Amateur Radio Newslineâ„¢ Report 1422 Â* November 12, 2004


Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1422 with a release date of
Friday, November 12, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. The FCC turns off the ham radio licensing
computer and a big Aurora opening hits North America. Find out the
details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1422 coming your way
right now.



(Billboard Cart Here)

**


WITH THE FCC: HAM RADIO LICENSING STOPS AND STARTS DUE TO COMPUTER
GLICH


Ham radio licensing came to a screeching halt on November 5th. This
after a software glitch caused the computer that issues licenses to
do some very strange things. Mark Abramovich, NT3V, has been
following the developments from Philadelphia and gas mo


--


The FCC isn't offering any official comment on exactly what happened.
But Amateur Radio Newsline has learned that the problems with the
Universal Licensing System computer started after an Oct. 28 software
upgrade installed by a government contractor.


The problems that followed prompted the FCC to order a five-day
shutdown of the system which issues Amateur Radio licenses. The
system came back on-line on Nov. 10. However, as of our deadline for
this week's program, the FCC still planned a weekend shutdown of the
U-L-S for maintenance and expected it to return to operation on Nov.
15.


The American Radio Relay League's Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Bart
Jahnke, W9JJ, tells Amateur Radio Newsline he was among the first to
detect problems while doing a routine check up on the application of
a friend near the end of last month.


Jahnke says he discovered the application was - as he describes it -
flagged or marked pending by the
FCC for a review by a live person. He says the automated system and
its software are set up for minimal human intervention. Jahnke says
such a classification immediately raised concerns that something had
gone wrong.


Jahnke tells me once he called his contact at the FCC to report the
problem, he was told the computer contractor would be notified to
investigate.


A couple days later, Jahnke says he was told the problem was fixed.
But, as Jahnke tells me, he checked and found that the computer
problem had gotten worse. He says he and other VECs were finding the
U-L-S had begun issuing Group D call signs - the 2 X 3 ones - to new
licensees out of sequence. He says only the first and third call-
district applications somehow escaped getting caught up in the
problem.


At that point, Jahnke tells Amateur Radio Newsline he and other VECs
called the FCC. He says the commission told the contractor to pull
the plug on the system on Nov. 5, run some diagnostics and fix it. A
message posted on the FCC's website on Nov. 5 said simply: "The
granting of Amateur applications has been temporarily suspended. We
apologize for the inconvenience."


Prospective hams who had passed VE exams earlier and were awaiting
their call sign were getting nervous. Some who received the out-of-
sequence call signs were wondering whether the call signs were OK to
use. A few had even received a second call sign, cancelling the first.
In all, Jahnke says about 130 licensees were affected and thousands
of license applications were backed up in the system.


By Nov. 10, Jahnke says the FCC began issuing letters cancelling the
out-of-sequence call signs and awarding the proper call signs to new
licensees. For some, he says it was their third call sign in a matter
of days.


Jahnke says the FCC deserves credit for responding as fast as it did.
He also has praise for the other VECs across the country who were in
touch the with FCC, too. Jahnke says he's crossing his fingers and
hoping the planned weekend maintenance of the FCC U-L-S computer,
won't undo the system fix.


For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in
Philadelphia.


--


More on this situation in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports.
(ARNewsline(tm), NT3V with input from FCC and ARRL)


**


UNEXPECTED VHF DX: THE BIG AURORA OPENING OF NOVEMBER 7


--


N6ZE: "The aurora was very bright most of the time and the magnetic
bearing from the airplane extended from 300 degress through about 060
or 070. We saw this for about 3 hours and a distance of probably
1900 statute miles."


---


That's Pete Heins, N6ZE, describing last Sunday night and early
Monday's magnificent Aurora from his vantage point in the right seat
of a Boeing 757 jetliner. Pete was the co-pilot that night, flying
from Los Angeles to New York's J-F-K International airport.


--


N6ZE: "At no time was the visability obscured by clouds, and for
about the last 1 hour of the flight we did have about a 1/4 moon in
the Eastern sky climbing, and we were still able to see the AU."


--


And while Pete was making his way across country, hams on the ground
were sitting on 6 meters, 2 meters and all the bands above. And some
like Dave Bernhardt, N7DB, in Boring, Oregon were hearing and working
stations all over the place. Dave primarily operated 2 meters where
according to the V-H-F reflector he worked W7IUV, K7XC, K7GS, WA6KLK
and VE7DXG to name only a few. And Dave was not alone.


On the other side of the country, Jeff Klein, K1TEO, in Trumbull,
Connecticut reports making Aurora propagation contacts on 2 Meters as
far south as Alabama and Tennessee. To the west Jeff worked stations
in Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota.


According to reports from NASA, the Auroral opening was caused by a
Coronal Mass Ejection or C-M-E on the Sun. That event happened late
on Friday, November 5th with the ionized particles reaching our Earth
late on Sunday. Television news programs on Monday night showed
pictures of this very bright Aurora as far South as Minnesota and
northern Kansas.


On Tuesday the 9th two more solar shocks have arrived. Paul Kelly,
N1BUG, in Milo, New Hampshire reported them on the VHF Reflector.
The first hit just after 09:00 UTC but did not contain favorable
magnetic field vectors or strength to produce Aurora at North
American mid-latitudes. The second, arriving near 18:20 U-T-C did
produce the classic Aurora buzzing. He later describe this event
comig just in time for the natural late afternoon peak for auroral
backscatter. He says that the Aurora came up fast and suddenly 2
meters filled with strong buzzing signals. He says over the
reflector that he worked as far South as grid square E M 66.


And while hams who only operate the high frequency bands were
complaining that 80 through 10 meter propagation had literally
disappeared, those like N1BUG, N7DB and K1TEO on 6 meters, 2 meters
and above were calling C-Q Aurora and making lots of contacts. All
that is except Pete Heins, N6ZE, who landed his big silver bird at
New York's J-F-K airport just as the sun was coming up. Then again,
you have to admit that sitting at 37,000 feet on the flight deck of a
757, Pete probably had the best view of all. (ARNewsline(tm), N6ZE,
VHF Reflector)


**


MORE ON PROPAGATION: WWW.HFRADIO.ORG/PROPAGATION


By the way, Dick Mannheimer, K6LAE, who was one of the first to alert
us to the Aurora also passes along information on an excellent
propagation website. Its in cyberspace at
www.hfradio.org/propagation.html


The site is operated by Thomas Hood, NW7US. If the name and call
sign sound familiar its because this is the same Thomas Hood who
writes propagation columns for CQ, CQ VHF, Popular Communications and
Monitoring Times magazines.


We have looked at the site. It's well worth bookmarking on your web
browser. Again the URL is www.hfradio.org/propagation.html (K6LAE)


**


Break 1


From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W3BN
repeater serving Reading, Pennsylvania.


(5 sec pause here)



**


HELPING HAMS: UNITED WAY REPORTS HUGE HAM RADIO RESPONSE TO ARRL
HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE


The United Way in Martin County, Florida, reports "a huge response"
by the Amateur Radio community. This, to the ARRL's call to support
a toy drive on behalf of the agency's "White Doves Holiday Project."


According to the ARRL Letter, Carol Hodnett, who directs the United
Way of Martin County's Volunteer and Community Resource Center says
League members from Maine to California have sent toys or money, and
more is arriving every day. The League hopes to provide toys for
youngsters left homeless or displaced by a string of hurricanes that
hit the region earlier this year.


There is still time for you to take part in this very worthwhile
project. All you need do is to purchase an unwrapped toy for a boy
or girl aged 1 to 14. Please send it prior to Thanksgiving,
Thursday, November 25th. Be sure to include a QSL card or 3x5 card
displaying your call sign. Mail it to Ham Radio, The United Way
White Dove Project, 50 Kindred St, Suite 207, Stuart, FL 34994.


In our view this is Amateur Radio at its very best. Hams helping
kids in a true time of need. (ARRL)


**


ENFORCEMENT: ARE YOU THIS PERSON?


An FCC license holder who is likely a ham is being asked by the
agency if he is the same person convicted of a number of criminal
acts. And the agency has an important reason for asking. Spokesman
Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, explains:


--


Duckworth: "Regarding qualifications to remain a licensee, in inquiry
concerning criminal convictions for theft by deception and theft by
failure to make required disposition of funds as the result of an
investment scam went to a licensee in Johnstown, Pennsylvania."


--


According to the FCC release, the person involved is also under
investigation by Pennsylvania Administrative Office of the Courts for
a possible indecent assault. This is alleged to have been committed
on July 30th, 2002.


The purpose of the probe is to determine if the person contacted is
the same one as in the alleged and proven criminal cases. For that
reason the FCC has withheld the persons identity or any other factual
material to indicate whom he or she might be.


But if its the right person, he or she was given two options by the
agency. The person can provide additional information on the
convictions and charges for consideration by the Commission.
Alternately, he or she can voluntarily submit a license for
cancellation in order to avoid a hearing on the issue. (FCC, RAIN)


**


ENFOECEMENT: YOU CAN'T SELL THAT BEACON


Still with enforcement news, word that ACR Electronics, Inc. of Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, has been fined $75,000. This, for marketing a
personal location beacon to the general public that had not been
approved by the Commission.


Now here's the ironic part? The CGC Communicator reports that some
of the material submitted to the FCC by ACR helped make the case
against the company.


It's all on line at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-253871A1.doc
and http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...hmatch/FCC-04-
259A1.doc (CGC)


**


ENFORCEMENT: POWER - LESS POWER CAPTAIN


An unlicensed broadcaster's response to an FCC Notice of Violation
has helped to clinch a $10,000 fine issued against him. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details.


--


Well, the details really speak for themselves and we would be hard
put to say it better than David Michael Oaks. Oaks is the one who
received the $10,000 fine for allegedly operating an FM station at
his residence in Beaverton, Oregon. This, without the benefit oof
holding a valid license to do so.


Quoting from the FCC report and order affirming the fine, the agency
says that in responding, Oaks did not deny the charge. Rather, he
stated that he was attempting to correct the violation by lowering
the power each time he received a notice that he was operating an
unlicensed station.


But that's not all. The FCC goes on to say that Oaks asserted that
the investigating agent told him that the effective range for a
transmitter operating pursuant to Part 15 of the Rules is about 100
feet. Also, that if Oaks chose to do so, he could purchase a Part 15
certified wireless microphone to compare the range of that signal
with that of his station.


Oaks did not choose to do so. Nor did he refrain from operating
after receiving several written warnings. Based on all of this
evidence, the FCC says that the $10,000 fine will stand.


For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los
Angeles


--


More on this case is on line at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...-04-3504A1.doc
(FCC)


**


RESCUE RADIO: PROPOSED RADIO JAMMING SYSTEM DROPPED FOR THE MOMENT


Some good news and some bad about an emergency information system
proposed by Alert Devices International Corporation. The company has
requested that the FCC to dismiss its Petition for Rule Making to
create an Emergency Vehicle Signaling Service. This is the
previously described service that would allow emergency vehicles to
jam out authorized broadcast stations and replace them with emergency
warning messages designed to attract the attention of affected
motorists.


The good news is that the FCC has granted A-D-I's dismissal request.
The bad news is that ADI - according to its latest filing - proposes
to submit an "expanded version" of its Petition in the near future.
Its all on the web at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...-04-3521A1.doc
(CGC)


**


MORE POWER CAPTAIN: ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY CHASTISED FOR 2003 BLACKOUT


Those wonderful people that are now bringing you BPL have bigger
problems to worry about. This after Federal regulators issue a
scathing review of the electricity industry's voluntary efforts to
make their power grids more reliable.


The report comes about a year after nation's worst blackout that hit
on August 14th of 2003. According to staff at the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, power industry audits play down shortcomings
of the grid system, rely on ambiguous standards that often are
ignored and reflect vast differences between the best and the worst
performers.


But the agency's chairman Pat Wood did say that there have been
improvements since the blackout that was caused by power line
problems in Ohio and affected eight states from Michigan to New York
as well as parts of Canada. (Published reports)


**


IN PRINT: ALL ABOUT TONE


And with more and more repeaters implementing some form of tone
access, it is C-Q Magazine that's taking the lead in explaining how
it works to the ham community. In his three page article in the
November issue, writer Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, "How It Works" column
traces the use of tone access and explains why it can be far more of
a friend to hams than a way to keep them off a system they may want
to try. You can read what Dave has to say in the November C-Q on
newsstands right now. More information is on the web at www.cq-
amateur.radio.com (CQ)


**


ON THE WEB: QRZ.COM NEEDS YOU


The giant Q-R-Zed dot com website says it needs some volunteers to
help it better serve the needs of the world wide ham radio
community. According to its owner Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ, the popularity
has resulted in a need to enlist a few more volunteers to help out on
the website operations.


Lloyd says that Q-R-Zed currently has openings for two types of
volunteers,. These are board Moderators and Callsign Database
Administrators. An explanation of the responsibilities of each is on
line at the Q-R-Zed site. Its in cyberspace at www.qrz.com.
(qrz.com)


**


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)


**


CHANGING OF THE GUARD: SHIRLEY WILKERSON JR. W4TBU Â* S.K.


Some sad news to report. Word that Elmer Extraordinary, Shirley
Wilkerson, Jr., W4TBU, died on Monday, November 8th. As reported
last week, Wilkerson was 84 years old and had been hospitalized in
declining health.


According to Tom Webb, W4YOK, Wilkerson was licensed in 1950 and was
a one-time member of QCWA with his story featured in the winter 2003
edition of the Q-C-W-A Journal. He is survived by a sister. (W4YOK)


**


TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECURETY: PASSCODE FROM AMERICA ONLINE


Turning to the high tech page, America Online says that it will begin
offering members a security device and service that has been used to
safeguard business computer networks. This after parent company Time
Warner Inc. announces that its AOL unit has signed a deal with
Internet security company RSA Security Inc., to launch its new AOL
PassCode.


Using an ever changing algorithm, the system is designed to add an
additional layer of protection to member accounts. PassCode users
will be provided with a small handheld six-digit numeric code key
which refresh on the device every 60 seconds. To log onto an AOL
account equipped with the service, users will have to type in the six-
digits in addition to their regular password.


The price of the code-key device will be $9.95. Service costs will
range from $1.95 to $4.95 per month. This, in addition to the usual
America Online subscription fee. (AOL, published reports)


**


EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: FALSING CALLER ID


The Washington Post reports that a new technology can trick U.S.
caller-ID services into displaying someone else's name and telephone
number. The Web-based systems make the name and number appear in a
call recipient's caller-ID box.


A company called Star38 that launched in September with plans to
market to debt collectors has changed its strategy after consumers
complained. Star38 admitted the approach was "flawed," and now says
it will market their system to law enforcement agencies.


New Jersey-based Camophone says it will perform the service on a call-
by-call basis for a fee of $5 and up. The company said it recognizes
that the service could be abused but insists its intent is to help
customers protect their privacy.


But consumers worry that the technology could be used by stalkers and
debt-collection agencies, some consumers worry. The Direct Marketing
Association said masking a marketer's identity is illegal under rules
enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal
Communications Commission. (Washington Post)


**


HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AO-51 E-MAIL REQUEST BOX


AMSAT North America has announced the establishment of an E-mail
address for AO-51 users to submit requests and ideas for
Experimenters Wednesday operations. AMSAT says that this is a
chance for the ham community that uses AO-51 to request the modes
that they are interested in* seeing operated on during the weekly
Wednesday times. All input will be noted but do not expect a reply
to your E-mail. Send your requests or ideas to
(AMSAT-NA)


**


WORLDBEAT: VE3PU NEW TREASURER OF RAC


Back here on mother Earth, word from Radio Amateurs of Canada that
Ken Pulfer, VE3PU has been appointed to the position of Treasurer.
Pulfer will complete the unexpired term of Eric Ferguson VE3CR who
recently resigned.


This is not Pulfer's first time in the job. He has served as R-A-C
Treasurer in the past, and brings a wealth of experience to the
position. (RAC)


**


WORLDBEAT - UK: FINAL G5RV LOGBOOK RETRIEVED FROM EBAY


Meantime, word from the United Kingdom that the final log book of one
of the worlds best-known radio amateurs has been saved for
posterity. This, after it was put up for auction on eBay.


The late Louis Varney, G5RV, of G5RV antenna fame was one of the
founding members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society in 1936. So
when Chelmsford club member Duncan Munro, M0KGK spotted that G5RV's
last ever logbook was being auctioned, the club decided to buy it.


Munro did the bidding. Despite fierce competition he managed to
secure the logbook in the last eight seconds of auction.


The logbook shows that G5RV's final QSO's took place on the 11th
January 2000 and were , appropriately enough recorded on page 73 of
the logbook. The stations contacted were Ron Glover, G0WGP, in West
Sussix and club President Harry Heap, G5HF, in Chelmsford. Louis
was, of course, using his famed G5RV antenna for all of the
contacts. (GB2RS)


**


DX


In D-X, word that W-6-S-J, will be on the air from the Bahamas as
C6AWS from November 26th through December 2nd. Activity will include
a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry in the CQ World Wide DX CW
Contest. During non-contest periods, he will concentrate on the WARC
bands. QSL to his home call. (OPDX)


And Look for 7Q7LA back on the air from Malawi in a few weeks. This,
as G0IAS, updates the OPDX that he is hand carrying some ham gear for
Ron to be sure that it arrives safe and sound. G0IAS will leave the
U-K on the 28th of this month and is expected to arrive at the
Lakeshore on the 30th. The confirmation route for 7Q7LA remains
direct to G0IAS. There is no QSL bureau in Malawi. (OPDX)


**


THAT FINAL ITEM: UK HAMS ON THE AIR WITH EXPANDED 40 METER PRIVELEGES


And finally this week, hams in the U-K have taken to the airwaves
with their recently expanded privileges. RSGB Newsreader Jeramy
Boot, G4NJH, is where it all took place:


--


UK radio amateurs gained access to new frequencies between 7.1 and
7.2MHz from 31st October.
After dark, the band between 7.1 and 7.2MHz is still full of powerful
broadcast stations, although some clear frequencies can be found.


The band became available on the second day of the CQ World Wide DX
Phone Contest. Many UK stations took advantage of the new band by
making contest QSOs with stations in the USA on their own frequency,
instead of having to work 'split' as had been the case when
contacting North America on 40 metres SSB.


During the daytime, numerous UK stations are now able to have
virtually interference-free inter-G contacts above 7.1mhz.


The new band is available to radio amateurs on a Secondary, non-
interference, basis until 2009. After the end of March 2009, the
broadcast stations should move to other frequencies and 7.1 to 7.2MHz
will then become an amateur Primary band.


Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham.



--


Amateurs in the Republic of Ireland were also granted access to 7.1
to 7.2 MHz towards the end of October, joining those in Croatia,
Norway and San Marino who already had access to these frequencies.
Hams in Switzerland will also gain access to 7.1 to 7.2MHz from 1st
January 2005. (GB2RS)
**


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 and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from the
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm). Our e-mail address is
. More information is available at Amateur
Radio Newsline's(tm) only official website located at
www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm), P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California
91066.


For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Norm
Seeley, KI7UP, saying 73 and we thank you for listening." Amateur
Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.













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