Amateur Radio Newslineâ„¢ Report 1398 ÂÂ* May 28, 2004


Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1398 with a release date of
Friday, May 28, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.


Ham radio helps in the wake of an outbreak of tornadoes and a
proposed California law could make operating a mobile station a
driving distraction. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline
report number 1398 coming your way right now.



(Billboard Cart Here)

**


RESCUE RADIO: TORNADOES ACROSS THE MID-WEST BRING OUT HAM RADIO
COMMUNICATORS


Dozens of tornadoes and severe storms hammered the northern Plains
and Midwest in the past week. As phone lines went out and cellular
systems got overloaded it was ham radio that was again called on to
provide storm spotting and other communications. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, is here with mo


--


More than a dozen tornadoes swept across southern Nebraska the
weekend of May 22nd. According to news reports the tornadoes were
part of three days of severe weather that knocked out telephone
service and power to hundreds of thousands of people from Nebraska to
Michigan to West Virginia.


Hardest hit was Hallam, Nebraska. Hallam is located 25 miles north
to Lincoln and is where a 73 year old woman was killed from flying
debris. Every building in Hallam was damaged or destroyed and all
normal communications was cut off. This prompted the activation of
local A-R-E-S units under the leadership of Section Emergency
Coordinator Reynolds Davis, K-Zero-G-N-D.


In Lincoln, Joe Eisenberg, K-Zero-N-E-B, was active with the local
ham radio Stormwatch. He described this as a terrible weather front
and said that ham radio played a key role in the emergency:


--


Eisenberg: "We went out on Stormewatch early in the evening and
had
spotters throughout the whole county and our spotters in the South
part of the county began observing the extremely heavy rain, wind and
hale, especially near the Hallem area. One of our spotters saw a
semi that had been blown off the road."


--


Downed power lines and leaking propane tanks littered the Hallam,
prompting the Nebraska National Guard to surround the community
Sunday to keep people from entering. Newsline spoke to Sandy Ramsey
of the Office of Emergency Management in Lincoln who had a lot of
praise for the role that Amateur Radio is playing:


--


Ramsy: "The hams out there as storm spotters. They are just
invaluable to us. They're our eyes and ears. We are in the
E-O-C
and they're our eyes in the field and we just couldn't do
this
without them. They are really an invaluable part of what we do."



--


But Nebraska was not the only place where hams were put on alert or
activated. Iowa and central Michigan were also hard hit and the front
also caused power and phone outages in southern Michigan, Wisconsin,
northern Illinois and Iowa and northwest Ohio. On Monday night the
24th, Iowa was drenched by yet another wave of powerful
thunderstorms, even as residents of the town of Independence waited
for a flooded local stream to recede.


The wave of storms swept eastward early Tuesday. Illinois had high
wind that damaged several structures near Jacksonville. State Police
said a twister damaged a home south of Springfield.


And all across the region ham radio operators remained on alert. As
we go to air their work is still ongoing and we will have more in
future reports.


For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW in New
Orleans.


--


A total of 81 tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in the
region on Saturday as a weather front stalled over the area. As we
go to air, ham radio is still involved in the aftermath of the
storms. (ARNewsline, K0NEB)


**


THE BPL FIGHT: MR. HAYNIE GOES TO WASHINGTON REDUX


ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says his meeting with White House
telecommunications advisors on B-P-L issues was both revealing and
encouraging. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has
the
latest:


--
Haynie says he and ARRL representatives met with Richard Russell, the
White House associate director of technology in the Office of Science
and Technology Policy in Washington D.C.


Haynie knew going in that the Bush administration's policy was clear:
B-P-L is something that's good for America. But Haynie says Russell
did offer assurances, especially in light of the interference
findings about B-P-L contained in the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration report.


"He did emphasize the fact that they would address the interference
issues aggressively," Haynie says. "And I'm going to take him at his
word at that. That they will do that.


"And I'm sure the FCC has taken note of the interference issues that
NTIA has raised and as the representative for the amateur radio
community, I intend to stay on top of it.


"We're not going to let this thing slide from that standpoint. They
have the rules and they're printed and they're there. And we're going
to make sure that they abide by those rules."


Haynie says it was clear from the start that Russell is beholden to
the political agenda of the Bush administration.


"Mr. Russell heard what we had to say all right, but I think he was
already predisposed to the fact that to anybody on the street - and
I'm talking about the uninformed person that doesn't know about
technology, broadband over powerline, where you can just plug your
computer into the wall ,any wall outlet -does sound like a good
thing," Haynie says. "And, I understand that.


"But on the other hand, there are issues that have to be dealt with
and one of the examples I gave Mr. Russell was the fact that we could
all lower our electric bills if we could burn high-sulfur coal.


"And he said, 'Well the EPA wouldn't let you do that.' I
said, 'That's my point exactly. The FCC should be standing there,
overseeing the rules about spectrum pollution.' I think I made my
point."


Haynie says, upon reflection, one reality in the whole B-P-L debate
is becoming crystal clear.


"I honestly do believe there's a disconnect between the engineers in
the field, the engineers at the commission who actually understand
the physics of the issue versus the politicians who are driving it,"
Haynie says. " I'm convinced now that's what it is. This is no longer
a science issue, an issue of facts, it's an issue of politics and
that disappoints me."


However, Haynie says in recent weeks certain admissions by utilities
trying to work with the amateur community are significant.


"In the beginning, everybody said from the industry side that there
was no interference," Haynie says. "Now they're actually
saying, 'Yes, there is and we'll try to mitigate it, we'll try to
work with you.' That in itself is a big step."


Haynie says there also are admissions that one major interference
solution touted by B-P-L proponents - notching - just doesn't do the
job across the board.


"Finally some of the people are admitting, 'OK we don't have a point-
source radiator anymore, we have a continuous-source radiator such as
a power line.' And they're saying that the notching techniques will
work and we've actually found out that they don't work that well,"
Haynie says.


"The notches are not that exact. And, when it says that they notch
something about 3db or 6db, that's still not enough. It has to be
notched by at least 30 in order to get back down to where the
amateurs can function. And that's going to be a big challenge for the
industry."


Haynie says anybody studying the issue of broadband technology sees
the B-P-L investment is not a good one because of the growing
emphasis on creating a wireless network.


"Quite frankly, in my personal opinion, the broadband over powerlines
is going to be a real flash-in-the-pan because other technologies are
going to overtake it very quickly," Haynie says.


"Whenever people say they want to plug their computer into any outlet
in the wall, then my question is: 'Then, why do you have a cordless
phone?' And WiFi and WiMax enter that challenge by being able to go
anywhere in your house and let your laptop down whether it be on your
couch or in your easychair and operate broadband.


"And I think that technology is going to be the real answer to people
that need that type of high-speed internet access."


Haynie says the B-P-L battle is far from over. He says the strategy
now is to press regulators - especially the FCC - to enforce the
interference rules.


"Hold everybody's feet to the fire on the rules," Haynie says. "And
the encouraging sign I've seen in the last week or so is the fact
that more and more utilities have said that they didn't think it was
a viable option for them and have opted out.


"Interestingly enough, the city of Manassas now is advertising for
another provider. I found that extremely curious and very
interesting."


Finally, Haynie concedes the ARRL has spent hundreds of thousands of
dollars on the B-P-L issue and it's looking to the amateur community
to get behind the league and its work.


"People are working overtime," Haynie says. "We are burning the
candle at both ends and all I would ask is the amateurs support the
organization and what we're trying to do in this effort."


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


--


More on the fight to stop B-P-L in future Amateur Radio Newsline
reports. (ARNewsline(tm), ARRL)



**


Break 1


From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W7FTX
repeater serving Hamilton Montana.



(5 sec pause here)


**



RADIO LAWS: CALIFORNIA TO FINE DISTRACTED DRIVERS


California drivers who are distracted for any reason and whose
actions attract law enforcement may soon face fines by eating,
combing their hair or talking on a cellular telephone. This if a
bill passed on May 18th by the state senate and bend to the Assembly
is eventually made law. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has more in this
report:


--


It was called S B 1800 when Senator Kevin Murray introduced it to the
California State Senate back in February. It went unnoticed by the
Amateur Radio community until about a week ago when the Senate passed
it and delivered to the State Assembly for further action.
That's
when news outlets state wide ran banner headlines saying that the
state legislature might make it a crime to be distracted in any way --
while operating a motor vehicle in the Golden state. And that is
exactly what the measure would do.


As written, the Murray bill would make it an crime for a person to
operate a vehicle in an unsafe manner that results from engaging in a
distracting activity while driving. What is a distracting activity?
Well according to the Senator it is just about anything. Eating or
drinking, smoking, reading or writing, interacting with children,
animals, passengers, or objects in the vehicle, adjusting the
controls of an audio or other entertainment device, or even talking
on a hands free cellular telephone. And it is the last two items
that could easily impact on ham radio operators or any other two way
radio user that a police officer might regard as distracted just
because he or she has a microphone in hand or is changing frequencies
on a radio.


The bill does say that a law enforcement officer may not stop a
vehicle when a driver is engaging in a distracting activity unless
the officer observes that the vehicle is being operated in an unsafe
manner. But it is left to the officer to decide what unsafe really
is under other areas of California state law.


The proposed law does not single out or target Amateur Radio
operators for enforcement, but it does not exempt hams either. In
fact, the only exemptions are police, fire and emergency services but
even this is limited. The measure states that an emergency service
professional would be exempt from these restrictions when using a
wireless telephone or other electronic device, but only as part of
the course and scope of his or her duties.


What about penalties? The bill would require a first offense to be
punished by a fine of $35, and a second or subsequent offense that
occurs within 2 years of a prior conviction for the infraction to be
punished by a fine of $150.


Also, being permitted to continue driving in California and get
insurance means that you have to keep your violation points count
low. Any person whose driving record shows a violation count of 4 or
more points in 12 months, 6 or more points in 24 months, or 8 or more
points in 36 months be presumed to be a negligent operator of a motor
vehicle. This bill would prohibit a first-time violation from being
given a point value, but would mandate that a 2nd or subsequent
violation within 2 years to be given a value of one point. And even
2 points can cost a lot of dollars when you go to renew an auto
insurance policy.


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


--


Supporters of the proposed law cite studies blaming distractions for
25 to 30 percent of all vehicle crashes. Opponents say that the bill
goes too far in meddling with the civil rights of individuals. This
group vows a court fight if the measure gets signed into law.
(ARNewsline(tm) from published news reports)


**


RESTRUCTURING: FCC CHAIRMAN SAYS RESTRUCTURING CONTINUING


FCC Chairman Michael Powell has told U-S representatives Greg Walden,
W7EQI, and Mike Ross, WD5DVR, that the Commission will act 'as
expeditiously as possible' on Amateur Radio restructuring. This, in
response to a letter from Walden and Ross a month ago that urged the
FCC to adopt the ARRL's restructuring Petition for Rule Making in its
entirety along with rules changes needed to put it into place.


But in his response, Powell said the League's petition was one of
many. There are 18 in all. An ARRL bulletin says that judging from
the FCC Chairman's letter to Walden and Ross, it would appear as
if
the regulatory agency plans to address all 18 petitions within the
framework of a single rule making proceeding. (ARRL)


**


ENFORCEMENT: 75 METER IN INTERFERENCE BRINGS FAA REFERRAL


A California ham is under FCC scrutiny for alleged interference to
ongoing Amateur Radio communications. The FCC's Daryl Duckworth,
NN0W, is here with mo


--


Duckworth: "AE6QD, Steve L. Wingate, of Corte Madera, California,
has
been sent a warning letter regarding malicious interference on 75
meters. This consists of jamming, making threats to other operators
and to law enforcement officers, and broadcasts in which he appears
incoherent."


--


The FCC warned Wingate that continued incidents of such interference
will subject him to license suspension and revocation proceedings, as
well as a possible fine of $7,500 to $10,000. And in an unusual
twist, the FCC says that since Wingate also holds a pilot's license,
this matter is also being referred to the Federal Aviation
Administration as well. (FCC, RAIN)


**


ENFORCEMENT: FINES AFFIRMED AGAINST TWO ALLEGED PIRATES


Fines of $10,000 each have been affirmed by the FCC against Jason
Green and Gary Feldman. The regulatory agency alleges that the two
are pirate broadcasters in Florida who reportedly operated on 91.9
Mhz. The FCC says that neither filed a responses to the Commission's
initial findings in the case. (FCC)


**


ENFORCEMENT: A "RADIO SUMMER CAMP" TO TRAIN MORE PIRATES


Now here's one that we know will interest the FCC enforcement
folks.
Writers to the CGC Communicator report that budding radio pirates can
learn how to buy or build FM transmitters and get on the air this
summer. This at four-day "workshop" sessions, at least one of which
will be bilingual.


Not only that. CGC readers also report that the event promoters will
have transmitter and antenna kits available to attendees. For more
on these strange educational check out www.freeradio.org. (CGC)


**


RADIO LAW: AIR FORCE JAMS GARAGE DOOR OPENERS


A new military radio system is jamming remote-control garage doors in
communities near this Florida Panhandle base. During testing of the
$5.5 million two-way radio system at Eglin Air Force Base, homeowners
in Niceville, Valparaiso and the Crestview area reported that their
garage door openers failed to work or went wild by themselves.


According to Air Force officials the contractor, Motorola Inc., will
try to minimize the problem. Technicians will run the system on
slightly different frequencies from those used by garage door
openers when another test is conducted.

But an FCC spokesperson had some bas news for local homeowners.
Lauren Van Wazer, said that if the Air Force has been running the
system within its licensed frequencies then the users of garage door
openers may have to change the operating frequencies of theirs.

By the way, the Navy says that a similar radio system has been
requested for Pensacola Naval Air Station and other nearby
installations. (Published reports)


**

NEW PRODUCTS: THE TNC WIZARD


Creative Services Software has announced the release of version 1.0
of the Kantronics and Timewave TNC Wizard. This program searches for
your TNC and sound card on both serial ports and TCP/IP networks.


Creative's Rick Ruhl, W4PC, says that the TNC wizard works with
built
in serial ports in the TNC, USB to serial adapters and TCP/IP to
serial interfaces. It also has an option to detect the soundcard in
the computer and add that information to the PacTerm or PkTerm
startup files without any additional setup needed at install time.


The TNC Wizard requires Windows 98 or later, with TCP/IP installed.
There is no cost for the TNC wizard and it can be downloaded from the
CSS website at http://www.cssincorp.com (CSS)


**


NAMES IN THE NEWS: INDUCTEES NAMED TO THE CQ HALLS OF FAME


CQ Amateur Radio magazine has inducted fifteen people into its
Amateur Radio Hall of Fame and two into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame.


Those elected to the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame include Ned
Carman, Ned, W0ZSW, and Sister Alverna O'Laughlin, WA0SGJ, who co
founded the Handi-Ham System to aid the handicapped. Also inducted
was Ten-Tec co-founder Jack Burchfield, Jack, K4JU. His partner Al
Kahn, K4FW was made a member in 2002.


Others named include Bob Heil, K9EID, whose inventions revolutionized
audio in rock music live performances and amateur radio and writer
Tom Kneitel, K2AES and Amateur Radio Newsline's own Bill
Pasternak,
WA6ITF. Bill as honored for his quarter of a century of producing
these newscasts and for creating the "Amateur Radio Newsline Young
Ham of the Year Award.


The new members of the CQ Contest Hall of Fame include Steve Bolia,
N8BJQ. Steve is the longtime Director of the CQ World Wide W-P-X
Contests and a pioneer in computer log-checking. Also inducted was
Trey Garlough, N5KO. Garlough, who also holds the call sign HC8N is
a world-class contester and the creator of two major contesting e-
mail reflectors.


The CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame was established in January, 2001,
to recognize those individuals, whether licensed radio amateurs or
not, who significantly affected the course of amateur radio. The CQ
Contest Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to recognize those
amateurs who have made major contributions to contesting. The
complete list of names is on line at www dot c q dash amateur radio
dot com. (CQ)


**



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: ARNOLD O. BECKMAN ÂÂ* S.K.


Arnold Beckman, whose invention of a simple method to measure the
acidity of California lemons spawned a scientific instrument empire
has died at the age of 104. Beckman passed away on May 18th at
Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, California, after a long illness.


Arnold O. Beckman was born in Cullom, Illinois, on April 10, 1900.
In 1934 he invented the pH meter that is sill used use in citrus
processing plants worldwide. The following year he founded National
Technical Laboratories, and later renamed he company Beckman
Instruments. Over the years, Beckman and his electronic test gear
became synonymous with high quality and extreme accuracy. In 1997 the
company was acquired Coulter Corporation of Miami, Florida which
renamed it renamed Beckman Coulter later that same year.


Arnold Beckman, is survived by his son, Arnold Stone Beckman,
daughter Patricia Beckman, two grandchildren and three great-
grandchildren. His wife Mabel Meinzer Beckman died in 1989.


A complete biography of this inventor, businessman and philanthropist
can be found on-line at
http://www.beckman.com/hr/memorial/mem_news.asp (Beckman-Coulter)


**


HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ASTRONAUT TRAINING TO BECOME HAM


The AMSAT News Service reports that Astronaut Leroy Chiao is
scheduled to train at the Johnson Space Center in early June. This,
to prepare for his Amateur Radio license exam. Once he passes the
test and receives his call sign, he will be able to participate in
the ARISS program during his stay as Expedition 10 commander on board
the International Space Station. He is scheduled to fly this
October. (ARISS)


**


WORLDBEAT - IRAN: IARU TRAINING PRESENTED


Turning to international news, word that the I-A-R-U recently
presented an Amateur Radio Administration Course in Iran. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen Zed-L-2-B-H-F in Auckland New
Zealand
brings the details:


--


PKG HE In response to an invitation from the administration of the
Islamic Republic of Iran, Fred Johnson ZL2AMJ representing the IARU
Region 3 and Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA representing the IARU
International Secretariat visited Iran to present a three-day Amateur
Radio Administration Course, 26 to 28 April 2004. Fred Johnson ZL2AMJ
takes up his story:


ZL2AMJ:


Since the early 1980s this course has been conducted by IARU in
various forms in countries all over the world and in response to
invitations from administrations to train regulators and prospective
regulators in the administering of the amateur service and amateur
satellite service. Related objectives include managing disaster
relief communications and organizing an amateur radio society.


Our recent course in Tehran was arranged by Mr T. Shafiee and Mr M.
Zomorodi of the Directorate General of Telecommunications. An
excellent training room was provided for us with full support
facilities including a data projector and access to a photocopier.
Daniel and myself presented our course using PowerPoint displays
prepared by IARU and each of the 16 participants received printed
copies of the displays and many other documents and two CD-ROMs with
documentation about amateur radio.


We had discussions with many radio amateurs in Tehran, some of whom
attended the course. The course participants visited EP3PTT, a
station established in the Ministry's office premises in Tehran. The
equipment in this station was provided for Iran amateurs by from the
IARU Region 3 Stars*** program and may be operated by licensed
Iranian operators by arrangement.


There have been amateur radio societies in Iran in earlier years but
there has not been an IARU member society. An amateur radio "club", a
social meeting group, presently meets in Tehran.


ZL2BHF: ZL2AMJ reported the course as a most memorable experience.
He said that Daniel and himself were warmly received.


From Auckland New Zealand I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF for Newsline.


--


Contact between the IARU and the amateurs and the administration of
Iran is to continue with further Amateur Radio information to be
provided. (ARNewsline(tm))


**


WORLDBEAT - ALBANIA: PROJECT GOODWILL AT DAYTON 2004


Len Geraldi, K6ANP, who is the President of the Northern California
DX Foundation has announced that his organization is teaming up with
Vertex Standard . The two will combine forces to donate ten complete
Yaesu FT 840 stations to Project Goodwill Albania. The gear will be
set up at the University of Tirana to boost the successful completion
of the project.


The announcement was made at the recent Dayton D-X dinner in Ohio.
At the same time Bob Ferrero, W6RJ, stepped forward on behalf of Ham
Radio Outlet. He offered up a matching number of antennas. Bob Heil,
K9EID, of Heil Sound said that he would supply the needed p sound
gear. Other equipment was pledged by AA4XR, N3BNA, K3LP, K7JA,
VE1JF, W3BTX, W4MYA, W6EUF, W6OSP, W6UM and W9JUV in addition to
those already reported earlier. (Various)


**


ON THE AIR: NEW MID-AMERICA 6 METER BEACON


The Legion of Indianapolis DXers has activated a 24-hour a day 6
meter beacon. Operating as W9VW slash B on 50.069 MHz, the automated
12 watt station is located in the heart of Indianapolis in grid
square E M 69 WT. The antenna is an omnidirectional horizontally
polarized turnstile at 70 feet. Q-S-N reports go to W9VW, P.O. Box
18495, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46218. (W9IND, QRZ.COM)


**


DX


In D-X, word that IN3ASW and IN3DYG will be active as TU2WL. This,
from Cote d'Ivoire or the Ivory Coast through the 1st of June. They
plan to operate SSB and possibly PSK31 and RTTY. (GB2RS)


And SM0CMH will be active as SM8C portable SV5 from the island of
Kalymnos in the Dodecanese group to the 5th of June. He will
operate CW on 10 to 80 meters and perhaps even 160 meters. For both
operations, please Q-S-L as directed on the air. (GB2RS)



**


THAT FINAL ITEM: BAY TO BREAKERS


And finally this week, the story of ham radio assisting in a truly
fun public service event. It called the Bay to Breakers race and its
held every year in the San Francisco. David Hirtz, KG6CEL, reports
from the City by the Bay:


--


Audio Only: Hear it at www.anewsline.org
--


By the way, it's called the Bay to Breakers Race because it
starts
in the financial district not far from San Francisco Bay and ends at
the western most edge of Golden Gate Park overlooking the mighty blue
Pacific. More information on this event is on line at
www.baytobreakers.com. (ARNewsline(tm))



**


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.


A reminder that the nominating period for the 2004 Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now on. This program is open
to any FCC licensed young radio amateur age 18 or younger residing in
the contiguous 48 states and who has made a significant contribution
to the community, the nation or ham radio though the United States
Amateur Radio Service.


More information and a downloadable on-line nominating form is at our
website. That's in cyberspace at www.arnewsline.org. The cutoff
for
nominations this year is midnight on Tuesday, June 30th.


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 2004. All rights reserved.









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