Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Dec 09 2022 07:41:03

FCC COMMISSIONER COMMITS TO AM RADIO'S SURVIVAL

NEIL/ANCHOR: According to at least one member of the US Federal 
Communications Commission, rumors of the death of AM radio are 
greatly exaggerated. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, brings us that report.

KENT: The good news is that AM radio has a future, which means the 
band isn't going to be reallocated anytime soon. Those were the 
words of FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, speaking recently at the 
79th annual convention of the National Association of Farm 
Broadcasting. Simington said that, for one thing, AM radio is an 
integral part of the life of the more than 3 million farmers in the 
United States who rely on it daily for vital information.

He called it the [quote] "essential spine" [endquote] of the 
Emergency Alert System. He said that despite beliefs by many that it 
has been killed off by more advanced technology, AM radio is here to 
stay for the foreseeable future, especially for those who live on 
the kind of farm where he himself grew up. He said he is against any 
move the FCC might be pressured to consider to reallocate the band.

He told convention attendees: [quote] "Look, people listen to radio 
in their cars or trucks -- particularly rural radio. That's just how
it is. And if people lose the ability to tune into AM on their cars, 
well, there goes AM radio." [endquote] He said that while satellite 
is a good option, it is too expensive. He said AM radio is not just 
free, but carries an important emergency signaling infrastructure.

In his opinion, the best option for AM radio's future to to simply 
preserve it for the generations to come.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

NEIL/ANCHOR: In a further development, an influential United States 
lawmaker has joined the push to talk automakers out of eliminating 
broadcast AM radio in new cars. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts 
has asked the car companies to respond in writing about their 
intentions regarding AM and FM radio. He acknowledged that electric 
vehicles can cause electromagnetic interference with AM signals but 
encouraged carmakers to pursue some of the remedies they have 
devised. The car companies include General Motors, Jaguar, Kia, BMW, 
and American Honda.

(FCC.GOV, RADIO WORLD, AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY)

**

TIME FOR THE '12 DAYS OF QRZ'

NEIL/ANCHOR: In case you need a way to keep the holiday fun going 
even after the holiday season, QRZ.com has an event marking the 
winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, 
brings us up to date on that.

RALPH: In some parts of the world where it's winter, things can get 
a little cold. Sometimes...a lot cold. So this year QRZ.com has 
offered to heat things up and the action already got under way on 
the 1st of December. The QRZ Winter Ops Award celebrates "the twelve 
days of QRZ." To be eligible, hams need to log 12 confirmed contacts 
on any 12 days from now through February 28th 2023. The certificate 
is being offered for the first time as a holiday gift from QRZ's 
founder, Fred LLoyd, AA7BQ. Fred writes on the website: [quote] 
"This one's going to be very popular this season. We can't wait for 
people to show them to us hanging in their shacks." [endquote] 
Hopefully it will keep the holiday spirit - and confirmation of those 
dozen QSOs - going strong into the new year.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(QRZ.COM)

**

RSGB CREATES SOCIAL DIVERSITY POST

NEIL/ANCHOR: There's so much more to amateur radio than just the 
technical and scientific side of things. The Radio Society of Great 
Britain is looking for someone to help address an important social 
concern. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, with the details.

JEREMY: The Radio Society of Great Britain is creating the volunteer 
position of social diversity officer to help the board address 
inclusion and diversity within the ranks of amateur radio and the 
society itself. Some of the new officer's tasks will include helping 
boost society membership but will also focus on encouraging hams of 
all ages and backgrounds to get their licence.

The RSGB is hoping that through creation of this new position the 
society can complement the work of the RAIBC, the Radio Amateur 
Invalid and Blind Club, which serves radio amateurs and shortwave 
listeners with disabilities.

If the role of social diversity officer is one for which you would 
be interested in volunteering, please visit the society website at 
rsgb dot org slash volunteers. (rsgb.org/volunteers) Application 
deadline is Monday the 16th of January.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)
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