Special Norwegian prefixes for 2014

Cuba to get access to 60 meters

(click text for a clear image)

Many thanks to ARRL news for this information

Canada is now able to operate on 60Mt

Canada Amateur Radio Stations has been granted five frequencies on 60m:

5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5358.5 kHz, 5373 kHz, and 5405 kHz.

The frequencies match those allocated to USA operators so that the option of using these frequencies for emergency operations becomes practical.

A maximum of 100 Watts will be allowed, for more details see the following link.

60 meters
 

The RNLI have their SOS Radio Week 25th January to 2nd February

The Royal National Lifeboat Institute are holding once again their fundraising radio week; a number of UK stations will be operating during this important event, why not look at the website for more information.

Lifeboats

Microsoft extends support for Windows XP

Microsoft was due to stop supporting Windows XP on 8th April 2014, it has now extended this date so that the 30% of Windows PCs using  XP can give further consideration to their OS options.


"Microsoft has softened its stand on Security Essentials for Windows XP and has extended support for its antimalware software till July 2015.
Microsoft has noted that although operating system patches including security updates for Windows XP will end on April 8 this year, it will keep on providing signature updates until July 14, 2015. Redmond claims that this extension will help organizations complete their migration."

No radio waves over a 13,000 square miles area.

A large area in the USA does not allow many types of radio transmission,
No mobile phone
No WiFi
No Microwave oven
This is so that the area can be radio silent, allowing radio astronomy to take place.
It must be a strange world at this time of hi tech but the local residents seem to enjoy being restricted.

No Radio

UK Amateur Radio Licence holders may be down by 47%.

Amateur Radio licence holders in the UK may have reduced by 47% in the last 7 years whilst USA licence holders have shown a significant increase.
Ofcom who administer the licence system don't know the true statistics.

 

(Data from Ofcom)

"In the United Kingdom, 76,362 licensees were on record as of March 2012 — up by 3.9 percent over 2011 — and growth was consistent." which paints a completely false picture of the situation. The reality is that the number of UK radio amateurs has fallen by 47% over the past 7 years.

The UK licenses should be renewed (revalidated) every 5 years but the regulator Ofcom recently admitted that 47% of the licenses reported in their monthly statistics had not been renewed. The license statistics still include people who died or gave up the hobby 7 years ago.

It must also be remembered that in the UK there is double or triple counting of licenses. When people upgrade from Foundation to Intermediate and Full (Advanced) their previous licenses remain in the figures. In addition a significant number of amateurs hold two Full (Advanced) licenses as a result of the old Class A / Class B license structure.

(information from Southgate ARS News)

 

(USA data -  click the image for a clearer view)

 

 

Most wanted countries!

For 2014 why not tick off from this list when you contact each of the most wanted countries.
This could be a significant challenge as a lot of the countries are very rare indeed.
Good DX!!

 

(Click on the list for a better image)

 

Happy New Year to all our readers.