Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1939 - October 10 2014   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1939 with a release date of October 3rd   
   2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.      
      
   The following is a QST.  The IARU Administrative council meets to plan for   
   WRC 2015; a California radio amateur shares the Nobel Prize in Chemistry; ham   
   radio moon mission payload on its way to China and a British floater balloon   
   is still circling the world.  Find out the details are on Amateur Radio   
   Newsline report number 1939 coming your way right now.   
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)    
      
   **   
      
   RADIO POLITICS:  IARU ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL PLANS FOR WRC-15   
      
   The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union has   
   released the minutes of its annual meeting on September 27th and 28th in   
   Bulgaria.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the details:   
   --   
      
   The meeting began with the Administrative Council reviewing the   
   International Amateur Radio Union's positions on each of the 2015 World   
   Radiocommunications Conference agenda items that relate to amateur radio or   
   may have an impact on amateur radio.  The Council then made a number of   
   modifications to the paper related to justifications for the IARU positions   
   which in turn were to be forwarded to all member-societies.     
      
   The gathering then reviewed the participation of IARU at the upcoming 2015   
   World Radiocommunications Conference after which President Tim Ellam, VE6SH   
   announced the members of the team that will represent the organization at the   
   WRC 2015 gathering.  The Council also adopted a system to provide more   
   efficient remote monitoring of certain ITU meetings that may impact on   
   amateur radio.   
      
   In other actions, the Council expressed its support for a Region 1 effort to   
   obtain a European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations   
   or CEPT proposal for a number of post-WRC-15 conference agenda items.  These   
   include worldwide harmonization of 160 meters and 6 meters as well as an   
   allocation at 3.4 GHz.   
      
   The Council also adopted the IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide for use   
   by member-societies to strengthen amateur radio disaster preparedness,   
   response and mitigation.  It also approved various strategies to promote the   
   role of amateur radio in these activities to government and non-government   
   organizations as well as to the general public   
      
   In relation to ham radio space based operations, the Council expressed the   
   importance of obtaining the ITU Advance Publication Information numbers from   
   administrations for satellite projects operating in the amateur and amateur   
   satellite bands.  This in order to keep track of operational satellites to   
   help in frequency coordination and for resolving interference issues.     
      
   This is only a part of what transpired at the meeting.  The full minutes are   
   available at www dot iaru-r1 dot org.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   The Administrative Council is responsible for the policy and management of   
   the IARU and consists of the three IARU international officers and two   
   representatives from each of the three IARU regional organizations.   It's   
   next scheduled in-person meeting will be held in Indonesia, in October, 2015   
   in conjunction with the IARU Region 3 Conference.  (IARU)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  RADIO AMATEUR ONE OF THREE RESEARCHERS TO WIN THE NOBEL   
   PRIZE IN CHEMESTRY   
      
   A ham radio operator is one of three scientists named by the Royal Swedish   
   Academy to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.     
      
   The Stanford University news says that William Moerner, who holds the call   
   WN6I  and who is a chemistry professor at Stanford will share the award for   
   his work in high-resolution nanoscopy with fellow researchers Eric Betzig of   
   Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Stefan Hell of the Max Planck Institute   
   for Biophysical Chemistry in Germany.   
      
   The article notes that the ability to dive deeper and deeper into human   
   biology and visualize the inner workings of cells at a molecular level is   
   central to modern research and medicine.  It also quotes Stanford President   
   John L. Hennessy as saying that the path-breaking work of Professor Moerner   
   and his colleagues has made a major contribution to the ability to observe   
   molecules at the smallest scales, opening up new possibilities for discovery   
   in areas ranging from disease management to drug development.  More on the   
   Nobel Prize in Chemistry winners is at tinyurl.com/nobel-2014-chemestry.   
      
   The winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics was also announced and we will   
   have that story later on in this weeks newscast.  (Nobelprize.org, Stanford   
   University News)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  DATE ANNOUNCED FOR 4M-LXS LUNAR HAM RADIO MISSION   
      
   The launch of the China's 4M LXS fly-by ham radio moon mission is now slated   
   for liftoff in a narrow window around 17:59 UTC on Thursday, October 23rd   
   with the Lunar flyby is to occur on Tuesday, October 28 at 00:33 UTC.   
      
   Ghislain Ruy, LX2RG reports via the Southgate News that the 4M LXS Lunar   
   flyby amateur radio payload departed Luxembourg for China's Satellite Launch   
   Center on Sunday, October 5th.  Once there it will be transferred to the   
   launch vehicle.      
      
   LX2RG says that the lifetime of 4M LXS ham radio payload is an unknown.    
   That it may be as short as 100 hours ounce it reaches the Moon but could   
   extend for some weeks if the host spacecrafts attitude is favorable.     
      
   As reported last August by AMSAT-UK, China is planning to send the lunar   
   orbiter around the Moon carrying, among other experiments, a battery powered   
   ham radio payload known as 4M LXS.  The amateur radio system will transmit a   
   JT65B signal on 145.990 MHz which can be decoded by radio amateurs here on   
   Earth using the free WSJT software.    
      
   LX2RG also reports that the ham radio team is currently in the process of   
   setting up its ground station network.  They are especially looking for   
   southern hemisphere stations as they will be very much needed to provide   
   first hand reports for the early hours of the mission.  Those wishing to   
   volunteer should e-mail ruy (at) luxspace (dot) lu with the words 4M Amateur   
   in the subject line.   
      
   This flight is one of several planned as a precursor to China's future   
   Chang'e 5 lander mission which is hopes will land safely on the Moon, collect   
   samples and return them safely back to Earth.  (Southgate, LX2RG)   
      
   **    
      
   HAM RADIO BALLOONING:  M0XER B-64 BALLOON STILL FLOATING AROUND THE WORLD   
      
   The B-64 balloon launched at 06:51 GMT on July 12th from the United Kingdom   
   is still aloft and on air transmitting on 434.500 MHz.  This, using both   
   Contestia 64/1000 and APRS.      
      
   On October 3rd Phil Heron MI0VIM reported decoding data from B-64 while it   
   was over the North Atlantic ocean, coming up to 6th time it would pass the   
   United Kingdom on it's continuing journeys around the world.   
      
   B-64 was built by Leo Bodnar M0XER, who made both the plastic foil envelope   
   and the solar powered transmitter payload which weighs just 11 grams.  You   
   can see its track at tinyurl.com/b64-continues-journey.  Be sure to give the   
   page about 15 to 20 seconds to fully load.  (B-64 Team)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO BALLOONING:  8 APRS LAUNCHED AT ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FESTIVAL   
      
   Jay Miller, W5WHN, reports that eight gas filled balloons departed the   
   Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Monday, October 6th.  Each   
   balloon carried an APRS beacon with the call signs K5GAS-1 through K5GAS-8   
   respectively.  Jay said that tracking of each of the balloons was   
   accomplished in part using the apr.fi website and entering the callsign of   
   each of the individual balloon.  The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta   
   ran from October 4th to the 12th.     
   ( W5WHN via QRZ.com)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT: LAMU ISLAND THROUGH OCTOBER 19   
      
   In DX up-front, word that DJ4EL will be operational stroke 5Z4 from Lamu   
   Island, Kenya, until October 19th.  Activity will be on 40 through 10 meters   
   using SSB.  QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau or   
   electronically using Logbook of the World.  (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  MARCUS ISLAND THROUGH MID DECEMBER   
      
   JG8NQJ plans to operate portable JD1 from Marcus Island in the Minami   
   Torishima group from mid-October until mid-December.  Activity will be   
   limited to his spare time concentrating on 17 meters but he does plan to also   
   use 15, 10 and 12 meters as well.  All of his airtime will be CW only.  QSL   
   via JA8CJY direct or via the bureau.  (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  GUATAMALA OPERATION JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 2015   
      
   And VE7BV will once again be active stroke TG9 from Guatemala between   
   January 22nd and February 17th  of 2015.  He plans a holiday style operation   
   on 20, 17 and 15 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct,   
   by the bureau or electronically using Logbook of the World.  (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WM7K repeater   
   serving Grants Pass Oregon.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO IN THE YUKON WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS   
      
   A pair of radio amateurs in the Yukon Territory recently used ham radio to   
   get information from a Search and Rescue campsite to the command center in   
   one of those situations where all else failed.   
      
   The situation was that Terry Hauff, VY1MAP, was a member of a Search and   
   Rescue team that was on an active hunt for a missing teenager.  The command   
   center they had setup was approximately 22 miles north of the city of   
   Whitehorse at Lake Laberge.  The location put them out of cellphone coverage   
   and the satellite phone they had with them was not working.  As such, there   
   was no way to call for additional resources or send status reports.  Enter   
   ham radio.   
      
   At this point VY1MAP used his mobile ham station to contact Ray Fugard   
   VY1RF, in Whitehorse using a local 2 meter repeater that covered both areas.    
   During that QSO Hauff was able to pass some important traffic to and from the   
   Search and Rescue command center.  Soon after the missing young man was found   
   and all ended well.  (RAC, YARA, VE3XU)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: VOIP HURRICANE WATCH NET CHANGES   
      
   Some changes and non-changes are coming to an important rescue radio   
   information net.  Here are the details.   
      
   While much of the U.S. returns to Standard Time at 2 am local on Sunday,   
   November 2nd the VoIP Skywarn Hurricane Prep Net won't make any time change.    
   Because of this, in both Arizona and for those stations that use UTC,   
   starting with the November 8th gathering the start time will be one hour   
   later.  All the rest of the U.S. time zones that observe Daylight Savings   
   Time will not see a change in the start time for the net.   
      
   There will be a single one exception.  On Saturday December 6th the start   
   time for the net that night only will be one hour earlier beginning   
   immediately at the conclusion of Skywarn Recognition Day activities.     
      
   Also from December, through May the net will meet only on the first Saturday   
   of the month.  Weekly nets will resume in June, 2015, when the new hurricane   
   season begins.  (Daryl Stout, WX1DER)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  MARRIOTT TO PAY $600,000 FOR BLOCKING WI FI    
      
   The FCC says that Marriott International Corporation will pay a $600,000   
   forfeiture.  This, to resolve an investigation by that agency into whether a   
   hotel's employees blocked customers from using their personal Wi-Fi networks   
   and then charged them to use the hotel network.  Amateur Radio Newsline's   
   Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has more:   
      
   --   
      
   The FCC claims that employees at Marriott's Gaylord Opryland Resort and   
   Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee disabled Wi-Fi networks established   
   by consumers at its conference facilities. They then allegedly charged guests   
   from $250 to $1,000 per device for access to the hotel network.   
      
   The investigation began after a March 2013 on complaint from someone who   
   attended a function at the resort.  According to the FCC, that person alleged   
   that the hotel was jamming mobile hotspots.  The FCC says its investigation   
   found that employees used features of a Wi-Fi monitoring system at the   
   Gaylord Opryland to contain and or de- authenticate guest created Wi-Fi   
   hotspot access points in the conference facilities.   
      
   In addition to paying the fine, the FCC says that Marriott must institute a   
   compliance plan and file compliance and usage reports with the regulatory   
   agency every three months for the next three years.  These reports must   
   include information documenting any use of access point containment features   
   at any United States property that Marriott manages or owns.    
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   While Marriott apparently will pay the fine, the company contends that it   
   believes the actions of employees were lawful.  It adds that it will continue   
   to encourage the FCC to pursue a rulemaking in order to eliminate the ongoing   
   confusion resulting from action taken and to assess the merits of its   
   underlying policy.  (FCC, published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: PUERTO RICO COMPANY FINED $25000 FOR INTERFEREING WITH FAA   
   WEATHER RADAR   
      
   A follow-up on a story we first reported earlier this year.  The FCC has   
   affirmed a penalty of $25,000 against CMARR, Incorporated of San Juan, Puerto   
   Rico.  This for its alleged willful interference to with Federal Aviation   
   Administration weather radar in San Juan, by operating radio transmitters   
   without a license.    
      
   This past June 24th the Enforcement Bureau's San Juan Office issued the   
   Notice of Apparent Liability to CMARR for operating an intentional radiator   
   without a license.  To date, CMARR has not filed a response to the proposed   
   fine.  Based on the information before it, the FCC now says the proposed fine   
   stands and has given the company the customary 30 days to pay or to file an   
   appeal.   
      
   In its October 1st order affirming the fine, the FCC noted that given the   
   risk to public safety created by CMARR's unlicensed operations, and the fact   
   that the company had already received a warning for similar violations, that   
   these actions warrant a significant penalty.  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  MICROWAVE UPDATE APRIL 23 - 25   
      
   Microwave Update 2014 is slated for October 23rd to the 25th at the   
   Rochester Airport Marriott Hotel in Rochester, New York.  Nicknamed MUD,   
   Microwave Update is an annual conference dedicated to microwave equipment   
   design, construction, and operation focused on, but not limited to, amateur   
   radio on the microwave bands.  More information about this years gathering   
   can be found on-line at www dot rvhfg dot org/mud2014.  (Microwave Update)   
      
   **   
      
   NEW GEAR:  UNDER $13 UHF HT BEING SOLD INTO THE UK   
      
   The price of a bare bones entry level 70 centimeter hand held has fallen to   
   a new low.  At least it has over in the United Kingdom where you can how get   
   one for about 8 Pounds which equates to around $13 in United States currency.   
      
   The radio in question is the Baofeng/Pofung model BF-888S that covers 400 to   
   470 MHz that is being sold on eBay by one retailer for just a few pennies   
   under the $13 mark and shipped to the purchaser from Singapore.  Unlike the   
   slightly more expensive UV-3R dual band series, the BF888S is limited to   
   only16 programmable channels within the 70 centimeter frequency range.    
   However it does come with a 1500 milliamp hour battery, a battery saver   
   function, an emergency alarm, VOX function, a built-in flashlight and is   
   computer programmable.     
      
   So as to ask a rhetorical question:  Who ever thought we hams would be   
   around to see what amounts to a throw away when it breaks, HT.  (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  IARU REGION 1 MEDALS AWARDED   
      
   The IARU Region 1 Medal has been awarded to seven radio amateurs.  This for   
   what is being called their meritorious service and their valued contribution   
   to and support of Amateur Radio.  Those named are Hani Raad, OD5TE; Andreas   
   Thiemann, HB9JOE; Panayot Danev, LZ1US; Nikola Percin, 9A5W; Michael   
   Kastelic, OE1MCU;  Martin Harrison, G3USF, and Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T.   
   Timmerman, is a past IARU Region 1 President.  (IARU Region 1)   
      
   **   
      
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  ROY STEVENS G2BVN TROPHY AWARDED TO GASTON BERTELS ON4WF   
      
   The Region 1 Roy Stevens, G2BVN, Memorial Trophy has been awarded to Gaston   
   Bertels, ON4WF.  This, in recognition of his meritorious service to amateur   
   radio over many years.   
      
   Bertels, age 87, served as the chairman of the Eurocom Working Group and   
   then became the chairman of the Amateur Radio Space Exploration or ARSPEX   
   Working Group of IARU Region 1.  He was also was instrumental in getting   
   Digital ATV antennas for 1260 and 2400 MHz installed on the International   
   Space Station.    
      
   Bertels received a standing ovation when the award was announced.  (AMSAT-UK)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  THREE RESEARCHER AWARDED NOBEL PRIZE IN PHUSICS FOR   
   DEVELOPING BLUE LED   
      
   Three researchers, one from the United States and two from Japan, have been   
   awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics.  This for their roles in developing   
   light emitting diodes that produce a blue glow.     
      
   Isamu Akasaki, with Meijo University and Nagoya University, Hiroshi Amano,   
   of Nagoya University, and Shuji Nakamura, with the University of California   
   at Santa Barbara California are the 20 14 recipients.  They will be sharing   
   the $1.1 million prize for choosing materials and developing the techniques   
   that have made possible the blue toned Light Emitting Diode.      
      
   The trio's collective breakthrough have led to lamps that last for decades   
   and consume far less power than either incandescent or fluorescent bulbs to   
   provide the same amount of light.  The blue LEDs have made possible today's   
   flat-panel, full-color computer monitors and TV screens, and are used in   
   lasers for Blu-ray DVD players and higher density data storage using Blu-Ray   
   DVD units.    
      
   It was also noted that Blue-emitting LED's combined with storage batteries   
   and solar charging panels could eventually allow more than 1 billion people   
   worldwide to move from no lighting at all to electric lighting without using   
   local gas or diesel generators or regional power plants to provide it.   
      
   The three researchers will receive their award at a ceremony in Stockholm,   
   Sweden, on December 10th.  (Nobelprize.org, other published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  BOB HEIL K9EID, TO SPEAK AT RAC 2014 AWARDS BANQUET   
      
   Ham radio's "Mr. Audio," Bob Heil, K9EID, will be the keynote speaker at the   
   105th Radio Club of America Anniversary Awards Banquet.  This, slated for   
   November 22nd at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan, New York.     
      
   In addition to his work in binging a new age of superior audio to the ham   
   radio bands, K9EID, is best known for his many contributions to the world of   
   professional live sound.  He established Heil Sound in 1966, which went on to   
   create high power touring sound systems for such famed bands such as The   
   Grateful Dead and The Who.  Bob is also the inventor of the Heil Talk Box   
   which is used by musicians such as Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh and Richie   
   Sambora in live and recorded performances.  As a result of his numerous   
   contributions to the art of sound reinforcement his is the only company   
   invited to exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.     
      
   More information on this year's Radio Club of America banquet can be found   
   in PDF format at tinyurl.com/rca-gathering-2014.  (RCA)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  SOME FISHY INTERFERENCE FROM DOWN-UNDER   
      
   Turning to news from around the world, here's one might call some fishey   
   business down-under.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the   
   rest of the story:   
      
   --   
      
   Recently Christchurch, New Zealand radio inspectors were involved with a   
   commercial interference case affecting a major microwave link in the upper   
   South Island.   
      
   The microwave link's operator was able to identify that the system was only   
   being affected when the same fishing vessel crossed its path in the Cook   
   Strait.  This led the inspectors to realize that the only possible way to   
   determine the interference source was to position themselves on a hilltop   
   overlooking the Strait.    
      
   Using a microwave dish and sufficient gain they were able to see the   
   interfering signals radiating from one particular fishing boat.  By utilizing   
   the Automatic Identifying System vessel tracking website the position was   
   verified.   
      
   It was now obvious that the fishing boat was the cause of the interference   
   because the radio frequency signature of the noise looked to be very similar   
   to the S Band radar aboard most such vessels.  What was not known was why it   
   was emitting these spurious signals.    
      
   The first order of business was for New Zealand's telecommunications   
   administrator Radio Spectrum Management calling the  fishing company and   
   requesting that the S Band radar on that vessel be turned off.  Immediately   
   the noise ceased.  A subsequent letter sent to the fishing company led to the   
   S Band radar's magnetron final tube was replaced.  Yes, it was just a rather   
   expensive final amplifier tube, gone bad.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, in Nelson, New   
   Zealand.   
      
   --   
      
   Some good electronic sleuthing by the engineering inspectors at Radio   
   Spectrum Management, down-under.  (RSM New Zealand)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  ANOTHER SHORTWAVE BROADCASTER GOES QRT   
      
   Radio Exterior de Espa¤a also known as REE apparently abandoned shortwave on   
   October 1st.  Its reported that on the mailbag portion of the stations   
   English language service there was an announcement made that Radio Exterior   
   de Espa¤a will cut all shortwave radio broadcasts as of that date.  Until its   
   exit from the shortwave bands, REE's English language broadcast service   
   operated Sunday mornings on 6 dot 055 MHz at 00:00 UTC.  (K4SWL via Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  K6S NORTH DAY SCIENCE FESTIVAL NOV 1   
      
   On the air, listen out on November 1st for the special callsign K-6-S.  This   
   station will be operating live from the North Bay Science Day in Santa Rosa,   
   California which is listed as being a part of the Bay Area Science Festival.    
   K6S plans to operate from 1700 to  2300 hours UTC.  QSL as directed on the   
   air.  (KI6MSP)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF VOICE OF MONGOLIA   
      
   And keep an ear open for Mongolia special event station JU50VOM to be active   
   until October 31st.  This operation is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of   
   the foreign language radio "Voice of Mongolia".  QSL via JT1BV, direct,   
   Logbook of the World or eQSL.  (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, VK3GK is currently on the air as A35RT from Eua Island and will be   
   there through October 13th.  His time to operate is limited due to his   
   involvement in a Rotary International Humanitarian project.  As time permits   
   you will find him on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and possibly RTTY.    
   QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.   
      
   JA8COE will be active portable 5 from Shodo Island October 16th and the 19th   
   on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and the digital modes. QSL via JA8COE,   
   direct, via the bureau or the  oQRS on ClubLog.    
      
   F4HEC will be active as JD1BOX from Chichijima Island Tokyo Prefecture,   
   between December 4th and the 12th. Reports indicate that he is one of very   
   few European operators to ever receive a JD1 callsign.  Operations will take   
   place on 80 through 10 meters using SSB only.  QSL via F4HEC, by the bureau   
   or direct.   
      
   Lastly, JR3MVF, F5RPB, ET9ESZ and DJ6US will be operating as V84YL from   
   Darussalam, Brunai starting on November 5th and running through until the   
   10th or the 12th.  Their activity will be on all High Frequency bands using   
   CW and SSB. QSL via DJ6US either direct or via the bureau.   
      
   (This weeks DX report courtesy of the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  ITS TIME FOR JOTA 2014   
      
   And finally this week, the 2014 Scouting Jamboree on the Air, known by its   
   acronym JOTA will take place the weekend of October 18th and the 19th.    
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramovich, NT3V, brings us the details:   
      
   --   
      
   This is the single-biggest annual international Scouting event. And, the   
   numbers back up the claim.   
      
   "Seven-hundred-thousand Scouts get on the air from 150 countries across   
   12,000 stations and nearly 22,000 amateur radio operators. It's a big deal!"   
      
   That's Jim Wilson, K5ND, who's the USA national Jamboree on the Air   
   organizer and a member of the World Jamboree on the Air team.   
      
   Wilson says the event gives amateur radio operators the chance to share the   
   brotherhood of the hobby with the brotherhood of Scouting.   
      
   More than 300 stations already have signed up to take part in the U.S. and   
   there's still time to get in on the fun, Wilson says.   
      
   "A lot of the stations that have registered this year really fire up   
   Saturday morning and run all day    
   Saturday. But there's a lot of stations, too, that are on the air Friday   
   evening," Wilson says.    
      
   Wilson says this is the 57th year for JOTA activity on the bands and it also   
   marks a first for the event - at least in the U.S.   
      
   "This is the first year that K2BSA/1, 2, 3, 4 and so on, will be on the air   
   from every call sign area in the continental USA," he says. "Here in Texas,   
   K2BSA/5 will be on the air from the National Scouting Museum."   
      
   Wilson says it's not a contest in the traditional sense - but really a   
   worldwide gathering of Scouts and their leaders on the air, sharing things   
   about themselves such as their Scouting ranks, their experiences in Scouting,   
   things like that.   
      
   Many of the stations are set up at Scout camps or Scout camporees.   
      
   The idea is to get the boys, and on the international side - girls as well -   
   talking on the air.   
      
   "What they're looking for are conversations," Wilson explains. "It's not   
   about making 100 contacts an hour or something like that. It's just about   
   getting the Scouts in front of the microphone and having conversations.   
      
   "So, anybody can do that and we really appreciate the amateur radio   
   operators who are tuning across the bands, come across somebody calling 'CQ   
   JOTA.' Answer back, engage. Tell 'em about when you earned Radio merit badge   
   or when you got your amateur radio license."   
      
   Wilson offers one caution. Be careful to follow those third-party agreements.   
      
   "We're open to so many countries and we can get on the air and let the   
   Scouts get on the air use the microphone," Wilson advises. "But in other   
   countries, there are restrictions and the ARRL keeps a wonderful list of   
   those third-party agreements."   
      
   Wilson says you can learn more about JOTA activities or sign up by going to   
   K2BSA.net.   
      
   K2BSA, by the way, is the call sign awarded to the Boy Scouts of America by   
   the FCC.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.   
      
   --   
      
   JOTA was first held in conjunction with the fiftieth anniversary of Scouting   
   and was devised by the late Les Mitchell, G3BHK, who became a Silent Key on   
   October 6th.  It is now considered the largest yearly event scheduled by the   
   World Organization of the Scout Movement held annually and an ongoing tribute   
   to its creator.  You can read the story of how it came about at   
   tinyurl.com/jota-beginnings.  (NT3V, ARNewsline)   
      
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   With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio   
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   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Heather   
   Embee, KB3TZD, saying 73 from Berwick, Pennsylvania and as always, we thank   
   you for listening.     
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2014.  All rights reserved.   
      
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