May 11, 2007 by kb3ljm.

New technology designed to thwart DVD theft makes discs unplayable until they’re activated at the cash register. A chip smaller than the head of a pin is placed onto a DVD along with a thin coating that blocks a DVD player from reading critical information on the disc. At the register, the chip is activated and sends an electrical pulse through the coating, turning it clear and making the disc playable. The radio frequency identification chip is made by NXP Semiconductors, based in the Netherlands, and the Radio Frequency Activation technology comes from Kestrel Wireless, based in Emeryville. The two companies are talking to Hollywood studios and expect to announce deals this summer, Kestrel Wireless Chief Executive Paul Atkinson said. The companies said their technology also can be used to protect electric shavers, ink jet cartridges, flash memory drives and even flat-screen TV sets by preventing some critical element from functioning unless activated. Retail theft of entertainment products, including video games, accounts for as much as $400 million in annual losses, according to the Entertainment Merchants Association. Many retailers now keep consumer-entertainment products behind glass cases, but that can inhibit browsing. With technology that renders stolen products useless, retailers could display items openly, thus encouraging more sales, said Mark Fisher, vice president for strategic initiatives at the EMA. “It will also get product into a lot more outlets that are afraid of theft, including grocers,” Fisher said.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2007-05-10-dvd-chips_N.htm?csp=34

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May 11, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The FCC has sent an official Citation to Tower Products Inc of Saugerties, New York, for marketing an unauthorized RF device capable of operating on 70 cm Amateur Radio frequencies. The FCC contends that the product in question, the “Laird Telemedia model LTM-WAVE-AG Wireless Monitoring System” (LTM-WAVE-AG), requires FCC certification. As an “intentional emitter,” the device cannot be operated legally under Part 15 rules. The device is not a Part 97 transmitter, which would not require FCC certification, because it can transmit on spectrum not allocated to the Amateur Radio Service. Additionally, the devices, the FCC said, bore an FCC identification number assigned to another device. The FCC said Tower has acknowledged that the LTM-WAVE-AG is not certified and that it marketed the device in the US, apparently in violation of §302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and §2.803(a) of the FCC rules. In addition, the FCC asserts, Tower apparently violated §2.2304(a) of the rules by importing an RF device that did not meet one or more of 10 specified import conditions, and §2.1204(b) by being unable to document compliance with import conditions. The FCC warned Tower that future such violations could lead to fines of up to $11,000 “for each violation or each day of a continuing violation.”

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=7448

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May 11, 2007 by kb3ljm.

TANZANIA, 5H.

Mike is QRV as 5H3EE and has been active on 160 meters just prior to 2300z. QSL via DL4SM.

MALDIVES, 8Q.

Pierre is QRV as 8Q7QQ and has been active on 17meters around 0500 and 1500z. QSL via HB9QQ.

SUDAN, ST.

Jovica is QRV as ST2A and has been active on 6 meters around 1600z. QSL via T93Y.

http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/dx/2007-arld019.html

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