Balanced Modulator Newsletter

Two hams in different parts of the country have received warning letters from the FCC. Letters that tell them to stay off of certain repeaters in their respective geographic areas.

In New York, the trustees of the K3TSA 2-meter repeater system had requested in writing that David R. Henry, W2DRH, refrain from use of that repeater. The request was issued as a result of Henry's alleged failure to follow operational rules set forth by the licensee and or the control operators of the repeater and of the FCC rules. The FCC says that Henry had previously been requested to refrain from using the system, but had apparently ignored both verbal and written requests.

The FCC not only warned Henry that any further unauthorized use of him by the repeater will bring enforcement action against his license. It also noted that his license expires on April 21, 2009. It says that his license will not be routinely renewed unless this matter is resolved.

A warning letter has also been sent to Edward R. Drone, W0NYF. In this instance the trustee of the St. Louis and Suburban Radio Club repeaters K0STL, N0TYZ, W0FF and W0SRC had requested in writing that Drone refrain from use of the repeaters. The request was issued as a result of his alleged failure to follow operational rules set forth by the licensee and control operators of the repeaters for their users.

In a conversation with the FCC in February 2008 Drone reportedly acknowledged that he had been directed to stay off of the repeaters and stated that he would comply. However, the FCC says that on March 31st he was heard utilizing the K0STL repeater and reportedly stated that he would not refrain from using it.

Now, in its April 2nd letter to Drone the FCC warns him that it expects him to abide by the request to stay off of the repeaters and any other such request by a repeater licensee, control operator or trustee. It warns W-Zero-N-Y-F that failure to do so will lead to enforcement action that could include revocation of his license , or a
modification proceeding to restrict the frequencies on which he may operate.

Drone was also asked to contact FCC rules enforcer Riley Hollingsworth.

The March 13th NOFARS meeting included two excellent presentations. Mike Gondeck, KI4QLT is Manager of Radio Services for the City of Jacksonville. He described communications which is available to city agencies. The First Coast Radio System became operational in 1999 and uses 10 repeater sites. It is a challenge to provide reliable communications to a very large geographic area and the system has performed well. Each repeater site includes battery backup with automatic generator transfer, ample fuel supply and redundancy. If a failure threatens to disrupt a path, alternate options quickly engage to work around the problem until repairs can be completed.

Full HT portable coverage in Duval County and reliable mobile multi-county coverage is available through the system.

The city radio shop includes a staff of 13 technicians and engineers to provide quick repair of communications equipment along with vehicle radio, satellite, video camera and wireless data installation.

Much of the equipment is Motorola and the staff is trained to factory standards in preventive and corrective maintenance. Many also have military communications background. The radio shop is on call around the clock to take care of any priority needs for service.

Jacksonville Fire & Rescue and Jacksonville Sheriffs Office personnel are among over 10,000 users supported by the radio shop. The staff has been of assistance to NOFARS and area hams over the years. Thanks to Mike for an informative presentation.

Paul Eakin, KJ4G traveled from Tallahassee to present his vision for the American Radio Relay League in Northern Florida. An election for Section Manager will be conducted in April and Paul is on the ballot. He has forty years of experience in Amateur Radio. Members will receive an election brochure containing information on each candidate along with their ballot. Paul said he would appreciate support in helping him to win a two-year term and work to improve our section. Thanks to Paul for an excellent talk.

These two speakers became available on short notice. The program on nets has been postponed until April 10th. NOFARS members participate in over a dozen different nets with local, statewide, regional and national coverage. Net purposes, procedures, legalities and history will be covered along with message format. Those attending the May meeting are requested to tell us about the net(s) in which they participate.

If interest warrants, these articles may be combined and reprinted in a publication to be available to NOFARS members. Be a part of the great radio tradition in Jacksonville by being a NOFARS member. Dues are affordable for everyone at only $5 per year. Click here for more information on NOFARS membership and an application form.

Guidelines for stations wanting to be considered include third party capability with the United States or waiver from their telecom agency, ability to speak and understand English, 24/7 access and availability of station, willingness to support scheduled contacts at various times, phone patch capability, effective antennas and tracking system along with output power greater than 70 watts.

Those desiring to be considered to serve as one of the new ARISS ground stations, should send an e-mail to ARISS-telebridge@amsat.org with details about your station.

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FCC TELLS MOBILE HAMS TO USE A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO AVOID BPL INTERFERENCE

The arrogant attitude of the FCC and purveyors of “dirty” interference-prone BPL toward hams continues. Requests by ARRL to force BPL providers to obey interference standards were denied although FCC did recognize the "historic and ongoing importance of the amateur service."

An FCC BPL ruling in August contained a provision aimed against hams operating mobile. It reasoned that these operators have a choice of taking a different route if subjected to BPL fallout. The rule states that BPL operators need not do anything in response to complaints from mobile hams except to notch specific frequencies.

Those who do not notch have little to fear. Despite many complaints, enforcement actions against BPL offenders have been minimal according to ARRL. Following the lead of former Commissioner Kathleen "Broadband Nirvana" Abernathy, FCC continues to tell a rosy story saying that BPL is a good technology and that there is no problem with interference. The spin machine at work.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR HAMS

The Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) administers 55 scholarships to assist Amateur Radio operators who are planning post high school, full-time courses of study at an accredited university, college or technical school. Awards range from $500 to $2,500. For application forms, contact FAR Scholarships; P.O. Box 831; Riverdale, MD 20738.

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YOUR INVITATION TO JOIN NOFARS

At only $5 a year, NOFARS membership is a bargain that is hard to beat. NOFARS membership offers many advantages and shows that you support organized ham activities in this area. Whether you are a newcomer or a longtime operator, you are invited to join our group. Your membership includes the Balanced Modulator newsletter--mailed to each member six times per year.

To join or renew your NOFARS membership, send your dues to Billy Williams, N4UF; P.O. Box 9673; Jacksonville, FL 32208. Please make checks payable to NOFARS. You may join for multiple years at this low rate.

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NOFARS member Earl Leach, WX4J has established a web page which lists items of interest to traffic (message) handlers. It can be accessed via http://home.comcast.net/~wx4j

According to FCC, A "cognitive radio" is one that can change its transmitter parameters based on interaction with the environment in which it operates. This interaction may involve active negotiation or communications with other spectrum users and/or passive sensing and decision making within the radio.

ARRL officials believe that most cognitive radios will be software defined radios (SDRs). The ARRL says it generally supports the proposals contained in an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order (NPRM&O), ET Docket 03-108 relating to so-called cognitive radio (CR) technology. But the League urged the FCC to avoid large-scale deployment of CR technology--and especially of unlicensed devices in spectrum regularly used by licensed services until further experience with the technology is obtained.

The ARRL objected to a proposal to allow cognitive radio technology devices to operate under Part 15 in rural areas at up to a sixfold increase in the currently permitted power level in several UHF bands that include amateur allocations--including 902-928, 2400-2483.5, 5725-5825 MHz and in the 24 GHz band.

The League said the Commission should not view cognitive radio as an opportunity to increase permissible Part 15 power levels and questioned why the FCC was willing to put forth such proposals without real-world test deployment of the systems it wants to authorize.

NOFARS ROSTER