Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1753 - March 18 2011   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1753 with a release date of Friday,   
   March 18 2011 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. An earthquake and tsunami bring death and   
   destruction to Japan and ham radio responds to the publics call. Also, the   
   Somali pirates who killed three American hams are indicted in the USA, the   
   Russian Federation adopts C-E-P-T licensing and the ARRL releases a video   
   that urges its members to save the 70 centimeter band by opposing   
   Congressional measure H R 607. Hear the Leagues message right here on   
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1753 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: HAMS RESPOND IN JAPAN FOLLOWING 8.9 QUAKE AND TSUNAMI   
      
   Japan remains under its worst threat to an ever rising toll, widespread   
   destruction, power, fuel and water shortages follow the massive earthquake,   
   tsunami and failed 40-year old nuclear power station. Jim Linton, VK3PC,   
   has the latest developments in regard to ham radio relief efforts taking   
   place as we go to air:   
      
   --   
      
   IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP said the Japan Amateur Radio   
   League HQ station JA1RL, and other amateur stations, are maintaining their   
   effort to support the disaster operation.   
      
   Ken JA1CJP said, ''In less damaged areas, the power supply is being restored   
   gradually, and local amateur radio club members have started to establish   
   stations at shelters."   
      
   The information is being coordinated, as part of an organized rescue and   
   relief effort. It seems likely to continue for some weeks, and months, to   
   come.   
      
   The 8.9 on the Richter scale quake hit off north-eastern Sendai, and   
   triggered a ten-meter tsunami, on last Friday.   
      
   Ken JA1CJP, quoting local news sources said, the situation is getting worse.   
   Some reports put the dead and missing at 11,000.   
      
   Some 55,000 houses/buildings were damaged by the earthquake and 3,000 houses   
   washed away by the tsunami.   
      
   Rescue teams have arrived and started their activities. They came from many   
   nations, including Australia, China, Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, USA,   
   Germany, Switzerland and Russia.   
      
   In all, the Japanese government has received help from 91 nations and   
   Territories, and nine international organizations.   
      
   Ken JA1CJP said another worry is leakage of radio-active gasses at the   
   Fukushima nuclear plant, which was damaged by the earthquake and tsunami.   
      
   A shortage of fuel, disruption to rail and road transport have been reported   
   from many affected areas, still recovering from the worst earthquake in 140   
   years, followed by a widespread tsunami that swept away so much.   
      
   JA1RL continues to operate under instruction to be an emergency traffic   
   centre. Increasingly receiving help from JARL members in the affected area.   
   It is using the 7 MHz, 144 MHz and 430 MHz.   
      
   Many other stations are active. Field stations are using various frequencies,   
   including some battery powered and others using small generators.   
      
   Each is exchange rescue and disaster relief operation information with JA1RL   
   and others.   
      
   While 3525, 7030, 7043 and 7075 have been mentioned as in use, it's wise to   
   keep those, and all of the Centre of Emergency frequencies clear of normal   
   and non-urgent traffic. There is no call for additional foreign radio   
   amateurs.   
      
   I'm Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman of the IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications   
   Committee reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline.   
      
   --   
      
   Again, there is no call for radio amateur's from the United States or any   
   other nation to travel to Japan. There are over 130,000 hams in that nation   
   and they have all of the operators that they need. More on this story in   
   upcoming Newsline reports. (JARL, JA1CJP, VK3PC)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: A1 CLUB DX OF JAPAN SEEKS WORLD WIDE CLEAR EMCOMM FREQUENCIES   
      
   Meantime word from a group called A1 Club DX of Japan has issued a request   
   that hams world-wide keep clear of several frequencies and blocks of   
   frequencies that are being used for post quake and post tsunami relief   
   efforts.   
      
   According to the note from club secretary JE1TRV, amateur radio operator are   
   gathering and exchanging emergency information on a number of frequencies.   
   On the H-F bands these are 3 dot 525 MHz+/-5KHz; 7 dot 030 MHz +/-5KHz; 14   
   dot 100 MHz +/-10KHz; 21.200 MHz+/-10KHz and 28.200 MHz +/-10KHz. What this   
   means is that hams should listen carefully in these spectral parcels before   
   calling CQ for a contact.   
      
   While the frequencies on the VHF and UHF bands really are of little concern   
   to hams outside the immediate disaster area, one never knows when a band   
   opening might occur. So for reference sake, the needed clear channels are   
   on these bands are 50.1, 51.000 and 51.500 MHz on 6 meters; 144.100M,   
   145.000M and 145.500 MHz on 2 meters and 430.1, 433.0 and 433.500 MHz in the   
   70 centimeter band.   
      
   Exactly what type of emergency communications was taking place was not   
   spelled out in the A1 Club DX press release. (A1DX Club of Japan)   
      
   **   
      
   QUAKE AFTERMATH: YAESU TEMPORARILY HALTS PRODUCTION AFTER QUAKE   
      
   The CQ on-line newsroom reports that production of Yaesu radios at Vertex   
   Standard's factory in Fukushima, Japan, has been temporarily halted. This,   
   due to earthquake damage at that plant.   
      
   In an open letter to the amateur radio community, Vertex Standard CEO and   
   President Jun Hasegawa expressed his gratitude for the many "kind words and   
   thoughts about us during this difficult time."   
      
   He reports that all Vertex Standard employees and their families are OK,   
   although the company has not been able to reach its many dealers and   
   subcontractors located near the   
   coast.   
      
   "We just hope that they are alive," he writes.   
      
   Hasegawa also reports that the Yaesu factory in Fukushima suffered "minimal"   
   damage from the earthquake but has been temporarily shut down nonetheless.   
   He says he expects it to be back in normal operation within one to two weeks   
   and asks for everyone's understanding and cooperation.   
      
   At this time, there have been no public reports received from any of the   
   other Japanese amateur radio manufacturers.   
      
   The closure affects only the Fukushima factory. All others remain in   
   operation. (CQ)   
      
   **   
      
   QUAKE SCIENCE: THE POWER OF THE JAPAN QUAKE   
      
   And some stunning statistics about the awesome power of this earthquake.   
   According to the British Broadcasting Company, experts they interviewed say   
   that the massive shaker may have shifted Japan's main coastline by up to 13   
   feet to the east. This is based on the country's network of 1,200 GPS   
   monitoring stations. The GeoNet GPS network is the world's largest.   
      
   Also, the quake may have knocked the planet off its axis by about 6.5 inches.   
   This says the BBC will cause the Earth to rotate a tiny bit faster and   
   thereby shortening the day by about 1.8 millionths of a second.   
      
   The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the quake's magnitude to 9 while   
   the U.S. Geological Survey still has it rated at magnitude 8.9. The Japan   
   Meteorological Agency has also officially named the tembler "The 2011 off   
   the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake." (BBC via Facebook)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: 14 ALLEGED PIRATES INDICTED IN ATTACK THAT KILLED THREE HAM   
   OPERATORS   
      
   A federal grand jury has indicted 13 suspected pirates from Somalia and one   
   from Yemen in the February hijacking of a yacht that left three American   
   radio amateurs and one non-amateur dead. The United States Department of   
   Justice say that the men face piracy, kidnapping and firearms charges   
   stemming from their efforts to hold the Americans for ransom, according to   
   the indictment.   
      
   As previously reported, Scott Adam, K9ESO, his wife Jean, KF6RVB, and Bob   
   Riggle, KE7IIV, were murdered by the 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. At that   
   point 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.   
      
   The Adams', who were retired, had been sailing on their 58-foot yacht   
   delivering Bibles around the world. The indictment says at least three of   
   the indicted men shot and killed the four Americans without provocation.   
   They died less than a week after a Somali pirate was sentenced to more than   
   33 years in prison by a New York court for the 2009 hijacking of the vessel   
   the Maersk Alabama. That hijacking ended when Navy sharpshooters killed two   
   pirates holding the ship's American captain.   
      
   This group of pirates is the latest to be brought to Norfolk to face charges   
   stemming from attacks on ships off the cost of Africa. Last April, a   
   federal grand jury indicted 11 in separate attacks on two U.S. Navy ships,   
   the USS Ashland and the USS Nicholas. The Virginia-based ships were part of   
   an international flotilla protecting shipping in the pirate-infested waters   
   off Africa. (Published news reports)   
      
   **   
   Break 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the VE6AFP and VE6JNT   
   Repeater serving Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: CALIFORNIA CB'er ISSUED $7000 NAL FOR REFUSING FCC STATION   
   INSPECTION   
      
   A California CB'er operator has been issued a $7000 Notice of Apparent   
   Liability for Forfeiture. In its March 10th release the FCC says that that   
   Ira Jones who they identify as the owner and operator of a Citizens Band   
   radio station in the city of Merced, apparently willfully and repeatedly   
   violated section 303(n) of the Communications Act and section 95.426(a) of   
   the Commission's rules by failing to permit inspection of the CB radio   
   station. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The story on this one began on March 19, 2010, agents from the Enforcement   
   Bureau's San Francisco Office responded to a complaint regarding   
   interference within the radio communication system equipment of the Merced   
   County Fire Department. The agents observed that transmissions by a CB   
   radio station on 27.165 MHz appeared to match the audio distortion received   
   on the fire departments frequency of 154.4 MHz. The agents then monitored   
   the transmissions on frequency 27.165 MHz and used radio direction finding   
   techniques to locate the source of the signal associated with the   
   interference to a CB radio station operating from Ira Jones's residence in   
   Merced.   
      
   On March 26, 2010, agents from the San Francisco Office again monitored   
   27.165 MHz and used radio direction finding techniques to locate the source   
   of the signal creating the audio rectification interference to a CB radio   
   station operating from Jones's residence in Merced, California. Later the   
   same day, the agents approached Jones's residence and attempted to conduct a   
   station inspection. At that time they were denied access to Jones home and   
   his C-B radio gear. The same thing happened when the agents accompanied by   
   to Merced Police officers attempted a station inspection on August 27th.   
      
   And it did not end there. On September 1, 2010, the San Francisco FCC Office   
   received another complaint from the Merced County Fire Department stating   
   that Jones had resumed CB radio station operation at approximately 5:30   
   p.m.. Also that the interference within the Merced County Fire Department   
   radio communication system equipment had also resumed.   
   Now, almost a year after receiving its first complaint from the Merced Fire   
   Department the FCC has issued Jones the $7000 Notice of Apparent Liability   
   to Monetary Forfeiture. He was also warned that operation of his CB radio   
   station with more power than authorized under the Part 95 rules could result   
   in additional sanctions and monetary forfeitures.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, reporting from   
   Scottsdale, Arizona, from the Amateur Radio Newsline.   
      
   --   
      
   Jones was given the customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal. The FCC   
   release did not say whether or not the Merced Fire Department is still   
   receiving the alleged interference from Jones C-B station operation. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: CALIFORNIA UNLICENSED BROADCASTER ISSUED $25000 NAL   
      
   The FCC has also issued a $25,000 Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary   
   Forfeiture to a California resident identified as Gabriel Garcia. This for   
   his alleged operation of an unlicensed station on various FM frequencies in   
   the city of San Jose. Interference that the FCC says was to Federal   
   Aviation Administration operations in that city. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is   
   in our newsroom with this one:   
      
   --   
      
   The case began in March 2010. That's when the FCC received a complaint from   
   the Federal Aviation Administration about interference to the Aviation   
   Services band from an unlicensed station on 92.9 MHz calling itself KNRG.   
   FCC San Francisco field agents used RF direction-finding equipment to trace   
   the source of the signal to a roof antenna at a San Jose residence. The   
   agents took field-strength measurements and determined they were more than   
   1,957 times greater than the maximum permissible level for a non-licensed   
   Part 15 transmitter and therefore required a license.   
      
   The FCC agents proceeded to inspect the station. During the inspection, the   
   landlord identified Gabriel Garcia as the operator of the station. The FCC   
   issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Garcia, detailing penalties for   
   continuing to operate the unlicensed station.   
      
   That May, the San Francisco field office received another complaint about an   
   unlicensed station at 93.7 MHz in San Jose. The agents again traced the   
   transmission to a different residence of Garcia. They again issued another   
   Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Garcia.   
      
   In June 2010, the San Francisco field office received more complaints from   
   the FAA about the KNRG station. Again it traced the signal to Garcia's   
   residence and issued a third Notice of Unlicensed Operation to him. In July,   
   the agents went through the same drill for an unlicensed operation on 104.3   
   MHz originating from another Garcia residence in San Jose. This time, the   
   field agents saw Garcia leave and then return to the residence. They issued   
   a fourth Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Garcia.   
      
   Now the FCC has made good to impose a penalty on Garcia's unlicensed radio   
   operations by issuing him the $25,000 proposed fine. The base fine for   
   operating an unlicensed station is $10,000. However the agency found that   
   Garcia operated on multiple frequencies, on multiple occasions. As such it   
   found his behavior as being particularly egregious for conduct that   
   apparently interfered with the FAA's Aviation Radio Services band. Based on   
   this evidence, the commission fined him $25,000.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the Newsroom   
   in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   As is always the case, Garcia was given the usual 30 days to pay up or to   
   file his appeal. Meantime, there's no word if Garcia has taken his station   
   off the air of if its still in operation. Maybe one of our listens in San   
   Jose can take a listen to the FM broadcast band and let us know. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO JUSTICE: HAMS REPORTEDLY FOIL COPPER THIEVES   
      
   Ham radio appears to have foiled an attempt by copper thieves to do their   
   illegal deed. This as a Paris, Texas, woman and Detroit man, along with   
   three juveniles, were arrested by Paris police after stealing copper wiring   
   from the old police and court building.   
      
   While details are sketchy Paris Police Department officers responded to a   
   possible burglary call at the building after a person saw the suspects leave   
   and followed them to Paris Iron and Metal. According to Matt Birch, public   
   information officer for Paris Police Department they then reported what they   
   knew to Paris Police who in turn collared the suspects.   
      
   More is on line at tinyurl.com/47tfrao (Via e-mail)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: 14th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE AND LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND   
      
   The 14th annual Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend will be held as a fun event   
   in the weekend of August 20th and 21st. Already 135 registrations have been   
   received and it is on track to nudge last year's total of 447. Germany and   
   Australia traditionally account for most entries and their enthusiasm shows   
   again this year.   
      
   Of particular interest will be DA2011LH. This is a special event callsign at   
   Campen Lighthouse. To inquire about the International Lighthouse and   
   Lightship Weekend visit the website at http://illw.net. (VK3PC)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: AUSTRIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION TO OPERATE INTERNATIONAL   
   MARCONI DAY   
      
   The Amateur Radio Section of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, in   
   conjunction with the Documentary Archives Radio Communications QSL   
   Collection will operate station O-E-11-M from 0000 hours UTC on April 29th   
   to 23:59 UTC on May 1st. O-E-11-M is an official International Marconi Day   
   station and contacts made on April 30th are valid for the International   
   Marconi Day Award. If you do work this station QSL via the O E bureau or   
   direct to OE1WHC. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: EAA AIRVENTURE IN WISCONSIN IN JULY   
      
   And while its still ma bit down the road, the Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club   
   Inc will operate July 27th to the 31st from EAA Airventure 2011.   
      
   Airventure is the largest air show and fly-in in the world held every year in   
   Oshkosh Wisconsin. Special events station W9ZL will be on the air from 1500   
   to midnight UTC from the EAA grounds. Operation will use 7.250 and 14.250   
   on the H-F bands and 52.550 FM on 6 meters.   
      
   QSL with a large self addressed stamped envelope to FCARC AirVenture 2011, PO   
   Box 2346, Appleton Wisconsin, 54912. (AB9AH)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: RUSSIAN FEDERATION ADOPTS CEPT LICENSING   
      
   It should soon be easier to use amateur radio gear while visiting the Russian   
   Federation. This, following its decision to join the CEPT Radio Amateur   
   License agreement.   
      
   At a recent meeting the Russian State Commission for Radio Frequencies, it   
   was decided that the Russian Federation will accept CEPT Recommendation for   
   the CEPT Radio Amateur License and the CEPT Novice permit. The commission   
   plans to advise CEPT Working Group R A of its decision in the near future.   
   Working Group R A will be meeting in May and September.   
      
   IARU Region 1 says that it considers this a major step forward to eventually   
   permit worldwide radio amateur roaming. CEPT licensing means that all   
   nations accepting this recommendation also accept any other signatory's ham   
   license, subject to certain limitations as valid in those nations as well.   
   (Press Release)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE: MISSISSIPPI MIDDLE SCHOOL TO LAUNCH NEAR SPACE BALLOON   
      
   A group of students from Olde Towne Middle School in Ridgeland, Mississippi   
   is preparing for a trip to space. Or at least as close as they can get.   
      
   The OTMS Radio and Technology Club, along with the school's Science Team, are   
   planning a near-space balloon launch at 9 AM CDT on March 26th, conditions   
   permitting.   
      
   The balloon -- nicknamed Titans in Space -- will use the call sign KC5NXD and   
   is expected to reach an altitude of 94,825 feet. It will launch from the   
   Madison County Career and Technology Center in Gluckstadt. Preflight will   
   begin at 90 minutes before the scheduled launch. The preflight and launch   
   will be stream-cast live on the Internet at www.ustream.tv/user/kc5nxd. You   
   can also follow along on Twitter.   
      
   The project is led by Bill Richardson, N5VEI. He is encouraging radio   
   amateurs to follow the balloon via APRS on 144.39 MHz, on http://aprs.fi   
   with the call sign kc5nxd-11 and via a 2 meter voice beacon on 146.565 MHz.   
   A 20 meter beacon at 14.079 or 14.080.5 MHz will offer telemetry as well.   
   According to Richardson, the group will be using a special balloon-modified   
   version of FLdigi, called dl-FLdigi. Ground stations wanting to receive the   
   balloon's telemetry using the program and a sound card interface can find   
   the software can find it free at www.w1hkj.com (ARRL, Southgate, Others)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: TWIN FASTRAC SATELLITES COMMANDED TO SEPARATE   
      
   Sebastian Munoz, KE5FKV, the FASTRAC Student Program Manager reports that the   
   two amateur Radio FASTRAC AX.25 satellites have successfully separated in   
   space. According to Munoz, on Monday, March 14th, a command was sent to the   
   two birds to have them part ways. They did just that and are now in   
   autonomous operation.   
      
   Munoz adds that FASTRAC 1 nick named "Sara Lily" has its Beacon on 437.345   
   MHz FM using AX.25 at 1200 bits per second. FASTRAC 2 also known as "Emma"   
   has its Beacon on 145.825 MHz FM also running AX.25 protocol at 1200 bits   
   per second. More on both birds is on-line at tinyurl.com/25sykwb   
   (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: TWO MORE ASTRONAUTS PASS THEIR AMATEUR EXAM   
      
   Two more Astronauts are now licensed radio amateurs. According to AMSAT,   
   Luca Parmitano, who is slated to fly on Expedition 36 and Chris Cassidy who   
   is assigned Expedition 35 both passed their amateur radio license exams on   
   March 8th.   
      
   On March 9th, Michael Hopkins completed his ARISS introductory course and is   
   currently preparing for his amateur radio license exam. Hopkins is slated   
   to fly with Expedition 37 in September of 2013.   
      
   Lastly, an ARISS refresher course was provided to Chris Hadfield,   
   KC5RNJ/VA3OOG on March 11. Hadfield is currently scheduled for Expedition 34   
   in November of 2012. (AMSAT)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: LUXEMBOURG INAUGURATES NEW 60 METER BEACON   
      
   A new 60 meter beacon is on the air in Luxembourg. Operating with the   
   callsign LX0HF its reportedly has been putting a good signal into the United   
   Kingdom and other parts of Europe.   
      
   LX0HF operates on a frequency of 5 dot 205 dot 25 kHz. It is understood that   
   the contact for the beacon is LX2A or LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio   
   Society. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, UA0SC, UA0SE, UA0SW and RZ0SR will be active portable 6W from Senegal   
   through March 28th. QSL via the operator's home callsign unless you work   
   them using the call 6V7D during the Russia DX Contest on March 19-20th and   
   the CQ WPX SSB Contest from March   
   26-27th. QSL for those contacts go only to UA0SE.   
      
   VE3DZ is on the air from Barbados as 8P9AA through March 29th. Activity is on   
   all HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. He is expected to be in the CQWW WPX   
   SSB Contest as 8P3A. QSL both callsigns via VE3DZ.   
      
   Lastly, 11 year old Y-L operator JF1VGZ along with JA1MFR will be active as   
   KH7ERI and WN1Y portable KH0 from Saipan between March 25th and the 29th.   
   QSL via JF1VGZ direct. Also, check   
   out their Web page at www.qrz.com/db/kh7eri   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: A FEW IMPORTANT WORDS ABOUT HR-607 FROM THE ARRL   
      
   And finally this week, the ARRL has released a new video that urges its   
   members to respond to their Congressional representatives in opposition to   
   H-R 607. This is a measure now in committee that if passed as written would   
   lead to the demise of most of the amateur 70 centimeter ham band as we know   
   it today.   
      
   As we said, the ARRL has directed this video message to its members but in   
   reality every ham in the United States and its possessions will be affected   
   if HR-607 is passed into law as written. While we have no way to bring you   
   the video portion of this message we can give you the audio. It runs three   
   minutes and is perhaps the most important three minute message ever issued   
   by the league. Here with it is ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart,   
   K1MMH:   
      
   --   
      
   In February, Congressman Peter King of New York Chairman of the House   
   Homeland Security Committee, introduced H.R. 607, called the "Broadband for   
   First Responders Act of 2011." It has been referred to the House Energy and   
   Commerce Committee   
      
   The bill would create 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. These are   
   part of the old UHF television frequencies no longer in use.   
      
   We have no problem with that. But the bill also includes other frequencies   
   that are to be taken and sold to commercial users. The bands to be sold at   
   auction include the paired frequencies of 420-440 MHz and 450-470 MHz.   
      
   420 to 440 Mhz is most of our amateur 70-cm band, It is one of the primary   
   bands used by Amateur Radio operators. And this is a major problem.   
      
   This band is already used by hundreds of thousands of handy-talkies,   
   thousands of Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers, severe weather   
   spotters, weak signal operations, thousands of repeater systems, mobile   
   operators Amateur Radio satellite communications, radio location beacons,   
   amateur radio's nationwide system of digital and text communications, and   
   more.   
      
   This band is not just used for hobby activity, But used in the development of   
   new radio technologies. And very important in continuing to meet our   
   promises to provide communications for emergency groups with whom we have   
   formal agreements.   
      
   The National Public Telecommunications Council shares our concern and   
   believes that the bill needs to be amended.   
      
   420 to 440 MHz is already being heavily used for public service operations   
   - by Amateur Radio operators. While the ARRL obviously supports the work   
   of Public Safety organizations we vigorously oppose HR 607 in its present   
   form. As it is written HR 607 is a direct threat to our limited spectrum   
   and we encourage ARRL members to voice your opposition to this bill   
      
   Here's how you can help. Write a letter for your congressional   
   representative, but send it to ARRL's legislative consultants Chwat & Co.   
   They will collect and hand-deliver your letter along with our message. You   
   can find a sample letter, the name of your representative and where to send   
   it for hand delivery, to be sure it gets to them, at   
   http://www.arrl.org/sample-letter.   
      
   Also please consider donating to the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund. Our Amateur   
   Radio frequencies are precious. We can't afford to have them taken away and   
   sold at auctions. It's the donations from hams who care about preserving our   
   frequencies that make our vigilance and defense of our bands possible.   
      
   Don't just talk about it - do it. And please do it now.   
      
   --   
      
   According to one source, much of the credit for this new video goes to Al   
   Petrunti, KA1TCH, of NewDay HD and video editor and graphics designer Kevin   
   O'Dell, N0IRW. To view the video as well as hearing the audio, please take   
   your web browser to tinyurl.com/607video. (Various)   
      
   **   
      
   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@arnewsline.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)