eHam.net News for Wednesday 1 March 2017
 

eHam.net News

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Radio Far From Over for Scouts in Digital Age:

Posted: 28 Feb 2017 04:01 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/38728


It may be the age of the internet but a group of Castlemaine Scouts has
turned to amateur radio to socialise and learn skills that could send their
voices around the world. Eight venturer Scouts are preparing to apply for
their amateur radio foundation licence in the next month. The Scouts were
learning the new skills in a bus retrofitted with radios and other
necessary equipment. Trainer Tony Falla said amateur radio was an important
and vital tool for communication, especially during emergencies. He said
when other modes of communication failed people could still rely on radio
because it was portable and could be operated independently of existing
networks. "(The CFA) are using radios, they are not using phones," he
said. "We need radio amateurs to be trained, we need people who know about
the protocols." Venturer Scout Timothy* valued the lessons in the
bus. "It's good to know different skills. You can save people's lives with
it. Think of people who use it for mayday calls," he said. Timothy said the
main appeal was the chance to talk to people from all over the world.


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Growing Problem: Pot Lights Give Ham Radio Operators a Buzz:

Posted: 28 Feb 2017 04:00 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/38727


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Retired Coast Guard officer Roger Johnson sometimes
notices a harsh buzz when he turns on his amateur radio, and he blames
high-powered lighting used to grow pot. Amateur radio operators say the
legalization of marijuana is creating a chronic nuisance thanks to
interference caused by electrical ballasts that regulate indoor lamps used
to grow pot. The American Radio Relay League wants the Federal
Communications Commission to take a stand against devices that give off
much more interference than federal law allows in homes. Ham radio
operators generally say they don't have a problem with pot but worry
amateur growers may not be aware that cheap ballasts can have phony
FCC-compliance stickers. The operators point out they serve as backup
communication during emergencies -- but concede it's unlikely any lighting
devices would still be on if the power goes out. Johnson, one of the radio
league's 166,000 members, said he worries interference will only become a
bigger inconvenience in years to come in Maine, which recently legalized
growing up to six flowering marijuana plants, 12 immature plants and
unlimited seedlings. When he recently heard suspicious noisy static,
Johnson said, he drove up and down side streets with a spectrum analyzer
hooked up to his laptop to determine the source, which turned out to be a
licensed grower a mile away who said he had no idea he was causing a
disturbance.


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Ham Talk Live #54 -- Hamvention Update:

Posted: 28 Feb 2017 11:11 AM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/38726


Thursday at 9 pm Eastern on Ham Talk Live!,
Michael Kalter, W8CI, the official
spokesperson for the Dayton Hamvention will
be on the show to give us the latest news on
the plans for Hamvention at it's new home!
Tune in for the interview, followed by your
questions! Just go to hamtalklive.com, and
when the show is live hit the play button.