Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1611 - June 27, 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1611 with a release date of Friday,
June 27th, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.

China's TV networks praise ham radio for assisting after the May
earthquake, 4 Meters is expanded in Denmark, a state grant buys new rescue
radio gear for ARES in Oregon and the United States at the 2008 World
A-R-D-F championship games. Joe Moell, K0OV, has a special report on the
Field Day weekend 2008 Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1611 coming
your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: CHINA PRAISES ITS HAM COMMUNITY FOR QUAKE RESPONSE

Chinese television has heaped praise on that nations ham radio
community. This for its volunteerism following that nations recent
earthquake. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details:

--

Reports on the Chinese national T-V network news said that when all other
communication means failed, amateur radio operators came out to provide
valuable first hand information from the center of the earthquake
disaster. This included an High Frequency link for the Red Cross from the
disaster area back to the nation's capital city of Beijing, enabling that
aid agency to do its essential humanitarian work.

Other reports said that BY8AA continuously coordinated VHF and UHF
communications for a 100 km radius from the capital of southwest China's
province of Sichuan. Additional repeaters were set up in two other cities
that were among the worst hit areas outside the epicenter. This formed an
effective amateur radio relay communication network to provide an Amateur
Radio respone.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the studio in
Los Angeles

--

In another report, two ham radio operators are reported to have driven to
the center of the earthquake disaster area and had a repeater set up by the
morning of May 13th. That was just hours after the disaster hit. That
repeater enabled the transmission of rescue instructions, status reports
and was a main communication channel for public use when telephone services
were down. (WIA News, BA1RB)

**

WORLLDBEAT: CHINA OLYMPIC SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS ON THE AIR

Amateur Radio Special Event stations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are
now on the air. The Southgate news says that the stations began operating
May 18th with five special event calls representing the five rings of the
Olympic flag.

The calls are BT1OB, BT1OJ, BT1OH, BT1OY and BT1ON with the last letter of
the callsign corresponds to the color of each of the rings of the Olympic
flag . BA4EG will be the QSL manager for all stations. QSL's can be sent
either direct or via the bureau and will begin to be answered in October.

There is a website set up that includes an on-line log search, a QSL card
receive and sent status, and other information. Its in cyberspace at at
www.bj2008ses.com.cn. (Southgate)

**

RESTRUCTURING: 4 METERS EXPANDED IN DENMARK

Access to the European 70 MHz band in Denmark has been expanded. Writing
on the 70 MHz remailer, OZ2M says that the new Danish 4 meter band
allocation has been extended with three new segments of which two are a
direct extensions to existing ones. These are 69.9875 to 70.0000 MHz, a
new distinct segment from 70.2375 to 70,2875 MHz and another expanded
segment from 70.4875 to 70.5125MHz.

The 4 meter or 70 MHz band I a Region 1 only allocation. Its not available
elsewhere so QSO's when that band I open internationally are usually made
crossband. Hams outside Region 1 operate 6 or 10 meters while those in
counties with the region that have 70 MHz privileges transmit in the 4
meter band. (Southgate)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: FIELD DAY ON SHORTWAVE

In Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, with word that Ted Randall, WB8PUM, of Lebanon,
Tennessee, will be "Live from Field Day" on Field Day Saturday, June
28th. But his operation will be over shortwave radio station WBCQ on 7.415
MHz.

According to the ARRL. Randall will broadcast from 2 PM to 5 PM Eastern,
then from 11 PM to 2 AM Eastern on Saturday, June 28th and he is inviting
Field Day sites nationwide to dial into the program. The number to call
during broadcast times is 931-528-0133. WB8PUM says that the line will not
be answered prior to Field Day.

Randall says that this is a chance for Field Day locations to call in and
be part of a special live remote broadcast from your own Field Day
site. He says that the show will have a potential international audience
of more than 200 million people

Again the phone number is 931-528-0133. He adds that as far as he knows,
nothing like this has ever been done before. He hopes to hear from your
Field Day location during the show.

More information is on-line at
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/06/26/10185/?nc=1 (ARRL)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Riverside County
Amateur Radio Association net serving Riverside California.

(5 sec pause here)


**

RESCUE RADIO: $250,000 GRANT TO OREGON ARES BUYS NEW RADIOS

Jackson County Oregon ARES, is using state grant money award to it earlier
this year to purchase digital communication equipment for ARES chapters in
each Oregon county. This, according to the on-line edition of the Southern
Oregon Mail Tribune that previously reported the state awarded the Jackson
County group $250,000.

According to the news article the award was due to the work of ARES
operators last December when they provided backup communications to coastal
communities during the winter storms really saved the day last December.

Those storms were some of the worst in decades. They knocked out both
landline and cellular phone service to a number off coastal communities for
several days. The tiny community of Vernonia was entirely cut off from the
rest of Oregon by flooding and landslides. It fell to radio amateurs to
direct rescue crews to residents stranded in Vernonia and other hard hit
areas. This, while informing hospitals that patients were on the way.

Don Montgomery, WB7Q, is the Emergency Coordinator for Jackson County. He
told the Mail Tribune that the group has established some 20 ARES stations
throughout the county. He also noted that a company called Mercy Flights
recently donated a retired ambulance to the group. WB7Q says its in the
process of being converted into an emergency communication vehicle with a
full complement of radio equipment on board. The complete story is on-line
at www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
20080623/NEWS/806230320 (Oregon Mail Tribune.com)

**

RESCUE RADIO: THE ARRL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CD

If you are involved in any way in the emergency communications aspect of
amateur radio you will want to get a copy of the Emergency Communications
Library CD now being published by the American Radio Relay League. The CD
is billed as a quick access source for information and software that every
emergency communicator should have on hand. Among the items included are
documents and presentations on many aspects of emergency communications
operations, the ARRL Field Resource Manual and Public Service
Communications manuals, software for APORS and Winlink and a copy of the
Bob Doherty, K1VV, Simulated Emergency Test movie. For ordering
information and pricing please visit www.arrl.org/shop on the World Wide
Web. (ARRL)

**

ENFORCEMENT: YOU CANT SELL PHONE JAMMERS IN THE USA

The FCC has issued an Official Citation to Phonejammer.com. This for
allegedly marketing unauthorized radio frequency devices in the United
States in violation of the Communications Act, and for failing to respond
to Enforcement Bureau directives to provide certain information and
documents. Bon Wilbanks, AE5DW, has the details:

--

In an earlier Letter of Inquiry or L-O-I to Phonejammer dot com dated
November 6, 2007, the Spectrum Enforcement Division of the FCC's that
company was marketing radio frequency jammers in the United
States. Specifically units capable of disrupting communications on
cellular and Personal Communications Service frequencies.

At the time of that letter and again on, May 20, 2008, the FCC said that it
observed on its website, www.phonejammer.com, advertisements for the sale
of multiple radio frequency jammers. The FCC says that the advertisements
for the phone jammers listed shipping costs to the United States and
displayed product prices in United States dollars. In addition, the
website provided testimonials from United States residents who had
purchased the phone jamming devices.

In its response the company claimed that it is based in the United Kingdom
and that it doe not distribute, market, or advertise the phone jammers in
the United States. In a response the FCC instructed Phonejammer.com to
answer each question in the Letter of Inquiry. Though Phonejammers reply
e-mails indicate that the comopany received the FCC's Letter of Inquiry, it
has failed to respond to the questions set forth in it.

Now in its May 22nd Citation the FCC say that it appears as if Phonejammer
has violated Commission orders by failing to respond to Enforcement Bureau
directives to provide certain information and documents. It says that no
party may ignore the directives in a Bureau inquiry letter. It has
directly ordered Phonejammer to provide the information sought by its
November 6, 2007 Letter of Inquiry.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilkbanks, AE5DW, in the Southern
Bureau not far from New Orleans.

--

Phonejammer dot com was given 20 days to respond or face the prospect of
being fined up to $11,000. It was also warned that future violations of
the Commission's rules may subject your company to further monetary
forfeitures. (FCC)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: ARRL TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS PHONE DELIVERY OF AUDIO NEWS

The ARRL says that it is temporarily suspending telephone distribution of
its Audio News service and will rely only on Internet distribution from its
website. In its announcement the League did not explain the reason for
suspending telephone distribution but did note this is only temporary and
that it is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

The ARRL statement added that the League hopes to be able to return
telephone access to the ARRL Audio News at 860-594-0384 fairly
soon. Meantime you will continue to find it on-line every week at
www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio. (ARRL)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: NEW RAIL MUSEUM TO FEATURE AMATEUR RADIO

The Feather River Rail Society has begun a new project at the Western
Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, California. Dubbed the "Western
Pacific Telegraph and Experimenters Society," the project aims to research
and interpret early means of telecommunication on the Western Pacific
Railroad.

An integral part of the project will include amateur radio operation from
the museum. Matt Parker, N7TOD, is the trustee of the organization's newly
acquired amateur radio-club station license. He says that through public
interaction via ham radio, an aura can be created of an old-time telegraph
office that will include the transmission of public service messages
through the National Traffic System,

For more information about the Feather River Rail Society, the Western
Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola or the Western Pacific Historical
Society, take your web browser to www.wplives.org. (plives.org release)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: CELEBRATING PRESIDENT REAGAN ON FIELD DAY

Turning to news about Field Day, word that special Events Station, N6R, was
scheduled to once again operate from the grounds of the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California during this
years outing. The Ventura County Amateur Radio Society was to be joined by
Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club and the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club
for the 24 hour event. Operations planned for most bands between 80 Meters
and 24GHz. The call sign N6R commemorates the lives of former United
States President Ronald Reagan and his wife Mrs. Nancy Reagan. (N6ZE)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: FIELD DAY INCENTIVE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

A celebration of Field Day is the theme of a new two minute video posted to
YouTube dot com. With pictures and text cut to music Kevin Pauley, kb9wvi,
tells the story of Field Day as it was and as it is today. This is an
excellent piece of video to use as an incentive to get your club to rally
around the concept of what Field Day is and get them to attend. You will
find it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=varHL752Odk (ARNewsline(tm))

**

WORLDBEAT - GERMANY: THE GIANT HAM RADIO CONVENTION

As hams in the US operated ARRL Field Day, Europe's giant Ham Radio Show
opened in Freidrichshafen, Germany. Held this year from June 27th to the
29th, more than 18,000 visitors were expected to take advantage of
the fair to find out about the latest offerings in the world of amateur
radio and electronics.

This year, the focus of the show is on cultivating the interest of a
younger generation of operators. Youngsters were to be able to spend two
days using Morse, using radios, making things electronic and generally
gathering their first experience of the new, 21st century world of amateur
radio. (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)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF WOMEN IN SPACE

In ham radio space related news, word that special event station R45VT is
on the air. This, to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of Valentina
Vladimirovna Tereshkova becoming the first woman in space.

Tereshkova flew to orbit on June 16th 1963 as pilot onboard Vostok 6. Her
call sign during the flight was Chaika. She spent 71 hours in space
orbiting the Earth 48 times.

Since that time women have made a significant contribution to space
exploration and many of them have been licenced Radio Amateurs. A few of
the many notable women space explorers since Valentina Tereshkova include
American Sally Ride and the United Kingdom's Helen Sharman to mention only
a few.

Sharman was also the first UK woman to be issued a ham radio call for her
flight. She operated from the Mir Space Station as GB1MIR

And very apropos for this type of commemorative operation. At least one UK
ham resports that he recently worked R45VT through the VO-52 amateur radio
satellite. (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK: AN AROUND THE UK CRUISE FOR CHARITY
Turning to news from around the globe, a British radio amateur is sailing
around the United Kingdom in a bid to raise money for charity. Practical
Wireless and the Southgate News say that Ray Oliver, G3NDS, plans to raise
money for a worthy cause while operating maritime mobile from his yacht
Christine-Marie.
Oliver set sail from Lymington at the end of April. He is operating with
an Icom IC 706 that end feeds a 40 ft wire, sloping from the stern of the
vessel to the top of the mast. He's mainly been operating on 80m SSB with
some activity on top band, but will also operate on other bands and on CW
from time to time.
G3NDS says that he will be sending a special QSL card to stations contacted
that gives a summary of his challenge. He is also looking for hams to join
him on legs of the passage, if anyone would like to crew or operate
maritime mobile.
Contact information along with details of how his cruise came about, the
charities he's supporting and his progress to date can be found on his
web. The URL is quite simple. Its www.roundtheukcruise.org.uk. (PW,
Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - JAPAN: JARL TO CELEBRATE IARU HF CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST

The Japan Amateur Radio League will establish 10 headquarters stations in
various regions of Japan during the 2008 IARU H-F Championship. The dates
are July 12th to the 13th but station may be heard on other bands outside
of the contest during the week of July 7th. All QSO's will be QSL'ed
automatically via the bureau. (JARL)

**

ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING THE USCG

On the air, all U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members that are Amateur Radio
operators are invited to operate as Special Event Radio Stations on
Saturday October 18th on the High Frequency ham bands. This to commemorate
the Anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Official Coast Guard Auxiliary special event amateur radio stations will be
operating with a special 1 X 1 calls to contacting amateur radio operators
and other U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary stations. Special event QSL cards
will be used to commemorate the event.

Those interested in becoming an Official Special Event Radio Station should
send an e-mail to . The last day to register as an
official station is September 15th. More information is on-line at
http://uscgauxduluth.blogspot.com/20...iliary-amateur
..html
(IZ8FTW)

**

DX

In DX, a 6 meter DXpedition to Sable Island is scheduled to remain on the
air through Monday, July 7th. The fixed station in grid FN93 will use the
callsign CY0X and will be transmitting on 50.117 MHz. Operation will be on
CW and SSB. They will also try to activate rare grid GN03 if there is a
solid opening using a portable station with a 5 element yagi with the
callsign CY0RA. The team also plans on being on 20 and 40 meters using CW
and SSB and the HF operation will always take lower priority over the 6
meter operation. QSL via VE3IKV

Lastly, G3RWF will be active from Uganda as 5X1NH through August
15th. His operation will be from Fort Portalin Western Uganda. QSL via
G3RWF. He was last active from that location during February and March
this year and made over 11000 QSO's during his stay.

(From various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: THE USA IN THE 2008 WORLD ARDF CHAMPIONSHIP

Finally, you may recall that two weeks ago we put out a reminder to all
nations to send their Letters of Intent to participate in the upcoming
Amateur Radio Direction Finding World Championships. If you're pondering
what hams here in the United States are doing about this event, then wonder
no more. Amateur Radio Newsline's Joe Moell K0OV, is here with the
answers. Joe:

--

Members of Team USA are now in training for the 14th World Championships of
Amateur Radio Direction Finding, or ARDF, which take place near Seoul Korea
in the first week of September. This will be the sixth time that USA has
fielded a team for the World Championships, which take place in
even-numbered years and draw over 300 radio-orienteers from about 30
countries. At the last World Championships in Bulgaria, Nadia Scharlau of
Cary, North Carolina was the first North American to win a World
Championships medal, and she's hoping to repeat this year.

ARDF is an all-on-foot transmitter hunting sport that usually takes place
in large forests, with orienteering maps and compasses, but not GPS, to
help the competitors find their way to the locations where their direction
finding gear tells them the transmitters should be. A successful
competitor may travel 7 or 8 kilometers to track down all of the required
radio foxes. He or she must do it on two consecutive days, one on
two-meter AM and the other on 80-meter CW.

Team USA 2008 has been selected from the medal winners at our last two
national championships. The 2007 event was at South Lake Tahoe, California
last September and this year's was at Bastrop, Texas in May. Two weekend
training camps for team members will take place during July and August on
Mt. Pinos in southern California.

Unfortunately, not everyone who was selected will be able to travel to
Korea, so a few openings remain on our team roster. If you or someone you
know is skilled at radio-orienteering and would like the opportunity to
compete against and learn from the best in the world, please contact me
right away.

Also, I'm looking for individuals or clubs to host upcoming USA national
ARDF championships. If you your club has put on a major hamfest or ARRL
convention, you probably have the skills and resources to put on an ARDF
championships.

You'll need a well-mapped forested site for the competitions and your local
orienteering club will probably be able to help you with that.

For more information about championship ARDF, Team USA, and the training
camps, as well as contact information for the team, point your Web browser
to www.homingin.com -- that's homingin, as one word, homingin.com.

From sunny southern California, where we can practice ARDF all year long,
this is Joe Moell, K0OV, for Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

The 2008 World ARDF Championship takes place September 2nd through the 7th
in South Korea. The United States has been represented at the Amateur
Radio Direction Finding World Championships since way back in 1988 (K0OV,
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, 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 Fred Vobbe,
W8HDU, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.