Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1360– September 5 2003

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1360 with a release date of Friday,
September 5th 2003 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Pro-code fights back. A petition to retain Morse
code testing is filed with the FCC and others are reportedly on the way. Find
out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1360 coming your way
right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESTRUCTURING: PRO CODE PETITION FLED WITH THE FCC

The proponents of retaining Morse testing for all candidates for a United
States Amateur License with high frequency operating priveleges are striking
back. This, with a petition that not only asks the F-C-C to retain the 5 word
per minute C-W exam, but to also require that Extra class pass a 12 word per
minute test. And the organization that I sponsoring the measure also wants
written exams stiffened as well. Amateur Radio Newsline’s David Black,
KB4KCH, has more on this attempt to row against the deregulatory tide:

--

For the past couple of months, more and more countries have been steering
toward making amateur radio code-free. That follows the July abolition of Morse
code testing by the World Radiocommunications Conference. In the United
States, the Federal Communications Commission has before it six petitions
essentially seeking to remove Morse code from amateur radio in the U-S.
Supporters of the code have been quiet--until now. A group called FISTS--said
to be the largest code advocacy organization in the world--is leading an effort
to make Morse code a more prominent part of ham radio and the licensing
process.

FISTS is an international Morse code preservation society based in the United
Kingdom with chapters world-wide. Its stated objective is to further the use of
the Morse code in Amateur Radio communications. The group's north American
chapter has delivered a detailed rule-making request to the FCC that seeks more
than just making sure that Morse code testing is retained.

FISTS asks the Commission to raise the standards in other areas of testing,
too. Nancy Kott, WZ8C, is U-S Chapter Manager for FISTS, and is Editor of
Worldradio Magazine. She wrote the rule making request. Among the proposals
are keeping code as a mandatory testing element for the General and Extra class
licenses. General licenses would require 5 words per minute and Extra class
licenses would require 12 word per minute code proficiency.

FISTS says passing a 5 word per minute code test is no hindrance to people
wanting to upgrade, and cites the large number of Technician class operators
upgrading to General as proof.

FISTS also says that those aiming for the Extra license should be able to
demonstrate Morse code skill at 12 words per minute.

Today's written exams are too easy. At least, that's what FISTS seems to
suggest in noting that the FCC sought comments before amateur radio's
restructuring about whether fewer morse code requirements should be offset by
increased technical content on written questions. FISTS notes that nearly
every commenter said yes, but the Commission's Report and Order failed to
address the issue.

FISTS says the commission has a chance now to make General class written tests
equivalent to the Advanced class written tests before restructuring. In other
words, go back to the way it was, with tests that are harder and more thorough.

FISTS wants the Extra class exam to be more thorough, as well. It wants the FCC
to require written knowledge of circuit design, information theory, digital
methods and encoding schemes and software radio. FISTS says candidates for the
Extra class ticket need to show a more thorough knowledge of propagation and
geophysics than current tests require.

For the Technician class operator, FISTS suggests merging the Technician and
Tech-Plus classes and not require a Morse code exam. But FISTS says technical
content should be emphasized and should include the digital modes. FISTS
advocates extending Technician Class privileges to include digital modes within
the current Novice subbands, which it says should be kept. The group says that
would let Technician Class operators participate in the explosive growth in
digital applications occurring within the Amateur Radio Service on the high
frequency bands.

But when it comes to giving Technicians even limited phone privileges on HF,
FISTS says no. The group says the rush of upgrades by Technicians to higher
classes following restructuring indicates that the barrier between General and
Technician classes has already been lowered enough without needing to go any
further.

FISTS also suggests one other big change and that involves taking license
tests. Right now, if you fail an exam, you can go back and try again at the
same session. FISTS is asking the Commission to impose a 24-hour waiting
period before being able re-take either a failed written test or a failed code
test.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm David Black, KB4KCH.

--

There’s 14 pages to the FISTS filing. You can read it on-line at
ftp://ftp.qsl.net/pub/n1ea/FIST_FCC_...n_8-30-303.pdf. As we go to air, no
Rule Making designation has been assigned to the FISTS request.
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

RESTRUCTURING: ACA PAPER SUGGESTS TOTAL RESTRUCTURING OF VK HAM RADIO

Meantime, down-under the Australian Communications Authority has surprised that
nations ham radio community with a proposal to totally restructure that nations
Amateur Radio service. Jim Linton, VK3PC, has the rest of the story.

--
Radical changes are being proposed for the Amateur Service in the just issued
ACA discussion paper entitled "A Review of Amateur Service Regulation.� The
paper is sure to stimulate debate, particularly its reference to interference
experienced by domestic television and radio receivers, and a suggestion that
radio amateurs should take full responsibility to resolve these problems.

A major purpose of the paper is to discuss the implementation of the changes
arising out of the World Radiocommunications Conference held in Geneva this
year. These changes include the end of mandatory Morse code tests for amateur
licences, amateur callsigns, third party traffic, communications during
disasters, and reciprocal and visitor licensing.

The ACA, as expected, has also taken the opportunity to discuss restructuring
of amateur licensing, the regulatory controls and administration of the
Amateur Service in Australia. The paper acknowledges the WIA's proposal for a
new entry level licence, and the potential for it to replace the current Novice
licence. It discusses restructuring of the current system of seven different
amateur licence types (five operator, plus repeater and beacon), to create only
two operator licence types - Unrestricted and Novice.

On a positive note the paper hints that the removal of Morse code tests for
amateur licences may occur earlier than the ACA's current timetable. It states
that if there is sufficient public support, the code requirement could be
removed prior to its proposed implementation of regulatory changes flowing
from its discussion paper in early 2005.

In a controversial proposal, the ACA is to consider the introduction of a "no
interference" policy for radio amateurs. It states "The operation of an
amateur station, which is essentially a hobby, should not disturb another
person's activities, such as television viewing or radio listening, or affect
commercial activities." Should the "no interference" policy be introduced, it
would be a major shift from the current ACA policy that provides for a shared
responsibility between the radio amateur and his neighbour for the resolution
of an interference problem.

To make it clear, the ACA explains "This would mean that an amateur must not
cause interference to other radiocommunication services. If causing
interference to another service, the obligation will be on the amateur to
resolve the problem."



--

The Australian Communications Authority has set a deadline of October 31st as
the last day for hams to file responses to its discussion paper. The 50-page
discussion paper can be downloaded from www.wiavic.org.au/news or
www.wia.org.au/vk4 (Q-News)

**

RADIO LAW: THE ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS SAYS NO TO BPL

Back here in the United States, word that the Academy of Model Aeronautics is
saying no to the introduction of Broadband Over Powerline or B-P-L technology.
In Reply Comments to the FCC, the 175,000 member aviation hobby group says that
it is concerned that B-P-L deployment could cause harmful interference to users
of Radio Controlled systems and pose a safety hazard to aeromodeling equipment
and spectators.

In its filing the A-M-A says that Broadband Over Powerline holds the potential
to severely interfere with radio controlled models which operate in or near the
27, 50, 72 and 75 MHz bands. All of these fall within the 1 point 7 through 80
MHz spectrum where the FCC proposes to permit B-P-L to operate.

To the A-M-A this means that Broadband Over Powerline may not yield the benign
environment the Commission expects. Also, that it could result in an
unanticipated negative impact on Radio Controlled operations. And that’s
what it has told the FCC. (AMA release)

**

Break 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on
bulletin stations around the world including the North East Oklahoma V-H-F Net
serving North Eastern Oklahoma.

(5 sec pause here)


**

RADIO LAW: MARYLAND COUNTY FILES RFI CONTROL APEAL TO FCC

Still with regulatory news, the CGC Communicator reports that Anne Arundel
County, Maryland has filed an Application for Review before the full
Commission. This, in the hope of reversing an order by the FCC’s Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau that prevents the County from entering into the radio
frequency interference control business through zoning laws. Laws that could
even impact on ham radio, C-B and GMRS operators.

In 2001 Anne Arundel County, Maryland, had enacted legislation requiring that,
prior to receiving a County zoning certificate, owners and users of any sort of
telecommunications facility had to show that their installation would not
degrade or interfere with the County's public safety communications systems.
The ordinance also permitted the County to revoke a zoning certificate where
degradation or interference was found.

Alarmed, telecommunications providers took the ordanance to the FCC asking that
it be overturned. Last July it did just that. It In considering the case, the
Commission found that the challenged provisions of the Anne Arundel County
zoning Ordinance infringe on the Commission's exclusive jurisdiction over RFI
and are preempted under the doctrine of field preemption. Now the county is
upping the antie.

In its pleading, Anne Arundel County maintains that reversal of the Bureau's
decision is required because the Order conflicts with a controlling statute of
the Communications Act. The County further states that, pending implementation
of the Commission's 800 MHz proceeding, the Bureau's decision leaves public
safety systems of local governments such as the County's vulnerable and
powerless to deal with what it terms as -- quote: “ potentially deadly radio
frequency interference from wireless systems of commercial mobile radio service
providers operating in the 800 MHz band.�

The FCC has invited comments on this matter by September 26. More is on-line
at the U-R-L featured in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline printed report.

(DO NOT READ: The complete story in the the FCC website at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...-03-2734A1.doc) (CGC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: CELL PHONE HELPS RESCUE FCC OFFICIAL

A cellular telephone has helped to rescue two men dangling in a gondola
buffeted by severe winds near Aspen Colorado. One of them is the chief of the
Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Bureau who turned to the phone
during an ordeal where he was trapped for more than two hours. Amateur Radio
Newsline’s Bruce Tennant. K-6PZW, reports:

--

According to news reports John Muleta leaned on the technology he oversees when
he and Robert Pepper, an adviser to FCC Chairman Michael Powell, got stuck in
the gondola on Monday, August 19th. The two men had used a break in a
telecommunications summit to take in the view from atop of 11,000 foot Aspen
Mountain.

Their sightseeing trip turned into an ordeal when the tram service abruptly
shut down during their return. It stranded Muleta and Pepper n the enclosed
gondola part way down the mountain. When help was slow to arrive, Muleta used
his cellular phone to call for assistance. But the local service provider
provider apparently did not have the latest "enhanced" 911 technology and could
not locate him precisely. So Muleta simply directed the rescue effort over the
phone.

Once off the mountain Muleta told the press that he was very happy that he had
remembered to carry his cellular telephone with him. He added that had he not,
that it would have been a much different scenario. This, if they had been
trapped all night with the weather getting getting colder.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.

--

Ironically, just before he left for the trip Muleta told an interviewer that
the FCC is looking at ways to accelerate the deployment of Enhamced 911
service. This is the system that uses G-P-S technology to more precisely
locate callers. (Published News Reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT: INTERNET SALES BRING LETTER OF INQUIREY

The FCC has sent a letter of inquirey to Randy Owen, N9UOM, of Toma Wisconsin
regarding his license renewal application. The Commision is asking Owen about
his apparent involvement in the sale of non-certified C-B transcievers and
non-certified High Frequency amplifiers over the Internet in 2002. Owen is the
owner of Roper Electronics whose website was advertising the merchandise for
sale. (FCC)


**

ENFORCEMENT: FORMER HAM WARNED NOT TO CONTACT THE FCC

A brefly licensed former ham has been told not to call the FCC and wait for it
to contact him. The agency’s Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, explains:

--

(Duckworth) “Jack Gerritsen of Bell California has recieved a warnng notice
about a violation of ex-patrte rules after his license had been set aside. His
repeated calls to the offices of Administrative Law Judges is a violation odf
the Commission’s rules against ex-parte communications. Ex-parte rules place
restrictions on contacts with Commission decision making personel.�

--

Gerritsen’s license and KG6IRO call sign were set aside only days after they
were issued back in November of 2001. This after the FCC learned that he had
been convicted in California state court of a radio related offense. It also
recieved complaints alleging that Gerritsen had been on the ham bands prior to
recieving his license. (FCC, RAIN)


**

NAMS IN THE NEWS: 9M2TO WINS UKDXF AZWARD

Some names in the news. The Chiltern DX Club of the U-K DX Foundation has
awarded its prestigious 'Local Heroes' Award for 2003 to Tex Izumo, 9M2TO. The
club’s awards committee recognized the commitment Izumo has shown in
providing many contacts and confirmations with amateurs world-wide on all bands
from 160 to 6 metres over a period of many years.

This annual award goes to an operator resident in a DX country who has provided
excellent service to the DX community and who maintains a high standard of
operating without the benefit of major sponsorship. The award carries a cash
prize and a year's honorary membership in the Chiltern DX Club. (GB2RS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: HAM APPEARS ON TV MOTORCYCLE SPECIAL

Bob Mastrangelo, WA6ZTA, of Thousand Oaks Californis reports that he recently
participated in the filming of a motorcycle special that aired August 28th on
The Travel Channel. The show is called Revolution on Wheels, and Bob is seen
in the beginning riding his yellow Honda Gold Wing and is interviewed about 25
minutes later. Since The Travel Channel does repeat these programs, check
local listings to see when it will air again and keep an eye open for WA6ZTA.
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: KB4KCH NEW VP OF ARNEWSLINE(TM)

The Board of Directors of the Amateur Radio Newsline has confirmed the
appointment of David Black, KB4KCH, of Helena, Alabama, as its Vice President.
Black, whom you heard earlier in this newscast will fill out the unexpired term
of Roy Neal, K6DUE, who died last month following heart valve surgery.

David Black, KB4KCH, is owner First Frame Video in Birmingham, Alabama. He is
also a 20-year veteran of the broadcast television industry. Prior to starting
First Frame Video, David worked as a television news reporter and weather
anchor at WVTM, the NBC affiliate serving Birmingham, Alabama. KB4KCH also has
extensive radio and television experience while working in broadcasting in
Texas.

In addition to his reporting and anchoring Amateur Radio Newsline for well over
a decade, KB4KCH is active in amateur radio Skywarn and emergency
communications. He is past President of the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club and
is one of the founders of ALERT Alabama. This is an organization of radio
amateurs specializing in Skywarn communications to assist the National Weather
Service in the Birmingham area. (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)


**

VOLUNTEERISM: HCI NEEDS VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES EDITOR

If you are a Shortwave Listener, live on the West Coast and want to edit an
S-W-L newsletter, listen up. This one is for you.

Duane Fischer who heads up the Hallicrafters Collectors International needs a
volunteer editor who can post the annual schedules of worldwide Shortwave
radio stations. The site, located in cyberspace at www.w9wze.org/SWL contains
loggings, current news, tidbits and program schedules. If you would like to
become the Schedules Editor, please contact Duane as soon as possible at
and tell him you heard about it on the Amateur Radio
Newsline. (ASWLC, WDX6AA)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ARISS PACKET UPDATE

An update to last weeks story on the wayward packet radio system on board the
International Space Station. Those of you who were on the air on Sunday,
August 24 are aware that the packet system was re-activated around 12:00 UTC.
Shortly thereafter, the ARISS team received reports from the general ham
community that the packet system was operational.

Over the next 9 hours, many hams around the world sent digital signals through
the packet system. But later that day, at around 21:22 U-T-C, the packet
system abruptly stopped operating while traveling over the Western part of the
U.S.

According to AMSAT’s Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, the ARISS team has had several
discussions on next steps to get the system back up and running properly. But
it may be some time before this can be accomplished. This is because the debug
efforts may be delayed further due to the arrival of the Progress 12P re-supply
ship which will be keeping the two man crew very busy.

Once time is available, the plan is to have the crew report out on the status
of the packet module and then to recycle the power. This should bring the
packet system back up. If the system abruptly shuts down again after a few
hours the ARISS team will then ask the crew to attach a computer to the packet
module, download the current parameters to the ground and reset the module.

Stay tuned. ARISS promises to pass along word of progress as it happens.
(AMSAT, ARISS)

**

INTERNATIONAL - AUSTRALIA: NEW BANDSPACE FOR VK HAMS

On the international beat, word than all-Australian radio amateurs will be
allowed to operate between 3.776 and 3.800 Mhz effective from the 1st of
January 2004. The move follows a proposal put to the Australian Communications
Authority by the Wireless Institute of Australia several years ago. (GB2RS)

**

INTERNATIONAL - WORLDWIDE: LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND A BIG HIT

Meantime, reports from the around the world indicate that there was allot of
activity in this years International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend operating
event. Jeramy Boot, of the GB2RS News Service has the details:

--

Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC, the organiser of the International Lighthouse /
Lightship Weekend reports that a record number of stations - 369 - were
established at lighthouses and lightships in 48 countries - another record -
over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of August.

The official list of participants can be found on the ILLW website. Next year
the event will be on the 21 and 22nd of August 2004, and Mike invites
individuals and groups to join in with a weekend of enjoying radio from a
lighthouse or lightship.

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH


--

The International Lighthouse website is in cyberspace at http://illw.net.
GM4SUC adds that as soon as you have your plans for participatiin in the 2004
Lighthouse Weekend made to let him know. You can contact Mike by e-mail to
(GB2RS)

**

DX

In D-X, word that IN3VZE will be active once more as 7Q7CE from Malawi through
the 21st of September. QSL as directed on the air. (GB2RS)

And the K3EOD Contest Team will be active in the September VHF UHF contest
September 13th to the 14th. The group consists of W3EFH, K3EGE, WR3P, W2SJ and
K3EOD. They will be on all bands from 6 meters RF through visible light using
SSB, CW and laser communications. For more information please e-mail
(VHF REflector)

Lastly, HL1IWD reports that he will be visiting Honolulu through the 12th of
September, and will operate as KH6 stroke KB1AIM on 20 metres, mainly CW. QSL
is via HL1IWD. (Modern DX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: NO MORE USE OF THE WORD E-MAIL IN FRANCE

And finally this week, a note from France where the governmet has said goodbye
to the term e-mail in favor of the native language term courriel. A word that
linguistically sensitive France is now using to refer to electronic mail in all
official documents and hopes that the public will adopt as well.

Frances’ Culture Ministry announced a ban on the use of e-mail in all
government ministries, documents, publications or Web sites on July 18th.
This, as the latest step to stem what it sees as an incursion of English words
into the French language.

Courriel is a contraction of the two words and is a term that has often been
used in French speaking Quebec Canada. The ministry's General Commission on
Terminology and Neology insists Internet surfers in France are broadly using
the term “courrier electronique'' instead of e-mail - a claim some industry
experts dispute.

And we thought that you would like to know! (Published reports)

**

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 Q-News, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline(tm). Our e-mail
address is newsline @arnewsline.org. 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 Jeff Clark,
K8JAC, Im Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, saying 73 and we thank you for listening."
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.

If the pro coders want to decrease the numbers of people becoming hams, then
they should carry on. When all the older hams, {most of the pro group}die,
there will be NO ham community. Is that what you want?
If the broadband thing happens, HF will be dead anyway, so carry on,
continue to push new people away, yea that's the ticket......
"Radionews" wrote in message
...
Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1360- September 5 2003

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1360 with a release date of Friday,
September 5th 2003 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Pro-code fights back. A petition to retain
Morse
code testing is filed with the FCC and others are reportedly on the way.
Find
out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1360 coming your
way
right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESTRUCTURING: PRO CODE PETITION FLED WITH THE FCC

The proponents of retaining Morse testing for all candidates for a United
States Amateur License with high frequency operating priveleges are
striking
back. This, with a petition that not only asks the F-C-C to retain the 5
word
per minute C-W exam, but to also require that Extra class pass a 12 word
per
minute test. And the organization that I sponsoring the measure also
wants
written exams stiffened as well. Amateur Radio Newsline's David Black,
KB4KCH, has more on this attempt to row against the deregulatory tide:

--

For the past couple of months, more and more countries have been steering
toward making amateur radio code-free. That follows the July abolition of
Morse
code testing by the World Radiocommunications Conference. In the United
States, the Federal Communications Commission has before it six petitions
essentially seeking to remove Morse code from amateur radio in the U-S.
Supporters of the code have been quiet--until now. A group called
FISTS--said
to be the largest code advocacy organization in the world--is leading an
effort
to make Morse code a more prominent part of ham radio and the licensing
process.

FISTS is an international Morse code preservation society based in the
United
Kingdom with chapters world-wide. Its stated objective is to further the
use of
the Morse code in Amateur Radio communications. The group's north American
chapter has delivered a detailed rule-making request to the FCC that seeks
more
than just making sure that Morse code testing is retained.

FISTS asks the Commission to raise the standards in other areas of
testing,
too. Nancy Kott, WZ8C, is U-S Chapter Manager for FISTS, and is Editor of
Worldradio Magazine. She wrote the rule making request. Among the
proposals
are keeping code as a mandatory testing element for the General and Extra
class
licenses. General licenses would require 5 words per minute and Extra
class
licenses would require 12 word per minute code proficiency.

FISTS says passing a 5 word per minute code test is no hindrance to people
wanting to upgrade, and cites the large number of Technician class
operators
upgrading to General as proof.

FISTS also says that those aiming for the Extra license should be able to
demonstrate Morse code skill at 12 words per minute.

Today's written exams are too easy. At least, that's what FISTS seems to
suggest in noting that the FCC sought comments before amateur radio's
restructuring about whether fewer morse code requirements should be offset
by
increased technical content on written questions. FISTS notes that nearly
every commenter said yes, but the Commission's Report and Order failed to
address the issue.

FISTS says the commission has a chance now to make General class written
tests
equivalent to the Advanced class written tests before restructuring. In
other
words, go back to the way it was, with tests that are harder and more
thorough.

FISTS wants the Extra class exam to be more thorough, as well. It wants
the FCC
to require written knowledge of circuit design, information theory,
digital
methods and encoding schemes and software radio. FISTS says candidates
for the
Extra class ticket need to show a more thorough knowledge of propagation
and
geophysics than current tests require.

For the Technician class operator, FISTS suggests merging the Technician
and
Tech-Plus classes and not require a Morse code exam. But FISTS says
technical
content should be emphasized and should include the digital modes. FISTS
advocates extending Technician Class privileges to include digital modes
within
the current Novice subbands, which it says should be kept. The group says
that
would let Technician Class operators participate in the explosive growth
in
digital applications occurring within the Amateur Radio Service on the
high
frequency bands.

But when it comes to giving Technicians even limited phone privileges on
HF,
FISTS says no. The group says the rush of upgrades by Technicians to
higher
classes following restructuring indicates that the barrier between General
and
Technician classes has already been lowered enough without needing to go
any
further.

FISTS also suggests one other big change and that involves taking license
tests. Right now, if you fail an exam, you can go back and try again at
the
same session. FISTS is asking the Commission to impose a 24-hour waiting
period before being able re-take either a failed written test or a failed
code
test.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm David Black, KB4KCH.

--

There's 14 pages to the FISTS filing. You can read it on-line at
ftp://ftp.qsl.net/pub/n1ea/FIST_FCC_...n_8-30-303.pdf. As we go to
air, no
Rule Making designation has been assigned to the FISTS request.
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

RESTRUCTURING: ACA PAPER SUGGESTS TOTAL RESTRUCTURING OF VK HAM RADIO

Meantime, down-under the Australian Communications Authority has surprised
that
nations ham radio community with a proposal to totally restructure that
nations
Amateur Radio service. Jim Linton, VK3PC, has the rest of the story.

--
Radical changes are being proposed for the Amateur Service in the just
issued
ACA discussion paper entitled "A Review of Amateur Service Regulation."
The
paper is sure to stimulate debate, particularly its reference to
interference
experienced by domestic television and radio receivers, and a suggestion
that
radio amateurs should take full responsibility to resolve these problems.

A major purpose of the paper is to discuss the implementation of the
changes
arising out of the World Radiocommunications Conference held in Geneva
this
year. These changes include the end of mandatory Morse code tests for
amateur
licences, amateur callsigns, third party traffic, communications during
disasters, and reciprocal and visitor licensing.

The ACA, as expected, has also taken the opportunity to discuss
restructuring
of amateur licensing, the regulatory controls and administration of the
Amateur Service in Australia. The paper acknowledges the WIA's proposal
for a
new entry level licence, and the potential for it to replace the current
Novice
licence. It discusses restructuring of the current system of seven
different
amateur licence types (five operator, plus repeater and beacon), to create
only
two operator licence types - Unrestricted and Novice.

On a positive note the paper hints that the removal of Morse code tests
for
amateur licences may occur earlier than the ACA's current timetable. It
states
that if there is sufficient public support, the code requirement could be
removed prior to its proposed implementation of regulatory changes
flowing
from its discussion paper in early 2005.

In a controversial proposal, the ACA is to consider the introduction of a
"no
interference" policy for radio amateurs. It states "The operation of an
amateur station, which is essentially a hobby, should not disturb another
person's activities, such as television viewing or radio listening, or
affect
commercial activities." Should the "no interference" policy be
introduced, it
would be a major shift from the current ACA policy that provides for a
shared
responsibility between the radio amateur and his neighbour for the
resolution
of an interference problem.

To make it clear, the ACA explains "This would mean that an amateur must
not
cause interference to other radiocommunication services. If causing
interference to another service, the obligation will be on the amateur to
resolve the problem."



--

The Australian Communications Authority has set a deadline of October 31st
as
the last day for hams to file responses to its discussion paper. The
50-page
discussion paper can be downloaded from www.wiavic.org.au/news or
www.wia.org.au/vk4 (Q-News)

**

RADIO LAW: THE ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS SAYS NO TO BPL

Back here in the United States, word that the Academy of Model Aeronautics
is
saying no to the introduction of Broadband Over Powerline or B-P-L
technology.
In Reply Comments to the FCC, the 175,000 member aviation hobby group says
that
it is concerned that B-P-L deployment could cause harmful interference to
users
of Radio Controlled systems and pose a safety hazard to aeromodeling
equipment
and spectators.

In its filing the A-M-A says that Broadband Over Powerline holds the
potential
to severely interfere with radio controlled models which operate in or
near the
27, 50, 72 and 75 MHz bands. All of these fall within the 1 point 7
through 80
MHz spectrum where the FCC proposes to permit B-P-L to operate.

To the A-M-A this means that Broadband Over Powerline may not yield the
benign
environment the Commission expects. Also, that it could result in an
unanticipated negative impact on Radio Controlled operations. And that's
what it has told the FCC. (AMA release)

**

Break 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on
bulletin stations around the world including the North East Oklahoma V-H-F
Net
serving North Eastern Oklahoma.

(5 sec pause here)


**

RADIO LAW: MARYLAND COUNTY FILES RFI CONTROL APEAL TO FCC

Still with regulatory news, the CGC Communicator reports that Anne Arundel
County, Maryland has filed an Application for Review before the full
Commission. This, in the hope of reversing an order by the FCC's Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau that prevents the County from entering into the
radio
frequency interference control business through zoning laws. Laws that
could
even impact on ham radio, C-B and GMRS operators.

In 2001 Anne Arundel County, Maryland, had enacted legislation requiring
that,
prior to receiving a County zoning certificate, owners and users of any
sort of
telecommunications facility had to show that their installation would not
degrade or interfere with the County's public safety communications
systems.
The ordinance also permitted the County to revoke a zoning certificate
where
degradation or interference was found.

Alarmed, telecommunications providers took the ordanance to the FCC asking
that
it be overturned. Last July it did just that. It In considering the
case, the
Commission found that the challenged provisions of the Anne Arundel County
zoning Ordinance infringe on the Commission's exclusive jurisdiction over
RFI
and are preempted under the doctrine of field preemption. Now the county
is
upping the antie.

In its pleading, Anne Arundel County maintains that reversal of the
Bureau's
decision is required because the Order conflicts with a controlling
statute of
the Communications Act. The County further states that, pending
implementation
of the Commission's 800 MHz proceeding, the Bureau's decision leaves
public
safety systems of local governments such as the County's vulnerable and
powerless to deal with what it terms as -- quote: " potentially deadly
radio
frequency interference from wireless systems of commercial mobile radio
service
providers operating in the 800 MHz band."

The FCC has invited comments on this matter by September 26. More is
on-line
at the U-R-L featured in this weeks Amateur Radio Newsline printed report.

(DO NOT READ: The complete story in the the FCC website at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...-03-2734A1.doc) (CGC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: CELL PHONE HELPS RESCUE FCC OFFICIAL

A cellular telephone has helped to rescue two men dangling in a gondola
buffeted by severe winds near Aspen Colorado. One of them is the chief of
the
Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Bureau who turned to the
phone
during an ordeal where he was trapped for more than two hours. Amateur
Radio
Newsline's Bruce Tennant. K-6PZW, reports:

--

According to news reports John Muleta leaned on the technology he oversees
when
he and Robert Pepper, an adviser to FCC Chairman Michael Powell, got stuck
in
the gondola on Monday, August 19th. The two men had used a break in a
telecommunications summit to take in the view from atop of 11,000 foot
Aspen
Mountain.

Their sightseeing trip turned into an ordeal when the tram service
abruptly
shut down during their return. It stranded Muleta and Pepper n the
enclosed
gondola part way down the mountain. When help was slow to arrive, Muleta
used
his cellular phone to call for assistance. But the local service provider
provider apparently did not have the latest "enhanced" 911 technology and
could
not locate him precisely. So Muleta simply directed the rescue effort
over the
phone.

Once off the mountain Muleta told the press that he was very happy that he
had
remembered to carry his cellular telephone with him. He added that had he
not,
that it would have been a much different scenario. This, if they had been
trapped all night with the weather getting getting colder.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.

--

Ironically, just before he left for the trip Muleta told an interviewer
that
the FCC is looking at ways to accelerate the deployment of Enhamced 911
service. This is the system that uses G-P-S technology to more precisely
locate callers. (Published News Reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT: INTERNET SALES BRING LETTER OF INQUIREY

The FCC has sent a letter of inquirey to Randy Owen, N9UOM, of Toma
Wisconsin
regarding his license renewal application. The Commision is asking Owen
about
his apparent involvement in the sale of non-certified C-B transcievers and
non-certified High Frequency amplifiers over the Internet in 2002. Owen
is the
owner of Roper Electronics whose website was advertising the merchandise
for
sale. (FCC)


**

ENFORCEMENT: FORMER HAM WARNED NOT TO CONTACT THE FCC

A brefly licensed former ham has been told not to call the FCC and wait
for it
to contact him. The agency's Daryl Duckworth, NN0W, explains:

--

(Duckworth) "Jack Gerritsen of Bell California has recieved a warnng
notice
about a violation of ex-patrte rules after his license had been set aside.
His
repeated calls to the offices of Administrative Law Judges is a violation
odf
the Commission's rules against ex-parte communications. Ex-parte rules
place
restrictions on contacts with Commission decision making personel."

--

Gerritsen's license and KG6IRO call sign were set aside only days after
they
were issued back in November of 2001. This after the FCC learned that he
had
been convicted in California state court of a radio related offense. It
also
recieved complaints alleging that Gerritsen had been on the ham bands
prior to
recieving his license. (FCC, RAIN)


**

NAMS IN THE NEWS: 9M2TO WINS UKDXF AZWARD

Some names in the news. The Chiltern DX Club of the U-K DX Foundation has
awarded its prestigious 'Local Heroes' Award for 2003 to Tex Izumo, 9M2TO.
The
club's awards committee recognized the commitment Izumo has shown in
providing many contacts and confirmations with amateurs world-wide on all
bands
from 160 to 6 metres over a period of many years.

This annual award goes to an operator resident in a DX country who has
provided
excellent service to the DX community and who maintains a high standard of
operating without the benefit of major sponsorship. The award carries a
cash
prize and a year's honorary membership in the Chiltern DX Club. (GB2RS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: HAM APPEARS ON TV MOTORCYCLE SPECIAL

Bob Mastrangelo, WA6ZTA, of Thousand Oaks Californis reports that he
recently
participated in the filming of a motorcycle special that aired August 28th
on
The Travel Channel. The show is called Revolution on Wheels, and Bob is
seen
in the beginning riding his yellow Honda Gold Wing and is interviewed
about 25
minutes later. Since The Travel Channel does repeat these programs, check
local listings to see when it will air again and keep an eye open for
WA6ZTA.
(ARNewsline(tm))

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: KB4KCH NEW VP OF ARNEWSLINE(TM)

The Board of Directors of the Amateur Radio Newsline has confirmed the
appointment of David Black, KB4KCH, of Helena, Alabama, as its Vice
President.
Black, whom you heard earlier in this newscast will fill out the unexpired
term
of Roy Neal, K6DUE, who died last month following heart valve surgery.

David Black, KB4KCH, is owner First Frame Video in Birmingham, Alabama.
He is
also a 20-year veteran of the broadcast television industry. Prior to
starting
First Frame Video, David worked as a television news reporter and weather
anchor at WVTM, the NBC affiliate serving Birmingham, Alabama. KB4KCH
also has
extensive radio and television experience while working in broadcasting in
Texas.

In addition to his reporting and anchoring Amateur Radio Newsline for well
over
a decade, KB4KCH is active in amateur radio Skywarn and emergency
communications. He is past President of the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club
and
is one of the founders of ALERT Alabama. This is an organization of radio
amateurs specializing in Skywarn communications to assist the National
Weather
Service in the Birmingham area. (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)


**

VOLUNTEERISM: HCI NEEDS VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES EDITOR

If you are a Shortwave Listener, live on the West Coast and want to edit
an
S-W-L newsletter, listen up. This one is for you.

Duane Fischer who heads up the Hallicrafters Collectors International
needs a
volunteer editor who can post the annual schedules of worldwide Shortwave
radio stations. The site, located in cyberspace at www.w9wze.org/SWL
contains
loggings, current news, tidbits and program schedules. If you would like
to
become the Schedules Editor, please contact Duane as soon as possible at
and tell him you heard about it on the Amateur Radio
Newsline. (ASWLC, WDX6AA)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ARISS PACKET UPDATE

An update to last weeks story on the wayward packet radio system on board
the
International Space Station. Those of you who were on the air on Sunday,
August 24 are aware that the packet system was re-activated around 12:00
UTC.
Shortly thereafter, the ARISS team received reports from the general ham
community that the packet system was operational.

Over the next 9 hours, many hams around the world sent digital signals
through
the packet system. But later that day, at around 21:22 U-T-C, the packet
system abruptly stopped operating while traveling over the Western part of
the
U.S.

According to AMSAT's Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, the ARISS team has had several
discussions on next steps to get the system back up and running properly.
But
it may be some time before this can be accomplished. This is because the
debug
efforts may be delayed further due to the arrival of the Progress 12P
re-supply
ship which will be keeping the two man crew very busy.

Once time is available, the plan is to have the crew report out on the
status
of the packet module and then to recycle the power. This should bring
the
packet system back up. If the system abruptly shuts down again after a
few
hours the ARISS team will then ask the crew to attach a computer to the
packet
module, download the current parameters to the ground and reset the
module.

Stay tuned. ARISS promises to pass along word of progress as it happens.
(AMSAT, ARISS)

**

INTERNATIONAL - AUSTRALIA: NEW BANDSPACE FOR VK HAMS

On the international beat, word than all-Australian radio amateurs will be
allowed to operate between 3.776 and 3.800 Mhz effective from the 1st of
January 2004. The move follows a proposal put to the Australian
Communications
Authority by the Wireless Institute of Australia several years ago.
(GB2RS)

**

INTERNATIONAL - WORLDWIDE: LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND A BIG HIT

Meantime, reports from the around the world indicate that there was allot
of
activity in this years International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
operating
event. Jeramy Boot, of the GB2RS News Service has the details:

--

Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC, the organiser of the International Lighthouse /
Lightship Weekend reports that a record number of stations - 369 - were
established at lighthouses and lightships in 48 countries - another
record -
over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of August.

The official list of participants can be found on the ILLW website. Next
year
the event will be on the 21 and 22nd of August 2004, and Mike invites
individuals and groups to join in with a weekend of enjoying radio from a
lighthouse or lightship.

Jeramy Boot, G4NJH


--

The International Lighthouse website is in cyberspace at http://illw.net.
GM4SUC adds that as soon as you have your plans for participatiin in the
2004
Lighthouse Weekend made to let him know. You can contact Mike by e-mail
to
(GB2RS)

**

DX

In D-X, word that IN3VZE will be active once more as 7Q7CE from Malawi
through
the 21st of September. QSL as directed on the air. (GB2RS)

And the K3EOD Contest Team will be active in the September VHF UHF
contest
September 13th to the 14th. The group consists of W3EFH, K3EGE, WR3P,
W2SJ and
K3EOD. They will be on all bands from 6 meters RF through visible light
using
SSB, CW and laser communications. For more information please e-mail
(VHF REflector)

Lastly, HL1IWD reports that he will be visiting Honolulu through the 12th
of
September, and will operate as KH6 stroke KB1AIM on 20 metres, mainly CW.
QSL
is via HL1IWD. (Modern DX)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: NO MORE USE OF THE WORD E-MAIL IN FRANCE

And finally this week, a note from France where the governmet has said
goodbye
to the term e-mail in favor of the native language term courriel. A word
that
linguistically sensitive France is now using to refer to electronic mail
in all
official documents and hopes that the public will adopt as well.

Frances' Culture Ministry announced a ban on the use of e-mail in all
government ministries, documents, publications or Web sites on July 18th.
This, as the latest step to stem what it sees as an incursion of English
words
into the French language.

Courriel is a contraction of the two words and is a term that has often
been
used in French speaking Quebec Canada. The ministry's General Commission
on
Terminology and Neology insists Internet surfers in France are broadly
using
the term "courrier electronique'' instead of e-mail - a claim some
industry
experts dispute.

And we thought that you would like to know! (Published reports)

**

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 Q-News, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline(tm). Our
e-mail
address is newsline @arnewsline.org. 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 Jeff Clark,
K8JAC, Im Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, saying 73 and we thank you for listening."
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.

I shamelessly copied this from another post in another group. A question
begs asking: why didn't the codeless techs renew? Perhaps there is no
respect for something that is, essentially, given away? As far as age goes,
things have changed considerably since the 60s and 70s. Often, married
couples find that *both* have to work to enjoy a reasonable standard of
living. Such was not the case 30 or 40 years ago. Between jobs and kids,
often people won't have much time to pursue (and use) amateur radio
licenses. Usually, after the kids are gone from the household, it is later
in life that people have the time to become active amateurs. That aside,
the question still is begging an answer: *why* didn't the codeless techs
renew or upgrade?

Kind regards from Rochester, NY
Jim

****** post follows ******

Between February 14, 1991 and July 5, 1991, the Commission granted 1,925
new Technician class licenses under the no-code provisions. A couple of
guys have done research which shows that 1,880 of those licenses have
not been renewed or upgraded to a higher class license and are beyond
the two year grace period. That equates to a retention rate of only
2.3%.
****** end of post ******

"David" wrote in message
ink.net...
If the pro coders want to decrease the numbers of people becoming hams,
then
they should carry on. When all the older hams, {most of the pro group}die,
there will be NO ham community. Is that what you want?
If the broadband thing happens, HF will be dead anyway, so carry on,
continue to push new people away, yea that's the ticket......



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/03

"Jim Hampton" wrote in
:

I shamelessly copied this from another post in another group. A
question begs asking: why didn't the codeless techs renew? Perhaps
there is no respect for something that is, essentially, given away?

One of my customer's helpdesk techs in the IT department got his nocode
Tech a few years ago. He was kind of pressured into it by his uncle. He
studied, easily passed the test and bought a Kenwood 2M HT of some sort.
He quickly lost interest.

Chew on this theory: Amatuers love their hobby and just plain love radio.
They don't NEED to convince themselves that their hobby has some sort of
utilitarian purpose (i.e. "What's is good for?"). They want others to
share their passion. To get others started, they suggest taking a simple
test that just about anybody can pass. The hope is, this will wet the
budding amatuers palatte and leave him wanting a little more. Eventualy
they hope, he will pass the code test and at least become a General.

The budding amatuer gets his ticket. Months later, he begins to wonder
why he's going to all this trouble just to talk to people. "Why not just
pick up the phone? Why not chat with people all over the world using the
internet?" and so on.

See, he sees ham radio as a communication tool, which it certainly is.
The problem is, he doesn't have a fundamental love for radio. If the goal
is simply to meet people and chat with them, there are many alternatives
that work just fine with out all the bother. So they lose interest.

Consider this analogy: I like motorcycles. I own a built-from-the-ground-
up one-off custom softail. It's cool. Some folks dig it, some folks
don't. If the purpose of getting a motorcycle is purely utility, i.e.
great gas mileage, easy parking, lane splitting g, etc, then one could
accomplish all of that with a $3000 used Jap bike of some sort. Of those
that already own a motorcyle of the sport variety, some may scoff at my
ride. "My such-and-such is faster, handles better, get's better mileage,
brakes better, is more reliable and costs less than half as much".
They're right, too. They have different expactations. I might reply with
"Point taken. Mine gets me laid." Different expactations

Or how about this: My friend and I both own GPS receivers. He uses his to
go geocaching (a pointless activity who's appeal escapes me) and I use
mine while I'm backpacking. He LOVES the technology, knows all about how
everything works, discusses map datums... I just want to find my way out
of the woods.

As to the repect given to a license that is practically given away, I
have this to say: You can make the test questions as difficult as you
want. Shoot, throw in some neat 3rd year calculus or number theory. None
of it matters as long as the FCC continues to make the entire question
pool (and answers) available. It has always amazed me that they did this.
I'm in the middle of updating a few certs and obtaining a few new ones
(all networking/IP Telephony related). If I had the answers available,
what would that say about my certification? It wouldn't prove a damn
thing. It would render the cert worthless.

One more things bears mentioning: In my line of work, exclusionary tests
that separate the men from the boys are welcomed. Right or wrong, certain
customers won't even let us touch their network unless we employ x number
of engineers with certain difficult to obtain certifications. This is
good, as it gives us a huge leg up on the competition in the area.
Amatuer radio is different. It's a hobby. If the goal is to attract as
many people to the hobby as possible I see two requirements to meet this
goal:

1) Don't go overboard WRT the difficulty of the tests.
2) Inspire prospective amateurs by fostering a love for radio itself in
all it's forms as opposed to telling them that they can talk to
astronauts, send faxes, surf the internet, talk to BabuBabu in Zimbabwae,
etc.

After all, who among us hasn't had difficulty in explaining why we love
CB to cynical co-workers/friends/family? I for one don't like it simply
because it serves some useful purpose. I just like it 'cause...it's CB,
man!

Comments welcome.




--
Alan Strawinski

http://alan.strawinski.net

Alan,

You make good points; yes, it is love of radio that keeps the renewals
coming. You're right about the co-workers. I used to take the HT once in a
while to work for something to do during lunch at perhaps 1:00 AM. One
time, the telephones went out in the company. Why, I have no idea. Folks
were scrambling to borrow cell phones and I couldn't resist. Punched into
the autopatch and placed a call. Hehe ... but, of course, if there isn't
some underlying interest in communications, there is a fair likelihood that
a new licensee will not renew his/her ticket. There are certain
circumstances that the radio will serve better than a cell phone; if you
need communications between several folks at once, this becomes quite a feat
with cell phones. I believe this was discovered when one organized run
tried replacing hams with cell phone users. They quickly discover that they
can't maintain constant communications between all users. They have to
place call after call. Also, the repeaters are designed (in height, antenna
gain, power) to allow HTs to reliably communicate for 20 miles or more to
the repeater. Cell phones depend upon a lot of towers and there are areas
with spotty communications.

As far as being CB, nothing could be further from the truth. Try and
maintain solid 24/7 coverage for 50 or 100 miles in any direction with a
stock rig. Try and maintain even 15 miles of reliable communications with a
stock rig. Won't happen (except, perhaps, in Alaska or North Dakota,
depending upon local terrain). I won't get into television or other modes
since I suspect you planted a hook on that comment

As far as testing goes, I, for one, don't want to make it exceedingly
difficult to pass an exam, but I agree that publishing questions/answers
used in the pool can delude some folks into thinking they know more than
they actually do.

You make some good points, however, and I appreciated them.


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/03

"Jim Hampton" wrote in
:

As far as being CB, nothing could be further from the truth. Try and
maintain solid 24/7 coverage for 50 or 100 miles in any direction with
a stock rig. Try and maintain even 15 miles of reliable
communications with a stock rig. Won't happen (except, perhaps, in
Alaska or North Dakota, depending upon local terrain). I won't get
into television or other modes since I suspect you planted a hook on
that comment

Oops. My comments must've come out wrong. I didn't mean to imply that the
two radio services were the same. You're right, they're very different.
When I said "It's CB man!" I meant that as a reply to a person who asks me
"Why do you like CB so much?". It's hard to answer, so I usually just say
"'Cause it's CB, that's why". Lousy answer, I know. Maybe the phrase "If I
had to explain it, you wouldn't understand" would be a more appropriate
answer to my friends inquiry.

CB is certainly not ham radio, and one is not better than the other. There.
Confusion cleared.


--
Alan Strawinski

http://alan.strawinski.net