ARRL Urges Protecting the Amateur Radio 902-928 MHz Band

by

From ARRL News:

08/15/2024—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) accepted for public comment a Petition for Rulemaking filed by NextNav Inc., a licensee in the 900-MHz Location and Monitoring Service (LMS), to completely reconfigure the 902-928 MHz band and replace the LMS with high-powered 5G cellular and related location services.

The FCC Notice requested comment on the effects that NextNav’s proposals would have on amateur radio operations in the band. ARRL® The National Association for Amateur Radio® is preparing comments urging protection of existing and future amateur uses in this band and urges all amateurs to file their own comments describing their activities in this band and the expected effect of the proposed changes. Click here for a guide to filing comments.

NextNav currently holds licenses in the 900-MHz band that authorize it to provide services limited to determining the location and status of mobile radio units. NextNav ties its request to provide high-power broadband, cellular and location services to the vulnerabilities of the current satellite-based GPS system and argues that implementation of its proposal would complement GPS by providing an alternative nationwide terrestrial location system in addition to cellular and broadband services. Under its proposal, NextNav would be designated the sole nationwide licensee for this spectrum in exchange for its more limited licenses.

The new nationwide license would authorize NextNav to provide much higher-powered traditional broadband and 5G cellular services as well as the related location service occupying 15 of the total 26 megahertz available in the band. The reconfiguration proposed by NextNav would create a 5-megahertz-wide uplink subband at 902-907 MHz paired with a 10-megahertz downlink subband at 918-928 MHz.  The 5-megahertz uplink subband would be limited to use by mobiles with a maximum of 3 watts ERP.  On the 10-megahertz downlink subband, up to 2000 watts ERP would be permitted in rural areas and 1000 watts ERP in urban and suburban areas, radiating from tower structures that could reach 1000 or more feet above average terrain. These configurations reflect the FCC’s rules for standard cellular configurations that have been adopted to govern a number of other bands used for similar 5G and like services.

Although uses by the Amateur Radio Service in this band are secondary to LMS, NextNav is proposing substantial technical and use changes that would completely alter the foundation upon which the current rules and spectrum sharing arrangements rely and undercut shared use of the band by amateurs as well as a variety of other users. In addition, NextNav proposes deletion of a specific interference provision in the Commission’s rules that was adopted to encourage and protect continued sharing with amateurs and other secondary users.

NextNav, in its petition, argues without evidence that the changes that it proposes to the 902-928 MHz band “will not impede amateur operations.”  In an 8-page description of NextNav’s proposal released by the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the FCC staff asks a series of questions that would clarify the proposal and help the Commission ascertain the likely effect of the proposed changes on existing users if the requested changes were adopted.  Comment was specifically requested on the extent of amateur operations in the band, the potential impact of the proposed changes, any other spectrum options that may exist, and the costs for relocations if other options exist.

ARRL is preparing comments urging protection of existing and future amateur uses in this band.  ARRL urges all amateurs to study the proposal and file their own comments describing their activities in this band and the expected effect of the proposed changes. The filing deadline is September 5, 2024.  Replies to comments are due by September 20, 2024.  Click here for a guide to filing comments.

Barnstable Club (BARC) Tests ARDEN Mesh Network

by

On August 12, BARC members Lem, W1LEM, Bruce, WA3SWJ and Rob, K1UI climbed the fire tower at the Cape Cod, MA W1MA repeater site and deployed several mesh network antennas and transceivers.  The recently constructed BARC tower trailer was also towed to Al, WW1RF’s QTH and another transceiver attached at the top of the trailer tower, raised to nearly its full height.  Another transceiver had previously been deployed at the QTH of Barry, KB1TLR in Brewster, more than 5 miles from the fire tower.  Bandwidths in excess of more than 100 MB/sec were achieved using a high gain antenna on the fire tower and an omnidirectional antenna in Brewster.

The goal of the exercise was to evaluate the signal strength and bandwidth achievable from the fire tower to various sites on Cape Cod.  The exercise was part of an effort to design a Cape-wide ARDEN network to back up connectivity for digital repeaters and also to create an ARES network of fixed and mobile sites for emergency deployment.

Additional downlinks will also create opportunities for repeater control, remote site monitoring and on-site video during emergencies.

Categories All

ARRL VEC Accreditation Renewals

by

ARRL VEC logoA number of individuals have expressed concerned over the recent IT issues that have prevented them from obtaining renewed ARRL VEC credentials.  ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, addresses those concerns:

 

Thank you for emailing the ARRL VEC.

ARRL previously reported that we are responding to a serious incident that occurred on May 12, 2024, involving access to our network and headquarters-based systems. Several services have been affected, including those administered by the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC).

A comprehensive update on the status of ARRL VEC services is available here.

Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information.

We’ve recently had our email access restored and are working our way through more than a thousand emails. 

We thank you in advance for your patience, as we work our way through this unprecedented event.

We will renew your VE status and ship renewal stickers as soon as we have access to our program systems.

Meanwhile, please know that your ARRL VE accreditation is valid, and you are qualified to participate in ARRL VEC exam sessions.

We appreciate your willingness to serve the community.

Sincerely,

Maria Somma, AB1FM
ARRL VEC Manager
ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA
Phone: 1-888-277-5289 
FAX: 1-860-594-0339
Email:  msomma@arrl.org 
ARRL Web:  www.arrl.org

 

Want to Help Out at the Biggest Ham Event in the Northeast?

by

Barbara Irby, KC1KGSThe Northeast HamXposition boasts a cadre of dedicated volunteers who make this convention possible. But we can still use more volunteers.  Your smiling faces and eagerness to help makes a difference to the attendees. From selling tickets, assisting presenters, supervising the flea market, setting up the rooms, handling parking signage, supervising the flea market, and taking it all down and packing it up for next year— you make it happen!

If you’d like to help us at the 2024 Northeast HamXposition, please register at https://registration.hamxposition.org/volunteer/ or contact our Volunteer Chair Barbara Irby, KC1KGS, at kc1kgs@hamxposition.org. 

[See also: https://hamxposition.org/2024/07/23/meet-hamxposition-volunteer-chairperson-barbara-irby-kc1kgs/]

Barnstable Club Activates Chatham Light for Lighthouse Weekend

by

The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) activated Chatham Light (US-158) this past weekend for the second time in as many years.  Operating with two stations on the grounds of Coast Guard Station Chatham, operators made over 250 contacts , mostly on 20 meters, though conditions were generally poor.  With an historic Coast Guard rescue boat and the lighthouse in the background, club members talked to many of the tourists that frequent the location.  Among these were Alessandro, I2SVA, and his wife, visiting and on their way to a moonbounce operator’s meeting in New Jersey and the daughter of a ham in Maryland who wanted to work the station and did a few minutes later!  

Operators for the event were Mark, WA1EXA, John, KA1CTL, Barry, KB1TLR, Lem, W1LEM, Mark, K4LFL, Don, KT1OK and Rob , K1UI.

The event marked only the second time the club used its tower trailer, constructed by Russ, K1RTA and Chris, KB1ZAM though the high winds prevented raising the tower to its full 45 foot height.  Together with the WRTC triband yagi and an R-7, two Icom 7300 stations kept the ops busy much of the time.

The BARC Community Events Committee sponsors this and many other club field events throughout the year in addition to Field Day and also supports joint events with the Falmouth Amateur Radio Club such as the Mass Maritime Advanced Leadership presentation and two Falmouth road races.

Categories All

“Ham Radio’s Technical Culture” by MIT Press

by

Ham Radio's Technical Culture book front coverJim Idelson, K1IR, writes on the YCCC mailing list:

 
This is an article by author Kristen Haring to give her 2008 book, Ham Radio’s Technical Culture, a fresh marketing boost.
 
She focuses on the culture of ham radio from 1930 to the mid-70s – perhaps a period we could call the Golden Age of amateur radio. She has some interesting observations and commentary on ham radio in the context of society-at-large. There is precious little material about ham radio targeted towards general audiences, so the existence of this book is a good thing. That’s the good news.
 
Haring is not a ham. She builds her perspective primarily from what she’s been able to gather from a wide range of archived written materials, including large and small publications (magazines and newsletters). She does not include direct interviews with actual hams who ‘lived it’.
 
The excerpt has a lot of correct observations, but gets some things clearly wrong. Given the author’s lack of direct exposure to the topic, the book would have benefited greatly from conversations and editorial review with real hams.
 
Probably more important are the facts that a) the focus is on that quaint period 50 to 75 years ago and, b) the perspective is from 2008.
 
A lot has been learned since 2008, which probably makes the analysis less informed than it would be if written today. And, the focus on a period ending in the 1970s may create and reinforce some of the unhelpful stereotypes that hold us back in the 21st century.
 
At $19.95, I might still buy a copy!
 
—
73 Jim K1IR
Categories All

Upcoming Western MA Public Service Events

by

Alan Dove, AB1XW, writes in the Hampden County Radio Association making list:

Our friends in the Franklin County Amateur Radio Club (FCARC) are providing communication for several upcoming events. As I’ve mentioned, these types of events are ideal training for emergency communication.

If you have at least a Technician license and a 2-meter FM rig, you probably have everything you need to participate. Here are the dates and contacts:

1. Volunteers for the Greenfield Triathlon (Aug 4) (KB1AKU) (groy773@gmail.com)  only about 10 days away.

2. Volunteers for the D2R2 (Aug 17) (N1AW),  (aswoodhull@gmail.com)

3. Volunteers for the Green River Marathon (Aug 25) (KB1NEK), (camyers@protonmail.com)

4. Volunteers for the annual Food Bank’s Will Bike 4 Food event on Sept 22 (KB1AKU) (groy773@gmail.com)

Comments from Chuck, KC1CHA: “All are welcome to volunteer. Its a great time to see everyone and get some time on the air. Please give some time and help out, we have always made these events a success in the past. Thank you and hope to see you there.”

—
 –Alan
—
Alan Dove, AB1XW
President
Hampden County Radio Association
hcra.org

Categories All

Barnstable and Falmouth Clubs Team Up at Advanced Studies and Leadership Program

by

The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) and Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) teamed up the evening of July 15 to introduce amateur radio to several hundred students at the Advanced Studies and Leadership Program held at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne on Cape Cod.  Antennas were set up outside of the conference center to enable live demonstrations of on-the-air operation.  Contacts were made by the students as far away as Europe and local repeater operation was also demonstrated.  The club repesentatives were: Norm, WA1NLG, Lem, W1LEM, Chris, WA1CMR, Ralph N1YHS and Rob, K1UI. 

The equipment setup included HF and VHF transceivers, a multiband HF vertical and a 2M vertical as well as HF and VHF transceivers, an AMSAT Cubesat demonstrator and an ARES “Go-Kit.”

Lem, W1LEM, Chris, WA1CMR, Bruce, WA3SWJ and Rob, K1UI Setting up for the presentation.

Bruce, WA3SWJ, demonstrated cubesat construction and operation using an AMSAT simulator.  Norm, WA1NLG, outlined the many technical branches of amateur radio including its integration with personal computer operation.  Chis explained the role of ARES in amateur radio and its importance to the community.  All the speakers emphasized the benefit of amateur radio in preparing for a scientific and engineering career.

The process of getting a license was addressed and the availability of local courses at both clubs was highlighted.

After the presentation,  a question and answer session was followed by an opportunity for the students to operate the HF and VHF equipment themselves.

Bruce, WA3SWJ, demonstrating Cubesat operation

Chris, WA1CMR, and Ralph, N1YHS, answering questions about ARES and repeaters

Lem, W1LEM and Rob, K1UI demonstrating 20 meter SSB DX’ing.

Categories All