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2009 Sees Surge of New Amateur Radio Licensees
This past year was a banner year for new Amateur Radio licensees. According to
ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, the FCC issued more than 30,000 new
ham radio licenses. "In 2009, the demand for Amateur Radio exam sessions remained elevated and is still running at a
higher rate than before the FCC's restructuring of the license requirements in 2007," Somma said. "This high level of
exam session activity has produced an elevated influx of new applications, far outpacing recent years."
From AMSAT
HO-68 SSTV Report
Dec 30th, 17:53 UTC 20 deg pass
During a low elevation pass, Mike DK3WN and Henk PA3GUO made the very first SSTV contact via the
HO-68 - linear transponder. A few images were transmitted between the two radio stations in Germany
and The Netherlands. Signals were transmitted via HO-68, which was 1200km above earth and about
8000km distant from both radio amateur stations. See the images here:
http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=10478
Video of HO-68 operational modes
Henk PA3GUO has produced a video showing all the modes available on the Amateur Radio satellite
Xi Wang 1 (HO-68). This 2 minute video features the launch of the satellite and shows its various
modes of operation -Beacon, FM, AX.25 Packet and SSB/CW linear transponder. Callsigns heard
during the video include M3PQQ, N1AIA, KC9ELU, VA3FM, WA3CZY and I6IBE. You can find the
video at http://tinyurl.com/ycjp4dg
NZ3M has put a video on YouTube of SSB contacts via the new Amateur Radio satellite HO-68. This
video can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/ya2uyzs
Piraja, PS8RF reported that a contact between Dean, ZD8DC on Ascension Island and Michel,F6HTJ n France was completed via HO-68.
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: SUMBANDILLASAT POWER OUT REDUCED
SumbandilaSat has gone to a QRP power level. In order to conserve power for other operations on the new
SO-67 South African SumbandilaSat ham radio satellite, ground control team have reduced the power of the transponder carrying amateur radio to 2 and 1/2 watts. Initial reports from stations in Australia indicate that
the reduction is hardly noticeable and that the signals remain stronger than most other amateur radio
satellites. Availability of the ZS0SUM payload will be during daylight hours when the satellite is in full
sunlight. The actual schedule is published on-line at www.amsatsa.org.za. We will have more ham radio
space related news later on in this weeks newscast. (SA-AMSAT)
From RSGB News
Band 501 to 504kHz in the Netherlands
Starting on 1 January 2010, full licence holders in the Netherlands can opt for permission to conduct
experiments in the band 501 to 504kHz with a maximum power of 5W EIRP and a maximum band
width of 100Hz.
30m operating permission granted in India
Amateurs in India have received government permission to permanently operate on 30 meters on a
secondary basis, though not all details of the new allocation are yet known.
CW operator needed for rare IOTA DXpedition
An experienced CW operator is needed for rare a IOTA DXpedition. An international group of operators
will be active as 3W6C from Con Co Island, Vietnam which is IOTA reference AS-185, between 10 to
18 April. The DXpedition has an opening for one additional experienced CW operator. Full details about
the DXpedition are available at www.3w6c.qrv.ch. Interested operators are requested to send details
about background and DXing experience to Hans-Peter by e-mail to hb9bxe3w6c.qrv.ch
| February, 2010 | |
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