No Entry Level Swedish Ham Radio License

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The Sweden's communications regulator, PTS has categorically rejected the idea of an Entry-Level amateur radio license 

The SSA says it must now find new ways to motivate our young people, and even older, to participate in our hobby. Amateur radio's future in Sweden is an urgent issue that will be discussed during the upcoming annual meeting on Faro.

Full Post - http://www.ssa.se/pts-forslag-till-delegationsbeslut-och-avslag-pa-begaran-om-instegscertifikat/

In 2004 the PTS exempted amateur radio transmitters in Sweden from individual licensing. Since then the SSA has issued Amateur Radio Certificates which include the callsign. 

In 2016 there were 13,000 Amateur Radio Certificates in Sweden but this figure would appear to include all certificates issued since 2004, a large number of which might be people who have left the hobby or died in that time. It is thought only around 70 people are taking up the hobby in Sweden each year.

PTS 2004 Licence Exemption Statement - https://www.pts.se/upload/Documents/EN/Radio_amateurs.pdf

SSA (Google English) - http://tinyurl.com/SwedenSSA

Australian Youth take up Amateur Radio

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Castlemaine student Kezia Hamilton, 17 is a product of radio communications, so to speak — her parents met while talking on CB radio as teenagers.

"They had this certain station where they would meet people and would go on a separate frequency to chat," Kezia said.

Kezia was part of a group of eight Castlemaine Venturers learning amateur radio in a converted bus located on a bush block on the outskirts of town.

"It's pretty cool talking to other people! We once had someone from France and we talked to a couple of people in New Zealand," Kezia said.

"I really like the idea that you can talk to people in space — that sounds really exciting." remembering the group of Nepalese students engaging with UK astronaut Tim Peake aboard the International Space Station (ISS)

But it is not just the fun factor of amateur radio that appeals to Kezia.

"I think it could be very useful in emergencies and stuff because sometimes the phone towers break down."

Media Story - 
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-17/youth-take-up-amateur-radio-from-inside-bus-in-the-bush/8277122

Ham Radio Dummies Books for Schools and Libraries

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With the explosive growth in amateur or ham radio, the Cedar Creek Amateur Radio Club decided to spread the word about of the Amateur / Ham Radio Hobby, with more licensed hams than any other time in history.

It’s hoped by making available the book “Ham Radio for Dummies”, which explains topics of the amateur/ham radio hobby in simple terms.

The Cedar Creek Amateur Radio Club use a grant from LDG Electronics of St. Leonard, MD to send a copy of the book to almost every school and public library in the tri-county area.

Media Story - http://www.athensreview.com/news/ham-radio-for-dummies-books-available/article_07b3b438-f3c7-11e6-9b12-47ab5e933902.html

Cedar Creek Amateur Radio Club - https://k5ccl.wordpress.com/