Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1858 - March 22 2013   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1858 with a release date of March 22   
   2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. An antenna battle down under pits a ham antenna   
   against a landscape view; a big win in New Jersey as a ham is finally   
   granted approval for his tower and antenna; a Coronal Mass Ejection on the   
   sun hits Earth on St. Patrick's Day; the Federal probe of the so-called   
   zombie attack on the United States Emergency Alert System continues and GPS   
   jamming becomes a threat to public safety in the UK. All this and more on   
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1858 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: NELSON NZ COUPLE WANT HAMS ANTENNA TAKEN DOWN AND ALL HAM ANTENNAS   
   BANNED DUE TO EMI EXPOSURE   
      
   A Nelson, New Zealand couple upset by the installation of a ham radio antenna   
   in the middle of their expansive field of view from have taken their fight   
   to city councilors. They also appear to want a change in local zoning law   
   that would make all ham radio installations in that city subject to   
   exceedingly strict human electromagnetic exposure limits. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Dallas Woods is the complainant who made a presentation to the council's   
   public forum. At that hearing Woods asked councilors to change the rules so   
   that amateur radio antennas are no longer a permitted activity in   
   residential zones or the landscape overlay which covers city ridgelines.   
   Woods said the landscape overlay was supposed to mitigate adverse effects on   
   visual qualities and to retain views from major vantage points. Also that   
   the council's councils current plan acknowledged that in some areas use of   
   structures such as antenna masts should be extremely limited.   
      
   But that presentation did not stop there. According to Woods testimony, with   
   the modern communications now available, there was no justification for   
   large ham radio antennas as a right in residential zones. Woods also stated   
   that ham radio was no longer needed to help with emergencies. They are also   
   concerned about the health aspects for themselves and passers-by who could   
   be exposed to higher what Woods terms as a than acceptable amount   
   electromagnetic radiation from the ham radio antenna when it was operating   
   at full power. Woods wants the National Radiation Laboratory of the   
   Ministry of Health should monitor the RF output from the antenna while the   
   ham radio station is operating at maximum power.   
      
   The tower and antenna in question belong to Rick Kiessig, ZL2HAM. He has   
   acknowledged that his antenna did impinge on his neighbors view to some   
   degree, but noted that there was a gum tree in the same area which was   
   taller than his antenna and blocked much more of the view. He also said   
   that he had taken a number of additional steps to mitigate the effect of the   
   antenna on the view of his neighbors. This included his using a   
   self-supporting tower without lots of guy wires and an antenna made of   
   translucent fiberglass rather than one with a large number of thick aluminum   
   elements.   
      
   Nelson's environmental inspections manager is Stephen Lawrence. He   
   acknowledges that he has received such a request from the Woods, but he   
   notes that a rule in the Nelson Resource Management Plan specifies that any   
   antenna transmitting on radio frequencies had to do so within the limits of   
   the relevant New Zealand Safety Standard. He says that Kiessig has already   
   submitted a very detailed self assessment to council that shows his antenna   
   system complies with that safety standard. According to Lawrence, the   
   council in the process of seeking someone to peer review this assessment as   
   a double check, but he adds there are currently no grounds to believe that   
   it isn't accurate or that the antenna system is operating outside of proper   
   safety limits.   
      
   And that's where this one stands as we go to air.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, one the scene in   
   Nelson, New Zealand.   
      
   --   
      
   According to ZL2HAM, amateur radio stations such as his that operate in the   
   high frequency spectrum makes them safer at a given power density than   
   cellphones or wireless internet. He notes that a ham radio station in the   
   high frequency range would need to transmit about 12,000 watts of effective   
   radiated power to have the same power density as a cellphone in normal use.   
   (Fairfax NZ News, Others)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: NJ HAM WINS ANTENNA HEIGHT APPEAL   
      
   Back on this side of the Pacific a New Jersey ham has finally been granted a   
   building permit to erect a 96 foot high antenna system. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD, is here with more:   
      
   --   
      
   In April 2012, Ira Saber, N2IS, filed an application for a building permit in   
   Morris Township, New Jersey. A month later, the Township's Code   
   Enforcement Officer informed Saber that the proposed 96' high private radio   
   antenna system, on his modest one quarter acre property, may violate the   
   height requirement in the zone.   
      
   On appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Saber submitted a "Showing of   
   Need for Height of an Amateur Radio Antenna Support Structure," prepared by   
   Dennis Egan, W1UE. Also submitted was an ARRL pamphlet entitled "Antenna   
   Height and Communications Effectiveness," prepared by Richard Straw, N6BV   
   and Gerald Hall, K1TD, and a brief by his lawyer, Fred Hopengarten, K1VR.   
      
   In December 2012, after soliciting opinions by the township's RF consultant,   
   the township planner, and the attorney to the Board of Adjustment, the   
   Zoning Board of Adjustment held a hearing. Saber and Hopengarten appeared.   
   At that time the Board voted unanimously that Saber's building permit should   
   be issued as requested.   
      
   But the most important aspect of this finding was what has come to light   
   since. In an opinion letter the Board of Adjustment attorney said that it   
   is apparent that the essence of the FCC's preemptive intent as expressed in   
   PRB-1 was to guarantee that each amateur radio operator could install   
   functional antennas for all amateur frequency bands, at the licensee`s   
   residence.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, a bit to the West   
   in Berwick, Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   The full decision, and the opinion of the Board's attorney, may be found   
   under "Resolution of Findings and Conclusions, Ira J. Saber" at   
   tinyurl.com/n2is-antenna-win. (QRZ)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION: CME IMPACT SPARKS ST. PATRICKS DAY AURORAS ON EARTH   
      
   The Southgate news reports that the skies over parts of North America turned   
   green for St. Patrick's Day. This as a Coronal Mass Ejection or CME from   
   the surface of the sun impacted on planet Earth during the early hours of   
   March 17th.   
      
   The CME sparked bright auroras at latitudes as far south as Colorado. Other   
   intense Aurora's were spotted on March 18th mainly over the Arctic as   
   Earth's magnetic field continued to respond to the solar impact. And if you   
   heard or worked some stations on 50 MHz and above who sounded as if they   
   were gargling while speaking, that was the sound of aurora propagation.   
      
   More information on this latest CME flare including photos and further   
   updates can be found on line at spaceweather.com. (Southgate, Skywatch,   
   others)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FEDERAL PROBE INTO FALSE EAS ZOMBIE ALERT WIDENS   
      
   FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief David Turetsky says that   
   the investigation continues into what happened to allow someone to hack some   
   broadcast stations' EAS encoders/decoders and insert false alerts of zombie   
   attacks that were aired on some of those facilities.   
      
   According to Turetsky, the Internet which is a part of the EAS system will   
   remain an important means of communication. Turetsky says that there is no   
   silver bullet to cover all occasions. He says that all involved in EAS need   
   to work hard to create greater security.   
      
   As previously reported, some stations that were hacked had connected their   
   EAS encoder/decoder equipment directly to the Internet, rather than behind a   
   firewall. Others had not changed the factory-provided password making both   
   vulnerable to attacks by hackers. (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: FEUD ERUPTING BETWEEN CTIA AND NAB OVER ENG SPECTRUM FOR   
   BROADBAND   
      
   A feud appears to be brewing between the broadcast community and the   
   broadband industry over spectrum now used by broadcast auxiliary operations.   
   This after the CTIA Wireless Association has requested that the FCC look to   
   reclaim some of this spectrum for commercial reallocation. Amateur Radio   
   Newslines Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   For its part the CTIA points out that the FCC has until February of 2015 to   
   identify 15 MHz of contiguous spectrum for reallocation and licensing for   
   mobile broadband and that the current broadcast auxiliary services band is a   
   natural fit.   
      
   But the National Association of Broadcasters counters that such a move would   
   amount to a threat to public safety. This is because the spectrum in   
   question is currently used for electronic newsgathering and is where   
   broadcasters were forced to move these operations when they reallocated   
   satellite spectrum.   
      
   Perhaps the biggest dig at the CTIA proposal came from National Association   
   of Broadcasters spokesman Dennis Wharton. He is quoted as having said that   
   if the request were not such a serious threat to public safety, it would be   
   amusing.   
      
   But the wireless industry does not seen to be amused. In his statement CTIA   
   president Steve Largent wrote that this spectrum band is below 3 GHz, is   
   contiguous and adjacent to current allocations, and would allow pairing in a   
   readily achievable fashion. Largent added that the CTIA is not aware of any   
   other spectrum bands as well-positioned as this band to meet all the key   
   principles for mobile broadband spectrum that could be paired with the   
   specific 15 MHz identified by National Telecommunications and Information   
   Agency.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephan Kinford, N8WB, in Wadsworth,   
   Ohio.   
      
   --   
      
   The bottom line appears to be that broadcasters who had been allied with   
   wireless companies in opposition to the FCC's incentive auction band plan   
   may be quickly heading in different directions and may well come to   
   loggerheads over this new CTIA spectrum demand. (B&C,   
   fiercebroadbandwireless.com)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the WA4TEP repeater serving   
   Greenville North Carolina.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FCC SEIZES UNLICENSED FM BROADCAST STATION IN BROCKTON MA   
      
   Federal authorities have shut down and seized equipment reportedly used by an   
   unlicensed radio station in Brockton, Massachusetts. A station that is   
   alleged to have interfered with air traffic communications in the Boston   
   area. Amateur Radio Newslines George Bowen, W2XBS, tells us what happened:   
      
   --   
      
   The equipment was confiscated by the US Marshals Service, which executed a   
   warrant March 1st. According to an affidavit filed in January by FCC   
   Engineer Emmanuel Domkam, officials began investigating the unlicensed   
   station operating on 91.7 FM in Brockton, in February 2010. However the   
   station's transmitter moved three times before it ended up on at the   
   location the seizure occurred.   
      
   Domkan wrote that each time the move occurred after the FCC has issued and   
   posted a written warning at the transmitter location. Investigators   
   eventually traced the transmitter to an address on Rutland Street in   
   Brockton. This after the Federal Aviation Administration filed a complaint   
   last October that a possible unlicensed station, later identified as   
   operating on 91.7 and playing Haitian music, was interfering with its   
   ability of controllers to communicate with pilots flying in the Boston area.   
      
      
   The interference was likely from spurs generated by the stations transmitter.   
   The FCC said the investigation became a top priority because this kind of   
   interference could be dangerous to air to ground communications and public   
   safety.   
      
   As we go to air the owner of the property where the equipment was confiscated   
   has not been charged with any crime. Nor was immediately clear if that   
   person or anyone else will be subject to a Notice of Monetary Forfeiture or   
   other federal penalty. As regular listeners know, fines in similar cases   
   start at $10,000 and run as high as $25,000 or more.   
      
   For the amateur Radio Newsline, I'm George Bowen, W2XBS, in Albany, New York.   
      
   --   
      
   This is not the first time that the FCC has confiscated an unlicensed station   
   in the Brockton area. In an unrelated 2007 case an unlicensed radio   
   broadcaster was cited by federal authorities for interfering with the   
   traffic control at Logan International Airport in nearby Boston. In that   
   incident the stations equipment was also seized. (Boston Globe, Boston   
   Herald, Cape Cod Daily)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FINE REDUCED IN PENNSYLVANIA OUT OF BAND OPERATION   
      
   A Pennsylvania ham whom the FCC says operated outside of the amateur radio   
   bands has had his fine reduced by $500.   
      
   Back on May 16, 2011 the FCC imposed a $4,000 monetary forfeiture against   
   Jose Torres, N3TX, of Philadelphia. This for his alleged willful and   
   repeated operation of his amateur radio station on an unauthorized frequency   
   on April 17 and June 2, 2008. The frequency in question was 26.71 MHz.   
      
   On February 17, 2009, Torres met with agents in the Philadelphia Office to   
   respond to the apparent findings in the N-A-L. During the meeting Torres   
   claimed that he was not at home when the alleged unauthorized transmissions   
   occurred. He also asserted that payment of the $4000 proposed fine would   
   pose a financial hardship. At that meeting he produced the required   
   documentation to back up his claim.   
      
   But in affirming the penalty, the FCC said that it finds that Torres's   
   Petition for Reconsideration fails to demonstrate a material error in the   
   Forfeiture Order. That it only reiterates arguments previously presented to   
   and rejected by the agency's Northeast Region office. As such, it denies   
   reconsideration of the Petition on this basis.   
      
   As to Torres's claim of his inability to pay the forfeiture, here the FCC   
   says that based on the materials he submitted that a reduction of $500 is   
   warranted. Therefore the agency affirms the Northeast Region's finding that   
   Torres willfully and repeatedly operated on an unauthorized frequency but   
   reduces the forfeiture amount to $3,500.   
      
   Torres was given the customary 30 days from the March 19th release of the   
   Memorandum Opinion and Order in this matter to pay the reduced $3,500   
   forfeiture amount. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: ANOTHER UNLICENSED FLORIDA BROADCASTERS ISSUED $25000 NAL   
      
   The FCC has issued Gary Feldman a $25,000 Notice of Monetary Forfeiture for   
   operating an unlicensed radio station in Miami, Florida.   
      
   Responding to a complaint, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Miami office   
   traced the source of an unauthorized signal on 99.7 MHz to an FM antenna   
   mounted on Feldman's residence, in both 2011 and 2012. While monitoring the   
   station, agents heard the website hot977fmmiami.com mentioned. A check   
   showed the website domain registered to Feldman.   
      
   According to the FCC, during an inspection in 2012, Feldman admitted he   
   operated the station but refused to either surrender the gear to the   
   investigators or to destroy it. At that time the commission warned Feldman   
   that operating an unlicensed station violated FCC rules and he could face   
   further enforcement action.   
      
   Later in 2012 the FCC says that Feldman attempted to evade detection by   
   moving his unlicensed operation to a commercial building he owns in Miami.   
   The commission also found Feldman had earlier been issued a $10,000 fine for   
   operating an unlicensed station in Fort Myers. That case had already been   
   turned over to the Department of Justice for collection but the fine at that   
   time has still remained unpaid.   
      
   In issuing the latest proposed fine to Feldman the agency noted that it had   
   increased the amount to $25,000 because of his past record of non compliance   
   with FCC rules and that the current violation is deemed as willful and   
   repeated. It also warned him that he may face larger fines, criminal   
   prosecution and equipment seizure if he fails to comply.   
      
   Feldman has 30 days from the February 21st date of the issuance of the   
   proposed fine to pay it in full or to file an appeal. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO HAPPENINGS: FEMA-IPAWS WONT BE AT NAB DUE TO SEQUESTRATION BUDGET CUTS   
      
   It appears that FEMA-IPAWS personnel won't be going to the National   
   Association of Broadcasters Convention in April due to the so-called   
   "sequestration." That's the fancy word politicians in Washington made up to   
   give a title to the more than $40 billion in across-the-board federal   
   spending cuts within the remaining fiscal year.   
      
   One member of that office posted a message to the Society of Broadcast   
   Engineers EAS list serve that at this time FEMA won't have a presence at the   
   National Association of Broadcasters Convention next month in Las Vegas,   
   Nevada. That likely means FEMA won't have a booth and no one can travel to   
   the event, including those scheduled to be session panelists.   
      
   There's no word yet on how the budget cuts might affect travel for the FCC   
   personnel scheduled to speak in Las Vegas. During a recent Senate FCC   
   oversight hearing Chairman Julius Genachowski said he has serious concerns   
   about the effects of the cuts, since the agency is at its lowest employee   
   level in some 30 years.   
      
   The FCC's portion of the sequestration cuts is about $17 million, or 5% of   
   its total $340 million budget. This in turn begs the obvious question as to   
   how the sequestration mandated budget cuts might affect all aspects of ham   
   radio oversight by the agency as well as FCC participation in major amateur   
   radio conventions and other events. (RW, ARNewsline(tm))   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO HAPPENINGS: FAIRBANKS AK COLLEGE STATION TAKES MAJOR PRIZE   
      
   KSUA, a student-run radio station at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks   
   has been named as the best college radio station in the country. The   
   station on 91.5 MHz FM won the 2013 MTVU'S Best College Radio Woodie Award,   
   beating out competition from major universities in metropolitan areas from   
   across the country.   
      
   MTVU is a division of the MTV Network that targets college-aged students and   
   is available on more than 750 college campuses across the United States.   
   The Woodie Awards are its top honors, which celebrate everything about   
   college life from best musical artist and video to best radio station.   
      
   This year awards will be presented in Austin, Texas, during the South by   
   Southwest festival. This is a major 10-day entertainment festival covering   
   music, film and interactive formats such as video gaming and the online   
   world. (AND.com)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO EDUCATION: DARA TO AGAIN SUPPORT ADVANCED ARRL TEACHERS INSTITUTE   
      
   For the fourth year in a row, the Dayton Amateur Radio Association will   
   provide financial support for the advanced session of the Teachers Institute   
   sponsored by the ARRL. This advanced session on remote sensing and data   
   gathering will be held July 22nd to the 25 at the Dayton Amateur Radio   
   Association's new classroom facility at their clubhouse in Dayton, Ohio.   
      
   There will also be two basic Teachers Institute sessions taking place this   
   summer. One will be held July 8th to the 11th at ARRL Headquarters in   
   Newington, Connecticut. The other from July 15th to the 19th on the West   
   coast at Parallax, Inc in Rocklin, California.   
      
   More on all of these sessions is on line at   
   tinyurl.com/2013-arrl-teachers-institute. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: INTERNATIONAL MUSEUMS WEEKEND REGISTRATION OPEN   
      
   The International Museums Weekends special event will take place on the   
   double weekends of June15th and 16th and again on June 22nd and 23rd. Hams   
   world-wide are being encouraged to participate in this event by setting up   
   stations in their local museums in third areas.   
      
   The events organizer Harry Bloomfield, M1BYT. He asks that all those   
   intending to take part to register their museum via the web form on the   
   International Museums Weekend website. Its in cyberspace at   
   www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw. (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   WITH NEWSLINE: ARNEWSLINE FACEBOOK PAGES REACHES 1300   
      
   A new milestone for the Amateur Radio Newsline page on Facebook. As of this   
   newscast, our page now has 1300 followers. Many of those who have signed on   
   have also become contributors on news and events that do not always make it   
   into our weekly newscast. For this we thank all of them for their   
   volunteerism and support. If you are on Facebook and have not yet signed   
   onto our page we invite you to do so and become a part of the Amateur   
   Newsline on-line family. And a very special thank you to James Pastorfield,   
   KB7TBT, who serves as the volunteer moderator of our presence on Facebook.   
   (ARNewsline)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: SVHFS CONFERENCE APRIL 19-20 IN COCOA BEACH FLORIDA   
      
   And a reminder that the 2013 The Southeastern VHF Society technical   
   conference is less than 6 weeks away. This years gathering will take place   
   April 19 to the 20th at the Cocoa Beach Hilton Hotel in Cocoa Beach,   
   Florida.   
      
   The goal of the conference is to raise the technical level of amateurs. This   
   by providing a forum for presenting papers relating to VHF, UHF, and   
   Microwave while at the same time providing a focal point for discussions on   
   operating practices and procedures and other topics that promote operation   
   on amateur bands above 50MHz.   
      
   For further information and registration please visit the conference website   
   at www.svhfs.org (VHF Reflector, SVHFS.com)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: DAVE PATTON N1NN TO SPEAK AT DAYTON DX DINNER   
      
   Some names in the news. The SouthWest Ohio DX Association has announced that   
   Dave Patton, NN1N, will be the featured speaker for its 28th annual DX   
   dinner. This on Friday, May 17th at the Marriott Hotel in Dayton, Ohio.   
      
   Dave Patton was first licensed in 1977 as WD9DCL at the age of 12. Always an   
   avid DX'er and contester Patton is a two-time World Radiosport Team   
   Championship competitor has been on world record holding multi-operator   
   teams at 6Y2A and HC8N.   
      
   For more information and to order dinner tickets please visit   
   www.swodxaevents.org on the World-Wide-Web (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: PB33BQ TO CELEBRATE THE CHANGE OF ROYALTY IN THE   
   NETHERLANDS   
      
   And in celebration of the Netherlands Queen Beatrix handing over the throne   
   to her eldest son Prince Willem Alexander, Dutch ham radio operator Jaap Van   
   Duin, PA7DA, will take to the airwaves using the special callsign PB33Q   
   between April 20th and May 1st.   
      
   The PB33BQ callsign stands for Princess Beatrix 33 years Queen and   
   commemorates the more than three decades since she took over the throne of   
   her mother Queen Juliana. That took place back on April 30th, 1980.   
      
   Keep an eye on pa7da.jouwweb.nl/pb33q for more information on this very   
   special celebration. QSL PB33Q only via the bureau. (Various DX News   
   Sources)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO HAPPENINGS: NRCDXAS MOVES FROM CASSETTE TO CD DISTRIBUTION   
      
   The National Radio Club has announced that its highly acclaimed DX Audio   
   Service has ceased publication on cassette and is now available on CD.   
      
   Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, is the Publisher of the DX Audio Service and an anchor   
   here on Amateur Radio Newsline. He notes that the audio magazine which   
   targets blind and visually handicapped individuals has been published on   
   cassette tape since 1985. But says W8HDU, the switch to CD distribution   
   will increase the amount of time to present articles on radio and the radio   
   listening hobby as well as represent an advancement in technology. With the   
   move to CDs the club hopes not to just talk about the quality of a radio   
   receiver, but let the members make their own qualitative judgments.   
   According to Vobbe, the high quality of CD's is what makes this possible.   
      
   The DX Audio Service magazine started with volunteers reading the printed   
   version of DX News Magazine to tape. Two decades ago the subject matter was   
   changed slightly from traditional AM DX'ing, to add general topics on radio   
   listening, technical articles, and features on people in the broadcasting   
   business.   
      
   A sample of the MP3 version is located on the World Wide Web at   
   www.nrcdxas.org under the "Publications", then "Download" links. A sample   
   CD for United States and Canadian radio listeners is available for $3.00   
   from National Radio Club Publications, P.O. Box 473251, Aurora, Colorado,   
   80047 in the USA. More information is on the web at www.nrcdxas.org.   
   (W8HDU)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO IN SPACE: FCC ISSUES GUIDANCE ON OBTAINING LICENSES FOR SMALL   
   SATELLITES   
      
   The Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice to provide   
   guidance concerning FCC licensing of spectrum for use by small satellites,   
   including satellites that fall within the categories of pico-satellites,   
   nano-satellites and cubesats. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW   
   has more:   
      
   --   
      
   The FCC's rules set forth three different procedures for licensing   
   satellites. The Commission's Part 25 rules are primary for satellite   
   licensing, and are used for regulating a wide range of satellite operations,   
   including commercial communication and remote sensing satellites. The   
   Commission's Part 5 rules cover experimental operations. The Commission's   
   Part 97 rules cover amateur radio service satellite operations.   
      
   Currently, many small satellite missions involve experimental operations such   
   as scientific and research missions including those conducted under   
   government contract, and many operate in amateur frequency bands. These   
   satellites are licensed under Parts 5 or 97 of FCC rules. Because of the   
   significant interest in small satellites in the amateur radio and research   
   communities, the primary focus of this new Public Notice is on those   
   operations, although certain guidance in the Notice is also applicable to   
   Part 25 licensing well in advance of a launch.   
      
   The FCC notes that the advent of small satellite designs has brought with it   
   dramatically lower launch costs. This is enabling a larger range of   
   organizations to directly launch satellites. Institutions such as   
   universities and research groups that previously found it cost prohibitive   
   to orbit their own satellite can now participate in the exploration of space   
   at relatively reasonable cost. And because of this many of these new   
   participants may be unfamiliar with the spectrum licensing, scheduling and   
   other requirements attendant on satellites. The FCC says that this new   
   Public Notice seeks to alert those planning to orbit a small satellite of   
   these requirements and aid operators in the planning necessary for a   
   successful launch operation.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   The full public notice can be found on-line at tinyurl.com/small-sat-guide.   
   And we will have more ham radio space related news later on in this weeks   
   Amateur Radio Newsline report. (FCC, AMSAT)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO IN SPACE: THE DL4APV WEEKEND MOON CALENDAR   
      
   Still with space related matters, E-M-E enthusiasts should take note that   
   DL7APV has posted a 2013 weekend Moon Calendar to the World Wide Web.   
   Titled the Lunar Weekend Calendar the page gives all sorts of information   
   regarding the Moons position on weekends throughout the year along with ham   
   radio events taking place on the same dates. You can access the DL7APV   
   Lunar Weekend Calendar on-line at tinyurl.com/find-the-moon. (N4GIV, VHF   
   Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO IN SPACE: APRIL 432 AND ABOVE EME NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE   
      
   Still with moonbounce communications, the April issue of the amateur radio   
   432 MHz and Above EME Newsletter is now available for download. The   
   newsletter is available in Word, PDF and Text formats the newsletter can be   
   downloaded free of charge at tinyurl.com/april-432-news. (VHF Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: SPANISH SPECIAL EVENT STATION EH5SIP   
      
   On the air. members of the Team Cartagena will commemorate the launch of the   
   submarine Isaac Peral 125 years ago with the special station EH5SIP on the   
   air through March 31st. Operation of this station is on SSB and the digital   
   modes. QSLs will be sent automatically via bureau.   
   (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: 8J4G CELEBRATING NATIONAL TREE PLANTING IN JAPAN   
      
   And keep an ear open for a special event stations operating from Japan. 8J4G   
   can be heard through May 31st celebrating the 64th National Tree Planting   
   Ceremony in Tottori prefecture on Honshu Island. QSL only via the JA   
   Bureau. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, JH1NBN is expected to be active from Bhutan as A52W through March   
   26th. He is there on business, so his activity will only be during his spare   
   time. QSL via JH1NBN direct only.   
      
   F6BGC will be active as 8Q7NC from the Maldives through March 29th. He plans   
   to operate holiday style on 40 through 6 meters using mostly SSB with some   
   CW and RTTY. QSL via F6BGC, direct or by the bureau and electronically   
   using Logbook of the World.   
      
      
   F5MNW will be active stroke FR from Reunion Island between April 6th and the   
   29th. Operations will be on the High Frequency bands using only CW. QSL   
   via his home callsign either direct or via the bureau.   
      
   Lastly, ZS6AYU will likely be operational as C91GR from Mozambique between   
   May 7th and 11th. We say likely only because the C91GR callsign has been   
   applied for but not yet issued. Either way he plans to be on 40 through 10   
   meters operating CW only. QSL via his home callsign, either direct or by   
   the Bureau.   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: GPS JAMMERS GROWING PROBLEM ON UK ROADS   
      
   And finally this week, word that jamming of the Global Positioning System by   
   drivers on United Kingdom is becoming a growing threat to public safety.   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Damron, N8TMW, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   The United Kingdom's Guardian newspaper reports that thousands of people in   
   that nation may be using GPS jamming devices on UK roads. This to be   
   invisible to any form of surveillance while driving.   
      
   According to the article there are a lot concerns that use of these devices   
   could lead to the dangers to public safety. This includes overtired bus   
   drivers or others staying on the roads despite the presence of monitoring   
   equipment. More importantly they could also pose major a threat if vehicles   
   equipped with the jammers were to go on in airport areas near aircraft which   
   rely on the global positioning system for navigation.   
      
   The Guardian article also notes that the growing use of these devices could   
   torpedo any plans to introduce pay as you drive insurance or road toll   
   systems. This is because a vehicle owner would be able to block   
   communications with monitoring systems.   
      
   GPS jammers, which can have a range of several hundred meters, can be bought   
   in the United Kingdom for about =A330 or about $45 in U-S currency. While   
   not illegal to purchase and own in the U-K it is against the law to use   
   them.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW, in Charleston, West   
   Virginia.   
      
   --   
      
   The full story is on-line at tinyurl.com/uk-gps-jamming (Guardian)   
      
   **   
      
   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   
      
   A reminder that the nominating period for the 2013 Amateur Radio Young Ham of   
   the Year Award is now open. Full details and a nominating form are on our   
   website at www.arnewsline.org/yhoty.   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Don Wilbanks,   
   AE5DW, saying 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)