March 2013 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:21639] FEMA meeting
by Kay Craigie 31 Mar '13

31 Mar '13

The attachment is a summary of a meeting held with FEMA officials earlier this month. 73- Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:21638] new book
by Tom Frenaye 28 Mar '13

28 Mar '13

I wads pleasantly surprised to receive the new ARRL book by Eric/KL7AJ called Radio Science for the Radio Amateur. I haven't finished reading the book yet but it is quite different than most publications we've released previously in that it actively encourages people to experiment with something other than electronic circuits, and has a lot of information on experimental methodology (testing). I hope we'll see other publications that are similar. I was thinking of that book when I read the most recent CT Section Manager column that mentioned that a new Makerspace was opening in Hartford. See http://www.makehartford.com/ For a nationwide view, see http://makerspace.com/ Makerspaces come in all shapes and sizes. They all serve as a gathering point for tools, projects, mentors and expertise. A collection of tools does not define a Makerspace. Rather, we define it by what it enables: making. A Makerspace is a learning environment rich with possibilities. As new hardware and software tools for making, digital design, and fabrication are emerging, were working together with teachers and community leaders to place those tools into the hands of a wider audience. Were building the infrastructure for more kids and adults to connect to a future in which they can personally change, modify or hack the physical world, creating things that were nearly impossible to do on their own just a few years ago. Making is about getting hands-on, using these new technologies and basic tools, to do real and personally meaningful work. There are 114 of them listed in their national directory and they are a gold mine of creativity and experimentation, something I would have spent a lot of my free time visiting if one had been near me when I was a teenager. They are somewhat an offshoot of the Maker's faires and computer hacker groups. The one in Connecticut does have a ham radio connection (at least one ham involved), I'm not sure if many of the others do. I think doing something to connect ARRL more directly with these groups would be quite useful - it would help to invigorate existing hams, might draw some very creative people into ham radio, etc. I'm going to visit the local one. Tom ===== e-mail: k1ki(a)arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/ Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444

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[arrl-odv:21637] Internet outage at Fairfax office
by Price, Brennan, N4QX 28 Mar '13

28 Mar '13

Just after 10 this morning, internet connectivity was lost at the Fairfax facility. Virginia has noified the problem and has been given a resolution date of March 30, 5 p.m. I can't wait that long for this morning's US 5A call, so I'm working elsewhere. I would have gone home, but there's a major power outage this morning in the Clarendon section of Arlington. So I'm writing this from, and will participate in the call at, the Starbucks store on North Stuart Street in the Ballston section of Arlington. I'll be reachable via cell phone for the rest of the day. 73 de Brennan N4QX

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[arrl-odv:21636] Reply Comments filed in Docket 12-338 re LF and MF allocations; WRC-07 Implementation Docket.
by Chris Imlay 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

Greetings. Just now, with the quick approval of the Executive Committee, I filed the attached reply comments in the FCC's docket dealing with an LF Amateur allocation at 135.7-137.8 kHz and FCC's proposed upgrade of the secondary Amateur allocation at 1900-2000 kHz to primary status. As you will see, UTC and a number of utilities filed unsupported, non-technical objections to the LF allocation. In doing so, they fell largely into the trap set for them by Kermit Carlson, Ed Hare, Mike Gruber and Brennan Price, who jointly authored the Annex for our original comments in this proceeding. We think that we have made our case for this small LF allocation without prejudicing our 472-479 kHz petition. In fact, this record very strongly supports that MF allocation because the utilities are pretty much admitting that they don't use that higher frequency segment for PLCs. The record looks good so far, but today is the deadline for reply comments and we don't yet know what, if anything, the utilities will file. If there is anything meaningful, we will hit them with an ex parte written filing Kudos and thanks to President Craigie and Dave Sumner especially for helpful edits to these reply comments, and as well to the Executive Committee for edits and a really rapid turnaround in reviewing the drafts of this filing. 73, Chris W3KD Christopher D. Imlay Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper. P.C. 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011 (301) 384-5525 telephone (301) 384-6384 facsimile W3KD(a)ARRL.ORG

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[arrl-odv:21634] IARU Region II bandplan triennial review report
by Bruce Frahm 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

Hello all, Under a plan developed a few years back IARU Region II asks its member societies to review the Region II HF Bandplan (including 160M) triennially. We are now in that period. As was the case three years ago Kay asked the HF Band Planning committee to review member input and other factors and determine if we should recommend that ARRL propose any changes to Region II officials. To solicit input this web article was posted 7 Feb: http://www.arrl.org/news/iaru-region-2-seeks-input-on-hf-band-plan A few dozen comments were received. Most were of low value from an informational standpoint. Many respondents thought the current Region II bandplan was instead a proposed change and were surprised to note drastic reductions in exclusive cw, especially at 40 Meters. Our comment solicitation needs to note the difference between the Region II bandplan and ARRL's USA bandplan, which is overriding for US amateurs. A couple salient points were raised: lack of a listed 160 Meter Center of Activity while some other bands have one, and 40 Meter SSB emcomm centers of activity where KP2/4 don't have voice privileges. The committee ultimately concluded that because Puerto Rico and USVI Field Organization officials have hardy 40M emcomm plans in place, and there is no compelling reason to add a 160M CoA now, ARRL should make no suggestions for changes to the Region II bandplan. Three years ago a member drew to our attention a transcription typo in which the then-current R2 bandplan had swapped an emcomm center of activity with one for another purpose. ARRL passed that on to Region II which corrected the listings. We made no further suggestions to Region II. It's awkward to ask for input on a bandplan which our members really only have secondary interest in. However it makes the membership feel engaged, and it is good to support the review process. Three years ago I believe only ARRL and Canada's RAC provided input to Region II officials. March 31 is the deadline for societies to report and ARRL will do so with no suggested changes. Region II will report back to societies on any proposed changes -- the HF band planning committee will take that up if/when it comes. I'm unclear if that will be prior to or during the Region II conference coming up in Cancun this autumn. Let me know if you have questions. 73 Bruce K0BJ HF Band Planning committee chair for N6AA K1KI WB8IMY staff member K0BOG staff member

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[arrl-odv:21633] Re: George Hart, W1NJM reported SK
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 26 Mar '13

26 Mar '13

George's death is confirmed. We are assembling an appropriate obituary. Dave K1ZZ From: arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 10:09 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:21632] George Hart, W1NJM reported SK I have not confirmed it with a family member, but I have just learned from a usually reliable source that long-retired ARRL Communications Manager George Hart, W1NJM died Sunday at the nursing home where he has been living for the past several years. George was 99. Please don't disseminate this until I have had a chance to confirm it tomorrow. 73, Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:21632] George Hart, W1NJM reported SK
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 26 Mar '13

26 Mar '13

I have not confirmed it with a family member, but I have just learned from a usually reliable source that long-retired ARRL Communications Manager George Hart, W1NJM died Sunday at the nursing home where he has been living for the past several years. George was 99. Please don't disseminate this until I have had a chance to confirm it tomorrow. 73, Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:21631] 1958 Story About Radio Contesting
by Bob Vallio 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

This was shared with me, and I believe you will find it interesting. 73, Bob -- W6RGG The URL below is a Sports Illustrated article from 1958. Its a bit too long and a little dated, but captures the essence of radio contesting. It was written by Bill Leonard of CBS Radio. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/1/index.…

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[arrl-odv:21629] FCC Grants Our Waiver Request
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

The FCC announced today that our request for a waiver to permit single time-slot TDMA above 30 MHz has been granted, conditioned on the outcome of the rulemaking proceeding in WT Docket No. 12-283 that we expect will result in a permanent rules change having the same effect. This permits the use of Motorola's MOTOTRBO equipment although the waiver is not limited to a particular type of commercial gear. 73, Dave K1ZZ AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE, INC. Granted the waiver request, with conditions. Dismissed as moot a previously-filed request from ARRL for clarification of the rules as they apply to TDMA digital emissions. (Dkt No. 12-283 ). Action by: Deputy Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Adopted: 03/22/2013 by ORDER. (DA No. 13-542). WTB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-542A1.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-542A1.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-542A1.txt

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[arrl-odv:21627] Fwd: NYTimes.com: FCC Chairman Genachowski to Announce Departure Friday: Sources
by Tom Frenaye 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

><http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=InCMR7g4BCJ+o1OpSn8Mzb8MYEW1aWdB&use…>FCC Chairman Genachowski to Announce Departure Friday: Sources > > > > > >By REUTERS > > > >Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce on Friday that he will step down, according to an FCC official, leaving the agency after a four-year term that focused heavily on improving Internet access across the country. >Or, copy and paste this URL into your browser: <http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=InCMR7g4BCJ+o1OpSn8Mzb8MYEW1aWdB&use…>http://nyti.ms/Yv4Eme Guess we'll see someone new. Tom ===== e-mail: k1ki(a)arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/ Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444

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