86% pass for South African Radio Exam

The South African Radio League reports the Radio Amateurs Examination held in May 2015 had an 86% pass rate

The oldest person in Class A was 64 years of age and the youngest 13. In Class B there was a candidate of only 11 years old. The highest marks obtained were 98% and 88% respectively.

“Of the 147 candidates who enrolled for the May Radio Amateur Examination, only 112 wrote it, 110 in Class A and 2 in Class B. The pass rate was 86%.”

— SARL

Two candidates achieved 100% in Regulations and one achieved 98% in the Technical part. The next exam for those needing a second attempt or for the friends of those who passed is October 2015.

The 90 question (30 Rules/Regs 60 Technical) Class A examination is based on the CEPT Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate syllabus.

The syllabus for the 30 question Class B exam is similar to that of the UK Foundation and permits 100 watts output on HF/VHF/UHF.

Unlike the UK candidates just need to pass the Class A exam to get the highest class of licence there is no requirement to take the lower Class B exam as well. Exams are held in May and October each year.

South African RAE and HF Assessment - http://www.sarl.org.za/public/licences/rae.asp

Ham Radio Skills for Dresden Students

Students at Dresden Elementary School have recently participated in an amateur radio club during the 2014/15 school year and achieved a 1st and a 2nd place in the School Club Roundup contests

Using the club call sign KD8NOM, the students won first and second place in the school club contests.

One member, Tyler, who uses the call sign KD8UAY, competed in the ARRL Sweepstakes Contest with other local ham radio operators and took a North American first place. He was also a guest speaker at the Dayton International Hamvention.

To close the year, the club had a party with a cake and received bandannas that read 100 Years of QST.

Full Story - http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2015/06/23/dresden-students-learn-ham-radio-skills/29160419/

UK Amateur Radio Training Online

Essex Ham, a UK amateur / ham radio group based in the South-east have announced that their training team have posted online their UK Amateur Radio Foundation training package.  

The group are keen to promote and bring to air more people to the amateur / ham radio hobby, and believe by making their course material online can only help those looking to obtain their Foundation licence. 

The course material can be used as a stand-alone distance learning course, or as a revision aid for those on an existing training course. 

For more details, and to watch the Foundation Online video - http://www.hamtrain.co.uk/