Amateur Radio Newsline and RAIN Report for June 9

Sat Jun 10 08:39:34 -0700 2006
manage
  • 13 new ham radio satellites to go into orbit this month.
  • New Amateur repeaters help victims of Thailand floods.
  • Ham radio assists in the aftermath of the Indonesia's killer earthquake.

Get the MP3 (usually has more content) or read the script below.

Also, listen to the RAIN Report MP3 or get that from the RAIN Report site.

                  Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1504 -  June 9, 2006
                  
                  Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1504 with a release date of  Friday, 
                  June 9th, 2006 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
                   
                  The following is a Q-S-T.  13 new ham radio satellites to go into orbit 
                  this month, new Amateur repeaters help victims of Thailand floods and ham 
                  radio assists in the aftermath of the Indonesia's killer earthquake.  Find 
                  out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1504 coming your 
                  way right now.
                  
                  
                  (Billboard Cart Here) 
                   
                  **
                  
                  HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  MASSIVE HAM-SAT LAUNCH ON JUNE 28TH
                  
                  If you think that 8 is enough, then 13 is even better.  Especuially when it 
                  comes to putting ham radio satellites into space.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, 
                  has more in this report:
                  
                  --
                  
                  13.  Thats the number of ham-sats that will go into orbit on June 28th when 
                  a Russian-built rocket takes off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan 
                  in what will be the largest ever deployment of Amateur Satellites. 
                  
                  The 13 are called cube-sats.  Each satellite is a 10cm cube weighing just 1 
                  kilogram into which is packed the battery, transmitter and the various 
                  experiments.  The satellites will be put into a 500 by 566 km orbit with an 
                  inclination of 97 degrees. 
                  
                  One of the CubeSats to be launched is known as SEEDS.  It was built by 
                  students at the Nihon-University it contains a CW beacon, Digi-Talker and 
                  other experiments.  After launch it will operate a CW beacon on 437.485 MHz 
                  using the callsign JQ1YGU. The Digi-Talker experiment will be activated 
                  later. 
                  
                  In all, twelve of the micro sized birds will have downlinks in the Amateur 
                  Satellite Service allocation between 435 and 438 MHz and one will operate 
                  on 145.950 MHz.  
                  
                  For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in Los Angeles
                  
                  
                  --
                  
                  Further information on the this mega ham radio satellite launch can be seen 
                  at http://littonlab.atl.calpoly.edu/ (Southgate News)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RESCUE RADIO:  NEW REPEATERS HELP IN THAILAND FLOODS
                  
                  Two new Amateur Radio repeaters have been installed to boost signals in 
                  flood-hit provinces of Thailand.  Rob Mount Barker, VK5MM, has the rest of 
                  the story:
                  
                  --
                  
                  The Office of the National Telecommunications Commission  has set up  
                  repeaters for amateur radio frequencies in Sukhothai and Uttaradit to 
                  provide a communication tool in  flood-hit areas, VK5MM has more...
                  
                  The deputy secretary-general of the Office of the NTC, said  that a 
                  repeater for amateur radio band was set up on the  Khao Luang Mountain in 
                  Sukhothai's Sri Satchanalai district  and another at the Sirikit Dam in 
                  Uttardit.
                  
                  He said the repeaters would allow radio amateurs in the areas to link 
                  together to provide communications networks to assist the authorities in 
                  providing relief to flood-hit victims.
                  
                  He said the repeaters were installed in line with advice from His Majesty 
                  the King, who voiced concern that mobile phones had no signal in the 
                  forested areas of the flood-hit provinces.
                  
                  
                  --
                  
                  According to the Thai Interior Ministry, extensive flooding in northern 
                  Thailand that began during the week of May 22 resulted in 51 deaths, 87 
                  missing persons, and affected more than 100,000 residents.  At least 75,000 
                  have reported damage to their homes since the flooding began.  (WIA News)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RESCUE RADIO:  HAMS ASSIST IN AFTERMATH OF INDONESIA QUAKE
                  
                  Ham radio and several other personal radio services have responded in the 
                  aftermath of a killer earthquake that has hit Indonesia.  Jeramy Boot, 
                  G4NJH,  brings us up to date:
                  
                  --
                  
                  Radio amateurs are providing emergency communications in and around the 
                  Indonesian city of Yogyakarta following a devastating earthquake.
                  
                  More than 5,000 were killed when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck 
                  Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, on 27th May. A further 20,000 were 
                  injured and 200,000 have been made homeless. 
                  
                  The Organization of Amateur Radio for Indonesia is co-ordinating an 
                  emergency communications network made up of so-called "Zulu" stations and 
                  individual volunteer radio amateurs. As is the practice in Indonesia, 
                  several Zulu-prefixed emergency communications stations have been set up to 
                  handle disaster related traffic on HF and VHF. 
                  
                  Other radio amateurs from across Indonesia are also making their way to the 
                  disaster area to bolster the emergency communications network. Among them 
                  is thought to be medical doctor Soejat Harto, YB6HB, whose team of radio 
                  amateurs played a vital role in the relief effort in Indonesia following 
                  the cataclysmic tsunami of 2004.
                  
                  I'm G4NJH in Nottingham.
                  
                  --
                  
                  As we go to air, ham radio and other personal communications are playing a 
                  vital role in the ongoing relief efforts.  (GB2RS)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RESCUE RADIO:  VK RESCUE SERVICE SAYS BETTER RADIOS NEEDED BY FISHERMEN
                  
                  A rescue involving a helicopter and lots of man-hours could have been 
                  avoided.  So says a spokesman for an Australian recovery operation.  Graham 
                  Kemp, VK4BB, has the rest of the story:
                  
                  --
                  
                  Police say an island rescue was avoidable.
                  
                   A search and rescue helicopter in North West Australia responded to an 
                  emergency beacon and found  six men stranded on Dirk Hartog Island after 
                  their boat had  broken down.   The group of fishermen had written the word 
                  'broken' in the sand.
                  
                   ABC West Australia reported the uninjured group was eventually  airlifted 
                  to  Carnarvon where local policeman Rob Martin said updated radio equipment 
                  would have avoided the need for a helicopter.
                  
                   "I believe they had a 27 meg radio at the time which is the correct radio,  
                  but there is also a VHF marine radio which probably would have  provided 
                  better communications at the time and may have also assisted
                   in locating the boat and avoiding perhaps a more costly rescue at the  end 
                  of the day," he said.
                  
                  --
                  
                  While there's no law that says fishing boats in Australia must carry a 
                  marine radio, common sense would tend to dictate that they would.  (WIA 
                  News)
                  
                  
                  **
                  
                  RESCUE RADIO:  STATEN ISLAND ARES PARTICIPATES IN "STORM REHEARSAL" 
                      
                  The lessons learned during last year's Gulf Coast hurricanes the have not 
                  been lost on those in the Emergency Response community in New York City.   
                  In preparation for the upcoming storm season, Staten Island and New York 
                  County Amateur Radio Emergency Service members recently participated in a 
                  drill sponsored by The American Red Cross.
                  
                  Code-named "The Staten Island Storm Rehearsal", was held on Sunday, May 21, 
                  at Public School  44 on Staten Island.  ARES served as the primary 
                  communicators for most of the drill, which included "non-working" cell 
                  phones and a "power outage".  When the "blackout" scenario occurred, the 
                  hams were able to provide a seamless transition to battery-backup power in 
                  order to maintain ongoing critical communication with the Red Cross EOC in 
                  Manhattan. Ten New York City area ARES members took part.
                  
                  **
                  
                  RESCUE RADIO: NATIONAL SOS RADIO NETWORK HOLDS FITST TEST IN CONNECTICUT
                  
                  The recently formed National SOS Radio Network has selected Connecticut as 
                  the site for it's first public test of it's new emergency communications 
                  system.  From 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Connecticut citizens are requested to tune 
                  their F-R-S radios to Channel 1 and see how well they can talk to their 
                  neighbors.
                  
                  The Connecticut trial is made up of two concurrent tests.  The first is to 
                  determine statewide neighborhood preparedness using these milliwatt level 
                  F-R-S radios.  The other will be to determine the effectiveness of a 
                  Hartford area receiving station.
                  
                  As previously reported, the National SOS Radio Network is an entirely 
                  volunteer operation, staffed by ham radio and GMRS radio operators 
                  nationwide.  Channel 1 was selected as the primary emergency channel as it 
                  is was previously endorsed by F-R-S radio manufacturers, the DC Emergency 
                  Communication Network, and  REACT. (Press Release)
                  
                  **
                  
                  Break 1
                  
                  From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard 
                  on bulletin stations around the world including the VE9BSQ repeater serving 
                  St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.
                  
                  (5 sec pause here)
                  
                  **
                  
                  ENFORCEMENT:  FCC LOCATES ANOTHER SELF-OSCILLATING WINEGARD AMPLIFIED 
                  ANTENNA IN OREGON 
                  
                  The FCC recently tracked down the cause of interference on the 70 
                  centimeter in Oregon.  It found the source to be another of those self 
                  oscillating R-V television antennas made by the Winegard company.  Evi 
                  Simons has more:
                  
                  --
                  
                  
                  This past May 8th, the FCC's Portland Office received a complaint of 
                  interference to the Amateur Radio service frequency of 444.875 MHz.  On May 
                  9th,  an agent from that office investigated and located the interfering 
                  signal to be coming from a motor home owned by a Mr. Merwin.  No address 
                  was given but further investigation by the agent revealed that the exact 
                  source of the interfering signal was a Winegard amplified TV antenna 
                  installed on the roof of the R-V.    
                  
                  As previously reported, back a few years ago there was a product run of 
                  these antenna amplifiers combos that had this self oscillating problem.  
                  Hams discovered it when random signals started appearing on the inputs to 
                  area repeaters in several locations.  
                  
                  Thousands of these antennas were believed to have been sold before the 
                  model was pulled from dealers shelves.  An updated model replaced them and 
                  eliminated the problem.  
                  
                  To its credit, Winegard has done all it can to locate and replace the 
                  defective units.   None the less, these early antenna and amplifier combo 
                  units still show up as the source of radio frequency interference from time 
                  to time, this one in Oregon being the latest.  
                  
                  In this case the FCC says that Mr. Merwin was asked to contact Winegard to 
                  make arrangements for them to replace the defective unit.  Also, due to the 
                  continuing radio communications interference caused by these antennas, the 
                  agency requested that he ship the defective antenna to the FCC for testing 
                  after a replacement arrives.
                  
                  For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Evi Simons reporting from New York.
                  
                  --
                  
                  As a result of this interference, Winegard long ago agreed to replace the 
                  defective units at no charge to its customers.  Many have been found and 
                  taken out of service, but there are likely other units out there where the 
                  owner has no idea that the problem exists until the FCC comes knocking at 
                  the door.  Information on the product exchange program is on the company's 
                  website at www.winegard.com  (CGC, Others)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RADIO LAW:  GERRITSEN SENTENCING DELAYED TO JUNE 26TH
                  
                  The sentencing of convicted radio jammer Jack Gerittsen has once again been 
                  postponeed.  The new date and time is 10 a.m. Pacific on Monday. June 26th.  
                  Gereritsen is the short term license holder of the call sign KG6IRO.  He 
                  was convicted on several counts of interfering with rescue radio and other 
                  communications in the Southern California area.  He faces up to 15 years 
                  behind prison bars.  (Various)
                  
                  **
                  
                  ENFORCEMENT:  REPEATER PROBLEMS AND OTHER MATTERS
                  
                  Meantime, the FCC has been very busy enforcing repeater rules as well as 
                  other areas.  The agency's Daryl Duckwoth, NN0W, reports:
                  
                  --
                  
                  Audio Report only.  Download the MP3 newscast at www.arnewsline.org
                  
                  --
                  
                  In the same period the FCC also wrote to an unidentified home owner 
                  regarding interference to ham radio from electronic equipment being 
                  operated from his poperty.  (FCC, RAIN)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RADIO LAW:  NUMBER OF INDECENCY COMPLAINTS SOAR AT THE FCC
                  
                  The FCC says that the number of radio and television broadcasting 
                  complaints it received has risen sharply.  The regulatory agency says it 
                  went from 44,287 in the fourth quarter of 2005 to 275,257 in the first 
                  quarter of 2006.  
                  
                  The biggest increase occurred in the area of obscenity, indecency and 
                  profanity category.  There the number went from 44,109 to 275,131.
                  
                  The commission did not say why the number is so high.  It did say that the 
                  figures are part of an updated report issued by the FCC on the top five 
                  subject areas for inquiries and complaints processed by the Consumer & 
                  Governmental Affairs Bureau. 
                  
                  The new report replaces one issued on May 19th.  The agency notes that it 
                  also receives many inquiries and complaints that do not involve violations 
                  of the Communications Act, or violations of commission rules orders. (RW)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RADIO LAW:  FCC INVESTIGATING INTERNAL FRAUD
                  
                  Two items from the semi-annual report to Congress by the FCC's Office of 
                  the Inspector General. The report says that the agency is looking into 
                  allegations that one of its employees violated the U.S. Privacy Act with 
                  respect to private information relating to a group of commission employees.  
                  It is also investigating  another employee for possible procurement fraud 
                  by allegedly steering contracts and purchases to related parties. The 
                  latter case has been referred to the FBI for follow-up.  The latest report 
                  covers the period between October 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006. (RW)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RADIO LAW:  ANOTHER MUSIC FILE SHARE SERVICE GOES QRT
                  
                  The operators of the BearShare online file-sharing service have agreed to 
                  pay $30 million to avoid potential copyright infringement lawsuits from the 
                  recording industry.  Free Peers Inc., which distributed the BearShare 
                  software, also agreed to close up shop and not operate any unlicensed 
                  online music services. 
                     
                  A federal judge must still give final approval to the terms of the 
                  settlement.  Free Peers was one of seven file-swapping software companies 
                  to receive letters from the recording industry last fall warning them to 
                  shut down or prepare to face lawsuits.  (Security Today)
                     
                  **
                  
                  RADIO LAW:  OTTAWA ZONING PROPOSAL TARGERS AMATEUR RADIO
                  
                  Ottawa, Canada, appears to be on the verge of almost outlawing Amateur 
                  Radio antennas.  A draft of a proposed new and comprehensive zoning bylaw 
                  was finally posted on the city's website on May 26h, and Manotick Amateur 
                  Radio Group website says that there are three sections of it that 
                  specifically target amateur radio antennas. Amateur Rado Newsline's Bruce 
                  Tennant, K6PZW, has more:
                  
                  --
                  
                  The there are three sections of the proposal that  the Manotick Amateur 
                  Radio Group says Ottawa hams have to be concerned about.  Section 55 deals 
                  with accessory uses, buildings and structures.  It specifies minimum 
                  setbacks from lot lines for various structures such as wind turbines etc. 
                  but specifically states that it does not apply to accessory satellite 
                  dishes or accessory amateur radio antennae in residential zones.  Those are 
                  to be regulated by section 120 and we will get to it in a moment..
                  
                  Nest though is Section 64, dealing with permitted projections above the 
                  height limit, lists many items such as barns, silos, bridges, chimneys or 
                  smokes stacks, but specifically excludes satellite dish or amateur radio 
                  antenna accessory to a permitted use in a residential zone.
                  
                  And that brings us to the previously mentioned Section 120.  It deals with 
                  accessory satellite dish or accessory Amateur Radio antenna in residential 
                  zones and lays out the permitted conditions. A satellite dish greater than 
                  1 meter in diameter or an Amateur Radio antenna may be located on a 
                  building that is a minimum of 3 stories or 13.5 m in height.  That's about 
                  45 feet.  It also precludes either type of antenna from being located in a 
                  yard adjacent to a public street.
                  
                  The minimum setback from any lot line is 1.2 meters for the dish but for 
                  the antenna a distance of « the height above ground of the antenna, but no 
                  less than 3 meters. The setback applies to the tower, foundations etc. but 
                  excludes guy wires.
                  
                  The maximum permitted for a ham antenna is the same height is the same as 
                  the maximum permitted height of the principal building. In many residential 
                  zones the limit is 11 meters.
                  
                  And the kicker.  A maximum of only one antenna will be permitted per city 
                  lot. 
                  
                  For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting
                  
                  --
                  
                  
                  It appears as if Ottawa hams will have to organize quickly if they want to 
                  beat back this one.   More on this situation is on-line at  
                  http://www.ve3rix.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=86  (www.ve3rix.ca, others)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RADIO SAFETY:  THREE DIE IN IOWA TOWER FALL
                  
                  Three tower crew workers fell to their death on Wednesday, May 31st.  The 
                  men were at the top of an 1,100 foot high Iowa Public Television tower when 
                  the accident occurred.  
                  
                  Bill Hayes, director for engineering at Iowa Public Television said the 
                  crew was replacing strobe lights.   He said a fourth member of the crew was 
                  working on the ground, operating a winch, hoisting parts to the crew.
                  
                  The victims were identified in published reports as Leo Deters, age 57; 
                  Jason Galles, 27; and Jon McWilliams, 19. They worked for Deter Tower 
                  Service.   Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said that prending 
                  further investigation it is assumed that the crews safety equipment failed.  
                  (RW)
                  
                  **
                  
                  POWER SAFETY:  BALTIMORE TEEN ELECTROCUTED BY SAGGING POWERLINE
                  
                  A 14-year-old Baltimore, Maryland, girl was accidentally electrocuted on 
                  Friday night, May 5th in a city park.  This, after she leaned on a fence 
                  before a baseball game in which she was about to play.
                  
                  Firefighters responding to emergency calls from the scene said a power line 
                  was sagging and touched the fence that the unidentified victim leaned on.  
                  According to Baltimore Fire Department spokesman  Kevin Cartwright,  
                  teammates saw the girl put her foot on the fence in Druid Hill Park and 
                  then fall to the ground.   The girl was taken to Sinai Hospital, where she 
                  was pronounced as deceased.  (
                  
                  **
                  
                  RAIN PROMO WITH HAP HOLLY
                  
                  Now a look at whats coming up on this weeks Rain Report.  This week it 
                  features Part 1 of Ed Hare, W1RFI, speaking at the Dayton Hamvention about 
                  the issue of BPL.  Its at www.arnewsline.org or by telephone at 847-827-
                  7246 (RAIN).
                  
                  **
                  
                  BREAK 2
                  
                  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:
                  
                  (5 sec pause here)
                  
                  **
                  
                  EMERGING TECHNOLOGY:  BIGGER BIG SCREENS
                  
                  As L-C-D and plasma technology keeps improving, the screens we watch as 
                  monitors and TV sets keep getting larger.  Now, a name we all know has come 
                  up with one of the biggest ever.  Jim Davis, W2JKD, reports:
                  
                  --
                  
                  Home T-V screens just keep getting bigger and there appears to be no end in 
                  sight as to how large they will get. Now, Panasonic has weighed in with one 
                  of the largest Plasma screens to date.  
                     
                  At 103 inches, the new Panasonic screen is an inch bigger than versions 
                  being produced by Samsung and L-G and weighs in at 400 pounds.  Company 
                  Vice President Andrew Nelkin says he wouldn't be surprised to see someone 
                  come up with an even bigger screen before long.
                  
                  --
                  
                  And its likely that the wait won't be very long because its rumored that 
                  screens of over 200 inches could be with us by 2008.  (Gadgets News)
                  
                  
                  **
                  
                  CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  MICHAEL ELLIOT, W8KRR - SK
                  
                  The man behind the development of the Heathkit SB-104 and Drake TR-7  
                  transceivers has become a Silent Key.   According to the ARRL Letter, 
                  Michael Elliott, W8KRR, was age 66 when he died April 14. 
                  
                  The Heathkit  SB-104, released in 1974, was the first transceiver to 
                  incorporate  solid-state design, come with a digital frequency readout and 
                  be priced for  the mass market.  The 104 was a mainstay until 1982, when 
                  radios that  covered the new WARC bands superseded it. It was also one of 
                  the last Amateur  Radio kits that Heathkit developed. 
                  
                  Elliott was also influential in the  design of the Drake TR-7, the standard 
                  for competition-grade transceivers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  His 
                  contributions to the state of the art in ham radio communications will live 
                  on as a tribute to him.  (ARRL)
                  
                  **
                  
                  CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  FISTS FOUNDER GEORGE LONGDEN, G3ZQS - SK
                  
                  Geo Longden, G3ZQS, who founded the FISTS Morse code preservation society 
                  has passed away.  The GB2RS News Service says that the Longden died on 
                  April 25th but was only recently made public. 
                  
                  Longden founded FISTS in 1987. For further information about the society to 
                  which he devoted much of his time is on-line at www.fists.co.uk.  (GB2RS)
                  
                  **
                  
                  RADIO AND THE NET:  WRTH SUMMER SCHEDULE ON-LINE
                  
                  The World Radio TV Handbook, has published it's summer schedule on its web 
                  site.  The document is in PDF format and contains broadcast schedules from 
                  international broadcasters and includes long-wave,  medium-wave and short-
                  wave listings.  Visit www.wrth.com and follow the instructions to download  
                  the file which is approximately 450 kilobytes in size.  This is a free 
                  service from the publishers of the WRTH.  (IRTS)
                  
                  **
                  
                  WORLDBEAT - GERMANY:  THE FOOTBALL WORLD CUP ON THE AIR
                  
                  German radio amateurs plan to celebrate the 2006 Football World Cup being 
                  held in that nation.  This, by putting on a number of special event 
                  stations.
                  
                  From now until July 16th, no less than 26 special district stations with 
                  callsigns in the DQ2006A to DQ2006Z range will be on the air.  There will 
                  also be 12 special stadium stations with callsigns uch as DR2006B and 
                  DR2006C.  And the special callsign WFC06 will also be in operation 
                  throughout the World Cup games. 
                  
                  Amateurs and short wave listeners who log these special event stations 
                  could be eligible for a series of awards sponsored by the Deutsche Amateur 
                  Radio Club. For further information about the awards, contact Otto Cecetka 
                  by e-mail to  DK6CQ@darc.de.
                  
                  **
                  
                  CONTESTS:  SMIRK SIX METER CONTEST
                  
                  Turning to the radiosports scene, get your 6 meter radio set for the SMIRK 
                  QSO Party, sponsored by the Six Meter International Radio Klub.  This years 
                  event takes place from 0000 UTC on June 17th  through 2400 hours UTC on  
                  June 18th.  All contacts must be fukkt on six meter voice or C-W.  No cross-
                  banding is allowed.  Logs must be postmarked no later than August 1st and 
                  sent to Dale Richardson, AA5XE, 214 Palo Verde Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028.  
                  Alternately, they can be e-mailred to contest@smirk.org by that same August 
                  1st cutoff date. (SMIRK)
                  
                  **
                  
                  CONTESTS:  ARRL JUNE VHF QSO PARTY
                  
                  Also for those who operate the world above 50 MHz, the ARRL June VHF QSO 
                  Party takes place as we go to air.  It runs from 1800 U-T-C on June 10th to 
                  0300 UTC on June 12th. All modes on all VHF bands are invited, but contacts 
                  made on repeater frequencies or through repeaters will not count.  Nor will 
                  those made aero mobile or crossband and use of the national simplex 
                  frequency of 146.52 MHz, or immediately adjacent guard frequencies, is 
                  prohibited.  Full information on this one is on line at www.arrl.org in the 
                  contests are of the site.  (VHF Reflector)
                  
                  **
                  
                  DX
                  
                  In D-X, word that the amateur radio station based at the United Kingdom's 
                  Museum of the Royal Regiment of Artillery will be operating special event 
                  callsign GB150VC through the 28th of June.  This, to mark 150 years since 
                  the inauguration of the Victoria Cross decoration for supreme military 
                  valour.  In addition to conventional modern amateur radio gear, the special 
                  event station will also use some vintage U-K militsary gear includingf a 19 
                  set and a more up-to-date PRC320Clansman radio.  Operation will include the 
                  80 and 40 meter bands. A special QSL card will be available as directed on 
                  the air.
                  
                  And IZ8GCB, reports that he will be active from Sardinia operating stroke 
                  I-S-0 through June 21st.  He plans to operate CW and SSB on 80 through 10 
                  meters. QSL to his home call.
                  
                  Lastly, IK2WZD, is active from Lipsi Island until 31st July. He operates as 
                  SV0XAN slash  5 on all bands and modes.  QSL as he directsa on the air.
                  
                  (Above fromvarious DX sources.)
                  
                  **
                  
                  THAT FINAL ITEM:  BOB HEIL K9EID AND HEIL SOUND HONORED BY THE ROCK AND 
                  ROLL HALL OF FAME
                  
                  Wednesday, June 7th was a special day in the life of ham radio's Mr. Audio.  
                  That's when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame took the time to honor Bob Heil, 
                  K9EID, and his company Heil Sound Limited for their numerous contributions 
                  to the art of audio and sound reinforcement with a special exhibit at the 
                  organizations home base in Cleveland, Ohio:
                  
                  --
                  
                  K9EID:  "Well, June 7th we go to Cleveland and we get to see the opening of 
                  a display that they are putting together of our early works.  And all of 
                  the 'live-sound guys' out there get to come along with me in spirit because 
                  we actually focus a little bit on the guys who have been out there rattling 
                  around in the back of busses and trucks behind the scenes.  That's always a 
                  tough thing.  You see all of the stars doing their thing out there on stage 
                  (but) they wouldn't be there if it were not for all these guys who sleep in 
                  busses and sometimes don't even get to sleep."
                  
                  --
                  
                  Anyone who's been to a rock concert in the past 40 years owes a huge debt 
                  of gratitude to K9EID.  With the explosion of rock music in the 1960s came 
                  bigger concerts and bigger crowds that PA systems of the time simply 
                  couldn't handle. Seeing the need for better live sound systems, Heil began 
                  experimenting and eventually created the first large-scale sound 
                  reinforcement system system. A chance meeting with The Grateful Dead put 
                  his system on the rock-and-roll map.  Bob says it all happened because he 
                  decided to become a ham when he was still a kid:
                  
                  --
                  
                  K9EID  "I learned the technologu because I am a ham radio operator, and 
                  that's the truth.  I am not an engineer.  I learned how to build things as 
                  a 15 year old kid and that's what lead me to the many firsts that will be 
                  on display at the Rock Hall."
                  
                  --
                  
                  Bob continued to innovate live sound techniques throughout the '70s working 
                  with show-stopping acts like The Who, Humble Pie, and Peter Frampton.  He 
                  then brought what he learned back to our world of Amateur Radio, where for 
                  the past two decades he has become the leading supplier of microphones and 
                  mic accessories to the ham radio community.  More recently. Bob partnered 
                  with his longtime friend and famed guitarist Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, to create a 
                  new line of dynamic microphones suitable for the stage,  studio and 
                  broadcast use.  Microphones which are quickly becoming the new standard to 
                  beat in all aspects of the entertainment industry.  
                  
                  Congratulations Bob, from your colleagues here at Amateur Radio Newsline 
                  and the thousands of other hams around the world who consider you a very 
                  special friend.  (ARNewslineT)
                  
                  **
                  
                  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 and Australia's WIA News, that's all from the Amateur Radio NewslineT.  
                  Our e-mail address is newsline@arnewsline.org.  More information is 
                  available at Amateur Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at 
                  www.arnewsline.org.  You can also write to us or support us at Amateur 
                  Radio Newsline(tm), P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066. 
                  
                  Before we go, a reminder that Tuesday, June 20th marks the second annual 
                  Take Your Handheld To Work Day.  This is an event created by the ARRL Media 
                  Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, and designed to expose Amateur Radio 
                  to the non-ham working world.
                  
                  Its easy to participate in Take Your Handheld To Work Day.  All you need to 
                  do is to remember to grab your H-T when you head off to work on June 20th.  
                  Then, where it on your belt or put it in some other visible spot where it 
                  will generate questions like -- way are you wearing that thing?  And that's 
                  your opening to explain that you are a radio amateur and then to 
                  demonstrate the hobby to whomever is interested.  
                  
                  Of coarse lunch hour is ideal and don't forget to let them say hello to 
                  whomever you make contact with so as to give them the thrill of actually 
                  talking to someone on the air.  And if anyone shows interest in getting 
                  their oiwn ham radio license, please point them to the League's new 
                  www.hello-radio.org website to learn more.
                  
                  Ahgain that's Tuesday, June 20th for the 2nd annual Take Your Handheld To 
                  Work Day.  We will see and hear you on the air.
                  
                  For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Don 
                  Wilbanks, AE5DW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening."  Amateur Radio 
                  NewslineT is Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.