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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2432 for Friday June 7th, 2024

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2432 with a release date of
Friday, June 7th, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. The ARRL provides few insights into last
month's cyberattack. "Mega POTA" sweeps the parks of Puerto Rico -- and learning about amateur radio, for college credit! All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2432 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
ARRL GIVES ITS ACCOUNT OF RECENT NETWORK SHUTDOWN

JIM/ANCHOR: As phones came back into service at the Connecticut
headquarters of the ARRL, the league's communications remained sparse
and carefully worded about the apparent cyberattack that disabled its
networks, servers and other systems, including Logbook of the World.

Breaking a public silence of not quite one week, the league said on its
website that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and third-party
experts had been called in, early on, to help investigate. The league
said that managers formed an incident response team.

The league's message, posted on the 4th of June on its website, offered
no insights as to whether the source of the network shutdown came from
an internal or external attack but said the FBI told them they
considered the incident [quote] "unique." [unquote]. The league offered
no further explanation. The ARRL has said that no sensitive data, such
as credit card numbers, had been exposed and any details about members
were already publicly accessible from other sites.

The ARRL's message said that the staff was testing applications and
interfaces with an eye toward restoring their proper operation - but
did not elaborate further.

The ARRL Contest Portal was to be available on a limited basis, as the
dates for International Digital Contest and the June VHF Contest
approached.

Membership renewals were also being accepted online and by phone.

(ARRL)

**
MEGA POTA SWEEPS THE PARKS OF PUERTO RICO

JIM/ANCHOR: Among ham radio outdoor enthusiasts, is anything quite so
big as POTA? Try MEGA POTA. In fact, that's what hams in Puerto Rico
did late last month - and Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us how things went.

ANDY: The nature of ham radio and the nature of nature itself connected
in a very big way last month in the Caribbean as hams in Puerto Rico
enjoyed the simultaneous activation of more than 20 parks throughout
the island on the same day. One of the organizers, Emilio, WP4KEY, told
Amateur Radio Newsline in an email: [quote] "May 26, 2024 has been
written in gold letters in the book of amateur radio in the Caribbean
because this has been the largest event to be held." [endquote]

It was as much a celebration as an activation. Hams participated from
the Amateur Radio Alliance KP4ARA, the Lares Radio Club, KP4NET, and
numerous other groups worked stations in South America, Australia,
Europe, the US and elsewhere in the world. Emilio told Newsline that
this was the second event of its kind but the inaugural MEGA POTA, held
on November 16th, 2019, was nowhere near this size.

As Emilio told Newsline: [quote] "Mega POTA offered for activators a
unique experience that blends technology with the great outdoors and
hunters a unique opportunity to get those sometimes difficult to get
clubs and parks including some for the first time as activators."
[endquote] Emilio activated with his wife, Wanda, KP4NYC and his son,
Emilio, KP4HBK.

MEGA POTA 2025 is already in the works. Emilio said that next year's activations will include more demonstrations for members of the public
stopping by and offer guided tours of the island's cultural and natural attractions. Next year he expects to have even more to celebrate.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(EMILIO ORTIZ JR., WP4KEY)

**
WEEKEND "EXPLOSION" OF SOTA IN EUROPE

JIM/ANCHOR: Planning and coordination were at the root of what made
Puerto Rico's MEGA POTA a success. Somehow, however, the stars seem to
have aligned on their own among Summits on the Air enthusiasts in a
number of European countries. Jeremy Boot G4NJH explains.

JEREMY: Several groups of SOTA hams have decided - quite independently
- to declare the 8th and 9th of June a big Summits on the Air weekend,
each in their own way. SOTA activators in Switzerland and France are
preparing for their respective Mountain Activation Days during the
weekend. In Wales, the big summit-to-summit event on Saturday the 8th
will be followed by a hog roast. VHF is not left out with the Spanish VHF-SOTA-FM event on the 8th and in England, the 144 MHz Backpackers
scaling summits on the 9th.

If propagation is cooperative, all this could create some very full
logs. Sometimes, even when there is no organized international effort, enthusiasm seems to help things along.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(SOTA REFLECTOR)

**
PROJECT OSCAR HANDS OFF SATELLITE DUTIES, FUNDS TO AMSAT

JIM/ANCHOR: For more than six decades, Project OSCAR was a success -but
now Project OSCAR is no more. Neil Rapp WB9VPG tells us about the
organization that built and launched the first ham radio satellite and
all that followed.

NEIL: Amateur radio satellites were the reason Project OSCAR came into
being, from that first 22-day orbit by OSCAR 1 in 1961, followed by
subsequent satellites -- a total of 121 OSCARS over six decades. Now
the organization is being dismantled and AMSAT is to receive its
remaining funds. AMSAT has also been given the right to use the term
OSCAR, which is an acronym for Orbiting Satellite Carrying
AmateurRadio.

AMSAT expressed its appreciation for the 64-year journey of the early organization and issued a statement on AMSAT News saying: [quote] "The
large and growing amateur satellite community owes its existence to
those early pioneers who decided that amateur radio had a place in
space and made it happen. AMSAT is committed to upholding the legacy of
those early pioneers and keeping Amateur Radio in Space." [endquote]

This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS)

**
CHINESE MOON LANDER RETURNING WITH ROCK, SOIL SAMPLES

JIM/ANCHOR: A special delivery is underway - the first rock and soil
samples from the far side of the moon. China's mission to the dark side
of the moon is returning with that precious cargo, the first samples of
its kind gathered during any lunar exploration. The Chinese National
Space Administration mission faced special challenges. Among them, the
uncrewed Chang'e mission relied on communication with a specially
deployed relay satellite because there is no direct radio communication
with the dark side of the moon.

(BBC, NASA)

**

ACTIVITIES BALLOONING FOR STEM AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

JIM/ANCHOR: Created just this past February, the STEM Amateur Radio
Club is already getting in quite a bit of air time -- with balloons.
Jack Parker W8ISH catches up with their progress.

JACK: Kids and balloons naturally go together but when the kids - some
as young as 9 - are ham radio operators, you can bet that what fires
them up more than anything are pico balloons. With Bill Brown, WB8ELK,
as her mentor, Vicki Carnes, AD3I, who started the club, guided the
youngsters in launching two pico balloons from the Xenia Fairgrounds
during Hamvention. They are now preparing for a launch near Andrew
Jackson State Park in South Carolina during Field Day using the club
callsign, N4TVV-1.

Vicki believes this is amateur radio showcasing some of its more
educational moments to young hams. She told Newsline: [quote] "The
really awesome thing about pico-ballooning, other than the technical
side, is kids learn about World Geography and it sticks with them. I
think it stays with them because it's personal. Their balloon's
tracking means something to them." [endquote] In short, if they didn't
know anything about the Aleutian Islands or the Canary Islands before,
they do now because the one surviving balloon - W8BI-12 - had those
locations on its very trackable path. It recently completed a
circumnavigation of the globe, 8 miles above the planet, and the kids
are along for the ride.

If you want to share tracking its 2-metre signal with them, visit
aprs.fi - the live APRS map - and in the top right corner, enter the
call sign.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(VICKI CARNES, AD3I)

**
BOEING STARLINER LAUNCHES AT LAST

NASA astronauts Suni Williams, KD5PLB, and Butch Wilmore at last
launched into space on the morning of Wednesday the 5th of June aboard
the first Boeing Starliner, following a series of aborted attempts and
delays tied to technical issues dating back to May. The pair are
scheduled to stay on International Space Station for about 10 days.

NASA's commercial crew program has a $4.3 billion contract with
commercial space transport providers and the two astronauts comprise
Boeing's first crewed mission in that program.

(YAHOO NEWS, NASA)

**
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.

**
REGISTRATION HEATS UP FOR INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE AND LIGHTSHIP
WEEKEND

JIM/ANCHOR: June's arrival means it's time to shine a little light on
those beloved beacons of maritime safety, the lighthouses and
lightships around the world. The weekend event coming up in August is
not a contest but you might say there's a little bit of friendly
competition going on right now among operators in various countries to
see who can register as many of these historic structures as they can.
Jason Daniels VK2LAW tells us about it.

JASON: Lighthouses and lightships have typically transmitted reliable
light beams to guide ships home from their journeys over the years. On
August 17th and 18th, hams will be at many of those same sites
transmitting signals from Australia, Argentina, Germany, the UK,
Belgium, South Africa, the US - and any other country that takes pride
in the history that makes each of them so special.

Some stations will be QRP; others may operate QRO. Some stations will
be operated solo and others by teams. There are no restrictions, just guidelines. Registration is not mandatory but organisers strongly
encourage it.

Visit the website illw.net for details.

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(ILLW)

**

BROADCAST AM RADIO CONSIDERS FULL SHUTDOWN IN JAPAN

JIM/ANCHOR: The United States isn't the only country which has seen
debates over the future of commercial AM radio broadcasting. In Japan,
AM transmitters are being increasingly shut off, as we hear from Graham
Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: A handful of Japan's AM radio broadcasters have ended their transmissions. Operators say it's only for a trial period so officials
can study the impact of the loss of this form of radio broadcasting
which has been on the air in Japan for 99 years. Thirteen of Japan's 47 stations have gone silent, according to the Japan Today website. The
trial shutdown is being conducted so that the Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications can evaluate the impact of the suspensions.

AM station operators cite the increasing cost of maintaining and
upgrading facilities that far exceed the cost of stations that
broadcast FM. They also note that FM radio and other forms of
transmission are not prone to the same static and noise that can plague
an AM signal. Many AM radio broadcasters are already offering something
called "Wide range FM" as an alternative, allowing the same programs to
be broadcast on FM radio, including public safety announcements for
disaster preparedness. The increased popularity of podcasts also
affects the number of radio listeners.

Japan's communications ministry says the trial shutdown could finish as
late as January 2025. At that point, the broadcasters will have to make
up their minds whether to return to the air or go silent forever.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(JAPAN TODAY)


**
HAMCATION COMMITTEE ACCEPTING AWARD NOMINEES

JIM/ANCHOR: It's no secret that leaders such as Gordon West WB6NOA and
Carole Perry WB2MGP stand for the very best of what we can give back to
the amateur radio community. Recognizing this, awards carrying their
names are given each year at Hamcation in Orlando, Florida, where the
next convention is set for February 7th through 9th of 2025. The
Hamcation committee will accept nominations for these recognition
awards through the 1st of November.

Hams whose efforts have focused on the nurturing and advancement of
young radio operators may be nominated for the Carole Perry Educator of
the Year award is bestowed on an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to educating, mentoring and advancing youth in
amateurradio.

Nominees for the Gordon West Ambassador of the Year Award should
demonstrate ambassadorship in the true sense of the word, engaging in
volunteer efforts that include promoting amateur radio at public
events, fostering understanding among non-amateurs and helping spread
good will.

You will find links in the text version of this week's newscast that
give additional information about the awards and provide access to
nomination forms.

[DO NOT READ: www.hamcation.com/award-gordon-west

www.hamcation.com/award-carol-perry ]

(AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY, HAMCATION)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for Mike, AB5EB, on the HF bands as HQ9EB
from Roatan Island, IOTA Number NA-057, in Honduras until the 11th of
June. Mike will also compete in the ARRL June VHF Contest taking place
from the 8th through to the 10th of June. QSL via his home call

The RSGB's National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park is commemorating the
80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings by hosting special event station
GB2DAY through to the 9th of June. Listen on 80 and 40 metres where
operators will be using CW and SSB. QSL via eQSL.

Five radio operators will be using their personal callsigns from Isla
Gorgona, IOTA Number SA-017, from the 7th through to the 11th of June.
Listen for HK4C, HK4LPA, HK4SSI, HK4T and HK4X. A special event
callsign may be announced later. Operators will be using SSB, FT8 and
FT4 on 80 through 6 metres. They will also operate via satellite. See
QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for John, K9EL, who is operating holiday style as FS/K9EL from
St. Martin, IOTA number NA-105, through to the 19th of June. Although
he will be on the HF bands, his main focus will be 6 metres. See
QRZ.com for QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: THIS COLLEGE CLASS IS ALSO A CLASS OF AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE

JIM/ANCHOR: Never mind graduation ceremonies. At one prestigious
university in Pennsylvania, the recent end of the semester ends not
with a cap and gown but....an amateur radio license. Travis Lisk N3ILS explains.

TRAVIS: The three-credit course is called Introduction to Amateur Radio
and it recently concluded its spring semester in the College of
Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. This isn't the kind of
weekend ham cram of one-day course many US amateurs have become
accustomed to: This technology, history and a bit of sociology, taking
students from the Radio Act of 1912, which gave the public its rights
to the electromagnetic spectrum to antenna-building, satellite
communications and operating safely in the field.

Assistant teaching professor Tom Zajdel, AA3TZ, told public radio
station W-E-S-A that ham radio's changing technology will always ensure
it has a future.

The course was introduced in 2023 and - never mind getting an A or a B
- the real test is sitting for the FCC exam.

Anish Singhani, K3RTL, who took the course, is now president of the
university radio club.

He told the public radio station: [quote] "I think it's one of the very
unique things about ham radio: It's a people thing. At its core, it's
about the people." [endquote]

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(WESA PUBLIC RADIO, CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY)

**
DO YOU HAIKU?

Don't forget the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. If you're not
too busy tuning your antennas or chasing the latest DXpedition, pick up
a pencil and share your experience by sending an original haiku to us
here at Newsline. Use the entry form on our website, arnewsline.org and
please follow the rules for writing your three-line haiku -- sorry but
we cannot accept any entries that aren't written in traditional haiku
form. Share with fellow listeners the poetry that is inspired by your
ham radio experience!

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the ARRL; Amateur Radio Weekly; AMSAT;
BBC; Carnegie Mellon University; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB;
DXWorld; Emilio Ortiz Jr., WP4KEY; 425DXNews; Hamcation; Japan Today;
NASA; QRZ.com; shortwaveradio.de; Vicki Carnes, AD3I; W-E-S-A Public
Radio; Yahoo News; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur
Radio Newsline. We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline is
an all-volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its
continued operation. If you wish to support us, please visit our
website at arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all. We also
remind our listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a
5-star rating wherever you subscribe to us. For now, with Caryn Eve
Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our news team
worldwide, I'm Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston West Virginia saying 73.
As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

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