NIST’s Rolling Wireless Net Helps Improve First-Responder Communications

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have been working on a solution to integrate different technology brands into a single wireless communication system.

The system, about the size of a large filing cabinet, provides a platform to Emergency First Responders to set-up communications faster than a traditional “cell on wheels”.

Dubbed the “Nerdcart”, the system enables over 200 local users of broadband smartphones, Wi-Fi, data terminals and older walkie-talkie radios to all communicate with each other using voice, text, instant messages, video and data. 

The system can cover a rural area of 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) and can also be integrated with LTE (4G) mobile phones and Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems.

NIST - https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2016/08/nist%E2%80%99s-rolling-wireless-net-helps-improve-first-responder-communications

Radio Amateurs Facing Unnecessary Restrictions

The International Amateur Radio Union Region 3, which covers the Asia Pacific, is concerned by the unnecessary restrictions facing radio amateurs.

The IARU Region 3 conference in Bali last year, through reports and discussion, noted the ongoing difficulties still existing in certain countries.

Those barriers include restrictions on the possession and operation of transmitters and receivers. The IARU lists a number of issues that should be a “baseline” for working with the administrations, such as achieving improvements to licensing, examination and other operating conditions.

Gone should be the old era of ‘Post and Telegraph’ with most now taking on a much broader the role of a national radio regulator. The modern radio amateur in many of the more developed countries now enjoy full operating privileges resulting from subsequent decisions made at the World Radiocommunication Conferences.

In a posting on the Amateur Radio Victoria (VK3) site they say "In support of the Korean Amateur Radio League, Philippine Amateur Radio Association, Amateur Radio Society India and others, the IARU urges the removal of those and similar restrictions."

Switched-Mode PSU Jams Communications

The ARRL have successfully helped Police in Evanston, Illinois to pin down the source of strange RF interference to vehicle car fobs signals and cell phones 

The Police Department contacted the ARRL Lab, after an apparent interference source began plaguing wireless vehicle key fobs, cell phones, and other wireless electronics. Key fob owners found they could not open or start their vehicles remotely until their vehicles were towed at least a block away, nor were they able to call for help on their cell phones when problems occurred.

“This situation is indicative of what can happen as a result of insufficient FCC enforcement, especially with regard to electrical noise and non-compliant consumer devices. ”

— ARRL Lab EMC Specialist Mike Gruber, W1MG

The police turned to ARRL after an unsuccessful approach to the FCC. The FCC considered key fob malfunctions a problem for vehicle manufacturers, although the interference was affecting not just key fobs but cell phones, which are a licensed radio service. 

Evanston authorities worried that a serious situation could develop if someone were unable to call the emergency services, putting public safety at risk. They also were concerned that the RFI could be intentional and indicate some nefarious or illegal activity. Given the seriousness of this situation, Gruber contacted Central Division Director Kermit Carlson, W9XA, to ask if he could look into the matter.

Carlson employed a Radar Engineers 240A Noise Signature Receiver and UHF Yagi antenna to survey the affected block. Since key fobs typically operate at around 315 MHz and 433 MHz, he looked on both frequencies. The survey identified several noise sources in the affected block, but in particular a strong signal in the middle of the block. The interference source turned out to be a recently replaced neon sign switching-mode power supply, which was generating a substantial signal within the on-street parking area just across the sidewalk, between 8 and 40 feet from the sign.

“This situation demonstrates the electromagnetic compatibility problems that are evolving in an atmosphere of non-compliant, unintentional RF-emitting devices,”

— Central Division Director Kermit Carlson, W9XA

Carlson called the Evanston case “a particularly alarming example of radio interference,” especially since local authorities considered it a public safety matter. 

Full ARRL Story - http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-sleuthing-pins-down-source-of-strange-rf-interference