Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Wed Apr 28 2021 17:34:29 SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR JIM/ANCHOR: You have until May 31st to nominate a talented young radio amateur for the Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award. Think of a young amateur whose commitment to community and whose enthusiasm for radio has inspired you and others and submit their name. Nominees must 18 or younger living in the United States, its possessions or any Canadian province. Downloadable nomination forms are due no later than May 31st and can be found on our website arnewsline.org ** DISCOVERING SIMPLEX IN 'LIGHT UP 2 METERS' EVENT JIM/ANCHOR: One of the best ways to get hams on the same band, in the same mode at the same time is to organize an event. Sunday April 25th is the date for 'Light Up 2 Meters Night,' a very local event for participating hams who are encouraged to get on the air using 2 meters simplex from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time. The event is the creation of Joseph Durnal, NE3R, who stresses that this isn't a contest; just an operating activity to bring hams together and explore the possibilities of operating simplex. The primary operating frequency will be 146.52 MHz, but other simplex frequencies may also be available in different locations. (JOSEPH DURNAL NE3R) ** STRAIGHT KEY CENTURY CLUB PREPS FOR SPRINTATHON JIM/ANCHOR: Fifteen years of sending CW with a straight key is no small achievement. Randy Sly, W4XJ, is here to tell us how one group has been making every contact a celebration for all those years. RANDY: The Straight Key Century Club is celebrating its 15th anniversary. It all began with a simple post in the QRZ.com forum about the ARRL Straight Key Night after it ended in 2006. Tom Peterson, KC9ECI, wanted to see the event extended. He wrote:"Do it the 1st of each month. Start your own SKCC club. One hundred Qs with a straight key in a year gets a certificate. Ah, the heck with it ...I'm officially starting the SKCC club..." Since that day, the club has grown to over 24,000 members who are taking to the airwaves with straight keys, sideswipers and semi- automatic keys. Tom told Newsline that he never thought the club would get this big. In fact, he's amazed. He said: "The success of the SKCC has less to do with me and everything to do with a great bunch of operators who were willing to step up. I just provided the 'spark' of an idea." Members can work toward awards and participate in many activities, including a monthly Sprintathon. The May Sprintathon, which starts at 1200Z on May 8, offers bonus points for a contact made with any member who joined during the first year, those with a number lower than 2545. For more information and to register for a free membership, visit skccgroup.com. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Randy Sly, W4XJ, SKCC number 616S. ** SWISS AMATEUR SOCIETY SEEKING MENTORS JIM/ANCHOR: Recognizing that amateur radio isn't an activity we engage in alone, the national amateur radio society in Switzerland is asking members to take things one step further: They want seasoned hams to consider mentoring newcomers. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has that story. JEREMY: The USKA, the Swiss national amateur radio society, has put out a call to its members asking them to consider offering encouragement, support and expertise to new and prospective amateurs. The national society is in the process of putting together a mentoring system and hopes hams will offer their time and commitment to meet with newcomers, either virtually or in person. Their responsibilities will include helping to answer questions on either the Ofcom HB3 Novice licence or the HB9 (CEPT Class 1) certificate. Other mentors are being asked to serve as instructors, provide advice for participation in contests and other events as well as demonstrating certain basic skills. Willi, HB9AMC, who coordinates youth training for the society, said [quote] "The activity is fully worthy of the ethos of amateur radio.' " [endquote] For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH. (SOUTHGATE) ** AMATEUR RADIO CENSUS PROBES RELEVANT ISSUES JIM/ANCHOR: Was there ever a ham radio operator who didn't want to be heard? Well, one amateur in Maryland is giving hams around the world an opportunity for just that, even without benefit of a rig, an antenna or a linear amp. Jim, K3MRI, has launched a new effort called Ham Census, which he said is inspired by the newest licensees who have entered the worldwide community. The Census presents questions about the future of amateur radio, personal views on regulations, operating preferences, gear and organizations. The six-part census takes about 40 to 45 minutes to complete and it is available online at hamcensus.org. There is no cutoff date for responses. Jim said results are available to all respondents in the hopes that a better-informed amateur community can more effectively influence laws, practices and the future of amateur radio in general. (HAM COMMUNITY.ORG) --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (454:1/33) .