Online UK Advanced Exam

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The RSGB have posted an article to their website, outline a pilot for an online advanced UK amateur radio exam.

The document includes more detail regarding timing of the pilot phase of the project and also includes an FAQ section that hopefully answers most of the questions that exam secretaries and candidates are likely to raise.

Download - http://rsgb.org/main/blog/examination-announcements/2017/02/03/online-advanced-examinations/

ARES Volunteers Support Oroville Dam Evacuation

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ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT, reports that Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) volunteers are now actively involved in supporting communication for the evacuation and sheltering of nearly 200,000 people living below the damaged Oroville Dam in rural California.

The dam, on the Feather River east of Oroville, is the tallest in the US. Following a period of heavy rain, a section of the earthfilled embankment dam’s spillway eroded, and authorities issued an evacuation order for residents living below the dam, in case it should fail. Crews have been attempting to fill the eroded area with rock transported by helicopter.

Butte County ARES EC Dale Anderson, KK6EVX, was called out by the emergency operations center (EOC) on the evening of February 12. Six members of the Butte County ARES team now were deployed a Red Cross evacuation shelter at the Chico fairgrounds. Anderson said shelter managers were discussing the need to establish a radio link with the National Guard. Two VHF radios, one HF radio, and several handhelds were available at the shelter.

On February 12, Yuba/Sutter ARES EC Steve Sweetman, K6TAZ, opened and managed a net to provide information and gather reports of road closures or problems during the evacuation.

The Sacramento County EC Vince Cracchiolo, KI6NHP, was called into the Sacramento County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on February 13 as the Red Cross opened a shelter at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Kruckewitt said the Sacramento Valley Section has received offers from hams outside of California offering to help if needed. FEMA reports that 20 shelters are open with 3,680 occupants.

Full ARRL Story - http://www.arrl.org/news/ares-volunteers-support-evacuation-shelters-in-wake-of-oroville-dam-crisis

Making VHF/UHF Contests Better

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Uk Amateur / Ham Radio Operator Dave Dix, G8LZE has created  petition to the RSGB to call for changes to make VHF/UHF Contesting in the UK better for everyone.

Dix’s proposed change is related to the B2 scoring system, which he suggests does not encourage new contesters who are at a disadvantage to more experienced entrants who use the old M7 scoring system.

The B2 system is in an experimental stage, and has the potential to upset new contesters as they feel they are “paying to be lab rats”.

Other concerns include complex / unnecessary “Virtual Meeting Point” System, lack of transparency and communication, lack of social media engagement and communication in general.

View the petition - https://www.change.org/p/david-g8lze-help-improve-vhf-uhf-contesting-in-the-uk