New York High School Helps License Amateur Radio Operators

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New York High School Helps License Amateur Radio Operators

On 1st August 2024, Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager, took a train trip to New York City to visit the Staten Island Technical High School. He was there to help administer amateur radio exams to 49 students and all passed their exams. Several upgraded their licenses from General to Extra class and two students went from unlicensed to Extra class in one sitting.

Their teacher, Everton Henriques, KD2ZZT, attended ARRL’s Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology TI - 1 last year and TI - 2 this year. Since then, Everton has helped over 100 kids successfully test for their amateur radio licenses. He has built a program incorporating HF, local repeater use, foxhunting, and space communications and has plans to incorporate mesh networking with his students this coming school year.

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Ofcom has Released a New Video on Amateur Radio Licence Revalidation

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Ofcom has released a new step-by-step video on its YouTube channel to assist radio amateurs in the process of revalidating a UK amateur radio licence using the online licensing portal.

Ofcom does note that whilst it is a requirement to revalidate your licence every five years, it is recommended to do it annually. Make sure you keep your details up to date and make a diary reminder to renew each year.

You can find the video by going to the RSGB website at rsgb.org and searching for ‘licence revalidation’. On that page you will also find a helpful FAQ section prepared by the Society on the topic.


New Shortwave Transmitter for Radio New Zealand

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A brand-new 100 kW transmitter began sending its signals across the Pacific this month as Radio New Zealand entered a new era of commitment to serving its shortwave listeners. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has that report.

As one of two nations still providing the Pacific region with shortwave radio service, Radio New Zealand has replaced its 33-year-old transmitter in the central North Island with a new one capable of DRM digital and analogue operation. The move is part of the public broadcaster's $4.4 million investment in facilities improvements.

New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was quoted by the Radio World website as affirming the vital role shortwave still places since the service was launched in 1948. He said: [quote] "Shortwave is the most certain system there is to make sure that in a crisis, tsunami or cyclone, we can get through." [endquote] The minister marked inauguration of the transmitter along with dignitaries from the shortwave service area which includes the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. There are 22 broadcast partners throughout the region using RNZ's DRM digital streams by rebroadcasting them locally without compromising audio quality.

Following Australia's shutdown of its shortwave transmitters in 2017, New Zealand and China have become the only two providing the region with shortwave services.

More Information - https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/502092/rnz-marks-75-years-of-broadcasting-shortwave-into-the-pacific