SB NEWSLIN @ ALLBBS $NLIN.906 Amateur Radio Newsline #906 25 Dec 1994 Special Notes from Steve; 1. If you call the New York City number to hear the audio version of Newsline, it has been temporarily disconnected. See the story in the text below. 2. Fidonet readers, in about 3 weeks the BBS we use for other nets will be joining Fido. They use a much more friendly QWK door and PCBoard software and has been 100% reliable to us as far as the other networks. This should stop some on the problems we've had recently with missing parts. BTW, this weekend our usual access is down, probably due to a crash, and I know the sysop is in Massachusetts. So we're loading up via long distance again to Joe Brown's BBS. 3. Happy Holidays to all! - - - Amateur Radio Newsline is produced as an audio service by Newsline, a service of the Westlink Radio Netowrk. The transcribed version is produced by Dale Cary, WD0AKO from materials provided by Newsline. and is jointly distributed to online services and bulletin board networks by Steve Coletti and Dale Cary. Copyright owner is Newsline. Permission to reuse all or part of either this written or the audio form requires that the item be taken in it's entirety, not be subject to any further editing or commentary, and that full credit given to Newsline as the source. Permission is granted to all amateurs who want to transmit the audio version in it's entirety over nets or repeaters. The text version may be used for packet distribution as long as it is sent in its entirety and the BIN header is kept intact. NOTICE: When Newsline is transmitted in it's full form over voice or digital forms of Amateur Radio, it is recommended that the closed circut advisory be deleted. Audio, Computer, and Packet retransmissions must be made without the editing or deleting of any other part of the Newsline content. Unauthorized additional commentary to the original message is also prohibited. To do so is a violation of copyright and subjects the initiator to legal action by Newsline. Newsline may also be excerpted for code practice transmissions, and may be used as a reference source in bulletin board discussions under acceptable Fair Use practices. Any other use is not allowed without the expressed permission of Newsline. Editorial comment, news items and all other business should be directed to Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, Newsline's Producer and Editor-In-Chief. E-Mail - 3241437@mcimail.com or B.PASTERNAK@genie.geis.com Phone/Fax - +1 805 296-7180, fax senders wait for voice prompt. Text Version information: America Online - tstader@aol.com (Terry Stader, Sysop) or D.CARY@genie.geis.com Compuserv, Delphi, Genie - D.CARY@genie.geis.com Usenet - david@stat.com (David Dodell - Moderator rec-radio-info) FTP, (oak.oakland.edu) - wy1z@neu.edu (Scott Erlich, Boston ARC) Internet mailing list (individuals) - bigsteve@.dorsai.org Internet mailing list (re-distributors) - D.CARY@genie.geis.com BBS Networks - Steve Coletti (within the conference/echo) or bigsteve@dorsai.org via Internet. (RIME users can RO mail to ->35, Fidonet users can Netmail to 1:278/307) - - - - - - NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #906 - POSTED 12/25/94 (***************************************************************) (* *) (* * * ***** * * **** * ***** * * ***** *) (* ** * * * * * * * ** * * *) (* * * * *** * ** * *** * * * * * *** *) (* * ** * * ** * * * * * ** * *) (* * * ***** * * **** ***** ***** * * ***** *) (* *) (* **** * **** ***** *** *) (* * * * * * * * * * *) (* **** ***** * * * * * *) (* * * * * * * * * * *) (* * * * * **** ***** *** *) (* *) (***************************************************************) The following is late news about Amateur Radio for Radio Amateurs as prepared from NEWSLINE RADIO scripts by the staff of the AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, INC. -- formerly the WESTLINK RADIO NETWORK. For current information updates, please call Audio Version of Newsline ========================= Los Angeles............................ (213) 462-0008 Los Angeles (Instant Update Line)...... (805) 296-2407 Seattle................................ (206) 368-3969 Seattle................................ (206) 281-8455 Tacoma................................. (206) 927-7373 Louisville............................. (502) 894-8559 Dayton................................. (513) 275-9991 Chicago................................ (708) 289-0423 New York City.......................... (718) 353-2801 Melbourne, FL.......................... (407) 259-4479 Electronic Hardcopy Version of Newsline ======================================= GEnie (RTC Bulletin Board)............. m345;1 GEnie (File Library)................... m345;3 Dallas Remote Imaging BBS (DRIG)....... (214) 492-7573 In bulletin number 36 The Midwest Connection BBS............. (701) 239-2440 In bulletin number 6 of the ham radio conference Delphi................................. In the ham radio conference Internet............................... In the rec.radio.info newsgroup FTP: oak.oakland.edu, archive: pub/hamradio/docs/newsline Fidonet, RIME, Intellec, I-Link........ In the Ham Radio conferences on those networks CompuServe/HamNet...................... Coming Soon! For questions or comments about the text version, contact me at D.CARY@GENIE.GEIS.COM on the Internet. For the latest breaking info call the Instant Update Line listed above. To provide information please call (805) 296-7180. This line answers automatically and will accept up to 30 minutes of material. Check with your local amateur radio club to see if NEWSLINE can be heard weekly on the air in your area. Articles may be reproduced if printed in their entirety and credit is given to AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE as being the source. For further information about the AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, please write to us with an SASE at P.O. Box 463, Pasadena, CA 91102. Thank You NEWSLINE (**************************************************************** Some of the hams of NEWSLINE RADIO... WA6ITF WB6MQV WB6FDF K6DUE W6RCL N6AHU N6AWE N6TCQ K6PGX N6PNY KU8R N8DTN W9JUV KC9RP K9XI KB5KCH KC5UD KC0HF G8AUU WD0AKO DJ0QN and many others in the United States and around the globe!!! (**************************************************************** [906] (* * * * C L O S E D C I R C U I T A D V I S O R Y * * * * (* * (* The following advisory is not necessarily for * (* transmission over amateur radio. This is just a reminder * (* that the address for the Newsline Support Fund is Newsline, * (* in care of Andy Jarema, N6TCQ, Post Office Box 660937, * (* Arcadia, California 91066. Again, and as always, we thank * (* you. This ends the closed circuit with Newsline report * (* number 906 for release on Friday, December 23, 1994 to * (* follow. * (* * (* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The following is a QST New Zealand's Amateur Radio society says that Morse Code testing will stay. Also, the ARRL denies several DXCC petitions and the president praises ham radio in CQ Magazine. These stories and more on Newsline report number 906 coming your way right now! (***** NEW ZEALAND MORSE TESTING The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters is the IARU recognized society representing hams in New Zealand. The organization has now taken a strong public stand on the issue of Morse code testing. NZART says that it is working to insure that Morse Code testing continue in that nation. In doing so, it has taken direct aim at its newly created adversary on Morse testing, Oracle, the Organization Seeking Alternatives Through Code Free Examinations. While NZART never refers to Oracle by name, or even recognizes Oracle's existence, the wording of a position paper issued by NZART is very clear. Titled "A Statement about the Morse code and Amateur Radio in New Zealand" the paper takes shot after shot at Oracle and those who support Oracle's position that all Morse Code testing should be abolished world wide. NZART calls ridiculous any suggestions that New Zealand is about to propose changes to the ITU Radio Regulations affecting amateur radio testing. The society says that a nation wide membership survey about Morse code was conducted by them in early in 1993. The results says NZART was used to develop their current policy on Morse code testing. The results were also reported to the New Zealand Ministry of Commerce. The Minister of Communications has written back to NZART and has assured them that New Zealand will not actively make proposals for changes to the International Radio Regulations, as they affect the amateur service. At least until such time as there is evidence of significant opinion in New Zealand or overseas to support such a change. NZART says that the Morse code requirement for radio amateurs has been a topic for discussion within New Zealand for many years. Since 1963, New Zealand has had a very successful codeless license for operation above 30 MHz. About one third of New Zealand radio amateurs hold this codeless license. NZART says that this is enough, and that hams who want to operate below 30 MHz will have to pass a Morse code test. This is far from the end of the story. Oracle has put out a position paper of its own and it disputes many of the claims made by NZART. That, next week. (***** CALIFORNIA VE MAY TURN EVIDENCE Word is that a former ARRL Volunteer Examiner accused in the widespread California testing fraud scandal has apparently agreed to help the government to try and convict others in the case. This, in exchange for less severe punishment against him. The FCC says that Amateur Extra Class licensee James B. Williams, AA6TC, of Wilmington, California has agreed to a one year suspension of his Amateur Radio operators license and to make a voluntary contribution of $500 to the U.S. Treasury. This as an alternative to having his license revoked. More important, Williams has also agreed to cooperate fully with the FCC's Private Radio Bureau in its ongoing investigation of possible additional fraud in California all volunteer amateur radio license testing. With over two dozen Southern California VE's still under government scrutiny, the decision by Williams to cooperate may well bring others to justice more quickly. Meanwhile, the FCC has acted to cancel the licenses of two other accused volunteer examiners tied to the same case. Robert L. Flores, N6WPQ, and Rose Marie Flores, N6WPR, both of Santa Monica, California were facing FCC show cause and suspension orders. The FCC alleged that the VEs willfully signed Certificates of Successful Completion for persons who did not actually take exams. The Commission also said that the VEs later misrepresented material facts during the investigation. The Flores' decided to turn in their licenses for cancellation rather than fight the FCC. More on this story in future Newsline reports. (***** PRB-1 TOWER VICTORY A big court win for ham radio. Word that a Lyme, Connecticut ham has won a federal court go-ahead to install a 78-foot tower. This, after a battle of some three years. F. Parker Heinemann, W1YG, says that in March of 1991 he was denied a special exception permit by the town planning and zoning commission. When all negotiations failed to resolve the problem, he filed a civil suit against the town. In late October the verdict came in and it was good news for W1YG. U.S. District Judge Gerard L. Goettel said that the town had acted in good faith based on the information it had at the time of the application, but still ordered that the tower approved. The reason? Judge Goettel said and we quote, "I think federal law is on the side of ham radio operators in this case." (***** CONGRESS SAYS NO TO VANITY FEE CHANGE The FCC authorization act that would have converted an annual regulatory fee for Amateur Radio so called vanity call signs to a one time application fee failed to pass in the last session of Congress. The bill, HR 4522, passed the House but failed in the Senate. This, despite a concerted last-ditch effort on December 1st by the ARRL to have the bill considered during the lame duck congressional session. Broadcasting and Cable magazine says that the bill's defeat to opposition to unrelated provisions by the National Association of Broadcasters. The FCC now is expected to introduce a vanity call sign program with a $70 fee, renewable every 10 years. (***** NEWSLINE UPDATES Two quick items for Newsline listeners. First comes word that the New York City Newsline phone run by Paul Migliorelli, N2ETO will be out of service for the next several weeks. Paul is undergoing some pre surgery tests and has been forced to temporarily terminate the operation of the New York City line. We will let you know when he has it back up and running. Also, effective immediately, Newsline is terminating its cassette exchange operation. The cassette exchange service was instituted over a decade ago by our former fund administrator Norm Chalfin, K6PGX to provide the newscast to those unable to phone in. The reason for the termination of the cassette exchange operation is simply there is nobody available to do it. (***** DXAC NEWS The ARRL DX Advisory Committee, the DXAC, has voted 14 to 2 against a petition to add the Austral Islands and the Marquesas Islands to the DXCC Countries List. Those voting against shared the feeling that French Polynesia is not a Point 1 DXCC country. For that reason these two island groups do not qualify as separate countries under the current DXCC rules. The DXAC has voted 13 to 1 against adding the Balleny Islands to the DXCC Countries List. Most of those voting against this proposal felt that the Balleny Islands are a part of Antarctica. Finally, the DXAC voted 14 to 2 against recommending establishment of an award for contacts made while operating mobile. Many comments stated the impossibility of verifying that contacts were indeed made while operating mobile. We will have more DX related news later on in the program. (***** CLINTON, GORE AND HUNDT LAUD HAMS IN JANUARY "CQ" President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Reed E. Hundt all praise amateur radio in messages to be published in the January, 1995, Golden Anniversary issue of CQ magazine. In his comments, President Clinton says that since its inception, amateur radio has been far more than a hobby for its users. It is a way to communicate with people across international boundaries and cultures, to express ideas and share opinions, and to make new friends. The Vice President notes that as technical innovators and scientific leaders, 'ham' radio operators are already working hard to build the National Information Infrastructure. The letters from Clinton, Gore and Hundt are part of a 72 page special anniversary section in the January CQ prepared by Rich Moseson NW2L. The special issue also includes articles on ham radio history, world and technological history and highlights in CQ history. (***** DERA Hams interested in emergency response activities are invited to contact and join the Disaster Emergency Response Association. DERA is a non-profit, ARRL-affiliated organization, with members representing all facets of emergency response, planning, logistics, communications and management. For further information, please contact DERA - Amateur Radio, P.O. Box 37324, Milwaukee, WI 53237. Or you can contact DERA via the Internet to DISASTERS at DELPHI.COM. (***** BBC HAM RADIO Amateur radio has been featured on the British Broadcasting Company's breakfast program. This, on Monday October 17th when Radio Three Counties visited the Sandy Scouts at the groups headquarters. The occasion was the stations coverage of the scout Jamboree on the Air celebration and featured a segment with amateur station 2E1BFD on the air. (***** RSGB PREXY 1995 Radio Society of Great Britain president Clive Trottman, GW4YKL will take office on January 14th. The installation ceremony will take place at Birdgend in Mid Glamorgan. (***** QATAR - UK RECIPROCAL LICENSING The United Kingdom's Radiocommunications agency has announced that it has signed a reciprocal licensing agreement with the government of Qatar. The agreement is based on the two governments recognizing the British Full Class A license as being equal to the Qatar General class ticket. British hams who plan to operate from Qatar are advised to apply by mail in advance of their arrival to the Qatar Public Telecommunications Corporation, Post Office Box 217, Doha, Qatar. (***** DX In DX, YU1NR, continues to be active on the WARC bands from Antigua as V29NR. Recent reports place most of his activity being on 17 meters. Try 18.115 MHz at 15:10 and 17:00 to 17:30 UTC. Also check 24.951 kHz around 16:00 UTC. QSL direct to YU1NR at his callbook address. (***** DAYTON SCHOLAR This reminder that the Dayton Amateur Radio Association is again accepting applications for it's $2,000.00 scholarships. Any FCC amateur who is graduating from high school is eligible to apply. Please request applications by sending SASE to: DARA Scholarships, 45 Cinnamon Court, Springboro, Ohio 45066. (***** NO DEAL Microsoft Corporation has issued a statement that denounces as a hoax a story appearing on the internet that says it has offered to purchase the Roman Catholic Church. No, we are not kidding. We have seen the entire release and it's legitimate enough looking to fool anyone who has never read raw press release copy. The hoax was circulated in the Internet as a wire service news report. It said that the merger deal would give the software giant exclusive electronic distribution rights to the bible and to the Vatican's art collection. In exchange, the Pope would become the Vice President of the company's new Religious marketing division, while two Microsoft executives would be vested into the church's College of Cardinals. Utterly ridiculous yes, but it seems that there are a lot of gullible people out there. By Friday December 17th it appears that Microsoft had enough. They issued their own legitimate press story that condemned the church purchase story as being phony. (***** And for this week, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. You can write to us at Newsline, Post Office Box 463, Pasadena, California 91102. (* * * Newsline Copyright 1994 all rights are reserved. * * *