Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1828 - August 24 2012 Attention bulletin stations. Please note that this is an extended newscast and contains three breaks. Thank you. Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1828 with a release date of August 24 2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. The FCC releases the text of its report to Congress on the role of amateur radio in emergency communications but provides no relief for hams living with deed restrictions or CC&R's. Also, hams in Quebec Canada get an implied exemption to that Provinces restrictive cellphone law and we take you to the Huntsville Hamfest where Erin King, AK4JG, receives the 2012 Young Ham of the Year Award. Please join with us on an extended Amateur Radio NewslineT report number 1828 coming your way right now. (Billboard Cart Here) ** RADIO LAW: FCC RELEASES TEXT OF ITS R&O IN IMPEDIMENTS TO HAM RADIO The FCC has released its long awaited report to Congress into the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief operations. It also delves into the existence of impediments to this aspect of personal communications. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has the details: -- Don't look for Congressional action to override private land use restrictions more commonly known as Conditions Covenants and Restrictions or CC&R's even if hams believe that these restrictions hamper them in times of emergencies. This is because in its report to the legislative body, the FCC says that, in its view, such restrictions do not constitute a significant impediment to ham radio or those in the United States amateur radio service. In its report, the FCC noted that some of what it calls "commenters" recommend that CC&Rs be preempted if they prohibit antennas that are within certain limits. Others suggest that private land use restrictions on amateur antennas should be permitted only for safety considerations, and not for aesthetic reasons. However, another group believes that it is not necessary to preempt private land use restrictions in order to promote amateur emergency communications. This, given the ways that even amateurs subject to CC&Rs can communicate effectively and the nature of amateur emergency communications. Moreover, while commenters suggest that private land use restrictions have become more common, the FCC's says that its own review of the record does not indicate that amateur operators are unable to find homes that are not subject to such restrictions. Therefore, at this time, the Commission does not see a compelling reason for it to revisit its previous determinations that preemption should not be expanded to CC&Rs. In relation to other impediments, the Commission says that it has already preempted state and local regulations that do not reasonably accommodate amateur radio communications and do not represent the minimum practicable regulations to accomplish the local authority's legitimate purpose. The Commission says that it has also addressed regulations regarding possession and operation of amateur radio equipment while driving. These are state and local laws that prohibit cellular telephone and texting devices and are many times very broadly written as to catch hams, CB operators and even commercial radio users into a confusing maze of legal webs. And as to any FCC rules that may be an impediment to the various technical aspects of enhanced - read that as digital amateur service emergency communications, the FCC believes that these matters can be considered through the Commission's rulemaking process. Consequently, it does not believe that Congressional action is necessary to address that issue either. On the other side of the coin, the FCC notes that the ham radio community and the emergency response and disaster communications communities all agree that amateur radio can be of great value in emergency response situations. The regulatory agency notes that amateur radio carries with it a wide range of advantages that allow it to supplement other emergency communications activities during disasters. This says the FCC, has been demonstrated time and again in a wide variety of emergency and disaster situations including Hurricane Katrina. But at this point the regulatory agency sort of contradicts itself regarding CC&R's, albeit it may not have noticed its own mistake. Here, the FCC notes that amateur radio emergency communications require not only stations in a position to originate the emergency message, but also as an alternative to the commercial communications infrastructure impacted by the emergency. This alternative infrastructure is the network of amateur radio operators and their stations that relay messages, build and maintain repeater stations and repeater networks, operate High Frequency message networks to send messages greater distances than are practical with mobile or transportable transmitters, and develop new technologies to improve the reliability of these networks. As such, the FCC contends that this value could potentially be increased, through cooperation among Department of Homeland Security, public safety, emergency management, and amateur radio emergency communications associations and groups to develop future training protocols. But what the FCC fails or refuses to address is how radio amateurs living with CC&R's that restrict or outright forbid antennas can possibly pass along emergency traffic using the High Frequency bands. It's not likely that a long wire or dipole hidden in a hams attic is going to break through to any emergency net or pass traffic under adverse conditions. Operating effectively on the High Frequency bands requires decent outdoor antennas hung in the clear and this is something that the FCC fails to address in this section of its report. Finally, the FCC recommends that the Department of Homeland Security work with state, local, and tribal authorities to develop disaster area access policies and qualifications for trained amateur operators who provide emergency communications support. The only question here is how you get the attention of these agencies, many of whom consider themselves autonomous are not interested in assistance from the public at large. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM in Reno. -- You can download and read the entire 15 page FCC accounting to Congress at tinyurl.com/FCC-To-Congress-Report. It's written pretty much in plain language and might well make an excellent program for radio clubs and on-air discussion nets. This is because it could easily set precedent in regulation of the United States Amateur Service for decades to come. (FCC) ** THE BPL WAR: EU VS RSGB OVER BPL STANDARD A battle appears to be brewing between the Radio Society of Great Britain and the chairman of the European Union Committee. This after the latter attacked the RSGB's call to arms in the battle against Powerline Transmission radio pollution. A technology better known as Broadband Over Powerline here in the United States. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP,has more: -- The chairman of the European Union committee on Powerline Networking has responded to the Radio Society of Great Britain's call to arms, claiming that every minute of filibustering pollutes the radio spectrum more. According to the UK newspaper the Register, the Radio Society of Great Britain says that the new standard for broadband powerline transmission, will water down existing requirements. This it says will open the way to greater spectrum pollution. As such, the RSGB has asked members to lobby their local representatives. But Ronald Storrs, Chair of the committee defining the standard refutes that. He claims that it is the RSGB that is risking the airwaves with - and we quote" "their pointless protests and inflexible attitude." The problem is that sending data signals over unshielded mains wiring, as Broadband Over Powerline transmissions does generates radio interference. And as the manufacturers push to increase speeds that interference is spreading into the frequencies used by other radio services. That, says the RSGB, is unacceptable. But BPL or PLT equipment manufacturers have a totally different view. They say that the devices don't generate significant interference. Rather it's the mains wiring is the culprit. The manufacturers also contend that in many homes the wiring is sufficiently shielded that no interference is generated. As such they will continue to sell their devices legally. Meantime UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has taken a back seat in this matter. It says that it can't do anything as the devices themselves aren't radio transmitters so fall outside their purview. Ofcom says it's waiting for the new standard to be enacted which will give it some authority to regulate Broadband over Powerline technology. So it appears that a proverbial line has been drawn in the sand between the UK ham radio community represented by the Radio Society of Great Britain and those who want to sell Broadband Over Powerline or PLT gear. And while the European Union's Storrs agrees that BPL is generating unacceptable interference, he says that every day there isn't an applicable standard in place more unrestricted gear is getting into the marketplace. He adds that the intransigence of United Kingdom's ham radio community isn't helping. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale, Arizona. -- According to Storrs, the manufacturers of this equipment are dead set against the proposed new standard. He also notes that the new standard already has the support of the International Amateur Radio Union and that this leaves the UK hams standing alone against the European Union. You can read the entire Register article on-line at tinyurl.com/UK- PLT-Fight (Southgate, The Register) ** BREAK 1 From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WB2QLP repeater serving Naples, Florida. (5 sec pause here) ** CHANGING OF THE GUARD: JOEL KLEINMAN, N1BKE, S-K Ham radio has lost one of its most ardent supporters with the untimely passing of QST Managing Editor Joel Kleinman, N1BKE, who died in a house fire on Saturday, August 18th. Amateur Radio Newslines Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has the details on this truly sad moment for all of us: -- Neighbors of the Kleinman family were first to discover the fire that claimed the life of Joel Kleinman and left his widow, Jayne, hospitalized. According to several news accounts, the fire inside Kleinman's Meriden, Connecticut home was pushing out heavy smoke when neighbors discovered it and some of them raced into the burning dwelling. Reports say they first pulled out Kleinman's wife, Jayne, who was already unconscious and is hospitalized at MidState Medical Center. Investigators say the rescuers saved her life. But news accounts quote the neighbors who were involved in the daring and dangerous action as saying the heavy smoke prevented them from reaching the second floor where Joel Kleinman was found by firefighters. The medical examiner says the 64-year-old Kleinman died of smoke inhalation and he ruled the death accidental. Joel Kleinman had been the managing editor for the American Radio Relay League's QST magazine since 2001. But his history with the ARRL goes all the way back to 1976 when he was hired by the organization to target young people with science, and amateur satellites. A graduate of the University of Montana with a journalism degree, Kleinman - who didn't have a ham license at the time - embraced the role. It didn't take long for his ARRL bosses to recognize his skills and he quickly moved into the operations of QST where among the jobs he held was editorial assistant and features editor. By 1988, Kleinman was promoted to book team supervisor for ARRL's publications and other media. His return to QST as the top boss a few years later, clearly was a recognition by the ARRL management of his value to the monthly publication that reaches thousands of amateurs every month. QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY called Kleinman: "...the quiet man behind the scenes, shouldering much of the burden that comes with creating 164 pages of new content every month. Joel set a high standard for all who may follow him." _ ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN issued a statement: "With the passing of Joel Kleinman, N1BKE, we have lost not only a respected professional colleague, but also a friend." _ Kleinman was the former president of the Newington Amateur Radio League and was a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association. Funeral arrangements for Joel Kleinman were still pending as we were going to air. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia. -- Our hearts and prays go out to the Kleinman family on this very tragic loss. (ARNewslineT, ARRL, Meriden Patch, Meriden Record-Journal) ** ENFORCEMENT: FCC LOWERS FINE ISSUED TO FORT MEYERS UNLICENSED STATION The FCC has lowered a fine imposed on an unlicensed broadcaster. This after he provided proof that the initial amount would prove a hardship that he could not afford to pay. As previously reported, this past June 5th the Enforcement Bureau's Tampa Florida Office issued a $15,000 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to Albert R. Knighten, Jr. of Fort Meyers. This for his alleged operation of an unlicensed radio station. In response to the proposed fine Knighten admitted to, and apologized for, the violation. He also urged cancellation or reduction of the proposed $15,000 forfeiture, asserting that his financial situation could not the permit payment of the fine that the FCC had levied against him. After examining the financial documents provided by Knighten, the FCC found sufficient basis to reduce the forfeiture to $1,200. However, it also cautioned Knighten that a party's inability to pay is only one factor in its forfeiture calculation analysis. It told him that it had previously rejected inability to pay claims in cases of repeated or otherwise egregious violations. In closing it warned Knighten that future violations of this kind could result in significantly higher forfeitures that may not be reduced due to financial circumstances. Knighten was given the customary 30 days from the August 21st date of the order to pay the reduced forfeiture. If he fails to do so the matter could be turned over to the Department of Justice for collection. (FCC) ** ENFORCEMENT: LACK OF EAS GEAR BRINGS $10000 FINE The license holder of a low-power FM in Mission, Texas will likely have to pay a $10,000 fine. This, for its admitted failure to install and maintain working Emergency Alert System or EAS equipment. Amateur Radio Newsline welcomes George Bowen, W2XBS, who has this report: -- Intercity Christian Youth Program, Inc. is the licensee for low power station KCYP. Responding to a complaint, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Houston Texas office inspected the station this past March. At that time the manager admitted to the agents the station had operated without EAS gear since the facility went on the air in 2007. KCYP also had no EAS logs to document that the facility had ever had such gear installed or that it had ever conducted the required weekly or monthly EAS tests. The base fine for not having operational EAS gear is $8,000. The commission tacked on another $2,000 because it appears the station has not had working EAS gear for the better part of five years. The station was 30 days to pay the fine or to file an appeal. KCYP must provide a sworn statement to the Houston office of the Enforcement Bureau certifying that it now has had E-A-S equipment installed. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im George Bowen, W2XBS, in Albany, New York. -- According to the FCC, every broadcast station is part of the nationwide Emergency Alert System network and is categorized as a participating national EAS source. This in turn means that all stations must ensure their EAS encoders and decoders are installed and working properly. (FCC, RW) ** ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED BROADCASTER BUSTED UNDER FLORIDA LAW Romayne Davis, who local Florida police say operated an unlicensed radio station, is now free on bond. Police say Davis operated an illegal station out of a warehouse since March using a laptop running iTunes. The investigation began in July when a listener to American Public Media's Classical South Florida WKCP FM in Miami complained that rap music was interfering with the legitimate signal on 89.7 MHz. Police recovered a computer, transmitter and other gear which they said was used to broadcast the unauthorized station on an adjacent frequency of 89.5 MHz. Unlike the FCC which normally issues fines for unlicensed operations, under Florida's strict state law regarding unauthorized transmissions, Davis, who had turned himself into authorities, could face up to five years in prison for his unlicensed station operation. (RW, WPEC) ** RADIO LAW: FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON REGULATORY FEES FOR INDUSTRIES IT OVERSEES Public comments to the FCC about the best way to collect regulatory fees from the industries that the agency oversees are due in mid-September. The agency notes a lot has changed in the telecommunications marketplace since its current system for assessing and collecting regulatory fees was enacted in 1994. Back then, commission regulation centered mostly on wired local and long distance. Since then the wireless industry exploded, shifting agency resources to that industry. Complicating things further, telephone companies have entered the video market, cable operators are winning voice customers, satellite operators offer competitive radio, television and broadband services and wireless services abound. Comments to MD Docket 12-201 are due September 12th. Payment of the existing fees for this year are due by September 13th. This commentary period does not apply to amateur radio or other personal radio services. (FCC, RW) ** RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS YES TO TOWER IN WILDLIFE VS. TOWER CHALLENGE In a case involving the possibility of bird collisions with towers, the FCC has decided in favor of both the tower and its owner American Tower Corporation. Amateur Radio Newsline's Skeeter Nash, reports: -- RADIO LAW: FCC SAYS YES TO TOWER IN WILDLIFE VS. TOWER CHALLENGE In a case involving the possibility of bird collisions with towers, the FCC has decided in favor of both the tower and its owner, American Tower Corporation Last April Michael Pearson of Marshall, Arkansas, raised several issues before the Commission related to a 314 foot structure registered to American Tower that was under construction in the area. American Tower suspended construction while the "Emergency Petition to Compel Compliance" order was reviewed. In his petition to the FCC Pearson said that because the tower would be in wooded and pasture land area, and also within 4,000 feet of a wildlife management area, that the tower would negatively affect migratory birds and endangered species. This included mountain lions, bobcats and even skunks. But in giving American Tower the green light to resume construction, the FCC said his complaint did not meet the standard for requesting environmental review. It said that Pearson didn't identify endangered species that could be specifically affected by the tower. Rather he had listed non endangered species in the area. Possibly more important, the FCC also stated that the proximity of a tower to a wildlife management area does not, by itself, mean that a structure may have a significant effect on the environment. As previously reported, environmental assessments are now required for proposed new towers over 450 feet above ground level, for replacement or modification of existing structures over 450 feet that involve a major size increase or for certain lighting changes to towers over 450 feet tall. This decision is very significant as it gives insight as to how the agency will likely handle these cases in the future. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH. -- As we go to air its unknown if Peasrson will accept the FCC's decision or if he will appeal it up the Administrative Procedures chain. FCC, RW ** BREAK 2 With you 52 weeks a year, every year since 1976, we are the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our only official website at www dot arnewsline dot org and being brought to you by the following volunteer bulletin station: (5 sec pause) ** WITH NEWSLINE: WHO IS STILL USING PHONE LINE ACCESS SURVEY This note to those of you who still receive these newscasts over our 661-296-2407 dial in line rater than downloading the MP3 file from our website. Of late we have noticed a major decline in the number of those calling into it and as such we are giving consideration to discontinuing it by years end. But before we do, we want to know how many people are actually using it. If you are one of those who call in each week on the phone, please send us a note telling us who you are and the reason you are using telephone access rather than simply downloading the newscast from the Internet. Our address is the Amateur Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue, Saugus California, 91350. Or you can e-mail us at newsline (at) arnewsline (dot) org. We look forward to hearing from you. (ARNewsline) ** RADIO BUSINESS: NEW CHINA BUILT DUAL BAND MOBILE FOR UNDER $225 Get ready for the first 2 meter and 70 centimeter dual band mobile selling for under $225 including shipping. At least that's the price being quoted in an on-line advertisement from the Hong Kong-based 409 Shop for the new Baojie model BJ-UV55 dual band mobile radio. Like its Japan built counterparts, the BJ-UV55 has most of the features one expects from a basic dual band mobile. The radio features a large blue back lit LCD display that shows both frequencies programmed in at the same time. The transmitter runs 35 watts out on 70 centimeters and 45 watts on 2 meters. The manufacturer claims a receiver sensitivity of between .18 to .22 microvolts depending on selected bandwidth, 128 memory channels, both CTCSS and Digital CTCSS tone encoding, a DTMF microphone and even a built-in FM broadcast band receiver. The negative on this radio is that nowhere in the advertisement is there any mention of the Baojie BJ-UV55 being FCC certified either under Part 15 or Part 90 making it illegal to import to the United States. Nor is there any service or repair station in the United States. That means returning a radio to the China-based manufacturer should it require maintenance. And as with any product purchased from a non-United States dealer, this can be more expensive than the price of the radio itself. You can see this new dual bander on-line at tinyurl.com/Baojie-dual-band-mobile. And as we say with anything purchased from an overseas dealer, be certain that its legal to import and use here in the United States. Even more important are two words Caveat Emptor, which means buyer beware. (ARNewsline) ** NAMES IN THE NEWS: NZ4O MF/HF/6M PROPAGATIONS FORECASTS GO DAILY Thomas Giella has announced that his NZ4O Medium Frequency, High Frequency and 6 Meter Radio Wave Propagation Forecast is now published on a 'daily' basis. It can be found on line at www.solarcycle24.org and www.wcflunatall.com/propagation.htm. Thomas notes that each new edition will be available at around 1300 UTC, but that there will be no daily e-mail notice about its being posted. Just check the websites for the daily updates. (NZ4O) ** HAM HAPPENINGS: AMATEUR RADIO AND POLITICS MEAN LOTS OF PEOPLE North Carolina's Charlotte Observer reports that the 1,500 hotel rooms in Gaston County are solidly booked because of the Democrat Party's National Convention and a rather famous amateur radio Hamfest. The newspaper says that the Shelby Hamfest takes place Labor Day weekend September 1st and 2nd. Meantime the 2012 Democratic National Convention is being held in the city of Charlotte from September 3rd to the 6th. And while no delegates to the convention are staying in Gaston County there are support people such as FBI agents, U.S. and foreign media and peripheral groups such as lobbyists who need places to stay. The annual Shelby Hamfest is one of the nations best attended amateur radio events. It is held at Biggerstaff Park in Dallas, North Carolina. The paper says that in 2011 about 12,800 ham radio enthusiasts from 30 states showed up. Many camped in RVs, but lots more stayed in local hotels. More on the hamfest is on-line at shelbyhamfest.com. (Charlotte Observer, Southgate) ** ON THE AIR: N1Y TO COMMEMORATE THE 9/11 2001 TERRORIST ATTACKS Members of the Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club will once again be operational as N1Y on September 8th and 9th. This in commemoration of those who lost their lives in the September 11th, 2001, al Quida lead terrorist attacks that felled the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. N1Y will be operating on 40, 20 and 15 meters using CW and SSB, in the General portions of those bands. A special QSL may be had by sending a SASE to W2SBL at the address found on QRZ.com. (Southgate) ** WORLDBEAT: HAM ROAD RALLEYER REACHES MONGOLIA Despite a small war in Tajikistan, a pair of road rally enthusiasts have reached Mongolia. Neil Melville, PA9N, and Helen Woolnough, driving their 9 year old 1.1 liter Fiat Panda are taking part in the Mongol Rally where participants drive, in no more than six weeks, from the United Kingdom to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, using a thoroughly unsuitable car of 1.2 liters or less. Woolnough and Meloville's entry is called The Uncertainty Principle and they started on their epic journey from the UK on July 14th. On Sunday, August 19th their location was given as 46.37 North and 96.25 East placing them near their goal. The pair are driving the race to raise money for the Lotus Children's Centre Charitable Trust and UNICEF. By the time the event ends, they will have covered more than 10,000 miles through 19 countries, with no outside support. Over the years PA9N has given many presentations to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford, England. His first spacecraft project was the eXpress- OSCAR 53 satellite better known as XO-53. Here on Earth you can follow their route and blog at theuncertaintyprinciple.co.uk. (Southgate) ** WORLDBEAT: THE BBC TO TEST TURNING OFF MEDIUM WAVE TRANSMISSIONS The British Broadcasting Corporation is undertaking a five week trial of switching off existing Medium Wave services for four BBC local radio stations. The experiment runs from the 17th of August to the 24th of September and affects BBC Radio Kent, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Nottingham. The BBC say one way to make savings and preserve value to licensee fee payers is to switch off Medium Wave services except where listeners depend upon Medium Wave as an alternative to FM or Digital Audio Broadcasting. Medium Wave services in the UK mainly duplicate what is already available on FM and DAB, and most listeners will be able to hear their local stations on FM. Medium Wave is a European term that describes what we call the AM broadcast band here in the United States. The BBC notes that the aim of the trial is to get a better understanding of the impact of the loss of Medium Wave would have on its core listeners and also enable the broadcaster to ensure adequate coverage is available on other platforms in these regions. (BBC) ** BREAK 3 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) ** RADIO LAW: QUEBEC ANTI CELLPHONE WHILE DRIVING LAW NOW EXCLUDES TWO WAY RADIO Some good news for hams living in the Canadian Province of Quebec. A four year old law banning the use of cellular phones while driving now has an implied exemption for those using two-way radio gear including radio amateurs. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, is here with the latest: -- According to a news release from Radio Amateurs of Quebec, the ban on the use of cellular telephones while driving came into force in April of 2008. Since that time different police departments have issued tickets for the use of various types of devices which in each departments view could be construed as a mobile telephone system. Those who have received these tickets have vigorously contested them. But over the years the various courts hearing these cases have expanded considerably on what they believed the meaning of the law was to include a multitude of communications equipment far from cellular telephones. Now, after four years of uncertainty the situation has now been clarified by amendments to the Highway Safety Code which came into effect this past June 6th. A new article of the code simply says that no person may, while driving a road vehicle, may use a hand-held device that includes a telephone function. More important, the first paragraph does not apply to a two-way radio or any cordless voice communication device which does not allow the parties to speak simultaneously. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera_Howell, KB3TZD, near Berwick, Pennsylvania. -- According to the new version of the law, for the purposes of enforcement, a driver in Quebec who is holding a hand-held device that includes a telephone function is presumed to be using the device. This prohibition does not apply to drivers of emergency vehicles in the performance of their duties. (VE2LGL, RAQI) ** RADIO THROUGH SPACE: MARS ROVER GETS SOFTWARE UPDATE NASA's Mars Science Laboratory at JPL team has sent a software update to the Curiosity Rover on Mars, more than 160 million miles away. According to Venturebeat dot com, the software had to be updated because Curiosity needed different directions to drive around on Mars than it did to land on the planet's surface. The computer hardware in the Curiosity Rover is powered by a pair of computers built by BAE Systems. These RAD750 computers use a 10-year-old IBM PowerPC microprocessor running at a relatively slow 132 megahertz. These machines also have only 120 megabytes of random access memory, but are built to withstand wild temperature swings, radiation, and physical shaking. The drawback is that the computers on the robot vehicle did not have enough memory for both the landing and its surface missions. So NASA had to swap out the software over four days of communication through the void of space. It took so long because it takes about 14 minutes to send the signal to the rover and another 14 minutes to get a response back. (Venturebeat.com) ** DX In DX, K7BV, having recovered from a serious medical condition, is returning to Asia for a short visit between August 25th and September 2nd. He will be using his HS0ZKS callsign on HF bands from the home of HS1CHB, and hopes to QSO friends from around the world. He may also get on the air from Japan as well using his call JF1XJR. QSL via K7BV's new address at 290 West Road, Turkey, North Carolina 28393. W7XA will be active stroke DU1 through August 27th from near Tagaytay Ridge which is about 40 miles south of Manila in the Philippines. His operation is on 20, 17 and 15 meters using mostly CW and some SSB. QSL via his home callsign as found on QRZ.com. OE4JHW will be operational as 8Q7OE from the Maldives between September 3rd and the 14th. Activity will be holiday style on 40 through 10 meters using SSB and BPSK. He will focus on stations from DL, HB0, HB9 and OE, as well as on North and South America. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau. Also electronically using either Logbook of the World or eQSL. Lastly, CT1FJZ says that he is now in Angola and is expected to be there for one year working in Benguela and Huambo. Look for him to be active as D2FJZ, mainly on the weekends and limited times during the weekdays. Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters SSB. QSL to his home callsign, by the bureau or direct. (Above from various DX news sources) ** THAT FINAL ITEM: HONORING ERIN KING, AK4JG - THE ARNEWSLINE 2012 YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR And finally this week, we want to take a moment to congratulate 18 year old Erin King, AK4JG, and receiving her award as the 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year. The ceremony was held at the Huntsville Hamfest where I had the honor of being the award presentation emcee, but it was truly AK4JG's moment to shine: -- AE5DW: "Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to introduce to you a very impressive young lady. This is Erin King. She is your 2012 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year. Erin, the floor is yours. (Applause) AK4JG: "Thank you. Thank you. Thanks Don. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this possible. "When I did my project with the tube and with all the ham radio stuff that I've been doing so far, I had no idea that it going to bring me this far. I had no idea that I was going to have the opportunity to earn this award or that any of this would be possible. "Its been a lot of fun. I've been a ham for about four years now and I have learned so much and have met a ton of great people and ham radio has become an integral part of my life and its one of the primary reasons that I'm making the decisions for the future that I'm going to have. "So it's all very exciting. I'm very excited to be here to earn this award, so thank you very much (applause). -- The Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is jointly underwritten by Yaesu USA Corporation, CQ Publishing and Heil Sound. Yaesu has been with the award since its inception some 27 years ago. This year the company was represented by its Executive Vice President of Amateur Radio Sales and Marketing Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV: -- K7BV: "Hi Erin and congratulations from Yaesu. We don't want you to go off the air while you are traveling around with all of your schooling, We want you to have a radio that you get on the air with no matter where you go and that would be our portable FT-817ND. We hope that you will pack it in your bag and take it with you all the way to your CEO position with a Fortune 500 company sometime soon. So congratulations." AK4JG: "Thank you. (applause)" -- Part of the award is an expense paid trip to Spacecamp Huntsville courtesy of CQ Publishing. CQ Magazine Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, took a bit of time to comment on quality of those nominated: -- W2VU: We've had a tremendous time being involved with the Young Ham of the Year Award and I've been honored to be one of the judges since we became involved and the quality of the young people who have been nominated has been just wonderful and it makes me very optimistic for the future of our hobby. And this is year after year." -- Last but by no means least the awards newest corporate sponsor Heil Sound. Not only did founder Bob Heil, K9EID, present Erin with a pair of the company's new headphones, but he also gave her a very special invitation to appear with him on his TWiT TV program Ham Nation: -- K9EID: "Well we are so happy for you and we want to stay in touch with you as you get through all the wonderful things that happen in ham radio. Come and visit us on Ham Nation and I really hope that we can have you as a guest real soon." -- And there you have it for yet another year. The 27th consecutive year that this award has been presented and the 19th consecutive year that the presentation has been made at the Huntsville Hamfest. And in that regard we want to express our thank you to Charlie Emerson, N4OKL, and his team that puts on this annual event and to Dave Bell, W6AQ, who sponsors the Young Ham of the Year plaque. And also to Tom Medlin, W5KUB, who live streamed the presentation over the Internet for all to see on W5KUB.com and to Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, of Amateur Radio Video News who video recorded it for posterity. We thank you all. (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, the Southgate News, Twit-TV and Australia's WIA News, that's all from the Amateur Radio NewslineT. Our e-mail address is newsline(at) arnewsline (dot) 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 NewslineT, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350 For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editor's desk, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, in Southern Mississippi saying 73 and we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio NewslineT is Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.