Monster Media 1994 #1/monster.zip/monster/HAM/NEWSLINE.ZIP/NEWS0318.TXT

Text File | 1994-03-26 | 18KB | 359 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 version is edited from the original scripts and
transcribed from the audio reports by Dale Cary, WD0AKO, and is first
published in The Radio & Electronics Round Table on the Genie Online
System.

If you have any comment, suggestion, or news item you would like to submit,
send them via E-Mail to [e-mail] or [e-mail].
You can contact Newsline at [phone].  It is a combination answering
and FAX machine, if you have a FAX to send, wait for the voice prompt and
press your fax-send button.

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

Back Issues:  An archive of previous Newsline transcriptions is available
for Genie members in the Radio & Electronics software library.  They are
archived as NEWSLINE.ccc, (ccc being the CBBS edition number assigned by
Dale).  We are in the process of setting up an FTP location for Internet
users to access previous editions as well.  We are currently placing them,
(slowly and in reverse order), on the /pub/hamradio directory at the
oak.oakland.edu library.  They are archived as newsline.nnn, (nnn is the on
the air edition number).  Special thanks go to Scott Ehrlich, WY1Z, the
library's administrator, for making the facility available.  Previously
published editions can also be extracted from the rec.radio.info newsgroup
archive files at FTP.funet.fi library in Finland.

- - - - -

 NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #116 - POSTED 03/19/94

 *****************************************************************
 *                                                               *
 *       *   * ***** *    *  **** *     ***** *   * *****        *
 *       **  * *     *    * *     *       *   **  * *            *
 *       * * * ***   * ** *  ***  *       *   * * * ***          *
 *       *  ** *     * ** *     * *       *   *  ** *            *
 *       *   * *****  *  *  ****  ***** ***** *   * *****        *
 *                                                               *
 *                 ****    *   ****  *****  ***                  *
 *                 *   *  * *  *   *   *   *   *                 *
 *                 ****  ***** *   *   *   *   *                 *
 *                 *  *  *   * *   *   *   *   *                 *
 *                 *   * *   * ****  *****  ***                  *
 *                                                               *
 *****************************************************************

    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
 NETWORK.  The electronic version of newsline is posted on this
 CBBS twice monthly.  For current information updates, please call

      Los Angeles............................ [phone]
      Los Angeles (Instant Update Line)...... [phone]
      Seattle................................ [phone]
      Seattle................................ [phone]
      Tacoma................................. [phone]
      Louisville............................. [phone]
      Dayton................................. [phone]
      Chicago................................ [phone]
      New York City.......................... [phone]
      Melbourne, FL.......................... [phone]

    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

 *****************************************************************

 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!!!

 *****************************************************************

 [866]

 * * *   C L O S E D   C I R C U I T   A D V I S O R A 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 866 for release on Friday 03/18/94.   *
 *                                                               *
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                      The following is a QST

    Los Angeles hams are praised for their work following the
 January 14th earthquake, Dayton announces this years award
 winners and the FCC extends an important reply comment deadline.
    These stories and more on Newsline report number 866.

 *****
       FIRE COMMISSIONER PRAISES HAMS IN QUAKE COMMUNICATIONS

    Ham radio has been praised by the City of Los Angeles for
 jumping in when hospital communications failed after the January
 14th Northridge earthquake.  According to Fire Department Chief
 Alan Cowan, the hams were called on to take the place of the
 regular hospital dispatch services when the hospital to fire
 department interconnect failed following the quake.
    According to Chief Cowan, communications breakdowns following
 the quake left ambulance drivers confused about where to take the
 injured.  Speaking a recent Seismic Safety Conference in Burbank,
 California, Cowan noted that the breakdown was so severe that
 fire captains had to be dispatched to area hospitals to assess
 their status and determine where ambulance drivers could take
 victims.  Cowan said the fire department finally reestablished
 communications when ham radio stations were set up at each
 hospital.  But he added that he felt the existing hospital radio
 dispatch systems were inadequate for communications between field
 paramedics and base hospitals.
    A hospital association spokesman acknowledged that 12
 hospitals declared internal disasters requiring paramedic
 ambulances to pass them by.  The spokesman declined comment on
 the charges of inadequate communications following the 6.8
 tremor.  But Seismic Safety Commission members said they were
 gravely concerned by the performance of hospitals in the hard-hit
 San Fernando Valley.  They say that they were glad that radio
 amateurs were available to step in when needed.

 *****
             NEW COMMENTARY DEADLINE ON EMI EXPOSURE

    The FCC has extended the reply comment deadline in its
 proposal to adopt new standards for exposure to RF radiation.
 The Notice of Proposed Rule Making, in ET Docket 93-62 will
 adopt strict standards already observed by the American National
 Standards Institute and the Institute of Electrical and
 Electronic Engineers in 1992.  It is opposed by the ARRL.
    The League already has told the FCC that the proceeding
 should be terminated and has cited a number of reasons for its
 stand.  Key among them is the ARRL view that this is not really
 an NPRM since it doesn't actually propose to change anything.  As
 such, it should not even apply to the average amateur radio
 station installation.  The League notes that those amateurs even
 remotely to be affected by new standards are those who are forced
 to use indoor antennas because of restrictions against outside
 installations.
    The FCC notes that it is extending the deadline in response to
 the petition of an industry group.  The Telecommunications
 Industry Association says that more than 1200 pages of comments
 had been filed with the Commission and that not enough time had
 been allowed for evaluation of that much material.
    The FCC now says that it recognizes the complexity of the
 issues raised by its proposal.  As a result the reply comment
 deadline has been extended to April 25th.  A full story on the
 League's comments in this matter will appear in April issue of
 QST magazine.

 *****
                          LATEST NUMBERS

    The FCC has tallied some numbers on the VE system since its
 1984 debut and from their perspective things are looking real
 good.  According to the commission through late 1993 the total
 number of VE testing sessions held 56,485.  The number of people
 attending these test sessions was 640,453 and volunteer examiners
 administered 1,052,269 test elements to these applicants.  There
 were no numbers given for the amount of exam cheating taking
 place but its believed very small in comparison to the overall
 success of the all volunteer testing system.  The latest testing
 scandal involving at least thirty California volunteer examiners
 is still under investigation by federal authorities.

 *****
                      FCC DUMPS CHICAGO FINE

    In a deal that will permit it to issue new guidelines dealing
 with indecency on the public airwaves, the FCC is dropping a
 Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture in the amount
 of $39,750 that it issued against a Chicago radio station.  When
 the proceeding first started the station ran under the call WLUP
 AM but has since changed call to WMVP.  The fines were for
 broadcasts in 1989, 1991 and 1992.
    In return, the stations owner Evergreen Media Corporation says
 that it is dismissing a counterclaim challenging the
 constitutionality of FCC enforcement of indecency standards, and
 paying $10,000 to the government without admitting wrongdoing.
    The agreement clears the way for the Federal Communications
 Commission to issue new guidelines explaining the ban on
 indecency in all radio and television broadcasts.  These new
 procedures are expected to be released within the next few weeks
 and could impact on the users of all radio services including
 Amateur Radio.

 *****
                          DAYTON WINNERS

    The Dayton Amateur Radio Association has announced the winners
 of this years Radio Amateur of the Year, Specific Achievement and
 Technical Achievement award winners.  There are some major
 surprises this year.
    This year's award recognizes a man known for pushing.  Pushing
 for the rights of amateur radio operators.  Perry Williams,
 W1UED, the longtime Washington liaison for the American Radio
 Relay League.
    How does Williams feel to be selected?  "Pretty surprised!"
 commented Perry Williams, W1UED.
    In fact, Williams admits he's flabbergasted!
    "It's quite a honor.  It's coming from the grass roots so to
 speak cause it seems like a very important honor."  Perry
 Williams, W1UED.
    Williams has represented amateur radio on Capitol Hill since
 1980.  In his 14 years as Washington liaison, Williams has fought
 many battles on behalf of the amateur service.  He has helped
 oversee creation of the Volunteer Examiner Program.  He worked
 for legislation recognizing amateur radio's need for spectrum.
 He has helped exempt amateur radio operators from being charged
 government administration fees.  Being named Radio Amateur of The
 Year is an honor Williams won't forget anytime soon.
    "How often does anybody call you up and tell you've won a
 national honor.  Hasn't happened to me before."  Perry Williams,
 W1UED, Radio Amateur of the Year.
    The Awards Committee names Russ Kroeker, N7HGE, of Kent,
 Washington as winner of its Special Achievement Award.  Kroeker
 helped design the Evergreen Intertie.  That's a repeater system
 linking the northwest US with Canada.  The Committee's Technical
 Achievement Award goes to Dick Newell, AK1A, of Bolton,
 Massachusetts.  Newell is recognized for his work in designing
 packet radio clusters, which are popular in contesting and DXing.
    All three winners will be honored in Dayton April 30th.
 That's just one day after Perry Williams retires from his post
 with the ARRL.  Williams had not been planning on going to
 Dayton this year.  But, he says: "Now I am!"  Perry Williams,
 W1UED.

 *****
                     DAYTON CONTEST GATHERING

    Contest operators once again will have the chance to swap lies
 about their QSO rates at the 2nd Annual Dayton Contest Dinner.
 It's slated for Saturday evening, April 30th at 6:30 PM at the
 Stouffer Center Plaza Hotel.  The reservation deadline is April
 10th.  For more information please send a self addressed stamped
 envelope to the North Coast Contesters Dayton Dinner, POB 59, New
 Bedford, PA 16140.  This contest dinner is one of many unofficial
 functions being held in conjunction with Hamvention '94.

 *****
                      CHINESE HAMS ARRESTED?

    The Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin reports that rumors are circulating
 saying all mainland Chinese hams have been arrested for listening
 to unauthorized frequencies.  OPDX says that the story is
 supposed to have originated on Voice of America.
    But the information is now being disputed by Fred Laun, K3ZO.
 Fred recently returned from Thailand where he operated as HS0ZAR.
 Fred says that he has doubts about the Voice of America report
 that claimed all BY hams have been rounded up and sent to labor
 camps.  Fred says that he heard and worked plenty of BAs, BYs and
 BZs while in Thailand.

 *****
                         UoSAT ANNIVERSARY

    Now a ham radio space anniversary.  At 17:59 UTC on March 1st
 1984 the second satellite designed and built by the University of
 Surrey called UoSAT-2 was launched on a Delta rocket from the
 Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
 Among its many experiments, UoSAT-2 carried the Digital
 Communications Experiment, which was one of the first
 non-military use of store-and-forward techniques with Low Earth
 Orbiting Satellites.  UoSAT-2 was the test-bed for the packet
 radio satellites as we know them today.  To all those who wonder
 how long these satellites last, it should be noted that UoSAT-2
 is still operational, ten years after launch.

 *****
                            FISHER OBIT

    The electronics industry pioneer and philanthropist for whom a
 New York City concert hall was named has died at the age of 87.
 Avery Fisher was an influential figure in New York music circles,
 sitting on the boards of the New York Philharmonic, the Chamber
 Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Marlboro Festival.
 Fisher was an amateur violinist whose love of music prompted him
 to build his own radios and phonographs in the 1930s.  From those
 beginnings, his electronics business was born.  Lincoln Center's
 Philharmonic Hall was renamed Avery Fisher Hall in 1973 after
 Fisher donated more than ten million dollars to its support
 foundation.  Electronics pioneer Avery Fisher dead at age 87.

 *****
                        OLDEST U.S. HAM DIES

    Amateur Radio has lost a very long time member of its
 fraternity.  Reports on packet radio say that Ernest Wheatley,
 W1UHI of Richmond, Vermont has died.  Ernie as friends called him
 was known as the oldest Amateur Radio operator in the United
 States.  He was active on 2 meter repeaters right up to his death
 giving cheerful greetings to all.  Wheatley was a retired civil
 engineer.  He was only 7 years old when Gugliarmo Marconi
 invented the wireless telegraph.  Amateur Radio operator Ernest
 Wheatley, W1UHI was 106 years old!

 *****
                       YOUNG HAM of the YEAR

    A reminder that the Westlink Report ham radio newsletter that
 the nominating period for its annual Young Ham of the Year Award
 closes on Saturday April the 30th.  The Westlink Report Young Ham
 of the Year award was conceived to honor the younger members of
 the Amateur Radio Community.  Hams aged 18 and younger who have
 used Amateur Radio to significantly contribute to the benefit of
 the service, to their community or the nation are eligible.
    With corporate underwriting from Yaesu USA Corporation, the
 1994 winner will receive a trip to the Sea Pac convention, a
 piece of ham radio equipment and a special plaque denoting his or
 her accomplishments.
    All nominations must be submitted on an official application
 available for a self addressed stamped envelope to the Westlink
 Report Young Ham of the Year, 28197 Robin Avenue, Saugus, CA
 91350.  The winner will be announced in early May.

 *****
                      NAB HAM RADIO GATHERING

    If you will be attending this weeks National Association of
 Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, be advised that the
 annual NAB Ham Radio Reception is on!  According to convention
 planners, this years ham radio gathering will take place on
 Wednesday, March the 23rd in Ballroom C of the Las Vegas Hilton
 Hotel.  The party will begin at 6 PM and run until at least 8 PM.
    About 65,000 people attend the NAB show every year.  Of these,
 almost two thousand are licensed radio amateurs.  Most make their
 living in the broadcasting, teleproduction and telecommunications
 industries and also show up at the ham radio get together.
    Newsline will also be represented at this gathering.  We hope
 to see you there as well.

 *****

    For this week, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline.
 You can write to us at Post Office Box 463, Pasadena, CA 91102.

 * * * Newsline Copyright 1994 all rights are reserved. * * *