HAMEXPO 2021 Cancelled

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The REF Board has canceled the HAMEXPO 2021 event that had been planned to take place for 25th September 2021 at the Le Mans Exhibition Center in France

In view of

  • new government constraints concerning the management of COVID-19, in particular the very cumbersome control procedures to be put in place,

  • uncertainties about the attendance of certain exhibitors,

  • the very hypothetical participation of the public concerned,

The REF board of directors, meeting in extraordinary session on 15 July 2021, decided to cancel the HAMEXPO 2021 edition, which was initially scheduled to be held on 25th September 2021.

This decision, very difficult to take, goes in the direction of the safety and the protection of all, we hope that you will understand it.

New Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee

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At its just-concluded July 2021 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors approved By-Law changes creating a third Standing Committee that joins the existing Administration and Finance Committee and Programs and Services Committee.

The charter of the new Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee (EC-FSC) is to develop and recommend new or modified Board policy and programs for emergency communications through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) and National Traffic System™ (NTS™) entities.

The committee also will offer enhanced support for its Field Organization leadership volunteers, including Section Managers, and an increased focus on ARRL-Affiliated Clubs.

The EC-FSC will further provide guidance to the CEO in translating Board policy into prioritized tasking, funding, and staffing of programs, services, and training in support of amateur radio emergency communications, field organization volunteers, and recruitment and retention of new and existing members through assistance to Affiliated and Special Service Clubs.

The EC-FSC will have additional responsibility for monitoring and assessing trends in emergency communications technology and participant skills worldwide, and for identifying “best practices” for voluntary emergency communications provided by ARES and NTS, coordinating and cooperating with other amateur radio national societies as appropriate.

Stations to Celebrate Fourth Anniversary of FT8

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Many stations will take to the airwaves 2-15 August 2021, to celebrate the 4th anniversary of FT8. All stations will use call signs with “FTDMC” or “FTDM” in the suffix. The activity also celebrates the 2nd anniversary of the FT8 Digital Mode Club. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW and eQSL. QSL cards will be available.

Stations planning to participate include: 4J8FTDM, OZ8FTDMC, RO3FTDM, 9K8FTDMC, A60FTDMC, DQ8FTDMC, GB0DMC, HZ8FTDMC, and many others. A certificate will be available with bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels for working them.