Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Thu Sep 24 2020 22:27:43 PRIDE RADIO GROUP LAUNCHES IN AUSTRALIA NEIL/ANCHOR: We all take pride in who we are as amateur radio operators. Now a new club is forming as a virtual collective, hoping to provide a welcoming spirit to amateurs who are also part of the world's LGBTQI community. Robert Broomhead, VK3DN, has that story. ROBERT: The Pride Radio Group launched itself on the 13th of September and within the first week alone, it had become a group of 50. A virtual community organised by Michael Wheeler, VK3FUR, the group encourages discussions on SDR, antenna design, and HF operating -- much of it on the Discord app for now -- and it promises what Michael calls a "safe and friendly environment." Michael said the group's origins are rooted in the hope to provide representation for radio operators in the LGBTQI community in Australia and the Oceania region, and that it just grew from there. While the group awaits its Australian call sign to be granted, plans are in the works for a future with special event activations, DMR talkgroups, and a pride-focused contest, likely for June of 2021. Michael said other ham clubs have already reached out asking how their own organisations can become more inclusive and welcoming. Michael told Newsline: [quote] "I've had a number of people personally reach out to me to tell me that a group like this might be just the sort of thing they need to get back on the air." [endquote] For more details about this emerging group, visit the website prideradio dot group (prideradio.group) For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Robert Broomhead, VK3DN. (QRZ FORUMS, MICHAEL WHEELER VK3FUR) ** 'GET ON THE AIR' CAMPAIGN DRAWS NATIONAL EXPOSURE, NEW HAMS NEIL/ANCHOR: In the UK, the Get On the Air To Care campaign has accelerated since the Radio Society of Great Britain and the NHS teamed up to highlight ham radio as an antidote to the malaise of pandemic lockdown. In fact, national media, such as the BBC and the "i" newspaper, have shared such stories as this next one, as Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains. JEREMY: Caitlin Field, M6XTT, is the third generation ham in her family - and its first YL. She joins grandfather Don, G3XTT, and father, Ed, 2E0WWF, in her fascination with radio and science. When lockdown happened, Caitlin made the most of her time by studying the Foundation course provided online by Essex Ham. Using Zoom, Don supplemented his granddaughter's studies with regular tutoring sessions and proclaimed her an eager student. It also gave the two some quality "grandpa-and-granddaughter time" which they both thoroughly enjoyed during an otherwise isolating lockdown. On her third try, Caitlin passed the exam given by remote invigilation by RSGB president, and exam quality manager, Dave Wilson, M0OBW. Soon the 10-year-old was the holder of her father's old Foundation call sign. Getting on the air to care - or caring enough to help someone new get on the air in the first place - is the essence of this joint campaign with the health service, according to Steve Thomas, M1ACB, the RSGB's general manager. Now, it seems, that mainstream media also cares - and cares enough to put amateur radio stories like this on the air. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH. NEIL/ANCHOR: We also mention that the RSGB has begun making remote invigilation available for applicants for the Full license. On Thursday, September 24th, the society began accepting exam bookings for all three levels of license. Exams are now being booked for Wednesday, October 21st, and beyond. (STEVE THOMAS M1ACB, DON FIELD G3XTT) ** VISITORS' AMATEUR STATION TO SHUT IN SWEDEN NEIL/ANCHOR: A popular ham station for guest operators in Sweden has become another casualty of the global pandemic. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has those details. GRAHAM: There's little more than two months to go before SI9AM, the Visitors Amateur Radio Station in Utanede Sweden closes its doors permanently. It was established 20 years ago and is owned by eight radio clubs in Sweden's third call area. There have been no guest operators, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic and its board has opted to cease operations on the first of December. Since the visitors station opened on July 19, 2000 it has logged about 160,000 QSOs. The station is known as the King Chulalongkorn (Chew Luh Long Korn) Memorial Amateur Radio Visitors station, and is located near the Thai Pavilion that opened in 1998 to honor the Thai king's visit to the Swedish town in 1897. SI9AM president J”rgen, SM3FJF, made the announcement, adding that all QSL cards and SI9AM awards will still be sent for confirmed radio contacts. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB. (SI9AM) ** 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. --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (618:250/33) .