French Ham Radio Exam Changes

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French Ham Radio Exam Changes

After 8 years of waiting a new amateur radio, decree has finally been published in the French Government Official Journal

The most significant change is the way amateur radio exams are marked (see Article 2 of the Decree).

France only has one amateur radio exam which is the equivalent of the CEPT HAREC or all three UK exams combined. The French HAREC exam comprises 40 questions to be completed in 45 minutes. 15 minutes are allowed for the 20 Rules and Regulations questions and 30 minutes for the 20 Technical Theory questions.

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Help for CW Beginners

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Newcomers to CW often have difficulty finding stations to work at slow speeds. To address that problem there is a small group of dedicated radio amateurs who regularly help beginners to take that 'Giant Leap' and use CW on air for the first time.

They have a Facebook page ‘SLOW CW UK’ and invite members from all parts of the world to join them.

For those interested in taking their first steps into what might be referred to as the 'Dark Art' of CW communication, have a listen out around 3.555MHz plus or minus QRM most evenings from around 1930 to 2030z.

The group has specific activity nights on Wednesday and Saturday evenings but one or two of them can be found around those frequencies most evenings often calling "CW SLOW".

These amateurs take some of the fear out of using Morse code on air for the first few times. So, if you feel you can copy CW at around 10 words per minute or more then answer their CQ calls or arrange a sked. Most of them are retired so daytime skeds can be arranged as well as evening ones.

RaDAR Challenge 2021

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The next RaDAR Challenge is 3rd April 2021, UTC. RaDAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. Movement is encouraged between portable deployments via foot or various conveyances. Operate in a four-hour window of your choosing. No specific venue is required, although parks are a natural choice. You may operate any band and mode except repeaters. Satellite and digital contacts are encouraged with bonus points. Remember it is five contacts and move. Get into the flow zone.

Detailed rules are available - http://radarops.co.za/index.php/radar-rules/

Portable operators and chasers are welcome to participate. Make your plans and share!