Thank you and good evening everybody.  From Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 1799, these are the Ham Nation headlines for Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

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Jan Mayen Island could soon head the top of the DX world?s most wanted list.  The Norwegian government declared most of Jan Mayen a Nature Reserve and banned landings and camping on most of the island. Tour operators can no longer visit since the main landing area becomes part of the Reserve. The only regions remaining are on the southern tip of Jan Mayen which suffers from extreme weather conditions. 

Amateur radio operations may still be possible. But access will be difficult as visitors encounter heavy seas and severe weather. And the recent JX5O operation may be the last major DXpedition for some time.

It is possible that hams who are assigned as staff members at the Island?s Olonkin base will be able to activate Jan Mayen.  But if and when that will happen is unknown.  

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February 27th is the date when medical monitoring and control devices previously approved by the FCC could start appearing in various segments of the 70 centimeter band. 

Last November, we reported that the FCC allocated spectrum for use by new implanted medical devices that operate between 413 and 457 MHz. The devices range from short-distance monitors to more advanced diagnostic and treatment gear and will help restore mobility and other functions to paralyzed limbs. These will be used on a secondary basis as part of the Part 95 Medical Device Radiocommunication Service.

The rules allow access to 24 megahertz of spectrum on a secondary basis in the 413 to 419, 426 to 432, 438 to 444, and 451 to 457 Megahertz bands. 
Amateur radio should hear little in the way of interference from these  devices, but what's not known is the effect of nearby high power transmitters from various services across the spectrum or the ability of any remote transceiver system to hear their telemetry and transmit instructions back to these implanted units. Most researchers believe this to be minimal.

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Ask anybody about social media and they will probably answer "Facebook" or "Twitter".  And if they are business minded, they might answer "LinkedIn".

But our hobby, Ham Radio, is the original electronic social media.  Texting: been there, done that.  Pictures: been there, done that.  Video: been there, done that.  Mobile telephony, small portable devices, Maritime Mobile, aeronautical Mobile, satellite communications, spacecraft communications, direct contact with celebrities, heads of state, and royalty: been there, done that.  All without contracts, monthly fees, data caps or roaming charges.  And we have been doing it for more than a century!

Your license opens doors in your professional life and leads to enduring relationships in your personal life.  It was true for me.  In 2013 I'll have had my license for 40 years.  On that first day, WA2HVK answered my call.  That was Bill Pasternak.  Bill became a close, personal friend and in the ensuing 30 years, a colleague.  Who knows what would've happened if that USO never occurred.  So tonight, I want to recognize my dear friend's 70th birthday. Happy birthday Bill.  And for those watching, I hope your license presents you with these same rewards.  

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And for this week, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline ? your independent source of amateur radio news, brought to you each week without interruption for almost 35 years at www.arnewsline.org.

I'm Robert Sudock, WB6FDF. Next week marks episode 1800.  Don?t miss it if you can! 73 and we'll see you next time on Ham Nation.