The bulletin nr.1 is available here

The Global Amateur Radio Emergency Conference (GAREC) is the premier annual event attended by those with an interest in amateur radio providing emergency communications during training exercises or in response to disasters.  Since it was first held in 2005, the conference has taken place in all three IARU regions and is open to all emergency communications groups.

In 2013 GAREC returns to IARU Region 1 and will be held in Zurich, Switzerland between 25th to 28th June. The conference has been timed to precede Europe's largest amateur radio exhibition, HAM RADIO in Friedrichshafen so that people can enjoy both events.

General information on GAREC 2013 including information on the venue, registration fees and the tentative agenda and the registration forms is now available on http://www.garec2013.ch/ . This website will be updated frequently to keep all updated with the latest news and program changes. For more information you may also email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Among the draft topics to be discussed are the relevance of Amateur Radio Emergency Communication in the '1st World', the HAMNET high speed data network along with presentations from the three regions of the IARU and also some presentations from groups with recent disaster relief communications operations.

The past presentations from the conferences including GAREC 2012, are now available at http://www.iaru.org/garec.html

A public available specification on the limitation of the emissions of plasma TVs between 150 kHz and 30 MHz was voted positive on the last CISPR meeting and has now been published here. This is the result of work started in 2007 by the EMC WG of IARU R1 and has now ended in this result. Even though a PAS does not have the same legal implications as a regular EMC standard, it shows the plasma industry now, what could be part of a standard in the future.

The national association of Icelandic Radio Amateurs, Í.R.A., is pleased to announce that as of January 16, 2013 Icelandic Radio Amateurs have been granted operating privileges on 472-479 kHz (630 meters). In addition, The Post and Telecom Administration in Iceland (PTA), recently extended temporary permits as of January 1, 2013 on the following bands: 160 meters (1850-1900 kHz), 60 meters (5.260-5.410 MHz) and on 4 meters (70.000-70.200 MHz).

A NEW 630 METER ALLOCATION
This allocation is on 472-479 kHz. Access is granted on secondary basis. Maximum power is 5W EIRP and maximum bandwidth is 1 kHz. This new allocation is open to the “G” license class (higher). A previous temporary allocation on 493-510 kHz was closed on December 31, 2012.

160 METER ALLOCATION RENEWED
The temporary allocation on 1850-1900 kHz has been renewed for the calendar year 2013. Access is granted on secondary basis. This allocation may only be used during the duration of 10 designated international amateur radio contests. Licensees need to apply to the PTA for a special permit, which is open to both license classes.

60 METER ALLOCATION RENEWED
The temporary allocation on 5.260-5.410 MHz has been renewed for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. Access is granted on secondary basis. Permissible modes are USB, CW and PSK-31. Maximum bandwidth is 3 kHz. Power limit is 100W. Licensees need to apply to the PTA for a special permit, which is open to both license classes.

4 METER ALLOCATION RENEWED
The temporary allocation on 70.000-70.200 MHz has been renewed for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. Access is granted on secondary basis. Maximum bandwidth is 16 kHz and power limit is 100W. Licensees need to apply to the PTA for a special permit, which is open to both license classes.

PTS has now started to issue permits for experimental transmitters in the 5MHz band. Presently the following frequencies apply: 5310-5313 kHz, 5320-5323, 5380-5383 kHz and 5390-5393 kHz. Bandwith is limited to 3 kHz independent of type of modulation.

Maximum output power is 100 watt pep. Mobile use is not permitted. Holders of call sign for amateur radio may use their amateur radio call sign. It is permitted to make contact with other permit holders. This operation must respect all other traffic in the band. It is very important not to disturb other traffic.

PTS requires a fee for the administration. The permits are limited in time to 6 months.

Prior to this event, there will be two other International competitions organized by SRS and BFRA.

The first one is the "HST World Cup" hosted by the SAVEZ RADIO-AMATERA SRBIJE (SRS) of Serbia, that will take place in a famous spa resort in Sokobanja located about 240- km SE from the capital Belgrade. The terms are set for 1-5 May. Complete information could be obtained from Dusan Ceha, YU1EA by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or GSM: +381 64 113 05 90

The second one is the 1^st  Balkan HST Championship, hosted by the BULGARIAN FEDERATION OF RADIO AMATEURS (BFRA) that will take place in the city of Lovech located about 150 km NE from the capital Sofia. Terms are set for  May 31- June 2. Complete information could be obtained at the BFRA Homepage  or from Panayot Danev LZ1US.

I wish everyone successful competition and satisfaction

Piotr SO9DXX, currently 12 years old, received his Novice license one year ago in February 2012 when he was 11 years old. His interest in amateur radio had been aroused by his father SP9UPK.  Read the interview with Piotr about his experiencse of last Kids Day, which was held on 6 January 2013. 

What was your Kids Day location?
I prefer field activity, I went with my daddy by car to the nearby Protected Landscape Area “Wzgorze Doroty” (Dorothy Hill – eng.). It is just 365 meters above sea level with a  wonderful view. We did set up our equipment on the hill .

What was your favourite QSO during Kids day?
I remember a QSO with a Russian station RA3PCI, because we talked with Sergiusz in my native language. I am also very satisfied with RTTY QSO on 30 meters band with Marek SP3GVX, probably the propagation was not so good in this day due to the short distance - his signal was very low but the QSO was ok.  

How was Kids Day?
Kids Day is a really cool event for having fun with Amateur Radio. It was a fantastic day to use the radio equipment which I prepared the day before together with daddy. In this year the weather was quite just about zero degrees Celsius and a small snow was falling down. I met lots of interesting people on the air and improved my skills, also English. 
Special thanks to my mum for delicious cake and hot chocolate.    

You are also a member of the radio club SP9YFF, in what kind of activities are you participating with your club and what do you like about the club?
In my spare time, apart from schoolwork, I participate in the main club activities such as working from castles, national and nature parks in the World Castles Award and WFF program. I like being in the nature. Trying to make wire antenna’s with my dad, making QSO’s with the antenna’s and being active in the field area.

Besides Kids Day and your club, in which way are you active with the radio hobby?
Apart from club activities I try a little DX-ing, my goal in this year is to have 100 countries from the DXCC-list confirmed. I would also like to start learning Morse code.