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Albuquerque Amateur Radio Club
February 2005 Newsletter
Internet Edition
In the News (3 articles)
FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell Announces his Resignation
Powell announced today that he'll step down, effective "sometime in March." Powell's resignation comes just one day after President George W. Bush's inauguration for a second term in the White House. Nominated by former President Bill Clinton, Powell--whose father is Secretary of State Colin Powell--joined the FCC in 1997. He became its chairman two days after President Bush was sworn in for his first term in 2001. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, called Powell's performance "a deep disappointment" after some initial optimism. While the League is not unhappy about Powell's departure--especially given his unabashed cheerleading on behalf of the FCC's broadband over power line (BPL) initiative--there's also concern about whom President Bush might call upon to replace him.
Tampere Convention Eases International Emergency Telecommunications
NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 20, 2005--When an international disaster strikes, humanitarian organizations now will be able to provide telecommunications more quickly and effectively to help victims. The Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations, which became effective January 8, largely eliminates roadblocks to moving telecommunications personnel and equipment into and within disaster-stricken areas--such as those affected by the December earthquake and tsunami. Delegates to the Intergovernmental Conference on Emergency Telecommunications (ICET-98) adopted the 17-article treaty in June of 1998 in Tampere, Finland, and ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ--in his role as International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Secretary--was among those attending ICET-98. ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, credits Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS, with being one "a prime mover" behind the Tampere Convention. "The Tampere Convention has broader purposes but is an important building block in IARU's efforts to improve recognition of the Amateur Service in providing emergency communications for disaster relief," Rinaldo says.
Industry Canada reports "overwhelming agreement" to drop Morse requirement
(Jan 20, 2005) -- Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) reports that an Industry Canada (IC) analysis has found "overwhelming agreement" that Canada should move away from retaining a Morse code requirement as "the sole means of gaining access" to the HF amateur bands. IC has posted a summary of comments from the amateur community to RAC's Recommendations from Radio Amateurs of Canada to Industry Canada concerning Morse Code and Related Matters. Said RAC, "Amateurs should note that while the responses heavily favored deletion of the Morse Qualification as a requirement for access to the HF bands, Industry Canada still has to make and announce a decision on Morse retention or deletion." IC said there were 123 comments in favor of relaxed code requirements and only 19 "clearly opposed." Another six comments were inconclusive. The regulatory agency also has attempted to gauge the level of support for each of RAC's 12 license restructuring recommendations and said it would formulate a plan to implement changes emerging from the consultation process. RAC notes that until IC announces a decision to delete Morse, Canadian amateurs not holding the Morse Qualification may not operate on the HF bands.
![[Mailbox]](mail.gif) Please send comments and questions concerning this web document to John (KC5AYN) at
kc5ayn@qsl.net .
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