Monster Media 1994 #1/monster.zip/monster/HAM/NEWSLINE.ZIP/NEWS0225.TXT

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 18KB | 378 lines

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 [e-mail]
or [e-mail]. Voice or FAX to [phone].

All other information and disclaimers are in the text header below.

 - - - - -
 NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #113 - POSTED 02/27/94

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    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............................ [phone]
      Los Angeles (Instant Update Line)...... [phone]
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    For the latest breaking info call the Instant Update Line listed
 above.  To provide information please call [phone].  This
 line answers automatically and will accept up to 30 minutes of
 material.

    Check with your local amateur radio club to see if NEWSLINE
 can be heard weekly on the air in your area.

    Articles may be reproduced if printed in their entirety and
 credit is given to AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE as being the source.

    For further information about the AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE,
 please write to us with an SASE at P.O. Box 463, Pasadena, CA
 91102.

                                              Thank You
                                              NEWSLINE

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 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.

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            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

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                        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.

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                        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.

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                        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.

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                    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. * * *