Fox Active in Nashua NH, September 4, 2021

Wayne Grant, KB1HYL, writes on the Granite State ARA list at 8:11 AM on September 4, 2021:

Just letting you know that the fox is out of its cage.  It’s in Nashua, Mine Falls Park, west of the Everett Turnpike.

When you find it, would you please sign the log book with your name, call sign, date and time.  Then, if you would, please replace the camouflage over it to make it not too obvious for the next person.

 I’ll be shutting it down around 7 PM today.  (If I can find it ;^)

73

Wayne – KB1HYL

 

ARRL Responds to Story of Radio Amateur Told to Remove His Antenna

From ARRL Web:

09/02/2021 – ARRL has responded to an Orlando, Florida, news story on August 23, 2021 by WFTV Channel 9 alleging a radio amateur was told to remove his antenna by the management of his subdivision following a complaint made by a neighbor.

“The news story appears to stem from a 2-year-old complaint from a neighbor who believed her insulin pump had malfunctioned due to the radio amateur’s operations ‘a few doors down,’” said ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI. “The story is lacking any details or timeline, so I contacted the radio amateur involved for information, and volunteered ARRL’s assistance.”

Hare explained that medical devices such as insulin pumps are regulated by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) purposes and are expected to be capable of operating in all the RF environments likely to be encountered by consumers. FDA published guidance for its staff and industry defines EMC with respect to electrically powered medical devices “as the ability of a device to function safely and effectively in its intended electromagnetic environment, including immunity to electromagnetic disturbance (interference).” FDA review of EMC information submitted with a device for approval “is based on the risk associated with EMC malfunction or degradation of the device under review, as well as the use of appropriate FDA-recognized standards or appropriate consensus standards.”

Hare noted there is an FDA recall for the model number of the insulin pump in question, in approximately the same time frame. “But with so few details, there is no way of knowing whether that recall applies to the serial number used or whether the exact unit has the mechanical defect indicated in the recall notice that could cause the malfunction,” explained Hare.

It also became apparent that there is no actual evidence connecting the amateur’s transmissions to operation of the insulin pump. Hare was told that the amateur agreed to run tests to establish whether there was a cause and effect, but the neighbor declined. 

Hare commented, “While there are no requirements for a radio amateur to stop transmitting due to alleged interference to a non-radio device, the preferred path with any complaint is for neighbors to work together.”

 

Tally-Ho! Fox is Hiding in Windsor, CT Vicinity, September 3, 2021

Rod Bungard, N1RUU, writes on the ctfoxhunter list on September 3, 2021 at at 4:42 PM:

Greetings Fox hunters, Happy Labor day weekend!
 
Fox #5 PL 123.0
 
Is out hiding, the fox is running 1.5 watts into a 18 inch antenna. Your first try may be from home. You do this by going on the 2-meter simplex frequency of 146.550 MHz (PL 123.0), key your transmitter, ID and then send a DTMF “1”. If the FoxBox can hear you and you can hear it, you will hear its very distinctive sound. It will transmit for 30 seconds, ID and then go back to sleep. You can make it transmit as often as necessary to find it.

Once someone has been able to bring it up and hear it, please report that information to the other fox hunters. Feel free to reply to the group. Do not reveal its location, just a location (and direction if possible) from which you are able to hear it. This then becomes a starting point for the other fox hunters to use.

You do not actually have to touch the box to claim finding it. If you hunt the Fox please log to this group even if you don’t find it.

Hint: Located in the Town of East Windsor.

2021 Surftown Half Marathon, Westerly, RI, September 12, 2021

Surftown Half Marathon mapFrom the RASON mailing list:

Almost two dozen amateurs will participate in providing communications for the Surftown Half Marathon, east of the Misquamicut State Beach in the vicinity of the new Wuskenau Westerly Town Beach, 311 Atlantic Ave., and Sam’s Snack Bar. 

“Look for the Westerly Police Mobile Command vehicle.  Please make sure your radios are programmed and remember to get in early because of the road closures.  See the attached maps and notices for details,” writes Jim Creamer, KB1MAO, Washington County DEC and RI Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator.

FEMA Announces HF Interoperability Activity on 60-Meter Channels 1 and 2

ARRL logoFrom ARRL News:

08/30/2021 – Channels 1 and 2 on 60 meters will be available starting on August 30 for interoperability between US government and US amateur radio stations involved in Hurricane Ida emergency communications. This situation will remain in place until the storm has passed and the need for these channels no longer exists, or on September 6, whichever comes first.

These frequencies will be used: Channel 1 Primary voice traffic 5332 kHz channel center, 5330.5 kHz USB voice; and Channel 2 Digital traffic 5348 kHz channel center, 5346.5 kHz USB with 1.5 kHz offset to center of digital waveform. Stations on 60 meters are asked to yield to operational traffic related to Hurricane Ida.

QRP Club of New England Schedule of Activities at HamXposition

NEQRP logoThe QRP Club of New England (NEQRP) has published a schedule of activities for its members at the Northeast HamXposition, September 10-12, 2021. 

Activities include: Early Birds Meet ‘N Greet, QRP Vendors Night, Night Owls Gathering, QRP Symposium of Talks and more. 

For the full schedule, see <https://nediv.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NEQRPatNortheastHamXposition2021.pdf>.

HamXposition Announces COVID Policy for 2021 Convention

HamXposition logoThe Northeast HamXposition Convention Committee has announced its policy to address appropriate COVID precautions for the ARRL New England Division Convention to be held on September 10-12, 2021 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. 

Masks will be required to be worn in all indoor areas, but may be removed for the purpose of eating. Masks will not be required in outdoor areas. The Committee will provide free masks to attendees. In addition, seating capacity will be limited in most rooms.

To view the complete policy, visit <https://hamxposition.org/covid>.