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Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1831 – September 14 2012

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  1. WA6ITF

    WA6ITF Ham Member QRZ Page

    Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1831 – September 14 2012

    Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1831 with a release date of September 14 2012 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

    The following is a Q-S-T. Two illegal operations in Canada are evicted from 2 meters; the Radio Society of Great Britain takes on Region One of the International Amateur Radio Union over the endorsement of a more liberal B-P-L standard; the FAA to begin a new study of the use of broadband devices on aircraft in flight and a safety warning about those tiny button batteries. Find out the details are on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1831 coming your way right now.


    (Billboard Cart Here)


    **

    ENFORCEMENT: TWO COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS EVICTED FROM 2 METERS IN CANADA

    Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced that two cases of frequency incursion to the 2 meter band by business users have been resolved. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Aaren Jensen, VA7AEJ, reports:

    --

    In the first incident, a transportation company based in Reinfeld, Manitoba was observed to be operating illegally on 144.100 Mhz. The company in question had purchased VHF radios from a US based supplier who failed to indicate correct licensing procedures.

    Once contacted by Radio Amateurs of Canada the company agreed to immediately cease operating in the two meter band and shifted its operation to a business band frequency. Industry Canada was notified of the incursion and continues to work with the company to secure a licensed channel. In addition to illegally transmitting inside the amateur radio two meter band, this operation posed a threat to low signal operations across a wide portion of North America

    In the second matter, a home moving company was observed to be operating on 144.940 Mhz. The company in question is based in Winkler, Manitoba, but the operation was observed in Alberta during the moving of a house.

    In this case, the company had already been licensed to specific frequencies with Industry Canada. However it had requested 144.940 Mhz as a channel. Their request was denied and a business band channels were issued. However, the company failed to check tits license paperwork and assumed it had been approved for their requested frequency.

    As in the first case, the moving company was also contacted by Radio Amateurs of Canada and agreed to move their operations to their correctly licensed frequencies. Given their wide geographic operations Industry Canada had licensed their operation on four separate frequencies including 140.730, 154.325, 158.940 and 151.730 MHz.

    In both cases, it appears that frequencies in the two meter band were chosen by these businesses because their new vhf radios defaulted to that frequency range. This is definitely an indicator that the actual radio gear being used is likely to be modified amateur radio transceivers.

    For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Aaren Jensen, VA7AEJ, in Lumby, British Columbia Canada.

    --

    The use of equipment intended for amateur radio operation outside of the amateur bands or by persons who do not hold an Canadian Amateur Radio Certificate is illegal. What punitive action Industry Canada might impose on the two companies for their incursion into the 2 meter band is at this time unknown. (RAC, VE4WO)

    **

    RADIO LAW: RSGB ASKS IARU R-2 TO RECONSIDER PLT STANDARD

    The Radio Society of Great Britain has formally asked the International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Electromagnetic Compatibility Working Group to reconsider its policy on the draft European Broadband over Powerline or PLT standard. One that the RSGB claims to threaten a 38 dB increase in R-F pollution over much of the short wave radio spectrum

    The request from the RSGB came in an August 28th letter to C.M. Verholt, who is the Chairman of the IARU Region 1 EMC Working Group from the RSGB’s Don Beattie G3BJ. In it, Beattie says that there is no way that the emissions from devices meeting this new standard can satisfy the essential requirements of the EMC Directive outside the notched frequencies. As such, G3BJ says that the IARU Region 1 EMC Working Group is in effect condoning overriding the essential requirements of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive by backing the standard. He says that this action of the Commission is clearly contrary to the law of the European Union and therefore open to judicial review.

    Beattie goes on to say that the new emission levels, if sanctioned, will inevitably become the baseline for future standards. In this context he notes that that there are already some new drafts that are circulating which reference the more liberal proposed emission levels.

    Beattie ends his letter by saying that the RSGB hopes that common sense will prevail and that IARU Region 1 will amend its position on this matter. The IARU Region 1 EMC Working Group had previously added its support to the new Pan-European Electromagnetic Compatibility standard that the RSGB so vigorously opposes. (GB2RS)

    **

    RADIO LAW: PLMRS NARROWBANDING TAKES EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 2013

    The FCC has sent out a notice to the manufacturers, importers, distributes and users of Private Land Mobile two-way radio that the deadline to switch to 12.5 Khz narrow band transmission is January 1, 2013. This is for two way radio gear that operates in the 150 to 174 MHz and 421 to 470 MHz frequency bands, not including the 2 meter or 70 centimeter Amateur Service spectrum from 144 to 148 MHz or 430 to 450 MHz. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Jim Davis, W2JKD, reports:

    --

    According to the FCC the reason for this mandated change is to promote the efficient use of private land mobile radio spectrum and to facilitate the introduction of advanced technologies. In other words, this government edict is not only applicable to analog FM based communications but to current and all future digital modes as well.

    The FCC also notes that Private Land Mobile Radio licensees are not required, at this time, to modify their licenses to remove wideband emission designators. However, the presence of a wideband emission designator on a license does not authorize operation after January 1, 2013 that does not comply with the new narrowbanding standards.

    The FCC release also reminds manufacturers, subject to the limited exceptions, that they must cease manufacturing and importing equipment that is capable of 25 kHz mode operation in the VHF and UHF bands by the narrowbanding transition deadline.

    I’m Jim Davis, W2JKD.

    --

    While the Amateur Service is exempt from the new narrowbanding mandate, do not be to surprised if future generations of off the shelf VHF and UHF ham gear is built to conform to this new commercial radio standard. Especially if a manufacturers primary business is in supplying Private Land Mobile Service radio gear with ham gear as a secondary product line. Its simply less expensive for them to do it that way. (FCC)

    **

    RADIO LAW: NEW ZEALAND TO ENFORCE UHF CB NARROWBANDING

    In a similar move, New Zealand's telecommunications regulator has issued an edict to all manufacturers and importers of UHF CB radio equipment with 25 kHz channel spacing. It notes that in accordance with the nations General User Radio License for citizen band operation, equipment that does not comply with a new narrowbanding specification cannot be sold in that nation if it is manufactured or imported after December 1st. Only current stock of 25 kHz radios on hand and merchandise in the domestic New Zealand distribution pipeline can be sold after that date. (NZART)

    **

    RESTRUCTURING: TV SPECTRUM AUCTION UPDATE

    According to top FCC officials, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will soon circulate the FCC's long-awaited framework for reclaiming and re-auctioning broadcast spectrum for wireless use, and repacking remaining stations. This, with the target of having a report and order voted by mid-2013 and the auctions completed by the end of 2014.

    The document is described as a comprehensive treatment rather than the first of a series of items. As such it’s expected to contain many detailed proposals that the FCC will then seek comment on and adjust as needed. The FCC is trying to move far enough down the road with this initial proposal to make that auction goal of 2014 a realistic one.

    While ham radio is not directly involved in this frequency shuffle, there is always the chance that some bands like 222 to 225 MHz and 50 to 54 MHz could be impacted. This is because 222 to 225 MHz lies between what is known as the spectrum between the VHF low and VHF high band TV channels. 50 to 54 MHz that we call 6 meters is actually VHF low band TV channel 1. If the sell-off of the coveted UHF broadcast spectrum results in a lot of TV stations returning to the VHF bands then both these spectral parcels could come under some future reallocation scrutiny. We are not saying that it will happen that way, but ham radio has to keep a careful watch on how it might be affected in the years to come. (Published reports)

    **

    BREAK 1

    From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W8RLC repeater serving Lowell, Michigan.

    (5 sec pause here)


    **

    RADIO LAW: FAA TO BEGIN INVESTIGATION OF BROADBAND DEVICES ON FLIGHTS

    It's going to be a while before airline passengers can use their wireless electronic devices during an entire flight. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Stephen Robertson, KB3HGM, is near the nations capital with the details:

    --

    On Monday, August 27th the Federal Aviation Administration said that it is starting a process to study the issue, with a timeline that means it will take at least until March 2013 for a recommendation and likely longer for action.

    Smartphones, laptops and tablet computers are common in the passenger cabin, and some pilots are using these devices in flight. But passengers have to shut off electronic devices when the plane is below 10,000 feet because of worries that they might interfere with electronics in the cockpit. And anything that has a broadband connection that cannot be disabled must be kept off for the entire flight.

    Now, in its recent statement, the FAA says that it will form a committee to study the issue for six months and then make recommendations. The group will include representatives of the mobile technology companies, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, pilots, flight attendants, and even representatives of passenger associations. The agency will also ask for public input. The FAA often uses such aviation rulemaking committees when it is considering regulatory changes and their discussions often last months and sometimes even years.

    It should be noted that the FAA doesn't actually ban the devices. However its rules state that airlines can only allow devices that have been tested and proven not to interfere with a given make and model aircraft’s electronics. With thousands of devices on the market and new ones coming out each day, airlines simply ban them all during takeoff and landing. And it looks as if that’s the way it will continue for some time to come.

    For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Stephen Robertson, KB3HGM, in Silver Spring, Maryland.

    --

    As to ever getting permission for hams to use radio gear like handie talkies on a commercial airline flight? There is no consideration being given to ever permit any hobby radio electronics to be used. The FAA says that allowing cellphone use during flights isn't under consideration either. (FAA, RW, other published reports)

    **

    RADIO LAW: FENDER AND THE FCC ENTER CONSENT DECREE

    Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau have come to an agreement regarding how the company marketed digital RF devices and how it will do so in the future.

    The case which began in June of 2010, involves how the company marketed bass amplifiers, preamplifiers, tuners, wireless microphones and audio mixers. Imported digital RF devices are subject to the agency’s equipment verification or declaration of conformity procedures.

    As part of the agreement, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation will designate a compliance officer within 30 days and set up a plan within 60 days to ensure the company complies with the FCC’s equipment marketing rules. The company has also agreed to develop and implement an online compliance training program for all if its overseas Original Equipment Manufacturers that build some of its equipment. The company is to report to the commission within 15 days any discoveries of noncompliance and submit regular equipment compliance reports to the agency.

    Based on a consent decree, Fender will make a voluntary payment of $265,000 to the U.S. Treasury and admits no guilt. In turn, the commission will end its investigation. The first installment of its U.S. Treasury payment of $132,500 is due within 30 days of the signing of the Consent Decree. (FCC, RW)

    **

    ENFORCEMENT: BROADCASTER FINED $20000 FOR UNLIT TOWER

    Not lighting a broadcast tower for more than a decade will likely cost Renacer Broadcasters Corporation a hefty $20,000 fine from the FCC.

    Renacer owns the antenna structure located in Maricao, Puerto Rico. Responding to a complaint, an FCC Enforcement Bureau agent inspected the tower and found the structure had never been painted and had no lights installed. Because the tower had been that way for more than 10 years, the commission found the violation to be egregious and doubled the proposed penalty to $20,000.

    Renacer was given the customary 30 days to submit a sworn statement certifying that the tower is now in full compliance with FCC rules and also to pay the penalty or file an appeal. (FCC)

    **

    ENFORCEMENT: FCC SAYS RADIO STATION MUST REVEAL ALL CONTEST RULES

    The FCC has affirmed a $4000 Notice of Apparent Liability against Good Karma Broadcasting. This, for airing contest information without fully disclosing the terms.

    The case concerns WKRN AM in Cleveland. The FCC received a complaint alleging that from November 2007 to September 2009, the station conducted what the complainant called a “bogus” contest called “Who Said That?” In it, those calling into the station were required to accurately identify who actually voiced a clip that was played on-air.

    In 2009, the FCC wrote to WKRN asking about the contest. The agency said that in its reply WKRN admitted the bit aired regularly from early 2007 until the summer of 2008, and then sporadically thereafter. Once someone guessed the voice a new clip would air.

    The station admitted that for more than 20 months, no one guessed the voice behind the clip. Also that the station was not announcing all the prizes, but rather focusing on the new prize. Also that it eventually stopped announcing them unless a listener called in and tried to guess the voice behind the last clip.

    Good Karma also said that by September 2009, some of the original prizes were no longer available. It claimed that if a listener correctly identified the voice in a clip, the station would have offered a similar prize package to the one that was originally announced. As such, Good Karma disputed that it violated the contest rules, arguing that “Who Said That?” was better characterized as a feature or bit rather than a real contest. It argued that as such the material was not subject to the FCC’s contest rules.

    But the FCC would not buy that explanation. In affirming the fine it stated that licensees must accurately disclose all of the material terms of a contest. Also that licensees must conduct the contest substantially as announced or advertised.

    Good Karma Broadcasting was given the customary 30 days to pay the fine or to file a further appeal. (FCC, RW)

    **

    HAM HAPPENINGS: YOUTH IN AMATEUR RADIO PODCAST #3 RELEASED

    If you are a young ham or know of one, you might want to spread the word that Episode 3 of the Youth in Amateur Radio Podcast is now on line and ready for download. In this installment the young hosts discuss what you should do after earning your amateur radio license including getting your first radio and joining a radio club. Heres a sample:

    --

    Net Audio: “…to find a ham who will be able to assist you in finding your first radio go to a local radio club and become a member. Radio clubs will help you find your first radio and they usually have monthly meetings which discuss local issues in amateur radio and also organize fun activities like Fox Hunts…”
    --

    The Youth in Amateur Radio Podcast is produced by and for the youngsters in amateur radio. Its primary hosts are Anthony Spinelli, K2RCN, Sterling Coffey, N0SSC and Jacob Keogh, KD0NVX. Other voices include Joe Andrews, KD0LOS, and Matthew Chambers, NR0Q. Jerry Taylor KD0BIK serves as the shows Executive Producer. To hear the complete program and the two that preceded it simply take your web browser to yarphams.com. You can also find it on itunes under Youth in Amateur Radio podcast. (Youth in amateur Radio)

    **

    NAMES IN THE NEWS: NORM ACES THE AZ TEST

    Some names in the news. We lead off with Amateur Radio Newslines own Norm Seeley, KI7UP who tells us that recently scored 100% on the State of Arizona Traffic School test. While he does not know if he broke any records, Norm says that he finished the exam in less than 4 minutes and 30 seconds. At that point he got up and left his computer, after seeing that he had answered all questions correctly. We say, congratulations.

    (ARNewsline™)

    **

    NAMES IN THE NEWS: W7EQI BEING EYED TO HEAD THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE

    Regardless of the upcoming outcome of the November presidential election, don’t be too surprised if Oregon Representative Greg Walden, W7EQI, is named to the chairmanship of the Republican National Congressional Committee. News reports say that House Speaker John Boehner recently gave a broad hint when he praised Walden by saying that he would soon have a "bigger job."

    While the post doesn't get much attention from the general public, it's of major importance on Capitol Hill and is often viewed as a step up on the House leadership ladder. This is because thee chairman plays a key role in distributing millions of dollars in campaign help, in recruiting candidates and in making the tough calls on which districts to bet heavily on. (Published news reports)

    **

    THE SOCIAL SCENE: CELEBRATING MFJ 40th ANNIVERSARY OCT 5 AND 6

    Turning to the ham radio social scene, all eyes will be on the city of Starkville, Mississippi, the weekend of October 5th and 6th. That’s when hams from around the country and around the world are invited to join in on the 40th anniversary of the founding of MFJ Enterprises by the company’s founder Martin Jue, K5FLU:

    --

    K5FLU: “Its going to be a fun event. We’re opening all the factories up for tours. We will have people working there with the machines up so that you can see everything.

    “We are going to have a free lunch. You can come over and we will feed you some good fried chieken…

    “We are going to have free tailgating. You bring your stuff (to sell).

    “We will have a VE session for taking license tests. And we will have a special event station with our club K5MFJ.

    “And we are going to have door prizes from each of our companies. From MFJ, Ameritron, Hy-Gain, Cushcraft, Mirage and Vectronics.

    “And everybody is invited and we hope that everyone comes.”

    --

    Again the dates for the MFJ Enterprizes 40th anniversary party are October 5th and 6th at the company’s headquarters in Starkville, Mississippi. For more information take your web browser to www.mfjenterprises.com. And oh yes, Ill see you there. (MFJ)

    **

    THE SOCIAL SCENE: PACIFICON IN SANTA CLARA CA. OCT 12-14

    Two weeks later on October 12th, 13th and 14th the joint Pacificon and ARRL 2012 National Convention will take place at the Mariott Hotel in Santa Clara, California. Hosted by the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club, Pacificon is considered the premiere West coast ham radio gathering and this year with the addition of the ARRL Expo, planners are going all out to make it the best ever. And by going all out we mean some 80 forums, a huge exhibit hall featuring all of the well known ham radio manufacturers, distributors and retailers; a huge flea market and several special gatherings.

    Among those who will be appearing at these years Pacificon is Amateur Radio’s best known educator and the co-host of the T-V webcast Ham Nation, Gordon West, WB6NOA. Gordo will be the keynote speaker presenting the Saturday Opening Address and word is that this is already a complete sellout.

    Also attending is NASA Astronaut Lee Morin, KF5DDB. He has been announced as the evening banquet featured speaker. Morin served as a Mission Specialist on the space shuttle Atlantis for STS-110 mission that launched in April of 2002.

    And flying in all the way from Lincoln, Nebraska is ham radios favorite kit building enthusiast, Joe Eisenberg, K0NEB. Eisenberg will be giving his acclaimed talk and demonstration titled Kit Building 101 and 102 at Pacificon.

    Add to that the ARRL Expo, an all day Friday antenna seminar, special event station W1AW/6 and so much more that there’s no time to mention it all and you have the makings of a great West coast ham radio gathering. And you can find out more by simply going to www.pacificon.org on the World Wide Web. (Pacificon)

    **

    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)

    **

    EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: WB2MGP WORLDRADIO COLUMN ON FRACTAL ANTENNA MEETING

    An upcoming article in a popular ham radio on-line publication will peak your interest if you are interested in the future of the hobby and what some of those in it now are doing to insure its future. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, has the details:

    --

    If you are a reader of Worldradio On-Line, then keep an eye open for an interesting column by Carole Perry, WB2MGP. Back in June, WB2MGP and one of her Radio Club of America Young Achievers, Austin Schaller, KD0FAA, accepted an invitation from Dr. Chip Cohen W1YW to visit his facility in Waltham, Massachusetts.

    Dr. Cohen is the inventor of fractal antenna technology and in 1988 built the world's first fractal element antenna. He is also the founder and Chief Technology Officer of Fractal Antenna Systems and was interested in meeting with the 17 year old ham. This after KD0FAA gave a presentation on fractal technology at a Radio Club of America Technical Symposium in Dallas, Texas, last November.

    According to Perry, W1YW attributes his ham radio background as being responsible for his career choices and interests. She tells Amateur Radio Newsline that KD0FAA was inspired by the experience. Even more so when Dr. Cohen invited the teenage ham to co-author an article with him.

    For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Heather Butera-Howell, KB3TZD, in Berwick, Pennsylvania.

    --

    WB2MGP says that this is what she calls the ham radio ripple effect at its very best. You can read the entire story in the next issue Worldradio Online when it hits you e-mail in box. (WB2MGP)

    **

    NEWS FROM SPACE: EXPLOSION ON JUPITER NOTED BY AMATEUR STAR GAZERS

    Amateur astronomers last week reported a bright fireball on the planet Jupiter that appears to be the result of a small asteroid hitting the planet during the early hours of September 10th. As the fireball faded, attention has turned to trying to discover any possible debris around the impact site. Observers will be monitoring the region in the nights ahead to see what if anything surfaces. Updates will be posted on-line at spaceweather.com (Spaceweather)

    **

    HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ISS TO GERMANY STUDENT Q AND A SESSION

    A fascinating Amateur Radio on the International Space Station or ARISS contact was held on Friday, September 7th. This, between astronaut Sunita Williams, KD5PLB and students at the Michelstadt Gymnasium in Michelstadt, Germany. The clarity of the space to Earth link via ham radio was amazing. It enabled Williams to answer 14 questions posed by the students during the ten minute pass. Here’s a sample:

    --

    Jessica: “What was the most scientific project you have been involved in on the ISS?”

    KD5PLB: “…I think the most interesting thing is the investigations that we are doing on ourselves to see what happens to the human body after being in space for a long time. We are doing bone density; muscle measurements; workouts; different nutrition projects and all of that is going to help us understand what happens to the human body after a long time so that we can prepare the next generation which is your generation to go further. Back to the Moon and on to Mars.”

    --

    With this being a political season here in the United States, one student was curious if astronauts can vote from space:

    --

    Arissa: “How do American astronauts vote for the president?”

    KD5PLB: “Great question. Actually we vote by state in the U.S. and I am a Florida resident so I actually voted before I left. But you can vote from space. People have done that who are from the state of Texas.”

    --

    Over 1600 students, teachers, and others were in attendance, as well as representatives from German radio, television and newspapers. The entire contact was video recorded and is posted on-line at tinyurl.com/iss-german-contact (ARISS)

    **

    RADIOSPORTS: ICOM D-STAR QSO PARTY SEPT 21 - 23

    This years Icom sponsored D-STAR QSO Party runs from 00:00 UTC on Friday, September 21st to 24:00 hours on Sunday the 23rd. The goal of the D-STAR QSO Party is to communicate through as many D-STAR repeaters as possible throughout the world. All operators who submit an approved log will be eligible for the prize draw with winners randomly selected for each prize. For more information on this year’s event take your web browser to tinyurl.com/DSTAR-contest-2012. (ICOM)

    **

    DX

    In DX, word that DL3JH, is active stroke 6Y5 from Jamaica through September 22nd. His operation should be on all of the High Frequency bands using CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign only.

    PT2OP will be operational as 3D2OP from Fiji between October 7th and the 14th. His activity will be holiday style on the High Frequency bands. QSL via his home callsign, either direct or via the bureau.

    And speaking about Fiji, PY7ZY will be on from there as 3D2ZY from there between October 11th and the 15th. This just prior to his participation in the Tarawa Island, Western Kiribati, DXpedition. His operation will also be on the High Frequency bands with QSL’s also going via his home callsign.

    F6ICX will be active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island, Madagascar between November 10th and December 9th. His operation will be holiday style operating CW, RTTY, and PSK63 on 20 through 10 meters. QSL via his home callsign as listed on QRZ.com.

    SQ1DWR, will be active signing stroke CE3 from Chile between October 10th and the 22nd. Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters using CW only. QSL as directed by the operator.

    YJ8RN is currently visiting Loh Island in the Torres Island Group and is active as YJ8RN stroke P. The length of stay unknown and his operation has been mainly on 20 meter SSB. QSL direct only to Rod Newell, Box 905, Port Vila, Vanuatu.

    Lastly, Members of the "Invoker Team" will be active as EG5INT from Columbretes Island between September 20th to the 24th. No frequencies or operating schedule has yet been announced. If you work them please QSL only via EA5KA.

    (Above from various DX news sources)

    **

    THAT FINAL ITEM: KEEP YOUR KIDS AWAY FROM BUTTON BATTERIES

    And finally this week a warning from the Center for Disease Control saying that children and small button batteries are a dangerous and increasingly common problem for one another. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, tells us why:

    --

    According to a new Center for Disease Control report, in 1998 battery related injuries sent 1,900 children to the emergency room. In 2010 that number had risen to 4,800 cases being reported.

    Overall, more than 40,000 children were admitted to Emergency Rooms nationwide between 1997 and 2010. Almost three quarters of them were 4 years old or younger. One in 10 children required hospitalization. 14 of them died.

    Now the CDC has singled out button batteries as the most potentially harmful type for young children to be near. These are the small, thin round batteries often used to power watches, hearing aids, and other small devices. They are easy to swallow and can get stuck in a child’s esophagus leading to serious injury or death. In fact, the C-D-C report says that twelve of the fourteen child mortalities were attributed to button batteries and that the remaining two also likely involved them.

    The data, primarily from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was collected and analyzed by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission. The report states that the C-P-S-C is urging the electronics industry and battery manufacturers to develop warnings and industry standards to prevent serious injuries and deaths from button batteries.

    The symptoms of battery ingestion include vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea, as well as difficulty breathing and swallowing. As these symptoms can be attributed to numerous causes, it is difficult to diagnose battery ingestion quickly. The report’s authors point out that this is especially true when a child swallows a battery when no one is around to see them do it.

    Battery safety standards for children’s toys are dictated by law. All batteries must be inaccessible in toys designed for children under age three, while toys for kids under age twelve must make batteries under a certain size inaccessible. Even so, at least three of the deaths noted in the report were caused by batteries from devices not meant for children. These including a remote car alarm, a garage door opener, and a radio remote control.

    A new law is being considered by Congress that may require child-proofing for button battery enclosures on all consumer products. Meantime its important that parents and caregivers should be aware of the potential hazards associated with battery exposure and ensure that products containing them are either kept away from children or that the batteries are secured safely in the product.

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

    --

    The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that if a child swallows a battery that you immediately contact your local poison control center, your family doctor, or the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333. You can learn more about this hazard and how to proceed in the event a child does swallow a battery at tinyurl.com/kids-button-batteries. (CDC)

    **

    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, TWiT-TV and Australia's W-I-A News, 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 Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, in Southern Mississippi saying 73 and we thank you for listening.

    Amateur Radio Newsline™ is Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
     
  2. KO6WB

    KO6WB Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Uhhhh???? What? Why? How in the world does this effect amateur radio? Seriously, what is this doing on the ARN?
    73
    Gary
     
  3. N7YA

    N7YA Ham Member QRZ Page

    Que the MFJ haters in 3...2...1...
     
  4. KA5LQJ

    KA5LQJ Ham Member QRZ Page

    "Tits Up?"

    Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Aaren Jensen, VA7AEJ, in Lumby, British Columbia,
    Canada.

    ....In this case, the company had already been licensed to specific frequencies
    with Industry Canada. However it had requested 144.940 Mhz as a channel.
    Their request was denied and a business band channels were issued.

    However, the company failed to check
    tits license :eek: :eek: paperwork and ass/u
    /me/d it had been approved for their requested frequency.......You mean in C,
    eh? N,eh? D, eh? you have to have a license for those too? Wonder where HIS
    mind was? Probably too many Moulson Golds, LOL!

    Guess that one got past the proof-reader.

    ROFL!
    73,

    Don/KA5LQJ
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2012
  5. N9RLO

    N9RLO Ham Member QRZ Page

    I'm so glad to see the good old CDC is protecting our children from button batteries. Just what we need, more warning labels and packaging that it takes a pair of vice grips to open. Ahh yes, we can count on Congress to pass more laws for our own good. How could we ever survive without them? Are parents so stupid these days that they need the government to raise their kids?
     
  6. WM6I

    WM6I Ham Member QRZ Page

    LOL...

    Good Karma Broadcasting

    Ironic.
     
  7. WT3A

    WT3A Guest

    why did he have to take the az traffic school ? did he commit a traffic violation? maybe next week we'll read about him getting 100% on the extra class exam....
     
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