GT8IOM did the CQWW contest.

Two members of the GD8IOM group recently entered the CQWW contest  (SSB: October 27-28, 2012) this is the largest contest in the World, usually getting around 30,000 contesters.

The group achieved around 1,760 QSO’s with about 80 multipliers; this should produce a significant score.

Such an achievement certainly gets the IOM well known around the World.

http://www.cqww.com/

UK to phase-out IRCs

Phil, G3SWH, has received the following info from the Royal Mail: "Due to declining international mail volumes and electronic substitution, customer demand for International Reply Coupons has been falling dramatically over the last few years.
"Overall sales of International Reply Coupons have been very low indeed - on average just 4 per annum bought from each Post Office branch. Therefore, it was no longer commercially viable to maintain the sale of coupons and Royal Mail has taken the decision to withdraw them from sale.
"International Reply Coupons have not been withdrawn globally from sale. Under UPU regulations Royal Mail through Post Office Counters is obliged to redeem International Reply Coupons presented having been purchased overseas, but we are not obliged to sell them. However, I can confirm that customers have up to December 2013 to redeem IRCs."

Phil states, "This seems to be much more in line with the Royal Mail's
responsibilities under their UPU membership. Looks like they're safe until 31st December 2013. It may be that the UPU will change their rules after that date (which would be no bad thing IMHO)."

SARS News

Ofcom to legalise AM and SSB CB apparatus

 Ofcom has announced that it intends to legalise AM and SSB CB apparatus, subject to the MOD agreeing to the use of spectrum allocated to it. According to the statement on the Ofcom website, the relevant ECC Decision about harmonising CB across Europe should probably be implemented in the UK by the end of 2013. The statement indicates that there are several legislative and other steps that must first be carried out. It also points out that, until these changes are implemented, it will remain an offence to install or use AM, SSB or any other CB apparatus other than in accordance with the current exemption regulations and Interface Requirement. The full Ofcom statement is at http://tinyurl.com/Ofcom-SSB-CB.
(RSGB NEWS)
 

The RSGB have just issued a code of practice for use by radio amateurs:

RSGB code of practice

Penguin Island to be activated (DX-world.net)

Nothern Lights

How solar storms create the Northern Lights

In this BBC News video Professor Dag Lorentzen explains how solar storms affected the Earth's magnetic field to create the Aurora Borealis

Watch the video at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19898445

Consultation on the use of 143 to 156 MHz

The RSGB, jointly with the BATC and AMSAT-UK, has submitted a response to Ofcom’s consultation on the future use of VHF spectrum formally used by the Home Office, 143 to 156MHz. The unique nature of this spectrum, and that it surrounds our existing 2m band, suggested a creative response would be needed in order to be competitive with the likely responses from Business Radio (PMR). Details are on the Committees section of the RSGB website under Spectrum Forum.

(RSGB News)