Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1914 - April 18, 2014   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1914 with a release date of April 18   
   2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.      
      
   The following is a QST.  The new Digital Ham Video system on the   
   International Space Station is fully commissioned; another shortwave intruder   
   is found in the 40 meter band; United Kingdom hams petition their   
   telecommunications regulator to get back to enforcing the rules; Vietnam   
   confirms expanded ham radio spectrum; the Crimea will not count as a new DXCC   
   entity and radio is used to wake up a comet exploration probe.  Find out the   
   details are on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1914 coming your way   
   right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)    
      
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW ISS  DIGITAL HAM VIDEO FULLY COMMISSIONED   
      
   --   
      
   KC5ZTA from the ISS:  "It is my pleasure to proceed to the Ham Video's   
   functional commissioning.  I feel honored to inaugurate this new amateur   
   radio educational facility which will enhance space conversations between   
   crew members and students.  I congratulate ARISS for this acquisition and I   
   wish Ham Video a long life and plenty of successful school conmtacts."   
      
   --   
      
   That's the voice of International Space Station Commander Koichi Wakata,   
   KC5ZTA, operating station OR4ISS from the International Space Station.  This,   
   during the live ceremony commissioning the new digital Ham Video station on   
   board the orbiting outpost.   
      
   Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, is the ARISS Europe chairman.  In a press release   
   Bertels said that at 18:23 UTC on Sunday, April 13th that Commander Wakata   
   placed the digital Ham Video system into full operation while ground monitors   
   G4KLB, F6DZP, IK1SLD and others received the signal.  It was also streamed   
   live over the British Amateur Radio Club's video server.    
      
   The high quality digital amateur television signal was received for about 6   
   minutes.   
   During that time Commander Wakata answered a series of questions that had   
   been prepared in the manner of a school contact and performed a microgravity   
   experiment.  Here's just a quick sample:   
      
   --   
      
   KC5ZTA from the ISS:    
      
   "First question 'Is it noisy in Columbus?'     
      
   "(Answer) No, it is very quiet and comfortable to work in Columbus.   
      
   "Second question:  'Is there a constant airflow that one can feel?'    
      
   "(Answer) Yes.  We have intra-module ad inter-module ventilation and we can   
   feel a constant airflow in the ISS."   
   --   
      
   The full commissioning of the Ham Video system recorded and is now on-line   
   at several sources for anyone to watch.  One is on YouTube at   
   tinyurl.com/new-iss-ham-video  (ON4WF with audio from YouTube)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  RADIO HARGEISHA ON THE 40 METER BAND   
      
   The IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports interference from broadcast   
   stations to amateur radio operations in the hobby's exclusive segment of the   
   40 meter band.  The report notes that the source of the interfering signals   
   has been traced to Radio Hargeisha in Somaliland on 7120 kHz and Khartoum in   
   the Sudan on 7200 kHz.  The complete International Amateur Radio Union   
   Monitoring System Region newsletter can be read at    
   http://www.iarums-r1.org/iarums/news2014/news1403.pdf   (IARU-R1)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  UK HAMS PETITION OFCOM TO TAKE ON REPEATER PROBLEM   
      
   Over in the United Kingdom, the Southgate News reports that a petition is   
   being circulated in the hope of getting the telecommunications regulator back   
   into the ham radio enforcement business.  At least in regard to one repeater   
   that is reportedly suffering from user abuse.  Amateur Radio Newsline's   
   Heather Embee, KB3TZD, has more:   
      
   --   
      
   The petition from the UK ham community to telecommunications regulator Ofcom   
   reads as follows and we quote:    
      
   "As you are aware, the GB3PZ amateur radio repeater has been plagued by,   
   amongst others, a particular unlicensed individual for many months.  Through   
   lack of action by yourselves, you are effectively allowing him / them to   
   continue to prevent licensed operators using it.   
      
   "Most licensed users of GB3PZ are now very frustrated by the lack of any   
   help from Ofcom in this matter.  Action is long overdue, and an example needs   
   to be made, to prevent copycat abusers.   
      
   "The repeater keeper has invested a considerable sum in the development of   
   what was once a very popular repeater, which is now in danger of becoming a   
   white-elephant.   
      
   "The address of the most prolific abuser has been located, and provided to   
   yourselves some months ago.  We ask you to take action now!"     
      
   According to Southgate, after the 2008 through 2009 fiscal year, Ofcom   
   ceased publishing its Prosecution and Formal Warning Statistics and removed   
   all prosecution statistics from its website.  Some U-K hams have openly   
   speculated that the reason these statistics are no longer available is   
   because the regulatory body had stopped undertaking enforcement action, at   
   least in regard to those instances involving amateur radio.  The ham radio   
   community contends that this is a breach of the United Kingdom's Wireless   
   Telegraphy Act of 2006.    
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,   
   Pennsylvania.   
      
      
   --   
      
   As we go to air there's been no statement from Ofcom in regard to this   
   petition or what enforcement action it might eventually take.  (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: INTERNATIONAL SHORTWAVE BROADCASTING DISASTER TEST   
      
   Members of the amateur radio and shortwave listening communities are invited   
   to take part as monitoring stations in the upcoming High Frequency   
   Coordination Commission of the International Radio for Disaster Relief or   
   IDAR project.  This event will take place during the Media Summit on Climate   
   Change, Information, Communication Technologies and Disaster Risk Reduction   
   slated Jakarta, Indonesia on June 4th and 5th.  The exercise will simulate a   
   major disaster occurring in Southeast Asia, and  multiple international   
   broadcasters will be cooperating to support  coordinated humanitarian   
   coverage for the impacted region.  As such, SWL reports will be very much   
   welcome.  More is on the web at tinyurl.com/IDAR-2014.   (ReliefAnalysis.com,   
   WIA News)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  VIETMAM CONFIRMS HAM RADIO SPECTRUM EXPANSION   
      
   Some previously rumored news regarding spectrum expansion for hams in   
   Vietnam is now official.  Following the new national radio band plan   
   published in november 2013 and now signed by the nations president,   
   Vietnamese amateurs can now apply to operate between 7100 KHz and 7200 KHz on   
   40 meters.  This in addition to 7000 to 7100 KHz that they already had.   
      
   But that's not all.  On 80 meters the band now runs from 3500 to 3900 KHz   
   which is an increase of 100 KHz, and on 30 meters from 10.1 to 10.15 MHz.    
   And more remarkably, the Vietnamese Amateur Radio Club says hams in that   
   nation have also been officially granted access to 472 to 479 KHz on 600   
   meters in addition to 1800 to 2000 KHz on 160.   
      
   There's only one caveat.  To gain access to this new spectrum, hams in   
   Vietnam must apply to use of each of these new or expanded band when they get   
   or renew their license.  More information is on the web at   
   http://varc.radioclub.asia  (VARC Radio Club of Asia, DXNL)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  THE CRIMEA WILL NOT COUNT AS A SEPARATE DXCC ENTITY   
      
   In DX up front, word that the Crimea will not be counted as a separate   
   entity for DXCC credit.     
      
   After the Crimea voted last month to break way from the Ukraine to become a   
   part of the Russian Federation, the ARRL Awards committee was tasked with   
   evaluating the situation against the DXCC rules.  Its findings are that   
   neither Russia nor the Ukraine is a rare entity and the vast majority of   
   confirmations used for DXCC credit for either do not involve Crimea.    
      
   In other words, a QSL with a call sign issued by the administration of   
   Ukraine and showing the entity name as Ukraine counts as Ukraine.  A QSL with   
   a call sign issued by the administration of Russia and showing the entity   
   name as Russia counts as Russia.  A QSL that satisfies neither condition does   
   not count for either entity.  This means the Crimea is not a DXCC entity unto   
   itself.   (ARRL DXCC)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  CAMB-HAMS TO OPERATE GS3PYE/P FROM ISLE OF LEWIS   
      
   Thirteen members of Camb-Hams group will be operating GS3PYE/P from the Isle   
   of Lewis from April 26th April to May 3rd.  The Isle of Lewis is the northern   
   part of Lewis and Harris and is the largest island of the Outer Hebrides of   
   Scotland.  Activity will be on 80 through 2 meters using all bands and modes.   
   A pair of 2 meter to 70 centimeter and 2 meter to 23 centimeter station's   
   will be dedicated to satellite contacts.  2 meter and 23 cm EME will be   
   attempted using a low power portable station into yagi antennas with this   
   part of the operation mainly focused on digital operation using modes   
   developed by Joe Taylor, K1JT.  In addition to the ham bands the group will   
   be active on the major social networks before, during and after the trip.    
   You can check on progress or interact with the operators via their blog at   
   dx.camb-hams.com.  (RSGB)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  VK9MT MELLISH REEF APPROVED FOR DXCC   
      
   And while it did not last as long as its planners had hoped but the good   
   news is that the recently concluded VK9MT operation from Mellish Reef has   
   been approved for DXCC credit.  Once the confirmation is in your hands you   
   can request credit for having made contact with VK9MT.   DXCC)   
      
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N5YYU repeater   
   serving Clinton Arkansas.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  MANHATTAN U.S. ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES SEIZURE OF RADIO EQUIPMENT   
   FROM ALLEGED PIRATE RADIO STATIONS   
      
   United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara   
   and FCC Acting Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc have announced the   
   unsealing of two complaints.  Both seeking the forfeiture of radio   
   transmission and production equipment that was allegedly used in the illegal   
   broadcast of pirate radio stations on a total of four different FM   
   frequencies in the metro New York City area.  This was followed by an April   
   2nd raid by FCC agents and Deputy U.S. Marshals who served warrants and   
   seized the radio transmission and production equipment identified at two   
   separate locations in the metro New York City area.   
      
   According to the complaints made public in Manhattan federal court, and   
   various unsealed documents associated with the two warrants, FCC agents had   
   identified a commercial space on West 181st Street in the Bronx as the   
   production studio for Rika FM which the FCC says was  illegally broadcasting   
   its programming on 94.5 and 94.9 MHZ.  FCC agents also identified a residence   
   on St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan as the location of the radio transmission   
   equipment by means of which Rika FM was also illegally broadcast.  Those   
   frequencies were not announced.     
      
   According to the FCC's LeBlanc, these alleged pirate radio stations were   
   for-profit businesses that broke the law to line their own pockets while   
   disrupting legitimate broadcasters.  LeBlanc added that they should be out of   
   business and off the air.     
      
   What further punitive action may be taken against the operators of these   
   stations is at this time unknown.   (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  CITATION ISSUED FOR OPERATION ON NON ASSIGNED FREQUENCY   
      
   The FCC has issued an official citation to CAM Electronics Distributing,   
   Inc. for programming into a transmitter frequencies for which the operator of   
   the device was not authorized in violation of Section 90.427(b) of the   
   Commission's rules.     
      
   This past January 28th, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's New York    
   Office conducted an investigation and observed Private Land Mobile Station   
   WPZV506 transmitting on 455.500 MHz from the 30th Street Men's Shelter on   
   East 30th Street in Manhattan.  The FCC says that the license for that   
   station does not authorize operation on 455.500 MHz.  A representative from   
   FJC Security Corporation to whom the license is issued informed the agents   
   that its radio vendor, CAM Electronics Distributing had programmed the   
   frequency into its radio equipment.  In a subsequent telephone conversation   
   on January 29th and in an e-mail on February 20th, a CAM representative   
   acknowledged that the company had programmed the radio transmitting equipment   
   that FJC Security Corporation was using.     
      
   Now, in issuing the citation to CAM the FCC has told the company that if it   
   again violates Section 90.427(b) of the Rules, the Commission may impose   
   monetary forfeitures not to exceed $16,000 for each such violation or each   
   day of a continuing violation, and up to $122,500 for any single act.  In   
   addition, further violations can result in seizure of equipment as well as   
   criminal sanctions, including imprisonment.  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  MARYLAND CITY GETS TO RADIO STATIONS FOR SERIOUS SITUATION   
   ALERTS   
      
   Ocean City, Maryland officials have announced that the resort town will be   
   getting into the radio business.  This by acquiring two FM stations through a   
   FEMA sponsored hazard mitigation grant.   
      
   The FM stations that Ocean City has just acquired with a $55,000 grant could   
   be live by summer.  Once operational they will be primarily used as a way to   
   get out critical emergency information in the event of massive storms like   
   Hurricane Sandy and Irene that rocked the resort in consecutive years.   
      
   Ocean City officials say those two storms showed just how ineffective the   
   town's longstanding AM station was in disseminating critical emergency   
   information.  They believe that these two FM stations, which will broadcast   
   out of the Ocean City Public Safety building, will provide the emergency   
   dissemination channels needed.   (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO BUSINESS:  VIBROPLEX LLC TO DISTRIBUTE SSB-ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS IN   
   UNITED STATES AND CANADA   
      
   Germany's SSB-Electronic GmbH and Vibroplex LLC here in the United States   
   have announced an exclusive agreement for Vibroplex to distribute the   
   SSB-Electronic product line in north America.     
      
   Vibroplex is the oldest continuously operating business in amateur radio,   
   founded Horace Martin, inventor of the semi-automatic Morse Code key in 1905.   
   The company is now located in Knoxville, Tennessee and continues to   
   manufacture the original Martin key as well as a complete line of some 30   
   keys including bugs, iambic paddles, single-lever paddles and traditional   
   straight keys.     
      
   On the other side of the Atlantic SSB-Electronic is well-known for its range   
   of VHF high performance products including both standard and auto-switchable   
   receive preamps, sequencers and switches.  It also produces the Ecoflex(tm)   
   coaxial cable, the Zeus ZS-1 SDR transceiver and a line of VHF preamps and   
   accessory equipment.    
      
   A completely revamped product line has been released for 2014.  You can find   
   that and more on the web at www.vibroplex.com.   (Press Release)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO BUSINESS: SANGEAN TURNS 40   
      
   And a very Happy Birthday to the Sangean Company which is marking the   
   company's 40th year of operation.  The Los Angeles based Sangean USA is best   
   known to hams and SWL's for its shortwave and long-wave receiver designs   
   including the iconic ATS-803A.  A private label version of the ATS-803A was   
   sold by Radio Shack as the Realistic DX-440 with both still in demand on the   
   used gear market.  Since then, Sangean has expanded its product line and now   
   includes AM/FM, HD Radio, DAB and DAB+, and Internet connectivity receivers   
   as well as pocket, portable and utility tuners.  (RW, ARNewsline)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO SOFTWARE:  MACLOGGERDX VERSION 5.53 RELEASED   
      
   Mac users take note.  Dog Park Software has released version 5.53 of its Mac   
   Logger DX.  The new version includes Direct Apple Script logging from Mac   
   Doppler; added CW Macro file blank line separators; faster split setting; a   
   new Google Maps API and much more.  More is on the web at   
   dogparksoftware.com/MacLoggerDX.html  (WSI)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO EDUCATION:  HAM RADIO IN INDIA SCHOOL TEXT BOOK   
      
   Amateur radio is featured in the 9th grade school book "Our World Through   
   English" published by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India.  A four-page   
   section concentrates on the Disaster and Emergency Communications   
   capabilities of amateur radio.  For those interested the book it is available   
   via the web at tinyurl.com/india-ham-schoolbook for 35 Rupees which is about   
   60 cents in United States currency plus shipping.  (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO EDUCATION:  SIMPLE WEBSITE TO ASSIST NEW HAMS   
      
   Miles Burke, VK6MAB, has put together a web site for those who are   
   considering taking  up ham radio as a hobby, or for those who have recently   
   got their license and want to learn more.  The site is written in plain   
   language and avoids all of the specialized ham speak words that often confuse   
   newcomers to the hobby.  And while located down-under in Australia, its   
   definitely a site for newcomers and those wanting to become hams living   
   anywhere in the world.  You can sample it for yourself at   
   www.enjoyhamradio.com  (WIA News)   
      
   **   
      
   SOCIAL SCENE:  THE 2014 ARRL ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION CONVENTION CHANGES DATE   
   AND VENUE   
      
   Due to circumstances beyond planner's control, the 2014 Rocky Mountain   
   Division ARRL Convention planned for Laramie, Wyoming as been cancelled.    
   Instead for this year it's been merged into the famed Duke City Hamfest   
   slated to take place August 8th to the 10th in Albuquerque, New Mexico.    
      
   The Duke City Hamfest is an annual three-day Amateur Radio convention this   
   year to be held at the Hotel Albuquerque which is one of the Duke City's   
   largest hotel and convention venues.  Details of the hamfest are on the web   
   at dukecityhamfest.org.  A separate website for the ARRL Rocky Mountain   
   Division aspect of the gathering is reported to be under construction.  (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  NOBEL LAUREATE K1JT REOPENS RESTORED RADIO TELESCOPE   
      
   Some names in the news.  First up is Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, who   
   was the guest of honor at the ceremony to reopen the restored 25 meter   
   Dwingeloo radio telescope in the Netherlands.  With the renovation complete,   
   the radio telescope will be used by amateur radio experimenters, amateur   
   astronomers and budding researchers.  It had previously been used for several   
   years by Dutch radio amateurs for EME work, including stints during past ARRL   
   EME Contests. The dish is already slated to see some amateur radio use on the   
   23 centimeter band.      
   (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  N0JY AND K8UD SELECTED TO FILL VACENCIES CREATED BY THE   
   PASSING OF AA2TX    
      
   In a special meeting held on Tuesday, April 1st, AMSAT Board of Directors   
   unanimously approved the selection of Jerry Buxton, N0JY of Granbury, Texas,   
   as its new Vice President of Engineering.      
      
   N0JY became involved in amateur radio satellites with AO7 and joined AMSAT   
   in April 1983.   He currently holds an Extra Class License and is also   
   licensed in Colombia as HK5JY.  He is also active on terrestrial ham radio   
   from the High Frequency bands through 1.2 GHz.    
      
   Also, Steve Coy, K8UD, of Beavercreek, Ohio, has assumed the seat on the   
   AMSAT Board of Directors formerly held by AA2TX.  Coy was originally elected   
   by the AMSAT membership as a Board alternate in the 2013 election and will   
   hold a voting seat through the next Board election that takes place later   
   this year.    
      
      
   Buxton and Coy replace Tony Monteiro, AA2TX who passed away on March 26th.    
      
   (AMSAT-NA)   
      
   **   
      
   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 and being relayed by the volunteer services of the   
   following radio amateur:   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  ANOTHER DELAY IN SPACEX LAUNCH AFFECTS THE KICKSAT   
   PROJECT   
      
   Another delay in the SpaceX re-supply mission to the International Space   
   Station also put on hold the orbiting of more than 100 tiny short lived   
   satellites called Sprites.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB.,   
   reports:   
      
   --   
      
   The Space X Falcon booster and its Dragon delivery container was last slated   
   to go toward orbit on Monday April 14th.  But the discovery of a last minute   
   technical problem placed the launch on hold until April 18th at the earliest.   
      
      
   In addition to several tons of supplies for the crew on board the ISS, the   
   Dragon is also carrying the Kick-Sat cubesat which in turn is loaded with the   
   Sprite micro birds.  And now comes word that Zac Manchester, KD2BHC, of the   
   KickSat project is offering prizes to the first stations to copy telemetry   
   from KickSat and from the Sprite pico-sats.  The prizes will include a number   
   of articles related to the flight including patches prepared for the mission.   
      
   Unless there are further launch delays, KickSat will release the Sprites on   
   April 30th.  The KickSat mother ships telemetry will be on 437.505 MHz and   
   2401 to 2436.2 MHz.  All of the Sprites are on 437.240 MHz but each Sprite   
   has a unique pair of Pseudo-Random Number or PRN codes that marks its   
   transmissions and allowing those on the ground to tell them apart.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   More information is on this near-space experiment is on the web at   
   tinyurl.com/kicksat and at https://github.com/zacinaction/kicksat/wiki    
   (Southgate, KickSat, others)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE:  GREECE TO LAUNCH HIGH ALTITUDE APRS BALLOON MAY 11   
      
   The special callsign J43VHF will be used by the Greek AELOUS balloon flight   
   slated for May 11th.  As of now, the balloon will be carrying a payload of an   
   APRS transmitter along with QRP gear for 2 and 10 meter CW.     
      
   According to M0LPT, the high altitude balloon will be released from the area   
   of Megalopolis.  It's primary goal is to reach an altitude over 98000 feet to   
   gather propagation data from any station being able to copy its beacons.     
      
   The balloon will provide real time location data on 144.899 MHz and will be   
   trackable on-line at aprs.fi.  Reception reports can be filed on-line at   
   j43vhf.wordpress.com.   (J43VHF team)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  JUNO SPACECRAFT QSL'S ON THEIR WAY   
      
   QSL cards have been sent out to those radio amateurs who participated in the   
   Juno Earth flyby experiment on October 9th of 2013.  During the experiment,   
   hams worldwide were requested to send the word HI in very slow Morse at about   
   1/25th of a word per minute toward the Juno Spacecraft during its Earth   
   flyby. The Juno team confirmed that more than 1400 radio amateurs   
   participated, representing all seven continents.  (NASA, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   VIDEO FROM SPACE: SOHO RADIOS APRIL 2 SOLAR FLARE VIDEO TO EARTH   
      
   NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a stunning video of the mid-level   
   solar flare on April 2nd.  According to the space agency this his particular   
   mid-level flare of  Magnetude M 6.5, erupted from the sun on April 2nd. This   
   video from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the flare in a blend of   
   two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light at 171 Angstroms and 304   
   Angstroms, colorized in yellow and red respectively to make them visible to   
   the human eye.  You can see it for yourself at tinyurl.com/april-solar-flare    
   (NASA)   
      
   **   
      
   ON TH AIR:  HO100CANAL TO CELEBRATE 100 ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANAMA CANAL   
      
   On the air listen out for special event station HO100CANAL between April   
   19th and August 15th to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal.    
   This operation is being sponsored by Radio Amateurs of the Republic of Panama   
   with activity planned on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB, PSK and RTTY.    
   The QSL manager for the operation is HP1AVS.  For more information on the   
   100th anniversary of the Panama Canal, take your web browser to   
   micanaldepanama.com/centennial  (Press release)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  GB0STG CELEBRATES ST. GEORGES DAY   
      
   And a special event station will be on the air on April 23rd to celebrate   
   St. George's Day from the church of St. George and St. Mary at Gresley in the   
   United Kingdom.  GBZ0STG will be operating on the 40 meter band from around   
   09.00 to 18.30 UTC, plus 2 meters and other HF bands if conditions permit.    
   For more information please visit GB0STG on QRZ.com.   (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, E20HHK will lead a group of operators to activate Nu Island in the   
   Southern part of Thailand between April 18th and the morning of April 20th.    
   Nu Island also known as AS-145 is a rare Island on the Air entity in Thailand   
   and was last activated in 2000 as E29DX.  QSL via E21EIC.   
      
   A group of Colombian operators will activate the callsign 5K0M from San   
   Andres Island between April 19th through the 24th.  This operation will take   
   place from the Colombian Red Cross facility with stations on on 40 through 6   
   meters. Their primary purpose is to encourage local amateur radio operators   
   on the island to return to their activities within the hobby.  QSL via   
   HK7IPT.    
      
   Members of the Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club will be operating   
   from Scotland's Isle of Canna from April 21st to the 25th.  Stations will be   
   on 160 through 2 meters using CW, SSB and several data modes.  QSL as   
   directed on the air.   
      
   DL3LUM will be on the air as D44TXU from Santa Maria, Sal Island between   
   April 19th and the 25th.  This operation will be holiday style on 20 meters   
   and up using QRP CW only. QSL via DL3LUM direct or by the DARC QSL bureau.   
      
   Lastly, IW5ELA will again be active stroke TK from Corsica between April   
   25th and May 1st. This operation will be holiday style on 40, 20, 15, 12 and   
   possibly 6 meters as well.  Mode mentioned is mainly CW.  QSL via his home   
   callsign.   
      
   (Above from OPDX and other DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  ESA PHILAE COMET LANDER WAKES UP   
      
   And finally this week, a successful wake-up call has gone out to an   
   interesting space probe and it has responded in the positive as we hear from   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Hal Rogers, K8CMD:   
      
   --   
      
   The Philae lander which Europe hopes to put on the surface of a comet later   
   this year, has been re-activated.  This after three years in deep-space   
   hibernation.     
      
   The small probe is currently riding piggy back on the Rosetta space probe   
   which was launched a decade ago to rendezvous with the Comet 67P and was   
   itself brought out of space sleep in January.  Both have radioed back to   
   controllers that they are healthy and ready for their mission.   
      
   The Rosetta probe and Philae lander should arrive at the ice comet in   
   August.  After a period of mapping, Rosetta will then release Philae in   
   November on its challenging attempt to attach itself to 67P.  Being only 3   
   and one half miles in diameter the comet's gravitational field will be very   
   weak, and the 220 pound lander will use harpoons and ice screws to try to   
   hold itself to the surface of 67P.   
      
   Philae's wake-up is part of a sequence of commissioning activities taking   
   place over the next few weeks.     
      
   I'm Hal Rogers, K8CMD   
      
   --   
      
   The twin scientific space probes are currently 407 million miles from Earth   
   with about 237 million miles to go until they reaches comet 67P.  (BBC,   
   Guardian Liberty)   
      
   **   
      
   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 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.    
   You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), 28197   
   Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350    
      
   Before we go, a reminder that the nominating season for the 2014 Amateur   
   Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now open.   
      
   Created in 1986, this award is offered to recognize the achievements of a   
   radio amateur age 19 or younger for his or her accomplishments in service to   
   the nation, his or her community or to the advancement of the state of the   
   art through amateur radio.     
      
   Nominees must reside in any one of the United States 50 states, its   
   possessions or in any of the 10 Canadian provinces.  Complete details, rules   
   and a required nominating form in Microsoft Word format are available on our   
   website at www.arnewsline.org/yhoty.   Nominating forms can also be obtained   
   by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to Amateur Radio Newsline Inc.,   
   Young Ham of the Year Award, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California,   
   91350.   
      
   Please note that all nominating forms and support documentation become the   
   property of the Amateur Radio Newsline and cannot be returned.  The cutoff   
   date for nominations to be postmarked or electronically filed is Midnight on   
   May 30, 2014.     
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Jeff Clark,   
   K8JAC, in Charleston, West Virginia,  saying 73 and we thank you for   
   listening.     
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2014.  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)   
      
      
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