Founder of JOTA is SK

Les Mitchell G3BHK, known as the 'father of JOTA', passed away on Monday, October 6

He was one of the Radio Scouters at the Jamboree in 1957 that gave birth to the idea of a Jamboree On The Air (JOTA). The first event was held in 1958. To many he was known as the father of JOTA.

In 2000, recalling the first event, Les wrote "Little did I think when I drew up the plans and rules for the first event in 1958 that it's popularity would increase and spread around the world. Even more astonishing is the fact that after all this time it still holds it's popularity and now has a participation of some half a million Scouts and Guides in over one hundred countries involving some ten thousand amateur radio stations. In fact it has become the largest international Scout event ever."

Radio Scouting - Les Mitchell G3BHK - http://www.radio-scouting.org.uk/index.php?page=the-founder-of-jota

When will Ofcom revoke Ham Radio licences?

The wording on an Ofcom slide raises the question - When will Ofcom revoke amateur radio licences that have not been re-validated ?

Ofcom gave their presentation at the RSGB Convention on October 12. Regarding licences that have not been revalidated their slide said:

“This still leaves 19,000 licences technically open to revocation”

Ofcom's use of the words "technically open to revocation" rather than "will be revoked" gives the impression that revocation of licences may not occur in the immediate future.

The licence statistics include people who have been dead for over 7 years, it is hoped that Ofcom do not take too many months before they start the revocation process.

The slide also showed that radio amateurs appear to change email address as frequently as they move house with Ofcom reporting that 20% of both the email and written postal communications sent out "failed delivery".

Ofcom UK Amateur Radio Licence Statistics - http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/amateur-radio/guidance-for-licensees/monthly-stats/

How to validate your licence - http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/remember-to-validate-your-licence.html

Dominica on 5 MHz

The Dominica National Telecommunications Regulator has permitted Amateur operation on five 3 kHz-wide channels on 5 Mhz. These are - 5330.5, 5346.5, 5355.5, 5371.5 and 5403.5 kHz at 50W pep SSB

This allocation is applicable to General and Advanced licensees only - http://www.ectel.int/images/Amateur-Radio-39-2012.pdf

Note that the Dominica (J7) 5 MHz allocation should not be confused with the Dominican Republic (HI), which also has a 5 MHz allocation.