Also in GB2RS this week…

On 2 November the 2015 World Radio Conference opened in Geneva with a record number of 3,800 delegates attending. Among many topics is agenda item 1.4 regarding a potential global 5MHz amateur allocation, which is facing serious opposition. There are several other items that may affect other amateur and amateur satellite service allocations. Colin Thomas, G3PSM is attending as part of the UK delegation and is providing progress updates via a blog on the RSGB website. IARU volunteers are also present and are under no illusions regarding the challenge and opportunities ahead over the coming weeks, until the conference concludes on 27 November. The updates from Colin and other background information are at www.rsgb.org/wrc-15.

On 4 November, the inaugural launch of an experimental US military vehicle carrying several satellites with amateur radio payloads failed in mid-flight shortly after taking off at 0345UTC from Hawaii. Destroyed in the demonstration flight were 13 small research spacecraft clustered on the mission for NASA researchers and university students. None of the satellites carried amateur radio transponders, but several were equipped to transmit beacon signals and telemetry on 2m, 70cm and 13cm amateur frequencies.

The next edition of RadCom Basics is due out in the first week of December. This edition, available to all RSGB Members, will contain features on Christmas presents for radio amateurs, how Morse reading software works, making the most of the low bands this winter and how to send and receive QSL cards. To subscribe to this membership benefit, go to www.rsgb.org/radcom-basics.

Category: GB2RS Headlines