Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1964  May 8 2015   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1964 with a release date of Friday, May   
   8th, 2015 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1,     
      
   The following is a QST.  Amateur radio continues its work in earthquake   
   ravaged Nepal;  temporary access to 4 meters made available in Germany for   
   sporadic E season; the digital Ham TV transmitter comes alive from the ISS;   
   Congress continues pressing the FCC on proposed Field Bureau closures and   
   radio back on the farm.  All this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline report   
   number 1964 coming your way right now.   
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO EFFORTS CONTINUE IN WAKE OF NEPAL EARTHQUAKE   
      
   Ham radio continues to provide service to the people of Nepal in the wake of   
   the devastating earthquake that hit back on on Saturday, April 25th.  So far   
   more than 7,500 people are reported dead with at least 14,500 injured and   
   10's of thousands left homeless.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the latest:   
      
   --   
      
   [WA6ITF]    The pace of emergency communications has not slowed on most of   
   the international links which have functioned since the first hours of the   
   disaster.   
      
   Operations are taking place on a number of frequencies in the 40, 20 and 15   
   meter bands with 9N1SP specifically maintaining contacts with the United   
   States MARS or Military Auxiliary Radio System.  9N1AJ is another station   
   identified as providing the Nepal end of the MARS radio path. It is expected   
   that this circuit will eventually be reduced to a periodic schedule to keep   
   the lines of communication open.   
      
   Two amateur radio stations appear to have started operating from some of the   
   hard to reach rural areas of Nepal.  They are identified as 9N3AA in Damauli   
   and 9N1SD at Sindhupalchowk.  These locations are reportedly a four to five   
   day trek from the capital city of Kathmandu.  Operators are reported on their   
   way to other devastated regions with some expected to take to the airways by   
   the time you hear this newscast.      
      
   Also, a repeater donated by the group CAN-USA that had been held up by   
   Nepal's customs is now reported by 9N1SP as released and ready for   
   deployment.  It will compliment the current 9N1KS 70 centimeter to 2 meter   
   cross-band repeater set up in 2012.   
      
   Many countries radio amateurs remain active in the area as the post   
   earthquake communications needs have not significantly diminished.  Nepal has   
   very few licensed amateur radio operators, which is why hams from other   
   countries have traveled to it to provide their help.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   Hams world-wide are reminded that Nepal emergency traffic may be heard on any   
   frequency in the amateur bands as it is not always possible for that nations   
   hams to operate on the IARU Emergency Center of Activity frequencies.  If you   
   hear the words emergency communications please stand by or move to a   
   different frequency so as to give the rescue radio operators room to work.    
   (ARNewsline, VK3PC, IARU-R1, Southgate, MARS, ARRL, CAN-USA )   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO BRING AMATEUR RADIO TO NEPAL PAYS OFF   
   IN THE AFTERMATH OF EARTHQUAKE   
      
   Over the past several years an international team of radio amateurs have been   
   working to spur amateur radio growth in Nepal.  There are few hams in that   
   nation and this effort was put to the test in the aftermath of the recent   
   earthquake that struck near the capital city of Kathmandu.   
      
   Led from the United States by a group called Radio Mala under the guidance of   
   Suresh Ojha, W6KTM, the team has been working with government officials and   
   universities in Nepal to promote acceptance of amateur radio by a government   
   that has traditionally not allowed licensing by average citizens.     
      
   Historically the area around Kathmandu has experienced a major earthquake   
   about every 75 years, and the last major quake occurred over 79 years ago.      
   To help support disaster response communications in the wake of the latest   
   earthquake Radio Mala's volunteers lobbied the Nepal government to open ham   
   radio to all citizens and helped get Nepalis trained and licensed.   
      
   David Witkowski, W6DTW, is a Strategic Adviser to Radio Mala.  He said that   
   in the days after the earthquake communications into the Kathmandu Valley   
   area were sporadic.   There was some cellular data but the system was   
   overloaded.  Wired Internet was mostly working into the area, and although   
   slow communication via e-mail, text messaging, and Twitter was possible.     
      
   According to W6DTW the repeater system activated last year in Kathmandu has   
   seen heavy use for civil disaster relief coordination.  Dr. Sanjeeb Panday,   
   9N1SP, has been using an H F station donated by Radio Mala to Tribhuvan   
   University in Kathmandu to pass High Frequency communications traffic with   
   relief operators in the Middle East.      
      
   This effort is continuing and you can find out more at facebook (dot) com /   
   hamradio (dot) mala.   (W6DTW)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION:  SOLAR FLARE CAUSES RADIO BLACK   
      
   Sunspot AR2339 unleashed an intense X2-class solar flare on May 5th  at   
   approximately 22:11 UTC.  Radiation generated caused strong radio  blackouts   
   on the Pacific side of Earth, interfering with communications at  frequencies   
   below 20 MHz.  The blast also hurled a Coronal Mass Ejection or CME into   
   space, but  not toward Earth. This event could herald a sustained period of   
   high solar  as AR2339 is beiher.com.ng described as both appears to be large   
   and explosive. More information can be found at spaceweather.com.    
   (Spaceweather)   
      
   **   
      
   TEMPORARY RESTRURING:  70 MHZ ACCESS FOR GERMAN RADIO HAMS FOR SPORADIC E   
   SEASON   
      
   The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club reports that hams in Germany will have   
   access to  70.150 MHz to 70.180 MHz in the 4 meter band during the Sporadic-E   
   season.  This after publication of an announcement in the Official Journal of   
   Communication on April 29th.     
      
   Holders of that nations class A license are able to use a limited portion of   
   the band from from now until August 31st.  Maximum transmission power is 25   
   watts Effective Radiated with a maximum bandwidth of 12 kHz  and horizontal   
   polarization.  Since Amateur Radio is a secondary user of that spectrum it   
   has to ensure the protection of the other primary radio services.  (DARC,   
   Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AMATEUR VIDEO NOW TRANSMITTING FROM ISS   
      
   As of Friday May 1st  the Ham Video transmitter on board the Columbus module   
   of the International Space Station is powered on and is transmitting in its   
   Blank Transmission or BT mode.  In this mode the transmitter is operated   
   without camera but the digital TV signal is fully formatted.  From a   
   technical perspective, the BT signal is all that is needed for testing and   
   fine tuning ground stations.   
      
   To that end, a European network of chained ground stations is nearly   
   complete.  Six stations span the continent in "X" formation.  For each   
   ascending and descending pass over Europe, four of these stations provide   
   about ten minutes of solid copy.  The chained ground stations are streaming    
   to the British Amateur Television Club server which has set up a multi viewer   
   page at  www dot batc dot  tv.   This web page shows all six streams with   
   each view having the ability to be maximized to full screen.     
      
   This operational mode is dubbed ARISS Ham TV.  The video transmitter will   
   stay on as long as orbit operations permit.  When the ground stations are   
   operating reliably, the transmitter will be used to enhance ARISS school   
   contacts.  Uplink for audio will remain VHF only.  More information is   
   available at www.ariss-eu.org/columbus.htm  (ON4WF)   
      
   **   
      
   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 WC8OH   
   repeater serving Kettering Ohio.   
      
   (5 second pause)   
      
   **   
      
   MILITARY RADIO:  ARMY TO QUIT TEACHING MORSE CODE AT FORT HUACHUCA    
      
   The US Army will quit teaching Morse code to soldiers at its training center   
   at Fort Huachuca in Arizona.   
      
   The Army has used the code since shortly after its invention by Samuel Morse   
   in 1844.  During the Cival War both the Union and Confederate armies heavily   
   relied on Morse code.  But its use decreased significantly since World War   
   II.  These days the military has satellites and other channels of   
   communications that offer voice services and text messaging on the   
   battlefield.   
      
   But for the overall military Morse is not completely going away.  Because   
   some forces still use the code troops that need to know it will have the   
   option of going to an Air Force sponsored course taught in Texas.    
   (Gazelle.com)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  CONGRESS PRESSES FCC ON PROPOSED CLOSURE OF FIELD OFFICES   
      
   A follow up to last weeks story on congressional reaction to the proposed   
   closure of FCC field offices by the agency's Enforcement Bureau.  Amateur   
   Radio Newslines Stephen Kinford, N8WB, has the latest:   
      
   --   
      
   [N8WB]  Several lawmakers have asked FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler about the   
   agency's plan to downside the agency's Enforcement Bureau field offices   
   during a recent House Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on   
   increasing transparency at the agency.     
      
   Among those posing the questions was Missouri Representative Billy Long.  He   
   asked why if the bureau plans to close just over half of the field offices   
   that there were eight top managers in 2009 growing to 16 now.  Wheeler said   
   that was unrelated to the plans to retain only eight and reduce the field   
   agents from just over 60 to just over 30.     
      
   Wheeler went on to  described the costs for operating the field offices as   
   being off the chart and much higher than the average total operating cost of   
   $272 per square foot for the Washington office.  He said that the average   
   total cost for operating the Houston office is $620 per square foot while   
   that figure rises to $2,000 for Portland, Oregon.   
      
   Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio summed up data supplied by the   
   commission.  He said it indicates the field offices take the majority of   
   enforcement actions.  He credited the figures at 88% in 2011, 76% in 2012 and   
   89% in 2013. Given that, he asked Wheeler how would the agency continue that   
   level of enforcement activity from the few remaining offices.  To which   
   Johnson added that if he were to read between the lines, aren't you really   
   talking about a wholesale retreat from the type of enforcement actions   
   undertaken by the field like interference resolution, and abandonment of the   
   pro-active enforcement work the field performs?  Wheeler replied that there   
   are too many field offices with good people, but they're not being   
   effectively applied.      
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen, Kinford, N8WB, in Wadsworth,   
   Ohio.   
      
   --   
      
   Several members of the subcommittee, led by Chairman Greg Walden, W7EQI, of   
   Oregon have asked for any of the material related to the agency's closure   
   plans.  Wheeler assured that information would be forthcoming, noting that   
   personal identification information is being removed first.  (Radioworld)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO SAFETY:  WHISTLER RECALLS SOME JUMP AND GO POWER UNITS   
      
   The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that the The Whistler   
   Group, Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas, is recalling some of its its "Jump&Go"   
   Portable Jumpstart and Power Supply units. This due to a potential fire   
   hazard from overheating.    
      
   The recall involves more than 10,000 of the pocket-sized devices,   
   manufactured in China.  The notice says that the unit's lithium battery has   
   the potential to overheat causing it to melt and ignite nearby items, posing   
   a fire hazard to consumers.  .   
      
   The recall involves 12 V Jump and Go units with model numbers starting with   
   WJS-3000.  According to the ARRL some ARES and RACES participants use these   
   units as a portable 12 volt DC source.     
      
   More information on both the device and the action to take if you own one is   
   at tinyurl.com/jump-and-go-recall  (CPSC, ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  NO EXEMPTION FOR HAM RADIO IN PROPOSED SOUTH BEND INDIANA   
   CELLPHONE BAN   
      
   It will be several weeks before the South Bend Indiana Common Council   
   considers a proposal banning the use of cell phones and other hand-held   
   electronic devices while driving.  This after members of the Health and   
   Public Safety Committee recently tabled the proposal amid questions about   
   cost, implementation and enforcement.     
      
   Introduced by Common Council member Henry Davis Jr., the proposal would ban   
   the use of cellphones and other hand-held electronic devices while driving.    
   Hands-free devices would be allowed and the ban would not apply to first   
   responders, fleet management systems, dispatching devices, music players, CB   
   radios or emergency situations.     
      
   The American Radio Relay League voiced concern over the absence of an   
   exemption for amateur radio operators in the proposal.  Joseph Lawrence,   
   K9RFZ is the league's Section Manager for Indiana.  He noted amateur radio   
   operators assist with emergency dispatch functions and act as weather   
   spotters.    
      
   The Health and Public Safety Committee will discuss the possible ban further   
   at a special meeting on May 18th.  (Southbend Tribune)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO OPERATORS SERVE AS  EYES ON THE GROUND FOR THE NWS   
      
   Chicago Radio station WBBM recently reported on the role played by radio   
   amateurs in helping the National Weather Service during severe weather.  Bill   
   Nelson, Observation Program Leader for the National Weather Service office in   
   Romeoville, Illinois, said when severe weather hits, ham operators are our   
   eyes on the ground, as they can reach out to other hams, and tell us what's   
   actually going on out in the real world.   
      
   Nelson went on to note that when severe weather is in the area at least one   
   amateur radio operator sets up in the National Weather Service operations   
   room right next to the coordinator and communicates with ham operators in the   
   field.  He added that it completes the picture of what we do see on radar and   
   gives us ground truth.     
      
   You can listen to the WBBM report on ham radio severe weather assistance to   
   the National Weather Service at tinyurl.com/pjskdqb  (WBBM, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO READING:  LATEST  FREE 5 MHZ NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE   
      
   The latest edition of the 5MHz Newsletter is now available for free download,   
   This copy features 5 MHz news from the Czech Republic, the U K, Uruguay,   
   South Africa and Australia ,  Also included is the official International   
   Telecommunications Union agenda booklet for the 2015 World Administrative   
   Radio Conference and an article on the the HB9AW Receiver Project.  You will   
   find it in pdf format at  tinyurl.com/q7uqrqw   (RSGB)   
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  DAYTON TOPBAND DINNER MAY 15 IN OHIO   
      
   Turning to the ham radio social scene, the annual Dayton Topband or 160 meter   
   operators dinner will be held Friday evening, May 15 at the Crowne Plaza   
   Hotel in Dayton, Ohio.  This years special guest speaker is Bob Allphin,   
   K4UEE, preesenting a program on the 160 meter experiences from Navassa Island   
   during the recent K1N Dxpedition.  For more details go to topbanddinner.com    
   (K3LR)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  DAYTON CONTEST DINNER MAY 18 IN OHIO   
      
   And Contesters from all over the world are planning to attend the annual   
   Dayton Contest Dinner will be held on Saturday night May 16th also at the   
   Crowne Plaza Hotel.  This years  special guest speaker will be ARRL President   
   Kay Craigie, N3KN with noted contester John Dorr, K1AR, as the Master of   
   Ceremonies.  Also the CQ Contest Hall of Fame class of 2015 will be announced   
   by CQ World Wide Contest Director Randy Thompson, K5ZD.  More information   
   about this years gathering is on the web at contestdinner.com   (K3LR)   
      
   **   
      
   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:  SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINE'S IONIZING HALL   
   THRUSTER   
      
   Engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, are working on   
   a Hall Thruster based propulsion system.  One that will propel the first ever   
   mission to redirect an asteroid for astronauts to explore in the 2020's.    
   Amateur Radio Newslines Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   [KK6ITB]  NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission will test a number of new   
   capabilities like advanced Solar Electric Propulsion or SEP needed for future   
   astronaut expeditions deeper into deep space.  To do this the space agency is   
   taking another look at a device called the Hall Thruster.    
      
   The Hall Thruster is part of an S-E-P system that uses 10 times less   
   propellant than equivalent chemical rockets.  Hall thrusters work by trapping   
   electrons in a magnetic field and use them to ionize the onboard propellant.   
   The˜ magnetic field˜ also generates an electric field that accelerates the   
   charged ions creating an exhaust plume of plasma that pushes the spacecraft   
   forward.  This method delivers cost effective, safe and highly efficient   
   in-space˜ propulsion˜ for long duration missions.     
      
   In a recent test, engineers from the Glenn Research Center and the Jet   
   Propulsion Laboratory used a vacuum chamber to simulate the space   
   environment.  They then successfully tested a new, higher power Hall thruster   
   design, which is more efficient and has longer life.  In doing so they proved   
   that the latest thruster can process three times the power of previous   
   designs and increase efficiency by 50 percent.   
      
   I'm Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.   
      
   --   
      
   In addition to propelling an asteroid mission, this new thruster could be   
   used to send large amounts of cargo, habitats and other final frontier   
   research including a human one to Mars.  More is on the Web at   
   tinyurl.com/solar-tlectric-space  (phys.org)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  HAM DESIGNS STATE-OF-THE-ART TORNADO SIMULATOR   
      
   A new tornado simulation technology developed by a ham radio operator and   
   other researchers has brought scientince a step closer to understanding   
   twisters and how to better prepare for them.   
      
   Professor Leigh Orf, KG4ULP, and other researchers at Central Michigan   
   University have been working the project for almost a decade.  The modeling   
   program uses equations and data gathered from studying storm.  Running on a   
   supercomputer it then recreates the right conditions for a big tornado to   
   form.   
      
   According to Professor Orf, what he and his associates have done is to use a   
   modeling program that takes the laws of physics and turns them into something   
   a computer can solve.  In doing so it's helped to make it easier to   
   understand what makes these severe weather events to happen.  (9 and 10 News)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  DELFI-C3 HAS BEEN IN ORBIT 7 YEARS   
      
   As of April 28th the Delfi-C3 HM satellite has been in orbit 7 years.  Wouter   
   Weggelaarb, PA3WEG, reports that the satellite still remains healthy and   
   strong.  He says that in all those years there have been very few days where   
   no telemetry was decoded and submitted.  He added that Delfi-C3 has been   
   praised numerous times as the ideal example of a cooperation of radio   
   amateurs and an university.  (ANS, PA3WEG)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, DL5DI will be active portable 6Y5 from Jamaica between May 22nd and   
   June 2nd. Activity will be holiday style on the High Frequency bands using   
   FT-897 transceiver and dipole antenna.  QSL via his home callsign via the   
   Bureau or electronically using eQSL or Logbook of the World.   
      
   W5JON tells Newsline that he will once again be on the air as V47JA from his    
   vacation home on St. Kitts from June 13 until July 22nd.  He plans to be   
   active on 160 through 6 meters using SSB only.   QSL's direct toW5JON or   
   electronically using Logbook of  the World.   
      
   F5LIT will be active stroke TF from Iceland between May 24th and the 30th.   
   This operation will be holiday style mainly on 20 and possibly 40 meters SSB.   
   QSL using Logbook of the World only.   
      
   (This weeks DX news courtesy of the Ohio-Penn DX Newsletter and W5JON)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  STUDY FINDS MORE THAN 8 IN 10 FARMERS DEPEND ON FARM RADIO   
   REPORTS   
      
   And finally this week, a study by IPSOS Research for the National Association   
   of Farm Broadcasting says that farmers still rely on farm-format radio, with   
   strong listening from the morning through the close of the markets.   
      
   The study, conducted during the 2014 harvest season says that 84% of   
   respondents called local farm radio broadcasting and information important in   
   their daily operation decisions.  Among the reasons given for listening were   
   getting prices, following markets, getting local information, news, and   
   weather, and convenience.   
      
   The National Association of Farm Broadcasting  Director is Tom Brand.  He   
   says that there is a strong connection to the everyday tasks farmers and   
   ranchers perform to the daily programming of farm broadcasters. Brand notes   
   that member stations and networks develop programming based on audience needs   
   in their listening area. That is the power of radio and farm broadcasting."   
      
   IPSOS Research is a global market research company with worldwide   
   headquarters in Paris, France.  Details of the report in PDF format can be   
   found at tinyurl.com/farm-radio  (allaccess.com)   
      
   **   
      
   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 technololical 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,   
   N5ASH, in Topeka, plus our news team world wide, I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, in   
   Lima, Ohio, 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)