Southgate Amateur Radio News

ARRL VEC issues statement on video-supervised online exam sessions
The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) has been investigating options for an online examination system

Joseph ‘Bud’ Trench, AA3B, named WPX Contest Director
Joseph W. “Bud” Trench, AA3B, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, has been named Director of the CQ WPX SSB and CW Contests, CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, announced today. He succeeds Randy Thompson, K5ZD, who has been serving as Interim Director

UK Remotely-Invigilated Online Foundation exams are operational
There are reports that a number of RSGB remotely-invigilated, home-based Amateur Radio Foundation online exams have already been successfully completed

World Amateur Radio Day 18 April
It was on this day in 1925 that the International Amateur Radio Union was formed in Paris. World Amateur Radio Day is the day when the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Member Societies can show our capabilities to the public and enjoy global friendship with other Amateurs worldwide

Coronavirus: Indian radio hams provide communications assistance
The New Indian Express reports amateur radio operators in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of the state of Kerala, have joined the fight against COVID-19

Hamfests, conventions, Maker Faires, and other events
Due to COVID-19, many hamfests and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed

ARISS News
ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, ARISS will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates

432 MHz Trans-Atlantic record extended to almost 4,370 kms
The D4VHF station on Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa finally managed to work as far west as Puerto Rico on Saturday the 11th of April when a successful FT8 contact on 432 MHz was completed with WP3DN

Switzerland: Revision of FMG Telecommunications Act regulations
Switzerland’s national amateur radio society USKA was invited to comment on the new regulations in connection with the Swiss Telecommunications Act FMG

Belgium: Use of special call signs during coronavirus crisis
Belgium’s communications regulator, BIPT, is permitting amateur radio Special Event Callsigns to be used from home. This also applies to Basic (Equiv UK Foundation) and Novice (UK Int) licensees

United Nations Amateur Radio Club news
James, K2QI, President of United Nations Radio Club 4U1UN reports that as part of the STAY HOME movement, during the UN HQ building lockdown, UNARC was granted special permission to utilize a very limited remote operation possibility

ICQPodcast – Shortwave Listening Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL
In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Ed Durrant DD5LP, Frank Howell K4FMH and Bill Barns N3JIX to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief and this episode’s feature is – Passion of Shortwave Listening with Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

DX Test
Radio City from Zeeland, the Netherlands is making history by conducting one of the first European morse code DX-tests

IRTS QSL Buro
Following the closure of QSL Buro in a number of countries impacted by Covid 19 it is appropriate to clarify the current situation in Ireland