Forum Start: what's your call and QTH

Well to get this started how about just a general where we are conversation thread.

We can move on to books of interest from there.

I'm N0NST from Des Moines, IA

As the only other current member of the group, I'd better respond :)

N1KAL, currently in Grundy, VA

I'd be interested in hearing ideas as to how amateur radio will continue in "the new millennium," especially as many telecommunications companies look longingly at our bandwidth allocations.

Thor, N9IK, about 35 miles NW of downtown Chicago.

I am currently inactive, having sold most of my equipment this last summer, and having a broken antenna on my roof. I am a second-generation ham, and have two sons that are licensed.

legallypuzzled, it's my opinion that what happens in the future is entirely up to us licensed hams; how much we actually use the bandwidth we have, and how actively we're willing to defend it. I am, personally, willing to fight for what I consider to be a non-renewable resource, and a basic component of emergency and disaster teams world-wide. Well, that's my cent-and-a-half worth.

Steve, N5SDZ, in Niles, Michigan.

We will go pretty much where we take it. Limited, of course, by the FCC and Courts. I believe the FCC wants to take away some of our bandwidth particulary where it involves BPL. Recently, the ARRL has filed a lawsuit against the FCC regarding its disregard for the protected bandwidth we already have as shown by rulings regarding BPL. It will be interesting to see where this goes. My $0.02.

All very good points. Welcome to the group all. I think the main issue in the BPL suit is that the FCC is not being strict enough on interference standards for BPL operators and is strictly limiting the recourse of those who's communications are disrupted by leaky BPL.

the FCC hasn't really tried to give bandwidth to BPL as in theory BPL shouldn't be transmitting any signal at all. The main issue is the technology is not really ready for "prime-time" yet and the rulings need to be considered for unintended consequences

The key I think is like tfarrow said the key is for the amateur community to better use what we have and defend it strongly.

Interesting news today (yesterday): FCC drops Morse code requirement for ALL license classes. It's technically not in effect yet, but will likely be implemented within the next two months.
FCC Order

Yeah, as a no-code tech I think this ruling will be good for the hobby. only problem is now I have to get the code done before the ruling goes into effect. (I promised myself to finally get the code and upgrade before FCC ever got around to this)

Hi. I'm KE5FJY from Oklahoma. :)

Hi. I'm KC0SQX and my husband is N6KVA. We're from Omaha, NE.

Hello all and Thank You to LaithP for the invitation to join this group. Regrettably, I had not checked what has been going on with LibraryThing for several months, so my post here is way past due!

I am KC2JAV in Goshen, Ohio - about 30 miles NE of Cincinnati. Got transplanted here from NY about 3 years ago due to my job relocation.

After reading previous posts, the main issues were BPL and the imminent removal of Morse code proficiency requirements for FCC licensing.

How many out there operate CW? Regularly? Ocassionally?

I operate CW almost exclusively on Field Day, but haven't done much operatng since then ... life gets in the way too much.

WA4CZD in Cheatham Co TN :)

K3DRQ, Milford, PA

KZ7B: Bainbridge Island, Washington State

KD5WIH from Richardson, TX

Bainbridge Island must be a great QTH!

73 from your neighbour to the north

Eric
VE7EES/VA7SQ