Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1891 - November 8 2013   
      
   Please note that this is an extended Amateur Radio Newsline and includes   
   three breaks.  Thank you.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1891 with a release date of November   
   8th 2013 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.      
      
   The following is a QST.  AMSAT North America celebrates 30 years of manned   
   ham radio in space; all hams in New Zealand will soon have access to 6   
   meters; Oregon's Office of Emergency Management says it needs more ham radio   
   volunteers and the FCC acts to stop abuse of EAS alert tones.  All this and   
   more on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1891 coming your way right   
   now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)    
      
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  AMSAT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF MANNED HAM RADIO IN SPACE   
      
   The weekend of November 1st to the 3rd was very special for AMSAT North   
   America.  Not only was it the organizations 31st Space Symposium and Annual   
   Meeting, but also a very special celebration of a giant step by ham radio as   
   it crossed into the final frontier.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak,   
   WA6ITF, has the rest of the story:   
      
   --   
      
   The weekend gathering in Houston, Texas, marked AMSAT's celebration of the   
   30th anniversary of amateur radio involvement in human space flight.  It also   
   told the story of its evolution into a successful program on board the   
   International Space Station which is known as today as ARISS.   
      
   But to tell the story we must step back three decades.  It was in November   
   of 1982 when then Astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL became the first ham radio   
   operator to use amateur radio to communicate from a spacecraft in Earth   
   orbit.  It was also the first time that anyone on mother Earth who held a ham   
   radio license got to speak with an astronaut on-orbit.  As such it was an   
   event that changed the face of ham radio forever.  If you weren't there, this   
   is what that first QSO from space sounded like:   
      
   --   
      
   Actual 1st QSO between W5LFL on the space shuttle Columbia and WA1JFN in   
   Frenchtown, Montana from the video "Amateur Radio's Newest Frontier."  (Note   
   QSO was time compressed.)   
      
   --   
      
   That was shuttle flight STS-9.  From that initial contact evolved the   
   Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment or SAREX program with its 25 space to   
   schoolroom contacts.  That later grew into today's ARISS: Amateur Radio on   
   the International Space Station.  And in an interview on NASA television,   
   AMSAT's Vice President for Human Spaceflight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, told NASA   
   Public Affairs Officer Kelly Humphries just how far the program has come   
   since the ARISS ham station took to the air:   
      
   --   
      
   KA3HDO:  "In 1996 we started the ARISS program; Amateur Radio on the   
   International Space Station and that program has been going very well on the   
   space station.  We turned on the radio system two weeks after Bill McArthur   
   and Sergi Krikalev got into the module on Space Station and we have been   
   operating since on all 37 expeditions at this point."    
      
   --   
      
   According to Bauer, using ARISS as a way to educate is very important to   
   everyone involved:   
      
   --   
      
   KA3HDO:  "It's all about education.  It's to get students interested in STEM   
   careers; science, technology, engineering and math.  We go beyond just   
   inspiring into engaging the students and educating the students.   Ultimately   
   that's our goals and objectives of the program."     
      
   --   
      
   These days there are about 100 ARISS school contacts made world-wide every   
   year.  There are also the experiments with Packet Radio, Fast Scan and Slow   
   Scan television plus the casual operations from orbit by some licensed crew   
   members.  When added together you come away with a ham radio in space program   
   that cannot be duplicated by any other all volunteer radio service.  And now   
   at age 30, manned ham radio in space is not only alive and vital, but through   
   ARISS, it's going strong.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the newsroom   
   in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   Another part of the celebration was a panel presentation hosted by KA3HDO   
   and included discussions with retired NASA Astronaut's Owen Garriott, W5LFL,   
   and Bill McArthur, KC5ACR.     
      
   And less we forget, you can see and hear the complete interview with Frank   
   Bauer, KA3HDO, and NASA's Kelly Humphries on the web.  It's at   
   tinyurl.com/thirty-years-in-space.   
      
   (ARNewsline archive, NASA, AMSAT-NA, ANS)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO IN SPACE:  INDIA LAUNCHES ITS FIRST MARS PROBE   
      
   India's first-ever mission to Mars launched into space on Tuesday, November   
   5th.  India's Mars Orbiter Mission rocketed into space at 09:08 GMT from the   
   Indian Space Research Organization's Space Centre.  If all goes as planned it   
   will arrive at the red planet on September  24, 2014, making India the fourth   
   country to successfully deliver a spacecraft to orbit Mars.  (Space)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING:  CLOSING OF CHANNEL 1 TV BRINGS 6 METERS TO ALL NEW ZEALAND   
   HAMS   
      
   With the imminent departure of television transmission from New Zealand TV   
   channel 1, hams throughout that nation will have access to the lower   
   Megahertz of 6 meters as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen,   
   ZL2BHF:   
      
   --   
      
   The last Channel 1 Television transmitter in New Zealand is due to close   
   down at the end of November.  And now telecommunications regulator Radio   
   Spectrum Management has announced that as of December 6th that hams   
   throughout the nation will have access from 50 to 51 MHz without needing to   
   apply for a permit.   
      
   The actual allocation which is called a management right under which the   
   channel 1 television transmitters operated does not expire until August 2015.   
   Therefore 50 to 51 MHz can not appear on the  Amateur General User Radio   
   License until after this date.     
      
   To get around this, Radio Spectrum Management is putting in place a footnote   
   called license No 4122.  It simply says that those who hold a New Zealand   
   General Amateur Operators Certificate of Competency and a callsign issued   
   pursuant to the Radiocommunications Regulations of 2001 may operate an   
   amateur radio station under this new grant.  The power limit will be 1   
   kilowatt to bring it into line with the power on the nations General User   
   Radio License for Amateur Operators.  When the actual Management Right   
   expires on August 30th of 2015, 50 to 51 MHz will be added to the New Zealand   
   General User Radio License for Amateur Operators.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, down-under in   
   Nelson, New Zealand.   
      
   --   
      
   This long sought after change comes just in time for the annual New Zealand   
   VHF/UHF and Super High Frequency Field Day Contest slated for December 7th   
   and 8th, local time.  (NZART)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  OREGON OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SEEKING MORE AMATEUR   
   RADIO OPERATORS   
      
   A recent simulated emergency test in Oregon has pointed out a need for more   
   ham radio communications volunteers in that state.   
      
   The scenario of the event centered around the simulated hacking on the   
   electric power grid that in turn cut off both telephone and internet access.    
   As such the test planners had identified amateur radio as the fallback method   
   of communication.   
      
   While the exercise was considered a success, it also pointed out one of the   
   current vulnerabilities.  That being a lack of qualified amateur radio   
   operators east of the Cascade Mountain range.     
      
   While the state has about 700 licensed volunteer ham radio operators to help   
   run the emergency communications system, most are in Western Oregon.  Morrow,   
   Grant and Jefferson counties have no volunteers.  Other counties have as few   
   as 1.  So the bottom line is that more emergency communications trained   
   amateur radio volunteers are needed in the eastern part of the state.     
      
   More on this story is at tinyurl.com/oregon-needs-emcomm-hams.  (OPB)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  MYANMAR NOVEMBER 15 TO THE 26   
      
   Some breaking DX news.  Word that JH1AJT and an international group of 10   
   other operators will be on air from Myanmar from November 15th to the 26th.    
   This will be the third and final operation for 2013 from X-Z land.  As we go   
   to air the proposed call sign is X-Zed-1-J and plans are to set up three to   
   four stations, running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 160 through 10   
   meters.  Modes will likely be CW, SSB and RTTY with QSL's preferably going   
   via OQRS.  (XZ1J Team)   
      
   **   
      
   DX UP FRONT:  YEMEN AND AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT   
      
   And word from ARRL Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore NC1L, that several   
   operations have been approved for DXCC credit.  These are Yemen 2013 using   
   the call 7-Oh-2-A and the 2012 and 2013 operations from Afghanistan as   
   T-6-M-H.  Also approved has been the current T-6-S-M Afghanistan operation   
   that began on August 14, 2012.     
      
   If anyone had this contact rejected in a recent submission, please send an   
   e-mail to bmoore (at) arrl (dot) org to be placed on the list for an update   
   to your record.  Please be sure to note the submission date to help expedite   
   the search for any given QSO.  And we will have more DX news for you near the   
   end of this weeks newscast.  (ARRL, OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Time for you to identify your station.  We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W0ILO repeater   
   serving Fargo, North Dakota.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  FCC SAYS FLUORESCENT LIGHTING JAMMING CELLPHONE SITE   
      
   The FCC has issued a violation notice to a Texas business because it's new   
   lighting is interfering with a cellular telephone site.  Skeeter Nash is near   
   Houston with more:   
      
   --   
      
   It doesn't happen very often but the FCC has issued an official Citation and   
   Order for violation of Section 15.5(b) of the Commission's regulations   
   governing what are called Incidental Radiators.  In this case the recipient   
   is Ronald Bethany doing business as Perfect Cuts Salon in San Antonio, Texas,   
   who is being cited for operating incidental radiators and causing harmful   
   interference to a cellular telephone system.    
      
   This past July 24th the FCC's Houston Office used direction finding   
   techniques to locate the source of an unknown transmissions on 705 MHz to the   
   Perfect Cuts Salon.  The agent confirmed that the interfering signal was   
   coming from the overhead fluorescent lighting in the salon.     
      
   The agent then interviewed Bethany who is the owner of the salon.  He   
   reportedly stated that representatives of AT&T had conducted on and off   
   testing of the lighting in the salon and confirmed that the interior   
   fluorescent fixtures were the source of interference to a cell site located   
   next door. Bethany further stated that he had unsuccessfully asked General   
   Electric, the manufacturer of the fluorescent lighting, to replace the   
   lighting.    
      
   The FCC says that Bethany would not cooperate, so the agent from the Houston   
   Office was unable to conduct his own on/off testing of the lighting in the   
   salon. The agent verbally warned Bethany that he must repair or replace the   
   lighting fixtures to resolve the interference.   
      
   On July 31, the agent spoke by telephone with Bethany, who stated that the   
   lighting was not causing him any problems and that he saw no reason to repair   
   or replace them unless he was paid to do so. The agent reiterated to Bethany   
   that he must resolve the interference or be in violation of the FCC's rules.   
   As of the October 25th release date of the Citation AT&T continues to report   
   receiving interference at its cell site next door to Mr. Bethany's salon.    
      
   Now, based on the evidence it has on hand the FCC has found that Ronald   
   Bethany is in violation Of Section 15.5(b) of its Rules by operating   
   incidental radiators and causing harmful interference.  It has directed him   
   to cease operation of the incidental radiators immediately.  Or in simpler   
   terms, it basically told him to turn off the lights until the interference   
   can be resolved.     
      
   From near Houstron Texas, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.   
      
   --   
      
   Bethany and Perfect Cuts were given the normal time to respond and take   
   corrective measures or face further enforcement action.  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ACTS TO STOP USE OF FALSE EMERGENCY ALERT SOUNDS    
      
   Responding to a growing number of consumer complaints that TV and radio   
   commercials are misusing the Emergency Alert System or E-A-S sounds the FCC's   
   Enforcement Bureau has taken action to stop the practice immediately.  This   
   is according to Robert H. Ratcliffe who is the Acting Chief of the FCC's   
   Enforcement Bureau.     
      
   In a press statement, Ratcliffe said that it is inexcusable to trivialize   
   the sounds specifically used to notify viewers of the dangers of an incoming   
   tornado or to alert them to be on the lookout for a kidnapped child, merely   
   to advertise a talk show or a clothing store.  This activity not only   
   undermines the very purpose of a unique set of emergency alert signals, but   
   is a clear violation of the law.     
      
   Caught by FCC Enforcement is Turner Broadcasting.  It has been issued a   
   $25,000 Notice of Apparent Liability for using simulated E-A-S tones to   
   promote its Conan O'Brian Show.     
      
   The FCC also reached a resolution with MMK License LLC which owns WNKY - DT   
   in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  In that case the complaint alleged misuse of a   
   simulated EAS Attention Signal in an advertisement for "The Fan Wear and More   
   Store."  Settling that case cost MMK a $39,000 voluntary contribution to the   
   U.S. Treasury in the form of a Consent Decree.     
      
   The Enforcement Bureau has also issued an advisory to address growing   
   concern about the misuse of these sounds to capture audience attention during   
   advertisements and at other times when there is no emergency or scheduled   
   E-A-S test.  The warning reemphasizes the wide-ranging and long-standing ban   
   on such abuses and the potential for sanctions in the case of violations.    
   More on this E-A-S enforcement action is on the web in PDF format at   
   tinyurl.com/dont-misuse-eas-tones.  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  ALASKA CB OPERATOR FINED $500 FOR USING LINEAR AMP   
      
   The FCC has fined Glenn S. Yamada, of Kenai, Alaska, $500 for what the   
   agency terms as his willful and repeated operation of a non certificated   
   Class D CB transmitter and a linear amplifier.  This in direct violation of   
   its Part 95 Citizens Radio Service rules.      
      
   On July 18, 2012, the Enforcement Bureau's Anchorage Resident Agent Office   
   issued a Notice of Apparent Liability in the amount of $12,500 to Yamada for   
   operating a non-certificated CB transmitter with a radio frequency linear   
   amplifier which voided his authority to operate his CB station.   In response   
   to that notice, Yamada did not deny the violations, but stated that he had   
   not intend to violate the Communications Act or the FCC Rules and that he is   
   unable to pay that high an amount.  He also provided the necessary   
   documentation to prove his claim.   
      
   In issuing its final ruling on October 30th, the FCC said that based on   
   financial documents Yamada provided that it found there is sufficient basis   
   to reduce the fine to $500.  And as is customary, it gave Yamada 30 days to   
   pay the amount in full or to arrange making full payment over time under an   
   installment plan.  If he fails to do one or the other the case can be turned   
   over to the Department of Justice for further enforcement action.  The   
   complete text of the Forfeiture Order is on the web in P-D-F format at   
   tinyurl.com/alaska-cb-fine  (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  FCC UPHOLDS FINE AGAINST CONSUMER TRANSMITTER MANUFACTURER   
      
   The FCC affirmed an earlier decision to fine Hong Kong based Richfield   
   Electronics $18,000 for marketing wireless radio gear in the United States   
   that does not comply with its technical and labeling requirements.   
      
   Richfield received FCC certification for its 106.7 to 107.9 Whole House FM   
   Transmitter in 2002, but later modified it to improve sound quality.  The   
   modification made it noncompliant with the FCC's rules.  The Enforcement   
   Bureau originally proposed the penalty in 2009.     
      
   In its response to the proposed fine, Richfield told the FCC it didn't know   
   exactly how many of the noncompliant devices the company had shipped to the   
   United States, but conceded it had shipped at least 2,500 transmitters that   
   had the modified antenna. The FCC believes the number of noncompliant devices   
   made and sold was significantly higher than Richfield acknowledges.   
      
   Richfield asked for the fine to be cancelled, alleging that TAW asked   
   Richfield to make the devices based on that company's designs and therefore   
   TAW and not Richfield was responsible for violating the FCC's rules.  However   
   the commission says Richfield did manufacturer and market unauthorized FM   
   transmitters in the U.S.    
      
   Richfield also asked for the fine to be cancelled because it was unfamiliar   
   with the FCC's labeling requirements.  The FCC says lack of knowledge of its   
   rules does not let a company off the hook and the agency upheld the fine.    
   (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW:  FCC RELEASES AM REVITALIZATION PROPOSAL   
      
   The FCC has released its AM revitalization proposal as a Notice of Proposed   
   Rule Making in MB Docket 13-249.  Its contents include an exclusive FM   
   translator filing window for AM stations, changes in community of license   
   coverage standards, the end of the so called AM "ratchet rule," wider   
   implementation of modulation-dependent carrier level control standards, and   
   changes in AM antenna efficiency standards.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce   
   Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The FCC revitalization plan has many facets.  The proposed translator filing   
   window would allow AM stations one chance at a single FM translator within   
   the stations AM daytime signal coverage contour.  It would be permanently   
   linked to the AM so that it may only be sold or transferred with the   
   underlying AM license and not by itself.     
      
   The change in community of license coverage would reduce the requirement   
   from 100% daytime and 80% nightime to 50% daytime and night coverage within   
   the 60 dBu contour.  This is the same as it is for noncommercial educational   
   FM stations.   
      
   The proposal would also do away with the so-called "ratchet rule."  This is   
   the nighttime skywave protection requirement that result in new stations or   
   those moving their transmitter sites having to reduce power or go directional   
   and thereby reducing their nighttime coverage.  It would also alter the   
   minimum efficiency standard for AM antennas by reducing the existing minimum   
   effective field strength values.     
      
   The notice also opens the door for new proposals to help AM stations that   
   include the use of modulation dependent carrier level control.  This is a   
   system similar to the old controlled carrier AM techniques used by hams back   
   in the 1950's and 1960's.  It's a system where carrier level increases with   
   modulation level, but now on a far more technically advanced level than was   
   available in the old days of ham radio.  Experiments have shown a significant   
   reduction in energy costs with no loss in intelligibility or area of coverage   
   using this modulation technique.   
      
   The bottom line appears to be that the FCC wants AM radio to grow and   
   prosper.  The only question is whether these proposed changes are enough to   
   make that happen,   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   Comments on MB Docket 13-249 are due 60 days after publication in the   
   Federal Register, with replies due 90 days after publication.  You can read   
   the entire proposal on-line at tinyurl.com/fcc-am-redo (FCC, RW, others)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  NEW FCC CHAIR WHEELER NAMES HIS STAFF   
      
   Newly confirmed FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced several staff and   
   other appointments.  Ruth Milkman will be his chief of staff.  She is   
   currently Chief of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and has   
   worked as special counsel to the chairman for innovation in government.    
   She's former deputy chief of the International and Common Carrier Bureaus and   
   was senior legal advisor to Chairman Reed Hundt.    
      
   Philip Verveer has been named senior counselor to the Chairman.  He is   
   former United States coordinator for international communications and   
   information policy at the State Department, and practiced communications and   
   antitrust law for 35 years.  At the FCC he was chief of the Cable Television   
   Bureau, the Broadcast Bureau and the Common Carrier Bureau.   
      
   Gigi B. Sohn joins as Wheeler's special counsel for external affairs.  Since   
   2001 she has been president and CEO of Public Knowledge, an "open Internet"   
   advocacy organization.  More recently co-chair of the board of directors of   
   the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group.    
      
   Diane Cornell was named the chairman's special counsel.  She was Vice   
   President  for government affairs at Inmarsat and also the Vice President of   
   regulatory policy at CTIA, The Wireless Association.  Her FCC background   
   includes working as a legal advisor to three commissioners, chief of staff of   
   the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and division chief in the   
   International and Common Carrier Bureaus. Others include Daniel Alvarezwho   
   was named a legal advisor to the chairman, Deborah Ridley who was named   
   confidential assistant to the chairman, and Sagar Doshi as special assistant.   
      
   Also named to the commission staff are Jon Sallet will serve as interim   
   director of the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force and will become   
   acting general counsel when General Counsel Sean Lev departs in the near   
   future.  Jon Wilkins was named acting managing director and advisor to the   
   chairman for management with Roger Sherman becomes acting chief of the   
   Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. It is the latter that oversees matters   
   affecting Amateur Radio at the FCC.  (FCC Press release)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMES IN THE NEWS:  W3BE FILLS QCWA DIRECTOR VACANCY   
      
   The Quarter Century Wireless Association's Board of Directors has announced   
   the appointment of John Johnston, W3BE, to fill the Director vacancy of Val   
   Erwin, W5PUT.     
      
   Johnston has been licensed for 59 years and resides in Derwood, Maryland     
   He is a Life Member of the QCWA, and a member of QCWA Chapters 20, 91, 45 and   
   222.  Johnston is a past QCWA Director, Vice-President and President.  He is   
   also the contributing editor of 'The Rules & Regs Digest' for the QCWA   
   Journal.      
      
   In his professional career, W3BE served for 26 years with the Federal   
   Communications Commission carrying out regulatory duties with the Office of   
   Engineering and with the series of bureaus administering the private radio   
   services.  Some of the positions he held included Deputy Chief of the   
   Spectrum Management Task Force and Chief of the Amateur and Citizens   
   Division.  Johnston also authors the Rules and Regs column for Worldradio   
   Online magazine.  (QCWA)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  ART BELL DEPARTS FROM SIRIUS/XM RADIO   
      
   Art Bell, W6OBB, who only recently returned to broadcasting, has departed   
   from Sirius/XM Satellite radio after only about a month and a half on the   
   air.  According to a posting on his website credited to siriusbuzz.com, his   
   reasons for leaving boiled down to three main items:   
      
   First is a claim that the SiriusXM's web player is notoriously unreliable,   
   causing a loss of subscribers and a degraded listening experience for those   
   who remain listening online.   Second is that for a "caller driven" show, the   
   caller pool is just too small and lastly that international listeners have no   
   legitimate way to hear the show.   
      
   According to siriusbuzz.com, Bell will continue his show on the web.  As of   
   late on November 6th he was already testing at   
   http://live.artbell.com:8303/stream.     
      
   For more information simply go to artbell.com/art-leaves-siriusxm.  At the   
   very end of the posting is a link to the siriusbuzz.com news article.    
   (artbell.com, siriusbuzz.com, Huffington Post)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  SSTV FROM THE ISS   
      
   UB4UAD reports that the Slow Scan Television experiment on the International   
   Space Station was active on 145.8 MHz FM on October 28th and 29th.  He also   
   says that on October 31st that SSTV images were to be transmitted from the   
   ISS showing photographs of the life and work of the first Russian Cosmonaut   
   Yuri Gagarin.  SSTV pictures received by Pete Sipple, M0PSX can be seen at   
   tinyurl.com/iss-oct-2013-sstv     
   (UB4AUD, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  INTERFERENCE TO THE AMATEUR-SATELLITE SERVICE IN   
   THAILAND   
      
   E22ICQ has posted a video on YouTube that shows the problem of interference   
   to the Amateur Satellite Service allocations taking place in Thailand.    
   Terrestrial users are making signals from the ham radio satellites into tiny   
   heterodynes or signals that are totally inaudible.  Take a listen:     
      
   --   
      
   Actual terrestrial signals interfering with weak satellite signals.   
      
   --   
      
      
   The video shows that terrestrial usage of frequencies reserved for the   
   Amateur Satellite communications such as 145.800 to 146.000 MHz can result in   
   the satellite transmissions being totally blocked and rendered useless.  You   
   can see and hear the E-22-I-C-Q recording and spectrum display photos of the   
   interference at tinyurl.com/sat-qrm-in-thailand.  (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 3   
      
   Serving you 52 weeks a year, every year since the mid 1970's, we are the   
   Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our only official website   
   at www.arnewsline.org and we will be right back.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  NEW TINY PACEMAKER DEVELOPED THAT REQUIRES NO WIRING   
      
   A miniaturized wireless pacemaker that can be inserted into the body without   
   invasive surgery has been given approval for use in the European Union.    
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   Developed in the United States by the company Nanostim, the tiny device is   
   less than 10% of the size of a conventional pacemaker, uses a built-in   
   battery and is designed to be implanted intravenously directly in the heart.   
      
   Conventional pacemakers require a patient be subject to a surgical procedure   
   so that a pocket can be created in the body to house the pacemaker and   
   associated wiring.  Such wires are regarded as the component of pacemakers   
   most likely to fail.    
      
   By contrast the Nanostim pacemaker is inserted via a catheter inserted   
   through a vein leading to the heart.  It has a built-in battery that is   
   expected to last between nine and thirteen years.  Eliminating the need for   
   wires lowers the risk of infection or malfunction and means that patients are   
   not restricted in the amount of activity they do, the firm behind the device   
   claims.   
      
   Currently more than four million people around the world have some sort of   
   cardiac rhythm device with an additional 700,000 people getting one each   
   year.  The new pacemaker design has yet to receive full United States  Food   
   and Drug Administration approval.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm, Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,   
   Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   More on this story is on the web at tinyurl.com/wireless-pacemaker.     
   (BBC)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  INTEL GALILEO BOARD SOON AVAILABLE   
      
   Intel's Galileo open-source computer can now be ordered and is scheduled to   
   ship at the end of November. Online retailer Mouser Electronics is the first   
   to take orders for the board.     
      
   The Galileo computer is an unenclosed circuit board that's a little larger   
   than a credit card, and uses Intel's extremely low-power Quark processor.   
      
   Though higher priced, the Intel board is being called a competitor to the   
   popular Raspberry Pi open-source PC.  Both are targeted at the community of   
   makers and hackers who design computing devices ranging from robots and   
   health monitors to home media centers and PC's.  Galileo is also expected to   
   become a welcome addition in ham radio development circles as well.    
   (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR:  ARECIBO OBSERVATORY ON-THE-AIR THIS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10.   
      
   If you are hearing this before Sunday, November 10th, then listen out on 20   
   meters for station KP4AO.  This as part of the celebration of the 50th   
   anniversary of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.     
      
   The operation will be on the air from 1300 until 2000 UTC around 14.250 Mhz.   
   A commemorative certificate will be available for those who make contacts   
   with KP4AO.  QSL to Arecibo Observatory Radio Club, HC03, PO Box 53995,   
   Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 00612.  The special event is sponsored by the Caribbean   
   Amateur Radio Group and the Arecibo Observatory Radio Club.  (WP3GW)   
      
   **    
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, JF1OCQ will be active as 5W7X from Apia, which is the capital of   
   Samoa, between November 7th and the 14th.  Operations will be on 160 through   
   6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via JF1OCQ, either direct or by the bureau.    
   E-mail requests for Bureau QSLs can be sent to jf1ocq (at) arrl (dot) net   
      
   F4FET will be active stroke as 3A from Monaco on November 11th and 12th.    
   His operation will be on 40through 10 meters using SSB. QSL via his home   
   callsign, direct or via the bureau.   
      
   IK7JWX has informed the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter that his DXpedition to the   
   Island of Zanzibar scheduled for April of 2014 is has been cancelled.  The   
   reasons given are technical and logistical constraints.   
      
   members of the DX Friends will be on the air from an Andres Island as 5J0R   
   until November 10th.  Activity was slated for 160 through 6 meters using CW,   
   SSB and RTTY.  QSL via EA5RM direct. More is on the web at dxfriends dot   
   com/SanAndres2013   
      
   EA4ATI says that he will be in Kenya for a couple more years and will be   
   active stroke 5Z4.  He is using a Cobwebb antenna with a small amplifier and   
   is active on 30/20/17/15/10 meters. His QSL Manager is EA4YK.   
      
   JA8BMK will be operational as 9N7BM from Kathmandu and Nagalkot in Nepal   
   between November 8th and the 28th.  Activity will be holiday style on all HF   
   bands and he says that he will try to work the United States on 160 and 80   
   meters if vertical antennas can be put up.  QSL via JA8BMK, direct or via the   
   bureau.   
      
   Lastly, 8P9IU, 8P9TA and 8P9BJ will be on the air from Barbados between   
   December 9th and the 16th.  Their main activity will be the ARRL 10 meter   
   Contest on December 14th and 15th using the call 8P8T.  Prior to the contest,   
   operators will be using their own callsigns.  QSL via KI1U.     
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: IN FLIGHT BAN ON USE OF HAM GEAR TO CONTINUE   
      
   And finally this week, in the not to distant future airline passengers may   
   not have to turn off all electronic devices prior to takeoff and landing in a   
   commercial jetliner, but anything that has the capability of radiating any RF   
   power will still fall under the current ban.  That includes any form of ham   
   radio gear as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Stephen Kinford, N8WB:   
      
   --   
      
   Under a new set of new FAA guidelines passengers on domestic U.S. flights   
   will be permitted to read, work and listen to music from gate to gate.   But   
   they still will not be permitted to talk on their cellphones, directly browse   
   the Internet or use any form of two-way radio through the flight.  Internet   
   connectivity will only be permitted on aircraft equipped to provide such a   
   service, usually at a fee.  For ham radio operators it means the ban on the   
   use of a hand-helds or other gear operating on any band will continue just as   
   the rules are now.   
      
   Currently airline passengers are required to turn off their smartphones,   
   laptops, and other devices once a plane's door closes. They're not supposed   
   to use them again until the planes reach 10,000 feet and the captain gives   
   the go-ahead.  Passengers are then supposed to turn their devices off again   
   as the plane descends through 10,000 feet to land and not restart them until   
   it is on the ground or at the arrival gate.   
      
   Under the new guidelines, airlines whose planes are properly shielded from   
   electronic interference may allow passengers to use the devices during   
   takeoffs, landings and taxiing.  The FAA says that most new airliners and   
   other planes that have been modified so that passengers can use airline   
   supplied WiFi at higher altitudes are expected to meet the criteria.  However   
   to use electronics that normally radiate an RF signal, that feature must be   
   disabled unless instructed otherwise on aircraft with airline supplied WiFi   
   connectivity.     
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, in Wadsworth,   
   Ohio.   
      
   --   
      
   The bottom line is that while most passengers with certain devices will be   
   able to enjoy some relaxation in the rules regarding their use, ham radio   
   operators and users of any other two way radio gear will continue to face a   
   complete ban from operating such devices from boarding a flight to   
   disembarking from it.  (Published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
      
   With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSA   
   --- D'Bridge 3.99   
    * Origin: FIDONet - The Positronium Repository (1:393/68)