Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1828 - August 24 2012   
      
   Attention bulletin stations. Please note that this is an extended newscast   
   and contains three breaks. Thank you.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1828 with a release date of August 24   
   2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. The FCC releases the text of its report to Congress   
   on the role of amateur radio in emergency communications but provides no   
   relief for hams living with deed restrictions or CC&R's. Also, hams in   
   Quebec Canada get an implied exemption to that Provinces restrictive   
   cellphone law and we take you to the Huntsville Hamfest where Erin King,   
   AK4JG, receives the 2012 Young Ham of the Year Award. Please join with us   
   on an extended Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1828 coming your way   
   right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: FCC RELEASES TEXT OF ITS R&O IN IMPEDIMENTS TO HAM RADIO   
      
   The FCC has released its long awaited report to Congress into the uses and   
   capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and   
   disaster relief operations. It also delves into the existence of   
   impediments to this aspect of personal communications. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
   Don't look for Congressional action to override private land use restrictions   
   more commonly known as Conditions Covenants and Restrictions or CC&R's even   
   if hams believe that these restrictions hamper them in times of emergencies.   
   This is because in its report to the legislative body, the FCC says that,   
   in its view, such restrictions do not constitute a significant impediment to   
   ham radio or those in the United States amateur radio service.   
      
   In its report, the FCC noted that some of what it calls "commenters"   
   recommend that CC&Rs be preempted if they prohibit antennas that are within   
   certain limits. Others suggest that private land use restrictions on   
   amateur antennas should be permitted only for safety considerations, and not   
   for aesthetic reasons.   
      
   However, another group believes that it is not necessary to preempt private   
   land use restrictions in order to promote amateur emergency communications.   
   This, given the ways that even amateurs subject to CC&Rs can communicate   
   effectively and the nature of amateur emergency communications.   
      
   Moreover, while commenters suggest that private land use restrictions have   
   become more common, the FCC's says that its own review of the record does   
   not indicate that amateur operators are unable to find homes that are not   
   subject to such restrictions. Therefore, at this time, the Commission does   
   not see a compelling reason for it to revisit its previous determinations   
   that preemption should not be expanded to CC&Rs.   
      
   In relation to other impediments, the Commission says that it has already   
   preempted state and local regulations that do not reasonably accommodate   
   amateur radio communications and do not represent the minimum practicable   
   regulations to accomplish the local authority's legitimate purpose. The   
   Commission says that it has also addressed regulations regarding possession   
   and operation of amateur radio equipment while driving. These are state and   
   local laws that prohibit cellular telephone and texting devices and are many   
   times very broadly written as to catch hams, CB operators and even   
   commercial radio users into a confusing maze of legal webs.   
      
   And as to any FCC rules that may be an impediment to the various technical   
   aspects of enhanced - read that as digital amateur service emergency   
   communications, the FCC believes that these matters can be considered   
   through the Commission's rulemaking process. Consequently, it does not   
   believe that Congressional action is necessary to address that issue either.   
      
      
   On the other side of the coin, the FCC notes that the ham radio community and   
   the emergency response and disaster communications communities all agree   
   that amateur radio can be of great value in emergency response situations.   
   The regulatory agency notes that amateur radio carries with it a wide range   
   of advantages that allow it to supplement other emergency communications   
   activities during disasters. This says the FCC, has been demonstrated time   
   and again in a wide variety of emergency and disaster situations including   
   Hurricane Katrina.   
      
   But at this point the regulatory agency sort of contradicts itself regarding   
   CC&R's, albeit it may not have noticed its own mistake.   
      
   Here, the FCC notes that amateur radio emergency communications require not   
   only stations in a position to originate the emergency message, but also as   
   an alternative to the commercial communications infrastructure impacted by   
   the emergency. This alternative infrastructure is the network of amateur   
   radio operators and their stations that relay messages, build and maintain   
   repeater stations and repeater networks, operate High Frequency message   
   networks to send messages greater distances than are practical with mobile   
   or transportable transmitters, and develop new technologies to improve the   
   reliability of these networks. As such, the FCC contends that this value   
   could potentially be increased, through cooperation among Department of   
   Homeland Security, public safety, emergency management, and amateur radio   
   emergency communications associations and groups to develop future training   
   protocols.   
      
   But what the FCC fails or refuses to address is how radio amateurs living   
   with CC&R's that restrict or outright forbid antennas can possibly pass   
   along emergency traffic using the High Frequency bands. It's not likely   
   that a long wire or dipole hidden in a hams attic is going to break through   
   to any emergency net or pass traffic under adverse conditions. Operating   
   effectively on the High Frequency bands requires decent outdoor antennas   
   hung in the clear and this is something that the FCC fails to address in   
   this section of its report.   
      
   Finally, the FCC recommends that the Department of Homeland Security work   
   with state, local, and tribal authorities to develop disaster area access   
   policies and qualifications for trained amateur operators who provide   
   emergency communications support. The only question here is how you get the   
   attention of these agencies, many of whom consider themselves autonomous are   
   not interested in assistance from the public at large.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM in Reno.   
      
   --   
      
   You can download and read the entire 15 page FCC accounting to Congress at   
   tinyurl.com/FCC-To-Congress-Report. It's written pretty much in plain   
   language and might well make an excellent program for radio clubs and on-air   
   discussion nets. This is because it could easily set precedent in   
   regulation of the United States Amateur Service for decades to come. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   THE BPL WAR: EU VS RSGB OVER BPL STANDARD   
      
   A battle appears to be brewing between the Radio Society of Great Britain and   
   the chairman of the European Union Committee. This after the latter   
   attacked the RSGB's call to arms in the battle against Powerline   
   Transmission radio pollution. A technology better known as Broadband Over   
   Powerline here in the United States. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley,   
   KI7UP,has more:   
      
   --   
      
   The chairman of the European Union committee on Powerline Networking has   
   responded to the Radio Society of Great Britain's call to arms, claiming   
   that every minute of filibustering pollutes the radio spectrum more.   
      
   According to the UK newspaper the Register, the Radio Society of Great   
   Britain says that the new standard for broadband powerline transmission,   
   will water down existing requirements. This it says will open the way to   
   greater spectrum pollution. As such, the RSGB has asked members to lobby   
   their local representatives.   
      
   But Ronald Storrs, Chair of the committee defining the standard refutes that.   
   He claims that it is the RSGB that is risking the airwaves with - and we   
   quote" "their pointless protests and inflexible attitude."   
      
   The problem is that sending data signals over unshielded mains wiring, as   
   Broadband Over Powerline transmissions does generates radio interference.   
   And as the manufacturers push to increase speeds that interference is   
   spreading into the frequencies used by other radio services. That, says the   
   RSGB, is unacceptable.   
      
   But BPL or PLT equipment manufacturers have a totally different view. They   
   say that the devices don't generate significant interference. Rather it's   
   the mains wiring is the culprit. The manufacturers also contend that in   
   many homes the wiring is sufficiently shielded that no interference is   
   generated. As such they will continue to sell their devices legally.   
      
   Meantime UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has taken a back seat in this   
   matter. It says that it can't do anything as the devices themselves aren't   
   radio transmitters so fall outside their purview. Ofcom says it's waiting   
   for the new standard to be enacted which will give it some authority to   
   regulate Broadband over Powerline technology.   
      
   So it appears that a proverbial line has been drawn in the sand between the   
   UK ham radio community represented by the Radio Society of Great Britain and   
   those who want to sell Broadband Over Powerline or PLT gear. And while the   
   European Union's Storrs agrees that BPL is generating unacceptable   
   interference, he says that every day there isn't an applicable standard in   
   place more unrestricted gear is getting into the marketplace. He adds that   
   the intransigence of United Kingdom's ham radio community isn't helping.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale,   
   Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   According to Storrs, the manufacturers of this equipment are dead set against   
   the proposed new standard. He also notes that the new standard already has   
   the support of the International Amateur Radio Union and that this leaves   
   the UK hams standing alone against the European Union. You can read the   
   entire Register article on-line at tinyurl.com/UK-PLT-Fight (Southgate, The   
   Register)   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
      
   **   
      
   CHANGING OF THE GUARD: JOEL KLEINMAN, N1BKE, S-K   
      
   Ham radio has lost one of its most ardent supporters with the untimely   
   passing of QST Managing Editor Joel Kleinman, N1BKE, who died in a house   
   fire on Saturday, August 18th. Amateur Radio Newslines Mark Abramowicz,   
   NT3V, has the details on this truly sad moment for all of us:   
      
   --   
      
   Neighbors of the Kleinman family were first to discover the fire that claimed   
   the life of Joel Kleinman and left his widow, Jayne, hospitalized.   
      
   According to several news accounts, the fire inside Kleinman's Meriden,   
   Connecticut home was pushing out heavy smoke when neighbors discovered it   
   and some of them raced into the burning dwelling. Reports say they first   
   pulled out Kleinman's wife, Jayne, who was already unconscious and is   
   hospitalized at MidState Medical Center. Investigators say the rescuers   
   saved her life.   
      
   But news accounts quote the neighbors who were involved in the daring and   
   dangerous action as saying the heavy smoke prevented them from reaching the   
   second floor where Joel Kleinman was found by firefighters. The medical   
   examiner says the 64-year-old Kleinman died of smoke inhalation and he ruled   
   the death accidental.   
      
   Joel Kleinman had been the managing editor for the American Radio Relay   
   League's QST magazine since 2001. But his history with the ARRL goes all   
   the way back to 1976 when he was hired by the organization to target young   
   people with science, and amateur satellites.   
      
   A graduate of the University of Montana with a journalism degree, Kleinman -   
   who didn't have a ham license at the time - embraced the role.   
      
   It didn't take long for his ARRL bosses to recognize his skills and he   
   quickly moved into the operations of QST where among the jobs he held was   
   editorial assistant and features editor. By 1988, Kleinman was promoted to   
   book team supervisor for ARRL's publications and other media. His return to   
   QST as the top boss a few years later, clearly was a recognition by the ARRL   
   management of his value to the monthly publication that reaches thousands of   
   amateurs every month.   
      
   QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY called Kleinman: "...the quiet man behind the   
   scenes, shouldering much of the burden that comes with creating 164 pages of   
   new content every month. Joel set a high standard for all who may follow   
   him."   
   9D   
   ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN issued a statement: "With the passing of   
   Joel Kleinman, N1BKE, we have lost not only a respected professional   
   colleague, but also a friend."   
   9D   
   Kleinman was the former president of the Newington Amateur Radio League and   
   was a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association.   
      
   Funeral arrangements for Joel Kleinman were still pending as we were going to   
   air.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.   
      
   --   
      
   Our hearts and prays go out to the Kleinman family on this very tragic loss.   
      
   (ARNewsline(tm), ARRL, Meriden Patch, Meriden Record-Journal)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: FCC LOWERS FINE ISSUED TO FORT MEYERS UNLICENSED STATION   
      
   The FCC has lowered a fine imposed on an unlicensed broadcaster. This after   
   he provided proof that the initial amount would prove a hardship that he   
   could not afford to pay.   
      
   As previously reported, this past June 5th the Enforcement Bureau's Tampa   
   Florida Office issued a $15,000 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture   
   to Albert R. Knighten, Jr. of Fort Meyers. This for his alleged operation   
   of an unlicensed radio station.   
      
   In response to the proposed fine Knighten admitted to, and apologized for,   
   the violation. He also urged cancellation or reduction of the proposed   
   $15,000 forfeiture, asserting that his financial situation could not the   
   permit payment of the fine that the FCC had levied against him.   
      
   After examining the financial documents provided by Knighten, the FCC found   
   sufficient basis to reduce the forfeiture to $1,200. However, it also   
   cautioned Knighten that a party's inability to pay is only one factor in its   
   forfeiture calculation analysis. It told him that it had previously   
   rejected inability to pay claims in cases of repeated or otherwise egregious   
   violations. In closing it warned Knighten that future violations of this   
   kind could result in significantly higher forfeitures that may not be   
   reduced due to financial circumstances.   
      
   Knighten was given the customary 30 days from the August 21st date of the   
   order to pay the reduced forfeiture. If he fails to do so the matter could   
   be turned over to the Department of Justice for collection. (FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: LACK OF EAS GEAR BRINGS $10000 FINE   
      
   The license holder of a low-power FM in Mission, Texas will likely have to   
   pay a $10,000 fine. This, for its admitted failure to install and maintain   
   working Emergency Alert System or EAS equipment. Amateur Radio Newsline   
   welcomes George Bowen, W2XBS, who has this report:   
      
   --   
      
   Intercity Christian Youth Program, Inc. is the licensee for low power station   
   KCYP. Responding to a complaint, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's   
   Houston Texas office inspected the station this past March. At that time   
   the manager admitted to the agents the station had operated without EAS gear   
   since the facility went on the air in 2007. KCYP also had no EAS logs to   
   document that the facility had ever had such gear installed or that it had   
   ever conducted the required weekly or monthly EAS tests.   
      
   The base fine for not having operational EAS gear is $8,000. The commission   
   tacked on another $2,000 because it appears the station has not had working   
   EAS gear for the better part of five years.   
      
   The station was 30 days to pay the fine or to file an appeal. KCYP must   
   provide a sworn statement to the Houston office of the Enforcement Bureau   
   certifying that it now has had E-A-S equipment installed.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im George Bowen, W2XBS, in Albany, New York.   
      
   --   
      
   According to the FCC, every broadcast station is part of the nationwide   
   Emergency Alert System network and is categorized as a participating   
   national EAS source. This in turn means that all stations must ensure their   
   EAS encoders and decoders are installed and working properly. (FCC, RW)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED BROADCASTER BUSTED UNDER FLORIDA LAW   
      
   Romayne Davis, who local Florida police say operated an unlicensed radio   
   station, is now free on bond. Police say Davis operated an illegal station   
   out of a warehouse since March using a laptop running iTunes.   
      
   The investigation began in July when a listener to American Public Media's   
   Classical South Florida WKCP FM in Miami complained that rap music was   
   interfering with the legitimate signal on 89.7 MHz. Police recovered a   
   computer, transmitter and other gear which they said was used to broadcast   
   the unauthorized station on an adjacent frequency of 89.5 MHz.   
      
   Unlike the FCC which normally issues fines for unlicensed operations, under   
   Florida's strict state law regarding unauthorized transmissions, Davis, who   
   had turned himself into authorities, could face up to five years in prison   
   for his unlicensed station operation. (RW, WPEC)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON REGULATORY FEES FOR INDUSTRIES IT OVERSEES   
      
   Public comments to the FCC about the best way to collect regulatory fees from   
   the industries that the agency oversees are due in mid-September.   
      
   The agency notes a lot has changed in the telecommunications marketplace   
   since its current system for assessing and collecting regulatory fees was   
   enacted in 1994. Back then, commission regulation centered mostly on wired   
   local and long distance. Since then the wireless industry exploded,   
   shifting agency resources to that industry.   
      
   Complicating things further, telephone companies have entered the video   
   market, cable operators are winning voice customers, satellite operators   
   offer competitive radio, television and broadband services and wireless   
   services abound.   
      
   Comments to MD Docket 12-201 are due September 12th. Payment of the existing   
   fees for this year are due by September 13th. This commentary period does   
   not apply to amateur radio or other personal radio services. (FCC, RW)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS YES TO TOWER IN WILDLIFE VS. TOWER CHALLENGE   
      
   In a case involving the possibility of bird collisions with towers, the FCC   
   has decided in favor of both the tower and its owner American Tower   
   Corporation. Amateur Radio Newsline's Skeeter Nash, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS YES TO TOWER IN WILDLIFE VS. TOWER CHALLENGE   
      
   In a case involving the possibility of bird collisions with towers, the FCC   
   has decided in favor of both the tower and its owner, American Tower   
   Corporation   
      
   Last April Michael Pearson of Marshall, Arkansas, raised several issues   
   before the Commission related to a 314 foot structure registered to American   
   Tower that was under construction in the area. American Tower suspended   
   construction while the "Emergency Petition to Compel Compliance" order was   
   reviewed.   
      
   In his petition to the FCC Pearson said that because the tower would be in   
   wooded and pasture land area, and also within 4,000 feet of a wildlife   
   management area, that the tower would negatively affect migratory birds and   
   endangered species. This included mountain lions, bobcats and even skunks.   
      
   But in giving American Tower the green light to resume construction, the FCC   
   said his complaint did not meet the standard for requesting environmental   
   review. It said that Pearson didn't identify endangered species that could   
   be specifically affected by the tower. Rather he had listed non endangered   
   species in the area.   
      
   Possibly more important, the FCC also stated that the proximity of a tower to   
   a wildlife management area does not, by itself, mean that a structure may   
   have a significant effect on the environment.   
      
   As previously reported, environmental assessments are now required for   
   proposed new towers over 450 feet above ground level, for replacement or   
   modification of existing structures over 450 feet that involve a major size   
   increase or for certain lighting changes to towers over 450 feet tall. This   
   decision is very significant as it gives insight as to how the agency will   
   likely handle these cases in the future.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.   
      
   --   
      
   As we go to air its unknown if Peasrson will accept the FCC's decision or if   
   he will appeal it up the Administrative Procedures chain. FCC, RW   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 2   
      
   With you 52 weeks a year, every year since 1976, we are the Amateur Radio   
   Newsline with links to the world from our only official website at www dot   
   arnewsline dot org and being brought to you by the following volunteer   
   bulletin station:   
      
   (5 sec pause)   
      
   **   
      
      
   WITH NEWSLINE: WHO IS STILL USING PHONE LINE ACCESS SURVEY   
      
   This note to those of you who still receive these newscasts over our   
   661-296-2407 dial in line rater than downloading the MP3 file from our   
   website. Of late we have noticed a major decline in the number of those   
   calling into it and as such we are giving consideration to discontinuing it   
   by years end. But before we do, we want to know how many people are   
   actually using it. If you are one of those who call in each week on the   
   phone, please send us a note telling us who you are and the reason you are   
   using telephone access rather than simply downloading the newscast from the   
   Internet. Our address is the Amateur Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue,   
   Saugus California, 91350. Or you can e-mail us at newsline (at) arnewsline   
   (dot) org. We look forward to hearing from you. (ARNewsline)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO BUSINESS: NEW CHINA BUILT DUAL BAND MOBILE FOR UNDER $225   
      
   Get ready for the first 2 meter and 70 centimeter dual band mobile selling   
   for under $225 including shipping. At least that's the price being quoted   
   in an on-line advertisement from the Hong Kong-based 409 Shop for the new   
   Baojie model BJ-UV55 dual band mobile radio.   
      
   Like its Japan built counterparts, the BJ-UV55 has most of the features one   
   expects from a basic dual band mobile. The radio features a large blue back   
   lit LCD display that shows both frequencies programmed in at the same time.   
   The transmitter runs 35 watts out on 70 centimeters and 45 watts on 2   
   meters. The manufacturer claims a receiver sensitivity of between .18 to   
   .22 microvolts depending on selected bandwidth, 128 memory channels, both   
   CTCSS and Digital CTCSS tone encoding, a DTMF microphone and even a built-in   
   FM broadcast band receiver.   
      
   The negative on this radio is that nowhere in the advertisement is there any   
   mention of the Baojie BJ-UV55 being FCC certified either under Part 15 or   
   Part 90 making it illegal to import to the United States. Nor is there any   
   service or repair station in the United States. That means returning a   
   radio to the China-based manufacturer should it require maintenance. And as   
   with any product purchased from a non-United States dealer, this can be more   
   expensive than the price of the radio itself.   
      
   You can see this new dual bander on-line at   
   tinyurl.com/Baojie-dual-band-mobile. And as we say with anything purchased   
   from an overseas dealer, be certain that its legal to import and use here in   
   the United States. Even more important are two words Caveat Emptor, which   
   means buyer beware. (ARNewsline)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: NZ4O MF/HF/6M PROPAGATIONS FORECASTS GO DAILY   
      
   Thomas Giella has announced that his NZ4O Medium Frequency, High Frequency   
   and 6 Meter Radio Wave Propagation Forecast is now published on a 'daily'   
   basis. It can be found on line at www.solarcycle24.org and   
   www.wcflunatall.com/propagation.htm. Thomas notes that each new edition   
   will be available at around 1300 UTC, but that there will be no daily e-mail   
   notice about its being posted. Just check the websites for the daily   
   updates. (NZ4O)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM HAPPENINGS: AMATEUR RADIO AND POLITICS MEAN LOTS OF PEOPLE   
      
   North Carolina's Charlotte Observer reports that the 1,500 hotel rooms in   
   Gaston County are solidly booked because of the Democrat Party's National   
   Convention and a rather famous amateur radio Hamfest.   
      
   The newspaper says that the Shelby Hamfest takes place Labor Day weekend   
   September 1st and 2nd. Meantime the 2012 Democratic National Convention is   
   being held in the city of Charlotte from September 3rd to the 6th. And   
   while no delegates to the convention are staying in Gaston County there are   
   support people such as FBI agents, U.S. and foreign media and peripheral   
   groups such as lobbyists who need places to stay.   
      
   The annual Shelby Hamfest is one of the nations best attended amateur radio   
   events. It is held at Biggerstaff Park in Dallas, North Carolina. The   
   paper says that in 2011 about 12,800 ham radio enthusiasts from 30 states   
   showed up. Many camped in RVs, but lots more stayed in local hotels. More   
   on the hamfest is on-line at shelbyhamfest.com. (Charlotte Observer,   
   Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: N1Y TO COMMEMORATE THE 9/11 2001 TERRORIST ATTACKS   
      
   Members of the Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club will once again be   
   operational as N1Y on September 8th and 9th. This in commemoration of those   
   who lost their lives in the September 11th, 2001, al Quida lead terrorist   
   attacks that felled the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York   
   City.   
      
   N1Y will be operating on 40, 20 and 15 meters using CW and SSB, in the   
   General portions of those bands. A special QSL may be had by sending a SASE   
   to W2SBL at the address found on QRZ.com. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: HAM ROAD RALLEYER REACHES MONGOLIA   
   Despite a small war in Tajikistan, a pair of road rally enthusiasts have   
   reached Mongolia. Neil Melville, PA9N, and Helen Woolnough, driving their   
   9 year old 1.1 liter Fiat Panda are taking part in the Mongol Rally where   
   participants drive, in no more than six weeks, from the United Kingdom to   
   Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, using a thoroughly unsuitable car of 1.2 liters or   
   less.   
      
   Woolnough and Meloville's entry is called The Uncertainty Principle and they   
   started on their epic journey from the UK on July 14th. On Sunday, August   
   19th their location was given as 46.37 North and 96.25 East placing them   
   near their goal.   
      
   The pair are driving the race to raise money for the Lotus Children's Centre   
   Charitable Trust and UNICEF. By the time the event ends, they will have   
   covered more than 10,000 miles through 19 countries, with no outside   
   support.   
      
   Over the years PA9N has given many presentations to the AMSAT-UK   
   International Space Colloquium in Guildford, England. His first spacecraft   
   project was the eXpress-OSCAR 53 satellite better known as XO-53. Here on   
   Earth you can follow their route and blog at theuncertaintyprinciple.co.uk.   
   (Southgate)   
      
   **   
   WORLDBEAT: THE BBC TO TEST TURNING OFF MEDIUM WAVE TRANSMISSIONS   
      
   The British Broadcasting Corporation is undertaking a five week trial of   
   switching off existing Medium Wave services for four BBC local radio   
   stations. The experiment runs from the 17th of August to the 24th of   
   September and affects BBC Radio Kent, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, BBC Radio   
   Merseyside and BBC Radio Nottingham.   
      
   The BBC say one way to make savings and preserve value to licensee fee payers   
   is to switch off Medium Wave services except where listeners depend upon   
   Medium Wave as an alternative to FM or Digital Audio Broadcasting. Medium   
   Wave services in the UK mainly duplicate what is already available on FM and   
   DAB, and most listeners will be able to hear their local stations on FM.   
   Medium Wave is a European term that describes what we call the AM broadcast   
   band here in the United States.   
      
   The BBC notes that the aim of the trial is to get a better understanding of   
   the impact of the loss of Medium Wave would have on its core listeners and   
   also enable the broadcaster to ensure adequate coverage is available on   
   other platforms in these regions. (BBC)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 3   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: QUEBEC ANTI CELLPHONE WHILE DRIVING LAW NOW EXCLUDES TWO WAY   
   RADIO   
      
   Some good news for hams living in the Canadian Province of Quebec. A four   
   year old law banning the use of cellular phones while driving now has an   
   implied exemption for those using two-way radio gear including radio   
   amateurs. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, is here   
   with the latest:   
      
   --   
      
   According to a news release from Radio Amateurs of Quebec, the ban on the use   
   of cellular telephones while driving came into force in April of 2008.   
   Since that time different police departments have issued tickets for the use   
   of various types of devices which in each departments view could be   
   construed as a mobile telephone system.   
      
   Those who have received these tickets have vigorously contested them. But   
   over the years the various courts hearing these cases have expanded   
   considerably on what they believed the meaning of the law was to include a   
   multitude of communications equipment far from cellular telephones.   
      
   Now, after four years of uncertainty the situation has now been clarified by   
   amendments to the Highway Safety Code which came into effect this past June   
   6th. A new article of the code simply says that no person may, while   
   driving a road vehicle, may use a hand-held device that includes a telephone   
   function. More important, the first paragraph does not apply to a two-way   
   radio or any cordless voice communication device which does not allow the   
   parties to speak simultaneously.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera_Howell, KB3TZD, near   
   Berwick, Pennsylvania.   
      
   --   
      
   According to the new version of the law, for the purposes of enforcement, a   
   driver in Quebec who is holding a hand-held device that includes a telephone   
   function is presumed to be using the device. This prohibition does not   
   apply to drivers of emergency vehicles in the performance of their duties.   
   (VE2LGL, RAQI)   
      
   **   
      
      
   RADIO THROUGH SPACE: MARS ROVER GETS SOFTWARE UPDATE   
      
   NASA's Mars Science Laboratory at JPL team has sent a software update to the   
   Curiosity Rover on Mars, more than 160 million miles away. According to   
   Venturebeat dot com, the software had to be updated because Curiosity needed   
   different directions to drive around on Mars than it did to land on the   
   planet's surface.   
      
   The computer hardware in the Curiosity Rover is powered by a pair of   
   computers built by BAE Systems. These RAD750 computers use a 10-year-old IBM   
   PowerPC microprocessor running at a relatively slow 132 megahertz. These   
   machines also have only 120 megabytes of random access memory, but are built   
   to withstand wild temperature swings, radiation, and physical shaking.   
      
   The drawback is that the computers on the robot vehicle did not have enough   
   memory for both the landing and its surface missions. So NASA had to swap   
   out the software over four days of communication through the void of space.   
   It took so long because it takes about 14 minutes to send the signal to the   
   rover and another 14 minutes to get a response back. (Venturebeat.com)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, K7BV, having recovered from a serious medical condition, is returning   
   to Asia for a short visit between August 25th and September 2nd. He will be   
   using his HS0ZKS callsign on HF bands from the home of HS1CHB, and hopes to   
   QSO friends from around the world. He may also get on the air from Japan as   
   well using his call JF1XJR. QSL via K7BV's new address at 290 West Road,   
   Turkey, North Carolina 28393.   
      
   W7XA will be active stroke DU1 through August 27th from near Tagaytay Ridge   
   which is about 40 miles south of Manila in the Philippines. His operation   
   is on 20, 17 and 15 meters using mostly CW and some SSB. QSL via his home   
   callsign as found on QRZ.com.   
      
   OE4JHW will be operational as 8Q7OE from the Maldives between September 3rd   
   and the 14th. Activity will be holiday style on 40 through 10 meters using   
   SSB and BPSK. He will focus on stations from DL, HB0, HB9 and OE, as well as   
   on North and South America. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the   
   bureau. Also electronically using either Logbook of the World or eQSL.   
      
   Lastly, CT1FJZ says that he is now in Angola and is expected to be there for   
   one year working in Benguela and Huambo. Look for him to be active as   
   D2FJZ, mainly on the weekends and limited times during the weekdays.   
   Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters SSB. QSL to his home callsign, by   
   the bureau or direct.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: HONORING ERIN KING, AK4JG - THE ARNEWSLINE 2012 YOUNG HAM   
   OF THE YEAR   
      
   And finally this week, we want to take a moment to congratulate 18 year old   
   Erin King, AK4JG, and receiving her award as the 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline   
   Young Ham o