Also in GB2RS this week…

The RSGB Contest Committee is running a second Hope QSO Party event, starting on Monday, 18 May 2020. The format will be the same as the first, with 10 phone, 10 CW, five RTTY, and five FT4, events. All of these are 90 minute contests, and they start at different times each weekday. The rules are at tinyurl.com/Hope-QSO—please note that there are are two rule changes for this second event. The calendar is at rsgbcc.org/hf, where new series is shown in orange and the first series in yellow. Over 400 UK and non-UK stations have entered the first series so far.

Following the success of WRC-19, the German regulator has expanded the frequency band and power available to their amateurs. The full 50 to 52MHz band is now available to all German amateurs on a secondary basis. Up to 750W is permitted in the 50.0 to 50.4MHz narrowband DX segment. Contest operation is now also permitted.

As part of its Get on the air to care initiative, the RSGB would like to remind clubs that their nets form a valuable part of ensuring that radio amateurs don’t feel so isolated at this time. Ideas such as creating and distributing, via email, a calendar invitation to local amateurs provides a helpful reminder that these nets are taking place. Local nets are also a great way to check on the health or other needs of local amateurs.

In the USA, the ARRL has a Stay Safe and Stay On The Air initiative running during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning with a message shared with its members in March, the ARRL has encouraged radio amateurs who are healthy and safe at home to get, or stay, on the air. The message is that as online fatigue and a feeling of isolation will inevitably creep into our ‘new normal’, being on-air will introduce variety into our communication practices. Read more at arrl.org/read-a-message-for-member-volunteers.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day, the RSGB has organised the VE/VJ Day amateur radio marathon on the HF bands and 6m using SSB, CW and digital modes. Three special UK call signs, GB75PEACE, GB1945PE and GB1945PJ, will be on the air throughout May 2020 and again between 1 and 31 August 2020. If you wish to operate one of these stations, please email csc.chair@rsgb.org.uk. Full details at rsgb.org/ve-vj-marathon.

The Dayton Hamvention for 2020 has been cancelled. The Hamvention QSO Party is a 12 hour fun event on Saturday, 16 May 2020 to celebrate the Dayton Hamvention. Work as many amateur stations as possible between 1200 to 2359UTC on the 160 to 10m bands using CW and SSB. You can work the same station once per band mode, that’s 12 QSOs possible with same station. Exchange signal report and the first year you attended Hamvention, or 2020 if you have never attended. Only single operator entries are allowed. There are three power categories. QRP is for no more than five watts. Low Power is up to 100 watts, and the High Power section allows up to 1,500 watts, or your licence maximum if that’s lower than 1,500W. Special bonus points are available for working W8BI, the club call of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association. Scoring is simply the number of QSOs, plus bonus points. There are no multipliers. Go to wwrof.org for full rules and details of the awards available.

Category: GB2RS Headlines