Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Mar 19 2021 00:15:08

GERMAN 'HEALING' DEVICE BANNED OVER RFI

NEIL/ANCHOR: In Germany, a device marketed for its alleged healing powers 
has been banned for interfering with amateur radio communications. Ed 
Durrant, DD5LP, picks up the story from here.

ED: Marketers selling an electronic device in Germany claimed that for the 
steep price of 8 thousand Euro – the equivalent of more than $9,000 US 
dollars – it could awaken the healing powers of the human body by 
revitalising its water content.

Apparently, what it really awakened was amateur radio interference.  A 
recent news report by the Associated Press said that the device being sold 
by the Swiss company Wassermatrix AG uses frequencies allocated for amateur 
radio operators. According to the DARC website, RFI has been reported by 
hams using the low end of 2 meters in the weak signal / EME segment.

A posting on the QRZ.com forum cited claims made by the device's developers 
that operation was based on principles used by Nikola Tesla and Georges 
Lakhovsky, claiming that it was especially effective because the human body 
is comprised of a high percentage of water.

The RFI complaints are what set the regulator's actions in motion. The 
device's sale and use are now banned in Germany. Use of already purchased 
units would be a prosecutable offence.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS, QRZ.COM)

**

MAJOR HAM EVENTS MAKE ON-SITE PLANS CAUTIOUSLY

NEIL/ANCHOR: Plans are moving forward cautiously for major on-site amateur 
radio events in Germany, and in the UK. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, fills us in.

ED: Even as the organisers of Ham Radio Friedrichshafen proceed with plans
for a COVID-compliant in person conference in June, they are also advising 
caution that plans may need to be modified to be a hybrid event with an 
online component. In a statement, organisers said they were taking into 
account the slow vaccination rate in Germany and how quarantine 
restrictions or test requirements could impact the number of foreign
attendees. The 45th event is scheduled for June 25th through 27th.

Meanwhile, organisers of the UK's National Hamfest also remain somewhat 
optimistic about their event to be held in September. The directors said on 
the event website: "We are closely monitoring the ever changing health
landscape, government guidance and roadmap steps coming out of lockdown,
and are optimistic that we can arrive at a decision in June for this
year's event."

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

RSGB ELECTIONS BEGIN

NEIL/ANCHOR: For members of the Radio Society of Great Britain, it's 
decision time again, as we hear from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Voting has begun for the Radio Society of Great Britain's elections 
and will continue until 9 a.m. local time on Thursday the 22nd of April. 
Election details are available in the April issue of RadCom which is 
currently being sent to RSGB members. The Society is also preparing for its 
annual General Meeting which will be held online and will be available on 
livestream on Saturday the 24th of April. If members have questions for any 
of the directors they will be able to submit them in advance using the form 
available on the society's website at rsgb.org.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

PLANS FOR 2 x 1 CONTEST CALL SIGNS IN AUSTRALIA

NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, hams in Australia will be pleased to learn that the 
Australian Maritime College has indicated system changes are in the works 
to enable them to issue 2x1 contest call signs. The changes, however, are 
expected to take several months.

(AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE)
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