Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1726 - September 10 2010

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1726 with a release date of
Friday, September 10 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio is ready to respond as a quake hits
New Zealand, amateur radio continues its aid in Pakistan, the ARRL
offers a commerative coin to honor 75 years of A-R-E-S and meet the
music star who credits ham radio in helping him to achieve his success.
Find out who this is on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1726
coming your way right now.

(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAMS READY TO ASSIST AFTER QUAKE HITS IN NEW ZEALAND

Ham radio was ready to respond when a massive earthquake hit near the
city of Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday, September 4th. Jim
Linton, VK3PC, has mo

--

So far AREC (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications) volunteers have not
been required in any major way to assist, following the earthquake that
hit Christchurch in New Zealand. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred
at 4.36am local time Saturday 4 September, while most people were asleep
in their homes. The result was extensive building damage in New
Zealand?s second largest city, Christchurch, with only two people
seriously hurt and no one reported trapped or missing.

AREC Deputy Director, Geoff Chapman ZL3PX who lives in Christchurch,
said that while AREC was at the Civil Defence Headquarters, there has
been no requirement for it to pass any emergency traffic. That is due to
restoration of telephone and power to the majority of the affected
areas. While water and sewerage systems have been affected there has
been no reported major loss of roads or bridges. However AREC is ready,
as the situation could worsen with the weather bureau issuing a warning
of very strong winds with gusts up to 130km/h and heavy rain posing new
threats to already damaged buildings. Adding to the danger are numerous
aftershocks with authorities advising that these will continue for many
days or weeks.

The quake is New Zealand's most damaging since the one which hit Napier
(Hawke's Bay) in February 1931, that saw radio amateurs extensively
provide emergency communications. That led to the formation by the IARU
national radio society, the New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters
(NZART) of what is today known as AREC.

Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Region 3, Disaster Communications
Committee.

--

The New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management said
the prime concern was ongoing aftershocks with a number of tremors
between magnitude 3.2 and 5.4 that have been recorded. Meantime, an
ongoing search of the rubble of quake-damaged buildings in Christchurch
has not turned up trapped residents, officials said on Monday September
6th. (VK3PC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: UPDATE ON HAM RADIO AID TO PAKISTAN

The Pakistan Amateur Radio Society reports that a cross-band emergency
repeater is set to provide the first communications of its type to the
flood hit Swat Valley. This, by linking it to the rest of the country
through a chain of 2 meter repeaters.

According to Pakistan Amateur Radio Society emergency communications
organizer Asad Marwat, AP2AUM, notes that the linking of so many
repeaters will cause a squelch tail delay. However given the
circumstances and lack of proper equipment, AP2AUM says it will be more
than acceptable.

Meantime, a convoy of radio amateurs is relocating a repeater already
installed at Changla to the Malakand Heights. This is so it can be
linked into the emergency communications system. Meantime, AP2AUM says
that a team of radio amateurs will be transporting VHF base station with
a high gain antenna via helicopter and subject to the availability of a
12 volt car battery all should be up and running shortly.

A massive flood disaster has ravaged Pakistan for over a month and shows
no signs of easing. As a result, the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society
continues to work in partnership with Islamabad Jeep Club members and
the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians to provide support for those
affected. Some 30 radio amateurs are involved in providing emergency
communications in response to the disaster that so far has affected an
estimated 20 million people and claimed 1500 lives. (PARS)

**

RESCUE RADIO: TALIBAN THREATENS OUTSIDE RESPONDERS IN PAKISTAN

And in a related development, news reports say that the revolutionary
extremist Taliban group has hinted it may launch attacks against
foreigners helping Pakistan, saying their presence was unacceptable. The
militant group has attacked aid workers in the country in the past, and
an outbreak of violence could complicate a relief effort that has
already struggled to reach the 8 million people who are in need of
emergency assistance.

The United Nations said it would not be deterred by threats of violence.
However, a spokesman for the World Health Organization told the BBC that
relief and aid work in certain areas was already being affected by
security concerns.

For those not aware, the Taliban is a Wahhabi Islamist political
movement that governed Afghanistan from 1996 until it was overthrown in
late 2001. It has regrouped and since 2004 has become a strong
insurgency movement fighting a guerrilla war against the governments of
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the NATO led International Security Force in
the area. (Published news reports)

**

RESCUE RADIO: DIRS DEACTIVATES AS HURRICANE EARL FADES

Back in the United States, the Public Safety and Homeland Security
Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission has announced the
deactivation of the Disaster Information Reporting System in regard to
Hurricane Earl. Communications providers are advised not to submit
additional information related to the effects of Hurricane EARL through
Disaster Information Reporting System until further notice.

For those not aware, Disaster Information Reporting System is a
voluntary web-based system that communications providers, including
wireless, wireline, broadcast, and cable providers can use to report
communications infrastructure status and situational awareness
information during times of crises. (FCC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ASSISTING AT COLORADO WILDFIRE

The ARRL reports that hams are providing some of the communications at a
wildfire just northwest of Boulder, Colorado.

Amateur Radio operators are located at the Red Cross shelter set up at
the University of Colorado Event Center and also at the Boulder County
Emergency Operations Center. They are reportedly providing voice and ATV
communications between forward fire units, the Incident Command post and
the Emergency Operations Center. Hams are also providing voice and
packet communications for the Red Cross.

At airtime news reports say that the fire has consumed over 8000 acres.
More on this story is on the ARRL website at www.arrl.org.

**

RESCUE RADIO: SOUTH AFRICA'S HAMNET SEVERS LINKS WITH IRESC

South Africa's amateur radio emergency communications organization
HAMNET has decided to sever its ties with the International Radio
Emergency Support Coalition which is also known as IRESC. Hamnet's move
follows what its leadership describes as mounting concerns over the
direction and leadership of IRESC.

Hamnet's National Director is Francois Botha, ZS6BUU. He told the
Southgate News that his organization had no choice but to take this
step. He claims that this happened after many of its current officers
were dismissed or resigned due to discontent at the way the IRESC was
being run.

According to Botha, HAMNET has already been approached by another
organization who he says really has an international feel and flavor
about them and who are very open to ideas and suggestions. ZS6BUU says
that once the two groups solve some software problems and establish some
on-line links set up, an announcement will be made.

But in a public response to Botha, The IRESC's Salvatore Torres, W0CST,
has issued a statement that takes Issue with ZS6BUU. In it Torres says
that IRESC has revoked Francois Botha, ZS6BUU and three other Officers
for violation of bylaws and interfering with present operations.

Torres claims that Botha has communicated false and misleading
information regarding IRESC. He also says that his organization has
e-mails and others information to certify its position but will not play
that card as wit has more important matters at hand in the area of
emergency communications needs.

Torres does end on a positive note. He says that the IRESC does not have
any ill fillings toward Hamnet or the 4 former officers that were
revoked. He says that IRESC thanks them for their service they have
performed and wish them well.

More on HAMNET is on line on the South Africa Radio League's web page at
tinyurl.com/25x59st. The International Radio Emergency Support Coalition
cyberspace home is at www.iresc.net.

Also see
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/sep...from_iresc.htm
for more details on this breaking news story. (Southgate, QRZ)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WA4B repeater
serving Miami Florida.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RADIO REPORTING: VE3JX WANTS STORIES ON YOUTH MENTORING FOR HIS QCWA
WORLDRADIO COLUMN

Dave Hayes, VE3JX, who writes the QCWA column in WorldRadio online
magazine says that he is looking for input from members regarding their
involvement in youth oriented projects such as ham radio youth mentoring
and education. To that end, Dave says that he would like to ask those
chapters who have experience in this to relate them to him.

By way of example VE3JX cites among other activities, Chapter 151 in
Alberta, Canada. Its members have gone to various schools and conducted
live contacts with the astronaut and cosmonaut hams on-board the
International Space Station. He also asks if other members or chapters
have participated in the youth mentoring program sponsored jointly by
the QCWA and Amateur Radio Newsline.

If you are a QCWA member and have experiences with any aspect of ham
radio youth mentoring, please send your story along with any related
photos to Dave. His e-mail is ve3jx (at) arrl (dot) net or ve3jx (at)
rac (dot) ca. (VE3JX)

**

THE LAW: PATENT PENDING STIFILING TELECOMMUNICASTIONS INNOVATION

Some of the biggest players in the technology industry are complaining
that the U.S. patent system is broken. This, by putting too many patents
of dubious merit in the hands of people who can use them to drag
companies and other inventors to court.

As a result, a growing number of inventors are taking part in an
experimental program called Peer-to-Patent. Peer-to-Patent was launched
in June of 2007 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and backed by
the technology industry that is intended to give both inventors and the
public more of a voice in the system. The concept behind the program is
to publish patent applications on the World-Wide-Web for all to see and
let anyone with relevant expertise submit commentary to be passed along
to the Patent Office.

By using the power of the Internet to tap the knowledge of the public,
Peer-to-Patent hopes to locate hard-to-find prior evidence that an
invention already exists or is obvious and therefore doesn't deserve a
patent. The ultimate goal is to locate prior documentation that Patent
Office examiners might not find on their own. This in turn could produce
better patents by reducing ones granted on applications that aren't novel.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employs more than 5,800 examiners
with specialized expertise, but they are sifting through a mountain of
applications. 467,243 patent requests were submitted in fiscal 2007, up
from 237,045 in fiscal 1997. As a result, said Dave Kappos, vice
president of intellectual property law for IBM, says that it is taking
big technology companies with huge patent portfolios longer and longer
to get applications through the system.

The Patent Office had a backlog of nearly 761,000 applications at the
end of fiscal 2007 many dealing with emerging technology. At the same
time applicants were waiting an average of two years and eight months
for a final decision. That is especially hard for the telecommunications
industry which is built on rapid innovation, short product life cycles
and technology that can become quickly outdated. (Comm-Law Review)

**

HAM INDUSTRY NEWS: CQ MAGAZINE INTROIDUCES A NEW STREAMLINED WEBSITE

CQ magazine has launched what it calls a new and easy-to-navigate
website. The updated cyberspace home for the magazine features a clean
new look and a streamlined user interface which according to Editor Rich
Moseson, W2VU, is a major step forward:

--

W2VU: "The main benefit of our new website is ease of navigation. We've
had great things on there for years but they have been added piecemeal
and they have built up ino a kind of a patchwork and its been hard to
find things. Now, we've reorganized things and its all easy to find with
much of it easy to get to with just one or two clicks."

--

The new site currently features links to special information for new and
prospective hams as well as hamfest and special event listings. But
that's not all:

--

W2VU: "We also have a couple of new features on the website such as the
current issue highlights right on the front page; links to our other
magazines and a direct link to our Facebook page as well."

--

Also on the site are easy links to the CQ Writer's Guide, award and
contest information, a comprehensive links section, special information
for new and prospective hams, and direct links to advertisers' websites.
Callsign lookup and a link to the online CQ archive are also included.

The updating of the CQ website completes a company-wide website upgrade
for all four magazines published by CQ Communications, Inc. The other
three are Popular Communications, CQ VHF and WorldRadio Online
magazines. The new CQ website may be found on-line at
www.cq.amateur.radio.com. (CQ)

**

RADIO HONORS: ARRL INTRODUCES FIRST CHALLENGE COIN

To help commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Amateur Radio Emergency
Service, or ARES the ARRL has introduced an anniversary Challenge Coin.
This die-struck, 1.5 inch brass coin depicts the ARES 75th anniversary
logo in gold with red, white and blue color fill, while the reverse
shows the ARRL diamond logo against a hemisphere of the world.

The ARRL's Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager is Mike Corey,
W5MPC. He says that the Challenge Coin honors the service of ARES
volunteers and all amateur radio operators who respond to the call of
public service. Corey adds that the ARRL hopes that ARES volunteers will
enjoy the honor of having the first Challenge Coin issued by the ARRL.
More about the Challenge Coin is on-line at tinyurl.com/2bmbr4y (ARRL)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: AGILENT DONATES MAJOR PRIZE TO MICROWAVE UPDATE

Turning to the ham radio social scene, word that Microwave Update 2010,
has received a donation from Agilent Technologies of a portable spectrum
analyzer that will be given away sometime during the event in Cerritos.
This years event is being sponsored by the San Bernardino Microwave
Society on October 21st through October 24th at the Sheraton Cerritos
Hotel, in the city of Cerritos, California. Early Bird Registration ends
on September 30th. For more information take your web browser to
www.microwaveupdate.org on the World Wide Web. (KH6WZ)

**

RADIO BUSINESS: NEWSPAPER SAYS BUSINESS WAS DOWN AT SHELBY

According to the Cleveland County Star on-line newspaper, while ham
radio enthusiasts crowded North Carolina's Gaston County Park on
Saturday, September 4th to attend the 2010 Shelby Hamfest, business at
the event appeared to be down.

The newspaper quotes Scott Cole, who is the owner of Tower Electronics
in Green Bay, Wisconsin who said business seemed off from years past.
The story noted that Cole has been coming to the Hamfest for almost 20
years. He told the paper that it was likely a combination of the economy
and that people were a little scared about the then approaching
hurricane Earl.

But not everyone comes to a hamfest to buy and sell. Ham radio comradery
is a big part of any event. In its report the newspaper noted that some
of those attending came to socialize and in some cases to take an
amateur exam to get their ham radio operator's licenses. One ham told
the paper that it was not just the hamfest and flea market. He said that
he comes to stay a few days to enjoy the area. The complete article is
on line at tinyurl.com/2wopsfg (adapted from the Cleveland County Star)

**

THE SOCIAL SCENE: HAMFEST INDIA IN NOVEMBER

And the 19th annual Hamfest India will be held on November 13th and 14th
in Pollachi city in India. The venue is the Pollach P.A.Educational
Institution. More about this event is on-line at www.hamfestindia.com.
(Southgate)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: K2TQN HONORED WITH AWA HOUCK AWARD

Some names in the news. First up is John Dilks, K2TQN, who writes the
"Vintage Radio" column in QST magazine and who has been honored with the
AWA Houck Award for Documentation by the American Wireless Association.
This, at the organization's 2010 World Convention held back in
mid-August in Rochester, New York.

This award is presented each year to an American Wireless Association
member who has written original articles on radio development or history
that has been published in the AWA Journal, AWA Review or another other
publication. K2TQN began writing the Old Radio column in QST a decade
ago in January of 2000. That column has since been renamed Vintage
Radio. In its presentation the American Wireless Association noted that
these monthly columns represent a remarkable range of topics and are
based on great original research resources. (ARRL, others)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: AF MARS APPOINTS INTERIM CHIEF

And Air Force Military Auxiliary Radio System has a new Interim Chief.
This with the announcement that Sergeant Jason Sandifer has replaced
Allen Eiermann, K3LSR, in this position.

Sergent Sandifer is a systems manager stationed at the Air Force Network
Integration Center at Scott Air Force Base located in Illinois. The Air
Force Network Integration Center that has long been the headquarters of
the national Air Force MARS organization. His appointment is expected to
last until recruitment of a permanent new Air Force MARS Chief is
completed. (Air Force MARS)

**

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: AN UPDATE ON HOME 3D TELEVISION

Three dimension television in the average viewer's home is likely not
around the corner. At least not as long as having to wear 3 D glasses
are a part of getting the picture. Jim Davis, W2JKD, has mo

--

Years may pass before 3-D reception is widely adopted at home by the
public, but 3-D's ultimate dominance seems assured. This according to
the CGC Communicator broadcast industry newsletter that cites an article
from IEEE Spectrum magazine gives fascinating technical details on 3-D
Television. It also provides an important information update on the
state of this technology. You can find it in cyberspace at
tinyurl.com/3d-overview.

Meantime, two electronics giants are looking for a way to make 3-D
television more appealing to the consumer market. Both Sony and Toshiba
are independently working on 3-D television receivers that do not
require the viewer to wear special glasses to obtain the 3-D effect/
Unfortunately, both high costs and a number of technical hurdles remain.

Im Jim Davis, W2JKD.

--

You can read where this research is headed by visiting
tinyurl.com/3Dglasses-free. (CGC Communicator, IEEE Spectrum)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ISS ON THE AIR

Some news about manned amateur radio from space. This with news that
Colonel Doug Wheelock, KB5BOC, has been very busy of late as NA1SS
making random contacts from the International Space Station. Take a
listen to this time compressed audio supplied to us by Scott Avery, WA6LIE:

--

Audio report only. Download the audio version of this weeks newscast to
hear it.

--

Colonel Wheelock also had these words for students who might be
listening to him:

--

Audio report only. Download the audio version of this weeks newscast to
hear it.

--

This is not KB5BOC's first time on-orbit. In 2007 Colonel Wheelock
served as a mission specialist as a part of the crew of STS-120. In
completing his first space flight he logged over 362 hours in space,
including 20 hours and 41 minutes of Extra Vehicular Activity during 3
spacewalks. Wheelock was launched to the ISS on June 15th. Together
with fellow-astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson he undertook an 8hr 3min
spacewalk to repair a failed ammonia pump module in early August. He is
due to return to Earth in November. (ANS)

**

ON THE AIR: HAM RADIO TO CELEBRATE BONAIRE BECOMING A DXCC ENTITY

On the air, the upcoming Bonaire DXpedition by a combined Dutch and
American operating team plan to use the large antenna farm of Radio
Netherlands. This, to deliver the world a truly whopping signal between
October 10th and the 24th when they activate the island for the first
time after it becomes a new DXCC entity.

Bonaire is currently part of the Netherlands Antilles which are
scheduled to be dissolved as a unified political entity on October 10th.
The five islands of the former Netherlands Antilles will each attain a
new constitutional status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, thus
creating several new DXCC entities.

To commemorate the event, this group of dedicated radio amateurs will
take to the High Frequency airwaves using the giant Radio Netherlands
antenna system constructed on the island back in 1969. As of Tuesday,
September 7th, a large shipment of equipment has been loaded into a sea
container in Miami, Florida. The shipment consists of yagi antennas,
masts, amplifiers, coax, bandpass filters, tuners and a wide variety of
accessories. It was expected to set sail for Bonaire on Friday,
September 10th.

You can keep track of the planning for the Bonaire DXpedition and
vicariously join in on the festivities on line at the operations
website. Its home in cyberspace is www (dot) bonaire2010 (dot) com. www
(dot) bonaire2010 (dot) com. (QRZ DX)

**

DX

In DX, members of the Caracas DX Group will be active as YW5LF from the
Los Frailes Islands between November 18th and the 22nd. QSL this
operation via DM4TI.

VK2IR says through the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter that with the help of
3D2AA that he will be will be heading up a team of 10 operators to
activate Rotuma in July 2011. VK2IR, says that further details of this
operation will be forthcoming as plans progress.

K9LUK will be active stroke VK4 from North Stradbroke Island between
October 8th and 16th. His operation will be sporadic, but look for him
on 14.260 MHz as time permits. QSL via his home callsign.

G0OPA will be active as 8P9LJ from Holetown in St.James Parish on
Barbados between September 12th and November 8th. His operation will be
on all of the High Frequency bands. If you make contact, please QSL via
his home callsign, either direct or via the bureau.

Lastly, MM0SSG is now active from Angola as D2SG. He's operating from a
beach 1 mile from the capital Luanda and expects to be there for the
next 6 months. Craig's operation is most days on 80 through 10 meters
using CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via GM4FDM.

(Above from various DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: HAM RADIO AND THE MAN WITH THE GUITAR

And finally this week, the story of a music legend says that it was ham
radio that helped him become a success in his chosen career. Graham
Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News has the rest of the story.

--

Audio report only. Download the audio version of this weeks newscast to
hear it.

--

Aside from being among the worlds greatest guitarists Joe Walsh, WB6ACU,
is also among the nicest people you will ever meet in person or on the
air. (WIA News)

**

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), 28197 Robin
Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Damron, N8TMW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.