Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Aug 14 2020 12:25:59

UK EXAMS ARE BOOKED THROUGH SEPTEMBER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you've been waiting to take your license exams in the
UK, you're going to have to wait a little longer. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
explains.

JEREMY: Hams in the UK who had hoped to gain their Foundation licence or
upgrade to Intermediate this month, are going to need some patience:
demand has been so great, that most available slots for the Radio Society
of Great Britain's online exams, are already booked through late September.
The remote-invigilation exams were previously only given to Foundation
candidates, but they were recently opened up to Intermediate candidates
as well. The requirement for a practical has been dropped for both levels
of licence.

To register for an exam, visit rsgb.org/exampay

The changes have resulted in big growth in online training. Free coursework
is available from a number of sources, including Essex Ham, and the GM6DX
website.

Links to both websites are available in the printed script of this week's
report.

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

[PRINT ONLY: https://gm6dx.thinkific.com/ and
https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/foundation-online/  ]

(SOUTHGATE, RSGB)

**

SWISS AMATEUR RADIO GROUP OFFERS RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a bonus for hams in Switzerland, who help boost
membership in the national amateur radio organization. Ed Durrant, DD5LP,
gives us the details.

ED: The USKA, the Union of Swiss Shortwave Amateurs, has a recruitment
drive under way, with a bit of a financial twist. They're offering a
financial bonus for members who successfully sign up new members,
especially those under the age of 25. According to the group's website,
the effort began as a way to address declining membership, and does not
apply to former USKA members who are rejoining.

In 2018, 3,070 of Switzerland's 4,877 amateur radio licensees were members
of the USKA. The USKA recently focused as well on promoting youth
involvement in amateur radio, after noticing that its roster of new members
included only one amateur younger than 25 in 2018.

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

(USKA, SOUTHGATE)

**

SPECIAL EVENT RECALLS 2 DEVASTATING U.S. HURRICANES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hurricane season is under way in parts of the U.S., and
for many, it evokes painful memories. A special event station is marking
the 15th anniversary of two of the most devastating, as we hear from Don
Wilbanks, AE5DW.

DON: Fifteen years ago, residents of Louisiana and Texas were bracing for
two devastating storms that swept the region. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
destroyed communities, displaced families, and cost lives, putting 2005
on one part of the U.S. hurricane map that so many would like to forget.
Katrina was described as the largest natural disaster in U.S. history, and
one month later, Rita swept through, deepening the tragedy.

Special Event Station K5R is marking the anniversary, and on the weekend
of August 28th through the 30th. Hams will be mostly on 40, 20, and 17
meters, using SSB and CW, and successful contacts can be awarded a
certificate.

Scott Hernandez, KD5PCK, is sponsoring the special event, and asks all
hams to visit the station's page on QRZ.com for more details, or the
Facebook page for K5R Special Event Station. A number of operators
calling QRZ are, like me, Katrina survivors. I'll be on the air as well,
so be listening.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

(SCOTT HERNANDEZ KD5PCK)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the KV3B repeater
in Rockville, Maryland, on Sunday nights at 8 local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (618:250/33)

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