SB NEWSLIN @ ALLBBS $NLIN.970
Amateur Radio Newsline #970 15 Mar 1996

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every month.  Please read this notice before using any part of Newsline in
any manner.  For a copy of the notice e-mail bigsteve@dorsai.org or netmail
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NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #970 - POSTED 03/15/96

   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. 
Amateur Radio Newsline is a audio news service distributed via telephone.

   This hardcopy version is produced by Dale Cary - WD0AKO from scripts
provided to him weekly by Newsline.  It is then distributed to on-line
services, bbs networks and internet user jointly by Dale Cary and Steve
Coletti.

   Editorial comments, news item and all other business should be
directed to:

                 Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF
                 Newsline Producer & Editor 

            Internet E-mail: 3241437@mcimail.com
                 MCI E-mail: WESTRADIO
                      Phone: (805) 296-7180
                        Fax: (805) 296-7180
                             (Fax senders wait for voice prompt.)


   Hardcopy comments or complements can be directed to:

                 Dale Cary, WD0AKO
                 Hardcopy Distribution for Newsline

            Internet E-mail: wd0ako@rrnet.com
                 MCI E-mail: DCARY
                      Phone: (218) 236-6324


   The audio version of Newsline can be recorded from one of the
currently operating lines listed below.  This list is kept as accurate
as possible.  If any changes are not listed, please contact Dale Cary,
WD0AKO at the above listed addresses.


                    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) 284-0752
     Melbourne, Florida..................... (407) 768-7447
     Houston, Texas......................... (713) 362-4650
     Conroe, Texas.......................... (409) 525-6250

             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
      CompuServe/HamNet.................... HamNet Library 0
      MicroSoft Network.......... Amateur Radio File Library
      Internet...............In the rec.radio.info newsgroup
      Internet FTP: oak.oakland.edu.........................
        In archive: pub/hamradio/docs/newsline
      Local BBS's............In the Ham Radio conferences on
        Fidonet, RIME, Intelec, I-Link, AR-Net and Fringenet.

                   True Speech Internet Site                          
                                                                      
                   =========================
                 http://www.scott.net/~wa4fat

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                      NEWSLINE
                      c/o Andy Jarema-N6TCQ
                      P.O.Box 660937
                      Arcadia, CA
                      91066

                                             Thank You,
                                             NEWSLINE

(*********************************************************************


Some of the hams of AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE:

WA6ITF WB6MQV WB6FDF K6DUE W6RCL N6AHU N6AWE N6TCQ K6PGX N6PNY KU8R
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others in the United States and around the globe!!!

(*********************************************************************
[970]

(* * *  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                         *
(*                        c/o Andy Jarema-N6TCQ            *
(*                        P.O.Box 660937                   *
(*                        Arcadia, California              *
(*                        91066                            *
(*                                                         *
(*      Again, and as always, we thank you.  This ends     *
(*   the closed circuit with Newsline report number 970    *
(*   for release on Friday, March 15th 1996 to follow.     *  
(*                                                         *
(* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                   The following is a QST

   Our ham bands may be coming under the government budget ax and the ARRL
is working to protect them from reallocation. Also, the 1996 DARA awards
are announced and the family of a murdered ARRL is offering a reward to
help solve the case. These stories and more on Newsline report number 970
coming your way right now!

(*****
                 AUCTION THREAT TO HAM BANDS

   Could our hams bands be auctioned off to the highest bidder as a result
of spectrum utilization hearings no going on in Washington?  The American
Radio Relay League is taking action to see that this does not occur.  We
have more in this special report from Amateur News Weekly in Ohio:

   What are the possibilities of losing our amateur bands? It may be
greater than you think.  The Congressional Budget Office in Washington,
D.C. has started to evaluate the amateur radio spectrum as well as other
services for its potential auction value.  It is thought that this action
has been brought on as a way to lower the Federal Budget Deficit. In the
past the FCC has auctioned off segments of the RF spectrum as a way to
settle disagreement between twoor more entities wanting the same section of
a particular band.
   The ARRL has supplied documentation to the Congressional Budget Office
highlighting the positive aspects of amateur radio in such areas as
emergency communications and other contributions to society in attempt to
insure the amateur bands continued to be excluded from any further action.
Amateurs should make sure that their congressmen and senators representing
their area are aware of the full extent that amateur radio plays in their
districts.

   By the way.  The American Radio Relay League is the only organization
representing Amateur Radio that is taking an active part in these hearings.
Other groups claiming to be a voice for United States hams have not even
bothered to show up in Washington to make their voices heard.

(*****
      FAMILY OF SLAIN HAM COUPLE OFFERS $10,000 REWARD

   The family of retired ARRL Director Floyd Teetson, W5MUG and his wife
Winnie, WN5YTR has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the
arrest and successful prosecution of the couple's killer or killers.  The
Teetsons were found slain at their home near Heflin, Louisiana, on February
23rd.
   Authorities in Louisiana now believe the couple died on the evening of
February 21st.  Newspaper reports quote the Webster Parish coroner's
investigator as saying he believes the murder was the work of one person.
The Teetsons' minivan, which had been parked under a carport adjoining a
utility shed where the couple's bodies were found, has been taken to a
police crime lab.  The vehicle's rear hatch was open when police first
arrived and discovered the bodies.
   The Webster Parish Sheriff's Department and Louisiana State Police have
questioned several individuals, but have made no arrests, according to news
reports.

(*****
                  MITNICK HEARING DATE SET

   A probation violation hearing in the case of convicted computer hacker
Kevin David Mitnick, N6NHG, is now set for April Fools day.  Word on the
air in Los Angeles is that the hearing for the alleged computer super
hacker will take place on April the 1st.
   Mitnick is being held in federal detention in Los Angeles after being
arrested last year in North Carolina on separate charges of computer
hacking.  At the hearing, Federal Prosecutors will go through the legal
motions to have Mitnick remanded into custody for violating the terms of
his probation on an earlier hacking conviction.

(*****
                       DAYTON AWARDS

   The Emmys' and Oscar's of ham radio have been announced. The Dayton
Amateur Radio Association has named three outstanding hams as recipients of
this years prestigious DARA awards.  We have this report:

   The Dayton Amateur Radio Association has named AMSAT North America
President Bill Tynan, W3XO, as its 1996 Radio Amateur of the Year.  Tynan
was selected for this prestigious honor based on his lifelong dedication to
championing the cause of VHF and UHF enthusiasts, and ham radio space
communications, worldwide.
   For the past eighteen years, W3XO has been contributing editor for QST
Magazine's "World above 50 MHZ" column.  He has used the column to provide
a medium to nurture new communication techniques, encourage DX performance
and improve contesting rules on the VHF and UHF bands.
   But Bill Tynans' greatest contribution to the new world of Amateur Radio
was his pioneering the establishment of the Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation.  From the founding days of the first OSCAR-6 launch to his
present post as president, Bill Tynan, W3XO has sacrificed much of his
personal time, talent and resources to the promotion and development of the
amateur satellite program.
   He was one of the early key members of the SAREX working group.  And his
vision continues with the Phase 3D ham satellite project, scheduled for
launch in December. Thanks to Bill Tynan's guiding hand, Phase 3D will
usher in an entirely new dimension of amateur radio space relay
communications technology.
   Chosen to receive the DARA Special Achievement Award is Professor John
Kraus, W8JK.  Professor Kraus has contributed much to advancements in
antenna design over the years with several new antennas including the W8JK
beam antenna.  He also invented the helical antenna and most recognizable
the "Big Ear" antenna.  With the building of the "Big Ear" antenna came the
famous "Wow" signal... an extraterrestrial signal that science has not yet
been able to be explain.
   Last but by no means least, the DARA Technical Excellence award goes to
a name that just about every ham will recognize.  That of William I. Orr,
W6SAI.
   Bill Orr as he is better known, has inspired new and veteran hams alike
with his consistent encouragement and technical expertise.  Amateur radio
has benefited from numerous Bill Orr publications including The Radio
Handbook, the Beam Antenna Handbook, The Quad Antenna Handbook, The UHF/VHF
Manual, and many other ham shack standards.
   For many years W6SAI wrote the monthly "Radio Fundamentals" column in CQ
magazine.  He retired only last year, but hundreds of letters from hams
worldwide prompted him to come out of retirement.
   Bill Tynan W3XO, Professor John Kraus W8JK and Bill Orr, W6SAI will
receive their awards at the Dayton Hamvention Grand Banquet the evening of
May 18th.  Newsline will be there live to bring you highlights of the
festivities.

   We will have more on the 1996 DARA Award winners next week.

(*****
                      ALABAMA TORNADO

   One person was killed and about 45 people were hurt by the storm, which
spawned tornadoes, high winds and heavy rains in Selma, Alabama on
Wednesday, March 3rd.  Violent winds ripped down trees and utility poles,
peeled pieces off roofs and twisted an 800 foot tall broadcast tower into
crumpled metal.
   The coordinator of emergency services for Dallas County told the media
that ham radio operators assisted by reporting on damage to dwellings.
Some of the information flow concerned trailers that exploded, overturned
or blown into nearby trees.  Hams also reported on ten other trailer homes
that were destroyed at a 50 home park north of Selma.

(*****                         
                      TRAIN CRASH AID

   Ham radio also stepped in to help after a freight train carrying liquid
propane derailed early on the morning of March 4 in Weyauwega, Wisconsin.
One tanker car exploded, and others caught on fire.
   Authorities quickly evacuated 1700 residents of the town, west of
Appleton in Waupaca County, fearing another explosion.  Among those
evacuated were residents of two nursing homes.
   County Emergency Coordinator Robert Krueger, N9BKF, says the Wisconsin
Division of Emergency Government called the hams in immediately after the
incident.  He says that ARES volunteers from several counties worked in
three shifts around the clock to provide communication for emergency
personnel.  Hams also provided communications for the American Red Cross,
which has set up two shelters in the town of Waupaca.
   Krueger, who is also County RACES officer for Waupaca, says that hams
used several 2 meter repeaters to support communication at the incident
command post and at a staging area back from the scene.  RACES volunteers
handled long-haul traffic on 75 meters to the state Division of Emergency
Government and the Red Cross in Madison.  As we go to air, this emergency
situation is still ongoing.

(*****
     LAMBDA ARC RAISES $1,000 TO AID ANGUILLA HAMS

   And the Lambda Amateur Radio Club has raised a total of $1,050 to aid
Anguilla hams and L.A.R.C. members Dave and Dorothea Mann.  Dave and
Dorothea are VP2EHF and VP2EE respectively.  The monies will go to help in
recovery efforts in the wake of last year's devastating hurricane season.
   Half of the funds were donated by L.A.R.C. members and the balance was
contributed by the VP2EJA Group.  The money has been disbursed to the
Mann's to aid in the purchase of much-needed tools and supplies and to help
pay for equipment repair and replacement.
   The Lambda Amateur Radio Club is a public service oriented ham radio
club for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered hams and their friends.
The group can be reached by e-mail to:

                     lambdaclub@aol.com

   The club can also be reached by U.S. Mail to:

                        P.O.Box 24810
                        Philadelphia, PA
                        19130

(*****
     FCC PETITIONED TO STOP FREE INTERNET PHONE CALLS 

   The days of making free long distance telephone calls free over the
internet may soon be coming to an end.  This is because The America's
Carriers Telecommunication Association, a trade association of competitive,
long distance carriers has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission
to stop companies from selling software and hardware products that enable
use of the Internet to voice long distance services.
   In their March 4th filing to the commission, ACTA says that a growing
number of companies is selling software programs with ancillary hardware
options that enable a computer to transmit voice conversations.  This says
ACTA, creates the ability for Internet users to by-pass local, long
distance and international carriers and allows for calls to be made for
virtually no cost.
   ACTA says that it is incumbent for the FCC to exercise jurisdiction over
the use of the Internet for unregulated interstate and international
telecommunications services. It says that long distance and international
carriers must be approved by the FCC to operate and must file tariffs
before both the FCC and state public service commissions. All of these
requirements are stipulated in the Communications Act of 1934 and the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(*****
                      SAREX ON STS-76

   The Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment, or SAREX will fly again on the
nine day Shuttle Mission STS-76.  During the mission, the shuttle will
rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir.
   Among those in the crew who hold amateur licenses are, Astronaut Richard
Searfoss, KC5CKM who will serve as the Shuttle's Pilot, Mission Specialist
Linda Godwin, N5RAX and Ronald Sega, KC5ETH,  The remaining crew members
include Commander Kevin Chilton, and Mission Specialists Shannon Lucid and
Michael Clifford.  Lucid will remain on Mir for a 5 month stay.
   This will be Linda Godwin's third shuttle flight.  She used ham radio
aboard the shuttle Atlantis during STS-37 in April 1991, and from aboard
Endeavour during STS-59 in April 1994.  Searfoss last operated SAREX from
the Space Shuttle Columbia during mission STS-58 in November of 1993.  This
will be his second Shuttle flight.  Ronald Sega used SAREX from Discovery
during the first joint U.S. Russian shuttle mission, STS-60, in February
1994.
   Landing is scheduled for March 30th at 17:07 UTC at the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida.

(*****
            AMSAT FEATURED ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL

   Members of the Phase 3D International Project Team are getting national
publicity on the Discovery Channel this month on a program called "Eyes in
the Sky."  The show features members of the AMSAT P3D team working on the
satellite at AMSAT's Orlando, Florida Integration Laboratory.  Those
interested in seeing "Eyes in the Sky" should consult local cable listings
for their area.

(*****
                JY1:  YES ON MID EAST PEACE

   On the international scene, Jordan's King Hussein, JY1, is in the news
once again.  His Majesty was in Washington last week where he joined the
U.S. led battle to prevent a wave of terrorist bombings in Israel from
destroying chances for peace in the Middle East.  In a meeting on Thursday,
March 14th with President Bill Clinton, the king said the bombings, which
have killed 57 people were the work of a small group acting against an
overwhelming majority of people in the middle-east who are seeking a
lasting peace.
   According to several newspaper reports, King Hussein's powerful words
helped to strengthen a United States led drive to isolate the militants
behind the bombing campaign and keep the Middle East peace process alive.
   While JY1 has condemned the bombings previously, his presence in the
White House alongside President Clinton gives a much higher profile to his
own anti-terror stand.

(*****
                ARRL COMMITTEE TO STUDY DXCC

   ARRL President Rod Stafford, KB6ZV, has appointed John Kanode, N4MM, to
chair a committee to review the leagues' worldwide DXCC Program.  The panel
will recommend changes necessary to encourage broader participation by more
amateurs.  These include making the program more equitable, creating a
better understood criteria for DXCC countries, improving the process of
reviewing requests for additions and deletions to the DXCC countries list
and increasing overall efficiency in the administration of the program.

(*****
                         AOL DX NET

   In DX, a new DX net is coming on-line.  And we do mean on-line.  On
March 19, 1996 at 9:00 PM EST, that's 02:00Z UTC, turn off your amplifiers
and meet in the America Online conference room for a DX chat.  Rick Snyder,
KD1VW will be your host.  He says that the area is not frequented by DX'ers
and it would be a good place to discuss the weeks on-air finds.

(*****
          SHORT UK CONTEST CALL SIGNS AUTHORIZED

   From the contest corner, look for so-called short United Kingdom contest
call signs like GM6A or GJ6C to start showing up around May 1.
   Great Britain's Radiocommunications Agency has agreed to let U.K.
stations use such call signs during major contests. The RSGB HF Contest
Committee will administer the system.
   With the new M-series prefixes also to be issued starting April 1,
contesters also might hear call signs like M6A or MW6D appearing from the
U.K. during the next operating event.

(*****
                        NEWSLINE 1000

   A reminder to mark Friday October 4th on your calendar. That's the day
that we here at Newsline will release our 1000th newscast.
   Yes, we did say our 1000th newscast and we want your ideas on how to
celebrate nineteen and a quarter years of bringing you news and information
about ham radio.  If you have a suggestion please mail it to us at:

                          NEWSLINE
                          P.O.Box 660937 
                          Arcadia, CA
                          91066 

or electronically to:

                          billwa6itf@aol.com  

(*****
                 MORE VANITY CALLSIGN DELAY

   If you are wondering why the vanity call sign program is still on hold,
look to some of your fellow hams for the answer.  Several are still
petitioning the FCC for last minute changes in the program.  Those
petitions, coupled with a mandate from congress to implement the
Telecommunications Rewrite Act have put vanity calls on hold at least until
at least mid year.
   Still awaiting FCC action are Petitions for Reconsideration filed last
fall by Charnelle H. Summers, W4IJE; David B. Popkin, W2CC; Robert Nelson,
on behalf of the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club; and Christine M. Gill, on
behalf of the Southern California Repeater and Remote Base Association.
   As noted, it appears as if the FCC will not even begin to look at any of
these petitions until early this summer.  How long after that it will take
to dispose of them is not known.  And there is always the possibility that
more petitions for reconsideration could arrive.  By law, each must be
addressed.
   Even worse, some of the current crop of petitioners might take their
cause further if the commission does not give them a decision favorable to
a given position.  This means appeals before the full commission and maybe
even taking the matter into federal court, if they have the money and the
desire to do so.
   Meantime, the FCC vanity callsign application Form 610V is now
available, but the FCC will not accept completed forms until the
appropriate filing gates are opened.

(*****                             

   And for this week, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline.  You can
write to us at:

                           NEWSLINE
                           P.O.Box 660937
                           Arcadia, CA
                           91066 

   For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF at our editors desk, we at Newsline
say 73 and we thank you for listening.

(* Newsline is copyright 1996 & all rights are reserved. *  


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