March, 2007

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Listen to GB2RS on your iPod
The GB2RS news service is now available as a podcast. To access our podcast, you will need the latest iTunes software from Apple. The software can be downloaded for free from the Apple website (www.apple.com/uk/) and works with both PC and Macintosh computers. Once you have installed iTunes, you will need to set up the software to download the latest GB2RS news in MP3 format. You can do this by clicking on the "advanced" menu option and then selecting "Subscribe to Podcast". You will then have to enter a special web address into the box that pops up. The address is: www.rsgb.org.uk/rss/gb2rs_rss.xml The latest st issue of GB2RS should now automatically download when it is available. The GB2RS MP3 file will also be copied to your iPod or other MP3 player when you connect it to your computer. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, kindly provides the GB2RS MP3 files. You can download these directly from his site at: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g4njh2/rsgb.html (GB2RS)

FCC affirms big fine for marketing non-certified transceivers
The FCC has affirmed a $14,000 fine it proposed in November in the case of a California radio amateur. The Commission alleges that Jason Kaltenbach, KE6CND, doing business as Metamerchant of Laguna Nigel, "willfully and repeatedly" violated FCC rules and the Communications Actof 1934 by marketing non-certified VHF and UHF transceivers on the eBayauction site. In a Forfeiture Order (NoF) released February 2, the FCC said Kaltenbach failed to file a response to its November 9 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL), and it affirmed the forfeiture based on the information it had. According to the NAL, an FCC agent found two models of KYD brand transceivers offered by Metamerchant, one capable of operating on 136 to 174 MHz at 3 W, the other capable of operating on 400 to 470 MHz at 4 W. In January 2006, the FCC cited Kaltenbach, d/b/a Metamerchant, for violating §302(b) of the Communications Act and §2.803(a)(1) of its rules by marketing non-certified General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) transceivers. Kaltenbach told the Commission the gear had been listed accidentally and that he removed them from sale and corrected his auction listing. Nonetheless, the NAL recounted, an FCC agent was able to purchase a non-certified VHF transceiver via auction from Metamerchant last March. In July, the FCC's Seattle office received a complaint from someone who purchased a UHF transceiver from Metamerchant via eBay that was neither FCC-certified nor certifiable.

10GHz beacon GB3CEM back on the air
We have been informed that Wolverhampton 10GHz beacon GB3CEM is back on full power again. The beacon was forced to transmit at very low power after being damaged in a thunderstorm in October last year. Two driver stages and a PIN modulator were lost in the storm. But now the beacon is fully operational again. You can find out more about the beacon on the web at www.ok1jkt.cz/index.php/beacon-on-10-ghz

322GHz record claim
Radio amateurs WA1ZMS and W4WWQ believe that they established a new record when on the 10 December, they made contact on 322GHz over a distance of 7.3 km. The previous record for this frequency was 1.4km. They used slow FSK CWgenerated by Spectran, and traditional RF equipment to make the contact. Their apparatus included harmonic mixers and 12-inch parabolic dishes.

ARRL Seeks Emergency Communications Manager
The ARRL seeks to fill the new position of Emergency communications Manager within Membership and Volunteer Programs. This is a permanent staff position at League Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, and applicants must be willing to relocate. Candidates should have at least bachelor's degree and an Amateur Radio license and be able to attain Amateur Extra class.

March, 2007

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