FROM AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE REPORT #1803 THESE ARE THE HAM NATION HEADLINES FOR TUESDAY MARCH 6, 2012.

Failure of the batteries that powered the ham radio payload of a high altitude balloon that was designed to float from Texas to China seems the likely cause of a total communications failure with the near space project.  The South Texas Balloon Launch Team lofted the high altitude scientific balloon experiment known as BLT-28 on February 11th from near Katy, Texas.  The balloon was supposed to rise to over 100,000 feet and float for several days and hopefully reach its target of Nanjing, China.  But contact was lost with the balloons APRS tracker just south of the Louisiana coast at an altitude of 45,763 feet.  Andrew MacAllister, W5ACM, is part of the group that launched BLT-28.  He says the power supply was made up of commercial 1.5 volt lithium cells.  According to post flight experiments, several of the same type of batteries were put directly on dry ice where they went from 1.5 volts down to two tenths of a volt.  And when warmed up, they did not return to normal output.  MacAllister speculates that it could have been that cold just after reception of the last packet message from BLT-28.  He notes that the temp sensor system was not guaranteed below minus 40 degrees Celsius.  There will be a second attempt to float a balloon from Texas to China, but first up will be a test flight of the thermal insulating system for the batteries and payload.  W5ACM speculates that should happen sometime in May.

A milestone for manned ham radio operations from Earth orbit.  ARISS Operation Team Mentor Charlie Sufana, AJ9N reports that the total number of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station or ARISS sponsored ISS-to-Earth school events has passed the 700 mark.  The 700th school contact was with the Academy at Shawnee City in Louisville, Kentucky.  It took place via telebridge with ON4ISS on February 14.  The special John Glenn event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Perth Australia's, City of Lights on February 20th marked event number 701.  For those hams not aware. ARISS offers an opportunity for students in schoolrooms to experience the excitement of amateur radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station.  Further information on the ARISS program is available at www.ariss.org.

Yet another city has discovered the value of having trained ham radio operators as a part of its emergency communications plan.  This as 
community leaders in Arlington, Massachusetts, announce that they are seeking radio amateurs willing to help the town with its emergency response network.  In a statement issued to the press, officials say that they're looking for ham radio operators to become volunteers and help out in case the town's communications systems was to stop working during an emergency.  Arlington used a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to buy a ham radio gear for emergencies.  Any Massachusetts ham living in the area who is interested in volunteering should contact Fire Chief Robert Jefferson by e-mail to rjefferson(at)town(dot)arlington(dot)ma(dot)us.

And while we're on the subject of Amateur Radio emergency communications, our prayers go out to everyone affected by last week's devastating tornado outbreak on the southern United States.  Reports are still coming in and no doubt, Amateur Radio operators are working tirelessly to help any way they can.  As a native Oklahoman, I am all too familiar with what these sudden and voilent storms can do.  I know I speak for everyone both here at Ham Nation and Amateur Radio Newsline when I say we are behind you 100%.

And speaking of the Ham Nation crew, Gary Pearce, KN4AQ is releasing a series a videos shot at the Orlando HamCation in mid-February.  This, as a part of his Ham Radio Now series that features interviews with the true movers and shakers of the hobby in the 21st century.  His latest release includes a very in depth interview with CQ Magazine editor Rich Moseson W2VU.  In it Pearce talks to him for almost an hour about how CW is faring now that it's no longer required; about the CQ family of magazine's new digital option, and a little about ham radio video production.  This video is titled Ham Radio Now Episode 2: The Orlando Interviews.  More about this new series is on-line at arvideonews.com.

THAT'S ALL FROM AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, YOUR INDEPENDANT SOURCE FOR AMATEUR RADIO NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU EACH AND EVERY WEEK FOR NEARLY 35 YEARSAT WWW.ARNEWSLINE.ORG.  I'M DON WILBANKS, AE5DW.  73 AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON HAM NATION.