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Wednesday, June 9th, 2004
Posted By: Purple Zero

Got some MORE photos for y'all to enjoy - taken in and around the Dayton Hamfest.


This wins as "best mobile antenna install 2004"



Inside the amazing install truck. Looks like 5 conventional Spectras, one Astro spectra, A couple of unidentified ham radios, Uniden BC780 scanner, a lights/siren box, and a GE Orion. You know, I can't really make fun of this... it's pretty damn cool actually (grin!)




We had two separate people submit photos of this car. One wag dubbed it
the "Dayton Porcupine"

Close up of some of the antennas on this baby.



Inside this beast is a walk down Motorola memory lane. The hat says "Dispatcher".



Another angle of the antenna farm.



If you thought the antenna farm was impressive, check out
what's keeping the hood down. Sweeeeet!

Thanks to Tim and Peter for the photos!! Keep 'em coming! [email protected]


Sunday, June 6th, 2004
Posted by: Purple Zero

I know I know... Two updates in a day!

I won't be around later, so I thought I'd send the update now. I know that Clyde beat me to the punch, but to hell with him.

If I may take this opportunity to be serious for a moment, I'd like to bring the issue of BPL to the forefront.

Now, for those who don't know... BPL stands for "Broadband over Power Line". It's an experimental internet-delivery service using existing power lines to carry high-speed internet access. While this seems like a great idea, there's a serious side effect of BPL that stands to wreak havoc on not only the amateur radio community, but shortwave listeners and other users of HF radio (including Marittime and Aerospace users)

Existing BPL technology emits an enormous amount of RFI between 2 and 80 MHz, raising the noise floor on the 80, 40, 20, 11,10 and 6 meter amateur radio bands (and yes dorks, including CB!). As well, existing amateur stations in these bands can create interference on the BPL system.. some experiments have shown that local transmissions as low as 5 watts can distrupt local users' internet access. The last thing the local amateur needs, already with a large antenna in his yard, is his neighbours harassing him to cease his HF activity so they can surf the net.

Aside from popular amateur bands rendered useless by this activity, BPL also stands to interfere with commercial and emergency uses of these bands. There are still many commercial users of low band frequencies (Police Departments, forestry services, Marine, military and aeronautical, etc.) - not to mention the millions of people worldwide who enjoy the many Shortwave radio services that are offered,

This is a SERIOUS threat to some of our most enjoyed and used bands - and must be stopped! How can we stop it? The ARRL is currently lobbying Washington to put controls on BPL. Its a difficult fight, but it can be done with your help! BPL has already been implemented in areas of Europe. Japan has put a halt to implementation of BPL. Widespread implementation of BPL is set to begin in the US and Canada soon. Now's the time to do something. Support the ARRL in their fight. This is a cause that Hamsexy is more than happy to endorse.

Here are some sites with information on BPL:

ARRL's BPL action page: https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/
ARRL's BPL tutorial page: https://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/#TUTORIAL
A good article on eHam.net on BPL: http://www.eham.net/articles/8306
An informative site: http://www.gobpl.com/
A chilling video from Austria showing the effects of BPL - features a AOR 8200 with an S-meter pegged full with BPL noise: http://www.hamsexy.com/plc.wmv

The FCC is enthusastically supporting BPL, so we've got a long, hard fight to change minds in Washington. Do your research and take action.

And... as a total aside, here's another entry in Hamsexy.com's "Strange Search Engine Referrals". I know, I know... I'm showing myself to be total geek by even knowing what a Domokun is.. but hey.. I read Fark.com... I'm exposed to it. I can't help it.





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