The following is a Q-S-T.  Ham radio and social networks
respond following an earthquake in Mexico; an A-P-R-S
equipped ocean buoy is released off the coast of Alaska;
Missouri hams could be hit hard by a proposed distracted
driving law; London Olympic ham radio stations are announced
and the birds are back.  Find out what we mean on Amateur
Radio NewslineT report number 1806 coming your way right
now.


(Billboard Cart Here)


**

RESCUE RADIO:  HAM RADIO AND SOCIAL NETWORKS RESPOND TO
MEXICO EARTHQUAKE

Amateur radio operators and the social media have responded
in the wake of an earthquake that hit Southwest Mexico on
March 20th.  Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in the newsroom with
what we know so far:

--

What has been described as a powerful and prolonged
earthquake rocked parts of Mexico on Tuesday, March 20th.
The 7.6 magnitude temblor near the Pacific Coast resort town
of Acapulco.  According to news reports, some homes were
toppled near the quakes epicenter.   Electricity and
telephone communications was lost for a time.  But despite
the quake's power, Mexico's President Felipe Calderon and
officials across the country said that there were no reports
of serious injuries.

While there was some damage to the nation's internal
communications infrastructure, Mexico's connection with the
outside world for the most  part remained unscathed.  So far
nothing has been heard about activation of any domestic
Mexican ham radio emergency group.  As we go to air, the
only international ham radio operation we have heard about
is a group called the International Radio Emergency Support
Coalition.  IRESC President, Urcun Canel, TA0U, in Istanbul,
Turkey worked with about 8 or 9 hams in Mexico passing early
damage assessment reports to the European continent.  Some
of this communications audio was posted to Facebook:

--

Actuality audio communications.  Hear it by downloading the
MP3 audio file of this newscast at www.arnewsline.org

--

You can hear the entire communications session at
tinyurl.com/iresc-mexico-quake.  But the real story in this
case is the response by the people in the affected areas.

While telephone and cellphone service was jammed as is the
case after events like this, broadband connections were
still open and quite useful.  Anyone watching or listening
to broadcast news reports often heard tweets from residents
of the quake hit area being quoted as news sources and
giving short eye-witness assessments via Twitter.

Also, broadcast news organizations world-wide were asking
people with relatives in the quake zone to call in or post
to the stations website the latest news they might have.  In
other words, news organizations were literally handling
health and welfare traffic that until a year or two ago was
primarily the domain of radio amateurs involved in emergency
communications.

Quite a change from day's gone bye.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,
in the newsroom in Los Angeles.

--

More in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports.  (ARNewsline,
published news reports with audio from IRESC Facebook
posting)

**

RESCUE RADIO:  CONNECTICUT ARES FRONT AND CENTER ON EMCOMM
PREPAREDNESS

The role of amateur radio in emergency communications
continues to grow and will become even more vital in the
future.  That was the message from Connecticut Section
Emergency Coordinator, Wayne Gronlund, N1CLV, at the annual
meeting of that states ARES groups over the weekend of March
17th and 18th.

According to Gronlund, a series of natural disasters in 2011
showcased the importance of amateur radio in emergency
situations.  These included tropic storm Irene, a pre-season
nor'easter in October, and the tornadoes that swept western
Massachusetts last summer.

Illustrating his remarks with a Power Point presentation,
N1CLV noted that the snowstorm in particular strained the
system because phone and electrical service were disrupted
for up to two weeks.  Especially in the Farmington area.

These two disasters led to formation of Governor Deniel
Malloy's two-storm study inquiry. Among the panel's
recommendations is holding a real time training exercise
this year.  One that would involve municipalities, the Red
Cross and ARES to determine what assets are available and
what improvement is needed.

Such a state-wide exercise is now scheduled for July 28th to
the 30th and will involve amateur radio resources.  More is
on the web at tinyurl.com/ct-rescue-radio.  (Hartford
Examiner)

**

LEGAL HAPPENINGS:  PROPOSED MISSOURI DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW
HAS NO EXEMPTIONS FOR ANYONE

Missouri drivers including hams, C-B operators, emergency
response personnel and even someone just tuning a vehicles A-
M radio could find themselves standing before a judge.  This
if a new distracted driving law is enacted as proposed to
that states legislature.  Matthew Chambers, NR0Q is here
with the rather strange details:

--

If you were to get pulled over this morning and told that
you were getting a ticket for distracted driving because you
took a sip of coffee during your morning commute would you
be surprised.  If a Missouri Senate Bill written by Senator
Bill Stouffer, of Saline County passes, this is what
Missouri drivers could be facing.

Senate Bill 717 would make it a class C misdemeanor to
"Fail[s] to give full time and attention to the operation of
the motor vehicle; Fail[s] to maintain a proper lookout
while operating a motor vehicle; or Engage[s] in any other
activity which causes the operator to be distracted from the
primary mission of driving such motor vehicle."

There are no exemptions for hands-free devices, two-way or
CB type radios, or for operators of emergency vehicles or
law enforcement personnel.  If passed as written, the police
officer writing a ticket to enforce this would most likely
also have to write themselves a ticket for distracted
driving as well.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Matthew Chambers, NR0Q
near Macon, Missouri.

--

While it may sound funny to think of a police officer having
to cite himself for using his departments radio
communications system, it might one day happen in the "show
me" state.  The rather short but complete text of this
proposed law is on-line at tinyurl.com/mo-distracted-
driving.  (NR0Q)

**

RADIO RESEARCH:  ICE GOAT 1 APRS BUOY GOES TO SEA OFF ALASKA
COAST

A group of Oceanography and Aeronautical engineering
students from the U-S Naval Academy have deployed a radio
equipped ocean buoy rigged to monitor weather in the harsh
conditions of the arctic.  Named Ice Goat 1, the buoy was
placed off of the coast of Point Barrow, Alaska. Once the
winter ice melts the buoy will begin its sea voyage.

In addition to its scientific monitoring gear, Ice Goat 1
carries an APRS beacon operating on 145.825 MHz.  The
position packets can be relayed via the International Space
Station digipeater.  However, as the ISS only rises 1.5
degrees above the horizon at arctic latitudes reports of
direct reception of the 145.825 MHz beacon are being sought
from any Alaskan, and eventually Pacific Northwest amateur
radio stations that may be in range of Ice Goat 1.
Reception reports go by me-mail to wb4apr(at) amsat (dot)
org.  (AMSAT, WB4APR)

**

RADIOSPORTS:  LONDON OLYMPIC COMMEMORATIVE HAM RADIO
STATIONS ANNOUNCED

Some special event call-signs will be activated to celebrate
the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The London station, 2012L will be active through the
duration of the games.  It will be located at the historic
Eltham Palace, south-east London on and will operate all
modes on 160 through 2 meters.  More information about it is
on the web at www.2O12L.com.

The Welsh station 2O12W will be operational on all bands
from 160 meters through 23 centimeters and all modes
including SSTV and satellites.  It will be located at
Whitmore Bay, on Barry Island, More information on the web
at www.2O12W.com

2O12L and 2O12W will go on the air July on 27th.  The Radio
Society of Great Britain has been granted use of the games
Inspire trdemark for these stations. Special QSL cards will
be available to all stations contacted.  (G4IRN)

**

BREAK 1

From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world
including the WA4TEP repeater serving Greenville North
Carolina.

(5 sec pause here)

**

RADIO RULES:  TOWERS VS. BIRDS - CATS GET THE BLAME

The birds are back.  New interim regulatory procedures will
take effect soon for certain new towers to address bird
kills.  Yet the issue remains a sensitive one for many
people in broadcasting, two-way radio and others who own and
maintain tall lighted tower structures.  Amateur Radio
Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the details:

--

A new report from the FCC is likely to be scrutinized by
anyone involved in the debate. Among its assertions is that
by best estimate communications tower strikes by avian
creatures do kill 6.6 million birds a year in the United
States.  Even so, while proposed regulatory changes may
affect the total somewhat, bird deaths from towers are, and
will remain, only a tiny fraction of bird deaths from all
causes.

The report also notes that while communications towers
contribute to the overall adverse impacts of all human
activities on bird populations, communications tower
collisions are only responsible for approximately 0.3
percent of the more than 2 billion annual bird deaths that
currently occur due to cats and other predators. In
addition, these deaths occur against a backdrop of high
natural mortality to migrating birds due to a number of
factors. Although the absolute number of birds killed at
communications towers is large, towers are a relatively
minor contributor to total human-caused avian mortality, and
the impact of these deaths is likely even smaller when
considered in the context of high natural mortality.

These findings are part of a Federal Communications
Commission report assessing the environmental impacts of its
Antenna Structure Registration System.  The report was
prepared by the Maryland based firm the URS Group for the
FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in
Los Angeles.

--

The report is likely to continue the ongoing debate over
what the permanent tower registration rules and procedures
should be.  You can read the details at tinyurl.com/The-
Final-PEA.  (FCC, CGC, RW)

**

RADIO LAW:  FCC SEEKS INPUT ON EMERGENCY SHUTOFF OF CELLULAR
SERVICE

The FCC wants to know how you feel about the government or
private enterprises using its ability to order a shutdown of
broadband communications systems in times of emergencies or
perceived emergencies.  Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl
Lasek, K9BIK, reports:

--

The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and
Homeland Security Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau are jointly seeking comment on issues related to
intentional interruptions of Commercial Mobile Radio Service
by government authorities for matters deemed in the interest
of public safety.  The issue stems from Bay Area Rapid
Transit's shut-down of cellular telephone service on August
11th of last year in the face of political and social
protests taking place in the San Francisco area.

According to General Docket Number 12-52, any intentional
interruption of wireless service, no matter how brief or
localized, raises significant concerns and implicates
substantial legal and policy questions.  The service
interruption last summer drew sharp criticism, and state and
local governments have recently grappled with how to address
possible future events.

The FCC says that it is concerned that there has been
insufficient discussion, analysis, and consideration of the
questions raised by intentional interruptions of wireless
service by government authorities.  As a result, Docket 12-
52 seeks comment on the legal constraints and policy
considerations that bear on an intentional interruption of
wireless service by government agencies for the purpose of
ensuring public safety.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK, in
Zion, Illinois.

--

General Docket Number 12-52 caries a commentary cutoff date
of April 30th and a reply comment date of May 30th.  The
entire text is on line in Adobe PDF format at
tinyurl.com/turn-off-cellphones.

(FCC)

**


REGULATION:  CLERICAL ERROR LEADS FCC REQUESTS MODIFICATION
OF HAWAII HAMS LICENSE

In one of those awkward "oops someone goofed moments," the
FCC has been forced to issue an order that proposes
modifying the license of Todd Wilson, WH6DWF, of Honolulu,
Hawaii, from General to Technician.

No, Wilson did nothing wrong.  In fact he appears to simply
be the innocent victim of a clerical error by the
administering Volunteer Examiner.  It happened this way:

Back in November of 2011, the ARRL V-E-C sent an electronic
data file to the FCC, requesting that the agency issue a
Wilson a General class license which it did.  A few weeks
later in January 2012, the ARRL V-E-C notified the FCC that
Wilson's information was incorrect and he did not qualify
for a General class license.  The ARRL V-E-C also requested
that the FCC to modify Wilson's license to show him as a
Technician class license holder.

On March 15, the FCC issued an Order of Proposed
Modification, seeking to change Wilson's license class from
General to Technician.  In its order the FCC said that
granting General class amateur radio privileges to Wilson
had been improper.  That the grant of General class operator
privileges to Wilson was erroneous because he was not
eligible to receive examination credit for one of the
elements an applicant must pass in order to be granted a
General class operator license.  Rather, he appears to be
currently authorized to operate with General class operator
privileges due to an error made during the application
process.

But it may not be over yet.  Under the law, Wilson has until
April 14th to appeal the modification order by submitting a
written statement containing sufficient evidence to show
that the modification would not be in the public interest.
If he fails to do so, the license modification back to
Technician class will come into effect. (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  A SECOND $25000 FINE ISSUED TO AN UNLICENSED
CALIFORNIA BROADCASTER

In what may well be a time record between FCC actions, the
Commission has reaffirmed a second $25,000 fine against
California resident Gabriel Garcia.  This time for not
allowing a commission inspection of various unlicensed radio
stations in the San Jose area.

As reported last week, in May 2011, the Enforcement Bureau's
San Francisco office originally issued a $25,000 penalty
because it said Garcia was operating illegal stations on
three frequencies in the San Jose area and apparently
interfering with the Aviation Radio Services band.  The
commission said that Garcia did not respond to the notice,
so the fine has now progressed into a Notice of Forfeiture.

Now the FCC has affirmed the second $25,000 forfeiture based
on Garcia's refusal to give its inspectors access to the
properties from which the stations were allegedly operating.
This, to permit physical inspection of the equipment being
used.

If Garcia fails to pay the two fines in the allotted 30 days
each, the matters will likely be turned over to the
Department of Justice for collection.  (FCC)

**

ENFORCEMENT:  FCC INVESTIGATING 450 - 470 MHZ INTERFERENCE
IN PA

The FCC has issued a Notice of Unauthorized Operation and of
Interference to Licensed Radio Stations to a pair of Lurgan,
Pennsylvania residents. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather
Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, is here with the details:

--

In a letter to the unnamed parties, the North-East Region
Enforcement Bureau in Philadelphia stated that it had
received a complaint from a licensed telecommunications
provider of interference in the 450 to 470 MHz band.  Also,
that they had traced the interference to a radio
transmitting device operating in Lurgan, Pennsylvania.

On February 17th agents confirmed by direction finding that
the source of the interference was emanating from a
residence in Lurgan.  During an equipment inspection, agents
confirmed that the device causing the interference was
designed to jam radio transmissions.

In its letter to the Lurgan residents, the FCC notified them
that unauthorized operation of a radio transmitting device
designed to jam radio communications must cease immediately.
It warned them that the continued operation of such a device
may result in seizure of the offending equipment and/or a
court order prohibiting them from operating such devices.
Also that this type of unauthorized operation could subject
them to substantial monetary forfeitures and criminal
sanctions including imprisonment.

The two people involved in this matter were given 10 days
from receipt of the notice to provide information regarding
the entity from whom they purchased the device, including
copies of any receipts or invoices.  They were also given
the opportunity to respond with any other information that
they believe relevant to the notice.

Fr the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Butera-Hpwell,
KB3TZD, not far away in Berwyck, Pennsylvania.

--

The two Lurgan residents were also advised that the Notice
of Unauthorized Operation they received or their response to
it would not preclude the FCC from pursuing additional
sanctions based upon its investigation of this incident.
(FCC Northeast Enforcement Bureau)

**

RADIO READING WINTER 2012 TAPR PSR JOURNAL NOW ON LINE

The Winter issue of the free Tucson Amateur Packet Radio P-S-
R Journal is now available to download.  This quarterly
publication is full of technical, non-technical and user
digital information and articles.  You can download the free
winter 2012 PSR from tapr.org/psr/psr117.pdf.   Previous
issues are also available free from the Tucson Amateur
Packet Radio website at tapr.org/psr.html. (TAPR)

**

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)

**

WORLDBEAT:  CHELMSFORD NAMED UK BIRTHPLACE OF RADIO

The United Kingdom now has a city named as the birthplace of
radio.  At least in that nation.  Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is
here with the details:

--

Chelmsford, acknowledged as the birthplace of radio and home
to the Marconi Company for many years, is one of three new
cities created to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the
establishment by Marconi of the first purpose built radio
factory in New Street, Chelmsford in 1912.  New Street is
marked with a blue plaque noting the historic significance.

And this comes to you from G4NJH in Nottingham.

--

As an asaide, for those who never heard the term the Queen's
Diamond Jubilee, this will be an extended weekend from June
2nd to the 5th to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen
Elizabeth the 2nd.   The Queen came to the throne on
February 6, 1952 and her coronation took place on June 2nd
1953.  (RSGB)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  HAMSAT VO-52 RECOVERY SUCCESSFUL

Some good news about the HAMSAT VO-52 ham radio satellite.
A report received from the ISRO Satellite Centre in
Bangalore, India on March 14 says HAMSAT is back on the air
and operating properly.

According to VU2WMY commands to reactivate Dutch-built
PE1RAH orbital transponder on HAMSAT were sent during an
ascending pass over India.  The commands were acknowledged
and confirmed by return telemetry.  At the same time the
beacon signal was heard loud and strong in Bangalore.

Stations in Europe and North America reported good signals
from VO-52 immediately after the transponder was activated.
Two-way contacts were soon completed through the HAMSAT VO-
52 transponder. (VU2WMY)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE:  NEW HAM-SAT GROUP FORMED IN CUBA

Hector Martinez, CO6CBF reports that the Cuban Amateur Radio
Federation has created its first official Satellite Group.
CO6CBF says that he along with CM2ESP and CO7WT worked to
form the group and made the formal recognition request to
the Federation headquarters that was approved on March 3rd.

The official name of the organization is the Grupo de
Radioaficionados para Operaciones Satelitales.  Its
principal mission is to promote amateur radio by satellites
in Cuba and motivate Cuban hams to operate on the
satellites.  Its first meeting is being planned for Havana
in the not to distant future.

(CO6CBF)

**

ON THE AIR:  UK MUSEUM STATION TO COMMEMORATE SINKING OF THE
TITANIC

Special event station GB100MGY will be on air from April 6th
to the 26th.  This to mark the 100th anniversary of sinking
of the Titanic in 1912.

This operation will take place from the Fort Perch Rock
Marine Radio Museum at New Brighton in the UK.  In addition
to the regular HF bands the planners of GB100MGY have
received special permission from UK telecommunications
regulator Ofcom to use the callsign on 502 kHz.  If you do
not have gear to transmit on 502 kHz, crossband QSO's will
be available to 3.566 or 7.066 Mhz from April 12th to the
18th as propagation permits.

For more information on this special event operation, please
take your web browser to
www.fortperchrockmarineradiomuseum.co.uk. (Via e-mail)

**

RADIOSPORTS:  WORLD-WIDE IRON HAM CONTEST RESCHEDULED TO
DECEMBER

The World-Wide Iron Ham Contest, which was originally
planned to take place in June, has now been re-scheduled.
In order to avoid having two South American contests in the
same day the Araucaria Dx Group decided to move the Iron Ham
competition to the last full weekend in December.  As a
result, the World-Wide Iron Ham Contest will begin on
Saturday December 29th at 12:00 UTC and end on Sunday
December 30th at 11:59 UTC.  More on this event in both
English and Portugese is on line at www.araucariadx.com/ih.
(PY5EG)

**

DX

In DX, The Buddies in the Caribbean mini-DXpedition group
will be operational from Montserrat between April 8th to the
16th, with a new group of operators who have never
experienced the other side of a pileup.  Because of severe
baggage limits on the flight from Antigua to Montserrat they
will be limited to low power radios and Buddipole portable
antenna systems.  There will be several villa stations in
operation on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB, and RTTY
or PSK.  At the same time, several teams will be battery-
only, field portable either from Montserrat beaches or
scenic mountain tops.  QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL,
or mail to the operator's home callsign.

DL7BC will be active from slas FH from Mayotte Island March
20th to 6th.  Please QSL as directed on the air.

WA2YUN is currently operational portable KH9 from Wake
Island and will be active another year or more.  Activity is
on the Nigh Frequency bands including 160 and 80 meters.  He
has also been active on 6 meters.  QSL via K2PF.

F4DTO and F4GFE will be active from Albania as ZA100I
between April 22nd to the 29th. Operations will be on 40
through 10 meters on SSB only. QSL via F4DTO, direct or by
the bureau.

Members of the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitter Society
and the 9M4SDX Team will be active as 9M0L from Pulau Layang
Layang Island, East Malaysia, between April 10th and the
24th.  The team will have 4 stations using Spider Beam
antennas.  QSL direct to the 9M0L Team Penang, PO BOX 125,
GPO 10710, Penang Island, Malaysia or by the bureau to
Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitter's Society.

Lastly, W7GJ and ZL1RS will once again team up to do a 6 and
2 meter EME DXpedition to Niue between September 9th and the
21st, W7GJ will use the callsign ZK2GJ, while ZL1RS will
probably use his old callsign of ZK2RS. QSL ZK2GJ via W7GJ
and ZK2RS via ZL1RS direct only.

**

THAT FINAL ITEM:  CREATING THE HAM RADIO TRIATHLON CONTEST

And finally this week, a new radiosporting event will begin
in 2013.  And it has its roots in sports history.  Amateur
Radio Newsline's Norm Seeley, KI7UP, is here with the
details:

--

It all started back in August of 2011. That was about when
it occurred to Mike Balaskas, SV5BYR of Dodcanese, Greece,
that a big Greek sponsored radiosport event was missing from
international ham radio contest calendar.  By the end of
that September Balaskas' idea had matured and so the Ham
Radio Triathlon Contest was born.

For those of you who do not follow the world of sports, a
triathlon involves completion of three continuous and
sequential endurance events. And as you have already
guessed, it is a Greek word.

But unlike the world of athletics, those planning the Ham
Radio Triathlon DX Contest had to change things a bit to
make this activity become reality. In trying to simulate the
original Triathlon athletic event, planners chose three
major ham radio modes for the competition.  For the initial
outing these will be SSB, CW and RTTY.

The Ham Radio Triathlon will be a 24 hour non-stop event
that will take place the fist full weekend of February.  It
will debut next year on Saturday, February 2nd of 2013.  And
from what we have read of the proposed rules winning this
one won't be easy but it sure looks like a lot of fun.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Norm Seeley, KI7UP, on
this side of the Atlantic and the Western part of the United
States reporting from Scottsdale, Arizona.

--

SV5BYR says that there is still a lot of work to be done and
more details to be announced.  We suggest that you keep an
eye on triathlon-dx-contest.blogspot.com in the coming
months to learn more. (SV5BYR)

**

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 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

A reminder that the nominating period for the 2012 Amateur
Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award is now open.
Full details and a downloadable nominating form are on our
website at arnewsline.org/yhoty.

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors' desk,
I'm David Black, KB4KCH, at the Southeast Bureau in
Birmingham Alabama saying 73 and we thank you for listening.