Belgian Special Prefix

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The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) has announced that all Belgian radio amateurs and Belgian radio clubs may replace the normal prefix 'ON' in their call sign by the special prefix OS during the period between 18th April 2021, to 12th December 2021. This measure does NOT apply to short callsigns (vanity calls) and the callsigns of unmanned stations.

The BIPT explains its decision to celebrate two special events of special importance this year:

  1. The "International Radio Amateur Day", on April 18, 2021.

  2. The anniversary of the first transatlantic radio transmission, on December 12, 2021. On that date, it will be 120 years ago that Guglielmo MARCONI first succeeded in bridging the Atlantic Ocean wireless with radio signals.

Maritime Radio Day 2021

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The 10th anniversary of Maritime Radio Day (MRD) will take place from 1200 UTC on 14th April to 2200 UTC on 15th April 2021. The annual event commemorates nearly 90 years of wireless service for seafarers.

Radio amateurs and shortwave listeners are welcome and should register in advance by 1st April 2021.

Stations such as coastal radio stations and ships may participate only if operated by former commercial or Navy operators, or by radio technicians who worked on the installation and/or maintenance of naval equipment. Former Merchant Marine Radio Operators or former Ship’s Electronic Technicians are encouraged to participate.

All traffic must occur around the following international naval frequencies on amateur radio bands: 1824 kHz; 3520 kHz; 7020 kHz; 10,118 kHz; 14,052 kHz; 21,052 kHz, and 28,052 kHz. The primary working frequency is 14,052 kHz. There is no power limit. Participants exchange QSA (signal strength, 1-5), QRK (readability, 1-5), name, call sign of last or favourite ship/aircraft/maintenance company, and “additionally a tr, msg and/or a QTC, if you like.”

Submit an email or letter detailing stations worked to Rolf Marschner, Narzissenweg 10 53359, Rheinbach, Germany.

Maritime Radio Day 2021 - http://www.arrl.org/news/maritime-radio-day-is-set-for-april

GB5LIB Guernsey Amateur Radio Special Event

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Members of the Guernsey Amateur Radio Society (GARS) will activate the special event station GB5LIB between 0001 UTC, 8th May and 2359 UTC, 14th May 2021.

Activity will be on all bands and modes from 160-10 meters, and maybe 4/6m if conditions allow. Some satellite operation is likely too, including QO100.

The station will be on air to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the Liberation of the islands in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

QSL via LoTW (preferred), but see QRZ.com for more details