Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1799 - February 3 2012   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1799 with a release date of February   
   3rd, 2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. Amateur radio is still live and well at WRC 2012;   
   an Arizona ham files a petition with the FCC to expand the scope of PRB-1;   
   medical implant devices coming to 70 centimeters on February 27th and meet a   
   young ham who not only flies high altitude balloons but makes amazing videos   
   with the pictures that they capture. All this and more on Amateur Radio   
   Newsline(tm) report number 1799 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: WRC-2012 STILL CONSIDERING NEW HAM RADIO ALLOCATION NEAR 500KHZ   
      
   Ham radio is very much alive as a discussion topic at the 2012 World   
   Radiocommunications Conference now taking place in Geneva Switzerland.   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the latest:   
      
   --   
      
   Rod Stafford, W6ROD, secretary for the International Amateur Radio Union's   
   Region 2, says from his vantage point, it appears that there are several   
   member countries that are in favor of granting the amateur radio service an   
   allocation somewhere in the 415 to 526.5 kHz range.   
      
   It had been proposed to carve out a 15 kHz section for amateur use.   
      
   However, Stafford says those engaged in the discussions say there is a need   
   to protect existing services.   
      
   And, Stafford says in a report on the WRC proceedings so far that there   
   appear to be a couple of options:   
      
   First, a secondary allocation of up to 15 kHz to the amateur radio service on   
   a worldwide basis between 472 kHz and 487 kHz.   
      
   Second, two non-contiguous worldwide secondary allocations to the amateur   
   radio service between 461 and 469 kHz and 471 to 478 kHz, totalling 15 kHz.   
      
   Third, a proposal for a worldwide secondary allocation of 8 KHz from 472 to   
   480 kHz.   
      
   And, finally, no change or allocation.   
      
   He says some countries are concerned that non-direction beacons that operate   
   in the spectrum could be subject to possible interference from any new   
   allocations to amateur radio.   
   Stafford's assessment is that it's still early in the process to determine   
   whether amateur operators will succeed in getting the spectrum allocation.   
      
   He says there's one other item of concern to amateur radio operators and the   
   IARU being discussed at the conference.   
      
   That's a bid for oceanographic radar applications in the 3 to 50 MHz range.   
      
   Stafford says the IARU's position is the oceanographic radar applications are   
   incompatible with the amateur and amateur satellite services in the range 3   
   to 50 MHz and should not be allocated in bands already allocated to the   
   amateur and amateur satellite service, including 5.250 to 5.450 MHz.   
      
   WRC-12 wraps up on Feb. 17 and Stafford promises he'll keep the amateur   
   community apprised of developments as they occur.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.   
      
   --   
      
   As an aside, the International Amateur Radio Club in Geneva is on the air   
   using the special call 4U1WRC during the 2012 World Radiocommunication   
   Conference. It's operating all modes on 160 through 6 meters until the   
   close of the conference on February 17th. If you work this special   
   commemorative station please QSL via 4U1ITU.   
      
   (WRC 2012)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAKING DX NEWS: A GLOOMY FUTURE FOR DXPEDITIONS TO JAN MAYEN ISLAND   
      
   Jan Mayen Island could soon head to the top of the DX worlds most wanted   
   this. This as the result of a recent decision by the Norwegian government   
   that declared most of Jan Mayen a Nature Reserve and banned landings and   
   camping on most of the island. This means that tour operators can no longer   
   visit since the main landing area is part of the Reserve.   
      
   The only places left on the island which could be used as landing and camp   
   sites are in the very extreme southern part of Jan Mayen which suffers from   
   extreme weather conditions. Amateur radio operations may still be possible   
   from the two locations but both are difficult to get to due to stormy seas   
   and other severe weather conditions. As such it now appears that the recent   
   JX5O operation was probably the last major DXpedition to Jan Mayen for many   
   years to come.   
      
   There is the chance that hams who might be assigned as staff members at the   
   islands Olonkin base will be able to activate Jan Mayen. Late word is that   
   LA9JKA, is to be there beginning March 22nd and is expected to stay until   
   March 2013 but what plans he has to operate from the island at this point   
   are unknown. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: MEDICAL IMPLANT DEVICES COMING TO 70CM ON FEB. 27   
      
   Monday, February 27th is the date when medical monitoring and control devices   
   previously approved by the FCC could start showing up in various segments of   
   the 70 centimeter band. Amateur Radio Newsline welcomes Chris Szpila who has   
   this report:   
      
   --   
      
   As reported here on Newsline, last November the FCC voted to allocate   
   spectrum for use by new implanted medical devices that operate on 413 to 457   
   MHz range. These devices which range from short range monitors to more   
   advanced diagnostic and treatment gear will be used on a secondary basis as   
   part of the Part 95 Medical Device Radiocommunication Service. The rules   
   established by the FCC allow access 24 megahertz of spectrum on a secondary   
   basis in the 413 to 419, 426 to 432, 438 to 444, and 451 to 457 Megahertz   
   bands.   
      
   Amateur radio should hear little in the way of interference from any of these   
   devices to signal reception. What's not known is the effect of nearby high   
   power transmitters from various services across the spectrum to the   
   operation of these devices or the ability of any remote transceiver system   
   to hear their telemetry and send instructions back to these implanted units.   
   Most researchers believe this to be minimal to none at all.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Chris Szpila, in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   The most important aspect of these devices will be their benefit to mankind   
   by restoring mobility and other functions to paralyzed limbs for those who   
   cannot now use them now. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: ARIZONA HAM FILES FOR RULE MAKING TO EXTEND PRB-1 TO OVERIDE CCR   
   RESTRICTIONS   
      
   A petition to the FCC to extend PRB-1 exemptions to cover outdoor antennas in   
   communities with Condition, Covenant and Restrictions has been filed with   
   the FCC by Arizona resident Leonard J. Umina, W7CCE.   
      
   Umina's petition is based on an Equal Rights claim. He says that to   
   establish the assertion it is necessary to ascertain that certain classes of   
   amateurs are and / or were in identical situations with regard to those who   
   received relief from PRB-1 but were not equally treated by the regulation.   
      
   Umina states that what he terms as the "move elsewhere" philosophy of PRB-1   
   fails to address classes of amateurs who were born into restrictive areas   
   and those who had no part in selecting where they would reside.   
      
   Umina notes that because over 66% of Americans now rent and that that   
   Homeowners Association market penetration has skyrocked. This at the same   
   time that the urban population has increased to 75%. As such, Umina   
   suggests that it is finally time for the FCC to act by extending PRB-1 in   
   its present form to negate private contracts better known as CC&R's.   
      
   Umina asks that special exemptions be applied to wire antennas so that simple   
   rules exist in allowing for easier participation by youth and those who   
   otherwise might be confused by complex regulation and court decisions.   
   Umina also asks that Shortwave Listener and the commercial shortwave market   
   be considered.   
      
   Most important, Umina asks that no significant changes be made which would   
   compromise existing District Court decisions which upheld PRB-1 application.   
   As we go to air the FCC has not yet assigned a rule making designation to   
   W7CCE's petition filing. (QRZ.com)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: RS-39 NOW ON-ORBIT: RECEPTION REPORTS WANTED   
      
   The Chibis-M microsatellite, also known as RS-39, was placed on-orbit from a   
   Russian Progress M cargo spacecraft on Tuesday January 24th. The satellite   
   is designed to study atmospheric phenomena such as Terrestrial Gamma Ray   
   Flashes associated with lightning.   
      
   RS-39 also carries CW beacons on 435.215 and 435.315 MHz. Hams hearing these   
   signals are being asked to submit reception reports via e-mail to the Space   
   Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences at amateur-rs39 (at)   
   chibis (dot) cosmos (dot) ru. Each report will be acknowledged with a   
   special QSL card.   
      
   We will have more ham radio space related news later on in this week's   
   Amateur Radio Newsline report. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the Sequoia Amateur Radio   
   Group repeater serving Lake Isabella, California.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: ARRL TO PRESENT LIVE WEB TOUR OF W1AW ON FEBRUARY 12   
      
   Never seen the ARRL Headquarters station W1AW? Well you can do so   
   vicariously through a webcast. Amateur Radio Newslines Heather   
   Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The ARRL and Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, of The New Day Group have teamed up to   
   present the first ever on-line tour of the League's flagship station W1AW.   
   The live webcast takes place on February 12th beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern   
   time.   
      
   According to ARRL Public Relations and Media Coordinator Allen Pitts, W1AGP,   
   many hams around the world know of W1AW. Thousands have made contacts with   
   this impressive station, but few ever get to observe it in person.   
      
   Pitts who is producing the event says that thanks to Petrunti's media   
   streaming group, people world-wide should enjoy seeing what's at the other   
   end of the signals from W1AW.   
      
   Pitts notes that through the webcast viewers will be there as Petrunti, along   
   with local weatherman Geoff Fox, K1GF, and others are given a tour of W1AW   
   by Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. W1AGP says that as in all live   
   broadcasts, you never know what might happen.   
      
   Again, you can watch the webcast live on Sunday, February 12th beginning at 5   
   p.m. Eastern at www.awecast.tv/channels/arrl. W1AGP says that he hopes you   
   enjoy the tour.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, near   
   Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, is no stranger to ham radio video projects. He was the   
   creative force behind the ARRL video about HR-607. More about the New Day   
   Group at www.NewDayHD.com. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: NEW TOWER RULES FOR THE BIRDS   
      
   The FCC's new rules affecting tower sitting for certain tall towers, meant to   
   protect migratory birds, have been published in the Federal Register.   
   However, they have not yet become effective.   
      
   Some aspects of the new rules adopted in December need approval by the Office   
   of Management and Budget. The FCC will publish a subsequent notice in the   
   Federal Register announcing the effective date.   
      
   To recap, towers above 450 feet tall will face more analysis. Owners will   
   need to do an environmental assessment and allow the public time to comment   
   on where a new tower would be placed before construction accomplishing this   
   through methods such as a newspaper notice or local zoning public notice   
   process. An environmental notice will also be required if an applicant   
   changes the lighting of an existing tower to a less preferred style.   
      
   Very few if any ham radio towers are 450 feet or higher and are not affected   
   by the new rules. However they do make for some very interesting reading.   
   You can see these new bird safety tower rules at   
   tinyurl.com/tower-birds-two. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: ANOTHER FLORIDA UNLICENSED BROADCAST FINE AFFIRMED   
      
   The FCC has affirmed a $10,000 fine to Willis Cernogg, Jr. of Miami, Florida.   
   This for willful and repeated violation of Section 301 of the   
   Communications Act by operation of an unlicensed radio transmitter on the   
   frequency 90.7 MHz.   
      
   Back on October 25th, 2011, the Enforcement Bureau's Miami Office issued a   
   Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $10,000 to   
   Cernogg. The FCC says that Cernogg never filed a response to the N-A-L. So,   
   based on the information before it, the FCC has now affirmed the forfeiture.   
      
   As is normal procedure, Cernogg was given the customary 30 days from the   
   January 25th date the order was released to pay the fine or file an appeal.   
   If he fails to do either, the FCC will likely turn the matter over to the   
   Department of Justice for collection. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   PUBLIC SERVICE: HAMS TEAM WITH CRIME STOPPERS IN MISSOURI   
      
   Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers in Cassville,   
   Missouri are joining forces with ham radio operators. This, to help keep an   
   eye out for the thieves who have been stealing and burning vehicles in two   
   counties.   
      
   Katherine Parker, KD0ETX, is the Assistant District Emergency Coordinator for   
   both Barry and Lawrence counties. She says that general warnings could be   
   issued to operators across the region to be aware of the situation and   
   report suspicious activities occurring in their neighborhoods.   
      
   During their January meeting, the Crime Stoppers board members also approved   
   offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible   
   for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage resulting from   
   these recent crime sprees.   
   Chairman John Strong also recommended organizing citizen patrols for parts of   
   both counties, with suspicious activity reported back to local law   
   enforcement agencies. (Cassville Democrat)   
      
   **   
      
   ON LINE NEWS: QRZ.COM ADDS GRIDMAPPER SERVICE   
      
   Another service has been added to QRZ.com. Called the Gridmapper this   
   feature allows you to see the grid square on a Google map of the station you   
   are looking up. A six character square is outlined. This is very handy for   
   VHF and UHF enthusiasts who try to find and activate rare locations in the   
   Maidenhead Grid Square location system. (K8YSE)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM MARKETPLACE: UK INNOVANTENNAS COME TO NORTH AMERICA   
      
   InnovAntennas have come to North America. According to Bill Hein, AA7XT, the   
   full line of high performance British built High Frequency, VHF and UHF   
   amateur radio antennas from InnovAntennas are now available to customers   
   across the United States at R&L Electronics in Hamilton, Ohio.   
      
   By way of background, InnovAntennas was launched in 2011 by Justin Johnson,   
   G0KSC. This after his hobby of designing antennas for his personal use led   
   to a flood of make one for me requests from amateur radio operators who   
   recognized that Johnson's designs outperformed they could buy in any U-K   
   store.   
      
   Today, InnovAntennas is building antennas at a former boat factory in Canvey   
   Island, England and selling its products directly via InnovAntennas.com and   
   via a network of dealers in Europe, Australia, and now, the United States.   
   Designs include the Loop Fed Array and Opposing Phase - Driven Element   
   System Yagis both of which have become very popular in the world of   
   Moonbounce or E-M-E operations.   
      
   For more information on the introduction of InnovAntennas to the United   
   States ham radio marketplace, you can e-mail AA7XT to bill (at)   
   innovantennas (dot) com. You can also check the R and L website at   
   www.RandL.com. (AA7XT)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM MARKETPLACE: YAESU HINTING IT WILL BRING OUT C4FM DITIAL VOICE GEAR FOR   
   AMATEUR RADIO   
      
   Yaesu is hinting that they will be coming out with new digital amateur radios   
   in 2012.   
      
   A new pamphlet discussing amateur digital radios shows the new Vertex   
   Standard APCO P-25 commercial radios, as well as new amateur radios based on   
   the C4FM FDMA digital audio system commonly known as MotoTrobo.   
      
   The pamphlet makes it appear that Yaesu will be offering amateur gear based   
   on the MotoTrobo digital standard sometime this. The new vertex radios look   
   identical to their Motorola counterparts.   
      
   Our guess is that any launch of such a project would likely take place at the   
   Dayton Hamvention in mid-May. (Adapted from Yaesu Press Release)   
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: AARA TO HOLD ITS 52ND HAMFEST IN RAYNE LOUISIANA MARCH 9-10   
      
   The Acadiana Amateur Radio Association will hold its 52nd annual hamfest at   
   the Civic Center in Rayne, Louisiana. The dates are March 9 and 10 and the   
   event will feature ARRL Education and Technology Program Coordinator Mark   
   Spencer WA8SME as its special guest speaker. For entertainment Norm Helms   
   K5SAC will be heading up the Texas Ham Playboys band.   
      
   This hamfest has been designated as the 2012 ARRL Louisiana State Convention   
   and planners say that they are looking forward to seeing many of you there.   
   More information about this fun event is on-line at www.w5ddl.org/hamfest.   
   (KN5GRK)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: DX UNIVERSITY 2012 APRIL 20TH IN VISALIA CA.   
      
   The 2012 DX University will take place on the Friday April 20th in   
   conjunction with the International DX Convention in Visalia, California.   
   Among this years lecturers are Bob Allphin, K4UEE; Bernie Mc Clenny, W3UR;   
   Rusty Epps, W6OAT; Bob Locher, W9KNI, and a number of other world famous   
   DX'ers many of whom are inductees of the CQ DX Hall of Fame. Together they   
   will teach many of the operating techniques for working DX. You will also   
   get the DXpeditioner's view of how DXers should operate to get into the log.   
   Registration is available on line at www.dxuniversity.com. For further   
   information please contact Wayne Mills by e-mail to N7NG (at) arrl (dot) net   
   or Roger Western, at G3SXW (at) btinternet (dot) com. (DX University)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO TECHNOLOGY: ROS JOINS US EXPERIMENTAL SPREAD SPECTRUM TEST STA   
      
   R-O-S is among a number of modes raking part in spread spectrum experiments   
   in the USA. The R-O-S data mode group reports that the FCC has issued a   
   Special Temporary Authority to a United States based experimental group for   
   the purpose of investigating Spread Spectrum modes within the USA.   
      
   According to the press release from Graham Brown, G0NBD, Phil Williams,   
   KA1GMN, of Euless, Texas has been issued the first license with the call   
   WF9XJD. Williams was scheduled to become active on February 1st.   
      
   Brown says that anyone wishing to apply for a STA or be one of the designated   
   receiving stations, should contact Williams directly at ka1gmn (at)   
   gmail.com for details of the application process. Reports and QSO's are of   
   course, most welcome from all.   
      
   The licenses are issued on a 6 month rolling basis and can also be applied   
   directly from the FCC at tinyurl.com/fccsta. (G0NBD, Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SUMBANDILLASAT FAILS ON-ORBIT   
      
   South Africa's Defence Web reports that the nations second satellite,   
   SumbandilaSat also known as SO-67 is no longer fully operational.   
      
   Rob Olivier is the head of Business Development at SunSpace. He told Defence   
   Web that although contact can still be made with the satellite, it cannot   
   capture images. As such it is no longer fulfilling its main purpose.   
      
   Oliver added that chances of repairing the satellite on-orbit are virtually   
   none. As such SunSpace has moved on to other projects.   
      
   SumbandilaSat was damaged during a solar storm in the June of 2011.   
   The power supply to its onboard computer stopped working and the satellite   
   stopped sending back images.   
      
   In addition to its primary mission SumbandilaSat also carried an radio   
   payload as well. This consisted of a voice beacon, a store and forward   
   parrot repeater and VHF to UHF FM repeater. (Defence Web)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: WINNERS OF ARISSAT-1 CHICKEN LITTLE CONTEST ANNOUNCED   
      
   AMSAT and ARISS announced the winners of its ARISSat One Chicken Little   
   Contest to predict when the hand-deployed bird would fall from the sky. The   
   contest received 77 entries from 17 different countries, from all continents   
   except Antarctica.   
      
   In the Kindergarten through grade 8 grade sector the winner was Cora Haefner,   
   KK4ECV, of Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. In grades 9 through 12 it was the   
   Cameron School in Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. The Adult category   
   winner was Thomas Frey, HB9SKA, of Birr, Switzerland.   
      
   Based on comments sent along with the submissions, a wide variety of   
   techniques were used. These ranged from detailed calculations, to   
   comparisons with past satellites, to guesses based on birthdays. In the   
   end, both KK4ECV and HB9SKA were within 15 hours of the best data from Space   
   Track. It had reported that the remnants of ARISSat One splashed down in   
   the South Atlantic approximately 07:00 UTC on January 4th.   
      
   All three winners have been sent a Chicken Little Certificate, and the   
   congratulations of the ARISSat One team. The contest sponsors say that they   
   also want to tank all those who entered, especially educators who worked   
   with students on this project. (AMSAT / ARISS)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: BCARA TO COMMEMORATE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY ON THE AIR   
      
   On the air, word that Ohio's Butler County Amateur Radio Association will be   
   sponsoring special event station W8WRK from February 18th to the 26th. This   
   to commemorate a historic Washington's Birthday amateur radio message relay   
   which was originally accomplished on February 22, 1916 by members of the   
   American Radio Relay League. The special event will be conducted from the   
   clubs home station which is located in the original building of Special Land   
   Station 8ZU. For operating times, frequencies and QSL information please   
   visit tinyurl.com/6og8epf on the World Wide Web. (KD8RLA)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, W1NN and JA1LZR will be operational as NH0J and NH0Z, respectively,   
   from Tinian, in the Northern Marianas, until February 4th. Their activity   
   is focused on the lower bands using an Elecraft K3 transceiver an amplifier   
   and a quarter wave verticals. QSL this one as directed on the air.   
      
   EA5BYP and EA5KM will once again be active from Annobon Island and Bioko   
   Islands. The pair plan to arrive in Equatorial Guinea by the middle of   
   February and then travel first to Bioko using the callsign 3C6A and then on   
   to Annobon as 3C0E. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meters. Exact dates   
   of this operation should be announced shortly. QSL both callsigns via   
   EA5BYP.   
      
   W6HGF, will be on the air stroke FP from Miquelon Island between February   
   10th through the 20th. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters but focused   
   on the Digital modes, mostly RTTY. QSL via Logbook of the World or to W6HGF,   
   direct or via the bureau.   
      
   NP4Z will be active as EE8Z from the Los Chachos Contest Club in the Canary   
   Islands. This, during the CQ World Wide SSB Contest from March 24th to the   
   25th. QSL via EA8AY.   
      
   Lastly, ZS4U will be operational portable 9Q6 from the Republic of the Congo   
   between March 10th and April 5th. Activity will be limited, probably mainly   
   on the weekends and some days during the week. Listen out for him between   
   1200 and 1600 UTC on 40 through 6 meters using CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via   
   his home callsign.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: HACK THE TUBE - A TRIP TO THE EDGE OF SPACE BY TEEN HAM   
   ERIN KING, AK4JG   
      
   And finally this week, Erin King, AK4JG, of Columbia, Georgia, may only be a   
   teenager but she has already left a very positive imprint in our world of   
   amateur radio. Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, has the details on Erin's magic carpet   
   ride to the edge of space and the video that is taking the ham radio   
   community by storm:   
      
   --   
      
   Erin King, AK4JG has posted a video of her recent amateur radio high altitude   
   balloon mission for the 'Hack the Tubes' project. This, for the   
   Massachusetts Institute of Technology's class of 2016's early admissions   
   program. And when you see it you will find it hard to believe that both the   
   flight and the video are the work of a very, very talented teen.   
      
   According to AK4JG, she decided to send her Tube to the edge of space by   
   turning it into an amateur radio high-altitude ballooning project. To   
   accomplish this, Erin used two GPS and APRS-equipped transmitters for   
   payload tracking. One of these signed the call AK4JG-11 and the other   
   beaconed her fathers call sign of K4ETY-11. Each one sent out position   
   packets from the Tube so Erin could follow it on the ground.   
      
   Also on board the tube-shaped payload was an Earth viewing GoPro Hero camera   
   shooting high definition video. And capture some breathtaking video of the   
   entire flight it did.   
      
   Erin's payload was carried aloft by a Helium filled 800 gram weather balloon.   
   Takeoff took place on January 16th at around 1 P.M. Eastern time from   
   Lumpkin, GA. The entire flight from launch to landing lasted about 2 hours.   
   That is all compacted to 8 1/2 minutes during which Erin's video takes you   
   from initial payload assembly of the trackers to the edge of space at over   
   90,000 feet and to recovery of the payload from where it landed in a pine   
   tree.   
      
   The video is set to the music of "Circuit" by Sonic Adventure Project. There   
   is no narration. Instead Erin and her very professional video editing   
   skill lets the pictures tell the entire story. You can see it for yourself   
   by taking your web browser to tinyurl.com/AK4JG-balloon-video.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in Zion, Illinois.   
      
   --   
      
   Again, you will find Erin's video on-line at tinyurl.com/AK4JG-balloon-video.   
   Go take a look. You will be glad that you did.   
      
   **   
      
   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.   
      
   Before we go, a note to those listeners who have reported hearing Amateur   
   Radio Newsline played in what might best be called unexpected places and   
   asking why we are doing it. The answer is that we are not. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline only produces a newscast and distributes it via the Internet and   
   automated telephones. We have no transmitting equipment and we broadcast   
   nothing. Since our inception as the Westlink Radio Network back in 1976   
   right on to today as the Amateur Radio Newsline, we have been and continue   
   to be a ham radio news program supplier and nothing more.   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim Davis,   
   W2JKD, in sunny Vero Beach, Florida, saying 73 and we thank you for   
   listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 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)