Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1861 - April 12 2013   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1861 with a release date of April 12   
   2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. Ham radio developed software is now a part of an   
   ongoing NASA solar observation mission; hams in Hawaii appear safe from a   
   new distracted driving law; Over the Horizon is back on the ham bands; the   
   Dayton Hamvention withdraws its 2013 Radio Amateur of the Year award and a   
   nice place for senior citizen hams to retire. Find out where on Amateur   
   Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1861 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT-DL TURBO CODE NOW ON NASA STEREO SPACECRAFT   
      
   Ham radio is now contributing directly to some vital space research. This   
   with the announcement that Turbo Code software written by AMSAT-DL is now in   
   use on the twin NASA STEREO spacecraft. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm   
   Seeley, KI7UP, has the rest of the story:   
      
   --   
      
   According to AMSAT-Germany, on April 2, the two NASA STEREO space-based solar   
   observatories permanently switched to Turbo Code to transmit their real-time   
   space weather data back to Earth. A network of four ground stations,   
   located at Germany, France, Japan and amateur radio station DL0SHF in   
   Germany receives the data, and uses software also written by AMSAT-Germany   
   to decode it.   
      
   The switch to Turbo Code has reportedly improved reception capabilities of   
   the ground stations by about 2 dB. This is a very welcome improvement given   
   that the two STEREO spacecraft are currently 269 and 286 million kilometers   
   respectively away from Earth.   
      
   STEREO which stands for the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory is a   
   solar observation mission using two nearly identical spacecraft. They were   
   launched in 2006 into orbits around the sun that cause them to respectively   
   pull farther ahead of and fall gradually behind the Earth. This enables   
   stereoscopic imaging of the Sun and other solar phenomena, such as coronal   
   mass ejections and the like.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'M Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale,   
   Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   More on the NASA STEREO solar observatory mission is on the web at   
   tinyurl.com/stereo-in-space. (AMSAT-DL)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION: INCOMING SOLAR STORM MAY AFFECT RADIO TRANSMISSSIONS AFTER   
   APRIL 13   
      
   A strong M6-class solar flare has hurled a Cornal Mass Ejection or CME toward   
   Earth. This after the magnetic field of sunspot AR1719 erupted at 0716 UT   
   on April 11th.   
      
   Geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras were being predicted when the   
   fast-moving ionized cloud was to reach our planet, on April 13th. Solar   
   forecasters believed that radio, television, satellite and other   
   communications would likely be affected for several days afterward. Keep an   
   eye on spaceweather dot com for the latest updates. (Spaceweather)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ASSIST IN ARGENTINA FLOODING   
      
   Hams in Argentina are reported to be providing communications support in   
   response to the recent flooding to hit that nation. A statement provided by   
   RAYNET-HF on April 6th said that High Frequency nets are currently operating   
   on 7 dot 070 MHz and 7 dot 120 MHz. This is in addition to VHF and UHF   
   repeaters that are being kept on alert by the Radio Club La Plata operating   
   as LU8DZE. There is also a lot of emergency communication taking place   
   through the Facebook Emergenciaslu Amateur group page that is maintained by   
   the Amateur Radio Emergency Service of Argentina. (RAYNET-HF)   
      
   **   
      
   INTRUDER WATCH: RUSSIAN AND IRANIAN OTH RADAR CAUSING INTERFERENCE ON HF   
      
   The dreaded sound of Over the Horizon Radar is again interfering with   
   communications on or near several ham radio bands. Amateur Radio Newsline's   
   Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is here with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The latest Region One International Amateur Radio Union Monitoring System   
   newsletter reports a Russian Over the Horizon Radar has been transmitting   
   between 3.555 to 3.590 and 3.750 to 3.785 MHz. The signal is always 35 kHz   
   wide with its location believed to be in the area of Makhachkala, in the   
   Caspian Sea.   
      
   Amateur radio as well as many other services are being interfered with in the   
   evening hours by this annoying signal source. A letter has been sent to the   
   Russian Radio Society -- the SRR -- asking for assistance in ending the   
   operation of this Radar system.   
      
   Meantime an Iran based Over the Horizon Radar has been interfering with ham   
   radio operations on the 10 meter band. This Radar is on the air daily on   
   28.000 to 29.700 MHz transmitting bursts that are 60 kHz wide. The splatter   
   from the signal often covers spectrum 500 kHz or more in bandwidth. The   
   German Department of Post and Telecommunications has sent an official   
   complaint to its counterpart in Iran.   
      
   Lastly, the Dutch Datawell buoys are still operating illegally on 10 meters.   
   The Datawell Company was informed that the transmissions are illegal by   
   DK2OM and PA2GRU way back in March of 2012, but so far the company has not   
   responded and the interference continues.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the newsroom   
   in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   If you happen across signals in the ham radio bands that you know do not   
   belong there, please send a report to the Intruder Watch Coordinator for the   
   nation that you live in. (IARU R-1 IARUMS Newsletter)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: HAWAII DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW EXEMPTS HAM RADIO   
      
   Some good news for hams in Hawaii. A new distracted driving law making its   
   way through the state legislature contains a full exemption for radio   
   amateurs.   
      
   Hawaii State Legislature House Bill 980 involving mobile electronics has   
   passed the Senate and has been transmitted back to the House. Testimonies   
   by amateur radio operators have kept the exemption intact to allow hams to   
   operate their radio gear while driving.   
      
   This bill is expected to pass, as the State of Hawaii needs a state-level   
   cellular telephone law banning text messaging in order to receive Federal   
   highway safety funds. It lost the funds in 2012 by not having such a law.   
      
   From here, the remaining steps are that a joint conference committee will get   
   together to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions.   
   That whats called the CD1 draft and will have to be ratified in both the   
   Hawaii House and Senate, before finally being transmitted to the Governor   
   for signature. The text of the new mweasure and any updates will be   
   available on-line on Ron Hashiro, AH6RH web page at   
   tinyurl.com/hawaii-cell-law, (AH6RH)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMVENTION 2013: HAMVENTION RESCINDS RADIO AMATEUR OF THE AWARD TO DL1BDF   
      
   The Dayton Amateur Radio Association, sponsor of the annual Dayton Hamvention   
   (R), has withdrawn its 2013 Radio Amateur of the Year Award. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, is in near-by Wadsworth, Ohio, with whats   
   known so far:   
      
   --   
      
   In early March the Dayton Hamvention Awards Committee announced that it had   
   selected Captain Mustapha Landoulsi, DL1BDF, as its choice for 2013 Radio   
   Amateur of the Year. But on April 4th the Hamvention announced that   
   Landoulsi would not be getting the award after all. In fact, this year,   
   nobody will.   
      
   The announcement of the decision to rescind the award came in a posting to   
   the Hamvention website and also distributed on the Hamvention's Yahoo Groups   
   remailer. Both said and we quote:   
      
   "We have received conflicting information from credible sources regarding the   
   accuracy of the winning nomination. The General Chairman of Hamvention this   
   year, Charles Kaiser, received these reports and followed up to verify their   
   accuracy. Unfortunately these changes the way we score for the Amateur of   
   the Year award and since the competition was close with other nominees the   
   outcome would have been different. Based on all of this research the   
   decision has been made by the Hamvention General Chairman not to award the   
   Amateur of the Year for 2013."   
      
   Captain Landoulsi is a retired Lufthansa airline pilot, had been named   
   recipient of the award for his ongoing work in promoting and developing   
   amateur radio in the Middle East and for organizing delivery of emergency   
   medical equipment and medication to countries in Africa. There was no   
   indication from the Hamvention or its Awards Committee as to the nature of   
   the "conflicting information" or any additional details regarding this   
   action.   
      
   In reply to our request for comment on the situation, Captain Landoulsi   
   responded in part that is not the awards cancellation that made him sad. He   
   notes that he already has a number of awards but that collecting awards has   
   not been his goal in life. Rather giving to others and helping every one he   
   can is what his life is all about. DL1BDF added that he will have a more in   
   depth statement for release shortly.   
      
   It should be noted that the decision by the Hamvention to rescind the Radio   
   Amateur of the Year Award will have no impact on this year's Technical   
   Achievement, Special Achievement and Radio Club of the Year recipients.   
   These three awards will be presented as originally announced.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephan Kinford, N8WB, in Wadsworth,   
   Ohio.   
      
   --   
      
   This is the first time since the Radio Amateur of the Year Award was created   
   back in 1955 that it has been withdrawn after being announced. And as far   
   as we can determine, it's also the first time that this award will not be   
   presented. (Dayton Hamvention(tm), CQ, ARNewsline(tm), others)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAKING DX NEWS: NCDXF ANNOUNCES MAJOR GRANT TO FT/Z AMSTERDAM ISLAND   
   DXPEDITION   
      
   The Northern California DX Foundation has announced a grant of $50,000 to the   
   upcoming FT stroke Z Amsterdam Island DXpedition currently planned for   
   January and February of 2014. This is the second largest grant in the   
   history of the Northern California DX Foundation history. Amsterdam is   
   number 4 on the DX Magazine's Most Wanted List of rare DX locations for   
   2013. Check www.amsterdamdx.org in the near future for more DXpedition   
   details. (NCDXF)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the N8LC repeater serving   
   Sterling Heights, Michigan.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO BUSINESS: NEW YAESU FT-400DR DIGITAL DUAL BAND MOBILE   
      
   Big news in the world of digital VHF and UHF voice communications that the   
   Yaesu FTM-400DR dual band mobile transceiver has received FCC approval, but   
   when it will be available for sale is not known.   
      
   According to the Universal Radio website, the new 2 meter and 70 centimeter   
   radio is power selectable at 50, 20 or 5 watts on either band, features wide   
   band receivers covering 108-470 and 800-999 MHz minus the cellular band four   
   scan modes and 500 memories per band and all the other bells and whistles   
   you would expect in a top of the line dual bander. But it's Kevin Sanders   
   Amateur Radio and Scanning Blog adds that reveals the most important aspect   
   of this new rig. That of it being capable of full C4FM FDMA digital voice   
   operation as well as conventional FM. This means it will be the base and   
   mobile radio that will compliment Yaesu's long waited FT1D digital voice   
   hand-held.   
      
   How much will the FTM-400DR set you back? At airtime there is no   
   manufacturers suggested price listed. All the Universal Radio website says   
   is that the information shown is preliminary and may be subject to change   
   without notice or obligation. You can take a look at the new Yaesu offering   
   at tinyurl.com/yaesu-digital-mobile. A video of the radio taken at last   
   years Tokyo Hamfair can be seen at tinyurl.com/ftm400. (ARNewsline(tm),   
   Universal Radio, Kevin Sanders Sanders Amateur Radio and Scanning Blog)   
      
   **   
      
   CALIFORNIA CB OPERATOR CITED FOR TALKING TO MUCH TO NOBODY   
      
      
   A California CB operator has been cited by the FCC for what amounts to having   
   been long winded while talking to nobody on 11 meter CB. Here's Amateur   
   Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, with the details.   
      
   --   
      
   Talking to nobody on 11 meters but taking a long time to say it is the crux   
   of a Notice of Violation issued on March 12th to Joseph Loiacono who lives   
   in the Los Angeles suburb Lakewood.   
      
   According to the FCC, back on January 29th the FCC received a complaint of   
   interference to CB radio communications on 27.165 MHz. In response agents   
   from the Los Angeles Office Enforcement Bureau T-hunted the signal and   
   determined that they were coming from an antenna at a residence owned by Mr.   
   Loiacono.   
      
   While monitoring the frequency the agents observed someone whom they allege   
   to have been Joseph Loiacono engaging in extended one-way transmissions   
   which resulted in intentional interference to other CB stations. Some of   
   these transmissions the FCC says lasted up to twenty minutes in length.   
      
   This in led to the FCC issuing the Notice of Violation seeking additional   
   information concerning the violations and any remedial actions that Loiacono   
   had since taken. Specifically his response had to fully explain each   
   violation, including all relevant surrounding facts and circumstances. It   
   was also was to contain a statement of the specific actions he had so far   
   taken to correct each violation and preclude any recurrence.   
      
   But it did not end there. In accordance with Section 1.16 of the Rules,   
   Loiacono was directed to support his response with an affidavit or   
   declaration made under penalty of perjury, verifying the truth and accuracy   
   of the information that he provided to the FCC. He was also warned that to   
   knowingly and willfully make any false statement or conceal any material   
   fact in reply to the Notice of Violation was punishable by fine or   
   imprisonment under Title 18 of the U.S. Code.   
      
   Joseph Loiacono was given 20 days from the release of the Notice of Violation   
   to submit his written statement concerning this matter. That date is now   
   past but at airtime it's not known what information he had in his reply to   
   the FCC.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, monitoring this one   
   from Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   For what its worth, this is the first time in years if not decades that we   
   have heard of anyone on the 11 meter Citizens Band being issued a Notice of   
   Violation for making a one way transmission that was far to long. In fact   
   its one of the few instances of any real enforcement action on 11 meters in   
   a long, long time. (FCC, CGC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: MOJAVE CA RESIDENT ISSUED WARNING AFTER FCC LOCATES AV   
   TRANSMITTER INTERFERING WITH NASA TELEMETRY   
      
   The FCC has issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation of an audio-visual   
   transmitter used in the home of a Southern California resident. This after   
   receiving a complaint from NASA that it was receiving interference to a   
   telemetry receive site from radio transmissions centering on 2390 MHz.   
      
   In its March 26th release the FCC said that its investigators from the Los   
   Angeles office used direction finding to locate the interfering device at   
   the home of Julius Magos in the city of Mojave, California. This is not far   
   from the NASA receive site. The FCC says that when the power was   
   disconnected from the transmitter, the interference to the NASA telemetry   
   operations ceased.   
      
   Now in issuing Magos the Notice of Unlicensed Operation the FCC says that its   
   records show that no license was issued for operation of a transmitter on   
   2390 MHz from his home location. As such operation of the device must cease   
   immediately.   
      
   Magos was also warned that operation of radio transmitting equipment without   
   a valid FCC authorization constitutes a violation of the Federal laws and   
   could subject the operator to severe penalties. These include but are not   
   limited to a substantial monetary forfeitures, seizure the offending radio   
   equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment. Magos was also   
   told that the FCC will determine what if any further enforcement action is   
   required to ensure his compliance with the agency's rules. (FCC, CGC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FM TRANSLATOR FINED FOR INTERFERING WITH AVIATION COMMS   
      
   The FCC has reaffirmed a $4,000 Notice of Apparent Liability issued against   
   Playa Del Sol Broadcasters which is the licensee of FM translator K238AK in   
   Palm Desert, California. The commission said the translator that operates   
   on 109.5 MHz interfered with the VHF aviation band communications three   
   times in 2008 resulting from the broadcaster's failure to properly attenuate   
   the translator emissions. Interfered with specifically was Riverside   
   California County sheriff's helicopter communications,   
      
   Playa Del Sol uses the translator to re-transmit KRCK- FM in Mecca,   
   California. The broadcaster didn't dispute the facts, but argued it   
   shouldn't be fined because its violation was not intentional. But the   
   commission backed up the Enforcement Bureau findings. It said even though   
   Playa Del Sol didn't intend to break the law, it still did. It also gave   
   Playa Del Sol Broadcasters the customary 30 days from the date of its   
   decision to pay the $4000 fine. (FCC, RW)   
      
   **   
      
   CRIME AGAINST HAM RADIO: NAURYZ DX CONTEST SITE HACKED   
      
   The Nauryz DX Contest website owned by the Kazakhstan Amateur Radio Club was   
   hacked the morning of April 9th. According to the Southgate news, vistors   
   to the site were treated to a picture of a warrior with a scrolling text   
   telling that said "Admin I hacked your site."   
      
   Laying claim to the hacking was made by a group called "Team Haxorsistz" and   
   "Bl4CK System". It followed the deadline of log submissions to the contest   
   committee by Sunday April 7th.   
      
   The hackers say that all information was retained. By late in the day a   
   visit to the site showed that it had been restored. (G0SFJ, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO HAPPENINGS: HIGH SCHOOL RADIO DAY - APRIL 24   
      
   High school radio stations in the United States will come together April 24   
   for High School Radio Day 2013. Amateur Radio Newsline's Skeeter Nash,   
   N5ASH, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   Following the inaugural event last May, a website has been created at   
   www.highschoolradioday.com to publicize the activities planned by   
   participating stations. The day's activities will include live broadcasts   
   from different high school stations around the country streamed on the High   
   School Radio Day website. There also will be links to station streams and   
   schools can register with a link to their own station website.   
      
   High School Radio Day was created following the successful launch of College   
   Radio Day in October of 2011. Founder Pete Bowers, the station manager of   
   WBFH-FM in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan decided to hold High School Radio Day   
   last year on May 16th because it is the anniversary of the first U.S. high   
   school radio station WNAS-FM in Albany, New York's inaugural broadcast in   
   1949.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH   
      
   --   
      
   Organizers of High School Radio Day 2013 hope that this gathering will raise   
   the profile of the limited number of high school radio stations still   
   broadcasting in the United States. (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: WEBINAR RECORDING FIRST TRANS ATLANTIC SHORTWAVE MESSAGE NOW   
   ON LINE   
      
   A Webinar archive presentation surrounding the story of the first   
   trans-Atlantic short wave message which involved several Radio Club of   
   America members and station 1BCG is now available for viewing on-line. To   
   access the recording, take your web browser to   
   tinyurl.com/rca-atlantic-message and click on the title The First Top Band   
   DX Contest - the 1921 Transatlantic Test by Frank Donovan W3LPL. This   
   Webinar recording is being hosted at the website of the World Wide Radio   
   Operators Foundation. (RCA)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: 2013 MARCONI PRIZE TO BE AWARDED TO HANDLELD PHONE   
   DEVELOPER MARTIN COOPER   
   The Marconi Society has announced that wireless visionary and entrepreneur   
   Martin Cooper is the recipient of the 2013 Marconi Prize. Cooper is   
   credited with developing and popularizing the concept of the handheld mobile   
   phone. He led the team that put Motorola at the forefront of a new industry   
   and in the process, he helped reshape and point the global   
   telecommunications industry in a new direction.   
      
   Martin Cooper will receive the $100,000 Marconi Prize at an awards dinner in   
   his honor being held on October 1st in Bologna, Italy. He also will deliver   
   the keynote address for a three-day conference preceding the awards gala,   
   jointly sponsored by the Marconi Institute for Creativity and the Marconi   
   Society   
   The Marconi Prize is considered the pinnacle honor in the field of   
   communication and information science. (Published News Reports)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO IN SPACE: SPACELAB II PROPOSED BEYOND THE MOON   
      
   NASA has propose a concept for a deep space station that has been dubbed   
   Skylab 2. It placing such a station on-orbit at the Earth/Moon L2 point in   
   space. Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, with the   
   details:   
      
   --   
      
   According to Space.com, the Skylab 2 concept would consist of a single-piece   
   habitat based on the Space Launch System's upper-stage hydrogen tank. The   
   resulting space station would be the equivalent of a two-story house. That   
   would be enough to accommodate a crew of four astronauts and several years   
   of provisions with comfort. Solar arrays, radiators, and a module that   
   contains equipment for assembly, repair, and propellant transfer would be   
   attached.   
      
   The advantage over using International Space Station modules is that in the   
   latter case, some assembly would be required. Skylab 2 would be ready for   
   occupancy by a four-person crew launched separately in an Orion   
   Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.   
      
   The news that NASA was considering using the Space Launch System heavy lift   
   launcher to deploy a deep space station 38,000 miles beyond the moon's far   
   side, was first reported in the Orlando Sentinel in September. Such a space   
   station would be human tended, hosting crews for weeks and then months at a   
   time. It would serve as a way station for expeditions into deep space or   
   back to the lunar surface. Astronauts on the deep space station could   
   remotely operate radio controlled robots on the lunar surface and would   
   study the effects of deep space, which includes microgravity and radiation,   
   on the human body.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in Zion, Illinois   
      
   --   
      
   L Points also known as Lagrange points, are the five positions in an orbital   
   configuration where a small object affected only by gravity can   
   theoretically be part of a constant-shape pattern with two larger objects   
   such as a satellite with respect to the Earth and Moon. The Lagrange points   
   mark positions where the combined gravitational pull of the two large masses   
   provides precisely the centripetal force required to orbit with them.   
   (NASA, Published News Reports)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST CLASS CW OPERATORS   
   CLUB   
      
   To commemorate their 75th anniversary of the First Class CW Operators Club   
   this coming May the organization is holding a month-long on-air event   
   featuring more than 20 special FOC suffix calls. This will include GB75FOC   
   which is a special anniversary callsign for their club station.   
      
   There will also be other FOC callsigns operating from the USA and Canada as   
   well as some exotic locations such as VQ9, HZ1 and 5T. Stations will gain   
   points for contacting any First Class CW Operators Club member and a   
   certificate will be presented to stations who reach certain point levels.   
      
   Founded in 1938 with its roots, history and management in the United Kingdom,   
   the First Class CW Operators' Club promotes good CW operating, Morse   
   activity, friendship and socializing via its worldwide membership of   
   approximately 500. Complete details of the group and this event is on-line   
   at tinyurl.com/first-class-morse. (Via e-mail)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: BBC WORLD SERVICE REDUCES SHORTWAVE BROADCASTS   
      
   A new schedule with reduced shortwave transmissions began on the BBC World   
   Service on April 1st. As part of the change shortwave and medium wave   
   transmissions in the English language will be reduced by a minimum of 6   
   hours each day. Also shortwave Arabic language broadcasts ceased complexly.   
   You can read the full schedule change announcement at   
   tinyurl.com/BBC-World-English. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: BBC WORLD SERVICE OVER TO YOU ON CHINESE JAMMING   
      
   The BBC World Service program Over To You has presented a program that   
   explores the way that the stations shortwave transmissions are being   
   affected by jamming in parts of Asia. This is the result of an e-mail from   
   a listener in West Bengal who was having problems listening to the service.   
      
   With the help of the World Service's head of business development, the show   
   discovers how jamming of its shortwave transmissions inside China is   
   spilling over into neighboring countries. It also explores what the BBC can   
   do to remedy the situation through various international organizations. You   
   can hear the program on-line at tinyurl.com/bbc-against-jamming.   
   (Southgate, BBC)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: TWO RADIO STATIONS ATTACKED IN GUINEA   
      
   A journalists' association in Guinea says that two privately-owned radio   
   stations have been attacked, as political tensions rise before Guinea's   
   legislative elections on May 12. The Union of Free Radio and Television of   
   Guinea says Renaissance FM and the Planet FM were both shot at when Faya   
   Millimo who is the leader of the opposition Liberal Bloc was being   
   interviewed. Also, two civilians and one police officer have been killed in   
   a series of anti-government demonstrations that rocked Guinea's capital in   
   recent weeks. (UFR via Facebook)   
      
   **   
      
      
   WORLDBEAT: ALGERIAN AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY   
      
   The Algerian Amateur Radio Association recently celebrated its fiftieth   
   anniversary.   
      
   The current president of the association is Afif Benlagha, 7X2RO. During a   
   press conference held to mark this anniversary he recalled the various   
   stages the association went through since its creation on March 23, 1963.   
      
   Also present at the event was International Amateur Radio Union, Region 1   
   president Hans Blondeel Timmerman whose call is PB2T. Timmerman highlighted   
   Algerian expertise in this area of communications. (Algeria Press Service)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: CS250CLE CELEBRATES THE BELL TOWER OF CLERIGOS CHURCH   
      
   On the air, word that Portuguese amateurs will be operating through the end   
   of the year with the call CS250CLE. This to celebrate the 250th anniversary   
   of the final construction of the Torre dos Clerigos bell tower of the Church   
   of Clerigos. Since its completion the tower has overlooked the city of   
   Porto as the highest bell tower in Portugal. If you contact CS250CLE please   
   QSL via CS5RPT. (DXNL)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: FRENCH CW SOCIETY - SPECIAL EVENT   
      
   Look for special event callsign TM28UFT to be active during the 28th annual   
   meeting of the French CW Society which will be held in Panazol Center,   
   France, through April 21st. Activity will be on the HF bands and possibly   
   others for this Morse only operation. The QSL Manager is F9IE. More   
   information is on-line at www.uft.net. (UFT.net)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, GM0OBX will be running the special event call of GB1PC during April   
   from Stirling and District Amateur Radio Society in the United Kingdom.   
   This to celebrate the new Police Service of Scotland. Please QSL to GM0OBX   
   either direct or via the bureau.   
      
   LY5A will be on the air as LY23A until through April 23rd to celebrate the   
   anniversary of the restoration of Lithuanian independence. No times or   
   frequencies have been announced. If you work him QSL via LY5A.   
      
   IK2GZU will be in the southern region of Tanzania through May 8th working on   
   electrical installations of the local hospital and orphanage. He hopes to   
   find time to erect a 3 element yagi and operate as 5H3MB. If you make   
   contact please QSL via his home call.   
      
   SN0MD to be active in celebration Poland's 40th Debno marathon. Operation of   
   this station continues through April 22nd. QSL via SP1PNW.   
      
   Lastly, RW3AH is currently on the air from Egypt as SU9AF. He's reportedly   
   operational on all of the HF bands. QSl via UA3DX .   
      
   (Above from various DX sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: RETIREMENT PROPERTIES INSTALLS HAM RADIO SHACKS   
      
   And finally this week the story of some retirement villages that not only   
   approve of ham radio, but they even provide places from where residents can   
   get on the air. Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramovich, NT3V, with   
   the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The Marshalltown, Iowa, Times-Republican newspaper reports that 81 year old   
   Tom Morgan, W4UTK, has use of three operating ham radio stations complete   
   with a 500-watt amplifier in a comfortable ham shack at the Embers   
   Retirement Community.   
      
   The location and equipment were all made possible by Brad Lee, W0VFT, of   
   Phoenix, Arizona. Lee is identified as the CEO of Trilogy-Embers. That's   
   the company that owns Embers and a number of other retirement centers in the   
   United States.   
      
   Embers Executive Director is Vicki Bogner. She is quoted as saying that Brad   
   Lee picked up interest in short-wave from his father whom his QRZ dot com   
   page as the late C. W. "Lee", and the first holder of the W0VFT callsign.   
      
   She went on to say that Brad Lee began by installing ham shacks for residents   
   in his Phoenix area properties. This after he learned some had been ham   
   operators in their own homes but had given up the hobby after moving in to   
   one of the Embers properties.   
      
   The full story is on the web at tinyurl.com/retirement-ham-shack. We say   
   this is a great way to support the senior citizens of ham radio who have   
   contributed so much to this nation and to the hobby.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.   
      
   --   
      
   The Times-Republican story notes that Marshalltown resident Tom Morgan,   
   W4UTK, has been a ham radio enthusiast much of his life. Also that he knew   
   he wanted to become an electrical engineer by the time he was age 12.   
   (Southgate, Times-Republican)   
      
   **   
      
   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 Newsline   
   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 Bon Wilbanks,   
   AE5DW, in Southern Mississippi, 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)