This Week in Amateur Radio Edition #1098/1099 Release Date: March 21, 2020 Here is a summary of the news trending this week. This weeks edition is anchored by Dave Wilson, WA2HOY, Don Hulick, K2ATJ, Will Rogers, K5WLR, Rich Lawrence, KB2MOB, George Bowen, W2XBS and Jessica Bowen, KC2VWX. Produced and edited by George Bowen, W2XBS. Running […]
For the first time in its 68-year history, Dayton Hamvention® will not take place this year, due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. The glum news was not entirely unexpected, given widespread cancelations of public gatherings and a national state of emergency. “The Hamvention Executive Committee has been monitoring the COVID19 pandemic. We have worked very […]
Hello everyone and welcome to April. Could this month be a turn around point for us solar watchers? Is Solar Cycle 25 about to start? Understandable questions which we will shed some light on later in this article. from SpaceWeatherLive RSS https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/news/view/406/20200331-april-the-month-of-solar-minimum via IFTTT
The ARRL ARDF Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the 20th USA ARDF Championships, which were set to be held this summer. Contact the ARRL ARDF Committee for more information on ARDF and on attending, participating in, or hosting ARDF competitions. ARDF participants do not need an amateur radio license. For more information on Amateur […]
To help and support radio amateurs who are isolated at home and would appreciate contact with other people, the RSGB Contest Committees are launching a new six-week initiative starting on Monday 6 April, called the ‘Hope QSO Party’. Open to every radio amateur, not just RSGB members, this contest will also welcome international participation with […]
The FCC has granted temporary permission to wireless internet service providers (WISPs) in rural portions of 29 states and the US Virgin Islands to operate in the 5.8 GHz band (5.850 – 5.895 GHz). The authorization, to help meet the temporary surge in demand for residential fixed broadband services during the COVID-19 pandemic, was one of multiple […]
Via their web site: The Belize Amateur Radio Club shack (V31HQ) has burned down. Nobody was injured, however Andre V31DL (owner of the shack) has lost ALL equipment. barc.bz Pictures posted on their web site show the cabin fully engulfed in flames and a picture of the radio equipment after the fire. The cause of […]
Whilst the National Radio Centre itself is currently closed, as is the Bletchley Park museum, the NRC volunteer team have taken the opportunity to run some nets to keep in touch with each other. We are acutely aware that whilst in self-isolation, it is more important than ever to stay in communication, so what better […]
Many individuals and groups organizing events for Field Day 2020 have been contacting ARRL for guidance on how to adapt their planned activities in this unprecedented time of social distancing and uncertainty. “Due to the unique situation presented this year, this can be an opportunity for you, your club, and/or group to try something new,” […]
“We hope that you all understand the very serious nature of the current health crisis. As you are now aware, the situation has dramatically worsened and we have all been ordered to stay at home unless travelling for a specific and unavoidable reason. As radio amateurs we are in the fortunate position of being able […]
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the March 20 – 21 HamSCI Workshop went on as scheduled, moving to a free, all-digital webinar workshop. The theme of the 2020 workshop was “The Auroral Connection — How does the aurora affect amateur radio, and what can we learn about the aurora from radio techniques?” Organizer and University of Scranton professor […]
With parts available at Lowes and Home Depot, using open-source software, skilled volunteers may be able to help bridge the gap in life-saving technology against the coronavirus. As a University of Florida mechanical engineering student decades ago, Samsun Lampotang helped respiratory therapist colleagues build a minimal-transport ventilator that became a commercial success. So, when the […]
The FCC will hold its March 31 open meeting by teleconference. “Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and related agency telework and headquarters access policies, this meeting will be in a wholly electronic format and will be open to the public on the internet via live feed from the FCC web page and on the FCC YouTube […]
City-based HAM or Amateur Radio operators are providing assistance by extending communication support to the government in the ongoing fight against the spread of the COVID-19 in the state. HAM operators have set up an Amateur Radio Station at the Chief Minister’s War Room on COVID-19 which will attend complaints related to civic issues and […]
Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) participated in the 27th edition of the Russian International Amateur Radio Competition (RDXC-2020), organised by the Russian Amateur Radio Union to allow all radio amateurs in the world to participate in the competition. Mass participation at the association’s headquarters was replaced in this year’s competition with the sole participation of […]
As a result of the government’s updated position on people’s movements, the VHFCC and HFCC have taken the decision that, until further notice, we can no longer allow any entries from stations operating from portable or alternative addresses or from multi-operator stations. Single operator entries from shared stations will also not be accepted unless the […]
AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, has announced the appointment of Sean Kutzko, KX9X, of Urbana, Illinois, as Volunteer Coordinator. Licensed since 1982, Kutzko served for 10 years on the ARRL Headquarters staff as Contest Branch Manager and as Media and Public Relations Manager. “It’s an honor to be able to volunteer for AMSAT,” Kutzko said. […]
Amateur radio volunteers from around the world have volunteered to assist University of Florida Professor Sam Lampotang and his engineering team in their quest to rapidly develop an open-source, low-cost patient ventilator that can be built anywhere from such commonly available components as PVC pipe and lawn-sprinkler valves. The amateur radio volunteers are developing Arduino-based […]
Michael Wells, G7VJR, has announced that Club Log is contributing 120 CPU cores (most running at 3.4 GHz) to the Folding@Home Project that’s simulating the dynamics of COVID-19 proteins to hunt for new therapeutic opportunities. Wells said he’s assigned a higher priority to the Folding@Home work, so radio amateurs may experience slightly longer upload times. […]
ARRL Headquarters will comply with an executive order from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont that all non-essential businesses and not-for-profit entities reduce in-person workforces by 100% no later than March 23, 2020, at 8 PM. ARRL will equip as many Headquarters staffers as possible to work remotely. W1AW bulletin and code practice transmissions will continue. Customer […]
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has reported on how it is addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, given the various restrictions in place to slow the spread of the virus. IARU said the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters in Geneva remains off limits to visitors until April 17 at the earliest. ITU has cancelled some meetings, […]
