Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1812 - May 4 2012   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1812 with a release date of May 4th,   
   2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. Antenna restrictions get worse in Belgium; A new   
   whistling intruder is heard on 40 meters; U-K telecommunications regulator   
   Ofcom issues new rules to prevent radio interference to the 2012 Olympics   
   and Nebraska hams are lauded for their severe weather watch operations.   
   Find out the details are on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1812   
   coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS IN BELGIUM GET TIGHTER   
      
   If you think it's hard to put up an antenna in some locations here in the USA   
   its nothing in comparison to what's happening in Belgium. That's where   
   antenna restrictions have gotten even tighter than before and its happening   
   with the government blessings. In fact, the rules are so stringent that it   
   could force some hams off the air. Amateur Radio Newsline's Skeeter Nash,   
   N5ASH, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   The Belgian national amateur radio society's website has posted an update on   
   the restrictive antenna requirements recently imposed by the Flemish   
   Government. The registration seems to apply to antennas that operate   
   between 10 MHz through 10 Gigahertz, the amount of time a ham is actually   
   transmitting and the power output of his or her station.   
      
   Going by the latest information, it would appear that Flemish amateurs who   
   transmit less than 175 hours a year at 20 watts Effective Radiated Power or   
   less, are required to submit forms to the government for each antenna they   
   have. Multi-band antennas require multiple submissions of forms.   
      
   For instance, a tri-band Yagi antenna for 20, 15 and 10 meters requires three   
   separate submissions. And if any changes to an antenna is made, all of the   
   paperwork must be resubmitted.   
      
   But wait. It gets worse. If transmission are made from an antenna for more   
   than 175 hours a year or with an Effective Radiated Power greater than 20   
   watts then it appears the bureaucracy involved is even more complex. You   
   can find out just how bad it is at tinyurl.com/NoticeForTxAntennas.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, reporting from   
   Jonesboro, Arkansas,   
      
   --   
      
   According to what we are hearing, the Belgian national amateur radio   
   society's known as the UBA has been attempting to get these strict antenna   
   rules modified, but to date with little to no success. (Southgate, UBA   
   Website)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: FCC ACCUSES REPEATER THAT'S BEEN OFF THE AIR OVER A DECADE OF   
   INTERFERENCE TO NEW RADAR SYSTEM   
      
   How can a repeater that's been off the air more than a decade and a half be   
   creating interference to an aircraft radar tracking system that may not even   
   be on the air yet? That's what a lot of hams want to know after educator   
   Gordon West, WB6NOA, showed and partially read a warning letter on the   
   Tuesday, May 1st edition of the netcast Ham Nation. A letter that he   
   received from the FCC and one that appears to accuse him of operating a   
   repeater on the 23 centimeter band that's causing interference to a radar   
   system that the FCC won't even talk about. Here's what West had to say as   
   he presented his warning letter to the thousands worldwide that were   
   watching Ham Nation:   
      
   --   
      
   WB6NOA on Ham Nation: "...I always enjoy it when it say Certified Mail.   
   Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau. And here it's a   
   Warning Notice from the Commission that went to a slew of Southern   
   California Repeater operators who own 1.2 GHz repeaters and I haven't had my   
   1200 MHz repeater on the air for fifteen years, yet they say that I operate   
   on the air on 1.2 GHz and I'm interfering with the FAA radar.   
   --   
      
   We asked West why he thinks he received this letter regarding a repeater   
   that's been off the air for years:   
      
   --   
      
   WB6NOA To Newsline: "The Warning Notice Federal Communications Commission   
   Enforcement Bureau, Western Region, L.A. District Office, out of Cerritos   
   (California) begins: `Warning Notice. You are receiving this warning notice   
   because you operate an Amateur Radio Service repeater in the 23 centimeter   
   band in the Los Angeles California county area. This office has received   
   information that amateur radio repeaters have been causing harmful   
   interference to Federal Aviation Administration operations in the 23   
   centimeter band at San Pedro, California.'   
      
   "The remaining paragraphs go on to scare the living daylights out of you that   
   any further operation could create some real problems for both the FAA as   
   well as the offending operator.   
      
   "Interesting though is that this letter went to many of us who at one time   
   may have had a repeater, but the coordination is closed and the repeater has   
   been off the air for me up to fifteen years yet we are still getting this   
   notice an a pretty strong letter to come right out of nowhere indicating   
   that we have been potentially interfering with the radar."   
      
   --   
      
   So what is it that the FCC says hams are interfering with? In reality,   
   nobody but the government really knows for sure.   
      
   According to one report attributed to the ARRL, the Federal Aviation   
   Administration is deploying a new generation of Common Air Route   
   Surveillance Radar that operates in the 1240 to 1300 MHz of the 23   
   centimeter band. The Amateur Service allocation in this band is on a   
   secondary basis, with aeronautical radionavigation and several other   
   services primary in the United States Table of Frequency Allocations.   
      
   The FCC rules require that amateur stations operating in the 23 cm band may   
   not cause harmful interference to stations in the Radionavigation-Satellite   
   Service, the Aeronautical Radionavigation Service, the Earth Exploration   
   Satellite Service or the space research service. Nobody is arguing with   
   that. What is questionable are letters being sent to hams telling them that   
   they are the source of interference to this new radar system even if they or   
   their repeaters have not been on 23 centimeters in years.   
      
   If you are a repeater owner or 23 centimeter operator anywhere in the United   
   States and have received a letter similar to that described by Gordon West,   
   then we ask you to send us a copy along with any reply that you sent to the   
   FCC. Our mailing address and e-mail will be presented at the end of this   
   week's newscast. We promise to bring you a follow-up in a future Amateur   
   Radio Newsline report.   
      
   Note: You can see and hear WB6NOA describe the FCC Warning Notice he   
   received on Ham Nation episode #46 which can be viewed or downloaded at   
   twit.tv/hn (ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   INTRUDER WATCH: WHISTLING SIGNAL FOUND ON 40 METER BAND   
      
   Alex Cete, OZ9AEC, in Ribe, Denmark, says that has found a strange whistling   
   signal in the 40 meter band. It sounds like this:   
      
   --   
      
   Audio of whistling signal.   
      
   --   
      
   The strange whistle-like signal was received on 7.013 MHz using GQRX software   
   defined radio receiver and a Funcube Dongle equipped with a shortwave   
   converter. The signal appears to be amplitude modulated with suppressed   
   lower side band.   
      
   Amateurs who have heard it are uncertain of its origin, but some suspect it   
   might be from an ionosonde. Others speculate that it could be a new form of   
   digital numbers station. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   2012 OLYMPICS: UK REGULATOR OFCOM ISSUES PROPOSED ANTI-INTERFERENCE RULES   
   FOR 2012 OLYMPIC GAME VENUES   
      
   UK Telecommunications regulator Ofcom have issued a notice dealing with   
   proposed regulations that will enable prompt enforcement action for   
   interference cases that affect the 2012 Olympics. One that affects every   
   citizen that operates two way radio gear or even unintentional radiators.   
      
   The Proposed Regulations set out a requirement that applies to apparatus in   
   relation to a Games' "event zone." Where the use of a given apparatus does   
   not meet requirements of causing zero interference to communications within   
   an Olympic venue Ofcom may serve on the person in possession of the   
   apparatus a notice prohibiting its use. Breach of such a notice would be   
   considered to be a criminal offence. The draft regulations designate 25 to   
   35 km radius around all major venues across the UK, including football   
   stadiums, where enhanced enforcement could apply.   
      
   The announcement follows last week's Ofcom announcement of restrictions to   
   the 70cm, 2.3 and 3.4GHz amateur bands. The new proposal would apply to   
   anyone, ham or non-ham, within the range of the Olympic venues. (RSGB,   
   others)   
      
   **   
      
   2012 OLYMPICS: RSGB SAYS GAMES A GOOD WAY TO PUBLICIZE HAM RADIO   
      
   Meantime, the Radio Society of Great Britain calls the upcoming Olympics a   
   great chance for ham radio to show its colors. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has that   
   part of the story from Nottingham in the U-K:   
      
   --   
      
   The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games provide an outstanding   
   opportunity to publicize amateur radio. To that end, the RSGB negotiated a   
   very limited number of special prefixes starting with 2 Oscar One Two   
   followed by a single letter suffix.   
      
   The idea is for these calls are given an extensive airing over the Olympic   
   period this summer. Special stations are already planned for London, 2O12L,   
   and Wales, 2O12W, and there will be a special callsign for the National   
   Radio Centre.   
      
   Groups in Scotland and Northern Ireland are encouraged to take advantage of   
   the special callsign secured for their region.   
      
   I'm Jeramy Boot, G4NJH.   
      
   --   
      
   If you are a ham radio group in Scotland or Northern Ireland and are hearing   
   this newscast, you can apply for use of one of the special Olympic call   
   signs by contacting Bob Whelen by e-mail to G3PJT (at) btinternet (dot) com.   
   (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the W5TXR repeater serving   
   Schertz Texas.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO POLITICS: SEN. GRASSLEY LIFTS HOLD ON FCC COMMISSION LICENSEES   
      
   The FCC may soon get two new commissioners and be back up to its full   
   complement of five members. This following an announcement by Senator Chuck   
   Grassley of Iowa, that he is lifting his hold on the two nominees, Jessica   
   Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai.   
      
   Grassley has been seeking documentation from the commission on an issue   
   unrelated to the nominees. He specifically wanted to know about about   
   interference concerns to the Global Positioning System from the proposed   
   LightSquared wireless broadband project.   
      
   While the documents he's obtained so far raise more questions for him,   
   Grassley said in a statement he intends to lift the hold on the two FCC   
   nominees, but also continue his investigation into both the FCC and   
   Lightsquared.   
      
   If confirmed, Rosenworcel would take the seat of former Commissioner Michael   
   Copps who resigned in December, while Ajit would replace former Commissioner   
   Meredith Baker. Baker left the agency in May 2011 to join Comcast. (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: NEBRASKA HAMS LAUDED FOR SKYWARN SEVERE WEATHER WATCH   
      
   When normal communications systems in Nebraska were taken off line by a   
   recent spate severe storms and tornadoes, local officials had no way of   
   calling of getting damage assessment. That's where ham radio operators came   
   to the rescue as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP.   
      
   --   
      
   Tom Reis is a Skywarn coordinator for the National Weather Service. He says   
   that radio amateurs in Nebraska are a valuable asset who can get out   
   messages that help save lives.   
      
   In a interview with the Atlantic, Reis said that the National Weather Service   
   recognizes the importance of accurate ground information. He says that there   
   are a variety of methods to get that information to them and that one of   
   those is via amateur radio.   
      
   According to the NWS, ham radio operators can confirm sightings of severe   
   weather as it approaches and offer damage assessment after the storm passes.   
   This while at the same time providing communications support to local   
   officials.   
      
   Reis says that this shows how amateur radio operators provide a service for   
   their community in a variety of different ways. He also notes that it   
   doesn't take much to become an amateur radio operator and people of all ages   
   enjoy the hobby.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, where we have mostly   
   dust storms in Scottsdale, Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   It should be noted that there is a big difference between trained radio   
   amateurs in the SKYWARN program and the so-called storm chasers that we have   
   been hearing so much about in newscasts and reality TV shows these days.   
   Unlike storm chasers who make a living photographing severe weather   
   incidents or are members of the general public who are simply out for a   
   thrill, SKYWARN associated hams are educated weather observers. Their job   
   is not to go racing after tornadoes as do storm chasers. Rather they are   
   unpaid volunteer radio amateurs who keep their eyes and ears open for severe   
   weather outbreaks. They then report what they see and hear via ham radio to   
   the National Weather Service. The NWS takes this information and includes   
   it into forecasts that invariably save lives. (Atlantic, ARNewsline)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: DOCUMENTARY TELLS STORY OF BROADCASTERS ROLE IN MISSOURI   
   TORNADOES   
      
   A University of Alabama instructor has produced an award-winning,   
   eight-minute documentary on the role of local television broadcasters in   
   saving lives during the massive tornadoes that hit Tuscaloosa and Joplin,   
   Missouri last year.   
      
   Chandra Clark, an instructor in the department of telecommunications and   
   film, worked with director Scott Hodgson of the University of Oklahoma to   
   make "Tornado Emergency: Saving Lives."   
      
   Clark said the inspiration for the documentary came as a response the Federal   
   Communications Commission's proposal to sell off a large portion of the   
   broadcast spectrum. Clark said the sales could limit some of the resources   
   broadcasters have to reach the public.   
      
   The mini-documentary has already garnered a prestigious Telly Award. The   
   film was also awarded a Best of Competition Award by the Broadcast Education   
   Association's Festival of Media Arts. (TVB)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: UK RAYNET AND APCO-UK SIGN MOU   
      
   The United Kingdom's RAYNET group and British APCO have signed a Memorandum   
   of Understanding. One that recognizes the common objectives of both   
   organizations in the promotion and influencing of public safety, civil   
   contingency, information management and communications   
      
   In the Memorandum of Understanding RAYNET and APCO set out a Schedule of   
   Agreements which sets out some of the ways in which both organizations will   
   work together. This includes networking opportunities and invitations to   
   attend management meetings; website content sharing; joint working and   
   sharing of publications; and engaging RAYNET in regional and national   
   events.   
      
   RAYNET which is an acronym for the U-K based Radio Amateurs' Emergency   
   Network is a national voluntary communications service provided for the   
   community by licensed radio amateurs. It was formed in 1953 following Great   
   Britain's East Coast floods, when radio amateurs provided much of the   
   emergency communications. (RAYNET)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: ANOTHER UNLICENSED FLORIDA BROADCASTER FINED $20000   
      
   Another unlicensed broadcaster in Florida has been dinged $20,000 by the FCC.   
   In a Forfeiture Order, the FCC has told Robens Cheriza to pay the fine for   
   operation of an unlicensed radio transmitter on the frequency 107.3 MHz in   
   the city of West Palm Beach.   
      
   Back on February 1st, the Enforcement Bureau's Miami Office issued a Notice   
   of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $20,000 to Cheriza.   
   Cheriza never filed a response to the proposed fine. So based on the   
   information before it the forfeiture was affirmed with Cheriza given the   
   customary 30 days to pay up or to file an appeal. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
      
   HAM RADIO ON THE NET: RFINDER FOR APPLE PORTABLE PRODUCTS RELEASED   
      
   W2CYK has announced the latest platform release of RFinder - The World Wide   
   Repeater Directory. The new version is designed for Apple iPhone, iPad and   
   iPod users and is available for immediate download from the Apple App Store.   
      
   Previous versions of RFinder run on Android based gear and can be found   
   on-line at web.rfinder.net. The World Wide Repeater Directory is also   
   accessible from RT Systems radio programmers and via CHIRP on Windows, Linux   
   and Macintosh with the same user/password you use on handheld devices.   
   (W2CYK)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: N8CGM'S CHOIR TAKES 3RD PLACE IN SWEET ADELINES CONTEST   
      
   Some names in the news. Members of Susan Scott, N8CGM's chorus known as the   
   Cincinnati Sound now wear 3d place overall medals. This from the recent   
   Region 4 Sweet Adelines contest held at the Northern Kentucky Convention   
   Center. The quartets competed on Fri April 19th and the choirs on Saturday   
   the 20th. (OH-KY-IN A.R.S)   
      
   **   
      
   MAMES IN THE NEWS: F6HBR FIRST FRENCH HAM TO BE ISSUED A THAI LICENSE   
      
   Meantime, Alain Burgnon, F6HBR, appears to be the first French radio amateur   
   to be granted a Thailand license.   
      
   Burgnon has been living in Thailand since 2006. After seven years of   
   negotiations between France and Thailand, a reciprocal agreement was signed   
   in December 2011. As a result, F6HBR was granted the call HS0ZKG on April   
   25th.   
      
   A second French ham is living in Thailand - Gerald Begards, F8DEG. He is   
   expected to be the second French ham that will be granted a Thai call.   
   (F5NQL)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMVENTION NEWS: TECH LICENSE CLASS AND TESTING AT HAMVENTION 2012   
      
   A Technician level Ham Radio Class will be held concurrent with the Dayton   
   Hamvention on Saturday, May 19th.   
      
   The session runs from 9AM until 4PM Eastern Daylight Time and will be held at   
   the Hara Arena Hamvention venue. Immediately following the conclusion of   
   the class a team of Volunteer Examiners will be on-hand to administer the   
   Technician class exam.   
      
   You do need to pre-register for the class and yes, there is homework. Info   
   on what's in the class and how to enroll can be found at   
   tinyurl.com/hamvention-license-class.   
      
   The class will be again sponsored by Mitch Stern, W1SJ. If you have any   
   questions please contact him at w1sj (at) art (dot) net. (W1SJ)   
      
   **   
      
   HAMVENTION NEWS: WEAK SIGNAL DINNER AT HAMVENTION 2012   
      
   And Weak Signal VHF, UHF and Microwave enthusiasts are invited to attend the   
   17th VHF Weak Signal Group banquet. This annual event will be held   
   concurrent with the Dayton Hamvention on Friday evening May 18th, at the   
   Dayton Grand Hotel in Dayton, Ohio. The evenings featured speaker will be   
   Dick Hanson, K5AND, and his presentation on the 2011 PJ6D Six Meter   
   DXpedition to Saba Island. Cost is for the banquet is $35 per person and   
   advance reservations are required. Prepaid reservation requests should be   
   sent to Tony Emanuele WA8RJF, 7156 Kory Court, Concord Township, Ohio 44077.   
   For more information you can e-mail Tony to WA8RJF (at) ARRL (dot) net.   
   (WA8RJF)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   ELECTRONIC THEFT: CALIFORNIA COPPER THIEVES EXPAND TO FIBER OPTICS   
      
   Copper thieves in California have expanded to stealing glass as well. In   
   this case we are talking about glass as in fiber optic cable. In one case   
   some AT&T customers in the city of Alpine experienced disruptions in phone   
   and Internet service after thieves stole copper and fiber optic wiring from   
   underground lines.   
      
   According to Sgt. Joseph Passalacqua, the thieves took about 75 feet of 600   
   strand fiber optic cable along with the copper wiring. To accomplish this   
   the robbers climbed into a manhole and cut into the underground pipes. An   
   AT&T spokesperson said that three conduits carrying fiber optic or copper   
   cables were damaged and that the vandalism affected some cellphone users as   
   well.   
      
   Sergant Passalacqua said that Internet service was down at both the sheriff's   
   Alpine and Pine Valley substations, but that public safety was not affected.   
      
      
   The theft of copper wiring and other metals like bronze and aluminum has   
   proliferated over the years. Thieves commonly steal the precious metals in   
   order to sell it to recyclers. However the theft of fiber optic lines is   
   something new and could signal a developing market for this kind of product.   
   (Published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: 5 MHZ PROPAGATION STUDY RELEASED IN UK   
      
   A paper entitled Comparison of Propagation Predictions and Measurements for   
   Mid-Latitude HF Near-Vertical Incidence Sky Wave Links at 5 MHz has just   
   been published in the peer-reviewed, academic journal, Radio Science.   
   Authored by Dr. Marcus Walden, G0IJZ, the paper compares near-vertical   
   incidence skywave or NVIS measurements from the U-K 5 MHz beacon network   
   with High Frequency propagation predictions using VOACAP and ASAPS software.   
   Further information, including a link to the paper, can be found at   
   tinyurl.com/7ahx8vt. (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT PUTS OUT FIRST CALL FOR SYMPOSIUM PAPERS   
      
   AMSAT has put out a first call for papers to be presented at the 2012 AMSAT   
   Annual Meeting and Space Symposium to be held in Orlando, Florida.   
      
   Proposals for papers, presentations and poster presentations are invited on   
   any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. Abstracts and   
   papers including a tentative title should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, by   
   e-mail n8fgv (at) amsat (dot) org.   
      
   The 2012 AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium takes place the weekend of   
   October 26th to the 28th at the Holiday Inn, Orlando Airport Hotel. (AMSAT,   
   N8FGV)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: DELFI C3 DO-64 CELEBRATES 4 YEARS IN SPACE   
      
   The Delfi-C3, DO-64 satellite has celebrated 4 years on-orbit. The 3-unit   
   CubeSat, developed by the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands   
   was launched on April 28, 2008. The nanosatellite has since performed   
   technology demonstration experiments for the space industry in the   
   Netherlands. It still transmits its telemetry and measurement data which   
   can be received using simple amateur radio equipment and using the RASCAL   
   software. An in-depth article on the tiny bird is on-line in Google   
   translated English at tinyurl.com/Delfi-C3-4th-Anniversary. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE NEW CUBESAT LAUNCHER DEVELOPED AT NAVAL POSTGRADUATE   
   SCHOOL   
      
   The Space Systems Academic Group at the US Naval Postgraduate School has   
   developed the NPSCubeSat Launcher or NPSCuL.   
      
   NPSCuL is described as an auxiliary payload platform. It is designed to   
   allow multiple CubeSats to be launched aboard rockets as secondary payloads.   
   This means that the launch rocket would be able to carry satellites in   
   onboard space that would otherwise be unused.   
      
   NPSCuL can accommodate up to 24 CubeSats in a single Secondary Payload   
   Adapter. On reaching the desired orbit spring-loaded doors will release the   
   satellites one-by-one.   
      
   A first flight is planned for August 2012 which will carry 11 CubeSats.   
   (ANS)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO SPORTS: ARRL CREATES NEW VHF - UHF CONTESTS   
      
   In radiosports news, the ARRL Programs and Services Committee have approved a   
   rule change for ARRL VHF+ contests effective beginning in 2013.   
      
   One of the most controversial changes is the creation of a Single-Op FM-only   
   category. Here, operators will be limited to 100 Watts maximum output in   
   the FM mode on the 50, 144, 222 and 440 MHz bands. Exact rules have not   
   been announced so it's not yet known if the contest will have restricted   
   frequencies or if it will be a free, anything goes competition.   
      
   Also created by the committee is a new Single-Operator category for stations   
   permitted up to 100 Watts PEP on 50 and 144 MHz, 50 Watts PEP on 432 MHz.   
   This for the more traditional contesting modes.   
      
   These changes will apply to the January, June, and September contests -   
   again, beginning with the 2013 January VHF Sweepstakes. It should be noted   
   that past attempts to create FM only contests have not succeeded. This is   
   believed primarily because both the use of repeaters and of national calling   
   channels where all the FM action is, have been declared off-limits. (VHF   
   Reflector, ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, ZS6JR and ZS6DJD should be operating from Mozambique for seven to ten   
   days starting on the 3th or 4th of May. Operations will take place next to   
   a small lake 400 km north of the capital using vertical antennas and a Hex   
   Beam on 40 through 10 meters. Callsigns have not been announced. QSL as   
   directed on the air.   
      
   An international team of operators will be active as 7-Oh-6-T from Socotra   
   Island through May 17th. They plan to have six stations on the air at any   
   given time. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and   
   RTTY. QSL via UA3DX.   
      
   A group of operators from Japan will be operational from the Maldives between   
   May 11th and the 16th. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meters using CW,   
   SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via their home callsigns, either direct or via the   
   bureau.   
      
   E51WL in the North Cook Islands has been heard on 6 meters. Keep an ear open   
   for him just before 2300 UTC on or around 50.120 MHz. QSL as directed on   
   the air   
      
   Members of the Crimean Contest Radio Club will be active from the Ukrane as   
   EM67J through May 15th. Their operation is to commemorate the 67th   
   anniversary of the "Victory in the Great Patriotic War." QSL's via K2PF.   
   And less we forget, electronic logbooks will be upload to Logbook To The   
   World in late May or early June.   
      
   Lastly, DL4HG and DL5XAT will be on the air as 9H3OG and 9H3TX, respectively,   
   from Malta's Gozo Island between November 21st and the 26th. Their operation   
   will include the CQ WW DX CW Contest on November 24th and 25th using the   
   callsign 9H3TX. QSL 9H3OG via DL4HG and 9H3TX via DL5XAT.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: FAA MAY LOOK AGAIN AT BANNED RF DEVICES ON PLANES   
      
   And finally this week, using your laptop, iPad or Kindle during a commercial   
   U-S flight might become a reality in the not to distant future. This with   
   word that the Federal Aviation Administration may be willing to take a   
   second look at it's policy on electronics usage aboard airplanes. Amateur   
   Radio Newsline's Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   While some airlines permit very limited use of wireless devices one an   
   aircraft is at altitude, actual availability is quite limited. But   
   according to a recent report credited to columnist Nick Bilton and the New   
   York times, the FAA has decided to take a updated look at the use of   
   personal electronics on planes.   
      
   The report continues by quoting FAA spokesperson Laura Brown. She told the   
   press that with the advent of new and evolving electronic technology, and   
   because the airlines have not conducted the testing necessary to approve the   
   use of new devices, the FAA may be taking a fresh look at the use of   
   personal electronic devices, other than cell phones, on aircraft.   
      
   Currently, airline passengers must turn off any electronic device that can   
   transmit or receive a radio signal that cannot be disabled. While, the FAA   
   indicates that it is open to testing new devices, it will more than likely   
   be a long road before any substantive changes take place. This is because   
   every airline giving thought to allow such operations would first have to   
   test one of each version of a device on each of model of every aircraft in   
   its fleet.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU.   
      
   --   
      
   Whatever happens, the FAA has already been quoted as saying that it will not   
   budge on its policy of not permitting use of mobile phones during a flight.   
   And don't even consider trying to use a ham radio H-T on a commercial   
   airliner. Even if that one were lifted by the FAA the domestic U-S airlines   
   would likely keep a ban in place on the use of ham gear and other two way   
   radios on board their flights. (Tech Trends)   
      
   **   
      
   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 Jeff Clark,   
   K8JAC, 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)