Voodoo Contest Group in Kuwait

The Voodoo Contest Group is on the move again in 2014 for the CQWW DX CW Contest. The team has been invited to operate at the emerging Multi-Multi contest station being assembled by 9K2HN, Hamad Alnusif in the Abdali area in northern Kuwait.

They will operate using the callsign 9K2HN in the Multi-Multi category in the contest. In addition to 9K2HN, operators will include Ned/AA7A, Don/G3XTT, Fred/G4BWP, Ray/G4FON, John/G4IRN, Mike/KC7V, Dave/N4QS, Bus/N7CW, and Bob/W6RGG, with the potential for other local 9K operators.

The visiting Voodudes will arrive on November 22nd, and will operate before the contest with particular emphasis on the lower bands.

QSLs for 9K2HN are via instructions on QRZ.com.

Voodoo Contest Group - http://voodoocontestgroup.com

Ofcom Consultation - licence changes from April 2015

UK regulator Ofcom has published a 32 page proposal covering possible changes to the UK amateur / ham radio licence. If approved these changes could come into effect from April 2015

In summary, the changes proposed are:

• Dropping the Regional Secondary Locators ("M" for Scotland, "W" for Wales, etc), except for Intermediate

• Relaxing how we use our callsigns on-air

• Access to 470kHz and 5MHZ for Full licensees without an NoV

• Changes to club licence ownership

• A number of wording changes, mostly for clarification

The consultation runs until the 20th of October 2014.

The full 32-page consultation document - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/amateur-radio-licence

Sotabeam End Fed Tuner Kit

Portable radio specialists SOTABEAMS has introduced a kit version of their popular QRP Mountain Tuner.

The Mountain Tuner is designed for use with end-fed half-wave antennas from 40 through to 17 metres.

The unique design allows the Mountain Tuner to be pegged down along with the end of the antenna making it easier to use. It also provides a mounting option to use the tuner with an elevated feed system. This reduces losses by keeping the end of the antenna clear of the ground.

The Mountain Tuner is now available ready-built or as a kit.

The Mountain Tuner is rated at 6 Watts - http://www.sotabeams.co.uk/mountain-tuner-40-17m-kit-or-built/