Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1792 - December 16 2011   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1792 with a release date of Friday,   
   December 16th, 2011 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. The National Transportation Safety Board   
   recommends an all out ban on driving while using a cellphone; a ham radio   
   APRS equipped balloon launched in California land in the Mediterranean   
   Ocean; amateur radio celebrates the 50th anniversary of OSCAR One, the   
   Russian military shows up in the 40 meter band and ham radio to become a   
   featured player on a popular sitcom. Find out the details on Amateur Radio   
   Newsline(tm) report number 1792 coming your way right now.   
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: NTSB RECOMMENDS ACROSS THE BOARD BAN ON DRIVING WHILE USING A   
   CELLPHONE OR TEXT MESSAGING   
      
   The National Transportation Safety Board, better known as the NTSB has called   
   for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices   
   while driving. If passed into law, it could also have negative   
   ramifications on ham radio operators, CB'ers and anyone who uses any form of   
   two-way communications from a moving vehicle. Amateur Radio Newsline's Burt   
   Hicks, is here with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The recommendation for a total, all-out ban on using a cell phone or texting   
   while driving is by far the most inclusive yet issued by the National   
   Transportation Safety Board. But at the moment, it's just that: a   
   recommendation and nothing more.   
      
   Over the past 10 years that government agency has increasingly tried to   
   generate laws to limit the use of all portable electronic devices while   
   vehicles are in motion. The proposal released on Tuesday, December 13th   
   would -- if adopted by all 50 states or at a federal level -- effectively   
   outlaw any and all non-emergency phone calls and texting by operators of   
   every vehicle in the United States.   
      
   The law would apply to hands-free as well as hand-held units. Only devices   
   installed in the vehicle by the manufacturer such as built-in G-P-S would   
   still be permitted. NTSB members say the action is necessary to combat a   
   growing safety threat posed by distracted drivers.   
      
   And the NTSB notes that anti-cell phone laws alone will not solve the   
   problem. Rather, they insist that such a nationwide ban must be accompanied   
   by aggressive educational campaigns and very strict enforcement.   
      
   While the NTSB proposal is at this time only aimed at cellular telephone and   
   texting by drivers while a vehicle is in motion, proposed laws such as this   
   can easily grow legs. Politicians trying to ride the coat-tails of such a   
   law could have it written as an all-encompassing umbrella regulation to   
   cover other devices such as two-way radio gear, portable GPS receivers, or   
   even satellite radio converters. In fact, it could include anything that the   
   regulators feel might now or at a later date be considered a distraction to   
   the driver. So on this one, the nation's ham radio community and its   
   political leaders must remain vigilant.   
      
   According to the NTSB some 35 states now ban text messaging while driving; 30   
   states ban cell phone use by new or underage drivers and 10 ban all use of   
   hand held cell phones by a vehicle's operator.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Burt Hicks in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   The NTSB says that its proposal would not affect passengers' rights to use   
   such devices. It should also be noted that the NTSB does not have the power   
   to make laws on its own. All it can do is advise the government that   
   regulations may be needed to keep the public safe. (Various Sources)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO BALLOONS: TRANSATLANTIC AMATEUR RADIO BALLOON IN FLIGHT   
      
   An amateur radio balloon carrying APRS that left the United States mainland   
   and headed across the Atlantic Ocean toward the European continent made it.   
      
      
   Ron Meadows, K6RPT, of the California Near Space Project launched four   
   high-altitude balloons on at 0000 UTC on Monday, December 12th. The balloons   
   were expected to come down somewhere in the midwest U-S but one identifying   
   on APRS as K6RPT-11 decided to take a cruise on the jet stream.   
      
   After departing US soil over New Jersey at an altitude of 110,000 ft it   
   crossed the Atlantic Ocean overnight, Hams in Southern Europe were asked to   
   tune their gear to 144.390 which is the APRS channel used in the United   
   States. They were then requested to assist in tracking K6RPT-11 on its pass   
   over Europe.   
      
   The question at the time was where would it land. The answer came early in   
   the morning of December 14th. At the time the balloon was out over the   
   Alboran Sea in the Mediterranean when APRS tracking showed it suddenly   
   descending. The last report via EB6AOK showed it at 14,558 feet and   
   traveling at 35 miles an hour. At that point its assumed to have fallen   
   into the sea but not before traveling over 7,000 statute miles at well over   
   100,000 feet. Possibly a new record for an APRS equipped ham radio long   
   distance balloon flight. On this point we will have to wait and see.   
   (W6DTW, APRS.FI)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: THE WORLD OF AMATEUR RADIO CELEBRATES THE 50TH   
   ANNIVERSARY OF OSCAR 1   
      
   The world of Amateur Radio is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the   
   orbiting of the first ever ham radio satellite known simply as OSCAR, an   
   acronym for the words Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio. Bill   
   Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with more:   
      
   --   
      
   For those not around back then, OSCAR, now called by many as Oscar One was   
   carried into space at 2041 GMT, December 12th 1961. It was carried aloft by   
   the Discoverer 36 launching vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base in   
   California.   
      
   After launch the satellite went into a North-South orbit transmitting Morse   
   on a frequency between 144.990 and 145.008. It's said to have had a   
   tremendous signal strength on any direct, overhead pass.   
      
   Among the first to hear OSCAR One were the hams at KC4USB which was the Marie   
   Byrd Base at the South Pole. They picked up the signal loud and clear only   
   a few minutes after launch and this is what they heard:   
      
   --   
      
   OSCAR-1 Audio clip   
      
   --   
      
   Yes, just above the noise a radio amateur or SWL with a fairly decent   
   receiver with a good 2 meter converter could make out the letters H and I   
   that formed the word "hi." And soon the signal was heard by hams in   
   Kodiak, Alaska and by KH6UK in Hawaii. All of these on OSCAR's first pass.   
   The ARRL headquarters' station W1AW heard the first pass on the United   
   States East coast.   
      
   Now, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the orbiting of the OSCAR One   
   ham satellite, AMSAT North America is re-issuing the original Project OSCAR   
   Newsletters. According to AMSAT, the original OSCAR Newsletters were all   
   hand typed back in 1961. Don Ferguson, KD6IRE has scanned these documents   
   announcing OSCAR 1. They are being re-issued via the Amsat News Service   
   bulletins on-line.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the Newsroom   
   in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   Thanks to the efforts of AMSAT and especially KD6IRE 21st century hams world   
   wide can read the story of the bird that opened the door to space   
   communications to amateur radio operators around the globe. (Story material   
   and OSCAR 1 audio courtesy of AMSAT)   
      
   **   
      
      
   INTRUDER WATCH: RUSSIAN MILITARY OFDM OPERATING ON 40 METERS   
      
   The IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports that the Russian military have   
   been transmitting on 7000.8 kHz using OFDM 112 coding. The transmitter   
   generating the unwanted noise appears to be located near the city of   
   Severomorsk.   
      
   But Russia is not alone on the 40 meter band. The IARU also notes that   
   Chinese Over the Horizon Radar has turned up several times on 7 MHz in the   
   evening hours. It sometimes occupies as much as 280 kHz of spectrum and has   
   been heard up to 7040 kHz using the well known sweep rate of 43.5 sweeps per   
   second.   
      
   Needless to say, hams who DX near the low end of 40 meters would like to see   
   these operations gone from the airwaves. (IARUMS)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: VERIZON SENDS TEST ALERT WITH LABELING IT AS A TEST   
      
   A snafu by Verizon Wireless sent a very authentic looking but false emergency   
   alert message to its customers in parts of New Jersey on Monday, December   
   12th. Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The alert to subscribers in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean county New Jersey   
   told of a "civil emergency" and advised people to "take shelter now." Only   
   there was no emergency.   
      
   According to news reports the message was meant to be a test but it wasn't   
   labeled as such. Verizon later admitted the mistake but not before some of   
   its network users started contacting a variety of local, county and state   
   emergency response agencies. This to express their concerns and ask what   
   the emergency was. At airtime its not known as to how many called in and to   
   what agencies.   
      
   It took about an hour and a half for New Jersey State Homeland Security and   
   emergency management offices to respond by posting to Twitter that no   
   emergency existed. Later in an e-mail an unnamed Verizon spokesman said the   
   company apologized for any inconvenience or concern that the erroneous   
   message caused.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in Zion, Illinois.   
      
   --   
      
   Verizon didn't say why the message was sent without being labeled as a test   
   or whether the incident was the first time such a mistake had occurred.   
   (CGC, 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 Reading Amateur Radio   
   Club's W3BN repeater serving the area in and around Reading Pennsylvania   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   PUBLIC RELATIONS: HAM RADIO TO BE FEATURED PLAYER ON LAST MAN STANDING   
      
   Ham radio is coming to network television. This as a part of the plot of the   
   ABC situation comedy "Last Man Standing."   
      
   On the show, actor and comedian Tim Allen of Home Improvement fame plays the   
   character of Mike Baxter. Baxter is the married father of three and the   
   director of marketing at an outdoor sporting goods store in Colorado.   
      
   Amateur radio will come into play on the show in mid-January when its   
   revealed that Mike Baxter is an avid radio amateur with the callsign KA0XTT.   
   But that's not the only ham radio connection to the show.   
      
   Last Man Standing is being produced for ABC Television by John Amodeo, NN6JA.   
   And if you pick up the December edition of CQ Magazine and turn to page 30,   
   you will find an article by Amodeo. One that tells the story of how he   
   challenged his staff to become licensed radio amateurs, and out of those who   
   accepted seven have gotten licensed so far. The reward for those who   
   succeeded was a dual band hand-held radio.   
      
   As of this report Tim Allen is not among those who have accepted John   
   Amodeo's challenge, but he tells CQ that he is working on him.   
      
   In addition to the CQ article the ARRL has a very nice piece about Last Man   
   Standing and how it got involved in helping Amodeo to create the KA0XTT call   
   sign. You can read that on the news pages at www.arrl.org. (CQ, ARRL PR   
   Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO TO SPACE: SPACEX APPLIES FOR STA FOR DRAGON MISSION TO THE ISS   
      
   Space Exploration Technologies, better known as SpaceX, has submitted an   
   application for Special Temporary Authority to the FCC. This for use of   
   frequencies in the 400 MHz and 2200 MHz bands under the callsign WF9XGI for   
   its upcoming Dragon space transport systems first flight to the   
   International Space Station.   
      
   The stated purpose to use these frequencies is that of communicating with and   
   controlling its first unmanned Dragon space transport flight to rendezvous   
   with the International Space Station. SpaceX says that the purpose of this   
   operation is to demonstrate a low-cost, commercial capability to transport   
   cargo to the I-S-S and return it safely to the Earth.   
      
   The current mission profile calls for launch of the capsule from Cape   
   Canaveral into Low Earth Orbit, followed by proximity operations near the   
   ISS and then docking with orbital outpost. The second phase of the mission   
   will be undocking, performing de-orbit maneuvers, re-entry, and splash-down   
   in the Pacific Ocean.   
      
   The scheduled launch readiness date for this mission is currently December   
   19th. More about it is on-line at www.spacex.com/updates.php (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: LOUISIANA STATION FINED FOR FAILURE TO RENEW ITS LICENSE FOR 8   
   YEARS   
      
   A Louisiana broadcast station whose license expired nearly eight years ago   
   but that stayed on the air has been hit with a $13,000 fine. R&M   
   Broadcasting is being allowed to keep KJCB in the city of Lafayette in   
   operation, but the FCC says it must pay the forfeiture after the regulatory   
   agency found that the station response to the original citation by its   
   sending Salesmen Performance Reports was insufficient to document hardship   
   and inability to pay.   
      
   According to the Commission R&M was supposed to submit its license renewal   
   back on February 1, 2004. Six years later in April 2010, the Commission   
   mailed a letter about the expired license. In its reply the station claimed   
   both financial hardship and that it was misinformed by its engineer   
   regarding the renewal process.   
      
   In issuing its December 5th decision the FCC gave R&M Broadcasting the   
   customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal. More on this one is on-line   
   at tinyurl.com/7ozfxa6. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW FOLLOW-UP: LIGHTSQUAED VS CONGRESS COULD HOLD UP APPROVAL OF NEW   
   FCC COMMISSIONERS   
      
   The ongoing saga of LightSquared versus the U.S. congress has reached a new   
   level. This with Iowa Senator Charles Grassley pledging to block the   
   nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai as FCC Commissioners.   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, has the rest of the   
   story:   
      
   --   
      
   Senator Grassley's says that his decision has nothing to do with the   
   qualifications of the nominees. Rather he is using it as a tool to   
   challenge the FCC's refusal to turn over to him documents related to the   
   waiver the FCC granted to LightSquared to launch a terrestrial wireless   
   broadband network using satellite spectrum.   
      
   As previously reported, FCC approval of the LightSquared service is   
   conditional on it not interfering with the Global Positioning System   
   operating in adjacent spectrum. This is an issue that LightSquared is   
   currently trying to resolve so that its wholesale wireless service can be   
   launched.   
      
   Senator Grassley says that he is concerned about the impact to GPS by the   
   proposed LightSquared system. He wants to be certain that broadband   
   deployment does not cause interference issues to the Global Positioning   
   System and he will do all in his power to protect it.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD near   
   Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   For those not aware, a single senator can hold up nominations, and does not   
   even have to make that public. However Senator Grassley has made no secret   
   of his intentions to take this road unless the FCC gives in to his demands.   
   (B&C)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: DANISH PROSECUTORS ASK COURT TO ORDER ROJ TV OFF THE AIR   
      
   Prosecutors in Copenhagen, Denmark overseeing an investigation into   
   Kurdish-language television station Roj TV claim that the broadcast   
   operation is actually the on-air voice of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers'   
   Party or PKK. They have requested a Danish court to ban the channel from   
   broadcasting.   
      
   The PKK is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the US and the European   
   Union. Its members are fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast. This   
   is a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people since 1984.   
      
   According to Media Network, Roj TV has a Danish broadcasting license, but has   
   no studios in Denmark. (Media Network)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO AND SCOUTING: JOTA 2011 A BIG SUCCESS   
      
   The Boy Scouts recent 2011 Jamboree on the Air appears to have been a major   
   success. According to JOTA's Jim Wilson by the beginning of December they   
   had received and posted online 67 station reports. The statistics read like   
   this:   
      
   The total number of Scouts reported attending JOTA 2011 was 2,935. They were   
   assisted by 273 amateur radio operators. 1,472 contacts were made with 46   
   countries and the International Space Station.   
      
   Wilson says that this compares very favorably to the activity reported in   
   2010. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HELP: FREE KIT BUILDING SERVICES TO HAMS WITH PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS   
      
   Members of the Four States QRP Group centered in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri   
   and Oklahoma are offering kit building services at no charge. This, to hams   
   who need assistance with their construction due to physical limitations.   
      
   Hams who wish to have kits built for them need to visit the clubs website and   
   purchase one or more of the six kits offered. Then follow the directions on   
   getting construction assistance.   
      
   The club says that this is a truly free service. More information on the   
   kits that are available is on-line at tinyurl.com/kits-built. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: N7WR RELEASE NEW BOOK ON HIS DAYS AS A SHERIFF IN LA   
      
   Some names in the news. Jerry Boyd, N7WR, has just published his seventh   
   book and once again there is a link to amateur radio. "Firestone Park:   
   Policing South Central Los Angeles" is a collection of what Boyd describes   
   as true "war stories" about policing one of the highest crime rate areas of   
   the United States.   
      
   The author, a former Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy and Sergeant,   
   recounts dozens of incidents from the humorous to the horrendous.   
      
   It all begins over 45 years ago because of the author's participation in the   
   Sheriff's Disaster Communications Service, an amateur radio based program.   
   Those who have seen it describe the book like riding in a patrol car with   
   N7WR.   
      
   The book may be ordered on line via Amazon.com beginning on December 15th. We   
   are told that a portion of the proceeds will benefit the National Law   
   Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC.. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: N8MH NAMED AMSAT-NA VP OF EDUCATIONAL RELATIONS   
      
   Mark Hammond, N8MH has been named as AMSAT North America Vice President for   
   Educational Relations. According to AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW,   
   Hammond is aptly suited for this position as he is a professor of biology   
   and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Campbell University in   
   North Carolina. He is very familiar with the potential for using the   
   amateur radio satellites as a teaching resource and understands the teacher   
   perspective as well.   
      
   Baines noted that the subject of educational outreach was discussed at the   
   2011 AMSAT Symposium, based upon the paper that he himself presented as well   
   as other talks that outlined some of the challenges that AMSAT has   
   experienced in creating a structure for fulfilling our mission component   
   regarding education. In his new position Hammond will help AMSAT establish   
   and coordinate an education initiative program and serve as that   
   organizations senior point of contact with outside organizations regarding   
   educational outreach. (AMSAT)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: VE3RNH NAMED RAC NEW NARED MANAGER   
      
   Last but by no means least word that Pat Barrett, VE3RNH Manager of Radio   
   Amateurs of Canada's National Amateur Radio Emergency Database effective   
   immediately. According to Doug Mercer, VO1DM, who is Radio Amateurs of   
   Canada's Vice President Field Services, VE3RNH has an extensive management   
   background and most recently sat on the Ontario Restructuring Commission   
   chaired by RAC Director Bill Unger VE3XT. Barrett replaces outgoing   
   database manager Merv Halvorsen, VE3TSA. (RAC, VO1DM)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD DONALD D. ROHN   
      
   Donald D. Rohn, an industry leader in communications tower manufacturing,   
   passed away on November 21st at age 72. This while being treated for an   
   injury he suffered from a fall a number of months ago.   
      
   In the late1950s Donald Rohn began working at his father Dwight's tower   
   manufacturing plant prior to graduating with a bachelor's degree in business   
   from the University of Illinois. Founded in 1948, Rohn's primary product   
   line was small residential television towers.   
      
   Donald Rohn was an early advocate of climber safety and created a company   
   culture that saw Rohn provide safety climb systems before it became an   
   industry requirement. Rohn was also the country's first manufacturer to see   
   the need for galvanizing their towers and built their own galvanizing plant.   
      
   Donald Rohn retired from the company presidency in 1997. He is survived by   
   his wife Joyce of Dunlap and three sons, five grandchildren and several   
   nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held for Donald Rohn on   
   Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 in Peoria, Illinois. (WB5ITT, others)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE WWW: N0HR HAM RADIO POPULATION MAP   
      
   A new on-line map by Patrick Rundall, N0HR, shows the countries of the world   
   resized relative to the number of amateur radio licenses. All you need do   
   is to go to tinyurl.com/7wrxvpm and hit the circular arrow to see a graphic   
   illustration that, for example, shows Japan as the place that has the   
   world's largest amateur radio population at 1296059. Second place goes to   
   the United States with Thailand at number 3. The smallest ham radio   
   population density shown is the island Nation of Jamaica with only 84 hams   
   at this time. N0HR's ham radio population map is based on statistical data   
   that can be found on-line at iaru.org. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: SOME 40 SARL MEMBERS MISSING FROM THE ICASA RECORDS   
      
   Colin de Villiers, ZS6COL, has been working on bringing the South African   
   Radio League and telecommunications regulator and the Independent   
   Communications Authority of South Africa records in line. During the process   
   some 40 members were found to be on the SARL records that are not in the   
   South African Radio League Data base.   
      
   Technically speaking these hams are using their call signs illegally. So at   
   a South African Radio League Africa quarterly liaison meeting held with the   
   Independent Communications Authority of South the telecommunications   
   regulator agreed to send e-mails those affected requesting that they   
   complete an application form for an amateur license and to submit the   
   completed form as soon as possible. This will enable ICASA to correct their   
   records. South African hams who receive such an e-mail are requested to   
   respond as quickly as possible. (SARL)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: HCJB GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER TURNS 25   
      
   International religious broadcaster HCJB Global celebrated the 25th   
   anniversary of its Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind., on December 15th.   
   Officially begun in 1986, the center traces its roots to an earlier   
   cooperative 1975 project between Clarence Moore and Crown International to   
   build a 500 kW transmitter using Crown's facilities. That effort provided   
   the initiative for HCJB Global to develop its own technology research and   
   custom manufacturing facilities. When formed, the mission of the center was   
   to build energy-efficient 100 kW transmitters for deployment by HCJB.   
   (Southgate, Media Network)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ESA VEGA ROCKET TO CARRY NEW MICROSATS TO ORBIT IN   
   JANUARY 2012   
      
   The inaugural launch of the European Space Agency's new Vega rocket will   
   carry the ALMASat-1 amateur radio micro satellite and at least 6 additional   
   CubeSats. Slated for January of 2012, the launch will take place from ESA   
   spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana. Once lofted into space, all of the   
   satellites will be placed into an elliptical orbit of 1450 by 300 km at an   
   inclination of 69.5 degrees. They are expected to have a lifetime before   
   re-entry of up to 4 years. For details of each of the birds please follow   
   the on-line links found at tinyurl.com/vega-first-launch. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO IN SPACE: NASA'S NANOSAIL-D CALLED A COMPLETE SUCCESS   
      
   After spending more than 240 days sailing around the Earth, NASA's NanoSail-D   
   has successfully completed its planet orbiting mission.   
      
   NanoSat-D was a micro satellite that deployed NASA's first-ever solar sail in   
   low-Earth orbit. It was launched to space in November of 2010 and deployed   
   its sail on January 20th of 2011.   
      
   A main objective of the NanoSail-D mission was to demonstrate and test the   
   on-orbit and de-orbiting capabilities of a large low mass high surface area   
   sail. In the process it became a popular orbital object for sky watchers   
   and radio amateurs alike. The mission ended on November 29th. (NASA)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO SPORT: ARRL AUGUST 2011 UHF CONTEST SCORES POSTED   
      
   ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, says that the results for the   
   2011 ARRL August UHF Contest have now bee posted on-line. You can view them   
   at www.arrl.org/contest-results-articles. (KX9X)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: JOHNNY CASH SPECIAL EVENT STATION   
      
   On the air, word that members of the Northeast Arkansas Radio Club will be   
   conducting their inaugural Johnny Cash Birthday Celebration Special Event   
   Station. The happening takes place on January 26, 2012 which would have   
   been the late Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame   
   member's 80th birthday. Operations begin at 12 noon Central U.S. time which   
   is 18:00 UTC. More is on-line at nea-rc.org. (Via e-mail)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, word that 3D2AG will be on a Christmas holiday with his family and is   
   planning a small stroke P from Rotuma between December 9th and January 9th,   
   2012. It is reported that this will be a small ecological barefoot activity   
   on all bands from 80 through 6 meters running 100 watts using solar and   
   battery power. QSL via his home callsign, direct only using the address   
   listed on QRZ.com.   
      
   JI5RPT will be active as JD1BLY from Chichijima Island between December 24th   
   and January 2nd. His operation will cover 80 through 6 meters plus several   
   satellites. Modes to be used are CW, SSB and the Digital. There will not   
   be any 6 meter E-M-E on this trip. QSL via JI5RPT.   
      
   AH0AJ will be active as KG4AJ from Guantanamo Bay for the next two years. QSL   
   only via his home callsign.   
      
   DL4RDJ is operating as 5W0OJ on HF from Western Samoa. QSL only via DL4RDJ.   
      
   DC0KK will be operational as 4S7KKG from Sri Lanka though March 11th.   
   Activity will be mainly on CW and the Digital modes. QSL via DC0KK direct   
   or via the bureau or direct to his address listed on QRZ.com.   
      
   Lastly, N7MSU will once again be active as V31SU from Belize between February   
   26th and March 15th. Operations will be mainly on 40 and 20 meters using   
   CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via his home callsign direct or via the bureau.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: UPSTATE NY CLUB ASKS SERVED TOWN TO ASSIST IN REPLACING   
   RADIO TOWER   
      
   Ham radio operators in and around Hamburg, New York, have for a long time   
   offered their assistance in emergencies but right now they need some help   
   from the city in order to expand their operations to better serve the   
   community. Jim Davis, W2JKD has more:   
      
   **   
      
   Based at Hamburg's recreation center, the Southtowns Amateur Radio Society   
   has been serving the area for 35 years. It is now replacing its tower, and   
   is hoping the town might be able to help erect the new one. If not, at   
   least provide extra fencing material, if there is any left over from a   
   previous project.   
      
   Wayne Carpus, W2ZDP is the president of the Southtowns Amateur Radio Society.   
   He noted that the group is structured in such a way that radio amateurs can   
   quickly move their equipment to a fire hall, town hall or scene of an   
   emergency, and do this working off a car battery for power.   
      
   Club treasurer Keith Patterson, KC2DGC, told the Town Board that amateur   
   radio emergency communications takes place on the VHF and UHF bands , with a   
   repeater on the WIVB-TV tower in near-by Colden. But there is a need to   
   expand its services and the club now wants to replace its own tower with a   
   new one that will be 70 feet tall when first erected, and would not be more   
   than 100 feet tall when extended.   
      
   In the end, the club got at least partial backing for the project.   
   Supervisor Steven Walters said the town would look to see if it has extra   
   fencing that might be appropriate to place around the new tower. He added   
   that since he has been supervisor, the town has lost its main communications   
   system three times.   
      
   Patterson responded that when everything collapses, we hams can provide the   
   needed communications.   
      
   I'm Jim Davis, W2JKD.   
      
   --   
      
   Yet another instance of ham radio operators being ready to help the community   
   where they live.   
   (Buffalonews.com)   
      
   **   
      
   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   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editor's desk, I'm Don Wilbanks,   
   AE5DW, wishing you a joyous holiday season, 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)