Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1930 - August 8 2014   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1930 with a release date of August 8    
   2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.      
      
   The following is a QST.  Targeted shortwave broadcasting may soon come to an   
   end in the United States; the ARRL issues an update on the Amateur Radio   
   Parity Act; a ham radio floater balloon completes a trip around the world;   
   students get introduced to amateur radio in India and ham radio will again   
   celebrate Hollywood this September.  Find out the details are on Amateur   
   Radio Newsline report number 1930 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)    
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO POLICY:  US COMMITTE FINDINGS CHALLENGE CONTINUING SHORTWAVE BROADCASTS   
      
   Shortwave broadcasting using full carrier AM may be on its way out in the   
   United States.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, is here with   
   the details:    
      
   --   
      
   The United States Broadcasting Board of Governors has released a specially   
   prepared report assessing current and projected use of shortwave radio.    
   This, as a platform for targeted programming by U.S. international media.   
      
   According to the report, United States international media must optimize   
   delivery by audience and market.  While there is still a critical need for   
   shortwave in certain key countries, but it is a medium of marginal and   
   continuously declining impact in most markets.  Even in countries with   
   currently significant levels of shortwave usage, audiences will migrate to   
   other platforms as they become more accessible.   
      
   The report goes on to note Shortwave users generally have viable alternative   
   means of accessing content from the United States.  As such, top target   
   demographic audiences are unlikely to use shortwave exclusively or at all.    
   It also found no evidence that shortwave usage increases during crises.    
   Rather, in these instances target audiences continue to use their existing   
   platforms or seek out anti-censorship tools including online firewall   
   circumvention, private chat software, flash drives, and DVDs to access   
   content.   
      
   The report goes on to note that Shortwave transmission is a relatively   
   expensive platform to operate and maintain.  It also says that Digital   
   Shortwave such as Digital Radio Mondiale is not likely to become an   
   established mass media distribution method in enough of the Broadcast Board   
   of Governors  current or future markets to justify the costs.  As such, the   
   committee supports almost all of the shortwave broadcast reductions   
   previously approved by the Broadcasting Board of Governors under   
   sequestration and the implementation of the Fiscal Year 2014 operating Plan.    
   However, given current situations in Ukraine and other nearby states with   
   large Russian-speaking populations, the Committee recommends revising the   
   Operating Plan and ensuring that shortwave broadcasts to Russia and the   
   Caucasus be continued at current levels, subject to re-evaluation during   
   Fiscal Year 2016's budget formulation processes.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   The bottom line is that the Committee has recommended that the Broadcasting   
   Board of Governors take an aggressive approach to reduce or eliminate   
   shortwave broadcasts where there is either minimal audience reach or the   
   audience is not one based on the Broadcasting Board of Governors support of   
   United States foreign policy.  The complete 44 page report in PDF format can   
   be downloaded at tinyurl.com/BBG-on-shortwave.  (Southgate, Critical Distance   
   Weblog, G0SFJ, others)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  ARRL ISSUE UPDATE ON HR 4969   
      
   The ARRL reports that early efforts on behalf of The Amateur Radio Parity   
   Act known in the House of Representatives as HR 4969 continues to grow.  This   
   according to Dan Henderson, N1ND, who is the League's Regulatory Information   
   Manager.   
      
   In a statement, Henderson said that the organization is very pleased with   
   the initial response, but adds that the more noise we make, the better our   
   chances.   
      
   If enacted into law, HR 4969 would direct the FCC to extend the reasonable   
   accommodation protections to those amateurs who are living in deed-restricted   
   communities.  Known as covenants, conditions and restrictions, these are the   
   prohibitions and limitations placed on properties by builders or home-owner   
   associations which prevent licensed Amateurs from erecting even modest   
   antennas.  HR.4969 would ensure that every radio ham in the US, regardless of   
   the community they live in, would have the opportunity to practice their   
   avocation from their own homes without breaking any rules or fear of reprisal.   
      
   According to Henderson, with Congress on break for the month of August the   
   League is encouraging its members to meet with their representatives while   
   they are home on break and urge their support for HR 4969.  More is on the   
   web at tinyurl.com/parity-update-1   (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE:  FLOATER BALLOON CIRCUMNAVIGATES THE NORTHERN   
   HEMISPHERE   
      
   A ham radio floater balloon carrying an amateur radio payload has   
   successfully circled the world's northern hemisphere as we hear from Amateur   
   Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD:   
      
   --   
      
   It took some 19 days, but at about 16:30 GMT on Friday, July 31, the solar   
   powered B-64 party balloon launched by Leo Bodnar, M0XER crossed the 1 degree   
   West longitude.  In doing so it completed its circumnavigation of the   
   northern hemisphere.     
      
   After crossing the North Atlantic, it was first heard in Greenland by Peter   
   Thulesen, OX3XR, before coming in range of the British Isles.  Oliver De   
   Peyer, M6ODP, happened to be visiting St Michael's Mount in Cornwall at the   
   time.  He used his Kenwood TH-F7E handheld to receive an APRS packet from the   
   balloon.   
      
   As the day progressed B-64 moved from just south of Cornwall up the English   
   Channel.  From there, hams and SWL's from Manchester in the UK to Nantes in   
   France were able to receive the 10 milliwatt Contestia 64 by 1000 and APRS   
   signals on 434.500 MHz.   
      
   B-64 passed over the Isle of Wight and floated over Bognor Regis and across   
   Kent heading out into the North Sea near Herne Bay.     
      
   As of Friday night, August 1st it was still flying and transmitting.  If   
   it's still afloat when you hear this newscast you can track its whereabouts   
   on-line at spacenear.us and clicking on thee icon for B-64.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   As previously reported, unlike their high altitude cousins that can reach   
   altitudes of over 120,000 feet, floater balloons like B-64 are far smaller.    
   Most are those silverized party balloons equipped with micro power ham radio   
   tracking gear and follow the jetstream at altitudes of between 20,000 to   
   40,000 feet.  Leo Bodnar, M0XER, has become one of ham radio's recognized   
   experts in this field with his latest success being the round the world   
   flight of B-64.  (ANS, Southgate)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING:  ITALY ISSUES SPECTRUM CONSULTATION THAT MAY IMPACT HAM RADIO   
      
   The Italian Ministry of Economic Development has announced a public   
   consultation on proposed changes to that nation's radio frequency spectrum   
   plan.  For ham radio, this includes such items as incorporating the final   
   acts of the 2012 World Radiocommunications Conference and resolutions made by   
   the European Commission back in 2011.     
      
   Also being considered are decisions of the European Conference of Postal and   
   Telecommunications along with other items to meet Italy's telecommunications   
   needs.     
      
   A consultation in Europe is the equivalent of a Notice of Proposed Rule   
   Making here in the United Stats.  In the case residents of Italy have until   
   September 5th to file comments.  (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  N7NG AND OH2BH TO LEAD UPCOMING HEARD ISLABD DXPEDITION   
      
   Next years Heard Island DXpedition will definitely take place.  This   
   according to a press release on the VK0EK web page that says that an informal   
   agreement has been made with Wayne Mills, N7NG, and Martti Laine, OH2BH, to   
   lead the Heard Island radio DXpedition team.     
      
   The release goes on to say that the duo will have complete authority and   
   responsibility to build the team, interface with the DXing community, manage   
   radio operations on Heard Island, and other issues relating to the radio part   
   of the expedition.   
      
   Matters that concern the entire expedition planning such as safety,   
   scheduling, logistics, communications, facilities, and finances will remain   
   the responsibility of the Expedition Leader, Robert Schmieder, KK6EK.    
   Schmieder is the founder and Expedition Leader of Cordell Expeditions, which   
   is a nonprofit research group begun in 1977.    
      
   This latest operation will be centered on a scientific expedition to Heard   
   Island during the Austral summer of 2015 to 2016.  A formal agreement will be   
   completed in the near future that specifies the various roles and   
   responsibilities of all involved.  More information will be provided as it   
   becomes available and posted to the DXpedition web page at VK0EK.org.  (OPDX,   
   vk0ek.org, heardisland.org)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Baton Rouge Amateur   
   Radio Club repeater serving Baton Rouge, Louisiana.     
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  FEMA TO HOLD NEXT EAS TEST IN 2015   
      
   FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Program Management or Eye   
   Paws Office is targeting late 2015 for another national Emergency Alert   
   System or EAS test.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   Phase One of the planning for such a national Emergency Activation System   
   test has already occurred.  This, with the bench testing of the transmission,   
   encoding and decoding of a Common Alerting Protocol EAS message with a   
   National Protocol Test header at the IPAWS Lab in southern Maryland.     
      
   Phase Two will involve sending a Common Alerting Protocol EAS message with   
   through Eye Paws Open system in a closed test in West Virginia.    
      
   The Federal Emergency Management Agency's IPAWS personnel have already met   
   with several West Virginia emergency management officials to discuss such a   
   plan.  FEMA IPAWS conducted similar tests in Alaska before the previous   
   national test that was held back in 2011.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   An in-depth look at the planning for this next evaluation of the EAS warning   
   system is on the web at tinyurl.com/EAS-test-2015.   (RW, bdr.net, others)   
      
   **   
      
      
   RADIO LAW:  ARRESTS MADE FOR FLYING SMALL DRONES OVER GEORGE WASHINGTON   
   BRIDGE   
      
   Radio remote controlled drone aircraft flown by members of the general   
   public are in the news again and not in a very positive light.  This with   
   word that New York City  police recently arrested two men for operating a   
   pair of small drone aircraft over the George Washington Bridge on Monday July   
   7th one of which nearly hit a police helicopter.    
      
   The New York Police's Aviation Unit helicopter was on patrol around 12:15   
   a.m. when it spotted one of the unmanned aircraft near the bridge. The drone   
   continued to circle forcing the chopper to swerve to avoid it.  Police said   
   that one of the drones which were operated by remote control came within 800   
   feet of the police aircraft.   
      
   The Aviation Unit followed the drones north as they landed near Fort Tryon   
   Part a few miles north of the bridge and overlooking the Hudson River.    
   Police on the ground then arrested two men and charged them reckless   
   endangerment.     
      
   The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet set standards for certifying   
   the safety of civilian drones.  As previously reported that agency is   
   currently looking into creating regulations for their use, but there is very   
   strong opposition coming from many sectors that believe these devices are a   
   menace to public safety.  (Various published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HISTORY:  HELP NEEDED TO PRESERVE THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CSVHFS   
      
   If you were living near Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1965 or Sand Spring,   
   Oklahoma in 1966, you may be able to assist in compiling a history what is   
   now the Central States VHF Society.  That's because those are the cities   
   where the first unofficial get-togethers took place.  Also sought are   
   photographs, color slides, home movies of those gatherings and similar   
   material of the very first formal conference held near Tulsa in 1968.  That   
   was the event where the decision was made to officially incorporate the group   
   as the Central States VHF Society.   
      
   According to Bill Smith, W0WOI, if you were, or know of any early Central   
   States VHF Society Cattendee, please take a few moments to e-mail him so a   
   list of those attending the early gatherings can be assembled.  And if you   
   happen to have any historic materials of any of these events please let Bill   
   know so that he can make arrangements to copy them for posterity.  You can   
   contact Bill Smith by e-mail directly to W0WOI (at) AOL dot com.  Any help in   
   this project is sincerely appreciated.  (VHF Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  HAM RADIO CELEBRATES HOLLYWOOD TO BE REPRISED ON SEPTEMBER   
   28    
      
   The popular operating event Ham Radio Celebrates Hollywood will be reprised   
   on Sunday, September 28th from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Pacific Time.  This, from   
   Stage 9 of the CBS Studio Center facility in Studio City, California.  Bill   
   Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with more:   
      
   --   
      
   For those not aware, Studio Center is a historic venue where such hit   
   programs as Seinfeld, Spin City, the Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Defenders   
   originated.  Before that it was the home of many early films including those   
   produced by the legendary Max Sennett.   
      
   Currently it is the home of the hit ABC situation comedy Last Man Standing   
   that stars Tim Allen as the operator of a sporting goods store in Colorado   
   who also happens to be a ham radio operator with the call letters KA0XTT.  As   
   such, ham radio has been a part of the shows plotline in past episodes.   
      
   The amateur radio gear seen as props on the show is actually operational and   
   was used by members of the Southern California-based PAPA System for the   
   first Ham Radio Celebrates Hollywood operation held back in October of 2012.    
   Once again the call K-6-H will be used for this Septembers outing with   
   operations taking place on HF, VHF, UHF, D-STAR, Echolink and I-R-L-P.     
      
   It should be noted that this is not a contest.  Rather it is a fun   
   opportunity for hams world-wide to talk directly to the stage on the   
   equipment seen on "Last Man Standing" each week.  A special, limited edition   
   QSL card will be issued to all confirmed contacts.  A schedule of operating   
   times and frequencies will be announced shortly.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   For more information contact concerning K6H keep an eye on the PAPA System   
   website at www (dot) papasys (dot) com.  Also, the complete and very   
   interesting account of Studio Center's past and present can be found on the   
   web at tinyurl.com/Studio-Center-History.  (PAPA, Facebook)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: 62 STUDENTS IN INDIA GET INTRODUCED TO HAM RADIO   
      
   61 students and 5 staff members from Department of Electronics and   
   Communication Engineering at India's Vardhaman College of Engineering   
   participated in an Amateur Radio Awareness program.  This held on Saturday,   
   August 2nd under the auspices of that nation's National Institute of Amateur   
   Radio.     
      
   During the event, attendees enjoyed a screening of the video titled A Day in   
   the Life of a Ham followed by presentation on amateur radio.  Various   
   communications modes used by hams were then demonstrated.  These included   
   Slow Scan television, Digipan and various forms of VHF communications.     
      
   Nest up those attending were invited to participate in a mini fox hunt held   
   in the National Institute of Amateur Radio campus.  All in all, a day of   
   complete immersion of the students in our world of amateur radio.  (NAIR)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  COUNTDOWN TO A RECORD ILLW   
      
   With only a few days to go to the International Lighthouse and Lightship   
   Weekend, only 90 registrations are needed for it to be another record year.   
      
   The annual event, that began in 1998 with 158 registrations, has continually   
   gained in popularity.  Now a days there are usually some 500 entries from 50   
   countries throughout the world taking part.   
      
   Several nations, including Aruba, Austria, Cuba, Gibraltar and Lithuania   
   have only recently joined.   In the lead this year is the United States with   
   80 registrants, followed by Germany and Australia both with 62.   
      
   International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend will be held August 16th and   
   17th.  To register a lighthouse or lightship for the event simply take your   
   web browser to illw.net.   (VK3PC)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  G3YJO BECOMES CHAIR OF SURREY SPACE CENTRE   
      
   Some names in the news.  First up this week is Professor Sir Martin   
   Sweeting, G3YJO, who is to take up the position of Chair of Surrey Space   
   Center in the U-K.  In a public statement, Professor Sweeting said that the   
   Surrey Space Center has been steadily expanding its staff and activities.  As   
   such his new role as Chair will enable him to better help with the strategic   
   research planning and external relations, as well as mentoring staff and   
   students.  It was also announced that Professor Guglielmo Aglietti will take   
   on the role of Director of the Center.  (SSC)   
      
   **    
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  ZS6YH TO RECEIVE IARU YOUNG HAM AWARD   
      
   Michel Mynhardt, ZS6YH, the SARL youth coordinator, has been awarded the   
   Outstanding Young Radio Amateur of the Year Award by IARU Region 1.  Mynhardt   
   became a radio amateur in his early teens and has been active on both local   
   and international competitions.  He has served the East Rand Radio Club as   
   youth coordinator and was for the past six years also involved with the   
   scouting Jamboree on the Air.  The award will be presented to ZS6YH at the   
   Radio Technology in Action Symposium by the IARU Secretary, Dennis Green,   
   ZS4BS.  (SARL)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
      
   WORLDBEAT: MALAYSIAN RADIO COMMISSION PRAISES HAM RADIO   
      
   In news from around the world. the National News Agency of Malaysia reports   
   that nation currently has 11,626 amateur radio operators who can offer help   
   in emergencies or natural disasters.     
      
   Roszeta Kassim is the head of the Southern Region of the Malaysian   
   Communications and Multimedia Commission Southern Region.  She told the   
   newspaper that the Malaysian peninsular has 9,919 licensed operators,   
   including 1090 in Melaka and Johor.  Also that Sabah had 1487 and Sarawak,   
   220.    
      
   Roszeta said the amateur radio operators play an important role to help the   
   authorities during emergencies and disasters.  She went on to cite the 2007   
   situation in Johor was it was hit by massive flooding.  At that time a group   
   of amateur radio operators offered assistance as the cellular network was   
   disrupted.   (BERNAMA.COM)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  BBC WORLD WAR 1 AT HOME EVENTS   
      
   The British Broadcasting Corporation says that it will mark the centenary of   
   World War One with a series of events running through 2018.  This summer BBC   
   Learning will create eight large-scale inspirational Great War events which   
   will take place throughout the UK.  These will reflect the dramatic impact   
   the war had on local families and communities.  (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AMSAT-UK SPACE COLLOQUIUM VIDEOS NOW AVAILABLE   
      
   Thanks to the volunteers from the British Amateur Television Club videos of   
   the presentations given to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium held   
   in Guildford on July 26th and 27th are now available to view online or   
   download.  Links to the presentation videos, slides and the schedule are at   
   tinyurl.com/2014-coloq-video  (ANS)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AMSAT TO USE FUNDRAZR CROWDFUNDING FOR FOX-1C   
      
   AMSAT has announced that it will be using the Fund Razr crowd funding   
   platform to accept donations for the Fox-1C CubeSat.  AMSAT has an immediate   
   need to raise funds to cover both the launch contract and additional   
   materials for construction and testing for Fox-1C.     
      
   As previously reported, AMSAT has teamed with Spaceflight Inc. for   
   integration and launch utilizing Spaceflight's SHERPA system to place the   
   cubesat into a sun-synchronous orbit in the third quarter of 2015.  More on   
   the funding campaign is on the web at tinyurl.com/help-launch-one-c.  (AMSAT)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO FROM SPACE:  NASA'S MARS 2020 ROVER GAINS SEVEN NEW INSTRUMENTS FOR   
   EXPLORATION   
      
   NASA plans to add advanced technology to its next Mars rover scheduled to   
   launch in 2020.  Reportedly it will carry tools that will allow it to explore   
   the surface of the Red Planet in different ways than ever before.    
      
   The space agency says that the next rover will likely have seven research   
   instruments.  These include what is called a Mastcam-Z, a SuperCam, a   
   Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry and four others.     
      
   The Mastcam-Z is described as an advanced camera system with panoramic and   
   stereoscopic imaging capability.  It will be used to determine mineralogy of   
   the Martian surface and assist with rover operations.   
      
   The Super Cam is an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical   
   composition analysis, and mineralogy.  The instrument will also be able to   
   detect the presence of organic compounds in rocks from a distance.    
      
   Meantime, the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry is a   
   fluorescence spectrometer that will also contain an imager with high   
   resolution.  It will be used to determine the fine scale elemental   
   composition of Martian surface materials.   
      
   The new Mars 2020 rover is part the agency's Mars Exploration Program, which   
   includes the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers, the Odyssey and Mars   
   Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft and the soon to arrive MAVEN orbiter.    
   (NASA)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  GB2VJ SPECIAL EVENT STATION TO MARK V-J DAY   
      
   On the air, members of the Essex CW Group will be operating special event   
   station GB2VJ from August 8 to September 4 to mark World War 2's Victory over   
   Japan or V-J Day.  GB2VJ's  operations will be on the lower HF bands using   
   only CW.  More information on the club and this event is on the web at   
   sites.google.com/site/essexcw.  (Essex CW Club)   
      
   **   
      
      
   ON THE AIR:  PANAMA CANAL 100TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EVENT   
      
   Hams in Panama are currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of the   
   opening of the Panama Canal on August 15th 1914.  To commemorate centennial,   
   special event station HO100CANAL will be operational through this August   
   15th.  Listen out for this special station on 160 through 10 meters using CW,   
   SSB and RTTY.  QSL's go via HP1AVS.  (Various)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, word that KB5FLA will be on the air stroke PJ7 from Sint Maarten   
   until August 12th.  Activity is holiday style on 40 and 20 meters using CW   
   and SSB. QSL via his home callsign direct or electronically via Logbook to   
   the World or eQSL.   
      
   DJ8NK signing GJ0VNK and F6EXV as MJ0EXV will be operational from Jersey   
   Island between August 8th to the 12th.  Activity will be on all bands 160   
   through 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  There is the possibility   
   that the duo could turn up on 60 meters as well.  Logs will be uploaded to   
   ClubLog and Logbook to the World.  QSL via their home callsigns, direct or   
   via the bureau.    
      
   ON4BR will be active as D44TLO from the Windward Islands between August 16th   
   and the 23rd.  Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters using CW only.  QSL   
   via his home callsign.   
      
   G3ZVW will be active as ZD8N from Georgetown on Assencion Island between   
   August 21st and the 29th.  Operations will be on 80 through 10 meters using   
   CW, SSB and the Digital modes.  QSL via his home callsign either direct or   
   via the bureau.   
      
   WB6OJB and K5LBU will be an the air as C81AK and C81CF, respectively from   
   Tenda Tora Lodge in Bilene between August 25th and September 2nd.  WB6JOB   
   will be operating on SSB and CW, while K5LBU will be on PSK and possibly   
   RTTY.  QSL's for this one go to each operators home address or via Logbook to   
   the World.   
      
   Lastly, down the road a bit comes word that K8PGJ will be operational stroke   
   as FO from Bora Bora between February 15th and the 24th of 2015.  Plans are   
   for him to operate holiday style on the High Frequency bands. QSL via his   
   home callsign either direct, via the bureau or electronically using Logbook   
   to the World.   
      
   (This weeks DX news courtesy of the Ohio-Penn DX Newsletter)   
      
   **   
      
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  ELON MUSK PLEDGES 1,000,000 TO TESLA MUSEUM   
      
   And finally this week, it looks as if the creation of the Tesla Science   
   Center and Museum in Shoreham, New York, has gotten another step closer to   
   reality.  This thanks to a well known entrepreneur who truly believes in   
   celebrating the past as well as planning the future.  Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The effort to build a science center and museum in honor of the legendary   
   scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla has received a special gift.  This after   
   it was announced that Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and inventor behind   
   electric-car company Tesla Motors and the aerospace company Space X had   
   pledged $1 million to the Tesla Science Center Museum in Shoreham, New York.   
      
   The back story goes this way.  Matt Inman is the originator of the web-comic   
   The Oatmeal.  In 2012 he created a tribute to Tesla titled: "Why Nikola Tesla   
   was the greatest geek who ever lived."  Inman also started the fundraising   
   campaign to purchase the Shoreham Wardenclyffe Tower which was Tesla's former   
   laboratory in New York, and convert it into a museum.  The campaign raised   
   $1.37 million in 45 days, far surpassing the $850,000 goal.     
      
   The land to build the museum was successfully purchased in 2013 by Tesla   
   Science Center at Wardenclyffe.  This is a nonprofit group that had been   
   trying to acquire the property for 18 years.  But getting the property was   
   only the first step.     
      
   This past May, Inman did a cartoon review of the Tesla Motors Model S   
   automobile.  At the conclusion Inman referred to the company's namesake and   
   included what he called a teensy request to Elon Musk.  While Musk had   
   contributed to first fundraiser, monies were still needed to perform the   
   extensive renovation of the land and build the science center and museum   
   itself.    
      
   Within hours of the comic being posted, Musk sent Inman a message on Twitter   
   that simply said that he would be happy to help.  Ironically, Musk's donation   
   came just in time for the celebration of what would have been Nikola Tesla's   
   158th birthday.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   In addition to the donation toward creating the museum, complex dot com   
   reports that moinies will also be included to build a charging station in the   
   parking lot, so that owners of Tesla's electric automobiles can charge them   
   quickly while they visit the facility.  (complex.com, Slashdot.org, other   
   published reports)   
      
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