Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1811 - April 27 2012   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1811 with a release date of April 27th,   
   2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. Japan says it will be launching 16 educational   
   ham-sats; NASA says now is time for educators to request I-S-S contacts for   
   2013; UK hams learn of ham band restrictions during the 2012 Olympics; US   
   hams will not be affected by Part 90 narrow-banding and a new video on VHF   
   and UHF digital audio is on-line. Find out the details are on Amateur Radio   
   Newsline(tm) report number 1811 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: JAPAN TO LAUNCH 16 NEW EDUCATIONAL HAM-SATS   
      
   Japan says that it plans to launch sixteen educational satellites over the   
   next two years. The tiny birds are currently under construction in Japan   
   with the first launch to take place on May 17th followed by the others in as   
   rapid succession as possible. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather   
   Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   The first of the new birds to be launched will be the amateur radio satellite   
   HORYU-2 built by students at the Kyushu Institute of Technology. Its   
   mission is to take pictures of the Earth using a small C-MOS camera called   
   SCAMP that was developed by the University of Surrey in the UK. The SCAMP   
   camera takes a 640=D7480 pixel picture in the popular JPEG format. That   
   means from 700 km altitude, one pixel corresponds to 1.6 km.   
      
   HORYU-2 will be followed in July by the transport of several items to the   
   International Space Station. This mission will deliver the Japanese   
   Experiment Module Small Satellite Orbital Deployer or JEM along with the   
   Japanese CubeSats WE-WISH, FITSAT-1 and RAIKO. These CubeSats should be   
   deployed from the ISS in September using the JEM and robot arm.   
      
   FITSAT-1 may be the most interesting of these. It will use a neodymium   
   magnet for attitude control. It will also have multiple downlinks. These   
   include CW on 437.250 MHz, AX.25 on 437.445 MHz and a 4 watt high speed data   
   transmitter on 5840 MHz. The latter is capable of sending a 640 by 480 VGA   
   JPEG image in 6 seconds.   
      
   In addition to its other experiments, FITSAT-1 will also carry a set of high   
   power LED's that will be driven with 100W pulses to produce extremely bright   
   flashes. It is hoped, will be observable by the unaided eye or with small   
   binoculars from the ground. Both the 5840 MHz and optical downlinks have a   
   high power consumption so it may be that they are only activated only over   
   Japan.   
      
   In December the TSUBAME satellite is planned to be launched on a Japanese   
   H-IIA booster. It will carry a CW beacon on 437.250 MHz and AX.25 packet at   
   1200 and 9600 bit per second telemetry on 437.505 MHz. The remaining   
   satellites will be placed into orbit on subsequent flights.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, bear   
   Burwick, Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   Further information on all the satellites can be found on line at   
   www.uk.amsat.org/6691 (AMSAT-UK, JA-AMSAT)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NASA OPENS PROPOSAL CYCLE FOR 2013 CLASSROOM ISS   
   CONTACTS   
      
   NASA's Teaching From Space Office has announced a new proposal cycle for   
   United States ARISS school contacts. Proposals may be submitted from April   
   23rd through July 2nd for contacts that will be scheduled beginning in   
   January 2013.   
      
   NASA says that informational sessions will be held to answer any questions   
   concerning the proposal process. To attend a session or to have questions   
   answered, contact the Teaching From Space office by e-mail to JSC-TFS-ARISS   
   (at) mail (dot) nasa (dot) gov. You can also call the office during normal   
   business hours Eastern time at 281-244-1919. More information is on the   
   Teaching From Space website at tinyurl.com/teach-from-space. (NASA)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO SAFETY: RADIO HOBBYIST LOOSES LIFE IN ANTENNA ACCIDENT   
      
   A sad story from down-under where a radio hobbyist has been killed in a   
   strange accident. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News is here with whats   
   known so far:   
      
   --   
      
   Police are investigating the death of a man who fell from his vehicle onto an   
   antenna at his hobby farm. The 51 year-old man is believed to have suffered   
   fatal injuries after he fell onto the 20 meter high metal antenna at the   
   Cunderdin property in Western Australia.   
      
   Police spokeswoman Ros Weatherall said the antenna was used for surveying   
   services, and had been removed by the man from the roof rack of his   
   Landcruiser utility before the incident. Initial investigations reveal that   
   he may have slipped from the top of the car and fallen onto the antenna.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News in   
   Australia.   
      
   --   
      
   As we go to air the victim has not been identified by authorities. Nor is it   
   known if he may have been a VK radio amateur. More is on-line at   
   tinyurl.com/7kehv5s (VK4BAT, WIA News)   
      
   **   
      
   2012 OLYMPICS: UK REGULATOR OFCOM ANNOUNCES HAM BAND RESTRICTIONS DURING   
   2012 OLYMPICS   
      
   Details of amateur band frequency restrictions during the London 2012 Olympic   
   and Paralympic Games have now been released by U-K Telecommunications   
   regulator Ofcom. The greatest impact to ham radio appears to be satellite   
   and other operations in the 436 to 437 Mhz segment of 70 centimeters.   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, explains why:   
      
   --   
      
   Parts of the 70, 13 and 9 centimeter amateur bands in the United Kingdom will   
   face restrictions between June 28th and September 23rd. This, due to need   
   for spectrum during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.   
      
   The restrictions only apply in geographically limited areas, with 70cm being   
   particularly affected around London and Weymouth. Also hard hit by the   
   restrictions will be ham radio satellite operations.   
      
   According to a notice on the AMSAT-UK web site the Amateur-satellite Service   
   allocation in the 435 to 438 MHz range will be restricted to 436.25 to   
   437.25 MHz. This is based on an understanding that the equipment being used   
   for Olympics communications in the 430 MHz band will include handheld FM   
   rigs at the hotels, the routes to the venues and at the venues themselves.   
      
   The U-K communications regulator Ofcom say the use of radio by amateurs in   
   the designated areas could cause interference to various communications at   
   the games. Also, it is possible that higher power transmissions from   
   outside these areas could cause interference as well. Consequently, to   
   avoid the risk of interference, Ofcom has requested that United Kingdom   
   amateurs do not operate within the frequency ranges it has outlined. This   
   says AMSAT-UK means that the spectrum identified by Ofcom should be avoided   
   for a considerable distance outside the designated Olympic communications   
   zones.   
      
   AMSAT-UK notes that a well equipped station on a good site 75 km or more from   
   the edge of an Olympics communications zone could still put a fairly decent   
   signal into that area.   
      
   Newsline did a bit of research and found that the closest heavily populated   
   mainland European city to London appears to be Calais, France. This is   
   mainly over water path only about 93 airline miles or 149 kilometers away   
   from the closest Olympic venue.   
      
   That said, Ofcom has so far not asked the French or any other European   
   telecommunications administrations to restrict their nations Amateur Service   
   allocations during the Olympic and Paralympic games.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Norm Seeley, KI7UP, far from the U-K in   
   Scottsdale, Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   More on this is on-line at www.uk.amsat.org/6574 and RSGB.org/olympics.   
   (GB2RS, AMSAT-UK, ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the W7KYC repeater serving   
   Portland Oregon.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO RULES: US PART 97 HAM RADIO NOT AFFECTED BY FCC PART 90 NARROWBANDING   
      
   A lot of mis-information is going around in amateur radio FM and repeater   
   circles regarding an upcoming FCC mandate on narrow-banding communications   
   in the 150 to 512 MHz spectrum is finally being debunked. Ham radio is not   
   affected by this change as we hear from Amateur radio Newsline's Cheryl   
   Lasek, K9BIK:   
      
   --   
      
   Much of the mis-information regarding narrowband on amateur radio FM appears   
   to be coming from hams who have purchased various low cost Part 90 radios   
   built in China. These radios are capable of narrowband operation on the 2   
   meter and 70 centimeter ham bands in addition to Part 90 frequencies.   
      
   The manuals that come with these radios are written with Part 90 users in   
   mind and much of the material has no meaning to Part 97 Amateur Service   
   operations. However, some hams do not realize this and that's likely the   
   way the erroneous rumors that ham radio FM and repeater operations at 70   
   centimeters and above would have to narrowband got started.   
      
   To make it clear, ham radio is not affected in any way by this FCC edict and   
   your ham gear is not going to become obsolete.   
      
   The switch to 12.5 KHz from the current 25 KHz channel spacing only affects   
   operations in the FCC Part 90 regulated services. There is no narrow band   
   mandate by the FCC for Part 97 ham radio operations. Hams are free to   
   voluntarily switch to narrowband operations if they so desire, but the   
   Amateur Part 97 Service as a whole is not obligated to make any change.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in Zion, Illinois.   
      
   --   
      
   Once again, ham radio is in no way affected by the switch of Part 90 to   
   narrowband operation. What ham radio decides is strictly up to those within   
   the hobby to determine. (Repeater Remailer, ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FCC SAYS IT WONT RECONSIDER NYC $10000 FINE   
      
   The FCC has told Alexander Kissi, that he must pay a $10,000 fine for   
   operating of an unlicensed radio broadcast station on the frequency 96.5 MHz   
   in Bronx, New York. In its April 20th Memorandum Opinion and Order, the FCC   
   noted that back on February 28 and March 1, 2008, agents in the Enforcement   
   Bureau's New located the unlicensed transmitter at a two-story building on   
   White Plains Road in the Bronx. After completing the field strength   
   measurements the agents returned to conduct a station inspection. The agents   
   spoke to a man who worked there and a woman who was doing a live radio   
   broadcast from a small broadcast studio. In response to agents' questions   
   both the man and the woman stated that Alexander Kissi was in charge of the   
   station, but that he was not there at the time. The agents reached Kissi by   
   phone on March 6, 2008, at which time he took full responsibility for   
   operation of the station.   
      
   On June 18, 2008, the New York Office issued Mr. Kissi a Notice of Apparent   
   Liability for Forfeiture by operating an unlicensed radio transmitter and   
   proposing a forfeiture in the amount of $10,000. Mr. Kissi did not file a   
   response to the NAL. So on September 11,2008, the Enforcement Bureau's   
   Northeast Region issued a Forfeiture Order affirming the findings and   
   assessing a $10,000 forfeiture.   
      
   That's when Kissi filed an appeal in which he claimed that he was out of town   
   at the time the unlicensed transmissions took place. He also asserted that   
   a construction worker had stolen his radio transmission equipment for the   
   purpose of selling. Also that when the construction worker was doing   
   equipment tests, he mistakenly left the equipment running for several days.   
      
   But in denying the appeal the FCC says that Kissi does not meet any of the   
   three criteria that would allow the Bureau to consider his Petition. This   
   is because Kissi accepted responsibility for the unauthorized operation just   
   five days after the violation. Therefore his new assertions regarding the   
   theft of his radio transmission equipment directly contradicts his March 6,   
   2008, admission to an FCC agent that he was fully responsible for the   
   operation of the station on February 28, 2008, and March 1, 2008.   
      
   Given that it finds this newly-presented information unsubstantiated and   
   unreliable, the FCC says that it does not believe that further consideration   
   of the Petition would serve the public interest. For these reasons, the FCC   
   says it finds no basis for reconsideration and therefore affirms the finding   
   in the Forfeiture Order. Its given Kissi the customary 30 days to pay the   
   $10,000 fine or take the matter to further appeal. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   PUBLIC SERVICE: MORE HAMS NEEDED FOR PROJECT BREAD WALK COMMUNICATIONS IN   
   BOSTON   
      
   Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF, tells Newsline that there is still need for more   
   volunteer ham radio operators for this years Boston, Massachusetts area   
   Project Bread Walk for Hunger. The walk takes place Sunday, May 6th and is   
   the 44th ouuting of the event.   
      
   Horowitz says that they need people to provide communications support for the   
   Project Bread Staff and volunteers along the 20 mile route. If you will be   
   in the Boston area on May 6th and are interested in helping out this year,   
   go to www.mmra.org/wfh to log in and fill out the signup form. (KA1NCF)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMVENTION 2012: UNPAID RESERVED GREEN FLEA SPACES NOW AVAILABLE FOR RENT   
      
   Any reserved Dayton Hamvention Flea Market Green booth space that has not   
   been paid for or payment armaments made have been released and are available   
   for rental.   
      
   According to the Hamvention's Assistant Flea Market Chairman Stan Leeds,   
   KC7EHJ, to find out what is available simply just take your web browser to   
   tinyurl.com/flea-spaces-green. Then scroll to the bottom of the left side   
   of the screen and click the "View Floor Plan" link. This will give a map of   
   rented, reserved and available spaces. From this link you can also use the   
   web portal for ordering a space if you so desire. (Hamvention=A9 Remailer)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM VIDEO: DIGITAL MOBILE RADIO ON HAM RADIO NOW   
      
   The future of digital audio in VHF and UHF amateur radio is the subject of a   
   video conversation between video producer Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, and expert   
   Jeff Parker, WA1WXL, who works for Motorola Solutions. The video presents a   
   discussion of alternative digital audio systems available today and what may   
   be coming to the ham radio market in the very near future. You can see it   
   on line as Episode 7 of Pearce's Ham Radio New series. The URL is   
   hamradionow.tv. (Various)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO PROMOTION: FREE POSTERS FROM THE RSGB   
      
   The Radio Society of Great Britain has made available a collection of high   
   quality amateur radio promotional posters that can be used when   
   demonstrating the hobby to the general public. These posters are in Adobe   
   .PDF format are being provided free of charge to the amateur radio   
   community for the purpose of promoting the hobby.   
      
   It should be noted that the posters do contain the RSGB logo and contact   
   information making then basically more useful to UK hams than others. You   
   can see them and download them at www.rsgb.org/posters. (RSGB)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: VE3RXA NAMED DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR RAC N/E. ONTARIO REGION   
      
   Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA of Ottawa is the new Deputy Director for Radio   
   Amateurs of Canada, North East Ontario Region. By way of background, VE3XRA   
   was employed by the Canadian Federal Government in various departments as   
   diverse as Environmental issues to Foreign Affairs.   
      
   Bill Unger, VE3XT, is the North East Ontario Regional Director for the   
   Canadian national society. He says that MacDonell will bring some iportent   
   administration, innovation and management skills to Radio Amateurs of   
   Canads. As such Unger says that he is looking forward to working with him   
   as part of the North-East Ontario team. (RAC)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   CHANGING OF THE GUARD: AUTHOR ROBERT L. SHRADER, W6BNB - S.K.   
      
   The changing of the guard in amateur radio continues. This with the sad news   
   that writer and author Robert L. Shrader, W6BNB, became a Silent Key on   
   Wednesday, April 11th.   
      
   The author of numerous books and articles dealing with almost every area of   
   communications, possibly his best known work was the textbook Electronic   
   Communications, which was first published in 1959 and is currently in its   
   6th edition from McGraw Hill.   
      
   Robert Shrader, W5BNB, is survived by his wife Dorothy, W6ECU, a son Doug,   
   KJ6TEJ, and daughter Patricia. At the time of his passing Robert Shrader   
   was age 98. (PressDemocrat, others)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT - JAPAN: ULTRA THIN FLEXIBLE BATTERIES EXPECTED IN 2013   
      
   In news from around the world, an ultra-thin flexible battery is on its way   
   from Japan electronic giant NEC. According to reports, the company has   
   worked for over a decade to design an organic battery is just one   
   one-hundredth of an inch thick, can refresh a teeny screen 2,000 times and   
   can be recharged in less than a minute.   
      
   In 2013, the battery is expected to be included in such items as enhanced   
   credit and debit cards that display balances, electronic hotel keys, subway   
   and train passes, and in much slimmer and lighter smart phones. The organic   
   battery is also expected to pave the way for slender flat-screen displays   
   and e-readers with a texture that feels like paper. (Kiplinger, CGC)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT - CANADA: ONTARIO EXPECTED TO EXTEND HAM RADIO HAND HELD DEVICE   
   LAW ANOTHER FIVE YEARS   
      
   Some good news for hams living in the Canadian Province of Ontario. You   
   likely will be able to continue to operate mobile using a hand mic or other   
   hand held device for at least another 60 months.   
      
   On April 16th the Ontario Ministry of Transportation posted a regulatory   
   notice proposing a change to Ontario motor vehicle regulations that deal   
   with the use of display screens and hand-held devices in motor vehicles. If   
   approved it would extend the present exemption for licensed amateur radio   
   operators for an additional five years.   
      
   As previously reported, Radio Amateurs of Canada has been lobbying for a   
   permanent exemption for ham radio since this regulation was first enacted   
   back in 2009. The current exemption was due to expire at the end of this   
   calendar year. (VE3XT, RAC)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: W4F COMMEMORATES 2010 NASHVILLE FLOODS   
      
   Back in the USA, Tennessee's Sumner County ARES team will be hosting a   
   special event station W4F on Saturday, May 12th. This to commemorate the   
   2nd Anniversary of the 2010 Nashville Flood and give recognition to the   
   amateur radio community that responded to that disaster.   
      
   W4F will be on the air from 10 am to 7 pm Central Standard Time. If you make   
   contact, QSL via WR1Q at his call book address. More is on-line at   
   specialevent.sumnerares.org (N4WRD)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, word that DL6UAA will once again be back on Mauritius as 3B8MM, but   
   the length of his stay is unknown at this time. His on the air activity is   
   usually on 160 through 10 meters using mostly CW. Some SSB and Digital will   
   also be possible. QSL via DL6UAA, either via the Bureau or direct.   
      
   IRO, is expected to be in Uganda on a work assignment starting early May. He   
   is hoping to get a license during the first week of his arrival. Once   
   secured, listen out for him on CW on the upper HF bands, especially on 10   
   MHz. QSL routes include F8DFP, the French Cureau or direct with a self   
   addressed envelope and include one I-R-C.   
      
   J28AA will once again be active as 6O3A from Somalia between May 25th and the   
   31st. His operation will be on SSB, RTTY and 50 MHz. QSL via K2PF.   
      
   F5VHJ will operate the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest from Senegak as 6W1RY   
   this October. He plans to be on as a Single-Operator All-Band High-Power   
   entry. QSL via F5VHJ, direct, by the Bureau or Logbook of the World.   
      
   Members of the Oceania DX Group be operational as YJ0VK from Efate Island,   
   Vanuatu through May 5th. Activity will be on all HF bands 160-10 meters,   
   with an emphasis on 30/17/12 meter bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL   
   via VK2CA, direct or by the Bureau.   
      
   Lastly DJ2EH is currently active as 9H3XX from Malta. The length of his stay   
   is not known at this time but he has been heard on 30, 17, 12 and 6 meters   
   using CW. QSL via DJ2EH.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: NORTH FLORIDA SCOUTING COUNCIL TO INAUGURATE KB4SA   
      
   And finally this week, we say congratulations to a group of scouts who have   
   chartered a new scouting amateur radio station. Heres Mark Abramowicz,   
   NT3V, with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Hams in the Jacksonville area had been helping Scouts in the North Florida   
   Council earn their Radio merit badges over the years.   
      
   But they were looking to do more for the Scouts and for ham radio.   
      
   Scott Roberts, KK4ECR, says a group of those hams finally decided to make a   
   move.   
      
   "We approached one of the local Scout camps here in the area and talked to   
   them about it and they said, 'Yes, we're all for it, let's do it,' Roberts   
   says.   
      
   "And, basically, at that point, amateur radio club KB4SA was born."   
      
   The station is being set up at Camp Echockotee in Orange Park, Florida. It   
   also has backing from Clay County Amateur Radio Emergency Service operators.   
      
   Roberts says KB4SA will be staffed by Scouters and Scouts looking to share   
   the fun of the amateur radio hobby.   
      
   On Saturday, May 12, Roberts says the station will launch operations with a   
   special event station from the camp. And he's looking to make contacts with.   
      
   "Other Scout clubs, with other DX stations that are around that can be   
   available that day to talk to the Scouts and kind of make it a big hit for   
   some of these Scouts that have been on the radio before and then some of   
   those that have never been on the radio before," Roberts says.   
      
   You can find more about the KB4SA operation by going online to our website,   
   arnewsline.org for a link (http://kb4sa.org) to information about the   
   station and the frequencies.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.   
      
   --   
      
   Our congratulations to The North Florida Council on its upcoming inauguration   
   of amateur radio station KB4SA. If you hear the station on the air please   
   be sure to give the scouts operating it a call and say hello. (N. FL.   
   Council, 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 W-I-A 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 Fred Vobbe,   
   W8HDU, 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)