Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1910 - March 21, 2014   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1910 with a release date of March 21   
   2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.      
      
   The following is a Q-S-T.  Hams asked to assist in the hunt for Malaysian   
   Airlines Flight MH 370; Ukraine and Russia bring intruding signals to some   
   High Frequency ham radio bands;  hams in France get new band allocations; FCC   
   invites public comment on proposal to restructure the 10 Gigahertz band; an   
   Ohio radio club to celebrate Earth Day and it might not be long before you   
   can take a vicarious ride into space.  Find out how on Amateur Radio Newsline   
   report number 1910 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)    
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS ASKED TO HELP LOCATE MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT MH370   
      
   Ham radio operators in a number of nations are now being asked to assist in   
   the search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim   
   Meachen, ZL2BHF, is here with the details.   
      
   --   
   The Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society is calling ham radio   
   operators in a number of nations to participate in the search for the missing   
   Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.     
      
   The twin-engine Boeing 777-200ER airliner bearing registration 9M-MRO   
   disappeared without a trace on March 8th.  This, after its various position   
   signaling systems were turned off at about 1:20 a.m. local time while the   
   aircraft was believed to have been North of the Malaysian coastline enroute   
   to Beijing, China.     
      
   Now, the Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society says that ham   
   radio operators in several geographic areas can play an important part in the   
   search.  It particularly singles out radio amateurs in India, Indonesia, Sri   
   Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius and the Seychelles as being in a crucial position   
   to assist.     
      
   Daily reporting nets have been established on 14.250 and 21.250 MHz from   
   13:00 to 15:00 U-T-C.   Any urgent message beyond the specified session times   
   can be sent via email to emergency (at) mares.org.my.  All information   
   obtained from the ham radio community will be forwarded to the Malaysian   
   Department of Civil Aviation and Malaysian National Security Council.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, in Nelson, New   
   Zealand.   
      
   --   
      
   At airtime it's not known if the request for ham radio assistance came from   
   the Malaysian government or is a volunteer effort on the part of the   
   Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society.  Also, on Thursday, March   
   20th Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that two objects that   
   could be wreckage from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 had been seen by   
   satellite off its western coast.  Meantime some 25 nations are in some way   
   involved in the search for the missing plane.  (9W2FG, Southgate, other news   
   reports)   
      
   **    
      
   INTRUDER WATCH:  UKRANE STATION SZRU ACTIVE ON 20 METERS   
      
   The IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports the Ukraine foreign   
   Intelligence Service SZRU has been active every Wednesday on 14.280 MHz at   
   1010 UTC running full carrier AM.  Reports say that a female voice spelled   
   numbers and encrypted messages.  The exact location is believed to be near   
   Rivne.   
      
   The newsletter also says that REA4 which is a call used by the Russian   
   Airforce in Moscow was still active on 7 dot 018 MHz with Frequency Shift   
   Keying at 100 Baud and a 1000 Hz shift. Harmonics could be measured on 14 dot   
   036, 21 dot 052 and 28 dot 072 MHz on February 28th at about 10:50 UTC.   
      
   If you hear or are bothered by these or any other illegal user of ham radio   
   spectrum, please report these incidents to the Intruder Watch Coordinator for   
   your nation.  Here in the United States that would be The American Radio   
   Relay League.  (IARU R1 Newsletter)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  NEW SPECTRUM AWARDED TO HAMS IN FRANCE   
      
   French radio amateurs have gained access to 472 to 479 kHz with 1 watt   
   output in I-T-U Region 1 and French territories in Region 2.   Also, 435 to   
   438 MHz is now allocated to the Amateur-satellite service in France for both   
   Earth-to-Space and Space-to-Earth in the same geographic areas.  Due to a   
   previous error in the national frequency table, French amateurs did not have   
   Space-to-Earth privileges for this band in their licenses.     
      
   Still with space related matters, the 2400 to 2415 MHz band is now allocated   
   to radio stations in the Amateur-satellite service in French territories in   
   Region 2.     
      
   Regarding the 1.2 GHz band the national society questioned if Europe's new   
   Galileo Global Positioning satellite system may call into question the future   
   of this allocation for use by ham radio.  Galileo downlinks across 1260 to   
   1300 MHz band.  France's telecommunications regulator said that it would   
   review this matter and provide a response at some future date.   
      
   These changes are the result of a meeting between French telecommunications   
   regulator the Autorit‚ de R‚gulation des Communications �lectroniques et des   
   Postes and the French national amateur radio society R-E-F that was held on   
   March 7th.  Discussions also covered the possibility of a future amateur band   
   across the whole of 1.8 to 2.0 MHz spectrum and possible allocations at 5.5   
   MHz and 70 MHz.   The R-E-F report also noted that the regulatory body has   
   also shown an interest in ARISS school contacts which both groups believe   
   have a high educational value.    
      
   The complete minutes in Google English is on the web at   
   http://tinyurl.com/REF-ARCEP-Minutes-2014-03-07   
   http://tinyurl.com/REF-ARCEP-Minutes-2014-03-07  (REF, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA CONFIRMS DISTRACTED DRIVING EXEMPTION FOR   
   HAM RADIO OPERATORS.   
      
   Some good news for hams living in New Brunswick, Canada.  Radio Amateurs of   
   Canada has announced that New Brunswick has passed new legislation to provide   
   an exemption to that province's distracted driving law for ham radio mobile   
   operations.    
      
   The announcement was made at the Legislature in Fredericton on Tuesday March   
   19th.  A number of Canadian radio amateurs were in attendance at the   
   invitation of Minister of Justice's Troy Lifford.     
      
   At the same session, Radio Amateur of Canada member Alan Thurber, VE1AKT,   
   was formally recognized in the Legislature for his extensive involvement in   
   amateur radio, in various other groups and the community in general.   (RAC)   
      
   **    
      
   RESTRUCTURING:  FCC INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON 10-10.5 GHZ PETITION   
      
   Back here in the United States, the FCC has invited public comment on a   
   Petition for Rule Making titled RM-11715.  This is a proposal that would make   
   a significant portion of the 10.0 to 10.5 GHz band available for wireless   
   broadband services while to some extent protect amateur radio terrestrial and   
   space operations from interference.     
      
   According to the ARRL the petition by Mimosa Networks Inc. proposes a band   
   plan for the spectrum from 10.0 to 10.5 GHz that the petitioner says would   
   protect frequencies most often used by radio amateurs.  The proposal would   
   specify 10.350 to 10.370 GHz as an "Amateur Calling Band," and 10.450 to   
   10.500 GHz for Amateur-Satellite operations.  This would be in the midst of   
   21 wireless broadband channels and a small guard band.   
      
   The success of the Mimosa petition hinges on FCC adoption of rule changes   
   that would put the 10 GHz band under Subpart Z of the Commission's Part 90   
   rules.  Subpart Z currently sets out regulations governing wireless   
   licensing, technical standards, and operational standards in the 3650 to 3700   
   MHz spectrum.   
      
      
   Interested parties may comment on RM-11715 using the FCC's Electronic   
   Comment Filing System.  You can read the entire proposal at   
   http://www.tinyurl.com/kvbqshn http://www.tinyurl.com/kvbqshn   (ARRL,   
   Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  OSCAR-11 / UOSAT-2 CELEBRATES 30 YEARS ON-ORBIT   
      
   UOSAT-OSCAR-11 has now been in orbit for 30 years and remarkably its signal   
   on 145.826 MHz FM  is still being received.  UOSAT-2, was designed and built   
   by a team of engineers at the University of Surrey in Guildford, Surrey, UK   
   as the successor to UOSAT-1.  It was placed into orbit on board a Delta   
   rocket from the United States Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Base, in   
   California on March 1, 1984.     
      
   OSCAR-11 was the most rapidly designed ham radio satellite going from   
   inception to launch in only five months.  It was also the first amateur   
   satellite to carry a digital communications package into Earth orbit, and the   
   first to be controlled by a Central Processing Unit running software written   
   in the high-level programming language "Forth".  The bird originally carried   
   three beacons but only the 2 meter unit is currently operational.   (AMSAT-UK)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  MARION ISLAND ACTIVATIONS   
      
   In DX up front, several sources are reporting that ZS1KX, will be leaving   
   South Africa on April 2nd for the Marion Island.  He has requested the   
   callsign ZS8KX and expected to be active from the island in May.  QSL direct   
   to Gerard de Jong, P.O. Box 744, Wellington, 7654, South Africa.   
      
   Also from Marion Islands comes word that a female operator signing ZS8A, has   
   been showing up on 28.650 MHz between 14:20 to16:00.  Reports are that she   
   handles QSLing via ClubLog.   
      
   Marion Island lies in the Southern Indian Ocean and is part of a two island   
   group.  It is only about 12 miles long by 7 1/2 wide, and the two islands   
   have a combined area of 196 square miles.  Politically they form part of   
   South Africa's Western Cape Province.  (OPDX, Wikipedia)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  6 METERS FROM GRENEDA IN JUNE   
      
   And if you are an aficionado of the 50 MHz band, then listen up.  W9DR will   
   be active on 6 meters as J38DR from Grenada between June 19th and July 1st.    
   This operation will be located on the north shore of the island for a great   
   launch angle to North America and Europe over the Atlantic Ocean.  Operating   
   frequencies will be 50.115 MHz SSB, 50.115.6 MHz CW as well as a breakable   
   Beacon on 50.115.6 MHz running when no stations heard. Gear for this   
   DXpedition will be a FlexRadio SDR-1500 driving a home built solid state   
   water-cooled amplifier into a 5 element Yagi.  If you manage to work him, QSL   
   to W9DR at his home address.  And we will have more DX news for you later on   
   in this weeks newscast.  (Various Sources)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the KC6OCA repeater   
   serving Lake Isabella California.     
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ISSUES PROPOSED $25000 FINE FOR PART 15 VIOLATIONS   
      
   The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability in the amount of $25,000   
   to Internet Service Provider Winchester Wireless of Winchester, Virginia.    
   This for its alleged operation of intentional radiators not in accordance   
   with Part 15 of the Rules and doing so without a license.  Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Part 15 devices are license free but must be operated at what amounts to   
   micro power so as to cause minimum interference to other Part 15 units   
   sharing the same spectrum.  So it was that on May 10, 2011, in response to a   
   complaint, an agent from the Enforcement Bureau's Columbia Maryland Office   
   inspected a transmitting device operated by Winchester Wireless on the roof   
   of an area residence.  During the inspection, the agent determined that a   
   legal Motorola Canopy System was connected to two external RF Linx 900 MHz   
   amplifiers that in turn were individually fed into two separate antennas.     
      
   When the agent later interviewed Winchester Wireless owner David Williamson   
   at the company's main office, Williamson admitted to using the amplifiers.    
   The agent subsequently reviewed the FCC rules for the Motorola Canopy System,   
   which indicated that it is not certified for use with external amplification.   
      
   On August 11, 2011, the Columbia Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed   
   Operation to Winchester Wireless regarding its unauthorized use of the   
   external amplifiers at the inspected location.  On August 29th the company   
   responded to the Notice.  At that time it reported that the amplifiers had   
   been removed but did not provide any information regarding Winchester   
   Wireless's operations at other locations.    
      
   Jump ahead almost two years.  On May 29, 2013, in response to additional   
   complaints, an agent from the Columbia Office inspected two transmitter sites   
   operated by Winchester Wireless.  At both locations, the agent observed   
   signals emanating in the 902 to 928 MHz band.  The agent observed the same   
   Motorola Canopy System and RF Linx equipment that he had seen during the 2011   
   inspection.     
      
   On July 29, 2013, the Columbia Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed   
   Operation to Winchester    
   Wireless regarding its continued unauthorized use of external amplifiers.    
   On July 31, 2013, Winchester Wireless responded to the Notice indicating that   
   it would inspect the two transmitter sites for compliance with the Part 15   
   Rules.   
      
   Now in issuing the proposed fine, the FCC says that Winchester Wireless had   
   the same type of violation less than two years earlier and that the 2011   
   Notice expressly warned that the equipment certification for the Motorola   
   Canopy System did not authorize the use of such external amplifiers.  With   
   the second violation the FCC says that Winchester Wireless's actions   
   demonstrate a deliberate disregard for the Commission's requirements and as   
   such a forfeiture of $25,000 is warranted.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephan Kinford, N8WB, reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   In addition to the proposed fine the FCC directed Winchester Wireless was   
   ordered to submit a statement signed under penalty of perjury stating that it   
   is currently operating its Wireless Internet Service in compliance with FCC   
   rules and applicable authorizations.  The company was given 30 days from the   
   March 11th release of the Notice to respond to this demand as well as to   
   appeal the proposed $25,000 fine.  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  UNDERWATER WI-FI MAY HELP PREDICT TSUNAMIS   
      
   Researchers are in the process of testing a new underwater wi-fi - like   
   network in an attempt to create what amounts to a deep-sea internet.  One   
   that researchers claim could help detect tsunamis and there by offer a more   
   reliable warning system.   
      
   Unlike traditional wi-fi which uses radio waves, the submerged technology   
   utilizes sound waves.  This is because radio is able to penetrate water to   
   some degree, but with severely limited range and stability.  But the research   
   team from the University of Buffalo notes that sound waves provide a better   
   option  as demonstrated by many aquatic species such as whales and dolphins.   
      
   Wireless communication underwater has been possible for some time, but the   
   problem lies in getting separate systems used by different organizations to   
   communicate with each other.  The United States National Oceanic and   
   Atmospheric Administration does use acoustic waves to send data from tsunami   
   sensors on the sea floor to buoys on the surface.  However due to   
   infrastructure differences, this data cannot be shared quickly with other   
   information gathered by other agencies such as the US Navy.  For that reason   
   the University of Buffalo researchers are attempting to create a shared   
   standard to make interaction and data-sharing and public warning more   
   reliable.   
      
   More can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24550015   
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24550015     (BBC, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO CRIME:  COPPER THIEVES TAKE WASHINGTON STATION OFF THE AIR   
      
   Listeners to KLOG radio in Kelso, Washington tuned into dead air early on   
   Wednesday March 12th.  This after thieves stole a small amount of copper wire   
   from the stations transmitting site situated along Interstate Route 5.    
   Station Owner Joel Hanson said he found out about it at around 3:30 a.m.    
   Hanson found wire cutters at the site and evidence that someone may have   
   gotten a rather nasty shock.   KLOG was off the air for about 12 hours but   
   station was able to heard online.  Kelso police are investigating but so far   
   they have no suspects.  (RW, other news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEW:  KA2HPG NAMED NEW RACES OFFICER FOR OSWEGO COUNTY NY   
      
   Fred Koch, KA2HPG, has become the new Radio Officer for the Oswego County   
   New York Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service.  Koch received the RACES   
   Service Award in 2013 for his service to the organization that began back in   
   1996.  He has participated in all aspects of the communications systems used   
   by the group and has obtained certification in the Incident Command System.    
   Koch replaces John Darling, K2QQY, who recently resigned after holding the   
   post for more than 20 years.  (Oswego County Today)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  K6LCS INVITED TO MEET ASTRONAUT LUCA PARMITANO AT ESA   
   ITALY   
      
   According to a posting on Facebook, Clink Bradford, K6LCS, is among those   
   chosen to spend an afternoon with Italian Astronaut Luca Parmitano for an   
   afternoon on April 11th.  The event will take place at the European Space   
   Agency's facility in Frascati, Italy which is about 12 miles South-East of   
   Rome.  Bradford is very well known for his ham in space related activities   
   including coordinating contacts between schools in California and the ham   
   radio operators on board the I-S-S.  He also owns several websites including   
   one of which contains information on how to start working FM satellites with   
   equipment you probably already own.  More information and links are under   
   K6LCS on QRZ.com.  (ARNewsline from Facebook)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO BUSINESS:  JK ANTENNAS AND 2X ARRAYS ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP   
      
   JK Antennas and 2X Arrays have announced a strategic partnership which will   
   combine both design and manufacturing processes between the two   
   organizations.      
      
   JK Antennas has fundamentally focused on producing high quality long boom   
   mono-band and duo-band antenna designs that are mechanically robust, with   
   quick time to market of both new and custom designed models directly from   
   their in-house manufacturing facility.    
      
   2X Arrays has been focused on developing proprietary antenna design   
   processes ranging from electrical optimization to physical model electrical   
   testing and tuning.     
      
   As part of this strategic partnership, the 2X Arrays antenna line will now   
   be manufactured at the JK Antennas facility in Connecticut, USA. JK Antennas   
   will also sell and distribute both lines through its direct sales and   
   distributorship.  For more information please visit JK Antennas on Facebook.    
   (JK Antennas, 2X Arrays)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  OHIO RADIO CLUB TO CELECRATE EARTH DAY   
      
   The Parma Radio Club in Parma, Ohio will be conducting its Second Annual   
   Earth Day Special Event Station on Saturday, April 19th.  Operating from a   
   historic urban farm, the club's Earth Day Special Event station, W8PRC will   
   be on 40, 20, and 15 meters SSB near the bottom of each General segment. A   
   beautiful special QSL card will be available.    
      
   Earth Day is intended to encourage everyone to be mindful of our magnificent   
   planet. Other clubs and individual hams are urged to celebrate in this unique   
   way and join with more than 500 million people in 192 countries in observing   
   this very special remembrance each year.     
      
   While the actual date for Earth Day in the United States is April 22nd,   
   schools and other groups celebrate a week or more prior to the actual day.    
   More information is posted on the club's web site at parmaradioclub.webs.com    
   (K8CMD)   
      
   **   
      
   ANNUAL EASTERN VHF/UHF/MICROWAVE CONFERENCE   
      
   This years Eastern VHF - UHF and Microwave Conference is slated for April   
   11th to the 13th at the Baymont Suites in Manchester, Connecticut.  Among   
   those scheduled to present talks are Fred Stefanik, N1DPM, on a Fresh   
   Approach to a Multiband Microwave Station; Roger Rehr, W3SZ, speaking about   
   Aircraft Scatter; Phil Theis, K3TUF, on Advances in Smart Software Defined   
   Radio Operations and many others.  Full information is on the web at   
   www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html http://www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html  (VHF   
   Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  ARRL - TAPR DCC IN AUSTIN TEXAS IN SEPTEMBER   
      
   The 33rd annual ARRL and Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Digital Communications   
   Conference will take place September 5th to the 7th in Austin, Texas.  This   
   year's conference will feature two days of technical forums on Friday and   
   Saturday along with a concurrent Introductory Forum on Saturday.  Those who   
   submit Technical Papers for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings will   
   receive preference for a forum, however anyone can propose to present a   
   session without submitting a technical paper.  Updated information will be   
   made available on the web at www.tapr.org/dcc http://www.tapr.org/dcc  (ARRL   
   - TAPR DCC)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  CHANGES FOR THE 2014 SAN BERNADINO MICROWAVE CONTEST   
      
   The rules for the 2014 San Bernardino California Microwave Society 2.3 GHz   
   and Up Contest have been revised.  Among the significant changes is that   
   there is now individual categories as well as the traditional club   
   competition.  All-band and single band scores will be posted along with the   
   club aggregate scores.  Also stations may be re-worked for additional   
   distance points when either end of the contact moves at least 10 miles from   
   any previous location, measured in a straight line.  The contest is slated   
   this year for May 3 and 4 from 6 a.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday, local   
   time.  All the changes and complete rules are on the web at   
   www.ham-radio.com/sbms http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms   (N6NB, VHF Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 2   
      
   This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur.  We are the Amateur Radio   
   Newsline with links to the world from our only official website at   
   www.arnewsline.org http://www.arnewsline.org/ and being relayed by the   
   volunteer services of the following radio amateur:   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
   THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO PIONEER DAVE LARSEN ZS6DN -   
   S.K.   
      
   South Africa has lost one of its best known and most dedicated radio   
   amateurs.  His name was Dave Larsen, callsign ZS6DN and as amateur Radio   
   Newsline's David Conradie, ZR6DHC tells us, he was truly a ham that gave to   
   his community, to his nation and the world:   
      
   --   
      
   Driving between Pretoria and Johannesburg, in Gauteng South Africa, many a   
   traveler has been intrigued by a farm of antenna masts on the hill   
   overlooking the main road to the O.R. Tambo International Airport.  Turning   
   off the main road down a narrow farm track one finds the sign "S.A.L.B.U."   
   the home, the office and also the research laboratories of Dave Larsen,   
   ZS6DN, until recently South Africa's living legend of radio, who's  key   
   become silent  on 26 February 2014 at the age of 81.   
      
   During his life time Dave worked in the interest of radio and amateur radio   
   technology development.  He installed and maintained a 5 five band HF beacon   
   as part of an international Amateur Radio propagation research program.  The   
   multi-band HF beacon is operational from S.A.L.B.U., replacing the 14100 kHz   
   beacon of which Dave has been the custodian since the inception of the   
   program many years ago.  The beacon operates on 14100, 18110, 21150, 24930   
   and 28200 kHz.   
      
   During the seventies Dave and his team evolved an HF frequency hopping   
   system.  The concept was initially rejected by the experts at the time   
   however some 15 years later the authoritative publication, Janes Defense   
   weekly wrote in their 11 July 1987 edition : "Frequency hopping is probably   
   the most popular spread spectrum technique.  Claimed to have been pioneered   
   in South Africa, it now appears in tactical equipment manufactured by most of   
   the major international radio communication companies."   
      
   It also needs to be noted that Dave Larsen was heavily involved in the   
   development of Single Side Band communications.  In 1989 Dave Larsen, then   
   ZS5DN was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa Grand Officer in   
   recognition of his contribution to electronics.   
      
   We salute Dave Larsen, ZS6DN not only for the work he has done in radio but   
   also for the tremendous amount of time and effort he spent in making amateur   
   radio better for all of us.  Our sincerest condolences to his family and   
   friends.    
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm David Conradie, ZR6DHC, in Rustenberg,   
   South Africa.   
      
   --   
      
   If you would like to find out more about Dave Larsen and his contributions   
   to radio you can visit http://www.tinyurl.com/zs6dn   
   http://www.tinyurl.com/zs6dn  (ZR6DHC)   
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FUNCUBE-1 TRANSPONDER TO BE TESTED MARCH 22   
      
   A full scale test of the United Kingdom's FUNcube One microsat's 435 to 145   
   MHz transponder was slated for Saturday, March 22nd at approximately 09:30   
   UTC.     
      
   When in sunlight FUNcube-1 is normally in what's known as its Educational   
   Mode.  This means the transponder is off but the high power beacon   
   transmitting.  If the test has gone as planned, the tiny bird will be   
   switched to Amateur Mode with the cross-band transponder being turned on and   
   the beacon placed in into low power out.     
      
   Initial plans were to keep FUNcube-1 in this mode for at least one orbit in   
   order to evaluate the effect on the satellite of continuous Amateur Mode   
   operation especially in regard to battery temperature.  Results of this test   
   will likely be made known after complete evaluation of the telemetry received   
   by controllers on the ground.  (FUNcube Group, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO FROM SPACE:  CURIOSITY NOW HAS THE ABILITY TO TAKE SELFIES   
      
   NASA has installed an upgrade operating system on its Curiosity Martian   
   rover and in the process it has given the far off explorer the ability to   
   take selfies.   
      
   For those few of you who may not have ever heard the term, selfie is slang   
   for a picture that one takes of him or herself and usually posts to some   
   social media website. And while the rover now has the ability to take   
   selfies, NASA explained the rational behind this move is to permit it to   
   examine the effects of wear-and-tear on the rover's wheels through photos   
   radioed back to Earth.   
      
   Jim Erickson is with NASA's Jet Propulsion Center in Pasadena, California.     
   He says that the reason for making this self photographic system available is   
   to help to better understand the impact that the Martian terrain type has on   
   the rovers wheels to help with planning future drive systems.     
      
   The upgrade is the third such for Curiosity, which NASA says remains in   
   working condition.  Once the update is fully tested NASA says it will order   
   the rover to do a series of test drives in smooth dirt to determine exactly   
   how much wear the wheels are experiencing.  (NASA)   
      
   **    
      
   PROPAGATION:  KJ6KO BEACONS RETURN TO SERVICE   
      
   Greg Stahlman, KJ6KO, of Diamond Springs, California, has announced over the   
   VHF Reflector that all five of his VHF and UHF propagation beacons that   
   originate from Grid Square CM 88 WS are back on the air.  The operating   
   frequencies are 144.2824, 222.0110, 432.2812, 903.2961 and 1296.2612.  All   
   are operated using a common identifier that signs de KJ6KO/B CM88WS.    
   Stahlman had taken the beacons down for a short wile to do some repairs and   
   improvements to the overall beacon system.  (VHF Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, word that The Czech DXpedition team has organized an expedition to   
   Togo.  Preliminary date is near the end of September for approximately for 10   
   days.  Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and the   
   digital modes.  Operation during the CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest on   
   September 27th and 28th will be a part of the operation. QSL via OK6DJ either   
   direct, via the bureau, eQSL, Logbook of the World or using the OQRS on   
   ClubLog.    
   Bill Moore, NC1L, at the ARRL Awards Desk says that the current T6DD from    
   Afghanistan has been approved for DXCC credit.  You can now begin claiming   
   credit for this one.     
   JH3AEF will once again be active as A52EQW from Dochula Resort in Bhutan at   
   the end of August or in early September.  Other operators with him may   
   include JH3AEF who will operate as A52AEF and JA3IVU with the call A52IVU.    
   No modes or operating times were mentioned.  QSL via each operator via his   
   home callsign.   
      
   F5MNW will be operating stroke FR from Reunion Island through April 8th.    
   Activity will be on the High Frequency bands using CW only.  QSL via his home   
   callsign either direct or via the bureau.   
      
   JG7PSJ will be active as JD1BMH from Chichijima Island between April 27th   
   and May 11th.  Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and   
   RTTY.  QSL via the bureau to JD1BMH or direct to JG7PSJ   
      
   Lastly, UA3AA is on the air from Nepal using the call 9N7AA until May 23rd.    
   Activity has been on 160 through 10 meters using CW only.  Unfortunately his   
   current location suffers from some serious RFI issues that affect his ability   
   to hear the calling stations.  QSL direct only.   
      
   (Above from OPDX and other DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  VIRTUALLY TRAVEL TO SPACE FOR ONLY $70    
      
   And finally this week, researchers from the Surrey Space Centre in England    
   have launched a unique campaign that will enable members of the public   
   including radio amateurs a chance to make a virtual trip into space for only   
   about $70 United States dollars.   Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee,   
   KB3TZD, has the details:   
      
   --    
      
   The Surrey Space Center Virtual Ride to Space ride will use cutting-edge   
   virtual technology and a specially designed spacecraft to deliver a   
   three-dimensional, immersive experience that will allow everyone to see what   
   astronauts experience on their way to space.   
      
   The experience will be created by capturing High Definition video footage   
   collected using a weather balloon which will carry a cluster of twenty-four   
   cameras to a height of about 65,000 feet.  During ascent these cameras will   
   capture panoramic footage of the balloon's journey to space.   
      
   Following the flight and retrieval of the camera payload a specialized   
   software package will be used to stitch this footage together to recreate a   
   panoramic view of the space trip.  The subsequent space ride will then be   
   viewed using a state of the art virtual reality head-mounted display.  This   
   system is designed to deliver high definition three dimensional virtual   
   environments that can be explored by the wearer, as if they are in space   
   themselves.   
      
   Dr. Aaron Knoll is the lead researcher from the University of Surrey.  He   
   indicates that the Surrey virtual Ride to Space will give all aspiring   
   astronauts the chance to be a virtual passenger, riding the balloon into   
   space at far less cost than actually making such a trip for in any other way.   
      
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,   
   Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   The $50,000 project will be funded by public contributions through the   
   crowd-sourcing Kickstarter website.  The project team is also developing a   
   smartphone application that will allow users to experience the journey using   
   the phones' built-in gyroscope and accelerometer data, as well as a computer   
   program that will allow people to experience space via their own PC's.   
      
   The fund raising campaign and view the demonstration video on line at   
   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1592839372/virtual-ride-to-space-using-th   
   e-oculus-rift   
   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1592839372/virtual-ride-to-space-using-th   
   e-oculus-rift   
   (University of Surrey, International Science Times, others)   
      
   **   
      
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
      
   With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio   
   Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB, the South African Radio   
   League, the Southgate News, TwiT-TV, Australia's WIA News and you our   
   listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline(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 http://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 Don   
   Wilbanks, AE5DW, in Southern Mississippi saying 73 and we thank you for   
   listening.     
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2014.  All rights reserved.   
      
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