The discusion about the IOMARS continues.

Following the last post on this blog the discussion continues as follows:

continued discussion

Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society asks for feedback!

It seems that the Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society is once again unhappy about older Amateurs on the Island “Usually (in my experience) the worst detractors are older (in age)” says the Society Secretary. This comment is supported by the Society Chairman “My sentiments exactly! If the moaners don’t like the way that IOMARS is being run then either speak up and help sort out the problems, or vote with your feet!”
People have indeed voted with their feet as speaking up has failed to resolve some of the issues and the Society has seen a rapid decline in membership over the last 2 years (70+ down to 30+).
The current committee has been subject to significant criticism and this continues to be the case, but there may be light at the end of the tunnel as a co-opted committee member GD6ICR (callsign at manx.net) is offering to represent, disaffected members and has asked that this be known to amateurs who don’t read the Societies ‘official’ blog.
It is very sad to see such an old Society going down the drain; Amateur Radio is a fine hobby and is currently being affected on the Island by personality conflicts; why not contact GD6ICR and express your thoughts and moans and allow the Society the chance to recover from its failures.

70MHz contest

On Sunday 23rd September, the Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC. It has Low Power, that’s 10 watts in this contest, and Open sections. Scoring is 1 point per contact, multiplied by the number of Locator squares worked. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. As this is the 80th anniversary year of Practical Wireless, expect a good turnout.
(RSGB News)

Sands Contest Group to activate Isle of Man

Members of Sands Contest Group (Morecambe Bay area ) will be activating the Isle of Man, IOTA reference EU-116, from 23 to 29 September.
The group will use the club call MT0SCG and will be active on most HF bands using SSB and datamodes.
The base location is next to a small beach, close to the town of Ramsey at the NE end of the island, locator IO74UH. The group is likely to activate at least one SOTA summit during the week, probably on 2m FM.
(RSGB News)

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Philippines ARS get 7201 - 7300 MHZ

The Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) has announced new frequencies for Philippine radio hams

They report that after countless meetings of the Amateur Radio Consultative Panel (ARCP) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the following changes came into effect on August 30, 2012:

- Recognition of only one national amateur radio organization: Philippine Amateur Radio Association.
- Person who passes the exam but does not own a radio will be given an operator certificate with his own call sign.
- New license class: Foundation License class (must pass element II, VHF only privilege). [Class D]
- Vanity call sign.
- NTC to maintain a database of licensees and made available to the public domain.
- Additional frequencies: 135.7 kHz to 137.8 kHz; 472 kHz to 479 kHz; 7.201 MHz to 7.300 MHz
- Class B and C allowed to operate mobile HF.
- Minimum age for Class D is 9 years old.
- Convergence with internet now explicitly allowed (echo link, voip, etc).
- Question pool committee, oversight committee officially organized.