Glendora Emergency Response Communications

Should GERC sponsor the Amateur Radio Newsline?

Sep 07, 2004

What is Amateur Radio Newsline

New amateur radio operators probably are unaware of the Amateur Radio Newsline that is often transmitted legally on repeater or simplex nets. I inquired from Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF the owner of Newsline if GERC would be eligible to use it on its weekly net. Here is Bill's response:

"... As to using the Newsline on the net: As long as you abide by Part 97, and all other users in the net want it -- and you do not change the content of the newscast --- we have no qualms. The show is made to be listened to and is on a number of simplex frequencies -- HF and VHF -- across the nation."

What follows is a description of Newsline:

Amateur Radio Newsline?™ is delivered primarily by automated telephone feeds from various locations nationwide. The tape is updated Friday evening in Los Angeles, with other lines usually updating within 24 hours. Please note that with the exception of the Los Angeles area lines, all other feed points are privately funded and sponsored. Some may incorporate the newscast into a program along with their own local or regional news. Also, please note that Amateur Radio Newsline?™ does not directly sponsor any on-air operation. We have no transmitting facilities of our own on any band: HF or VHF / UHF. We are producer / distributors only.

The weekly Amateur Radio Newsline?™ Amateur Radio bulletin is formatted and engineered primarily for distribution on VHF / UHF amateur repeaters and by FM simplex bulletin stations. Audio processing is specifically contoured for these delivery media, but the service can also be relayed with good results on HF SSB.

Amateur Radio Newsline?™ bulletins conform to all sections and codes as outlined under the Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules regarding the legal means of amateur radio operators issuing ?“QST?’s?” or ?“Bulletins of Interest to All Amateurs.?” We differ only in format and follow a more traditional radio ?“spot news?” format. Whenever possible, Amateur Radio Newsline?™ stories include the voices of the newsmakers themselves so that you can more easily understand the effect that the story will have on all radio amateurs. If you have ever heard CBS Network Radio News or NBC News on the Hour then you will be familiar with the format utilized by Amateur Radio Newsline?™, with the exception that the information we provide is strictly directed to radio amateurs.

Since most Amateur Radio Newsline?™ bulletins contain a lead message to the issuing bulletin station called a ?“Closed Circuit Advisory?” we recommend that bulletin stations pre-record the service and retransmit only that part which constitutes the text of the service itself. This is easily accomplished by calling into one of the numbers listed below and recording Amateur Radio Newsline?™ for delayed retransmission on your local repeater (or FM simplex / HF SSB frequency.) This also permits easy integration of Amateur Radio Newsline?™ into an already established net or on-air amateur radio information service.

Amateur Radio Newsline?™ sponsors an ?“Instant Update Service.?” When a major event involving amateur radio occurs, a special report can usually be found by dialing into our California based ?“Instant Update?” line at:

(661) 296-2407 in Santa Clarita, California. (This line also carries the regular weekly Amateur Radio Newsline?™ bulletin service.)

As stated earlier, Amateur Radio Newsline?™ is a free service to the amateur radio community. It is entirely supported by voluntary donations from individual amateurs and amateur radio clubs. We are not directly associated with the former Westlink Report Newsletter ( no longer in prodution ), the W5YI Report Newsletter, the ARRL Letter, or any organization or amateur radio lobby group. All participants in the Amateur Radio Newsline?™ operation are professionals in the news media who have volunteered their time and skills to help prepare each weekly bulletin. There is no paid staff and all funds go directly to the defraying operating costs. Since recording facilities are largely donated, the majority of expenses relate to telephone charges, tape stock procurement and transportation and equipment maintenance. Your support is not only welcomed, but greatly needed.

We hope that you and all amateur operators in your area will enjoy Amateur Radio Newsline?™. Please let us know how we can serve you better.

For more information look at www.arnewsline.org