Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Jan 30 2020 11:38 pm
FCC APPROVES PART OF 9 CENTIMETER BAND FOR WIRELESS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Wireless and broadband are gaining new real estate on
part of a microwave band formerly used by the military. Jack Parker,
W8ISH, has the details.
JACK: The FCC has approved giving 5G wireless services and broadband
access to the 3.5 GHz band, enabling next-generation services to
operate there. The frequencies on the microwave band are between 3.55
and 3.7 GHz, adjacent to the amateur allocation of 3.3 - 3.5 GHz.
The commission's approval came as no surprise since the move was eight
years in the making for this part of the 9-centimeter band, which had
previously been used for radar and other military purposes. In a public
notice released on Monday, January 27th, the FCC named four companies
as Spectrum Access System administrators for the frequencies. They
are Google, Sony, Federated Wireless, and Commscope.
Meanwhile, the FCC adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking in December,
asking for comments on its plan to end amateur access to the adjacent
frequencies on 9 centimeters. The FCC has said it would like to open
up more spectrum for advanced wireless services. The ARRL Board of
Directors has asked its FCC counsel to speak out in opposition. Initial
public comments on that December notice are due by February 21st.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH.
(FCC.GOV, ARRL)
**
BAVARIAN CONTEST CLUB CHOOSES NEW PRESIDENT
PAUL/ANCHOR: There's a new leader at the helm of one of the world's
preeminent contest clubs. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, has that story.
ED: Congratulations to Christian Janssen, DL1MGB, who was unanimously
elected president of the Bavarian Contest Club. Chris succeeds Bernard
"Ben" B�ttner, DL6RAI, whose tenure as leader of the 335-member club
lasted 13 years. Speaking after the January 18th election, Chris praised
his predecessor, crediting Ben with having grown the group into one of
the world's top contest clubs during his tenure. Christian is known
world-wide through his tireless work leading the very successful
organisation of the last World Radio Teamsport Championship in Wittenberg
in 2018.
The club, which has members throughout the world, has consistently had
strong showings in a number of international competitions - and enjoyed
numerous first place victories.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP, proud ex-member of
the WRTC2018 Media team, reporting from Bavaria.
(BAVARIAN CONTEST CLUB)
**
A DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR AMATEURS IN POLAND
PAUL/ANCHOR: There's twice as much reason for amateurs in Poland to
get on the air, with a special event in February. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
explains.
JEREMY: February is a big month for celebrations amongst Polish
amateurs, who are marking both the 95th anniversary of the
International Amateur Radio Union, and the 90th anniversary of
PZK, the Polish Amateur Radio Union.
Hams will be activating special event stations throughout the month.
Six stations will have the callsigns containing 90PZK, two stations
will have 2020PZK ,and six other stations will have callsigns
containing 95IARU. Prefixes will be 3Z, HF, SN, SP, SQ and SO.
Although the PZK was founded in 1930, it went idle during World War
II, when ham radio activities ceased in Poland. In 1957, the PZK
returned, and for a time, membership was a requirement of holding an
amateur radio licence. This is no longer the case, however, and the
PZK today is wholly financed by members and donors.
For details about the event, visit 90.pzk.org.pl .
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
(SOUTHGATE)
**
SUCCESSFUL FIELD TEST FOR HAMS IN INDIA
PAUL/ANCHOR: A group of hams in India has just completed a field
event - using as little power as possible. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells
us what they accomplished.
GRAHAM: Although the mobile and fixed stations at the recent QRP HF
Field Event of the Pune Hams and Amateur Radio Club, VU2PHQ, transmitted
at between 5 and 7 watts, the exercise had a somewhat amplified impact.
The 40-metre operation was designed to train hams to quickly set up,
and get on the air with QRP field stations, with limited battery power,
and to better comprehend weak signal propagation. The hams were also
testing out a variety of different antennas, from a homebrew vertical
to an inverted V, and even a multiband trap dipole. The club also set
up an experimental CW beacon on 7.005 MHz.
Club secretary Udayah Patil, VU2UPQ, told Newsline in an email that the
event on January 19th, was one of two or three such field exercises
held each year. This latest event enabled participants to try out a
number of Go Kits for quick field deployment. Eleven hams and two
shortwave listeners participated.
Udayah went on to say in the email: [quote] "The event gave the
participants a good field experience. It gave them the confidence that
not only will such setups be useful when one travels out of one's shack
on business, or for leisure, but can also be used to provide
communication backup in case of an emergency."
He said the next such field event will be held in mid-March.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.
