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FCC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
On August 23, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released new Amateur Radio enforcement actions. Norman Ball, KE6VWN, of Sunland, California, and Richard Martin, KE6RJI, of Maywood, California, both received Warning Notices informing them that the FCC had received written complaints concerning the K6GE repeater and cited their “failure to follow rules set forth by the licensee/control operators of the repeater system for its users.” They were told that they had been told to refrain from using this repeater system, “but have apparently ignored both verbal and written requests” to do so. Both Ball and Martin were informed by the FCC that if they use the repeater again after receiving their letters from the FCC, “[the FCC] will initiate enforcement action against your license, which may include revocation, monetary forfeiture (fine) or a modification proceeding to restrict the frequencies on which you may operate.” The FCC warned Ball and Martin that fines “normally range from $7500 to $10,000.”
Mark F. Hubeny, N9ZHW, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, received notification from the FCC informing him that he never responded to their Warning Notice concerning the operation of his amateur station on non-amateur frequencies sent June 1 of this year. He was told he had 20 days to respond. The letter said, “Failure to respond appropriately to this letter of inquiry may constitute a violation of the Communications Act and our rules. We will afford you an additional 20 days from the date of this letter to respond.”
Romeo C. Valdez, K6RMY, of San Jose, California, received notice from the FCC about a complaint filed against the operation of his station. “The complaint alleges that you are operating an unidentified repeater on 147.735 MHz,” the letter said. Valdez was directed to “review and fully address the complaint within 20 days of receipt of this letter. Failure to respond to this letter would be a separate violation of the Commission’s rules.”
NATO releases major report on effects of BPL
NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has issued a report of the expected effects that widespread BPL application would have on the HF spectrum. Particular emphasis is placed on ambient noise in “quite rural” zones and the “Absolute Protection Requirement”. The calculations assume ubiquitous installation of BPL. The report concludes: a) High probability that BPL would cause increased noise levels at sensitive receiver sites given the projected market penetration; and b) The percentages are highly influenced by assumptions on transmitter EIRP, BPL market penetration, and duty cycle.” The entire report (9MB) can be downloaded at: http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public//PubFullText/RTO/TR/RTO-TR-IST-050/$$TR-IST-050-ALL.pdf [WIA]
ARRL Continues Efforts on Interference to PAVE PAWS Radar Sites
On August 13, the ARRL began sending “specific mitigation reduction numbers” to 122 repeater owners, recommending that they reduce their signal anywhere from 7 dB to 56 dB, according to ARRL Regulatory Information Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. These reductions, requested by the US Air Force and the Department of Defense, only concern those repeaters identified by the DoD as affecting the PAVE PAWS radar system.
Al Ward, W5LUA, Makes 1296 MHz WAS #1
Al Ward, W5LUA, of Allen, Texas, is the first person ever to achieve the ARRL’s Worked All States (WAS) on 1296 MHz, making him 1296 MHz WAS #1. Ward first started on his pursuit January 25, 1977, with his first 1296 MHz contact with Leroy May, W5HN (SK). His 30 year quest ended just this week, with confirmed contacts with Wyoming, Utah and Idaho, giving Ward his last three needed states, thanks to Paul Perryman’s, WA5WCP, EME DXpedition. “I couldn’t have done this without Paul,” Ward said. “Also, thanks to Ron Roche, K0ALL, and Barry Malowanchuk, VE4MA, in North Dakota for number 47 in August. Without them, it just wouldn’t have been possible.” After collecting his 50th QSL card, Ward drove from his home in Texas to Little Rock, Arkansas so ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, could verify his cards and complete his WAS paperwork. “Verifying QSL cards from 30 years of activity brought back a lot of memories of several stations active on 1296, many who are Silent Keys now,” Harrison said.
| October, 2007 | |
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