Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1569 - September 7, 2007

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1569 with a
release date of Friday, September 7, 2007 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. A report says that New
York City's communications infrastructure cannot
handle another 911; ham radio faces hurricane
Felix, NATO chimes in on BPL and President Bush
declares September as National Preparedness
Month. Find out more on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm)
report number 1569 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: NYC IS NOT PREPARED FOR ANOTHER 911

The communications infrastructure of New York
City is not prepared to face another 911 attack
or any other truly catastrophic event. This is
the conclusion one reaches early on when reading
the article Emergency Comms in New York City by
John Kasupski, KC2HMZ. It's in the September
issue of Popular Communications magazine. Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, takes a look at what the author has to say:

--

In his article John Kasupski asks a rhetorical
question. Would the vital police, fire and E-M-S
personnel responding to such an incident be any
better off in their communications capabilities
today than they were six years ago? He answers
the question by stating that as of this past June
the evidence suggests that they would not be any
better off than they were on September 11, 2001.

The article cites the results of an investigation
by WABC television reporter N.J. Burkett. Among
the things Burkett discovered was that a battery
back-up system for the New York fire department
radio system was supposed to last 24 hours. It
didn't. And the emergency 911 call system bogged
down after a 2006 power failure. Priority
callers had to wait up to 20 minutes to get a response.

Interoperability with adjoining communities also
remains a problem. A quoted report from WCBS
news said that even though New York City has an
800 MHz radio system, the current approach for
providing communications between the city and its
neighboring counties remains the telephone. And
that's unreliable for a number of reasons, not
the least of which is that no one particular
agency seems to have current phone number to
reach its counterpart in an adjacent community.

Kasupski's article is a graphic lesson on how
local politicians have completely failed to bring
the city's emergency response radio system into
line with the times we live in. It should also
serve as a reminder to radio amateurs in the
metro New York metro area as why they need to be
ready to respond at a moments notice.

If all that John Kasupski, KC2HMZ, states in his
article is correct, then the City of New York is
still totally reliant on hams in time of crisis
even thought that fact won't be realized until
the time comes for them to respond.

History does seem to have a way of repeating itself.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, originally from the City of
New York and now in the studio in Los Angeles.

--

You can read John Kasupski's story on the
emergency communications problems facing the New
York City beginning on page 15 of the September
issue of Popular Communications magazine. (ARNewsline(tm))

**

RESCUE RADIO: HURRICANE FELIX SLAMS NICARAGUA

There have been more busy days for hams across
the Caribbean and in Central America. This as
Hurricane Felix slammed into Nicaragua, on Tuesday, September 4th.

Packing 160 mph winds, the storm peeled roofs off
buildings, knocked down utility poles and damaged
upward of 5,000 homes near Puerto
Cabezas. Virtually all normal lines of
communications were knocked out and again it
became a case of Amateur Radio being on the front line:

--

Audio of XE2WCG reporting hospital closure due to
flooding and missing sailors. Hear it by
downloading this weeks audio newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

That report was relayed over the Voice over I P
Hurricane Watch Net. Ham radio operators also
used it to relay storm reports back to the
National Hurricane Center in Miami.

--

Audio of XE2WCG reporting high winds and rising
river in northern Nicaragua. Hear it by
downloading this weeks audio newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

At least three people were killed and thousands
forced to seek shelter as Felix pushed over
Nicaragua and Honduras. Despite quickly
diminishing from a Category 5 hurricane to a
tropical depression, Felix sparked fears
torrential rains and wide spread flooding. At
least 8 to 12 inches of rain were expected
across much of Nicaragua and El Salvador, with 10
to 15 inches forecast for Honduras. Hams across
the area say that they will remain on alert until
the 2007 hurricane season has
passed. (ARNewsline(tm) with audio supplied by KD1CY)

**

RESCUE RADIO: SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Meantime, President George W. Bush has proclaimed
September as National Preparedness Month. In
making his announcement the President called on
all U.S. citizens to recognize the importance of
being ready for potential emergencies. He also
asked citizens to observe this month by
participating in appropriate events, activities, and preparedness programs.

The President went on to say that protecting
America's homeland and its citizens is the shared
responsibility of the entire Nation. He said
that individuals can prepare themselves and their
families for emergencies by taking simple steps
such as organizing an emergency supply kit,
making a personal preparedness plan, becoming
informed about different threats, and getting
involved in preparing their community. The
President says that these activities create a
culture of preparedness and can help save lives.

For our world of Amateur Radio, the Presidents
words have special meaning. This is because ham
radio continues to prove its worth each time a
disaster situation brings down a regions
established communications infrastructure. Being
non-centralized and having no common point of
failure means that ham radio emergency
communications can continue to operate when all
else fails as it did on 9 11 2001 in New York and
two years ago in New Orleans during and after
Hurricane Katrina. (Published news reports)

**

THE BPL FIGHT: NATO REPORT ON EFFECTS OF BPL RELEASED

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has
issued a report of the anticipated effects that
widespread implementation of Broadband over
Powerline communications technology would have on
the High Frequency spectrum..

Particular emphasis is placed on ambient noise in
"quite rural" zones and the "Absolute Protection
Requirement". Among the conclusion that the
report reaches are that there is a high
probability that BPL would cause increased noise
levels at sensitive receiver sites given the
projected market penetration. Also, the
percentages are highly influenced by assumptions
on transmitter power level, market penetration, and duty cycle.

The entire report can be downloaded at
http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public. One warning
though. The file in PDF format is about 9 megabytes in size. (WIA,
Southgate)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the
Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin
stations around the world including the W8GK
repeater serving Charleston West Virginia.


(5 sec pause here)


**

ENFORCEMENT: TWO POWER UTILITIES CITED FOR INTEFERENCE TO TEXAS HAM

The Federal Communication Commission's Dallas
Field Office has issued Citations to two
utilities in a longstanding power line noise case
in Lubbock, Texas. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, reports:

--

Bryan Edwards, W5KFT, of Lubbock, first reported
the interference claiming interference from two
utilities in early 1994. The alleged sources
were electric providers Lubbock Power & Light and
Xcel Energy. Since then it has been an up-hill
battle for Edwards, but a pair of citations
issued to the energy providers by the FCC this
past July 25th may now bring the entire matter to a head.

According to an ARRL bulletin, the citations
issues say that an investigation conducted by the
Dallas FCC office was conducted this past May
22nd to the 25th. That it found both utilities
had caused harmful interference to the reception
of amateur communications to W5KFT. The FCC then
directed both utilities to provide documents and
information within 10 days of their respective citations.

In its undated response Lubbock Power & Light
stated that it does not admit to and specifically
denies any violation of the Communications Act or
any rule pertaining thereto.

Xcel's response was far more positive. It
pointed out that the citation acknowledges that
the source of harmful interference is from more
than one power company. Xcel also claims that
it 'has been working with a Edwards for a number
of years in an effort to identify the source of,
and a possible resolution for, the interference
he is experiencing. Xcel Energy says that it has
a good working relationship with Edwards and has
coordinated with him on numerous occasions in
attempting to resolve his interference problems.

Xcel then stated its intention to retain an
outside technical consultant to provide an
unbiased assessment of whether the harmful
interference to W5KFT is attributable to Xcel
Energy's power system and if so, what corrective
measures would be required. And even before the
ink was dry on its response, it acted.

On August 30th Edwards reported that he received
a phone call from Paul Leonard, head of Xcel
Energy in West Texas. Edwards said he was told
that Xcel has contracted with Mike Martin, K3RFI,
of RFI Services to come to Lubbock in October to
work on locating the source of the line noise.

Xcel Energy's Leonard added that his company
tried to get Lubbock Power & Light to participate
with them, but they refused. At airtime, what
measures Lubbock Power & Light may take to solve
the interference its lines are causing to Edwards operations is unknown.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Casrlson, KQ6FM, in Reno.

--

According to the ARRL, Mike Martin's firm RFI
Services is dedicated exclusively to RFI locating
and training. Martin has been locating
interference sources for more than 25 years,
solving an average of 500 complaints a
year. K3RFI has also given power line
interference workshops at ARRL Headquarters (ARRL)

**

ENFORCEMENT: SHARPLES WITHDRAWS HAM LICENSE APPLICATION

The FCC has issued an Order of Dismissal and
Termination to Florida resident Jack R. Sharples
for an Amateur Radio license. This, after
accepting his voluntary termination of his application.

Back in May of this year the FCC had designated
Sharples application for an administrative
hearing. This based on evidence it had showing
that Sharples was a convicted felon and
registered sexual predator. The FCC said that
the felony conviction was for at least one sex
related offense involving a child. As such it
raised material and substantial questions as to
whether Sharples held the requisite character
qualifications to be a Commission licensee.

Sharples was given 20 days from the date of the
Hearing Designation Order being issued to
respond. He did so on June 19th with a filing to
the presiding Administrative Law Judge. In it
Sharples gave his reasons for filing an Amateur
Radio license even in light of his felony
convictions. The FCC considered this response to
be a good faith Notice of Appearance by Sharples.

But on June 27th it appears as if Sharples
changed his mind. On that date he sent a FAX to
the presiding Administrative Law Judge. In it he
voluntarily withdrew his Amateur Radio license
application. The FCC dismissed his application on August 1st. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC DISMISES CASTLE RENEWAL APPLICATION

The FCC has dismissed the license renewal
application of David O. Castle, WA9KJI. This,
after the former Evansville, Indiana, ham failed
to request a written appearance before an
Administrative Law Judge and also did not appear
at a pre-hearing conference in Washington, D. C. on August 13th.

According to the FCC, the agency had designated
Castle's license renewal for a hearing last May
24th. This, based on the years of complaints it
has received regarding his on the air
operation. The FCC says that since 1998, Castle
had been warned repeatedly to refrain from
intentionally interfering with radio
communications; broadcasting without
communicating with any particular station;
causing interference on amateur repeaters; using
amateur repeaters without authorization, and
using indecent, slanderous or harassing language.

When Castle filed to renew his license the FCC
instead set the request aside and issued a
Hearing Designation Order. In it, the FCC stated
that it found Castle's continuing course of
conduct raised questions as to whether he
possesses the requisite character qualifications
to remain a Commission licensee. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT: L.A. HAMS TOLD TO STAY OFF K6GE REPEATER

The FCC has ordered two Los Angeles area hams to
stay off of an area repeater. In August 23rd
letters to ,Norman Ball, KE6VWN, of Sunland, and
Richard Martin, KE6RJI, of Maywood, California,
the FCC warned both hams to avoid using the K6GE
repeater or face punitive action,

According to the FCC, both hams had been
requested by the repeater operator to refrain
from using the K6GE system. The regulatory
agency says that both hams apparently ignored
both verbal and written requests to do so. Now
they have been told that they could wind up
facing fines of up to $10,000 if they ignore the
FCC's order to keep off of the K6GE machine. (FCC)

**

COMMUNICATIONS LAW: NPRM TO ALLOW THE USE OF FM TRANSLATORS BY AM STATIONS

Here's a follow-up to a story regarding
translators in the broadcast spectrum. Back on
July 14, 2006, the National Association of
Broadcasters filed a Petition for Rulemaking with
the FCC. One proposing that the Commission amend
its rules to allow AM broadcast stations to
operate FM translator stations as a fill-in service.

The CGC Communicator reports that the FCC
received over 500 comments with overwhelming
support for the proposal. So now the FCC is
proposing rules permitting the use of FM
translators by AM stations and has issued an NPRM
that examines the issues related to such a rule
change. This includes the issue of program
origination at night over FM translators used by
daytime-only AM stations. (CGC)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: PEORIA SUPERFEST - SEPTEMBER 15 - 16

Turning to the ham radio social scene, the Peoria
Superfest is slated for September 15th and 16th
at the Exposition Gardens, Peoria Illinois. This
show is best known for its great flea
market. More information is on the web at
www.peoriasuperfest.com (Via e-mail)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: 2007 AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM - OCT 26 - 28

And his years AMSAT Space Symposium will take
place on October 26th to the 28th in
Pennsylvania. The venue is the Airport Mariott
Hotel in Coraopolis with Sy Liebergot as the
keynote Speaker is. Liebergot is the project
Apollo Electrical, Environmental, Consumables
Flight Controller. More information about this
years AMSAT Space Symposium is on-line at the
U-R-L in this weeks printed Newsline report.

(DO NOT READ: For general club information about
the 2007 AMSAT Space symposium,
visit www.amsat.org or
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2007/index.php (AMSAT)

**

MAMES IN THE NEWS: KB2GSD NAMED LIFETIME MEMBER OF RCA

Some names in the news. The Radio Club of America
has conferred Honorary Membership on retired CBS
newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD.

In making the announcement, Craig Jorgensen,
chairman of the club's Membership Committee,
said that Cronkite was selected for three
reasons. First, that Walter Cronkite represents
excellence in broadcasting and journalistic
achievement. Second, that KB2GSD has worked to
promote amateur radio which Jorgenson cites as an
important segment of the clubs membership and one
that fosters advancement of the radio
art. Lastly, that Cronkite has encouraged young
people to take up an interest in radio communications.

Honorary membership is the highest distinction
given by the Radio Club of America. In its nearly
99-year history, the club has given out only 26 honorary memberships. (RCA)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: W6DWI NEW NCS FOR NORCAL 2 METER SSB NET

Robin Whiting, W6DWI, who has become the new Net
Control station of the famed NORCAL 2m SSB
Net. This long standing gathering is held every
Thursday 8:00 p.m.. Pacific on 144.250 MHz using upper sideband.

W6DWI is located in Woodland, California in grid
square C M 98 d q. He says he will begin taking
early check-ins starting about 7:50 p.m.. Also,
he plans to use the same roll call in the same
order as his predecessor Paul I Hammer, KA6CHJ.

If you are in the Northern California area and in
earshot of the net, you are invited to drop by. (VHF Reflector)

**

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)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: NEW FIREPROOF LI ON BATTERIES

New lithium-ion batteries being developed for
hybrid electric automobiles may hold promise as a
dependable high power source of emergency
communications power. This, as A123 Systems of
Watertown, Massachusetts announces a new type of
high power lithium ion cell not prone to the fire
hazards associated with current batteries.

Although the lithium-ion cells you see in laptops
and mobile phones pack twice as much energy per
pound as any other current battery, they have not
been adopted for hybrid cars and other power
demanding uses because they are worryingly prone
to fires. But A123 believes it has solved the
fire potential problem with a new lithium-ion
design that utilizes a special formulation for the battery's cathode.

Lithium Ion battery fires seem to begin when a
small manufacturing defect, perhaps compounded by
overcharging, causes oxygen to separate from the
cathode. As the cell overheats, it can prime
oxidation in neighboring cells, a process known
as thermal runaway. A123 overcomes the problem
by making its cathodes out of iron phosphate,
which bonds to the oxygen far more powerfully
than does the cobalt dioxide found in
conventional lithium-ion batteries. So its cells
are theoretically far less subject to oxidation,
and thus less prone to thermal runaway.

A123's batteries are already in use in other
applications demanding a combination of power and
safety. More on these new lithium ion batteries
is on-line at www.a123systems.com/ (IEEE Spectrum via Science OnLine.)

**

ON THE WWW: NEW GRIDFINDER AT QRZ.COM

The popular QRZ.com website has added a new
feature. It's called GridFinder and it can be
used to determine the Grid and latitude and
longitude coordinates for just about any point on
the planet. Check it out at www.qrz.com/gridfinder (QRZ)

**

ON THE WWW: VHF DATABASE UPDATES IN OCTOBER

DL8EBW says via the VHF Reflector that the next
issue of the VHF-Database will be on-line in
October. This on-line facility provides
information on 51011 data entries of interest to
those who operate the world above 50 MHz. You
will find it on-line at www.mmmonvhf.de (VHF Reflector)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: PACKET RETURNS TO THE ISS

Some good news from Earth orbit. Packet is once
again on the air from the International Space Station.

The first beacon was reported at 2110 UTC on
Tuesday, September 4th by JH4XSY in Japan on
145.825 Simplex. A bit later at 2136 UTC WA4AEJ
had an APRS confirmation from R0ISS.

Ken Ransom, N5VHO is the I-S-S Ham Radio Project
Engineer. He says that we will all have to
watch and see how long the packet system stays active. (ARISS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FIRST EVER ARISS CONTACT WITH SCHOOL IN CHINA

Add China to the list of nations whose school
students have now talked to an Astronaut and ham
aboard the International Space Station.

On Sunday, August 26th some twenty students
Nanjing No. 3 High School got the chance to speak
with astronaut and ham radio operator Clay
Anderson, KD5PLA. Questions were asked and
answered as approximately 300 students and parents looked on. (ANS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: CREATING A NEW SATELLITE IOTA AWARD

Eric Christensen,W4OTN, is proposing creating a
Satellite Islands on the Air)
award. Christsensen, who serves as AMSAT Area
Coordinator for Southeastern Virginia, is
currently soliciting comments to support his
request to the Islands on the Air Board of
Directors. If you are interested in supporting
this new award, please submit your comments to
W4OTN at
http://eric-sparks.blogspot.com/2007...e-award-petiti
on.html
(AMSAT)


**

WORLDBEAT - BELGIUM: COMMEMORATIING THE WW II RESISTANCE

The Radio club de Binche activated the special
call sign ON4WAR on September 2nd. This, to pay
tribute to the Belgian Resistance during WW
II. As a part of the celebration. Vintage rigs
such as Paraset were used to transmit in CW on
the 7MHz band from the Refuge B40 in Waudrez.
Some transmissions in SSB were also made in the 7
MHz band. A special QSL card will be issued for
those who made contact during this event. More
info is on the web at www.on7ry.be. (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - CANADA: BRITISH COLUMBIA SM VOTEING EXTENDED 10 DAYS

Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced that the
deadline for receipt of returned ballots in the
current British Columbia Section Manager election
has been extended by ten days to 1200 EDST,
September 30, 2007. This change has been made
to address uncontrollable and unforeseen
circumstances that caused a delay in the mailing
of ballots to those members who are qualified to vote in this election.
(RAC)

**

WORLDBEAT - FRANCE: FRENCH HAMS SEEK 3.4 GHZ

France's TDF VHF and Microwave Group is
submitting a request for a small ham radio
allocation in the 3.4 GHz region. This is a
parcel of spectrum from which they are currently banned.

In IARU Regions 2 and 3 which encompass Americas
and the Pacific, 3400 to 3410 MHz is available
for both the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite
Services. And while many countries in ITU Region
1 have also allocated this segment to the Amateur
Radio Service, it is currently not available for
the Amateur Satellite Service nor is it available
for terrestrial use by hams in France. (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - INDIA: INDIA'S HAMS CELEBRATE NATIONS 60 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

To celebrate 60 years of India's independence,
the special call sign AT60MY is being used by
members of the National Institute of Amateur
Radio. Operation is from the city of Hyderabad. QSL Via VU2NRO (OPDX)

**

WORLDBEAT - MALAYSIA: HAMS CELEBRATE NATIONS 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

Radio amateurs in Malaysia celebrated 50 years of
that nations independence. This, with a
nationwide field day on 30th August to 1st September.

Known as the Merdeka Field Day, the celebration
saw 16 stations operating in cities and in jungle
areas. All participating stations were issued
with special 9M50M series callsigns. More
information about this event is on-line at www.marts.my. (Southgate)

**

DX

In D-X, DL5ME and DG3HWO will be active as SD7ME
from Oland Island through September 11th . They
will operate CW and SSB on 40, 30, 20 and 17
meters. QSL to SD7ME at his address on qrz.com.

Also, HA4XG will be active from Greece on the HF
bands plus 6 and 2 meters through September 14th.
QSL via home call, either direct or via the bureau.

And word that DD1MAT,will operate holiday style
portable 9A from Dugi Otok until the 15th of
September. QSL via his home call.

Lastly ZL1AMO, plans to operate holiday style
from Lifuka Tonga until September 16th. He
hopes to have his old A35EA call sign renewed for
this operation. Please QSL as directed on the air.

(Above from variou DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: MORE THANK YOU'S TO OUR LITENER - SUPPORTERS

And finally this week we have some more thank
you's to those wonderful people whose financial
support make these weekly newscasts
possible. Here's our Support Fund Administrator, Andy Jatrema, N6TCQ:

--

In the month of August 2006 we heard from Dick
Tyler and the WA2EHL repeater of Burlington, NJ;
regular contributor Benton Bonney, W4PE of
Orlando; the Harrisburg, PA Radio Amateurs Club;
monthly contributor Joseph Bartzi, Jr., KC8DKF of
Columbus, OH; the DuPage, IL ARC, W9DUP and
monthly San Jose contributors William Walters,
WA2IBM, and Scott Hensley of the Area Communications Team


Via PayPal we heard from the Mississippi Coast
Amateur Radio Assn & Stuart Cole, N5LBZ of
Gulfport; Jack Luoma in Gilroy, CA; Sherry
Johnson in Hager City, WI; Dennis Baumgart, AE2EE of Batavia, NY
Bob Ores, W9BO in Lowell, IN and Joan Friedman on
the K9SHE repeater, Champaign, IL

We depend on you- our loyal listeners to keep
Newsline on the air. Thanks for your help.

I'm Andy Jarema. N6TCQ

--

We who produce these weekly newscast, thank you
for your generosity and your encouragement to
continue. More with Andy in future Amateur Radio
Newsline reports. (Newsline Support Fund)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the
CGC Communicator, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio
Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the
RSGB, the Southgate News 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 Jim Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for
listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.