Wi-Fly

The Australian communications company Telstra has begun trialling the use of mobiles on planes, including the ability to deliver a broadband signal to aircraft that allows phone users to use 4G to browse the web, send and receive emails, make video calls, watch movies and download music and photos.

The testing of the network on mock flights between Melbourne and Sydney has so far delivered fast speeds of up to 15 megabits per second.

Special antennas have been erected on four phone towers between the two capitals to deliver broadband signals to passengers en route.

Trials were conducted on a twin-propeller aircraft and a Cessna mustang jet that flew at the height of a commercial flight at 30,000 feet.

Testing has not yet extended to include sending and receiving text messages and making phone calls.

Connecticut ham uses radio to save girl's life

On 5th May 2014, Keith Mutch KB1RBI of Torrington, CT was on Ocean Beach looking out over New London harbor when he spotted an unidentified 12 year old girl and her dog, in distress as she attempted to paddle her canoe in the rough waters and increased winds on Long Island Sound.

Mutch quickly attempted to contact the U.S. Coast Guard with his cell phone, only to find that device did not have reception.  Of course, When All Else Fails.....Mutch turned to his handheld amateur radio.

Mutch, a Technician Class licensee, was able to communicate with the Coast Guard who alerted the nearby cross sound passenger ferry "John H" to be on the look out for the girl. Meanwhile the canoe in which the girl and dog were paddling had capsized.

The ferry located the girl and the crew began "Man Overboard" procedures, tossing her a life ring, which she clung to until a boat crew from Coast Guard Station New London arrived to complete her rescue.

The dog swam 3/4 of a mile back to land, where ironically,  Keith Mutch spotted him. Mutch says that he chased the German Shepherd up and down the beach for more than a half hour before being able to grab the leash and calm the animal. Mutch contacted the Coast Guard and he was able to reunite the dog with the girl's family.

A ceremony at New London City Hall honored those involved in the rescue.  The boat crews from the ferry and the Coast Guard received commendations

Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire  - http://www.nevadahamradio.com/

Four new ARRL Section Managers elected

Four new ARRL Section Managers will take office on 1st July 2014. Ballots were counted 20th May 2014 at ARRL HQ for contested races in the spring SM election cycle.

In Indiana, Joseph Lawrence, K9RFZ, of Fort Wayne, received 652 votes to top incumbent Section Manager Lou Everett Sr, WA5LOU, of Cumberland, who polled 482 votes. Everett has been SM for the past 2 years.

Lawrence previously served as Indiana's Section Emergency Coordinator, as Allen County ARES Emergency Coordinator, and District 3 DEC. He is currently the Allen County RACES Radio Officer and IDHS Digital Amateur Radio Advisory Council facilitator. An aerospace and physics professional, he's also taught numerous Technician license classes.

In Maine, Bill Crowley, K1NIT, received 258 votes, to defeat veteran incumbent Section Manager Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, who got 156 votes. Woodhead has served as Maine's SM since 1998.

Crowley, of Farmingdale, is currently Assistant Section Manager and Public Information Coordinator, and he was a former State Government Liaison. He's the president of the Augusta Amateur Radio Association, a past president of the Yankee Amateur Radio Club, and chair of the WinterFest and Windsor Hamfest.

In Northern Florida, Stephen Szabo, WB4OMM, polled 833 votes to 296 votes cast for Gary Alberstadt, KA3FZO, of Monticello. A retired Daytona Beach Police captain, Szabo, of Port Orange, is currently the Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator and District Emergency Coordinator as well as an instructor/mentor and a DXCC/WAS/VUCC card checker.

Current Northern Florida SM Paul Eakin, KJ4G, decided not to run for a new term of office after serving since 2008.

In Delaware, Bill Duveneck, KB3KYH, of Milton, received 142 votes to defeat Jerome Palmer, N3KRX, of Houston, who got 122 votes.

Duveneck has been Delaware's ARRL Emergency Coordinator since 2009, and a Volunteer Examiner of the ARRL and Laurel VECs. He is a past president of the Sussex Amateur Radio Association and chaired the 2012-2013 Delmarva Hamfest. He has developed and manages SARA's weekend ham radio licensing classes.

Outgoing SM Frank Filipkowski, AD3M, of Wilmington, who has served as SM in Delaware since 2006, did not run for a new term. Because candidates in Delaware had to be resolicited for this nomination/election cycle, Duveneck's term of office will be 18 months instead of 24 months.

Five incumbent ARRL Section Managers did not face opposition and were declared elected for new 2-year terms beginning on July 1:

Tom Ciciora, KA9QPN (Illinois); Everett Curry, W6ABM (Oregon); Brandon Bianchi, NI6C (Santa Clara Valley); Paul Gayet, AA1SU (Vermont), and Gary Sorensen, W9ULK (Wisconsin).