NORWAY'S RADIO GOES DIGITAL
JIM/ANCHOR: In Norway, it's goodbye, analogue; hello, digital. That could
apply to a lot of things, but in Norway, it will soon apply to radio, as
we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.
JASON'S REPORT: Beginning in January, it's the end of radio as most
listeners know it in Norway. Region by region, the nation's FM networks
will gradually be switched off, starting in Nordland on the 11th of
January.
With this action, Norway becomes the first nation to adopt full digital
radio. The expected result of this switch to the Digital Audio
Broadcasting, or DAB standard, is a greater variety in listening content,
and the availability of more major channels.
This comes as no surprise to Norwegian listeners, who learned in 2015,
that the The Ministry of Culture was planning the national shutdown of analogue.
At the time of the minister's announcement, officials were
pleased to report that instead of having five channels transmitting on
FM nationwide, DAB would create new options including up to 22 station channels.
Norway already has some DAB networks, and according to a survey
two years ago by the TNS Gallup group, more than half of Norwegian
households already owned one digital radio at that time.
The counties of Troms and Finnmark will be the last regions to switch
over, and that change will come in December, 2017.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.
(RADIOINFO.COM.AU, RADIO.NO, IEEE SPECTRUM)
**
UK TESTS GO ONLINE, THEN ON THE AIR
JIM/ANCHOR: Applicants for amateur licenses in the UK now have another
option for taking that all-important test. We learn more from Amateur
Radio Newsline's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
JEREMY: Think of it as a radio check for a new licensing exam system in
the UK: Beginning in February, the Radio Society of Great Britain will
launch a pilot program to offer Advanced license examinations online at
some testing locales. This phase of the program will continue through
the middle of March.
A statement on the radio society's website said that the decision was
made to go forward with the online pilot after a successful "proof of
concept" exercise took place over a period of weeks earlier this year.
That exercise had the participation of a number of clubs and individual
amateurs.
The radio society said the online exam will offer the same kind of
feedback now available to those taking exams at the Foundation and
Intermediate levels.
A paper version of the exam will continue to be made available at those
testing locales that lack Internet access. The Examinations Department
will confirm the scores about 10 days after the exams are given, as has
been the practice at all levels.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
(RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN)
**
HAMS KEEP PACE IN PARADISE
JIM/ANCHOR: The 44th running of the Honolulu Marathon this month, had
the power of radio to keep them on the move. The Honolulu Marathon on
December 11th wasn't just a feat of endurance for the more than 30,000
runners. The hams who provided communications and safety for the race's
44th running, also went the distance in their own way. According to the
ARRL Pacific Section, radio operators went on the air as early as 4 a.m.
and some stayed on the air for as many as 18 hours for this, the fourth
largest marathon in the U.S.
With Net Control operated by Ralph Toyama, NH6PY, 35 hams operated on
both 2 meters and 70 centimeters. Some were also on the air using 800
MHz digital radios - nonamateur radios, but nonetheless crucial, in
providing those links to aid stations, medical teams, transportation
vehicles, and police.
Hams were also at the finish line, feeling just as victorious as if
they'd run the race themselves; which, in a way, they did.
(ARRL PACIFIC SECTION)
**
UK STUDENT-BUILT BALLOON REACHES ALASKA
JIM/ANCHOR: The travels of Santa Claus have got nothing on one balloon
that was built by students in Bristol in the UK, and launched on
December 11th, carrying a 434 MHz beacon and APRS. A report came seven
days later that it had crossed the Pacific Ocean, and made it to Canada; shortly
thereafter, it was over Alaska.
Built from 50-micron thick film, and about 1.9 meters in diameter, the
UBSEDS21 balloon is carrying a payload with a weight of 34.2 grams.
Following its launch, it reached a stable altitude of 15.2 kilometers,
and was heading east.
The balloon may not have had a change of course, but it did have a
change of plans. The students' original goal was to use it to contact
the International Space Station on 145.825 MHz via APRS. The space
station's VHF radio is not functioning, however, so the balloon will
instead test its amplifier, and communicate with any satellites that
have APRS.
The students involved attend the University of Bristol, and are part of
UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Society.
(AMSAT-UK)
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