RSGB to develop links with school

The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has been approached by parents and school teachers who have suggested that the Amateur Radio Society of Great Britain could help support education in schools using amateur / ham radio, and the diverse skills of radio amateurs 

To validate this idea, the RSGB is looking to produce a list of affiliated amateur radio clubs that are willing to help support schools in their area.

Patrick M0ZPK is working on the project for the RSGB. If you are a school and would like to be involved, or an amateur radio club who is currently helping schools or would like to, please contact m0zpk@yahoo.co.uk

Further information - http://www.m0zpk.co.uk/rsgbtec/

ILLW set for another good year

The International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend participation list continues to grow, with stations from Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway and Switzerland joining this years event.

Nearly 270 locations in 33 countries have already committed to this premier fun-event held on the third full weekend in August for the past two decades.

Registrations include amateur / ham radio clubs / organisations and individuals from Asia, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, Oceania and the America's - in fact many countries that relied on this form of coastal navigation for the safe passage of ships.

The event aims to raise public awareness of the need to preserve marine beacons and promote Amateur Radio. An enjoyable time is had by those who mount portable stations on that weekend. Some have special QSL cards available for contacts.

In Australia VK5BWR Point Lowly is the 100th entry, followed by Spain EA1/DK6EA activating the Faro de Cabo de Silleiro lighthouse as number 200. Who will be this year's prestigious 300th registration?

To learn more about this fun-event that has easy guidelines, see past activation reports, or to register for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on 16 - 17th August 2014.

More information - http://www.illw.net

New pirate stations in Ukraine conflict

Two CW stations have appeared on the higher HF bands, claiming to operate from Donetsk, as promoting a separatist 'Peoples' Republic of Donetsk', or 'NovoRossiya New Russia'.

The callsigns the group are using - D0A and 1C4M are believed to be two operators on the same transmitter. The callsigns are invalid and do not count for anything in ham radio terms.

While a QSL manager may be appointed shortly in Donetsk, communications are poor, and direct QSL is unlikely to succeed.

There is some doubt that the stations are really in Donetsk. There is evidence that they may be operating from Kazakhstan.