Aluminium-Ion Battery Development

The Graphene Manufacturing Group in Brisbane, Australia together with the University of Queensland have according to the GMG website developed a Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery energy storage technology that has up to three times the capacity of a lithium-ion battery and can charge up to sixty times faster.

The battery was created by inserting aluminum atoms into perforations made in graphene planes.

The company claims that because the batteries lack an upper Ampere limit that would otherwise cause spontaneous overheating, the batteries are also safer. The stable base materials also facilitate their recycling later.

The company hopes to bring these cells to market by the end of 2021 or early 2022

More Information - https://graphenemg.com/

RSGB EMF Update June 2021

The RSGB’s specialist EMF group has helped Ofcom customise its guidance for radio amateurs. This updated guide is much simplified from the earlier version and now comprises just four steps:

• Step 1 - Do I need to comply?

• Step 2 - Carrying out a compliance check

• Step 3 - Managing compliance

• Step 4 – Keeping an appropriate compliance record

The revised guidance document "What you need to know as an Amateur Radio user" has now been released and the Ofcom EMF calculator has been updated. Links to all of the documents and calculators can be found on http://www.rsgb.org/emf

Netherlands Use of Ham Radio Handheld Microphone While Mobile

If you are driving a vehicle, you may not hold a mobile electronic device that can be used for communication or information processing. This is regulated in Article 61a of the 1990 Traffic Rules and Signs Regulations (RVV 1990). But can you still hold a microphone now?

Article 61a states the following:

It is prohibited for anyone driving a vehicle to hold a mobile electronic device that can be used for communication or information processing while driving. A mobile electronic device is in any case understood to mean a mobile phone, a tablet computer or a media player.

With this decision, the legislator has removed an inconsistency in the legislation. Article 61a has been amended to such an extent that it applies to all drivers of a vehicle. So also for cyclists, tram drivers and drivers of disabled vehicles. These drivers are not allowed to hold a mobile electronic device while driving. The old article specifically refers to a mobile phone.

In the explanation (page 5), an exception is made for operating a speech key

The speech key of a mobile phone or 27MC "bakkie" [Citizens Band} built into the vehicle is not covered by the term mobile electronic device.

So here one does not speak of holding a microphone, but specifically the term speech key is used here. You can then find it on the website of the ambulance blog.

This means that it is no longer allowed to hold a speaking key or mobile phone while driving. It is permitted, for example, to use a transmission button or foot pedal of a C2000 device which is permanently mounted in the vehicle. Not every ambulance service offers this option. An adjustment is therefore necessary here because otherwise communication with the control room or other units is impossible.

The law specifically refers to a button on a wire. The question is whether the judge sees this as such and allows holding a microphone. As long as there is no judgment by a judge, it is not yet possible to give an opinion. Keep it safe in traffic. Hands-free kits or bluetooth solutions are available and also keep our hobby safe.

VERON - https://tinyurl.com/IARU-Netherlands