April, 2005   The Milliwatt   < Prev Page 5 Next >

Kevin Martin    

President Taps Commissioner Kevin J. Martin to Head FCC

President George W. Bush has announced that he intends to designate Commissioner Kevin J. Martin to chair the Federal Communications Commission. He'll replace Michael K. Powell, who stepped down this month. Martin, 38, a North Carolina attorney with close White House ties, has served on the FCC since 2001.

FCC Declines to Reconsider $10,000 Fine in Gerritsen Case

The FCC has denied a Petition for Reconsideration and upheld a $10,000 fine against briefly licensed radio amateur and alleged jammer Jack Gerritsen, ex-KG6IRO, of Bell, California. The FCC proposed the forfeiture last June after charging that Gerritsen had interfered with Amateur Radio communications. The Commission affirmed the fine in a Forfeiture Order last October. The following month, Gerritsen, who claims he's still a Commission licensee, wrote the FCC challenging the fine and its basis. The FCC turned away all of his arguments and suggested it was turning up the heat on Gerritsen, who now faces a total of $52,000 in FCC-imposed or proposed fines.

FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau chief stepping down

John Muleta, chief of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, has announced plans to leave the Commission at the end of March. In thanking him for his service to the Commission, FCC Chairman Michael Powell called Muleta "a faithful and tireless public servant" who's leaving behind "a strong and commendable legacy in the wireless field that will have long and enduring impact on global communications." Muleta, who has headed the WTB since February 2003, has a 20-year history in the communications sector as an engineer, businessman and lawyer. Muleta previously served at the FCC from 1994 until 1998 in various capacities within the former Common Carrier Bureau.

ARRL warns against spurious, virus-infected e-mails

Some ARRL members have reported receiving e-mail messages purporting to be from the ARRL and suggesting that the recipient's account has been used to send "a large amount of unsolicited commercial e-mail" and "now contains a hidden proxy server" or similar wording. They may be signed by "The arrl.org team" or "The arrl.net team." These messages, which include a file attachment, do not originate from ARRL, and recipients of such messages should never attempt to open the attached file. Outside of routine correspondence, the ARRL only sends e-mail to members who specifically request mailings, such as W1AW bulletins and The ARRL Letter. Opening the attached file on one of these spurious messages could unleash a nasty computer virus, quite possibly the W32/MyDoom.bb@mm mass-mailing worm. This recent MyDoom incarnation will attempt to disable anti-virus program updating and help a remote user to "hijack" an infected machine. The W32/MyDoom.bb@mm worm spreads using stolen e-mail addresses harvested from victim PCs and search engine queries. Some messages may show up as e-mail bounces from "Postmaster" or "Mail Administrator." As a defense against these kinds of viruses, ARRL strongly recommends installing virus-protection software on all personal computers and updating virus definitions on a regular basis. [ARRL Web Extra]

ARRL Hopes Consent Decree will Reduce Interference Complaints

The FCC has agreed to terminate enforcement action against an importer and marketer of heated mattress pads and blankets--and associated external switching power supplies--in exchange for the company's signature on a Consent Decree. The case involved numerous interference complaints from Amateur Radio operators and others related to consumer products marketed by Perfect Fit Industries (PFI) of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Want a seat that reclines? It may cost you

Fees for things like changing tickets or flying standby are among some of the airline policies most reviled by frequent fliers. And that's not likely to get better anytime soon, suggests The Denver Post. Already, airlines have tacked on fees to talk to a live human being (up to $10) and now charge for meals on most U.S. flights. Checked luggage appears to be the most likely target, with America West recently floating the idea of charging $5 per bag. "They will find a way to charge you for everything that is not nailed down on that plane," predicted airline industry consultant Darryl Jenkins. Others wonder if airline's will reduce their current carry-on limits — then charge more for checked luggage. Charging for seats with padded armrests or for reclining seats are among other nickel-and-dime possibilities, according to The Post.

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