VIDEOS AVAILABLE FROM QRP VIRTUAL CONVENTION

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you weren't able to attend the convention of the G-QRP Club this past September, there's still time to attend - virtually. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us how.

JEREMY: The G-QRP Club, which devotes itself to low-power ham radio, is
making presentations from its two-day Virtual Convention available on its
new YouTube channel and on the 9th of December began uploading videos of
the various sessions.

Welcoming visitors to the opening session, Nick Bradley, G4IWO, called the virtual event "a first for the QRP community" and called the attendance overwhelming. It was a new experience for the club, which was founded in
1979 by the Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV. George became a Silent Key in March
of 2019.

The club's call sign is G5LOW. Its virtual convention was the concept of
club chairman Steve Hartley, G0FUW, who said during the opening session [quote] "I am proud we have been able to do something and see everyone turn out." [endquote] This was one of the ham radio events to take its
activities online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presentations covered such topics as HF propagation tools, going portable
QRP with SDRs, battery technology for QRP use and the FT4 and FT8 modes.

To find the archived presentations from the convention, visit the G-QRP
Club channel on YouTube.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(G-QRP CLUB)

**

SOLAR CELL SETS UNPRECEDENTED EFFICIENCY

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you make use of solar energy when doing portable
operations, this next story may be a ray of sunshine - literally. Here's
Ed Durrant, DD5LP, with the details.

ED: An international team headed by scientists has announced the
development of a solar cell that has beat the world record for efficiency.
The research center Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin said that the development of a perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell has created a 29.15 percent
efficiency, pushing it ahead of the existing maximum of 28 percent. This is
an important increase in the amount of energy produced using the same
amount of sunshine hitting the same surface area. The efficiency rating
means that these panels convert 29.15 percent of the incident light into electrical energy.

The researchers are encouraged that they will reach their long-range target
of more than 30 percent.

Silicon cells are the global standard used in solar farms and it has been developed separately from perovskite as a semiconductor for solar panels.
The researchers' published paper on the development calls the tandem solar cells "a promising option." The researchers also noted that combining the
two semiconductors doesn't notably increase the cost of the panels' manufacture.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(SCIENCE ALERT, SCIENCE MAGAZINE, HZB)

**

CHANGES TO NEW ZEALAND'S GENERAL USER RADIO LICENSE

NEIL/ANCHOR: In New Zealand, there have been some changes to the General
User Radio License, Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, gives us the details.

JIM: Recent changes by New Zealand regulators to the General User Radio Licence now permit the use of an increased number of unlicenced low-power wireless devices across frequencies that include the HF spectrum. The
changes permit the use of wireless microphones and Radio Frequency Identification transmitters in the gigahertz bands and Radio Spectrum Management is now allowing frequencies starting with the AM medium wave
band right up to 10 metres to be used for other low-power purposes, such as wireless charging devices.

The devices must be used in a manner that does not cause interference to licensed radio services, such as military, broadcast or amateur radio. If
that happens, the user must stop using the device.

The GURL requires use of equipment that complies with radio standards and
the technical parameters of the licence and mandates that each device carry
a label saying it is RSM-approved.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, SOUTHGATE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the KV3B repeater in Rockville, Maryland, on Sundays after the net at 7:30 p.m. local time.
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IN AUSTRALIA, SPORADIC-E GOES THE DISTANCE

SKEETER: Two meters has been going the distance recently in Australia.
John Williams, VK4JJW, picks up that story for us.

JOHN: A remarkable opening recently on 144 MHz helped radio amateur transmissions in Australia span 3,200 km, or not quite 2,000 miles on
the 15th of December. According to a report on the EI7GL blog, summer Sporadic-E season takes the credit for the big opening in which WSPR
signals from John, VK2IJM, and David, VK2DVM, in Sydney, were copied in Western Australia near Perth by Peter, VK6KXW. One-hop Sporadic-E is
typically limited to a distance of 2,300 kms, or 1,429 miles.

The blog post goes on to say that the amateurs believe this distance
was perhaps accomplished with two Sporadic-E hops. They noted that it
is rare for this to occur at 144 MHz and more commonly seen on the 6
metre band.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(EI7GL BLOG)

SKEETER: From that same EI7GL blog comes another bit of news -- this
time by way of meteor scatter. During this year's Geminid meteor
shower, a 144 MHz signal from Jon, OY9JD, in the Faroe Islands was
heard 3,075 kms - or 1,910 miles -- away in Bulgaria by Stamen,
(pronounced STAMMIN) LZ1KU. The blog notes that typically meteor
scatter contacts' maximum distance is about 2,300 kms, similar to that
of Sporadic-E. So the contact couldn't be attributed to one-hop meteor scatter. According to the blog, it's now believed that Jon's signal may
have bounced off the International Space Station as it passed over
Europe.

**

EXTENSIONS GRANTED FOR GERMAN RADIO OPERATORS

SKEETER: German authorities have granted extensions to temporary
operations on various bands for radio amateurs - and they did it right
on deadline. Here's Ed Durrant, DD5LP, with the details.

ED: Just a little more than a week before a December 31st expiration
date, the German regulator BNetzA has extended the temporary use of a
number of bands for amateur radio operators and increased weekend top
band power levels, ensuring continued operations there through until
the end of 2021.

The IARU Region 1 website reports the weekend power increase to 750
watts output for class A and 100 watts for class E operators on the
1850-2000 kHz part of the German 160 metre band at which time contest
stations are allowed to use the band.

The regulator is also extending temporary use for 2320-2450 MHz (13cm), 5650-5850 MHz (5cm), 50-52 MHz (6m) and 70.150�70.200 MHz (4m) bands.

Amateurs in Iceland have also received a renewed authorisation for the
use of 1850-1900 kHz in international contests in the new year. The
national group - Icelandic Radio Amateurs or IRA received the approval
on December the 4th from the Post and Telecom Administration (PTA). The
use is subject to the same requirements as use of the frequency range 1810�1850 kHz.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE, IARU REGION 1)

**

AUSTRIAN HAMS GAIN ACCESS TO 60 AND 630 METRE BANDS

SKEETER: There's more room on the bands as well for amateurs in
Austria. Hams now have access to the 60 metre band from 5351.5 to
5366.5 kHz with a maximum EIRP of 15 watts and to 472 � 479 kHz at 1W
EIRP. This is consistent with other countries 60 metre access under the
ruling made at the ITU's World Radio Conference in 2015 and 630 metre
access from the ITU's WRC in 2012. Hams are secondary users on both 60
and 630 metres in countries where the bands are available.

(SOUTHGATE, SOTA REFLECTOR)

**

WHEN MORSE CODE GROWS ON TREES

SKEETER/ANCHOR: You may remember Newsline's story earlier this month
about London's Shard building sending Morse Code holiday messages from
its uppermost lights. In a similar way, a market town in Cheshire
England is using the lights on this season's Christmas tree to send the
dits and dahs of CW. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, to decode that tale.

JEREMY: This Christmas, the residents of Macclesfield are learning what
many military and ham radio operators have known all along: if you want
to ensure that a message gets out, send it in Morse Code. That's
particularly true this year with the town's Christmas tree. The tree
has traditionally been decorated with paper stars bearing handwritten
messages - but that was before the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the
town council had a bright idea - an idea as bright as the lights on the Macclesfield tree itself. The council commissioned a local art
collective to install holiday lights that would be able to flicker
messages sent in CW. People now send those messages by texting to a
dedicated phone number and they are converted into the flickering
language of illuminated dits and dahs.

The installation is being called Message in Lights, and it is designed
to encourage appreciation of the tree for everyone from a safe
distance. Who knows? It might also encourage appreciation of Morse
Code, too.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(SOTA REFLECTOR)
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PROJECT KUIPER UNVEILS ANTENNA DESIGN

PAUL/ANCHOR: As any ham will tell you, when it comes to a good signal
it's all about the antenna. That wisdom is also a guiding principle for Project Kuiper, the Amazon satellite constellation designed to provide internet access from space. Here's Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, with that
report.

KENT: Following development and testing this past fall, Amazon has
unveiled its single aperture phased-array design antenna it plans to
use on customer terminals with the company's Project Kuiper satellite constellation. The details were made public on December 16th, revealing
a small, light antenna no more than 12 inches across and with the
capacity of a maximum throughput of as much as 400 Mbps. The small size
has been designed to keep production costs low.

Amazon's planned deployment of the 3,236 low-earth orbit satellite
group got the go-ahead this past summer from the Federal Communications Commission. The project's goal is to provide low-latency broadband
internet access with a focus on serving communities in remote regions
without traditional high-speed internet access.

The project's senior manager of hardware and antenna development, Nima Mahanfar, has said in published reports that the single-aperture
antenna design is unprecendented for the Ka-band, which is in the
microwave range where the transmit and receive frequencies are very far
apart. Project Kuiper boasts a major advancement here, combining
transmit and receive phased-array antennas into one aperture.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(THE VERGE, SATELLITE TODAY, AMAZON)

**

SILENT KEY: TORONTO'S ALBERT VANDERBURG VE3ARV

PAUL/ANCHOR: A ham who made many contributions to amateur radio in the
Toronto, Canada, area has become a Silent Key. Dave Parks, WB8ODF,
tells us more about him.

DAVE: Albert Vanderburgh, VE3ARV, who was known in the ham community as
Van, was described as one of the core members of the Toronto FM
Communications Society. Paying tribute in his post on Ham Radio
Canada's Facebook page, Michael Walker, outlined some of Van's further accomplishments. He said Van had also been part of a group that
designed a repeater-linking controller in the 1970s that was so
advanced at the time that the professional engineering association, the
IEEE (Eye Triple E) wrote about it.

In the mid-1960s, Van had been a partner in a startup tech company
called Teklogix. It was there that he helped develop wireless
controlled conveyor systems and handheld devices used to manage
inventory back in the days before electronic barcodes came on the
scene.

Van was 96.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(LEGACY.COM, FACEBOOK)

**

SILENT KEY: CW MENTOR ROY CLAYTON G4SSH, SOTA MAINSTAY

PAUL/ANCHOR: The SOTA community is grieving the loss of one of its
mainstays and mentors. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about him.

JEREMY: Roy Clayton, G4SSH, has become a Silent Key. According to a
notice on the SOTA Reflector, Roy died on Christmas Day, another
casualty of COVID-19.

In posting the memorial to Roy, John, G4YSS, recalled that Roy had been
a ship's op on Shell Tankers and other marine radio shacks and the UK's
chief Morse Examiner for a good decade. Roy excelled in CW and John
described him as a CW mentor to many, including to himself.

He was also devoted to the mentoring of the next generation. As John
wrote: [quote] "It was Roy's idea. The Scarborough Special Event Group
gave a lot of pleasure and enjoyment over the years as avid collectors
of a series of colourful QSL cards will testify. It also taught several youngsters how to run a GB station and handle a pile-up, some of which
were massive." [endquote]

John wrote that Roy's affections also extended to Citizens Band radio,
where he ran The Chairman Network near Scarborough on Channel 17-FM.
John said: "He would give advice and loan equipment there too, even
sending around a monthly news-letter and was very much looked up to." [endquote]

Roy was 84.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(SOTA REFLECTOR)

**

'GET ON THE AIR' CW KEY AUCTION BENEFITS UK CHARITY

PAUL/ANCHOR: The Get on the Air to Care campaign in the UK, which won
this year's Amateur Radio Newsline International Newsmaker Award, has
won another victory for encouraging increased radio contacts during
lockdown. The Radio Society of Great Britain, which partnered with the
UK's National Health Service in this campaign, has raised more than
2,000 pounds - or nearly $2,800 in equivalent US currency, following
its charity auction. An anonymous CW enthusiast made the winning bid of 1,025.99 pounds for a handcrafted Bug CW Key made by Roy Bailey, G0VFS.
The RSGB is matching the funds and donating the sum to the NHS
Charities Together fund. Meanwhile, the related campaign, Get on the
Air for Christmas, continues until January 9th, encouraging holiday
QSOs as a way to ease isolation.

(RSGB)
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FIRST DIGITAL SYSTEM OPERATIONAL IN NORTH DUBLIN

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams using digital modes in one part of Ireland have
something to be grateful for, as Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us.

JEREMY: In Ireland, hams in North Dublin who use the digital modes are celebrating the area's first digital system, which was put into use on
the 19th of January. The C4FM Wires-X Gateway became operational thanks
to the efforts of Ger EI4HOB and the North Dublin Radio Club EI0NDR.
With the call sign EI2PMD, it is available to local hams at 144.825 MHz.
The repeater is linked to the CQ-IRELAND Room, as are systems from
Galway, Limerick, and Northern Ireland.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(IRTS)

**

QCWA IN SEARCH OF TREASURER

PAUL/ANCHOR: The Quarter Century Wireless Association is looking for an amateur radio operator who doesn't just love radio but has a talent for finance and numbers too. In short, the nonprofit group is in search of a treasurer to fill the post left vacant last year. The treasurer is
responsible for preparing the proposed operating budget for approval by
the Board of Directors. The treasurer also provides the Board with
quarterly income statements along with a year-end income statement and
balance sheet. The treasurer's responsibilities also include preparing
the necessary paperwork at tax time, which includes the proper documents
for employees and contract workers and the federal tax return, among
other forms.

Members who are interested should contact Ken, VE6AFO, at
president@qcwa.org.

(QCWA)

**

SKYWARN PREPS FOR SEASON'S STORMY WEATHER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Stormy weather is a reality this time of year in many parts
of the world. In the U.S., a special group of hams is always preparing
for it, as we learn from Randy Sly, W4XJ.

RANDY: While we normally think of Skywarn activations during tornadoes
and hurricanes, winter storms also require “ground truth,” actual
reports from the field to confirm what meteorologists are observing on
radar and with other instruments. While spotters can report by phone,
email or online, those from the Amateur Radio community can also
communicate such things as snow depth and ice accumulation to
meteorologists quickly and efficiently through local repeater nets
connected to the weather services office.

Christopher Strong, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office, states, "Reports of snow
and ice are vital to keeping the forecast on track. Automated reporting stations are great at detailing temperatures, rainfall, and winds, but
do not report snow and ice accumulation. So, spotter reports really help
us see how much is accumulating and match it up with how much we
expected through that time."

Reports from radio amateurs and other spotters help the National Weather Service save lives and property in the community and minimize the impact
of severe weather on the public. To find out more about becoming a
Skywarn Spotter, please visit the Skywarn page on the National Weather
Service Website and click on the link to contact the Warning
Coordination Meteorologist in your area.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE SOLAR KIND

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the U.S., the Parker probe sent up by NASA has just made
a close encounter of the solar kind. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, gives us the details.

KENT: For the first time since last September, NASA's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft made a close approach to the sun just as solar activity began
to kick into high gear.

From a distance of 8.4 million miles, or 13.5 million kilometers, the
probe made its approach on Sunday, January 17th. There's plenty of data
for it to collect, especially with Solar Cycle 25 now well under way.
Last November, the sun had its first major flare in three years.

NASA has planned four close approaches to the sun this year along with
two flybys of Venus, with the first one happening on February 20th.
After that, it's back to the sun for another close look on April 29th.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(SPACE.COM)
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RESTORATION BEGINS ON WORLD WAR II ENIGMA MACHINES

JIM/ANCHOR: If restoring old boat anchors, or even making ancient straight keys usable, is a challenge that appeals to you, consider this monumental
task being undertaken in Germany right now. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us
about it.

ED: It looks like restoration experts at Germany's State Archaeological
Museum in Schleswig-Holstein are looking at additional work. After
starting the one years desalination and restoration work on a World War II enigma machine found in the Baltic Sea off the north east coast of Germany
in December last year, another six units have been found. Unfortunately
many of this find had been made unusable before they were thrown into the
sea from German Warships at the end of the second world war.

The machines, which resemble old typewriters, have inner workings that
include three interchangeable rotors used to scramble messages. These
messages were then sent using Morse code to another ship or land station
that had another enigma machine to decode the message.

Restored enigma machines have been shown and operation demonstrated both
at Friedrichshafen, and Dayton Hamfests.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(LIVESCIENCE, PHYS.ORG)

**

HAMS IN INDIA HELP ID MISSING MAN AS AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN

JIM/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators in India are being credited with
helping make an important contact in Australia but the communication here
has nothing to do with DXing. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, tells us what
happened.

JASON: A man who had been found wandering disoriented on the streets of Kolkata, India several weeks ago has been identified as an Australian
citizen with the help of local amateur radio operators. According to a
report in the Times of India, the 69-year-old man, who is of Indian
origin, is from Sydney, Australia. He has been in one of the local state-
run hospitals since he was found.

The West Bengal Amateur Radio Club intervened at the request of local
health department officials who wanted the man's family located and knew
the club has a long track record of helping reunite families.

Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, club secretary, said that although there were still many missing details, paperwork found in the man's possession
indicated he was residing in Sydney but had formerly owned property in
India. The newspaper report said the man speaks English but appears to
have some kind of mental disorder. The Australian Deputy High
Commissioner's Office in Kolkata told the newspaper that efforts are under
way to contact his family members.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(TIMES OF INDIA)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K3ALG repeater
in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. local time.
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YOUNG CALIFORNIA AMATEUR WINS CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the California ninth grader and
amateur radio operator who is among those students to win the prestigious Congressional App Challenge. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, has the details.

NEIL: Sean Donelan, KM6NGN, is the author of an amateur radio app for
mobile devices that simplifies coordination tasks for net controllers overseeing hams in the field at public service events. The app, NetHam,
was the top winner in the 2020 Congressional App Challenge in his home
state's 11th congressional district. The United States House of Representatives established the nationwide award eight years ago to
inspire students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math. The award is being given out this year in 308 of 435 congressional districts.

The app makes use of a Raspberry Pi4B, an Arduino, and a Nextion HMI
Touch Display. To see it in action, watch Sean's demonstration video
at the web address you'll find in this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org. Well done, Sean!

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: vimeo.com/454747550]

(PATCH, SOUTHGATE)

**

QSO PARTY BRINGS ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES IN MINNESOTA

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The biggest challenge of a QSO Party isn't necessarily
the propagation. Here's Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, with the story of one
group of hams who found that out.

KENT: Members of the Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Association were up
for the challenge of the Minnesota QSO Party and hoped their brand-new
Mobile Communications Bus was too. The hams crossed the state border from their Wisconsin home into a Minnesota county that is considered rare in
these operating events. Using CW and phone, they joined the action from a parking lot at a high point in Houston County for the February 6th
contest. They used the call sign Whiskey Zero Minnesota (W0M). Vice
president Bill Kleinschmidt, N9FDE, told Newsline that 11 hams
participated, two serving as the main ops while others filled in and
provided support.

Bill said Mother Nature was ready for the QSO Party too - in a different
way. He told Newsline: [quote] "She dumped six inches of snow on us just before the contest, then to add insult, she dropped the temperature ten to twenty below zero for setup and takedown operations." [endquote] The bus passed the test and kept everyone warm for the full 10 hours. The club did well too with a total score of 203,392, combining the 1,816 QSO points to
the state, province, country and DX scores.

Bill told Newsline the real challenge of the day came later, when the bus brakes failed just as the hams prepared to drive down from the hill. The brakes had begun to leak.

The hams made one final call of the day: to Craig, N9ETD, who runs a
towing business. Bill told Newsline that repairs were under way, and the
club should be back on the road soon for new adventures. Next up: their
home state Wisconsin QSO Party on March 14th and 15th.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(BILL KLEINSCHMIDT N9FDE)

**

MARS MEMBERS AND HAMS PREP FOR INTEROPERABILITY EXERCISES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Members of the Military Auxiliary Radio System will have
their first interoperability exercise with the amateur radio community on February 23rd through the 27th. Exercises will begin on Channel 1, the
initial calling channel on 60 meters, but may not necessarily be limited
to that channel.

US Army MARS Chief Paul English, WD8DBY, issued a statement saying that
ICS 213 messages will be passed in both voice and digital modes. Radio operations will also take place in the usual voice modes.

Following this month's exercise, the next one will be held from March 1st
to March 7th.

(MARS)

**

U.S.-BUILT RF JAMMERS TO ASSIST AUSTRALIA'S MILITARY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: An American-built RF-jamming system is about to begin production to help the military in Australia. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW,
explains what it will do.

JASON: Australia's military is expected to benefit from the protective
power of RF jammers under a system being developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation in the United States. The system of open-architecture RF
jammers will be built by electronic warfare experts to provide protection
from radio-controlled improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. The system
is designed to minimise disruption to communications systems while establishing a protective barrier for the warfighters and their equipment.

The $329.9 million order for the system, which is designed to protect foot soldiers, vehicles and permanent structures, according to officials of the United States Naval Sea Systems Command, which announced the order. Work
will be done in San Diego, California and is expected to be ready for
delivery to Australia by December of 2022.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(MILITARY AEROSPACE.COM)
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VARIETY OF EVENTS MARK WORLD RADIO DAY CELEBRATIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: A lot of celebrating took place around the world and on the
air during the weekend of February 13th and 14th. It was the 10th
anniversary of UNESCO's World Radio Day, recognizing radio as the single most-consumed medium with an ability to reach the world's largest and most diverse audiences. Amateur radio was, of course, a big part of the global activities. In Spain, call signs were activated with the suffix WRD from
the 12th to the 14th of the month. Hams throughout India had a variety of activities on tap. In the southern Indian state of Kerala (KER-uh-luh),
the Institute of Amateur Radio had hams on the radio reminding people of
the rescue and disaster assistance hams provide during floods, cyclones
and other events. A radio festival displayed antique and unusual
equipment, from handhelds to rare transmitters. Hams also got busy
preparing for a two-day Field Day in India on the 27th and 28th of
February where emergency communications will be given a test run. The
website, weather.com, even got into the act by posting an article
reminding people of hams' unique ability to assist in emergencies even
when commercial power has been cut off. One celebration began over the
weekend and will continue at least for a while longer. Be listening for
the callsign 4U13FEB until the 28th of February. Members of the UN Global Service Center ARC in Brindisi, Italy, are calling QR Zed until then to promote World Radio Day. Meanwhile, get ready for the next big event specifically for hams: Sunday, April 18 is World Amateur Radio Day.

(SOUTHGATE, WEATHER.COM, INDIAN EXPRESS)

**

REVIVED ANTENNA RECONNECTS WITH VOYAGER 2

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you've ever been off the air for a year or so, you know
that your first contact has got to be a good one. Especially if it's
serious DX like the one we hear next about from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: The completion of a complicated upgrade of an aging antenna at the Deep Space Network in Canberra, Australia has restored full contact
between Earth and the Voyager 2 probe. The trailblazing spacecraft, which
was launched 44 years ago by NASA, had been crossing the heavens in
relative silence after a 70-meter dish there known as DSS 43 was shut down
and dismantled for a needed refreshing. In space as on Earth, however, few things are immune to the impact of the global pandemic. The ordinarily
large team of experts NASA would have sent to Canberra for the makeover
was limited to four for safety reasons — and the reduced size of the team delayed the upgrade's progress. With DSS 43 being the only antenna capable
of communicating with Voyager 2, the probe had few options for
communicating: It could only transmit to the smaller dishes in Canberra
but was unable to receive any commands, especially those that could have
fixed problems if any had been detected on board.

After a test message was sent last October when DSS 43 was partially reassembled, NASA and other experts were optimistic.

Now with DSS 43 back in business, the long silence is over but two-way
contact still requires something of a wait: Round-trip communication
between Earth and the far-away Voyager 2 takes 35 hours.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(NYTIMES)

**

SILENT KEY: LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVATOR HANDEL 'ANDY' BLUER G3UUZ

PAUL/ANCHOR: A ham known for years of powerful operations at lighthouses throughout the UK has become a Silent Key. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us
about him.

JEREMY: Handel Bluer, G3UUZ, who was also known as Andy, is perhaps best recalled by hams throughout in the UK for the remarkable longwire antennas
he would string from atop whatever lighthouse he happened to be
activating. That included those times he operated from Bishop Rock between 1976 and 1980 where he worked pileup after pileup, according to his son Redders M5ACT. Redders told Newsline he remembered his father saying that
he was able to work stations in America from there long before anyone else
in the UK was able to do so.

Andy became a Silent Key this month at the age of 92. He had achieved recognition in The Short Wave Magazine in July of 1971 for his noted
abilities in Top Band operation from such lighthouses as Nash Point in
South Wales. Andy's fondness for lighthouse operations earned him a
profile in the March 2000 issue of Practical Wireless magazine where the authors of the article said they were pleased to be shared his insights
into [quote] "finding a happy medium between being a lighthouse keeper and
a radio amateur." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(REDDERS BLUER M5ACT, THE SHORT WAVE MAGAZINE, PRACTICAL WIRELESS)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K7ECI repeater
of the Elmore County Amateur Radio Club in Mountain Home, Idaho on
Wednesdays at 8 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
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LAWMAKERS SEEK PROBE INTO ARECIBO COLLAPSE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In the US, Congress is taking a second look at the
collapse of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Paul Braun, WD9GCO,
tells us more.

PAUL: Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., plan an investigation into the
December collapse at the Arecibo Observatory, just weeks after Puerto
Rico's outgoing governor committed $8 million in resources to rebuild
its historic radiotelescope.

In the December 1st collapse, the dish was gashed beyond repair
following the crash of a 900-ton instrument platform. The telescope, a
valued cornerstone in modern astronomy, was being decommissioned by the
US National Science Foundation following other damage that occurred
weeks earlier. At the time of the final collapse, it had been earmarked
for dismantling.

Congress has requested a report by the end of February.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO

(SPACE.COM)

**

IOWA STUDENTS' BALLOON CIRCLES EARTH A THIRD TIME

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The world has kept turning into the new year and so too
has one Iowa amateur radio club's balloon project. Jack Parker, W8ISH,
has that story.

JACK: Three circumnavigations after its launch, the Pella Amateur Radio
Club's APRS balloon was still the pride of the Jefferson Intermediate
School fifth graders who'd helped launch it back in November. It ended
the year 2020 as a success in the sky. Transmitting on 144.39 MHz with
the callsign WB0URW-8, the helium-filled balloon had completed three
trips around the world since its November 5th launch and seemed
unstoppable. It was still making its rounds as 2021 dawned, according to
radio club member Jim Emmert, WB0URW. Jim told KNIA-KRLS radio that in
its third trip around Planet Earth, the balloon passed over Canada,
Greenland, Portugal, Spain, Albania and North Macedonia - among many
other places. Powered by solar panels, the balloon can be tracked by
following the link that appears in this week's script on our website at arnewsline.org.

[for print only, do not read: https://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FWB0URW- 8&timerange=604800&tail=604800]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH.

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: According to a January 6th report by the radio station,
the balloon has since completed its fourth trip - a journey that takes
about two weeks. The students have reason to be proud.

**

PROJECT EYES DIRECT WAY TO GATHER SOLAR POWER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Imagine collecting the solar power you need from a spot
much, much closer to the sun. Jim Damron, N8TMW, tells us about a
project that's doing more than just imagining.

JIM: The US Air Force Research Laboratory is hanging its hopes on
something called Helios. It's a key component named after the Greek sun
god and is part of an experiment known as Arachne (Uh-RACK-Knee)
expected to be launched into space in 2024. The formal name of the
project is the Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research
solar beaming project.

What's that? The Air Force lab describes it as a project that will
explore a way to harvest solar energy directly from space, where
sunlight is more potent outside the Earth's atmosphere and where solar
panels have more hours of exposure. Through use of something called
"sandwich tiles" and other systems, the experiment will convert the
collected energy to radio waves for beaming back to Earth as usable
power.

Helios, which is being supplied by Northrup Grumman, will house the
platform on which these solar beaming experiments occur. Northrup
Grumman's role has left the Air Force lab free to concentrate on
acquiring a spacecraft where it might all begin to happen.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(CLEAN TECHNICA, POPULAR MECHANICS, US AIR FORCE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WB
ZERO YLE (WB0YLE) repeater on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., through Allstar, in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and Fall River, Massachusetts.
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
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REVERSE BEACON NETWORK ADDS NODE IN FINLAND

JIM/ANCHOR: Researchers whose studies focus on propagation have gained
a new tool in their arsenal. It's in Finland - and Ed Durrant, DD5LP,
tells us about it.

ED: A new node has become active in northern Finland as part of the
Reverse Beacon Network, thanks to the support of the Yasme Foundation.
The new node was set-up at Radio Arcala OH8X, near the Lapland border
to help in the study of a propagation mode known as the Polar Path.
This propagation occurs in northern Europe during winter. At night,
the Polar Path provides several hours' worth of coverage over North
America.

Radio Arcala's node will become one of the research tools being used
by the researchers in that part of the world. The Yasme Foundation's
grant programme was announced last year, providing grants to regions
studying reception reports and conducting geophysical research. A
Yasme-funded node was installed last October in Tunisia, bolstering
the Reverse Beacon Network's presence in northern Africa.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(WIA, EHAM.NET)

**

POPULAR TV PERSONALITY GETS HAM RADIO LICENSE

JIM/ANCHOR: It seems that "Last Man Standing" actor Tim Allen isn't
the only main player on a TV show to get a ham radio ticket. Meet
Donna Snow, who has been a fixture on a popular DIY Network program in
the U.S. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, introduces her to us.

KEVIN: Donna Snow of the long-running reality show "Texas Flip 'N
Move" recently became Donna Snow, W5SML. Although her call sign is a
lot newer than the name she made for herself on the popular home-
makeover series, she is hoping for changes in her own shack soon.
Inspired by her ham radio mentor Rex King, W5EAK, a Vietnam veteran
and a former Navy radioman and officer, Donna is exploring ways to use
ham radio as a tool to connect veterans struggling with life after
military service. She has already accomplished that through renovation projects that included making a bathroom safer for a Vietnam vet, and repairing a flood-damaged American Legion Post. She is presently
redoing the yard outside the home of a widow of a veteran who fought
at Iwo Jima.

While studying to upgrade to General class, she is also making plans
for a TV show featuring amateur radio and, of course, the veterans
themselves. Her progress reports appear every week on her QRZ page.

Donna told Newsline in an email: [quote] "I am on a mission to tell
everyone about ham radio and the benefits it offers to all, no matter
their age." [endquote] She said she is living the spirit of her vanity
call sign W5SML - SML for "Snow Much Love."

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

**

LAUNCH OF SPAIN'S HAM RADIO SATELLITE POSTPONED TO MARCH

JIM/ANCHOR: Two ham radio satellites from Spain have had their
launches put off for a few more weeks. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains.

JEREMY: A delay by SpaceX has postponed Spain's scheduled amateur
radio satellite launch on January 14th. The departure of the EASAT-2
and Hades satellites is now on the calendar for sometime in March to
coincide with the Starlink mission.

According to the AMSAT-EA website, both satellites are carrying an FM
/ FSK repeater and are capable of voice and digital communications.
EASAT-2 is assigned the callsign AM5SAT and Hades is assigned AM6SAT.

SpaceX is to launch the satellites via the in-space transportation
provider Momentus aboard the Falcon 9 Launcher.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(AMSAT-EA, SOUTHGATE)

**

SPACECRAFT COPIES FM SIGNAL NEAR JUPITER'S MOON

JIM/ANCHOR: Think of this as perhaps the world's tiniest space QSO.
NASA reports that its Juno spacecraft which is orbiting Jupiter copied
an FM radio signal from its largest moon, Ganymede (GANNY-MEED). It
turns out that the radio emissions were the result of electrons
oscillating at a lower rate than they were spinning, causing them to
amplify radio waves. Juno picked it up as it was passing by a polar
region of Jupiter where the magnetic field lines connect to Ganymede.

It's called "cyclotron maser instability" and it's a natural
occurrence. The excitement only lasted 5 seconds -- but it was a
first.

(EOS.ORG)
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CITY ANTENNA LAW UPTURNED BY FCC RULING

NEIL/ANCHOR: The FCC has invalidated one U.S. city's law challenging
satellite antenna installations. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, has the details.

ANDY: The FCC has declared that federal law protects the right of
property owners and tenants to install and use satellite dish antennas,
even if the antennas are visible from the street. The panel's ruling
on January 11th, invalidates an ordinance in the city of Chicago,
Illinois, that restricts such installations. The FCC says that its
rule - known as the Over the Air Reception Devices rule, or OTARD -
protects the antennas' use, and allows video consumers greater choice
of content. Chicago had argued that its law, enacted in 2012, was put
in place to enforce "aesthetic standards", and that the measure does
not violate the federal ruling. The petition had been brought by the
Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association, DirecTV, and the
DISH Network.

The Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule does not apply, however, to
AM/FM radio, CB radio, or amateur radio.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(FCC)

**

PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT JAPAN'S STUDENT RADIO OPERATORS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Students in Japan could get more opportunities in amateur
radio, if a requested change in national regulations wins approval.
Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has that story.

GRAHAM: Elementary and junior high school students in Japan can expect
greater opportunities in amateur radio. This, under a proposal from the
Japan Amateur Radio League. League president Yoshinori Takao, JG1KTC,
has asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, for
changes in regulations that would create greater chances for students interested in volunteering activities, especially disaster communications.
The change, if approved, would require a partial amendment to the Radio
Law Enforcement Regulations. In a translation from the Japanese, posted
on various news websites, Yoshinori said: [quote] "We would like to
nurture a wide range of amateur radio operators, who will lead the next generation." [endquote] The initiative is being undertaken, in
cooperation with the Japan Amateur Radio Development Association.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(SOUTHGATE, JARL)

**

FCC REMINDER ISSUED DAYS BEFORE U.S. INAUGURATION

NEIL/ANCHOR: With fears of further civil unrest in Washington, D.C. at
the presidential inauguration on January 20th, the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission issued a warning several days earlier, in the
form of an enforcement advisory to all licensed and unlicensed radio
services, stating that providing any support to such activity could be considered a criminal act. The advisory was directed at amateur radio operators, operators on the General Mobile Radio Service, Family Radio
Service radios, and Citizens Band. The advisory noted that this applies
as well to messages that are encoded to mask their meaning. The advisory states: [quote] "Individuals using radios in the Amateur or Personal
Radio Services in this manner may be subject to severe penalties,
including significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment, and, in
some cases, criminal prosecution." [endquote]

(FCC)

**

GOLD RUSH SPECIAL EVENT STATION IS MINING FOR CONTACTS

NEIL/ANCHOR: In California, a special event station, marking America's
Gold Rush is mining for contacts, as we hear from Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

MIKE: You might say this event is as good as gold and, well, you wouldn't
be exaggerating. The El Dorado County Amateur Radio Club is marking the discovery of gold in 1848 at Sutter's Mill -- a discovery which most
students of American history know sparked the Gold Rush the following
year. This year, the mad rush on January 23rd and 24th will be on the HF
bands. As hams look to strike QSO gold using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK-31, and
JS8, they will be digging deep through all those pileups, and hoping to
log the club call sign AG6AU. By the way, it's no exaggeration to say
you'll strike gold if you get a valid contact. The callsign suffix "AU"
means gold on the periodic table of elements.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

(EL DORADO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, and now being heard as well
on the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club's W2GSB and WB2QGZ repeaters,
on Saturday mornings at 8, following the 7 a.m. check-ins of the club's
new "Newsline With a Cup of Joe" Net. Newsline is also heard on Monday
nights at 8 p.m. after the club's Info Net.
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
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COLORADO STUDENTS MAKE CONTACT WITH ISS

DON/ANCHOR: It was worth waiting for: A contact at last between the ISS
and students in Denver, Colorado. Amanda Alden, K1DDN, has those details.

AMANDA: After dealing with strict COVID safety guidelines and numerous schedule changes, STEM students from John F. Kennedy High School in
Denver, Colorado, finally got the green light for their QSO with Commander Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, February 24th. The successful telebridge contact was arranged using a
relay station in Portland, Oregon with David Payne NA7V as the controller.
The last ARISS attempt with a school failed to take place because of
technical difficulties.

During the 11-minute pass, students were able to ask 20 questions, ranging from the way COVID-19 has impacted space travel to whether any data-
collection done in space has helped in an emergency situation on Earth. In late 2019 the JFK school partnered with members of Rocky Mountain Ham
Radio and the Cherry Creek Young Amateur Radio Club who mentored the
students on the use of amateur radio communications to prepare them for
their ARISS contact.

To hear the contact, visit YouTube at the link printed in this week's
newscast script at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RgszX0npbQ]

**

INDIA HOSTS NET IN THE LANGUAGE OF FRIENDSHIP

DON/ANCHOR: Friendship has many languages in amateur radio. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, tells us about one recent net that celebrated all of them.

JIM: Amateur radio operators in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and elsewhere checked into a special 90-minute friendship net held on the 21st of
February, marking the UN's declaration of International Mother Language
Day. The more than 100 check-ins came throughout Asia as well as Mexico, Ukraine and the United States via EchoLink while those in the Kolkata,
India region connected through the local VHF repeater. The net had been organised by the Amateur Radio Society of Bangladesh and the West Bengal
Radio Club as a celebration of cultural and linguistic diversity. The
United Nations created International Mother Language Day in 2000 in the
hopes of fostering multilingualism and a general appreciation for other languages.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

**

MULTI-LINGUAL HAM HANDBOOK GOES ONLINE

DON/ANCHOR: Speaking of languages, which one do YOU speak? An online
project by a YL in Russia has helped hams make their QSOs a little more multi-lingual. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us more.

ED: Radio communication needs language as much as it needs good equipment
in the shack and now many of the languages of amateur radio are more accessible than ever. A guidebook written 40 years ago by two brothers in Finland - Jukka (YOOKA) OH2BAD and Miika (MEEKA) OH2BR – has been
converted into an online interactive guidebook, with the brothers'
permission. Raisa R1BIG, a popular YL in Russia well-known for videos of
her amateur radio journey, told Newsline she and a friend who is an IT specialist created the online guide over the course of the past few weeks.
She said she was inspired by the brothers' original handbook, "The Radio Amateur's Conversation Guide," which Jukka (YOOKA) had shared with her two years ago.

With one mouse-click you can now read and hear almost 200 ham radio
phrases. Eight languages are available on the site, and more are in the
works, including the next one - Polish, being recorded by Darek, SP3TLJ.
Raisa herself recorded the Russian-language entries and Pete, M0PSX, is working on a new version of the English language sound files.

Although English is still the predominant language heard on the bands,
imagine being able to call "CQ 20 metres" or ask "When did you first get
your licence?" in Japanese or German. A link to the online guide can be
seen in the printed version of this week's newscast script at
arnewsline.org

For Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Ed Durrant, DD5LP (please repeat this
in German, Ed!)

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: https://raisa.blog/how-to/the-radio-amateur-s-conversation-guide]

(RAISA, R1BIG)
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THOUSANDS OF QSOS MADE TO HONOR DISCOVERY OF PLUTO

DON/ANCHOR: Imagine getting a QSL card from Pluto. Thousands did. Well,
OK, it was really the next best thing: a special event station
celebrating Pluto. Here's Randy Sly, W4XJ, with the details.

RANDY: Amateur radio operators from around this world recently celebrated
the discovery of another world: Pluto, which was first seen in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. Special event station W7P - with "P" for Pluto
- was activated last month by the Northern Arizona DX Association for the Pluto Anniversary Countdown Special Event. There will be an event
counting down each of the next 10 years, ending with the centennial year
2030.

This was a particularly special event for Doug Tombaugh, N3PDT, nephew of
the astronomer who made the discovery. Doug marked the occasion by
operating along with three other amateurs as W7P/0, logging 1,191
contacts. He said he especially enjoyed talking with other amateurs who
knew his uncle or were involved in other activities related to Pluto.

Countdown coordinator Bob Wertz, NF7E, said in all 15 amateurs logged
more than 7,000 contacts from their home QTHs as well as from a
communications trailer on the grounds of Lowell Observatory, where Clyde
first made his discovery.

The countdown begins again next year on February 12th – the last Saturday before the February 18th anniversary itself.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

SOLAR PANEL PROMISES MORE STREAMED ENERGY TO EARTH

DON/ANCHOR: Now here's a story that should energize you: A ham radio
operator has helped develop a way to bring more of the sun's power home
to Earth. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, sheds light on this.

KENT: Amateur radio ingenuity has helped lead to the development of a prototype solar panel designed to transmit electricity to Earth from
outer space.

Launched in May of 2020 aboard a Pentagon drone, the device is known as
the Photovoltaic Direct Current to Radio Frequency Antenna Module, or
PRAM for short. Project co-developer Paul Jaffee, KJ4IKI, said in a
recent CNN report that the PRAM underwent a successful test recently by
the United States Department of Defense at the U.S. Naval Research
Laboratory.

He said the PRAM produces about 10 watts of energy for transmission but
could be scaled up, bringing the promise of transmitting energy to the
power grids back on Earth. The panel uses the blue waves of light in
space which become diffused when entering the Earth's atmosphere. It
captures these waves, which are more powerful than sunlight on Earth, and retains that energy.

No, the PRAM hasn't yet sent any of that power back home, but scientists
say the tests have shown it works. The concept is to beam microwaves to
Earth for conversion into electricity wherever it is needed. Paul told
CNN that the next move would be to expand its ability to collect even
more sunlight to prepare it for that microwave transportation back to
Earth.

Team co-leader Chris DePuma told CNN the technology would be especially
useful in regions where natural disasters have taken down the power grid.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(CNN)

**

AMATEUR MAKES PLANS FOR 'FLYING HAMS' PODCAST

DON/ANCHOR: If you're one of those amateur radio operators who likes to
get on air FROM the air, as a pilot, this next story from Andy Morrison, K9AWM, might have you in mind.

ANDY: Dan Hileman, WO5WO, is a ham with a high-flying idea. A former
airline pilot-turned-middle school teacher has another project on the
runway. He's planning to start a podcast this summer devoted to hams who enjoying being IN the air....as much as they like to be ON the air. He'd
like to bring hams on board for ragchews about fly-ins, DX-peditions, FAA flight safety tips, and projects that combine being a pilot and an
amateur radio operator. He's especially interested in stories of famous – and not-so-famous – hams in the sky. He told Newsline in an email that
the podcast is [quote] "just a fun way to connect already connected
hobbies" [endquote] and he can't guarantee there won't be more than a few corny jokes along the way. He said he hopes the half-hour, bi-weekly
podcast will inspire youngsters to think about flying and radio as two
related hobbies.

He's working with a ham radio friend who's a former Air Force pilot and together they're hoping to, well, get things off the ground. Dan welcomes
any and all ideas. You can reach him via email at flyinghams78@gmail.com
Who knows what ideas might just take wing?

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WA2EHL repeater
in Burlington, New Jersey, on Fridays at 7 p.m. local time.
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VIDEO TRAINING GIVES BASIC SKILLS TO UK HAMS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: School is in session in the UK for hams who believe
that in radio, the learning never stops, even if your classroom is a
remote one.

Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about the lessons they're taking.

JEREMY: University students and young schoolchildren aren't the only
ones learning new skills remotely. Hams at all levels of licence in
the UK are being introduced to common amateur radio construction
basics through a new video series from the Radio Society of Great
Britain. The videos are part of the society's "Get on the Air to
Care" campaign to highlight amateur radio's abilities to reduce
social isolation. They are also being released in conjunction with
British Science Week which spotlights the importance of science,
technology, engineering and math skill. This year's annual event
began on the 5th March and runs on to the 14th. The videos, which
grow increasingly ambitious as the series goes forward, demonstrate
ways to tune a dipole using a NanoVNA, how to build a simple balun,
as well as a more ambitious project: creating an audio interface
between the transceiver and computer to permit operation in the
popular data modes.

To see the videos, visit the RSGB's channel on YouTube or its website.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Society has also announced a record number of
hams passing their Foundation license exam taken remotely during
the past year. In a message on shared on Twitter, the RSGB said
3,000 people have passed the exam since April of last year. The
society compared that with the previous average of only 1,350
people a year.

**

YLS BEING CHALLENGED TO SHARE RADIO STORIES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you're a YL with a radio story to tell, listen
carefully to this next report from Sel Embee, KB3 T Zed D.

SEL: Grassroots Emergency Communications Operations and Greg Lee,
KI6GIG, are challenging the world's YLs - and the world's would-be
YLs. Greg has announced an activity called "Choose to Challenge,"
on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8th. Women
who are amateur radio operators, or interested in becoming hams,
are being asked to tell their stories.

It's that simple: why they became hams, the challenges they faced,
and, of course, their successes. They're being asked to share advice
for other women and young girls - and even for men - and to offer
ideas that will encourage others to study and become licensed.

Although responses in languages other than English are welcome,
Greg said those submissions will be run through Google translate.
The organization plans to run responses in its newsletter, "Sticky
Notes." Greg said all responses should be sent via email to gecoradio@gmail.com, that's spelled g e c o radio at gmail dot com.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(GREG LEE KI6GIG)

**

SPECIAL NET IN INDIA MARKS INT'L WOMEN'S DAY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another event celebrating women worldwide was a net
based in India. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has more.

JIM M: In India, four YLs helped the West Bengal Radio Club mark
International Women's Day by serving as net control operators during
the March 8th VHF-Echolink net on the VU2WB repeater. The 90-minute
net had 112 check-ins who will each receive a special eQSL card
marking the occasion. The net control operators were Rinku, VU2JFB,
Saborni, VU2JFC, Sangita, VU3ZIH, and Amrita, VU3ZHH. Saborni is the
daughter of club secretary Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, who said this
was the first year the club was hosting the special net.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard of bulletin stations around the world, including the
Kanawha (kuh-NAW-uh) Amateur Radio Club Two Meter repeater W8GK in
West Virginia during the club's Sunday net at 8:30 PM Eastern time.
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GERMAN 'HEALING' DEVICE BANNED OVER RFI

NEIL/ANCHOR: In Germany, a device marketed for its alleged healing powers
has been banned for interfering with amateur radio communications. Ed
Durrant, DD5LP, picks up the story from here.

ED: Marketers selling an electronic device in Germany claimed that for the steep price of 8 thousand Euro – the equivalent of more than $9,000 US dollars – it could awaken the healing powers of the human body by revitalising its water content.

Apparently, what it really awakened was amateur radio interference. A
recent news report by the Associated Press said that the device being sold
by the Swiss company Wassermatrix AG uses frequencies allocated for amateur radio operators. According to the DARC website, RFI has been reported by
hams using the low end of 2 meters in the weak signal / EME segment.

A posting on the QRZ.com forum cited claims made by the device's developers that operation was based on principles used by Nikola Tesla and Georges Lakhovsky, claiming that it was especially effective because the human body
is comprised of a high percentage of water.

The RFI complaints are what set the regulator's actions in motion. The device's sale and use are now banned in Germany. Use of already purchased units would be a prosecutable offence.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS, QRZ.COM)

**

MAJOR HAM EVENTS MAKE ON-SITE PLANS CAUTIOUSLY

NEIL/ANCHOR: Plans are moving forward cautiously for major on-site amateur radio events in Germany, and in the UK. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, fills us in.

ED: Even as the organisers of Ham Radio Friedrichshafen proceed with plans
for a COVID-compliant in person conference in June, they are also advising caution that plans may need to be modified to be a hybrid event with an
online component. In a statement, organisers said they were taking into account the slow vaccination rate in Germany and how quarantine
restrictions or test requirements could impact the number of foreign
attendees. The 45th event is scheduled for June 25th through 27th.

Meanwhile, organisers of the UK's National Hamfest also remain somewhat optimistic about their event to be held in September. The directors said on the event website: "We are closely monitoring the ever changing health landscape, government guidance and roadmap steps coming out of lockdown,
and are optimistic that we can arrive at a decision in June for this
year's event."

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

RSGB ELECTIONS BEGIN

NEIL/ANCHOR: For members of the Radio Society of Great Britain, it's
decision time again, as we hear from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Voting has begun for the Radio Society of Great Britain's elections and will continue until 9 a.m. local time on Thursday the 22nd of April. Election details are available in the April issue of RadCom which is
currently being sent to RSGB members. The Society is also preparing for its annual General Meeting which will be held online and will be available on livestream on Saturday the 24th of April. If members have questions for any
of the directors they will be able to submit them in advance using the form available on the society's website at rsgb.org.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

PLANS FOR 2 x 1 CONTEST CALL SIGNS IN AUSTRALIA

NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, hams in Australia will be pleased to learn that the Australian Maritime College has indicated system changes are in the works
to enable them to issue 2x1 contest call signs. The changes, however, are expected to take several months.

(AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE)
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FIRST-TIMERS SET SIGHTS ON ISLAND DXPEDITION

JIM/ANCHOR: There's a first for everything, and one group of ham radio operators has decided it's time for them all to jump into the water (at
least figuratively) for their first DXpedition. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has
the details.

JACK: This is going to be a summer of firsts for the amateur radio team descending on C6A IOTA NA-048 FL05, also known as Bimini Island in the Bahamas. According to DJ, N4RRR, one of the organizers, it will be a first DXpedition for everyone on the team, which includes some disabled military veterans. DJ said that because the Caribbean Island is also a prime tourist destination, some of the hams will be bringing their wives for vacation activities. The hams have applied to use the call sign C6AHA. He said some
of their antennas will be positioned to enable Europe, the Pacific Islands
and Australia to get C6A in their logs.

DJ told Newsline: "We plan to light up C6A for everyone to get it in their
log books" adding that "we hope people will be nice and forgiving with us
and let us make the most of this trip, being first-timers receiving pile-
ups."

The trip is scheduled for July 14th through the 21st.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(DJ FINCH N4RRR)

**

EMERGENCY BATTERIES HELP HAMS IN CARIBBEAN 'RED ZONE'

JIM/ANCHOR: In the Caribbean, amateur radio stations in a hazardous region near a volcano got a gift to help their vital operations. John Williams, VK4JJW, gives us the full story.

JOHN: A gift of emergency batteries provided to amateur radio operators in
the highest hazard zone of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has put those stations back on the air. The 12-volt batteries, provided through the country's General Services office, have enabled hams to get on the air in
the nation's northernmost settlement of Fancy, and in Rose Hall, the settlement with the highest altitude. The amateur stations are both in the
Red Zone, a highly hazardous region because of its proximity to a volcano.

Officials regularly monitor activity at the La Soufriere (soo-free-AIR)
volcano in the north, where an activity known as effusive eruption has been noted in recent weeks.

The hams received the batteries at the request of the Rainbow Radio League/Youlou Radio Movement amateur radio club. Its director Donald De
Riggs J88CD made the request on behalf of Elna Michael, J88NEK, of Fancy,
and Percy Lampkin, J88NEB, of Rose Hall.

According to a news report on the Searchlight VC website, the station in
Fancy now maintains contact with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency
Management Agency and the station in Rose Hall has been checking into
local and regional nets.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(SEARCHLIGHT VC, CDEMA)

**

NOVICE RIG ROUNDUP CELEBRATES 'YESTERYEAR'

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams who like getting on the air the old-fashioned way got that chance recently in a special operating event, as we hear from Randy Sly,
W4XJ.

RANDY: If you were beginning in ham radio 50 or so years ago, your amateur radio experience would begin with a Novice Class license, good for only a year, and you would operate a crystal-controlled 75-watt CW transmitter. Often, these rigs were homebrew, drifted in frequency, with chirps and key clicks on the signal. By modern standards, this all sounds archaic, but
each year hams from around the country dust off their old radios, dig out their straight keys and return to the good ol’ days of yesteryear.

This year, there were more than 292 such hams and they logged 4,300
contacts the old-fashioned way, most of them adhering to Novice
restrictions. They were part of the annual Novice Rig Roundup, co-chaired
by Dan Sands, N7SU, and Doug Tombaugh, N3PDT. The event, held annually
during the third week of February, was established in 2015 by Bry Carling, AF4K, now a silent key. This year's event was a showcase for talking about
such now-obsolete radios as Heathkit DX-40’s, Drake, and Hallicrafters,
as well as homebrew rigs with exotic vacuum tubes like 807's and 6146's.

Novice Rig Roundup is more than just an annual event. For information and
to join in the fun, visit their webpage at novicerigroundup.org.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ

**

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN NEWSLINE'S SURVEY

JIM/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Newsline would like some help from listeners.
We want to know whether you would like to continue hearing the World of
DX each week or if we should switch to a contest calendar instead. Please visit our website where you'll find a survey asking you to tell us your preference. The survey can be found on the right-hand side of the page at arnewsline.org
--- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
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ALABAMA TORNADOES HIT HOME FOR ONE AMATEUR

NEIL/ANCHOR: In Alabama, where tornadoes raged through part of the
landscape in late March, one radio amateur made an especially painful discovery about the importance of preparedness. Randy Sly, W4XJ, brings us that story.

RANDY: James Spann, WO4W, is no stranger to severe weather. As chief meteorologist for WBMA in Birmingham Alabama, he is a familiar TV face
during tornado activations, always reminding viewers that they need a
severe weather plan. If fact, when he and his wife built a new home a few years ago, they included a storm shelter

Last week, tornadoes and other severe weather pummeled the state, wrecking buildings and killing at least five people in one county. During his report
on a long track of violent storms, he suddenly said, "What I'm doing is texting my wife to be sure she's in the shelter.." -- He moved off camera
with a co-worker taking over.

Rejoining less than 15 minutes later, he shared some bad news with viewers. His home was hit by a tornado.

"The reason I had to step out," he explained, "We had major damage at my house. I had to be sure. My wife is okay, but the tornado came right
through there and it's not good. It's bad. It's bad."

However, their preparedness made the difference. "My wife got the warning,"
he said, "she had a plan, she was in the shelter and she's fine."

Then, Spann was back to work making sure others would be informed and safe too.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

RECORDINGS AVAILABLE ONLINE FROM HAMSCI EVENT

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you missed the HamSCI virtual event which was livestreamed
on March 19th and 20th, you can attend via YouTube where videorecordings of the workshops are now available. This is the second year HamSCI went
virtual in response to the global pandemic. The free program, supported by
the National Science Foundation and the University of Scranton, featured presenters on such topics as personal space weather stations, mid-latitude sporadic-E, weak signal VHF propagation and related topics.

A link to the recorded programming for Days 1 and 2 can be found in the printed version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org

FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ:

FOR DAY 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfhAxuViTYQ

FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ:

For DAY 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CrvuS0h9XA

**

WORLDWIDE BALLOON LAUNCHES MARK EQUINOX

NEIL/ANCHOR: Spring in the Northern Hemisphere isn't just about flowers
waking up and starting to bloom. It's also about..... balloons! Mike
Askins, KE5CXP, explains.

MIKE: When the medium altitude balloon launched by science teacher Jill Gravante took to the sky on March 20th from an upstate New York junior high school, the event was part of a wide-ranging celebration dispatching 14
such balloons, linking students and teachers involved in STEM activities worldwide. In what was called the Equinox Balloon Launch, each balloon
carried a lightweight Skytracker APRS and WSPR payload, all solar-powered. They were launched from various spots in the US, Argentina and Australia on paths that, one week later, had them sailing over Siberia, China and South Africa. After the launch at Winburn Middle School in Kentucky, science
teacher Jenny McCall, and Ron Malinowski, WX4GPS, later tracked the balloon named "Bessie" over southern Siberia, heading into Mongolia. Although it's
not spring in his part of the world, the launch even attracted involvement
by Melbourne teacher Greg Hellard.

Bill Brown, WB8ELK, the designer of the Skytracker technology, said the launches were coordinated by Washington State high school teacher Trevor MacDuff, KS1LAS, with help from Los Angeles science educator Joanne
Michael, KM6BWB. The enthusiasm, however, needed no coordination at all.
In fact, Joanne posted on Facebook that befitting a project that involved students, it was a "textbook launch."

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

(BILL BROWN WB8ELK)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including WA5AIR, the Texas
Link System which carries Newsline on seven repeaters on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
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SILENT KEY: HEXBEAM INNOVATOR WALDI SP7IDX

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hexbeam users and DXers alike are marking the loss of a
popular and prominent figure. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about Waldi, SP7IDX.

JEREMY: An amateur radio operator considered one of the world's foremost makers of hexbeam antennas has become a Silent Key.

The death of Waldi was reported on the DX-World.Net website. Reportedly recovering from COVID-19, he suffered a fatal heart attack on 4th April.

His QTH in southeast Poland was also the company headquarters for his successful hexbeam antenna, used widely by Dx-peditioners around the world.
He was a well-known Dxpeditioner, most particularly in the Islands on the
Air awards scheme.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(DX-WORLD.NET)

**

JS8CALL DEVELOPER WINS SPECIAL RECOGNITION

PAUL/ANCHOR: The developer of a popular new software that enhances weak-
signal communication has received special recognition. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, tells us about him.

SEL: The creator of the weak-signal digital communication conversational application known as JS8Call is this year's recipient of the Amateur Radio Software Award. The award, founded by Claus AE0S, is an international honor recognizing the spirit of innovation given freely to the amateur radio community. Congratulations to Jordan Sherer, KN4CRD, of Atlanta, Georgia,
who created the application as an extension of the FT8 protocol. According
to the awards website, the application was five years in the works and has added new vitality to digital communications, most particularly among
members of ARES. It is available to users as a free download. On his
QRZ.com page, Jordan describes the application as "a derivative of QSJT-X
that focuses on long-form keyboard-to-keyboard style communication similar
to what you'd see in Fldigi or FSQ."

Jordan will receive his award certificate and a grant of $300.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(RICH GORDON K0EB)

**

RSGB ANNOUNCES 'FRIENDSHIP ON THE AIR' AWARD

PAUL/ANCHOR: Most of us know that for a good ham radio experience you need good components. One of the most important components, however, is an intangible one: friendship. The Radio Society of Great Britain hopes to
change that by making that friendship tangible and rewarding it. Here's
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, to explain.

JEREMY: Making contact is at the heart of the latest award being offered by the Radio Society of Great Britain. The Friendship on the Air award has
been launched to celebrate contacts that turn into friendships amongst
hams. It's a noncompetitive award that encourages amateurs to dispense with the quick QSO and really connect with other radio operators. It's an
outgrowth of the "Get on the Air to Care" campaign launched last year by
the RSGB and the National Health Service to reduce social isolation during
the global pandemic. The RSGB said that the award ties in with the theme of World Amateur Radio Day on Sunday the 18th of April: "Home but Never
Alone."

For details on how to qualify for the award, visit the link provided in
this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: www.rsgb.org/friendship-award]

(RSGB)

**

NOMINATE A YOUNG HAM FOR NEWSLINE'S AWARD

PAUL/ANCHOR: There's one more award worth mentioning here: The Bill
Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year
award. Just a reminder that the nomination period is open. Think of a young amateur whose commitment to community and whose enthusiasm for radio has inspired you and others and submit their name. Nominees must 18 or younger living in the United States, its possessions or any Canadian province. Downloadable nomination forms can be found on our website arnewsline.org

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including D-STAR Reflector 91
C in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Australian Eastern
Time.
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HISTORIC SITES BEING ACTIVATED FOR MARCONI DAY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur radio stations in the UK, Europe, the US,
Canada and elsewhere will be celebrating the anniversary of the
birth of Guglielmo Marconi and their connection to the wireless
pioneer as International Marconi Day stations get on the air on
Saturday April 24th. The annual event is sponsored by the Cornish
Radio Amateur Club, operating as GB4IMD. Stations from around the
world may contact operators who are on the air at historic Marconi
sites using special call signs to mark the day. In New York, a
consortium of amateur radio stations on Long Island will be on the
air at such sites as the original Marconi wireless telegraph station
in the Village of Babylon, where they will operate as K2S. Station
K2M will be at the Marconi Tower in Binghamton New York. In the UK,
GB4LD will operate at the site of the old Marconi Hut in Cornwall
and VP8VPC will be operating from the Falkland Islands. Awards are
available for shortwave listeners as well as amateur radio
operators. For details about awards and a list of the registered
Marconi Day stations, visit the website of the Cornish Radio Amateur
Club at gx4crc.com

(CORNISH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, WALT GROSSER W2TE)

**

WRTC PLEDGES TO GO FORWARD WITH BOLOGNA EVENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The organizers of a prestigious worldwide amateur
radio competition are proceeding with a means to hold it safely next
year in Italy. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, picks up the story from here.

ED: Recognising that challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic may still
remain next year when the World Radiosport Team Championship takes
place in Bologna, Italy, organisers have pledged to go forward with
plans for the competition. The committee announced on its website
that the qualifying events and schedule remain the same as printed
in the qualification rules but that different options are being
looked at as the impact of the pandemic remains uncertain. The
committee also acknowledged that travel and other factors have been
affected differently around the world and this is, of course, a
consideration in such a global contest. Board president Carlo De
Mari, IK1HJS, wrote on the website: [quote] Please continue with your
plans as best you can for now. We will make announcements here on
the WRTC 2022 reflector as soon as they can be made public."
[endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(WRTC WEBSITE)

**

YOUTH CAMP FOR HAMS MOVES AHEAD CAUTIOUSLY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another long-awaited amateur activity - this one for youngsters in IARU Region 2 - is moving ahead with an eye on the
pandemic as well. Here's Jack Parker, W8ISH.

JACK: The first Youth on the Air camp for young amateurs in North,
Central and South America is moving ahead with its plans to open in
July. Camp organizers said in a press release that the camp, which
was postponed by the pandemic in 2020, will comply with state and
federal COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines. A maximum of 30
youngsters will be able to attend the camp from July 11th through
July 16th at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in
West Chester Township, Ohio. Camp staffers are either fully
vaccinated or in the process of completing the vaccine series by the
end of April. Campers themselves may be asked to take a COVID-19
test or self-quarantine before arriving, depending on guidelines
being recommended in July.

Twenty-eight campers have already registered. The application period
ends June 1st and there is no fee to apply. The cost of the camp is
$100 plus transportation and scholarships are available for campers
who cannot afford the camp's cost.

For more details, download the camp brochure available online at YouthOnTheAir.org. Or, you can also contact Camp Director Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, at director@youthontheair.org.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH.

**

SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Don't forget that the Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial
Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award is looking to
honor a deserving young ham. Think of a young amateur whose
commitment to community and whose enthusiasm for radio has inspired
you and others and submit their name. Nominees must 18 or younger
living in the United States, its possessions or any Canadian
province. Downloadable nomination forms are due no later than May
31st and can be found on our website arnewsline.org

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
NM5EM repeater in Grants, New Mexico, on Thursdays at 8 p.m. local
time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
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BLETCHLEY PARK REOPENING

JIM/ANCHOR: Enthusiasts of code, and of history, are grateful to learn
that Bletchley Park and the National Radio Centre are reopening in Great Britain. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us more.

JEREMY: Bletchley Park, which was the heart and soul of codebreaking
during World War II, has reopened its doors to visitors as pandemic restrictions become less stringent in Great Britain. At the same time,
the National Radio Centre of the Radio Society of Great Britain, which is located on the historic site, will resume its own array of activities.
The National Radio Centre reopens daily starting on Friday the 28th of
May and will offer demonstrations of amateur radio from the GB3RS
station. Visitors may observe operations, but for now will not be
permitted into the radio room.

The welcome being extended by Bletchley is being delivered cautiously, however, and is following COVID-19 safety guidelines. Visitors are being
asked to book their visits in advance by going online and selecting a predetermined time of entry. Beginning on the 7th of June, Bletchley Park
will also welcome educational groups who will again be able to make use
of on-site resources.

For details or to book a visit visit bletchleypark.org.uk

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(BLETCHLEY PARK, RSGB)

**

SILENT KEY: FORMER MINNESOTA BUSINESSMAN RICHARD PHILSTROM W0TLE

JIM/ANCHOR: The former owner of a successful ham radio supply center in Minnesota has become a Silent Key. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, tells us about
him.

KENT: Richard Philstrom, W0TLE, a lifelong radio amateur in the
Minneapolis area, and creator of a business that served local amateurs in
the 1980s, has become a Silent Key. A veteran of the US Navy, Dick became
a licensed ham in 1965, receiving the callsign WN0NHL shortly before
entering the military service. When he left the Navy, he was hired at Electronic Center in Minneapolis, reporting to Ward Jensen who became his
ham radio mentor. At Electronic Center, Dick eventually became manager of
the business' ham radio department. By 1980, he had purchased the
department and opened it in North Minneapolis as Midwest Amateur Radio
Supply. Four years later, he left the business to begin work for various companies dealing in super computers and eventually left the industry to
work for a medical supply company.

Dick was a charter member of the Handi Hams organization, which serves amateurs with disabilities; a life member of the ARRL, and a member of
the Quarter Century Wireless Association.

Dick died May 8th at the age of 76. His callsign had formerly belonged to
his mentor Ward Jensen, W0TLE.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(QCWA, LEGACY.COM)

**

CQ MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES 2021 HALL OF FAMERS

JIM/ANCHOR: There are some familliar names being added to the CQ Amateur
Radio Hall of Fame this year, and Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us who
they are.

STEPHEN: Six amateur radio operators have been added to the CQ Amateur
Radio Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made prominent contributions to the community either as hams or through their
professional careers. This year's inductees, announced on Friday, May
21st, include Archibald Doty, W7ACD, a Silent Key. A cofounder of the
second oldest college radio station in the US, he was also heavily
involved in research into vertical antennas. Other inductees include
Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, founder of Ham Radio Science Citizen
Investigation and organizer of the 2017 Solar Eclipse QSO Party. Another honoree is concert pianist Lorin Hollander, WA1PGB, who augments work as
a performer with deep involvement in music and arts education. CQ is also honoring former ARRL counsel and general counsel Christopher Imlay, W3KD; noted propagation researcher Cathryn Mitchell, M-Zero-IBG; and Admiral
Charles Richard, W4HFZ, commander of USSTRATCOM, the United States
Strategic Command, one of eleven unified commands of the Department of Defense.

The Hall, created in 2001, now has a total of 339 members.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(CQ MAGAZINE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world as well as anytime, on
demand, through the Hamshack Hotline system. Choose Extension 7008,
Option 1.
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SPECIAL EVENT CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY OF VOA RELAY STATION

NEIL/ANCHOR: The "voice of freedom" transmitted its first words
from West Chester, Ohio across the ocean in September of 1944 at
the then-new Bethany Relay Station of the Voice of America. The
West Chester Amateur Radio Association WC8VOA, which calls the
iconic building its home, is celebrating the relay station's
birthday this year with a special event station on September 25th
and 26th. Jocelyn Brault KD8VRX/VA2VRX told Newsline that the
club's shack is actually the original control room for the relay
station. For the special event, be listening on 20 and 40 meters
for SSB, FT8 and perhaps some CW as well. Those making a QSO are
eligible for a downloadable certificate available 24 hours after
the event.

(JOCELYN BRAULT KD8VRX/VA2VRX)

**

ULTRA-TINY BATTERY SHOWS POWER AND PROMISE

NEIL/ANCHOR: When it comes to batteries, tiny might just be the
next big thing. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, explains why.

KENT: The smaller the battery, the more powerful the
possibilities? The designers of a new battery technology being
used in a fitness tracker would like to think so. California-based
Sila created the battery for a wristband tracker that experts say
could revolutionize everyday electronics and perhaps have
implications for modes of transportation too. For now, the ultra-
tiny powerhouses are in a niche-market item, a fitness tracker
called the Whoop 4.0. According to a New York Times article, the
battery has the same lifespan as the power source used in the
previous model of that tracker but it's a whole one-third smaller.

Sila and Whoop together said the battery had potential for mass
marketing in other devices in the next couple of years. Unlike
lithium-ion batteries, which rely on the ionization and movement
of lithium atoms, these new batteries use an anode made of silicon
instead of graphite, requiring smaller space for the lithium atoms
as they move from the anode side of the battery to the cathode.

Sila and another company, QuantumScape, told the New York Times
that their batteries will likely be used in a few short years in
smart eyeglasses, electric cars and maybe even flying cars one
day.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(NYTIMES)

**

SILENT KEY: CHARLIE BYARS, W5GPO, LONGTIME WEATHER SPOTTER

NEIL/ANCHOR: A well-known weather-spotter and amateur radio
operator in north Texas has become a Silent Key. Randy Sly, W4XJ,
tells us about him.

RANDY: Charlie Byars, W5GPO, took the lead in tracking severe
weather with his local Amateur Radio Emergency Services Skywarn
group, which he helped create in 1974. A licensed ham since 1959,
Charlie died Sunday, September 12th. Devoted to alerting people in
Archer and Wichita counties about dangerous weather, Charlie was a
part of the crucial information network in operation on April
20th, 1979, when a deadly tornado swept through the region,
killing 40 people, and destroying thousands of homes.

Over the years, Charlie's commitment to weather reporting found him
in numerous roles, including ARES district coordinator for eight
counties. According to a report in the Times Record News of
Wichita Falls, he was also the recipient in 2005 of an award from
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Charlie Byars was 86.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(THE WICHITA FALLS TIMES-RECORD NEWS)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the D-Star Reflector 91-C in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday
nights at 7:30 local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

ESSEX HAM SPECIAL EVENT SUPPORTS NEW HACKSPACE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In the UK, the ever-expanding universe of creative
workshops, known as hackspaces, just got an extra boost from some ham
radio friends. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about it.

JEREMY: East Essex Hackspace became the newest of 70 hackspaces
throughout the UK on Saturday, September 18th, as this community-based "makerspace" opened as a welcoming place to encourage learning and
tinkering. It includes a construction and electronics workbench,
reflecting a spirit so familiar to amateur radio operators.

To help celebrate opening day at this new workshop, Essex Ham operated
special event station GB0EEH on HF and VHF, not just for the QSOs, but
to support the community effort and to demonstrate amateur radio to those attending at the Hawkwell location. According to the hackspace's Wiki,
the space in the pavilion has been provided by Rochford District
Council and the lease is in effect until October of 2027.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(EAST ESSEX HACKSPACE)

**

NEW MICROCONTROLLER EDITOR AT CQ MAGAZINE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Jack Purdum, W8TEE, who has become
the new Microcontrollers Editor of CQ magazine. Jack, who is an Arduino authority, will have his first column appear in the November issue, the magazine has announced. His predecessor, Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, is
starting up a new column called "Ham Radio Explorer" that will launch
in the December issue.

(CQ MAGAZINE)

**

SILENT KEY: EAST COAST REFLECTOR'S RICK BEUTNAGEL, N3RRB

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another extended family of ham radio operators is
grieving for one of their own. We hear their story, and the story of a well-loved Silent Key, from Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

DAVE: An emotional last call has been made on the IRLP/Allstar East
Coast Reflector for Richard Beutnagel N3RRB, a mainstay of the
reflector. Rick, a licensed ham since 2018, became a Silent Key on
Wednesday, September 15th of COVID-19 while caring for his ailing
parents in Deltona, Florida.

Friends and members of the 9050 reflector told Newsline that Rick
arrived on the system in October of 2020 and immediately established
himself as a mentor. It was a role that came naturally to him on and
off the air, and in the reflector's Zoom room.

One of Rick's most selfless projects was the 40 meter QRP transceiver
he built for a 14-year-old amateur who came to call him "Uncle Rick" He
also made use of the electronics business he owned and operated to
create equipment and software for the East Coast Reflector's control
stations so they could track the number of connected nodes at any given
time.

Rick also believed in personal connections so even while riding his
bike around town, he would carry his HT on his handlebars and keep his
phone connected to the East Coast Reflector Zoom Room.

Reflector member Pres W2PW told Newsline: "The amateur community lost a
good one." I would like to add: "Rick, you will be missed but never forgotten."

For Amateur Radio Newsline and everyone on the East Coast Reflector,
I'm Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

**

BOUVET 3Y0J TRIP GETS ARRL GRANT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Next year's Bouvet Island DXpedition has been given its
latest financial boost, and it's from the ARRL. Skeeter Nash, N5ASH,
has that report.

SKEETER: The 3Y0J (Three Y Zero Jay) Bouvet Island DXpedition --
considered one of the costliest ever -- has been awarded $5,000 from
the ARRL. The amount given to the nonprofit Amateur Radio DXpeditions organization, which is based in Norway, is the same sum given back to
the ARRL following the Intrepid DX Group's cancellation of its Bouvet
trip, after the ship planned to carry them there was sold to new
owners.

Amateur Radio DXpeditions -- and its 12 operators -- are planning a
November 2022 activation, with a goal of 120,000 contacts. The team
will be on the island for 20 days. The grant is named for Silent Keys
Lloyd Colvin, W6KG, and Iris Colvin, W6QL, and supports international
DX teams to foster global goodwill. The DXpedition's $650,000 budget
makes it among the most expensive ones on record. The team earlier
received a $100,000 donation from the Northern California DX Foundation
and a gift from the German DX Foundation that is the equivalent of
$11,815.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, it appears that the RV Braveheart, which was
sold by Nigel Jolly, K6NRJ, to new owners, may sail again with hams
aboard sometime. Paul, N6PSE, of the Intrepid DX Group announced
recently on the group's Facebook page that the ship will be relocating
from New Zealand to Ushuaia (Ooose-Why-Uh), in southernmost Argentina
and the new owner plans to make it available once again for amateur
radio DXpeditioners.

(INTREPID DX GROUP)
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* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SILENT KEY: ACTIVE NET PARTICIPANT WALTER PAGE PYNE, WA3EOP

JIM/ANCHOR: A prominent active amateur radio operator and a well-known
voice on the OMISS and Century Club nets has become a Silent Key. Sel
Embee, KB3TZD, tells us about him.

SEL: Walter Page Pyne was known for identifying his callsign as WA3EOP -
We Are Three Elephants On Patrol - and his voice was a familiar one on the OMISS Net, the Century Club Net, the YL International Single Sideband Net
and numerous other nets. Page, as he was known to friends, died on
September 26th in his Maryland hometown of Hagerstown. A life member of
the Antietam (Ann-Tee-Tum) Radio Association and the International Order
of Odd Fellows ham club, he was also a cofounder of the Cheese Hollow
Amateur Radio Society in Maryland. He had served as Charter Year President
of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Chapter (#222) of the Quarter Century Wireless Association. Page, a former phone activities manager for the
ARRL's Maryland/DC section, at the time of his death belonged to the
Maryland Emergency Phone Net.

Walter Page Pyne was 74.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(QRZ.COM, TRIBUTE ARCHIVE)

**

SCHOOL FOR DEAF PREPS FOR UNIQUE ARISS CONTACT

JIM/ANCHOR: Few things are outside the realm of possibility with amateur radio, as a group of deaf students in the UK is about to learn in an ARISS
QSO with an American astronaut. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: American astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, is scheduled to
complete a unique amateur radio contact from the ISS with students at Mary Hare School for deaf children in Berkshire, England.

Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD, the UK's ARISS operations lead, told Newsline that
the event will proceed like a standard ARISS contact for the astronaut,
but students and school volunteers will have access to a stenographer
using a device that projects what is being said onto a large screen in
their auditorium. Ciaran added that the text will also appear on a live
web stream which will also feature a sign language interpreter. Meanwhile, hams from the Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society have been
assisting the students by providing lessons on amateur radio.

The school noted on its blog: [quote] "These will be the first deaf
children to have done this, making it a world first." [endquote]

While some of the students will be linked to the action by a web feed,
others will be in the auditorium itself as socially distanced spectators.
It is scheduled to take place sometime during the week of October 10th.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(CIARAN MORGAN, M0XTD, ARISS-UK, MARY HARE SCHOOL)

**

CQWW DX CONTEST GAINS PLAQUE SPONSORS FOR YOUTH

JIM/ANCHOR: As the date inches forward for the CQ WorldWide DX contest,
there are new sponsors for categories featuring young competitors. Ed
Durrant, DD5LP, has those details.

ED: The IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group will be sponsoring plaques
awarded in the upcoming CQWW DX contest for competitors in Europe and
Africa who are 25 years of age or younger. Plaques will be given to young
SSB and CW operators. A number of other YOTA branches and IARU Youth
Working Groups are sponsoring other awards on other continents for young participants. The CQWW contest announced on its blog in August that
organisers have created a number of overlays within the contest, including those for young operators and for hams who are experimenting with new technologies. A new Explorer category has been created for those radio operators who are using SSB and CW while employing such new technologies
as internet-linked stations.

The contest dates are October 30th and 31st for SSB and November 27th and
28th for CW.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(CQWW BLOG)

**

IT'S 'FALLOUT' WEEKEND FOR 100 WATTS AND A WIRE

JIM/ANCHOR: Don't forget to be listening for operators calling "CQ FALL
OUT!" on October 8th, 9th and 10th. Those are the days for the portable operating event of the 100 Watts and a Wire community. Operators are being encouraged to work any band, any mode and alone or as a team. The exchange
is your call sign, your 100Watts ID if you have one, your state, province
or DX country and a true signal report.

For details, visit the website 100wattsandawire.com and use the numerals
"1 Zero Zero" for the word "one hundred."

(100 WATTS AND A WIRE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K7MMA repeater
in Spokane, Washington, on Fridays at 5 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SPECIAL EVENT STATION TO HIGHLIGHT CUBAN CRISIS

PAUL/ANCHOR: The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cuba is gaining a
worldwide voice for the remainder of July through special event station
W4C. Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has that story.

DON: Radio operators from around the US have been on the air as W4C since
July 19th and will continue through to the end of the month, calling QRZ
and carrying word of the economic and medical challenges in Cuba. The
special event, SOS Cuba, has been organized by Florida ham Alexander Valladares (PRONOUNCED: BAYA DARE EHZ) W7HU, who was formerly a citizen
of Cuba. Alex's YouTube Channel, W7HU, Alex, will be livestreaming as he operates Whiskey Four Cuba. Hams have reported difficulty making contact
on the air with amateurs in Cuba, indicating widespread jamming. This
special event will carry a message of support for those struggling on the island.

Alex writes on the station's QR Zed page: [quote] "Instead of taking to
the streets we realized that our efforts will be more efficiently
utilized by getting on the air and making a special event out of it." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, the FCC has reportedly begun an investigation
into the jamming of radio signals on a number of frequencies on the 40-
metre band, based on complaints from amateurs who say they have been
unable to communicate with radio operators in Cuba. Motherboard and other media outlets are reporting that FCC field agents are becoming involved,
as is the US State Department. The investigation is looking into a
possible connection between the jamming and the Cuban government in
Havana.

(ALEX VILLADARES W7HU, SOUTHGATE)

**

TOWER BATTLE ENDS IN FAVOR OF MASSACHUSETTS HAM

PAUL/ANCHOR: A long-running battle over an amateur radio tower has ended
with a positive outcome for one ham in the US. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY,
tells us why this Massachusetts ham is so happy.

KENT: The on-again, off-again amateur radio tower project outside the Massachusetts home of Mikhail Filippov, KD1MF, is on again. A judge in
the city of Framingham has ruled that local zoning officials were wrong
last year when they revoked the project's building permit. The zoning
board said at the time that the tower project did not comply with zoning requirements and could not go forward—but on July 14th, the judge said
that ham radio towers are among those structures exempt from those such requirements, provided the project has a building permit.

As Newsline reported more than a year and a half ago, Mikhail and his
wife, Galina, had received the city building permit for the 80-foot
structure despite neighbors' challenges that it would damage their
property values and become an eyesore. Mikhail had already poured the
tower's foundation but agreed to halt the project until zoning dispute
could be resolved.

That appears to have happened.

Writing on the web page of the ARRL's Eastern Massachusetts Section,
Mikhail's attorney Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, declared [quote]: "Mr.
Filippov is a very happy radio amateur."[endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION, ARRL; THE FRAMINGHAM SOURCE)

**

BATTLE OVER ANTENNA MAST CONTINUES FOR UK AMATEUR

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pond, an amateur in
England is at odds with the local officials over a retractable antenna
mast, something he had installed six years ago.

JEREMY: The Wiltshire Council rejected the application of Tidworth
amateur Bob Coleman, G0WYD, calling his plans for the structure in his
back garden "unneighbourly" and incompatible with the area.

Bob told the Andover Advertiser newspaper [quote] "Due to various spinal surgeries, I am unable to play the sports I used to love. Radio
communication is one of the few hobbies I can do and it plays a large
part in keeping me mentally healthy, especially in the last year."
[endquote]

Neighbours had filed complaints about the mast as far back as 2019,
leading the council planning officials to inform Bob he needed
permission. According to the newspaper, he applied but the forms were reportedly not valid, and so he reapplied.

The newspaper story noted that neighbours understand his love of amateur radio, but report that the antenna reaches from his property into theirs,
and they worry about a storm knocking it over.

Bob has the option to appeal the decision.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ANDOVER ADVERTISER, QRZ)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY WRAPPING UP W9IMS EVENT

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams are nearing the final lap of the big W9IMS event at
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here's Jack Parker, W8ISH, with more.

JACK: As summer comes to a close, members of the W9IMS special event
station are busy wrapping up another week of world-wide contacts during
the annual Brickyard race. As the official amateur radio club for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the W9IMS group has been logging hundreds
of contacts during the Indy Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
and now the Brickyard race.

The official numbers will be tabulated in the coming days and then each contact will receive a special QSL card, designed for each event. Those stations that made the log for all three races will receive a
commemorative certificate as well.

This is the 18th year for the W9IMS special event station and despite
weak band conditions this spring, early reports indicated they logged
over 6-thousand contacts during the first two races. The W9IMS team is
hoping to double that amount in the final race of the season. They
should cross the finish line and take the checkered flag on a record
number of contacts for the racing season at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway.

Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

**

SILENT KEY: LIFELONG AMATEUR, JAZZ 'AMBASSADOR' BOB RINGWALD K6YBV

JIM/ANCHOR: The music world and the amateur radio world are both
grieving the loss of a friend. We turn to Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, for
that story.

RALPH: Robert Ringwald, K6YBV, was a lifelong amateur radio operator,
who also made his mark in the jazz world as a jazz ambassador and co-
organizer in 1974 of California's first Sacramento Jazz Festival where
his band was a headliner. A professional jazz pianist, he was also an enthusiastic radio amateur. First licensed in 1957, he soon became
adept in CW which he identifies on his QRZ page as his most frequent
mode. Bob became a Silent Key on August 3rd.

Blind almost since birth, Bob became known to many checking into the
Alaska Pacific Preparedness Net on 20 meter SSB, California Traffic
Net, 75 meter SSB, Northern California Net, Region Net 6 and the
Pacific Area Net on 80- and 40-meter CW. He was especially proud of his daughter, actress Molly Ringwald, and took great pains to keep things authentic when she portrayed an amateur radio operator in one episode
of the NBC sitcom, "The Facts of Life." Bob wrote: "Naturally the
writers had Molly's lines all wrong. I volunteered to write the ham
talk to be authentic and they gratefully accepted." Molly also used her father's callsign in the episode.

With his passing, Amateur Radio Newsline has also lost a friend. Bob
Ringwald was a frequent contributor of story ideas that listeners have
heard each week. He died at the age of 80.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS, QRZ, RINGWALD.COM)

***

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
K2BNL repeater in Upton, New York during the 8 p.m. Thursday night Tech
Net.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

US MONITORING PROGRAM SENDS HAMS ADVISORY NOTICES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In the US, a program overseen by the FCC and the ARRL has
just put a number of amateurs on notice for questionable on-air behavior.
We hear more from Geri Goodrich, KF5KRN.

GERI: Hams around the US have been sent advisory notices from the
Volunteer Monitor Program operated jointly by the FCC and the ARRL. A
report released by program administrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH,
gives details of the notices sent to hams deemed in violation of FCC Part
97. The program's July report, released recently, gives the results of
more than 3,000 hours of observation combined on the HF, VHF and UHF frequencies. Although these were advisory notices, one notification --
sent to a ham in Parks Arizona -- was referred to the FCC for enforcement action. In that instance, the ham is being reported for failing to honor
a request to stay off a repeater.

Some of the other notices included the following: A General class
licensee in Acworth, Georgia, received a notice for failing to identify properly, and for repeatedly making contact with unlicensed stations on
3.895 MHz. A notice was sent to an Extra Class ham in Keansburg, New
Jersey, involving threats made on the air to another operator while on
3.844 MHz. Notices were also sent to some General class licensees for operating on 20 meters in the Extra Class portion of the band. Those hams
are in Marco Island and Arcadia, Florida, and in Maryland.

Technician-class licensees also received notices. Those hams were in
Spring Valley, Smith River, and Nipomo, California; Oneonta, New York;
Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Center, Texas. The notices indicate they were operating FT8 on frequencies not authorized to Technician licensees.

The Volunteer Monitor program began operation in 2020. It was established
to underscore the need for amateur compliance on the air. Trained
Volunteer Monitors also recognize hams who are observed engaging in commendable conduct.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Geri Goodrich, KF5KRN.

(FCC, ARRL)

**

HAMS HELPING RADIO STATION MARK CENTENNIAL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: What could be better than radio honoring radio? When it's amateur radio honoring professional radio, it's a natural combination, as
we hear from Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.

SKEETER: New England's oldest broadcast station is marking its 100th anniversary this year and two amateur radio clubs in Massachusets are
inviting everyone to the party on the amateur bands. The Billerica
Amateur Radio Society and the Hampden County Radio Association are having
a special operating event planned for September 17th through September
19th. The dates closely follow the first day Westinghouse put WBZ on the
air as an AM radio station: September 15th, 1921. It began life as a 100-
watt station in East Springfield, Massachusetts but by the time it moved
to Boston in 1931, it had a 15,000-watt transmitter. By 1933, that power
had gone up to 50,000 watts.

So be listening for the callsigns W1W, W1B, W1Z, and WB1Z. Hams will be calling QRZ on all bands using CW, SSB, the digital modes and, of course,
AM.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.

(ARRL NEW ENGLAND; BILLERICA AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY)

**

SCHOOLS MAKE CONTACT WITH MAURITIUS' CUBESAT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The first satellite launched by Mauritius has been busy
doing its part to further students' education. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, brings
us up to date.

GRAHAM: Although the first CubeSat launched by the nation of Mauritius
is still not available for amateur radio use, it has already accomplished
an important educational mission in STEM education: According to the
Mauritius Amateur Radio Society, students at three schools in Mauritius
have received and decoded signals from the satellite, known as MIR-SAT 1, which stands for Mauritius Imagery and Radiotelecommunication Satellite
1. AMSAT reported the news from the ham radio society, saying that other schools and educational institutions are preparing to follow suit.

According to AMSAT, the satellite is still in safe mode and being tested.
The radio society expects to announce when hams will be able to use it.
The satellite was deployed from the International Space Station on June
22nd. MIR-SAT1 has an expected lifetime of between two and three years
and during that time it is expected to make ground contact with Mauritius
four to five times daily.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(AMSAT)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N8NC repeater
of the North Coast Amateur Radio Club in Brunswick, Ohio, on Sundays at 8
p.m. during the weekly information net.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SPAIN PREPARES FOR TWIN SATELLITE LAUNCHES

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in Spain, hams await the scheduled launch next
month of two AMSAT-EA Genesis satellites. John Williams, VK4JJW, brings
us up to date.

JOHN: The satellites are called GENESIS-L and GENESIS-N, and their
planned launch on September 2nd has been eagerly anticipated by Spain's national amateur radio society, the URE. The launch is to take place
at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base, where the two digital
repeating satellites will take to the sky along with a number of other satellites. The GENESIS satellites, built by students from the European University, wlil be using Amplitude Shift Keying, and CW.

Additional details, and a list of the satellites' working frequencies,
can be found on the URL website, which is listed in the script of this
week's newscast at arnewsline.org

https://www.ure.es/satelites-genesis-de-amsat-ea-2/

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(URE, SOUTHGATE)

**

SWEEPING ANTENNA ARRAY DELIVERS GALAXIES IN HIGH-DEFINITION

PAUL/ANCHOR: Back here on earth, many of us know the benefits of high- definition, especially when it comes to video images. But now scientists
in the UK are making use of some benefits of high-definition imagery,
thanks to a huge antenna array in Europe. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has those details.

JEREMY: Scientists are crediting 70,000 one-metre-high antennas with
helping unveil new insights into how our solar system came into being,
by providing as-yet unattainable visual details. The array is letting scientists gather ultra-high-definition imagery to get a clearer picture
of various galaxies as they give birth to planets and suns. The radio
imagery they are using is the result of a linked international network
of telescopes known as LOFAR, for Low Frequency Array. Although most of
the antennas are in nine nations throughout Europe, the majority are in
The Netherlands.

According to Neal Jackson of the University of Manchester, the imagery
is permitting researchers to see more clearly what happens inside
galaxies when planets and suns are being created. He told the BBC,
"These high-resolution images allow us to zoom in, to see what's really
going on when supermassive black holes launch these jets of material."

The project leader, Leah Morabito, of Durham University in the UK, said scientists believe images such as these are giving greater insight into
the creation of our own solar system too. According to the BBC, for the
array to work, the team had to find a way to gather and digitise signals received by each antenna. The signals were then sent to a central
processor for combination with all the other images being gathered by
the rest of the array.

Leah Morabito told the BBC that the team plans to scan numerous galaxies
in the years ahead, adding, "I think we're definitely in for some
surprises."

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(BBC)

**

SPECIAL NYC EVENT MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

PAUL/ANCHOR: Many of the hams who will be on the air on September 11th
calling QRZ from New York City, were in a very different place 20 years
ago. Some of them hurried to the World Trade Center in Manhattan, as first-responders to the terror strikes that day. They were answering a
call then - and this year, they are the ones calling to mark the painful anniversary.

The first-responders and their friends and supporters are hams in the Northeast Wireless Radio Club, NW2C, and the Great South Bay Amateur
Radio Club, W2GSB. They will be on the air together from 10 a.m. to
8 p.m. Eastern Time, operating special event station W2T, using CW,
SSB, and the digital modes.

Hams may also contact them via satellite. In the words of their station, Whiskey Two Tango, "We Will Never Forget." Mark it on your calendar.

(MIKE SARTORETTI, KC2SYF)

**

IN NEW ZEALAND, BACKYARDS GO BACK ON THE AIR

PAUL/ANCHOR: What do SOTA activators do when the summits are off limits?
In New Zealand, the answer is right there in their backyards. We hear
more from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Nothing - not even a solar flare or even a pandemic - could stop
the Backyards on the Air activation from going ahead recently in New
Zealand. The pandemic, in fact, was actually the inspiration for the
event on Sunday, August 22nd. It was born in the spring of 2020, as
lockdown enveloped the nation. A group of SOTA activators looked for
new options, because their beloved summits had been declared off
limits.

Organiser Mark Sullivan, ZL3AB, said this recent activation found
participants once again in their backyards, and after two hours of
calling QRZ, some boasted contacts with the US and VK, as well as
around New Zealand. Mark described his own activation as a bit less
successful, owing to a pole that collapsed, and someone's child
next-door playing with an incredibly loud toy lawn mower.

Mark did encourage and reward experimentation, however. In his
invitation to participants, he wrote: "It should go without saying
that double points will be awarded to anyone who operates using.....
a Delta loop."

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(MARK SULLIVAN ZL3AB)
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* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

AMATEUR RADIO TEAM EYES NASA'S GATEWAY PROJECT

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're old enough to remember when amateur radio first
went on the air on the International Space Station almost 21 years ago,
you can probably appreciate the slow and careful effort that's being made
now with respect to NASA's Gateway project, the multi-purpose station
being designed for eventual lunar orbit. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, tells us
about ham radio's interest in the project.

NEIL: The amateur radio exploration team (AREx), an international team of
ham radio organizations, is crossing its collective fingers that one day
ham radio will be welcome aboard the NASA's Gateway project in much the
same way ham radio eventually ended up on the ISS.

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, a co-leader of the team, said AREx is "cautiously optimistic" that at some point one of the modules to be launched later
for the Gateway may provide some optimal conditions for a ham shack,
including access to reliable power from the sun and a good field of view
of the earth to enable radio contacts. Even with those conditions met, however, NASA would still have to commit to a ham radio presence on
board. Frank said: [quote] "We are being patient and working with NASA as
to what is the best approach...We are just staying engaged." [endquote]

The Gateway's first modules are already earmarked to launch together commercially. Those are the HALO, the astronauts' pressurized living
quarters, and the Power Propulsion Element. Frank said that modules to be launched after these first two may provide even richer fields of view of
the earth. Meanwhile, unlike the development of the ARISS program on
board the ISS two decades ago, he said, progress is expected to be intermittent.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(NASA, FUNK TELEGRAMM MAGAZINE, FRANK BAUER KA3HDO)

**

FATHER-DAUGHTER CYCLISTS CONCLUDE RADIO EXPEDITION

JIM/ANCHOR: After a successful bicycle tour and fundraiser, a bicycling father-daughter team is back home in England. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us
how their adventure went.

ED: The father-daughter cycling ham radio team of Kevin Richardson,
G0PEK, and Lauren Richardson, 2E0HLR, have come to their journey's end.
Their Megacycle Expedition finished as planned on August 25th in northern Scotland. Starting at Land's End, it was a 28-day trek of more than 1,700-kilometres and was a fundraiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. They also raised contacts along the way via amateur radio,
using their home call signs while on VHF and UHF during the day and using MX0KRO, the callsign of the Kent Active Radio Amateurs group, when
camping.

Hams and non-hams alike followed them on Twitter and their Megacycle Expedition Facebook page where they got to see the two adventurers reach
their finish line in northern Scotland. There, the duo even participated
in International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend operating on HF from
the lighthouse at Cape Wrath.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(FACEBOOK)

**

BONAIRE AMATEURS FORM NEW AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

JIM/ANCHOR: What does it take to form a new amateur radio club? Sometimes
it's just a handful of willing radio operators who share the same island
in the southern Caribbean ocean. John Williams, VK4JJW, takes us there.

JOHN: The newest ham radio club on the world map is wasting no time
getting things done. The Bonaire Amateur Radio Club PJ4BAR celebrated its recent birth by hosting a field day on Sorobon Beach from August 27th
through to the 29th. For now, the fledgling club's membership boasts all
nine active radio amateurs who call Bonaire their home fulltime, with additional membership among those amateurs who have addresses on the
island but live elsewhere much of the time. Still, the club does enjoy fellowship on and off the air and its weekly meetings often last until
late into the night. So if you should hear the club callsign on the air,
be sure to work the station -- and don't forget to send those QSL cards
to M Zero U R X [M0URX].

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(OHIO PENN DX)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
in Beavercreek, and Wilsonville, Oregon, on Sundays, at 6 p.m. local
time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

MEET ARRL MAXIM AWARD WINNER: KATHERINE FORSON, KT5KMF

DON/ANCHOR: A Texas high school honor student has received the
ARRL's premier honor, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award. Paul
Braun, WD9GCO, introduces us to her.

PAUL: As we discover every year with our Young Ham Of The Year
award, there are some amazing young people in our hobby today. One
of those is Katherine Forson, KT5KMF, the American Radio Relay
League's 2021 Hiram Percy Maxim Award winner.

I spoke with the remarkable young woman, who was licensed as a Tech
at the age of nine, and was an Extra five years later. Forson said
she loves the public-service aspect of amateur radio, and
participates in a variety of local events throughout the year. She's
also fascinated by the opportunities that the digital modes, such as
FT-8, afford operators. But what's most interesting to her is that
ham radio has helped her decide her future:

FORSON: This is actually pretty interesting because ham radio has
helped me a lot in figuring that out. Yes, I am a trained Skywarn
storm spotter - I actually want to be a meteorologist. I finished
just a couple weeks ago my application to Texas A&M. They have an
incredible geosciences program there and specifically meteorology.
They have the oldest ham radio club in Texas on campus and they also
have a student storm chasing team.

PAUL: When asked if she had any advice for other young women who may
be hesitant about getting into radio or science, like she did, she
offered this:

FORSON: If it's something you want to do, you go for it. I can
remember when I first got licensed, when I was taking my test it was
this room full of adult men and I was this tiny 9-year-old girl and
I tried to use a giant calculator. It was awkward at first, but it's
become something that I love, it's given me something that I have in
common with my family, and it's helped me figure out what I want to
do with my life so I think, even if it's intimidating at first,
don't let that stop you. Don't let being one of the few women, one
of the few young girls, stop you.

PAUL: Forson is working with other Texas-area female hams to create
a YL-friendly online community tied into the ARRL North Texas
section website.

Promoting youth in amateur radio is something near and dear to our
hearts here at Amateur Radio Newsline. Our 2020 Young Ham of the
Year, Chris Brault, was a former Maxim Award winner himself.
Congratulations from all of us at Newsline to Katherine Forson, who
has a bright future ahead. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun,
WD9GCO.

**

US HAMS ACTIVATE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

DON/ANCHOR: America's Appalachian Trail has always captured hikers' imaginations, and next month, it will be capturing hundreds and
hundreds of miles of radio signals. Jim Damron, N8TMW, has that
report.

JIM: In the United States, the 2,190-mile-long Appalachian Trail
will present 2,190 miles of possibilities for SOTA and POTA
activators on Saturday, October 2nd. SOTA enthusiasts are already
registering to activate summits that are within a short distance on
the trail and hams will be calling between 1200 UTC and 2100 UTC
throughout the day. If you're an avid hiker as well as a SOTA or
POTA activator, you have time to add your name and your summit or
park of choice to the list by sending an email to A T ontheair at
gmail dot com (ATontheair@gmail.com). SOTA activators may also post
an alert on SOTAWatch. This event is being held on the same day as
the W7A s2s 10-point madness so it's recommended that SOTA chasers
stand by and defer to summits calling other summits.

For details visit the Appalachian Trail on the air website. The URL
is listed in the printed script of this week's newscast at
arnewsline.org

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

[DO NOT READ: atontheair.com]

(SOTA REFLECTOR, ATONTHEAIR)

**

LISATS HAM CLUB TO RETRANSMIT INSPIRATION4 LAUNCH

DON/ANCHOR: If you want to hear history as it happens, be listening
for the audio retransmissions provided by the Launch Information
Service and Amateur Television System. They'll be retransmitting
feeds of the countdown and the booster recovery for SpaceX's
Inspiration4, a three-day mission featuring the first all-civilian
crew inside a Crew Dragon spacecraft. It's a charity flight for the
benefit of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. At the time
Newsline went to production, liftoff was scheduled for September
15th. According to Joe Dolinsky, W0WD, the LISATS (LEE-SATS) Amateur
Radio Club repeater will carry feeds of the transmissions. There is
also a "listen live" button on LISATS.ORG, the (LEE-SATS) website,
which has links to Broadcastify. Listening may also be possible via
EchoLink at WB4ATV.

(JOE DOLINSKY W0WD)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

MINNESOTA HAM GETS SPECIAL RECOGNITION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In amateur radio, where communication and public
service are core elements, some people really shine. One of them
was recently recognized for his efforts by the Civil Air Patrol's
Minnesota Wing. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, has that story.

KENT: Matt Stepaniak, N0TNL, calls his recent honor one of the
proudest moments in his life. The Civil Air Patrol volunteer has been
part of the Minnesota Wing for 20 years. His dedication as a squadron communications officer earned him honors in 2015, with the Robert
Dunbar Memorial Award, presented for his use of his amateur radio
technical skills in his work.

His latest honor came in October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a new spotlight shining on Matt, who's formally
known as 1st Lt. Matthew Stepaniak. In addition to training other
volunteers to use their radios, he has played a key role in emergency
response, coordinating his efforts with the local Salvation Army. On
Fridays at 9 p.m., he is dispatcher for the Viking squadron's FM
network. Matt has cerebral palsy, and fulfills all these
responsibilities and more from home, where his equipment includes his
ham shack, as well as his Civil Air Patrol radio and antenna.

In the Civil Air Patrol announcement of his honor, Matt describes his
Civil Air Patrol work as a perfect channel for volunteerism and public
service - two things that remain strong to his core, thanks to ham
radio.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(CIVIL AIR PATROL)

**

INDIAN HAM CONVENTION IN HYDERABAD DRAWS CROWD

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In India, a crowd of enthusiastic attendees showed
up for a convention that had been cancelled last year due to the
pandemic. Here's Graham Kemp, VK4BB, with details.

GRAHAM: Billed as the first technical convention for ham radio
operators to be held following India's COVID lockdown, the Lamakaan
Amateur Radio Club's fourth convention attracted enthusiastic
attendees to Hyderabad on Saturday, Dec. 11th and Sunday, Dec. 12th.
The convention drew a full array of speakers to the Muffakham Jah
College of Engineering and Technology, and was livestreamed via
satellite built by hams in India to those who were not among the 400
convention attendees. Last year's event was cancelled because of the
pandemic. This year, the programme included forums on Cubesats,
software defined radio, DXing, satellites and the digital modes. Hams
were encouraged to share their experiences in experimenting with radio
and other wireless technologies.

The college hoped that by hosting the event, students would also be
spurred to obtain their amateur radio licences. Professor Mohammed
Arifuddin Sohel, head of the school's Department of Electronics and Communications, said during the first day's opening remarks that he
believed the students would be inspired by what they saw and heard.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(YOUTUBE, TELAGANA TODAY, THE HINDU)

**

FOXHUNT ENTHUSIASTS PREP FOR BIG CHALLENGE IN TURKEY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: With an ancient city as their backdrop, foxhunt
enthusiasts, are preparing for a big challenge in Turkey. Here's
Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, with that report.

JASON: Get ready for a gathering of nations in Turkey for some serious foxhunting this month. Between December 20th and 26th, amateur radio foxhunters will set off near the ruins of the 7th century Turkish city
of Side on the Mediterranean coast. The challenge is being called the
First International Radio-Orienteering Competition and it is being
hosted by the UA Foxhunters of Ukraine, and the NEO Sports Club.
Although the contest follows all the IARU rules for staging and
scoring, this is not an official IARU championship. There will be two
Classic events, a sprint competition, and radio orienteering over the
course of the seven days. For details visit the event website at
wrocturkey.com

Meanwhile, plans are already in the works for the next IARU world
competition. That is most likely to be hosted by the Amateur Radio
Union of Serbia in September 2022. This will be the 20th IARU ARDF
World Championship, and will closely follow World Cup competitions
for individual foxhunters.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(HOMINGIN.COM, WROCTURKEY.COM)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

NEW LICENSE LEVEL PROPOSED FOR IRELAND

DON/ANCHOR: Some changes are in the works for Ireland's amateur radio licenses. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, brings us up to date.

JEREMY: ComReg, the Irish telecommunications agency, plans to introduce a
new level of amateur radio licence at either a novice or entry level, targeting younger licence candidates in particular. Ireland presently has
only one class of ham radio licence. The recommendation is outlined in the agency's recent statement on a Strategy for Managing the Radio Spectrum
from 2022 to 2024.

ComReg describes the rationale behind the introduction of the new licence, which would not require full knowledge of HAREC - the Harmonised Amateur
Radio Examination Certificate. The document further states that Ireland is interested in [quote] "nurturing, developing and deploying STEM talent and
the availability of a novice licence would enable the amateur radio service
to act in the national interest." [endquote]

Some clarification would still be needed with respect to CEPT, which has separate definitions and suggested syllabi relating to Entry, Novice and
Full licences.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(COMREG, SOUTHGATE)

**

HAM INVOLVEMENT SOUGHT FOR MOON MISSION

DON/ANCHOR: Japan's space agency is looking for hams to participate in the mission of a very tiny, ULTRA tiny, moon lander. John Williams, VK4JJW,
tells us what's involved.

JOHN: The JAXA Ham Radio Club, JQ1ZVI, has a date with the moon in
February, and is hoping to take the world's amateur radio community along
for the ride, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, is looking
for amateur radio operators to receive telemetry from the transmitters on board its 6U CubeSat, which it is calling OMOTENASHI. The 70cm amateur band signals will be sent from both the orbiting satellite and the moon lander. Described as the world's smallest moon lander, it will transmit on UHF
only. Although there is a ground station in Japan at Wakayama, hams around
the world will be asked to listen for the transmissions on 437.41 MHz.

More details about the project and how to QSL the reception of
transmissions can be found on the JAXA Ham Radio Club website. We are including a link to that in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/omotenashi/JHRCweb/jhrc.html ]

(JAXA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

CONTEST UNIVERSITY ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS

DON/ANCHOR: Are you ready for Contest University at Dayton Hamvention?
Well, you still have a few months before it happens of course but don't let that stop you from registering. Contest University takes place at the Hope Hotel in Dayton, Ohio, on May 19, which is the day before Hamvention itself opens. Returnees will notice that this is a change of venue. It's closer to the Hamvention site at the fairgrounds in Xenia, and will be the home of
all official contesting activities.

You can register and get more details at the website contestuniversity dot com.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K5ARC repeater
in Gonzales, Louisiana, on Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

DXERS PUSH TO RETAIN ACCESS TO ISLAND GROUP

PAUL/ANCHOR: The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument is
on the map for many avid DXers. Now they're working to make sure
those islands get to stay there. Ralph Squillace, KK6ITF, explains
what's happening.

RALPH: Imagine logging a DX contact from any of the seven islands
and atolls in the central Pacific Ocean managed by the US Fish &
Wildlife Service. This group is known as the Pacific Remote Islands
Marine National Monument. DXpeditions don't happen often there --
in fact it's been almost four years since a five-member team from
the Northern California DX Foundation landed on Baker Island using
the callsign KH1/KH7Z. The foundation's Don Greenbaum, N1DG, is now
leading an effort to open the islands up for more DXers to have the
kind of experience he and his teammates had on Baker Island in
2018. The US Fish & Wildlife Service, along with the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, have received public
comment on the proposal, which has the support of the Foundation.
As a new management plan is being drafted for the islands, DXers
want to be confident it will ensure continued occasional access
there. The comment window closed on January 20th but the Foundation
is hopeful. It said in a statement: [quote] "Ham radio was used by
the early colonizers of Howland, Baker and Jarvis Islands in the
mid 1930s. It is a tradition that extends to today with the 2018
Baker Island radio expedition." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(OHIO PENN DX, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DX FOUNDATION)

**

ONLINE DX MUSEUM PRESERVES RARE AND VINTAGE QSLs

PAUL/ANCHOR: Speaking of DX, many of us would agree, DX never gets
old, even if those cards from far-away locations become vintage. Ed
Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about a unique online museum of sorts that
preserves QSL cards for sharing...we hope, forever.

ED: Jean Michel, F6AJA, has thousands and thousands of QSL cards,
some from rare DX entities, and he didn't even have to turn his rig
on once to get them. Jean Michel has created an online gallery of
images of nearly 20,000 QSL cards sorted into different albums,
including an assortment of the 10 most wanted DXCC entities,
spanning the years 2011 to 2020. The collection contains more than
500 cards from contacts on rare French Pacific Islands, more than
1,000 from the various research bases in Antarctica and
commemorative stations for the IARU and the ITU. That collection
has more than 900 cards. Hams collecting DX from the United States
have contributed images from each of the states, all dating before
1945. The site is in French but is available as an English
translation. We are including the address in the text version of
this week's newscast. You'll also find Jean Michel's email address.
He's always looking to add to his collection and you can write to
him if you're interested in contributing some of your own cards.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: http://LesNouvellesDX.free.fr ]

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: LesNouvellesDX@free.fr ]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(OHIO PENN DX)

**

CLUB CREATES MAP TO CONNECT HAMS IN CANADA

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams in Canada have a new resource to help them locate
other radio operators, as we hear from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: The Georgian Bay Amateur Radio Club VE3OSR in Canada is
offering a way for hams to reconnect with one another through
clubs, especially if they have lost touch during the pandemic.
Clubs throughout Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, are now
shown on a colorful map display which is free online for all hams'
reference. The Georgian Bay amateurs are encouraging other clubs in
Canada to add themselves to the map, which can be done by using the
button labeled "CONTACT" on the bottom of the web page containing
the map. Visit gbarc dot ca stroke clubs dot php
(gbarc.ca/clubs.php)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(GEORGIAN BAY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the KD5DMT repeater in Benton County Arkansas on Saturdays at 7
p.m. local times during the Amateur Radio Information Net on the
Benton County Radio Operators' Repeater System.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

HAMS IN UK PREP FOR PLATINUM JUBILEE SPECIAL EVENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There will be big celebrations everywhere in the UK this
year for the queens' platinum jubilee. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us how
ham radio is getting involved.

JEREMY: Hams in the UK who are planning to operate this June in
celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee should keep their eyes on
the website of the Radio Society of Great Britain. Ofcom has granted permission for callsigns to include the special regional secondary
locator letter Q but its use will require a Notice of Variation. The
website rsgb.org will carry those details shortly. Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II is Britain's longest reigning monarch and thus the first to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Special use call signs have been used by
hams for previous occasions, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee in
2002 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

HAMS JOIN FCC'S TECH ADVISORY COUNCIL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The two newest members of the FCC's Advisory Council are
radio amateurs. Sel Embee, KB3 T Zed D, has the details.

SEL: When the Federal Communications Commission's Technical Advisory
Council holds its first meeting of the year on Feb. 28, two amateur
radio operators will be part of the proceedings for the first time. Greg Lapin, N9GL, chairman of the ARRL's RF Safety Committee, and Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, CEO of the Open Research Institute, have joined the
council following their appointment by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
The FCC relies on the council's advice on a number of issues including artificial intelligence, emerging wireless technologies
and advanced spectrum-sharing technologies.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARRL)

**

DEADLINE NEARS FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT NOMINATIONS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you know a software innovator who's devoted to
helping amateur radio operations improve, you still have a little time
to submit their name for the Amateur Radio Software Award. The deadline
is February 14th. The international award is given each year to developers
of creative open-source programs that follow good development practices
and are available free to users. Previous winners have included Jordan
Sherer, KN4CRD, for JS8Call, and Anthony Good, K3NG, for the K3NG Arduino
CW Keyer.

For details and to find the official nomination form, visit arsaward dot
com (arsaward.com). The winner will be announced in April.

(ARS AWARD WEBSITE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
VK3HJQ repeater in Victoria, Australia, and the EchoLink Conference
Server 69556 and IRLP Node 9556 on Sundays at 9 a.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

CANADIAN AMATEURS RECEIVE GRANT FOR EMCOMM WORK

DON/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the members of the New Westminster
Amateur Radio Club in British Columbia which has been given an $8,000
grant from the province to support and develop its emergency radio
response capabilities. According to a report in the New Westminster
Record, the ham club is among 250 nonprofit groups to receive grants
from an estimated $140 million of funding, which supports public safety
and conservation programs. The grant to the amateur radio club is part
of about $5.5 million earmarked specifically for emergency and safety
services.

(THE NEW WESTMINSTER RECORD)

**

PILOTS FAULT ELECTRONIC 'SPOOFING' OF GPS SIGNALS

DON/ANCHOR: No one likes radio interference - not hams and certainly
not airline pilots. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about interference
that's reportedly impacting planes' navigation.

ED: Radio interference that has created electronic spoofing of GPS
signals is reported to be interfering with aircraft attempting to land
at Israel's Ben Gurion airport, according to several news outlets. The
Times of Israel reports that the signals are coming from defense systems installed in Syria by Russia, and they are having an impact on commercial airliners.

State-owned Israeli TV station KAN said that Moscow has told Israel the signals are part of defense systems designed to protect Russian soldiers
in Syria. A pilot told the KAN news outlet that the signals during the
last four weeks have been as strong as those experienced in early 2019.
The pilot said however, that those earlier signals eventually stopped.
He told the station [quote] "What we've run into is [electromagnetic]
spectrum interference from the east, which has taken us a while to
understand what it is." [endquote]

The reports said that officials believe the interference with commercial planes is collateral damage and that the jamming is directed elsewhere.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(KAN ISRAELI TV, THE TIMES OF ISRAEL, THE TURKISH PRESS)

**

PANEL ASSESSES JAPAN'S EFFORT TO ATTRACT YOUNGER HAMS

DON/ANCHOR: In Japan, officials have begun taking extra steps to ensure amateur radio is accessible for the youngest of the young who aspire to
get their licenses. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, has been following that story.

JASON: Members of a new panel designed to make amateur radio more
accessible for beginners in Japan held their first meeting on January
26th. The Amateur Radio Advisory Board for Wireless Human Resource
Development was created by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications. One of its members is Yoshinori Takao, JG1KTC, president
of the Japan Amateur Radio League.

According to a press release on the Ministry's website, the goals
include fostering experimentation and research in amateur radio and
making activities more accessible for newcomers, especially the very
young. The creation of the panel follows efforts during the past few
years by Yoshinori and the JARL. Working in cooperation with the Japan
Amateur Radio Development Association, the JARL pressed the Ministry
two years ago to find more opportunities for elementary and junior high
school students to learn about amateur radio.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(JARL, SOUTHGATE)

**

AM RALLY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ORIGINAL VOICE MODE

DON/ANCHOR: Amplitude Modulation enthusiasts have been gearing up for
the AM Rally being held from 0000UTC Saturday, February 5th through to
0700 UTC on Monday, February 7th. Plans are in place, even with the
prospect of a CME impacting 40m and up. Technician Class licensees even
have a chance operating AM on 6m, with the preferred frequency of 50.400
MHz. If you don't want to keep a log, you can still submit details about
your participation on the event website. For details, visit amrally.com
Then start listening for the call of "CQ, AM Rally."

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Lookout Mountain Amateur Radio Community's N4LMC repeater and the LMARC SouthEast Link
Digital Systems on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

ISS TO BE DISPOSED OF IN WATERS OF 'POINT NEMO'

JIM/ANCHOR: The deep waters of the South Pacific have been chosen as the
final resting place for the International Space Station in the years
ahead, as we hear from Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

JIM: The region is known as Point Nemo, the South Pacific Oceanic
Uninhabited Area - and it's been selected by NASA as the final resting
place of the International Space Station. The United States space agency intends to retire the space laboratory by 2031 by having it crash into
this remote section of the ocean. While it is no surprise that plans were
in the works for its retirement, NASA had been quiet until recently about
its specific plans. The ISS was launched in 2000 and NASA has said, in announcing its plans that it intends to keep the space station operational until the very end. Its experiments and its many contacts through the
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program, have kept it and
its more than 200 astronauts and cosmonauts in the spotlight over the
years. NASA plans to yield the space station's position among the stars to commercial ventures. The final destination for the ISS is about 2,000
miles north of Antarctica and 3,000 miles off the eastern coast of New Zealand. Since 1971, it's been a place that has become home to space
debris from other nations, including Russia and Japan.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(CNN)

**

PROBE CONCLUDES THAT RADIO WAVES SICKENED US DIPLOMATS

JIM/ANCHOR: Radio waves have been pinpointed as the source of some health issues suffered by US diplomats overseas. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, has that update.

KENT: A panel of investigators working for United States intelligence
agencies has concluded that highly directional electromagnetic pulses are partly to blame for a baffling set of brain injuries reported by American spies and diplomats working abroad as far back as 2016.

The scientists' conclusions affirm one previous theory for what has come
to be called "Havana Syndrome." The findings indicate the radio signals
were transmitted by an external device, afflicting some Central
Intelligence Agency officers and diplomats. The panel's probe did not
include attempts to determine who was behind the transmissions of the
pulsed electromagnetic energy. The syndrome takes its name from the first group of people who exhibited such symptoms while assigned to the US
Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Officials have said that similar symptoms have
since been reported by Americans working for the US government in 70
different countries.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY

(NYTIMES, NBC)

**

SILENT KEY: PACKET RADIO PIONEER BOB BRUNINGA, WB4APR

JIM/ANCHOR: A pioneer in the development of APRS has become a Silent Key.
With those details, here's Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

NEIL: The developer of the Automatic Packet Reporting System, or APRS, has become a Silent Key. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, died on Monday, February 7th, according to a post on AMSAT's Facebook page quoting his daughter,
Bethanne. He had been battling cancer for two years and was also diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the post. More than a quarter-century ago, Bob developed the now-widely-used packet radio technology that enables real-
time tracking over ham frequencies.

Bob, a US Navy veteran, had also been senior research engineer at the US
Naval Academy's small satellite lab in Annapolis, Maryland. He, was author
of the book "Energy Choices for the Radio Amateur," published by the ARRL.
Bob wrote on his QRZ page that his ham radio journey began in 1963 with
the Novice callsign WN4APR. He was a life member of AMSAT organization and belonged to the IEEE National Committee on Transportation and Aerospace Policy.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT, IEEE, QRZ, FACEBOOK)

**

SPECIAL EVENT MARKS 80 YEARS SINCE VOA'S 1ST BROADCAST

JIM/ANCHOR: The original 75Kw transmitter that went on the air for the
first Voice of America broadcast 80 years ago this month is the
centerpiece of a special event station celebrating that historic
anniversary. The transmitter no longer works and is part of an exhibit at
the VOA museum in West Chester, Ohio, but there are plenty of working transmitters - and transceivers - to celebrate the day it went live on February 1st, 1942. Hams will be calling QRZ as W3V, W8O and W4A - on February 19th and 20th - from VOA sites in Washington, DC; West Chester,
Ohio; and Greenville, North Carolina. Jocelyn Brault, KD8VRX, of the West Chester Amateur Radio Association, WC8VOA, said certificates will be
available for anyone who works any or all of the three stations. There
will also be digital QSL cards for each individual site as well as paper
QSLs. Be listening on CW, SSB and FT8 both days between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time. For details, visit any of the three stations' pages on
QRZ.com.

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SOLAR STORM DISABLES SOME STARLINK SATELLITES

PAUL/ANCHOR: Satellites destined for the Starlink constellation were lost
just a day after launch as the result of a solar storm. Andy Morrison,
K9AWM, picks up that story.

ANDY: A geomagnetic storm disrupted nearly 50 SpaceX Starlink satellites
that were in low-earth orbit following their deployment one day earlier.
The satellites went into safe mode to minimize atmospheric drag's effects
on their orbits but Starlink said as many as 40 of them would likely be
lost, becoming little more than space debris when they dropped out of
their allocated orbit. According to several news reports, the storm made
the atmosphere too dense for the satellites to make their way to the
higher altitudes of their planned orbits. The February 3rd launch sought
to add the new satellites to the 2,000 or so already in the Starlink constellation providing space-based internet access. According to CNN,
there are about 145,000 Starlink subscribers in 25 countries.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(CNN, SPACE.COM)

**

UK HAMS MARK 100 YEARS OF BRITISH BROADCASTING

PAUL/ANCHOR: Even as the London BBC Radio Group marks 100 years of
British broadcasting by operating its special event station GB100BBC, a
second group of hams in the UK is creating its own party. Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH, brings us those details.

JEREMY: The Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is marking the centenary
this month of a programme aired on the 14th of February 1922, one hundred years ago, from a hut not far from Chelmsford.

Preceded by the familiar station announcement of "This is Two Emma Toc,"
the programme itself featured talk and occasional piano music - all transmitted at 200 watts on a frequency of 428 kHz. This entertainment broadcast helped bring about the creation of what was to become the BBC
in 1922.

The Chelmsford hams will be on HF, VHF and UHF and are operating all
month as GB1002MT. They will confirm QSOs via eQSL and LoTW only.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(SOUTHGATE, CHELMSFORD AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY)

**

AMSAT SOUTH AFRICA SEEKS PAPERS FOR SYMPOSIUM

PAUL/ANCHOR: AMSAT South Africa is looking for presenters for its virtual symposium being held in July. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, has that story.

JASON: With the COVID-19 pandemic still a major concern, AMSAT South
Africa will be holding its annual space symposium as a virtual event
again this year. The one-day event will take place on Saturday the 23rd
of July, showcasing the theme "Space, the next frontier for expansion of amateur radio."

Organisers are still seeking proposals for papers and are asking that all prospective presenters send in their submissions by the 31st of March.
Each presenter will receive a time slot of 20 to 30 minutes and will be
given a 10-minute period for questions and answers.

Topics may range from the basics on how to use hand-held transceivers to
work satellites all the way to more complex issues, such as building satellites or conducting space research with a space weather station.

Accepted presentations are due in by the 1st of July in Microsoft Word
and PowerPoint format. For details, email organisers at admin at amsatsa
dot org dot za (admin@amsatsa.org.za).

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(AMSAT-SA, SARL)

**

SPECIAL EVENT BRINGS PLUTO A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME

PAUL/ANCHOR: Want to work Pluto? Well there's still time and it's not the
kind of DX contact you think. Here's Randy Sly, W4XJ, to tell you how.

RANDY: When tuning across the ham bands, you never know what you'll
encounter. This week, for instance, you might hear operators talking
about the planet Pluto and its discovery. The Northern Arizona DX
Association is, again, hosting its annual Pluto Anniversary Countdown, celebrating the discovery of the planet by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. This
is the second year for the special event from the Lowell Observatory in Arizona. The special event will end in its centennial year of 2030.

You may hear stories like some from last year, when contacts talked about meeting the famed astronomer at their grade school, at star parties or
through an astronomy course. One contact, Uno Carlsson, KC3EJS, was an aerospace engineer and part of the team for the New Horizons project that
did a fly-by of Pluto in 2015.

Look for W7P on the air through February 21st. You might even have a
chance to talk with Doug Tombaugh, N3PDT, nephew of the man whose
discovery changed a bit of how we look at our galaxy. Doug and four
other hams are operating as W7P/0.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

DIGITAL VOICE EMERGENCY NETWORK PLANNED IN MAINE

NEIL/ANCHOR: The largest United States county east of the Mississippi
River is about to get its first digital amateur radio emergency service
to be affiliated with the county. Jim Damron, N8TMW, has that story.

JIM: There's a lot of ground to cover in Aroostook [pronounced: uh-ROO-
stick] County, Maine, which at more than 6600 square miles, has a lot
going on when disaster strikes. A group of amateur radio operators
calling themselves the Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio Service are now
working to establish formal emergency communications structure in that
rural county with D-STAR. The idea is to connect hams with one another as
well as local and state agencies using that digital voice mode. Emergency response is already provided from the Aroostook Amateur Radio Association
and ARES, but Caribou's response will primarily come alongside those of
county agencies using D-STAR. Caribou announced on its Facebook page
earlier this month that it is working to establish the first D-STAR
repeater in northern Maine.

Meanwhile, T.H. Merritt, KM4TJI, the group's president and cofounder,
told a Bangor, Maine newspaper that the group has already met with local
fire, police and emergency medical services. He said that the Caribou
group is being created based on his experience as an emergency radio
operator in Florida and has a membership of 17. That is expected to grow
as more people sign up and begin studying for their ham radio licenses.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(BANGOR DAILY NEWS)

**

AMATEURS ENJOY TWO QSO PARTIES IN ONE

NEIL/ANCHOR: What's better than one QSO party? Try two that are going on
in the Carolinas. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, has the details.

KEVIN: In the United States, North and South Carolina are teaming up for
a two-QSO-party weekend: On Saturday, February 26th, hams in South
Carolina's 46 counties will be chasing contacts. There is a new category
for hams operating portable from temporary stations, activating in one or
more counties. Expedition stations may move from county to county.'

On Sunday, February 27th, it's North Carolina's turn and hams will be
chasing contacts in that state's 100 counties. There are bonus points for working the NC4QP bonus station as well as the callsigns N4D, N4U, N4K,
N4E -- all the stations having suffixes that spell "DUKE" in honor of
Duke University, the pride of North Carolina.

For details on both QSO parties, see the text version of this week's
Newsline script at arnewsline.org.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ:

https://ncqsoparty.org/ http://scqso.com/ ]

From beautiful Aiken, South Carolina, this is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, for Amateur Radio Newsline.

**

HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY WORKSHOPS NOW ONLINE

NEIL/ANCHOR: If there was a workshop you wanted to attend at the virtual
Ham Radio University conference, but missed it, now's your chance to make
up for lost time. Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us how.

STEPHEN: Held on January 8th as a virtual conference, Ham Radio
University may be over but it's not gone. Videos of the day-long event
have been uploaded to YouTube where any number of workshops are available
for viewing. Whether you couldn't attend HRU or weren't able to get to
all the workshops you wanted, the HRU YouTube channel makes it easy to
see what you missed.

In addition to the introductory classes for DXing and the basics of HF operating, presenters also cover contesting, the various logging programs
out there, Parks on the Air, the HF digital modes and QRP operations. As
well as several other topics covered in the videos, an assortment of
workshops from previous years complete the channel. Ham Radio University played host to the ARRL New York City / Long Island Section Convention.

Find a link to the channel in the text for this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org

[PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: www.youtube.com/c/HamRadioUniversityNLI/videos]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(HRU)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

TRANSATLANTIC TRIUMPH FOR REPLICA TRANSMITTER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A transmitter that was built to honor the one used 100
years ago during the famous Transatlantic Tests scored big during brief
QSO Party on Saturday, February 26th. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, tells us
about it.

KENT: It was a memorable moment as the 100-year-old vacuum tubes inside a replica of the Transatlantic Test transmitter powered a signal that once
again spanned an ocean -- and perhaps even time. For three hours, three
museum volunteers put callsign W2AN/1BCG on the air, marking the
successful completion of repairs done since the replica's activation for
the December centennial of the historic December 1921 test. Ed Gable,
K2MP, Peter Schuch, WB2UAQ, and Bill Hopkins, AA2YV, operated for three
hours from upstate New York feeding a T-antenna with lots of radials. The moment seemed right: Ed told Newsline that [quote] "a very nice thing happened." [endquote] He said operators crowding the bands in the
weekend's 160m SSB contest appeared to move aside and make room for the important 375-watt transmission. Some high points:Reaching farther west in
the US to log W8KGI in New Mexico -- and crossing the ocean once more,
logging OH1XX in Finland, and YO2VG in Romania. Ed, the museum's curator emeritus, said this ends the 100-year-celebration. He said [quote] "The transmitter now goes into display mode at the museum and will wake up
sometime in someone else's future." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(ED GABLE, K2MP/W2AN)

**

GERMAN YL BECOMES NEW YOUNGEST ADVANCED LICENSEE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The newest advanced class license-holder in Germany is a
YL barely in her teens. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about her.

ED: A 13-year-old girl in Germany can now join the rest of her family on
the air, and celebrate her recent achievement: Congratulations to
Frederike D�tsch, DH9FD, who has become the country's youngest person to currently hold a Class A radio amateur licence. She follows in the
footsteps of another bright YL, Laura Bergmann, DL2JJ, who was only 10
years old in 2017 when holding her previous callsign of DO9JJ, upgraded
her licence from novice to full, joining both her parents on the air.

Frederike passed her license exam administered by BNetzA, the Federal
Network Agency and now joins her parents and her grandfather as active
hams. According to a press release from the DARC, she has been a member of
the German amateur radio club since late last year. With her new advanced level of licence, she is permitted to transmit on all ham radio
frequencies in Germany. Be listening for her on the air.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(DARC)

**

NEWSLINE'S YHOTY 2022 NOMINATIONS OPEN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Online nominations are now being accepted for the Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year
award. Newsline’s Mark Abramowicz (pronouncer- Abram-uh-vich) NT3V is the chairman of the YHOTY award committee, and has this report.

MARK: Our founder, the late Bill Pasternak WA6ITF, established this award
45 years ago to recognize the outstanding achievements of young people -
boys and girls - through amateur radio.

It brought him great joy to read the many nominations he forwarded to a
select group of judges to choose the winner. He insisted an independent
panel of amateur radio's best to pick from the nominees.

I can tell you, Bill was always thrilled with the results.

I know this, because Bill asked me to fill a board vacancy and serve as the chairman of the award and judging committee in 2002.

I was honored when Josh Abramowicz KB3GWY, now KK4WDP, my son, was
nominated by a fellow Scouter to receive the award, and we met in
Huntsville where Bill presented it.

We lost Bill in 2015.

However, his legacy lives on as the Amateur Radio Newsline staff
unanimously agreed to attach his name to the award to honor his memory.

Now, it's up to you! We here at Newsline need your help to identify a
young person 18 years or younger living in the Continental USA to nominate
for the 2022 award.

The nomination form and details are available on our website -
arnewsline.org. We only accept online nominations to speed the process
and make it easier for you to compile photos, letters, emails, and anything else you can think of to help us get to know the young person you're endorsing. The most important link right now in all of this is you.

Don't wait until the last minute because a good nomination packet takes
time to prepare. The deadline for nominations is May 31.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

SILENT KEY: ETHERNET NETWORKING'S DAVID BOGGS, WA3DBJ

NEIL/ANCHOR: Everyone, in their own way, leaves a mark on the world.
Paul Braun, WD9GCO, tells us about one ham who changed the world. This
ham recently became a Silent Key.

PAUL: David Boggs, WA3DBJ, was part of the team who invented the packet- switching ethernet networking standard that now connects most of the
world's computers. Even if you use Wi-Fi, some part of the signal chain
is connected with ethernet. David became a Silent Key on February 19th, according to his wife, Marcia Bush.

David worked in the iconic Computer Science Laboratory, part of the
legendary Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, or PARC. This is the place
where, in the early 1970s, a group of brilliant minds invented most of
the concepts and hardware that would define modern computing as we know
it today. His partner in the effort, Bob Metcalfe, once described Boggs
as "the perfect partner. I was more of a concept artist, and he was a build-the-hardware-in-the-back-room engineer." To us, it makes perfect
sense that it was a ham who took an idea, went into the workshop and
figured out how to cobble the hardware together. His legacy lives on
almost everywhere you look.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

**

SILENT KEY: DISASTER RELIEF VOLUNTEER EDWARD WARREN COX, KE3D

NEIL/ANCHOR: A Texas man whose six decades on the air were marked by his advocacy for disaster relief communications as well as amateur radio in education has become a Silent Key. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has that story.

JACK: A veteran of the US Army Signal Corps, where he served during the Vietnam War, Edward Warren Cox, KE3D, continued his commitment to
service throughout the years that followed. A ham for nearly six
decades, he volunteered in emergency and disaster relief communications, especially during hurricanes and assisted in the conversion of an
ambulance into a mobile command center.

Ed died on February 21st in Austin, Texas.

First licensed as a ham with the callsign KN3SWJ in 1962, he became an
avid DXer and DXpeditioner. He eventually earned a license in the UK as
G5EC and held CEPT permits to operate in Belgium, Germany and The
Netherlands. An advocate for amateur radio in education, he worked as a volunteer at a number of schools assisting with radio contact with some
of NASA's Space Shuttles, in a program that predated ARISS. He was the
husband of Joan Cox KD4SRD and a life member of the ARRL, RACES and
ARES. He was also a member of the Austin Amateur Radio Club, which has established the Ed Cox KE3D Memorial Fund which will help provide radio equipment for schools.

Ed Cox was 75.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(THE STATESMAN)

**

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR SEA-PAC

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you're heading to Oregon for SEA-PAC, now is the time to register. Here's Stephen Kinford, N8WB, with details.

STEPHEN: SEA-PAC, the largest amateur radio convention in the American Northwest, is promising "sand, surf, and radios" - and all of it in
person this summer. Online registration opened on the 7th of March. The convention, which is happening June 3rd through the 5th, will be at the Seaside Convention Center in Oregon. This will also serve as the
location for the ARRL's Northwestern Division convention. According to
the SEA-PAC website, the event will comply with whatever state and local regulations are in effect for COVID-19 at the time. A SEA-PAC QSO Party
will be held the weekend before - on May 28th - to get everyone ready
for the three-day event. For registration or information visit the
website at seapac dot org (seapac.org)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(SEA-PAC)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including OH-KY-
IN Amateur Radio Society's K8SCH repeater in Cincinnati, Ohio, on
Wednesdays at 9 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

ARECIBO REOPENS TO VISITORS IN PUERTO RICO

SKEETER/ANCHOR: The Arecibo Observatory, former home of the iconic radio telescope, is opening its doors to visitors once more, as Mike Askins,
KE5CXP, tells us.

MIKE: The powerful radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto
Rico is long gone following a collapse in 2020, but its visitor center and observation deck are back in business. Guests making reservations in
advance are able to see what's left of the reflective dish that helped researchers win a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1993.

Ricardo Correa, director of communications, told United Press
International: [quote] "Arecibo is not closed anymore." [endquote]. He
said that scientific research still continues at the United States
National Science Foundation facility using such tools as a 12-meter
telescope and a LIDAR scanning to study the atmosphere by bouncing laser
beams off particles above our planet.

There is also a tribute to the iconic radio telescope itself. An outdoor exhibit features artifacts recovered from the telescope and its platform.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

(UPI)

**

OHIO SCHOOL HAM CLUB TRANSMITS WISDOM, WIRELESSLY

SKEETER/ANCHOR: In one Ohio school, lessons on electronics theory and the electromagnetic spectrum have graduated to a level way beyond theory. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, brings us that story.

ANDY: On Tuesday nights in a high school biology room, members of the Columbiana Clippers Amateur Radio Club, K8LPS, can be found calling QRZ.
Not only are they logging contacts; they're gaining a deeper understanding
of the lessons about the electromagnetic spectrum taught at the school
since 2018 by Columbiana Police Sgt. Wade Boley, N8YMX, one of the
school's resource officers. The club rig, which was donated by a local business, puts out 100 watts of power and the students are putting out immeasurable enthusiasm.

Wade told the newspaper that ham radio has also provided geography lessons since the students always look up any DX contact they've worked for the
first time. The other map is provided by Wade, teaching youngsters the geography of electronics: how to read circuits and interpret schematics.

Some students, however, are finding a roadmap for life.

Katie Campbell, KE8LQR, told the Morning Journal News newspaper that
becoming a ham has helped her with leadership skills, giving
presentations, mathematics ability and communications. She told the
newspaper: [quote] "Amateur radio in general has helped me in every aspect
of my life." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(MORNING JOURNAL NEWS)

**

HAMVENTION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the winners of this year's awards to be presented at Hamvention. Club of the Year: The Highland Amateur Radio Association in Hillsboro, Ohio; Special achievement: Kerry Banke, N6IZW,
for his years of work with amateur radio in space; Technical achievement:
Adam Farson VA7OJ / AB4OJ, for his ongoing technical support to hams
globally; and Amateur of the Year, Jim Simpson, KF8J. Awards will be
presented in Xenia, Ohio the weekend of Hamvention, May 20th through the
22nd.

(MICHAEL KALTER, W8CI, TIM DUFFY, K3LR)

**

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Hams use less visible parts of the natural world: the electromagnetic spectrum and the ionosphere. And now hams around the world
are getting ready to call attention to that same world's more visible and treasured parts: the national parks and protected natural areas in the countries of the Americas. Jim Damron, N8TMW, has the details.

JIM: For one week in April, the World Wide Flora & Fauna program is urging
hams throughout the Americas to participate in its "Parks in the Americas Week" between April 3rd and April 10th. Operation qualifies hams for recognition in the International Awards Program of the WWFF and it makes
each chosen natural setting a winner too. Activation with a portable
station calls attention to these nature preservation areas, which are
listed on the WWFF website. The names of all qualifying natural areas can
be obtained by contacting the national WWFF coordinator in each country.

Ronaldo, PS8RV, the Brazilian national coordinator, wrote on the WWFF
website that hams will be permitted to operate on CW, SSB, FM and FT8 and there will also be awards for shortwave listeners.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(WWFF.CO)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W4HPL repeater
in Cookeville, Tennessee on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

AUSTRALIAN HAMS HELP ONE ANOTHER FOLLOWING FLOOD LOSSES

PAUL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio clubs are proud to be able to help in
disasters - but what happens when the clubs themselves become victims?
John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us how one club in Australia has stepped up
to help a dozen of those whose shacks were devastated by recent floods.

JOHN: An amateur radio club on the border of New South Wales and
Victoria in Australia has come to the rescue of a dozen or so clubs
that, like their own, works to assist communities ravaged by such
disasters as bush fires, earthquakes and floods. In this case, however,
the North East Victoria Amateur Radio Club has stepped in because the
other clubs became victims themselves after recent floods destroyed
their vital radio gear, and in many cases, washed it away. The club has
been providing assistance by collecting funds as well as new radio gear.

Frank Scott, VK2BFC, secretary of the club, told ABC.NET news that a
fund has been created to replace as much of the other clubs' lost gear
as possible. He said many of the clubs belong to the Wireless Institute
of Australia's Civil Emergency Network. According to Frank, most of the equipment that was lost was not covered by flood damage insurance. Frank
said it was difficult to get that kind of insurance for such items as
ham radio equipment, and communication towers.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(ABC.NET)

**

TWO-DAY DRILL IN INDIA PREPS FOR DISASTER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Two groups of hams tested their portable communications capabilities recently on a remote island in India. Jason Daniels,
VK2LAW, tells us about their drill.

JASON: An exercise in emergency preparedness brought hams in one region
of India to a remote island on the River Ganga near Patna, the capital
city of Bihar. It was a two-day field exercise on March 12th and 13th
for members of the Society of Radio Amateurs, relying only on battery
power for more than 30 hours. They were joined by operators from the
Indian Wave of Amateur Radio, VU2IWA, based in Kolkata who, like the
hams from Bihar, know that preparedness is essential in a region like
theirs, which is prone to earthquakes and floods. Radio conditions that weekend were conducive to good contacts. According to a report on the
Global Bihari news site, hundreds of QSOs were made between that remote
island and radio operators as far away as Europe. The hams were pleased
with the results since many of them provide essential communication
during the region's natural disasters.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(GLOBAL BIHARI)

**

AMATEURS FOCUS ON SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Weather preparedness is a priority everywhere, and Randy
Sly, W4XJ, tells us how those of us in the United States can get
involved.

RANDY: As we, here in the United States, approach the season for thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes, the National Weather Service is holding Severe Weather Preparedness Weeks across the country. Tornado
drills, announcements through the media and personal preparation
information are just a few ways the Weather Service is getting the word
out at this time of year to be prepared.

It's a good time for amateur radio operators, involved in ARES, RACES,
CERT, Skywarn, and other groups, to ensure that we are also prepared.
This includes making sure that all radios, accessories along with backup
power sources are fully functional and that all contact information is
up to date with the agencies and organizations served.

Christopher Strong, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the Baltimore/Washington DC Weather Forecast Office told Amateur Radio
Newsline that hams can play a big part in being "weather aware," by
knowing what threats are possible. Hams should have a plan if extreme
weather occurs. Strong said that, during an event, operators are
important as they actively gather impact data from their community and
get that information back to the National Weather Service, which
improves the accuracy of the notifications being issued.

Over the years, the motto: "When all else fails, amateur radio" has
proven true in many situations. This is not only due to amateur
operators' readiness to serve, but our willingness to be prepared.

For more information, go to weather.gov and click on Spring
Preparedness.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

NOMINATE YOUNG AMATEURS FOR NEWSLINE AWARD

PAUL/ANCHOR: It's time to think about the next generation of radio
operators, and appreciate their skill and dedication. Perhaps one of them
will be the next recipient of the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Consider nominating an amateur
radio operator 18 years of age or younger with talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our
website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations close May
31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

RADIO TRIUMPH ATOP CARIBBEAN'S HIGHEST POINT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There was celebration in the Dominican Republic, where
one radio amateur achieved his longtime goal atop the Caribbean's highest peak. Jim Meachen, ZED L 2 B H F, brings us his story.

JIM: There was nothing easy about the climb up Pico Duarte, the highest
point in the Dominican Republic -- indeed the highest point in the
Caribbean -- but Yeudy Marte, HI5YJM, wasn't looking for this to be easy.
When he set off on the morning of Saturday, March 12th with a group of 20
or so hikers, he was looking for a challenge. Yeudy found it there in the
Jose del Carmen Ramirez National Park. His goal was to successfully make
the climb and then activate the peak.

He and his fellow hikers battled a steep path and faced strong winds -
but within an hour of operating, Yeudy had a log he could be proud of. He
told Newsline in an email that, operating on 2 metres FM, he first
contacted Carlos, HI5CBB, followed by Gabriel, HI8GSP. He made 11
contacts within the hour. He had also hoped to operate on 20 metres QRP,
but told Newsline that conditions made that impossible.

Pico Duarte has an elevation of 3,098 metres, or 10,164 feet -- and to
Yeudy, that marked the height of his success.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(YEUDY MARTE, HI5YJM, SOTA REFLECTOR)

**

CLUB ASSIGNED CALLSIGN OF SILENT KEY IN HER HONOR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The former callsign of a friend, leader, and influential
YL who became a Silent Key two years ago is now the callsign of the club
she called home. Dave Parks, WB8ODF, brings us the details.

DAVE: You can detect the presence of Connie Ballantyne twice among her
friends in the CIRCLE Amateur Radio Club. You'll find her in the name of
the club itself, which is an acronym for Connie's International Radio Communicators Linking Electronically. And now, you'll find it in the
club's callsign too: KB0ZSG, which had been Connie's callsign until she
became a Silent Key in February 2020 from breast cancer. Connie's
worldwide legacy included an international D-STAR Net held Sundays at 7
p.m. Central Time in the US. As many as 150 hams check in regularly from around the world.

Club president Steven Reiners, KC9SIO, told Newsline that during the seven-hour net that followed shortly after Connie's death, hams pressed
for the net's name to be changed to honor her. They asked if her callsign could be obtained for the club. Steven said: [quote] "They have all
given me the best advice throughout this long, difficult process."
[endquote]

Steven, who had been Connie's main back up as net control since 2013, is
now working with club members on a third way to keep Connie's presence
among them: establishing a D-Star Repeater bearing her callsign to be permalinked to Reflector 91C. He said the net has been hosted there for
nearly two years thanks to Clayton VK7ZCR, Ian, VK3JS, Nigel, VK3GY; and
Phil, VK3PG. It's no surprise: The reflector is known affectionately as Ninety-One "C" for Connie.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(STEVEN REINERS KC9SIO)

**

LICW CLUB LAUNCHES TALKGROUP ON DMR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: When they're not sending CW, many hams just like to
chat -- and sometimes those ragchews are about CW. Now there's a new home
for discussions such as these. Jim Damron, N8TMW, tells us more.

JIM: Morse Code enthusiasts around the world have been checking into a
new DMR Talk Group that's been launched by the Long Island CW Club. Talk
Group 59973 is on the TGIF Network and is open to anyone with an interest
in - or curiosity about - using CW. Traffic is slowly building on the
Talk Group and activity goes on around the clock. Hams engage in general ragchews, handle technical questions or use the Talk Group to make a date
to get on one of the HF frequencies for a QSO using CW. Hams with
hotspots as well as those with TGIF repeater access are able to check in
once they have registered their DMR ID with the network at tgif dot
network (tgif.network). Then they simply push to talk and put their call
sign out there.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(GROUPS.IO)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

FCC CLARIFIES NEW AMATEUR RADIO APPLICATION FEES

JIM/ANCHOR: In the US, the Federal Communications Commission has
clarified its new application fee which takes effect this month.
Stephen Kinford, N8WB, has the details.

STEPHEN: If you're looking to upgrade your US amateur radio license, the
FCC's new $35 application fee will not apply to you. The commission
recently clarified the circumstances under which the new fees will be
applied when they take effect on April 19th. The FCC said that upgrading amateur radio license classes or changing club station trustees are
exempt from the fee. The fee does not apply to any changes of email
address or postal mailing address either. The fee will be applied
however, for new licenses, renewals, rule waivers or new vanity call
signs.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(FCC, ARRL)

**

HAMS IN INDIA HELP REUNITE MISSING MAN WITH FAMILY

JIM/ANCHOR: Connections between amateur radio operators in different
parts of India proved especially useful for one group of hams looking to reunite a lost man with his family. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us how
it happened.

JOHN: Amateur radio operators have reunited a man from Kolkata, India
with his family after the man went missing last year while taking his
parents on a trip to Kanyakumari, a coastal town on the southern end of
India.

Hams from the West Bengal Radio Club, who have a long track record of
success in solving missing-persons cases, were contacted recently by the
man's father, a retired customs officer in his 70s.

An account in the Millennium Post newspaper tells how Ambarish Nag
Biswas, VU2JFB, club secretary, worked with amateurs in Chennai to track
down the missing man. The hams circulated a photograph of him that was provided by his parents, who had been searching for their son on their
own without luck. According to the newspaper story, on Friday April 1st
the man was seen on the street in Kanyakumari begging for money. A
photograph was taken of him and shown to his parents. Only his father recognised him, due to the son's changed appearance. The father reported
that his son had been prone to depression the past several years. Once
his identity was confirmed, the man was taken into safe custody at a
local police station to await his parents' arrival. Ambarish Nag Biswas
told the newspaper that amateur radio operator, Debdutta Mukherjee,
VU3JXA, was going to accompany the father when he went to retrieve his
son. Kanyakumari is more than 2,000 km from Kolkata.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(MILLENNIUM POST, THE TIMES OF INDIA)

**

GET READY FOR WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams around the world will be marking Monday, April 19th as
World Amateur Radio Day, a day of global friendship. This is the date on
which the International Amateur Radio Union was created in Paris in
1925. Its first president was Hiram Percy Maxim, who was cofounder of
the American Radio Relay League. Hams will be extended the spirit of friendship by doing what they do best - getting on the air. One such
event will be the net being held on the Echolink Conference node 531091 starting at 1300 UTC on April 19th and ending at 0500 UTC on April 20th.
Other events can be found by searching social media platforms with the
hashtag #WorldAmateurRadioDay.

**

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP HELPS TRAIN HAMS FOR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in the US are attending an important virtual workshop
on hurricane preparedness and its various sessions will be available on YouTube afterward. Randy Sly, W4XJ, has those details.

RANDY: As hurricane season moves in along the East Coast of the United
States, amateur radio operators will be able to train for hurricane preparedness during a free workshop being held virtually on Monday April
11th. The workshop is taking place during the National Hurricane
Conference with various sessions being held from 10:30 a.m. to noon and
from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Topics include the
importance of surface reporting by ham radio operators, an overview of
the Hurricane Watch Net, a look at the VoIP Hurricane Net and best
practices in SKYWARN. There will also be a presentation on the Salvation
Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network, known by the acronym SATERN.

The workshop will be held on Zoom. Those who are unable to attend or
missed the workshop altogether can view everything later on Youtube. The workshop may be virtual, but hurricane season is not.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(LLOYD COLSTON, KC5FM)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

MARCONI DAY REAFFIRMS HAMS' CONNECTIONS TO RADIO HISTORY

NEIL/ANCHOR: Marconi Day is another favorite among hams because it
honors our shared history no matter where our QTH is. Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH, tells us about this year's event.

JEREMY: Connections to Guglielmo Marconi are everywhere: In Italy, the
UK, the Falkland Islands, Germany, Austria and the United States. Those locations and more will be lighting up the amateur radio map on April
23rd - the Saturday closest to Marconi's birth date -- as stations get
on the air for International Marconi Day. These are official stations
that have registered with the annual event's organiser, the Cornish
Radio Amateur Club GX4CRC. They will be using the callsign GB4IMD during
the 24 hours. Marconi's actual birthday was the 25th of April, 1874.
Hams are being encouraged to make contact with these historic sites
which have connections to the radio pioneer. Registered stations will
only be active from sites where Marconi had operated from, lived or set
up an experimental station.

Deadline is April 22nd. For details, visit the website in the text
version of this week's newscast.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: gx4crc.com/gb4imd/

(CORNISH RADIO AMATEUR CLUB)

**

CROATIA WILL BE HOME TO IARU REGION 1 YOUTH SUMMER CAMP

NEIL/ANCHOR: Young amateurs who live in Region 1 of the IARU and guests
from regions 2 and 3 can start making plans right now for summer camp.
This year, it's in Croatia. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, has the details.

ED: After the pandemic forced the cancellation of the YOTA summer camp
for two years in IARU Region 1, organisers are back on track. The camp
is accepting attendee applications for this year's camp which will be
held in August in Croatia, in Karlovac, just outside of Zagreb. The host
for this 10th edition of the camp is HRS, the Croatian national amateur
radio association.

Youth coordinators throughout Region 1 are being asked to identify as
many as four participants from their member society and submit the
youngsters' applications no later than May 8th. Each team will consist
of a team leader between the ages of 18 and 30 and a small group of team members, aged 15 to 25. Team leaders may be chosen from attendees of
previous YOTA camps but team members must be first-time attendees. No
more than 80 may attend. The dates for the camp are August 6th through
the 13th.

For additional details about costs and schedules, visit the Youngsters
on the Air website at ham dash yota dot com. (ham-yota.com)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(IARU REGION 1)

**

YOUTH ON THE AIR SEEKS HOST VENUE FOR 2023 SUMMER CAMP

NEIL/ANCHOR: The summer of 2022 isn't here just yet in the Western
Hemisphere, but if you aren't already thinking about the summer of
2023 - yes, that's 2023! - maybe you should be. Andy Morrison, K9AWM,
explains.

ANDY: The Youth on the Air Camp for young amateurs in North, Central and
South America is on the move. While campers prepare for this summer's adventures just north of Cincinnati, Ohio, organizers are looking for a
host site for next year's regional camp and are opening a bidding
process for the next location. The week-long camp is open to licensed
amateur radio operators between the ages of 15 and 25. Potential hosts
should be able to schedule the camp between June 1 and August 15, 2023
and have access to meeting rooms, event space, and lodging that can accommodate 25 to 40 youngsters and 10 to 15 staff members for six to
seven days. Outdoor spaces will be needed for some events. The camp also requires space for at least three HF stations and antennas to be on the
air simultaneously. More details and a host application form are
available in an information packet at YouthOnTheAir.org. If you have
questions or are interested in applying to host, contact assistant
director Adam Johnson, KD9KIS, at adam@youthontheair.org no later than
June 30, 2022.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM

(YOUTH ON THE AIR)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
W0EF repeater of the Hennepin Twin City FM Club in St. Louis Park,
Minnesota, on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

VOA MUSEUM TO EXTEND HOURS DURING HAMVENTION

SKEETER/ANCHOR: In Ohio next month, there will be more to Hamvention
weekend than just Hamvention. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, tells us about one
option visitors will have.

NEIL: It's become a Hamvention tradition: Expanded hours for visitors at
the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting during Hamvention
weekend next month. The museum and the West Chester Amateur Radio
Association are looking forward to hosting convention-goers and
providing a look at the exhibits, which include the Robert Drake
collection of radios and the recently restored transmitter that provided
the first VOA broadcast into occupied Europe on February 1st, 1942.
Meanwhile, if you're hoping to get in some QSOs while you're spending
the weekend in Ohio, licensed amateurs will be able to operate from the
club's WC8VOA station on the premises. The expanded hours are Thursday
May 19th, Friday May 20th and Saturday, May 21st, from 1 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, May 22nd from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10.00 at the door. The
museum is a short drive from the fairgrounds in Xenia.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX/VA2VRX)

**

GERMANY'S HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN TO BE A REUNION

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Another amateur radio reunion among friends is taking
place in Germany in just a few weeks. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, brings us those details.

ED: After a difficult period of cancellations of in-person gatherings
around the world, Europe's number one amateur radio event, Ham Radio Friedrichshafen, is calling itself "a reunion with friends," a theme
shared by another of the word's other major ham exhibitions, Hamvention
in Xenia, Ohio in the US. The event website says that Germany looks
forward to playing host to the world at the 45th international amateur
radio exhibition at the Neue Messe in Friedrichshafen from June 24th to
26th. It is important to note that tickets are only available online, so
those attending must have tickets in hand when they arrive at the venue. Tickets can either be printed or displayed at the event from a mobile
device. For full details including the currently in effect COVID-19
health protocols, visit the website, whose address appears in this
week's text version of our newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY DO NOT READ: https://tinyurl.com/2veyy5dm ]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

**

WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA PREPS FOR TASMANIA

SKEETER/ANCHOR: One more gathering of hams - this one in Australia - is getting ready to open its doors. John Williams, VK4JJW, brings us that
story.

JOHN: Registration has begun for amateurs wishing to attend the annual
general meeting and virtual conference of the Wireless Institute of
Australia. The event, which will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual
events, is coming up fast: It's taking place on the 7th of May and will
be streamed from Hobart, Tasmania. The focus this year is on Antarctica
and a number of presentations will be exploring the roles that wireless communication has played throughout history, including the Australasian Antarctic Expedition that took place from 1911 to 1914. Microwave
experimenter Rex Moncur, VK7MO, who is a former director of the
Australian Antarctic Division, will discuss his work at the helm of the division from 1988 to 1999. Peter Yates, VK7PY, and Kim Briggs, VK7KB,
who are both with the Australian Antarctic Division, will talk about the current challenges facing Antarctic communications. For additional
details about costs, viewing the live stream or registering to attend in person, please see the link in the text version of this newscast's
script at arnewsline.org.

[ FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: tinyurl.com/ytret3r ]

The event is being hosted by the Radio and Electronics Association of
Southern Tasmania.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(WIA)

**

NOMINATE YOUNG AMATEURS FOR NEWSLINE AWARD

SKEETER/ANCHOR: It's time to think about the next generation of radio operators and appreciate their skill and dedication. Perhaps one of them
will be the next recipient of the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Consider nominating an amateur
radio operator 18 years of age or younger in the continental United
States with talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio.
Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY"
tab. Nominations close May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

US GOVERNMENT TO STUDY PROPAGATION USING SATELLITE-BASED SENSORS

DON/ANCHOR: In the United States, officials hope to study HF propagation
using satellite-based sensors. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, brings us that story.

ANDY: A division of the United States Department of Defense is hoping to
gain a greater understanding of how HF waves propagate by taking those detailed measurements from inside the ionosphere itself. This takes information-gathering into a new realm because these studies typically
rely on data gathered done from systems on the ground.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking to take the measurements using sensors onboard very low earth orbit satellites. The
agency project, named Ouija (Wee-Jah) is designed to get a better model of
the ionosphere to address the challenges of electromagnetic noise facing
HF radio transmissions of warfighters. The satellites are about 200 to 300 kilometres -- or 125 to 185 miles -- above the Earth. According to an
article on the Industrial Equipment News website, the satellite payload
will do direct sampling to measure electron density but will also conduct indirect measurements using radio occultation.

Jeff Rogers, the program's manager in DARPA's Strategic Technology Office,
was quoted on the website, saying that Ouija's work inside the ionosphere would supplement measurements that would still be taken from the ground.
He said the goal was [quote] "to develop and validate accurate, near
real-time HF propagation predictions." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT NEWS)

**

ARRL, RSGB MAKING CHANGES AT HELM OF NEWS MEDIA

DON/ANCHOR: A veteran journalist and public information specialist has
joined the American Radio Relay League as its news editor. John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, will be responsible for the league website's news content, the
weekly ARRL Letter and two columns in QST magazine: "Happenings" and
"Amateur Radio World." John will also be the voice of the ARRL Audio News which is produced weekly. John fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Rick Lindquist, WW1ME. John has served the league's Ohio Section for the
past decade as its public information coordinator.

Meanwhile in the UK, the search is on for a replacement to fill the
vacancy this summer when RadCom magazine editor Elaine Richards G4LFM, retires. The monthly magazine is published by the Radio Society of Great Britain. Additional responsibilities include putting together the weekly
GB2RS news and overseeing production of the RadCom Basics and RadCom Plus specialist online only publications. Candidates should have experience in
both print and digital formats. Applicants can apply on the Redwood
website which is rewoodrecruitment - that's one word - dot com. The
Society is also seeking a technical editor, following the recent death of Giles Read, G1MFG. For details visit the society website at rsgb dot org stroke careers (rsgb.org/careers).

(ARRL, RSGB)

**

HAM RADIO WORKSHOP FROM HURRICANE CONFERENCE NOW ON YOUTUBE

DON/ANCHOR: As hurricane season gets going in some parts of the United
States, hams who could not attend a virtual preparedness workshop will
still be able to view the proceedings. Randy Sly, W4XJ, brings us up to
date.

RANDY: If you weren't able to log on to the recent Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Florida, you can still have the experience of being there. The 4-hour, 33-minute workshop
can be viewed on YouTube along with a schedule of various presentations
that were hosted by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, director of operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net. Topics that were covered included the Hurricane Watch Net,
the VOIP Hurricane Net, the Canadian Hurricane Center, and the importance
of surface reports. There was also a presentation on the Salvation Army
Team Emergency Radio Network, known by the acronym SATERN, and a discussion
of SKYWARN and CANWARN programs.

Rob says in his introduction to the workshop that the 2021 hurricane
season in the United States was formidable and that 2022 promises to be at least as challenging.

A link to the recording can be found in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTKJz9FpSAs ]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W7GAA repeater
in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Friday nights at 7:30 local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

ILLEGAL OPERATION OF FT8 REPORTED IN BELGIUM

PAUL/ANCHOR: In Belgium, the regulator has received reports of FT8 being
used illegally on a band being eyed for ham radio use. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, brings us that report.

ED: The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications, that nation's communications regulator, reports that amateur radio operators
have been spotted operating using the FT8 mode illegally on 40.680 MHz. Belgian hams are not permitted access to the 40 MHz (8 metre) band
available in some other countries. Word of the illegal transmissions comes
at a crucial time: The regulator has been studying whether to allocate a portion of the band for use by amateur radio operators. At present, only short-range ISM, remotely controlled models and devices to open garage
doors are authorized there. According to a report by the Royal Belgian
Amateur Radio Union, there are concerns that the illegal operation by some hams could have a negative impact on the regulator's determination.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE, ROYAL BELGIAN AMATEUR RADIO UNION)

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in New Zealand, hams have been granted a one-year extension on their access to 60 meters. This is a continuation of sub-
licenses already held by amateurs for operation between 5351.5 and 5366.5
kHz. Those licenses were due to expire on May 4th. The extension gives the regulator time to develop a new General User Radio License.

(SOUTHGATE, NZART)

**

INDIANA RADIO GROUP RECEIVES GRANTS FOR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: An amateur radio club in Indiana will be able to upgrade its emergency response equipment thanks to two generous gifts. Stephen
Kinford, N8WB, tells us about them.

STEPHEN: The emergency response work by hams in the Northeastern Indiana Amateur Radio Association just got a big boost from more than $33,000 in grants to buy additional equipment, including a trailer. The club's Go Box project, a key tool for efficient response in disasters, has received a
grant of nearly $3,000 from the ARRL Foundation. The club's other project
is to buy a trailer and furnish it with an analog and digital repeater,
radios and an array of software including Winlink and FLDIGI. That effort
has just been given a grant of nearly $30,000 from San Diego-based Amateur Radio Digital Communications. When the trailer is not in use supporting
the activity of Amateur Radio Emergency Services, it will be taken to
public events to be part of various amateur radio demonstrations and
public education.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(KPCNEWS.COM)

**

AMANDA ALDEN, K1DDN, BECOMING NEW ARRL COLORADO SECTION MANAGER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Newsline's own Amanda Alden, K1DDN, who
will be taking up the responsibility of serving as the ARRL Colorado
Section manager starting on July 1st. Amanda will succeed Robert Wareham, N0ESQ, whose resignation takes effect on June 30th. The ARRL announced the change in leadership on Friday, April 29th on its website. Robert cited
time constraints as his reason for stepping down following his long period
of service within the league. He has been public information coordinator, section emergency coordinator and state government liaison. In addition to being well-known to Newsline listeners and HamNation viewers, Amanda has
been assistant section manager and regional emergency coordinator for the south and southeast All-Hazards Regions of Colorado.

(ARRL)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the VK8MA repeater
in Australia's Northern Territory on Sundays at 7 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

NEWSLINE'S GRAHAM KEMP AMONG WIA AWARDEES

NEIL/ANCHOR: The next story brings a moment of pride to Newsline as we
share that one of our own correspondents is among those receiving top
honors in Australia. That story comes to us from John Williams, VK4JJW.

JOHN: Congratulations to Newsline's own Graham Kemp, VK4BB, for being
awarded a Presidents Commendation at the recent Wireless Institute of Australia Annual General Meeting. Graham was honoured for his leadership
with the news service group and for his anchor duties. Graham joins a
group of other honorees, including Dale Hughes, VK1DSH; and Peter Young, VK3MV, who were also recipients of the Presidents Commendation. Bevan
Daniel, VK5BD, received the Ron Wilkinson Achievement Award for his
production of the National News Service videos; Andrew Chapman, VK4QF, received the Chris Jones Award for his vital role in creating the
crosslinked repeater network known as the SE Queensland Wide Area
Network. Ian Jackson, VK3BUF, was given the Technical Excellence Award;
Hayden Honeywood, VK7HH, received the Michael Owen Medal; and Grant
Willis, VK5GR, was given the GA Taylor Award for various roles,
including his involvement in the IARU on behalf of the WIA. The eight
awards were announced on the 7th of May.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(WIA)

**

NOMINATION DEADLINE NEARS FOR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR AWARD

NEIL/ANCHOR: Speaking of awards, we are halfway through the month of May
and the nomination deadline approaches for the Amateur Radio Newsline
Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. It's time to think
about the next generation of radio operators and appreciate their skill
and dedication. Perhaps one of them will be the next award recipient.
Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger
in the continental United States with talent, promise and a commitment
to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations close May 31st.

**

YOUTH ON THE AIR TO WELCOME VISITORS AT DAYTON HAMVENTION

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you're heading to Hamvention in the company of some
younger radio operators, this next story may be of interest to you.
Stephen Kinford, N8WB, has the details.

STEPHEN: Younger radio amateurs visiting Hamvention will find a busy
agenda at the Youth on the Air Booth in the Xenia Fairgrounds' Volta
building. Booth 4304 will be welcoming young visitors by hosting mini-
forums on Friday and Saturday in coordination with ARISS, HamSci, the
Yasme Foundation and a number of other groups. There will also be social
hours for young amateurs who stop by on Friday and Saturday at noon.
These activities will take place in a small meeting area just behind the
main booth. For more details, visit youthontheair dot org slash
hamvention2022 (youthontheair.org/hamvention2022/

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(YOUTH ON THE AIR)

**

GERMANY'S YOUTH MARK SCHOOL CLUB DAY

NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in Germany, young students have already shown
their enthusiasm for making even more contacts as we hear in this report
from Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

ED: Throughout Germany on Thursday, May the 5th, the amateur radio bands
had school club callsigns and educational callsigns with the prefix of
DN on-the-air for the 23rd annual European School Club Day. Students
listened for stations calling QRZ throughout Europe. Some QSOs were also arranged in advance. The highlight for many students, including those in Berlin, was an enviable DX: Successful contacts were made with DP0GVN,
the German Antarctic Research Station Neumeier III.

Florian Schmid, DL1FLO, who oversees education and youth work for the
DARC, declared the day's activities a success and said other such events
will follow.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(THORSTEN SCHMIDT, DO1DAA)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WM3PEN
repeater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. local
time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SILENT KEY: PHILANTHROPIST, QUALCOMM FOUNDER FRANKLIN ANTONIO, N6NKF

SKEETER: The founder of chipmaker Qualcomm and a longtime AMSAT supporter
has become a Silent Key. We hear more about him from Andy Morrison,
K9AWM.

ANDY: Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, cofounded Qualcomm, a company whose chips helped spur the success of wearable medical equipment, cellphones and
other tech devices. The lifelong engineer and amateur radio operator was
also a generous and enthusiastic supporter of AMSAT.

Franklin became a Silent Key recently and, according to several reports,
his death was unexpected. His passing was announced on May 13th by
Qualcomm, where he had been a leading force in their engineering
departments. Qualcomm did not release the date or cause of his death. A philanthropist, Franklin recently gave a gift of $30-million to his alma mater, the University of California San Diego. He also made a $3-mllion donation to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed
for its work for the SETI Institute, which studies deep space for life
beyond Earth. Franklin wrote AMSAT's popular Instant Track orbital
software.

He was 69 years old.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(AMSAT, UC SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE)

**

RSGB OFFERS NEW INCENTIVES FOR FOUNDATION LICENSE HOLDERS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: New hams in the UK have a whole array of new reasons to
get involved, get on the air and get even more enjoyment out of amateur
radio. A series of award certificates will be issued to help them mark
each achievement they make in their new journey. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
explains how it works.

JEREMY: Foundation licence holders in the UK can earn certificates that encourage them to move forward in their on-air activities and progress
toward Intermediate and Full licence level. The Radio Society of Great
Britain is calling the incentive program "Brickworks," because its goal
is to build on the Foundation. Its national release two years ago was
slowed by the pandemic and subsequent lockdown so the Society is
breathing new life into it by actively encouraging clubs and individuals
to sign up. With the assistance of local clubs, newcomers can mark their achievements by attending club meetings, writing software, undertaking construction projects, logging QSOs and getting involved in contests.
Yes, even making a cup of tea for the next club meeting counts toward
points. Certificates are available at the silver, gold, platinum and
diamond level.

If you're interested in joining the programme, contact your nearest
Brickworks club. There is a searchable map that serves as a Brickworks
Club Finder, showing locations throughout the UK.

Clubs are also being encouraged to contact the RSGB to register and
become accredited for the Brickworks programme. Previously registered
clubs do not need to re-register.

Find the map and other details at rsgb dot org stroke brickworks (rsgb.org/brickworks)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB, ESSEX HAM)

**

NORTH CAROLINA AMATEURS TAKE ON MARATHON CHALLENGE

SKEETER/ANCHOR: There's more than one way to run a marathon, and as hams
in North Carolina found out recently, some of the biggest winners in the
race cross the finish line with their radios. George Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU, brings us that report.

GEORGE: Spectators watching the New River Marathon on Saturday, May 14th applauded the winners as they crossed the finish line but some of the
biggest honors went to the Ashe County Amateur Radio Club. Operating at
the North Carolina race for the first time, club members provided
realtime status of the racers and kept a close watch on competitors in distress. Paul Raiche (pronounced RAYSH), N1XI (N One Ex Eye), club
president, said 11 amateurs covered nine support stops, operated two
roving vehicles along the race routes and maintained a base station at
the finish line. Operators used mobile radios on 2 meters simplex, with
at least 50 watts of power. The base station had a vertical antenna
raised 20 feet high.

Because this was the first time the club was responsible for coverage of
the race, everything had to be just right. Paul said that even when
something went wrong -- and one runner could not finish the course -- the
hams were able to get to her within minutes after being notified that she needed help.

Paul said the race director, Ken Sevensky, told him afterward he heard
[quote] "nothing but great things from both runners and volunteers about
the job our club did." [end quote] For this group of enthusiastic first-
time marathon supporters, it was good to be in the running even without
lacing up those sneakers. Paul told Newsline: [quote] "We are hopeful
that we will be invited back next year and our goal then will be to do an
even better job than we did this year." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm George Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU.

(ASHE POST AND TIMES, PAUL RAICHE, N1XI)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SILENT KEY: NOTED SELLER OF ELECTRONICS SURPLUS GOODS JOHN BIRKETT, G8OPP

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A name well-known for decades to radio enthusiasts in
Great Britain has become a Silent Key. We hear about his remarkable life
and career from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Radio components of every kind imaginable were a speciality for
John Birkett, G8OPP, who opened his first shop, J Birkett, in Lincoln in
1960. With that small business, John served subsequent generations of
radio enthusiasts, supplying hard-to-find components and surplus
equipment, everything from military and test devices to wire and cables.
John was also a friendly, familiar face at radio rallies where he became
a much-sought-out attendee.

John became a Silent Key at the age of 93 on 30th April. His death was recently reported on a number of ham radio news sites. His obituary on
the website of the Radio Society of Great Britain recalled how his shop evolved into more than a collection of components and equipment; it was a gathering spot for those who shared the bond of radio and the spirit of experimentation and creativity. His motto was "not a piece of junk in
sight."

A post dated 20th May on the website Hackaday paid tribute to what was ultimately the worldwide presence of this very local shop: [quote]
"Though many of you from beyond where this is being written may never
have heard of him, the chances are that if you follow electronics
enthusiasts from the UK, you will have unwittingly seen items which
passed through his hands." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB, HACKADAY, SOUTHGATE)

**

SILENT KEY: RICHARD MACKAY VK2HRM, HAM CLUB FOUNDING PRESIDENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: One of the architects of the Snowy Mountains Amateur
Radio Club in New South Wales, Australia, has become a Silent Key. With
that report, here's Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

JASON: Richard MacKay, VK2HRM, didn't just help bring the Snowy Mountains Amateur Radio Club into being in the early 2000s; he served as its
president to shepherd it through its earliest days. The New South Wales amateur, whose love of radio was ignited by his earliest adventures on citizens band, became a Silent Key on the 4th of May.

An appreciation of his life, penned by Bill Steptoe, VK2ZZF, and posted
on the club's website, said that Richard, an automotive engineer by profession, was also the guiding force behind the club's VK2RSM repeater systems. The systems operated on 70 cms, 2m and 6 m and had links to
repeaters in Jindabyne and Nimmitabel. According to Bill's post about
Richard, his health had been failing in recent years and that curtailed
his active involvement with the club.

Bill wrote: [quote[ "Richard will be greatly missed as a friend and great mate." [endquote]

Richard was 61.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(SNOWY MOUNTAINS ARC WEBSITE, MONARO POST)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the KV3B repeater
in Rockville, Maryland on Sundays after the net at 7:30 p.m. local time.

**

HEIL REBRANDS AMATEUR RADIO DIVISION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Heil Sound Communications, well-known in the amateur
community and in the world of professional audio, has announced a
rebranding of its Ham Radio division. The division website has been
redesigned and its product packaging will also have a new look. The
company said that after having given a new look to its pro division last
year, it realized it was time to overhaul the ham radio side. Heil Sound
said in a statement that the changes achieve the goal customers had
requested, creating an entity separate from the pro side of the market.
The company was established by Bob Heil, K9EID, decades ago. A change in ownership within the company was announced in February of this year, with
Bob staying as CEO emeritus and continuing his involvement in amateur
radio product design.

(HEIL SOUND, ICQ PODCAST)

**

LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you are hearing this report before May 31st, you still
have time to nominate a talented young radio amateur for Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Consider sending us the
name and qualifications of a licensed radio operator 18 years of age or younger who lives in the continental United States. Find details and application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Remember our deadline is May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SKYHUBLINK CONNECTS NEWSCOMERS, LIGHTS UP 'QUIET' REPEATERS

PAUL/ANCHOR: When is a linked repeater system more than just a linked
repeater system? When it's called SkyHubLink, as we hear from Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

NEIL: There's more to the Colorado-based SkyHubLink repeater system than
meets the ears. The interlinked repeaters and their internet connections
bear the fruit of the efforts of broadcast engineer Jack Roland, KE0VH,
and Skyler Fennell, W0SKY, whose name is familiar as Newsline's 2016
winner of the Young Ham of the Year.

With Jack as system administrator and Skyler as chief engineer, the
network has specific goals, as Jack told Newsline:

JACK: One of the premises of SkyHub Link is to connect to repeaters that
get little or no use on a daily basis, link them to others to bring
traffic to them and activate them. You know, so many repeaters are quiet
and really don't see any use anymore. As I am fond of saying: "What is
the use of a quiet repeater?"

NEIL: As Jack tells us, the more active the repeater, the more value it
has to everyone, especially newcomers.

JACK: We encourage new hams to get on and ask questions and get
information from those of us who have maybe been in the hobby for a long
time. You know we as old hands, old timers, need to be more like this as
much as we can in amateur radio. SkyHubLink is a welcoming system to new
hams and we always want them to feel comfortable coming on, getting on
the repeater, asking questions and feeling like they are welcome and
wanted in the community.

NEIL: Connections are made through Allstar, DMR, Yaesu System Fusion,
Wires-X, D-Star and P25. The system also supports M17, IRLP and Echolink protocols, has a weather net with trained weather spotter Gary NC2WX, a system-wide net on Monday night run by Jack and an international Wires-X
one on Saturday evenings.

Visit skyhublink.com for more details.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

**

LOW-BAND EXPERIMENT TESTS GROUND WAVE ON 630M

PAUL/ANCHOR: What are you doing on weekends at 9:30 a.m. local time? One
ham would like you to do some very low-band operation, calling CQ, as part
of an experiment. George Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU, has those details.

GEORGE: Clark, AA8SH, is calling it his ground wave experiment: He wants
hams everywhere with 630 metre access to get on 474 kHz every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 local time and try to make contacts. He'd like them to
monitor other transmissions and post signal reports in the forums section
of QRZ.com Clark, who has been testing 630m operation from his shack in
West Virginia, told Newsline he's hoping this experiment can provide a
sense of what kind of local range 630m has in each community. He hopes the results help grow a greater interest in 630-metre band.

Clark said that based on ITU findings, a 630m signal of a certain strength
can travel about 150 miles, presenting communications options unavailable
on 160 and 75, which have a shorter range at the same signal level. Power limits are set at 5watts EIRP by the ITU and the FCC. Clark said the
potential for the band remains untapped for amateur radio but his own transmissions, conducted at a strength of 3 to 5 watts, are promising:
They've been heard in Cincinnati, Ohio, about 100 miles away, and
Marietta, Ohio, about 90 miles away.

Clark told Newsline in an email [quote]: "I want as many participants,
both transmitting and receiving, as possible. The more the merrier!" [endquote]

Morning operation is best, he said, because the band is quiet and free of static crashes so common in the evenings.

Clark told Newsline: [quote] "There's nothing like hearing a signal to
make one sit up and listen!" [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm George Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU.

(CLARK AA8SH)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Spokane,
Washington UHF Repeater of K7TMF and K7MMA on Fridays at 5 p.m. Pacific
Time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

PROGRAM RELEASED FOR HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN

JIM/ANCHOR: As memories of Hamvention are being discussed on the bands,
the next international radio ham-fest is approaching quickly and "Ham
Radio" in Friedrichshafen (Pron: Freed-Ricks-Ha-Fen) is ready to open from June 24th to the 26th. Our own ARNewsline correspondent in Germany will be attending and let's hand it over to him. Ed DD5LP... describe what is in
the just-released program.

ED: Ham Radio Friedrichshafen returns after two years away and takes a
similar theme to Hamvention - a "Reunion with Friends." The program shows
that all of the attractions that are looked forward to by attendees to
this largest amateur radio event in Europe are there again. The
manufactures and dealers large and small, the mystery of what you might
find at the flea market and presentations on ham radio topics old and new.
You can even sit your radio exam, whether German or US, or go and sit
with the national regulators staff who are always willing to explain regulations and processes.

On the weather, it looks like three sunny 30-degree Centigrade days will
come along as usual however even if it rains it doesn't matter as
everything is indoors using just a few of the many Zeppelin sized halls in this premier commercial expo centre. But, if you want to go outside, why
not take part in the Fox-oring (ARDF) contest or indeed the arrival and departure radio contests. For me I may just relax in the beer garden with
good food and a beer or non-alcoholic drink after going around the halls.

Too late to get everything arranged to come to Germany in two weeks
time? - well put next years dates in your calendar and plan to make that special radio trip in 2023 and be in Friedrichshafen for Ham Radio between June 23rd and 25th of next year!

For full details of this important event check the website at the address given in this weeks script at arnewsline (dot) org.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/ ]

73 and hope to see some of you at Friendrichshafen in a couple of weeks,
this has been Ed, DD5LP, for Amateur Radio Newsline.

**

VANCOUVER HAM WINS TOP AWARD FOR CANADIAN AMATEURS

JIM/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the radio amateur from Vancouver, British Columbia, who was chosen by Radio Amateurs of Canada to receive the 2021 Amateur of the Year Award. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, tells us about him.

SEL: Consistent hard work, contributions and selfless efforts have won top honors for Hiroshi Takahashi, V-A-7-L-E-T, who has become the R-A-C's
Amateur of the Year for 2021. According to R-A-C's website, Hiroshi has
been consistently active with the Vancouver Emergency Community Telecommunications Organization, or VECTOR, an emergency-preparedness
program that supports the city's Emergency Management Agency. Over the
years, he has coordinated its Basic amateur certification course, its
civic service operations, and its annual exercises. From 2014 to 2019 he served as VECTOR's vice president. Hiroshi has also sponsored and operated V-E-7-R-V-U, a local repeater on 440 MHz and assists with V-E-7-R-V-Zed, a local 2m repeater.

The R-A-C also cited achievements that included Hiroshi's role in founding
the Lower Mainland Radio Room Society, filling Vancouver's need for an
amateur radio club that nurtures new operators and educates the public
about ham radio.

The search is now on for the award recipient for 2022. Nomination deadline
is September 30th.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Sel Embee, K-B-3-T-Zed-D.

RAC

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K7EFZ repeater
on Tuesday nights at 9 local time in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

HAMS BUILD SKILLS, FRIENDSHIPS AT YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP

DON/ANCHOR: This year's Youth on the Air camp for young operators in the Americas is turning out to be a memorable one. Updating us now from the
middle of all the action is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

NEIL: High temperatures and high winds haven't been enough to put a
damper on the 2022 Youth on the Air camp for the Americas in metro
Cincinnati, Ohio. Twenty-one campers have learned about contesting,
digital modes, and D-STAR, and built two direction-finding kits and a
code key. The team launched a high-altitude balloon with an APRS beacon
that reached just over 97,000 feet (30,000 metres), and a mid-altitude
balloon with a WSPR beacon that is still traveling around the globe at
about 30,000 feet (9,000 metres) with the identifier K4PRM-1. As this
story is being filed, the camp is approaching the halfway point and about
to embark on VHF contests at Kings Island amusement park -- and of
course, the campers have been on the air using the callsign W8Y.
Everyone is having a great time, learning a lot, and building a strong community of youth amateur radio operators.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm camp director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, in West Chester, Ohio.

**

NASA STUDIES DAMAGE TO WEBB TELESCOPE

DON/ANCHOR: Scientists are taking a second look at the damage caused by a fragment that struck the Webb space telescope recently. Paul Braun,
WD9GCO, brings us up to date.

PAUL: The US Space Agency NASA is assessing the impact that a
micrometeoroid strike had on the James Webb Space Telescope, which
it struck last month. The dust-size fragment is reported to have hit
one of the primary mirror segments used in data collection. Engineers'
initial assessments show only a slight change in the performance of
the mirror and were able to reposition it in an attempt to compensate
for the strike. Reports say this was the fifth impact of its kind since
the telescope was sent into space in December as the heir apparent to
the aging Hubble Telescope. NASA wrote in a blogpost that its analysis
and measurements will continue. NASA is still on track for its July
12th date to release the first images collected by the telescope.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(BBC, SPACEFLIGHT NOW)

**

PLANS PROCEED FOR OUTDATED SATELLITES' REMOVAL

DON/ANCHOR: The European Space Agency is involved in a project to reduce
the clutter of outdated satellites from the skies. John Williams, VK4JJW, explains.

JOHN: Think of it as a high-flying system of air traffic control — an extremely high-flying system of air-traffic control. The European Space Agency's Sunrise Programme is preparing to rid space of telecommunications satellites that have outlived their usefulness and are junking up the
skies. The removal process is being coordinated by Astroscale, a private company that removes orbital debris, and OneWeb, the satellite network providing internet broadband. The ESA Partnership Project is the first
of its kind and is expected to produce a prototype that can remove the
outdated satellites from their low earth orbits. The goal is to protect
the environment where low-earth orbits take place and to reduce the
chance of collisions.

When the contract was awarded to Astroscale in 2019, the company said the
ESA initiative would [quote] "advance the environmentally sustainable use
of space" [endquote] and preserve its use for generations to come.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, ASTROSCALE)

**

BRITISH HAMS ARRESTED AS SPIES IN ALBANIA

DON/ANCHOR: Two British radio amateurs were arrested by Albanian
authorities who claimed they were operating as spies. We have that report
from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Authorities in Albania are investigating the activities of two
ham radio operators from Great Britain who were arrested in May after
amateur radio transceivers were discovered in their baggage. A report of
the incident appeared in the UK's Daily Mirror, Daily Mail and Daily
Express newspapers. The men were not identified in the media accounts but
were said to have been charged with spying after being stopped at
Albania's Tirana International Airport on 30th May.

The news reports said that the men told police they were IT engineers on holiday. After extensive questioning, the men were permitted to return
home. Their Kenwood radios were taken for further examination to
determine whether they were capable of interfering with Albania's
military and secret service analogue radio frequencies. Investigators
were also studying the radios to see whether they could record
transmissions.

There were no further details about the case.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(THE DAILY MIRROR, DAILY MAIL AND DAILY EXPRESS)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

BALLOON LAUNCH TO FEATURE CROSSBAND REPEATER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateurs in Kansas have rescheduled the launch of a high- altitude balloon with a crossband repeater on board and they're hoping to
keep it busy making contacts. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has those details.

JACK: Good things are worth waiting for and members of the Independence Amateur Radio Club, N0ID, only have to wait a little bit longer for the rescheduled launch of the high-altitude balloon they are sending skyward
with a crossband repeater and APRS on board. The Kansas hams are
especially excited because the launch, rescheduled from earlier this
month, will coincide with the Great Plains Super Launch on July 16th. The Super Launch is a wide-ranging event in which a number of similar
balloons will be launched at sites throughout the Midwest. Stan Pierson, AE0LM, secretary of the Independence club, told Newsline that during the
club balloon's expected two-hour flight over southeast Kansas, it will communicate with one of the Super Launch balloons flying high over
Wisconsin. Using a common downlink, but separate uplinks, the balloons
will permit radio operators in both areas to talk to one another using
VHF/UHF radios. The crossband repeater has an uplink on 147.91 MHz and a downlink on 449.01 MHz. Stan said that the repeaters will be configured
to work bidirectionally so that anything received on the VHF frequency is repeated on the UHF frequency - and vice versa.

Those who cannot be on site at Riverside Park for the launch or reside
out of the area and wish to track the balloon can follow its journey
following the 8 a.m. launch that day at www dot aprs dot fi (www.aprs.fi)

Additional details are available at the club website at n0id.org

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(SUPERLAUNCH.ORG, STAN PIERSON, AEØLM)

**

JUST FOR FUN: A NOT-SO-TRIVIAL QUIZ

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Now here's something that's just for fun: If you think
you know ham radio, play along with two teams during a trivia quiz you'll
be able to watch online starting Tuesday, June 28th. As we hear from Paul Braun, WD9GCO, one team's members are very familiar to Newsline
listeners.

PAUL: A team from Amateur Radio Newsline took part in an event that was
was both trivial and non-trivial at the same time.

The Newsline team, consisting of captain Paul, WD9GCO, Neil, WB9VPG,
Kevin, N5PRE, Andy, K9AWM, and Dave, WB8ODF, squared off against a team
from the Ham Radio Workbench podcast led by team captain George
Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU, in an amateur radio trivia contest hosted by Kyle
Krieg, AA0Z.

The two teams fought four rounds featuring questions that ranged from
general ham radio knowledge to specialized technical topics. We can say
that the teams were very evenly matched, but we won't tell you who won -
that would spoil all the fun, wouldn't it?

The competition will be released in two different forms on Tuesday, June
28th - in video on Kyle's YouTube channel and in audio format on the Ham
Radio Workbench feed. You will find links to both in the text version of
this newscast on our website.

According to all who participated, it was a lot of fun and both sides
made new friends, as should happen in ham radio events. And we’re ready
for a rematch any time they're ready.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

[FOR TEXT VERSION OF NEWSCAST - LINKS ARE

https://www.youtube.com/c/KyleAA0Z

hamradioworkbench.com ]

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including WW7SEA, the
Columbia Center Repeater in Seattle, Washington at 444.550 MHz on Mondays
at 9 pm local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SILENT KEY: ALPHA AMPS' RICHARD EHRORN W4EA/W4ETO

NEIL/ANCHOR: The man behind the highly successful company Ehrhorn Technological Operations has become a Silent Key. Dick Ehrhorn,
W4EA/W4ETO started the company in 1970 and began production of the
line of high-power Alpha RF amplifiers so popular in the amateur
radio community. Dick was a lifelong ham. Mary Bittner WB0PXM, told
Newsline that Dick and her late husband, the Rev. Paul Bittner, who
had held the call sign W0AIH, had been friends since their Minnesota
high school days when they met through a school amateur radio club.
She described Dick as a good friend and a man of faith.

She said Dick, who was in failing health, died on Sunday, June 26th
in Virginia. He was 88.

(EHAM.NET, MARY BITTNER WB0PXM, FACEBOOK)

**

SPECIAL EVENT STATION TO HONOR DXPEDITIONER, HUMANITARIAN ZORRO

NEIL/ANCHOR: A special event is under way to celebrate the life of a
ham known globally as a man of adventure and compassion. That story
comes to us from Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

JASON: The gifts of friendship, humanitarian gestures and good DX
that filled the life of Zorro Miyazawa, JH1AJT, are being celebrated
by operators of a month-long special event station, 3D2AJT, in Fiji
through to late July. Zorro, who had cancer, became a Silent Key in
March of this year. Throughout his long amateur radio career, his
DXpeditions helped put notable and coveted DXs in the logbooks of
hams around the world. Zorro was also known for his charitable work
on behalf of children in Cambodia, Bangladesh, Japan and elsewhere.
The special event operators will be on the air using CW, SSB, FT4,
FT8 and varAC HF digital chat until the 27th of July, which would
have been his 73rd birthday. According to the station's page on
QRZ.com, the final day on the air will be marked with a farewell
party organised by Zorro's widow at one of the schools her husband
founded in Fiji.

QSL via ClubLog.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(DX-WORLD.NET, QRZ.COM)

**

TRANSMITTER TO REMAIN OFF THE AIR ON ALEXANDERSON DAY

NEIL/ANCHOR: In Sweden, the Grimeton Radio Station is opening its
doors to visitors at last this year, but its historic transmitter
must stay off the air. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has those details.

JEREMY: For the first time since the pandemic began, the Alexander
Association in Sweden will be welcoming visitors to Alexanderson Day
on Sunday, 3rd July at the World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station.

Unfortunately, the 98-year-old mechanical transmitter will be unable
to get on the air. A note on the association website reports that a
shortage of components prevents this Alexanderson Day tradition from happening.

The 200 kW transmitter with the call sign SAQ will be started up
twice and visitors to the radio station can be present but no
transmission will be made into the top-loaded vertical antenna
customarily used for 17 kHz transmissions. The transmitter was
developed by the radio pioneer Ernst Alexanderson of Sweden who was
an engineer at General Electric in the United States. It first went
on the air in 1924.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(THE ALEXANDERSON ASSOCIATION)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
N5OZG repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

HAMVENTION 2023 GETS NEW GENERAL CHAIRMAN

DON/ANCHOR: With Hamvention 2022 now just a memory, planning is already
under way for next year. Congratulations to Jim Storms, AB8YK, on being
named general chairman of Hamvention for 2023. The Dayton Amateur Radio Association announced Jim's new responsibility on Friday, July 1st. Jim
has served as vice president of DARA for three years and has been an
officer for several other local amateur radio clubs. He is a co-leader
for the Dave Kalter Youth DX Adventure program, which he helped found.

Jim has been Hamvention's chairman of advance registration since 2017.
The DARA board also announced that Brian Markland, N8UDQ, will serve as Hamvention's assistant general chairman.

(DARA)

**

FIRST 'HAMCAMPTION' SET FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

DON/ANCHOR: You've heard of Hamvention and Hamcation but are you ready
for HamCamption?? If your QTH is Down Under, it is coming your way!
Here's John Williams, VK4JJW.

JOHN: Darren, VK6EK, has big hopes for Mayanup HamCamption, a weekend
getaway for recreation and radio. It is the fruit of a discussion Darren
had with Rob, VK6LD, president of the Southern Electronics Group, VK6SR,
in Western Australia, and it becomes reality on September 10th and 11th
at the sports ground in Mayanup. Darren said that with its dipole-
friendly trees as well as bathrooms and a shed facility, it is an ideal location for this first try at a radio camping event. More of a social
outing than a field day, it will present an opportunity for socialising
with like-minded hams and still present plenty of opportunity for radio.
There may even be a little fox hunting. Darren plans to run an FT8
station on 20 metres during the day and 40 metres at night. There is a
70cm repeater about 9 kilometres away from the grounds and it will be connected to the club's Allstar Node 42482.

Darren said the informal event is expected to be an ideal warmup for
Perth Tech, a camper-friendly symposium being held in October at the Gidgegannup Sport and Recreation Centre. He told Newsline that if all
goes well, HamCamption may return to the Mayanup grounds next May when
the weather is still a bit warmer and drier. The club will just need to schedule their time around the horse and pony clubs who also have their
own equestrian version of field day there.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(DARREN VK6EK)

**

NET IS REVIVED FOR ADVANCED CLASS HAMS

DON/ANCHOR: The A-13 Net is back on the air and it's going back - way
back - to its roots. The net, which is being organizd by the Advanced
Class Preservation Society, returns to 20m on Monday, July 11th. Instead
of being a formal net, it's going back to being the general roundtable it
had been at the very start. Be listening for Scott, W5URX, to kick things
off at 1700 UTC on 14.213 MHz.

Participants are holders of an Advanced Class license issued by the
United States FCC. The agency stopped issuing these licenses in the year
2000, but they are renewable.

Editor Paul Buescher, N8HHG, writes about the revival of the net in the
most recent A-13 Newsletter, saying [quote] "We will give this a try and
see how it works out. Please consider joining in the net and listen for future net days and times." [endquote]

According to the newsletter, the preservation society has 315 members in
50 states and two US territories.

(A-13 GROUP NEWSLETTER, LLOYD COLSTON KC5FM)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the KD2SL repeater
in Syracuse, New York on Mondays at 8 p.m. after the Fireside Chat Net.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

DIGITAL CONFERENCE PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER

JIM/ANCHOR: Yet another amateur radio conference is taking place in person this year following COVID cancellations. Stephen Kinford, N8WB, gives us
those details.

STEPHEN: Hams interested in any and all forms of digital communication are welcome to attend the 41st ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference
in Charlotte, North Carolina, from September 16th to the 18th. In the meantime, organizers are looking for technical papers on such topics as digital satellite communications, digital signal processing, HF digital
modes. software defined radio, global positioning systems, peer-to-peer wireless networking and the role of homeland defense digital communications
in amateur radio. If you have expertise to share on these or other related subjects, you can submit your papers no later than September 1st to ARRL production coordinator Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB.

The three-day conference will be held at the Hilton Charlotte Airport
Hotel. Maty's address is m a t y at arrl.org (maty@arrl.org)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(ARRL)

**

PRESENTERS NEEDED FOR QSO TODAY VIRTUAL EXPO

JIM/ANCHOR: Preparations are already in the works for the next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, and organizers are putting out a call for presenters.
Topics can be most amateur-radio related subjects worth sharing: an insight into technology, a skill, a ham radio project or invention - even a story.

The expo is being held on September 17th and 18th. According to an announcement by organizer Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, there will be a particular
effort to seek young active amateur radio operators as speakers.

For additional details about how to get involved, follow the link in the
text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/speakercall.html ]

**

DIT DAH CW GANG CARRIES MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP

JIM/ANCHOR: There's more to Morse Code than just successfully logging QSOs, and few hams know that better than this next group. Randy Sly, W4XJ, tells
us about them.

RANDY: One of the things we experience each Field Day is that food,
fellowship and QSOs go together well for amateur radio operators. This
formula has also been followed for many years by a group in Michigan called the "Dit Dah CW Gang." Established by Ted Rachwal, K8AQM, Jeremy Downard, K8JAD and his father, Greg Downard, KE8CEW, the gang is an informal group
of CW operators who come together during the year for various events of the Straight Key Century Club as KS8KCC.

Ted told Amateur Radio Newsline that the friendships developed during those weekends and at other times is what draws amateurs from the region to join them. "Our plan," he said, "is to consume more calories than QSOs." But don’t let that fool you. As seasoned operators with a lot of power and
great antennas, they are always working pileups while on the air. In fact, when they call CQ they mean business! If you've already been fortunate
enough to be on the receiving end of one of their unique QSL cards, you'll recognize right away that the card's humorous but slightly menacing cartoon characters depicting different members of the "gang" can be quite
misleading: This is a decidedly friendly bunch that wants to hear from as
many operators as possible.

Since receiving their vanity call in 2016, the Dit Dah CW Gang has now been joined by other quasi-official clubs in all US call areas who obtained an SKCC-related call. So get out your straight key, dust off your bug and
listen for KS8KCC and its cousins during the next event.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(DIT DAH CW GANG)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Utah Amateur
Radio Club's W7SP repeater on Sundays as part of the club's 9 p.m. net.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

US LAB'S SOLAR CELL BREAKS EFFICIENCY RECORD

PAUL/ANCHOR: Scientists in a US military lab have announced that a newly developed solar cell has broken a record for efficiency. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, has more on that story.

KENT: You might call it the brightest world record under the sun. You
wouldn't be wrong, either: A US Department of Energy laboratory has
broken the record for solar-cell efficiency, creating a solar cell that
is 39.5 percent efficient under lighting conditions equivalent to that of
the sun.

The achievement was reported in a recent issue of the journal Joule. Scientists in the department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory are
also testing the solar cell for its usefulness in powering such devices
as communications satellites which require high cell efficiency. Under
those conditions, efficiency dropped somewhat to 34.2 efficiency.

Although a 41.1 efficiency has been reported with other experimental
solar cells, those levels were reached by cells using highly concentrated light.

In an article on the website Interesting Engineering, the principal investigator, Myles Steiner, said: [quote] "The new cell is more
efficient and has a simpler design that may be useful for a variety of
new applications, such as highly area-constrained applications or low- radiation space applications." [endquote]

For now, however, the bright light of promise is overshadowed by one
factor that cannot be overlooked: Production costs are prohibitive. Researchers are apparently working on that too.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(INTERESTING ENGINEERING)

**

SILENT KEY: MENTOR, EDUCATOR HERB COLEMAN, W4AVX

PAUL: The ham radio community in Alabama is grieving the loss of an
amateur who was considered an educator, an inspiration and a friend. The Birmingham Amateur Radio Club announced the death of Herb Coleman, W4AVX,
on July 18th. Licensed in 1953, Herb is credited with the establishment
of the first net for teenage amateurs in Alabama in 1955. He taught Morse
Code to many amateurs in the early 1960s and played a major role in
getting Birmingham's first 2m repeater on the air. A public posting on
the club's Facebook page said [quote] "He was a patient and encouraging
Elmer for many of us." [endquote]

We here at Newsline send our condolences.

(BIRMINGHAM AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

AMATEUR NUMBERS DECLINE IN AUSTRALIA

PAUL/ANCHOR: There are discouraging numbers reported for the amateur
radio population in Australia. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has that story.

GRAHAM: While hams are reported to be growing steadily in numbers in the United States and the UK, here in VK, the Australian amateur radio
population appears to be getting smaller. The Wireless Institute of
Australia, which issued the report on July 17th, cited no numbers or percentages of decline but said that during a recent board meeting,
members noted that the number of exams and licences had dropped. Figures
from the Ham Radio DX channel showed, however, that in early 2022, the
numbers stood at just over 13,400, down steadily over the years. In 2016, there were 14,619 licence holders.

This trend was noted just as the board announced it was preparing to
receive a batch of updated manuals for the Foundation licence level. The
board also made a commitment to continue working with ham radio
organisations around the world to ensure that Australian amateurs
visiting outside the country have expediated processing for their
applications to get temporary reciprocal licences.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WIA, ARRL, HAMRADIODX PODCAST)

**

HF PROPAGATION PROJECT GOING FORWARD

PAUL/ANCHOR: A US project that makes use of sensors on satellites in very
low Earth orbit is looking for proposals that will help develop a better
way to predict HF propagation in the ionosphere in real-time. The program
is known as Ouija (wee-Jah) and is being undertaken by the Defense
Advanced Research Project Agency, or DARPA, which is part of the United
States military. The agency wants to monitor the ionosphere locally and continuously and believes that it will achieve its stated goal. The
program focuses on the section of the ionosphere that is between 125
miles and 185 miles in altitude, or 300 to 400 kilometers high. In
announcing the project this past spring, DARPA said a more predictable environment for communications will be an aid for military communication
which includes among its obstacles solar flares and the 11-year solar
cycle.

(IARU REGION I, SPACE.COM)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WB0QXW Repeater System in Saint Louis, Missouri on 145.210 Mhz Mondays after the World Friendship Net, beginning at 7 pm Central time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SILENT KEY: BEN HENLEY KI4IGX, LEADER IN FLORIDA EMERGENCY WORK

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A leader in emergency preparedness in the Florida amateur radio community has become a Silent Key. With those details, here's Jim Damron, N8TMW.

JIM: The amateur community in West Central Florida lost one of its
regional leaders recently. Ben Henley, KI4IGX, the former section
emergency coordinator for the ARRL, became a Silent Key on the 20th of
July. At the time of his death, Ben, who had congestive heart failure and ischemia, was awaiting a heart transplant.

Though he made his living in the field of information technology, he was deeply involved in his various emergency management roles that had
amateur radio at its core. Many of his initiatives stemmed from his work
as emergency management coordinator with Highlands County Emergency Management. He is credited for helping grow a partnership between that
office and Highlands County ARES. He also helped build a bridge between
three ARRL Florida Section ARES programs and the state's EOC for
emergency response.

Ben was 52 years old.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(ARRL)

**

APRS MAP SERVICE BECOMES MOTORIST RESOURCE IN NORWAY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a new option to help with navigating roads in
Norway and it's being provided through amateur radio. Ed Durrant, DD5LP,
brings us that story.

ED: In Norway, motorists and others needing information about accidents, construction projects and advisories on roads are now able to tap into a resource provided through amateur radio: The APRS map service operated by
the Norwegian Radio Relay League. According to a report from the league,
the amateur radio map service has integrated the data from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration into the APRS system. The messages are
categorized according to levels of urgency: low, high and highest. League members are able to get a user account enabling them to do limited
editing of map layers in the system.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(NRRL)

**

UK MAKES FAST TRACK TO FULL LICENSE AVAILABLE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a quicker way for hams in the UK to progress to
the top-tier license. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains.

JEREMY: The wait is over: Amateur licence candidates in the UK wishing to qualify immediately for a Full licence will be able to take the faster
track starting on the 1st January. This major change, which is being
called direct-to-full, has long been favoured within the amateur
community, according to surveys by the RSGB and Essex Ham.

The 75-question exam, which is in two parts, takes about 2 and a half
hours to complete. It will be available online but it is not yet clear
whether candidates may also sit for the test at a registered exam centre.
The test does not contain any practical assessments.

To clarify the process for candidates, Essex Ham has produced a video by
Pete, M0PSX, explaining that the exam is most suitable for individuals
who have a background in the RF field or some expertise in electronics
and don’t need the incremental steps through the two lower licence tiers. The syllabus for the direct-to-full is the same as for the traditional
licence path. Anyone may take the exam, including holders of Foundation
and Intermediate licences.

The cost of the direct-to-full exam has not yet been announced. To view
the Essex Ham video, find the link in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY:

https://www.essexham.co.uk/rsgb-launches-direct-to-full.html ]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ESSEX HAM, RSGB)

**

BENDIGO CLUB ADDS FOCUS GROUP FOR FIELD WORK, EMERGENCY RESPONSE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Australia, one club has added a focus group
specializing on emergency response and field work. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW,
has that report.

JASON: The Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club is preparing for
the launch of its special interest group that focuses on field operations
and regional emergency support. The group will begin its activities when members meet on Friday, August 19th at the club hall in Bendigo, Victoria. According to an email from club president Neil, VK3ZVX, this is intended
to be a group that plans, prepares and trains for inevitable crises. The
first meeting will focus on "show and tell," allowing members to share
the equipment they have used in previous field operations such as Mills
on the Air, SOTA or parks activations. This includes any Go-Kits,
portable camping gear, solar panels and batteries.

Neil stressed that perfection is not required. In fact, he writes in his
email [quote] "Even if it is only a half-baked idea, a half-built project
or a pile of bits for one, bring it along and be prepared to explain it
if need be." [endquote] Neil said the point of the show-and-tell is to
obtain the widest range of ideas and inspiration.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(BAREC)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SILENT KEY: JOHN DILKS, VK6CJW/M0CJW, FRIEND AND MENTOR

DON/ANCHOR: A well-known and well-regarded amateur in both
Australia and the UK has become a Silent Key. We hear more about
him from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: With regret it is announced that John Dilks, VK6CJW
(also M0CJW) is now silent key. He died on 29th July, aged 86 and
will be much missed on the air by his friends worldwide.

John was a character in the very best of amateur radio tradition.
He divided his time until recently between Perth in Western
Australia and his UK home near Newark. In his younger days, for
example, he took his whole family in a battered old van overland
through Europe, the Eastern Bloc countries, when travel was very
difficult, through the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and beyond.
He was involved in many enterprises and international interests
and even politics. He would regale his adventures to amateur
clubs and others when invited to do so. He was to be found on HF
almost daily with VK when conditions allowed, and on repeaters
locally. He was also to be found at many radio rallies in the UK
with a keen following.

John was a good, dependable and loyal friend to many: always
happy to help and encourage, swap yarns and pass on his own tips.
He will be very much missed. Our condolences to his family and
friends.

Jeremy Boot, G4NJH

**

HAMFEST INDIA RETURNS WITH IN-PERSON EVENT

DON/ANCHOR: Hams in India have been waiting since 2019 for the
return of Hamfest India in person and it is now back on the
calendar. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, brings us that report.

JIM: The organising committee for Hamfest India has announced the
event's return on the 12th and 13th of November in Mysore,
Karnataka. As with so many other major amateur radio events, this well-attended event, which made its debut in India in 1991, had
not been held in person as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. K.
Shankar Prasad, VU2SPK, the event's general convenor, said the
committee is putting together an agenda and a website and both
should be available soon. The website is under development at www
dot hfi2022 dot com (www.hfi2022.com)

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(HAMFEST INDIA)

**

'TEAPOT' SPECIAL EVENT BREWING In WEST VIRGINIA

DON/ANCHOR: If special events are your cup of tea, try this one
in West Virginia. Jim Damron, N8TMW, tells us hams are ready to
serve.

JIM: Something's brewing in Chester, West Virginia: It's a
special event station celebrating a beloved local roadside symbol
which calls itself the World's Largest Teapot. Tea and QSOs will
be served starting August 8th through the 14th, in conjunction
with the local Teapot Festival that takes place in the northern
West Virginia community. Organized by the Hancock Auxcomm Team in
Hancock, West Virginia, this is very possibly the world's largest
tea party: Amateurs will be on the air with 1x1 call signs W0T
through W9T, and there will be a bonus station WV8HAT. Hams
contacting all 10 call signs will earn a certificate for a full
cup. Those working all 10 plus the bonus station are endorsed for
a full pot.

The roadside teapot itself is a former advertising symbol created
before World War II and before it gained its spout and handle, it
was a humble barrel that advertised a brand of root beer.
Standing 14 feet high, it is big enough to hold a colorful
history and this annual amateur radio ritual now marking sixth
year. As usual, however, you'll have to provide your own biscuits
and cakes.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the WW8GM repeater of the General Motors Amateur Radio Club in
Detroit, Michigan on Saturdays at 9 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

CANCER RECOVERY INSPIRES SPECIAL EVENT IN UK

NEIL/ANCHOR: Grateful for his recovery from prostate cancer, a
ham in the UK is operating a special event station to raise
awareness - and funds - for further research. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
brings us his story.

JEREMY: Writing on his blog, Andrew Brown, M0ONH, shares the
details of his early symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, treatment and
recovery from prostate cancer at age 41. His medical journey
began mid-2021 with visits to doctors to identify the source of
his symptoms. He had surgery last spring.

Andrew has been a ham since 2018 - hence his call sign suffix "O
N H" for "One New Ham." He began his blog as a way to encourage
others to join him in amateur radio. Now he is making use of
amateur radio to encourage others to do something more - be pro-
active in their own health care. He wants people to learn more
about prostate cancer and help raise funds for research.

Andrew has organised a special event station, GB8PCA, with the
support of three Essex clubs and Essex Ham. Activation takes
place on Saturday 13th August from 1100 to 1600 local time (GMT+
1); Monday 15th at 2000 during the Essex Ham Net on GB3DA, and on
Friday 19th at 2000 (all times local) during the TARG Club Net,
also on GB3DA. Listen as well for the special event station at
either Galleywood or at the Hackspace on Sunday 21st August from
1100 to 1600 local time.

Here's another reason to make contact: for every logged QSO using
the GB8PCA callsign, Andrew will donate �1 himself. If you cannot
contact him but want to support the cause, visit his JustGiving
Donation Page. You can read more about Andrew's story on his
blog. See the links for Andrew's blog and the Justgiving pages in
the text version of this week's script at arnewsline.org.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://onenewham.uk/my-prostate-cancer-story/
and https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gb8pca]

(SOUTHGATE, ANDREW M0ONH BLOG)

**

PENNSYLVANIA CLUB MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY 'ABOARD' MARS ROVER

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in one Pennsylvania club are celebrating a
relationship with the Mars rover that began 10 years ago. Randy
Sly, W4XJ, has those details.

RANDY: How do you celebrate a 10th anniversary? A Dinner? A
Party?

The Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club in Philadelphia decided to send
its club call, WM3PEN, on a long vacation that would take 255
days to get there. They teamed up with NASA’s Mars Science
Laboratory rover, Curiosity, to visit Bradbury Landing, on Mars.
The boarding pass was "purchased" on April 25, 2011 and Curiosity,
with their callsign on board, landed on the red planet in early
August, 2012.

Since the landing, Curiosity and WM3PEN have travelled nearly 18
miles searching for the perfect location for the Dxpedition.

The folks at WM3PEN also thought it would be a good trip to team
up with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (J-P-L) since they decided
to make it a CW event. To help measure size and distance, the
JPL engineers carved out the dots and dashes of the letters J-P-L
in the tire treads. How could a ham argue with a CW buddy along
for the ride?

NASA reports that engineers are devising ways to minimize wear
and tear and keep the rover rolling: In fact, Curiosity's mission
was recently extended for another three years.

When asked what's next for the WM3PEN team, callsign trustee Bob
Josuweit, WA3PZO, said that after just coming off Field Day and
the 13 Colonies Special Event in June and July, it will be time
to relax before planning the next adventure.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(BOB JOSUWEIT, WA3PZO)

**

ARDC GRANT PROVIDES STEM, TECH SCHOLARSHIPS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Four students at a private university in the United
States will receive full one-year scholarships for their studies
in the fields of science and technology with the help of a grant
from Amateur Radio Digital Communications. The $200,000 grant
will fund their studies as well as their involvement in related
activities. It will also cover the cost of producing programs on
the university's FM radio station highlighting scholars involved
in STEM topics. This financial gift is especially significant
because the private college in the state of Virginia houses a
School of Engineering and Technology that has a strong commitment
to recruiting women and African Americans to study for research
careers in engineering and materials science fields.

(ARDC)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

FINNISH HAM RADIO PUBLICATIONS GO DIGITAL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: With amateurs around the world going digital ON the
air, it would stand to reason that increasing numbers of publishers of
amateur radio media are opting to go digital OFF the air. Ed Durrant,
DD5LP, tells us about a magazine in Finland that is the latest to make
this change.

ED: The Finnish Amateur Radio Association has recognised that even
amateurs who don't operate with the digital modes might still want to
go digital when it comes to reading material about radio. The SRAL now
allows its members the option of receiving their magazines in a digital
format sent via email instead of waiting for the postal carrier to
deliver it. This follows the lead of a number of amateur radio
societies around the world who have already made that shift, including
the ARRL in the United States with its QST and On the Air magazines,
and the Radio Society of Great Britain with RadCom. Members of the
Finnish society are being given the option of receiving both the paper
and digital edition. An SRAL survey of members showed that 37 percent
of association members were strongly interested in a digital
publication. That bodes well for the society's budget: Digital
distribution is expected to reduce costs of producing the magazine,
which the association considers one of its biggest expenses.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

AUTOMAKERS LOSE COURT BATTLE OVER 5.9 GHz BAND

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: It was a case of use it or lose it for the US auto
industry, which has lost its fight to retain a larger allocation of the
5.9 GHz band for wireless safety features in vehicles. Kent Peterson,
KC0DGY, has that story.

KENT: A federal court in Washington, D.C., has decided against US
automakers who had asked the US Federal Communications Commission to
restore its previously allocated frequencies on the 5.9 GHz band for
use by wireless safety technology known as vehicle-to-vehicle. The
court ruled on Friday August 12th that the V2V technology had not been deployed in commercially marketed vehicles and that much of the
spectrum was needed for Wi-Fi. In 2020, the FCC reallocated part of the
5.9GHz spectrum from V2V technology so it could be available for
unlicensed devices using Wi-Fi.

The court denied the challenge to that reallocation by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, arguing that the court was
unconvinced that sufficient advances had been made in V2V technology.
The FCC told the court that 30MHz of spectrum remained available for
these so-called intelligent transportation systems and the agency
considered that enough.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(US CIRCUIT COURT, WASHINGTON D.C.; THE VERGE)

**

A CENTURY OF PROUD CHALLENGES FOR WISCONSIN AMATEUR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There are always new challenges for ham radio operators
who are on the lookout for the next big thing to learn. Perhaps no one
knows that better than this Wisconsin amateur. He celebrated his 100th birthday this summer. Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, has his story.

RALPH: In true amateur radio spirit, the learning hasn't stopped for
Arden Nelson, KA9WAR. He trained to fly military aircraft in the Army
Air Corps during World War II and 79 years ago this month he soloed a
PT-19 in Ballinger, Texas. He also learned to communicate using CW.
Although he regrets not having stayed with that mode when he became an
amateur radio operator 37 years ago, Arde - who turned 100 years old on
July 2nd - hasn't avoided conquering other modes since then. He devotes
three to four hours a day listening to the radio and trying to score
some good DX. He told Newsline in an email that with the assistance of
Dwight, NS9I, he made the leap into the digital realm and is active now
making contacts using FT-8.

Few hams could have been happier recently than Lou, N2CYY, who logged
an FT8 contact with him in his New Jersey shack on the 13th of August.
He was happy to learn his new friend had recently become a centenarian.
Even without making radio contact with him, however, other local hams
are sharing that joy: Fellow members of the Marinette and Menominee
Amateur Radio Club honored Arden recently with a birthday celebration
and a picnic at a local park.

There, fortunately, the only challenge he faced was cutting - and
eating - the cake.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(ARDE NELSON KA9WAR, PESHTIGO TIMES, LOU N2CYY)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

ROMANIAN STUDENTS RETURN FROM 4-DAY SOTA EXPEDITION

JIM/ANCHOR: Students in an amateur radio club in Romania have returned home with full hearts and full logbooks after four days of activating the countryside's beautiful mountains. More on their trip from Ed Durrant,
DD5LP.

ED: Accompanied by their teacher Adrian YO5IA, and other mentors, a group
of young amateurs from the school radio club YO6KGS in Romania set out from Râciu Village in late July for their latest adventure, a four-day SOTA expedition in the Giumalau Mountains. After watching demonstrations by
Csaba, YO6PIB, and Eva, YO6EVA, who activated their first summit, Giumalău Peak, the students joined them on 20m and 17m. Ranging in age from 12 to
20, many of the students had gone on previous activations with the school
club and their advisors. Mihaela, YO5MCM, could not be there in person this time but made sure to chase the group from her QTH in Cluj about 200 km
away. There was also a family reunion, ham radio style, as Nico YO6YLJ,
made a summit-to-summit contact with his father, Mihai YO6SM, who was operating from Norway using the call sign LB9HI. Mihai was able to give the other students their chance for a summit-to-summit contact too. Everyone
spent comfortable nights in a mountain cottage and by the final night they
had earned some bragging rights: The whole team had activated Giumalău summit, YO/EC-007, and logged summit-to-summit QSOs from Muncel, YO/EC-527,
to Giumalău on VHF and UHF. Daria YO6CDC wrote in her online diary that
until the next time: [quote] "We have the radio waves, the contests, the radioclub where we meet, while the memories last forever." [endquote]

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(ADRIAN YO5IA)


**

TOP HONORS FOR CALIFORNIA AMATEUR'S DOCUMENTARY AT LOS ANGELES FILM FEST

JIM/ANCHOR: A documentary film celebrating the spirit of invention has just won top honors at a Los Angeles Film Festival. Not surprisingly, the film's creative team included a ham. We hear more from Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

MIKE: "Pathways to Invention," a newly released documentary film directed
and coproduced by a Santa Barbara, California amateur radio operator, has
been chosen as Best Documentary Feature at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards. Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM, is both a teacher and a tinkerer who believes that technology can be a driving force to power education. A proponent of the Maker movement, Levi and his production partner Noah G.
Mark follow 10 emerging innovators on their journeys to become inventors.
The film was made with the support of the Lemelson Foundation. At the festival, the film also received awards for best producer, best original
music score and best director of a documentary feature. The film is to premiere this year.

Levi has been active on the education committee of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. He is also a life member of AMSAT and a board member of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club.

I'm Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

(LEVI C. MAAIA, K6LCM)

**

INDIAN AMATEURS MARK NATION'S 75 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

JIM/ANCHOR: India has just marked its 75 years of independence and hams
have been busy celebrating on the air. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us some of
the ways they're marking the occasion.

JIM: Amateurs throughout India and beyond have been marking that nation's
75 years of independence with special event stations and commemorative
nets. Special event station AT75CW will be on the air using CW from
September 1st trough October 2nd from northern India. Rajesh, VU2CW, is the same operator who activated AT75RADIO earlier this month on SSB.

Meanwhile, the Indian YL Net on the India Conference Server on Echolink
marked the nation's independence with a series of guest net control
operators during the week of Monday, August 15th. Guests net controllers on this daily net included Dr. S. Sathyapal, VU2FI, director of the Indian Institute of Hams, using the call sign AU75IIH, and Omprakash Khiyani,
VU2KOC, who runs a popular net in India. He used the call sign AU75KOC.

India officially marked its independence on Monday, August 15th.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(QRZ, INDIAN YL NET)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

PRISON FOR RADIO AMATEUR AND HIS SON CONVICTED IN ASSAULTS

NEIL/ANCHOR: A judge in England has convicted a radio amateur and his son
for assaults going back several decades. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has more on
that story.

JEREMY: An amateur radio operator and his son have been sentenced to
prison following their convictions on rape and indecent assault charges
that date back to the 1980s and 1990s.

A report on ITV.COM identified the men as Arthur William Bowditch, 73
years of age, and his son, Arthur Stephen Bowditch, age 54.

The father was well-known among hams in the Summits on the Air programme,
and was identified on the SOTA reflector as having the callsign G4WSB.

Both men will become registered sex offenders for the remainder of their lives. William Bowditch received a 21-year extended sentence. He will be
given 20 years in custody followed by a one-year extended licence.
Stephen Bowditch received a sentence of 12 years in prison.

A note on the QRZ.com page for G4WSB marked him "QRT."

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ITV.COM, SOTA REFLECTOR)

**

ROUTE 66 SPECIAL EVENT KICKS OFF ON SEPT. 10TH

NEIL/ANCHOR: Lyrics for the old American rhythm and blues song advises
people to "get your kicks on Route 66," but for hams, that doesn't
necessarily involve the thrill of automobile travel. The 23rd annual
Route 66 on the Air Special Event will take care of any and all such
adventure by getting on the air celebrating the famous United States
highway that travels between east and west, crossing eight states and
three time zones. Twenty-two stations using one-by-one callsigns will be activated at locations along the iconic highway, using CW, SSB, and the digital modes. This event was created by the Northern Arizona DX
Association but is now run by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club. Three
of the 22 stations are being operated by the Northern Arizona Association.

So start listening on September 10th. The event runs through to September
18th at 23:59 UTC. Come along for the ride!

(CITRUS BELT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

STARLINK SATELLITES TO ASSIST T-MOBILE SERVICE IN US "DEAD ZONES"

NEIL/ANCHOR: Mobile phones in the United States could start behaving like satellite phones under an agreement the carrier T-Mobile has reached with SpaceX Starlink. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, has that report.

KENT: T-Mobile and the Starlink satellite internet service are calling
the plan "Coverage Above and Beyond." At a recent press event the two companies announced a plan to help T-Mobile customers avoid service dead
zones by creating a connection in underserved areas between mobile phones
and satellites. The connection is to provide a total of between 2 and 4 megabits per second across the area for users of 5G mobile service. A T-
mobile press release said the service is entering beta testing next year
and will be available in the continental US, parts of Alaska, Hawaii,
Puerto Rico and US territorial waters. The satellite connection is being called sufficient for texting, MMS messaging and some messaging apps when
the users have a clear view of the sky.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(THE VERGE, T-MOBILE, SOTA REFLECTOR)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N8NC repeater
of the North Coast Amateur Radio Club in Brunswick, Ohio on Sundays, at 8
p.m. during the weekly information net.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

CONNECTICUT CW CLUB HOSTS FIRST CONTEST

PAUL/ANCHOR: Whoever said that fresh beginnings can't be fun probably
didn't belong to this small but growing group of CW enthusiasts. Randy
Sly, W4XJ, tells us about them.

RANDY: You don't have to live in the state of Connecticut to be a member
of the Connecticut CW Club but yes, it helps if you enjoy sending and receiving Morse Code. Members are going to get that chance in a big way
this month: The club is having its inaugural CW contest starting on
September 17th at 1200 UTC and ending September 18th at the same time. To participate and qualify for a certificate, you need to join the club --
and membership is free! Members have already signed up from North
Carolina, California, Arkansas, New Hampshire and yes.....Connecticut.

Operators who have the three highest scores - and the operator who makes
the longest-distance QSO - will receive certificates.

According to its website, the club has other goals too: sharing portable operations, including SOTA and POTA, having biweekly social meet-ups and teaching newcomers the ins and outs of CW. The group's meetings are held
in person and in Zoom so members who don't live locally can still attend.
See the website ctcw dot club (ctcw.club) for details.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(CONNECTICUT CW CLUB)

**

AMATEUR RADIO MENTORS TRAIN CANDIDATES ON INDIA'S 'TEACHERS DAY'

PAUL/ANCHOR: In India, where the birthday of the nation's second
president is celebrated as Teachers' Day, amateur radio educators marked
the occasion with a half-day training session for young license
candidates. John Williams, VK4JJW, has the details.

JOHN: In the spirit of a national holiday that honours mentors and
educators, 35 students at Sodepur High School in Kolkata, India attended
a practical class on electronics and amateur radio in preparation for
testing for their licences. The course was offered by the Indian Academy
of Communication and Disaster Management, an organisation founded at the school in 2010 with the help of the West Bengal Radio Club.

Nearly four hours of classes were conducted in the spirit of Teachers'
Day, a holiday marking September 5th, 1888, the birthdate of Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, a scholar, professor and philosopher who was elected
president of India in 1962.

The classes were taught by Pasupati Mandal, VU3ODQ, Dipak Chakraborty,
VU3OKT, and Rinku Nag Biswas, VU2JFB, the secretary of the Indian amateur organisation. The students are expected to sit for their licence tests
soon.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(INDIAN ACADEMY OF COMMUNICATION AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT)

**

BRAZIL REPORTS HIGHEST NUMBER OF HAMS ON AIR

PAUL/ANCHOR: The numbers have brought good news to the amateur radio
community in Brazil, where the figures show there are even more hams this
year than previously. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, picks up the story from here.

JEREMY: More amateurs than ever are on the air in Brazil and most of them
are Class C entry level operators, according to a recent study by the The
Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de R��dio Emiss��o, the national amateur radio society. The organisation used data provided by the nation's regulator, ANATEL, and analysed by Ricardo Benedito, PY2QB.

The data shows that this year's amateur radio ranks grew by 2.2 percent
over last year, with more than 40,000 now holding a radio licence. The
state with the most hams is S�o Paulo, where more than 10,000 amateurs
reside. Likewise, the city of S�o Paulo has the most amateurs among
Brazilian cities - with 2,430 operators - followed by Rio de Janeiro,
which has 1,521.

The number of stations also grew, according to the data: There were about 60,000 stations in 2021. The number is now in excess of 63,000, counting repeaters, mobile, fixed, beacons and terrestrial stations - with more
than 17,000 of them in the state of Sao Paulo.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(LABRE, SOUTHGATE)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

YOUTH ON THE AIR TO GO CAMPING IN CANADA

PAUL/ANCHOR: Organizers have just announced that campers attending next
year's Youth on the Air camp in the Americas will be packing their bags
for a northern location. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has the details.

JACK: The Youth on the Air Camp, which was held in West Chester, Ohio,
for its first two years, is moving north to Canada for its third year.
The camp will be able to host as many as 30 young amateurs from North,
Central and South America on the campus of Carleton University in
Ontario, Canada. Applications will be accepted starting December 1st and
any amateur radio operators in the Americas who are between the ages of
15 and 25 are welcome to apply. Prospective campers who do not live in
Canada are being encouraged to apply for passports and tourist visas in
time to enable them to enter the country to attend camp.

Youngsters who attended previous sessions of Youth on the Air camp will
return to serve as leaders. Top priority for admission will go to first-
time attendees and youngsters who reside outside the United States.

The camp will take place from July 16th through to the 21st with Radio Amateurs of Canada serving as the local host.

For additional details, visit the camp's web page at YouthOnTheAir dot
org (YouthOnTheAir.org)

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP)

**

VOICE OF AMERICA SITE MARKS 78TH ANNIVERSARY

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, there are still big things happening in West
Chester, Ohio, which had been the host of the youth camp for the past
two years. Remembering the site's importance as a Voice of America relay station, hams are activating a special event station to mark its
important anniversary. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, brings us that report.

NEIL: Where it once carried vital news to people in South America,
Europe and Africa during troubled times in the world, the Voice of
America Bethany Relay Station in West Chester, Ohio, is now carrying a
message of celebration. Members of the West Chester Amateur Radio
Association, WC8VOA, which is housed at the VOA museum on the relay
station site, will be marking the 78th anniversary of the relay station
during a special event station on September 24th and 25th. VOA sent its
first news reports and programs out to the world from that former Ohio
farmers field in July of 1944 and continued to do so until the
transmitter went silent in 1994.

For the special event, hams will be using the club callsign and calling
QRZ using CW, SSB and the digital modes. The station will begin
operation at 12:00 UTC on Saturday and will go QRT at 00:00 UTC on
Sunday. Be listening on 15, 20 and 40 meters. Hams making contacts will
be eligible for a downloadable certificate from the club website. See
the *WC8VOA* page on QRZ.com for details.

I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX/VA2VRX)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the
K7MMA repeater in Spokane, Washington on Fridays at 5 p.m. Pacific time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

TENNESSEE AMATEURS DONATE RADIO BOOKS TO LIBRARY

JIM/ANCHOR: Nothing can compare with the gift of knowledge and that's
what a group of hams in Tennessee recently gave to their local library -
ham radio knowledge, of course. Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, picks up the story
from here.

SKEETER: The Andrew Johnson Amateur Radio Club may not have written the
book on amateur radio but its members recently showed they know how to
share the wealth of radio knowledge contained in some valuable volumes.
The Tennessee club has donated a collection of new and used ham radio-
related volumes to the Greeneville-Greene County Public Library.

A press release from the club said the gift was part of the group's
mission to provide community service and advocate for radio knowledge and education. The group thanked the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Greene
County for a $500 donation that helped the club compile the book
collection. The books were presented to the library by president Ian
Bible KE4EAC and secretary/treasurer Larry Whiteside, KN4MVH.

The books include "Ham Radio for the New Ham," by Stan W. Merrill; two
copies of "Ham Radio for Dummies," by H. Ward Silver and "The World of
Ham Radio, 1901-1950: A Social History." For tinkerers there is "Antique
Radio Restoration Guide," by David Johnson; and "Antique Radio Repair and Restoration," (4th edition) by Alfred Corbin, which discusses vacuum tube radios. A number of ARRL publications are also in the collection,
including a digital handbook and a license manual.

This is Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.

(THE GREENEVILLE SUN)

**

AUSTRALIAN AMATEURS INVITE THE WORLD TO PORTABLE EVENT

JIM/ANCHOR: A club in New South Wales, Australia, has big plans for some outdoor operation - and everyone is invited. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells
how you can attend.

JOHN: The Central Coast Amateur Radio Club in New South Wales is hoping everyone can join them at their next outing, a portable-op-and-picnic
event. Yes, this means hams in Europe. This also means hams in North
America. The club is setting up a big festive gathering on the 15th of
October at Terrigal Haven on Australia's South Pacific coastline where
members will socialize with one another while promoting amateur radio to strangers. Of course, if there is an ocean or a continent - or both - in
the way of your being there, that's no excuse for not participating.
Starting at 11:30 a.m. local time and going through at least until 4
p.m., radio operators at the outing will have a path on 20M into New
Zealand, North America and as the day wears on, signals will be favoured
into Europe. Listen for the club call signs VK2AFW and VK2WFD.

As with any picnic and any radio activation, everyone will keep an eye on
the weather -- terrestrial as well as solar.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(CCARC)

**

ACMA SEEKS INPUT ON NEW LICENCE CLASS

JIM/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, as Newsline went to production, the Australian Communications and Media Authority announced it was asking for amateurs
to comment on the proposed class licence for non-assigned amateur and
outpost stations. The ACMA is also reviewing issues related to higher-
power operations. This process is part of the ACMA's ongoing five-year spectrum review. The ACMA website at acma dot gov dot au (acma.gov.au) is accepting submissions until the close of business on the 29th of
November.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world including D-STAR Reflector
91C on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. local time in Melbourne, Australia.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

FISTS CW CLUB PREPS FOR QSO PARTY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: October is also a big month for CW enthusiasts and one
club in the UK has picked a date for a big but very informal get-
together. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains.

JEREMY: Members of the FISTS CW Club in the UK know that you don't need a reason to declare it's time for a QSO Party. So organisers have declared
the 22nd of October as the date for the club's official autumn gathering.
The FISTS website says [quote] "This is simply an opportunity to rekindle
old friendships and make new ones." [endquote] This means that nonmembers
and radio ops who send QRS are just as welcome as are FISTS regulars. The
QSO party takes place on that date between 1900 and 2359 UTC.

As the club points out on its website, this is an activity that won't
help anyone score points or add another certificate to their ever-growing collection - but on the other hand, you might just make some new friends.
The website offers a few more encouraging words by adding: [quote]:
"Let's wheel out the homebrew, the military gear, the old stuff and the
new and let's just chat to each other." [endquote]

Details are available at fists dot co dot uk (fists.co.uk)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

**

SKCC SEEKS DESIGNS FOR ANNIVERSARY QSL CARD

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another group of CW enthusiasts has reached out to its
members to showcase a talent that doesn't require a straight key, cootie
or bug -- just perhaps some pen, ink and a little imagination. Kevin
Trotman, N5PRE, has that report.

KEVIN: The Straight Key Century Club is asking its members to call upon a skill that requires a good hand and a good eye instead of a good fist and
a good ear. The club is preparing for activities marking the 17th
anniversary of its founding -- and that means it needs a new and unique
QSL card for a special event. Every year the SKCC designates January as Straight Key Month and starting on the 2nd of January, operators get on
the air using the special event call sign K3Y.

Members have until the 14th of December to submit their designs and then
the club gets to vote on the submissions, which are displayed on the
event webpage. The design with the most votes becomes the design of the official K3Y QSL card and many of the others become part of the SKCC
print calendar for 2023.

No, it's not too early to start thinking about 2023 or this special
event. If you're a club member who likes to design QSL cards - or if you
want to try - this is your chance. Designers are permitted to submit
their cards from previous competitions in the hopes of making it to the
top this year. For details, see the link the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[PRINT ONLY: https://skccgroup.com/k3y/k3y-qsl-vote.php ]

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(SKCC)

**

1st WOMAN TO LEAD ITU IS AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Members of the ITU have chosen their next leader and
she's not just the first woman - she's a ham. Dave Parks, WB8ODF, has
details.

DAVE: The International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations
agency that coordinates telecommunications operations globally, has
elected an amateur radio operator from the US as its new secretary-
general. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, KD2JTX, will be the first woman to hold
that office when she succeeds Houlin Zhao on January 1st.

Her campaign page on the US Department of State website lists her deep involvement with the ITU, most recently as director of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. The website listed her
accomplishments in bringing about upgrades that better embrace digital advances, and that her work in the role supported global efforts to
promote school connectivity and greater involvement of youth. Under her leadership, the ITU focused on giving youth more of a voice in strategy
and programs.

She posted on her Twitter account on September 19th: [quote] "Immensely
proud to be the first woman ever elected to the post of ITU Secretary-
General. We've finally smashed a 157-y.o. glass ceiling! -- and I hope
this result inspires women and girls everywhere to dream big and make
those dreams a reality!"

Her rival for the post was Rashid Ismailov of Russia, who lost in a vote
of 139 votes to 25.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(US DEPT OF STATE, BBC NEWS)

**

DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR CLUB GRANT PROGRAM

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This is a reminder that there is a little less than one
month left for interested clubs to apply to the ARRL Foundation Club
Grant Program. Deadline for applications is November 4th. The program is
run with the help of a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications
and allows clubs to expand such programs as those focused on education
and training, especially new radio amateurs. A total of $500,000 is
available to clubs and as much as $25,000 can be provided to any one club
for a worthy project. Ham clubs requiring more than that amount are being asked to apply directly to the ARDC.

Additional details about the ARRL program can be found at the link in the
text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[PRINT ONLY: arrl.org/club-grant-program ]

(ARRL)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

HURRICANE IAN RESPONDER CREDITS HAM TEAM

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hurricane Ian has passed, but the storm's force is not
something easily forgotten - and one amateur who assisted Florida
residents from hundreds of miles away reflects on the experience. Randy
Sly, W4XJ, caught up with him.

RANDY: Most of us have heard the story of Dale Klonin, KC3TAU, the
Maryland Firefighter who used his ham radio skills to send rescuers to Florida's Sanibel Island during Hurricane Ian. His actions resulted in
the rescue of several persons in the wake of the island's devastation.
We talked with Dale after the event reflecting back on what took place.
While not comfortable being called a hero, he told AR Newsline that he
was pleased that he could play a part and was very happy that the
people were safe.

So, what lessons did he learn from this event? Though new to ham radio,
he is an emergency preparedness trainer as a part of his firefighting
career. First, he said, it's important to know who's doing what.

Committed to supporting the emergency communications role of ham radio,
Dale was already monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net and Florida
Emergency Net on HF, listening to the Florida Room on WIRES-X and had
Echolink up and running. When he was made aware of the stranded
individuals from a relative nearby, he knew who to call. He also said
it was important for him to have more than one plan in place.

Information was shared over HF radio, as well as by email and text with
net control stations. Before he ended our conversation, he also wanted
to be sure to recognize the unsung heroes of the event, the Florida
hams and others around the country who worked the nets and really knew
how to control and pass along information. Rescuers did the work but
their information came from the capable hands of amateurs.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

HAMS AID STRANDED TOURISTS IN MONSOON

NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio proved invaluable for visitors from India
who were left stranded in Nepal. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about this developing story.

ED: At least 68 travelers from Bengal were left stranded earlier this
month in Nepal as monsoon flooding and landslides ravaged the
landscape. As the tourists' cell phones died, amateur radio stepped in. According to a story in the Times of India, hams in Nepal began rescue communications and reached out to the West Bengal Radio Club on behalf
of the tourists. The club contacted the Nepal Consulate for assistance.
The Nepal Tourism Board arranged for rescue teams, including
helicopters, because travel was restricted by road damage. Where
possible, local hams carried rations to help the stranded tourists from Kolkata. As Newsline went to production, improved weather conditions
brought hope that the tourists could be returned safely home.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(THE TIMES OF INDIA)

**

SUDAN GROUP ELECTED TO IARU MEMBERSHIP

NEIL/ANCHOR: Formed a little more than a year ago, the Sudan Amateur
Radio Union has become the newest member society of the International
Amateur Radio Union. The group, which represents the interests of hams
in the northeast African nation, has a membership of 54. It was founded
on August 6th of 2021 and is part of Region 1 of the IARU.

(IARU)

**

SILENT KEY JOHN MUELLER K2BT

NEIL/ANCHOR: An influential and well-respected member of the western
New York amateur radio community has become a Silent Key. John Mueller (MULE-LERR), K2BT, died on October 9th following a lengthy illness.
Licensed since November 2004, John held an Amateur Extra license. A
Volunteer Examiner and a member of SKYWARN, John served as ARRL Western
New York section manager from 2012 through 2014 and was emergency
coordinator for Chautauqua County ARES from 2010 through 2012. John was
a past president of the Chautauqua (CHUH-TALK-WAH) County Amateur FM Association and a veteran of the US Army. John's widow, Laura Mueller,
N2LJM, serves as current section manager for Western New York. John was
63. Newsline offers his family and friends our condolences.

(FACEBOOK, MATTHEW BROWN, K2EAG)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
KB9LPP repeater in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on Saturdays. The repeater is
DMR enabled on the Brandmeister Network.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

LATEST HONOR CONFERRED FOR WORKED ALL BRITAIN FOUNDERS BOWL

JIM/ANCHOR: Of course, some amateurs' collections extend beyond QSL
cards. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about one ham in England who just
added to a different kind of collection.

JEREMY: Some amateurs are proud of their collection of QSL cards. Karl
Kruger 2E0FEH takes special pride in his collection of trophies. The
latest conferred upon him is the inscription of his name on the
Founders Bowl from Worked All Britain for 2021. The award not only
recognises him as a high-scoring chaser for a half-decade but
acknowledges the articles he has written for the Worked All Britain
magazine and his support and advice given to operators.

Chasers face the seemingly daunting task of hunting all kinds of
locator squares throughout Britain, starting with the 100km big squares
and then 10km smaller squares within them. Karl's efforts include
helping chasers locate and work portable stations that operate from
squares where there are no resident hams. There are, of course, other
types of ways to earn points, with coastal squares, islands,
lighthouses and waterway lights.

Karl has been involved in these big and small chases for quite some
time.

He told Newsline [quote] "the best bit after a period of time, [is
when] you start collecting trophies. I have quite a collection now in
my cabinet. It's taken a few years to do and a lot of air time but
trust me, it's worth it." [endquote]

Karl said the awards scheme is open to Shortwave Listeners and even
overseas operators, who might actually find the collection easier from
a QTH outside Britain. He told Newsline [quote]: "Be warned. It is
addictive." [endquote]

I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

**

SPECIAL EVENT STATION COMMEMORATES LAKE SUPERIOR TRAGEDY

JIM/ANCHOR: Even if you're not in the United States, you may have heard
of the tragedy of the freighter that sank during a storm in 1975 in one
of the Great Lakes. The vessel's story is being told again with the
help of a special event station, as we hear from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: In the state of Michigan, the story of the tragedy cannot be told
enough: On November 10th, 1975, an American freighter, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was sent to the bottom of Lake Superior. The crew of 29 lost
their lives that day. That story will be shared once again between
October 30th and November 13th by members of the Livonia Amateur Radio
Club, K8UNS, as they operate as special event station W8F. On Saturday, November 5th, the operation will also be at the Dossin Great Lakes
Museum from 1600 to 2030 UTC. This is also a POTA activation and an
entity in the US Islands Awards scheme. The museum and the Detroit
Historical Society are hosting the event, hoping that amateurs from
around the world will make contact and that visitors to the museum will observe the portable ham station on its day of operation there. Hams
who log W8F as a contact will be issued a confirmation certificate.

See the QRZ.com page for special event station W8F for more details.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(QRZ.COM)

**

NO BARE-BONES OPERATION FOR HALLOWEEN

JIM/ANCHOR: Here in the United States, as Halloween approaches, people
have been growing increasingly creative in the ways they decorate their
homes for the holiday. Meet one ham in Denver, Colorado, who carries
the theme way above all the others - way, way above - because it's on
his roof. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, gives us the details.

NEIL: If you look at the photos on his page on QRZ.com, you'll notice
right away that Keifer Hunniford, K3IFR, doesn't exactly have a shack
that you'd call a bare-bones operation. Well, Halloween has changed all
that. His wife, Ari, is a big fan of the holiday and recently brought
home nine skeletons from the local Home Depot. Some of them are now
scattered around the couple's yard and a few are hanging off the roof
of their house in various poses. The luckiest skeleton of the bunch got
the highest visibility of all: Keifer has him mounted on his antenna,
and the installation required - you guessed it - only a skeleton crew.
Keifer zip-tied that festive bunch of bones into place to keep him
secure through the end of the month.

We're not sure whether its presence has an impact on Keifer's SWR -
that's Skeleton-Wave-Ratio - but we do know it has scared up a lot of
interest locally and on Facebook too, where he posted a picture. It has
turned their house into quite a haunt - and if any neighbors should try
to compete with it... let's just say.....they don't stand a ghost of a
chance.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

SILENT KEY: MINNESOTA'S MIKE SIGELMAN, K0BUD

PAUL/ANCHOR: The Minnesota ham radio community is grieving the loss
of an active longtime radio operator who was formally recognized
for his generous spirit and decades of involvement. Kent Peterson,
KC0DGY tells us about him.

KENT: On his page on QRZ.com, Mike Sigelman, K0BUD, described
himself as "one enthusiastic amateur radio operator!" He wrote:
[quote] "I have been licensed since 1955 and keep heavily involved
both on the air as well as in the local amateur community."
[endquote]

Mike became a Silent Key on Thursday the 20th of October, but not
before the former broadcast professional also left a deep imprint
in amateur radio. The ARRL honored him in 2013 with the President's
Award in recognition of his years of commitment and service to
various league programs. Earlier this year, he was given the Public
Service Award from the Maple Grove Radio Club, K0LTC.

An enthusiastic participant in local nets, contesting and DXing, he
had also served as president of the Twin City FM Club and the
public relations officer for the ARRL's Minnesota section manager.

His survivors include his wife Judy, N0OEL.

Michael was 83.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(QTZ.COM, STAR-TRIBUNE)

**

SILENT KEY: INFLUENTIAL FINNISH AMATEUR PETER TIGERSTEDT, OH5NQ/OH2BM

PAUL/ANCHOR: A ham respected in Finland for his wide-ranging work
as a mentor, a pioneer and - separately - a renowned botanist - has
become a Silent Key. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about him.

ED: Peter Tigerstedt, OH5NQ/OH2BM, was considered one of the most
prominent figures in amateur radio in Finland. A news report from
the Wireless Institute of Australia quotes Martii Laine, OH2BH, as
calling Peter a pioneer on both the high and low ends of the HF
spectrum. A professor by vocation, his other love was to mentor
young radio contesters in Finland and welcome them to his contest
station OH5Z. Born in 1936, he was remembered by Al, 4L5A, writing
in a forum on DxNews.com: [quote] "Now the OH5Z group has lost
their 'father figure' and are looking longingly towards the
horizon." [endquote]

Beyond radio, the Helsinki University professor emeritus achieved
fame as an expert in plant-breeding, most especially the
rhododendron. He developed a variety that bears his name.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(WIA, DXNEWS.COM)

**

SILENT KEY: SOUTHGATE AMATEUR NEWS' RICHARD BRUNTON G4TUT

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you follow amateur radio current events you are
probably aware of the Southgate Amateur Radio News website. We here
at Newsline are sad to report that the colleague of ours in England,
who ran that important website, has become a Silent Key. Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH, has that report.

JEREMY: We are sad to announce the passing of Richard Brunton,
G4TUT. Richard died at age 77 as the result of a fall on the 21st
of October. The callsign may not seem familiar to you, but for
decades Richard was editor of the Southgate Amateur Radio News
website which has a significant international following. Each and
every day, Richard would search the world’s ham radio and
technology resources seeking out stories of interest and publishing
them. Beyond the straight news items and specialist sections of his
site, Richard encouraged non-commercial podcasts and blogs to
promote ham radio opinion and stimulate debate on the essential
subjects of the day. He also compiled the "CQ Serenade" weekly
programme which was broadcast throughout Europe on Shortwaveradio.de
and other public-facing media. Richard himself was an intensely
private man who had no close family, but he reached thousands of
friends daily through his website. Amateur radio has lost a statesman
and a stalwart whose dedication to amateur radio was valued and
enjoyed by so many.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(STEVE RICHARDS G4HPE)

**

POLISH AMATEURS HOSTING ON-AIR MEMORIAL

PAUL/ANCHOR: With every new Silent Key in our amateur radio
community, the bands grow a little more empty. In Poland, however,
amateurs are planning an activation to share and honor those who
have meant so much. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, brings us the details.

ED: The Polish Amateur Radio Union, PZK, is conducting a memorial
activation from the 1st to the 6th of November, asking amateurs to
make contact with the station SPØSKM and provide the name and
callsign of the Silent Key they wish to commemorate. Hams will be
able to do this on 80, 40 and 20 metres using CW and SSB and on 2
metres FM. The PZK's editorial office is promoting this event which
is being called, in translation, "remembrance of those who passed
away." The special-event station operators will create an SK
remembrance List based on SK stations noted in the log.

Each radio contact is eligible for a certificate which will be able
to be downloaded later, commemorating the event and the Silent Key
submitted. If a ham wishes to honour more than one Silent Key, it
must be done on another day in a different QSO.

The Polish organisation's website says, in translation, [quote] "In
this way, we will honour the memory of those we no longer hear on
the amateur wave." [endquote]

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(PZK,IRTS)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

OHIO PENN DX BULLETIN HALTS PUBLICATION

DON/ANCHOR: DXers and others interested in chasing special callsigns have learned that an important resource for more than three decades is ceasing publication. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has that story.

JACK: After 31 years of publishing the free Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, is calling it quits. Tedd, the president of the
Northern Ohio DX Association, has made this free resource available on
the internet and packet clusters around the world. He announced that the edition of October 31st, 2022 was to be the final bulletin. The
bulletin's webmaster, John Papay, K8YSE, said on the website that the
archived issues of the bulletin will continue to be available on the EIDX Network, papays.com. John said that readers enjoyed it as an email or on
the list servers. He said that thousands of readers saw it on the website
as well. He wrote: [quote] "What I found surprising is that people will
not only read the current OPDX, but they will read back issues by the
hundreds as well. What a great resource it has [become] and will still
be." [endquote]

John encouraged people to email Tedd to thank him for his years of
DXpedition reports, propagation updates and other relevant information.
The email address is kb8nw@arrl.net.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(OHIO PENN DX BULLETIN)

**

"RETIRED REPEATER" LIVES ON IN COLORADO

DON/ANCHOR: Where do old repeaters go when they retire? In the case of
one very old repeater in California, that would be the Colorado Rockies.
Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, shares this story, which was told recently on
the website eham.net:

RALPH: In the early 1960s, before the area had frequency coordination
groups and standards for repeater offsets, a privately owned repeater
went up on a place called Contractors Point, high above San Fernando in southern California. The W6AQY solid-state repeater, which operated on
VHF FM, relied on the parts of a Motorola walkie-talkie that it was built from.

On the website, eham.net, Paul, W0RW, said he helped install it on the mountaintop long ago with Jim, W6UJX, and Jim's father, facing the
challenge of putting a 30-foot telephone pole in a trench in that rocky
soil. The repeater itself was protected from the elements inside a
waterproof Motorola truck mount box and its batteries needed changing
every three months.

He said that the transmitter had an output of about 20 watts ERP and used
a three-element beam turned toward Los Angeles and it served all of
southern California successfully for much of that decade. It was finally
taken out of service in 1969 and after some refurbishment moved to
Colorado where it was put back to work -- this time as WR0ACR. A half-
century later, it is still doing its job - but like most retirees, it is
on standby service for much of the time.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(EHAM.NET)

**

POTA QSOs INCREASE BY NEARLY 30 PERCENT

DON/ANCHOR: With the past few weeks bringing great weather for outdoor activations, Parks on the Air QSOs have grown. Matt Heere, N3NWV, brings
us the latest statistics.

MATT: Hi All. I'm Matt, N3NWV here, with your October 2022 POTA stats
and news update. October included the fall "Support Your Parks" weekend
event and the stats show a big jump from last month.

We had 15,781 activations by 2,808 activators from 5.483 parks. Forty-
seven DXCC entities were represented this month and we reached a total of 706,846 QSOs, a month-over-month increase of 29% .

Congratulations to all of our category leaders for October, and as always
a big thanks for everyone who participates in the POTA program.

Speaking of participating, our "Park a Day" Bailey-Sprott list hasn't
changed notably this month. We still have five activators and two dozen hunters on track for pressing the POTA button every day in 2022. Good
luck to all now that we're down to the final two months of the year.

The October 15 and 16 "Support Your Parks" weekend was a huge success, generating over 100,000 QSOs. Nearly 11 hundred activators got to over
15 hundred parks, and worked over 15,000 hunters. All in all, 34 DXCC
entities participated in the weekend in one way or another.

That wraps it up for this month. Seven-three and POTA on!

(POTA)

**

INTERNATIONAL NEWSMAKER AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED

DON/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that in a little more than one month,
we will be announcing this year's recipient of the Amateur Radio Newsline International Newsmaker of the Year Award. We began this award in 2019 as
a way of honoring individuals, groups or formal clubs whose actions and contributions show the world the value that amateur radio brings to
society. Recipients are chosen by the editorial staff of Amateur Radio Newsline. All past recipients have shown themselves to adhere to the high standards of selflessness and community service which ham radio is known
for and have also helped garner recognition and a higher profile for ham
radio in the mainstream media. Be listening in early December when we
announce the recipient who has not only made headlines, but made a
difference, too.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

RSGB SELECTS COORDINATOR OF CW COMPETENCY TEST

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're in the UK and want a way to formally measure your
Morse Code competency, there's a newly appointed ham to oversee your test. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, to introduce him.

JEREMY: Eric Arkinstall, M0KZB, recognises that for many fellow hams,
amateur radio is all about the love of Morse Code, plain and simple. For
Eric, being an amateur has almost always been about the love of all things radio when, since at age 11, he built his first crystal set.

Recently, the Radio Society of Great Britain appointed him coordinator of
the Morse Competency test which awards operators recognition for their efforts.

Although a Morse Code Certificate is not proof of a national standard of proficiency or internationally recognised, it is a matter of pride for
those operators who attain it. In most countries now including the UK, a knowledge of Morse Code is no longer a requirement for a ham radio licence.

According to the RSGB website, 5 words per minute is the slowest speed for which the certificate is issued. This is being done to encourage progress towards higher speeds. Tests are also available at 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 and
30 wpm.

If you wish to take the test, you can email Eric directly at morse.tests@rsgb.org.uk

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

NASA CHOOSES HAMS TO HELP COPY ORION'S SIGNAL

JIM/ANCHOR: The Orion spacecraft, which is set to be launched toward the
moon this month, won't be making the trip alone. Amateur radio operators
will be along for the ride - well, sort of. Paul Braun, WD9GCO, explains.

PAUL: When Artemis 1 dispatches an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on its journey
to the moon, two hams will be on board the mission even though they're
keeping their feet solidly on Planet Earth. Amateur radio operators are
part of the 18-member team of volunteers who will be tracking various parts
of the 25-day mission, recording whether it is possible to copy Orion's signal. NASA said they will also track and measure changes in Orion's radio transmissions.

The team will include satellite enthusiast Scott Chapman, K4KDR, of Vermont and amateur astronomer Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, of British Columbia. The two amateurs were chosen to join space agencies and international companies
from Canada, Germany, Korea and elsewhere.

I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(SPACE.COM)

***

FCC SEEKING NEW GRADS FOR ENGINEERS' PROGRAM

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're a recent college graduate with an engineering degree
or expect to graduate with that degree in December, this opportunity from
the US Federal Communications Commission might interest you. We have the details from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: The Honors Engineer program, an FCC career development initiative, has openings for engineering graduates interested in spending a year working alongside experienced professionals. The engineers will tackle such issues
as broadcast standards, next-generation communications networks and innovations in space. They will also explore public safety issues and
consult with homeland security agencies. Another focus will be new communications technologies, especially with respect to energy, education
and health care.

The program is run with an eye toward having its participants ultimately
join the FCC as fulltime employees.

Candidates may find this to be a competitive program. The agency considers academic achievement only one part of the successful engineer's resume. The FCC will also take into account technical skills and extracurricular activities. All candidates must show that they have an interest in working for a government employer in the communications sector.

If you're interested, you have until December 2nd to apply. Applications
are available online. You'll find the link to the application process in
the text version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/685101100

(FCC)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
in Clackamas County, Oregon, on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

FCC COMMISSIONER COMMITS TO AM RADIO'S SURVIVAL

NEIL/ANCHOR: According to at least one member of the US Federal
Communications Commission, rumors of the death of AM radio are
greatly exaggerated. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, brings us that report.

KENT: The good news is that AM radio has a future, which means the
band isn't going to be reallocated anytime soon. Those were the
words of FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, speaking recently at the
79th annual convention of the National Association of Farm
Broadcasting. Simington said that, for one thing, AM radio is an
integral part of the life of the more than 3 million farmers in the
United States who rely on it daily for vital information.

He called it the [quote] "essential spine" [endquote] of the
Emergency Alert System. He said that despite beliefs by many that it
has been killed off by more advanced technology, AM radio is here to
stay for the foreseeable future, especially for those who live on
the kind of farm where he himself grew up. He said he is against any
move the FCC might be pressured to consider to reallocate the band.

He told convention attendees: [quote] "Look, people listen to radio
in their cars or trucks -- particularly rural radio. That's just how
it is. And if people lose the ability to tune into AM on their cars,
well, there goes AM radio." [endquote] He said that while satellite
is a good option, it is too expensive. He said AM radio is not just
free, but carries an important emergency signaling infrastructure.

In his opinion, the best option for AM radio's future to to simply
preserve it for the generations to come.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

NEIL/ANCHOR: In a further development, an influential United States
lawmaker has joined the push to talk automakers out of eliminating
broadcast AM radio in new cars. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts
has asked the car companies to respond in writing about their
intentions regarding AM and FM radio. He acknowledged that electric
vehicles can cause electromagnetic interference with AM signals but
encouraged carmakers to pursue some of the remedies they have
devised. The car companies include General Motors, Jaguar, Kia, BMW,
and American Honda.

(FCC.GOV, RADIO WORLD, AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY)

**

TIME FOR THE '12 DAYS OF QRZ'

NEIL/ANCHOR: In case you need a way to keep the holiday fun going
even after the holiday season, QRZ.com has an event marking the
winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB,
brings us up to date on that.

RALPH: In some parts of the world where it's winter, things can get
a little cold. Sometimes...a lot cold. So this year QRZ.com has
offered to heat things up and the action already got under way on
the 1st of December. The QRZ Winter Ops Award celebrates "the twelve
days of QRZ." To be eligible, hams need to log 12 confirmed contacts
on any 12 days from now through February 28th 2023. The certificate
is being offered for the first time as a holiday gift from QRZ's
founder, Fred LLoyd, AA7BQ. Fred writes on the website: [quote]
"This one's going to be very popular this season. We can't wait for
people to show them to us hanging in their shacks." [endquote]
Hopefully it will keep the holiday spirit - and confirmation of those
dozen QSOs - going strong into the new year.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(QRZ.COM)

**

RSGB CREATES SOCIAL DIVERSITY POST

NEIL/ANCHOR: There's so much more to amateur radio than just the
technical and scientific side of things. The Radio Society of Great
Britain is looking for someone to help address an important social
concern. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, with the details.

JEREMY: The Radio Society of Great Britain is creating the volunteer
position of social diversity officer to help the board address
inclusion and diversity within the ranks of amateur radio and the
society itself. Some of the new officer's tasks will include helping
boost society membership but will also focus on encouraging hams of
all ages and backgrounds to get their licence.

The RSGB is hoping that through creation of this new position the
society can complement the work of the RAIBC, the Radio Amateur
Invalid and Blind Club, which serves radio amateurs and shortwave
listeners with disabilities.

If the role of social diversity officer is one for which you would
be interested in volunteering, please visit the society website at
rsgb dot org slash volunteers. (rsgb.org/volunteers) Application
deadline is Monday the 16th of January.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

NEW INDIAN SPECIAL EVENT STATION HONORS RADIO PIONEER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hundreds of contacts were made this year on the air by
a new special event station in India honoring that nation's noted
radio pioneer. We have that story from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: This year, Datta, VU2DSI, was not the only amateur
activating a special event station in late November to mark the
birth of the pioneering Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose.
Datta has operated his special event AU2JCB for 17 years - but this
year, Parks on the Air-India organised their own separate tribute
using the call sign AT8JCB. It was a POTA activation as well,
operating from Mohanpur Forest Park in West Bengal India, POTA
number, VU-0136. Parks on the Air-India is a relatively new
programme in India. It began barely a year ago but according to POTA
country administrator Arunava Dey, VU3XRY, the team of operators
made up for lost time with the Bose tribute. He said the response
was nothing short of "huge" and a great success.

Arunava told Newsline that over the course of the eight-day
activation, AT8JCB logged more than 900 QSOs using SSB and FT8.

With QSL and eQSL cards being sent in mid-December to their various destinations, POTA-India has other activities in store for the rest
of the month. There are also more than 4,000 parks to be activated
on the list of qualifying POTA locations.

The man called by many to be the "father of radio communications"
would no doubt be proud of all the amateur radio activity these days
in India.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(ARUNAVA DEY VU3XRY, POTA INDIA, QRZ.COM)

**

ROMANIAN EVENT MARKS HIKING TRAIL'S INAUGURAL YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: From now through the first half of the new year,
amateurs in Romania will be celebrating that nation's newest natural
resource: a hiking trail. We have more on that from Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH.

JEREMY: The journey of discovery that comes with hiking along
Romania's Via Transilvanica is an adventure for hikers cyclists and
horseback riders. It got under way on the 8th of October with the
official opening of the 1,400-km trail which had taken four years of preparation.

The journey which marks the trail's inauguration is also one for
amateur radio operators. Radio Club YO6KGS is activating special
event station YR1400VT on the HF bands from now 'til the 30th of
June 2023. It's a celebration of the long-distance trail that
Romania sees as its counterpart to the Appalachian Trail in the
United States and El Camiño de Santiago in Europe. While hikers hope
to gain insights into their own lives in a natural setting, amateur
radio operators and shortwave listeners around the world can work
towards diplomas at different levels according to the number of
contacts with other operators, many of whom will be young amateurs
and members of the YO6KGS School Radio Club.

Listen for their call sign on SSB and CW. CW speeds will not exceed
14 wpm.

For details about the rules and awards visit the QRZ.COM page for
YR1400VT - and wherever you are, enjoy the journey.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH

(ADRIAN BACIU, YO5IA, QRZ.COM)

**

DMR RADIO AIDS RESCUERS SEARCHING FOR LOST HIKER

PAUL/ANCHOR: The lifesaving capabilities of DMR proved useful to a
hiker in New Hampshire recently. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, has that story.

SEL: A relaxing day with his dog turned into a dangerous trek for a
ham who was hiking the trails of central New Hampshire on Sunday,
December 11th. He had become lost -- and the coming sunset and
forecast of snow put him in even greater danger, especially after
the battery in his cell phone died. He had been carrying his DMR HT,
however, and placed a call for help on the statewide talkgroup using
a local repeater.

Bill Barber, N-E-one-B, heard the call and was able to contact the
man's wife. She notified police who joined firefighters in starting
a search. Bill also contacted Rick Zach, K-one-R-J-Zed, who knows
the area's trails. Rick stayed in touch with the lost amateur on the
statewide talk group while communicating with the search team.

At one point, the amateur unintentionally changed channels on his HT
but another amateur, Chuck Cunningham, K-one-M-eye-Zed, noticed this
had happened and was able to restore communications. The ham found
his way to a road and was picked up by the searchers at 6:30 p.m.

Telling this story on one of the QRZ.com forums, Raul (Rah-Oool)
"Skip" Camejo (cam ay HO), A-C-one-L-C, recommended that hikers
carry DMR radios because their batteries last longer.

Skip's story did not identify the ham, but wrote that thanks to the
three amateurs who heard his call on DMR "the wayward ham is going
to be able to enjoy another Christmas holiday with his family."

This is Sel Embee, K-B-3-T-Zed-D.

(ARRL NEW ENGLAND DIVISION)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)