Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1892 - November 15 2013   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1892 with a release date of November 15   
   2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.      
      
   The following is a QST.  Ham radio responds as Typhoon Haiyan devastates the   
   central Philippines; the ISS Expedition 37 crew brings the Olympic Torch home   
   from space; a New Mexico resident fined $25,000 for interference to police   
   communications; BBC on-line news magazine highlights ham radio and ABC's Last   
   Man Standing now boasts 17 hams on its crew.  Find out more are on Amateur   
   Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1892 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)    
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO FACES TYPHOON HAIYAN   
      
   Upward of 10,000 or more may have lost their lives when monster Typhoon   
   Haiyan also known as Typhoon Yolanda hit the central Philippines on Friday,   
   November 8th.  Numerous others were injured and at least nine million people   
   were affected in some way by the monster storm.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim   
   Meachen, ZL2BHF, is in Nelson, New Zealand with a summary of what's known so   
   far about ham radio's part in post typhoon relief:   
      
   --   
      
   For more than a week the aftermath of monster Typhoon Haiyan, rated at   
   Category 5, has seen many lives lost, people injured, widespread damage,   
   despair and desperation.    
      
   The death toll has been put at 2,000 or so officially, even though estimates   
   have been much higher.  A saving grace in the disaster is that the   
   super-storm missed more populated areas like Manila, was fast-moving and   
   authorities were able to evacuate some low lying areas.   
      
   In its aftermath, priority is being given to the immediate essentials of   
   power, communications, shelter and food.  This is followed by clean water,   
   sanitation and disease control.  But it's in the area of communications where   
   ham radio is doing its part.     
      
   Ramon Anquilan, DU1UGZ, of the Philippines Amateur Radio Association or PARA   
   says that in preparation for the typhoon that its Ham Emergency Radio   
   Operator or HERO network was activated early.  He reports that HERO stations   
   using High Frequency and VHF have been relaying vital messages helping rescue   
   and relief authorities, and their communities.  DU1UGZ says that in every   
   major area hit by the typhoon, and elsewhere in the archipelago, the HERO   
   network was in action.      
      
   Hams are providing communications at Tacloban, Eastern Samar, Cebu, Bohol,   
   Negros Oriental islands, Siquijor, Palo, Bantayan, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete,   
   Panay, Roxas, and many more places.  This includes signals into the capital   
   city of Manila.  Primary typhoon emergency relief communications is taking   
   place on the frequency of 7.095 MHz and hams within radio range but not   
   involved in relief efforts are being asked to stay clear of this frequency   
   for the moment.   
      
   Jim Linton, VK3PC, is the Chairman of the International Amateur Radio Union   
   Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.  He says that these individuals   
   should be commended for their efforts.     
      
   Quoting VK3PC:  "They have transceivers that are mostly basic, and as yet   
   don't seem to have the deserved recognition from the authorities and the   
   non-government aid organizations who used them,"    
      
   This not the first time HERO stations have been involved in providing   
   emergency communications.  Over the years there been many disasters in the   
   Philippines, including earthquakes, floods and mudslides, but none on the   
   scale of the current Typhoon Haiyan.   
      
   Philippines President Benigno Aquino visited Tacloban City where almost all   
   buildings were lost as tidal surges came through its streets.  He pledged   
   that local authorities are to house about 45,000 families and give them food.   
   President Aquino said he was lost for words to adequately describe the   
   enormity of disaster affecting 36 provinces. He has declared the situation to   
   be a national calamity.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, in Nelson, New   
   Zealand.   
      
   --   
      
   An international relief effort is now under way with rescue workers   
   struggling to reach some remote areas.  And once again, the frequency of   
   7.095 MHz is being used for post typhoon emergency relief and hams world wide   
   are being asked that be kept clear at this time.   
      
   Also, Google has set up an on-line Person Finder page where you can request   
   information about someone in the typhoons area of leave information about a   
   person that you might have.  It's on the web at   
   google.org/personfinder/2013-yolanda.  How long this service will be   
   available is not known.  (VK3PC, KB7TBT, Published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  INDIA FISHERMEN WANT HAM RADIO AND GPS GEAR   
      
   The Deccan Chronicle of India says that what are known as traditional   
   fishermen want the right to use amateur radio with both free ham gear and   
   GPS.  This as a communications safety net when they venture out to see.   
      
   The newspaper says that these fishermen have not found any truly affordable   
   and reliable electronic method to send or receive communication while fishing   
   in deep sea, especially when they face severe cyclonic storm.  As such, they   
   are forced to rely on what they term as unreliable mobile phones with no   
   guarantee of signals reaching destination or back-up power to keep them   
   operating.   
      
   A large number of these fishermen venture 200 miles or more from the shore   
   for several days at a time.  Their only way to communicate their location or   
   safety to their family are the unreliable mobile telephones they have now.   
      
   Because of this, fishermen have been demanding the state government provide   
   them with amateur radio gear and GPS equipment at a subsidy as they cannot   
   afford to purchase this equipment on their own.  They say that if they are   
   equipped with amateur radio it will help to communicate to get weather   
   updates, find their location at sea and receive directions as to which way   
   they should proceed to avoid impending danger.    
      
   Currently some 70,000 fishermen from several villages along India's coast are   
   awaiting the response from the government on their demand.  The president of   
   the District Fisherman Welfare Association is quoted in the article as saying   
   that when communication network fails during the storm, fishermen find no   
   source of information unless they are equipped with ham radio and GPS to help   
   them reach shore safely.     
      
   The question of licensing was not touched on in the news article.  You can   
   read more at tinyurl.com/india-fishing-ham-radio.  (India Deccan Chronicle)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ISS EXPEDITION 37 BRINGS OLYMPIC TORCH HOME   
      
   The International Space Station Expedition 37 crew has returned safely to   
   Earth bringing with it the Olympic torch that flew to the ISS with the   
   Expedition 38 crew.  Those returning with the torch were Russian Commander   
   Fyodor Yurchikhin, RN3FI; American Astronaut Karen Nyberg and European Space   
   Agency Astronaut Luca Parmitano, KF5KDP.  The torch will be used to light the   
   Olympic flame when the Winter Olympics open in Sochi, Russia.  Ironically the   
   three returning space farers made the trip back to Kazakhstan in the same   
   spacecraft that ferried them to the ISS last May.  (ON4WF)   
      
   **    
      
   DX UP FRONT:  LACCADIVES TO BE ON NOVEMBER 20 TO DECEMBER 10   
      
   In DX up front, while short notice, permission has just been granted by   
   India's Ministry of Telecommunications for a nine member team to activate the   
   Laccadive Islands between November 20th and December 10th.  The group plans   
   to operate from Agatti Island with the callsign VU7AG with three high power   
   stations running CW, SSB and RTTY.   
      
   Also the call VU7KA has been issued for demonstration purposes for use on   
   Kavaratti Island. This call will be used only briefly when team members make   
   presentations to the local administration to help to educate them about   
   amateur radio.   
      
   Given the short notice, the team is working hard in getting things organized   
   and is looking to be on the air for at least fourteen days.  More is on the   
   web at vu7ag.info  (vu7ag.info)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT: K9W WAKE ISLAND APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT   
      
   Bill Moore, NC1L, at the ARRL Awards Desk reports that the K9W Wake Atoll   
   Commemorative DXpedition has been approved for DXCC credit.  More information   
   including QSL card routing can be found on the web at www.wake2013.org   
   http://www.wake2013.org/ and we will have further DX news later on in this   
   weeks report.  (NC1L - ARRL Awards Desk)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K7CHN repeater   
   serving Seattle Washington.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
   WITH NEWSLINE:  CURE FOR PROBLEM DOWNLOADING NEWSLINE WITH ITUNES   
      
   This note to those of you who listen to these newscasts via podcast.    
   According to Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, if you were having issues with iTunes not   
   downloading the newest podcasts of Amateur Radio Newsline the past few weeks,   
   it may be due to a glitch that was discovered by one of our listeners and   
   confirmed at ARNewsline.  Thanks to Ed Durrant, VK2JI, we were made aware of   
   the problem affecting some users.  It seems that the newest version of iTunes   
   released last week has fixed the issue.  If you are having this problem,   
   please update your iTunes installation and the problem will more than likely   
   be resolved. (N5PRE)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  NEW MEXICO RESIDENT FINED $25,000 FOR INTERFERENCE TO POLICE   
      
   Operating on a police department frequency without a license is going to cost   
   a New Mexico resident $25,000.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley has the   
   details:   
      
   --   
      
   The FCC has affirmed a $25,000 Forfeiture Order issued to Estevan J.   
   Gutierrez of Las Vegas, New Mexico.  This for what the regulatory agency   
   terms his willful and repeated violation of Sections 301 and 333 of the   
   Communications Act by his operation on a frequency without authorization, and   
   his willful and malicious interference with licensed operations by an   
   emergency service.        
      
   On September 1, 2011, the Enforcement Bureaus San Diego Office issued a   
   Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of twenty-five   
   thousand dollars to Gutierrez for operation, without FCC authorization on   
   159.150 MHz.  This is a frequency licensed to the Las Vegas, New Mexico,   
   Police Department.  He was also accused of willful and malicious interference   
   with the Police Departments operations on that frequency.    
      
   In response to the NAL, Gutierrez did not deny the violations.  He did   
   however request cancellation or reduction of the forfeiture amount based on   
   his inability to pay.     
      
   But in its decision to affirm the full $25,000 amount the FCC noted that   
   Guiterrez produced no documentation to support his claim of an inability to   
   pay.  As such he was given the customary 30 days from the November 7th   
   release of the forfeiture order to pay the amount in full.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale,   
   Arizona.    
      
   --   
      
   If Gutierrez fails to comply within the allotted time the case may be   
   referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for further enforcement.     
   (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  FCC REFORM - WALDEN PRAISES WHEELER   
      
   House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, W7EQI, of Oregon   
   supports new FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's move to study FCC reform proposals by   
   Congress with a report due on his desk by year's end.  But the subcommittee   
   chairman still wants action on other bills he has proposed that would   
   implement some of those reforms.   
      
   In a news release Walden is quoted as saying that he welcomes Chairman   
   Wheeler's openness to looking at ways to improve transparency and   
   accountability for the American people and those that have business before   
   the commission.  Walden went on to say that in the meantime, we will continue   
   working to reach bipartisan agreement on the FCC Process Reform Act, and   
   similarly hope that the Senate will soon take up the FCC Consolidated   
   Reporting Act, which was unanimously approved by the House this summer.    
      
   The Consolidated Reporting Act has supporters on both sides of the aisle.    
   Though it does have some Democratic opponents it is expected to most likely   
   to pass both the House and Senate.  As its name suggests, it would   
   consolidate eight FCC annual reports to Congress into a single biennial   
   report.   
      
      
   The Process Reform Act prospects are somewhat less bright, although it did   
   pass out of the Energy & Commerce Committee on promises to work with   
   Democrats on some of their issues.  This measure would put shot clocks on FCC   
   decisions and would limit the conditions the FCC could put on media mergers.    
   This is an aspect that Democrats are not likely to support. (Media World)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  SENATE COMMERCE TO LOOK AT PATENT TROLLS   
      
   The Senate Commerce Committee is looking into patent trolls.  The issue is of   
   interest to radio as several ownership groups are fighting patent   
   infringement allegations from DigiMedia over digital music storage and   
   playback technology.    
      
   The Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance held   
   its hearing for November 7th to examine the impact of demand letters from   
   so-called "patent assertion entities" on small businesses, consumers and tech   
   firms.  The hearing w considered whether legislation is needed to provide   
   increased protection for these individuals and groups.   
      
   Government and other experts estimate that some patent trolls can send upward   
   of thousands of demand letters to businesses with threats of litigation for   
   alleged patent infringement and include a demand for payment. Many small   
   business pay off, even if they haven't violated any patents as doing so is   
   usually less expensive than fighting it out in a court of law.  (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  SPOKANE RADIO STATION HIT BY COPPER THIEVES   
      
   Moody Broadcasting station KMBI AM on 1330 kHz in Spokane, Washington has   
   been knocked off the air by copper thieves.  The theft was noticed Sunday   
   morning, November 3rd when station employees found that one of the tower   
   monitors was out and called police.   Further investigation by an employee   
   revealed numerous cables had been stripped from the tower.  News reports   
   quote the Spokane County Sheriff's Office as saying that it would cost the   
   station thousands of dollars to rewire and get back on the air.  KMBI has an   
   FM operation on 107.9 MHz that was not affected.  (B&C)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  AUTUMN 2013 5 MHZ NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE   
      
   The autumn 2013 edition of The 5 MHz Newsletter is now available for download   
   at tinyurl.com/ouaalv6.  In addition to the latest 5 MHz news, there are also   
   features on emergency communications messaging with an international   
   dimension, the current Radio Society of Great Britain 5 MHz discussion and   
   much more.     
      
   Also included is news of a television interview with IARU President    
   Emeritus Larry Price, W4RA.  In it Price explains the workings of World   
   Radiocommunication Conferences and the International Telecommunications   
   Union.     
      
   Again you can download this issue free of charge at tinyurl.com/ouaalv6.  And   
   less we forget, this edition number eight marks the second anniversary of the   
   5 MHz Newsletter.     
      
   We say, congratulations.  (Southgate, G4MWO)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  SUCCESSFUL CANADIAN HIGH ALTITIDE BALLOON LAUNCH     
      
   Radio Amateurs of Canada has congratulated the students, volunteers and   
   educator Robert Streimer VE4SHS at Shaftsbury High School in Winnipeg   
   Manitoba.  This for the recent and very successful launch of the SHARP 3.1   
   helium filled balloon reached an impressive maximum altitude of  117,214   
   feet.  SHARP 3.1 carried a payload consisting of four cameras, a number of   
   electronic sensors, a Geiger counter, a 3 axis accelerometer magnetometer and   
   numerous other sensors.  According to Radio Amateurs of Canada, now begins   
   the task of analyzing of the data that was collected during the flight.    
   (VE2MBS/VE2QQ)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  BBC NEWS MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS HAM RADIO   
      
   The British Broadcasting Corporations on-line program News Magazine has a   
   neat story giving a very positive view of ham radio in the United Kingdom.    
   Titled "The Very Particular World of Amateur Radio" the three and a half   
   minute video report talks about the recent growth in licensing in Great   
   Britain.  It also follows the operation of the  Chorley and District Amateur   
   Radio Society as it took part in the recent "Castles and Stately Homes On The   
   Air" operating event from Astley Hall in the city of Lancashire.  Both the   
   video and the text story that accompanies it are on the web at   
   tinyurl.com/BBC-news-ham-radio.  (BBC)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: LAST MAN STANDING NOW BOASTS 17 HAMS ON ITS CREW   
      
   The hit ABC situation comedy Last Man Standing can now say that it has 17   
   licensed radio amateurs as a part of its production crew.  On Saturday,   
   November 9th the show added 8 new Technician Class operators and had its   
   first General class upgrade.      
      
   According to the shows producer John Amodeo, NN6JA, that brings the shows   
   total to 14 Technicians, 1 General and 2 Extra class operators.     
      
   Norm Goodkin, K6YXH, Naomi Goodkin, WB6OHW and Rob Antontonacci, AA6RA, of   
   the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group VEC administered the exam session.   
      
   NN6JA also notes that the Thanksgiving episode, which airs on Friday,   
   November 22nd features Tim Allen as Mike Baxter, KA0XTT, again on his amateur   
   radio station as a part of the scripts plotline.  You will also hear the   
   voices of approximately one hundred real hams that sent in audio clips for   
   use in that very special holiday show.   
      
   Last Man Standing airs on the ABC Television Network on Fridays at 8:00 P.M.   
   Eastern and Pacific and 7:00 P.M. Central time.  Please consult local   
   listings for the station broadcasting Last Man Standing in your geographic   
   area.  (NN6JA)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   SWL NEWS: FLORIDA SHORTWAVE STATION TO REOPEN   
      
   Look for a big signal returning to the international shortwave bands.  This   
   as one of the United States major transmission facilities comes back to life.   
   Amateur Radio's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   A Florida-based shortwave facility, formerly owned by Family Radio, will soon   
   be back on the air.  This following a sales agreement with another United   
   States based international broadcaster that will close its own smaller   
   Florida shortwave transmission site.     
      
   WYFR in Okeechobee, Florida was founded by evangelist Harold Camping.  He   
   used to broadcast Christian programming to an international audience but it   
   turned off its transmitters last June.  Now comes word that Family Stations   
   Inc. will sell WYFR to Radio Miami International, which currently operates   
   station WRMI.     
      
   Once the transaction is completed Family Radio programming for the Caribbean   
   and South America will return to shortwave via the Okeechobee site.  Radio   
   Miami's programming currently aired on WRMI will then switch over to the   
   Okeechobee facility.  In its announcement WRMI stated that the station will   
   also carry programs for other international broadcasters, including Pan   
   American Broadcasting's Radio Africa network.   
      
   As a result of this transaction, WRMI's 50 kilowatt transmission site in   
   Miami will close, and its call letters will be moved to Okeechobee.  The   
   latter is claimed to be the largest shortwave station in the United States by   
   number of transmitters and antennas, according to the WRMI announcement.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, in Wadsworth, Ohio.   
      
   --   
      
   The exact date for the switchover to the Okeechobee has yet to be announced.    
   (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AO-27 RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUE   
      
   Attempts to recover the 20 year-old AO-27 ham radio satellite are continuing   
   and now signals have been received on 436.795 MHz     
      
   Reid Bristor, is W4UPD, in Melbourne, Florida.  He reports over the AMSAT   
   Bulletin Board that he heard AO-27 a couple of times on November 10th and   
   11th.  W4UPD says that the telemetry he monitored was good and strong.    
      
   For the latest information please tale your web browser to    
   tinyurl.com/ao27-rescue-update.  (AMSAT-BB, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ART AND HAM RADIO IN DEEP SPACE   
      
   Students at the Tama Art University in Tokyo, Japan are planning to send a   
   sculpture called Artsat2 Despatch along with an amateur radio payload into   
   deep space.  This to take place sometime in mid 2014.      
      
   The sculpture, which is 50 by 50 by 45 cm was created at the  university   
   using a 3D Printer.  The ham radio portion of the payload will consist of a   
   CW beacon in the 435 MHz band using an omni-directional antenna.     
      
   The sculpture and ham radio gear are planned to launch as a secondary payload   
   along with the primary asteroid explorer Hayabusa 2.  Hayabusa 2 will be   
   making a round-trip to the C-type asteroid 1999 JU3 arriving in mid 2018.     
      
   For hams here on Earth this mission should provide the ultimate in DX   
   reception challenge, especially when at its maximum distance of two million   
   miles from Earth.   
      
   More about this interesting combined art and science exploration exercise is   
   on the web at tinyurl.com/ARTSAT-DESPATCH,  (Artsat-Despatch release)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO FROM SPACE:  ESA GOCE SPACE FERRARI DEORBITS   
      
   The European Space Agency's GOCE satellite has entered the Earth's   
   atmosphere, on Sunday evening, November 10th U.S. time burning up in the   
   process.  Early estimates suggested any surviving debris is likely to have   
   fallen somewhere along its polar flight path through East Asia and the   
   Western Pacific to Antarctica.   
      
   The GOCE mission was operating in an extremely low orbit of about 140 miles   
   above mother Earth.  This was among the lowest of any scientific satellite   
   and required constant use of its novel electric ion engine to stay aloft.  In   
   mid-October its fuel reserves were exhausted so its descent into the   
   atmosphere and burn-up was expected.  .   
      
   Dubbed the "Ferrari of Space" because of its streamlined looks, GOCE is the   
   first E-S-A bird to make an uncontrolled re-entry in more than two and a half   
   decades.  In its final days on-orbit several news outlets suggested the   
   public track at the demise of GOCE at the n2yo.com website.  (ESA, BBC,   
   Published News Reports)   
      
   **   
      
   EXTRATERRESTRIAL HAPPENINGS:  COMET ISON UPDATE   
      
   Looking skyward, the latest photo of comet ISON taken by NASA's Hubble Space   
   Telescope shows it to still be intact.  Given the fact that ISON's closest   
   approach to the sun is not until November 28th its really not known if ISON   
   will survive this solar encounter or if its nucleus might disintegrate.   
      
   According to NASA, ISON's solid nucleus is uncertain in its latest image   
   because it is still fairly small.  The space agency says that if the nucleus   
   were to disintegrate, the space telescope would probably detect evidence of   
   multiple fragments.   
      
   In the Hubble photo, the comet's coma currently looks greenish-blue because   
   of gas, while the tail is reddish because of dust flowing off the nucleus.    
   NASA explains that the tail develops as dust particles are forced away from   
   the nucleus by the pressure of sunlight.   
      
   ISON is also known as the "Christmas Comet" because it will make its closest   
   approach to Earth on December 28th.  On that day, ISON will travel within   
   39.9 million miles of planet Earth.  (Science Recorder, NASA)   
      
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION:  NEW SOUTH AFRICA ZS6TKS SIXTY METER BEACON   
      
   A new 60 meter beacon is on the air in South Africa thanks to the Kempton   
   Park Amateur Radio Technical Society .  The ZS6KTS propagation study device   
   transmits on 5.250 MHz at 5 minute intervals with PSK-31 as the preferred   
   mode.  This is in support of 60 Meter activity weekend.  Should you hear the   
   ZS6KTS beacon please send a signal report to beacon (at) zs6kts (dot) co   
   (dot) za.  Your assistance in capturing 5MHz propagation data is much   
   appreciated.  (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  SRI LANKA COMMEMORATES COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT   
      
   On the air, keep an ear open for members of Radio Society of Sri Lanka to be   
   active through November 30th using the special callsign 4S0CGM.  This to   
   commemorate the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being held in   
   the city of Colombo.  Operation is on the HF bands. QSL via bureau or direct   
   to RSSL, P.O. Box 907, Colombo, Sri Lanka.  (Radio Society of Sri Lanka)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS COMMEMORATE THE DISCOVERY OF PUERTO RICO    
      
   Three amateur radio groups in Puerto Rico will be on the air with special   
   event call signs to commemorate the 520th anniversary of the Discovery of   
   Puerto Rico made by Christopher Columbus on his Second Voyage on November   
   19th, 1493.  The organizations taking part are the Caribbean Amateur Radio   
   Group as N4D through November 19th ;  the Western Amateur Radio Group as W4D   
   from November 17 to the 21st and the Borinquen Amateur Radio Club as K4D on   
   November 19th only.  There will be a QSL card for individual contacts and a   
   special certificate for those who contact all three stations.  QSL as   
   directed on the air.     
   (WP3GW)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, UU5WW will be active stroke 3B8 from Mauritius Island between November   
   17th and the 30th.  Operation will be holiday style using mostly CW on 80   
   through 10 meters with a possibility of some 160 meter time as well.  QSL via   
   K2PF.    
      
   K7YB will be active from Belize November 20th to the 25th as V31YB.  He will   
   be operational on 40, 20, 10 and 6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL direct only   
   via his home call.     
      
   OH6RX and OH7WV will be operational as AH0K from Tinian Island, in the   
   Northern Mariana Islands for the CQ World Wide DX CW Contest on November 23rd   
   and 24th as a Multi-2 entry.  Activity outside the contest will be on the HF   
   bands and possibly 6 meters. QSL via OH6GDX.   
      
      
      
   FG1JD will be operating stroke FS from St. Martin between November   
   25th to the 30th.  Activity will be on 40, 20 and 15 meters   
   using CW,   
      
   SSB and the some of the digital modes. QSL via his home callsign.   
      
      
   Lastly, G0DHZ will be in Tunis for a 4 weeks stay but he recently learned   
   that the rules have been changed and activity during the week is no longer   
   permitted.  Therefore he will only be on the air weekends signing 3V8SS.    
   Listen out for him on 80 through 10 meters with an emphasis on 30, 17 and 12   
   using CW and SSB.  QSL direct, via the bureau or electronically using eQSL.     
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  INDIA EXPERIMENTAL APRS BALLOON PAYLOAD RETURNED    
      
   And finally this week, a follow up to an earlier story regarding a ham radio   
   floater balloon out of India.  Here's Don Wilbanks, AE5DW:   
      
   --   
      
   The payload of the Indian amateur radio APRS balloon launched on October 13th   
   has been successfully retrieved.  It was returned to Dhruva Space on November   
   3rd after it was found about 27 miles off the coast of Gangoli, Karnataka on   
   October 15th by the sailors of on a fishing boat.   
      
   The balloon had been launched from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in   
   Bangalore and drifted into the Arabian Sea.  Ham radio operators in India,   
   the Middle East and Africa were able to track the APRS signal, containing   
   real time location, altitude and other operating conditions of the flight,   
   for over 370 miles.   
      
   I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.   
      
   --   
      
   The return of the balloon payload was made possible thanks to the cooperation   
   of hams that tracked its travels from launch to landing.     
   (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
      
   With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ Magazine,   
   the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB, the   
   Southgate News, TWiT-TV and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from the   
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm).  Our e-mail address is newsline (at) arnewsline   
   (dot) org.  More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's(tm)   
   only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.   
   http://www.arnewsline.org.%20/You can also write to us or support us at   
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California,   
   91350    
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Jim Davis,   
   W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.     
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2013.  All rights reserved.   
      
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