Digital Modes for Foundation Level?

The move towards the use of digital modes for entry level licences is being considered in at least three major countries as a means of making Amateur Radio more relevant and attractive.

Reviews of the Foundation licence in the UK, Australia, and the USA Technician licence, include talk and proposals that some digital modes should be included.

A number of European countries are considering entry level licences, with

proposed inclusion of digital modes. The UK Foundation licence has permitted some digital modes since the outset.

“...while past entry level or beginner licences have initially given a taste of Amateur Radio, technology has moved on in the past decade and beginner licences are no longer reflective of current practice, or society generally”

— WIA Secretary, Jim Linton VK3PC

The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is looking at the syllabus of its Foundation Licence, while the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) is considering adding some digital modes to the Technician Licence, among other changes.

ARDF Record at YOTA 2017

Dutch Amateur Radio Operator Suzan PD3SZN established a record for the fastest time among women in the ARDF competition at YOTA 2017 in Gilwell Park

In the afternoon an ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) hunt was organised at the camp. The 2m and 80m bands were used. The Dutch team won first place in the 2m hunt. Suzan PD3SZN established another record for the fastest time among the women competing. It was a challenge to find all 5 stations. Many passed the transmitter locations several times. Those who were not tired out by the first hunt could hunt again using the 80m band. Later in the day, during the closing ceremony, it was announced that Lennart PD5LKM, along with 2 other competitors, had set the fastest times in the 80m hunt.

Veron Report (Google English - http://tinyurl.com/VERON-YOTA2017

Ofcom Resolves Car Locking Issue

Northern Ireland Gym owner Wendy MacBean reported her customer concern to Ofcom in relation to customers being unable to use their key-fob locking properly.

“For the most part, these devices are only used in short bursts. The problem comes when one of these becomes faulty and they remain on permanently. When that happens, they can interfere with other nearby devices, like car key fobs, using those same radio waves, which is what happened here.”

— Ofcom Engineer Robert Barfoo

Ofcom despatched engineers from the Spectrum Management Centre to investigate, and on the second visit, using spectrum analyser equipment, identified interference on 433.92 MHz, part of the licence exempt Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band not only used by the Amateur Radio community, but also for short range devices like car key fobs.
 

The Ofcom engineer team traced the problem to premises nearby. Once inside, they quickly found the cause of the problem – a faulty wireless doorbell. It was switched off and normal service was resumed for motorists out on the street.

Vehicle theft without keys - https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/how-crooks-can-steal-your-car-without-key

Ofcom - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/doorbell-investigation