Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Jul 29 2022 10:59:37

SILENT KEY: BEN HENLEY KI4IGX, LEADER IN FLORIDA EMERGENCY WORK

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A leader in emergency preparedness in the Florida amateur 
radio community has become a Silent Key. With those details, here's Jim 
Damron, N8TMW.

JIM: The amateur community in West Central Florida lost one of its 
regional leaders recently. Ben Henley, KI4IGX, the former section 
emergency coordinator for the ARRL, became a Silent Key on the 20th of 
July. At the time of his death, Ben, who had congestive heart failure and 
ischemia, was awaiting a heart transplant.

Though he made his living in the field of information technology, he was 
deeply involved in his various emergency management roles that had 
amateur radio at its core. Many of his initiatives stemmed from his work 
as emergency management coordinator with Highlands County Emergency 
Management. He is credited for helping grow a partnership between that 
office and Highlands County ARES. He also helped build a bridge between 
three ARRL Florida Section ARES programs and the state's EOC for 
emergency response.

Ben was 52 years old.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(ARRL)

**

APRS MAP SERVICE BECOMES MOTORIST RESOURCE IN NORWAY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a new option to help with navigating roads in 
Norway and it's being provided through amateur radio. Ed Durrant, DD5LP,
brings us that story.

ED: In Norway, motorists and others needing information about accidents, 
construction projects and advisories on roads are now able to tap into a 
resource provided through amateur radio: The APRS map service operated by 
the Norwegian Radio Relay League. According to a report from the league, 
the amateur radio map service has integrated the data from the Norwegian 
Public Roads Administration into the APRS system. The messages are 
categorized according to levels of urgency: low, high and highest. League 
members are able to get a user account enabling them to do limited 
editing of map layers in the system.

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

(NRRL)

**

UK MAKES FAST TRACK TO FULL LICENSE AVAILABLE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a quicker way for hams in the UK to progress to 
the top-tier license. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains.

JEREMY: The wait is over: Amateur licence candidates in the UK wishing to 
qualify immediately for a Full licence will be able to take the faster 
track starting on the 1st January. This major change, which is being 
called direct-to-full, has long been favoured within the amateur 
community, according to surveys by the RSGB and Essex Ham.

The 75-question exam, which is in two parts, takes about 2 and a half 
hours to complete. It will be available online but it is not yet clear 
whether candidates may also sit for the test at a registered exam centre. 
The test does not contain any practical assessments.

To clarify the process for candidates, Essex Ham has produced a video by 
Pete, M0PSX, explaining that the exam is most suitable for individuals 
who have a background in the RF field or some expertise in electronics 
and don’t need the incremental steps through the two lower licence tiers. 
The syllabus for the direct-to-full is the same as for the traditional 
licence path. Anyone may take the exam, including holders of Foundation 
and Intermediate licences.

The cost of the direct-to-full exam has not yet been announced. To view 
the Essex Ham video, find the link in the text version of this week's 
newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY:

https://www.essexham.co.uk/rsgb-launches-direct-to-full.html ]
 
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ESSEX HAM, RSGB)

** 

BENDIGO CLUB ADDS FOCUS GROUP FOR FIELD WORK, EMERGENCY RESPONSE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Australia, one club has added a focus group 
specializing on emergency response and field work. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW,
has that report.

JASON: The Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club is preparing for 
the launch of its special interest group that focuses on field operations 
and regional emergency support. The group will begin its activities when 
members meet on Friday, August 19th at the club hall in Bendigo, Victoria.
According to an email from club president Neil, VK3ZVX, this is intended
to be a group that plans, prepares and trains for inevitable crises. The
first meeting will focus on "show and tell," allowing members to share
the equipment they have used in previous field operations such as Mills
on the Air, SOTA or parks activations. This includes any Go-Kits,
portable camping gear, solar panels and batteries.

Neil stressed that perfection is not required. In fact, he writes in his 
email [quote] "Even if it is only a half-baked idea, a half-built project 
or a pile of bits for one, bring it along and be prepared to explain it 
if need be." [endquote] Neil said the point of the show-and-tell is to 
obtain the widest range of ideas and inspiration.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(BAREC)
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