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
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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
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initiator to legal action by Newsline.

Newsline may also be excerpted for code practice transmissions, and may be
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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
 
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   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. * * *
