International Museums Weekend 2014

International Museums Weekend takes place on two consecutive weekends in 14/15 and 21/22 June 2014.

Ireland's Howth Martello Radio Group will be participating on Saturday 14th June 2014 from the Radio Museum located in the Martello Tower using the call-sign EI0MAR.

This event is not a contest but awards are available for working the various award stations of which EI0MAR is one.

It is planned to be QRV from about 0900 UTC until at least 1700 and visitors will be most welcome.

Guest operation in Brazil during FIFA 2014 World Cup

The Brazilian Amateur Radio League – LABRE – has filed a request and obtained special permission from ANATEL, the Brazilian Telecommunication authority, for foreign amateurs wishing to operate during the FIFA World Cup.

Amateur / Ham Radio Operators can operate in Brazil during the FIFA 2014 World Cup.

Radio amateur operators who visit Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be able to be on air without bureaucracy.

During June and July 2014, any foreign amateur will be able to operate in Brazil regardless of the existence of reciprocity agreement between countries. No IARP or CEPT license are necessary and no fees are required.

Amateurs who wish to operate in Brazil must send to LABRE the following documents

• Copy of a valid passport (identification pages)
• Copy of amateur radio license of his/her country
• List of cities in which he/she intends to operate and the respective periods
• Email address for contact

The documents must be scanned and sent to executiva@labre.org.br

USB driver update for Icom D-STAR repeaters

An updated USB driver for the ID-RP2C, ID-RP2D, ID-RP2L, ID-RP2V, ID-RP2000V, ID-RP4000V D-STAR repeater has been released on the Icom Inc. website.

USB driver version 3.00 will allow Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 to be supported.

The updated USB driver and updated installation guide can be downloaded from - http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/firm/ID-RP2C/usb3_0