News from the ARRL Southwestern Division
by Richard Norton (N6AA), Director
January 23, 2008

  

   California License Plate Progress

  We have several efforts under way attempting to resolve the DMV problem  of inserting spaces in callsigns on license plates.
  We've had a few positive interchanges with DMV and other state government staff. When  either more letters to state legislators
  appear required, or there is  something concrete to report, I will let you know. Stay tuned.

   Palmdale Antenna Case

   The Palmdale, California, city council, has voted to affirm a decision  of the Palmdale planning commission ordering
   Alec Zubaru, WB6X, to remove a tower they previously permitted and approved. The council followed the idiosyncratic legal
   advice of an Assistant City Attorney, who believes the city has the right to regulate radio interference, even when none has
   actually been shown to exist.

  You can watch the entire hearing at  http://palmdale.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2. The agenda item you want to
   get to is 8.2. You have to start with agenda category 8 and then skip ahead to 8.2.

   Attorney Len Shaffer, WA6QHD, assisted with the case. The outcome appears to clearly violate PRB-1, California Government
   Code Section 65850.3, and federal preemption of regulation of radio interference. We will soon decide whether to take the
   case to court or again attempt to resolve it otherwise.

   CC&R Prohibitions Against Antennas

   The last e-Communicator's request for items to be brought up at the just concluded ARRL Board of Director's meeting resulted
    in requests for action to try to overturn CC&R prohibitions against antennas. Note that the ARRL already has a program
    attempting to do this. See http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/02/0628/ for a description of the bill introduced into the House of
    Representatives last year.

    It is not at all clear that such a bill is likely to ever become law, but the League is trying. A similar bill made it through one house
    of  the Arizona state legislature in 2007, but was unable to get through the state senate.

    Amateur Radio relies on volunteers to assist with this and other legislative initiatives. If you can help, please contact me.

   Southern California CW Net Revival

   Santa Barbara Section Manager, Rob Griffin, K6YR, is attempting to revive the Southern California Net, a CW traffic net that
   met on 80 meters nightly for many years. Contact Rob at k6yr@arrl.org for more information.

   W6TRW Swapmeet - Traffic Camera Warning

   The W6TRW Swapmeet, held the last Saturday morning of every month since  the 1960s is the largest Hamfest-like activity in
    the division. Directions and information are given at  http://w6trw.com/swapmeet/w6trw_arc_swapmeet.htm

    One of our members reports that a traffic camera has been installed at the southbound 405 freeway off-ramp to Rosecrans
    Boulevard, where there is a "no right turn on red light" sign. Whereas the right turns may seem perfectly safe, particularly
    at 7 AM on Saturday morning, be aware that the city of Manhattan Beach's cash registers may disagree.

    An alternative is to continue past Rosecrans to Inglewood Avenue, the next exit, where the swapmeet can be reached with a
    series of minimally congested right turns.

   Arizona Hamfests

   Arizona Hamfests are held approximately monthly, and move between a number of locations. See www.arca-az.org/arca/ for
   more information.

   The upcoming Yuma Hamfest, held on February 15 and 16, is close to the California border. More information is
   at www.yumahamexpo.com

   Salvation Army Emcomm Training in San Bernardino

   The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, a group often found assisting with disasters, has its annual seminar this
   Saturday, January 26, from 0830 to 1400. Three talks and a complimentary luncheon are among the features. See
   www.satern.net

   Vice Director Marty Woll, N6VI, and I welcome your comments and
   suggestions regarding ARRL policies.

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