Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1627 - October 17, 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1627 with a release date of Friday,
October 17th, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. W5KWQ comes on the air from space and the world of
amateur radio is there to great him. Also, India says that ham radio
should be taught in school and those radio tagged migratory birds need
you. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1627
coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: RICHARD GARRIOTT W5KWQ OPERATES ON-ORBIT

The son of famed ham radio space pioneer Owen Garriott, W5LFL, is now on
the International Space Station and on the air. A Russian Soyuz
spacecraft carrying Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, arrived at the space station
at 08:26 UTC on October 14th and was soon heard on the air. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the details:

--

Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, has made it to the International Space Station
high above the Earth.

And since his Oct. 14, arrival, he has been busy making amateur radio
contacts across the globe.

Some say the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this mission almost
rivals that of his father, Dr. Owen Garriott, W5LFL, the first ham who made
contacts from space as an astronaut

Here's a sample of an exuberant Richard Garriott speaking with youngsters
during a school contact arranged through the Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station Program.

--

Richard Garriott audio: Hear it in the mp3 version of this weeks newscast
at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Well, it didn't take long for Garriott to jump onto the radio after a
welcome aboard from cosomonaut Sergei Volkov, RU3DIS.

Stan Vandiver, W4SV, in Hanna, Indiana, had his recorder going as Garriott
conducted his first QSO with Randal De Priest, N4AC, in Cummins, Georgia.
Here's the space to Earth side of that QSO:

--

Richard Garriott audio: Hear it in the mp3 version of this weeks newscast
at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Garriott stayed on for more than one stateside QSO.

Here's his contact with Warren Nuckols, W4TNJ, in Chester, Virginia. Again
the audio from the ISS was recorded by Stan Vandiver and again you will
hear only the voice of Richard Garriott from space:

--

Richard Garriott audio: Hear it in the mp3 version of this weeks newscast
at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Within hours of climbing aboard, W5KWQ began sending slow scan amateur
television pictures to stations on the ground. All of the photos were
transmitted on 145.800 MHz FM and can be viewed at the ARISS Slow Scan
gallery.

That URL is simply www.amsat.com/ARISS_SSTV/

And yes that is a dot com rather than the usual AMSAT dot org.

By way of background, Garriott, is a computer game developer who paid $35
nillion dollars for his trip to space. Traveling with him to the space
outpost were U.S. astronaut Michael Fincke, KE5AIT, and Russian cosmonaut
Yury Lonchakov, RA3DT. Fincke will serve as commander of the six-month
Expedition 18 mission which will focus on preparing the station to house
six crew members on longer-duration missions.

W5KWQ will return to Earth on Friday October 24th with the space station's
outgoing crew aboard a Soyuz re-entry vehicle.

Until then, keep an ear open for many more voice QSO's, your Slow Scan TV
equipped radio set to 145.8 MHz and an eye on the special AMSAT SSTV
gallery. This, for a lot more ham radio from W5KWQ on board the I-S-S.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, following the
story from Philadelphia.

--

As an aside, once the hatches between the Soyuz capsule and the I-S-S were
opened Sergi Volkov, whose cosmonaut father was orbiting the earth when the
Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, welcomed Garriott with a hug. NASA says
that they are first children of previous space adventurers to meet in
orbit. (ARNewsline(tm) from various sources)


**

RADIO WAVES: A NEW CYCLE 24 SUNSPOT APPEARS

Some encouraging news for DX'ers and any ham who hopes to one day work some
distant contacts. Whats being called a 'new-cycle' sunspot belonging to
Solar Cycle 24 has shown itself near the stars northeastern limb. The new
spot, now designated as SSN 1005 was reported over the weekend of the 12th
and 13th making this the third time in as many weeks that a new-cycle
sunspot has interrupted the year's run of blank solar activity.

The accelerating pace of new-cycle sunspots is viewed an encouraging sign
by astronomers and hams alike. For radio amateurs, it seems to be
saying that while solar activity remains very low, the sunspot cycle is
unfolding more or less normally. In other words, we are not stuck in a
prolonged solar minimum. At least we hope its not.

More about this new sunspot and overall solar activity is on line at www
dot spaceweather dot com. And remember that Spaceweather is spelled as one
word. (Southgate, Spaceweather)

**

RESTRUCTURING: INDIA HAM RADIO LEADER SAYS RADIO SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOL

The chairman of India's Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio says that the
government should incorporate radio communication as an optional subject in
schools and colleges.

S. K. Nanda whom QRZ.com lists as VU3BVD, says that having radio
communication as a subject in educational institutes will help develop
people's interest in ham radio. This he says should result in more people
joining the hobby, which will result in more operations in the amateur
radio spectrum and better connectivity.

Nanda, who is also the Principal Secretary of the group made the comment
while addressing a gathering of amateur radio operators in the city of
Gandhinagar. (Yahoo News)

**

RESCUE RADIO: GLOBAL SET 08 ON NOVEMBER 8

The next Global Simulated Emergency Test will take place on Saturday,
November 8th. The operation will take place from 04.00 to 08.00 UTC on and
near the established emergency communications Center-of-Activity
frequencies on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters. The exact frequency will be
determined after the start of net operations based on band activity and
local QRM.

The objectives of the test are to increase interest in emergency
communications and to test how usable the Center-of-Activity frequencies
are across all ITU regions. It's also meant to create practices for
international emergency communication and rehearse the relaying of
emergency communications messages using all modes permitted to radio
amateurs world-wide..

Please remember that this is not a contest. Rather it is an emergency
communications preparedness activity. A list of participating stations
will also be available at www.raynet-hf.net. (Various)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N8VAA repeater
serving Moorefield, West Virginia.

(5 sec pause here)


**

RESCUE RADIO: SIMULATED QUAKE IN THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUTHWEST

A simulated emergency test centering around an earthquake near Tecopa,
California, has shown the value of having a well trained corps of ham radio
volunteers. Don Carlson, KQ6FM, is in Reno with more on the event and
those taking part:

--

According to news reports, the simulated emergency was set up to test
emergency preparedness in Nye County Nevada. And so it was that moments
after a simulated 6.2 earthquake hit, ham volunteers were on the air
notifying other radio amateurs to meet immediately at the Nye County
Emergency Services Operations Center .

By 7:30 a.m., volunteers were in the training room and heading out to
strategic areas around town. Seventeen operators covered 7 locations in
and around the town of Pahrump. Among them were Andy Gudas, N7TP and
Archie Selbach, KE7IOE, who established a communications presence in
Amargosa. Meantime, Richard Gamble K7RTG set up a shelter at Manse
Elementary School, while Ron Daviau, KC7YMH, did the same at Rosemary
Clarke Middle School. Other hams were assigned to the Pahrump Senior
Center, the Nye County Sheriff's Office and the Saddle West Casino and
Hotel.

Gerald Fuge, KC6ILH, is the Southern Nye County Emergency Coordinator. He
directed the exercise from the emergency services communications
office. That's also where Carol and Steve Bird, KE7KHD and KE7KHE who
worked the radios, relaying messages from the field to other emergency
organizations. For this training exercise the group was supporting the
communities of Amargosa Valley, Crystal, Beatty and Tecopa, as well as
Pahrump.

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

--

Press coverage in the Pahrump Valley Times praised the hams for helping to
organize the exercise as well as knowing exactly how to respond in a crisis
situation. (Pahrump Valley Times, others)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAM TO HAM CONTACT LEADS TO SEA RESCUE

A Coast Guard crew rescued an unnamed boater who ran out of fuel as he
sailed from Hawaii to California. Early on Tuesday, October 7th the crew
aboard the cutter Halibut out of in Marina del Rey, California, found the
sailor about 100 miles off the coast.

According to the Daily Breeze newspaper, the mariner was traveling on his
44-foot boat when he ran out of fuel. He reportedly used his amateur radio
gear to contact another radio amateur in Florida, who in turn contacted the
Coast Guard in California. It in turn dispatched the Halibut.

The cutter located the marooned vessel and towed it closer to shore. It
was then transferred to a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from the Channel
Islands station.. The names and calls of the hams involved in the rescue
were not reported. (Daily Breeze)

**

HAM IN ACCIDENT: WINAPRS WRITER HURT IN BALOON CRASH

One person has been killed and a well known ham radio operator critically
injured in a hot air balloon crash at the Albuquerque International Balloon
Fiesta on Friday, October 10th. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant,
K6PZW, has the latest:

--

Killed in the crash was Stephen Lachendro, of Butler, Pennsylvania. Keith
Sproul, WU2Z, was critically injured in the accident when the 'Wings of
Wind' balloon hit powerlines near the festival grounds just North of the
city.

According to news reports, there were gusty winds as the two balloonists
were trying to land. From pictures taken by attendees, it appears as if
the basket carrying the men caught fire after hitting the power lines,
separated from the balloon envelope and fell to the ground.

First responders reported that Lachendro was found lying on the side of a
ditch after falling 45 feet to his death. Sproul who was reportedly
piloting the balloon jumped some 60 feet from the burning
gondola. W-U-2-Zed was unconscious when he was found and was flown by
helicopter to a local hospital where he was admitted in critical
condition. Reports say that he suffered a broken leg and hip, punctured
lungs and burns to his face.

Keith Sproul is the twin brother Mark Sproul, KB2ICI. The two are best
known in ham radio circles as the co-authors of the popular WinAPRS,
MacAPRS and X-APRS APRS is the multi-faceted position reporting system
originally developed bt Bob Bruninga, WB4APR. It allows the monitoring of
real time geographical information such as the position of vehicles, the
status of weather, radio direction finding and much more.

According to a National Guard spokesman at the scene, the National
Transportation Safety Board will investigate this latest crash.

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

--

The International Balloon Fiesta, held each October, is Albuquerque's
pre-eminent tourist draw, but this is not the first accident that has
happened at the event. In 2007 a 60-year-old California woman fell to her
death and three other women were hospitalized after their balloon snagged a
power line. In 1982, four people died when propane tanks on a large
balloon exploded. Other fatalities were recorded in 1990, 1993 and
1998. (WA5WHN, Published news reports)


**


RADIO LAW: THE NEW PENNSYLVANIA TOWER LAW

A follow-up now on the good news that Pennsylvania hams received last
week. This after Governor Edward G. Rendell signed into law a bill that
guarantees radio amateurs the right to erect antenna support structures up
to 65 feet without the need for a Special Use Permit.

The bill passed in the Pennsylvania House with a vote of 196-1 and the
states Senate with a vote of 49-1. Governor Rendell signed it on
Wednesday, October 8, with it scheduled to go into effect December
8th. That's the normal 60 days after signing.

Originally called Pennsylvania Senate Bill 884 it was renamed to Act 88
after its passage. And according to the ARRL, it requires local
municipalities to reasonably accommodate amateur radio service
communications, and to impose only the minimum regulations necessary to
accomplish the legitimate purpose of the municipality. The act also says
that no ordinance, regulation, plan or any other action shall restrict
amateur radio antenna height to less than 65 feet above ground level.

There is only one caveat. It says that a municipality may impose necessary
regulations to ensure the safety of amateur radio antenna structures. Even
so, the measure still requires that the governing body reasonably
accommodate amateur service communications.

The measure was first introduced on June 1, 2007 by Pennsylvania Senator
Stewart Greenleaf. He represents portions of Bucks and Montgomery
Counties. (ARRL, others)

**

TELECOM CRIME: COPPER THEFT DOWN-UNDER

Copper thefts continue world-wide. Now an entire neighborhood has been put
in the dark by the wire villains. It happened down-under. Amateur Radio
Newsline's

--

Police in Brisbane, Australia are investigating the theft of ‘live'
copper
wire from a street in the Richlands area of the city. We are talking
about an active power distribution line which had the potential to cause
fatal injuries to members of the public or to the thieves themselves.

Sometime between 5pm on September 26th and 8am October 2nd thieves
removed electrical cabling and wiring from a housing estate in an area
called Richlands. Approximately 100 meters of fully powered copper wire
was stolen from three electrical poles, with another two poles sustaining
damage.

Electrical provider Energex located exposed live wiring inside one pole
that had the potential to deliver a fatal electric current should it have
been mishandled. Burn marks located inside another of the metal
poles indicated that the thieves were lucky to have escaped unscathed.

Im Jim Damron, N8TMW, reporting.

--

Here in the United States several want-to-be copper thieves have been
injured or killed attempting the same type of crime. Even so the bad guys
continue to risk their lives for the few pennies that the stolen copper
wire will bring as scrap. (WIA News)

**

RADIO THINGS: SCOTT FYBUSH 2009 TOWER SITE CALANDER

A photo calendar for 2009 with hams and SWL' in mind -- and broadcast Band
DX'ers as well. That may be the best way to describe a rather impressive
calendar that shows some very impressive transmission towers as
photographed by veteran radio writer Scott Fybush.

In his travels Fybush has photographed hundreds of towers. This includes
tall towers, to some downright pretty towers. He also has taken photos of
funny-shaped towers like the very rare Blaw-Knox diamonds as used by
Nashville's famed WSM and WLW as well as towers in spectacular
locations. Now, he is making some of his best photos as part of his own
Tower Site 2009 Calendar.

The Tower Site Calendar 2009 features 14 full-color, high-quality images of
transmitter sites in all corners of the United States and Canada. Sites
pictured include WNYM in New Jersey, KNBR in San Francisco to CFFX in
Kingston, Ontario Canada to mention only a few. This photo calendar sells
for under $19, with more information on-line at www.fybush.com
/calendar.html (RW)

**

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: RUSSIA TO LAUNCH SOUTH AFRICAN HAMSAT

South Africa's second satellite will be launched from the in the December
to March time frame. This, with word that SumbandilaSat, will go into
space on board a Russian launcher in Kazikstan.

SumbandilaSat was first scheduled for launch on a Sthil rocket from a
Russian submarine. Due to political issues between various departments in
Russia the plan was aborted and the satellites sponsors began a search for
a new launch opportunity.

Some concerted behind the scenes diplomatic talks resulted in the Russians
agreeing to honor the contract and shift the launch to Baikonur. This is
the same launch complex where, Earth's first artificial satellite, Sputnik
1was launched. (SARL)

**

WORLDBEAT - UK: ICOM DONATION SUPPORTS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Icom UK has donated the latest digital radio to the United Kingdom's
Chatham House School. The transceiver will allow students at the school to
communicate with other radio users around the globe using a sophisticated
mix of digital amateur radio and Internet communications technology.

The Chatham House is grammar school in Ramsgate that specializes in
teaching mathematics, science and computer technology. The radio will be
used by the School's Amateur Radio Club, M0DLI, run by their Science
Teacher, John Hislop, G7OHO. Hislop is credited with having successfully
tutored 14 students for their UK Foundation class ham radio
tickets. (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA: HAMS ASSIST IN CELL JAMMING CASE

Ham radio is assisting in an investigation of illegal iuse of cellphone
jamming gear by tow truck operators in South Africa. This, after
allegations appeared in that nations main stream media that some of Cape
Town's tow truck drivers are almost certainly using sophisticated cell
phone jammers to ensure that accident victims cannot contact other tow
truck drivers or even emergency services.

According to research by a member of the Cape Town Amateur Radio Center,
cell phone reception is compromised at the scene of car accidents whenever
certain tow truck operators arrive. A member writes in the Amateur Radio
Center's latest newsletter that the objective of this jamming appears to be
very simple. No cell phone access means no alternative help can be
summoned. This in turn forces victims are forced to use the towing
services that are jamming the cellphones.

Andre van der Merwe is the national chairman of the South African Towing
and Recovery Association. He says that he had no doubt that some operators
were using cell phone jamming equipment and urged motorists to report
drivers scrambling cell phone signals. (SARL, Southgate)

**

ON THE AIR: K7BV TO AGAIN VISIT SAN ANDRES ISLAND FOR 6 METER OPERATION


On the air, word that Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, will again return to the
San Andres Islands and be active as 5J0M. This, between June 19th and July
5th, 2009.

Dennis will again be concentrating on 6 meter Sporadic E skip contacts but
will be on the high Frequency bands as well. If you are lucky enough to
work him next summer, QSL direct to W1JJ via the QRZ.com address. For more
details and update, visit the following Web page at www dot qth dot com
slash k7bv slash caribe2009.

And less we forget, for those not aware, Dennis Motschenbacher. K7BV, is
Executive Vice President of North American Amateur Sales for Vertex
Standard. They are the fine people who bring us all Yaesu brand ham radio
gear. (OPDX)


**

DX

In D-X, word that JK1KSB, will be active as 8Q7SO from Mirihi
Island. This, between October 26th and November 1st. His operation will
be holiday style on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL
via JK1KSB, either via the bureau or to the address on QRZ.com.

7L1FPU, 7L1FFH and AH0BR will be active as AH0BT between November 8th and
9th. The trio plan to be active in Japan's International DX Phone Contest
as a multi-single entry. QSL via 7L1FPU.

JJ2NYT, will be active from Easter Island as CE0Y through October
19th. Operation will be on 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters using CW, SSB and
RTTY. QSL via his home callsign.

ON7YK, will once again be active as from Gambia as C56YK through November
9th. His activity will be on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and
PSK31. He ays he will try to activate 160 meters as well. For more details
and updates, visit www dot on7yk dot net on the World Wide Web.

Lastly, keep an ear open for a team of Italian who are now active as 9L1X
from Sherbro Island and will be on through October 23rd. QSL direct only to
I2YSB.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: RADIO ORIENTEERING: IN SEARCH OF MIGRATORY BIRDS

And finally, we all know that fall is here and North American. This means
that migratory birds are heading south to find winter homes. Ham radio
operators are keeping track of some of them. You could help in this
scientific study, which is going on right now. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Joe Moell K0OV has the details.

--

For the second year, ham radio operators and VHF monitoring enthusiasts are
assisting in scientific studies of the Loggerhead Shrike. Researchers from
a university in Canada have placed radio tags on twenty of these endangered
birds, which were part of a captive breeding program. The primary purpose
of the tags has been to determine dispersal patterns, which are the
movements the birds make immediately after leaving their nests.

But there is also hope that more may be learned about the birds' fall
migration journey. Scientists think that they will fly south to Florida,
but they might also overwinter in Tennessee, North Carolina, and states
just south of there.

If you live in the target area, please get the list of tag frequencies,
which are between 172 and 173 MHz, and listen for the brief pulse signals.
The list is at www.homingin.com. Other articles at that site will provide
hints on listening gear and identification of radio tag signals. Please
listen now, because migration is under way and the radio tag batteries will
only function for the next six weeks.

Again, the frequencies are at www.homingin.com, where homingin is spelled
as one word. From southern California, where I'm getting ready to announce
the 2009 USA ARDF Championships very soon, this is Joe Moell, K0OV for
Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

Joe adds that T-hunting tagged migratory birds is a scientific project that
any ham or SWL can be a part of. (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 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 Fred Vobbe,
W8HDU, saying 73 from Lima, Ohio, and we thank you for listening.

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