Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Jul 29 2022 10:59 am
SILENT KEY: BEN HENLEY KI4IGX, LEADER IN FLORIDA EMERGENCY WORK
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A leader in emergency preparedness in the Florida amateur
radio community has become a Silent Key. With those details, here's Jim
Damron, N8TMW.
JIM: The amateur community in West Central Florida lost one of its
regional leaders recently. Ben Henley, KI4IGX, the former section
emergency coordinator for the ARRL, became a Silent Key on the 20th of
July. At the time of his death, Ben, who had congestive heart failure and
ischemia, was awaiting a heart transplant.
Though he made his living in the field of information technology, he was
deeply involved in his various emergency management roles that had
amateur radio at its core. Many of his initiatives stemmed from his work
as emergency management coordinator with Highlands County Emergency
Management. He is credited for helping grow a partnership between that
office and Highlands County ARES. He also helped build a bridge between
three ARRL Florida Section ARES programs and the state's EOC for
emergency response.
Ben was 52 years old.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.
(ARRL)
**
APRS MAP SERVICE BECOMES MOTORIST RESOURCE IN NORWAY
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a new option to help with navigating roads in
Norway and it's being provided through amateur radio. Ed Durrant, DD5LP,
brings us that story.
ED: In Norway, motorists and others needing information about accidents,
construction projects and advisories on roads are now able to tap into a
resource provided through amateur radio: The APRS map service operated by
the Norwegian Radio Relay League. According to a report from the league,
the amateur radio map service has integrated the data from the Norwegian
Public Roads Administration into the APRS system. The messages are
categorized according to levels of urgency: low, high and highest. League
members are able to get a user account enabling them to do limited
editing of map layers in the system.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.
(NRRL)
**
UK MAKES FAST TRACK TO FULL LICENSE AVAILABLE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a quicker way for hams in the UK to progress to
the top-tier license. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains.
JEREMY: The wait is over: Amateur licence candidates in the UK wishing to
qualify immediately for a Full licence will be able to take the faster
track starting on the 1st January. This major change, which is being
called direct-to-full, has long been favoured within the amateur
community, according to surveys by the RSGB and Essex Ham.
The 75-question exam, which is in two parts, takes about 2 and a half
hours to complete. It will be available online but it is not yet clear
whether candidates may also sit for the test at a registered exam centre.
The test does not contain any practical assessments.
To clarify the process for candidates, Essex Ham has produced a video by
Pete, M0PSX, explaining that the exam is most suitable for individuals
who have a background in the RF field or some expertise in electronics
and don’t need the incremental steps through the two lower licence tiers.
The syllabus for the direct-to-full is the same as for the traditional
licence path. Anyone may take the exam, including holders of Foundation
and Intermediate licences.
The cost of the direct-to-full exam has not yet been announced. To view
the Essex Ham video, find the link in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org
[FOR PRINT ONLY:
https://www.essexham.co.uk/rsgb-launches-direct-to-full.html ]
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
(ESSEX HAM, RSGB)
**
BENDIGO CLUB ADDS FOCUS GROUP FOR FIELD WORK, EMERGENCY RESPONSE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Australia, one club has added a focus group
specializing on emergency response and field work. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW,
has that report.
JASON: The Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club is preparing for
the launch of its special interest group that focuses on field operations
and regional emergency support. The group will begin its activities when
members meet on Friday, August 19th at the club hall in Bendigo, Victoria.
According to an email from club president Neil, VK3ZVX, this is intended
to be a group that plans, prepares and trains for inevitable crises. The
first meeting will focus on "show and tell," allowing members to share
the equipment they have used in previous field operations such as Mills
on the Air, SOTA or parks activations. This includes any Go-Kits,
portable camping gear, solar panels and batteries.
Neil stressed that perfection is not required. In fact, he writes in his
email [quote] "Even if it is only a half-baked idea, a half-built project
or a pile of bits for one, bring it along and be prepared to explain it
if need be." [endquote] Neil said the point of the show-and-tell is to
obtain the widest range of ideas and inspiration.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.
(BAREC)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)
