Horns and Booms

Gabriel, is that you?

It is 3:49am January 22nd and I woke up to my beagle growling. At first I thought she was having a dream, then it saw her looking out the window.
I heard a horn, like a train horn from outside. I looked out several windows all sides of the house and could not determine the direction of the horn other than from the sky.
A half hour after the horn a loud boom came from under the house. It was a unique low tone boom that shook the house and awoke my daughter.
Then the horn started again for about 2 minutes.

Mark Strait
Amateur Radio Operator
Call Sign  (KD8BIG)

Muskegon, Michigan

DX News

In DX, ON6DX has announced the dates for his TY1TT operation fro Grand Popo will be January 26^th through and February 5th. He plans to operate on the highest possible bands. For updates visit his website at dxpedition.be/Benin.html

AF1G is now living and working on Andros Island signing slash C6A. He will be there until November 20^th and is expected to be on 80 through 6 meters on SSB. QSL via Logbook of the World or direct to Tim Hardy, PSC 1012 Box 593, FPO AA 34058-9998, USA.

JA3ARJ and JA1CJA will be active as TO3JA from Martinique between January 12^th to the 19th. No other details are yet available. QSL via JA3AVO, direct, by the bureau or Logbook of the World.

Lastly, F5MVB and F5AOW are planning to be operational sometime in 2014 as 5V7MP and 5V7BJ, respectively from Avepozo. Details on bands, modes and dates have not been announced yet, but should soon be forthcoming. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the bureau.

Pacific, Missouri, has taken the First Step in Setting up a D-STAR Repeater

Previous approval had been given for the city to purchase gear dedicated to amateur radio operation that was to be installed in the city Emergency Operations Center. But according to City Administrator Harold Selby, KA0WXX, technology had advanced so much the city can better serve the emergency communication system with a digital repeater.

Selby said he was recommending the repeater instead of a single radio after he and Bob Masson, KBZ0JDY, met with Franklin County emergency management officials about what communication would be needed if a disaster occurred in Pacific and the Interstate 44 corridor. He noted that amateur radio is way ahead in how public services use radio. He also read a letter from Paul Chambers, N0BBD, the Franklin County Amateur Radio Emergency Services coordinator, who said he fully supported and welcomed the idea of a digital repeater.

Selby also displayed a small blue box with cable that he said would eliminate the need for radio anywhere in the government center. The small apparatus known in the world of amateur radio as a DV Dongle, is a duplex vocoder that connects to a computer via a USB port to provide amateur radio voice transmission capability.

Selby said he contacted St Louis and Missouri repeater councils and they also are on board with the idea. Alderman Ed Gass then made a motion to purchase the repeater, but added that a battery backup would be needed for the unit in case electricity was out during an emergency. Cost of the battery backup is estimated at about $200.

source-- Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

NEW CALEDONIA in Late February

JE2EHP will be active as FK stroke K1HP from New Caledonia between February 18^th and the 26th. His operations will be on all the HF bands plus 6 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign either direct or electronically via ClubLog or Logbook of the World.

A limited number of Czech Radio Amateurs will be returning to the 5 MHz band

According to Petr Ourdnik, OK1RP, this new permit comes as a result of material presented by the Czech amateur radio community regarding their initial 5 MHz operation. It also involved subsequent discussions with the nations telecommunications regulator CTU together with the agreement of the Ministry of Defense. As a result phase 2 of experimental 5 MHz operations began at Zero hundred hours UTC on January 1st. This means that a small number of 5 MHz individual permits will be issued and will be valid until the end of 2014.
While originally limited to only one channel on 5260 Kilohertz, under Phase 2 those Czech amateurs issued with one of these special permits will be allowed use of six channels that are common to many other nations. These are 5288.5, 5330.5, 5366.5, 5371.5, 5398.5 and 5403.5 Kilohertz. Transmissions are limited to Upper Sideband and CW only at a power level of 100 watts Effective Radiated Power.
This experimental operation permit on 5 MHz band is allowed on a strictly secondary user basis. International Telecommunications Union rules for protection of the primary users must be observed at all times.
Those who are issued 5 MHz permits must prepare and send an experimental operation report to the Czech telecommunications regulator no later than October 31st in order that analysis of the operation on the different channels and modes can be made .
  source--- Hal Rodgers, K8CMD.
--
More on this story is at the Czech Telecommunications Office English language page at
http://www.ctu.eu/main.php?pageid=178

Emergency Alert System May go to the Cloud

According to contracting documents posted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on December 27th, it is now looking for a commercially built data storage alternative for its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and Open Platform for Emergency Networks or IPAWS-OPEN system. One that will enable faster action and better communication between federal, state and tribal officials and the public. It also has to be a storage and retrieval system that uses more advanced storage technology, including possibly placing some portions of the system in the cloud.
For those who may have never heard the term, in its most basic form the Cloud is a euphemism for off-site secure data storage. This is a model of networked enterprise storage where data is accumulated in virtualized pools which are generally operated by third parties. These are mostly hosting companies that operate large data centers. Their customers are people or businesses that require their data to be hosted off site so they simply buy or lease storage capacity from them.
FEMA says that its custom-built IPAWS-OPEN has not met a slate of minimum standards, such as operating with 99.9% up time and allowing the president and other officials to alert the public about emergencies within 10 minutes. Rather it has been dogged by glitches, too many layers of technical bureaucracy and mainly insufficient storage space.
The current IPAWS-OPEN system transmits emergency messages to citizens through numerous channels, including local alert systems, traditional broadcast media, the Internet and cellphones. It also needs to be quickly expandable to new public communications systems and platforms as they are created.

DX News 1-3-2014

In DX, word that the only two stations in the South Sudan are off the air due to the current internal political strife. These are Z81B and Z81D and indications are that there will not be any further ham radio signals from that new nation until conditions stabilize. More on this as information becomes available.
DX-World.net reports that WA5A will be on the air stroke 5Z4 from Kenya until about January 28th. His operation will be holiday style on the High Frequency bands. QSL via his home callsign.
LA7GIA is expected to be active from Malawi as 7Q7GIA for one week in May or June. QSL’s will via his home callsign. No other information is available at this time.
IK2PZC will be active from Morocco as 5C2P between February 6th and the 9th. His operation will be on the High Frequency bands using SSB and RTTY. QSL via IK2PZC.
ON7WP stroke C5WP has announced that he and ON7YK stroke C5YK are or will be the only two permanent licensed hams in The Gambia for 2014. At least as of now. More information is at C5CP on QRZ.com
YV5IAL will be active stroke CE2 from Valparaiso, Chile through January 30th. His operation will be on 40 through 10 meters using PSK-31 with some SSB. QSL via his home callsign either direct or via the bureau.
Lastly, F6BLP will be operational from Senegal through January 31st as 6W7SK through January 31st. His location will be about 80 kilometers south of the city of Dakar. Activity will be holiday style operating mainly CW on 80 through 10 meters. Some 160 meters is possible. QSL to F6BLP, either direct or via the bureau.

Village of Kenmore adds $1000 Permit Fee for Amateur Radio Antennas

This story was e`mailed to me but is also posted on QRZ.com

Post; click here

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-regi...nmore-20131203

The board passed a separate law Tuesday regulating the placement of amateur, or ham, radio antennas. The law includes a $1,000 application fee for a special-use permit.
“We had somebody put in an application and we advised him – similarly to the other issue – that we didn’t have any legislation pertaining to ham radios and that we would be looking into it,” Johnson said.

I email our mayor and town clerk :

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-regi...nmore-20131203
I read in the Buffalo News about the new $1000 application fee for Ham radio antenna's. I would like the text of the law so I can forward it to the FCC as I believe you are in violation of federal law.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/ind...teur&page=1#25

Nevertheless, local regulations which involve placement, screening, or height of anatennas based on health, safety, or aesthetic considerations must be crafted to accommodate reasonably amateur communications, and to represent the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the local authority's legitimate purpose.

When I compare the $1000 cost to the other permit costs listed for Kenmore ( http://www.villageofkenmore.org/inde...d=69&Itemid=77) there is no way this can be seen as the "minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the local authority's legitimate purpose" and I doubt the FCC will see it that way either.
I have contacted the ARRL (http://www.arrl.org) and am getting them involved. I plan to contact the FCC once I here back from you.
I am an active member of our community and volunteer at the Kenmore Fire Department. I have lived in Kenmore for 13 years and love the community and its people, but a thousand dolars to install a $30 antenna, how can this be seen as reasonable.

the Clerk responded :

The local law will be posted on the website once we receive confirmation of filing from the Secretary of State. The fee noted in the Buffalo News is for those operators who require land use and building permit approvals to construct an antenna structure on their property. Generally speaking, this will pertain to HAM operators seeking to install a free-standing antenna on their property, or an antenna structure on an existing building. Some of the issues that must be evaluated include setbacks, tower height, tower construction, tower location, communications needs and goals of the applicant, and appropriate and reasonable alternatives. In conducting this evaluation, the Village will be required to obtain both engineering and communication consultant support in order for it to appropriately balance the interests of the HAM operator with the health, safety and general welfare of the community. In our research, several courts have reviewed a municipality’s use of such consulting help and have evaluated the municipality’s resulting thorough analysis. This assistance is especially important in a municipality like Kenmore; obviously we are not dealing with a rural community with large lots and low density. I’m sure you appreciate that Kenmore lots are very small. Any type of antenna structure is likely to cause unique concerns. The Village needs to be sure that any proposed antenna structure will not present any safety issues, and will not have any other adverse impacts. The Village also must make sure that the antenna structure is the minimum necessary for the operator to achieve his/her goals. We consulted with our attorneys on this matter and the fee represents the anticipated costs of obtaining needed consultant advice, which the courts have referenced when reviewing cases on this matter. New York law provides that the costs of administering permits are appropriately born by those seeking the approvals.
Please note that the Village, prior to passing this law, had no regulations pertaining to HAM operators, and such antenna structures were prohibited by local law. This local law represents the Village’s efforts to expand the rights of HAM radio operators. The law acknowledges the HAM operators’ rights but also notes that a balancing of those rights with the needs of the community is proper, pursuant to Federal law. Like all of our fees, they are established to reimburse the costs to the municipality for its costs associated with the permit application.

The bolded part is my favorite.
I asked for clarification

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I wanted a little clarification on a couple of things :
1) would a simple wire antenna hung from a home require this permit? something like this : http://www.chrisc.co.uk/2e1hje/ANT.jpg 2) would a vertical antenna without a tower require this permit? something like this : http://files.qrz.com/d/e51and/Mangai...3_10_small.JPG 3) would a 2 meter antenna attached to a home require this permit? something like this : http://www.qsl.net/ab8mo/2meter.gif
I have been in contact with the ARRL and their general counsel requested a copy of the law that was passed. I will check the website.
One further clarification. In your last paragraph it sounds like you are saying that if there is not a law that permits something that it is illegal. I'm not a lawyer but I always thought something was legal unless it prohibited by law not the other way around.

and the clerk responded

I cannot evaluate specific antenna options. This is not my area. Please feel free to submit an application to the building department.

my last question has gone unanswered thus far

One last question. The second part of my last email

One further clarification. In your last paragraph it sounds like you are saying that if there is not a law that permits something that it is illegal. I'm not a lawyer but I always thought something was legal unless it prohibited by law not the other way around.

You said :

Please note that the Village, prior to passing this law, had no regulations pertaining to HAM operators, and such antenna structures were prohibited by local law.

So your / the village's contention is that were no law permits an action / activity it is thus illegal… That seems a little broad and overstepping what I understand our laws to be. Again not being a lawyer could you please clarify this for me.

thank you again for taking time to respond.

*********
KD2BHP http://youtube.com/buffcleb http://www.bethnchris.com

Earth and Moon Viewer

What an incredible e-mail.
Lots of great info here.

Welcome to Earth and Moon Viewer.

Viewing the Earth

You can view either a map of the Earth showing the day and night regions at this moment, or view the Earth from the Sun, the Moon, the night side of the Earth, above any location on the planet specified by latitude, longitude and altitude, from a satellite in Earth orbit, or above various cities around the globe.

Images can be generated based on a full-colour image of the Earth by day and night, a topographical map of the Earth, up-to-date weather satellite imagery, or a composite image of cloud cover superimposed on a map of the Earth, a colour composite which shows clouds, land and sea temperatures, and ice, or the global distribution of water vapour. Expert mode allows you additional control over the generation of the image. You can compose a custom request with frequently-used parameters and save it as a hotlist or bookmark item in your browser. Please consult the Details for additional information and answers to frequently-asked questions.

Viewing the Moon

In addition to the Earth, you can also view the Moon from the Earth, Sun, night side, above named formations on the lunar surface. or as a map showing day and night. You can also make expert and custom images of the Moon. A related document compares the appearance of the Moon at perigee and apogee, including an interactive Perigee and Apogee Calculator.

Browser Requirements

To use the Earth and Moon Viewer, you need a graphical Web browser with forms support and the ability to display GIF and JPEG images. In order to pan around the map or globe by clicking within the image, your browser must support "Client-Side Image Maps"—if you don't know what this means, don't worry: if your browser doesn't support the feature, you'll see a page which explains how to proceed.

Credits

The Earth and Moon Viewer would have been enormously more difficult to implement without the help of the software and imagery mentioned in the credits.

Related Software on this Site

Windows users can create images like this in real time, on their own machines, as well as view the sky, stars at the horizon, the solar system, orbits of asteroids and comets, and more with Home Planet, my public domain Earth/Space/Sky simulator available for your downloading pleasure. Other public domain astronomy and space software available from the same site includes:

On the Web:

Eclipse 2010 — Aku Aku Eclipse, Eclipse 2008 — Nuclear Ninety North, Eclipse 2001 — In Darkness: Africa, and Eclipse 1999 — Expedition to Iran.

Moon at Perigee and Apogee.

Solar System Live: interactive orrery.

Switzerland from Space.

Terranova: a new terraformed planet every day.

Your Sky makes custom star maps for any location on Earth at any date and time.

For Windows:

Home Planet, Earth screen saver, Sky screen saver, Moontool, Craters screen saver, and an Excel catalogue of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey.

For Unix (X/OpenWindows):

Moontool, and Xsunclock.

HF Testing Continues from North Amreica - D-Star News

  Kent Hufford, KQ4KK, reports that the International D-STAR HF Testing Net is continuing in North America with its just issued winter schedule. Net sponsors say that they routinely have two way communications coast to coast, north to south, and have had two way contacts to Europe and Japan.
The net is on each band only for 5 minutes and will spend less time if a given band is dead. The net also may need to move early or if the frequency is busy. It’s also wise for D-STAR operators to monitor reflector REF030C to coordinate.
Also, please keep an eye on hf.dstar- relay.net for the latest information. A video demonstration of how all this comes together is on YouTube at tinyurl.com/DSTAR- ON-HF. (KQ4KK, VHF Reflector)
HAM HAPPENINGS: CALL FOR PAPERS AT THE 2014 SOUTH AFRICA RTA SYMPOSIUM
The South African Radio League has put out a call for papers to be presented at the Radio Technology in Action symposium or to be included in the symposium CD. The event is slated for July of 2014 and if you have a subject that you would like to present at the Radio Technology in Action please visit no later than December 15th to http://www.amateurradio.org.za/rta.htm 
 (SARL)

Broadcasters & DOD agree on new Sharing of 1755-1780 MHZ

  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, W7EQI, say that they welcome the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's endorsement of an important agreement. This between the Department of Defense and the National Association of Broadcasters on the relocation of a parcel of government spectrum to shared use.
The agreement was reached after bipartisan committee leadership worked with the Department of Defense, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission. It paves the way for the Department of Defense to move systems out of the 1755 to 1780 MHz band by creating a sharing arrangement between it and the broadcast community in the shared use of the Broadcast Auxiliary Service. This spectrum is used by news organizations to originate material such as breaking news stories from outside of studio facilities. More is on the web at tinyurl.com/DOD-BROADCAST-SHARING. 

source; (House Energy & Commerce Committee release)

OKLAHOMA CB Operator Fined $15000 for using Linear AMP

The FCC has issued a $15,000 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to Carlton Lewis, of Enid, Oklahoma. This for his alleged operation of a Citizens Band radio operator with an external power amplifier in violation of the Commissions Part 95 rules.
Back this past May 14th an agent from the Enforcement Bureau’s Dallas Office T-hunted down a strong signal on 27.1850 MHz which is CB Channel 19. He found it was coming from Lewis’ residence in Enid. The agent observed an antenna mounted on the roof of the home and traced a coaxial cable from the antenna into the residence.
The agent knocked on the door of the residence but no one answered the door for over 30 minutes. A person eventually answered the door and claimed that Mr. Lewis was not at home. However a few minutes later Carlton Lewis appeared and showed the agent his CB transmitter, which was warm to the touch.
The agent observed that no coaxial cables were connected to the CB transmitter but also noted the coaxial cable coming into the residence and traced it to a linear amplifier hidden behind a sofa. The linear amplifier was also warm to the touch. Lewis did not respond when asked whether he had used the linear amplifier.
Now in making its determination to issue the $15,000 proposed fine the FCC notes that prior to its May 14, 2013 inspection Lewis CB station that he had been issued two written warnings from the Dallas Office. Both advised him that using a linear amplifier with his CB transmitter voided his authority to operate. Also that it violated the Communications Act and the FCC’s Part 95 Rules.
The FCC says that the fact that Mr. Lewis operated overpower and used a linear amplifier despite being twice warned in writing that such actions violated the Act and Rules demonstrates a deliberate disregard for the Commission’s requirements and authority. As such a proposed fine of $15,000 is warranted in this case.
Lewis was given the customary 30 days from the November 26th issuance of the Notice of Apparent Liability to pay or to file an appeal. 
source; (FCC)

Amateur Radio Continues to Assisit in the Phillipines

Even though it’s been more than three weeks since Typhoon Haiyan laid waste to many parts of the Philippines, much of that nations telecommunications infrastructure is still not operational. As such, ham radio operators continue to be a primary information conduit into and out of those areas stricken by the storm. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the latest:
The Philippine-based Ham Emergency Radio Operation or HERO stations are still at work providing help and communications after deadly Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Typhoon Yolanda wreaked its destruction in the central Philippines.
The current official death toll of 5,200 puts the Category-5 storm that landed on November the 8th as the worst typhoon in the archipelago, with its 314-km/h winds generating storm surges in coastal villages and devastating main cities.
As previously reported, in anticipation of the arrival of the super storm the Philippines Amateur Radio Association or PARA activated its HERO network. This after having already faced many storms this year and an earthquake in October.
PARA’s Vice Chief Operating Officer is Ramon Anquilan, DU1UGZ. He reports that in some areas mobile phone service is now available, but is patchy and unreliable. The same is true with electric mains power. DU1UGZ says that he knew that amateur radio emergency communications was effective, and the results saw many tearful moments when local people were able to get their message through to loved ones elsewhere.
Meantime, HERO stations have worked with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the National Telecommunications Commission, communities and non-government organizations. The frequency of 7 dot 095 MHz and several others are still in use and PARA thanks the world’s ham radio community for keeping them clear for emergency traffic.
As we go to air, PARA continues to work closely with authorities and hopefully obtain increased recognition of the HERO network. A very good job continues to be done by a group of truly dedicated ham radio volunteers.
With much of the information in this report provided by Jim Linton VK3PC, who is the Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee, I’m Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, reporting from the South Island in Nelson, New Zealand for the Amateur Radio Newsline.
It appears as if ham radio assistance in the aftermath of this killer typhoon will be ongoing for some time to come. (VK3PC)

DX News

In DX two more operations have been approved by the ARRL Awards desk for DXCC credit. These are the current 2013 through May 2014 operations of ZS8C and ZS8Z from Prince Edward and Marion Islands. If your request for DXCC credit for these operations has been rejected in an earlier filing, please contact Bill Moore, NC1L, at ARRL headquarters to be placed on the list for an update to your record. His e-mail is bmoore@arrl.org 
And less we forget to mention, Bill notes that two student hams are expected to join this operation upon completion of their licensing, which will make it four operators. NC1L says that he will update this approval when he has more information.
SM6JBC and SM6GOR are on the air from Mauritius Island signing as 3B8JB and 3B8 stroke SM6GOR, respectively. They will be there until December 16th. Activity is on 20 through 10 meters operating CW, SSB, PSK31 and PSK63. QSL via their home callsigns.
F5AHO is operating stroke FR Reunion Island through December 4th. Activity is on 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via F5AHO, either direct or via the bureau.
F6ICX is active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island and will be there until December 15th. Operations are holiday style using CW, RTTY, and PSK63. QSL via his home callsign.
VK3XPT is operating from Raratonga and neighboring islands as E51XPT. He is on the air holiday style running only five watts on 40, 20, and 10 meters. QSL only via his home call.
OH6EI, will again show up from Aland Islands a OH0Z on all bands. No exact dates or operational times were given. QSL via W0MM.

CQWW CW Contest 2013 (Photos #2)

Here are some photos that have been sent to me in regards to the CQWW CW Contest 2013