Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Aug 27 2021 08:30:45 BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K4LYL repeater in Bedford, Virginia on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time. ** WEST BENGAL HAMS MARK 100 YEARS OF RADIO PAUL/ANCHOR: This year has brought double the celebration for hams in India. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, tells us there's still time to attend some of the programs - virtually. JASON: Indian amateurs aren't just marking 100 years of ham radio; they're also celebrating 75 years of their nation's independence. A full weekend of celebration was hosted by the West Bengal Radio Club on August 14th and 15th, highlighted by an online tech talk with noted home brewer Ashhar Farhan, VU2ESE, creator of the Bitx and micro BITX open source transceivers. The programme, hosted by Saborni Nag Biswas, VU2JFC, was followed by a webinar on the first century of Indian amateur radio led by S. Ram Mohan, VU2MYH, and Sriramamurthy Suri, VU2MY, both of the National Institute of Amateur Radio and S. Satyapal, VU2FI, of the Indian Institute of Hams. Both events were livestreamed. If you were unable to attend virtually while the programmes were taking place, they are available for viewing on YouTube. The links appear in the script of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQe98ccurM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQpy1t-xLoE For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW. (WEST BENGAL RADIO CLUB) ** ACMA SEEKS INPUT ON 2x1 CALLSIGNS PAUL/ANCHOR: Australian officials are looking for hams' input on their review of 2x1 callsigns. Robert Broomhead, VK3DN, has more. ROBERT: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is asking hams to share their thoughts on allocation arrangements for 2x1 callsigns. The callsign allocations are to be handled by the Australian Maritime College, which already manages allocations for amateur beacons, repeaters, special event callsigns, and normal callsigns. The ACMA have posted a survey, and are interested in hearing hams' thoughts on the issue and use of the two-by-one callsigns. The authority wants to know, for instance, whether the callsigns should be made available only to clubs and Advanced level amateurs, or whether any level of licence can have access. Hams have until the 31st of August to complete the short five-question survey. According to the authority, hams will be able to use the 2x1 callsigns without having to get a new licence, or make changes to their existing licence. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Robert Broomhead, VK3DN. (ACMA) ** ACMA REVIEWS ARRANGEMENTS FOR AMATEUR REPEATERS, ASSIGNED BEACONS PAUL/ANCHOR: The authority is also reviewing its plans for assigned amateur beacon and repeater stations. More details on that from Graham Kemp, VK4BB. GRAHAM: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is in the middle of sorting through more than 800 responses to its consultation on a review of non-assigned amateur and outpost licensing arrangements. The ACMA's review is also taking a look at accreditation for repeater and amateur beacon assignments. The ACMA has been trying to implement a licensing procedure that will minimise the burdens of regulation, and allow benefits for hams to continue at an affordable price. According to the consultation paper outlining the proposed changes earlier this year, three options are under consideration. In the first, the ACMA would not change apparatus licensing arrangements and conditions. In the second, the authority would simplify existing licensing arrangements and licence conditions. In the third, which is the preferred option for the AMCA, operation of non-assigned amateur stations would be authorised for holders of Foundation, Standard, and Advanced level qualifications through a class licence, rather than an apparatus licence. This would involve creation of an amateur class licence authorising amateur station operation by those holding Foundation, Standard, or Advanced level qualifications, and would include individuals visiting Australia, and having overseas equivalent qualifications or licences. Meanwhile, operation of assigned amateur beacon and repeater stations would remain authorised under apparatus licensing arrangements. In a recent advisory, the ACMA has indicated it will provide updates via its e-bulletin. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB. (ACMA) --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33) .