commission.   
   (RW, Washington Post)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: ILLW 2013 ATTRACTS MORE THAN 110 ENTRIES SO FAR   
      
   Jim Linton, VK3PC, reports that the leading countries pre-registered for the   
   next International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend are Germany with,   
   Australia with 27, followed by the USA and England. In fact a total of 110   
   pre-registrations have been received from 26 countries even though the next   
   International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend does not take place until the   
   August the 17th and 18th. More about this fun event is on-line at   
   www.illw.net (VK3PC)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: BATAAN MEMORIAL DEATH MARCH MARATHON EVENT   
      
   The Mesilla Valley Radio Club of Las Cruces, New Mexico will be operating   
   Special Events Station K5B on March 17th. This, in conjunction with the 24th   
   annual Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon to be held at the nearby White   
   Sands Missile Range.   
      
   K5B will operate from 1000 to 2300 UTC on or near 21.337, 14.330, 7.225, and   
   3.893 megahertz. A commemorative QSL card will be available by request.   
   Please QSL with a self‐addressed stamped business sized envelope to   
   K5B in care of the Mesilla Valley Radio Club, P. O. Box 1443, Las Cruces,   
   New Mexico, 88004.   
      
   More information about the K5B operation is at www.n5bl.org/batan.   
   Information regarding the marathon event is available at   
   www.bataanmarch.com. (WB4AEJ)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: TARCFEST IN GEORGIA MARCH 30   
      
   On the social scene, the third Annual Thomasville Amateur Radio Club Hamfest   
   and Tailgate, will take place in Thomasville, Georgia, on March 30th. This   
   is a one day event, starting at 7:30 AM and lasting until around 4:00 PM   
   Central U-S time. Admission is free, Tailgating is free, and there is only   
   a minimal charge for indoor vendor tables. For more information take your   
   web browser to tarchamfest.blogspot.com or follow this event on Facebook or   
   Twitter as TARCHamfest. (KJ4ZNK)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: 2013 INTERNATIONAL DX CONVENTION MOVES TO VISALIA CONVENTION   
   CENTER   
      
   Registration is now open for the 2013 International DX Convention to be held   
   this year at the Visalia Convention Center in down-town Visalia, California.   
      
      
   According to planners the move to the Convention Center gives the show 17   
   meeting rooms and 2 Board Rooms, which will allow them to put together   
   several concurrent presentations. Also the exhibit hall can easily handle   
   up to 100 vendors and there will be banquet facilities for up to 900   
   attendees.   
      
   2013 marks the 64th year of this event that which will be held April 19th to   
   the 21st. For more details please visit www.dxconvention.org or   
   www.dxconvention.com on the World Wide Web. (Intl DX Convention)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: NEW SECTION MANAGER APPOINTED IN NEW YORK CITY - LONG   
   ISLAND   
      
   Some names in the news. Effective January 1st Jim Mezey, W2KFV, of Carle   
   Place, New York, became the new ARRL New York City-Long Island Section   
   Manager. ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N,   
   appointed Mezey after consulting with current Section Manager Mike Lisenco,   
   N2YBB. Lisenco, who stepped down as Section Manager after being elected as   
   ARRL Hudson Division Director. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: CLYBURN RE-NOMINATION TO FCC APPROVED BY SENATE   
      
   The United States Senate has approved the re-nomination of FCC commissioner   
   Mignon Clyburn. This time for a full five-year term retroactive to July 1,   
   2012, when her current term expired.   
      
   Clyburn had been serving out the term of Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, who   
   exited to join the Department of Agriculture. Her re-nomination had been   
   held up after the death of Commerce Committee member Daniel Inouye forced   
   the committee to postpone a vote. Had the nomination not been voted before   
   the seating of a new Congress, Clyburn would have had to have a new hearing   
   in the Commerce Committee when that new Congress convened. (Published news   
   reports)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: BILL PASTERNAK, WA6ITF, HONORED BY CEDARS SINAI ALUMNI   
   ASSOCIATION   
      
   Newsline producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, was recently honored with a   
   Certificate of Appreciation for his volunteer work to the Cedars Sinai   
   Medical Center Alumni Association.   
      
   No, Bill never worked at the medical facility. However since his retirement   
   from Fox Television in 2009 he has been the volunteer Videographer for the   
   monthly social gatherings of the group.   
      
   The award was presented to Bill the evening of December 17th during a break   
   in the evenings program while he was video recording a presentation by famed   
   Hollywood Producer Director Paul Mazursky. Mazursky was the featured   
   speaker talking about the production of his 1984 film Moscow on the Hudson   
   that starred Robin Williams. (ARNewsline)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: N8TMW TO GUEST ON THE DODROPIN ECHOLINK   
   NET ON JANUARY 12   
      
   (Jim =97 Ill let you personalize this as best you see fit.)   
      
   And on Jan 12th at 2100 hours Eastern Standard Time, Amateur Radio Newsline's   
   Jim Damron, N8TMW, will be the guest on the Amateur Radio Newsline Net held   
   on the DoDropIn Echolink conference server. You are invited to drop in and   
   catch Jim talking about his career in broadcasting, his stage career as well   
   as his amateur radio involvement. Again that's the Amateur Radio Newsline   
   Net on Saturday January 12th at 2100 hours Eastern Standard Time to meet Jim   
   Damron, N8TMW. You will find it on the DoDropIn Echolink conference server   
   node number 355800. I hope to see you there. (W8WFO)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: ANOTHER NEW SOURCE OF LIGHT ANNOUNCED   
      
   A new and more efficient way to light your way is on the horizon. Amateur   
   Radio Newsline's Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   Scientists at the Wake Forest University have created a new type of light   
   bulb that promises to be just as efficient as LED equivalents, but without   
   any of the drawbacks.   
      
   The new field-induced polymer electroluminescent bulbs or FIPEL for short,   
   produce light when an electric current is passed through its nano-engineered   
   plastic layers. The team says that the new type of bulbs are malleable,   
   allowing them to take any shape like compact fluorescent lamps. They also   
   won't shatter like traditional bulbs, nor will they generate the same hum or   
   flicker.   
      
   The inventor of FIPEL is Dr. David Carroll. He believes that his new   
   solution is superior to LED bulbs because there is a limit to how much   
   brightness you can get out of them. If you run too much current through an   
   LED they can short out and melt. Not only that, the light generated by   
   FIPEL bulbs is closer to natural sunlight, unlike the bluish tint generated   
   by LEDs.   
      
   Any worries about longevity are also put to rest by Dr. Carroll. He claims   
   to have had a field-induced polymer electroluminescent prototype lamp   
   working in his laboratory for almost a decade.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.   
      
   --   
      
   As for when the technology will make the jump to a commercial product? The   
   research team says that a corporate partner is interested in producing the   
   new bulbs at scale, with the first run expected in 2013. (CGC,   
   earthsignals.com, TheVerge.com)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: ADELAIDE AUSTRALIA SAYS YES TO PUBLIC WI-FI   
      
   The first Australian city with free Wi-Fi outdoors will be Adelaide. The   
   South Australian Government and Adelaide City Council will foot $1.5 million   
   bill to provide it at all public areas, by the end of 2013. Already a trial   
   of free Wi-Fi is on all Adelaide Metro trams and 20 buses. Similar public   
   Wi-Fi initiatives are in progress in Singapore, Prague, Wellington,   
   Auckland, and Luxembourg. (VK3PC)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: NEW CANADIAN IRLP/ECHOLINK WEATHER NET   
      
   The Weather Radio Listeners Newsletter Net hosted by Gordon Maybee, VA3WXA   
   out of Toronto, Canada, takes place every Saturday evening at 8 PM Atlantic,   
   7 PM Eastern time on IRLP Reflector 9034 and Echolink node 223557. The net   
   carries information about Weather Radio and the CANWARN service. It also   
   includes weather warnings and notices of any power outages across Canada.   
      
   The sponsors say that they are trying to make this a Cross Canada Net to   
   include all provinces and territories. They are also looking for station   
   from Quebec to participate.   
      
   For more information about the net, go to The Maritime Amateur website   
   www.maritimeamateur.ca and click on CANWARN. Once there, click on CANWARN   
   news where you will find articles on this net. (VE1JBL)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO IN SPACE: NEW LAUNCH VEHICLE TO CARRY CUBESAT SWARM IN 2013   
      
   Turning to space related news, 2013 should see the first flight of a new   
   satellite launch vehicle. Super Strypi, also known as Space-borne Payload   
   Assist Rocket - Kauai was developed by Sandia National Laboratories in New   
   Mexico, the University of Hawaii and Aerojet Corporation. It based on an   
   enlarged version of Sandia's Strypi sounding rocket.   
      
   The Super Strypi vehicle will be launched from a rail-launcher at Barking   
   Sands, Kauai at the Pacific Missile Range Facility towards the end of 2013.   
   Super Strypi will be carrying a swarm of CubeSats called the Edison   
   Demonstration of Smallsat Networks. The CubeSats are an unusual size of 10   
   by 10 by 15 cm and weigh 2 kg. The Edison swarm will demonstrate   
   distributed, multipoint space weather measurement and are expected to   
   operate for at least 60 days and have an on-orbit life-time of up to 4   
   years.   
      
   More is on the web at tinyurl.com/new-sat-launcher. (Space Times)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: AUSTRIAN HAMS CELEBRATES ALPINE SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP   
      
   Hams in Austria will have the chance to operate with the special callsign   
   O-E-2013 followed by their assigned suffix between January 15th and   
   February 18th. This is to celebrate the 2013 Alpine Ski World Championships   
   taking place in that nation. An award is available for three different   
   levels which are Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Each level requires that a   
   certain number of special event stations and O E stations to be contacted   
   and logged. More is on-line at tinyurl.com/austrian-2013-event (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: N2ZN IS NEW NEW QSL MANAGER FOR W2JO   
      
   According to the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter, Ken Boasi, N2ZN, says that he is   
   now the QSL Manager for David Farnsworth, WJ2O. Farnsworth has made over 30   
   DXpeditions over the last 20 years and N2ZN says that he can confirm QSO's   
   made with any or all of them.   
      
   Farnsworth's most recent trip was for the 2012 CQ World Wide CW contest where   
   he operated from Barbados under the callsign 8P9DF. Dave's earlier DX   
   operations and many logs can be found at wj2o.com.   
      
   N2ZN adds that QSL's for W2JO should now be sent to him either direct of via   
   the bureau. He adds that his address is good on both QRZ.com and in the FCC   
   database. (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, members of the Radio Cub Peruano announced the activation of special   
   event station 4T4RDP during the 2013 edition of the Rally Dakar. They will   
   be active using SSB, CW, RTTY and the Digital Modes on 80 through 6 meters   
   between January 4th and the 13th. QSL via OA4O.   
      
   SM0MDG will travel to Montserrat and be active as VP2MSW through January 8th.   
   Operation will be holiday style with a focus on 17 and 15 meters with   
   possible operations on 10 meters if propagation allows. This is an   
   ultra-lite operation using a FT-857D and simple wire antennas. Look for the   
   log to be uploaded to Logbook of the World W after his return home. QSL via   
   his manager M0URX, either direct or using OQRS   
      
   DJ9KH will be on the air as A31WH from Vava'u Island between February 20th   
   and March 3rd. All activity will be on the High Frequency bands. QSL via his   
   home callsign, either direct or by the bureau.   
      
   W6HGF will be on the air stroke J8 from St. Vincent between January 9th and   
   the 24th. His operation will be focused on RTTY using dipoles and a   
   traveling beam. QSL direct to his home callsign or electronically via   
   Logbook of the World or ClubLog.   
      
   DJ9KH will be active from Tongatapu Island as A31WH and from Vavau Island as   
   A31WH/P February 20th through March 3rd. Operations will be on the High   
   Frequency bands only. QSL via his home call.   
      
   Lastly DF3ZS and DL1QW will be active stroke 5Z4 from Diani Beach, Kenya,   
   between January 7th and the 20th. Their operation will be holiday style on   
   80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via their home callsign,   
   direct or via the DARC Bureau.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: A BELATED HAPPY 65 TO THE TRANSISTOR   
      
   And finally this week, a belated happy birthday to an electronic device whose   
   invention revolutionized telecommunications and made possible the technology   
   that we have today. Of coarse we are talking about the transistor as we   
   hear from Amateur Radio Newslines Bruce Tennant, K6PZW:   
      
   --   
      
   On December 16, 1947, Bell Labs researchers William Shockley, John Bardeen   
   and Walter Brattain created an amplifier from a germanium crystal that   
   boosted the level of an input signal by 100 times. Various researchers had   
   tried to develop a solid-state alternative to the vacuum tubes during World   
   War II but none had succeeded. The Bell Labs Trio demonstrated it for lab   
   officials a week later on December 23 where Shockley deemed it a magnificent   
   Christmas present.   
      
   Bell Labs announced the invention of the transistor six months later. The   
   device went on to become one of the signature scientific achievements of the   
   20th century, ranking up with splitting the atom, manned flight, and the   
   discovery of DNA. One could argue, in fact, that the transistor was the   
   most important breakthrough of the 20th century because subsequent advances   
   in those other fields relied on the computing power made possible through   
   integrated circuits and semiconductors. In essence, information has become   
   a science itself.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   As a result of their achievement Electronics Magazine put a photo the three   
   men on its cover. The three went on to share the Nobel Prize for physics in   
   1956. John Bardeen became a laureate a second time in 1972 for his work on   
   superconductivity. And very apropos the entire story is on-line at   
   tinyurl.com/transistor-comes-alive (Readwrite, others)   
      
   **   
      
   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 WIA 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. You can also write to   
   us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa   
   Clarita California, 91350   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Jim Damron,   
   N8TMW saying welcome to 2013, 73 and we thank you for listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2013. 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   
   the actual posting of this message service, you may address them to   
   hamfdn -at- wpusa.dynip.com.   
      
   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73-   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)