Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Amateur Radio Kids Day
Kids Day is an on-air event to encourage young people (licensed or not) to have fun with Amateur Radio. It is designed to give on-the-air experience to youngsters and hopefully foster interest in getting a license of their own. It is also intended to give older hams a chance to share their station and love for Amateur Radio with their children
VEC Clerical Error leads to License Modification
A clerical error by a Volunteer Examination Coordinator will likely lead
to a license downgrade for a California ham. This after the FCC
releases an order proposing to modify the license of James H. Schofield,
KI6JIM, from General to Technician due to no fault of his own.
On November 29, 2012, the W5YI Volunteer Examiner Coordinator sent an electronic data file to the Commission requesting that Schofield’s operator license for amateur station KI6JIM be modified to upgrade to General Class amateur radio operator privileges. Based on this application, the Commission granted Schofield a General Class license on November 29, 2012.
On May 30, 2013, the W5YI VEC notified the Commission that it had made a typographical error in the November 2012 data file and that a licensee other than Schofield had qualified for a General Class operator license. W5YI VEC noted that a correction was filed, resulting in the other licensee receiving the operator license for which he had qualified but that Schofield’s operator privileges had not been returned to Technician Class operator privileges. The W5YI VEC urged the FCC to modify Schofield’s license to correct the operator privileges.
Now in a June 4th Order Proposing Modification the FCC says it believes that the grant of General Class operator privileges to Schofield was erroneous because he did not pass the examination necessary to qualify for that class of operator license. Rather, he appears to be currently authorized to operate with General Class operator privileges due to a typographical error made during the application process. As such it believes that a modification of the license for amateur station KI6JIM to replace General Class operator privileges with Technician Class operator privileges is appropriate. It also notes that if Schofield opposes this action that he has 30 days to submit a written statement with sufficient evidence to show that the modification would not be in the public interest. (FCC)
On November 29, 2012, the W5YI Volunteer Examiner Coordinator sent an electronic data file to the Commission requesting that Schofield’s operator license for amateur station KI6JIM be modified to upgrade to General Class amateur radio operator privileges. Based on this application, the Commission granted Schofield a General Class license on November 29, 2012.
On May 30, 2013, the W5YI VEC notified the Commission that it had made a typographical error in the November 2012 data file and that a licensee other than Schofield had qualified for a General Class operator license. W5YI VEC noted that a correction was filed, resulting in the other licensee receiving the operator license for which he had qualified but that Schofield’s operator privileges had not been returned to Technician Class operator privileges. The W5YI VEC urged the FCC to modify Schofield’s license to correct the operator privileges.
Now in a June 4th Order Proposing Modification the FCC says it believes that the grant of General Class operator privileges to Schofield was erroneous because he did not pass the examination necessary to qualify for that class of operator license. Rather, he appears to be currently authorized to operate with General Class operator privileges due to a typographical error made during the application process. As such it believes that a modification of the license for amateur station KI6JIM to replace General Class operator privileges with Technician Class operator privileges is appropriate. It also notes that if Schofield opposes this action that he has 30 days to submit a written statement with sufficient evidence to show that the modification would not be in the public interest. (FCC)
Monday, June 10, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
White House going after Patent Trolls
If you are a ham or other hobbyist who produces a podcast, listen up.
The White House says that its time to end what the legal world calls
patent trolling. And it’s taking the first steps by issuing five
executive actions and seven legislative recommendations designed to
protect U.S. companies and their products from spurious litigation from
Patent Assertion Entities that are more commonly called Patent Trolls.
Amateur Radio Newsline’s Heather Embee, KB3TZD, reports:
--
According to the National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisers, Patent Trolls are entities that threaten to sue thousands of companies at once, without specific evidence of infringement against any of them. They may also create shell companies that make it difficult for defendants to know who is suing them and assert that their patents cover inventions not imagined at the time they were granted.
Information made public by the two councils say that suits brought by patent trolls have jumped by nearly 250% in just the last two years, rising from 29% of all infringement suits to 62% of all infringement suits. Estimates suggest that patent trolls may have threatened over 100,000 companies with patent infringement last year alone.
But it does not end there. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says that there is yet another new aspect to this situation This is where Patent Trolls are increasingly targeting retailers, consumers and other end-users of products containing patented technology especially software.
Among the initial steps being taken by the Obama administration is having the Patent and Trademark Office begin a rule making to require patent applicants and owners to regularly update patent ownership information when they are involved in patent proceedings before that agency, specifically naming who controls the patent. Its also will give more training to its patent examiners on scrutiny of functional claims and develop strategies to improve claim clarity. This in areas where stakeholders remain concerned about patents with overly broad claims.
Possibly more important to all U.S, citizens is the White House statement that says end users should not be subject to lawsuits for simply using a product as it was intended. It says that citizens need an easier way to know their rights before entering into costly litigation or settlements with Patent Trolls.
--
According to the National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisers, Patent Trolls are entities that threaten to sue thousands of companies at once, without specific evidence of infringement against any of them. They may also create shell companies that make it difficult for defendants to know who is suing them and assert that their patents cover inventions not imagined at the time they were granted.
Information made public by the two councils say that suits brought by patent trolls have jumped by nearly 250% in just the last two years, rising from 29% of all infringement suits to 62% of all infringement suits. Estimates suggest that patent trolls may have threatened over 100,000 companies with patent infringement last year alone.
But it does not end there. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says that there is yet another new aspect to this situation This is where Patent Trolls are increasingly targeting retailers, consumers and other end-users of products containing patented technology especially software.
Among the initial steps being taken by the Obama administration is having the Patent and Trademark Office begin a rule making to require patent applicants and owners to regularly update patent ownership information when they are involved in patent proceedings before that agency, specifically naming who controls the patent. Its also will give more training to its patent examiners on scrutiny of functional claims and develop strategies to improve claim clarity. This in areas where stakeholders remain concerned about patents with overly broad claims.
Possibly more important to all U.S, citizens is the White House statement that says end users should not be subject to lawsuits for simply using a product as it was intended. It says that citizens need an easier way to know their rights before entering into costly litigation or settlements with Patent Trolls.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Deluxe CB Radio
You have to love it when you are out hitting garage sales and flea markets.
I have come across many kinds of sellers.
Today I met an arrogant SOB to say the least.
I was looking at an old phonograph player/stereo made by Zenith. He gave me the idiot speech, telling me it was an antique worth a thousand dollars and was willing to let it go for half, 500 bucks FIRM!!
As I was shaking my head and leaving something had caught my eye, a Kenwood TS-530S.
I walked over to it, picked it up and the guy told me it was a Kenwood Deluxe CB radio. LOL
I asked him what he wanted for it and he said 50 bucks! He also said, “I do not know if it works because his police scanner antenna would not work with it”.
I thought about how he treated me on the Zenith and said, bummer, I only have ten dollars.
He said……..SOLD!!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!
Now to hook it up and see what I have.
I have come across many kinds of sellers.
Today I met an arrogant SOB to say the least.
I was looking at an old phonograph player/stereo made by Zenith. He gave me the idiot speech, telling me it was an antique worth a thousand dollars and was willing to let it go for half, 500 bucks FIRM!!
As I was shaking my head and leaving something had caught my eye, a Kenwood TS-530S.
I walked over to it, picked it up and the guy told me it was a Kenwood Deluxe CB radio. LOL
I asked him what he wanted for it and he said 50 bucks! He also said, “I do not know if it works because his police scanner antenna would not work with it”.
I thought about how he treated me on the Zenith and said, bummer, I only have ten dollars.
He said……..SOLD!!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!
Now to hook it up and see what I have.
In the DX world
In the DX world;
If you are DXCC hunting and has a card for E51WL for North Cook Island rejected, here’s some good news. According to Bill Moore at the ARRL DXCC Desk, it turns out that the operator is a native of the island and that his previous ZK1WL had previously been approved. The bottom line is that this is just a callsign change, so if you had E51WL rejected in a recent submission send an e-mail to bmoore (at) arrl (dot) org for an update to your record. (NC1L)
In DX, W5JON will be operating as V47JA from his Calypso Bay, St. Kitts, West Indies vacation home from July 9th until August 10th. Listen out for John on 160 through 6 meters using SSB, RTTY and several digital modes. He will also be using his newly issued contest call V49J in the IARU and Islands on the Air contests on SSB. Johns wife Cathy, W5HAM, may get on the air occasionally operating as V47HAM. All QSL's go direct or via Logbook of the World to W5JON.
PA3A, PD1AEG, PA8AD and PA8AN will be active from Congo September 28th to October 11th as TN5MS. They will be active on H-F Bands. QSL via PA3AWW, either direct, or Logbook of the World.
ZL2JU is currently active from Rarotonga in the South Cook Islands as E51JJU. He is operational on most of the High Frequency bands but no exact schedule of operating times is mentioned. QSL via home call.
OO9O will be on the air portable LX from Luxembourg from June 17th to the 20th. He plans to focus on 30 meter CW and PSK. QSL via home call, or electronically using eQSL or Logbook of the World.
Five operators will be active using the call will be active from Ustica Island from July 24th to the 29th signing IE9 stroke IK6JRI. They also plan to take part in the RSGB sponsored Islands on the Air contest that takes place during their stay. If you make contact please QSL via IK6JRI
Lastly, G0MGX is currently working in Qatar and has obtained a permit to operate stroke A7. He says to listen out for him during evenings and some weekends primarily using RTTY and JT65. He adds that the Qatar Amateur Radio Society has made him feel very welcome and that he is very grateful to them for the support and help they have given to him. He adds that he has provided the ARRL with the necessary documents of licensing for all his callsigns and uploads to Logbook of the World regularly. QSL as directed on the air.
Two Hams Rescued from Flooded Campground
Two hams have been rescued from a flooded campground thanks to their
hobby. Sunday morning, May 19th at about 4:40 a.m. Eric Heaton, KF4LJN,
and Henry Miller N4VG, were awakened by a flooding situation at Lake
Chinabee in Munford, Alabama east of Birmingham. The two had been
camping when Miller noticed water getting into his tent.
Miller and Heaton moved their cars several times to stay above the flooding line. They soon realized that the only road out of the area was submerged in 2 to 3 feet of water and impassable. So Miller made contact with a ham in Talladega, Alabama, over the Mt. Cheaha 147.69/ .09 repeater. That ham in turn notified authorities of the two trapped radio amateurs.
The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Rescue Squad was dispatched and both Heaton and Miller were soon brought to safety by boat. There was very poor cellphone coverage in the area but thanks to ham radio everyone is safe. (KB4KCH)
Miller and Heaton moved their cars several times to stay above the flooding line. They soon realized that the only road out of the area was submerged in 2 to 3 feet of water and impassable. So Miller made contact with a ham in Talladega, Alabama, over the Mt. Cheaha 147.69/ .09 repeater. That ham in turn notified authorities of the two trapped radio amateurs.
The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Rescue Squad was dispatched and both Heaton and Miller were soon brought to safety by boat. There was very poor cellphone coverage in the area but thanks to ham radio everyone is safe. (KB4KCH)
Friday, May 31, 2013
Louisiana will use ALERT FM
The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness has announced that the it has completed the implementation
of the ALERT FM and GSSNet systems. This as a way of improving the
method used to deliver voice and text emergency notifications to the
public.
Louisiana will use ALERT FM to send out its emergency alerts, as will emergency managers from all 64 parishes and 42 colleges and universities across the state. ALERT FM is an FM radio-based emergency notification system that will help Louisiana better keep citizens, schools, businesses, and first responders informed of critical information during natural or man-made disasters.
ALERT FM delivers emergency messages using the data sub-carrier of local FM radio stations. The use of this preexisting network of FM broadcasters provides overlapping and redundant signal coverage for the state.
Around 90 FM stations will participate in the Louisiana ALERT FM network. This overlapping coverage will ensure message distribution over a large footprint and gives emergency managers the ability to reach their intended recipients.
More on this Louisiana state wide implementation of ALERT FM is on line at http://rbr.com/louisiana-takes-alert-fm-and-gssnet-statewide/
Louisiana will use ALERT FM to send out its emergency alerts, as will emergency managers from all 64 parishes and 42 colleges and universities across the state. ALERT FM is an FM radio-based emergency notification system that will help Louisiana better keep citizens, schools, businesses, and first responders informed of critical information during natural or man-made disasters.
ALERT FM delivers emergency messages using the data sub-carrier of local FM radio stations. The use of this preexisting network of FM broadcasters provides overlapping and redundant signal coverage for the state.
Around 90 FM stations will participate in the Louisiana ALERT FM network. This overlapping coverage will ensure message distribution over a large footprint and gives emergency managers the ability to reach their intended recipients.
More on this Louisiana state wide implementation of ALERT FM is on line at http://rbr.com/louisiana-takes-alert-fm-and-gssnet-statewide/
Sunday, May 19, 2013
KD8BIG "Places to Visit"
Being an Amateur Radio Operator I have experienced meeting so many people on-line.
I'm referring to sites like Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Ham Radio Nation, CQ Friends etc.
One of the cool things about being on the internet is the photos that are sent to me.
So, I decided to add a new Label on my Amateur Radio Blog (http://kd8big.blogspot.com/ )
titled "Places to Visit"
Many of the photos are sent to me via
Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Ham Radio Nation, CQ Friends etc. (KD8BIG)
Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Ham Radio Nation, CQ Friends etc. (KD8BIG)
If I post a photo that is copyrighted by you and you do not want me to post it please let me know
and I will remove it.
Enjoy the blog~
73 de KD8BIG Mark Strait.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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