Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1624 - September 26, 2008

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1624 with a release date of Friday,
September 26th, 2008 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Sunspots continue to elude ham radio but is that
about to change? Also, 40 meters should soon be clear of a lot of
broadcasters, another ham will soon be headed into space, the trial of an
accused murderer of a ham radio couple begins and two young hams will soon
be headed on the Dxpedition of a lifetime. Find out who they are on
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1624 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RADIO SCIENCE: MORE INFO ON SOLAR CYCLE DELAY

If you are still waiting for all the D-X that was promised last year, you
are not alone. Jim Linton, VK3PC, of the WIA News reports:

--

The false start announced last year for the new Solar Cycle 24 has been
followed up with speculation of things like ‘double dip' minima and even
a
new ice age for sunspots. But let's try to stay positive and not
subscribe
to thoughts of another minimum of 70 years, as occurred from 1645 to 1715,
the only flat-lining in sunspot cycles since records.

Looking back at the onset of previous cycles that followed prolonged
periods without sunspots, gives indication that Cycle 24 may have a much
greater start-up intensity. Should it behave like Cycles 11 to 14 in the
19th century there will be more years rising and a shorter period in
decline.

The latest prediction is that Cycle 24 will be begin in mid 2009. Stay
tuned.

The prolonged solar minimum is also occurring at a time of reports in the
northern hemisphere of continued sporadic-E enhancement on both the ten and
six metre bands.

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

--

VK3PC adds that Greyline propagation on the High Frequencies is also is
experiencing a lack of geomagnetic disturbance. That he says is a good
thing. (WIA News)

**

RADIO SCIENCE: NEW SUNSPOT EMERGES

And one encouraging note. Space Weather reports that for the first time in
months, a significant sunspot is emerging on the solar disk. Its described
as a fast-growing active region with two dark cores, each larger than
Earth. The magnetic polarity of the sunspot identifies it as a member of
new Sunspot Cycle 24. This is viewed as an encouraging sign that the
11-year solar cycle is indeed progressing, albeit very, very
slowly. (SpaceWeather)


**

RADIO LAW: BROADCASTERS SOON TO CLEAR PARTS OF 40 METERS

Ham radio should soon have less interference to contend with on 40
meters. This if all goes as its supposed to in about six months time when
those powerful shortwave broadcast stations are supposed to move away from
7.1 to 7.2 MHz as that spectrum fully reverts to the Amateur Service.

By way of background, before 1938 there was an exclusive amateur allocation
of 7.0 to 7.3 MHz. But due to world unrest that band parcel was taken
away to accommodate propaganda broadcasting in the lead up to World War II.

It had been thought it would be returned to the Amateur Service afterward,
but its use for broadcasting continued due to the Cold War. In fact
broadcasting increased the size of its primary allocation. While in some
parts of the world radio amateurs managed to retain 7.0to 7.3 MHz only the
bottom third was amateur exclusive and the remainder shared with shortwave
broadcasters.

So, the International Amateur Radio Union mounted a campaign for the 40m
band to be return globally to the Amateur Service. Its case stated that
such as change would ensure effective communications support particularly
in the event of natural disasters.

The I-A-R-U pursued the issue at the World Radiocommunications Conference
in 2003. There its work gained 7.1 to 7.2 MHz worldwide for the Amateur
Service. It also got an extra 100 kilohertz added on the exclusive
allocation, while sharing between 7.2 and 7.3 MHz continues. (WIA News)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: W5KWQ HEADING TO SPACE IN OCTOBER

Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, the son of former astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL,
will be the next space tourist visiting the International Space
Station. And like his dad, he too plans to talk to those on the ground
using ham radio.

A legendary video game programmer and designer, Richard Garriott will be
traveling to orbit this October. While on the International Space Station,
W5KWQ plans to speak with hundreds of students while thousands more listen
in during a series of ten-minute ham radio contacts. Among the localities
planned for contact with Garriott are the eight Challenger Learning Centers
iacross the United States. the Austin Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy in
Austin, Texas, the Pinehurst School in Ashland, Oregon, the Budbrooke
School in the U.K., and the National Space Challenge in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Barring any unforseen launch delays Garriott's on-orbit stay is planned for
October 12th to the 22nd. W5KWQ also plans to have random chats with
scouts world-wide as part of the amateur radio "Jamboree on the Air"
which
is slated for October 18th and 19th.

If all goes as planned, W5KWQ will be the sixth private citizen to be flown
by the Russian space agency to the I-S-S. More information about his
flight and the part that ham radio will play in it is on-line at
www.ariss.org and www.richardinspace.com. (ARISS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ARISS NEEDS WEB ASSISTANTS FOR GARRIOTT FLIGHT

I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, with more news on the upcoming flight of
Richard Garriot

Early on in his flight, W5KWQ expects to setup a Kenwood VC-H1 portable
video transceiver and transmit a new Earth image every 3 minutes. He hopes
to have this system on a great deal of his flight and ARISS is encouraging
the ham community to bring SSTV equipment into schools and download these
images for students in real-time.

But that's not all. ARISS also plans to display images from hams around
the
world on a special on a web and blog site. A beta site has been developed
and will be rolled out to the ham community in the near future.

To successfully implement the on-line SSTV picture site and support it
around the clock during Garriott's flight, ARISS will need some savvy
individuals that can sort through the many SSTV photos and keep the SSTV
site up to date in near real time. ARISS says that it is looking for global
support from a few individuals in each international region to make this
happen. That way it will not be asking any one person to volunteer on an
around the clock basis.

Obviously, some computer skills will be required. If you are interested in
helping on this, please contact ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer,
KA3HDO. His E-Mail is ka3hdo at comcast dot net and mention that you heard
the request on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm)

Again that e-mail address is is ka3hdo at comcast dot net to volunteer for
support of the SSTV website being established for the flight by ARISS.
(ARISS)

**

RESTRUCTURING: VK HAMS TO GET LF ALLOCATION

Australia is set to join the 30-odd countries whose radio amateurs have
been already given the new low frequency amateur band of 135.7 to 137.8 kHz.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released its draft
Australia Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan that is to come into force on the
1st of January 2009. It includes 135.7 to 137.8 kHz for the Amateur
Service on a secondary basis. This means that VK radio amateurs cannot
cause harmful interference to radio-navigation service stations that
continue to operate in a number of countries.

The permitted maximum radiated power is one watt effective isotropic
radiated power. The New Year should see the Australian Advanced License,
gain this band as a new operating privilege. (WIA News)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the New Zealand
Association of Radio Transmitters ZL6A Monthly Broadcast.


(5 sec pause here)


**

RADIO LAW: TRIAL OF ACCUSED KILLER OF HAM RADIO COUPLE BEGINS

The trial of the man accused of plotting the murders at sea of a pair of
ham radio operators has begun with jury selection on Monday, September
22nd. Amateur Radio Newsline' Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has been following
the case and has the latest:

--

The trial of Skylar Deleon, accused of masterminding the 2004 murder of an
Arizona ham radio couple is now underway. The former child actor along
with four other defendants, are charged with the 2004 special circumstances
murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, KD7VWJ and KD7VWK on their boat
off-shore at Newport Beach, California.

Deleon's trial is being held at the Orange County California Courthouse.
Prosecutors are asking the death penalty against Deleon and co-defendant
John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Deleon and Kennedy are being tried separately.

Prosecutors claim that Deleon approached the couple with an offer to buy
their 55-foot yacht called Well Deserved. The state alleges that Deleon
and accomplices then killed the couple on November 15, 2004, when they took
him and two other men out for a test run. Prosecutors say that that the
couple was handcuffed, tied to an anchor and dumped alive into the ocean
after being forced to sign paperwork transferring the boat's title to
Deleon. Their bodies have never been found.

News reports say that jury selection could see up to 1,000 local residents
questioned to determine their suitability to serve on a death penalty
case. The trial itself is expected to last as long as 14 weeks

Already convicted and sentenced to a pair of life sentences without the
possibility of parole is Deleon's former wife Jennifer. After only four
hours of jury deliberation she was found guilty on two counts of first
degree murder on November 17, 2006. During her trial prosecutors showed
evidence that she and Skylar Deleon cleaned the boat with bleach wipes and
destroyed evidence and personal items belonging to the Hawks.

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

--

Bruce will have more on the Deleon trial in future Amateur Radio Newsline
reports. (Orange County Register and other published reports)

**

ENFORCEMENT: ANOTHER ALLEGED UNLICENSED STATION OPERATOR INCARCERATED IN
FLORIDA

Another alleged unlicensed radio station operator is in jail in
Florida. According to Inside Radio magazine for September 10th,
authorities in the city of Wilton Manors arrested 23-year-old Constantinos
Rigalos for apparently operating an illegal FM radio station. According
to the magazine article, Rigalos bail was set at $2,000. Unlicensed
broadcasting is a third-degree felony in Florida. (CGC)

**

RESCUE: HIKING HAM RECUED BY QRP RADIO AND MORSE CODE

Knowing Morse code helped an injured ham summon help. This, after being
hurt in an accident high in the Cascade mountains of Washington State.

Over the weekend of September 20th Glenn Russell Ruby Jr, W7AU, of
Corvallis, Oregon, was hiking in the Cascades when he slipped and suffered
a broken his leg. He made it back to his camp site where he used his
Elecraft K-1 portable QRP station to send out a call for help on 40 meter
C-W. He was able to contact Bob Williams, N7ODM, of Bozeman,
Montana. Ruby asked Williams to notify the Snohomish County Search and
Rescue in Washington State.

Williams did. He then tried to keep in contact with Ruby. Signals faded
out at about 8 p.m. local time but contact was resumed the next morning
around 9 a.m. on 7.051 MHz. After that the two hams kept in communications
until Ruby was evacuated on horseback from the site by Search and Rescue on
Monday, September 22nd. Bad weather in the area had prevented a helicopter
rescue.

You can read a more in-depth account of the rescue of W7AU on the ARRL
website newspages. Thats in cyberspace at www dot arrl dot org. (ARRL)

**

PUBLIC SERVICE: D-STAR TRAVELS ROUTE 66

D-STAR became one of the modes used during the recent "Route 66 On The Air"
commemorative operation that ran from September 13th to the
21st. According to the event website, 7 of the 17 special event stations
were D-Star digital voice operations. The D-Star stations were W6F in
Kingman, Arizona; W6H in Albuquerque, New Mexico; W6K on Oklahoma
City; Missouri stations W6N in Joplin, W6O in Lebanon and W6P in St.
Louis. At the Eastern end of the road in Chicago, W6Q was also a D-Starr
operation.

For those not aware, the purpose of "Route 66 On The Air" is to give hams a
fun way to "Relive the Ride" and their own memories of Route 66. This year
the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club out of San Bernardino, California was
the sponsoring club. Over a dozen other ham radio organizations located
along the famous highway took part as official participant stations. More
is on line at www.w6jbt.org (Icom)

**

PUBLIC SERVICE: HAM RADIO AND THE PONY EXPRESS

Ham radio was scheduled to be the communications arm of the 2008 Pony
Express trail ride. This, as a part of the September 20th Wild West
Extravaganza in Nye County, Nevada..

According to Nevada's Pahrunp Valley Times, the Southern Nye County Amateur
Emergency Services was slated to coordinate water stops for the horses and
provided a shadow communications network to watch over riders in case they
experienced problems. Hams would also function as an adjunct to the
Sheriff's Auxiliary for traffic control. Two operators were to be on hand
at the end of the trail to provide status reports on the riders carrying
the mail.

The ARES members taking party members rode the route in the emergency
assistance trailer, the water truck and with the sheriff's auxiliary. The
news article said that ham radio was again chosen as to support the event
because it has proven to be the only type of communications that spans
the distances covered by the trail ride. (Parhump Valley Times)

**

RADIO LAW: NOI ASKS IF ALL SATELLITE RADIOS ALSO RECEIVE HD RADIO AND VICE
VERSA

The FCC has released a Notice of Inquiry on issues dealing with receivers
for digitally based entertainment radio systems. Media Bureau Docket
08-172 asks if devices capable of receiving Satellite Digital Audio Radio
Service should also be forced to include reception capabilities for
terrestrial digital audio broadcast , H-D Radio or any other technologies
capable of providing audio entertainment services. The same notice also
asks if devices capable of receiving terrestrial H-D Radio be forced to
include the ability to receive Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service or any
other technologies capable of providing audio entertainment services.

The upshot of such a law would be to have one type of consumer receiver
marketed that would be capable of receiving every form of digital radio
entertainment service no matter where the signals came from. It does not
mean that the now fee based services would be free, only that one receiver
would be capable of receiving all of them.

The downside of coarse is that such a receiver would likely be far more
expensive to produce than those currently designed for a particular digital
radio service. This in turn leads to the question of consumers being
foirced to pay for a device that includes the ability to receive services
that they might not ever want.

The commentary cutoff deadline on M B 08-172 is November 10th with reply
comments due no later than December 9th. The link to the actual Notice of
Inquiry is
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...-08-2092A1.doc (CGC,
FCC)

**

RADIO CONFERENCES: NAB SEEKS PAPERS FOR APRIL 2009 GATHERING

One of the worlds leading communications groups is looking for
presentations for an upcoming conference. Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeff
Clark, K8JAC, says whom it is and what it wants:

--

The National Association of Broadcasters is asking for technical papers for
its next Broadcast Engineering Conference. Radio topics suitable for
technical papers include data broadcasting, AM directional antenna systems,
automation systems, surround sound, audio coding and H-D Radio
implementation, to name a few.

If selected for publication in the Broadcast Engineering Conference
Proceedings, the papers would be presented at NAB2009. That show runs
April 18th to the 23rd.

For more information please Contact John Marino, vice president, NAB
Science & Technology, at . The deadline for submitting a
proposal is Oct. 17. If selected, the actual paper would be due Jan. 16,
2009.

I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC.

--

To submit a technical paper proposal, complete the electronic form found at
www.nabshow.com/2009/forms/beccallforpapers.asp) (RW)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: W1KRB LEAVES ARRL HQ

Turning to some namrs in the news. First, word that the lady from ARRL
headquarters with the never ending smile has departed from League
service. This, with word that ARRL Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB,
has resigned her post at and is relocating away from her native Connecticut.

Breen, who is moving to the mid-West has been one of the most popular ARRL
representatives to grace hamfests and around the country. She has also
been known for her videos that have been posted online that promote the
ARRL to members and non-members alike. W1KRB also headed up the ARRL team
at the 2008 Dayton Hamvention this past May. (ARRL)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: GRIFFIN THE FUTURE OF THE SHUTTLE

And NASA administrator Michael Griffin has re-affirmed his backing for a
White House directive that calls for the 2010 retirement of the
shuttle. This, after a Florida newspaper published an internal e-mail in
which he expresses dismay over the nation's looming inability to launch its
own astronauts.

In the e-mail, obtained by the Orlando Sentinel and published on Sunday,
September 7th, Griffin criticized the White House science policy and budget
offices for actions that threaten to leave NASA unable to staff the
international space station after the shuttle's retirement.

The initial launchings of NASA's new Orion capsule and Ares I rocket, the
shuttle's successor, on missions to the space station are not planned until
early 2015. The space agency, with White House support, is counting on the
purchase of Russian Soyuz rockets to transport NASA astronauts to the space
station between 2010 and 2015. The purchases require the approval of
Congress, where support waned after Russia's military invaded neighboring
Georgia. If approval fails to get a congressional go ahead participation
by the United States in the International Space Station could come top a
halt.

The bottom line: No matter what the outcome, the decision on the future of
the space shuttle is bound to impact on the overall manned ham radio space
program and on-orbit amateur radio operations from the ISS. (Published
reports)

**

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)

**

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: GEORGE PUTNAM DIES AT AGE 94

He wasn't a radio amateur but for decades his on-the-air persona defined
what the public perceived as a professional broadcast newsman. And now
George Putnam, who anchored radio for three quarters of a century and top
rated television news shows in Los Angeles for over 25 years, has died at
age 94. Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Davis, W2JKD, takes a look at the man
and his record setting tour behind the mic and in front of the camera:

--

George Putnam began his 74 year long broadcast career in 1934 at WDGY radio
in Minneapolis. In 1951 he moved to Los Angeles. Soon afterward he left
radio for television and began hosting highly rated newscasts at stations
KTTV, KTLA, KCOP and KHJ. And over the years he worked as a newsman,
reporter, and commentator for most of the first generation United
States broadcast organizations including NBC, ABC, Mutual, Dumont, and
Metromedia.

For his contribution to the television industry, he received a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame. George Putnam was also recently honored by the Los
Angeles City Council and the county Board of Supervisors for his lifetime
of service to the city.

After retiring from television in 1975, George Putnam returned to radio and
created his famous syndicated "Talk Back" program. He did his last regular
radio program this past May 8th. In a June 12th e-mail to his Newsmax.com
readers, Putnam let it be known that he was in the hospital undergoing
medical treatment on his liver and kidneys. Even so, he was able to take
part in a special on-air celebration of his 94th birthday in mid-July.

According to CRN Digital Talk Radio, actor Ted Knight patterned his
character of news anchor Ted Baxter on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" after
George Putnam. And for many years, George Putnam rode in the January 1st
Tournament of Roses Parade from 1951 until 2000.


--

George Putnam died early Friday, September 12th at his 20-acre working
ranch in Chino, California. Over the years he was friends with some
members of the Amateur Radio Newsline staff. He will be missed. (From
various published reports)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: BLUSAT COULD LAUNCH WITHIN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS

Australia's University of New South Wales BLUEsat amateur radio satellite
project could be ready for launch in as early as 18 months.

Weighing around 12 kilograms the solar-powered low earth orbit satellite
will carry a flight computer with transmissions to include a beacon and
amateur packet radio using the AX25 protocol in a J-mode configuration.

BLUEsat is believed the only university satellite project with an entire
volunteer team. There are no full-time members or direct academic
supervision. However the project has involved about 100 students since it
began back in 1997. (WIA)

**

WORLDBEAT - INDONESIA: AMSAT INDONESIA ANNOUNCED

Indonesia now has its own amateur radio satellite organization. Hakim Satar
YBZ0AN, contacted AMSAT-NA President Rick Hambly, W2GPS, with the
announcement that AMSAT-Indonesia has formed. More about the new
Indonesian AMSAT organization at www.amsat-id.net. (AMSAT)

**

WORLDBEAT - IRELAND: BEQUEST LEADS TO NEW HAM RADIO BOOK

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society has received a grant from the estate
of the late Frank Lewis W3JGM. The organization says that it will use the
funds to produce an introductory book on amateur radio, written in a
popular non-academic format suitable for an Irish readership.
..
The Irish Radio Transmitters Society says that W3JGM was a great friend to
many hams in Ireland. As such the society believes that such a would be a
fitting tribute to Lewis who loved amateur radio and Ireland.

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society adds that it is in the process of
selecting a suitable author to write the test. It hopes that it will wind
up in schools and libraries all across Ireland. (IRTS News)

**

WORLDBEAT - BELGIUM: A HAMFEST IN BRULLELS

And while rather short notice, if you happen to be listening in Europe the
Belgian Amateur Radio and Computer Rally was slated to take place on
Sunday, September 28th. The venue was to be the Hall La Louviere Expo
which is about 50 kilometers south of Brussels. Details are on the
world-woide-web at www.on6ll.be. (Southgate)

**

ON THE AIR: CELECRATING THE NAVAL BATTLE OF PREYEZE

Members of the Turkish Special Wireless Activity Team are active as TC 470
PDZ through September 30th This, to celebrate the 470th anniversary the
naval victory during the Battle of Preveze.

The naval Battle of Preveza took place on September 28th in the year 1538
near Preveza off the shore of northwestern Greece. It was a balttle that
pitted an Ottoman Empire fleet against that of a Christian alliance. At the
end of the day, the Ottoman had sunk 10 ships, burned 3 others, captured
36, and had taken about 3000 prisoners.

Now, some 470 year later, the historic event is being commemorated by hams
in Turkey. If you are able to make contact with TC 470 PDZ, please QSL via
TA1HZ. (Southgate)

**

DX

In D-X, 3B8FQ has announced that he is planning to activate St. Brandon
Island as 3B7FQ in October. The dates of the operation have not been
determined. More information as it is available.

RW4WM, will be active as 3V8SS from Sousse, Tunisia from
September 29th ato October 8th. Activity will be on CW and SSB, with
some RTTY. QSL via RW4WM, direct or by the bureau.

DJ9XB will be active from Crete as J49XB between now and October
4th. He will probably operate in the CQ World Wide RTTY Contest on
September 27th and 28th. QSL via his home callsign.

LA9SN, will once again be active as JX9SN from Jan Mayen for only a few
hours on October 8th. Listen out for him on CW on 30 and 20 meters. QSL
direct to LA9SN.

Lastly, A35RK has told the Ohio Penn D-X Newsletter that he will be active
from American Samoa as KH8 slash KK6H, from AH8LG home Q-T-H. Operation
will be from December 5th to the 9th on CW and SSB. QSL via W7TSQ or
electronically via Logbook to the World.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: TWO YOUNG DXERS HEADED TO WILLIS ISLAND

And finally this week, a a follow up to our story a few weeks ago about the
upcoming Willis Island DXpedition looking for a pair of young DX'ers to
join the party. Now comes word that two young hams have been selected.

The lucky young hams who are about to embard on the ham radio trip of a
lifetime are Josh Fischer, W4WJF from North Carolina. He will join the
group for the first part of its operation.

Fischer will later be replaced by Rhy Louw, ZS6DXB, from the Republic of
South Africa. Louw will also be on hand to close out the Willis Island
operation.

The Willis Island DXpedition is one of the most anticipated in years. If
all goes as expected, the operation is slated to be on the air from October
9th to the 27th. (Willis Island Team Announcement)

**

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 Don
Wilbanks, AE5DW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

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