Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1628 - October 24, 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1628 with a release date of Friday,
October 24th, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, heads home from space
after thrilling the ham community on Earth. Also, the ARRL says no to 40
meter digital broadcasting in Alaska, the man accused of murdering a ham
radio couple at sea is convicted in California and a radio clubs generosity
brings rescue communications to the Idaho wilderness. Find out the details
on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1628 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: RICHARD GARRIOTT, W5KWQ, MISSION A SUCCESS FOR HAM
RADIO

Its been an amazing trip into space for Richard Garriott, W5KWQ. Its also
been one for ham radio operators world-wide who have had the opportunity to
speak with him on-orbit. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V,
has been following the story and has the latest:

--

Actuality: One of W5KWQ's from the ISS making final QSO's from
orbit: Hear it in the MP3 version of this newscast available at
www.arnewsline.org

--

As we prepare this report for this week's installment of the newscast,
Richard Garriott's mission has come to a close.

And, those who worked behind the scenes to make it such a success for
amateur radio are beaming.

Hundreds of contacts, thousands of Slow-Scan-Television Images, and an
historic QSO between retired astronaut father (the first ham to make
contacts in space) and his son, the next generation of ham from space.

Here are portions of that historic link - and we'll give you both sides of
it. The QSO between Richard Garriott W5KWQ and his father, Dr. Owen
Garriott, W5LFL.

--

Actuality: Excerpt of QSO audio between W5KWQ ans W5LFL - hear it in the
MP3 version of this newscast available at www.arnewsline.org

--

And, imagine the thrill during the recent Scout Jamboree on the Air event
when some heard this CQ:

--

Actuality: W5KWQ from the ISS calling CQ for Scouts: Hear it in the
MP3 version of this newscast available at www.arnewsline.org

--

Perhaps the best way to sum up the success of the mission comes from a
posting to AMSAT and the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
program personnel.

It's from David Barber G8OQW, who was among those to get a QSO with Richard
and capture some 40 SSTV images from the space station.

Barber wrote with appreciation of what he described as the boundless
exuberance Richard Garriott displayed during his stay aboard the ISS.

Quoting he "Richard's (and the support teams) contribution has been
immense. His QSOs have been carried out succinctly and with
professionalism, his voice filled with contagious enthusiasm."

And, Barber continued, "The SSTV has been a triumph again due to the
unstinting dedication of Richard and his support team."

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, is AMSAT's vice president for Human Spaceflight
programs, and the ARISS International Chairman.

In a posting that has been widely circulated, Bauer called it a stellar and
an historic week for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, following the journey of W5KWQ, I'm Mark
Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia

--

25 years ago Owen Garriott, W5LFL, opened to door to space for all of
amateur radio. Now, in 2008, his son Richard, W5KWQ, has taken manned ham
radio space operations to a whole new level. This by sharing his on-orbit
experience with all of us here on Earth.

(Story by ARNewsline(tm) with on-orbit audio supplied by Scott Avery, WA6LIE
and Stan Vandiver, W4SV. W5LFL to W5KWQ QSO excerpt from Richard Garriott
in Space website. The complete QSO is at
http://www.richardinspace.com/index....a_Gallery.welc
ome)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: W5KWQ SSTV IMAGES ON YOUTUBE

Slow Scan TV images and audio clips from Richard Garriott W5KKQ's Amateur
Radio operation from the International Space Station are now available on
YouTube dot com. The video is presented in SSTV format as it was received
in Robot 36 mode on a downlink frequency of 145.800 MHz FM. You can see
and hear it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW9DXHkKpNo

Also more audio and video clips are on line at Richard Garriott's own
website at http://www.richardinspace.com (Southgate, ARNewsline(tm))

**

THE HAWKES CASE: DELEON CONVICTED OF MURDERING COUPLE AT SEA

Back on Earth, a California jury has convicted Skylar Deleon of murdering
three people. Two of them were amateur radio operators. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:

--

A jury in Orange County, California has convicted Skylar Deleon of the
special circumstances murder-for-profit of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, KD7VWJ
and KD7VWK off the coast Newport Beach. Deleon was also found guilty of
the murder of John Jarvi whose body was found in Mexico.

It took the jury less than 2 hours on Monday October 20th to reach its
decision of guilty on all counts. Deleon's attorney Gary Pohlson had
conceded from the outset that Deleon was guilty but should not be put to
death.

After court let out, attorney Pohlson told reporters that during the
penalty phase of the trial that he would try to convince the jury to spare
his client's life. This, by having Deleon's relatives and doctors testify
during the punishment phase about his troubled past.

The prosecution is demanding that Deleon be put to death. Its expected to
present witnesses to refute the defense claims. There's also a chance that
members of the Hawkes family will present testimony requesting that Deleon
pay the ultimate price for his crimes.

The penalty phase of the trial began on Wednesday, October 22nd. Jurors
are still deliberating as we go to air. More for you next week.

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

--

The jury's recommendation will be imposed on Deleon at a formal sentencing
hearing before Superior Court Judge Frank F. Fasel who was the trial judge
in the case. (ARNewsline(tm) from published news reports)

**

RADIO LAW: ARRL OPPOSES DIGITAL RBROADCASTING ON 40 METERS IN ALASKA

The ARRL is saying no to Digital Aurora Technologies proposed operation in
the 40 meter band.

On Monday, October 20th, the League filed a Petition for Modification or
Cancellation of Experimental Authorization with respect to license
WE2XRH. This is an experimental license issued to Digital Aurora Radio
Technologies that proposes to test digital transmissions in 4.50 to 5.10
MHz, 7.10 to 7.60 MHz and 9.25 to 9.95 MHz bands for a terrestrial digital
radio service to the citizens of Alaska.

The ARRL says that its interest in this matter is limited to the fact that
the experimental license includes the band 7.1 to7.3 MHz. This is a
spectrum parcel that is allocated domestically exclusively to the Amateur
Radio Service.

The ARRL says that in its view that there is a 100% certainty of severe,
continuous, harmful interference from Digital Aurora Radio Technologies
operation of the facilities as authorized by the Commission to ongoing
Amateur Radio operation in the 40 meter band. It says that this
authorization must be modified immediately if not cancelled
completely. This, so as to delete the band 7.1 to 7.3 MHz from the
experimental license application. (ARRL)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W2CNY repeater
serving Syracuse, New York.

(5 sec pause here)


**

WORLDBEAT - SINGAPO NEW VISITORS LICENSE ANNOUNCED

Its now official. The Singapore licensing authority has now announced that
temporary amateur licenses are available to radio amateurs visiting
Singapore.

The application should be made three weeks before arrival and the license
is typically valid for a three months period. A fee of 50 Singapore
Dollars will be charged.

The application process and forms are posted on the Singapore
Infocommunications Development Authority government website. Visitors must
use their callsign preceded by Singapores 9V1 prefix while on the
air. (Southgate)

**

RESCUE RADIO: FCC PROPOSES AMMENED 700 MHS EMCOMM BROADBAND PLAN

Yet another new interoperable radio system has been proposed by the
FCC. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the details:

--

In what the FCC calls a sustained commitment to help solve the nation's
communications challenges currently faced by America's first responders,
the Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Third Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking. One that proposes licensing the D Block spectrum at
700 MHz as part of a revised public and private partnership that will
maximize the public safety and commercial benefits nationwide through the
creation of an interoperable broadband network.

In its recent press release, the FCC says that like in its first attempt
the spectrum for this interoperable emergency communications system will be
put up for auction. As such, the Notice also proposes to retain a so
called public and private partnership framework for the project. This,
absent other sources of funding.

The Notice also proposes that a Public Safety Broadband Licensee should
remain a non-profit entity. As such, certain restrictions will need to be
imposed on its business relationships to avoid the potential for conflicts
of interest.

The FCC says that its primary goal is to promote the deployment of such a
broadband network that provides maximum coverage to first responders across
the country. The N-P-R-M also presents a number of specific proposals with
regard to the rules governing public safety users and the Public Safety
Broadband Licensee's. This includes such specifics as eligible users of
the public safety broadband spectrum must be providers of public safety
services as defined under federal law.

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

--

There was no real interest in the private sector in supporting such a
system the first time an attempt was made to auction this spectrum. Some
observers feel that it will be no different this time around as the nation
heads into some bad economic times. (ARNewsline(tm) From FCC release)

**

RESCUE RADIO: RADIO CLUB PROVIDES WILDERNESS REPEATERS IN IDAHO

Two new repeaters dedicated to rescue service are now up and running in
Idaho's Wood River Valley and Sawtooth National Forest. This, thanks to
the dedication of members of the Wood River Amateur Radio Club that spent
$15,000 installing two radio systems.

According to a news report on KTVB television, the recently installed radio
relay units are located on Mount Baldy and Galena Summit. The news report
says that they are filling the gap in emergency response that was
desperately lacking in the Sawtooth National Forest which is a dead zone
for cellular telephone service. The report also noted that prior to the
installation of the repeaters, that direct point to point radio
communication was frequently impossible. (KTVB Television)

**

RESCUE RADIO: FALLBROOK CA. HONORS HAM RADIO WILDFIRE EMCOMMS

Southern California's Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club was recently honored for
its contributions during last year's 10,000 acre wildfire. Called the Rice
Fire, the blaze destroyed 206 homes, two commercial buildings and 40
outbuildings in and around the Fallbrook area.

Now, Fire Chief Bill Metcalf has acknowledged several groups that provided
valuable help when the town of Fallbrook was evacuated. First on his list
was the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club which Chief Metcalf said put its
people in the city's Emergency Operations Center and helped with
communications.

Chief Metcalf termed the club as being a great group of community
volunteers who function behind the scenes. He said that his hat is off to
the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club for a job well done.

The fire chief added that he and his staff are currently looking at ways to
strengthen the clubs involvement. Fallbrook California is located North of
the city of San Diego. (W6VR)

**

RESCUE RADIO: NEW CAL AGENCY SHOULD ENHANCE DISASTER COMMS

A new California state law will combine two emergency response agencies
into one cabinet-level organization. The merger bill was in one of 10
measures Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed on Saturday September 27th
aimed at improving the states emergency response and disaster prevention.

Schwarzenegger says merging the Governor's Office of Emergency Services
and the State Office of Homeland Security will improve the state's ability
to respond to emergencies and natural disasters. He says the new California
Emergency Management Agency will be more streamlined and efficient than the
two previous agencies were.

Observers say that the joining mean that communications between first
responders and those backing them up should be more immediate. Also signed
were several measures aimed at preventing or fighting wildfires and
providing relief to disaster victims. (Published reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FAILURE TO OBSERVE LIGHTS LEADS TO $1600 FINE

The FCC has issued a monetary forfeiture in the amount of $1,600 to B K
Towers of Manter, Kansas. This, for failure to make observations of the
antenna structure's lights at least once each 24 hours, either visually or
by observing an automatic indicator designed to register any failure.

Section 17.47(a) of theFCC's Rules states that the owner of any antenna
structure which is registered with the Commission and has been assigned
lighting specifications shall make an observation of the antenna
structure's lights at least once each 24 hours. This can be done either
visually or by observing an automatic properly maintained indicator
designed to register any failure of such lights.

Although an automatic alarm system was installed at the Tower, according to
B K's owner, the system had not been operational for at least a year prior
to September 10, 2008. BK also admitted that its system was not reliable
and needed to be replaced.

Making matters worse, during the year prior to September 10, 2008, BK
admitted that no employees or contractors visually inspected the Tower's
lights on a daily basis. In fact, at most, BK employees made visual
observations of the lighting status on only two days during the period
between August 1, 2008 and September 9, 2008.

B K's response to the NAL does not dispute any of these facts. So, based
on the evidence before it the FCC has found that BK willfully and
repeatedly violated Section 17.47(a) of its rules by failing to observe
visually the Tower lighting at east once each 24 hours, at a minimum,
between August 1 and September 9, 2008.

The FCC has given B K the customary 30 days to pay the fine or to file an
appeal. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FTC BUSTS ALLEGED WORLDWIDE SPAM RING

Some truly unwanted communications should soon be gone. This with word that
the Federal Trade Commission has successfully shut down a global spam
operation. One that that's spewed out billions of unwanted e-mails to all
of us in recent years.

The FTC says the spam and its click here web sites generated more than 3
million complaints. The agency says that these sites allegedly used false
claims to try to sell unsuspecting customers a wide range of products.

According to the agency's Midwest director, web site servers were located
in China with many products shipped from India. Operatives on Cyprus and
in the former Soviet republic of Georgia handled the processing of credit
card payments. (Published reports)

**

RADIO LAW: FCC LOOLKS AT BROADBAND FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES

The FCC says that it will move forward with plans to reserve spectrum for
free wireless Internet use for those who cannot otherwise afford
it. According to the Washington Post, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wants to
provide some available spectrum for future free community-based wireless
broadband..

Martin says that the new spectrum allocation would be used to design a
broadband system for lower-income people who may not otherwise have access
to the Internet. The move is opposed by large telecommunications companies
such as T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and AT&T. They claim that their
customers will experience interference from users of the new spectrum.

But a report by FCC engineers released on October 10th disputes that
claim. The newspaper story says the field tests showed little if any
interference would take place. (Published reports)

**

RADIO LAW: CONGRESS WANTS DIGITAL RADIO BILL

Some in congress feel its time to make every radio sold in the United
States HD ready. Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, reports:

--

Massachusetts Congressional Representative Edward Markey says that he
supports mandating HD Radio in any receivers that can tune in AM/FM analog
and satellite radio signals.

The chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet introduced the "Radio All Digital Channel Receiver Act." If
passed, H.R. 7157 would require that radios used in the satellite digital
radio service be capable of receiving terrestrial digital radio
signals. That measure already has bipartisan support and several
co-sponsors, including Representatives Republican Lee Terry, of Nebraska
and Greg Walden of Oregon. Democrats in support include Texas' Charlie
Gonzalez.

Markey said the recent satellite radio merger between Sirrius and X-M
underscored the importance of ensuring consumer access to a diversity of
sources for digital radio content. In particular content originating in
their local communities.

I'm Fred Vobbe, W8HDU.

--

The legislative calendar is getting short as members of Congress prepare
for the elections, so the chances of passage this year aren't good, experts
believe. That said, observers believe the bill lays the groundwork for a
better chance of passage next year. (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)

**


EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: TAPR ANNOUNCES MERCURY SDR RECEIVER BOARD

Tucson Amateur Packet Radio has announced the development of a new a
software Designed Receiver board code named Mercury.

The Mercury board is described as being a High Performance Software Defined
Radio open-source hardware and software project. It was designed and
developed by a group of enthusiasts with representation from interested
experimenters worldwide.

Tucson Amateur Packet Radio says that it is looking for a show of interest
in this unit to determine the production run for the new Mercury receiver
board. If this unit interests you please check out http://hpsdr.org on the
World Wide Web. (TAPR)

**

RADIO IN SPACE: INDIA MOON PROBE TO MAP MOONS SUB SURFACE

India will use a combination of spectral photography and ground penetrating
radar to map the moons surface and sub-surface and will employ radio to
send the data back to Earth. This after a launch vehicle carrying that
nations Chandrayaan One moon exploration probe lifted off on Tuesday
October 21st from India's spaceport launch facility.

The Chandrayaan One is scheduled to go into orbit 100 kilometers above the
Moon on November 8th or 9th. It will then begin using on-board
instrumentation from three countries to chart the Moons surface and its
mineral composition below the surface

In addition to a three dimensional terrain-mapping camera developed by
India, Chandrayaan One, is also carrying mapping instruments for the
European Space Agency, radiation-measuring equipment for the Bulgarian
Academy of Sciences and two devices for NASA. One of these has been
described as a ground penetrating radar that will look for ice deposits in
the lunar poles. The other will assess the moon's overall mineral
composition.

Chandrayaan One is expected to remain in Moon orbit for at least two
years. During that time it will radio its findings back to the Indian Deep
Space Network Campus for analyses. The spacecraft will also release a
probe to take close-range images during a 25-minute descent to the Moon's
surface. This Moon Impactor Probe will hopefully soft land on the moon to
kick up some dust, while instruments in the craft analyze the particles.

Chandrayaan-1 is being looked at as a stepping stone for the 2010 unmanned
Chandrayaan-2 mission. This one which will be in collaboration with the
Russian Space Agency, will include a lander and a rover vehicle. (India
Space Agency release)

**

RADIO IN SPACE: RADIO GUIDES SPACECRAFT PAST ASTROID

Radio can be amazing. Just ask the folks at the European Space Agency in
Germany that are using it to guide the Rosetta deep space probe which has
successfully passed close to an asteroid 250 million miles from Earth

Rosetta is billed as a space exploration mission that may bring man closer
to solving the mystery of the solar system's birth than any before it. The
spacecraft recently completed its flyby of the Steins asteroid, belt
between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter .

As expected, the spacecraft's radio signal was lost for about 90 minutes as
engineers turned it away from the Sun. Right on schedule the signal from
Rosetta resumed and was greeted with cheers from ESA engineers and
technicians. (ESA release)

**

WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA: OCTOBER EXAM HITS CLOSE TO RECORD APPLICANTS

Turning to news from around the world, South Africa has likely added almost
100 new hams to its ranks in one sitting. According to the South African
Radio League a close to record 97 Students that sat for that nations
October national radio written examination that took place about two week
ago. Now the applicants await the test results and their callsigns if they
passed the test. (SARL)

**

WORLDBEAT - IRAN: IRAN OPENS 4TH TALLEST RADIO TOWER

Iran has opened a telecommunications tower more than quarter of a mile
high. The 1,427-foot Milad Tower is the world's fourth tallest
communication structure. The tallest is believed to be the 1,815-foot-high
C N Tower in Toronto, Canada. (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - BELGIUM: HIGH VOLUME ON MP3 PLAYERS CAN CAUSE HEARING LOSS

Researchers in Belgium say that prolonged use of MP-3 players and similar
devices at high volume can lead to sustained hearing loss. This, as they
release a report that says millions of youngsters across Europe could
suffer permanent hearing loss if they listen to MP3 players at too high a
volume for more than five hours a week and for a prolonged time.

The study was requested by the European Commission. It tackled the concept
of leisure noise such as that coming from personal music players used at
very high volume.

Commission experts estimate that between 50 and 100 million people listen
to portable music players on a daily basis. The report says that if they
listened for only five hours a week at more than 89 decibels, they would
exceed European Union limits for noise allowed in the workplace. And if
they listened for longer periods, they risked permanent hearing loss after
five years.

The researchers calculated the number of people in that risk category at
between five and 10 percent of listeners. This means up to 10 million
people in the European Union alone Sales of personal music players have
soared in European Union countries in recent years. (EU release)

**

WORLDBEAT: LOOKING FOR HORKHEIMER 2009

Germany's Deutscher Amataeur Radio Soceity, that's the is looking for
nominations for the 2009 Horkheimer Prize.

Rudolf Horkheimer was one of the first radio amateurs in Germany. The prize
bearing his name is awarded for merit in amateur radio and its further
development. The prize can be awarded to one or more persons or
institutions and is not restricted to members of D-A-R-C. Any member of an
amateur radio society in the IARU is entitled for proposal. Self proposals
are permitted.

The prize is awarded during the opening of Ham Radio 2009 fair in
Friedrichshafen, Germany. Nominations must be submitted by March 31st
2009 to Deutscher Amateur Radio Vlub. Those submitting nominations should
list name and address of the amateur, a short description of why he or she
has been nominated and any further information you think useful.

And here's the fine print. The decision of the jury is final and cannot be
voided. If there is no fitting proposal, the prize will not be
awarded. (DARC)

**

DX

In D-X, listen out for DK3TNA operating portable EA8 from the Canary
Islands. Stephan is expected to show up on 80 through 10 meter using CW
and SSB at 100 watts to a dipole antenna. He will be there from October
20th to November 1st. QSL via bureau to his home call.

W8GEX and his crew of 6 plan to activate Saint Barthelemy from October 16th
through the 27th and should be on the air right now. The call to listen
out for is TO5DX with stations on CW, SSB, PSK, SSTV and RTTY on all of the
High Frequency bands. QSL via AA4NN.

HB9AON will conduct its 25th DXpedition to Liechtenstein during the CQ
World Wide SSB Contest at the end of October. They will be on the air from
the 18th through the 31st complete with a host of guests from Europe, the
USA and Asiatic Russia. QSL as directed on the air.

Lastly, WB5ZAM will be on from St Lucia signing J68WI on 30 through 6
meters from October 16th through the 30th. QSL cards should be sent to his
home call, either direct or via the bureau.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: BEWARE OF HAM RADIO PHISHERS

And finally this week, a warning that the fishers are out there and in
this case we spell fishers p-h-i-s-h-e-r-s. These are electronic scam
artists that want your personal information to rob you blind and they will
go to great lengths to get you to release it. Even claiming that its
needed in some way for ham radio.

Now, the American Radio Relay League says that it has received several
reports from members with arrl dot net e-mail accounts who have recently
been contacted via e-mail asking for personal information. The League says
that this includes such things as user names and passwords.

The ARRL says that these e-mails are fraudulent attempts at "phishing" and
did not originate from ARRL. The League says that there is never a time
when it would ask via mass e-mail for user names and passwords of arrl dot
net users.

As we have said before, if you receive an e-mail asking for personal
information do not respond. This even if it appears to come from some
legitimate source you know and trust. Instead delete it and go on with
life. Both you and your bank account will be happier that you did. (ARRL)

**

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 2008. All rights reserved.