Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1630 - November 7, 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1630 with a release date of Friday,
November 7th, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. The first ever real time ISS packet QSO between
Hawaii and the U-S mainland finally takes place, a California jury
recommends death for the killer of KD7VWJ and KD7VWK, the US Supreme
Court hears testimony on the issue of broadcast indecency and D-Star comes
to a remote spot on the globe. Find out the where on Amateur Radio
Newsline(tm) report number 1630 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RADIO RECORDS: FIRST MAINLAND TO HAWAII IS PACKET CONTACT MADE

The first real time packet Hawaii to U-S mainland QSO and information
exchange via RS0ISS digipeater on board the International Space Station
has taken place. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the
details:

--

The contact occurred at 18:03 UTC on November 1st .when Scott Avery,
WA6LIE, in Salinas, California made contact with Ron Hashiro, AH6RH, in
Honolulu, Hawaii.

According to an e-mail from Avery, ever since ISS packet and voice system
was activated, he has been looking for a partner on the east side of the
Big Island of Hawaii to try such a contact attempt. So he sent out
broadcast blind e-mails to all hams in the area.

About 3 years ago he met up with AH6RH who shared the same goal. For the
past few years the two have been trying to make this first contact. Between
ISS packet being off the air, and limited times to try it took a bit of
time to make it happen.

But persistence paid off and the two did finally make the path on November
1st when the hooked up on 145.825 simplex on a very low pass of the ISS.
which was barely above the horizon. Even more astonishing is that their
mutual window of opportunity to complete the contact was only about one
minute and 20 seconds or so. Hashiro says it all went better than either
he WA6LIE could have hoped for:

--

AA6RH: It was a real pleasure partnering and working with Scott. We got
the job done. We had it all scheduled for a minute and 20 seconds and we
had almost a whole minute left over for sending a couple of extra
packets. So I really enjoyed making that record contact with Scott."

--

Hashiro tells Newsline that both he and Avery have been longtime supporters
of communications with and through the I-S-S ham radio stations. He notes
that when Space Tourist Charles Simonyi, K-E-7-K-D-P was on the
International Space Station on April 11, 2007, he happened to be the first
person to talk with him. Minutes later as the ISS drifted towards the
United States West coast Avery was the first California and mainland
station to make contact. Now the Avery and Hashiro have made their mutual
dream of making the first Hawaii to U-S mainland I-S-S packet contact come
true.

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

--

Hashiro notes that this was the first mutual window, and first weekend both
he and Avery could try for a contact after completing the support for the
Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, mission a little more than a week ago.
(ARNewsline(tm))


**


THE HAWKES MURDERS: JURY RECOMMENDS DEATH FOR KILLER OF KD7VWJ AND KD7VWK

A jury has reached its decision ion the proper penalty to impose on the man
that they convicted of killing two ham radio operators off the coast of
Newport Beach, California. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW
has their judgement:

--

A jury has recommended death for a man convicted of murdering two ham radio
operators by binding them to an anchor and throwing them into the ocean off
Newport Beach. News reports say that twenty-nine year old Skylar Deleon sat
motionless on Thursday, November 6th as the jury announced its decision
following nearly two days of deliberation in Orange County California
Superior Court.

Deleon was convicted last month of three counts of first-degree murder,
which included the 2003 death of Anaheim resident John Jarvi and the
killings of Tom and Jackie Hawks, KD7VWJ and KD7VWK.on their yacht in 2004.
Deleon killed the Hawks in 2004 after feigning interest in buying their
nearly half-a-million dollar yacht. Prosecutors say he overpowered them on
a test cruise, tied them to an anchor and tossed them into the Pacific
Ocean as they begged for their lives. The Hawks bodies were never found.
Deleon was also convicted of killing John Jarvi, whom he met in a work
prison furlough program while serving time for burglary

The penalty phase of the trial included six days of statements from
attorneys, victims' relatives, Deleon's family and psychiatrists. Each
offered differing opinions on the role child abuse has on a person's
development. But the prosecutor urged jurors to recommend death for Deleon
for the cruel, callous way he carried out the killings. In the end the
jurors agreed with the prosecutor.

Outside the courtroom the jury of seven women and five men also issued a
statement calling their recommendation the only reasonable outcome. This,
given the evidence presented at trial. The jurors also extended their
condolences to all concerned and hope that their decision will help them to
heal.

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

--

Under California law, formal sentencing of Deleon by the trial judge will
take place at a later date. (ARNewsline(tm) from published news reports)

**

RADIO LAW: SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER INDECENCY ON THE AIR

The Supreme Court has heard arguments for and against the FCC's rules
governing broadcast indecency and profanity. This, as the justices
carefully avoided using any of the two four-letter expletives at the heart
of the case.

During the 60 minute hearing on Tuesday, November 4th the court reviewed
broadcast indecency standards for the first time in 30 years In
considering the policy that subjects broadcasters to fines for airing a
single expletive blurted out on a live television show, several liberal
justices seemed concerned over how broadcasters could prevent dirty words
from being aired at live events like sports contests. They also questioned
whether the words might have other meanings beyond sexual or excretory
connotations. On the other side some of the conservative justices appeared
supportive of the crackdown adopted by the Federal Communications
Commission against the one-time use of profanity on live television when
children are likely to be watching.

The case is being closely watched by almost all radio service users. In
the past the FCC has used standards created in any one given service as a
basis of regulatory action in others. And even in ham radio circles the
use of words deemed patently offensive has in years past have lead to
charges being brought against alleged users of such language. A ruling is
expected in the first part of next year. (Published reports)

**

RADIO LAW: ONTARIO CELLPHONE BILL ON HOLD WHILE HAM RADIO PROTECTUON ADDED

Hams in Ontario, Canada can breathe a sigh of relief . This, after
government officials in that Province tabled legislation intended to
improve road safety by banning the use of some kinds of electronic devices
by drivers.

While the target of Ontario Bill 118 was to regulate the mobile use
of cellular communication devices, the draft was written so broadly that
many ham became concerned that Amateur Radio mobile operation could be
banned by the measure's provisions. As a result, Radio Amateurs of Canada
has already taken steps to protect the interests of Amateurs in
Ontario province.

First off, the organizations President Dave Goodwin VO1AU has written to
Minister Bradley. In his note Goodwin specifically requests that Amateur
Radio be excluded from the scope of the bill. This letter also reminds the
minister that similar legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia
and Quebec explicitly or implicitly protects mobile Amateur Radio operation.

Also, a careful reading of the bill reveals that any exemptions will be
contained in regulations. As a result, Radio Amateurs of Canada says that
it will soon meet with Ontario transportation officials to make the case
for protecting mobile Amateur Radio operation. (RAC)

**

SPECIAL EVENT: CELEBRATING MARCOMI MARITIME MOBILE

Listen out for the Italian special event station IY1EY to be activated on
CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK 31 on all bands through November 9th. The operation
commemorates the radio experiments that Gugliemo Marconi made on his yacht
Elettra from 1919 through 1936. The QSL manager for this one is
IK1QBT. (TDXB)

**

THE WORLD OF DX: CROZET TO BE ON IN LATE 2009

The 9th most sought after DXCC entity will be activated in 2009
by F4DYW. This as he announces that he will take to the airwaves from
Crozet Island between December 1st and November 30th of next year.

Crozet is listed in the top 10 most wanted contacts in the DX Magazine's'
listing. F4DYW says that he will use the callsign FT5WO while on Crozet
and his activity will be SSB only on 40, 20 and15 meters using 100 watts
into dipoles. QSL will go to his home callsign, either direct or by the
bureau. Watch for updates at
http://f4dyw.free.fr/index.php?langu...ntenu=home.php

We will have more DX news later on in this weeks report. (OPDX)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the VE6YTV
repeater serving Langdon, Alberta, Canada

(5 sec pause here)


**

RESCUE RADIO: A QUAKE DRILL TO END ALL DRILLS

Ham radio is about to take part in one of the most intensive mock
earthquake drills ever held in California. We have more in this report:

--

A magnitude 7 point 8 earthquake anywhere would be considered a true killer
quake. One that strong rippling along California' San Andreas fault line
would likely bring widespread devastation to the region. Older buildings
would crumble and fall. The power grid would likely fail and normal lines
of communications would be cut to millions of residents. Even emergency
alerts might be hard to deliver because there would be no Internet access
and many of the regions broadcast towers might be felled by the severity of
such a quake.

Who would be left to shoulder the communications load? Some experts
believe it would fall to the regions ham radio operators to become a
lifeline into and out of the area. And that theory will be tested on
November 13th in an exercise that will simulate just such an emergency.

The drill is part of the Great Southern California ShakeOut. It's taking
place in coordination with the Golden Guardian 2008 exercise of the
California Governor's Office of Homeland Security and is expected to be the
largest earthquake drill in U.S. history.

To get a better sense of what things will be like after such a powerful
quake, those coordinating the emergency response from San Bernardino's
central command, will spend two hours without computers, lights or
telephone communication. Megan Blaney of the county's Office of Emergency
Services says that the region will fall back on its backup or redundant
communication. She describes this as being primarily ham radio operators
and their own emergency radio gear.

A similar drill will be taking place at the Riverside County Emergency
Operation Center in Riverside, California. That's where 120 people will
be reacting to the fictional quake. According to spokesperson Zuzzette
Bricker, KI6PPO, on November 15th that county will also host two large
field-day activities for trained community emergency response teams.

California emergency agencies have had quite a bit of experience reacting
to large-scale disasters. Destructive wildfires have provided experience in
dealing with sheltering displaced residents, gaining access to
damage-affected areas and post emergency cleanup. However, the scope of
destruction from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake would dwarf those operations
but experts say that's the one to plan for.

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

--

Again, this mock earthquake drill takes place at 10 a.m. November 13th.

(KI6BNP, Press Enterprise)


**

RADIO HAPPENINGS: SKYWARN RECOGNATION DAY DECEMBER 6

The 10th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day Special Event will take place from
0000 to 2400 UTC on Saturday, December 6th. Co -sponsored by the ARRL and
the National Weather Service, SKYWARN Recognition Day is a way to recognize
the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their
communities safe especially during severe weather events. .

The idea for the first SKYWARN Recognition Day took shape in the summer of
1999. That's when Scott Mentzer, N0QE, the Meteorologist-in-Charge of the
Goodland, Kansas office, tried to find a way to recognize the valuable
contributions storm spotters. As many of those storm spotters were also
hams, Floyd felt that it was a natural fit for the recognition to be
centered on Amateur Radio.

According to SKYWARN Recognition Day Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ,
Amateur Radio operators can visit their local participating National
Weather Service office. There, working as a team they can contact other
hams around the world throughout the 24 hour event. Last year, contacts
were made in all 50 states and 40 countries. (ARRL, others)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC CANCELS FINE AGAINST BOSTON POLICE JAMMER DUE TO AGE

The FCC has cancelled a proposed fine levied against a Jamaica Plain,
Massachusetts, resident only identified as a John Doe based on his
inability to pay a proposed $10,000 fine. Instead, it has admonished him
for his willful and repeated violation of Section 301 of the Communications
Act. This, after he was caught operating radio transmission equipment in
on land mobile channels reserved exclusively for use by public safety
entities. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has mo

--

Back on October 22nd, 2007, the Boston Police Department reported to the
FCC's Enforcement Bureau that it was receiving interference to its radio
communications system. Because the interference was intermittent, the
Telecommunications Director advised the Boston Office that he would provide
additional information so that agents would know the best time of day to
try to locate the interfering signal with FCC direction finding equipment.

Three days later on October 25th the Telecommunications Director contacted
the Boston Office and reported that on October 24th police officers had
arrested a young person only identified as a John Doe. At that time
they had also confiscated a Yaesu transceiver and a Motorola two-way
handheld. The person arrested admitted to having purchased the radios in
April 2007 and provided the vendors with Boston Police radio codes so that
the radios could be programmed with those channels. He also admitted to
operating on police radio channels.

On November 27, 2007, the Boston Field Office issued a Notice of Apparent
Liability for Forfeiture to John Doe in the amount of $10,000 for operating
radio transmitting equipment on land mobile channels reserved exclusively
for use by public safety entities. In his response to the proposed fine,
the John Doe did not dispute the findings. Instead, he requested
cancellation of the forfeiture based on his inability to pay.

Now, after examining the financial documentation submitted by John Doe, the
FCC concluded that cancellation of the forfeiture is warranted, based
solely on his lack of income. However, because of the seriousness of the
violation, the FCC did formally admonish John Doe for his willful and
repeated violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act.

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

--

The John Doe in this story had been arrested on charges unrelated to his
operation on police radio channels. Because of his age his name and other
information on the case was not made public by authorities. But one
question remains. That being why the unidentified radio vendors were not
at least a bit suspicious when a young person walked in to buy a radio
programmed to transmit on the Boston Police frequencies. Regardless of the
story the customer gave it cannot be a usual kind of a sale. (FCC)

**

RADIO LAW: FCC INVESTIGATING DIGITAL CABLE TRANSITION

The Federal Communications Commission has opened an investigation into the
pricing policies of major cable operators and that of Verizon
Communications. The agency wants to ensure the companies' customers are
getting treated fairly,

On October 30th the FCC wrote to numerous cable operators including Comcast
and Time Warner Cable. The agency's letter questioned the companies'
practice of moving analog channels into digital tiers to free up bandwidth
for other uses, such as high-definition channels. Analog customers will
have to get a digital set-top box from the operator or buy the digital TV
tier to watch those channels. The agency also will look into whether cable
operators and Verizon are confusing customers by linking the shift of the
analog channel to the digital tier to the nation's transition to digital
broadcasts. The FCC says that the two moves are unrelated.

Most cable customers are analog customers, and those who do not wish to
upgrade to digital cannot watch the channels that are moved to the digital
tier The FCC gave the companies being probed to submit information about
their pricing practices within two weeks. Verizon, which offers pay-TV
services with FiOS, was also included in the probe. (FCC, published
reports)

**

RADIO LAW: FCC APPROVES BROABAND ACCESSS TO WHITE SPACES

The FCC has approved a plan to open up unused, unlicensed portions of the
television airwaves known as "white spaces" to deliver wireless broadband
service. The vote on Tuesday, November 4th is being viewed as a major
victory for public interest groups and big technology companies. They say
white spaces have the potential to bring broadband to rural America and
other under served parts of the country.

But not everyone is happy with the FCC decision. The move to open up these
spectral parcels was opposed by the nation's television broadcasters. They
say that their use to deliver wireless Internet access could disrupt their
over-the-air transmissions. Also opposed are the manufacturers and users
of wireless microphones. They too have raised concerns of mutual
interference issues.

For those unaware, a white space in telecommunications refers to unused
frequencies that in this case lie between television stations. They are
assigned to that status to avoid adjacent channel interference. (FCC)
**

COMMUNICATIONS SAFETY: ANOTHER LAPTOP BATTERY RECALL

Sony has announced that it will recall roughly 100,000 notebook batteries
worldwide. This following several reports that the batteries could
overheat.

The recall covers notebooks made by Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Toshiba,
during the same timeframe as the widespread Sony laptop battery recall of
2006. However, the laptops named by the Consumer Products Safety
Commission with whom Sony is cooperating not overlap with the models
previously recalled.

There is some good news this time around. The hazard cited by the agency
does not include the risk of a short-circuit or fire as in the last
recall. Sony's previous recall cost the company at least $429 million, and
covered over 10 million batteries.

Go to your machines manufacturers website to find out if your battery is
among those being recalled. (CPSC)

**

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 HAPPENINGS: 6 METER BROADCAST HAMS TO CELEBRATE ANALOG 2 GOING AWAY

The removal of all analog television from channel 2 will be celebrated with
an on the air 6 meter operating event. According to Chris Boone, WB5ITT,
who is coordinating the happening, the noise floor on 6 meters is expected
to drop markedly when all the 100 kilowatt analog channel 2 transmitters
go away. This means that here to for unreadable signals may just come out
of the noise like never before.

WB5ITT says that he currently has representatives from three analog channel
2 stations on board the event and is looking for others to join in the
party. Engineers and other hams at analog channel 2 television stations
who will not be staying on channel 2 after the February 17th' digital
transition should contact Chris at wb5itt at wb5itt dot net. A remailer on
Yahoogroups has also been established. Join it using the normal sign-up
commands to The date of the operating event
will be (WB5ITT)

**


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.

Operating as CQ0DAH dash B, this D-Star repeater is located on Santa
Bárbara Mountain on Terceira Island. It operates on UHF Channel R U 576,
with a transmit frequency of 438.450 MHz and receive frequency of 430.850
MHz, 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 systems that the worlds
ham radio community is showing little interest in adopting. (Southgate)

**

D-STAR NEWS: W6HRO FROM HRO IN ANAHEIM CA

Ham Radio Outlet in Anaheim, California, has a low power D-Star repeater
set up in the store. W6HRO operates on both 70 centimeters and 23
centimeter. It was originally established to help demonstrate the D-Star
equipment but according to tore manager Janet Margelli, KL7MF, it was found
to have pretty fair coverage around parts of Orange County.

The actual operating frequencies are W6HRO A on 1282.550 with a -12 MHz
input offset and W6HRO B on 447.800 out with a -5 MHz input offset. Both
receive and transmit in the normal D-Star format and are connected to the
national gateway. Both bands also retransmit these Newsline reports once
every week. As far as we know, W6HRO is the first D-Star repeater to serve
as a Newsline outlet. (KL7MF)

**
RADIO EDUCATION: TECHNICIAN CLASS TRAINING ON LINE

The Arlington Radio Public Service Club has placed Technician Class Amateur
Radio License Course material on their web site. The study materials are
available, with some limitations, to other organizations without charge
provided that prior permission is obtained and appropriate copyright notice
and acknowledgement are included. For more information on obtaining and
using this material please e-mail techclass (at) w4ava (dot) org. (KC5FM)

**

WORLDBEAT - BELGIUM: CELEBRATING THE FIRST TV SHOW

Turning to news from around the world, the first television show in Belgium
was broadcast 55 years ago in 1953. And this is the reason for the special
event station signing ON55INR. It will be active on SSB, CW and the
digital modes through December 31st. QSL only via the bureau. (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT - FRANCE: CELEBRATING THE BOAT RACE

Members of France's Radio Club Vendeen will be active as TM6VG in all modes
on all bands through November 15th. This, to celebrate Vendee Globe which
is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed non-stop and without
assistance that started on November 9th. More information is on-line at
www.vendeeglobe.org (TDXB)


**

WORLDBEAT - OMAN: A SPECIAL GUEST OPERATION

Members of Germany's Lufthansa Amateur Radio Club and the Deutsche Amateur
Radio Club I09 are currently the guests of the Royal Omani Amateur Radio
Society and will be on the air From Oman through November 11. They are
reportedly using the call letters A43DLH on CW, SSB and various digital
modes on all bands. And during the final days of the event some EME
operation is planned as well by DL8YHR. QSL via DK7PE. (OPDX)

**

DX ASSISTANCE: KN4LF RESUMES PROPAGATION FORCASTS

Tom Giella, KN4LF, in Lakeland, Florida reports that as of Friday October
31st that he resumed publishing his radiowave propagation forecast once
again. You can find it in cyberspace at www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf6.htm (KN4LF
via Southgate)

**

DX

In DX, word that ZS6AVM, will be on the air from Swaziland during
November. Kisten out for him signing 3DA0VM on 40 through 10 meters using
a Flex-5000A Software Defined Radio. QSL cards are requested to only be
sent direct via his home call.

And members of Oceania Amateur Radio DX Group Inc. will spend 10 days on
Lord Howe Island for the 2009 CQ WPX Contest. VK4FW has announced that the
operation will take place between March 24th and April 3rd 2009. He says
that the group has successfully obtained accommodations and booked flights
for the trip. To date they have 9 confirmed operators for a total of 13
actual people going. They still have room for a couple more, but you must
be super-quick as both the accommodations on the island is almost full and
so is the plane. If interested, contact

F6ICX will be active as 5R8IC from Ile Sainte Marie Madagascar between
November 18th and December 14th. Activity will be CW on 30 through 10
meters. QSL direct to F6ICX.

W6DXO, will be active as portable C6A from South Andros Island between
March 1st and 7th of 2009. His operation will be holiday style with focus
on 30, 17 and 12 meter bands as propagation allows. A QSL Manager will be
announced at a later date

Lastly, N6NO, will be operating as CE0Y from Easter Island through November
16th. His activity will be mainly CW on use 40 through 12 meters. Although
amateur radio is not normally permitted on 30 meters in the band for this
operation. QSL via his home call.

(Above from various DX news sources.)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: NEWSLINE FOLLOW-UP: SAVE DELANO MOVEMENT SPARKS YOUTUBE
VIDEO

A follow-up to last weeks story on the support being given by inventor Mike
Dorrough, KO6NM, to the effort to save the Voice of America transmitter
facility in Delano, California, from being dismantled. Now, the Southgate
News reports that a new video presentation on YouTube dot com highlights
the story of the decommissioning of the Delano facility along with the
history of the Voice of America Service.

Produced and hosted by Al Parker, the video's description says that the
last remaining intact Voice of America shortwave broadcast facility in
Delano, California is facing destruction unless we act now to save a vital
part of our cultural heritage. It goes on to note that the Voice of
America radio service was not only important to deployed troops and
Americans working overseas, it also provided oppressed people around the
world a window onto a free society.

The shows title is simply "Save the Delano VOA." You can see it on-line at
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qlLhWlDbKbI&fmt (Listener reports)

**

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 Damron,
N8TMW, and I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

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