Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1897 - December 20 2013   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1897 with a release date of December 20   
   2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST.  The murderer of ham radio operator and his wife   
   gets life behind prison bars; UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom is   
   re-evaluating ham radio licensing requirements; Myanmar could soon create an   
   amateur radio service; the South Africa Radio League celebrates the life and   
   passing of Nelson Mandela and Santa comes to Echolink.  All this and more on   
   this Christmas week edition of Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1897   
   coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  CONVICTED KILLER OF RADIO AMATEUR AND WIFE GETS LIFE SENTENCE   
      
   A federal jury deliberating the sentence for Arizona inmate John McCluskey   
   failed to reach a unanimous verdict on Wednesday, December 11th meaning the   
   judge will sentence him to life in prison for murdering a retired Oklahoma   
   ham radio operator and his wife.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley,   
   KI7UP, has more:   
      
   --   
      
   John McCluskey was convicted of the brutal murder of Gary Haas, N5VGH, and   
   his wife Linda.  Their bodies were found in their burned out travel trailer   
   in Santa Rosa, New Mexico on August 4th, 2010.   
      
   During the four-month trial, the defense argued that McCluskey should not be   
   executed because brain damage, abuse and addictions made him incapable of   
   controlling his impulses and making reasoned decisions when he shot the   
   Haases.  Prosecutors asserted that the only fitting punishment was to put   
   McCluskey to death because he was a dangerous and remorseless, cold-blooded   
   killer and a danger to society.   
      
   The victims were making their 11th summer trip to Colorado when they were   
   killed three days after the prison break funded by a drug smuggling ring   
   McCluskey allegedly ran in the prison.  At that time, McCluskey was serving   
   15 years for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault and discharge   
   of a firearm when he and two other prisoners staged a daring escape from a   
   medium-security jail near Kingman, Arizona.  This with the help of his cousin   
   and fianc‚e Casslyn Welch.   
      
   Jurors deliberated for nearly four days before deciding they couldn't agree   
   on the death sentence making mandatory that McCluskey serve the rest of his   
   life in prison without the possibility of parole.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale,   
   Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   The Haas family left the courtroom quietly saying that they didn't want to   
   comment on the jury's decision.  A sentencing date has yet to be set.    
   (Published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO TESTING:  NCVEC RELEASES 2014 TO 2018 TECH QUESTION POOL   
      
   The National Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators, better known   
   as the NCVEC has released its new Element 2, Technician Class, question pool   
   to the public.  The new questions which are the work of the groups Question   
   Pool Committee take effect on July 1st, 2014 and will remain valid through   
   June 30, 2018.   
      
   A note on the NCVEC website says that Pool files that were posted on   
   December 10, 2013 have been replaced with corrected content.  It asks those   
   who visited the site on December 10th and downloaded files to go back and do   
   it again.  It notes that following some edits and corrections the files were   
   re-posted on Thursday, November 12th.   
      
   The URL where the questions can be found is tinyurl.com/tech-questions-2014.   
   The question pool being used at this time for administering Technician class   
   tests is valid until June 30, 2014. (NCVEC)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING:  OFCOM SAYS IT WILL NOT CREATE INCENTIVE LICENSING   
      
   Hams in the United Kingdom need not worry about a form of incentive   
   licensing being imposed on them.  According to telecommunications regulator   
   Ofcom, as it reviews that nations ham radio structure it has no plans for a   
   mandatory upgrade program that will drive anyone from the hobby as we hear   
   from RSGB Newsreader Jeremy Boot, G4NJH:   
      
   --   
      
   During the wide debate about the forthcoming amateur radio license review to   
   be carried out by Ofcom, several amateurs have been in touch with the RSGB to   
   express concern that they will either be required to progress to become Full   
   licensees or to surrender their Foundation or Intermediate license and give   
   up the hobby.  In response Ofcom has provided the following statement:   
      
   "It is not Ofcom's intention to discourage people from the hobby but we want   
   to set up a framework that encourages those interested in pursuing the   
   technical hobby to stretch their knowledge and operating skill.   
      
   "In our analysis we will be consulting on any changes to the licensing   
   arrangements but we will be taking into account the accessibility and diverse   
   interests provided by the hobby and we won't be designing a regime that   
   leaves or pushes people out."   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham, in   
   the UK.   
      
   --   
      
   That's good news for hams in the UK especially to those familiar with the   
   Incentive Licensing debacle here in the United States that took place back in   
   the late 1960's.  While the incentive was to force then current lower class   
   license holders to upgrade or loose privileges, its effect was just the   
   opposite.  Many General class operators, unhappy at having their privileges   
   reduced, decided to drop out of the hobby rather than upgrade.  As a result   
   overall growth slowed to a crawl which in turn caused a number of longtime   
   manufacturers of ham radio gear to either leave the market and seek greener   
   pastures or simply go out of business.  (RSGB News, ARNewsline Archive,   
   Wikipedia)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  XZ-LAND MAY OPEN UP SOON   
      
   There are signs from Myanmar indicating that normalized Amateur Radio may be   
   returning to that Asian country in the not so distant future.  This after   
   decades of little activity.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB,   
   has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Over the years a few foreigners have been heard with Myanmar XZ callsigns   
   but the activity has not been a fully open Amateur Radio service.  Even so,   
   this year saw operations led by JH1AJT, initially as XZ1Z and later as part   
   of a multi-member team.   
      
   A bit earlier, British radio amateur Simon Butterill, G6JFY, regularly   
   visited Myanmar from Thailand and in May 2012 he was allowed to sign XZ1K   
   from one of the nation's southern states.  He mounted a PSK31 operation as   
   XZ1K logging several hundred QSOs on 10 and 20 meters.   
      
   But this past October the country's Posts and Telecommunications Department,   
   under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, enacted a   
   new Telecommunications Law for Myanmar.  However there seems to be little   
   known about what steps are being taken to reactivate Amateur Radio in that   
   country, or interest from outside being shown by those who may have some   
   influence with telecommunications leaders.   
      
   So will ham radio return to Myanmar?  Only time and politics will tell.     
   That said, things look far more hopeful than they did only a few short years   
   ago.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting   
      
   --   
      
   Myanmar formerly known as Burma was a British colony gained its independence   
   in 1948. The government has been under direct or indirect control of the   
   military since 1962.   In 2011 the ruling military junta was officially   
   dissolved following a 2010 general election.  At that time a nominally   
   civilian government was installed, however the military still retains some   
   amount of influence through the constitution that was ratified in 2008.    
   (VK3PC, Wikipedia)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  ZS9MADIBA CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF NELSON MANDELA   
      
   ZS9MADIBA is the South African Radio League Special Event Station   
   commemorating the life and recent passing of Nelson Mandela, the elder   
   statesman and first democratically-elected President of the Republic of South   
   Africa.  Affectionately referred to as "Madiba," he became one of the most   
   recognized world leaders and was instrumental in the peaceful transition of   
   South Africa from minority rule to a constitutional democracy.   
      
   If you make contact with ZS9MADIBA you can QSL via the bureau or by sending   
   your card to the South African Radio League, Post Office Box 1721,   
   Strubensvallei 1735, South Africa.  Confirmations will also be accepted   
   electronically via Logbook of the World.  To receive the special QSL card by   
   mail, please include $1 for postage.   
      
   Also, members of the South African Radio League are invited to apply for   
   time slots to operate ZS9MADIBA from their own home stations.   
   (SARL)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to tell the world of amateur radio who you are.  We are the   
   Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including   
   the WA7ABU Repeater serving Willamette Valley, Oregon   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  CHINA OPENS EMERGENCY BROADCAST CENTER   
      
   China has taken a big step in creating a national emergency notification   
   system.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   China has taken the rescue radio initiative with the announcement that it   
   has opened a national emergency broadcast center.  This, as the country   
   speeds up the construction of a nationwide radio network that will spread   
   rescue and relief information for disaster hit regions.   
      
   The radio service was jointly initiated by China National Radio working with   
   local radio and TV stations.  It broadcasts government relief measures and   
   secondary disaster warnings to those affected using AM radio, satellite   
   facilities and even loudspeakers where necessary.   
      
   The center's official website has also begun operation.  It will be used to   
   release the latest data on disasters across the country and providing online   
   rescue and relief guidance.   
      
   The plan is considered by China as an important measure for coping with   
   disasters.  I was reportedly inspired by a similar but smaller scale radio   
   network that was set up after a fatal 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Lushan in   
   southwest China last April.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the newsroom   
   in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   From what is known about China's new emergency alert system it appears to be   
   based on the "keep it simple" principle so as to prevent the possibility of   
   failure when it's needed most. (WIA News, ecns.cn)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO RECOGNITION: PLAQUE LISTS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB AMONG SUPERSTORM SANDY   
   VOLUNTEERS, FIRST RESPONDERS   
      
   New York's Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club has earned a spot on a plaque   
   honoring first responders and other volunteers who assisted in the wake of   
   the devastating Superstorm Sandy and the nor'easter that followed in the fall   
   of 2012.   
      
   The town of Babylon on Long Island erected the plaque earlier this fall in   
   Tanner Park.  This area which faces Great South Bay on Long Island's south   
   shore and suffered serious damage from the storms.   
      
   The plaque itself reads, "When the Town of Babylon was struck by Superstorm   
   Sandy in the fall of 2012, many residents were exposed to dangerous storm   
   conditions; some of whom were rescued from their homes.  These brave men and   
   women were the first to answer the call when their neighbors needed them the   
   most.  We thank them for their service and dedicate this plaque to them."   
      
   According to club spokesman Bob Myers, K2TV, the recognition came as a   
   complete surprise to his organization, most of whom also belong to the local   
   ARES organization.  According to Myers, club members were only carrying out   
   what they felt was expected after the many hours of training and emergency   
   preparedness.  Myers added that having recognition like this serves as   
   validation that they were doing their job. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  OHIO SCHOOLS APPLY FOR GRANTS FOR RADIO SYSTEM   
      
   Applications covering more than 1,200 Ohio schools have been submitted for   
   state grants to pay for new emergency radios that contain entry security   
   features for such buildings.   
      
   The school radios manufactured by Motorola were developed by the states   
   Multi-Agency Radio Communications or MARCS System.  This is a state-wide   
   system that allows first responders to easily talk to any agency with MARCS   
   radios.   
      
   The design of these radios not only permits two way voice communications,   
   but also allows a school employee to send an electronic alert with the push   
   of a button.  Then he or she can take shelter or help others without speaking   
   and giving away their presence to an intruder.   
      
   The radio system reportedly avoids problems with downed phone lines or   
   overloaded cellular telephone networks.  More about this new emergency radio   
   structure is on the web at tinyurl.com/ohio-school-radio-system   
   (Times Reporter)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE WEB:  NEW HAM RADIO EDUCATIONAL INTEREST VIDEO   
      
   There's a new ham radio promotional and educational video now on the   
   Internet that may be of use to those trying to interest non hams in joining   
   the fraternity.  Amateur Radio Newsine's Hal Rodgers, K8CMD, tells us a bit   
   about it:   
      
   --   
      
   Amateurs interested in spreading the good word about their hobby now have a   
   new tool. A video entitled "Discovering Amateur radio" has just been released.   
      
   Written and narrated by David Anderson, K1AN, the production describes an   
   extraordinary technology that in just 100 years has transformed our lives in,   
   as Anderson says, "the most amazing ways."   
      
   Available in a condensed version as well as a half hour program, the   
   well-paced video can be viewed on line or used in group presentations. The   
   producers say it was created for anyone who wishes to encourage youths and   
   adults to discover amateur radio.   
      
   The production is one of many educational programs administered under the   
   auspices of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural   
   Organization through partnership with the World Genesis Foundation.   
   "Discovering Amateur Radio" is on the project website at www.radioqrv.com   
   http://www.radioqrv.com/   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Hal Rogers, K8CMD   
      
   --   
      
   Those who teach Amateur Radio in high school and college settings might find   
   Discovering Amateur Radio to be very well suited for showing to their   
   students. This, especially given the additional reference material included   
   in the longer half hour minute version.   
      
   Once again the website where to find "Discovering Amateur Radio" is    
   www.radioqrv.com http://www.radioqrv.com/  (K8CMD, others)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO READING:  FIRST NOVEL ABOUT CUBESATS AND PERSONAL SPACECRAFT PUBLISHED   
      
   A Pyramid of Tiny Skulls by Andy Thomas, G0SFJ, is reported to be the first   
   novel to find inspiration from Cubesats and the new wave of personal   
   spacecraft such as Sprites.   
      
   In, the story a character named Jack Malik, who is an entrepreneur and   
   nightclub operator, carries a letter from murdered dancer home to a Russian   
   enclave at Kaliningrad.  There he agrees to collect a secret parcel from   
   Shanghai.  What he brings back will attract the City Leader's attention, and   
   echo through the Cosmos.   
      
   Thomas has dedicated the new book to those whom he describes as the   
   visionaries of Cubesats and personal spacecraft.  Availability is at   
   www.createspace.com/4548329 http://www.createspace.com/4548329  (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  ARRL CENTENNIAL TO INCLUDE REGIONAL EVENTS   
      
   If you can't make it to Hartford, Connecticut, for the ARRL's 2014   
   Centennial Convention then the League will work with other ham radio   
   gatherings to bring the convention to you.  At least in the spirit of the   
   event.   
      
   As part of its centennial celebration, the ARRL has designated six major ham   
   radio gatherings as "Regional ARRL Centennial Events."  These include the   
   2014 Orlando Hamcation in February, the Dayton Hamvention next May, Sea-Pac   
   in Oregon in June, Ham-Com in Plano Texas also in June; the Huntsville   
   Hamfest in August and Pacificon in Santa Clara, California next October.   
      
   The concept of regional celebrations was approved when the ARRL Executive   
   Committee met in Colorado last October.  The League's Marketing Manager Bob   
   Inderbitzen developed the concept as a way to, in effect, take the ARRL   
   Centennial celebration to the amateur radio community across the United   
   States.  (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  VO1NO NAMED NEW CHAIR OF RAC 0-30 MHZ COMMITTEE   
      
   Some names in the news.  First up is Al Penney, VO1NO who is the new chair   
   of Radio Amateurs of Canada's Zero to 30 MHz Band Planning Committee.  Penney   
   was first licensed in 1977 and has been active on all bands from 160 meters   
   through the microwave bands.  VO1NO replaces previous chair, Jim Fisher,   
   VE1JF who has retired but will continue to serve the committee for a time and   
   has pledged his active support to a successful transition. (RAC, VE3YV)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  VE7AV RECIPIENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY LIFELINE VOLUNTEERS   
   AWARD   
      
   Still up North, a Prince George ham radio operators contributions in   
   emergency radio communications have earned him a Public Safety Lifeline   
   Volunteers award from British Columbia Canada's  Justice Minister Suzanne   
   Anton.   According to a biography provided by the ministry, in addition to a   
   35 year radio communications career in the federal public service, Frank   
   VanderZande, VE7AV has been teaching amateur radio since 1970.   
      
   VanderZande was first licensed at the age of 14.  During his ham radio   
   career he has been associated with the Red Cross as a disaster management   
   emergency response team member since 2001, and has been the project lead for   
   the Prince George Amateur Radio Club in the building of its emergency   
   communication trailer.  This mobile unit is now used to support search and   
   rescue efforts across northern British Columbia.  (Prince George Citizen)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   SOLAR FORECASTING:  SUN'S CURRENT SOLAR ACTIVITY CYCLE IS WEAKEST IN A   
   CENTURY   
      
   Although there have been numerous theories presented by solar researchers,   
   many have come to the simple conclusion that Solar Cycle 24 is the most   
   anemic in 100 years.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD, has the   
   details:   
      
   --   
      
   While our home star the Sun is now at its 11 year solar maximum it has   
   already been compared with earlier poor solar maximums including the very   
   weak Solar Cycle 14 in the early 1900's.   That cycle began February 1902 and   
   ending in August 1913.  The maximum smoothed sunspot number observed during   
   that cycle was 64.2, and the minimum was 1.5.  There were a total of   
   approximately 1019 days with no sunspots during cycle 14.   
      
   Leif Svalgaard is a researcher at Stanford University.  On December 11th he   
   told reporters at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union that   
   none of us alive have ever seen such a weak cycle, noting that the learning   
   has already begun.   
      
   For example, scientists think they know why the solar storms that have   
   erupted during Solar Cycle 24 have caused relatively few problems here on   
   Earth.  They say that the sun often blasts huge clouds of superheated   
   particles known as Coronal Mass Ejections into space.  Powerful CME's that   
   hit Earth squarely can trigger geomagnetic storms, which in turn can disrupt   
   radio communications.   
      
   But such effects have rarely been seen during Solar Cycle 24, even though   
   the total number of Coronal Mass Ejections hasn't dropped off significantly.   
   The explanation, researchers say lies in the reduced pressure currently   
   present in the suns heliosphere.   
      
   Nat Gopalswamy of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center asserts that this lower   
   pressure has allowed CME's to expand greatly as they move through space.  As   
   such Solar Cycle 24 Coronal Mass Ejections are, on average, 38 percent wider   
   than those measured during the last cycle.  In other words, less pressure   
   from these CME's is hitting here on Earth.  And when the CMEs expand more,   
   the magnetic field inside of them has lower strength.  So when you have   
   lower-strength magnetic fields, then they cause milder geomagnetic storms.   
      
   Scientists also think they know why relatively few super-fast solar   
   energetic particles, or have been measured in Earth's neighborhood during the   
   current cycle, which began in early 2008.  They say that this has to do with   
   a weakened interplanetary magnetic field which appears to be another   
   characteristic of Solar Cycle 24.   
      
   Also quite significant is the fact that the polar field was weak during   
   Solar Cycle 23, so researchers kind of suspected that Solar Cycle 24 would be   
   similar.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,   
   Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   Stanford's Leif Svalgaard says that predictions about Solar Cycle 25 should   
   start coming in two or three years.  (Space.com, Huffington Post, other   
   published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO TECHNOLOGY:  WG2XRS SIGNALS HEARD IN EASTERN USA AND GERMANY   
      
   Signals from WG2XRS, one of the United States based special experimental   
   transmitting licensed stations for the 75kHz band, crossed the Atlantic in   
   early December.  This by using the new Oh-P-65 mode.   
      
   Seventeen monitor stations spread across the United States and Western   
   Europe listened for the transmissions.  The first transmit period produced a   
   substantial number of automated signal reports from monitoring points in the   
   eastern United States.   
      
   Across the Atlantic, only one station in Germany managed to capture the   
   signal.  He heard and decoded it at a distance of 3,881 miles. As we go to   
   air, these tests are continuing.  (RSGB)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  VK ANALOG TV GOES AWAY BUT THE 6 METER RESTRICTION REMAINS   
      
   Even as Australia went 100 percent digital television on December 10th, it   
   does not automatically mean the automatic return of 50 to 52 MHz to that   
   nations amateur radio service.   
      
   According to Jim Linton, VK3PC, even with the removal from service of the   
   last analog TV transmitter on Channel 0, the six meter limitations are listed   
   in the nations License Conditions Determination on operation of amateur   
   stations in Australia's eastern states.  As such the restrictions on the   
   lower end of six meters will remain in force until the document is changed by   
   the Australia Communications and Media Authority or ACMA.   
      
   The Wireless Institute of Australia has long held that the 50 to 54 MHz band   
   should be returned to and allocated exclusively for use by that nations   
   amateur service, once the existing Channel 0 transmitters were removed from   
   service.  It notes that 6 meters is the so-called 'magic band' and as such is   
   important to radio amateurs because it provides unique opportunities for ham   
   radio operators to conduct various forms of propagation experimentation.   
   (VK3PC)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION:  SOUTH AFRICAN 60 METER PROPAGATION BEACON   
      
   South Africa's Kempton Park Amateur Radio Technical Society currently has an   
   operational 60 meter propagation study beacon transmitting on 5 dot 250 MHz   
   using the call ZS6KTS.  The beacon transmits at 5 minute intervals with PSK31   
   as the preferred mode.  Please visit the clubs website at www.zs6kts.co.za   
   http://www.zs6kts.co.za/ for more detailed information regarding the beacons   
   operation.  (SARL)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, the K9W Wake Atoll DXpedition reports that it logged slightly over   
   100,000 contacts from 186 discrete DXCC entities during its November   
   operation.  This DXpedition was dedicated to preserving the memory of the   
   Forgotten 98 which was a group of civilian contractors who lost their lives   
   on Wake Island on October 7, 1943 during World War II.   
      
   The ARRL DXCC Desk has approved the current T6TM operation from Afghanistan   
   for DXCC credit.  If your request for this operation has been rejected in a   
   prior application, contact ARRL Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, to be   
   placed on the list for an update to your record.  His e-mail is bmoore (at)   
   ARRL dot org.   
      
   PA0RRS will once again be active as 9M2MRS from Penang Island.  This between   
   December 31st and February 3rd.  His operation will be on 40 through 10   
   meters using CW, RTTY and PSK.  QSL via his home call.   
      
   Oh-E4AAC will once again be active stroke 3B9 from Rodriguez Island from    
   February 10th to the 18th.  His operation will be holiday style on 40 through   
   10 meters on CW only. QSL via his home call.   
      
   BA4DW is expected to be operational as E51CDW during a holiday style   
   operation from Rarotonga Island between January 21st and the 27th.  He tells   
   the Ohio-Penn DX newsletter that his activity will be on the major High   
   Frequency bands using CW and SSB.  QSL via BA4DW.   
      
   Lastly, a group of six operators from the UK will operate as TX6G from the   
   Island of Raivavae in the Australs Islands between March 20th and April 1st.    
   A website will be launched with further details once the other details are   
   confirmed.   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  CHRISTMAS EVE SANTA WATCH COMES TO ECHOLINK   
      
   And faunally this week, we have not heard much from radio clubs that are   
   sponsoring pre-Christmas talk to Santa Clause nets or similar type events.    
   We are sure that there are some out there but one we have found is rather   
   unique because it combines both ham radio and the Internet.  Here's Amateur   
   Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK:   
      
   --   
      
   Starting Christmas Eve at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Dave Vowell,   
   N3NTV, will be hosting the Santa Watch Net on the DoDropIn conference server   
   at node 355800.  This is the same Echolink server node that hosts numerous   
   ham radio social events including the Sunday night Broadcasters Net out of   
   New York City and the Wednesday evening Ham Nation post show gathering.   
      
   N3NTV will be keeping track of and announcing Santa's location.  He will   
   also be taking check-ins from the youngsters via the magic of the Internet   
   and Amateur Radio.   
      
   So please do drop in to the DoDropIn Santa Watch Net with your kids,   
   grandkids or your neighbors with their youngsters and find out where Santa   
   Clause is.  And you never know: Santa himself may just might be a ham and   
   could check in "reindeer mobile" from his high flying sleigh.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lased, K9BIK, already with lots   
   of holiday snow already here in Zion, Illinois.   
      
   --   
      
   Once again that's the Santa Watch Net on the DoDropIn conference server at   
   node 355800 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Christmas Eve.   
   (W8WFO)   
      
   **   
      
   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/.  You can also write to us or support us at   
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California,   
   91350   
      
   Before we sign off, a reminder that the Dayton Amateur Radio Association is   
   soliciting nominations for its Hamvention awards.  This includes the Amateur   
   of the Year, Special Achievement, Technical Excellence and Club of the Year.    
   Nominations must be received by January 17, 2014. For more information, visit   
   tinyurl.com/hamvention-awards-2014.   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Skeeter   
   Nash, N5ASH, near Houston Texas wishing you a very Happy Holiday season and   
   as always, 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 over the   
   world, this Amateur Radio Newline(tm) message has been gated from the   
   internet and posted to you by Waldo's Place USA, fidonet node 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 related   
   to the actual posting of this message, you may address them to   
   hamfdn(at)wpusa.dynip.com.   
      
   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73- ARNTE-0.1.0-OS2 build 42   
   (text/plain utf-8 base64)   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)