Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Jul 22 2021 19:33:20

SPECIAL EVENT STATION TO HIGHLIGHT CUBAN CRISIS

PAUL/ANCHOR: The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cuba is gaining a 
worldwide voice for the remainder of July through special event station 
W4C. Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has that story.

DON: Radio operators from around the US have been on the air as W4C since 
July 19th and will continue through to the end of the month, calling QRZ 
and carrying word of the economic and medical challenges in Cuba. The 
special event, SOS Cuba, has been organized by Florida ham Alexander 
Valladares (PRONOUNCED: BAYA DARE EHZ) W7HU, who was formerly a citizen 
of Cuba. Alex's YouTube Channel, W7HU, Alex, will be livestreaming as he 
operates Whiskey Four Cuba. Hams have reported difficulty making contact 
on the air with amateurs in Cuba, indicating widespread jamming. This 
special event will carry a message of support for those struggling on the 
island.

Alex writes on the station's QR Zed page: [quote] "Instead of taking to 
the streets we realized that our efforts will be more efficiently 
utilized by getting on the air and making a special event out of it." 
[endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, the FCC has reportedly begun an investigation 
into the jamming of radio signals on a number of frequencies on the 40-
metre band, based on complaints from amateurs who say they have been 
unable to communicate with radio operators in Cuba. Motherboard and other 
media outlets are reporting that FCC field agents are becoming involved, 
as is the US State Department. The investigation is looking into a 
possible connection between the jamming and the Cuban government in 
Havana. 

(ALEX VILLADARES W7HU, SOUTHGATE)

**

TOWER BATTLE ENDS IN FAVOR OF MASSACHUSETTS HAM

PAUL/ANCHOR: A long-running battle over an amateur radio tower has ended 
with a positive outcome for one ham in the US. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY,
tells us why this Massachusetts ham is so happy.

KENT: The on-again, off-again amateur radio tower project outside the 
Massachusetts home of Mikhail Filippov, KD1MF, is on again. A judge in 
the city of Framingham has ruled that local zoning officials were wrong 
last year when they revoked the project's building permit. The zoning 
board said at the time that the tower project did not comply with zoning 
requirements and could not go forward—but on July 14th, the judge said 
that ham radio towers are among those structures exempt from those such 
requirements, provided the project has a building permit.

As Newsline reported more than a year and a half ago, Mikhail and his 
wife, Galina, had received the city building permit for the 80-foot 
structure despite neighbors' challenges that it would damage their 
property values and become an eyesore. Mikhail had already poured the 
tower's foundation but agreed to halt the project until zoning dispute 
could be resolved.

That appears to have happened. 

Writing on the web page of the ARRL's Eastern Massachusetts Section, 
Mikhail's attorney Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, declared [quote]: "Mr. 
Filippov is a very happy radio amateur."[endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION, ARRL; THE FRAMINGHAM SOURCE)

** 

BATTLE OVER ANTENNA MAST CONTINUES FOR UK AMATEUR

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pond, an amateur in 
England is at odds with the local officials over a retractable antenna 
mast, something he had installed six years ago.

JEREMY: The Wiltshire Council rejected the application of Tidworth 
amateur Bob Coleman, G0WYD, calling his plans for the structure in his 
back garden "unneighbourly" and incompatible with the area. 

Bob told the Andover Advertiser newspaper [quote]  "Due to various spinal 
surgeries, I am unable to play the sports I used to love. Radio 
communication is one of the few hobbies I can do and it plays a large 
part in keeping me mentally healthy, especially in the last year." 
[endquote]

Neighbours had filed complaints about the mast as far back as 2019,
leading the council planning officials to inform Bob he needed
permission. According to the newspaper, he applied but the forms were
reportedly not valid, and so he reapplied.

The newspaper story noted that neighbours understand his love of amateur 
radio, but report that the antenna reaches from his property into theirs,
and they worry about a storm knocking it over.

Bob has the option to appeal the decision.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ANDOVER ADVERTISER, QRZ)
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