Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1908 - March 7 2014
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1908 with a release date of March
7, 2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST.
200 tiny satellites to be orbited in one launch this month; the ARRL
requests member comments on digital High Frequency operations; the IARU
announces the theme for Amateur Radio Day 2014; the FCC issues some
stiff fines to cable-casters that broadcast a commercial with EAS
tones; an Oregon ARES group donates a ham station to a mobile response
clinic and a United States ham is honored for expanding the Summits on
the Air program to this nation. All this and more on Amateur Radio
Newsline report number 1908 coming your way right now:
Billboard Here
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: LAUNCH OF TWO HUNDRED 437 MHZ PICO-SATELLITES
SLATED FOR MARCH 16
200 tiny satellites will soon launch skyward for a short stay in space.
Amateur radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant K6PZW, is here with the details:
--
The largest ever launch of micro-satellites operating in the 437 MHz
band is planned for March 16th. That's when some 200 tiny Sprite
satellites on the SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS 3 mission.
A Sprite is a tiny, 3.5 by 3.5 cm, single-board spacecraft that was
developed by Zac Manchester, KD2BHC. It has a micro-controller, radio,
and solar cells and is capable of carrying single-chip sensors. These
might include thermometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, accelerometers
and the like.
The 200 Sprites will be carried in a CubeSat called KickSat. They are
stacked atop a spring-loaded pusher and secured by a nichrome burn wire
system. On reaching orbit KickSat will perform a de-tumble maneuver
and establish communication with Cornell University's ground station.
After check-out, the spacecraft will be put in a sun-pointing attitude
and spun up to maintain that attitude. Then a command signal from the
ground station will then trigger the deployment and the Sprites will be
released as free-flying spacecraft. These micro birds will be placed
into a 325 by 315 kilometer 51.5 degree inclination orbit. After
deployment, telemetry and sensor measurements from the individual
Sprites will be received through Cornell's ground station in Ithaca,
NY, as well as several other amateur ground stations around the world.
All of the 200 Sprites operate on a single frequency of 437.240 MHz and
use Code Division Multiple Access. The transmitter runs only 10
milliwatts transmitting Minimum Shift Keying modulated with binary
data. Each data bit is modulated as a 511 bit Pseudo-Random Number
sequence.
Due to the low orbit Sprites will have a short lifetime before they
re-enter the atmosphere and burn up. In the best-case scenario the
orbital lifetime could be six weeks but realistically it may be
considerably shorter depending on atmospheric conditions. And while
likely short lived these 200 sprites will be making the space adventure
of a lifetime for many experimenters come true.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles.
--
You should be able to watch the mission live on NASA TV at
tinyurl.com/sprite-launch
(KickSat project, NASA, Southgate, others)
**'
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: CUBESATS DEPLOYED FROM THE ISS
As we wait for the 200 sprite megamission comes word that ham radio has
a number of new microbirds on-orbit. On Friday, February 28th
astronaut Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA deployed a batch of amateur radio
CubeSats from the International Space Station. These include
LituanicaSAT-1, LitSat-1, ArduSat-2 , UAPSAT and the 915 MHz SkyCube.
There is yet another amateur radio Cubesat still on the ISS. Its the
Peruvian built Chasqui-1 which was launched to the space station on
February 5th. It is understood that this bird is scheduled to be
hand-deployed during a future Russian space walk.
(ANS)
**
RADIO POLITICS: ARRL BOARD REQUESTS MEMBER COMMENTS ABOUT DIGITAL
MODES
Meantime, here on the ground, the ARRL says that it is seeking comments
from its members concerning the use of digital modes especially on the
High Frequency bands. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD,
has the details:
--
At its January 2014 ARRL Board of Directors meeting, a resolution was
passed which asked for member feedback and input pertaining to the
increasing popularity of data modes. The information gathered by this
investigation is to be used by the League's High Frequency Band
Planning Committee as a means to suggest ways to use our spectrum
efficiently so that these data modes may compatibly coexist with each
other.
As per the resolution, the ARRL Board of Directors is now reaching out
to the membership and requesting input and thoughtful feedback on
matters specific to digital mode operation on the HF bands.
According to the League's announcement, the feedback on this matter may
include, but is not limited to, the recent proposal the ARRL made to
the FCC in RM 11708. This, regarding the elimination of the symbol
rate restrictions currently in effect.
The Board of Directors believes that member input in the decision
making process is both valuable and important as well as fostering a
more transparent organization. It is to this end that they have opened
this dialogue.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,
Pennsylvania.
--
Comments must be received no later than March 31, 2014 to be included
in the Committee's report to the Board at the July 2014 ARRL Board of
Directors meeting. Please e-mail your comments to
HF-Digital-Bandplanning(at) arrl (dot) org
(ARRL)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: THEME FOR 2014 AMATEUR RADIO DAY ANNOUNCED
The International Amateur Radio Union Administrative Council has
designated "Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication" as
the theme for World Amateur Radio Day 2014. This ham radio holiday is
celebrated each year on April 18 to recognize the anniversary of the
founding of the International Amateur Radio Union in Paris, France back
in 1925. The primary purpose of World Amateur Radio Day is to focus a
public spotlight on Amateur Radio and its benefits to countries and
communities. This year the International Amateur Radio Union and its
member-societies around the world will celebrate the organization's
89th anniversary.
(ARRL, IARU, Southgate, others)
**
ENFORCEMENT: FCC PROPOSES ALMOST 2 MILLION DOLLAR IN FINES FOR
IMPROPER USE OF EAS TONES
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed massive fines
against cable television networks Viacom, ESPN, and NBC Universal,
This, for repeatedly transmitting an advertisement that misuses the
warning sounds of the nationwide Emergency Alert System. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has more:
--
The FCC's Enforcement Bureau had initiated a large scale investigation
in response to consumer complaints about a commercial being transmitted
on multiple cable networks that used EAS tones in its content. The
complaints described it an advertisement promoting the release of the
film "Olympus has Fallen."
In response to the Bureau's Letters of Inquiry, each of the three
companies admitted that the commercial aired numerous times on multiple
national and regional networks under their control. Also that it used
actual EAS codes and the Attention Signal to advertise the film.
Now, as a result of the investigation, the FCC has issued an omnibus
Notice of Apparent Liability for a total of $1,930,000 to the companies
that breaks down in this way. Seven Viacom-owned networks transmitted
the advertisement a total of 108 times over five days, resulting in a
proposed forfeiture of $1,120,000. Three ESPN owned networks
transmitted the advertisement a total of 13 times over four days,
resulting in a proposed forfeiture of $280,000. Finally, seven NBC
Universal owned cable networks transmitted the advertisement a total of
38 times over a span of six days, resulting in a proposed forfeiture of
$530,000.
The FCC has long prohibited the transmission of actual or simulated EAS
Signals or tones in circumstances other than a real alert or an
authorized test of the EAS system.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, reporting.
--
This case is the latest in a series of FCC enforcement actions to
address a recent increase in consumer complaints regarding the illegal
use of EAS alerting tones. All three networks are expected to file
appeals. (FCC, TV Technology, The Hill)
**
DX UP FRONT: ZAMBIA
In DX up front, word that members of the Italian DXpedition Team will
be on the air from Zambia until March 17th using the call sign 9J2T.
They are reportedly active on 160 through 6 meters using CW , SSB and
RTTY. QSL this operation via I2YSB either direct or on OQRS or Logbook
of the World.
**
DX UP FRONT: LICHTENSTEIN
Down the road a bit, DL4HTK and DO5AD will be on the air as HB0DRK and
HB0YRK, respectively, between May 4th to the 18th from Liechtenstein.
Their operation will be on 80 through10 meters using CW, SSB, PSK and
RTTY. QSL both callsigns via DL5DRK. And we will have more DX news
for you near the end of this weeks bulletin.
**
BREAK 1
Time to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W8SRC
repeater serving Ann Arbor, Michigan
**
RADIO LAW: HAM RADIO ANTENNA RULES DEBATED IN POWAY CALIFORNIA
Working to comply with federal guidelines and recent court decisions,
the Poway, California, City Council has signaled its intent to ease
restrictions on local ham radio antenna installations. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the details:
--
News reports out of San Diego say that at a recent meeting, the Poway
City Council directed its staff to prepare a draft ordinance that will
raise the height limit of antennas from 35 feet to 65 feet. The new
rules should also make it easier and less expensive to obtain the
permits to erect a ham radio antenna and support structure.
The Federal Communications Commission licenses amateur radio operators,
but under PRB-1 gives municipalities some amount of limited power to
regulate antennas under local zoning rules. Over the years, that power
has been shrinking in response to numerous lawsuits brought against
cities around the country. While hams in Poway have not taken any
legal action they have spent the last decade urging the city to change
its rules. The council has been resistant, hoping to keep what it calls
unattractive antennas from scarring the city's horizon and possibly
lowering property values of homes near such a structure.
Now Poway officials are changing their stance, most likely to protect
against future lawsuits and bring the city within federal guidelines.
According to a survey conducted by Poway officials, most San Diego
County cities have no height limit, and few, if any, permit
requirements,
Bob Manis is the Director of Developmental Services. By contrast, he
told the council that Poway has some of the most stringent antenna laws
in the county, including a 35-foot height limit. It also has a
permitting process that, among other things, requires neighbors be
notified if a new antenna is proposed.
But that appears to about to change. According to the council it has
been concluded that a jurisdiction must make reasonable accommodations
for amateur radio operators and their antenna installations. And
that's good news for hams living in the Poway area.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the
newsroom in Los Angeles.
--
We will let you know the outcome of this proposed antenna ordnance
change in a future newscast. More is on line at
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/...ham-radio-ante
nna (San Diego Union Tribune)
**
RESCUE RADIO: FLORIDA GOVERNOR'S HURRICANE CONFERENCE
The 28th Annual Governor's Hurricane Conference will be held May 11 to
the 16th at the Rosen Center Hotel and Orange County Convention Center
in Orlando, Florida. This conference also features an impressive
presence of amateur radio and ARES members. As plans for Amateur
Radio-related workshops and forums evolve, they will be reported in
the ARRL's ARES E-Letter. More information can be found on the web at
flghc.org. (ARRL)
**
RESCUE RADIO: HAMS DONATE GEAR TO MEDFORD OREGON MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM
The La Clinica's Mobile Health Center in Medford, Oregon has gained the
added ability to communicate by radio during an emergency. This thanks
to the generous donation of a portable amateur radio station from
Jackson County Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, has the latest:
--
David Dismuke is the outreach coordinator for La Clinica. He says that
the new ham radio station was purchased through a grant from the
national Public Health Preparedness Program. He says that it will be
stored with the mobile health center for use if an emergency takes down
other forms of communication.
The Jackson County Amateur Radio Emergency Service which made the
donation is an all-volunteer group of Medford area amateur radio
operators trained in emergency communications. The group functions
under the Jackson County sheriff's volunteer program and reports to the
county emergency manager. It operates using the services of the Rogue
Valley Manor K7RVM repeater on 147.00 MHz and has nearly two dozen
amateur radio stations placed throughout the county. This includes
those set up at hospitals, fire stations, the county Emergency
Coordination Center, the health department and the 911 dispatch center.
The La Clinica Mobile Health Center team is part of Jackson County's
plan for responding to major emergencies. The mobile health center
would not be part of the initial response, but could be called on in
the following days to provide health care services.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, in Scottsdale,
Arizona.
--
The equipment donated by the Jackson County Amateur Radio Emergency
Service will help clinic workers remain connected in case of a disaster
and enable them to help send information to and from other emergency
responders. More is on the web at tinyurl.com/medford-radio-donation
(Mail Tribune)
**
RADIO BUSINESS: HRD SOFTWARE ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO SAM CALLBOOK
HRD Software has announced that it has acquired the rights to the SAM
Callbook CD. HRD says that it will honor the current subscriber base
and continue to send out the monthly CD's starting in March.
HRD says that it will also be developing a Windows interface for the
Callbook. Windows 32, 64 bit and Windows RT versions are planned, as
well as incorporating the Callbook data into HRD Logbook. This will
provide immediate downloads for United States and Canadian calls from
the internet inside of HRD Logbook. More information about the SAM
Callbook CD will be on the HRD Website in late March.
HRD Software has also announced the release of Ham Radio Deluxe 6.2
Preview/Beta 2 This includes many fixes for issues the user-base has
found. The list of the fixes and enhancements for Beta 2. is on the HRD
website at www.ham-radio-deluxe.com. (HRD Software)
**
RADIO BUSINESS: RADIO AMATEURS OF CANADA PARTNERS UP WITH RFINDER
Radio Amateurs of Canada and RFinder have announced a new business
agreement effective March 1st. As of that date, Radio Amateurs of
Canada has endorsed RFinder as the official Worldwide Repeater
Directory for all Canadian amateur radio operators.
RFinder is described as a steadily growing worldwide repeater
directory. In addition to single site machines RFinder also lists
IRLP, Echolink, AllStar, D-STAR, MotoTRBO and even Winlink information
in over 175 countries.
Canadian hams purchasing the RFinder application will financially
benefit the Radio Amateurs of Canada through the terms of this new
agreement. (RAC, VA3GX/VE2HHH)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: FCC TO APPOINT TRAVIS LEBLANC ACTING CHIEF OF
ENFORCEMENT
Some names in the news. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced his
intent to appoint Travis LeBlanc as acting Chief of the agency's
Enforcement Bureau. LeBlanc previously served as a top deputy and
senior advisor to California Attorney General Kamala Harris where he
spent his time overseeing the office's complex operations and
activities. This included but was not limited to issues involving
complex litigation and policy matters on a broad range of issues such
as technology regulation, telecommunications, high-tech crime,
cyber-security, privacy, intellectual property and antitrust. During
his time with the Office of the California Attorney General, he
established and oversaw California's first high-tech crime and privacy
enforcement units. He also secured global agreements with a number of
high-tech companies to protect consumer privacy, promote online safety
and respect intellectual property rights. (FCC)
**
NAMES IN THE NEWS: US HAM HONORED FOR EXPANDING SOTA PROGRAM
Guy Hamblen, N7UN, who has been recognized for his work in helping to
establish the popular Summits on the Air or SOTA award program in the
United States. Hamblen was selected by the Summits on the Air
Management Team to receive the SOTA Sherpa Award which presented
annually and is sponsored by SOTA Beams. This is an outdoor radio
specialist. The award consists of a handsome certificate and some
store credit at the SOTA Beams online shop. (SOTA)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: SE VHF SOCITY CONFERENCE APRIL 25 - 26
Turning to happenings in the world of amateur radio, the 2014
Southeastern VHF Society Conference will be held on April 25th and
26th at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in the Atlanta suburb of Norcross,
Georgia. The conference will kick off with a luncheon on Friday.
During the conference there will be seminars, sessions as well as noise
figure testing and antenna testing. A banquet with speaker on Saturday
evening to close the festivities. For further information on speakers,
agenda, etc. please check this link svhfs.org/conference.html (W4KXY)
**
HAM HAPPENINGS: CHARLESTON W.VA. HAMFEST - MARCH 15
And if you happen to be in or around this are on Saturday, March 15th,
then you are cordiality invited to attend the 30th Annual ARRL
Charleston West Virginia Hamfest. This event will take place from 9
AM to 2 PM local time at the Coonskin Armory, 1707 Coonskin Drive in
Charleston, West Virginia. Admission is only $6 at the gate and ham
radio exams will be administered by a V-E Testing Team at 12:30 P.M..
For info contact this reporter, Jim Damron N8TMW by e-mail to n8tmw
(at) arrl (dot) net. I hope to meet some of you there. (Charleston
W. VA. Hamfest)
**
BREAK 2
This is the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around
the world including the volunteer services of the following radio
amateur.
**
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: PAST ARRL GENERAL MANAGER, QST EDITOR JOHN
HUNTOON, W1RW - (SK)
The changing of the guard continues with the sad news that former ARRL
General Manager and QST Editor John Huntoon, W1RW, became a Silent Key
on February 23rd at the age of 97. Huntoon of East Hartford,
Connecticut, served as ARRL Secretary and General Manager from 1961
until 1975. A Full Charter Life Member of ARRL, he also was the
Secretary of the International Amateur Radio Union and Editor of QST.
John Huntoon was an Illinois native who became interested in radio and
electronics as a youngster and he obtained the amateur radio call of
W9KJY in 1932, while he was still in high school. Soon he was deeply
involved in traffic handling and becoming very proficient in
radiotelegraphy. In 1936 he was elected Illinois Section
Communications Manager which was the forerunner of the current Section
Manager position. He also served as Secretary of the Chicago Area
Radio Club Council.
Following his tenure as ARRL General Manager, Mr. Huntoon served as
ARRL treasurer from 1976 until 1980. He also was active in the Quarter
Century Wireless Association and was on its board of directors. His
daughter said he remained active in the QCWA until recently. (ARRL)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: MDSR V2.8 SOFTWARE NOW AVAILABLE
Modulator Demodulator Software Radio or MDSR has upgraded its software
to bring radio amateurs the best audio quality out of your existing
analog rig. This, by turning it into an Intermediate Frequency
Software Defined Radio.
According to the MDSR team, a simple and reversible modification on
many analog transceivers is all it takes to connect the down converter
to a sound card of the computer running Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8. MDSR
works with any symmetrical HF transceiver. Best of all the MDSR
version 2.8 software is free to use for amateur radio operators. More
about it is at tinyurl.com/mdsr-2014. Just click on MDSR kit and
Installation. (MDSR Team)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SA AMSAT EXPANDS ITS SCHOOL'S SATELLITE PROJECT
South Africa AMSAT has expanded its call for schools to submit
proposals for small scientific projects to be included in the KLETSkous
CubeSat project. Each proposal will be evaluated and the five most
original and practical ones will be selected to build a prototype. The
school projects selected to build prototypes will be invited to make a
brief presentation at the South Africa AMSAT Space Symposium to be held
on May 23rd at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria. The closing date for
proposals is 31 March 2014. More about this project is at
amsatsa.org.za. (SARL)
**
ON THE AIR: AMERICAN LEGION AMATEUR RADIO CLUB TO CELEBRATE LEGION'S
95TH BIRTHDAY WITH SPECIAL EVENT STATION
The American Legion Amateur Radio Club will operate special event
station K9TAL on Saturday, March 15th between1400 to 2100 UTC. This to
commemorate the 95th anniversary of the American Legion. The primary
frequency to look for K9TAL will be 14.275 MHz. A full color
certificate will be available to those who work and QSL K9TAL. More
information is on the web at www (dot) legion (dot) org / hamradio.
(TALARC)
**
ON THE AIR: K5B TO COMMEMORATE BATAAN DEATH MARCH
The Mesilla Valley Radio Club of Las Cruces, New Mexico will be
operating Special Events Station K5B on March 23rd, This in
conjunction with the 25th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon
event to be held at the nearby White Sands Missile Range. K5B will be
operating as near as possible to 21.337, 14.330, 7.225, and 3.893 MHz
as band conditions permit. Those QSLing with a self addressed stamped
envelope will receive a commemorative card in return. More information
about the event is available at www (dot) n5bl (dot) org / bataan.
(WB4AEJ)
**
ON THE AIR: TESLA MEMORIAL HF CW CONTEST MARCH 8 - 9
And while a bit of short notice, the 2014 Tesla Memorial Contest will
be held March 8th starting 18:00 UTC and ending at 8:00 UTC on the 9th.
The competition is open to operators world-wide. Participants must use
CW only on the 80 meter band. Points are awarded for distance between
stations. For full details are at tinyurl.com/tesla-memorial. (IRTS)
**
DX
In DX, DD5ZZ is now active as 8P9BZ from Dover Beach, Barbados and will
be there through March 13th. His activity is holiday style on 40
through 10 meters using mainly the digital modes. QSL to DD5ZZ either
direct or via the DARC QSL Bureau.
ZS6AYU will once again be active as C91GR from Mozambique between March
16th through the 19th. His operation will be holiday style on 40
through 10 meters using CW only at 350 watts into a Cushcraft R7000
vertical. QSL via ZS6AYU either direct or via the bureau.
DL7DF will lead a team of operators to activate Sri Lanka between March
10th and the 23rd. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using several
stations operating CW and SSB. One station will be exclusively
dedicated to RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV. They will upload the full logs of
the DXpedition to Logbook of the World within 6 months after the
DXpedition. QSL via DL7DF, direct or by the Bureau.
Members of the Amateur Radio Taipei will be active as BP0P during the
CQ World Wide SSB Contest on March 29th and 30th as a Multi-2 entry.
QSL via BP0P.
Lastly, F5SGI will be active stroke CT9 from the Madeira Islands
between April 5th to the 12th. His operation will be on 80 through10
meters using mostly CW. QSL via his home callsign either direct or via
the bureau.
(Above from OPDX and other sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: CCTV REPLACING CB ON I-80 IN OMAHA
And finally this week, is CB radio is giving wway to emerging
technology? In one area of the United States that appears to be the
case as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK:
--
It does appears that 11 meter Citizens Band radio is taking a back seat
with truckers on Interstate 80 in and around Omaha, Nebraska. This
after the installation of road watching cameras tied to a control
center that alerts those driving the corridor of problems that may lie
ahead through high visibility electronic signs.
Tim Persing has been a truck driver for the past 24 years. He says
that the new alerting system has taken the place of CB radio, at least
in that geographic area. A half decade ago, CB radio was the only way
to warn truckers about upcoming problems on roadways. But thanks to
new technology, they are seeing more than they can hear on CB.
Gary Forman is with the Nebraska Department of Roads. He says that
truckers do pay attention to those signs. For example if word is put
out not to use I-80 bypass on I-680, we see all the truck traffic in
compliance.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in Zion,
Illinois.
--
While this might be true in that one area of Nebraska, 11 meter CB is
still going strong with long-haul truckers across the length and
breadth of this nation and our neighbors to the North and South. (Omaha
Now)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the
Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB, the South
African Radio League, the Southgate News, TwiT-TV, Australia's WIA News
and you our listeners, 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
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And before we go, a very special thank you to Dave Booth, KC6WFS, who
spent about a week and a half completely rebuilding our main production
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service and running far better than when we first purchased it back
some four years ago. All of us at Amateur Radio Newsline appreciate
KC6WFS' volunteerism very, very much.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk, I'm Jim
Damron, N8TMW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.