Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Jul 05 2019 11:07 am

AUSTRALIAN AUTHORITIES SEEK COMMENT ON AMATEUR RADIO ISSUES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Authorities in Australia are waiting to hear hams'
thoughts on a number of licensing issues. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has that
story.

GRAHAM: The Australian Communications and Media Authority has invited
public comment on a number of requests from ham radio operators. They
include a proposal that would allow Foundation class licencees to operate
rigs that are homebrew or made from kits -- a permission which they are
presently denied. The proposal would also give Foundation licensees access
to digital modes such as D-STAR, DMR, and Fusion, as well as digital data
mode such as FT8, PSK31, and RTTY, from which they are presently
restricted. Along with the latter request is a proposal that a new call
sign structure for Foundation licencees be created in place of the
4-letter one, which is not compatible with operating digital.

The regulator is also looking for further input on changing power levels
for Foundation and Standard class licensees. The ACMA is not against
permitting 400 watts PEP output, and access to all primary amateur bands
for all classes of licence, however, they note that the AR community may
prefer to preserve the graduated power allowances, and band access
restrictions currently in place, to differentiate between licence classes
to maintain the incentive to progress to higher licence levels.

The ACMA is inviting comments on this item before making any final decision.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

**

NEW COORDINATOR TAKES ON LEADERSHIP FOR DIRECTION-FINDING COMPETITION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The United States has a new coordinator for Amateur Radio
Direction Finding, as we hear in this report from Newsline's Joe Moell
(MELL), K-zero-O-V.

JOE: The League's president has appointed Jerry Boyd, WB8WFK, as ARRL's
new ARDF Coordinator, effective July first. Jerry has been involved in
the sport for many years, and has been a frequent medal winner at USA's
championships. He led the organizers of USA's ARDF championships in 2001,
2005, and 2011, in his home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was on
ARDF Team USA that traveled to the ARDF World Championships of 2004, 2006,
and 2010.

The ARRL ARDF Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that USA's national
championships take place every year. He leads the selection of the members
of USA's team for the World Championships in even-numbered years, and he
works with his counterparts in other countries to promote the sport of
on-foot transmitter hunting under international rules.

WB8WFK replaces Joe Moell, K0OV, (yes that's me!), who has served as ARDF
Coordinator since 1998. Championship ARDF has taken place here in the
states every year since then, and participation continues to increase.
This year's championships take place near Raleigh, North Carolina, with
practice sessions starting on July 28, and championship events beginning
August 1. Sponsors are members of the Backwoods Orienteering Klub, led by
Joseph Huberman, K5JGH, and Ruth Bromer, WB4QZG. Anyone who can safely
travel through the woods with a map, compass, and direction finding
equipment, is eligible to attend and compete.

Find out more about how you can participate in ARDF, and this year's
championships on the web at www.homingin.com.  That's HomingIn, as one
word. I hope to see you at an ARDF event soon. From southern California,
this is Joe Moell, K0OV, for Amateur Radio Newsline.

**

IARU REGION 2 INTRODUCES YOUTH ON THE AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Region 2 of the IARU has launched an array of activities
for ham radio's youngest contesters, scholars, and Scouts. Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, has that story.

NEIL: You've heard of Youngsters on the Air in IARU Region 1? Well, Youth
on the Air has arrived in IARU Region 2. If you're looking for information
for young people in amateur radio, be sure to stop by YOTAregion2.org. The
new web site has links to all youth activities, including the YARC Youth
Contesting Program, Radio Scouting, Youth DX Adventure, Scholarships,
Newsline's own Young Ham of the Year Award, and more. The group also has
accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, to promote youth
activity, and announce upcoming events from a variety of hosts. Look for
YOTA Region 2 on these social media outlets.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.
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