Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1684 - November 20 2009
The following is a closed circuit advisory and is not necessarily for air. Ladies and gentlemen Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's Support Fund Administrator Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.
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Well, we have some good news and some not so good. The good news is that some of you responded and we are now only a month behind in paying our bills. The bad news is -- well -- that we are still a month behind in paying our bills and we need your help to get caught up to date.
With the holiday season approaching, I am going to ask you to remember to add the Amateur Radio Newsline to your gift list. The simple fact of the matter is that we can only bring you the news if we have the ongoing monies to do it. And it is you and only you that is the source of the funds that keep Amateur Radio Newsline coming your way.
Remember, Amateur Radio Newsline is a federal tax exempt 501(c )(3) not for profit corporation and your donations are tax deductible. Making a contribution is only a mouse click away if you have Pay Pal. Just go to www.arnewsline.org and click on the button at the top of the page marked “Make Donation.” Or you can send in a donation to the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, Post Office Box 660937, Arcadia California, 91066.
Whichever way you choose, the all volunteer crew at the Amateur Radio Newsline will be eternally grateful.
Once again that’s the Amateur Radio Newsline Support Fund, Post Office Box 660937, Arcadia California, 91066. Or by Pay Pal at www.arnewsline.org
Also, less we forget, best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours.
For the Support Fund, I’m Andy Jarema, N6TCQ.
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Thank you Andy. Now, Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1684 with a release date of Friday, November 20th, 2009 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a Q-S-T. The FCC's new chairman testifies before congress on distracted driving. Is congress looking at some sort of nationwide ban? Also, BPL to disappear in Manassas Virginia, 60 meters comes to Trinadad and Tobago, a ham in India waits 13 years to get his license and radio controlled robots to hold their own Olympic like games. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline™ report number 1684 coming your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here)
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RADIO LAW: FCC CHAIRMAN TESTIFIES ON DISTRACTED DRIVING
Distracting driving has become a major issue in congress and could eventually impact on all communications to and from vehicles including ham and CB radio. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is in our newsroom with more.
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The hot button issue of distracted driving was the reason that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski was recently summoned to Capitol Hill to testify before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. This to explain where the agency he heads up could fit in if the nations legislative body eventually takes action to curb the rising tide of accidents and deaths being blamed on driving distractions such as talking on cellphones and texting while in motion.
While his October 28th testimony before the subcommittee hearing on Combating Distracted Driving never mentioned ham radio, CB or any other type of vehicular two way system, he did agree with that distracted driving endangers life and property and the current levels of injury and loss are unacceptable. He called an urgent problem that simply must be addressed.
But Genachowski said that he does not believe there is a single solution to this challenge. He said that the responsibility lies with individuals and companies in the wireless space as well as government.
He stated his belief that all individuals should take personal responsibility. Adults should drive responsibly, and families and friends should encourage each other and help each other drive responsibly. He believes that drivers of all ages should refrain from text messaging while driving. He goes so far as to say that the nation should develop a cultural norm that driving while texting is totally unacceptable.
Genachowski said that the FCC also has a role to play by helping to educate the public and supporting innovative problem-solving. He said that education is vital to any comprehensive plan addressing distracted driving.
Most important to those who operate two-way radio from their vehicles was Genachowski statement that mobile communications can be a life-saver by improving emergency response by, for example, providing stranded motorists with immediate means to reach help and by giving first responders instant access to 21st century communications networks.
Genachowski also noted that government at all levels has a role to play in ending the distracted driving problem. On the Federal level he applaud the Department of Transportation for leading an impressive, coordinated effort to increase public awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. He also said that because the FCC licenses and regulates mobile services and approves devices for use in the consumer marketplace, the agency can potentially play a useful role in enabling technology and encouraging the development of marketplace solutions.
Obviously there is a lot more to come as Federal legislators mull over the distracted driving issue. It also means that hams and other mobile two-way radio users will need to keep an eye on Congress in the coming months.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline Im Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, in los Angeles.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2008 that driver distraction in general is the cause of 16% of all fatal crashes and 21% of crashes resulting in an injury. And according to AAA, nearly 50% of teens admit to texting while driving even though laws in some states forbid it. More is on-line at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-294326A1.txt (FCC, published reports)
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RADIO RULES: FCC HOLDING WORKSHOP ON DISTRACTED DRIVERS
In a related development, word that the FCC is holding a holding a staff workshop on distracted driving as this newscast goes to air.
The November 20th workshop comes as the result of Chairman Julius Genachowski recent pledge to Congress that the FCC would gather data on exactly what drivers do in their vehicles. Also. To explore technology innovations and applications that may eliminate or significantly reduce the problem of distracted driving.
The commission would then be tasked with developing ways to educate the public about such dangerous behavior. The one thing that you will not see come out of this meeting is proposed rules to ban any mobile electronics that could distract drivers. Such regulation is outside of the preview of the Commission and would require congressional legislation
The workshop was to have been held at FCC’s Washington headquarters and is open to the public. Its unknown if non-cellular mobile two way radio was on the agenda. (FCC)
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THE BPL WAR: MANASSAS VA TO PULL THE PLUG ON BPL
The Manassas City Council is saying goodbye to BPL. Inside Northern Virginia reports that the council is in the process of deciding whether to abandon its broadband over power line project now, or to let it die at the end of the city's fiscal year.
BPL was Manassas' attempt to bring the Internet into the homes of every resident by providing low-cost broadband service. Subscribers were told that they could access the Internet through the regular electrical outlets, but for a number of reasons it never caught on with the public. First, the connection proved to be slower than cable or DSL. It was expensive to maintain and caused massive reception interference to those using the spectrum it shared. This included the Manassas ham radio community which was highly vocal in its opposition.
The end result was that the project only garnered about 670 subscribers while costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in ongoing maintenance. It also faced a strong challenge from Comcast cable which claims the potential to serve the entire city and Verizon which has rapidly been expanding its FIOS service in the Manassas area. And now like a bad dream it will shortly be fading away. (InsideNoVa.com)
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RESTRUCTURING: 60 METER OPERATION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Trinidad and Tobago may by now be permitting Amateur Radio operation in a 200 kHz segment of the 60 meter band. In a posting to the Digital Radio Yahoo group Julian Dedier, 9Z4FZ, notes that his license permits operation from 5.250 to 5.450 MHz with 1.5 kilowatt maximum power output. While amateur radio operation in this band would be a welcome development although as yet no reference to the allocation could be found in the frequency allocation table issued by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. (Southgate)
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RESTRUCTURING: INDIA EXPECTED TO EXPAND 40 METER HAM BAND
Hams in India will soon have access to the spectrum from 7 point 0 to 7 point 1 MHz. This according to an e-mail being circulated by VU2JOS that says positive information coming from the official sources indicate that Indian amateur radio operators are being allocated an additional spectrum of 100 KHz on the 40 meter band.
According to the VU2JOS note, this is in line with the recommendations at WRC-2007. Since then shortwave broadcasters in India have shifted their transmitting frequencies beyond 7 point 2 KHz. In fact, in the region only 7 dot 190 MHz is still in use by the Srilanka Broadcasting Corporation.
VU2JOS says that an official notification of the 40 meter expansion is likely to be released soon. He also says that this is not the first time that hams in his nation have had access to this spectrum, He notes that Indian amateur radio operators were allowed to operate between 7 to 7 point 1 MHz, with the allowance of additional spectrum. (VU2MYH)
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RADIO DEDICATION: VU2DWA- 13 YEARS FROM EXAM TO LICENSE
And here's the story an amateur radio applicant in India has received his license. What makes this interesting is that it only took some 13 years to reach him, Heres the story as we know it.
Back in 1996 Digvijayam Paricharla passed that nations amateur service exam. It normally would have taken a few months for him to have received his license and permit to operate, but months pass and then years but still no license.
After waiting and waiting, he finally contacted India's National Institute of Amateur Radio which in turn took up his cause. He says that through the dedication of VU2IPA, VU2RBI, VU2RDM, VU3ATK and several others, his dream of becoming a licensed radio amateur was realized, On October 28th he was finally issued the callsign VU2DWA and announced that he planned to celebrate by attending the now concluded Bangalor Hamfest.
VU2DWA sent out an e-mail telling the world that he is very grateful to everyone in the National Institute of Amateur Radio for their helping to champion his cause. And before you ask, nobody has said why it took all these years for his license to be issued. (VU Forum via W7VOA)
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From the United States of America, We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WAFAR repeater serving the "Windy City" of Chicago, Illinois.
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RADIO CRIME: RAC E-MAIL ALIAS USED IN PHISHING ATTEMPT
In the world of cyberspace the word phishing means to impersonate someone to try to illegally obtain information. Now, Radio Amateurs of Canada says that its e-mail domain of at RAC dot CA is being used in an attempt by crooks to obtain personal information from members. Norm Seeley, KI7UP, reports:
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According to Radio Amateurs of Canada several messages have been received from users of the at rac dot ca e-mail alias system who have received e-mails purporting to be from RAC. These notes claim that maintenance was to be performed on the e-mail system and that certain information was requested to be sent to the sender of the message.
But says Radio Amateurs of Canada, these messages were not generated by anyone at that group. Rather they are a phishing expedition by someone likely involved in the crime of identity theft. It says that it would never send an e-mail that asks for such information as usernames and passwords. Radio Amateurs of Canada says to please ignore them and not to respond.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale, Arizona, reporting
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The bottom line: Anytime you get an e-mail of which you are even the least suspicious of, hit the delete key. Both you, your bank account and your computer will be glad that you did. (RAC)
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HAM RADIO TESTING: NEW TECHNICIAN QUESTION POOL TO BE RELEASED
The Question Pool Committee of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators is due to release the new Technician class question pool to the 14 VECs on December 1st. It will then be released to the public in January 2010.
Each question pool for the three Amateur Radio license classes is reviewed on a four-year rotation. This new Technician class pool will become effective on July 1, 2010. (NCVEC)
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RESCUE RADIO: COMMERCIAL FM ASKS FOR FM FRECEIVERS IN CELLPHONES
The U.S. commercial radio industry is pressing the Federal Communications Commission to persuade wireless carriers to include FM radio in cell phones. In their ex parte filing, radio executives stress the enhanced public safety benefits of including FM tuners in wireless handsets.
The industry leaders argue that technical obstacles to incorporating FM chips in mobile handsets largely have been overcome, that the chips cost about $1 or less and internal FM antennas are already included in at least 17 models of handsets in the United States. More than 30% of cell phones worldwide include FM and the battery drain is minimal from the FM radio circuitry.
The executives also noted that the cellular industry is developing an emergency warning system based on text messaging with broadcast SMS technology. But the radio leaders say this kind of system is expensive and deployment is years away. (RW)
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PUBLIC SERVICE: HAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOT HONOLULU MARATHON
Ham Radio volunteers are needed to assist at the 2009 Honolulu Marathon. The event is slated for Sunday, December 13th starting at 5 a.m. local time.
The marathon begins and ends at Kapiolani Park with volunteer communicators required at many locations along the route. If you can assist please contact Contact Greg, NH6ZS, by e-mail him at honu1 at juno dot com. (KH6QX)
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RADIO LAW: SAFE HARBOUR WILL CONTINUE
The FCC will continue to restrict the broadcast of material that it believes to be to risqué for children's eyes and ears. Fred Vobbe, W8HDU, has the details:
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Audio report only. Hear it in our MP3 file downloadable at www.arnewsline.org
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While the concept of time channeling has seen more than one direct or indirect legal challenge, so far the courts have maintained that that the concept is both constitutional and within the purview of the FCC to enforce. (RW)
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ENFORCEMENT: SAN FRANCISCO INLICENSED STATION ISSUED $10000 NAL
The owner of an unlicensed broadcast station in the San Francisco Bay area has taken it off the air. This after being hit with a proposed $10,000 fine from the FCC in August.
The Notice of Apparent Liability was issued to Daniel Roberts, the founder of unlicensed broadcast station Pirate Cat Radio. Now, the station website says the proposed fine effectively ends Pirate Cat Radio's thirteen-year run as one of the Bay Area's most consistent voices of protest against what it calls corporate-run media monopolies.
Pirate Cat Radio will continue as an Internet-only station and says that the majority of its listeners were already tuning in online or via podcasts. No word on whether or not Roberts will appeal the proposed fine. (Radio)
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HAM HAPPENINGS: SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY DECEMBER 5TH
The 11th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day will take place on Saturday, December 5th. Co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service SKYWARN Recognition Day is a way to recognize the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their communities safe.
According to SKYWARN Recognition Day Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ, radio amateurs can visit their local participating National Weather Service office. There, working as a team thy will contact other hams around the world throughout the 24 hour event.
More information about SKYWARN Recognition Day is on line at the American Radio Relay Leagues' website at www.arrl.org. (ARRL)
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CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE 2010 SOUTHEASTERN VHF SOCIETY CONFERENCE
A "Call for Papers" to be presented at the 14th Annual Southeastern VHF Society Conference has gone out to the world-wide ham radio community. This 2010 conference will take place on April 23rd and 24th, at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky and the sponsor is calling for the submission of papers and presentations for the to be presented at that gathering.
Papers and presentations are solicited on both the technical and operational aspects of VHF, UHF and Microwave weak signal amateur radio. Some suggested areas of interest include transmitter, receiver or transverter design, antenna design, low noise pre-amplification techniques. On the operational side topics might include DXpeditions, Rovers, EME operation, use of digital modes and exploring such items as Sporadic E propagation, Meteor Scatter and Troposphere Ducting.
In general papers and presentations on non weak signal related topics such as FM, repeaters and packet will not be accepted but exceptions may be made if the topic is related to weak signal. For example, a paper or presentation on the use of APRS to track rovers during contests would be considered.
The deadline for the submission of papers and presentations is February 5, 2010. Send all questions, comments and submissions to the program chair, Robin Midgett K4IDC. You can reach him at K4IDC (at) comcast (dot) net.
For further information about the conference please go to www dot svhfs dot org on the World Wide Web.
(K4IDC)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: AA2EJ AWARDED NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS
Some names in the news. First up is George Smith, AA2EJ, who has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit known as the CCD sensor. Smith shares the prize with two other researchers. They are Charles Kao, of Standard Telecommunication Laboratories and Willard Boyle, of Bell Laboratories. (ARRL, other published news reports)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: W8WDY SELECTED FOR 2009 DARA PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
And Dayton Amateur Radio Association president Steve Coy, K8UD, has named to George Potor, W8DWY, as recipient of the 2009 DARA Presidential Award. In making the announcement Coy said that Potor has contributed every year for the past several years in what we now know as Management Information Systems. He has created several computer programs including, Regis, Stubs and many others, including the program that shows the winning ticket numbers during Hamvention. Coy says that Potor's work has set the foundation for future programs, that includes Boothtracker which was first utilized for Hamvention this past year. (DARA)
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NAMES IN THE NEWS: VK5ZAI FINALIST IN THE SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
An ham radio operator is a finalist in the Senior Australian of the Year competition. This as the South Australian Committee selects Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI as one of the four South Australia finalists.
VK5ZAI was recognized for nomination based on his volunteerism as one of the satellite Earth stations for the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program. Hutchison was also acknowledged for his work as Australian ARISS Coordinator and organizing the link ups for schools to contact the amateurs on the International Space Station, stimulating the interest of young people in science and technology.
The Australian of the Year Awards is a program of the National Australia Day Council, with state and territory selection committees selecting four finalists in each category, including the Senior Australian of the Year. The awards recognize the individual’s contribution to their community.
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:
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CHANGING OF THE GUARD: HARRY HELMS, W5HLH - S.K.
Another sad changing of the guard in amateur radio. This as we learn of the passing of noted personal radio author Harry Helms, W5HLH, following a long fight against Cancer.
Helms, the former AA6FW, was best known for his many hobby radio related books including the Handbook of Radio Communications Servicing and Maintenance, the Handbook of Home Security Electronics, the Shortwave Listening Guidebook and The Complete Guide to Hearing the World. He was also the author of the book All About Ham Radio and had been a monthly contributor to Popular Communications magazine.
Helms was only age 57 when he succumbed to the disease at a hospice facility not far from his home in Fort Mill, South Carolina. In his last blog entry dated August 28th, he noted that he was now living just a few miles from the graves of his parents and grandparents. He continued by saying that while it might sound illogical that he found this comforting.
To quote W5HLH: " My journey began here, and it will soon end here."
Sadly for all of us, it did on Sunday, November 15th. Now everyone involved in private radio is mourning the passing of this gifted writer who contributed so much to every aspect of the personal communications hobby.
Harry Helms, W5HLH, is survived by his wife, Di. As we go to air, funeral arrangements are still pending. (NZ4O, ARRL, others)
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CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FAMED INVENTOR LOUIS KING PASSES AWAY
Louis Arthur King, the well known founder of Kintronic Labs, passed away on Sunday morning, November 1st.
Considered to be one of the nations finest consulting engineers, Louis King started his engineering career as a professor in the electrical engineering department at Clemson College, now Clemson University. That’s where he instituted the teaching of radio engineering courses. He later went on to help design the first air-cooled 50 kilowatt AM transmitter at RCA and received the patent for the bistable multi-vibrator, better known as the flip-flop circuit.
In 1949 he obtained his Professional Engineering license in Tennessee and Virginia and began a broadcast consulting business. This venture grew into what is now Kintronic Labs, which is the maker of AM broadcast antenna systems and components.
Louis King was recognized by the National Association of Broadcasters in 2007 as the recipient of the NAB Lifetime Radio Engineering Achievement Award. Later that same year, King College honored him with an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree at their first winter commencement.
At the time of his death Louis Arthur King was 94 years of age. (CGC, RW)
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HAM RADIO NEAR SPACE: NEXT BACAR TO LAUBCH JAN 24 2010
Turning to ham radio near space, ZS6EF will demonstrate the 2010 version of a Balloon Carrying Amateur Radio. This, on Saturday November 21st at the National Amateur Radio Center in South Africa.
The maiden flight of this latest near space ham radio equipped balloon flight will be on Sunday, January 24th 2010 from South Africa's Western Cape. Radio Amateurs from around the globe will be able to follow it on the Web. More information is at www.amsatsa.org.za (SARL)
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WORLDBEAT: E-VOTING COMES TO THE RSGB
Electronic voting has come to Radio Society Great Britain's elections. This with word that a new electronic voting system administered by the Electoral Reform Society is now up and running for voting in the RSGB 2009 balloting.
There are four Board places to be filled and Region 9 also has an election for the Regional Representative position. RSGB members have until noon on 10 December to register their vote. Those who prefer can still send in a postal vote and an envelope is included with this month’s Radio Communications magazine. (RSGB)
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ON THE AIR: MAKE TUESDAYS 222 ACTIVITY DAY
If you own a radio capable of operation in the 222 to 225 MHz band then make Tuesday's the new 222 Activity Day. So says Todd Sprinkmann, KC9BQA, in Wisconsin who is suggesting that anyone with gear for the 1 and 1/4 meters use it to return activity to the underused band.
Todd suggests that those wanting to take part take to the air using either Morse on or near 222.100 or 223.500 on FM in the 0100 to 0400 U-T-C. He says to call CQ, swing your beams, create your own activity and invite a ham radio buddy to join in as well.
Sprinkmann also suggests that hams on 222 MHz consider using the www dot ON4KST dot com chat that thousands of other hams on other bands are already using. He notes that there are several steps in signing up and he has provided that information at his webite at www dor kc9bqa dot com.
And for those who were not around two decades ago when ham radio lost the 220 to 222 MHz portion of the band, the words true then could also be very apropos now as well: 222 - Use it or loose it. (VHF Reflector)
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WORLDBEAT: OMAN CELEBRATION
Members of the Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society have activated special event station A43ND in celebrating Oman's "National Day". Activity will last until November 25th. Operations have been on 40 and 20 meters CW and 20/15 meters SSB, but look for activity on other bands and
modes. QSL via A47RS. (ROARS)
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DX
In DX, word that a team of Italian amateur radio operators will be active from Busua Beach Ghana through November 27th. Activity will be on all HF bands and modes, on 80 through 10 meters. The callsign 9G5TT will be used from the mainland while the callsign 9G5XX will be used from Abokwa Island. QSL via I2YSB, direct only.
F6ICX will be active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island through December 15th. Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via his home callsign.
A35A reports that A35KL will be in Tonga for about 6 weeks, but he probably won't be on the air until he gets to Ha'apai on November 20th. No word on his length of stay on the island but he will be operational for the CQ World Wide CW contest.
Also during the contest listen out for Cuban station CO6LP. He will be on as a 40 meter single operator, single band low power station using only a dipole. QSL via CO6LP.
The Lufthansa Amateur Radio Club in cooperation with the Emirates Amateur Radio Society will be
operating out of Dubai as A65DLH between November 23rd and the 30th. Activity is planned for 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Please QSL via the bureau.
IZ0EGM will be active as T70A during ARRL 10 Meter Contest between on December 12th and 13th. He will be operating both CW and SSB. His QSL information can be found on QRZ.com.
Lastly, UY5LW will be operational from Maputo, Mozambique as C91LW until December 3rd. Hes reportedly operating 80 through 10 meters using mostly CW with some RTTY and PSK. QSL as directed on the air.
(Above from various DX news sources)
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THAT FINAL ITEM: THE ROBOT OLYMPICS
And finally this week, China is planning to hold a 16 event robot Olympics in 2010. Spud Murphy, VK8ZWM, is down-under with more:
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Yes robots will compete in familiar Olympic sports such as athletics as well as those more suited to machines such as cleaning. Entry to the competition will be restricted to robots resembling humans. They must possess two arms and legs. Wheels are banned.
Robots already have their own world cup. The 2009 competition saw entries from 400 teams that hailed from 35 separate nations. The 2010 event will be held in June in Singapore. A rival event is run by the Federation of International Robot-Soccer Associations.
The Chinese robot games will be one among an increasingly crowded calendar for robot sports and other competitive events. One event, Roboexotica, is for robots that can mix cocktails, light cigarettes and chat with bar patrons. No word that Robot-Exotica will feature Energizer "Bunnies" as hostesses.
This is Spud, VK8ZWM in Darwin.
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The Chinese event will face competition from the RoboGames that also stages sports events for robots. The 2010 RoboGames will take in California in April. And less we forget to mention it, almost all of these robots are controlled by some form of a radio link. (WIA)
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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 and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline™. Our e-mail address is newsline@arnewsline.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™, P.O. Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I’m Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, saying 73 and we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline™ is Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
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Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ
Publisher, QRZ.COM aa7bq@qrz.com
I was sorry to hear of Harrys' death.
Back in the late 1970's early 1980s I enjoyed very much reading his books.
My two favourites were Guide To Utility Stations and Secret Shortwave Spectrum. I also have a couple of article he wrote on ham radio on Numbers Stations, and Embassy Stations.
I liked his style of writing, which I found very friendly, interesting and informative. Its funny because I was only just thinking about him recently, wondering if he still wrote books on radio, and was looking at The Secret Shortwave Spectrum this past weekend.
When I was down there, I received my new license in 2006 (9Y4RAJ) and it listed 60m privileges from 5.25 to 5.45MHz with 1.5kW. This happened with the complete overhaul of the telecommunications regulation and the formation of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago which was one of the much delayed reforms as part of the Telecommunications Act that was drafted in the 80s and passed into law in 1990 (I believe). I even mentioned it in the forums here a few times.
The only reason a lot of 9Y hams are only now finding out is because after much delay they are finally getting their new license documents which list the frequency allocations.
This allocation of a whole unrestricted band may have flown in the face of ITU agreements. But this wouldn't be the first time that they've done such a thing, the last major departure from the ITU rules was when they allowed no coders on HF since the early 90s.
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The poor people of Haiti lost everything after the deadly magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Please help.
Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1684 - November 20 2009
FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth advised those attending the FCC forum at Dayton Hamvention 2006 to try kindness instead of confrontation when problems arise on the bands. Hollingsworth spoke May 20 to a nearly full house at Hara Arena, and for the most part he praised the behavior of the majority of Amateur Radio operators, especially those who volunteered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina last year. But, he noted, radio amateurs still could be more courteous and less inclined to fly off the handle at some perceived on-the-air offense.
"You need to lighten up and not embarrass the Amateur Radio Service," Hollingsworth advised. "All of us make mistakes, especially with the new features you have on radios today. It's very easy to make a mistake, to be on the wrong frequency or be operating split and not know it--there's a hundred ways to make mistakes." Hollingsworth said experience has shown him that at least 75 percent of the interference complained about is absolutely unintentional.
In Hollingsworth's view, radio amateurs all too often are hypersensitive and rude. "We have a radar going to detect offenses at all times, we assume the worst in people, we rarely give people the benefit of the doubt," he said. He joked that if there were three amateurs in a town, there would be two Amateur Radio clubs.
"And there'll be two hamfests with 20 people each, because they wouldn't dare consolidate them," he added.
Hollingsworth acknowledged that "certain problem operators" remain, but the real troublemakers are rarely the newcomers to Amateur Radio. "If there's a downfall in Amateur Radio, it won't be caused by no-code Technicians or codeless anything else," he said. "It'll be caused by the microphone--no doubt in my mind." He advised his audience to ignore the troublesome operators and not give them the attention they crave by engaging them on the air.
"Now, think about it: If what you're hearing annoys you, or angers you or is stupid, use the 'stupid filter,' which is that big knob--that VFO that will take you somewhere else," he quipped. "It's the largest knob on the radio." He recommended moving to another frequency or even another band altogether.
Hollingsworth praised the Volunteer Examiner program as "outstanding" and noted there had not been a single complaint in the past year stemming from an examination session. He also said the Amateur Radio community should have a greater appreciation for what the ARRL is doing on its behalf.
"Most of you have no idea how much work is done in Newington for you and the Amateur Radio Service generally," he said. "I see it every day, but I think you have no idea of the hard work and dedication that comes out of that office up there, and I don't think we would be there if it weren't for [the League]."
"This country's communications infrastructure needs Amateur Radio," Hollingsworth emphasized, praising Amateur Radio's overall performance following Hurricane Katrina. "You have a tremendous amount to be proud of."
He also suggested that radio amateurs have an obligation to stay informed about what's going on in Amateur Radio that might affect their activities. "You have to not only keep up, you have to lead the way, because it's in your charter," he said, pointing to §97.1 of the Amateur Service rules.
Hollingsworth noted at the start of his talk that he could not address any questions dealing with the FCC's long-awaited decision on the Morse code requirement (Element 1), because he works in the Commission's Enforcement Bureau. "We don't meddle in rule making," he explained, but added that he didn't expect CW to decline if the FCC does drop the 5 WPM Morse requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes as it's proposed to do.
The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) handles Amateur Radio rule makings, Hollingsworth noted, including the "Morse code" proceeding, WT Docket 05-235, and the so-called "omnibus" proceeding, WT Docket 04-140. The WTB has said it will rule first on the omnibus proceeding, then tackle the Morse code proceeding, but it has not indicated when to expect either Report and Order.
__________________ Keith G. Wucherer, N2OBS
Echolink Station N2OBS-L
Echolink Node 99729
Repeater 146.865 MHz
Repeater 443.775 MHz 123.0 PL
Monitoring 145.67 MHz DV
Summerville, South Carolina
Ut Totus Alius Deficio
Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1684 - November 20 2009
Amateur Radio Newsline
Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1684 - November 20 2009
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