Tag Archives: National

Annual Armed Forces Day Cross-Band Test Set for May 7 – 8

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NATIONAL — The US Department of Defense will host this year’s Armed Forces Day (AFD) Cross-Band Test, Friday and Saturday, May 7-8, in recognition
of Armed Forces Day on May 15. The event is open to all radio amateurs. For more than 50 years, military and amateur stations have taken part in this exercise, designed to include amateur radio and government radio operators alike.

The AFD Cross-Band Test is a unique opportunity to test two-way communications between military and amateur radio stations, as authorized under FCC Part 97 rules. These tests provide opportunities and challenges for radio operators to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly controlled exercise in which military stations will transmit on selected military frequencies and will announce the specific amateur radio frequencies being monitored.

The schedule of military/government stations taking part in the Armed Forces Day Cross-Band Test and information on the AFD message is available on the MARS website at, http://www.dodmars.org/home/armed-forces-day-2021.

KA6LMS – Special Radio Event

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The Last Man Standing Amateur Radio Club is joining with a team of seasoned special-event operators across several states to present a multi-band, multi-mode special event celebrating the prime-time network TV show for its positive and accurate portrayal of amateur radio. During its nine seasons, the Last Man Standing ARC also operated as KA6LMS from real radios on the set during production breaks, making thousands of contacts with the show’s amateur radio fans.

The special-event team includes the Long Island, N.Y. – based Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club, the 12 Days of Christmas and the K2Heroes teams, and a number of guest operators and podcasters.

KA6LMS and a number of affiliated stations will livestream their operations. At times, the Amateur Logic team will pick up video feeds from active stations to provide commentary and context.

The event will start at 00:00 UTC on March 24, 2021 and end at 23:59 UTC on March 30, 2021, the last day of shooting for the show, which is concluding its long, successful run.

The event will feature guest operators with special 1-by-1 call signs in most call sign areas. The 1×1 calls will act as Bonus Stations qualifying contacts to be able to download a “Clean Sweep” certificate. The KA6LMS call will also be used with a /(Call Area) attached to give access around the country.

The intent is to operate on as many bands and modes as possible. Satellite and repeater operation is also encouraged. We want to thank the PAPA Repeater system and Georgia DSTAR. We’ll be running on REF012A DSTAR and a DMR TalkGroup via PAPA and REF030B via Georgia DSTAR.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, operations from the set will be limited to crewmembers at times the stage is otherwise empty. Operations will always be spotted online.

Eric Clapton and Van Morrison release anti-lockdown songs

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This month, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison released an anti-lockdown song called Stand and Deliver. Eric Clapton performed the blues-style song written by Van Morrison. The songs are released under the label of “The state51 Conspiracy.”

Previously Van Morrison released songs entitled “No More Lockdown,” “Born to Be Free,” “As I Walked Out.” The song rebellion was started by Van Morrison to support his Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund to help musicians hurt by shutting down concerts.

Pop Sensations Jason Derulo & Rachel Platten to Headline the MI Charitable Foundation’s Annual Summer Concert

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GRATZ, Pa. – Featuring chart-topping singer-songwriters Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten, the MI Charitable Foundation’s sixth annual summer concert will be streamed online Saturday, August 15, from 8-10 pm EST.

This is a free event with opportunities for viewers to donate if they choose. All funds raised will benefit the MI Foundation’s local, regional, and national beneficiaries. Additionally, MI Windows and Doors will be matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to the first $100,000.

“We are elated to have Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten performing this year,” MI Windows CEO Matt DeSoto said. “They’re both fantastic singers and great performers.”

A Florida native, Derulo has 11 platinum singles to his credit, including “Whatcha Say,” a 2009 hit that reached No. 1 in the U.S. During his decade-long career, he has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and many other pop music superstars.

Platten, whose 2015 hit, “Fight Song,” reached No. 6 on the American charts, won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2016 for her live performance on “Good Morning America.” She has also appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The X Factor,” and “American Idol.”

“Smooth Like Clyde,” a popular group out of Harrisburg, Pa., that has been called the top cover band in Central Pennsylvania by multiple outlets, is also going to perform. Additionally, the concert will feature inspirational videos from some of the MI Foundation’s beneficiaries, including Homes for Our Troops, Four Diamonds, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“When we first started planning the 2020 summer concert, we had no idea that we wouldn’t be meeting in person,” DeSoto says. “But I think we’ve put together a fantastic program – one that will give our team members, customers, suppliers, and friends from around the country a chance to learn about the many wonderful causes the MI Foundation supports. And we think it will be a lot of fun, too.”

Diverting $500 in unspent Ebola funding? Shameful.

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By Glen Davis

A researcher holds a container with female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at the Biomedical Sciences Institute in the Sao Paulo’s University, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. The Aedes aegypti is a vector for transmitting the Zika virus. The Brazilian government announced it will direct funds to a biomedical research center to help develop a vaccine against the Zika virus linked to brain damage in babies. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

An article on the Foreign Policy web site complained in May 2018, Entitled Ebola is Back. And Trump is trying to kill funding for it.:

As U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, the White House discreetly released an official proposal to cut funding for children’s health programs, Medicare, and Ebola responses. The two policies may seem unrelated, but they share the same basic design — assuming vast national security risks simply for the sake of dismantling former President Barack Obama’s legacy.

The web site Common Dreams reported in February:

Democratic members of Congress on Monday slammed President Donald Trump’s failed management of the nation’s public health system as he attempts to shift congressionally appropriated funds away from other public health emergencies to fund the administration’s effort to combat the growing threat of the coronavirus.

This because President Trump proposes a $2.5 Billion budget to fight the Chinese Communist Party virus funded in part with $530-million in unused Ebola virus response money.

Remember when Obama diverted $510-million in Ebola funding to deal with the Zika virus in April of 2016? Neither do the Democrats.

What is this Amateur Radio?

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Glen Davis, KG7YDJ

An amateur radio operator, Yvette Cendes, KB3HTS. Wikipedia photo

You might have heard of Amateur—or “Ham”—radio, but do not really know what it is about. You may be familiar with Citizens Band, or CB, radio and have seen it in movies. Perhaps you purchased those bubble packs of walkie-talkies off of the shelves at Walmart. These are nothing compared to amateur radio. This article will attempt to explain the differences between these radio services and how you can obtain a license.

We should explain where you can find the rules about the radio services, first. The radio services and radios mentioned above are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. The regulations are found in the Code of Federal Regulations. You can simply search for 47 C.F.R. and you will find all of the FCC regulations. Part 97 of those regulations cover Amateur Radio and Part 95 of those regulations cover CB and other radio services. “In the business,” we simply refer to Part 95 or Part 97.

We will start with a brief explanation of Part 95. The regulations for Citizens Band, General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and Family Radio Service (FRS) are covered in Part 95. There is another little used radio called Multi-Service Radio Service (MURS). CB, FRS and MURS are “licensed by rule.” That means that you can use these services without getting a “hard copy” license from the FCC. If you break the rules in Part 95, however, the FCC can track you down and fine you and order you to stop using them.

You are required to get a license from the FCC to use the GMRS frequencies. Even if you have those walkie-talkies you purchased from Walmart a few years ago. On some of those radio they combined FRS and GMRS channels. To use the GMRS channels, you are required to get a license. The reason is that GMRS uses more power than the other services and can use some features found in amateur radio. A ten-year license costs $75. Only the head of the household needs to obtain the license and all family members can use the same call sign assigned by the FCC.

The difference between the aforementioned radio services and amateur radio is power. Amateur radio uses more power and a broader spectrum of frequencies. You are not allowed to modify Part 95 radios discussed above. In amateur radio, however, you can modify radios for special uses and even build your own radio.

Amateur radios can be used to control radio controlled planes, robots, cars, boats or whatever. Although you cannot use the full power of amateur radio for this purpose, you can use more power than the controllers that come with normal models you put together giving you longer range.

Amateur radio can be used with the Internet to allow you to connect to different locations around the world. With the appropriate license, you can use amateur radio frequencies and power to contact people direct. You can also use radio frequencies and equipment to send and receive digital messages and send emails. You can use a simple handy talkie (HT)—what amateurs call walkie-talkies—to talk through satellites.

Amateur radio operators set up a trailer in Flagstaff to continue emergency communications as the Museum Fire threatened communication facilities on Mt. Elden.

There is more to amateur radio, but on a more practical level all of these radio services can be used in an emergency. In fact, anyone can use any radio service to call for help to prevent “…the immediate loss of life or property.” Amateur radio is used at the Emergency Operation Center in Flagstaff. At the beginning of the Tinder Fire in 2018, cell phones were useless. An amateur radio operator sent evacuation notices from the scene to the Emergency Operation Center in Flagstaff.

There are three-levels of amateur radio licenses. From lowest to highest they are Technician, General and Amateur Extra. You are NOT required to learn Morse code for any of the licenses. Most people are happy with a Technician license because you can do a lot even though you are limited in frequency privileges. The General license gives you access to most of the frequencies available in the amateur radio portion of the spectrum. The Amateur Extra is much harder to obtain and gives you just a few more frequency privileges over the General.

We should point out that you are not allowed to use any of the radio services if you have a felony conviction on your record. If you get your rights restored, however (which is not difficult to do), you can obtain a license. It might take a little longer.

Another thing about amateur radio is you are NOT required to join any club or participate in emergency communication programs, such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, to use the radio. Once you are licensed, you can use the frequencies appropriate to your license level. It is intended, first and foremost, as a fun hobby.

For more information you can consult the following web sites:
Amateur Radio Relay League
Bill Williams Mountain Radio Club
Coconino Amateur Radio Club

Hikers, Runners and Riders Attempt to Complete Entire Arizona Trail in One Day

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Imagine hiking, biking or riding 800 miles in a single day. Sound impossible? It’s not – if you volunteer to cover one of nearly 100 separate sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT), along with others who each choose to travel different sections of the route, which extends from the Mexico border to the Utah border.

Section 67, Snow Bowl Rd to FR 418 – Photo Arizona Trail Association


A Record Setting Endeavor

On Saturday, October 12, more than a thousand hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians from around the world will be staged along the course to participate in AZT in a Day in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Arizona Trail Association.

“We want to get people out to experience the entire length of the trail and set the record for participation in a single day to celebrate our first 25 years of existence,” said Matthew Nelson, executive director of the Arizona Trail Association. “This will be the first time a National Scenic Trail will be completed in this way,” he added.

Choosing Your Section

The 800-mile trail has been divided into sections ranging in length from 2.1 to 15.6 miles. Participants will have 24 hours to complete their portion of the trail. Registration is free and is open to anyone.

Participants can choose between desert, mountain, canyon, forest or urban segments of the path. The AZT passes through eight wilderness areas, four National Forests, two National Parks, one National Memorial, 1 State Park and passes near 33 gateway communities.

“We’re advising that all participants be well-prepared. Several access points require 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicles,” said Karrie Kressler, Community Program Coordinator.

A few sections of the trail are remote and require extra planning. For these sections, participants familiar with back packing will be required to camp in particular areas at least a day before the actual event to be ready to complete their portion on October 12, according to Kressler.

“So far, we have hikers, bikers and equestrians booked for more than half of the sections, but there are still many sections that need to be covered,” Nelson said.

Fundraising Opportunities

Participants who want to help raise money to support the Arizona Trail Association can appeal to family, friends and others to pledge dollars to support their commitment on October 12. Information about fundraising can be found in the registration information online.

Another fundraising opportunity to support the Arizona Trail Association is provided by Phoenix-area children’s book author Rodo Sofranac. Proceeds from the sales of the award winning author’s most recent book, The Red Tail Tale on the Arizona Trail, will go to support the organization.

The colorful, illustrated book is the story of Rowen, a young red-headed explorer, and Rojo, a clever red-tailed hawk, who meet, bond and experience a wonderful adventure on the fascinating Arizona National Scenic Trail. A list of 22 retail outlets where the book can be purchased throughout Arizona can be found on the author’s website: rodowrites.com.

How to Get Involved

To sign up, get a trail map or for more information about AZT in a Day, visit aztrail.org/events/aztinaday-2019/, email karrie@aztrail.org or call (520) 261-8460.

FEMA and FCC Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

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WASHINGTON – FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

The nationwide test will be sent to radio and television stations beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT.

The test is being conducted through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This year, the test message will originate from designated radio stations, known as Primary Entry Point stations, which participate in a component of IPAWS called the National Public Warning System.

All other radio and television stations, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers should subsequently receive and broadcast the test message.

This year’s test will evaluate the readiness of the national alerting capability in the absence of internet connectivity. The test will be approximately one minute long, have a limited impact on the public with only minor interruption of radio and television programs, and will be similar to regular monthly EAS tests. Both the audio message and text crawl should be accessible to people with disabilities.

The test will not include a message on cell phones via Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Enter for your chance to win $5,000 and publication in a short story anthology.

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Borders. Boundaries. Limits. Life is a continual process of crossing borders and discovering something new. Tell us stories about overcoming obstacles; of physical, spiritual, and emotional change and growth.

Lulu is an Internet self-publishing book company. Authors can upload books, manage the covers and order copies for distribution. Set-up is free and the books are made available for purchase online. Lulu is currently seeking short stories for a chance to be published in an their upcoming anthology on change.

Lulu’s $5k for 5k contest seeks original works of fiction and non-fiction that center on the theme “Crossing Borders.” Entries should clearly tie to the ideas of change and transition with an emphasis on crossing borders.

Submission Requirements

  • Submissions must be received during the contest period from 4/1/19 at 12:01 am ET to 6/30/19 at 11:59 pm ET.
  • Entries should clearly tie to the ideas of change, and transition with an emphasis on crossing borders. Both fiction and non-fiction entries will be accepted.
  • All entries must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.
  • All entries must contain only original content. The author must own all rights to the content. Content includes both images and text. No copyright text or images. Quotes and licensed images must be properly attributed.
  • All entries must be submitted through the form below as a PDF or DOCX attachment. Limit one submission per author please.
  • Entrants must be 18 years or older. U.S. residents only.

Enter for your chance to win $5,000 and publication in a short story anthology.
Prizes

  • Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000, plus a ticket to BookCon 2020 in NYC.
  • Shortlisted submissions will be included in the Crossing Borders Anthology, get a free copy of the anthology, and get Lulu swag.

Medex Cardio-Pulmonary Recalls Sterile Saline and Sterile Water

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The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death

Recalled Product(s):

  • Select serial and lot numbers of Smiths Medical Sterile Saline and Water (listed below)
  • Manufacturing Dates: August 30, 2013, to February 10, 2017
  • Distribution Dates: August 30, 2013, to February 10, 2017
  • Full list of affected devices
  • Devices Recalled in the U.S.: 939,364

Device Use

The sterile saline and water are respiratory humidification products used in patients undergoing respiratory therapy, tracheal wash, or wound cleaning.

Reason for Recall

Smiths Medical is recalling the sterile saline and sterile water products for inhalation due to the potential exposure to infectious agents (bacillus infantis and staphylococcus epidermidis) because of damage to the containers used to package the finished products. Use of these products in patients could result in infection and may require treatment with antibiotics. Serious or untreated infections could result in patient death.

The company initiated a voluntary recall on September 5, 2017. That recall covered several products, including some that are outside the scope of this notice. The FDA is auditing the recall to ensure the company has notified all affected customers and that affected product has been returned. Based on the available information, the FDA is now classifying the action regarding the affected products (listed below) as a Class I recall.

Who May be Affected

  • Hospitals and health care professionals using Smiths Medical Sterile Saline or Water distributed from August 30, 2013, to February 10, 2017.
  • Patients receiving respiratory therapy or tracheal lavage with Smiths Medical Sterile Saline or Water distributed from August 30, 2013, to February 10, 2017.

What to Do

On September 5, 2017, Smiths Medical sent affected customers an “Urgent Medical Device Recall Notice” informing them of affected sterile water and saline product models and directing them to locate, determine the affected sterile saline or water products in their possession, and to complete the “Urgent Medical Device Recall Response Form” attached to the recall notice. Customers were also instructed to return all affected product to Stericycle for processing.

On January 7, 2019, distributer Medline Industries Inc. initiated a sub-recall for privately labeled product models and lots, affected by the September 5, 2017, Smiths Medical recall notice, that were not expired and which may be potentially contaminated with the infectious agents.

The notice asked customers to:

  1. Locate the affected Sterile Water, Saline and Eye Wash in their possession by referring to the specific model and lot numbers listed in the Urgent Medical Device Field Recall Response Form.
  2. Determine the number of affected devices in their possession and complete the Urgent Medical Device Field Recall Response Form attached to this letter within 10 days of receipt and send it to smithsmedicalste00100@stericycle.com. The form must be returned even if customers do not have any of the affected Sterile Water, Saline and Eye Wash in their possession. Product credit will be processed once the Urgent Medical Device Field Recall Response Form and affected product is received. All affected devices must be returned to Stericycle for processing. Pre‐paid shipping labels were included with the Urgent Medical Device Recall Notice.
  3. Package the affected devices and include a copy of the completed Urgent Medical Device Field Recall Response Form inside EACH BOX of the returned devices to obtain credit for the returned devices. Make sure boxes are sealed and labeled with the facility name prior to shipping devices to Stericycle.

Distributors are asked to immediately notify customers who received the affected product of this Recall.

Contact Information

Customers with questions regarding this notification may contact Stericycle via email at smithsmedicalste00100@stericycle.com.

Date Recall Initiated

September 5, 2017

Full List of Affected Devices

  • Portex 350 ml Sterile Water Humidifier w/5psi Adapt (Model # 352 Lot Numbers: A214, A215, Z263, Z532, and Z555)
  • Portex 550 ml Sterile Water Humidifier w/5psi Adapt (Model # 552 Lot Numbers: A054, A089, A090, and Z262)
  • Portex 1000 ml Sterile Water USP Pour Bottle (Model # 1065 Lot Numbers: B209 and Z225)
  • Portex 500 ml Sterile Water USP Pour Bottle (Model # 1565 Lot Number: Y371)
  • Intermed 350 ml Sterile Water Humidifier w/5psi Adapt. (Model # 0352IMJ Lot Numbers: A457, A597, B157, B236, Z589, Z655, Z656, and Z661)
  • Portex 550 ml Sterile Water Humidifier w/5psi Adapt. (Model # 0552C Lot Number: Z370)
  • Intermed 550 ml Sterile Water Humidifier w/5psi Adapt. (Model # 0552IMJ Lot Numbers: Z588 and Z597)
  • Medline 300-350 ml Sterile Water Humidifier w/5psi Adapt. (Model # HCS00300 Lot Number: Y576)
  • Medline Prefilled 350 ml Sterile Water (Model # HCS00350 Lot Numbers: A055, A056, A057, A058, A103, A176, A455, B530, B531, B532, B533, Z101, Z534, Z553, and Z554)
  • Portex Unit Dose 5 ml Normal Saline (0.9%) (Model # R0059 Lot Number: B360), K820227
  • Portex Unit Dose 15 ml Normal Saline (Model # R0159 Lot Numbers: A661, B067, A526, A536, A569, and B201)
  • Portex 5ml Normal Saline (0.9%) Unit Dose (Model # UD9005 Lot Number: B515), K820227
  • Medline Prefilled 550 ml Sterile Water (Model # HCS00550 Lot Numbers: A092, B205, B534, and Z205)

How do I report a problem?

Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Health care professionals employed by facilities that are subject to FDA’s user facility reporting requirements should follow the reporting procedures established by their facilities.