RSGB Construction Competition

There are just six weeks left until the deadline for entries for the RSGB Construction Competition. The Society has received entries already so don't miss out! If you're new to amateur radio there is a special category for you, so why not enter? The four categories are Beginners, Construction Excellence, Innovation, and Software and there is a prize for the winner of each section.

Closing date is 1 March 2022.

Full details are on the RSGB website - http://www.rsgb.org/construction-competition

ARRL Foundation to Create club grants program

The ARRL has long recognized that it is in the best interests of amateur radio to encourage and support amateur radio clubs. Clubs historically have recruited, licensed and trained new radio amateurs and have provided the community setting for radio amateurs to continue their education and training.

“This program will substantially contribute to the growth of amateur radio clubs and their efforts to expand and support the amateur radio community.”

— Dr. David Woolweaver, ARRL Foundation President

The new ARRL Foundation Club Grants program, funded by a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), will make $500,000 available to clubs, enabling them to more easily provide and expand these important services. The program will provide up to $25,000 for worthy club projects, while requests for more than that will be referred back to ARDC.

Beginning in April 2022, amateur radio clubs will be able to apply for these grants by filling out a simple form on the ARRL website. The ARRL Foundation will then evaluate the grant proposals, with a key criterion being how the project will advance amateur radio in the grantee’s community. In most cases, this process should take no longer than 90 days.

“We’re very excited about working with the ARRL Foundation on this program,” she says, “We can’t wait to see what kinds of creative things clubs will do with these grants”

— Rosy Schechter, ARDC Executive Director

Spanish Radio Amateurs can Continue using 2.4 GHz

Spain's URE has obtained permission for radio amateurs to use 2400.050 MHz to 2410 MHz for QO-100 satellite communication until 26th December 2022

The Union of Spanish Radio Amateurs (URE), requested the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures the extension (the previous one expires on December 26, 2021), for a period of one year, of the aforementioned administrative authorization as well as, among other modifications of characteristics, the use of antennas of 60 cm in diameter and the extension of the band to 2410 MHz.

Said Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures has granted to authorize until 26th December 2022 to the holders of amateur radio authorizations, the realization of transmissions of the amateur service in the frequency band 2400.050 to 2410 MHz, with a maximum EIRP of 1500 watts and using directive antennas with a gain of not less than 21.5 dBi, from authorized amateur radio stations located anywhere in the national territory to the QO-100 satellite located in the orbital position 25.9ºE of the geostationary orbit.

Secretary of State's resolution for Digital Advancement - https://www.ure.es/images/noticias/generales/RESOLUCION-CONCESION.pdf