ARLA/CLUSTER: "Press release" de Martti, OH2BH sobre o Sudão do Sul

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

South Sudan

The following is a press release from Martti, OH2BH, dated May 15th:

 "As part of the April 2, 2013, visit to South Sudan by a delegation
headed by the Foreign Minister of Finland, several supporting elements
were discussed. Just three weeks later, following a series of meetings
focusing on practical matters in Juba, there was a high-level
presentation, with relevant endorsements, made to the South Sudan
government.

The presentation was made with a view toward enlisting support on
telecommunications matters in general and Amateur Radio's role in
society in particular.

Ultimately, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed specifying
several elements of Amateur Radio as a study case for local
administrators. These elements include Amateur Radio’s role in
society, frequency allocations, regulatory matters and promotion of
Amateur Radio as part of an educational agenda. The MoU calls for a
workshop to be held for the senior staff of the Ministry of
Telecommunications and Postal Services. Members of the Ministry of
Higher Education and the Research and Technology agency will also
attend the workshop.

 In early June, a senior South Sudan telecommunications official will
attend an IARU Administrator's Course in Accra, Ghana to observe ITU
and IARU. This travel will be made possible thanks to the valuable
support of the Yasme Foundation www.yasme.org.

 As Amateur Radio is only provisionally regulated in South Sudan, the
Radio Arcala Fellowship Group of Finland, OH8X, was granted a
provisional license – Z81X – to facilitate operating events during
visits by the project representatives. We expect that Z81X will be
activated several times during the course of this project, notably on
low bands and in CQWW Contests.

 Just today, the initial Z81X activity, with one radio only, was
concluded with more than 20.000 QSOs. QSOs were split evenly between
the three major population areas of the world - Europe 8693 (43%),
North America 5774 (29%) and Asia 5162 (26%). The Finnish duo - Olli,
OH0XX and Martti, OH2BH - has now returned to their native Finland.
See www.qrz.com/db/Z81X.

 As the entire project is carried out on a voluntary basis, the group
will accept donations to be used solely for offsetting direct project
expenses incurred in South Sudan. ClubLog OQRS is now active for QSL
requests (bureau or direct) and project support..

 We are pleased to acknowledge the support of Mr. Pekka Haavisto, the
Finnish Foreign Minister's Special Representative to the Horn of
Africa and Sudan. We also acknowledge the supporting efforts of Mr.
Amul Behera of Rock City Investments, Juba, Dr Anu Kantele of Helsinki
University Central Hospital, Massimo, Z81B (IZ0EGB), Diya, Z81D
(YI1DZ) and Ken, Z81Z (K4ZW) for supporting the project and welcoming
the latest country of the world to the valued ranks of Amateur Radio.

 Z81X QSL manager is OH0XX, QRZ.com."

Martti, OH2BH

OPDX