Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1762 - May 20 2011   
      
   ------------------------------------------------------------   
      
   Sorry this is late but we were all at the Dayton Hamvention   
   ------------------------------------------------------------   
      
   The following is a closed circuit and not necessarily for air. With a word   
   from the Support Fund heres our producer, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.   
      
   --   
      
   If you look back, you will notice that the last time you heard me soliciting   
   donations was way back in the fall of 2010. Thanks to your generosity last   
   year the need for me to make these announcements was minimal.   
      
   We know you prefer to hear the news rather than having to listen to these   
   announcements and we agree. But over the past few months almost all   
   donations have ceased so here we our with our annual spring pitch.   
      
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   More important, all of the monies you donate go only toward operating   
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   your donation is tax deductible.   
      
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   Either way, we thank you for your kindness. For your support and for your   
   trust.   
      
   OK. Time for me to get back to my desk and write the newscast. For the   
   support fund, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.   
      
   --   
      
   Thanks Bill. Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1762 with a release   
   date of Friday, May 20, 2011 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio is on alert as the mighty Mississippi   
   reaches flood state; the National Telecommunications and Information   
   Administration says its not sure what spectrum is really in use by those it   
   oversees; church services are being heard on 10 meters in Europe and the   
   doors swing open at the Hara Arena for Hamvention 2011. Find out the   
   details are on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1762 coming your way   
   right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: NTIA ADMITS ITS SPECTRUM AVAILABILITY RESEARCH MAY BE FAULTY   
      
   The National Telecommunications and Information Administration better known   
   as the N-T-I-A cannot guarantee that spectrum it oversees is being used   
   efficiently by federal agencies. That was one of the conclusions of a   
   just-released Government Accountability Office study of NTIA's spectrum   
   management. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has more.   
      
   --   
      
   According to the Broadcasting and Cable electronic newsletter, identifying   
   that spectrum has become increasingly important. This, as the FCC and the   
   National Telecommunications and Information Administration try to figure out   
   where and from whom to free up band space for wireless broadband.   
      
   The report looked at the NTIA's most recent project which was part of that   
   combined FCC and NTIA search for spectrum that might be available for   
   reallocation to broadband carriers. It founds that agencies whose bandwidth   
   was being evaluated encountered difficulties in providing NTIA with the   
   necessary data and analyses. This is likely because the NTIA's data   
   management system is antiquated and lacks internal controls to ensure the   
   accuracy of agency-reported data. This in turn makes it unclear as to   
   weather decisions regarding actual of federal government spectrum usage is   
   based on reliable data.   
      
   As a result, the government's General Accounting Office has recommended that   
   NTIA update its strategic plan and establish better controls to ensure   
   accuracy. The NTIA has agreed to review that strategic plan, and that it   
   will work on the issues of accuracy and completeness of studies to the   
   degree it could afford to. But it added that for budget reasons, it would   
   need to continue to rely on self-reporting by government agencies.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, reporting from   
   Scottsdale, Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is an   
   agency of the United States Department of Commerce that serves as the   
   President's principal adviser on telecommunications policies pertaining to   
   the United States' economic and technological advancement and to regulation   
   of the telecommunications industry. According to Commerce Secretary Gary   
   Locke, as a historical matter the N-T-I-A does not police Federal agency   
   spectrum use or Federal agency reporting due to budgetary and resource   
   limitations. (B&C)   
      
   **   
      
   INTRUDER WATCH: CHURCH AUDIO HEARD ON 10 METERS   
      
   Illegal broadcasts from at least one church have been heard on 28 dot 265 Mhz   
   by hams in Germany. As a result, amateurs world-wide are being requested to   
   listen on this frequency in order to identify the station and its location.   
   If you hear it, please send your report to Ger McNamara, EIU4GXB. Ger is   
   the IARU Monitoring System Coordinator by e-mail to ei4gxb at gmail dot com.   
      
   (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FCC ISSUES SIX NAL'S FOR UNLICENSED OPERATION   
      
   Meantime, back in the USA, the FCC issued no less than six notices involving   
   individuals operating overpowered broadcast stations in the FM band without   
   a license. Five of the Notices of Violation or NAL's were issued in   
   Florida, but it was a unlicensed operation in San Jose California that was   
   hit the hardest. Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff Clark, K8JAC, is here with   
   the details:   
      
   --   
      
   We start off in Fort Myers Florida. That's where Patrick Michael Ford, also   
   known as Disc Jockey "Joker" was hit with a notice of apparent liability for   
   $10000 for his alleged operation on 95.7 MHz.   
      
   Also in Fort Myers, Alex Alcime, also known as Disc Jockey "Short Dawg" was   
   handed a notice of apparent liability for $10000. This after he was also   
   allegedly found operating on 95.7 MHz.   
      
   And in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, Mikhail Rhodd, also known as "Blakk Babi"   
   got his $10,000 N-A-L for operating on 89.5 MHz. The station was calling   
   itself "Stuntastic Radio."   
      
   Further south in Miami, Antonio Robinson hit with a $10000 N-A-L for   
   operating a station calling itself Hittbreaker Radio. It was operating on   
   105.5 MHz.   
      
   On Florida's west coast, in St. Petersburg, Thomas L. Morey was also hit with   
   a $10000 Notice of Apparent Liability. The FCC says that he was   
   broadcasting as Thomas on 88.3 MHz,   
      
   Finally, some 3000 miles to the West in San Jose CA: Gabriel A. Garcia was   
   hit with a $25,000 N-A-L for operating on numerous frequencies, from   
   numerous San Jose locations, while using the call letters KNRG. The FCC   
   says that when its agents traced a signal on 93.7 MHz to its origin point, a   
   request to inspect the station was denied. According to the FCC on another   
   inspection attempt Garcia not only refused, but allegedly stated to the   
   agents, "Do you want to get shot?" For all of these reasons the FCC found   
   his violation to be egregious and upped the fine to $25,000.   
      
   I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC.   
      
   --   
      
   All six of the alleged violators were given the usual 30 days to pay the   
   fines or to file appeals. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: FCC COMMISSIONER MEREDITH ATTWELL BAKER TO LEAVE FCC JUNE   
   3RD   
      
   Still with FCC news, word that Republican FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell   
   Baker has announced that she will be leaving her post on June 3rd. Thats 27   
   days before her term actually was to expire on June 30th.   
      
   Baker was nominated by President Obama in June 2009 and sworn in just five   
   weeks later. She filled the unexpired term of fellow Republican and former   
   Chairman Kevin Martin, who resigned in January 2009.   
      
   Baker made her announcement on May 12th. At the same time she said that she   
   has accepted a new position with cable giant Comcast as its Senior Vice   
   President of Government Affairs for NBCUniversal division.   
      
   Baker's departure creates a Republican vacancy on the Commission. By law,   
   only three sitting Commissioners may be of the same political party.   
   Chairman Julius Genachowski, along with Commissioners Michael Copps and   
   Mignon Clyburn, are Democrats. With Baker's departure Commissioner Robert   
   McDowell will temporarily be the only Republican. (FCC, other published   
   reports)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the Hamvention repeater,   
   W8BI, serving Dayton, Ohio.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: HAMVENTION 2011 SET TO OPEN MAY 20   
      
   As we go to air, the doors are opening at the Harra Arena ushering in the   
   2011 Dayton Hamvention. And while its to early to tell how thick the crowds   
   will be, Assistant General Chairman Josh Long, KD8BVB, says that the events   
   planners are ready for just about an number of attendees or any eventuality   
   that might come their way:   
      
   --   
      
   KD8BVB: "We try our hardest not to affect attendees with security measures,   
   but we do hace the City of Trotwood Police and Fire Departments on-premises   
   the entire show. They actually have their ambulances thre and do a bike   
   patrol of the area.   
      
   "We use local security - a merchants security to check the doors and secure   
   the lots in the evenings.   
      
   "There is a lot of planning behind the scenes with an event this size. You   
   have to coordinate with local authorities and have meeting places off-site   
   in case of an event that might happen.   
      
   "We have been fortunate to not vave to put any of those protocols into place.   
   But they are there and available to keep our attendees and our volunteers   
   safe."   
      
   --   
      
   According to Long, this is the 48th consecutive year that the Hamvention has   
   been held at the Hara Arena in the Dayton suburb of Trotwood. He says that   
   it's the only place in the area that can be a home to an event of this size:   
      
   --   
      
   KD8BVB: "The Dayton Hamvention takes up all six large halls of the complex   
   which is about 124,000 square feet for forums and exhibit spaces. We also   
   use over 350,000 square feet of outdoor lots for our large flea market   
   spaces. So, its truly a unique building for a unique event."   
      
   --   
      
   Long says that in addition to the inside vendors, the flea market and the   
   forums, three very popular sidelights are either returning or expanding this   
   year:   
      
   --   
      
   KD8BVB: "We have some returning crowd-favorites this year including a   
   weather balloon launch that will take place on Saturday. We are also going   
   to have a larger area designated to showcase our emergency communications   
   vehicles in the area and then, of course, we will have our Hamvention   
   T-shirts and swetshirts for sale out in the flea market."   
      
   --   
      
   Long and all the Hamvention planners say that they hope to meet many of you   
   at the Hara Arena from May 20th to the 22nd as they do all they can to make   
   your Hamvention experience one that you will never forget. More on   
   Hamvention 2011 in next weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report.   
      
   (ARNewsline(tm) with audio courtesy of the RAINReport)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: WALTON COUNTY GA. FIREHOUSES GET HAM RADIO   
      
   Georgia's Walton County Fire Rescue has teamed up with Walton County   
   Emergency Radio Club and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service to further   
   protect the residents of the area during disasters. This, by installing   
   amateur radio gear in every county firehouse.   
      
   Walton County Fire Rescue Chief Mike Moore said he thinks this is a good step   
   for the protection of the citizens by assuring a broad range of emergency   
   response in times of need. He says that this partnership with the local ham   
   community means that radio amateurs can be used to facilitate communication   
   between emergency personnel if the county's radios lose service in the event   
   of natural disaster or tower failure.   
      
   Rick Mayson, W1CRM is the Assistant Emergency Coordinator for the Walton   
   County Emergency Radio Club. According to news reports, he has worked   
   closely with fire personnel to have the radios programmed as well as   
   training and licensing for firefighters, law enforcement, and hospital   
   personnel. The club provides training classes twice a month for anyone   
   interested in obtaining an amateur radio license. It also sponsors exam   
   sessions for prospective licensees.   
      
   Mayson says that they are also in talks with the Cities of Monroe, Loganville   
   and as Social Circle to have ham gear placed in their fire stations as well.   
   (Loganville-Grayson Patch)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: NEWS REPORTS SAY JET BLUE TERMINAL AT JFK NYC IS RADIO DEAD   
   ZONE   
      
   According to recent news reports, the $743 million Jet Blue Airlines terminal   
   at JFK Airport in New York is a police radio dead zone. One that puts Port   
   Authority police officers in a Ground Zero like communications blackout zone   
   that has already led to a number of police injuries.   
      
   Newspaper reports say that the problem was discovered by Port Authority   
   personnel about six months before the terminal opened to the public way back   
   in October 2008. This when officials ran down a checklist of safety issues   
   and realized the radio communications deficiency existed.   
      
   A permanent fix will cost an estimated $3 million and is many months away   
   from completion. In the meantime Port Authority police officers assigned to   
   the terminal are reportedly given preprogrammed cellphones at the start of   
   their shifts to call the JFK police command if an emergency crops up.   
      
   Port Authority spokesman John Kelly acknowledged cops assigned there were now   
   using backup communication, but maintaines that a temporary system   
   implemented in April of 2010 provides partial coverage for officers to be   
   able to use their police radios. (Published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: TV OWNERSHIP DECLINES   
      
   In what experts are attributing to both the current economic slide and the   
   rise of alternative digital devices, ownership of television sets in the   
   U.S. has dropped for the first time in 20 years.   
      
   According to the A.C. Nielsen ratings service, 96.7 percent of American   
   households currently own TVs, down from 98.9 percent. That's a drop of 2.2%   
   in the past two decades.   
      
   According to news articles quoting Nielsen, there appear to be two reasons   
   for the decline. The first is purely economic. Simply said, some   
   low-income households no longer own TV sets, most likely because they cannot   
   afford new digital receivers and outdoor antennas. Likely, when their older   
   non-digital sets using converter boxes fail and can no longer be repaired   
   they simply walk away from any form of in-home visual entertainment.   
      
   The other is technological know-how among the current generation of younger   
   viewers. There are the pre-teens, teens and young adults who are growing up   
   with laptop computers rather than the traditional television remote control   
   of their parents era. As they reach adulthood they are simply opting not to   
   buy TV sets. Instead, they are watching their television shows and other   
   forms of entertainment streamed live over the Internet. (HD News)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO EDUCATION: ICOM PRESENTS THE ADVENTURES OF ZACK AND MAX COMIC BOOKS   
      
   ICOM America has produced a series of comic books based on amateur radio for   
   youngsters. Titled The Adventures of Zack and Max, the downloadable   
   magazines follow the adventures of the two teen hams with stories designed   
   to provide the reader with some basic information about ham radio, giving a   
   glimpse into its history, its applications, and its relevance in the world   
   today. So far there are six issues of The Adventures of Zack and Max along   
   with matching coloring books for the younger set. Icom also has a Zack and   
   Max art calendar to match the series. All can be downloaded in ready to   
   print pdf file format from the Icom America website at tinyurl.com/hamcomics   
   (WIA News, Arnewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO VIDEO: THE LAST BIG FIELD DAY FROM KN4AQ   
      
   The Last Big Field Day is a new 41 minute video from Amateur Radio Video News   
   that tells the story of world class Field Day station W3AO that since 1999   
   has topped the ARRL's Field Day Top 10 list, beating 2nd place by a wide   
   margin. In 2004, the operation listed itself as 50A. That's 50   
   transmitters, 10 towers a myriad of antennas and something that intrigued   
   film maker Gary Pearce, KN4AQ. So armed with his video production gear,   
   Gary traveled to the W3AO site to capture the moment and tell the tale to   
   the world.   
      
   As Gary tells the story, it took a few years to find the time to get The Last   
   Big Field Day into post production and duplicated. Now, just in time for   
   release at the 2011 Dayton Hamvention the DVD is ready for the world to see.   
   A preview of The Last Big Field Day can be seen on-line at   
   www.youtube.com/kn4aq. More information including an on-line order form are   
   found at www.ARVideoNews.com (KN4AQ)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: PAPERS SOLICITED FOR 2011 ARRL/TAPR DCC   
      
   Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 30th Annual ARRL and   
   Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio Digital Communications Conference to be held   
   September 16th to the 18th in Baltimore, Maryland. Papers will also be   
   published in the Conference Proceedings.   
      
   The submission deadline is July 31st. Papers will be published exactly as   
   submitted, and authors will retain all rights. Also, authors do not need to   
   attend the conference to have their papers included in the Proceedings.   
      
   Submit papers to via e-mail to maty@arrl.org or via snail mail to Maty   
   Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL Headquarters, 225 Main St, Newington, Connecticut,   
   06111. The ARRL says that it will provide additional information on the   
   2011 Digital Communications Conference as it becomes available. (ARRL,   
   TAPR)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: 2011 AMSAT-UK SPACE COLLOQUIUM PUTS OUT 2ND CALL FOR   
   SPEAKERS   
      
   The 2011 AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium has put out a second call for speakers.   
   This years event will be held Saturday, July 30th and Sunday the 31st at   
   the Holiday Inn, Guildford, in the U-K. Offers by speakers who wish to give   
   talks at this colloquium should be sent to G4DPZ by e-mail yo david.johnson   
   (at) blackpepper (dit) co (dot) uk. (AMSAT)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: ARMAD CELEBRATES THE MILITARY ON MAY 28   
      
   Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day better known as ARMAD will be held   
   this year on May 28th. Thee purpose of the event is to once again honor   
   those that serve in the armed forces, Veterans, military retired and 1st   
   responders.   
      
   This years celebration will include a rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana as well as   
   live on the air operations by several amateur radio clubs, and other   
   organizations around the nation. The primary frequencies that will be used   
   for ARMAD 2011 are 7.260, 14.260, 21.290 and 28.450 MHz. Operations will   
   also be taking place on Echolink node number 106819   
      
   Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day was was founded in 2003 by Emery   
   McClendon, KB9IBW. His interest in organizing military special events came   
   from his four years of service in the US Air Force and two years in the   
   Indiana Air National Guard. In 2008 he was given the Dayton Hamvention   
   Special Achievement Award in recognition of his work in creating and   
   fostering ARMAD.   
      
   While primarily a United States event, hams world-wide are invited to take   
   part in Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day as a way of saluting the   
   brave men and women of the military with messages of thanks and   
   appreciation. More is on-line at www.armad.net. (ARMAD, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   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 RESEARCH: NEW 40 METER NAVIS BEACON ON THE AIR FROM SOUTH AFRICA   
      
   A new 40 meter beacon designed to test NAVIS or Near Vertical Incidence   
   Skywave conditions from South Africa's central Freestate came on the air on   
   Saturday, May 7th. 7 The beacon operates on 7 point 027 MHz running 50   
   milliwatts to a wire dipole sitting onlt 6 meters above the ground.   
      
   The beacon send operates in Morse at 5 words per minute sending the messagev   
   "VVV DE ZS4BOT/B KG30BV." The KG30BV suffix is the Maidenhead Grid locator   
   of the beacons exact position.   
      
   For those not familiar with Near Vertical Incidence Skywave, itis a radio   
   wave propagation method that provides usable signals in the range between   
   ground wave and sky wave distances. In most cases that's usually between 50   
   to 650 kilometers. The radio waves travel upwards into the ionosphere,   
   where they are refracted back down and can be received within a circular   
   region up to 650 km from the transmitter. The best frequencies for NAVISS   
   communications lie between 1 point 8 to 15 MHz.   
      
   The ZS4BOT beacon and software was designed and built by Jan Botha, ZS4JAN.   
   Reception reports go by e-mail to wirelesscomms (at) vodamail (dot) co (dot)   
   za (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO ON LINE: NEW CYBERSPACE SDR RADIO CLUB LAUNCHED   
      
   A new online Software Defined Radio Club has been launched by U-K amateur   
   Adrian Lane, 2E0SDR. Lane's idea is to create a global community dedicated   
   to the technology of software defined radio. Membership is free with site   
   is being run as a dedicated portal with all members being able to add   
   content. You can find it in cyberspace at www.softwaredefinedradio.co.uk.   
   (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: MAKING GREEN LED'S MORE EFFICIENT   
      
   Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has lead to the development   
   of a new method for manufacturing green-colored Light Emitting Diodes with   
   greatly enhanced output.   
      
   The research team, led by Physics Professor Christian Wetzel began by etching   
   a nano-scale pattern at the interface between the LED's sapphire base and   
   the layer of Gallium Nitride. The latter is what gives the LED its green   
   color. This new technique results in green LED's with significant   
   enhancements in light extraction, internal efficiency, and light output.   
   This discovery brings Wetzel and his team one step closer to the goal of   
   developing a high performance, low-cost green Light Emitting Diodes.   
      
   Results of the study were published recently in the journal Applied Physics   
   Letters, and are featured in the April 25th issue of the Virtual Journal of   
   Nanoscale Science & Technology. The latter is published by the American   
   Institute of Physics and the American Physical Society. (Science OnLine)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: HUMAN MOVEMENT COULD REPLACE BATTERIES   
      
   Powering your hand held radio or other electronic device that converts   
   movement into power could be on the horizon. This as a team of researchers   
   in New Zealand say that they are trying to develop what they call wearable   
   energy harvesters" capable of converting movement from humans or found in   
   nature into battery power.   
      
   According to Science Daily, the new technology is based on a class of   
   variable capacitor generators known as dielectric elastomer generators ot   
   D-E-G's. The scientific investigations currently underway say that these   
   devices shows great potential for wearable energy harvesting. In fact,   
   researchers at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute's Biomimetics Lab   
   believe D-E-G's may enable the creation of light weight, form-fitting, and   
   silent energy harvesters with excellent mechanical properties that match   
   human muscle.   
      
   The findings are described in the American Institute of Physics' journal   
   Applied Physics Letters. More on this emerging new technology is on-line at   
   tinyurl.com/3vfsyry. (Science Daily)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: DARA CREATES MATCHING FUND FOR AMSAT   
      
   The Dayton Amateur Radio Association has announced a fundraising challenge   
   for AMSAT whereby they will match on a 1 to 3 basis, up to $5,000 for   
   donations made in 2011. That is, for every $3.00 that AMSAT raises, DARA   
   will provide $1.00 up to the $5000 maximum.   
      
   In a statement made at the time of the announcement, AMSAT says that it   
   appreciates the Dayton Amateur Radio Association's support. It also sees   
   this as an opportunity for donors to increase the impact of their donations   
   by taking advantage of this matching program. (AMSAT, DARA)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, the Intrepid-DX Group and the DX Friends plan to activate the Southern   
   Sudan as new country on or after July 9th. At airtime members of the two   
   groups report that they are in consultation with representatives of the new   
   Southern Sudan Government, the International Telecommunications Union and   
   the International Amateur Radio Union working omn making arrangements.   
   More on this proposed operation will be posted on-line at www dot   
   dxfriends dot com stroke SouthernSudan2011   
      
   F4EGS will be active as TT8PK from Chad until June 15th. He will be on the   
   air only as time permits. QSL via F4EGS either direct or via the bureau.   
      
   The DXColombia Amateur Radio Club has announced that it plans to conduct a   
   DXpedition to Malpelo Island next year. Using the special call HK0NA,   
   issued by the Colombian Ministry the group hopes to activate Malpelo during   
   the first quarter of 2012. Operation will be on 160 through 6 meters   
   including the 30, 17 and 12 bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. Plans call for at   
   least 3 stations to be on the air at the same time on different bands and   
   using different modes. More details will be announced as they are made   
   available.   
      
   The Pacific-DXers' web page is reporting that the C21A DXpedition to Nauru   
   will take place between November 13th and December 7th. Operations will be   
   led by VK4FW with liaison support by VK4AN. They expect to have 6 operators   
   and 3 stations active on all bands 160 through 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY   
   and PSK31. QSLing will be handled direct by the Pacific DXers. More is   
   on-line at pacific-dxers dot com.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: WSM TRANSMITTER SITE ADDED TO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC   
   PLACES   
      
   And finally this week, while many communities are trying to do away with any   
   form of radio towers, one is now an official part of American history. This   
   with word that the legendary 30-acre WSM transmitter site and 808-foot   
   diamond shaped Blau-Knox tower in Nashville, Tennessee has been added to the   
   National Register of Historic Places on April 14th. Michael Grebert,   
   KJ4ZZV, is here with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   According to an article in Artist Direct, the WSM transmitter site was   
   recognized by the National Park Service for its association with events that   
   have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.   
   It was also recognized for its distinctive characteristics of a type, period   
   or method of construction.   
      
   Erected in 1932 by the Blaw-Knox Steel Co., the distinctive, diamond-shaped   
   tower enabled the 50,000-watt station to reach out to 38 states and Canada   
   as a federally-designated clear channel station. This immense coverage area   
   was one of the key factors for the success of its flagship program known the   
   world over as the Grand Ole Opry.   
      
   Today, WSM's tower remains the tallest and oldest of the unique Blaw-Knox   
   structures. Originally the tower was 878 feet tall, but by 1939, it was   
   discovered that it was electrically too long, due to the velocity factor   
   effect. This resulted in a high angle of radiation, and with that, both   
   groundwave and skywave cancellation of the stations signal some 120 miles   
   away. The tower was then shortened to its current height.   
      
   Other surviving Blaw-Knox towers in the United States are those used by WCAU   
   in Philadelphia; WLW in Cincinnati; WFEA in Manchester New Hampshire; WBT   
   near Charlotte, North Carolina and New York City's WADO.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Michael Grebert, KJ4ZZV, reporting from   
   the home of the WSM Blau-Knox tower here in Music City, Nashville,   
   Tennessee.   
      
   --   
      
   Several Blau-Knox towers were also erected in Europe before company abandoned   
   of the radio tower business way back in 1958. And from an aesthetic point   
   of view, they have to be the prettiest looking radio transmission structures   
   ever built. (Wheatstone Blog via KB4KCH)   
      
   **   
      
   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 WIA 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   
      
   And a reminder that the nominating period for the year 2011 Amateur Radio   
   Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now open. Created by Newsline back   
   in 1986, this award is offered to recognize one young United States or   
   Canadian radio amateur age 18 or younger for his or her contributions to   
   society through Amateur Radio.   
      
   As in years past, the 2011 recipient will receive an expense paid trip to the   
   Huntsville Hamfest in Huntsville Alabama courtesy of Vertex-Standard   
   Corporation which produces Yaesu brand amateur radio gear. Vertex-Standard   
   will also present this years winner with a special ham radio related gift.   
   CQ Magazine will again treat the recipient to a week at   
   Spacecamp-Huntsville. We at Amateur Radio Newsline will present the winner   
   with a plaque honoring his or her achievements.   
      
   All nominations and materials required by the official rules must be received   
   by ARNewsline before June 30, 2011. A downloadable nominating form is at   
   our website at www.arnewsline.org. A nominating form can also be obtained   
   by sending a request along with a self addressed stamped envelope to the   
   Young Ham of the Year Award in care of Amateur Radio Newsline, Inc. 28197   
   Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California 91350.   
      
   Again, the cutoff date for these years Young Ham of the Year Award   
   nominations is June 30th. We ask you to do your part by nominating a young   
   ham who has done something special related to ham radio. The nomination   
   form is at www dot arnewsline dot org.   
      
   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)