GB2RS NEWS

The news headlines:

• NHS amateur radio callsign launches

GB1NHS is the new National Health Service amateur radio station. The RSGB’s National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park is hosting the launch event on Tuesday the 8th of May. National Radio Centre Coordinator Martyn Baker, G0GMB, will make the initial transmission using the call sign at 10.45am and the event will run to 2pm. The launch is part of the NHS #EndPJparalysis campaign, a 70-day mission to get patients up, dressed and moving while in hospital. The long-term aim of the station is to promote, through the medium of amateur radio, NHS initiatives that lead to patients receiving excellent care, faster recovery and living longer, healthier lives. For further information see www.GB1NHS.net

The RSGB is delighted to announce that Tim Duffy, K3LR has agreed to be the Keynote and after-dinner speaker at its 2018 Convention in October. Tim is amongst the leaders, if not the leader, in the field of amateur radio contesting. He will be talking about his contest station but also, as he puts it, focusing on ‘keeping ham radio fun and alive’. Bookings for the RSGB Convention are now open. Visit the RSGB website for more information and to book your tickets. You’ll find details at www.rsgb.org/convention

UK radio amateurs wishing to celebrate the royal wedding can apply for a Notice of Variation to do so. The RSGB has agreed with Ofcom an NoV to authorise the temporary use of the Regional Secondary Locator R after the United Kingdom call sign prefix. So M1ACB could use MR1ACB, 2E1GKR could use 2R1GKR and GW1MFG could use GR1MFG – note that the celebratory letter R replaces the usual Regional Secondary Locator. Exact details are given in the NoV documentation. You must apply for the Notice of Variation before using the R, and it will only be valid between the 19th and the 21st of May 2018. To apply for the Royal Wedding Regional Secondary Locator Notice of Variation, visit the RSGB web page www.rsgb.org/rwrsl – the NoV is free and open to all UK licensees.

Also to celebrate the Royal Wedding, Ofcom has issued the unique Special Event callsign GR9RW to the Cray Valley Radio Society. It will be in operation between the 19th and the 23rd of May. This is believed to be the first time that the GR9 series has been officially activated in the UK. GR9RW will primarily use SSB and CW on its two HF stations, plus FM on the VHF / UHF station. A very special QSL card will be sent on request and cards can also be requested via OQRS. For further information see the Cray Valley Radio Society website, www.cvrs.org

In a landmark step, the Irish regulator Comreg has agreed to amateur access, on a Secondary basis, to an extensive amount of VHF spectrum including 30-49MHz and 54-69.9MHz. In addition, their existing 4m band has been widened to the full 69.9-70.5 MHz CEPT range. It is expected that this will facilitate a number of innovative developments, including digital amateur television and new or realigned VHF propagation beacons. The RSGB congratulates its IRTS colleagues on their success, which dates back to a 2016 consultation input.

The FIFA World Cup Marathon is being organised by the Russian national radio society. Over 20 FIFA nations will be active between the 1st of June and the 15th of July. UK nations will be participating with three different special event callsigns. GB18FWC will be on the air from the RSGB National Radio Centre on the 4th and 20th of June and also on the 12th of July. On the 13th to the 15th of July it will be hosted by the HF Contest Committee Chair. MB18FIFA will be hosted by the Aberystwyth Radio Club on the 1