The RSGB has Published New Forms for Exam Question Queries

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As part of its modernisation of the exam systems, the RSGB has introduced online forms for reporting possible errors found in exam questions. These forms replace the current procedure of writing to the Exam Department. RSGB Examinations Standards Chair Tony Kent, G8PBH explained that there are two forms.

The first can only be submitted by exam candidates and is to formally challenge questions in actual exams, where the outcome of a challenge may affect a candidate’s result. The second form can be submitted by anyone, and is for informal queries of published exam questions, for example in mock exams. A separate form is needed for each question that you challenge.

For more information and to find the forms, http://www.rsgb.org/exam-challenges

Earth-Venus-Earth Bounce a First for Netherlands

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Earth-Venus-Earth Bounce a First for Netherlands

A first for a radio telescope in the Netherlands which succeeded in bouncing amateur radio signals off Venus - the latest such achievement by scientists around the world.

Amateur radio signals that were bounced off Venus some 26 million miles away, have returned to Earth where they were picked up by the Dwingeloo Radio Telescope, PI9RD, in the Netherlands, according to news reports on the 25th of March.

The achievement - the second of its kind in Europe - means that amateur radio signals covered a distance that is more than 100 times greater than those that are traveled by Earth-Moon-Earth, or moon-bounce signals.

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Ofcom Proposes Direct Smartphone-Satellite Connections

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Ofcom Proposes Direct Smartphone-Satellite Connections

Smartphone users in the UK could soon be able to connect wirelessly to satellites under a proposal being considered by that nation's regulator.

The UK is poised to have the first European telecommunications system that enables standard smartphones to send and receive signals from space. The system, known as "direct-to-device" technology, connects smartphones wirelessly to satellites. A similar permission was recently authorised in the US by the Federal Co—mmunications Commission.

The UK regulator, Ofcom, is proposing to allocate radio frequencies for use in the UK, especially for rural and other currently underserved communication network areas and is inviting comments from the public until 20th of May. Ofcom believes that this could both facilitate sending texts and internet connections during outages, and that access would be allowed to the mobile airwaves for two-way communications between smartphones and satellite operators' networks. If approved, service could begin to roll out later this year.

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