Kenwood is pleased to introduce NEXEDGE™ conventional and trunking technology featuring 6.25 kHz digital narrowband operation. NEXEDGE™ was designed to provide advanced communication solutions that meet the needs of private enterprise and public sectors today and in the future. NEXEDGE™ includes features such as FM Analog @ 25 and 12.5 kHz channels, NXDN™ digital @ 12.5 and 6.25 kHz channels, compliance with current frequency assignments, and NEXEDGE™ will easily convert to very narrow bandwidths in the future.

General Features
• 145-174, 136-154 MHz
• 450-480, 480-512 MHz
• 400-430 MHz – avlb. mid/late 2008
• 5 W Exciter Output
• 40 / 110 / 250 W VHF Systems
• 40 / 100 / 250 W UHF Systems
• Full Duplex Repeater
• Duplex/Simplex Base Operation
• 30 CH Scanning Base (Conventional)
• Two-Digit LED Display
• 6 Programmable Function Keys
• 3 W Front Panel Speaker
• Microphone Jack
• DTMF Front Panel PF Key Control
• DTMF AUX Output Control
• DTMF AUX Input Monitoring
• FM Conventional Included
• NXDN Conventional Included
• NXDN Trunked – Option-Available
• Multi-site network is available in mid/late 2008
Note*: Some features/options are available in future releases

In December 2007, Gary Mitchell, WB6YRU, President of the Northern California Packet Association (NCPA), filed a Petition with the FCC, asking for the Commission to clarify the definition of a repeater. According to Part 97, Section 3(a)(39), A repeater in the amateur service is “[a]n amateur station that simultaneously retransmits the transmission of another amateur station on a different channel or channels.” Read more »

Repeater Terminology
autopatch — a device that interfaces a repeater to the telephone system to permit repeater users to make
telephone calls. Often just called a “patch.”
break — the word used to interrupt a conversation on a repeater only to indicate that there is an emergency.
carrier-operated relay (COR) — a device that causes the repeater to transmit in response to a received
signal.
channel — the pair of frequencies (input and output) used by a repeater.
closed repeater — a repeater whose access is limited to a select group (see open repeater).
control operator — the Amateur Radio operator who is designated to “control” the operation of the
repeater, as required by FCC regulations.
courtesy beep — an audible indication that a repeater user may go ahead and transmit.
coverage — the geographic area within which the repeater provides communications.
CTCSS — abbreviation for continuous tone-controlled squelch system, a series of subaudible tones that
some repeaters use to restrict access. (see closed repeater)
digipeater — a packet radio (digital) repeater.
DTMF — abbreviation for dual-tone multifrequency, the series of tones generated from a keypad
on a ham radio transceiver (or a regular telephone).
duplex or full duplex — a mode of communication in which a user transmits on one frequency
and receives on another frequency simultaneously (see half duplex).
duplexer — a device that allows the repeater transmitter and receiver to use the same antenna
simultaneously.
frequency coordinator — an individual or group responsible for assigning frequencies to new
repeaters without causing interference to existing repeaters.
full quieting — a received signal that contains no noise.
half duplex — a mode of communication in which a user transmits at one time and receives at
another time.
hand-held — a small, lightweight portable transceiver small enough to be carried easily; also
called HT (for Handie-Talkie, a Motorola trademark).
hang time — the short period following a transmission that allows others who want to access the
repeater a chance to do so; a courtesy beep sounds when the repeater is ready to accept another
transmission.
input frequency — the frequency of the repeater’s receiver (and your transceiver’s transmitter).
intermodulation distortion (IMD)— the unwanted mixing of two strong RF signals that causes
a signal to be transmitted on an unintended frequency.
key up — to turn on a repeater by transmitting on its input frequency.
machine — a repeater system.
magnetic mount or mag-mount — an antenna with a magnetic base that permits quick
installation and removal from a motor vehicle or other metal surface.
NiCd — a nickel-cadmium battery that may be recharged many times; often used to power
portable transceivers. Pronounced “NYE-cad.”
open repeater — a repeater whose access is not limited.
output frequency — the frequency of the repeater’s transmitter (and your transceiver’s
receiver).
over — a word used to indicate the end of a voice transmission.
Repeater Directory — an annual ARRL publication that lists repeaters in the US, Canada and
other areas.
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separation or split — the difference (in kHz) between a repeater’s transmitter and receiver
frequencies. Repeaters that use unusual separations, such as 1 MHz on 2 m, are sometimes said
to have “oddball splits.”
simplex — a mode of communication in which users transmit and receive on the same
frequency.
time-out — to cause the repeater or a repeater function to turn off because you have transmitted
for too long.
timer — a device that measures the length of each transmission and causes the repeater or a
repeater function to turn off after a transmission has exceeded a certain length.
tone pad — an array of 12 or 16 numbered keys that generate the standard telephone dual-tone
multifrequency (DTMF) dialing signals. Resembles a standard telephone keypad. (see
autopatch)

California County Taking Actions To Silence ALL Ham Activityhttp://www.radiobanter.com/

From

San Luis Obispo county supervisors took drastic and unprecedented action
yesterday by passing an ordinance that would prohibit amateur radio
operators, known as “hams”, from operating their transmitting stations. The
measure was put in place to eliminate what officials said were health risks
associated with transmitters located close to children. A legal struggle is
expected. Read more »