Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1671 - August 21 2009

(Please note that this is an extended Newsline report running 32
minutes and containing 3 breaks. Thank you.)

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1671 with a release date of
Friday, August 21, 2009 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Two hams reported safe after a terrorist
bomb blast in Kabul. We have one of them here with the story. Also,
the ARRL DXCC Desk says yes to the 2000 Yemen, GAREC 09 to take place
in Tokyo, a move in Congress to ban all texting while driving and the
FCC starts to tweet. All this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm)
report number 1671 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: TWO HAMS SAFE FOLLOWING KABUL BLAST

Two hams are safe after a bomb blast rips through a crowded area in
Kabul, Afghanastan. One of them is Steve Herman, T6AD, who is a news
reporter on assignment in Kabul. He has this report:

--

First off I can report that both Jim McLaughlin, T6AF, and this
reporter are fine following the suicide car bombing here in Kabul at
08:30 local time on Saturday, August 15th. Sadly, that blast did kill
at least seven people and injured nearly 100.

In my case I was at my hotel a few miles away when the explosion
occurred. I'm a news correspondent by profession and as you might
guess, I did what any newsman would do in a situation like this. I
quickly began filing news reports, in my case for the Voice of America.

Jim McLaughlin, T6AF, lives a lot closer to the explosion than I do.
He reports a couple of windows in his residence adjacent to the US
Embassy, were blown out but his shack is fine. Thankfully, he was not
there at the time.

Ironically Jim and I had held our first eyeball QSO only 24 hours
earlier. In fact, we met very close to the spot where the bomb went
off. That was near the front gate of NATO's military headquarters in
the Afghan capital. As far as we know, we may be the only two hams who
are actually on the air from this war torn nation.

In Kabul, Afghanistan, I'm Steve Herman, T6AD, for the Amateur Radio
Newsline.

--

Steve adds that like true hams, by the end of the day, both he and Jim
were back on the air. In Steve's case he operates using a Yaesu FT-897
at 100 watts into a G5RV antenna just above what he calls a hot tin
roof. You can usually find him on 15, 20, 30 and 40 meters operating
either CW and PSK. Steve adds that the noise level in Kabul is nearly
always S9 and that most signals are very weak. Because of this he says
that your patience in making a QSO happen is very much appreciated.
(T6AD, ARNewsline(tm))

**

BREAKING DX NEWS: 2000 YEMEN OPERATION GRANTED DXCC STATUS

Its taken almost a decade but the ARRL DXCC Desk has finally approved
the 7O1YGF April 16 through April 26, 2000 operation from Yemen for
DXCC accreditation. According to a release from Awards Branch Manager
Bill Moore, NC1L, after reviewing recently received information
regarding the operation, and after additional dialogue with a leader of
the DXpedition, the DXCC desk has approved this operation.

Moore says that considering the length of time that has passed since
this operation, he is asking that DXCC participants who would like to
claim credit for 7O1YGF follow one of two options. The first is to
send their 7O1YGF card by itself to DXCC with a SASE, or return
postage if outside the United States. The DXCC will process the card
and applicants will not be charged a submission fee.

The alternative is to bring the card to a DXCC Card Checker. The card
checker will forward the confirmation to the DXCC desk for processing.
Again, there will be no submission fee if this is a single-card
submission but you must fill out an application form.

In all other cases applicants can include their QSL card with their
next submission, and it will be handled normally. However 7O1YGF cards
included with other cards will be handled as part of a normal
submission and a normal fee will apply.

And less we forget. The cutoff date for the 2009 DXCC Annual listing
and Honor Roll list is December 31st. We will have more DX related
news later on in this weeks Newsline report. (ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO: GAREC-2009 AUGUST 24 AND 25

The Fifth Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference,
will be held on August 24thnand 25th in Tokyo, Japan. Norm Seeley,
KI7UP, has mo

--

Hosted this year by the Japan Amateur Radio League, the theme of the
2009 Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications or GAREC Conference
will be "Emergency Communications across Borders." As such, the
program will include presentations regarding amateur radio operations
during disasters that occurred since last year's conference. There
will also be discussions concerning new developments in communications
and technology and their application in ham radio emergency
communications.

Holding the conference in Tokyo also marks the first time at a Global
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications will have taken place in ITU
Region 3. The first and the second conferences were in Finland in ITU
Region 1. The third was here in the USA in Huntsville, Alabama in ITU
Region 2. Then it was back to Region 1 in 2008 for the fourth that was
held in Germany.

By the way, for those interested in some heavy rescue radio related
reading, the proceedings of the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 conferences
can be found at the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
website. A link to it is in this weeks printed Newsline report.

Reporting from Scottsdale, Arizona, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, for the
Amateur Radio Newsline.

--

GAREC 2009 is being held in conjunction with the Japan Amateur Radio
League's annual Tokyo Ham Fair. Having these rescue radio gatherings
annually has become an important factor in developing world
standardization of ham radio communications in times of across borders
or global emergency communications needs. More is on-line at
www.rientola.fi/oh3ag/garec/ (Southgate)

**

RADIO REGULATION: FCC STARTS BLOGGING AND TWEETING

Back in the United States, the FCC is now blogging and tweeting. As a
result of Chairman Julius Genachowski stated goal that expansion of
broadband internet access is at the top of his list of priorities, the
regulatory agency has created an on-line blog and has opened a Twitter
account as ways of better keeping the public informed on what it is
doing on a day to day and hour to hour basis

Both services began on Tuesday, August 18th. In his first post on the
new blog Chairman Genachowski stated that the feedback, ideas, and
discussions generated will be critical in developing the best possible
National Broadband plan possible for the nation. He added that be
believes that the new FCC blog demonstrates that the Internet is
changing and expanding the way Americans communicate. This, providing
them with what he sees as unparalleled access to information.

In conjunction with the blog the FCC is also now operating an account
on the Twitter social networking site. Its account that can be
accessed at @fccdotgov.

Its believed that the FCC will use Twitter tweets to help promote new
initiatives and at the same time press for public involvement on these
issues. Tweets are the 140 character messages that Twitter allows.
What's not likely is a two-way dialogue between the FCC and others
using Twitter. At least the FCC is not following any other Twitter
accounts at this time. (FCC and published news reports)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K6OX repeater
serving the city of Lancaster California and the entire Antelope
Valley.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RADIO LAW: SEPTEMBER MEETING IN DC TO DISCUSS TEXTING WHILE MOBILE

A national ban against texting and possibly other forms of
communication while mobile could be in the nations future. This with
word that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood plans to assemble a group
of experts to figure out what to do about drivers who use cell phones
and do texting while behind the wheel. Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:

--

In an August 4th release Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that
he intends to gather safety advocates, law enforcement and
transportation officials, members of Congress and scholars who have
studied distracted driving for a summit meeting in September in
Washington D.C.. In his statement Secretary LaHood said that everyone
knows that text messaging while driving is dangerous and the government
is going to do something about it.

While no mention was made regarding the use of two-way radio while
driving a vehicle this should be of concern to hams who like to operate
mobile in motion. If some sort of federal ban on the use of
electronic communications devices while driving does come about it
could easily be broad based and all inclusive. This in turn could
place hams, CB operators and other two-way radio users in the position
of having to seek after the fact exemptions to continue the operations
they have safely performed for years.

As we go to air there are fourteen states plus the District of Columbia
that have passed laws banning text messaging while driving. Also, many
states require the use of hands free devices to use cellular voice
telephones while in motion although most have specific exemptions
included for federally licensed ham radio operators.

LaHood indicates that that summit meeting will present several
recommendations for specific actions to address the problem of
distracted drivers on a national level. For ham radio it means keeping
a close eye one the outcome and any laws that such a gathering of
experts might recommend.

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

--

And in a related development ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has
written a letter to the National Safety Council To ensure that Amateur
Radio is not an unintended victim of the growing public debate over
what to do about distracted drivers. In his note to NSC President
Janet Froetscher, Harrison explained that Amateur Radio operators
provide essential emergency communications when regular communications
channels are disrupted by disaster. Harrison noted that the ability of
hams to communicate and help protect the lives of those in danger would
be strictly hindered if the federal, state and local governments to not
ensure that amateur radio operators can continue the use of their
mobile radios while on the road. (Published news report and ARRL)

**

RESCUE RADIO: NEW HAM RADIO HOTLINE IN INDIA

Ham radio based rescue radio continues to grow in India. Its latest
expansion is a new joint agreement announced on Wednesday, August 12th
between the Amateur Radio Society of India and the Indian Red Cross
Society to establish a radio hotline. It was inaugurated by Governor of
Karnataka, and is located on the premises of the Red Cross Society.

The facility installed at the station includes, high frequency and VHF
radios and antennas that can be used for local, as well as long
distance communications. The station has been assigned the call VU2ZH
by the Ministry of Communication, Government of India.

According to the society, ham radio operators in India have provided
communication links during the Indian Ocean tsunami, Latur earthquake,
Koyna dam disaster and during numerous floods and hurricanes, in the
recent past.

(Deccan Hearald)

**

RESCUE RADIO: NHC HAM STATION FEATURED IN NATIONAL DURACELL COMMERCIAL

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center is
featured in a 60 second radio spot for Duracell batteries. The
commercial, which begins airing this month, highlights the efforts of
the volunteers who man and assist the ham radio operations for National
Hurricane Center station WX4NHC.

With a voice over by actor Jeff Bridges, the spot describes the
important role that radio amateurs play during severe weather
conditions by enabling communications with police and fire departments
along with other first responders when electrical service and
telephones go away. The narration underscores the importance of a
reliable battery to power the portable ham radio gear which the spot
describes as essential to the work of WX4NHC.

The commercial is being played nationally during hurricane season. It
should help promote awareness of the vital public service role played
by amateur radio. You can hear the new Duracell ham radio spot at the
link found at www dot arnewsline dot org

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: A REVIEW OF THE ARRL SW DIVISION CONVENTION

Turning to the ham radio social scene, the August 15th one day
convention in Santa Barbara, California, that took the place of the
usual 3 day ARRL Southwestern Division show that was almost cancelled
earlier this year appears to have been more than a mild success.
According to Dave Bell,, W6AQ, about 500 or so drove from sweltering
Los Angeles and other areas to the seashore community with 450 signed
up for the famed Santa Barbara barbecue lunch alone.

Not a lot of big name exhibitors but some important names were there.
These included Ham Radio Outlet, Vertex-Standard Yaesu, and Elecraft.
In fact Elecraft showed their new P3 Pan-Adapter for the first time.
W6AQ was told that the techs at Elecraft literally finished putting
together this prototype at 2 AM in the morning and then drove all the
way down from Aptos California to be in Santa Barbara in time for the
gates to open.

The ARRL was represented by Southwestern Division Director Dick Norton,
N6AA, Vice Director Marty Woll, N6VI and Washington attorney
Christopher D. Imlay, W3KD. And while small by comparison to any past
ARRL Southwestern Division Convention that anyone can remember, nobody
is complaining. In fact there are at least 500 hams who are singing
the praises of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club which heroically
stepped forward and picked up the pieces at the last minute, when the
original sponsoring group pulled out. Or put another way, sometimes
the best things come in the smallest packages.

(W6AQ)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: BOB HEIL K9EID TO PERFORM ORGAN CONCERT IN
SACRAMENTO

Some names in the news. First up is ham radio's "Mr. Audio," Bob Heil,
K9EID. Bob will perform in concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre
pipe organ at the California Auto Museum in Sacramento, California on
Sunday, September 27th. The performance starts at 2 p.m. Pacific
Daylight Time and is free with a paid museum admission fee.

As some of you may know, Bob learned the art of playing theater organ a
student of legendary organist Stan Kann. In making the announcement of
the upcoming concert Bob says that he has always loved the rich, pretty
sounds of the Wurlitzer. Now he is looking forward to sharing the
experience with both his amateur radio friends and his theater organ
fans in the Sacramento area.

Again the concert is free with a paid admission to the museum. For
more information, call (916) 442-6802 or take your web browser to www
dot sierrachapteratos dot org.

(CGC)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: THREE NEW ARRL SM'S ELECTED

Los Angeles, California has a new ARRL Section Manager. This with
word that David Greenhut, N6HD, of Woodland Hills, has been elected to
that post after beating out 11 term incumbent Phineas Icenbice, W6BF.
Greenhut received 838 votes while Icenbice garnered only 149.

Meantime in South Texas, Lee H. Cooper, W6LHC, was elected Section
Manager with 647 votes. Challengers Lou Everett, Sr, WA5LOU, received
601 votes and Gary Tangrady, K5GST, of San Antonio, received 142.
Cooper will be taking on the Section Manager's role from Ray Taylor,
N5NAV, of San Antonio. Section Manager since 1997, Taylor decided not
to run for another term.

And Georgia will be getting a new Section Manager starting on October
1st. This as Eugene "Gene" Clark, W4AYK steps into the position taking
over from Susan Swiderski, AF4FO, who has been Section Manager since
2002. Swiderski, who is the co-recipient of this year's Joe Knight
Distinguished Service Award, decided not to run for another term of
office. Clark has been the Georgia Section Emergency Coordinator for
the last year and was a District Emergency Coordinator prior to that
appointment.

**

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)

**

RADIO AWARDS: OMIK SCHOLARSHIP FUND SURPASSESW $100,000 AWARDED

The OMIK Radio Scholarship Fund has now surpassed $100,000.00 in
educational monies awarded. This with word from Richard Reese, WA8DBW,
that the fund presented a $1000 check to Caitlin Grey of Wadsworth,
Ohio, to help defray her future education costs.

Reese says that Caitlin Grey was the top recipient selected from a
nationwide list of applicants. She graduated with honors from
Wadsworth High School in May of 2009. While attending, she was involved
in her Student Council, the National Honor Society, and several
important projects. She was also a member of the yearbook staff and a
varsity cheerleader an academic and athletic letterman and received the
United States Achievement Academy award of excellence in a foreign
language.

The OMIK Scholarship Fund is a separate organization of the OMIK
Amateur Radio Association, Inc. The fund was established to manage and
administer the OMIK sponsored scholarship program. According WA8DBW,
the Fund's goal is to provide financial assistance to deserving youth
who are pursuing education beyond high school.

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: FAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

And the Foundation for Amateur Radio has announced the list of
recipients for the 2009 through 2010 academic year scholarship awards.
Topping the list is 2008 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year
Emily Stewart, KC0PTL, of Leavenworth, Kansas. Emily will be receiving
a $1000 grant from the Ralph V. "Andy" Anderson, K0NL, Memorial
Scholarship which is one of many administered by the foundation.

A complete list of all the recipients of this latest series of
Foundation for Amateur Radio administered scholarship grants can be
found on the front newspage at QRZ.com. We at the Amateur Radio
congratulate Emily and all of this years scholarship award winners and
thank the Foundation for Amateur Radio for its ongoing work to make
these educational grants available each year.

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NEW ON-LINE HAMSAT MAP

A map showing the current satellite location for most of the amateur
satellites are now available on the AMSAT web site. From the AMSAT
front page, use the left hand side navigation, go to the 'Satellite
Information' navigation box, then select 'Satellite Status. Next click
on an underlined satellite name in the left hand column. This will
display a satellite summary, scroll to the bottom of the page and there
will be a map showing the current location of that satellite and the
illuminated and dark portions of the earth. This feature can be used
for a quick check of the satellite's location or to verify that your
tracking program was setup correctly. W2GPS and N2YO are the duo who
have provided this useful new feature. (WA4SXM)

**

RADIO AND SPACE: AIR FOCE PERMITS AMSAT TO CONTINUE KEPS

AMSAT North America has received approval from the Air Force Space
Command to continue re-distribution of Keplerian elements data sourced
from the Space Track website.. This means that the AMSAT Keplerian
Elements in verbose format and the 2-line format can be freely
distributed by those who receive them from AMSAT. The agreement covers
the period of April 1, 2009 to April 1, 2010. (WA5QGD, ANS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSAT-UK COLOQUIUM VIDEOS NOW ON LINE

Videos of the presentations at this years AMSAT-UK International Space
Colloquium are now available to watch on the British Amateur Television
Club website. All 18 sessions can be seen at www.batc.tv (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT: OFCOM SAYS OK TO SPECIAL EVENT SCOTLAND LOCATOR

U-K telecommunications regulator Ofcom will permit Scottish hams to
participate in the upcoming Homecoming Scotland celebrations.
Individual qualifying licensees will be able to obtain a special
temporary authority enabling them to use the Regional Secondary Locator
of the letter A for Alba to identify their station as being situated in
Scotland. This locator will be available in addition to the existing
identifier M, though only one locator should be used in a callsign. The
permit to do this will not be valid for stations situated outside
Scotland. Homecoming Scotland is an event celebrating that nations
contributions to the world. (Southgate)

**

ON THE AIR: 30 METER MULTI-MODE WEEKEND

August 22nd to the 23rd has been designated as 30 Meter Multi-Mode
Weekend. The objective is to promote experimenting and using different
digital modes on unique 30 Meter Band. A number of digital mode groups
will be participating this weekend so if you wanted to try out a mode
you have thought about trying here is your chance to get on the 30
Meter Band to try those digital modes and/or try a digital modes
software that includes multiple digital modes, More information is at
www.hamspots.net/30 (KB9UMT)

**

BREAK 3

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)

**

ON THE AIR: VHF ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

Meantime if you want to try your luck DXing VHF across the Atlantic
pond, be aware that Sunday, August 30th is the date for the Ireland's
Autumn 2 Meter Counties Contest. This event takes place between 14.00
and 16.00 local time in Ireland. The full rules are available on the
IRTS website under the contest tab. QSL any stations you work as
directed by them on the air. DX

In DX, word that G4MKP, will be active stroke 5B from Cypress through
August 25th. His activity will be mainly CW and RTTY on 80 through 10
meters. Look for him during the mornings and evenings on or around
7.010, 14.010, 21.010 and 28.020 MHz running Morse. His RTTY anywhere
in the band segment. QSL via M0URX, direct or via E-mail request for a
bureau QSL.

PA2AM, will be active as 9H3DZ from Malta between September 4th to the
14th. His operation will be active mostly on 30, 17 and 12 meters
using CW and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign.

3B7FQ will be active from St. Brandon Island until the end of August.
He will operate CW and SSB in his spare time and will use the island's
G5RV and a vertical with a 100 watt transceiver powered by a 12 volt
battery that will be charged daily. QSL via K5XK. He says that direct
is preferred.

F2VX and F6FYD will be active portable 4J from Azerbaijan until August
29th. August. They will operate SSB on the HF bands. QSL via their
home calls, either direct or via the bureau.

Lastly, W8SMH has just received his Kenyan license and will active
portable 5Z4 from Nairobi for the next 3 years. Steve is on assignment
with the Salvation Army as second in command at their headquarters in
Nairobi. His travel schedule may limit his operating, and he is a
rookie at DX operations so please be patient. His other limiting
factor is that Nairobi is experiencing power shortages and as a result
they are doing rolling blackouts 2 or 3 days a week in his area.
Steve's equipment is an Icom IC-718, dipoles and a multi-band vertical.
QSL direct to his home callsign on QRZ.com with an IRC or SASE.

(Above from various DX News sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: ANDREW KOENIG RESENTED WITH 2009 YHOTY AWARD

And finally this week its time to celebrate the achievements of another
of the nations young radio amateurs. His name is Andrew Koenig,
callsign KE5GDB, and on Saturday, August 15th he was introduced at the
Huntsville Hamfest as the 2009 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the
Year. Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, represented Amateur Radio Newsline at the
presentation and also has this report:

--

While the tropics were heating up in the Atlantic and the Gulf of
Mexico it was brilliant sunshine in Huntsville Alabama, where we
honored a brilliant young man as the recipient of the 2009 Young Ham Of
The Year award, Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB. Andrew is a 15 year old rising
star in the ham radio and space radio world. He not only helped set up
a successful ARISS school contact but he also helps train astronauts in
the ins & outs of talking to students participating in these contacts
at the Johnson Space Center in his hometown of Houston, Texas. He has
also helped in the maintenance and moderation of W5KUB's chat room on
his hamfest video website. He's an engaging young man who is going
places. But he didn't do it alone:

--

Award presentation audio. Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of
this weeks newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Of course, we weren't alone in this either. Corporate sponsor CQ
publishing's Rich Moseson, W2VU on what it takes to win this award:

--

Award presentation audio. Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of
this weeks newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Rich presented Andrew with a week at Spacecamp courtesy of CQ Magazine
as well as copies of all of their other publications. But that's not
all. Yeasu's Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV:

--

Award presentation audio. Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of
this weeks newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Next up was Heil Sound's Chip Margelli, K7JA.

--

Award presentation audio. Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of
this weeks newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

Chip of course pulling out his cellphone making reference to his
now-famous appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Next up was
Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, ARRL Southeastern Division Director with
congratulations for Andrew:

--

Award presentation audio. Hear it by downloading the MP3 version of
this weeks newscast at www.arnewsline.org.

--

I dedicated this years award in the memory of a great friend to
Newsline, Sandy Donahue, W4RU who passed away in May of this year.
Sandy was instrumental in getting the award to Huntsville some 15 years
ago and served as a greeter, taxi service or whatever we needed him to
do for the winner. Sandy was a friend to all and we at the Amateur
Radio Newsline miss him very much. Again, congratulations to Andrew
Koenig, KE5GDB, your 2009 Young Ham Of The Year.

Thanks again to our corporate sponsors, CQ Publishing, Vertex Standard
Yaesu, Heil Sound, Dave Bell W6AQ for the fine plaque, and Charlie
Emerson, N4OKL and all at the Huntsville Hamfest for having us. We'll
see you again next year on the third weekend in August for the 2010
Young Ham Of The Year award.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

--

Between Santa Barbara and Huntsville it was two great ham radio
conventions and one very happy teenage ham. (AE5DW, ARNewsline(tm),
YHOTY)

**

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
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Radio Newsline(tm), P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jeff
Clark, K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.