FCC Considering Proposal to End Modification of IT devices

/

The FCC is considering a proposal to require manufacturers to lock down computing devices (routers, PCs, phones) to prevent modification if they have a "modular wireless radio"[1][2] or a device with an "electronic label"[3]. 

The proposed rules would likely:

FCC_considering_end_modification_IT_Devices
  • Restrict installation of alternative operating systems on your PC, like GNU/Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, etc.
  • Prevent research into advanced wireless technologies, like mesh networking and bufferbloat fixes
  • Ban installation of custom firmware on your Android phone Discourage the development of alternative free and open source WiFi firmware, like OpenWrt Infringe upon the ability of amateur radio operators to create high powered mesh networks to assist emergency personnel in a disaster.
  • Prevent resellers from installing firmware on routers, such as for retail WiFi hotspots or VPNs, without agreeing to any condition a manufacturer so chooses.

The FCC is asking for comments on this proposal, hence any interested parties should contact the FCC to advise if the issues with this proposal and either stop or shape the changes.

Comment deadline extended to October 9.

More information - https://libreplanet.org/

Expected September Release of 5 MHz in Netherlands

/

Dutch Amateur / Ham Radio operators may soon have secondary rights access to the 5350-5450 kHz frequency from September 2015

The primary users of the frequency range including the Dutch military - have already agreed to this frequency allocation. Currently, the provisions according to still runs the option of the opposition on the part of the public (individuals and businesses), this opposition period expires on 21 August 2015. 

It is expected that the official release of the 60m band for amateur radio use will be confirmed within weeks in the Official Journal. 

Dutch radio amateurs may have less power usage rights on this frequency, down from the permitted 400W.

More inforamtion - (DARC in Google English) - http://tinyurl.com/GermanyDARC

Outcome for 5 MHz at WRC-15 Remains in Limbo

/

With the deadline to submit proposals to World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) now less than 2 months away, it’s still unclear how at least one agenda item of importance to the Amateur Radio community will fare. 

5MHZ_outcome_WRC15

That is agenda item 1.4, which calls on the delegates to consider a secondary Amateur Radio allocation at 5 MHz (60 meters). 

In the US and in most other countries that have privileges there, ham radio has a set of fixed channels at 5 MHz — not necessarily the same from one country to the next, although most are common.

ARRL Story - http://www.arrl.org/news/outcome-for-5-mhz-at-wrc-15-remains-in-limbo

The World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2-27 November, 2015 - http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/conferences/wrc/2015/