Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1623 - September 19, 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1623 with a release date of Friday,
September 19th, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Hurricane Ike hits Texas and ham radio is
ready. Also, Australian ham T-V to go digital, an electronics show is
raided in Germany and D-Star comes to a remote corner of the world. Find
out where on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1623 coming your way
right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO FACES HURRICANE IKE

Amateur radio was ready when hurricane Ike made landfall on the East Texas
coast on Saturday, September 13th. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF is in the
newsroom with a look at the storm and the work of the nations ham radio
community during and after the storm:

--

Ike came ashore on Galveston Island packing driving rain and wind gusts in
excess of 110 miles per hour. It flooded thousands of homes and
businesses, shattered windows in Houston's skyscrapers while knocking out
power and telephone service to millions of people. Cellular telephones
reportedly became all but useless. But ham radio continued to operate
throughout the storm and was the first to report the results of Ike's
landfall:

--

Audio is available in the MP3 version of this weeks newscast dowbloadable
at www.arnewsline.org

--

That was Jim Sellers, N0UAM, in Springfield, Missouri, who was in control
of the Voice over Internet Severe Weather Net. This was one of a pair of
severe weather nets that played a key rile in tracking Ike. The other was
the Hurricane Watch Net with hits home on 20 Meter SSB and an alternate
frequency on 40 Meter SSB. With long distance propagation on the high
frequency bands not very good, the VoIP Net played a significant role in
gathering information for the National Weather Service as the storm made
its way up toward the North:

--

Audio is available in the MP3 version of this weeks newscast downloadable
at www.arnewsline.org

--

Meantime, back along the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, Ike began to spawn
a series of tornadoes as reported on the VoIP Net by then net control
Richard Long, KF6BKA, operating from Nashville, Tennessee:

--

Audio is available in the MP3 version of this weeks newscast downloadable
at www.arnewsline.org

--

Even with poor propagation, some stations in Texas were able to pass along
information on the High Frequency bands, This transmission was recorded
using the N2JEU Internet controlled remote receiver in upstate New York:

--

Audio is available in the MP3 version of this weeks newscast downloadable
at www.arnewsline.org

--

Unfortunately the signal dropped back into the noise before we could get
his callsign, but he was among many hams involved in keeping the
information on Ike flowing.

As word of the immensity of Hurricane Ike became known, the staff at ARRL
headquarters in Connecticut began to plan for its aftermath. Anticipating
that communications staffing requests would expected to exceed resources in
the Hurricane Ike recovery areas the ARRL began planning the coordination
requests for additional ham radio personnel. These would be volunteers
from adjoining and near-by states out of Ike's path but close to Texas and
Louisiana. Meantime, hams involved in the emergency continued to handle
information requests from across the region:

--

Audio is available in the MP3 version of this weeks newscast downloadable
at www.arnewsline.org

--

By late Sunday, September 14th, Ike had been downgraded to a Tropical Storm
was moving out of Texas. Both the Hurricane Watch Net and the VoIP Nets
were secured and it was time for relief efforts and damage assessment to
begin.

And in another report coming in on Tuesday, September 16th, members of ARES
South Texas District 14, were are manning at least six Points of
Distribution in Harris County Texas. These operators were and possibly
still are providing communications between the National Guard units at the
distribution centers and the Harris County Office of Emergency Management,
to coordinate the delivery and re-supply of food, water and ready to eat
meals to Ike's victims. Ironically, most of the participating amateurs are
also victims, having suffered property losses and expected power outages to
last approximately three weeks.

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

--

The story of Hurricane Ike and its aftermath will be with us for some time
to come. We will have more on the role of ham radio in post storm relief
efforts in next weeks newscast. In the meantime, if you happen to hear any
on the air ham radio relief communications please tape it and send it to us
for inclusion in future Hurricane Ike reports. (ARNewsline(tm) the ARRL and
various other sources. Audio via the VoIP Weather Net and the N2JEU remote
receiver)

**

RADIO SCAM ALERT: WEBSITES PFISHING THE FCC

It appears as if someone or a group of someone's is trying to scam the
Federal Communications Commission out of some money. According to news
reports attorney Harry Cole told Radio World that his firm advised the
commission last week that it found two fake Internet sites that are
attempting to misdirect those licensees trying to pay their regulatory fees
online.

The fees in question are due on September 25th. In a press release the
FCC said that the phony websites are reportedly trying to collect financial
information. The agency is urging regulatory fee payers to make any
Internet payments directly through the commission's authorized Internet
site. It also says that its Inspector General is looking into the
matter. (RW)

**

RADIO LAW: W3NYI WINS TOWER BATTLE

Some good news for a Pennsylvania ham what had been fighting to keep his
tower and antenna. Word that Chuck Mills, W3NYI, will be able to keep his
tower after all. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has mo

--

A few weeks ago here on Newsline, we told you the story of Chuck Mills, who
lives in a small town east of Pittsburgh.

Mills was granted a permit and then had it lifted by Penn Township
officials after neighbors complained about his plan to erect a 53-foot,
tilt-over, crank-up tower in his development.

American Radio Relay League volunteer legal counsel Michael Lazaroff,
K3AIR, stepped in and tried to allay concerns of the township officials.

But, when Lazaroff tried to meet all concerns raised by the township in a
second filing for a permit, he got a call from the township's attorney that
the second application would likely be denied.

But that didn't stop Lazaroff.

He told the township attorney that the small community could be facing a
very expensive legal fight which he predicted it would lose if it denied
the second permit.

Lazaroff also noted a story in the local press reported the township
treasurer complained that the municipality already had exhausted its legal
budget for the year handling Mills' appeal hearing.

In an email to Amateur Radio Newsline, Lazaroff says he heard nothing more
about Mills' second application.

But, Lazaroff's research into state law found language stating any building
permit application not acted upon within 15 business days is automatically
granted.

Lazaroff tells Amateur Radio Newsline he sent the township a letter citing
the statute and advising officials that any interference in the timeline
would result in an immediate lawsuit.

Two days after the 15-day period expired, Lazaroff says Mills received his
permit.

Meanwhile, legislative remedies to prevent future problems like the one
Mills faced are making their way through Pennsylvania's state House and
Senate.

As of this week's deadline, the Pennsylvania Senate was preparing to pass a
bill barring municipalities from interfering with amateur radio tower
installations.

The bill contained an amendment mentioning a possible height restriction
for certain townships, but left it open to legal interpretation whether any
restriction would have to be followed.

The Pennsylvania House has a similar bill - without the amendment -
awaiting action.

Those lobbying for passage of the bills say there appears to be a broad
base of bi-partisan support for addressing the issue.

We'll keep you updated on the progress in future reports.

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

--

Needless to say that Mills is happy that the fight is over. (W3WN,
ARNewsline(tm))

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WL7CVG repeater
serving South-central Alaska.

(5 sec pause here)


**

RADIO CHANGES: AUSTRALIAN ATV REPEATER TO GO ALL DIGITAL

A fast scan Amateur Television repeater in Australia will be among the
worlds first to go fully digital. W-I-A newsman Rob Carmichael, VK3DTR,
speaks with the ham who is making it happen:

--

(ROB VK3DTR) Good morning, I have with me Peter Cossins VK3BFG who has some
very interesting news about the Melbourne ATV repeater.

(PETER VK3BFG) Yes Rob- the plan is to digitise the output of VK3RTV on Mt
Dandenong which services Melbourne and Geelong. The project will use German
made commercial modules and a linear amplifier
to convert this repeater to digital transmission.

(ROB) Sounds interesting, how will we be able to pick up the digital TV
signals?

(PETER) That will be very easy by using the now readily available set-top
boxes that convert the off air digital signal so they can be seen on an
ordinary analogue TV receiver.

(ROB) Sounds very interesting indeed and I bet it will encourage more
people to get involved. When will it happen?

(PETER) That's right Rob, it should stimulate more activity on ATV. The
plan is start the project in December and its completion will depend on
securing the necessary funding.

(ROB) Thank you Peter. Now back to our studio.

--

Newsline will be following this interesting ham radio digital television
conversion as it progresses. (WIA News)

**

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: DTV ENTERING THE HOME STRETCH

And speaking about digital television, the FCC has issued a new report on
the status of the digital build out by full power television
broadcasters It shows that over 96 percent of active full power
television stations are either fully operational with digital service or
are on track to have their full digital service operational by February 17,
2009.

Here are the numbers. Some 1,002 stations which is 56 percent of a current
total of 1,798 active television stations reported that they have fully
constructed their post-transition DTV facilities and are ready for the DTV
transition. The only step remaining for these stations is to terminate
analog operations on or before next February's analog cutoff date. (FCC,
CGC)

**


ENFORCEMNENT: $18,000 FINE AGAINST TEEN IS CANCELLED BY THE FCC

The FCC has dismissed an $18,000 fine levied against a Largo, Florida teen
they identify only as John Doe due to his age. This after the youth who
now in state custody told the agency that he had no income to pay. Amateur
Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the rest of the story:

--

As previously reported , back on August 24, 2007, the United States Coast
Guard contacted an agent from the Tampa Office, who was en route to locate
the source of the false distress calls received by that maritime
service. The Coast Guard told the FCC agent that it had used direction
finding to determine that the false distress calls were coming from a
location in or near a mobile home community in Largo, Florida. The Coast
Guard also told the agent that the Largo Police Department had just
apprehended a student who lived in this mobile home community and who had
several radios. This included a marine band transceiver in his bedroom that
was connected to a 12 volt marine battery and whip antenna.

Later that day the teen confessed to the Largo Police Department that he
had stolen a marine radio from a boat and used it to make five false
distress calls to the Coast Guard from his bedroom.

The Largo Police Department arrested our John Doe on charges unrelated to
the false distress calls. It also confiscated one marine radio, two CB
radios, a marine battery and a whip antenna from his residence. On August
30, 2007 the FCC confirmed that the marine radio confiscated from the teen
could in fact operate on maritime channel 16.

On April 30, 2008, the Tampa FCC Office issued a Notice of Apparent
Liability for Forfeiture to John Doe in the amount of $18,000. This, for
the apparent willful and repeated violation of Sections 301 and 325 of the
Act.

John Doe did not submit a response to the notice, and this past June 30th
the Enforcement Bureau released the Forfeiture Order. Soon after, our
John Doe submit a petition for reconsideration of the Forfeiture Order. In
his pleading he expresses sincere remorse for his actions. He also
requested a reduction or cancellation of the forfeiture, because it would
pose a financial hardship.

In his filing he explained that he was only a sixteen-year-old, that he has
never had a job and has no sources of income. He also noted that he
has been in the custody of the state of Florida and in a juvenile
detention facility since this past February .

After examining the financial documentation submitted by this John Doe, the
FCC concluded that cancellation of the forfeiture is warranted. This,
based solely on his lack of income and the fact that he is currently in the
custody of the state.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting.

--


Because of the seriousness of the violation, the FCC did admonish this
young John Doe for his willful and repeated violation of Sections 301 and
325 of the Communications Act. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT: INVESTIGATORS RAID BERLIN ELECTRONICS EXPOSITION

And some enforcement action of a different sort. This as authorities in
Germany confiscate electronics that they believe to be patent
violations. Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff Clark, K8JAC, is here with the
details:

--

German criminal investigators have confiscated a substantial amount of
electronic equipment from the IFA Conference in Berlin. According to Media
Network, the items seized include at least 170 TV sets, 140 MP3 players, 60
DVD recorders and 43 car radios.

Media Network days that the manufacturers of the goods are suspected of
infringing patents. The majority of the items were manufactured in the
Pacific Rim. Among them were such big names such as Hyundai IT, whose
display of flat screens was removed by the investigators in full view of
the public.

Although criminal investigators have visited IFA shows before, this is the
first time that they have operated on such a massive scale. About 200
enforcement personnel are believed to have been involved in the enforcement
action.

I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC.

--

The Berlin IFA Conference ran through Wednesday, September
3rd. (MediaNetwork)

**

RADIO LAW: STATION NOT TO BLAME FOR CAR ALARM FAILURES

Car alarms going off can be annoying, but for a broadcaster it's even
worse
when your radio station gets blamed for it.

Take the case of WRBQ-FM in Tampa Florida. According to the Tampa Tribune,
the FCC says that the station which operates on 104.7 MHz uses a frequency
that may contain a harmonic. One that could possibly be the same as the
frequency used by some car alarms.

The Tampa Tribune reported last week that a radio stations signal may be
causing some alarms going to either go off or stop working. But says the
FCC, the station is not in violation of any law since it says that the car
alarms in question are required to be designed to accept and reject any
interfering signals.

And not everyone is convinced that WRBQ is the cause. The newspaper said
that some think the problem could be traced to a local police radio system
or even wireless phones. Well let you know if we hear more.
(RW)

**


D-STAR NEWS: D-STAR COMES TO THE AZORES

D-Star has come to one of the remotest points on the globe. This, with
word that the first D-Star repeater in the Azores Islands is on the air.

The CQ0DAH dash B D-Star repeater is located on Santa Bárbara Mountain on
Terceira Island. It operates on UHF Channel RU576, with a transmit
frequency of 438.450MHz and receive frequency of 430.850MHz, transmitting
25 watts out.

The adoption of D-Star in a remote outpost like the Azores is very
significant since ham gear is not easy to come by in that part of the
world. What it also seems to mean is that the D-Star digital system is
quickly becoming the world standard that will eventually replace analog F-M
for ham radio ham radio utility repeater communications. This, even though
its only supported by Icom with most other manufacturers having turned
their backs to it or trying to push alternatives that the ham radio
community is showing little interest in adopting. (D-Star Remailer)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE PNW VHF CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER

The Pacific Northwest VHF Society will host their 15th annual conference
.. This, in Moses Lake, Washington, from October 3rd to the 5th.

Joe Taylor, K1JT, the astrophysicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for
his discovery with Russell Alan Hulse of a "new type of pulsar is the
keynote speaker. Taylor is best known in ham radio as the developer of
WSJT software for VHF meteor scatter communications.

Other scheduled events include technical programs, presentations, and
round-table discussions as a part of the formal program of speakers. There
will be an informal swap meet in the parking lot. More information about
the conference is on-line at www.pnwvhfs.org (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)

**

A WORD FROM SUPPORT FUND ADMINISTRATOR ANDY JAREMA, N6TCQ

This is Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, Newsline Support Fund Administrator. This would
normally be the spot in the newscast when I'd be able to make some
thank-yous to those who help us keep the news coming your way, but our
producer has informed me that there's just too much breaking news happening
this week for me to do that.

Rest assured I'll be back in future weeks, but in the mean time I'd just
like to say that these reports require us to go get the news, it doesn't
come to us. There will be an address at the end of this newscast where you
can help us to help keep you informed, or you can do it through PayPal on
our official website, arnewsline.org. Thank you, and as they say: now back
to the news. (Support Fund)


**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: AMSAT BOD MEMBERS SEEKING NEW PRES

Some names in the news. First off is word that AMSAT North America has
elected three people to its Board of Directors, but is in search of a new
president. As a result of the 2008 Board of Directors election, Tom Clark,
K3IO, Lou McFadin, W5DID and Gould Smith, WA4SXM will serve on the AMSAT
BOD for 2 years. The alternate is Bill Ress, N6GHZ. (ANS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: W1GPS WONT RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM AS AMSAT-NA PRES

Meantime, current AMSAT President Rick Hambly, W2GPS, has notified the
organizations Board of Directors that he is not a candidate for President
for the upcoming year. Hambly has served as President of AMSAT since
October 2004.

To fill Hambly's position the members of the new Board will then begin a
formal search process to recruit and select a new President. This process
is expected to take several weeks with the goal of having a new President
identified prior to the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting on October 23,
prior to the AMSAT Symposium in Atlanta. (ANS)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: NEW IRTS NEWS EDITOIR - EI8JB

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society has appointed Charles Carolan EI8JB as
the new News Editor. Carolan resides in Navan having moved there from
Dublin. Although his EI8 call is relatively recent, he was first licensed
while living in Canada as VA3IRL back in 1995. Carolan to take over from
Mark Wall EI7IS. (GB2RS, Southgate)

**


EMERGING HAM TECHNOLOGY: CW SKIMMER SPARKS DISCUSSION

Its new, exciting and can make C-W operation a breeze. We are talking
about a new Morse reception assistance program that is so advanced that it
has the world of Amateur Radio talking. Jim Linton, VK3PC, reports:

--

CW skimmer makes paddles go further?

Like virtually all sports, amateur radio does have its controversies and a
current one is called the CW Skimmer, but what is it?

A clever piece of software developed by Alex Shovkoplyas VE3NEA, the
Canadian who is also behind the DX Atlas and a number of other ham radio
programs.

CW Skimmer receives and decodes signals and graphically shows them as a
band map on a computer screen, listing stations by callsign and frequency.

The software obviously can help to more easily find stations, which could
be very useful during a contest of a DXpedition.

Meanwhile Pete Smith N4ZR is pushing for listening centers to be set up
using the software to create a 'reverse beacon' network.

CW Skimmer is sparking lots of debate as to whether it's just a new
innovation that should be embraced by radio amateurs, or outlawed by ham
radio contest rule makers.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Linton VK3PC.

--

The bottom line is that C-W Skimmer is here, people are using it. And like
it or not you cannot regulate mans ingenuity nor can you turn back the
sands of time. (WIA News)

**


HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SOUTH AFRICAN HAM-SAT MAY LAUNCH BY YEARS END

Another ham radio satellite may be on-orbit soon. According the Russian
Federation TASS news agency the South African Amateur Radio satellite
Sumbandila could be launched this year.

The TASS report quotes the head of the Federal Space Agency Anatoly
Perminov as saying that Sumbandila is likely to be launched into orbit as
the associated pressures along with a Russian spacecraft known as
Meteor-M. Meteor-M is currently scheduled for launch by the end of
2008. (Southgate)

**


HAM RADIO IN SPACE: THE SUDAN AGAIN ON THE BIRDS

The Sudan is once again active on the Amateur Radio Satellites. This, with
word that ST2NH is operational from Khartoum. To request a scheduled
contact please contact Nadir via the email address given in his entry at
QRZ.com. (ANS)

**

ON THE AIR: CELEBRATING STEAM IN THE BRITISH ISLES

On the air. Word that special event station GB2STI will be operating
'Railways On The Air' event the weekend beginning on Saturday, September
27th. This, from the excursion platform of the Railway Preservation
Society of Ireland at Whitehead. The station will be operated on 80, 40 and
20 meters by members and friends of the Antrim and District Amateur Radio
Society as part of the celebrations of the first steam passenger train to
operate in the British isles. A special QSL Card will be available for all
contacts made during the event. QSL via GI0KPF at his callbook
address. (GB2RS)

**

ON THE AIR: NEW SOLAR BEACON DOWN UNDER

And something interesting from down-under. A new solar powered QRP beacon
is operating on a frequency of 3 point 686 MHz with an output power of only
90 milliwatts. The transmitter feeds a half-wave dipole and is in a horse
stable at Beverly, an historic settlement in Western Australia's wheat
belt
country. That's about 130 kilometers east of the city of Perth.

So far it's been heard in VK2, VK4 and VK6. Its owner is Barrie Burns,
VK6ADI. He welcomes any and all reception reports via e-mail to vk6dir
(at) bigpond (dot) com. (WIA News)

**

DX

In DX, HA3JB in Morroco will activate the new callsign CN2IPA of the
"International Police Association" from September 21st through October 5th.
Gab will use CW, RTTY, PSK, SSTV and some SSB and plans to take part in the
CQDX RTTY Contest. QSLs should be sent via his homecall and count for the
International Police Association award.

And F6AJA, wants to remind everyone to visit the Les Nouvelles DX web page
to see more than 5,700 old QSL cards in several different albums and
galleries. The URL is LesNouvellesDX.free.fr.

F5IRO will be on Martinique from September 21st until February 2009. He
will likely be using his home call portable F M using CW, digital modes and
also SSB on 40, 30 and 20 meters during his little spare time on weekends
after 2200 UTC. QSLs direct or via bureau.

Lastly, listen out for LA7WCA, to hit the airwaves from Svalbard as JW7WCA
from September 19th to the 26th. He will be accompanied by LA8BCA and
LB9UE. The three will work mostly in SSB and only some CW on 160 through
10 meters. QSL's for JW7WCA go via LA7WCA.

(Above from various DX news services)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: A COMPUTER WITH HUMAN COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS

A computer system that can carry on a discussion with a human being by
reacting to signals such as tone of voice and facial expression is being
developed by an international team of researchers. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, tells us about this latest experiment in
artificial intelligence:

--

The project is known as SEMAINE and it plans to build SAL. That's short
for the Sensitive Artificial Listener system.

SAL will have the ability to perceive a human user's facial expression,
gaze, and voice and then interact with the user. When engaging with a
human, SAL will be able to adapt its own performance and pursue different
actions, depending on the users non-verbal behavior..

Professor Roddy Cowie, from the School of Psychology, leads the team at
Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland. He says that a basic feature of
human communication is that it is colored by emotion. He says that when we
talk to another person, the words are carried on an undercurrent of signs
that show them what attracts us, what bores us and so on.

Professor Cowie says that the fact that computers do not currently do this
is one of the main reasons why communicating with them is so unlike
interacting with a human. It is also one of the reasons we can find them
so frustrating to use. .

But SEMAINE and projects like it will change the way people interact with
technology. They hope that this means that you will be talking to your
computer in 20 years time. When you eventually are able to do this,
Professor Cowie asks that you pause for a minute, and remember that the
human sciences at Queen's University helped to lay the groundwork.


For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Burt Hicks, WB6MQV, in Los Angeles.

--

The SEMAINE project is led by the German Center for Research on Artificial
Intelligence. The other partners are Imperial College in London, the
University of Paris , the University of Twente in Holland, the Technical
University of Munich and of coarse Queens University in Ireland. The
European Commission awarded SEMAINE a grant of 2.75 million Euros after it
was ranked first out of 143 bids for medium-sized projects in the area of
cognitive systems and robotics (Adapted from materials provided by Queen's
University Belfast on-line release)

**


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 WIA 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 2008. All rights reserved.