***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 26, No. 07
February 16, 2007
***************
IN THIS EDITION:
* +States consider a new crop of "cell phone" bills
* +Two cosponsors sign onto BPL study bill
* +Japanese elementary schoolers learn about life in space via ham
radio
* +ARRL seeks Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award nominations
* +At least one US ham-astronaut to be on next three ISS crews
* +Job opportunity at ARRL HQ: Emergency Communications Manager
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This weekend on the radio: The ARRL International DX Contest
(CW)!
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
ARRL Headquarters closed Monday, February 19
+Nominations invited for Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the
Year
+FCC affirms big fine for marketing non-certified transceivers
Betty C. Mallay, KL7AP, SK
ARRL COO to speak at Communications Academy 2007
New England's "Hosstraders" hamfest calls it quits
AMSAT-UK issues call for colloquium papers
Brazilian power company launches BPL pilot project
+Available on ARRL Audio News <
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>
===========================================================
==>Delivery problems: First see FAQ
<
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/fa...ivery>, then e-mail
<letter-dlvy@arrl.org>
==>Editorial questions or comments only: Rick Lindquist, N1RL,
<n1rl@arrl.org>
===========================================================
NOTE: This week's editions of The ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News are
being
distributed one day early to accommodate vacation schedules.
===========================================================
==>"CELLULAR TELEPHONE" BILLS POSE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS FOR HAM RADIO
OPERATION
Bills aimed at thwarting "driving while cellular" and "driving while
distracted" behavior have been introduced in several states, and most
are
worded broadly enough to potentially proscribe some Amateur Radio
mobile
operation. ARRL Regulatory Information Specialist Dan Henderson, N1ND
<reginfo@arrl.org>, so far has catalogued 11 active pieces of
legislation.
Bills introduced in Montana and New Mexico have been sidelined for
now, but
related measures -- more than one in some states -- remain alive in
Georgia,
New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. Henderson
reports that ARRL Field Organization volunteers and members called the
League's attention to the various pieces of pending legislation, none
of
which specifically exempt Amateur Radio mobile operation.
"In most cases we try to work to have language exempting Amateur Radio
inserted into the bill, rather than narrowing by definition the
behavior or
activity the bill seeks to address," Henderson explains. "It is a far
easier
approach and removes ambiguity down the road."
Henderson says that, if requested, the League will advise radio
amateurs
preparing to testify about a bill before a state legislative
committee. "We
offer some suggestions regarding what to cover and how to approach
their
testimony," he said. "We also will speak with legislators or their
aides to
try and clarify questions or help them craft language that help
accomplish
our goal of specifically exempting Amateur Radio operation from these
measures." Most of the measures include exceptions for emergency
communication and law enforcement agencies.
In Georgia, House Bill 5 (HB 5) would assess those anyone found to be
"driving while distracted" while using a wireless communication device
one
driver's license infraction point. The bill defines "device" to cover
not
only cellular or mobile telephones -- whether or not they're
hands-free, but
any "wireless communication device, personal digital assistant, radio
or
citizens band radio." HB 5 thus appears to include such routine
activities
as changing the station on your car radio.
In Montana, House Bill 233 (HB 233) would restrict drivers from "the
use of
electronic communication devices, or any other activity that causes
the
driver to become inattentive." This bill was tabled in committee on
January
30, following a hearing a few days earlier.
In New Jersey, Assembly Bill 1966 (A 1966), would broaden the scope of
that
state's existing law prohibiting the use of a hand-held wireless
telephone
while driving. It would expand the law to cover "distracted driving"
by
prohibiting a motor vehicle operator from engaging in "any activity
unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that
interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle."
In New Mexico, House Bill 241 (HB 241) would prohibit a driver from
using "a
mobile communication device while operating a motor vehicle." The
measure
has been tabled.
Three related bills now are in play in Oregon: House Bill 2482 (HB
2482) and
Senate Bill 293 (SB 293) contain essentially the same language, making
it an
offense to operate a motor vehicle "while using a mobile communication
device" without a hands-free accessory. Senate Bill 246 (SB 246)
establishes
such behavior as an offense, punishable by a fine of up to $180 and
providing more serious consequences if property damage, injury or
death
result -- up to and including license suspension and prison terms.
In Texas, Senate Bill 154 (SB 154) would prohibit a motor vehicle
operator
from using a "wireless communication device" while under way, unless
equipped for hands-free operation.
In Vermont, two measures are in play. House Bill 31 (HB 31) would make
it a
violation to use a "cellular telephone" while in motion on the
highway,
except in the event of an emergency. Enforcement would be secondary;
ie,
police would have to first stop a driver for a suspected violation of
another traffic offense. A more-restrictive bill, HB 126, addresses
"distracted driving," and cites "any activity involving the use of one
or
both of the driver's hands if the activity is not necessary for the
operation of the vehicle or any of its installed accessories." The
bill
would include activities ranging from smoking, eating or drinking to
"performing personal grooming," "interacting with pets or unsecured
cargo"
and "using personal communications technologies." Hands-free cell
phone
operation would be permissible, however.
In Washington, House Bill 1214 (HB 1214) would outlaw such activities
as
"reading, manually writing or sending a message on an electronic
wireless
communications device." The measure does not include an exception for
hands-free devices.
In Wyoming, two nearly identical measures are alive. The more general
legislation, House Bill 152 (HB 152) addresses using "a cellular or
satellite telephone while operating a motor vehicle" without a
hands-free
device. House Bill 284 (HB 284) contains essentially identical
language but
specifies drivers operating under an "intermediate permit." Both
incorporate
an exemption for Citizens Band, but not for Amateur Radio operation.
Henderson advises ARRL members to contact their Section Manager
<
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/or...t.html> to learn about any
initiatives under way to address the ham radio implications of a
particular
state bill.
==>BPL STUDY BILL GAINS COSPONSORS
A bill in the US House of Representatives calling on the FCC to study
the
interference potential of broadband over power line (BPL) technology
and
report its findings back to Congress has gained two cosponsors, its
sponsor,
US Rep Mike Ross, WD5DVR (D-AR), reports. They are US Rep Steve Israel
(D-NY) and US Rep Ron Paul (R-TX). One of two radio amateurs in the
House,
Ross submitted the "Emergency Amateur Radio Interference Protection
Act of
2007" (HR 462) <
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.462:>
on
January 12. Last year, the US House passed a telecommunications bill,
HR
5252, containing language that Ross proposed requiring the FCC to
study the
interference potential of BPL systems. The legislation never made it
out of
Congress, however. In a letter to his House colleagues inviting
additional
cosponsors, Ross emphasized that his primary goal is to minimize BPL's
interference potential.
"In the 110th Congress, I have reintroduced this legislation and
narrowed
the scope of the study significantly so as to not hinder any broadband
Internet deployment that does not cause proven interference," Ross
wrote.
"The study called for by this bill will not slow, nor frustrate, the
deployment of competitive broadband delivery mechanisms. It will not
inhibit
the deployment of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems anywhere in
the
US. The purpose of the study is to ascertain what additional rules
should be
adopted by the FCC governing BPL systems in order to reduce the
interference
potential to a reasonably low level."
Ross said that as a radio amateur, he believes it's imperative that
BPL's
interference potential be thoroughly examined and comprehensively
evaluated.
"Power lines are not designed to prevent radiation of RF energy;
therefore
BPL represents a significant potential interference source for all
public
safety radio services using this frequency range, including Amateur
Radio
operators," he told his colleagues.
HR 462 would require the Commission to address several technical
facets,
including variations in BPL emission field strength with distance from
power
lines and a technical justification for using a particular distance
extrapolation factor when making measurements.
The FCC also would have to investigate the degree of notching
necessary "to
protect the reliability of mobile radio communications," and provide a
technical justification for permitted BPL radiated emission levels
relative
to ambient noise levels. Finally, the study would have to outline
options
for new or improved BPL rules aimed at preventing harmful interference
to
public safety and other radio communication systems.
HR 462 has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce. If
Ross's measure is adopted by both houses of Congress and signed by the
president, the FCC would have to undertake a study of BPL's
interference
potential within 90 days of enactment and report to the House
Committee on
Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
==>FRESH FOOD DOESN'T LAST LONG ON ISS, ASTRONAUT TELLS YOUNGSTERS VIA
HAM
RADIO
US astronaut Suni Williams, KD5PLB, this week continued her string of
successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
school
contacts when she spoke with youngsters at Hanazono Elementary School
in
Japan. ARISS arranged the February 12 direct VHF QSO between NA1SS in
space
and 8N3F at the school. Williams said that supplies of fresh food tend
to go
fast aboard the space station.
"We do get fresh food, raw food, when the Progress [supply rocket]
comes
up," Williams explained, "and we try to eat it within the first month
because, yeah, it's just going to get old up here."
She also told the youngsters that the ISS crew members rarely argue
with one
another.
"Well, sometimes we have arguments, but usually we just discuss and,
actually, end up laughing quite a bit, over dinner," she said. Now
onboard
the ISS with Williams are Expedition 14 Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria,
KE5GTK, and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, RZ3FT.
Responding to another youngster's question, Williams said that various
odors
abound aboard the space station.
"There are all sorts of smells up here, ranging from food to the
different
metals to some of the materials that we're working with," she said,
"so
there's all sorts of good and bad smells up here."
As for space trash, Williams explained that it all goes into the
Progress
supply rocket that remains attached to the ISS after its cargo has
been
unloaded. Once the rocket it full, it's sent into Earth's atmosphere
where
it disintegrates.
All told, Williams managed to answer 21 of the students' questions
during
the approximately 10-minute pass before the space station went over
the
horizon and out of range. On hand for the occasion were some 200
onlookers,
including teachers, parents and other pupils, plus members of the news
media
-- one newspaper and one TV station.
Serving as the 8N3F control operator was Kaz Tanaka, JG3QZN. The
contact
came off without a hitch despite a temporary power outage aboard the
space
station a day earlier. A space walk is scheduled for February 22.
ARISS <
http://www.rac.ca/ariss> is an international educational
outreach
with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.
==>NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ARRL 2006 HIRAM PERCY MAXIM MEMORIAL AWARD
The ARRL invites nominations for the 2006 Hiram Percy Maxim (HPM)
Memorial
Award <
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/aw....html>. The League's
premier youth recognition, the HPM Memorial Award goes annually to a
radio
amateur under age 21 in recognition of the recipient's accomplishments
and
contributions "of the most exemplary nature" to both the Amateur Radio
community and the local community during the previous calendar year --
2006
in this instance.
Nomination criteria may include:
* Participation or leadership in organizational affairs at the local
or
national level (for example, local radio club, ARES, net control,
participation in civic groups);
* Technical achievement (for example, built a radio, put up an
antenna,
etc);
* Operating record (for example, nets, disaster drills, contests, ARRL
November Sweepstakes, etc);
* Recruitment and training of new amateurs (for example, helped teach
a
license class, JOTA, etc);
* Public relations activities (for example, create a ham radio Web
page).
To nominate a deserving candidate, submit a completed nomination form
<
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/aw...m.html> to
your
ARRL Section Manager (SM), along with any supporting information and
endorsements of ARRL-affiliated clubs and elected or appointed League
officials. SMs make the formal nominations. There is no limit to the
number
of nominations an individual or club may submit to an SM, and SMs may
nominate more than one individual. SMs need to have all information in
sufficient time to submit a formal nomination to ARRL Headquarters by
March
31. A list of SMs is available on the ARRL Web site
<
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/or....html>.
Nomination forms and supporting information should document as
thoroughly as
possible the Amateur Radio achievements and contributions of the
nominee
during the previous calendar year. ARRL must receive all supporting
documentation by April 15. An award panel reviews the nominations and
selects the winner.
HPM Memorial Award winners receive a cash award of $1500 and an
engraved
plaque. For more information, contact Mark Spencer, WA8SME
<mspencer@arrl.org>; 530-495-9150.
==>RADIO AMATEURS SPRINKLED AMONG FUTURE SPACE STATION CREWS
NASA and its International Space Station partners have announced the
expected ISS crew complements for the next two years, and the list
includes
several Amateur Radio licensees. The crew members comprise three ISS
expeditions and represent four space agencies.
"We now have a ham-licensed US crew member -- including back-up crew
members
-- who will be onboard the ISS through Expedition 18," said Rosalie
White,
K1STO, who's secretary-treasurer of the Amateur Radio on the
International
Space Station (ARISS) program <
http://www.rac.ca/ariss>.
Assignments include the first long-duration station flight for a Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, astronaut and the second
long-duration
station flight for a European Space Agency, ESA, astronaut. "The JAXA
and
ESA astronauts will work on the installation and checkout of the
Japanese
Experiment Module Kibo and European Columbus laboratories on the space
station," NASA said this week.
NASA astronaut and ISS Expedition 5 crew member Peggy Whitson, KC5ZTD
-- an
ARISS veteran -- will command Expedition 16, set to begin this fall.
Flight
engineers for that mission include cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP
-- who
was ISS Expedition 7 commander -- ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts,
KE5FNO -- a
Mir veteran -- and NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, KE5HAE. They will
join
NASA astronaut Daniel Tani, KD5DXE, aboard the station.
Eyharts will fly to the station on space shuttle mission STS-122,
which is
expected to deliver the Columbus lab module this fall. He'll remain
aboard
to oversee activation and checkout of the laboratory while Tani takes
the
shuttle home. Reisman will replace Eyharts and remain on the station
for
about six months.
Cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, arriving in the spring of 2008, will command
Expedition 17. Flight engineers include cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko,
RN3DX, and
NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE.
NASA astronaut and ISS Expedition 9 veteran Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, will
command Expedition 18. Flight engineers include cosmonaut and veteran
station crew member Salizhan Sharipov, JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata,
KC5ZTA,
and NASA astronaut Gregory Chamitoff, KD5PKZ.
Under the current system of ISS crew rotations, there are at least
three
crew members aboard during any given expedition, with one crew
member's duty
tour bridging two expeditions. All ISS crew members spend
approximately six
months aboard the orbiting outpost. -- NASA/ARISS
==>ARRL SEEKS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
The ARRL seeks to fill the new position of Emergency communications
Manager
within Membership and Volunteer Programs. This is a permanent staff
position
at League Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, and applicants must
be
willing to relocate. Candidates should have at least a bachelor's
degree or
equivalent experience and an Amateur Radio license. Applicants should
hold
or be able to earn an Amateur Extra class ticket.
Other qualifications include:
* knowledge of Amateur Radio, including HF, VHF and digital modes
related to
emergency communications
* five years' minimum ARES/RACES experience or equivalent
* ARRL Field Organization leadership experience
* knowledge of and experience with ICS and NIMS (FEMA 100 and 700
certification highly desirable, 200 and 800 certification recommended)
* completion of the Level 1 ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications
course (EC-001)
* superior speaking and writing skills.
Emergency communications professional and/or first responder
experience is
desirable.
The Emergency Communications Manager will act as ARRL emergency
communications liaison to government agencies, including FEMA and the
Department of Homeland Security. This individual also will:
* administer memoranda of understanding between ARRL and served
agencies,
such as the American Red Cross
* maintain and encourage relationships with all ARRL served agencies
* create and administer ARRL's internal emergency response plan
* coordinate Simulated Emergency Tests
* assist field personnel with emergency communications and public
service
events, as required
* maintain and update ARRL emergency communications training materials
and
publications plus ARRL emergency communications and public service Web
content
* maintain the ARES volunteer database
* act as liaison to ARRL emergency communications Field Organization
leadership
* write/edit occasional material for QST and other ARRL publications
* manage other emergency communications and public service-related
issues.
To apply, submit cover letter and resume via e-mail or USPS to Human
Resources Manager LouAnn Campanello <lcampanello@arrl.org>, ARRL, 225
Main
St, Newington, CT 06111. ARRL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
==>SOLAR UPDATE
Solar flash Tad "Sunrise, Sunset" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
reports:
The sunspot number is currently zero, and the sun appears spotless, at
least
from this side. Currently a solar wind is causing geomagnetic
instability
here on Earth, and the mid-latitude K index was five at 0600 UTC on
February
15.
Sunspot numbers for February 8 through 14 were 22, 11, 11, 0, 0, 0 and
0,
with a mean of 6.3. The 10.7 cm flux was 78.4, 76.7, 75.9, 74.7, 73.6,
72.7,
and 72.7, with a mean of 75. Estimated planetary A indices were 7, 4,
3, 2,
7, 17 and 18, with a mean of 8.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
were 6,
3, 2, 1, 4, 13 and 16, with a mean of 6.4.
For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL
Technical
Information Service Propagation page
<
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>.
__________________________________
==>IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: The ARRL International DX Contest (CW) is
the
weekend of February 17-18. The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is
February 19.
The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW) is February 22. JUST AHEAD:
The CQ
World Wide 160-Meter Contest (SSB), the Russian PSK WW Contest, the
REF
Contest (SSB), the UBA DX Contest (CW), the North American QSO Party
(RTTY),
the High Speed Club CW Contest, and the North Carolina QSO Party are
the
weekend of February 24-25. The ARRL International DX Contest (SSB) is
the
weekend of March 3-4. See the ARRL Contest Branch page
<
http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestca...x.html> for more info.
* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration remains open through Monday, March 5, for these ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education CCE <
http://www.arrl.org/cce/>
online
courses beginning Friday, March 16: Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications
Level 2 (EC-002), Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3
(EC-003R2),
Antenna Modeling (EC-004), HF Digital Communications (EC-005), VHF/UHF
--
Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008) and Radio Frequency Propagation
(EC-011).
These courses will also open for registration Friday, March 2, for
classes
beginning Friday, April. To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing
page
<
http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the CCE Department
<cce@arrl.org>.
* ARRL Headquarters closed Monday, February 19: ARRL Headquarters will
be
closed Monday, February 19, for the Presidents' Day holiday. ARRL
Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, February 20, at 8 AM.
* Nominations invited for Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the
Year:
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 Amateur Radio Newsline
Young
Ham of the Year (YHOTY) Award. The award recognizes a radio amateur 18
years
old or younger who has used ham radio to significantly contribute to
the
benefit of Amateur Radio, to the state of the communications art or to
the
community or nation. Nominations are being accepted for Amateur Radio
licensees living in the 48 contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and
the 10
Canadian provinces. Nominations and supporting materials must be
submitted
before May 30, 2007, on an official application. Download a nomination
form
or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 2007 Young Ham of the
Year
Award, c/o Newsline, 28197 Robin Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Nominations
may be made online using a Web form, but supporting materials must be
submitted separately. Presentation of the 2007 YHOTY Award will take
place
in August at the Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama, site of the 2007 ARRL
National Convention. There's more information on the YHOTY Web site
<
http://www.yhoty.org/>.
* FCC affirms big fine for marketing non-certified transceivers: The
FCC has
affirmed a $14,000 fine it proposed in November in the case of a
California
radio amateur. The Commission alleges that Jason Kaltenbach, KE6CND,
doing
business as Metamerchant of Laguna Nigel, "willfully and repeatedly"
violated FCC rules and the Communications Act of 1934 by marketing
non-certified VHF and UHF transceivers on the eBay auction site. In a
Forfeiture Order (NoF) released February 2, the FCC said Kaltenbach
failed
to respond to its November 9 Notice of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture
(NAL)
<
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publ...1.pdf>,
so the Commission affirmed the fine based on the information it had.
According to the NAL, an FCC agent found two models of KYD brand
transceivers offered by Metamerchant, one capable of operating on 136
to 174
MHz at 3 W, the other capable of operating on 400 to 470 MHz at 4 W.
In
January 2006, the FCC cited Kaltenbach, d/b/a Metamerchant, for
violating
§302(b) of the Communications Act and §2.803(a)(1) of its rules by
marketing
non-certified General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and Multi-Use Radio
Service (MURS) transceivers. Kaltenbach told the Commission the gear
had
been listed accidentally and that he removed them from sale and
corrected
his auction listing. Nonetheless, the NAL recounted, an FCC agent was
able
to purchase a non-certified VHF transceiver via auction from
Metamerchant
last March. In July, the FCC's Seattle office received a complaint
from
someone who purchased a UHF transceiver from Metamerchant via eBay
that was
neither FCC-certified nor certifiable.
* Betty C. Mallay, KL7AP, SK: Betty Mallay, KL7AP, of Columbia,
Maryland,
died February 11 after a brief illness. She was 61. An ARRL Life
Member,
Mallay was a telecommunications specialist with the FCC's High
Frequency
Direction Finding (HFDF) Group in Columbia and an active radio
amateur.
"Betty was our project lead and worked closely with Riley
Hollingsworth
coordinating the HFDF side of our Amateur Radio enforcement work,"
said HFDF
Group Manager Dave Larrabee, K1BZ. Before relocating to Maryland in
1996 to
join the then-new HFDF Group, Mallay worked for 11 years at the FCC's
Anchorage, Alaska, Monitoring Station. During her years in Alaska, she
was
active in the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club. Larrabee says Mallay
enjoyed ham
radio and had planned to make it an important part of her retirement.
Although Mallay had planned to retire last fall, she agreed to stay on
at
the HFDF facility until March to help train new personnel. Survivors
include
her mother and several siblings. Arrangements are incomplete.
* ARRL COO to speak at Communications Academy 2007: ARRL Chief
Operating
Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, will be a keynote speaker during the 2007
Communications Academy, Saturday and Sunday, March 31 and April 1, on
the
campus of Seattle Pacific University <
http://www.commacademy.org/>.
Kramer
will speak about the future of ARRL and its role in Amateur Radio
emergency
and public service communication. John Cline, W5USN, also will be a
featured
speaker. Cline directed the Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services from
1995
through 2003, leading the state's response and recovery for numerous
disasters and emergencies. The 2006 academy attracted more than 200
attendees, most of them radio amateurs. The Communications Academy is
open
to anyone with an interest in emergency communications, volunteer or
professional. Presentations are designed to promote the development of
knowledgeable, skilled emergency communicators who will support their
local
communities during a disaster or emergency response.
* New England's "Hosstraders" hamfest calls it quits: Sponsors of the
Hosstraders Tailgate Swapfest -- a New England Tradition for more than
30
years -- have announced that last October's event was the last. "After
careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue hosting the
event,"
said a statement on the Hosstraders' Web site
<
http://www.qsl.net/k1rqg/>.
"A combination of factors have led to this difficult decision. We want
to
take things out on a high note, while we can still be proud of our
efforts."
The swapfest, an outgrowth of the 75-meter "Hosstraders Net," debuted
in
1973 in Seabrook, New Hampshire. It subsequently took up residence in
Deerfield, Kingston, Rochester and Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Joe
Demaso,
K1RQG, Norm Blake, W1ITT (ex-WA1IVB) and Bob Tiffany, W1GWU, have been
the
Hosstraders' prime movers from the outset, and the event, held spring
and
fall, became as much a social gathering as a place to buy, swap and
sell ham
radio gear. Over the years, Hosstraders donated some $1.3 million to
the
Shriners' hospitals. Demaso, Blake and Tiffany cited problems with
site
logistics, competition from Internet auction/sales sites and the
change in
the direction of Amateur Radio coupled with "the fact that we have
done it
for a third of a century and we are getting old and tuckered out," as
reasons for throwing in the towel. They say they plan to "relax and
play
radio" now.
* AMSAT-UK issues call for colloquium papers: AMSAT-UK
<
http://www.uk.amsat.org/> has issued a call for papers for its 22nd
International Space Colloquium, Friday through Sunday, July 20-22, at
Surrey
University, Guildford, England. The colloquium is the UK's flagship
amateur
satellite and space event. Presenters should send submissions as soon
as
possible via e-mail to event organizer Dave Johnson, G4DPZ
<g4dpz.me.uk>.
The deadline to receive submissions is mid-June. AMSAT-UK also invites
suggestions for program topics and speakers for this year's
colloquium. Send
these as soon as possible to G4DPZ. Future calls for papers will
invite
papers on specific subjects. You do not have to be a member of AMSAT
to
attend the colloquium. Additional details will be posted on the
AMSAT-UK Web
site as soon as they're available.
* Brazilian power company launches BPL pilot project: According to
media
reports, Brazilian power distributor Eletropaulo plans to begin
testing
broadband over power line (BPL) Internet service in São Paulo, Brazil.
Eletropaulo reportedly has been conducting BPL lab tests for the past
three
years. The reports indicate that the utility now considers BPL to have
reached the point where it's economically viable to offer it to
residential
users. Eletropaulo is hoping to attain throughput speeds of 200 Mbps.
Eletropaulo provides electrical power to some 5 million customers in
two
dozen Brazilian cities. Details of BPL equipment to be deployed and
any HF
frequencies to be used in São Paulo are not yet known. Late last year,
a
public BPL pilot project went on line in the Regional Administrative
Center
of Restinga on the outskirt of Porto Alegre, Brazil. That system uses
Mitsubishi BPL hardware. Although BPL testing has been conducted in
Brazil,
there have been no commercial deployments.
===========================================================
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<
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