Monster Media 1996 #15/Monster Media Number 15 (Monster Media)(July 1996).ISO/ham/news.zip/NEWS0324.TXT

Text File | 1996-04-21 | 22KB | 459 lines

SB NEWSLIN @ ALLBBS $NLIN.971
Amateur Radio Newsline #971 24 Mar 1996

The Newsline Information and Copyright Notice is now published seperately
every month.  Please read this notice before using any part of Newsline in
any manner.  For a copy of the notice e-mail [e-mail] or netmail
Steve Coletti @ 1:278/230 on Fidonet.

                    Edited for format corrections only.

NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #971 - POSTED 03/24/96

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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 NETWORK.  Amateur
Radio Newsline is a audio news service distributed via telephone.

   This hardcopy version is produced by Dale Cary - WD0AKO from scripts
provided to him weekly by Newsline.  It is then distributed to on-line
services, bbs networks and internet user jointly by Dale Cary and Steve
Coletti.

   Editorial comments, news item and all other business should be
directed to:

                 Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF
                 Newsline Producer & Editor

            Internet E-mail: [e-mail]
                 MCI E-mail: WESTRADIO
                      Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
                             (Fax senders wait for voice prompt.)


   Hardcopy comments or complements can be directed to:

                 Dale Cary, WD0AKO
                 Hardcopy Distribution for Newsline

            Internet E-mail: [e-mail]
                      Phone: [phone]


   The audio version of Newsline can be recorded from one of the
currently operating lines listed below.  This list is kept as accurate
as possible.  If any changes are not listed, please contact Dale Cary,
WD0AKO at the above listed addresses.


                    Audio Version of Newsline
                    =========================
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             Electronic Hardcopy Version of Newsline
             =======================================
      GEnie (RTC Bulletin Board)............. m345;1
      GEnie (File Library)................... m345;3
      Dallas Remote Imaging BBS (DRIG)....... [phone]
        In bulletin number 36
      The Midwest Connection BBS............. [phone]
        In bulletin number 6 of the ham radio conference
      Delphi.....................In the ham radio conference
      CompuServe/HamNet.................... HamNet Library 0
      MicroSoft Network.......... Amateur Radio File Library
      Internet...............In the rec.radio.info newsgroup
      Internet FTP: oak.oakland.edu.........................
        In archive: pub/hamradio/docs/newsline
      Local BBS's............In the Ham Radio conferences on
        Fidonet, RIME, Intelec, I-Link, AR-Net and Fringenet.

                   True Speech Internet Site

                   =========================
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   For the latest breaking info call the Instant Update Line listed
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   Check with your local amateur radio club to see if NEWSLINE can be
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                      NEWSLINE
                      c/o Andy Jarema-N6TCQ
                      P.O.Box 660937
                      Arcadia, CA
                      91066

                                             Thank You,
                                             NEWSLINE

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Some of the hams of AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE:

WA6ITF WB6MQV WB6FDF K6DUE W6RCL N6AHU N6AWE N6TCQ K6PGX N6PNY KU8R
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[971]

(* *   C L O S E D   C I R C U I T   A D V I S O R Y   * *
(*                                                       *
(*      The following advisory is not necessarily for    *
(*   transmission over amateur radio.  This is just a    *
(*   reminder that the address for the Newsline Support  *
(*   Fund is:                                            *
(*                   Newsline                            *
(*                   c/o Andy Jarema-N6TCQ               *
(*                   P.O.Box 660937                      *
(*                   Arcadia, California                 *
(*                   91066                               *
(*                                                       *
(*      Again, and as always, we thank you.  This ends   *
(*   the closed circuit with Newsline report number 971  *
(*   for release on Friday, March 22nd, 1996 to follow.  *
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(* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                           The following is a QST

   Revisions continue to the ham radio testing pool even as the dispute
between the VEC Corporation and the ARRL drags on.  This story and more on
Newsline report number 971 coming your way right now.

(*****
                     NCVEC QUESTION POOL WORK CONTINUES

   The American Radio Relay League may be at odds with the National
Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators Incorporated, but the work
of revising the questions that are used on Amateur Radio exams is going
forward.  As reported three weeks ago, the ARRL has petitioned the FCC to
create what the league calls a "new mechanism" to oversee the overall ham
radio examination system.
   So far, the FCC has ignored the Leagues request and according to Fred
Maia of the W5YI VEC who serves on the NCVEC Question Pool Committee,
revisions to several exam elements are underway right now:

   "The Element 4B extra class questions were released and they will be
used in the examination room on July the 1st as scheduled.  And on February
1, 1996, the question pool committee released the syllabus, that's the
outline for the next one we are going to work on and that's the no-code
technician requirements which is element 2 and element 3A Technician."
Maia

   Maia adds that the Question Pool Committee has separated itself from the
political bru-ha-ha that has developed over League membership and
participation in the National Conference of Volunteer Examination
Coordinators.  He says that committee is letting the ARRL, the FCC and the
VEC conference president work out the problem.

(*****
                        RAINCOAT CHARLIE FINE UPHELD

   Raincoat Charlie has been ordered to pay up!  Raincoat Charlie was the
pseudonym used by William Irwin, K3CQR of De Bary, Florida when he was
jamming other hams on 14.315 MHZ will have to pay a $500 fine.  This
according to the FCC which says that it has denied Irwin's Petition for
Reconsideration of the monetary forfeiture.
   Back in December of 1992, the FCC's Vero Beach Field Office was made
aware of interfering transmissions occurring on the 20 meter frequency.
The interference continued on a regular basis until July 23rd 1993.  That's
when federal agents traced the signals to Irwins home. During a subsequent
station inspection, Irwin admitted to the FCC that he had used his station
to interfere with other hams on the frequency under the guise of Raincoat
Charlie.
   On July 28th, 1993 the Vero Beach Field Office issued K3CQR a $2,000
Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture.  Irwin responded on
August 11th that he could not pay.  So on August 17th the assessment was
lowered to $500, but Irwin still balked at paying.  Again he petitioned the
FCC claiming his inability to pay, but provided no financial information
that would persuade the commission to further reduce its fine.  Instead, he
requested that the FCC permit him to inspect its records pertaining to the
events that lead to his apprehension.
   But the commission has now ruled that the $500 fine is more than
reasonable because Irwin admitted being the source of willful and repeated
interference to other ham radio communications.  It has also denied his
request to see the records of his case saying that can only happen if he
files a Freedom of Information Act request.  Even then the FCC can turn him
down if it sees fit.  In the meantime, Irwin was ordered to pay up.  If he
wants to appeal further it is going to cost a lot more than $500.  That
would not even be a down payment on a good communications lawyer capable of
challenging the FCC in federal court.

(*****
                     HARRISBURG, PA HAMS HELP IN FLOODS

   About thirty volunteers from a Pennsylvania radio club came to the aid
of the Red Cross to help after the Susquehanna River overflowed its banks,
flooding the capital on January 20th.  According to John Obradovich, W3IS,
who is the President of the Harrisburg Radio Amateur Club hams provided
communication between Dauphin County Red Cross headquarters and two
mass-care facilities that lacked telephone service.  The following day, the
Red Cross requested additional volunteers with vehicles for disaster
assessment training and reporting.  Several hams were among those who
reported.

(*****
                                  SKYWARN

   And speaking about emergencies and emergency communications, word that a
new communications tool came in handy when severe weather pounded central
Alabama March 6th. A successful new idea was developed by radio amateurs
active in Alabama's Skywarn network.
   Hams in Alabama operating a Skywarn net.  This has become a common
event, Alabama has led the nation for 2 years in tornado related deaths.
But Skywarn nets in Alabama and many other states face new challenges.  The
National Weather Service is doing more with less, by closing some of its
offices, including Montgomery, Alabama.  Two tornadoes struck in and near
that area March 6th, killing 7 people and causing heavy damage.  Closing
the Montgomery office means local Skywarn groups must communicate with the
Weather Service office near Birmingham.  That's almost 90 miles away and
too far for any one repeater to cover.  So hams came up with a solution.
   Montgomery and Birmingham radio amateurs are now tied together, it's
thanks to the 220 MHZ band and some technical ingenuity.  A 220 repeater
south of Birmingham links hams in both cities.  The link simulcasts on a 2
meter repeater serving Montgomery.  And there's a touchtone activated alarm
system.  This allows hams in either city to call each other when severe
weather or other emergencies arise.  The link system was jointly designed
by Ken Barnes, KD4PEI and Ron Arant, N4PHP.  It didn't take long for the
system's value to become obvious.

   "The signal was crystal clear and very very clean." Arant

   John Simons, KC4UCP, ran a Skywarn Net using the new 220 link system.

   "The 220 machine proved to be an asset that night.  And I think that if
other areas had 220 available, it would be more useful in the weather
network."  Simons

   Hams in Alabama already use remote base systems tied to repeaters to
extend their communications range.  The 220 link between Birmingham and
Montgomery is another step in their efforts to better serve the public
during emergencies using amateur radio.

   Voice communications networks are just part of what Alabama Skywarn
groups are working to improve.  Efforts are also underway to set up a wide
area coverage packet radio system to assist with relaying storm and damage
reports.

(*****
                            NEWSLINE CINCINNATI

   Phil Thomas, N8LJA who produces the regional Amateur News Weekly has put
a new outgoing Newsline service into operation from Cincinnati, Ohio.
According to Thomas, the number for the service is [phone].
   Midwest hams interested in Thomas' regional ham radio news service can
call into Amateur News Weekly at [phone].

(*****
                        FREE COLLEGE HAM RADIO CLASS

   A free Amateur Radio course will begin on Wednesday evening, March 27,
at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.  The class will meet at 7:00
PM until 9:00 PM for 8 consecutive Wednesdays.
   There is no charge for this course, however, the students will be
responsible for purchasing their own study materials.  The purpose of this
course is to provide the students with the information and training
necessary to pass an entry level Amateur Radio exam and acquire a FCC
Amateur Operators license.
   If you live in the area and want to register for the course, contact Ed
or Carol Walsh at [phone] evenings or weekends.  You can also
register E-Mail to [e-mail]

(*****
                    NEW CD-ROM VERSION OF QST AVAILABLE

   The ARRL's new CD-ROM version of QST was a hit at the marketplace.  The
CD-ROM features an entire year's worth of QST, plus QEX and the National
Contest Journal.  It includes full text, photographs, schematics and other
graphics, and advertisements.  Among other things, users can search for
text and zoom in to schematics and diagrams to enhance detail.

(*****
                            NEW EU EMI STANDARDS

   From England comes word that the draft of the European Union EMC
Standard has been published by the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute.  It contains procedures and tests to ensure compliance with the
European EMC Directive which came into force on the 1st of January.
   The Radio Society of Great Britain, through its EMC and Licensing
Advisory Committees, is evaluating the document and will be responding to
it.  Copies are available from the:
                        British Standards Institution
                        389 Chiswick High Rd
                        London United Kingdom

(*****
                                NEW RSGB RLO

   Also, a new RSGB Radio Liaison Officer has been appointed for the county
of Wiltshire, until the next session of RLO elections take place later this
year.  He is Ivan Rosevear, G3GKC of Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire.  The
RSGB says that its RLO's are available to help and advise members locally.

(*****
                                 DX STAMPS

   Also, the government of the Solomon Islands has released a set of four
postage stamps commemorating inventor Guillermo Marconi and 100 Years of
Radio Communication. The $1.05 stamp shows Marconi demonstrating his
invention, c. 1896.  A $1.20 stamp depicts a typical maritime installation
of the Marconi International Marine Communication Company, c. 1900.  A
$1.35 stamp depicts the first aeronautical radio systems supplied by
Marconi to commercial aircraft.  A $1.45 stamp shows Marconi in Japan
during his 1933-34 world tour. The four stamps are available on a color
first-day cover from Peter Taylor, G8BCG.

(*****
                          UNDERGROUND CABLE BY LAW

   And good news for hams down under.  Word that the Australian Federal
Government has announced that it intends to force both Telstra and Optus
Vision to lay their cable television lines underground.  Local municipal
councils will also be given the power to insist on underground cabling in
their areas.
   The new measures are in response to public comment about the
installation cable and pay television transmission lines alongside existing
above-ground telephone lines.  The new rules will apply only to cables that
have not yet been laid; existing cables will not be affected.  Putting the
new cables underground should minimize RFI ingress to pay cable television
systems.

(*****
                          SOUTH AFRICA HAM CLASSES

   The South African Radio League has appointed Dikgang Moseneke as its
Patron.  Moseneke is chairman of the board of Telkom South Africa's
telecommunications subsidiary.  At his induction ceremony, Moseneke
released a plan to introduce Amateur Radio into South African school
system. He also wants to create a development fund to establish ham radio
stations at educational institutions in South Africa.

(*****
                        DX - 3RD DISTRICT QSL BUREAU

   In DX, the Third Call Area Incoming QSL Bureau has a new address.  The
Pennsylvania DX Association has assumed responsibility for the bureau.  The
new address is:

                        Pennsylvania DX Association
                        P.O. Box 100
                        York Haven, PA
                        17370-0100

   All envelopes and cards on file at the former incoming W3 bureau have
been transferred to the Pennsylvania DX Association.

(*****
                          DX - 6 M BEACON FROM 4X

   Also, Neil Carr, G0JHC reporets via the VHF reflector that 4X1IF has
been granted permission by Israeli telecommunications authorities to run a
50 MHZ beacon from his home.  Neil says that Ralph has already installed a
halo antenna on his tower and the beacon system itself is now complete.
The beacon will take to the air in early May on 50.058 MHZ running about 3
watts and initially with Ralph's 4X1IF call.

(*****
                                 AO-10 BACK

   From AMSAT North America, word that OSCAR-10 may once again be coming
back to life.  Reports say that the satellite's transponder is putting out
a beacon tone. Also, the downlink has been intermittently functional.
   OSCAR-10 is one of the oldest ham satellites still in orbit.  As such it
has been plagued by solar radiation corrupting its on-board computer.
Also, low levels of sunlight reaching its panels have kept it off the air.

(*****
                           CONGRATULATIONS SAMMY

   A word of congratulations to eighteen year old Sammy Garrett, AA0CR.
Sammy was the recipient of Newsline's 1991 Young Ham of the Year award.
Now some six years later Sammy is the recipient of yet another honor.
AA0CR has been selected to receive a $1,000 college assistance scholarship
from the C-Span television network.  As a part of the award, Sammy also
gets an expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for himself and one of his
parents.  He plans to use the scholarship funds toward his first years
tuition at American University.

(*****
                              HAM RADIO THESIS

   Last but by no means least, a Georgia ham has decided to use Amateur
Radios' participation in emergencies as a subject for her Masters thesis,
and she is asking for your help.  Bella Romain, N4ILQ of Carrollton Georgia
has decided to do an in-depth study into just what motivates hams to risk
their own lives to provide help to others. Sometimes doing so while putting
their own personal safety at risk.  She says it is something that needs to
be better understood:

   "Ham radio has been a part of my life for many years Out-Q: ...ham radio
operators who do this.

   Since nobody has done such a study, and since Bella Romain needs a topic
for her thesis, she figured she could combine the two into a single project
that would benefit not only her, but the Amateur Radio service as well.  To
that end, she will make the completed work available to anyone interested
after it has been completed and graded. If you want to become a part of
this rather ambitious project, drop a note to:

                        Bella Romain, N4ILQ
                        285 Timber Ridge Trail
                        Carrollton, Georgia
                        30117

   You can also e-mail her via the Internet to:

                        [e-mail]

(*****

   And for this week, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline.  You can
write to us at:

                        Newsline
                        P.O.Box 660937
                        Arcadia, California
                        91066

   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF at our editors desk, we at Newsline
say 73 and we thank you for listening.

(* Newsline is copyright 1996 & all rights are reserved. *
--