Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1950 - January 30 2015   
      
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1950 with a release date of January 30,   
   2015 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
      
   The following is a QST. Radio politics in Thailand has ham radio caught in   
   the middle; two more world-circling pico balloons are launched from   
   Australia; the ARRL announces some DXCC and VHF contest rules changes; South   
   Africa HAMNET assists in mountain rescue; ham radio featured on New York City   
   "Save A Life" television program, and amateur radio helps an old radio   
   telescope see its first RF light. And this just in: scientists launch   
   sounding rockets during surprise auroras over the Arctic. These stories and   
   more as Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1950 comes your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
   **   
      
   FCC "PAPERLESS" AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE POLICY GOES INTO EFFECT FEB. 17   
      
      
   I'm Skeeter Nash N5ASH in the newsroom with this breaking story. Starting   
   February 17th, the FCC no longer will routinely issue paper license documents   
   to Amateur Radio applicants and licensees. The Commission has maintained for   
   some time now that the official Amateur Radio license authorization is the   
   electronic record that exists in its Universal Licensing System or ULS,   
   although the FCC has continued to print and mail hard copy licenses. In   
   mid-December of 2014, the FCC adopted final procedures to provide access to   
   official electronic authorizations, as it had proposed in WT Docket 14-161 as   
   part of its "process reform" initiatives.   
      
   Under the new procedures, licensees with an "Active" status only will access   
   their current official authorization via the ULS License Manager. The FCC   
   will continue to provide paper license documents to all licensees who notify   
   the Commission that they prefer to receive one. Licensees also will be able   
   to print out an official authorization - as well as an unofficial "reference   
   copy" - from the ULS License Manager.   
      
      
   According to the Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the new   
   procedures will save some $300,000 a year, including the cost of staff   
   resources. In addition, the WTB says the new process will--quote--"...improve   
   efficiency by simplifying access to official authorizations in ULS,   
   shortening the time period between grant of an application and access to the   
   official authorization, and reducing regulatory costs."--end quote.   
      
   In comments filed November 5th, 2014, the ARRL had strongly recommended that   
   the FCC --quote--"give serious consideration to continuing a default   
   provision for sending an initial paper license document to new licensees in   
   the Amateur Radio Service, along with detailed, simple instructions for how   
   to make the elections set forth in the notice relative to future modified or   
   renewed licenses."--end quote.   
      
      
   The ARRL and other Amateur Radio commenters also worry that unless a license   
   document is printed on distinctive paper stock, its authenticity could be   
   questioned in such situations as obtaining vanity call sign license plates.   
   To address this, the FCC says a watermark with the words, "Official Copy"   
   will be printed on each page of an official authorization that a licensee   
   prints out from the ULS. The WTB recently stopped using distinctive paper   
   stock to produce hard copy licenses and has been printing these on "standard,   
   white recycled paper." The Bureau also notes that the distinctive paper stock   
   it had used was six times more expensive than the plain recycled paper it now   
   uses.   
      
   There is more to this story, and it is included in the printed edition of   
   this week's Newsline report, available on our website, at arnewsline.org.   
      
      
   The FCC rejected as "outside the scope of this proceeding" an ARRL argument   
   that Section 97.23 of the Amateur Service rules be amended to replace   
   "licensee mailing address" with other alternatives, including e-mail, for use   
   in Commission correspondence. The rule, which requires that any licensee   
   mailing address be in an area where the licensee has US Postal Service   
   access, has precluded FCC issuance of location-specific call signs in such   
   areas as Navassa Island (KP1) and some Pacific islands.   
      
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash N5ASH in Topeka, Kansas.   
   Now, here is Hal Rogers KC8MD with the rest of this week's report.   
      
   **   
      
   AURORA SURPRISE PROMPTS ROCKET LAUNCH   
   We begin with some late-breaking news: Spaceweather dot com says a   
   geomagnetic storm erupted during the early hours of January 26th, sparking a   
   surprise display of bright auroras around the Arctic Circle.   
      
   Scientists took the opportunity to launch four 'sounding' rockets from   
   Alaska's Poker Flat Research Range to study the effect of solar storms on the   
   upper atmosphere.   
      
   Pictures of the colorful launch are available at http://spaceweather.com   
   http://spaceweather.com/.   
      
      
   (Spaceweather)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: RADIO POLITICS IN THAILAND HAS HAMS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE   
   A Bangcock newspaper says access to a pair of VHF bands by ham radio   
   operators in Thailand seems in a state of flux.    
      
      
   The Nation newspaper reports that a subcommittee on reforming the   
   broadcasting and telecommunications industries wants the regulator to retain   
   its independence and authority to allocate frequencies. According to the   
   chairman of the subcommittee known as the Pana Panel, this needs the support   
   of the National Legislative Assembly.   
      
   The Pana panel is part of the mass communications committee of the   
   government-appointed National Reform Council. It recently approved segments   
   of draft digital economy bills which revise the powers of the National   
   Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission or N-B-T-C. The proposals   
   could have an effect on ham operators in Thailand. Under the bill, a proposed   
   National Digital Economy committee to be chaired by the Prime Minister would   
   determine which frequencies are for security, public or commercial use. Only   
   those for commercial use would be managed by the National Broadcasting and   
   Telecommunications Council. And that has not set well with the N-B-T-C. A   
   source within the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Council said   
   the downgrading of its role stems from its conflict with the Army regarding   
   the allocation of an additional band at 50 to 54 MHz and 146 to 148 MHz to   
   ham radio operators. Thai hams already had access to spectrum from 144 to 146   
   MHz as the nations 2 meter band.   
      
      
   The new regulations for this proposed change were published in the Royal   
   Gazette last July. The Thai Army had already been using the 50 to 54 MHz band   
   for emergencies but the N-B-T-C did not invite it to the public hearing to   
   discuss the change. This prompted the Army to rush a letter to the N-B-T-C   
   opposing the move. The Army then sent another letter to regulators who   
   promised to look into the matter.   
      
      
   As all this was happening, the N-B-T-C prepared to allocate the new band   
   from 146 to 148 MHz for amateur radio and reassign the 50 to 54 MHz band for   
   the military. These changes correspond to its review of the frequency plan   
   every two years. However, before it could do anything to improve the plan,   
   the telecommunications ministry proposed the bill which would limit the   
   N-B-T-C's ability to apportion the country's airwaves.   
      
      
   And caught in the middle of this dispute are the nation's ham radio   
   operators who are now waiting out the political tug-of-war between the   
   National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Council and the Thai military.   
   You can read the entire story on-nine at tinyurl.com/pja8ld6   
      
      
   (Bangcock Nation)   
      
      
   **   
   HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE: NEW PS-31 AND PS-32 PICO BALLOONS FLOATING EAST FROM VK   
      
      
   A pair small solar-powered ham radio balloons were launched from Melbourne,   
   Australia early on Saturday January 24, carrying an Amateur Radio payload.   
   More on this from "down under" from Newsline's Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.   
      
      
   [Jim M.]   
      
      
   Andy Nguyen,VK3YT, lofted the balloons from Woori Yallock, 56kms east of   
   Melbourne on January 26, Australia Day. Each was carrying 20 milliwatt   
   transmitters using the W-S-P-R and J-T-9 digital modes for location,   
   altitude, speed and other data in the 20 and 30 meter bands.   
      
      
   The new balloons-dubbed PS-31 and PS-32-followed the predicted path over the   
   east coast of Tasmania before resuming an easterly flight toward the   
   International Dateline in the Pacific Ocean. However, on Wednesday, January   
   28th, Newsline received word that PS-31 went down north-east of New Zealand,   
   probably being hit by rain and ice in the area.   
      
      
   VK3YT reports that PS-31 gave out its final JT9 packet message and was lost.   
   The balloon maneuvered forming an s-shape but was lost after darkness fell   
   and it was across the International Dateline in the South Pacific.   
      
      
   VK3YT expresses appreciation to those who had been tracking the pair of pico   
   balloons, and hopes that PS-32 will keep going for much longer.   
      
      
   [Hal:] As this newscast goes to air, PS-32 with the VK3ANH callsign   
   continues being tracked by an international team of radio amateurs, and at   
   last report was doing well.   
      
      
   You may recall that VK3YT is the ham who had launched the PS-30 balloon on   
   December 27. It traveled Eastward over New Zealand and South America and was   
   more than half way around the world when it went down on January 16th during   
   a storm over Madagascar just east of Africa.   
      
      
   (VK3PC, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
      
   BREAK 1   
   Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W5TXR System Fusion   
   digital voice repeater of the Texas Amateur Radio Association serving   
   Schertrz, Texas.   
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   RADIOSPORTS: CHANGES TO ARRL DXCC AND VHF/UHF CONTESTING RULES   
      
      
   The ARRL Board of Directors has slightly modified the DX Century Club rules   
   to clarify and expand their recognition of remotely-controlled station   
   technology. It also has added a rule that puts greater ethical responsibility   
   on operators with respect to remotely controlled operation.   
      
      
   [Don:] The DXCC Rules changes affect Section I, subsections 8 and 9. They   
   explain and extend how contacts with remotely-controlled stations now may be   
   applied toward the DXCC award. The modified rules make clear that contacts   
   with legally licensed, land-based, remotely-controlled stations count for   
   DXCC, but the control point of the the operator's location of a   
   remotely-controlled station no longer has to be land-based. In other words,   
   the operator can literally be anywhere.   
      
      
   The Board further adopted a new rule, now Subsection 11 that acknowledges   
   the reality of the technology enabling remote operation. It also puts greater   
   responsibility on individuals when it comes to applying that technology   
   ethically and responsibly.   
      
      
   Finally, the directors also voted to adopted amendments to the General Rules   
   for ARRL Contests Above 50 MHz to encourage greater participation and band   
   utilization. The changes become effective with the 2015 June ARRL VHF   
   Contest. The revisions stem from recommendations offered by the Board's   
   Programs and Services Committee's ad-hoc VHF and Above Revitalization   
   subcommittee This is a group made up of active VHF/UHF contesters which   
   reports receiving strong support from the VHF and UHF community.   
      
      
   --   
      
      
   [Hal:] That's Newsline's Don Wilbanks AE5DW in New Orleans.   
      
      
   (ARRL)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   DX UP FRONT: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND FEBRUARY 1 TO 6   
      
      
   In DX up-front, Oh-K-2-Zed-I will be active portable CT8 from Sao Miguel   
   Island in the Azores between February 1st and the 6th. This operation will be   
   will holiday style with 100 watts into a vertical on 160 through 10 meters   
   using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Emphasis will be on the 30, 17 and 12   
   meter bands. QSL electronically only via the Oh QRS on ClubLog or Logbook of   
   the World.   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   DX UP FRONT: LATEST ON K1N NEVASA ISLAND   
   And by the time some of you hear this, the long awaited Nevassa Island   
   K-one-N operation may be getting underway. K-one-N will be the only   
   opportunity in 32 years to work this number-one most-wanted entity. Plans are   
   for this DXpedition to operate with 7 to 8 stations in the hope of giving as   
   many stations as possible worldwide a chance to work this truly rare   
   location. For the latest updates K-one-N, log on to nevassadx.com   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   RESCUE RADIO: SOUTH AFRICA HAMNET ASSIST IN MOUNTAIN RESCUE   
      
      
   South Africa's HAMNET recently proved its value when a 60-year-old man with   
   an injured ankle needed rescue from near the top of a steep mountain. Here's   
   Newsline's Heather Embee KB3TZed D...   
      
      
   --   
      
      
   [Heather:] Low clouds and gale-force winds prevented the use of a   
   helicopter, so this would have to be an operation on-foot.   
      
      
   First on the scene was ZU1HV who managed to reach the almost hypothermic   
   patient. She provided him with some dry clothes and then radioed their exact   
   position to medical first-responders.   
   They soon arrived and once the patient was stabilized, the party started   
   carrying the stretcher down the narrow, rocky path.   
      
      
   ZS1AVN and ZS1VCC handled communications and logistics from the rescue base   
   camp. Initially, two groups of rescuers were involved, including Z1S1V. As   
   the day progressed the rescue party swelled to six teams. Between them, they   
   were able to carry the stretcher across the flatter sections and pass it   
   hand-to-hand over the steeper inclines.   
      
      
   In all, it turned out to be a four-hour mission for HAMNET to assist in this   
   rescue operation. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee KB3TZD in   
   Berwick, Pennsylvania.   
      
      
   (SA HAMNET)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   PUBLIC SERVICE: NYC WABC CH 7 FEATURES HAM RADIO IN SAVE A LIFE SPECIAL   
      
      
   The emergency operating capabilities of ham radio were featured as part of   
   WABC-TV New York's annual "Operation 7: Save a Life" special that aired   
   Saturday, January 24th. The ARRL contributed video from W1AW and Broadcast   
   Employees Amateur Radio Society President Howard Price, KA2QPJ was   
   interviewed. Price also demonstrated the operating capabilities of the   
   Broadcast Employees Amateur Radio Society Emergency Communications van.   
      
      
   The Broadcast Employees Amateur Radio--or "BEARS"--operates the flagship   
   repeater system for New York City ARES. It also maintains a large multi-state   
   repeater system known as the Disney Amateur Radio Interconnect, which links   
   affiliated repeaters in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,   
   greater Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Florida and California.   
      
      
   The Operation 7 specials each year are dedicated to emergency preparedness,   
   and this is the first year in the long history of these shows that spotlights   
   ham radio. The entire show is now on-line and you can see the segment   
   featuring amateur radio at tinyurl.com/qjrfy68. The story of BEARS and its   
   affiliated groups is at www.w2abc.org http://www.w2abc.org/.   
      
      
   (KA2QPJ)   
      
      
   **   
   HAM HAPPENINGS: MARCH ISSUE OF AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE TO FEATURE AMATEUR   
   RADIO:   
      
      
   The March 2015 edition of American Legion Magazine will include a feature   
   article about the hobby of amateur radio.   
      
      
   -   
      
      
   [Skeeter:] Written by best-selling author Don Keith, N4KC, the article   
   explains how ham radio remains exciting, important, and relevant, even after   
   one-hundred years of existence and so much technological change. It also   
   reminds American Legion members about their organization's own club-The   
   American Legion Amateur Radio Club or TALARC-as well as how its members can   
   get their licenses, establish club stations at more of the 14,000 posts   
   around the country, and more. The Legion has an agreement with the Department   
   of Homeland Security for assistance during emergencies and the article talks   
   about how amateur radio meshes well with that effort.   
      
      
   American Legion Magazine is distributed to the veterans' organization's 2.3   
   million members as well as through other outlets. TALARC now has more than   
   2,000 members. Regular on-air nets are held for Legion members who are also   
   hams. The club station, K9TAL at American Legion Headquarters in   
   Indianapolis, Indiana, also hosts regular operating events. For Newsline, I'm   
   Skeeter Nash N5ASH in Topeka, Kansas.   
      
      
   [Hal:] To learn more about how the American Legion is integrating amateur   
   radio into its organization and for its members, visit   
   www.legion.org/hamradio http://www.legion.org/hamradio.   
      
      
   (N4KC)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: ARRL ROANOKE DIVISION DIRECTOR DENNIS BODSON, W4PWF,   
   RETIRES   
      
      
   Some names in the news. ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF,   
   has stepped down after many years of service to the League. Bodson announced   
   his retirement on January 16, before the official at the Board of Directors'   
   Annual Meeting in Windsor, Connecticut. Vice Director Dr Jim Boehner, N2ZZ,   
   has succeeded him in the directors seat. ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN,   
   has since appointed Bill Morine, N2COP, of Wilmington, North Carolina, to   
   fill the remainder of Boehner's term as Roanoke Division Vice Director,   
   effective immediately. (ARRL)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: QRZ LOGBOOK RECIPROCAL CONFIRMATION CREDIT AND LOTW DOWNLOAD   
      
      
   The QRZ.com Logbook now recognizes confirmations from Logbook of the World.   
   All users of the popular ham radio website now have the ability to download   
   their QSOs from Logbook of the World directly into their QRZ Logbook. More   
   information is at www dot qrz.com on the World Wide Web.   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: 23RD DAYTON CONTEST DINNER ANNOUNCED   
      
      
   Turning to the ham radio social scene, the 23rd Dayton Contest Dinner is   
   slated for Saturday night, May 16th at the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown   
   Dayton, Ohio. Held each year to coincide with the Dayton Hamvention, the   
   event is sponsored by the North Cast Contesters with John Dorr, K1AR serving   
   as this years master of ceremonies. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and   
   are only available on line at contestdinner.com. None will be available at   
   the door. (K3LR)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: ANTIQUE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION'S CW ACTIVITY DAY   
      
      
   The South African Radio League reports that the nation's Antique Wireless   
   Association's CW Activity Day will be held from 10:00 UTC on Saturday   
   February 7th to 10:00 UTC on Sunday, February 8th, with activity on 80 40 and   
   20 meters.   
      
      
   The required exchange for this outing is an RST report, the operators name   
   and grid locator. QSOs count 1 point for low power and 2 points for QRP.   
   Certificates are awarded to the first places and the highest single band   
   score. Log sheets must be submitted by Monday February 23rd by e-mail to   
   andyzs6ady at vodamail.co.za (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 and being relayed by the volunteer services of the   
   following radio amateur:   
      
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS; 41st EASTERN VHF-UHF-MICROWAVE APRIL 17 - 19   
      
      
   The 41st Eastern VHF/UHF/Microwave Conference sponsored by the North-East   
   Weak Signal Group has issued a call for speakers and papers for the gathering   
   and publication in the conference Proceedings. Topics can include, but are   
   not limited to, operating, contesting, construction, homebrewing, and   
   microwaves. Basically, any subject other than repeaters.   
      
      
   The conference takes place April 17th through the 19th at the Baymount Inn   
   and Suites in Manchester, Connecticut. Anyone considering a presentation or   
   paper is asked to contact Paul Wade, W1GHZ, by March 18th . His e-mail is   
   W1GHZ (at) arrl.net. (ANS)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE: HABEX-10 TO LAUNCH APRIL 25   
      
      
   The HABEX-10 Mission is scheduled for launching from South Africa on   
   Saturday April 29th. HABEX is the acronym for High Altitude Balloon   
   Experiment. This flight is part of the Global Space Balloon Challenge for   
   2015. More about HABEX and its ties to amateur radio is on the web at habex   
   dot za dot net. (SARL)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   RADIOSPORTS: SOUTH AFRICA ALL MODE INTERNATIONAL DX CONTEST   
      
      
   The Africa All Mode International DX Contest will be run from 12:00 UTC on   
   Saturday, March 14th to 12:00 UTC on Sunday, March 15th. Competition will be   
   on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. The objective of this all   
   event is to stimulate contesting from Africa. All participating stations   
   worldwide may work any country during the contest period, but QSOs with radio   
   amateurs from Africa are encouraged as reflected in the higher points being   
   awarded in the scoring mechanism. Complete rules can be found on the web at   
   sarl dot org dot za. (SARL)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   ON THE AIR: WW1USA OBSERVES CENTENNIAL EVENT FROM WORLD WAR I FEBRUARY 7TH   
   AND 8TH   
      
      
   Special Event Station WW1USA of the National World War I Museum at Liberty   
   Memorial in Kansas City Missouri will be on the air February 7th and 8th.   
   This in observance of the Beginning of War from the Air.   
      
      
   -   
      
      
   [Skeeter:] To commemorate this event, planners invite licensed amateur radio   
   operators in the region to come to the museum to put the station on the air   
   during this special event. Operating time slots are available on a first-come   
   / first-served basis.   
      
      
   If you work WW1USA during this event, QSL electronically via eQSL. Paper   
   QSL's will require an S-A-S-E. More information including other QSL routing   
   is on the web at ww1usa.org.   
   [Hal:] That's Newsline's Skeeter Nash N5ASH in Topeka, Kansas. (WW1USA)   
      
      
   **   
      
   NOVICE RIG ROUNDUP   
      
      
   Make a big note on your calendar that the Novice Rig Roundup will be here   
   soon. It runs February 6-13th and you can be sure to enjoy the fun. You'll   
   hear most of the rigs pictured above --rigs some of you might even have used   
   as a novice.    
      
      
   As described on their site, the event is a week of amateur radio activity in   
   February where you can contact stations using vintage ham radio equipment   
   from the early era or the Novice License. Any licensed radio amateur may   
   participate. You can use ANY radio equipment you like, but the scoring will   
   be higher for those using real novice era radios! For more details on the   
   even, including suggested frequencies go to www.novicerigroundup.co   
   http://www.novicerigroundup.com/m. (Brian Carling AF4K)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: ROMANIA CELEBRATING 77 YEARS OF IARU MEMBERSHIP   
      
      
   Beginning February 1st, listen out for Romanian stations YO90IARU, YP90IARU,   
   YQ90IARU and YR90IARU which will be on the air to celebrate that nations 77th   
   anniversary of membership in the International Amateur Radio Union. These   
   station will be active in all the bands through December 31st, and a special   
   commemorative QSL certificate will be available. For more information on this   
   celebration send an e-mail to frr@hamradio.ro or visit www.hamradio.ro.   
   (YO3CZW)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   DX   
      
      
   In DX, F5MNW will once again be active stroke FR from Saint Leu on Reunion   
   Island between March 19th and April 14th. Activity will be on the HF bands   
   using only CW. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.   
      
      
   WX3P will be active as P40JP from Aruba between February 14th to the 19th.   
   Activity will be holiday style on 40 through 10 meters, excluding 30 meters.   
   Operations will be QRP with a KX3 and Alex Loop antenna. QSL via his home   
   callsign.   
      
      
   VE7BV will be operational stroke TG9 from Guatemala through February 17th.   
   Activity will be holiday style on the 20, 17 and 15 meter bands using CW and   
   SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct or via the bureau. Electronic QSL's go   
   via Logbook of the World.   
      
      
   JA8COE will be on the air as V63CO from Falalop Island, Micronesia between   
   March 2nd through the 6th. Activity will be on the High Frequency bands. QSL   
   via JA8COE, direct with 2 International Reply Coupons, or electronically   
   using ClubLog's Oh QRS. No bureau cards will be accepted for this operation.   
      
      
   And down the log a little, G0CKV will once again be active as SM5CKV/P from   
   Harstena Island during the RSGB Islands on the Air Contest on July 25th and   
   26th as a Single Operator All Band entry. If you work him, QSL electronically   
   only via Logbook of the World.   
      
      
   (This weeks DX news courtesy of the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: HAM RADIO HELPS BRING RESTORED RADIO TELESCOPE FIRST LIGHT   
      
      
   And finally this week, ham radio has been part of a team effort to bring new   
   life to an older radio telescope system. Amateur Radio Newsline's Ralph   
   Squillace, KK6ITB has more...   
      
      
   -   
      
      
   [Ralph:] The TIROS Restoration Team reports word of reception of 'first   
   light' at 21cm for the TLM-18 antenna system at approximately 17:00 UTC on   
   January 19th.The TLM-18 is a 60-foot prime-focus parabolic antenna located in   
   Wall Township, New Jersey. It was first used to support the TIROS I and TIROS   
   II weather satellites and subsequently, the MINITRACK program. It was   
   decommissioned in the mid 1970's and later de-militarized by the US Army   
   prior to transfer of the property to InfoAge.The TIROS Restoration Team is   
   composed of volunteers from the Information Age Learning Center, The   
   Ocean-Monmouth Amateur Radio Club, and Princeton University.   
      
      
   Ralph Squillace KK6ITB, Amateur Radio Newsline, La Quinta, California.   
      
      
   -   
      
      
   [Hal:] In astronomy, 'first light' is the first use of any form of telescope   
   or new instrument to take an astronomical image after it has been   
   constructed; or in this case, reconstructed. (N2MO)   
      
      
   **   
      
      
   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. Our e-mail address is newsline (at)   
   arnewsline (dot) org. More information is available at Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also   
   write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue,   
   Santa Clarita California, 91350.   
      
      
   For now, for producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF in Los Angeles and our news   
   team world-wide, I'm Hal Rogers K8CMD saying 73, and as always, we thank you   
   for listening.   
      
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.   
      
   ***   
      
   As a Service to the HAM Radio Community and HAM Operators all over the   
   world, this Amateur Radio Newline(tm) message has been gated from the   
   internet and posted to you by Waldo's Place USA, fidonet node 1:3634/12.   
   We hope you enjoyed it!   
      
   Please address all comments and questions to the ARNewsletter editor as   
   described in this posting. If you have any specific questions related   
   to the actual posting of this message, you may address them to   
   hamfdn(at)wpusa.dynip.com.   
      
   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73- ARNTE-0.1.0-OS2 build 42   
   (text/plain utf-8 base64)   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)