Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1804 - March 9 2012   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1804 with a release date of March 9th,   
   2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. The Dayton Hamvention announces its 2012 award   
   winners, the Sun erupts with a massive CME hurled toward Earth, Brazil bans   
   DXpedition operations from Saint Peter and Saint Paul, new rules now in   
   effect for U-S hams on 60 meters, and a new movie about going into space   
   from Richard Garriott, W5KWQ. All this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline   
   (tm) report number 1804 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO HONORS: HAMVENTION ANNOUNCES 2012 AWARD WINNERS   
      
   Its honors time in amateur radio. This as the Dayton Amateur Radio   
   Association announces the names of these years Hamvention Award winners.   
   Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with more:   
      
   --   
      
   This year the Dayton Hamvention Awards Committee has gone world wide in   
   choosing who would receive the Hamvention's 2012 honors. Named as Radio   
   Amateur of the Year award recipient is Mr. S. Suri, VU2MY, of Hyderbad,   
   India. Mr. Suri can be described as the Hirum Percy Maxim of that nation.   
   Among his numerous achievements, VU2MY was instrumental in establishing the   
   art and science of amateur radio in India as well as leading the effort to   
   establish the world acclaimed National Institute of Amateur Radio. Staying   
   with his avocation, Mr. Suri has lead search, rescue and recovery efforts in   
   many natural emergency events throughout India and elsewhere.   
      
   Technical Achievement Award recipient Joel Hallas, W1ZR, of Westport,   
   Connecticut, is likely best known for his monthly QST column titled "The   
   Doctor Is In." This ongoing series is designed to answer many of the basic   
   and not-so-basic technical questions of ham radio that readers may have on   
   their minds. More important, W1ZR responds to these questions in an easy to   
   read format that might best be cited as having a unique appeal especially to   
   newcomers to the hobby.   
      
   In addition to his writing for QST, W1ZR is the author of several well read   
   books. These include such titles as Basic Radio, Basic Antennas, The ARRL   
   Guide to Antenna Tuners, Care and Feeding of Transmission Lines and   
   Understanding and Using Your Antenna Analyzer. He has also garnered many   
   technical awards and remains one of the top technical authors in the field   
   of amateur radio.   
      
   This years Special Achievement Award recipient is Steven Betza, WZ2V, of   
   Endicott, New York. According to the Awards Committee, Betza enjoys teaching   
   students by using live experiments and missions. Through a project called   
   "Blue Horizon," WZ2V has already licensed 38 new hams, set the world record   
   for the highest amateur balloon at 125,000 feet, and demonstrated many   
   technical feats relating to that record breaking flight. He also has   
   contributed in a major way to college and high school education programs in   
   Electronic Engineering.   
      
   Last but by no means least, the annual Club of the Year Award goes to   
   Deutsche Amateur Radio Club. Better known by its initials DARC, the group   
   has organized Germany into one unified national radio society that can   
   easily be compared to the ARRL here in the United States. The DARC provides   
   educational and technical support for radio amateurs and shortwave   
   listeners. Prior to formal regulations in Germany, the DARC provided   
   guidance in terms of frequency and power management. Today, in addition to   
   all of its other responsibilities, the DARC plays a major role in training   
   and licensing across Germany and is well respected throughout the European   
   Union.   
      
   With our sincere congratulations to all of this years Hamvention Award   
   winners, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the newsroom in Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   The winners will receive their honors at the 2012 Dayton Hamvention. Its   
   scheduled for May 18th to the 20th at the Hara Arena in the Dayton suburb of   
   Trotwood, Ohio. Amateur Radio Newsline plans to be there to bring you all   
   the sound of this years Dayton Hamvention event.   
   (Hamvention 2012)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION: SUN EJECTS LARGE CME   
      
   The largest solar flare in five years began racing toward Earth on Wednesday   
   March 7th, threatening to unleash a torrent of charged particles that could   
   disrupt communications world-wide.   
      
   As this report is being prepared, the government's Space Weather Prediction   
   Center had issued a warning that the effects of the Coronal Mass Ejection or   
   CME were expected to begin around 7 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, March   
   8th. Forecasters say the flare was growing as it sped outward from the sun.   
      
   Joseph Kunches is a scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric   
   Administration. He said that this particular solar storm was likely to last   
   through Friday morning, March 9th but warned that the region of the Sun that   
   erupted can still send more CME's our way. Kunches noted that another set   
   of active sunspots is ready visible on the solar disk and that these could   
   also erupt and send more CME's our way.   
      
   This latest solar storm comes on the heels of an earlier and weaker solar   
   eruption happened Sunday, March 4th. For updates on this and other solar   
   flare-ups please keep an eye on www.spaceweather.com. (Spaceweather, NOAA,   
   others)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAKING DX NEWS: BRAZIL BANS PY0S DX OPERATIONS   
      
   The Southgate News reports that radio amateur are now prohibited from   
   operating DXpeditions from the Brazilian Archipelago of Saint Peter and   
   Saint Paul also known as PY0S. This is a remote group of islands near the   
   equator whose maximum elevation is only 18 about meters above sea level.   
   It's also the nearest point of Brazil to Africa, lying about 1820 kilometers   
   from Guinea Bissau. St. Peter & St. Paul was rated number 16 in 2011 DXCC   
   list of most wanted entities.   
      
   In a report credited to PS8RF and the Brazilian Amateur Radio League and some   
   DX groups in Brazil have shown their displeasure with this government ban in   
   postings on various social websites. PS8RF told Southgate that there is   
   already a major mobilization by the Brazilian ham community aimed at urging   
   the nations Senators and Federal Representatives to reverse the decision on   
   the to ban. PS8RF notes that the biggest concern among Brazilian hams is   
   that this decision could open unheard restrictions to other entities in   
   Brazil as in other parts of the world where there is no amateur radio   
   activity. More on this breaking news item is on-line at   
   www.teresinadxgroup.com. (Southgate, PS8RF)   
      
   **   
      
      
   RADIO LAW: NEW US 60 METER RULES NOW IN EFFECT   
      
   Effective Monday, March 5th United States radio amateurs were granted new   
   operating privileges on the 60 meter band. In addition to an increase in   
   effective radiated power from 50 to 100 watts, hams can now transmit CW and   
   PSK31. More information on what modes can be used on what frequencies is   
   on-line at the ARRL website. The quick link to it is   
   tinyurl.com/60-meters-now. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: OTTAWA CANADA LOOKS AT BIG HAM ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS   
      
   Ottawa Canada's proposed rules for where private radio operators can put   
   their antennas need another look. This according to the City Council's   
   Rural-Affairs Committee which met two days after the city's Planning   
   Committee reached a similar decision. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson,   
   KQ6FM, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   According to the on-line Ottawa Citizen, the regulations are aimed at   
   restricting big and intrusive antenna installations while staying out of the   
   way of small ones. But Ottawa area hams have warned City Councilors that   
   they do not agree with the way that they are written,.   
      
   Under the rules, antennas on residential properties would be exempt from   
   public consultations as long as they are under 15 meters in height and at   
   the back of a house.   
      
   Radio amateurs counter that this type of a regulation would leave little room   
   for a working antenna above many trees and roof lines. Also that it unduly   
   restricts unobtrusive antennas that would be less visible in front yards   
   than telephone wires, and it doesnt distinguish between an urban house and a   
   rural one, where neighbors might be much too far away to care which yard has   
   an antenna in it.   
      
   Like the Planning Committee the Rural-Affairs Committee approved the rules   
   their staff had made up, but nevertheless asked for tweaks and improvements   
   to be made before the issue heads to City Council for a final vote on March   
   28.   
      
   The Canadian Province of Ottawa is home to about 1,400 amateur radio   
   operators. City Council members have already been told that ham radio   
   operators comes are a vital resource during rare disasters like extended   
   power failures. Amateur radio enthusiasts were instrumental in setting up   
   communications during the 1998 ice storm, particularly on the hard-hit South   
   Shore of Montreal.   
      
   For the amateur Radio Newsline, Im Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.   
      
   --   
      
   According to the March 1st story, the city of Ottawa cannot actually control   
   the placement of private or commercial antennas. That's the purview of   
   Canadian federal telecommunications regulator Industry Canada. However   
   Industry Canada does give municipalities a chance to comment when it's   
   making decisions so that citizens can express what a city thinks is right   
   for them. Now the Ottawa City Council must convince Industry Canada to adopt   
   them. (ottawacitizen.com)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the WA4TEN repeater serving   
   the city of Knoxville, Tennessee.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: TRAINED EMCOMM OPERATORS NEEDED IN WAKE OF INDIANA TORNADO   
      
   Ham radio operators were activated after a rash of tornadoes hit in several   
   states. We have more in this report:   
      
   --   
      
   Trained ham radio communicators are needed in Clark County, Indiana following   
   tornadoes that devastated the area on March 2nd.   
      
   In a posting to the Indiana Ham remailer picked up on QRZ.com, Jeff Brady,   
   N9WSV, who is the Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Clark County,   
   Indiana, says that more operators are needed to assist in recovery efforts   
   Brady says that they could use additional operators to man various posts   
   even if its only for a few hours a day.   
      
   But do not just show up on site. Rather, if you can assist first contact   
   N9WSV by phone at 502-777-7304 or e-mail to n9wsv (at) arrl (dot) net. If   
   you are in the area he is monitoring the146.94 repeater which requires a   
   67hz sub-audible access tone.   
      
   N9WSV adds that the local team of ham radio operators have put in many hours   
   and any relief is greatly appreciated.   
      
   --   
      
   More on this story in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports. (W8ISH, IN_HAM,   
   QRZ.com)   
      
   **   
      
   PUBLIC SERVICE: BOSTON AREA HAMS NEEDED FOR 44TH PROJECT BREAD WALK FOR   
   HUNGER EVENT   
      
   The 44th running of the Boston, Massachusetts area Project Bread Walk for   
   Hunger takes place on on Sunday, May 6th. Communications planners say that   
   they licensed radio amateurs to provide communications support for the   
   Project Bread Staff and volunteers along the 20 mile walk. If you are   
   interested in helping out this year, please take your web browser to   
   www.mmra.org/wfh to log in and fill out the signup form. Questions go to   
   wfh12 (at) mmra (dot) org. (KA1NCF)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO POLITICS: A TINY MOVE TOWARD CONFIRMING NEW COMMISSIONERS   
      
   There could be some movement on the stalled FCC nominee front, but not very   
   much. Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasik, K9BIK, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   According to a spokesperson for Senator Charles Grassley his staffers met   
   with those of Commerce Committee Chairman Senator Jay Rockefeller on Monday   
   February 27th to discuss the senator's hold on two pending FCC Commissioner   
   nominations. These are Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai.   
      
   The Grassley spokesperson called the meeting a "development" rather than   
   "progress." She added that she would not further characterize the meeting   
   beyond saying it was about the nominations, Senator Grassley's hold threat   
   and a possible resolution.   
      
   The Grassley warning stems from his request for documents related to the   
   FCC's LightSquared waiver. These are documents that the FCC has refused to   
   provide based on the agency's claim that Senator Grassley is not the chair   
   of a relevant committee. That decision by the FCC to effuse the request has   
   sparked a confrontation between the senator and the regulatory agency.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasik, K9BIK, in Zion, Illinois.   
      
   --   
      
   The FCC has been without a full complement of commissioners since last   
   spring, when it was reduced to four by the exit of Meredith Attwell Baker.   
   It has been at three since the retirement of Michael Copps at the end of   
   last year. (B&C)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FLORIDA CB OPERATOR ORDERED TO PAY A REDUCED $450 FINE   
      
   The FCC has affirmed a reduced fine of $450 issued to a Florida C B radio   
   operator based only on his proven inability to pay a much higher $10,000   
   Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture. In ordering Michael W.   
   Perry of Cross City to pay the reduced amount, the commission turned away   
   his claim that he was not using a non-certified transmitter or an external   
   power amplifier on the 11 meter band.   
      
   In its order, the FCC indicated that there was ample physical evidence in   
   this case and that the $10,000 fine was being reduced solely based on Perry   
   proving that the fine would be a financial hardship on him. However it also   
   cautioned Perry that a party's inability to pay is only one factor in its   
   forfeiture calculation analysis. The FCC stated that it has it has   
   previously rejected inability to pay claims in cases of repeated or   
   otherwise egregious violations. Therefore, future violations of this kind   
   may result in significantly higher forfeitures that may not be reduced due   
   to Perry's financial circumstances.   
      
   Perry was given the customary 30 days from the date that the Forfeiture Order   
   was affirmed to pay the $450. If he fails to do so the matter could be   
   turned over to the Department of Justice for collection. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: NO STAFF AND YOU GET A FINE   
      
   The FCC issued a notice of apparent liability to Taylor Broadcasting, which   
   owns WJTB AM in Elyria, Ohio. This for allegedly failing to maintain   
   management and staff presence at its main studio.   
      
   In issuing the proposed $10,000 fine the FCC said that its agents visited   
   WJTB to inspect it in March 2010 but found the main studio locked and   
   apparently empty. According to the FCC, a person who identified herself as   
   Ms. Taylor drove up and them and said that they would have to talk to a Mr.   
   Taylor. She gave the agents a phone number but even armed with that   
   contact information the agents were unable to reach him or gain access to   
   the studio.   
      
   Later, after the FCC wrote a letter of inquiry, the company replied that its   
   personnel do not work specific days and times, but rather are scheduled as   
   needed. It also said that that the agents should have pushed the entry   
   buzzer. But when FCC agents returned in August, they again found the door   
   locked, with no one answering knocks, and no entry buzzer button to press.   
      
   In issuing the proposed fine, the FCC says that Taylor Broadcasting's claim   
   that station personnel are scheduled as needed has not resulted in a   
   meaningful management and staff presence at its main studio. The base fine   
   for such cases is $7,000 but the commission set the penalty at $10,000,   
   saying Taylor's continued failure to comply with the commission's main   
   studio requirements even after being advised of this demonstrates a   
   deliberate disregard for the rules.   
      
   Taylor Broadcasting was given the customary 30 days from the date the Notice   
   of Apparent Liability was issued to pay it or to file an appeal. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO WEATHER: HIGH WINDS SHUT DOWN ILLINOIS TV STATION   
      
   Dual station WTVO and WQRF in Rockford, Illinois was forced off the air on   
   Friday, March 2nd and staff evacuated from the building. This as heavy snow   
   and low altitude winds caused guy wires on the stations 700 foot high tower   
   to whip around wildly.   
      
   The stations Chief Engineer Mike Real. In a media interview he said that in   
   all the years that he has been at WTVO and WQRF that he has never seen the   
   tower guy system reacting in that way. He noted that the swaying guy wires   
   had the ability to actually start shaking the tower down, or cause damage to   
   the it which is what we wanted to check on. Because of this the station   
   stayed off the air as crews examined the tower over the weekend.   
      
   In addition to the evacuation at WTVO and WQRF, 12 homes near the tower were   
   evacuated Friday night. After the inspection was completed, WTVO-WQRF   
   resumed broadcasting on Sunday night, March 4th. (WTVO-WQRF)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO ON THE WEB: A VIDEO TOUR OF W1AW   
      
   In case you missed the live web tour of the February 12th of ARRL   
   headquarters' flagship station W1AW you can now watch the 18 minute video on   
   the ARRL website. In the show W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, led   
   Geoff Fox, K1GF, on a tour of the famed station. Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, of   
   the New Day Group recording it for future netcasting. You can view that   
   video tour at www.arrl.org/w1aw. It's at the bottom of the page. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: MARTLESHAM MICROWAVE ROUND TABLE APRIL 28-29   
      
   The 2012 Martlesham Microwave Round Table takes place April 28th and the   
   29th. This year's venue is the BT Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath, in the   
   United Kingdom near the city of Suffolk.   
      
   Speakers scheduled so far include J.R. Miller, G3RUH; Andy Talbot, G4JNT;   
   B.R. Coleman, G4NNS, and a number of other well known U-K microwave   
   experimenters. The United States will be represented by well known author   
   Kent Britain, WA5VJB of Grand Prairie, Texas.   
      
   This promises to be one of the best Martlesham Microwave Round Table in   
   history. More information is on-line at mmrt.homedns. org. (UK Microwave   
   Group)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: VE3CGN APPOINTED RAC ONTARIO SEC   
      
   Some names in the news. Fist up is Scott Carter VE3CGN who has been   
   appointed as the new Section Emergency Coordinator for A-R-E-S in Ontario,   
   Canada. According to Radio Amateurs of Canada, Carter was the former   
   District Emergency Coordinator for the Tecumsah District and holds many   
   certifications in emergency management. He is also very active with the   
   Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network. His appointment was effective   
   on March 1st. (RAC, VE3AJB)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: W5LFL AND W5KWQ - MAN ON A MISSION - THE MOVIE   
      
   And next we travel back in time to 1983. That's when then NASA astronaut and   
   ham operator Owen Garriott, W5LFL, made the first manned amateur radio   
   transmission from space. His pioneering effort from flight STS-9 paved the   
   way for todays International Space Station ARISS program.   
      
   Several decades later, Owen's son Richard, W5KWQ, would fly to the ISS and   
   use the same method to talk to his dad and many others here on planet Earth.   
   Now, these historic moments have been captured in the exciting new   
   documentary titled Man on a Mission. A film that reveals Richard Garriotts   
   quest to become the first second generation American in space.   
      
   In a note to Amateur Radio Newsline via First Run Features, both W5LFL and   
   W5KWQ ask that hams spread the word about this documentary to your club   
   members and associates in the amateur radio community. Currently, Man on a   
   Mission is available nationwide via Video on Demand. A DVD release is   
   planned for May 2012. More about this documentary is on-line at   
   firstrunfeatures.com/manonamission. The films trailer ca ne seen at   
   tinyurl.com/garriott-film. (Firstrun Features)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: UK SPECIAL 600 METER PERMITS EXTENDED   
      
   United Kingdom Notices of Variation to amateur radio licenses for special   
   research permits to operate in the band 501 to 504 kHz have been extended to   
   December 31st 2012. This as telecommunications regulator Ofcom has begun   
   discussions with the Radio Society of Great Britain about the timetable for   
   implementing the new secondary allocation to the amateur service, 472 to 479   
   kHz that was recently approved at WRC-12. The agreed upon availability date   
   for this band to begin to become available for administrations world-wide to   
   begin proceedings to open to their ham radio communities is effective as of   
   January 1st, 2013. A United Kingdom Notices of Variation is the equivlant   
   to an FCC issued Special Temporary Authority or STA grant here in the USA.   
   (RSGB)   
      
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: HAMSAT VO-52 GOES SILENT   
      
   The HAMSAT VO-52 amateur radio satellite that suddenly ceased operating last   
   month could return to the air. According to V-U-2-W-M-Y, the satellite is   
   in what he calls "excellent health" following recovery efforts and is   
   currently under observation by ground controllers in India.   
      
   By way of background, on February 28th all transmissions from HAMSAT VO-52   
   ceased. Since then neither its beacon nor it's 435 to 145 MHz linear   
   transponder had been heard by stations on the ground. However it now looks   
   as if the bird is back to life, but there is one caveat.   
      
   VU2VMY notes that HAMSAT VO-52 is actually the property of the government of   
   India. Therefore unlike other amateur radio satellites that are owned,   
   operated and maintained by non-governmental agencies, detailed information   
   on HAMSAT VO-52 cannot be shared with anyone in accordance with the   
   prevailing governmental regulations. However VU2WMY adds that a decision   
   about switching its transponder back on is pending clearance.   
      
   VU2WMY adds that this is the first ever interruption in the services of the   
   bird since HAMSAT VO-52 was commissioned on May 5th of 2005. (VU2VMY)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: VA3OOG TO BE FIRST CANADIAN TO COMMAND THE ISS   
      
   The BBC reports that astronaut Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG, who also holds the U-S   
   call KC5RNJ will be the first Canadian to command the International Space   
   Station.   
      
   According to the news report, Hadfield will begin his journey when he   
   launches to the ISS on board a Russian Soyuz lift vehicle near the end of   
   this year. For his first three months on-orbit the 52-year-old ham radio   
   operator will serve as a flight engineer in the Expedition 34 crew. Then,   
   in March 2013, he will assume command of Expedition 35 for three months   
   before returning to Earth.   
      
   This will not be Hadfield's first trip into space. On past missions to orbit   
   he became the first Canadian to undertake a spacewalk and was the first and   
   only Canadian to board the Russian Mir space station.   
      
   VA3OOG was also the first Canadian to operate his country's major   
   contribution to the space shuttle program. That being its famed robotic arm   
   that was used in numerous space experiments, on-orbit repairs and to help   
   build the ISS.   
      
   You can read more about Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG, and his coming trip to the   
   ISS on line at tinyurl.com/va3oog-on-orbit. (BBC, Space Today)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: TOKYO JAPAN HOME TO WORLDS TALLEST BROADCAST TOWER   
      
   A ceremony to mark the completion of the world's tallest freestanding   
   broadcasting tower was held in Tokyo on Friday, March 2nd. Construction on   
   the Tokyo Sky Tree tower began in 2008. It was completed a few days prior   
   to its dedication ceremony.   
      
   The Sky Tree stands 2,080 feet tall and is claimed to be the tallest   
   structure of its type ever built. It will eventually be the home of most   
   broadcasting and two-way radio operations in that city.   
      
   Video of the new tower and the dedication ceremony is on-line at   
   tinyurl.com/tall-tokyo-tower. And before you ask if will also be the home   
   of any sort of ham radio relay operation we can only say that your guess is   
   as good as ours. (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: DRM COMING TO INDIA   
      
   All India Radio has outlined its digitization plan. This during the 18th   
   Annual Broadcast Engineering Society of India event.   
      
   According to All India Radio Director General, a pair of one megawatt   
   transmitters at Rajkot and Kolkata are likely to be operational by the end   
   of March and an additional 72 Digital Radio Mondiale transmitters would be   
   commissioned between June of this year and March 2013.   
      
   The ongoing rollout by All India Radio has gained the interest of receiver   
   manufacturers, who were present at the event with their latest products.   
   Digital Radio Mondiale member companies Nautel, Digidia, Fraunhofer, Harris   
   and Thomson Broadcast attended the conference this year. (Radio Magazine)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: FLEMISH RADIO AMATEURS COMMEMORATE THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC   
   100 YEARS AGO   
      
   Three special call signs will be activated from April 1st to the 30th from   
   Belgium by the Flemish Radio Amateurs organization. This to honor those who   
   perished 100 years ago in the sinking of the steam ship Titanic.   
      
   OO100MGY by operated from the city of Antwerp. OR100MGY will take to the air   
   from Knokke-Heist while OT100MGY will be on from Londerzeel.   
      
   During the weekend of April 14 through April 15, all three stations will be   
   active during a marathon session from 12:00 Saturday until 16:00 Sunday UTC.   
   Each of these stations has a special and unique QSL card available so that   
   three different styles can be acquired. (FRA)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, word that the AX stroke VK0TH operation from Macquarie Island, the   
   December 2011 and January 2012 9U3TMM DXpedition to Burundi and the 2011   
   6-Oh-Zero M operation from Somalia have all now been approved for DXCC   
   credit. Also approved is the current T6BP operation from Afghanistan, If   
   you had any of these operations rejected in a recent application send a note   
   to bmoore (at) arrl ()dot) org to have your record updated. Moore notes   
   that the AX stroke VK0TH operation is in addition to the VK0TH that has   
   already been approved for DXCC recognition.   
      
   On the air look for the E51M DXpedition that is going to North Cook Islands.   
   Its now announced that it will also be active as E51MCW from Rarotonga,   
   South Cook Islands between April 11th and the 14th. Operations will be on   
   all bands, including 60 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via   
   DJ8NK, direct or via the bureau.   
      
   AG1LE will be active stroke KP2 from the Radio Reef Contest Station KP2M on   
   St. Croix between April 4 to the 11th. QSL as directed on the air.   
      
   Lastly, F8FGU will be active as CN2RN from High Atlas, Morocco between April   
   3rd and the 30th. His operations will be on the High Frequency bands using   
   CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign, either via the bureau or direct.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: PHILADELPHIA JOURNALISTS HONOR A FAMOUS RADIO AMATEUR   
      
   And finally this week, a special honor has been bestowed on a broadcast   
   journalist who is considered to be the driving force that put manned amateur   
   radio operations into space. He was truly a broadcast pioneer and a part of   
   the Amateur Radio Newsline family as well. Mark Abramovich, NT3V, is here   
   with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Many Newsline listeners recognize the name Roy Neal - the space voice of NBC   
   News for many years and a big contributor to Newsline.   
      
   Well, what most may not know is the late Roy Neal, K6DUE, actually grew up   
   here in Philadelphia and got his start in the broadcasting business right   
   here.   
      
   A few months back, the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, inducted Roy Neal   
   into their Broadcasters Hall of Fame.   
      
   Gerry Wilkinson, chairman of the board of the Broadcast Pioneers of   
   Philadelphia, says Roy Neal got his start in the early days of radio and TV   
   in Philadelphia.   
      
   "He was public affairs/news director at WIBG," Wilksinson says. "Then, he   
   went over to WPTZ, Channel 3, which is now KYW-TV. It was owned by Philco   
   and for four or five years he did television programs for them."   
      
   Wilkinson says Neal was bitten by the space bug early and there was no doubt   
   that's what he wanted to talk about and cover the most.   
      
   And, Wilkinson says, he had the privilege over the years of keeping in touch   
   with Neal - even after his retirement from the broadcast business.   
      
   "When you talked to him on the phone there was just story, after story, after   
   story that he would tell you and he was just really a remarkable gentleman,"   
   Wilkinson recalls.   
      
   Wilkinson says Roy Neal never forgot his roots.   
      
   "He still loved Philadelphia," Wilkinson says. "The first three chapters of   
   his book all deal with Philadelphia and he certainly never forgot   
   Philadelphia."   
      
   Book you say?   
      
   Don't bother looking. Roy never finished that book. But sent several of his   
   close friends, including Wilkinson, the first three chapters.   
      
   You can read it at the Broadcaster Pioneers website by going to the web   
   address inserted in the text version of this story on our website   
   arnewsline.org.   
      
   Finally, Wilkinson says while it took some time to getting Roy into the   
   Philadelphia Hall of Fame, it was an honor well-deserved.   
      
   "He's one of us," Wilkinson says. "He's from Philadelphia. And, we really   
   believed that what he did in Philadelphia and then later on in his career   
   that he deserved to be honored."   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.   
      
   --   
      
   For us here at Amateur Radio Newsline its hard to believe that Roy has been   
   gone some nine years. It seems like only yesterday when his signature sign   
   off would end one of these newscasts. (Link to Roy Neal's book:   
   http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/roynealbook.html) (NT3V)   
      
   **   
      
   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   
      
   A reminder that the nominating period for the 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline   
   Young Ham of the Year Award is now open. Full details and a downloadable   
   nominating form are on our website at arnewsline.org/yhoty.   
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Don Wilbanks,   
   AE5DW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 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)