Why is ham radio more popular than ever?

Members of the Overlook Mountain Amateur Radio Club are interviewed at the Woodstock Rescue Squad Headquarters

The article says over 725,000 Americans have ham radio licenses, up more than 60 percent since 1981.

Keith Tilley K2UNI describes some of the club’s local coordinated activities. “We did pumpkin patrol last night,” said Tilley, speaking the day after Halloween. He said the patrol involves keeping watch to make sure hooligans don’t drop pumpkins off highway overpasses. “We were there watching 10 or 11 different overpasses over the Thruway,” he said.

“Most of what we do in terms of public service is Kingston Classic and other events that are big in areas that need radio communications. We provide public service that way and we also practice for the potential of disasters in the future.”

Full Saugerties Times story - http://www.saugertiesx.com/2014/11/10/ham-radio-popular-ever/

Overlook Mountain Amateur Radio Club - http://www.gunkswriter.com/h/omarc/https://www.facebook.com/groups/47346019193/

December is YOTA month

During the month of December many countries will be on the air with the YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) suffix. It is being used to encourage young people to get on the air with the help of licensed operators or indeed to use their own callsign to gain experience.

Mentor operators from EI are encouraged to use the EI0YOTA callsign, with a young person to operate. All modes & bands will be used with lots of awards available to stations working the YOTA stations. QSL manager for the event is Brani OM2FY.

If you would like to book a slot to operate EI0YOTA, or need more details, please contact Ger McNamara EI4GXB via email on ei4gxb@gmail.com or 087 2532512.

RSGB Youth Committee Chair announced

The Radio Society of Great Britain has appointed 17-year-old Mike Jones, 2E0MLJ, as Chair of the RSGB Youth Committee

Mike Jones, 2E0MLJ, as Chair of the RSGB Youth Committee

Mike was originally licensed as M6TMJ and is currently studying Forensic Science and Criminal Psychology at City College Plymouth.

He is a member of the QRZ.com Staff helping on the database forum and is also Youngsters On The Air (YOTA) Month Co-Ordinator for the UK.

At the RSGB Convention in October Mike gave an excellent presentation on July’s successful YOTA-UK event held in Wolverhampton which was organised by young people, for young people. As well as Mike 2E0MLJ the YOTA-UK organising committee included Marie-Ann M6UWS, Dax M6DAX, Jenny M6HFA and Rachel M6SOO.

Follow YOTA-UK on Twitter - @YOTA_UK

Follow 2E0MLJ on Twitter - @MikeJ1997