Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1733 - October 29 2010   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1733 with a release date of Friday,   
   October 29 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio assists in the wake of severe weather in   
   both Thailand and the United States, a last minute delay in the Sable Island   
   DX'pedition due to aircraft safety concerns, Radio Uganda refuses to leave the   
   ham radio only portio   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  AMATEUR RADIO ASSISTS IN THAILAND FLOOD RELIEF   
      
   Ham radio has come to the aid of flood stricken Thailand.  Norm Seeley, KI7UP,   
   has more:   
      
   --   
      
   Thailand's amateur radio society R-A-S-T reports that amateur radio operators   
   in two flood-stricken areas of Thailand have been putting their communications   
   capabilities to good use, with members helping authorities setting up a   
   communications center usin   
      
   It, has been working closely with government agencies. Relaying details about   
   the emergency situation and explaining the problems being faced to officials   
   and relief workers so that action to assist them can be taken.   
      
   The president of one of the flood-stricken Amateur Radio Association, HS4XU,   
   relates that radio amateurs have pitched in with soldiers, rescue volunteers   
   and workers from various foundations, by helping flood-stricken people with   
   food and to ferry expecta   
      
   The club station HS3AN has also been coordinating relief work with the help of   
   other amateur radio communications centers based in three other cities.  The   
   operators at these locations have also been providing information to people   
   traveling to and from f   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, following this story   
   from Scottsdale, Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   There are over 100,000 ham radio operators in Thailand.  Many are involved   
   with providing emergency communications.  Updates on this story are on-line at   
   www.qsl.net/rast   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO:  SKYWARN HAMS ASSIST THE NEWS IN SEVERE WEATHER ALERT   
      
   Amateur radio operators across the mid-western United States went on alert on   
   Tuesday, October 26th to report on severe weather and damage conditions.  This   
   as a severe early autumn storm pounded the area.   
      
   According to an ARRL press release, most of those providing service were part   
   of the National Weather Service's Skywarn program.  This is a group of highly   
   trained radio amateurs nationwide who provided eye witness reports of ground   
   conditions and verific   
      
   From Michigan to Kentucky, hundreds of Amateur Radio volunteers quickly turned   
   their hobby into radio networks allowing emergency responders to have accurate   
   information of conditions.   
      
   Mike Corey is the Emergency Preparedness Manager for the ARRL.  According to   
   Corey, there was great need for the hams with Skywarn, especially around   
   Indiana.  Their giving the National Weather Service real-time, ground level   
   confirmations was definitely    
      
   As severe weather continues in some areas, hams in those venues remain on   
   alert.  On Wednesday, October 27th, Alabama weathercaster James Spann, WO4W,   
   reported via Twitter and Facebook that a new tornado watch had been issued for   
   many counties south and e   
      
   **   
      
   BREAKING NEWS:  SABLE ISLAND DXPEDITION DELAYED DUE TO AIRCRAFT SAFETY ISSUE   
      
   Some breaking news on the D-X front.  This with word that the long awaited   
   Sable Island DXpedition has been postponed due to transportation problems.   
      
   According to Randy Rowe, N0TG, just prior to the teams planned departure to   
   Sable Island, a major safety issue was discovered with the charter aircraft   
   that requires repair before it can fly.  Rowe says that as of this writing the   
   needed parts have not ye   
      
   Rowe says that as a result, the operators will be returning to the United   
   States to regroup and reschedule a return to Sable for another try.  He adds   
   that hopefully, a new date can be announced in the near future.   
      
   In the meantime, breaking news will be posted at the operations website at www   
   dot CY0dxpedition dot com.  We will have more DX news later on in this week's   
   Amateur Radio Newsline report.  (CY0 DXpedition)   
      
   **   
      
   INTRUDER WATCH:  RADIO UGANDA ON 7.195 MHZ   
      
   A shortwave station on the African continent is playing hardball and is   
   refusing to leave the amateur only portion of 40 meters.  This, even after   
   notification from the government, Radio Uganda continues to operate on the   
   amateur radio frequency of 7.195    
      
   Following notification by 5X1JM, the Uganda Communications Commission informed   
   Radio Uganda the broadcaster is not permitted to use the frequency within the   
   amateur radio exclusive spectrum.  So far, the station has continued to use   
   the frequency and its    
      
   Observers say that at least the point has been made and action initiated by   
   Ugandan government telecommunications authorities against the now unauthorized   
   use of the frequency.   
      
   One other note.  Uganda radio amateurs have been authorized by Uganda   
   Communications Commission to use the band 7.1 to 7.2 MHz.  (5Z4NU)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO RECORDS:  G3XBM ACHIEVES 1733 KM ON 500 KHZ USING LOW POWER WSPR   
      
   A new 500 KHz distance record may have been set on Thursday, October 21st.    
   This when Roger Lapthorn, G3XBM, in Cambridge, England was heard some 1733 km   
   away in Finland by Paul Henrik, OH1LSQ.   
      
   According to Lapthorn, he was operating on 500 Khz using the digital mode   
   W-S-P-R commonly called wisper in the ham radio world.  Lapthorn says that   
   quite unexpectedly, he began receiving a string of reports from OH1LSQ in grid   
   square KP03sd at an astound   
      
   Lapthorn said that to him these were amazing reports pushing his best DX on   
   the band to new levels. This is because he runs only a few milliwatts   
   effective radiated power on that band.  He also notes that his transmit   
   antenna is a very simple vertical loo   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS:  SCIENCE WEEK IN IRELAND   
      
   Meantime, November 7th to the 14th marks Science Week in Ireland and that   
   nation's amateur radio clubs are being urged to take part.  According to the   
   I-R-T-S weekly news, clubs are encouraged to take advantage of Science Week to   
   promote the hobby by putt   
      
   **   
      
   AWARDS CORNER: WIA CENTENARY AWARD UPDATE   
      
   Turning to radio honors, so far 269 claims for the limited time Wireless   
   Institute of Australia's Centenary Award operating award have been received   
   and verified with certificates now issued.   
      
   The 200th award went to Monica Crockett, VK3FMON, of Axedale.  According to   
   the award sponsor, it is good to see the enthusiasm of entry level Foundation   
   Licensees with some 30 having already qualified for and claimed the award.   
      
   The VK2AWA Contest Group is the very latest radio club on the award list.    
   Some 15 DX stations from Finland, India, Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, Russia   
   and the USA are also recipients of the award.   
      
   For details about the WIA Centenary Award visit WIA website www dot wia dot   
   org dot au.   
   (WIA News)   
      
   **   
      
   CONTEST CORNER:  RULES CHANGES FOR CQWW   
      
   The CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest is this weekend of October 30thand 31st, and   
   with this, Contest Director Bob Cox, K3EST, is highlighting the expanded award   
   program for the assisted categories.  Specific changes include the following:   
      
   First, all Low Power and QRP assisted entrants will be specifically listed and   
   eligible for awards as is already the case for unassisted entries.  Second, a   
   band-by-band breakdown for all band assisted World, Europe and USA will be   
   provided within the 201   
      
   Cox notes that this applies to both the SSB and CW weekends.  He also reminds   
   contest participants that the log submission deadlines have been changed. SSB   
   logs must be submitted by November 21st and CW logs by December 21st.   We   
   say, good luck in the co   
      
   **   
      
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on   
   bulletin stations around the world including the WB2QLP repeater serving   
   Naples, Florida.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT:  FCC ISSUES $10000 NAL TO UNLICENSED NY BROADCASTER   
      
   The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $10,000 Notice of Apparent   
   Liability to monetary forfeiture to New York State resident Vicot Chery.  This   
   on charges that of allegedly operating an unlicensed radio transmitter on the   
   frequency 90.5 MHz i   
      
   In the notice issued on October 22nd. The FCC says that in response to a   
   complaint. its agents from the Enforcement Bureau's New York Office monitored   
   the frequency 90.5 MHz on October 26, 28, and 29, 2009.  On each of those   
   days, the agents observed a ra   
      
   October 29, 2009, the agents entered the premises where two businesses were   
   located.  The agents proceeded to the offices of P.C. Taxi and spoke to the   
   dispatcher regarding the unauthorized transmissions.  The dispatcher said she   
   would contact Vicot Chery   
      
   Chery told the agents that he was allowing a friend to use the space to   
   operate the station.  At the agents' request, Chery turned off the transmitter   
   and also agreed to remove the antenna.   
      
   On November 4, 2009, the New York Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed   
   Operation to Chery for the transmissions on 90.5 MHz.  The New York Office   
   received a reply from Chery's attorney asserting that Chery had no knowledge   
   of the events which the FCC had    
      
   But the FCC did not buy the response.  In issuing the $10,000 N-A-L, the   
   regulatory agency noted that taken together, the facts show that Chery had   
   control of the station and was involved in its general conduct or management.    
   Also, the fact that someone    
      
   The Commissin then stated that pursuant to the Forfeiture Policy Statement and   
   section 1.80 of the FCC Rules, it concluded that Vicot Chery is apparently   
   liable for a forfeiture in the amount of $10,000.  Cherry was given the   
   customary 30 days to pay or t   
      
   **   
      
   SAFETY IGNORED:  COPPER THIEF ELECTROCUTED IN LOS ANGELES SUBURB   
      
   A man allegedly trying to steal copper wire from a vacant building in Los   
   Angeles, California, neighborhood was electrocuted on Saturday, October 23rd.    
   This after he tried to cut through a power distribution site he apparently   
   thought was deactivated but   
      
   The incident took place at an electrical vault on a lot at 3064 Firestone   
   Blvd., at the corner of South Gate Avenue.  The lot was the former site of the   
   Liberty Cable Company but has been unoccupied for more than a year.   
      
   According to police reports, the unidentified man was electrocuted and died at   
   the scene.  His female partner tried to pull him away from the vault when it   
   caught fire and exploded, but the electrical current traveled through her body   
   and she received sev   
      
   The couple's two small children were found in a truck about fifteen feet from   
   the incident but were not injured. They were being held in protective custody   
   by Children's' Services until other family members can be found and notified.   
      
   According to Lt. Huff, the explosion that took place at 4:14 p.m. knocked out   
   power across the west side of South Gate.  Electrical service was largely   
   restored by the evening.   
      
   With the economic slide due to the recession continuing and California having   
   one of the nations highest unemployment rates, cooper wire theft for resale to   
   he scrap metal market remains a major criminal activity, state wide.    
   (Published news reports)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  EME STATION STOLEN IN NORWAY   
      
   Anders Thorrud, LA8LF, in Drammen, Norway reports over the VHF reflector that   
   most of his Earth-Moon-Earth station equipment and all instrumentation was   
   stolen in a recent burglary at his EME site.  Also taken was most of his   
   documentation including his E   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  KOLN RADIO MUSEUM REPORTS THEFT OF VINTAGE GEAR   
      
   Meantime reports that some prized vintage radio equipment was stolen in a   
   burglary at Germany's famed K=F6ln Radio Museum.  Among the pieces taken was a   
   Otek Darling horn-type speaker dating back to 1926 and a Telefunken Arcolette   
   receiver from 1927.   
      
   Details of the stolen equipment can be found in this Google English in a PDF   
   file at tinyurl.com/museumradiotheft.  The museum asks that anyone seeing this   
   equipment for sale on Ebay or elsewhere should contact them immediately.  You   
   can reach the K=F6ln    
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT:  NIGERIAN PRESIDENT APPROVES AUTOMATIC LICENSING FOR COMMUNITY RADIO   
      
   Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has empowered the National Broadcasting   
   Commission to approve licenses for the establishment of community radio   
   stations.  This, without recourse to the office of the presidency.   
      
   President Jonathan gave the directive while declaring open the eighth biennial   
   conference of Africa Broadcasters.  Represented by Vice President Namadi   
   Sambo, the President stated that already, the Federal Executive Council had   
   considered and approved the   
      
   In making the announcement, President Jonathan also urged journalists to   
   maintain professional integrity, by ensuring truth, balance and fairness in   
   their coverage of political activities.  (MN)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  K2UYH MAKES DXCC ON 70 CM   
      
   Some names in the news.  First up is Allen Katz, K2UYH, of West Windsor, New   
   Jersey.  This, on becoming only the 3rd operator worldwide to make DXCC on the   
   70 centmeter band.   
      
   According to Katz, this feat was made possible by QSOs on October 5th when   
   Katz worked DK2ZF portable C-E-Zero followed by TI2AEB on October 18th.  Both   
   of these QSO's were made using the JT65B digital low noise mode.  (VHF   
   Reflector)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS:  ARNEWSLINE ANCHOR KQ6FM NAMED PACIFIC DIVISION HAM OF THE   
   YEAR   
      
   And congratulations to Newsline's own Don Carlson, KQ6FM.  This on his being   
   named as recipient of the ARRL Pacific Division's 2010 "Ham Of The Year   
   Award."  And as Don told our producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, it all came as a   
   big surprise:   
      
   --   
      
   KQ6FM:  "Well, I was sitting at the back of the room at the end of the banquet   
   and Bob Vallio, our Pacific Division Director, W6RGG, called an old friend of   
   mine whom I used to work with in the Santa Clara Valley Section, Glen Thomas,   
   WB6W to the front of   
      
   "Well, it had been a very long day and I was batting eyes in the back of the   
   room, though I the to admit it.  All the sudden I start hearing my resume and   
   I go `eesh, here we go' and - you know - heart goes up in throat.   
      
   "The next thing I know I am standing up there getting the Amateur Radio   
   Operator of the Year Award for the Pacific Division.  Its an honor that just   
   blew me away.  I was very humbled but very elated and I thank the ARRL and the   
   Pacific Division for this a   
      
   --   
      
   KQ6FM received the surprise honor at the recent Pacificon 2010 ARRL Pacific   
   Divison Convention held in San Ramon, California.  The award recognizes his   
   many years contributing to the betterment of amateur radio both nationally and   
   in the Pacific Division.   
      
   **   
      
   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 followi   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION:  CHANGES COMING TO 5 MHZ BEACON CHAIN   
      
   Changes are coming to the 5 MHz beacon chain.  Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is here   
   with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   During the summer, the 5 MHz Working Group reviewed certain aspects of the   
   5MHz Experiment and agreed a number of changes and improvements. These will be   
   implemented over the next few months.   
      
   The largest change is that it has been decided to remove the 0.5ms pulse   
   sequence at the end of each beacon transmission.   
      
   It has also been decided to build a new beacon for GB3RAL. The new design will   
   incorporate a PSK31 transmission in the place of the pulse sequence. The   
   design of the other two 5MHz beacons does not allow this addition.   
      
   The pulse sequence was included in the beacon transmission sequence to allow   
   the propagation paths to be studied.   
      
   Peter Martinez, G3PLX wrote an article for the January 2006 issue of RadCom,   
   "  5MHz beacon sounder experiment".  The article included some interesting   
   scattergrams of the different paths taken by the signals from the beacons.   
      
   I'm Jereamy Boot, G4NJH   
      
   --   
      
   A date for these changes has not been set, but it is hoped to complete the   
   changes before the end of the year.  For further information about the 5MHz   
   beacons, you're your web browser to tinyurl.com/25ulj75  (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   PROPAGATION:  THE SIX AND TEN REPORTING CLUB   
      
   The Six and Ten Reporting Club is an informal group of radio amateurs, mostly   
   from the UK, interested in propagation studies at frequencies around the High   
   Frequency to VHF boundary.  Mainly, those who operate on the 6 and 10 meter   
   amateur radio bands.   
      
   The club produces a monthly newsletter called the Six and Ten Report that   
   includes analysis of 28 MHz propagation based on beacon monitoring.  Also   
   included is an ongoing analysis of 50 MHz activity reports broken down by   
   propagation mode as well as repor   
      
   The Six and Ten Report is edited and produced by Steve Reed, G0AEV and Martin   
   Harrison, G3USF and is an activity of the RSGB's Propagation Studies   
   Committee.  The Report is usually published online at g7kse dot co dot uk   
   stroke 6and10 about 5 to 6 weeks a   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  FO-29 OPERATING SCHEDULE AFFECTED BY ECLIPSE PERIODS   
      
   Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL, reports that the Japan Amateur Radio League has been   
   making necessary adjustments to the Fuji Oscar 29 satellites operating   
   schedule.  This as the satellite enters a period of eclipses.   
      
   These eclipses have reduced the power budget requiring frequent analysis of   
   available power aboard the satellite.  As such, FO-29 will be enabled only   
   when the power budget allows.   
      
   Meantime, the Japan Amateur Radio League requests that satellite operators   
   access FO-29 with as little power as necessary to maintain communication.  To   
   assist in this, JE9PEL has posted calculations of the FO-29 eclipses on line   
   at tinyurl.com/267jmq7  (   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, an international team of amateur radio operators are planning to   
   activate Kanton Island for 9 days starting April of 2011.  An additional day   
   may be added depending on the sailing time to the island. Transportation has   
   been arranged, all licenses a   
      
   Members of the Sony Kyushu's Amateur Radio Club will operate from the Island   
   of Danjo in the East China Sea using the club call JF6ZNT.  This, between   
   November 5th to the 7th.  Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and   
   RTTY.  This island is one o   
      
   And heres a true rare one to listen out for.  OM2DX says that he will be on   
   the air as 3W1M from Hanoi during the CQ WW DX SSB Contest on October 30th and   
   31sst.  He will operate as a Single-Operator Single-Band 15 meter only entry.   
   QSL via OM3JW, direct    
      
   UY5ZZ will be on the air stroke YV7 from Margarita Island between October 26th   
   and November 7th.  His activity will be on the HF bands, and include the CQ WW   
   DX SSB Contest and Ukrainian DX Contest.  QSL via his home callsign.   
      
   DL5MFL, DL4MAQ and DF9MV are planning to be active from Senegal from November   
   8th to the 18th.   The group will be guests of 6W7RV at the Le Calao resort   
   and will operate dedicated holiday style.  A 6V7 callsign is being requested   
   and will be made public    
      
   Lastly, G7BXU says that he will be spending the Christmas and New Year   
   holidays in Freetown,m Sierra Leone.  He will be there between December 19th   
   and January 7th and hopes to take his FT-897 and a G5RV antenna with him. More   
   details will be forthcoming    
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM:  DEVELOPING A LEAD FREE PIZEOELECTRIC   
      
   Researchers in Europe may have found a way to make a lead free piezoelectric   
   that could pave the way to lead free electronic components.  Bill Pasternak,   
   WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Research published October 4th by materials engineers from the University of   
   Leeds could help pave the way towards 100% lead-free electronics.  The work,   
   carried out at the United Kingdom's Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility,   
   reveals the potential    
      
   European regulations now bar the use of most lead containing materials in   
   electronic and electrical devices.  Ceramic crystals known as piezoelectrics   
   are currently exempt from these regulations but this may change in the future,   
   owing to growing concerns   
      
   Piezoelectric materials generate an electrical field when pressure is applied,   
   and vice-versa. The most common piezoelectric material is a ceramic crystal   
   called lead zirconium titanate, or PZT.  Using a high intensity X-ray beam at   
   the Diamond Light Sour   
      
   Tim Comyn, lead investigator on the project noted that with the extreme   
   conditions beamline at Diamond Light, his team was able to probe the interior   
   of the lead-free ceramic known as Potassium Sodium Bismuth Titanate to learn   
   more about its piezoelectric   
      
   For the Amateur Radiuo Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, in the Newsroom, in Los   
   Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   The Leeds team says that it will continue to work at the Diamond facility to   
   study the transformation induced by an electric field at high speed and under   
   various conditions using state of the art detectors.  Meantime, the results of   
   the work so far has b   
      
   **   
      
   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   
      
   Please do not forget that in association with the Newark Amateur Radio Society   
   that we are currently conducting a survey to determine where these weekly   
   Amateur Radio Newsline reports are replayed on the air.  If you are a bulletin   
   station that transmits    
      
      
   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim Davis,   
   W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.   
      
      
   ***   
      
   As a service to the HAM Radio Community and HAM Radio Operators all around   
   the world, this Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) message has been gated and posted   
   to the Fidonet LS_ARRL echo by Waldo's Place USA, 1:3634/12. We hope you   
   enjoyed it!   
      
   Please address all comments and questions to the ARNewsline 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.   
      
   -73-   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)