Monster Media 1996 #15/Monster Media Number 15 (Monster Media)(July 1996).ISO/ham/news.zip/NEWS0601.TXT

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SB NEWSLIN @ ALLBBS $NLIN.981
Amateur Radio Newsline #981 03 Jun 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.

Due to time constraints, we were not able to reformat the margins.  Also
the updated Monthly Newsline Information posting has been delayed while we
upgrade here.

-Steve
- - - - -
[ Sorry for the delay.  Was out of town helping my parents
move.  Got the script done as soon as possible.  73 Dale,
WD0AKO ]


NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #981 - 06/03/96

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(*                 A M A T E U R                 *)
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(*                   R A D I O                   *)
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(*                N E W S L I N E                *)
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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]
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                Phone: [phone]
                  Fax: [phone]
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   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
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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.


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[981]

   The following advisory is not necessarily for
transmission over amateur radio.  This is just a
reminder that the address for the Newsline Support
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                   Newsline
                   c/o Andy Jarema-N6TCQ
                   P.O.Box 660937
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   Again, and as always, we thank you.  This ends
the closed circuit with Newsline report number 981
for release on Friday, May 31st 1996 to follow.


(*****
               The following is a QST

   The Low Earth Orbiting satellite industry has
declared war on ham radio.  It says that it intends
to take 2 meters and 70 centimeters away from ham
radio.  Will this lead to an inter service war?
Also, a teenage ham is arrested in Kentucky for
carrying a Radio Shack 2 meter hand held and a
Florida CB is arrested for allegedly cursing on the
air.  These stories and more on Newsline report
number 981 coming your way right now:

(*****
           LEO DECLARES WAR ON HAM RADIO

   The Low Earth Orbiting Satellite industry has
targeted all of two meters and 70 centimeters for
take over.  This, if it can convince delegates to
the 1997 World Radiocommunications Conference to
make such a reallocation.
   The issue surfaced on May 7 at a WRC prepatory
meeting.  There, an industry representative
proposed a list of candidate bands for expansion
of the Low Earth Orbiting satellites service.
The list includes the entire 144 to 148 and 420 to
450 MHZ Amateur Radio allocations.
   Sources tell Newsline that on learning of the
reallocation demand, the American Radio Relay
League approached the satellite industry to
suggest that it back away.  Not only was the ARRL
rebuffed, but it was made clear by the satellite
industry that it intends to get both bands and
force hams off.
   As far as we know, this is the first time that
another service has been proposed for the two
meter amateur band but it probably will not be the
last.  Most industry analysts believe that these
two parcels of spectrum are worth billions in
corporate profits if they can be wrestled away from
hams.  It was only a matter of time before an
attack like this was destined to happen.  Now that
it as taken place, its only a matter of time before
other telecommunications industries will launch
similar attacks on what they see as being other
vulnerable Amateur Radio bands.
   The July issue of QST magazine will carry an
editorial by ARRL Executive Vice President Dave
Sumner K1ZZ outlining what he sees as the best
strategy in beating back the Low Earth Orbiting
Satellite industry attack on these two heavily
populated Amateur Radio bands.  Newsline has been
provided with an advance copy.  We urge you to
read it and then to follow the instructions
that Dave Sumner gives.
   Keep in mind that a successful takeover of two
meters and 70 centimeters by the Low Earth Orbiting
Satellite industry will mean an end to Amateur
Radio VHF and UHF operations as we know them today.
   More on this breaking story, next week.

(*****
  ARRL INDICATES UNIVERSAL NO-CODE MAY BE COMING

   Is the American Radio Relay League starting to
prepare the United States ham radio community for
codefree access to the high frequency bands?  That
is the impression left with many hams who heard
league President Rod Stafford, KB6ZV speak at an
ARRL Forum at the recent Dayton Hamvention.  After
explaining the way in which the World
Radiocommunications Conference and the ARRL has
undertaken to study the matter, President Rod
Stafford, set the tone of the session when he
answered a question with a question:

   "A lot of people have taken the position that,
you know, if we didn't have radio, amateur radio
up to May the 19th, 1996.  If you were inventing
amateur radio today, that you were starting off
from scratch.  You had to write all the rules and
regulations, would you decide to have CW as a
requirement for HF operations?"  KB6ZU

   When asked his personal opinion on whether or
not the code should remain, President Stafford may
have surprised many in the audience:

   "My personal view is that, if I were starting
over with amateur radio today, I probably would
probably think it not appropriate to have CW to be
as a requirement to get on the HF bands."  KB6ZU

   President Stafford did place one caveat on this
position.  While he favors codefree access to the
High Frequency bands, he also feels that overall
testing has to get tougher to insure that the
quality of operations will be maintained:

   "I certainly think that it's appropriate that
we make the testing system a little more relevant
to what is happening.  A little more relevant in
regards to the technical requirements, a little
more relevant with regard to operating knowledge
and so forth.  You can only learn so much by
studying for your test.  A lot of it is
operational once you get your license.  It seems
to me we could do a little bit better job, even
in the initial testing process, the initial
learning process to get people ready to operate
Amateur Radio."  KB6ZU

   Rod Stafford emphasizes that the League is only
now beginning its inquiry as to what the ham radio
public wants to do regarding the future of the
Morse code as an examination requirement for high
frequency ham radio operation.  He says that the
committee he has appointed to study the issues has
a lot of work to do in the coming months and years
before any official ARRL decisions are made, and
input from the ham radio community will be
solicited.
   Those interested in hearing President Staffords'
complete comments on the no-code issue are invited
to call the Rain Dial Up service at (847) 827-Rain.
It will be there through June the 6th.

(*****
       TEEN HAM ARRESTED ON SCANNER CHARGES

   Christian County Kentucky police have arrested
a teenage ham on charges of possessing a piece of
ham radio equipment that they say is capable of
intercepting police communications.  This, even
though the radio in question cannot be modified
for out of band operation and a state has a law
that excludes ham radio operators from the scanner
radio ban.
   This bizarre story started on May 11th when
Greg Godsey, KF4BDY, a 16 year old ham from
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was arrested by a local
police who charged that the teen was in possession
of a scanner that could receive police radio
frequencies.  But the radio in question is not a
scanner.  Rather it is a Radio Shack HTX 202 2
meter handheld.  A radio that Tandy Corporation
says cannot be modified for out of band operation!
   Complicating this case even further is the
arrogance of the local law enforcement and officers
of the court handling the case.  Reports say that
the arresting officers did not bother to check
either the radio or a Kentucky law that exempts
equipment possessed by a licensed Amateur Radio
operator even if it is capable of receiving police
frequencies.  One officer simply keyed his radio.
When he heard noise from Godsey's ham set he
arrested the teen age ham and confiscated the HTX
202.
   At a court appearance on May 14th, the judge
assigned to the case refused to listen to an
attorney for Godsey who wanted to point out the
exemption for ham radio operators.  An exemption
that holds federally licensed radio amateurs can
own and operate scanner radios.  In what local
hams are calling a power play by a Kentucky court
system that opposes the ham radio exemption, the
judge bound KF4BDY over for a trial.
   Greg Godsey, KF4BDY has been a ham for less
than a year and is the ARES Emergency Coordinator
for Christian County, Kentucky.  He denies that
his HTX 202 has been modified to operate out of
band.  Experts from Tandy are expected to be in
Kentucky to testify on his behalf at the trial.
As the ham radio community knows, to this day no
other ham has successfully modified a HTX 202 for
out of band operation without the attempt causing
serious or irreparable harm to the radio set.

(*****
      FCC: NO MORE FREEBAND TRANSCEIVERS

   Ironically, at about the same time the Largo
CBer was being taken into custody, the FCC was
issuing a terse reminder to manufacturers and
importers of pseudo High Frequency Amateur
transceivers.  Radios ostensibly marketed for
Amateur use, but are in reality intended
specifically for the so called Freeband radio
operators.  These are the renegade CB'ers who
routinely operate in the 26 to 28 MHZ frequency
range and occasionally wander into the 10 meter
ham band.
   In its May 13 Public Notice, the FCC says that
it is a violation of its regulations to import or
market a transmitter designed or intended to
operate outside the amateur bands.  That
equipment for non-ham use must be issued a grant
of equipment authorization for the radio services
it's capable of operating.  The notice also
emphasizes that transmitters intended for use by
FCC authorized radio services except the Amateur
Radio Service must be type-accepted before they
can be placed on sale.
   The FCC has long held that it is illegal to
import, market or operate a transmitter that
requires a grant of equipment authorization but
for which no grant has been issued.  They say
that it is a violation to transmit on frequencies
allocated to a licensed radio service without the
appropriate Commission issued station license.
Violators, say the FCC, will be subject to fines
or imprisonment as well as seizure and forfeiture
of any equipment in their possession.

(*****
         KV4FZ LOOSES NEW TRIAL APPEAL

   The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a
request for a new trial filed by Herbert L.
Schoenbohm, KV4FZ of Christainstead in the United
States Virgin Islands.  Schoenbohm had asked the
court to throw out his fraud conviction based, he
said, on new evidence of improper conduct by the
government.  In dismissing Schoenbohm's petition
the court ruled that KV4FZ had not produced any
new evidence to persuade the court that government
improprieties had taken place.
   Earlier this year, the FCC ruled that based on
his fraud conviction that Schoenbohm no longer
holds the minimum requisite requirements to
continue to old an Amateur Radio license.
Schoenbohm has filed a separate appeal in the hope
of reversing that decision so he can stay on the
air.

(*****
                 CW BOOTLEGGER

   A Morse Code bootlegger is on the air using the
call sign of a deceased ham.  KJ7EO reports via
packet radio that he has been receiving QSL Cards
from station's claiming that they have made CW
contacts with Irwin Hubenthal, AB7F.  Well KJ7EO
happens to be Dale Hubenthal who says that AB7F
was his father who passed away three years ago.
Dale says that he is sorry to say that the contacts
made to AB7F, most on 40 meter cw, were to a
bootlegger rather than to his dad who was a truly
great ham.

(*****
        Joe Tinnerella Sr., AB5DC - SK

   Some sad news.  Word that a well respected
Louisiana ham has been killed in a freak accident.
Tony Salvador, N5GPI, reports that Joe Tinnerella
Sr., AB5DC, drowned while on a fishing trip.
Tinnerella was the Assistant Fire Chief of Kenner,
Louisiana and a 30 year veteran of the force.

(*****
             Jerry Freeman, W4JJ, SK

   Former FCC Norfolk Virginia Engineer In Charge,
J. Jerry Freeman, W4JJ, died May 18 in Virginia
Beach.  Freeman, age 63, was very well known in
the Amateur Radio community for his strong stand
on rules enforcement.  His FCC career spanned 35
years, many of them running the Norfolk, Virginia,
Field Office.  He retired from the FCC less than
year ago in August of 1995.

(*****
            Henry D. Olson, W6GXN, SK

   And Hank Olson, W6GXN, of Menlo Park,
California, died unexpectedly March 9 at age 64.
Hank authored articles for QST magazine and was
well known in the ham radio community.

(*****
                 DX PIRATE ALERT

   In DX, word that 3V8AS may be a pirate
operation.  This according to sources in Europe
who note that the Leagues's DXCC Desk does not
accept 3V8AS cards at the present time.
   Also, TT8AK may also be a slim.  F6FNU says
that this station is not legitimate because this
Chad call sign has not been re-issued.

(*****
                   DX QSL HELP

   If you want legitimate ham radio DX help look
to K4YT/DL4YT.  Karl says that he has been
assigned to the consulate in Frankfurt since
November of 94 and travels to the former UI8 and
UJ8 from time to time.  He has been helping the
hams out there with outgoing QSLs and some in
coming.
   UK9AA uses him as a central collection point.
Karl states he is really not his manager, but he
or one of his engineers flies to the region each
quarter and brings him his cards.

(*****
                  GORDO AND CHIP

   Still with DX, two of then best known DXers say
that they are teaming up for an all out fun
operation during the ARRL VHF QSO Party.  The two
say that they will also be getting wet in the
process!
   Radio Schools's Gordon West, WB6NOA and Yaesu
USA's Chip Margelli, K7JA will be on the air on
June 8th and 9th from the rare water grid squares
CM92 and CM93.  These two grids are located about
125 miles off the coast of Southern California.
CM92 is entirely without any land mass and West
says that is what makes it so rare:

   "Traditionally this grid square has been
elusive enough that no one wants to go to it,
because there is nothing but water out there.
Yet it is close enough that we can easily make
contact with southern California.  This time Chip
Margelli, K7JA and I are hoping to make contact
as are north as the bay area.  And if the weather
cooperates, and we have our traditional June
inversion layer, hopefully we will be able to bang
a signal up there that will be heard all the way
from 6 meters through 10,000 MHZ.

   If you are a VHF DXer and want a contact with a
truly rare, wild and wet locality that may not be
on the air again for years, then keep an ear on
open for WB6NOA and K7JA during the ARRL VHF QSO
party the weekend of June 8th and 9th.

(*****
   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 thank
you for listening.

(* * * *   Newsline is copyright 1996  * * * *
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