New mode trial for VK medium wave beacon

The popular CW beacon at VK3FI beacon at Mildura in north-western Victoria, Australia, on the 630 Metre band just below the AM broadcast allocation heard throughout VK and in ZL, has now changed to try the QRSS-3 a very slow weak signal mode.

It is using the new mode in the 472-479 kHz band on a frequency of 473 kHz for a few weeks and may be detected a lot further afield.

The beacon is on air during local night darkness with switch-on by 0900 UTC most nights.The beacon is only air-on when Noel Fergusson VK3FI is present.

Some antenna improvements are planned later and the VK3FI beacon will resume then with 12-words-per-minute CW transmissions. 

All reception reports to vk3fi@wia.org.au

27 MHz SSB CB legal

Ofcom have announced amendments to Wireless Telegraphy licence regulations that will enable 27 MHz SSB Citizens Band operation with 12 watt PEP from 27 June 2014

In the late 1970's radio amateurs such as James Bryant G4CLF, the then President of the UK Citizens' Band Association, campaigned for the legalisation of AM/SSB CB. Now some 37 years later it has finally been achieved.

Ofcom statement - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/wireless-telegraphy-fees-notice/statement/

AM/SSB and DSB CB IR2027.2– UK Radio Interface Requirement - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/spectrum-management/research-guidelines-tech-info/interface-requirements/IR_2027.2.pdf

Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 1484 - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1484/made/data.pdf

Read the article about CB Radio written by James Bryant G4CLF in the 2nd March 1978 issue of New Scientist magazine - http://tinyurl.com/CBradioNewScientist

Changes to Amateur Service Part 97 Rules

The FCC's recently announced revisions to the Part 97 Amateur Radio rules governing exam credit to former licensees, test administration, and emission types will go into effect on Monday, 21 July 2014. .

In a wide-ranging Report and Order (R&O) released 9 June 2014, the Commission announced that it would grant examination credit for written elements 3 (General) and 4 (Amateur Extra) to holders of "expired licenses that required passage of those elements." The FCC will require former licensees falling outside the 2-year grace period to pass Element 2 (Technician) in order to be re-licensed.

The Commission declined to give exam credit to holders of expired Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCEs) or to extend lifetime validity to CSCEs.

FCC Report and Order - http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db0609/FCC-14-74A1.pdf