January 29, 2008 by kb3ljm.

On 23 January 2008, Gilbert Restiaux, VE4GIL learned that the City of Winnipeg had dropped their objections to his tower. In 2002, Gil moved to a new neighbourhood. After checking with planning authorities in the city, he received their verbal agreement to erect a 48-foot tower and HF yagi in his back yard. Five years later, one of Gil’s neighbours complained to municipal authorities because he “did not like” the appearance of Gil’s tower.The neighbour lodged complaints by telephone twice a day every day for several months. The City of Winnipeg eventually laid two charges against Gil of violating Winnipeg’s zoning by-law. Gil hired a lawyer, did a great deal of research, and enlisted the help of Tim Ellam, VE6SH ofRAC’s Antenna Structures Committee. Tim provided Gil and his lawyer with documentary references that were of assistance to Gil’s lawyer in arguing that the city’s attempts to regulate Gil’s Amateur Radio antennas were beyond municipal jurisdiction. On 23 January, the day before Gil was scheduled to attend court on the matter of his tower, Kerri Tymchuk, a solicitor for the City of Winnipeg wrote to Gil’s lawyer informing him that the city “will not be pursuing this prosecution.” Although Not clearly stated in Tymchuk’s letter, Gil’s lawyer suggested that the City of Winnipeg understands it does not have jurisdiction over Amateur Radio antennas.

http://www.rac.ca/news

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January 29, 2008 by kb3ljm.

On January 24, 2008 AMSAT President Rick Hambly W2GPS testified before the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of Senate Bill 80 that would prohibit “homeowners associations from restricting or prohibiting the design, placement, screening, height, or use of specified amateur radio equipment.” It is hoped that we will also get a hearing before a House committee in a few weeks. There was no opposition to this bill during the hearing, unlike previous years. For more information see: http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/billfile/sb0080.htm and http://n3ij.home.comcast.net/. [AMSAT]

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January 29, 2008 by kb3ljm.

11 AM ; At Pioneer Hall , Historical Electronics Museum,
1745 W. Nursery Rd. Linthicum MD. Talk-in 146/76/R
(PL 107.2) Talks, demos, tutorials, socializing

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January 29, 2008 by kb3ljm.

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that there has been some confusion circulating regarding the current processing time and how it is affecting the addition of St Barthelemy (FJ) to the DXCC list and Logbook of The World. Before processing 2008 applications (containing St Barthelemy cards), DXCC must complete and close out all 2007 applications. The pace of the current application processing allows an estimated completion period of late March. Upon completion of 2007 applications, we shut DXCC down for about a day while we run all of the yearly lists. Only after these lists are completed can we add FJ to the DXCC List and in turn, Logbook of The World. DXCC staff is working hard to reduce the turnaround time, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to get caught up. You can help by planning your submissions wisely and taking steps to make sure your applications are prepared according to the instructions posted on the DXCC application form and as noted in the FAQ http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/faq/ . There will be plenty of time for everyone to have their Honor Roll submissions in place by December 31, 2008. For more information on the DX Century Club program, please see the DXCC Web site http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/ [ARRL LETTER via eham.net]

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

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January 29, 2008 by kb3ljm.

In case you missed this from last week, Southwest says it will begin testing in-flight Internet service on some of its flights this year. The Dallas Morning News (free registration) writes “Southwest’s partner is Row 44, a California-based company that has already announced a partnership with Alaska Airlines to test its system on one airplane beginning this spring. Southwest hopes to start testing the technology on four of its Boeing 737 aircraft this summer.” The New York Times (free registration) says “Southwest passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices would have Internet access for e-mail and Web browsing after the tests and subject to approval by the Federal Aviation Administration.”
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