Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1794 - December 30 2011   
      
   Please note that this is an extended year end newscast and contains three   
   breaks.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1794 with a release date of Friday,   
   December 30th, 2011 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. Amateur radio is called out as a North Sea winter   
   storm hits Norway and a tropical storm floods the Philippines; the   
   Australian government gives its blessing to CODEC 2; hams world-wide are   
   asked to assist in the rebuilding of flood ravaged Thai station HS0AC; Kids   
   Day 2012 is coming and a video guide to help new hams make their first   
   contact over a repeater. All this and more on the final Amateur Radio   
   Newsline(tm) report of 2011 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: HAMS CALLED OUT AS NORTH SEA STORM HITS NORWAY   
      
   A powerful North Sea storm that hit Norway and northern Sweden on December   
   25th and 26th knocked out power lines, halted transportation and isolated   
   some communities from the rest of the world. And that's when ham radio was   
   called out as part of an effort to create a temporary communications   
   network. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with more:   
      
   --   
      
   Reporting via QRZ.com, LA9XSA, in Overhalla, Norway, said that amateur radio   
   operators and the Norwegian military had been called up to provide backup   
   communications. This as his nation coped with its damaged infrastructure   
   and communications failures following the storm.   
      
   Posting a relay from LA5FRA; LA9XSA said that 3.715 MHz on 80 meters was the   
   first frequency to have been activated. On 160 meters that 1.902 MHz was   
   viewed as an alternative. He also noted that LE1AE was net control on 80   
   and 160 meters until these nets secured operation on Wednesday, December   
   28th.   
      
   LA9XSA's post also said that during the emergency the regional LA5OR repeater   
   had been put in linked operation. On it LE1AB had served as the net   
   control.   
      
   Also, the Norwegian Radio Relay League's emergency communication service did   
   put out a clear frequency request. It asked other radio amateurs to please   
   avoid using any frequencies where storm related communications had been   
   ongoing.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   LA9XSA noted that the worst communication emergency reported had been in the   
   municipality of Vagsoy (PRON: VAY GA SOY). There the mayor was reported to   
   have been using the satellite phone on board a fishing boat to communicate   
   with the outside world. (LA9XSA, QRZ.com, AFP, Shanghai Daily, others)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: TROPICAL STORM HITS THE PHILIPPINES   
      
   The search for survivors continues in the Philippines following flooding and   
   devastation brought on by severe Tropical Storm that hit on December 16th.   
   Almost 1500 people are now known to have died in flash floods that struck   
   the southern part of that nation. Hundreds more are still missing.   
      
   According to Jim Linton, VK3PC, local hams in the disaster area are now doing   
   their best to help out with relief efforts. Linton, who is the Chairman of   
   the I-A-R-U Region 3 Disaster Communication Committee, reports that that the   
   storm triggered massive flooding in the D-U-9 call district.   
      
   Meantime, Eddie Valdez, DU1EV, says that prior to the storm hitting the   
   Philippines the group known as Ham Emergency Radio Operators activated   
   response nets on 40 and 2 meters but no specific frequencies were mentioned.   
      
      
   Also, as of airtime there has not been any call for protected frequencies   
   coming from any Filipino ham radio emergency response group or that nations   
   telecommunications regulatory agency.   
      
   There is also speculation that some radio amateurs in the devastated areas   
   who might want to lend assistance could themselves be victims of the   
   flooding.   
      
   The Red Cross reports the storm swept away entire coastal villages as it   
   dumped heavy rain triggering mud slides. It also flooded a river that sent   
   muddy water from nearby mountains that coated streets.   
   Some 47,000 people are believed to be in evacuation centers at this time.   
   (VK3PC, DU1EV, IARU-R3, BBC, others)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: CHANGING TIMES - ARMY MARS PHASING OUT WINLINK   
      
   The Department of the Army has announced that it has begun to take steps to   
   phase out the use of the WINLINK System. This is because of possible   
   security breaches that might be incurred in the Internet aspect of   
   transmissions using the mode. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant,   
   K6PZW, has more:   
      
   --   
      
   According to the December 21st ARRL ARES E-Letter, the military chain of   
   command that governs Army MARS feels that the Internet portion of WINLKINK   
   leaves the system significantly open to the possibility of intrusion. To   
   deal with this it plans to replace WINLINK with a newer military e-mail   
   system that has extensive protection against any form of hacking or any   
   other form of incursion.   
      
   To accomplish this, Army MARS will be expanding on the concept of a national   
   network that is voice, RTTY and PACTOR capable under MIL-STD 110A. It says   
   that PACTOR will become even more important as the new areas of focus will   
   be peer to peer and keyboard to keyboard PACTOR based communications.   
      
   Amateur modes such as MT-63, OLIVIA, and WINMOR, which cannot be used by the   
   military, will be eventually phased out as well.   
      
   The ultimate goal of this change will be to help Army MARS return to what it   
   is really supposed to be. That of a radio-only system to relay long haul   
   traffic as it has done very successfully in the past.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   While these changes will affect Army MARS nationally, it is not abandoning   
   state and local served agencies. Army MARS says that it is moving away from   
   providing them a winlink.org e-mail address. (ARRL ARES E-Letter)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: AUSTRALIA SAYS OK ON CODEC 2 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION   
      
   An emerging technical development is safe down-under. This with word from   
   David Rowe, VK5DGR, that he has received confirmation that the amateur radio   
   Codec 2 project is not controlled under the Australia's Defense Strategic   
   Goods List.   
      
   For those of you not aware, Codec 2 is an open source low bit rate speech   
   codec designed for communications quality audio at 2400 bits per second and   
   below. Applications include low bandwidth HF and VHF digital radio and VoIP   
   trunking.   
      
   Concerns had been raised that Codec 2 might be subject to Australian   
   government restrictions. As reported in the past, some countries impose   
   severe limitations on certain aspects of amateur radio international   
   cooperation in the area of technical experimentation. A good example is   
   that of the amateur radio satellite community which has been negatively   
   affected by United States Federal Government International Traffic in Arms   
   Regulations. These threaten radio amateurs with heavy fines or even jail   
   sentences if they collaborate with other radio hams in the rest of the world   
   on certain aspects of ham radio satellite projects. It was feared Codec 2   
   might also be affected.   
      
   Now however, Rowe writes on the Codec 2 reflector that he has received an   
   e-mail from the Australian agency that deals with export control. It says   
   that the specifications of CODEC 2 have been assessed as not controlled   
   under the that nations Defense Strategic Goods List. Also that a Control   
   Status Advice stating this will be released shortly.   
      
   While this clears the way for Australian cooperation on the CODEC 2 project   
   it also begs the question of what other nations might decide to place CODEC   
   2 under its strategically prohibited information exchange list. Ultimately,   
   the amateur radio community in every nation involved in CODEC 2 and other   
   technical development projects may have to sort this out on a case by case   
   basis. More about CODEC 2 is on line at codec2.org. (Southgate, others)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   Getting the word out 52 weeks a year, every year, since 1976, we are the   
   Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world   
   including the 4Z5AB Echo-Link VHF gateway serving Rechovot, Israel.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO RULES: VK ADVANCED HAMS GRANTED LIMITED 1 KW OPERATION   
      
   Still in V-K land, word that some hams may soon be able to join the kilowatt   
   power out club. Michael Owen, VK3KI, is the President off the wireless   
   Institute of Australia:   
      
   --   
      
   "At long last, and after ongoing representations by the WIA we seem to be   
   getting closer to Advanced licensees being allowed transmit power limits   
   comparable to other countries.   
      
   "The ACMA has advised the WIA that it intends to accede to the WIA's request   
   that Advanced licensees may apply for a variation of their licence to permit   
   higher power from a fixed location on a trial basis from 1 March 2012. The   
   ACMA has stressed to the WIA that it remains concerned about the risk of   
   interference from the use of higher power.   
      
   "At the end of 12 months the position will be reviewed by the ACMA.   
      
   "The ACMA has adopted this approach to enable any particular difficulties to   
   be identified and satisfactory solutions found to, in the words of the ACMA,   
   `enable the trial to progress to appropriate ongoing arrangements from early   
   2013.' "   
      
   "This is Michael Owen, VK3KI."   
   --   
      
   The higher power limits will only be permitted on the amateur High Frequency   
   bands where the amateur service holds a primary status for those   
   allocations. The Wireless Institute of Australia has however requested that   
   the band 7100 to 7200 kHz be also included and at airtime this is being   
   considered, (WIA News)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: DONATIONS AND COORDINATION ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO HELP REBUILD   
   RAST STATION DEVASTATED BY FLOODING   
      
   Ham radio groups from around the world are being asked to assist the Radio   
   Amateur Society of Thailand which is seeking help to rebuild its   
   headquarters station, HS0AC. This following massive flooding that recently   
   hit that nation not long ago. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM,   
   has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   According to Dick Flanagan, K7VC, in Minden, Nevada, there have already   
   several offers of equipment to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand from   
   members of the Northern California Contest Club. Also Rusty Epps, W6OAT,   
   reports that the Yasme Foundation sent the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand   
   a $2,000 donation to assist in the HS0AC rebuilding effort. But that will   
   be only the beginning of what's required to bring the station back on the   
   air.   
      
   Flanagan says that what is probably needed most right now is someone or some   
   organization to coordinate the assistance effort, solicit the offers and   
   manage the shipping and paperwork. He speculates that perhaps that   
   administrative role could be taken on as a cooperative effort between the   
   Northern California Contest Club, the Northern California DX Club, the   
   International DX Association and perhaps the ARRL.   
      
   K7VC notes that this would be a wonderful way for individuals and clubs to   
   express their holiday feelings of generosity to our fellow hams in need, He   
   adds that we can use this opportunity to demonstrate to our Thai ham radio   
   brothers and sisters what a coordinated effort can do to help them rebuild   
   their wonderful station. Those with suggestions can contact Dick Flanagan   
   by e-mail to dick (at) k7vc (dot) com.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.   
      
   --   
      
   Photos of the devastation that the flooding brought to HS0AC at on-line at   
   www.qsl.net/rast. (K7VC, ARNewsline, others)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO EDUCATION: ANRITSU DONATES USED HT'S TO NORCAL BSA   
      
   The Anritsu Company has donated 26 handheld radios to the Boy Scouts of   
   America that will be used by Boy Scouts seeking to get involved with amateur   
   radio and earn their Radio Merit Badge. The donation made possible by an   
   upgrade to Anritsu's onsite two-way radio system and is part of Anritsu's   
   on-going global commitment to foster wireless technology education and   
   support worthy community organizations.   
      
   Don Mulder, is Anritsu Senior Vice President and General Manager of the   
   Microwave Measurements Division. He says that the Boy Scouts of America   
   have a strong legacy of teaching youth. He notes that scouts who were first   
   exposed to radio communications during their pursuit of a Radio Merit Badge   
   have gone on to make numerous contributions in the fields of science and   
   engineering.   
      
   Mulder said that the company's donation is a sign of our appreciation to the   
   work done by the Boy Scouts, as well as an investment in an organization   
   that will continue to help inspire future engineers.   
      
   BearCom, a nationwide wireless equipment dealer and integrator who worked   
   with Anritsu to complete the onsite radio system upgrade, also participated   
   in the donation, which was given to the Boy Scouts of America Santa Clara   
   County California Council. Scout leaders and volunteers who are amateur   
   radio operators will modify the handheld radios for use on amateur radio   
   bands, so that scouts may use them during events and camps held by the Santa   
   Clara County Council.   
      
   David Witkowski, W6DTW, led the project at Anritsu to upgrade their onsite   
   radio system to the MotoTRBO system. He said that one of his goals from the   
   onset was to get the old FM radios donated to the Boy Scouts of America for   
   use by scouts seeking to obtain their Radio Merit Badge. W6DTW says that   
   thanks to Anritsu executives and help from BearCom, it all became a reality.   
   (Anritsu, W6DTW)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS NO TO VANITY CALL REQUEST   
      
   The FCC has affirmed an earlier decision in which it has refused to permit   
   Wesley M. Mays, N5HK, of Coppell, Texas, to make another callsign change.   
      
   Back on March 17, 2011, Mays was issued an amateur station license with   
   sequential call sign AE5XC. On April 4, 2011, Mays filed a vanity call sign   
   application to modify his license. The application was granted and on April   
   22nd his license was modified to list call sign WM2W.   
      
   On June 1, 2011, Mays filed another vanity call sign application to modify   
   his license to either N5HK or W5LH. Then on June 14, 2011, Mays filed yet   
   another vanity call sign application to modify his license to list call sign   
   N5TD. The earlier application was granted and his license was modified to   
   list call sign N5HK on June 21st.   
      
   On July 2nd, Mays application for call sign N5TD was dismissed as defective.   
   A few weeks later on July 11, 2011, Mays requested reconsideration of the   
   dismissal. He argued that the dismissal was improper because the   
   application for call sign N5TD was filed appropriately and in good faith.   
   He then requested that the selection process for call sign N5TD be reopened.   
      
      
   But in its December 22nd order turning away Mays motion for reconsideration   
   the FCC concluded that the application was properly dismissed. It noted   
   that a vanity call sign application is an application to modify an amateur   
   radio station license. As such Section 97.19(d)(1) of the Commission's   
   Rules states, among other things, that the applicant must request that the   
   call sign shown on the license grant be vacated and provide a list of up to   
   25 call signs in order of preference. It said that at the time of Mays   
   application requesting call sign N5TD was processed, that he was licensed   
   under call sign N5HK and that the call sign on the application, WM2W, was no   
   longer the call sign shown on the license grant. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 2   
      
   News never stops and neither do we. 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)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: SKN ON OSCAR 2012 DEDICATED TO W1JSM   
      
   Straight Key Night on OSCAR takes place January 1st 2012 from 0000 to 2400   
   UTC. As always, Straight Key Night on OSCAR is simple and informal. Just   
   operate CW through one or more satellites using a straight hand key.   
      
   There is no need to send in a log, but all participants are encouraged to   
   nominate someone they worked for Best Fist. Send your nomination to w2rs   
   (at) amsat (dot) org. A list of those nominated will appear in the Amsat   
   News Service in early February.   
      
   By the way: This year's Straight Key Night on OSCAR is dedicated to the   
   memory of Don Brown, W1JSM. Brown who passed away in 2011 at age 90 was a   
   well known longtime VHF/UHF and satellite operator. (ANS)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: KIDS DAY OPERATING EVENT: JAN. 8 2012   
      
   The first of two Kids Day operating events for 2012 takes place on Sunday   
   January 8th. Kids Day is a twice yearly on-the-air happening to encourage   
   young people, licensed or not, to learn about our wonderful world of amateur   
   radio and the fun it has to offer.   
      
   Kids Day is not a contest. Rather, it is a way to tell young people worldwide   
   about the magic and mystery of two way hobby radio communications. To   
   accomplish this, amateur radio stations are being asked to devote this short   
   time window to promote both terrestrial and satellite operations to   
   youngsters by providing a place to make contacts with other Kids Day   
   stations around the world.   
      
   More information about Kids Day is on-line at www.arrl.org/kids-day. And   
   many of us from Amateur Radio Newsline hope to be on the air to assist in   
   making this first Kids Day of 2012 as big of a success as is possible. We   
   hope to talk to you and the kids at your stations, during the event.   
   (Various)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: CADXA TO USE K7UGA CALL FOR ARIZONA CENTENNIAL   
      
   The Central Arizona DX Association will operate special event station K7UGA   
   the week of February 13th to the 19th. This, in celebration of the Arizona   
   Centennial.   
      
   During this time Individual club members will be operating from their home   
   stations using the K7UGA call. However, only special operating locations in   
   Tucson, Prescott and Phoenix will be on the air on Tuesday, February 14th   
   celebrating the states actual 100th anniversary.   
      
   Operations will be on all 160 through 2 Meters using SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK31 and   
   satellite modes. QSL requests with an self addressed stamped envelope go to   
   Bob Davies, K7BHM, 1623 North Los Altos Ct. Chandler, Arizona, 85224.   
      
   And less we forget: If the call letters being used for this commemorative   
   operation seem a bit familiar to you its because for many years that call   
   belonged to Arizona's native son; the later United States Senator Barry M.   
   Goldwater, K7UGA. (CADXA)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO BUSINESS: YAESU MUSEN NAME TO BE REACTIVATED JAN. 1   
      
   Yaesu will soon be Yaesu once again. In a letter from Vertex-Standard   
   president Jun Hasegawa dated January 27th, it was announced that that after   
   four years of operating as a joint venture with Motorola, it has been   
   decided to transfer the Vertex Standard Land Mobile Radio business to   
   Motorola and for his company to focus on amateur, marine and air-band   
   communications gear.   
      
   In his letter, Mr. Hasegawa says that the company name will revert to Yaesu   
   Musen. This he says is a name business partners have been familiar with for   
   over 50 years. He goes on to say that he believes that the amateur radio   
   community will be delighted to once again see this famous name active.   
      
   There will be no staff or operational changes at the United States based   
   facilities located in Cypress, California. The effective date for this   
   reorganization will be January 1, 2012. (Yaesu)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: ICOM ANNOUNCES D-STAR QSO PARTY WINNERS   
      
   Icom has announced the 15 lucky winners of the recent D-STAR QSO Party. Each   
   winner will receive an ID-31E UHF Digital D-STAR transceiver.   
      
   In its announcement Icom says that it hopes many organizations will host   
   D-Star contests and QSO Parties in the future. It adds that it anticipates   
   many similar events being held and bringing what it calls a bright future   
   for D-Star and all D-Star operators around the globe.   
      
   You can see if you are among the winners of an ID-31E transceiver by taking   
   your web browser to tinyurl.com/7ee7jrg. (Icom)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: IARU REGION 1 MEDAL AWARDED TO DJ9KR   
      
   Some names in the news. First up is Ulrich Bihlmayer, DJ9KR, whom the IARU   
   Region 1 Executive Committee has awarded its Region 1 Medal. This, for his   
   longtime and outstanding work in the IARU Monitoring Service.   
      
   DJ9KR joined IARU Monitoring Service in 1975 and is the present coordinator   
   of Deutscher Amateur adio Club's intruder monitoring operation. He also   
   serves as vice-chairman of the Region 1 IARU Monitoring Service's Working   
   Group.   
      
   Presentation of the medal will take place at Ham Radio 2012 in   
   Friedrichshafen, Germany, next spring. (IARU Region 1 News)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: THE DIY MAGIC OF AMATEUR RADIO ON HAM NATION JAN 3   
      
   And a reminder the producer, director and writher of the new ARRL   
   motivational video titled "The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio" will be guests of   
   Bob Heil, K9EID, and Gordon West, WB6NOA, on the January 3rd edition of the   
   netcast Ham Nation. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, Dave Bell, W6AQ, and Henry   
   Feinberg, K2SSQ, will be there live to host a screening of the video as well   
   as to give you a behind the scenes look at how it was conceived and put   
   together.   
      
   Ham Nation airs live every Tuesday night at 9 P.M. Eastern, 6 P.M. Pacific on   
   Leo LaPorte's TWIT dot TV Internet network. To tune in just take your web   
   browser to live.twit.tv. If you miss the live show, it will be available   
   for download or screening about 24 hours later at twit.tv/HN.   
      
   The video is also available right now for on-line screening on YouTube at   
   tinyurl.com/arrl-diy-movie. You can also watch it or download it at   
   www.arrl.org/DIY. (ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: STUDENT CUBESATS SET FOR VEGA LAUNCH   
      
   The first student built amateur radio CubeSats to be sponsored by European   
   Space Agency's Education Office have passed their Final Acceptance Review   
   and have been deemed space worthy.   
      
   The seven tiny birds have been declared ready for launch on board the maiden   
   flight of the new ESA Vega launch vehicle. The university-built picosats,   
   each weighing only 1 kilogram, have already been integrated with   
   Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer devices that will carry them during   
   launch.   
      
   The single-unit CubeSats, whose development represented a unique hands-on   
   learning experience for the university students that were involved, were   
   developed by teams from 6 different European countries. The launch window   
   for this first Vega lift-off opens on January 26th and ends in the first   
   week of February, 2012. (ESA)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 3   
      
   Wishing everyone very happy new years, we are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   with links to the world from our only official website at www dot arnewsline   
   dot org and being relayed by the following volunteer bulletin station:   
      
   5 sec pause   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: RAC DUES STRUCTURE TO INCREASE   
      
   Radio Amateurs of Canada has raised its membership cost.   
      
   Rates had previously been raised for United States and International Members   
   to take into account the increased mailing costs for non-Canadian residents.   
   These price changes are now reflected on the RAC website however the society   
   says that domestic Canadian membership rates are among the lowest in the   
   world and will remain so.   
      
   By way of example, the group says that a membership in Radio Amateurs of   
   Canada will continue to be less than a tank of gas in Canada. Also that the   
   increase is less than a cup of coffee for most memberships. More is on line   
   at www.rac.ca. (RAC)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: NEW UK RULES ON LICENSE FREE DEVICES   
      
   UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has published new regulations that   
   permit the use of a range of new devices on a license free basis. These   
   include the use of personal locator beacons on land; wireless road safety   
   systems; wireless access terminals in the 3400 to 3800 MHz band and mobile   
   satellite services operating in the 2 GHz band. Also included are wireless   
   mobile terminals connecting to the 2012 London Games Tetra Network. More on   
   this Ofcom decision is on-line at tinyurl.com/uk-license-free. (RSGB)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: NEW TEXAS VERTICALLY POLARIZED 2 METER SSB NET   
      
   A new SSB net in South East Texas and South Wwest Louisiana is now active on   
   144.25 MHz using vertical rather than horizontal polarization. The idea is   
   to interest newly licensed hams who may have access to a sideband radio a   
   way to join the fun without putting up a separate horizontally polarized   
   antenna. More information on this net is available from contact K5HCS at   
   his QRZ.com e-mail or USPS address.   
   (WB5ITT)   
      
   **   
      
   DXCC NEWS: 5N6/YL2SW APPROVED FOR DXCC   
      
   Bill Moore, NC1L at the ARRL's DXCC Desk reporters that the 5N6 stroke YL2SW   
   operation from Nigeria has been approved for DXCC credit. Moore says   
   accreditation od the operation had been on hold pending a review of the   
   status of their location to be certain that it was land based. This, in   
   accordance with DXCC rule 8.   
      
   If you had credit for this operation rejected in the past, send a note to   
   bmoore (at) arrl (dot) org to have your record updated. You can see the   
   results when the change has been done to your record by checking your   
   Logbook of the World account or the DXCC daily numbers. (ARRL-DXCC)   
      
   **   
      
   DXCC NEWS: MALYJ VYSOTSKIJ ISLAND MAY BE DELETED FROM DXCC   
      
   Robert Busch, DL7VOA at Germany's DX News Letter reports that there is a good   
   chance that Malyj Vysotskij or MV Island will probably be deleted from the   
   DXCC entity list next year. As of this moment the DX News Letter has not   
   heard of any further DXpeditions being planned for that location. (DL-DXNL)   
      
   **   
      
   DX HAPPENINGS: BOTSWANA DXPEDITION STILL SEEKING OPERATORS   
      
   K5LBU reports that there is still room for several more operators to join his   
   DXpedition to Botswana in March. The current team consists of K5LBU, one   
   couple and one other operator. The plan is for the group to meet in   
   Johannesburg on March 16th and 17th and then travel to Lotsane Lodge on   
   March 18th and return to Johannesburg on the 28th. If you would like to   
   join this operation, please e-mail Charles Frost to 3da0cf (at) gmail (dot)   
   com. (various)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, JI5RPT will sign JD1BLY from Chichijima Island through January 2nd.   
   Listen out for him using CW, SSB and digital modes on 80 through 6 meters.   
   Possibly some satellite operation as well. QSL to JI5RPT.   
      
   SM6CPY, will be on the air from Rwanda in a holiday style operation signing   
   9X0PY through January 7th . QSL via SM6CPY.   
      
   DL1ZU is on a trip in Namibia through Jan 13th using an Icom IC-706. His   
   primary operating modes will be CW plus PSK, RTTY and SSB. QSL via his home   
   call.   
      
   EA1CYK/P will be operational from Deception Island in the South Shetland   
   group during his spare time until March of 2012. He has been spotted with   
   a good signal on 10 meters QSL via EA7LS.   
      
   G3SWH and G3OLU will be active from the Hawane Resort in western Swaziland   
   between February 21st to the 29th. Propagation permitting, they plan to   
   have two stations on the air for as many hours every day as is possible.   
   Operation will be on CW only on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via G3SWH   
      
   Lastly, An international group of operators plan to visit Pitcarin Island and   
   operate as VP6T between January 20th and February 4th. According to a web   
   posing the operation hope to make at least 30,000 contacts while on the   
   island. Operations will be on 160 through 10 meters including the 30, 17   
   and 12 meter bands. Modes to be used include CW, SSB and RTTY. The VP6T   
   log will be uploaded to Logbook of the World during the operation if   
   possible. QSL Manager is G3TXF. In addition to the usual routes they will   
   also be using the new Online QSL Request Service provided by ClubLog. For   
   more details and the suggested frequencies please visit www (dot) vp6t (dot)   
   org.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: HOW TO GET A NEW HAM ON A 2 METER REPEATER   
      
   And finally this week, if you are new to ham radio and are sitting with a   
   brand new HT or 2 meter mobile you got for Christmas but afraid to make a   
   first contact, then we have just what you need. Simply take your web   
   browser to tinyurl.com/new-on-two. That's where you will find a video   
   produced and hosted by Tyler Pattison, N7TFP, of Gig Harbor, Washington that   
   takes you step by step through making your first contact over a local 2   
   meter VHF repeater.   
      
   In his video, N7TFP, explains every aspect of getting on a repeater including   
   what a repeater really is:   
      
   --   
      
   N7TFP audio: Here it by downloading the MP3 version of this weeks newscast   
   from www.arnewsline.org   
      
   --   
      
   In the video, N7TFP is joined in on the air contact demonstrations by Aaron   
   Taht, N7FSM, and Rick Taylor, K7CAH. Together the three show the newcomer   
   what a simple, every day on-the-air contact sounds like. We should add that   
   the lessons taught in this video are applicable to most repeater operation   
   on other bands as well.   
      
   Tyler Pattison, N7TFP, has several well produced getting started videos   
   posted on YouTube but at this time of year this one on making a first   
   contact seems very apropos. If you know someone who is new to the hobby and   
   unsure of how to make that very first contact over a repeater, we highly   
   recommend that you send them to this short and friendly video. Again the   
   direct route to it is tinyurl.com/new-on-two. Whomever you send there will   
   likely be happy that you did. (ARNewsline(tm), Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   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 there is for this year   
   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   
      
   Before we go, a reminder that the deadline is fast approaching for   
   nominations for the 2012 Dayton Hamvention Amateur of the Year, Special   
   Achievement, Technical Excellence and Club of the Year awards. Nominations   
   must be received by January 15th 2012. Additional details on these awards   
   and a nomination form are available on the Dayton Hamvention Website www dot   
   Hamvention dot org. Nominations also are accepted via regular mail to the   
   Dayton Hamvention Awards, PO Box 964, Dayton, Ohio, 45401. The winners will   
   be recognized at the 2012 Hamvention, which runs May 18th to the 20th.   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editor's desk, I'm Jim Davis,   
   W2JKD, in sunny Vero Beach, Florida, wishing you a Happy New Year from the   
   Amateur Radio Newsline. 73 and as always, we thank you for listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2011 and 2012. 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)