EXCLUSIVE Interview with David Sumner, K1ZZ

We have had the opportunity to interview ARRL CEO, Executive Vice President and Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ for this month's issue of our club newsletter, the eQRM. Make sure to read the 4-page interview in the May issue of our PDF newsletter. Participate in the discussion and go to the QRZ forum thread In our EXCLUSIVE interview with David Sumner, K1ZZ, we talk with him about the future of amateur radio, his opinion on the current licensing structure, the 1979 WARC, and more. Here ...

April: WPA Section News DE John Rodgers, N3MSE

From the ARRL Several months ago I posted information regarding a bill that was introduced into the House of Representatives here in Pennsylvania. The bill was designated HB-2070. This bill was designed to prohibit hand held cell phones from being used while a vehicle was in motion. Unfortunately the wording of the bill is such that amateur radio devices particularly handhelds could also be prohibited with the passage of this bill. While we have worked for the past several months to get this ...

Support House Bill HR 4809 – Technical Resource Enhancement Act

We have an opportunity to lend our support to passage of legislation that will help the FCC acquire the expertise needed to understand, regulate, and support communications in a rapidly changing technical environment. On March 10, H.R. 4809 was introduced to the House of Representatives. The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The "FCC Commissioners' Technical Resource Enhancement Act" would authorize each FCC commissioner to appoint an electrical engineer o...

Monthly Western PA Section News – John Rodgers, N3MSE

The snow is finally melting here in Western Pennsylvania and with the warmer weather the weather service is now predicting some rain for the next few days. This may serve as a need for amateurs to help provide communications in the event of flooding in some of the low lying areas. This might serve as a good time to check your grab and go kit to be sure they are properly stocked and also to charge the batteries on your handhelds. While I am sure we all are hoping that flooding will not take place...

Photos from TechFest 2010!

Here are a few photos, mostly of setting up, of TechFest 2010, held at the Baden American Legion in Baden, PA on February 14, 2010. If you cannot see the slideshow below, please install Adobe Flash Player. Enjoy!!

Western PA Section News – John Rodgers, N3MSE

Like many of you I am already tired of the snow we have been receiving. I want to thank the many hams that have helped with Skywarn and other weather related nets during the past week. Here at my qth in Butler, I have measured 22 inches of snow on the deck behind my home. Hamfests for the next month or so are as follows. The first is a new event a tech fest to be sponsored by the BVARA club and the boy scout explorer post 73. The event takes place on February 14 and additional information i...

Teen invents underground texting device

By Brad Horn, from NPR Caves are some of the last places on the planet left to explore. Though caving is relatively safe, if something goes wrong deep inside the Earth, a rescue can take days — in part because cell phones and walkie-talkies don't work underground. But a remarkable teenager in New Mexico has invented a device that may significantly speed that process with the ability to text from underground caves. The young man's invention may have other applications, as well. Underground...

Troop 405 Scout helps get homeless off streets

By Linda Wilson Fuoco, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Boy Scout Troop 405 Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette Boy Scout Michael Deschaine delivers a sofa to a sixth-floor apartment in McKeesport's Isbir Manor. Michael was joined by family and Scouts from Troop 405 in Baden to deliver furniture to clients of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System's Operation Safety Net, which helps to improve the lives of the homeless. When Michael Deschaine of Baden embarked on his Eagle Scout project, he pick...

Ham Radio operators are the eyes of the National Weather Service

By Bob Cox, from Star-Telegram Even in the age of high-powered Doppler radar, instant communications and the Internet, the National Weather Service and local safety officials still rely heavily on old methods for accurate observations and emergency communications. Volunteer amateur — or ham — radio operators still play a primary role in providing on-site information about tornadoes and storm conditions to weather forecasters and letting emergency responders know what’s going on. "There’...

Just don’t call them amateurs

By Joe Fries, from Kelowna Amateur radio operators are amateur in name only, and you may have them to thank if you’re ever the unfortunate subject of a search-and-rescue mission. Photo Joe Fries You may recall the Christmastime drama surrounding a Kelowna man who went missing in the Chute Lake Road area. The initial manhunt was conducted by police and search-and-rescue teams, which were assisted by amateur radio operators, who know what buttons to push when other forms of communicatio...