New National Shortwave Listeners Club

A new club to cater to the needs of shortwave listeners and aspiring radio amateurs was launched during the week.

The club is called the National Shortwave Listeners Club and is running the HAREC online class that commenced on Tuesday last March 30th. This class will run for eight weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There has been another massive demand for the classes and sixty-five prospective radio amateurs are attending the class on the Zoom platform. Revision nights continue weekly on Wednesdays for the two classes who recently finished their courses and will run until they can sit an examination that will hopefully be held soon, depending on progress made in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new SWL club will meet on Sunday nights at 2000 on the Zoom platform and will provide a forum where newcomers and others can meet and improve on their experiences in our wonderful hobby.

The club is affiliated to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society, Enquiries about the club, for the time being, can be directed to harectraining@gmail.com

MARS Volunteers Recognized with Gold-Level President’s Volunteer Service Award

A dozen US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) volunteers have been honoured with gold-level recognition for the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2020.

They are Bob Mims, WA1OEZ; Ron Tomo, KE2UK; Mark Bary, N4EOC; Billy Pearson, KO4XT; Dave Bock, W8OHS; Bob Baker, K5LLF; John Monson, WB0PLW; Gary Geissinger, WA0SPM; Brian Handy, W8JBT; Bliss Wheeler, W7RUG; Jim Hamilton, K4QDF, and Daniel Wolff, KA7AGN.

Each award recipient receives a letter signed by the President of the United States, a certificate of achievement, and a presidential volunteer service lapel pin. Volunteer awards are based on the certifying organization’s recommendation and the number of documented volunteer hours for the year.

Gold-level volunteers must accrue a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer time supporting the organization. Silver awardees must achieve 300 hours and bronze must achieve a minimum of 100 hours volunteer time. Army MARS Chief Paul English, WD8DBY, will conduct a virtual awards presentation on Thursday, March 4, for the recipients and any MARS members who wish to attend.

350 days of COVID-19 net

On Thursday, 4 March 2021, Hambleton Amateur Radio Society passed the 350th consecutive day of a daily net on 2m.

It started on day one of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.

Its aim was to keep members and amateurs in the area in touch, and able to summon help or assistance if required.

The net starts at 11am on the calling frequency and usually moves to S18 if clear.

The net is now looking forward to a full year of operating, which occurs on 18 March 2021.

All amateurs are invited to join, and topics are wide and varied.

So far, over 70 different stations have called in.

A Cabin Fever Award is available for any station taking part.

It’s issued by Tim, G0TYM via email, see QRZ.com for details.