July 31, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Federal regulators Tuesday are scheduled to pass new rules aimed at breaking open the tightly controlled wireless market, potentially making it easier for consumers to use any handset and software they choose with certain services. But some analysts are skeptical that the Federal Communications Commission’s rules for an upcoming airwaves auction will loosen the grip of big wireless carriers that may be intent on steering consumers to their own cellphones and services. FCC commissioners were negotiating late Monday on ways to prevent that from happening. “Open-access” requirements are expected to be imposed on about a third of the airwaves sold in January’s auction. That means the winner of that spectrum would have to offer a service that lets subscribers use any handset and download any software they wish.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-07-30-fcc-auction_N.htm

Posted in Wireless, USA Today | Comments Off

July 31, 2007 by kb3ljm.

A psychology professor at the University of Pittsburgh is conducting a study involving short-term memory and how it correlates to Morse code. Julie Fiez, the study’s principal investigator, said she got the idea of using Morse code in her studies from a family member who is an Amateur Radio operator. She said she liked the idea of using CW in her experiments to see how people process audio tones.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/07/30/102/?nc=1

Posted in ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

July 30, 2007 by kb3ljm.

To the CQ Newsletter List from CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU:
The 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik is coming up in October, and we are currently working on our October issue. Many of you remember the launch well, and of course, hams were in the vanguard of listening for those beeps from above. We’d like to collect a representative sampling of your first-hand recollections to weave into an article for our October issue. Plus, we’d like to hear if this experience had a significant impact on your choice of careers, etc. - in short, how did listening for Sputnik change your life? Please respond as soon as possible by e-mail directly to a special mailbox we’ve set up at sputnik@cq-amateur-radio.com

Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments Off

July 30, 2007 by kb3ljm.

RSGB and IARU Region-1 are continuing their defence of the 10GHz band. Their responses to the latest Ofcom consultation on the Spectrum auction can be found on the Ofcom website at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/10-40GHz/responses/.

The RSGB & IARU responses are the second formal submission on this topic and continues the joint effort in conjunction with affiliated societies including AMSAT-UK, the UK Microwave Group and the British Amateur Television Group BATC. Ofcom plans would have potentially serious consequences for innovative developments by the Amateur Satellite Service.

http://www.rsgb.org/news/

Posted in RSGB | Comments Off

July 30, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Ofcom has decided to permit a limited number of Amateur Radio Full licensees to operate under a Special Research Permit between 501 and 504 kHz for a 12 month period commencing from 1 March 2007.

This follows representations made by the Radio Society of Great Britain and negotiations with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Special Research Permits under a Notice of Variation to the Licence may be made available to holders of Full Amateur Licences on a case by case basis to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in experimentation at these frequencies and provide adequate supporting documentation for assessment.

Due to the usage of the spectrum around 500 kHz, applicants should pay special attention to demonstrating technical and operational competence in terms of transmitting within the frequency and Effective Radiated Power (e.r.p.) parameters agreed with Ofcom. Previous experience at 73 kHz as well as 136 kHz will be considered desirable in this respect to ensure adequate steps are taken to limit any potential interference.

Ofcom will monitor any interference reports with a view to limiting numbers in the use of the band if necessary. In general, considerably lower e.r.p. levels than that permitted in the 136 kHz band are likely to be favourable and this will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that increased powers are necessary for research. On no account will an e.r.p. level of greater than – 10 dBW be permitted under any circumstance.

The standard application form (OfW306) for a Special Research Permit can be downloaded at:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/applications/ofw306.pdf

Form OfW306 is also available on request from the Ofcom Licensing Centre at:

Ofcom Licensing Centre
Amateur Radio
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HA
Tel: 020 7981 3131

You can also find more information on the RSGB Spectrum Forum website at:

http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/mf.htm

http://www.rsgb.org/news/

Posted in RSGB | Comments Off

July 30, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The Technical Institute of Radio, the IARU member-society in Syria, will celebrate 60 years of Amateur Radio in that country from October 15-November 15. In honor of this important milestone, TIR members will be using special prefix 6C60 on all HF bands during the month.

http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/07/0727/

Posted in ARRL Letter | Comments Off

July 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

ZAMBIA, 9J.

Ryuji, JO7QQV is QRV as 9J2QQV and can be found on 20 meters using PSK from 1700 to 2000z during the weekends. QSL via operator’s instructions.

OPERATION APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT.

The following operation is approved for DXCC credit: Burundi, 9U0X, 2007 operation.

CALLSIGN CORRECTION.

As listed in ARLD030, the correct callsign for Jack, N6XQ operating from Peru is OA4/N6XQ.

http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/dx/2007-arld031.html

Posted in ARRL DX BULLETIN | Comments Off

July 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

On July 24, FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein testified at a House Subcommittee on Telecommuni- cations and the Internet hearing that “three of the many urgent priorities we face” include the need for “a national broadband strategy to ensure the ubiquitous deployment of affordable, high speed broadband infrastructure to this country.” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Commissioners Tate, McDowell and Copps testified as well at the “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission” hearing.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/07/26/100/?nc=1

Posted in BPL, ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

July 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The federal agency charged with protecting consumers from Internet scams now finds itself wrapped up in one. Identity thieves have sent thousands of bogus e-mails purporting to be from the Federal Trade Commission — as well as the Internal Revenue Service and Justice Department — in an attempt to trick consumers into divulging personal financial information. The agencies are the latest institutions to be exploited in “phishing” scams, long the bane of large banks and credit card issuers.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2007-07-26-fake-ftc-irs-emails_N.htm

Posted in USA Today | Comments Off

July 26, 2007 by kb3ljm.

They’re flush with pride in Chongqing, where a recently opened porcelain palace features an Egyptian facade, soothing music and more than 1,000 toilets spread out over 30,000 square feet. Officials in the southwestern Chinese city plan to ask Guinness World Records to have the free four-story public bathroom listed as the world’s largest, state-run China Central Television reported Friday.

http://www.azstarnet.com/news/190760

Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments Off