Hams Help Community Radio Station Get Back on Air

Because of amateur radio, community radio station KNYO, is going to start the coming year very differently from the way it did this year. Eleven months ago, the low-power FM station in Fort Bragg, California lost its antenna after the collapse of the 70-foot pine tree which was being used as its tower. The FCC authorised a temporary fix that authorised the antenna to be installed on a mast one-third that height, putting the all-volunteer station back on the air.

Then an October thunderstorm struck and the signal went silent again. That's when hams from the Mendocino County Amateur Radio Communication Service, NC6MC, stepped in. After station volunteers could not determine what had gone wrong, the club's president Derek Hoyle, KE6EBZ, sent a team over to help investigate.

The hams discovered that lightning had struck the antenna during the storm. The lightning arrestor was damaged and several connectors had been knocked out. Repairs quickly got underway.

“The KNYO Ft. Bragg antenna saga serves as a testament to the power of community and the generosity of individuals who come together in times of need.”

— Bob Young

Hopefully, 2024 will begin with smoother operation - and better weather - for station KNYO. If not, amateur radio is standing by.

Tradition Carries on in Sweden

The World Heritage Site in Grimeton, Sweden, once again fired up its 200kW Alexanderson alternator on Christmas Eve morning for a long wave transmission of a CW message of peace.

What is important is that this 100-year-old transmitter is still functional and in this digital age, it is easy to forget where our technology comes from when everyone is obsessed with waterfalls and SDR. Sending this traditional message - as it does several times a year - is a reminder of the advances communication has made but also a reminder that some things are built to last!

This event is carried off with great devotion entirely by volunteers and those who are not fortunate enough to have a long wave receiver can listen on an SDR or watch it livestreamed on YouTube.

It was a success this year - and that is no small feat for this mammoth piece of equipment that has required maintenance and some repairs since it was put into service in 1924.

Ofcom Amateur Radio Consultation Statement

Ofcom has just released a document that sets out its “decision to update the amateur radio licensing framework to ensure the policies and licences meet the needs of today and tomorrow’s radio amateurs while streamlining the licensing process“.

Alongside the statement, it has published a Summary of the Changes which gives a high-level overview of the policy changes Ofcom has made to the amateur radio licensing framework.

Ofcom has also published its General Notice, giving notice of its proposal to vary all amateur radio licences.

More Information - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/272985/Updating-the-amatuer-radio-licensing-framework-overview-of-key-changes.pdf