Pakistan Hikes Radio-Related Fees

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Calling its existing fee structure outdated, Pakistan's government has approved its first change to the fee structure for radio-based services in 25 years. More than 1,100 licence holders, including amateur radio operators and private radio networks, are being affected by a fee hike. According to media reports, fees remained unchanged until now despite Pakistan's inflation rising by more than 700 per cent.

Pakistan's amateur licence is initially issued for one year but can be renewed for five years afterwards. The fee is increasing from 450 rupees to 5,000 rupees - or, in US currency, from $1.60 to $18 for the term of the licence (5 years).

The change was approved in late July by the Economic Coordination Committee. The ECC acted after being told by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority that fees no longer cover the expenses for managing licenses and overseeing the use of the spectrum.

HamTV is Active on the International Space Station

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The installation of new equipment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to reenable HamTV appears to be successful. ARISS reports on Mastodon that ground stations over Europe had successfully received the HamTV carrier signal on July 29th. Carrier transmissions are expected to continue over the next few days. Additional reports are expected from North American hams.

Documentation on receiving HamTV from the ISS is available from The British Amateur Television Club (BATV). ARISS provides a live feed of video when the ISS is in range of HamTV receiver stations.

More Information - https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/

Radio Alpha, the ARRL Museum and Research Library

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Radio Alpha, the ARRL Museum and Research Library

There’s a new resource from ARRL documenting the history of ham radio. Radio Alpha is the ARRL® Museum and Research Library. Radio Alpha is envisioned as a Wikipedia-like project, administered by a trusted group of volunteers. 

It aims to serve as a definitive repository of information, offering detailed descriptions and contextual data on pivotal figures, influential organisations, pioneering companies, transformative inventions, and iconic equipment that have shaped the amateur radio landscape. Radio Alpha addresses the critical need for a centralised, reliable, and easily navigable archive of amateur radio's past. 

Recognising the fragmented nature of existing historical data, this database will consolidate diverse information sources into a single, cohesive platform. Users will find meticulously researched entries, cross-referenced to provide a holistic understanding of the connections and evolutions within the hobby. A core principle of Radio Alpha is universal accessibility. Therefore, the database will be entirely free to access, ensuring that researchers, historians, enthusiasts, and the public can explore its contents without barriers. 

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