eHam.net News for Saturday 17 November 2012
 

eHam.net News

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Fair Highlights Emergency Preparedness:

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 04:23 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/29351


In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a disaster-readiness fair that highlighted
solar oven cooking, water storage, 72-hour emergency kits and HAM radio
communication demonstrations seemed quite timely. However, planning for the
Emergency Preparedness Fair began many months ago. The event, hosted by the
Temecula Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, took
place on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the LDS church on North General Kearny Road.
Dozens of tables with information and demonstrations on topics pertinent to
emergency preparedness were set up in and around the church facility.
Additionally, two presentations on food storage and earthquake preparedness
were given by specialists in those areas. Gordon Neuls, of Aguanga, an avid
HAM radio enthusiast and trainer, manned a booth promoting HAM radio
certification. In the case of a natural disaster where normal lines of
communication are interrupted, HAM radios can be used to relay information,
as well as to send for help and assistance.


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EU Standardises Hamtagonistic Powerline Network Tech:

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 04:22 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/29350


The second vote on EN50561-1, the EU standard for running Ethernet over
mains circuits, has passed, putting the standard on the books, much to the
annoyance of the UK amateur radio operator community. EN50561-1 requires
that all Powerline Telecommunication (PLT) kit, which carries networking
signals over the mains electrical wires, must avoid the amateur radio
frequencies; switch off when not in use; and keep transmission power to a
minimum. All powerline networking kit sold in Europe will have to conform
to it within the next three years, though it clearly doesn't go far enough
for some. UK hams, in the body of the Radio Society of Great Britain, have
long opposed the standard, arguing that existing requirements that no
device generate undue radio interference should be applied to PLT devices,
which would make the vast majority of those in use today illegal. Appeals
to Ofcom and Trading Standards failed to get any traction, with Trading
Standards deferring to Ofcom while the radio regulator pointed out that it
has no power to govern devices that were not designed to emit radio
signals. PLT kit is supposed to only send signals over mains wires, but as
such wires are unshielded it inevitably leaks out. Ofcom did extend its
remit for the Olympics, giving itself permission to shut down any radio
transmission regardless of source, but that right ended with the closing
ceremony.