The number of Amateur Radio licensees in Kosovo more than doubled December 14 when 50 university students aged 18 to 21 passed the first-ever Amateur Radio exam administered under the republic’s new licensing regime. The new license is the equivalent of the US General class ticket; procedures are not yet in place to administer higher-class license exams, but the developing licensing framework in Kosovo will follow the US structure. Several ARRL manuals have been donated to the Amateur Radio Society of Kosovo (SHRAK), Kosovo’s national association for Amateur Radio as well as to telecommunication administrators.

IARU Region 1 and European DX Foundation President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, and noted DXpeditioner Martti Laine, OH2BH, of Project Goodwill Kosovo, were among those overseeing the exam session at Pristina University.

The exam and license cost approximately $70 per person, and organizations including the Yasme Foundation, The Daily DX, DX University, the European DX Foundation, and ClubLog are among those contributing to defray the expense.