Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1940 - October 17 2014   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1940 with a release date of October   
   17th 2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.      
      
   The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio is first responder as cyclone batters   
   India coastline; Russian over the horizon RADAR battering the 15 meter band;   
   United Kingdom Full license class holders get temporary access to more   
   spectrum on 2 meters;  Ham radio moon orbiter to launch on October  23rd and   
   guess what's keeping a radio relay station in Hawaii from being repaired.    
   Find out the details are on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1940 coming   
   your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)    
      
      
   **   
      
      
   RESCUE RADIO: INDIA HAMS CALLED OUT AS FIRST RESPONDERS AS CYCLONE HITS BAY   
   OF BENGAL SHORELINE   
      
   When Cyclone Hudhud swept into the Bay of Bengal coastal areas of India on   
   Sunday, October 12th, disaster authorities had already called on radio   
   amateurs to provide communications where they knew that other types would   
   likely be lost.  And the ham radio community was ready as we hear from   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF:   
      
   --   
      
   Before cyclone HudHud made landfall, authorities in India realized that   
   communications could be lost in coastal areas that the storm might hit.  In   
   such a scenario, amateur radio will become the only medium for the government   
   to coordinate relief operations and exchange critical messages between   
   government bodies, the two states and also with New Delhi.  So a few days in   
   advance it put out a call via the Nations Institute of Amateur Radio for   
   radio amateurs trained in rescue radio efforts to be ready if needed. As it   
   turned out they were.   
      
   Cyclone Hudhud made landfall with winds up to 125 miles per hour damaging   
   buildings, power systems and causing a total of communication in many areas.   
   Cellphone systems were overloaded quickly and soon failed.  Media reports   
   blame the storm for at least 20 deaths but that figure could rise.  That's   
   where ham radio stepped in.   
      
   Jayu Bhide, VU2JAU, is India's National Coordinator for Disaster   
   Communication.  According to Bhide, at airtime there are currently six hams   
   in the Odissa region working to maintain the communication covering the   
   entire state.     
      
   VU2JAU said that VU3UFX, VU3PLP and VU2AOR are active from the Bhuvaneshwar   
   area.  In the Sambalpur region VU2DPI is control of a network with VU2SIC and   
   VU2PGU.  These stations and others have been on air using 7 dot 140 MHz and   
   have kept their stations open 24 hours a day.   
      
   In the Andhra coastal area all communication is handled by the National   
   Institute of Amateur Radio under control of VU2JAU from the Amateur Radio   
   Society of India.  He is reported to be monitoring emergency traffic from his   
   home station in Gwalior.  A complete damage assessment, clean-up from the   
   storm and the return of normal lines of communications is likely to take   
   several more days.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, down-under in   
   Nelson, New Zealand.   
      
   --   
      
   Another one of those times when ham radio truly was a life-saving first   
   responder before, during and after a severe weather event.  (VK3PC, Times of   
   India, Hindustan Times)   
      
   **   
      
   INTRUDER WATCH:  RUSSIAN RADAR AND VOICE OF IRAN ON 21 MHZ   
      
   The IARU Region 1 Monitoring System newsletter reports a Russian high power   
   Over the Horizon radar system centered around 21 MHz recently affected the   
   entire 15 meter band.  Added to this a Russian voice scrambler nicknamed   
   Yakhta has been transmitting daily on 21 dot zero MHz on USB voice encryption   
   that also contains a Frequency Shift Keyed synchro signal with a 100 baud   
   rate and 150 Hz shift.  That transmitters location is believed to be at   
   Nizhny Tagil.  Meantime, a spurious emission from Voice of Iran is also   
   causing interference on 21.249 MHz.  An in depth report including charts   
   compiled by DK2OM can be found at tinyurl.com/k3nskk8  (IARU-R1)   
      
   **   
      
      
   RESTRUCTURING:  UK FULL CLASS HAMS TO GET TEMPORARY ACCESS TO 1   
      
   Some hams in the United Kingdom will get temporary access to an extra   
   portion of the two meter band.  This as a part of a planned long term overall   
   restructuring of the VHF spectrum from 143 to 169 MHz.  Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,   
   has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Ofcom has published a Statement that included an intention to release 1MHz   
   of additional spectrum to radio amateurs on the 2m band on a temporary basis.   
      
   The frequencies, from 146 to 147MHz, will be available via a Notice of   
   Variation to Full license holders only.  Applications for Notices of   
   Variations can be made via the RSGB website from the end of October.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot. G4NJH, in Nottingham in the   
   UK.   
      
   --   
      
   This temporary use decision came as a part of an Ofcom published a statement   
   setting out plans for the release and re-allocation of spectrum returned to   
   civil use by Emergency Services.  Ofcom believes this band space will be of   
   most interest to business radio users such as utility and construction   
   companies.  As such it will be made available on a first-come-first-served   
   basis through a managed and gradual approach.  This, in order to maintain   
   maximum flexibility in the future should new demands emerge.  (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING:  SARL DEFENDS AMATEUR UHF FREQUENCIES AT REGULATORY HEARING   
      
   The South African Radio League has submitted its response to the draft plan   
   concerning the restructuring of the 450 to 470 MHz band and other U-H-F   
   spectrum parcels.     
      
   In its reply to the national telecommunications regulatory agency, the SARL   
   said that although the amateur service is not in this band, the problem for   
   ham radio would arise if the intended migration of some existing users in the   
   450 to 470 MHz were to temporarily move into the amateur band prior to them   
   shifting to a new frequency band once they obtain suitable equipment.     
      
   The South African Radio League also pointed out that the statement that   
   amateurs only use 1 MHz of the 430 to 440 MHz is incorrect.  Rather the   
   entire frequency block is used extensively for terrestrial and space   
   communications.      
      
   The South African Radio League also filed comments on proposed changes at   
   2.3 gigahertz and requested a new ham radio allocation from 3.4 to 3.410   
   Gigahertz.  In both ITU Region 2 and Region 3, this spectrum parcel is   
   allocated to the amateur and amateur satellite services.  (SARL)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  4M LXS MOON ORBITER TO LAUNCH OCTOBER 23   
      
   The 4M LXS ham radio moon mission now has a definite launch date as we hear   
   from Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD:   
      
   --   
      
   The launch of China's Chang'e 4 mission carrying the  4M LXS moon orbiting   
   ham radio payload is expected to take place on Wednesday, October 23rd from   
   the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.     
      
   According to China's State Administration of Science, Technology and   
   Industry for National Defense, the soon-to-fly craft is a backup probe of   
   Chang'e 3. This was that nation's first moon lander and rover, which   
   successfully touched down on Earth's nearest neighbor in December 2013.     
      
   But Chang'e 4's job is not to land but to circle the moon.  More important   
   its hoped that the capsule will return its payload safely to Earth without   
   burning up in the atmosphere during descent to our home planet.     
      
   As previously reported, the on-board amateur radio payload will transmit a   
   JT65B signal on 145.990 MHz which can be decoded by radio amateurs here on   
   Earth using the free WSJT software.  Its builder, LuxSpace is encouraging   
   radio amateurs around the world to receive the transmissions and send in data   
   to it.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Heater Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,   
   Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   Complete details on the role of amateur radio can be found beginning on page   
   14 at tinyurl.com/lux-space-moon.  The file is in PDF format.  Reports can   
   also go via the missions Facebook page.  (AMSAT-UK, LuxSpace, IrelandNews)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  DOMINICA ALLOWS 60 METER OPERATION   
      
   The Dominica National Telecommunications Regulator N-T-R-C has granted hams   
   on the island nation the ability to operate on five 3 kHz-wide channels on   
   the 5 MHz or 60 meter band. These are 5330.5, 5346.5, 5355.5, 5371.5 and   
   5403.5 kilohertz at 50 Watts Peak Envelope Power using only SSB.  This   
   allocation is applicable to Dominica General and Advanced licensees only.   
      
   The Commonwealth of Dominica is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles   
   region of the Caribbean Sea.  It is located south-southeast of Guadeloupe and   
   northwest of Martinique.  Its also known as  the "Nature Isle of the   
   Caribbean" for its unspoiled natural beauty.     
      
   And less we forget to mention, please note that the new Dominica 5 MHz   
   allocation should not be confused with that of the Dominican Republic which   
   also has a 60 meter allocation.  (ECTEL, Dominica NTRC, G4MWO)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N2XPM repeater   
   serving the Big Apple of New York City, New York.     
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
   Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, with news that hams on both sides of the nation   
   are on the lookout for some severe weather events.     
      
   In the Caribbean and along the Eastern Seaboard the Hurricane Watch Net was   
   activated on October 16th to follow the track of Hurricane Gonzalo which at   
   airtime is Category 4 storm heading toward Bermuda packing sustained winds   
   upward of 145 miles per hour.  The Bermuda Weather Service issued a statement   
   that these winds were expected to buffet the island for more than 24 hours,   
   and seas would be rapidly building up to 35 feet on Friday October 17th.  As   
   this report is being prepared, the Hurricane Watch Net  is expected to be   
   using 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz.  Please keep those frequencies clear of   
   non-hurricane traffic until the emergency is declared to be over.   
      
   Meantime in the Pacific, hams on the Island state of Hawaii are on alert as   
   Tropical Storm Ana is forecast to pass as potentially as a Category 1   
   hurricane.  According to meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, Southern parts of the   
   Big Island and Kauai are at greatest risk of flooding from rain and tropical   
   storm-force winds.     
      
   Bob Schneider, AH6J, is the Leagues Pacific Section Manager.  He was quoted   
   in the ARRL Letter as saying that he expected to deploy Ham Aid equipment   
   kits to several schools. The Ham Aid kits which contain both HF and VHF gear   
   were sent to Hawaii in September as a lava flow was threatening communities   
   on the Big Island.     
      
   On Thursday, October 16th the Ana was located about 490 miles southeast of   
   Hilo, Hawaii, and had sustained winds of 60 mph.  It was moving to the west   
   at 10 mph.  A  tropical storm watch was posted for the Big Island by the   
   Central Pacific Hurricane Center.  Ana is expected to reach the islands on   
   Saturday October18th.    
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles.   
      
   (Bermuda Weather Service, ARRL, published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  FCC WAS TO DISCUSS APRIL 2014 911 OUTAGE   
      
   The FCC is scheduled to hold an open meeting as this newscast goes to air on   
   October 17th.  Among the topics that were scheduled for discussion was a   
   presentation regarding an inquiry into a major 911 service outage that   
   affected seven states this past April. The presentation was to include   
   findings from a report on the causes and effects of the outage     
      
   The panel was also to look at recommendations on actions that the industry,   
   state governments and the Commission can take to strengthen the reliability   
   and resiliency of 911 services as the nation transitions to what's being   
   titled the Next Generation of 911.   
      
   Additionally, the Commission was to consider a Notice of Inquiry to explore   
   innovative developments in the use of spectrum above 24 GHz for mobile   
   wireless services.  It also will look into how the regulatory agency can   
   facilitate the development and deployment of those technologies.  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   COMMUNICATIONS LAW:  FCC COMPLETES REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS   
      
   In an October 9th post at the FCC website, Special Counsel to the Chairman,   
   Diane Cornell noted that the Enforcement Bureau has largely completed its   
   review of its pending complaints, leading to almost 700 license renewals   
   granted within the past few weeks.  At the same time, the Media Bureau   
   disposed of 55 competition rulings requests dealing with a March omnibus   
   ruling.  Simultaneously the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau has so   
   far closed over 760 dockets with another 750 on track to be completed by   
   years end.   (All Access)   
      
   **   
      
   NEW FROM THE NET:  MORSE CODE KEY FOR APPLE IOS8   
      
   If you have a device running Apple's new iOS 8 operating system, you can now   
   add an app that will permit sending Morse code from that unit.     
      
   Morse Code Telegraph Keyboard plugs directly into your iPhone's keyboard and   
   lets you send dots and dashes from right within iMessage or your favorite   
   e-mail.   
      
   The most interesting feature of the keyboard app is its relative lack of   
   keys.  It only includes the bare essentials of a J-38 looking key and a handy   
   Morse Code alphabet and numbers guide.     
      
   If you want to give it a try, "Morse Code Telegraph Keyboard" is available   
   for only 99 cents at the App Store.  (Business Insider)   
      
   **   
      
   NEW GEAR: K9EID INTRIDUCES PRO 7 HEADSET   
      
   Something new for your ears courtesy of Bob Heil, K9EID of Heil Sound.  This   
   as he introduces his new PRO 7  headset that applies some of the knowledge   
   Bob gained from  audio engineering pioneer Paul Klipsch back in the early   
   1970's.    
      
   The new Pro 7 earphones feature a very specialized electrical and mechanical   
   design that uses a very specialized tuned headphone enclosure that Bob says   
   really eliminates usual distortion while producing greater sensitivity and a   
   gorgeous response.  Also included in the design is a balanced control that's   
   usually absent from most headsets.     
      
   On the microphone boom, you can get either a newly developed dynamic that is   
   as articulate as the original Heil HC 5.  Also available is an electret   
   capsule for the early low level input iCOM rigs.  These mic elements are   
   interchangeable in the field.     
      
   For more on the new Pro 7 headset and other of Bob's inventive products go   
   to heilsound.com slash amateur ad click on the photo of the headsets you will   
   see at the top of the page.  (Heil Sound)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  AMSAT-NA ANNOUNCES 2014 - 2015 OFFICERS   
      
   Some names in the news.  AMSAT North America has announced that Barry Baines   
   WD4ASW will hold forth as the organizations president for the 2014 through   
   2015 operating year.  Others appointed include Alan Biddle WA4SCA as the   
   organizations secretary with Keith Baker KB1SF as Treasurer.   
      
   Flight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO has been appointed as Vice President of Human   
   Spaceeflight operations; Jerry Buxton N0JY as Vice President of Engineering;   
   Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA as its Vice president of operations and JoAnne Maenpaa   
   K9JKM as the Vice President of User Services.  E. Mike McCardel KC8YLD will   
   be serving as the Vice President of Educational Relations with Martha   
   Saragovitz continuing as Manager.   
      
   Positions not yet filled are Executive Vice President and Vice President of   
   Marketing.  (AMSAT News Service)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  STEVE HERMAN W7VOA DISCUSSES HIS CARREER    
      
   The career of Steve Herman, W7VOA, is the subject of an interesting   
   interview appearing in the current issue of the Overseas Press Club of   
   America newsletter.  In it, Herman, who serves as the Voice of America's   
   Southeast Asia bureau chief and its correspondent answers questions about his   
   education, how he got started as a news journalist, the languages he speaks   
   and much more.  You can read the article in full at   
   tinyurl.com/Steve-Herman-W7VOA.  (opcofamerica.org)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  WRTC 2018 TO BE HELD IN GERMANY   
      
   Tine Brajnik, S50A, who is the chairman of the next World Radiosport Team   
   Championship Sanctioning Committee has announced that Germany has been chosen   
   as the site of the 2018 WRTC games.  Specifically the event will be hosted by   
   an oversight organization made up of the German National Amateur Radio   
   Society DARC, the Bavarian Contest Club and Rhein Ruhr DX Association.    
   According to S50A, the German application was very well prepared and knowing   
   their combined experience another outstanding competition among world's best   
   contesters is expected four years from now.  A website has been set up to   
   provide further details at www.wrtc2018.de.   (WRTC)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  K6H HOLLYWOOD SALUTES HAM RADIO QSL CARDS READY FOR   
   DISTRIBIUTION   
      
   According to a posting on Facebook, QSL cards for the recent K6H, Hollywood   
   Celebrates Ham Radio operating event have arrived from the printers and   
   forwarded to the California-based PAPA System for distribution.     
      
   The event was held on September 28th and originated from the historic Stage   
   9 of the CBS Studio Center facility in Studio City, California.  Stage 9 is   
   currently the home of ABC's hit TV show "Last Man Standing." In the past it   
   has been the production facility for such shows as "Seinfeld" and "Spin City"   
   to mention only two.   
      
   If you worked this special event station please QSL direct to the PAPA   
   System address found at www.qrz.com/db/K6H.  There is no other mailing   
   address or electronic QSL service associated with this event.   (Facebook,   
   PAPA System)   
      
   **   
      
   WITH NEWSLINE:  ARNEWSLINE FACEBOOK PAGES SURPASSES 5000 SUBSCRIBERS   
      
   We find it hard to believe but this past week the number of subscribers to   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's page on Facebook broke the 5000 mark and currently   
   stands at 5026.   According to the pages Chief Moderator James Pastorfield,   
   KB7TBT, the lucky 5000th member is Davide Zirretta, IZ1WWW of Novara, Italy.     
      
   If you are on Facebook but not signed up for our page there is a convenient   
   link to it from our website at arnewsline.org.  We would love to have you   
   there.     
      
   In the meantime, our sincere thanks to KB7TBT who originated the page and   
   all the other moderators who keep it running smoothly and have made it the   
   success that it appears to have become.   (ARNewsline)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   TECHNOLOGY VS. ECOLOGY:  ENDANGERED TREE SNAILS STOP HPR OVER THE AIR   
   BROADCASTS   
      
   Hawaii Public Radio says its signal to parts of Kauai and Oahu will be out   
   until further notice because of endangered tree snails.  Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW reports:   
      
   --   
      
   According to the broadcaster, recent storms knocked out power lines to the   
   radio station's relay facility at the summit of Mount Ka'ala relay   
   transmitters beam signals to the east and south sides of Kauai as well as to   
   Oahu's North Shore. A separate microwave relay also sends signals to KIPL   
   89.9 in Lihue.   
      
   Station generators carried the signal for several days, but ran out of fuel   
   on Sept. 30th. Normally the power company would have been able to fix the   
   electrical line with little delay, but not this time.  That's because the   
   location where the required repair is needed has been identified as the   
   habitat of endangered species of tree snails that are currently in mating   
   season.   
      
   For now, listeners on Kauai and the North Shore are asked to tune in via   
   live Internet streaming using Hawaii Public Radio free mobile app or to cable   
   broadcasts.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   At airtime there is no word when the snails mating season will end and the   
   power line can be repaired.  (VK3PC)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  MORE GADGETS THAN PEOPLE   
      
   You may find this next item a bit strange, but apparently its true.  And   
   depending how you look at it can be funny, scary or a little of both.  Here's   
   WIA Newsman, Graham Kemp, VK4BB, with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   For the first time ever there are more gadgets in the world than there are    
   people, including a growing number that only communicate with other machines,   
   according to data from digital analysts at GSMA Intelligence.com.   
      
   The number of active mobile devices and human beings crossed over somewhere   
   around the 7.19 billion mark.    
      
   GSMA's real-time tracker put the number of mobile devices at 7.22 billion   
   whilst the US Census Bureau says the number of people is still somewhere   
   between 7.19 and 7.2 billion.   
      
   Gadgets like tablets, smartphones and not-so-smart phones are multiplying   
   five times faster than we are, with our population growing at a rate of about   
   two people per second, or 1.2% annually.   
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News in   
   Australia   
      
   --   
      
   Cant help but wonder if this might not be author George Orwell's novel 1984   
   on the verge of coming to pass here in 2014.  (WIA News)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO FROM SPACE:  NASA MAVEN ORBITER SENDS BACK INFORMATION ON SUN CME   
      
   NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution or MAVEN orbiter has yet to   
   begin its formal science mission, but it is already radioing back clear   
   images and crucial data about the fourth planet's upper atmosphere.   
      
   The spacecraft entered orbit around Mars September 21st.  Only nine days   
   later it imaged a coronal mass ejection from the Sun's surface.  The early   
   observations are already providing scientists with hints as to how the red   
   planet's atmosphere changed over time.   
      
   MAVEN's official mission will begin sometime in November, once final   
   adjustments are made to the orbiter's science instruments.  Its long range   
   purpose is to conduct a study of the Mars  upper atmosphere to determine how   
   it transitioned from a habitable planet to the cold and dry world it is   
   today.  Scientists think that maybe billions of years ago that a warm Mars   
   would have been able to sustain liquid water in which microbial life could   
   develop.     
      
   An in-depth look at the overall mission can be found at   
   tinyurl.com/maven-at-mars     
   (spacereporter.com)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  SATELLITE EXPEDITION ENDS   
      
   John, Papay, K8YSE's, satellite grid expedition trip has come to an end on   
   October 1st, and he is now signing as K8YSE stroke 7 from Mesa, Arizona.     
   According to Papay, he operated in 27 different grids, most of them very   
   rare.  States covered during his trip included South Dakota, Wyoming,   
   Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada and Arizona while driving   
   over 7300 miles in 27 days. A computer controlled Icom 910H was used on the   
   linear satellites and a Kenwood V7A was used for communications through the   
   SO-50 FM bird.  Arrow antennas were used for all contacts.  QSL information   
   is on QRZ.com.  (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, JH3PRR is reported to be on the air using the call KH8B from Pago   
   Pago and will be there through October 27th.  Activity is on 160 through 10   
   meters. QSL via JH3PRR preferably using Logbook of the World.   
      
   By the time you hear this, N7OhU should be operating as E51NOU from   
   Rarotonga in the South Cook Islands.  He plans to be there through November   
   9th operating 60 through10 meters in his pare time using only CW. QSL direct   
   via N7OhU.   
      
   F6ICX will be active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island between November 3rd   
   and December 12th.  Operation will be holiday style on all HF bands operating   
   mainly CW, with some SSB, RTTY, and PSK63.  QSL via his home callsign as   
   listed on QRZ.com.  Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog and Logbook of the World.   
      
   DK9PY will be operational as 6Y6N from Jamaica between November 26th and   
   December 17th.  Activity will be holiday style on the High Frequency bands   
   using a Yaesu FT-857 into an inverted L antenna.  QSL via his home callsign,   
   direct or via the bureau.   
      
   G3RWF is heading back to Southern Africa for a 5 week holiday.  He will   
   begin operation in Lesotho as 7P8NH between December 11th through the 14th.    
   Listen for him on the higher bands on CW only. QSL via G3RWF.   
      
   Lastly, CE5WQO will be active stroke CE0Z/CE5WQO from Juan Fernandez Island    
   between November 19th through the 27th.  This will be a holiday style   
   operation using CW, SSB and the digital modes on 160 through 10 meters using.   
   QSL via KA3LKM with two International Reply Coupons.   
      
   (This weeks DX news courtesy of the Ohio-Penn DX Newsletter)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  PACIFICON CLOSES OUT THE MAJOR HAMFEST SEASON   
      
   And finally, the weekend of October 10th to the 12th saw the unofficial end   
   of the 2014 major ham radio convention season with the holding of the 2014   
   Pacificon Convention in Santa Clara, California.  And according to Gordon   
   West, WB6NOA, who was one of this years presenters, accolades go to the   
   sponsors of this years event:   
      
   --   
      
   WB6NOA:  "What a great job that the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club and other   
   volunteers did in pulling this off.  It was a three day deal on Friday,   
   Saturday and Sunday."   
      
   --   
      
   Saturday was the big day with lots happening through out the Santa Clara   
   Marriott Convention Center:   
      
   --   
      
   WB6NOA:  "On Friday afternoon as well as Saturday and half of Sunday the   
   exhibit hall was open, and let me tell that it was a whose who in amateur   
   radio was there in the exhibit hall.  All of the majors (suppliers) were   
   there.  All of the up and coming were there and the booths were absolutely   
   filled throughout the entire day."     
      
   --   
      
   As to attendance, so far there are no official numbers, but if the Flea   
   Market was any indication, then the numbers had to be strong:   
      
   --   
      
   WB6NOA: "I knew it was going to be big when I saw the swap-meet going on in   
   the dead of dark on Saturday morning.  Probably 2000 to 2400 and they were   
   all with smiles."   
   --   
      
   WB6NOA also reports on overflow attendance at popular digital radio seminar   
   tracks such as SDR, D-STAR, and DMR .  West also says a Sunday morning "Ham   
   Radio 101 " track for brand new hams was a big help to get new licensees on   
   the air over the local BayNet repeater systems, and other local open   
   repeaters .    
      
   Perhaps the biggest surprise came with the announcement that Pacificon 2015   
   is moving a couple of miles away to the San Ramon Marriott in San Ramon,   
   California.  Next years dates are October 16th through the 18th.  If you have   
   a suggestion to help make next year's event even better, let the planners   
   know by e-mail to info (at) pacificon.org.  (ARNewsline, WB6NOA)   
      
   **   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
      
   With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio   
   Penn DX Bulletin, Rain, the RSGB, the South African Radio League, 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..   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Skeeter   
   Nash, N5ASH,  saying 73 from my new QTH in Topeka, Kansas, and we thank you   
   for listening.     
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2014.  All rights reserved.   
      
   ***   
      
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