Several countries recently have proposed or instituted changes or announced developments with respect to Amateur Radio regulation.
- In China, according to the Chinese Radio Amateurs Club (CRAC), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in Beijing has announced that radio amateurs will gain access to a 60-meter band starting on July 1. The latest edition of PRC Radio Frequency Division Regulations — released on April 18, World Amateur Radio Day — indicates that radio amateurs in China have been allocated the band 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz on a secondary basis, and in accordance with the decisions made at World Radiocommunication Conference 2015.
- The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that it’s in the process of granting licenses “to qualified persons/companies who are interested in Amateur Radio services and Amateur Satellite services for the purposes of noncommercial exchange of messages, intercommunication, self-training, private recreation, wireless experimentation, technical investigations, etc.” The NCC proposes that licensees must by 18 or older, “be technically competent to operate Amateur Radio Station in line with ITU-R M.1544-1, which covers the basic skills required of an amateur operator,” and pass written and Morse code tests. Three license classes are proposed: Novice, General, and Advanced. The NCC proposes a modest, non-refundable application plus a “frequency fee” of approximately $28 for all applicants.
- India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released Amateur Radio license figures for 2017. The DoT Annual Report show that 628 new licenses were issued, a record number. The report also notes that 2,594 candidates took the Amateur Radio exam, the discrepancy suggesting the difficulty in getting the government to issue new license, according to Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, of the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), who pulled statistics from the report. His tally indicates 3,730 new licenses were issued in the past 10 years, and 4,905 were renewed. “The licensing system in the Republic of India has always been very bureaucratic,” Jacob said. “The form-filling exercise involves supplying height, eye color, occupation and details of your father (but not your mother!). In addition, applicants have to go through police checks to prove they are a suitable person to hold a license.” This has meant delays of up to 2 years before a license is granted.
- Norway’s Communications Authority (Nkom) is proposing changes to its Amateur Radio regulations, such as allowing 1 kW output at VHF/UHF for Earth-Moon-Earth or meteor scatter operation. The limit for the VHF/UHF bands has been 100 or 300 W. Also proposed is the addition of a maximum allowed power for transmissions from model aircraft, remote-controlled helicopters, or drones of 10 mW EIRP in the 2300 – 2450 MHz band, and of 25 mW EIRP in the 5650 – 5670 MHz band.
- Indonesia has adopted a system of online Amateur Radio exams and licensing. The government telecommunications regulator has described the move to e-licensing as “a form of paradigm shift [that] shows the government’s commitment to provide easy, fast, and transparent services.” Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, YD2JKW, holds a General class license, while its Vice President Jusuf Kalla, YC8HYK, is an Advanced class licensee.
- Thailand’s regulatory authority, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has given temporary expanded operating permission during contests. Described as “throughout the 80-meter band and on 6 meters,” the privileges cover 14 weekend operating events. Intermediate and Advanced licensees will be allowed to operate on 3.6 – 3.9 MHz during eight international events, and on 50 – 54 MHz during six VHF weekend events. The “temporary approval” extends through 2018. Previously, Thai hams have been limited to 3.5 – 3.6 MHz on 80, while 6 meters was entirely off limits –Thanks to The Daily DX, Southgate Amateur Radio News Source:ARRL
Antenna
W8AMZ 80-6m OCF Dipole / Windom Multi-Band Antenna w/ 4:1 Balun
Introducing the W8AMZ 80–6m OCF / Windom Multi-Band Antenna using a 4:1 Balun and rated for 2 KW. The SWR is generally below 1.5:1 on 6, 10, 20, 40... Read more
14-28 MHz Log-periodic Antenna
Log-periodic Antenna See all details: Read more
6-40 Meter Alpha MOTO the mobile HF antenna
All Alpha Antennas are handmade & built to order. We appreciate your pride & patience in your antenna system as it is prepared. The Alpha MOTO... Read more
JK Mid-Tri-40 2 Elements on 40M / 3 Elements on 20M/ 4 Elements on 15M / 5 Elements on 10M / 26 Foot Boom
The JK Mid-Tri has been designed for Hams looking for a Mid level, cost effective but high quality Tribander antenna. This Tri-Bander’s... Read more
VHF
Alinco has just announced a New 144/440MHz Mobile
Alinco DR-735T Dual-Band 2M/440 Mobile Transceiver TX: 144-147.995 and 430-449.995 MHz RX: 108-173.995 and 400-479.995MHz + Air 1000 memories. Output:... Read more
VHF Newsletter 83 – New VHF Handbook
The latest edition of the VHF Newsletter has been mailed to all on the VHF mailing list and can be found here. The new version of the VHF Handbook, 8.... Read more
Icom Launch New IC-A220T 8.33kHz Air Band Panel Mount VHF Radio
The IC-A220T, Icom’s next generation 8.33kHz* air band panel mount transceiver, is now TSO / ETSO approved** and available for sale. The long awaited... Read more
Baojie BJ-218 Mini Dual Band 25W Mobile Radio UHF VHF Transceiver
Baojie BJ-218 The function of the new development menu Personalized design operation Dual Display, Dual Standby & Dual Track Mini Size, Power Sup... Read more
QYT KT-UV980 UHF VHF Mobile Radio
QYT KT-UV980 UHF VHF Mobile Radio Specifications: Model: KT-UV980 This product has the function of the new development menu Personalized design oper... Read more
Review
Xiegu G90 – Review
G90 is a portable 20W HF amateur radio transceiver with an SDR architecture with built-in auto antenna tuner. The display unit and the radio can be se... Read more
![Yaesu FT-818 – Unboxing [ Video ]](https://qrznow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FT-818_front1-190x122.jpg)
Yaesu FT-818 – Unboxing [ Video ]
The new FT-818 incorporates all the many basic and attractive features of the ever-popular FT-817ND while providing upgrades desired by many existing... Read more
Jim Heath W6LG Discusses Antenna Gain, Yagis and Rotators
Jim Heath W6LG talks about antenna gain using a light bulb. He shows a simple yagi and 2 brands of antenna rotator Read more
KN-Q7A SSB 20m QRP Ham Radio Transceiver Kit
KN-Q7A SSB 20m QRP Are you tired of building pixie kits, rockmites, and other entry levelham radio transceivers that just end up sitting on the shelf... Read more
Flex Radio, SmartLink Demo and Intro to MultiFlex
“This will be a multi-part video that was recorded at Flex Radio HQ in Austin Texas, March of 2019. SmartLink version 3, featuring MultiFlex, is... Read more
Equipment
DR4020 Dual band Digital QRP radio
A simple QRP digital transceiver. — Fully assembled and tested– Perfect for outdoor digital radio contacts,such as FT8,FT4,JT65 etc. Band: 20... Read more
Japanese HF KL-1 Kohjinsha PA – 5 KW
The KL-1 consists of a sophisticated and sturdy Main Unit and a Desk Top Controller with five meters (HV, IP, IG, FWD, and REF). The LCD displays BAND... Read more
Xiegu X1M Pro QRP Transceiver
Frequency range RX & TX: 100 kHz ~ 30 MHz* Modes: USB & LSB & CW Power output: 5 Watts Operating voltage: 12 vdc Operating current: 0.35... Read more
Elecraft AF-1 Audio Filter Kit
by Richard, N4PBQ “I’ve been working a lot of SKCC CW stations during the holidays and adjacent stations really interfere with my ability... Read more
VTR1100 Tactical Radio Communication
DESCRIPTION The LANDSEC ™ VTR1100 is a 1.6 MHz to 30 MHz, 125 W or 25 W selectable HF transceiver for co-located communications in vehicle installatio... Read more
