Iceland to End Amateur/Ham Radio Callsign Discrimination

Iceland's Ministry of Transport and Local Government has published draft changes to the Radio Regulations for comment

The national society, Icelandic Radio Amateurs (IRA), had proposed ending the practice of highlighting amateurs who had Novice call signs which have an N added to their call sign. The IRA is also proposing ending another discriminatory practice where Icelandic call signs reflected the geographic call area where a station is located.

Icelandic Radio Amateur Article (Google English) - http://tinyurl.com/IcelandIRA

Copper Shortage to Raise PCB Prices

A shortage of copper and copper foil, used in the production of printed circuit board (PCB) is likely to send prices higher according to Raymond Goh, COO of Elmatica AS (Oslo, Norway), a PCB broker.

The cause of the shortage is the global output of copper is not increasing while demand for copper in lithium batteries for automotive applications is and that as a result a current shortage of copper foil will persist.

To add to the supply pressures, China is planning to ban the importation of electronic waste, a significant source of recycled copper.

More Information - http://www.eenewseurope.com/news/pcb-prices-rise-copper-foil-shortage-says-broker-0?news_id=100032

RadFxSat (Fox-1B) Launched, Designated AMSAT-OSCAR 91 (AO-91)

Delta II rocket carrying RadFxSat (Fox-1B) successfully launched at 09:47:36 UTC on 18th November 2017 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

RadFxSat was deployed at 11:09 UTC. Then at 12:12 UTC, the AMSAT Engineering team, watching ZR6AIC’s WebSDR waterfall, saw the characteristic “Fox Tail” of the Fox-1 series FM transmitter, confirming that the satellite was alive and transmitting over South Africa. Shortly after 12:34 UTC, the first telemetry was received and uploaded to AMSAT servers by Maurizio Balducci, IV3RYQ, in Cervignano del Friuli, Italy. Initial telemetry confirmed that the satellite was healthy.

AMSAT Engineering reminds stations that the satellite will not be available for general use until the on-orbit checkouts are complete. Please continue to submit telemetry to assist the Engineering team in completing the commissioning process.

Press Release - https://www.amsat.org/radfxsat-fox-1b-launched-designated-amsat-oscar-91-ao-91/