FCC Requires Arizona BPL Field Trial Operator to Work with Amateur Club
The FCC has required Electric Broadband LLC (EB), which is running a BPL field
trial in Cottonwood, Arizona, to maintain contact with a local Amateur Radio
club. The Commission granted EB a Part 5 Experimental license WD2XMB for the
company's BPL pilot on November 19, although the ARRL earlier this year asked
the Commission to withdraw its authorization for the operation. Verde Valley
Amateur Radio Association (VVARA) BPL Committee Chair Robert Shipton, K8EQC,
believes it might be the first time the FCC has ever imposed such a requirement.
X-Ray screening coming to Baltimore
In a move that officials hope will reduce the need for unpopular security pat-downs, Baltimore-Washington
International (BWI) will be the first airport to test X-ray "backscatter" technology to screen fliers. Prior calls
for such technology left critics saying the X-rays exposed too much. But after listening to those complaints,
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says it has reworked the software. "This new technology
has been modified to inspect passengers for concealed weapons and explosives while respecting privacy,"
TSA spokeswoman Yolanda Clark tells The Washington Post (free registration). Also on the security-
screening front, BWI and Boston Logan will get new explosives detection machines. They'll be the new
"puff portals," the machines in which a puff of air is blown past passengers. The machines then "sniff" that
air to look for particles indicating the presence of dangerous materials. Officials are hopeful pat-downs can
be minimized with the machines. "It's a more sophisticated and high-tech way to examine a passenger for
explosives," the Boston Herald/AP quotes TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis as saying.
ARRL releases radio public service announcement
The ARRL has released a topical public service announcement (PSA) for use by radio stations. The 30-
second PSA may be downloaded free from the League's Web site in either .wav or .mp3 formats. "Ham
radio works when other communications don't," is its central message. Conceived, written and voiced by
ARRL Media and Publications Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, the PSA focuses on Amateur Radio's role
in emergency communication--including activity by South Asia amateurs in the wake of the devastating
earthquake and tsunami. "It is directed at getting people who are community-minded to look into becoming
hams," Pitts commented. He urged ARRL Public Information Coordinators and Officers to aid in distributing
the announcement to broadcasters. The PSA invites anyone interested in becoming a radio amateur to
contact ARRL via its toll-free number, 800-326-3942. For additional information contact Allen Pitts, W1AGP.
Man auctions ad space on forehead
A 20-year-old US man is selling advertising space on his forehead to the highest bidder on website eBay.
Andrew Fischer, from Omaha, Nebraska, said he would have a non-permanent logo or brand name tattooed
on his head for 30 days. "The way I see it I'm selling something I already own; after 30 days I get it back,"
he told the BBC Today programme. Mr Fischer has received 39 bids so far, with the largest bid currently at
more than $322 (£171). "The winner will be able to send me a tattoo or have me go to a tattoo parlour and
get a temporary ink tattoo on my forehead and this will be something they choose, a company name or
domain name, perhaps their logo," he told the Radio 4 programme.
On the online auction, Mr Fischer describes himself as an "average American Joe, give or take". His sales
pitch adds: "Take advantage of this radical advertising campaign and become a part of history." Mr Fischer
said that while he would accept any brand name or logo, "I wouldn't go around with a swastika or anything
racial". He added: "I wouldn't go around with 666, the mark of the beast. "Other than that I wouldn't
promote anything socially unacceptable such as adult websites or stores." He said he would use the money
to pay college - he is planning to study graphic design. The entrepreneur said his mother was initially
surprised by his decision but following all the media attention she felt he was "thinking outside the box".
(From BBC News; thanks Ian, N3CVA for forwarding this to us)
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