ARNewsline Report 1725 -- Sept 3 2010:

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1725 - September 3 2010

Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1725 with a release date of Friday, September 3 2010 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. A missing Arizona ham is found dead in a trailer and an arrest is made. Also, amateur radio is ready for Hurricane Earl, ham radio towers are included in a controversial proposed ordinance in Escondido, California, the FCC denies a rather interesting request for a waiver of the vanity call sign rules and a working royalty free codec for ham radio digital audio is announced by VK5DGR. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1725 coming your way right now.

RADIO CRIME: MISSING ARIZONA HAM FOUND DEAD IN TRAILER

A sad end to the search for a Glendale, Arizona, ham who went missing in mid August. Amateur Radio Newsline Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the details on what appears to be a vicious crime:

Authorities in Maricopa County, Arizona are confirming the body of 30-year-old David Wile, KE7SWL, of Glendale, was found August 24t, hidden inside a box trailer being pulled by a truck in the Sun City area. The truck driver, 48-year-old David Edison, has been charged with concealing a body. He is being held on $20,000 bond.

An autopsy on August 27^th by the Maricopa County medical examiner confirmed the body was indeed Wile's. A cause and manner of death was still being investigated. The sheriff's homicide unit is also now actively pursuing the case. They say more charges could be pending against Edison.

Investigators say they got a call from a couple following the truck and trailer on August 24^th and they reported what they described as a foul smell coming from the vehicle. They gave deputies the description and license number of the vehicle and it was stopped a short time later between Peoria and Sun City, authorities say. Investigators say when deputies opened the trailer, they made the grim discovery of a decaying body tucked inside a garment.

Edison was interviewed, but is reported to have invoked his right to counsel and he was charged and committed to the jail. On a blog posting, a woman identifying herself as David Wile's aunt claimed the suspect is a roommate and former business partner of her nephew.

Wile was reportedly last seen at his Glendale home on August 14^th . He was reported missing by his family on August 17^th after he failed to show up for a ballroom dance competition at a Tempe, Arizona dance studio.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

More on this story as investigators make information available. (KB7TBT, ABC15.com, others)

RADIO LAW: FCC DENIES CALLSIGN WAIVER REQUEST

The FCC has denied a May 17, 2010 request from John H. Gottschalk, Jr., KB1DDK, for a waiver of the amateur service rules to permit the call sign KK1CQ to be assigned to his amateur station. This, to commemorate the memory of a person that Gottschalk described in his letter to the FCC a close friend.

In turning down Gottschalk's waiver petition, the FCC said that it understands that his request was being made to permit him to memorialize a person close to him. However, because Gottschalk holds a General Class license, and the call sign KK1CQ is a Group B call sign, assignable only to Amateur Extra Class and Advanced Class licensees, that it is denying the request. (FCC)

RADIO LAW: HAM TOWERS INCLUDED IN PROPOSED OCEANSIDE CA TOWER LAW

An ordinance making its way to the Oceanside City Council would limit where cell phone companies and in some cases, where amateur radio operators can place their towers and antennas. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, tells us more about this proposed tower law:

The Oceanside, California, City Planning Commission voted 6 to 0 on Monday, August 23^rd to recommend the City Council approve the new telecommunication ordinance. One that would replace the city’s rules that were drafted back in 1992.

The old ordinance allowed the towers to be built anywhere in the community. This resulted in cellular telephone and other commercial towers being placed in residential neighborhoods, near schools, churches and parks. As a result, residents expressed concern about the proximity of the towers to these locations. They cited concerns about the radiation emitted by antennas and transmitters on the towers as well as claiming that they significantly diminish property values.

The proposed new ordinance would require cellular companies to disguise their towers so as to blend in with a given areas surroundings. It also would encourage cell companies to install their antennas on existing poles. It would also establish a list of preference of locations where towers can locate. In order of preference these would start with city owned land parcels, industrial properties, commercial properties. Further down the list and subject to owner approval would be quasi public institutions such as schools and churches, agricultural land, open space and lastly residential communities.

Amateur radio operators attended the meeting in force to criticize their inclusion in the ordinance. As currently written it would subject them to expensive fees to install antennas greater than a certain height.

In response to the complaints from the ham community, the commission recommended the creation of less expensive permit system to process amateur radio requests. However is has so far has refused to exempt hams from the new proposed new tower placement rule.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale.

Oceanside area hams are expected to be out in force at the full City Council meeting when the vote is taken on this measure. (uniontrib.com)

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N4MWA repeater serving Phelps, Kentucky.

RESCUE RADIO: HAMS READY IF HURRICANE MAKES LANDFALL

Amateur radio was ready for Hurricane Earl. A Category 4 storm as it made its way across the Caribbean at its peak Earl packed winds in excess of 140 miles per hour. We have more in this report:

WX4NHC is the ham station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Its monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. The secondary HF frequencies are 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz should propagation be lost on 20 meters. The EchoLink “WX-Talk” Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 are also being monitored.

Meantime, North Carolina Emergency Management told affiliated agencies including ARES units that the State Emergency Operations Center would activate on September 2 for Earl. ARRL North Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Brown, N4TAB, warned amateurs in his state that there was an impending ARES activation. He said that coastal localities could be looking for help from those in areas not affected by the storm.

As we go to air, a hurricane watch is in effect from north of the North Carolina and Virginia border to Cape Henlopen, Delaware. Canada has also issued a hurricane watch for Nova Scotia from Medway Harbour to Digby. More on hurricane Earl and the ham radio response, next week.

I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in the Newsroom in Los Angeles.

According to news reports its been over 20 years since a storm this large threatened the coastline of the United States. The U.S. naval fleet in Norfolk, Virginia, was remaining in port, but is under orders to be ready to get underway within 24 hours if necessary. (NWS, ARRL, NOAA, others)

RADIO POLITICS: MONTENEGRO ACCEPTED TO IARU MEMBERSHIP

The Montenegrin Amateur Radio Pool formed in October 2008, has been accepted as the International Amateur Radio Union member society. 65 votes were returned to the IARU International Secretariat with 63 votes in favor of admission and 2 abstentions.

The Republic of Montenegro, callsign prefix 4 Oh, declared its independence on June 3, 2006 following a national referendum. It was admitted as the 192^nd member of the United Nations on June 28^th of that year. (IARU)

EMERGING HAM TECHNOLOGY: VK2DGR RELEASES ROYALTY FREE DIGITAL VOICE CODEC

An exciting development in the world of ham radio digital audio. This as David Rowe, VK5DGR, announces the release of Version 0.1 alpha of Codec2, which is a fully function 2550 bit per seconds codec for Amateur Radio digital voice.

As previously described here on Newsline, Codec2 is an open source low bit rate speech codec released under the GNU Lesser General Public License designed for communications quality speech use. Applications include low bandwidth High Frequency and VHF digital radio. Its supporters say that Codec2 fills a gap in open source, free speech voice codecs operating beneath the 5000 bit per second rate and to listen to some sample audio in both male and female voices makes you believe that Rowe has succeeded.

Those who support Codec2 claim that the lack of a copyright free Codec has impeded the development of amateur radio digital voice communications on both the High Frequency and VHF bands. They hope that Codec2 will eventually be incorporated into DV software such as WinDRM and FDMDV which has so far relied on a non open source Codec.

Further information on Codec2 along with more audio samples are on line at tinyurl.com/36mx63e (Southgate)

RADIO LAW: TECH GROUPS AT ODDS OVER CELLPHONE FM CHIP

It appears the FM chip aspect of performance royalty discussions between the National Association of Broadcasters and the MusicFirst coalition that represents artists and recording companies have angered some wireless companies. As a result, several technology industry associations have written letters to the Chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. They are urging the lawmakers to resist efforts to mandate an FM chip in cell phones and other personal devices in any legislation addressing what they term as an: " unrelated conflict between the broadcast and recording industries over royalties."

Six trade groups signed the letter. These include the very politically powerful Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and the equally powerful Consumer Electronics Association. Joining them are the Telecommunications Industry Association, TechAmerica, the Information Technology Industry Council and the Rural Cellular Association. All put forth the same argument that essentially says that this is not their fight and they will not permit themselves to be drawn into it.

In their letter the groups say that calls for an FM chip mandate are not about public safety but are instead about propping up a business which consumers are abandoning as they avail themselves of new, more consumer-friendly options. The letter goes on to state that it is simply wrong for two entrenched industries to resolve their differences by agreeing to burden a third industry. which has no relationship or other interest in the performance royalty dispute.

Those signing the letter say that they do not accept the rationalization that an FM control chip as an emergency alert" solution. They state that this idea was considered and rejected during implementation of the WARN Act. As such, it would put this multi-year collaboration and investment at risk and delay the widespread availability of alerting capability. (RW)

NAMES IN THE NEWS: VK2APQ CELEBRATES AGE 99

Some names in the news. First, congratulations to Pierce Healy, VK2APQ, on the celebration of his 99th birthday back on August 13^th . Pierce Healy was first licensed at the beginning of World War 2 but could not get on air at that time. In the 1950's he was a member of Australia's New South Wales Division Council and later served as its president. While President, VK2APQ prepared and read the VK2WI morning bulletin. He also served many years as VK2 Federal Councilor and was particularly well known for his amateur radio notes that were published in Radio and Hobbies, the predecessor of Electronics Australia. VK2APQ is also still a regular voice on VK2WI Sunday callback net and a life member of the Wireless Institute of Australia and Australia's New South Wales Division Council. (RAC)

NAMES IN THE NEWS: W8AAS APPOINTED AMSAT US DELIGATE TO ARISS INTERNATIONAL

David Taylor, W8AAS, of Columbia, Maryland has been appointed to the post of AMSAT's United States delegate to ARISS-International. First licensed in 1970, Taylor has been involved with SAREX and ARISS since 2000. He holds an Extra Class amateur radio license. Taylor replaces Barry Baines, WD4ASW who was holding the position temporarily following the resignation of Will Marchant in 2009.

For those not aware, ARISS is an acronym that stands for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. ARISS International is a working group consisting of national amateur radio organizations and AMSAT organizations of the host countries represented on the International Space Station. It serves as the unified voice of amateur radio in working with the space agencies that manage the ISS. Information on the activities of ARISS in several languages can be found on-line at www.rac.ca/ariss.(ARISS)

NAMES IN THE NEWS: REPEATER OWNER SAYS FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG ON 911

And the owner operator of California's Sunset Ridge Linked Repeater near Los Angeles is suggesting that on Saturday, September 11th, 2010, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States.

In a posting to Facebook, Burton Brink, N6USO, says that every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this ninth anniversary of one our country's worst tragedies. He continues by saying that we do this honor of those who lost their lives on 911, as well as their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain. Also to honor those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

If you are a Facebook member you can find the Sunset Ridge Linked Repeater page using the shortcut URL of tinyurl.com/sunsetrepeater. More about the repeater itself is in cyberspace at www.n6uso.com/

And if we at Amateur Radio Newsline may be permitted a short editorial comment on the suggestion by N6USO, we 100% agree. (N6USO via Facebook)

This is ham radio news for today’s radio amateur. From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being relayed by the volunteer services of the following radio amateur:

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: MAX: A RADIO DOG - S.K.

We don't usually do stories about the passing of the pets of ham radio operators, but a dog named Max deserves such a mention. This, because his heart like that of his closest friend, Chris Boone, WB5ITT, was devoted to radio.

According to Chris, he found Max at the AM transmitter site of the famous "Mighty 1190" in Dallas, Texas in January of 2001. Chris described Max as a great pet, loyal, friendly and protective. WB5ITT notes that for him to be a Rottweiler and Shepherd mix, he amazed Chris and others at dog parks by being an accomplished swimmer.

Due to a spinal aneurysm where a disk blew out and caused the spinal bone to put pressure on the cord itself, Chris had to make the hard decision on Monday, August 23^rd to put Max down. As a result, a discussion arose among an on-line group of those in radio broadcast engineering after Chris told them about Max's passing.

Not long after, WB5ITT received a call from a reporter for Radio World. This is a nationwide broadcast trade publication which a few days later published an article about Max as well as a number of other four-legged faithful canine friends of radio engineers. You can read this truly inspiring story and see a photo of Max on line at www.radioworld.com/article/105620. (WB5ITT)

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: BURNING WATER CUBESAT CONCEPT

Two videos on YouTube video show the concept for a CubeSat propulsion system using plasma electrolysis of water. This prototype shows that thrust can be produced by plasma electrolysis or burning water so to speak. You can view these videos on-line at tinyurl.com/2csky34. (Southgate, ANS)

ON THE AIR: RADAR COMES TO HAM RADIO IN AN ON THE AIR OPERATION

RADAR is coming to the ham bands, but in a good way. This as PD1AJJ and PD3EM will be active with the special event callsign PD55RADAR from 4^th to the 14^th .

In this case RADAR stands for Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. This is an international concept of radio amateurs being able to operate anywhere under all circumstances. The goal is to setup an amateur radio station quickly on remote sites anywhere using only battery power. And anywhere means not only sites reachable by car but also on locations after a few miles walk. Also the groups 5 by 5 concept means being able to communicate by amateur radio within 5 minutes after arriving at the operating site with the QRP power of 5 watts maximum.

PD1AJJ and PD3EM will participate in the IARU HF SSB Field Day On September 4^th and 5^th from the Dutch polders near the famous windmills of Kinderdijk. They will use a Yaesu FT-817 which means QRP only. The rest of the period they will be operating PD55RADAR in their free-time which will mainly be during the evenings. QSL via PD3EM, More information on line at www.pd3em.com (PD3EM)

DX

In DX, members of Sands Contest Group and Workington Radio Club along with Brendon Minish, EI6IZ will be visiting the Isle of Arran off the coast of south western Scotland for one week beginning September 18^th . They plan to operate under the callsign MS0SCG on VHF, HF, SSB, CW and data modes. QSL as directed on the air.

HA0HW will sign J48HW from Thassos Island until September 7^th . Thassos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea farmed for its clean beaches and the magnificent honey. QSL via HA0HW.

KT8X will be active portable BW from Taiwan through September 6th. QSL via his home callsign or by the Logbook of the World.

Lastly, members of the QLF DX-Team will be on the air as LA6Q from Gurskoy Island group between September 9^th to the 14^th . Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via LA9VDA.

(Above from various DX news sources.)

THAT FINAL ITEM: THE YHOTY AWARD - SAYING THANKS

And finally this week, the August 21^st presentation of the 2010 Amateur Radio Newsline Young ham of the year Award to Cody Anderson, KI4FUV, also marked the 25^th anniversary of this program that was first introduced back in 1986. And attending this years special celebration were two former Young Ham of the Year recipients. They were Christopher Arthur, NB4V, who was KT4XA when he received the award in 2000 and Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, who was honored back in 2004. Both had words of praise for KI4FUV, while also reminiscing about what the award meant to them. First to speak was Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM:

KG4IUM: "I just want to congratulate you Cody on this great honor. You should definitely be very proud.

"Its leaders like you who are recognized and other youth will look up to and say -- 'well he got to do all this pretty cool stuff like go to Space Camp because he did these really good things for ham radio.'

"So I think its important that people like you are recognized for your work so that we can get more youth involved (in the hobby) and have a lot of hams for tomorrow."

Christopher Arthur, NB4V, talked about the fact that he still has and uses his Yaesu gift almost every day:

NB4V: "It was 10 years ago here that I was the 2000 Young Ham of the year, and I have to echo the sentiment of the 1990 winner as it really was one of the best days of my life. It was a truly wonderful, wonderful honor that I will truly never forget.

"My prize radio I still use on a regular basis and its truly been a wonderful thing. And I thank you Bill, and Amateur Radio Newsline, CQ, Yaesu and Chip with Heil Sound and that the award continues to be given and hopefully the Young Ham of the Year Award program will continue for many more years to come and continue to honor the leadership among youth in amateur radio,

"Once again, congratulations Cody and keep up the good work and congratulations to you on all your future endeavors"

Also attending vicariously was Mary Alestra, KB2IGG, who in 1990 at age 12 was the youngest person ever to receive the Young Ham of the Year Award. Now grown up and an attorney in New York City, our producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, reads part of the e-mail from Mary describing what the award meant to her:

WA6ITF READS E-MAIL FROM KB2IGG: Winning the YHOTY award gave me such a sense of accomplishment and pride at a very young age. It was a wonderful feeling to win an award for something that I loved doing anyway. There have been a lot of great moments in my life since then, including graduating from college and law school, but the YHOTY award may have been the most important since it helped me realize that all of these goals were possible.

"I think it's fantastic that Amateur Radio Newsline recognizes the dedication and accomplishments of young people by continuing to sponsor this award. Congratulations to Cody! I wish him all the best and lots of exciting QSOs for years to come!

"And that was from Mary Alestra, KB2IGG."

The first recipient was Shawn Alan Wakefield, WK5P, with the presentation made at the long gone Ham West convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. For about half a decade the award presentation ceremony moved around the country until it found a permanent home at the Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama. That’s where its been almost every year since 1993.

Vertex-Standard which manufacturers Yaesu brand ham gear has been a corporate underwriter since the award was created. In the mid-1990's CQ Magazine added its name and prestige to the companies supporting the award. And three years ago Heil Sound Limited came on board to help make the presentation ceremony an even more exciting event for the recipient. They, along with Dave Bell, W6AQ, who subsides the plaque that Amateur Radio Newsline presents the winner and the crew at the Huntsville Hamfest that has given the award a permanent home are the ones who make this presentation possible. To them, we say a heart felt thank you. Without their support, the award and its presentation would not have lasted a quarter of a century. They are the ones who truly make it happen. (ARNewsline™)

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain, the RSGB, the Southgate News and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline™. Our e-mail address is newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's™ only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline™, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m Jim Davis, W2JKD, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline™ is Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

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