FCC Cites Homeowners for Causing Interference to Radio Amateur
Things aren't all that friendly in one Friendswood, Texas, neighborhood, where a dispute over interference
from one couple's battery chargers to a neighboring radio amateur has resulted in an official FCC Citation
to the couple. (See full story on ARRL web site)
Amateur Radio Antenna Bill Re-Introduced in Vermont
Radio amateurs in Vermont have renewed efforts to get a ham radio antenna bill signed into law in the
Green Mountain State. Introduced in the 2005 session of the Vermont House of Representatives, the bill,
H.12, would require Vermont municipalities to "reasonably accommodate" Amateur Radio communications
with "minimum practicable regulation"--in line with the limited federal preemption PRB-1. It also includes a
schedule of minimum regulatory heights for antenna structures.
Ham Radio Antenna Bills Introduced in Two Northeast States
Amateur Radio antenna legislation has been proposed in New Jersey and Connecticut. Introduced
January 10, the New Jersey measure, Assembly Bill 3641 (A3641) is sponsored by District 22
Assemblywoman Linda Stender. It's virtually identical to a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Matthew
Ahearn, KB2PNN, that failed to make it through the state's last legislative session. The new legislation
would incorporate the essence of the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 into the Garden
State's law books. Northern New Jersey ARRL Section Manager Bill Hudzik, W2UDT, said the state's
PRB-1 group plans to meet with lawmakers this month in Trenton. [ARRL Web Extra]
Major ISP tells FCC BPL not a "commercially viable alternative" to cable, DSL
Officials of Internet service provider EarthLink told the FCC that broadband over power line (BPL)
cannot compete with the dominant cable or DSL technology today or in the near future. A BPL industry
spokesperson subsequently criticized the ARRL apparently for reporting the company's statements. -
Special commemorative prefixes on the air from Belgium
During 2005 all Belgian Amateur Radio stations can use the prefix OO in place of the regular ON prefix. The
special prefix commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Kingdom of Belgium and its 25th as a federal state.
The Belgian Amateur Radio Society UBA has invited amateurs and SWLs to qualify for a certificate by
contacting stations using the OO prefix between January 1 and December 31, 2005. At least 175 points are
required for the award. Details are on the UBA Web site. Special call sign OO175B has been issued to UBA
club station ON4UBA. "We will try to make this call as active as possible, but will not use it in HF contests,"
said UBA President John Devoldere, ON4UN. "The call will be activated by any UBA club that asks for it for
special occasions." ON4UN will use the special call sign for UBA bulletin transmissions on 80 meters.
Special call sign prefixes on the air
The Daily DX reports that hams in Austria are authorized to use the prefix OE50 to celebrate 50 years
of Austrian independence. Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC, notes that QSLing these stations via the bureau
should be no problem. Although Austrian hams may have various prefixes, suffixes are unique. Also,
look for these special call signs from the Netherlands to commemorate that country's final two weeks
at the helm of the European Union: PA6EU = Amsterdam; PB6EU = The Hague and Scheveningen;
PC6EU = Rotterdam; PE6EU = Valkenburg-Maastricht; PF6EU = Groningen; PG6EU = Noordwijk. QSL via PA7DA.
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