Feed Editor 10 May 2008 00:36:23 GMT This Week in Amateur Radio: North America's Amateur Radio News Magazine. Articles on amateur radio and news stories in the media featured here. http://www.twiar.org 2007 w2xbs@twiar.org (George Bowen) en-us webmaster@twiar.org (Greg Williams) http://www.twiar.org/images/twiarlogowhite.jpg http://www.twiar.org TWIAR Dish Logo Amateurs in China are asking that 14.270 MHz be kept clear as an emergency frequency in the wake of yesterday's devastating earthquake there. Please remember that even if you cannot hear a station on the frequency, you might interfere with reception of transmissions by a station within range of both your signals and theirs. 15 May 2008 06:15:07 GMT http://www.eham.net/articles/19304 webmaster@eHam.net (eHam) C95DD00C-D104-466F-B823-90A8BB01F4BF Two years ago, techocrat user Wowbagger wrote D*STAR, Is Anyone Else Worried? That article focused on the fact that the trade-secret, patented, copyrighted nature of the AMBE voice codec used in the D*STAR digital voice radios sold by ICOM doesn't really fit the spirit of Amateur Radio. 15 May 2008 06:15:07 GMT http://technocrat.net/d/2008/5/14/41380 bruce@perens.com (Bruce Perens K6BP) EFF4EF41-530B-4FB0-AD2A-348879754B31 With more than 400 votes tallied, the W1HQ snake finally has a name. Sean Kutzko, KX9X, president of The Laird Campbell Memorial HQ Operators Club, announced that the snake not only has a name, but a call sign, as well. Full Story 15 May 2008 06:06:11 GMT http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/13/10094/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) 15B369F7-F901-4586-AED1-E1FA532C4DA4 A Category 4 hurricane slammed into southeastern Baltimore County, leading 70 residents of Turner Station to seek shelter at the Fleming Community Center. That's what Baltimore County officials told a group of local volunteers and state and county employees during a semi-annual emergency shelter drill held at the center on Tuesday, according to county spokeswoman Ellen Kobler. 15 May 2008 06:06:11 GMT http://dundalkeagle.com/articles/2008/05/12/news/news01.txt webmaster@dundalkeagle.net (Dundalk Eagle) E7E55571-DAA1-48FD-94CC-0281C97A7D26 On Monday, May 12 at 0628 UTC, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Sichuan, China. The Chinese Radio Sports Association, the Chinese IARU Member-Society, has designated the following frequencies for emergency services involved in the rescue: 14.270, 7.050 and 7.060 MHz. The ARRL encourages US amateurs to be aware of the emergency operations on those three frequencies. 15 May 2008 06:06:11 GMT http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/13/10095/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) 46995D44-9665-49A9-8861-B4D7A0968B5F A BLIND amateur radio user has been served a court injunction by Redditch Council to take down aerials outside his house which allow him to communicate with the outside world. Robin Wood, 62, of Ombersley Close, Woodrow, is a licensed amateur radio operator who has had aerials in his garden for 17 years. But the council is taking him to court to try and force him to reduce the size of the aerials, meaning he will no longer be able to communicate with his friends around the world. 15 May 2008 06:06:09 GMT http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2267931.mostviewed.my_quality_of_life_will_be_destroyed.php alan.wallcroft@midlands.newsquest.co.uk (Redditch Advertiser) 20502CE8-48B9-45B1-8771-5FBC65E037E0 A Radio Amateur Roadshow was yesterday held at the Jerudong Recreational Beach to enlighten the public on how to operate a radio transmitter and receiver. Among the present at the event was Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio Association (BDARA) President Pg Salleh Abdul Rahman bin Pg Hj Damit. 13 May 2008 02:48:11 GMT http://www.brunei-online.com/sunday/news/may11h19.htm guan@brunei-online.com (Azrol Azmi) 7B15A0F1-D08B-4744-A002-9B56AD636E4B Ronald A. Parise, PhD, WA4SIR, passed away Friday May 9, 2008 after a very long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 57. Parise flew as a payload specialist on two space shuttle missions: STS-35 on Columbia in December 1990 and STS-67 on the Endeavour in March 1995. These two missions, ASTRO-1 and ASTRO-2 respectively, carried out ultraviolet and x-ray astronomical observations, logging more than 614 hours and 10.6 million miles in space. Parise was one of the first astronomers to operate a telescope from space, making hundreds of observations during the mission. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Chairman Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, said Parise's personal contributions to these two missions provided scientists with "an unprecedented view of our universe, expanding our understanding of the birth, life and death of stars and galaxies." 11 May 2008 05:04:19 GMT http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/10/10092/?nc=1 90BB3E23-1731-40A3-97EA-56CAF3C4786D For use on local repeaters, or for broadcast stations with music bed and local club tag. Mix audio for local preferences. 10 May 2008 00:32:24 GMT http://www.twiar.org/audio/FD%20/Field%20Day%202008%20-%20Field%20Day%20Promo%20Version.mp3 w2xbs@twiar.org (W2XBS) Recorded for air on amateur band repeaters - have your local repeaters run this promo! 10 May 2008 00:32:24 -0500 http://www.twiar.org/audio/FD%20/Field%20Day%202008%20-%20Repeater%20Version.mp3 w2xbs@twiar.org (W2XBS) For use on broadcast stations - NOT FOR AIR ON AMATEUR FREQUENCIES - send to your local radio station or community service station for airtime. 10 May 2008 00:30:06 -0500 http://www.twiar.org/audio/FD%20/Field%20Day%202008%20-%20Broadcast%20Version.mp3 w2xbs@twiar.org (W2XBS) "As the song says, 'All our bags are packed and we're ready to go' -- well, almost," said ARRL Hamvention Coordinator Katie Breen, W1KRB. "The ARRL EXPO area is packed up into seven shipping skids and they are in a truck on their way to Dayton. We here at headquarters are not only breathing a huge sigh of relief, but many of us are still wrapping up our individual final details." The Dayton Hamvention will run from May 16-18 at Hara Arena, just outside Dayton, Ohio. 10 May 2008 00:30:06 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/09/10091/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) There is no question Dan Novak was way ahead of all the other half-marathon runners at Saturday's St. Clare Health Mission Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk and it is equally clear Peter Schaettle finished dead last in the event. Yet both Onalaska men received no medal and no recognition for their efforts. 10 May 2008 00:13:08 -0500 http://www.onalaskalife.com/articles/2008/05/09/features/00run.txt editor@onalaskalife.com (Editor) In two separate decisions released today, the Federal Communications Commission denied two Petitions for Rulemaking (PRM) having to do with Amateur Radio. These two PRMs, one filed by Mark Miller, N5RFX, of Arlington, Texas, concerning digital spectrum issues, and the other filed jointly by Ken Chafin, W6CPA, of La Crescenta, California, and Leon Brown, KC6JAR, of Los Angeles, California, concerning additional spectrum for more repeaters, including digital systems. Miller's PRM was assigned RM-11392, while the Chafin and Brown petition was not afforded an RM number by the FCC. According to ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, the ARRL filed no comments on either petition in accordance with the League's standard policy on bare petitions for rule making that do not deal with spectrum allocations. 10 May 2008 00:13:08 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/07/10087/?nc=twiardotorg The prevailing view among investors throughout the duration of the post-Bear Stearns recovery rally has been that the U.S. and global economy might continue to weaken, but economic performance would merely be lackluster, not terrible. 10 May 2008 00:13:07 GMT http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2008/05/08/this-weeks-advice-canned-food-guns-and-a-ham-radio/?mod=WSJBlog editor@wsj.com (Wall Street Journal) The Colorado Council of Amateur Radio Clubs (CCARC) recently teamed up with Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) in Denver to donate a 2 meter, 70 cm and 23 cm D-STAR system stack. According to ARRL Colorado Section Manager and CCARC Board Member Jeff Ryan, K0RM, the two groups hit upon the idea of issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Colorado radio amateurs. "The RFP required the D-STAR systems to be installed and maintained on-the-air for five years, after which the winning group would retain ownership of the equipment," Ryan said. "We received three excellent proposals, and on March 21, CCARC and HRO awarded the D-STAR system to the Colorado D-STAR Association, a consortium of Denver area individuals, clubs and ARES groups." 10 May 2008 00:13:07 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/08/10086/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Goodbye, broadband over power lines. We hardly knew you. Once touted as a possible third option for home broadband that could compete with phone and cable companies, the idea of providing Internet service over power lines now looks like it has died in infancy. 10 May 2008 00:13:07 -0500 http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hgpzruCH6lEb5PYJ6ZJkdh32iYVQD90H1C7O1 awextra@arrl.org (AP) ABOUT every third night Trevor Barry, a retired Broken Hill mine worker, turns his attention to the sky. What he has been seeing has delighted scientists around the world. 10 May 2008 00:13:07 -0500 http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/astronomer-is-eye-of-the-storm/2008/05/02/1209235155776.html scoop@smh.com.au (Sydney MH) Saturday, August 5, 2006, I took the trekking route from Spiterstulen to Galdhoepiggen, Norway's highest peak at 2469 meters above sea level (masl). This was planned to be a trip with two of my radio amateur friends from the LA1FDG LA Field Day Group, but during the week before the trip, one hurt his back and the other got a terrible cold. Because I had already done so much planning for this trip I decided to go to Galdhoepiggen anyway. Since I was going by myself, I decided to use my own call sign in place of using the LA1FDG Field Day call sign. 10 May 2008 00:13:06 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2008/05/06/10080/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Student Nick Ksepka flipped a switch here and turned a knob there and then handed a microphone to J.F. Drake State Technical College President Dr. Helen McAlpine. She was about to use Drake's new amateur radio station - N4DTC - to talk with administrators at Bishop State Community College in Mobile, who were also in their campus radio "shack." 10 May 2008 00:13:06 -0500 http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1210151778111100.xml&coll=1 kenneth.kesner@htimes.com (K. Kessner) One of the reasons this country became great was because of its commercial production facilities and the uniformity of its output. Customers the world over could place an order for commercially produced merchandise with the assurance they would know what they would receive. Standardization was a method by which waste could be eliminated, benefiting every homemaker in America and customers abroad. 10 May 2008 00:13:06 -0500 http://www.cantondailyledger.com/articles/2008/05/06/news/news03.txt skoon@cantondailyledger.com (Canton) Radio communication is not behind the scenes at the Run for the Red Marathon. It is right in the middle of the scene. 10 May 2008 00:13:06 -0500 http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/NEWS/805050322 bbrelje@poconorecord.com (Beth B.) In a widespread emergency, a local organization called the Eastern Shore Amateur Radio Club is prepared to render communications. These dedicated men and women are the Shore's behind-the-scenes heroes. They devote myriad hours of public service communication to keep residents informed and safe. 10 May 2008 00:13:06 -0500 http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080503/ESN01/805030303/-1/ESN editor@delmarvanow.com (Editor) Around 1,000 tornadoes blow through the United States each year, many of them in a region shaped like an upside-down boot that stretches from northern Texas to southern Minnesota. Its nickname is Tornado Alley. 10 May 2008 00:13:05 -0500 http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080503/NEWS/38033139/1006/news dan.geiser@gazettecommunications.com () Hamfest may be coming home to Cleveland County in 2009. County Manager David Dear said county, fairgrounds and Hamfest representatives met Thursday to talk about bringing the popular amateur radio festival back to the Cleveland County Fairgrounds and, although no decision was made, the county hopes to get the event back next year. 04 May 2008 00:26:02 -0500 http://www.shelbystar.com/news/county_30830___article.html/hamfest_cleveland.html davidallen@shelbystar.com (D Allen) The Dallas Morning News has reported that "an ambitious plan for using power lines to deliver fast Internet service to 2 million Dallas-area homes collapsed Thursday." Current Group, LLC has announced plans to sell its Dallas BPL network to Oncor, a regulated electric distribution and transmission business, for $90 million. Oncor reportedly has no plans to offer Internet service but will use the network to detect distribution network issues. While Current originally touted the network as a way to offer Internet service to consumers and had entered into a marketing arrangement with DirecTV, the Houston Chronicle quotes Oncor spokesman Chris Schein as confirming that Oncor will use the network only for monitoring the power grid: "Our business is delivering electricity, not being an Internet provider or a television provider."Newspaper Reports "BPL plan is dead in Dallas" 04 May 2008 00:24:59 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/02/10078/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) At their annual awards banquet on April 26 in New York City, the Veteran Wireless Operators Association (VWOA) honored two Amateur Radio operators with two of the association's top awards: Fritz Raab, W1FR, and John Curtis, K6KU. Raab gave the keynote address at the banquet. "The dinner speech was a wonderful presentation of the Amateur Radio Experiment domestically and that which is happening internationally. He explored what may happen, if things go well for the museum stations on 500 kHz and for radio amateurs," said VWOA Chairman Francis Cassidy. "Ever since the emergence of the Global Marine Distress and Safety System, professional radio officers have discussed the prior use of 500 kHz. They know the attributes in the oceans of the world where ground wave transmissions on the oceans provided their primary informational experience of these transmissions." 04 May 2008 00:21:50 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/02/10073/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Sometimes, especially on certain Saturday afternoons, you can still hear Gugliemlo Marconi's voice carrying around the world. The enthusiasm and love shown Saturday by the Centereach-based Radio Central Amateur Radio Club would have made Marconi proud. Radio operators and Morse code enthusiasts gathered at the Marconi Shack in Rocky Point - one of the oldest functioning radio-communications sites in the nation - to celebrate the 134th birthday of a man often recognized as the leading pioneer of wireless communication. 04 May 2008 00:21:49 -0500 http://www.timesofmiddlecountry.com/Articles-i-2008-05-01-71594.113114_Loud_and_clear.html news@tbrnewspapers.com (TBR) After a long period of dormancy and disorganization, during which even their club house was lost, amateur radio operators in St Lucia are re-grouping and getting their act together again. 04 May 2008 00:18:20 -0500 http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-7497--20-20--.html editor@caribbeannetnews.com (Caribbean) In the article 'Tensions rise in the Gulf as US fires at Iran boat' (Irish Independent, April 26), the person blamed for the incident is described as a ham or amateur radio operator. 04 May 2008 00:18:19 -0500 http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/ham-radio-not-to-blame-for-clash-1366151.html ei2ca@com.com (PAUL MARTIN EI2CA) It wouldn't be fair to characterize Gene Hafele as an evil genius. The newly named meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in League City was only doing his job in designing an imaginary storm that would strain local emergency management systems. 04 May 2008 00:13:47 -0500 http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=22ee9bdce5dfb5a2&-session=TheDailyNews:42F946750c3bc004C0Nym18C971E editor@galvestondailynews.com (Rick) Today, at the Space Weather Workshop in Boulder, Colo., NASA-funded researchers released to the general public a new "4D" live model of Earth's ionosphere. Without leaving home, anyone can fly through the dynamic layer of ionized gases that encircles Earth at the edge of space itself. All that's required is a connection to the Internet. Airline flight controllers can use this tool to plan long-distance business flights over the poles, saving money and time for flyers. 04 May 2008 00:13:47 -0500 http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/527646.html editor@sunherald.com (Sun-Herald) An historic radio exchange took place Tuesday afternoon between the Battleship North Carolina and the new submarine USS North Carolina. Capt. Mark Davis and ham operator Bill Morine communicated with the Battleship from atop the submarine. 04 May 2008 00:13:47 -0500 http://www.wwaytv3.com/sub_battleship_share_historic_radio_call/04/2008 webmaster@wwaytv3.com (WWAY) Changing times and technology have caused one of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's oldest student organizations to dwindle in membership, but those involved anticipate a strong resurgence. 04 May 2008 00:11:39 -0500 http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/04/28/local/24248790.txt adam.testa@thesouthern.com (Adam) Ten satellites reached orbit April 28 aboard an Indian PSLV-C9 rocket launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center. The primary payloads were India's CARTOSAT-2A and IMS-1 satellites. In addition to the NLS-5 and RUBIN-8 satellites, the rocket carried six CubeSat research satellites, all of which communicate using Amateur Radio frequencies. All spacecraft deployed normally and appear to be functional at this time. 04 May 2008 00:11:39 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/28/10067/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) An excited Delfi-C3 team report receiving good signals from the new Delphi-C3 Amateur Satellite on Monday. 04 May 2008 00:11:39 -0500 http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2008/delfi_c3_signals.htm webmaster@southgatearc.org (SARC) As 77-year-old Anadi Ganguly lies in his dimly lit Shyambazar room, an odd bedfellow keeps him company - a transceiver, or in radio parlance, a unit which contains both a receiver and a transmitter. But the ether waves have been part of his life for 50 years now. Ganguly is the owner of the oldest amateur radio licence in Calcutta. And the set seated next to him is a gift from the National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, as a mark of respect to one of the oldest ham radio operators in India. 04 May 2008 00:03:25 -0500 http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080427/jsp/calcutta/story_9191958.jsp ttedit@abpmail.com (Telegraph) The weather in Northeast Texas is unpredictable at best. The general feeling is: If you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes and it'll change. It's that constant possibility of change that concerns Randy Pritchard, emergency management coordinator for the city of Marshall. 04 May 2008 00:03:24 -0500 http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/042708_web_storm.html sbandy@coxmnm.com (Steve Bandy) An amateur radio club will today talk to hundreds of people over the airwaves as a tribute to the inventor of the wireless. 04 May 2008 00:03:23 -0500 http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Radio-hams-take-to-the.4022785.jp andy.hughes@northeast-press.co.uk (Andy) Despite its glacially slow advance into the US broadband market, the Federal Communications Commission has championed broadband over powerline (BPL) as a "third-pipe" alternative to the DSL/cable duopoly in the US. An appeals court dealt the Commission and BPL backers a blow late last week, siding with ham radio operators by ruling that the FCC erred in its rule-making for the technology. 04 May 2008 00:03:23 -0500 http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080428-judge-tells-fcc-to-rework-powerline-broadband-regulations.html webmaster@arstechnica.com (ARS Technica) The VoIP Hurricane Net is looking for Net Control Operators (NCOs) to assist with its weekly Hurricane Preparation Net and during Hurricane Net activations. The VoIP Hurricane Net, created in 2002, is a support net working with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC). 04 May 2008 00:03:23 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/29/10068/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) When Chris Lewis goes to work for the Webster County Emergency Management Agency, he doesn't get a cent from the county. 04 May 2008 00:03:23 -0500 http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/505198.html?nav=5010 jmolseed@messengernews.net (John) In a potential setback for fans of broadband over power lines, a federal appeals court has sided in part with amateur radio operators who challenged rules designed to speed the nascent Internet service's rollout. 04 May 2008 00:03:23 -0500 http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9930223-7.html?tag=nefd.lede editor@news.com (CNET) L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, ARRL Technical Adviser and antenna authority, passed away last week of natural causes. He was 68. An ARRL Life Member, Cebik was known to many hams for the numerous articles he wrote on antennas and antenna modeling. He had articles published in most of the US ham journals, including QST, QEX, NCJ, CQ, Communications Quarterly, Ham Radio, 73, QRP Quarterly, Radio-Electronics and QRPp. Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, QEX Editor, called Cebik "probably the most widely published and often read author of Amateur Radio antenna articles ever to write on the subject." 26 Apr 2008 23:33:06 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/22/10059/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Calling all radio amateurs! The Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio Association (BDARA) announced yesterday that it will be back on air! 26 Apr 2008 23:33:03 -0500 http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/thu/apr24h18.htm brupress@brunet.bn (Borneo Press) Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club has been fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, since a colleague died 15 years ago, and were treated to a visit to the Scottish Parliament last week by an MSP who is also a club member. 26 Apr 2008 23:33:03 -0500 http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/articles/1/23153 editor@eastlothiancourier.com (Courier) On April 26 Cape Cod National Seashore and amateur radio operators will celebrate International Marconi Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Coast Guard Station, Coast Guard Beach, Eastham. The event is free and open to the public. 26 Apr 2008 23:23:02 -0500 http://www.wickedlocal.com/orleans/archive/x292020702 webmaster@wickedlocal.com (Cape Codder) A Canadian sailor is hunkered down in his damaged sailboat nursing a concussion after being rolled over in the turbulent South Atlantic Ocean but says he has no intention of giving up an unusual solo voyage around the world. 26 Apr 2008 23:23:02 -0500 http://www.660news.com/news/national/article.jsp?content=n042573A webmaster@660news.com (660 News) Centereach's Radio Central Amateur Radio Club will be celebrating the birth of Guglielmo Marconi, credited by many with being the father of radio, on April 26 at the Marconi Shack, which is located in front of the Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School in Rocky Point. Once owned by Marconi, the small white building was built in 1902 and is one of the oldest structures in North America known to have been built expressly for radio communications. 26 Apr 2008 23:23:00 -0500 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19510293&BRD=1776&PAG=461&dept_id=6363&rfi=6 abasta@suffolklife.com (Suffolk Life) It's apparently over, for Cleveland County that is. Hamfest is likely heading east, ending a 50-year tradition that brought in electronics enthusiasts from across the nation. But they aren't going far, Hamfest Chair Robby Hamrick said Sunday. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:14 -0500 http://www.gastongazette.com/news/county_19580___article.html/hamfest_hamrick.html davidallen@shelbystar.com (D Allen) As the tornado headed toward Stoughton in August 2005, Dale "Bernie " Bernstein was behind the wheel of his truck heading out to "meet and greet " the storm. He ended up within 75 yards of that destructive tornado. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:14 -0500 http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/282359 mconklin@madison.com (Melanie Conklin) Last week's emergency transportation drill hit some unexpected snags. But a representative of Vermont Emergency Management said that's what a drill is for -- to identify shortcomings so that in the case of a real emergency, all bases are covered. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:12 -0500 http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_9010807 raudette@reformer.com (B Audette) It's official. The storms that rolled through the northeastern part of the county did, in fact, produce at least one tornado. Dewey Cook, the county's emergency management director, was on his Ham radio when the storms were rolling in. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:12 -0500 http://www.shelbystar.com/news/cook_30539___article.html/radio_county.html cherishwilson@shelbystar.com (C Wilson) As of Monday evening, the Shelby Hamfest is still on. It just won't be in Shelby - or Cleveland County for that matter. The Shelby Amateur Radio Club recently announced that the 52nd Shelby Hamfest would move east to Biggerstaff Park in Dallas, also called Gaston County Park. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:12 -0500 http://www.shelbystar.com/news/shelby_30562___article.html/hamfest_park.html davidallen@shelbystar.com (D Allen) A group of amateur radio operators on Sunday remembered the final battle for Texas' independence. Twenty-two operators checked in to Texas Heritage Net during the group's weekly meeting to talk about San Jacinto Day. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:12 -0500 http://www.lufkindailynews.com/hp/content/news/stories/2008/04/22/Texas_Independence.html blund@coxnews.com (B Lund) In the response to the Interstate 35 W bridge collapse last August, first responders from multiple agencies had the benefit of a common radio system that allowed them to communicate with little trouble. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:12 -0500 http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/02radio.txt kbehr@winonadailynews.com (K Behr) Lawton_Amateur radio operators are often the eyes and ears for the rest of us when disaster hits. They're better known as "Hams," and students at Park Lane Elementary in Lawton had the opportunity to meet some of them on Tuesday. Local Ham radio operators from Lawton Fort Sill teamed up with Comanche County Emergency Management and 7News Meteorologist Dan Zarrow, to teach kids the basics of amateur radio, and the life saving role a Ham can play. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:12 -0500 http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=8211274 webmaster@kswo.com (KSWO TV) The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) today announced the agenda for its upcoming Summit on the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS): Promoting an Effective Emergency Alert System on the Road to a Next Generation EAS, to be held on Monday, May 19, 2008. 26 Apr 2008 23:01:11 -0500 http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/295640 webmaster@govtech.com (GovTech) John Mussey reports to the local National Weather Service whenever there's a tornado watch. And during the past 30 years, he and two others have spent at least 8,000 hours tracking storms. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:48 -0500 http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080419/NEWS01/804190339/1002/NEWS ljwilson@gannett.com (Loresha Wilson) Jarvis Hearn Sr. of Isle of Wight County celebrated his 100th birthday last month - a milestone that's included the pride of seeing the work of his hands on the cover of Life magazine, and the disappointment of similar efforts being sunk at Pearl Harbor. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:48 -0500 http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/community/soj/dp-town_shearn_0418apr18,0,5743362.story scowles@dailypress.com (Daily Press) Despite raising a record $19.6 billion, the government's recent auction of prime airwaves was branded a failure by several lawmakers Tuesday for failing to accomplish its major goal: producing a national wireless network that would allow police and firefighters to share information during disasters and terrorist attacks. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:48 -0500 http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-auction16apr16,1,1882171.story jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com (LA Times) Special event stations will be on the air Saturday, April 26 (UTC), to mark International Marconi Day (IMD), a 24-hour Amateur Radio event commemorating the birth of wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi on April 25, 1874. Participants can qualify for awards by making contacts on 160 through 10 meters (CW, SSB and digital) with designated IMD stations operating on or near a site where Marconi carried out experiments or where Marconi equipment was used prior to his death in 1937. The sponsoring Cornish Radio Amateur Club (CRAC) will operate GB4IMD from Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall, overlooking Falmouth Harbour where Marconi spent some 10 days aboard his yacht Elettra in April 1923. Additional IMD stations will be on the air from the UK, the US, Canada, South America, Australia and Europe. The IMD Web site has a list of IMD 2008 award stations. On the US side, the Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club, KM1CC, will operate participate at the Coast Guard Station on Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Massachusetts, just south of Marconi's original 1903 station on Cape Cod. If you would like to operate an IMD 2008 award station, register your station prior to the event, providing full details. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:47 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8144 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are co-sponsoring the annual Military/Amateur Radio Crossband Communications Test in celebration of the 58th anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFD). Although the actual Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May -- May 17 in 2008 -- the AFD Military/Amateur Crossband Communications Test will be conducted on May 10 to prevent conflict with the Dayton Hamvention, scheduled for May 16-18. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:46 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/15/10051/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Astronaut Garrett Reisman spoke to students at his former Parsippany middle school today -- from 220 miles above. A Parsippany High School graduate, Reisman is on his first space mission after joining the astronaut corps 10 years ago. He blasted off in the Shuttle Endeavour on March 11 and is due to remain on the space station until next month. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:46 -0500 http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/from_space_parsipanny_astronau.html afrank@starledger.com (Star-Ledger) An interesting snippet (via Engadget) claims that the Russian equivalent of Ofcom - Rossvyazokhrankultura, short for the Russian Mass Media, Communications and Cultural Protection Service -- has decided that all WiFi devices in Russia need to be registered. Moreover, if you want to set up your own network - in other words, have broadband wireless at home by bunging a router on your DSL line - you'll need a special license, potentially including the consent of your local security agency. Don't do it, and you risk having your equipment confiscated and a large fine to pay. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:46 -0500 http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10007848o-2000331777b,00.htm?new_comment webmaster@zdnet.co.uk (ZDNet) Radio interoperability remains a pressing challenge for U.S. public safety agencies. Fortunately, the state of the art in this area has advanced significantly, allowing smaller departments to cost-effectively solve their problems and improve their communications capabilities. Here are two examples of innovative interoperable solutions in use today. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:45 -0500 http://www.emsresponder.com/print/EMS-Product-News/Innovative-Interoperability-Answers/2$7380 webmaster@emsresponder.com (EMS Resp) Ham radios were part of life for Rudolph Poletti. A member of the Firebird Ham Radio Club, Poletti began playing with the radios in 1928 while he was recuperating from a broken back. Before long, he was transmitting signals around the world. Poletti died Friday in Montrose. He was 100. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:45 -0500 http://www.mlive.com/news/flintjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-49/120818825210560.xml&coll=5 kpeterson@flintjournal.com (MLIVE) A memorial service for Curtis W. Preuss will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, with the Rev. Douglas Sparks officiating. Mr. Preuss, 55, of Rochester, died Thursday (April 10, 2008) at Seasons Hospice, of cancer. He had been ill for two years. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:45 -0500 http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=5&a=337866 sander@postbulletin.com (Post-Bulletin) More than 2000 people attended the 30th Annual National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Florida March31-April 4. Conference Chairman Max Mayfield stated in his opening remarks that he was pleased to see such a turnout, despite the fact that the 2007 hurricane season didn't impact the United States as in past years. ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, attended on behalf of the League. 19 Apr 2008 20:24:45 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/17/10055/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Despite recent contract disagreements between the Shelby Amateur Radio Club and the Cleveland County Fair Association, plans are ongoing for Hamfest, a 50-year county tradition that draws electronics aficionados from across the country. 12 Apr 2008 13:52:58 -0500 http://www.shelbystar.com/news/hamfest_30268___article.html/county_radio.html davidallen@shelbystar.com (David Allen) The Federal Communications Commission approved the Commercial Mobile Alert System, an initiative that calls for U.S. wireless carriers to transmit text messages to cell phones and other mobile devices to alert the public to disasters and emergencies. But one important question remains: who's in charge of the program? 12 Apr 2008 13:51:55 -0500 http://www.crn.com/government/207100976 mmmasterson@cmp.com (Channel Web) Bruce Prior, N7RR, a contributor to QST, has announced plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) later this month. The PCA is 2650 miles long, ranging from the California-Mexico border all the way to the Canadian border and reaching an altitude of 13,153 feet. On April 19, Prior will begin the journey near Campo, California with hopes of reaching Manning Park, British Columbia in late September or early October. Prior will bring along his Elecraft KX1 with the 30 meter/80 meter module, as well as resonant half-wavelength dipole antennas for the 80, 40, 30 and 20 meter bands. While not planning to do any pedestrian-mobile contacts, Prior said he will wait until he has set up camp for the evening before getting on the air: "Occasionally I may decide to operate in the daytime, such as from the summit of (9399 ft.) Mount Baden-Powell (9399 feet) or at the California-Oregon border on the PCT." For more information on frequencies, times and nets that Prior will be on, please visit his blog. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), approximately 300 people attempt to hike the entire trail from end-to-end each year. The trip usually takes between four and six months. Around 180 complete the hike each year. The route is mostly through National Forest and, where possible, protected wilderness areas. The trail avoids civilization in favor of scenic and pristine mountainous terrain with few roads, passing through the Laguna, San Jacinto, San Bernardino, San Gabriel, Liebre, Tehachapi and Sierra Nevada ranges in California, and the Cascade Range in California, Oregon and Washington. 12 Apr 2008 13:51:31 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8131 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) The amateur radio and professional broadcast pieces of the Peter W. Dahl Company will soon have new life with another amateur radio component supplier, Harbach Electronics. Dahl said he is optimistic about the experience his customers will have with Harbach. It's been a long road for Dahl, which occupied an exclusive niche supplying custom wound transformers and power chokes for broadcast transmitters for more than 35 years. Now it has closed shop. As reported in the Dec. 12, 2007 issue, Peter Dahl is suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease; that forced his decision to shutter the business. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:15 -0500 http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0052/t.12578.html pmclane@nbmedia.com (Radio World) After an unsuccessful attempt eight years ago to get a PRB-1 type bill signed in Kansas, radio amateurs in that state have succeeded in becoming the 26th state with a PRB-1 law on the books. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed HB 2805 into law on April 9. The bill, written by Rep Arlen Siegfreid (R-15), passed unanimously in both the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate. It takes effect July 1, 2008. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:15 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/10/10045/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Despite the EU embracing modern technology and making an effort to get mobile phones functioning safely on airplanes, the FCC and the FAA are still being sticks in the mud. Both organizations have absolutely no interest in allowing cell service in planes, putting them at odds with both foreign airlines and its passengers. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:14 -0500 http://www.techspot.com/news/29672-fcc-and-faa-still-stubborn-about-cells-in-planes.html webmaster@techspot.com (TechSpot) In a post-Hurricane Katrina, post-9/11 world, the nation's security may depend on a network of old men who listen. Men like Ray Tooker, 75, who built crystal-set radios as a kid, then took that savvy into the Korean War and later used it to service communications at Nike missile sites in the San Francisco Bay area. He did it all with radio. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:14 -0500 http://www.redding.com/news/2008/apr/06/signals/ webmaster@redding.com (Searchlight) John Kanzius, K3TUP, of Erie Pennsylvania, has been working on an RF-based treatment for cancer that is currently undergoing testing. According to ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, Kanzius is scheduled to be on the CBS news show 60 Minutes on Sunday, April 13 (keep in mind that the line-up could change). "While there never is a way to predict what shows and what ends up on the cutting room floor, John gave as many plugs to his ham radio background as he could in being the foundations of hands-on learning that led to his research and invention," Pitts said. Kanzius, a very active Amateur Radio operator, aided in the creation of the upcoming ARRL Technology and Amateur Radio public relations campaign. Read more about Kanzius and his ground-breaking idea to kill cancer cells with radio waves in the February 2008 issue of QST. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:14 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8138 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Members of the Skywarn system -- which links the National Weather Service with amateur radio operators and citizen observers -- help keep Muskegon County residents safe when severe weather threatens. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:14 -0500 http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/04/eyes_of_the_storm.html webmaster@mlive.com (MLive) When news of a hepatitis A outbreak alarmed residents of West Chester, Ohio last month, local officials sprang into action to inoculate more than 1200 people who had eaten at a local fast food restaurant; an employee with a confirmed case of the virus worked at the restaurant in March may have contaminated ice and other food items, health officials said. Inundated with more people than expected, Butler County Health Department and Emergency Management officials were overwhelmed with traffic, communication problems and general logistics of the event. When a second hepatitis A vaccination clinic was scheduled for April 5, officials called on local Amateur Radio operators to assist with communications, as well as traffic and crowd control. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:14 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/09/10043/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Volunteers tested area tornado sirens Saturday morning in preparation of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which begins on Monday. There is no mistaking that sound if you're from heartland, never too soon to be ready if Mother Nature strikes. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:13 -0500 http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/17324494.html sixonline@wowt.com (WOWT-TV) In a personal essay published in the April 7, 2008 issue of The National Review, the late William F. Buckley Jr described a fascinating story involving himself, Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA (SK), and of course ham radio. It seems that Mr Buckley was part of a 12 man trip to Russia's Vostok station, a very remote outpost at the magnetic South Pole. In addition to his brother, Senator James Buckley, their old pal Barry Goldwater and his son Barry Jr were also members of this expedition. Buckley described being in a crowded Soviet igloo, entertained with "trays of caviar and tumblers of vodka." After toasting his Russian host, he was suddenly taken aside by Barry Jr. "Dad wants to see you" he said, pointing to the door. Buckley was taken to another igloo, apparently the radio shack. "Thought you might like to talk to your wife," the senior Goldwater said. Buckley describes the prideful look on Goldwater's face, having maneuvered the Soviet radio to contact his wife back home in Arizona! Although he was a man famous for his complete control of the English language, Bill Buckley said he was "speechless" as he heard the telephone ringing and his wife answering the telephone! He said, "It's me darling" and his wife responded, "It's three o'clock in the morning!" Buckley exclaimed, "I'm calling from the South Pole!" This story reminded me of the many nights back in the late 1970s when I gladly helped with phone patches from the US Navy base at McMurdo, Antarctica. Just as Senator Goldwater did, I awakened many people in the wee hours of the morning with a phone call from their loved ones on the bottom of the world! -- Bruce Jackson, KA5ELC, Cordova, Tennessee 12 Apr 2008 13:28:13 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8132 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) A new 10.7m high mast is to be constructed at Lincoln's Priory LSST school. Planning permission was granted for the mast to enable members of the school's radio club to send signals further. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:13 -0500 http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=156130&command=displayContent&sourceNode=242285&home=yes&more_nodeId1=156139&contentPK=20322758 editor@lincolnshireecho.co.uk (L. Echo) On a cold, windy February morning the Manalapan Medical Reserves Corps - Community Emergency Response Team (MRC-CERT) mustered 11 of its members and four Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) team members to exercise its search and rescue abilities. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:13 -0500 http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0409/Front_Page/037.html gmntnews@gmnews.com (Tri-town News) The Brunei Darussalam Scout Association held a mini roadshow to expose its members to the workings of amateur radio. It was held at the house compound of Skipper Juin Antin, chairman of Mukim Liang Scout Troop 3030, at Kampung Sungai Liang, Belait. 12 Apr 2008 13:28:13 -0500 http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/mon/apr7h9.htm brupress@brunet.bn (Borneo Bulletin) The Kansas Wesleyan University Physics Club has its sights set high for its upcoming balloon launch. The club plans to launch its third balloon at 8 a.m. April 12 in Martin Stadium. The launch is open to the public at no charge. This time, however, club members hope their balloon will soar to a new amateur balloon altitude record, according to Dr. Susan McDonald, Chair in the Department of Mathematics and Physic. 05 Apr 2008 01:22:50 -0500 http://www.kwu.edu/publicrelations/stories/200708/balloonsp08.html webmaster@kwu.edu (KWU) The Spirit of Knoxville V (SNOX V) balloon will launch Sunday 6th April at 0000 UTC, from Knoxville, TN in an attempt to cross the Atlantic. It will carry Amateur Radio beacons in the 10 MHz and 144 MHz bands. Please visit http://spiritofknoxville.com for more information and live flight tracking. This will be the last SNOX flight this season, the trans-atlantic jet stream wind is slowing as warm weather arrives. 8PM EDT Saturday April 5 (0000 UTC Sunday April 6) Thank you, The Spirit of Knoxville Crew http://spiritofknoxville.com 05 Apr 2008 01:22:44 -0500 http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2008/snox5_launch.htm contact@spiritofknoxville.com (SNOX) Ross Peterson has trained more than 2,000 amateur radio operators using a method most high school teachers would frown upon: cramming. With his one-day crash course, Peterson trains local residents to pass the Federal Communications Commission's licensing test, helping them through an initial barrier to becoming self-sufficient radio operators. Of course, there is much more to learn about the hobby beyond the multiple-choice test, which covers on-air conduct, laws governing radio use and technical information such as emission modes or frequency ranges. 05 Apr 2008 01:21:59 -0500 http://sanmateodailynews.com/article/2008-4-2-smc-radio sbishop@dailynewsgroup.com(Shaun Bishop) The Cleveland County Fair Association and the Shelby Amateur Radio Club appear at an impasse over use of the fairgrounds for this year's Hamfest. The radio club announced the 50-year tradition won't be held at the fairgrounds this year over disagreements with the proposed contract. Options for a smaller Hamfest will be explored if other properties become available within Cleveland, Gaston or Rutherford counties, radio club officials said. 05 Apr 2008 01:21:58 -0500 http://www.shelbystar.com/articles/fairgrounds_30020___article.html/radio_hamfest.html hughkoontz@shelbystar.com (Shelby Star) Unless things are quickly patched up between the Cleveland County Fair Association and the Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Hamfest - a 50-year county tradition - won't be held at the fairgrounds this year. Contract disagreements have caused problems in the process. Now the event, which draws electronics aficionados from across the country, is in jeopardy. 05 Apr 2008 00:56:08 -0500 http://www.shelbystar.com/news/hamfest_29992___article.html/contract_hamrick.html davidallen@shelbystar.com (David Allen) The county's biggest "family reunion" may not be held this year after a half-century. The Shelby Amateur Radio Club Tuesday night agreed not to hold its annual Shelby Hamfest at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds because of a disagreement over a proposed contract. Robby Hamrick, event chairman, said the group made the decision "with great regret" but felt forced to take the action it did. 05 Apr 2008 00:41:07 -0500 http://www.shelbystar.com/news/shelby_29981___article.html/doubt_hamfest.html hughkoontz@shelbystar.com (Shelby Star) April showers bring May flowers, but they can also bring severe weather that can have a negative impact on residents across Ionia County. "I think everyone should be preparing for severe weather right now," Ionia County Emergency Management Coordinator Rick Norman said. 05 Apr 2008 00:41:07 -0500 http://www.sentinel-standard.com/articles/2008/04/01/news/02news.txt editor@sentinel-standard.com (Editor) For the second year, ham radio operators around the world will participate in a special-event transmission to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, originating from the Titanic museum in Branson. Operators will transmit the news of the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic using special event call sign W0S. 05 Apr 2008 00:16:08 -0500 http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/BREAKING07/80401063/1007/NEWS01 webeditor@news-leader.com (Editor) ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, attended the 14th Annual AES Superfest at the headquarters store of Amateur Electronic Supply in Milwaukee, Wisconsin March 28-29. This event is an ARRL sanctioned hamfest that included forums, VE testing (sponsored by MRAC), DXCC card checking and a fox hunt. ARRL Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG; Vice Director Howie Huntington, K9KM, and ARRL Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG, were also on hand for the event. 05 Apr 2008 00:09:56 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/04/10037/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) ARRL has learned that Tim Hulick, PhD, W9QQ (ex W9MIJ), Captain, USNR retired, of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, passed away December 28, 2007 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 65. Hulick, an ARRL Life Member, also held the calls V47QQ, KG4QQ, HL9QQ and PJ9Q. A 1964 graduate of the US Naval Academy, Hulick served his country for 29 years. Upon retiring from the Navy, he operated Watts Unlimited, producing a lightweight HV Power Supply designed for use as a replacement in older amplifiers. Hulick wrote several articles for QST and QEX, including "Switching Power Supplies for High Voltage" (QEX, February 1991), "PSK31 on the Road!" (QST, March 2000), and "A Two-Element Vertical Parasitic Array for 75 Meters" (QST, December 1995). Hulick was on the ARRL DXCC Honor Roll with 356 countries; he only needed BS7, but was too sick to mount a serious effort to get them while it was most recently on the air. He worked more than 230 counties while mobile. He also operated /MM from a number of ships during his Naval career. Hulick was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife JoAnne, three sons, a daughter and several grandchildren. 05 Apr 2008 00:07:03 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8115 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) A car crash robbed Gregg Rosenberg of most of his vision before he was born. His mother, seven months pregnant with Gregg, was struck by a truck that jackknifed and then crushed her car. "It's kind of lucky we're even alive," said Rosenberg, 51, a Bridgeview native 05 Apr 2008 00:03:04 -0500 http://www.southtownstar.com/news/866412,033008southtowner.article editor@southtownstar.com(Southtown Star) It is confession time. I and friends of mine who share my amateur radio hobby are known as nerds. Yes, it is true, as I am often reminded by my wife. The hobby involves building and operating radio transmitters and receivers for experimental and recreational communications with other amateurs, also known as HAMs . 05 Apr 2008 00:03:04 -0500 http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/LIFESTYLE/804010312 editor@greatfallstribune.com (Tribune) Using radio frequencies, amateur radio enthusiast Drew McDaniel can communicate around the world from his home in Athens. He's talked to people in Europe, South Africa and Japan, using simple radio waves that bounce off the sun's solar shield and atmosphere. He's been an amateur radio enthusiast for 52 years, having fallen in love with the hobby as a boy. 05 Apr 2008 00:03:03 -0500 http://www.athensmessenger.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=273&ArticleID=9394 mgallagher@athensmessenger.com (Mark) Ross Peterson has trained more than 2,000 amateur radio operators using a method most high school teachers would frown upon: cramming. With his one-day crash course, Peterson trains local residents to pass the Federal Communications Commission's licensing test, helping them through an initial barrier to becoming self-sufficient radio operators. 05 Apr 2008 00:03:03 -0500 http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_8779799 editor@mercurynews.com (Mercury News) On Friday, March 21, the FCC released a Forfeiture Order in the amount of $7000 to CB Shop and More in Loveland, Colorado for "willful and repeated violations of Section 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), and Section 2.803(a)(1) of the Commission's Rules." According to the FCC, CB Shop and More was selling a "non-certified Citizens Band ('CB') transceiver." 30 Mar 2008 00:42:00 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/03/26/10025/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Governor Mike Beebe has appointed ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, to a four year term on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority. Harrison's appointment was approved by the Arkansas Senate. "It's an honor to be appointed by Governor Beebe to serve the people of Arkansas in this area that recognizes not only my professional accomplishments, but those related to Amateur Radio as well," Harrison said. The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority was created by statute in 1983 with the mission to bring the benefits of science and advanced technology to the people and state of Arkansas. This mission is addressed by strategies to promote scientific research, technology development, business innovation, and math, science and engineering education. 30 Mar 2008 00:36:18 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8104 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) It takes very little prodding to get a ham operator to speak passionately about his hobby. That is what the Grand Terrace City Council is counting on. At Tuesday night's meeting, the council approved the formation of a 13-member committee to offer input on a proposed ordinance regulating the height of ham-radio antennas. 30 Mar 2008 00:36:18 -0500 http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_B_bham29.4192927.html crhodes@PE.com (Cindy Rhodes) Roland Daignault, N1JOY, documents an unusual Amateur Radio homebrewing project on the Internet at www.hamcow.net. HAMCOW is an acronym for "HAM radio Communications On Wheels." Roland's mission is to build a mobile ham radio communications trailer that can be towed to remote sites for portable radio operations of the contest and public service variety. 30 Mar 2008 00:36:16 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2008/03/28/10028/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Using the Internet to remotely control your amateur equipment is rapidly becoming a hot topic. Ten Tec recently introduced their new Omni VII with "plug and play" remote capability. There have been several articles on the subject published recently but most of them seemed to stop short of actually telling you how to do it or just seem to be too complex for the typical ham to implement. 30 Mar 2008 00:36:15 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2008/03/28/10033/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) Randy Scott, KC4ULS, one of the local Emanuel County amateur radio operators has upgraded his two meter radio repeater station. Ham radio operators in the area are now able to communicate with other Hams in a fifty mile radius of Twin City with relatively low power equipment. 30 Mar 2008 00:32:11 -0500 http://www.thebladeplus.com/news/2008/0331/Front_Page/001.html news@forest-blade.com (Forest Blade) Each year on the anniversary of its founding, April 18, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) marks World Amateur Radio Day. On this, the 78th anniversary of its inaugural meeting in Paris, the IARU dedicates World Amateur Radio Day to the radio amateurs, educators and administrators who use Amateur Radio to support technology education in the classroom. 30 Mar 2008 00:32:11 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/03/27/10027/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) There cannot be a bureaucracy without myriad committees, and this bedroom community of 12,000 people now has its own ham-radio antenna committee. The City Council on Tuesday approved the formation of a committee so city officials can receive input from ham-radio enthusiasts on a proposed ordinance regulating ham-radio antennas. City officials had no idea how many ham-radio operators there are in the city. As it is currently written, the ordinance would restrict antenna height to a maximum of 20 feet and have no more than one additional whip antenna. 30 Mar 2008 00:25:21 -0500 http://www.sbsun.com/sanbernardino/ci_8710751 citydesk@sbsun.com (SB Sun) In the age of satellite communication and the Internet, Ham radio is still the choice of at least one adventurer. But not exclusively. 30 Mar 2008 00:25:21 -0500 http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20080225192026pbogeneral.html pbo@ipcmedia.com (PBO) Benton-C Bainbridge knows he is something of a misfit in the Heathkit community. He's almost certainly the only one who uses vintage kit-built Heath electronics to illuminate concerts by a hip hop group, The Beastie Boys. And in all probability he's the only one who can claim to be named for the city where Heathkits were manufactured for nearly half a century. 30 Mar 2008 00:25:20 -0500 http://www.kren.com/Global/story.asp?S=8061409&nav=menu616_2 yourstation@kren.com (KREN-TV) RADIOS from the 1930s and 1940s crackled to life at a demonstration at the Pie Hall in Denby Dale. Among them was a Hallicrafters Super Skyrider, a heavyweight American classic, and a wartime Marconi CR-100, all owned by radio amateur Roger Higton of Bradley. 30 Mar 2008 00:12:34 -0500 http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/03/25/enthusiasts-tune-into-radio-show-86081-20667728/ editor@examiner.co.uk (Examiner) When one thinks of an emergency communications location, some think of a dark place, out of the way and forgotten until the radios are needed. Even in emergency trailers or other modes of transporting the emergency radios, the locations are usually an afterthought and do not look the best. It is tough to sell the idea of emergency equipment to someone who doesn't want wiring everywhere and thinks of it as intrusive and ugly. What has anyone done to change that image? What can anyone do to change that image? 30 Mar 2008 00:12:34 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2008/03/25/10023/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) To some, the image of a ham radio might conjure up the image of a portable stereo shaped like a piggy bank. Others might think of a large, two-way radio used to make contact with people in far-off places. While this definition more suits a ham radio, the device and the people who use it have become increasingly diverse in modern times. 30 Mar 2008 00:12:33 -0500 http://www.wilsoncountynews.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=58&twindow=Default&mad=Yes&sdetail=18391&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&r reader@wcn-online.com (WC News) The National Weather Service relies on ordinary folks trained as "storm spotters" to help them track severe weather as it develops. Winchester and Frederick County have 51 spotters that report to the National Weather Service post in Sterling via telephone or e-mail. 30 Mar 2008 00:12:33 -0500 http://www.winchesterstar.com/article_details.php?ArticleID=5512 tdunham@winchesterstar.com (T. Dunham) Merle Glunt, W3OKN, of Mount Union, Pennsylvania, passed away March 16. He was 90. Glunt served as the ARRL consultant to the World Administrative Radio Conference in 1979 (WARC-79), and through years of hard work, was instrumental in gaining the 12, 17 and 30 meter bands for the Amateur Service. 30 Mar 2008 00:12:33 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/03/24/10022/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) License examinations for amateur (ham) radio operators and station licenses are April 6 in Chico. Ken Knull, member of Friends of the High Lakes, is holding an examination session at 2 p.m. in Chico for $6.50. Interested parties need to e-mail Knull by the end of the week at info@friendsofthehighlakes.com to register or for further information. 30 Mar 2008 00:12:32 -0500 http://www.paradisepost.com/ci_8682976 jbarker@paradisepost.com (J. Barker) The spoils system might not be what it was when Sen. William Marcy, D-N.Y., inadvertently gave it its name in his 1832 "To the victor go the spoils" speech, but patronage still is an important power for the president as he or she places men and women in positions across the capital from the Pentagon to the FCC's offices in the Portals. 30 Mar 2008 00:12:32 -0500 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/business/news/e3i6871c50863ecd10ff587411927c1b0f1 editor@hollywoodreporter.com (Brooks) Former ABC network correspondent and longtime Maine broadcaster Robert "Bob" Peder Dyk died of cancer at his Falmouth home today. He was 71. "He was fabulous, talented and had a great sense of humor," said his wife of 21 years, Trish Dyk. 30 Mar 2008 00:12:32 -0500 http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/024124.html ngallagher@Pressherald.com (Noel) Martin County amateur radio operators recently conducted a simulated emergency test at Halpatiokee Regional Park in Stuart. The operators camped out and staffed their radios for much of the 48-hour period, establishing portable and backup-power operations at the park. 19 Mar 2008 00:44:23 -0500 http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/mar/17/amateur-radio-operators-simulate-emergency-test/ ai7q@arrl.net (TC Palm) A UNIQUE hobby group for radio enthusiasts has secured a grant of more than £5,000. The Worcester Radio Amateurs Association (WRAA), established in October 2006, is celebrating after being given £5,320 from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme. The group, the only amateur radio enthusiast organisation in the Worcestershire area, will use the cash to spread its wings into neighbouring towns. 19 Mar 2008 00:44:23 -0500 http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2122238.mostviewed.radio_hams_tune_into_lottery_grant.php advertiser@midlands.newsquest.co.uk (UK) For the first time in two years, the Penticton Amateur Radio Club is offering a basic certification course to help prospective amateur radio operators prepare for the government licensing exam. It's part of an effort by the club to get new users involved in the hobby and spread awareness about what can be done with amateur radio. 19 Mar 2008 00:33:19 -0500 http://www.bclocalnews.com/lifestyles/16691536.html editor@bclocalnews.com (BC local news) When Fran Little was 12 years old, he bought a crystal radio set kit, put it together and hooked it up to an antenna. "I actually heard local radio amateurs on the air and then went to their homes and talked with them," Little said, remembering the thrill as if it were yesterday. 19 Mar 2008 00:33:19 -0500 http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=188544&format=html marlob@herald-mail.com (MARLO BARNHART) The amateur radio club at LaFayette Middle School has been awarded a grant that is allowing its students the ability to communicate worldwide. 19 Mar 2008 00:33:19 -0500 http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=730&NewsID=885618&CategoryID=18484&on=1 editor@walkermessenger.com ( ) Amateur radio is more than just a pastime for Jim Langille. It's a big part of his life. The president of the Westcumb Amateur Radio Club recently became the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) section manager for the Maritimes, a role in which he hopes to help promote the activity throughout the region. 19 Mar 2008 00:33:18 -0500 http://www.citizenweekly.com/index.cfm?sid=117443&sc=136 gcoish@amherstdaily.com (Gladys Coish) More than 20 Amateur Radio operators wrapped up technical and operational support for the 2008 Special Olympics Invitational Winter Games in Boise, Tamarack and Sun Valley, Idaho the last week in February. Approximately 365 athletes from 10 countries competed in five sports -- Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Floor Hockey, Snowboarding and Snowshoeing. The Invitational Games were seen as the practice run for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games to be held in Idaho February 6-13, 2009. 19 Mar 2008 00:33:18 -0500 http://www.eham.net/articles/18897 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) To the untrained ear, "73 SK," sounds like babble, but for many local amateur radio operators, 73 SK clearly spells, "Best wishes, clear. 15 Mar 2008 01:35:16 -0500 http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19372809&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6 kthurber@mrt.com (Kathleen Thurber) "Net Control, Rover 9," Ray Lischka cocked his head to hear the voice crackling from the speaker of the tiny radio in his hand. "We have reports of a downed rider along Rice Ranch Road." Lischka glanced at his watch and jotted down a notation on a pad. 15 Mar 2008 01:33:22 -0500 http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2008/03/09/news/news02.txt tammy@tammycravit.com (Tammy Cravitt) On March 6, the FCC announced that it has issued a Forfeiture Order in the amount of $4300 to Ronald Mondgock, KA3OMZ, of Honeybrook, Pennsylvania, "for willfully and repeatedly violating Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), by operating radio transmitting equipment on the frequencies 439.850 MHz and 147.560 MHz without a license." Section 301 states a federal license is required to "operate any apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals by radio." Mondgock's Amateur Radio license expired in December 2005. 15 Mar 2008 01:23:51 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/03/10/100/?nc=twiardotorg awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) In advance of spring's potentially treacherous storms, area agencies are asking the public this week to prepare to stay safe and informed during severe weather. The clash of warm and cold air masses between April and into June creates ripe conditions for tornadoes and thunderstorms that pose great danger to life and property, said John Taylor, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in North Webster. The agency uses a four-tier system to alert to these conditions. 15 Mar 2008 01:23:37 -0500 http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080304/NEWS/803040348/1152/NEWS eweddle@journalandcourier.com (Eric) Over the weekend of October 26 through October 28, 2007, amateur satellite operators enjoyed a weekend in the mountains of western Pennsylvania with the autumn leaves at their peak color. The Wireless Association of South Hills, Skyview Amateur Radio Club, Breeze Shooters Amateur Radio Club and Washington Amateur Communications clubs in the Pittsburgh area teamed up to host the 2007 AMSAT Space Symposium at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott Hotel. 15 Mar 2008 01:23:30 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2008/03/05/10005?nc=twiardotorg k9jkm@amsat.org (ARRL) Conventional wisdom states that nobody wants to be known as a number, but members of the Radio Operators Association of Dallas amateur radio club embrace their radio call sign numbers like badges of honor. In fact, ROADs member Bob Boswell's call sign, W7LOU, also is his license plate number and is part of his e-mail address. Trent Newcomb's call sign, W7TDN, incorporates his initials (after the first two Federal Communications Commission-mandated letter/number combinations). 15 Mar 2008 01:23:27 -0500 http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/NEWS/803060326/1001/NEWS gaparks@comcast.net (Geoff Parks) On Wednesday, February 27, Brian Sprecher, KC9LCC, of Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, received a radio call on the 147.150 Madison repeater requesting emergency help. Robert Stout, WB9ECK, of Monticello, Wisconsin, told Sprecher that a vehicle had gone off the road through a guard rail, stopping short of a creek. The driver was injured and trapped in his vehicle and an ambulance was needed at the scene. Sprecher called the Dane County sheriff's office to relay the information. Stout, via the repeater, kept Sprecher apprised of the driver's injuries; Sprecher, in turn, updated the sheriff's dispatch with the information. Stout remained at the scene providing aid until local police arrived. Sprecher relayed all information to the dispatcher until local authorities arrived and assumed control. "It sounds like the guy drove off the road through a guard rail and may have not been found had it not been for WB9ECK. It was also unknown how long the driver had been over the embankment before being found. This could have been a lot worse had WB9ECK not become involved," Sprecher said. -- Information provided by Brian Sprecher, KC9LCC 15 Mar 2008 01:23:23 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8054 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) On February 27, members of the Disaster Communications Service (DCS), based at the Carson Sheriff Station, received individual and group awards from the State of California, the County of Los Angeles, the Carson Sheriff Station Support Foundation and the City of Carson, California for their participation in a wide range of both planned and emergent events. These 27 Amateur Radio operators provided almost 8000 hours of service to the agencies, including assisting in providing assistance during a bicycle race, tactical alerts due to civil unrest, funerals for fallen deputy sheriffs and the fires that plagued Southern California. Members of their Rapid Deployment Team spent five days on Catalina Island, serving as the primary means of communication between the island and the mainland until telephone systems were restored. The service provided by the Carson Station DCS volunteers saved the taxpayers of Los Angeles County almost $320,000, "but more importantly, they selflessly provided an invaluable service that is a critical component to the safety of our communities and families," the DCS coordinator said. Thirteen deputies, a firefighter, two station volunteers and two citizens were also recognized in the second annual event that pays tribute to Carson sheriff's deputies and supporters for their work in the city. More information can be found at the Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Web page. 15 Mar 2008 01:23:19 -0500 http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8055 awextra@arrl.org (ARRL) The Spirit of Knoxville IV (SNOX IV), a balloon carrying a control computer, GPS receiver, and amateur radio transmitters, is currently over the north Atlantic ocean headed for Europe. The link leads to a page of near-real-time telemetry giving the balloon's latitude, longitude, altitude, temperature, and other interesting data. It also displays a Google map of the balloon's position, its course so far, and its predicted course based on the current jet stream direction and velocity. 15 Mar 2008 01:23:03 -0500 http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2008/03/heads-up-comput.html contact@spiritofknoxville.com As you may know Indiana now has over 3400 National Guard Troops deployed in the War on Terror. Just this past week an additional 175 received a call up to deployment also. 15 Mar 2008 01:23:02 -0500 http://newsblaze.com/story/20080312152914tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html judythpiazza@newsblaze.com (News Blaze) Korea is getting excited about sending its first astronaut ever to outer space in April, and there is something to further boost the mood. The Korea Radio Promotion Agency and the Korean Amateur Radio League are offering a chance for young students to have live chats with Ko San, the nation's first astronaut will board the Russian Soyuz spacecraft that will be launched on Apr. 8. 15 Mar 2008 00:36:47 -0500 http://www.kois.go.kr/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20080303025 editor@kois.go.kr (KOIS) For use on local repeaters, or for broadcast stations with music bed and local club tag. Mix audio for local preferences. 10 May 2008 00:32:24 -0500 http://www.twiar.org/audio/FD%20/Field%20Day%202008%20-%20Field%20Day%20Promo%20Version.mp3 w2xbs@twiar.org (W2XBS)