World Amateur Radio Day and the RSGB’s Friendship on the Air Award

World Amateur Radio Day is this Sunday 18 April 2021and the theme of this year’s event is “Home but never alone”. The RSGB’s new Friendship on the Air Award links with this theme as it celebrates amateur radio friendship. The award gives an opportunity to get on the air, represent your club and have a proper chat with radio amateurs across the airwaves. There are monthly and annual awards for individuals, clubs and the highest-scoring club in each region.

To find out how to take part, visit the Society’s website - http://rsgb.org/friendship-award

Belgian Special Prefix

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

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