{"id":46729,"date":"2020-12-01T08:25:31","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T12:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=46729"},"modified":"2020-12-01T08:25:31","modified_gmt":"2020-12-01T12:25:31","slug":"radio-waves-ajit-pai-to-resign-hams-need-to-embrace-hacker-community-coast-guard-might-abandon-hf-voice-watchkeeping-and-fcc-action-against-unauthorized-transceivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/radio-waves-ajit-pai-to-resign-hams-need-to-embrace-hacker-community-coast-guard-might-abandon-hf-voice-watchkeeping-and-fcc-action-against-unauthorized-transceivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Radio Waves: Ajit Pai to Resign, Hams Need to Embrace Hacker Community, Coast Guard Might Abandon HF Voice Watchkeeping, and FCC Action Against Unauthorized Transceivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio<\/h2>\n

Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em>\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s<\/em> Radio Waves<\/em>, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0<\/strong>Enjoy!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to leave agency on Inauguration Day (PBS News Hour)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican, says he is leaving the telecommunications regulator on Inauguration Day.<\/p>\n

President-elect Joe Biden will choose a new Democratic head for the agency. A new administration typically picks a new chairman.<\/p>\n

Pai has presided over a contentious FCC over the last four years. He undid net neutrality rules that barred internet service providers like Comcast and AT&T from favoring some types of online traffic over others in 2017 and championed other deregulatory efforts. He has also worked to free up spectrum for cellphone companies so they can roll out 5G, the next-generation wireless standard that promises faster speeds, and cracked down on Chinese telecom companies as national security threats.<\/p>\n

The incoming FCC is likely to try to reinstate net neutrality rules and focus on closing the \u201cdigital divide,\u201d getting internet service to Americans who don\u2019t have it because it\u2019s not available or they can\u2019t afford it.[…<\/a>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ham Radio Needs To Embrace The Hacker Community Now More Than Ever (Hackaday)<\/a><\/h3>\n

As many a radio amateur will tell you, ham radio is a hobby with as many facets as there are radio amateurs. It should be an exciting and dynamic place to be, but as those who venture forth into it sometimes sadly find out, it can be anything but. Tightly-knit communities whose interests lie in using $1,000 stations to chase DX (long-distance contacts), an advancing age profile, and a curious fascination of many amateurs with disaster communications. It\u2019s something [Robert V. Bolton, KJ7NZL] has sounded off about in an open letter to the amateur radio community entitled \u201cHam Radio Needs To Embrace The Hacker Community Now More Than Ever<\/a>\u201c.<\/p>\n

In it he laments that the influx in particular of those for whom disaster preparedness is the reason for getting a licence is to blame for amateur radio losing its spark, and he proposes that the hobby should respond by broadening its appeal in the direction of the hacker community. The emphasis should move from emergency communications, he says, and instead topics such as software defined radio and digital modes should be brought to the fore. Finally he talks about setting up hacker specific amateur radio discussion channels, to provide a space in which the talk is tailored to our community.[…<\/a>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Coast Guard Proposes to Discontinue HF Voice Watchkeeping (ARRL News)<\/a><\/h3>\n

The US Coast Guard has invited comments by January 21, 2021, on a proposal to discontinue HF voice watchkeeping. The proposal [PDF]<\/a> appeared on November 20 in the Federal Register. The USCG proposes to cease monitoring 4125, 6215, 8291, and 12,290 kHz, in the contiguous US and Hawaii, due to a lack of activity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe this change would have a low impact on the maritime public, as commercial satellite radios and Digital Selective Calling (DSC) marine-SSB HF radios have become more prevalent onboard vessels,\u201d the Coast Guard said. \u201cHowever, we would like your comments on how you would be affected if we terminated monitoring HF voice-only distress frequencies within the contiguous US and Hawaii, particularly if you use HF, but do not currently have a commercial satellite radio or an HF DSC-capable radio aboard your vessel.\u201d[<\/span>…<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

FCC takes action against marketing of unauthorized transceivers (Southgate ARC)<\/a><\/h3>\n

On November 24\u00a0FCC Enforcement Burea<\/strong>u (EB) issued a citation and order concerning the illegal marketing of unauthorized radio frequency devices<\/p>\n

The citation says:<\/p>\n

This CITATION AND ORDER (Citation), notifies Rugged Race Products, Inc. d\/b\/a
\nRugged Radios (Rugged Radios or Company) that it unlawfully marketed six models of radio frequency devices that (a) operated outside the scope of their respective equipment authorization, or without any equipment authorization; (b) permitted any operator to program and transmit on new frequencies using the device\u2019s external operation controls; and (c) lacked the appropriate labeling. Specifically, Rugged Radios marketed models RH5R-V2, RM25R, RM25R-WP, RM50R, RM60-V, and RM100 in violation of section 302(b) of the Communications Act, as amended (Act), and sections 2.803(b), 2.925(a)(1), 80.203(a), 90.203(a), 90.203(e), 95.361(a), and 95.391 of the Commission\u2019s rules.<\/p>\n

Read the Citation and Order at
\nhttps:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DA-20-1395A1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Source FCC Enforcement Bureau
\nhttps:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/enforcement<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,56,3781,545,3,297,43],"tags":[2128,8552,9009,1241,2309,3354,4102,9010,580],"class_list":["post-46729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-broadcasters","category-fm","category-ham-radio","category-news","category-pirate-radio","category-shortwave-radio","tag-ajit-pai","tag-arrl-news","tag-coast-guard-hf-watchkeeping","tag-fcc","tag-federal-communications-commission","tag-hackaday","tag-ham-radio","tag-pbs","tag-southgate-arc"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-c9H","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23603,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/ajit-pai-designated-as-chairman-of-the-fcc\/","url_meta":{"origin":46729,"position":0},"title":"Ajit Pai designated as chairman of the FCC","author":"Thomas","date":"January 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Forbes) In one of his first official acts, President Trump designated Commissioner Ajit Pai as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He is the first newly appointed Republican chairman since Kevin Martin nearly 12 years ago. Many have asked: how will the FCC change under Chairman Pai?\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/AjitPai.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":27329,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/fcc-chairman-ajit-pai-questioned-about-pirate-enforcement\/","url_meta":{"origin":46729,"position":1},"title":"FCC Chairman Ajit Pai questioned about pirate enforcement","author":"Thomas","date":"July 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Tom Taylor Now newsletter) FCC staff will be \u201ccops on the beat\u201d against pirates. Chairman Ajit Pai had his stats ready for yesterday\u2019s House Oversight Hearing \u2013 the FCC\u2019s issued 39 NOUOs (Notice of Unlicensed Operation) this year, among other enforcement actions. Pai knew the question about the effect\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/AjitPai.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7793,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/fcc-championing-change-that-could-bolster-am-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":46729,"position":2},"title":"FCC championing change that could “Bolster AM Radio”","author":"Thomas","date":"November 1, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It appears that FCC Commissioner, Ajit Pai, is pushing a plan to revitalize declining AM radio station and listener numbers in the US. Read some of the details below or the full article on the New York Times\u00a0website. Many thanks to David Goren for the tip! (Source: NY Times) The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai (R)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/AjitPai.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":46723,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/fcc-chairman-ajit-pai-will-step-down-on-jan-20-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":46729,"position":3},"title":"FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will step down on Jan 20, 2021","author":"Thomas","date":"December 1, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: FCC.gov) CHAIRMAN PAI ANNOUNCES HIS INTENT TO DEPART FCC -- WASHINGTON, November 30, 2020\u2014Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that he intends to leave the Federal Communications Commission on January 20, 2021. Chairman Pai issued the following statement: \u201cIt has been the honor of a lifetime to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24230,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/activating-mobile-phone-fm-fcc-chairman-ajit-pais-remarks-at-nab-symposium\/","url_meta":{"origin":46729,"position":4},"title":"Activating mobile phone FM: FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s remarks at NAB symposium","author":"Thomas","date":"February 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Aaron Kuhn, who shares the following: FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's remarks at the North American Broadcasters Association's Future of Radio and Audio Symposium from today have been posted at http:\/\/transition.fcc.gov\/Daily_Releases\/Daily_Business\/2017\/db0216\/DOC-343529A1.pdf I found the most interesting info in the statement is only 44% of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FM"","block_context":{"text":"FM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/fm\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/FM-Radio-Smart-Phone.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42312,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/fcc-hope-to-hire-pirate-radio-hunters\/","url_meta":{"origin":46729,"position":5},"title":"FCC hope to hire Pirate Radio hunters","author":"Thomas","date":"March 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Inside Radio) Broadcasters would likely call it money well-spent, but it\u2019s still cash coming from the federal government\u2019s hands. The Federal Communications Commission estimates it will cost the agency at least $11 million to enforce the newly-adopted law that requires it to step up pirate radio enforcement. \u201cSpecifically, in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Pirate-Radio-Microphone-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Pirate-Radio-Microphone-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Pirate-Radio-Microphone-1024x683.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46729\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}