Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1750 - February 25 2011   
      
   Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1750 with a release date of Friday,   
   February 25, 2011 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. Hams respond to an Earthquake that devastates   
   parts of Christchurch, New Zealand; A congressional measure to create a   
   national emergency radio system threatens the 70 cm ham radio band; 500   
   Kilohertz digitally across the Atlantic Ocean and Dayton names the 2011   
   Hamvention award winners. Find out who they are on Amateur Radio Newsline   
   (tm) report number 1750 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ON ALERT FOLLOWING NEW ZEALAND QUAKE   
      
   Rescue workers in Christchurch, New Zealand, are in full callout. This,   
   following a devastating, shallow level 6.3 Richter scale earthquake which   
   struck the heavily populated business area of the city at 12.51 p.m. on   
   Tuesday, February 22nd local New Zealand time. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, is in   
   Auckland with the rest of the story:   
      
   --   
      
   The utter devastation caused by the quake has severely damaged many buildings   
   in downtown Christchurch including the main cathedral in the central city.   
   While 120 survivors were pulled from the wreckage during the first night   
   more than 300 people remain unaccounted for. According to the latest news   
   reports, as many as 75 are dead and scores injured. Others are believed to   
   be trapped in the rubble as buildings simply collapsed burying anyone   
   inside. Officials expect the death toll to rise as the post quake relief   
   operations continue.   
      
   Jim Linton, VK3PC, is the Chairman of the IARU Region 3 Disaster   
   Communications Committee. As this newscast is being prepared, VK3PC reports   
   that communications and power have been cut in many areas, and water   
   supplies disrupted. Under formal arrangements already in place, members of   
   New Zealand's A. R. E. C. will find their services put to use as the post   
   quake rescue operations proceed.   
      
   And this is what seems to be happening. In a bulletin the Wireless Institute   
   of Australia's news service reports that a small team of amateur radio   
   operators are keeping the lines of communication open in earthquake-hit   
   areas of Christchurch. The head of the Amateur Radio Emergency   
   Communications team, Richard Smart, ZL4FZ, says 10 amateurs are using their   
   two emergency communications vans to keep rescue teams and Civil Defense   
   staff in touch with one another.   
      
   Smart notes that one unit is at a major welfare center. It's providing   
   portable communication so personnel can talk to Civil Defense officials. The   
   other vehicle is en route to assist search and rescue teams in an area where   
   communication is poor. Smart says that amateur radio operators from around   
   New Zealand are volunteering to help out and others are sending updates on   
   the disaster to the families of people in Christchurch who are overseas.   
      
   Meantime, Arnie Coro, CO2KK, the International Amateur Radio Union Region II   
   Area C Emergency Coordinator, has issued a notice to hams in the America's.   
   Coro advises users of the 40 and 20 meter bands to be aware of possible   
   earthquake emergency communications traffic taking place in and around the   
   affected areas of New Zealand's South Island, where Christchurch is located.   
      
   Coro continues that the propagation on 40 meters more likely to cause   
   problems to the New Zealanders from unintentional QRM coming from the   
   Americas in the window that starts about two or three hours before sunrise   
   and lasts until sunrise on this side of the path. A similar pattern, with a   
   slight time shift shows up on 20 meters as well. More on this story in   
   future reports.   
      
   From Auckland, New Zealand, on the North island, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF,   
   reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline.   
      
   --   
      
   It should be noted that this is the second quake to hit the Christchurch area   
   since last year. While the 7.1 earthquake last September was more than 30km   
   underground, the latest 6.3 quake was a mere five kilometers in depth. It   
   has been followed by a number of major aftershocks.   
      
   (VK3PC, ZL3DWS, ZL4FZ, CO2KK, NZ Hearald, others)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO POLITICS: CONGRESSIONAL MEASURE COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF 70CM AMATEUR   
   ALLOCATION   
      
   A new measure introduced into Congress could eventually lead to the   
   reallocation of the amateur 70 centimeter band to other services. That's if   
   the big business lobby can convince legislators that the security of the   
   nation will not be compromised by such a change. Amateur Radio Newsline's   
   Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   On February 10th, Representative Peter King of New York introduced HR 607,   
   the Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011. King is the Chairman of the   
   House Homeland Security Committee. HR 607 addresses certain spectrum   
   management issues, including the creation and maintenance of a nationwide   
   Public Safety broadband network. As part of that network, the bill provides   
   for the allocation of the so-called "D-Block" of spectrum in the 700 MHz   
   range for Public Safety use.   
      
   The D-Block consists of two, 5 megahertz-wide segments of spectrum from 758   
   to 763 and 788 to 793 MHz. These became available when the FCC ended analog   
   television broadcasts in June 2009 and reallocated the 698 to 806 MHz band   
   for Public Safety and commercial broadband.   
      
   At that time it was anticipated that the D-Block would be auctioned for   
   commercial use. However there are several bills in Congress providing for   
   the allocation of the D-Block for Public Safety use, and HR 607 is one of   
   those.   
      
   But HR 607 uniquely provides for the reallocation of other spectrum for   
   auction to commercial users, in order to offset the loss of revenue that   
   would occur as the result of the allocation of the D-Block to Public Safety   
   instead of commercial auction. HR 607 lists the paired bands of 420 to 440   
   MHz and 450 to 470 MHz among the bands to be reallocated for commercial   
   auction within 10 years of its passage.   
      
   His measure has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee,   
   which handles telecommunications legislation. There it is likely to see   
   opposition from the United States military and others concerned with the   
   nations overall security. This is because of the infrastructure that   
   currently exists to protect our nations cities and shores.   
      
   One thing to keep in mind is that the spectrum in question is allocated as   
   military as primary user and all others, including amateur radio as   
   secondary users. As we in ham radio all know, the military recently spent   
   10's of millions if not billions of taxpayer dollars to upgrade its   
   PAVE-PAWS long range radar system to a point where UHF ham repeaters and   
   even some individual operations on both coasts were forced to reduce power   
   or go completely QRT.   
      
   Ironically the cooperation between hams and the military in resolving issues   
   associated with the PAVE-PAWS upgrade more than likely makes them one of   
   amateur radios best allies in retaining the spectrum in question. That's   
   because Representative King and his co-sponsors could face strong opposition   
   from the U.S. military establishment which is almost certain to do all it   
   can to derail such a spectrum reallocation.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, reporting from   
   Scottsdale Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   In related news, the Society of Broadcast Engineers issued a legislative   
   alert to its members regarding this measure. Its advisory notes that the   
   spectrum targeted at 450 to 451 and 455 to 456 MHz is heavily used by   
   commercial radio broadcasters for remote pick-ups, as well as by many other   
   civilian and defense users. (ARRL, SBE, ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO POLITICS: ARRL ASKS HAMS TO WRITE CONGRESS TO DEFEAT HR-607   
      
   And this just in: The ARRL is asking that every radio club and individual   
   ham operator in the United States to write to their congressional   
   representative in opposition to HR-607 as it is currently written.   
      
   Because of security measures in place in Washington, the ARRL says that it   
   will likely not do any good to mail them direct. Instead the League asks   
   that you go to its website at www dot arrl dot org stroke sample-letters,   
   fill in the sections of the attached letter for your own representative,   
   print it and then send it to Chwat & Co. They in turn will hand deliver it   
   to the appropriate congressional office.   
      
   The address to send those letters to is John Chwat in care of Chwat & Co.,   
   625 Slaters Lane, Suite 103, Alexandria, Virginia, Zipcode 22314. Or you   
   can fax it to 703-684-7594.   
      
   The bottom line here is that thousands of bills are introduced every   
   Congressional season but very, very few ever make it to the President's   
   desk. If hams, broadcasters and the military all work together, there's a   
   good chance that HR-607 will never see a White House signature or even the   
   political light of day. More is on-line at tinyurl.com/4rgbayj (ARRL,   
   ARNewsline, others)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the W1JLI Memorial repeater   
   serving Norwood, Massachusetts.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO VIOLENCE: THREE HAMS KILLED BY SOMALI PIRATES OFF THE COAST OF EAST   
   AFRICA   
      
   Three Radio Amateurs Scott Adam, K9ESO, his wife Jean, KF6RVB, and Bob   
   Riggle, KE7IIV, have been murdered by Somali pirates. Also killed with them   
   was Phylis Macay.   
      
   The four were onboard the Adam's owned yacht the Quest off the coast of Oman,   
   East Africa, when pirates boarded their vessel on Friday, February 18.   
   Officials were in the process of negotiating for their release when gunfire   
   was heard around 1 AM on Tuesday, February 22.   
      
   United States Naval forces responded to the gunfire. Navy Seals then boarded   
   the yacht only to discover that all four hostages had been shot by the   
   pirates.   
      
   According to a statement from the US Central Command, despite immediate steps   
   to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately succumb to their   
   wounds.   
      
   Somali-based pirates have plagued the shipping industry off East Africa for   
   years, but the violence used during the attacks and the money demanded in   
   ransoms has increased in recent months. Sea going bandits are currently   
   holding some 30 ships and more than 660 hostages, however, this is first   
   time American hostages have been killed by a Somali pirate raid.   
   (Southgate, other published reports)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO RECORDS: ROS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC ON 500 KHZ   
      
   A new low frequency record between the United Kingdom and Canada has been set   
   using a newly developed digital mode called R-O-S. Jeramy Boot, G4NJH, is   
   in Nottingham, in the United Kingdom with the rest of the story:   
      
   --   
      
   At 2134GMT on 13 February, Joe, VO1NA managed a full beacon decode from   
   Graham, G0NBD on 502kHz using the ROS mode. It is believed this was the   
   first live data mode decoded over the Atlantic on this band.   
      
   The signal to noise ranged from -23 to -27dB, giving a 100% decode of the   
   test message. The transmission was sent using MF-7 with an estimated ERP of   
   1 watt from a 35ft top loaded vertical. The ROS mode did a good job of   
   resolving the signals despite deep and rapid QSB over the 3500km path.   
      
   At just over a year old the ROS data mode is relatively new and uses an   
   adaptation of multiple frequency shift keying and forward error correction   
   to help make successful contacts under very difficult band conditions.   
      
   I'm Jeramy Boot, G4NJH and this is the Amateur Radio Newsline.   
      
   --   
      
   The software for the R-O-S is completely free, but is still not legal for use   
   by United States amateurs to transmit with. None the less US hams are free   
   to listen in using it world-wide. More information can be found in   
   cyberspace at rosmodem.wordpress.com (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   INTRUDER WATCH: COMPLAINTS FROM HAMS MOVE VOICE OF RUSSIA OFF 7.200 MHZ   
      
   Shortwave station the Voice of Russia is now in the part of the 40 meter band   
   where it belongs.   
      
   The station was first heard on 7.200 MHz on February 1st and reported to the   
   IARU Monitoring System by Dick van Elpelen, PA0GRU, in the Netherlands.   
   Ulrich Bihlmayer, DJ9KR, from the IARU Region 1 Monitoring System then   
   reported the station to the German Telecommunicationss authorities on   
   February 2nd.   
      
   Then, in correspondence with the Russian General Radiofrequency Centre, DJ9KR   
   was able to demonstrate the interference. Subsequently, the Voice of Russia   
   moved up the band to 7.265 MHz. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ARISSAT-1 UPDATE: MORE ON THE ARISSAT-1 DEPLOYMENT DELAY   
      
   An update on the delayed deployment of the ARISSat One ham satellite. As   
   reported last week, ARISSat-1 satellite is still inside the I-S-S and will   
   remain there for the next several months. The Russian space management   
   agency Roscosmos has announced that the satellite will be deployed during   
   the next space walk in July of this year.   
      
   Meantime, the United States based ARISSat team is trying to get clarification   
   from Roscosmos about a report that a reported weak batteries condition   
   causing the satellite not to be deployed in the latest E-V-A. The news item   
   can be found in the Russian language on the Roscosmos web page. Its in   
   cyberspace at tinyurl.com/arissat-batteries. (WA4SXM)   
      
   **   
      
   ARISSAT-1 UPDATE: ARISSAT-1 TO HELP CELEBRATE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF YURIL   
   GAGARIN'S FIRST SPACEFLIGHT   
      
   The Russian space management group Roscosmos has also announced that the   
   ARISSat One satellite will be turned on inside the International Space   
   Station using an external antenna on April 12th. This, to celebrate the   
   50th anniversary of Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's first manned space flight.   
   AMSAT says that it will support this event and issue certificates to those   
   stations reporting reception of the ARISSat One's signals.   
      
   Also, Tony Monteiro, AA2TX has an excellent article describing the ARISSat   
   One power system using the Russian Olan suit battery in the upcoming AMSAT   
   Journal. It will have been mailed to AMSAT members by the time this   
   newscast goes to air. (WA4SXM)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FAILURE TO FILE TIMELY RENEWAL BRINGS $13000 NAL   
      
   A North Carolina broadcaster who let its station license lapse but continued   
   operations under several Special Temporary Authority grants has been handed   
   a $13,000 proposed fine.   
      
   WOOW AM of Greenville, North Carolina and its owner The Minority Voice, Inc.   
   have been issued the Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture   
   for what the FCC says was willfully violating Section 73.3539 of the   
   Commission's Rules and willfully and repeatedly violating Section 301 of the   
   Communications Act. This, by failing to timely file its license renewal   
   application and engaging in unauthorized operation of the station.   
      
   As is usually the case, the station licensee has been given the customary   
   time to pay the forfeiture or to file an appeal. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FCC INVESTIGATING WWOR TO SEE IF IT REALLY SERVES NEW JERSEY   
      
   According to the Los Angeles Times, the FCC is currently investigating Fox   
   Television owned WWOR TV in Seacaucus, New Jersey. At the center of the   
   inquiry is whether the station has been ignoring its state of license in   
   favor of covering New York area news and other events.   
      
   The newspaper says that the FCC has written to Fox about the charges. It   
   says that in a letter sent on Thursday, February 17th, the regulatory agency   
   is seeking to determine if Fox and WWOR intentionally provided material   
   factual information that was incorrect or is guilty of intentionally   
   omitting material information.   
      
   WWOR has been criticized by media watchdogs and by New Jersey Senator Frank   
   Lautenberg for not providing ample coverage of New Jersey on the station. A   
   spokesperson for Fox said the company will respond to the FCC's request.   
   Also that Fox is confident that on review of all facts and applicable law,   
   the FCC will recognize that these unwarranted claims hold no merit.   
      
   Fox purchased WWOR in 2001. A quick link to the L.A. Times story is   
   tinyurl.com/wwortv.   
   (Multiple published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW: DO NOT TRACK ME ON THE INTERNET LAW INTRODUCED INTO   
   CONGRESS   
      
   An Internet version of the popular "Do Not Call" telephone legislation took a   
   step toward reality on Friday, February 11th. This when a House of   
   Representative legislator from California introduced a measure in Congress   
   designed to let consumers block unwanted tracking of their information   
   online.   
      
   Written by Representative Jackie Speier, the "Do Not Track Me Online" bill   
   authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to enact and enforce regulations   
   that give consumers the right to bar organizations from tracking their   
   activities as they use the Internet.   
      
   Speier's measure already has one major backer. Consumer Watchdog, a   
   non-profit and non-partisan advocacy group, has already applauded the   
   proposed law. In a press release Consumer Watchdog said that consumers   
   should have the right to choose if their private information from being   
   collected, analyzed, and profiled by companies tracking activities online.   
   It says that "Do Not Track Me Online" is the simple way for consumers to say   
   no to being monitored while they surf the Web. (Webnews)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMVENTION 2011: NEWSMAN OR ACTOR NEEDED FOR HAM RADIO TOWN MEETING   
      
   If you are a radio amateur planning to attend Hamvention 2011 and one who is   
   a professional television newsman or an actor with on-camera experience, you   
   are neded to take part in this years Ham Radio Town Meeting.   
      
   This years session is titled "How To Make A Ham Radio Video In The 21st   
   Century." Among the many topics we want to cover is how to properly appear   
   when the camera lens is on you and tape is rolling. Obviously nobody has   
   better expertise in this area than a TV newsman or an actor who regularly   
   appears on TV or in the movies.   
      
   If you want to take on this volunteer role, please contact us or send your   
   resume with your contact information to Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, who is   
   producing and moderating the session. Our e-mail address is still newsline   
   (at) ix (do)t netcom (dot) com and we look forward to hearing from you.   
   (ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO CONFERENCES: CALL FOR PAPERS FOR AMSAT-UL COLLOQUIUM   
      
   A first call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2011 has been issued by   
   the events planners. This years Colloquium will be held at the Holiday Inn,   
   in Guildford, from Friday, July 29th to Sunday July 31st. Presenters are   
   invited to speaker about amateur radio, space and associated activities.   
   Those interested should contact G4DPZ, by e-mail to david (dot) johnson (at)   
   blackpepper (dot) co (dot) uk. (G4DPZ)   
      
   **   
      
   CONTEST INFO: RESULTS OF 1010 10 GHZ AND UP CONTEST   
      
   Sean Kutzko, KX9X, who is the ARRL's Contest Branch Manager says that the   
   results for the 2010 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Cumulative Contest are now online.   
   You can read them at www.arrl.org/contest-results-articles. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: KR4X RETIRES FROM HILLSBOROUGH FLORIDA EMCOMM POSITION   
      
   Some names in the news. First up is Larry Gispert, KR4X, who recently   
   retired as the Director of Emergency Management for the County of   
   Hillsborough in the Tampa Bay, Florida area.   
      
   According to Peter Kemp, KZ1Z, Gispert's contributions have seen him take on   
   leadership positions in regional, state and national emergency management   
   organizations. He has also been a presenter at major conferences and in   
   Washington, DC.   
      
   The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners recently presented Gispert   
   with a Proclamation for his work. He was commended for his straight talk   
   approach when dealing with Emergency Management issues. (KZ1Z)   
      
   **   
      
   CHANGING OF THE GUARD: TOM C GLEEMAN KE6YNH - HAM AMBASSADOR _SK   
      
   And we are sad to report that one of the true gentlemen of ham radio has   
   become a Silent Key. This with word that Tom Gleeman, KE6YNH, of San Diego,   
   California passed at his home the evening of February 17th.   
      
   Gleeman was best known as a late night ambassador of good will on 3.840 MHz   
   in the 75 meter band. He is generally credited with starting the post Art   
   Bell, W6OBB-era 3840 Group in the western states that eventually expanded to   
   the whole country.   
      
   A memorial page for KE6YNH is on QRZ.com. The shortcut link to it is   
   tinyurl.com/4wgmss2. Tom Gleeman, KE6YNH, was only age 60 at the time of   
   his passing. (KE6ENI)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 2   
      
   This is ham radio news for today's radio amateur. From the United States of   
   America, 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)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO BALLOONING: HAM RADIO "MAKERS" TO LAUNCH TRANS-ATLANTIC BALLOON ON   
   7.102 MHZ USB   
      
   A ham radio equipped balloon called Speedball-1 will soon attempt to become   
   the first amateur radio balloon to cross the Atlantic. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Michael Grebert, KJ4ZZV, has more:   
      
   --   
      
   Speedball-1 was originally scheduled to launch the weekend of February 26th   
   from Space Port Indiana located in Columbus, Indiana. According to the   
   projects website, that date has now been pushed back to when both the Jet   
   Stream as well as ground launch conditions are more favorable for such a   
   flight.   
      
   While no exact launch date for Speewdball-1 has been announced, once aloft it   
   will be transmitting RTTY and DominoEX on a Upper Sideband with dial   
   frequency of 7 point 102 MHz. The actual signal will be on 7 dot 1035 MHz   
   and the transmitter will alternate between 110bps RTTY and the DominoEX   
   digital mode. Free dl-fldigi decoder software to follow the balloons   
   progress is at tinyurl.com/4lplegv   
      
   Speedball-1 is a project of the new LVL1 Makerspace in Louisville, Kentuckey.   
   They vdescribe themselves as a team of makers, hackers, and amateur   
   scientists, loving the incredible number of challenges this has project   
   presented.   
      
   Also on the team are remote members, contributing significantly, despite the   
   distance. These include Bill Brown, of Huntsville, Alabama, who is   
   considered the father of modern amateur weather ballooning, and Carl Lyster,   
   WA4ADG, who is the electronics designer from the Spirit of Knoxville. Quite   
   an all star team.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Michael Grebert, KJ4ZZV, near Nashville,   
   Tennessee.   
      
   --   
      
   You can sign up for a launch notification announcement on the right-hand side   
   of the home page at http://whitestarballoon.org. (ARNewsline(tm),   
   Southgate, White Star Balloons)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SA-AMSAT ANNOUNCES KLETSKOUS SATELLITE PAYLOAD   
      
   South Africa AMSAT has announced that the main payload on the upcoming   
   KLETSkous ham radio CubeSat. The decision is for the tiny bird to carry a   
   linear UHF to VHF transponder with a bandwidth of 20 kHz.   
      
   The U/V mode which uses a 70 centimeter uplink and 2 meter downlink was   
   chosen in line with internationally recommended practice as it will minimize   
   interference. Another aim of this decision is to make possible the   
   satellite to operate over Africa without the need of an access tone to   
   activate the transponder.   
      
   South Africa AMSAT says that a multi-city team is working on the designs and   
   will soon finalize the transponders specifications. You can visit   
   www.amsatsa.org.za for more about the KLETSkous project. (SARL, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, G5XW will be active as GJ5XW from the Isle of Jersey between March   
   24th and the 30th. Operations will be on the HF bands but will also include   
   the CQWW WPX SSB Contest on March 26th and the 27th. QSL via G5XW, direct   
   only to his QRZ.com address.   
      
   Members of the "DX Plus" Hellenic Amateur Radio Team will be active as SX5F   
   from the Farmakonisi Rocky Islet between May 14th and the 22nd. Operation   
   will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and the several digital modes. QSL   
   via the RAAG Bureau. For more details, see www.qrz.com/db/SX5F   
      
   G3SWH and G3RTE plan to operate from the West Island in the Cocos group   
   through March 5th. They will be active as VK9C stroke G6AY on 10 through to   
   80 meters using CW only. The Cocos Keeling is ranked number 75 most wanted   
   worldwide. QSL via their home callsigns, either direct or via the bureau   
      
   2E0WMG and G0DVJ will be active from Lundy Island between March 21st and the   
   26th. Operations will be on all HF bands 80 through 10 meters. G0DVJ will   
   be on CW and SSB, while 2E0WMG will be on SSB only. Look for QSL details on   
   QRZ.com.   
      
   Members of the "DXciting Group" will be active as EG5CI from Columbretes   
   Island between April 7th nand the 10th. QSL's will all be sent via the   
   bureau or direct from EA5EOR. For more details, visit www.dxciting.com   
      
   Lastly, the next DXpedition by the I2YSB Team will take place from Liberia   
   between March 31st and April 13th. The group plans to use 3 stations for   
   the HF bands and one other for the 50 MHz band. Modes are CW, SSB and RTTY.   
   The pilot station will be IK7JWY and an online log will be provided by   
   IH9GPI. The expeditions callsign will be announced at a later date. QSL   
   via I2YSB.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: DAYTON HAMVENTION(r) NAMES 2011 AWARD WINNERS   
      
   And finally this week, word that the names of the winners of the most   
   celebrated awards in ham radio have been announced. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,   
   is in the newsroom with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   N8LX: "I was just totally astounded. Flabbergasted. I never would have   
   believed that in my lifetime that this would happen to me. And my husband   
   said that someone could have probably knocked me over with a feather at that   
   point."   
   --   
      
   That's Shirley Roberts, N8LX, of Dayton Ohio has been selected as the 2011   
   Radio Amateur of the Year by the Dayton Hamvention. This prestigious award   
   goes to an amateur operator who has demonstrated significant contributions   
   to amateur radio as well as related public service.   
      
   Among Shirley Roberts numerous achievements has been her work with and for   
   the Dayton Amateur Radio Association and with making the Hamvention happen   
   every year for the past to decades. In the latter she has worked on   
   numerous committees related to the various aspects of Hamvention. She has   
   also been the voice of the Hamvention answer line for the past three and a   
   half years.   
      
   But Hamvention is not Shirley Roberts only ham radio interest. Over the   
   years she has been a Control Operator and Manager for a Dayton area repeater   
   and has been directly involved in numerous public service events. And, as   
   reported right here on Amateur Radio Newsline, several years ago it was   
   Shirley Roberts, N8LX, who coordinated the rescue of a ham radio operator   
   trucker who was suffering from a badly infected tooth that was affecting his   
   ability to safely drive his big-rig.   
      
   Another of her interests is SKYWARN and there she has been more than just   
   your average volunteer:   
      
   --   
      
   N8LX: "Several years ago I was one of the people who ran a preliminary net   
   for them as the people who operated the net were on their way to the focal   
   point to where the net was usually done."   
      
   --   
      
   According to Awards Committee chairman Frank Beafore, WS8B, Shirley Roberts,   
   N8LX, exemplifies all of the deepest aspects of being named the 2011 Radio   
   Amateur of the Year.   
      
   The Special Achievement Award this year goes to Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ of QRZ dot   
   com fame. Starting out as a simple on-line call sign look-up project, Lloyd   
   has developed the QRZ website into an interactive one stop web-based home   
   for all things related to amateur radio. Now in 2011, the Arizona-based QRZ   
   dot com operation provides detailed operating and technical information to   
   ham radio operators worldwide and is among the most often visited of any   
   hobby radio spot in cyberspace. And its still the place to go to find the   
   address of that station to which you want to send a QSL card.   
      
   Moving on, the committee has chosen Roy Lewallen, W7EL,of Beaverton, Oregon   
   to receive the 2011 Technical Excellence Award. This in recognition of his   
   development of EZNEC. EZNEC is an antenna modeling software system used by   
   hams worldwide. Lewallan's software is also now the basis for numerous   
   amateur radio antenna training courses in the United States and world-wide.   
      
   Last but by no means least, the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club, WA4TFZ, of   
   Charlottesville, Virginia has been named Club of The Year. According to the   
   judging committee, in addition to all the normal club activities of a well   
   led organization, the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club has shown exemplary   
   contributions in public service, emergency communications and in youth   
   recruiting.   
      
   With congratulations to all of this years winners, Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,   
   in the Newsroom in the City of Angels.   
      
   --   
      
   The award winners were announced on February 18th. All will be guests of   
   honor at the 2011 Hamvention which runs from May 20 to May 22 at Hara Arena   
   in suburban Dayton. More details are on-line at www dot Hamvention dot   
   org. We hope to see many of you there. (DARA, W8HJR, ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
      
   With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ Magazine,   
   the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB, the   
   Southgate News and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from the Amateur Radio   
   Newsline(tm). Our e-mail address is Newsline (at) arnewsline (dot) org.   
   More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's(tm) only official   
   website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support   
   us at Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita   
   California, 91350   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Don Wilbanks,   
   AE5DW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.   
      
      
   ***   
      
   As a Service to the HAM Radio Community and Ham Operators all around the   
   world, this Amateur Radio Newline(tm) message has been gated from the internet   
   and posted to you by Waldo's Place USA, 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 concerning   
   the actual posting of this message service, you may address them to   
   hamfdn -at- wpusa.dynip.com.   
      
   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73-   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)