Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1830 - September 7 2012   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1830 with a release date of September 7   
   2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio responds to a typhoon in Korea and an   
   earthquake in the Philippines. Also, Yaesu donates a pair of FT-2000   
   transceivers to help rebuild a flood ravaged national society station in   
   Thailand; the European Commission proposes an all out spectrum sharing plan;   
   a shortwave transmitter in Bangladesh vacates the amateur exclusive section   
   of 40 meters and an old modulation technique makes a money saving comeback   
   for commercial broadcasters. Find out the details are on Amateur Radio   
   Newsline(tm) report number 1830 coming your way right now.   
      
      
   (Billboard Cart Here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: IARU REGION 3 HAMS RESPOND TO TWIN DISASTERS   
      
   A powerful storm called Typhoon Bolaven battered Korea on August 27th and 28.   
   Then on August 31st a major earthquake occurred off the coast of the   
   Philippines. Responding to both disasters were ham radio operators equipped   
   to provide emergency communication. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley,   
   KI7UP, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   The South Korean state disaster management agency reported ten deaths as a   
   result of Typhoon Bolivan. It was the strongest storm to hit the country   
   for almost a decade and left hundreds of thousands without electricity and   
   suffering property damage. It also churned up rough seas that smashed two   
   fishing ships into rocks off southern Jeju island.   
      
   Yong-Surke Lee, HL1FB, is the spokesperson for the Korean Amateur Radio   
   League. He said when Bolaven hit that emergency traffic between the   
   affected areas kept flowing to the authorities via its D90IK, 2 meter   
   repeater. In charge of the ham radio relief operations was 6K2BUF acting as   
   the network control officer. At the height of the severe weather outbreak   
   almost two million South Korean homes and businesses were without power or   
   telephones.   
      
   Meantime the strongest earthquake in more than two decades, measuring 7.6 on   
   the Ritcher scale, hit the Philippines on August 31st local time. Almost   
   immediately after the event members of the Ham Emergency Radio Operations   
   group were exchanging messages with the affected coastal areas.   
      
   Eddie Valdez DU1EV, is the Chief Operating Officer of the Philippines Amateur   
   Radio Association. He says that Roberto Vincencio, DU1VHY, handled traffic   
   and got reports from the affected areas.   
      
   Valdez said the area of DU5 was nearest the epicenter. Lester Price, DV5PO   
   said that there was a power outage in Borongan, on Samar Island. Reynaldo   
   Tan, DV5RAY reported that people had been evacuating because of the tsunami   
   alert. The alert was lifted after officials reported that only small waves   
   had been generated. Tens of thousands of people who headed out of the danger   
   zone have since returned.   
      
   According to DU1EV, many hams in the affected areas showed   
   up on the 2 meter and 40 meter emergency channels. He added that other   
   districts were on standby if needed.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale,   
   Arizona.   
      
   --   
      
   The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council initial   
   assessment was that there was no major structural damage in the affected   
   areas. It noted that most structures destroyed were built from light   
   material. (VK3PC, Post World, BBC)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: YAESU DONATES NEW GEAR TO HELP REBUILD RAST STATION HS0AC   
      
   Yaesu has donated a pair of FT-2000D transceivers to the Radio Amateur   
   Society of Thailand. This to help rebuild its headquarters station HS0AC   
   that lost its radio gear during severe flooding last year.   
      
   The presentation of the two transceivers to the Radio Society of Thailand was   
   made by Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, who is the company's Executive Vice   
   President Amateur Radio Sales and also holds the call sign HS0ZKS.   
      
   In his note, K7BV said that Thailand is what he called extremely "radio   
   active" with over 300,000 hams most of whom are on VHF. However, that is in   
   the process of changing.   
      
   Dennis says that after seven years of waiting, Thai hams are once again able   
   to test for a license that gives them operating privileges on the High   
   Frequency bands. According to K7BV some 40 applicants have already passed   
   the new exam this year and at least one more test is schedule before years   
   end.   
      
   Photos of the presentation of the new Yaesu transceivers can be seen at   
   tinyurl.com/yaesu-thailand-radios (K7BV)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO LAW: EUROPEAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDS NEW SHARED SPECTRUM PLAN   
      
   The European Commission has unveiled plans to deal with the exponential   
   growth in mobile and wireless data traffic. This, by enabling wireless   
   technologies, including broadband, to share the use of the radio spectrum   
   with other services.   
      
   The European Commission notes that with new technologies it is possible to   
   share radio spectrum among several users such as internet providers or use   
   the spectrum available between TV frequencies for other purposes.   
      
   The Commission says that national spectrum regulation often does not reflect   
   the new technical possibilities, leaving mobile and broadband users at risk   
   of poor service as demand grows. It also prevents a single market for   
   investment in such communications growth. Because of this the Commission   
   believes that a coordinated European approach to sharing spectrum will lead   
   to greater mobile network capacity, cheaper wireless broadband, and new   
   markets such as tradable secondary rights for a given spectrum allocation.   
      
   The proposal is 12 pages long and does not seem to exclude any service from   
   the possibility of sharing spectrum with another. What impact this proposal   
   might eventually have on amateur radio operations across Europe is at this   
   point unknown. You can download the proposal in PDF format at   
   tinyurl.com/european-shared-spectrum. (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   INTRUDER WATCH: RADIO BANGLADESH VACATES 7.105 MHZ   
      
   Some good news for users of the low end of 40 meters. The Radio Society of   
   Great Britain reports that Radio Bangladesh has left 7 point 105 MHz after   
   the broadcaster finished its experimental transmissions and is now using 7   
   dot 250 MHz in the shared portion of the band.   
      
   The move is likely due to the many amateur radio operators world wide who   
   reported the infringement on the band. Particular thanks go to the German   
   telecommunications authority which filed the official complaints to Radio   
   Bangladesh. (GB2RS)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO PROPAGATION: SOLAR CME HITS EARTH ON SEPTEMBER 3RD   
      
   If you were wondering about the strange band conditions this past week you   
   can blame it on old Sol. This after a Coronal Mass Ejection or C-M-E hit   
   Earth's magnetic field on at approximately 1200 UTC on Monday, September   
   3rd.   
      
   According to Spaceweather.com the impact induced measurable ground currents   
   in the soil of northern Scandinavia and sparked bright auroras around the   
   Arctic Circle. In fact, at the time the alert was issued, a moderately   
   strong geomagnetic storm that lasted several days was underway.   
      
   For current and future information on what the Sun is up to and how it might   
   affect radio propagation here on Earth, simply take your web browser to   
   spaceweather.com for the very latest updates. (Spaceweather)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO HISTORY: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF STANDARDIZED RADIO PREFIXES   
      
   To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the use of ITU callsign prefixes,   
   special event station PB-100-PREFIX will be on the air between October 4th   
   and the 31st.   
      
   The back story on the standardization of calls came following the loss of the   
   ocean liner Titanic in April of 1912. The Titanic used the call letters   
   MGY with the "M" representing the Marconi company.   
      
   As a result there was an acknowledgement that there should be international   
   standards for radio communications. This lead to several international   
   meetings in the aftermath of the Titanic's sinking and the emergence of the   
   callsign prefix system that has evolved into what we have today.   
      
   For more details, visit on this special commemorative operation please take   
   your web browser to www.PB100PREFIX.nl. And if you make contact with   
   PB100PREFIX QSL via PB0P. (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAKING DX NEWS: GROUGH ISLAND "SLIM"   
      
   Hams making contact with a station signing ZD5KN on Gough Island will not be   
   getting any credit for the contact. This is because Zed-D-9-K-N is what   
   DX'ers call a "slim" or a "pirate" operation.   
      
   According to the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter several sources report that ZS1A,   
   has confirmed that the callsign ZD9KN has never been issued. As such the   
   advice being given is to not waste time working this station if you happen   
   to hear him.   
      
   But there is some good news regarding this rather rare entity. Word is that   
   ZS6KX will be going to Gough Island sometime this month and will be there   
   for a year. He is hoping to be issued the callsign ZD9KX and is waiting   
   for the approval of his license. No QSL route has yet been announced so   
   look for more details to be forthcoming. And we will have more DX related   
   news later on in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline report.   
      
   (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK 1   
      
   From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard   
   on bulletin stations around the world including the Alaska Morning Net   
   serving America's final frontier.   
      
   (5 sec pause here)   
      
      
   **   
      
   RESTRUCTURING: NEW RULES AND MORE SPECTRUM FOR PHILIPPINE HAMS   
      
   Restructuring has come to ham radio in the Philippines. This according to an   
   announcement by the Philippines Amateur Radio Association which says that   
   following meetings between the Amateur Radio Consultative Panel and the   
   National Telecommunications Commission or NTC, numerous changes to that   
   nations amateur service have been enacted. Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim   
   Meachen, ZL2BHF, is in Nelson, New Zealand with more:   
      
   --   
      
   As reported by Philippines Amateur Radio Association that organization has   
   now been officially recognized by the National Telecommunications Commission   
   as the nations only national amateur radio organization with the NTC to   
   maintaining a database of licensees that will be made available in the   
   public domain.   
      
   Under the revised rules an applicant for a Philippine amateur license who   
   passes an exam but does not own a radio will be given an operator   
   certificate with his own call sign. Also a new entry level Foundation   
   License or Class D certificate with VHF-only privileges has been created   
   with a minimum age requirement of 9 years. And in the area of administering   
   Philippine Amateur Service exams, new question pool and oversight committees   
   have been officially organized.   
      
   One other very important change is that the NTC will now allow Philippine   
   radio amateurs what it calls convergence with the Internet. In other words   
   it has authorized interconnects for operations such as Echolink, IRLP and   
   other VoIP operations.   
      
   Lastly, hams in the Philippines have been granted to some additional   
   spectrum. Depending on license class, hams will be permitted to operate   
   from 135.7 kHz to 137.8 kHz; 472 kHz to 479 kHz and 7.201 MHz to 7.300 MHz   
   with Class B and Class C allowed to operate High Frequency mobile.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.   
      
   --   
      
   These changes to the Philippine Amateur Radio Service regulations came into   
   effect on August 30th. More details can be found at   
   www.para.org.ph/news.htm (PARA)   
      
   **   
      
   ENFORCEMENT: THE VANISHED VENTURA UNLICENSED STATION BUSTED BY THE FCC   
      
   A follow up to a story from a few weeks ago involving an unlicensed station   
   in Ventura, California, on 89.7 MHz that called itself KSSR, The Peoples   
   Radio. It has now been established that this station has been busted by the   
   FCC with a Notice of Unlicensed Operation issued to the station itself as   
   well as to the property owners that hosted it. Amateur Radio Newslines Jim   
   Damron, N8TMW, reports:   
      
   --   
      
   In a pair of letters dated August 14th the FCC notified the station as an   
   entity well as property owners John and Lisa Darby that KSSR was found to be   
   operating without a license and must leave the air immediately. Both   
   letters also advised the recipients that they had ten days from the date of   
   the notice to respond with any evidence that they have authority to operate   
   granted by the FCC.   
      
   The notices said that the FCC staff will use all relevant material   
   information before it to determine what, if any, enforcement action is   
   required to ensure your compliance with FCC Rules. This will include any   
   information that the station management or the property owners disclose in   
   their reply.   
      
   This notification from the FCC ends speculation that perhaps the pirate saw   
   private DF'ing activity taking place and voluntarily suspended operations.   
   But the station my have had the final word. As of August 26th the   
   unlicensed stations website carried the following message: "Due to   
   unforeseen circumstances KSSR had the leave the FM airwaves for a while."   
      
   Whether that means the station operator plans to return to the airwaves at a   
   later date or is just a smug way of bidding its audience a fond farewell, is   
   unknown. But if the FCC has its way, the unlicensed KSSR will never be   
   heard on the Ventura, California airwaves, ever again.   
      
   From Charleston West Virginia, Im Jim Damron, N8TMW reporting.   
      
   --   
      
   As is normal in these cases both the station and the property owner were give   
   the customary 30 days to file a response. (CGC, FCC)   
      
   **   
      
   RESCUE RADIO: SUFFOLK COUNTY NY SEEKS DONATION OF TRAILER   
      
   New York's Suffolk County Radio Club is seeking a donation of a mid-sized   
   trailer to continue its Emergency Communications Field work. This after its   
   present communications vehicle has become unusable due to its age.   
      
   For those not aware, the Suffolk County Radio Club was established in 1947   
   and is the oldest radio club on Long Island. Its members provide free   
   manpower as a public service for special events in addition to their   
   volunteer emergency communications during disasters such as hurricanes and   
   wildfires.   
      
   If you have a covered trailer in the 12 by 8 foot category that you would   
   consider donating, please contact club Vice President, Jim Fehling, N2JFD by   
   telephone at area code 631-926-4370. Or you can e-mail him to n2jfdny (at)   
   gmail (dot) com. (Suffolk Radio Club)   
      
   **   
      
   RADIO TRAGEDY: COLORADO HAM RADIO OPERATOR AND WIFE DIE FROM INJURIES   
   SUFFERED IN CAR COLLISION   
      
   A Colorado Springs, Colorado, ham radio operator and his wife who were   
   involved in an automobile accident on their way home from church have died   
   from their injuries. This, after their car was broadsided by a driver   
   alleged to have been going the wrong way down a one-way street. Amateur   
   Radio Newsline producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details on this   
   tragic event:   
      
   --   
      
   According to police reports, Teddy Allison, N0NKG and his wife Mary Ann were   
   in their Saturn headed home from church services at about 10:45 a.m. on   
   Sunday, August 12th. That's when a Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 18 year old   
   Khalil Sanders allegedly drove the wrong way on a one-way street, entered an   
   intersection without stopping and slammed into the Allison's car.   
      
   The couple was taken to the hospital, both in critical condition. Teddy   
   Allison, who was age 67, died on August 15th. Mary Ann Allison succumb to   
   her injuries on August 18th.   
      
   Khalil Sanders was also taken to the hospital and was treated and later   
   released. Police continue to investigate the crash and are still determining   
   what charges, if any, he potentially faces.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, I the newsroom in   
   Los Angeles.   
      
   --   
      
   Teddy Allison, N0NKG, was an electronics technician at Hewlett Packard and   
   Mary Ann Allison was a homemaker and accountant at Young life. The Allison's   
   had just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on July 7th. (N0RDC)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: ARRL SUMMER SECTION MANAGER ELECTION RESULTS ANNOUNCED   
      
   Some new faces and some old ones are returning to the ARRL Field Operations   
   arena. This following the counting of ballots in this years Section Manager   
   elections.   
      
   In the North-East, ARRL Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC, was   
   re-elected to another term. Meantime John Mueller, K2BT, won out as the new   
   Western New York Section Manager.   
      
   Also, Puerto Rico will be getting a new Section Manager in Rene Fonseca,   
   NP3O, of the city of Fajardo. Fonseca will be taking over from Roberto   
   Jiminez, KP4AC, who has served as Section Manager since 2007 but decided not   
   to run for another term of office.   
      
   All elected start their new terms on October 1st. (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: K3EST RETIRES FROM DIRECTOR OF CQWW DX CONTEST   
      
   Some names in the news. CQ Magazine has announced that Bob Cox, K3EST, has   
   retired as Director of the CQ World Wide DX Contest and as CQ's Director of   
   Contesting. Cox has been at the helm of the CQ World Wide DX contest for 35   
   years. During his tenure he guided the competition through numerous changes   
   in technology and growth to become the world's most popular amateur radio   
   contest. Cox's retirement is effective immediately. A successor has not yet   
   been named. (CQ)   
      
   **   
      
   NAMES IN THE NEWS: MIKE BAXTER KA0XTT OF LAST MAN STANDING GETS NEW ANTENNA   
   FARM   
      
   According to a posting on Facebook by the lead character of the situation   
   comedy Last Man Standing, as soon as it get closer to the shows season two   
   premiere of Friday, November 2nd, they will be holding a combined HF, VHF,   
   UHF and D-Star ham radio operating event. This will put all of the amateur   
   radio gear used on the show and the licensed staff members on the air for   
   you to contact.   
      
   The shows producer is John Amodeo, NN6JA. He has just uploaded to Facebook   
   close to a dozen photos of the new outdoor antenna installation on the roof   
   of the Studio City, California sound stage where the Last Man Standing is   
   recorded. If you are on Facebook you can see them by putting the words   
   "Last Man Standing Season 2 Antenna Farm" into the search line at the top of   
   any Facebook page.   
      
   For those of you who have not yet seen the show, Last Man Standing follows   
   the adventures of Mike Baxter played by actor and comedian Tim Allen.   
   Baxter's character is the director of marketing at an outdoor sporting goods   
   store in Denver, Colorado, whose world is dominated by women. This is   
   especially true at home with his wife and three daughters. His hobby turns   
   out to be amateur radio with Baxter using the call letters KA0XTT. Last Man   
   Standing airs on the ABC television network. (ARNewsline(tm))   
      
   **   
      
   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)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NASA ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CUBESAT LAUNCHES   
      
   Want to put a small satellite into orbit? Well now is your chance providing   
   the bird you want to launch meets some specific criteria. Amateur Radio   
   Newslines Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has the details:   
      
   --   
      
      
   NASA is seeking proposals for small satellite payloads to fly on rockets   
   planned to launch between 2013 and 2016. These miniature spacecraft, known   
   as CubeSats, could be auxiliary payloads on previously planned missions or   
   on yet to be announced orbital opportunities.   
      
   CubeSats are a class of research spacecraft called nano-satellites. These   
   cube-shaped satellites are approximately four inches long, have a volume of   
   about one quart and weigh less than three pounds.   
      
   Proposed CubeSat investigations must be consistent with NASA's Strategic   
   Plan and the NASA education vision and goals. The research must address   
   aspects of science, exploration, technology development, education or   
   operations.   
      
   Applicants must submit proposals electronically by 4:30 p.m. EST, November   
   12th. NASA will select the payloads by next January 31st. Selection does   
   not guarantee a launch opportunity but the selected spacecraft will be   
   eligible for flight after final negotiations when a launch opportunity   
   arises. It should be noted that NASA provides only a possible launch   
   opportunity but it will not provide funding for the development of the small   
   satellites.   
      
   Meantime from the first three launch initiatives, 64 payloads made the short   
   list for launch opportunities between now and 2014. These satellites come   
   from 25 states and are eligible for la ride to orbit pending an appropriate   
   opportunity and final negotiations.   
      
   I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.   
      
   --   
      
   For additional information about NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative program,   
   visit go.nasa.gov/puk9K2 (NASA)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLDBEAT: ZAMBIA MAKES READY FOR DIGITAL BROADCASTING   
      
   The Zambian government has issued 10 licenses and 16 construction permits to   
   radio and TV stations in the country.   
      
   Those chosen are expected to switch to digital broadcasting before the 2013   
   deadline set by the Southern Africa Development Community.   
      
   According to the nations Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services,   
   the move is intended to enhance participation in the affairs of the country,   
   as well as offer people an opportunity to air their views on issues of   
   national interest. (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: COMMEMORATING THE LIBERATION OF KNOKKE BELGIUM   
      
   On the air, special event station ON44CLM will be operational from October   
   16th through November 15th in commemoration of the liberation of the town of   
   Knokke in Belgium by the Canadian Army in 1944. The C-L-M suffix stands for   
   Canadian Liberation March. More information is on-line at www.on44clm.be.   
   (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING THE DUBLIN BUS   
      
   Hams in Erin's Isle have taken to the air to celebrate the 25th anniversary   
   of the Dublin Bus with special event special event station E-I-25-D-B   
   operational from now through June 30th of 2013. The station will be   
   operated by current and former employees of Dublin Bus Company led by EI9HQ   
   and EI4GZB. QSL this operation to EI9HQ or electronically using either   
   Logbook of the World or HamLog.eu. The Dublin Bus Company is a major public   
   transportation supplier through out the city of Dublin, Ireland.   
   (Southgate)   
      
   **   
      
   ON THE AIR: VOODOO CONTEST CLUB TO BE ACTIVE FROM LIBERIA   
      
   For the 24th straight year look for the VooDoo Contest Group to again be   
   active from Liberia between November 21st and the 27th. Operations will be   
   from a location just South of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Their main   
   goal is to be an entry in the CQ World Wide DX CW Contest on November 24th   
   and 25th as a Multi-Multi category using the callsign E-L-2-A. Outside of   
   the contest the operators will use their own personal callsigns. QSL as   
   directed by each operator. (OPDX)   
      
   **   
      
   DX   
      
   In DX, SM1TDE will be active portable 5Z4 from Diani Beach, Mombasa, Kenya   
   between November 5th and the 22nd. This will be a family vacation and   
   activity will be limited to how much his XYL and kids allow. His operation   
   will be on 40 through 10 meters on CW only. QSL via his home callsign,   
   either direct, via the bureau or electronically using Logbook of the World.   
      
      
   JA7SGV is now operational as 9J2JA from Zambia. His length of stay is   
   unknown. Activity has been on the 30, 20, 17 and 15 meters using CW only.   
   QSL via his home callsign.   
      
   W4XP who was expected to be active now as VQ9XP from the club station VQ9X on   
   Diego Garcia Atoll has been forced to cancel the operation. He says that   
   this is because the station has been placed off-limits by the installation   
   Commander.   
      
   PA0FAW will be operating PC12WSF through September 30th for the World   
   Statues Festival in Arnhem in the Nethlands. Modes mentioned are CW, SSB   
   and PSK. QSL to PA0FAW either direct, via the bureau or electronically via   
   eQSL. This operation will not accept Logbook of the World confirmation   
   requests.   
      
   Lastly, CT1FJZ will be working in Angola for the next year or so and will be   
   operational on 80 through 10 meter SSB using the callsign D2FJZ. His   
   activity will be mainly at the weekends but he will try to get on the air   
   whenever possible during weekdays. QSL as directed on the air.   
      
   (Above from various DX news sources)   
      
   **   
      
   THAT FINAL ITEM: CONTROLLED CARRIER AM -SOMETHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN   
      
   And finally this week, an old modulation technology is making a comeback for   
   A-M broadcast stations in a new and money saving way. Amateur Radio   
   Newsline's George Bowen, W2XBS, has the details where something old is new   
   again:   
      
   --   
      
   Back in the days of full carrier A-M transmission one very popular and low   
   cost way to put ones voice onto a carrier wave was to modulate the final   
   power amplifier's screen grid. A variation on this that required no heavy   
   modulation transformer was to vary the output power of the transmitter at an   
   audio rate by varying the final amplifier's screen voltage at an audio rate.   
   This system was called controlled carrier A-M and it was made very popular   
   on the ham bands in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's in such budget priced   
   transmitters as the Heathkit DX-35, DX-40 and DX-60 to name only a few.   
      
   With the advent of single sideband transmission, full carrier A-M fell out of   
   favor in the ham radio world but it has remained a staple in the broadcast   
   industry and other services that want to get their message to the public.   
   And now, carrier control modulation is making a comeback among broadcasters   
   but not in the way it was done by radio amateurs of the past.   
      
   For broadcasters who spend 10's of thousands of dollars a year paying for   
   electric service, the ability to raise and lower power levels can be a major   
   cost cutting factor. And because of this a number of stations have received   
   waivers from the FCC to experiment with several new forms of carrier control   
   technology.   
      
   In one instance, transmitter manufacturer Harris Broadcast and New York City   
   powerhouse WOR-AM say they have had success with a power-saving Modulation   
   Dependent Carrier Level algorithm. This with no effect on Arbitron Portable   
   People Meter data encoding/decoding, the stations H-D Radio signal coverage   
   or digital audio quality.   
      
   Harris engineers worked with Tom Ray, W2TRR , who is the Corporate Director   
   of Engineering WOR AM in New York, to test the compatibility of two Harris   
   Modulation-Dependent Carrier Level algorithms. Amplitude Modulation   
   Companding provided the largest reduction in transmitter power consumption,   
   by saving 37 percent in average AC power input to the transmitter. WOR   
   estimated this translates up to a $3,000 per month savings on the electric   
   bill at his New Jersey transmitter site.   
      
   So will this new form of Amplitude Modulation Companding bring back full   
   carrier AM to the ham bands? While a tiny segment may decide to experiment   
   with it more than likely SSB will remain the preferred voice system among   
   ham radio operators world wide. At least until it's replaced by a digital   
   voice system at sometime in the future.   
      
   For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm George Bowen, W2XBS, at the North East   
   Bureau in Albany New York.   
      
   --   
      
   Nautel, another transmitter manufacturer has estimated that a 50 kilowatt AM   
   transmitter using this technology and operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a   
   week could easily save $20,000 a year or more in electricity costs. This   
   based on modest electricity rates of 10 cents per kilowatt hour.   
      
   The complete story can be found on-line at tinyurl.com/harris-modulation   
   (RW)   
      
   **   
      
   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, TWiT-TV 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.   
      
   Before we go a reminder that we are continuing our survey to learn who still   
   receive these newscasts over our 661-296-2407 dial in line rater than   
   downloading the MP3 file from our website. 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.   
      
   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 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)