A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!' ARRL CEO Says:
from
The ARRL Letter, Vol 25, No 43
on
October 27, 2006
Website:
http://www.arrl.org/
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A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!' ARRL CEO Says:
Contributions to the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund have made it possible for
the League to successfully confront challenges that could mean a loss in ham
band access or usability. In kicking off the 2007 Spectrum Defense Campaign
https://www.arrl.org/forms/fdefense/, ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary
Hobart, K1MMH, pointed out that the ARRL has accomplished a great deal in
the spectrum defense arena in the decade since the League first appealed for
voluntary contributions to the Fund for the Defense of Amateur Radio
Frequencies. She cited such challenges as the Little LEOs that threatened 2
meters several years ago as well as the more recent interference potential
posed by BPL and the League's decision to appeal certain aspects of the
FCC's BPL rules.
"Members tell us how important it is that ARRL continue to be their voice
and work on their behalf, especially in Washington," she said. "We know that
the challenges will keep coming, and we must be prepared to meet them, and
that takes money, plain and simple." The League is hoping to raise an
additional $250,000 by December 31 to fund its frequency defense activities.
Hobart said the League's BPL court appeal is "a very important step" on
behalf of ARRL members and the Amateur Radio community. "This legal
challenge to the FCC's BPL orders will demand time, energy and significant
funding by the ARRL," she emphasized. "Contributions to the Spectrum Defense
Fund will help immeasurably. And the time to contribute is now."
In an appeal to members, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ says it was the shift
to more-frequent ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs) 10 years
ago that drove the League and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
to change how it prepared for the international gatherings.
"We had to assemble a permanent team, partly staff and partly volunteer, to
ensure that the interests of the Amateur Radio Service would be adequately
represented on an ongoing basis," he said. The ARRL Technical Relations
Office has been staffed to address the recurring challenges of WRCs and to
maintain IARU representation at important conferences, Sumner noted. Another
WRC takes place in 2007.
The most dramatic achievement, Sumner said, has been improvements gained at
WRC-03 in the 40 meter band. "For the first time in history, broadcasters
are moving to accommodate the needs of another radio service," he noted.
"Beginning in 2009, the amount of 40 meter spectrum that's free of
interference from high-powered shortwave broadcasts is scheduled to double."
This will mean a worldwide 40 meter allocation of 200 kHz, largely obviating
the need for US radio amateurs to operate "split" when working phone
stations in other ITU regions.
"Without generous contributions to the Fund for the Defense of Amateur Radio
Frequencies, we couldn't have done it," Sumner said. "Membership dues alone
can't be stretched far enough to cover everything we must do to protect and
improve radio amateurs' access to the radio spectrum." That, he stressed,
takes the support of thousands of League members willing and able to go the
extra mile by supplementing their dues.
Other accomplishments include the League's successful petition to obtain the
five channels in the vicinity of 5 MHz. The ARRL recently asked the FCC to
improve ham radio's access to 60 meters by relaxing the power restriction
and permitting additional modes, including PSK31 and CW.
Sumner also mentioned the League's experimental license to permit an Amateur
Radio group to investigate spectrum in the vicinity of 500 kHz. At the same
time, the ARRL is making a case for establishing amateur allocations above
275 GHz, an issue the ITU will take up in a few years.
The ARRL wants to ensure that individuals will always earn meaningful access
to the radio spectrum when they qualify for an Amateur Radio license, Sumner
concluded. "A healthy Amateur Radio Service -- one that delivers emergency
and public service communications, technical training and advancement, and
international goodwill -- is priceless!"
Voluntary contributions to ARRL are tax-deductible for federal tax purposes
to the extent permitted by law. For more information, contact ARRL Chief
Development Officer Mary Hobart K1MMH .
Source:
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 25, No. 43
October 27, 2006
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!' ARRL
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by KB9RQZ on October 28, 2006
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then why doesn't the ARRL finaly push the FCC to end the distructive fighting over code testing instead of playing games over the issue
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RE: A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!'
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by URBANGORILLA on October 28, 2006
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KB9RQ-I see nothing about code testing in this article. If there is any "distructive fighting over code testing", it is because of militants like you who stir the pot. You can either do the 30 hours of work necessary to pass a code test, or you can wait until Uncle Sam is ready to give you free HF. I wonder how many no-code Techs have died waiting for Unlce Sam to give them free HF? Its been 15 years since the no-code Tech license made its debut. Some no-code Techs have been waiting that long. That is almost a generation. Thirty hours versus 15 years. Penny wise and pound foolish.
73
UG
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Long overdue.
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by AI2IA on October 28, 2006
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This really stupid fighting over Morse Code should be brought to an end or at least reduced to a tiny minority of lunatic fringe operators.
Morse Code was never intended to divide radio operators. It was intended to be a simple but effective means of communication, and it still achieves this purpose. There is no justification to scandalize the general public with this juvenile bickering. For those who wish to use Morse Code, there is ample band space set aside to do so. Use it.
The fact is that there is no compelling need to make proficiency in Morse Code a requirement for HF operation. None. There is a compelling need that HF operators be technically qualified. We all know the reasons for that.
Operate either voice or Morse Code, or both, but drop the scandal of this foolish bickering for the reputation of amateur radio. We are all in this together.
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RE: Long overdue.
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by W6AH on October 28, 2006
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As Urbangorrilla already stated there is nothing about code testing in this story. That matter was handled badly by BOTH the FCC and the ARRL.
What the story does deal with is the ARRL's Campaign to raise funds for Spectrum Defense. And points out the representation Ham Radio has received from the ARRL when their Spectrum has come under attack.
The action the League took at their last board meeting is without precedent to a threat that is without precedent Though I don't support what the League did to address the FCC's Restructuring Proposal and Morse Code Requirement reduction but I do welcome the League's Actions in response to the attempts to lay waste to HF Spectrum by those that desire to install dirty BPL Systems. I also support the League's representation at the ITU WRC Conferences. It is through the League's dilligent efforts that 40 Meters is finally being cleaned up
I will be cutting the League a check in the coming days to directly support their efforts
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RE: Long overdue.
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by K4RAF on October 29, 2006
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How long will the "Spectrum Defense" charade continue? Mary Hobart is a Revenue Development Specialist so I don't trust her as a mouthpiece for spectral defense or defense of any kind. She is in it, for the money...
The ONLY rule: We don't use it, we WILL lose it...
Few use 900, 2.4, 3.3, 5Ghz, etc... How long before it is at least shared with wireless internet that needs that spectrum to compete with the telco mafia? Oh wait, too late, 900 & 2.4 are shared, by force. 3.3 & 5GHz won't be far behind. 3.3 radios are already under FCC certification & 5GHz Part 15 is scheduled to be expanded by the end of the year.
How long are you "entitled ones" going to live in denial of reality? Spectrum is a finite resource & ham radio is now a bookmark, not an active reader!!!
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A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!' ARRL
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by W1YW on October 30, 2006
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The problem is that while the IDEA behind the spectrum defense fund is pretty obvious and thus self-evident, in practice, IMO, the fund has been used in ways that are not constructive to Part 97 ham radio and represents the wishes of a few 'transformational donors'--some not even hams. BPL is by far the best example of this.
We WILL lose spectrum. It is inevitable. The issue is DEFENDING SPECTRUM WE USE--AND--NEED.
So say goodbye to 3.3 GHz, the first to go, is my prediction.
No point in even discussing BPL. You've all read the issues enough.
73,
Chip W1YW
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RE: A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!'
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by AE6RO on October 31, 2006
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I'm not sure what "we" could do with the microwave spectrum that we can't do lower down. What's so good about 900 MHz and above? The only advantage to such high frequencys is the greater bandwidth for information. Hence the interest from the telecommunications oligarchs. Propagation isn't an issue because they use satellites, not the ionosphere.
Probably "they" just gave it to us to take care of it until such time as "they" could sell it to the highest bidder.
BPL, on the other hand WAS a veiled attempt to destroy HF radio and everyone involved has to know that. HF radio doesn't have the high bandwidth for data but we don't need it for analog voice or CW anyway. HF doesn't need satellites either, which is why "they" want to destroy it. Microwaves are only good for cooking. Let'em have it. 73, AE6RO
P.S. All I heard about when I was growing up was the Big, Bad USSR didn't like their citizens listening to shortwave radio so they spent lots of rubles jamming it. There was ham radio there in those days. They even had ham radio magazines that were quite technical.
The American way is so much more clever. Put the jamming signals on powerlines and make everyone think it's there for their cheap computing pleasure.
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RE: A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!'
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by K4RAF on November 1, 2006
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"Propagation isn't an issue because they use satellites, not the ionosphere."
Really?
Is that why 900MHz is used as a NLOS broadband delivery platform (Part 15) ???
Is that why 802.11A/B/G use terrestrial LOS installations for broadband delivery platforms & point-to-point links (Part 15) ???
Educate yourself: go to Dailywireless.org & read up on these etherware "WISP satellites"... It is low power & performs better than people like you think (or not).
Jeeves, how far in the sand can you be?
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RE: A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!'
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by AE6RO on November 1, 2006
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I don't see any contradiction. Anything above 50 MHz is mostly line-of-sight. When you get up to 900 MHz and above you don't have anything else but line-of-sight. It would go through the ionosphere and not stop until it reached Alpha Centauri.
Anything above 6 meters is not interesting to me.
Part 15 doesn't require a license.
I'm curious about how non-line-of-sight happens at these frequencies. 73 AE6RO
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RE: A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!'
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by W6AH on November 1, 2006
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K4RAF wrote:
"Educate yourself: go to Dailywireless.org & read up on these etherware "
Yeah I noticed that about you. The link to the Dailywireless page is also shown in your Buckmaster Listing which raise questions in my mind about whether you took your Amateur Radio Tests for the purpose of becoming a Ham and learning about the hobby or to show up in forums like these and play the roll of a shill for the Telecommunications Industry. So why don't you tell us what or who is bankrolling that page ?
What I find interesting is how the Telecommunications Industry has made such a short sighted decision in provoking the wrath of Amateur Radio Users over the BPL Issue. You proclaim the old FCC Adage "Use it or lose it" in discussing such matters but fail to understand the the cyclical nature of Amateur Radio usage of it's HF Spectrum. This is all to common among the Telecom Industry. They also fail to grasp that usage of HF Spectrum is also governed by International Treaties.
Are you aware that two attempts were made to reallocate 2 Mhz of Spectrum the were exclusively allocated for Ham Radio use in the 220Mhz band in the late 70s and mid 80s. The first was for a new proposed CB Band. An idea that was fought and defeated. Later on UPS proposed using the same spectrum for mobile applications. Amateurs relented on that one and after the Spectrum was reallocated it was found out that it was not being used as proposed in the rulemaking. That taught a very important lesson to Amateur Radio and the ARRL. Fight everything tooth and nail !
Had the FCC adopted the restrictions the ARRL proposed about Part 15 devices in its R&O on BPL the ARRL would not be bringing the matter into court. And CLEAN BPL Systems would be deployed today. What the ARRL asked the FCC to restrict is the usage of Medium Voltage Wire to carry HF Data Modulation Signals. The Current Technologies System which uses HF signals on the Low Voltage Wiring and VHF Signals on the Medium Voltage Wiring would have complied with the regulations. The Motorola System which doesn't use the MV Wiring at all will also comply. The Current Technologies System is deployed in Cincinatti generated few if any complaints. And if you look closely at the ARRL's write up on BPL you will not see Cincinatti mentioned anywhere ! It is the greedy,stubborn bullheaded company like Comtek that deployed dirty first generation systems that hosed up the spectrum that exposed the weakness of Part 15. To this day many top officials within these companies deny there are interference problems with the BPL Systems in Manassas or Briarcliffe.
The fact of the matter is if you don't like the actions the ARRL has taken on Part 15 it is the handful of Companies that hosed up the HF Spectrum that you have a beef with !
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RE: Long overdue.
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by W6AH on November 1, 2006
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K4RAF wrote:
"Few use 900, 2.4, 3.3, 5Ghz, etc... How long before it is at least shared with wireless internet that needs that spectrum to compete with the telco mafia? Oh wait, too late, 900 & 2.4 are shared, by force. 3.3 & 5GHz won't be far behind. 3.3 radios are already under FCC certification & 5GHz Part 15 is scheduled to be expanded by the end of the year."
2.4GHz is Amateur Exclusive
900MHz, 3.3GHz and 5GHz is shared with US Government Radiolocation Services. It sure will be interesting to watch the reaction to an incident of a Radar Installation being jammed by a Part 15 Transmitter.
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A Healthy Amateur Radio Service: 'Priceless!' ARRL
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by WA1RNE on November 3, 2006
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This triumph of the Spectrum Defense Fund isn't as rosy a picture as it's being made out to be:
To summarize:
*The most dramatic achievement, Sumner said, has been improvements gained at WRC-03 in the 40 meter band. "For the first time in history, broadcasters are moving to accommodate the needs of another radio service," he noted.
>> This is obviously good news for amateurs, I'm just not convinced the ARRL should be taking all the credit for this feat. My understanding is there were several "forces" at work that contributed to our improvement:
The Fixed Service was scheduled to vacate the Phone portion of 40 by April 2007;
Broadcasters were scheduled to start occupying the "extension bands", one of which is 7300-7350 - as well as to begin using other extension bands and spectrum conservation techniques, like SSB and Digital modulation methods;
As you can see, this wasn't all the ARRL's doing.
Read more here: http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/conferences/seminars/geneva-2002/docs/08-wrc_03_%20issues_broadcasting.doc
*Other accomplishments include the League's successful petition to obtain the five channels in the vicinity of 5 MHz. The ARRL recently asked the FCC to improve ham radio's access to 60 meters by relaxing the power restriction and permitting additional modes, including PSK31 and CW.
>> The 60 meter news has been out for some time. We have priviledges to operate on 5 channels with 50 watts ERP. Since there isn't a lot of utility here, I don't see this as being a monumental achievement for ham radio
*Sumner also mentioned the League's experimental license to permit an Amateur Radio group to investigate spectrum in the vicinity of 500 kHz.
>> Simply, put, 500 Khz is a useless allocation for amateur radio. This is a self-serving allocation for 2 dozen hams doing some spark-gap days reminiscing.
At the same time, the ARRL is making a case for establishing amateur allocations above 275 GHz, an issue the ITU will take up in a few years.
> Now this is "huge".....What are we going to do with a millimeter wave band that's only good for data and radar use?
Meanwhile, the ARRl is still pushing Winlink on our HF bands. Somebody needs to make up their mind. However, if the ARRL decided to use Winlink on 275 gig, membership will have gotten their money's worth and everyone else will be thrilled. I might even go back to buying some magazines if they agreed to do this.
WA1RNE
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