Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Jun 12 2020 08:05 am FREE ONLINE TRAINING DRAWS RECORD NUMBERS IN UK JIM/ANCHOR: Now that online testing and online training have become almost a way of life in the UK for amateurs, there are record numbers of enrollees signing up to be in one virtual classroom in particular. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has more details. JEREMY: The COVID-19 pandemic has not got in the way of radio amateur candidates pursuing their goals in the UK. Just as the Radio Society of Great Britain has reported record numbers of registrations for their exams, Essex Ham reports that enrollment for their free online training course is also bursting at the seams. They report in the QRZ forum that 420 people enrolled in one of their courses in April and May has seen a growth of more than 500. The suspension of the practical portion of the licence exam has made home-based online learning even easier. Available in 9 modules, the Foundation Online training course includes presentations, mock tests, and video tutorials. The three-week course also features live webinars. Essex Ham launched the online coursework in 2015, to help new hams who might not have access to local clubs, and now in the midst of the worldwide pandemic, it has a new mission. For additional details, visit hamtrain dot co dot uk (hamtrain.co.uk) For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH. ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the ZS0MOT (Zed Ess Zero Em Oh Tee) repeater in Middelburg, South Africa, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. local time. ** WEEKLY SIDEBAND CONTEST LAUNCHED TO SHARPEN SKILLS JIM/ANCHOR: You've heard of the CQ WW Contest, various sprints, and QSO Parties, and of course, there's Field Day, but have you ever heard of the Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest? Maybe not, but you're about to - and Andy Morrison, K9AWM, has the details. ANDY: Like its organizers, the Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest is young. The first contest was held on May 20th, and subsequent competitions have been held on what is Monday night in North America ever since. It's the creation of a committee of six active contesters - three of whom were on the Remote Ham Radio Multi-Multi Team WW2DX for the WPX SSB Contest, and scored big with more than 32 thousand points. They include Kees (PRONOUNCED: "CASE") W0AAE, who at 15 is already an accomplished operator in CW, SSB, FT4 DXing and satellite operations. There is also Charles, AA4LS, who at 13 is the youngest of the organizers. Charles was on the WPX CW M/M team that claimed second place in that contest. The idea was born in discussions among the six during a chat session of the Remote Ham Radio Youth Program, of which they are all members. In April, they decided a weekly contest would be great way to help hams of all ages sharpen their operating skills on sideband, much like the CWT tests, which are held regularly by CWOps for operators who prefer Code. Kees told Newsline that the contest is geared for people who are starting out in HF or contesting, and want to sharpen their skills. It's a worldwide activity, and it's open to hams of all ages. For details on the next contest, visit wwsac.com. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM. (WWSAC) ** AMERICAS YOTA CAMP IS ABOUT TO OPEN - VIRTUALLY JIM/ANCHOR: Despite the cancellation of the physical camp that would have inaugurated the Youth on the Air in the Americas summer program, participating youngsters still have a lot to look forward to. Organizers have recently announced that a full array of home-based activities have been added for those who had originally hoped to attend the camp in Ohio between June 21st and 26th. Young amateurs can now participate in a Virtual YOTA Day on Wednesday the 24th, they can operate weeklong Special Event Station W8Y, and even participate in Field Day via a remote station in southwest Ohio. If you, or someone you know, was selected for this year's YOTA in the Americas camp, find more details at YouthOnTheAir dot org (YouthOnTheAir.Org) or contact camp director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, at director at youthontheair dot org (director@youthontheair.org). --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2) þ Synchronet þ Temple of Doom BBS - tod.eothnet.com .