TWIAR News Feed

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RSGB Says Regulator Ofcom is Not Resolving Interference Complaints

Posted: 01 Mar 2017 05:34 PM PST
http://ift.tt/2lXxGyK

Radio Society of GreatBritain (RSGB) has taken issue with assertions by
telecoms regulator Ofcom that the agency “advises and assists spectrum
users to help resolve harmful interference.� RSGB said that, while Ofcom
does advise complainants from the amateur community and elsewhere, it is
“usually only to the extent of advising that they can do nothing and have
no further interest in the case.� The regulator rarely uses its statutory
powers to assist, RSGB said, responding to Ofcom’s proposed 2017-2018
Annual Plan.

The situation in the UK somewhat mirrors that in the US, where the FCC has
dialed back the number of personnel available in the field to handle
complaints. RSGB noted that when Ofcom took over responsibility for UK
spectrum management in 2003, there were 100 field staffers dealing with
interference and enforcement work, supported by other enforcement and
engineering personnel.

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FEMA Needs an Experienced New Administrator, Former FEMA Head Says

Posted: 01 Mar 2017 05:24 PM PST
http://ift.tt/2lcWplI

Now-former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig
Fugate, KK4INZ, told a US House subcommittee this week that the agency
needs to have a new and experienced administrator soon, or it could lose
its forward momentum. That sentiment was echoed by House members during a
February 28 hearing on FEMA’s future held by the House Homeland Security
Committee’s Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications
Subcommittee.

“It’s not a good job to do on-the-job-training,� Fugate told lawmakers.
“It’s too brutal, and the citizens deserve better.� He said that whoever
ends up heading the agency should understand that FEMA’s role in disaster
response “is not about putting FEMA in charge.�

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RST-Suffix Special Event is Back

Posted: 01 Mar 2017 05:24 PM PST
http://ift.tt/2ldgY1q

Members of the North Country DX Association (NCDXA) are on the air for the
entire month of March from locations in Alaska, Yukon Territory, Northwest
Territories, Nunavut, and Greenland using RST-suffix fixed-station call
signs. Expected to be active are KL7RST, VY1RST, VE8RST, VY0RST, and
OX7RST. The goal is to promote Amateur Radio in northern North America.

The 2017 event, the second annual RST operation, features the addition of
OX7RST, as well as more rovers and fixed stations, new QSL cards, and
certificates. Plans call for operation from a Canadian research station
near the North Pole on Ellesmere Island, a diamond mine in Northwest
Territories, an Alaskan bush school, and many other locations. Activity
will be on all modes, 160 through 6 meters, including 30, 17, and 12
meters. SWLs may participate too.