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Protect Amateur Radio
April 11th (Friday) is the last day to submit comments to the FCC. Help us protect the bands! Under a new deregulation mandate, the FCC is soliciting public input on rules that may be deemed outdated or unnecessary. If amateur radio frequencies are seen as underutilized or commercially valuable, they could be auctioned off to corporate interests, permanently limiting our ability to operate. Please visit the website to sign our petition and make a comment directly to the FCC about protecting our airwaves. https://hamadvocate.org/ The Threat: FCC Deregulation Under a new deregulation mandate, the FCC is soliciting public input on rules that may be deemed outdated or unnecessary. If amateur radio frequencies are seen as underutilized or commercially valuable, they could be auctioned off to corporate interests, permanently limiting our ability to operate. Why This Matters Amateur radio may seem antiquated, but its unique capabilities make it irreplaceable in certain scenarios. Here’s why preserving these frequencies is crucial: Emergency Communications: When natural disasters take out cell towers and internet infrastructure, ham radio remains operational. Examples: During Hurricane Katrina, amateur radio operators provided vital communication links when all other systems failed. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, ham radio operators were instrumental in relaying messages from Puerto Rico when conventional communications were disrupted. During Hurricane Harvey, ham radio operators sprung into action to set up temporary communication networks when cell phones failed. Ham radio operators volunteer with their own equipment to help their friends and neighbors by setting up emergency communication systems. STEM Education & Innovation: Ham radio is a gateway into engineering, physics, and communications. NASA collaborates with amateur radio operators to enable astronauts to communicate directly with students on Earth, inspiring interest in science and technology careers. The ARISS program allows students worldwide to engage in direct communication with ISS crew members, fostering interest in STEM fields. National Security & Disaster Preparedness: Amateur radio provides decentralized, independent communication that cannot be easily disrupted by cyberattacks or infrastructure failures. The Department of Homeland Security recognizes amateur radio as a critical backup for emergency communications. Ham networks have supported military and intelligence operations when other communication lines were compromised. Survivalists rely on ham radios for emergency preparedness. Community Service & Public Events: Ham operators provide free communication support for public safety efforts. Large-scale events like marathons and parades rely on ham radio volunteers to coordinate safety and logistics. During wildfires and other emergencies, hams have been instrumental in relaying evacuation orders when official channels were down. International Disaster Response & Global Connectivity: After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, amateur radio operators provided essential communication links in affected regions where infrastructure was destroyed. During the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China, ham radio operators were among the first to establish emergency communications, aiding in relief efforts. Reliable Communication in Rural and Remote Areas: In Alaska, many off-grid communities rely on amateur radio for essential communication where there is no access to cellular networks. Sailors, mountaineers, and researchers depend on ham radio for long-range communication in extreme environments, ensuring safety and coordination. Ham Radio in Cybersecurity & Emergency Drills: In simulations of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, ham radio networks have proven to be reliable communication channels when conventional systems are compromised. Government agencies conduct nationwide emergency drills with ham radio operators as key participants, highlighting their importance in disaster preparedness. What You Can Do 1. Submit Comments to the FCC (Deadline: April 11, 2025
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Greetings everyone (and hopefully 220 enthusiasts), As many of you are aware, though many of you are not, a recent interference situation surfaced in the Los Angeles area regarding 222MHz. A firm applied for and received experimental licenses within the 222-225MHz band. Bear in mind, this band is a Primary spectrum allocation to the Amateur Radio Service. This entity, Caos Capital LLC, applied for their experimental licenses under Part 5 of the FCC's rules. The terms of this license and Part 5 operations specify operation on a non-interference basis with existing services. They were perfectly legitimate in submitting an application. Where the problems came were in next steps. The responsible parties who received and processed the application, as far as we can tell, did so without knowledge of the existing spectrum users - in this case, Amateur Radio. They were "unaware of any existing operations that would pose any issues nor was there any notable existing use." That was the first major red flag. The existence of a Primary Service Allocation seemed completely ignored or unknown to exist. Second, what cross-checks were performed if any. Unknown. And so, the licenses were issued as WP2XGY and WP2FXD. The bandwidth requested for these licenses was noted as 223.000MHz - 224.900MHz. ERPs in the Kilowatts were requested and authorized. It is implied from our sources that neither the applicant nor the processor of the application understood that Amateur Radio was present. This lack of awareness at FCC is most disturbing. And must be corrected by appropriate education. Granted in December of 2024, the existence of these licenses were unknown to us until some sleuthing following repeated instances of interference. One such example of interference began to occur earlier in the year, cause then unknown, to a repeater we operate on Saddle Peak above Malibu, CA. The behavior manifested as if someone or something were jamming the input with unmodulated carriers. Its duration roughly 1.5 seconds and spaced 3-4 seconds apart. At first, it seemed either malicious interference or a device gone awry. Perhaps spurious. It would come and go without much reason. This interference continued until just days ago. Our Saddle Peak 224.34 system was unusable during its activity. Beyond random interference to our day-to-day communications, interference occurred in January during the Palisades Fire disaster. At a time when our system was handling emergency traffic, we were precluded from using 220. Numerous 220 repeaters in the west side/south bay were most affected with more beyond through the overall test period. Some diligent research revealed the who, the what and the where. The licenses and supporting documentation were discovered and disseminated as system operators affected communicated with each other. This is where we learned of the experimental licenses, their locations, their purpose and their operator - Caos Capital LLC. The interfering signals were documented by spectrum captures showing multiple behaviors. Often, a wide bandwidth signal would occupy the 223.000-224.900 area and beyond. Narrower carriers would rise above this and manifest the 1.5s/3.5s type of cycling we observed spaced across this same bandwidth. Affected also were simplex operators, not solely repeaters. LA DCS Simplex operations among them were subject to significant interference. The noise floor of affected receivers at repeater sites, mobiles, base stations and handhelds in the area was raised substantially thus reducing their effective sensitivity. Even without a carrier present on channel from the experimental system, this wideband noise drowned out all but the strongest of intended signals. A documentation and complaint submission effort ensued over the last month's time. Coordinating these efforts is Skip Blomer (KD6JA), retired from LA County SO Communications and active with LA DCS. Working with him is Deane Bouvier (N5DQ) among others. These gentlemen gave us first insight into the true nature of this problem. Working together, it appears efforts to resist th
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Blast from the Past! 1960's Ham Radio Documentary
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Amazing how much things are the same and what has changed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2_Rjdf16tY
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World Wide SSB Contest October 26 and 27
Last weekend I operated SSB and made 100 contacts, worked 41 countries. I hunted only DX.
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Jamborsee on the air JOTA this coming Saturday
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Michael - KC6MEH, asked if we could set up a JOTA station. So I'm planning on going to a POTA park, 19 October. Los Encinos State Historical Park US-3463 between 10am and 2pm. What3Words ///skin.bags.hatch I'm planning on bring an icon-7300 and a vertical with 20ah and 12ah battery May or not be any scouts showing up but we'll active the park, cw, ssb and ft8. Use your own calls to get a POTA park activation under your belt. See you at the park, Barry K6ZGW
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uField Day
There was a uField Day at Ventura County Fire Department's training ground at Camarillo Airport today Sunday 29 September. Our president, Randy WB6UNG and Barry K6ZGW drove out there. At least 40 hams were there and 7 radios. Socialized and made a few contacts on CW both Randy and Barry. I think it’s about time that our club started doing something like this and I know for me the week after our picnic I’m gonna go out to the local POTA park and make some context. Hopefully, I can find some Hams to join me
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A Guide to the Sun-Earth System
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THE SUN, THE EARTH, AND NEAR-EARTH SPACE - A Guide to the Sun-Earth System” by John A. Eddy. This book is available in PDF at: https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/pdf/john_eddy/SES_Book_Interactive.pdf A good read and the glossary of terms near the end is very useful. Published in 2009, it gives a lot of good basic information.
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RATPAC is kicking off a new series- "First Steps in Emergency Communications Prep"* starting Thursday, Mar 21,
RATPAC is kicking off a new series- "First Steps in Emergency Communications Prep"* starting Thursday, Mar 21, 9 PM Eastern / 6 PM Pacific- "Setting Up a Home VHF/UHF Station." www.ratpac.us/zoom *This new series will focus on Radio Fundamentals, On-Air Operations and Techniques for new or veteran Emergency Communicators. -- Anthony Luscre K8ZT Ohio Section Section Youth Coordinator & Education Outreach ARRL - The National Association For Amateur Radio? K8ZT Radio Website- www.k8zt.com Amateur Radio Resources for Students/Youth - www.k8zt.com/hry
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Big changes for POTA happening next week
For those that don't follow the POTA newsgroups, the program is trying to expand further internationally and has decided to adopt the ISO standard for country naming. Here is a list of the changes and when they are scheduled for: https://docs.pota.app/docs/changes/upcoming.html The USA will be renamed from "K" to "US" starting Wednesday, March 20th. China will also no longer be a part of POTA (and may have already been removed). According to various facebook posts from the program organizers, the POTA coordinator for China has asked for them to be removed and cited the ISO naming structure as the reason. 73, Barry K6ZGW
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FREE ON-LINE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATING CLASS
A free, weekly, 3-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class on Zoom will begin on Thursday April 4 and run through June 20 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. The presenters will be various experienced folks in the various subjects. A detailed syllabus will be published before the classes begin. Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes. To receive registration information, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@.... Subjects will include: All About Operating--A general Introduction Amateur Radio Organizations—Local to International Ham Radio Awards DXing-History and Tips from the Experts QSLing-How to get that needed card for DXCC or WAS VHF/UHF Weak Signal Work and “Roving” Image Operating—Slow Scan and Fast Scan TV Remote Station control over internet Learning CW in the no-code era Digital Modes—From RTTY to FT8 and beyond Contesting—How to get started, tips for the beginner and intermediated contester Logging Software—What’s available, how to use Propagation—A general intro to HF Propagation Amateur Satellites—How to get started Portable (backpacking) operation—Tips from an expert Setting Up a Modern (or not so modern) HF Station Lightning Protection and Grounding Traffic Handling Public Service, Emergency Communications Thanks, Rol, K3RA
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Memorial Tribute to Bob Neil this evening, March 4th at 7pm
Jam’n Java, Simi Valley, Robby Robinson is giving a memorial tribute to Bob Heil this evening. As you know, Bob was huge in the audio world and rock ‘n roll regarding pro-sound services and equipment. We were truly blessed to have received a personal concert performance by Bob at the end of his presentation Oct. 2021. https://www.facebook.com/jamnjava/
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Winter Field Day this Saturday Feb 27
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The club will be getting together at Knapp Ranch Park. Knapp Ranch Park Twisted Oak Dr West Hills, CA 91307 United States 34.18614° N, 118.66590° W Bring your radios, your antennas, But will operate with the club call W6SD
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CVARC uField Day this Sunday 17th
Novemeber’s ?FD was a success at the VCFD Training Center, so we’re going back. Temps will be in the 70s, wind will be mild, the sun will be shining…it’s almost unfair to have such nice weather four days before the winter solstice, isn’t it? Sunday the 17th, from 1100 to 1500 as usual. As always, the purpose of the event is to hang out with hams from all over the area, and play with radios! Could there be a better way to spend an afternoon? Plus, it’s a chance to make sure you keep your familiarity up with your portable gear over the winter. For SOTA enthusiasts, December 31st is “Zulu New Year” at 4 in the afternoon, so here’s a chance to give the gear a shakeout before heading out for that double-dose of points. If you still haven’t come to a Micro Field Day yet, we typically have 10-15 stations operating and 40-50 people just having a nice time. Last month, we had representatives of 5 different clubs on hand. As before, the easiest way to find the spot is to put 34.2089, -119.0707 into your favorite GPS navigator. Take the 101 to the Las Posas exit and head South to Pleasant Valley Road, and turn right/West. Then turn right on Airport Way (there’s a traffic light there.) Take that a few short blocks until it ends, and make another right on Durley. It will curve first to the left and then the right, and come to a gate. Turn right again, the two very short blocks to Post. Make a left and drive to the end.
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POTA K-0648 Activated today - Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Park
Richard WA6KYR and myself activated the park today using CW. 26 contacts running 50 watt using the IC-7300 and the MC-750 Vertical.
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How do we know....
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Hey Barry and Alex, Thanks for the intro to 开云体育. However, do we get some sort of notification when a new message is posted?? Many thanks, Richard N6NCW
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Pota Tomorrow, Saturday Nov 25
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Good morning CW Group. Tomorrow at Los Encinos State Historic Park, K-3463, will try to activate the park. KX2 running 10 watts and a MC-750 Vertical Antenna using CW. Will have the 7300 in the trunk as a backup. Plan on starting about 10:30
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