Amateur Radio 1979 - ? have things changed?

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2011/vintage_film_the_world_of_amateur_radio.htm

Region one suffer a lot of illegal RF

This report may be of interest to Amateurs as it shows that a great deal of illegal transmitting takes place on the bands.

http://www.iarums-r1.org/iarums/news2011/news1109.pdf

When TETRA fails to do the job!

The IOM Government relies on one radio communications system (TETRA) for all it's first responder services, this is a digital uhf system which is not always suitable for the job in hand. Backup to this system depends on mobile phones, again unsuited to many emergency communication needs!

“A woman suffered suspected spinal injuries and was airlifted to hospital

after falling at Glen Rushen Mines on Sunday afternoon.

She fell around five metres while on a family walk, landing in a stream

and was complaining of back pain whist slipping in and out of

consciousness.

Firefighters and paramedics worked together to rescue the woman and,

although they had to leave their vehicles a quarter of a mile from the

incident and proceed on foot, emergency crews were met by off-road

motorcyclists who quickly guided them to the casualty.

They were also helped by the Laxey Mines Research Group, who were

working on a project in the area, and a local farmer.

Communications via radio were often hampered by the steep sides of the

glen blocking the radio signal.

The Fire and Rescue Service is thanking all those involved”.

(Manx Radio 04-10-11)