CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HAILED AS 'GPS SLEUTH'

JIM/ANCHOR: A California amateur has used his skills to help in the
rescue of a missing hiker as we hear from Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

MIKE: The Los Angeles Times is calling Ben Kuo, AI6YR, (Ay EYE Six Y R) a "tech-savvy good Samaritan" and a "GPS sleuth." Ben, whose ham radio activities have proven especially critical during California's wildfires, recently used his skills to assist in another emergency: Los Angeles
County officials were frantically searching for a hiker who'd gone
missing on a peak in California's Angeles National Forest on Monday,
April 12th. Ben's only clue was a photo the sheriff's office had posted
on its social media accounts: the hiker's photo of his legs atop a rocky cliff. Ben, who knows the area as a hiker and SOTA activator, realized he might be able to match the terrain in the hiker's photo by using publicly available satellite imagery. According to the Times story, when he
thought he found a close enough match, Ben sent authorities the GPS coordinates. The location was close enough: Using the coordinates, a
rescue team picked up the hiker the next day just as temperatures were
set to plummet to below-freezing levels. The hiker was in a remote,
almost inaccessible area about three-quarters of a mile away from the
spot Ben had pinpointed.

Ben told Newsline he's grateful he could call upon his experience as a
hiker and SOTA activator, both of which keep his map and navigation
skills sharp. In fact, he said, the hiker was found not far from SOTA
summit W6/CT-064, East Twin Peaks. According to news reports, the hiker
was airlifted to safety by a search-and-rescue team, and did not require hospitalization.

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

(BEN KUO AI6YR, ABC CHANNEL 7, LOS ANGELES TIMES, VENTURA COUNTY STAR)

**

OREGON UTILITY FUNDS PURCHASE OF SOLAR-POWERED RADIOS

JIM/ANCHOR: Solar-powered emergency radios are being made available to
some hams in coastal Oregon thanks to the local utility. Christian
Cudnik, K0STH, brings us those details.

CHRISTIAN: The sun is shining in more ways than one for the members of
the Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem (nuh-HAY-lum) Bay in Oregon. The local electric utility has given them a $5,000 grant to help them buy ham radio base stations that run on solar power. A "go-box" has already been designed to serve as a solar-powered station with a 25-watt radio,
antenna, battery, solar panel and other equipment, enabling emails to be transmitted over the air. The volunteer corps plans to set the stations
up around the northern part of Tillamook (tilla-MOOK) County as part of
their long-range plan to help bolster the coastal region's resilience following any major calamity. This is included in an overall
communications plan that incorporates General Mobile Radio Service as
well as amateur radio. According to an article in the Tillamook County
Pioneer website, the region has more than 100 amateur radio operators,
and 400 more residents using GMRS.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Christian Cudnik, K0STH.

(THE TILLAMOOK COUNTY PIONEER)

**

NEW DISCOVERY FOUND IN FAST-RADIO BURSTS

JIM/ANCHOR: Is changing frequencies a good thing? Well hams do it all the
time and now a mysterious transmission in space known as an FRB, or
fast-radio burst, has been found to be engaging in that practice too.
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has more on that story.

JEREMY: Researchers have made a discovery that they say changes the shape
of their search for the source of FRBs, fast-radio bursts detected in
space that appear to come from – well, no one quite knows. Scientists in McGill University's physics department have detected bursts down to 110
MHz, a good deal lower in frequency than the previously detected 300 MHz. Writing in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the researchers write that
this new discovery has led them to think differently about where the
bursts are coming from. Using radiotelescopes in British Columbia and the Netherlands, the team detected the significantly lower frequencies and a consistent delay of about three days between detection of the higher and
the lower frequencies. They're still hot on the trail of the source of
the bursts but say that the ability to detect 110 MHz transmissions
brings them much closer to understanding things, especially one burst
that was first detected in 2018 and is relatively close to Earth.

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

(PHYS.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 N2JDW repeater
in New York City, on Monday at 8 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (954:895/7)

BATTERY DEVELOPED IN AUSTRALIA PROMISES IMPROVED ENERGY

DON/ANCHOR: If you're a portable operator always on the lookout for
changing battery technology, this new development from Australia might
make you stop and think. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us about it.

GRAHAM: A manufacturer in Brisbane, Australia is claiming to have
created an aluminum-ion battery with a charging speed as much as 60
times faster than that of top-quality lithium-ion cells. The company,
Graphene Manufacturing Group, also says the newly developed aluminum-ion
coin cell is capable of holding three times the energy of other
aluminum-based cells. The batteries are said to last three times longer
than the lithium-ion variety.

This development relies on nanotechnology developed at the University of Queensland, according to a recent article in Forbes magazine. The
battery was created by inserting aluminum atoms into perforations made
in graphene planes.

The company claims that because the batteries lack an upper Ampere limit
that would otherwise cause spontaneous overheating, the batteries are
also safer. The stable base materials also facilitate their recycling
later.

The company hopes to bring these cells to market by the end of 2021 or
early 2022.

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

(FORBES)

**

BRIDGING THE GAP: HAM CAM INTERNATIONAL

DON/ANCHOR: With eyeball QSOs becoming less likely during the past
pandemic year, hams have relied on different ways to get together when
they're not on the air. Dave Parks, WB8ODF, tells us about an
international group that employs a unique hybrid of voice and video that
taps into the internet.

DAVE: The friendships that amateur radio operators form over the air
have taken on a new dimension for the 240 or so hams in 45 nations who
belong to Ham Cam International. These licensed amateurs contact each
other using streaming video over internet protocol, or SVOIP, using a streaming video system known as Jitsi.

Murray Green, K3BEQ, one of the core members, told Newsline: [quote]
"These dedicated amateurs have the best of two worlds. They not only communicate with each other by voice but have the added benefit of video
and that makes a big difference in bonding with each other." [endquote]
By adding video, the hams can visit one another's shacks, tour parts of
one another's countries and have more personalized discussions about
their other ham activities such as DXing, contesting, digital
communications and satellites.

He said that this has given an especially big advantage to hams who live
in neighborhoods with antenna restrictions, or have financial issues that preclude them from setting up a home station capable of DX. It's a
cultural exchange featuring amateurs from the US, Africa, Isle of Man,
Kuwait, Australia, Europe, Israel, and elsewhere having round table discussions on a daily basis. Membership is free to licensed amateurs. Additional details can be found at hamcaminternational dot com (hamcaminternational.com)

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

**

ARISS SELECTS 9 US GROUPS FOR 2022 CONTACTS

DON/ANCHOR: A Michigan library; a Long Island, New York Boy Scout
district; and an Ohio high school are among the nine organizations
chosen by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station to begin the planning process for students to make contacts with crew members on the
ISS between January and June of next year. The successful applicants
are: Bellefontaine High School in Bellefontaine, Ohio; Carter G. Woodson Middle School in Hopewell, Virginia; Lewis Center for Educational
Research in Apple Valley, California; Matinecock (Muh-TINNA-COCK)
District of the Suffolk County New York Boy Scouts in Medford, New York; McBride High School in Long Beach, California; Old St. Mary's School in Chicago; Salem-South Lyon District Library in South Lyon, Michigan;
Sussex County Charter School for Technology in Sparta, New Jersey and
the Space Hardware Club in Huntsville, Alabama.

Their selection means each group must now present an equipment plan to
ARISS' technical team describing how they will successfully host the
contact. ARISS will then select the final organizations for the contacts
and place them on the schedule.

(ARISS)

**

ISS RADIO OPERATING IN CROSS-BAND REPEATER MODE

DON/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, the Interoperable Radio System aboard the
International Space Station is active in cross-band repeater mode
through mid-June, according to the ARISS website. The radio will be
turned off on the 2nd of June during the Russians' EVA. The cross-band repeater operates on an uplink of 145.990, with a 67 Hz tone, and a
downlink of 437.800 Mhz. In mid-June, the radio will change to the
Automatic Packet Reporting System mode. ARISS spokesman Dave Jordan
AA4KN told Newsline that since the interoperable radio system is
considered an experiment, modes in use are subject to change.

(ARISS)
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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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* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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)
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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 (954:895/7)

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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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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

ONLINE FORUM CELEBRATES CLASSIC HENRY AMPS

DON/ANCHOR: If you're a fan of classic old tube amplifiers and
like to spend time talking ABOUT them as much as you enjoy using
them, there's an online forum made just for you. Kevin Trotman,
N5PRE, tells us how to make that connection.

KEVIN: Mat Breton, N8TW, and Alan MacNabb II, W0ARM, share a love
of the classics—in this case, the classic old Henry Radio tube
amplifiers. The amps add power, of course, but there's also a warm
glow partly because of the amps' treasured history that dates back
to the company's roots in 1927. Mat and Alan are co-owners of a
groups.io [Groups Dot I O] forum devoted to these beloved
workhorses of the shack. Although the Henry company is still in
business, the advent of solid-state amps has made owners of the
oldtime models, such as the 3K-Classic and 3K-A, treasure them
even more. Alan told Newsline that the groups.io forum provides
fans and owners of Henry amps an opportunity to share stories,
tips and admiration for what Alan calls the amp with the "big and
beefy" power supply. Alan himself owns a 3K-Classic and 3K-A and
expects to add a 2K-classic desktop to his growing collection
soon. He told Newsline that he and Mat hope to [quote] "keep the
Henry legacy alive for another generation of hams." [endquote] In
their day, he said, Henry amps were "definitely the Cadillacs of
amplifiers."

Hams are invited to share their enthusiasm with other Henry users
by visiting the link that appears in the text version of this
week's newscast.

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

(ALAN MACNABB, W0ARN, HENRY RADIO WEBSITE)

[FOR PRINT ONLY: The group is at: https://groups.io/g/Henry-
Radio-Legacy-Amps ]

**

COUNCIL CREATES GLOBAL UNITY AMONG CW ORGANIZATIONS

DON/ANCHOR: With so many CW clubs helping amateurs around the
world learn and improve their Morse Code, the clubs took the next
logical step: They've improved their own communication too. Randy
Sly, W4XJ, tells us how.

RANDY: How do members of the world's CW organizations communicate
best with one another when they don't have their fists on their
keyers or bugs? They unite as the International CW Council, a
platform for CW clubs around the world. The council just launched
its website this month, using it to amplify their voice to promote
and expand Morse Code as a mode of communication between amateur
radio operators.

Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, of the Long Island CW Club told Amateur
Radio Newsline that it all began at a meeting he held with 23 CW
enthusiasts in January of 2021. They all saw a need for greater
cooperation and collaboration for the clubs they represented.

The 22 currently affiliated clubs include many familiar names: The
Long Island CW Club, CW Ops, SKCC, FISTS, NAQCC, K1USN and the A1
Club of Japan.

The Council has already been hard at work on opportunities for
support and partnerships. For example, the CW Ops Giving Back
Program for on-air coaching doubled in participation through the
joint efforts of the ICWC.

For more information about the Council, and to find out about
current developments, please visit their website at www.internationalcwcouncil.org.

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

**

AMSAT-UK HONORS AMATEUR FOR SATELLITE DECODING, TELEMETRY WORK

DON/ANCHOR: AMSAT-UK recently held its international space
colloquium and the program, which was held online, included a
special honor for one radio amateur. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us
about him.

JEREMY: Congratulations to Daniel Estevez, EA4GPZ, who was
presented with the G3AAJ Trophy for outstanding service to AMSAT
at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium by AMSAT-UK
chairman Martin Sweeting, G3YJO. Daniel was honoured for his
development of satellite decoding and telemetry tools used by the
amateur radio community worldwide.

The space colloquium was held on Sunday, October 24th on Zoom. The
lectures and the awards ceremony are available for viewing on
YouTube at the link provided in the script for this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

Presenters included Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, the IARU's
AMSAT satellite coordinator; Peter G�lzow, DB2OS, president of
AMSAT-DL; and Robert Bankston, KE4AL, president of AMSAT North
America.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q849Y0-NcOw ]

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

(AMSAT-UK, YOUTUBE)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEM ELIMINATES RFI FOR NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Just like the hams, users of navigation systems are also constantly battling interference. Now an experimental system promises a
chance of relief. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, tells us how it works.

KENT: Imagine a navigation system that doesn't need to communicate with a
GPS satellite for positioning. Operators of vehicles, including those in
the military, worry about the potential for spoofing or jamming which is always there whenever a signal is transmitted. Scientists are now looking
at a way for vehicles to self-track, using devices they carry right on
board, instead of communicating with a satellite. Instead of relying on
radio transmissions, these devices send lasers into clouds of rubidium gas
in order to measure a vehicle's rotation and acceleration.

An article on the PHYS.org website describes the device as a [quote] "avocado-sized vacuum chamber" [endquote] containing the rubidium atoms inside. It's described as a small, practical size with a quantum sensing performance that still gets the job done as well as a gyroscope and atomic accelerometers. Peter Schwindt, the developer at Sandia National
Laboratories, claims the device is also as accurate as the atomic clocks
that interface with satellites to keep them in sync.

According to the scientists, it's not yet ready for prime time. Sandia
will be monitoring it for at least the next five years.

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

(PHYS.ORG)

**

HISTORIC TELEGRAPHY STATION HONORED BY POLISH MUSEUM EXHIBIT

SKEETER/ANCHOR: There are plans to honor a historic telegraphy center in Poland with a special museum exhibit. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, has the details.

ED: A new museum planned in Poland is working on rebuilding a transmitter formerly used by the Transatlantic Radio-telegraphic Broadcasting Centre
in Warsaw. That station once enjoyed one of the highest profiles in
Europe. Its radio towers were the world's second tallest and the station itself enjoyed a role as a busy centre for important communications
between Europe and the United States. According to a story in the American-Polish Eagle, half of the telegrams sent from Europe to people in
the US were transmitted via this Warsaw station. Its 10 towers stood 126 metres tall — the equivalent of more than 430 feet - and its two 200kw transmitters reliably reached North and South America.

The museum planned by the electronics faculty at the Military University
of Technology hopes to recognise this station in its array of exhibits and with a radio station that will broadcast the historic station's history on
the short wave frequencies. The station was used during the second world
war to send messages to Japan and German U-boats by the German occupying forces who destroyed it before leaving at the end of the War.

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

(THE AMERICAN-POLISH EAGLE WEBSITE, WIA)

**

ARISS INITIATIVES RECEIVE $1.3M GRANT FROM ARDC

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Education is one of the biggest engines driving the
program known as Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or
ARISS. Now ARISS will have even more resources to educate youngsters interested in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics - as
well as the the teachers who help them make that connection. A five-year
grant worth nearly $1.3 million has been awarded to ARISS-USA from Amateur Radio Digital Communications. Some of the funds will help ARISS develop a wireless electronics technology kit enabling middle and high school
students to learn more about amateur radio. The grant will also help pay
for educator workshops so teachers can help students learn more from their
use of the wireless kit. Finally, the grant will provide funding for
contacts planned between students and astronauts during the five-year
period of the grant. Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, executive director of ARISS-USA, called the grant a game-changer, adding that it [quote] "represents a key element of our ARISS Two Point Oh [2.0] vision." [endquote]

(ARISS)

**

OFCOM EXTENDS NOTICE OF VARIATION FOR RANGE IN 2M

SKEETER/ANCHOR: There's some good news for amateurs engaged in
experimentation on 2m in the UK. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has the details.

JEREMY: Ofcom is extending approval for the Notice of Variation for frequencies between 146 MHz and 147 MHz for an additional year, as was requested by the Radio Society of Great Britain. Only Full licence holders
may apply.

NoV applicants are being asked to recognise that use of the band has
increased and that NoVs are being made available on a non-interference
basis. An NoV is also subject to a 90-day period of withdrawal or change, according to the RSGB. All NoVs will expire on the 31st of October 2022.

Applicants can visit the rsgb website at rsgb.org to begin the process.

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

(RSGB)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SPEEDWAY QSL CARDS RACE TO THE FINISH LINE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you're still waiting for your QSL cards from the three Indianapolis Motor Speedway special events, they're on their way. Jack
Parker, W8ISH, gives us a look behind the scenes of the massive mailing
that's been going on.

[sound clip: envelope being cut open]

JACK: That's the sound of another self-addressed, stamped QSL envelope
being opened for processing. Members of the W9IMS Special Event Station gathered to open, separate and then fill-in and mail out thousands of QSL cards following a summer of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

BILL: "This is what we call our Monster card party. We have a few others
that we do and then they trickle in all year long."

JACK: Bill Kennedy, W9YT, coordinates the special event stations and the Monster chore stuffing and returning thousands of QSL cards each fall. A behind-the-scenes look at this QSL process found it takes dozens of W9IMS members to get the job done.

BILL: "We have a big following. They want to work us every year and make
a big effort to get all three races."

JACK: W9IMS is the official special event station for three of the IMS
races. They operate 24/7 for a week prior to the Grand Prix and
Indianapolis 500 mile race in May. In August, they again fire up the
radios for the Brickyard 200-race. A custom-designed QSL card is
produced for each race. Those stations who log all three race events
receive a special certificate as well. This is the 18th year for this
W9IMS special event station. Bill says the summer time operation often reflects the solar cycles. This year's total contacts fell just short of
the 18,000 recorded contacts a few years ago. As the sun cycle fell, so
did the total contacts.

Bill: "You could follow the total card by following the solar cycle. As
the cycle came down so did our Qs. As the cycle is going back up, our Qs
are going back up."

Jack: Bill says this crew has become very proficient in not only logging contacts but in filling out the QSL cards and certificates after the
checkered flag falls on the last race of the season.

Bill: "That's a lot contacts and a lot of cards to do at the end of the
year."

Jack: For Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

**

NORWAY PLANS ENTRY-LEVEL CERTIFICATE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Norwegian Radio Relay League, Norway's national
amateur radio organization, is working with a research institute there to
help introduce an entry-level amateur radio category that would become available to operators as young as 12 or 13. Operators would be permitted
a maximum transmitting power of 10 watts. The goal is to encourage the
newest amateurs to build their own simple transmitters and receivers and
spur interest in technology and science to complement ther schoolwork.
NRRL is working to move this certificate forward with funds provided for
the study by the Norwegian Research Council. Norway presently has only
one class of radio operators.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

AUSTRALIAN 2x1 CALLSIGNS DEBUT IN WORLDWIDE CONTEST

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: With the CQ WW SSB contest over, no doubt you have more
than a few contest callsigns in your log. How many of them are among the newest from Australia? Let's hear more from Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

JASON: The long-awaited 2 x 1 VK contest callsigns got their first
official run on the air during the big CQ WW SSB contest in late October.
The Wireless Institute of Australia reports that assignment of the calls
by the Australian Maritime College came just in time for the global competition. In fact, three of the WIA's own directors were assigned the
calls for use in the competition. Some reports say that many amateurs who heard the new contest calls were at first confused by the unusual single-letter suffixes but everything ultimately ran smoothly. If you
have thoughts you'd like to share about Australia's new contest
callsigns, the WIA is eager to hear your comments. Send them on to
national office at wia dot org dot au (nationaloffice@wia.org.au)

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

(WIA, SOUTHGATE)
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* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

END OF AN ERA FOR HAM-OWNED BUSINESS IN NEW ZEALAND

DON/ANCHOR: A business begun as a partnership nearly 3/4 of a century ago
by a pair of amateur radio friends in New Zealand has new owners. Jim
Meachen, ZL2BHF, brings us up to date.

JIM: Seventy-four years after two amateur radio operators opened their
retail doors as the New Zealand electronics business known as Jackson &
Wills, the company has been sold.

Jackson & Wills, which is located in Invercargill, bears the names of
Douglas Jackson, ZL4GM, and Maurice Wills, ZL4GY, who became friends
through amateur radio after World War II. In recent years, the company
was run by the second generation: Maurice's son, Lindsay. Lindsay, who
worked at Jackson & Wills for 34 years, noted that the inventory
gradually shifted from analogue to digital equipment, reflecting the
changes in technology.

The buyer, Ashley Communications, has been in busines since the 1930s and
was among the first to sell the original Tait mobile radios. According to
a story on the Southland Times website, the Jackson & Wills staff will
remain on the job after the sale closes.

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

(WIA, Southland Times newspaper)

**

GRANT HELPS IRISH RADIO GROUP UPGRADE STORM-HIT STATION

DON/ANCHOR: A prominent amateur radio group in Ireland can finally do
some necessary repairs. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us why.

JEREMY: The weather has taken its toll on the station equipment where
EI0MAR is operated by the Howth Martello Radio Group. The coastal
location has left such antennas as a commercial Cobwebb and an HF
vertical victimised by weather extremes. The group is going shopping for
a new antenna and now they also have a grant of 800 euros, the equivalent
of about $900 in US currency, to help with this and other needs, such as
an up-to-date PC and a new rig. The Irish Radio Transmitters Society
website announced that the grant is from its PAR, or Promoting Amateur
Radio, fund.

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

(IRTS)

**

WYOMING AMATEURS HELP COUNTY TEST EMCOMM TRAILER

DON/ANCHOR: In Wyoming, radio operators have just completed a test that
will help their county respond better to emergencies. Christian Cudnik
K0STH, tells us more.

CHRISTIAN: A large trailer could be seen parked in the lot at the
Sheridan Community Land Trust's trailhead on November 13th, but its
presence had nothing to do with any hiker using that Wyoming trail.
Sheridan County Emergency Management had parked the vehicle, its new
EmComm trailer, to conduct communications testing with the assistance of volunteers from the Cloud Peak Amateur Radio and Electronics Group,
WY7SHR. The test was particularly vital to fire and law enforcement departments as well as EMS.

Ryan Curry, WY7RDC, Cloud Peak's president, told Newsline that the county asked the hams to participate so they would become familiar with
operations in the trailer, which they'd helped build. The hams'
involvement was also needed because of their ability to set up cross-
patch communications if the dispatch center, or primary frequencies,
fail.

It was a long day with an important mission. Ryan said the test was a
first for the club, which deployed three amateurs to operate mobile and
kept one at a base station monitoring the club's repeater as a backup. Following the fire warden's maps, the hams used county HTs to determine
the limits of communication coverage at various locations, pinpointing
any dead spots. The club is looking for more amateurs to participate in
their EmComm activities. Please visit their website at cloudpeakradio dot
org. (cloudpeakradio.org)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Christian Cudnik, K0STH.

(RYAN CURRY, WY7RDC)

**

TWO-DAY CELEBRATION OF INDIAN AMATEURS' 100 YEARS

DON/ANCHOR: When they couldn't hold their national hamfest as planned,
hams in India decided to celebrate ham history — and you can participate too! Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us about it.

GRAHAM: Although COVID-19 precautions spurred organisers to postpone
Hamfest India until 2022, the Hamfest India 2021 organising Committee
went ahead with plans to offer a national celebration online, marking 100 years of amateur radio in India. The commemoration of amateur radio's centenary in India was hosted by the Mysore Hams on the 13th and 14th of November, using the Zoom platform. The committee included Shankar Prasad, VU2SPK, and Madhukar, VU2MUD.

The two-day programme was livestreamed on YouTube and a recording is
available for viewing on the HamfestIndia 2021 channel there.

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

(YOUTUBE)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

FINDING POWER WITHOUT RELYING ON BATTERIES

NEIL/ANCHOR: Imagine a world in which your various internet-linked devices didn't have to rely on batteries. Well, researchers in Spain can already
see that day coming. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, tells us more.

KENT: They've been on the wish list for lots of us but now battery-free devices have made the leap to the list of possibilities for some
researchers in Spain. Scientists at the IMDEA Networks Institute in Madrid
are using LiFi and Radio Frequency backscatter technologies to make it
happen. After three years of research, they've created a sustainable
wireless communication system that they call PassiveLiFi and say it could
be deployed for systems in smart agriculture, smart cities and even smart homes. A November 26th article on the Hackster website describes how LiFi happens. The article says: [quote] "IoT devices would transmit data by reflecting and modulating the incoming RF signals present in the
environment, a passive transmission technique known as RF backscattering
that consumes very little power." [endquote]. One of the researchers notes that when the scientists began their work, LiFi technology and RF backscattering were viewed as independent from one another.

Will they now make a winning and workable combination? With an estimated
64 billion or more users of battery-powered IoT devices in the world,
there'll be plenty of people watching to find out.

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

(HACKSTER)

**

SILENT KEY: QST COLUMNIST JOEL R. HALLAS, W1ZR

NEIL/ANCHOR: A longtime contributor to the library of amateur radio
knowledge and expertise has become a Silent Key. Joel R. Hallas (Hal
luss), W1ZR, was the author of numerous books and a contributing editor to
the ARRL's QST magazine, which he had formerly served as technical editor.
His QST column "The Doctor is In" also inspired a popular podcast. An
amateur radio operator since 1955, Joel died on November 25th at the age
of 79.

(ARRL)

**

BELGIUM PLANS TO OFFER EXAMS IN EARLY 2022

NEIL/ANCHOR: Radio exams will be back in Belgium in just a few weeks. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, has the details.

ED: Shortly after announcing that it was suspending all amateur radio
licence exams through to the end of this year due to the pandemic,
Belgium's regulator BIPT has scheduled its first examination in 2022 for Friday, the 7th of January. The test will not be given at BIPT facilities, which the regulator has deemed insufficient to comply with COVID
precautions. The exam site will instead be the Euro Space Center, a
science museum in Wallonia in the Belgian-Luxembourg Province in southern Belgium. The testing procedures will be the same that are followed at the regulator's site.

The announcement was made public on the website of the UBA, the national amateur radio member society. Candidates may test for the basic ECC
report-89 ON3 licence; the CEPT Novice ON2 licence; or the HAREC Full
licence.

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

(SOUTHGATE, UBC)

**

ARISS NAMED NEWSLINE'S INT'L NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR

NEIL/ANCHOR: Following two great recipients in previous years - namely The West Bengal Radio Club in India and the Radio Society of Great Britain- National Health Service's Get-on-the-air-to-care project, both of whom continue to do great work, we are proud to announce the winner of the 2021 ARNewsline International Newsmaker of the Year Award. This year's honor
goes to Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or ARISS, an organization I've had the pleasure of working with myself. This group,
based across fifteen countries around the world, has been supporting
amateur radio from the space station and performing school links around
the world to astronauts for over 20 years. As well as enthusing youngsters
in the magic of space and radio, they have also generated publicity for Amateur Radio in the mainstream media channels of radio, TV and
newspapers. Congratulations to a deserving award-winner from all of us
at Newsline.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Metro Area
Repeater Association's WD0HWT repeater in Oakdale, Minnesota, at 7 p.m.
local time on Sundays.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

SILENT KEY: SAIF SHAHID, S21A, BANGLADESH LEAGUE FOUNDER

NEIL/ANCHOR: An influential amateur who helped change the role of ham
radio in Bangladesh has become a Silent Key. With that report, here's
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: The founder of the Bangladesh Amateur Radio League, and the
first licensed amateur of that nation has become a Silent Key. Saif
Shahid, S21A, died on the 10th of January in the United States. He
had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and had other medical
issues, according to league members. In recent years, Saif lived in
New Mexico and held the callsign KF6WJZ. He also held the callsign
G1NWJ when he had lived in the UK. He was 75.

Saif led the Bangladesh league which he helped to create in May 1979.
In 1991 he successfully pressed the nation's government to support
amateur radio for emergency communications. The league was admitted
into the IARU in 1982.

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

(QRZ, BARL FACEBOOK PAGE)

**

1ST INTERNATIONAL WINNER OF EDUCATOR AWARD

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Carole Perry Educator of the Year Award to be presented
at this year's Orlando HamCation has its first international winner. We
hear more from Jack Parker, W8ISH.

JACK: Combining cutting-edge technology with amateur radio, Dick Fijlstra PA0DFN has a strong reputation for guiding students in electronics and communication projects. However, the retired school principal has not
limited his work to classrooms in The Netherlands, however. One of his best-known international school projects is called Communication Helps International Programs, or CHIP, which has attracted schools throughout Europe. Dick has also been heavily involved in the transmitter-hunting activities and competitions of the European Youth ARDF Championships.
Dick himself is an avid participant in ARDF events.

Dick was chosen as the latest winner of the honor, which was created in
2018 to recognize educators whose work promotes amateur radio and radio science. Carole Perry, WB2MGP, was the first recipient of the award,
which bears the name of the New York-based educator.

Dick will be honored at Orlando HamCation in Florida on February 10th
through 13th. Congratulations, Dick!

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

(ARRL)

**

CLUB CREATES MAP TO CONNECT HAMS IN CANADA

NEIL/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)

**

YOUNG AMATEURS' WINNING ESSAYS AVAILABLE ONLINE

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Silas Davis, W3SED; Olivia Lee, KD2UYX;
and Isaac Schmidt, K6IAS. The three youngsters wrote the winning essays
in the Intrepid-DX Group's second annual Youth 'Dream Rig' Contest.
Hams from around the United States who are 19 years old or younger were eligible. Silas, the first place winner, is 9.

This year's contest took place with the help of funding from Amateur
Radio Digital Communications. The youngsters were asked to address the
question of how amateur radio can evolve to remain relevant in the
internet age.

You can find the winning essays on the ARDC webpage. The link is
provided in the text version of this week's newscast script at
arnewsline.org. In announcing the winners previously, Paul Ewing,
N6PSE, president of the Intrepid-DX Group, said the essays were [quote] "brimming with enthusiasm to keep our hobby alive well into the future." [endquote]

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: https://tinyurl.com/23paapwp]

(AMPR.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
KB9LPP repeater in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, on Saturdays at 9 a.m., and
on Echolink.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

RSGB CANCELS JUBILEE ACTIVITIES AFTER QUEEN'S DEATH

DON/ANCHOR: In Great Britain, Jubilee activities have been halted on the
air during the somber time following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is here with that report.

JEREMY: The Radio Society of Great Britain has halted its Jubilee
activities as a mark of respect for the Queen following her death. The
Society has updated its website to reflect this, and has cancelled its Innovation 70 award for creative and innovative design. Meanwhile, amateurs who collected QSOs for the Jubilee Award 70 during the month of June may
still apply for the award before the 31st of October. See the RSGB website
for details at rsgb.org.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

ACCESS TO 60M BAND GROWS ON AFRICAN CONTINENT

DON/ANCHOR: An increasing number of hams are getting access to 60 meters, including the latest group of nations in southern Africa. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, brings us that report.

JASON: Hams in various parts of southern Africa have gained access to the
60 metre band recently. The South African Radio League reports that South Africa is permitted the range of frequencies from 5.350.0 to 5.450.0 MHz on
a non-interference basis at a maximum output power of 100 watts EIRP and
5.290 MHz for WSPR beacons. Namibia, eSwatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe have been given the WRC-15 allocation from 5.351.5 to 5.366.5 MHz with 15W EIRP. Kenya has 5.275 MHz to 5.450 MHz on a secondary basis with 400 watts. The league wrote on its Facebook page that it is still awaiting official confirmation from Botswana, Lesotho, Angola, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(FACEBOOK SARL)

**

GERMANY PROPOSES ENTRY LEVEL AMATEUR CLASS LICENSE

DON/ANCHOR: There may be big changes ahead in Germany later this year for people hoping to get an entry-level amateur license. We learn more from
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Germany is hoping to make it easier for people to get involved in amateur radio by adding a third class of licence at the entry level, with
low power and restricted operations. Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport said in a press release that the proposed N-class licence would have a greatly simplified test concentrating on regulations, operations and basic technology. Germany's other two classes are the A, or Full class, and the E, which is Novice - or intermediate - class.

A report on the ICQ podcast noted that N class licensees will have access
to 2m and 70cm, using no more than 10 watts EIRP. Ronny Jerke, DG2RON, said
in the report that the beginner class is designed to comply with
international requirements. N class holders will also be permitted to use hotspots and other radio devices they have built themselves.

According to the Federal Ministry, the new regulation could be in place as early as November of this year.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ICQ PODCAST, FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR DIGITAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Elmore County Amateur Radio Club's K7ECI repeater in Mountain Home, Idaho on Wednesdays
at 8 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

GERMAN STATE'S LAW BECOMES MORE ANTENNA-FRIENDLY

NEIL/ANCHOR: A proposed change in building regulations in one part of
Germany is expected to allow higher antenna masts to be installed without permission being required. This is the same state in which Ham Radio Friedrichshafen, [Pronunciation: Freed Ricks HA Fen], Europe's largest ham fest, takes place every year. Here's Ed Durrant, DD5LP, with an update.

ED: An antenna-friendly change in the state building laws is expected to be adopted in Baden-W�rttemberg. This will permit antennas to be installed on masts as high as 15 metres, or nearly 50 feet, in residential areas and 20 metres, or 65 feet, outside of residential areas without the need for
planning permission. Until now, the state's height limit was 10 metres, or
32 feet, consistent with the other states in Germany. Proponents of this change are hoping this will enable more complete digital cell phone
coverage without the burden of paperwork previously associated with the antenna installation. The fact that the law applies to all radio masts
would, of course, be a benefit to radio hams in the state as well.

The state Parliament is expected to debate the draft law change soon,
and if approved, its enactment would come shortly afterwards.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(FUNK TELEGRAMM MAGAZINE)

**

MARITIME MOBILE NET AIDS DISTRESSED FISHING VESSEL

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Maritime Mobile Service Network came to the aid recently
of a fishing vessel with engine difficulties. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has
that story.

JACK: On November 6th, engine trouble was plaguing the Captain Chad as the 80-foot commercial fishing vessel made its way through the water south of Jamaica with eight passengers aboard. The captain called for help over
various frequencies on the commercial HF marine band but without luck.
Fearing the calm waters would soon get rougher and more dangerous, he
declared an emergency and called for help again -- this time, tuning to his radio's preset frequency of 14.300 MHz. Tom Yturri, W5TEY, who was on duty
as Maritime Mobile Service Operator, heard the call and got the boat's location from the captain, Curtis Jackson. Tom telephoned the Jamaican
Coast Guard but after getting no response, he reached out to the US Coast Guard in Virginia. The Maritime Mobile Service Network then lost contact.
All it could do was leave information about the Captain Chad and ask all incoming net control stations to try to re-establish contact.

Two days later, a much happier contact took place: Tom heard from the
fishing vessel's owner. The boat and everyone on board were rescued without incident thanks to the vital information passed along by the Maritime
Mobile Service Network. Tom said simply: [quote] "It's what we train to
do." [endquote]

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(JEFF SAVASTA, KB4JKL)

**

GRANT SUBSIDIZES RFI-FIGHTING EFFORTS IN NEW ENGLAND

NEIL/ANCHOR: The New England Division of the ARRL has just acquired the
means to buy some powerful tools to help amateurs struggling to combat RFI. With the help of a $23,640 grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications, the division will be purchasing kits to be used by each of its seven
sections throughout the New England states. The kits contain antennas along with equipment capable of RFI detection and spectrum capture and will be capable of helping on the VHF/UHF frequencies as well as on HF.

Rob Leiden, K1UI, assistant director for Spectrum Protection & Utilization, expressed confidence that the section teams will be well-prepared and well-equipped. The division will be conducting on-site training for each section's RFI team and the ARDC grant is designed to cover these training
costs as well.

(ARDC)

**

INTERNATIONAL NEWSMAKER AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED

NEIL/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that in another two weeks, 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 deserving recipient. The award means they have not only made headlines but also made a difference in the world.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WI9HF repeater
in Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday nights at 7:30.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

TRANSATLANTIC QSOS RELIVE RADIO HISTORY IN DECEMBER

PAUL/ANCHOR: The entire month of December is being devoted to reliving
radio history: the Radio Society of Great Britain will mark the centenary
of the Transatlantic Tests, which firmly established that amateur radio communication could cross the ocean. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, gives us those details.

JEREMY: The Radio Society of Great Britain has activated historic call
signs to mark a series of historic moments 100 years ago: the successful one-way transatlantic radio communication showed the HF bands to be
well-suited for amateurs' signals crossing an ocean. The first amateur transmission from Europe using the callsign (G)5WS was heard in North
America on the 24th December 1922.

The RSGB is inviting society members to participate in the month long celebration by activating a station - and is encouraging the rest of
the world to listen. The contacts this time will be via two-way
communication, with awards available for operators logging QSOs with
stations using the historic callsigns.

In England these are G5WS, G5AT, G6XX, G6ZZ, and G3DR. The station in
Scotland will be GM5WS; Wales will be using GW5WS and Northern Ireland,
GI5WS. In the English Channel, operators from the Crown Dependency of
Guernsey will be using GU5WS, and those from Jersey will use GJ5WS.
Operators from the Isle of Man, another Crown Dependency in the Irish
Sea, will be using GD5WS.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

NEBRASKA EMERGENCY OPERATORS HONORED BY STATE

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams in Dodge County, Nebraska, are feeling a lot of pride
right now. Their track record of community service, and commitment
during disasters, or even drills for disasters, has just been honored
by the state, as we hear from Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

ANDY: Dodge County Amateur Radio Emergency Services, which has been a
key player giving assistance in real and simulated disasters in Nebraska,
was among the 11 honorees celebrated recently by the state for its vital
work in the community. Susanne Shore, wife of Gov. Pete Ricketts, made
the presentation during a luncheon for the 2022 ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards. This is considered the state's most prestigious honor given to volunteers.

Leader Steve Narans, WB0VNF, received the award on behalf of the ARES
group, which has been part of disaster drills with the Nebraska National
Guard, as well as the Fremont fire and police departments. In 2019, the
ARES group was key to a successful response when Fremont and surrounding
areas suffered major floods. The ARES group is now in the process of
renovating a county communications trailer, and fitting it out for use
by first responders.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(FREMONT TRIBUNE)

**

SANTA HF NET IS COMING TO TOWN

PAUL/ANCHOR: Even if you no longer believe in Santa, you still believe
in amateur radio, right? So listen up: the Santa Net is coming to town
on 80 meters, and Jim Damron, N8TMW, says to put it on your list.

JIM: More than one thousand children are expected to have their moment
on the air this year, as the 3916 Nets kicks off its 17th year of the
Santa Net. When this beloved holiday tradition began 17 years ago, only
a handful of youngsters checked in, with the assistance of licensed
amateur radio operators. If you've been a very good ham this year, you
can help a young person be a third-party operator, and get that important contact on 3.916 MHz. The net begins on Friday, November 25th at 7:15 p.m. Central Time, or 0115 UTC. Santa will be on the air every night on the
same frequency, and at that same time, until Christmas Eve, December 24th.

Just as Santa himself might say, this is a team effort. Organizer Pete
Thomson, KE5GGY, said that radio operators who belong to the 3916 Net
work as relays to ensure everyone gets heard. This is, understandably,
the favorite time of year on 3.916 MHz for these operators.

You can even check in before the net at cqsanta dot com (cqsanta.com)
Everyone is ho-ho-hoping for good propagation.

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(QRZ.COM)

**

CATCH UP WITH SANTA ON REPEATERS, ECHOLINK

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you are unable to reach Santa on HF, he's still reachable
by repeater and on EchoLink. Santa will be taking calls from November 27th
to December 9th, thanks to the teamwork of the Longmont Amateur Radio
Club, and the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club.

Linked UHF and VHF repeaters in Colorado will be on the air with Santa,
who will also be reachable on Echolink node 8305, via the Longmont club repeater W0ENO-R.

For Santa's operating hours, and for the repeaters' offsets and PL tones,
visit the club website w0eno dot org. (W zERO E N O dot org)

(LONGMONT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SPECIAL EVENT IS BACK

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you're counting down the days until Christmas, here's
a little help with counting things down. Just count to twelve - for the
return of the popular 12 Days of Christmas Special Event. Mike Askins,
KE5CXP, tells us how to get in on the action.

MIKE: Is that a partridge in the pear tree, or did someone just hang a
dipole in its place? And are those nine drummers really drumming....or
are they actually DXing? With the return of the 12 Days of Christmas
Special Event this year, you just can't be sure what those nine
drummers, ten pipers or seven swans are up to, but we do know that
hundreds of hams around the world will be listening for them. Their special-event call signs will be on the air for a fourth year starting
on December 14th and ending on Christmas Day, December 25th. Operators
will be using CW and SSB and making use of one satellite. As in previous years, they will be using 1 x 1 calls that begin with either a W or a K
-- but this year things will be easier for those who wish to rotate
their beams: The calls will also contain a stroke and the operator's
numerical call area. So get ready to start listening for all those
calling birds -- and earn a downloadable certificate to make the season
as bright as those five golden rings.

This is Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

(SALLI ROSATO, K2RYD)

**

DECEMBER IS YOTA MONTH

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: December is going to be a busy month for the younger generation of amateur radio operators around the world. Using the YOTA
suffix - Y O T A - in their call signs, hams ages 25 and younger will be
on all the bands using all the modes at various times of the day and
night. At any given time you will be able to hear Argentina's young
amateurs using LR1YOTA, hams in Honduras using HQ2YOTA or young
operators in El Salvador calling QRZ as YS1YOTA. Here in the United
States, the call signs will be K8Y, K8O, K8T and K8A, with the single-
letter suffixes spelling "YOTA."

Last year's young amateurs logged 119,516 QSOs. Can they top that this
year?

The month will also present them with challenge of Round 3 of the YOTA contest, which will take place on the 30th of December from 1200 to 2359
UTC.

For more details, follow the link in the text version of this week's
newscast script at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY: DO NOT READ https://events.ham-yota.com/ ]

(YOTA.COM)

**

AUSTRALIANS ON THE MOVE WITH A PTOTA ACTIVATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur radio can be very portable and very public, as
we know. Now an awards program created by a group of amateurs in
Australia combines both -- in a very practical way. John Williams,
VK4JJW, explains.

JOHN: You can trade the trails and the treetops for trains and trams
thanks to an awards programme from the School Amateur Radio Club
Network, VK3SRC. It's called Public Transport On The Air - PTOTA
(pronounced "puh-toe-tah") - and it encourages students and other
commuters to grab their handhelds and call CQ while enroute to their destination on some means of public transportation. Contacts can be made
via digital or analogue voice modes and can utilise any netwok or
device. The only requirement is to have the QSO on an amateur band.

Based in Australia, the club network unites schools in which students
belong to an amateur radio club. The clubs are promoted and assisted by
Julie, VK3FOWL, and Joe, VK3YSP. SARCNET administers a number of
programme awards, including PTOTA. PTOTA awards are issued as annual certificates. Participants' points are re-set every 1st of the year.

The SARCNET website encourages students to make ham radio visible to the public in this way but does offer two important caveats: Before leaving
the train or tram, check your seat for any equipment you may have left
behind -- and perhaps, more importantly, try to avoid morning and
afternoon rush hour.

Additional details are available at sarcnet.org

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(WIA, SARCNET)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Silvercreek Amateur Radio Association's 2 meter repeater, W8WKY,
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM local time, in Doylestown, Ohio.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

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 (954:895/7)

EMERGENCY RADIO TEAMS MERGE IN WESTERN CANADA

JIM/ANCHOR: In one Canadian province, emergency radio teams have decided they'd work better as a team, so they're merging. Andy Morrison, K9AWM,
brings us the details.

ANDY: Radio responders and residents in one part of British Columbia,
Canada, can look forward to more streamlined emergency operations under a merger announced recently by officials. Two town councils in the Capital Regional District of the province have approved the merger of emergency
radio teams in View Royal and nearby Colwood. View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias
said the result would be greater efficiency in communications.

The View Royal Fire Rescue Chief, Paul Hurst, said the teams in both municipalities will now report to a single leader, and the amount of
equipment available, and the number of volunteers, will be doubled.

Amateur radio operators are part of the municipalities' response and make
use of their own communication systems if the localities' cell towers are disabled in a disaster. The fire chief said that in those instances, the
hams become a lifeline. Their teams staff radio rooms in the fire
departments in both View Royal and Colwood, enabling them to communicate
with other hams. They are also able to stay in touch with various
government responders throughout the province.

The fire chief called it a win-win for both municipalities.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(WIA, SAANICH NEWS)


**

ENROLLMENT FOR 'DIRECT-TO-FULL' EXAM OPENS IN UK

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're in the UK and have decided that 2023 is your year
to become a Full license-holder, the Radio Society of Great Britain has
some helpful details about the process. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, to
tell us more.

JEREMY: Six months after publishing the new Direct to Full examination syllabus for UK licence-holders, the Radio Society of Great Britain is preparing to accept enrollments for the exam starting in January 2023.
This exam is open to everyone, from Foundation to Intermediate candidates
but it was developed especially to accommodate those aspiring hams who
already possess technical competence and would rather bypass the three-
tier licence path.

Although the Direct to Full syllabus varies only slightly from the
existing syllabus, a new item has been introduced regarding aperture
antennas. If you wish more details on how to book for this exam, visit
the rsgb website at rsgb.org and select the option for "exam
announcements" visible in the menu on the right-hand side of the screen.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY RETURNS AS ONLINE EVENT

JIM/ANCHOR: Do you want to get your new year started by attending the
popular Ham Radio University? The 24th annual event is set as an online conference and registration has opened. Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us
what to expect.

STEPHEN: With some COVID-19 restrictions still in place, Ham Radio
University will again be an online conference on January 7th from 1300 to
2000 UTC. This is also the online convention of the NYC-Long Island
section of the ARRL and will be held as a GoToWebinar. The day's program
will be offering 17 informational presentations ranging from the Parks on
the Air experience to the basics of HF operating. Presentations will also
be made by experts on contesting and DXing as well as software-defined
radios.

Advance registration is required for each presentation you plan to
attend. The conference is free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.

This well-attended event has been organized again this year in memory of
its founder, Phil Lewis, N2MUN, who became a Silent Key in March of 2020.

For other details and to register visit hamradiouniversity dot org slash forums. (HamRadioUniversity.org/forums)

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(HRU)

**

THREE WINNERS CHOSEN IN 'DREAM RIG' CONTEST

JIM/ANCHOR: It pays to dream big. Three young amateurs were among those
who entered an essay contest to share their hopes for the next generation
of radio operators. The Intrepid-DX Group, which held the contest, was listening. Jack Parker, W8ISH, tells us about the three who wrote the
winning essays.

JACK: Maria Polyanska, VE3OMV, Ryan Kocourek, N7RSK, and Toby Latino,
AG5ZM, are the first- second- and third-place winners, respectively, in
the third annual Intrepid-DX Group's "Dream Rig" Essay Contest. The competition draws entries from hams ages 19 and younger in the US and
Canada. The announcement of the winners was made recently by the group's president, Paul Ewing, N6PSE, who wrote that he was certain that [quote]
"our youth are full of great ideas, and they are brimming with enthusiasm
to keep our hobby alive and well into the future." [endquote]

This year's question asked candidates to describe how amateur radio
factored into their career plans.

Clearly, once the prizes are distributed to the three winners, those youngsters can get started on answering that question -- this time, on
the air.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(INTREPID DX GROUP)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

CONTEST UNIVERSITY 2023 ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The course outline and professor biographies aren't up on
the website yet but you can still register for Contest University, which
is being held this coming spring during Dayton Hamvention in Ohio. Contest University will take place on Thursday May 18th from 7 am to 5 pm at the
Hope Hotel, the day before Hamvention itself opens its doors. The Hope
Hotel will be the center of all activities related to contesting. Bookmark
the website contestuniversity.com - that's one word "contestuniversity" -
to keep track of the curriculum for the weekend and the roster of
instructors. Visit the website and register now.

(CONTEST UNIVERSITY)

**

PROPOSAL WOULD ELIMINATE FCC'S SYMBOL RATE LIMITS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A proposal called the Amateur Radio Communications
Improvement Act hopes to overhaul rules affecting data transmissions.
Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, brings us that report.

KENT: Saying that federal regulations need to keep pace with advances in amateur radio technology, a United States lawmaker has proposed updating
rules governing data transmissions over the amateur bands. The proposed Amateur Radio Communications Improvement Act would eliminate the current symbol rate limits set by the FCC. The lawmaker, Debbie Lesko, an Arizona Republican, writes on her website that regulation of symbol rates has
become outdated because newer technology permits the spectrum to handle greater amounts of data. The proposed update of the FCC rules removes the symbol rate limit and sets a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit, which is already in place for amateurs using 60 meters.

The ARRL previously pressed the FCC to remove HF symbol rate limits
claiming that, among other things, it was an obstacle to experimentation. Although the FCC has previously questioned the need for any bandwidth
limit at all, the ARRL has said there is a need for such limits because digital protocols could be developed that have excessively wide bandwidths.
The ARRL issued a statement saying the league hoped the FCC would remove
the restriction on its own without waiting for the bill to be passed.

With lawmakers in Washington DC concluding the 117th Congress, there was
no further action taken on the bill.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(DEBBIE LESKO WEBSITE, ARRL)

**

LAWMAKER CHALLENGES ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In another action in Washington, DC, one lawmaker
introduced a bill just before Christmas that proposes protection for
amateurs and their antennas - the same protection already available to
other forms of wireless communication such as television, satellite and internet. That update comes to us from Jim Damron, N8TMW.

JIM: An Ohio congressman is seeking to provide relief for home-based
amateur radio operators who are unable to easily operate in private residential neighborhoods such as condominiums, gated communities and some single-family subdivisions. The measure introduced by Congressman Bill Johnson, a Republican, would grant hams the same pre-emption given in 1996
to consumers of broadcast TV antennas, satellite dishes, multichannel multipoint distribution services and wireless internet. The American Radio Relay League has previously urged the Federal Communications Commission to give the same relief to hams but the FCC has told the league that such
action can only come from Congress. John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, noted on
the ARRL website that a joint resolution by members of Congress in 1994 supported the use of ham radio from private residences, recognizing it as
a public benefit in keeping with the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness
Act.

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(BILL JOHNSON WEBSITE, ARRL)

**

SHORTWAVE SIGNALS USED IN PROBE OF ASTEROID

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: When is it better to transmit on the shortwave bands than
on microwave? Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, has the answer.

RALPH: It was only a test transmission but the signals being transmitted
from Gakona, Alaska to the West Coast of the United States were being done with a specific purpose. Before the receiving antenna arrays near Socorro,
New Mexico and Bishop, California were to receive the chirping signals transmitted at around 9.6 MHz, they were bounced off an asteroid known as
2010 XC15 (twenty-ten XC15). With the asteroid twice as far away as the
moon is from Earth, this was more challenging a feat than moon bounce.

The longer-wavelength-than-normal transmissions on December 27th were from
the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program, or HAARP, in Alaska.
It was HAARP's first involvement in probing the interior of an asteroid, something NASA had hoped would be possible as part of preparation for the anticipated arrival of a much larger asteroid coming closer to Earth, in
2029. Scientists say that the best way to successfully hit and deflect an oncoming asteroid and protect the Earth from damage is to learn how the asteroid's mass is distributed.

Hams and amateur radio astronomers were invited to listen and submit their reception reports to HAARP. QSL cards were to be sent to those who emailed their findings. Now that's some rare DX.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(U OF ALASKA GEOPHYSICAL INSTITUTE, QRZ)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

AMSAT'S ANNUAL CW ACTIVITY DAY HONORS A PIONEER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Another popular CW activity has just been given a new name.
We have those details from Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

NEIL: What began as AMSAT Straight Key Night eventually became AMSAT's CW Activity Day, an event devoted to amateurs who enjoy CW operating via
linear satellites. The event was held this year on January 1st - but even while it was still in the planning stages, it underwent yet another name change: This year it became the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day. The
new name honors satellite pioneer Ray Soifer, W2RS, who became a Silent
Key in March 2022 at the age of 79. The CW activity day had been his
project and he organized the New Year's Day event for AMSAT with great enthusiasm. He encouraged hams to make good use of their straight keys
and bugs and report their progress on the AMSAT Bulletin Board mailing
list. As always, this activity is held at the same time the ARRL holds
its own Straight Key Night.

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

(AMSAT)

**

OHIO HAMS EXEMPT FROM DISTRACTED-DRIVER LAW

PAUL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators are getting a break in Ohio under a
new law restricting the use of handheld electronic devices by drivers.
Jack Parker, W8ISH, has those details.

JACK: Under a new law taking effect in Ohio, if you are holding a
cellphone or similar device in your hands while operating a motor
vehicle, that is sufficient reason for you to be stopped by the police:
It is considered a primary offense.

Hams, however, needn't worry. The distracted-driving law exempts radio amateurs as well as utility workers and first-responders, such as police.

Penalties are increasing for those drivers found to be engaged in so-
called distracted driving but with the new law, the next six months will provide a grace period. Drivers who are not eligible for the exemption
will only be issued warnings while the state launches a public-education campaign about the change in enforcement.

With this law, Ohio joins the ranks of other states where exemptions were granted for amateur radio use while driving, including Indiana,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington state.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(SPRINGFIELD NEWS-SUN)

**

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 'YOUNG HAM LENDS A HAND' CONTEST

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you know a young amateur radio operator who's been
especially generous in giving time to assist an older person, a military veteran or the community-at-large, you might know a candidate for the
Radio Club of America's "Young Ham Lends a Hand" award. Candidates may
also be youth involved in recruiting others to get their licenses. Carole Perry, WB2MGP, is accepting nominations until April 1st for the award,
which will be presented, along with a $100 stipend, at the Youth Forum
during Dayton Hamvention. Email your nominee's name, callsign, age,
address and phone number to her at wb2mpg@gmail.com. Be sure to include
your reasons for the nomination.

(RADIO CLUB OF AMERICA)

**

NEW LEADERSHIP AT AMPLITUDE MODULATION INTERNATIONAL

PAUL/ANCHOR: AM enthusiasts who belong to Amplitude Modulation
International have welcomed a new leader. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, tells us
about him.

ANDY: The torch has been passed at Amplitude Modulation International:
John McGrath, N9AMI, has become executive director, succeeding Dale
Gagnon, KW1I, (K W One Eye). In 1993, Dale was one of the group's
founders who announced AMI's formation during Dayton Hamvention. The
founders created a group that would both celebrate and advocate for AM,
the original voice mode on the amateur bands. According to the AMI
website, members are encouraged to participate in all kinds of activity
within the group's 10 regions and to be active in annual operating events
and contests. AMI also monitors all FCC and ARRL activity that could have
an impact on operators using AM.

Writing on the recently updated website, Dale tells members that there
are some new changes in the works. An online forum has been added to the website to give amateurs a greater voice in the issues they care about.
He writes that the forum is open to anyone interested in AM operation and
not limited to AMI membership only. He will also be introducing a new
program called AMI On Ten and intends to bring back the Thanksgiving
Jamboree.

Dale is encouraging visitors to the website. You can visit AM
International at aminternational dot club (aminternational.club)

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(QRZ FORUMS, AM INTERNATIONAL)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

TECH CLASS OPERATORS WELCOME IN WINTERHEAT EVENT

DON/ANCHOR: An event known as Winterheat started on January 1st, and is
going on all month here in the US. If you have a Technician class license, you're especially welcome to join in, as we hear from Jack Parker, W8ISH.

JACK: The very word itself - Winterheat - would suggest a name that contradicts itself. Instead Winterheat has grown to stand for an event that presents increasing opportunities for all amateur radio operators in the United States, most especially those with a Technician class license.

Now in its fourth year, the month-long Winterheat challenges amateurs to become active in the FM simplex band segments on VHF and UHF. The activity also attracts operators on simplex DMR, D-STAR and Fusion. One of the organizers, John Fulton, K9AI, told Newsline that Winterheat started
modestly in Illinois in 2019 but has since spread to other midwestern
states and outward toward both coasts. John said that last year's event
drew amateurs' participation in 38 states for a total of 134,000 contacts.

Winterheat makes its web-based logging and reporting system available to registered operators and those operators can also view real time statistics and propagation.

Licensed hams who are interested in being a part of Winterheat can register
to participate by signing up at www.hamactive.com.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(JOHN FULTON, K9AI)

**

SILENT KEY: CONTEST HALL OF FAMER FRED LAUN, K3ZO

DON/ANCHOR: A well-known contester and leader in the amateur radio
community has become a Silent Key. We hear more about him from Kevin
Trotman, N5PRE.

KEVIN: Known worldwide for personal contributions to groups advancing
amateur radio, Fred Laun, K3ZO, was also an accomplished contester who was inducted into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame in 1993. Fred, a resident of
Temple Hills, Maryland, became a Silent Key on January 3rd, after falling
ill in mid-December. According to various reports, at the time of his death
he had been diagnosed with an infection and COVID.

A member of the ARRL's Maxim Society and a Life Member of the league, Fred
had been a director of the Yasme Foundation, which helps fund projects advancing amateur radio. His lifelong commitment to ham radio began in
1952, when he got his first license and was assigned WN9SZR as his call. A retired foreign service officer, Fred was a member of the First Class CW Operators' Club and the A1 Operator Club. He was also president of the National Capitol DX Association and the Potomac Valley Radio Club.

RAST, the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand, penned a tribute on its
website to Fred, who also held the callsign HSØZAR. Fred had been a
longtime advisor to RAST. He became one of the young organization's
earliest supporters after its creation in the late 1960s when his work as a United States Foreign Service Officer assigned him to a post in Thailand.

Tributes poured in on other websites too. Writing on the Reflector of the Potomac Valley Radio Club, Ken K4ZW, said: "There was just something about tuning the bands during a contest and hearing K3ZO. You knew everything was right with the ham radio world." [endquote]

Fred was 85.

(K8CX HAM GALLERY, ARRL)

**

SILENT KEY: CUBAN JOURNALIST, BROADCASTER ARNIE ANTIC, CO2KK

DON/ANCHOR: A noted Cuban journalist and amateur radio operator has also become a Silent Key. Arnaldo Coro Antich, CO2KK, died on January 8th. According to the Shortwave Listening Post, his death was the result of complications of various chronic illnesses. Hams around the world also knew him as Arnie Coro.

Arnie was active in amateur radio since the age of 12 when he joined an organization that was then known as the Radio Club de Cuba. He pursued a career in journalism and carved out a strong reputation in both radio and
in print media. Even at his current age of 80, he remained an active part
of the team at Radio Habana Cuba with an English-language program known as DXers Unlimited, which had a worldwide amateur radio listenership. In
addition to teaching journalism at two institutes in Cuba, he was active in the Cuban Radio Amateurs Federation, which was formed in 1966.

Committed to emergency response work, he was the emergency coordinator for Area C of Region 2 of the International Amateur Radio Union. Arnie was 80.

(SHORTWAVE LISTENING 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 AH6LE repeater
in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

IN THE US, FIELD DAY: IN THE WINTER?

JIM/ANCHOR: So have you started planning for this year's Field Day?
You may be thinking to yourself, there's plenty of time for that.
Right? But that's not what Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz (Abram-o-vich) tells us as US ham clubs and groups are already
planning for a different kind of Field Day - Winter Field Day.

MARK: I'd be willing to wager a lot of hams listening to this report
haven't ever heard about Winter Field Day.

Sure, maybe a few have read stories in the magazines over the years
about groups of amateurs going out somewhere in the woods during the
winter - especially in snow - and setting up tents with one or two
stations, wire antennas and gathering a hardy group of "polar bears,"
I mean operators, to activate them.

But, there really is a Winter Field Day and it's coming up fast -
Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29.

You may be surprised to know it's an activity that dates back to
2007. That year, a group of Texas hams came up with a plan to stir
up some activity on the bands during the winter while challenging
operators to set up stations similar to those activated for the
ARRL's Field Day in June.

A loosely knit group calling itself The Society for the Preservation
of Amateur Radio was behind the first few Winter Field Day events.
But, its small group of members quickly realized they needed some
help, and handed over the activity in 2015 to the newly formed Winter
Field Day Association.

That group set up some basic rules and categories that have led to
a blizzard of competition that has spread across the U.S. and beyond.

The Winter Field Day Association's mission is simple: It believes
hams should practice portable emergency communications in winter
environments because of the special challenges presented by
freezing temperatures, snow, ice and other hazards. WFD is
designed to sharpen preparedness under those subpar conditions.

Last year, more than 2,500 logs were submitted. This year, the
16th year for the event, the organizers are hoping for at least
that or more.

You can find more at the Winter Field Day website included in the
script for this story at our website, arnewsline.org.

Oh, and one more thing. As with the ARRL's Field Day, you don't
have to actually leave your home shack to take part.

Make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate or your favorite hot
beverage, fire up the HF radio, and get on the air and contact
those stations that are "out there in the cold" looking for you
and other "polar bears" during this 24-hour event.

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.winterfieldday.com ]

**

KFF MARATHON CHALLENGE GETS IN THE RUNNING

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams operating in natural settings or chasing QSOs
there have just embarked on a year-long challenge to score big.
Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us about this radio marathon.

STEPHEN: The fourth annual KFF Marathon Challenge kicked off on
the first of January, encouraging participants in the Worldwide
Flora and Fauna awards program to strive for their best scores
once again this year, either as activators or hunters. KFF is the
designation of the WWFF program for activation sites within the
United States and its territories. Awards are available for the
Top North American Hunters, Top DX Hunters, and Top Activators.
Some of the more interesting sites include the Hawaiian Islands
National Wildlife Refuge, the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon
Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and Choctaw National
Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Other parks, islands, caverns and
protected areas are located throughout the United States mainland.

For details visit the WWFF-KFF page on Facebook.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(WWFF)

**

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 (N 5 OH ZED G) repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

IN THE US, FIELD DAY: IN THE WINTER?

JIM/ANCHOR: So have you started planning for this year's Field Day?
You may be thinking to yourself, there's plenty of time for that.
Right? But that's not what Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz (Abram-o-vich) tells us as US ham clubs and groups are already
planning for a different kind of Field Day - Winter Field Day.

MARK: I'd be willing to wager a lot of hams listening to this report
haven't ever heard about Winter Field Day.

Sure, maybe a few have read stories in the magazines over the years
about groups of amateurs going out somewhere in the woods during the
winter - especially in snow - and setting up tents with one or two
stations, wire antennas and gathering a hardy group of "polar bears,"
I mean operators, to activate them.

But, there really is a Winter Field Day and it's coming up fast -
Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29.

You may be surprised to know it's an activity that dates back to
2007. That year, a group of Texas hams came up with a plan to stir
up some activity on the bands during the winter while challenging
operators to set up stations similar to those activated for the
ARRL's Field Day in June.

A loosely knit group calling itself The Society for the Preservation
of Amateur Radio was behind the first few Winter Field Day events.
But, its small group of members quickly realized they needed some
help, and handed over the activity in 2015 to the newly formed Winter
Field Day Association.

That group set up some basic rules and categories that have led to
a blizzard of competition that has spread across the U.S. and beyond.

The Winter Field Day Association's mission is simple: It believes
hams should practice portable emergency communications in winter
environments because of the special challenges presented by
freezing temperatures, snow, ice and other hazards. WFD is
designed to sharpen preparedness under those subpar conditions.

Last year, more than 2,500 logs were submitted. This year, the
16th year for the event, the organizers are hoping for at least
that or more.

You can find more at the Winter Field Day website included in the
script for this story at our website, arnewsline.org.

Oh, and one more thing. As with the ARRL's Field Day, you don't
have to actually leave your home shack to take part.

Make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate or your favorite hot
beverage, fire up the HF radio, and get on the air and contact
those stations that are "out there in the cold" looking for you
and other "polar bears" during this 24-hour event.

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.winterfieldday.com ]

**

KFF MARATHON CHALLENGE GETS IN THE RUNNING

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams operating in natural settings or chasing QSOs
there have just embarked on a year-long challenge to score big.
Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us about this radio marathon.

STEPHEN: The fourth annual KFF Marathon Challenge kicked off on
the first of January, encouraging participants in the Worldwide
Flora and Fauna awards program to strive for their best scores
once again this year, either as activators or hunters. KFF is the
designation of the WWFF program for activation sites within the
United States and its territories. Awards are available for the
Top North American Hunters, Top DX Hunters, and Top Activators.
Some of the more interesting sites include the Hawaiian Islands
National Wildlife Refuge, the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon
Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and Choctaw National
Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Other parks, islands, caverns and
protected areas are located throughout the United States mainland.

For details visit the WWFF-KFF page on Facebook.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(WWFF)

**

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 (N 5 OH ZED G) repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

IN THE US, FIELD DAY: IN THE WINTER?

JIM/ANCHOR: So have you started planning for this year's Field Day?
You may be thinking to yourself, there's plenty of time for that.
Right? But that's not what Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz (Abram-o-vich) tells us as US ham clubs and groups are already
planning for a different kind of Field Day - Winter Field Day.

MARK: I'd be willing to wager a lot of hams listening to this report
haven't ever heard about Winter Field Day.

Sure, maybe a few have read stories in the magazines over the years
about groups of amateurs going out somewhere in the woods during the
winter - especially in snow - and setting up tents with one or two
stations, wire antennas and gathering a hardy group of "polar bears,"
I mean operators, to activate them.

But, there really is a Winter Field Day and it's coming up fast -
Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29.

You may be surprised to know it's an activity that dates back to
2007. That year, a group of Texas hams came up with a plan to stir
up some activity on the bands during the winter while challenging
operators to set up stations similar to those activated for the
ARRL's Field Day in June.

A loosely knit group calling itself The Society for the Preservation
of Amateur Radio was behind the first few Winter Field Day events.
But, its small group of members quickly realized they needed some
help, and handed over the activity in 2015 to the newly formed Winter
Field Day Association.

That group set up some basic rules and categories that have led to
a blizzard of competition that has spread across the U.S. and beyond.

The Winter Field Day Association's mission is simple: It believes
hams should practice portable emergency communications in winter
environments because of the special challenges presented by
freezing temperatures, snow, ice and other hazards. WFD is
designed to sharpen preparedness under those subpar conditions.

Last year, more than 2,500 logs were submitted. This year, the
16th year for the event, the organizers are hoping for at least
that or more.

You can find more at the Winter Field Day website included in the
script for this story at our website, arnewsline.org.

Oh, and one more thing. As with the ARRL's Field Day, you don't
have to actually leave your home shack to take part.

Make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate or your favorite hot
beverage, fire up the HF radio, and get on the air and contact
those stations that are "out there in the cold" looking for you
and other "polar bears" during this 24-hour event.

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.winterfieldday.com ]

**

KFF MARATHON CHALLENGE GETS IN THE RUNNING

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams operating in natural settings or chasing QSOs
there have just embarked on a year-long challenge to score big.
Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us about this radio marathon.

STEPHEN: The fourth annual KFF Marathon Challenge kicked off on
the first of January, encouraging participants in the Worldwide
Flora and Fauna awards program to strive for their best scores
once again this year, either as activators or hunters. KFF is the
designation of the WWFF program for activation sites within the
United States and its territories. Awards are available for the
Top North American Hunters, Top DX Hunters, and Top Activators.
Some of the more interesting sites include the Hawaiian Islands
National Wildlife Refuge, the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon
Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and Choctaw National
Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Other parks, islands, caverns and
protected areas are located throughout the United States mainland.

For details visit the WWFF-KFF page on Facebook.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(WWFF)

**

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 (N 5 OH ZED G) repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

IN THE US, FIELD DAY: IN THE WINTER?

JIM/ANCHOR: So have you started planning for this year's Field Day?
You may be thinking to yourself, there's plenty of time for that.
Right? But that's not what Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz (Abram-o-vich) tells us as US ham clubs and groups are already
planning for a different kind of Field Day - Winter Field Day.

MARK: I'd be willing to wager a lot of hams listening to this report
haven't ever heard about Winter Field Day.

Sure, maybe a few have read stories in the magazines over the years
about groups of amateurs going out somewhere in the woods during the
winter - especially in snow - and setting up tents with one or two
stations, wire antennas and gathering a hardy group of "polar bears,"
I mean operators, to activate them.

But, there really is a Winter Field Day and it's coming up fast -
Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29.

You may be surprised to know it's an activity that dates back to
2007. That year, a group of Texas hams came up with a plan to stir
up some activity on the bands during the winter while challenging
operators to set up stations similar to those activated for the
ARRL's Field Day in June.

A loosely knit group calling itself The Society for the Preservation
of Amateur Radio was behind the first few Winter Field Day events.
But, its small group of members quickly realized they needed some
help, and handed over the activity in 2015 to the newly formed Winter
Field Day Association.

That group set up some basic rules and categories that have led to
a blizzard of competition that has spread across the U.S. and beyond.

The Winter Field Day Association's mission is simple: It believes
hams should practice portable emergency communications in winter
environments because of the special challenges presented by
freezing temperatures, snow, ice and other hazards. WFD is
designed to sharpen preparedness under those subpar conditions.

Last year, more than 2,500 logs were submitted. This year, the
16th year for the event, the organizers are hoping for at least
that or more.

You can find more at the Winter Field Day website included in the
script for this story at our website, arnewsline.org.

Oh, and one more thing. As with the ARRL's Field Day, you don't
have to actually leave your home shack to take part.

Make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate or your favorite hot
beverage, fire up the HF radio, and get on the air and contact
those stations that are "out there in the cold" looking for you
and other "polar bears" during this 24-hour event.

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.winterfieldday.com ]

**

KFF MARATHON CHALLENGE GETS IN THE RUNNING

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams operating in natural settings or chasing QSOs
there have just embarked on a year-long challenge to score big.
Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us about this radio marathon.

STEPHEN: The fourth annual KFF Marathon Challenge kicked off on
the first of January, encouraging participants in the Worldwide
Flora and Fauna awards program to strive for their best scores
once again this year, either as activators or hunters. KFF is the
designation of the WWFF program for activation sites within the
United States and its territories. Awards are available for the
Top North American Hunters, Top DX Hunters, and Top Activators.
Some of the more interesting sites include the Hawaiian Islands
National Wildlife Refuge, the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon
Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and Choctaw National
Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Other parks, islands, caverns and
protected areas are located throughout the United States mainland.

For details visit the WWFF-KFF page on Facebook.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(WWFF)

**

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 (N 5 OH ZED G) repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

IN THE US, FIELD DAY: IN THE WINTER?

JIM/ANCHOR: So have you started planning for this year's Field Day?
You may be thinking to yourself, there's plenty of time for that.
Right? But that's not what Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz (Abram-o-vich) tells us as US ham clubs and groups are already
planning for a different kind of Field Day - Winter Field Day.

MARK: I'd be willing to wager a lot of hams listening to this report
haven't ever heard about Winter Field Day.

Sure, maybe a few have read stories in the magazines over the years
about groups of amateurs going out somewhere in the woods during the
winter - especially in snow - and setting up tents with one or two
stations, wire antennas and gathering a hardy group of "polar bears,"
I mean operators, to activate them.

But, there really is a Winter Field Day and it's coming up fast -
Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29.

You may be surprised to know it's an activity that dates back to
2007. That year, a group of Texas hams came up with a plan to stir
up some activity on the bands during the winter while challenging
operators to set up stations similar to those activated for the
ARRL's Field Day in June.

A loosely knit group calling itself The Society for the Preservation
of Amateur Radio was behind the first few Winter Field Day events.
But, its small group of members quickly realized they needed some
help, and handed over the activity in 2015 to the newly formed Winter
Field Day Association.

That group set up some basic rules and categories that have led to
a blizzard of competition that has spread across the U.S. and beyond.

The Winter Field Day Association's mission is simple: It believes
hams should practice portable emergency communications in winter
environments because of the special challenges presented by
freezing temperatures, snow, ice and other hazards. WFD is
designed to sharpen preparedness under those subpar conditions.

Last year, more than 2,500 logs were submitted. This year, the
16th year for the event, the organizers are hoping for at least
that or more.

You can find more at the Winter Field Day website included in the
script for this story at our website, arnewsline.org.

Oh, and one more thing. As with the ARRL's Field Day, you don't
have to actually leave your home shack to take part.

Make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate or your favorite hot
beverage, fire up the HF radio, and get on the air and contact
those stations that are "out there in the cold" looking for you
and other "polar bears" during this 24-hour event.

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.winterfieldday.com ]

**

KFF MARATHON CHALLENGE GETS IN THE RUNNING

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams operating in natural settings or chasing QSOs
there have just embarked on a year-long challenge to score big.
Stephen Kinford, N8WB, tells us about this radio marathon.

STEPHEN: The fourth annual KFF Marathon Challenge kicked off on
the first of January, encouraging participants in the Worldwide
Flora and Fauna awards program to strive for their best scores
once again this year, either as activators or hunters. KFF is the
designation of the WWFF program for activation sites within the
United States and its territories. Awards are available for the
Top North American Hunters, Top DX Hunters, and Top Activators.
Some of the more interesting sites include the Hawaiian Islands
National Wildlife Refuge, the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon
Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and Choctaw National
Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Other parks, islands, caverns and
protected areas are located throughout the United States mainland.

For details visit the WWFF-KFF page on Facebook.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(WWFF)

**

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 (N 5 OH ZED G) repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)