May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Sony says it will introduce its first HD Radio products in July, joining the growing group of companies seeking to make the next-generation digital radio technology a standard feature in audio products over the next several years.
HD Radio is a new form of digital radio broadcasting that allows radio stations to deliver extra music content on up to four side channels that piggyback on the frequency it already uses. So far, more than 1,200 radio stations nationwide have adopted the technology, according to the HD Digital Radio Alliance, a group of broadcasters promoting the new format.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2007-05-28-sony-hd-radio_N.htm?csp=34

Posted in USA Today | Comments Off

May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The AMSAT booth enjoyed a visit from Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, ISS Expediton 12 Commander who was at the Hamvention in support of planned ARRL activities. The first speaker was Rick Hambly, W2GPS, President, AMSAT-NA who presented the “Summary of AMSAT-NA Activities in 2007″.Rick reminded everyone in attendance of AMSAT’s vision of HEO Satellites are our primary mission. AMSAT will assist LEO efforts undertaken by the educational community and other amateur radio groups. Rick continued with a list of achievements for 2006 including the following:

• AO-51 has now passed 2 years of continuous operation. Software upgrades and testing are now in progress to further improve this satellite and the operator’s experience.
• SuitSat-1 captured the world’s attention and helped promote amateur radio.
• SuitSat-2 development is currently underway and will feature an SDR transponder.
• AMSAT-NA support for AMSAT-DL’s P3E provides funding, and staffing for design, testing, and integration.
• Eagle satellite development is on-going concurrently with P3E and the satellites will both share common modules and software.
• AMSAT’s education outreach provides mentoring to students who are designing, building, and launching satellites.
• The AMSAT Lab in Maryland was opened. The clean room equipment is currently being installed.

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/

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May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

June 23-24

ARRL Field Day

July 1

RAC Canada Day Contest

July 4-5

MI QRP CW Sprint

July 8

DARC 10-Meter Digital

July 14

FISTS Summer Sprint

July 14-15

IARU World Championship

July 21-22

CQ WW VHF Contest
NA QSO Party, RTTY

July 22

BRATS HAMFEST

July 28-29

RSGB IOTA Contest

Aug. 4-5

10-10 Int’l Summer, SSB
NA QSO Party, CW
ARRL UHF Contest

August 5

SARL HF Phone Contest

http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html

Posted in WA7BNM Contest Calendar | Comments Off

May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

An Amateur Radio antenna bill has made it through the Oklahoma legislature and now awaits the signature of Gov Brad Henry. Securing passage of the essence of the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 was no mean feat, however. Proponents of the legislation had to switch to Plan B after House Bill 1037 (HB 1037) failed to make the House calendar for a vote after getting a “do pass” recommendation in the General Government and Transportation Committee. Supporters of the measure were successful in getting the language of HB 1037 attached to Senate Bill 426, which involves municipal annexations. SB 426 passed the Senate 45-2 and the House 90-5.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/05/23/103/?nc=1

Posted in ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The FCC has called on BPL equipment manufacturer Ambient Corporation to demonstrate that it’s complying with all terms of its Part 5 Experimental license or face possible enforcement action. Ambient operates the Briarcliff Manor, New York, BPL pilot program under Experimental license WD2XEQ. In a May 21 letter to Ambient Chief Engineer Yehuda Cern, FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division Chief Kathryn S. Berthot noted that the FCC is investigating ARRL complaints dating back to 2006 that Ambient’s Briarcliff Manor BPL system has caused and continues to cause harmful interference to Amateur Radio stations. She said Ambient’s most recent six-month report failed to address one condition of its Part 5 license relating to emission measurements to prove compliance.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/05/23/104/?nc=1

Posted in BPL, ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC) has agreed to forfeit its victory in the 2006 ARRL November Sweepstakes because some of those contributing scores to PVRC turned out to be outside the club’s territory. “This is a decision that I take very seriously, as so many of you poured your heart and soul into this great competitive event,” PVRC President Jim Nitzberg, WX3B, said in a letter to members. “We decided this was the best course of action consistent with our high ethical standards as one of the finest unlimited contesting clubs.” Nitzberg says the PVRC completed last fall’s November Sweepstakes with the largest turnout of operators in its history. But upon closer examination, he said, measurable activity occurred from areas “clearly beyond” the 350-mile diameter ARRL competition boundary (175-mile radius). Nitzberg says once the club used more precise measurement techniques to determine its boundaries, it ended up losing by a wide margin. Nitzberg notes that the club was not officially challenged nor requested to forfeit but made the decision on its own after carefully examining participation. He also accepted responsibility for the error as the club’s president and extended congratulations to the Northern California Contest Club for winning the November SS gavel. The PVRC this year celebrates its 60th anniversary, and members will take part in an annual on-the-air reunion over the June 2-3 weekend. During the event PVRC ops are encouraged to append /60 to their call signs.

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=7487

Posted in ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The FCC has issued hearing designation orders (HDOs) to Amateur Radio license applicants in three unrelated cases. All three HDOs released May 24 hinge on licensee “character” issues. The Commission notified David O. Castle, WA9KJI, of Evansville, Indiana, that it was designating his license renewal application for hearing in the wake of alleged misconduct extending back several years and continuing at least until earlier this year.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/05/25/101/?nc=1

Posted in ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

May 29, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The ARRL has filed a federal appeals court brief outlining its case and requesting oral arguments in its petition for review of the FCC’s broadband over power line (BPL) rules. The League has petitioned the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit to review the FCC’s October 2004 Report and Order (R&O) in ET Docket 04-37 and its 2006 Memorandum Opinion and Order. In its brief filed May 17, the ARRL contends, among other things, that the FCC’s actions in adopting rules to govern unlicensed BPL systems fundamentally alter the longstanding rights of radio spectrum licensees, including Amateur Radio operators.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/05/24/100/?nc=1

Posted in BPL, ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off