Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1733 - October 29 2010

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1733 with a release date of
Friday, October 29 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio assists in the wake of severe
weather in both Thailand and the United States, a last minute delay in
the Sable Island DX'pedition due to aircraft safety concerns, Radio
Uganda refuses to leave the ham radio only portion of 40 meters and
lead free electronic components may soon be a reality. Find out
the details on Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) report number 1733 coming
your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: AMATEUR RADIO ASSISTS IN THAILAND FLOOD RELIEF

Ham radio has come to the aid of flood stricken Thailand. Norm Seeley,
KI7UP, has mo

--

Thailand's amateur radio society R-A-S-T reports that amateur radio
operators in two flood-stricken areas of Thailand have been putting
their communications capabilities to good use, with members helping
authorities setting up a communications center using the call sign,
HS3AN.

It, has been working closely with government agencies. Relaying details
about the emergency situation and explaining the problems being faced
to officials and relief workers so that action to assist them can be
taken.

The president of one of the flood-stricken Amateur Radio Association,
HS4XU, relates that radio amateurs have pitched in with soldiers,
rescue volunteers and workers from various foundations, by helping
flood-stricken people with food and to ferry expectant mothers to
hospitals.

The club station HS3AN has also been coordinating relief work with the
help of other amateur radio communications centers based in three other
cities. The operators at these locations have also been providing
information to people traveling to and from flood-stricken area.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, following this
story from Scottsdale, Arizona.

--

There are over 100,000 ham radio operators in Thailand. Many are
involved with providing emergency communications. Updates on this story
are on-line at www.qsl.net/rast

**

RESCUE RADIO: SKYWARN HAMS ASSIST THE NEWS IN SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

Amateur radio operators across the mid-western United States went on
alert on Tuesday, October 26th to report on severe weather and damage
conditions. This as a severe early autumn storm pounded the area.

According to an ARRL press release, most of those providing service
were part of the National Weather Service's Skywarn program. This is a
group of highly trained radio amateurs nationwide who provided eye
witness reports of ground conditions and verification of radar
assessments.

From Michigan to Kentucky, hundreds of Amateur Radio volunteers quickly
turned their hobby into radio networks allowing emergency responders to
have accurate information of conditions.

Mike Corey is the Emergency Preparedness Manager for the ARRL.
According to Corey, there was great need for the hams with Skywarn,
especially around Indiana. Their giving the National Weather Service
real-time, ground level confirmations was definitely appreciated.

As severe weather continues in some areas, hams in those venues remain
on alert. On Wednesday, October 27th, Alabama weathercaster James
Spann, WO4W, reported via Twitter and Facebook that a new tornado watch
had been issued for many counties south and east of the city of
Birmingham. These included Autauga, Bibb, Chambers, Chilton, Talladega
and Tallapoosa to name only a few. That warning was to be in effect
until 07:00 PM in the evening. When alerts such as this are issued in
the Birmingham area, activation of Skywarn is a usual part of any
severe weather watch. According to WO4W, Skywan was active all day on
Tuesday the 26th well into the evening hours. (ARRL, ARNewsline(tm),
Facebook, Twitter, other reports)

**

BREAKING NEWS: SABLE ISLAND DXPEDITION DELAYED DUE TO AIRCRAFT SAFETY
ISSUE

Some breaking news on the D-X front. This with word that the long
awaited Sable Island DXpedition has been postponed due to
transportation problems.

According to Randy Rowe, N0TG, just prior to the teams planned
departure to Sable Island, a major safety issue was discovered with the
charter aircraft that requires repair before it can fly. Rowe says
that as of this writing the needed parts have not yet been located.
Also, it is estimated that acquiring these components and completing
the repairs could take as much as 3 weeks or longer.

Rowe says that as a result, the operators will be returning to the
United States to regroup and reschedule a return to Sable for another
try. He adds that hopefully, a new date can be announced in the near
future.

In the meantime, breaking news will be posted at the operations website
at www dot CY0dxpedition dot com. We will have more DX news later on
in this week's Amateur Radio Newsline report. (CY0 DXpedition)

**

INTRUDER WATCH: RADIO UGANDA ON 7.195 MHZ

A shortwave station on the African continent is playing hardball and is
refusing to leave the amateur only portion of 40 meters. This, even
after notification from the government, Radio Uganda continues to
operate on the amateur radio frequency of 7.195 MHz.

Following notification by 5X1JM, the Uganda Communications Commission
informed Radio Uganda the broadcaster is not permitted to use the
frequency within the amateur radio exclusive spectrum. So far, the
station has continued to use the frequency and its believed that it may
be some time before they move out.

Observers say that at least the point has been made and action
initiated by Ugandan government telecommunications authorities against
the now unauthorized use of the frequency.

One other note. Uganda radio amateurs have been authorized by Uganda
Communications Commission to use the band 7.1 to 7.2 MHz. (5Z4NU)

**

RADIO RECORDS: G3XBM ACHIEVES 1733 KM ON 500 KHZ USING LOW POWER WSPR

A new 500 KHz distance record may have been set on Thursday, October
21st. This when Roger Lapthorn, G3XBM, in Cambridge, England was heard
some 1733 km away in Finland by Paul Henrik, OH1LSQ.

According to Lapthorn, he was operating on 500 Khz using the digital
mode W-S-P-R commonly called wisper in the ham radio world. Lapthorn
says that quite unexpectedly, he began receiving a string of reports
from OH1LSQ in grid square KP03sd at an astounding distance of 1733 km.

Lapthorn said that to him these were amazing reports pushing his best
DX on the band to new levels. This is because he runs only a few
milliwatts effective radiated power on that band. He also notes that
his transmit antenna is a very simple vertical loop made with wire only
1 millimeter thick. (Southgate)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: SCIENCE WEEK IN IRELAND

Meantime, November 7th to the 14th marks Science Week in Ireland and
that nation's amateur radio clubs are being urged to take part.
According to the I-R-T-S weekly news, clubs are encouraged to take
advantage of Science Week to promote the hobby by putting on a special
event station or partnering with some other local organizations in a
Science Week project. More details are on-line at www.scienceweek.ie.
(IRTS)

**

AWARDS CORNER: WIA CENTENARY AWARD UPDATE

Turning to radio honors, so far 269 claims for the limited time
Wireless Institute of Australia's Centenary Award operating award have
been received and verified with certificates now issued.

The 200th award went to Monica Crockett, VK3FMON, of Axedale. According
to the award sponsor, it is good to see the enthusiasm of entry level
Foundation Licensees with some 30 having already qualified for and
claimed the award.

The VK2AWA Contest Group is the very latest radio club on the award
list. Some 15 DX stations from Finland, India, Hawaii, Japan, New
Zealand, Russia and the USA are also recipients of the award.

For details about the WIA Centenary Award visit WIA website www dot wia
dot org dot au. (WIA News)

**

CONTEST CORNER: RULES CHANGES FOR CQWW

The CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest is this weekend of October 30thand
31st, and with this, Contest Director Bob Cox, K3EST, is highlighting
the expanded award program for the assisted categories. Specific
changes include the following:

First, all Low Power and QRP assisted entrants will be specifically
listed and eligible for awards as is already the case for unassisted
entries. Second, a band-by-band breakdown for all band assisted World,
Europe and USA will be provided within the 2010 results. And Lastly,
the number of plaques available to assisted entrants will be increased
to include a Europe Assisted All Band and all World Assisted Single
Bands operations.

Cox notes that this applies to both the SSB and CW weekends. He also
reminds contest participants that the log submission deadlines have
been changed. SSB logs must be submitted by November 21st and CW logs
by December 21st. We say, good luck in the contest. (CQ)

**


BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WB2QLP
repeater serving Naples, Florida.

(5 sec pause here)


**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC ISSUES $10000 NAL TO UNLICENSED NY BROADCASTER

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $10,000 Notice of
Apparent Liability to monetary forfeiture to New York State resident
Vicot Chery. This on charges that of allegedly operating an unlicensed
radio transmitter on the frequency 90.5 MHz in the city of Spring
Valley, New York.

In the notice issued on October 22nd. The FCC says that in response to
a complaint. its agents from the Enforcement Bureau's New York Office
monitored the frequency 90.5 MHz on October 26, 28, and 29, 2009. On
each of those days, the agents observed a radio signal on 90.5 MHz and
used direction-finding techniques to locate the source of the
transmissions to a business in Spring Valley. The agents also took
field strength measurements on each of the three days and determined
that the signal being broadcast exceeded the limits for operation under
Part 15 of the Commission's rules.

October 29, 2009, the agents entered the premises where two businesses
were located. The agents proceeded to the offices of P.C. Taxi and
spoke to the dispatcher regarding the unauthorized transmissions. The
dispatcher said she would contact Vicot Chery, who she identified as
the owner of P.C. Taxi. Subsequently, Chery arrived and the agents
asked him about the unauthorized transmissions and asked to inspect the
station. In response, Chery led them to an adjacent room where the
agents observed a radio station in operation. Next, Chery led the
agents to the roof where the FM broadcast antenna for the station was
located. Finally, Chery took the agents to the upstairs attic where
the station's transmitter was located behind a stack of car tires and
hidden from plain view.

Chery told the agents that he was allowing a friend to use the space to
operate the station. At the agents' request, Chery turned off the
transmitter and also agreed to remove the antenna.

On November 4, 2009, the New York Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed
Operation to Chery for the transmissions on 90.5 MHz. The New York
Office received a reply from Chery's attorney asserting that Chery had
no knowledge of the events which the FCC had charged him. The attorney
went on to state that during the two months prior to the agents'
inspection, Chery had allowed an unidentified person to use the space
in his businesses where the radio station was located but the letter
failed to identify the friend by name.

But the FCC did not buy the response. In issuing the $10,000 N-A-L,
the regulatory agency noted that taken together, the facts show that
Chery had control of the station and was involved in its general
conduct or management. Also, the fact that someone else also may
have been involved in the station's operation does not make Chery any
less of a participant in its operation.

The Commissin then stated that pursuant to the Forfeiture Policy
Statement and section 1.80 of the FCC Rules, it concluded that Vicot
Chery is apparently liable for a forfeiture in the amount of $10,000.
Cherry was given the customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal

**

SAFETY IGNORED: COPPER THIEF ELECTROCUTED IN LOS ANGELES SUBURB

A man allegedly trying to steal copper wire from a vacant building in
Los Angeles, California, neighborhood was electrocuted on Saturday,
October 23rd. This after he tried to cut through a power distribution
site he apparently thought was deactivated but was still alive.

The incident took place at an electrical vault on a lot at 3064
Firestone Blvd., at the corner of South Gate Avenue. The lot was the
former site of the Liberty Cable Company but has been unoccupied for
more than a year.

According to police reports, the unidentified man was electrocuted and
died at the scene. His female partner tried to pull him away from the
vault when it caught fire and exploded, but the electrical current
traveled through her body and she received severe burns. South Gate
police spokesman Lt. Keith Huff said she was taken to the nearby St.
Francis Medical Center for emergency treatment and then transferred
Saturday night to the Grossman Burn Center.

The couple's two small children were found in a truck about fifteen
feet from the incident but were not injured. They were being held in
protective custody by Childrens' Services until other family members
can be found and notified.

According to Lt. Huff, the explosion that took place at 4:14 p.m.
knocked out power across the west side of South Gate. Electrical
service was largely restored by the evening.

With the economic slide due to the recession continuing and California
having one of the nations highest unemployment rates, cooper wire theft
for resale to he scrap metal market remains a major criminal activity,
state wide. (Published news reports)

**

WORLDBEAT: EME STATION STOLEN IN NORWAY

Anders Thorrud, LA8LF, in Drammen, Norway reports over the VHF
reflector that most of his Earth-Moon-Earth station equipment and all
instrumentation was stolen in a recent burglary at his EME site. Also
taken was most of his documentation including his EME logs from 1987
onward and his log from the last ARRL 23 CM EME contest during which he
worked some 20 new stations. He is requesting that those who worked
him as a new initial contact to please contact him with their QSO
information. (VHF Reflector)

**

WORLDBEAT: KOLN RADIO MUSEUM REPORTS THEFT OF VINTAGE GEAR

Meantime reports that some prized vintage radio equipment was stolen in
a burglary at Germany's famed K"ln Radio Museum. Among the pieces
taken was a Otek Darling horn-type speaker dating back to 1926 and a
Telefunken Arcolette receiver from 1927.

Details of the stolen equipment can be found in this Google English in
a PDF file at tinyurl.com/museumradiotheft. The museum asks that
anyone seeing this equipment for sale on Ebay or elsewhere should
contact them immediately. You can reach the K"ln Radio Museum by
e-mail to info (at) radiomuseum-koeln (dot) de. (Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT: NIGERIAN PRESIDENT APPROVES AUTOMATIC LICENSING FOR
COMMUNITY RADIO

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has empowered the National
Broadcasting Commission to approve licenses for the establishment of
community radio stations. This, without recourse to the office of the
presidency.

President Jonathan gave the directive while declaring open the eighth
biennial conference of Africa Broadcasters. Represented by Vice
President Namadi Sambo, the President stated that already, the Federal
Executive Council had considered and approved the guidelines proposed
by the National Broadcasting Commission for the licensing of Community
Radio in Nigeria.

In making the announcement, President Jonathan also urged journalists
to maintain professional integrity, by ensuring truth, balance and
fairness in their coverage of political activities. (MN)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: K2UYH MAKES DXCC ON 70 CM

Some names in the news. First up is Allen Katz, K2UYH, of West
Windsor, New Jersey. This, on becoming only the 3rd operator worldwide
to make DXCC on the 70 centmeter band.

According to Katz, this feat was made possible by QSOs on October 5th
when Katz worked DK2ZF portable C-E-Zero followed by TI2AEB on October
18th. Both of these QSO's were made using the JT65B digital low noise
mode. (VHF Reflector)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: ARNEWSLINE ANCHOR KQ6FM NAMED PACIFIC DIVISION HAM
OF THE YEAR

And congratulations to Newsline's own Don Carlson, KQ6FM. This on his
being named as recipient of the ARRL Pacific Division's 2010 "Ham Of
The Year Award." And as Don told our producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
it all came as a big surprise:

--

KQ6FM: "Well, I was sitting at the back of the room at the end of the
banquet and Bob Vallio, our Pacific Division Director, W6RGG, called an
old friend of mine whom I used to work with in the Santa Clara Valley
Section, Glen Thomas, WB6W to the front of the room.

"Well, it had been a very long day and I was batting eyes in the back
of the room, though I the to admit it. All the sudden I start
hearing my resume and I go `eesh, here we go' and - you know - heart
goes up in throat.

"The next thing I know I am standing up there getting the Amateur Radio
Operator of the Year Award for the Pacific Division. Its an honor that
just blew me away. I was very humbled but very elated and I thank the
ARRL and the Pacific Division for this award."

--

KQ6FM received the surprise honor at the recent Pacificon 2010 ARRL
Pacific Divison Convention held in San Ramon, California. The award
recognizes his many years contributing to the betterment of amateur
radio both nationally and in the Pacific Division. (ARNewsline)

**

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)

**

PROPAGATION: CHANGES COMING TO 5 MHZ BEACON CHAIN

Changes are coming to the 5 MHz beacon chain. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is
here with the details:

--

During the summer, the 5 MHz Working Group reviewed certain aspects of
the 5MHz Experiment and agreed a number of changes and improvements.
These will be implemented over the next few months.

The largest change is that it has been decided to remove the 0.5ms
pulse sequence at the end of each beacon transmission.

It has also been decided to build a new beacon for GB3RAL. The new
design will incorporate a PSK31 transmission in the place of the pulse
sequence. The design of the other two 5MHz beacons does not allow this
addition.

The pulse sequence was included in the beacon transmission sequence to
allow the propagation paths to be studied.

Peter Martinez, G3PLX wrote an article for the January 2006 issue of
RadCom, " 5MHz beacon sounder experiment". The article included some
interesting scattergrams of the different paths taken by the signals
from the beacons.

I'm Jereamy Boot, G4NJH

--

A date for these changes has not been set, but it is hoped to complete
the changes before the end of the year. For further information about
the 5MHz beacons, you're your web browser to tinyurl.com/25ulj75
(GB2RS)

**

PROPAGATION: THE SIX AND TEN REPORTING CLUB

The Six and Ten Reporting Club is an informal group of radio amateurs,
mostly from the UK, interested in propagation studies at frequencies
around the High Frequency to VHF boundary. Mainly, those who operate
on the 6 and 10 meter amateur radio bands.

The club produces a monthly newsletter called the Six and Ten Report
that includes analysis of 28 MHz propagation based on beacon
monitoring. Also included is an ongoing analysis of 50 MHz activity
reports broken down by propagation mode as well as reports and
discussions on unusual propagation events.

The Six and Ten Report is edited and produced by Steve Reed, G0AEV and
Martin Harrison, G3USF and is an activity of the RSGB's Propagation
Studies Committee. The Report is usually published online at g7kse dot
co dot uk stroke 6and10 about 5 to 6 weeks after the end of the month.
(GB2RS)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FO-29 OPERATING SCHEDULE AFFECTED BY ECLIPSE
PERIODS

Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL, reports that the Japan Amateur Radio League has
been making necessary adjustments to the Fuji Oscar 29 satellites
operating schedule. This as the satellite enters a period of eclipses.

These eclipses have reduced the power budget requiring frequent
analysis of available power aboard the satellite. As such, FO-29 will
be enabled only when the power budget allows.

Meantime, the Japan Amateur Radio League requests that satellite
operators access FO-29 with as little power as necessary to maintain
communication. To assist in this, JE9PEL has posted calculations of
the FO-29 eclipses on line at tinyurl.com/267jmq7 (ANS, JE9PEL)

**

DX

In DX, an international team of amateur radio operators are planning to
activate Kanton Island for 9 days starting April of 2011. An
additional day may be added depending on the sailing time to the
island. Transportation has been arranged, all licenses are assigned and
the permit is in its final stages. Callsign will be T31A. They plan to
have 6 stations with 12 operators with activity on 160 through 10
meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. More is on-line at t31a dot com.

Members of the Sony Kyushu's Amateur Radio Club will operate from the
Island of Danjo in the East China Sea using the club call JF6ZNT. This,
between November 5th to the 7th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using
CW, SSB and RTTY. This island is one of today's most wanted in the
Japanese Islands on the Air group. QSL via the Bureau or direct via
each operator's home callsign as directed on the air.

And heres a true rare one to listen out for. OM2DX says that he will
be on the air as 3W1M from Hanoi during the CQ WW DX SSB Contest on
October 30th and 31sst. He will operate as a Single-Operator
Single-Band 15 meter only entry. QSL via OM3JW, direct or by the
Bureau.

UY5ZZ will be on the air stroke YV7 from Margarita Island between
October 26th and November 7th. His activity will be on the HF
bands, and include the CQ WW DX SSB Contest and Ukrainian DX Contest.
QSL via his home callsign.

DL5MFL, DL4MAQ and DF9MV are planning to be active from Senegal from
November 8th to the 18th. The group will be guests of 6W7RV at the Le
Calao resort and will operate dedicated holiday style. A 6V7
callsign is being requested and will be made public as soon as its
available. QSL via D-E-Zero-M-S-T.

Lastly, G7BXU says that he will be spending the Christmas and New Year
holidays in Freetown,m Sierra Leone. He will be there between December
19th and January 7th and hopes to take his FT-897 and a G5RV antenna
with him. More details will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

(Above from various DX news surces)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: DEVELOPING A LEAD FREE PIZEOELECTRIC

Researchers in Europe may have found a way to make a lead free
piezoelectric that could pave the way to lead free electronic
components. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with the
details:

--

Research published October 4th by materials engineers from the
University of Leeds could help pave the way towards 100% lead-free
electronics. The work, carried out at the United Kingdom's Diamond
Light Source synchrotron facility, reveals the potential of a new
artificial material to replace lead-based ceramics in countless
electronic devices, ranging from digital cameras to hospital ultrasound
scanners.

European regulations now bar the use of most lead containing materials
in electronic and electrical devices. Ceramic crystals known as
piezoelectrics are currently exempt from these regulations but this may
change in the future, owing to growing concerns over the disposal of
lead based materials.

Piezoelectric materials generate an electrical field when pressure is
applied, and vice-versa. The most common piezoelectric material is a
ceramic crystal called lead zirconium titanate, or PZT. Using a high
intensity X-ray beam at the Diamond Light Source, the University of
Leeds researchers have now shown that a simple, lead-free ceramic could
potentially do the same job as PZT.

Tim Comyn, lead investigator on the project noted that with the extreme
conditions beamline at Diamond Light, his team was able to probe the
interior of the lead-free ceramic known as Potassium Sodium Bismuth
Titanate to learn more about its piezoelectric properties. He noted
that the researchers could see the changes in crystal structure
actually happening while they applied and electrical field to the
chemical structure. And that's a giant step forward in eliminating
lead as a component in electronic components, worldwide.

For the Amateur Radiuo Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, in the Newsroom,
in Los Angeles.

--

The Leeds team says that it will continue to work at the Diamond
facility to study the transformation induced by an electric field at
high speed and under various conditions using state of the art
detectors. Meantime, the results of the work so far has been published
online in the journal Applied Physics Letters. (ScienceOnLine)

**

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 Newsline
(at) arnewsline (dot) org. More information is available at Amateur
Radio Newsline'sT 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

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For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

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