In this Issue:
World Amateur Radio Day 2013
IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award
UK Amateurs Gain Increased Access to 5 MHz
__________________________________________________________________
World Amateur Radio Day 2013
Each year the IARU Administrative Council selects a theme for World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) for the following year. WARD takes place each year on April 18. At the November, 2012 Administrative Council meeting the AC adopted the following proposal: "The theme 'Amateur Radio: Entering Its Second Century of Disaster Communications' was adopted for the next World Amateur Radio Day, April 18, 2013."
The selected theme for 2013 is a excellent opportunity for amateur radio emergency communications or disaster communications groups to take advantage of the WARD to highlight the role amateur radio plays in disaster communications and disaster response. IARU member-societies could arrange amateur radio demonstrations in public places such as parks or shopping areas. Prepared handouts could explain the benefits of amateur radio in times of emergency or disaster. A ham radio demonstration in public areas usually generates inquiries and questions from the public about amateur radio and it also provides a great opportunity to attract new ham radio operators. If you plan on such a demonstration, don't forget to include some young people from your society so that young people who happen by the demonstration can see that amateur radio activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
In 2013, April 18 is a weekday. However, that doesn't prevent the public activity from taking place on the weekend before or after April 18. The idea is to gain as much exposure and publicity for amateur radio as possible.
Emergency communications groups might also combine a public demonstration for WARD with a simulated emergency test (SET).
WARD also provides an opportunity for amateurs to give presentations about ham radio to such groups as civic organizations, charitable groups, etc. For example, Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs are only two of many worldwide organizations who have weekly meetings and these organizations are always looking for interesting and informative programs to present to their membership. There are very few experienced hams who can't talk for 15 or 20 minutes about ham radio in a positive fashion. Don't make the talk too technical. Stress the fun aspects of ham radio and the opportunity to assist in times of disaster. Keep the presentation to about 20 minutes to allow time for questions.
The fact that World Amateur Radio Day only happens one day each year shouldn't prevent IARU member-societies from promoting ham radio all during the year of course. Some member-society officials have expressed concern about a decrease in the number of new amateurs entering ham radio in their country. Upon further examination and discussion, it turns out there are many activities that societies could be involved in to increase public exposure to amateur radio but many are not taking advantage of those opportunities. WARD provides an opportunity to get out and make the effort to show the public what ham radio is about.
And, if your member-society is involved in promoting amateur radio on a regular basis and it has been a success, let me know. I will publicize the activity in this newsletter so that other member-societies can benefit from activities that have attracted people to amateur radio.
___________________________________________________________________________
IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award
The IARU Administrative Council created the IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award in November, 2012. The Administrative Council Summary Record states: "10.13. The AC created the IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award. A recipient of the award will be named from time to time and the award will be restricted to those individuals who perform above and beyond their volunteer roles either for a specific task or for long standing involvement on behalf of IARU. Nominations for this award should be directed to the IARU Secretary and will be forwarded to the AC for consideration at an AC meeting."
Michael was the President of the Wireless Institute of Australia at the time of his death in September, 2012. He started his involvement in IARU affairs in mid 1970's as a member of the newly formed IARU Region 3 Association, an organization of IARU member-societies in the Asia-Pacific region. He was involved in WARC 1979 when amateur radio gained bands at 10, 18 and 24 MHz. He was heavily involved in WRC 2003 and the Article 25 re-write which contain the rules that apply specifically to the amateur and amateur-satellite services. From 1989-1999, Michael served as IARU Vice President. After stepping down as IARU VP, he became involved in WIA and had an important role in transitioning the WIA from a confederation to a national amateur radio society. He then turned his attention once again to IARU Region 3 and served as Chairman of IARU Region 3 since 2006 until the time of his death.
Michael's enthusiasm and experience was beneficial to all of the IARU member-societies and his passion for amateur radio will remembered well by those who had the good fortune to know Michael.
If you know an any deserving individual who has contributed time and effort to the IARU and the IARU member-societies, please send along the information about the person to me as IARU Secretary and the individual will be considered for the award by the Administrative Council.
___________________________________________________________________________
Amateur Access to 5 MHz for UK Hams
After 1 January 2013, UK amateurs who hold a "full" license have been allowed to apply to operate on frequencies within the 5 MHz band. Following a request from the Radio Society of Great Britain for increased access to the 5 MHz (Experimental) Band, Ofcom (the UK independent telecom regulator) secured the agreement of the primary user to increase spectrum access from the current 7 spot frequencies of 3 kHz each. Details of the change can be found at http://www.rsgb.org/committees/spectrumforum/5mhz.php Congratulations to the RSGB for their effort to gain additional access to 5MHz. Let's hope this news encourages some of the other IARU member-societies to approach their telecom authority with a request for access to the 5 MHz if they currently have no operating privileges in that band. (Credit: RadCom, March 2013 issue and RSGB)
73, Rod W6ROD
World Amateur Radio Day 2013
IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award
UK Amateurs Gain Increased Access to 5 MHz
__________________________________________________________________
World Amateur Radio Day 2013
Each year the IARU Administrative Council selects a theme for World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) for the following year. WARD takes place each year on April 18. At the November, 2012 Administrative Council meeting the AC adopted the following proposal: "The theme 'Amateur Radio: Entering Its Second Century of Disaster Communications' was adopted for the next World Amateur Radio Day, April 18, 2013."
The selected theme for 2013 is a excellent opportunity for amateur radio emergency communications or disaster communications groups to take advantage of the WARD to highlight the role amateur radio plays in disaster communications and disaster response. IARU member-societies could arrange amateur radio demonstrations in public places such as parks or shopping areas. Prepared handouts could explain the benefits of amateur radio in times of emergency or disaster. A ham radio demonstration in public areas usually generates inquiries and questions from the public about amateur radio and it also provides a great opportunity to attract new ham radio operators. If you plan on such a demonstration, don't forget to include some young people from your society so that young people who happen by the demonstration can see that amateur radio activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
In 2013, April 18 is a weekday. However, that doesn't prevent the public activity from taking place on the weekend before or after April 18. The idea is to gain as much exposure and publicity for amateur radio as possible.
Emergency communications groups might also combine a public demonstration for WARD with a simulated emergency test (SET).
WARD also provides an opportunity for amateurs to give presentations about ham radio to such groups as civic organizations, charitable groups, etc. For example, Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs are only two of many worldwide organizations who have weekly meetings and these organizations are always looking for interesting and informative programs to present to their membership. There are very few experienced hams who can't talk for 15 or 20 minutes about ham radio in a positive fashion. Don't make the talk too technical. Stress the fun aspects of ham radio and the opportunity to assist in times of disaster. Keep the presentation to about 20 minutes to allow time for questions.
The fact that World Amateur Radio Day only happens one day each year shouldn't prevent IARU member-societies from promoting ham radio all during the year of course. Some member-society officials have expressed concern about a decrease in the number of new amateurs entering ham radio in their country. Upon further examination and discussion, it turns out there are many activities that societies could be involved in to increase public exposure to amateur radio but many are not taking advantage of those opportunities. WARD provides an opportunity to get out and make the effort to show the public what ham radio is about.
And, if your member-society is involved in promoting amateur radio on a regular basis and it has been a success, let me know. I will publicize the activity in this newsletter so that other member-societies can benefit from activities that have attracted people to amateur radio.
___________________________________________________________________________
IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award
The IARU Administrative Council created the IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award in November, 2012. The Administrative Council Summary Record states: "10.13. The AC created the IARU Michael J. Owen VK3KI Award. A recipient of the award will be named from time to time and the award will be restricted to those individuals who perform above and beyond their volunteer roles either for a specific task or for long standing involvement on behalf of IARU. Nominations for this award should be directed to the IARU Secretary and will be forwarded to the AC for consideration at an AC meeting."
Michael was the President of the Wireless Institute of Australia at the time of his death in September, 2012. He started his involvement in IARU affairs in mid 1970's as a member of the newly formed IARU Region 3 Association, an organization of IARU member-societies in the Asia-Pacific region. He was involved in WARC 1979 when amateur radio gained bands at 10, 18 and 24 MHz. He was heavily involved in WRC 2003 and the Article 25 re-write which contain the rules that apply specifically to the amateur and amateur-satellite services. From 1989-1999, Michael served as IARU Vice President. After stepping down as IARU VP, he became involved in WIA and had an important role in transitioning the WIA from a confederation to a national amateur radio society. He then turned his attention once again to IARU Region 3 and served as Chairman of IARU Region 3 since 2006 until the time of his death.
Michael's enthusiasm and experience was beneficial to all of the IARU member-societies and his passion for amateur radio will remembered well by those who had the good fortune to know Michael.
If you know an any deserving individual who has contributed time and effort to the IARU and the IARU member-societies, please send along the information about the person to me as IARU Secretary and the individual will be considered for the award by the Administrative Council.
___________________________________________________________________________
Amateur Access to 5 MHz for UK Hams
After 1 January 2013, UK amateurs who hold a "full" license have been allowed to apply to operate on frequencies within the 5 MHz band. Following a request from the Radio Society of Great Britain for increased access to the 5 MHz (Experimental) Band, Ofcom (the UK independent telecom regulator) secured the agreement of the primary user to increase spectrum access from the current 7 spot frequencies of 3 kHz each. Details of the change can be found at http://www.rsgb.org/committees/spectrumforum/5mhz.php Congratulations to the RSGB for their effort to gain additional access to 5MHz. Let's hope this news encourages some of the other IARU member-societies to approach their telecom authority with a request for access to the 5 MHz if they currently have no operating privileges in that band. (Credit: RadCom, March 2013 issue and RSGB)
73, Rod W6ROD
Distribution Of This E-Letter
This electronic newsletter is sent to many IARU member-societies headquarters around the world. Individual amateurs should encourage their IARU national society to forward the newsletter to its own members. The newsletter can also be read and downloaded from the IARU web site at www.iaru.org.
If you are an ARRL member, you can subscribe to this E-Letter directly on the ARRL web site. When you log into the ARRL web site, go to the page where you can edit your profile and choose the electronic newsletter options that are available.
If you have any information that would be appropriate to publish in this electronic newsletter, please contact me at w6rod@iaru.org.
Rod Stafford W6ROD
IARU Secretary
The IARU E-Letter is published on behalf of the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union by the IARU International Secretariat. Editor: Rod Stafford, W6ROD, IARU Secretary. Material from The IARU E-Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The IARU E-Letter and The International Amateur Radio Union.
This electronic newsletter is sent to many IARU member-societies headquarters around the world. Individual amateurs should encourage their IARU national society to forward the newsletter to its own members. The newsletter can also be read and downloaded from the IARU web site at www.iaru.org.
If you are an ARRL member, you can subscribe to this E-Letter directly on the ARRL web site. When you log into the ARRL web site, go to the page where you can edit your profile and choose the electronic newsletter options that are available.
If you have any information that would be appropriate to publish in this electronic newsletter, please contact me at w6rod@iaru.org.
Rod Stafford W6ROD
IARU Secretary
The IARU E-Letter is published on behalf of the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union by the IARU International Secretariat. Editor: Rod Stafford, W6ROD, IARU Secretary. Material from The IARU E-Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The IARU E-Letter and The International Amateur Radio Union.
| E-Letter March 1, 2013.pdf |
RSS Feed
