<*>[Attachment(s) from James KB7TBT included below]   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2043, December 23 2016   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2043 with a release date of Friday,    
   December 23, 2016 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. Hams regroup to revive Missouri's Amateur Radio    
   Parity Act. A British rocker upgrades his license-- and Norway's going    
   digital. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2043 comes    
   your way right now.   
      
   **   
      
   BILLBOARD CART   
      
   **   
      
   MISSOURI AMATEURS RENEW PARITY ACT PUSH   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: We lead this week's newscast with a story of perseverence:    
   Hams in Missouri say they're anything but discouraged about the failure    
   to pass the state's Amateur Radio Parity Act. We hear why from Amateur    
   Radio Newsline's Paul Braun, WD9GCO.   
      
   PAUL: We have covered the progress of two different Amateur Radio Parity    
   Acts - the national version and the more localized version in Missouri.    
   Both followed similar trajectories, both suffered the same fate. Both    
   efforts were passed by the House of Representatives, both were summarily    
   dismissed by a single Senator before they could be added to the calendar.   
      
   I spoke with Larry Scantlan, K-E-zero-K-Zed, the man spearheading the    
   Missouri effort, about his strategy for regrouping and starting the    
   process all over again.   
      
   LARRY: We're very active in that process right now. Our original sponsor    
   of the bill who authored it with me, State Representative Bryan Spencer    
   has pre-filed our second attempt and it is on the record of the House of    
   Representatives of the State of Missouri, and it's named the House Bill    
   136.   
      
   The text of that bill is identical to the previous bill because, well,    
   it had gone through the discussion hearing committee the first time and    
   was amended and had actually passed through the House of Representatives    
   without issue so we felt that there was no need to change or make issue    
   with the content of the text of the bill and after the first of the year    
   when the session begins they will be putting it on the calendar and it    
   will be assigned to a committee for its first initial hearing.   
      
   PAUL: Scantlan went on to explain the change in strategy for working    
   with the Senate this second time around:   
      
   LARRY: The first issue right up front is to find a Senator that will    
   sponsor a companion bill that will be working through their side    
   simultaneously rather than waiting until the House bill gets all the way    
   through all of its parts and then try to get it into the Senate - we    
   just ran out of time. I've already been calling on Senator Bob Onder    
   here in the St. Louis region who was a proponent of the bill the first    
   time, try to sit down with him to get him to sponsor a Senate version so    
   that will be moving through the Senate at the same time that the House    
   bill will be moving through the House.   
      
   We're hopeful then that we won't run out of time and the thing will be    
   sitting in the Senate at the last minute.   
      
   PAUL: Other new strategies include dividing the state up into regions    
   with section leaders to help with the workload and to facilitate better    
   communications. Scantlan has created a Facebook page called "Missouri    
   Amateur Radio Parity Act," as well as a website at triple-w dot    
   M-A-R-P-A dot U-S. The key, he said, is to convince all Missouri hams,    
   of which there are fifteen thousand, to get involved and contact their    
   congress member, whether the bill affects them today or not because, as    
   Scantlan said, you never know when life changes will land you under a    
   restrictive H-O-A.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO.   
      
   **   
      
   AUTHOR DECIPHERS SDR -- AGAIN   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Interested in SDR? One New Zealand ham wrote the book and he    
   spoke with Amateur Radio Newsline's Neil Rapp WB9VPG.   
      
   NEIL: There’s a new book written by a New Zealander about Software    
   Defined Radios available.  Andrew Barron, ZL3DW, has just released his    
   second book that explains Software Defined Radios that is intended for    
   Amateur Radio Operators, Short Wave Listeners, and anyone interested in    
   radio as a hobby.  Andrew explains some of the things included in this    
   308 page book.   
      
   ANDREW: It tells you why you would want to buy a software defined radio,    
   why they are in some ways better than a conventional radio, what makes    
   them different, what makes them better, (and) how you test them because    
   some of testing is different.   
      
   NEIL: So if you’re interested in how software defined radios work, or    
   maybe you’re considering purchasing one, this book could have just the    
   information you need.   
      
   ANDREW: It’s rounded out with a big section on just the basics. We    
   explore about 65 radios that I found online, most of them receivers of    
   course, but some transceivers, because it’s a big baffling as to which    
   generations these radios are; what the capabilities are, what sort of    
   frequencies they can cover, whether they’re a transceiver or not, so    
   just the basics specs on a whole pile of radios.   
      
   NEIL: Andrew notes another reason why he decided to write the book.   
      
   ANDREW: SDR is changing all the time.  It’s quite dynamic, and it’s    
   coming a long way.  And we see the big three manufacturers starting to    
   get on board.  And, I think that it will be the way of the future for    
   these big three radio producers because it’s cheaper.   
      
   NEIL: The book is available on Amazon and is both in print or in Kindle    
   form for most e-Readers. You can find the link to it on Amazon in the    
   text version of this newscast.   
      
   https://www.amazon.com/Software-Defined-Radio-Operators-Listeners/dp/153499242   
   1/    
      
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Neil Rapp WB9VPG.   
      
   **   
      
   DRUMMING UP A LICENSE UPGRADE   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: What's more exciting to a musician than landing a hit on the    
   charts? Amateur Radio Newsline's Ed Durrant DD5LP, tells us.   
      
   ED's REPORT: Never mind the name of the latest hit or album from the    
   Britpop group Blur. The bigger news, at least to radio amateurs, is just    
   as chart-busting an event: The group's drummer, amateur radio's Dave    
   Rowntree 2E0DVR, has upgraded his license to Advanced. Dave first became    
   a  ham with his Foundation license in 2012. Working first as M6DRQ, he    
   passed his Intermediate exam and more recently completed this latest    
   test successfully to rock the bands as an Advanced licensee.   
      
   That's as big a deal - or maybe bigger? - than having another album on    
   the charts. Just like the band has undergone some reinvention since its    
   creation in 1988, so too has Dave become an amateur who is always evolving.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.   
      
   (SOUTHGATE)   
      
   **   
      
   CELEBRATING RADIO HISTORY AND A LITTLE OF HIS OWN TOO   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Earlier this month, when radio operators assembled in    
   Greenwich Connecticut and Ardrossan Scotland, they re-sent the original    
   message that became the first confirmed amateur radio transmission    
   across the Atlantic 95 years ago. While other radio operators have also    
   re-enacted this transmission, for one amateur, who grew up in Greenwich    
   not far from the monument marking 1BCG's historic transmission,    
   participating this year as N1BCG -- his 3-year-old callsign reflecting    
   the Connecticut operators' callsign -- was especially fulfilling.   
      
   CLARK: After after having a couple of sequentially assigned call signs    
   for ham radio I thought wouldn't it be nice to get something that is    
   more a tribute to the history of international communications which    
   occurred right here in Greenwich? What are the chances since I happen to    
   live here too? It was such a significant event from a historical    
   standpoint. N1BCG was available.   
      
   JIM: That is the voice of Clark Burgard N1BCG of Greenwich Connecticut.    
   Clark worked single sideband earlier this month in the latest re-staging    
   of the contact with Scotland. The event was a partnership of the Radio    
   Society of Great Britain, the ARRL and the Radio Club of America -- but    
   the location from which he transmitted turned out to be his grade school    
   alma mater, where he operated his first childhood radio station.   
      
   CLARK: It goes back to about 40 years ago and that is actually one of    
   the reasons the Greenwich Country Day School was selected for this    
   year's 1BCG anniversary because the school to me is rich in radio    
   history -- whether they intended it or not. They were very helpful in    
   getting us a location for this past December 11's anniversary event.   
      
   JIM: As Clark notes, it was the same school where he'd played with radio    
   as a child, and where something else caught his eye.   
      
   CLARK: We were in the boys gym because there is a flagpole - I'd had my    
   eye on that flagpole for 40 years. I thought that would be great to hang    
   an antenna off that. I would be in a world of trouble if I actually did    
   that as a student. I had to let some time go by. I think I've been    
   pretty patient."   
      
   JIM: That was Clark Burgard N1BCG of Greenwich Connecticut, who finally    
   got to hang three dipoles on that childhood flagpole and helped radio    
   relive a milestone in shortwave history while celebrating some of his    
   own radio history too. He spoke with Amateur Radio Newsline's Caryn Eve    
   Murray KD2GUT.   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK HERE:   
      
   Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio    
   Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including W5AW,    
   the Big Springs Amateur Radio Club Repeater in Big Springs, Texas, on    
   Thursdays at 8 p.m.   
      
   **   
      
   NORWAY'S RADIO GOES DIGITAL   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: In Norway, it's goodbye analogue, hello digital. That could    
   apply to a lot of things but in Norway, it will soon apply to radio, as    
   we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jason Daniels VK2LAW.   
      
   JASON'S REPORT: Beginning in January, it's the end of radio as most    
   listeners know it in Norway. Region by region, the nation's FM networks    
   will gradually be switched off, starting in Nordland on the 11th of    
   January.   
      
   With this action, Norway becomes the first nation to adopt full digital    
   radio. The expected result of this switch to the Digital Audio    
   Broadcasting, or DAB standard is a greater variety in listening content    
   and the availability of more major channels.   
      
   This comes as no surprise to Norwegian listeners, who learned in 2015    
   that the The Ministry of Culture was planning the national shutdown of    
   analogue. At the time of the minister's announcement, officials were    
   pleased to report that instead of having five channels transmitting on    
   FM nationwide, DAB would create new options including up to 22 station    
   channels. Norway already has some DAB networks, and according to a    
   survey two years ago by the TNS Gallup group, more than half of    
   Norwegian households already owned one digital radio at that time.   
      
   The counties of Troms and Finnmark will be the last regions to switch    
   over, and that change will come in December 2017.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Jason Daniels VK2LAW   
      
   (RADIOINFO.COM.AU, RADIO.NO, IEEE SPECTRUM)   
      
   **   
      
   UK TESTS GO ONLINE, THEN ON THE AIR   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Applicants for amateur licenses in the UK now have another    
   option for taking that all-important test. We learn more from Amateur    
   Radio Newsline's Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   JEREMY: Think of it as a radio check for a new licensing exam system in    
   the UK: Beginning in February, the Radio Society of Great Britain will    
   launch a pilot program to offer Advanced license examinations online at    
   some testing locales. This phase of the program will continue through    
   the middle of March.   
      
   A statement on the radio society's website said that the decision was    
   made to go forward with the online pilot after a successful "proof of    
   concept" exercise took place over a period of weeks earlier this year.    
   That exercise had the participation of a number of clubs and individual    
   amateurs.   
      
   The radio society said the online exam will offer the same kind of    
   feedback now available to those taking exams at the Foundation and    
   Intermediate levels.   
      
   A paper version of the exam will continue to be made available at those    
   testing locales that lack Internet access. The Examinations Department    
   will confirm the scores about 10 days after the exams are given, as has    
   been the practice at all levels.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   (RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMS KEEP PACE IN PARADISE   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: The 44th running of the Honolulu Marathon this month had the    
   power of radio to keep them on the move. The Honolulu Marathon on    
   December 11th wasn't just a feat of endurance for the more than 30,000    
   runners. The hams who provided communications and safety for the race's    
   44th running also went the distance in their own way. According to the    
   ARRL Pacific Section, radio operators went on the air as early as 4 a.m.    
   and some stayed on the air for as many as 18 hours for this, the fourth    
   largest marathon in the U.S.   
      
   With Net Control operated by Ralph Toyama NH6PY, 35 hams operated on    
   both 2 meters and 70 centimeters. Some were also on the air using 800    
   MHz digital radios - nonamateur radios but nonetheless crucial in    
   providing those links to aid stations, medical teams, transportation    
   vehicles and police.   
      
   Hams were also at the finish line, feeling just as victorious as if    
   they'd run the race themselves which, in a way, they did.   
      
   (ARRL PACIFIC SECTION)   
      
   **   
      
   UK STUDENT-BUILT BALLOON REACHES ALASKA   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: The travels of Santa Claus have got nothing on one balloon    
   that was built by students in Bristol in the UK and launched on December    
   11th carrying a 434 MHz beacon and APRS. A report came seven days later    
   that it  had crossed the Pacific Ocean and made it to Canada; shortly    
   thereafter, it was over Alaska.   
      
   Built from 50-micron thick film and about 1.9 meters in diameter, the    
   UBSEDS21 balloon is carrying a payload with a weight of 34.2 grams.    
   Following its launch, it reached a stable altitude of 15.2 kilometers    
   and was heading east.   
      
   The balloon may not have had a change of course but it did have a change    
   of plans. The students' original goal was to use it to contact the    
   International Space Station on 145.825 MHz via APRS. The space station's    
   VHF radio is not functioning, however, so the balloon will instead test    
   its amplifier and communicate with any satellites that have APRS.   
      
   The students involved attend the University of Bristol and are part of    
   UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Society.   
      
   (AMSAT-UK)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLD OF DX   
      
   Sila AK0SK will be on SSB from Kenya until January 6th, working as    
   5Z4/AK0SK. Listen on 80m through 10m. QSL to the home call.   
      
   Listen for Jeff K5WE from the Cayman Islands through December 30th. He    
   is using the call sign ZF2WE and working CW and some RTTY on all the HF    
   bands. He will upload his logs to Logbook of The World. Send QSLs via    
   the home call.   
      
   Harry JG7PSJ returns to the Ogasawara Islands where you can hear him    
   through January 1st. Listen for the call sign JD1BMH. Please note that    
   Ogasawara counts as a separate entity for DXCC. Its reference number is    
   AS-031 for the Islands on the Air Award.   
      
   And there's some encouraging news for DXers: The German communications    
   authority issued a notice on their website on December 19th giving    
   German class A Amateur radio enthusiasts access to the 5.3MHz (60 metre)    
   band as per the WRC15 (15KHz wide) frequency range and (15w EIRP) power    
   limitations on a non-interference  Enjoy adding some new contacts there    
   to your log!   
      
   **   
      
   KICKER: 'TWAS THE END OF THIS WEEK'S NEWSCAST   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: It's now time for Amateur Radio Newsline to celebrate the    
   holiday with a little gift to our listeners, and we preface this gift    
   with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore. The author of the classic "Night    
   Before Christmas" wasn't a ham - and the author of the poem you're about    
   to hear probably is - or was at one time. Either way, we hope you enjoy    
   it and give it a good signal report.   
      
   Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack   
   The rig was turned off and the mic cord lay slack   
      
   The antenna rotor had made its last turn, the tubes in the linear had    
   long ceased to burn.   
      
   I sat there relaxing and took off my specs, preparing to daydream of    
   Armchair DX   
   When suddenly outside I heard such a sound, I dashed out the door to see    
   what was around.   
      
   The moon shone down brightly and lighted the night. For sure propagation    
   for the low bands was right.   
      
   I peered toward the roof where I heard all the racket and there was some    
   guy in a red, fur-trimmed jacket!   
      
   I stood there perplexed in a manner quite giddy: Just who WAS this    
   stranger? di di dah dah di dit?   
      
   He looked very much like an FCC guy who'd come to check up on some bad TVI.   
      
   I shouted to him: "OM! QRZ?"   
   "Hey you by the chimney all dressed up in red!"   
      
   I suddenly knew when I heard sleigh bells jingle   
   The guy on the rooftop was Jolly Kris Kringle   
      
   He had a big sack full of amateur gear which was a big load for his    
   prancing reindeer.   
   Transmitters, receivers, for cabinets and racks   
   Some meters and scopes and a lot of co-ax.   
      
   He said not a word 'cause he'd finished his work.   
   He picked up his sack and he turned with a jerk.   
   As he leaped to his sleigh, he shouted with glee   
   And I knew in a moment he'd be QRT.   
      
   I heard him transmit as he flew o'er the trees   
   "Merry Christmas to all, and to all seven-three."   
      
   **   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to ABC News; Alan Labs; AMSAT-UK; the ARRL    
   and ARRL Pacific Section; CQ Magazine; Hap Holly and the Rain Report;    
   IEEE Spectrum; Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin; RadioInfo.com.au; Radio Society of    
   Great Britain; Southgate Amateur Radio News; Ted Randall's QSO Radio    
   Show; Wireless Institute of Australia; WTWW Shortwave; and you our    
   listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Please send    
   emails to our address at newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is    
   available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at    
   www.arnewsline.org.   
      
   For now, with Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, at the news desk in New York,    
   and our news team worldwide, I'm Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston West    
   Virginia saying 73 and as always we thank you for listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.   
      
      
   ***   
      
   As a Service to the HAM Radio Community and HAM Operators all over the world,   
   this Amateur Radio Newline(tm) message has been gated from the internet and   
   posted to you by Waldo's Place USA, fidonet node 1:3634/12. We hope you   
   enjoyed it!   
      
   Please address all comments and questions to the ARNewsletter editor as   
   described in this posting. If you have any specific questions related to the   
   actual posting of this message, you may address them to   
   hamfdn(at)wpusa.dynip.com.   
      
   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73- ARNTE-0.1.0-OS2 build 42   
   (text/plain utf-8 quoted-printable)   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)