New Special Event Callsigns VI110WIA and VK20HOME Now On Air.

Two new WIA Special Event Callsigns VI110WIA and VK20HOME have recently been granted by the ACMA for use on the amateur bands.

VI110WIA is for activation in commemoration and celebrating the WIA’s 110 Years of operation, first established 11th March in 1910, it is still the oldest Amateur Radio Society in the world.

Commencing June 1st and ceasing December 31st 2020, VI110WIA will be available for use by WIA affiliated clubs and all WIA members. For more information on the history of the WIA and the previous 100 year centenary celebration information see the WIA website via this Link

VK20HOME has been issued for use until at least December 31st 2020 and its activation on air adds to the many other countries now participating in the "STAYHOME" activities due to the Covid-19 restrictions, which in some countries are finally being eased. The WIA applied for the VK20HOME callsign after an official request from Martti Lane OH2BH who asked if the WIA would like to participate in the global stay home event endorsed by the IARU.

In total, more than 30 countries have activated STAYHOME-suffixed stations to amplify the important message and participate in a large international showcase of Amateur Radio during the COVID-19 crisis. It is estimated that some 150 000 messages have been passed through the network around the world.

Oms, PY5EG, one of the project participants, alone, has completed more than 20 000 messages to 181 countries and to all 40 zones.

Congratulations! The latest United Nations activation is; 4U9STAYHOME by Ivo, 9A3A from the UN base in Brindisi, Italy.

The highlight of the event is a June 06-07, 24-hour radio gathering, when all STAYHOME stations and the world will gather on the airwaves to wish each other well and conduct a global message passing in a contest-like framework. At that point the further validity of the STAYHOME message will be reviewed with the sincere hope that all countries would be able to begin easing these heavy restrictions.

The project patron is the Foreign Minister of Finland, Pekka Haavisto and it is endorsed by IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH and the United Nations ARC with multiple STAYHOME activations.

See the project specifics at the QRZ.com website via this Link

The WIA online logger and rostering system is in final stages of completion to allow any WIA member and WIA affiliated club to register a time slot to activate these special event callsigns. It’s operation and functionality will be similar to the WIA 100 year celebration callsign by using simple online instructions and registration process.
QSL confirmations for all WIA special event callsigns initially will be by Log of The World (LOTW) and eQSL.

Awards and Certificates are also being planned.

For more information and interested parties wishing to activate the special event callsigns please contact Lee VK3GK via email, vk3gk@wia.org.au Link for details and minimum operating requirements.

Page Last Updated: Thursday, 04 Jun 2020 at 12:26 hours by Robert Broomhead

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