Italy Adopts Remote Oral Amateur Radio Exams

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A decree issued by Italian Ministry of Economic Development on 2nd October 2020 means that remote Oral exams can be held to enable Italians to get their amateur radio license

A translation of part of the decree reads:

3. The oral exam consists of an individual telematic interview aimed at ascertaining the candidate's preparation in electronics and radio technology, and knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to radio communications. The examination is carried out using a free online videoconferencing platform chosen by the examination board by communicating it in advance to the candidates.

4. To carry out the examination, the examining commission prepares three envelopes in each of which five questions relating to the topics indicated in the first part of the examination program referred to in sub attachment D of attachment 26 to the Code of electronic communications, three of which refer to the technical areas referred to in paragraph 3. Each candidate chooses one of the three envelopes whose questions are given to him to ascertain the relative preparation.

5. The exam is considered passed if the candidate correctly answers three questions, provided that at least two are technical and one related to regulation. The examining commission, having ascertained the correct answer to the aforementioned three questions, declares the examination concluded positively, exempting the candidate from administering any remaining questions. Similarly, the commission declares the exam negatively concluded as soon as it ascertains that, taking into account the answers provided and the questions still to be administered, the candidate is unable to reach the minimum coefficient of correct answers necessary to pass the exam.

7. Each examination commission, set up at the Territorial Inspectorates, sets, well in advance, the dates of the examination sessions between 15th October 2020 and 15th December 2020, taking into account the number of candidates and the organizational needs of the offices. Adequate publicity is provided on these dates on the site referred to in paragraph 8.

Read Full Decree - http://www.ari.it/images/stories/segreteria/decreto_direttoriale_esame_radioamatori.pdf


Belgium Suspends Ham Radio Exams

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The communication regulator in Belgium, BIPT, has announced that because of the current COVID-19 situation, the safety of candidates and BIPT staff in the examination rooms can no longer be guaranteed

National amateur radio society UBA reports that as a result, all exams have been temporarily suspended.

UBA says that BIPT will notify them as soon as the exams resume. Anyone who is already registered for an exam (and has already paid for it) will be able to re-register at no additional cost at the resumption and will receive priority at that time.

UBA - https://tinyurl.com/BelgiumUBA

Two Astronauts Achieve Amateur Radio Licenses

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Two Astronauts Achieve Amateur Radio Licenses

Although the lockdown of Johnson Space Center (JSC) postponed amateur radio training and licensing over the past 7 months, NASA ISS Ham Project Coordinator Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, was able to work with all of the new astronaut-class graduates, as well as offer some refresher courses with already-licensed astronauts. Licensed astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) may operate the on-station ham radio equipment without restrictions.

Astronauts often participate in Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts with schools and groups on Earth.

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