The electronic publication of the Amateur Radio Newsline is distributed with the permission of Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, President and Editor of Newsline. The text is transcribed from the audio service by Dale Cary, ND0AKO, and is first published on Genie. Editorial comment or news items should be E-mailed to 3241437@mcimail.com or B.PASTERNAK@genie.geis.com. Voice or FAX to +1 805-296-7180. All other information and disclaimers are in the text header below. - - - - - NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #113 - POSTED 02/27/94 ***************************************************************** * * * * * ***** * * **** * ***** * * ***** * * ** * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * *** * ** * *** * * * * * *** * * * ** * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * ***** * * **** ***** ***** * * ***** * * * * **** * **** ***** *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * **** ***** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **** ***** *** * * * ***************************************************************** The following is late news about Amateur Radio for Radio Amateurs as prepared from NEWSLINE RADIO scripts by the staff of the AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, INC. -- formerly the WESTLINK RADIO NET CBBS twice monthly. For current information updates, please call Los Angeles............................ (213) 462-0008 Los Angeles (Instant Update Line)...... (805) 296-2407 Seattle................................ 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Thank You NEWSLINE ***************************************************************** Some of the hams of NEWSLINE RADIO... WA6ITF WB6MQV WB6FDF K6DUE W6RCL N6AHU N6AWE N6TCQ K6PGX N6PNY KU8R N8DTN W9JUV KC9RP K9XI KB5KCH KC5UD KC0HF G8AUU WD0AKO DJ0QN and many others in the United States and around the globe!!! ***************************************************************** [863] * * * * C L O S E D C I R C U I T A D V I S O R Y * * * * * * * The following is a closed circuit advisory and is not * * for air over amateur radio. Repeat, not for broadcast. * * This is just a reminder that the address for the Newsline * * Support Fund is Newsline, in care of Dr. Norm Chalfin, * * K6PGX, Post Office Box 463, Pasadena, CA 91102. Again, * * and as always, we thank you. That ends the closed circuit * * with Newsline report number 863 for release on Friday, * * February 25th, 1994 to follow. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The following is a QST A new interpretation of an old FCC rule may force repeater licensees to evict unwanted users. ***** FCC SAYS REPEATER TRUSTEES CAN BAN USERS! The Federal Communications Commission has told the attorney for a southern California radio club that the license holder to its repeater can kick any ham off the system that he deems unfit to use the machine. In doing so, the FCC seems have set the stage for a total re-evaluation of the way every repeater in the nation is operated. The issue of what rights a repeater licensee has over the control of his repeater came into sharp focus on February the 1st. This, in a letter of interpretation of Section 97.205, subpart E of the FCC Amateur Service rules. Section 97.205 E says in part -- and we quote -- "Limiting the use of a repeater to only certain user stations is permissible." That language has been on the books for years. Some repeater licensees are probably not aware the rule exists, much less understand the power it gives them. Moreover, until now the FCC has given repeater licensees wide latitude in its interpretation. But a far narrower reading has now come as the result of a request for clarification sought by Attorney Sidney Radus, N6OMS of Orange, California. Radus is the attorney representing the Claremont Amateur Repeater Association in its fight against some unwanted users of its repeaters. In preparation of a civil complaint against one user, Radus wrote to the FCC's Private Radio Bureau to find out exactly where his client stood in regard to Part 97.205 E. His inquiry was answered by Personal Radio Branch Chief John B. Johnston W3BE. Johnston is well versed in Part 97 regulatory matters in that he was the guiding hand that crafted the latest version. After quoting section 97.205 E, Johnston added the rule applies whether a repeater is coordinated as an "open" or "closed" repeater. In fact, Johnston says -- and again we quote -- " Rule 97.205 E without qualification, permits the individual responsible for proper operation of a repeater to limit the use of a repeater to certain user stations." -- end quote. As previously reported, the legal action taken was to obtain a restraining order against Tim W. Seawolf of Quail Valley, California. Its now been learned that the Johnston letter was accepted by the civil court as evidence in the case. We will be covering that part of the story in greater detail next week. But looked at on a much broader scale, this new interpretation of Section 97.205 E is the really important story. This, because it holds the potential of impacting on the way that every ham who uses a repeater to make contacts operates on the air. The FCC now seems to be saying that in effect, there is really no difference between an open or closed repeater. Rather that all repeaters are essentially closed and that the ability of anyone of us to operate through one is at the will and the whim of the person that holds the license to a given machine. In fact, Johnston letter goes even further than that. It just about mandates that repeater licensees act to ban anyone who in any way may cause the repeaters operation to violate any FCC part 97 rule. This is truly a precedent setting regulatory interpretation by the FCC. Its one that will forever change the way in which all repeaters are operated and the way in which a repeater licensee is required to police his systems and control his user base. TEXT OF FCC LET FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON D.C. 20554 Feb. 1, 1994 In Reply Refer To: 7230-A/1700C1 Mr. Sidney L. Radus Orange, CA 92669 Dear Mr. Radus, This is in response to your fax dated January 14, 1994 in which you request further response to your previous correspondence. Specifically, you request whether Section 97.205(e) permits owners of "open" repeaters to limit the use of their repeaters to certain users. Section 97.205(e) states: '... Limiting the use of a repeater to only certain user stations is permissible.' The rule section applies whether a repeater is coordinated as an "open" or "closed" repeater. Further, the rule applies without regard as to whether a repeater is coordinated at all. Rule 97.205(e), without qualification, permits the individual responsible for proper operation of a repeater to limit the use of a repeater to certain user stations. I trust this is responsive to your concerns. Sincerely, John B. Johnston Chief, Personal Radio Branch ***** SPREAD SPECTRUM The Commission has responded cautiously to a proposal to ease restrictions on spread spectrum signals on amateur frequencies. At their January 21st meeting, the ARRL's Board of Directors voted to ask the Commission to relax the restrictions. Whether that will actually happen remains to be seen. Ralph Haller, N4RH, Chief of the FCC's Private Radio Bureau, indicates the idea will have to be reviewed carefully. "I would like to allow all the technologies that we possibly can. There are some concerns, our Field Bureau is concerned about being able to monitor the transmissions as a part of their functions. And so once again we need to balance that, but as far as I am concerned we should be as unintrusive as possible in our restrictions on amateur communications." Ralph Haller, N4RH, Chief of the FCC Private Radio Bureau. Spread spectrum signals cannot be monitored with conventional FM receivers, and that's what concerns the Commission. Spread spectrum is popular with military agencies, because the transmissions are virtually impossible to monitor. Certain types of spread spectrum signals are legal on amateur frequencies above 420 MHz. ***** VEC FILING EXT The FCC has granted a request by the ARRL VEC for an extension of time to provide financial information concerning reimbursement arrangements to volunteer examiners. Last fall, the commission asked all VEC's to provide this information for 1993 with the end of January as the submission deadline. But in filing for the time extension, the league said that its auditing firm will not have a financial report available until sometime in March. The FCC agreed and on January 26th it extended the filing deadline until March the 31st. The league says that it assumes that the extension would apply to all other VEC's as well. ***** NEW AMSAT VIDEO The first copy of the new AMSAT promotional video titled "Phase III-D - The Satellite For All Radio Amateurs" has been presented to the shows special guest, Senator Barry M. Goldwater K7UGA. The informal presentation was made on Sunday February 13 by Newsline producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF and Len Winkler, KB7LPW who hosts the nationally syndicated radio program Ham Radio and More. Ham Radio and More originates at the studios of KFNN radio in Phoenix. Bill was in Phoenix to appear as a guest on the show. "Phase III-D - The Satellite For All Radio Amateurs" was taped on-location at the Goldwater ranch last July and is hosted by Roy Neal, K6DUE. The video is an updated version of an earlier tape known as "The Phase III-D Story" and includes a first glimpse of the latest Phase III-D satellite design. VHS loaner tapes for radio club showing are available free of charge from AMSAT North America, 850 Sligo Ave, Suite 600, Silver Spring, MD 20910. ***** STS-67 CREW NAMED Two hams will fly on space shuttle flight STS 67 in early 1995. NASA has named Steve Oswald, KB5TSR as the flights commander. He will be joined by veteran SAREX operator Ron Parise, WA4SIR. Ron will serve as Payload Specialist on the flight. ***** RTT The RTT sold to the American Digital Radio Society. Writing in the January 1994 edition of the Journal, editor Dale Sinner, W6IWO says that he was approached by the digital society with an offer for it to take over publication of the journal. Sinner says that he has been a strong supporter of the group since its inception, That he believes strongly in its goals and its offer to take over the Journal was one that he found it hard to refuse. The principal goals of the American Digital Radio Society are to advance the state of the art in digital technology as it applies to Amateur Radio while at the same time wisest use of amateur spectrum for digital modes. Its president is Warren Sinsheimer W2RNE of Scarsdale, New York. Jim Mortensen, N2HOS is the new Publisher of The RTT Sinner remaining on as Editor in Chief. For more information on the American Digital Radio Society write them at Post Office Box 2465, New York City, NY 10185. ***** DIGITAL CONFERENCE A call has been issued for papers to be presented at the 13th annual ARRL Digital Communications Conference. This year the conference will be held August 19th to the 21st in Bloomington, Minnesota. The theme for 1994 is Digital Communications - Amateur Radio of Today and the Future. The deadline for submissions is June 20th. Send them to Maty Weinberg at ARRL Headquarters, 225 Main Street, Newington, Connecticut 06111. ***** HOGERTY Tom Hogerty, KC1J has been named as Special Projects Manager at Headquarters. Building on his success in the clearance of the DXCC backlog last year during his tenure as DXCC Manager, Tom's first project will be to investigate how services to members are rendered and ways in which they can be improved. The ARRL has also named Bill Kennamer, K5FUV to replace Hogerty as DXCC Manager. Kennamer who conducts QST column joined the leagues staff in June of 1992. ***** RARA The 60th annual Rochester Hamfest and Computer Show combined with the Atlantic Division New York State ARRL Convention returns to the Monroe County Fairgrounds May 20-22. The show includes 150 indoor exhibitors with up to date radio and communications equipment, computer equipment and supplies. A 1000 vendor outdoor flea market adjoins the indoor selling area. For information write to the Rochester Hamfest, 300 White Spruce Blvd, Rochester N.Y. 14623. ***** DX - PET In DX, we have a wrap up on the recent Peter One Island operation. The DXpedition team landed on the island January 29th. According to ON4UN, the entire landing took only three hours. Within that time forty trips back and forth with two helicopters were made to and from the ship. While the landing itself was perfect, conversations overheard between WA4JQS and KA6V noted that there was some equipment that was damaged in transit. In particular, a satellite receiver looked as if it had been dropped by a crane and a PK-900 was almost destroyed. Never the less the group decided to immediately erect all antennas and get all stations on the air. The operations began in a big way with stations on many bands with some DXers able to work 3Y0PI on several bands in just a matter of hours. As of Saturday, February 5th, the report was the teams had worked over 20,000 QSOs and their goal was to make 100,000 QSOs from Peter One. The group is now in transit home. An exact QSO count should be announced shortly. ***** DOOB HELPERS CHALLENGE NYC The hams supplying communications support for ham radio runner Fred Doob, AA8FQ in the upcoming Los Angeles Marathon are challenging their New York City counterparts. The competition is for the total contacts that Fred can make while running the streets of the City of Angeles as compared to the number he made in last fall's New York City Marathon. Why the challenge? Mainly because each contact that Fred makes will add several dollars to the grand total that Icom America will donate to the Los Angeles Childrens Cancer Research Fund. In his New York City run, AA8FQ raised twenty-five hundred dollars for the Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center. Ed Walker, WA6MDJ is with the Baldwin Hills Amateur Radio Club. He says that Angelino hams will do a lot better. "We're here in Los Angeles. We have more hams in the area than we ever have. I feel we can do it and we will do it. I think we will if not do almost twice as much as New York did and do it very easily." Ed Walker, WA6MDJ, from the Baldwin Hills Amateur Radio Club. The Baldwin Hills club has arranged for AA8FQ to use wide area repeaters on 145.220, 146.670, 146.925, 445.925 and 447.325 MHz. Fred Doob will also be looking for QSO's on the national calling channel of 146.520. Walker is using Newsline to issue the challenge to New York City. It will be interesting to hear if the hams of the Big Apple accept. ***** For this week, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. 91102. * * * Newsline Copyright 1994 all rights are reserved. * * *