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Username: Forummaster
Post Number: 479
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 7:10 pm: | 
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Cuba
Much of the southern United States enjoyed a DX filled summer. Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Florida enjoyed non-stop DX action the majority of the summer. That is not to say the rest of the country saw no DX, for it certainly did. The solar activity levels mean score peaked a few times during the summer, compared to what was expected of this current cycle. The cycle will continue to produce higher-than-usual activity which means good news for DX'ers. The low period of the cycle has pretty much bottomed out and everyone's DX ability should increase over the next coming years. That being said, let's take a look at what is happening in Cuba. Fidel Castro is reported to be in ailing health after having surgery. Yes, the media is broadcasting Castro is healthy after surgery and will be back in power soon. However, radio-land is giving up a different story. Cuba is a hotbed of two-way radio activity. CB'ers and freebanders abound in Cuba. The coastal and southern states hear and talk to Cuba regularly on the freeband frequencies despite the United States government's rules pertaining to such. Nevertheless, DX activity between US operators and Cuban operators is prevalent not only on the freeband and regular CB frequencies, but on the amateur frequencies as well. Or, at least it was prevalent. What one will probably not read in the media is that Cuba has enacted a serious crackdown on communication since Castro relinquished power to his brother, Raul. Incidentally, it is the first time in nearly five decades Castro was not in charge. Confirmed reports from Cubans report access to the internet is being prevented but Email is permitted in certain select situations. A radio operator I spoke with reported the communication crackdown in Cuba is serious. Many Cubans are reportedly not even venturing outside their homes because it is deemed too dangerous. Likewise, American amateurs are finding amateur frequencies noticeably absent of their Cuban amateur counterparts. How long will the crackdown last? No one can say for sure, but if you hear a station from Cuba in the near future, it is a good bet the operator is literally risking life and limb to make his transmission.
CB RAGE
A truck driver in Cleveland threatened to blow up another trucker and the entire city after an exchange over the CB radio. Sekou Fofana, a native of the Ivory Coast and former New York City cab driver is facing felony charges for keying his mic and saying his trailer was loaded with explosives and he was going to blow up Cleveland. Another driver called authorities and as the Ohio State Police caught up with Fofana and pulled him over on Interstate 90 near Willoughby, all lanes on the interstate were shut down for a time. Fofana was taken into custody and originally denied making the statements but eventually confessed. He stated other drivers were making fun of his accent and voice over the air and became agitated. The FBI was brought in because of the nature of the threat. Reports indicate Fofana told the FBI agent he wished he were a terrorist so he could do something to the mother of one of the truck drivers. The police said he apparently was not aware making threats was against the law. He faces up to 18 months in jail and fines up to $5000.
More CB Rage
A Texas truck driver cut the throat of an Oklahoma driver after the two sparred verbally on the air. The truckers were traveling south on U.S. 69 in Oklahoma when one accused the other of tailgating too closely. The disagreement escalated and the two exchanged words on the CB. William Thomas accused Lee Petrescu of becoming "belligerent." Both drivers pulled off the highway to "settle their differences," according to a police report. Thomas was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon for cutting Petrescu's throat with a knife described in reports as a "large lock-type blade." Petrescu was flown by a medi-vac helicopter to an undisclosed Tulsa hospital. Thomas reportedly followed police to the Pryor Police Department were he admitted slicing Petrescu. Thomas' age is 71, Petrescu is 29.
CB RADIO to the Rescue Again
Saves Lad Down Under Mt. Warning is part of Australia's vast National Parks and Wildlife Service. Located in northern New South Wales, the park is made up of many sub-tropical rain forests. Walks can be made to the top of Mt. Warning from the base area and take about half a day to complete. Jason Lazzaroni has taken a couple of treks into the area's remote tundra but this was the first time he hiked up to the top of Mt. Warning. Five friends accompanied Lazzaroni to the top. He began his ascent around 5pm and took a short cut he mistakenly believed would take him down the mountain. Lazzaroni became lost and spent the night in the remote wilderness. He was found the next morning around 10am, but only because he carried with him a portable CB radio. Several teams of volunteers along with emergency service workers including local firefighter, paramedics and police. Lazzaroni was able to make contact with rescuers around 7am and was guided down the mountain. He was uninjured but embarrassed. New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service is considering implementing laws which would bill the party being rescued for the cost of the rescue operation. The imposition of fines for those who do not heed warning signs around the park is also being considered. The lead inspector on the case said Lazzaroni was smart because he turned off the radio to conserve the battery overnight. His mother said it was a fortunate coincidence her son brought along the radio because it belonged to friend of her sons and the decision to take it was made at the last minute.
CB Summit held in Barbados
The Cricket World Cup falls smack dab in the middle of hurricane season. In Barbados, this is a huge event. Communication during the event is of vital importance. President of the Barbados Citizens Band Radio Association Randy Chandler told the media efforts are underway to make sure communication is at its best. The association has been working with Barbados' Central Emergency Relief Organization providing all communication between shelters, hospital and medical facilities. Chandler said an upgrade in equipment is in order to provide optimum service during the event next year because events are being held across the island and CB communication is limited. "We are the people expected to provide communication when cell phones and other lines of communication go down. Chandler said the biggest challenge is manpower. "We're not getting that many CB'ers coming into the field lately", he said. "Each year we look for people," he added. A CB Summit was scheduled to take place on the island as of press time. The agenda indicates hurricane preparedness and the role of CB'ers as pertains to their involvement with the 2007 World Cup will be addressed.
2006 Gumball Rally update
The latest American version of the Cannonball Run and Gumball Rally is called the Bullrun. The run is a coast-to-coast race where speeding tickets are not only expected, but part of the game. Souped-up sports cars are also a requirement. Entry fee is $14,000. For these reasons, participants are usually of the wealthy stock. One hundred drivers began the race in New York City this summer at Times Square. The race culminated in Los Angeles. Driving an Audi Quatro, British actor Will Mellor received three speeding tickets in one half hour while traveling through Kansas. He was also busted and thrown behind bars for doing 110 mph. He bailed out of jail and finished the race. Several Ferraris were entered in the race, as were a few Lambourghinis. More than one of the race vehicles were equipped with the latest hi-tech gadgets. In addition to an array of radar and laser detectors, radar and laser jammers were largely employed this year. CB radios, a traditional favorite, still provide the best warning for where the cops are, according to a Texas participant who asked to remain anonymous. "I own quite a large business in Dallas and I prefer word not get out I'm participating but since you know I guess others will know," he added. He used a 40 Channel Cobra 148 GTL hooked to a 250 watt linear. The brand? Texas Star, of course. "For emergencies", he noted. The race was filmed for a documentary set to air on British TV in addition to the Discovery Channel. Next year, the event is expected to be cast into a realty for MTV. Hayden Christenson played Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode III." He also took part in the race driving a Ferrari 360 Modena. Christenson admitted receiving his share of speeding tickets in this year's events but would not elaborate on how many. Mario Andretti, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman also took place in this year's event.
Frequencies to Become More Crowded
Last month the FCC endorsed an order allowing BPL (broadband over power lines). The FCC states it will maintain safeguards against interference but amateur radio and CB operators are not happy. The FCC denied a request by the radio community to prohibit the use of BPL because of interference concerns. While BPL will not share any frequencies with CB'ers or amateur radio operators, many say interference is already too rampant. The FCC received reports from radio operators around the country detailing BPL interference to their operations and say they will investigate all reports of interference to radio operators.
FCC Enforcement
The FCC has backed off enforcement of freebanders for the time being and is focusing much of their enforcement action of late toward pirate radio broadcasters. Dozens of pirate radio operators around the country have been busted over the last few months. Most were operating on the FM commercial dial and some were even accepting advertising operating very much in the open. FCC agents levied hefty fines against some of the stations, including several totaling $10,000. This is not to say FCC enforcement is no longer being employed against CB'ers and amateur radio operators. Play it smart. |
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