Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1937 – September 26 2014

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1937 – September 26 2014

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1937 with a release date of September 26th 2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Brazil will propose a permanent 60 meter ham radio allocation; rules restructuring underway in Australia and Austria; the FCC turns down a petition to create a 4 meter band in the USA; the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test to be held October 4^th and 5^th; a ham radio flood relief effort in India is stalled by government red tape and the Dayton Hamvention begins solicitation nominations for its 2015 awards program. All this and more on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1937 coming your way right now.


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BRAZIL PROPOSES 5275 KHZ TO 5450 KHZ INTERNATIONAL ALLOCATION FOR AMATEUR SERVICE

Anatel which is the national telecommunications agency of Brazil will propose new 60 meter Amateur Service allocation from 5275 to 5450 kHz, This at the next meeting of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission or CITEL slated to take place from September 29th to October 4th at Mérida City, Mexico. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has the details:

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The decision to move forward occurred on September 11th at the Brazilian Communications Commission. This is a consultative committee for WRC-15 subjects formed by government, industry and representatives of the society and is lead by Anatel.

The 5275 to 5450 kHz contiguous secondary allocation is the widest segment recently suggested by compatibility and sharing studies at the ITU. Even so, the preliminary proposal will also consider national adaptations since it will include a footnote where is described that each national administration can provide additional constraints to provide further compatibility with existing services and other national and local spectrum realitie.

As reported Canada also plans to introduce a similar request at the upcoming meeting. In its case the proposal will be for a split allocation running from 5.330 to 5.355 MHz and the second beginning at 5.405 and ending at 5.430 MHz. In both proposals the Amateur Service would be on a secondary, non interfering basis to existing 60 meter spectrum users.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I’m Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, in southern Mississippi.

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Despite Canada and Brazil being the first countries in Region 2 to officially support Amateur Service around 5300 MHz, several others already have authorized domestic allocations considering past successful experiments.

(GDE/LABRE)

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RESTRUCTURING: WIA SEEKS MEMBER INOUT FOR NEW HAM RULES FOR THAT NATION

The Wireless Institute of Australia is seeking input from the V-K ham community on possible new regulations to bring before that nation’s telecommunications regulator as we hear from Roger Harrison, VK2ZRH:

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The regulation that governs amateur radio in Australia, known as the License Conditions Determination, or LCD, will expire on the first of October next year. The Australian Communications and Media Authority - the ACMA - has to "remake" the LCD so that regulation of the Amateur Service continues after that date. This offers the WIA and the Australian amateur community an opportunity to re-think how best to regulate the Amateur Service now, and for the future.

The LCD sets out how the three license grades operate, their frequency bands, the transmission modes that may be used and maximum permitted powers. The WIA Board has identified a raft of issues for evaluation and invites all current and prospective amateurs to have input on any related matter, before a final submission - or series of submissions - is prepared by the Board.

The WIA sees the need to better align the LCD with the regulations prevailing in other countries - particularly for Foundation and Standard licensees . . . and license conditions set to enable Australian amateurs to adapt to emerging technologies; a new LCD should reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens - on both amateurs and the ACMA.

A major issue raised by the WIA Board is that the remade Amateur LCD must include direct reference to the electromagnetic emission - or EME - requirements all amateurs must meet, so that every amateur is made aware of their compliance obligations.

Another key issue identified by the WIA Board is to have a new LCD allow greater flexibility to experiment, with amateur radio to remain a self-regulating service with no reduction or downgrading from the current Apparatus License principles.

In summary - for the Advanced license, the WIA advocates a relaxation of permitted bandwidths and, in line with greater awareness and compliance with the EME requirements, a power limit of up to 1000 watts without having a separate a permit. In addition, a variety of new frequency band allocations are also to be sought.

For the Standard license - the WIA advocates a relaxation of bandwidths to allow wideband digital and image modes, up to 200 watts output, and an increase in the number of permitted bands - particularly the lower part of six meters at 50-52 MHz - the latter was pursued with the ACMA some years ago.

For the entry level Foundation License, the WIA will seek the addition of digital modes, the use of commercial DIY transmitter kits, permitted for the use of converted non-amateur transceivers to ham bands, an increase of power level to 25 watts, and conditions to enable unattended operation and remote control - this style of operation is permitted in other countries, the UK for example.

This is Roger Harrison VK2ZRH.

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Roger Harrison, VK2ZRH, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Wireless Institute of Australia. (WIA News)

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RESTRUCTURING: NEW AMATEUR RADIO ACT IN PREPARATION FOR AUSTRIA

Another nation that appears to be getting ready for some level of license restructuring is Austria. This with word that the Austrian national ham radio society is involved in the negotiations with the government telecommunications ministry, to create a new Amateur Radio Act.

On September 15th the President of the national society was contacted by senior representatives of the Federal Ministry and invited to discuss a contemporary redesign of Austrian amateur radio rules. The invitation notes that the current Amateur Radio Act of 1999 and forms the fundamental basis for the amateur radio service in Austria. It provides the basic Amateur Service framework at the national level, the detailed regulations and frequencies available to hams in Austria.

According to the Austrian national ham radio society, the negotiations will revolve around modernizing that nation’s rules. This so as they are more contemporary, bring relief in the application process and also enable such concepts as remote operation. The society notes that recent experiments with remote operation proceeded without any disturbances or incidents. (OVSV, Southgate)

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RADIO LAW: 2300 MHZ RESTRICTION IN NIJMEGEN NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands Ham News reports radio amateurs within 20 miles of the city of Nijmegen lost the use of the 2300 MHz band on September 21^st. This is because TV video and audio links that will use the frequencies 2325, 2335, 2345 and 2355 MHz each with a bandwidth of 8 MHz. In the Netherlands television broadcasters are the primary users of the 13 cm band. The article did not say if this loss is permanent or only for a limited time. (Netherlands Ham News)

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RADIO LAW: FCC TURNS DOWN PETITION TO CREATE A UNITED STATES 4 METER HAM BAND

There will not be a 4 meter band in the United States anytime in the near future if ever. At least it appears that way after the FCC acts to dismiss a rule making request filed by Glen Zook, K9STH, of Richardson, Texas, who had asked that such a ham radio band be created. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Heather Embee, KB3TZD, has more:

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In his filing, Glen Zook, K9STH, had asked the Commission to allocate 70.0 to 70.5 MHz to the amateur radio service. This based on the migration of broadcast television stations to primarily UHF frequencies and there-by basically eliminating any probable interference to television channels 4 or 5.

In denying the request the FCC noted that there are still a trio of full power broadcasters and more than 100 low power television broadcasters currently using TV channel 4 in the United States. The regulatory agency also noted the likely re-farming of the broadcast television landscape after the upcoming incentive auction to free up UHF spectrum for broadband. This might mean numerous full power television stations being forced to relocate to the low band broadcast allocations that includes channels 4 and 5.

The 4 meter band is authorized in several ITU region one nations including the United Kingdom. Hams in North America have been experimenting with cross-band contacts by monitoring the 4 meters while using time coordination and other Region Two amateur service spectrum to try to make contacts. This is not unlike the so-called old days before I-T-U Region one had a six meter allocation. Back then, hams on this side of the Atlantic worked their European counterparts by returning their calls on what were informally known as the 10 meter to 6 meter calling frequencies.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I’m Heather Embee, KB3TZD, reporting.

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The complete text of the FCC’s denial of the petition by K9STH in PDF format is at tinyurl.com/zook-petition-denied. More information regarding current amateur radio operation on 4 meters can be found at tinyurl.com/four-meters-today.

(FCC, ARNewsline archives)

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In DX up-front, word that JH1AJT operating portable from Eritrea went QRT at around 18:00 UTC on September 22nd after having made over 4,200 QSOs. According to JA1TRC of the FGC Radio Team, after JH1AJT arrives back in Tokyo they were to begin arranging DXCC documentation and register the operation with Logbook of the World. They will also provide a Club Log online check and OQRS for convenient QSL’ing after JH1AJT returns to the FGC office.
(JA1TRC)

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DX UP FRONT: NEPAL THROUGH OCTOBER 4TH

DK5AD will be active from Nepal as 9N7AD through October 4th. His operation is holiday style on the HF bands using an Elecraft KX3 and a vertical antenna. QSL via his home callsign. For updates keep an eye on QRZ.com under DK5AD or 9N7AD. (OPDX)

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BREAK 1

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the QSO Radio Show with Ted Randall, WB8PUM heard each week Worldwide on shortwave station WTWW.

(5 sec pause here)


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ACCIDENT REPORT: WISCONSIN HAM KILLED IN FALL FROM TOWER

A sad story to report. James Linstedt, W9ZUC, of Eau Clair, Wisconsin died Tuesday, September 16th following injuries sustained when he fell 95 feet from an amateur radio tower just outside of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Linstedt, age 59, is reported to have had extensive experience climbing and working on towers. Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk says it appears Linstedt was wearing a safety harness while on the 100-foot-tall tower, but as he moved around on the tower he was not safely strapped in. (Nevada AR News, Eau Clair Leader)

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RESCUE RADIO: INDIA HAMS HOPE TO RESPOND TO KASHMIR FLOODING

Bureaucracy and red-tape has apparently placed a ham radio relief operation on hold to India’s flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir regions. As this newscast is being prepared, the amateur radio communications team is ready to go but there are some sticking points.

Suri Ram Mohan, VU2MYH, is the executive vice-chairman and director of the National Institute of Amateur Radio. He notes that the operation of amateur radio is banned in certain areas like Jammu and Kashmir. As such ham relief operators cannot jump into action without seeking permission from India’s Wireless Planning Commission and Co-ordination Wing.

VU2MYH says that he has written to the agency’s wireless advisor asking him to grant the ham radio relief communicators permission to operate from those locations without facing any legal complications. If everything worked out as VU2MYH hoped, the operator’s should be on station by the time this newscast goes to air. (New India Express)

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RESCUE RADIO: ARRL SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST OCTOBER 4-5

The 2014 ARRL sponsored national Simulated Emergency Test or SET is slated for the weekend of October 4th and 5th. SET usually pronounced as the word set is a nationwide exercise in disaster response and emergency communication, administered by the League’s emergency coordinators and net managers, in which volunteers respond to a mock emergency or disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane.

SET offers volunteer public service communicators the opportunity to focus on their capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. This, while interacting with National Traffic System nets. It also provides a public demonstration to served agencies such as the Red Cross, along with state and local emergency managers.

More about this years Simulated Emergency Test can be found on the League’s website using the link tinyurl.com/arrl-set-2014 (ARRL)

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HAM TECHNOLOGY: IARU R1 RELEASE VHF/UHF/MICROWAVE HANDBOOK

IARU Region 1 has released edition 6.14 of the free VHF Managers Handbook covering the VHF, UHF and Microwave amateur radio bands. While primarily aimed at activities on these bands in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle-East, the publication contains quite a bit of information applicable to operations world-wide. This is especially true in the area of planning contact attempts between various IARU regions.

The handbook has chapters on Band Planning, Contests, Propagation Research, Operating Procedures and Satellites. It also goes into intricate detail on a number of technical aspects such as specifying a standard for the use of circular polarization defining which way helical beam antennas should be threaded. You can download your copy of this informative publication at tinyurl.com/IARU-VHF-Handbook-6-14 (IARU-R1)

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HAM TECHNOLOGY: PLAN FOR BETA RELEASE OF WSJT-X V1.4

A public beta release of the weak signal data modes software WSJT-X, version 1.4, is now planned for October 1st.

WSJT-X is a computer program designed to facilitate basic amateur radio communication using very weak signals. The first four letters in the program name stand for “Weak Signal communication by K1JT,” while the suffix “X” indicates that this version started as an extended and experimental branch of WSJT.

Some of the changes in version 1.4 relative to version 1.3 include such items as improved C-A-T control for most radios including expanded support for Commander, Ham Radio Deluxe, and OmniRig. Other improvements are the ability to better handle messages that include compound callsigns and support for standard localization conventions to mention only a few.

In all, there are nine specific changes and improvements to the WSJT-X software in this latest release. To find out what they are send your web browser tinyurl.com/njabe49 to read the latest WSJT-X manual. (K1JT, WSJT Development Team)

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HAM TECHNOLOGY: MEASURING TRANSMITTER NOISE

An interesting web page that measures the transmitter performance of noise element production by a number of popular amateur radio transceivers has been created by Jim Brown, K9YC. In his research, Brown measured such areas as key clicks, intermodulation distortion, and phase noise. You can see the results of his study on the web at k9yc.com/TXNoise.pdf (Southgate)

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RADIO HONORS: POSTAGE STAMP FEATURES HAM RADIO SATELLITES

A new Lithuanian postage stamp features the amateur radio satellites LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSat-1. The two CubeSats were launched to the International Space Station last January 9th and deployed from the ISS on February 28th.

LituanicaSAT-1 carried a FM transponder and a camera while LitSat-1 had a linear SSB and CW transponder developed by William Leijenaar, PE1RAH. LitSat-1 was the lighter satellite and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on May 23. The heavier LituanicaSAT-1 remained on-orbit until this past July 28. (Southgate)

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HAM HAPPENINGS: LOCATION NAMED FOR 2015 NEVADA STATE ARRL CONVENTION

The Boomtown Resort and Casino in the city of Reno has been picked by the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society as the site for the 2015 ARRL Nevada State Convention. Known as NVCON, the convention will run May 1st to the 3rd of 2015. More information will be released as it’s made available. (Nevada AR Newswire)

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HAM HAPPENINGS: TEXAS HAM-CON MOVES TO LARGER VENUE

Ham-Com, the largest amateur radio convention in Texas, announced that it will be moving the location of the 2015 event to the Irving Convention Center.

The Ham-Com board of directors deemed the move necessary due to the increased growth they have experienced over the past several years.

For the past several years the gathering has been held at the Plano Center in Plano, Texas. Both locations are near the Dallas metropolitan area and only a short drive from Dallas – Fort Worth International Airport.

Because of its central location, Ham-Com draws attendees from every state and visitors from around the world for the yearly event. The show hosts various American Radio Relay League division events and also has the longest-running Boy Scouts of America radio merit badge program held during the convention.

Ham-Com 2013 will be held on June 12th and 13th. More on the move and the show itself can be found at www.hamcom.org (Ham-Com)

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HAM HAPPENINGS: DAYTON HAMVENTION SOLICITING 2015 AWARD NOMINATIONS

The 2015 Dayton Hamvention is soliciting nominations for its Amateur of the Year, Special Achievement, Technical Excellence and Club of the Year awards.

The Amateur of the Year Award goes to an individual who has made a long-term, outstanding commitment to the advancement of amateur radio.

The Special Achievement Award honors someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of amateur radio such as spearheading a significant project.

The Technical Excellence Award is for the person who has made an outstanding technical advancement in the field of amateur radio.

Last but by no means least, the Club of the Year award is presented to a radio club which has made a significant contribution to the advancement of amateur radio.

Additional details on these awards and a nomination form are available www.hamvention.org/awards.php. Completed submissions go electronically to awards (at) hamvention (dot) org or mailed to Dayton Hamvention Awards, PO Box 1446, Dayton, Ohio 45401 and must be received by January 16th, 2015. The winners will be recognized at the 2015 Hamvention which runs May 15th to the 17th. (DARA)

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BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today’s radio amateur. 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)

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RADIO TECHNOLOGY: DIP IN STRATOSPHERIC RADIATION DURING SOLAR STORM

A rather surprising outcome to a scientific experiment. On September 12th, student scientists from Earth to Sky Calculus in California launched a weather balloon during the most intense solar storm so far this year.

They expected to measure an increase in the radiation count. Instead they measured a sharp drop. The reason for this phenomena is thought to be something call the Forbush Decrease named after physicist Scott Ellsworth Forbush who first described it in the 20th century.

Simply said, when the Suns Coronal Mass Ejection, or CME sped past Earth, it swept aside many of the cosmic rays that normally surround our planet. More on the unexpected outcome to this experiment can be found by searching for “students measure Forbush decrease” on the Spaceweather.com website. (Southgate, spaceweather.com)

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RADIO FROM SPACE: ROSETTA MISSSION ANNOUNCES PHILLAE LANDING SITE

Europe's Rosetta mission team, which intends to land a probe on the 4km-wide comet 67 P later this year, has identified what they think is the safest place to land the small robot craft. Now, researchers and controllers from the European Space Agency have chosen what appears to be a relatively smooth region on the smaller of the comet's two lobes as the spot to send the lander named Phillae.

Comet 67P is currently some 273million miles from Earth. The plan is still to make the Phillae landing attempt on November 11th. The area where ESA hopes the Phillae probe will successfully set down is designated as landing site J. (ESA)

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WORLDBEAT: DUTCH NPO TO END MEDIUM WAVE TRANSMISSIONS

It is reported that Netherlands Public Broadcasting plans to end its medium wave AM broadcasts. The Netherlands Ham Radio News website says that both the 747 kHz in Flevoland and 1251 kHz in South Limburg are slated to be closed but no dates for this action to take place have yet been announced. (Netherlands Ham News)

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WORLDBEAT: EUROPEAN MEDIUM WAVE BROADCASTER TO END AM TRANSMISSIONS

Another European broadcaster is planning to stop all of its RF based transmissions. Medium Wave Info reports that Deutschland Radio will end broadcasting in the Medium and Long Wave bands by years end.

A press release says that on December 31st that transmitter sites Donebach on 153 kHz, Sehlendorf and Oranienburg on 177 kHz along with the Aholming transmitter on 207 kHz will close. In all more six medium wave stations are planned to close by or on December 31, 2015.
(Southgate)

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ON THE AIR: ARIZONA QSO PARTY OCTOBER 11 – 12

On the air, this years Arizona QSO Party will take place on October 11th and 12th. Modes to be used will include Phone, CW and digital modes on 160 through 2 meters excluding the WARC bands.

The Arizona QSO Party is sponsored by the ARRL Arizona Section and Catalina Radio Club. Full information on this event including complete time scheduling and log submission is in cyberspace at www.azqsoparty.org. (Arizona QSO Party)

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ON THE AIR: CALIFORNIA QSO PARTY OCTOBER 4 - 5

Also on the near horizon is the 49th annual California QSO Party slated to begin at 16:00 hours UTC on October 4th and running through 22:00 hours on October 5th. This event is sponsored by the Northern California Contest Club which invites operators world wide to take part. More information on this event is on the web at www.cqp.org (W6TCP)

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ON THE AIR: EI1100WD CELEBRATING IRELAND’S OLDEST CITY

Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford, is celebrating its 1100th birthday and ham radio is a part of the festivities. Through years end the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group is activating the special event call-sign E1100WD on the High Frequency bands from various sites. More information, modes and logs are to be posted at searg.com and on the SEARG Facebook page. (IRTS)

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DX

In DX, N7QT and AB1UH will be active as VK9AN from Christmas Island through October 2nd. This is a suitcase expedition on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via N7QT, direct, via the bureau or electronically using Logbook of the World. Their next stop will be on Raivavae Island in the Australs using the callsign TX5Z.

JH3AZC, JH3QFL and JR3GWZ will be will be active as V63AZ, V60O and V63GW, respectively, from Pohnpei Island Micronesia between October 10th to the 14th. Their operation will be on 80 through 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and JT65. They also plan a 2 meter moonbounce operation while there using the callsign V60EME. QSL via each operator’s home callsign.

F4HAU has announced that he will activate several African islands during the month of October. These include Reunion Island operating stroke FR from October 9th to the 24th. This will include a side trip to Rodrigues Island from the 13th to the 17th where he will be heard operating stroke 3 B 9. QSL as directed on the air.

N7OU will once again be operating as E51NOU from Rarotonga in the South Cook Islands, between October 13^th and November 9th. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters using CW only. Operation will be in his spare time as work allows. QSL via N7OU.

DL7VOA will be operational as J34O from Grenada between November 22nd and December 6th. Activity will be holiday style, mainly on CW with the possibility of some SSB during his evening and nighttime hours. QSLs for J34O are by the Bureau or direct to DL7VOhA.
Lastly, N7XR reports on his Web page that the VQ9XR operation from Diego Garcia has been delayed but that sometime in October looks possible. Activity will be focused on 160 through 10 meters using CW and RTTY with some SSB. QSL via NN1N direct only. No bureau or electronic QSL’s will be accepted for this one.

This weeks DX news courtesy of the Ohio Penn DX Newsletter

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THAT FINAL ITEM: NEW TECHNIQUE FOR INDUSTRIAL-SCALE GRAPHENE PRODUCTION

And finally this week, a Penn State University Research team has suggested a new technique for industrial-scale production of single atom layers of graphene. This is one of the strongest materials ever developed as we hear from Hal Rogers, K8CMD:

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Graphene is pure carbon in the form of a very thin, nearly transparent sheet, one atom thick. It is remarkably strong for its very low weight and is said to be many times stronger than steel. It also conducts heat and electricity with remarkable efficiency. But until now, mass producing it had eluded the scientific community.

Recently the Penn State team developed a new way of separating graphene sheets from graphite. The scientists used a technique known as intercalation to produce single atom sheets of graphene. Using this method, guest molecules or ions are inserted between the carbon layers of graphite. Later, the single atom layers can be pulled apart.

Scientists suggest that graphene could be used in numerous ways. These include the design and manufacture of more efficient solar cells, improving the form factor of electronic equipment and launching truly flexible electronic equipment.

I’m Hal Rogers, K8CMD

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A study of this new technology has been published in the on-line edition of the Journal Nature Chemistry. It can be found at tinyurl.com/penn-state-graphine (newsmaine.net)

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NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, the Dayton Hamvention, Rain, the RSGB, the South African Radio League, the Southgate News, TwiT-TV, Australia's WIA News and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Our e-mail address is newsline (at) arnewsline (dot) org. More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website located at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita California, 91350..

For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors’ desk, I’m Jim Damron, N9TMW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.