Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1694 - January 29, 2010 Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1694 with a release date of Friday, January 29, 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a Q-S-T. Hams in Hawaii gear up to back a law that will insure their right to operate mobile, earthquake relief efforts in Haiti switch from HF to VHF, the ARRL Board discuses a lot of rescue radio and accolades from the QCWA to a ham who has given his entire life to the hobby, His name is Harry Dannals, his call is W2HD, and you can find out the details on Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1694 coming your way right now. (Billboard Cart Here) ** RADIO LAW: HAWAII HAMS ASKED TO SUPPORT MOBILE CELL LAW THAT EXEMPTS AMATEUR RADIO Hams in Hawaii are being urged to support a state measure that while banning the use of hand held cellular phones does exempt hams and other users of mobile two-way radios. This, according to Ron Hashiro, AH6RH, who tells Newsline that support from the ham in the street is crucial to its passage: -- AH6RH: The State Legislature in Hawaii has submitted House Bill Number 2225 that mirrors the cellphone bill that is active in Oahu. It is vital that all hams in Hawaii take the time now to write or e-mail their state representatives to support amateur radio in this bill. "Also, they should take the time to submit testimony to the House Committee on Transportation. As of yet there is no hearing date set, but as soon as that takes place I'm sure that the amateurs will make support their right to operate their radios while mobile." -- Hashiro says that with a strong showing of support from the Hawaiian ham radio community that this bill has a good chance to become law: -- AH6RH: "I'm pretty sure that we can continue the exemption for amateur radio because of the hard work that was done on Oahu and (both) the testimony and the impact of amateur radio during Hurricane Iniki, during the earthquake of 2006 and even during a recent island-wide generator power outage. Once again the community has seen the value of amateur radio and this is something that the council members have recognized." -- According to AH6RH, this bill, if passed into State law, will override the ordinances and bills at county levels. Hams in Hawaii and those around the world interested in keeping track of this pending legislation can follow at http://www.capitol. hawaii.gov/ session2010/ gethearing. asp?query= HB2225 ) (AH6RH, KH6QX) ** RESCUE RADIO: HAITI HF EMCOMMS WINDING DOWN Long distance amateur radio communications into and out of quake- ravaged Haiti is quickly disappearing as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW: -- As the recovery in Haiti continues, the need for international ham radio communications on the High Frequency bands is winding down. In the weeks since the quake, Haitian telecommunications personnel and international relief workers have been doing all they can to rebuild communications into and out of that nation. International telecommunications companies have brought in portable cellular telephone nodes and numerous transportable satellite ground stations. And according to news reports here in the United States, at least one geosynchronous communications satellite has been repositioned as a dedicated international communications link to and from Haiti to carry telephone, data and video. Because of this an all clear has been issued for almost all the frequencies on 75, 40 and 20 meters that had been in use during the initial phase of the post earthquake recovery effort. According to a news release from the International Amateur Radio Union Region 1, as of 1800 UTC on January 22nd, the frequencies of 14.300, 14.265, 7.045, 7.065, 7.265, 3.720 and 3.977MHz were returned to normal use. Also, and the groups who have been passing messages on those frequencies were to revert to monitoring mode or to their normal operations. And a similar release comes from Dr. Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P. Santos is the IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator and his statement announced the release of several H-F frequencies including 7.045 and 3.720 MHz for normal use. That said, the IARU wants to remind hams worldwide that there are still a number of radio amateurs in the Haiti who are attached to various relief groups. These hams may still be heard on the amateur bands on a number of frequencies according to their particular needs and to maintain contact with their home countries. The IARU asks that you listen before transmitting on frequencies known to handle Haiti relief traffic. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles. -- Giving priority to earthquake relief communications is expected of all of us. (ARNewslineT, ARRL, Others) ** RESCUE RADIO: HAITI HAM RADIO EMCOMM EMPHASIS NOW GOES VHF While the requirement for log distance high frequency ham radio communications to and from Haiti is quickly coming to an end, the need to expand lines of communications within that nation are ever increasing. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with this part of the story: -- While both cellphones and text messaging nodes are being installed in Haiti as fast as humanly possible, these are primarily being used for international communications by aid workers. And with Haiti's in country communications infrastructure years from full reconstruction, ham radio on 2 meter FM is quickly becoming a primary communications lifeline for relief operations. As reported last week, hams from the Dominican Republic risked their lives trying to restore ham radio communications in Port au Prince. They had to retreat but were able to set up several repeaters near the Dominican Republic's border with Haiti that when linked give coverage of the entire Haitian nation. These machines were quickly pressed into service by the Red Cross and likely other relief agencies. Also, a D-Star repeater was supposed to be on its way to Port Au Prince, but at airtime its not known if the group that was supposed to deliver and install it has yet arrived. But more communications channels across Haiti are still needed. To help in this area, on Friday, January 22, the American Radio Relay League sent a programmed Yaesu VHF repeater with a microphone, as well as ICOM handheld transceivers, Yaesu mobile 2 meter rigs with power supplies and Kenwood mobile 2 meter rigs down to Haiti via the Dominican Republic's national ham radio society. The supplies shipped also included Comet antennas, Larsen mobile antennas with magnet mounts, coax and batteries. All of these items were from the ARRL's Ham Aid program. This gear had been donated by their respective manufacturers out of concern for the situation in Haiti. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. -- The gear was sent to the Radio Club Dominicano via its president for distribution most likely because it is still impossible to know the level of survival of hams within Haiti or their ability to provide in country emergency communications services to that quake ravaged nation. One thing that is desperately needed by the Radio Club Dominicano is funding to purchase a generator to power the repeaters. If you can help in this, please contact Allen Pitts, W1AGP, at ARRL Headquarters. The phone number is 860-594-0200 and his e-mail is W1AGP at ARRL dot org. (ARNewslineT, ARRL, Others) ** RESCUE RADIO: OBTAINING PERMISSION TO OPERATE IN HAITI And be it on H-F or VHF, amateurs wishing to operate in Haiti to assist with disaster relief will need to contact that nations telecommunications regulator to get formal reciprocal operating clearance. Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, reports: -- If you are a ham who has been asked to come to Haiti to operate on behalf of earthquake relief operations, you will need to get a temporary reciprocal operating permit from the Haitian government. To accomplish this, CONATEL which is an acronym for Haiti's National Council of Telecommunications has set up temporary offices and now has phone and e-mail service available. This, to clear those who may respond to the need for communications volunteers. In a press release, CONATEL says that it has set up a satellite office of at Number 97 of the Avenue Panam‚ricaine in P‚tion-Ville with the goal of assuring the continuity of its work. This arrangement says the agency will allow, among other things, better coordination for establishing a temporary emergency telecommunications network in Haiti. Anyone who needs to operate radio equipment in Haiti is asked to contact CONATEL at its temporary address or by phone throughout the day. This by dialing international calling code 011, then the Haitian country code 509 followed either by 3454-0541, 2516-0000 or 3702-1414. CONATEL can also be reached by e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected]. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, near New Orleans. -- No matter how you contact CONATEL it is imperative to do so before any use of telecommunications equipment or the spectrum resources in Haiti. This, the agency says is to avoid interference problems and possible conflicts between the incumbent operators established in Haiti and those who are newly operating in what CONATEL calls an unusual circumstance. (ARNewslineT, ARRL, Others) ** BREAK 1 From the United States of America, we are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the KB9FBI repeater serving Jacksonville Illinois. (5 sec pause here) ** HAM RADIO POLITICS: ARRL BOARD OF DIRECTORS LOOKS AT EMCOMM AND OTHER ISSUES The ARRL Board of Directors held its 2010 Annual Meeting on January 15th and 16th in Windsor, Connecticut with emergency communications front and center on the agenda. Amateur Radio's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, takes a look at what was accomplished: -- Three major steps taken by the board on the topic surround the appointment of an advisory committee; signing a memorandum of understanding with the American Red Cross; and proposing a revision in the federal regulations related to amateurs and participation in emergency communications drills on behalf of an employer. After rejecting the idea of an advisory board at it's meeting last July, the board did an about face and appointed just such a committee. It's expected that the Emergency Communications Advisory Committee will play a large role in helping to shape ARRL board policy on a primary mission of the amateur radio service - being prepared to respond in times of emergency or disaster both here and abroad. The second step, signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross - appears to resolve the thorny issue of criminal background checks required by the organization for all volunteers. Several amateur radio volunteers expressed concern that the contractor hired by the Red Cross to do such background checks had far too much latitude in the kind of information it could gather - including credit reports and other personal information. The M-O-U now gives Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers permission to obtain and pay for their own criminal background check from a law enforcement agency rather than submitting to the scrutiny of the Red Cross' private contractor. The agreement also requires the Red Cross to give ARRL members this information to give them an opportunity to make an informed decision as to whether they want to volunteer with the Red Cross. Finally, the board directed ARRL staff to petition for a change in Section 97.113(a)(3) of the FCC rules related to amateurs taking part in emergency preparedness or disaster drills. It wants to give radio amateurs the ability, on behalf of an employer, to take part in such activities. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia. -- The complete Minutes of the 2010 Annual Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors will be available soon on the ARRL Website. That's in cyberspace at www.arrl.org. The next meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors is scheduled for July 16th and 17th. (ARNewslineT from ARRL release) ** RESCUE RADIO: FCC GRANTS ANOTHER 97:113 EMCOMM WAIVER REQUEST The FCC has granted a yet another request for a waiver of Section 97.113 of its rules. This from the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency in Morris, Illinois to use the services of four ham radio operators in its employ to take an active part in several upcoming emergency preparedness drills. In granting the waiver the FCC specifically stated that it would permit Jim Lutz, N9UCP; Joe Schroeder, KC9JYZ; Chris Kindelspire, KC9GCK; and John Watters, KC9KKO to take part in these exercises slated for March 24th and July 28th at various locations in Grundy County. In granting the request the FCC noted that while Section 97.113(a)(3) of its rules normally prohibit hams in an agency's employ to take part, it granting the waiver request as being appropriate under the circumstances presented in the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency's filing. You can read the entire text of the waiver grant at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-124A1.doc (FCC) ** RESCUE RADIO: ALABAMA HAMS SAY THAT THEY SAVE THE COUNTY THOUSADS OF DOLLARS According to a January 20th report in the Athens Alabama News Courier, ham radio operators have saved the county over a hundred thousand dollars. This, through their volunteer emergency communications expertise. The article quotes Joe Ivey, W4JSI of the Limestone Amateur Radio Emergency Service as telling the County Commission that his organization contributed $136,625.47 in services to the community in the last calendar year. Ivey said that this tops the previous year donated service value by $8,000. Ivey noted that what the club does is at no cost to anyone. He added that local hams perform communication for organizations from the Emergency Management Agency to the Christmas parade.. County Commission Chairman David Seibert thanked Ivey and the Limestone Amateur Radio Emergency Service for the valuable public service that they perform. (eHam) ** RADIO LAW: FCC BANS 700 MHz WIRELESS MICS AS OF JUNE 12TH The FCC has prohibited the further distribution and sale of devices that operate in the 700 MHz band. This, to clear this spectrum for public safety and 4th generation or 4 G consumer communications gear. In its January 15th release, the FCC says that the spectrum in the 700 MHz band had already been auctioned to several wireless service providers following the June 12, 2009 Digital television transition. It also notes that its Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking primarily affects wireless microphones and those who operate them. The FCC says that a sunset period running through mid-June of this is being provided for those currently using 700 MHz wireless mics. As of June 12, 2010 use of those devices will be prohibited. More on this story is on line at www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones. (FCC) ** RADIO LAW: FCC ASKS CONGRESS FOR ADDITIONAL MONTH ON BROADBAND PLAN The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is asking for a one month extension on the mandate that his agency has develop a national broadband plan that it is required to submit to Congress. The creation of such a blueprint was mandated by last year's economic stimulus bill. It was due to lawmakers by Sunday, February 17th. But the FCC is now asking for an extra month to finish digging through the massive volume of public comments that it has received over the past 11 months on how to make universal broadband a reality. The staff involved in preparing the plan also wants more time to brief the FCC's five commissioners and members of Congress. The request for an extension needs to be approved by the Senate and House Commerce Committees. They are the bodies in Congress which have jurisdiction over the FCC. (Published news reports) ** ENFORCEMENT: $51 MILLION JUDGEMENT IN SAT-TV SOFTWARE CASE It's the biggest judgement ever issued against an individual for helping others to obtain pay television without paying the monthly fee. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, is in Reno, with the rest of the story: -- The Dish Network, EchoStar and NagraStar satellite services have won a $51 million dollar judgement against one Robert Ward. This, after a federal judge in Tampa, Florida, found that Ward had posted software on the Internet that would permit people to receive subscription satellite TV without paying a fee. The three plaintiffs said the summary judgment ruling made two significant findings that will strengthen their companies' ability to pursue cases like this in the future. First the court held that the posting of illegal software constitutes a violation of the Communications Act. Second that the statutory damages in the case should be calculated based on how many individuals downloaded the illegal software. There is a reality side to this matter. That being weather or not any of the plaintiffs will be able to collect any or all of the $51 million dollar judgement against Ward remains to be seen. I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, in Reno. -- Collect it or not, the amount of the judgement and its implications to future cases of this type has send what can best be called shockwaves through the on-line communities that believe that they have a legal right to decode and watch pay television stations free of charge. More on this matter is on-line at http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/19881.html (RBR) ** CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FORMER FCC COMMISSUIONER JAMES QUELLO - S.K. Former FCC Commissioner and Interim FCC Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, James H. Quello died Jan. 25 of heart and kidney failure at his home in Alexandria, Virginia. Quello, who was often called the informal dean of the commission, joined the body in 1974 and was named Interim Chairman in 1994. While a commissioner Quello was best known as a strong defender of free, over-the-air broadcasting . But while he exited the commission in 1997 Quello kept his hand in the business and policy that had been his life. He had most recently been a public policy consultant for the law firm of Wiley Rein and Fielding working alongside former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley. He was also the founder and chairman of the board of the James H. and Mary B. Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law at his alma mater of Michigan State University. James Quello is survived by his sons, James M. and Richard B. Quello, his wife, Kim, granddaughters Susan Butler Quello and Diane Watson, and a great granddaughter, Bethany Watson. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. He was 95. (B & C) ** 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) ** NAMES IN THE NEWS: HARRY DANNALS, W2HD, NAMED PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF THE QCWA A name synonymous with ham radio for over seven decades has become only the third person ever elevated to the post of President Emeritus of the Quarter Century Wireless Association. This as the organization names Harry Dannals, W2HD, of Charlottesville, Virginia to this truly prestigious standing. Perhaps best known for his decade from 1972 to 1982 as president of the American Radio Relay League, Harry also served as President of the QCWA from 1989 to 1994. As such he is the only person to have ever held this leadership position in both organizations. In addition to his work with both the QCWA and ARRL where he also holds the status of President Emeritus, the former W2TUK is a Fellow in the Radio Club of America, a member of the Society of Wireless Pioneers, the Old Old Timers Club, and the Veteran Wireless Operators Association. In 2002 he was inducted into the CQ Magazine Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. Harry Dannals elevation as President Emeritus of the Quarter Century Wireless Association was announced on January 22nd. The only other ever elected to this position within the QCWA were Leland W. Smith, W5KL, and Lewis 'Mac' McCoy, W1ICP, both of whom are now Silent Keys. In making the announcement, QCWA President Bob Roske, N0UF, said that he had earlier in the day spoken with W2HD. He told Newsline that Harry was very happy to receive the honor. N0UF added that this is the first time in a long time he actually heard a smile! (QCWA) ** NAMES IN THE NEWS: RICHARD FISHER KI6SN NAMED NEW EDITOR OF WORLDRADIO ONLINE CQ Communications, Inc. has announced that veteran journalist and writer Richard Fisher, KI6SN, has been named the new Editor of WorldRadio Online, effective with the April issue. The 59 year old Fisher recently completed a 35-year career in newspaper print and online journalism. This, in a variety of reporting, editing and management roles. He also has a 17-year association with WorldRadio, first joining the magazine in 1993 as its QRP columnist. This is a post he held until the magazine's transition from print to online in February 2009. Fisher is currently a columnist for three magazines published by CQ Communications. In addition to his WorldRadio Online editing duties, he will continue to write the "Washington Beat" column for Popular Communications, the "Public Service" column for CQ Amateur Radio, and the "Trail-Friendly Radio" column for WorldRadio Online. Fisher will succeed Nancy Kott, WZ8C, who has been Editor of WorldRadio and WorldRadio Online for the past eight years. After guiding Worldradio from print to electronic publication she announced her impending departure in the February issue of the on-line magazine. (CQ) ** HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SUMBANDILLASAT TEMPORARILLY SUSPENDS OPERATIONS The Amateur Radio FM transponder on the SO-67 SumbandilaSat ham radio satellite has been temporarily suspended. This, to permit completion of the satellite commissioning activities According to Jan Albert writing on the On the AMSAT bulletin board, there is little more than 6 weeks left in which to complete the commissioning activities on SumbandilaSat before operations are planned to be handed over in middle-March to the Satellite Application Center. That's who will then continue to operate the satellite on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology which actually owns the satellite. Since progress is currently hampered by the various South Africa AMSAT payload activities, Albert says that there is no choice but to temporarily suspend this service on SO-67. He adds that plans are to have SO 67 back on the air by the end of March or sometime in early April. So far SumbandilaSat has successfully executed more than 320 payload activation's since hams began using the ham radio payload at the end of 2009. (ANS) ** HAM RADIO IN SPACE: NEW AO-7 AMERICAS QSO DISTANCE RECORD A new distance record has been set within the Americas over an aging ham radio satellite. On Sunday January 24th at 22:52 UTC Joe Spandler, K3SZH in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, held a short contact with Francisco Ramires, PY2OV in Sao Paulo, Brazil using the 70 cm to 2 meter transponder on the 35 year old AO-7 ham-sat. The distance between the two stations was 7738 km and is believed to be the furthest contact within the Americas, but falls just short of the ZS6BB to EA6SA international contact at a distance of 7766 km. ZS6BB to EA6SA stands as the record for the AO-7 bird which was launched on November 15, 1974 on board a Delta rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. (Southgate) ** WORLDBEAT: SV2SAP SAYS RETURN SY TO MT ATHOS Mount Athos resident radio amateur, Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A is calling for the return of SY prefix to the monastery`. For many years the prefix 'SY' was assigned exclusively to the DXCC entity Mount Athos in Greece. This was later changed to 'SV/A' but for many radio amateurs the SY prefix is still connected only to Mt Athos, although every Greek radio amateur may apply for a SY prefix. According to the Southgate News, this is a thorn in the side of Monk Apollo. And now he is asking DXers from all over the world to send an e-mail to the Greek licensing authority at [email protected] that asks it to stop this practice. At the moment Monk Apollo is active mainly on RTTY because this mode is silent and does not disturb the other monks. He prefers operating on 160 through 30 meters from 1700 to 2100 UTC. However be aware that his SV2ASP/A call was used by a pirate operator at least once this year on January 12th. (Southgate) ** DX In D-X, word that a group of radio amateurs across Spain will activate the special callsign AO1ANT between February 22nd and the 28th to celebrate the 'Seventh Antarctic Week' international event. Their reference number will be WAP-180 and their activity will be on SSB, CW, PSK31 and RTTY modes, using all the amateur bands from 160 through 10 meters. QSL via EA1GHT, either direct or by the Bureau. And lastly, XR9JA will be the callsign of the upcoming Greenwich Island operation by XQ5CIE, CE6UFF, F6DXE and CE5COX. The operators will be there from February 1st to the 28th using CW, SSB, and PSK-31 on 160 through 6 meters. They also plan satellite operation using AO-51. QSL via CE5JA either direct or via the bureau. (Above from various DX news sources) ** THAT FINAL ITEM: A FINANCIAL HEALTH UPDATE ON NEWSLINE And finally this week, we have a brief update on Amateur Radio Newsline's financial health. Here again is our President and Producer, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF: -- Before I go any further, I want to thank each of you who sent notes and e-mails of condolence on the passing of our Treasurer and Support Fund Administrator Andy Jarena, N6TCQ. It made us feel good to know that so many of you felt toward Andy the way that we did. It has been a very busy several weeks for me after taking on the added role of interim treasurer after Andy left us. Nor was it a very happy time because Andy was one of my closest and dearest friends for over two decades. And I was honored to have been asked to represent his world of interest in amateur radio at a celebration of his life that his life partner Judy Hurst and his sister Ann Albertson held in his memory on Saturday January 23rd. In keeping with Andy's desires, this was not a sad gathering. Rather it was a group of people whose lives had cross Andy's and who remembered him with sincere fondness, friendship and warmth. And in retrospect, for many of us it was that catharsis we needed to close this chapter of our lives by being able to publicly say goodbye to our friend who had been an inspiration to all of us. On another topic, I and the entire Amateur Radio Newsline production team want to thank those of you who heard our emergency funding plea and made a contribution. Thanks to you caring and thanks to your coming to our financial rescue we have made it through January and have enough to hold us thorough at least the first few weeks of February. After that -- well -- it remains to be seen, but for the next few weeks we should be OK. Last but by no means least, we wish we had the resources to send each of you a personal note or card to thank you. Unfortunately we do not have that luxury. So, from the collective hearts of all of us at Amateur Radio Newsline we send our "thank you" in this way. Over the Internet. Over the telephone and over the airwaves, It comes from our sincerest gratitude to which Ill add that having you as listeners and supporters makes us feel truly blessed. I know that Andy said this many times in the past, but please permit me to say that you are not just an audience, You are in your own way, a vital part of what we like to the Amateur Radio Newsline family and we are truly fortunate to have you on our team. Again, I say thank you -- and for this week -- 73. I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. -- Than you Bill. (ARNewslineT) ** 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 NewslineT. Our e-mail address is [email protected]. 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 NewslineT, 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 NewslineT is Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.