Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1963  May 1 2015   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1963 with a release date of Friday, May   
   1st, 2015 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1,     
      
   The following is a QST.  Hams worldwide respond after an earthquake   
   devastates Nepal ; the FCC makes ready to introduce a pair of new ham radio   
   bands; AMSAT announces opportunity for a ham-sat rideshare to geostationary   
   orbit and a house committee asks for documents on proposed FCC field office   
   closures.  Find out why on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1963 coming   
   your way right now.   
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  AMATEUR RADIO ON THE FRONT LINE AFTER NEPAL EARTHQUAKE   
      
   Ham radio became a first responder after a magnitude 7 point 8 earthquake   
   hit the nation of Nepal on Saturday, April 25th.  As this report is being   
   prepared, at least 5000 are known dead and many others still missing.  The   
   quake also triggered avalanches on Mt Everest with several climbers killed.    
   Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the latest:   
      
   --   
      
   [WA6ITF] Within hours of the quake hitting ham radio operators from around   
   the world were on the air offering whatever support that they could provide.    
   Here in the United States , one of those radio amateurs is Wayne Ordakowski,   
   N0UN, in Parker, Colorado , who served as one of many net controllers on 20   
   meters:   
      
   --   
      
   N0UN:  "This is Norway Zero United Norway assisting the Nepalese disaster   
   communications group that has been assembled here on 14.215 MHz to gather   
   information and make contact and do what we can with our ham radio stations   
   and also trying to keep 14.205 MHz clear for emergency communications only.."   
      
   --   
      
   Soon it was learned that with almost no communications into and out of Nepal   
   that even governments wanting to provide aid were turning to monitoring the   
   ham radio nets:   
      
   --   
      
   "I don't know how this happened but we got a call from someone in the UK who   
   was informed of what we are doing and informed the British government and   
   they were very excited to hear what we are doing and they are monitoring both   
   frequencies.  They are monitoring this frequency and 14.205 to get the latest   
   updates that they can get from us."   
      
   --   
      
      
   [WA6ITF] Within hours of the quake hitting ham radio operators from around   
   the world were on the air offering whatever support that they could provide.    
   Here in the United States , one of those radio amateurs is Wayne Ordakowski,   
   N0UN, in Parker, Colorado , who served as one of many net controllers on 20   
   meters:   
      
   --   
      
   N0UN:  "This is Norway Zero United Norway assisting the Nepalese disaster   
   communications group that has been assembled here on 14.215 MHz to gather   
   information and make contact and do what we can with our ham radio stations   
   and also trying to keep 14.205 MHz clear for emergency communications only.."   
      
   --   
      
   Soon it was learned that with almost no communications into and out of Nepal   
   that even governments wanting to provide aid were turning to monitoring the   
   ham radio nets:   
      
   --   
      
   [4X6TT]  "I don't know how this happened but we got a call from someone in   
   the UK who was informed of what we are doing and informed the British   
   government and they were very excited to hear what we are doing and they are   
   monitoring both frequencies.  They are monitoring this frequency and 14.205   
   to get the latest updates that they can get from us."   
      
   --   
      
   That was Amir Bazak, 4X6TT, in Israel .  Meantime in Nepal the Nepal Amateur   
   Radio Society is providing emergency communications in the wake of the   
   disaster.  Satish Kharel, 9N1AA, reports he was using solar power and was   
   coordinating his efforts with the police in the capitol city of Kathmandu .     
   Kathmandu was among the areas hardest hit.  9N1AA said that information has   
   already been provided on the status of numerous foreign visitors to their   
   loved ones.  That work is ongoing.  Also that he has been sharing the post   
   quake emergency communications work with Suresh Upreti, 9N1HA.   
      
   Jayu Bhide, VU2JAU, is the Amateur Radio Society of India's National   
   Coordinator for Disaster Communication and was one of the early net   
   controllers on 14.205.  He said a delay occurred because the quake demolished   
   the building in Nepal where emergency communications gear was installed.  He   
   told Jim Linton, VK3PC, that 9N1AA and 9N1DX were later able to come on the   
   air but in the interim many messages piled up to pass on to Nepal to find   
   missing people.  VU2JAU added that other hams in India are also involved in   
   the relief effort.  They have been heard operating on 7.100, 18.160 and   
   21.360 MHz.   
      
   Four radio amateurs from Gujarat India are now in Nepal headed by VU2ZNN.    
   Similarly another four-member team made up of  hams from North Delhi have set   
   up High Frequency and VHF stations on India 's side of its border with Nepal   
   .     
      
   The bottom line is that hams in Nepal facing hard situation.   As we go to   
   air 9N1AA and 9N1HA are now supported by 9N1KK and 9N1ZZ.  And while some   
   commercial lines of communications have been restored these hams in Nepal   
   appear to be the main source of information into and out of the quake   
   devastated nation.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles .   
      
   --   
      
   [Anchor]  As this is still breaking news we will have follow-up reports in   
   future newscasts.  Late updates will be posted at   
   facebook.com/groups/ARNewsline   
      
   (Information provided by VK3PC, ARRL, Amateur Radio Society of India ,   
   others)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING:  AMATEUR SERVICE USE OF LF AND MF BANDS   
      
   Amateur Radio is poised to gain access to two new bands.  This as the FCC   
   prepares to implement the treaty obligations reached at the World   
   Radiocommunications Conferences held in 2007 and 2012.  Stephan Kinford,   
   N8WB, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   [N8WB]  In a combined 257 page Report and Order and Notice of Proposed   
   Rulemaking released on April 27, the FCC has allocated a new Low Frequency   
   band from 135.7 to 137.8 kilohertz to the Amateur Service on a secondary   
   basis.  Allocation of this sliver of spectrum at 2200 meters was in line with   
   the Final Acts of the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference.    
      
   The FCC has also proposed a new secondary 630 meter Medium Frequency    
   allocation at 472 to 479 kHz to Amateur Radio, implementing decisions made at   
   WRC-12.   However no amateur radio operation will be permitted in either band   
   until the FCC determines the specific Part 97 rules it must create to permit   
   operation.  This could take some time.   
      
   It should be noted that hams would share both allocations with unlicensed   
   Part 15 Powerline Carrier Systems,  These systems are operated by electric   
   companies to monitor and control power distribution systems.    
      
   Last, the Commission FCC has raised the secondary Amateur Service allocation   
   at 1900 to 2000 kHz of 160 meters to primary status.  At the same time it   
   took the necessary steps to provide for continued use by currently unlicensed   
   commercial fishing vessels of radio buoys on what it termed the open sea.   
      
   The allocation changes, associated proposed rules are contained in three   
   rule making documents titled  ET-12-338, ET-15-99, and IB-06-123.   The FCC   
   will accept comments for 60 days following publication of the Report and   
   Order, Order, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register.    
   That publication date is not yet known.  Reply comments would be due 30 days   
   after the commentary cutoff deadline.   
      
   I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline.   
      
   --   
      
   [Anchor]  Those interested in reading the 257 page master document that   
   outlines all the changes to be implemented across the electromagnetic   
   spectrum can find it in PDF format at tinyurl.com/pg8o7ff   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO REGULATIONS:  AMATEUR RADIO HEADS PREPARES FOR WRC-15    
      
   ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, says that the recently   
   concluded second World Radiocommunication Conference preparatory meeting was   
   good for ham radio.     
      
   Price represented the United States at the 2-week-long meeting addressed a   
   variety of spectrum-related matters, including several dealing with Amateur   
   Radio.  The report developed at the gathering to WRC-15 focuses on technical,   
   operational, and regulatory matters that International Telecommunications   
   Union member states will consider in developing their proposals to WRC-15.     
      
   World Radiocommunication Conferences are tasked to review and revise the   
   Radio Regulations.  These are the international treaties governing the use of   
   RF spectrum and satellite orbit resources.  More than 1250 participants from   
   105 I-T-U member-states attended the prepatory meeting.   
      
   WRC-15 will run from November 2 to the 27th in Geneva , Switzerland .  More   
   is at tinyurl.com/wrc-2015-prep-gathering.  (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   AMSAT-NA ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITY FOR RIDESHARE TO GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT   
      
   AMSAT has announced that that it has accepted an opportunity to participate   
   in a potential rideshare as a hosted amateur radio payload on a geostationary   
   satellite.  One planned for launch in 2017.  Amateur Radio Newslines Heather   
   Embee, KB3TZD has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   [KB3TZD]  If all goes as hoped, such an amateur radio payload will fly on a   
   spacecraft which Millennium Space Systems of El Segundo, California is   
   contracted to design, launch, and operate for the U S government based on   
   their Aquila M8 Series Satellite Structure.   
      
   Dr. Bob McGwier, N4HY, is the Director of Research at the Hume Center for   
   National Security and Technology of Virginia Tech and a former Vice President   
   of Engineering of AMSAT.  He says that the next step is to organize an effort   
   at Virginia Tech to make a firm proposal to Millennium Space Systems and its   
   US government sponsor and to raise sufficient funds to pay for development of   
   the mission.  Dr. Michael Parker, KT7D, will solicit the cooperation of the   
   Rincon Research Corp. for development of the software radio technology for   
   this payload.    
      
   As to technical parameters, N4HY says that the design of the transponder is   
   expected to support a wide range of voice, digital, and experimental advanced   
   communications technologies.  A decision is expected soon specifying the   
   microwave uplink and downlink bands.    
      
   According to McGwier with the launch is currently scheduled for 2017 the   
   payload must be delivered for testing and integration by spring of 2016.   He   
   indicates this is an ambitious schedule and all involved will have to gain   
   and maintain a serious level of commitment to achieve.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick ,   
   Pennsylvania .   
      
   --   
      
   [Anchor] AMSAT expects to be involved in the design of the ground station   
   and the payload RF development.  It will then serve as the amateur radio   
   payload operator once the satellite has been launched.  ( ANS )   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  FUNCUBE TRANSPONDER FOR NAYIF-1 CUBE SAT   
      
   AMSAT-UK and AMSAT Netherlands have announced that a FUNcube communications   
   package has been selected as a major payload for the Nayif-1 CubeSat.  This   
   mission is intended to provide Emirati students with a tool to design and   
   test systems in space.    
      
   Nayif-1  is being developed by the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science   
   and Technology in partnership with American University of Sharjah.  It is   
   expected that this payload will provide a large amount of valuable   
   environmental data from space together with a new UHF to VHF linear   
   transponder for amateur SSB and CW communications.   
      
   AMSAT will be working closely with the Emirati students, in collaboration   
   with support partner Innovative Solutions In Space B.V. from the Netherlands   
   , to develop this new system in time for the launch which is scheduled to   
   take place towards the end of 2015.   
      
   This news of this joint venture was announced on April 25, 2015 during the   
   Dutch Satellite Interest Day event in Apeldoorn .  More information, with   
   details of frequencies and planned operating schedules, will be made   
   available as soon as it's available.     
   (AMSAT UK )   
      
   **    
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the including the   
   VE6YTV repeater   serving Langdon , Alberta , Canada   
      
   (5 second pause)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  HOUSE COMMITTEE ASKS FOR DOCUMENTS ON PROPOSED FCC FIELD OFFICE   
   CLOSURES   
      
   Plans to close two-thirds of all FCC field offices seems to have caught the   
   eye of Congress.  This as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce gives   
   the Federal Communications Commission a May 7 deadline to produce documents   
   related to the it's Enforcement Bureau proposals to close these regional   
   offices and eliminate nearly one-half of its staff of field agents.    
      
   In an April 23 letter, Committee Chairman Fred Upton told FCC Chairman Tom   
   Wheeler that his panel wants the Commission to provide all documents relating   
   to the proposed closures.     
      
   The letter went on to note that the Commission has represented to Congress   
   and the American people that it will preserve the integrity of public safety   
   communications infrastructure.  This, by taking action on 99 percent of   
   complaints of interference to public safety communications within one day.    
   But it also notes that the proposal to reduce the geographic footprint of the   
   Commission appears to ignore the impact this might have on the Commission's   
   public interest goal.     
      
   Upton said the Commission has offered little information to support its   
   proposals.    
      
      
   The field office and personnel layoff proposals were outlined in a March   
   10th internal memorandum from Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc and FCC   
   Managing Director Jon Wilkins to the Enforcement Bureau's field staff.  The   
   memo, obtained by ARRL and others, cited the need to take "a fresh look" at   
   the Bureau's 20-year-old operating model in light of technology changes and   
   tighter budgets.   
      
   You can read the full ARRL story at   
   www.arrl.org/news/house-committee-asks-fcc-for-documents-related-to-proposed-e   
   nforcement-bureau-closures  (ARRL, Southgate )   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCMENT:  UNLICENSED NYC BROADCSTER   HIT WITH $20,0000 PROPOSED FINE   
      
   The FCC has proposed a penalty of $20,000 against Luis Angel Ayora for   
   apparently operating an unlicensed FM radio station in Queens , New York .     
      
   According to the FCC Ayora has a history of operating unlicensed FM radio   
   stations in that New York City borough.  In 2013, he was issued three Notices   
   of Unlicensed Operation for operating a station on 91.9 MHz from various   
   Queens locations.     
      
   On May 29, 2014 , in response to complaints of unauthorized operations,   
   agents from the New York Office located the source of radio transmissions on   
   91.9 MHz to an FM transmitter antenna located at an apartment building in   
   Queens .  Agents spoke to the owner of the building, who identified Angel   
   Ayora as the owner of an unauthorized radio transmitter located in the   
   basement.  The owner of the building called Ayora who came to the building to   
   claim the equipment.  Ayora admitted that he owned and installed the   
   equipment and operated the unlicensed station.  The agents delivered a Notice   
   of Unlicensed Operation to Ayora.  They also verbally warned him that   
   operation of the unlicensed FM radio station violated Section 301 of the   
   Communications and that he must immediately cease operations.  Ayora did not   
   respond to the Notice.    
      
   This past January 13th in response to additional complaints of unlicensed   
   operations, agents from the New York Office located the source of   
   transmissions on 91.9 MHz to another multi family building in Queens .  The   
   agents observed a coaxial cable running from the dwelling to a transmitting   
   antenna.  They again took field strength measurements of the station's signal   
   and determined that it exceeded the limits for operation under Part 15 of the   
   Rules and therefore required a license.     
      
   On February 18th  the FCC's New York Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed   
   Operation to Ayora stating his radio station on  91.9 MHz violated Section   
   301 of the Communications Act.  Also that he must cease immediately or he   
   could be subjected to significant forfeitures.  Once again Mr. Ayora did not   
   respond to the Notice.   
      
   In its April 14th decision to issue the $20,000 proposed fine the FCC found   
   that Ayora apparently, willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the   
   Communications Act by operating an unlicensed FM station.  It also noted that   
   it had repeatedly warned him that unlicensed radio operations are illegal,   
   but he nevertheless continued to operate his station.  This says the FCC   
   demonstrates a deliberate disregard for the Commission's authority and its   
   rules, warranting a significant penalty.     
      
   Aroya was given the customary 30 days to pay or file an appeal.   (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO REGULATIONS:  FCC APPROVES RECOMMENDED NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY   
   CHANNELS IN THE 700 MHZ BAND   
      
   The FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has approved a   
   recommended set of six channels for use nationwide by 700 MHz deployable   
   trunked emergency communications systems.  This as outlined in PS Docket No.   
   13-87 and WT Docket No. 02-378.     
      
   On October 17, 2014 , the Commission adopted a Report and Order which   
   released the twenty-four narrowband 12.5 kHz bandwidth reserve channels to   
   the General Use category.  These under the administration of the 700 MHz   
   Regional Planning Committees or R-P-C for the benefit of state and local   
   public safety licensees.     
      
   This channel set was recommended by the National Public Safety   
   Telecommunications Council and the National Regional Planning Council.  This   
   past February 13th both groups recommended a set of six former reserve   
   channels  to be allocated nationwide for such a 700 MHz deployable system.     
   A few weeks later on March 3rd, the Public Safety and Homeland Security   
   Bureau issued a Public Notice seeking comment on the recommended channels.     
      
   With this latest action 700 MHz Regional Planning Committees may now   
   incorporate these channels into their plans for deployable trunked systems.    
   Also, any region with a T-Band market must give priority to these channels to   
   any public safety T-band incumbent seeking to relocate from the T-band.    
      
   The complete text of the approval document released April 23rd in PDF format   
   is at   
   http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0423/DA-15-483A   
   1.pdf   
   (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   EVENTS:  ARMED FORCES DAY CROSSBAND COMMUNICATIONS TEST MAY 9 - 10   
      
   The United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are   
   co-sponsoring the annual military/amateur radio Crossband Communications   
   Tests.  This, in celebration of Armed Forces Day and the 90th Anniversary of    
   MARS or the Military Auxiliary Radio System .      
      
   This annual event is described as a unique opportunity to test two way   
   communications between amateur radio and military stations.  The event   
   features traditional military to amateur cross band SSB, CW, and legacy   
   interoperability modes.  And this year amateur stations may try their hand at   
   using more modern military communications such as MIL - STD Serial PSK and   
   Automatic Link Establishment.   
      
   Although the actual Armed Forces Day is celebrated on Saturday, May 16th,   
   this years Crossband Communications Test will be conducted May 9th and 10th    
   to prevent conflict with the Dayton Hamvention.   
      
      
   For a complete listing of participating military stations, operating modes,   
   and times of operation, go to www.usarmymars.org/home/announcements or the   
   Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HQArmyMARS?ref=hl  (WD8DBY)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMVENTION 2015:  LOTS OF BIG PRIZES THIS YEAR   
      
   Prizes to be awarded at the 2015 Dayton Hamvention have exceeded $55,000 and   
   additional donations are still coming in.  This  according to Tom Holmes,   
   N8ZM who is serving as the 2015 Prize Committee chairman.     
      
   Holmes says the total for major prizes thus far is $27,588 and smaller   
   prizes at $27,502 almost match that amount.     
      
   Several transceivers highlight the major prizes.  These include an IC-7600   
   and ID 5100A from ICOM America; three TS-590G's from Kenwood USA , a  FTDX   
   1220 and a FT 450D from Yaesu USA and a DX-SR9T from Alinco. The biggest   
   prize in physical size is a US Tower HDX-555 55 foot crank up tower.      
      
   About 100 vendors have contributed prizes so far.  Holmes notes that some of   
   the hourly prizes may also be substantial and represent a broad spectrum of   
   items of interest to hams.     
      
   Drawings will be held hourly during Hamvention and winning numbers are   
   posted at the Prize Booth in the Main Arena and on monitors throughout the   
   HARA Arena complex.  The drawing for the major prizes takes place at the   
   close of Hamvention.  (W8HJR)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: FCC CHAIRMAN TOM WHEELER ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES    
      
   Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced the new   
   position of Gigi Sohn as Counselor to the Chairman.    
      
   According to the April 20th announcement, Ms. Sohn will serve as the   
   Chairman's representative at a variety of public forums across the country.    
   She will also continue her role as an advisor to the Chairman and a principal   
   contact for third-party stakeholders in the Office of the Chairman. Prior to   
   joining the Chairman's office in November 2013 as Special Counsel for   
   External Affairs, Sohn served as the President and CEO of Public Knowledge   
   from 2001 to 2013.    
      
   Wheeler has also announced the appointment of Emmaka Porchea-Veneszee as   
   Special and Confidential Assistant to the Chairman.  Ms. Porchea-Veneszee has   
   joined the chairman's office after serving as Executive Assistant to the   
   Executive Director of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO HONORS:  CANADIAN RADIO CLUB TURNED 67 ON WORLD RADIO DAY   
      
   Congratulations to Canada 's Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association which   
   celebrated its 67th anniversary as well as World Amateur Radio Day on April   
   18th.    
      
   The Nanaimo Daily News reported that an open house was planned to mark the   
   occasion. Also, there were to be demonstrations of voice and digital modes   
   and a direction finding T-hunt.  Emergency preparedness was to be covered by   
   members of the Coastal Emergency Communication Association.     
      
   More about the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association can be found at   
   http://www.ve7na.ca/  ( Southgate )   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  GRAPHENE BASED LIGHT BULB TO GO ON SALE THIS YEAR   
      
   The BBC  reports that a graphene bulb is set to go on sale this year.     
   United Kingdom developers said their graphene bulb will be the first   
   commercially viable consumer product using the super-strong carbon.    
      
   The dimmable bulb has a filament-shaped LED coated in graphene.  Because of   
   its conductivity the bulb can last longer and is said to cut energy use by 10   
   percent.   It is also expected to be priced lower than some LED bulbs.     
      
   The bulb is being manufactured by a Canadian financed company called   
   Graphene Lighting.  ( BBC )   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO FROM SPACE: ROSETTA MISSION FINDS COMET 67P COMET NOT MAGNETIZED   
      
   Europe 's Rosetta comet-chasing mission researchers announced that its   
   subject, comet 67 P has no magnetic field.      
      
   According to a report by the European Space Agency, Rosetta's lander probe   
   Philae took data from its multiple landing sites last November and radioed   
   the information back to Earth.  From this researchers found that the surface   
   of 67 P is not magnetized.   This news could provide some key insight into   
   the formation planets as well as comets during their early development   
   stages.    
      
   The findings were first published by the journal "Science" and presented at   
   the European Geosciences Union in Vienna , Austria .  The complete story is   
   on-line at tinyurl.com/comet-not-magnetic   (IBT)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION:  NEW TRANSATLANTIC 144MHZ BEACON FROM COUNTY CORK IRELAND   
      
   EI2DKH is a new transatlantic 2 meter propagation beacon that became fully   
   operational from County Cork in Ireland on April 12th.  The beacon transmits   
   in the JT65b mode with CW identifier on 144.488 MHz every even minute.  It   
   then listens for responses on 144.155 MHz every odd minute.  Power output is   
   75 watts to a set of 5-element LFA-Q Innov Antenna yagi's at 60 meters above   
   mean sea level beaming due west.  During major meteor showers the beacon will   
   switch to the FSK441 mode.  Any call signs received are uploaded to a public   
   webpage at tinyurl.com/cork-two-meter-beacon      
   (IRTS, Southgate )   
      
   **   
      
   RADIOSPORTS:  3RD BALKAN HIGH SPEED TELEGRAPHY CHAMPIONSHIP   
      
   The 3rd Balkan High Speed Telegraphy Championship will take place May 15th   
   to the 17th in Svilajnac , Serbia .  Organizer of the event is the Amateur   
   Radio Union of Serbia.  Invited countries are Albania , Bosnia and   
   Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Croatia , Cyprus , Greece , Macedonia , Moldova ,   
   Montenegro , Romania , Serbia , Slovenia and Turkey .  More information is on   
   the web at tinyurl.com/balkan-cw.  ( Southgate )   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR : PA125VVG TO CELEBRATE ARTIST VINCENT VAN GOGH    
      
   Several radio amateurs of Section 54 of the Netherlands national amateur   
   radio society the VERON will bring the special call PA125VVG from Monday, May   
   11th  until Sunday,  June 7th to the air,  This in commemoration of the life   
   of Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh.   
      
   Vincent Van Gogh was born in Zundert on 30th of March 1853 and was one of   
   the great artists of the 19th century.  His work falls under   
   Post-Impressionism, an art form that succeeded the nineteenth century   
   impressionism.    
      
   PA125VVG will be operational on all of the High Frequency and VHF bands   
   using various modes.  For all QSO's made with  PA125VVG a special QSL card   
   via the bureau.  Neither eQSL or Logbook of the World will not be available   
   for this event.  A special digital award will also be available.  More   
   information can be found at www.qrz.com/db/pa125vvg  (VERON)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR :  DIGITAL ACTIVITY DAYS RDRC IN MAY   
      
   Digital Activity Days sponsored by the Russian Digital Radio Club takes   
   place from zero hours UTC on May 1st through 23:59 UTC on May 10th.  The   
   objective of the Digital Activity Days is to establish as many contacts as   
   possible between hams around the world and radio amateurs in Russia .    
   Operations will be on the High Frequency bands from 160 through 10 meters   
   using most of the popular digital modes.  For more info including a list of   
   suggested frequencies please visit tinyurl.com/russia-digital-days  (Russian   
   Digital Radio Club)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR :  PT70FEB CELEBRATES THE END OF WORLD WAR II   
      
   PT70FEB is a special event station that will operate throughout May.  This   
   to celebrate 70 years of the end of World War II, and a tribute to the    
   Brazilian Expeditionary Force Italian Campaign.  Operations will be on most   
   of the High Frequency bands using SSB, CW & RTTY.  QSL's go to PS7AB direct,   
   via the bureau or electronically using eQSL or Logbook of the World.  (PS7AB)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, K2HVN will be operating from Barbados between May 5 and 11th.    
   Activity will be on 20 through 10 meters using 100 watts into a vertical   
   antenna.  At this time the callsign he will use is pending.  QSL via K2HVN   
   direct with SASE or via the bureau.  No Logbook of the World or eQSL.   
      
   OH3WS will once again be active as OJ0W from Market Reef between May 23rd   
   and the 31st.  He is there as a as a voluntary worker and will operate during   
   his spare time.  His operations will be on 40 through 10 meters mostly CW but   
   with some SSB.  QSL via his home callsign.   
      
   K3LP, K3FN and VK3FY will be on the air from Aruba as P40CD, P40FN and P40FY   
   from Cook's Radio Retreat on Aruba between May 19th and the 26th. Activity   
   will be on the High Frequency bands only.  QSL via M0OXO.   
      
   Lastly, DJ6TF, DK1BT, DL7DF and DL7UFR signing stroke Oh-X from Tasiilaq   
   Island between June 3rd through the 12th.  Their operations will be on 160   
   through 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  They will upload the full   
   logs of the DXpedition to Logbook of the World within 6 months after the   
   DXpedition has been completed.  QSL via DL7DF, direct or by the bureau.   
      
   (This weeks DX news courtesy of the Ohio-Penn DX Newsletter)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  OREGON HAMS PREPARE FOR THE MEGAQUAKE   
      
   And finally this week, Oregon Public Broadcasting recently reported on the   
   vital role radio amateurs could play when an earthquake strikes.    
      
   To prepare for the disaster, on Saturday April 25th the Oregon Office of   
   Emergency Management supported the largest statewide emergency communications   
   exercise Oregon has ever had.  About 200 amateur radio operators participated.   
      
   Cory Grogan is a public information officer at the Oregon Office of   
   Emergency Management.  He says that these amateur radio operators could serve   
   a vital role in affected areas when, not if such an earthquake were to happen.   
      
   In the last 100 years, there have only been five magnitude 9.0 or higher   
   "megaquakes" worldwide.  The pressure currently building in the Cascadia   
   Subduction Zone that runs along the California , Oregon , and Washington   
   coasts could unleash a sixth.   
      
   You can read and listen to the entire story at   
   tinyurl.com/oregon-quake-ham-radio.   
   ( Oregon Public Broadcasting, Southgate )   
      
   **   
      
   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.   
      
   Before we go, a reminder that Amateur Radio Newsline is seeking nominations   
   for its 2015 Young Ham of the Year Award.  For consideration, a nominee must   
   have used amateur radio in some way that has benefited his or her community   
   or encouraged technological development directly or indirectly related to   
   communications.     
      
   Nominees must be 19 years or younger, and reside in the United States   
   including Hawaii , Alaska and Puerto Rico , or any of the Canadian Provinces.   
   The individual must also hold a currently valid United States or Canadian   
   Amateur Radio license.   
      
   The deadline for submitting an application is May 30th 2015 and the decision   
   of the judging committee is final.  To obtain an application, send a self   
   addressed, stamped envelope to 2015 Young Ham of the Year Award, in care of   
   Amateur Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Ave. Santa Clarita , CA 91350 .  You can   
   also download a form in Microsoft Word format at  www.arnewsline.org/yhoty,   
   clicking on the word "here" and saving the file to print at a later time.   
      
   Presentation of the 2015 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award   
   will take the weekend of August 15 and 16 at the Huntsville Hamfest in   
   Huntsville Alabama .    
      
   For now, with producers Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles, Skeeter   
   Nash, N5 ASH , in Topeka, plus our news team world wide, I'm Ralph Squillace,   
   KK6ITB, 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)