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Amateur Radio News From Around The World

South Africa

PEARS VHF/UHF Contest

The first session of the Port Elizabeth Amateur Radio Society (PEARS) VHF/UHF Contest will start at 18:00 on Friday 16 January and ends at 16:00 on Saturday afternoon.

The second session commences immediatly therafter and the contest concludes at 14:00 CAT on Sunday 18 January 2015.

Country-wide contacts are possible throughout the day via Tropo propagation, but Tropo Ducting will peak an hour or two after sunrise on 50 MHz, 144 MHz, 432 MHZ and 1296 MHz.

The preferred band at night is 144 MHz, the Tropo band, which could produce some very long distance contacts during Tropo Ducting.
Keep an eye open on 50 MHz, the Magic Band, around noon to 14:00 for possible strong Sporadic-E DX openings from Namibia and Zimbabwe, where amateurs have been alerted about Es conditions.

All times are in South African Standard time.

Divisional prizes for the winners in the 144,400 MHz FM category have so far been confirmed by several divisions, and will be presented to the respective winners by the sponsors.
Division 1 - pending. Division 2 - Rory Morton, ZS2BL, a dual 2m/70cm Yagi beam antenna, Division 4 - pending, Division 5 - Highway Amateur Radio Club, a dual 2m/70cm Yagi beam antenna, Division 6 - Willem Badenhorst, ZS6WAB, a dual 2m/70cm Yagi beam antenna.

The winner and runner-up in this category will be rewarded with a certificate. Certificates will be e-mailed by ZS2FM on behalf of PEARS.

South Africa

HAMNET In Three Separate Rescues

Over the weekend of 28 December, HAMNET Western Cape was involved in three rescue missions.

Paul van Spronsen, ZS1V, Hamnet National Director, was on Western Cape Search and Rescue Logistics Duty Management and it was his responsibility to deploy the appropriate available resources to three incidents.

At 21:32 on Sunday 28 December, ZS1VCC and ZS1ZW were called out to respond to Rocket Road above Sandy Bay and to accompany a metro team to provide communications support to rescue three students. The students were extracted to safety early the next morning.

Earlier that evening at 20:30 Pierre Tromp, ZS1HF, and David, ZU1D, teamed up with Johan, ZS1JVW, who was already in place near the du Toits Kloof tunnel and who had communications with SkyMed. A paramedic and a mountaineer had earlier the afternoon been dropped into the kloof. The medic treated the patient and packaged her in preparation for a chopper extraction. The chopper extracted the patient and flew back via Groote Schuur Hospital at 22:55.

The third incident was a party of 5 lost in Suicide Gorge - a kloofing trail in the Nuweberg nature reserve near Grabouw. No Hamnet members were despatched to that incident. The team there consisted mostly of members of the K9SAR team.

It just shows again the communication support that radio amateurs are able to provide the community when most needed, yet it often goes unnoticed.

South African Radio League Home Page

South African Radio League Home Page # YOUTHNET - Join the SARL Youthnet today Sunday 4 January 2015  at 15:00 on 7070 kHz  #SARLNEWS/NUUS 4 January 2014  English  Afrikaans  View on www.sarl.org.za Preview by Yahoo  

United Kingdom

First 2015 meeting of London Hackspace Amateur Radio Club

Saturday, 10 January 2015, 2PM onwards
For the curious: What's amateur radio? Read our brief what-and-why on the hackspace wiki here: http://hack.rs/w/Amateur_Radio/WhatWhy

For the interested: We'll have a casual 'greasy brunch meetup' at Billy's at 1PM beforehand if you want to ask any beginner questions.

We did very well for a club that's only a year old - we're keeping the heat going in the cold season:

December Highlights

* Hacked on mast and separated sections for further repair                       * Several international long-distance QRP (low-power) digimode contacts made by members both at the LHS radio shack and at home -
(Example: Using only 10 watts of power to chat to Japan (9000+ miles away)? Wow, nice job, Jan!)
* Donations of RF Spectrum Analyser and other nice bits for the shack
* Co-authored submission for RSGB National Club of the Year 2014

January meeting agenda

* Final review of SurveyMonkey results (quick hint: we all want antenna infrastructure!)
* Hack on mast if we can manage the weather (bend back bent poles, etc.)
* Club Antenna build-out proposals and review by G6VZM - leveraging JJ’s 'Elmer wisdom'
* Rough plan for 2014 Foundation & Intermediate Training Course Dates
* Submit ‘official’ 2014 club meeting dates to RSGB

Our meeting will be held at 447 Hackney Road, London E2 9DY and will include tours of the shack and space for non-members (time allowing).

We look forward to seeing you there and having a fun time.

M0HSL
(Our club callsign)

Met department to showcase Ham radio for Bengal Fishermen

By Indo Asian News Service | IANS – Mon, Dec 8, 2014
Kolkata, Dec 8 (IANS) Benefits of amateur radio (Ham radio) will be showcased for West Bengal's fishermen community in a bid to ensure severe weather warnings reach them timely when they are stationed in deep seas, an official said Monday.

Experts at the regional meteorological department will facilitate a demonstration of the technology to the fishermen at one-day meet in Digha Dec 12, with the help of Bengal fisheries department and West Bengal Radio Club (Amateur Club).

"We are trying to introduce the benefits of Ham radio to the fishermen and the state government officials as an alternative way of communication," Devendra Pradhan, deputy director general of meteorology (eastern region), regional meteorological centre, Kolkata, told IANS.

"If the state government decides to go ahead with it, then Ham could be used to effectively transmit warnings to the fishermen, sailing in the deep sea, about 200 km away from the sea shore," he said.

Ambarish Nag Biswas, a licenced amateur radio operator and founder of the club, and two of his colleagues, will explain the technicalities to the participants to apprise them of how the high frequency (HF) radio waves can be successfully used for direct, long-distance communications in inclement weather.

"We will show them how to use the Ham radio to communicate with the authorities as well as with each other during severe weather conditions and explain the process of procuring licenses," Biswas, whose club is headquartered at Sodepur High School on the outskirts of Kolkata, told IANS.

He was part of the three-member team that helped in communication during the cyclone Hudhud relief operations in Andhra Pradesh.

Biswas said currently the fishermen use very high frequency (VHF) radio waves (ideal for short-distance terrestrial communication) for such transmissions.

"Our agenda will be to persuade the state government officials to switch from the current VHF to HF," he said.

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Ham Geeks in Operation

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When all communication networks are down, Ham plays a significant role in disseminating information. On the orders of the DGP, a 10-member team of National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), led by its founder and chief advisor S. Suri, arrived here on Wednesday.A man from Naglonda is desperate to find out the safety of his brother staying at Vijayanagar Palace layout in the Hudhud-battered Visakhapatnam.

A colonel is living at PM Palem and his son in Kerala is frenetic to know how he is.

At Padmanabham near Bhimili that suffered badly in the cyclone there is no power or water.

These are pieces of information tricking in from a few Ham (amateur) radio operators that are working in the cyclone-affected areas of Visakhapatnam and received at the Control Room set up at the Police Commissioner’s Office. Ham has significant role to play when communication networks are down.

On the orders of the DGP, a 10-member team of National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), led by its founder and chief advisor S. Suri, arrived here on Wednesday.

“We came here in five teams with five high frequency sets and six very high frequency and ultra high frequency sets. On contacting DCP M. Srinivas and SP (Communications) Surya Rao, we have been told to go to four places to improve police communications as the load on their devices is heavy,” says Yamini, a celebrity Ham operator and an entrepreneur who took keen interest in amateur radio right from her junior college days. Over the last few years she emerged a leader participating in international conferences. She has to her credit the distinction of representing Asia in a 12-member team from all over the world in an experimental Ham operation on Isla del Coco, an uninhabited island in Costa Rica, braving risks and obstacles.

She has been participating in Ham operations in all the cyclones and floods since 2006, she says.

She has not studied communication engineering but pursued it with intense interest even using earth-moon-earth communication process.

Easy to operateThat Ham radio is easy to operate by even students is illustrated by Tom K Jose from Hyderabad, now in junior intermediate. With his father working in NIAR, he took quite early to the operation and Hudhud is his first operational exposure.

COMES IN HANDY

Ten members from National Institute of Amateur Radio arrive

They are equipped with high-frequency sets

#Celebrity operator

Yamini, who has been participating in Ham operations in all cyclones and floods since 2006, is part of the team

#Task assigned

To improve police communication





IOTA News from the
Deutscher Amateur Radio Club


7 January, 2014

Island activities:

AF-032; 5H; Zanzibar Island:
Vittorio/I2GPT will be active as 5H1VC from Zanzibar (WLOTA 80, WFF 5HFF-003) from the 4th to the 12th of January. QRV mainly in CW on 40-10m, but also in RTTY on 20m. QSL via RW6HS (see qrz.com).
http://www.i2gpt.com

AS-013; 8Q; Maldive Islands:
Mike/OE1SSS announces a holiday-style activity as 8Q7SM from the 4th to the 11th.  QRV on 40, 30, 20, and 10m. QSL via OE1SSS (d/B).

EU-125; OZ; Jylland West group:
Following his activity from Romo Island (DIA NS-001) until New Year's Ric/DL2VFR will be active as OZ/DL2VFR until January 3. QRV on HF in CW. QSL via DL2VFR (d/B). http://www.iota-expedition.com/

NA-001; C6; Great Bahama Bank group:
John/9H5G plans an activation of Stocking Island from January 1 to 31 as 9H5G/C6A. QRV from 160-10m in SSB, PSK, RTTY, JT65, and JT9. He also plans several trips to the Caribbean in 2014, see qrz.com. QSL via LotW, eQSL or direct via NI5DX.

NA-096; HH/HI; Hispaniola:
Andrey/RU4LG, Dmitry/RA4LB, Serge/UA4LGS and Pavel/UA4LL, will be active as HI8/homecalls until January 7. QRV with 100W on HF in CW, SSB, and digital modes.  QSLs via h/cs.

NA-174; VY0; Nunavut (Foxin Base) group:
David/VE3VID returns to Igloolik Island (WW Loc. EP99) and hopes to get on the air  from January 1 onwards as VY0/VE3VID on 20m. He plans to participate in the ARRL RTTY Roundup. QSL via VE3VID (d/B).

OC-009; T8; Palau Islands:
Ryosei/JH0IXE is currently active as T8CW from Palau. He continues to operate on  160-6m in CW, SSB, RTTY, SSTV, and PSK until the 6th of January. QSL via LoTW,  eQSL, JA0FOX (B) or JH0IXE (d).

OC-042; DU1/2/3/4, Luzon Island:
Mike, W6QT, will be on the air as DU3/W6QT from Luzon until March. He has been  heard on 40, 20, 15, and 10m so far, but wants to focus on the low bands. QSL via h/c (d/B), LoTW, eQSL.

SA-025; PS8, Piaui State group:
Raimundo/ PT7CG and Renner/PY7RP have rescheduled their operation as ZX8DX from Pedra do Sal Beach on Grande de Santa Isabel Island. It will now take place during the first two weeks of January. QSL via PT7CG.



UK Emergency Group Marks it's 60th Anniversary

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  • Sixty years ago the east coast of England was struck by a devastating flood which took the lives of 307 people.

    In addition to the lives lost, The East Coast Flood of 1953 caused 1.2 billion British Pounds in damaged, covered more than 160,000 acres and forced more than 32,000 people to evacuate.

    A huge storm surge had preceded the 1953 flood, overwhelmed the low lying areas of the Thames Estuary and the East Anglia region.  Evacuations of these areas were hindered by the lack of effective communications. Ham radio operators, as they often do, filled that gap.
  • At the time the UK had no volunteer emergency communications groups.  Previous attempts in 1950 to establish such an organization had been blocked by the government.  But exactly 60 years ago today (November 25), and in the wake of the destruction of the '53 Flood RAYNET, The Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network
    was started.

    Today the 2,000 licensed amateur radio operators of RAYNET serve as the UK's premier volunteer communications group. In an effort to advance emergency communications, as well as amateur radio, RAYNET and the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) have entered into a formal agreement to work together.
  • In the years since being formed, RAYNET has been activated numerous times, including the Lockerbie air crash, Severn Tunnel incident, Towyn flooding, North Wales, Portland WWII bomb evacuation, Sea Empress oil pollution disaster, and the 2009 Cumbria floods.

  • RAYNET Chairman Cathy Clark G1GQJ was quoted by the Yorkshire Post as saying: “The East Coast Flood of 1953 was a terrible disaster but it precipitated the creation of a group of communications volunteers which, despite advances in technology, is needed now more than ever.

    “With our current unpredictable climate and the high risk of failure of modern communications networks RAYNET volunteers can make a crucial difference.”

    Like their counterparts around the world RAYNET not only provides vital communications for emergency responders when existing communications networks fail or become overloaded, but also assist with public service events such as parades, marathons, and festivals.
     

  • United Kingdom

    PictureClive Ward G1EUC
    Essex Morse Code Classes
    Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
    invite you to join their Morse classes which will be starting at 7pm on Thursday, January 15 at the
    Danbury Village Hall CM3 4NQ

    Newcomers will be made very welcome. Start either as a complete beginner or the Morse team can help you to build up your confidence on the Morse and paddle key. Contact Andrew, G0IBN, on 01621 868347 or email:  g0ibn<at>kersey1.freeserve.co.uk

    Also starting January 15 is the Foundation training course. To find out more speak to Clive G1EUC on
    Tel: 01245-224577
    Mob: 07860-418835
    E-mail: training2015 at g0mwt.org.uk
    Web: Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society - Foundation, Intermediate & Advanced Exam Training Courses

    Borneo

    Borneo Post: Youths asked to pick up amateur radio

    by Lim How Pim, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 12, 2014, Friday

    SERIAN: Youths have been asked to pick up amateur radio not just as a hobby but a skill to ultimately lend a helping hand to the authorities in times of emergencies.

    John David Nyaoh, a political secretary to the Chief Minister, said this when opening a workshop by the Sarawak Amateur Radio Emergency Services (Sares) yesterday.

    “I urge young people to be involved in amateur radio, make it a hobby so that eventually you are able to assist your countrymen and villagers during emergencies.

    “By so doing, you will help save lives and properties,” he said when representing Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong at the workshop attended by 150 individuals.

    John recalled a time when the only means of communication was radio particularly in rural areas.

    “There was no other form of communication, no TV and not even newspapers. The information we got was very little and we had no news about what was happening on the other side of the world.

    “Only those in urban areas had access to newspapers to learn about what was happening. Communication at that time was unlike what we have today. Back then, the only form of communication with the outside world was through telegraph, which took time compared with the modern facilities we have today.”

    He pointed out that without an effective means of communication, lives were lost when natural disasters like floods and landslides happened.

    Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, he said, could operate on its own without the need for power supply.

    “When all power and services fail, amateur radio is there to assist particularly during disasters.”

    He announced on behalf of Manyin a government grant of RM5,000 for Sares, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation formed in October last year.

    Meanwhile, Sares vice-president Joseph Siong said a couple of helicopter tragedies in remote areas and boats sinking in Belaga and Kapit prompted a team comprising various professionals to set up the emergency radio unit to provide first responders with communication support.

    “We are volunteers, and we have limited manpower. We intend to recruit more people, especially young ones, to join us in order to assist the Civil Defence Department (JPAM) during emergencies.

    “We are now a partner of JPAM, assisting them in their communication and technical matters. JPAM has requested us to install the communication equipment for them, which currently covers areas such as Lundu, Bau and Serian,” he said.


    Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/12/12/youths-asked-to-pick-up-amateur-radio/#ixzz3NDoGxvXg

    VK waits for full return of 6 metres

    With only digital television being
    available in Australia from 10 December, and the loss of the last TV transmitter Channel 0, it does not automatically mean the unfettered return of 50-52 MHz to the  amateur radio service.

    Restrictions are listed in the Licence Conditions  Determination (LCD) on operation of amateur stations in
    Australia's  eastern states on the lower end of six metres remain effectively in 
    force until the document is changed by the Australia Communications and  Media  Authority (ACMA).

    Channel 0 came on air in Australia
    in the 1960s, which meant radio amateurs lost the bottom 2 MHz of 6-metres.

    Australia expanded its TV analogue
    allocation because of  the need for more channels and so was borne 45-50 MHz or Channel 0,  initially for commercial telecasters, then the Special Broadcasting Service, and for translators.

    The Melbourne and Brisbane tele-casters left Channel 0 and became Channel 10, while the gap was filled by
    SBS, with it eventually  settling on UHF Channel 28.

    The Wireless Institute of Australia
    (WIA) has long argued that the 50-54 MHz band should be retained for, and
    allocated  exclusively to the amateur service, once the existing Channel 0 
    transmitters are removed.

    The 50 MHz or so-called 'magic band' is important to  radio amateurs because it provides unique opportunities for propagation  experiments.

    The WIA has again written to the 
    ACMA seeking the  unrestricted return of the band. The latest letter on the
    subject last  month is yet to be answered.

    The ACMA reminded all in July this year of their LCD obligations in relation
    to the 6m restrictions.

    On previous occasions the limited
    resources of the ACMA  have meant the change waits until the Australian Radio Frequency  Spectrum Plan is amended, and that usually occurs in January.

    The WIA has made a number of
    submissions to the ACMA on  the subject over the years seeking a harmonization in Australia with the practice overseas.

    The WIA is also to amend the
    Regulations license  assessment questions to reflect any change, while at the same time it  will beef up its electromagnetic radiation emphasis in the papers from  2014. 

    Jim Linton
    VK3PC

    Helping Hand from thrissur Ham

    Picture
    Sarathychandran PS-VU2SCV







    (reprinted from Decan Chronicle)Thrissur: ‘VU2SCV’- a HAM station at Anthikkad in Thrissur has  emerged to be a ray of hope for the families of those stuck in Utharakhand,  where no phone lines are working,to send messages to people trapped in the  disaster ravaged area.

     For last few days, Sarathchandran PS, operating his ‘VU2SCV’ HAM radio set is  taking numerous phone calls and sending messages through airwaves to control rooms in Dehradun and Mussoorie and Utharakashi, where a temporary ham stations were setup by another Karalaiet, Jose Jacob, assistant director, National Institute of Armature Radio.

    Over the past three days Sarathchandran has  taken calls from families few missing persons. "None of the Keralaiets  contacted me, as they may not be aware of this facility. But I have massages and  phone calls from metros like Bangalore and Mumbai, says Sarath. "Frantic phone  calls are coming in from helpless people, who have no clue about the whereabouts  of their loved ones in Uttarakhand."

    Sarathchandran has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1994 and is a member of National Institute of Amature Radio club, Hydrabad. He worked with his HAM during the tsunami disaster as well. People can call Sarathchandran on: 
    91 9633863676 this number on any query on missing persons in Utharakhand.

    Jose Jacob, who is stationed in various parts of Uttarakhand as per the request by government of India, said this newspaper over his HAM that he is relaying messages from Various parts of the country to rescuers on the ground, who are trying to locate the   missing.

    "I am receiving messages with the names of missing persons to our HAM radio and forwarding the messages to the army and authorities in Uttarakhand for search and rescue operations" says Jose.

    Hailing from Muthakunnam in Ernakulam  Jose Jacob is now working as the  assistant director of National Institute of Armature Radio, Hydrabad. He was  worked in Andaman during the tsunami disaster and also served during Gujarath earth quake and Orissa super cyclone.


    Popular Australian
    Hamfest returns again

    The Rosebud RadioFest celebrates the amazing hobby of Amateur Radio and its impact on the development of modern technologies.

    There are talks, forums, displays, Amateur Radio club features, new and pre-loved equipment sales, trade exhibitors, fire and emergency service units, and special guests as well as a host of other related attractions like; Wireless Institute of Australia, Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association, The Australian Vintage Radio Society, Software Defined Radio displays, Antennas, door prizes and much more.

    Guests include; TTS Systems, PK Antennas, ICOM Australia, ATN Antennas, and many others. The ACMA will give another of their entertaining presentations.

    Plenty of help is available for those wanting a start in the hobby, and an Amateur Radio Operator's Licence is now attainable by anyone. We'll show you how easy it is to become licenced with your own international radio station at home. You could be talking around the world in a matter of weeks.

    Rosebud Radiofest is fully catered, with plenty of free parking and the Peninsula Link Freeway brings you straight to Rosebud.

    We've extended the show til mid-afternoon, so you can visit the sales stands first, then go on to enjoy our forums and displays.

    For information, or table bookings see our website, www.rosebudradiofest.com

    Entry is $6.00 with a chance to win some great door prizes.

    Rosebud RadioFest is on Sunday November 30th 2014 at the Eastbourne Primary School, Allambi Avenue in Rosebud, Victoria commencing 9:30 am.

    Rosebud RadioFest is presented by SPARC and Eastbourne Primary Scho

    Indian news reports on Fox Hunt

    City Hams will go on a fox hunt
    This weekend will have enthusiastic Hams in Bangalore go on a  “fox hunt”. It’s a sport where amateur radio operators of the city will participate in a contest where they use radio-direction finding techniques to locate radio transmitters hidden in a designated search area, the fox hole. The 14th VHF Bangalore Day Foxhunt is being conducted by the Bangalore Amateur Radio Club tomorrow, December 15. The club is the oldest amateur radio club in India! 

    Amateur radio operators or Hams are a community of people who use wireless communication to communicate with other Hams in any part of the globe. It’s a hobby and completely non-commercial. Hams are famous for helping  out in times of natural calamities. The fox hole this Sunday will be located within an aerial distance of 35 kms from Vidhana Soudha. 

    “We have about 80 people registered for tomorrow’s fox hunt,” says Ramesh Kumar K.G. (VU2LU), secretary of the Club. There are participants from Tamil Nadu and Kerala as well. During the two-hour hunt, every five minutes
    a signal is transmitted for one minute; the final destination must be found by
    tracing these signals. Mobile phones are not allowed. 

    India is home to 20,000 Hams, and Bangalore alone has 1,800 Hams, points out Kumar. Such events help popularise the technical hobby. 

    The flag-off is at 8 a.m, at Bharat Scouts & Guides HQ, opposite KIMS Hospital. Non-competing participants who wish to join for lunch and fellowship can pay a fee of Rs. 250 at the time and point of flag-off. Children below five are exempt from fee. The event will be rounded off with a 
    fellowship lunch. For details check www.barc.in

    Pacific Tour

    Operators Hyrane YT1AD, David WD5COV, Wasiliy RW4NW, Sergey RZ3FW and Dragos YU1AKV will
    activate the following Pacific island in November this year. Their tentative schedule, activations and callsigns are as follows:

     November 13-15th -Hawaii (KH6); YT1AD (KH6/N9YU), WD5COV (KH6/WD5COV)  and RZ3FW (KH6/N7AFW); QSL via their home callsigns.

    November 16-17th -Samoa (5W); YT1AD (5W7A or 5W6A); WD5COV (5W0OV), RZ3FW (5W0FW) and RW4NW (5W0NW); QSL via their home callsigns.

    November 18-19th - American Samoa (KH8); YT1AD (KH8/N9YU); WD5COV (KH8/WD5COV) and RZ3FW 
    (KH8/N7AFW); QSL via their home       callsigns.

    November 20-22th and November 29-December 4th - Fiji (3D2); YT1AD (3D2AD), WD5COV (3D2OV), RZ3FW
    (3D2FW) and RW4NW (3D2NW); QSL via their home callsigns.

    November 22-29th - Rotuma Island (3D2/R); Callsign will be 3D2R. QSL  via YT1AD. The team will be active in the CQWW DX CW Contest November 23-24th) as a Multi-Single or Multi-2 with the 3D2R callsign.

    Activity will be mainly CW, SSB and
    RTTY, on all islands, probably on all bands. 

    During this trip, the team will be
    preparing for their next DXpedition for the periods of November 2014/April 2015. Their goal and wish is Palmyra Island (KH5/P) with Kingman Reef (KH5K) or Baker & Howland Islands (KH1). 

    Ghana sees advancements in amateur radio 

    Picture
    The  South African Radio League report that the first Amateur Radio
    Administration course, aimed at bringing together operators, industry experts
    and other relevant bodies to exchange experiences and best practices in the
    field, is underway in Accra.


    The weeklong workshop is being organised by the National Communication Authority (NCA) in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).


    Speaking at the opening session, Mr Paarock VanPercy, Director General of the NCA underscored the importance of amateur radio operations, saying they had contributed immensely in the fields of science, engineering, industry and social services. He advised Senior High Schools, polytechnics and universities to apply for licenses from the NCA to expose students to amateur radio operations for research.


    He also said the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, Armed Forces and  the National Disaster Management Organisation should consider this as an important tool in disaster recovery activities, especially as a backup for other  communication modes which may be disabled in serious disasters.


    He announced that, the NCA would soon publish the syllabus for the amateur radio examination and clearly outline modalities for the examination.


    Mr Hans Blondeel Timmerman PB2T, President of IARU, said amateur radio
    operations provided technical career opportunities as well as leisure-time and  research activities. He was optimistic that, the workshop would build the  capacity of participants who would in turn actively engage the youth in the technology for development.


    IARU position
    on WRC-15 Agenda Items

    Picture








    During a teleconference in mid-May, the IARU Administrative Council authorized the distribution of a paper which sets forth the IARU positions on the agenda items that will be considered during the World
    Radiocommunication Conference in 2015. The agenda items that impact amateur radio and amateur-satellite services including the IARU position on each of those agenda items are set out below:

    IARU Positions
    on WRC-15 Agenda Items


    The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is a federation of national amateur radio associations in more than 160 countries and is the international organization recognized by the ITU under CV 231 to represent the interests of the more than three million licensees in amateur and amateur-satellite services. The IARU is a Sector Member of the ITU Radio-communication and Tele-communication Development Sectors.

    To facilitate experimentation and communication by  amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest (No. 1.56), the amateur and amateur-satellite services have been afforded frequency allocations at intervals throughout the radio spectrum from as low as 135.7 kHz to as high as 250 GHz.

    The IARU has reviewed the agenda for the 2015 World  Radiocommunication Conference contained in Resolution 807 (WRC-12). Some of the existing amateur and amateur-satellite service allocations, and in particular most of those between 225 MHz and 24 GHz, are on a secondary basis to other
    existing services. In general, the amateur services have been able to make constructive use of these secondary allocations without causing harmful interference to primary services. When allocations to new services in a band that is presently allocated to the amateur services are being considered it is important that the existing and likely future uses of the band by the amateur services be taken into account, whether the amateur service allocation is on a primary or a secondary basis.

    The IARU has adopted the following positions with regard to the agenda items that are relevant to the amateur and amateur-satellite services.

    Agenda Item 1.1 –
    “to consider additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service on a primary basis and identification of additional frequency bands for International Mobile Tele-communications (IMT) and related regulatory provisions, to facilitate the
    development of terrestrial mobile broadband applications, in accordance with Resolution 233 (WRC-12);”

    IARU Position: The IARU recognizes
    that there is great pressure on the portion of the radio spectrum that is best suited for terrestrial mobile broadband applications. The amateur service allocations between 450 MHz and 6 GHz are all on a secondary basis to other existing services. The amateur-satellite service allocations in this frequency range are on either a secondary or a not-to-interfere basis.

    The existing allocations to the amateur service in this frequency range are 902-928 MHz (in Region 2), 1240-1300 MHz, 2300-2450 MHz, 3300-3500 MHz (in Regions 2 and 3 along with 3400-3475 MHz in certain countries in Region 1), and 5650-5925 MHz (5650-5850 MHz in Regions 1 and  3).

    The existing allocations to the amateur-satellite service in this frequency range are 1260-1270 MHz (Earth-to-space only),
    2400-2450 MHz, 3400-3410 MHz (in Regions 2 and 3 only), 5650-5670 MHz
    (Earth-to-space only), and 5830-5850 MHz (space-to-Earth  only).

    The identification of 2300-2400 MHz for the possible implementation of IMT is already placing significant constraints on the use of this band by amateurs. The band 3400-3500 MHz is already identified for the possible implementation of IMT, subject to certain constraints, in a number of
    countries in Regions 1 and 3.

    European Common Frequency
    Allocation Table Footnote EU17 provides: “In the sub-bands 3400-3410 MHz,  5660-5670 MHz, 10.36-10.37 GHz, 10.45-10.46 GHz the amateur service operates on a secondary basis. In making assignments to other services, CEPT administrations
    are requested wherever possible to maintain these sub-bands in such a way as to facilitate the reception of amateur emissions with minimal power flux densities.”
    As consideration is given to the identification of additional frequency bands for IMT, or for the extension of bands already so identified to
    additional countries or regions, care must be taken to maintain useful
    access to the radio spectrum at suitable intervals by the amateur and
    amateur-satellite services.

    Agenda Item 1.4 – “to consider
    possible new allocation to the amateur service on a secondary basis within the
    band 5 250 - 5 450 kHz in accordance with Resolution 649 (WRC-12);”
    IARU
    Position: The addition of a new allocation within the band 5250 – 5450 kHz is a high priority for the amateur service. Resolution 649 (WRC-12) explains why:
    Communications in the HF bands allocated to the amateur service play a
    major role in work to mitigate catastrophes and in the delivery of
    communications in support of relief operations in areas where the  tele-communication infrastructure is weak or has collapsed.
    Radiocommunication in the HF bands is dependent on propagation factors, with the result that frequencies in different bands have to be used.

    For amateur stations using typical antennas and power levels, it is important that the maximum usable frequency (MUF) not be excessively above the operating frequency.
    In the current allocations to the amateur service in the HF bands
    there is a significant gap between 4000 kHz (3800 kHz in Region 1 and 3900 kHz in Region 3) and 7000 kHz, which causes problems in maintaining communications when the MUF falls below 7 MHz.

    Resolution 649 (WRC-12) invites WRC-15 to consider “the possibility of making an allocation of an appropriate amount of spectrum, not necessarily contiguous, to the amateur service on a secondary basis within the band 5 250-5 450 kHz” based on the results of ITU-R studies of spectrum requirements for the amateur service and the impact to other services
    currently allocated in this band and adjacent bands.

    In response to Agenda Item 1.15 WRC-12 created a new allocation of 5250-5275 kHz (among others) for the radiolocation service, limited to oceanographic radars operating in accordance with Resolution 612 (Rev.WRC-12). The CPM Report for
    WRC-12 concluded that for oceanographic radars, “Sharing with amateur, broadcasting, and radio astronomy services seems to be difficult due to their protection requirements.” With respect to sharing with the amateur service the difficulty arises mainly because the operation of an oceanographic radar on a particular frequency is expected to be more or less continuous (see Recommendation ITU-R M.1874-1), offering no opportunity for time-sharing. By  contrast, the operation of an amateur station is both intermittent in time and
    variable in frequency to adjust to changing propagation conditions and to avoid interference.
    In considering the “appropriate amount of spectrum” to the amateur service it should be borne in mind that the administrations wishing to implement an amateur allocation domestically as well as the amateur operators desiring to utilize it will benefit from there being the greatest possible flexibility afforded by the international Table of Frequency
    Allocations.

    An allocation to the amateur service within the band 5250-5450 kHz is envisioned to be on a secondary basis. Stations of a secondary service must operate so as to avoid causing harmful interference to stations of primary services. In the aftermath of a major natural disaster afflicting a region in which several languages are spoken the IARU estimates that there could
    be a need for amateur networks in the 5 MHz band to use approximately 16
    separate frequencies simultaneously, each with a bandwidth of approximately 3 kHz, in order to provide voice and data communications. While this suggests that  an “appropriate amount” of spectrum might be less than the 200 kHz suggested above, in such a situation the selection of operating frequencies by amateurs will be constrained by the need to avoid frequencies occupied by stations of
    primary services.

    Further, as amateur communication
    increasingly uses digital modes of emission, inter-symbol distortion caused by multipath propagation requires choice of an operating frequency as near as possible to the MUF.

    Accordingly, the IARU requests that
    consideration be given to a secondary allocation of as much spectrum as possible within the band 5250-5450 kHz.
    Agenda Item 1.6.1 – “(to consider possible additional primary allocations) to the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to space and space-to-Earth) of 250 MHz in the range between 10 GHz and 17 GHz in Region 1;”

    IARU Position: The band 10.0-10.5 GHz is allocated to the amateur service
    on a secondary basis. It is a popular band for amateur experimentation,
    investigation of propagation phenomena, and point-to-point communication between networked repeater stations.

    The band 10.45-10.5 GHz is
    allocated to the amateur-satellite service on a secondary basis. Owing to the popularity of the 10.0-10.5 GHz band for terrestrial amateur communication, increased use of this allocation for amateur satellite communication is anticipated.

    European Common Frequency Allocation Table  Footnote EU17 provides: “In the sub-bands 3400-3410 MHz, 5660-5670 MHz, 10.36-10.37 GHz, 10.45-10.46 GHz the amateur service operates on a secondary
    basis. In making assignments to other services, CEPT administrations are
    requested wherever possible to maintain these sub-bands in such a way as to facilitate the reception of amateur emissions with minimal power flux densities.”

    The IARU requests that existing and future use  of this band be taken into account and continue to be provided
    for.

    Agenda Item 1.10 – “to consider spectrum requirements and possible additional spectrum allocations for the mobile-satellite service in the Earth-to-space and space-to-Earth directions, including the satellite component for broadband applications, including International Mobile Tele-communications (IMT), within the frequency range from 22 GHz to 26 GHz, in accordance with Resolution 234 (WRC-12);”

    IARU Position: Above 440 MHz,
    the band 24.0-24.05 GHz is the lowest frequency primary allocation to the
    amateur and amateur-satellite services. The next lowest primary allocation is at 47.0-47.2 GHz. The 24.05-24.25 GHz band is allocated to the amateur service on a secondary basis. While the designation of the 24.0-24.25 GHz band for ISM applications and the high water vapor absorption at this order of frequency create challenges, amateurs are actively pursuing experimentation in this band.
    Maintaining the primary allocation and assuring that any new services introduced into the band are compatible with the amateur and amateur-satellite services is
    essential for the continuing contribution by radio amateurs to the body of
    experience and knowledge of microwave equipment construction, operation, and propagation research.

    Agenda Item 1.12 – “to consider an
    extension of the current worldwide allocation to the Earth exploration-satellite
    (active) service in the frequency band 9 300 - 9 900 MHz by up to 600 MHz with the frequency bands 8 700 - 9 300 MHz and/or 9 900 - 10 500 MHz, in accordance with Resolution 652 (WRC-12);”

    IARU Position: As noted under Agenda Item 1.6.1, the band 10.0-10.5 GHz is allocated to the amateur service on
    a secondary basis. It is a popular band for amateur experimentation,
    investigation of propagation phenomena, and point-to-point communication between
    networked repeater stations.
    The band 10.45-10.5 GHz is allocated to the amateur-satellite service on a secondary basis. Owing to the popularity of the 10.0-10.5 GHz band for terrestrial amateur communication, increased use of this allocation for amateur satellite communication is anticipated.

    The IARU requests that existing and future use of this band be taken into account and continue to be provided for. An illustration of how this can be accomplished is found in Recommendation ITU-R RS.1260-1; see No. 5.279A which applies to the use of the band 432-438 MHz by the Earth exploration-satellite service
    (active).

    Agenda Item 1.18 – “to consider a primary allocation to the radiolocation service for automotive applications in the 77.5 - 78.0 GHz frequency band in accordance with Resolution 654 (WRC-12);”  and IARU Position: Currently the only primary incumbent services in the band 77.5-78.0 GHz are the amateur and amateur-satellite services. These services  also have secondary allocations in the adjacent bands of 76.0-77.5 GHz and  78.0-81.5 GHz. Amateur experimentation in the band is ongoing.
    When  allocations to services between 71 GHz and 84 GHz were made for the first time at WARC-79, the amateur and amateur-satellite services received a primary and exclusive allocation of 75.5-76.0 GHz and a secondary allocation of 76.0-81.0 GHz. The allocation of 75.5-76.0 GHz was withdrawn at WRC-2000 and as
    compensation the band 77.5-78.0 GHz was upgraded to primary and No. 5.561A was added, creating a new secondary allocation to the amateur services at 81.0-81.5
    GHz.

    The IARU acknowledges that there are significant benefits to be gained from worldwide standards for technologies such as automotive radars.
    However, automotive radars are classic examples of short- range devices (SRDs)  for which, in general, allocations are neither essential nor
    appropriate.
    Should a primary allocation to the radiolocation service for automotive applications nonetheless be added to the 77.5 – 78.0 GHz frequency band, the IARU earnestly requests that the primary allocation to the amateur and
    amateur-satellite services be maintained; or, in the alternative, that a
    suitable replacement allocation be provided on a primary basis within the band 71 – 84 GHz.

    Agenda Item 8 – “to consider and take appropriate action on requests from administrations to delete their country footnotes or to have their country name deleted from footnotes, if no longer required, taking into account  Resolution 26 (Rev.WRC-07);”

    IARU Position: There are a number of country footnotes that apply to amateur service allocations, some of which appear to be obsolete. In particular, the IARU invites the administrations listed in Nos. 5.98, 5.99, 5.102, 5.119, and 5.122 relating to the bands 1810-1830 kHz, 1850-2000 kHz, 3500-3750 kHz, and 3750-4000 kHz to consider  proposing the deletion of their country names from these footnotes.

    Agenda Item 9.1.4 – Updating and rearrangement of the Radio regulations (Resolution 67 (WRC-12))

    IARU Position: The scope of ITU-R “studies for possible updating, review and possible revision of outdated information” in the Radio Regulations
    envisioned by Resolution 67 (WRC-12) does not exclude Article 25, Amateur
    services. Article 25 was last revised by WRC-03 and is not reviewed for possible revision on a regular basis.

    Article 25 includes restrictions on communications by amateur stations on behalf of third parties that are clearly outdated in view of the vast array of telecommunications  alternatives now available to individuals. Specifically, No. 25.3 states:
    “Amateur stations may be used for transmitting international communications on
    behalf of third parties only in case of emergencies or disaster relief. An
    administration may determine the applicability of this provision to amateur
    stations under its jurisdiction.”

    Restrictions on international communications by amateur stations on behalf of third parties date
    to the 1932 International Radiotelegraph Conference held in Madrid and originally were intended to protect the revenues of telecommunications
    monopolies and to discourage “uneconomic bypass” of common carriers. Such concerns are no longer relevant, and No. 25.2 is sufficient to protect the non-commercial nature of the amateur service. No. 25.2 reads: “Transmissions between amateur stations of different countries shall be limited to communications incidental to the purposes of the amateur service, as defined in  No. 1.56 and to remarks of a personal character.”

    In the absence of a determination by an administration that the limitation on international  communications on behalf of third parties to cases of emergencies or disaster relief does not apply to amateur stations under its jurisdiction, amateurs under
    the jurisdiction of that administration as well as amateurs communicating with
    them from other jurisdictions are prohibited from conducting even the most mundane and routine communication on behalf of friends, family members and the general public. This has a chilling effect on demonstrations of the amateur
    service to the public as well as on training exercises to develop skills for use in emergencies and disaster relief.
    Accordingly, the IARU supports the
    revision of No. 25.3 to read: “Amateur stations may be used for transmitting
    international communications on behalf of third parties consistent with No. 25.2
    as well as in case of emergencies or disaster relief.”

    Agenda Item 9.1.8 –
    Regulatory aspects for nanosatellites and picosatellites (Resolution 757
    (WRC-12)) Resolution 757 calls for the results of studies of the procedures
    for notifying space networks that presently apply to nanosatellites and
    picosatellites to be reported to WRC-15. Because of the possible implications of these studies for the amateur and amateur-satellite services, the IARU is following the progress of these studies attentively. Nanosatellites and picosatellites that are properly licensed in the amateur-satellite service and are operated consistent with the purposes of the amateur and amateur-satellite
    services as defined in Nos. 1.56 and 1.57 may utilize the provisions of
    Resolution 642.
    -----------
    All IARU member-societies are encouraged to  meet with their telecommunication authorities to discuss the WRC-15 Agenda Items
    and to gain support from their telecom authorities for the IARU positions.
    United States W4, K4 and N4 QSL Bureau Address Change The
    Carolina DX Association has announced the new address for the W4, K4 and N4 QSL Bureau. The new postal address is:

    W4, K4, N4 QSL
    Bureau
    631-200B Brawley School Rd
    PMB # 305
    Mooresville, NC 28117
    USA

    The Carolina DX Association is the sponsoring organization for this
    bureau effective January 2013

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