August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

October 13, Sat (Baltimore)
2007 Baltimore Marathon
The Under Armour 7th Annual Baltimore Marathon Running Festival will take place on Saturday, October 13, at the M&T Bank Stadium (home of the Baltimore Ravens). In 2006, the event raised over $750,000 for Baltimore charities. For a map and more info on the Marathon, Half-Marathon, Team Relay, and 5K courses, go to http://www.TheBaltimoreMarathon.com and click on Race Info in the left column menu.

Amateur Radio Operators provide communications to ensure the safety of runners and spectators in the event. Amateurs will shadow the Event Organizer and the Race Director at the stadium, ride in a vehicle ahead of the lead runner, and establish a communications net between critical points along the course, medical and water support stations, and the start/ finish. Johns Hopkins Medicine will staff First Aid stations along the course. Water and replacement drink stations will be located about every mile. Can you commit a few hours between 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM?

To volunteer, contact Ed, N3GXH or Ian, N3CVA, 410-303-1412, N3CVA@hotmail.com

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August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

September 15-16, Sat/Sun (Annapolis to Baltimore)
The 2007 Multiple Sclerosis Challenge Walk
The Bank of America 2007 Chesapeake Bay MS Challenge Walk will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16. This event is to raise money to find the cure for MS. Walkers will walk about 31 miles starting in Annapolis on Saturday morning and finishing in Baltimore on Sunday morning. Amateur Radio Operators provide communications to ensure the safety of walkers along the route. Amateurs will shadow the Event Coordinators, route volunteers, and support vehicles, and staff rest stops.

To volunteer, contact Ed, N3GXH or Ian, N3CVA, 410-303-1412, N3CVA@hotmail.com

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August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The Columbia Amateur Radio Association is sponsoring a two day ham license class leading to the Technician Class license on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12. The class will be held in Room 401 of the Gateway Building, 6751 Gateway Boulevard, Columbia, MD and will meet from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. The license test will be administered in Laurel, MD on Saturday, August 18, although other dates are also available.

The class and the exam are both free. A study guide is available and is available electronically via email.

To help manage the logistics of the class, we ask potential students to let us know of their plans to attend.

Dave Prestel, W8AJR

Columbia Amateur Radio Association
10160 Tanfield Court
Ellicott City, MD 21042-5808

Phone:
410 552-2652 (Days)
410 203-9432 (Eves)
443 812-4403 (Cell)
Fax: 410 981-5146
E-mail: w8ajr@verizon.net
Alternate: David.Prestel@ngc.com

Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments Off

August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Apple has issued a software patch to fix some security holes that independent security researchers recently discovered for the company’s vaunted iPhone. The software update that Apple said it released late Tuesday addresses several bugs and security issues, but most notably a flaw that could have allowed hackers to take control of the multimedia cellphone to spread spam or steal data if its owner was to visit a doctored website or Internet Wi-Fi hotspot. The iPhone hijacking vulnerability was only theoretical; there were no reports of criminals taking advantage of the glitch.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/phones/2007-08-02-apple-iphone-patch_N.htm

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August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Of course you know your iPod plays music, audiobooks and podcasts. In some models, they can also display photos and videos, and play games, too. You might even be aware you can sync your Outlook contacts and calendar files with the iPod to access on the go. So, is that it? Nope.

A little known function is the Notes folder on your iPod, which can be used to read text files. From the main menu on your iPod, select Extras, and then Notes.

While it has its limitations in file size (4KB) and type (.txt files), you can use this to read email messages, websites, electronic books, blogs, song lyrics, and more.

Full article: http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2007/07/turn-your-ipod-.html

Posted in Apple, iPod, Miscellaneous | Comments Off

August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

American Airlines says it will test adding broadband Internet access to the Boeing 767-200 jets it uses on transcontinental routes, Reuters reports. The tests are set to begin next year and AA says the Web access could be expanded if the service proves popular, according to The Dallas Morning News (free registration). The Associated Press says AA “will charge a fee for the hookup but won’t announce the charge until broadband-equipped flights are ready to go, according to AirCell, the company providing the hookup.” However, The Denver Business Journal (free registration) says the “service is projected to cost passengers $10 per flight for unlimited broadband access.”

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2007/08/aa-web.html

Posted in Travel, USA Today | Comments Off

August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

PITCAIRN ISLAND, VP6.

Tom is QRV as VP6TD and has been active on 20meters SSB around 0300z and 20 meters PSK after 2300z. He may soon be active on 80 meters as well. QSL via ZL2HGR.

LAOS, XW.

Larry, XW1A has been active on 20 meters at various times. QSL via E21EIC.

http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/dx/2007-arld032.html

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August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

On July 25, the ARRL filed an Informal Objection to Ambient Corporation’s request for a renewal of their nationwide experimental authorization that allows them to operate broadband over power line (BPL) operations anywhere in the country they choose. Ambient has been operating its BPL equipment under experimental authorizations for more than five years, an unusual amount of time for an experimental authorization. An Informal Objection is the procedure dictated by the FCC’s Part 5 rules protesting the renewal of an experimental authorization. Currently, Ambient currently operates a BPL system in Briarcliff Manor in Westchester County, New York. Other installations have apparently been shut down by Ambient.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/08/02/101/?nc=1

Posted in BPL, ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

August 3, 2007 by kb3ljm.

On July 31, the ARRL filed its reply brief at the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This brief follows the FCC’s brief that attempted to rebut the ARRL’s challenge to the FCC’s Broadband over Power Line (BPL) rules enacted in late 2004 and affirmed by the agency in 2006. According to ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, “The FCC’s brief does not accurately describe ARRL’s arguments concerning harmful interference.” The ARRL, in its reply brief, accuses the FCC of, “engaging in misdirection — rebutting hyperbolic arguments ARRL never made, refusing to address the precedents ARRL cited and attempting to rewrite the Orders as if they made factual rather than legal determinations.”

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/08/02/102/?nc=1

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