South Pacific: Signal From China Jamming 18 MHz Ham Band

A Radio China signal on 18.160 MHz has been very strong and consistent into Australia and the South Pacific over the past few months. The United Kingdom's government radio monitoring station has confirmed the location of the transmitter as the southern Yunnan province in China, not far from North Vietnam.

The U-K monitoring station recently received a note from the Chinese authorities in Beijing regarding the transmission. In it, the Chinese authorities promised to investigate the 18160 kHz broadcast signal and to have it removed from the amateur band. But as we go to air, the signal is still quite louns and clear across the region. (WIA News)

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline 1500

New Jersey Ham Couple Sues For Right To Put Up Tower

A Bayville, New Jersey, ham radio couple are suing Berkeley Township over a tower they want to put up. The city says no. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has more:
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John Grove, KE2OI, and his wife, Cynthia, KB2EFP, find themselves locked in a battle with an Ocean County, New Jersey community over their effort to erect a telescoping tower for their ham station. According to the Ocean County Observer, the Grove's are suing the community of Berkeley Township and zoning officers who denied their application for a permit to put up a tower they say will be only 22 feet high most of the time, but could go as high as 86 feet when fully extended. The newspaper says the Groves were denied the zoning permit February 21 on the grounds the tower was deemed an accessory structure that could only be 15 feet high. But the Groves argued that the law only applies to buildings and towers and antennas are excluded. The newspaper reports what makes this matter a little sticky from the legal sense is a township administrator and another zoning officer conceded on March 9 that the denial was a mistake and that the Groves should have been granted a permit. But the Observer reported those two officials backpeddled in their positions less than a week later.

The couple's attorney, John Markwardt of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, wants a judge to invalidate the zoning administrator's denial and order the Grove's request for a permit be approved.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia.
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More on this case in future amateur radio Newsline reports. (ARNewsline(tm)) adapted from Ocean County Observer)

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline 1495

Amateur Radio Praised For Communication Efforts After Hurricane Katrina

A FAILURE OF INITIATIVE

Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina

Report by the Select Bipartisan Committee to
Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina

EXCERPTS RELATING TO AMATEUR RADIO

"The NCS maintains the Shared Resources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES), which provides a single, interagency, voluntary message handling system using over 250 High Frequency (HF) radio frequencies when other communications are unavailable.

A network of government, military, and Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS) radio stations (an organized network of Amateur Radio stations affiliated with the different branches of the armed services to provide volunteer communications), and more than 90 federal, state, and private industry organizations participate in the SHARES program.

Within days following Katrina’s landfall, the NCS coordinated participation by 431 SHARES stations across the nation and assisted first responders conducting search and rescue missions by relaying information to appropriate government agencies; relayed logistical and operational information between FEMA’s EOCs in Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana; relayed health and welfare messages between volunteer agencies in Georgia and the national headquarters of the American Red Cross in Washington, DC; established radio contact with deployed U.S. Navy ships detailed to New Orleans; and provided frequency coordination between federal agencies, Louisiana and Mississippi’s EOCs, and the Civil Air Patrol.

Additionally, the NCS coordinated the frequencies used by the nearly 1,000 Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) volunteers across the nation who served in the Katrina stricken area providing communications for government agencies, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Emergency communications were conducted not only by voice, but also by high-speed data transmissions using state-of-the art digital communications software known as WinLink. In Mississippi, FEMA dispatched Amateur Radio operators to hospitals, evacuation centers, and county EOCs to send emergency messaging 24 hours per day.

According to Bay St. Louis Mayor Edward A. “Eddie” Favre, amateur radio operators were especially helpful in maintaining situational awareness and relaying Red Cross messages to and from the HancockCounty EOC. At airports in Texas and Louisiana, radio amateurs tracked evacuees and notified families of their whereabouts. The Red Cross deployed amateur radio volunteers at its 250 shelter and feeding stations, principally in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

The Salvation Army operates its own Amateur Radio communications system using Amateur radio volunteers, known as SATERN. During the Hurricane Katrina response and recovery effort, SATERN joined forces with the SHARES program and received over 48,000 requests for emergency communications assistance utilizing federal frequencies made available via the SHARES program."

FULL VERSION OF THE REPORT MAY BE DOWNLOADED AT:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/15feb20061230/www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/mainreport.pdf



Thanks to Brian K3VR for passing this along!

Morse Code During Blood Draws

And finally this week, a technology story. Well, really a rather funny technology story that some might say is a bit blood chilling. Scott Palacheck, KC0VUY, has more:

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A few months ago Amateur Radio Newsline reported a story about the Nokia cellulat telephones that send Morse code to signal specific events. Well it now turns out that they are not alone.

Paul Sautter, W6SJL, reports via the CGC Communicator that while he was giving a donation at the Canadian Blood Services in St John's, Newfoundland a few years ago, a new donation machine signaled dit-dit-dit, dah-dah-dah, dit-dit-dit. This, after he had been connected to the device for an hour and a half, with a needle in each arm.

Somewhat concerned, Paul asked the nurse what was wrong. She told him not to worry. The S-O-S only indicated the end of the blood donation procedure.

W6SJL told CGC that he thinks the design engineer of the equipment must have had a very unusual sense of humor.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Scott Palacheck, KC0VUY, near Minneapolis.

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Sautter's experience can only make us wonder what other current generation gear is out there that uses Morse as an interface with its human controllers. (CGC)

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline

Massachusetts: Unlicensed AM Broadcaster Fined $10,000

Usually we hear about unlicensed broadcasters taking to the air on the F-M band. Now comes word that the FCC has affirmed a $10,000 fine against a clandestine station in the A-M broadcast band.

According to an FCC release, back on July 25th of 2005 the agency issued Sylvane Simon of mattapan, Masachusettes, a Notice of Apparent Liability to monetary forfeiture for willful and repeated violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act. Specifically, for operating radio transmission equipment without a license on 1640 KHz in the A-M band.

The FCC says that Simon never responded to the notice of the proposed fine. In affirming the action the regulatory agency gave Simon the customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal. (FCC)

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline

California: Homeowner Fined Over Unlicensed FM Station

Turning to enforcement issues, we have a rhetorical question. What would the FCC do if it discovered an automated or remote controlled unlicensed radio station, where the broadcaster cannot be found, and the homeowner where the transmitter is located refuses to cooperate? In the case of a San Diego, California, operation on 106.9 MHz, the regulatory agency has tentatively fined the homeowner $10,000. This case is probably precedent setting and is hot off the press. Amateur radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, has the details:

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In a Notice of Apparent liability to Monetary Forfeiture dated December 19, 2005, the FCC charges that Joni K. Craig, apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the Communications Act. This, by operating an unlicensed radio transmitter on 106.9 MHz in San Diego, California, even though Craig says that she was merely renting her garage to the people who own the gear.

It all started back on July 26, 2004. That's when agents from the Commission's San Diego Office used mobile direction finding to locate broadcast transmissions on 106.9 MHz emanating from a converted garage behind Craig's home. The agents made several additional trips out to the residence as they heard the signal on the air. During one such trip on October 4, 2004, the agents attempted to inspect the radio station in the garage. Craig refused to allow the inspection and claimed to have no knowledge of a radio station. She said that other people were working on a project in her garage.

On November 10, 2004, San Diego agents again monitored the station on 106.9 MHz and requested an inspection. This time Craig agreed and gave the agents access to the garage ands its contents. Agents found a radio transmitter, a computer and an Internet modem, all in operation. The agents requested that Craig shut down the unlicensed radio station, but she refused She said that she could shut down the station but would not because it belonged to someone else. She told the agents that she would have the people who owned the equipment shut down the transmitter instead. When she was asked who the owner of the radio equipment was, she refused to answer.

After finding that the station was still active on July 26, 2005, San Diego agents, on August 2, 2005, hand-delivered another Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Craig, which again gave Craig an opportunity to reply. No reply from Craig was ever received.

In its decision to fine Craig the FCC says that she provided services and facilities incidental to the transmission of communications by radio. This, by making available the garage and real property on which the operation took place, and providing the electric current used to power the radio station. So in the FCC's eyes she apparently participated in the operation of the unlicensed station and was aware that the station was operating on her property, evidently, with her permission. Also that Craig admitted that she could turn the station off, evidencing her control over the station, she refused to do so.

The bottom line, Craig's willingness to provide space for what the FCC sees as a pirate broadcast radio station is going to cost her $10,000. She was given the usual time to pay or file an appeal.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.

West Virginia: Ham Survives Coal Mine Explosion

I'm Paul Courson, WA3VJB with breaking news. Dateline Sago, West Virginia where the lone survivor of a coal mine explosion appears to be a ham radio operator. According to news reports, Randal McCloy Jr, KC8VKZ, is in critical condition and receiving Oxygen Therapy in a Pennsylvania hospital's Hyperbaric Chamber.

An explosion early Monday, January 2nd trapped the 26 year old McCloy and 12 other miners more than two miles inside a mountain. The blast also released toxic carbon monoxide that prevented rescuers from reaching them for more than 40 hours.

Only Mr. McCloy survived but doctors fear that he has suffered damage to his heart, kidneys, lungs and possibly his brain. He is listed in critical condition and is expected to remain at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh until further notice.

The bodies of the other 12 men were removed from the mine on Wednesday, January 4th. Lightning is believed to have caused the blast.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Courson, WA3VJB, reporting.
(WA3VJB, WA6KLA, W6VR, others)

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline Report #1482

Memorial Frequency Proposal - 500 kHz

The Maritime Radio Historical Society is seeking to have the 500kHz band designated as an international memorial frequency. The idea is that museums and historical initiatives would be issued with coast station licenses on the band.

The Maritime Radio Historical Society has recently been carrying out experimental transmissions to test the viability of the proposal. The transmissions were made between the historic Morse code radio station KPH based at Point Reyes in California and KLB Marine radio in Seattle , Washington .

The test started with KPH transmitting a series of test messages. Not long after, KPH heard KLB calling. According to Richard Dillman, W6AWO, of the Maritime Radio Historical Society, the KLB signal was weak “but it was a thrill to hear him”.

What made this contact so important was that KLB was using A2 (modulated CW). This mode had until that moment not been heard on 500kHz for decades. During the following hour, both stations sent test messages. The KPH test message asked listeners to phone in with signal reports – nine people responded.

According to Richard, the test proved a great success. He said: “All in all, it was a wonderful evening. We are hoping to organise another event this winter in which several stations, ship stations and coast stations will be on air. Let QRM return to 500kHz.”

Source: GB2RS NEWS BROADCAST

NTIA Seeks to Curtail Use of Out-of-band Frequencies by Broadcasters

The Office of Spectrum Management of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) sent a letter to the International Bureau of the FCC on Sept 29, 2005. The letter cites three instances of interference from private shortwave broadcasters in the last 12 months dating back to Nov 2004. The NTIA letter lists 115 Federal Fixed and Mobile Service frequencies in the shortwave bands.

The NTIA sent the letter to the FCC on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA owns, operates and maintains a very large high frequency radio system known as the FEMA National Radio System (FNARS). The NTIA letter asserts that the receivers in the FNARS HF network use current technology and still receive interference from shortwave broadcasters operating 13 kHz away from the FEMA frequency. The letter requests that the FCC immediately remove from the broadcast schedule any frequency located plus or minus 13 kHz from the listed FEMA frequencies. The combined spectrum identified for protection by NTIA in the letter totals over 2000 kHz.

The FCC has authorized private broadcasters on select out-of-band frequencies on a non-interference basis for many years. Broadcasters recognize they must quickly vacate the frequency in the event of actual interference and have promptly done so when asked by the FCC. The NTIA contends that interference, when it occurs, cannot be resolved in a timely manner.


Licensees learned of the NTIA letter after the B05 schedule had been finalized and many broadcasters had already printed and distributed their frequency schedules expected to go into effect on October 30, 2005. The FCC International Bureau is in the process of evaluating the letter and talking to NTIA and FEMA. The FCC will issue instructions to licensees when a decision is reached.

If the NTIA / FEMA request is granted by the FCC, it would displace 120 hours of broadcasts by 14 private shortwave licensees. The three broadcasters with more than 20 hours in jeopardy are EWTN Global Catholic Radio, Family Radio and World Harvest Radio.

Some of the licensees scrambled to find new frequencies before B05 went into effect. Those that chose not to change, but to wait for the outcome of the FCC decision, were authorized those frequencies under the following condition in their B05 authorizing letter:

"In addition, we note that the National Telecommunications Information Administration has requested that some of the out-of-band frequencies be removed from the Commission's HF Broadcast Schedule. (See attached letter) The Commission is still evaluating this request, however, you are on notice that you may have to vacate certain frequencies depending on the outcome of this request." -----

Source: NASB Newsletter December 2005

Somalia: Beware Of Pirate SOS Calls

Pirates on the not-so-high seas are using phony distress calls to lure unsuspecting victims. According to the San Diego Union Tribue, the pirates operating off the coast of Somalia are known to send out S-O-S messages pretending that they have a problem and ask anyone hearing the signal to come to assist them When the rescue boat arrives the law-breakers board it at gunpoint and hold anyone on board for ransom.

Three well organized pirate groups are known to be operating with impugnity off Somalia's 1,880 mile coastline. That African nation has had no effective government since opposition leaders ousted a dictatorship in 1991 and then turned on each other, leaving the nation of 7 million a patchwork of warlord fiefdoms. Hams and SWL's in Africa might want to keep their ears open for distress calld and report them to local authorities.

(W6VR, published news reports)
Source: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1474