[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1564 - August 3, 2007
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Sun Aug 5 11:28:17 EDT 2007
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1564 - August 3, 2007
The following is a Q-S-T. The ARRL Board of Directors say NO to
lifestyle and checks of ham radio volunteers. Also, the ARRL will not
revisit Regulation by Bandwidth right now, the FCC says yes to a 700
MHz rescue radio bandplan and NCVEC meets with the FCC. Find out the
details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1564 coming your way
right now.
**
ARRL POLITICS: ARRL BOD SAYS "NO" TO BACKGROUND CREDIT CHECKS
The ARRL Board of Directors has issued a policy statement saying no to
the demand by served agencies for lifestyle and financial background
checks on Amateur Radio volunteers. The action came at the recent
Board of Directors Meeting held July 20th and 21st. Don Carlson, KQ6FM,
is in Reno with more:
--
A major concern to the ARRL Board of Directors was the topic of served
agencies and background investigations. An Ad Hoc Background
Investigation Committee empanelled by the ARRL some time ago agreed
that pursuing federally recognized credentialing for Amateur Radio
volunteers was critical for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service to
function. The Committee chairman, Atlantic Division Director Bill
Edgar, N3LLR, proposed that the Board adopt a policy with regard to
Memoranda of Understanding with the various served agencies.
After some discussion the Board did approve a policy on this issue.
One that says communications volunteers participating in ARRL sponsored
programs should not be required by served agencies to undergo
background investigations of any kind. The Directors did however note
that criminal background checks as performed by law enforcement
agencies are generally acceptable.
But the policy statement also seemed to refute the American Red Cross
demand that its contractor, mybackgroundcheck dot com, be given free
reign to delve into a volunteers personal finances and lifestyle.
While the ARRL Board did not name the American Red Cross in its policy
statement, to anyone familiar with the position of the American Red
Cross on this issue the intent is hard to miss. The ARRL policy
continues -- and we quote:
"It is not reasonable for a served agency to require these volunteers
to consent to credit checks, mode of living investigations or
investigative consumer reports. In negotiating or renegotiating
Memoranda of Understanding that commits the League to provide volunteer
emergency communications support, the League must be assured that these
volunteers will not be required by the partner organization to consent
to credit checks, mode of living investigations or investigative
consumer reports." - End quote.
The ARRL policy stopped short of telling those radio amateurs wanting
to volunteer to agencies that require credit and lifestyle checks not
to do so. That said, many hams will likely now think twice before
clicking away their financial information to any group that wants them
to work for free.
In Reno, I'm Don Carlson, KQ6FM, for the Amateur Radio Newsline.
--
The bottom line.: It appears that the ARRL Board of Directors has now
thrown the hot issue of lifestyle and credit check demands back in the
lap of the American Red Cross and any other served agency that might
make such a demand of ham radio volunteers. That also leaves the next
move is up to them. (Adapted from ARRL)
**
ARRL POLITICS: BOD VOTES TO EVEN ELECTION PLAYING FIELD
The ARRL Board of Directors has leveled the proverbial playing field in
regard to the election process for Directors, Vice Directors and
Section Managers. This by clarifying the Rules and Regulations
concerning mass communication of campaign material at the ARRL's
expense. Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, reports:
---
For years, challengers in ARRL divisional elections have claimed that
incumbents have had an unfair advantage in that they had access to
materials that the challenger did not. Now the Board of Directors has
acted to prohibit all types of mass communications by any candidate
for these three offices where-in the ARRL winds up paying any of the
costs involved.
Specifically prohibited is any communications where the material is
distributed at League expense by mail, electronic distribution
including Web sites, hand delivery or any other means to League members
in the particular Division or Section involved in an election. This if
the material might reasonably be expected to affect the outcome of the
election during the campaign period.
According to ARRL specialist Dave Patton, NN1N, this basically means
that all candidates running for office candidates cannot use ARRL
resources to campaign. However, the new rule does not prohibit a
candidate from creating his or her own materials and distributing them
using any means he or she may desire, as long as its done at the
candidates own expense.
For the amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, in New York.
--
The new election rule is effective immediately. (ARRL, ARNewsline)
**
ARRL POLITICS: ARRL ASKS COORDINATORS TO COORDINATE D-STAR
The American Radio Relay League has at least tacitly endorsed the JARL-
developed D-STAR digital voice and data communications scheme for relay
system use on the VHF and UHF ham bands. Its also asking current FM
repeater coordinators to both recognize and accommodate it and other
digital voice ciphers through the formal coordination process. Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, is here with more:
--
Though D-STAR and, to a lesser degree, APCO 25 protocols are gaining in
popularity as a replacement for analog F-M repeaters, some coordinators
have come to wonder to what extent either of these systems fall within
the FCC definition of an Amateur service relay device? A repeater if
you will.
But the ARRL is leaving that to be decided by the FCC at some later
date if the regulatory agency ever chooses to do so. For its part the
ARRL Board has requested that coordinators begin now to extend their
efforts to recommend operating channels to digital voice systems and to
consider the bandwidths that they actually required for successful
operation.
Currently only Icom supplies D-STAR ham radio gear but other
manufacturers are expected to quickly jump on the D-STAR bandwagon.
Especially now that there are more than 60 D-STAR repeaters in
operation across the United states and more on their way.
The main reason APCO 25 is lagging so far behind D-STAR is the
licensing fee required by its codec patent owner. While the P 25
platform is public domain, the encoder decoder is not and carries with
it a fairly steep cost. On the other hand D-STAR requires no license
fee be paid. The Japan Amateur Radio League saw fit to put its
technology fully in the public domain. Anyone with the ability to do
so can design a codec for it, but it must be made available to anyone
to use.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. I'm in the
studio in Los Angeles.
--
How the more than fifty repeater coordinators nation wide will react to
this ARRL Board request to coordinate digital repeaters will take some
time to be known. The ARRL Board did thank all existing VHF/UHF
frequency coordination groups for their efforts to promote orderly use
of Amateur Radio frequencies. (ARRL)
**
RADIO RULES: ARRL WILL NOT REFILE NOW ON REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH
Sometimes its what you don't say that means a lot. While the ARRL is
vocal regarding digital in the world above 50 MHz, it's a different
story on the high frequency bands. This with word what the ARRL Board
did not appear to even discuss another petition to the FCC on the
controversial subject of Regulation by Bandwidth. Don Wilbanks, AE5DW,
reports:
--
While the League has yet to make a formal announcement, word leaked to
the ham community by those with knowledge of what transpired at the
recent ARRL Board of Directors meeting. They say that the matter was
only briefly touched on and that the directors have at least
unofficially decided to take a wait and see position. This, while the
nations ham community continues to discuss and debate the issue on the
air and on-line.
It was only last April that the ARRL withdrew the controversial
November 2005 Regulation by Petition for Rule Making RM-11306. It did
so it cited what it called "widespread misconceptions" surrounding the
petition as a primary reason for deciding to remove it from FCC
consideration. At that time the ARRL left open the option of refileing
the same or a similar request in the future, however it appears as if
now is not that time.
But this does not mean the issue of Regulation by Bandwidth is dead.
Its quite conceivable that one or more petitions asking for a change
away from designated subbands and over to some form of regulation by
bandwidth will be generated from various interest groups within the ham
community.
I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.
--
As we go to air there are no Regulation by Bandwidth petitions
currently awaiting any action before the FCC. (ARNewsline, listener
input)
**
ON THE AIR: 6 AND 2 OPEN THE LAST WEEK OF JULY
An amazing last week of July foir D-X on 6 and 2 meters. Hams around
the world are reporting superb conditions in the world above 50 MHz
that began on the 28th U-T-C.
For example, Scott Avery, WA6LIE, up in Silanas, California reports
that he was alerted to the opening by his television set. That from
1600 to 2200 UTC he saw television channel 2 from Seattle with a clear
picture and 59 audio. On the ham bands Scott says there were a lot of
double and triple hop signals on both bands. At 2110 UTC he talked to
VE6EGN ingrid square DO23 on 144.200 Mhz while running only 45 watts
to a 13 element beam at 40 feet.
Meantime, Bob Brown, KR7O, says over the VHF Reflector that he made
contact with stations in grids CM 97 and CM98 during that same frame of
time. KR7O adds that at 2125 UTC that 6 meters was wide open again to
Washington, Idaho, Montana and up into Canada as well.
On July 29th, at 23:53, Bob Cox, K4AVO, in central North Carolina
reported over the 50 MHz Prop Logger that he was hearing the VE1SMU
propagation beacon on 50.001. Its located in Halifax Nova Scotia
almost a thousand miles away.
On the other side of the world, Hatsuo Yoshida, JA1VOK, in grid square
QM05 reports hearing the BV2NT propagation beacon in Taipei, Taiwan
also on 50.001 MHz. It was hitting his QTH in Chiba, Japan, with a
very strong 599 signal.
And on July 30th Bob Cox, K4AVO, in Grid FM06 reported hearing CO8LY
calling C-Q on 50.095 in C-W. CO8LY is located in Cuba.
Lots of D-X out there on 6 and 2 meters. All you have to do is fire up
and keep an ear on the calling frequencies of 50 point 125 and 144 dot
200 MHz. Its there for you to enjoy. (ARNewsline)
**
RADIO LAW: FCC CREATES INTEROPERABLE 700 MHZ RESCUE RADIO BANDPLAN
The FCC has revised its 700 MHz bandplan and service rules to promote
the creation of a nationwide interoperable broadband network for public
safety. The congressionally mandated change will also facilitate the
availability of new and innovative wireless broadband services for
consumers.
In a Second Report & Order adopted on Tuesday, July 31st, the Federal
Communications Commission revised the band plan which runs from 698-806
MHz. This spectrum is currently occupied by television broadcasters
but will be made available for other wireless services, including
public safety and commercial use, as a result of the digital television
transition.
The Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 set a firm
deadline of February 17, 2009, for the completion of the DTV
transition. In implementing Congress' directive to reallocate the 700
MHz airwaves, the Commission was focused on serving the public interest
and the American people. The service rules that the Commission has now
adopted should help create a national broadband network for public
safety that will address the interoperability problems of today's
system. It should also provide for a more open wireless platform that
will facilitate the emergence of next generation wireless broadband
services in both urban and rural areas. (FCC)
**
RADIO TESTING: FCC AND NCVEC HOLD ANNUAL MEETING
The 2007 meeting of the National Conference of Volunteer Examination
Coordinators and the FCCs was held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on
Friday, July 27. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennent, K6PZW, tells
us what went on:
--
There were 11 Volunteer Examination Coordinators represented at this
years gathering between the National Conference of Volunteer
Examination Coordinators and the FCC. Together these groups represent
more than 98% of all examinations administered in the Amateur Service
in the United States.
Also in attendance were FCC staffers Donna Scott, Sandra Eckenrode,
Terry Fishel and Riley Hollingsworth. Bill Cross, W3TN, from the
Wireless Telecom Bureau acted as moderator for the FCC discussions.
Cross first reviewed recent Commission decisions that have affected the
VEC's including Wireless Telecommunications Bureau docket items 04-140
and 05-235. He was followed by Riley Hollingsworth who said that
complaints have been greatly reduced over the past two years.
In his remarks Hollingsworth noted that enforcement of amateur service
rules will continue to be a permanent part of the FCC's regulatory
effort. He also noted that although the licensing structure is now
simpler, that VECs remain vigilant.
Question Pool Committee Chairman Jim Wiley, KL7CC of the Anchorage VEC
gave a preliminary report. He said that the committee is now looking
ahead to revising the Element 4 question pool to be used for Extra
Class written examinations effective July 1, 2008. The Question Pool
Committee is planning to release the entire pool which will include the
syllabus on or around December 1st of this year.
Another of the agenda items was a discussion on whether or not the
NCVEC should develop a position and issue a statement about foreign
language exams. In this regard the ARRL VEC made a motion that N-C-V-
E-C approved Spanish language question pools and make them available in
addition to the English language version. That motion did not carry.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline. I'm Bruce Tenbnent, K6PZW, in Los
Angeles
--
The VEC Conference has been held annually since 1985 with the exception
of 1999. The complete report on this years NCVEC and FCC meeting is on
line on the front newspage at www.qrz.con (NCVEC, QRZ.COM)
**
ENFORCEMENT: HAM ASKED TO EXPLAIN HIS OPERATIONS
Turning to enforcement news, the FCC has written to Robert J. Langston,
W2ENY, of Cornwall on Hudson, New York asking him to explain a
complaint regarding the operation of his station. The FCC says that
the complaint alleges transmission of recordings, including recordings
of the radio transmissions of other operators, and false identification
of transmissions.
The FCC says that if the information in its possession if true, it
raises serious questions regarding Langston's qualifications to retain
an Amateur license. It asks him to respond in detail to a number of
questions regarding the complaint and to support his response with a
signed and dated affidavit or declaration. One that under penalty of
perjury, verifies the truth and accuracy of the information submitted
in his response.
The FCC also told Langston that his license is due for renewal in
December of this year. As such the Commission the authority to obtain
information from applicants and licensees about the operation of their
station and their qualifications to remain a licensee. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: THAT FREQUENCY IS NOT FOR USE
The FCC is asking Frederick C. Severa, AH8I, of Pago Pago, American
Samoa, to explain why he has been monitored as operating SSB on 7.055
MHz. This, back on February 12th of this year.
In its July 25th letter to Severa sent via the American Samoa DX Society
in California, the Commission says that such operation may reflect
adversely on his qualifications to retain an Amateur Radio license.
The letter directs Severa to contact the FCC within 30 days to discuss
the matter with peial Counsel Riley Hollingsworth. It also asks Severa
to verify his current address since the Commission's first attempt to
contact him was returned as undeliverable. (FCC)
**
ENFORCEMENT: UNLICENSED OPERATION BRINGS $10000 FINE
A big fine for a Texan who put a radio on the air without FCC
permission to do so. Again, Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Wilbanks,
AE5DW, has more:
--
The FCC has issued a a monetary forfeiture in the amount of $10,000 to
Michael Thomas McCollum of Houston, Texas. This for his alleged
willful and repeated violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act
by operating a radio transmission apparatus without a license.
By way of background, on May 23, 2007, the FCC's Houston Office issued
a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $10,000
to McCollum. The FCC says that McCollum has not filed a response to
the N-A-L. So based on the information before it, the FCC acted on
July 13th to affirm the forfeiture.
--
McCollum was given the customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal.
(FCC)
**
RADIO EDFUCATION: FAR ANNOUNCES 2007 SCHOLARSHIP AWAR WINNERS
The Foundation for Amateur Radio has announced the winners of 56
scholarships for the 2007 academic year. The list is far to long to
include here but will shortly be available in numerous ham radio print
publications.
The Foundation for Amateur Radio is a District of Columbia based non
profit organization representing one 50 radio clubs along the central
Atlantic coast. The scholarships it administers are open to all
licensed radio amateurs who meet the qualification and residence
requirements of the various sponsors More information about the
foundation and the scholarship program is on line at www.amateurradio-
far.org/ (FAR)
**
ON THE WEB: FREE ON-LINE REPEATER MAP LOCATOR FROM K5EHX
A new free service for those who want to know where a repeater is
located and its approximate service area. Thanks to Tom White, K5EHX,
in Tulsa, Oklahoma, such a place in cyberspace now exists.
Toms repeater database is tied to Google Maps and lets you search by
tags, city, state or zip code. Tom says that the original idea was to
make it easier to search for repeaters in a given area for planning a
trip.
You can try it for yourself at http://k5ehx.net/repeaters/ We did.
Its fun and it works very, very well.. (K5EHX)
**
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: NEW DIGITAL HAM RADIO REMAILER FORMED
And a new cyberspace retailer dedicated exclusively to the emerging
world of digital Amateur Radio communications has been formed on
Yahoogroups. This e-mail reflector will primarily discuss the use of
digital voice and data communication techniques on the VHF and UHF
bands. Technology to be addressed will include D-STAR, APCO P25,
packet radio including APRS, High Speed Multi Media, Wi-Fi, P-S-K and
F-S-K. To join the group just take your web browser to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/illinoisdigitalham/ and follow the sign
up instructions. (WB9QZB)
**
RESTRUCTURING - FOLOOW UP: DENMARK LICENSES 40 MHZ HAM RADIO
BEACON ACTIVATED
A follow-up to last weeks story on Denmark's telecommunications
regulator having approved a permit for a ham radio beacon on 40.021
MHz. According to OZ7IS, the OZ7IGY beacon came to life at 18.20 UTC
on July 26th. The output power is 22 watts to a dipole antenna. That
will shortly be changed to an omni-directional Turnstile radiator. The
license for OE7IGY is valid for a year. Reception reports from around
the world 64-oz-beacon go by e-mail to oz7is at qrz.dk (Southgate)
**
PUBLIC SERVICE: MARSGRAM SERVES KIDS AT CAMP
The Army MARS new Winlink Messaging System has provided real-life
connections for some 200 boys and girls whose separation from family
members had very special significance. Capt. Jeff Hammer N9NIC who
holds the MARS call sign AAR5WL is an Afghanistan veteran. HE recently
set up his portable MARS station at the Indiana Guard's Family Program
Youth Camp at Camp Atterbury . He briefed each camper's family on
sending a MARSgram.
MARSgrams are free radio messages that connect service personnel and
their family and friends. As in many summer programs, phone calls and
e-mail were not allowed. The MARSgram was Hammer's solution.
Before e-mail and the cell-phone, amateur radio operators in the
Military Affiliate Radio System handled hundreds of thousands of them
for troops in the Korean War, Vietnam and the first Gulf War. The
service is still available though not as frequently utilized as it once
was. (ACapitalNewsOnline)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: P3E HARDWARE TO BE READY BY YEARS END
The hardware for the eagerly awaited AMSAT Phase 3E ham radio satellite
should be completed by the end of 2007. The announcement came at the
recently concluded AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium. That's
where it was also made known that Phase 3E will be the first Amateur
satellite to operate at 47 GHz. It is also will use 145 MHz and 435
MHz along with the 1.260, 2.4, 5, 10 GHz Amateur Radio Microwave bands.
As yet there is no launch date. AMSAT is exploring possibilities of an
Arianne launch from the ESA site at Kourou in 2008 or on a Soyuz
launcher from the new Russian launch site under construction also at
Kourou. (ANS)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: AMSSAT-UK BEGINNERS WORKSHOP A HIT
The recent AMSAT - UK Beginners Workshop is being described as a truly
smashing success and attracted a lot of newcomers to the hobby. Among
the many attendees were six members of the University of Surrey
Electronics and Amateur Radio Society, all of whom hold Foundation or
Intermediate licenses.
AMSAT-UK has held Beginners Workshops at its Annual Colloquium in
Guildford, England for 20 years. The aim of these workshops is to
show new hams how to get started in the exciting world of Amateur
Satellite Communications. It was AMSAT-UK that successfully campaigned
to have access to the Amateur Satellite Service available to all United
Kingdom amateurs, regardless of the license class that they hold.
(Southgate)
**
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: JAPAN AMSAT DONATES 1,000,000 YEN TO P3E
Peter Glzow, DB2OS reports on the AMSAT D L web site that Japan AMSAT
has donated 1,000,000 Yen in support of the Phase 3-E satellite.
1,000,000 yen is the equivalent of 6,136 Euros or $8,407 U-S dollars
at the current rate of exchange. The monies will be used to help
complete and launch the Phase 3 E bird. More is on-line, in German. At
the U-R-L in this weeks Amateur radio Newsline report. (ANS)
**
WORLDBEAT - SOUTH AFRICA: SARL WT ATTEND GAREC O7
The South African Radio League has added its name to the growing list
of groups that will be represented at the upcoming 2007 Global Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Conference.
The gathering is slated to be held in Huntsville, Alabama, on August
16th and 17th just prior to the opening of the 2007 Huntsville Hamfest.
This years meeting is focussing on the application of advanced
technologies in emergency communications.
The two-day conference will be packed with practical information, and
experts will arrange demonstrations of the capabilities of 21st century
communications technology. This will include many diverse aspects
Amateur Radio as applied to emergency and disaster response.
(Southgate)
**
DX
Six members of the Japan Amateur Radio League's Kyoto Club will be
operating JA3YAQ portable J60 through August 6th. This, to celebrate the
60th anniversary of their club on the island of Pohnpei. The operation
will use CW, SSB, FM, RTTY and PSK31 on 160 through 6 meters from the
South Park Hotel. QSL as directed on the air.
Also on right now are DL2RMC and DL1RTL who will be active portable TK
from Corsica through August 8th. Look for them on 160 through 6 meters
on CW and the Digital modes. They will have vertical antennas for the
low bands with their activity also being a holiday style operations.
QSL via their home callsigns.
And, listen out for W1ADX, will be active portable 9A from a few of
the Dalmatian Islands through August 7th. Activity will be
holiday style as time permits. QSL via IN3DEI.
Lastly, for those of you who worked KL7FF in June there is now a QSL
route. You can send your QSL, along with an Self Addressed Stamped
Envelope to to Paul Kiesel, K7CW , P.O. Box 112 Tahuya, Washington,
98588. Paul says that he has received the cards from the printer and
will send you a KL7FF card immediately on receipt of your card.
(Above from various DX news sources)
**
THAT FINAL ITEM: THE ARTISTRY OF ANCIENT GREECE IS IN THE SOUND
And finally this week, another kind of communications. That of the
human voice and the way it could be heard for thousands of feet long
before microphones, amplifiers and loud speakers were invented. The
story is from ancient Greece. A not so ancient Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF,
takes us back in time to about the 3d Century BC:
--
Science Daily reports that researchers at the Georgia Institute of
Technology have pinpointed the elusive factor that makes the ancient
amphitheater the ancient Greek amphitheater at Epidaurus an acoustic
marvel. It's the seats.
The scientists say that the rows of limestone seats at Epidaurus form
an efficient acoustics filter that hushes low-frequency background
noises like the murmur of a crowd. At the same time it reflects the
high frequency noises of the performers on stage off the seats and back
toward the seated audience member. This in turn carries the performers
voice all the way to the back rows of the theater.
While many experts speculated on the possible causes for Epidaurus'
acoustics, few guessed that the seats themselves were the secret of its
acoustics success. There were theories that the site's wind - which
blows primarily from the stage to the audience - was the cause. Others
credited masks that may have acted as primitive loudspeakers or the
rhythm of Greek speech. More technical theories took into account the
slope of the seat rows.
The report appeared in the April issue of the Journal of the Acoustics
Society of America.
>From Auckland, New Zealand. for the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim
Meachen, ZL2BHF,
--
The theater at Epidaurus permits almost perfect intelligibility of un-
amplified spoken word from the stage to all 15,000 spectators,
regardless of their seating. What's not known if whether or not those
who designed it were aware of the science of acoustics or if it was all
nothing more than a lucky guess.
More about Epidaurus and its famed theater is on-line at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidaurus and
http://www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/epidaurus.html (Science Daily
OnLine)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, the CGC Communicator, CQ
Magazine, the FCC, the Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Radio Netherlands, Rain,
the RSGB, the Southgate News and Australia's W-I-A News, that's all
from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Our e-mail address is
newsline at arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur
Radio Newsline'sT only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.
You can also write to us or support us at Amateur Radio Newsline, P.O.
Box 660937, Arcadia, California 91066.
For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors desk, I'm Jim
Damron, N8TMW and I'm Jeff Clark, K8JAC, saying 73 and we thank you for
listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline is Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
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