V-J Day Amateur Radio Special Event Station - GB2VJ

Members of the Essex CW Amateur Radio Club will be operating an Amateur / Ham Radio special event station, callsign GB2VJ from 8th August 2015 to 4th September 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of V-J Day in Europe and the USA 

Members of the London Group of the Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society, including ICQ Podcast presenters Martin Butler M1MRB and Chris Howard M0TCH, will also be operating the special event station GB70VJ throughout the whole of August from the museum ship HMS Belfast.

On 14th August 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending WW2. Since then, both 14th August and 15th August have been known as ‘Victory over Japan Day,’ or simply ‘V-J Day.’ The term has also been used for 2nd September 1945, when Japan’s formal surrender took place aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay. Japan’s capitulation in the Pacific brought six long years of hostilities to a final close.

GB2VJ will be predominantly operating CW on the HF bands although there may be occasional SSB operation.

Essex CW Amateur Radio Club - http://www.essexcw.org.uk/ 

Special Event Station Host for YOTA Required

Following on from the success of last year’s event, applications to host a Special Event Station for Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Month in December are now open. The RSGB Youth Committee has managed to secure the callsign G15YOTA (and its regional variations) for use in December, thanks to Ofcom’s continued support.

The aim of the month long event is to promote amateur radio to younger audiences and to encourage them to get on the air. Special event stations will be active from countries all over the world, with each Special Event Station identifiable by its “YOTA” suffix. An award scheme also exists to encourage amateurs to work as many YOTA stations as possible throughout the event in December.

If your club or organisation would like to host the G15YOTA callsign in December, the only requirement is that the station is operated by young people (<26 years old) and a full licence holder is able to hold the NoV and supervise the station at all times. The RSGB Youth Committee will be administering all applications and each successful applicant will be given a time slot in which to use the callsign during December.

Applications close on the 30th September 2015 and allocations will be made by the 16th October 2015. However, it is recommended to apply as soon as possible to secure your preferred date of operation.

To apply, send an e-mail to YOTA@rsgb.org.uk or for more information on YOTA month, visit http://www.ham-yota.com/december-yota-month/ or http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/committees/youth-committee/youngsters-on-the-air/

Amateur / Ham Radio Celebration and Promotion of Marine Beacons

The International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend has attracted 370 registrations from 33 nations, with at least 100 more expected before the fun event is held on 15-16 August 2015.

On the top of the registration table is Germany on 65, Australia with 60, USA has 50 and England about 40.

At least 10 registrations each are from Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Scotland and South Africa and Sweden. Many more countries have much fewer, but are most welcome.

For more information about the event, visit http://www.illw.net