Hillsdale Communicator

July 2017

 

News For Amateur Radio Operators In And Around Hillsdale County

 

Club Meetings

The next club meeting will be Thursday, July 20, at 7pm at Hi-Lex Controls, 152 Simpson Drive in Litchfield (map).  The program will feature a tour of the facility.  Everyone welcome.

 

Six members attended the June 15 club meeting.  Tommy Palmer KD8WWW presented the program, a demonstration of software-defined radio (SDR) using an SDRplay unit and SDRuno software.

 

 

Ham Breakfast

This month the Ham Breakfast will be held on Saturday, July 8, at 8am at Yesterday's Diner, 119 Marshall in Litchfield (map).  Come and join us for a meal or just coffee.  Everyone welcome.

 

The June breakfast was held at the Sidekick Cafe in Osseo and was attended by four members.

 

 

Membership Report

Club membership stood at 15 as of June 30.  There were no new members or renewals in June.

 

 

Monday Night Net Certificate

Congratulations to Bill Hicks WB8FFO for becoming the first to qualify for an award certificate for exceptional participation in the Monday night net.  The purpose of the program is to encourage participation in the net, both as check-ins and as net control station.  The certificate will be awarded to participants that attain at least 75 points during 2017.  There is still time for amateurs, especially club members, to attain enough points to qualify before the end of the year.  Serving as net control earns extra points.  Rules and results are posted in the Net Control Schedule section of the club website.

 

 

147.06 MHz Repeater Update

The KC8QVX 147.06 MHz is back up!  Repairs included a new power supply, some new feed line and a wiring repair to a cooling fan. The repeater has been back up since June 3.

 

 

Club Leadership Positions Available

Two club leadership positions remain open.  The Secretary and Board Member At Large positions had no nominations during annual elections in November or subsequent special elections.  Those interested should check the club constitution on our website for information about officer duties and election procedures.  Feel free to contact any of the current club leadership for more information.  A special election will be held at the next club meeting to fill the positions.

 

 

Board Meeting

The next Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 5, at 6:30pm at the First United Methodist Church, 45 North Manning in Hillsdale (map).  All club members and invited guests welcome.

 

 

New Ham

Congratulations to new ham Jerry Taylor KE8HHM of Hudson.  He was granted his Technician license on June 29.

 

 

ARRL Michigan Section Family Outing

The 19th annual Michigan Section Family Outing is scheduled for July 7-8 at the Woodlands Conference Center & Campgrounds in Hale (map).  This great facility is located about 20 miles from West Branch and offers the best of the north country in a relaxed setting.

 

 

FCC And OSHA Release Communications Tower Best Practices Guide

The FCC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration have announced the release of a free publication, Communications Tower Best Practices Guide.  While aimed more at those who tend commercial communication towers, the guide offers guidance applicable to the Amateur Radio community and contractors working on Amateur Radio antenna support structures.  (ARRL story)

 

 

Governor Proclaims Amateur Radio Week In Michigan

In conjunction with Field Day, Michigan Governor Rick Synder proclaimed the week of June 19-25 as Amateur Radio Week in Michigan.  Click here to read the proclamation.  (Certificate of Proclamation)

 

 

Hamvention Reports Second-Largest Attendance Ever For 2017 Show

The Dayton Hamvention 2017 attracted 29,296 attendees at its new venue in Xenia, Ohio, according to official spokesperson Mike Kalter W8CI.  That is the second-largest reported attendance in the history of the event.  Hamvention attendance peaked in 1993 at 33,669, before the 1996 change in date from April to May while it was still being held at Hara Arena.  Attendance in 2016 for the show’s final year at Hara was 25,364.  Hamvention relocated to the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center this year, after Hara Arena announced last summer that it was closing.  (ARRL story)

 

 

RadioShack Closes More Than 1,000 Stores

RadioShack recently closed more than 1,000 stores, leaving the chain with just 70 company-owned stores left in operation.  The 96-year-old electronics retailer shut down most of its stores just two months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  Now, just 70 company-owned stores remain in operation, along with 425 stores owned by franchisees.  Parent company General Wireless announced its intent to auction off the RadioShack name.  (Yahoo Finance story)  (News Is My Business story)

 

 

RadioShack Creditors File Suit Against Sprint

According to a lawsuit filed by RadioShack creditors, Sprint used confidential information from its alliance with RadioShack to open competing mobile phone stores, dooming the comeback by the electronics retailer and destroying jobs,.  RadioShack emerged from bankruptcy in 2015 with a deal to co-brand about 1,400 stores with Sprint, which was meant to help the telecommunicates provider better compete with larger rivals.  (Reuters story)

 

 

Federal Register Publishes New MF/LF Rules, But Operation Is Not Yet Legal

The FCC Report and Order (R&O) spelling out operational rules to allow secondary Amateur Radio access to 630 meters and 2,200 meters now has appeared in the Federal Register, but radio amateurs still may not access the new bands.  That’s because specific procedures now under development to detail how radio amateurs will notify the Utilities Technology Council of their proposed station location, prior to commencing operation, still must undergo approval.  The FCC said the notification requirement is necessary to confirm that a station is not located within 1 kilometer of an active power line communication system.  (ARRL story)

 

 

Ham Radio To Retain Full 76-81 GHz Band, Sharing With Vehicular Radars

In a draft Report and Order (ET Docket No. 15-26) to be considered at its July 13 open meeting, the FCC is proposing to lift a nearly 2-decade-old suspension of Amateur Radio access to 76-77 GHz, giving the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services access to the full 76-81 GHz band on a secondary basis.  The FCC also reduced Amateur Radio’s status from primary to secondary in the 77-77.5 GHz segment, to match the rest of the 76-81 GHz band, and it imposed a uniform power-level limit for users of the band.  The draft Report and Order (R&O) concludes that Amateur Radio and vehicular radars will be able to successfully share the millimeter-wave band with minor adjustments in the Amateur Service rules.  A goal of the proceeding has been to expand and consolidate the spectrum available worldwide for 76-81 GHz radar operations.  It brings the US Table of Allocations into line with decisions at the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference and makes the entire band available internationally for vehicular radars operating in the Radiolocation Service.  The FCC said its proposal “received significant support” and no opposition from comments regarding the proposed allocation.  (ARRL story)

 

 

President To Name Jessica Rosenworcel For New FCC Term

President Trump indicated that he planned to nominate former FCC Commission member Jessica Rosenworcel to fill the open Democratic slot on the FCC.  Rosenworcel served on the Commission from 2012 to 2016, leaving at the end of last year after the US Senate was unable to extend her term before time ran out on that session of Congress.  Rosenworcel has been a vocal supporter of net neutrality and supported rules drafted by then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler that would treat Internet providers more like utilities.  (ARRL story)

 

 

FCC Chairman To Appoint New Enforcement Bureau Chief

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that he intends to appoint Rosemary Harold to serve as chief of the Enforcement Bureau.  Michael Carowitz, who has been serving as acting bureau chief, will become the Bureau’s deputy chief.  Harold is an attorney with experience within the FCC agency and in private practice; as well as she’s also a former journalist.  (ARRL story)

 

 

President Names Brendan Carr To Fill Vacant FCC Republican Seat

The President announced plans to nominate FCC General Counsel Brendan Carr, a Republican, to fill one of the two vacancies on the Commission.  One FCC vacancy, to be filled by a Democratic candidate, remains in order for the Commission to be back to its full five-member complement.  No more than three members of the FCC may be of the same political party.  FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a congratulatory statement.  (ARRL story)

 

 

Great Lakes HamCon Update

The Great Lakes HamCon hamfest will be held at Michigan International Speedway on October 7 & 8.  Ticket prices are $17 in advance and $20 at the gate.  Each ticket is good for both days.  Children under 12 are free with a paid admission.  A child’s ticket must be requested when purchasing adult tickets.  The dollar off advanced ticket promotion ended on June 30.

 

Camping spaces are $35 without electric and $50 with electric for Friday and Saturday nights.

 

Flea Market spaces are available for purchase by phone only.  Spaces are $40 for a 12x20 foot space on pit road.  Adjacent spaces may be obtained only by ordering the spaces at the same time.  Call 888-905-7223 between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.

 

GLHAMCON Resources

Website: http://www.glhamcon.org

ARRL Hamfest Info Page: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/great-lakes-division-convention-1

Flyer: http://glhamcon.org/FlyerDaytonColor051417.pdf

Window Sticker & Ordering Instructions: http://glhamcon.org/sticker.html

Recruitment Letter: http://glhamcon.org/letter.html

Volunteer Email Address: volunteer@GLHamCon.org

GL HamCon Online Store: https://glhamcon.qbstores.com/

Online Ticket Portal: http://www.mispeedway.com/About-MIS/Special-Events/Great-Lakes-HamCon.aspx

Most Recent Newsletter: http://glhamcon.org/newsletter/

Newsletters: June 17, June 6, May 8, April 2

 

 

FCC Amateur Radio License Database Activity In Hillsdale County

06/29/17 KE8HHM, Taylor, Jerry R, new licensee Technician

 

 

Michigan Distracted Driving Legislation Update

Distracted driving bill was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives on March 30.  Click here to follow the progress of HB4466.

 

 

PRB-1 Legislative Update

New Amateur Radio Parity Act Bill Passed In US House: A new Amateur Radio Parity Act bill, HR 555,  was introduced in the US House of Representatives on January 13 and was passed just 10 days later.  The bill was sent to the Senate, where it was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  The bill calls on the FCC to establish rules prohibiting the application of deed restrictions that preclude Amateur Radio communications.  Click here to follow the progress of HR 555.  (ARRL story)

 

 

QSM

Hillsdale County Emergency Management: HCEM is always looking for volunteers, either to join the group or just to monitor the monthly tornado siren test.  The next siren test and meeting will be on April 3.  Contact the HCEM office if you are interested.  Meetings and siren tests are normally held on the first Monday of the month in the evening, March through October, with a few exceptions.

 

Monday Night Net Certificate: The club will award certificates for exceptional participation in the Monday night net.  The purpose of the program is to encourage participation in the net, both as check-ins and as net control station.  The certificate will be awarded to participants that attain at least 75 points during 2017.  Rules and results are posted in the Net Control Schedule section of the club website.

 

Michigan State Parks On The Air: Starting April 1 Michigan hams embarked on the most ambitious on-the-air project ever, the Michigan State Parks on the Air (MSPOTA).  Previous State Park activations on the air around the country have focused on a single weekend.  The Michigan State Parks system as a whole will be 100 years old in 2019.  Some of our parks actually began operation in 1917.  Hence, the celebration began in 2017 and continues through 2019.  That is three years of State Parks on the Air!  Lots of time for activators and chasers alike!  This event includes 117 MDNR Parks & Recreation sites including State Parks, Recreation Areas, Scenic Sites and State Trails rotated over the 3 years.  That adds up to about 50 parks across the state active in each event year.  (More info at MSPOTA website)

 

 

Upcoming Events

July 5 – Board Meeting

July 7-8 – ARRL Michigan Section Summer Family Outing

July 8 – Ham Breakfast

July 16 – Van Wert Hamfest

July 20 – Club Meeting

July 29 – CMARC “Outdoor” Hamfest (Holt)

August 12 – Ham Breakfast

August 12 – Angola Hamfest

September 9 – Ham Breakfast

September 9 – GRAHamfest

September 10 – Findlay Hamfest

September 16 – Hoosier Lakes Radio Club Tailgate Hamfest (Warsaw, IN)

September 17 – Adrian Hamfest

 

 

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Previous editions are available in the newsletter archive.

 


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