Members of the IARU team involved in WRC-19 have been recognised by the Radio Society of Great Briatin in a recent awards announcement. At the annual RSGB AGM, some of the more significant recognition awards are normally presented, recognising exceptional contribution to aspects of the Society’s work or to amateur radio.

The IARU team have been awarded the RSGB Founders Trophy (see picture), which is awarded for outstanding service to the Society. 

The team included not only Murray Niman, G6JYB, John Regnault G4SWX, Barry Lewis, G4SJH and Dave Court G3SDL/EI3IO but also the many international colleagues, who are all recognised by RSGB for their significant contributions to WRC-19 (World Radio Conference) 

Additionally, the Harold Rose Plate, which is awarded for outstanding contribution to 50 MHz, was awarded to David Court, G3SDL/EI3IO (IARU’s 50MHz project Manager at WRC-19) for securing the 50MHz band for the amateur service in Region 1

Congratulations to Dave, Barry, Murray and John and to all the IARU international team who share in the award of the Founder’s Trophy and further congratulations to Dave Court on the award of the Harold Rose Plate.

An article has appeared on the BBC News website describing amateur radio’s role during social distancing. 

The local radio amateur club LA3F, south of Oslo, had just completed its annual course for would-be radio-amateurs. The latest 3 participants were just ready for their exam when the corona virus struck. We can all imagine their frustration when Norway started to shut down activities and meetings for an indefinite period. 

A normal exam was not possible due to the strict rules of physical distance and limitations on the number of people who could meet. At that time Norway had strict rules of not more than 5 people together, minimum 2m physical distance and frequent hand wash. 

So in order to get these 3 new amateurs on board, LA2RR, Ole, agreed with the Norwegian regulator to hold an outdoor exam where all these guidelines were obeyed. Armed with all the necessary paperwork and with Antibac for hand disinfection, he meet with the three candidates in the forest outside the local scout cottage. Here, in the open air, there are tables a minimum of 5 m apart, so with just the four of them, it was “corona safe” to hold the written exam. 

Although early spring in Norway, the temperature was around 10 degrees Celsius and everybody had dressed warmly so that the temperature out in the forest could not be used as an excuse should any of them fail. Ole is happy to report that all 3 candidates passed and we can all welcome LA5EUA, LB8QI and LB8RI to the world of amateur radio. 

The photo shows the three new amateurs at their tables and with their own thermos with coffee!

An interview with Tim Ellam, VE6SH, IARU President on World Amateur Radio Day 2020 has been published by ITU news. The Director of the ITU Radio Bureau has also sent a tweet to promote the interview on social media.