CLUB CHAIRMAN TO DEBATE FUTURE OF AMATEUR RADIO AT RTA
The SARL Radio Technology in Action Symposium will kick off on Saturday 13 September with a debate by various club chairmen about the future of amateur radio. Join SARL President Rassie Erasmus, Rad Handfield-Jones ZS6RAD of the Antique Wireless Association, John Hilton ZR6HLT of the Sandton Amateur Radio Club, Frank van Wensween ZS6TMV of the Highveld Amateur Radio Club and Chris Gryffenberg ZS6COG of the East Rand Amateur Radio Club in the debate.
In June an open invitation was extended to all club chairmen to join the debate. It is however not too late for other club chairmen to join the discussion. Please send an email to armi@sarl.org.za by Monday.
The RTA is being held at the SARL National Amateur Radio Centre at Radio Kop. Registration opens at 08:15 and the programme start at 09:00. The cost is R20 per person including participation in the attendance draw for an ICOM 706, a RS Soldering station and a Meterman Multimeter kit as well at various other prizes. Learners and students enter free of charge. Refreshments are available through the day from the Sentech cafeteria or if you like bring a picnic basket.
Following the amateur radio debate a range of interesting papers are on the programme including: - Spread Spectrum and Amateur Radio
- WiFi finding its way into Amateur Radio
- The SKA and Radio Free Zones
- Space Weather and HF propagation for Amateur Radio
- SARL – HMO Beacon Project
- An Audio/RF DDS Signal Generator
While the papers are all about the state-of-the-art technology, they are being presented at a popular technical level to interest both the new as well as the experienced radio amateur. Several papers include demonstrations.
EXHIBIT AT THE RTA
Clubs and Interest groups are invited to exhibit at the RTA and use the opportunity to promote their activities. Please book a space by sending an email to armi@sarl.org.za by not later than close of business on Monday 11 September
Commercial vendors who advertise on the SARL web or in Radio ZS are offered free display space in return for an attendance prize item. It is however necessary to confirm by Monday afternoon if space is required. Send an email to armi@sarl.org.za Full details about the RTA, the programme and instructions on how to get there can be found on www.sarl.org.za
TAKE AMATEUR RADIO TO SCHOOL ON 8 OCTOBER
During World Space week get club members involved to set up an amateur radio station at a school and give learners the thrill of speaking on the air and ask questions from an astronaut.
The event will take place on Wednesday 8 October from 10:00 - 12:00 . A number of local reapeters will be linked nationally much like an Intecnet. This means that in many areas it is possible to only set up a 2 metre station to link into the network. If you are not near a repeater carrying the event, HF stations will be set up to link into the network.
Register for the event by filling out a schoolevent form which can be downloaded here
RAE BURSARIES
There are two bursaries available for learners and students under 25 who wish to enter for the October 2008 Class A Radio Amateur Examination.
The Itchen Valley Radio Club YARP Bursary covers the examination enrolment fee and one year’s junior membership of the SARL upon passing the examination and R150 towards tuition costs levied by local clubs teaching the RAE.
Applications for the two bursaries close on 15 August. 2008 For students and learners taking the Class B (ZU) examination bursaries are available covering the examination fee. Visit www.amateurradio.org.za for details and application forms.
