Special operating events are a lot of fun, both for the station operators themselves and other hams who work them. The 13 Colonies Special Event, for example, attracts thousands of participants, who search the bands for stations operating from the 13 original U.S. colonies.
Read MorePRESENTER OPINION : UK Regulator Ofcom Releases Ham Licenses By Age: Compares Favorably with US Estimates→
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In response to a Freedom of Information Act, the United Kingdom amateur radio license regulator, Ofcom, has released counts of ham licenses by age group (see here). The ICQ Podcast covered this story in this week’s episode. They are simple counts but I’ve taken them and added UK population data for comparison. Using a graph from my recent NCJ article on aging in American radiosport, I also make general comparisons to the US ham population. How does the UK compare to the US in terms of the age distribution relative to the overall population? Are hams becoming more elderly? Is there an influx of younger people into amateur radio in these two countries? The results are concerning to anyone interested in the long term viability of amateur radio in either country.
Read MorePRESENTER OPINION : Help Update the Tech Question Pool, but Don’t Get Your Hopes Up→
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The ARRL reports that the NCVEC Question Pool Committee (QPC) is seeking input on the Technician Class question pool, which is due to be updated next year. This may include suggestions for new questions, changes to current examination topic areas, or changes to existing questions in the current Technician Question Pool. The QPC is seeking input that focuses on topics that enhance public interest, understanding, and use of amateur radio, or focus on STEM hands-on learning and education, as well as questions on new technology, digital modes, station setup and operation, antennas, and emergency and non-emergency operation.
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